ã€ŠCan&#x27;t Win Me Backã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Alice White stared at the divorce papers on the table and realized that her husband had already signed

    them.

    Then, she looked toward the window. Jasper Beckett¡¯s upright figure reflected in her watery eyes. He

    looked charming under the afternoon sun but also cold and domineering. Even from behind, he

    radiated aloofness.

    ¡°I¡¯ve signed it. You should also hurry and sign it. I want to finish all the legal procedures before Lia

    returns.¡± Jasper had his hands sped behind him and didn¡¯t turn to look at her.

    ¡°We¡¯ve already agreed on the assets before marriage, so there won¡¯t be any issues with that. However,

    I willpensate you with another 20 million and a vi on the outskirts. After all, you¡¯d be leaving

    without anything else. It¡¯d be hard for me to exin that to Grandpater if you do.¡±

    Alice was stunned and upset. ¡°Does ¡­ does Grandpa know you¡¯re divorcing me?¡±

    ¡°So what if he knows? Do you think it¡¯ll affect my decision?¡±

    After hearing that, Alice felt faint and grasped the table tightly. Then, she asked softly while on the

    verge of tears, ¡°Jasper, can we ¡­ not get a divorce?¡±

    Finally, Jasper turned around and looked at her with a strange gaze. He had thin lips, deep eyes, and

    fierce features. Alice would still feel a flutter in her heart when she looked at his perfectly contoured

    face.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°B-Because I love you.¡± Alice¡¯s eyes were red and filled with tears. ¡°I love you, Jasper. I still want to be

    your wife. Even if you don¡¯t have any feelings for me.¡±

    ¡°Alice White! I¡¯ve had enough! Every second is torture to me in this loveless marriage.¡±

    Jasper waved his hand. He didn¡¯t have the patience to listen to her anymore. ¡°It was a mistake that you

    married me. You knew I was fighting with Grandpa. You also knew I had feelings for someone else, and

    we couldn¡¯t be together. Now that the three-year period is up and Lia is returning from Mosgravia, it¡¯s

    time you vacate the position of Mrs. Beckett.¡±

    Alice had her head down and her tears fell onto the table. She quickly wiped them away. Still, Jasper

    saw it, and his gaze became deeper.

    At this time, his phone rang. When he saw the caller, he quickly answered it.

    ¡°Lia, have you boarded the ne?¡± His tone was extremely soft. He was totally unlike the indifferent,

    cold man that Alice knew.

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯m already at Sna City airport.¡± Lia¡¯s excited voice sounded through the phone.

    ¡°What? Didn¡¯t you say you would fly tonight?¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I wanted to give you a surprise!¡±

    ¡°Lia, wait for me. I¡¯ll pick you up right now.¡± With that, he quickly walked past Alice.

    Once the study room door closed, the depressed atmosphere remained. Alice had had a crush on

    Jasper for ten years, and they were married for three years. She had given her all for this family and

    stayed loyal to him. Yet, in the end, he only felt as though it was torture.

    Now that Jasper was finally freed, he ruthlessly abandoned her, excited to marry his first love. Alice felt

    pain in her heart. She could never make him fall for her no matter how hard she tried.

    After that, she took a deep breath and shook her head as tears fell onto Jasper¡¯s name on the divorce

    papers.

    That night, Jasper took Liana Gardner back to Seaview Manor. The delicate woman was being held in

    his arms. They entered the vi in a dignified manner, attracting everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Jasper, you haven¡¯t divorced Alice yet. I-I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea for us to be so close. Alice would

    be mad at me.¡± Liana caressed Jasper¡¯s chest as she spoke.

    ¡°She won¡¯t.¡± Jasper didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I don¡¯t love her anyway. We¡¯re just in a contractual rtionship.

    She knows her ce.¡±

    Everyone in the Beckett family surrounded Liana and showed their concern. Only Alice was left alone

    in the dining room, getting dinner ready.

    Amid the chaos, Jasper caught a glimpse of his wife¡¯s lonely figure and smirked. He thought, ¡°Even at

    this point, she¡¯s still like a loyal maid, serving the Becketts. Does she think there would be a chance for

    things to turn around? Ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett!¡± The butler suddenly rushed over in a panic.

    ¡°Madam Alice, she left!¡±

    ¡°Left? When did she leave?¡±

    ¡°J-Just a moment ago. She didn¡¯t take anything. After she removed her apron, she left from the back

    door and was picked up in a ck car.¡±

    Jasper rushed to the bedroom to find it immacte. Only a signed divorce agreement was on the

    bedside, and he could still see the tear stains.

    He frowned and walked to the window. A Rolls-Royce sped away from the Seaview Manor and soon

    vanished into the dark.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t she unwilling to leave in the afternoon? Now she¡¯s quick to disappear.¡± Displeased, Jasper

    called his secretary.

    ¡°Find out who¡¯s the owner of the car with the te A9999.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Mr. Beckett.¡±

    After five minutes, his secretary called. ¡°Mr. Beckett, we¡¯ve found it. The car belongs to the president of

    KS Group.¡±

    The president of KS Group?

    Alice came from a vige. She was poor with no outstanding background. She didn¡¯t even have any

    friends during their three years together. How could she know the president of KS Group? Had she

    moved on so quickly and found herself another man?

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, did you really divorce Madam Alice today?¡± the secretary asked tentatively.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Can¡¯t I do it today? When do you think I should divorce her then?¡± Jasper was

    furious.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s her birthday today.¡±

    Jasper was taken aback when he heard that.

    On the back seat of the Rolls-Royce, Jonah Taylor took Alice¡¯s hand and gently squeezed it.

    ¡°When Ss heard you wereing back, he prepared a bunch of fireworks to wee you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for fireworks.¡±

    Now, she had returned to her status as a scion of the Taylor family. She leaned on her eldest brother¡¯s

    shoulder and sighed. Her eyes glistened with tears.

    Then, she nced at Alice White¡¯s phone to read thest message there. It was not from her ex-

    husband but from Liana.

    ¡°What did I tell you? You¡¯ll have to give me back my position after you stole it from me. Jasper is mine.

    Don¡¯t even dream about getting him to stay with you!¡±

    She smiled wryly and finally came to her senses after shedding onest tear.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Can¡¯t you bear to leave?¡± Jonah hugged her, his heart aching for his sister.

    ¡°Jonah, it¡¯s my birthday today.¡±

    ¡°I know. That bastard should be struck by lightning for choosing today to do this to you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t feel like I can¡¯t bear to leave. Jasper killed Alice White today.¡±

    When Alyssa Taylor opened her eyes again, she no longer showed any sentiments for Jasper.

    ¡°I finally get to be free. If I ever go back, I¡¯m better off dead.¡±

 Chapter 2

    Liana was the niece of Jasper¡¯s father¡¯s current wife, so she got along well with the family during

    dinner. In contrast, Jasper was the only one with a frown and no appetite.

    Alice had left with Jonah and taken nothing with her, including the 20 million and the vi.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Alice? Why isn¡¯t she joining us for dinner?¡± Jasper¡¯s father, Javier Beckett, asked.

    ¡°We¡¯re divorced. The papers are already signed. We will go through the procedures soon and get the

    divorce certificate.¡± Jasper looked down as he answered.

    Shocked, Javier asked, ¡°Divorce? Why?¡±

    ¡°Javier, I told you Jasper and Alice aren¡¯t a good match. Still, your father forced them to get married.¡±

    His wife, Sophia Kirkman, couldn¡¯t help but sigh.

    ¡°She¡¯s suffered a lot during these three years. It¡¯s a good thing for them both that she¡¯s finally let go.

    Now, they can live their own lives. You know that Jasper has always been in love with Lia.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, marriage isn¡¯t child¡¯s y. Moreover, she ¡­¡±

    ¡°Dad, we¡¯ve signed the divorce papers. Alice has also left, and she didn¡¯t take anything with her.¡±

    Jasper frowned irritatedly.

    ¡°Whoa! That country bumpkin is quite principled.¡± Jasper¡¯s sister, Betty Beckett, sneered. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me

    this is one of her tricks. I hope she doesn¡¯t make up rumors that the Becketts mistreated her.¡±

    When Jasper heard this, he became sullen.

    ¡°Jasper, I think you¡¯ve acted rashly in this. Your grandfather is still sick. How are you going to exin

    this to him?¡± Javier couldn¡¯t hold back his irritation as he was afraid that his father would be outraged

    by the divorce.

    ¡°I will publicly announce my marriage with Liana next month.¡±

    Liana stared at Jasper¡¯s handsome face. The happiness in her eyes was obvious.

    ¡°Absolute nonsense! How could you abandon your wife of three years so casually? Your reputation will

    be tarnished!¡±

    ¡°I never cared about such things. Alice White was never the woman I wanted to marry.¡± Jasper¡¯s stance

    was firm, and he didn¡¯t show a hint of regret.

    ¡°Uncle Javier, please don¡¯t me Jasper. If you have to me someone, then me it on me.

    Liana leaned on Jasper and said, ¡°It was my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have visited. I¡¯ll return to Mosgravia

    tomorrow morning. Jasper, you should get back together with Alice. I don¡¯t want to be the viin who

    broke this rtionship ¡­¡±

    ¡°Liana, this has nothing to do with you.¡± Jasper¡¯s gaze was fathomless as he said that.

    Then, he took her hand. ¡°There are no feelings between Alice White and me. I¡¯ve endured it for three

    years, and I¡¯ll never wrong you again.¡±

    ¡­

    The night breeze was chilly. Jonah took Alyssa to theke and boarded a yacht to enjoy the beautiful

    city nightscape. He hoped this would cheer her up.

    ¡°Jonah, are you trying to torment me?¡±

    Alyssa looked at the couples around her. ¡°This is a ce for couples to date. I wouldn¡¯t dare toe to

    such a ce even during normal times!¡±

    ¡°Really? You can only me Ss. He prepared the fireworks here, and they¡¯ll start at eight.¡± Jonah

    looked at his watch elegantly. ¡°Five, four, three, two, one.¡±

    With a loud explosion, a huge purple firework ignited the sky.

    All the couples nearby gathered at the deck, and many more came to the shore to watch.

    ¡°Ss certainly has terrible taste.¡± Alyssa shook her head but felt happy in her heart.

    ¡°Think about the weird gifts you¡¯ve received in the past. He has improved a lot.¡± Jonah held his sister¡¯s

    shoulder and gently pulled her into his embrace. ¡°This is not the only gift for you. We¡¯ve all prepared

    something, and they¡¯re piled up in your room. You are loved by many, so give your love and time to the

    people worthy of it.¡±

    Alyssa was touched by his words, and she was on the verge of tears.

    Right then, a ck Maybach stopped outside the crowd. Jasper held Liana¡¯s hand as they exited the

    car. Since it was breezy, Liana hugged Jasper tightly.

    ¡°Oh my! The fireworks are so pretty. Jasper, look!¡± Liana disyed her childlike innocence when she

    was with Jasper, and that was what he loved about her.

    It differed from Alice White¡¯s iprehensible dullness, which he disliked. In the past three years,

    Alice only had one advantage¡ªshe was obedient. But what was the use of that? Jasper didn¡¯t love her

    at all.

    They walked to the railing. Suddenly, fireworks bloomed together, turning into a line of words in the air

    that read, ¡°Happy Birthday.¡±

    ¡°Oh! It¡¯s someone¡¯s birthday. Who is the lucky person getting such an amazing present?¡± Liana said in

    an envious tone.

    However, Jasper was shocked and he felt something tugging at his heartstrings. He pursed his lips and

    thought, ¡°It¡¯s Alice White¡¯s birthday today. Did Jonah prepare this as a birthday gift for her?¡±

    Then, a familiar bright voice sounded as a yacht passed in front of them, a man and a woman on its

    deck. It was Alice and Jonah.

    ¡°Huh? Isn¡¯t that Alice? Who¡¯s that guy beside her? He seems familiar, and they both look intimate.¡±

    Liana acted naive as she asked this.

    Jasper felt a sudden burst of anger, and his knuckles turned white when he grasped the railings tightly.

    They hadn¡¯t officially divorced, and yet Alice was having fun with another man. Why did she cry so

    pitifully in the afternoon, then?

    After twops around theke, the yacht stopped by the shore. When the passengers had left, Jonah

    put an arm around Alyssa¡¯s waist, and they got down together.

    ¡°Alice White!¡±

    Alyssa froze when she heard that name. She looked back to find Jasper walking toward her. His

    handsome face still captured her heart, but it was all useless now. Jasper himself had rejected the love

    she had given him for thirteen years, and she couldn¡¯t love him anymore.

    ¡°Who is he?¡± Jasper¡¯s expression was cold and demanding.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you seem to have a poor memory.¡±

    Jonah held his sister tightly and smiled. ¡°We¡¯vepeted in business a couple of times.¡±

    ¡°Alice White, answer my question.¡± Jasper ignored Jonah and walked closer to her.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, we¡¯re divorced. What does it have to do with you who he is?¡± Alyssa replied in a cold and

    arrogant tone.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s expression changed. He couldn¡¯t believe the usually obedient Alice would speak to him in

    such a tone.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t officially divorced, yet you¡¯re already so eager to cling to another man?¡±

    How dare Jasper use Alyssa when he was the one to cheat on her in this marriage?

    Jonah was furious and was about to hit Jasper, but Alyssa stopped him. However, her actions only

    enraged Jasper.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t officially divorced, yet your first love can¡¯t wait to take my ce. I didn¡¯t say a thing when

    she reced me so quickly. What right do you have to stop me from being with another guy?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s hair fluttered in the wind, her red lips curled into a smirk. This was the first time he had seen

    such a beautiful side of her. It was filled with a wildness that was difficult to tame.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is the ex-husband the only one allowed to get mad, while his ex-wife isn¡¯t allowed

    to make a fuss?¡±

    Jasper was speechless at her harsh words.

    At this time, Liana finally caught up. She noticed Jasper still held some sentiments for Alice and

    stomped her feet angrily. However, she was in heels, and she twisted her ankle instead. With that, she

    fell to the ground.

    ¡°Ah! Jasper! My ankle hurts!¡±

    Only then did Jasper return to his senses and help Liana from the ground. When he turned back, the

    other couple had disappeared from sight.

 Chapter 3

    The Heightsnew Vi in Belbanks was home to the Taylor family. The Rolls-Royce stopped on the red

    carpet leading to the door of the building. Ss came out to wee his sister and opened the car door

    for her.

    ¡°Wee back, princess!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s delicate face looked even more stunning under the dazzling lights. When she got in the car,

    she had changed from sneakers to heels. Therefore, she now looked elegant, like a queen.

    ¡°How have you guys been, Ss?¡±

    ¡°Great. It¡¯s even better now that you¡¯re back. Did you enjoy the fireworks? My birthday gift for you

    attracted the whole city¡¯s attention. It was even trending on social media!¡± Ss¡¯ handsome face was

    filled with excitement.

    ¡°Yes. I saw it. The people were guessing if it was a tycoon trying to romance his wife, and some even

    said you were corny. Congrattions on unlocking a new achievement, Ss.¡± Alyssa smiled and

    pped her hands.

    Ss ignored her sarcasm and excitedly hugged her.

    ¡°Lyse, you won¡¯t leave us again, right?¡±

    ¡°No. He divorced me, so why would I leave now?¡± Alyssa patted her brother¡¯s back tofort him. She

    sighed. ¡°I embarrassed you guys. For three years, I thought I could make him fall in love with me if I

    persisted and put in all my effort. In the end, I failed so badly.¡±

    Heaven knew how bitter she felt, but she endured it all. She swore that she would never shed another

    tear for Jasper once she stepped out of the Becketts¡¯ house. It wasn¡¯t worth it.

    ¡°That bastard Jasper Beckett! How dare he bully my sister! I will start a thorough investigation of the

    Beckett Group tomorrow. Then, I¡¯ll have Axel assassinate that jerk.¡±

    When Jonah heard that, he muttered an amen.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mess around, Ss. You¡¯re a public prosecutor.¡± Alyssaughed wryly. ¡°Can¡¯t you be like Jonah?

    Learn to be more peaceful?¡±

    ¡°Bullshit. You don¡¯t know the bad things he did before bing the peaceful guy he is now.¡±

    Ss pulled his tie in anger and said, ¡°Anyway, I won¡¯t just let this matter pass. He can bully me, but not

    my sister. Since he dares to do so, he will always be on my radar!¡±

    Alyssa took Jonah¡¯s arm on the left and Ss¡¯ on the right. The three of them happily walked into the

    house that Alyssa dearly missed.

    When the chairman of KS Group, Winston Taylor, heard that his daughter was returning, the happiness

    on his usually stern face was obvious. He was so delighted that he paced around his study.

    ¡°Dad! I¡¯m back!¡±

    Alyssa came to the study with her brothers. In contrast to the usually gentle and virtuous attitude she

    showed to the Becketts, she directlyid on the sofa and kicked away her heels.

    Jonah also sat down and took his sister¡¯s slender and fair legs, putting them on his own and giving her

    a massage.

    ¡°Where are your manners? Did you go somewhere to be a doctor with Doctors Without Borders

    again? Were you in some backwater vige?¡± Winston deliberately maintained a straight face. He

    couldn¡¯t help but feel like they were fated to sh. He would miss her if he didn¡¯t see her. But when

    they were in the same room, she always pissed him off.

    ¡°Is this a sign of Alzheimer¡¯s? I¡¯ve always been like this. Is this your first day of being my father?¡±

    Then, she looked up and was shocked. On the wall were some posters she had made more than a

    decade ago. She was not sure when her father found them, and he even framed them on the wall.

    One of the posters wrote, ¡°Do you think you¡¯re Adonis? Having multiple wives doesn¡¯t make you

    attractive!¡±

    The other poster wrote, ¡°Better take care of your health now that you¡¯re old. Otherwise, you might die of

    a stroke.¡±

    Another wrote, ¡°Please show yourself some respect. Thank you.¡±

    This was a wedding gift she gave Winston when he got married for the third time.

    The Taylors became a hot topic of discussion because Winston had four wives. Alyssa wasn¡¯t happy

    with her family¡¯s situation, so she studied abroad and became a doctor with Doctors Without Borders,

    saving many lives.

    ¡°After leaving home for three years, the first thing you do is curse your old man. What a considerate

    daughter I have.¡± Winston was furious, and he red at her.

    ¡°Thank you for the praise, Daddy.¡± Alyssaughed.

    ¡°Dad, we should hurry up and discuss some matters since Lyse is back.¡± Jonah put his sister¡¯s shoes

    on for her.

    Then, he said solemnly, ¡°I¡¯ve decided to give up my position as KS Group¡¯s president. Let Lyse take my

    ce instead.¡±

    Alyssa was shocked and stared at her brother¡¯s handsome face.

    ¡°You!¡± Winston was speechless.

    ¡°Dad, Alyssa is back. I only promised to be the president for three years, and I need to return to church.

    You know this isn¡¯t my passion. Being a pastor is my lifelong dream.¡± At this moment, there seemed to

    be a holy light behind him. Moreover, his stance was firm.

    ¡°Let Ss do it then.¡± Forced into a corner, Winston had no other choice but to try and bargain with him.

    ¡°No, no, no. I work for the government. I can¡¯t have any connections withrge financialpanies.

    What if I get investigated!¡± Ss quickly refused his father¡¯s offer. His face was pale from shock.

    Winston felt depressed. What was the use of having so many sons? All of them were doing amazing

    themselves, but no one was willing to inherit his business. His health had been declining, and he had

    nned long ago to retire. Unfortunately, no one in his family could take on the business empire he had

    built.

    It was not that he didn¡¯t dote on his daughter. He was just a stubborn old guy who believed that sons

    would be better heirs.

    ¡°Who told you a woman can¡¯t do what a man does? I¡¯ll be the president!¡± Alyssa smiled and proudly

    raised her chin.

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s that easy? KS Group is not child¡¯s y. Do you think a kid like you can lead the

    company? And do you even know how to manage a business?¡± Winston didn¡¯t hide the anger and

    sadness on his face.

    ¡°Most importantly, you never stay the course. You always suddenly disappear without a trace. You even

    went to Gawa for three years without a word. Do you know how worried I was? How worried your

    mothers were? I thought you were bombed to shreds over there.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯ s heart ached at the words, a lump forming in her throat. Even though she felt that her father

    owed her mother a lot and she held a lot of grievances against him, she had been wrong to go silent for

    three years and marry Jasper without telling him about it.

    ¡°Dad, Lyse is no less capable than me.¡± Jonah picked up the cup and took a sip. ¡°Do you remember

    the financial crisis we suffered four years ago? Lyse was the one who suggested a few effective

    company control measures. Also, it was Lyse who stayed up for several nights to create the acquisition

    n for the Willow Group two years ago.¡±

    Winston was shocked to hear that.

    ¡°Dad, you don¡¯t understand Lyse well enough. Compared to everyone in this family, she¡¯s the brightest

    and the one with the most perseverance. You¡¯ve always had a reputation for recognizing talents and

    using them well. Now a talent is right before your eyes. Why don¡¯t you use her?¡± Ss also tried his

    best to persuade his father.

    After some thought, Winston said seriously, ¡°Okay. Since you want to take over the family business, I¡¯ll

    let you have a go at it. Consider it my birthday present to you!¡±

    Alyssa automatically sat up straight, and her eyes gleamed with excitement.

    ¡°Rest for a few days. After that, I¡¯ll take you to Sna City¡¯s KS World Hotel to report for duty. If you

    can enhance the business and turn a loss-making enterprise into a profitable one, I¡¯ll consider letting

    you be the president of KS Group.¡±

    When they left the study, both her brothers put their hands on her shoulder.

    ¡°Great responsibility only falls on those who are equally great,¡± Jonah said.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°He just had to go and give you a mess to clean up.¡± Ss sighed.

    ¡°I know. The old man is doing this so that I¡¯ll quit. Unfortunately, this method isn¡¯t useful against me. I¡¯m

    like a coiled spring. Any pressure will only make me stronger.¡± Alyssa clenched her fists. The ambition

    that had been dormant inside her for three years was slowly rising to the surface.

    The brothers nced at each other and smiled. ¡°My dear sister. We¡¯ll leave our future freedom in your

    hands.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Five dayster, Jasper called his secretary, Xavier Hall, to his office.

    ¡°How is the investigation on Alice White going?¡±

    Jasper looked out from the floor-to-ceiling windows at Sna City. His tall, upright figure projected an

    overbearing silhouette.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Beckett. There isn¡¯t any progress,¡± Xavier nervously reported.

    ¡°After Madam Alice left that night, she didn¡¯t return to the sanatorium where she worked. I even went to

    her address only to find out that it was fake. There weren¡¯t any families with thest name White in that

    area.¡±

    ¡°The address is fake?¡± Jasper was shocked. He finally turned to look at Xavier, his gaze oppressive.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Yes. I went to the local police station to check things out, but there is no such person.¡± Xavier had

    addressed her as Madam Alice for three years. It was hard for him to change this habit.

    Jasper was stunned. Who did he marry? Was she a spy?

    ¡°She left with Jonah Taylor that night. There¡¯s nothing rted to him?¡±

    ¡°To be honest, if Mr. Taylor deliberately hid the fact that he had a new lover, it would be hard for us to

    find any clues.¡±

    When Jasper heard that, he raised his brows in anger. ¡°Jonah Taylor looks like a gentleman with good

    manners. How could he do such a despicable thing like stealing someone¡¯s wife?¡±

    ¡°Well ¡­ He¡¯s not really stealing. He¡¯s just taking over the duties ¡­¡±

    Instantly, Jasper red at him, so Xavier dared not speak another word.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t forget the scene of that night, when Jonah was so protective of Alice. He was unsure

    why, but he had a suffocating feeling in his heart.

    His wife had always been dull. Also, Jonah was famous in their circle for being a ruthless and cold

    man. So how did she manage to attract an indifferent guy like Jonah to protect her?

    ¡°Jasper, can we not get a divorce?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because I love you!¡±

    Jasper recalled what she had said to him on the day of their divorce.

    ¡°Liar!¡± He narrowed his eyes, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. The more he thought

    about it, the angrier he got.

    Then, his phone vibrated. He put away these thoughts. When he found that it was Liana calling, he

    quickly answered. ¡°Lia? What¡¯s the matter?

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯m in yourpany¡¯s lobby. Can youe and bring me up? I made some dessert for you. I

    want you to have a taste of it immediately.¡± Liana¡¯s voice was sweet and cloying through the phone,

    and Xavier got goosebumps just listening to it.

    ¡°You¡¯re at the lobby?¡± Jasper frowned.

    ¡°Yes. What¡¯s the matter, Jasper? Don¡¯t you want to meet me?¡± Liana asked coquettishly.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Xavier will bring you up.¡± After he ended the call, his expression was dark. He hadn¡¯t

    completed the divorce procedures with Alice, so the news of their divorce was not yet public. It might

    cause unnecessary rumors if Liana visited him at this time.

    He wasn¡¯t scared of anything. It was just that ¡­

    His phone vibrated again. When he saw the caller, he became nervous.

    ¡°Grandpa.¡±

    ¡°You fool! Bastard! Do you never listen to what I say?¡± His grandfather, Newton Beckett, scolded.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t I told you that you¡¯re not allowed to contact that woman if you marry Alice? But you actually

    brought her to thepany? Even if you don¡¯t care about your reputation, you should care about

    Alice¡¯s! Get over here right now!¡±

    ¡­

    The atmosphere was suffocating in the reception room. Newton held his cane as he sat down with the

    help of his secretary and his son. However, his expression was sullen.

    Jasper stood straight before his grandfather. Meanwhile, Liana waited outside as she was barred from

    the meeting. Newton had dered, ¡°This kind of cheap bitch is not worth my time.¡±

    ¡°Exin! What¡¯s that woman doing here?¡± Newton banged his cane.

    ¡°Dad, calm down ¡­¡± Javier patted his father¡¯s back while he red at Jasper in dismay.

    ¡°Grandpa, the three-year contract is up.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was hoarse. ¡°You promised me that I only have

    to be married to Alice White for three years. After that, I can choose to stay married or divorce.¡±

    Newton¡¯s face instantly paled with shock. He had enjoyed Alice¡¯s three years with the family, so he

    didn¡¯t realize that much time had passed.

    ¡°Now, I¡¯m ending this marriage to be with the woman I love. You shouldn¡¯t have any objection to this.

    Alice has also signed the divorce papers. We¡¯ll go through the formalities soon,¡± Jasper said

    indifferently.

    ¡°What? You divorced her?¡± Newton was outraged. When he got up, his vision cked out momentarily

    and he almost fainted.

    Jasper quickly rushed forward and supported his grandfather. However, Newton pushed him away

    angrily.

    ¡°Dad, they haven¡¯t gotten the divorce certificate yet. All they did was sign the papers. You¡¯ve just been

    through a stroke, so you can¡¯t be agitated.¡± Javier was worried Newton¡¯s stroke would rpse.

    ¡°Oh my. What sin have Imitted? I wasn¡¯t happy with Sophia as my daughter-inw. Why can¡¯t I find

    a granddaughter-inw that I¡¯m satisfied with?¡±

    Jasper stood there awkwardly with his hand in mid-air while Javier was conflicted.

    ¡°I want Alice! Get her back! If you divorce her, I won¡¯t have any appetite to eat. I don¡¯t want anyone

    else. I just want Alice to be my granddaughter-inw!¡± Newton was like a child having a tantrum.

    ¡°Jasper! Call Alice over to see me right now!¡± Newton urged him.

    ¡°Grandpa, it¡¯s useless. Even if I call her over to spend time with you, our marriage has already ended.

    There¡¯s no way it will continue.¡± Jasper felt it was better to have a clean break. As time passed, they

    would soon forget about this.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Newton started to twitch and fell backward. Jasper and Javier were both frightened by this.

    Immediately, one called the doctor while the other went to get his medication. The scene was chaotic.

    With no other choice, Jasper could only call Alice.

    ¡°The number you have dialed is not in service.¡±

    Not only did Alice go missing, but she had deleted her phone number?

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Jasper clenched his fist tightly.

    On the other end of the city, at the front door of KS World Hotel, all the executives anxiously awaited

    their new manager.

    ¡°I heard the new general manager is a young woman.¡±

    ¡°Hmph! I don¡¯t believe she¡¯ll seed. The four male general managers that came before her failed to

    turn thepany¡¯s business around. They have either been moved to other branches or resigned. Do

    you guys really think she could change the situation?¡±

    ¡°I heard she¡¯s Mr. Taylor¡¯s daughter ¡­¡±

    ¡°Mr. Taylor has so many wives. She might be the illegitimate daughter who isn¡¯t valued, right?

    Otherwise, why would he send his precious daughter to clean up this mess?¡±

    The crowd snickered.

    ¡°She¡¯s here! The new boss is here!¡±

    A Rolls-Royce came to a stop at the entrance, followed by several Maybachs, creating a spectacr

    scene. The executives were silent when they saw the 9999 car te, and no one dared to breathe.

    When the car door opened, ck high-heeled shoes with red bottoms caught their eyes first. They

    were frightfully tall. Then, a woman with a beautiful figure and long, flowing hair walked out of the car.

    She was stunning, and her expression was bold. No one dared to look at her directly.

    ¡°Hello, everyone.¡± Alyssa smiled. Her beauty was out of this world. ¡°I¡¯m your new general manager.

    However, I¡¯m not an illegitimate daughter. Sorry to disappoint you.¡±

    The people who had said that became terrified.

    Just moments ago, Alyssa had hacked into the hotel surveince while she was in the car.

 Chapter 5

    That was how she heard the executives talking behind her back.

    ¡°How dare they say that! You¡¯re the Taylor family¡¯s only daughter, and the daughter of the first wife. Are

    they out of their minds?¡± Alyssa¡¯s secretary, Sean Lynch, was furious.

    ¡°Come on. That mindset is old-fashioned. Who cares about whether I¡¯m the first wife¡¯s daughter? I don¡¯t

    care, so why should you bother?¡± Alyssa narrowed her eyes and pinched Sean¡¯s face. Instantly, the

    young secretary blushed.

    ¡°Alyssa, you¡¯re the future president of KS Group. Can you at least act with dignity? Don¡¯t tease Sean.¡±

    Jonah frowned slightly.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Big bosses are allowed to tease their female secretaries. Why can¡¯t a female boss

    touch her male secretary¡¯s face?¡± Alyssa snickered. ¡°It¡¯s his honor to be touched by me!¡±

    Jonah shook his head, his eyes showing only love and tenderness.

    Soon, the executives surrounded Jonah and Alyssa. Michael Grant, one of the VPs, took them to the

    VIP elevator, but Alyssa said, ¡°I want to take a look at the restaurant first.¡±

    She didn¡¯t beat around the bush, and her first objective was to observe this hotel. Terrified, Michael

    brought them to the buffet restaurant.

    Jonah remained silent as if he was invisible and allowed his sister to do whatever she needed.

    It wasn¡¯t lunchtime, so there weren¡¯t any customers, but a few waiters were already putting out the

    food. Alyssa nced at the dishes and suddenly stopped before the seafood area.

    Then, she rolled up her sleeve and put her hand into the ss aquarium. She urately took out a

    dead shrimp from among the hundreds of live ones.

    ¡°Exin.¡±

    ¡°T-This isn¡¯t dead yet.¡± Mr. Grant stuttered.

    ¡°You can have it then, since it¡¯s not dead,¡± Alyssa smirked.

    ¡°M-Ms. Alyssa, as you can see, there are hundreds of shrimps. It¡¯s normal for one to suffocate to death

    ¡­¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s normal to find one dead. But do you think it¡¯s normal for the guest to get food poisoning from it?¡±

    The smile on Alyssa¡¯s face was gone. ¡°Also, there are a total of 356 shrimps here. I took a rough look,

    and five were dead. There are around 30 shrimps that are on the verge of death. I¡¯m not sure what the

    guests who paid 300 dors to eat here would think, but if it were me, I would have cklisted this

    hotel forever! Handle all the ingredients from the seafood area properly and change the suppliers. If I

    see another dead shrimp at lunch tomorrow, I¡¯ll let you have a taste of it.¡±

    Michael almost fainted while the other executives were stunned by what happened. Only Jonah and

    Sean knew that Alyssa had a photographic memory. She once helped the police solve a case because

    of her keen eyes. So a few shrimps was a piece of cake for her.

    When they reached the guest rooms, Alyssa took a white handkerchief from Sean and wiped it gently

    across the wall and a picture frame.

    ¡°The cleaning is not done well¡ªthere¡¯s dust. Redo it.¡±

    The executivesined in their hearts.

    ¡°I know you guys are secretly cursing me, thinking that I¡¯m being excessive and nitpicky, right?¡± Alyssa

    looked calm, but her tone was serious. ¡°However, a hotel with a century-old reputation could also be

    wiped out by the neglect of such details. If the hotel inspector saw any of these issues, they could take

    down one of our stars.¡±

    Then, she nced at Sean. He understood what she meant and ordered, ¡°Open up the room.¡±

    The manager of the housekeeping department quickly did as told. In the past, they would clean a few

    rooms just for show during inspections by higher-ups. However, Alyssa went against their expectations.

    Alyssa walked into the room and took a look at the bathroom first. Next, she sat on the bed. Instantly,

    her delicate face turned cold. However, she remained silent and ended her inspection.

    After that, she went to her office with Jonah.

    ¡°What are your thoughts after looking around?¡± Jonahughed.

    ¡°This ce is filthy and messy!¡± Alyssa sat on the sofa, depressed. Then, she covered her forehead

    and sighed. ¡°Is my dad trying to train me or y a prank on me? This hotel is the worst I¡¯ve ever seen.

    Does this business really belong to the Taylors?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, Grandpa started this hotel. In the past, we wanted to expand our business by starting in the

    hotel industry, and we¡¯ve managed it carefully. Only then could the KS Financial Group be what it

    is today. This hotel is not just an awful mess for you to clean up but also a ce of significance for the

    Taylors. However, we have too many businesses, and the hotel industry wasn¡¯t doing well the past two

    years. Plus, we have been busy with our own matters. So ¡­ We neglected the management.¡± Jonah

    med himself. ¡°Lyse, you¡¯ll have to deal with our mess. We¡¯re sorry.¡±

    Suddenly, Alyssa noticed the ck piano in the corner and gasped.

    ¡°I ordered for this to be ced here. I know you like ying the piano when you¡¯re not in a good mood.

    Sometimes you¡¯ll go a fewps around the horse track, right?¡±

    Jonah¡¯s gaze was gentle as he said, ¡°I know you¡¯ll be busy during these two months. It¡¯s not realistic for

    you to go to the horse track. If you¡¯re tired, you can y a few songs. You¡¯re good at this. I remember

    ¡­¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Jonah. I haven¡¯t yed in a long time.¡± Alyssa found it hard to swallow, and the almost-

    healed wound in her heart ripped open again.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Jonah was shocked.

    ¡°When I was a doctor, I hurt my hand while helping to save a soldier. The ligament of my little finger

    was torn. Although the finger¡¯s not broken, it¡¯s tantamount to being useless. I can¡¯t stretch my fingers

    too far and I can¡¯t y many songs anymore, so I¡¯ve decided to stop ying.¡± Alyssa tried her best to

    stay calm when she said this.

    Jonah was distressed and took her hand to check it.

    ¡°Were you injured because of Jasper Beckett?¡±

    ¡°Yes and no.¡± Alyssa felt the pain in her heart increase when she heard his name.

    Still, she showed a bright smile. ¡°It¡¯s for world peace. I did it to make my family proud.¡±

    Five years ago, she encountered Jasper again after missing him for years. It was on a battlefield on the

    borders of Ksovia. She was a field doctor, and he was a soldier. He fought for peace, and she almost

    disabled her hand to bring him back to safety.

    In the past, she felt it was an honor. Now, she only felt pain when her little finger that was numb.

    But the past should be left in the past. She had loved the wrong person and would never shed another

    tear for him again.

    Suddenly, Sean knocked and quickly entered the office. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I have found our hotel¡¯s bedding

    and furniture supplier. It¡¯s mostly from Elysian Home. Mr. Grant is responsible for contacting them.¡±

    ¡°Elysian again.¡± Alyssa crossed her slender legs and narrowed her eyes dangerously.

    ¡°Tell the finance department to prepare the ounts for these past two years. Also, contact a new

    bedding supplier and change out everything that belongs to Elysian.¡±

    ¡°Are you really going to cause such a hugemotion?¡± Jonah raised his brow.

    ¡°Elysian Home is Jasper¡¯s first love¡¯s brother¡¯spany.¡±

    ¡°Oh. This is revenge,¡± Jonah and Sean said at the same time.

    ¡°It¡¯s not! They¡¯ve been selling inferior bedding products to the KS World Hotel. I have to punish them.¡±

    Alyssa sneered.

    She was furious at the thought of the hard mattress she sat on. The feeling of difort while staying

    at the hotel would affect the customer¡¯s impression. It was no wonder there were so many bad reviews!

    ¡°Right! There¡¯s another thing,¡± Sean added. ¡°You asked me to keep an eye on the Becketts. I¡¯ve

    received news that Newton Beckett had another stroke, and he¡¯s hospitalized. He¡¯s staying in the

    hospital under our group.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°He¡¯s hospitalized?¡± Alyssa instantly stood up with worry.

    At this time, Jonah¡¯s phone rang. He looked down and smiled.

    ¡°Lyse, it¡¯s your ex-husband.¡±

 Chapter 6

    Alyssa was shocked to see the name on Jonah¡¯s phone.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Should I answer it?¡± Jonah asked.

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    He slowly answered the call and put it on speaker, but he was in no hurry to speak.

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, are you with my wife?¡± Jasper asked in a hoarse voice.

    Alyssa found his words incendiary and became furious in an instant. ¡°Mr. Jasper, please mind your

    words. I¡¯m your ex-wife.¡±

    ¡°Alice White, I knew you¡¯d be with him.¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was deep.

    ¡°Should I be waiting at your house to be kicked out, then?¡±

    On the other end of the call, Jasper¡¯s expression turned dark. ¡°I advise you not to be in such a hurry.

    We haven¡¯tpleted the procedures, and the divorce certificate hasn¡¯t been issued. You¡¯re still legally

    my wife. Please be mindful of the Becketts¡¯ reputation as if it¡¯s your own.¡±

    ¡°You took Liana Gardner to Seaview Manor and forced me to sign the papers. Jasper Beckett, did you

    care for my reputation when you did that?¡± Alyssa sneered, then continued, ¡°One-sided courtesy

    doesn¡¯t mean anything. Since you don¡¯t care about my reputation, why should I care for the Becketts¡¯?

    After all, I respectfully gave up my position as the president¡¯s wife to Liana. You should ask her about

    that.¡±

    Jonah raised his brow and took a sip of tea. This was the real Alyssa. The obedient and gentle wife

    who was always wronged by the Becketts was just a persona she had made up for Jasper.

    Although he felt that his sister was perfect, he liked the feisty woman that was not scared of the world

    and had no restraints more. Thankfully, she had returned.

    Jasper sounded tired when he spoke again, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to argue with you. Grandpa is sick. He¡¯s

    in the hospital, and he¡¯s been asking to see you. He won¡¯t take his meds if you¡¯re not here.¡±

    Alyssa became distressed when she heard that. Although she was already divorced, old Mr. Beckett

    was good to her. She could give up all the assets and not want a single penny, but she couldn¡¯t let go

    of that adorable old man.

    ¡°He¡¯s at the hospital under Taylor Group, right? I¡¯ll go over in a moment.¡±

    After she ended the call, she sighed.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll send you over,¡± Jonah said gently.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m going there to visit Grandpa. I don¡¯t want to cause another unnecessary fight. It¡¯ll only

    worsen the situation if you send me over.¡± She waved her hand and added, ¡°I¡¯ll drive.¡±

    At the hospital, Jasper and Xavier were standing outside Newton¡¯s ward.

    Alyssa walked over and noticed that Jasper was skinnier.

    ¡°Dang it! Why should I care about him? Whether he¡¯s gotten skinnier or fatter, it¡¯d never be because of

    me. He can do whatever he likes!¡± Alyssa cursed in her heart.

    When she stopped before them in her heels, the two men looked up at her. They were both taken

    aback, especially Jasper. He could not recognize the woman who had been his wife for three years.

    ¡°Xavier, how is Grandpa doing?¡± Alyssa didn¡¯t even look at Jasper.

    ¡°M-Madam Alice, i-is it really you?¡± Xavier was dumbfounded and asked a st* pid question.

    The woman before him had delicate makeup and S**y red lips. She was in a professional, ck suit

    that showed her curves, and the ruby butterfly brooch on her chest was dazzling.

    Alyssa was also taken aback. As she had rushed over, she forgot to change into sneakers and turn

    herself into the obedient Alice White.

    ¡°It¡¯s me alright. Don¡¯t you like my new style?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it! You¡¯re so much prettier! Also, you look much more confident and spirited than before.¡±

    Xavier was honest and said exactly what was on his mind.

    ¡°Is that so? Maybe it¡¯s because of the divorce.¡± She smiled. ¡°I finally got to see the light again, so I look

    much happier.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s expression darkened, and he felt irritated. ¡°Since you were so unhappy, why did you stay for

    three years? Didn¡¯t I repeatedly tell you that you can cancel the marriage anytime? We didn¡¯t need to

    wait for three years like prisoners. I could¡¯ve brought you to Grandpa and ended it.¡±

    Hearing that, Alyssa felt distressed. This was Jasper Beckett. No one could affect him if he had no

    feelings for them. Even if she put in her heart and soul for him, he wouldn¡¯t care.

    Back then, she loved this cold and prideful man so much that she had thrown herself into the

    rtionship without inhibition, and the consequences were devastating.

    ¡°I made a promise to Grandpa, so I had to adhere to it. Since I promised to stay in this marriage for

    three years, I had to stick by it. But now you¡¯re free. You can bring any woman you want back home.

    You don¡¯t need to sneak out and meet your lover like before.¡± Alyssa sneered.

    Jasper was speechless. Did she have such different personalities? Did she think that since they were

    divorced now, she might as well go all out? However, he felt she was much more attention-grabbing

    than how she was previously. There was a sh of emotion in his indifferent eyes.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    Alyssa turned and saw Liana walking over with Sophia. When she saw that Alyssa was here, there was

    hostility in her gaze. However, itsted only for a moment and was quickly reced by an innocent

    gaze.

    ¡°Why are you guys here?¡± Jasper asked in surprise.

    Just as he was done asking this, Liana pounced into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his

    waist. ¡°Jasper, why didn¡¯t you tell me about such a serious matter? Do you consider me your girlfriend

    or not?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Jasper. Do you know how worried Liana was when she heard that Grandpa was hospitalized?

    She vomited her lunch.¡± Sophia felt distressed for her niece.

    ¡°What happened? Why did you vomit?¡± Jasper asked worriedly.

    ¡°She¡¯s always had gastric problems. Ites back whenever she¡¯s nervous. It¡¯s not a big deal, but it

    just never gets better.¡± Sophia sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find a good doctor for her. If the doctors in the country can¡¯t treat her, I¡¯ll take her abroad to look for

    a cure.¡± The man was gentle as he wrapped his arm around Liana¡¯s waist.

    Alyssa sneered in her heart when she thought of the time her stomach problem kicked in. Back then,

    she was so sick yet she had to go to the hospital alone. She didn¡¯t tell him about it, but he never even

    showed concern even though her face was pale and she looked weak.

    It turned out that it was not that Jasper didn¡¯t know how to love, but that she was just not worthy

    enough to get his love.

    Liana leaned into Jasper¡¯s arms and stared at Alyssa with a malicious smile.

    ¡°Wait! Why did she change so much? She¡¯s be so beautiful! The butterfly brooch on her chest,

    isn¡¯t that thetest design from the famous designer Alexa? It¡¯s worth five million. How could a country

    bumpkin like her afford it? This bitch doesn¡¯t have any money. It must be a fake!¡± Liana thought to

    herself.

    ¡°Jasper, why don¡¯t you let Liana apany you to visit Grandpa? She cried all the way here and was

    so worried about him.¡± Sophia was very enthusiastic and acted as if Alyssa, who had taken care of their

    family for three years, was invisible.

    However, Alyssa only maintained an indifferent expression. She didn¡¯t even care about Jasper, so why

    should she care about her?

    At this moment, Newton¡¯s secretary walked out of the ward.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett asked for his granddaughter-inw. Is she here?¡±

    Liana showed envy when she heard that.

    ¡°Ben, I¡¯m here.¡± Worried, Alyssa walked up. She didn¡¯t care about titles now that they were in such a

    situation.

    ¡°Madam Alice.¡± Ben respectfully gestured for her to enter.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett has asked for you and Mr. Jasper.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t say anything else and walked into the ward. Jasper pursed his lips and followed behind

    her.

    ¡°Jasper, wait for me ¡­¡± Liana quickly followed, but Ben stopped her.

    ¡°Sorry, but Mr. Beckett ordered that he doesn¡¯t want to see anyone else besides his grandson and

    granddaughter-inw. Please leave.¡±

 Chapter 7

    Inside the ward, the sickly Newton instantly saw a lift in spirits upon seeing Alyssa. ¡°Alice,e over

    here!¡±

    In the next second, Alyssa changed her persona and obediently stood beside Newton. ¡°Grandpa, how

    are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?¡±

    ¡°Even if it hurts, I feel cured after seeing you.¡± Newton pulled her hand and asked worriedly, ¡°Alice, this

    bastard told me you guys are divorced. Is that true?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Grandpa, we¡¯re divorced.¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyshes trembled, and her heart felt empty.

    ¡°You blind bastard! You have such a great wife, yet you don¡¯t know how to appreciate her.¡± Newton

    expended all his strength to get up and red at Jasper.

    Jasper was worried about Newton¡¯s condition and dared not speak rashly.

    ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t be mad at him. I don¡¯t want to continue this marriage. I think it¡¯s better for us to break

    up.¡± Alyssa gentlyforted him and patted his back.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes narrowed as he thought, ¡°She¡¯s notining to my grandfather or using him to vent

    her anger and take revenge. Could she be using a new trick to get my attention and save this

    marriage? Alice White, what gave you the confidence to think I would be attracted by you?¡±

    ¡°Alice, were you wronged during your time with the Becketts? Did Sophia mistreat you?¡± Newton asked

    in dismay.

    ¡°No, Grandpa. I just don¡¯t think Jasper and I are a good match. We wont¡¯ have any feelings for each

    other, so the best oue is to split up.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Sadness shone in Alyssa¡¯s eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t me Jasper. We made some good memories during these

    three years too. That¡¯s enough. Neither of us regrets it.¡±

    Jasper frowned, and there was a perplexing emotion in his heart. He didn¡¯t remember sharing any good

    memories with her. He didn¡¯t even give her a wedding ceremony.

    They had only gotten their marriage certificate under Newton¡¯s urging. After that, she simply packed

    her stuff and moved in with the Becketts. Just like that, she became his wife. Did she really find those

    memories good? She must be lying.

    ¡°Alice, could it be my fault?¡± Newton¡¯s eyes were teary.

    Then, he sighed. ¡°I had hoped that you guys would be happy, so I paired you two together. I didn¡¯t

    expect this bastard to be such a rascal. It seems I¡¯ve wronged you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Love fades, and I¡¯ve gotten back my freedom. I¡¯ve already gotten over this

    rtionship.¡± She had been deeply in love with him for 13 years. Only the heavens knew how painful it

    was to let it go. It was like being skinned alive.

    It was Jasper who was heartless. If she continued trying to stay with him, she would lose her dignity.

    She didn¡¯t want to be a hated woman who went all out for the slightest affection from a man.

    ¡°Ben, bring over the birthday present I prepared for my granddaughter-inw.¡±

    Ben put on white gloves before passing over a delicate red velvet jewelry box. When it was opened,

    Alyssa saw an emerald bracelet inside. She had some understanding of antiques and realized this item

    must be at least a century old.

    ¡°Grandpa, this is Grandma¡¯s ¡­¡± Jasper was shocked.

    ¡°Yes, I gave this to your grandma when we first got together. It¡¯s a precious treasure of the Becketts. It

    was passed down from your great-grandfather,¡± Newton said as he looked at the bracelet under the

    sun.

    His gaze was gentle as he said, ¡°Your grandmother told me this before she passed. This was her

    favorite piece of jewelry, and she hoped I would give it to the granddaughter-inw I was happy with.

    Your grandmother isn¡¯t here, so I¡¯ll give it to Alice in her ce. She¡¯s the only one worthy of it.¡±

    ¡°No, Grandpa. This is too expensive. Moreover, I¡¯m not ¡­¡± Alyssa rejected it.

    ¡°Even if you¡¯re no longer with Jasper, you¡¯re the only granddaughter-inw I acknowledge.¡±

    Seeing that she refused, Newton acted stubbornly. ¡°If you don¡¯t take it, I¡¯ll smash it.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t! No!¡± Alyssa held his hand in horror, her heart almost jumping out from shock.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take it. Thank you, Grandpa.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡± Newton was satisfied and put it on her wrist.

    Alyssa had smooth skin, so her arm looked fairer upon wearing the emerald bracelet. This was the first

    time Jasper took a close look at her hand and found that it was soft and smooth. She really did look

    good with the emerald bracelet on.

    ¡°Bastard, what did you give Alice for her birthday?¡± Newton asked.

    ¡°Grandpa, Jasper ¡­ gave me an unforgettable present.¡±

    Jasper clenched his fist, and his lips were pale. He did gift her something¡ªdivorce papers.

    ¡°Alice, is there really no turning back between you and Jasper?¡± Newton didn¡¯t n to give up.

    ¡°Grandpa ¡­¡± Alyssa held his hand. ¡°If you really love me, you should support my decision and let me

    live the life I want, right?¡±

    ¡°Since the matter hase to this point. I can¡¯t say anything more. I only have one wish that I hope

    you can fulfill. Please stay until my 80th birthday is over, okay? It¡¯s only in a few days.¡± Newton tried his

    best to make her stay longer.

    ¡°Grandpa, that¡¯s not appropriate.¡± Jasper frowned and rejected the idea.

    ¡°Why is it not appropriate? Don¡¯t tell me you n on bringing that woman to my birthday and forcefully

    making her my granddaughter-inw! Do those two women think they can do whatever they want to the

    Beckett men? In their dreams!¡±

    Newton pped the bed in anger. ¡°If you respect me and want me to live a few more years, you¡¯d

    better stay away from her. I¡¯m never going to ept her.¡±

    Outside the ward, Liana walked around in panic. At the same time, she was furious.

    ¡°Stop walking around. My head is spinning because of you.¡± Sophia rubbed her forehead. ¡°Why are you

    so worked up? You know how Newton feels about you. He has one foot in the grave already, and he

    won¡¯t be able to control Jasper for long. All you have to do to is capture Jasper¡¯s heart and that¡¯s

    enough.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s easy for you to say. But if Newton doesn¡¯t die, he¡¯ll never ept me! If that¡¯s the case, I can never

    marry Jasper.¡± Liana quickly covered her mouth after saying that, worried someone might hear her.

    ¡°Newton didn¡¯t ept me back then either. So what? I still married Javier,¡± Sophia said as she admired

    her manicure.

    ¡°Human heart is weak and soft. This is his grandson, after all. If Jasper insists on marrying you, do you

    think he can really stop him?¡±

    Liana realized that Sophia was right and felt much calmer.

    Finally, the door to the ward opened, and Ben walked Alyssa and Jasper out.

    After rearranging her expression, Liana walked up to Jasper coquettishly. Suddenly, she narrowed her

    eyes.

    The emerald bracelet on Alyssa¡¯s wrist was dazzling, and she couldn¡¯t look away. It was much more

    expensive than the supposedly heirloom she wore. Alyssa hadn¡¯t been wearing it when she arrived, so

    Newton must¡¯ve just given it to her.

    Jealousy twisted up Liana¡¯s expression. A vicious n came to mind, and she suddenly pounced on

    Alyssa.

    Liana pretended to have twisted her ankle and pulled the emerald bracelet from Alyssa¡¯s wrist to

    smash it.

    Unexpectedly, Alyssa narrowed her eyes and dodged her. With that, Liana fell to the ground and the

    emerald bracelet around her own wrist broke in half.

 Chapter 8

    ¡°Liana? Are you okay?¡± Sophia was shocked, but she also wanted tough.

    Jasper quickly walked over to pull her up from the ground, but she refused to move.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Jasper, it hurts. Carry me.¡± Liana¡¯s knees felt numb, and she cried while whining.

    Seeing this, Alyssa crossed her arms and looked at the woman on the ground. She was really a fake

    bitch, making her a good match for Jasper, who was blind to her tricks.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­ Alice pushed me!¡± Liana hid in the man¡¯s arms and red at Alyssa viciously.

    ¡°Lia, what are you talking about?¡± He was taken aback.

    ¡°Are you sure I pushed you?¡± Alyssa wasn¡¯t angry. Instead, sheughed and watched Liana¡¯s act.

    ¡°Could I have fallen to the ground by myself, then?¡± Liana was so angry that her gentle voice was a

    pitch higher.

    ¡°It¡¯s possible. After all, you look so weak you could die anytime. Maybe a breeze made you fall.¡±

    ¡°You ¡­ Are you jinxing me?¡± Liana¡¯s face was red from anger. ¡°You clearly pushed me when I walked

    over. What, don¡¯t you dare admit to what you did?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Gardner, we live in awful society. There¡¯s surveince everywhere, so you can¡¯t just make false

    usations whenever you want.¡± Suddenly, Alyssa¡¯s clear gaze deepened, and her demeanor became

    oppressive. ¡°Once I find evidence, I can sue you for nder.¡±

    Jasper was taken aback by how much Alice had changed. She was no longer the dull and obedient

    wife who waited for him at home.

    It was obvious that Liana was defeated, and she looked at Sophia for help.

    ¡°It¡¯s all a misunderstanding!¡± Sophia nced surreptitiously at the surveince camera above and tried

    to smooth out the situation. ¡°Liana must have tripped and identally brushed past Alice, which is why

    she mistakenly thought that Alice pushed her. It¡¯s a misunderstanding.¡±

    ¡°Lia, did you really trip?¡± Jasper stared at Liana, his tone indifferent.

    ¡°I ¡­ I thought she pushed me ¡­¡±

    Jasper¡¯s expression darkened. Instantly, Liana was in a panic and argued, ¡°If she hadn¡¯t dodged, I

    wouldn¡¯t have fallen. She did it on purpose. Look, my emerald bracelet is broken now. It¡¯s an heirloom

    given by my grandma. It wouldn¡¯t have been broken if it weren¡¯t for her. Ms. White, I know you¡¯re angry

    because of your divorce from Jasper, but you can¡¯t vent your anger on me. Is it my fault that you guys

    divorced?¡±

    As Liana spoke, tears rolled down her face.

    ¡°First of all, I¡¯m not angry. On the contrary, I have to thank you for helping me escape my suffering.

    Now, I no longer have to be a sorrowful wife that waits for him from dark till dawn.¡± Alyssa raised her

    chin slightly and retorted.

    ¡°From dark till dawn?¡± Jasper thought, and the shock on his face was obvious.

    ¡°Secondly, if this is your heirloom, you should thank me.¡± She took up half of the broken emerald as

    she spoke and shone it under the light. ¡°It¡¯s a fake.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Liana was taken aback, and even Sophia was shocked.

    ¡°The middle part of this emerald has been filled with gum. It won¡¯t be good for your health if you wear it

    long-term as the chemicals will seep through the skin and affect your blood cirction.¡±

    After speaking, she threw it into the garbage. The emerald bracelet on her wrist that was gifted to her

    by Newton became the biggest mockery to Liana.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Ms. Garner is your girlfriend. You should at least give her some decent jewelry,¡± Alyssa

    teased.

    ¡°Alice White.¡± He frowned.

    ¡°There are a few emerald ornaments on my dressing table in the Becketts¡¯ residence. If you don¡¯t mind,

    you can use them to make a bracelet for yourself.¡± Alyssa patted away the dust on her hand as if

    Liana¡¯s emerald had dirtied her hands.

    Liana was furious and thought, ¡°This bitch! She¡¯s trying to ridicule me by offering me those emerald

    ornaments.¡±

    She wanted to retort, but Alyssa had left.

    Outside the hospital, Alyssa couldn¡¯t help butugh when she thought about how Liana had made a

    fool out of herself.

    ¡°Alice White.¡±

    Alyssa immediately turned back when she heard Jasper¡¯s charming voice. The breeze lifted her hair,

    giving her an extra feeling of unsullied beauty.

    He narrowed his eyes as he walked to her.

    ¡°Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Beckett?¡± Her expression was cold. ¡°If Ms. Gardner is still

    distressed about her bracelet, I¡¯ll send her a new one tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°In the ward just now, you told Grandpa ¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, about that? Don¡¯t overthink it. I just didn¡¯t want Grandpa to get angry.¡± Alyssa¡¯s gaze only became

    gentle when Newton was mentioned.

    ¡°We¡¯re even now.¡±

    This puzzled Alyssa.

    ¡°You faked your identity to marry me. We¡¯re even now. I won¡¯t tell Grandpa nor the Becketts about this.¡±

    The man¡¯s expression was sullen.

    She widened her eyes in shock, wondering, ¡°Can I deny it?¡±

    ¡°However, you must tell me why you used a fake identity when you married me. No, I should phrase it

    another way.¡± Jasper gradually moved close to her and asked, ¡°What was your motive in getting close

    to Grandpa with a fake identity?¡±

    Alyssa felt a pain in her heart and secretly retreated. However, she forgot that there was a step behind

    her. She lost her bnce and fell backward.

    But in the next second, she felt a warm touch on her waist when Jasper caught her. Their eyes met,

    and she blushed. Meanwhile, his breathing became messed up as well.

    Until today, she still felt that Jasper¡¯s face was a gift from heaven. 13 years ago, she had been 11. She

    would never forget his bright eyes in the scary and dark thunderstorm. Jasper had once saved her. If it

    wasn¡¯t for him, she wouldn¡¯t be alive today.

    However, he had hurt her repeatedly, making her feel as though she was in a living hell.

    At this moment, Jasper pulled her back, and they both stood straight.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Answer my question.¡± Jasper persisted.

    ¡°I¡¯m no longer your wife. I¡¯m not obliged to tell you.¡± Alyssa sneered.

    Then, she turned away. ¡°Since you said we¡¯re even, why are you not letting me go? Even if I did use a

    fake identity, I never did anything to hurt you during the three years we were together, no?¡±

    All of a sudden, Jasper grabbed her arm. ¡°We¡¯re not officially divorced, and you¡¯re still legally my wife.

    You¡¯re obliged to tell me about your identity!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you!¡± Alyssa uttered, her eyes red. ¡°Mr. Jasper, you keep mentioning responsibility, but don¡¯t

    you find it funny? Have you ever fulfilled your duties as a husband during our three-year marriage?

    Why do I have to oblige you in the name of being your wife?¡±

    ¡°Alice White, don¡¯t think I won¡¯t have other ways to deal with you!¡± He pulled her into his embrace, and

    their breaths intertwined. He wasn¡¯t someone who was easily angered, but since Alyssa left, he found

    himself losing his patience more and more.

    ¡°Go and investigate me, then. What¡¯s the use of asking?¡± She broke free from him and left without

    turning back.

    He stared at her cold figure and remembered her red lips and deadly high heels. Suddenly, he felt

    depressed. Why did she be like this? Could it be to please Jonah?

    ¡°What a malicious woman. I don¡¯t know what Grandpa likes about her,¡± Jasper thought.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Ms. Gardner said her ankle is twisted, and she¡¯s crying for you,¡± Xavier ran over and said

    while panting.

    All of a sudden, they heard the roar of an engine.

    ¡°T-That¡¯s Madam Alice!¡±

    Jasper saw his ex-wife in a sports car driving arrogantly past him. And it was a limited edition Bugatti

    too.

    ¡°It turns out Madam Alice is secretly rich!¡± Xavier was stunned.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze deepened, and he clenched his fists.

    ¡°Go after her!¡±

 Chapter 9

    Alyssa held the steering wheel with one hand, looking extremely cool. She raced through the streets

    while listening to her favorite revenge song, ¡°Burning Revenge.¡±

    She was not afraid of Jasper finding out her identity. It was just that she couldn¡¯t wrap her head around

    why he had ignored her existence for three years only to suddenly be curious about her after their

    marriage came to an end.

    Sure enough, men were assholes. When they were given love and attention, they¡¯d feel disgusted. In

    contrast, they¡¯d take the initiative to get closer once they were abandoned and treated like trash.

    Suddenly, Alyssa looked in the rearview mirror and frowned. Not far behind, Jasper was chasing her in

    his Lamborghini.

    ¡°You want to give chase, huh? In your dreams.¡± Alyssa smirked and floored the elerator. The

    Bugatti drifted to the left like a sh of lightning before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

    ¡°Quick! Follow her closely.¡± Jasper was in the passenger seat and urged.

    Xavier had never driven so quickly, and his heart was pounding hard. Finally, they caught up to

    Alyssa¡¯s car. Jasper looked indifferent, but he secretly felt relieved.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Madam Alice¡¯s driving skills are amazing. That sticker isn¡¯t there in vain ¡­¡± Xavier praised.

    ¡°Sticker?¡± Jasper frowned.

    ¡°Look at Madam Alice¡¯s butt!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s expression darkened, and Xavier broke out in a cold sweat from nervousness. ¡°Sorry, my

    mistake. I meant to say, please look at the butt of Madam Alice¡¯s car.¡±

    With that said, Jasper followed his gaze and saw a white Initial C sticker that looked weird.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Madam Alice loves animated films, especially Initial C. It¡¯s about race cars, and I

    always saw her watching it in the living room.¡± Xavier was excited the more he talked and continued, ¡°I

    didn¡¯t expect Madam Alice to be so talented. I thought she was a weak woman who couldn¡¯t take care

    of herself.¡±

    It was not only Xavier who felt that way as Jasper felt also felt that he had been deceived by her.

    However, he was even angrier at the fact that his secretary knew so much about his wife while he was

    clueless about these things.

    ¡°Oh no! Madam Alice sped up!¡±

    ¡°Follow her! Your sry will get cut if you can¡¯t chase her down.¡± Jasper gritted his teeth, his handsome

    face like a sculpture.

    Xavier didn¡¯t want his sry cut, but he was also scared they might die.

    In the end, Alyssa made two wless drifts, and they couldn¡¯t even catch sight of her car¡¯s rear lights

    again.

    ¡°I-I¡¯ve lost her ¡­¡± Xavier deted.

    Jasper mmed his fist on the car window, and the veins on his forehead were protruding.

    ¡°Alice White, why do you keep hiding from me? What¡¯s your true identity?¡± he thought.

    At night, Jonah and Ss came to Alyssa¡¯s private vi. They were busy cooking in the vast kitchen.

    Alyssa had a lollipop in her mouth as she yed a game on her phone and asionally looked at her

    handsome brothers cooking.

    ¡°Okay! Double kill!¡± Alyssa looked at her result and happily pped.

    ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re still good at this.¡± Ss smiled. He had the kindest smile among the four brothers.

    ¡°Look, this character is a famed butcher, he¡¯s really useful.¡± Alyssa kneeled on the couch and propped

    her arms on the coffee table. She looked adorable with the lollipop in her mouth.

    ¡°Confident, are you? Let¡¯s y a round tomorrow, and I¡¯ll teach you a lesson.¡±

    ¡°Lyse almost got your game ount banned. You¡¯d better not make trouble for yourself,¡± Jonah said as

    he picked up a freshly sliced steak and fed it to Alyssa.

    ¡°F*** ¡­ It was because Axel suddenly retreated from the roundst time. Otherwise, we would¡¯ve won!¡±

    Alyssa was unconvinced.

    ¡°We¡¯re gonna have dinner soon. Lyse, you¡¯re allergic to smoke. Go to the living room and wait,¡± Jonah

    urged gently.

    Alyssa was taken aback, and tears stung at her eyes. She dared not tell her brothers that she had been

    a cook for the Becketts for three years despite her smoke allergy. She endured three years of oil and

    smoke while her hands grew rough due to the frequent cooking. Gradually, she had be immune to

    the smoke.

    She feared that her three brothers might kill Jasper if she told them about this. It was only Jonah who

    might have a trace ofpassion due to his personal beliefs.

    Alyssa was the princess of the Taylor family and had never done any chores previously. How could the

    Becketts be so ruthless toward her? However, she had gone back to a peaceful life now. She would

    never let herself be so low for a man she could never get.

    At this time, Jonah¡¯s phone rang. He quickly wiped his hand and took out his phone from the apron

    pocket. Then, he looked at Alyssa with aplicated gaze.

    ¡°It¡¯s your ex-husband.¡±

    ¡°F***! Has he gotten addicted to calling you?¡± Alyssa¡¯s face was red from anger, and her lollipop fell to

    the table.

    ¡°What do you mean? Jonah, has that fucker been calling you?¡± Ss sat beside his sister. Then, he

    smoothly picked up the lollipop and sucked on it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that guy thinks you¡¯re Lyse¡¯s boyfriend after you guys bumped into each other at the

    lake?¡±

    ¡°He does think that.¡±

    Ss cursed, ¡°What the fuck! Is he blind?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Am I not worthy?¡± Jonahughed in a very amiable manner.

    ¡°He should get his eyes checked. You don¡¯t look like her boyfriend. You¡¯re more like her father.¡±

    Her brothers started teasing Alyssa, and she felt like she was about to explode in anger.

    ¡°Should I answer it?¡± Jonah asked.

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°Pick it up!¡±

    Jonah obeyed his sister¡¯smand and put the call on speaker.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for my wife.¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was much more naturalpared to this morning, and there

    was even a hint of possessiveness.

    ¡°You little ¡­¡± Ss was about to curse, but Alyssa pressed his head onto the coffee table.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, Alice is no longer your wife. You guys are divorced,¡± Jonah reminded him and

    considerately referred to Alyssa as Alice so that they wouldn¡¯t be exposed.

    ¡°She knows she¡¯s still my wife.¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was cold.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, you threatened me and chased after my car. What exactly do you want?¡± Alyssa

    closed the speaker and took the phone in irritation.

    ¡°I have something to say to you privately.¡±

    Thus, Alyssa went to an empty room, walked in, closed the door, and got back on the call after taking a

    few deep breaths.

    ¡°Speak. I¡¯m busy.¡±

    ¡°Why did you change your phone number?¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was still cold.

    ¡°I want a fresh new start and a clean cut with the past.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa needs to contact you in the future. Give me your new number so that it¡¯s easier for us to

    contact you.¡± From the way he spoke, he made it seem as if it was her duty to give her number to him.

    ¡°It¡¯s easy to get to me. You just have to find Mr. Taylor.¡± Alyssa smirked.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Alice White, is this your way of taking revenge?¡± He said through gritted teeth. ¡°You¡¯ve already moved

    in with Jonah Taylor after leaving me, huh? You told me your name was Alice White. So, have you

    figured out what name you¡¯re gonna have him call you?¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett!¡± She was furious and clenched her fist.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re too naive to use such a method to take revenge? Do you think I really care

    about who you¡¯re with?¡± Heughed before continuing, ¡°I don¡¯t want Grandpa to be disappointed in

    you. I hope he doesn¡¯t find out the person he treasures is so shameless. Even if you don¡¯t care about

    your dignity, at least be respectful at Grandpa¡¯s 80th birthday banquet, and don¡¯t let the rumors spread

    to him.¡±

    Alyssa was so angry that she couldn¡¯t utter a word. In the end, she chose to end the call.

    In the dark, she leaned against the wall and panted heavily. Still, she could not cast away the pain that

    Jasper brought her. Why did it hurt so much? She had already sworn to herself that he was dead to

    her.

    She rubbed her eyes, and they quickly turned red.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, how can you treat me like this ¡­ It turns out the love I had for you for the past 13

    years was a mistake ¡­¡±

 Chapter 10

    Back at Seaview Manor, Jasper was taken aback after being hung up on by his prideful ex¨Cwife.

    The woman had be so cold, and she was no longer the wife who had begged him not to divorce

    her. It seemed she had felt nothing for him in the three years they were married and was simply

    tolerating him for some unknown purpose. The mere thought of it had him seething.

    ¡°Your coffee, Mr. Jasper.¡±

    Xavier walked in only to find Jasper looking grave. He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Have you ¡­ contacted

    Madam Alice? Have you gotten her new phone number?¡±

    Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose as irritation shed in his eyes. He was infuriated after not

    achieving what he set out to do. He had believed he¡¯d be better off after Alice left, only to end up boiling

    with anger after learning that she had gotten together with Jonah. ¡°How dare she do this to me?¡± he

    thought.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find another opportunity. I don¡¯t want to think about her right now,¡± he said and took a sip of coffee.

    The next moment, his brows furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with this coffee? It¡¯s bad.¡±

    ¡°II followed the recipe that Madam Alice left me. How is that possible?¡± Xavier scratched his head in

    astonishment.

    ¡°Recipe?¡±

    ¡°She handed me a notebook before she left, and it contains all your preferences, right down to the

    details¨Cwhat should be avoided, how to prepare your coffee ¡­ It even lists what dishes you took an

    extra bite of ording to the date,¡± Xavier exined as he handed Jasper the notebook.

    The man took it, and there was some hesitation before he flipped it open.

    Her neat handwriting immediately caught his eye, reflecting her once¨Cdeferential character.

    ¡°Add a little salt to the coffee to improve the vor. Jasper likes it that way.¡±

    ¡°Jasper had two bowls of the seafood stew I prepared with fresh scallops this morning. I should make it

    more often.¡±

    ¡°Jasper isn¡¯t a fan of sweet foods. Perhaps a light dessert like milk pudding or fruit jelly would appeal to

    him more.¡±

    ¡°I bought a few ties for Jasperst year, and he never used the red one. Jasper hates red¡­¡±

    Jasper, Jasper, Jasper ¡­ His name was in nearly every sentence.

    He held his breath as he turned every page, as if he were afraid a single exhale would send the words

    flying. His eyes darkened as he crumpled the pages.

    ¡°Quite the skill at trying to figure someone out. What is this if not her machinations at work?¡±

    He had mixed feelings as he read through everything recorded in the notebook, but it didn¡¯t stop him

    from tossing it into the bin with a flick of a wrist.

    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t throw that away! Madam Alice worked hard on it for three years. Why would she jot down

    these notes if she didn¡¯t care about you? It¡¯s obvious you held an important ce in her

    heart.¡± Xavier hurried to retrieve it with a pained expression.

    ¡°Stop referring to her as Madam Alice. She doesn¡¯t deserve to be referred to that way!¡±

    That was when a mess of voices came from outside the study. It sounded as if it wasing from the

    right of the corridor, which was where Alice¡¯s room used to be.

    ¡°Go take a look and see what¡¯s going on.¡± Jasper knitted his brows wearily.

    Xavier left the study before quickly returning with aplicated look in his eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s Ms. Gardner, sir. She¡¯s ¡­ Umm¡­¡±

    ¡°What happened to Lia?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s throwing out Madam ¡­ I mean¡­ your ex¨Cwife¡¯s belongings.¡±

    Liana was currently running amok in Alice¡¯s room,

    ¡°Slut! Bitch! You¡¯re just a vige girl. All this arrogance just because you got an old man to spoil you?

    What¡¯s the big deal about that st* pid bracelet? How dare you look down on me?¡±

    Alyssa hadn¡¯t taken anything with her when she left after signing the divorce papers. That gave Liana a

    lot to y with. All the skincare products and essories by her bed were haphazardly thrown to the

    floor like garbage.

    The room was a wreck when Jasper arrived.

    ¡°What are you doing, Lia?¡± He frowned.

    ¡°I hate how there are still traces of your lives together! It¡¯s like Alice is still here!¡±

    Liana bawled when she noticed Jasper approaching. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for her¡­ would we have lost three

    whole years together? Anyone can see she stole my position¡­ Why are you acting as if I¡¯ve hurt her?

    Am I some kind of mistress?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not a mistress, Lia. You¡¯re imagining things.¡±

    His gaze darkened as he leaned down to pick up an emerald frog ornament. What he saw took him

    aback. It was winking and holding up a peace sign, which amused him enough to pull an involuntary

    smile.

    That was when Liana began to rummage through the closet to toss out Alice¡¯s clothes.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± She opened arge box to find a well¨Ctailored men¡¯s suit made of high¨Cquality fabric

    nestled within. ¡°Heh¡­ This must be a gift she prepared for Mr. Taylor. It seems she found a backup

    n to guarantee herself a cushy life long ago!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened as he took the box.

    ¡°Just look at how horrible she is, Jasper! Here I thought she married you because she truly loved you. I

    believed she would cherish you, but it turns out she was just here to climb the socialdder. She took

    you for a fool!¡±

    1

    Her eyes were bloodshot as she picked up the fruit knife on the coffee table. There was no hesitation

    as she rushed up to rip the suit to shreds. Jasper was quick to keep the box protected in his embrace,

    but as a result, the de cut his arm instead. Blood immediately soaked through the white shirt.

    ¡°Ah! I¨CI¡¯m sorry, Jasper!¡± The knife she held ttered to the floor as she covered her mouth in fear, her

    mind going nk. |

    ¡°Oh my god! What¡¯s happening here?¡± Sophia arrived with some maid in tow only to see Jasper

    injured, his blood was staining the white carpet under him. ¡°Jasper! Why ¡­ Why is there a knife here?¡±

    ¡°Xavier, have the chauffeur escort Ms. Gardner home.¡± He sighed as he endured the pain.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go home yet, Jasper ¡­ I want to be with you!¡± Liana anxiously clung to the man.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s gettingte. Why not let Lia stay the night, Jasper? You¡¯re injured, and she can take care of

    you.¡± Sophia took the opportunity to put her two cents in. She wanted nothing more than to deliver

    Liana right into Jasper¡¯s bed tonight for her own interests!

    ¡°There¡¯s no need. She should go home.¡± The man was being unusually resolute.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°You and Liana will be married sooner orter ¡­¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be together day in and day out once she marries me. It¡¯d be better for her to remain home before

    marriage. She can spend more time with her family that way. Alice and I have yet to finalize the divorce

    procedures. It¡¯s still inappropriate for Lia to stay with me here.¡±

    There was nothing Sophia could say to that.

    After Jasper saw the crying Liana off, he sighed at the mess and ordered the maids to tidy the

    room.

    ¡°Look at this, Mr. Jasper!¡±

    Xavier took out an exquisite costume from the closet in amazement. Jasper approached to appraise

    the garment himself. The pink fabric was silky to the touch and embroidered with a delicate and lifelike

    peony. Its value was clear from a single nce. The peony was stunning¡­ He blinked, not quite

    knowing what to think.

    ¡°It looks like an opera dres. Could¡­ Madam Alice be an opera singer? It¡¯s beautiful!¡± Xavier didn¡¯t

    hesitate to express his sincere sentiment. Alice had amazed him multiple times today. She was such a

    lively and beautiful woman. He just couldn¡¯t wrap his head around why Jasper disliked her.

    ¡°Have you ever heard of this saying?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°A ruthless woman holds no affection for those around her!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s mouth tightened into a thin line as an inexplicable restlessness welled up in him.

 Chapter 11

    Alyssa, meanwhile, was singing a heart¨Crending aria to Jonah dressed in a sky¨Cblue dress, her voice

    resounding in the wind. Her hair was pulled up into a casual bun and secured by a jeweled pin. She

    was the very image of an alluring beauty.

    Jonah broke into apuse once the song was over, his eyes brimming with indulgence. ¡°Not bad. You

    were taught well. You would¡¯ve been someone¡¯s duchess or something back in the day.¡±

    ¡°Do I look like I want to be someone¡¯s duchess? I want to be a queen who shines with confidence. Men

    aren¡¯t loyal anyway.¡± She shattered the illusion of being a perfectdy in a split second as she cracked

    her knuckles.

    ¡°So what? We wouldn¡¯t have ourselves three stepmothers otherwise.¡± Jonah smiled bitterly.

    Alyssa adjusted her skirts and sat beside him. The mere mention of her father¡¯s three other wives

    brought aplicated expression to her face.

    ¡°Lyse, it¡¯s been three years. They miss you. They care about you enough to ask me about you in

    private.¡±

    ¡°What are you trying to say, Jonah?¡±

    ¡°I know you left home to go abroad to work with Doctors Without Borders because you were angry with

    Dad, Lyse.¡± Jonah gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder as his brows furrowed in mncholy.

    ¡°That¡¯s just the kind of man our father is. We don¡¯t get to choose. No one is without their ws. You

    loved Jasper Beckett for years. Haven¡¯t you alsoe to notice his ws after being married for three

    years?¡±

    Alyssa blinked as she gripped the bracelet around her thin wrist.

    ¡°The difference here is that you can choose to leave Jasper, but the kinship with our father can never

    be severed. Try to ept him as he is. He loves you. His other wives are also kind people who have

    kept our home in order all these years. None of them harbor any untoward desires. I can personally

    vouch for them.¡±

    What Jonah didn¡¯t know was that she had already epted them as early as two years ago because of

    a certain event.

    Xavier dressed Jasper¡¯s wound and left the room.

    Jasper felt a headacheing on at the thought of Liana¡¯s tantrum. He remembered her being a gentle

    and kind soul¨Can angel in human form. She never seemed like someone who would lose all sense of

    propriety. ¡°People change, I guess,¡± he thought with a sigh. Liana was still his childhood sweetheart no

    matter what. It was she who apanied him through his darkest moments. She was his anchor, and

    he was going to marry her.

    He went through some documents while still enduring the pain when his gaze fell on the suit ced on

    the couch. Curious, he went to pick it up and take a closer look.

    Jasper was roughly the same height as Jonah, but he had much broader shoulders and a thicker frame

    compared to thetter. It was clearly sized to fit him. ¡°Hideous.¡± He sneered. It didn¡¯t stop

    him from putting it on a few minutester, though.

    He stood in front of a full¨Clength mirror to take assess the fit. One lift of his arm and it was clear that it

    fit him like a glove. The workmanship was on par with suits from high¨Cend fashion brands! ¡°A bumpkin

    like her has quite the taste,¡± he thought.

    A knock interrupted him. It was Mrs. Rosie with a cup of warm milk for him. ¡°Oh? You¡¯re wearing the

    clothes Madam Alice prepared for you. She¡¯ll be so happy to know this!¡± Her joy was on full disy. No

    one in the Beckett family took Alice seriously save for Mrs. Rosie, who had raised

    Jasper.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Jasper was taken aback.

    ¡°The suit you¡¯re wearing. Isn¡¯t that a gift from the madam? That should be it¡­ She asked me to pick it

    up from the atelier a month ago and got me to keep it a secret from you. She said it was a birthday

    present for you.¡±

    It was a birthday present? He stood frozen in ce. His birthday was still months away!

    ¡°I know you get along well with Alice, Mrs. Rosie, but she¡¯s not here anymore. You don¡¯t have to keep

    ttering her.¡± His gaze turned cold.

    ¡°I was the one who watched you grow up to be the man you are today, Mr. Beckett. You won¡¯t find

    anyone in this estate who¡¯s more honest with you than me.¡± She approached and watched the

    handsome man in the mirror. ¡°Madam Alice mentioned how the process of making clothing is a long

    one. Every thread and stitch is her handiwork. The fabric was custom¨Cmade too. Even the buttons

    were from an original mold. She was usually busy with chores and spent what little spare time she had

    every day at the atelier. That¡¯s why when it waspleted a month ago, she kept it

    hidden in the closet. She didn¡¯t want you to find out.¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as his heart began to pound in his chest.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check thebel. Your name is embroidered on it.¡±

    He scrambled to take off the suit and toss it onto the couch as though it were on fire. ¡°We¡¯re not

    married anymore. I¡¯m not interested in knowing what she¡¯s done for me. You should leave.¡±

    ¡°Why did you and Madam Alice get a divorce, Mr. Jasper? She¡¯s a wonderful woman who loves you.

    dearly¡­¡±

    ¡°Loves me dearly?¡± He scoffed. ¡°If that were the case, would she have thrown herself into another

    man¡¯s arms the moment she left my side?¡±

    ¡°Madam Alice wouldn¡¯t¡­¡± Mrs. Rosie was stunned,

    ¡°It¡¯s true what they say. You never truly know someone.¡±

    There was no hesitation as he ruthlessly chewed Alice out for her vices. It was clear he had blown his

    top. ¡°Why pretend I¡¯m all she needs when she feels nothing for me at all? Did she think she

    and I would eventually fall in love? Did she take me for a fool she could deceive?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s been a misunderstanding, Mr. Jasper. I can see just how much she loves you.¡± Mrs.

    Rosie shook her head in regret as she went to carefully put away the suit.

    ¡°Enough, Mrs. Rosie.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll regret letting Madam Alice go one day.¡±

    Alyssa had wanted to sleep in, but her biological clock woke her up at five on the dot. This was usually

    when she prepared breakfast for the Beckett family. Now, she no longer had to put herself in the line of

    fire by cooking for the family. There was no need for her to endure the family¡¯s dirty

    looks thrown her way. The life of a divorced woman was amazing!

    She got into form¨Cfitting sportswear after washing up and went canoeing at theke behind the estate.

    It was a beautiful morning, with birds singing and flowers in full bloom by the shore. Her graceful and

    powerful figure swept across theke, leaving behind ripples on the surface of the

    water.

    After exercising, she had breakfast and showered beforeing down the stairs in high spirits.

    Sean straightened up when he noticed Alyssa. She had put her hair up and done her makeup in a

    delicate way that emphasized her porcin features and captivating eyes. A long, ck shawl sat on

    her shoulders, matching the redce dress she wore that hugged her curves and showed off her legs.

    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re drooling.¡± Alyssa snapped her fingers in his face.

    ¡°Shit!¡± He blushed in embarrassment. ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re beautiful, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re my brother¡¯s chief secretary, you know. Can you not act like an idiot when you see a beautiful

    woman?¡± She shook her head in amusement.

    Later, a Rolls¨CRoyce rolled up to KS World Hotel.

    Though she was gorgeous, having their boss show up at the restaurant without being noticed terrified

    the staff. Not a single soul dared toze around after yesterday¡¯s lesson. The hotel¡¯s marble floors had

    been polished so well that they shone like mirrors.

    Alyssa went on her rounds before returning to her office after giving a few pointers.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need you anymore here. You should go to Jonah, Sean.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have to go to his side anymore,¡± Sean said with a smile. ¡°Mr. Jonah wants me to work for you.

    I¡¯m your secretary now.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± She stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Jonah mentioned wanting to give me a present today. Are

    you¡­ the present?¡±

    Sean nodded eagerly.

    ¡°What the hell? What kind of present is this? Why did he give me a living, breathing person?¡± she

    thought.

    Sean began to panic when Alyssa said nothing. ¡°You aren¡¯t going to throw me out just because I used

    to be Mr. Jonah¡¯s secretary, are you?¡±

    She smiled. ¡°Nonsense! That¡¯s called work experience!¡±

    ¡°Haha! I¡¯ll do my best! I don¡¯t ask for much. Maybe just a small increment to my annual sry?¡± he

    joked.

    ¡°Money? Do a good job and I¡¯ll see to it that you swim in riches. Do a bad job and I¡¯ll pass you off to

    someone else like my brother did.¡± She smiled as she rested her head in her hands.

    He gasped before quickly reporting on the current work progress.

    ¡°As per your arrangements yesterday, all the Elysian Home beddings have been reced. All KS

    Hotels across the country have been notified that the Elysian Home beddings must be reced within

    a week.¡±

    As he spoke, he was interrupted by an urgent knocking on the door.

 Chapter 12

    Alyssa shot Sean a look, and thetter responded by opening the door.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa! Ms. Alyssa!¡± Michael Grant, who had gotten into trouble yesterday, barged in through the

    door so quickly that Sean failed to hold him back.

    Alyssa frowned at the man who threw himself at her desk. ¡°What are you doing here, Mr. Grant? I¡¯ve

    approved your resignation. You¡¯re free to seek employment elsewhere.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t fair, Ms. Alyssa! I¡¯ve been working at this hotel for nearly two decades! I¡¯ve given my all to

    this job and even gotten sick from it. Not even Mr. Taylor would do this to me. How could you fire me

    just like that?¡± Michael was sweating buckets as he yelled at her, red¨Cfaced.

    ¡°I¡¯ve read through the particrs of every hotel executive. You¡¯re indeed ill with fatty liver and

    galldder polyps. Looks to me like the hotel is really profitable.¡± Her smile was cold.

    Michael trembled when he picked up on the sarcasm in her words. ¡°I had no idea that ¡­ that Elysian

    sold our hotel low¨Cquality bedding! We partnered with them for three years, and the price was decent.

    They¡¯re also an established name in Sna City, so that¡¯s why I ¡­¡±

    Alyssa tossed a document at his feet with a flick of her wrist before he could finish. ¡°This is ¨¤

    breakdown of every transaction the hotel had with Elysian in the past three years. Are you blind to be

    so ignorant of this wed financial report from the finance department that you supervise?¡±

    Michael picked the document off the floor with great trepidation and went through everything in it. The

    few pages in his hands felt as though they were burning coals!

    ¡°I also received an anonymous tip.¡± Alyssa took a leisurely sip of coffee as her alluring eyes glinted like

    cold steel. ¡°A little bird told me that you and Elysian share a close rtionship. That¡¯s how you got all

    these massive rebates and why you bought their shoddy beddings in bulk.¡±

    His teeth were chattering as he grew unstable on his feet.

    ¡°Of course, I wouldn¡¯t fire anyone without evidence. But I¡¯m not about to show mercy when I do. have

    the evidence on hand. If you still have any objections, Mr. Grant, we can get this resolved through legal

    channels.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Alyssa! I had apse in judgment! Please¡­ Please give me a chance! If word of this

    gets out, I won¡¯t be able to make a living in Sna City!¡± Michael was scared out of his wits and got on

    his knees. ¡°It was Elysian who approached me and told me of a way to get rich. This was Mr. Gardner¡¯s

    idea! I thought the beddings were simr enough. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight and fell into his trap!¡±

    ¡°What a joke,¡± Alyssa thought. He was a vice president who had been part of the hotel industry for two

    decades, yet he was ying dumb just to protect himself. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Mr. Grant. I¡¯m sure you know

    best what happened. If you have all this time toe here with your nonsense, you¡¯d be wise to leave

    and think about submitting your resume elsewhere. Please see our guest out, Mr. Lynch.¡±

    Michael was ushered out, defeated. But that quickly changed the moment he was out of her office.

    ¡°F***ing bitch! Just wait. I¡¯m not going to let this fly!¡± he spat out.

    Although Alyssa was a generous person, she was enraged that someone was lining their pockets with

    the hotel¡¯s money. It made her blood boil with indignation.

    ¡°Michael seems to have quite the reputation here at the hotel. To think there would be whistleblowers

    the moment you turned your sights on him.¡± Sean was excited.

    ¡°No one sold him out.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Does that mean¡­ you tricked him?¡±

    ¡°I did,¡± Alyssa responded gently and booted up a game to vent her anger. ¡°There would¡¯ve been

    nothing to fear if he hadn¡¯t done anything wrong. It was unfortunate for him that I showed up.¡®

    Sean couldn¡¯t help apuding the woman. ¡°Michael and Elysian have been cooperating for three

    years, and the corruption ran deep. We should bring him to court and make him regurgitate everything

    he took!¡±

    ¡°We still need to maintain a cordial rtionship. It¡¯s in our best interest not to burn bridges. The higher¨C

    ups at the hotel won¡¯t be happy if I go too far. It won¡¯t be surprising if someone tries to backstab me. My

    father was the one who promoted Michael as well. I can¡¯t embarrass him too much,¡± she said

    nonchntly while chasing after her prey in¨Cgame with a massive ax. ¡°Have someone keep an eye on

    Michael for now. Report to me immediately if he contacts Liana Gardner¡¯s brother again.¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    That was when Alyssa¡¯s phone began to ring continuously. A mountain of messages was blowing up a

    certain group chat.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this right now. Sean, check who it is.¡± She was fully concentrating on the

    game.

    Sean pulled up the messages on her phone. ¡°Oh, you have messages from a group chat named ¡®

    Taylor Family¡¯s Secret Society.¡® It¡¯s your brothers, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    The group chat was created by Ss, her second brother. She, along with her four brothers, was part of

    it. The reason it was dubbed a ¡°secret society¡± was because the matter of her marriage to Jasper must

    not get out.

    Ss texted, ¡°I can¡¯t fucking stand this anymore! Is Jasper trying to add salt to the wound? He¡¯s going

    way too far!¡±

    Her third brother, Liam, chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to find dirt on Beckett Group. I¡¯ll see to their

    bankruptcy within a month.¡±

    Her fourth brother, Axel, cut in, ¡°I¡¯ll have Jasper crippled within the week.¡±

    Jonah sent, ¡°Amen.

    Alyssa finally made her presence known. ¡°Stop! What are you all trying to do?¡±

    Ss sent her a Twitter link and said, ¡°They¡¯ve announced their marriage. A high¨Cprofile online

    personality is iming you to be a mistress who took what wasn¡¯t yours. They¡¯re saying you forced

    Jasper to marry you and caused a rift in an already existing rtionship!¡±

    Axel piped up, ¡°Hah. What rift? Why don¡¯t I show them what that¡¯s really like?¡±

    Jonah replied, ¡°Don¡¯t upset yourself just because of this lowly evil, Axel. Don¡¯t give them your time of

    day. Their retribution ising. Cease your anger and renounce your rage. Don¡¯t stoop to

    wickedness.¡±

    Ss said, ¡°Stop talking, Jonah. I¡¯m seeing stars just reading that.¡±

    Axel texted, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure it all gets taken down within half an hour, Lyse. I¡¯ll also have the trending

    topic of Jasper¡¯s remarriage wiped.¡±

    Alyssa replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine, Axel. Let them be.¡±

    Ss expressed his confusion.

    Alyssa exined, ¡°It has nothing to do with me. Jasper¡¯s ex¨Cwife is Alice White, while I¡¯m the eldest

    daughter of the Taylor family, Alyssa.¡±

    Ss chimed in, ¡°You¡¯re right! You¡¯ve never made any public appearances with Jasper. Outsiders have

    never seen you before. It¡¯s unlikely that anyone woulde looking for you None of this would affect

    you at all!¡±

    Alyssa sent another string of words, ¡°Unfortunately for a certain woman, she¡¯s going to have a hard

    time.¡± She smiled in cold arrogance.

    ¡°you want to be with her so badly, Jasper Beckett? I¡¯m happy to support the two of you in achieving

    your happily ever after. But since she¡¯s so eager to test me, you can¡¯t me me for returning the favor,¡±

    she thought.

    Beckett Group was caught off guard by the news. The Public Rtions Department¡¯s and Jasper¡¯s

    phones were blowing up with calls from the media. The news was being sensationalized throughout the

    country. First of all, Jasper Beckett was getting married, and this was going to be his second marriage!

    It was over before reporters could even ask how it started. What kind of marriage was that?

    ¡°Sna Daily was the first to publish news on the marriage. Rumors have it that it was Ms. Gardner

    who approached their editor in person before the news broke.¡± Xavier stared unblinking at his phone.

    ¡°The post has been retweeted over a million times. The current trending search is #

    WhoIsJasperBeckettsWife. Madam Alice is being bad¨Cmouthed online¡­¡±

    ¡°Fire them!¡± Jasper¡¯s expression turned cold.

    Beckett Group had power over Sna News. It wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to say that they were. the

    Beckett family¡¯s mouthpiece.

    ¡°Who are we firing?¡±

    ¡°Everyone who was involved in this!¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir! But what should we do about the online discussion? We can¡¯t rein that in anymore Xavier

    couldn¡¯t help but worry. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine how Madam Alice would feel about this. She must be upset¡­¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze suddenly darkened, and he immediately dialed Jonah¡¯s number. It had be a norm

    for him to call the other man up. Anyone not in the know would¡¯ve assumed Jasper had a crush on

    Jonah!

    Coincidentally, he received a call from Liana right then. The sight of her name shing on the screen

    made him frown

 Chapter 13

    ¡°Lia?¡± Jasper said, calming himself down.

    ¡°Help me, Jasper!¡± Liana pleaded for help through her sobs. ¡°I¡¯m being surrounded by reporters at

    Beckett Group ¡­ I¡¯m scared!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ming downstairs!¡± Jasper grabbed his coat and left without a second thought.

    ¡°No, Mr. Jasper!¡± Xavier stopped him in his tracks. ¡°You should have security head downstairs to escort

    her instead. You¡¯ll be mobbed by the reporters if you go!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s expression turned somber, and there was not a lick of hesitation as he rushed out the door.

    1

    ¡°When will the wedding between you and Mr. Beckett be scheduled, Ms. Gardner?¡±

    ¡°The expos¨¦ ims that you and Mr. Beckett are childhood sweethearts. Did you two meet many years

    ago?¡±

    ¡°What are your opinions on Mr. Beckett¡¯s ex¨Cwife? Is it true that his ex¨Cwife interfered in your

    rtionship?¡±

    The reporters were shoving their cameras into Liana¡¯s face. Despite there being bodyguards on- site,

    the situation was still chaotic. The woman yed up her meek and weak facade despite being secretly

    thrilled. She was the one who broke the news of the wedding to the media. The rumor iming Alice to

    be a mistress was also her doing. ¡°How dare that bitch humiliate me and im my bracelet for herself?¡±

    she thought. Liana wanted Alice branded as a mistress and paraded as a social pariah!

    ¡°Thank you, everyone, for your concern. Mr. Beckett and I will be sure to notify everyone once we have

    news to share.¡± She gave the cameras aely smile. ¡°As for Mr. Beckett¡¯s ex¨Cwife ¡­ I know very

    little about Ms. White. Please don¡¯t attack her. She and Mr. Beckett are no longer together. Let her live

    in peace.¡±

    The situation was still fairly under control until she spoke up. The reporters were now buzzing with

    excitement, leading to more chaos. Just as Liana was backing up like a terrified bird, she was suddenly

    surrounded by a solid embrace. An arm wrapped itself around her shoulder while ushering her to the

    door. ¡°You¡¯re finally here, Jasper.¡± Liana looked close to tears, but the man kept his silence.

    He suddenly stopped in his tracks to look around. He couldn¡¯t help but feel like Alice was right there,

    watching the scene y out. But how was that possible?

    A surveince camera by Beckett Group¡¯s entrance shifted slightly. Alyssa was watching it all go down

    in theforts of her office, observing as the pair left. It would be a lie to say she wasn¡¯t affected by

    the sight of Jasper protecting Liana and holding her in his arms as if she were a fragile doll.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re protecting her. Have you ever protected me?¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes stung with unshed tears. ¡°I was

    dying of pain when I called you that stormy night two years ago. I knew you wouldn¡¯te

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    for me, and all I was hoping for was for you to answer my call. But what did I get? A phone that was

    switched off. To think I loved a man like you so dearly for three years. In the end, I was just a tool to

    appease your grandfather and stall for time. None of my efforts were worth it. Jasper Beckett, you¡¯re

    the biggest regret of my life.¡±

    The Secret Society chat group was suddenly active again.

    Jonah texted, ¡°Hey, Lyse. The editor¨Cin¨Cchief of Sna Daily, the news agency that was the first to

    publicize the news about the wedding, has been reced. It was your ex¨Chusband¡¯s doing. It seems

    his girlfriend¡¯s snitching had nothing to do with him.¡±

    Alyssa blinked and typed, ¡°They¡¯re the same.¡±

    Ss replied, ¡°That¡¯s true! Birds of a feather! Also, I have big news I need to tell you in private, Lyse.

    Axel sent, ¡°Just say it here.¡±

    Ss answered, ¡°Nope! These are the fruits of my investigation. Don¡¯t go trying to steal my thunder Go

    conduct your own investigation!¡± He then sent her a voice recording. ¡°I found some interesting tidbits

    about Liana Gardner,¡± he said.

    Ss seemed like an iprehensible prosecutor at first nce, but the Taylor siblings knew of his

    hacking skills. He wasn¡¯t as skilled as Axel, but his skills worked well enough. They aided in many of

    his investigations, and no criminal could escape his grasp. Liana Gardner was no different. Photos of a

    scantily d Liana kissing a biracial man were forwarded to Alyssa¡¯s WhatsApp.

    ¡°Not bad, Ss. This is interesting.¡± Alyssa whistled as she went through the photos in contentment.

    ¡°Where did theye from?¡±

    ¡°Liana follows a few hundred ounts on her Instagram. I spent thest few days going through every

    single one. This man rang some rm bells, so I hacked into his ount and gained ess to his

    photo library on his phone. That¡¯s where I found these babies. This man is a fitness instructor who has

    many fans.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ss. Let me take you to dinner tonight!¡±

    ¡°Just dinner? You¡¯re not even treating me to a drink? What¡¯s the point?¡±

    ¡°Okay! You can drink all you want!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself too excited yet. I still have more. This one caught me off¨Cguard.¡±

    Ss then sent her a health diagnosis from a medical institution alongside several photos of a

    woman¡¯s abdomen.

    ¡°What is¡­¡± The sight shocked Alyssa.

    ¡°Would you believe me if I told you Liana had given birth in Mosgravia? These are photos of her stretch

    marks after her pregnancy.¡±

    Alyssa zoomed in on the photos to carefully peruse them.

    ¡°That woman wasn¡¯t ill at all. It was an excuse for her to make her visits to the stic surgery

    department to get rid of the stretch marks on her belly. Hah. The rapid development of technology

    makes things very convenient for those with ulterior motives. I¡¯ve heard of people swapping the

    results of paternity tests, but stic surgery for stretch marks is a first! This means Liana and Jasper

    have yet to sleep together. Her secret would¡¯ve gotten out otherwise.¡±

    Alyssa felt inexplicably relieved to hear the news. ¡°Good,¡± she said with mixed emotions.

    ¡°What the hell? Good? Cheating is still cheating. You have a problem, Lyse. Are you trying to settle for

    less than what you deserve?¡± Ss didn¡¯t want his sister to continue being soft¨Chearted toward Jasper

    and wanted nothing more than to snap her back to reality.

    She gave him a wryugh. ¡°You got it all wrong. I don¡¯t love Jasper anymore. I just feel a lot less

    disgusted because he didn¡¯t touch Liana while we were still married.¡±

    ¡°Hah, it¡¯ll be his turn now to feel what it¡¯s like to be cheated on!¡± Ss spat out. ¡°That idiot deserves it.

    He passed you up, my sister, the richest girl in Belbanks with both beauty and brains, for a cheap

    bitch!¡±

    ¡°This is Jasper we¡¯re talking about. Not even riches can win him over.¡± Alyssa smiled coldly as

    bitterness washed over her. She had loved him throughout the years. Letting go would take time, but

    she knew she would never love him again no matter what.

    ¡°The cheap bitch is baring her teeth. We might as well put this information out there to teach her a

    lesson!¡± Ss was eager to jump at the chance to take Liana down a peg.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always had this habit of saving the best forst.¡± Alyssa narrowed her eyes and smirked. ¡°We only

    bring out the big guns at the right time. That¡¯s how you devastate.¡±

 Chapter 14

    Jasper escorted Liana into his office under the scrutiny of everyone present in the building. The

    moment the doors shut behind them, she leaped into the man¡¯s arms and clung to him in tears.¡± Thank

    you foring for me, Jasper. I was so scared¡­¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were imprable pools as he pushed her away.

    ¡°Jasper¡­¡± Liana was puzzled.

    ¡°Why did you do it?¡± His tone was icy, the look in his eyes no less intimidating.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Why did you go to Sna Daily about our marriage?¡±

    She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to go back in for another hug. ¡°Because I want to marry you.

    Don¡¯t you want to marry me?¡±

    ¡°I do, but what you did was inappropriate.¡± His expression remained stern,pletely missing his usual

    gentleness.

    ¡°What¡¯s inappropriate? You and Alice aren¡¯t married anymore!¡±

    ¡°There are still procedures she and I have to follow through. I also promised Grandpa we¡¯ll only make

    our divorce official after his 80th birthday.¡± Jasper stepped back to avoid her. ¡°She¡¯s still my wife in

    name. You exposing news of the marriage has made everyone involved unhappy. Grandpa is only

    going to be more dissatisfied with you.¡±

    Jasper was, in every way, a straightforward man who considered the pros and cons of every action. he

    took. He was emotionally stunted even as a child. Every bit of kindness he could spare was given to

    Liana, but it didn¡¯t change how direct his words could be. He thought she would understand because

    they were childhood friends.

    It became apparent that shepletely failed to grasp the point, and her eyes were red with. anger.

    ¡°Who¡¯s unhappy? Are you feeling bad for Alice because everyone on the inte is calling her a

    mistress? Do you feel sorry for her?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t feel sorry for her, but Alice isn¡¯t some other woman. None of this should¡¯ve happened.¡± He

    pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headacheing on.

    ¡°What do you mean? She is the other woman!¡± She furiously stomped her feet, her high¨Cpitch shrieks

    causing a fresh wave of pain to course through his temples. ¡°We would¡¯ve gotten together ages ago if it

    wasn¡¯t for her! It¡¯s all her fault! She took my ce by your side for three whole years!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because Alice became my wife in name for three years that Grandpa is so understanding now.

    Without her, there¡¯s no chance we could ever be together.¡± His own words tugged at his heartstrings.

    That was right. Would his grandfather have allowed him to get together with Liana if Alice hadn¡¯t left

    when the three years were up?

    That woman was always the first one to greet him with a smile when he arrived home. She helped him

    out of his clothes and prepared his baths. She was the one who took care of everything without saying

    a word just so she wouldn¡¯t trouble him. She never fought, cried, or caused a fuss. Not a single word of

    comint came out of her mouth even after she signed the

    divorce papers.

    Alice may have chosen to leave with Jonah, but there was no denying that she did her part as his wife

    in the three years they were married. He, meanwhile, saw her as nothing more than a tool. He wanted

    the three years to be over just so he could be with the person he loved. It was clear he was the one

    who owed her more.

    ¡°Jasper, are you¡­ siding with that woman?¡± Liana was shocked. When did Jasper be so difficult

    to read?

    ¡°No, I¡¯m just stating facts.¡± That was when Jasper¡¯s phone began to ring. It was his grandfather. There

    was no hiding the tension, so he swung open the door to speak with Xavier, who was standing guard

    outside. ¡°Xavier, have someone escort Ms. Gardner home.¡±

    ¡°As you wish, Mr. Jasper.¡± Xavier motioned for Liana to leave.

    ¡°Jasper! I don¡¯t want to go¡­ I¡¯m scared!¡± She stubbornly clung to his arm with tears in her eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Don¡¯t ept any media interviews. I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡± Jasper drove her out of the

    office with a straight face. Once the door finally shut behind him, he picked up his grandfather¡¯s call

    whilst nursing a headache.

    ¡°Grandpa.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett! I see you broke your promise to me. Are you that eager to marry that hussy?¡± Newton

    snarled in anger. ¡°Marry that Gardner girl and I¡¯ll see you gone from this family!¡±

    ¡°The news was put out by the media, Grandpa. It has nothing to do with me.¡±

    ¡°I know it was the Gardner girl who did it! She got anxious because you aren¡¯t in a hurry to get hitched.

    That¡¯s why she made such a preemptive move!¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t Lia. You¡¯ve misunderstood her.¡± Jasper felt his headache get worse. After loosening his tie,

    he leaned against the wall to support himself enough to reach the couch to take a seat. He had to lie to

    his grandfather who loved him dearly, which left a bitter taste in his mouth. But there was no other

    choice.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°I forbid you from marrying Liana! You¡¯d better make up with Alice!¡± Newton got straight to the point. It

    was clear he was more in favor of Jasper and Alice being together.

    ¡°You made a promise, Grandpa. You said I could make my own choice once the three years were up.¡±

    Sweat beaded on Jasper¡¯s forehead as his breaths grew ragged. ¡°Alice and I¡­ are already done. I

    want my wife to be no one else but Lia.¡±

    ¡°I see¡­ I see how it is! You blind son of a bitch. I won¡¯t rest until the day you cry in regret over losing

    Alice!¡± Newton then hung up.

    Jasper let out a heavy exhale as he approached his desk with his head in his hand to take some

    painkillers. That was the sight Xavier returned to after he sent Liana on her way, and he hurriedly went

    to help his boss.

    ¡°Are you alright, Mr. Jasper? Do you have another headache?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Jasper sat down and closed his eyes while massaging his swollen temples.

    ¡°Constantly relying on painkillers isn¡¯t good for you. It was Madam Alice who offered you relief through

    massages and acupuncture in thest three years, right? Why is the pain back again?¡±

    Xavier sighed in distress. ¡°It¡¯d be great if Madam Alice were still here. You always sleep peacefully after

    her acupuncture sessions¡­

    ¡±

    ¡°Stop talking about her.¡± Jasper sucked in a breath of frustration.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, about what you discussed with me¡­ I¡¯ve sent someone to look into the matter.¡± Xavier

    looked hesitant to speak.

    ¡°Speak.¡±

    ¡°The person behind the two social media ounts that put Madam Alice¡¯s scandal on st is¡­ Ms.

    Gardner.¡±

    Jasper snapped to attention, and his heart stopped. ¡°And you confirmed it to be true? How is that

    possible?¡±

    ¡°Y¨CYes, sir. I verified it multiple times,¡± Xavier muttered in fear of repercussion. ¡°Could everything that

    happened be a coincidence? All the rumors came to light right after news of your marriage was

    announced. It¡¯s clear that this was a calcted move.¡±

    Jasper slumped over when the truth set in, and powerlessness welled up in him. ¡°Li¨¤, why did you ¡­¡±

    He knew how much Liana loved him and how much she disliked Alice, but it wasn¡¯t right for her to vent

    this way.

    ¡°Deal with it. I don¡¯t care what you do, I want all that gossip off the inte by sundown!¡±

    Andrew Gardner, his wife, Rosaline, and his son, Dn, were all home when Liana was dropped off/

    ¡°Good job, Lia! Your trick worked!¡± Dn was grinning from ear to ear. ¡°The announcement of your

    marriage to Jasper Beckett has solved the Gardner Group¡¯s predicament! Hotels and guest houses are

    now flocking our way to ce orders. We¡¯re making so much money!¡±

    ¡°You did well, Liana! You saved our family!¡± Andrew also praised his daughter. The hotel industry had

    turned its back on Gardner Group after Taylor Group returned every bedding product manufactured by

    Elysian Home and permanently severed their partnership. They suffered massive losses when other

    hotels followed suit in canceling their orders. The incident had left

    both father and son restless.

    It was Liana¡¯s idea to announce news of her marriage to Jasper to save the family¡¯s crumbling

    business. Sure enough, the results spoke for themselves. Relying on the Beckett Group was a source

    of profit! Liana, however, was far from happy. She looked ready to break down. ¡°We saved the

    business, but do you have any idea the price I had to pay? Jasper and I got into a fight today. That old

    man probably hates me even more now!¡±

    ¡°What are you so afraid of? Newton Beckett is an old coot who¡¯ll be kicking the bucket in a few years.

    He¡¯ll be dead before you know it!¡± Dn smiled wickedly. ¡°Aunt Sophia has Javier under control, and

    you have Jasper by your side. Once that old man is dead, the Beckett family will be ours!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s right, Lia.¡± Rosaline stroked her daughter¡¯s hair, her eyes sparkling with desire. ¡°Newton can¡¯t

    stop you from marrying as long as Jasper loves you. Look at your Aunt Sophia.¡±

    Liana finally feltforted and nodded in confidence. She was going to marry into the Beckett family

    and be the envied wife of apany president!

 Chapter 15

    Golden rays shone through the clouds as the sun began to set. Jasper was slumped in the back seat of

    a luxury car that was on its way to Seaview Manor.

    ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with the social media ounts that spread gossip about Madam Alice, Mr. Jasper. Their

    ounts have been shut down, and awyer¡¯s letter has also been issued. It should be enough for

    now. But the news about your marriage¡­ We weren¡¯t able to remove it from the trending searches.

    Things¡­ are looking difficult.¡± Xavier looked apologetic.

    Jasper looked out the window sullenly. All this while, there were multiple asions when he wanted to

    contact Alice upon remembering how badly theirst conversation had gone. It was embarrassing

    having to go through Jonah to speak with her. Even if she did answer, what was he supposed to say?

    Should he apologize for what happened today? He couldn¡¯t do that. The words wouldn¡¯te. It felt as

    if he were being crushed beneath a bolder that was so heavy he could barely breathe.

    Just as the Rolls¨CRoyce was about to pull into the vicinity of Seaview Manor, he frowned. ¡°Stop the

    car.¡±

    1

    The chauffeur obeyed and pulled over to the side of the road. Jasper got out before Xavier could ask

    any questions. His feet carried him across the road to a vintage atelier where well¨Ctailored suits hung

    by a brightly¨Clit translucent window. The que above read ¡°Eternity,¡± the same word printed on the

    box containing the suit that Alice prepared for him.

    The wind chimes by the door jingled as he pushed the door open. An old tailor came out to greet him,

    ¡°Are you here to pick up a custom or would you like to have something tailored?¡±

    There was some slight hesitation before Jasper asked, ¡°Was there a woman in her 20s who tailored a

    men¡¯s suit here roughly a month ago?¡±

    ¡°Ah, of course! There was indeed a young woman here! She was quite skilled. I remember her very

    well!¡± The old tailor¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°That woman is very talented at clothing design. I¡¯ve been in the

    business for over 40 years and even I can¡¯t evenpare to her!¡±

    ¡°Did she¡­e here every day?¡± Jasper asked quietly.

    ¡°Yes, she always came on time every morning and stayed until we closed in the evening. I often saw

    her resting against the desk because she was so tired. She wouldn¡¯t even bother to take a single sip of

    water while she was here. It was worrying,¡± the tailor said as he reminisced. ¡°I asked her if she was

    giving it to her father or her boyfriend, and her face was so red when she said it was for her beloved. I

    didn¡¯t expect her to be married at such a young age. It made me wonder who the lucky guy was!¡±

    Beloved¡­ The word stung like the thorns of a rose.

    ¡°The way her eyes shone when she spoke of her beloved, oh she must love her husband very much.

    Why else would she make clothes by hand where every stitch is filled with love? Oh yes, and you are?

    Why do you know this?¡±

    Jasper swallowed as he tried to sound less suspicious. ¡°I¡¯m her beloved.¡±

    The old man was dumbfounded as he scrutinized Jasper. ¡°You two are the perfect match!¡±

    Jasper left the atelier as the sun set. It all felt like a dream. Alice loved him? But why would she act like

    apletely different person and dive into the arms of another man after leaving him when she used to

    focus her gaze solely on him? He felt empty. It was a sensation he had never experienced before.

    ¡°Why did you visit the atelier, Mr. Jasper? You usually only wear designer fashion. When did your taste

    for clothing change?¡± Xavier, the fool, was confused.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    His phone started to ring right theh. The amount of harrowing phone calls he was getting was nearly

    giving him trauma. Frowning, he checked who was calling before he heaved a sigh. It was his best

    friend, Landon, the scion of the Harper family.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go out tonight! Everyone wants to celebrate.¡± Landon sounded jovial, barely able to keep the

    teasing out of his tone.

    ¡°Celebrate what?¡±

    ¡°That depends on you. Are we celebrating your marriage or your divorce?¡±

    ¡°Scram.¡±

    ¡°Haha! That was a joke! A joke! My new venue is opening today. You shoulde by as a show of

    support. How long has it been since west hung out? What? Are you done with me now?¡±

    Jasper sighed after a moment¡¯s hesitation. ¡°See you tonight.¡±

    Alyssa took the helm and prepared a sumptuous meal for Ss that night.

    ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re allergic to smoke. I know this kitchen isn¡¯t that bad, but you shouldn¡¯t be inhaling the

    fumes.¡± Ss was concerned for his sister¡¯s health after being presented with a table of gourmet food.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I always do this¡­¡± The slip of her tongue made her stop. She had her guard down because

    she had been so rxed.

    ¡°Holy shit! Were you preparing his meals every day for the past three years? I¡¯m going to teach Jasper

    a lesson!¡± Ss was so bbergasted he nearly flipped the table.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s only natural for a wife to do that for her husband. It doesn¡¯t matter anymore. I¡¯ll never

    do that again.¡± She barked augh that didn¡¯t do anything to conceal the loss and sadness in her eyes.

    ¡°He took you for granted all these years. From now on, your brothers will take care of you, princess!

    At 9 pm, the Harper family¡¯s new nightclub, ACE, was bustling with celebrities who were both famous

    and affluent. After all, who would pass up the chance to show up at Landon Harper¡¯s new

    club?

    The roaring engine of a limited edition Bugatti had women green with envy and men in tears. Ss, who

    was in the passenger seat, alighted first. He was dressed casually, which was a change from his

    meticulous and serious image as a prosecutor. He looked every bit handsome while giving off the air of

    a person of high society.

    Alyssa took her brother by his hand and stepped out of the car. She was in a form¨Cfitting silver halter

    dress that resembled a gxy under the shing lights. Her hair was carefully styled and cascaded

    down her back in waves. Her ears were adorned with a pair of unique diamond tassel earrings that

    brought out her beauty. The men at the entrance couldn¡¯t keep their eyes off her.

    Ss wrapped his arms around his sister in fright. ¡°Jesus Christ, aren¡¯t you a little underdressed

    tonight?¡±

    ¡°What? Am I not pretty?¡± She raised a brow seductively.

    ¡°Of course, you are! I just don¡¯t want all these men totch onto you!¡±

    ¡°They can try, but I¡¯ll pull their teeth out if they do. Do you believe me?¡± She smiled wickedly.

    Everyone at the nightclub had their blood pumping with adrenaline from how intoxicating the

    atmosphere was. Ss didn¡¯t want his sister sitting at the bar and thus ordered a table full of quality

    wine to stop anyone from approaching.

    ¡°I regreting here with you, Ss. There are so many cute guys around.¡± Alyssa swirled her wine in

    her ss and pouted glumly ¡°I just got divorced. You being around deters all my potential suitors!¡±

    ¡°F*** me. Just because you got divorced doesn¡¯t mean your market value dropped. Did youe here

    just to pick a man you¡¯ll be disgusted by?¡± Ss sat by her side but couldn¡¯t stop himself from

    cautioning wandering eyes.

    Meanwhile, Jasper and Landon walked into a rtively quiet private room on the second floor. The

    former was dressed in an immacte suit, and thetter shook his head with a click of his

    tongue upon seeing it. ¡°Are your suits welded onto you or something? You¡¯re out here to have a good

    time. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d have thought you¡¯re here to negotiate a sale.¡±

    ¡°Almost every nightclub in Sna City is going downhill. They lose money annually. Your ce isn¡¯t

    worth my money at all.¡± Jasper sat down elegantly.

    ¡°Hah, so you think just because everyone else is working at a loss, I¡¯d be the same?¡±

    ¡°This ce isn¡¯t working at a loss?¡±

    ¡°It is, but what¡¯s there to fear? I¡¯m so poor all I have left is money. Hahaha!¡± Landon suddenly fixated on

    a sight that had him eximing out loud, ¡°What a gorgeous woman! She¡¯s dressed like the queen of

    the night and moves like a princess!¡±

    Jasper was never one to spare nces at women. He had no interest at all, which led to Landon

    forcing him to see for himself. He was fine until what he saw sent blood rushing to his head. ¡°It¡¯s her!

    Alice! Who¡¯s the man beside her? Jonah¡­ Taylor?¡± he thought.

 Chapter 16

    ¡°Oh my, who¡¯s sitting next to the beauty? Isn¡¯t that Jonah, the president of Belbanks¡® KS Group?¡±

    Landon raised an eyebrow mischievously and said teasingly, ¡°Isn¡¯t Jonah known for leading a virtuous

    life and never setting foot in such a ce? Haha, why is he here tonight?¡±

    No wonder Jasper and Landon couldn¡¯t recognize him.

    Alyssa¡¯s brothers were quadruplets. Among them, the eldest, Jonah, and the second eldest, Ss,

    looked incredibly simr at first nce. It was easy for someone unfamiliar with them to be mistaken.

    ¡°Damn it, I¡¯m jealous. Such a beautiful woman should be my lover. What can Jonah give her?¡± Landon

    became more and more excited as he spoke.

    Downstairs, Alyssa was smiling sweetly at Ss.

    Seeing this, Jasper felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

    Once upon a time, that smile belonged solely to him.

    Not to mention the widespread scandals seemed to have no effect on her. This woman had the

    audacity to seek pleasure and revel amidst it all!

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    Meanwhile, he spent the entire day consumed by anguish. He was either busy sorting out the mess or

    contemting how to exin things to her.

    ¡°Well, how about I im her for myself tonight? She may be Jonah¡¯s woman, but I can¡¯t care less. Even

    if there¡¯s a goalkeeper, I can still score.¡± Landon licked his lips as he spoke, his desires bing

    evident.

    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. She¡¯s my wife.¡±

    Landon¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°My ex¨Cwife,¡± Jasper corrected himself in an angry tone.

    ¡°What? She¡¯s that unromantic and rigid woman you used to be with? Gosh, are you blind, dumb, or

    both? This woman is an absolute beauty. She¡¯s way better than Liana, that woman you¡¯re obsessed

    with!¡±

    Jasper cast Landon a cold nce, who sheepishly stuck out his tongue. ¡°Well, I was just speaking from

    the heart. After all, you said she wasn¡¯t anyone worth meeting when I mentioned meeting her. I thought

    she looked super ugly, but I didn¡¯t expect ¡­ Hey, where are you going?¡±

    Before he could finish his sentence, Jasper had already stormed out of the room.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa and her second brother had a few rounds of drinks, and her fair cheeks were

    now red.

    ¡°Lyse, are you okay?¡± Ss asked with concern when he noticed Alyssa was getting tipsy.

    ¡°One more round! Let¡¯s roll the dice!¡± Alyssa had decent alcohol tolerance, but worries filled her mind,

    which was why the booze was getting to her head faster this time.

    Just then, Ss received an urgent phone call from his superior. He apologized to Alyssa, ¡°Lyse,

    please give me a moment. I have to take this call. I¡¯ll be back very soon.¡±

    She waved her hand gracefully. ¡°Sure thing!¡±

    As soon as Ss left, the men around gradually closed in on Alyssa like sharks sensing blood.

    She looked up, her gaze casually sweeping over them as if she were choosing a dish.

    This one was too short, that one was too thin, this one had a t nose, and that one had small eyes.

    None of them couldpare to her ex¨Chusband.

    It was a pity he had a dark heart under that attractive appearance, not to mention he betrayed her love.

    At that moment, Alyssa noticed amotion at a nearby table where several young men were

    cheering while watching a man pour drinks for a woman.

    That man with a disgusting smile happened to be Liana¡¯s brother, Dn!

    To make matters worse, Alyssa spotted one of the rich young men secretly putting something in a drink

    and passing it to Dn with her keen eyes.

    Instantly, her anger reached its peak. She abruptly stood up and walked toward them.

    ¡°Hey! Prettydy!¡± The group of men saw Alyssa and were practically drooling.

    When Dn¡¯s gaze fell on this stunning beauty, the woman in his arms suddenly lost her allure.

    ¡°It looks like you guys are having fun. Can I join?¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes seemed intoxicated, making her

    appear more seductive.

    ¡°Of course, youngdy. We¡¯ll do whatever you want,¡± Dn said, his gaze filthy as he licked his lips.

    Alyssa picked up the drugged drink. ¡°Well then, finish this drink.¡±

    The group fell silent, and Dn¡¯s face fell.

    Everyone knew that the drink wasced with a heavy dose of drugs. Only a fool would drink it!

    ¡°You¡¯re not drinking it? Then let me feed it to you!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze turned fierce as she said that. She lifted her hand and sshed the contents of the ss

    on Dn¡¯s face.

    The crowd gasped in astonishment, and the woman let out a frightened scream as she quickly moved

    aside.

 Chapter 17

    ¡°Bitch, how dare you ssh me in the face? Do you know who I am?¡± Dn angrily wiped his face and

    cursed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are. You drugged a woman and tried to force her to drink it. You¡¯re worse than a

    dog.¡± Alyssa casually flicked her hair, her eyes filled with seduction.

    Dn was furious, and his rage was reaching its boiling point. How dare this woman insult him?

    If it weren¡¯t for the crowd around them, he would have rushed forward and pped this despicable

    woman!

    At that moment, two bodyguards from the Gardner family caught up. Dn immediately signaled them

    to take her away.

    She needed a good beating, and Dn wanted Alyssa to learn her lesson on the bed.

    The two burly bodyguards lunged at Alyssa. Even though she was tipsy, her muscle memory allowed

    her to swiftly dodge their attacks, causing the two bodyguards to stumble.

    ¡°Too slow.¡± Alyssa yawned.

    Capture her!¡± Dn shouted angrily as he wiped his face.

    One of the bodyguards crawled up and reached out to grab Alyssa¡¯s shoulder.

    Unexpectedly, at that moment, a tall figure appeared in front of her and firmly grasped the bodyguard¡¯s

    arm before swiftly flipping him over.

    Instantly, the six¨Cfoot¨Ctall man was brought down to the ground!

    ¡°Impressive skills!¡± Alyssa blinked, huped, and swayed with her limp body tilting backward.

    Suddenly, a powerful grip supported her slender waist. She felt the man¡¯s deep breath brushing against

    her cheek. It was hot and ticklish.

    ¡°Uh¡­ Who are you? Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Alyssa struggled.

    ¡°Alice, open your eyes and look at who I am.¡±

    The voice sounded familiar. It was cold and maic yet seductive.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart pounded erratically as she slowly raised her gaze, only to meet Jasper¡¯s captivating

    yet heartless gaze.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes.

    He stared at her fiery red lips and charming face. If it weren¡¯t for those innocent and pure deer- like

    eyes, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to recognize her as the Alice he was previously married to for three

    years.

    ¡°Alice White, you¡¯ve grown bolder, haven¡¯t you? Now that you have Jonas¡® support, you¡¯re causing

    trouble everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, so what? Do you have a problem with that?¡±

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa raised her head proudly and said in a slightly yful voice, ¡°Whenever I see someone with

    the surname Gardner, I want to beat them up. Do you have any objections? Even if you do, you can¡¯t

    stop me!¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but exert more force in the hand supporting her waist as if trying to punish

    her.

    ¡°Ouch¡­ It hurts. Let go of me!¡±

    Alyssa stumbled in his embrace. Due to her anger, she felt even drunker, and her voice sounded even

    softer and more delicate.

    What man could resist her like this?

    Jasper¡¯s profound gaze turned a shade darker.

    ¡°J¨CJasper?¡± Dn eximed, his face pale with shock.

    ¡°Mr. Gardner, what do you mean by that?¡±

    Jasper coldly stared at him. ¡°Furthermore, Lia and I haven¡¯t officially gotten married yet. Do you think

    it¡¯s appropriate to address me by my first name?¡±

    Dn was left speechless by the sudden turn of events.

    Lia? How disgusting.

    Alyssa despised Liana and was equally disgusted with Jasper¡¯s affectionate way of addressing her

    After three years of marriage, he had never called her anything other than her full name¨Cnot even just

    by her first name.

    The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she felt. She mustered all her strength to break

    free from Jasper¡¯s arm. She would rather stand unsteadily and swaying than let this. despicable man

    touch her.

    ¡°Apologize to her,¡± Jaspermanded with a tone that brooked no argument.

    Though his words were directed at Dn, his gaze never left Alyssa for a moment.

    After all, she was pretty drunk.

    ¡°It was this crazy woman who came at me out of nowhere and sshed me in the face with her drink.

    She evenunched a personal attack on me! She should be the one apologizing!¡± Dn¡¯s face

    disyed evident defiance.

    ¡°Watch your mouth and show some respect.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes narrowed sharply. ¡°She¡¯s my ex¨Cwife.¡±

 Chapter 18

    Dn was so shocked that his jaw nearly dropped to the ground. So this was Jasper¡¯s secret ex- wife.

    Honestly, her beauty surpassed that of his sister by a considerable margin. His superficial and

    ostentatious sister wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against this absolute beauty if it weren¡¯t for her childhood

    friendship with Jasper.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, even if she¡¯s your ex¨Cwife, that doesn¡¯t justify me apologizing to her!¡± Dn refused to

    back down, unwilling to lose face. ¡°If she apologizes first, I¡¯ll pretend this never happened!¡±

    ¡°Your men might have done something to her if I hadn¡¯t arrived on time.¡± Jasper¡¯s expression was as

    cold as ice. ¡°Just because it didn¡¯t happen doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re not at fault. Apologize.¡±

    Dn trembled inwardly but maintained his defiant stance.

    Alyssa¡¯s face flushed as the effects of the alcohol kicked in.

    She only heard something about ex¨Cwife and apology, and she thought, ¡°Does this despicable man

    expect me to apologize? I might as well twist his head off and use it as a ball!¡±

    ¡°Apologizing is too troublesome. In my opinion, we¡¯ll handle it ording to my rules. Either send him to

    the police station and let me y the role of a model citizen, or take him outside and give him a good

    beating to settle the matter.¡± The handsome Landon approached them with a mischievous smile on his

    lips. He brought two rows of people with him and exuded an intimidating aura.

    ¡°Why should I be the one getting beaten? Is there no rule ofw anymore?¡± Dn¡¯s voice trembled with

    fear upon seeing Landon.

    Landon beckoned with his finger, and the woman who was almost drugged earlier timidly hid behind

    him.

    ¡°Firstly, in my club, these women are here to serve drinks and dance. They never provide personal

    services to customers. By forcefully making her drink and harassing her, you¡¯ve vited the rules of my

    establishment.

    ¡°Secondly, I don¡¯t tolerate banned substances or drugs in my ce. I despise it more than anything

    when someone engages in such activities here. I consider it light punishment to break the legs of

    whoever is involved! From what I see, you should be thanking Ms. White here. If she hadn¡¯t stopped

    you from drugging her, you would¡¯ve already been killed here,

    Jasper was shocked. So that was what had happened.

    ¡°Haha! Well done, man!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes narrowed into crescents as she gave Landon a thumbs up.

    ¡°Thanks for the praise.¡± Landon winked at her.

    Jasper felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest as they exchanged flirtatious nces.

    ¡°Jasper, what do you think of my suggestion?¡± Landon asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s feasible,¡± he replied concisely.

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault! I¡¯m sorry! Mr. Beckett, I really didn¡¯t know thisdy was your ex¨Cwife. I was too ignorant.

    I¡¯ll be sure topensate Ms. White. I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±

    Dn gritted his teeth as he apologized to Alyssa, feeling very frustrated inside.

    Jasper still wasn¡¯t satisfied, but then he noticed something.

    Alice was gone!

    ¡°Looking for your ex¨Cwife? Look over there.¡± Landon whistled and nodded toward the stage.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his heart skipped a beat.

    Amidst the mesmerizing lights and shadows, Alice swayed her slender body, dancing seductively and

    yfully. She looked like a goddess, outshining everything around her.

    She waspletely drunk!

    She had no idea what she was doing. She felt like a carefree bird flying. Suddenly, her body leaned

    back. Amidst the gasps of the crowd, she fell into a firm yet warm embrace.

    She struggled to focus and saw Jasper¡¯s handsome face which was filled with anger. shing him a

    silly smile, she said three words, ¡°I feel nauseous.¡±

    Jasper dragged Alyssa into the men¡¯s restroom.

    She leaned over the toilet and vomited uncontrobly. No matter how beautiful someone was, they

    wouldn¡¯t look pretty under such circumstances.

    At first, Jasper stood by the door and watched her coldly. However, when he saw her suffering, he

    walked up behind her and gently patted her trembling back.

    After Alyssa finished vomiting, she stumbled to the sink and washed her mouth.

    ¡°Ugh¡­ I feel terrible¡­¡±

    ¡°Then why did you drink? You brought this upon yourself.¡± Jasper stood by the side, eyebrows furrowed

    with coldness.

    ¡°Because¡­ I¡¯m sad. I feel terrible.¡±

 Chapter 19

    Alyssa¡¯s mind was clouded, and she even mistook Jasper for her brother. She choked and cried, ¡± Why

    doesn¡¯t Jasper like me? Why ¡­¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his thin lips tightly pressed together as he listened to herment.

    ¡°I tried so hard. I really tried. But it seems the harder I tried, the more he disliked me. Why is that?

    Tell me!¡±

    Suddenly, she turned around and clung to Jasper while sobbing heavily in his chest. Her tears, running

    nose, and makeup smeared his clean shirt.

    He stood rooted to the ground, his throat tightening as he felt her scorching tears searing into his chest

    and saturating his heart.

    After a while, his voice deepened as he asked, ¡°Do you really love Jasper?¡±

    Alyssa raised her tear¨Cstained face, her cherry lips slightly parted.

    Jasper gulped as he struggled against the strong temptation of pure desire. He regretted asking that

    question.

    So what if she loved him? So what if she didn¡¯t? Their divorce was a done deal, and his life partner

    could only be Liana.

    With a loud bang, the restroom door was kicked open.

    ¡°Jasper! How can you be so shameless? Can¡¯t you be satisfied with what you have?¡±

    Ss¡® eyes turned red with anger. Striding into the restroom, he pulled Alyssa into his arms and

    protected her like an mother hen guarding its chick.

    Jasper¡¯s elegant eyebrows furrowed tightly, and the fact that Ss, who usually carried himself with

    grace, was furious to this extent showed how much he cared about his ex¨Cwife.

    He felt somewhat suffocated.

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, she has a low alcohol tolerance and vomited heavily just now. If you truly care about her,

    you shouldn¡¯t have brought her to a ce like this.¡±

    Ss was about to retort, but hearing Jasper addressing him as Jonah, he decided to y along and

    assumed the role of Jonah. ¡°I¡¯ll apany my woman to do whatever she wants to. If she likes to have

    fun, I¡¯ll have fun with her. Jasper, you and Alice are divorced. Stop sticking your

    nose into her business. Go back and take care of Ms. Gardner!¡±

    With that, Ss helped Alyssa walk toward the exit, but Jasper stopped him.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±

    ¡°Do you really love her?¡± Jasper asked in a low voice.

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°Can you marry her?¡±

    This question left Ss speechless.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°What does it have to do with you? Get out of my way!¡±

    ¡°Alice doesn¡¯t have power or background and can¡¯t withstand these emotional games. If you can¡¯t

    marry her and only treat her as a lover, then don¡¯t drag her down. Let her return to a normal life as soon

    as possible.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened.

    ¡°Hahaha. Jasper, I¡¯ve never met someone as shameless as you. When you divorced Alice for Liana,

    did you ever think about Alice¡¯s situation? Thanks to you, she became a divorc¨¦e at a young age. Don¡¯t

    you think that¡¯s dragging her down? Since divorce was a given, why did you marry her three years

    ago? Weren¡¯t you just using her so that you could marry your true love? How disgusting!¡±

    T

    Jasper felt a sharp pang in his chest, and his sturdy body, concealed beneath his suit, trembled faintly.

    Ss forcefully shoved him and said, ¡°Get out from my sight, you cheater!¡±

    Jasper didn¡¯t know how to respond. All he could think of was how he¡¯d been used of using Alice and

    was called a cheater.

    ¡°Where¡¯s your ex¨Cwife? Did she leave?¡± Landon leaned against the railing, sipping his drink while

    observing Jasper¡¯s dazed and deste appearance.

    Jasper muttered in response. He picked up his whiskey ss and downed it in one gulp, feeling a

    burning sensation in his throat.

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, I would have definitely beaten Dn to a pulp tonight. Using drugs is bad enough,

    but he even dared to make advances on my crush. He¡¯s asking for death.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be considerate. Liana and her brother are separate individuals.¡± Suddenly,

    realization dawned on Jasper, and his brows furrowed slightly. ¡°Crush? What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I thought I might as well take Alice since you don¡¯t want her anymore. Since you gave up on her I¡¯ll

    dly step in.¡± Landon raised an eyebrow and smirked as he continued, ¡°She¡¯s going to be like

    your sister¨Cinw. I wonder if you can adapt to that.¡±

    ¡°The divorce isn¡¯t even finalized yet, and you¡¯re already eager to im her as yours?¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes

    darkened, and his lips curled up into a cold smile.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve already signed the divorce agreement, so it¡¯s just a matter of time.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about anything else,¡± Jasper clenched his fingers, and his face darkened, ¡°but your death

    is not far off.¡±

 Chapter 20

    The next day, Alyssa woke up and vomited again.

    ¡°Lyse, I remember you used to have a good tolerance for alcohol. How did it get so bad?¡± Ss

    hurriedly handed her a ss of water and brought her some hangover medicine.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t had a drink in three years and suddenly drank so much yesterday. Of course, I couldn¡¯t

    handle it.¡±

    Alyssa knew Jasper disliked women reeking of alcohol, so she quit drinking during their three years of

    marriage.

    ¡°If I didn¡¯t know you were dunkst night, I would have thought you were pregnant,¡± Ss teased

    her.

    ¡°Haha. What would you guys do if I really got pregnant with Jasper¡¯s child?¡± A subtle look of pain

    shed across her eyes.

    ¡°What else can we do? Of course, we¡¯ll take care of the child together. Regardless of who the father

    of the baby is, it¡¯s innocent.¡±

    Although Ss hated Jasper to the core, his values were upright, probably due to his profession as

    a legal practitioner.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Do you think I¡¯ll want to bear Jasper¡¯s child?¡± Alyssa sneered and took a sip of water

    to clear her throat.

    Ss asked, ¡°By the way, do you remember what happenedst night?¡±

    ¡°I remember I got into trouble with Dn, and it seems like¡­ Jasper came? After that, I don¡¯t

    remember anything.¡±

    ¡°You really don¡¯t remember?¡±

    ¡°I think I saw a handsome guy helping me out. Gosh, I was too drunk at the time. Otherwise, I would

    have definitely asked for his number.¡±

    ¡°That was Landon. We went to his newly opened clubst night.¡±

    As soon as Alyssa heard the name of the infamous Landon, she lost all interest. ¡°Forget it. That kid

    is a disaster wherever he goes.

    ¡°Do you know that Jasper dragged you into the men¡¯s restroom after that?¡±

    Alyssa widened her eyes in shock.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you two were up to, but when I went in, I saw you hugging him and wiping your nose

    on his body.¡± Ss shook his head repeatedly, unable to bear the memories.

    Alyssa gasped. She was speechless.

    ¡°Lyse, if I hadn¡¯t arrived in time to take you away, that brat might have¡­¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t have happened. Jasper isn¡¯t like Landon,¡± Alyssa said, rubbing her temples in

    annoyance.

    ¡°And now you¡¯re defending him!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not defending him! Besides being cold, emotionally ignorant, and hating me, he can still be

    considered a gentleman,¡± she continued, feeling a pang in her heart after saying those words.

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t know what got into Jasst night. He actually asked me if I would marry you and told me

    not to y with your feelings. He said you couldn¡¯t handle the game of love because you¡¯re from a

    small family.¡±

    Ss¡® lips curled with a hint of mockery. ¡°Don¡¯t you think he¡¯s too much of a busybody with nothing

    better to do? He can¡¯t even settle his own matters yet he¡¯s worrying about other stuff.¡±

    ¡°Wait, why did he bring this up out of nowhere with you?¡±

    ¡°Because he mistook me for Jonah, so I just went along with it and told him not to touch my woman in

    the future. Hmph, he must¡¯ve been frustrated by that,¡± Ss exined proudly.

    ¡°Damn it. Go to hell!¡± Alyssa eximed in anger andnded a punch on Ss¡® handsome face.

    Knowing that Alyssa had been drinkingst night, Sean prepared a light and delicious breakfast. He

    specifically made food that was good for hangovers for her.

    Wearing a pink silk slip dress, Alyssa came down for breakfast with her long hair flowing freely.

    Although she wore underwear underneath, it was still too revealing and S**y.

    Sean¡¯s face instantly flushed red, and he quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look at her closely

    ¡°Hey! There are two men in the house. Can you consider our feelings?¡± Ss lightly rubbed his swollen

    cheek while staring at Alyssa with an annoyed expression.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been wearing white sneakers and dresses for three years. Now, I want to wear whatever I want.

    Nobody can stop me.¡± Alyssa rolled her eyes and bit on her bread furiously.

    ¡°Why did you wear only white sneakers and dresses for three years? Ms. Alyssa, were you teaching in

    the countryside? Will you corrupt the future of our country with your teaching?¡± Sean asked solemnly.

    ¡°Shut up!¡± the siblings eximed in unison.

    Donning delicate makeup, a white suit dress, and Jimmy Choo shoes, Alyssa transformed into a

    stunning female executive again as she visited the hotel. She was glowing. 1

    However, her head was throbbing due to the hangover.

    Sitting in her office, Alyssa recalled her conversation with Ss in the morning and felt mixed emotions.

    Did Jasper really care about her when he helped herst night and said those things to Ss?

    No way. It was impossible. Jasper¡¯s selfish possessiveness was only triggered because he saw his

    former lover with a new guy:

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21

    ¡°I¡¯d never fall for the same trap twice!¡± Alyssa thought determinedly.

    At that moment, she got messages from the ¡°Taylor Family¡¯s Secret Society.¡±

    Jonah: ¡°Lyse, remember how they exposed the dirt on you yesterday? They¡¯ve been deleted now,

    including the ounts. Jasper did it.¡±

    Alyssa: ¡°Wow, I¡¯m so grateful to him.¡±

    Axel: ¡°What? Does he think everything¡¯s settled just because they¡¯ve been deleted? Naive.¡±

    Liam: ¡°Too bad the Beckett Group¡¯s stock price only had a small effect this morning.¡±

    Ss: ¡°Lyse, even if we can¡¯t do anything to him right now, we should teach the Gardners a lesson.¡±

    Alyssa: ¡°That¡¯s for sure. I hold grudges, and they must pay.

    Alyssa called Sean. ¡°Sean, spare me a moment.¡±

    Sean entered the office promptly. ¡°You called for me, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Have you prepared the materials and evidence as I told you?¡± Alyssatwirled in her seat with her

    arms on the armrest.

    ¡°Yes, I have everything ready to hand them over to the rted department whenever you want.

    ¡°No, there¡¯s no need for the rush.¡±

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    The sunlight cast a sheen over Alyssa as she crossed her leg.

    ¡°Reach out to the media we have connections with, like Belbanks Media. Give them a hint of

    what¡¯s going on, but not all the details. We¡¯ll decide our next step after drawing some attention¡±

    Sean questioned her choice, ¡°Getting the media involved couldplicate things. Why not catch the

    Gardner Group off¨Cguard? Wouldn¡¯t that be better?¡±

    ¡°I have a certain way of doing things. I don¡¯t go for the kill right away. I prefer to crush and torment my

    prey slowly, letting it bleed out,¡± Alyssa exined.

    She stroked the crystal bracelet her grandfather had given her. Her gaze disyed brutality and¡ª

    coldness.

    Most importantly, the Gardner Group would face difficulties after she revealed the incident.

    The Gardners¡® father and son weren¡¯t in the position to speak to her. Hence, Liana had only one

    way out. She must beg Jasper to save her family.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, I can¡¯t wait to see you getting anxious about your fianc¨¦e¡¯s problem.¡±

    During the night when many users were online, a searing expos¨¦ was unleashed. It quickly spread

    online within an hour.

    ¡°Breaking News! KS Group Terminates Contract With Gardner Group Due to Serious Quality

    Problem!¡±

    ¡°Cutting Corners? Using Inferior Materials? Gardner Group¡¯s Elysian Home Presents Substandard

    Products.¡±

    The Gardners werepletely caught off¨Cguard by the sudden revtion.

    Their weak Public Rtions Department proved ineffective. They struggled to control thement

    section.

    They couldn¡¯t delete the negativements.

    ¡°Gardner Group? Isn¡¯t that Jasper¡¯s second fianc¨¦e? I can¡¯t believe they let this happen right

    before the wedding. Are they trying to set the Becketts up?¡±

    ¡°I thought he found someone rich. She¡¯s just someone selling furniture, an underhanded seller at that!¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s not her fault. It was her family, but I¡¯m kinda disappointed.¡±

    ¡°Oh, shit! The new furniture I just ordered is from Elysian Home. I have to return them. What bad luck!¡±

    As Xavier reported the bad news in the study, Jasper felt a headacheing on.

    ¡°The Taylor Group holds the prestigious position as the Wibez¡¯s VIP. They lead the way in various

    industries, standing atop the pyramid. If the Taylor Group chooses to take action against the Gardner

    Group, otherpanies will have no choice but to follow suit.¡±

    Xavier¡¯s lips twitched at the corner. There was no empathy in his eyes.

    He appeared rather interested in watching how the show would unfold.

    ¡°Experts predict the stock price will hit rock bottom tomorrow morning. Fortunately for Gardner Group, it

    is not a publicly listedpany.¡±

    Xavier finished his report.

    ¡°Your grandfather has high blood pressure. I¡¯m afraid he might be infuriated by the news¡­¡±

    Jasper shot him a re. Xavier stuck out his tongue and kept his mouth shut after.

    ¡°It¡¯s just an usation. There¡¯s no evidence. It might be a baseless rumor.¡± Jasper sighed heavily. ¡±

    What about the quality problem? Where did thate from?¡±

    ¡°I heard the KS World Hotel has a newly appointed female general manager. She took the lead to end

    all coboration with Gardner Group. Within a week, all hotels working with KS canceled their contract

    with Gardner Group.¡±

    ¡°How can a mere general manager have so much power?¡±

    ¡°Because she¡¯s Mr. Taylor¡¯s daughter¨CAlyssa Taylor.¡±

    The glint in Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened at the mention of the name. It was a stranger¡¯s name, but it

    somehow sounded familiar to him.

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22

    Jasper kneaded his brows and muttered, ¡°Alyssa Taylor ¡­ I feel like I¡¯ve heard the name before.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve researched more about Ms. Alyssa,¡± Xavier said.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes lit up. He was pleased that the usually slow secretary was finally one step ahead of him

    at doing things.

    ¡°Tell me what you found.¡±

    ¡°In the end, I found nothing.¡± Xavier¡¯s shoulders drooped, and he spread his hands.

    Jasper said, ¡°Xavier, I believe you can get your early sry payment from the HR department.¡± He

    seemed calm.

    ¡°Calm down, Mr. Beckett! It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t investigate, but finding info on Ms. Alyssa is like searching

    for a top¨Csecret file. It¡¯s just not avable, so there¡¯s not much I can do.¡®

    Xavier felt scared. He wiped off his sweat nervously.

    Xavier continued, ¡°Don¡¯t you think that it¡¯s strange? She¡¯s Mr. Taylor¡¯s first wife¡¯s only daughter, but I

    can¡¯t find any information about her online. I even searched through all social media tforms. Yet, I

    still got nothing! I wonder if she lives in the mountains.¡±

    ¡°Do you have her picture? Let me see

    ¡°I do. I barely found it.¡± Xavier showed Jasper the picture on his phone.

    As soon as Jasper saw the picture, he became angry. ¡°Xavier Hall! Do you have a death wish?¡±

    Ignoring how blurry the picture was, the girl in Winston¡¯s arms appeared to be no older than five years

    old. Jasper couldn¡¯t recognize the face at all!

    ¡°Calm down, Mr. Beckett! This is the only picture of her online. It was taken at Mrs. Taylor¡¯s funeral 20

    years ago ¡­¡± Xavier thought his boss was about to explode.

    He decided he should carry some heart attack medicine with him next time.

    If the picture was taken 20 years ago, that would make Alyssa about 25 years old, which was around

    the same age as Alice.

    Jasper stared at the picture. The more he looked at it, the deeper his frown became. Somehow, he felt

    that the girl in the picture resembled Alice.

    ¡°Darn it! We¡¯re divorced. Why do I keep thinking about my ex¨Cwife? Since when am I such a

    scumbag?¡± he scolded himself silently.

    Just then, a maid¡¯s voice resounded from the door. ¡°Mr. Jasper, Mr. Javier is calling for you. He wants

    to talk to you about something.¡±

    Sophia was crying in Javier¡¯s arms in the living room.

    Despite being in her 40s, she cried and whined in her husband¡¯s embrace without caring about

    anything else.

    ¡°Javier ¡­ Oh, my poor sister. She married a nice guy and was finally having her good days. And then

    this incident happened¡­ She called mest night, crying and saying she couldn¡¯t face me. She didn¡¯t

    want to bring disgrace to the Beckett family¡­¡±

    ¡°How is this a humiliation? We¡¯re going to be a family soon. Don¡¯t be such a stranger.¡±

    Javier gently caressed her shoulder and spoke in a soothing tone. ¡°Once Jasper is here, we¡¯ll figure

    something out.¡±

    Whining and acting weak was how Sophia drove Jasper¡¯s mother away. That was how she came to

    secure the title of thedy of the house. She had Javier wrapped around her fingers. He was drawn to

    this kind of woman.

    ¡°Dad, did you call for me?¡± Jasper approached them emotionlessly.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Jasper, you have to save Lia and her family!¡±

    Liana wiped the tears off with a handkerchief. ¡°Andrew and Lia are in bad health. She¡¯s lost her

    appetite ever since the matter happened. If you truly care for her, you have toe up with something

    quickly!¡±

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23

    ¡°Jasper, have you looked into the matter? What¡¯s happening?¡± asked Javier whileforting Sophia.

    ¡°The culprit is Alyssa Taylor, the newly appointed general manager of KS Group.¡±

    Jasper dropped his gaze to the ground. He didn¡¯t want to see the affectionate scene between Javier

    and Sophia.

    Javier had never treated him and his mother well when he was younger. Jasper suspected that Javier

    had long forgotten what his mother looked like.

    ¡°KS Group

    them?¡±

    ¡­

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    The Taylors in Belbanks?¡± gasped Sophia. She covered her mouth. ¡°That¡¯s the richest family in

    Belbanks! How did Lia offend

    ¡°Our families have been on bad terms due to past issues between our ancestors. Their great¨C

    grandmother even swore not to have a marriage alliance with our family. Anyone who goes against that

    rule must cut ties with the family.¡±

    Jasper was unbothered by that. His fianc¨¦e was Liana, not anyone from the Taylor family.

    However, those words still affected him, and he felt a surge of coldness.

    ¡°Geez! I bet the Taylors are trying to suppress the Gardner Group because Jasper is marrying Liana.

    They¡¯re attempting to bring us down indirectly. They¡¯re so malicious!¡± Sophia wrung her handkerchief.

    ¡°Jasper, meet up with Ms. Alyssa tomorrow. Persuade her to stop attacking Gardner Group. It¡¯s not just

    the Gardners¡® problem. It¡¯s about our family¡¯s pride too.¡± Javier sounded stern.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the serious tone, Javier? Jasper is a good son. He just needs a little guidance on what to

    do,¡± she said softly while massaging Javier¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°I¡¯m saving Gardner Group solely for Lia. Nothing else, Aunt Sophia.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes were dark.

    As soon as he finished, he turned and left. Sophia was so angry that her face paled.

    ¡°I¡¯m Javier¡¯s wife, but he¡¯s still addressing me as ¡®aunt!¡® I hate it!¡± she thought.

    ¡°Stop right there! Why are you addressing her that way? Sophie is my wife and your mother. Behave,¡±

    huffed the standing Javier.

    Jasper stopped in his tracks, but he did not turn around.

    ¡°One can have several wives, but there¡¯s only one mother. You know that very well. Don¡¯t make things

    difficult for me.¡±

    Jonah visited Alyssa in Sna City. Michael and Gardner Group were mentioned during dinner.

    Jonah said, ¡°Dad already knew your n. He only said we shouldn¡¯t let them get away that easily if we

    have proof it¡¯s true.¡± Jonah helped Alyssa to cut the steak.

    ¡°Dad is a scumbag to women but a wise man in other areas,¡± Alyssa replied. She savored a piece of

    meat.

    ¡°That¡¯s why our mothers love him to death. Aside from his womanizer side, he treats his wives well.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Only the new ones are able to smile. Outsiders never know the abandoned one is crying.¡±

    Alyssa lowered her gaze and stabbed into the meat.

    Jonah noticed her reddened eyes and felt upset. He stroked her head.

    ¡°I know you no longer resent the three mothers. You just can¡¯t let go of the past. You feel it¡¯s unfair for

    our mother. But, Lyse, have you ever considered that Mom might have long let the past go?¡±

    ¡°How could she not resent him? She¡¯s just putting up with it. Can anyone ept their spouse loving

    others at the same time? There are so many¡­¡± Alyssa drew a sharp breath and stopped midway

    through her words.

    She was in the same situation. She knew Jasper still missed his first love, yet she was blinded by love.

    Winston was a womanizer, but he cared for his women.

    But what about Jasper?

    He couldn¡¯t look her in the eyes and even stabbed her in the back! He also took her goodwill as bad

    intentions!

    She found it ridiculous to have loved such a man for 13 years.

    ¡°Jasper has been quiet these two days. He didn¡¯t call me,¡± Jonah said, sipping his red wine slowly.

    Alyssa scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s busy cleaning up the mess for his first love. He won¡¯t even have time to

    think about me.¡±

    She swirled her wine ss as a glint of coldness shed across her eyes.

    ¡°Alice is too weak. This time, I will confront him as Alyssa Taylor.¡±

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24

    The next morning. Jasper dressed himself neatly. He appeared more dependable and sophisticated in

    his suit. He was going to KS World Hotel in the best state possible.

    Upon entering the lobby, he felt rxed. Last year, he had visited the ce and criticized it for being

    shabby and in need of many touch-

    ups.

    However, now it seemed like a whole new ce. It was on par with five¨Cstar hotels.

    The new general manager seemed capable. Jasper belleved he shouldn¡¯t underestimate her.

    ¡°This is the president of Beckett Group. Please ry the message that he would like to meet with Ms.

    Alyssa,¡± Xavier said.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Xavier faced many hurdles to reach Alyssa¡¯s administrative secretary, Avery,

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s impossible without an appointment.¡± Avery was being polite.

    ¡°The president of Beckett Group needs an appointment too?¡± Xavier¡¯s brows furrowed.

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± His face turned red with anger. He desperately wanted to file aint.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make an appointment now. When can I meet her?¡± Jasper stepped forward and asked.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is very busy. I can¡¯t give an actual date. Why don¡¯t youe here again tomorrow?¡± Avery

    replied.

    ¡°You!¡± Even Xavier, who was usually patient, couldn¡¯t stand that.

    ¡°Enough, Xavier. Proceed with making an appointment first,¡± Jasper said. He pulled Xavier away as his

    expression was grim. After all, it

    would be unbing to throw a tantrum, nor would it solve any problems.

    They returned to the car. Gritting his teeth, Xavier mmed the window.

    ¡°That¡¯s bullying! This is Sna City, not Belbanks. I wonder if Alyssa knows the consequences of

    offending you,¡± Xavier said.

    ¡°Let¡¯se again tomorrow.¡± Jasper furrowed his brows and leaned back in his seat, shutting his eyes.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what that woman said? I bet we won¡¯t be able to meet her tomorrow either.¡±

    ¡°Then we cane again the day after. I must meet her at all costs,¡± Jasper stated.

    Jasper loosened his tie as he felt suffocated. ¡°Gardner Group can¡¯t afford to wait longer. They might

    announce bankruptcy if we drag out.¡±

    On the second day, Jasper arrived at the hotel early in the morning. As Xavier had expected, they

    didn¡¯t get to meet Alyssa.

    On the third day, it was unsurprisingly a failure too.

    Being one of the top ten youngsters in the country, Jasper was a renowned figure in the business

    world.

    Previously, he had gone overseas with the prime minister for an interview, receiving the best treatment.

    His name alone was enough to scare people.

    However, Alyssa was not bothered by his status at all. She stood up to him without courtesy.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± he thought.

    It was drizzling today. Alyssa went to work in a good mood.

    Her steps were steady and confident despite the high heels. She donned a ck suit dress and a pair

    of golden rose earrings, which was the highlight of her outfit.

    ¡°Gosh! Ms. Alyssa looks stunning! I can¡¯t help but fall for her.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    just by seeing her face.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone would dare to object if we called her a Goddess, right?¡±

    After the incident involving Michael, every hotel staff showed her full respect. None of the departments

    dared to ck off. They all aimed

    for improvement and perfection.

    It took Alyssa less than two weeks to turn the gloomy atmosphere into a productive one.

    She prioritized resolving internal issues before dealing with the external mess. This approach would

    enable them topete effectively

    with others and move forward.

    ¡°The Beckett Group transferred a huge sum of money to Gardner Group. Due to the controversy,

    Gardner Group has lost almost all of its

    sales. That money will help sustain them for the time being,¡± Jonah reported over the phone.

    ¡®Figures. Jasper will never turn a blind eye to his fianc¨¦e. He¡¯s deeply in love with her. Despite being

    cheated on, he¡¯s always there for her. I guess he can¡¯t wait for the day when his genuine feelings are

    betrayed,¡± Alyssa sneered as she kicked her heels off to massage her sore

    feet.

    ¡°But money can¡¯t revive a bad reputation. Giving the Gardners money is no different from a waste of

    resources. It won¡¯t change anything.¡± Jonah responded.

    Jonah continued, ¡°Jasper is a business prodigy like you. He will likelye to the same realization. It¡¯s

    just that money is his only way to

    keep the situation under control right now.¡±

    Jonah chuckled and added, ¡°Sometimes, I keep thinking that things would¡¯ve been better if your

    feelings were mutual. Then, you¡¯d be able to monopolize the whole city. You two could turn the whole

    city upside down in just a moment.¡±

    ¡°Too bad, we¡¯re not fated for that. We can¡¯t stay in the same ce,¡± Alyssa remarked.

    She took a piece of chocte bar from the drawer and ate it, her eyes shining brightly.

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25

    After the call with Jonah, Sean entered the office impatiently.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Jasper Beckett is here again! He¡¯s quite brazen, isn¡¯t he? It¡¯s a shame that he¡¯s not an

    insurance agent,¡± Sean said.

    ¡°I¡¯m impressed by his determination. He¡¯s able to go this far for his loved one.¡±Alyssa kept signing the

    documents without looking up.

    Nevertheless, Sean noticed the bitterness in her indifferent tone. He wondered if it was just his

    imagination.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I will personally make sure he doesn¡¯te back this time.¡±

    ¡°No. Bring Jasper here.¡± Alyssa capped the pen and arched a brow.

    ¡°What?¡± Sean was surprised.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°He genuinely wants to meet me. I guess I should spare the president of Beckett Group some courtesy,

    shouldn¡¯t I?¡±

    Alyssa leaned forward and stretched her legs. Sean hurried over and slid the heels onto her feet.

    ¡°Find a prettydy with a sharp tongue. Look for one at the restaurants and caf¨¦s. I have something for

    her to do,¡± Alyssa instructed.

    After over ten minutes, Sean led a waitress to the office. She met the criteria Alyssa had requested.

    ¡°N-Nice to meet you, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Mia said timidly. She dared not breathe heavily.

    ¡°Rx. I have a small mission for you. There will be a reward after that.¡± Alyssa smiled.

    ¡°No need for the rewards. It¡¯s my honor to be able to help you.¡± Mia blushed. ¡°I¡¯m a fan of yours!¡±

    Alyssa grinned at her hardcore fan and nodded. ¡°Not bad. Our body shapes are almost the same.

    Sean, bring her a set of my clothes and

    shoes too.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Okay

    ¡°Sean left in confusion.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, how may I help you?¡± asked Mia earnestly.

    Alyssa smiled. ¡°There will be an appointment with Mr. Jasperter, but I couldn¡¯t care less to meet him.

    You can be my substitute.¡±

    Mia¡¯s knees went weak after she heard that.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯ll monitor the situation in the office. Wear wireless earphones. Just do as I say. Just

    remember to act natural.¡±

    After frequent visits, Jasper finally got the chance to meet Alyssa.

    Despite his calm expression, emotions were stirring in his stomach.

    Avery led Jasper and Xavier to the elevator. Along the way, Jasper¡¯s handsome looks drew the

    attention of the female employees.

    They arrived before the elevator. When Xavier reached for the button, Avery stopped him. ¡°This one is

    reserved for Ms. Alyssa. You can take the other elevator.¡±

    ¡°Just what¡¯s so great about her?¡± Xavier rolled his eyes.

    Jasper was unbothered as he had his very own elevator in the Beckett Group.

    The elevator slowly ascended toward the 40th floor. Suddenly, it stopped on the 30th floor.

    ¡°This way,¡± said Avery.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯re there yet. Isn¡¯t Ms. Alyssa¡¯s office located on the 40th floor?¡± questioned a confused

    Xavier. (1)

    ¡°Yes, but this elevator can only take us this far.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jasper had a bad feeling about this.

    ¡°Other than the general manager¡¯s elevator, the other five elevators can only go up to the 30th floor at

    most. No one can use Ms. Alyssa¡¯s

    Xavier was furious. ¡°Is this how Ms. Alyssa treats her guests? That¡¯s going too far!¡±

    ¡°My job is to follow the orders. If you don¡¯t like it, I can take you downstairs.¡± Avery was like an

    emotionless robot.

    ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll take the stairs,¡± Jasper said. He pursed his lips to suppress the anger in him. He headed to

    the stairs without hesitation. ¡°Does she think I¡¯ll back out if she makes things difficult for me? Not a

    chance. I will never back down that easily!¡± he thought.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26

    ¡°M-Mr. Jasper. I¡¯m out!¡± Xavier huffed.

    The hotel was a tall building with a dozen flights of stairs.

    By the time Xavier reached the 38th floor, he was huffing and puffing. His legs went weak. He almost

    keeled over.

    ¡°Be a man. We have two floors to go. Hurry,¡± Jasper urged emotionlessly as he continued to climb the

    stairs.

    He was 30 this year, only two years older than Xavier. He had been in the Peacekeeping Forces during

    his younger days.

    After retiring from the forces, he regrly worked out and practiced boxing. Thus, his stamina and

    tolerance were above average.

    He knew he could still do it even if he had to climb another 20 floors. After all, the night run in the forces

    was always more than 30 rounds on the field.

    Once they reached the 40th floor, Xavier sat on the stairs to catch his breath. Jasper shook his head at

    Xavier.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Jasper,¡± said a man who approached Jasper with a professional smile. His eyes

    made him look young. It was hard to guess his age.

    The man continued. ¡°I¡¯m Sean Lynch, Ms. Alyssa¡¯s secretary. She has been waiting for you. Please

    come with me.¡±

    ¡°Is he implying that we¡¯re slow?¡± Jasper wondered. He felt a surge of anger. His expression darkened.

    Then Jasper responded, ¡°Walking can never be faster than the elevator. I hope she won¡¯t take it to

    heart.¡±

    Sean didn¡¯t say a word. He simply turned around and led the way, appearing unprofessional in his

    attitude.

    ¡°What¡¯s with his attitude?¡± Xavier finally regained hisposure. He was about to confront Sean, but

    Jasper halted him.

    ¡°Stay here.¡±

    Jasper took a deep breath and followed Sean to the general manager¡¯s office. He had attended many

    significant events. Yet, he somehow became nervous right before meeting Alyssa in person.

    After the sound of knocking, a female voice resounded from the inside. ¡°Come in.¡±

    Sean opened the door and gestured for Jasper to enter the office.

    Jasper swallowed nervously. He adjusted himself before striding into the office.

    Alyssa was having chocte while watching them from the room beside the office.

    Sitting behind the table was a youngdy in exquisite clothes. Her long hair rested over her shoulders,

    making her look young.

    ¡°Is this her? The one who keeps making things difficult for me?¡± he thought, disappointed. ¡°She looks

    different from what I expected. She doesn¡¯t have the sophisticated grace and the air of a manager.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, you must be tired. Please, take a seat.¡± Alyssa instructed into the earpiece. Her puppet,

    Mia, echoed her words. However, Mia appeared rather restlesspared to Alyssa. Her expression

    was stiff.

    Jasper seated himself on the couch as he scanned the room.

    The interior of the office was ssic. There was a ck no ced in the corner. Next to the leather

    couch was a marble table. The one that caught Jasper¡¯s attention was the painting hanging behind

    ¡°Alyssa.¡± It was a painting of a tiger in the mountains.

    ¡°Nice painting,¡± he eximed.

    Alyssa¡¯s chewing mouth stopped, and her heart skipped a beat. If her memories served her right, it was

    his first timeplimenting her.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    During the past three years, when she cared for him as his wife, no matter how hard she tried, she

    could never impress him.

    She had never expected to hear apliment from him right now. Yet, such a thing no longer bothered

    her.

    ¡°You like the painting?¡± Alyssa smiled ambiguously.

    ¡°You can have it if you like. Think of it as a gift for our first meeting.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Based on the sharp colors, I bet the painter is famous. It would make me look bad to take that

    away from you,¡± Jasper rejected indifferently.

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27

    Alyssa burst intoughter. Mia had no choice but tough too. Jasper frowned.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take that, but there¡¯s no need to feel shy. I can make more of this painting. You can have it.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s words carried hints of mockery.

    Upon hearing that, Jasper¡¯s expression went stiff as he balled his fists.

    ¡°You went through so much to meet me. I bet it¡¯s not for some paintings. Let¡¯s cut to the chase.¡± She

    didn¡¯t have time to beat around the bush with him.

    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m here for the issue regarding Gardner Group. I hope you can stop oppressing them.

    There¡¯s room for negotiations.¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was low, but his gaze was formidable. ¡°After all, it will only

    do you good in Sna City if you work with us.¡±

    ¡°Do you call this an oppression, Mr. Jasper?¡± Alyssa was at a loss for words.

    ¡°I think it is an action of justice to reveal the underhanded sellers. It will be a wake¨Cup call to our peers

    so that no one will repeat the mistakes that we did. They won¡¯t purchase products of bad quality and be

    left with no ce toin.¡±

    ¡°There could be production issues, as even an established carpany can face a recall crisis due to

    certain problems.¡± Jasper was taking the Gardners¡® side.

    He added, ¡°You can return the products or request a refund. Releasing an article that could damage

    their reputation seems unnecessary. There¡¯s no need to release that article to tarnish their reputation. If

    you continuously pressurize a medium¨Csized enterprise until its demise, it may discourage other

    companies in Sna City from coborating with yours.¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes dangerously. She crushed the chocte in her hands.

    In other words, Jasper was issuing her a threat. If the issue continued, the Beckett Group would

    interfere with the Taylor Group¡¯s development in Sna City.

    Alyssa felt furious and thought, ¡°How dare he threaten me! Does he think I¡¯m a coward?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m moved by how much you¡¯re sacrificing for your lover. But we need to put personal feelings aside.

    Despite any setbacks in meeting me, your unwaveringmitment is indeed admirable. But I must

    say, even if you own Sna City, your love won¡¯t stop me from standing firm,

    Alyssa replied.

    Jasper was equally shocked and angry. Yet, he could not refute her words. He had never personally

    cleaned up such a mess before. But he was doing it right now solely for Liana¡¯s sake.

    Alyssa relished the sight of his stiff expression disyed on the monitor.

    ¡°Since things have gone this far, there¡¯s little left to discuss between us. Now that I know your

    intentions, I¡¯ll see you at the negotiation

    table next time. I hope you¡¯ll bear with me when that timees, even if my words might offend you.

    Jasper rose from his seat.

    Despite things not unfolding as he had hoped, his ego prevented any signs of defeat from showing. He

    maintained a resolute stance, akin to a soldier refusing to surrender.

    Just as he turned around to leave, a voice resounded behind him.

    ¡°I was wrong, Ms. Alyssa! I made the wrong call in the heat of the moment! Please

    Please spare my life. If words get out, I will never be

    able to stand on my own feet in Sna City! Elysian Home approached me with an idea to make quick

    money. It was all Mr. Gardner¡¯s idea!

    I thought the mattresses were all the same. I had no idea it was a set¨Cup!¡±

    Jasper looked back in surprise. His mind was reeling from the shocking revtion.

    After ying the recording, Alyssa crossed her legs. She relished the sight of his crestfallen face.

    ¡°If it had been a small venture, I might have been inclined to lend a hand. But if it¡¯s a malicious one that

    gets in my way, I¡¯ll lead the charge

    to dismantle it, no matter the cost.¡± Alyssa smiled. (1)

    She continued, ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind, Mr. Jasper. Further discussion is pointless. We shall meet again

    someday.¡±

    Jasper left the office in a daze. His temples throbbed from the shocking discovery. him only to notice

    his paleplexion.

    ¡°Nothing. We can talk after we¡¯re back home.¡± Jasper replied. He marched forward with heavy steps.

    His head was hurting, but that did not stop him from reying Alyssa¡¯s words.

    The moment the recording yed, he felt like everything he had been doing was a joke.

    He had initially believed Gardner Group was innocent. He assumed the Taylor Group was trying to

    undermine hispany after the wedding announcement.

    But he was wrong. He had iting!

    Jasper loosened his tie, yet he still couldn¡¯t catch his breath. Suddenly, he heard familiar footsteps

    behind him.

    The click¨Ccking sound of high heels sounded steady yet graceful.

    ¡°Alice?¡± Jasper quickly looked back at the empty corridor.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28

    Alyssa returned to her office.

    Mia approached her with wobbly legs. ¡°I¨CI was so scared! Mr. Jasper is so good¨Clooking! And there¡¯s

    this powerful presence about him! My cheeks were burning the moment I met him. D¨CDid I do well, Ms.

    Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°You did great.¡± Alyssa handed her an envelope. ¡°Take it. You¡¯ve earned it.¡±

    ¡°T¨CThank you, Ms. Alyssa!¡± Mia took the envelope and was surprised by its thickness.

    Just then, Sean handed her a document. It was a confidentiality agreement.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re trustworthy, but I think it¡¯s better to have an agreement for both parties¡® sake.¡± Alyssa

    smiled faintly.

    She continued, ¡°Everything that happened today must remain between us. Unless I reveal it myself,

    sharing this conversation with a third party would be a breach of the agreement. I will get to the bottom

    of it.¡±

    Feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, Mia nodded and signed the papers. She promised

    to keep it a secret before leaving the office.

    ¡°The rumor has it that Jasper is a decisive person. I just can¡¯t guess what¡¯s on his mind. Don¡¯t you think

    so, Ms. Alyssa? Ms. Alyssa?¡± Sean said.

    Alyssa pulled herself back from her train of thought. She smiled wryly. ¡°Mr. Jasper truly loves Ms.

    Gardner. He¡¯s willing to put his pride down for her.¡±

    ¡°I heard it¡¯s his second marriage, and he treated his first wife badly. Now that Ms. Gardner is going to

    marry him, I guess the first wife

    sowed the seeds of the future

    §¯

    Alyssa mmed the table and red at him. Sean shuddered under her cold gaze. Still, he did not

    know which part of his words infuriated

    her.

    ¡°M¨CMs. Alyssa, now that you failed to make a deal with Jasper, what are you nning to do?¡± Sean

    quickly changed the subject.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Alyssa replied curtly.

    ¡°Wait? What do you mean?¡± Sean was confused.

    ¡°I¡¯ll bide my time until the pressure overwhelms Gardner Group and the day Dn himself addresses

    the quality issue. They¡¯ll strive to salvage their reputation. When that dayes, I¡¯ll deliver the final

    blow,¡± Alyssa sneered.

    ¡°Do you think Jasper will lend them a hand then?¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t.¡± Alyssa looked at her painting, which Jasper had praised. She felt a mix of emotions.

    She exined, ¡°He had been used because he didn¡¯t know their true colors. Now that the truth is out,

    I¡¯m certain he won¡¯t support them

    any longer. Besides, he loves Liana. He doesn¡¯t care about the rest. He only showed up this time

    because the controversy might indirectly

    affect Gardner Group. Jasper¡¯s a calcting man.¡±

    Jasper had gone to great lengths for Liana. He was even willing to set aside his pride, meet Alyssa

    personally, and climb ten floors of

    stairs.

    He would do anything for Liana. Yet, he was unwilling to do something as simple as pouring Alice a

    ss of water.

    Alyssa recalled that her stomach was hurting that day. ¡°Jasper, my stomach hurts. Could you ¡¤¡¤¡¤ get me

    a ss of warm water?¡±

    ¡°I have something urgent to attend to. Ask Mrs. Rosie for it,¡± Jasper said.

    With reddened eyes, Alyssa suddenly grinned. ¡°Jasper Beckett, I hope you rot yourself with Liana

    forever!¡±

    It was only a drizzle when Jasper first arrived at KS World Hotel. Now, the weather had transformed

    into a thunderstorm. His mood was the

    same.

    The atmosphere in the car was so gloomy. Jasper kneaded his brows. His head throbbed in pain.

    Xavier continued, ¡°You¡¯ve encountered many troublesome individuals before and never seemed

    bothered. Why this time ¡ª¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa¡¯s younger self was on Jasper¡¯s mind. He had a strange feeling about it. Yet, the girl had no

    semnce to the woman he just met.

    Her features might have changed as she aged. It was a possibility that Jasper considered.

    ¡°Investigate the cause of the issue between Gardner Group and Taylor Group, as well as Andrew and

    Dn¡¯s whereabouts. Report to me instantly once you find something.¡±

    Jasper rushed back to Beckett Group for a meeting and to tackle the umted work pile. He leaned

    back in his chair and let out an exhausted sigh.

    He had hoped his rtionship with Liana would go on smoothly after Alice¡¯s departure.

    Jasper thought that he had finally found a ce that he could call ¡°home.¡±

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29

    The truth was, Jasper not only failed to experience true love, but he also felt increasingly helpless in

    this rtionship.

    A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Jasper responded, and Xavier entered the office with a

    document.

    ¡°I¡¯ve looked into it, Mr. Jasper. KS World Hotel returned Elysian Home¡¯s products and terminated all

    coborations with Gardner Group nine days ago. Taylor Group hadn¡¯t exposed the quality issue to the

    media at that time. It was more of the public¡¯s assumptions.¡±

    Jasper knew the series of events that took ce after that. Next, Liana announced their wedding and

    hired ghostwriters to attack Alice.

    Only then did Taylor Group expose Gardner Group for their quality issue, leading to the current crisis.

    Gritting his teeth, Jasper took an aspirin to alleviate the headache. His hands were shaking.

    ¡°I heard there was a vice general manager named Michael at KS World Hotel. He received a huge sum

    from Gardner Group before Ms. Alyssa was appointed. She found out he used substandard mattresses

    and fired him. He had been with them for over 20 years. Mr. Taylor

    personally promoted him to that position.¡±

    Xavier clicked his tongue a few times. ¡°She¡¯s charming. She¡¯s the female version of you, Mr. Jasper.¡±

    Despite holding grudges about the stairs, Xavier was still generous with hispliments.

    ¡°Why do I think that they are all connected?¡±

    Jasper kneaded his temples when a tapping sound rang in his ears. It was the sound of Alice¡¯s heels

    click-cking. He heard Alice speaking to him in his head.

    ¡°Jasper, don¡¯t take aspirins anymore. Tell me whenever it hurts. I¡¯ll give you a massage.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, it hurts me to see you in pain. I will make sure to treat your illness. That way, we won¡¯t have to

    suffer anymore.¡±

    Alice¡¯s gentle words rang in his ears. He could vaguely feel someone massaging his temples too!

    Jasper lost it. He silently rebuked himself, ¡°Damn it! I¡¯m thinking about her again! I¡¯m having delusions

    too. I had never cared for her feelings. Why do I keep missing her after the divorce? I am not a two-

    timing jackass! I mustn¡¯t be!¡± 2

    The night descended, and a Rolls-Royce glided along the slippery road.

    The area was close to KS World Hotel, a piece ofnd that had always sparked envy in Jasper due to

    its immense value worth millions.

    Had they not lost a star due to insufficient management, KS World Hotel could¡¯ve been the only six-star

    hotel in Sna City.

    Alyssa seemed to have the capability and influence to bring it back on the right track.

    As the car paused at the red light, Jasper cleared the condensation from the window to peer outside.

    A woman standing with an umbre caught his attention. She was hailing a taxi by the road. A sudden

    realization made his heart race. He

    quickly darted out of his car toward her.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper! Mr. Jasper, where are you going?¡± Xavier was caught off-guard.

    Jasper¡¯s emotions had been out of control since the divorce, driving Xavier to the end of his wits.

    The woman managed to hail a taxi. As she reached the door handle, Jasper grabbed her arm.

    Baffled, she raised her head. Her face paled almost instantly. ¡°M-Mr. Jasper?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa.¡± His wet fringe concealed his dangerous gaze. ¡°Need a ride?¡±

    The woman shrieked and flung his hand away to get into the taxi. The taxi driver instantly stepped on

    the gas pedal.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper!¡± Xavier caught up with him with an umbre.

    Jasper shoved him away. He was all drenched in the rain, and his lips quivered. He huffed, ¡°Alyssa

    Taylor, you liar!¡±Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30

    Jasper returned to Seaview Manor,pletely drenched. Rosie hurried over with a cloth, but he waved

    her away.

    He headed upstairs with a long face.

    ¡°W-What¡¯s wrong with him? Did someone offend him?¡± Rosie asked in concern.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°You shouldfort himter. He had been deceived,¡± responded Xavier.

    ¡°Huh? He¡¯s sharp and smart, though. He had been deceived? Have you reported to the police? We

    have to call the cops.¡± Rosie was surprised.

    Xavier shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s It¡¯splicated. The police can¡¯t do anything about it. Fortunately, justice

    prevailed over evil.¡±

    ¡°I told him to download an anti-scammer app long ago. He just wouldn¡¯t listen. Look at him now. He¡¯s a

    victim.¡±

    Xavier smiled bitterly at the thought of Jasper having finally met his match. It wouldn¡¯t have been this

    serious if it was money-rted, but the liar made use of Jasper¡¯s pride!

    A pale-faced Jasper headed upstairs. He appeared lifeless.

    ¡®Mr. Jasper, Ms. Gardner is here. Mr. Javier is asking for you. He¡¯s in the study,¡± a maid informed him

    politely.

    His lips were pursed into a thin line as he walked to Javier¡¯s study. (1

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re finally here!¡± Liana ran to him and hugged him as though he was a treasure found.

    He appeared indifferent. He did not return the hug immediately like he always did. Sorrow seemed to

    consume him as he faced Liana.

    ¡°Jasper, how did it go? Have you met Ms. Alyssa?¡± Javier inquired sternly.

    As the chairman of Beckett Group, Javier had many responsibilities to attend to. Thus, he usually

    wouldn¡¯t involve himself in such trivial matters.

    However, Sophia had been reminding him about the matter every day. He had no choice but to get

    Jasper to keep the situation under control.

    ¡°Jasper will protect Liana and her family. He genuinely cares for her. If he personally spoke to Ms.

    Alyssa, Taylor Group wouldn¡¯t refuse his request that easily. Beckett Group isn¡¯t any smallpany. If

    they offend us, it won¡¯t bode well for their development in Sna City.¡± Sophia snorted while linking

    arms with her husband. (1

    I

    It was a method she had used for over 20 years, treating Jasper with high regard and showering him

    with praise to raise expectations from others.

    That way, she couldin to Javier whenever Jasper had shorings, using it as a means to

    drive a wedge between them.

    ¡°Dad, Aunt Sophia, let¡¯s stop right here.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes were hollow.

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Javier¡¯s brows creased.

    ¡°I won¡¯t help Gardner Group from now onward. That¡¯s it.¡± He then left without looking back, leaving the

    trio dumbstruck.

    ¡°J-Javier, he¡¯s joking, isn¡¯t he?¡± The smile on Sophia¡¯s face went stiff. She was getting anxious.

    Javier¡¯s expression was grim, but he didn¡¯t say anything.

    Jasper returned to his bedroom, drenched. He wasn¡¯t in the state of mind to wash up and get changed

    because the fact that Alyssa had deceived him filled his head.

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you meet me personally, Alyssa Taylor? Is it that you¡¯re hiding something? Or do you

    think that I don¡¯t deserve it?¡± Doubts filled his mind.

    All of the orders are canceled. The products will rot in the storage, and we can¡¯t afford to pay the

    workers. If this goes on, we are going to go bankrupt!¡± Liana eximed.

    She lost her ever-gentle demeanor because her family¡¯s crisis had consumed her thoughts.

    ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I¡¯ll get Xavier to drive you home,¡± Jasper said wearily.

    ¡°Jasper, what happened? What made you change your mind? Tell me. Just tell me!¡±

    Jasper kept his words brief after a tiring day. Besides, what else could he say to her? Could he tell her

    that her brother deserved every bit of it?

    At that moment, he noticed something.

    The box containing the suit was missing! It was supposed to be on the headboard!

    He removed Liana¡¯s hands and searched every corner of the room for it. Sternly, he called out, ¡°Mrs.

    Rosie.¡±

    Rosie hurried over. ¡°Yes, Mr. Jasper.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s the box on the headboard? There¡¯s a suit in it.¡± He sounded urgent.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t touch it. You told me not to touch anything Madam Alice gave you when I do the cleaning.¡±

 Chapter 31

    ¡°I told Ms. Gardner not to touch the box on the headboard because it¡¯s important to you.¡± Rosie looked

    at the angry Liana ambiguously.

    Rosie intentionally mentioned how much Jasper cared about Alice¡¯s gift to provoke Liana into revealing

    the truth.

    ¡°I threw it away,¡± Liana confessed angrily, just as Rosie had anticipated.

    Fury filled Jasper¡¯s eyes as he asked, ¡°Where is it?¡±

    ¡°Jasper, why do you care about a gift from Alice? You¡¯re divorced. I¡¯m your fianc¨¦e. Have you

    considered my feelings when you cherish her

    gifts?¡± Her eyes became teary. Her acting was so natural, thanks to Sophia¡¯s teaching.

    ¡°I¡¯m asking you. Where is it?¡± Jasper¡¯s tone turned cold, and he ignored her tears.

    Shocked, she forgot to keep up her act and stammered, ¡°I-It¡¯s in the trash bin in the backyard

    Jasper ran to the backyard. He was drenched in the rain instantly. He rolled up his sleeves and

    searched through the trash bin for the box.

    ¡°Jasper! Stop! Look how filthy it is!¡± Liana yelled from the corridor.

    Filthy? Perhaps, the Beckett family didn¡¯t know how many trash bins he rummaged through when he

    was five.

    As an illegitimate child, he and his mother had to survive those days by selling recyble items.

    Jasper grew up in the dump. He was so familiar with the environment that he found nothing wrong with

    it.

    Finally, he found the box covered in dirt. He sighed in relief.

    Rosie rushed over with an umbre to shelter him from the rain. He couldn¡¯t help the urge to open the

    box. Almost instantly, his eyes

    turned red, and his expression darkened.

    The once ironed and clean suit had been cut into rags!

    He turned his gaze toward Liana, who retreated in fear. His sharp gaze was suffocating her.

    Without a word, he walked past her with the box.

    She mustered the courage to hug the man. ¡°Jasper, have you fallen for Alice? Did you regret divorcing

    her?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± His chest heaved up and down due to the surge of emotions.

    Feeling grieved, she became forceful. ¡°But you¡¯re angry at me. Are you angry because I threw Alice¡¯s

    gift away? It keeps reminding me of the three years you spent with her. Have you ever considered my

    feelings and how it makes me angry?¡±

    ¡°What can I do to make you stop?¡± Jasper pushed her away and sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve divorced her and decided

    to marry you. Even if Grandpa is

    against it, I put up with it.

    ¡°But you went too far by destroying her things and cutting up the clothes she made. You even spread

    rumors about her being a

    homewrecker. Everyone is criticizing her.

    ¡°She¡¯s no longer part of my life. Yet, it seems like you can¡¯t let go of her. Enough. Stop, Liana.¡±

    His words froze her with humiliation. The reality check sent a shiver down her spine.

    It dawned upon Liana that Jasper had learned the truth.

    ¡°Jasper¡­ Do you think I did it because I want to? I did it because I love you.¡±

    His frown softened, but he remained distant. ¡°If you ever face difficulties, you cane to me. I¡¯m

    willing to help, as long as it doesn¡¯t

    harm others.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°But I dislike how you manipte situations under the guise of love, especially when it involves the

    people I care about. You announced our wedding to save your family¡¯s business. I can understand that.

    But I hope this is thest time.¡±

    He left without looking back, leaving Liana seething in anger. At that moment, all she wanted was to put

    an end to Alice once and for all.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Mia contacted me. Jasper caught her red-handed when she wasing home from work

    tonight. He knows she¡¯s a substitute.¡± Sean ced his wine ss aside.

    He figured that she would be tired after wearing heels the whole day. He kneeled on one knee to

    massage one of her feet.

    ¡°That¡¯s expected. But I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d find out so quickly.¡± Alyssa enjoyed the massage so much that

    she narrowed her eyes in pleasure.

    ¡°After dealing with Gardner Group, our next target is Beckett Group. Since Mr. Jasper has given the

    word, I suppose I should join the game,

 Chapter 32

    Liana walked away, sobbing.

    The maids were gushing about her hysterics. Her visits never failed to end up with antics and her

    leaving the ce with tears. They

    wondered if she deemed Seaview Manor as her personal yhouse.

    Jasper sat still on the couch. He stared at the jumble of cloth for a long time.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, it¡¯s gettingte. Here¡¯s some milk. You need to get some sleep.¡± Rosie handed him a ss

    of warm milk.

    A heavy sigh escaped Rosie¡¯s lips as she gazed upon the ruined suit. ¡°What a shame.¡± Her words

    meant something deeper.

    ¡°The next time Lia stops by, keep an eye on her. Stop her from entering my room and study. Oh, and

    Alice¡¯s room too,¡± Jasper instructed in

    a low voice.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your wish is mymand. I will watch her every move,¡± Rosie promised confidently.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    She then added, ¡°Luckily, I locked Madam Alice¡¯s room. Otherwise, Ms. Gardner might have sneaked

    in and caused a mess.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t put it that way, Mrs. Rosie. Lia isn¡¯t that bad of a person. After all, I owe her for the past three

    years.¡±

    ¡°What about Madam Alice? Has she done anything wrong? Don¡¯t you feel sorry for her after the

    divorce?¡± Rosie¡¯s voice rose to another octave without her realizing it as she defended Alice.

    ¡°The person Grandpa coerced was me, not her. She could¡¯ve chosen not to marry me.¡±

    ¡°Are you saying that she deserves all this?¡±

    Jasper pursed his pale lips.

    ¡°Rest up. I¡¯ll be out of your hair.¡± A gloomy Rosie left the room with grudges. She took the milk with her

    too.

    He blinked his eyes and drew a sharp breath, wondering, ¡°Is she mad? I¡¯m not finished with the milk

    yet, though. Since when did Alice win

    the hearts of the people I care for? What a calcting person.¡±

    As the bearer of bad news, Liana returned home in a forlorn state.

    Without Backett Group¡¯s funding, Gardner Group would be in serious trouble, and turning things around

    would be difficult.

    ¡°What¡¯s that brat, Jasper, doing? He ims to love you so much, but he acts like a douchebag. Do we

    mean nothing to him?¡± Dn hurled the ashtray onto the floor. His eyes reddened.

    ¡°How is he not in love with me? He divorced for my sake without hesitation.¡± A sobbing Liana tried to

    redeem her pride.

    ¡°I bet he¡¯s weighing the pros and cons. At least, you¡¯re from a rich family. And what does Alice White

    have? How can a rag bepared to

    riches? Even a fool knows who his best pick is!¡± Dn stated.

    Although Liana knew Dn was on her side, she couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that he was somehow

    belittling her.

    ¡°Lia, why did Mr. Jasper change his mind out of the blue? What happened?¡± asked Andrew in distress.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know either. Jasper met Ms. Alyssa today. And his attitude took a one¨Ceighty turn after

    returning home. He said he¡¯s not going to

    help us anymore

    ¡°Dad, Dn, did you guys do something in the back, and someone found out about it? He seems to

    hate our family ¡­¡±

    ¡°F***! Is it because of his ex¨Cwife, Alice?¡± Dn thought of something.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Liana became jittery at the mention of Alice¡¯s name.

    ¡°A few days ago, I was at the Harpers¡® bar, and I bumped into that crazy woman. Jasper ended up

    helping her out and made me apologize to her. It¡¯s ridiculous!¡± Dn held onto his resentment and

    humiliation.

    Liana¡¯s face darkened at the thought of Jasper possibly having feelings for Alice.

    *Enough. Things will get better once Lia bes Mrs. Beckett.¡± Seeing how Liana¡¯s gaze had turned

    frosty, Rosalinaforted her.

    ¡°That Alice is just a cast¨Coff. No matter how calcting she is, she can do nothing in this situation. Our

    main focus now is to change the public¡¯s perception of us. We need to find a scapegoat. That¡¯s our top

    priority.¡± Rosalina continued.

    ¡°A scapegoat?¡± An idea fleeted on Dn¡¯s mind as he smirked. ¡°There¡¯s no better candidate than him.¡±

 Chapter 33

    Gardner Group was on the verge of copse. Not only did they fall from grace, but more than ten of

    Elysian Home¡¯s physical stores in Sna City were now deserted.

    Worst still, Jasper had decided not to help them out. If they did note up with a solution soon, they

    would be done once the funding from Beckett Group ran out.

    Meanwhile, Taylor Group won the public¡¯s favor upon exposing the Gardners¡¯ true colors.

    After a long period of flying under the radar, KS World Hotel was finally gaining some attention.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been doing as you asked. I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on Michael ever since you tired him. As you¡¯d

    expected, he has been in personal contact with Dn. It happened not only once,¡± reported Sean.

    Sean held Alyssa¡¯s hand as he manicured her nails. He eximed, ¡°Everything is unfolding just as you

    predicted. You totally hit the bullseye. You know what he was thinking.¡±

    ¡°He embezzled the hotel¡¯s funding and conspired with Dn behind our backs, I guess they have a

    deep bonding.¡± Alyssa smiled, relishing his manicure service.

    Alyssa then dered, ¡°Gardner Group will hold a press conference during the weekend. I¡¯ll show you

    what it means by ¡®a friend in need is a friend indeed.¡±¡±

    The new mattresses were delivered today. Excited, Alyssa checked on the quality with Sean.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you don¡¯t have to do this. The Housekeeping Department and I can handle It.¡± Sean

    persuaded her.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a fragile doll. I¡¯ve fired guns on battlefields. I¡¯ve carried out hundreds of casualties and saved

    even more patients. So, tell me, how tiring can a quality check be?¡±

    As soon as she finished, a trace of bitterness shed in her eyes.

    She recalled a past incident when she saved Jasper during a war in Luminara. He had been shot in the

    leg and shoulder, and despite his pleas for her to leave him, she insisted on staying by his side.

    ¡°Just leave me and go! I¡¯m telling you to leave! Just go!¡±

    ¡°No! Even if you¡¯re dying here, I will not abandon you! If I have to go, we have to go together!¡±

    Alyssa was ment*lly prepared to meet her demise at that moment. Jasper was nearly 6¡¯2 feet tall. With

    her strength alone, carrying him back to the safe zone would be impossible.

    Alyssa believed that dying together signified their unwavering bond through thick and thin. She felt

    ready to face her demise without any regrets.

    A bitter smile appeared on Alyssa¡¯s lips as her heart throbbed with every beat.

    Alyssa realized that Jasper had broken her heart and profoundly impacted her life. She questioned

    whether meeting such a charming person at a young age had been a mistake.

    Alyssa and Sean walked to the unloading bay, where the employees unloaded the stocks.

    The Director of the Housekeeping Department was even more Impressed as he saw Alyssa personally

    unloading the stocks.

    With Sean¡¯s help, Alyssa climbed onto the truck and unpacked one of the packages. She felt the

    material of the mattress and sat on it before expressing satisfaction.

    ¡°All good. Unload everything.¡±

    Suddenly, a blue Lamborghini approached with a roaring engine.

    The unloading bay was near the underground parking lot. So, luxury cars passing by weren¡¯t

    umon. But it was different this time.

    BITINI 1166

    +15 BONOS

    Landon held the steering wheel with his left hand. In his right hand was ady.

    Behind his sunsses, he scanned the area and stumbled upon a pleasant surprise.

    He caught sight of Alyssa helping the employees unload the mattresses.

    As pretty as she was, she appeared dangerous, like a rose with thorns.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Even though she was now dressed as a career woman, it did not hide a smidgen of the sophisticated

    air around her. Instead, her outfit added the shrewdness of a mature woman.

    Furthermore, her movements were confident and graceful. It was a far cry from the frail woman he had

    seen before.

    As his interest in her grew, he smirked mischievously. ¡°This country bumpkin is quite capable, isn¡¯t

    she?¡±

 Chapter 34

    Landon went to a Trivedian restaurant in the hotel with thedy, Vanessa James.

    As soon as the dishes were served, Vanessa began to take pictures of the exquisite food.

    Looking at how naive she was, Landon felt annoyed. ¡°What¡¯s with the photos? Haven¡¯t you seen food

    before?¡±

    Vanessa reluctantly put her phone away and started to eat in silence.

    As they neared the end of the meal, the restaurant manager approached and asked, ¡°Mr. Harper, are

    you pleased with our food today?¡±

    ¡°Not bad. The texture of the meat was pretty tender. I quite like it.¡± Landon had a questionable private

    life. But being born into a wealthy family gave him certain refinement in his manners and speech.

    ¡°What are you talking about? The meat was so chewy. It didn¡¯t taste good at all.¡± Vanessa mmed the

    utensils on the table.

    Landon¡¯s face fell in an instant. His gaze darkened.

    ¡°We sincerely appreciate your feedback and will strive to serve you better next time. Much apologies!¡±

    The manager bowed deeply.

    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her. She didn¡¯t wear her dentures today. She¡¯ll still say it¡¯s chewy even if it¡¯s a piece of

    cheese,¡± Landon said with ridicule.

    Vanessa froze. How could she possibly have the guts to retort Landon?

    hint of

    Landon retrieved a stack of banknotes from his pocket and put them in front of the manager. It was now

    a norm to pay using e¨Cwallets. Perhaps Landon was the only one who still carried cash with himn.

    ¡°This is your tip. I¡¯d like to inquire about someone from you.¡± Landon rested his chin on his palm, his

    desire evident in his eyes. ¡°Is there

    an employee called Alice working here?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper, at KS World Hotel, we adhere to the principle of receiving rewards proportional to our

    efforts. We never ept tips from customers. And there aren¡¯t any employees here with that name.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Landon became a little impatient. ¡°When I got here, I saw her unloading the goods

    at the unloading bay. Go and

    check it out for me!¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Harper. It¡¯s unnecessary to check. I¡¯ve been working here for 15 years. I know all the

    employees. The one that you¡¯re looking

    for isn¡¯t one of them.¡±

    After saying that, the manager went away.

    Just as Landon was feeling confused about it, a graceful figure suddenly came into sight.

    Alyssa walked into the restaurant by herself. As soon as she saw Landon, she couldn¡¯t help but be

    surprised. Nevertheless, she still maintained herposure.

    Jasper had given her the cold shoulder throughout the three years of their marriage. He had never

    brought her out with him, let alone

    introduced her to his friends.

    Despite that, Alyssa knew that his best friend was Landon. Although the stark difference in their

    personalities puzzled her, she was certain of their deep friendship.

    Fortunately, there weren¡¯t any other employees around in the restaurant. If someone approached her

    now and called her ¡°Ms. Alyssa,¡± she would be in the soup.

    Landon fixed his eyes on Alyssa, his gaze wide with astonishment.

    When Vanessa saw Landon had eyes for another woman, she seethed with anger. Moreover, she

    could tell that he looked at that woman differently. It was as if there was a hint of budding affection.

    A wave of jealousy washed over her.

    After ordering a coffee, Alyssa sat there and started ying with her phone.

    ¡®Hey, what a coincidence. Are you here for a meal too?¡±

    415 BONOS

    Landon arched his brows slightly, He, of course, knew that she was working here, He simply asked that

    to save her from embarrassment However, little did he expect her to be so direct. There wasn¡¯t any

    vanity in her.

    He was starting to like her more.

    Tsk tsk. Jonah just doesn¡¯t know how to cherish a woman like you, Instead of letting you out here to

    suffer, he should have kept you away and treated you like a precious treasure. What a heartless man,¡±

    Landon said, stroking his chin,

    ¡°Kept me away?¡± Alyssa sneered, ¡°I¡¯ve been hidden by Jasper for three years and have had enough of

    days like that. Are you telling me to experience it all over again, Mr. Harper?¡±

    Hearing that, Landon was stunned. Alyssa¡¯s smile was tinged with a chilling edge that made him

    ufortable,

    *After leaving Jasper, I vowed to myself that I¡¯d be an independent woman, even if it would be a difficult

    journey, I no longer want to be a wife with a humble status at home, nor do I want to rely on my

    husband. I¡¯m d that Mr. Jonah could give me a chance to improve myself. He has always respected

    my choice, so please don¡¯t speak ill of him.¡±

    Landon was at a loss for words, and the smile on his face turned sheepish.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, your girlfriend is still waiting for you over there, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s appropriate for you to chat

    another woman up,¡± Alyssa lowered her eyes, trying to put an end to their conversation.

    ¡°How is she my girlfriend when I¡¯m simply having a meal with her? If that¡¯s the case, does that mean

    I¡¯ve married her if I kiss her?

 Chapter 35

    Wearing a slightly frivolous and seductive smile, Landon said, ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner tonight. I¡¯lle and

    pick you up. Tell me what you want

    to eat. I¡¯ll make a reservation.¡±

    ¡°I have a boyfriend, Mr. Harper.¡± Alyssa frowned, and there was a hint of irritability in her voice.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t even care that you have an ex¨Chusband, let alone this.¡±

    When it came to rtionships, Landon had always been shameless and unscrupulous. As long as he

    liked it, he didn¡¯t mind going against

    morality.

    ¡°If you¡¯re afraid, we can do it secretly in my private vi. It¡¯s secluded, and my cook has the standard of

    a three¨Cstar Michelin chef. I can tell

    them to make preparations in advance.¡±

    Alyssa knitted her brows. ¡°Why isn¡¯t my coffee here yet?¡± she thought.

    She wanted to ssh it in his face to sober him up!

    Right then, Landon¡¯s phone rang. It was a call from Jasper.

    ¡°I need to answer a call, so please excuse me.¡± With that, he walked away.

    ¡°What a shameless man! I didn¡¯t even ask you to be with me!¡± Alyssa cursed inwardly.

    Soon, the waiter served her the coffee.

    However, before she could take a sip, Vanessa walked up to her.

    Vanessa couldn¡¯t hear their conversation earlier. All she knew was that Alyssa was the female

    employee Landon sought.

    ¡°She is just a lowly worker. Who does she think she is to fight over Landon with me? I¡¯m so going to

    teach her a lesson today!¡± she

    muttered to herself.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m warning you¨Cstay away from Mr. Harper if you still wish to continue working here.¡± Vanessa

    shot daggers at her, her eyes filled

    with hostility.

    Frowning, Alyssa waved her hand before her nose. The perfume fragrance lingering on Vanessa was

    so pungent that her head throbbed. Alyssa couldn¡¯t help wondering if Landon still had his sense of

    smell with him.

    ¡°What can you do if I don¡¯t do as you say?¡± Alyssa asked without even bothering to look at her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll file aint against you and make sure you don¡¯t end up well!¡±

    ¡°Aint? And it¡¯s going to be because you¡¯re dissatisfied that Landon talked with me?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Vanessa was livid.

    ¡°Go ahead, then. Even if Mr. Jonah knows about this, he will only think that something is wrong with

    your brain.¡±

    ¡°Bitch!¡±

    In anger, Vanessa reached out to take the cup of coffee on the table, thinking of giving it to Alyssa,

    whose beauty she was jealous of.

    However, it didn¡¯t turn out the way she had expected.

    Suddenly, Vanessa screamed.

    Alyssa had grabbed the cup ahead of Vanessa and sshed the coffee onto thetter¡¯s face.

    Vanessa¡¯s makeup was ruined, and her newly¨Cbought branded dress was stained. Her lips trembled

    nonstop, and she was on the verge of

    shedding tears.

    Picking up a napkin calmly, Alyssa wiped the drop of coffee on the back of her hand. ¡°If someone has

    to be mistreated between you and

    me, that person will have to be you, of course.¡± She smiled.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°It¡¯s Mrs. Harper¡¯s birthday the day after tomorrow. I don¡¯t know what to buy for her, soe out and

    pick a gift with me tonight.¡± Jasper

    cut straight to the chase.

    ¡°s, my mother treats you like her godson. Even if you give her wild grass, she will treasure it as if it

    were antique. So just give her anything!¡± Landon said casually.

    ¡°No. Come with me tonight.¡±

    ¡°I have an appointment tonight. Make it tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Cancel it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already invited her to have dinner together. How can I stand a beauty up? This is not what a

    gentleman should do.¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    Landon thought for a while. Although he wasn¡¯t quite a decent man, he wasn¡¯t someone who would

    stab his friends behind their backs.

    Landon didn¡¯t have any secret affairs with Alyssa. He was merely trying to hook up with her

    aboveboard.

    Clearing his throat slightly, he said in a stern voice, ¡°I don¡¯t want to keep you in the dark. The person

    I¡¯m meeting with tonight is actually your ex¨Cwife.¡±

    All of a sudden, silence ensued on the other side of the line.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Landon spared a nce at the screen to make sure that he wasn¡¯t hung up on.

    A whileter, Jasper¡¯s deep and maic voice came through. ¡°You¡¯re with Alice now?¡±

 Chapter 36

    As soon as Jasper finished speaking, a sharp scream came from the restaurant.

    Landon suddenly remembered that Vanessa was still in there. She definitely wouldn¡¯t sit still. Letting

    her stay in the same ce with Alyssa alone would surely lead to trouble!

    ¡°Jasper, something has happened! I¡¯ve got to gol And I can only meet with you tomorrow!¡±

    Just as Landon was about to end the call, Jasper asked, ¡°Where are you?¡±

    At this time, another piercing exmation came through. It was way harsher than the first.

    ¡°At the Trivedian restaurant in KS World Hotel!¡± After saying that, Landon immediately headed back to

    the restaurant.

    The moment he pushed open the door, he was shocked by what was happening before his eyes.

    Alyssa was grabbing Vanessa by the hair with her left hand. Her right hand was forcefully pressing her

    head down onto the table. Meanwhile, Vanessa couldn¡¯t move at all as both of her wrists were shackled

    by Alyssa¡¯s other hand.

    This simply looked like the scene of a smart female police officer arresting a criminal!

    At first, Landon was worried that Alyssa would get the short end of the stick. Now it seemed like his

    worry was unnecessary. Instead of Intervening to stop the fight, he crossed his arms and watched with

    a smile on his lips.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to sue you and make sure that you can¡¯t survive in Sna!¡± Vanessa¡¯s face had contorted

    under Alyssa¡¯s pressure. But she was still not giving in.

    ¡°Hurry up, then. Otherwise, when my handprint on your face disappears, you won¡¯t be able to do it

    anymore.¡±

    Alyssa remained expressionless throughout the entire time. If Vanessa hadn¡¯t wanted to attack her,

    Alyssa wouldn¡¯t even want to touch

    her.

    When Vanessa saw Landon was back, she immediately cried for help. ¡°M¨CMr. Harper, help me!¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay. It¡¯s enough¡­¡± Landon approached them and pulled Alyssa away. His voice didn¡¯t have

    any hints of reproach at all. In fact, it sounded like he was coaxing her.

    He didn¡¯t think such a scene was a big deal. After all, he had had four women fighting over him in the

    middle of the street before.

    It was just that Alyssa was his best friend¡¯s ex¨Cwife. Hence, it might not be good for Jasper if this news

    were to spread.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Harper! What do you mean by that? This bitch has beaten me up! She pped me in the face and

    even tugged at my hair! Look at what I have be! You have to seek justice for me!¡± Vanessa was

    so infuriated that it seemed like she was on the verge of getting crazy.

    Alyssa sat calmly in her chair, crossing her legs as she watched the unkempt woman before her.

    Landon ran his eyes down her legs in admiration and stopped at her fair and delicate feet adorned in

    high heels.

    ¡°Damn, how can she be so beautiful?¡± he muttered in his heart.

    ¡°You must have offended Ms. White, which was why she hit you. Apologize to her now,¡± Landon said,

    fixing his stare on Alyssa.

    ¡°I¡­ Why should I apologize to her?¡± Vanessa¡¯s face reddened with fury.

    ¡°Because you like me, and Ms. White doesn¡¯t. So Ms. White can¡¯t possibly look for trouble with you,¡±

    Landon replied.

    Alyssa arched her brows. ¡°He¡¯s quite smart, much better than Jasper,¡± she thought.

    ¡°How can you do this to me, Mr. Harper? I¡¯m your girlfriend!¡±

    Vanessa rushed over to Landon in tears and wanted to hug him. However, Landon took a step back in

    disdain, causing her to almost lose

    her bnce.

    ¡°Girlfriend? Who said so?¡± Landon shot Vanessa a frosty gaze, sending a shiver down her spine.

    ¡°Quickly apologize to Ms. White and buzz off. Don¡¯t ever let me see you again.¡±

    would seem like doomsday was approaching.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry!¡± Vanessa squeezed out the words through gritted teeth. Then, she fled the scene while

    covering her face in shame.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have caused you inconvenience, Ms. White,¡± Landon said, returning to his previous

    demeanor.

    ¡°You¡¯ve made her apologize to me. It¡¯s settled.¡± Alyssa spared a nce at her watch and stood up from

    her seat. ¡°It¡¯s time for me to get back to work. Take care, Mr. Harper.¡±

    Landon was a watch collector. He immediately noticed Alyssa was wearing a global limited edition of

    Richard Mille!

    ¡°Looks like Jonah treats her well. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be willing to give this to her,¡± he thought.

    He felt that Alyssa was simply an ignorant country bumpkin for wearing such a luxurious watch for

    laborious work.

    ¡°What time are you getting off work today, Ms. White? I¡¯ll pick you up at night,¡± Landon said, catching

    up with her.

 Chapter 37

    ¡°Give it up. It¡¯s not going to happen,¡± Alyssa said firmly. ¡°I won¡¯t eat with you.¡±

    Landon clucked his tongue. ¡°Why so harsh? Remember how I helped you teach Dn a lesson? Think

    of this meal as thanks for that. Can¡¯t you do that?¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Alyssa smiled mockingly. ¡°As far as I¡¯m aware, Jasper¡¯s the one who helped me out. It¡¯s inappropriate

    for you to take credit for something your best bud did.¡±

    ¡°Have I done anything to offend you, Ms. White? Why can¡¯t you give me a chance?¡± Landon looked her

    in the eye. ¡°Is it because you already have Jonah? Does he have the guts to tell the world you¡¯re his

    girlfriend? Because I do!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper, it doesn¡¯t matter who came first orst when ites to rtionships. But having shame

    and morals does.¡± Alyssa¡¯s simple sentence was enough to make Landon pale. ¡°I may not have the

    best upbringing, but I do know what shame is.¡±

    ¡°When I married Jasper, my heart belonged to him and only him. Now that Jonah¡¯s my boyfriend, he¡¯s

    all I can see. I don¡¯t mind if my rtionship isn¡¯t the best, but I hate it when people try to ruin it. I¡¯d

    advise you to keep your nose out of my business, Mr. Harper. Please don¡¯t disturb my life anymore.¡±

    Only the heavens knew how bitter Alyssa felt when she said this.

    Even Landon could tell she was trying hard to suppress her anger and heartache. His gaze deepened

    for a second. Alyssa breathed deeply and put her guard up again. Then, she turned to leave with her

    head held high and came to an abrupt stop.

    ¡­

    ¡°Jasper?¡± Landon¡¯s eyes widened. How had he gotten there so quickly? Had he taken a rocket or

    something?

    Jasper stood at the entrance of the restaurant with his back straight. He oozed iciness. The

    restaurant¡¯s A/C was turned up at full st. But Jasper¡¯s presence made it be an ice cer.

    Alyssa met his burning gaze. She had to say that his eyes were beautiful and bright. Once upon a time,

    they¡¯d bewitched her and put her under a spell. But those same eyes had only looked at her with

    iciness.

    Jasper had never smiled at her, let alone given her loving looks. She¡¯d been obsessed with the idea of

    melting a heart of stone. The tears she¡¯d shed and the effort she¡¯d expended had moved no one but

    herself.

    Jasper approached her with narrowed eyes. He¡¯d turned down his afternoon appointment when he¡¯d

    heard about Alice and Landon being together. Then, he¡¯d sped over to the restaurant. Upon his arrival,

    he heard what she said to Landon about Jonah.

    He felt an inexplicable emptiness in his chest at her words. This made him mad. He¡¯d never been the

    type to throw a tantrum, but Alice always made him lose control! He looked her in the eye. ¡°What are

    you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Work.¡± She turned away.

    ¡°Is there something wrong with your memory? I told you we¡¯re still husband and wife as long as the

    divorce isn¡¯t finalized. You¡¯re still a member of the Beckett family. You know very well Beckett Group

    and Taylor Group arepetitors.

    ¡°Yet, you¡¯ve chosen to work at one of Taylor Group¡¯s hotels. What the hell were you thinking? Are you

    trying to piss me off? Or disgust me?

    Or humiliate me?¡± The veins in Jasper¡¯s forehead throbbed.

    Landon suddenly felt anxious. He was about to appease them both when Alyssa said, ¡°So that¡¯s what

    you think.¡± She gave him a frosty look. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s get it over and done with today. Then,

    you¡¯ll stop haunting me and showing your ugly mug around me.¡±

    ¡°Alice White!¡± Jasper scowled.

    ¡°What, you don¡¯t have everything you need with you? Have Xavier deliver them to you. I carry my

    things with me at all times. After all, I pray every day that they¡¯ll be put to good use.¡± Alyssa smiled

    disdainfully. She didn¡¯t look like she would miss Jasper at all.

    Jasper immediately saw red. He grabbed her arm forcefully. It was almost as if he were afraid he

    wouldn¡¯t be able to catch her once she fled. Unfortunately, in the next second¡­

    ¡°Ouch!¡± A sharp pain jolted through Alyssa¡¯s arm. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Jasper stiffened, and

    his heart raced. He¡¯d dislocated her arm!

    +

 Chapter 38

    ¡°F**k! Have you lost your fucking mind, Jasper?¡± Landon¡¯s eyes bulged.

    Alyssa looked ashen. Her arm fell to her side limply, and cold sweat beaded over her forehead. He and

    Jasper were exact opposites¨Che treated women gently while Jasper was too harsh with them!

    Jasper clenched the hand that had grabbed Alyssa¡¯s arm. His lips parted as he stepped back, looking

    stunned.

    ¡°Ms. White, your arm¡¯s dislocated! I¡¯ll take you to the hospital right now!¡± Landon said anxiously. He

    moved to help her, but she dodged

    him. ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ll deal with this myself.¡±

    ¡°How are you going to do that? You have a dislocated arm!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business!¡± Alyssa was genuinely angry now. She red at him, her hackles raised.

    Landon was stunned. He didn¡¯t dare

    move.

    Jasper stared at her. She was his ex¨Cwife, but he felt like he¡¯d never really known her. Throughout the

    three years of their marriage, he¡¯d

    only seen her smile andugh. She¡¯d always been gentle, obedient, and even a little ingratiating.

    Back then, he was disappointed and resentful because of the forced marriage. The more she smiled at

    him, the angrier he felt. Toward the

    end, he felt hatred for her.

    Now that they had separated, that smiling face had disappeared from his life. But why did he find her

    so much more alive and spirited when she treated him with anger and resentment?

    ¡°Jasper, stop thinking so highly of yourself¡­¡± Alyssa gasped with pain. Her eyes were red. ¡°I didn¡¯t get

    a job because I wanted to

    humiliate you or anything. I only wanted to find a way out after you inevitably abandoned me.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you keep stopping me from moving on. Didn¡¯t you turn and move on with someone

    else after ending our marriage? Are you still hung up on me? No, that can¡¯t be. You don¡¯t have the

    heart for that. You just don¡¯t want to see me doing well.¡±

    Jasper felt like something was smothering him. He couldn¡¯t say a word. His silence made Alyssa¡¯s

    heart sink.

    She smiled mockingly. ¡°Are you waiting to see me down in the dumps without you? That¡¯s not going to

    happen anymore. I¡¯ve lived like that for the past three years, and I¡¯ve had enough. Leaving you isn¡¯t a

    continuation of my tragic life. It¡¯s a release. Leave me alone from now

    until Grandpa¡¯s birthday. I don¡¯t want to see you anymore.¡±

    Alyssa turned away. The paining from her arm was nothingpared to the pain in her heart. She

    was already numb from it.

    The dislocated arm wasn¡¯t an issue. She could just fix it before their very eyes. She didn¡¯t want to do

    anything about it, though. Alyssa wanted to stay in this messy state and put herself through as much

    pain as possible. Then, she could reach a state of release.

    Suddenly, something warm pressed against the back of her waist. Her world was flipped on end.

    Jasper had slipped behind her and swept her into his arms! ¡°P¨CPut me down!¡± Her cheeks warmed as

    she struggled.

    But the harder she struggled, the tighter Jasper¡¯s hold became. He pressed her to his broad chest and

    made her stop. She could feel his chest rising and falling. She could even smell his cologne.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    For some reason, she felt like crying. How many nights had she spent alone? She¡¯d sprayed his

    cologne on the bed and fallen asleep while smelling it. Back then, she¡¯d willingly done these things.

    Now that she looked back, she only felt aggrieved.

    ¡°I¡¯m taking you to the hospital. A dislocated arm is noughing matter.¡± Jasper¡¯s face was devoid of

    emotion, but his eyes darkened.

    ¡°Let me go, Jasper! You couldn¡¯t care less about me when we were married. Now that we¡¯re divorced,

    you have no right to touch me!¡± Alyssa was angry and embarrassed. Her voice turned hoarse.

    Jasper ignored her. He clenched his jaw and headed out of the restaurant.

 Chapter 39

    Landon clucked his tongue and ran after them. ¡°She¡¯s right! It¡¯s inappropriate for you to treat her like

    this now that you two have divorced! I¡¯ll carry you, Ms. White!¡±

    ¡°F*** off!¡±

    ¡°F*** off!¡±

    The former couple spoke in unison. It was just that one of them saw red while the other¡¯s face was red.

    Landon couldn¡¯t help thinking that they were pretty simr.

    At the hospital, Alyssa was taken into the clinic. Jasper and Landon waited in the corridor. ¡°Damn,

    Jasper. How could you have treated her like that? Do you think she¡¯d be able to handle your rough

    treatment? Or were you trying to rip her arm off?¡± Landon shook his head.

    ¡°How did you know she was working there?¡± Jasper looked at him coldly. There was a trace of anger in

    his eyes.

    ¡°I was there for a meal and happened to run into her. Before I arrived, she was doing hardbor at the

    unloading bay. You should¡¯ve seen how hard she was working¨Cno one would¡¯ve believed she used to

    be a president¡¯s wife.¡± He smiled slightly and sounded a little admiring.

    Landon continued, ¡°She wasn¡¯t mad or upset, nor did she think too highly of herself. She¡¯s honestly the

    most special woman I¡¯ve ever met.¡±

    Jasper clenched his fists and said hoarsely, ¡°Well, you haven¡¯t seen much of the world.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s better than not knowing you have a good thing,¡± Landon mocked. He didn¡¯t mind exchanging

    insults.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were red. He felt his heart twist.

    Landon added, ¡°In all seriousness, I think you and Alice will eventually get back together.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± Jasper rasped out.

    ¡°You obviously still care about her. Why else did you hurry over here? You have no idea how whipped

    you are. She¡¯s all you can see. Don¡¯t you dare say she means nothing to you.¡± Landon leaned against

    the wall with his arms crossed. He shook his head.

    Landon continued, ¡°Whatever you¡¯re doing now is poor taste, dude. You abandoned your wife for an

    ex¨Clover, yet you¡¯re mad to see her moving on. Don¡¯t tell me you wanna take a leaf out of Belbanks¡®

    Winston Taylor¡¯s book and have a harem or something.¡±

    ¡°She promised Grandpa to wait until after his birthday to finalize the divorce. She should stick to her

    word.¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°She was only saying that because she didn¡¯t want to upset him too much. You¡¯re being shameless by

    making her stick to it.¡±

    ¡°Keep your nose out of my business.¡± Jasper suddenly felt suffocated.

    ¡°I was going to, but I do quite like Ms. White. I¡¯m genuinely interested in her, so I was hoping you¡¯d

    leave her alone and stop meddling with

    her life.¡± Landon looked serious for once in his life as he reiterated what Alyssa had told him.

    ¡°Forget about it. You¡¯re not her type.¡± Jasper¡¯s expression darkened.

    ¡°She¡¯d have to give me a try to see whether I¡¯m her type.¡±

    ¡®Landon Harper.¡±

    Landon ignored Jasper¡¯s anger and cocked his head. ¡°If you change your mind about marrying Liana

    and decide to get back together with her, I¡¯ll back out. I¡¯ll forget about ever being interested in her.

    ¡°After all, we¡¯ve been friends for so many years. Heck, you¡¯re my only friend. But if you continue

    harassing Ms. White after marrying Liana, don¡¯t me me for kicking your ass. I¡¯ll do it for her sake.¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips. His expression was stormy.

    *Jasper Beckett!¡± An angry roar ripped through the corridor. Jasper had just turned around when he

    was punched in the face.

 Chapter 40

    Jasper used to be a cadet of the most elite military academy in the nation. He was enlisted in the army

    for three years after graduating from the academy. Hence, he was still strong and powerful as ever

    despite being a businessman.

    Ss¡® punch ended up bruising the corner of Jasper¡¯s mouth. Thetter¡¯s body didn¡¯t even budge in the

    slightest.

    ¡°Holy shit! Is he another love rival of mine?¡± Landon screamed Internally. Naturally, he dared not

    scream in Ss¡® face.

    He suddenly remembered the way Alice had mocked him earlier. Apparently, homewreckers mustn¡¯t be

    arrogant.

    Meanwhile, Ss tried to punch Jasper again out of fury. At that point, thetter would never give him

    another chance to strike at him. So

    Jasper dodged the punch swiftly.

    ¡°Jasper, didn¡¯t I tell you to stay away from Alice? Are you this shameless?¡±

    Ss panted heavily, his eyes now bloodshot. ¡°I¡¯ll fucking skin you alive if anything happens to her! Hell,

    I¡¯ll make the Beckett Group pay for this!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, you¡¯re being dramatic. It¡¯s just a dislocation.¡± Landon was afraid another fight might break

    out again, so he quickly intervened.

    ¡°Hah! It¡¯s just a dislocation?¡±

    Ss scowled furiously at Landon. ¡°Both of you either toy with women¡¯s feelings or ignore the shit out of

    them! How could you understand my feelings, huh?

    ¡°I love Alice the most! I¡¯ve vowed to protect and love her for the rest of my life! Now get the hell away

    from Alice, you disgusting plece of

    shit!¡±

    What Ss said was the truth.

    Even if he were to get married to another woman in the future, he would still prioritize Alice before his

    wife.

    Jasper looked surprised upon hearing Ss¡® straightforward and passionate confession. He would

    never have the courage to confess his

    love to a woman in such a way. (1)

    Alice became a charming and enchanting woman right after divorcing him. At first, Jonah appeared in

    her life. Then, she got acquainted with Landon. Those men started developing an Interest in her. (1)

    Jasper found it difficult to describe what he was feeling right now. (1)

    It felt like he was an idiot for not knowing such a precious treasure was right next to him. Once he

    ditched it, everyone else wanted it for

    themselves. Naturally, Jasper was reluctant to let that treasure go.

    ¡°Just you wait, Jasper! I¡¯m definitely suing you!¡±

    Ss pointed at Jasper angrily. He wanted to order Axel to assassinate that son of a bitch.

    ¡°Go ahead, but I¡¯d like to correct you on one thing.¡±

    Jasper made eye contact with Ss with a stony look on his face. ¡°Alice and I have yet to wrap up the

    legal divorce procedures. She¡¯s still

    my wife for now.¡±

    Landon was speechless. He felt that Jasper was exceptionally talented when it came to insulting

    people.

    Ss, on the other hand, wanted to spit at Jasper. But he suppressed the urge to do so because he

    needed to protect his dignity as a well-

    mannered scion.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor.¡±

    A soft voice drifted from behind the men. They quickly turned around to look at the speaker.

    Alyssa could be seen standing elegantly. Her left arm was now sealed in a cast. She looked calm and

    composed, though her face was slightly pale.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly. His throat felt dry for some reason.

    +15 BONOS

    Alice stood there by herself. Her beautiful eyes conveyed innocence. The men whoid their eyes on

    her wanted nothing more than to

    protect her.

    Suddenly, an old and blurry memory popped into Jasper¡¯s mind. Strangely enough, Alice resembled the

    figure in that memory.

    Alice

    ¡­

    Alice

    Pain shot through Jasper¡¯s head for a moment, but it soon disappeared alongside the memory.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Ss quickly approached Alyssa with reddened eyes. His heart ached for her as he asked, ¡°Does it still

    hurt?¡±

    ¡°Not really. Let¡¯s go home.¡±

    Alyssa shed a bright smile at her older brother.

    For a moment, Jasper was captivated by that smile.

    Ss wrapped an arm around Alyssa¡¯s waist and led her to the other end of the corridor.

    Thetter couldn¡¯t be bothered to even nce in Jasper¡¯s direction.

    Jasper was jealous, to say the least. He was about to approach the siblings when Landon stopped him.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Jasper. You¡¯ll only piss her off if you go after her right now. It¡¯s your fault for hurting Ms.

    White in the first ce. Haven¡¯t you realized that she¡¯s the one who called Mr. Taylor here?

    ¡°She only wants to be with him right now. Let¡¯s not bother them anymore.¡±

    Jasper watched as Ss and Alyssa disappeared from his line of sight. He could only clench his fists

    tightly in response.

    Soon, Sean hurried over to the location. Ss had informed him toe here as soon as he could.

    Hence, Sean was still kept in the dark

    about Alyssa¡¯s situation.

    ¡°What happened to you, Ms. Alyssa? Who hurt you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to that fucking mutt, Jasper!¡±

 Chapter 41

    Ss was still furious about what Jasper did. He was about to start ranting when Alyssa red at him,

    which shut him up.

    ¡°What the hell? I¡¯ll go beat him up right now!¡± Sean eximed,

    Sean was about to get up and leave when Alyssa called out to him. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You can¡¯t beat him in a

    fight anyway. He used to be a member of the Peacekeeping Forces, after all. You might get beaten up

    instead.¡±

    She continued, ¡°Besides, he didn¡¯t mean to hurt me. That man always underestimates his strength,

    after all. He doesn¡¯t care about me at

    all,¡±

    ¡°Why do you sound like you¡¯ve known him for a long time, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    Alyssa looked dazed for a moment. Then, she pursed her lips and kept mum.

    Sean didn¡¯t know her exact rtionship with Jasper for now. She didn¡¯t mean to hide the truth from him.

    It was just that she was toozy to exin everything to him.

    Alyssa¡¯s rtionship with Jasper was already over. She no longer wished to have anything to do with

    him.

    Ss brewed a cup of coffee for Alyssa once they returned to the mansion. At the same time, he kept

    cussing at Jasper for being an inhuman bastard. The thing was, he had been ranting about Jasper on

    their way home.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ss.¡± Alyssa looked down at her feet guiltily.

    ¡°Huh? Why are you apologizing to me?¡±

    Ss was surprised to hear the apology. He ced a hand on Alyssa¡¯s forehead immediately. ¡°Are you

    having a fever? Why are you spouting nonsense?¡±

    ¡°No. I had to ask for your help to keep my identity a secret since Jonah went to Yoarkley on a business

    trip. I was worried you¡¯d think I was using you the whole time ¡­¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s voice grew softer as she spoke.

    ¡°What are you talking about, you silly brat?¡±

    Ss walked over to Alyssa and gave her aforting hug. All he felt was sorrow and heartbreak for

    his younger sister. He made sure to avoid touching her injured arm while hugging her.

    ¡°We¡¯re your older brothers. It¡¯s our duty to protect you. If you get married again in the future, we¡¯ll

    be your bodyguards.¡±

    Ss felt his words weren¡¯t reassuring enough. So, he added, ¡°Even if you stay single for the rest of

    your life, we¡¯ll still protect you. You can rely on us.¡±

    Alyssa smiled happily in response.

    Jasper didn¡¯t focus on the meeting in the afternoon, thanks to Alyssa¡¯s injury. He didn¡¯t pay attention to

    the senior managers who made their respective reports in front of him. (1)

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Everyone else noted the minor injury on the corner of Jasper¡¯s mouth. He looked quite pissed off at the

    same time. Still, no one dared to ask him what happened. They feared him so much that they didn¡¯t

    dare to say a thing. (1)

    Jasper, despite being a bastard son, wielded unquestioned authority in the Beckett Group.

    The first wife¡¯s son was born with poor health. He spent his entire life recuperating in Randend.

    There was word about his medical condition worsening from time to time. Apparently, the son was now

    confined in a wheelchair at all times.

    Meanwhile, Sophia had two daughters. The first daughter was 25 years old, whereas the second

    daughter was 20. Unfortunately, they weren¡¯t skilled enough to take over the familypany.

    This left Jasper as the perfect candidate to be the heir of the Beckett Group. After all, he was

    competent and talented. If someone

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, someone has swooped in and snatched the Willow Group¡¯s hotel from us,¡± one of the

    senior managers reported.

    ¡°Who was it?¡± It was true that Jasper didn¡¯t pay attention to the meeting, but that didn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t

    listen to the reports. He quickly snapped out of his thoughts and focused on the manager.

    ¡°It was the KS Group. The Willow Group has transferred the hotel¡¯s ownership to thatpany. That

    hotel will be rebranded as the second

    KS World Hotel in Sna City.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s body went stiff before his eyes darkened immediately.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier?¡±

    ¡°Our team was engaged in a negotiation with the representatives from the Willow Group. They were

    about to seal the deal when Mr. Taylor suddenly swooped in and snatched the deal away. We didn¡¯t

    think this would happen.¡±

    The manager was so intimidated that his face turned ashen.

    ¡°Our team was about to seal the deal, you say? I think it¡¯s time for you to retire.¡±

    Even though Jasper looked calm, his deep voice could strike fear into everyone.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you that the hotel is just two thousand feet from the Global Studios? That theme park¡¯s

    construction will be done in two years! I told you before that we need to secure the hotel in the shortest

    possible time, even if it means paying twice the rate!

    ¡°You kept worrying over nothing. On top of that, youck the courage to make important decisions!

    That¡¯s why the KS Group was able to snatch up our deal! How will you and your team take

    responsibility for our loss?¡±

    The manager could only wipe the sweat off his brow nervously. His knees were already buckling

    together out of fright.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be working in the branchpany at Flogand starting next week. If youmit the same

    mistake again, you¡¯ll be dismissed permanently. No questions asked.¡±

    Once Jasper was done speaking, he walked out of the meeting room. Everyone else looked shocked

    and frightened at the same time.

    It appeared that Jasper was in a terrible mood today. Why else would he be so furious?

    ¡°Do you think they are plotting for revenge?¡± Xavier nced in the rearview mirror while driving Jasper

    back to Seaview Manor.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner attacked Madam Alice recently, after all. Now, Mr. Taylor snatched our business deal from

    our hands. There¡¯s also the issue about the Gardners¡® products having quality¨Crted problems.¡±

    Xavier added, ¡°Do you think Mr. Taylor is the mastermind behind the exposure, Mr. Beckett? Then

    again, the Gardners deserved to get

    exposed

    Jasper raised his head to gaze at the rearview mirror. As a result, Xavier fell silent immediately.

    ¡°There¡¯s a tailor shop up ahead. Stop the car.¡±

 Chapter 42

    Soon, Jasper entered the tailor shop.

    The old tailor was ironing some clothes at that time. He was surprised to see a handsome customer

    walking into his shop.

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s you!¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Money is no issue here. I hope that you can help me out with something.¡±

    Jasper opened the box with a light frown on his face.

    ¡°Oh, dear! What happened to the suit? Why is it all torn?¡± The tailor¡¯s heart broke at the sight of the

    torn suit.

    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault.¡± That was the only excuse Jasper coulde up with.

    ¡°That youngdy spent such a long time making this suit just for you. I¡¯ve witnessed the way she

    struggled when she worked on that suit.

    It¡¯s as though I helped make it.¡±

    The old tailor shook his head sadly. ¡°What a shame. This is such a nice suit.¡±

    ¡°Is there a way for you to fix it?¡± Jasper asked.

    ¡°How am I supposed to do that? I can easily patch up the inner fabric, but it will be difficult to fix the

    outer fabric.¡±

    For some reason, Jasper tensed up when he heard the tailor¡¯s response.

    ¡°Just do your best. I don¡¯t care if there are stitches on the outside. At least patch the hole up.¡±

    Upon returning to Seaview Manor, Jasper felt that something wasn¡¯t right. The atmosphere felt a little

    too tense.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± (1

    Betty Beckett, also known as Sophia¡¯s oldest daughter, hurried toward him with an anxious look on her

    face.

    ¡°Grandpa came here earlier, and now he¡¯s arguing with Dad in the study. Things seem pretty intense at

    the moment. Please break up their fight before it¡¯s toote.¡±

    ¡°Why are they arguing?¡± Jasper frowned immediately.

    As far as he was concerned, Javier was a good son to Newton. At least, that was what the public

    thought of him.

    Newton was prone to stroke attacks, not to mention he suffered from high blood pressure too.

    Therefore, he mustn¡¯t get angry no matter

    what.

    If Javier was willing to disregard his identity as a loving son and fight with Newton, there could only be

    one reason¨CSophia.

    ¡°Lia and our family are practically family at this point. Now that the Gardner family is facing a crisis, it¡¯s

    pretty reasonable for Dad to help

    them, right?¡±

    Betty looked quite annoyed at that moment. ¡°The thing is, Grandpa refuses to let Dad help the Gardner

    Group! Has he gone senile? Helping

    the Gardner Group is equivalent to helping our family too, right?

    ¡°You¡¯ll be marrying Lia soon, Jasper. If we don¡¯t deal with this crisis, our family¡¯s reputation will be

    ruined as well.¡±

    Jasper headed upstairs quickly with a stormy expression on his face.

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, Newton snatched up the ashtray and the cup from the coffee table and threw them to the

    floor angrily. He was still seated in his wheelchair at that time.

    He was already 80 years old. The older he got, the more temperament*l he became. He tended to start

    throwing anything he could get his hands on whenever things didn¡¯t go his way.

    Sophia dabbed her tears away with a handkerchief. She leaned into Javier¡¯s arms while crying softly.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Dad, can you please calm down? Can¡¯t we talk this out?¡±

    ¡°Talking things out only works on smart people! An idiot like you deserves to be beaten up instead!¡±

    Newton huffed angrily at Javier. ¡°What did I tell you, huh? I told you not to meddle with the Gardner

    Group¡¯s business! How dare you go against my order!

    ¡°You even helped that family clear their stock! Not only that, but you also gave theirpany the

    projects belonging to the Beckett Group! How the hell did that woman convince you, huh? Did you

    seriously think my words no longer hold any weight in this family?¡±

    ¡°How could you say such things, Dad?¡± Javier was furious at Newton as well, but he didn¡¯t dare to

    make things worse.

    ¡°Am I wrong? You¡¯ve been acting like a fool ever since you married this woman!¡± Newton pped his

    armrest angrily.

    ¡°Dad, I know you look down on me, but it¡¯s been 20 years since I started dating Javier. I¡¯ve put in so

    much effort just to raise our children. I did all I could for the sake of the Beckett family. At the same

    time, I did my best to please you as well.¡±

    Sophia continued tearfully, ¡°I¡¯ve never gone against your wishes, nor did I cause any trouble for the

    Beckett family. That¡¯s because I view my marriage to Javier as a blessing. As long as he¡¯s my husband,

    nothing else in this world matters to me.¡±

    Javier turned to gaze at Sophia affectionately.

    But Newton had already seen through her mask of deceit and lies. His body trembled violently out of

    anger, which caused his wheelchair

    to tremble as well.

 Chapter 43

    ¡°But my sister is an upstanding businesswoman. It¡¯s very unfair for her to be ndered like that.

    Besides, this just had to happen when Lia and Jasper were about to get married ¡­..¡± Sophia said.

    ¡°Upstanding? You mean dishonest!¡± said Newton scornfully. Sophia froze. ¡°Don¡¯t think I know nothing

    just because I¡¯m old and no longer on the front lines. The Gardner Group dug its own grave by doing

    business dishonestly!

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Also, you don¡¯t have to threaten me with Jasper. If he wants to marry a woman from the Gardner family,

    then I shall disown him! You guys can go ahead and date whoever you want. You don¡¯t even have to

    come to my funeral when I die!¡± Newton ranted.

    ¡°Dad!¡± Javier sighed. Sophia was crying, but her gaze was icy. She was done being oppressed by

    Newton for more than twenty years! She wished he would die with regrets!

    ¡°Grandpa!¡± Jasper strode toward Newton and reached out to stroke his back, but Newton pushed him

    away. ¡°You don¡¯t have to put on an

    act! You¡¯re just like your father, who also gave his all to some bitch!¡± said Newton angrily.

    ¡°I won¡¯t help the Gardner Group. I¡¯ve made it clear long ago,¡± Jasper said calmly. Newton¡¯s eyes lit up

    instantly, and he said, ¡°Really?!¡±

    ¡°Yes. Gardner Group is indeed unscrupulous, so I will not help them.¡±

    ¡°What about you and that Gardner girl

    ¡°Lia has nothing to do with this. The marriage will still proceed,¡± said Jasper inly.

    Newton sighed and said, ¡°Fine, fine. At least you¡¯re aware of something. I haven¡¯t doted on you in vain!

    You¡¯re a little better than your

    foolish father!¡±

    Newton waved a hand defeatedly. He didn¡¯t understand what had gotten into his grandson¡¯s head to

    make him give up on a good girl like

    Alice and marry a trouble¨Cmaking wench!

    ¡°Aunt Sophia.¡± Jasper looked at Sophia and said coldly, ¡°Rosaline is your sister, so I can understand if

    you want to help your own family.

    but on one condition. You cannot harm the interests of the Beckett Group.

    ¡°Otherwise, wouldn¡¯t you be going against your own saying about doing everything for the good of the

    Beckett family?¡±

    Sophia was left speechless and flushed. What an imbecile! He had been such a coward when he was a

    kid that he wouldn¡¯t make a sound even if in pain. Now that he was an adult, he had be a harsh

    and sharp¨Ctongued person!

    ¡°Dad, although Lia is my fianc¨¦e, I am a very unbiased person. I never involve my private rtionships

    in work¨Crted matters. I hope that you will always put thepany¡¯s interests first as the chairman,¡±

    said Jasper. His tone was fully businesslike.

    Newton¡¯s expression darkened because Jasper was implying that he was being unreasonable. He had

    no choice but to bite the bullet and say, ¡°It¡¯s not all because of Sophia that I¡¯m helping Gardner Group.

    ¡°I went to Yoarkley to attend a conference and discuss a major overseas project, but the other party

    called off the meeting at thest minute. In the end, I found out that it was because he was intercepted

    by the president of KS Group, Jonah Taylor.

    ¡°I have no idea what Jonah offered him, but he dropped his intentions of cooperating with ourpany.

    So many things happened, and everything had to do with the Taylor Group. They are obviously going

    against us. How could I let them win again and bully us?¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± said Jasper.

    The Beckett Group and Taylor Group had been rivals for over a century. One of Taylor Group¡¯s elders

    had even vowed never to let anyone from their family marry a Beckett. They had even fought in

    shopping malls before, and both parties were at a stalemate.

    Jonah showed his animosity by thwarting the Beckett Group¡¯s hotel project. He had even caused

    trouble abroad.

    A thought struck Jasper, and he asked hurriedly, ¡°Dad, did you say that you ran into Jonah in

    Yoarkley?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Today?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    meeting? Could that man not have been Jonah? If not, then who was he?

 Chapter 44

    The drama ended with Jasper promising not to meddle in the Gardner Group¡¯s business.

    After Sophia and Javier left, Newton looked around at the mess in anger. ¡°What a shame! All the men

    in our family just have to fall for those scheming Gardner women!¡±

    Jasper bent down to pick up the things on the floor while his mind spun. Could someone have reced

    Jonah at the meeting in Yoarkley?

    But he knew his father wouldn¡¯t have recognized the wrong person. They had fought twice at a

    shopping mall. There was no way Newton could have been mistaken unless he was showing early

    signs of dementia.

    Jasper picked up a hand fan and asked, ¡°Grandpa, is this yours?¡± Newton sighed and said, ¡°Just look

    at me. I must have lost my senses in anger. Bring it to me.¡±

    Newton¡¯s gaze softened, and he said, ¡°Alice made me this fan herself. The patterns and calligraphy are

    all her own work.¡±

    Alice knew calligraphy? She also knew how to draw?

    Jasper was stunned for a moment, and he didn¡¯t know how to respond. When she was with him, she

    was disciplined and dull.

    Alice was very mundanepared to Liana, who knew how to y the piano, dance, and sing.

    Besides being gentle, obedient, and pretty, Alice had no other talents. She was no different than the

    maids at home.

    But why had she started shining brightly like a diamond after leaving him? She exuded confidence now.

    And her previously unknown abilities were being revealed one by one, surprising him.

    Was it because she thought that he did not deserve her at her best, but Jonah did? So she didn¡¯t love

    him, but was only fulfilling her duties ¨C as his wife to please him. True love was what she felt for Jonah,

    wasn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Last time, Alice would visit me every weekend and sometimes go for a walk with me. Other times, she

    would apany me in the study for the entire afternoon, but she didn¡¯t mind. She would read beside

    me or write calligraphy. (1)

    ¡°Her calligraphy and drawing skills are pretty good. The moment she put pen to paper, I could tell she

    had more than ten years of experience. She wrote with poise and skill. Her graceful air tells me that

    she¡¯s from a distinguished family,¡± said Newton.

    He pouted and sighed. ¡°She¡¯s so much better than that decadent Gardner girl. But s, you¡¯re blinded

    by love and can¡¯t tell what¡¯s good for you.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Newton pursed his lips and opened the hand fan. There was one meaningful and beautifully written

    prose on it. It said, ¡°If I were young again, I would make a mountain of memories.¡±

    Jasper was thunderstruck. His sharp gaze swept over the two lines of words intently. Her writing and

    style looked identical to the calligraphy hanging in Alyssa¡¯s office, the one she had wanted to gift him!

    He suddenly remembered seeing Alice at the hotel Alyssa was in charge of. He also recalled hearing

    Alice¡¯s footsteps in the corridor when he was leaving Alyssa¡¯s office that day. Could Alice know Alyssa?

    How could there be such a coincidence? There was no way Alyssa and Alice were one and the same

    person, right? How could it be? Alice was so naive and innocent. It was impossible for her to be

    cunning like Alyssa!

    Meanwhile, at Heightsnew Vi in Belbanks, Jonah had just returned from a business trip in Yoarkley.

    He was having a meal with his father and Ss. He reported on the progress from his trip to Yoarkley.

    Winston nodded after listening. A pleased expression appeared on his stern face. His eldest son was

    good at everything but was too religious. No amount of power, fame, or wealth could stop him from

    bing a pastor. Why was he so obsessed?

    ¡°Jonah, it¡¯s not like you to suddenly spoil the Beckett Group¡¯s soup like this.¡± Winston took a sip of red

    wine and savored its taste. ¡°Don¡¯t you always advocate dealing with problems peacefully? Why did you

    use such an underhanded method this time? You seem a bit like the younger version of me.¡±

    ¡°Peace is like a cloud in the sky. It looks like it¡¯s always there. But you¡¯ll never know when the wind will

    blow it away.¡± answered Jonah philosophically. Then he elegantly sipped his water. Winston smiled to

    himself. Of course, this was Jonah avenging his little sister by jeopardizing the Beckett Group!

    time!¡± Winston patted Jonah¡¯s shoulder with a bright and happy expression.

    +15 BONOS

    Winston continued, ¡°Besides, Javier and I are rivals. His grandfather bullied your great¨Cgrandmother.

    It¡¯s never toote to take revenge!¡±

    Jonah was speechless while Ss thought how good their family was at holding a grudge for ages!

 Chapter 45

    ¡°By the way, how¡¯s Lyse doing in Sna City? She was ruthless in taking out the Gardner Group. But if

    she doesn¡¯t hold up well, I¡¯m afraid she will bring their wrath upon herself.

    ¡°Liam and Axel won¡¯t return, so you two must protect her at all times, understood?¡± Winston said

    inly, but there was a caring look in his eyes.

    ¡°Yes, Dad.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. I¡¯ll kill whoever dares to bully Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Killing isn¡¯t necessary, but you can make them wish they were dead,¡± Winston said. Then, he sipped

    his wine.

    After dinner, Winston and Jonah left the table first. When Ss was about to leave, he realized his

    brother had left his phone on the table. Right then, it started vibrating, and he saw Jasper¡¯s name on

    the screen. Ss was tipsy.

    He scanned his surroundings and coughed softly before answering the phone. ¡°Is anything the matter,

    Mr. Beckett?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for Alice,¡± said Jasper. His tone made Ss angry.

    ¡°What¡¯s your problem, Jasper? Who gave you the right to make Alice answer your call?¡±

    Jasper fell silent for a moment before asking, ¡°Are you Jonah?¡± Ss thought Jasper had realized

    something. Yet, he still said, ¡°Mr. Beckett, if you¡¯re drunk, you can call your fianc¨¦e to keep you

    entertained. I don¡¯t have time to waste on you.¡±

    ¡°Jonah, if you want to stand up for Alice, then you should use upstanding methods. Don¡¯t y dirty

    tricks behind other people¡¯s backs,¡± said Jasper icily.

    ¡°Hah, Jasper. You¡¯re the most shameless person I know!¡± Ss gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I¡¯m sure you

    know who ndered Alice with dirty tactics first.

    ¡°If you want to beg for mercy on behalf of your fianc¨¦e and her family, then use the right attitude. Stop

    being the pot calling the kettle ck. You¡¯re so greedy it¡¯s embarrassing.¡±

    Jasper clenched his fists furiously, He could speak fluently and confidently at countless conferences.

    Yet, he was being rendered speechless by a senior prosecutor right then.

    Ss continued speaking. ¡°But I will tell you straight to your face that I won¡¯t let you guys off the hook

    even if you get on your knees and beg me. I will make anyone who bullies Alice pay a painful price!¡±

    With that, Ss hung up.

    Jasper sat in his study, staring at the dark screen of his phone. Veins bulged on his forehead. He was

    gripping his phone so hard that it might break.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡± Xavier hurried into the study. When he saw his boss¡® stormy expression, his breath

    caught in his throat.

    ¡°What?¡± barked Jasper.

    ¡°I¡¯ve run investigations as per your orders. However, I could only uncover a little information on Jonah,

    the eldest son of Mr. Taylor¡¯s legitimate wife, Vivian Whitaker. As for his other four siblings, their case

    files are highly ssified and can¡¯t be essed!¡±

    Jasper stared at Xavier fiercely. Xavier paled. He gulped and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t I ask for a pay cut at the

    HR department tomorrow

    Meanwhile, Alyssa had just finished taking a bubble bath. She walked downstairs with a beauty mask

    on her face. She was looking for some wine to drink.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, just tell me if you need anything. I¡¯ll get it for you. It¡¯s inconvenient for you to walk around,¡±

    said Sean as he hurried over to her worriedly.

    Alyssa replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I just want to get a bottle of red wine from the cer. It¡¯s already 9:00 pm. Why

    are you still in your suit?¡±

    Alyssa looked him up and down and said, ¡°Treat this ce like your own home. Don¡¯t be shy. Change

    into casual clothes when youe back. If you¡¯re like this, I¡¯ll feel like I¡¯m at work 24/7. It makes me

    anxious.¡±

    There was another reason. Sean would make her think of Jasper. It was embarrassing to even talk

    about it.

    +15 BONOS

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    Jasper was an extremely abstinent man. When he got back to Seaview Manor, he would coop himself

    up in the study and seldome out. Jasper would only take off his armor¨Chis suit, and change into

    dark blue pajamas right before going to bed.

    He was elegant and ssy, but it was suffocating. However, only Alyssa knew that there was a

    passionate soul hidden behind his frigid fa?ade.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa? Ms. Alyssa?¡± Sean said with his head cocked. (1)

    ¡°Huh?¡± Alyssa got her senses back. She felt her cheeks burning, and her eyes were gleaming.

    ¡°Your face¡­ is very flushed.¡±

 Chapter 46

    ¡°Is Is it?¡± Alyssa touched her face. It felt as warm as toast. She immediately looked away shyly. ¡°Maybe

    it¡¯s because I¡¯ve had a little to drink.¡±

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you on your way to the cer? Your face is red before you¡¯ve even had a drop.¡± Sean pointed

    out. He was an elite employee but an amateur when it came to real life. He had no idea that Alyssa

    was just feeling horny.

    ¡°You¡¯re so annoying!¡± Alyssa rolled her eyes at him and walked off in embarrassment.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Sean was left standing there miserably. He didn¡¯t know how he had offended her. He had no choice but

    to tag along behind her.

    They arrived at the wine cer. It held nearly a thousand bottles of red wine, all of which were prepared

    for Alyssa by Jasper. He knew that she had a hobby of having a drink or two. (1)

    Every bottle of wine was expensive, and many of them were limited editions bought at auctions.

    Alyssa owned more than twenty bottles of some wines that even Winston didn¡¯t have. If she were to

    sell them, she could afford two vis in Sna City.

    Alyssa scanned the racks and chose a bottle of Romani Conti. She tiptoed to take it, but she still

    couldn¡¯t reach it.

    Sean walked behind her, and his shadow loomed over her. Then, he took the bottle of wine for her

    effortlessly. They were standing so close that he could smell the sweet scent of her hair. His heart

    started thumping wildly, and he blushed. ¡°Here, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Tut tut, how nice to have a secretary who¡¯s six feet tall. I don¡¯t even have to buy adder.¡± However,

    her ideal man was taller than six feet- someone like Jasper. Anyone shorter than him wasn¡¯t her cup of

    tea.

    She scolded herself for thinking of him again. The thought of him made her feel tipsier than wine.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ll help you open it. It¡¯s difficult for you to do it with one hand

    Without a word, Alyssa smashed her cast against the edge of a table, and her arm came free. ¡°It¡¯s so

    clunky. I already wanted to break it long ago,¡± she said. Sean was dumbfounded.

    ¡°Back then, during the war, breaking an arm or dislocating a joint was just a small matter. I¡¯ve

    witnessed people getting their legs sted off. Arade I had just been joking with in the afternoon

    would be brought back with countless bullets in him and half his face gone in the evening.¡±

    Alyssa calmly told Sean about the brutality of war with the expression of a person who had been

    through life and death. Sean was shocked and could not imagine how a privileged and sheltered

    woman like her had made it through those times.

    Once they had let the wine breathe, messages started popping up in the Secret Society group chat.

    Axel: ¡°Ss, I¡¯m busy, so I haven¡¯t had the time to understand how a person in the judicial department

    like you can also be so unbothered about everything. Did you know Jasper asked someone to hack into

    our case files secretly? Thank goodness I reacted quickly. I¡¯ve upgraded the security to grade S. That

    idiot is no match for me.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    Ss: ¡°F***! Does he suspect something?¡±

    Axel: ¡°Hey, why are you swearing at me? Show some respect!¡±

    Ss: ¡°F*** you!¡±

    Axel: ¡°You wanna fight? You couldn¡¯t win even if I had my hands tied behind my back.¡±

 Chapter 47

    Alyssa: ¡°That¡¯s enough! You guys are so childish. Jasper must have investigated us because he

    suspects Ss¡® identity. You showed up twice to protect me, so I think he realized you aren¡¯t Jonah. If

    that¡¯s the case, then you guys don¡¯t have to hide anymore. If he wants an answer, I¡¯ll give him an

    answer!¡±

    The moment she spoke up, her older brothers immediately stopped fooling around.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze darkened as she swirled the red wine in her ss.

    The weekend arrived in the blink of an eye.

    After public pressure, the Gardner Group held a press conference at a five¨Cstar hotel. A lot of reporters

    showed up.

    The Gardner family wasn¡¯t that influential on their own. Liana¡¯s engagement with Jasper made the

    Gardner family the center of attention overnight.

    A ck Maybach was parked by the roadside opposite the hotel¡¯s entrance. Inside it, Jasper watched

    the press conference on his iPad indifferently.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, Mr. Newton reminded you not to bother about Gardner Group.¡± Xavier said worriedly,

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t your bond with your father be affected if you keep going against him? I¡¯m worried that Mrs.

    Beckett will talk bad about you.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t affect me. I won¡¯t help the Gardner Group,¡± said Jasper coldly. ¡°As for my father, there wasn¡¯t

    any bond between us, to begin with.¡±

    Xavier sighed. His boss looked grand on the outside, but he was actually an outcast in the Beckett

    family. Jasper had nobody to vent to.

    The press conference started. With everyone watching, Dn Gardner walked onstage in a stately

    manner with his chin held high. He looked displeased and wronged, as if he had suffered severe unfair

    treatment.

    ¡°You all know that Elysian Home, a Gardner Group subsidiary, has 32 outlets in Sna City and over

    400 nationwide. It¡¯s a well¨Cknown brand. The negativity this time is deliberate, aimed at damaging

    Gardner Group¡¯s professional image!¡± Dn dered.

    Xavier pursed his lips while looking at the screen. ¡°What an arrogant man he is. How can he be so

    self¨Crighteous when hispany¡¯s products obviously have serious quality issues? He¡¯s so

    shameless!¡±

    Jasper said nothing, but his frown deepened.

    ¡°But the first party to expose Elysian Home¡¯s quality issues is a hotel under KS Group. KS Group¡¯s

    reputation is respected nationwide.

    They have never ndered theirpetitors for their own gain. That¡¯s why I think Elysian Home is not

    simply being targeted by someone.

    What are your thoughts on this?¡± the reporter asked sarcastically.

    Dn¡¯s expression darkened immediately. He responded, ¡°Elysian Home has been here for more than

    a decade. This is the first time we¡¯ve

    faced this kind of incident. I am also anxious and worried.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Gardner, does this mean you admit to having quality issues? Besides, if I remember correctly, a

    seriousint was lodged against you earlyst year. I¡¯m sure everyone here remembers the

    incident?¡± The reporter shot Dn another question and refreshed everyone¡¯s

    memory.

    Dn¡¯s expression grew stormy, and he clenched his fists tightly.

    Meanwhile, in the underground car park, Alyssa sat in her sports car. She was watching a live stream

    of the press conference. She smirked. No one could have guessed that she had sent that reporter.

    ¡°In the two years Dn became CEO, he¡¯s pocketed tons of profit and done whatever he wanted. The

    company keeps having problems. Dn is also about to squander all of his family¡¯s wealth,¡± said

    Alyssa.

    Seanughed mirthlessly and said, ¡°But I didn¡¯t think he was so bold to dare to lie publicly at a press

    conference. Is he so confident that

    no one knows his Achilles heel?¡±

    Alyssa replied, ¡°He thinks he has a trump card. That¡¯s why he dares to speak so pompously.¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes slyly and took a packet of chocte from Sean¡¯s coat pocket. Then, she

    unwrapped it and put the piece of chocte into her mouth. ¡°Just wait and see. He¡¯ll y his trump

    card once he gets pushed to the edge, and our opportunity will be here.¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

 Chapter 48

    After Alyssa finished the chocte, she put the remaining bar back in Sean¡¯s breast pocket and patted

    his chest. She said, ¡°You¡¯re pretty in shape.¡±

    Sean¡¯s heart thumped wildly, and he blushed. He was four years older than her. He had visited the

    Taylor residence often when he was a kid. His father had been the head of KS Group¡¯s legal

    department and was valued by Winston very much.

    Sean remembered that the first time he saw Alyssa was in the back garden of Heightsnew Vi. He

    had spotted the pretty little girl from far off, and she had raced toward him adorably.

    He had thought that he was dreaming, so he rubbed his eyes. She appeared before him wearing a

    white dress that made her look like an angel. ¡°Hey, do you have any candy?¡± Alyssa hopped off her

    skateboard. She gave it a kick and caught it in her hand.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Sean was flustered and cursed at himself for having feelings for a girl younger than him.

    However, she was just too beautiful. Who wouldn¡¯t be mesmerized?

    ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t ¡­¡± Alyssa sighed in disappointment and put down her skateboard.

    Just as she was about to leave, Sean grabbed her arm. It was so thin that he could mp his whole

    hand around it. ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Sean retrieved a piece of chocte from his pocket. He handed it to

    her and said, ¡°Does this count?¡±

    ¡°Wow! Thank you!¡± Alyssa smiled brightly and took the chocte. She ripped off the wrapper at once

    and took a bite. Then, she smiled in satisfaction. (1)

    From then on, Sean would bring chocte or candy whenever he visited Heightsnew Vi as if he were

    a candy seller. The habitsted till this day. As long as Alyssa craved candy and he was with her, then

    there would definitely be candy.

    The atmosphere was heated at the press conference.

    Dn was very triggered as he stared at the reporter and shouted angrily, ¡°I¡¯m going to say this again!

    There are no quality issues with any of the Gardner Group¡¯s products! I guarantee you personally!¡±

    ¡°Why did all the hotels under KS Group nationwide withdraw your products overnight if there are no

    quality issues? Mr. Gardner, please give us a reasonable exnation. It appears too suspicious,¡± said

    the reporter firmly. The chat on the Twitter livestream was in an uproar.

    ¡°Guarantee it personally? That¡¯s a powerful statement. I suddenly think that Mr. Gardner is telling the

    truth.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean muching from someone like him.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if there really are issues. I¡¯m going to refund everything. I can¡¯t even bear the sight of Mr.

    Gardner. Couldn¡¯t they have chosen another more likable spokesperson?¡±

    ¡°You guys want an exnation, don¡¯t you? Fine! I¡¯ll give you an exnation!¡± said Dn.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    With a threatening gaze, he said, ¡°I do need to reflect on myself for letting something like this happen. I

    made a mistake in my management. With hundreds of Elysian Home outlets nationwide, it¡¯s hard to

    check each one personally. I can¡¯t do it all alone!

    ¡°Someone within Gardner Group acted selfishly and harmed thepany¡¯s interests. We¡¯ve taken

    action against that person and devised solutions to address the issues caused. However, the person

    couldn¡¯t have aplished it on his own. Someone in KS Group must have abetted him! Yet KS

    Group has pushed all responsibility to us. Isn¡¯t this too much?¡±

    The crowd went into an uproar.

    ¡°Dn is full of crap. How dare he drag the Taylor Group into this? How shameless!¡± Xavier started

    defending the Taylor family. He couldn¡¯t

    bear Dn¡¯s shameless behavior.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze was sharp and cold.

    ¡°Bring up the evidence I found!¡±manded Dn. Instantly, photos and bank statements appeared

    on the big screen. ¡°This is the chat history between KS World Hotel¡¯s manager, Michael Grant, and the

    manager of Elysian Home. The photos show them meeting in private and Michael receiving a huge

    amount of bribes! (1)

    ¡°Gardner Group is not involved. It¡¯s all because Michael Grant is corrupt. He colluded with my

    employee to buy cheap materials! Gardner

    Group is also a victim! KS Group protected itself and dragged us into trouble. Can a bigpany bully

    others so openly? We have to use

    Dn got into his act better the more he spoke. He almost believed his own words! That new CEO

    from the Taylor family couldn¡¯t have guessed what he had had up his sleeve, could she? She must be

    stunned! (1

    He had decided to make Michael the scapegoat right from the start. So he had intentionally left

    evidence since the first time he approached Michael. It was all so he could use it as a trump card

    during a crisis!

    Xavier clenched his fists and said, ¡°This is bad. Now the onlinemunity is going to attack Taylor

    Group. They¡¯ll say that the Taylors are abusing their power and bullying small businesses.¡± Jasper

    frowned. His expression was as cold as ice. Just as Dn was enjoying himself, a sharp noise red

    from the speakers in the conference hall.

 Chapter 49

    Then, the voices of two men sounded out!

    ¡°Mr. Gardner, I wouldn¡¯t have used cheap second¨Chand mattresses to rece high¨Cend ones if it

    wasn¡¯t to help you make money! But I got caught by that new CEO of Taylor Group and lost my job. No

    one in Sna City will ept me! You can¡¯t just watch me suffer!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you were helping me. Haven¡¯t you also pocketed a hefty sum? Added with the money I

    gave you, you won¡¯t starve even if you spend the rest of your life jobless.¡±

    One of the voices was Michael Grant¡¯s, and the other was Dn Gardner¡¯s! The reporters were

    bbergasted.

    Dn broke out into a sweat. He steadied himself against the table as he nearly lost his bnce. ¡°What

    is this?! Who yed it? Switch it off! Hurry up!¡±

    The audio clip stopped ying, but new images appeared on the screen. They were pictures of

    Michael and Dn visiting a nightclub

    together!

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Gardner! This is not what you promised me! You promised to protect me!¡±

    ¡°I have protected you. I haven¡¯t ratted you out even after this incident got exposed. Michael, just go into

    hiding, keep your mouth shut, and you¡¯ll be fine. If you dare run your mouth, I¡¯ll make sure that you

    suffer!¡±

    The pictures and audio clips were solid evidence.

    Dn yelled fiercely while his face was as red as a tomato. ¡°They¡¯re fake! They¡¯re all fake! The person

    in the audio clip isn¡¯t me! Someone is setting me up!¡±

    At that moment, a loud bang ripped the air. The conference hall doors burst open, and two rows of men

    filed in. They were all wearing suits with a red badge on theirpels.

    Then, Ss walked in. He attracted everyone¡¯s attention. He led the two rows of officers to Dn with

    an intimidating air. ¡°Dn Gardner, CEO of Gardner Group. Now that there is solid evidence, KS Group

    has formally charged you with abuse of power, bribery, and other crimes. Take him away!¡± said Ss.

    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense! I didn¡¯t do it! I didn¡¯t!¡± The two rows of officers surged forward and dragged a

    struggling Dn outside. All the cameras were pointed at him. Everybody on the Inte witnessed the

    dramatic scene. What a turn of the tables!

    ¡°What a plot twist! This press conference is even more interesting than a movie!¡±

    ¡°It turns out that KS Group is the real victim! Dn was the pot calling the kettle ck and threw shade

    on the Taylor Group for no reason!¡±

    ¡°Dn¡¯s character is worse than trash! He¡¯s disgusting!¡±

    ¡°How fucking interesting! Who exposed all the evidence? It was such great timing!¡± Xavier pped his

    hands in amusement. ¡°The Gardner Group will never rise again!¡±

    ¡°That was a set¨Cup,¡± said Jasper coldly.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°The Taylor Group already guessed that Dn would push all the me on Michael. That¡¯s why they

    sent that reporter to ask those critical questions and push Dn to the edge so he would use Michael

    to save his own ass. Then, they exposed the evidence of Dn and Michael colluding with each other

    to give them the final blow.¡±

    ¡­

    ¡°What you mean is that reporter was sent by the Taylor Group?¡± Xavier eximed in shock.

    ¡°Most probably. And the officers too.¡± Jasper¡¯s expression was unfathomable. Although he had watched

    Liana¡¯s brother being arrested, he showed no emotion.

    Before Dn had pushed the me on Taylor Group, Jasper had thought that they didn¡¯t have to

    cause such a big fuss. However, when that idiot had lied and altered the facts, Jasper¡¯sst feelings of

    mercy toward the Gardner Group disappeared.

    After Dn had been taken away and the officers dispersed, the cameras captured the stern¨Clooking

    Ss. The people watching the live stream went into an uproar again.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°He has my heart! Although he¡¯s so hot, he¡¯s not a celebrity but aw enforcer!¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes and jerked forward in his seat. He pinned his gaze on Ss. This was the

    same man he had met at the bar and

    the hospital! He had been so intimate with Alice and looked exactly like Jonah! Who exactly was he?

    Jasper took a screenshot. He uploaded it onto the facial recognition app he had developed himself.

    After ten minutes of scanning and searching, the results appeared. ¡°Ss Taylor, Officer of Sna

    City¡¯s Investigative Bureau.¡±

 Chapter 50

    The picture that appeared was from the court¡¯s official webpage. It was from three years ago. Ss was

    wearing a robe and debating in court passionately.

    The app Jasper developed could find information on any person within five minutes. All it needed was a

    clear image of them uploaded to the app. The results were more urate than those from search

    engines.

    However, it had taken up to ten minutes to search Ss up. He was obviously someone who very

    seldom went out in public or took pictures. He didn¡¯t have any social media ounts either. He was

    just an officer, but why was he so secretive?

    ¡°Jonah Taylor¡­ Ss Taylor¡­¡± Jasper thought for a moment and suddenly widened his eyes. ¡°Could

    he be

    Jasper narrowed his eyes, and a stormy expression appeared on his face. His mouth went dry. He

    found it hard to breathe. So Alice never rejected anyone and immediately got close to Jonah after

    leaving him. Now, she had something going on with another guy from the Taylor family! Who did she

    think she was?

    Right then, Jasper heard the sound of a sports caring from behind. He looked out the window as a

    ck sports car zoomed past. It was Alice¡¯s car! Why would she be here? Things weren¡¯t that simple!

    He felt as if a fire was burning in his chest. He smashed his fist against the window. ¡°Xavier! Chase

    after that car!¡±

    The hotel entrance was swarming with reporters, and the officers had to go to a lot of trouble to get

    Dn into the car. The press

    conference ended in disaster. Ss did not follow them to the car but went to the back exit to wait for

    his sister patiently. A few minutester, a ck sports car stopped before him.

    Sean wound down the window and said, ¡°Good day, Mr. Ss.¡±

    ¡°Hello, Sean!¡± Ss stooped to look at Alyssa, who was leaning against the passenger seat. He

    smiled and pinched his sister¡¯s cheek. ¡°It seems like Sean has been taking good care of youtely.

    You¡¯ve even grown chubbier.¡±

    ¡°I did not!¡± Alyssa said angrily and pouted.

    ¡°You obviously did. You look even more adorable!¡±

    Her brother was saying that she had gained weight the moment they met. How insensitive! No wonder

    he had been single since he was born! Meanwhile, Jasper saw them being intimate with each other.

    His expression darkened, and he clenched his fists tightly.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    Xavier trembled when he saw Jasper¡¯s expression in the rear¨Cview mirror. Even so, he thought it was

    normal for Alice to have so many admirers. After all, she was such an outstanding and beautiful

    woman. In fact, his boss was the odd one out for not appreciating her.

    ¡°What do you think? Do I look handsome today?¡± Ss raised his eyebrows and looked at his sister

    yfully.

    ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re very handsome. You¡¯ve raked in a huge fanbase for yourself this time. A lot of girls

    are searching for you online. You¡¯re already on the trending search list,¡± said Alyssa. She leaned

    against the door and looked at Ss.

    Jasper nced at his ex¨Cwife and felt his heart skip a beat. For some reason, he wished that he was in

    Ss¡® shoes so that he could look at her in the same way. He wanted to see her cheerful expression

    because she had never smiled at him like that before.

    Ss snorted and said, ¡°So what if the whole world likes me? I only want attention from my precious

    little sister.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so corny. A romantic image doesn¡¯t suit you. Being a joker suits you better!¡± Theyughed and

    returned to the main topic of conversation. ¡°Ss, I need you to help me with what¡¯sing too.¡±

    Alyssa frowned and said, ¡°Don¡¯t let that idiot who ndered us off the hook easily.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll need to spend at least three years in jail for all his crimes. I will never give him a

    chance to reduce his sentence or let anyone bail him out!¡± Then, Ss smiled proudly and said, ¡°But we

    couldn¡¯t have done it without you. You¡¯re really very good at nning. Gardner fell for every trap you

    set up for him. How cooperative. If every bad guy is as predictable as him, it will savew enforcers a

    lot of trouble.¡±

    Dn was very foolish indeed. However, KS Group could only charge him because Michael Grant

    agreed to be a witness and expose Dn for using him to embezzle funds. between them.

 Chapter 51

    Amused, Alyssa smiled and taunted, ¡°Mr. Beckett, you followed me from the press conference. Do you

    n to break one of my arms again?

    ¡°Alice,¡± Jasper called her name while wearing a cold expression. Anger surged in his chest. He

    deliberately let his gaze fall on her toned arm, pretending to be casual. It seemed she was unharmed.

    ¡°Do you have your divorce petition, Mr. Beckett? Don¡¯te here empty¨Chanded. Let¡¯s get this divorce

    done and dusted. It¡¯s not toote. I can talk to Mr. Jonah and get the domestic rtions court to fast¨C

    track the process for special cases like ours.¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes sparkled with amusement.

    The word divorce seemed to mock Jasper relentlessly. It was a phrase he had tried to avoid.

    ¡°Alice, you seem quite pleased with yourself.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes glistened as he stepped closer.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Alice furrowed her brows lightly.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re ying both sides with the Taylor brothers. You used them to suppress Gardner Group to the

    brink of copse. Alice, I underestimated your tactics!¡±

 Chapter 52

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Her heart skipped a beat.

    Her gaze bore deeply into Jasper¡¯s.

    Her captivating eyes seemed to ze with fiery mes.

    Her expression was almost overwhelming.

    Even a man asmanding as Jasper couldn¡¯t help but flicker his eyes as if trying to avoid her intense

    gaze.

    After a moment, Alyssa smiled. There was a distant look in her eyes. It was as if she were emotionally

    detached or lost in thought, creating a sense of unfamiliarity between them.

    ¡°So, Mr. Beckett, you rushed here only to vent your anger on your dear wife? It seems like you¡¯ve been

    holding it in for so long that you might explode on the spot if you don¡¯t release it now.¡±

    Jasper had pushed himself to the limit. Alyssa had poured her heart into her rtionship with Jasper for

    the past three years. She didn¡¯t expect him to cherish any memory of her goodness. His continuous

    use of derogatorynguage to degrade her was crossing the line! 1

    Moreover, Alyssa had moved on and no longer belonged to Jasper. It seemed Jasper never allowed

    her to be his. She stood outside his heart like a stray cat waiting to be taken in, only to be met with

    even harsher rejection.

    Was Alyssa supposed to endure Jasper¡¯s heartless trampling? There was no justification for such

    treatment!

    ¡°Jasper, it¡¯s unfortunate that despite your impressive connections and influence, you might not be able

    to rescue Gardner Group from this

    cmity. Dn¡¯s wrongdoings against KS Group, such as vition of interests, bribery, evidence

    tampering, and framing others, are well- documented. It appears there¡¯s no way you can save him

    now.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s expression sharpened suddenly. Her red lips curved into a mesmerizing smile, captivating the

    hearts of those who beheld it. ¡°You

    can¡¯t stand it. And since you can¡¯t change the situation, all you can do is pick on me, mock me, and

    humiliate me to vent your anger.¡±

    Alice was determined to do things her way, fighting for what she wanted without looking back. She

    didn¡¯t care about others¡® opinions, not

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    even Jasper¡¯s. Alice was determined to bring down Gardner Group and make them pay for their

    actions. She was willing to go to any

    lengths to achieve her goals.

    Jasper¡¯s muscr arms tightened beneath his suit. The veins on his hand bulged. Now that Alice had a

    powerful ally, she exuded

    confidence and sharp wit.

    ¡°Shameless and unscrupulous!¡± Jasper felt his breath caught in his throat while saying the words.

    ¡°Shameless and unscrupulous? Well, thanks for the half¨Cheartedpliment.¡± Alyssa mustered a

    forced smile, but it was so cutting that it felt like a prick to his eyes. ¡°But even if I were shameless and

    unscrupulous, what did it matter to you? Who are you to judge and meddle in my business?¡±

    As the conversation seemed futile, Alyssa decided to turn and walk away. To her surprise, Jasper was

    unwilling to let go. He gripped her arm with an rming amount of force right where she had recently

    recovered from an injury.

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Alyssa winced, fearing any sudden movements might aggravate her old injury.

    ¡°Alice, what am I to you? You know it perfectly well.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was husky. His eyes were burning

    with intense curiosity.

    It was as if they were two gamblers at a table, each trying to outwit the other. Each was desperately

    searching for the other¡¯s hidden cards.

    Alyssa retorted with anger, ¡°What else could you be? A useless ex¨Chusband!¡±

    ¡°Alice!¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes flushed red in an instant.

    ¡°Jasper! Let go of me!¡±

    Sean forcefully shoved Jasper aside and shielded Alyssa in his embrace.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sean. Mr. Beckett was only chatting with me,¡± Alyssa reassured Sean calmly.

    ¡°He touched the arm you injured! You wereining about feeling unwell the other night. It¡¯s all

    because of him, isn¡¯t it?!¡± Sean red

    Jasper felt a sharp pang inside as he clenched his fingers that had just brushed against Alyssa¡¯s.

    Alyssa nced at Sean with a hint of resentment. She felt she didn¡¯t need to share this in front of

    Jasper. It was like she was trying to gain

    sympathy.

    ¡°Are you Jonah¡¯s secretary?¡± Jasper¡¯s expression turned grim once he recognized Sean.

 Chapter 53

    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m¡­¡± Alyssa tugged him hard, signaling Sean to shut up. Sean quickly caught on and kept

    quiet.

    ¡°Well, Jonah didn¡¯t spare any expense when he assigned his most trusted secretary to you, Alice,¡±

    Jasper sneered. ¡°He must think highly of you. Congrattions, you¡¯re about to marry into another

    wealthy family. You fooled mepletely, and now it¡¯s Jonah¡¯s turn. I hope he never sees your true

    colors.¡±

    The words cut through Alyssa¡¯s heart like sharp des, and Jasper didn¡¯t stop there. He seemed intent

    on further unsettling her.

    Sean immediately noticed Alyssa¡¯s unsteady breath and her trembling shoulders in his arms. What

    baffled Sean were Jasper¡¯s words. Was Jasper out of his mind? What nonsense was he spouting?

    ¡°Sean, allow me to introduce you,¡± Alyssa said. Her voice was steady despite the turmoil inside her.

    ¡°This is Mr. Beckett from Beckett Group, my ex¨Chusband of three years.¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°What?¡± Sean was utterly shocked, his face turning as white as a sheet. He couldn¡¯t believe that Alyssa

    had disappeared for three years and had secretly married Jasper. Alyssa had kept it hidden from the

    world and the Taylor family. What was she thinking?

    ¡°We are divorced now. I have severed all ties with the Beckett family,¡± Alyssa said firmly, trying to hide

    her pain with a smile. ¡°From now on, we are strangers.¡±

    ¡°But we are not officially divorced! Grandpa¡¯s birthday¡­¡± Sean tried to reason.

    ¡®That¡¯s enough! Stop using Grandpa as an excuse!¡± Alyssa¡¯s frustration and anger were evident in her

    trembling voice. Her eyes turned bloodshot. ¡°You¡¯re just using Grandpa as an excuse to keep

    humiliating me, aren¡¯t you? You know I care about Grandpa!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s body shuddered as he felt the impact of Alyssa¡¯s sharp words. He tried topose himself

    amid their intense exchange. He couldn¡¯t recall a time when Alice had been so wrathful.

    In his memory, she was always as calm as a summer¡¯s day, rarely showing her emotions. She looked

    angry, and her brows furrowed with deep¨Cseated resentment. This was worse than their previous

    encounter at the hospital.

    ¡°We were merely lingering in a dying rtionship. You ended our rtionship with your own hands. You

    had an affair while we were married, and yet, did I ever me you for anything? So why should I suffer

    as a widow and remain chaste for you? Do you expect me never to marry again? How can you be so

    selfish!¡±

    ¡°Selfish?¡± Jasper felt a pricking pain in his chest. He couldn¡¯t fathom why his actions were bing

    erratic. He couldn¡¯t understand why he clung to his divorced wife.

    ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve never been unfaithful to my word. I intended to keep our divorce a secret until Grandpa¡¯s

    birthday. Your mishandling of the situation led to Liana exposing everything,¡± Alyssa said, her lips

    tugging with bitterness.

    Thest glimmer of affection in her eyes faded away. ¡°Now you¡¯re turning it around and ming me,

    but I can see why. You can only me me. You can¡¯t bring yourself to me her, can you?¡±

    Jasper stood frozen in the wind as if turned to stone. He watched Sean lead Alyssa away. His cheeks

    burned as if pped repeatedly.

    ¡°I won¡¯t look back on what¡¯s left behind.¡± Jasper clenched his hand. Although he had been the one to

    initiate the divorce, he now felt abandoned. His throat filled with bitterness. His heart shattered.

 Chapter 54

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t in the mood to go to the hotel. She decided to head home. Sean remained silent for a

    long time. Finally, he asked, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, does Jasper still not know that you are the heiress of the

    Taylor family?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Alyssa replied softly, looking mncholic.

    Sean understood. No wonder she asked for a stand¨Cin when Jasper visited herst time.

    ¡°Sean, I didn¡¯t mean to keep it from you ¡­¡±

    ¡°I understand.¡± Sean interrupted.

    Alyssa raised her brows in astonishment.

    ¡°Who wants to dredge up heartache? Naturally, I prefer to keep it locked away, never to be touched

    again. I was just concerned about you. I worried Mr. Taylor would feel heartbroken and upset if he ever

    found out,¡± Sean continued. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as his eyes glistened with

    moisture.

    Alyssa was the center of the family¡¯s universe, beloved by all. But to her dismay, she had been

    mistreated by that despicable scoundrel, Jasper. If Winston were to find out, he¡¯d probably be so

    furious that he¡¯d wield a fifty¨Cmeter¨Clong sword in his rage.

    ¡°I guess keeping it a secret was just a momentary decision. Besides, after a failed marriage, I only want

    to focus on myself. I have no intention of marrying again,¡± Alyssa said as she closed her eyes.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t shake off Jasper¡¯s cutting words from her mind. With a wistful smile, she uttered, ¡°It¡¯s

    meaningless.¡±

    Sean stated firmly, ¡°I won¡¯t marry unless you do.¡±

    Alyssa hastily protested, ¡°No, no, no. You should. You¡¯re my secretary, not joining a convent. I don¡¯t

    want rumors suggesting people work for me out of virtuous devotion. That would tarnish my reputation.¡±

    Sean managed a sheepish smile. His heart filled with bitterness. He knew he wasn¡¯t worthy, but he was

    willing to protect the me in his heart.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, why did you choose to marry Jasper?¡± Sean asked. His eyes narrowed with curiosity and

    a hint of mncholy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t pry¡­¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s expression turned sorrowful. A whirlwind of emotions rushed through her. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Sean. I

    don¡¯t mind sharing,¡± she replied.

    ¡°When I was eleven, I participated in a school mountain¨Cclimbing activity. My mother had left me a

    precious heirloom. It was a sapphire pendant, which I identally lost on the mountain. Despite the

    teacher¡¯s warnings, I ventured into the dark, determined to find it.

    ¡°Not only did I get lost, but I also encountered a powerful typhoon. I was trapped deep in the mountains

    with no cellphone signal. It was a harrowing experience, and I almost faced death.

    ¡°Jasper was a forest ranger in the national park for the summer break. He didn¡¯t hesitate to lead a team

    when he heard about my predicament. He braved the extreme weather to search for me on the

    mountain.

    ¡°In the end, he found me, nearly frozen, hidden behind a rock ¡­¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice was gentle and

    captivating as she narrated.

    Alyssa continued, ¡°I opened my eyes and saw Jasper in his mountaineering attire. His handsome face

    was drenched from the rain, and his beautiful eyes shone brightly. He outshone the vast expanse of

    stars, and I can¡¯t even begin to describe how charming he looked ¡­¡±

    ¡°Fantastic! Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll carry you down the mountain!¡± Their first encounter was enchanted. It left a

    lasting impression on Alyssa¡¯s heart that she couldn¡¯t shake off.

    ¡°On our way back, he carried me all the way. He made sure I didn¡¯t fall asleep. He kept telling me the

    lamest jokes. His sense of humor was dreadful.¡± Alyssa recalled with a peaceful expression. She

    smiled.

    ¡°Youngdy, what might be your name? Not telling? Well then, I¡¯ll call you Little One. Little person, little

    mouth, little nose¡­¡±

    ¡°I am not little! I am more developed than other girls!¡±

    ¡°You only need to tell me that, youngdy. Don¡¯t go sharing it with other boys.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid some scoundrels might try to take advantage of you, my silly girl,¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s breath quickened, and her heart pounded with excitement. Jasper had been just seventeen,

    nor as tall or strong as he was now. Yet, he had provided her with a sense of security. Later, they

    narrowly escaped falling off a cliff. Jasper shielded her in his embrace, risking everything to ensure her

    safety.

    Afterward, Jasper disappeared from her life for three years. The next time she saw him was on

    television, attending a charity event with the Beckett family. From that moment on, Alyssa embarked on

    her mission.

    When she heard Jasper was going to the battlefield, she resolutely joined Doctors Without Borders.

    She was determined to fight alongside him in the ces he couldn¡¯t see. She had loved passionately

    despite all odds, but now her heart had turned to stone. Love no longer stirred within her.

    Alyssa smiled bitterly as she realized her 13 years of infatuation had ended. It faded away like a

    fleeting dream. While Sean quietly listened, an overwhelming sense of regret washed over him. He

    couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling of sorrow that enveloped the moment.

    ¡°But Sean, even if I were to talk about hate, I can¡¯t bring myself to hate him,¡± Alyssa continued.

    ¡°I loved Jasper willingly, without regrets for what has passed. I don¡¯t hold any sense of indebtedness for

    the time we shared.¡±

    As Jasper returned to Seaview Manor, his thoughts were in disarray. The weight on his chest felt like

    an immense boulder, making him difficult to breathe.

 Chapter 55

    Jasper recalled the disappointment and resentment in Alice¡¯s eyes as if they were sworn enemies. He

    suddenly felt empty inside, like he had lost someone important.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Rosie followed Jasper into the study looking upset, not long after.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Ms. Gardner is here. You should go greet her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡±

    His answer took Rosie aback. Had he finally grown a backbone? It was so inspiring to see a fool turn

    over a new leaf.

    ¡°I know why she¡¯s here.¡± Jasper slumped down on the chair. He stared ahead nkly and continued,

    ¡°Tell her that she shouldn¡¯t even bother if it¡¯s about Dn. The Gardner family must be in a mess right

    now. She should go back and spend more time with her parents. I¡¯ll meet her in a few days after things

    have settled down.¡±

    ¡°What if she insists on staying?¡± Rosie asked.

    ¡°Then, let her be.¡± Jasper sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead. He kept thinking of the phrase ¡°Good

    for nothing.¡± He was infuriated by Alice¡¯s description of him as such. She had never relied on him. How

    would she know if he was useless?

    Rosie smiled gleefully and nodded, giving him a thumbs up as she left the study.

    Jasper furrowed his eyebrows. It seemed that Mrs. Rosie genuinely disliked Liana. She was so happy

    to send her away.

    Meanwhile, Rosie stood outside the vi, looked at Liana coldly, and said, ¡°Mr. Jasper said he would

    not get involved in your family¡¯s affairs. You can go home.¡±

    ¡°Let me see him!¡± As she spoke, she was about to barge in. But she was no match for Rosie, who was

    quite well¨Cbuilt. Rosie merely stepped forward to stop her, and Liana stumbled to the floor.

    ¡°How dare you push me? I¡¯m Jasper¡¯s fianc¨¦e, the future Mrs. Beckett! How can you be so rude to me?

    I¡¯ll tell Jasper you bullied me and get him to fire you!¡± Liana sat on the ground in a rage and pointed at

    Rosie.

    ¡°Huh? We¡¯ll see about that in the future. I¡¯ll never acknowledge you even if Mr. Jasper married you.

    Even if they¡¯re separated now, I¡¯ll only recognize Ms. Alice as the rightfuldy of this house. Anyone

    besides her can step aside.¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Liana¡¯s face turned red with anger.

    ¡°If you want toin about me to Mr. Jasper, you can go ahead. I¡¯ll even thank you if you can make

    him fire me. I¡¯ve wanted to retire

    and couldn¡¯t find a good reason to.¡±

    Rosie wished Jasper could¡¯ve seen the vicious look on Liana¡¯s face. It was not the sweet and harmless

    Liana he knew at all.

    ¡°Jasper! You have to help me! You can¡¯t just turn a blind eye!¡± Liana ignored Rosie. She¡¯d rather sit on

    the ground and wail.

    This was like something out of movie screens, the ex¨Cgirlfriend kneeling outside the door, pleading for

    another chance. After some time without any response, Liana began crying desperately.

    ¡°Aunt Sophia! You have to help me! Uncle Javier!¡±

    ¡°Stop yelling! They are having dinner with Mr. Beckett Senior. They won¡¯t be back in a while.¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait here until Jasper sees me!¡±

    Rosie looked at the cloudy sky and said, ¡°It will rain soon. I have to bring in the clothes. You can keep

    screaming if you want.¡±

    Then, she returned to the house. She instructed the staff not to open the door for Liana under any

    circumstances.

    Liana continued to yell for some time until her voice turned hoarse. Yet, there was no sign of Jasper

    coming. Her face turned pale as she began to panic and feel confused. She realized Jasper had

    changed and could no longer be easily manipted.

    In the past, he would drop everything to see her no matter how busy he was. He would spare no effort

    tofort her with expensive cars and jewelry every time she cried. He would spend a fortune just to

    make her smile. But why was it so difficult for her to see him now?

    herself wet and shivering in the cold.

    *Jasper, please, let me see you!¡±

    ¡°What a cheap act! Only a fool would fall for this trick!¡± Rosie stood by the window and mocked coldly.

    Suddenly, she heard footsteps from behind. Rosie turned around to see Jasper walking toward the

    entrance with a deep frown.

 Chapter 56

    Rosie was taken aback. She couldn¡¯t believe Jasper didn¡¯t see through the cunning girl¡¯s pathetic act.

    He was indeed a fool.

    At this moment, Jasper picked up a ck umbre. His face was calm as he pushed the door open.

    ¡°Hey! Mr. Jasper!¡± Rosie anxiously called out.

    Jasper continued to walk out with the umbre. Rosie was so frustrated she stomped her foot.

    Outside the door, Liana sat helplessly in the rain, unable to hold on any longer. But as soon as she saw

    Jasper walking toward her, she became overjoyed. She turned on her charm and pitifully wept as she

    copsed forward.

    Jasper¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. He walked up to her. He held the umbre over her while using the other

    hand to forcefully lift her from the ground. His demeanor was firm and adamant, so she could not break

    free even if she wanted to.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­¡± Liana murmured, then threw herself into his embrace.

    Just moments ago, she seemed frail. But now, she miraculously revived in his presence. She wrapped

    her arms tightly around his sturdy waist and leaned against his chest.

    A sense of irritability surged in Jasper¡¯s heart, and he spoke softly, ¡°You have a weak body. Staying

    under the rain will make you sick.¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have met me if I didn¡¯t do this. I just wanted to see you. Why won¡¯t you meet me?¡± Liana

    raised her pale and miserable face, her gaze filled with panic and confusion. ¡°Jasper ¡­ do you no

    longer love me? Lately, you¡¯ve been cold toward me. Is it because of the incident with the suit? I know I

    was wrong. I¡¯ll apologize to Alice and beg for her forgiveness. Is that enough?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯m no longer angry,¡± Jasper said indifferently. ¡°You¡¯ve seen me now, so you can rest

    assured. Go home and stay with your family. I will find you once things settle down.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, please¡­ save my brother, okay?¡± Liana realized he was bing impatient, and her face

    flushed with anxiety. She put down her pride as a wealthy youngdy and clung tightly to his muscr

    body.

    ¡°My brother is about to be sentenced! Nowyer in Sna City dared to defend him because of the

    Taylor family¡¯s power and influence. They have gone too far and are pushing the Gardner family to the

    edge! Jasper, you must help us! My family is almost bankrupt. Everything will fall apart once my brother

    goes to prison! Please, I beg you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze remained cold and firm, his tall figure unwavering.

    Some might call him heartless, but his love for Liana was persistent. He had kept his promise as a

    young man until he turned thirty, even if it meant hurting another woman who deeply loved him, and

    even if it meant bearing the title of an unfilial grandson, he was determined to marry her.

    Some might call himpassionate, but he was impartial and resolute when it came to official matters.

    The Gardner familymitted a crime, and he showed no mercy. He was as cold and decisive as a

    judge in the court ofw.

    At this moment, Jasper recalled his ruthless words to Alyssa when negotiating on behalf of the Gardner

    family and how he used the issue with the Gardner family against Alice. He was instantly filled with

    regret, and his tone turned frigid.

    ¡°The Taylor family is innocent, and your brother is the one who brought this upon himself. I suggest he

    confess and seek a lighter sentence. That¡¯s the right thing to do. As for the Gardner family, your family

    should reflect on their mistakes. One rotten apple spoils the bunch. Even if I were to give you another

    billion, there¡¯s no hope if you don¡¯t address the issues within your own family.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Liana¡¯s lips trembled, and she was dumbfounded. She had thought that by crying and acting miserable,

    Jasper would soften andply with her as he had done before.

    But she was wrong this time. Jasper used to be lenient with her because she hadn¡¯t crossed a line. But

    once she overstepped her

    boundaries, he wouldn¡¯t show mercy even to the woman he loved.

    In the end, Jasper forced Liana, still crying, into the car, instructing the driver to lock the doors. He

    watched her leave with a tense

    expression, and only then did he sigh a breath of relief.

    He stood in the rain with the ck umbre for a long time, remembering the disappointed look in

    Alice¡¯s eyes. There was a pang in his

    heart. He couldn¡¯t stop it even if he wanted to.

    +15 BONOS

    With Dn¡¯s arrest, the Gardner family fell intoplete destion.

    Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were not even concerned as Liana returned, covered in mud, her face pale and

    lifeless. They immediately asked if the Beckett family would intervene on behalf of them or if they would

    help in hiring a powerfulwyer. However, Liana could only shake her

    head anxiously with a dejected expression.

 Chapter 57

    ¡°Useless!¡± Andrew coughed painfully, pointing at her and scolding. ¡°Since you got close to Jasper, have

    you ever done anything useful for our family? We¡¯ve been struggling for years. Yet, you haven¡¯t gained

    any share of the family¡¯s wealth or even gained the Beckett family favor! I don¡¯t believe Jasper loves

    you. Having a daughter is just a waste of money! You¡¯re utterly useless!¡±

    Liana¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot with intense resentment. Andrew had always favored sons over

    daughters. He¡¯d even forced Rosaline to abort her when he learned she was carrying a girl.

    The doctor said she would have issues conceiving again after the abortion. Liana only survived under

    Rosaline¡¯s persistence.

    Rosaline couldn¡¯t conceive again after giving birth to her. That deepened Andrew¡¯s disgust toward her.

    Liana grew up under the shadow of her older brother and tried to win Sophia¡¯s favor to gain attention.

    She lost her childlike innocence at a young age, learning maniptive tactics to secure a better future

    and gain her father¡¯s approval, bing a sessful woman.

    Jasper became her first experiment when she was eight years old. Initially, she despised him for being

    an illegitimate child. Her focus was on the legitimate son of the Beckett family instead.

    But Sophia suggested she use Jasper as a stepping stone, even if she didn¡¯t like him. Having a Beckett

    to be herpdog and be at her beck and call would benefit her greatly.

    Sophia allowed her to be Jasper¡¯s savior and the light in his dark life. This led to his obsession

    with her.

    Throughout this process, she greatly helped the Gardner family. But in the end, Andrew still treated her

    as a tool to gain favor with the powerful. The slightest mistake and he deemed her as worthless.

    Liana felt a malicious idea form in her heart. She had no intention of helping Dn. That good¨Cfor¨C

    nothing should rot in jail for the rest of his life. Then the Gardner family would be hers, even if it was

    just an empty shell.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! What more can Liana do if Jasper doesn¡¯t want to help?¡± Rosaline hurried over and

    hugged her daughter, ring at Andrew in anger. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! If you hadn¡¯t spoiled Dn so

    much, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this! The men in the Gardner family are useless. All you know is

    to vent out your frustrations on women!¡±

    Andrew was so angry his blood was boiling. But he remembered that Rosaline¡¯s sister was Javier

    Beckett¡¯s wife, so he couldn¡¯t lose his temper quickly.

    ¡°Now, what¡¯s important is to salvage our reputation and hasten Liana and Jasper¡¯s marriage.¡±

    Rosaline¡¯s eyes turned dark as she thought about how Jasper let her son suffer without help. ¡°If

    necessary, we¡¯ll find way to turn their rtionship into a done deal. That way, the Beckett family would

    never be rid of Liana!¡±

    ¡°Mum! Did you forget¡­¡± Liana panicked and pointed at her belly.

    Rosaline remembered the stretch marks on her daughter¡¯s abdomen that hadn¡¯t faded away. She

    sighed in annoyance and said, ¡°Just get a tattoo to cover them if necessary. It¡¯s the quickest solution.¡±

    Liana was very repulsed by the idea. She didn¡¯t want to get a tattoo on her belly. After all, she had

    always maintained the image of pure and innocent beauty. But the stretch marks remained even after

    severalser skin treatments. The tattoo would be herst resort if she couldn¡¯t remove them before

    the wedding.

    At that moment, the staff came down, carrying some things.

    ¡®Madam, everything has been packed.¡±

    ¡®These are all my jewelry boxes! Mum, what are you going to do with them?¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m selling them.¡±

    What? You can¡¯t do that! They are mine!¡±

    .jana rushed over and grabbed the most valuable box in a panic. Inside were gifts Jasper had given

    her. There was a ruby pendant named Crimson Heart.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    been generous toward her.

    ¡°Thepany needs money for now. We can get by for a while if we sell these items along with my

    jewelry. Besides, there¡¯s a charity

    auction in two weeks. We must make an appearance to gain some positive press and improve the

    Gardner family¡¯s negative image.

    Moreover, Mr. Beckett Senior¡¯s birthday is approaching. The things we buy at the auction can be used

    as a birthday gift for him, killing two birds with one stone.¡±

    Rosaline looked at her begrudgingly. Still, she tried to console Liana, ¡°Once you marry Jasper, he will

    shower you with wealth and riches. Don¡¯t just focus on the present. Look into the future. You are going

    to be the wife of the President of Beckett Group. Your brother is useless, so I can only count on you.¡±

    After hesitating, Liana gritted her teeth and reluctantly handed the box to Rosaline.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

 Chapter 58

    The Gardner Group faced a crisis as the public questioned their products and credentials.

    Netizens are moring to boycott their products. Over 400 out of their 500 nationwide stores have

    closed in less than a week.

    The remaining few barely survived. They resorted to sh sales. They rather sell at a loss than keep

    the remaining inventory.

    Andrew, already physically weak, fell seriously ill as he watched the substantial daily losses. Rosaline

    visited her sister to ask for help. But Sophia was afraid to intervene and could only watch from the

    sidelines.

    ¡°Newton Beckett has issued a final ultimatum. He will ruin anyone who helps the Gardner Group.

    Sophia, I¡¯m part of the family, and it¡¯s tough to say how bitter I feel about this situation.¡±

    Sophia sighed,forting her sister by holding her hand in her palm. ¡°Although the Beckett family can¡¯t

    help, I have asked Javier to pick a date for Liana and Jasper as soon as possible. How about

    scheduling it on the first weekend after Grandfather¡¯s eightieth birthday?¡±

    ¡°What? We have to wait until his 80th birthday?¡± Rosaline asked impatiently. She could wait, but the

    Gardner Group was in a crisis now!

    ¡°Well, I wish Liana and Jasper could get married tomorrow too. But Grandfather insists on waiting until

    his 80th birthday to have the wedding. I can¡¯t do anything about it,¡± Sophia lowered her voice, ¡°By the

    way, I heard that Alice hooked up with the President of the KS Group after leaving Jasper. She was

    taken away by Mr. Jonah the day she left the Seaview Manor, and many people saw it.¡±

    Rosaline had heard some details from her sonst time and was jealous of Alice¡¯s ability to win over

    men. She hated that her daughter couldn¡¯t secure Jasper. Yet, this girl had made aeback. She¡¯d

    married into a wealthier family than the Beckett family after divorcing Jasper.

    ¡®I can¡¯t help but wonder if this time KS Group is targeting Gardner Group because Alice spoke badly

    about us to Mr. Jonah,¡± Sophia innocently continued to fan the mes.

    Rosaline sat up from the couch in revtion, her eyes red with anger when she heard Sophia¡¯s words.

    ¡°That girl¡­ not only did she dy Liana¡¯s marriage, but now that she has divorced Jasper, she still

    wants to sabotage us! Does she think no one can touch her after she found a new man to support

    her?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not easy to deal with,¡± Sophia clicked her tongue, ¡°After all, Alice is the apple of Mr. Jonah¡¯s eye.

    The Taylor family is so powerful. Who could afford to offend her?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! The Taylor family is so influential. How did someone as insignificant as her get involved with

    them?¡± Rosaline fumed, her mind

    racing with a n.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Huh, so Alice pretended to be obedient and devoted to Jasper in front of Mr. Beckett Senior. But

    behind his back, she must have been colluding with Mr. Jonah for a long time. Otherwise, how could

    she have won him over so quickly? Imagine themotion it would cause if this was exposed on Mr.

    Beckett Senior¡¯s birthday!¡±

    Sophia smiled without saying a word, picking a teacup and sipping her tea. It was a brilliant idea that

    Rosaline thought of herself. Sophia

    had nothing to do with it.

    Meanwhile, in the General Manager¡¯s office of the KS World Hotel.

    Alyssa had just finished screening the documents. She was now enjoying her favoriteputer game.

    The scene was brutal, filled with screams, and she was blowing up fish as a butcher.

    Just as she knocked down a survivor, Sean approached. He happened to witness the gruesome scene.

    He quickly turned his head and

    closed his eyes in fright.

    ¡°If you have something to report, speak up. Otherwise, leave.¡± Alyssa¡¯s fingers remained on the

    keyboard and mouse as she clicked away, leaving no room for idle time.

    ¡°Miss, I have two interesting news to report.¡± As he spoke, Sean covered the screen with one hand and

    quickly ced the documents in

    front of her with the other hand. Then, he retreated to a safe distance.

    ¡°My God! Are you kidding me? Your nerves are so weak. How are you going to protect your girlfriend in

    the future? Next time, I¡¯ll bring you

    +15 BONOS

    With that, Alyssa returned to her butchering game and knocked out another person. The screen was

    once again covered in blood.

    ¡°That¡¯s exhrating!¡±

    Sean grimaced, his features twisted dramatically.

    After finishing the game, with no survivors left, Alyssa finally exited the game. Then, she picked up the

    documents.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the record of pawned items from our family¡¯s pawnshop? Why did you give this to me?¡±

    ¡°These jewelry items were brought to our pawnshop by Liana¡¯s mother through someone she sent.

    They were sold.¡±

 Chapter 59

    Sean grinned. ¡°Miss, you¡¯re truly wise. I¡¯ve been monitoring the Gardner family these past few days,

    and I have indeed found some progress.

    Alyssa smiled. ¡°As expected, without Jasper¡¯s help, the Gardner family can only find ways to raise

    money to cover their losses. But I thought they would sell their houses andnd. I didn¡¯t expect them to

    sell only their jewelry.

    ¡°Hmm, it seems they can still afford it with their vast fortune. Burning theirst bit of money slowly so

    they could hold out as long as they could. It is more satisfying to see them suffer than dealing them one

    direct blow.¡±

    Sean coldly snorted. ¡°This is karma for the Gardner family!¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t say anything more. She casually flipped through the pawnshop records.

    Hardly anyone knew that the Taylor family owned tworge, well¨Cestablished pawnshops in Cassadia

    and Bellbanks. Since Winston liked collecting antiques, and rare treasures, he secretly opened these

    pawnshops to acquire the unexpected and precious items that people sought but couldn¡¯t find.

    He had made a fortune relying on the pawnshops in recent years, as very few people who entered the

    shops managed to redeem their pawned items.

    Suddenly, something caught her eyes, and her hands trembled. She came across an item named

    ¡°Crimson Heart¡± on the list. She tried to calm the surging emotions inside as a mixture of irony and

    resentment shed through her red eyes.

    This was the token of love that Jasper painstakingly gave to Liana. When she first saw him gazing at

    this pendant under themplight two years ago, she fell deeply in love with it.

    At that time, she dreamt that the ne belonged to her. She wanted Jasper to give her gifts, even if

    they weren¡¯t as precious. Even a simple stone would have made her happy. But those were merely

    wishful thinking.

    Jasper only gave gifts to the one he loved. Since he didn¡¯t love her, she wasn¡¯t even worthy of a simple

    stone. And now, Liana had sold off his token of love. The more Alyssa looked at it, the more she found

    itughable, but her teary eyes had a glint of bitterness.

    ¡°I really want to see how Jasper would react when he finds out,¡± she muttered.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Sean didn¡¯t catch her murmured words.

    ¡°The Gardner family doesn¡¯t know its true worth. This ne starts at eight digits. They sold it for

    only seven million. We¡¯re the ones profiting,¡± Alyssa put on a sneering smile. Her face was tinged with

    mischief.

    At that moment, her phone rang. It was Jonah.

    ¡°Jonah!¡± Alyssaposed herself, her voice sweet like honey.

    ¡°Lyse, how have you beentely? Are you tired? Do you need my help with anything?¡± Jonah asked,

    his voice full of concern.

    ¡®I¡¯m fine. You, on the other hand, shouldn¡¯t overwork yourself. Take care of your health,¡± Alyssa replied.

    After chatting for a while, Jonah said, ¡°There¡¯s a charity auction this weekend. Can you represent me

    and attend? Dad is adamant about getting the Antique Rosewood Chair. The budget is within one

    billion. But I have to go to church to lecture this weekend, so could I trouble you to secure that antique

    for me?¡±

    ¡°Me? Who should I attend it as? The girlfriend of the president of the KS Group?¡± Alyssa teased him,

    taking a bite of chocte.

    ¡°That works,¡± Jonah chuckled. ¡°As long as you go, you can be whoever you want. Or you can say

    you¡¯re rted to the Taylor family.¡±

    Alyssa chewed on the chocte and nodded. ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll go. But with just one billion in the

    budget, what if I also find something I

    like?¡±

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Just bid for it, and I¡¯ll reimburse you. However, remember the Taylor family¡¯s rules. Once we join an

    auction, we must win. We can¡¯t leave

    others any chance,¡± Jonah reminded her.

    ¡°I know. Dad taught us to pave our own path and leave others with no way out!¡± Alyssa said, cracking

    her knuckles yfully.

    ¡°Wishing you good luck, Lyse. Don¡¯t forget the Antique Rosewood Chair,¡± Jonah said before hanging

    up.auction? But isn¡¯t it a bit rushed to prepare everything now?¡±

    ¡°We will bring something, and I¡¯ve already prepared everything.¡± Alyssa¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile,

    and there was a cunning glint in her eyes.

 Chapter 60

    On the weekend, at the Sna Auction House.

    A crowd of journalists gathered outside the venue. They had to wait outside to protect the privacy of the

    wealthy. Those who joined the event were genuine antique collectors and investment bankers.

    They were here for business and not to seek media exposure like celebrities. They weren¡¯t interested in

    interviews. They only focused on valuable treasures for auction¨Cexcept for Sophia, Rosaline, and

    Liana.

    Every year, Sophia would attend the event in her best attire. She would turn the high¨Cend charity

    auction into a red carpet¨Cmoment for her. She would block the entrance and let the media take photos.

    She would only leave after being persuaded by the staff, looking disgruntled.

    It seemed she feared people might forget she was the washed¨Cup star who had climbed to a higher

    status by breaking up someone else¡¯s family over two decades ago.

    That led to Javier not attending the event personally for the past two years. Presumably, he felt it would

    tarnish his reputation.

    However, Sophia decided not to repeat the same old act this year. After all, Rosaline had repeatedly

    begged her to give up this limelight and let her and Liana take the stage together. They were family.

    She couldn¡¯t refuse despite her reluctance.

    So this year, it was the Gardners who stood at the entrance and caught everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°As representatives of the Gardner family, we hope to acquire exceptional collections in this auction

    and contribute to charity,¡± Rosaline said elegantly, putting on a ssy demeanor as she spoke in front

    of the gathered journalists.

    ¡°Mrs. Gardner, how is the financial situation of the Gardner Grouptely? We heard it¡¯s on the verge of

    bankruptcy,¡± one reporter asked sharply.

    ¡°Has the investigation into Mr. Gardner¡¯s case concluded? Will he be sentenced?¡± another one

    inquired.

    ¡°Is it true that your daughter and the president of the Beckett Group have broken up?¡±

    Broken up? Those two words immediately caught Liana¡¯s attention. She stepped forward. Then, she

    red at the journalists, sending shivers down their spines.

    ¡°What break up? Where did you hear that?¡±

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Well¡­ Miss Liana, there¡¯s no need to be so nervous. We¡¯re just asking,¡± one of the reporters replied.

    ¡°After all, Mr. Beckett has yet to show any support as your fianc¨¦ regarding the Gardner Group¡¯s

    issues. It¡¯s natural for such spection to arise.¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t broken up! Don¡¯t spread rumors!¡± Liana¡¯s voice rose in agitation as she thought about how

    Jasper hadn¡¯t approached her in

    the past few days.

    Rosaline quickly pulled Liana, who was losing her cool, aside and smiled at the cameras. ¡°My daughter

    and Mr. Jasper are in a stable rtionship. Please don¡¯t think too much about it. As for the matters

    between the Gardner and Beckett families, they¡¯re private. We¡¯re not quite aware of the details.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper is also present at the event today. Why didn¡¯t he take a photo with Ms. Liana?¡±

    ¡°It seems like they have never taken a photo together. Is it to avoid suspicion?¡±

    ¡°What suspicion is there to avoid? Mr. Jasper would surely be with my daughter if he were toe.¡±

    ¡°But they are people saying Mr. Jasper had arrived half an hour earlier.¡±

    That caught Rosaline and Liana off guard. Their faces immediately turned pale.

    Meanwhile, Jasper had already entered the venue with Xavier apanying him.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Landon approached with a yful grin. He affectionately wrapped his hands around Jasper¡¯s

    waist.

    ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve grown stronger. You seem quite sturdy,¡± he said, pinching Jasper¡¯s narrow waist.

    ¡°Keep your hands away. Behave yourself,¡± Jasper¡® furrowed his brows, not budging as he nced

    coldly at Landon.

    ¡°Haha, you¡¯re acting all serious, huh? What happened to the times you used to tickle me under the

    covers?¡± Landon stopped pinching his

    say hello?¡± 1

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to avoid suspicion.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Fair enough, looks like there¡¯s still a cure for your lovesickness. You¡¯re no longer Ms. Liana¡¯spdog

    this time around. You should know that the Gardners¡® reputation in the industry is terrible. Whoever

    gets involved with them will be tainted.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s lovesick?¡± Jasper¡¯s expression darkened. He added, ¡°Don¡¯t think I would let things slide

    because of the Harper family.¡±

    Everyone knew the Harper family ran the business in Belware, and Landon ran the Harper family.

    *Brother, I¡¯m doing this for your sake! I don¡¯t want your reputation dragged through the mud because of

    the Gardner family.¡± Landon added. ¡°My grandpa didn¡¯t want the Gardner family toe to this

    auction. He invited them out of respect for you. You should know they do not even deserve to be here.¡±

    ¡°They might not for now. But Liana would marry me either way. I hope your opinion of her changes

    then. After all, the Gardner family and her are not mutually exclusive.¡±

    ¡°I understand. I can¡¯t disrespect the future Mrs. Beckett. But I have to say something that you might not

    like.¡± 1

    ¡°Alright then, don¡¯t say it.¡±

    ¡°Regarding looks and personality, I still think your ex¨Cwife, that resolute and untamed wild rose, is more

    suitable for you. Your passionless self will only be ignited by a fire like Ms. White in the winter.¡± Landon

    spoke too quickly, and he blurted out before he could stop himself.

 Chapter 61

    Xavier covered his mouth. He almost choked on himself before holding back hisughter.

    Jasper felt a surge of resentment in his chest. He coldly responded, ¡°I don¡¯t see a future with her, and

    we can never go back to the past. I won¡¯t do something so shameless.¡±

    Without bothering to borate, Landon shrugged. He swiftly changed the topic, ¡°Are there any items

    you want from today¡¯s auction?¡±

    ¡°Yes, the Antique Rosewood Chair. I n to buy it as a birthday gift for my grandfather.¡±

    ¡°You have good taste! I can help you secure it. If someone tries topete with you, I¡¯ll find a way to

    convince them otherwise.¡±

    ¡°No need,¡± Jasper calmly shook his head. ¡°The auction is about charity. If the item is meant to be mine,

    it will be mine. I won¡¯t force something that isn¡¯t meant to be. That would take away the joy

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    of the auction.¡±

    The two entered the venue and walked straight to the first row reserved for VIPs. Only those from

    prominent families or elite individuals could sit there.

    Jasper and Landon caused a smallmotion when they entered. It was all due to their good. looks

    and distinguished appearances.

    The young women immediately blushed and gushed.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper is so handsome! He¡¯s like a dreame true!¡±

    ¡°A dreame true? You better not even think about it. He¡¯s going to marry the daughter of the

    Gardner family, don¡¯t you know?¡±

    ¡°What?! The Gardner family. The one who sells cheap home products? Oh my goodness, Jasper is

    wasting himself on her!¡±

    ¡°Liana and Mr. Jasper grew up together. He divorced his ex¨Cwife just to marry her. How can anyone

    compete with that?¡±

    ¡°His pitiful ex¨Cwife! Look at how pretentious Liana is! I bet Mr. Jasper will tire of her in under two

    years!¡±

    Jasper sat down gracefully. He looked very distinctive from the crowd, keeping others at a distance.

    He inadvertently nced and saw a chair on the other side of the aisle. It had a namete that read

    ¡°Jonah Taylor.¡±

    He pursed his lips, and his eyes showed a cold glint.

    ¡°Oh, Jasper, I can¡¯t help with this one. My grandfather had already reserved the first row seats And I¡¯m

    too scared to change them,¡± Landon whispered

    He understood Jasper¡¯s concern and continued, ¡°These seals ate the ultimate test of social status

    Even your stepmother and your two stepsisters were ced behind. Each of these chairs is valuable.

    Jonah Taylor is Winston¡¯s eldest son and the RS Group President We can¡¯t treat them lightly. Just bear

    with it¡±

    Outside the venue, the Kirkman sisters mingled with a few reputable women while Betty and Liana

    complemented each other¡¯s outfits. As for Lauren, she seemed to have disappeared somewhere,

    sulking.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Lauren? Why can¡¯t we find her?¡± Liana asked.

    ¡°Forget about her. As long as she¡¯s not dead, it¡¯s fine,¡± Betty replied She was annoyed at the mention

    of her younger sister.

    She thought Lauren was weak and timid, which brought shame to the Beckett family.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Lauren is your sister And she¡¯s the youngest daughter of the Beckett family. Your

    should treat her better,¡± Liana pretended to advise gently.

    ¡°I wish I never had a sister like her. She¡¯s embarrassing.¡°

    Hearing this, Liana couldn¡¯t help but smile to herself. That was how she coulde between the

    sisters. Otherwise, she might have problems if they were to unite against her once she married

    into the Beckett family.

    At this moment, there was a change in the air. Someone was approaching them with steady steps.

    The Kirkman sisters, Liana, Betty, and several otherdies instinctively looked toward the

    approaching figure.

    They saw Alyssa She was dressed in a ck suit, elegantly striding into their view. She wore high

    heels as usual, and her cherry lips were still strikingly beautiful.

    Alyssa appeared to have casually put on an outfit, but it easily overshadowed the attires Liana and

    Betty had carefully nned. It left them fuming and clutching their skirts in frustration.

    Behind Alyssa was Sean, who had also dressed up a bit today. He looked handsome and charming.

    Initially, Alyssa and Sean intended to ignore the group of shy women and walk past them directly.

    However, Sophia unexpectedly called out to her with a smile.

    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d see you, the little country girl, in such a ce. It¡¯s quite surprising how inclusive

    charity events can be.¡±

    The implied meaning was Alice White, a country bumpkin, wasn¡¯t worthy of being in such an elegant

    setting.

    Alyssa paused in her steps. She had one hand in her suit pants as she casually smirked at Sophia.

    ¡°There are many things you have yet to see. You may think it¡¯s surprising, but that doesn¡¯t mean it

    defies logic. It just means you need to broaden your views.¡±

 Chapter 62

    Alyssa¡¯s words left everyone stunned.

    The others eyed Sophia oddly, one after another.

    They had no idea that the beautiful woman before them was Jasper¡¯s ex¨Cwife. They only thought that

    Alyssa must be from a prestigious family with a background worth billions. She had such

    confidence to confront Javier Beckett¡¯s wife!

    Sophia was so infuriated that her body trembled. She sneered, ¡°Look at you, Alice. You¡¯ve changed

    now that you¡¯ve found someone better to leech onto. I never realized you could be so eloquent in the

    past.¡±

    Alyssa raised her eyebrows. She waspletely indifferent to Sophia¡¯s mockery.

    ¡°I treat others the way they treat me. I speak politely to those who are polite to me and straightforward

    to those who are rude. What does that have to do with leeching onto others?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s face turned red. She waspletely frustrated.

    ¡°Ms. White, my mom is your senior. How can you be so disrespectful?!¡± Betty immediately refuted after

    seeing her mother being humiliated. She looked like a mad dog on a leash.

    Alyssa chuckled coldly.

    Betty inherited Sophia¡¯s calcting nature, but she wasn¡¯t cunning. She couldn¡¯t be bothered with such

    a shallow woman and didn¡¯t want to waste time on her.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Sean couldn¡¯t take it anymore and stepped forward sternly, blocking Alyssa. ¡°Everyone could see who

    started it. It¡¯s clear who tried to stir up trouble!¡±

    ¡°Huh! Not only do you have Mr. Taylor to back you up, but also this gentleman here. You have quite the

    army of men ready to fend you, Ms. White,¡± Liana taunted from the side.

    ¡°Liana, it¡¯s easy for you to spread rumors. But have you considered the consequences? Are you willing

    to pay the price?¡± Alyssa¡¯s sharp gaze pierced through her icily.

    Liana¡¯s heart shrank slightly. She used to think Alyssa was just a simple and weak country girl. But

    now, she felt afraid of her. The more she got to know her, the more unpredictable she seemed.

    ¡°Ms. White, I sincerely feel that your appearance here is very untimely. We¡¯re only looking out for you,¡±

    Rosaline said sarcastically. Then, she smiled viciously. ¡°After all, you got involved in Lia and Jasper¡¯s

    rtionship. And it was all because of your ignorance. It ended up with you in an

    awkward position.¡±

    She added, ¡°Although we didn¡¯t me you for your mistakes, it¡¯s inappropriate for you toe

    Jasper. But it might be embarrassing for you if others see you.¡±

    Liana listened to Rosaline¡¯s words gleefully and smiled darkly. Truly, her mother was still the

    same, She was as sharp as ever!

    After listening to her words, the crowd looked at Alyssa with surprise and disdain. So, she was Jasper¡¯s

    unknown¡¯ex¨Cwife. She was even the third person in the rtionship! How despicable!

    ¡°Me? Involved with them? Mrs. Gardner, your brain is as rotten as the furniture produced by your

    company.¡± Alyssa showed no signs of anger. Instead, she burst intoughter.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Rosaline¡¯s eyes turned red with anger.

    ¡°Jasper was single when I married him. It¡¯s not my fault that your precious daughter broke up with him.

    After all, she couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure. But what did your daughter do while I

    was married to him, Mrs. Gardner? Do you need me to list how she clung to my husband?¡±

    Rosaline and Liana¡¯s faces turned pale in an instant.

    Liana was so frightened that she fell silent. Even though she was in Mosgravia during those three

    years, she still tried every means to meddle in their rtionship.

    She had also sent numerous offensive messages to Alice. She even cursed her over the phone.

    However, Alice had always endured silently without retaliating.

    All her wrongdoings would be exposed if she really brought up the past.

    ¡°Sean, show them.¡± Alyssa narrowed her eyes.

    Sean immediatelyplied. He took a piece of paper from his briefcase and showed it to

    everyone.

    They were all dumbfounded.

    It was a marriage certificate. The papers were a p in Rosaline and Liana¡¯s faces.

    ¡°See, Jasper and I haven¡¯t officially divorced yet. The process hasn¡¯t beenpleted. But some people

    just can¡¯t wait to steal what others have.¡± Alyssa¡¯s red lips turned into a devilish smile.

    Liana¡¯s face immediately turned red. She felt out of breath.

    It was so outrageous that anyone would carry their marriage certificate on hand. But that was just how

    unpredictable and extraordinary Alyssa Taylor was.

 Chapter 63

    Alyssa was always ready to break things off with Jasper. So she had to carry her marriage certificate.

    The marriage certificate had be a tool to expose the truth and reveal the misdeeds of these

    Women!

    The Kirkman sisters had no way to refute it. After all, they were legally married now, so what could they

    say? They would only make things worse if they argued back.

    ¡°Let everyone judge for themselves who is the other woman in this case!¡±

    With that, Alyssa put away the papers, turned around, and left amidst the shocked gazes of everyone,

    leaving Liana in ce, feeling ashamed and furious!

    The auction would start in less than five minutes, and almost all the VIPs were seated. Sophia and

    Betty sat in the third row. When they entered, Betty¡¯s eyes were fixed on Landon.

    ¡°He looks so handsome.¡±

    ¡°The security in the Harper family¡¯s charity event is very tight. They won¡¯t allow us to switch to the front

    row no matter how hard I try.¡± Sophia was unhappy, but she added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Betty. I¡¯ll find a way

    for you to approach Landon in the future. With your talent, beauty, and pristine background, Landon will

    surely fall for you.¡±

    Landon was known for his promiscuity and extravagant lifestyle. However, Sophia was determined to

    marry her daughter into the Harper family.

    Besides, Betty also liked Landon. So Sophia was more than willing to set them up.

    ¡°Mom, Jasper and Landon are good friends. Can you talk to him and ask him to help me?¡± Betty

    pleaded with a pout.

    Sophia¡¯s expression turned cold. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to beg that illegitimate child. It was

    too embarrassing.

    ¡°What about Lauren?¡±

    ¡°She must have run off somewhere again. Mom, can we not take her out next time? She makes a

    stinky face every time a camera points at her. It¡¯s so embarrassing!¡± Betty whined. She looked down on

    her younger sister.

    ¡°You know that your sister has some issues. She¡¯s 20 now, so I must take her out and let her mingle. If

    any young man from a good family takes a liking to her and wants to marry her, I¡¯ll

    It sounded like she was trying to sell off her daughter. As if Lauren would lose value if she remained at

    home for a couple more years.

    On the other side, Rosaline and Liana were feeling even more ufortable. The auction venue

    had over ten rows of seats. They were all dressed up, looking morous, yet they were seated in

    thest row.

    ¡°Mom! Jasper is in the first row. I want to sit beside him!¡± Liana said anxiously. She held up her dress

    and moved toward Jasper, only to be stopped by a bodyguard.

    ¡°Sorry, Miss Liana, all the seats here are fixed. You can¡¯t just switch seats.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°I can¡¯t? Ha! Who are you to stop me? Do you even know who I am?¡± Liana asked arrogantly as she

    raised her chin.

    ¡°Yes, we do. You¡¯re Mr. Jasper¡¯s girlfriend,¡± the bodyguard replied coldly.

    Liana was surprised. She didn¡¯t know what to say.

    ¡°The Chairman of the Harper Group personally arranged the seating arrangement tonight. You¡¯re

    not allowed to break the rules even if you¡¯re Mr. Jasper¡¯s wife.¡±

    Liana was infuriated and wanted to argue back. But Rosaline pulled her away and held her back.

    ¡°Enough! It¡¯s just a seat, don¡¯t make a scene!¡±

    Although she said so, Rosaline couldn¡¯t help feeling annoyed when she saw Sophia and her daughter

    sitting in the front row. They were chatting andughing without a care.

    They ignored herpletely, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel jealous.

    Sophia had always been that way since they were young. She always wanted to hold her down. She

    said she would help Rosaline gain attention tonight, but it was all empty promises!

    The venue was almost full, with only Jonah¡¯s seat still empty. Jasper nced to the side and

    quickly withdrew his gaze.

    ¡°Hmm? Why isn¡¯t Mr. Jonah here yet? Could he have changed his mind?¡± Landon murmured in

    surprise.

    Just then, the doors at the back of the venue opened. All eyes turned toward it. Jasper, who was

    usually cold and indifferent, couldn¡¯t help but look as well.

    In that instant, his breath caught in his throat, and his heart skipped a beat. He saw his ex¨Cwife

    with dark crimson lips and wearing killer high heels. She was walking confidently and steadily

    toward the front row without another nce.

 Chapter 64

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t wearing a cumbersome evening gown. Instead, she chose a ck suit of her own design

    Adorning her chest was another masterpiece from the top jewelry designer, Alexa. It was a brooch

    made of yellow diamonds.

    She made a very spectacr entrance. Her fashion style was simple and distinctive. It effortlessly

    overshadowed the group of spoilt upper¨Css people.

    They were all pampered princesses. But Alyssa had always been a domineering queen!

    Liana couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Alyssa. She was resentful and bitter as she watched Alyssa be

    the center of attention.

    At this moment, twodies beside her gasped as they looked at Alyssa. They began to chat.

    ¡°Oh my goodness, who is thisdy? She exudes such grace!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s still so young. Otherwise, I would¡¯ve mistaken her for some sessful businesswoman. Her

    presence outshines even the wealthy men here!¡±

    ¡°Do you see that brooch on her chest? That¡¯s Alexa¡¯s legendary masterpiece, Ragnarok? Someone

    offered a billion for it three years ago, but Alexa sneered at the offer!¡±

    Anyone familiar with the jewelry industry was well aware of Alexa. Everyone knew the sensation¡±

    Ragnarok¡± created when it was exhibited three years ago! 1

    Liana was too preupied with anger and hadn¡¯t paid attention to Alyssa¡¯s attire. But now, as she

    took a closer look, she felt jealous.

    ¡°Hmph, Alice has been leeching off from Mr. Jonah.¡±

    Rosaline was overwhelmed by envy and admiration. Suddenly, she scolded her daughter, ¡°I¡¯ve

    raised you like a precious jewel. Yet, you¡¯re not as good as some country girl! If your aunt hadn¡¯t

    guided you back then and allowed you to get close to Jasper, do you think you could have won his

    heart with your mediocre skills?!¡±

    ¡°Mom! I have already won him over. Are you saying these to ruin my efforts?¡±

    Liana clenched her fists tightly. Her eyes were bloodshot. ¡°So what if Alice hooks up with Jonah?

    The Becketts are no worse than the Taylors! Besides, they have already divorced. Nobody would

    want her! She¡¯s used goods! Jasper will never go back to her! He is mine forever!¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t put your guard down until your marriage is confirmed!¡±

    Rosaline still had lingering fears. ¡°Recently, Jasper has been visibly distant from you. Even I can

    their divorce.¡±

    She added, ¡°There¡¯s definitely something going on Don¡¯t think you can rest easy just because

    Alice isn¡¯t living in Seaview Manor right now. That would he foolish!¡±

    Liana knew that Jasper wasn¡¯t as affectionate toward her as before. She couldn¡¯t even see him.

    these days, let alone show her charms!

    Alyssa walked past the back row, her perfume trailing behind her. Then, she passed by Sophia

    and Betty.

    ¡°Mom, is that vige girl sitting there?¡± Betty asked nervously.

    Sophia¡¯s smile faded. She thought it was more than enough for Alyssa to have a seat. She never

    expected her to head for the first row where the big shots were seated!

    Jasper watched Alyssa approach him, and his heart skipped a beat. However, she didn¡¯t even

    spare him a nce. She ignored him and calmly took a seat in Jonah¡¯s ce.

    ¡°Jonah had Ms. White represent him? I had no idea!¡± Landon was shocked and confused.

    Jasper furrowed his eyebrow. He was breathing heavily as he nced at the woman sitting across

    from him.

    Alyssa smiled. She exuded an air of radiance and grace. She seemed so cold and unapproachable,

    like a flower blooming on the mountains, far beyond anyone¡¯s reach.

    She barely looked at Jasper. It was as if he was invisible.

    ¡°Damn! So, the ¡®Ragnarok¡® is with her!¡± Landon pped his thigh. He said, ¡°Three years ago, I tried all

    means to get the ¡®Ragnarok¡® for my mother¡¯s birthday. I was willing to spend a billion.

    ¡°I begged Alexa and offered her everything. I even put down my pride so she¡¯d sell me that brooch.

    But shepletely ignored me.

    ¡°I never expected the brooch to end in Ms. White¡¯s hands. Jonah put in a lot of effort for her. I¡¯m truly

    impressed!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart trembled. No one understood the feeling of going to great lengths for a loved one better

    than him. Back then, he had gone to Furancia to prepare a birthday gift for Liana. He had spent more

    than half a month of his busy schedule enduring countless cold res and rejections to convince the

    designer to create the ¡°Crimson Heart.¡±

    In the three years Alice married him, he had never given her a gift. Now that she was with Jonah,

    he showered her with love and dazzling diamonds

    A bitter feeling surged inside Jasper He furrowed his brow fooling disheartened. It was

    former husband

    With all the guests present, the auction officially began. Representing the Harper family was

    Landon. He took the stage, looking smart in a fashionable YSL suit.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Landon delivered the opening speech.

    Betty had a dreamy look on her face. Her mouth was agape as she gazed at the man of her dreams.

    There was thunderous apuse as Landon stepped down from the stage. He smirked

    mischievously and yfully winked at Alyssa.

    ¡±

 Chapter 65

    Alyssa¡¯s round eyes turned cold. She gave Landon a deadpan look.

    Jasper noticed his indecent behavior, and his face turned dark!

    ¡°How did I do just now?¡± Landon returned to Jasper¡¯s side with a grin, nudging his elbow.

    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll kill you if you try that again,¡± Jasper replied with a chilling glint in his eyes.

    Landon felt hopeless as he said, ¡°Why are you always picking on me? You¡¯re harder to deal with. than

    all the hundreds of girlfriends I¡¯ve hadbined!¡±

    Soon, the first auction item was presented to the audience.

    It was andscape painting from the 20th century. It was a simple brushwork painting that captured the

    essence of the scenery, truly a masterpiece. But, the artist wasn¡¯t famous, so the

    starting price was only one million dors.

    Jasper¡¯s interest in antique artworks was limited. However, he had his fair share of knowledge

    since his grandfather and father were both avid collectors.

    He immediately recognized the painting upon seeing it. There was an identical one in his

    grandfather¡¯s studio, an authentic piece. The one being auctioned was most likely a well¨Ccrafted

    replica.

    Replicas and fakes were quite different. High¨Cquality replicas could fetch high prices, but it was

    unlikely in the presence of authentic work.

    ¡°One million five hundred thousand!¡±

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Two million!¡±

    ¡°Three million!¡±

    Just as the auctioneer was about to hammer down, a clear and gentle voice rang out

    ¡°Five million.¡± Alyssa casually raised her paddle. She surprised everyone with her bid.

    Jasper nced at Alyssa¡¯s face and felt suspicious.

    First, the painting wasn¡¯t worth five million. The three million was already too much.

    Second, Alice had spent so much time with his grandfather. She helped him manage his

    treasures, antiques, and paintings. She must know his grandfather had the authentic piece.

    So why would she spend her money on this replica?

    ¡°Six million!¡± Everyone turned around to see Liana raising her paddle high. She couldn¡¯t bear to

    ¡°Seven million!¡± Alyssa raised her paddle once again.

    ¡°Eight million!¡± Liana followed and yelled loudly.

    Rosaline was nervous. She had never attended such an auction before. The price of a single

    painting had already reached seven million.

    It was just the first item. Shouldn¡¯t they wait and view the others?

    ¡°Mom, should we follow along?¡± Betty asked Sophia quietly. She was slightly displeased with Liana

    stealing the limelight.

    ¡°We are family. Let¡¯s notpete with each other.¡± Sophia had attended many auctions and knew the

    superior items were usually kept until the end.

    ¡°Nine million.¡± Alyssa raised her paddle again. She was determined to win the painting.

    Rosaline¡¯s blood pressure rose. She hadn¡¯t nned to spend such a high budget on the birthday gift for

    Mr. Beckett Senior. She was truly feeling the pinch!

    ¡°Ten million!¡± Liana was already caught up in the bidding frenzy, her eyes red as she raised her paddle

    again.

    The crowd was in an uproar!

    Yet, Landon burst intoughter. ¡°It¡¯s the first auction item, and it¡¯s not something valuable. Yet it has

    reached this price. I¡¯ve made quite a huge profit! So, Jasper, should I thank the ex¨CMrs.

    Beckett or the current Mrs. Beckett?¡±

    Jasper clenched his hands into fists. His lips were pursed into a thin line, and his face was dark as

    an impending storm.

    ¡°Lia, don¡¯t follow Alice into whatever she bids! Ten million is too much!¡± Rosaline held Liana¡¯s

    hand. Her palms were sweating as she advised her.

    Alyssa smiled mockingly. It seemed like she was about to raise the paddle, but she refrained.

    ¡°Ten million! Sold! Congrattions to Miss Liana from the Gardner Group for acquiring the famous

    painting!¡±

    Liana¡¯s face was flushed with joy, feeling triumphant. She thought she had outshined that despicable

    woman.

    However, Rosaline felt her heart sink. Her face froze into a frown.

    At that moment, Sean watched the situation unfold through his phone from outside the bidding hall

 Chapter 66

    Jasper scowled, and he pursed his lips.

    Since Alice could afford nine million, raising ten million wasn''t a big deal. She stopped not because she couldn''t afford it but because she gave up.

    It was obvious that she did it on purpose. But he couldn''t say anything. After all, no one forced Liana to spend a fortune on the painting. It was all on her.

    Several more items were auctioned, and Alyssa remainedposed. She didn''t make any moves at the moment.

    Jasper''s sole focus was getting the Antique Rosewood Chair, so he remained still.

    Next up was a pair of Antique Emerald Ornaments donated by Madam Sophia on behalf of the Beckett Group. The starting price was two million.

    Alyssa sneered and shook her head disdainfully. She would rather bid on the first painting replica than spend arge sum on those two useless stones. Anyone who would buy them was a fool

    As expected, there were only a few bidders. The auctioneer tried hard to promote the items. But in the end, they were sold for 2.6 million

    Sophia''s smile gradually faded. At least it was more than 2.5 million.

    Jasper, on the other hand, remained indifferent. Whatever Sophia did, it would only damage Javier''s reputation. Jasper would remain unaffected in any situation, but Sophia and Javier were one as husband and wife

    "The KS Group donated a pair of Georgian Sky-Blue Porcin Chalices, courtesy of Ms.Mandy!"

    The excitement of all the collectors in the audience was instantly aroused! Alyssa was also shocked and turned around to look frantically at the back. Finally, she spotted Mandy''s elegant figure.

    She quickly sent a nervous text to Sean. "Why is Aunt Mandy here? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?"

    Sean replied, "I just found out too, Ms. Alyssa. Maybe it was ast-minute decision by Mr. Taylor.¡± "Damn it! That unpredictable old man!" Alyssa silently cursed.

    She felt slightly anxious. Almost every one of the Beckett family was here today. She was worried that her identity as the daughter of Winston Taylor might be exposed.

    At this moment, she noticed Mandy secretly gesturing an "OK" sign to her. There was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

    Alyssa realized that she was aware of the situation. She was touched by how understanding she was. Mandy was so sharp; her reputation preceded her.

    The crowd was eager to bid. They couldn''t wait to get their hands on the items donated by the KS Group.

    "The Georgian Sky-Blue Porcin Chalices are indeed a rare find, and Miss Mandy donated not only one but two! The Taylor family''s generosity is trulymendable. They indeed have a heart of gold.¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    "A huge differencepared to the Beckett Group. Those two items from earlier were nothing. I bet they couldn''t even match the value of the two sculptures in front of my house.¡±

    "Mr. Javier''s wife seems to have questionable taste.¡±

    Sophia''s face turned red with embarrassment and difort. The contrast between her and Mandy''s collection was like heaven and earth. It made her look disgraceful.

    Jaspers dark eyes finally showed a hint of interest as the auction progressed. He fiddled with the bidding paddle in his hands.

    "The porcin is wless and translucent. It is indeed of good quality. Behind every cloud is a silver lining. The sky-blue color represents a promising future after dark times.¡±

 Chapter 67

    Jasper¡¯s heart belonged to someone else. There were times when he felt Alice was wasting her life and

    beauty being with him.

    His gaze wandered toward her and finally fell on her slender wrist. Sure enough, she was still wearing

    the bracelet his grandfather gave her.

    Even though it didn¡¯t match her outfit today, she couldn¡¯t bear to take it off. It was obvious she loved it.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes, and his heart was racing.

    The Georgian Sky¨CBlue Porcin Chalices attracted intense bidding. The auctioneer was

    overwhelmed!

    ¡°One million!¡±

    Twenty¨Cfive million!¡±

    ¡°Twenty¨Cseven million!¡±

    ¡°Forty million.¡±

    Jasper elegantly raised his bidding paddle. He constantly called out the highest number in the

    whole room.

    Everyone was taken aback. Alyssa was also surprised and nced at him inadvertently. This man

    didn¡¯t have a good eye for women, but his taste for antiques was pristine.

    Jasper noticed her gaze. His dark and amber eyes swept over, locking with her gaze.

    Immediately, he was stung by her cold and intense gaze. His heart began to tighten.

    Alyssa averted her gaze and looked away.

    In the end, Jasper won the pair of Georgian Sky¨CBlue Porcin Chalices. The valuables were now

    part of his collection.

    The crowd was jealous of him.

    ¡°In the future, you can serve me wine in these chalices. A forty million cup suits my taste,¡±

    Landon said with a smile.

    ¡°This cup is too small. It¡¯s not enough for you to drink. I have a bigger one that suits your status

    better,¡± Jasper replied coldly.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°A toilet.

    Landon¡¯s face turned dark, ¡°Damn it! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±

    Alyssa identally overheard them. She turned away to hide her amusement.

    Liana was distressed. Jasper spent forty million just to buy a pair of cups.

    What on earth was he thinking? Wasn¡¯t it better to buy a vi for forty million?

    She hadn¡¯t even married into the Beckett family yet, but she was already worried about how their

    money was spent

    ¡°The next item up for auction is of great significance. It¡¯s a personal collection of an anonymous

    gentleman for fifty years. An Antique Rosewood Chair!¡±

    The auctioneer introduced the chair with great enthusiasm. It was ced in a ss disy and

    carefully brought up by four staff members in gloves.

    ¡°Here it is!¡± Landon patted Jasper.

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    The next moment, he noticed Jasper and Alyssa propped up. Their backs straightened in perfect

    sync as their movements aligned. They were all poised and determined to win!

    ¡°The starting price is thirty million! Bidding begins now!¡±

    Wealthy businessmen and investment bankers raised their bidder numbers one after another, and

    the auctioneer kept calling out prices. It made thepetition intense.

    Thirty million was the highest starting price for tonight¡¯s items!

    Sophia and Betty, the attention¨Cseeking pair, hesitated when they heard the price. The Gardner

    family had long be spectators. They blend in perfectly with the flower baskets at the back.

    At this moment, someone raised their hand elegantly. ¡°Sixty million,¡± the bidder said calmly.

    People were shocked, and all eyes turned to Alyssa, who was holding up the bidder number!

 Chapter 68

    The mysteriousdy was very conceited. However, her actions continued to astonish the audience.

    ¡°Mom, did I hear it right?¡±

    Betty was in disbelief, a look of surprise stered on her face. ¡°That country girl bid 60 million? How

    could she ask for such a high price?! Is she putting on an act?¡±

    Sophia remained silent, but her cold gaze was fixed on Alyssa. Suddenly, she recalled something

    and turned to look at Winston¡¯s second wife, Mandy.

    A cold smile crept on her lips as a smug thought crossed her mind. She wondered if Alice could survive

    the Taylor family if she wanted to go from rags to riches.

    ¡°70 million,¡± Jasper said and raised the paddle calmly. The light shone on him, creating an outline

    of his silhouette. He looked so stunning that it was hard for anyone to look away.

    He had raised the price to a new height. It left others determined to bid frustrated as they didn¡¯t

    have the means.

    ¡°75 million.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t falter. She raised the paddle again without hesitation.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    The crowd once again erupted in a frenzy!

    Even Landon, who was used to big asions, dared not speak. He felt like he was witnessing a

    confrontation between two peerless cowboys in a standoff. The two were throwing shots at each

    other, about to create a storm that could engulf everything.

    ¡°80 million.¡±

    Alyssa remained calm andposed. However, she was frowning slightly.

    She was beginning to feel the pressure. She had put in much effort to help Jonah obtain the chair.

    Alyssa licked her lips, and a wave of determination surged in her heart. She didn¡¯t need Jonah to

    reimburse her as she couldpete with Jasper using her private funds. However, she also knew

    -when to cut her losses and weigh the pros and cons.

    Antiques fetched high value due to their historical significance. But she had a bottom line in her

    heart.

    80 million was the limit. Bidding further would turn it into a battle of egos, which would be boring.

    ¡°Jasper, do you have a high IQ topensate for your low EQ?¡± Landon noticed the displeased

    look on Alyssa¡¯s face. He quickly leaned over to remind him anxiously, ¡°Ms. White clearly wants

    ¡°After all, you were once married. You should be nice to her. She¡¯s just a youngdy. Is it necessary to

    compete with her in front of so many people? Isn¡¯t that shameless?¡±

    ¡°She is representing Jonah by sitting there andpeting with me. What does it have to do with her?¡±

    Jasper kept his gaze forward, his eyes cold and indifferent.

    Landon gasped in awe and gave a thumbs¨Cup. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right!¡±

    *80 million going once! 80 million going twice! 80 million¡­¡±

    ¡°One hundred million!¡± A crystal clear voice chimed in from behind.

    Jasper raised his eyebrows but didn¡¯t turn around.

    It was an impressive counter¨Cbid. The crowd¡¯s gaze turned toward the elegantdy holding up the

    paddle. It was Mandy, Winston Taylor¡¯s second wife.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes lit up as she realized why Mandy was there. Her father must¡¯ve been afraid that

    Jonah wouldn¡¯t be willing to spend too much money, so he sent her as a backup.

    Jasper¡¯s starry eyes looked intense in thought. He hesitated for a moment, but he didn¡¯t bid again.

    It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t afford a hundred million, but bidding any further would truly becking

    in etiquette.

    In the end, the Antique Rosewood Chair was won by the KS Group amid thunderous apuse!

    Just when everyone thought the auction wasing to a close, the auctioneer suddenly spoke

    with a smile, ¡°KS Group also donated thest item of today¡¯s charity auction! It¡¯s a widely sought-

    after jewelry named ¡®Crimson Heart,¡® crafted by a renowned jewelry designer from Furancia over

    the course of a month!¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. He felt his heart stop for a moment.

 Chapter 69

    In an instant, Liana felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her face turned pale.

    Rosaline was also startled, and her entire body froze.

    ¡°Mom! W¨CWhat¡¯s going on?!¡± Liana stuttered. ¡°Didn¡¯t you sell this ne? Why is it in the auction?¡±

    ¡°I did sell it! This is impossible!¡± Rosaline murmured in astonishment.

    ¡°What do we do now? Jasper is sitting right there. How do you think he¡¯ll feel seeing the gift he gave

    me being put up for auction? He¡¯ll definitely be mad at me!¡± Liana was filled with resentment and

    almost on the verge of tears.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright! There can¡¯t be only one of these nes in the world. Maybe it¡¯s an exact replica

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°But there isn¡¯t another! The auctioneer just introduced it. It¡¯s the same one Jasper gave me! No

    nation will fool him!¡±

    Both of them racked their brains to figure things out. Liana was thinking about her exnation to

    Jasper. While Rosaline was wondering why the ne she sold was auctioned under the name of

    the KS Group.

    A thought crossed her mind. She jerked up from her seat, drawing disdainful nces from the people

    around. Did the Taylor family also own a pawnshop business?

    The pawnshop dealt with many items daily, but the Taylor family chose to donate this unremarkable

    ne to the charity auction. It couldn¡¯t be a coincidence.

    Her mind ran wild as she realized this, and her gaze at Alyssa turned vicious. She was certain that

    wicked woman had pulled some strings.

    Only she would know that the ¡®Crimson Heart¡® was a token of love Jasper gave to Liana. She must. be

    resentful because she couldn¡¯t obtain Jasper¡¯s love. So, she used the Taylor family to donate the

    ne to seek revenge.

    Meanwhile, Jasper¡¯s striking face turned gloomy and ice cold. His chest was heaving, and cold

    sweat trickled down his forehead.

    ¡°Jasper? Are you alright?¡± Landon was frightened by his unusual demeanor. But he couldn¡¯t

    understand what was happening.

    Jasper had poured his sincere feelings into the ¡°Crimson Heart,¡± from the design to the material

    selection. Then, it was personally carved by a renowned designer. It was the most meticulous effort he

    made in his lifetime for a woman.

    Now, his love was shamelessly put up for auction. It was like being stripped naked and nailed to

    the pir of shame, subjected to public humiliation!

    ¡°Representatives from the KS Group expressed that this ¡®Crimson Heart¡® is a token of deep

    affection given by a man to his lover, with extraordinary significance. Sincere love cannot be

    priced. So, this item is being showcasedst because of its unique bidding process. We will follow the

    company¡¯s advice and auction this n¨¦ without a starting price!¡±

    Liana copsed onto the chair, her vision turning ck.

    Everyone¡¯s interest was piqued. The hall was livelier than when the Antique Rosewood Chair was

    auctioned.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t stand it any longer. His eyes turned bloodshot as he clenched his teeth.

    ¡°Stop it,¡± he said.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Stop the auction immediately. That belongs to me!¡±

    Landon¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment, and his mouth was agape.

    At that moment, Jasper noticed Jonah¡¯s seat was empty, and Alice had disappeared. He clenched his

    fists. The anger radiating from him made Landon shudder.

    Jasper cursed Alice for making such a devious move. He wondered if she was satisfied with his

    humiliation. 1

    Alyssa had carefully nned for the scene to unfold, but she lost interest in the middle of it and left

    early. In the restroom, she sighed softly while looking at herself in the mirror.

 Chapter 70

    In the past, Alyssa was smart yet innocent to the ways of the world, smooth and cunning but still

    retained her naivety. She was always cherished by the Taylor family and never bothered to resort to

    such schemes.

    However, after marrying into the Beckett family and leaving Jasper, her mind was corrupted with

    conspiracies and schemes. She remembered when the ¡°Crimson Heart¡± ne was brought on

    stage and how broken Jasper looked. At that moment, she felt like she had gone too far.

    In reality, she could have simply ignored the ne. There was no need to humiliate Jasper at the

    auction to this extent. But she couldn¡¯t let it go.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    It wasn¡¯t that she was resentful because of the divorce from Jasper. She hade to terms with the

    fact that the love she had pursued for thirteen years was dead.

    Her unwillingness stemmed from Jasper¡¯s foolishness. Why couldn¡¯t he see the truth about the person

    he loved? She silently swore she would never meddle in their rtionship again.

    Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her heart and smiled bitterly. This would be thest time; she would no

    longer get involved in Jasper and Liana¡¯s mess.

    Suddenly, the restroom door was kicked open with a loud bang. Alyssa remainedposed as she

    nced coldly at the intruder.

    It was Liana.

    She lifted her heavy dress with raging anger and charged toward Alyssa.

    ¡°Alice! You wretched woman!¡±

    ¡°Is your vocabry still so limited after three years of openly and privately insulting me?¡± Alyssa

    retorted coldly. She wasn¡¯t in the slightest irked by her insults.

    ¡°It must be you! You¡¯re the one who put the ne Jasper gave me in the auction! How despicable!¡±

    Liana took another step forward but tripped over her skirt. She almost fell.

    She was caught off guard momentarily. And her face turned beet red.

    ¡°I donated the ne for charity. What are you talking about? Liana, you really shouldn¡¯t point your

    fingers at others.¡± Alyssa took a step back, afraid that Liana might pounce on her.

    She was such a bother. Alyssa feared she might have to get a rabies vine.

    ¡°Alice! You resort to such lowly methods to humiliate me and Jasper because you can¡¯t win him over!

    You¡¯re trying to ruin our rtionship! Do you think this would work? Jasper would never fall

    ¡°You didn¡¯t want the ne anymore. You sold it to a pawn shop. So, it¡¯s no longer yours. You have

    no say in who buys it or how they handle it. If you¡¯re angry, it¡¯s your own doing. Don¡¯t me

    others.¡±

    Alyssa looked away. She was no longer interested in wasting words with Liana, and tried to leave.

    She wouldn¡¯t even spare a nce for such a despicable and hypocritical woman. If it weren¡¯t for

    Jasper, she would¡¯ve never crossed paths with Liana.

    ¡°Stop right there, you wretch! Get back here!¡± Liana¡¯s anger surged. She grabbed Alyssa¡¯s delicate

    wrist and pulled hard.

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain and furrowed her brow. Then, Liana forcefully took off the bracelet Mr. Beckett

    Senior gave her. It left a bright red mark on her fair wrist.

    ¡°Give it back!¡± Alyssa was outraged. She red at her fiercely.

    Liana clenched the bracelet in her hand. She fell in love with this bracelet the moment she saw it. But

    that old man had to give it to the person she hated most!

    ¡°Alice, you¡¯ve taken what belongs to me, you shameless whore! Since I can¡¯t have it, don¡¯t even think

    about having it either!¡± Liana sneered and mmed the bracelet on the marble sink.

    ¡°No!¡±

    A cracking sound pierced Alyssa¡¯s heart. The emerald bracelet that Newton had given her shattered

    into pieces!

 Chapter 71

    Alyssa felt her breathing stopped.

    The bracelet was a gift from Newton, and Liana destroyed it. In an instant, fury surged throughout her

    veins. She had the urge to break every bone in Liana¡¯s body.

    ¡°Liana Gardner!¡± Alyssa shrieked, her eyes red with anger.

    Liana was frightened but regained herposure. ¡°So what if I broke your bracelet? Only the two

    of us are here. I can say you hurt me. Who do you think Jasper will believe?¡±

    Liana smiled wickedly. She picked up a piece of the broken bracelet. Then, she extended her

    delicate wrist.

    Alyssa realized what was happening. She wanted to stop her. But it was toote.

    Liana yelped, and Alyssa watched as she slit her wrist with the broken bracelet.

    Perhaps it was her first time inflicting a wound, so she was able to avoid any major arteries. But

    the cut was deep. Blood gushed out of her wound in an instant.

    Even Liana was scared by her actions. But she knew if she were to y the victim, she had to

    while running out of the restroom.

    Alyssa was shocked. Tears welled in her eyes as she picked up the broken bracelet pieces and

    held them dearly.

    As she left the restroom, someone quietly pushed open the cubicle door in the corner, leaving a

    narrow gap.

    Liana clutched her bloodied wrist and ran down the corridor while crying hysterically.

    The auction had ended, and the guests were leaving the venue. Many people avoided her when

    they saw her approach. They thought she was ment*lly unstable.

    ¡°Jasper! Mom! Aunt Sophie! Save me!¡± Liana shouted while trembling.

    She had be the center of attention, just as she had hoped. She wanted Alice to pay for

    The Kirkman sisters and Betty heard themotion and rushed over. They screamed in panic when

    they saw the mess.

    *Liai My daughter, what happened to your hand? Who hurt you?¡± Rosaline was filled with distress

    and fear

    Her performance was worthy of an Oscar.

    She

    w Liana following Alice into the restroom. So she knew her daughter was going after the wicked

    woman. Thus, she could respond promptly and assist in Liana¡¯s act.

    However, she remembered Liana was afraid of pain. Even a simple needle prick would send her into a

    crying frenzy. She didn¡¯t expect her to hurt herself this time.

    Liana was bing more and more like Sophia when she was young.

    Sophia captured Javier¡¯s heart by acting weak and innocent. She framed others by hurting herself. She

    had stolen the position of Mrs. Beckett, which belonged to Jasper¡¯s mother. It made himpletely

    despise her.

    Liana was currently following in Sophia¡¯s footsteps, and she almost seeded. Time was of the

    essences. They must tread carefully to avoid unforeseen circumstances.

    Alice White was a troublemaker. And they had to get rid of her at all costs.

    Liana noticed people in the crowd were starting to take out their phones and record. She instantly

    became even more hysterical, putting on the full act of a vulnerable victim.

    At this moment, Alyssa walked toward them with a nk face, and everyone around moved aside. It

    was as if a beam of sunlight had pierced the stormy clouds, radiant and unrivaled.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Her striking appearance carried a cold atmosphere that left everyone in awe. She seemed to

    radiate righteousness as if she were here to vanquish all evil.

    Coincidentally, Jasper and Landon both headed toward them as well.

    ¡°Jasper¡­¡± Liana cast him a pitiful nce.

    He furrowed his brow and strode over when he saw the deep, frightening wound

    Rosaline smirked and shoved Liana into Jasper¡¯s embrace.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Jasper asked urgently.

    ¡°Jasper. It hurts. Am I going to die?¡± Liana sobbed like a baby in his arms.

    ¡°You won¡¯t. Don¡¯t scare yourself.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes filled with concern as he looked at the vicious wound

    on her wrist. He knitted his eyebrows tightly.

    Alyssa watched the, with a cold sneer. She was unable to hold back a scornful chuckle.

    The prelude was over, and the main act of the show ¡°Alyssa Tears Apart The Wicked Family¡± was

    By now, some people have taken out their phones to record the scene. Landon responded swiftly

    and sent a group of bodyguards to clear the onlookers.

    ¡°Liana, Jasper is here. No one could hurt you anymore.¡±

 Chapter 72

    ¡°Wait! No!¡± Seeing that Alyssa didn¡¯t counter the attacks, Landon became anxious. He hurriedly

    stepped forward to help her out.

    ¡°No matter how wronged Ms. Gardner feels, no matter how pitiful it sounds, it is a one¨Csided statement.

    We should listen to what Ms. White has to say. There are no surveince cameras in the bathroom, but

    someone else was probably present. So we might as well ask them to figure out what happened.

    When Betty saw Landon, she fell into a trance. Her mouth was slightly open as if her soul had left

    her body. Her intelligence and rationale decreased instantly.

    Startled, Alyssa nced at Landon. Her quick nce brought springs of joy to him. 1

    Their secret eye contact didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Jaspe. He took it as proof of their flirting.

    Nheless, he didn¡¯t react. Instead, his hands balled into fists.

    ¡°There were no witnesses. We were the only ones in the bathroom at the time,¡± Alyssa said

    casually. 1

    Ah, well.¡± Landon frowned, finding it tough to deal with the mess in a fair, upright manner.

    ¡°Who else could it be? My daughter can¡¯t cut herself, can she? Liana has always been afraid of pain!

    ¡°Rosaline yelled.

    Although Liana was sobbing in Jasper¡¯s arms, she was secretly rejoicing.

    ¡°So, Alice, did you do it?¡± Jasper asked coldly.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart fell. Her eyes began to water, and her nose began to run, but she balled her hands

    into fists. She did her best to suppress the injustice she felt.

    Landon pped his forehead. He was exasperated that Jasper had such a poor choice of words

    despite being the president of apany.

    At the sight of Alyssa¡¯s bloodshot eyes, Jasper felt a sharp pain in his heart. He had been too

    harsh with his words.

    He was an unfair person. However, the auction of the ne humiliated him. Hence, he

    harbored ill feelings toward her, which caused him to put on a cold, mean demeanor.

    Taking a deep breath, Alyssa grinned and answered, ¡°I did it. So what? Do you want revenge?¡±

    did everything for his family. However, all I need to do is lift a finger, and Jasper will be your

    enemy, My crocodile tears are worth more than your heart and soul!¡±

    Alyssa raised her head high and walked up to Liana. Without a word, she pped Liana. Her blow

    was full of resentment.

    It stunned everyone. They paled at the sight.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    She had moved so fast that Jasper didn¡¯t have time to react. All he registered was the wind from

    the impact of her p.

    ¡°Ah! How dare you hit me!¡± It hurt so much that Liana was seeing stars. Her ears were ringing.

    ¡°I hit you because you deserve it!¡± Alyssa¡¯s smile disappeared, and she began to tremble in fury. This

    p is for the bracelet Grandpa gave me. What makes you think you can throw a tantrum and break

    my things?¡±

    ¡°Alice! You¡¯ve crossed the line!¡± Jasper growled.

    He had noticed her red, swollen wrist when she raised her hand. As her skin was delicate, any minor

    injury was obvious.

    However, he was so angry that he didn¡¯t consider any of that. He only red at her.

    Meanwhile, Betty and the Kirkman sisters never expected Alyssa would behave so arrogantly in front of

    Jasper.

 Chapter 73

    Jasper was stunned. His heart trembled as he looked at his ex-wife in disbelief.

    She was gentle and kind when she was by his side. But now, she was so unruly to the point of hurting others.

    "Is it true, Alice?" Jaspers throat felt tight, and he cast a deep gaze at her.

    Raising her eyebrows, Alyssa¡¯s lips parted in a sinister smile. The sight made Landon clutch his chest. He wondered how a wicked woman could look so stunning.

    "Jasper ... What do you mean?" Jasper repeatedly asked Alyssa for confirmation, so Liana was afraid of him being suspicious of her. She began to cry and whine, "Don''t you¡ªdon''t you believe me? Am I so untrustworthy to you?"

    She didn''t know why Alice would admit it. But it didn''t matter as long it helped Liana achieve her goal. It wasn''t her problem that Alice was stupid enough to admit it.

    "Jasper, take a look at the evil woman you married! She was just a nick away from cutting Liana''s artery. She was out for my daughter''s life!"

    Taking advantage of the situation, Rosaline and Liana began to cry. Jasper continued to stare at Alice coldly, his brow furrowed.

    "Alice, when you were part of the Becketts, you weren''t so hostile,¡± Sophia said. "You were meek and docile, nothing like a girl who would attack those who disagreed with her.¡±

    Sophia red at Alyssa and asked, "Now that you and Jasper have divorced, you must be showing your true colors. After all, there''s no need to hide anymore, right?

    "Fortunately, Jasper saw the light and rekindled his rtionship with Liana. Otherwise, we would have been deceived by you and your venomous scheme for God knows how long!"

    "Mrs. Becketts, that''s too much!" Landon cried. He couldn''t bear to hear her speak any more. His eyes narrowed as he was about to argue, but Alyssa grabbed him.

    The sight of that hurt Betty''s eyes. Chewing on her lips, her hatred for her ex-sister-inw deepened.

    "Make of it what you will," Alyssa replied with a mocking smile.

    "Apologize to Liana." Jasper turned away from her, his expression devoid of any warmth. It was as if the three-year rtionship was merely a fever dream. It was as if they had never met each other. Liana was ted. She couldn''t stop herself from smiling. She thought, "Look, bitch, Jaspers has always loved me. You were his wife for three years and dedicated your heart and soul to him. You did everything for his family. However, all I need to do is lift a finger, and Jasper will be your enemy. My crocodile tears are worth more than your heart and soul!"

    Alyssa raised her head high and walked up to Liana. Without a word, she pped Liana. Her blow was full of resentment.

    It stunned everyone. They paled at the sight.

    She had moved so fast that Jasper didn''t have time to react. All he registered was the wind from the impact of her p.

    "Ah! How dare you hit me!" It hurt so much that Liana was seeing stars. Her ears were ringing.

    "I hit you because you deserve it!" Alyssa''s smile disappeared, and she began to tremble in fury. "This p is for the bracelet Grandpa gave me. What makes you think you can throw a tantrum and break my things?"

    "Alice! You''ve crossed the line!" Jasper growled.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    He had noticed her red, swollen wrist when she raised her hand. As her skin was delicate, any minor injury was obvious.

    However, he was so angry that he didn''t consider any of that. He only red at her.

    Meanwhile, Betty and the Kirkman sisters never expected Alyssa would behave so arrogantly in front of Jasper.

 Chapter 74

    ¡°Wait! Nol¡± Seeing that Alyssa didn''t counter the attacks, Landon became anxious. He hurriedly stepped forward to help her out.

    ¡°No matter how wronged Ms. Gardner feels, no matter how pitiful it sounds, it is a one¡ª

    sided statement. We should listen to what Ms. White has to say. There are no surveince cameras i When Betty saw Landon, she fell into a trance. Her mouth was slightly open as if her soul had left her body. Her intelligence and rationale decreased instantly.

    Startled, Alyssa nced at Landon. Her quick nce brought springs of joy to him. 1

    Their secret eye contact didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Jaspe. He took it as proof of their flirting. Nheless, he didn''t react. Instead, his hands balled into fists.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°There were no witnesses. We were the only ones in the bathroom at the time,¡± Alyssa said casually. 1

    Ah, well.¡± Landon frowned, finding it tough to deal with the mess in a fair, upright manner.

    "Who else could it be? My daughter can''t cut herself, can she? Liana has always been afraid of pain! ¡°Rosaline yelled.

    Although Liana was sobbing in Jasper''s arms, she was secretly rejoicing.

    ¡°So, Alice, did you do it?" Jasper asked coldly.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart fell. Her eyes began to water, and her nose began to run, but she balled her hands into fists. She did her best to suppress the injustice she felt.

    Landon pped his forehead. He was exasperated that Jasper had such a poor choice of words despite being the president of apany.

    At the sight of Alyssa¡¯s bloodshot eyes, Jasper felt a sharp pain in his heart. He had been too harsh with his words.

    He was an unfair person. However, the auction of the ne humiliated him. Hence, he harbored ill feelings toward her, which caused him to put on a cold, mean demeanor.

    Taking a deep breath, Alyssa grinned and answered, ¡°I did it. So what? Do you want revenge?¡± +15 BONUS

    did everything for his family. However, all I need to do is lift a finger, and Jasper will be your enemy, My crocodile tears are worth more than your heart and soul!¡±

    Alyssa raised her head high and walked up to Liana. Without a word, she pped Liana. Her blow was full of resentment.

    It stunned everyone. They paled at the sight.

    She had moved so fast that Jasper didn''t have time to react. All he registered was the wind from the impact of her p.

    ¡°Ah! How dare you hit me!¡± It hurt so much that Liana was seeing stars. Her ears were ringing.

    ¡°I hit you because you deserve it!¡± Alyssa¡¯s smile disappeared, and she began to tremble in fury. This ¡°Alice! You''ve crossed the line!¡± Jasper growled.

    He had noticed her red, swollen wrist when she raised her hand. As her skin was delicate, any minor injury was obvious.

    However, he was so angry that he didn''t consider any of that. He only red at her.

    Meanwhile, Betty and the Kirkman sisters never expected Alyssa would behave so arrogantly in front of Jasper.

 Chapter 75

    Alyssa remained unfazed by Sophia¡¯s hypocritical behavior. She had divulged that information to tell

    Mandy that Alyssa was not only used but also a gold digger from a rural vige.

    Rosaline and Liana were secretly delighted.

    The Taylors and the Becketts were at odds. Jonah was Winston¡¯s eldest son and held a prestigious

    status. There was no woman out of his reach.

    How could he possibly want a woman the Becketts had abandoned? It was funny to even think

    about it.

    Jasper frowned in displeasure. ¡°That¡¯s personal. You have no right to discuss it.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, it may be personal, but it concerns the Becketts and the Taylors. I¡¯m just trying to prevent

    any potential shock when people find out that your ex¨Cwife is here. I¡¯m doing this for everyone¡¯s

    sak¨¦!¡± Sophia continued to fuss.

    ¡°Does it concern both families? Didn¡¯t Ms. White divorce Mr. Beckett? Divorce means no ties

    anymore. So why do you think that Ms. White is affecting your family?¡± Mandy asked with a

    sneer. ¡°Did she sign a contract when she became a part of your family? Will she still be a part of your

    family even after death?

    ¡°Ms. White found happiness with Jonah. There¡¯s nothing shameful about it. Just because she

    divorced doesn¡¯t mean my family won¡¯t ept her. Come on, it¡¯s the 21st century. Mrs. Beckett,

    you should be more open¨Cminded. Don¡¯t get all riled up for nothing.¡±

    Landon almost cheered as he found Mandy¡¯s words so satisfying to hear. Betty and the Gardners

    were shocked and speechless. They stood there in embarrassment.

    Why did Mandy seem like a lioness protecting her cub?

    ¡°Mrs. Taylor, you also hail from a noble family, so you must understand what I mean!¡± Sophia

    pleaded, but she received no response.

    Flushing red in embarrassment and anxiety, she continued, ¡°Right after Ms. White left Jasper, she

    immediately got together with Mr. Taylor. If words of it get out, people might think they had an

    improper rtionship while she was still married. It¡¯s so embarrassing! Shouldn¡¯t you think on

    behalf of your son? After all, you¡¯re thedy of the Taylor family.¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Mandy lifted a hand. It was all it took to make Sophia stop.

    ¡°This is the private matter of our children. While I may be older than them, I¡¯m not Jonah¡¯s

    mother. So I have no right to intervene. Mrs. Beckett, you are not Mr. Beckett¡¯s biological mother, either

    Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s unbing of an older family member to speak of these things in

    Sophia was rendered speechless.

    ¡°Yes, Winston is indeed my man,¡± Mandy said firmly. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to hear you say that I am thedy

    of the Taylor family again.

    Mandy¡¯s stern warning frightened Sophia. And her face turned pale as a ghost. She stood there as stiff

    as an ice sculpture.

    Alyssa chewed on her lips. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

    There was only onedy of the Taylor family¨Cher mother.

    Jasper pursed his lips, and her stare wavered. He didn¡¯t like Alice. Their rtionship was nothing but a

    paper record. Besides, she had brought him many unhappy moments by provoking him on things he

    was sensitive about.

    Strangely, when Sophia taunted Alice, he felt like his dignity was being rubbed on the ground. He was

    experiencing empathy for her that he couldn¡¯t begin toprehend.

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    ¡°Ms. White, are you looking for Jonah? Shall I apany you?¡± Mandy asked gently as her gaze

    returned to Alyssa.

    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Taylor. I appreciate it,¡± Alyssa replied with a gentle and obedient smile of a well-

    behaved youngdy.

    ¡°Such a polite and beautiful child,¡± Mandy said loud and clear. She held Alyssa¡¯s hand. ¡°Jonah¡¯s made

    a wise choice in choosing you as his girlfriend.¡±

 Chapter 76

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    For some reason, the conversation irritated Jasper. Sternly, he asked, ¡°Ms. White, don¡¯t you owe Liana

    an apology?¡±

    Landon sighed helplessly, resisting the urge to stuff his socks into Jasper¡¯s mouth.

    A dull pain throbbed in Alyssa¡¯s heart. She turned around to cast him a nk stare.

    Her disappointed gaze pierced Jasper¡¯s soul.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t do it! Alice didn¡¯t do it!¡±

    Just at that moment, a sweet, gentle voice cut through the air. It arrived unannounced, like lightning on

    a clear day, foiling the plot that had been carefully nted.

    When Alyssa turned her gaze toward the source of the voice, there was a glimmer in her eyes.

    ¡°Lauren!¡±

    A girl d in a simple white dress was hurrying toward them. She was sporting a ridiculous

    crown of dense curls, which was Betty¡¯s doing.

    Lauren had always been Betty¡¯s imaginary enemy in their family. Betty envied her little sister¡¯s

    beauty. She always looked for new ways to bully her.

    Whenever they appeared in public, she would try to make her sister look bad. She was afraid that

    her sister would steal her limelight.

    Lauren, on the other hand, was autistic. As a result, she was rtively introverted and timid. In the

    presence of strangers, her shoulders were always hunched, and she was always silent.

    Little did anyone know, for the three years that Alyssa was part of the Becketts, Lauren was the only

    one, aside from Mrs. Rosie, who treated Alyssa kindly. The only one who cared for Alyssa was Lauren,

    whom the rest of the family generally ignored.

    After Alyssa left the Becketts, she always worried about Lauren. To her surprise, they met that

    day, and it delighted her.

    ¡°Silly girl, why are you talking nonsense?¡± Betty red fiercely at her sister. ¡°No one was in the

    bathroom except Liana and her. If it wasn¡¯t her, then who else could it be?¡±

    ¡°N¨CNo, it wasn¡¯t Alice! It wasn¡¯t her!¡± Lauren pleaded desperately. Her words were an incoherent.

    jumble.

    ¡°Lauren, this is none of your business. Go y somewhere else!¡± Sophia was wearing an ugly

    Lauren clenched her tiny fists and walked up to Jasper. She looked up at his tall, looming figure

    nervously.

    ¡°Jasper! It wasn¡¯t Alice who did it!¡°.

    ¡°Lauren, why do you say so?¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was unusually gentle.

    ¡°I saw it! 1¨CI was in the bathroom too! I saw it!¡±

    Everyone was shocked by the revtion.

    Liana¡¯s face paled.

    Even Alyssa was stunned. She never expected that Lauren was also present when Liana confronted

    her.

    ¡°I saw Ms. Gardnering into the toilet to argue with Alice. Alice wanted to leave. But Ms. Gardner

    stopped her. She pulled Alice and snatched her bracelet away. Then¡­ then the bracelet broke, and

    then¡­ then Ms. Gardner started yelling and ran out. Alice didn¡¯t touch Ms. Gardner! I saw it!¡±

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    While exining, Lauren gestured with her hands, tears of anxiety swimming in her eyes.

    ¡°Lauren¡­¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart ached as her eyes watered.

    Given Lauren¡¯s timid nature, Alyssa knew Lauren was forcing herself to speak the truth to clear her

    name.

 Chapter 77

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. And he turned his piercing gaze to L¨ªana¡¯s pale face.

    When he let go of her waist, Liana clung to him desperately. She ignored the pain in her hand.

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    ¡°No, Jasper, it¡¯s not true! Alice provoked me first! I didn¡¯t provoke her! Lauren¡¯s mind isn¡¯t good, don¡¯t

    believe her!¡±

    ¡°Her mind isn¡¯t good? Well, I think the only thing not good about her is her hairstyle. She exined

    everything clearly,¡± Landon sneered.

    For Jasper¡¯s sake, he didn¡¯t say anything too harsh. He couldn¡¯t believe that Jasper, the yboy, would

    treat Liana like his true love. He wasn¡¯t easy to please, yet he was sticking to her like he was under a

    spell.

    ¡°Ms. White didn¡¯t hurt you, right?¡± Jasper took a deep breath, his voice tense.

    With the witness present, Liana broke into a cold sweat. She dared not lie again.

    ¡°So, you ndered her?¡± Jasper¡¯s words cut through Liana like a knife.

    ¡°N¨CNo, I-¡±

    Liana began to shiver in fear, her body trembling like a leaf. Suddenly, she fainted from excessive

    nervousness and blood loss.

    The ridiculous farce ended abruptly, with Liana being frantically shoved into an ambnce.

    When Sean hurriedly arrived, Alyssa was with Mandy in the underground parking lot.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s all my fault! Something so big happened, yet I wasn¡¯t by your side!¡± When he saw the

    blood¨Cstained white handkerchief in Alyssa¡¯s left hand, his heart sank. ¡°How did you get hurt? Who did

    this to you? I¡¯ll take care of them!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Sean. I know you had business to attend to at thepany. It¡¯s just a minor issue here,¡±

    Alyssa said. She gazed deeply at Mandy. ¡°She took care of it for me.¡±

    ¡°What did I even take care of? I couldn¡¯t even do anything for you despite my status.¡±

    The thought of how Alyssa had been attacked by the Becketts tugged at her heartstrings.

    ¡°Lyse, why don¡¯t you reveal your identity? Why do you have to endure this humiliation? You should

    have told them you¡¯re the young daughter of the Taylor family. Then, they would know what they would

    have to pay for offending you!¡±

    Alyssa smiled faintly and shook her head lightly. She said, ¡°Well, I have already left the Becketts. I don¡¯t

    want them to know anything about me. No matter how dirty, bad, or hateful they are, they

    including Jasper.

    Sean was stunned He finally realized that Mandy also knew about Alyssa¡¯s marriage.

    ¡°Yes, life is filled with suffering. The start of a rtionship may be lovely and sweet. But it could also

    suffer a horrible ending. Let the past stay in the past,¡± Mandy said.

    She pursed her lips and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Fortunately, Sue didn¡¯te today. Or else there

    might have been bloodshed.

    ¡°She has a strong personality. It¡¯s probably because of her martial art background. She¡¯s quick to seek

    revenge and swift in repaying kindness.¡±

    They chatted for a while,ughing together along the way. Suddenly, Mandy hugged Alyssa.

    ¡°Lyse, I still feel sorry for you,¡± she said, choking on her words.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to feel sorry,¡± Alyssa said, her eyes red with tears.

    With a gentle smile, sheforted Mandy, ¡°With all of you by my side, I¡¯m not upset at all.¡±

 Chapter 78

    After receiving treatment, Liana was transferred to a normal ward. The doctor said she wasn¡¯t

    seriously injured.

    Although the wound was a little deep, it didn¡¯t require stitches. She had fainted because of her

    excessive panic and ment*l tension.

    ¡°You finally woke up, Liana!¡± Rosaline cried by her bed. She sobbed as if she was in Liana¡¯s wake.¡± I

    thought I would never see you again!¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright, stop mourning. Jasper isn¡¯t here. There¡¯s no point in crying so loudly. You¡¯re bothering

    me,¡± Sophia said.

    She crossed her arms and asked, ¡°Have you figured out how to handle this situation?¡±

    ¡°Which situation?¡± Rosaline wiped away her tears, a little confused.

    ¡°Which situation? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve messed up more than once?¡± Sophia sneered as she red at

    her useless younger sister. 1

    ¡°Your failures are more than your sesses. Do I look like a magical genie? I¡¯ve been supporting you

    so that your daughter ends up with Jasper. With that bird brain of yours, do you think your daughter

    could enter such a noble family? No way!¡±

    Liana also held a grudge against her mother for being shortsighted and only caring about

    immediate benefits.

    To make ends meet, she sold the ne that Jasper gave her. If it hadn¡¯t ended up in the hands of

    the Taylor family, nothing would have happened today. Her rtionship with Jasper wouldn¡¯t

    have been at risk.

    ¡°Sophia, I must talk to you about this!¡± Rosaline had been scolded by Sophia since she was young.

    And now she felt embarrassed to be scolded in front of her daughter.

    Annoyed and embarrassed, she said, ¡°Today, Liana and I were almost sessful. So why did your

    daughter intervene? If it weren¡¯t for her, things wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this!¡±

    ¡°How would I know that Lauren was in the bathroom? Liana, you too. How many times have I told you?

    Why are you so careless in handling things, leaving others with evidence you don¡¯t even

    know about?!¡± Sophia was also angry, but it was her fault. Hence, she shifted the me to Liana.

    Liana felt wronged but could only pout in silence.

    ¡°Anyway, right now, words alone aren¡¯t enough,¡± Sophia said. ¡°There is no evidence proving that Liana

    caused her injury. Liana, if Jasper asks, you just act crazy and clueless.¡±

    She added, ¡°Jasper has feelings for you, so we¡¯ll get past this ¡± Feeling an iing headache, Sophia

    massaged her temples. ¡°If that doesn¡¯t work, I have another way to make Jasper forgive

    you.¡±

    ¡°Alright, Aunt Sophia.¡± Thinking of how many people protected Alice, her face contorted in jealousy.

    ¡°What did Alice do to make everyone from the Taylor family treat her so well? Mrs Taylor is protecting

    her as if she were her daughter. If this continues, Alice will step on our heads!Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    As soon as Mandy was mentioned, Sophia¡¯s expression soured. ¡°Mrs. Taylor? She¡¯s nothing but a

    mistress! I showed her some respect because of Mr. Taylor. Yet she dared to confront me!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Aunt Sophia, you are the legitimate wife of Javier Beckett and a properdy. How

    can Mandypare to you?¡± Liana ttered her aunt as she still needed her help.

    Rosaline sneered secretly. How could Sophia criticize Mandy when she used to be a mistress? If

    she hadn¡¯t deceived Jasper¡¯s foolish birth mother, she would never have entered the Beckett. family

    given her barren womb.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let Alice be part of the Taylors by marriage. Why bother pleasing Mandy?¡± Sophia

    narrowed her eyes, a cold light shing. ¡°Winston is the real deal. I heard from Javier that he is at

    hard person to deal with, and he values the family¡¯s reputation.¡±

    She added, ¡°Jonah is the eldest son he has trained to be his heir. The eldest son is definitely going to

    marry a daughter from a wealthy, influential family. He wouldn¡¯t stand still if his son married a country

    bumpkin! There¡¯s still a long time ahead of us. Let that fox be happy for a few days. I¡¯ll

    make her cry sooner orter!¡±

    Sophia had barely finished her sentence when the door to the ward suddenly opened. A chill swept in,

    and Jasper¡¯s tall and handsome figure filled the door frame.

    ¡°Jasper.¡± Liana felt a chill in her heart. She began to act pitifully.

    ¡°I must ask you something.¡±

    Hearing that, Liana clutched the nket. She trembled and hurriedly sought help from Sophia

    ¡°Jasper, Liana has been through a great shock. She just woke up. Let¡¯s wait until she recovers before

    asking her anything.¡± Sophia tried to persuade him gently.

    ¡°I must ask her now ¡°Jasper refused topromise.

 Chapter 79

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! It¡¯s all my fault! It¡¯s all my mistake!¡± Roanline thought it would be better to admit her

    wrongdoing instead of waiting to be questioned. She couldn¡¯t let this matter affect her daughter

    and ruin her chances of marrying into a noble family.

    So she rushed over with a sorrowful expression. And she knelt in front of Jasper.

    ¡°The Kirkmans are in trouble. Our cash flow is broken, and our factories are closing down one after

    another. When the Becketts refused to help, we were forced into a corner by the Taylors. We were

    left with no choice¡­

    ¡°So I discussed it with Liana¡¯s father, and we decided to sell some family assets for the sake of our

    ¡°If I had known that the ne was the token of your love to Liana¡­ Even if I starved or died of

    poverty, I would never have sold it!¡±

    Liana secretly heaved a sigh of relief before pretending to be shocked Tears welled in her eyes,

    and she cried, ¡°Mom¡­ How could you do this? That was my most beloved ne. How could

    you!¡±

    Jasper didn¡¯t even blink as he calmly said, ¡°That¡¯s not what I wanted to ask.¡±

    The ne was no longer of much importance to himpared to the false usations against

    Alice. Although he was still upset to see his heartfelt gift being mistreated, he could understand

    and forgive it if Liana had sold it to save her family.

    But twisting the truth, lying, and framing an innocent person was something he couldn¡¯t forgive.

    ¡°Did you hurt yourself? Or did Alice do it? Did she identally break her bracelet? Or did you snatch it

    from her and deliberately break it?¡± Jasper asked calmly. His gaze was still as water.

    ¡°Jasper, are you saying I¡¯m an evil woman who framed Alice?¡± Liana cried, acting innocent. ¡°You think I

    can¡¯t even match up to your ex¨Cwife, who cheated on you emotionally?¡±

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Jasper¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Lauren never lies. She said she didn¡¯t see Alice touch you¡±

    ¡°Lauren isn¡¯t in her right mind. And hernguage skills arecking. You know that, Jasper. Besides, she

    was hiding at the time. It¡¯s hard to say if she saw anything,¡± Sophia quickly stepped

    in to smooth things over,

    Jasper¡¯s lips curled faintly. ¡°Is itmon for mothers to criticize their daughters like this in front

    of others? I wouldn¡¯t know, as I don¡¯t have a mother.

    Sophia¡¯s face paled in an instant. He usually had the vigor of a zombie at home. But now, when he

    retorted, he was full of spirit!

    ¡°So, Lia, why did you do this? Since I chose you, I would never get back together with Alice. So

    why did you go looking for trouble with her?¡±

    Jasper suppressed the frustration within him, which felt like heavy chains binding his heart. The

    chains were so restrictive that his heart could hardly beat.

    He still called her ¡°Lia¡± because of their twenty years of friendship, the feelings they shared, and the

    redemption she brought during his dark childhood. He feared that this light in his life would

    extinguish and that he had made the wrong choice by staking everything on her.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t! It wasn¡¯t me!¡± Liana yelled, pounding on the bed. A bloodshot re now reced her

    usually gentle gaze.

    ¡°She stole my man! And now she wants to turn me into a scapegoat! Betty said Alice and Lauren

    were close when she was still part of the Becketts. They must be conspiring against me! Jasper,

    do you believe them over me? Have you fallen for Alice? Do you not want me anymore?!¡±

    ¡°I have always been yours. Even during the three years I was married to Alice. My feelings for you.

    never changed, and I never even touched her,¡± Jasper clenched his trembling fingers tightly. His

    starry eyes lost their luster.

    He recalled how Alice took the me for the suspicion, how her wrists were swollen. And how

    she looked back at him with tears and hatred, full of heartbreak and disappointment.

    Jasper took a deep breath, but the intense headache caused his vision to blur. ¡°But Liana, I¡¯m having a

    hard time understanding everything you¡¯ve been doingtely. Are you trying to push me

    toward her?¡±

    ¡°No, no! Jasper! Jasper!¡±

    Jasper left without a second nce at her, and it scared her. She staggered out of bed and rushed

    to the door. Only to be met with a heavy thud as the door closed in front of her face.

    Liana kicked the door of the ward angrily. However, she screamed in pain and hopped around in ce

    because she exerted too much strength.

    ¡°Alice! I won¡¯t let you get away with this! You swore to be my enemy? Bring it on!¡± she thought.

 Chapter 80

    As the night fell, they arrived at the ACE. It was one of Landon¡¯s properties.

    Jasper was feeling extremely depressed. So, he did something he had never done before¨Che went

    out to drink with his friends.

    Landon picked him up personally Jasper rarely took the initiative to contact him.

    ¡°Sometimes, I feel like I¡¯m your mistress,¡± Landon murmured into Jasper¡¯s ear. In front of others, he

    was bold and fearless. But he turned chatty and gossipy whenever he was around Jasper.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never stooped so low for any woman. But I¡¯m like a mistress waiting for her man when it

    ¡°You¡¯ve never stooped low for any woman?¡± Jasper nced at him. ¡°Well, you were stooping pretty

    low for Alice.¡±

    ¡°That was a one¨Ctime thing! It¡¯s mainly because your ex¨Cwife is too outstanding, and I ¡­ I can¡¯t

    help myself,¡± Landon said.

    Jasper resisted the urge to scream at him.

    Just then, two blonde chicks d in skimpy clothes passed them by. One of them even winked at

    Landon.

    When Landon grinned from ear to ear, Jasper asked, ¡°Is she that hot? She¡¯s nothingpared to

    her.¡±

    ¡°Who? As hot as Alice?¡±

    As if he had discovered something new, Landon¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°Damn! Jasper, you¡¯re cheating on me with Alice. And you imed that your marriage was just a

    contract. It¡¯s true! All men do is lie! Okay, to be fair, with a stunning beauty like Alice around you,

    it¡¯s no wonder you¡¯ll cave.¡±

    Jasper was taken aback by his words and clenched his ss of whiskey. He had spoken as though he

    had seen Alice¡¯s body, as if they had been intimate.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t touched her. You think too much,¡± Jasper said, his cheeks slightly flushed. He quickly

    downed the drink in his ss.

    How could he have such inappropriate thoughts about that woman?

    As they continued drinking, Landon couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Jasper, can I ask you a question? I¡¯ve

    always been curious about it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jasper replied.

    ¡°Why must it be Liana? Why?¡± Landon asked, hugging Jasper¡¯s neck. He pitied Alice. ¡°You saw it

    today. Those women wanted to tear Alice apart. If it wasn¡¯t for Lauren stepping in to defend her,

    she would have been torn into pieces. It¡¯s so unfair!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze wavered, and he seemed lost in memories. ¡°My mother suffered from depression

    and couldn¡¯t bear the rumors and Javier¡¯s cold treatment. She ended up jumping off a building.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    Shemitted suicide.¡±

    He continued, ¡°I was overwhelmed by grief and couldn¡¯t escape my despair. I even thought about

    following my mother and leaving this world. I attempted suicide.¡±

    Jasper removed his steel watch as he spoke, revealing a long, deep scar. For twenty years, he had

    kept it a secret. Landon was the first person he had confided in

    Landon¡¯s heart ached, and he let out a sigh.

    ¡°It was Liana who saved me in time. Since then, she has be my only friend. She would make

    desserts for me, invite me to her home, and give me her collection of toys. Back then, she was like

    my guardian, the hope that kept me alive. I promised to marry her. So, no matter what, I have to

    fulfill that promise.¡±

    Landon sighed.

    ¡°But Jasper, people change. You two haven¡¯t been together for so long. Do you think you still know

    her? What if you find out that she¡¯s drifting further and further away from the person you

    remember? What will you do then? Will you stubbornly hold on?

    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re grateful to him, and yes, you can repay her kindness. But Jasper, we can¡¯t lose sight of

    right and wrong and blindly support a person. Things like that aren¡¯t set in stone, right?¡±

    Jasper put his watch back on. He was deep in thought. His mind was filled with Alice¡¯s eyes, clear and

    pure, untainted by the world¡¯s corruption.

    His heart trembled, and he took another gulp of alcohol.

    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re an obsessive psycho. Once you¡¯ve made up your mind, nothing can pull you away,¡± Landon

    teased, clinking his ss with Jasper¡¯s.

    When they left the club, their luxury cars were already waiting at the entrance. The drivers. respectfully

    opened the doors for them.

    ¡°Landon, I have a question.¡± After holding it in all night, Jasper finally stopped Landon to ask.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Landon yawned.

    Jasper hesitated for a moment. Then, he asked in a low voice, ¡°Why did Alice admit it? Why didn¡¯t

    ¡°Maybe she just doesn¡¯t care anymore!¡± Landon replied, yawning again.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t care about what?¡± Jasper asked further.

    ¡°She¡¯s already divorced you. So, why would she care about what you think? If she doesn¡¯t care

    about you, why would she bother about what the Becketts think of her? She¡¯s probably lost all hope

    now. Given your vicious, cruel words, if I were Alice, I¡¯d probably find someone to beat you up!

    With that, Landon got into his luxury car and said goodbye.

    Jasper¡¯s hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. He imagined strangling himself, choking

    himself breathless.

 Chapter 81

    After returning from the charity auction, Alyssa locked herself in her room. She refused toe

    out. She was in an unusually low mood.

    In the evening, Jonah and Ss visited their sister. Although Alyssa came downstairs, she seemed

    listless. She wascking her usual vigor.

    ¡°Lyse, I heard about what happened at the auction from Mrs. Taylor,¡± Jonah said as he gently held his

    sister¡¯s bandaged hand. He stroked it tenderly. ¡°How¡¯s your injury? Did Sean take care of dressing the

    wound for you? Does it still hurt? Is there any infection?¡±

    ¡°I have basic first aid. I can take care of it myself. Sean¡¯s already worried about many things. I don¡¯t

    want to bother him with something this small,¡± Alyssa replied sullenly. She quickly pulled her hand

    back.

    ¡°Sean is bing less reliable! If I hadn¡¯t bumped into Mrs. Taylor at home and learned about what

    happened to you at the auction, we would¡¯ve been kept in the dark!¡± Ss said, his eyes filled

    with rage.

    ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll deliver a subpoena to the Becketts. Jonah can contact the KS legal team and

    formally sue those old hags for damaging your reputation! I¡¯ll burn down their home! We¡¯ll show

    them the might of the Taylors!¡±

    ¡°Let it go. It¡¯s not worth it.¡± Alyssa leaned against Jonah¡¯s wide chest. She said softly, ¡°We have a

    legal team, but don¡¯t the Becketts have one too? If things escte, it will reach Dad¡¯s ears. It¡¯s not

    worth it.¡±

    In the end, she was afraid of her father knowing about her and Jasper¡¯s affairs. While he couldn¡¯t

    do anything to her, he might get hypertension from anger. Despite his tough appearance, he was

    aging. And she didn¡¯t want him to worry about such a mess.

    However, that didn¡¯t mean she would let Liana off the hook. Alyssa looked at her injured hand.

    She was reminded of the emerald bracelet she had been trying to repair for two days. Tears filled

    her eyes.

    ¡°Liam is trying to return from the military because he heard you got injured. Meanwhile, Axel is

    already on his way back. He¡¯ll be home very soon,¡± Jonah said. He hugged his sister and gently

    smoothed her dark hair.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch on my hand! How can I let them worry about me? One has a high position, and

    the other carries great responsibilities. They can¡¯t be bogged down by something this small,¡±

    Alyssa eximed.

    Then, she took out her phone to send a voice message to Taylor Family¡¯s Secret Society.

    I¡¯ll ignore anyone who dares toe back for a year!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I already got permission,¡± Liam replied.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! Anyone whoes back is no brother of mine. Do with that information what you.

    will!¡±

    Axel, on the other hand, remained silent.

    ¡°Looks like you won¡¯t be able to stop Axel. He¡¯s probably somewhere in the sky,¡± Ss said,

    pointing upward.

    Alyssa pped her forehead, feeling helpless.

    Although Axel was born an introvert, he had always loved to surprise her since they were kids. If

    he were here, he would definitely dote on her, leaving her other brothers out.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ignore him. I¡¯m done being his sister!¡±

    Alyssa chewed her lips and toyed with the cuff of Jonah¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Jonah, take me back to

    Belbankster. I want to visit Stellus.¡±

    Lauren had offended all the female Becketts and Kirkmans foring forward as a witness for Alice.

    Before the incident, she already felt like she was walking on thin ice at home. But now, it was as if she

    were stepping on hot coals. The situation was unbearable.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You brat! Did that vige girl pay you? Is she using you as her spy?¡± Having had too much to drink,

    Betty stormed into Lauren¡¯s room.

    you were She pointed at her face and cursed, ¡°You really are an ungrateful animal! I used to think.

    na?ve. But you were only biding your time. You were waiting for a chance toe out and cause

    trouble!¡±

    ¡°I¨CI¡¯m not an animal! I didn¡¯t lie. And nobody paid me,¡± Lauren stammered, her face turning pale. She

    hugged her favorite teddy bear tightly. ¡°Y¨Cyou bullied Alice¡­ I don¡¯t want Alice to be bullied!¡±

    The teddy bear was a limited edition toy that Alyssa had specially bought from Randend for Lauren.

    She had gotten up early and waited in the rain for six hours just to get it. Lauren would hold onto it

    every night as she slept.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! How dare you raise your voice at me? I¡¯ll teach you a lesson!¡± Betty grabbed her

    sister¡¯s soft hair and pulled hard. She wanted to rip off Lauren¡¯s scalp.

    ¡°Ah! It hurts! it hurts!¡±

    ¡°Who let you straighten your hair? Didn¡¯t I tell you not to do it? Have you forgotten what I said?

    tugged her little sister¡¯s head back and forth.

    It wasn¡¯t entirely about Alice. Her real resentment stemmed from the day at Sna Belware

    Auction House. On that fateful day, the man Betty had longed for, Landon, talked to Lauren without any

    prompting. Not only that, he smiled and touched her short hair.

    Betty had witnessed the whole scene and was so jealous that she wanted to shave all of Lauren¡¯s hair

    off.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re nning! Are you really helping that vige girl? Or are you pretending to be an

    innocent angel to seduce Landon?!¡±

 Chapter 82

    ?

    "H...'' Tears welled up in Lauren''s eyes as she choked on her words.

    ''You just want to go against our wishes! Since we look down on Alice, you decide to help her out. All because you wanted to show how special you are! Do you really think you''re a heroine for doing that?"

    Betty''s pretty face was now twisted into one of hatred and anger. "Stop being stupid! Mr. Landon will never have feelings for you! Stop being delusional!

    "Ms. Betty, what are you doing?'' Mrs. Rosie rushed into the room before pulling Lauren into a hug.

    The other housekeepers in Seaview Manor were used to such dramas. Besides, they''d rather stay away from the conflict. Mrs. Rosie was the only one who dared to defend Lauren. "Get out, Mrs. Rosie! This is none of your business!" Betty snapped at her in frustration. "I think you should be the one leaving this room!"

    Mrs. Rosieforted Lauren, who was trembling in fright. She eyed Betty up and down.

    She warned, "If you leave this room right now, I''ll pretend I never saw anything. Otherwise, I''ll tell Mr. Jasper how you bullied Ms. Lauren once hees home!"

    Betty shuddered at the thought before gritting her teeth angrily.

    If Jasper were to find out how she truly acted in Seaview Manor, he would most likely tell Landon about it. After all, both of them were best friends. Betty would definitely have a hard time pursuing Landon if Jasper decided to sabotage her.

    With that thought in mind, the woman decided to stop bullying Lauren. For now, at least.

    Still, she felt that she didn''t push Lauren around enough. Before Betty left the room, she snatched the teddy bear from Lauren''s arms and chucked it from the window.

    "Ah! My teddy bear!"

    "Ugh, it''s just junk!" Betty huffed coldly. She flipped her long curls before leaving the room casually.

    Lauren bolted out of the manor hurriedly.

    It just so happened that Jasper returned to Seaview Manor at that time. He was surprised to see his younger sister in a panic.

    "What''s wrong, Lauren?" He quickly stopped Lauren from running around. There was a frown on his face.

    Even though he hated Sophia and Betty, he still cared about Lauren. She was known to be weak and fragile.

    Besides, she did impress him by stepping out to defend Alice two days ago.

    "My teddy bear is gone!" Tears and snot streaked down the young woman''s panic-stricken face.

    ''Don''t worry. I''ll help you look for it." Jasper led Lauren to the garden. There, they could see a teddy bear lying on a muddy patch.

    Jasper was a man who loved cleanliness. His custom-made leather shoes were always kept in pristine condition at all times. Yet he didn''t hesitate to step onto the muddy puddle. He didn''t care about the filth.

    Soon enough, he was able to retrieve Lauren''s teddy bear.

    Even though the teddy bear was extremely dirty, Lauren still hugged it tightly to her chest. It was as though she had found a precious treasure. She started sobbing quietly, and tears flowed down her cheeks.

    Jasper was never one who empathized with others, but the sight of his sister made him feel a little sad.

    "Just throw that dirty thing away. I''ll buy you a new teddy bear in the future."

    "No! I only want this teddy bear! Alice gave it to me! It''s my favorite teddy bear!"Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper could feel his heart skipping a beat at that moment. He never realized that Lauren liked Alice so much.

    Meanwhile, Lauren started recalling the times when Alice was kind to her. She also remembered how difficult living in the huge mansion was without the woman''s presence. Soon, she thought about how Javier had neglected her. To make things worse, Sophia was cold to her, not to mention Betty kept bullying her the whole time.

    "Jasper!" The young woman rushed over to hug her older brother. She sobbed, "Will Alice evere back? I miss her so much! Can you please not divorce her?"

    Jasper parted his lips slightly. He felt an invisible lump forming in his throat.

    He tousled Lauren''s hair silently. He couldn''t even say a thing.

    The man was afraid that he might break her heart by telling her the truth.

    At that moment, his phone rang. It was a call from his grandfather, which was enough to

    disrupt his thought process.

    "Yes, Grandpa?"

    "Why can''t I call Alice at all?"

    The older Newton got, the more childish he became. He sounded like he was about to break down in tears from the other end of the line.

    "What''s wrong with Alice? I can''t seem to contact her at alltely! She doesn''t even visit me now! Does she not want to see me anymore? Jasper, you stupid brat! This is all your fault! Ir Alice doesn''t care about me anymore, I''ll disown you!"

    *Grandpa, Alice still cares about you. Don''t overthink it." Jasper pinched the spot between his

    brows while locking anxious.

    ''Then hurry up and contact Alice for me! I want to see my beloved granddaughter-inw! Go find her, damn it!''

 Chapter 83

    That night, the Taylor siblings left Sna City and returned to Belbanks.

    The cities weren¡¯t that far from each other. It only took the siblings less than two hours to reach.

    Belbanks via the highway.

    Sna City was the country¡¯s economic center. It was rich in resources.

    It was a great ce for businesses to expand and develop, so countlesspaniespeted for a

    spot there.

    However, Belbanks was an entirely different story. Over the past century, the Taylors were the only

    ones dominating the city.

    The Taylor family¡¯s businesses gave one¨Cthird of the Bellbanks poption their jobs. Hence, the family

    was known as the Ruler of Belbanks.

    It could be said that Belbanks would remain a small ordinary town without the Taylors¡® influence. After

    all, they were the ones who brought about such a massive change in the city¡¯s economy.

    Soon, the siblings arrived at Stellus.

    ¡°Oh, Ms. Alyssa! When did you return to this city?¡±

    Don ckwell, the elderly groundskeeper of Stellus, weed the Taylor siblings happily. He

    was the youngest son of Winston¡¯s nanny. They were childhood friends who were extremely close

    to each other.

    Don wasn¡¯t an ambitious man at all. He wasn¡¯t interested in living a life of luxury. He also chose to

    remain single and child¨Cfree.

    Stellus was his only priority in life, and he spent his days working on the gems. Life was very

    rxing for him.

    ¡°How have you been doingtely, Uncle Don? Do your legs still ache during rainy days? Is your

    asthma getting better now? I asked Sean to pass some medicine over to you some time ago. Is it

    effective?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes sparkled animatedly as she linked arms with Don affectionately.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing well. But your return makes everything better.¡± Don was so delighted that he started

    crying happy tears.

    ¡°I came here to ask you for a favor.¡±

    Alyssa let out a small sigh and decided to be straightforward. ¡°A good friend of mine gave me a

    present, but I identally broke it. I¡¯m worried he might be sad if he finds out, so I want to make a

    ¡°What¡¯s the present?¡±

    Alyssa pursed her lips before fishing a vintage essory bag out of her bag. Then she retrieved

    the shards of an emerald bracelet from within.

    ¡°Oh my! That emerald came from an ore of great quality. It¡¯s difficult to find such a great ore even

    if I have to crack open a thousand ores. What a shame.¡± Don had always been a gem enthusiast, so

    he couldn¡¯t help but feel heartbroken when he saw the shards.

    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard to get such a great¨Cquality ore, but I¡¯d still like to try. How many uncracked ores

    do you have left?¡± Alyssa asked.

    ¡°About 500, give or take.¡±

    ¡°I want all of them opened tonight.¡±

    ¡°Ahem¡± Don choked on his spit at that moment.

    Jonah let out a light cough out of embarrassment. Meanwhile, Ss was already reaching for his

    phone. He was ready to call Winston for help.

    Alyssa had the tendency to say the most shocking things in such a light and airy tone.

    ¡°No way! You¡¯re going to exhaust my supply!¡± Don sounded very anxious. At the same time, he thought

    that Alyssa resembled Winston a lot when it came to spending money.

    ¡°You¡¯re being dramatic, Uncle Don. You can keep the gems for yourself. It¡¯s not like you have to sell

    them, right? After all, I¡¯ve already requested that the ores be cracked open. You can put the

    total price on-

    An idea popped into Alyssa¡¯s mind at that moment. She remembered Axel defying her sometime ago,

    so she wanted to punish him. Hence, she was quick to drag him into this mess.

    ¡°Anyway, you can put it on Axel¡¯s tab. Tell him that I ordered it and have him cough up twice the original

    amount. He¡¯s extremely rich anyway, so it¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Don clutched his chest with a pained look on his face. He proceeded to copse after that.

    Jonah and Ss moved immediately and caught the elderly man just in time.

    The Taylor family owned four beautiful gardens in Belbanks. Their names were Lunarus, Culombus,

    Fogustus, and Stellus.

    Stellus was known for its natural and untainted beauty, which could inspire the masses. Herman

    Fowler, an expert in hardstone carving, had set his sights on it.

    However, Winston soon bought it with a billion dors. Herman was so furious that he almost

    disowned his student, Don, on the spot for being best friends with Winston.

    It was Herman¡¯s 60th birthday half a monthter. Winston gave Stellus to him as a grand birthday

    gift.

    That act was able to get rid of the misunderstanding between them. It turned out that Winston had

    bought Stellus with the intention of giving it to Herman as his birthday gift.

    The whole thing was meant to be a surprise, after all.

    After that, Herman passed away. As his only student, Don inherited Stellus and started managing

    it since then.

    Alyssa followed Don to the workshop to start cracking the ores open. Meanwhile, the Taylor

    brothers sat in a pavilion while drinking ck tea.

    ¡°Lyse is too nice to the Becketts. I¡¯m starting to get jealous of them.¡± Ss scowled in displeasure.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett Senior is a distinguished and renowned elder, not to mention he likes Lyse a lot. Lyse

    is one who repays people for their kindness. It¡¯s only natural for her to want to repay Mr. Beckett Senior

    for his good deeds. She has my support.¡±

    Jonah took a sip from his teacup slowly while speaking in a velvety baritone.

    ¡°You support her, hmm? I refuse to believe you¡¯d still support Lyse if she were to start dating Jast

    again!¡±

    ¡°No one can change Lyse¡¯s mind, you know. That¡¯s how she is. The more we object to her decision,

    the more she wants to date Jasper.¡± Jonah heaved a light sigh.

    ¡°Damn it! Our sister is a revered and distinguished beauty. She even rejects the pursuits of the prime

    minister¡¯s son from the neighboring country! How could she dedicate her love to a bastard

    son who recently got acknowledged by his own family?¡±

    Ss huffed coldly. ¡°Then again, this is a good thing. Jasper is the biggest jerk out of the bastard

    colony, after all. Lyse won¡¯t be fooled by the other bastards¡® tricks and ploys if she ever meets them in

    the future.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s phone started buzzing on the table at that moment.

 Chapter 84

    Jonah looked down at his screen. ¡°Speak of the devil,¡± he mumbled when he saw Jasper¡¯s name

    on the screen.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett,¡± he greeted coldly after answering the call.

    Ss frowned immediately. He leaned forward just to listen to the phone conversation.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, I¡¯m looking for Alice. I¡¯d like to talk to her about something.¡± Jasper¡¯s deep voice was

    tinged with a trace of anxiety.

    ¡°Alice is busy with something else right now.¡±

    ¡°When is she avable to talk, then?¡°.

    ¡°She¡¯ll always be busy when ites to you.¡±

    Jonah had always been nice and polite. But he¡¯d always go for his target¡¯s weak spot whenever he

    started insulting them.

    Ss clenched his fists excitedly. He was cheering his older brother on.

    Meanwhile, Jasper fell silent, his expression now stormy.

    ¡°First of all, the fact that Alice changed her phone number means she doesn¡¯t want you to contact

    her anymore. Even if you two have yet to get legally divorced, you shouldn¡¯t disturb her. That¡¯s the

    minimum respect you should show her.¡±

    Jonah continued, ¡°Secondly, I know what happened during the charity auction.¡±

    Jasper widened his eyes in response. His heart throbbed in pain as though an invisible force was

    squeezing it.

    Ss couldn¡¯t help but shudder in fear.

    Jonah Taylor was a frightening man. On the one hand, he was a kind andpassionate man, but on

    the other hand, he had a brutal and unforgiving side as well.

    It wasn¡¯t as though Jonah had the temper of a saint. It was just that he couldn¡¯t be bothered to get mad

    about every other thing in life.

    Well, his family was the only exception to that rule.

    ¡°About that-

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what your bottom line is. All I know is that you¡¯ve crossed mine.¡± Jonah¡¯s tone grew

    sharper and colder. mes of anger danced in his eves at that moment.

    ¡°My bottom line will always be Alice,¡± he said ¡°This will be thest time I pick up your call. Mr. Beckett.

    Consider this my final warning as well. Keep your fianc¨¦e and your family under control

    ¡°Don¡¯t you

    dare cause trouble for Alice anymore. You¡¯d better be prepared for the consequences if you cross the

    line one more time.¡±

    When Jonah was done speaking, he hung up on Jasper immediately

    Back in Seaview Manor, Jasper stood before the window while staring at his phone. He slowly

    tightened his grip around it. He could feel his heart throbbing in pain once again

    He relied on Jonah to contact Alice, but now, that connection was severed. For the first time ever,

    Jasper felt hollow on the inside. He was starting to panic as well

    This time, there was a high possibility that Alice might disappear from his life once and for all

    Perhaps Jasper wouldn¡¯t be able to track her down ever again.

    The man felt extremely frustrated and annoyed. He scrambled the depths of his drawer to look for

    a pack of cigarettes Thankfully, there were still two sticks left

    With shaking fingers, Jasper managed to slot one of them between his lips. He had to flick his

    lighter a few times in a row to light it up.

    The reddish¨Corange light flickered during those attempts. At the same time, Jasper realized that

    he was acting weirder by the day.

    He hadn¡¯t smoked over the past five years, yet he started picking up that habit just because he

    missed his ex¨Cwife. The person he never loved.

    It was already past midnight. Yet there was still someone at the huge workshop in Stellus.

    Alyssa could be seen ving over the ores in a ck apron Her forehead waspletely covered

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    in sweat

    The young woman had already cracked open hundreds of ores by then She even polished and crafted

    numerous bracelets worth at least four figures each Still, those bracelets were worth

    nothing to her

    No No None of them looked like it!

    None of those bracelets looked like the one Newton had gifted her!

    Alyssa gritted her teeth in frustration, her eyes already bloodshot. She continued to polish a block

    of raw gem on the machine

    Her fingers, which were usually fair and slender, were now covered in calluses The cuts on her

    Alyssa wanted nothing more than to craft a bracelet identical to Newton¡¯s gift. Otherwise, she¡¯d be

    too ashamed to face him in the future.

    At that moment, a loud booming noise drifted from the outside. It rumbled so loudly that even the

    metallic door was starting to vibrate.

    However, Alyssa remained unmoved. All she cared about was polishing the gems.

    Suddenly, the door swung open from the outside. A strong gale blew into the workshop, making the

    woman narrow her eyes out of instinct.

    A helicopter could be seen parked outside the workshop despite being shrouded by the darkness. The

    door was slowly opened before a man descended down the helicopter.

    He was wearing a ck trench coat that pped in the wind. A cold look was present on his handsome

    face.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m back!¡±

 Chapter 85

    Alyssa looked at the handsome man in front of her.

    He had sunk down on one knee while looking up at her affectionately.

    ¡°I heard that my dear sister wants to punish ine.¡± The man¡¯s lips curled into a mischievous smile.

    ¡°Axel¡­¡± Alyssa murmured in a soft tone.

    ¡°Whew! I was so relieved when I heard you call my name.¡±

    Axel Whitaker was the fourth scion of the Taylor family. No one would have thought that a cold and

    distant man like him was capable of smiling at his sister brightly.

    He wrapped a muscr arm around Alyssa¡¯s waist and held her tenderly. Then, he stuck his other

    hand into his trench coat¡¯s pocket and fished out a bar of chocte. Axel proceeded to tear open the

    packaging with his teeth before feeding the chocte to Alyssa

    This chocte bar is a local specialty at Artoria. Besides, it¡¯s your favorite as well. Give it a taste.¡±

    ¡°Axel!¡±

    Alyssa leaned forward to hug Axel tightly. For some reason, she felt like crying all of a sudden

    Soon, her tears started staining Axel¡¯s shirt.

    There were a few reasons behind her emotional breakdown. Alyssa missed Axel a lot, but at the

    same time, she felt guilt toward Newton and anger toward Liana. She was also frustrated by the

    fact that she couldn¡¯t craft the emerald bracelet.

    Deep down, Alyssa still suffered from the disappointment and heartbreak Jasper had caused her.

    ¡°Lyse? Are you crying?¡± A surprised Axel caressed the back of Alyssa¡¯s neck gently.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Alyssa replied moodily.

    ¡°Are you sure about that? The front of my shirt ispletely soaked, you know.¡±

    ¡°I said no!¡± Even though Alyssa sounded all choked up, she still denied the fact stubbornly

    Axel knew that his sister was a prideful woman and had rarely cried since she was a little girl

    Hence, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

    He continued hugging Alyssa instead while coaxing her gently. A dull ache throbbed from his

    heart when he saw her sobbing.

    Axel¡¯s return marked the end of Jasper¡¯s peaceful life. That was for sure.

    At that time, Jonah and Ss were standing outside the lobby. They watched the touching scene

    Ss gritted his teeth in annoyance. ¡°Damn it, I can¡¯t believe that guy got to act cool in front of

    Lyse! She never showed her vulnerable side in front of me! How the hell did Axel pull that off?¡±

    ¡°Since Axelnded the helicopter on Stellus¡® grounds, the damages he caused to the tiles and the

    greenery must be massive.¡±

    Jonah shook his head with a small sigh. ¡°Remember to let Axel know he¡¯s responsible for paying the

    damages he caused to Stellus.*

    Despite having worked till dawn, Alyssa was unable to craft the perfect bracelet. She dozed off

    amidst the pile of ores.

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Don had prepared a guest room for the young woman. Axel scooped her into his arms and headed

    toward the room slowly. Finally, he ced Alyssa on the bed carefully while Ss watched

    cautiously.

    -Axel tucked the sleeping woman in and nted a kiss on her cheek Then, he left the room

    happily before closing the room behind him.

    ¡°Tch! Hey, you stingy prick! You never gave Lyse anything nice, even though you keep traveling

    around the world! All you did was give her a bar of chocte! Seriously, just how stingy can you get?¡±

    Ss mocked with his arms folded in front of his chest.

    ¡°Can you change your attitude for once, Ss?¡± Axel shot him a sidelong nce

    ¡°Hey, show me some respect!¡± Ss red back.

    ¡°Only if you do it first.¡±

    ¡°F*** you!¡± Ss cussed out loud furiously. He tried to kick Axel.

    Naturally, he was no match for the super spy Axel dodged the kick wlessly

    Ss missed his target. As a result, he almost ripped his jeans, which would have been embarrassing

 Chapter 86

    *Haha! Hasn¡¯t anyone wamed you about ripping your pants if you¡¯re not careful? You should be mindful

    of your own limits!¡± Axel burst intoughter on the spot.

    It had been a very long time since he was able tough so heartily. After all, the atmosphere at the

    secret spy headquarters was always very tense and serious.

    Jonah¡¯s expression softened as he watched his younger brothers mess around. At that moment, he

    couldn¡¯t help but reminisce about the past.

    ¡°Speaking of gifts, look at what I got Lyse.¡±

    Axel¡¯s eyes glinted mischievously as he showed the others a silver rectangr box while looking

    excited.

    After punching in aplex passcode, Axel opened the box and revealed the contents for all to see,

    Jonah froze up while Ss inhaled sharply in return.

    The R&D department in the headquarters created this gun recently. There¡¯s a mix of ammo and

    tranquilizers in this revolver. Lyse can spin the cylinder to the left if she is in danger. The tranquilizers

    are more than enough to put her target to sleep for three days. If she wants that target dead, she can

    spin to the right for regr ammo.¡±

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Axel started introducing the second item. ¡°This lighter acts like a mini grenade. It¡¯s convenient to carry it

    around. Not to mention it packs quite a punch. It¡¯s powerful enough to destroy a building, after all. Ah,

    let¡¯s not forget about this baby!¡±

    No matter hAxel¡¯s age, he¡¯d forever be a child at heart. He proceeded to unt thest gadget in

    the box smugly. ¡°Lyse loves jewelry, doesn¡¯t she? I have this ring custom¨Cmade just for her! Look

    at it! Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡±

    Ss was curious about the ring. He was about to start fiddling with it when Axel suddenly gripped his

    wrist.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch it. That ring is capable of pricking you with venomous needles. The venom is even

    stronger than that of a rattlesnake¡¯s.¡±

    Jonah looked down at his feet. ¡°May God bless you. Amen.¡±

    A look of fright appeared on Ss¡® face. ¡°How could you give Lyse such dangerous weapons?¡±

    ¡°Pssh! You know nothing about how useful my gadgets are!¡±

    Axel narrowed his eyes dangerously. ¡°Jasper Beckett, that fucking piece of shit! How dare he

    bully my sister! I¡¯ve prepared those gifts just for him! Lyse will be the one deciding his fate!¡±

    Ss was impressed by Axel¡¯s ferocity.

    ¡°Axel, now that you¡¯ve returned, how long do you n on staying this time?¡± Jonah asked in

    concem

    ¡°Half a month, give or take.¡±

    Axel looked a little reluctant to leave after a short period of time.

    He exined, ¡°I need to fly to Mosgravia for an urgent mission. So, I need to travel there in advance

    just to make preparations. If it weren¡¯t for that, I¡¯d have liked to stay here and spend more time with

    Lyse.¡±

    ¡°Your jobes first. Ss and I will protect Lyse. So, don¡¯t worry about her.¡±

    Jonah paused briefly before asking in a softer tone, ¡°Are you going to visit Dad? We were just talking

    about you a few days ago.¡±

    ¡°Nah. We tend to fight whenever I visit.¡± Axel waved dismissively, though he looked slightly gloomy.

    Jonah and Ss exchanged looks. They felt a little sad.

    Even Alyssa was starting to ept the fact that she had three mothers. Yet, Axel refused to forgive

    Winston for cheating on his mother with other women.

    That was why he enrolled in a military academy and became a spy despite everyone¡¯s protests. Axel

    proceeded to leave his hometown for long periods and worked elsewhere.

    He¡¯d rather avoid Winston for the rest of his life.

    However, Axel found himself starting to miss his family more over the past two years. Perhaps the older

    he became, the more sentiment*l he got. The man frequently recalled the childhood. years he had

    spent with his siblings.

    ¡°Hey, Ss! Let¡¯s go beat Jasper up!¡±

    Axel hooked an arm around Ss¡® neck. They now shared a good rtionship despite fighting just

    moments ago.

    Did Axel mention something about beating Jasper up?

    Ss quickly reacted to that statement.

    ¡°You¡¯re on your own. Lyse warned us to not cause any trouble for Jas. I can¡¯t go back on my word

    now, can I?¡±

    He quickly backed away from Axel.

    Axel just chuckled in amusement. His lips then curled into a cheeky smirk.

 Chapter 87

    Alyssa ended up staying at Stellus for the next three days.

    She barely slept as she wanted to craft the perfect emerald bracelet, the exact replica of the one

    Newton had given her. If she got tired, she¡¯d nap in the workshop. Once she woke up, she¡¯d take a

    few bites of food before continuing work.

    The other men worked their respective jobs during the day. They turned down all business and

    social invitations just to have dinner with their sister at night.

    Jonah and his brothers prepared a fancy dinner that night. It consisted of Alyssa¡¯s favorite dishes.

    Still, she yed with her food moodily while propping her cheek with a hand.

    The men were anxious about Alyssa¡¯s current state. But they didn¡¯t know how to help her out.

    They knew nothing about jewelry, after all.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa.¡± Alyssa snapped out of her thoughts before turning to look at Don wearily.

    Thetter ced a beautiful jewelry box in front of her.

    ¡°What¡¯s this, Uncle Don?¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you open it and find out for yourself?¡±

    Alyssa frowned in confusion as she opened the box.

    She covered her mouth in shock the next moment. She could only stare at the clear crystal

    bracelet. It looked beautiful and radiant.

    There were minor differences between this bracelet and the one Newton had given her. Still, it

    resembled the original bracelet.

    ¡°My master was the one who crafted this bracelet. It has to be one of his greatest works in life. He

    originally wanted to give it to Madam as a gift, but he was unable to do so in the end.¡±

    Don heaved a heavy sigh as he spoke.

    ¡°Madam? I thought Mr. Fowler was single!¡± Ss pointed out curiously while chewing on some.

    meat.

    Don shot him a nce. ¡°My master had a crush on Madam back in the day.¡±

    ¡°Oh. I thought Mr. Fowler loved ores more than women,¡± Axel said jokingly after taking a sip of

    wine. ¡°Why didn¡¯t he give it to her? Was it because he didn¡¯t have the guts to do that?¡±

    ¡°My master and Madam had studied the craft under the same master. At that time, he disliked

    same roof, he fell in love with her without knowing it.

    ¡±

    ¡°After that, Madam got married to another man. My master had made this bracelet with the

    intention of giving it to her as a wedding gift. He never expected Madam to get into a severe car

    ident on her wedding day. In the end, she went into aa. Soon, she passed away.¡±

    The Taylor siblings looked surprised. Sadness soon washed over them.

    ¡°From that day onward, my master vowed never to fall in love ever again. He devoted all his

    feelings for Madam to hardstone carving. For many years afterward, he licked his wounds by focusing

    on the craft.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Fowler knew what true love was. Perhaps none of the men in this world was as loyal and

    dedicated as he was toward Madam,¡± Alyssamented with a sigh. She looked slightly envious.

    ¡°But his ignorance toward love was the cause of this tragedy, wasn¡¯t it? It all came back to bite

    him in the ass.¡±

    Jonah, Sh, and Alyssa turned around to re at their brother. Axel stopped speaking instantly

    before taking another sip from his ss awkwardly

    Alyssa felt quite bitter inside.

    Even a man as emotionless as Herman could fall in love without realizing it. Even though Alyssa

    and Jasper were married for three years, he never loved her. Not even once.

    Did he ever regret his actions now that she wanted to divorce him?

    As if!

    If Jasper truly felt remorse, how could he repeatedly humiliate her with harsh words?

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    If he did regret his actions, why would he side with those mean women and question her integrity?

    Alyssa and Jasper were now divorced. It meant she was no longer his wife. Because of that, Jasper

    couldn¡¯t be bothered to respect her.

    Alyssa chuckled ment*lly before picking up her wine ss and downing the contents. Her throat

    scorched in pain, yet it was enough to make her sober.

    Herman would definitely roll in his grave if he were to find out that she hadpared him to a

    bastard like Jasper.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you should take the bracelet. I¡¯vepared it to the shattered bracelet. It¡¯s the only

    bracelet that resembles the original one the most.¡±

    Don gazed at Alyssa seriously.

    *15 BONUS

    ¡°Ny way! This homelet is a personal relic left behind by Mr. Fowler! It¡¯s too pieclents for me to

    Alyssa pushed the box back to Don in a state of panje

    ¡°My juanter told me with hisst words before passing away No one is allowed to touch his belongings

    save for Winston¡¯s children Once those children grow up, they are free to take anything they want¡±

    Tears started bimming in Alyana¡¯s eyes at that moment ¡°Uncle Don, I-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve witnessed how much effort you had put in just to recreate the bracelet over the past few days That

    bracelet must be a gift from an important friend, right?

    ¡°You¡¯re a loyal and eating woman, Ms Alyssa Mr Towler would be happy to see how wonderful of a

    person you are Just take it ¡±

    Don siled lovingly before stuffing the box into Alysan¡¯s hands

    That night, the Taylor siblings said their goodbyes to Don before leaving Stellus together.

    Then Rolls¨CRoyce sped in the direction of Sna City

    Alyana leaned against Jonah tiredly, her eyes already half¨Cclosed. Still, she continued to hug the

    jewelry box tightly

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯d like to tell you something Jasper contacted me on the night you returned to Belbanks,¡± Jonah

    unid softly.

    ¡°Oh ¡°Alyssa could feel her heart skipping a beat. Still, she chose to respond casually.

 Chapter 88

    ¡°I told him not to contact you ever again. Also, I was quite mean to him. I wonder what he was

    thinking back then.¡±

    ¡°Good job. I won¡¯t let a filthy bastard like him into my life ever again. After all, I¡¯m the beloved sister of

    the KS Group¡¯s president.¡±

    ¡°Of course. All the men in the KS Group worship the very ground you walk on.¡± Jonah smiled lovingly

    while patting his younger sister.

    ¡°Jonah, give me your phone,¡± Alyssa said.

    Jonah handed his phone over to her. He looked confused. ¡°Your birthday¡¯s the passcode.

    ¡°Got it.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Alyssa tapped on the contact list and blocked Jasper¡¯s phone number.

    ¡°How brutal.¡± A small smile appeared on Jonah¡¯s face.

    ¡°I gotta end things once and for all with him. That bastard won¡¯t learn his lesson if I don¡¯t take the

    extreme approach.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze grew icy the moment she brought up her ex¨Chusband

    It was safe to say that Jasper could barely eat or sleep over the past few days. All because of his ex

    -wife¡¯s disappearance.

    Ever since Alice went missing, Newton started calling Jasper on the phone frequently. Jasper

    then realized his grandfather was a lot harder to handle than before.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, why don¡¯t we call the police?¡± Xavier did his best toe up with ideas.

    ¡°Let¡¯s lodge a missing person¡¯s report. You and Madam Alice have yet to finalize the divorce.

    procedures. You two are still married. It¡¯s normal for a husband to look for his missing wife. Madam

    Alice might show up after we make the report.¡±

    ¡°Are you dumb?¡± Jasper shot Xavier a re.

    ¡°Then what should we do? It¡¯s as if Madam Alice has vanished into thin air! She doesn¡¯t have her

    >phone. She has no friends, either. The only person who¡¯s in contact with her refuses to talk to you

    as well-¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes dangerously at Xavier. He wanted nothing more than to kick that idiot

    out of his office.

    Last night, he tried to call Jonah¡¯s number again, only to realize that he was blocked.

    It was Jasper¡¯s first time getting blocked by someone. He could only sit there while looking quite

    stunned. His mind even went nk at that time. In the end, he spent over ten minutes trying to

    recover from the shock.

    Jasper felt as though Jonah had trampled all over his pride and ego before spitting in his face. It

    was very humiliating.

    At that moment, he rose to his feet before putting on his suit jacket. Then, he headed toward the

    door.

    ¡°Get the car ready. We¡¯re going to KS World Hotel.¡±

    Alyssa was quick to start working as soon as she returned from Belbanks.

    Sean was the one who had been hosting meetings with the senior management during the past few

    days. He was finally reassured when he saw Alyssa looking very spirited and cheerful.

    The recent check¨Cin rate of KS World Hotel had a 20% increase. The result might not be

    outstanding, but it was still a nice improvement.

    Besides, Alyssa made new menus for the buffet and the fancy restaurants in the hotel. There was even

    a week of events dedicated to the cuisines served in the hotel.

    The number of patrons who came to the hotel just to dine there had increased by a huge margin. Every

    day, the hotel¡¯s profits from its F&B section were quite lucrative.

    But Alyssa would never be satisfied with the current results.

    She was Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter, so it was natural for her to be ambitious. Alyssa wanted to make

    KS World Hotel one of the most famous hotels in the world. She needed her hotel to surpass

    the hotel managed by the Beckett Group.

    Alyssa was aplete loser in her marriage with Jasper.

    So, she refused to lose to him in the business industry.

    ¡°I heard that someone checked into the presidential suite of our hotel. It used to be unupied for

    two years straight.¡±

    Alyssa decided to chat with Sean while reading the finance news.

    ¡°Guess who the guest is.¡± Sean circled around Alyssa. He started massaging her shoulders gently

    and skillfully

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it was Landon Harper.¡±

    was Betty Beckett¡®

    Alyssa raised an eyebrow in response. ¡°Oh? Why did she check into such a big room?¡±

    ¡°I heard from the employees in the housekeeping department that Betty checked into the presidential

    suite with three of her friends. They threw a party there throughout the night.¡±

    Sean continued, ¡°Twe tall and muscr models even slipped into the suite in the middle of the night

    They definitely had an orgy thatsted the whole night. It¡¯s a good thing this hotel has amazing

    soundproofing.

    ¡°Those models left the suite around 5 am. Maybe they didn¡¯t want to attract anyone¡¯s attention.¡±

    ¡°I did hear that Betty was a slut. Then again, I can¡¯t imagine three women sharing two men. Can those

    women even satiate their lust?¡±

    Alyssa clicked her tongue while sounding disgusted. ¡°Once they check out, tell the housekeepers to

    sanitize the suite thoroughly. Make sure to discard the bedsheets and nkets as well. I don¡¯t want

    other guests to get infected by the germs on those things.¡±

    Sean¡¯s phone rang at that moment. It was a phone call from one of the senior managers.

    He picked it up and listened to the exnation for a short while. Then, his expression darkened

    immediately

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alyssa quickly sensed that something had happened.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Betty is causing a ruckus in the lobby. She imed that one of our housekeepers had

    stolen something from her. She demands that we deal with this situation immediately.¡±

 Chapter 89

    Some hotel guests started crowding in the lobby to watch the drama.

    ¡°Ms Beckett, please calm down. You¡¯ll ruin your reputation if you keep causing trouble here. Why don¡¯t

    we discuss this matter in the parlor?¡±

    The front desk manager was so nervous that he kept sweating profusely. At the same time, he did

    his best to convince Betty to calm down.

    ¡°If your employee has the guts to steal from a VIP like me, doesn¡¯t that mean she¡¯ll do worse

    things to the other guests?¡±

    Betty mmed a hand on the marble counter. Then, she ced her other hand on her hip. She

    kept ring at the manager furiously the whole time.

    The crowd exchanged looks with each other. Some of them obviously recognized Betty.

    They knew that she was a daughter of the Beckett family. But if they didn¡¯t look at her face, they

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    would have thought it was a shrew causing trouble for the hotel.

    ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t steal anything!¡± the housekeeper stammered timidly with her head bowed.

    ¡°How dare you talk back to me!¡±

    Betty jabbed a scarlet, manicured finger at the housekeeper¡¯s face. If it wasn¡¯t for the manager

    protecting the housekeeper¡¯s eyes, Betty would¡¯ve stabbed them.

    ¡°I left my ne on the sink! How could it vanish on its own?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s true that I cleaned the suite, but I wasn¡¯t the only one there!¡± The housekeeper looked pale,

    but she refused to give in

    ¡°What do you mean? Are you suspecting us right now?¡± One of Betty¡¯s friends looked furious.

    ¡°We¡¯re all VIPs here! A ne is worth nothing to us! Only poormoners like you will

    ¡°Heh! It turns out that the Taylor Group¡¯s hotel isn¡¯t as good as I thought. After all, their service is a lot

    shittierpared to the Beckett Group¡¯s hotel. Perhaps this hotel is just a front for a money-undering

    service.¡±

    Betty started mocking the manager with her arms folded in front of her chest.

    At that moment, the manager¡¯s expression had already gone stormy.

    The guests checking into KS World Hotel were usually polite and respectful. It had been a long

    time since the managerst saw someone as rude and unreasonable as Betty.

    ¡°Ms Beckett, it¡¯s inappropriate of you to nder KS World Hotel¡¯s reputation and humiliate my

    employee After all, we have yet to investigate this matter and uncover the truth.¡±

    The neer¡¯s cool voice was very pleasing to the ears.

    Everyone was surprised upon hearing the voice. They turned around at the same time, only to see a

    beautiful woman in a white suit.

    Alyssa walked toward Betty and the manager with a stoic expression. The way she strutted made her

    seem even more domineering.

    Betty¡¯s friends were stunned by what they saw.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Betty looked shocked as well. But she soon eyed Alyssa up and down in

    disgust.

    Alyssa¡¯s suit was personally tailored for her. Her high heels came from a luxury brand too. Even

    her sapphire earrings, which sparkled under the light, looked expensive. Overall, Alyssa¡¯s current

    attire made her look like she was also an heiress.

    The crowd stared at Alyssa in surprise. Where did shee from? Her beauty was breathtaking,

    to say the least.

    Meanwhile, Betty looked like an ugly hag when standing beside Alyssa.

    At that moment, Jasper and Xavier walked into the hotel lobby.

    He noticed his ex¨Cwife, who had gone missing for almost a week, was there. His heart skipped a

    beat while his eyes glinted in delight.

    Jasper stared at the beautiful woman as though he was under a spell.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, that¡¯s Madam Alice!¡±

    Xavier looked very excited at first. But his expression soon changed. ¡°Huh? Ms. Betty is there as well.

    There¡¯s a crowd around her and Madam Alice. Did something happen?¡±

    Jasper had a bad feeling when he noticed Betty in the lobby. He was about to approach them

    when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

    ¡°Hold on Let¡¯s observe the situation first.¡±

    When the housekeeper saw Alyssa arriving at the scene, she felt so upset that she burst into tears.

    **M¨CMs. Alyssa¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re the manager of this hotel, huh? That¡¯s unexpected.¡± Betty¡¯s lips curled into a smirk.

    ¡°Is that so? I never felt that way. In fact, my life is a lot better than before.¡±

    Alyssa cocked an eyebrow in response. Even though she was barely smiling, her beauty was enough

    to enchant everyone. ¡°At least I¡¯m living like an actual human being now.¡±

    Her words drifted into Jasper¡¯s ear.

    His throat tightened slightly in response. All he felt was frustration.

    What did that woman mean by that? Was sheining about the life she led during the three- year

    marriage?

 Chapter 90

    Jasper felt that he treated Alice very well other than the fact that he didn¡¯t love her.

    When she was still living at Seaview Manor, she enjoyed all the luxuries money could give. The

    housekeepers there served Alice well, and no one caused her any trouble.

    Heck, Jasper even gave her a supplementary credit card. He was never one to skimp out on

    money, after all.

    Alice never used that card in her purchases over the past three years. Still, her life as the Beckett

    family¡¯s young madam was much better than her life as a medical aide in the nursing home.

    How dare Alice say such things in public! She made it sound like she had gone through many

    hardships and torment!

    The more Jasper thought about it, the angrier he became. His eyes started to be bloodshot as

    he gritted his teeth tightly.

    ¡°Tch! You sure are stubborn, huh? Since you¡¯re the manager of this hotel, I¡¯ll be straightforward. Your

    hotel needs to provide me with a solution regarding this incident today.¡±

    Betty continued haughtily, ¡°Either youpensate me with a ne which is the same as the

    missing one. It¡¯s not that expensive, honestly. It¡¯s over 200 thousand dors, give or take.

    ¡°Or, you can have the cops arrest this thief. As the hotel manager, you¡¯ll have to publicly apologize to

    me. Money¡¯s not an issue. The thing is, I find it difficult to forgive and forget.¡±

    Betty flipped her curls while rolling her eyes in disdain.

    There was no way she¡¯d admit in front of everyone that Alice was her former sister¨Cinw. That would

    be very humiliating for her.

    Besides, this was the perfect opportunity to push that country bumpkin around. After all, Alice was the

    one who showed off in the charity auction some time ago. She was nothing without her identity as

    Jonah¡¯s lover. That was why Betty intended to trample all over her while she could.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, Ms. Betty is bullying Madam Alice! Xavier never liked Betty from the start. So, he couldn¡¯t

    help but worry about Alice.

    ¡°Be patient.¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly. He was very curious about his ex¨Cwife.

    After all, he didn¡¯t know what Alice was like at work. Jasper only remembered her as a humble

    housewife.

    Managing a hotel was equivalent to working in the hospitality industry. Everyone knew just how

    had appointed her as the hotel manager.

    ¡°Ms. Beckett, you can lodge a police report immediately since your missing ne is worth over 200

    thousand dors. If you truly wantpensation, we can call the police for you. After all, the sooner we

    call them the higher the chances of finding your ne.¡±

    Alyssa continued, ¡°Once the police arrive at the hotel, every employee in this hotel will cooperate with

    them in their investigation, including me. I¡¯ll provide them with the surveince footage and the

    employees¡® belongings. The police can search through them as long as they have a searching

    warrant.¡±

    She remained calm and collected.

    The crowd began to murmur.

    ¡°She¡¯s right! That woman should¡¯ve called the cops right away! What¡¯s the use of causing a ruckus

    here without doing that in the first ce?¡±

    think she forgot where she left her ne. That¡¯s why she¡¯s just kicking up a fuss over

    nothing.¡±

    Betty was so furious that her face turned red. ¡°What¡¯s the use of having the police investigate the

    hotel? That thief must have stashed my ne somewhere else!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a thief! I didn¡¯t steal your ne!¡± The housekeeper¡¯s eyes became bloodshot due to

    rage. Her body kept trembling as well.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Our hotel is fully equipped with surveince cameras which provide high¨Cquality live feed in all

    ¡°Plus, I¡¯ve already ordered all employees of the housekeeping department to stay in this hotel the

    moment I received the news. If any of them did steal your ne, it¡¯d still be in this hotel. The

    culprit wouldn¡¯t have time to stow the ne elsewhere.¡±

    Alyssa fished her phone out and waved it casually. ¡°Also, I called the police when I was on my

    way here. They¡¯ll be here in about ten minutes.¡±

    She added, ¡°Once the police are done wrapping up the case, I¡¯ll dly apologize to you in public.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s speech was wless, to say the least.

    ¡°Madam Alice is amazing! Her way of dealing with this incident is perfect!¡± Xavier praised excitedly. He

    was on the verge of bing Alice¡¯s biggest fan.

    Jasper nced at Xavier coldly. But he couldn¡¯t help but feel captivated by Alice¡¯s performance.

    He had to admit that Alice was calm, witty, and domineering when she was dealing with Betty.

    *Fine. You¡¯d better keep your word,¡± Betty said angrily.

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m the manager of this hotel, after all. By right, I should take responsibility for my

    guests. If my employees are the ones at fault, that is.¡±

    Alyssa continued to smile at Betty, yet it never reached her eyes.

    At that moment, Sean and the manager of the housekeeping department rushed into the lobby.

    Sean was carrying a stic bag carefully as though it was the most precious treasure in the

    entire world.

    ¡°We found Ms. Beckett¡¯s ne!¡±

 Chapter 91

    Jasper felt that he treated Alice very well other than the fact that he didn¡¯t love her.

    When she was still living at Seaview Manor, she enjoyed all the luxuries money could give. The

    housekeepers there served Alice well, and no one caused her any trouble.

    Heck, Jasper even gave her a supplementary credit card. He was never one to skimp out on

    money, after all.

    Alice never used that card in her purchases over the past three years. Still, her life as the Beckett

    family¡¯s young madam was much better than her life as a medical aide in the nursing home.

    How dare Alice say such things in public! She made it sound like she had gone through many

    hardships and torment!

    The more Jasper thought about it, the angrier he became. His eyes started to be bloodshot as

    he gritted his teeth tightly.

    ¡°Tch! You sure are stubborn, huh? Since you¡¯re the manager of this hotel, I¡¯ll be straightforward. Your

    hotel needs to provide me with a solution regarding this incident today.¡±

    Betty continued haughtily, ¡°Either youpensate me with a ne which is the same as the

    missing one. It¡¯s not that expensive, honestly. It¡¯s over 200 thousand dors, give or take.

    ¡°Or, you can have the cops arrest this thief. As the hotel manager, you¡¯ll have to publicly apologize to

    me. Money¡¯s not an issue. The thing is, I find it difficult to forgive and forget.¡±

    Betty flipped her curls while rolling her eyes in disdain.

    There was no way she¡¯d admit in front of everyone that Alice was her former sister¨Cinw. That would

    be very humiliating for her.

    Besides, this was the perfect opportunity to push that country bumpkin around. After all, Alice was the

    one who showed off in the charity auction some time ago. She was nothing without her identity as

    Jonah¡¯s lover. That was why Betty intended to trample all over her while she could.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, Ms. Betty is bullying Madam Alice! Xavier never liked Betty from the start. So, he couldn¡¯t

    help but worry about Alice.

    ¡°Be patient.¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly. He was very curious about his ex¨Cwife.

    After all, he didn¡¯t know what Alice was like at work. Jasper only remembered her as a humble

    housewife.

    Managing a hotel was equivalent to working in the hospitality industry. Everyone knew just how

    had appointed her as the hotel manager.

    ¡°Ms. Beckett, you can lodge a police report immediately since your missing ne is worth over 200

    thousand dors. If you truly wantpensation, we can call the police for you. After all, the sooner we

    call them the higher the chances of finding your ne.¡±

    Alyssa continued, ¡°Once the police arrive at the hotel, every employee in this hotel will cooperate with

    them in their investigation, including me. I¡¯ll provide them with the surveince footage and the

    employees¡® belongings. The police can search through them as long as they have a searching

    warrant.¡±

    She remained calm and collected.

    The crowd began to murmur.

    ¡°She¡¯s right! That woman should¡¯ve called the cops right away! What¡¯s the use of causing a ruckus

    here without doing that in the first ce?¡±

    think she forgot where she left her ne. That¡¯s why she¡¯s just kicking up a fuss over

    nothing.¡±

    Betty was so furious that her face turned red. ¡°What¡¯s the use of having the police investigate the

    hotel? That thief must have stashed my ne somewhere else!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a thief! I didn¡¯t steal your ne!¡± The housekeeper¡¯s eyes became bloodshot due to

    rage. Her body kept trembling as well.

    ¡°Our hotel is fully equipped with surveince cameras which provide high¨Cquality live feed in all

    ¡°Plus, I¡¯ve already ordered all employees of the housekeeping department to stay in this hotel the

    moment I received the news. If any of them did steal your ne, it¡¯d still be in this hotel. The

    culprit wouldn¡¯t have time to stow the ne elsewhere.¡±

    Alyssa fished her phone out and waved it casually. ¡°Also, I called the police when I was on my

    way here. They¡¯ll be here in about ten minutes.¡±

    She added, ¡°Once the police are done wrapping up the case, I¡¯ll dly apologize to you in public.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s speech was wless, to say the least.

    ¡°Madam Alice is amazing! Her way of dealing with this incident is perfect!¡± Xavier praised excitedly. He

    was on the verge of bing Alice¡¯s biggest fan.

    Jasper nced at Xavier coldly. But he couldn¡¯t help but feel captivated by Alice¡¯s performance.

    He had to admit that Alice was calm, witty, and domineering when she was dealing with Betty.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    *Fine. You¡¯d better keep your word,¡± Betty said angrily.

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m the manager of this hotel, after all. By right, I should take responsibility for my

    guests. If my employees are the ones at fault, that is.¡±

    Alyssa continued to smile at Betty, yet it never reached her eyes.

    At that moment, Sean and the manager of the housekeeping department rushed into the lobby.

    Sean was carrying a stic bag carefully as though it was the most precious treasure in the

    entire world.

    ¡°We found Ms. Beckett¡¯s ne!¡±

 Chapter 92

    Jasper and Alyssa made eye contact with each other, And everyone went silent. It was as though

    time had been frozen for a moment.

    ¡°That¡¯s Mr. Beckett! It really is him!¡± Someone quickly recognized Jasper.

    ¡°J¨CJasper!¡± Betty didn¡¯t expect to see him there. Naturally, she felt anxious.

    Deep down, she was still scared of Jasper. Even though Sophia kept referring to him as the

    bastard son of the Beckett family, he was still in charge of the Beckett Group.

    ¡°Xavier, take Betty away. Hurry up,¡± Jasper ordered stonily.

    Some people were recording and taking photos of the whole incident quietly. If Jasper were to drag the

    matter out any longer, the Beckett Group¡¯s reputation would be at risk. All thanks to Betty¡¯s actions.

    Xavier quickly dragged Betty out of the lobby without wasting any time.

    Alyssa chuckled coldly on the inside before averting her icy gaze.

    That was Jasper¡¯s true form. He was cold and emotionless, just like a robot.

    He could care less about the victim and culprit in this scenario. He only cared about protecting the

    Beckett family¡¯s pride and reputation to secure his profits.

    ¡°Shit! She¡¯s going to bite down on her tongue!¡± Sean eximed fearfully.

    Anxiety washed over Alyssa¡¯s mind. She stuck her wrist into the housekeeper¡¯s mouth without

    giving it much thought.

    The housekeeper bit down on Alyssa¡¯s wrist. A gut¨Cwrenching pain red from her wrist at that

    moment. But she didn¡¯t even flinch. Instead, she endured the pain as much as she could.

    ¡°How could you-¡± Jasper jolted in shock. It was toote for him to stop Alyssa.

    He could only watch as Alyssa sacrificed her wrist to save the housekeeper. She might look frail and

    petite, but she was actually a kind and determined woman.

    That sight shocked Jasper to his core.

    Suddenly, he recalled a memory of his savior, Dove.

    Back then, Jasper was heavily injured on the battlefield. Dove had ced him on a bup sack and

    tied a rope to it. Then, she traveled a long distance while dragging him with all her might.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give up on hope! We¡¯ll definitely survive!¡±

    After that, chaos erupted in the survivors¡® camp. Jasper was unable to find Dove. Instead, he found

    the rope drenched in blood. He wondered if her hands had healed by now.

    Jasper clenched his fists as he continued to recall the events of the past. At the same time, he felt

    quite tense.

    Soon, the ambnce arrived at the hotel. The housekeeper was quickly whisked away.

    Alyssa was still worried about the employee. So, she ordered Sean to follow the ambnce to the

    hospital.

    ¡°Thank goodness you took the right precautions, miss. Otherwise, the patient would have been in

    danger,¡± a paramedic praised.

    ¡°It was nothing. I¡¯m d she¡¯s doing fine for now. Alyssa shed a small smile at the paramedic.

    By the time she returned to the lobby, the front desk manager had already gotten everything

    under control. The crowd was gone as well.

    Alyssa nced at the deep teeth marks imprinted on her right wrist. Blood was seeping out of the tiny

    wounds. She immediately headed toward the hotel¡¯s infirmary. Her wrist was in pain.

    ¡°Alice.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat. When she turned around, she noticed Jasper stopping behind her. His

    expression was thunderous.

    They were standing so close that they could feel their warm breaths hitting each other.

    If one of them were to take another step, their bodies would have made contact.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    Alyssa was dazed for a moment, but she quickly reacted by stepping backward.

    Before she could do so, Jasper grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward him.

    The next moment, Alyssa found herself bumping into Jasper¡¯s body. His muscles were

    surprisingly warm and hard.

    For some reason, Alyssa¡¯s heart started racing wildly when she felt Jasper¡¯s body.

    At the same time, she couldn¡¯t help but curse him ment*lly for having such taut muscles.

    ¡°We¡¯re still in public, Jasper. Please mind your manners.¡± Alyssa was slightly out of breath. She tried to

    wrench her wrist out of Jasper¡¯s grip but failed.

    ¡°Where were you during these past few days? Why did you vanish all of a sudden?¡± Jasper gazed

    down at Alyssa. His grip on her wrist tightened.

    ¡°Hmph! It has nothing to do with you! You¡¯re just a stranger to me!¡±

    Alves raw sunoyed by Jasper¡¯s behavios He was as arrogant as ever I was taking care of

    puvate business. It¡¯s normal for you to not know where I went.¡±

    Come with me. Alice Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened even more as his tone grew colder and deeper.

    ¡°Let go of me. Jasper Leave this ce right now

    Alyssa gritted her teeth angrly Her patience finally ran out at that moment. Tll call for security

    if you don¡¯t leave night now

    Frustration washed over Jasper at that momETLE.

    How dair his ex wife chase him out of the hotel¡® Had she forgotten how she had done all she

    could to please him in the past?

    Jasper¡¯s possessive side took over him immediately He wanted nothing more than to win this battle. At

    the same time, an unknown feeling started sprouting within him.

    ¡°Not even Jonah can stop me from taking you home!¡±

 Chapter 93

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze hardened immediately. She looked very distant all of a sudden.

    ¡°It seems that Ms. Gardner spoiled you a lot. You¡¯re a lot more shameless than before.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t drag other people into our problems¡± Jasper snapped angrily.

    ¡°Stay away from me if you don¡¯t want me to insult you! I want nothing to do with you, Mr. Beckett! You

    may contact me only when it¡¯s time to finalize our legal divorce! Goodbye!¡±

    Jasper was used to Alice looking at him lovingly over the past three years. Her eyes tended to sparkle

    happily whenever she saw her. Now, her eyes held nothing but coldness and contempt. It made him

    feel awful.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let you leave!¡±

    Alyssa startedughing. ¡°Am I supposed to stay just because you said so? What, do you think I¡¯m your

    pet dog? Must I follow your every order?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to say such harsh things. You know very well that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Jasper

    frowned in displeasure.

    ¡°Harsh things? Haha! You really are dense, aren¡¯t you? Can¡¯t you tell I¡¯m being sarcastic? Let me make

    it clear. I hate you, Jasper Beckett. Don¡¯t bother talking to me anymore.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes reddened. She tried to free her wrist from Jasper¡¯s grip.

    But Jasper was also a stubborn man. The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. He didn¡¯t

    care that he was hurting her.

    Alyssa hissed softly in pain.

    She clutched her right lower arm with her left hand. Sweat soon seeped out of her forehead.

    Only then did Jasper realize what he had done. He released her immediately.

    Looking down at his palm, he noticed bloodstains on his hand. His eyes widened slightly at the sight.

    It turned out that Jasper was gripping Alyssa¡¯s injured wrist. He was so eager to drag her out of the

    hotel that he had forgotten about it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the infirmary right now.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was deeper and scratchier than before. Even his

    expression was a lot gloomier.

    ¡°Leave this ce right now, or I¡¯m calling the police.¡± Alyssa backed away from Jasper furiously.

    ¡°Alice-

    ¡°Get lost!¡± Alyssa roared furiously. Right now, her heart hurt as much as her wrist.

    They had been married for three whole years, yet Jasper always ignored her. He wanted nothing

    to do with her.

    Now that they were divorced, Jasper decided to pester her. Not only that, but he kept making physical

    contact with her. It seemed that he no longer minded being around her.

    How ironic.

    Jasper was stunned upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s scream. His handsome face soon became icy.

    ¡°How dare you demand me to leave! You were the one who wanted to marry me in the first ce! Why

    didn¡¯t you show this side in front of me when you were still my wife?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because I loved you back then.¡± An enraged grin stretched across Alyssa¡¯s face at that

    moment. Her eyes had already reddened from the anger.

    Jasper could feel a dull acheing from his heart. Even his breathing was starting to be

    heavier.

    ¡°When I was still in love with you, I¡¯d tolerate anything you did to me. Now that I no longer love

    you, I won¡¯t be patient with you anymore.

    ¡°Did you really think you¡¯d still receive the same treatment now that we¡¯ve divorced? The old

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    Alice is gone, Jasper. I don¡¯t love you anymore. You¡¯re nothing to me.¡±

    Alyssa tilted her chin haughtily before turning on her heel. She wanted to leave.

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for Grandpa, I wouldn¡¯t look for you in the first ce, Alice! Do you have any idea how

    much he misses you? He¡¯s extremely anxious because he can¡¯t even get in contact with you!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes reddened as well. He decided to hurt Alyssa¡¯s feelings by mocking her.

    ¡°You im to care about Grandpa, but look at what you did! You¡¯re such a liar, Alice! Did you think. you

    could toy with his feelings just because he¡¯s old and senile?¡±

    Alice¡¯s breath was lodged in her throat at that moment. She clenched her fists as well.

    Newton would forever be the connection that tied her to Jasper. She could never give him up.

    Alyssa was a woman who cared about her loved ones. She was willing to do anything just to carry

    out her promises.

    Since she promised Newton that she¡¯d only go through the legal divorce procedures after

    celebrating his birthday with him, she would never go back on her word.

    4

    She would never break her promise, no matter how torturous the waiting process was.

    ¡°I don¡¯t n to break my promise. I¡¯ll visit Grandpa during the next two days.¡±

    ¡°Now.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I want you to visit Grandpa now. He hasn¡¯t been able to sleep for five days straight. He couldn¡¯t even

    eat well because he didn¡¯t get to see you.¡±

    Jasper seemed like he was about to lose his patience. He looked very frustrated at that moment.

    ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint him, Alice.¡±

    In the end, Alyssa chose toply with Jasper¡¯s wishes.

    It was true that she had another motive in mind back when she decided to take care of Newton in the

    nursing home. At that time, she didn¡¯t even n to marry Jasper. All she wanted was to help him out.

    At the same time, she would be able to meet up with him frequently.

    After spending a long time with Newton, Alyssa found herself opening her heart to him.

    Newton might be old, but he was still wise. He was involved in the major decision¨Cmaking process

    even though he was no longer the chairman. He would give his advice whenever it was needed.

    The youngsters learned a lot from him as a result.

    Even Alyssa picked up many skills from Newton from their time together. She filled Jonah in on

    the things she had learned. Not to mention, she even used those skills when she ran the hotel.

    Newton was more than just a grandfatherly figure to her. In a way, he was also her mentor.

 Chapter 94

    Jasper apanied Alyssa to the infirmary. The doctor wasn¡¯t there, so Alyssa grabbed iodine and bandages before treating her injury skillfully.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± Jasper offered coldly while approaching her.

    Alyssa turned away from him in frustration. She replied icily, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±

    Jasper was known to be a stubborn man. He was an extremist, in a sense. He could either ignore Alyssa as though she didn¡¯t exist or meddle in her affairs whenever he felt like it.

    Hence, he grabbed Alyssa¡¯s wrist tightly. ¡°Just stay put, Alice!¡± hemanded.

    Alyssa was surprised by the order. Soon, she felt a cool sensationing from her wrist.

    Jasper was applying the ointment to Alyssa¡¯s injury. He focused on dabbing the cotton bud on her

    injury as gently as he could.

    His long eyshes lowered slightly when he looked down at Alyssa¡¯s wrist. Whenever he exerted

    force with his bony wrist, Alyssa could see the light blue veins underneath his pale skin. They

    made his hand look very attractive.

    Some people were born to be attractive by nature. Jasper was one of them.

    Meanwhile, Jasper continued to check Alyssa¡¯s injury seriously.

    Her hand was a lot rougher than he imagined. At the same time, it was still soft to the touch.

    Alyssa had such slender fingers, yet their tips were covered with calluses. Her hands didn¡¯t fit her

    identity as a young, pampered woman.

    An unfamiliar memory started flowing into Jasper¡¯s mind all of a sudden. He thought he could see

    rays of silvery moonlight and silk curtains pping in the wind.

    He knew he had never seen such a scene before. But it felt oddly familiar to him.

    Jasper took a deep breath just to calm down. He then swallowed dryly.

    He never developed such feelings for Liana. Yet why would he feel this way for his ex¨Cwife, who

    kept challenging his boundaries?

    How ridiculous.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa could feel the warmth flowing from Jasper¡¯s fingers. For some reason, she felt a jolt in her heart. She reacted immediately by pulling her hand away.

    ¡°I need to bandage your wrist.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s grip tightened around Alyssa¡¯s hand stubbornly. He huffed coldly beforementing,¡± Did you go mining recently? Why are your hands so rough? There are calluses all over your fingers.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Nope. I was working on the sewers the whole time.¡± Alyssa knew how much Jasper loved cleanliness. So, she gave him an answer that would disgust him.

    ¡°Can you be nice for once?¡± A frown appeared on Jasper¡¯s face.

    ¡°I¡¯m always nice. Just not in front of you.¡± Alyssa tilted her chin. She smirked cheekily.

    Of course, Jasper was annoyed by that answer. That woman started bing unruly just because she had Jonah to back her up.

    At the same time, her charm drew him in.

    If it wasn¡¯t for their divorce, Jasper wouldn¡¯t have known that Alyssa had such a childish and cheeky side.

    Alyssa¡¯s injury was quite minor. Yet Jasper worked swiftly and carefully.

    It was easy for him to treat such injuries. He might have led a life of luxury, but he wasn¡¯t incapable of doing anything other than running hispany.

    With Liam¡¯s help, Alyssa found out more information on Jasper. It turned out that Jasper used to be the best cadet at the military academy.

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    asionally, there were times when someone would rise to challenge his status. The only person capable of doing that was Axel.

    Truthfully speaking, Jasper was more suited to be a spy since his ment*lity and

    cunningness were superior to Axel¡¯s. He could even take over Liam¡¯s position if he wanted to.

    Unfortunately, Jasper¡¯s identity as the son of the Beckett family set his destiny in stone. The only path meant for him in life was bing the Beckett family¡¯s heir.

    Then again, he was able to seed as a businessman even after retiring from the army.

    It was safe to say that Jasper was a legendary genius.

    No human was perfect in this world. A man as outstanding as him ended up getting blindsided by his love for Liana the bitch.

    Alyssa¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk. She could care less about Jasper¡¯s love life.

    Of course, she wanted nothing to do with him anymore.

    Both of them soon arrived at the parking lot.

    Alyssa was about to walk toward her Bugatti when Jasper called out to her.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°Where else can I go? I¡¯m about to go to where my car is.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you.¡± Jasper¡¯s cold tone was verymanding.

    ¡°Hell no. Why would I get into my ex¨Chusband¡¯s car? See you there.¡±

    Alyssa waved casually in response. She didn¡¯t expect that Jasper would suddenly open his car door while wrapping an arm around her waist. Then, she felt herself shoved into the car roughly before hearing the door mmed shut.

    ¡°Hey! What are you doing? Are you kidnapping me?¡± Alyssa banged on the window in protest while looking very anxious.

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust you, Alice.¡±

    Jasper bent down to stare Alyssa in the eye. He rested his left arm on the car roof.

    His eyes were narrowed slightly. Now that Alyssa was finally in his grasp, he refused to let her go.

    ¡°You¡¯re always up to no good. I need to be on my guard whenever I¡¯m dealing with you.¡°

 Chapter 95

    On their way to their destination, Alyssa stared out the window. She didn¡¯t nce at Jasper.

    Obviously, she was being hostile to him.

    Jasper kept ncing at Alyssa from time to time. There were times when he wanted to ask her a

    question, but he found it difficult to speak up.

    Newton¡¯s vi was located in Crescent Bay in Sna City. Stretches of mountains surrounded the

    area, making it tranquil and scenic. The neighborhood was like a paradise hidden from the rest of

    the city.

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m here to visit you!¡±

    Alyssa smiled brightly the moment she stepped into the vi. Her clear voice was akin to a nightingale¡¯s

    sweet call.

    Truthfully speaking, she was a little worried because of what happened to the bracelet. She had to

    spend a long time mustering her courage. Then, she finally walked through the front door.

    ¡°You¡¯re here, Alice! I missed you so much!¡± Newton eximed from his wheelchair. Ben was wheeling

    him out.

    The old man perked up instantly when he finally saw his granddaughter¨Cinw. The delight on

    his face was undeniable.

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    ¡°Where did you go, Alice? Are you nning to abandon me? Do you not love me anymore?¡±

    Newton clutched Alyssa¡¯s hand tightly while flooding her with questions.

    Jasper just scowled in displeasure.

    He wondered if his grandfather was a flirt at heart. Newton was almost 80, yet he was still hitting

    on Alice.

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ve been busy with worktely. I was out on a business trip. That was why I didn¡¯t call you

    on the phone. It¡¯s my fault for neglecting you. You can scold me if you want.¡±

    Alyssa crouched down in front of Newton. She smiled sweetly at him.

    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t have the heart to scold you, my dear Alice! I¡¯m so happy that I get to see you again!¡±

    Newton turned to re at Jasper. He added, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for a certain ingrate who¡¯s a bad judge of

    character, you could¡¯ve visited me every day. I wouldn¡¯t have to go through so much trouble just to

    see you again.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s smile froze on her face. For a moment, she didn¡¯t know what to say.

    Jasper¡¯s expression darkened immediately. He knew that he shouldn¡¯t have gone to Newton¡¯s vi

    in the first ce. Getting insulted by his grandfather was a tradition at this point.

    ¡°Alice, I received a new painting recently. I didn¡¯t want to show it to anyone else because I wanted

    you to be the first one to see it.¡± Newton took Alyssa¡¯s hand and led her to his study.

    ¡°You want me to appraise the painting for you, right, Grandpa?¡± Alyssa remarked with a small

    smile. She had light dimples decorating her cheeks whenever she smiled.

    ¡°Heh! You saw through my n!¡±

    Meanwhile, Jasper was surprised to hear the newfound information.

    He was Alyssa¡¯s husband for three years. Yet he had no idea she was such a sassy woman skilled at

    racing, painting, and sewing. Now, he found out that she was also good at appraising paintings.

    How could one person be equipped with so many talents? Jasper refused to believe that Alyssa

    was that skilled.

    That was why he wanted to see her in action.

    Ben was already donning white gloves in the study. He carefully ced the painting on the mahogany

    desk so the others could look at it.

    ¡°Alice, this is my new painting. Can you help me appraise it?¡± Newton asked eagerly.

    ¡°Of course, Grandpa.¡±

    Alyssa bent over the painting while studying it with a magnifying ss. Her left hand was folded behind

    her back as she appraised it carefully.

    Jasper noticed how cold and stoic her expression was. It made him smile unconsciously.

    He never thought that she looked like an elderly schr despite her youthful and beautiful looks. It was

    an interesting contrast.

    Newton noticed the emerald bracelet wrapped around Alyssa¡¯s left wrist. A glint appeared in his

    but his smile was still affectionate.

    eyes,

    ¡°This is Wivenhoe Park, a famous painting created by John Constable.¡± Alyssa smiled confidently

    as she spoke.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Newton nodded happily.

    ¡°Constable is known for hisndscape paintings. He found inspiration in the countryside, which is why

    he usually included greenery in his paintings. Constable¡¯s also known for using rich colors. and light in

    his paintings to convey how magical nature is ¡±

    Jasper enjoyed listening to her exnation. He kept staring at her side profile without realizing it.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to tell you this, Grandpa, but this painting isn¡¯t the actual masterpiece. One of his

    descendants created this painting through imitation. Then again, this painter¡¯s style in very

    simr to Constable¡¯s ¡±

    The real pamting was disyed in Winston¡¯s private att studio, after all.

    ¡°Huh? Oh my, it seems that I got the wrong painting again!¡± Newton sighed in disappointment. Alyssa

    happened to look up at that moment. It was then she made eye contact with Jasper.

 Chapter 96

    Alyssa looked a little surprised. But she quickly lowered her head. Even though she did her best to

    suppress her emotions, Jasper could still see a hint of embarrassment in her eyes.

    It made his heart pound wildly. His cheeks red in embarrassment as well.

    At that moment, Jasper¡¯s phone started vibrating in his pocket. He fished it out to look at the caller ID.

    Then, he left the study immediately.

    Jasper leaned against the wall in the corridor as he stared at the word ¡°Lia¡± on his phone screen.

    Finally, he picked up the call silently.

    ¡°Jasper, are you still mad at me?¡± Liana¡¯s cries drifted from the other end of the line before Jasper

    could say anything.

    ¡°No,¡± he replied emotionlessly.

    But Liana clearly felt that Jasper was still angry at her.

    ¡°C¨CCan youe over to my ce right now? I miss you so much, Jasper! I can¡¯t even sleep because

    of how much I miss you¡­¡±

    Liana confessed to Jasper in a soft and sweet tone.

    ¡°Not tonight. I need to keep Grandpapany.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re at Grandpa¡¯s ce right now? I¡¯ll head over there, then. Didn¡¯t you tell me that I need to pop

    over to Grandpa¡¯s vi and show that I care about him? That way, he¡¯ll ept me as a part of the

    family.¡±

    Liana continued, ¡°It just so happened that I baked a fresh batch of chestnut tarts earlier.

    Remember when we used to eat them sneakily before dinner? I¡¯ll bring some for Grandpa as well. I

    want him to taste my cooking, after all.¡±

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Her tone was very gentle and kind.

    ¡°Lia, I can¡¯t meet you tonight.¡±

    In the end, Jasper¡¯s heart softened when he heard Liana mentioning the past. Even his voice became

    gentler as well.

    ¡°Alice is at Grandpa¡¯s vi right now,¡± he exined. ¡°It¡¯d be bad if you were to bump into her here. You

    know how much Grandpa likes her-¡±

    ¡°Are you with Alice right now?¡± Liana¡¯s voice trembled at that moment.

    ¡°Yes. Grandpa has been looking for her over the past few days. I brought her to his vi for his

    ¡°Is that really the truth? Or is it because you want to see her, Jasper?¡± Liana used angrily,

    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink things, Lia.¡± Jasper sounded very cold.

    ¡°What the hell is that shameless woman up to this time? You two have already divorced. So, why is she

    pestering you?¡±

    Liana continued furiously, ¡°Alice must have been the one driving a wedge between me and Grandpa!

    She wants to use Grandpa as leverage to oppress me! How could she be this shameless?¡±

    Right now, Liana hated Alyssa¡¯s guts a lot.

    Jasper could only massage his throbbing temple while sighing.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa remembered the way Jasper had stared at her earlier. Her heart skipped a beat

    as a result.

    Damn it! Why did she blush just now? How pathetic of her!

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were naturally alluring. He could be ring at Alyssa for all she knew, and she¡¯d

    think he was trying to flirt with her.

    ¡°Alice,¡± Newton suddenly called out to her.

    ¡°Yes, Grandpa?¡± Alyssa snapped out of her thoughts before smiling at him.

    ¡°I can see that you really like the bracelet I gave you. You keep wearing it, after all.¡±

    All Alyssa could feel was panic. Her mind went nk at that moment. Even her throat felt

    parched all of a sudden.

    ¡°G¨CGrandpa-¡±

    ¡°Keep wearing it. That bracelet will be with you for the rest of your life.¡±

    Newton smiled at Alyssa lovingly. ¡°I had Ben clean out myte wife¡¯s jewelry. He found a couple more

    gems in her stash, so I¡¯d like you to have them. Think of them as a safety.¡±

    He continued, ¡°I¡¯m already very old, you know. I used to think you¡¯d live happily ever after with Jasper,

    but it seems he¡¯s pretty unreliable. That grandson of mine is as foolish as his father.

    ¡°I hope that you¡¯ll be able to live peacefully for the rest of your life. But if something were to happen to

    you in the future, you could sell those gems for a nice sum of money. You could live

    Suddenly, Newton looked surprised. He was a domineering old man. Yet, at that moment, he felt

    helpless.

    Alyssa stood in front of him as though she hadmitted a crime. Her thin shoulders trembled slightly,

    and her reddened eyes were now brimming with tears. In the end, those tears started

    sliding down her cheeks.

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m sorry¡­

    Alyssa remembered when she concealed her identity and stayed by Newton¡¯s side just to pursue

    Jasper. She then recalled how kind Newton had been to her all these years. After that, she

    remembered she couldn¡¯t even protect the bracelet he had given her.

    Guilt took over her senses at that moment, causing her to burst into tears.

    ¡°Oh dear, why are you crying? Please don¡¯t cry, Alice!¡± Newton quickly pulled out his handkerchief and

    started dabbing the tears away nervously.

    Jasper heard Alyssa¡¯s cries from outside the study as well. He quickly turned around to peek into the

    study.

    He was surprised when he saw her crying like a baby. His heart ached for her at that moment. It

    caused him to almost drop his phone.

 Chapter 97

    Meanwhile, Liana was also crying on the other end of the line.

    ¡°Alice knew that Grandpa never liked me, yet she kept using him just to cause trouble for me! She¡¯s

    such a shameless bitch!¡±

    Jasper kept staring at Alyssa the whole time, so he didn¡¯t hear what Liana said.

    Alyssa was bawling her eyes out without a care in the world, but Jasper could feel her raw emotion. His

    heart pricked in pain whenever he saw a teardrop dripping off her chin.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Alice? Please don¡¯t scare me.¡± Newton had been through a lot in life, yet he couldn¡¯t

    help but panic when facing a woman¡¯s tears.

    Alyssa kept sobbing the whole time. ¡°Grandpa, I¡­ I broke the bracelet! I¡¯ve been trying so hard to fix it,

    b¨Cbut I just can¡¯t¡­.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I thought I could make a new bracelet which is the same as the old one, but¡­ but I was

    afraid that you¡¯d get mad at me once you find out¡­¡±

    She continued crying. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for lying to you, Grandpa! I¡¯m so sorry.

    Alyssa trembled as she cried her heart out. Her hands were already drenched with tears. She looked

    so pathetic at that moment.

    After listening to the tearful confession, Jasper could only remain rooted to his spot. He was shocked.

    He finally understood what Alyssa was up to over the past few days.

    At the same time, he realized the reason why her fingers were covered in calluses. It turned out that

    she was doing her best to recreate the bracelet Newton had given her.

    The sight of Alyssa¡¯s tears made him feel bitter and distressed.

    ¡°Oh my. It¡¯s just a small matter, my dear Alice.¡±

    Newton grabbed Alyssa¡¯s hand affectionately while smiling at her. ¡°Actually, I knew your bracelet isn¡¯t

    the same one I gave you when you first came in. I had a feeling that it was broken. Otherwise, you

    would¡¯ve continued wearing it as usual.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to me you, Alice. Doris had a huge collection of bracelets that could fill up a chest. I

    wanted to give them to you at first, but I was worried that you wouldn¡¯t ept them. That¡¯s why I

    selected the best bracelet and came up with an excuse just to give it to you.¡±

    Newton exined, ¡°Back then, Doris often told me jokingly that the bracelets were a huge burden

    for her Sha quer

    Alyssa finally calmed down after hearing Newton¡¯s exnation. Then again, her eyes were still

    teary, and the tip of her nose was still red.

    ¡°Jasper! Where did you go, you bastard?¡±

    Newton pped his wheelchair¡¯s armrest. He yelled, ¡°You st* pid brat, get your ass here andfort

    your wife!¡±

    Liana quickly called out to Jasper, ¡°Don¡¯t go there, Jasper! I¡¯m still not done talking to you-¡±

    ¡°I need to deal with something right now. I¡¯ll talk to youter.¡±

    Jasper hung up once he was done speaking.

    When Liana noticed the call was disconnected, she was so mad that her breathing became heavier.

    Her cheeks gradually reddened due to how angry she was.

    ¡°Alice, you filthy bitch! I¡¯ll make you suffer!¡±

    Liana soon called Sophia on the phone.

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, please help me! That Alice bitch is spending time with Jasper at Grandpa Newton¡¯s

    vi right now!¡±

    Liana started crying once again. ¡°At this rate, Jasper will fall in love with her! He¡¯de running.

    to me without a word whenever I requested him to visit me in the past, but¡­.

    ¡°But he hung up on me just now before I could finish talking to him! This means he no longer

    loves me, right?¡±

    Liana continued tearfully, ¡°Aunt Sophia, if I can¡¯t marry into the Beckett family, I won¡¯t be able to help

    you anymore! I can¡¯t even use the skills I¡¯ve learned from you!¡±

    She knew very well that ranting to Sophia wouldn¡¯t help her in this situation. Instead, she would

    have to drag Sophia into this mess by hinting that thetter¡¯s n was threatened. That way, the

    older woman would do her best to help her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be rmed, Lia. You know what Jasper is like. You can¡¯t force him to do anything. You have

    to be patient too, or else you might screw the whole thing up likest time. After all, he still

    remembers the time when you used Alice on purpose.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    ¡°I know he wants to make it up to you. He also remembers how kind you were to him when you

    two were still kids. But still, you can¡¯t put your friendship with him at risk,¡± Sophia said calmly.

    ¡°What should I do, then?¡± Liana asked in rm.

    ¡°Just keep acting pitiful. Make sure to attract Jasper¡¯s attention no matter what.¡±

    Sophia chuckled coldly. ¡°Alice will never be your match since I¡¯m on your side.¡±

    Meanwhile, Jasper rushed into the study hurriedly

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Grandpa.¡±

    ¡°Are you deaf? Didn¡¯t you hear Alice crying just now? Were you nning to ignore her if I didn¡¯t

    call out to you?¡± Newton didn¡¯t hesitate to berate his grandson right away.

    He¡¯d dly order Jasper around just to entertain Alyssa.

    ¡°No.¡±

 Chapter 98

    After replying to Newton¡¯s question, Jasper moved to stand next to Alyssa. He stared at her quietly.

    He could still see tear tracks on her pretty face. Her hair covered half of her face, making her look

    even more pitiful and frail.

    Alyssa blushed in embarrassment:

    Another teardrop dripped off her eyshes at that moment.

    Jasper¡¯s focus was now on Alyssa¡¯s eyshes. He could feel his chest heaving slightly as he

    stared at her eyshes in a daze.

    ¡°Hurry up and apologize to your wife, you st* pid brat!¡± Newton urged angrily.

    ¡°Why do I have to apologize to her? I didn¡¯t make her cry.¡± Jasper frowned in confusion.

    Newton widened his eyes furiously. ¡°Alice¡¯s your wife, damn it! Are you expecting me tofort

    your own wife? Are you that st* pid?¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, Jasper and I are already divorced, so I¡¯m not his-¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! He never did anything for you during your three¨Cyear marriage! He owes you that

    apology from the start!¡±

    Newton¡¯s expression darkened when he heard the word ¡°divorce.¡± A look of frustration and pain

    soon took over his features.

    ¡°Jasper, if you don¡¯t apologize to Alice right now, I¡¯ll disown you!¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips tightly for a short while. Finally, he said softly, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Alyssa widened her red and puffy eyes in response. She could feel her heart hammering inside

    her.

    For the first time ever, Jasper actually apologized to her.

    It was a shame that he didn¡¯t mean what he said.

    ¡°This time, I want you to perform a gentleman¡¯s bow in front of Alice while apologizing to her!¡±

    Newton demanded

    ¡°Is that really necessary?¡± Jasper could feel a wave of irritation washing over him.

    ¡°You should count your lucky stars that I didn¡¯t force you to prostrate! I used to do the same thing to

    your grandmother back in the day!

    ¡°Alice is my beloved granddaughter¨Cinw, so you¡¯d better apologize sincerely! Now hurry up!¡±

    Jasper had no choice but toply with his grandfather¡¯s wishes. He took half a step backward with

    his hands firmly ced by his sides. Then, he leaned forward and dipped his head slightly to perform

    the perfect gentleman¡¯s bow.

    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, Ms. White. I¡¯m the one at fault.¡±

    Newton couldn¡¯t help but smirk when he witnessed Jasper¡¯s antics. At that moment, he wished

    that Jasper and Alyssa could be a couple again.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa¡¯s sobs started to calm down. But her cheeks were still flushed. The sight of Jasper

    being a chivalrous gentleman amused her greatly.

    It didn¡¯t matter if Jasper¡¯s apology was sincere or fake. The fact that he lowered his head in front of

    Alyssa pleased her to no end.

    Just as Jasper was about to straighten up, Newton issued his next order. ¡°You¡¯d better stay in that

    position until Alice says so! You¡¯re only allowed to straighten up once she gives the order!¡±

    A few seconds passed since then, but Alyssa didn¡¯t say anything.

    Jasper knew that she was doing it on purpose.

    Alyssa finally sniffled loudly when she noticed how impatient and frustrated Jasper looked. She spoke

    up in a soft tone after that.

    ¡°Grandpa, Jasper has nothing to do with me crying from the start. Please don¡¯t me him.¡±

    Jasper scowled in response. Alice was definitely a cunning woman.

    Still, his anger dissipated when he saw how puffy her eyes were.

    When it was time for dinner, Alyssa wheeled Newton into the dining room. Jasper walked next to

    them.

    A delicious feast took up every inch of the table. Obviously, Newton had prepared such a grand

    dinner for Alyssa.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    The moment they took their seats, Xavier rushed into the dining room with a conflicted look. He

    stopped next to Jasper. He wanted to lean and whisper something into his ear.

    ¡°Just spit it out.¡± Newton hated it the most whenever people whispered in front of him.

    He continued seriously, ¡°We¡¯re all family here. There¡¯s no need to hide things from each other,

    especially when you¡¯re in my house right now.¡±

    ¡°Um, well¡­¡± Xavier turned to look at Jasper. Clearly, he looked torn.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± thetter ordered calmly.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    Xavier took a deep breath before exining, ¡°I received a phone call from Madam Sophia. She

    heard you¡¯re spending time with Mr. Beckett, so she didn¡¯t dare disturb you. That¡¯s why she

    contacted me and asked me to pass a message to Mr. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°Hmph! At least she¡¯s sensible!¡± Newton¡¯s expression darkened whenever Sophia was mentioned.

    ¡°Madam Sophia said that Ms. Gardner¡¯s diagnosis results are out. It turns out that she¡¯s diagnosed

    with severe depression.¡±

 Chapter 99

    ¡°What?¡±

    Jasper widened his eyes immediately. His fork ttered on the floor.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    When Alyssa noticed how rmed he looked, her heart nank.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner threw a fit at home earlier while screaming your name, Mr. Beckett. She¡¯s emotionally

    unstable right now. Madam Sophia has requested you to visit her as soon as you can. She¡¯s worried

    that Ms. Gardner might harm herself-

    Before Xavier could finish, Jasper got up. He bolted out of the dining room immediately.

    ¡°You ingrate! I¡¯ll disown you if you dare visit that Gardner woman!¡± Newton mmed a hand on

    the dining table furiously.

    Unfortunately, it was toote. Jasper¡¯s silhouette had already disappeared from everyone¡¯s sight.

    ¡°Goodness, why am I stuck with an ingrate as my grandson? I¡¯ve achieved so much in my lifetime,

    yet I can¡¯t save your marriage! Oh, Alice, this is all my fault!¡±

    Newton shook his head with a heavy sigh. He felt nothing but guilt when he looked at Alyssa once

    again.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were clear and calm. She smiled lightly before cing her cool palm on Newton¡¯s

    wrinkled hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Grandpa. You¡¯ve done more than enough for my sake. Jasper and I just aren¡¯t

    meant to be.¡±

    Meanwhile, Jasper got ready to get into his car while looking quite worried.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡±

    He stopped in his tracks immediately and turned around to look at Alice.

    She had run out of the vi. The glint in her red¨Crimmed eyes was very obvious under the bright

    light.

    For some reason, Jasper felt slightly guilty when he met her eyes. Just as he was about to say

    something, Alyssa interrupted him.

    ¡°Please inform Ms. Betty on my behalf that I won¡¯t let her off the hook. After all, she did humiliate

    my employee and caused her to have a sudden seizure. Ms. Betty must take responsibility for

    what happened.¡±

    Jesper furrowed his brows immediately. He didn¡¯t expect Alyssa to follow him out of the vi just

    to bring up that matter

    The hopetal glint in his eyes disappeared immediately.

    Setty may be my sister. But I don¡¯t really interfere with her private matters.¡±

    ¡°So this is a private matter to you, huh? Fine. I get what you mean.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk before she started making her way back to the vi. She no

    longer bothered to look at Jasper after that.

    Jasper felt uneasy at that moment. He could feel a shiver running down his spine.

    Was Alyssa making fun of him?

    That night, Jasper visited Liana, who apparently suffered from severe depression. He stayed at her

    ce till midnight before he was finally able to go home.

    Jesper was still mindful of what Liana had done to Alice. Still, he pitied her when he saw the medical

    report detailing her ment*l illness.

    The subject of depression would forever haunt him, after all.

    ¡°Something happened. Mr. Beckett. Would you like me to deal with it?¡± Xavier asked hesitantly

    while clutching his phone.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Jasper happened to be resting with his eyes closed

    ¡°Someone has uploaded a video of Ms. Betty humiliating the housekeeper to the Inte. Thank

    goodness our people were able to notice that video in time. They wanted to ask if you¡¯d like it

    deleted to protect ourpany¡¯s reputation.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly while giving his order. ¡°This is Betty¡¯s personal problem. We can¡¯t let

    it affect thepany¡¯s image. Everything rted to that incident must be deleted from

    the Inte.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    Once Jasper returned to Seaview Manor, he headed upstairs right away.

    Mrs. Rosie was walking out of her room while wearing a nightgown. She looked very worried as

    well

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to wait for me, Mrs. Rosie? I don¡¯t sleep regrly whenever I¡¯m busy with

    Warmill, findest Joops a heart when he noticed Mas Rosie in the corridor

    *IS BONUS

    5 leided to stay up to wait for fun if he didn¡¯t tell her when he would return in a way, she was

    like his Mathes

    bul Mis fuisse was now an elderly woman. It was difficult for her to stay awake at midnight

    That was why Alive took over the responsibility of taking care of Jasper during the past three

    yoals Every night, she would only go to bed after he returned home

    Jasper, have you eaten? I¡¯ve warmed up a te of leftovers for you¡±

    Jasper, can you sleep eatles batertow? You tend to stay up till midnight, so you often have

    headaches. You need to have a good sleeping schedule, you know¡±

    I know you don¡¯t like it whenever I mag you, Jasper But I¡¯m still going to say it again, even if you yell at

    me I just want you to stay healthy all the e

    I won¡¯t stop wanting for you just because you said so we de familly, after all

    Mrs. Rosie heaved a sigh ¡°domly Madam Alice is still here. I¡¯d be able to rest well at night the

    spent the past three years taking good care of you, M: Janper

    ¡°I¡¯ve witnessed how dull her skim became She stayed up every night and waited for your return Really,

    my heart aches for her whenever I think about it

    I

    Warmth flooded Jasper¡¯s heart when he noticed Mrs. Rosie in the corridor.

    She tended to stay up to wait for him if he didn¡¯t tell her when he would return. In a way, she was

    like his mother.

    But Mrs. Rosie was now an elderly woman. It was difficult for her to stay awake at midnight.

    That was why Alice took over the responsibility of taking care of Jasper during the past three years.

    Every night, she would only go to bed after he returned home.

    ¡°Jasper, have you eaten? I¡¯ve warmed up a te of leftovers for you.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, can you sleep earlier tomorrow? You tend to stay up till midnight, so you often have

    headaches. You need to have a good sleeping schedule, you know.¡±

    ¡°I know you don¡¯t like it whenever I nag you, Jasper. But I¡¯m still going to say it again, even if you yell at

    me. I just want you to stay healthy all the time.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t stop waiting for you just because you said so. We¡¯re family, after all.¡±

    Mrs. Rosie heaved a sigh. ¡°If only Madam Alice is still here. I¡¯d be able to rest well at night. She spent

    the past three years taking good care of you, Mr. Jasper.

    ¡°I¡¯ve witnessed how dull her skin became. She stayed up every night and waited for Really, my heart

    aches for her whenever I think about it.¡±

 Chapter 100

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, you¡¯re blessed to have such an amazing wife as Madam Alice.¡±

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Jasper looked dazed at that moment. He thought he could see Alice looking up at him with doe-

    like eyes that looked innocent yet aggrieved at the same time.

    She would never care about him ever again. It would be a lie if Jasper imed he wasn¡¯t

    disappointed at all.

    ¡°Alice isn¡¯t a blessing. She¡¯s a curse.¡±

    Jasper returned to his bedroom gloomily. To his surprise, he noticed a box sitting on the coffee

    table.

    He recognized it immediately as a package from the tailor. So he opened the box while thinking

    that his suit was patched.

    As expected, the fancy suit wasid within the box.

    It looked brand new. Jasper couldn¡¯t spot any stitches on the fabric. The tailor in charge of

    patching up his suit was very skilled, to say the least.

    He couldn¡¯t help but smile in satisfaction.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, you still care about Madam Alice, right?¡± Mrs. Rosie asked happily upon noticing Jasper¡¯s

    smile.

    ¡°I like the suit she gave me. It¡¯s a good suit, after all. I don¡¯t want to let it go to waste,¡± Jasper

    replied coldly. His thumb caressed the cor, which was ironed neatly.

    ¡°Madam Alice has put in a lot of effort just to make you happy, sir.¡±

    Mrs. Rosie let out a small sigh while looking quite distressed. ¡°Pleasee with me.¡±

    The pair soon arrived at Alice¡¯s old room.

    Mrs. Rosie opened the innermost door of the huge closet. ¡°Take a look at the closet, Mr. Jasper.¡±

    There were multiple shelves installed within the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling closet. Boxes of various sizes and

    colors were stacked neatly on top of those shelves,

    Jasper was surprised to see such a sight. ¡°What are those boxes?¡±

    ¡°These are the gifts Madam Alice had prepared for you during the past three years.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s body trembled in shock.

    ¡°Each of these gifts marked a special asion of the year. For example, your birthday, Valentine¡¯s

    day of your first meeting with her.¡±

    Mrs. Rosie continued, ¡°She¡¯d prepare a gift for you regardless of the asion. Madam Alice knew

    that you never cared about her effort. But she insisted on preparing them no matter what. It was

    as though she was trying to make a tradition out of it.¡±

    Jasper widened his eyes even more. At that moment, he felt quite stuffy inside.

    ¡°I may not understand what sort of love Ms. Gardner has for you, but Madam Alice truly loves you

    from the bottom of her heart. I¡¯m not being biased here, Mr. Jasper. I will continue to support the

    young madam for as long as I live, I don¡¯t care about Ms. Gardner at all.¡±

    Mrs. Rosie grew frustrated when she remembered how pretentious Liana was. ¡°Mr. Jasper, I may

    be a housekeeper, but I¡¯m not ignorant. I heard the ne you gave Ms. Gardner showed up at

    the charity auction as a bidding item, Did the Gardner family sell it?

    ¡°You spent so much effort creating that ne for Ms. Gardner, yet they sold it right away! Why

    didn¡¯t she stop them?¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, let¡¯s not talk about it, alright?¡± Jasper tried to interrupt Mrs. Rosie.

    ¡°Did you know that Madam Alice adores that ne? When she heard that you were nning to

    give that ne to Ms. Gardner, she was so envious that she burst into tears!¡±

    Mrs. Rosie¡¯s voice wavered as she spoke. She sounded as though she was defending Alice.

    Meanwhile, Jasper was astonished to hear the truth. He clenched his fists so tightly that his

    knuckles whitened.

    Did Alice secretly cry over a ne that she couldn¡¯t obtain?

    Soon, Mrs. Rosie pulled out a beautiful box from the closet and opened it in front of Jasper.

    He froze up immediately when he noticed the contents. He was shocked, to say the least.

    Everything in the box belonged to Jasper. He didn¡¯t even remember that they once existed in his

    life.

    There was a pair of crystal cuffs he had identally lost. A tie he discarded long ago was also

    nestled in the box. He could see the lighter that he hadn¡¯t used for a long time as well.

    Jasper never expected that Alice would keep such things in a box.

    ¡°Madam Alice, on the other hand, will never abandon anything you give to her. After all, she¡¯s the type

    who keeps your discarded tie in a box properly. I believe that she will never give away your gifts as

    well.¡±

    Jasper clenched his fists tightly. He felt bitter.

    At that point, he wondered if he was justing up with an excuse to defend Liana.

    ¡°You can keep feigning ignorance all you want, Mr. Jasper.¡±

    Mrs. Rosie shook her head in disappointment before leaving Alice¡¯s room with a sigh.

    Jasper remained rooted to the spot. He had mixed feelings about Alice now that he had found out

    the truth.

    It appeared that Alice was just pretending to bepassionate and gentle during their marriage.

    She had feelings just like any other human being. She was capable of getting mad and jealous as well.

    But at the same time, she also cared about Jasper.

    It was just that Alice decided to conceal her emotions from everyone.

    Then again, if she truly used to care about Jasper, why couldn¡¯t he see even a trace of warmth in her

    cold eyes?

    Jasper could only grit his teeth silently while feeling his jaw going tense. A mask of reluctance now took

    over his face.

 Chapter 101

    The morning sunlight was warm and gentle. Alyssa woke up in her soft bed and did a full¨Cbody

    stretch under the nket. She stretched her arms as far as she could with her bottom lifted. Her

    demeanor was like that of a drowsy cat.

    She changed into a white athleisure outfit and went rowing at theke in the backyard as usual.

    Sean had freshened up early in the morning. He stood by theke with a water bottle in his left

    hand. A clean towel hung on his right arm. He waited for Alyssa to be done.

    ¡°The videos of Betty harassing our hotel employee have been taken down from the inte. Even the

    trending keywords were gone.¡± Sean handed her the white towel and thoughtfully opened the

    bottle cap for her.

    He continued, ¡°There is some online traction on the scandal right now, but it will die down in no

    time. I don¡¯t think anything wille out of it.¡±

    That¡¯s unsurprising. The Beckett Group¡¯s PR and legal machinery are the best in Sna City. Plus,

    Jasper Beckett has taken over those departments.¡± She wiped away the sweat from her

    forehead and panted lightly.

    ¡°Did Jasper Beckett remove the videos and the keywords?¡± Sean¡¯s eyes widened.

    Alyssa tossed her hair and downed the water with a gleam in her eyes.

    Her neck, reminiscent of a swan¡¯s elegance, showcased a delicate and graceful arc. She made his

    heart flutter with a simple act of drinking.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett is now seeking advantages and minimizing his losses.¡± She wiped away the water

    droplets on her lips with the back of her hand. She smirked. ¡°If I had known him through business, I

    wouldn¡¯t have fallen for him at all.¡±

    She met the wrong person at the wrong time. To sum it up, her rtionship with Jasper was a decision

    that went against her better judgment and morals.

    ¡°How do you n to fight back?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s innocent and divine eyes seemed to twinkle with slyness. Her dark eyes flickered as she

    arrived at an idea.

    ¡°The employee is still at the hospital, isn¡¯t she? I¡¯ll inspect the hotel and attend a meeting. After that,

    you¡¯ll go with me to the hospital to check on her.¡±

    The female hotel employee at the Mercy Hospital had been transferred to an ordinary ward. A few

    hourster, she was shocked to see Alyssa, the general manager, visiting her. She scrambled up

    from her bed to greet Alyssa.

    Alyssa forced her to rest. With a warm smile, she said, ¡°E, just lie down. Don¡¯t be nervous. You¡¯re

    in recovery. You need to take care of your health first and foremost.¡±

    ¡°M¨CMs. Alyssa! I¡¯m sorry to trouble you!¡± E lowered her head in shame. ¡°I never knew I was sick with

    this illness. I really didn¡¯t know. It was all my fault¡­¡±

    H

    ¡°I checked your medical history. This was your first time suffering from the symptoms. The

    symptoms did not surface before this. You did not knowingly hide the truth from us. So, please

    don¡¯t me yourself.¡± Alyssa smiled. 1

    ¡°P¨CPlease deduct the hospital bills from my pay!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. You suffered a work injury. The hotel has submitted the im on your behalf.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, thank you¡­¡± Tears of gratitude and sadness flowed down E¡¯s cheeks.

    ¡°I¡¯m here today to ask you a question.¡± Alyssa put on a straight face and asked in a clear and

    gentle tone, ¡°How do you wish to go about the incident with Betty Beckett?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the daughter of the Beckett Family. I can¡¯t do anything because I have no power. I noticed

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    that they have also removed the videos online this morning. Us ordinary folks can¡¯t even rely on

    social media to air our grievances¡­¡± E hung her head in despair.

    ¡°The Beckett Group might not give you the right to speak up, but I shall grant you permission to

    do so.¡± Alyssa squinted her eyes and said with determination.

    E¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°D¨CDo you want to¡­

    ¡°If you want an apology from Betty, we need to expose more details from the incident. That might

    bring some inconvenience to your life. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here to ask for your opinion. After all, you¡¯re

    the victim. I might be your boss, but I can¡¯t do as I wish without considering your feelings,¡± Alyssa

    exined calmly.

    ¡°I¨C1 want Betty Beckett to apologize to me. It can be a private apology¡­¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t do. I want a public apology from her,¡± Alyssa was curt.

    ¡°A¨CAre you saying that you want her to publicly apologize to me? How is that possible?¡± E¡¯s jaw

    fell.

    ¡°E, judging from Betty¡¯s brazenness in humiliating you in front of everyone, she¡¯d never offer

    you an apology in private,¡± Jasper exined patiently. ¡°However, she will have to apologize to you

    in the eyes of the public.¡± 2

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, i¨Cit¡¯s fine! I don¡¯t want trouble for the hotel and you!¡± Scared, E quickly shook her

    head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If Betty retaliates, she¡¯ll be digging her own grave. Moreover, I do so because of other

    a public apology, you may leave the rest of it to me. I will not allow my employee to be humiliated.

    Betty might have wanted to shut down the controversy, but Alyssa wouldn¡¯t allow it.

 Chapter 102

    Alyssa could stomach the divorce, but she would never want to lose to the Becketts.

    When Alyssa left the patient¡¯s room, she put on a pair of sunsses to hide the fire in her eyes.

    She called Axel. He answered the call and yelped, ¡°Lyse, you finally remember me!¡±

    Axel sounded cloying and begrudged. ¡°You probably didn¡¯t know this, but Ssughed at me and

    said you were giving me the cold shoulder. I freaked out! F***! I will never lose out to that prick!¡±

    ¡°You are all my brothers. Why would you fight for my favor? Don¡¯t make me sound like a ygirl,

    please. I¡¯m not Cleopatra.¡±

    Speechless, she fell silent before telling him in a hushed voice, ¡°Axel, may I get your help on

    something?¡±

    ¡°Oh my god! What¡¯s with that tone of yours? I¡¯m done for! Lyse, tell me, do you not love me

    anymore? Is our rtionship cooling down?¡± Axel, ever the drama queen, turned into the

    mncholic lead of a soap opera. 1

    He continued, ¡°Why do you sound formal with me? It looks like I should go back to you. If I don¡¯t,

    you¡¯d forget my handsome looks two more years down the road!¡±

    ¡°Axel, are you done? I need your help!¡± Alyssa yelled at him impatiently, which attracted the gazes of

    the doctors and nurses. They weren¡¯t expecting Alyssa¡¯s explosive speech from her

    pretty face.

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Just talk to me like usual. I feel much better now. Tell me, what¡¯s up?¡± Axel grinned.

    Her eyes darkened. She lowered her voice. ¡°I¡¯ll upload a video tomorrow. I hope you¡¯ll pull some tricks

    to make it stay online for a bit.¡±

    ¡°How long?¡±

    ¡°At least until the news has spread.¡±

    ¡°Hah, no problem. But Lyse, shouldn¡¯t you repay my favor? Hm?¡± He spokezily in a hoarse voice

    that sounded rather seductive.

    ¡°Are you trying to milk it? Fine, tell me what you want.¡± She lifted a brow and challenged him.

    ¡°Can I beat Jasper up to release my anger?¡±

    She was baffled by his idea. ¡°Get lost!¡±

    t-

    +15 BONUS The next day, Jasper was seated at the start of the meeting table in the Beckett Group

    office. He had an exquisite and regal look but an air of haughtiness that scared the others away.

    ¡°We must bid thend in East Cathia as soon as possible. All rted departments mustmunicate

    timely and carry out their responsibilities.¡±

    During his speech, someone checked their phone. Eyes widened in shock, and the said person patted

    his colleague to the left.

    That went on around the meeting table until everyone in the meeting room was made aware of the

    news that had spread like wildlife.

    ¡°Is this your first time joining my meeting? Don¡¯t you know my rules?¡± He looked up with a sour face

    and gave everyone goosebumps.

    At the same time, his phone buzzed. He looked down and scrolled his phone before glowering.

    After the meeting, he returned to his office with a sullen expression.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I ask you to remove the videos of Betty online? Why is it trending now?¡±

    ¡°The video was uploaded this morning! The PR department didn¡¯t have the time to respond to it.¡±

    Xavier was sweating. ¡°I have contacted Twitter to take it down, but we can¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t? Hah, is that a funny joke?¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was ice¨Ccold. ¡°You have half an hour. I do not

    want Betty¡¯s name on trending.¡±

    He¡¯d get rid of any threat against Beckett Group as soon as it emerged.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    ¡°M¨CMr. Beckett! Look at this!¡± A bewildered Xavier showed Jasper the phone.

    The first hashtag on trending had changed to #TheAngelWhoSavedtheDay.

    Jasper pursed his lips as he tapped on the trending topic with doubt. In the next second, he burst into a

    temper. The video captured the scene where Alice saved the hotel employee and exposed

    Alice¡¯s face.

    Now that his ex¨Cwife had been exposed in the video, she¡¯d be more widely known to the public. An

    unexinable panic gripped him.

 Chapter 103

    At the same time, the mood was tense in the general manager¡¯s office at KS Grand Hotel.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Alyssa stood before the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window with her hands on her back. Her sleek figure. exuded

    an air of power and dominance.

    ¡°Has anyone ever asked you to upload that video?¡±

    ¡°You wanted me to upload something that would spark controversy¡­¡± Sean stood behind her with

    a straight back and a glum face.

    ¡°Sean, you are my secretary. Not only that, we grew up together. You should have known my pet

    peeve!¡± She turned around. ¡°You mix your personal agenda while working for me. I know what¡¯s

    going on. You wanted to boost my perception online¨Cusing my kindness to further highlight

    Betty¡¯s wrongdoing.¡±

    The more she spoke, the more he lowered his head because each word went straight to his heart.

    ¡°But I¡¯m telling you now. I don¡¯t need it.¡± Her look grew icier. ¡°I lent a helping hand because I

    could. It was out of moral value. No matter how much I hate Betty, I wouldn¡¯t attack her by iming the

    moral high ground. An act of kindness will lose its meaning when it attracts attention and judgment.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, it¡¯s my fault. I thought that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s useless to exin yourself now.¡± She grabbed her phone with an expressionless face. ¡°I¡¯m

    calling Jonah to take you back. I don¡¯t vibe with your working style.¡±

    ¡°No! Ms. Alyssa!¡± All colors drained from Sean¡¯s face as he grasped her wrist. ¡°Please, punish me

    as you wish! I can clean the toilets at the hotel or wash dishes in the kitchen! What about

    deducting my pay?¡±

    He pleaded, ¡°I only have one wish¨Cplease let me stay by you.¡±

    Frowning, she felt the pain in her wrist from his strong grasp. The passion in his eyes came as a

    shock to her.

    Sean came from a family of attorneys. His father was a judge, and his mother was a famous

    attorney. His two older brothers held important jobs in the judiciary.

    The Lynch family might not be of wealth, but they were respectable in Belbanks. As the youngest,

    Sean received an excellent education and grew up well¨Cloved.

    However, he was willing to humble himself for her and the Taylor Group. He could have had a brighter

    future, but he would rather serve as her secretary.

    At the thought, she was touched and sighed. ¡°This is yourst chance. I won¡¯t go easy on you if

    you ever do it again.¡±

    ¡°Thank you! Thank you, Ms. Alyssa! I will not act on my own anymore!¡± His eyes glistened with

    tears of joy.

    ¡°Tsk! Look where your hand¡¯s going.¡± She looked down and smirked. He realized that he was holding

    her wrist. Heart pumping wildly, he withdrew his hand as he blushed. Her scent seemed

    to linger in his palm.

    ¡°Um, Ms. Alyssa, how about your trending topic¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell Axel to deal with that. Come with me.¡± She tapped on the zer hanging on the clothes

    stand. He got the hint and helped put the zer on her.

    ¡°Let¡¯s meet with Betty Beckett.¡±

    Betty was distressed when she learned that she trended online again.

    ¡°Mom! What do I do?¡± Fuming, she called up Sophia Kirkman toin about it. ¡°I¡¯m trending

    online for once, only to have that country bumpkin haunt me! She¡¯s deliberately making trouble!

 Chapter 104

    ¡°Are you dumb? Do you not know the reason you¡¯re trending? How could you be proud of that?¡± Sophia

    berated Betty,

    Betty rubbed her forehead. She wasn¡¯t dumb¨Cjust momentarily distracted when Alice White trended

    along with her.

    ¡°S¨CSo, what do I do? The scandal is bad for me. Now that everyone knows Alice White saved the girl, I

    can¡¯t fight back against public opinion. Am I really going to be crushed by that country bumpkin?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve talked to your dad on your behalf. He says that you should never rify or apologize in any way.

    Just keep quiet about it!¡± Sophia said in a low voice.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    She continued, ¡°Jasper will settle this for you anyway. He won¡¯t allow any threat to the Beckett Group.

    Just keep a low profile and ride this out. Don¡¯t do anything st* pid in public. Got it?¡±

    Betty felt better after beingforted by Sophia. She hung up and continued shopping at the luxury

    store she owned with the two girlfriends she met at the barst time.

    At the same time, a Rolls¨CRoyce rolled to a stop in front of the luxury store, EV Concepts. Alyssa

    emerged from the car, dressed in a luxurious tailored blue suit. With Sean behind her, she marched

    right into the store.

    Her presence immediately attracted the attention of the staff. They marveled at her beauty and

    sass.

    ¡°How are you, miss? Is there anything I can do for you?¡± A female employee approached Alyssa with

    excitement. She was blinded by Alyssa¡¯s beauty to notice Sean¡¯s handsomeness.

    ¡°I want to meet your boss, Betty Beckett. I do not need anyone else to attend to me.¡± Alyssa went

    straight to the point.

    ¡°Well¡­¡±

    ¡°I know she¡¯s upstairs. She¡¯ll regret making me wait.¡±

    ¡°M¨CMay I have your name?¡±

    Alyssa was as dazzling as ever, even when she smirked. ¡°Just tell her it¡¯s Ms. White.¡±

    The employee dashed upstairs to notify Betty. Betty was taken aback when she heard that a beauty

    named Ms. White had arrived and requested a meeting. She felt the urge to throw things around to

    release her anger, but she remembered that the items in the store were expensive

    Just when she was at a loss, one of her girlfriends spoke up with indignation, ¡°Betty, I¡¯m pretty

    ¡°Right! Now that she has shown up, you cannot let this slip! This is the perfect chance to get back

    at her!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll get your reputation back and teach her a lesson! Come on! Let¡¯s meet her!¡±

    After they fanned the fire, Betty was increasingly furious and rushed downstairs with her two

    girlfriends.

    ¡°Alice White, you shameless divorcee! The audacity to ask to see me!¡±

    Meanwhile, Alice sat drinking tea with her legs crossed. Her slender legs were attractive, even when

    they were hidden underneath her ironed pants. She sipped the tea leisurely as though she was at

    home.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, is this how you do business? Aren¡¯t you afraid of hurting your reputation by mistreating your

    customer?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re no guest¨Cjust a gold digger who threw herself at Ss to get a share of our family inheritance!¡±

    Betty poked her expensive acrylic nails in Alice¡¯s face. 2

    The store was empty except for the employees, who exchanged looks at Betty¡¯s outburst. They found it

    hard to believe Betty¡¯s usation because Alice appeared wealthy and well¨Cgroomed.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll get to the point. I¡¯m not here to shop. The stuff in this store is cheap and not to my taste.¡±

    Alice shed a calm smile. She didn¡¯t bother to feel enraged at Betty, who was shallow and dumb.

    Betty had wanted to fire back but quietened when she saw the costly Ragnarok brooch on Alice¡¯s

    chest.

    ¡°The goal of my visit is simple.¡± Alice ced the cup on the table without so much as giving Betty a

    look. ¡°Please host a press conference and publicly apologize to my hotel employee, who was

    humiliated and hospitalized all because of you.¡±

 Chapter 105

    "You heard her? This bitch wanted me to apologize to that hotel employee ... Betty cackled. "Did you hit your head or something?"

    When Betty threw her head backughing, her two stic girlfriends wereughing hysterically as well.

    "Why couldn''t Bettyin as a hotel guest? Her ne was broken. And she received crappy service."

    "That''s right! How dare you ask for an apology? Do you own the hotel? There''s no end to this."

    Sean squinted at thedies. He believed the two dumb women would frantically take back their words when they found out that Alyssa owned all the KS Grand Hotel branches in the country.

    "Aren''t you worried that this incident might ruin the image of Beckett Group that Jasper has carefully maintained? You might bring shame to thepany. "Alyssa carelessly stared at Betty.

    "Hmph! Don''t you dare threaten me. I''m not the president of thepany. Why would I care?" Unbothered, Betty rolled her eyes.

    Betty continued, "It''s Jasper''s job as the president to take on the risks and handle any scandals. What else would he do in that role? He should have something to show after Dad made him the president!"

    The store employees were dumbfounded by Betty''s remark. Alyssa couldn''t help but chuckle. The Beckett family appeared loving, but they secretly took advantage of each other and hatched their ns.

    Betty had always looked down on Jasper. To Sophia and Betty, Jasper was nothing but a tool to clean up their mess. They might yield to him on the surface, but they secretly viewed him in disdain.

    Alyssa had seen through the tricks of the Beckett family when she first married Jasper. She wouldn''t have tolerated living with the Becketts that was all show had she not hopelessly fallen in love with Jasper.

    "Ms. Betty, you should at least think of your image, if not thepany''s."

    "Stop threatening me! Alice White, I''m not afraid of you, even if you have Mr. Jonah''s backing. Us Becketts are not pushovers!"

    Betty put her hand on her waist like a bitch. "Where''s security? Kick this country bumpkin out! She has lowered the ss of our store!"

    Two security guards approached Alyssa and wanted to drag her away. However, she remained motionless. Sean fumed and kicked the two guards away. It was an easy task because he had a ck belt in Taekwondo.

    Betty yelped in fear, but the store employees blushed at Sean''s heroic act. They wanted his number because they thought he was too cool.

    "Since you''re stubborn, I have no choice but to negotiate with you."

    Alyssa took her phone and gestured at Betty toe over. "Come here. I''ll show you some good stuff."

    Unwilling to disy her fear, Betty bit the bullet and approached Alyssa, who had a chilling grin on her face.

    When Betty saw the phone screen, her eyes widened in shock, anger, and shame.

    Alyssa calmly scrolled through the gallery to show Betty more photos.

    "What went wrong? I asked those two to delete the photos. Did they ... Betty wondered.

    Alyssa stopped sharing the photos and tucked her phone away. "It''s simple. Offer a public apology, and I''ll delete all the photos without making any copies. If you refuse to, you should know what I will do next."N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Betty''s teeth were chattering in anger. She was gripped by panic. Sophia raised her in wealth, all to marry her off to a wealthy family like the Harpers.

    Betty knew that her reputation would be tarnished if the photos were leaked. There was no way Landon Harper would fancy her.

    Her desperation led to the bold action of snatching the phone from Alyssa. Alyssa lifted a brow and deftly dodged Betty''s advance. Betty fell onto the couch after missing her target. In a fit of anger, she tried to p Alyssa.

    There was a collective gasp in the store when everyone heard the crisp sound of the p. Looking frosty, Alyssa pped Betty across the face hard. Betty stumbled onto the floor from the impact.

    "Gosh!"

    A red p mark appeared on Betty''s fair skin. It happened too fast for anyone to process it.

    At the same time, Sean secretly cheered for Alyssa''s retaliation. How did Betty have the audacity to think of pping Alyssa?

    The two girlfriends, who previously expressed their support for Betty, had stumbled to the back in fear. They were worried about being caught in the mess.

    "H-How dare you p me?'' Stunned, Betty stared at Alyssa as her face went numb from the pain.

 Chapter 106

    ¡°Why not? I¡¯m not sitting back and waiting to be attacked by an animal.¡± Alyssa dusted her hands

    and red at Betty.

    ¡°D¨CDid you just call me an animal?¡± Betty¡¯s face reddened in anger.

    At that moment, the door opened. Alyssa looked across and felt a chilly air swept by her.

    Next, she watched in shock as Jasper showed up in front of them. The ex¨Ccouple looked stunned when

    they locked eyes.

    Alyssa looked away coldly as though he was a stranger. He pursed his lips. There was a heavy look in

    his eyes as he wrestled the frustration deep inside.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Betty seemed to have found her savior. Crying and wailing, sheined to him, ¡± Alice

    White has gone mad! She pped me in the face! You¡¯ll have to see to this!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it was me. Her cheeks are probably still burning.¡± With a smirk, Alyssa proudly admitted to

    pping Betty.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± He gave her an unfeeling look.

    ¡°What do you think?¡±

    In the past, Alice always stared at him with light in her eyes. She appeared to have no feelings for him

    now. He could not find the passion and eagerness in her eyes anymore.

    Feeling tight in the chest, he grappled with mixed emotions.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Jasper, Alice wanted me to publicly apologize to her hotel employee in a press conference! When I

    refused to, she threatened me with the backing of the Taylor family! She even hit me!¡±

    Betty put on her best performance when she realized that Jasper did not care about her. ¡°Jasper, the

    employees were around! They can bear witness! Oh, poor me¡­¡±

    ¡°Alice, you¡¯ve shared the video online for theizens to attack the Beckett Group. Isn¡¯t that enough?

    How could you demand a press conference?¡± He frowned and chided her, ¡°Isn¡¯t that being greedy?¡±

    Sean wanted to argue with Jasper, only to be held back by Alyssa. She stood in front of Sean. The

    action fanned the mes of jealousy in Jasper. He seemed to have found a chance to release his

    frustration since their divorce.

    ¡°I¡¯m not greedy. I¡¯m just¡­ calling for justice.¡± Her dark eyes gleamed dangerously.

    ¡°Whatever you want to call it, I¡¯m not letting you win

    If so, there¡¯s nothing more to discuss Goodbye.¡± She raised a brow and shoved a hand into her packet.

    Then, she marched out boldly.

    ¡°W¨CWait Betty hadn¡¯t forgotten about the photos in Alyssa¡¯s possession. Sweating, she said, ¡± Jasper,

    she Photoshopped nude photos of me to tarnish my reputation and force me to apologize! You can¡¯t

    just let her leave.¡±

    Jasper immediately stopped Alyssa in her tracks.

    Gave me the phone.¡±

    ¡°Who do you think you are? Alyssa chuckled while burning in rage. Without further ado, he snatched

    the phone from her hand.

    Betty watched from the sidelines with glee. Sophia was right¨CJasper was a great help who¡¯d always

    clean up her mess.

    Jasper Beckett! Give it back to me!¡± Panting, Alyssa reached out to swipe the phone from him like a

    monkey. She sprained her ankle in her high heels and stumbled right into his firm chest.

    When they collided he reflexively wrapped an arm around her tiny waist.

    She was ashamed and angered. Her face was as red as a cherry. Coincidentally, she felt the shape of

    his nipple through the fabric of his soft, ironed shirt and rubbed against it.

    ¡°Damn it. It¡¯s perfect,¡± she thought.

    Squinting, he was focused on the phone. With an arm around Alyssa¡¯s waist, he grabbed her phone

    tightly with his free hand He remembered her passcode as 0923 if she hadn¡¯t changed it.

    He quickly typed in the numbers and sessfully unlocked the phone.

 Chapter 107

    ¡°You jerk! Give it back!¡±

    Alyssa blushed as she leaned softly against Jasper. To keep her bnce, she pressed her left hand on

    his broad shoulder. She moved around endlessly Jasper wouldn¡¯t go easy on her either and retaliated

    with the hand on her waist.

    She trembled when she sensed his tightening grip on her waist that screamed possessiveness. She felt

    the heat from his palm through the thin fabric.

    Still, Jasper remained focused on the phone. His face betrayed nothing, not even lust.

    The onlookers were shocked when Alyssa called Jasper a jerk. They were even more astonished when

    Jasper seemed unbothered by the insult.

    At the same time, Sean was sweating profusely but couldn¡¯t find a way to drag Alyssa back. Betty

    gaped at the intimacy between the two, especially knowing they weren¡¯t close during their marriage.

    Meanwhile, the two girlfriends almost bit their manicured nails off from burning jealousy.

    Frowning, Jasper swiftly deleted all the vulgar photos of Betty on Alyssa¡¯s phone.

    ¡°Alice, since when have you stooped this low? It hasn¡¯t been that long since you left our family.¡± Then,

    he shoved the phone back into her pants pocket and let go of her.

    ¡°Hah! Speaking of which, you¡¯re the true master of ying dirty.¡± She quickly distanced himself from

    him and dusted her outfit with a look of disgust.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with getting what I want if I¡¯m capable of doing so? Unlike you, I do not y rough when

    things don¡¯t go my way. Snatching things like a monkey¨Chow tacky!¡±

    The employees giggled while picturing Jasper as the most handsome monkey that had ever existed.

    His expression fell. Pursing his lips, he was angry not only because she called him a monkey in front of

    others. More than that, he was furious at the disdain in her eyes when she nced at him. She must

    have been very resentful of him to give him that look.

    However, from the moment they discussed divorce, she was the one who created trouble every single

    time. He believed he had been very generous and patient in bearing her antics. How could she go this

    far to insult him?

    As grudges piled on, he took a huge step forward and glowered at her. He stared into her eyes.

    ¡°Do you think you can act as you wish just because you¡¯re my ex¨Cwife? Are you disrespecting me over

    and over because we were once together? How could you think you have the right to act out

    He lowered his voice to keep it between him and Alyssa. By doing so, he had infuriated her. Not once

    did she regret falling in love and marrying him. However, he had never taken a proper look at

    her in thest three years. It was a massive blow to her ego.

    Anyway, everything was in the past. Laughing at the absurd situation, she hid the heartache in her

    eyes. ¡°Liana Gardner cares about you. That¡¯s why she has never acted out. I insulted you because you

    mean nothing to me.¡±

    His eyes twitched upon hearing the provocative remark. Next, Alyssa wrapped her slender fingers

    around his luxurious striped tie in blue and pulled him toward her. ¡°Do you think I should be grateful for

    that marriage? Tell you what¨CI¡¯ve never felt an ounce of gratitude.¡±

    Their angry eyes shed. Their bodies were dangerously close.

    His chest tightened, just like her grip on his tie.

    ¡°To sum up thest three years, I¡¯ve been living in hell on earth. Did you really believe you did me a

    f¨¢vor by marrying me? That I¡¯d happily show off and take advantage of my status as your ex-

 Chapter 108

    ¡°No, you are too arrogant. If I could, I would erase you from my life once and for all. I¡¯d rather have

    never loved you.¡±

    Jasper gave her a look of shock. He felt a tremor through his body. His throat was dry. She attacked

    him with progressively harsher remarks

    When he collected himself, she had let go of his hand and wandered past him. Sean hurried after her

    and didn¡¯t forget to re at Jasper on his way out. He didn¡¯t overhear the conversation. between

    Alyssa and Jasper, but he believed that Jasper wouldn¡¯t have said anything nice.

    ¡°Jasper, have you deleted those photos? What a shameless bumpkin she is, threatening me with the

    photos. Thanks for protecting the reputation of our family!¡± Betty took Jasper¡¯s arm in excitement to

    show off their sibling rtionship.

    Much to her dismay, Jasper appeared sullen because he was deeply affected by the words of his ex¨C

    wife. His piercing gaze swept past her face.

    She cowered and quickly withdrew her hand.

    ¡°Were the photos Photoshopped?¡±

    ¡°Huh¡­¡± She was caught off guard.

    ¡°If the photos are real, Alice White technically did not nder you.¡± His eyes were wintry.

    .

    Betty struggled to figure out whether her brother was siding with her. It seemed that Alice still

    had a ce in his heart.

    ¡°I¡¯m not blind. I witnessed everything that happened on that day.¡± He looked away and added, ¡°The

    issue has escted beyond our control. You shall host a press conference tomorrow night and

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    issue an apology to that hotel employee.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Betty¡¯s face contorted in rage and shock. ¡°But why? The customer is always the king! Not only

    did they offer crappy service, but they also broke my ne! It was within my right to

    scold them. Why would I apologize to her?¡±

    All of a sudden, the screen on the second floor of EV Concepts lit up with a video that attracted all

    attention.

    It was a scene in the elevator of KS Grand Hotel, where two skimpily¨Cdressed women decked in luxury

    items posed S**ily in front of the reflective doors. The twodies were Betty¡¯s girlfriends.

    ¡°Gosh, this makes me sick. Look at Betty Beckett¨Cshe¡¯s so excited after buying that shitty ne,

    What a show¨Coff!¡±

    *She doesn¡¯t know that we only hang out with her because she showers us with money.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t she just a ¡®Bitter Betty¡®? Pfft¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmph! It feels good to see her searching high and low for that ne. I bet she¡¯d never guess that

    we broke her ne and hid it in our room. Hah! Let her kick up a fuss. She¡¯ll only humiliate herself.¡°/

    When the video ended, the two girlfriends were trembling in fear. Eyes ming, Betty seethed and

    approached the two.

    ¡°N¨CNo! It¡¯s not what it seems, Betty!¡± The women frantically backed up. ¡°Hear us out! We¡¯ve been

    framed!¡±

    ¡°You shameless whores¡­ How dare you break my stuff after spending my money¡­ I¡¯ll tear you into

    pieces!¡±

    With a scream, Betty flung herself at the two women without caring for her image.

 Chapter 109

    Throughout the journey back home, Alyssa did not utter a word. She looked spent, just like a

    broken robot.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s unforgiving words felt like someone had poured a bucket of cold water over her. She was

    shaking in rage from head to toe. Why had she never noticed that shameless and vile side of him?

    Love might not guarantee happiness, but it would certainly turn you blind.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I have yed the video per your instruction. Look, Betty is fighting her two friends!¡±

    Sean showed her the video on a phone screen.

    She nced at the screen and saw the three women wing at each other in a horrible catfight.

    ¡°Tsk tsk. Cat fights are the worst. Ms. Betty is doing pretty well. She¡¯s still holding up even when she¡¯s

    fighting the two of them. It¡¯s a pity she didn¡¯t train for wrestling.¡± Sean chuckled with glee.

    ¡°Hmph. They¡¯re pping each other and pulling each other¡¯s hair. Nothing interesting about

    those amateur moves.¡±

    Despite that, Alyssa couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the screen. She secretly enjoyed watching it. The fight

    among the three women was oddly stress¨Crelieving.

    ¡°Did Jasper delete all the photos for real?¡± Sean still hadn¡¯t gotten over how Jasper had taken

    advantage of Alyssa by holding her waist.

    However, he reminded himself that Jasper and Alyssa must have engaged in more intimate acts during

    their marriage of three years. He had no right to feel angry about their physical contact.

    ¡°He has definitely deleted them. He might dislike Betty, but he needed to protect the reputation of the

    Beckett Group. To put it in a nice way, he¡¯s focused on the big picture. But you could also say

    he¡¯s heartless to his family.¡±

    Sighing, she unlocked her phone. She was surprised that Jasper had remembered her passcode.

    Perhaps, he identally nced when she was unlocking her phone one day and memorized the

    passcode until now.

    Still, that meant nothing. Jasper, who had never loved her truly, would never figure out the

    meaning behind the passcode.

    It was the date when Jasper saved her from the mountains thirteen years ago. That was also their first

    encounter. Shemented, thinking that her love and affection probably meant nothing to him.

    ¡°What do we do next? Ms. Betty will not listen to us now that we lost our bargaining chip to Jasper.

    Sean sighed sullenly.

    Suddenly, Alysan gasped as her eyes widened. She found Jasper¡¯s number in her contact list.

    ¡°A fucking roque! He¡¯s a sly and unstoppable rascal!¡± She silently cursed him.

    At might, Jasper returned to the Seaview Manor from the Beckett Group office. It had been drizzling for

    a while. He stared at the condensation on the car window, which reminded him of

    Alice¡¯s eyes

    However, her eyes were filled with endless resentment, which added to his glum mood.

    He lifted his chin. The neon lights from the outside illuminated his jaw and added a touch of S**y

    charm. He tugged on the perfect Windsor knot on his tie. The smoothness of the fabric reminded

    hum of Alice¡¯s tiny waist.

    He swallowed hard as he breathed shallowly. He desperately wanted to chase the memory of her eyes

    out of his mind but to no avail.

    Alice White was getting bolder by the day. Back then, she was too shy to even hold his hand during

    their marriage. However, after their divorce, she brazenly challenged him in public. What

    did she take him for?

    ¡°Mr. Jasper Xavier timidly called out to him with hesitation.

    ¡°Go on.¡± Jasper sounded unfriendly because he was frustrated by his thoughts of Alice.

    ¡°Um¡­ Ms. Betty¡¯s scandal is the talk of the town. The popr sentiment is that rich kids are assholes

    who think they can walk over other people. Do you think we should¡­¡®

    ¡°Leave it.¡±

    ¡°I fear that Madam Sophia willin to Mr. Javier if we do nothing. He might give you trouble.

    ¡°Xavier was concerned.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened as a smirk appeared on his lips. ¡°What are you afraid of when I have nothing

    to fear?¡±

    Then, they heard a text notification on Xavier¡¯s phone.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, I received the surveince footage you requested for.¡±

    Jasper looked up and took the phone from Xavier. He saw the scene where Alice was confronting

    Betty. Betty was acting brashly and making threats. He watched as Alice fought back against Betty,

    who had attempted to hit her.

 Chapter 110

    Jasper lifted a brow as his expression darkened. Before this, he might have been a little moody, but he

    was truly angered at that moment.

    Jasper was called to Javier¡¯s study after he changed into a fresh outfit.

    ¡°Daddy! You have to help me out! Poor me¡­¡± Betty hugged her dad and cried her heart out. Her tear -

    stained face was full of injuries from her catfight with her two friends in the afternoon. Even her lips

    were chapped. She looked pitiable.

    Seated on the couch, Javier hurriedly consoled his daughter. She looked like a mess, unlike her usual

    well¨Cpresented self. ¡°Jasper¡¯s home. I¡¯ll ask him about it.¡±

    ¡°The scandal is getting out of hand. I got a few calls asking about Betty. I honestly didn¡¯t know what to

    say.¡± Sophia teared up upon mentioning her beloved daughter. ¡°People are cursing Betty out online.

    How can she ever show up in public? How will the other elites in Sna City think of us?¡±

    ¡°Sophie, don¡¯t worry. I will not let them bully my daughter.¡± Frowning, Javier had a burning gaze in his

    eyes.

    The door opened. Jasper wandered into the study with a t expression.

    ¡°Jasper, why didn¡¯t you take care of the video scandal? Aren¡¯t you tooid¨Cback as the president?

    Javier immediately stopped his son and berated him.

    ¡°The Beckett Group has its PR and Legal Departments led by their respective directors.¡± Jasper was

    unruffled. He sounded calm. ¡°I am a president, not a nanny. I will take over certain issues but not

    meddle in things that aren¡¯t under my purview.¡±

    ¡°And do

    you think this scandal isn¡¯t under your purview? Betty is your sister! Do you n to watch as people

    harass her and nder her?¡± Sophia pressed against her chest with tears, as though she¡¯d faint at any

    moment.

    ¡°Sophie, you¡¯re weak. You shouldn¡¯t get emotional,¡± Javier quickly held her shoulders with a tender

    look. Two decades had passed, but Jasper still felt uneasy and suffocated whenever he saw the

    disy of affection between Javier and Sophia.

    Javier had not once mentioned Jasper¡¯s mother in thest two decades. He did not even pay a visit to

    her grave. The poor woman, who loved him with every fiber of her being, was treated as though she

    had never existed in Javier¡¯s life. Theck of acknowledgment hurt more than any feeling of

    resentment and hatred

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Javier.¡± Sophia coughed softly in Javier¡¯s arms. ¡°I lost control of my temper and acted out I

    shouldn¡¯t have troubled Jasper with the issue After all, he must be very upied as the

    group president.¡±

    She added, ¡°I¡¯m just worried that he might hold a grudge against me, for I am not his biological

    mother. If that¡¯s why he is unwilling to help us out, you shouldn¡¯t me him. I totally

    understand.¡±

    Jasper was sick of Sophia¡¯s drama over the past twenty years. He wondered why Javier hadn¡¯t

    gotten tired of her.

    ¡°Sophie, do not overthink. Whatever that rascal thinks, you will always be my wife, which makes

    you his mother!¡±

    Sophia had sessfully fanned the fire. The enraged Javier pointed a finger in Jasper¡¯s unemotional

    face. ¡°Figure out a solution right away! I need Betty to be removed from the trending topics, along with

    her videos! You¡¯ll be liable if you fail to do so!¡±

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    ¡°I havee up with a solution, which I told Betty about.¡± Jasper looked at his feet.

    ¡°Daddy, that was not a solution at all! He¡¯s going to send me to hell!¡± Betty jumped when she heard

    her name mentioned.

    Stretching her neck, she grumbled, ¡°He wanted me to issue a public apology to that hotel employee!

    Who is she to demand an apology from me? Why should I do that?¡±

    She wailed, ¡°By the way, Alice White dropped by my store to create trouble. She pped me in front of

    everyone! How am I supposed to ever show up in public?¡±

    Sophia and Javier were stunned. ¡°What? Alice pped you?¡±

    ¡°Look at the p marks on my face! It¡¯s real!¡± Betty pointed at her swollen face.

    ¡°That¡¯s outrageous! Jasper, did you marry a devil?¡± Sophia was furious to see her daughter bullied. A

    scowl crept onto her gentle face. ¡°How could she hit our Betty! I will sue her! I will not let her off

    the hook.¡±

    ¡°It was Betty who wanted to hit Alice first. Alice was defending herself.¡± Jasper sounded unmoved and

    cold

    ¡°So, did you just admit that Alice has hit Betty?¡±

    Jasper went silent, which proved that Betty was telling the truth.

    ¡°Call Alice right now! I want her to apologize to Betty. You haven¡¯t gone through the divorce

    proceedings with her, right? You must take time off tomorrow to file the divorce at the court! I do not

    want you to be associated with her in any way¡± Javier bellowed.

    Jasper furrowed his brows. The divorce had initially been scheduled, but he felt uneasy after

    hearing Javier¡¯s insulting remarks. Without thinking, he blurted out, ¡°I will not.¡±

 Chapter 111

    Did Jasper just announce he wouldn¡¯t get a divorce

    Sophia and Betty were taken aback by his sudden change in attitude l¡¯or a moment, Sophia forgot

    about her outburst while Betty stopped crying

    Jasper Beckett Are you defying my order?

    Jasper, the out of wedlock son who was never favored, always went against Javier¡¯s wishes since

    he was young

    Now that Jasper was appointed the president, he became even more brazen with his newly-

    attamed power and publicly defied his father

    Jasper was equally shocked by the smooth objection

    ¡°What are you thinking? You were the one who wanted a divorce from Alice and to marry Lia¡® But don¡¯t

    want to divorce Alice now that I asked you to How could you take marriage lightly? I¡¯ve

    raised a useless son¡°¡±

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    ¡°Taking marriage lightly? That sounds about right¡± Jasper was enraged and restored with squinted

    eyes, ¡°Like father, like son¡±

    ¡°You prick!¡± Like a detonated bomb, Javier lost control of himself and pped Jasper hard on the face.

    Even Jasper jolted at the loud p¨Ca red mark formed on his cheek.

    ¡°Gosh, Javier. Just speak to him nicely. Why would you hit him? Jasper might be a little brash because

    he¡¯s young and hot¨Cblooded. It will only ruin your health and your rtionship with him. It¡¯s not worth it

    all.¡±

    Sophia went up to hold Javier. She secretly chuckled at the scene and felt better after Jasper got

    what he deserved.

    ¡°Sophie, I know you have a soft spot for him. You¡¯ve always treated him like your own. You doted on

    him too much! You nevery a finger on him. Look at him now¨Cyou¡¯re why he¡¯s a spoiled brat.¡± Javier¡¯s

    hand felt numb after the p. His face was redder than Jasper¡¯s.

    ¡°He¡¯ll always be a child to me. I¡¯m not his biological mother, so he won¡¯t warm up to me. If I¡¯m not nice

    to him, I¡¯ll only push him further away. I just wanted to be a good mom.¡±

    Sophia started sobbing pitifully without warning. Each word that came from her sounded from a ce

    of weakness, but she was merely attempting to add fuel to the fire.

    Smirking, Jasper was familiar with her tricks. He saw through her fakeness from a young age. He never

    called her out because he knew Javier couldn¡¯t care less about him.

    He was only appointed the president of the Beckett Group as his sickly older brother was

    recuperating in Mosgravia

    As a neglected child, he learned that he couldn¡¯t get what he wanted just by gaining the pity of his

    father

    ¡°He¡¯s no child He¡¯s thirty years old! You should stop finding excuses for him.¡± Pointing at Jasper, Javier

    baked, ¡°I have two tasks for you. You need to get them done tomorrow!

    ¡°Fustly, file the divorce with Alice White and get her to apologize to Betty in person! Secondly, take

    Betty off the trending topics on Twitter and make the scandal die down.¡±

    A faint smile appeared on Jasper¡¯s lips. He had a scary scowl on his face. ¡°Dad, do you always get

    physical with your business opponents before entering the negotiations?¡±

    W¨CWhat do you mean?¡± Javier was surprised.

    ¡°We might be father and son but we need to separate personal matters from business. I will never back

    down whenever thepany¡¯s interest is at stake.¡±

    He exined, ¡°I cannot divorce Alice for now because I promised Grandpa I¡¯d officially get the divorce

    after his 80th birthday. I need to keep my word. As for the negative news online, I proposed that Betty

    issue a public apology. I will not actively intervene.¡±

    *Jasper You- ring, Javier was about to p Jasper again when Jasper grabbed his wrist.

    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m almost thirty years old. Do you think you can hit me as you like?¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes gleamed with

    a vicious look.

    Javier flinched and felt a dull pain in his wrist.

 Chapter 112

    ¡°No! I won¡¯t! You can¡¯t make me apologize.¡± Betty started making a scene.

    ¡°Xavier,e in ¡± Jasper raised his voice. Hearing that, Xavier knocked and entered the room. before

    greeting everyone with a curt nod.

    ¡°Show the document to the chairman.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Jasper.¡± Eyes darting, Xavier handed Javier the document.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°These arest year¡¯s and this year¡¯s financial reports of EV Concepts, co¨Crun by Sophia and Betty,¡±

    Jasper said tly.

    Sophia and Betty¡¯s faces stiffened as they tensed up.

    ¡°The reports show that the store has been making annual losses of almost 10 million in the three

    years since its operations. They also received funds from the Beckett Group to pay off the operational

    costs.

    ¡°From the start, the agreement dictates that it is Sophia who will take care of the profits and losses. If

    the Beckett Group doesn¡¯t get a share of your profits, we shouldn¡¯t have to pay for your losses too.¡±

    Jasper looked down. ¡°If Betty does not offer a public apology for the incident, I will exercise my right as

    the president to shut down EV Concepts.¡±

    What? Shutting down the store?

    Betty froze while Sophia seethed in hatred. A murderous look shed across Sophia¡¯s eyes. She

    quickly grabbed Javier¡¯s arm and shed tears. ¡°Javier, the store is your birthday gift for me from three

    years ago. We can¡¯t shut it down!¡±

    Javier¡¯s jaw stiffened when he saw the evidence. As the chairman, he could not refute Jasper¡¯s

    usation and proposal.

    ¡°I can turn a blind eye to the losses for your sake, but with a few conditions¨CBetty must apologize

    publicly, and Sophia shall pay for the losses her business had incurred.

    ¡°Otherwise, I will reveal the losses in thepany¨Cwide meeting the day after tomorrow. By that time,

    no one could turn the situation around.¡± Jasper was unfeeling and determined.

    Sophia glowered at him. She would never let EV Concepts shut down. It was an important part of her

    wider n.

    ¡°Betty, throw a press conference tomorrow night. Do what Jasper asked.¡± Javier¡¯s brows were

    Shoulders slumped, Betty looked like a deted balloon.

    From the darkening look on Javier¡¯s face, Sophia knew that she hadpletely lost the battle.

    She had no choice but to focus on her long¨Cterm strategy as she shot daggers at Jasper¡¯s back.

    After Jasper and Xavier left the study, they heard Javier smashing items onto the ground and the crying

    sounds of the two women.

    Xavier scratched his head in confusion and asked cautiously, ¡°Mr. Jasper, I thought you wanted to go

    against Madam Alice at all cost. Why the sudden change of mind?¡±

    ¡°Keep your nose out of my business.¡±

    He thought of Alice¡¯s clear eyes and her delicious scent when they were inches apart. That brought

    some emotions to his otherwise impassive eyes.

    He tried convincing himself that he had changed his mind to side with Alice because of the surveince

    footage and Betty¡¯s unapologetic behavior. But was that the truth?

    Why did he overreact when Sophia and Betty criticized Alice, and when Javier demanded him to get

    the divorce over with? Perhaps, deep down, there was a reason he sided with Alice. 1

    ¡°We weaponized the evidence we gathered with much effort just to force Ms. Betty to apologize. Don¡¯t

    you think that¡¯s a waste?¡± Smirking, Xavier still couldn¡¯t get over it.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Even if I released the evidence to the public, Dad has his way of covering up for Sophia.

    They¡¯re lovebirds, after all.¡±

    Mocking his parents, Jasper shook off the imagery of Alice¡¯s alluring eyes in his mind. The look in his

    eyes deepened.

    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    He continued, ¡°I have simply chosen an oue that serves the two of us. I needed to make up to

    Alice for unfairly using her at the auction over Lia¡¯s incident.¡±

    He let out a wistful sigh as he was gripped by bitterness. ¡°We¡¯re even now. I don¡¯t want to be indebted

    to her in any way.¡±

 Chapter 113

    Alyssa tossed and turned throughout the night. Whenever she closed her eyes, her mind would be

    filled with Jasper¡¯s charming look. She could feel his fingers on her waist vividly.

    The thought made her sit up in bed suddenly. Why would her mind go there when they were

    divorced?

    Finally, she slept for two hours and went rowing for an hour in the morning to suppress her desire. After

    that, Sean prepared a hearty breakfast for her.

    She looked troubled while eating her bread and eggs and drinking her coffee.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, are you bothered by E¡¯s case?¡± Sean grabbed a napkin and gently helped her to wipe

    away the crumbs and oil on her fingers. His elegance could match that of a royal footman.

    ¡°I hate the feeling of losing.¡± She inhaled sharply and narrowed her eyes. However, she did not vocalize

    the rest of her thoughts¨Cthat she hated the feeling of being under Jasper¡¯s control

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    ¡°How do you n to deal with Betty Beckett?¡± Sean asked.

    ¡°I need some time to think over it. We need to settle the matter before the controversy dies down.¡±

    Right then, her phone buzzed on the table. Her eyes widened when she saw the caller ID. It was a

    call from Winston

    ¡°Winston, anything wrong with you?¡± She picked up and questioned him anxiously

    ¡°Tsk, what¡¯s with that tone? You make it sound like I¡¯m dying.¡± Winston smacked his lips and

    coughed softly. ¡°Um, when are youing home? Your stepmoms are throwing a celebration for

    you.¡±

    ¡°A celebration?¡± She was puzzled.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you in the news for being a Good Samaritan? The videos were all over TikTok. You know,

    the ones about the Prettiest Angel.¡±

    God! Alyssa rubbed her forehead when he brought up the ¡°Prettiest Angel¡± topic.

    ¡°Your stepmoms want a celebration because they think you made the family proud.

    Just when Alyssa was fretting over the fact that she went viral, her family appeared to be happily

    celebrating it.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m trying to suppress the online discussion because I hate publicity. It will only get me

    in trouble¡±

    ¡°Tsk, you¡¯re really not a thoughtful daughter. Your stepmoms just wanted to see you. I haven¡¯t

    *Fine. I¡¯ll be home after two days when I¡¯m done with work,¡± she replied.

    ¡°By the way,¡± Winston muttered sternly, ¡°has that rascal Axel recently returned?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± She had no choice but to be truthful.

    ¡°Hah! I was nning to throw a memorial for that brat until I heard from Jonah that he¡¯s back,¡±

    Winston went off. ¡°Bring Axel home with you. If he refuses, I shall not see him as my son

    anymore. He won¡¯t be part of the family!¡±

    After the call, Alyssa frowned and reached into Sean¡¯s pocket for a piece of chocte. She munched

    on it glumly.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Sean was worried.

    ¡°My dad wants me to bring Axel home for dinner.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡­¡± Knowing Axel¡¯s character, Sean knew it¡¯d be tough.

    Winston and Axel are both equally bad¨Ctempered. They¡¯re two peas in a pod!¡±

    She savored the sweetness of the chocte, which calmed her down. ¡°I know Axel well. He listens to

    me on almost everything except going home to see Dad. He¡¯s a stubborn one. I need to work my brains

    to coax him.¡±

    After packing up, Alyssa went to work. When she drove past the hotel entrance in her Bugatti, she

    frowned at the crowd of reporters there.

    Sean quickly called up the hotel front desk for updates.

    ¡°The reporters are here to interview the ¡®Prettiest Angel.¡® We are not sure how they found out that she¡¯s

    our employee. So¡­¡±

 Chapter 114

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes betrayed her annoyance. She always hated media publicity from a young age. She

    would never put herself under the limelight unless she absolutely had to.

    ¡°Why would they make news out of nothing? Do they not have anything better to write about?¡±

    She took a sip of her coffee. ¡°Whatever. The discussion will die off soon. I¡¯ve also told Jonah to

    suppress the news, so we¡¯ll see his power at work soon. Let¡¯s use the back entrance.¡±

    At the hotel¡¯s back entrance, Alyssa had Sean park the car while she sprinted into the private elevator

    and went to her office on the top floor. During her trip, she checked the hotel¡¯s official

    Twitter ount.

    Thanks to the effect of the ¡°Prettiest Angel¡± discussion, the official Twitter received an influx of

    replies and positivementaries.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay at a KS Group hotel next time! Their employees are the best!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s so pretty! Anyone has a high¨Cres photo of her full face?¡±

    ¡°KS Group is a reliable brand, unlike the Beckett Group. When will the Beckett Group release an

    official statement about the harassment of the hotel employee?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied smile. Although she hated publicity, she was d that the

    online buzz had achieved free marketing for the hotel.

    Still, she felt uneasy because there was no closure for E yet.

    Suddenly, she picked up a male scent right behind her. He was getting a little too close to her. Before

    she knew it, the man had ced a hand on her shoulder.

    Eyes wide open, she spun around and threw her coffee in his face.

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    Next, she grabbed his muscr arm and flung him over her shoulder.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± The tall and stocky man fell hard onto the floor. Alyssa pinned him down with ease.

    ¡°I¨CI¨CIt hurts-¡±

    She did a double take and inhaled sharply. ¡°Landon Harper? Why are you here?¡±

    Sttered on the floor, he coughed and muttered, ¡°There was a saying¡­ that lust is the greatest

    enemy¡­¡±

    ¡°It was your fault for walking like a cat. I reacted before I had the time to think.¡± Feeling embarrassed,

    she crouched on the ground and checked on him. With a serious face, she felt him

    her skills

    He squinted and enjoyed her massage with a look of love, thinking, ¡°Oh, Jasper, you didn¡¯t know what

    you had lost! Don¡¯t me me for taking advantage of the situation!¡±

    ¡°Not bad. You¡¯re pretty toned and fit. There are no broken bones.¡± Feeling relieved, she pped him

    hard on the leg. ¡°Get up now. Don¡¯t you dare fake your injury in my face.¡±

    ¡°I want to get up, but I can¡¯t.¡± He inhaled sharply and grimaced. ¡°I might not have broken bones, but my

    body is numb from the pain! Please, can you help me up?¡±

    Put in an embarrassed position, she had no choice but to help him up from the ground. When he

    sensed her soft and perfumed body against his, he swallowed hard and reflexively pressed against her

    as his mind went ces.

    It had always beendies who lined up for him, not the other way around.

    ¡°Hey/Alice, what do you think after feeling me up?¡± He raised a brow in anticipation.

    ¡°Feeling you up? Haha. I finally know what¡¯s wrong with you after the fall. It looks like you have brain

    damage.¡± She snickered. ¡°I¡¯m not that easily turned on by a man.¡±

    She immediately blushed when she blurted out her thoughts. Landon knew that Jasper was on her

    mind. He turned green in envy. Feelingpetitive, he pushed her back up against the wall and fixed

    his enchanting gaze on her face.

    He slowly bent over and said in a hushed voice, ¡°Which of us does it better? Jasper or me?¡±

    He tightened his grip. ¡°And how would you know whether I¡¯m as good as him?¡±

 Chapter 115

    Landon was a master in the art of flirting, after all.

    "Do you want me to break your bones for real, Mr. Harper?" Alyssa gritted her teeth and fired back. Her eyes were spitting fire.

    Landon dared not take a step closer. Acting pitiful, he stumbled backward." Ms. Taylor, that was a joke! You scared me! I''m the victim, anyhow.

    "What more do you want from me after the hitting, yelling, and ruining my outfit? I can''t possibly show up to lunch with my mom in this outfit. Shouldn''t you at least get me some new clothes?"

    Alyssa admitted that she had overdone it. Landon was slightly more reasonablepared to the socially difficult Jasper.

    When Liana and the gang bullied her, it was Landon who got back at them on her behalf. She always remembered his kindness in her heart.

    "My secretary will get you a new outfit. He''ll also book you a room for a shower and rest. How does that sound?" She might look indifferent, but she was quite thoughtful.

    "Oh, that''s a lot of trouble. Why don''t youe with me to shop for my new outfit at the nearby mall? I''m afraid that the outfit chosen by your secretary might not suit my taste."

    He smiled as his eyes sparkled with expectation. "If possible, I''d like you to pick a new outfit for me."

    She finally agreed to go with him. After all, he couldn''t pull anything on her in broad daylight, could he?

    Alyssa drove Landon to the mall in her La Voiture Noire at a speed that was faster than his heartbeat. She leisurely made a huge turn and drove smoothly into the parking lot. In total, the trip took them ten minutes instead of the usual twenty-minute drive.

    Landon gaped at her skills.

    "Get out, now." She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door with a deadpan face. "You might be a rich kid, but I am just a worker bee. I have mountains of work piling up at the office."

    "Ms. White, you have mad driving skills!"

    "Yeah, I was a driver before I met Jasper. I''m a veteran." With that, she left the car.

    Landon had built a name for himself in the underground racingmunity. With one look, he confirmed Alyssa''s extraordinary talent.

    A grin appeared on his face. Alice White was more interesting than she had appeared.

    The mall was empty on a Monday. Despite that, Alyssa and Landon attracted a lot of attention because of their good looks.

    Landon was smiling from ear to ear. "Ms. White, I was at the hotel to meet you because I worried the reporters might trouble you. You were trending online a while ago-*

    "If my memory serves me right, you usually wear YSL," she casually remarked. "How did you know?"

    "You were dressed in YSL couture on our first encounter. You also wore the YSL Le Smoking outfit for your speech at the charity auction."

    "Oh! You seemed interested in me." He raised a brow, feeling ted inside.

    "YSL suits you. No joke." She remained nonchnt.

    "How so?"

    "Its style is mboyant, just like you."

    He was caught speechless.

    "They don''t sell haute couture here-only ready-made clothes. You''ll have to make do."

    "I don''t mind. I like anything you bought for me." He bearned. She ignored him and wandered into a branded store. The employees were attentive to the two VIPS.

    "Money is not a problem. Mr. Harper, pick anything that catches your eye." Alyssa sat on the couch and crossed her slender, attractive legs, whose shapes were entuated by her suit pants.

    The employees were dumbstruck by the sassy babe.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Meanwhile, Landon licked the inside of his mouth. He was fascinated by the role reversal. Most of the time, he would buy stuff for his women. This was the first time a woman offered to pay for him.

    So, this was how it felt to be doted on!

    At the same time, Liana and Rosaline strutted past the store entrance. They were decked in shy luxury items from head to toe.

    "Mom, look! It''s that bitch, Alice White!" Liana wagged her finger angrily at the ss door. Through the door, they saw Alice chatting merrily with Landon.

    They were surprised that Alice had been seeing Landon Harper in secret. What a greedy bitch!

 Chapter 116

    ¡°Lia, this is your chance to turn the tables!¡± Rosaline excitedly pinched Liana. ¡°Make an excuse and get

    Mr. Jasper here. He must witness this scene. This will force him to give up on that little

    whore!¡±

    ¡°B¨CBut Mom, he¡¯s at work now. He rarely goes shopping on the weekends with me, not to mention on a

    weekday. And¡­¡± Liana lowered her voice with a mysterious gleam in her eyes.

    She continued, ¡°I¡¯ve gained his favor with the rpse of my ¡®severe depression.¡® I need to behave

    well to win his heart. It¡¯s not the time to stir trouble.

    ¦§

    ¡°You dimwit!¡± Rosaline jabbed Liana on the forehead. ¡°It¡¯s unreasonable to make him spend time with

    you during work hours. But things are different if you have a solid excuse. It will be a chance

    to take your rtionship to the next level!¡±

    She went off, ¡°Being naively considerate is the start of a tragedy! Men are contradictory and

    shameless, you know. They don¡¯t like obedient women.

    ¡°You¡¯ll boost his ego and self¨Cworth if you look for his help immediately when you¡¯re in trouble. It

    makes him feel good when you rely on him!¡±

    Liana¡¯s eyes darted. She disagreed with Rosaline¡¯s opinion.

    When her dad, Andrew, was in power and their family wealthy, Rosaline hadtched herself onto

    him like a wisteria. The more she did that, the more he dismissed her. Not only did he keep a few

    mistresses, but he also yelled at her in front of the maids at home.

    Rosaline had to endure humiliation to secure her position as Mrs. Gardner. Her wish came true

    when she was fifty years old. By then, the Kirkman family was in decline, and Andrew was riddled

    with chronic illnesses.

    Now, Rosaline was left with the nominal title of Mrs. Gardner and became the joke of the upper society.

    Her life endeavors had gone down the drain.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call Mr. Jasper soon. I¡¯ll tell him that you came shopping alone and that I couldn¡¯t get in touch with

    you. He knows you¡¯re emotionaltely. If he¡¯s worried about you, he¡¯ll drop everything and

    Grinning, Rosaline ced a hand on Liana¡¯s shoulder. ¡°When he sees his good friend flirting with his

    ex¨Cwife, he¡¯ll only hate Alice White more!¡±

    Jasper received a call from Rosaline when he retur

    this office aftar

    ¡°Mr. Jasper! Has Lia contacted you?¡± Rosaline sounded nervous.

    ¡°No. Why?¡±

    ¡°She said she wanted to go shopping because she was in a low mood. But she refused to let me go

    with her. She didn¡¯t want to be seen as a patient.

    ¡°A few hours passed, and I couldn¡¯t reach her by phone. Now, her phone¡¯s turned off. C¨CCould

    something bad have happened to her?¡±

    The thought of Liana¡¯s severe depression made his heart sink. He questioned, ¡°Did Lia tell you

    where she went?¡±

    ¡°She said she wanted to shop at the new mall near the KS Grand Hotel. That¡¯s all

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll look for her now. She¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Frowning, he hung up, grabbed his jacket, and left the office.

    ¡°Get the car.¡±

    Jasper arrived at the mall as soon as possible. He strode into the mall with urgency while calling

    Liana¡¯s number.

    Finally, the call was connected. He heard her purr, ¡°Jasper.

    ¡°Lia, where are you? I¡¯m at the Century Mall now!¡± He sounded worried.

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling a little stuffy. I¡¯m sitting by the elevator lobby on the second floor.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t move! I¡¯ll go to you right now!¡± He swiftly went to the second floor and found her.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Her eyes were misty when she threw herself at him. ¡°Everything¡¯s better when I see you. I

    don¡¯t feel sick anymore.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you pick up the calls from Rosaline?¡± he asked with concern. She quickly cooked up an

    excuse, ¡°My phone died. I managed to find an outlet and get it charged.

    ¡°You must have a guardian with you when you leave home. Okay? You cannot be out here alone.¡±

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    He sighed in relief and held her.

    ¡°I just need you by my side. I don¡¯t need anyone else.¡± She rubbed her face against his chest, feeling

    gleeful on the inside.

    She realized that Rosaline was right. Jasper still cared for her¨Cshe still had his heart!

    At the same time, they heard some murmurs from the crowd.

    ¡°Look at that young couple. How good¨Clooking, especially that youngdy! She looks like she walked

    out of a painting!¡±

    ¡°That handsome young man is pretty fit! You can tell he¡¯s rich from his looks.¡±

    Jasper overheard the gossip but wasn¡¯t curious enough to check out the couple. Only Liana

    gasped in shock. ¡°Jasper, look! What a coincidence!¡±

    He turned around unemotionally, but he was immediately stunned by the sight. His eyes were burning

    like mad.

 Chapter 117

    A few steps away, Landon and Alyssa walked in Jasper¡¯s direction. A tall and handsome man with a

    cold beauty by his side, they were a match made in heaven.

    Jasper felt his eyes twitching in rage. He also noticed the shopping bag in Landon¡¯s hand. Did the two

    shop together?

    However, Alyssa didn¡¯t see Jasper and Liana because she was too engrossed in Landon, who was

    telling a joke animatedly. She looked into Landon¡¯s eyes, and they both chuckled.

    Jasper felt a weight on his chest. The sight pained his eyes.

    Landon sensed an air of hostility and looked up. His eyes widened in shock. ¡°Jasper! Why are you

    here?¡±

    Alyssa finally noticed Jasper and his sour face. Her gaze swept past Liana, who was in his arms, and a

    smirk appeared across her face.

    Knowing it was her chance, Liana held Jasper tighter and red at Alyssa to im him.

    Alyssa was unbothered by the action. In the past, she might have been envious of Liana, but she felt

    nothing but calm at the moment.

    To her, Jasper and Liana were a bastard and a bitch who deserved each other.

    ¡°I should be asking you that, Landon Harper,¡± Jasper growled.

    ¡°I¡¯m shopping. You know me best. Shopping is my hobby.¡± Landon put on a wide smile, not knowing

    that he was in trouble.

    Alyssa wholeheartedly agreed with Landon¡¯s answer. She had never seen a man more passionate

    about shopping than Landon.

    Although he was always chatting with her, his eyes kept darting to the store window. He would

    have shopped in every store if she weren¡¯t in a hurry.

    However, Landon¡¯s honesty sounded like a challenge to Jasper.

    ¡°I never knew that Ms. White was close to Mr. Harper in private. They even came on a shopping date.¡±

    Liana leaned against Jasper¡¯s chest. ¡°Jasper, let¡¯s go home. Let¡¯s not be the third wheel and ruin their

    date.¡±

    Alyssa nced at her with indifference. On the other hand, Landon¡¯s mind wandered when Liana

    described his outing as a date. 1

    To Liana¡¯s surnuise Jer abound han

    ¡°Hey, Jasper!¡± Liana called out to him, but he did not turn back. Her eyes zed.

    Alyssa stared up into his sharp eyes. He was taller than her, even when she was in heels. She felt

    overwhelmed under his gaze.

    ¡°What is this?¡± He confronted her.

    ¡°We¡¯re just shopping. What¡¯s wrong?¡± She snickered dispassionately. ¡°I know we don¡¯t see eye¨Cto- eye,

    but

    you can¡¯t seriously me us for bumping into you here.¡±

    ¡°You said you were shopping with him?¡± He enunciated thest word in his sentence as he

    scowled at her.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m a wolf.¡± Landon clicked his tongue.

    Jasper clenched his jaw. ¡°Who knows whether you¡¯re a wolf when you are undressed?¡±

    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Landon¡¯s brows snapped together ferociously when he heard the remark.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, it¡¯s my freedom to shop with whoever I like. Why would you pick at me after the

    divorce? You¡¯re only being ridiculous.¡± Alyssa ignored the anger in Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    She wondered if he was angry and jealous of her and Landon. She ruled out the possibility on second

    thought because Jasper had never loved her

    ¡°How could you hang out and shop with my friend before we go through the divorce proceedings? What

    would people think of the Beckett Group and the Harper Group? Is this your n to stir trouble again?¡±

    Jasper had a crazy look in his eyes as his chest tightened. Meanwhile, Landon secretly grumbled,

    You sly thing. Are you using me to get out of this fight when you¡¯re stuck?¡±

    ¡°Hah.¡± Alyssa merely took Jasper¡¯s criticism as an unfunny joke. ¡°No one knew I was your wife outside

    of the Beckett Family.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened as his emotions simmered.

    ¡°Have you once publicly introduced me in the three years we were married? Have you introduced

    me to your friends? You didn¡¯t even n a wedding for us.¡±

    Alyssa beamed widely as if to taunt him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Even if you ster my face on the

    screen outside the mall, no one will recognize me as Alice White, your ex¨Cwife.

    ¡°As for the reputational damage to you and Landon, I assure you that you¡¯re overthinking it. Let¡¯s live

    separate lives. If we run into each other, we should just act like strangers.

    ¡°After all, an ex is as good as dead; best if she doesn¡¯t make a sound at all.¡±

    With that, she brushed shoulders with him and left the scene.

    It took Landon a split second to think before he decided to leave his friend behind and go after his

    crush.

    Jasper inhaled sharply in a long face as he stared at Landon. The veins on the back of his hands. were

    popping.

    Somehow, he felt as though Landon had heartlessly stolen his partner. Good friends should follow

    the bro code. But for Landon, it was hoes before bros.

 Chapter 118

    What a bastard!

    ¡°Jasper, my chest hurts¡­¡± Liana hurriedly went up to him and rested her head against his shoulder as

    she grumbled. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, why don¡¯t we go shopping? You¡¯ve never shopped with me. Look at

    Mr. Harper going shopping with Ms. White¡­¡±

    Jasper followed Alyssa¡¯s figure with his eyes.

    ¡°Fine.¡±

    Alyssa shuffled away, looking upset. Her ex¨Chusband¡¯s sudden appearance was a buzzkill that ruined

    her good mood.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she suddenly called out. Landon answered with a twinkle in his eye, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in a bad mood. Why don¡¯t you share a few more jokes?¡±

    Landon was speechless at her request. ¡°Well, I can certainly do that. If you¡¯re looking to cheer up, I can

    gather a few people and have fun at ACE tonight.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t drink with guys I don¡¯t know.¡± She shot him a cold look. ¡°By the way, aren¡¯t you worried

    that Jasper might unfriend you if we keep hanging out?¡±

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°F***. You guys are divorced. Even if it¡¯s not official yet, it¡¯s almost certain. I didn¡¯t steal his girl or loot a

    burning house. What is he angry for? An oversensitive jackass.¡± Landon snorted.

    At the same time, Alyssa was attracted by a shimmery blue diamond ne in a store disy

    window. Before she knew it, she had wandered into the store. Landon followed along.

    ¡°Can I have a look at this ne?¡±

    ¡°Madam, you have great taste indeed! This ne is a limited¨Cedition item from our brand designer¡¯s

    summer line¨C¡®Starry Ocean¡®! There are only five of its type in the nation.¡±

    The store employee enthusiastically introduced the background of the product while removing it from

    the disy.

    As an expert in jewelry, Alyssa could tell that the shade of the blue diamond was rather ordinary. It was

    neither vivid blue nor deep blue. Still, she admired its skillful cut and design concept. The designer

    must be a soulful talent. Thanks to the brand effect, the ne had a seven¨Cfigure price tag

    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Landon bent his left knee and stretched his right leg while sitting on a stool He rested

    his chin on his hand and smiled at her flirtatiously.

    The employees marveled at their outrageously good looks. It was a pleasant view to behold!

    ¡°Mhm,¡± she muttered softly while admiring the ne.

    ¡°Try it on.¡± He gestured with his chin.

    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s a lovely ne! I love it so much!¡± Liana¡¯s shrill voice cut through the air, causing

    Alyssa and Landon to frown. Alyssa turned around and watched as Liana approached her while holding

    Jasper¡¯s hand.

    The employees gaped at Jasper¡¯s presence. His perfectly chiseled and smooth features were a work of

    art. Unfortunately, the woman he came with was nowhere as attractive and well¨Cdressed as Alyssa.

    ¡°Tsk, why is she haunting us?¡± Landon grumbled in a low voice.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes fell on Alyssa.

    ¡°Jasper, I love this ne so much. It¡¯s so pretty. Can you buy it for me?¡± Liana pouted and swayed

    Jasper¡¯s arms like a child asking for candy.

    Landon rubbed the goosebumps on his arms.

    .

    Jasper¡¯s pupils contracted. He pursed his lips. In the past, he would quietly buy anything Liana fancied

    without her asking and deliver it to her.

    However, the sight of the blue diamond ne reminded him of the humiliating auction and the

    Crimson Heart that would forever be locked away.

    The smile on her face froze amid his hesitation.

    ¡°Miss, here¡¯s my card.¡± Landon quickly handed the employee a ck card and beamed at Alyssa.

    Please wrap the ne nicely. It¡¯s my gift to this youngdy.¡±

    Alyssa glowered at Landon. Before she could stop him, she saw Jasper handing his ck card to the

    employee.

    Take my card. I¡¯m buying the ne.¡± Jasper cast a deep nce at Alyssa.

 Chapter 119

    The fight over a ne between the two influential men in Sna City, who each owned a

    Centurion Card, was the event of a century.

    The employee stammered in shock at the sight of the two ck cards. ¡°S¨CSir, we only have one

    ne left¡­¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Jasper looked away from Alyssa. ¡°I am buying it exactly because there¡¯s only one.¡±

    Liana almost jumped for joy as she awaited Jasper to give her the ne.

    Alyssa pursed her lips at Jasper¡¯s insistence as bitterness welled up in her heart. He¡¯d get Liana

    anything she wanted at all costs. When it came to Alyssa, though, he paid no attention to her

    feelings.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°Ignore him. Please charge it to my card and wrap the gift!¡± Landon arched his brows and rapped

    his knuckles on the ss disy. ¡°Firste, first served.¡±

    ¡°Landon Harper.¡± Jasper frowned. Landon stared at Jasper¡¯s sullen face and lowered his voice,¡±

    Jasper, you know me. There are not many women I¡¯d like to buy a gift for. Can¡¯t you let me have

    my way this time, considering we¡¯ve known each other for almost twenty years?¡±

    Alyssa widened her eyes in disbelief at the two men. At the same time, Liana¡¯s jaw dropped at the

    confrontation.

    She looked down at Alice White for getting cozy with the other wealthy men. After all, Alice had

    only recently left Jasper. What did rich men like Landon see in Alice, the divorcee Jasper had

    abandoned?

    Jasper caught his breath. This was the first time in his memory that Landon had put their twenty years

    of friendship on the line for a woman. Not only that, Landon was confronting him over his ex

    -wife, whom he imed he didn¡¯t care about.

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Harper.¡± Alyssa shed a bright smile at Landon at that moment. ¡°I¡¯ll dly

    ept your ne gift.¡±

    Landon forgot to breathe at the sight of her alluring smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me! What¡¯s more

    important is that you like it.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes burned with an incendiary anger as his throat tightened. How could she ept the gift

    from another man in front of her ex¨Chusband?

    Landon picked up the ne and put it on Alyssa¡¯s neck attentively. The color drained from Jasper¡¯s

    face. His fists were curled up, but he felt helpless.

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s gorgeous!¡± The store employee covered her mouth and eximed.

    He had been carrying that box around for a few days to give it to Alice if he had the chance. To his

    dismay, she did not even take a look at it. That was humiliating for him.

    He switled the contents of his whiskey on the rocks as he reyed the scene where Landon helped

    Alice to put on the ne. She smiled at Landon, and they left the store together.

    Alice had only reserved that smile for him. But now, she¡¯d smile at any man except for him.

    ¡°Alice White, ever since you left me, you¡¯ve been degrading yourself,¡± he fumed silently.

    A heavy breath escaped his mouth. He downed the whiskey, to the bartender¡¯s shock. The bartender

    was worried about the well¨Cbeing of his customer, who had down the strong liquor like

    it was water

    Jasper poured himself another whiskey drink. At that moment, someone reached out and held the rim

    of his ss.

    ¡°Jasper, you shouldn¡¯t do this. It¡¯s bad for your health.¡±

    Jasper squinted at Landon and smiled through clenched teeth. ¡°That¡¯s still better than having your girl

    stolen by your friend.¡±

    ¡°I stole nothing!¡± Landon wasn¡¯t in high spirits. He sat on the stool next to Landon and ordered himself

    a drink, ¡°Give me the same thing.¡±

    ¡°Landon, you cannot be with Alice White,¡± cautioned Jasper.

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s with Jonah Taylor.¡±

    To that, Landon lifted a brow and asked in amusement, ¡°Is that the reason, or are you stopping me from

    courting her because she¡¯s your ex¨Cwife?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s throat was dry, and his chest felt heavy.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if she¡¯s with Jonah Taylor, and your feelings about me dating your ex¨Cwife are not my

    concern.¡±

    Jasper finally lost his cool from thebination of Landon¡¯s bold provocation and the effect of the

    alcohol. He toppled the ss and grabbed Landon by the cor with crazed eyes.

    ¡°Landon Harper, you¡¯d better not try anything funny with Alice. Over my dead body!¡±

 Chapter 120

    Alyssa hastily went to the underground parking lot.

    ¡°M¨CMs. White! Alice!¡± Landon ran up to her and held her by the wrist. She spun around and cast an indifferent gaze at him.

    ¡°Let go.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it because of Jasper?¡± His throat tightened as he apologized gently, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know he¡¯d be here. Had I known, I wouldn¡¯t have brought you here.¡±

    Alyssa was riddled with heartache when she thought of the box that Jasper had wanted to give her. She didn¡¯t need him to make up to her.

    ¡°Here. I¡¯m returning this.¡± She lowered her neck and took off the ne, which she returned to Landon. ¡°Anyway, thanks for the gift, Sorry, but I can¡¯t ept it.¡±

    He was struck by her change of mind. ¡°Were you taking advantage of me just now?¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Gloom crept over her face.

    Instead of feeling angry, Landon felt bad for her. He could tell that she needed more time to get over Jasper. No matter how long that¡¯d take, he was willing to wait for her.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s not a big deal. You turned down Jasper¡¯s gift as well. So I don¡¯t feel too bad about this. ¡°He waved and clutched the ne tightly in his hand.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, you¡¯re a decent guy. At least, you are more carefree and observant than Jasper in many ways. You might look like a fuckboy, but you can be very thoughtful and doting.

    ¡°You deserve a better woman, and you should spend your time on her.¡± She softened up because of the guilt she carried.

    ¡°Well, that woman has shown up. She¡¯s closer than I thought!¡± He stared at her with passion as he huffed and puffed.

    ¡°I appreciate that.¡± She smiled and left the scene with poise.

    Landon stood on the ground, feeling helpless and bitter. Did she just turn down his confession? It certainly felt like that.

    As night settled in, Landon was at one of ACE¡¯s corridors. He had requested the manager to clear the venue for him and Jasper, who was in a foul mood that night.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Sitting by the bar, Jasper looked lonely and hostile, causing the bartender to stay away from him

    The fight over a ne between the two influential men in Sna City, who ench owned a Centurion Card, was the event of a century.

    The employee stammered in shock at the sight of the two ck cards. ¡°S¨CSir, we only have one ne left¡­¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Jasper looked away from Alyssa. ¡°I am buying it exactly because there¡¯s only one.¡±

    Liana almost jumped for joy as she awaited Jasper to give her the ne.

    Alyssa pursed her lips at Jasper¡¯s insistence as bitterness welled up in her heart. He¡¯d get Liana. anything she wanted at all costs. When it came to Alyssa, though, he paid no attention to her feelings

    ¡°Ignore him. Please charge it to my card and wrap the gift!¡± Landon arched his brows and rapped his knuckles on the ss disy. ¡°Firste, first served.¡±

    ¡°Landon Harper.¡± Jasper frowned. Landon stared at Jasper¡¯s sullen face and lowered his voice,¡± Jasper, you know me. There are not many women I¡¯d like to buy a gift for. Can¡¯t you let me have my way this time, considering we¡¯ve known each other for almost twenty years?¡±

    Alyssa widened her eyes in disbelief at the two men. At the same time, Liana¡¯s jaw dropped at the confrontation.

    She looked down at Alice White for getting cozy with the other wealthy men. After all, Alice had only recently left Jasper. What did rich men like Landon see in Alice, the divorcee Jasper had abandoned?

    Jasper caught his breath. This was the first time in his memory that Landon had put their twenty years of friendship on the line for a woman. Not only that, Landon was confronting him over his ex -wife, whom he imed he didn¡¯t care about.

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Harper.¡± Alyssa shed a bright smile at Landon at that moment. ¡°I¡¯ll dly ept your ne gift.¡±

    Landon forgot to breathe at the sight of her alluring smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me! What¡¯s more important is that you like it.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes burned with an incendiary anger as his throat tightened. How could she ept the gift from another man in front of her ex¨Chusband?

    Landon picked up the ne and put it on Alyssa¡¯s neck attentively. The color drained from Jasper¡¯s face. His fists were curled up, but he felt helpless.

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s gorgeous!¡± The store employee covered her mouth and eximed.

    ¡°Yeah, the ne is gorgeous.¡± Alyssa shed a polite smile.

    ¡°No! I meant you. A customer before you tried on the ne, but she failed to pop in that piece. But you are a different case. You brought out the benuty of the jewelry but didn¡¯t let it overshadow you.¡±

    Seething, Liana stared hard at Jasper, who did not give any reaction. He did not show any sign of fighting for the ne.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, I have to go back to work. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Alyssa never gave Jasper a proper look from the start. She left the scene with Landon like a couple.

    ¡°Jasper, I thought you wanted to buy me the ne. How could you let Alice White have it?¡± Liana questioned Jasper with urgency.

    Frowning deeply, Jasper went after Alyssa in big strides.

    ¡°Alice White!¡±

    She came to a stop and spun around.

    ¡°What do you want, Mr. Jasper? Are you going to snatch the ne from me?¡±

    He was stung by her prating gaze. Pursing his lips, he dug out a ck velvet case from his breast pocket and handed it to her.

    His gesture took her aback. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a crystal bracelet. The one that Grandpa gave you was broken. I¡¯m giving you a new one.¡±

    He sounded harsh and refused to admit that it was his gift to her, despite knowing she had long looked forward to a gift from him. He did not want to cave in to her.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Grandpa promised to get me a new one.¡°Smirking, she urged him, ¡°You should put this away. You might cause a misunderstanding if your fianc¨¦e sees it. I don¡¯t want to be responsible for that.¡±

    ¡°Why did you take Landon¡¯s gift but not mine?¡± At the end of his wits, his gaze burned holes through her.

    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s because you¡¯re annoying. As simple as that.¡± She dropped a hurtful remark and left without turning back.

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯ll see you tonight!¡± Landon hurried after Alyssa, leaving Jasper frozen on the ground and grappling with the pain she had left him. His mind was filled with her remark about him being

    Liana, who had caught up to them, witnessed Jasper¡¯s failed attempt to give out the crystal bracelet. Like a venomous snake, her features contorted with spite.

 Chapter 121

    Landon was frightened by the callous look in Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    Jasper had never been more incensed¨Cnot even when Linna left him and traveled abroad.

    Landon was merely joking, which was characteristic of him¨Cwealthy but indiscreet, even more so

    in front of his good friends.

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    He never thought that he¡¯d cross a line by making a joke. It confirmed that the topic of Jasper¡¯s ex-

    wife was taboo.

    The bartender paled at the sight. Not many in Sna City had the guts to grab Landon Harper by

    his cor.

    ¡°Jasper, have you ¡­ fallen for Alice?¡± Landon had sobered up, and he was drenched in cold sweat.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you noticed that you¡¯ve been acting funny since the divorce?¡± Landon cast a deep look at

    him. ¡°I¡¯m your only friend from childhood. Aren¡¯t you going to tell me the truth?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t love her,¡± Jasper growled.

    ¡°Fine, got it. I¡¯ll take your word for it.

    ¡°Landon Harper!¡±

    Landon ignored Jasper¡¯s wrath and added, ¡°Jasper, I¡¯ll repeat myself. If you have fallen for Alice

    and wish to get back with her, you have my full support.¡±

    He continued, ¡°If you are only acting out because you couldn¡¯t stand seeing your ex¨Cwife with

    another man, I hope you¡¯ll allow me to take my shot. That¡¯s because I know what my heart wants-

    I love Alice and want to pursue her.¡±

    Feeling as though he was shot in the chest, Jasper let go of Landon¡¯s cor and stumbled

    backward. Landon stood up straight and breathed deeply to calm himself down as he pulled the

    blue diamond ne from his pocket.

    ¡°She¡­¡± Jasper was stunned.

    ¡°She refused my gift.¡± Smiling bitterly, Landon exined, ¡°Alice isn¡¯t what you think she is. She¡¯s

    not a materialistic woman. She returned the ne to me after we left.¡±

    Hemented, ¡°Gosh, Mr. Jasper, how have you been treating Alice in the past? She saw you as her

    archenemy and grabbed at any opportunity to irk you. It¡¯s not an overstatement to describe

    her mortal enemy.¡±

    you as

    Jasper pursed his lips. Thinking back on those three years, he had turned a blind eye to her feelings

    countless times. The memories of the badly damaged handmade suit and the wardrobe.

    After work, Alysaa left the hotel but didn¡¯t head home. She managed to shake off Sean and went to

    a church on the west side of Sna City alone

    The golden dome of the church glimmered under the lights, looking opulent and grand Under a huge

    cross, Jonah, the pastor, dressed in a ck robe and held a Bible in his hands. He lowered his head

    and focused on his sermon.

    Alyssa sat in thest row and listened keenly. Jonah had a melodious voice that would wash away

    the impurities of a soul.

    After the sermon, the members of the church left Jonah closed the Bible and approached his little sister

    with a gentle smile on his good¨Clooking face.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you¡¯re here?¡± He tousled her hair.

    ¡°Un, I didn¡¯t want to interrupt you in case you were busy¡± Smiling ear to ear, she replied sweetly

    ¡°Do you have something on your mind?¡± He took a seat beside her and questioned.

    ¡°Can you tell?¡±

    She let out a long sigh with a downcast expression ¡°Jonah, I did something wrong today I used

    Landon Harper to get back at Jasper. I knew it was not the right thing to do, but I couldn¡¯t hold

    back. When I saw Jasper with Liana and how he fought Landon for a ne, I felt upset.¡±

    She confessed, ¡°I wanted to hurt him, even though it was meaningless because we were divorced

    I wanted him to have something to remember me by, even if it was from a ce of spite.¡±

    Jonah sighed wistfully and hugged her trembling shoulders ¡°Lyse, you still have feelings for him,

    don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I admit that I haven¡¯t gotten over him. After all, I¡¯ve loved him for a very long time. I devoted my youth

    to him. He was part of all my unforgettable memories.

    Resting her head on Jonah¡¯s broad shoulder, she got misty¨Ceyed ¡°Jonah, I¡¯m so afraid that I¡¯d lose the

    ability to love another after how he¡¯d hurt me I might never love a man the way I loved him

    ¡°To live is to love. Lyse, as long as you¡¯re still breathing, you will never lose the ability to love.¡±

    He lowered his gaze and patted her reassuringly ¡°Do not fret. Your brothers will be here to protect you

    no matter what happens. You just be your true self and pursue the love of your life Live a life without

    regrets¡±

 Chapter 122

    ¡°I tried pursuing my true love, only to be badly scarred.¡± Alyssa tasted bitterness on her lips. She

    wore a crushed expression. ¡°I met the right person at the wrong time. I¡¯d never love again.¡±

    Jonah furrowed his brows, concerned for his sister, who had given up on hope at her tender age. He

    tried a different approach and chuckled good¨Cnaturedly.

    ¡°Lyse, chin up! You must have fallen hard for Jasper because you saw something in him. You didn¡¯t

    waste your youth on him. What can we say other than the two of you aren¡¯t destined for

    each other.¡±

    ¡°I thought I had good taste in men. I thought my lover was the perfect man. Looking back, I must have

    been blind¡­¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s phone vibrated. It was a call from Sean.

    ¡°Sean, what¡¯s wrong?¡± She picked up the call.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa! I finally got hold of you. The signal on your side is so crappy!¡± Sean gulped in excitement

    and went on, ¡°Check Twitter¡¯s livestream feed now! Betty Beckett is live¨Cstreaming a press conference.

    She¡¯s offering a public apology to our hotel employee.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Her eyes widened, and she shot up with a shocked expression. The gloom and doom from

    before was gone.

    ¡°It was a sudden press conference. We think the Beckett Group ns to get it over with to minimize the

    fallout. There are five million viewers on the live stream, and the number keeps climbing!

    ¡°Thepany should have either gone all out on that public apology or kept its silence to spare the

    humiliation. Look at that cheap setup and the embarrassing scale! It¡¯s very unlike Beckett Group and

    nothing like the KS Group!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes twinkled as she came to a realization. Jasper had undergone a sudden change in

    attitude. Betty wouldn¡¯t have caved in, given howbative she had behaved yesterday. Something

    must have happened between then and now, which forced Betty into the apology.

    She figured Javier wouldn¡¯t have hung his beloved daughter out to dry, especially with Sophia around.

    Who would have forced an apology from Betty? Was it Jasper?

    Alyssa shook her head vehemently to shake off the thought. However, no one else in the Beckett

    Group had the power to force Betty into submission other than Jasper.

    But why would he do so?

    Taking a deep breath, she quickly hung up and watched the live stream. The flurry of activity in

    At that moment, Betty stood on stage facing the reporters in a ck dress. A mix of anger, fear,

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    and distress shed across her face.

    ¡°Haha! Karma¡¯s a bitch! What¡¯s in their mind, thinking they can get away with this?¡±

    ¡°Did Betty Beckett put on makeup? She must be st* pid to put on makeup at this press conference.

    Put some thought into it if you want our pity.¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk, is she that dumb but pretty chick they talk about?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s really dumb. I can¡¯t agree with the ¡®pretty¡® part, though.¡±

    Alyssa read the negativements as a devious grin crept onto her lips.

    ¡°After my belonging went missing, I impulsively went off on an innocent hotel employee. This

    triggered an epileptic seizure in said employee and nearly resulted in a catastrophe.

    ¡°Once again, I express deep remorse for my actions and sincerely apologize to the employee for my

    actions.¡±

    After the speech, Betty put on a pitiful face and shed some crocodile tears with much difficulty.

    She continued, ¡°But I am an ordinary individual just like you. I have my troubles, and there are

    times I struggle to keep my emotions under check. I now suffer from insomnia after two days of

    online abuse. I¡¯m on the brink of a breakdown.

    ¡°I admit that I was in the wrong, but it is my wish thatizens approach this matter sensibly.

    Please do not drag my family through the mud. I beg of you.¡±

    The newments in the chat moved along fast.

    ¡°Cry me a river! I can¡¯t deal with her bitchy attitude after that apology!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s acting like the victim when the real victim hasn¡¯t uttered a word about it.¡±

    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t have apologized had we not called her out. She might even cover it up!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t feel sorry for her. Those are crocodile tears.¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. Her smile deepened. This must have been the worst day in Betty¡¯s life after

    25 years of growing up sheltered and well¨Cloved.

    She figured that Betty must have felt embittered, and she¡¯d love to see that. It¡¯d be no fun if Betty

    gave up without putting up a fight.

    Suddenly, an iing call interrupted the entertaining live stream.

 Chapter 123

    Alyssa hurriedly picked up the call and cooed, ¡°Ss!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, it¡¯s so damn hard to get hold of you. Were you on a call just now?¡± Ss sounded anxious.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± She frowned.

    L

    ¡°Did Axel get in touch with you today?¡±

    ¡°No. Gosh, just tell me!¡±

    Ss sighed worriedly. ¡°We went drinkingst night and got drunk. That dude¡­ He made an

    outrageous im again!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart sank upon learning that. Axel had a quirk¨Cmost people would never act on their drunk

    promises, but not Axel. He¡¯d remember everything from the night before, even if he was wasted, and

    act on it the next day. That was one of his skills as a top spy.

    ¡°What did he say?¡± She had a bad feeling about it, which made her nervous.

    ¡°He said he¡¯d kill Jas!¡±

    Her mind went nk. Had Jonah not grabbed her on time, she might have lost her bnce.

    ¡°Axel flew a ne across 10,000 miles to avenge you. Last night, he announced that he¡¯d teach Jas

    a lesson. He swore to at least cut off Jas¡® manhood, if not kill him outright! He said that was the

    only way to get revenge.¡±

    ¡°I thought he¡¯d listen to you and spare Jasper, but he brought up his n against night. I

    couldn¡¯t reach him at all today! Is he making a move?¡±

    Her heart thundered in her chest. She couldn¡¯t spare a minute to exin everything to Jonah and

    sprinted out of the church.

    Betty was perceived to have offered an insincere apology at the press conference, so theizens

    berated her in the chat.

    Before she went onstage, Sophia had personally drafted a script and ordered her to memorize it.

    Sophia also reminded her not to put on any makeup

    Too bad Betty had her own ideas. Firstly, she was stubborn and refused to give in. Secondly, she

    thought the press conference was a great chance to trend online as the prettiest heiress with her

    looks. Her n backfired, and she lost everything in the end.

    ¡°I find the hotels under KS Group likable. Not only do they provide good service, but they also have

    ¡°I don¡¯t feel good about the Beckett Group at all! I will never book a room at their hotels when I

    travel.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, boycotting them is the way to go! Bankrupt them tomorrow!¡±

    After Betty wrapped up her public apology, she was surrounded by reporters from below the

    stage. They shoved the microphones into her face and attacked her with increasingly trickier

    questions.

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Betty buckled under the pressure, for she had never been thrown into a situation like that. She scuttled

    away from the stage under the protection of two bodyguards.

    When she wasn¡¯t paying attention, she tripped on the stairs, spraining her ankle while falling t

    on the ground. It was a humiliating scene that was captured by the shing cameras.

    The two bulky bodyguards hurriedly lifted the limp Betty from the ground and dragged her away

    effortlessly.

    Five minutester, a new hashtag trended-#BettyBeckett Falls. She was trending online, just as

    she wished.

    Meanwhile, Jasper and Landon held on to each other when they stumbled out of ACE. They went

    in as enemies but emerged as friends. Drinking indeed brought people closer.

    They drank like fish that night. Landon was a heavy drinker and only emerged tipsy from the drinking

    session.

    On the other hand, Jasper had downed a little too much whiskey in his bad mood. He squinted his eyes

    and tugged on the knot on his tie, looking drowsy and drunk.

    Worried that Jasper might stumble down the stairs, Landon reached out to hold him. ¡°Hey, Jasper, you

    didn¡¯tst long, did you? That was fast. Are you high?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t tell a man in his face that he¡­ doesn¡¯tst long.¡± Jasper pinched his forehead and felt

    light¨Cheaded. ¡°Why am I having a headache after drinking at your bar¡­ Did you sell me fake

    alcohol?¡±

    ¡°F*** you! You are really good at shifting the me, dude. Is that how you lost Alice?¡±

    Landon swallowed hard when he saw Jasper¡¯s dazy eyes and flushed neck. He would have done

    something unholy to Jasper right there if he were not straight.

    Jasper exhaled and shoved Landon away. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ll send you home.¡±

 Chapter 124

    "Don¡¯t you look down on me,¡± Jasper said.

    ¡°I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll be taken advantage of by fucking randos!¡± Landon cursed in a moment of anger.

    ¡°You think everyone¡¯s an animal like you?¡± Squinting, Jasper amirked and got into his car.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s Maybach cruised down an empty street.

    ¡°Mi Jasper, the press conference has ended. There are more negativements about Ms. Betty than

    before, and it¡¯s starting to affect ourpany¡¯s reputation,¡± Xavier reported with concern. while driving.

    ¡°The fallout is worse than we expected¡­¡±

    ¡°Ourpany?¡± There was a gleam in Jasper¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s only ¡®ourpany¡® when they need me to

    take cate of the trouble that crops up.¡±

    He had never seen the Becketts as his family. Apart from his grandpa, no one else in the family saw

    him as one of theirs, including his father, Javier.

    If so, he¡¯d sacrifice Betty and watch his family break down that day. He did not consider Betty¡¯s

    misfortune a heavy punishment, considering how she had taken advantage of him and hit his wife.

    He was taken aback by the unfiltered thought in his mind. That sly fox had put on a show with

    Landon today. Was that an attempt to humiliate him or to hurt him emotionally?

    Tugging on his tie in frustration, he felt his anger rising.

    ¡°Xavier, pull over in front.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Okay.¡±

    Xavier quickly pulled over by a public park.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, are you unwell? Do you need a puke bag?¡± Xavier mistakenly thought that Jasper wanted

    to puke.

    ¡°You look like you¡¯ll be a good puke bag.¡± Jasper red at Xavier.

    Speechless, Xavier felt unfairly treated. He looked pitiful.

    ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll take a stroll.¡± Jasper left the car and disappeared into the park.

    Night breezes swept past the wide and empty streets. He casually walked through the park along

    He might have puked for real if he had stayed in the car for a while more.

    Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks and frowned. ¡°Who is that? Show yourself.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a dog with those sharp ears.¡±

    A crisp and mockingugh pierced through the air. Jasper slowly turned around and noticed a tall and

    hostile man not far away from him.

    Axel Whitaker was dressed in ck from head to toe. He wore a ck face mask. The wind ruffled his

    short dark hair. He was like the prince of darkness.

    ¡°Who are you? Why are you following me around? Jasper sounded calm and impassionate. His biceps

    were tense.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it clear that I want trouble?¡± Axel shed an evil grin under the mask.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°You hurt someone important to me. She¡¯s suffering because of you.¡±

    Axel tilted his head and cracked his fingers. ¡°It¡¯s pretty hard to cheer her up. I guess she¡¯ll only feel

    better if I make you suffer more than she does.¡±

    Jasper squinted hard to make out the man¡¯s features. Somehow, he found the man¡¯s appearance and

    voice familiar. But he couldn¡¯t think of a name.

    Axel inched closer to Jasper in a terrifying way.

    ¡°And who might that be? How did I hurt her?¡± Jasper forced himself to focus but remained calm.

    ¡°Hah, I was thinking of going easy on you if you had a bit of self¨Cawareness. I¡¯m too merciful, it seems.

    A heartless bastard like you would never feel remorse. You wouldn¡¯t know what¡¯s karma if I don¡¯t teach

    you a lesson.¡±

 Chapter 125

    Almost immediately, Jasper noticed the figure lurching at him at an incredible speed.

    Axel threw out solid and swift punches with the determination to cripple thetter. Jasper¡¯s eyes

    deepened as he dodged two of Axel¡¯s moves.

    ¡°Ho, you¡¯re something,¡± Axel squinted his eyes and said mockingly. Eyes burning in anger, Jasper took

    a few breaths topose himself.

    It had been years since he retired from active military duty. Although he kept up with his boxing training

    and workout sessions, it had been a while since he fought someone. He had to rely on his solid

    foundation and muscle memory to fight off the attacker.

    After a few rounds, Jasper picked up on the familiarity in the opponent¡¯s moves. The moves reminded

    him of the close¨Cquartersbat lessons from the military academy he had attended.

    ¡°Who¡¯s this mysterious man?¡± wondered Jasper.

    ¡°Ouch-¡± Jasper was kicked hard in the abdomen and yelped in pain in that moment of distraction.

    Despite stumbling backward, he quickly steadied himself and stood tall.

    What a tough nut!

    ¡°Mr. Jasper!¡± Xavier eximed and rushed up to hold Jasper while panting. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Jasper endured the pain and coughed softly.

    ¡°You motherfucker! How dare you attack Mr. Jasper? I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Xavier was blinded by rage. He

    barreled toward Axel without thinking.

    ¡°Xavier,e back!¡± It was toote for Jasper to stop his secretary. Xavier would be digging his own

    grave with his weakbat skills.

    ¡°You¡¯ve overestimated yourself.¡± Axel scoffed.

    Xavier had been punched to the ground. He cked out before he couldy a finger on Axel. Shocked,

    Jasper glowered at the attacker. ¡°I must have known you! Who exactly are you?¡±

    Axel lifted a brow with a smirk. Of course they were familiar with each other. They attended the same

    military academy and were the top students of their time. However, they didn¡¯t interact much outside

    the training.

    ¡°I thought you were curious about the important woman I mentioned. I don¡¯t mind telling you.¡± Axel

    stepped over Xavier and inched closer to Jasper with a malignant and mysterious smile.¡± She¡¯s your

    ex¨Cwife.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes wavered as he curled his trembling fists.

    Almost immediately, Jasper noticed the figure lurching at him at an incredible speed.

    Axel threw out solid and swift punches with the determination to cripple thetter. Jasper¡¯s eyes

    deepened as he dodged two of Axel¡¯s moves.

    ¡°Ho, you¡¯re something,¡± Axel squinted his eyes and said mockingly. Eyes burning in anger, Jasper

    took a few breaths topose himself.

    It had been years since he retired from active military duty. Although he kept up with his boxing training

    and workout sessions, it had been a while since he fought someone. He had to rely on his

    solid foundation and muscle memory to fight off the attacker.

    After a few rounds, Jasper picked up on the familiarity in the opponent¡¯s moves. The moves reminded

    him of the close¨Cquartersbat lessons from the military academy he had attended.

    ¡°Who¡¯s this mysterious man?¡± wondered Jasper.

    ¡°Ouch-¡± Jasper was kicked hard in the abdomen and yelped in pain in that moment of

    distraction. Despite stumbling backward, he quickly steadied himself and stood tall.

    What a tough nut!

    ¡°Mr. Jasper!¡± Xavier eximed and rushed up to hold Jasper while panting. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Jasper endured the pain and coughed softly.

    ¡°You motherfucker! How dare you attack Mr. Jasper? I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Xavier was blinded by rage. He

    barreled toward Axel without thinking.

    ¡°Xavier,e back!¡± It was toote for Jasper to stop his secretary. Xavier would be digging his own

    grave with his weakbat skills.

    ¡°You¡¯ve overestimated yourself.¡± Axel scoffed.

    Xavier had been punched to the ground. He cked out before he couldy a finger on Axel. Shocked,

    Jasper glowered at the attacker. ¡°I must have known you! Who exactly are you?¡±

    Axel lifted a brow with a smirk. Of course they were familiar with each other. They attended the same

    military academy and were the top students of their time. However, they didn¡¯t interact

    much outside the training.

    ¡°I thought you were curious about the important woman I mentioned. I don¡¯t mind telling you.¡± Axel

    stepped over Xavier and inched closer to Jasper with a malignant and mysterious smile

    She¡¯s your ex¨Cwife.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes wavered as he curled his trembling fists.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking for it!¡± Jasper¡¯s muscles were flexing under the gray, tailored suit.

    The next second, he dashed toward Axel and started sparring with him vigorously.

    Eyes darkening in rm, Axel realized that Jasper¡¯s skills weren¡¯t rusty after many years of retirement.

    He was even more amazed at Jasper¡¯s agile moves in a restrictive suit.

    At that moment, Jasper looked exactly like a cool viin from a gangster movie!

    After ten rounds of fighting, Jasper was losing his ground. As he was still intoxicated, it was a miracle

    that he hung on.

    Finally, hey on the ground limply and felt an explosive pain in his back after Axel defeated him.

    ¡°Son of a bitch. Meet your fate.¡± Just as Axel wanted to give Jasper another kick to express his

    frustration, he heard a man¡¯s voice.

    ¡°How dare you beat up my friend in Sna City, my territory? You goddamn madcap!¡±

    Landon rushed up to shield Jasper with furious eyes and knitted brows.

    ¡°Oh, look, here¡¯s one more. How troublesome.¡± Axel narrowed his eyes and prepared tounch a

    move when he froze. In front of him was the dark abyss of the gun barrel.

    Landon had gotten a gun out of nowhere and pointed it at Axel¡¯s head. ¡°Stay away from me, or I¡¯ll

    st your brains out!¡±

    In reality, Landon was panicking on the inside. He had arrived at the scene when Jasper and Axel

    werebating and concluded that he needed a weapon to take on Axel.

    ¡°Landy, don¡¯t!¡± Each breath that Jasper took sent a paralyzing shot of pain to his stomach.

    ¡°Oh, crap! Bro, are you okay? He almost killed you. How could you ask me to spare him?¡±

    Landon seethed at Axel. ¡°Better get lost now if you want to live. Otherwise, I¡¯m going to beat you

    into a pulp. It¡¯s a piece of cake for the Harper Family to wipe you off Sna City without anyone

    knowing!¡±

    However, Axel was unbothered by the threat and coldly stepped forward.

    ¡°Jasper, run now!¡± Landon growled and pulled the trigger with a thumping heart.

    ¡°Landon, stop!¡±

    The gun fired with a loud pop.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

 Chapter 126

    However, the bullet did not hit Axel.

    ¡°Ugh. It hurts¡­¡± Alyssa, who had shown up from nowhere, hugged Axel tightly. The bullet had

    hit her in the left shoulder.

    Although Landon had only fired off a wax bullet, it had caused severe damage.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa was drenched in sweat and trembling. Even so, she would not let go of Axel no matter what

    happened.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in shock. His heart sank, and he felt as though he was falling from a high

    ce.

    All the pain in his body was nothingpared to the blow he received when Alyssa shielded the

    attacker.

    She might be his ex¨Cwife, but when she saw her ex¨Chusband attacked, the first thing on her mind

    was to protect the assant who¡¯d almost beaten him to death.

    ¡°Alice White, how could you do this to me?¡± he seethed. What she had done was outrageous. She

    was technically the aplice to the attacker.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Axel looked at Alyssa frantically and held her frail shoulder. When he checked his hand, it

    was stained with her blood.

    Taking a sharp breath, he felt an immense hatred and heartache in him.

    ¡°Landon Harper, I will kill you-¡±

    Stunned, Landon let go of the simted gun. He didn¡¯t have time to react to Alice¡¯s sudden

    appearance. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have fired the bullet.

    ¡°Axel Alyssay limply in Axel¡¯s arms and rested her head on her shoulder. She said through gritted

    teeth, ¡°If¡­ If you want me to call you my brother¡­ get away from here, right now! I¡¯ll never forgive you

    otherwise.¡±

    ¡°But, Lyse ¡­..¡±

    Alyssa red at him and shoved him away. He felt a shot of pain through his heart. It dawned on. him

    that he had truly angered Alyssa this time. If he refused to listen to her, she might never see

    him as her brother again.

    He had no choice but to flee the scene and contact Jonah to send Alyssa to the hospital.

    Alyssa sighed in relief after Axel left. She ignored the wound on her shoulder and checked on

    Jasper

    ¡°Mr. Harper, get us an ambnce. They both need medical attention¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re hurt too! You need medical attention Landon¡¯s voice broke. He was filled with guilt.

    ¡°I know my body well. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Fighting against the pain, she reached out to Jasper to check

    his condition.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to fake it, Alice. Get lost.¡± Panting while lying on the ground, Jasper had a look of

    anger in his eyes.

    He hated that she had helped the assant flee the scene, but more than that, he worried greatly

    about her injury and wanted her to receive medical attention as soon as possible.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get out of your way after I check on you.¡± She lowered her gaze and insistently touched his leg.

    to check for any broken bones

    His good¨Clooking face was bruised, and blood was oozing from his lips. The pristine suit on him

    was now dirty and stained.

    How could she not feel bad for him? She was frustrated by Axel, who had gone too far this time.

    ¡°I want you to¡­ get lost. Got it?¡± Worried and furious, Jasper bellowed at her.

    ¡°No! You have some old injuries. I can¡¯t take it lightly. I will make sure you¡¯re okay before I leave,¡±

    she yelled back with worry.

    He examined the stern look on her lovely face. Doubt arose in his mind.

    How did she learn about his old injuries? Did Landon tell her about it?

    Soon, the ambnce arrived and sent Jasper and Landon to the nearest hospital for medical

    treatment. Thankfully, Jasper suffered from minor scrapes. The fight did not make his old injuries re

    up, much to Alyssa¡¯s relief.

    Landon stayed by Alyssa¡¯s side at the hospital, except when the doctor extracted the bullet from

    Alyssa¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°How was it? Is the injury deep?¡± Upon seeing her pale face when she exited the treatment room,

    -his heart leaped to his throat.

    She smiled and shook her head. ¡°I received a few stitches. No big deal.¡±

    ¡°How is that not a big deal?¡± His heart almost stopped. Frozen on the spot, he grappled with

    immense guilt. ¡°Will it lead to any sickness, paralysis, or long¨Cterm effects? Alice, you mustn¡¯t lie

    to me. Tell me the truth!¡±

    ¡°Pfft.¡± She found him ridiculous and poked fun at him in good nature, ¡°You¡¯re way too serious to

    What would you do about that?¡±

    I''ll marry you

    She red at him. ¡°What?¡±

    He gulped and choked back on tears. Then, he dered in a hoarse voice, ¡°I will take responsibility.

    Alice, if you¡¯re crippled, I will marry you and treat you well.¡±

 Chapter 127

    Alyssa silently cursed, ¡°Oh, fuck! Is Landon Harper alright?¡±

    She chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Mr. Harper, you are joking a lot today.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not joking. Alice, I¡¯m serious!¡± In the heat of the moment, Landon reached for her shoulder, but she

    deftly dodged his advance.

    ¡°If I recall correctly, I have cleared the alr with you this morning. Do I have to be harsh for you to listen

    to me?¡±

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I know you turned me down.¡± He smiled bitterly while staring keenly at her. ¡°And I know you¡¯re with

    Jonah Taylor. But I still want you to know I¡¯ll be here if you ever turn around. I don¡¯t mind being your

    second choice, I can even be your second husband

    ¡°My second husband? Please, I¡¯m not Winston Taylor.¡± She secretly scoffed.

    Still, she silently admired his ravishing eyes that were dripping with resentment. He could charm

    anyone and take their soul with those eyes. No wonder he was sessful with women.

    Too bad Alyssa was immune to his charm. Inparison, she¡¯d much prefer Jasper¡¯s bewitching eyes

    that could be impassionate at times.

    ¡°By the way, Alice, who¡¯s the guy that attacked Jasper? Do you know him well?¡± Landon was nervous.

    When Alyssa was at a loss for words, Xavier approached them. He was dressed in a patient¡¯s robe.

    ¡°Madam Alice!¡±

    ¡°Why are you wandering around?¡± She quickly walked past Landon to hold Xavier by the arm. ¡°Your

    injuries weren¡¯t serious, but you suffered a mild concussion when you hit the ground. You should rest

    more and stop going around.¡±

    ¡°Madam Alice, did you save Mr. Jasper?¡± he asked in excitement.

    ¡°I¨CI did nothing.¡± She sounded upset as she battled feelings of remorse.

    ¡°I knew it. I knew he still has a ce in your heart!¡±

    ¡°Xavier, is Jasper done with the treatment?¡± Alyssa shifted the topic of conversation to avoid the

    discussion on her rtionship.

    Xavier nodded eagerly. ¡°Could you please stay? At least visit him once.¡±

    She took a deep breath and reluctantly dragged herself to meet with Jasper.

    At the end of the day, it was her brother who had beaten Jasper up. She was the reason for the attack,

    so she couldn¡¯t stay out of the matter.

    Jasper was leaning against the headboard and staring out the window. Despite the bruises, his face

    was a blessing. Loneliness crept up his face, which softened his features.

    She had loved him for thirteen years. Even now, her heart would flutter when she saw him, but the

    feeling had changed.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper.¡±

    ¡°I will get to the bottom of the incident tonight. Get out of my room before I lose my temper.¡± His

    expression was as icy as his tone. However, Alyssa was a stubborn one. She¡¯d often go against orders.

    She walked up to the bed and stared at him fearlessly. ¡°I apologize to you for the incident tonight. You

    can let it out on me and hold me responsible. He hurt you because of me, which makes me liable.¡± 1

    She added, ¡°If you want to settle this in private, I will fully cooperate with you. If you prefer going public.

    Well I guess you wouldn¡¯t want to go to court with your ex¨Cwife. You are a notable figure who¡¯s

    engaged to Ms. Gardner.

    ¡°A court case against your ex¨Cwife will only lead to public scrutiny and reputational damage. You

    wouldn¡¯t want to exin the mess to your grandpa too, would you?¡±

    She hit the bull¡¯s eye with the curt suggestion.

    However, Jasper was more upset by how she sided with the attacker¨Cshe spoke up on his behalf and

    took the me for him. Why would she sacrifice for that man?

    Jasper wondered about his ce in her heart. Her willingness to protect a murderer had turned Jasper

    into a joke.

    Does that matter? that meant nothing the moment you decided to take the budet for him

    He sinuggled to get out of bed but was too weak to do so instead, he punched the bed in fury. In the

    three years we were married, you always sald you loved me, but take a good look. You have never

    done anything from a ce of love. Do you take me as a tou

 Chapter 128

    Riding the high of the alcohol, Jasper let out all his frustrations. As a disciplined and reserved man, he

    had never let out a sound, even when he was hit twice by bullets on the battlefield. Somehow, he lost

    control of himself at this moment.

    ¡°You¡¯re not angry because my people hit you. And delinitely not because I almost died from the

    gunshot. You are angry because I lied to you. Is that so?¡± She felt a crippling pain as she was awash

    with disappointment.

    That seemed to catch him by surprise. He pursed his lips in silence.

    ¡°We are living separate lives now. What¡¯s the point of fussing over these detalls? It¡¯s meaningless.¡±

    She went on, ¡°You¡¯re only angry because your possession now belongs to someone else. You hate the

    feeling of losing something you once owned.

    ¡°You detest the feeling of losing control. That¡¯s all. Mr. Jasper, In the interest of your health, let¡¯s use

    the time to discuss thepensation.¡±

    ¡°I can settle with you in private.¡± He shut his eyes for a moment before they fluttered open with rage.

    ¡°Tell me who that man is. And tell me about your rtionship with him. I¡¯ll agree to settle in private on

    those conditions.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she blurted out without thinking.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°How about leaving Jonah Taylor and cutting offmunications with the Taylor family? I can agree to

    settle in private if you do that.¡± 1

    ¡°Dream on.¡± She scoffed at the shamelessness of his outrageous demands. Her moving lips were

    lovely and distracting to him.

    Squinting, he was taken by her beauty, perhaps because of the effect of alcohol. Coming from a

    wealthy family, he would not easily fall for women. Not only that, he was able to handle seduction well.

    But now

    ¡°Fine. If you are reluctant to discuss this with me, I shall send my secretary to settle this matter with

    you. I won¡¯t bother you any longer. Goodbye for now.¡±

    All of a sudden, she felt Jasper grasping her arm and pulling her to him. She lost her bnce and fell

    onto his firm chest.

    *Jasper Beckett, you-¡±

    Next, he sealed her lips with a kiss.

    ¡°Jasp¨CLet go-

    Alyssa was sweating nervously as she punched his shoulders. In the three years of marriage, not once

    had he held her hand or kissed her.

    Surprisingly, he was kissing her like there was no tomorrow in the patient¡¯s room.

    At that moment, she felt nothing but blinding rage, which led her to bite his lips.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Feeling the pain, he had to let go of her.

    ¡°You jerk! You¡¯re a bastard!¡± Humiliated, she gave him a hard p, leaving a stark mark on his face. 1

    Equally enraged, he lost his bearing when he saw the tears In her eyes and the smudged lipstick on

    her lips,

    ¡°Jasper, what do you take me as? You humiliated me during our marriage. Even after the divorce, you

    still wanted to step all over me. What will it take for you to spare me?¡±

    Shaking violently in anger, she carelessly wiped away her lipstick with the back of her hand while

    rebuking him in a trembling voice.

    ¡°You¡¯d do anything you like to me. If you want me to be a slut that listens to you, you should forget

    about it. Do this again, and I¡¯ll ruin your name!¡±

    With that, she gave him a death stare before leaving.

    He clenched his teeth and felt the pain selling in. What was he doing? There must be something wrong

    with him for kissing her!

    He had never taken the writte efore. The only two times

    kiss the cortar of the loc

    Liama pressed hersed against him

    couident qet enough of his kiss

    iraned helplessly against the bed and massaged his forehead. Tcant

    man. 18 orily fel myant une troiuble ¡°

    Bush You advantage of my door Alice and kissed her when you were drunk? You¡¯re the worst bastard

    ever

    Curting his fists, Sandon carried the rooms in anger would have beaten Jasper up if Jasper weren¡¯t

    injured.

    He

    Jesper insisted that he lost control of his under the influence of alcohol. Still, he couldn¡¯t deny that it felt

    exceptionally sweet and lovely when his lies touched her

    I¡¯m Bred Leave now He looked gloomy as he cutomed

    Jasper Beckett you¡¯re heartless You should have known better than to take advantage of her at this

    crappy time! She has a few stitches on her Landon confronted his friend because he felt bad for his

    crush.

    Upon hearing that Jasper¡¯s eyes widened, and his heart sank,

    Alyssa quickly tidied up in the washroom and sshed cold water on her burning cheeks before

    leaving the hospital in exhaustion. Her bright eyes were flickering with passion and rage.

    How could Jasper kiss her after they were divorced? It was an inappropriate move. She seethed.

    Lysel¡± At that moment, a tall shadow appeared and rushed up to her. Jonah gave her a tight hug.

    ¡°Sorry, Lyse. I waste! Jonah cried from heartache.

    Jonah, I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Knowing she was hurt in the left shoulder, he refrained from touching the wound and gently draped an

    arm around her shoulder. ¡°Does the wound still hurt? I¡¯ll send you to the Taylor General Hospital and

    get you the best physician.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really fine.¡± Alyssa gathered herself and took a long, deep breath. There was an iciness in her eyes

    and her expression.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Axel? I need to see him right now!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s vi had tumed into a battlefield. A storm was brewing.

    Jonah kept his distance and sipped his tea by the table, as though he wasn¡¯t involved in the matter.

    Ss and Sean stood on each side of Alyssa Sa feet tall they nheless appeared rather weak and

    helpless beside the tenacious Alyssa.

    ¡°Um, M¨CMs. Alyssa please don¡¯t be angry. Axel is your brother after all¡± Sean feared for Axel and

    whispered in Alyssa¡¯s ear

    ¡°Right, Lyse. Axel is a professional spy. He knows his limits. This time, he just wanted to teach Jas a

    lesson.¡± Ss was scared shitless by the murderous look on Alyssa¡¯s face.

    ¡°A professional spy? More like a professional assassin¡°¡±

 Chapter 129

    He had never taken the writte

    before. The only two times

    kiss the cortar of the loc

    Liama pressed hersed against him

    couident qet enough of his kiss

    iraned helplessly against the bed and massaged his forehead. Tcant

    man. 18 orily fel myant une troiuble ¡°

    Bush You advantage of my door Alice and kissed her when you were drunk? You¡¯re the worst bastard

    ever

    Curting his fists, Sandon carried the rooms in anger would have beaten Jasper up if Jasper weren¡¯t

    injured.

    He

    Jesper insisted that he lost control of his under the influence of alcohol. Still, he couldn¡¯t deny that it felt

    exceptionally sweet and lovely when his lies touched her

    I¡¯m Bred Leave now He looked gloomy as he cutomed

    Jasper Beckett you¡¯re heartless You should have known better than to take advantage of her at this

    crappy time! She has a few stitches on her Landon confronted his friend because he felt bad for his

    crush.

    Upon hearing that Jasper¡¯s eyes widened, and his heart sank,

    Alyssa quickly tidi

    w about leaving Jonah Taylor and cutting offmunications with the Taylor family? I can agree to

    settle in private if you do that.¡± 1

    ¡°Dream on.¡± She scoffed at the shamelessness of his outrageous demands. Her moving lips were

    lovely and distracting to him.

    Squinting, he was taken by her beauty, perhaps because of the effect of alcohol. Coming from a

    wealthy family, he would not easily fall for women. Not only that, he was able to handle seduction well.

    But now

    ¡°Fine. If you are reluctant to discuss this with me, I shall send my secretary to settle this matter with

    you. I won¡¯t bother you any longer. Goodbye for now.¡±

    All of a sudden, she felt Jasper grasping her arm and pulling her to him. She lost her bnce and fell

    onto his firm chest.

    *Jasper Beckett, you-¡±

    Next, he sealed her lips with a kiss.

    ¡°Jasp¨CLet go-

    Alyssa was sweating nervously as she punched his shoulders. In the three years of marriage, not once

    had he held her hand or kissed her.

    Surprisingly, he was kissing her like there was no tomorrow in the patient¡¯s room.

    At that moment, she felt nothing but blinding rage, which led her to bite his lips.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Feeling the pain, he had to let go of her.

    ¡°You jerk! You¡¯re a bastard!¡± Humiliated, she gave him a hard p, leaving a stark mark on his face. 1

    Equally enraged, he lost his bearing when he saw the tears In her eyes and the smudged lipstick on

    her lips,

    ¡°Jasper, what do you take me as? You humiliated me during our marriage. Even after the divorce, you

    still wanted to step all over me. What will it take for you to spare me?¡±

    Shaking violently in anger, she carelessly wiped away her lipstick with the back of her hand while

    rebuking him in a trembling voice.

    ¡°You¡¯d do anything you like to me. If you want me to be a slut that listens to you, you should forget

    about it. Do this again, and I¡¯ll ruin your name!¡±

    With that, she gave him a death stare before leaving.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He clenched his teeth and felt the pain selling in. What was he doing? There must be something wrong

    with him for kissing her!

    ed up in the washroom and sshed cold water on her burning cheeks before leaving the hospital in

    exhaustion. Her bright eyes were flickering with passion and rage.

    How could Jasper kiss her after they were divorced? It was an inappropriate move. She seethed.

    Lysel¡± At that moment, a tall shadow appeared and rushed up to her. Jonah gave her a tight hug.

    ¡°Sorry, Lyse. I waste! Jonah cried from heartache.

    Jonah, I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Knowing she was hurt in the left shoulder, he refrained from touching the wound and gently draped an

    arm around her shoulder. ¡°Does the wound still hurt? I¡¯ll send you to the Taylor General Hospital and

    get you the best physician.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really fine.¡± Alyssa gathered herself and took a long, deep breath. There was an iciness in her eyes

    and her expression.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Axel? I need to see him right now!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s vi had tumed into a battlefield. A storm was brewing.

    Jonah kept his distance and sipped his tea by the table, as though he wasn¡¯t involved in the matter.

    Ss and Sean stood on each side of Alyssa Sa feet tall they nheless appeared rather weak and

    helpless beside the tenacious Alyssa.

    ¡°Um, M¨CMs. Alyssa please don¡¯t be angry. Axel is your brother after all¡± Sean feared for Axel and

    whispered in Alyssa¡¯s ear

    ¡°Right, Lyse. Axel is a professional spy. He knows his limits. This time, he just wanted to teach Jas a

    lesson.¡± Ss was scared shitless by the murderous look on Alyssa¡¯s face.

    ¡°A professional spy? More like a professional assassin¡°¡±

 Chapter 130

    Alyssa squinted coldly at Ss, ¡°You called me earlier tonight and womed that Axel would make a move

    on Jasper. Why the sudder change in your attitude?¡±

    so it was you who called me out! Ss, you little shift Avel scrunched up his eyes and gritted his teeth

    tear you into piecest

    ¡°How dare you speak to your brother like that? You little rascal! Lyse, don¡¯t hold back. What he needs is

    a good lesson. You should haveE thrown him into the fire.¡±

    Ss decided to add fuel to the fire since Alyssa wouldn¡¯t listen to him anyway. Knowing Axel was in

    grave trouble, he wanted to stay but

    of it.

    ¡°Axel, are you not ashamed of yourself for talking to Ss like that? Aren¡¯t you going to admit your

    fault? She was incensed.

    ¡°What fault? I beat up Jasper just for you!¡± Axel was adamant and rebellious.

    ¡°You wretched thingl Alyssa stapped the armrest but identally pulled on her wound. She moaned in

    pain and finched a little

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lyse?¡±

    ¡°Are you okay? You¡¯re scaring me.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, are you alright? I¡¯ll get a car to the hospital!¡±

    Jonah, Ss, Sean, and Axel immediately surrounded Alyssa like mother hens, looking nervous as if

    she was about to give birth Kneeling on a knee, Axel carefully held her hand against his chest with a

    pale face. ¡°Did you pull on your wound? It¡¯s my taut t¡¯s al my fault! Scold me and hit me as much as

    you want!¡± 1

    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

    ¡°So, you admit that you¡¯re in the wrong?¡± She panted softly as her forehead turned sweaty.

    ¡°The thought of Alyssa taking the bullet for him brought him a lot of pain and guilt.

    ¡°Lyse, I fell bad for you. I couldn¡¯t watch you suffer because of that bastard! We didn¡¯t dote on you and

    raise you with love just for him to hurt you. He needs to pay for it!¡±

    ¡°Axel, I will say this onest time.¡± Tears brimming, she said word for word, ¡°I willingly married Jasper

    Beckett. No one forced me to. I know he had someone else in his mind. I knew that he was a cold¨C

    hearted man. I thought that with my passionate love, I could met his heart and make him fall for me.

    But I failed.¡±

    She went on, ¡°I should be responsible for my choice. It¡¯s all my fault, not his. So, you¡¯d better not give

    him any trouble or hurt him?¡±

    Axel¡¯s gaze wavered in shock.

    ¡°Axel it¡¯s hard for me to get over this rtionship.¡± She let out a long sigh with pain in her eyes. ¡°To be

    honest with you, Jasper stil matters a lot to me after the divorce because I¡¯ve loved him for years. Can¡¯t

    we let bygones be bygones?

    ¡°Why would you create a scene when I¡¯m ready to start anew? It will onlyplicate things between

    Jasper and me, forcing us to but each other! Did you consider my feelings when you beat him up?¡±

    *Lyse, I¡¯m at fault! Please give me another chance! I¡¯ll do anything for you! I won¡¯t find trouble with

    Jasper anymore.¡± Axel pleaded to her with shimmery eyes.

    He had never once frowned when he went on dangerous missions. However, the thought of not

    receiving forgiveness from his sister slee him with dread.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    A sly twinkle appeared in Alyssa¡¯s woeful gaze. She pouted and demanded, ¡°Two dayster, go home

    with me and have dinner with Dad before you leave.¡±

    Jonah and Ss exchanged silent, knowing looks. Axel was reluctant to go home. He had no choice but

    to oblige to cheer Assau ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go home with you!¡±

 Chapter 131

    The image of an affluent socialite that Betty had carefully crafted for years fell apart at the press

    conference. That night, she returned to Seaview Manor weak and defeated. The maids had to help her

    into the house.

    She waited, ¡°Mom, you must get back at them for me! I¡¯m so upset!¡±

    Her face was tear¨Cstricken and full of snot. ¡°Everyone¡¯s cursing me online. I can¡¯t go out in public

    anymore!¡±

    ¡°What can I do? Should I p Jasper or force him to hand over the role of president to you, little

    dimyat?¡± A furious Sophia pointed a finger at Betty¡¯s teary face.

    ¡°What did I tell you before you left? I told you to recite my script, word by word, and never put on any

    makeup! You needed to show up bare -faced to appear sincere!¡±

    Sophia went on, ¡°But what did you do instead? You went against everything I nned. You deserved

    everything that happened to you What¡¯s the point of crying in front of me? Even your dad has given up

    on you!¡±

    ¡°Mom, it¡¯s all my fault. I should have listened to you. I won¡¯t do that again!¡® Sobbing, Betty fell to

    Sophia¡¯s feet and hugged her mother¡¯s leg.

    ¡°Mom, the press conference was Jasper¡¯s Idea, but it was Alice White who started it all! I wouldn¡¯t have

    been in this mess if she hadn¡¯t pestered me!¡±

    ¡°We will need to get rid of Alice someday.¡± Narrowing her eyes, Sop was scheming. ¡°It will be

    Javier¡¯s birthday soon. I have a n to set Alice back and for you to turn around.¡±

    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s the n?¡± Sniffling, Betty seemed more alive once she heard that Alice would be taught

    a lesson.

    Sophia crossed her arms on her chest and snickered. ¡°You¡¯ll know by then.¡±

    Betty¡¯s phone buzzed at that time. She checked her phone and yelped at such a high pitch that Sophia

    almost had a heart attack

    ¡°Why the fuck did you do that at night?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill that bitch Alice!¡± Betty screamed and stomped around like a manic¨Cdepressive.

    Sophia¡¯s phone was the next to ring. It was a call from Liana.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Lia?¡±

    I

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, I bet you¡¯ve seen the photos I sent Betty. Right?¡± Liana sounded concerned.

    ¡°What photos?¡± Sophia snatched Betty¡¯s phone for a better look and stared in shock.

    ¡°I was shopping at the mall with Jasper and ran into Alice. She was with Landon Harper. They looked

    so intimate that everyone would have thought they were a thing.

    ¡°Not only that, Mr. Harper bought her an expensive blue diamond ne. Jasper had wanted to buy

    that ne for me, but Mr. Harper fought for it and gave it to that bitch.¡±

    Sighing quietly, Liana added, ¡°It¡¯s just a ne to me, but Betty¡¯s marriage is at stake. She¡¯s the

    future Mrs. Harper. Alice will be a problem in her marriage. This is a serious matter.¡±

    *That little bitch. Is she thirsty for men? How dare shee for my future son¨Cinw?¡± Clenching her

    jaw, Sophia had a venomous look in her eyes. ¡°Since she loves cheating, I¡¯ll show her!¡±

    She thought, ¡°Alice White, your time is up. Javier¡¯s birthday is the day of your downfall!¡±

    In the next three days, Jasper recuperated in the hospital. He did not inform anyone of the incident to

    have some peace. He even made up an excuse not to take calls from Liana and did not request her to

    visit him.

    Before going to sleep every night, he¡¯d think of the scene where he forcefully kissed Alice on the lips.

    The tenderness of her lips remained

    vivid.

    He fell that he was going insane Liquor was the root of all evil He gritted his teeth and

    On the fourth day, he lost his temper because Alice had not shown up to

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, the doctor gave the green light for your discharge. You can

    couture tailored suit in his hand.

    ¡°Did Alice White reach out to you? Jasper questioned

    ¡°N¨CNo¡±

    He thought a h

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Hah! Her man almost killed me. Is she going to muddle through this? Jasper tenched his fingers as a

    glue wa What about the yearbook from my alma mater, the National Military Academy? Have you found

    or

    ¡°I got it!¡± Xavier put the sult aside and extracted a thick album with a navy cover from his bag.

 Chapter 132

    Jasper solemnly took the yearbook proffered and began skimming through.

    His opponent from that night had a simr physique to him. Though he wore a mask, Jasper felt the man was very familiar. They must have met once before.

    His understanding of Axel''s background was limited. Their military school followed a policy of safeguarding identities and rted issues. But now that Jasper knew of his identity as Alice''s brother, the clouds were clearing up. After some time, Jasper leaped up in surprise, staring at the yearbook on his knee. The gesture surprised Xavier, who also jumped slightly at themotion.

    "Did you see something, sir?"

    "Hm...him, of all people?" Jasper murmured to himself.

    The man he''d hone in had a wide, handsome smile. Below his picture was the name "Axel Whitaker."

    "Axel Whitaker ... Whitaker ... No wonder he seemed to know her!" Jasper eximed.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    He had fond memories of the man. The two were one of the strongest individuals in the school. Their only worthy opponents were each other. Sadly, Jasper lost contact with Axel after they graduated.

    Jasper gazed feverishly at the picture. He was excited that he had uncovered a little more about Alice''s mysterious past.

    He was unaware of Axel''s background. At their military school, they enforced a confidentiality policy for identities and simr concerns. But now that Jasper knew of his identity as Alice''s brother, the clouds were clearing up. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

    Xavier went to open it. He was surprised to see who it was outside.

    With avish-looking goodie bag in hand, Sean smiled at the secretary. "I''m here on Ms. White''s instructions to check in on Mr. Beckett. Has he woken up yet?"

    "Come in," Jasper called out from inside the room.

    Xavier pursed his lips but let Sean step in regardless.

    Sean walked inside. He ced the gift on the table before saying politely," Looks like Ms. White was right about you, sir. You look ready to be discharged any time soon."

    "Are you here alone?" Jasper peeked outside the door briefly, hoping to find that young, delicate woman standing outside.

    "I''m afraid Ms. White is still upied with the hotel management. She has asked me toe on her behalf. As her personal secretary, I would rightly represent her in this instance."

    The first part of the sentence wasn''t said as instructed. But Sean thought it would be appropriate to add in order to hit back at the insolent man before him.

    Sure enough, Jasper''s face darkened some. "You can take back this meaningless gift. I don''t want it."

    "Per Ms. White''s instructions, if sir doesn''t want it, sir is free to dispose of it. Miss has no intention of retracting gifts she has given," Sean responded tly. "Have Alicee see me in person." Jasper stood up, now meeting Sean at full height.

    "My apologies, Mr. Beckett, but Ms. White''s time is upied. She won''t be able to see you anytime soon. She has given me full authority regarding reimbursing your losses.

    "Feel free to state your terms. Ms. White will agree to most things save the illegal kind."

    Sean''s smile never wavered.

    "I want to see her."

    "No."

    "Then why are you wasting my time here?" Xavier cried, going up to Sean, already at his limit. "You''re just here to aggravate Mr. Beckett, aren''t you?" Sean''s smile took on a sly edge, affirming the men''s guesses.

    "Go and tell your mistress," Jasper gritted out. "That she WILL tell me the identity of the man who attacked me. I am not letting her off otherwise."

    "I will admit Beckett Group has one of the most formidable legal teams in Sna City, Mr. Beckett. But our team is just as prepared to face anything you toss at us," Sean replied sterly. "Do not expect us to be sitting ducks if you truly intend to take legal action against Ms. White."

    His eyes then took on a peculiar shade. "But I''m sure Mr. Beckett isn''t so unreasonable, no? Given how strategically organized and managed the Beckett Group has been for so long."

    With that, Sean bowed and turned to leave.

    Before stepping out, he asked, "Mr. Beckett, Ms. White has also asked me to ask you if you were the one who arranged Ms. Betty''s press conference?"

    "That is none of your business," Jasper grunted coldly.

    "I''ll take my leave then."

    With that, Sean was gone.

    "How dare he? He was clearly here to upset you, sir!" Xavier eximed, fighting the urge to run out and p Sean in the face.

    Jasper took a deep breath to try and calm himself. "Go and follow him right now. I want to know where he''ll go and what he''s up to next!"

 Chapter 133

    Alyssa was supposed to be busy managing the KS World Hotel in her office. The reality was, she was

    ying a survival game in her office. In the game, Alyssa was a chainsaw¨Cwielding maniac. To win,

    she had to kill survivors.

    Cans of ice¨Ccold beer and a te of fried chicken were on the desk before her. Those were the foods

    she often enjoyed while ying her games.

    She had no interest in the extravagant opulence ofvish restaurants and elite bars. Nothing could beat

    a good barbecue or a teful of grits. 1

    Alyssa recalled pushing through her allergies to learn cooking while married to Jasper. An old saying.

    ¡°The way to a man¡¯s heart is through his stomach, fascinated her. So, she learned to cook. She hoped

    her cooking would finally make Jasper do more than just quietly eat the lood at the table.

    Alyssa had registered for the culinary sses at Sna City¡¯s top culinary school. She was the only

    female student there for an entire year.

    She graduated at the top of her ss. Her teacher was very proud of her and sald she was the best

    student he had ever taught. He even considered making her his culinary heir.

    Alyssa realized the age¨Cold saying didn¡¯t work for Jasper. Besides, he hardly ate at home.

    Who could manage such disappointment?

    Luckily, Alyssa didn¡¯t have to anymore.

    If only she could sell off her emotions. She¡¯d exchange it for health and safety, for the good of those

    she loved and who loved her back.

    A knock sounded at the office door, and Sean entered.

    ¡°I¡¯ve delivered both your gift and message, miss.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess. He wasn¡¯t happy?¡± Alyssa asked tly..

    ¡°Yes. He insists you hand Mr. Axel over, or he¡¯ll take other action.¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk. What a prude.¡±

    Alyssa won another round of her game before logging off. Then, she feasted on her chicken wings. She

    mumbled. ¡°My investigation shows no cameras in that area. Jasper can¡¯t prove Axel was there that

    night. His statement is useless in court without proof.¡±

    Her family was always skilled at protecting themselves.

    ¡°But Ms. White, I have a feeling Jasper Beckett might have figured something out.¡±

    Sean went over to Alyssa, lowering his voice. ¡°When I was there, I noticed he had his military school

    records on his bed. I believe he must¡¯ve realized something to have brought those out.¡±

    Alyssa blinked worriedly at that, falling into thought. ¡°It¡¯s alright. The government has long kept Axel¡¯s

    information hidden. He has never publicly appeared in KS either, so his identity should be safe.

    *Regardless, I¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s protected from all this. Jasper can try all he wants. We¡¯ll just watch him

    fail.¡±

    Years ago, Alyssa¡¯s mother had given birth to quadruplets. Two took on their father¡¯s surname, and two

    of them their mother¡¯s.

    Her elder and second brother looked almost alike, but then the gic train took a different route with

    her third and fourth brothers. Thetter two were very different from the former two in terms of looks.

    That was obviously an advantage for Axel. As such, he was able to keep his identity sale for longer.

    ¡°I also asked Jasper about the press conference.¡±

    ¡°What did he say?¡± Alyssa asked.

    ¡°He said it was none of our business. He was looking like an ass who had just eaten an onion,¡± Sean

    snorted.

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes as she chewed on a chicken drumstick. ¡°I know what he¡¯s like. He might be

    a douche when ites to his.

    The weren¡¯t the one belt he¡¯d have told you straight up looks like he did do this.¡±

    Sean Haped in surprise ¡°What for? He¡¯s the CEO of Beckett Group. He won¡¯t profit off a scandal arising

    from his ownpany.¡±

    sa subdenly had a shback of being held in Jasper¡¯s arms, his lips pressing against hers.

    Fishing red, shessed the chicken drumstick, now just a stripped bone, into the nearby trash can.

    ¡°Who knows why he¡¯s doing this? He

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    mahl be out of his mind for all I know. Shame I never realized in my three years of being married to

    him.¡±

 Chapter 134

    That evening, Jonah had his Rolls Royce parked outside the hotel. It caught the attention of every onlooker within the vicinity.

    Meanwhile, a ck Maybach waited on a corner of the street.

    Jasper watched the Rolls Royce from the backseat of the Maybach.

    Soon, Alice emerged from the hotel with Sean.

    She was stunning tonight. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, framing her quaint features. She wore a beautiful satin dress in aquamarine. It hugged her waist perfectly. She looked like some ephemeral creature.

    While Jasper looked at her, bitterness filled his chest.

    Why had she never dressed up for him in their three years of marriage? She was always in those cotton tees and in white shoes.

    He could''ve given her everything, just like Jonah Taylor was doing now.

    Why did she hold back all those years?

    Why did she portray herself as the victim in their rtionship?

    And why did she sow doubt among everyone else regarding his ability to treat his woman kindly?

    Jasper watched as Alice entered Jonah''s car, his lips curling. "Follow them!"

    ...

    The Rolls Royce was en route for Belbank. As the car drove on, Alyssa took out the financial reports and development ns she''d prepared for Winston. She then handed them to Jonah.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "What do you think, Jonah? I''ve done a really good job, haven''t I?"

    Jonah skimmed through the documents and patted his sister''s head. "Wonderful. You''ve done wonderfully, just as I thought you would. You always manage to exceed expectations. I knew you had a knack for business management."

    "Yay!" Alyssa beamed. "When I''m KS Group''s CFO, the whole of Belbank will bow before me. Not just Belbank, but Sna City too. Once we make way for the city, Jasper will be left eating dirt!"

    "Of course, Catherine-the-Great," Jonah teased fondly. "Would you be able to go head to head with Jasper, though? Given your past."

    "You bet! I can''t wait!" Alyssa balled her hands into fists, an eager and proud light beaming from her eyes. "If I can''t beat him in love, I''m definitely crushing him in business!"

    "Alright! I''m rooting for you in this." Jonah grinned.

    "How do you n to do that?" Alyssa asked, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

    Jonah''s grin grew deeper. "I''ll pray for you, of course. May the Lord protect you and all that."

    Alyssa was rendered speechless.

    Meanwhile, the Maybach from before was hot on their tail.

    "Sir, they seem to be heading to Belbank!" Sean spoke as he drove.

    To which Jasper grunted darkly, "Indeed."

    "He¡ªMr. Taylor isn''t bringing Ms. White to meet his parents, is he? We have to do something, sir! We can''t let that happen!"

    "She wouldn''t dare," Jasper growled.

    Such was his fury that the veins in his temple throbbed visibly.

    He continued, "We haven''t gone through with the divorce yet. So, she''s still mywfully-wedded wife. What does she take me for? Chopped liver?"

    He was willing to disregard Alice noting to see him after her brother had assaulted him.

    But here she was, already going out with another man, even potentially meeting his parents!

    Did she leave him just so she could make an idiot of him?

    "But sir, ording to the agreement, you will need to divorce Madam after Mr. Beckett Senior''s birthday. You can''t do this forever ..." Xavier said with a sigh.

    As if just realizing the impact of those words, Jasper froze momentarily. His heart sank into the pits of his stomach as panic began bubbling within.

 Chapter 135

    The Rolls Royce entered the grand mansion through its tall gates. As it did, numerous outside

    housekeepers and servants within

    eximed with joy. They shared the joyous news to whoever they could.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is finally home!¡± came the excited cries.

    As Jonah and Alyssa got out of the car, they were greeted by two lines of house stall led by the house

    buller. The staff members respectfully bowed and greeted, ¡°Wee home, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve missed you, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    Alyssa put her hand on her forehead, slightly overwhelmed by the sonorous wee.

    ¡°Alyssa, you¡¯re finally home!¡± someone eximed.

    Alyssa turned to see who it was and spotted Mandy in the doorway. Beside her was a short¨Chaired

    woman with a kerchief tied around her neck.

    Alyssa recognized her as Winston¡¯s newest and youngest wife, Colene Waters,

    She smiled and went up to the two women, hugging them both. ¡°Mandy, Colene,¡± she greeted kindly.

    Jonah beamed upon seeing this. Being the most powerful family in Belbank naturally meant

    complicated rtions among themselves. (1)

    When the three women had married into the family to Winston, there had been a great uproar. Because

    of this, Alyssa followed in Avers footsteps and worked with Opera for several years.

    It took quite a while. But the wives gradually won the family¡¯s trust through their sincerity and kindness.

    Even Alyssa opened up to them, no longer linding them at fault for being who they were.

    The only person to find me with was Winston, after all.

    ¡°You¡¯ve lost so much weight, Alyssa!¡± Colene eximed.

    Being a Southerner, Colene had always been straightforward with what she had to say.

    She continued, ¡°What is the meaning of this, Jonah? If you can¡¯t look after her right, you should have

    sent her home so we could care for her! She¡¯s as skinny as a matchstick now!¡±

    Jonahughed. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about this. I don¡¯t really know what to say here.¡±

    ¡°You know I have a strong metabolism, Colene,¡± Alyssa giggled.

    She used to sh with Colene all the time. Fortunately, things had changed for the better now.

    ¡°Jonah has been taking care of me, don¡¯t worry. He assigned his number one secretary, Sean, to work

    for me. And you know how well Sean can cook. I¡¯ve really been eating well¡± Alyssa assured them.

    Colene scowled. ¡°I don¡¯t buy it.¡±

    She then pinched Alyssa¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You think Sean¡¯s cooking can beat L¡¯s? She has been preparing

    dinner since she heard you were

    ¡°She hasn¡¯t left the kitchen once, not even for a sip of water. Even Winston said it¡¯s like she¡¯s cooking

    for the president¨Cno, scratch that-

    cooking for a queen!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s too sweet, that one. We told her just a simple family dinner would suffice.¡±

    ¡°We offered to help, but she said she didn¡¯t trust anyone else¡¯s cooking skills, so here we are,¡± Mandy

    laughed, then sighed gently. ¡°We always thought she was the gentlest among us, but it turns out she

    can be ferocious when needed!¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s you who L doesn¡¯t trust in the kitchen, Colene,¡± Alyssa leased, making the womenugh.

    She continued, ¡°I remember you burnt holes in four different pans, triggered three smoke rms, and

    melted two stoves. I don¡¯t think anyone in their right mind would want you in their kitchen!¡±

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Why you- Come here you! Lolene grabbed at her, tickling her sensitive spots. What did I say about

    teasing me, hun

    ¡°Stop it! Ahahaha!¡± Alyssa squealed, trying to dodge her tickling. The two littered like long¨Clost friends,

    Speaking of L, Alyssa Instantly recalled her time as Jasper Beckett¡¯s wife. She had spent three

    years walking on eggshells. She made herself as tiny as possible, lest someone from Jasper¡¯s side of

    the family made a mean jab at her.

    Three years and it already felt like she had been pushed to her limit. How did L handle twenty years

    of this?

    Women should never stoop so low for any men. They should be Independent, strong, and free, like

    blossoming flowers in the spring¨Cnot cooped up in a house like some prisoner.

    As the rest of the family came to greet Alyssa, she was surrounded like she was a celebrity, Chatter

    andughter followed them as they went into the manor. 1

    As night filled thendscape, the Maybach from earlier stopped outside the manor, hidden against the

    dark background.

    Xavier opened the car door for Jasper, who quietly stepped out. He peered at the manor a distance

    away, observing its structure.

    ¡°I¡¯ve long heard about Winston Taylor¡¯s love for Oriental architecture. The man bought countless

    hectares ofnd just so he could make his architectural dreamse true. It looks like the rumors were

    true,¡± he murmured.

    Xavier marveled at the old architecture. ¡°It feels like we¡¯re in some fairytale, sir. The ce is even more

    stunning than Seaview Manor.¡±

 Chapter 136

    Xavier immediately smacked himself in the cheeks, feeling like he had misspoken.

    Jasper stared ahead, the manor''s lights reflecting in his eyes. He could faintly hearughtering from the building. At that, his heart sank into an icy pit of hopelessness.

    It seemed Alice was truly leaving an impression on Jonah Taylor''s family.

    Jasper had considered the Taylor family to be incredibly intricate. Winston Taylor had one wife before. But he had three wives now. None of them got registered at City Hall. They would surely make it tough for Alice to marry into the family. He''d thought she might give up then and there.

    However, it seemed like he had thought wrong. It sounded like Alice was truly getting along with the rest of the Taylor family. He could hear theirughter even from this distance!

    How close had they be...

    Jasper was getting more distraught by the second. He had never felt so tense, so desperate. Even his breaths were bing uneven.

    "Do you have any cigarettes on you? Give me one."

    "There you are, Winston!" Alyssa cried when the man walked downstairs, helped by Jonah.

    Winston eximed, "What took you so long? I''m starving here!"

    "Oh, wow! Look at you! Are you trying to set a new trend for the grandpas out there?" Alyssa teased, looking him up and down.

    Winston wore a waistcoat with a golden pocket watch at his breast. The outfit suited him well, giving him a ssy, refined look.

    "A new trend? Ohoho, I wouldn''t need to try hard to be the next trendsetter." Winston chuckled heartily. "I could throw on some cks and easily be the next celebrity superstar of the decade.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "If I were thirty years younger and ventured into the world of those tasteful nude calendars, women would be swooning over me..."

    "Ahem. Dad, it''s best not to ... uh, say it like that... Ss reminded gently from the side.

    "What are you talking about? No one would have made a big deal of it if you hadn''t mentioned it!" Winston red at his second son.

    Meanwhile, everyone else shared Ss'' sentiment.

    "You didn''t tell Miley, Cyrus, or Tatiana I''m home, right?" Alyssa asked kindly.

    "We wouldn''t dare disobey your orders." Mandy grinned. "Don''t worry. They don''t know you''re back."

    "So you kept those brats away on purpose?" Winston demanded. "How could you? They''ve missed you too!"

    With a sigh, the man continued saying, "You should have had theme join us too!"

    "Miley''s with her husband in Kontina overseas. Do you really want her to fly all the way back just for a couple of nights?

    "Cyrus is busy in the force with all his cases, and Tatiana''s upied with her exams right now, so let''s not go bothering them, hm? Aren''t we enough already?" Alyssa scowled.

    "What about Axel then? He doesn''t do anything. He''s always lounging around in Sna City. It''s just a two-hour drive, so why not have him over? Is he dead?" Winston fired back.

    "Axel''s-"

    "There''s that familiar yelling. Needed it for my grand entrance."

    Everyone looked back to see Axel standing at the entrance, pockets in his overcoat and a grin on his charming face.

    "Good evening, Mr. Taylor. I''m afraid I''ll have to disappoint you if you were hoping I was dead."

    The instant he appeared, both Mandy and Colene retreated to blend in with the background. Even their smiles faded somewhat. They knew Axel despised this family, and more so them. So, it was best to get out of his way. Alyssa heaved a silent sigh.

    Axel was always sneaking around and showing up at the most unexpected times, as if this family would jinx him or something.

    "Where''s dinner? Don''t tell me it isn''t ready yet. Hurry up already. I still need to go out and lounge around the cityter. I''m up to no good, after all," Axel drawled.

    His gaze fell onto Alyssa with a pointed look, as if saying, "Hey, I''ve done what you''ve told me to. Now stop being upset with me."

    Alyssa looked away immediately.

    The atmosphere in the living room suddenly grew tense.

    Just then, Winston walked up to Axel with a sullen face.

    "Send me a picture of you. A selfie," Winston grunted out. "What? Why?"

    "So if you do get your ass killed one day without any of us knowing, I''d at least be able to have a picture for your funeral! Now send it over!"

 Chapter 137

    What was Weston thinking, saying something so terrible about his own son

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary.¡± Axel rolled his eyes. T¡¯ll need to stay alive until the day you need a

    family member to sign you off in the

    ¡°ospital I know Jonah and Ss wouldn¡¯t be able to do it You¡¯d need me.¡±

    ¡°How dare your Weston shouted. ¡°Why oughta-¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Winston yelled for their butler rk Anderson, to fetch him a cane. Meanwhile, he removed his leather

    boots and flung one in Axel¡¯s face.

    Jonan and Ss humedy went up to Winston to stop him, Mandy and Colene followed suit. Still,

    Winston¡¯s temper remained.

    All of a sudden a gentle, delicate voice rang out in the hallway.

    dinners ready.¡±

    Everyone turned to see who had socken. It was L, still in her apron and a trying pan in hand. Her

    pale skin glistened with oil and sweat. She looked dazedly at the crowd, having no idea as to what had

    transpired.

    Winston¡¯s stomach growled amidst the silence.

    Fine, dinner first teach you a lesson after dinner, you little brat!¡± He huffed, making his way to the dining

    room.

    Everyone heaved a sigh of relief then followed the old man to the dining room.

    ¡°That was a temble thing to joke about Axel Dad can take a joke, but that doesn¡¯t make it okay for you

    to just say stuff like that,¡± Jonah said solemnly.

    ¡°Who said I was joking? Axel cocked an eyebrow at his brother.

    Jonan¡¯s expression immediately darkened. ¡°Axel Whitaker.¡±

    ¡°What? He was the one who said I¡¯d die first. I ¨C Fine, fine! I¡¯ll keep my mouth shut. Stop looking at me

    like that, or I will get nightmares tonight¡± Axel shivered, then went to the dining room

    Only then did Jonah soften once again. He sighed and followed his brother.

    ¡°Oh, wow. Jonah could shut him up in seconds with that look.¡± Ss tried replicating his elder brother¡¯s

    gaze from earlier, brows pushing together. ¡°I¡¯ll need to practice that. I use it on Axel if he ever tries to

    mess with me!¡±

    Alyssa scowled. ¡°Stop it. You¡¯re getting cock¨Ceyed.¡±

    Winston was in an especially good mood tonight. He had drunk ss after ss of red wine. No one

    could stop him.

    Everyone tonight could tell Winston was incredibly happy to see Axel home, even though not a word of

    this was spoken. Winston¡¯s gaze would Enger fondly on him from time to time throughout the evening.

    Whenever Avel noticed this, he instantly looked away, making Winston¡¯s heart sink slightly.

    Alyssa picked up on this throughout the night. She wasn¡¯t pleased.

    She knew Axel still had a grudge against their family and their father for not being able to stay

    committed to their mother and their mother only.

    The Taylor empire spanned the entire nation. Winston¡¯s eight children couldn¡¯t even begin to take all of

    it it it were distributed equally.

    As KS World Hotel¡¯s chairman, Winston had executed several business miracles over the decades,

    bringing it to where it was today.

    A man like him was the center of every woman¡¯s dreams¨Cexcept that he couldn¡¯t settle down with just

    one, of course.

    No one was perfect.

    When Alyssa was younger, she had wept and gotten upset just like Axel did, but she¡¯d since made

    peace with everything.

    It wasn¡¯t something that could be stopped, changed, or removed from existence.

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t hoping for Axel to forgive their father, nor would she evere to his defense. She

    prayed Avel would find peace and slowy

    leave his trauma.

    When dinner was nearly over, Axel released a big burp. ¡°Damn! That wench¡¯s cooking is really

    something. I¡¯ve had three tes of food tonight. It looks like I¡¯ll have to work the extra off tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Stop calling her a wench, Axel Have some pity on her, will you?¡± Alyssa said, sipping on her red wine.

    ¡°Ten years ago, maybe, but not anymore. She¡¯s been at her peak ever since marrying the old man.

    Winston Taylor¡¯s fourth wife. How grand. ¡°Axel scoffed.

    His tone then took a 180¨Cdegree turn, turning cold. ¡°Don¡¯t you think our mother is the one we should

    feel pity for? Do you think the old man has her on his mind when he¡¯s spending every night with a

    different woman?¡±

 Chapter 138

    Alyssa¡¯s heart clenched for a moment. ¡°I miss her, Axel. But Mom isn¡¯t here anymore. At some point,

    we we need to face reality and

    move on from our hurt.

    ¡°We¡¯re Taylors, Axel. The family needs us to protect it. We are Its future. That¡¯s why we must keep

    ourselves in the present and tearn to look forward.¡±

    ¡°You can aplish that. I can¡¯t. I¡¯m Just some boy stuck in his fever dream, refusing to wake up. This

    isn¡¯t home to me anymore, Alyssa¡±

    The siblings sunk into silence for a long while.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough depression for one night. I respect whatever decision you make,¡± Axelzily

    waved his hand.

    Then he noticed that Alyssa had teared up some. He hurriedly tried to tend to her, saying, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t

    think about that anymore. I¡¯m going

    to tell you something really Interesting. Jasper Beckett is here tonight.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa yelped, shocking everyone present.

    Winston scowled at her. ¡°What are you yelling for? Is there a rat in the house or something?¡±

    ¡°Not a rat, no. I was just telling Alyssa a ghost story. I didn¡¯t expect her to be so frightened.¡± Axel

    grinned.

    ¡°Don¡¯t joke about these things with me, Axel!¡± Alyssa grilled out.

    ¡°Hey, you can always look outside for yourself if you don¡¯t belleve me. He might be standing right out

    there. Don¡¯t worry, though. He probably doesn¡¯t know your true identity. You did ride over here in

    Jonah¡¯s car.¡±

    Just then, Alyssa¡¯s phone rang, vibrating on the table.

    She took a deep breath and unlocked the screen to see the caller ID. She froze up upon seeing who it

    was. 1

    Alyssa quickly hung up the call.

    But Jasper called again within the next twenty seconds.

    Seeing that he wouldn¡¯t give up so easily, Alyssa sighed and went to a corner to answer the call.

    ¡°Yes?¡± she asked quietly.

    ¡°Is your injury getting any better?¡± Jasper asked from the other end of the call, his voice wrapping

    tenderly around her senses.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart trembled. She hummed in acknowledgment.

    ¡°I¡¯m outside the Taylor family manor. Come on out.¡± Now the man¡¯s tone was edged with a sternness,

    commanding her toe out.

    Alyssa rolled her eyes. Jasper had truly given all the love he could possibly muster to Liana and none

    to her. They didn¡¯t owe each other anything, so there was no reason to be so stern with her.

    No way would Alyssa let him have a power trip.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor has brought me to his family dinner tonight. Everyone¡¯s here. I can¡¯t leave,¡± Alyssa

    responded just as coldly.

    Jasper flinched where he was, feeling something go off In the depths of his mind.

    Family dinner?

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Just then, someone else¡¯s voice rang through the call.

    ¡°What are you doing here alone, hm? Come have some dessert!¡± It was a woman¡¯s gentle voice.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right there,¡± Alyssa replied fondly. Jasper could hear the smile in her voice. A surge of emotion

    welled up in his throat, clutching at

    his heart.

    He had never once experienced such a moment of kindness in his life.

    How was he expected to give that to Alice then?

    I must hang up now, A. Heckett, We won¡¯t be seeing one another tonight. So, lets just wait till we¡¯re

    back in Sna City, Good night.¡±

    ¡°Alice White!¡± Jasper hurriedly called out before she could hang up the call.

    The urgency in his tone made Alyssa hesitate.

    ¡°Come out right now, or I¡¯m going in there. Your choice,¡± Jasper bit out, feeling dizzy and cold at the

    same time.

    All he wanted to do right now was to bring Alice home.

 Chapter 139

    ¡°What do I need to do for you to let me go free, Jasper Beckelt?¡® Alyssa growled over the phone. ¡°Do

    you know how imitating it w

    ¡°You keep getting involved in my private aftalts again and again. I¡¯ve said I¡¯d make it up to you for being

    attacked. Sean has gone to you already. So, what is this now?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want a divorce? This is your chance,¡± Jasper¡¯s voice quivered slightly. ¡°Come outside to see

    me, and I¡¯ll fet that right go won¡¯t go after your brother,¡±

    ¡°You¨CAlyssa Inhaled sharply.

    Was this really Jasper Beckett? What the hell had happened to him? He was usually soposed and

    collected!

    ¡°Fine, I¡¯lle outside. But you better keep your word tonight. The divorce is final after this! Alyssa

    retorted, then angrily hung up the call As Alyssa was about to head outside, rk hurried over to

    Mandy and said urgently, ¡°Madam, there¡¯s a Maybach parked outside the premises for nearly an hour

    now. Its license te is A7777. Two men in suits are with it. They¡¯ve been surveilling the manor since

    their arrival. Should I alert the security?¡±

    Mandy gave it a thought. ¡°Not yet. Don¡¯t tell Winston first. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±

    ¡°Yes, madam.¡± The butler nodded.

    Mandy swiltly went to get Colene and L. ¡°Emergency meeting, girls,¡±

    ¡°What?¡± L blinked, clueless.

    Colene sald, ¡°What Is II, Mandy? Spill the beans.¡±

    ¡°That asshole Jasper Beckett is here, right outside the grounds. My guess is he¡¯s here for Alyssa

    again,¡± Mandy revealed, gaze turning steely.

    Colene turned furious in a split second. ¡°What? That heartless bastard is right outside our home? That

    fuck¨CI¡¯m going out right now!¡± She was able to march out the front door when L grabbed her by the

    sleeves, stopping her. ¡°Calm down, Colene! We can¡¯t cause a scene lest Winston finds out. We can¡¯t

    Jeopardize Alyssa¡¯s secret!¡±

    ¡°What else can I do? He¡¯s outside right now!¡± Colene lumed. ¡°Our Alyssa has suffered so much while

    being married to him. Look at what he¡¯s done now. She has be a divorcee for no reason at all! We

    can¡¯t just sit back and let him do that to her. You may be able to, but I can¡¯ll¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t either, Colene. But Alyssa has begged us not to interfere with this. What if you only cause

    more trouble for the kid after this? All she wants is an end with the man and this whole affair, not drag

    things out,¡± Mandy exined, holding onto her friend.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    L frowned. ¡°But Mandy, It doesn¡¯t seem like Jasper wants to give up on Alyssa. I¡¯ve heard of the

    man¡¯s temper. He¡¯s always distant and cold to everyone, save that Gardner girl. He has never had a

    girlfriend either.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t think he¡¯s here with bad intentions. He drove all the way from Sna City to Belbank just

    for Alyssa, after all. I wonder if he¡¯s regretting his decision to divorce Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°That man¡¯s nothing but a good¨Cfor¨Cnothing scumbag!¡± Colene cried, hands balling up. ¡°Someone like

    him would never feel regret for his actions. Even if he did, it¡¯s toote! What¡¯s done can¡¯t be undonel¡±

    ¡°I did see Alyssa leaving earlier. She might be going to meet Jasper outside.¡±

    Hearing this, Mandy pressed a hand to her chin as if in thought. A faint smile appeared on her lips.

    ¡°Stay here, L. Make sure Winston doesn¡¯t find out about Alyssa¡¯s affairs. Let¡¯s go, Colene. You

    wanted to do justice for Alyssa, didn¡¯t you? Now¡¯s your chance.¡±

    It was fall, so the temperature had been decreasing to ufortable levels of chill. Even the winds

    were bitingly cold.

    Xavier shivered, wanting to get back into the car. But Jasper was still standing stock straight beside the

    car, seeming entirely unbothered

 Chapter 140

    ¡°The cold wind burns my face and blows its hosty pepper up my nose, Kavler murmured. ¡°ck are my

    steps on silver sed; thick blows my hosty breath abroad¡±

    Jasper had been waiting in the cold for nearly an hour now. Yet, this was nothingpared to his days

    in the military, where standing an entire day was routine,

    The only difference was that his heart was in his throat right now.

    He was worried Alice would change her mind and note outside. What could he do then? Darge

    Into the manor? Impossible¨Che could not do that. This was the Taylor family¡¯s residence.

    What Hght did he have to knock on their door asking for Alice?

    None that he could think of.

    Heaving a sigh, Jasper took out thest cigarette in the box. He was about to light it when the sound of

    heels clicking rang out.

    ¡°Jasper Beckell.¡±

    The man¡¯s heart pounded erratically as he gazed up at his ex¨Cwife. The cigarette between his lips

    nearly fell out with how much he was trembling.

    Alice nced down, instantly noticing the pile of cigarette butts at his Jeet. She frowned. ¡°What is this?

    I thought you quit?¡±

    ¡°I waited for too long,¡± he replied. Then, he threw the fresh cigarette on the ground and stomped it out.

    ¡°Hah. You¡¯re ming me for this again? Suit yoursell. You do love using Innocent people.¡± Alyssa

    scowled.

    Jasper spoke up, though, his voice rough and gravelly from the smoke. ¡°Alice.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here as agreed. Please honor your promise afterward and leave my brother alone. Now if you¡¯ll

    excuse me, I¡¯ll have to go back inside.

    ¡°You should leave Belbank as soon as possible, lest you start stalning it. Goodbye,¡± Alyssa said sternly,

    then turned to head back into the house.

    Xavier was shocked at how cold Alyssa was. She had never been like this. She always had a loving

    smile and a gentle demeanor for his boss¨Ca true sunshine on a winter¡¯s day.

    But for Jasper, that sun had now set.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Xavier couldn¡¯t help but wonder what his boss had done to drive such a lovely woman away from him.

    ¡°Stand right there, Alice,¡± Jasper called, a hint of panic in his tone. ¡°Don¡¯t leave before I say you can

    leave.¡±

    ¡°Oh? I¡¯m not your ve or mald. I don¡¯t need your permission for anything.¡± Alyssa retorted in a cold

    tone. ¡°Weren¡¯t you so eager to end our marriage before?

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t bear to kick me out so your childhood sweetheart could take my ce. I¡¯m just following

    your wishes¨Cto disappear from your life for good. What else do you want from me now?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart clenched painfully, Shame and guilt flooded his senses like thousands of needles. Tears

    stung his eyes. ¡°We both knew from the beginning that I couldn¡¯t promise a lifetime with you. I even

    offeredpensation for the divorce, but you refused it!

    ¡°I never embarrassed or shamed you once, Alice White, nor was I ever harsh or mean toward you.

    Don¡¯t make me out to be some heartless monster, and don¡¯t y the martyr!

    ¡°Even if we can¡¯t end things on neutral ground, don¡¯t keep attacking my pride. I don¡¯t owe you anything,

    and you don¡¯t owe me. You don¡¯t have the right to treat me like you are

 Chapter 141

    The atmosphere dropped to a heezing point.

    Kayler wished)

    Intervene. He wanted to silence his boss to prevent him from ruining things for himself.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssaughed out loud, linding Jasper absurd Til admit, I underestimated your persistence when I

    decided to try and be with you. I gave you everything that I was and could be just so you would love

    me. Look where that got me, huh?

    ¡°But you were wrong about one thing, Jasper Beckett. I never hated you, even when you wished me to

    disappear from your sight.

    ¡°I did want to end things amicably between us, but you keep meddling in my life now that our

    rtionship is over. You¡¯vepletely shallered any chance of us having a civil connection.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m doing everything I can to erase you from my life. You married me because you had to,

    just as that¡¯s my standpoint now. I want nothing to do with you anymore. That is the only way for us to

    make peace with the past.¡±

    Jasper fell as Il a sledgehammer had struck his heart.

    ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You should bring Mr. Beckell back as soon as possible, Mr. Hall, Alyssa instructed

    Zavier.

    She took a deep breath and turned to go back home,

    Until today, Jasper remained oblivious to the extent of her love and sacrilices for him. He truly wasn¡¯t

    worth her time anymore.

    Suddenly, Alyssa felt a grip on her wrist, stopping her from leaving.

    She turned to lind herself face¨Cto¨Cface with Jasper, He had a desperate look in his eyes.

    Before he could speak, someone intervened. ¡°Mr. Beckett, what are you doing? Coming to our home

    unannounced and holding onto our future daughter¨Cinw like a madman. Isn¡¯t that a bit shameless?¡±

    Alyssa turned to find Mandy and Colene walking over to them. She quickly got rid of Jasper¡¯s grip, then

    went to their side.

    ¡°Future *** daughter¨Cinw?¡± she echoed, stunned.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you can already guess why Jonah brought Alice home tonight.¡±

    Mandy booked an arm around Alyssa¡¯s shoulder, cooing. ¡°She¡¯s a fine young woman who loves Jonah

    just as me as he does her.

    ¡°Our family, including Winston Taylor himself, is incredibly pleased to wee her as part of us. We¡¯ll

    be arranging a meet¨Cup with Alice¡¯s parents soon and hopefully set a date for the wedding.¡±

    Alyssa was left gaping in shock at what was being said,

    She knew Mandy and Colene¡¯s intentions for being out here, but this was way overboard.

    Jasper, meanwhile, felt like someone had dug out a hole where his heart was.

    ¡°If I remember correctly, Mr. Beckett, you¡¯ve announced the news of your engagement to the public.¡±

    Colene red at him. ¡°So why are you still here bothering Alice?

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be with your fianc¨¦e instead? Virtue is utmost to a woman, so you¡¯d do well not to

    tarnish her reputation. If you don¡¯t stop bothering her, we will take action.¡±

    Knowing Colene was always the kind to bite how she barked, Alyssa quessed that Mandy and L had

    helped restrain her somewhat.

    Xavier, on the other hand, silently wondered why his boss had driven all the way here just to suffer all

    this.

    Jasper¡¯s hands balled up, shaking slightly. He didn¡¯t know why he couldn¡¯t let go. He was the one who

    wanted their marriage to end, after

    all

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, maybe we should go back home? It¡¯s getting cold out here,¡± Alyssa offered kindly.

    That single word, ¡°home,¡± instantly formed a barrier that shut Jasper out of their world.

    ¡°Alice is what they say true? Jasper rasped out.

    Alyssa took a deep breath. She decided to y along and hummed in acknowledgment.

    ¡°Al¨Calright,¡± Jasper mumbled, looking like he was far away in thought.

    Then, he took out a ck velvet jewelry box, He handed it to Alyssa. ¡°Here. I got this for you as a token

    of our wedding¡­¡±

 Chapter 142

    sa was taken aback but didn¡¯t reach out to take the box. She hadn¡¯t expected Jasper to have kept

    that by his side all this time.

    Ace coulda¡¯t possibly ept that from you. I¡¯ll do it in her stead.¡± Before Alyssa could say anything,

    Colene had taken the box from

    Jasper.

    toside was a gorgeous bracelet carved from the finestvender moon quartz. It gleamed with a soft

    light, looking like a treasure from centuries before

    Alyssa could instantly tell this was a one¨Cof¨Ca¨Ckind material, not usually for sale to the public. If Jasper

    had given this to her years ago, she would have been so happy she wouldn¡¯t have been able to sleep.

    But her low was now buried beneath a cold, lonely desert. Unrequited love was a waste of time, along

    with the gifts it brought.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Hector, but even I can tell how expensive this must be. Look at this crystal. You¡¯re very kind, Mr.

    Beckett Colene drawled.

    She suddenly raised her hand. What followed was the sound of something breaking into pieces on the

    ground. Just like that, the quartz bracelet shattered at Alyssa¡¯s and Jasper¡¯s feel.

    Jasper¡¯s expression darkened almost immediately. His heart throbbed painfully as he witnessed his gift

    being humiliated. 1

    Ab

    a turned away, avoiding his eyes.

    ¡°How could you, Madam? Mr. Beckett had this made just for Ms. White. You didn¡¯t have to break it if

    you didn¡¯t intend on keeping it!¡± Xavier cried, so upset that his neck had turned red.

    ¡°A. Beckett, if you had a gift for Alice, why didn¡¯t you give it to her before the divorce? Do you have any

    idea what this looks like now that you¡¯re giving this to her?

    ¡°Pure embarrassment. Or are you just upset to see her happy with someone else? When will you finally

    give up?¡± Colene shrieked.

    She stomped her heels on the broken bracelet. ¡°Alice has epted your token. Now scram! Back to

    Sna City you go. You¡¯re not wee here!

    Those words shot through Jasper¡¯s chest like arrows.

    He gazed brokenly at Alice onest time, trying to say something though no words woulde.

    Alyssa ignored his gaze and went to Colene, holding onto the woman¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go back inside.¡±

    ¡°Madam? You¡± Xavier was stunned that Alice wasn¡¯t helping his boss. The feeling then turned into pure

    disappointment.

    Meanwhile, Jasper felt like a doll with its strings cut.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We don¡¯t want strangers or busybodies ruining our evening.¡± Colene snorted and went back

    into the manor with Alyssa by her

    side.

    Mandy shot a look at Jasper and then shook her head. ¡°What an embarrassment.¡±

    When Alyssa returned to the house, she could finally let down her defenses. Exhaustion had consumed

    her entirely.

    She felt terrible as she recalled the broken bracelet, followed by Jasper¡¯s desperate and pain¨Cfilled

    gaze.

    Mandy and Colene had only been doing what they thought was best for her, but it was too much.

    Alyssa started feeling like the bad guy here.

    ¡°Lyse! Just then, Ss ran up to her, panting. ¡°Axel has gotten into a light with Dad. Dad even hit him!¡±

 Chapter 143

    Axel was in the backyard, walking straight toward his Lamborghini without so much as looking back.

    ¡°Axel Alyssa cried, running up to him, ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°As far away from this ce as possible, obviously. Hopefully, I never have toe back.¡± When Axel

    turned to look at her, she could see that his cheek had turned rmingly red where their father had hit

    him.

    ¡°You always said you cared the most about our brothers and me. So if this is our home, then it¡¯s your

    home too. How could you just nevere back again?¡± Alyssa asked, holding onto her brother¡¯s hand.

    Her heart hurt so deeply.

    Axel gazed at his beloved sister, then gently cupped her cheek. ¡°Of course, I love you guys. I¡¯ll love you

    guys wherever I go. But this isn¡¯t home anymore. I¡¯ve fulfilled my promise to you, Lyse. You wouldn¡¯t

    still be upset with me because of it, right?¡±

    Alyssa nodded slowly, suddenly feeling like crying.

    ¡°If you want to show respect and love for Winston, then I suggest you never make me appear before

    him ever again. I have to go now. Duty Calls. I¡¯lle to visit you soon.¡±

    ¡°Axel¡± Mandy appeared from behind them with a bag in hand.

    Axel was surprised to see her. He greeted softly. ¡°Mandy.¡±

    The woman¡¯s eyes were rimmed with redness. She took a deep breath before handing the man the bag

    of items.

    ¡°There¡¯s

    I¡¯ve included several new poultices and medicines we developed recently to treat both internal and

    external injuries. I hope they can be of use to you.

    ¡°There are also some baked goods and snacks that L has prepared. She¡¯s worried your trip might

    take long, so she has made these to

    help lide your meals over.¡±

    Mandy then looked down at her feet, a gentle smile on her face. ¡°We hope these will be of use to you,

    Axel.¡±

    Axel blinked, then replied in a kind tone. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m pretty stocked up, really. But I appreciate the

    gesture. I¡¯ll be off now.¡±

    With that, Axel hugged Alyssa for a couple more seconds before he left.

    Minutester, his Lamborghini disappeared beyond the neighborhood.

    Alyssa and Mandy were left standing in the courtyard. Both women heaved a sigh.

    ¡°Let him be, Mandy,¡± Alyssa consoled the older woman. ¡°Axel¡¯s improved a lot. He¡¯s still a wild child.

    We have to give him more time before he can find his footing here.¡±

    ¡°I know he feels sorry for me,¡± said Mandy, dipping her head sadly. ¡°He doesn¡¯t need to, really. I¡¯ve

    moved on from it. I¡¯m okay now.¡±

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa¡¯s throat tightened, not knowing what to say.

    Two years ago, tragedy struck the Taylor family.

    Mandy¡¯s eldest son and Alyssa¡¯s half¨Cbrother, Damien Taylor, Captain of Sna Airways, had

    sacrificed himself to save the crew and passengers aboard his flight.

    A hardware malfunction had urred. He decided to crash the ne into the ocean. Many lives were

    saved that day, but not Damien¡¯s. His passing urred on what should have been his 27th birthday. 1

    One could persist in their grudges against Mandy and Winston when it came to theirplex rtions,

    but the fact that Mandy had raised such a brave and noble son remained undisputed until today.

    The Maybach was on its way back to Sna City. Xavier remained a steady hand on the wheel,

    peeking now and then at the rearview

    mirror to gauge Jasper¡¯s expression.

    Jasper¡¯sce was solemn, his cheeks and lips pale, as if he were sick.

    Mr Beckett

    You are you anunt/ You dont look too good. Xavier asked tentatively

    Jasper quipped. Keep your eyes on the road¡±

    both anger and something sadder. He had rushed to Belbank to gel Alice toe back with him,

    feeling so sure

    Bat what happened instead?

    His carefully maintained pride had shattered into a million pieces and been sent flying in the wind.

    Xavier was just as upset after seeing his boss being humiliated. ¡°If you want Madam to return with you,

    you could tell the Taytor family that your divorce hasn¡¯t been legalized yet, and she¡¯s still yourwfully

    wedded wife.

    ad those two women just now. Who do they think they are? Neither of them was Madam¡¯s mother by

    blood, that¡¯s for sure.¡±

    So you¡¯re saying I¡¯m only capable of getting things done by deception? Jasper asked sternly. ¡°No! Of

    course not sit

 Chapter 144

    Cold sweat broke out on Xavier''s forehead. "I just think if you don''t want to separate from Madam, then why don''t you just tell her that? Tell her how you feel?"

    "How I feel?" Jasper sneered. "Hmph. I''ve already made up my mind about how I feel. We are never getting back together!"

    "Then why did you¡ª"

    "Drive!" Jasper roared, nearly causing Xavier to hit the brakes. He bit his lip, staying quiet for the rest of the drive.

    Jasper leaned back in his seat, feeling unbelievably tired.

    Only then did he remember the quartz shards he had picked up before they left.

    The shards had pierced his skin, causing drops of blood to ooze and bleed from his palm.

    What had gotten into him? He had wanted so badly to bring Alice home tonight, away from Jonah Taylor and his family, away from Belbank.

    All he had wanted was for Alice toe home with him.

    ...

    After seeing Axel off, Alyssa went to console her father alongside Jonah and Ss. Only after that did she finally get some time to herself.

    She remained deep in thought for a while. In the end, she sent Mandy, Colene, and L each a text message. "Come to the garden, please. I''ll be waiting in the Cloud Pavilion. There''s something I have to tell you guys."

    Five minutester, the three women had gathered in the garden. Their usually boisterous selves were now silent and calm before Alyssa.

    Alyssa was sitting in a gazebo, arms crossed over her chest, and her brows knitted tightly. It looked like she was about to give them a lecture.

    Mandy and L shared a look but said nothing.

    Colene, as usual, went straight to the point. "Did you want to tell us something, Alyssa? You need to start talking because we have no idea what''s happening."

    Alyssa lightly shook her head. Colene was as direct as ever.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Is there anything you want to tell me about after you and Mandy stepped out in my defense earlier tonight?"

    "There really isn''t much to tell, dear." Colene sat down in front of Alyssa, crossing one leg over the other. "If it weren''t for Mandy and L, I would have cut that man down and strung him up to feed Bobo."

    "Who''s Bobo?"

    Mandy answered, "Colene''s pet alligator. Winston gave it to her for her birthdayst year."

    Alyssa was left speechless.

    L noticed that Alyssa''s face had changed a shade, so she quickly went to stop Colene. "Alright, Colene. Why don''t we change the topic..."

    "I''m being 100% honest here! That''s what family is for!" Colene cried, getting riled up. "Alyssa, you can''t deny that Jasper is the asshole of the ages. Even my Bobo is more humane than him!"

    "You married him and gave him your all for three whole years. You gave up your life here to suffer there as what? His nanny? Look what he did to repay you! He''s a god-awful douchebag! Men like him deserve to be hit by a car!"

    "He already made it clear that he never loved me. I''ve anticipated he would go and marry someone he actually loves, so there''s no point holding on.

    "What I want to know is why did you all have to drag this thing out between us? It adds nothing to my life." Alyssa massaged her aching temples, sighing.

    She continued, "The more we drag things on, the more suffering arises. It will only chip away at our sanity, bit by bit. Why can''t we just let time wash it away..."

    "Like hell!" Colene yelled, jumping up furiously and gripping Alyssa''s shoulders. "How do you expect time to wash that away? I know I can''t! You bore his child, Alyssa! Has he no heart?"

    Alyssa''s face paled instantly. Colene''s words sliced into her heart like invisible des, and pain began tonce through every part of her mind and body.

    "We swore to never speak of that, Colene!" Mandy gasped, pulling Colene away from Alyssa.

    "Can we please not talk about that, Colene?" L added worriedly. "Alyssa doesn''t want to bring that up."

    "He doesn''t know."

    Alyssa slowly looked up at the three women, holding her tears back. "I never told him. I never told Jasper I was pregnant with his baby."

 Chapter 145

    That incident had caused Alyssa pain for a very long time,

    Two years ago, she lost her child in an ident. Since then, she had been consistently avoiding shops

    that sold infant products.

    She stayed away whenever the lople of children came up. She couldn¡¯t even stop herself from breaking

    down when bables appeared on television

    It was Christmas Eve, and she had driven to the beach with Newton as they wanted to look at the snow

    disys there. They had a car ident on the way there.

    However, Alyssa had saved him first before checking on her own lojales. They were rushed to the

    hospital soon after.

    At that point in time, the rest of the Becketts had gone overseas to celebrate, whereas Jasper had

    joined Liana for a holiday.

    Alyssa had withstood the immense pain in her belly while waiting for Ben to turn up. She ended up

    copsing, thoroughly exhausted.

    ¡°Madam Alice, you¡¯re bleedingl

    She vaguely remembered bleeding profusely down there, the warm sensation bringing with it a deep

    terror. Only then did she realize she had been pregnant, Later, they found out she had been pregnant

    for two months. 1

    But she had been stripped of the chance to be a mother before she¡¯d even seen the child. It was hers

    and Jasper¡¯s child.

    1¨CI¡¯ll have Mr. Jaspere home right away!¡± Ben had frantically pulled out his phone, but Alyssa

    stopped him before he could make the call.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Please please don¡¯t She had been terrified amidst the despair of the situation. She sobbed weakly as

    she said, ¡°Jasper he doesn¡¯t know. He¡¯d just get mad at me if he knew. So please, keep this a secret

    from him

    Back in the present, Alyssa clutched her belly as if the pain from that night was recurring.

    Seeing this, Colene hugged her tight, with Mandy and L following suit. The three women formed a

    protective nket around Alyssa as she relived the pain from those years ago. 1

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. It¡¯s all my fault! I won¡¯t bring it up again, Alyssa. I won¡¯t! Please don¡¯t cry,¡± Colene

    mumbled.

    ¡°I should feel happy for the child, really,¡± Alyssa rasped, a bitter smile surfacing on her face. ¡°Better to

    stay away from a lifetime of witnessing its parents¡® broken marriage and never getting its father¡¯s love.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t get any sleep that night.

    When she closed her eyes, that familiar sight of blood would appear in her mind. She remained curled

    up in bed until morning, trying to hold onto her sanity while memory ravaged her mind.

    After losing her child, she spent the days crying until she had no more tears left.

    She could withstand the ughters of war but not the loss of this precious life she had nurtured inside

    her. It felt like her soul had been

    torn in half.

    Alyssa said quietly to herself, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, baby. Mommy¡¯s so sorry. I don¡¯t know If I¡¯ll ever be able to

    see you in this life again.¡±

    The following day, Alyssa dragged her tired body out of bed. She then cleaned hersell up before going

    downstairs, so no one could tell she had just had one of the most distressing nights of her life.

    ¡°Lyse dear, I¡¯ve made your favorites for breakfast. Have some before you go.¡± L came over to greet

    her, still in an apron. Her heart ached. for Alyssa upon seeing her slightly bloodshot eyes.

    ¡°Could you pack it up for me, please? I¡¯ll eat on the way out.¡± Alyssa gave her a kind smile in return. ¡°I

    need to attend a board meeting at

    the hotel in two hours.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± L bearned. ¡°I¡¯ll pack some for Sean too.¡±

    Thank you, Madam! Sean, who had entered the kitchen just in time to catch the conversation, quickly

    expressed his gratitude.

    Alyssa left the manor with Sean without alerting Winston, heading back to Sna City.

    ¡°Alyssa, you must tell us if you face any problems or get into any trouble while managing the hotel,

    especially if the Beckett family tries to do anything to you. We can always back you up.¡±

    Mandy gritted her teeth, recalling how Sophia Kirkman and her gang of bitches had attacked Alyssa the

    last time they were at the auction event. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure they never get another chance to speak to you

    like that again. I¡¯ll slip a good poison in their drinks so their tongues fall out of their mouths!¡±

    ¡°You should give them one that paralyzes them from the waist down!¡± Colene called out. ¡°How dare

    they bully our dear Alyssa?

    Alyssaughed, finding the two women incredibly amusing.

    Though their statements were not entirely without credibility.

    Mandy grew up surrounded by apothecaries and doctors. Her family exerted significant influence over

    the medical industry in both Belbank and Sna City. So, Mandy really wasn¡¯t exaggerating when she

    said she could make Sophia¡¯s tongue fall off.

 Chapter 146

    ¡°Ahem. There is something I could use your help with Alyssa cleared her throal.

    ¡°Leave it to us!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t hold back!¡±

    ¡°Well remember that antique rosewood chair from the auction that Winston had you bid for, Mandy

    Alyssa asked. ¡°T4 uke to have it?

    Mandy and Colene shared a look. ¡°You really aren¡¯t holding back.¡±

    Winston was someone who wouldn¡¯t bat an eye when it came to buying properly and cars or giving

    away his money.

    But when it came to antiques, he¡¯d hoard them like some kind of wizened dragon. Asking him to part

    with his rosewood chair would likely be a futile endeavor.

    Mandy blinked rapidly, seemingly lost in thought. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to convince him to give it up. But why

    do you want it?

    ¡°If he knew why, he¡¯d never give it to me.¡±

    ¡°I got you! Don¡¯t worry!¡± Colene grinned, smacking her chest in affirmation. ¡°If he doesn¡¯t want to hand

    it over, Fl steal it for your

    Alyssa burst into giggles.

    If it really came to that, Winston would surely have to keep an eye out!

    Jasper barely slept after the drive back from Belbank, Nheless, he still dragged himself to the office

    the next day for work.

    Liana called him twice. He picked up both times but couldn¡¯t really concentrate on the conversation.

    Liana rambled on and on about their wedding.

    She spoke about her wedding gowns, limited edition Jewelry, and a fairytale princess theme for the

    event. After all, their wedding had been rescheduled to an earlier date due to Newton¡¯s 80th birthday

    being next week.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°What do you think of these ideas, Jasper? I spent a monthing up with them after working with my

    team!¡± Liana said excitedly, trying to prove her capabilities to Jasper.

    ¡°They¡¯re alright as long as you like them,¡± came Jasper¡¯s faint reply.

    He was staring at the brokenvender bracelet fromst night. All he could think about was Alyssa¡¯s

    cold rejection of him while standing with the Taylor family.

    With an annoyed sigh, he closed the jewelry box.

    ¡°I¡¯ve even picked out your suit, Jasper! You need toe with me to meet the designerter today. I

    can handle everything else, but you need to be there for the fitting.¡± Liana implored.

    She added, ¡°That world¨Cfamous designer is visiting the city today, so we need to make sure to meet

    them before we lose this chance.¡±

    Jasper slowly came back to his senses. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t spoken to youtely. I¡¯ve been

    really busy with work.¡±

    Liana was smiling on the other end of the phone. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m willing to do anything for you, Jasper.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯lle to fetch youter in the alternoon.¡±

    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±

    Jasper hung up the call, Xavier came over with a bundle of documents and set them down before his

    boss. ¡°Sir, the hotel¡¯s PR department has sessfully contacted the celebrity superstar, Ada Kingsley.

    Here are her ns for the wedding.

    ¡°Mm.¡± Jasper slowly flipped through the documents, expression serious. 1

    Berenike Hotel, his family¡¯s hotel, had suffered a fall in the stock market after Betty¡¯s scandals made

    the news. Consequently, KS World Hotel had benefitted much from it. It had even climbed up the ranks

    to be the top hotel for amodations.

    Even Hugh fajst didn t jan a helytaps, he won Shad RS HAY HAS 10 was my

    Invest he take a boner lims he upc Husaid the pan Viten need a band meeting to decuss thes. We

    must coure this project Jose

    ab, there Aumisting else Insal Inpspat to you, but I ask that you prepare yourself first: /aper Warted

    out

    Well? ajo tud

    We have apetitor who¡¯s in the running to have f Kingsley¡¯s wedding held at their genus too.

    Hyssa fafor, 5 Word wes

    Jasper¡¯s eye twits bed upon heading that naine.

 Chapter 147

    ¡°Are you sure? Jasper asked solemnly.

    ¡°Well, sir. I phoned Ada¡¯s manager myself. She was the one who said Ms. Taylor had contacted them

    first. The manager actually intends for us topete for the opportunity¡­ Xavier¡¯s voice grew smaller

    as he continued, noticing how Jasper¡¯s face was growing more menacing by the second.

    ¡°What else did they say?¡±

    ¡°The manager also said that they know Berenike Hotel has always been famous and well¨Cknown, but

    KS World Hotel¡¯s been in the limelighttely, so they want us to prove to them why they should pick us

    for the wedding. Our ns need to win them over before Ada even considers working with us.¡±

    Jasper mmed the table, feeling unbearably irritated.

    Alice White was already annoying enough to deal with. And now Alyssa Taylor was here trying to

    compete for their project? Were these women specifically sent to torment him?

    ¡°Arrange a meeting with all department heads and directors tomorrow. We need toe up with a

    high¨Cend wedding proposal to present to Ada Kingsley,¡± Jasper ordered. ¡°If we fail to secure this

    project and Alyssa Taylor wins it, then everyone involved in the proposal will be dismissed!¡±

    Xavier nodded and scheduled the meeting. It appeared his boss was exacting vengeance for having to

    climb up those ten flights of stairs

    After lunch, Jasper drove Liana over to meet the fashion designer she had mentioned earlier.

    ¡°I thought we were meeting the designer?¡± he asked, confused as to why they were in front of avishly

    decorated six¨Cstory building. The Victorian¨Cstyle gate caught his attention as it was stylized with

    borately carved roses.

    ¡°She¡¯s right inside. This is the private design firm of the renowned designer, Rose Emerson!¡± Liana

    squealed.

    She continued, ¡°Although her clothing brand, Rozab, has numerous branches in malls nationwide,

    they still can¡¯tpare to what she can create for us. That¡¯s why we¡¯re here today! She¡¯s going to

    specially design our wedding outfits!¡±

    Liana had gotten her hair done today just for this asion, even dying it a light caramel color. She was

    dressed in a backless red cocktail gown, and her lips were painted bright red.

    All Jasper could think about when he saw the red on her was Alice White, as if only she could paint her

    lips that red. Anyone else who tried to mimic her would only embarrass themselves.

    ¡°It¡¯s just clothes,¡± he grunted. ¡°I don¡¯t need to get another set of clothes. We¡¯ll just get yours done.¡±

    ¡°Aw,e on! I¡¯m going to be your wife soon. I should get you nice clothes too. You mustn¡¯t keep any

    clothes other women give you from now on, okay?¡± Liana mewled, leaning against his shoulder.

    Jasper¡¯s heart dropped just the slightest as he recalled the suit Alice had made for him. He had tried

    his best to maintain it over the years. even when it frayed and tore at the edges.

    But clearly, Alice didn¡¯t appreciate the gifts he gave her in the same manner. She hadn¡¯t defended him

    at all when the bracelet he¡¯d made

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    for her had been tossed onto the ground, breaking apart.

    He pursed his lips, saying quietly. ¡°Okay.¡±

    The two got out of the car and went up to the door. They were stopped by a man in a suit, who said,

    ¡°My apologies, but Ms. Emerson has a

    private event today. Only invitees are allowed.¡±

    ¡°Look at what we have,¡± Liana said with a delighted grin, showing the man two Invitation cards with

    rose gold roses printed on them.

    ¡°Then, this way, please,¡± the man nodded and showed them inside.

    Several other guests were enjoying drinks and conversation in the event hall, all dressed finely.

    Jasper hadn I expected Liana to bring him to such an asion. She had kept it from nim the whole

    morning. No wonder she was dressed like this.

    He didn¡¯t like how things were going. He never participated in any dinner parties or high tea events

    unless he had to meet with a client. Right now, he fell like he was being taken advantage of by Liana.

    Sure enough, his appearance shocked many of the guests.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Jasper Beckett from Beckett Group?¡±

    ¡°It really is him! Damn, he¡¯s even more handsome in person!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s that woman with him? How lucky she must be!¡±

    ¡°What? Don¡¯t you know who that is? That¡¯s Liana Gardner, Mr. Beckett¡¯s fianc¨¦e! She¡¯s the one he

    divorced his ex¨Cwife for. Imagine that!¡±

    ¡°Oh, my God! Are you kidding me?¡±

    Liana was high on all the gossip, feeling unbelievably proud of herself. To her, every woman here was

    envious of her because she had sessfully won over a man as fine as Jasper Beckett.

 Chapter 148

    Liana had begged Sophia for those two invitation cards. Her resentment at having to stoop so low had now dissipated.

    "Why didn''t you tell me we wereing to an event like this? You know don''t like these things," Jasper grumbled quietly, his jaw tight.

    "I wouldn''t have been able to ask Ms. Emerson to make my wedding dress for me, given my social status. That''s why I wanted you toe. She''s sure to agree to my request if you ask her."

    Jasper''s face had darkened. Liana hurriedly added, "I''m really sorry I didn''t tell you beforehand."

    "Just tell me next time. I could have sent someone toe in my stead," Jasper sighed, though his tone had softened considerably now.

    "I promise I will next time."

    Just then, a set of familiar footsteps rang out from behind them. It was a precise and confident stride. Jasper instantly recognized who it was.

    He turned around.

    Alyssa approached them. She was dressed in an azure sundress and matching coat. She stood out against the backdrop of pink rose shrubs. Her hair was in an elegant bun today, revealing her neck. She didn''t wear lipstick but still stood out.

    Some women didn''t need makeup to look beautiful. Some queens didn''t need a crown tomand power.

    Liana had turned green with envy and hatred.

    She thought she had dressed strikingly enough in red. Yet the minute Alyssa had walked in, she had been delivered a resounding defeat.

    Jasper swallowed hard, unable to move his eyes away from Alyssa.

    Alyssa ignored him. She walked past him as if he were invisible.

    That fueled the mes of irritation in his chest.

    "Oh? I never thought I''d see you here, Ms. White. It must have been hard toget an invitation to this event, huh?" Liana said in a mocking tone.

    "It wasn''t easy." Alyssa smiled. "Only those who are unbelievably close or on good terms with Rose Emerson would be invited today, and each one a pir in the fashionmunity-that or a VVIP client of hers. I wonder which category you fall into, Ms. Gardner?"

    "I-"Liana turned red, as if she had just been pped in the face.

    Alyssa''s words had sessfully drawn everyone else''s attention to Liana and Jasper.

    "None, Ms. Gardner. The same goes for Mr. Beckett. You two must have had an exceedingly hard time getting here, hm?" Alyssa cocked her head.

    Enraged, Liana stormed up to her, finger in her face. "You and everyone else here know who Jasper is! Do you really think Ms. Emerson would refuse him if he asked to be here today?"

    Alyssa nodded courteously. "You have a point there."

    "What about you? What right do you have to attend today''s event, huh? Are you some ''pir'' of themunity? Or some big client?"

    "None of that, I''m afraid."

    "So what if you''re dressed up nicely? You''re just a country bum who got her golden ticket early on in life!" Liana shrieked. She could only humiliate Alyssa this way.

    She was terrified that Alyssa might suddenly reveal she was married to Jasper. If that happened, Liana would bebeled a sleazy mistress.

    "That''s enough, Lia!" Jasper ordered, his tone sharp.

    Everyone''s gaze then fell back on Alyssa.

    Was this remarkable and beautiful young woman really from the country? They couldn''t tell one bit. Her sense of fashion and confidence was too outstanding. But if she really was, then how did she manage to get an invitation for today''s event?

    "I was trying to be polite, Jasper, but she clearly harbors hostility toward us. Plus, wasn''t I telling the truth?" Liana pouted, feeling like she had won once again.

    "Ms. Emerson is here!" someone suddenly cried out.

    Above the guests on a winding staircase was Rose Emerson herself, slowly descending. She was dressed in a rose-colored jumpsuit straight from her brand Rozab, her hime cut hairstyle giving her a proud, royal look.

    But the moment she spotted Alyssa amongst the guests, her expression changed.

    A grin spread across her face as she ran the remaining way downstairs.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    "Why didn''t you tell me you wereing over, Madam? I''ve missed you, you old geezer!" She squealed happily, running toward Alyssa.

 Chapter 149

    Madam? The guests were shocked to hear Rose call Alyssa that, especially Liana, whose jaw had fallen open.

    What was their connection? Why was Rose referring to her with such respect? Wasn''t Alyssa only 24 years old?

    Rose was only four years older than her, and she had already been in the fashion industry for at least a decade. She''d had countless achievements, like being in the spotlight of International Fashion Week and receiving des.

    So, who was Alyssa to her then?

    "Who are you calling old? Have you ever seen a 24-year-old senior | citizen?" Alyssa scowled, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Women | never age."

    "That''s because I respect you too much, Madam!" Rose leaned against Alyssa, her hand around her waist inan affectionate manner. "You should have told me before you came over. I haven''t even cleaned up properly yet!" 1 didn''t n to, originally. But one of my meetings was canceled allof a sudden, so I had time toe visit."

    "Ah ... so this was just a convenient trip for you then. Don''t I mean anything to you?" "I''m sorry? Why are you speaking so indignantly to me? Do I need to teach you some manners?"

    The two bickered like close friends while the other guests gaped in awe.

    Jasper''s breath hitched, conflicting emotions rising in his chest. He recalled the suit she had made for him.

    It finally dawned on him why the stitching and design was so immacte. She must be the one who made Rose Emerson. & He had initially thought Alice was just good with her stitchwork, hence ignored pursuing any further possibility. It looked like he had underestimated her.

    Someone who had the respect of an internationally-renowned fashion designer ... Bitterness swelled in Jasper''s heart.

    Why had she never shown this side of her, this true side of her, to him in their three years of marriage? @? "Miss ... Ms. Emerson, my name is Liana Gardner. I''m Mr. Jasper Beckett''s fianc¨¦e." Liana went forth, unabashedly, to try and shake Rose''s hand.

    But thetter wanted nothing to do with her. In fact, Rose took a step backward as if avoiding the gue, pulling Alyssa alongside her. "I don''t remember your name showing up on my guestlist." @ Hn "1 don''t know where you got your invite, but I did not send you one. As you can see, this is a private event, not open to outsiders. Leave, Or I''ll have someone make you." Rose was incredibly upfront, with a hint of pride and confidence in her tone.

    Liana turned pale. She swiftly tugged on Jasper''s sleeve, begging him to help her.

    "Ms. Emerson, I apologize on both our behalf. We weren''t aware this event was private. But my fianc¨¦e has always admired your work. She had always wanted to meet you in person. So please, we hope you may reconsider," Jasper spoke up, voice steady.

    Something sharpnced through Alyssa''s heart.

    Jasper had never asked someone for mercy or forgiveness before. He was always the one people asked it from.

    But now, he was willing to set his pride aside just so Liana could get what she wanted.

    A faint sneer appeared on Alyssa''s lips. | Only Liana was able to get Jasper''s | kindness and love. Once upon a time, Alyssa had made the mistake of thinking she might convince him to think otherwise.

    Liana clung to Jasper, doing her best to look innocent. Secretly, she was cackling with glee.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "you''ve never attended an event like this. We''re not in the same industry, after all," Rose drawled. She took a long look at Jasper, then smiled slyly.

    Well, since you''ve asked so nicely, you can stay."

 Chapter 150

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa was baffled. She tried to give Rose a warning look, but thetter wouldn¡¯t so

    much as nce at her. In fact, her eyes were nearly burning a hole into Jasper¡¯s pecs.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but inwardly cursed at the situation.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Jasper nodded gratefully. But before he could say much else, Rose continued, ¡°You can

    stay. But she leaves.¡± She pointed at

    Liana.

    Liana was shocked. Her face was flushed. She felt thoroughly humiliated. ¡°Why me? I¡¯m his fianc¨¦e!¡±

    she cried.

    The guests flinched at the distasteful noise, finding her increasingly uncultured.

    ¡°Tsk tsk.¡± Rose shook her head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have been able to tell, honestly.¡±

    ¡°You¨CLiana was so angry that she nearly stomped her foot.

    Rose took another sly look at Jasper, this time smirking. ¡°Mr. Beckett can stay because he¡¯s an

    attractive man. And because he¡¯s dressed well for the asion.¡±

    She then eyed Liana¡¯s outfit. ¡°You, on the other hand, are a mess. Your colors are a terrible intrusion to

    this ce and everyone else¡¯s color palette. Please leave before I heave my guts up.¡±

    Alyssa cupped her forehead, suddenly recalling something.

    This mentee of hers was an incredible and diligent young woman, but when it came to that of the

    opposite S**, she was always the first to

    cave in!

    ¡°That¡¯s not very kind of you, Ms. Emerson. We meant no harm, so there¡¯s no need to be hostile,¡±

    Jasper said lowly.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh? Mr. Beckett, don¡¯t you think I¡¯m already being courteous enough by asking your fianc¨¦e to leave

    when she humiliated my mentor? I could have sent her off with all her limbs snapped in two.¡± Liana¡¯s

    smirk never disappeared as she spoke.

    The atmosphere turned ufortably silent. Even a pin drop could be heard.

    Alyssa nced at Rose in shock. So, Rose did overhear what Liana had said to her earlier.

    Warmth surged through her heart for a moment. She was d that she was being looked out for.

    ¡°I ¡ª I ¡­¡± Liana was speechless. Cold sweat lined her skin as she tried making herself smaller and

    smaller still hiding in Jasper¡¯s shadow.

    Karma was a bitch.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Rose,¡± Alyssa said gently. She didn¡¯t want the event to be ruined. Besides, Liana seemed

    to have had a taste of her own medicine already.

    Stopping things from going further would be the right move. In fact, it could even help build her

    reputation for being kind. ¡°Since they¡¯re here, let¡¯s just treat them like the rest of the guests, hm?

    ¡°I didn¡¯t take Ms. Gardner¡¯sments to heart. She is right about my background, so there¡¯s no point

    arguing.¡±

    Immediately, the surrounding guests began speaking in her favor.

    ¡°She truly is so kind and genuine.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! So what if she¡¯s a country girl? She has made it to the peak of the industry now, regardless. So

    many sessful peoplee from different backgrounds. Who are we to make fun of people just

    because of that?¡±

    ¡°What a low¨Css move that Gardner girl did, picking on someone like that.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s Jasper Beckett¡¯s fianc¨¦e? She reminds me more of some mistress or a quick fling.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something to be said about his taste in women, that¡¯s for sure.

    Liana wanted the ground to open up and swallow her right then and there. She didn¡¯t want to linger any

    longer.

 Chapter 151

    After greeting the guests, Rose brought Alyssa to her studio. The mentor and mentee were as close as sisters. They chatted andughed merrily in private.

    There, Rose served Alyssa excellent tea and desserts from the top pastry chefs in the nation. Not even the guests on the first floor had the honor of tasting the delicacies.

    "Madam, have some tea!"

    "Oh, the valuable spring tea! It''s bright green with a rich aroma and a deep vor profile. This is good."

    Smiling, Alyssa savored the tea. She wrapped her slender fingers around the cup as she sipped. Her graceful demeanor denoted her excellent upbringing in a wealthy family. Her noble air was the culmination of a distinguished pedigree that could not be copied.

    "I feel honored when you enjoy the tea." Rose grinned. She always wore a cool and chic image in public. Yet, she''d turn into a silly and good-natured youngdy in front of Alyssa.

    Their first encounter happened six years back. Rose was talented in fashion design and blessed with endless inspiration. However, she became a target because of her early fame.

    Rose was forced to search for new opportunities by joining apetition show to design outfits for celebrities. Regrettably, a well-known celebrity on the show humiliated her. Additionally, the "esteemed" judges censured her actions.

    Following the incident, in a parallel universe where kindness thrived, Sharon, openly supported Rose. Not only that, she exposed the true faces of those who had ulterior motives and assessed the situation.

    Thanks to Sharon, some fashion designers who fell victim took the chance to reveal the dark sides of the industry. As a result, Rose caught the eye of the public, which in turn allowed her to showcase her talent.

    "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. But you shall rise above it. Ms. Emerson, do not underestimate your mind-blowing talent. Go forth with courage. All the best to you!"

    Just like her name, Sharon was a fertile in that nurtured Rose and offered her a second chance.

    Things unfolded smoothly after that.

    The designers who derided and ndered Rose had to apologize under public pressure. However, they failed to turn public opinion around. In the end, their reputation was severely damaged.

    Meanwhile, people dug up dirt about the celebrity who had humiliated Rose on the show. The said celebrity vanished from the entertainment scene following a brief one-year career.

    "Madam, you are a talented designer. Why would you hide your identity?" Rose poured Alyssa some tea and questioned with much curiosity.

    "You''ve been bugging me with the same question." Alyssa rubbed her temples and answered, "I love working backstage more than standing in the limelight. I do not wish to forgo my peaceful life."

    "Oh, that''s a pity. You''d make Ms. Gardner''s jaw fall if you told her you''re Sharon. She wouldn''t have been rude to you." Gritting her teeth in disdain, Rose spat, "That bitch thought she had the right to mock you because she''s Jasper Beckett''s fianc¨¦e. What a snob!"

    "She''s nothingpared to me." Alyssa sipped her tea. "She does not

    have the honor to be introduced to Sharon."

    "By the way, how did you get to know her? Were there any grudges between the two of you? Do you want me to get back at her?"

    Slightly baffled, Alyssa smiled. "It''s fine. She''s the future Mrs. Beckett, you know."Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    "I don''t care if she''s the firstdy of the country! I''m your mastiff¡ªI''ll bite whoever hurts my master!" Rose adorably bared her teeth.

    On that topic, Alyssa felt a little sorry for Rose. While she might be a close friend of Rose, she hadn''t disclosed her identity as Winston Taylor''s daughter, the business magnate in Belbanks. Therefore, Rose had no idea that "Sharon" was, in fact, the ex-wife of the president of the Beckett Group.

    Sometimes, Alyssa felt that she was living multiple lives and ying different characters. She had many identities that did not ovep, thus enabling her to be active in different circles. It was certainly an interesting and bizarre life.

    "Are you going to keep to your word?" Rose handed her a heart-shaped dessert with eager eyes.

    "Of course. I always keep my word. But do you have a male dancer around? I won''t perform if he''s average in dance or looks," Alyssa crossed her legs and demanded.

    "Yes, the hottie''s ready! I guarantee you''ll love his long legs and six-pack!"

    ...

    The cocktail party was not affected by the prior hup. Jasper stood around with a cold expression. His suit entuated his toned body. His good looks attracted the attention of thedies at the event.

    Liana had to fend off thedies who were checking out Jasper by ring at them like a territorial animal.

    Were it not for the wedding dress design request, she would not have brought Jasper to Rose''s event. She very well knew that Jasper would be a woman ma.

    However, Jasper ignored the burning gazes and scanned the venue for someone.

    "Oh, it''s Rose Emerson!"

    4o

 Chapter 152

    When Rose reemerged, na hurriedly lugged on Jasper¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Jasper, let¡¯s slop her and have a

    chat. She will definitely agree to design my wedding dress if you talk to her because you¡¯re the

    president of the Heckell Group!¡±

    He frowned but was dragged along to meet with Rose.

    ¡°Ms. Emerson, we are here to request your help in designing my wedding dress. Jasper and I will be

    married next month in a grand wedding that will be streamed nationwide.¡±

    Liana leaned gently on Jasper, a delighted look on her face, ¡°Your dress on me will attract national

    attention! That¡¯s pretty good marketing, don¡¯t you think?

    ¡°Money is not a problem as long as you agree to design the dress. Tell us anything you need, and we¡¯ll

    take care of it. We are serious

    about this.¡±

    ¡°Wow, Ms. Gardner, you do sound like a future daughter¨Cinw of a wealthy farnily.¡± Bearning, Rose

    lifted a finger. ¡°One million, and t consider taking the job.¡±

    ¡°What? That¡¯s too expensive!¡± Liana gaped at Rose.

    ¡°And I thought money is not a problem for you. Is one million too much for the future Mrs. Beckett?¡±

    ¡°Sure, one million it is.¡± Jasper remained expressionless.

    ¡°Jasper¡­¡± Liana bit her lower lip and almost teared up from Jasper¡¯s touching move.

    ¡°You might be fine with the deal, but I¡¯m not.¡± Rose was smiling but dripping with hostility. Jasper

    frowned. He had a feeling that he had been yed.

    *Sharon might have forgiven you because she¡¯s cool, but I can¡¯t. Ms. Gardner, don¡¯t ever think of

    getting your bespoke gowns from Rozab, including for your wedding. I will never let you rent a

    dress.¡±

    With that, Rose scoffed and left haughtily.

    Although Liana was incensed and silently cursing out Rose, she put on a pitiful expression and

    whimpered, ¡°Jasper, is she hostile to us because Ms. White said something to her? Ms. White should

    havee at me if she was upset. Why would she set Rose against me?¡±

    Jasper was extremely frustrated. ¡°Let me talk to Alice alter the cocktail party. I¡¯ll get her to convince

    Rose to design your wedding dress.¡±

    Jasper, you¡¯re the best! I knew you loved me the most!¡±

    Right as Liana was about to kiss Jasper, the venue erupted in cheers and apuse. When the lights

    dimmed, a spotlight illuminated the stage.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    A piece of modernistic yet mysterious tango music started ying. A handsome male dancer dressed

    in a ck shirt and pants showed up onstage.

    Jasper almost choked at what he saw next. Alyssa, dressed in a S**y red dress, gorgeously whirled her

    way onstage with a sultry expression.

    ¡°Oh my! Is she the same woman from before? She¡¯s so different!¡±

    ¡°Pretty and sassy, wild and seductive! I¡¯m falling for her!¡±

    ¡°They might dance intimately, but they are so good at dancing that it feels like an artistic performance

    more than a racy show. It¡¯s sublime!

    Staring at his alluring and eye¨Ccatching ex¨Cwife, Jasper felt a slow burn within him.

    How did she learn tango? He thought she was tone¨Cdeal and clumsy.

    How could she wear that skimpy dress in public? Why would she allow that man to hold her waist?

    He believed that Alice should have upheld her morals even after she was divorced.

    His eyes burned at the sight of her waist and ner shapely legs shing under the red dress as sne

    spun.

    Tango was itself a passionate, sensuous, and yful dance. Alyssa¡¯s face was expressive, and her

    eyes were filled with seduction as she yed a game of temptation with her counterpart.

    When the music climaxed, Alyssa wrapped herself around the male dancer and held his waist. She

    cast an alluring gaze in Jasper¡¯s direction.

    He was flustered by her sudden attention. Despite his t expression, he swallowed hard. He badly

    wanted to shove the male dancer away and cover every inch of Alice with his jacket.

    As her husband, he had never been that intimate with her. Therefore, he would not allow any other man

    to do so.

 Chapter 153

    Alyssa and her dance partner held hands and bowed to the audience when the dance ended.

    Her captivating dance elevated the cocktail party into a high¨Cend ball.

    Liana was green with envy when she heard everyone praising Alice. In her teens, she was once a

    talented pianist who was good at singing and dancing too. For that, she had won many awards.

    However, after going abroad, she busied herself with dating and having fun to the point where she

    abandoned her practice.

    ¡°Jasper, wasn¡¯t Ms. White awesome? But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s appropriate for her to dance in public in that

    revealing dress. I would have been too ashamed to do that.¡±

    Her attempts at backstabbing Alyssa were of no use because Jasper was nowhere to be found when

    she turned around.

    Jasper shuffled to the backstage corridor. Despite his best efforts at self¨Ccontrol, he could not shut

    down the imagery of Alice¡¯s allure in his mind. His throat was getting dry.

    He forced himself not to think of his behavior as falling for her. He believed he was emotional because

    he was angry at Alice for challenging him and lying to him over and over.

    All of a sudden, he overheard an excited male voice from a corner. ¡°My dance partner today had a

    freaking tiny waist! How exciting! I¡¯ve never held a woman with a waist that tiny in my entire life!¡±

    Thepliment sounded wrong to Jasper, who immediately got triggered. The male dancer turned

    around when he heard the clicking of leather shoes and immediately received a punch to his face.

    *Ouch!¡±

    As a military veteran, Jasper effortlessly sent the male dancer sailing in the air with a punch. The poor

    dancer winced on the ground and moaned in pain.

    ¡°How dare you dream of touching her?¡± Jasper smirked and demanded coldly. ¡°Who do you think you

    are?¡±

    ¡°M¨CMr. Beckett?¡± The dancer looked like he had seen a ghost. ¡°I thought you were marrying Ms.

    Gardner. I¨CI didn¡¯t know that my dancer partner was your..

    The mention of Liana further fueled Jasper¡¯s rage.

    *Jasper Beckett, what the hell are you doing?¡±

    When Jasper spun around, his eyes darkened at the sight of Alyssa and Rose running over to him. The

    male dancer scrambled on all fours in their direction with bleeding lips.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you¡¯ve crossed a line by beating up my people in my territory.¡± Rose pointed a finger in

    Jasper¡¯s face furiously.

    ¡°He was talking shit.¡± Jasper curled his fists with a stern look. ¡°I punched him as a warning. He should

    have known the consequences of talking about certain people behind their backs.¡±

    Alyssa was extremely stunned by his action. Her impression of him was that he was a haughty man

    who wouldn¡¯t bother to get into fights with people he considered beneath him.

    What went into him today?

    Did someone step on his toes earlier that day?

    ¡°What happened?¡± Rose red at the male dancer.

    ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t talk behind Ms. White¡¯s back. I was happy to dance with her and called my friend to show off

    about it without thinking. That¡¯s all. ¡°The male dancer was terrified. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t know that Mr. Beckett

    overheard me. And he

    he¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Frowning, Alyssa waved. ¡°Rose, take him to the doctor.¡±

    ¡°Madam, I can¡¯t leave you here alone!¡± while staring at Jasper, Kose whispered in Alyssa¡¯s ear, I think

    Jasper Beckett is funny in the head. He must be suffering from manic depression, given how he¡¯s

    lashed out at people.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I think so too.¡± Alyssa nodded with a t expression. ¡°But I¡¯ll deal with him. It all started because

    of me. Don¡¯t worry. He won¡¯ty a finger on me.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s face fell upon hearing the private conversation between the twodies. Rose worried for

    Sharon, but she listened to her mentor

    and left the scene with the male dancer.

    The silence in the air was suffocating. The red dress on Alyssa and the thought of the male dancer¡¯s

    words frustrated Jasper to no end.

    He stormed up to her, took off his jacket, and handed it to her without any expression. ¡°Put this on.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes gleamed as she pped the jacket off his hand. 1

    ¡°Jasper, what the fuck? You hit a dancer for no reason and forced me to wear your jacket. Are you

    picking on me?¡±

    ¡°Alice White!¡± His eyes wavered.

    ¡°I know you love yourself an obedient and clean¨Clooking girlfriend like Liana. Sorry, but that is not my

    style. I¡¯ve had enough acting prim and proper by your side for three years.

    ¡°You do not have the right to control what I wear after our divorce. I can do anything I want. It¡¯s none of

    your business, especially when

    you¡¯re about to get married to Liana!¡± Her sharp gaze prated his soul.

    ¡°Do you really want to live a life of loose morals after leaving me?¡± His face paled. ¡°You can dance, but

    you don¡¯t have to wear a skimpy

    dress! How could you let that male dancer touch and caress you?¡±

    Alyssa chortled. ¡°Mr. Beckett, are you in love with me?¡±

    ¡°What nonsense is that?¡± His chest tightened, and he almost forgot to breathe.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    She took a step closer to him and lifted her gaze to stare into his vacant eyes.

    ¡°You don¡¯t even like me. You shouldn¡¯t poke your nose into others¡® business. Or maybe you were just

    upset because of your wretched possessiveness¨Cyou were angry to see another man doing what you

    never got to do with me. Is that it?¡±

    ¡°Alice White, how dare you call me wretched?¡± He glowered fiercely at her.

    ¡°How else can I describe you? There¡¯s nothing good I can say about you now.¡± She stopped smiling.

    ¡°I¡¯d advise you to protect your reputation. Stop pestering me, and go back to your fianc¨¦e. Do you know

    what loose morals are? Bothering your ex¨Cwife behind your

    fianc¨¦e¡¯s back!¡±

    With that, she sassily left the scene with a twirl of her red dress. Panicking, Jasper grabbed her wrist to

    stop her from leaving. Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain as she struggled to free herself from

    his grip.

    ¡°If you were upset at me, you should havee at me. You¡¯re shameless for using Rose to get back at

    me.¡±

    ¡°Using Rose to get back at you?¡± Alyssa had no idea what he was talking about.

    ¡°Lia came here to get Rose to design a wedding dress. Rose refused to help out and even humiliated

    Lia. Was that not your instruction? Didn¡¯t you take advantage of the situation to get your reven

 Chapter 154

    Even Jasper was surprised by his own baseless usation. He had formed a negative preconception

    against her even when hecked evidence.

    Somehow, he hoped that Alice had deliberately yed a role in the Incident because that would prove

    his importance to her.

    ¡°Jasper, you think too highly of yourself.¡± Her heart ached as she forced a smile. ¡°To be honest, I have

    never considered taking revenge against you.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you marry Liana. I won¡¯t even bat an eye if you marry four wives like Winston Taylor of

    Belbanks. Spiting you is not won¡¯t at all.¡±

    Pain shot through his heart. He felt as though something had hit him hard. ¡°Alice, you¡­¡±

    ¡°Rose has a waitlist until the end of next year. She is a principled woman. Even the firstdy would

    have to join the line if she wanted Rose¡¯s service.¡±

    ¡°Rose might have wanted to spite Lia for my sake, but I am not that petty to use a friend to get back at

    Lia. If I wanted to spite Lia, I would have pped her right away instead of taking the roundabout way.

    You don¡¯t understand me at all,¡± she mocked him with a faint smile on her lips.

    He found nothing in her eyes, not even a hint of excitement. That was like a stab to his heart.

    ¡°Alice!¡±

    A familiar voice Interrupted their confrontation. Jonah had shown up.

    Alyssa took the chance to free herself from Jasper and jogged toward Jonah. Jonah hugged his sister.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯mte. I was held back by work.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± She sniffled with tears in her eyes.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t give you trouble, did he?¡± Jonah looked worried as he cast a nce at Jasper, who was

    frozen on the spot

    She shook her head. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±

    Jasper stood there for a while before suddenly running after them. Sean was waiting for Jonah and

    Alyssa by the Rolls¨CRoyce at the

    entrance.

    ¡°My feet hurt in the heels. Sneakers are the best.¡± Alyssa pouted at Jonah.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Sean, get me the sneakers I brought for her.¡±

    Sean quickly took a pair of sneakers from the trunk and ced them by Alyssa¡¯s feet.

    Jasper finally ran to the entrance. He watched as Jonah kneeled and took off Alice¡¯s heels. Jonah

    proceeded to hold her ankles and put on the sneakers for her. He even tied the shoces nicely with a

    level of attentiveness that rivaled a father taking care of his daughter.

    She slid her hand into Jonah¡¯s pocket and found a plece of chocte. She took a bite of the chocte

    and smiled sweetly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± Jonah led her into the car. They left in no time.

    Jasper felt as though his heart had been taken from him. His chest was lilled with disappointment and a

    feeling of emptiness. His ex¨Cwife. who had once lived her lonely days in his absence, was now treated

    like a princess by Jonah Taylor.

    A dignified man, Jonah was willing to do anything for the woman he loved with eyes full of affection. He

    loved Alice so much that he wanted to help her to put on her shoes.

    Jasper felt oddly upset at the sight of Alice being doted on.

    In the evening, Liana followed Jasper to the Seaview Manor with the excuse of visiting her uncle and

    aunt.

    ¡°Jasper, why did you disappear from the cocktail party that night? I was scared when you left me

    alone.¡± Seated in the back of the car, she

 Chapter 155

    ¡°You shower.¡± Pick a fight. Alice did not give you a hard time today. Whatnd¡¯s pedre?

    He continued, ¡°You should put your grudges behind you since she and I divorced. I will retire the AVICA MAYAMANIA¡¯s Mandal.¡±

    From then on, she and I will have nothing to do with each other.

    After that, he did not speak to Lana until the Maybach arrived at Searence Sh.

    Silently cursing out Alice upstairs, he left her with a glum look.

    Lana gritted her teeth, thinking that she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong. It was Alice who had robbed her of the marriage and cleaned for three years. A couple of taunts were nothing. Even if she were to kill Alice, that wouldn¡¯t be enough to get her revenge.

    Why would Jasper side with Alice? Why?

    Half an hourter, Jasper descended the stairs in casual wear with Mrs. Posie at his heels. Halfway through, he overheard three womenughing and chatting in the living room.

    Bertyined, ¡°We should really change the chef. We¡¯ve been served crap since Alice left. I suppose she isn¡¯t totally useless; she¡¯s pretty good at cooking.¡±

    Lana wondered aloud, ¡°Did Alice have to prepare your meals daily?¡±

    Berty replied, ¡°Of course! That country bumpkin had to prove her worth somehow after marrying up. The maids were talking behind her back, saying that she was a nanny with the empty title of Mrs. Beckett. She might be a princess on paper, but she was only a pauper in reality!¡±

    Jasper looked hostile as he clenched his fists.

    Sophia chimed in, ¡°I thought she¡¯d cave in and get a divorce after one year. Jasper gave her the cold shoulder, and everyone in the family snubbed her. I was surprised when she took it all in for three years before getting a divorce. I couldn¡¯t have survived that if I were her. She was pretty hardy.¡±

    Berty agreed. ¡°Thankfully, Lana¡¯s back. If not, I bet Alice would have hung around longer¨Cthat shameless bitch!¡±

    Jasper could not take it anymore and growled, ¡°Are you done?¡±

    The air immediately froze.

    ¡°Jasper, we were...¡± Lana shot up to exin herself.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be talking behind Alice¡¯s back when you have received her kindness,¡± he cut her off with such seriousness that she muttered.

    Sophia and Berty scowled.

    ¡°What are you talking about? We...¡±

    ¡°Not only did you not appreciate Alice¡¯s hard work, but you also treated her as a joke. Do you think you can walk all over me?¡± The look in his eyes sent a chill down their spines.

    They were shocked by the way he mentioned Alice. In his three years of marriage to Alice, he rarely called her by her name. As a result of his cold treatment, everyone in the family perceived Alice to be a pushover.

    To their surprise, he now referred to Alice by her name, as though he was close with her during the marriage.

    The three women looked pale. The other maids were quiet.

    ¡°Alice was once my wife. I will not allow anyone to humiliate her, especially within our family.¡± Gritting his teeth and frowning, he warned Sophia, Berty, and Lana, ¡°As a wife and daughter, you¡¯d better have some ss. Don¡¯t make a fool of yourselves!¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    4o

 Chapter 156

    Jasper sat on the couch in the study, gently massaging his temples. He rested his elbows on his knees

    and leaned forward. Shoulders trembling, he appeared to be in great pain.

    His head started aching on the way home, and his condition was exacerbated after listening to the

    three women badmouthing Alice.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    A princess who was a pauper. It was not their ce to badmouth Alice.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, is your headache acting up again? I¡¯ll get the medications!¡± Mrs. Rosle found the pain relief

    pills in a drawer and brought him a ss of water. After taking the pills, he seemed more at ease as the

    pain reduced.

    ¡°You can¡¯t rely on pills all the time! I remember that your condition Improved after Madam Alice

    performed some acupuncture on you. Shall we get her to check on you?¡± Mrs. Rosle suggested.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosle.¡± He choked on tears, ¡°H¨CHave they been putting down Alice all along? They said that

    Alice made their meals for three years. Is that true?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Mr. Jasper. I told you Madam Alice was a hard worker, but you insisted that she was faking it.

    She went at it for three years! I¡¯d have to praise her even if she was doing it for show. Such

    persistence!¡±

    He pursed his pale lips.

    ¡°When she first joined the family, her cooking was average. She humbly asked me to teach her. I told

    her that it was the job of the maids and chef, and I asked her to sit back and rx.

    ¡°She insisted on working, saying that she should cook for you and take care of your daily needs

    because she couldn¡¯t help you much at work.

    ¡°At first, she coughed a lot from the oll and smoke and had to wear a mask in the kitchen! But she

    eventually got used to it. She was busy in the kitchen every morning before I was even awake!¡±

    He wondered the reason behind the coughing. Was Alice allergic to smoke?

    A suffocating sensation closed in. Even the pills couldn¡¯t help.

    Sighing in frustration and dismay. Mrs. Rosie grumbled. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of Sophia and Betty. Madam

    Alice sacrificed for the family. How could they not show an ounce of gratitude and mock her instead?

    It¡¯s outrageous, I tell you.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, I wished you could get back with Madam Alice. But I also wanted her to marry another man

    because it upsets me to think about her suffering in this family. I want her to marry into a family where

    she wouldn¡¯t be mocked and humiliated.¡±

    Words hurt as much as sticks and stones. Jasper furrowed his brows, feeling like he was struck by

    lightning.

    The next few days went by uneventfully, which meant that Newton Beckett¡¯s birthday was nearing, and

    Alyssa would finalize her divorce with Jasper. She had mixed emotions about the matter.

    When she married Jasper, they did not host a wedding or publicly announce their marriage. They

    hastily registered for the marriage certificate at the city hall without even throwing a celebratory dinner.

    The only photo they took together was from that day. She smiled sweetly and leaned into Jasper, who

    looked expressionless as though he was Photoshopped into the photo.

    She had naively believed that things would change for the better after they were married. She thought

    Jasper would warm up to her one day as long as she tried her best.

    It took her long enough to realize that she could not make him love her through sheer effort.

    Their marriage did not fail because of ack of effort from her side. There was an Insurmountable

    distance between them from the beginning.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, the hotel¡¯s event nning department came up with this event proposal after pulling a few

    all¨Cnighters. Please take a look at Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding nner proposal.¡± Sean ced the file in

    front of Alyssa. Her eyes lit up as she quickly reviewed it.

    Then, she swiftly left fer

    ideas from Eve years back.

    Den. ¡°Hera, mere, and here. A these need to be changed. These were outdated design

    ¡°The color palette wouldn¡¯t work either. Ada Kingsley hates bright colors, so we need to incorporate

    more Morandi colors. Please get it.

    reworked?

    i

    ¡°Sure.¡± Sean felt bad for his colleagues who had suffered from drafting the proposal

    ¡°We need to speed up Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding nner proposal after Grandpa¡¯s birthday. I need

    everyone to give their best and crush the Beckett Group. We shouldn¡¯t take it lightly. Her eyes shone

    with determination. 1

    ¡°Roger that! We cannot lose out to Jasper Beckett Sean curled his fists.

    To that, she smirked. ¡°This has nothing to do with him. I just hate the feeling of losing. If he wants to

    compete against me, I shall let him

    feel the heat¡±

    Her phone rang from a call from Colenie Waters.

    ¡°Colene! What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I got it!¡±

    Alyssa went nk ¡°What?¡±

 Chapter 157

    ¡°I stole the Antique Rosewood Chair from your dad for you!¡± Colene sounded as happy as a child.

    ¡°Sorry for the trouble! I¡¯ll have to thank you when we meet again.¡± Alyssa rubbed her hands excitedly.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem as long as it makes you happy!¡±

    ¡°What will you do if Winston learns about it?¡± Alyssa was worried for Colene.

    However, Colene was cool about it. ¡°I¡¯m childless, so I have nothing to fear. If anything bad happens to

    me, just take care of my funeral!¡±

    Alyssa was left speechless at her quirky stepmom.

    Night fell. After a busy day. Sean drove Alyssa back to the vi. She kicked off her heels and changed

    into a pair of soft, red velvety slippers. Stretching, she decided to enjoy a bubble bath.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ll get the bath ready.¡± Sean quickly rolled his sleeves.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can do it. Can you throw together a simple dinner?¡± She gave him a tired smile.

    ¡°Sure. What would you like?¡±

    ¡°A blue cheese chicken sandwich.¡±

    Sean hated the smell of blue cheese, but Alyssa loved it a lot. She pouted. ¡°I wanted something

    heavier, but it¡¯s hard to get deliveries in this area.¡±

    ¡°D¨CDo you want to have dinner before the bath? It¡¯s going to smell¡­

    ¡°The smell is the whole point, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯m too tired. If I don¡¯t take a bath. I won¡¯t have the energy to eat.

    I¡¯ll take a bath now!¡±

    She yawned and went upstairs for the bath.

    Meanwhile, Sean tidied up the living room before putting on an apron, a pair of gloves, and a mask to

    prepare the menu requested by Alyssa.

    When the sandwich was ready, he heard the doorbell. Apart from him and Alyssa, only Jonah and Ss

    had the key to the vi. Alyssa¡¯s brothers never pressed the doorbell when they visited.

    Who would the visitor be at this hour? Who else got hold of Alyssa¡¯s address?

    Frowning and full of doubts, he went to the entrance and checked the inte. He drew a sharp

    breath when he saw Landon¡¯s handsome face on the screen.

    ¡°Hey! Anyone home?¡± Landon poked around.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, why are you here?¡± Sean stared at him alertly.

    ¡°Me? I followed you home, of course.¡± He shed a brazen smile.

    ¡°You¨CSince when?¡±

    ¡°I started tailing your car after you left the hotel. Tsk tsk, you¡¯re not very good at your job, aren¡¯t you?

    You didn¡¯t even know that your employer had been tailed. That¡¯s some weak¨Cass situational

    awareness.¡±

    Fuming. Sean had to take deep breaths to calm down. He said tly, ¡°Miss is resting. She will not see

    any guests. Please leave.¡±

    ¡°But the lights in her room are still on!¡± Landon blinked. ¡°I¡¯m here to deliver a gilt. You should at least let

    me in to hand it to her.¡±

    ¡°Sean, who are you talking to?¡± Alyssa had changed into a light pink silk robe. Her long hair was

    wrapped in a white towel. She approached the entrance, looking fresh out of a bath.

    ¡°I¨CIt¡¯s Sean struggled to exin.

    Alyssa shoved her face in the inte and lifted a brow in amusement. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Alice! It¡¯s me! It¡¯s me! Landon¡¯s eyes sparkled when he heard the voice of his crush.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Alice, I brought you a gift. I didn¡¯t run into you in the day, so I wanted to deliver il at night!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper, I thought I made myself clear that I wouldn¡¯t ept your gift. I appreciate the thought,

    though.¡± She turned him down coolly.

    *But I traveled to Kontina just to get the famous artist LAN to create this crystal sculpture for you. I

    jumped through many hoops for this

    LAN? Alyssa licked her lips and pressed the button to open the gate.

    Sean rubbed his forehead speechlessly. It seemed that Landon Harper had gotten the perfect gift for

    Alyssa.

 Chapter 158

    When the door opened, Landon slid into the living room speedily, worried that Alyssa might change her

    mind. ¡°Gosh, it¡¯s so hard to visit you. The entrance fee is pretty exorbitant.¡±

    Under the lights, Alyssa¡¯s curves were entuated by the tight robe on her body. Her tiny waist and

    buttery skin were luscious. He swallowed hard upon casting his eyes on her.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, your eyes are wandering elsewhere,¡± Sean reminded him with much hostility.

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    ¡°It¡¯s human nature to love beauty. I¡¯m looking at her with the sole intention of admiring an artwork,¡± he

    grinned and talked his way out of it shamelessly.

    It was the first time Sean hade across a man who¡¯d reframe his inappropriate behavior into

    something noble.

    ¡°Is LAN¡¯s sculpture in this box?¡± She stared keenly at the box in his arms.

    ¡°Yes. I bought two sculptures from her¨Cone for Jasper¡¯s grandpa and the other for you.¡± His eyes

    sparkled with enthusiasm. ¡°Alice, LAN¡¯s artworks are handmade. She¡¯ll only put ten items on sale every

    year. You know how rare her works are, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Alyssa coughed softly. ¡°Um, have you had dinner? If you haven¡¯t, would you like to join me?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t! I didn¡¯t even take a drop of water because I waited at the hotel entrance for you since 5:00

    pm! I¡¯m famished.¡± Landon¡¯s voice quivered in excitement.

    Sean rolled his eyes at Landon, who was overly eager and unabashed.

    ¡°Sean, get him another blue cheese chicken sandwich. Go heavy on the blue cheese, Alyssa instructed

    Sean while carefully taking the box from Landon and walking to the living room.

    ¡°Uh, blue cheese?¡± Landon paled. Not only that, she had specifically requested for more cheese. Was

    she nning to make him suffer?

    ¡°Looks like you¡¯re unhappy with our hospitality,¡± Sean mocked the ashen¨Cfaced Landon. ¡°I bet our

    menu is too plebeian for you. You must have been eating caviar and truffle with your meals.¡±

    ¡°No! That¡¯s nonsense! Don¡¯t nder me. I¡¯ll take the sandwich.¡± Landon bit the bullet but tried to reason

    with Alyssa with a bitter smile, ¡°C-

    Can I have the sandwich without the extra blue cheese?¡±

    His voice faded. He looked like a pitiful little girl.

    She turned around and chuckled with narrowed eyes. ¡°Sure. Whatever you like.¡±

    Landon almost stopped breathing at the sight of her smile as fireworks went off in his mind. He finally

    understood the power of a beautiful

    smile.

    While Sean was busy getting dinner ready, Alyssa and Sean admired LAN¡¯s artwork in the living room.

    It was an exquisite sculpture of a

    hand holding a flower in full bloom.

    The artist added the water ssh effect, making the flower appear as a fountain. The sculpture was

    carved from aplete piece of crystal that created the illusion of movement in a static artwork.

    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s gorgeous,¡± Alyssa gasped at the artwork¡¯s beauty. She fell her soul being cleansed from

    within. She carefully lifted the flower from the hand, a move that made Landon gawk.

    Unbelievably, Alyssa¡¯s hands were more exquisite than the crystal sculpture carefully created by an

    artisan. The crystal flower paled in

    ¡°Alice, do you like it?¡± He rested his cheek on his hand and stared at her in a daze.

    ¡°Of course! LAN is my favorite contemporary artist, among many others. Her works are breathtaking.¡±

    Unable to contain her joy, Alyssa smiled broadly.

    ¡°I like

    He wanted to tell her he liked her.

    ¡°Thanks, Mr. Harper. That¡¯s very thoughtful of you.¡±

    She suddenly straightened her tace and dered, Butic effort and money to get this item. Give me a

    price, and

    tuke receiving gifts without returning the tavot. You must have spent a tot It from you¡±

    Tsk. You¡¯ll only make me angry with all the talk about money. It¡¯s hurtful¡± Pouting, he rubbed his chest.

    I really like LAN artwork. I had nned to visit Kontina to buy a piece, but I didn¡¯t have the time to do

    so. You gave me the perfect gift Let¡¯s agree on this¨CI¡¯ll buy the gift from you to make your trip worth it.

    Plus, I won¡¯t feel guilty for epting this sculpture. Isn¡¯t that a

    win situation?

    She smiled softly and added, ¡°I really hate owing favors.¡±

    ¡°No! I will never take your money!

    ¡°How about asking me for a favor? til do it if it¡¯s within my ability.¡±

    He was delighted to hear that. Grinning wide, he leaned forward and suggested, ¡°Jasper¡¯s grandpa¡¯s

    birthday falls next week. Will pos attend the event as my plus one?¡±

 Chapter 159

    Alyssa said. ¡°Let¡¯s do another one.¡±

    ¡°But you promised to do me avor!¡± Landon frowned like a little brat.

    ¡°Ireally can¡¯t agree to that.¡± Alyssa put on a serious face. I promised Grandpa to show up as his

    daughter¨Cinw for the birthday. I will have nothing to do with the Beckett Family after that.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll only upset him if I show up to his birthday with a male partner. It¡¯s my wish to grant him a

    memorable 80th birthday. I don¡¯t have much time with him, anyway

    A tinge of wistfulness crept into her eyes.

    ¡°Alice, you¡¯re a lovely woman. Jasper lost out on you because he¡¯s blind¡± Landon sighed.

    Upon second thought, he wouldn¡¯t have had a chance with Alice had it not been for Jasper¡¯s mistake.

    Jasper¡¯s loss was Landon¡¯s gain¨Ca chance at love and happiness!

    ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted us to do another one.¡± She caressed the sculpture with much affection,

    ¡°How about you call me by my name? ¡®Mr. Harper sounds too formal.¡± He blinked earnestly

    ¡°Is that it? My favors don¡¯te around often, you know.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thankful enough that you invited me to dinner!¡± He gazed at her affectionately and grasped at

    every chance to charm her

    ¡°Shall I call you Landon from now on?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Great! Landon it is.¡± He was shaking in happiness, thinking their rtionship had reached a new level.

    In his eyes, Alyssa addressing him by his first name was akin to her calling him ¡°darling.¡±

    ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready.¡± Sean approached them with an apron on his waist. He was gentle to Alyssa but

    hostile to Landon, ¡°I made his sandwich

    too. With extra blue cheese.¡±

    He imagined Landon¡¯s stinking breath with much glee.

    ¡°Alice, you might not befortable around a male nanny. We have a Madam Russell who has worked

    for us for fifteen years. Should I send her to work for you instead? She¡¯s efficient, hardworking, and a

    great cook. I grew up eating her food.¡± Landon gave Sean a side¨Ceve

    with a smug and victorious look.

    Sean almost tore his apron from rage. Landon didn¡¯t seem to know his ce!

    ¡°I grew up with Sean. He¡¯ll be under me.¡± Eyes darkening, Alyssa warned him in a low voice. ¡°You like

    meddling in others business, don¡¯t

    you?¡±

    Sean felt touched by how Alyssa sided with him while Landon choked on anger. Landon wondered if

    Seant was Alyssa¡¯s childhood

    sweetheart

    Moreover, he was puzzled by Jonah¡¯sckadaisical attitude toward Sean¨Cwhy would Jonah allow Sean

    to hang around Alyssa instead of getting rid of him? He wondered at the possibility of that being

    Jonah¡¯s way of disying his magnanimity.

    ¡°Wait for me in the dining hall. I¡¯ll put the sculpture away and join you there.¡±

    She ced the artwork into the box and skipped happily up the stairs with it Landon was attracted by

    her jolly, dance¨Clike steps and furtively took a photo of her back.

    Any random photo of Alyssa was a work of art.

    At that moment, Landon received a pop¨Cup notification of Jasper¡¯s text. ¡°In a bad mood. Join me for a

    few drinks¡±

    Landon was eager to show off and immediately replied with the photo he had just taken. Within

    seconds, Jasper called him

    ¡°Hello? Landon turned around and picked up the call in a hushed voice. Jasper¡¯s voice sounded raspy

    and tenying ¡°Are you at this hour?¡±

    Not only that, I¡¯m at her ce, Landon Haunted.

    ¡°Where¡¯s that?¡± Jasper growled.

    ¡°Gosh, did you not know where your ex¨Cwife lives? Well, I can¡¯t tell you. She probably refused to tell

    you because she didn¡¯t want you harassing her.¡±

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    ¡°Landon, I¡¯ll repeat myself one more time. Where is Alice¡¯s ce?¡± Jasper threatened Landon with a

    low hiss

    Landon covered his mouth and chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m not telling you!

 Chapter 160

    Twenty minutester, Jasper showed up in front of Alyssa¡¯s vi. He rolled down the windows and

    stared at the warm lights from the windows, brustrated at the thought of Landon and Alice alone.

    Frowning, he clutched his phone in his sweaty palm. The screen showed the photo of Alice in a S**y,

    silky nightdress that showed off her lovely curves.

    She had only worn loose cotton pajamas in the past, which made her look pregnant. After the divorce,

    she had let loose of herself and turned into a siren who captivated men everywhere!

    His firm chest rose and fell. Looking at the photo, he tugged on the perfect knot on his tie. He felt a

    rush of temptation.

    On the other hand, Landon stared at Alyssa with a long face while she chomped on the blue cheese

    chicken sandwich. He grew up in a very sheltered environment, where his mom doted on him and

    catered to his fussy tastebuds. He would never eat something like blue cheese.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you eating? It won¡¯t be nice when it gets cold,¡± she wondered.

    ¡°I¨CI¡¯m too excited to eat.¡± He squeezed a smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a sandwich. Do you like blue cheese? I have a lot. Bring some home.¡±

    ¡°No thanks!¡±

    This was a small sacrifice in the pursuit of his crush. He picked up a sandwich and bit into it but

    immediately started coughing voon smelling the stench. C

    He red at Sean. That guy appeared innocent, but the evil grin on his face exposed his glee.

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know you can¡¯t take blue cheese. You should have told me earlier. It does stink a bit,

    doesn¡¯t it?¡± Alyssa attentively poured a

    ss of water for Landon.

    The doorbell rang at that time.

    ¡°Tonight¡¯s unusually busy. I¡¯ll take a look.¡± Sean went to the inte and pressed the button. He was

    started and stumbled backward

    when Jasper¡¯s face appeared on the screen.

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    ¡°I¡¯m here for Alice White.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s that Sean? Alyssa joined Sean with Landon, who looked flushed and agitated from the blue

    cheese incident. They were bom

    shocked when they saw Jasper¡¯s face on the screen.

    ¡°How did he Did you tell him? Alyssa connected the dots fast and shot Landon a death stare

    ¡°Uh, Alice, I didn¡¯t have a choice. That prick Jasper threatened mel¡± Eyes brimming with tears, Landon

    pressed a hand on his chest in an. attempt to get over the stink of the blue cheese. ¡°He said he¡¯d

    unfriend me if I refused to share your address. And ¨C

    ¡°What else?¡± She frowned.

    ¡°He also threatened to not finalize the divorce. Jonah and I can¡¯t date you if you aren¡¯t divorced.¡±

    Alyssa seethed at Jasper¡¯s shamelessness, Curting her fists, she pushed Sean behind her and hissed

    into the inte, ¡°Why did you

    show up at my ce? Leave now, or I¡¯ll call security.¡±

    ¡°Alice,e out.¡± Jasper frowned and sounded a little imitated. She snorted. ¡°Who do you think you

    are telling me to leave my house¡±

    ¡°Landon, youe out, ¡°Jasper barked at Landon with fiery eyes.

    ¡°No.¡± Knowing that Jasper was skilled inbat, Landon was terrified at the idea of going out

    ¡°Landon Harper!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper is my quest. He came all the way to deliver a gift. There¡¯s no reason for me to kick out my

    quest who gave me a

 Chapter 161

    The screen went dark but Jasper¡¯s anary exes were etched on Alyssa¡¯s mind. How could that bastard

    dare to threaten Landon with the

    vorce that was tasteless

    sesaris thinking of keeping me under his thumb forever using the divorce?¡± she thought furiously.

    ¡°Alice, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Shiming, Landon felt a little uneasy. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault for being a big mouth. I shouldn¡¯t

    have told him ¡­¡±

    it¡¯s not your faut She took a deep breath and cracked her knuckles, ¡°That shameless prick Jasper

    Beckett is to me! He just won¡¯t let melve in peace

    Landon had always acted macho and arrogant in front ofdies. The women around him were mostly

    submissive and quiet. Therefore, he was fustered by Alyssa¡¯s outburst, which was his first experience

    of being subjugated by a woman.

    Thundered, followed by bolts of lightning. Rain wasing.

    ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner. Ignore him.¡± She left in anger. Standing by the entrance, Landon threw a nce at

    the door when he was struck by a moment of realization, Did he just backstab his friend just now?

    Soon, it was raining cats and dogs out there. Alyssa had tea and chatted with Landon by the zed

    double door.

    I

    ¡°I have to admit that I was biased against you at first. Before I got to know you, I didn¡¯t know you were

    such an interesting character. You¡¯re also kinder than I expected,¡± she confessed with sincerity after

    taking a sip of tea.

    *Did you just describe me as kind? Did I hear it wrong?¡± Landon almost became incoherent from the

    excitement. ¡°Seriously, I¡¯m beyond

    touched. I remember that praise forever. It will be engraved on my headstone!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. It¡¯s getting cheesy.¡± She smirked.

    ¡°Alice, what if ¡ª I¡¯m saying, what if you met me before you married Jasper? Would you fall for me?

    Would you give me a chance to pursue

    you?¡±

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    He grabbed the chance to express his feelings to her as he inched closer. He knew he was something

    like a yboy, but he felt the urge

    to clean up his act for her.

    ¡°No.¡± She was decisive.

    It felt as though someone had poured cold water on him. ¡°But why?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t learn to love without Jasper. I will not fall for another man after leaving him.¡± She stared at

    the raindrops on the ss doors with a vacant expression. She had spent thirteen years on Jasper,

    from their first encounter to divorce.

    She gave her all to Jasper¨Cher youthful passion, her brightest smiles, and her unwavering loyalty.

    There was nothing left in her for the

    next rtionship.

    She was a shell of her former self.

    Landon stared bitterly at her wistful expression. She was only twenty¨Cfour, but she looked like an old

    soul from the despair in her eyes. Hemented at how Jasper had wronged her.

    ¡°Miss!¡± Sean shuffled up to them.

    ¡°Hm?¡± Alyssa looked a little lost after snapping out of her daze.

    ¡°C¨CCheck that out.¡± He brought Alyssa to the corridor on the other end and stood in front of the

    windows. ¡°Look! Do you think Jasper

    Beckett¡¯s gone insane?¡±

    She looked out and was shocked by the sight of Jasper standing firmly by his sportscar. His tie pped

    in the wind, and his hair was messy. Drenched from head to toe, he remained standing with a fire in his

    eyes. Not even the storm could make him budge.

    ¡°Has he gone crazy? Why is he standing in the rain? Is this his trick to gain some pity, thinking that will

    get your attention? That¡¯s shameless!¡± Sean had the urge to rush into the rain and beat Jasper up.

    ¡°You¡¯re spot on. He¡¯s getting worse by the day.¡± Feeling tight in her chest, she snickered. ¡°Let him stand

    in the rain if that¡¯s what he wants.

 Chapter 162

    The winds howled in the downpour as a sh of purple lightning struck. Alyssa recalled that Jasper was

    standing under a free just now

    The thought terrified her, especially because Jasper was on his phone. Was he asking to be struck by

    lightning?

    *Jasper Beckett, I will never meet you out there. Stop calling me and go home now!¡± Her eyes had

    turned red.

    ¡°I will not leave if you aren¡¯ting out.¡± His tone was steely.

    ¡°Madman. You¡¯re an asshole!¡± Her face was flushed in anger. She cussed while making her way to the

    stairs to get out of the vi. Sean called out to her repeatedly but failed to stop her.

    Jasper grasped the phone tightly in his hand with a deep frown. Standing firmly, he stared at the door

    of the vi.

    He breathed heavily, his eyes lit up with hope when the door was finally opened.

    Alyssa made her way to him with a jacket on her shoulders and a huge ck umbre in her hand. The

    wind messed up her hair. She looked frail in the rain, as though she¡¯d be blown away at any second.

    Despite that, she had a fearless and proud expression on her face. Her bright eyes seemed familiar, to

    his astonishment.

    She had gone up to him with a grim face in his stupor. As the daughter of the Taylor Family with four

    aplished brothers and a billionaire dad, she had billions in assets. With all the power and wealth,

    she always had the say. But now, she was letting a man manipte her emotions.

    ¡°Are you dumb or sick in the mind? Aren¡¯t you afraid you¡¯d be struck by lightning?¡± The more she

    thought about it, the more incensed she

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    felt.

    He scrunched up his eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Are you worrying about me?¡±

    ¡°Worrying? Hah. She inhaled deeply and smirked. ¡°Stop ttering yourself. I¡¯m out here asking you to

    move. If you want to be struck by lightning, at least don¡¯t do it at my front door!¡±

    Her words were venomous and deeply hurtful. Even so, she appeared more alive and interesting than

    the puppet¨Clike woman she had been. And curiosity was the start of a rtionship.

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk in the car,¡± he suggested when he saw her wet clothes.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she refused sternly. ¡°Please make it short. Let¡¯s talk right now!¡±

    Get into the car!¡± He was more stubborn than her and approached her with a frown. At the same time,

    a bolt of purplish blue lightning truck from the sky.

    ollowing a loud boom, a thick tree branch snapped and copsed without warning. However, Alyssa

    failed to hear the sound because of he roaring rain and the fact that she was furning at him.

    Look out!¡±

    he paused and felt a hot breath on her face. Jasper was quick to hug and protect her as the thick

    branch struck him right on his back.

 Chapter 163

    ¡°Ackk¨CDespite Jasper¡¯s best efforts to hold the pain, he let out a deep groan, 58, he held on timpilly to

    Alys

    Her eyes wavered in shock as her heart beat against her chest. ¡°Jasper, are you alright?

    I¡¯m fine. Get into the car.¡± He endured the pain and grabbed her wrist stubbornly.

    The rain poured down as she was dragged into the car, speechless at Jasper, the car¡¯s interior was

    dark, dated, and tied with the we of their breaths.

    He threw his wet jacket onto the front passenger seat. His eyes were hall¨Chidden behind his damn

    bang. He still looked hot se

    was a mess.

    Still frightened, Alyssa recalled Jasper¡¯s hug at that terrifying moment just now. She had mixed feetings

    about it

    In their three years of marriage, he had never hugged her. She finally experiencedfort and safety

    in his arms.

    ¡°Is that what Liana has been enjoying daily?¡± she wondered.

    She smirked at the thought. It didn¡¯t matter because he was not hers anymore.

    ¡°Did Jonah Taylor buy you the vi? He gave her a side¨Ceye.

    ¡°Why would you ask me when you knew the answer?¡± She crossed her arms and stared out of the

    window with avision. ¡°¡®Aconitty like me can¡¯t afford that huge vi. I received it thanks to Jonah¡¯s

    generosity, of course.¡±

    ¡°If you didn¡¯t have a ce to stay, why wouldn¡¯t you ept the vi I gave you? Jasper was too busy

    being angry at her to care about nis

    back pain.

    ¡°Why would I do that?¡± She put on a mocking smile. ¡°I epted his gift because of my rtionship with

    him, but there¡¯s no reason for me

    to ept a vi from you. That would feel like closing a deal.¡±

    She added, ¡°You¡¯re a master at humiliating others. Too bad I¡¯m not short¨Csighted and weak¨Cwilled, I

    never spent a single cent of yours

    during the marriage, and I would never do that after our divorce.¡±

    ¡°Alice, the gift wasn¡¯t meant to be a humiliation. You¡¯re overthinking it.¡± He breathed hard with conflicted

    emotions in his eyes

    He had given her money out of consideration of her humble background and herck of savings post¨C

    divorce¨Cit would be tough for her to survive in Sna City. That was the best he could do for her.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I am not in the mood to recount the past with you if that¡¯s what you¡¯re meeting me for.

    or She lost her patience and

    opened the car door.

    Feeling nervous, he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. She gasped and bumped against his

    solid chest

    ¡°That was painful! Is his chest made of steel? Alyssa thought. Thankfully, her nose wasn¡¯t stic.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± She heard his deep, raspy voice from the top of her head. She stared at him in shock with a

    red nosa. Her heart skipped a beat

    ¡°What What did you say?

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    He gulped with a look of shame. This was the first time he had apologized to someone else.

    Feeling awkward, he unnecessarily borated on the apology. ¡°I apologize to you on behalf of Lia for

    the incidentst time. She shouldn¡¯t

    have insulted you in public.¡±

    Her heart sank upon hearing that. Sneering, she said to him, ¡°Did you stand in the rain and wait for me

    just to apologize on behalf of your

    fianc¨¦e? You wasted your trip. I refuse your apology!¡±

 Chapter 164

    ¡°Why?¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes wavered in shock as he frowned. He had taken a while to build up the courage

    for the apology. For that, he lost sleep

    for a week.

    At first, he had nned to apologize to Alice at Newton¡¯s birthday event. However, when he heard that

    Landon had shown up at Alice¡¯s ce, he could walt no more and Immediately mished over to meet

    her.

    He was confused by his rash action as he had never behaved in this way in the past. He knew there

    was a switch button for his emotions, but it slowly dawned upon him that Alice was in control of it.

    ¡°na should be apologizing to me. Why would you do that on her behalf? Are you showing off your

    love for her?¡± Her icy gaze pierced through him. ¡°If shemitted a murder, would you take the

    punishment for her as well?¡±

    ¡°Alice, I¡¯m here to offer a sincere apology!¡® He raised his voice,

    ¡°I feel you¡¯re here to anger me.¡± She chuckled. Her eyes were dripping with iciness. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t

    throw around your apology. It¡¯s an affront.¡±

    ¡°Are you picking on me?¡± His lone grew hostile.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s picking on me. I didn¡¯t Invite you to my ce. You showed up only to be

    snubbed.¡± She attempted to free her wrist. which hurt to the core. ¡°Let go of me! I¡¯m going back!¡±

    ¡°So what if I apologize on her behall? At the end of the day, I¡¯ve offered you an apology. What else

    should I do to make you happy?¡± Losing control of his temper, he grabbed her by the shoulders and

    shook her.

    ¡°It was never my intention to force you into giving In. I wanted only for you to love me, but I understood

    and epted the fact that you would never do so. Why would you annoy me after I¡¯ve received

    closure? Am I that insignificant to you?¡±

    She smiled bitterly. Her eyes were red in anger. Shocked, he felt that she had stared through his soul.

    ¡°I want you to stay out of my life and never show up again. Bye. See yourself out.¡±

    She flung his hands off her shoulders, but he grabbed her hand. ¡°How could you possibly keep me out

    of your life? You¡¯ll always be a divorcee after we end our marriage. You can never wipe away our

    history.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s for me to decide. You might think of it as a divorce, but I feel like I¡¯m widowed.¡± She looked at

    him with disdain as though he was a

    speck of dust.

    Suddenly, his gaze flickered, as if he had been struck. His mind buzzed as a sharp pain coursed

    through it.

    He gasped as his hand trembled in pain. ¡°Alice, I will never let go of you! You¡¯re taking myst name!

    Don¡¯t ever dream of starting anew as long as I refuse to divorce you.¡± J

    Tears rolled down her cheeks. She could take it no more and pped him across the face. This was

    her second time hitting him, but it felt different. There was a hole in her heart, as if he had physically

    stabbed her with his words.

    ¡°Had I known you were such a jerk, I wouldn¡¯t have married you!¡±

    She fled his car and mmed the car door behind her. She hastily ran into the vi in the rain without

    even taking her umbre.

    Jasper looked on with vacant eyes. His head froze in the lilted position after she pped him on the

    cheek.

    Momentster, he curled into a ball and wrapped his arms around his head. Trembling, he suffered

    through the throbbing headache,

    looking pitiful and miserable.

    Back in the vi, Alyssa stayed out of Sean¡¯s way and ran into her bedroom. She couldn¡¯t hold back her

    emotions when she reached the

    top of the stairs.

    With one hand on the wall, she gripped her sleeves with the other. Gasping like a drowning person, she

    had to muster all her energy to stop the tears from falling.

    Alice/ Landon approached her from behind with a concerned voice. She gritted her teeth and held her

    tears back.

    ¡°I¡¯m tired. I won¡¯t see you off as I need my rest. Thanks for the gift.¡±

    ¡°Alice, what¡¯s wrong?¡± He questioned with trepidation.

    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong. Good night.¡±

    ¡°Alice!¡± He went up to her in huge strides and held her shoulders, forcing her to turn and face him.

    She felt a little dizzy after he forcefully spun her around. Her misty eyes looked zed and woeful,

    adding to her allure.

    ¡°Are you crying?¡± He stared at her fearfully.

    ¡°No,¡± she answered tly, only to be betrayed by her reddened eyes.

    ¡°Did Jasper make you angry? He¡¯s just a dumb and insensible dude! Don¡¯t take his words to heart.

    He¡¯s not worth it.¡±

 Chapter 165

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s not worth it.¡± Alyssa mumbled in a daze.

    Landon inhaled sharply. He had a heartache seeing the shattered look in her eyes.

    ¡°Alice, why don¡¯t we try it out?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s brows knitted tightly.

    ¡°Take your time to ept me. I¡¯m no gentleman, but I¡¯m willing to try for your sake!¡±

    At the very least, he believed he would be better to her than Jasper.

    ¡°Landon, I¡¯m exhausted. Please don¡¯t put me in a difficult ce.¡± She nced at him dejectedly.

    ¡°Alice. His breath grew shallow. He felt sorry for her.

    ¡°It¡¯ste. I really want to go to bed. You should go home soon.¡± She shoved him aside and dragged

    herself into the bedroom.

    ¡°Are you

    and Jonah a thing? What¡¯s your rtionship with him? Are you dating him seriously or using him to get

    back at Jaspery

    She was taken aback by Landon¡¯s pointed questions and curled her fists. ¡°That¡¯s none of your

    business.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see any trace of him in your vi. If he¡¯s really your boyfriend, why isn¡¯t there a pair of men¡¯s

    slippers at the door? Why did he not leave anything behind?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll repeat myself. This is none of your business. Stay out of it.¡±

    ¡°Alice, please don¡¯t hurt yourself with silly decisions!¡± He pleaded bitterly and fervently.

    She pursed her lips and left without turning back.

    It took Jasper two hours to drive home to Seaview Manor from Alyssa¡¯s house, a journey that normally

    took an hour.

    He almost lost focus of the road due to his excruciating headache and the low visibility in the rain. He

    was close to getting into a car ident twice.

    Back at the manor, he busted open his study door and swept the sses and files on his table in a

    frantic search for pills. When he finally found the bottle, he swallowed a pill without water.

    Despite taking double the usual dosage, his headache did not go away.

    ¡°Had I known you were such a jerk, I wouldn¡¯t have married you!¡±

    As Alice¡¯s resentful words echoed in his mind, he groaned and curled into a ball. He was sweating all

    over from the massive headache.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Mrs. Rosie, who heard themotion, rushed into the study. Tears came to her eyes when she found

    Jasper in pain. ¡°Mr. Jasper, what happened? Are you having a headache again?¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t think straight and stammered, ¡°Alice A¨CAlice White-

    *Mr. Jasper, hang on! I¡¯ll get you the family doctor!¡± The pale Mrs. Rosle dashed out of the study when

    the phone buzzed incessantly. It was an iing call from an unknown number.

    ¡°Who is this?¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, it¡¯s me.¡± Mrs. Rosie heard a soft female voice.

    ¡°M¨CMadam Alice, is that you?¡± She covered her mouth in disbelief.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me, Alice.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Mrs. Rosie wiped away her tears between sobs. ¡°P¨CPlease help Mr. Jasper. His His

    headache is back! He¡¯s in so much pain that he¡¯s speaking nonsense now! He did not rpse when

    you were with him. His headache worsened once he left you. What do we

    do?¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Kose, do not panic. Listen to me.¡±

    Alyssa breathed deeply and exined clearly. ¡°Go to my room and find a silver box in my bedside

    drawer. I have a set of silver needles that I treated his headache with. You¡¯ll find a notebook

    underneath the box with the treatment details and the acupoints. You¡¯ve learned a little acupuncture

    before, so I presume it isn¡¯t difficult for you?¡±

    ¡°Yes Yes! I know acupuncture. I¡¯ll get the needles right now!¡±

    ¡°By the way. Mr. Jasper has been hurt tonight from a branch hitting him on his back. He didn¡¯t say a

    word about it, but I¡¯m sure it is a serious injury. I have some creams and medical ointments in the

    drawer. Please apply them to his wound. If it doesn¡¯t heal in a few days. bring him to the doctor

    immediately.¡±

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯ve noted it down, Madam Alice.¡± Feeling upset, Mrs. Rosie wiped away more tears. Why did

    Mr. Jasper let go of a lovely woman

    Like Alice?

    ¡°Onest thing.¡± After a pause, Alyssa said with a sigh, ¡°Do not tell Mr. Jasper that I called you tonight.

    Please.¡±

 Chapter 166

    <strong>Chapter 166</strong>

    Jasper finally woke up the next day in the afternoon. He repeatedly dreamed of the same scene.

    Years ago, he was dispatched on a tough mission on the Luminara battlefield. Fifty of them had to sneak into the enemy''s territory to kill the terrorists and save the ten hostages.

    The youthful but vile abductors each held an assault rifle. They had been killing since they were five years old. The ce was a hell on earth with endless bloodshed.

    Jasper had not been assigned to the mission at first. He requested to be sent on the mission, which was how he came to be part of the suicide squad.

    "Young man, are you married?"

    "No."

    "Why would you join the mission if you''re single without kids? We are all married with children. If something happened to us, at least we left behind a legacy."

    He merely smiled at them with a fearless attitude toward death. "I''m fearless exactly because I have nothing worth losing."

    At that time, the two most important women in his life had left him, one after another. As he was already dead inside, he was undaunted by the idea of physical death. In fact, he feared the debilitating loneliness more than death.

    He and the forty-nine teammates fought hard for their mission. Only ten survived in the end. He suffered from gunshot and stab wounds on his legs, shoulders, and waist.

    Just as he thought he was about to perish in Luminara, a woman in a white coat showed up and gave her best to save his life.

    In his memory, she had short hair and wore a thick face mask. Her coat was stained and dirty. She looked like a fallen angel, except for her sparkling eyes, which rivaled the radiance of the sun and moon.

    The woman was his savior, Dove, whom he had been searching for years. To his surprise, Dove showed up in his dreams after he met with Alicest night. They were two different people, but he saw Dove in Alice, which was unbelievable.

    He rubbed his temples tiredly and was surprised that his headache had disappeared.

    At that moment, Mrs. Rosie walked in with a box of pills. She was overjoyed to find Jasper awake and looking better. "Mr. Jasper, you''re up! How do you feel today?"

    "I''m feeling alright ..." He sat up in the bed and was shocked to find himself in pajamas. "How did I get into the pajamas?"

    "You came home drenched from head to toest night. I helped you put on some fresh clothes!" She continued nagging at him while cleaning his room, "You''re almost in your thirties. Why can''t you take better care of yourself? That''s why you need a wife ..."

    Frowning, he grabbed his hair in irritation. He recalled suffering from a massive headache and searching for his pills in the study. He couldn''t remember anything that happened after that.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    "Mrs. Rosie, did you help me change?"

    "Who else? Yes, it was me, the olddy."

    He put a hand on his forehead with shame. "I''m nearing thirty. I''m no longer a thirteen-year-old. Can you stop taking off my clothes for me, please?"

    "Wow, are youining because you think I took advantage of you? I''m at your mom''s age!" She started roasting him, "Did you think I enjoy helping you change? It was exhausting because you were freaking heavy. I''ve seen every nook and cranny of your body as I raised you. There''s nothing to see!"

    He was rendered speechless.

    "It''s your fault for driving out your wife. You have no one to me but yourself now that there''s no one to love you! One day, when I''m gone, you''ll revert to a caveman''s lifestyle, I tell you. Nobody''s going to tell you off for roaming around naked. I bet you''ll feel happy then!"

    His temper receded in the face of Mrs. Rosie''s endless nagging.

    "Move fast. Take off your shirt!"

    "What are you doing again?" He flinched and inched backward.

    "Applying cream to the wound on your back. You have to apply it consistently for it to work. Quick, take off your shirt now!" Holding Alice''s cream in one hand, Mrs. Rosie urged Jasper with a stern voice.

    He set his sharp gaze on Mrs. Rosie. "How do you know my back''s injured?"

    "That''s because ..."

 Chapter 167

    <strong>Chapter 167</strong>

    Mrs. Rosie quickly corrected herself on the thought of Alice''s request, "I saw it when I helped you changest night! I was shocked to see the huge bruise!"

    Thinking back to the heart-stopping moment fromst night, he recalled the warmth from Alice''s body as she rested in his arms. He remembered holding onto her tiny waist. A strong and unexinable desire to protect her arose in him.

    Swallowing hard, he felt the urge rising in him, but it didn''t take long before he collected himself.

    His expression hardened as he decided that Alice was not worth the sympathy because she had pped and mocked him, even after he put aside his ego to apologize.

    The family butler announced right then, "Mr. Jasper, Mr. Harper is here to see you. He''s waiting in the living room."

    Jasper pursed his lips. "Tell him to meet me in the study."Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ...

    Betty was ted at Landon''s unannounced visit. She hurriedly put on a high couture pink dress that she had recently bought. Next, she retouched her makeup and sprayed a little too much perfume on herself before skipping her way to meet her crush.

    When she left her room, she found her sister, Lauren, hugging the annoying teddy bear and hopping around in the corridor. It was as though she was ying hopscotch.

    Clicking her tongue with disgust, Betty went up to Lauren and shoved her.

    "Ouch!" Lauren stumbled forward and toppled onto the ground, looking clumsy and pitiful. Even so, she clutched onto her teddy bear, which she kept safe in her arms.

    "Hahaha! Dear sister, I told you not to fool around in the corridor. Did that hurt?"

    Betty was in a great mood. She flipped her hair and walked around Lauren. If she were in a bad mood, she would have stepped on Lauren with her heels.

    Lauren slowly got up from the ground after Betty left. She had figured Betty out after these years. As long as she yed dumb and avoided stealing Betty''s limelight, she would be safe from Betty''s scoldings and beatings.

    "Ms. Lauren!" Mrs. Rosie rushed up to help Lauren. She felt sorry for the young girl. "What happened? How did you trip and fall on a t ground?"

    "I-I''m fine." She pursed her lips. "I identally ..."

    "I saw Betty passing by. Did she push you?" Mrs. Rosie''s eyes were red with anger.

    "No! And I''m fine. I''m leaving." The mention of Betty''s name scared Lauren. She held her teddy bear and fled with pain in her body.

    Mrs. Rosie sighed at the sight of the poor girl scurrying away.

    ...

    After a stroll in the backyard, Landon ran into Betty on his way to the living room.

    "Mr. Harper!" Betty put on her widest smile and purred in a sharine tone. "Why are you here? Are you here to meet Jasper?"

    "Of course," Landon replied mindlessly.

    As a good friend of Jasper''s, he was aware of the Beckett family''s dynamics. Knowing that Sophia was a difficult bitch, he extended his dislike of the woman to Betty as well and gave her the cold shoulder.

    Only Betty was in the dark. She believed it was a matter of time before she captured Landon''s heart because of her good looks, her wealthy family background, and the fact that she made the first move.

    She quietly tugged on her cor to lower it. She then held Landon''s muscr arm. With a pout, she talked cutely to him, "Let''s go. I''ll bring you to Jasper."

    Landon''s eyes darkened with a look of aversion. "Let go of me. The perfume on you is overpowering. And don''t dirty my shirt."

 Chapter 168

    <strong>Chapter 168</strong>Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Betty''s makeup-d face froze up as she shuddered.

    "Are we close? It''s not nice to touch me all over without my permission." Landon forcefully withdrew his arm from her hold.

    "I-I''m sorry. I saw you as my brother because you''re Jasper''s friend. Nothing more than that ..." She worried that he mighte to detest her, so she had to exin herself.

    "You''re his sister, not mine. Mind your manners next time," he dropped a frosty remark and left. He wouldn''t want a random stranger to dirty that precious shirt Alice had bought for him.

    Betty clenched her fists hard. Suddenly, Landon stopped dead in his tracks, put a hand in his pocket, and squinted at her. She quickly wore a smile as her heart thumped loudly.

    "Landon might be tough on the outside, but he is soft on the inside. He must care about me!" she thought excitedly.

    "I can''t wrap my head around the recent fashion trends."

    "What?" She was taken aback.

    "I didn''t know that people were putting lipstick on their teeth now. I learned something new today." He snickered and walked away coolly.

    It dawned on her that she might have lipstick on her teeth. She rushed to the restroom and bared her teeth in the mirror. She was right.

    "Argh!" She screamed in shame and frustration as she felt the urge to shatter the mirror.

    ...

    Landon entered the study and slumped onto the couch with his legs wide open in a careless manner.

    "Your sister, Betty, is wild. She was eyeing me and touching me everywhere when I showed up. Rather shameless and cheap, don''t you think? Alice would never do that."

    Jasper was reading the files that Xavier delivered. He cast an indifferent look at his friend. "Why are you here?"

    "To visit you. I was wondering if you had caught the flu." Landon narrowed his eyes and ced a cigarette between his lips.

    "Look at that smug look on your face." Jasper''s face clouded as he tightened his grip on the pen.

    "I guess I''m doing okay. Better than those who can''t even step foot into Alice''s ce." Landon leisurely puffed a ring of smoke.

    Choking on Landon''s words, Jasper looked crossed. Landon was right, though. As Alice''s husband of three years, Jasper was pped in the face while standing in the rainst night. Indeed, his fate differed from Landon''s.

    The more he thought about it, the more incensed he felt.

    Landon stubbed his cigarette in the ashtray and sighed before he rose from the couch. He went up to Jasper and ced his hands on the table. Squinting, he stared into Jasper''s eyes. Jasper met his heavy gaze.

    "Jasper, I have to win her over. I want her to be my woman."

    Landon''s eyes were as bright as the shimmer of a de. His gaze was piercing, as though he wanted to dissect Jasper and find out why he was attractive to Alice.

    Jasper had treated Alice badly. She spent three years of her marriage alone. Not only that, he forced her to agree to a divorce. Jasper might be a good friend, but he was a horrible husband, and that upsetted Landon.

    Jasper felt his chest tighten as his knuckles paled. "Did you forget that she''s now with Jonah Taylor?"

    "Still better than with you."

    Rage churned inside of Jasper. His breathing becamebored.

    "Jonah and Alice are both single. What''s wrong with them dating each other?"

    Landon inched closer to Jasper with a lifted brow. "Let''s talk about you. Your grandpa''s birthday is around the corner, and you''ll soon marry Liana. Why did you stand in the rain in front of Alice''s ce at night? Did you think you were Romeo?"

    Feeling bitter, Jasper scoffed. "Quit it. I had my reason."

    "Bro, I don''t care. You shouldn''t harass Alice now that you''re engaged," Landon fired back fearlessly.

    "I will never do that again." Jasper took a deep breath with a hostile expression. "However, I''d advise you not to give her trouble if you truly love her. The Taylor family likes her and looks forward to weing her as their daughter-inw. You''ll be an obstacle in her path of marrying into the Taylor family."

    "Fuck you! Us Harpers are as good as the Taylors!" Shaking with fury, Landon blurted out, "I am sure she''ll never marry Jonah Taylor!"

    "What did you say?" Jasper picked up the undertone in Landon''s im and leaned forward urgently. "What makes you say so?"

    "I have my reason. Their rtionship is not as it seems. I don''t think she loves Jonah. I bet she was only with Jonah to spite you. I''d do the same if I were her. I''d show off my suitors after the divorce. That will teach you little son-of-a-bitch a lesson!"

 Chapter 169

    Landon blushed when he added. ¡°And she has more than one sultonl

    Last night he could think of nothing else but Alice¡¯s remark on his way home.

    She had confessed to him I wouldn¡¯t team to love without Jasper. I will not fall for another man alter

    leaving him.¡±

    Why not Why couldn¡¯t she?

    Of course he wou never let Jasper know. Why would he give Jasper something to gloat over?

    At the same bone, Jasper was struck by a bted realization. Pain twisted his heart.

    ¡°Is this what it is, Alice? You alving up on your happiness just to get even with me?¡® he wondered.

    Business was good at the KS World Hotel with a 40% increase in upancy rate and a full house at

    the restaurant every day.

    The hotel employees worked hard in high spirits, encouraged by Betty Beckett¡¯s apology. They felt that

    their efforts were seen and knew Alyssa would speak up for them it they were bullied. The results were

    good because the morale was high.

    Alyssa happily checked the monthly financial report in her office. She¡¯d be one step closer to bing

    president by doing a good job with

    the hotel.

    Abssa was an ambitious woman who had been cooped up in her boring housewife life for too long.

    Now that she was back in her career,

    she was ready to take off.

    ¡°Ms. Abyssa, Mr. Jonah is here. Smiling, Sean invited Jonah into the office.

    ¡°Jonah She flew toward Jonah like a butterfly and hugged him.

    ¡°How are you? Is it tiring?¡± He gently rested his hand on her waist.

    ¡°No! How could I possibly handle the role of president it I were toin about my workload now?¡±

    After that she covered her mouth and blinked at him. ¡°Um, I¡¯m not trying to kick you out. If you want to

    be the president, I¡¯m happy to be your vice president! I pledge my loyalty to you!¡±

    ¡°The only thing I worried about is that you¡¯ll give up on it.¡± He yfully pinched her nose. ¡°I¡¯m scared

    you¡¯d head off to travel the world again. If that happens, I¡¯ll have to postpone my retirement.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± She pursed her lips in guilt. ¡°I admit I was selfish. I ignored your feelings while living the high

    life.¡±

    She promised. ¡°But I¡¯ll never do that again. As a daughter of the Taylor family, I need to take

    responsibility for running the family business.

    I can¡¯t do as I wish.¡±

    She had a taste of the consequences of her willulness, and she wouldn¡¯t want to be put through the

    pain anymore.

    Soon, her phone rang. ¡°Give me a second. I¡¯ll take this call¡±

    She let go of his hand and picked up the phone from the table. Surprised to see Mrs. Rosie¡¯s name on

    the screen, she hesitated before

    picking up. ¡°Mrs. Rosie, how are you?¡±

    ¡°Madam Alice,¡± Mrs. Rosie longingly called out to her.

    ¡°Please, just Alice. I¡¯m divorced now,¡± Alyssa gently corrected her.

    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a habit I can¡¯t change. Sorry, Ms. White.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. What¡¯s wrong, Mrs. Rosie?¡±

    ¡°I used the silver needles on Mr. Jasper. The headache went away like a miracle, I applied the cream

    on him, and the bruise cleared up a

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    little as well.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Reluctant to discuss Jasper, Alyssa excused herself, ¡°Mrs. Rosie, I

    am in the middle of something. I¡¯ll call

    ¡°Madam Alice? Ats. Rosie called her name in panic. A. Are you never getting back with Mr. Jasper?¡±

    ¡°Uh¨Chuh

    ¡°It¡¯s been a mess at home ever since you left. No one else is looking after Mr. Jasper except me. He

    doesn¡¯t listen when I remind him to take care of his health.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like he has been listening to me,¡± Alyssa said. ¡®Guess I¡¯ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on

    him.¡±

    ¡°Not only that, no one¡¯s taking care of Ms. Lauren¡­

    Alyssa was concerned about the adorable Lauren, who was autistic.

    ¡°Mr. Javier is busy with work. Sophia doesn¡¯t care about Ms. Lauren, and Betty goes around bullying

    the poor girl, leaving Ms. Lauren covered in injuries! Mrs. Rosie almost cried out loud.

    She continued. ¡°Even Mr. Jasper is out working all day. That leaves no one siding with Ms. Lauren at

    home. I feel bad for that kid, but as a maid, I have no say in herte.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were aze as she clenched her fists upon hearing the updates.

 Chapter 170

    <strong>Chapter 170</strong>

    How unbelievably cruel of you to bully your younger sibling, Betty Beckett!

    "Mrs. Rosie, look, I understand, truly. But please remember that I am not Jasper''s wife anymore. I''m an outsider who has no say in family matters." Alyssa was helpless despite her feeling indignant.

    "I know. But who else can I count on except for you? I can''t talk to anyone about this." Mrs. Rosie wept.

    "Hey, d-don''t cry." Alyssa felt sorry for the olddy and gentlyforted her, "I have taken note of Lauren''s situation. Please take care of her for now. I''ll help her out if I get the chance to do so."Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Thank you! Thank you, Madam Alice!" Mrs. Rosie expressed immense gratitude and reluctantly ended the call.

    Alyssa sighed after the phone screen went dark.

    "Is she the olddy at the Becketts that you''ve mentioned before?" asked Jonah after taking a sip of tea.

    "Yeah. She''s an honest and kind soul who raised Jasper. She was good to me when I lived at the Becketts''."

    She would not hesitate to reciprocate and hit back at those who wronged her. Simrly, she would forever remember the kindness of others.

    "It must have been a serious matter if she felt the pressing need to call you."

    "It was Lauren, the youngest of the Becketts."

    Her heart pained upon recalling Lauren''s innocent and nk face.

    "That child''s autistic. And she''s pretty reserved and introverted. She doesn''t get much attention from her parents and lives her life walking on eggshells."

    Alyssa continued, "I was able to help her out when I was with the Becketts. Betty did not go hard on her when I was involved because she''d have to y nice with her sister-inw. But things went downhill after I left."

    "Well, I pity the girl, but this is their family matter." Sighing softly, he looked concerned for his sister. "You should keep out of the Beckett family drama now that you''re divorced."

    "I know. I won''t cross the line. By the way, I thought you were busy at work. Did you visit me because you missed me?" Walking around him, she hugged his neck from behind.

    "Of course I miss you. But the reason I''m here is because of this. I think we need to discuss." With a smile, he handed her an invitation card.

    "Is this ..." Alyssa gaped.

    "Mr. Javier had his secretary deliver Newton Beckett''s birthday invitation to me." Jonah sounded intrigued by the move.

    "Hah, great. In the end, you were dragged into the mess." She immediately saw through the strategy behind it. "We''ve never gotten along well with the Becketts.

    "As business rivals in the open, we''ve never interacted much for years. So, it begs the question of why Javier Beckett invited you to Newton Beckett''s birthday."

    "It''s clear that Javier did not n to invite you. I bet his spouse convinced him to send you the invitation."

    Jonah stroked his chin. "Lyse, they seem hostile. The birthday event might be moreplicated than it appears."

    "I''ll take whateveres my way. Why would I fear a washed-up B-list actress when Jasper does not even faze me?"

    She took a seat beside Jonah haughtily. "I''m not dumb. I''m calctive only when I need to be. If she wants to y a game with me, I''ll y along. Jonah, I''m going to tear up the invitation card. Just pretend that you never saw it. You don''t have to entertain them."

    "No. I''ve decided to attend," Jonah replied firmly.

    "What?"

    "Us Taylors fear nothing. We stand tall and take on any challenges¡ªthat''s who we are." He felt sorry for her and gently caressed her on the back of her neck. "I wasn''t able to protect you because I didn''t know about the things you went through. I will not see you bullied now that you''re back with us."

    "Jonah ..." Her eyes became misty. She was touched by his words.

    Sighing, he pulled her into a hug. "We can''t tell what will happen at the birthday event. I''m afraid you''d be bullied by the Becketts if you went there alone. I don''t want you to go through that ever."

    She rubbed her eyes, feeling warm on the inside. It opened her eyes to the fact that she had always been loved. All the misery in her life came from her dogged and futile pursuit of Jasper''s love.

 Chapter 171

    <strong>Chapter 171</strong>

    Tears and heartbreak were part and parcel of amitted rtionship.

    Alyssa had shed enough tears for Jasper. It was time to put everything behind her.

    ...

    The days flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was Newton Beckett''s birthday. The Beckett family orded the old man''s birthday event with high importance. For the asion, Javier had splurged on a hundred-million-dor mansion as a gift, which became the venue for the celebration.

    The event attendees were notable figures in Sna City''s high society, ranging from business tycoons to Newton''s old friends from the Painter''s Society¡ªa couple of whom were locally famous artists.

    Liana and Betty had started their preparation a week ago for the event. They busied themselves with dress selection, facial care, and manicure sessions. They showed up at the event looking like it was their big day,peting with the otherdies to grab the spotlight.

    Unfortunately, the exterior design of the mansion ran in contrast to their mboyant dresses. They couldn''t find a good spot for photo-taking without looking out of ce.

    "Betty, what did you get for Grandpa?" Liana was curious.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "I got him an antique vase. I bet he''ll like it because he''s into antique stuff and porcin!" Betty fiddled with the pink diamond ring on her finger smugly.

    "Oh. Which era is it from?"

    "It''s a Victorian-era vase."

    "That''s pretty recent. I''m not sure if that''s good enough for a birthday gift." Liana blinked innocently at Betty with her carefully drawn eyes.

    Liana continued, "You know, Jasper spent four million dors to win the bid for a set of Georgian-era porcin drinkware at a charity auction! He''ll gift them to Grandpa. Don''t you think your gift will pale inparison?"

    Feeling looked down upon, Betty glowered at Liana. "Of course, the president of Beckett Group has to afford the best birthday gift. He''s representing thepany."

    "That''s true. My darling is awesome," Liana gushed and beamed with pride.

    "Anyway, I''m Grandpa''s favorite granddaughter. He''ll like anything I get for him." Betty scrutinized Liana icily. "Enough about me. What did you get for Grandpa?"

    "I bought him a Georgian-era antique item worth one million. You''ll seeter," Liana teased with an air of mystery.

    "One million? Where did this bitch get her money from?" Betty thought. Sophia once said that Liana''s family was on the brink of bankruptcy. Liana appeared to have experienced a status boost from her engagement to Jasper.

    Betty seethed at the idea of Liana spending the Becketts'' money before the marriage. The more she dwelled on it, the more upset she felt.

    To irk Liana, she sneered, "Oh, dear Lia, I''m worried for you. Alice is going to show up soon, isn''t she? She''s definitely invited because Grandpa likes her a lot. What are you going to do when you see her? I can''t imagine the awkwardness."

    "What''s there to feel awkward about? I''m Jasper''s fianc¨¦e! She''s the one who should feel awkward!" Liana was triggered.

    "Well, Alice hasn''t finalized the divorce with Jasper. I know you''re marrying him soon, but she''s still his legal spouse today." Betty gloated over Liana''s worried reaction. "What if Grandpa introduces her as his daughter-inw? What are you going to do?"

    Liana''s face was ashen as she seethed with indignation.

    "Don''t worry, Lia."

    Betty jumped a little when she heard Sophia''s voice. Sophia approached them, clutching a ss of red wine.

    "Aunt Sophia!" Liana quickly held Sophia''s arm and leaned on Sophia''s shoulder.

    Betty had never felt bothered by the close rtionship between her mom and Liana. Still, she felt cross at that moment at Liana''s brazenness to act like Sophia''s daughter.

    Sophia patted Liana on the shoulder with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Don''t worry. Your mom might not be here today, but I got your back. I will not have Alice White causing drama today!"

 Chapter 172

    <strong>Chapter 172</strong>

    "Aunt Sophia, I''m so lucky to have you!" Liana almost shed tears of gratitude.

    There was a suddenmotion among the guests as the socialites turned their attention to the main entrance. There, Jasper and Landon made their way together to the venue.

    The two aplished men instantly became the center of attraction. As scions of the Beckett family and the Harper family, respectively, they were the subject of photographers and the heartthrobs to alldies.

    Both men were dressed in suits. Jasper opted for an all-ck attire that gave off a stoic and imposing air. In contrast, Landon wore an all-white suit, looking clean and refined.

    "Oh my God! Mr. Beckett and Mr. Harper are here!"

    "I can die happy now that I''ve seen them in person!"

    "Look at Mr. Beckett''s long legs! And that face¡ªhe''s too perfect to be a human. He looks like a main character in a dating sim!"

    "Don''t forget Mr. Harper! I''m swooning at his devilish grin! I have a thing for him."

    Liana noticed Landon checking out Alice. She chuckled, "Look at how popr Mr. Harper is. When are you going to win his heart? I believe you have a longtime crush on him."

    "What''s the rush? Impatience solves nothing. It''s a matter of time before I make him mine," Betty grumbled with ire.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "That''s true. But look at those women eyeing and gushing at him in desperation. If you don''ty im to him soon, you''ll have a lot of trouble down the road."

    Betty ground her teeth upon hearing that. It was her ultimate dream to be Landon''s woman and secure the role of Mrs. Beckett.

    However, she wanted to dig a hole and hide away in shame and anger when she recounted the way Landon had humiliated her at home.

    Still, she would not give up on Landon as she wouldn''t want to be a joke in Liana''s eyes.

    Liana turned her attention to Jasper when the two men walked in her direction. She wanted to go up to him. That was when the guests turned their eyes to the main entrance once more.

    A breathtaking figure appeared under the dazzling sunset and walked into the venue like something out of a painting. It was Alice White, the thorn in Liana''s side.

    "Alice, you''re outrageously lovely," Landon mumbled as he gaped at her.

    Jasper was stunned by her beauty. His breath quickened as blood rushed through his veins.

    "Wow! Who''s that lovelydy in a mermaid dress? She''s got ss."

    "If I''m not wrong, she is wearing a Vittorino dress by Angelo Costa. She must have some connections to get Master Costa to make her dress!"

    "The wearer makes the dress. She has showcased the craftsmanship of the Vittorino dress to the fullest extent. She could well be a Vittorino model!"

    The guests were full of praise for the stunning beauty. For the event, Alyssa had chosen to wear a high-fashion mermaid dress in white and sky blue with intricate embroidery.

    Her choice of dress was unique and captivating whileplementing her surroundings. She had subtly scored a win against Liana and Betty.

    "Damn! How did that bitch think of wearing a Vittorino mermaid dress? It didn''t even cross my mind!" Betty clenched her jaw in anger as Sophia looked upset.

    Sophia had put on an expensive mermaid dress as well, knowing that it would entuate her figure. Despite her careful nning, she lost out to a country girl, which frustrated her to no end. She finally realized that, given her age, she''d never beat Alice.

 Chapter 173

    Liana noticed that Jasper had been fixating on Alice ever since Alice showed up. Fueled by insecurity

    and rage, she started plotting her

    moves.

    ¡°Alice!¡± Landon shed a broad smile and waved at her. She nodded softly and returned the smile

    while Betty turned green with envy at his enthusiasm.

    Just as Alyssa was about to brush shoulders with Jasper, he suddenly reached out to hold her arm.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t stay by your side, Mr. Beckett.¡± She slowly removed her arm from his grasp with a faint smile.

    Anger flooded his veins. He wanted to say something, only to be interrupted by Sophia, who

    approached them arm in arm with Liana.

    ¡°Alice, I¡¯m so d you came. I thought you were going to skip the event.¡±

    They instantly became the center of attention as the quests spected the rtionship between the

    stunning beauty and the Beckett. Group.

    ¡°Mrs. Beckett, I have no reason to be absent. Grandpa has been looking forward to celebrating his

    birthday with Jasper and me,¡± Alyssa countered with a calm smile.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    The look in Jasper¡¯s eyes deepened. Meanwhile, the guests cast funny looks at na and gossiped.

    ¡°Did you remember their explosive marriage announcement? Mr. Beckett hasn¡¯t Issued a statement

    about it, but everyone in Sna City knows that Ms. Gardner is basically his fianc¨¦e.¡±

    ¡°Why does this youngdy sound like Mrs. Beckett while Ms. Gardner sounds like some mistress?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that right? You can tell that shees from wealth from her ssy air. Who exactly is she?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a finerdy than Ms. Gardner. She¡¯d make a good pair with Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Liana¡¯s face fell upon hearing the murmurs. She felt that Alice was cornering her. What Alice did was

    effectively a deration of her special rtionship with Jasper and Newton Beckett.

    ¡°What about me? I¡¯m Jasper¡¯s fianc¨¦e!¡± Liana scowled in silence.

    ¡°Alice, we all know that you are close to Newton.¡± Sophia concealed her calctive moves with a warm

    smile. ¡°Why didn¡¯t Mr. Taylor of KS Groupe with you? Javier sent his secretary to deliver the

    invitation in person.¡±

    The guests were shocked to hear Jonah¡¯s name. As they assumed that the Beckett Group and the

    Taylor Group were archenemies, no one would expect Jonah to attend Newton Beckett¡¯s birthday

    event.

    A cloud of gloom passed Jasper¡¯s eyes when he realized that Sophia was putting Alice on the spot. He

    was about to speak up on Alice¡¯s behalf when she replied, unconcerned, ¡°You¡¯re being funny. Why

    would he attend with me?¡±

    ¡°Because he¡¯s your boyfriend.¡± With a smirk, Sophia went straight to the point, ¡°Let me introduce you to

    everyone. Ms. White here is Jasper¡¯s ex¨Cwife and the current girlfriend of Jonah Taylor, the president of

    KS Group.¡±

 Chapter 174

    A hush silence hung in the air before the crowd buzzed In excited whispers. The guests had not

    expected toe across the juicy gossip at the birthday event.

    The look in Alyssa¡¯s eyes hardened. Yet, she remainedposed. Everything was under her control.

    Landon ran to her worriedly and panted heavy and hot air all over her. Concerned, he mumbled, ¡°Alice

    ****

    She turned around, her face lighting up with a bewitching smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±

    He was once again smitten by her irresistible smile.

    ¡°Sophia, let¡¯s keep the focus on Grandpa¡¯s birthday. Enough with the gossiping, especially not about

    my private life.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes simmered with hostility and fury.

    ¡°Forgive me. Jasper, for speaking without thinking.¡± Faking a guilty expression, Sophia chuckled. ¡°I just

    wanted to introduce Alice to our guests today who might not know her.

    *She was once our daughter¨Cinw after all. Even after the divorce, we can¡¯t have people looking

    down on her because of her background.¡±

    Sophia had craftily presented herself as Alice¡¯s thoughtful mother¨Cinw. The guests murmured as

    they cast judgment*l nces at Alyssa.

    Meanwhile, Liana and Betty were delighted at the turn of events. Not only did Sophia publicly announce

    that Alice was no longer with the Beckett Family, but she also affirmed Alice¡¯s rtionship with Jonah.

    She had effectively cut off any chance for Alice to get back with Jasper.

    ¡°Thank you for your concern, Madam Sophia.¡± Alice smiled. ¡°Even if I did not marry Jasper, I would not

    be looked down upon. It made no sense to look down on me just because I came from a poor family in

    the countryside.¡±

    Jasper glowered at Alyssa in silence, wondering if she truly felt nothing about the status boost she

    received from their marriage.

    Alyssa¡¯s unassuming remark resonated with some of the guests.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong withing from a poor countryside family. My grandfather was a farmer with a

    net worth of 10 billion now!¡±

    *Madam Sophia was belittling thatdy with her remarks.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not any better. If my memory serves me right, she was a washed¨Cup C¨Clist actress. Even a

    farmer is better than her!¡±

    Sophia scowled in shame as she endured the humiliatingments. It appeared that Alice had

    defused the identity reveal with ease.

    ¡°Bravo! What¡¯s wrong with being a country girl? In fact, I like mysell a humble and down¨Cto¨Cearth

    woman!¡± Landon chuckled and whispered into Alyssa¡¯s ear, leaving her speechless at his cheeky

    remark.

    At the same time, Jasper simmered in anger at Landon and Alyssa¡¯s Intimate interactions.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Liana glided over while lifting the hem of her dress and locked arms with him. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink

    it. Aunt Sophia only made that statement in Ms. White¡¯s interest. She needed to make things clear to

    spare Ms. White any potential embarrassment. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Jasper had an unreadable look on his face as he stood stiffly in Liana¡¯s hold. At the same time, the

    guests expressed different opinions

    about the situation.

    ¡°It seems that Ms. White is in an awkward spot. She shouldn¡¯t have attended the event because she¡¯s

    divorced. She asked for it.¡±

    ¡°Did you miss that part where they said she attended on the Invitation of Mr. Beckett Senior? It shows

    that she¡¯s still important to him

    even after the divorce.¡±

    ¡°That might not be true. She looks like she¡¯s here to stir trouble. Who knows? Maybe she was being

    snide because she was upset at the divorce with the distinguished Mr. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°Alice, ignore the busybodies. They don¡¯t know you at all.¡± Landon looked fierce, as though he was

    going to shut them down at any time.

    ¡°People are going to talk. It doesn¡¯t bother me.¡± She smiled and dismissed the gossip with a big heart.

    Liana thought she hade out on top when a deep, energetic voice echoed through the air. ¡°Who is

    putting Alice in a tight spot?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 175

    Sophia sald, ¡°, you¡¯re his uranddaughter inw Go and give your grandpa a band,¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ll help. na smiled demurely and walked up to Newton, but the faller Hasher a smile at

    Jasper and Alyssa instead.

    Jasperl Alicel Come over and help me out.¡± Not only that, Newton rolled his eyes al Javier. ¡°Get out of

    my way. I¡¯m tired of you. I prefer the

    Javier smiled bitterly and let go of his dad. Lana had stopped in her tracks, Red In embarrassment, the

    debated if she should stay put or walk up.

    Forcing a smile, she silently cursed at Newton, ¡°Old fall Why are you still hanging around?¡±

    Alyssa red at Jasper, who happened to look in her direction. She quickly looked away after they

    exchanged nces, leaving him with the view of her cold side profile.

    A little fazed, he pursed his lips and removed his daze from her. They walked side to side to Newton,

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Everyone exchanged looks, feeling amused by Newton¡¯s treatment of na, Sophia was filled with

    rage, as Newton¡¯s action was a p to her face apart from a humition to na.

    Despite that, she had to keep a smile on her face. After all, the dying old man remained the most

    powerful figure in the Beckett Group. Newton was a shareholder, and his words carried weight in the

    company. She dared not act out in front of him.

    ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯re looking better. Your health bas Improved. This is great.¡± Alyssa held Newton

    affectionately with a genuine smile on her

    ¡°That¡¯s because I¡¯m happy to see you. If I¡¯m in a good mood, my health gets better!¡± Newton checked

    her out with kind eyes and nodded in Satisfaction. ¡°Lovely! I have great taste Indeed. You look

    wonderful in this Vittorino dress I bought you. Better than those that show too

    much skin, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Jasper was shocked to learn that it was Newton who bought the dress for Alice. The guests finally saw

    the situation for what it was, and they regarded na differently. It turned out that Newton had been

    favoring Alice and dismissing Liana.

    Despite the divorce between Alice and Jasper, Newlon only showed interest in Alice, not Liana.

    Liana lelt pressured under the scrutiny. Shame was eating away at her.

    ¡°Dad, since everyone¡¯s here, let¡¯s take a family photo.¡± Knowing that Newton loved photo¨Ctaking,

    Sophia dragged the stiff Liana along and politely requested Alyssa, ¡°Alice, do you mind taking the

    photo for us?¡± 1

    ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t mind.¡± Alyssa smiled graciously.

    ¡°More than a guest, she¡¯s family! You don¡¯t leave family out of family photos! Alice, here! Stand beside

    me.¡± Newton threw Sophia a scornful gaze. ¡°I will take offense at anyone who makes Alice

    ufortable today.¡±

    Sophia bit her lips and sent a look of help to Javier. Javier felt sorry to see his beloved wife being

    rebuked publicly, and so advised Newton in a hushed voice, ¡°Dad, I know you like Allice, but she and

    Jasper are divorced. It¡¯s not right to include her in our family photo.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s divorced. So what?¡± Newton furrowed his brows angrily. ¡°I¡¯ll adopt her as my granddaughter if

    need be! She is forever a Beckett!¡±

    Alyssa was strongly touched by Newton defending her. Tears welled up in her eyes. Newton was the

    reason she couldn¡¯t bring herself to cut all ties with the Becketts¨Cshe¡¯d miss him sorely.

    Liana was consumed by rage and almost passed out from the Intensity of her emotions. Everyone else

    was surprised by Alice who disyed such a charm apart from her beauty that Newton Beckett doted

    on her.

    ¡°Grandpa.¡± Jasper felt uneasy at the idea that Newton wanted to adopt Alice as his granddaughter.

    ¡°Stop making it awkward for Alice. She might not be on board with your good intentions.¡±

    ¡°Hmph! From the looks of it, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s against the Idea, not her.¡± Newton gave Jasper a

    side¨Ceye. ¡°Look at that frustration on your face after I brought it up! It¡¯s a mood dampener!¡±

    Alyssa was dumbfounded by the exchange. Jasper¡¯s face hardened¨Cas Newton¡¯s grandson, he had

    been sidelined in favor of Alice.

 Chapter 176

    The guests turned toward the voice and were stunned by who they saw.

    Jonah Taylor smilingly wandered into the main hall apanied by Sean. Alyssa¡¯s eyes lit up with joy.

    She almost blurted out his name aloud.

    Jasper¡¯s heart almost stopped at the sight of Jonah. His frosty eyes looked even more threatening at

    that moment. Alyssa seemed to have felt the change in him, as though she was standing right beside a

    walking iceberg.

    She reflexively looked at Jasper and found him looking glum. A frightening storm was brewing in her

    eyes.

    ¡°Please excuse me for runningte,¡± Jonah said to Newton politely. He showed up in a special outfit

    that day, looking outstanding and gentlemanly in a high¨Cneck top with a dark suit.

    Thedies around him swooned at Jonah, thinking of marrying him or Jasper in their dreams. 1

    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. I am d you¡¯re here.¡± Newton smiled warmly at Jonah and treated him no

    differently, even though Jonah was Winston¡¯s son.

    Alyssa felt relieved at Newton¡¯s reaction, for she initially thought that he¡¯d mind Jonah¡¯s presence.

    ¡°Alice,e over,¡± Jonah said as he reached out for Alyssa.

    Sophia and Liana exchanged a look and smiled deviously. They sessfully made Jonah show up

    because they wanted to see him fighting with Jasper over Alyssa. That would tarnish Alyssa¡¯s

    reputation as well as expose her as an easy woman to Newton. They thought

    they could kill two birds with one stone.

    ¡°Sure.¡± To their surprise, Alyssa happily went up to Jonah without hesitation.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    On the other hand, Landon was dying of jealousy when his crush went back to her lover. He wondered

    if that was what it felt like to be a kept man. It was too torturous for him.

    Jasper¡¯s body jolted in shock as his eyes widened. He raised his arm a little and tightened his fists, not

    knowing exactly what he was grasping at. He sensed a bitter taste in his mouth.

    ¡°Oh? Since when did you know Mr. Jonah? The two of you seem close too.¡± Newton was baffled.

    ¡°Dad, you probably haven¡¯t heard about it. Alice is now his- Sophia was about to add fuel to the fire

    when Jonah cut her off.

    He replied, ¡°Mr. Beckett Senior, thank you for taking good care of Alice in thest three years. She

    often talks about you and thinks of you as family. I will always remember your kindness to her.¡±

    Everyone was shocked when Jonah wrapped an arm around Alyssa¡¯s waist. The two looked like the

    main couple from a movie.

    Jasper clenched his fists as fury twisted inside of him.

    ¡°Sadly, Alice will stay with me. She¡¯ll be under the Taylor family¡¯s care. She might not be part of the

    Beckett family anymore, but she will always think fondly of you.¡± Jonah smiled softly. ¡°You will always

    be her beloved grandpa.¡±

    No one had anything to say about his impable manners.

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Newton came to a realization

 Chapter 177

    ¡°Dad, Alice is in a rtionship with Mr. Jonah Javier whispered in a low voleo ¡°Please stop hooking her

    up with Insper because she¡¯s dating someone new. You can¡¯t force a rtionship¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Sophia jumped on the train. Seeing the way Mr. Jonaly immediately picked her up after

    she tell our family, you could tell that their fling started way back.¡±

    ¡°Way back?¡± Newton red.

    ¡°Yes. How else would their rtionship grow thisst? That¡¯s why I told you II was useless to worry

    about Jasper and her. A loveless marriage is meaningless. They might as well break free and find their

    happiness,¡±

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t have to worry about Alice. She¡¯s joining the Taylor Family they¡¯re as good as we are,¡±

    Sophia muttered sollly with hidden intention. She wanted to shatter Newton¡¯s Impression of Alice as a

    prim and properdy.

    Alyssa pursed her lips and stared at her feet. She had long anticipated the arrival of this day, and she

    was fully prepared to face Newton¡¯s resentment.

    ¡°Grandpa, please do not me Alice,¡± Jasper surprisingly stood up for her and shot her a heavy look.

    ¡°She does not owe me anything at all. I have nothing but good wishes for her rtionship with Mr.

    Jonah.¡±

    Still, he was reluctant to offer his well wishes,

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes wavered in shock. She did not recall the arrogant Jasper ever calling her by her name.

    She would have been over the moon for that asion if they were still married, but all she could do

    was smirk at his Jarring remark.

    ¡°Of course, you can do nothing except wish her well. You couldn¡¯t win her back even if I asked you to.¡±

    Hulling and pulling, Newton hit Jasper twice to express his fury. ¡°How can I me her for dating

    another man? It¡¯s all your fault. You do not deserve a nice youngdy like Alice as your wife!¡± 1

    Newton¡¯s statement was Jaw¨Cdropping. The expression on Sophia and Liana¡¯sces crumbled. They

    finally understood that it was impossible to start a drama to provoke Newton, for the old man was

    hopelessly on Alice¡¯s side.

    After being reprimanded, a frustrated Jasper said tly. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re not upset with her.¡±

    ¡°Why would I be? I can¡¯t dote on her enough! Alice, Mr. Jonah, pleasee up.¡±

    Jonah and Alyssa exchanged looks before approaching Newton. Alyssa pursed her lips with a pitiful

    expression. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m sorry for keeping it a secret from you.¡±

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. I am not concerned about that. All I want is for you to be happy.¡± He looked at

    Alyssa affectionately before turning to Jonah with a serious look.

    Then, he said, ¡°Mr. Jonah, you are an Important man whoes from a family full of sisters. Do

    promise you¡¯ll look after Alice and keep her from trouble at home. If you don¡¯t, I will be knocking at your

    door for Justice.¡±

    Jonah cast an amused look at his little sister as he recalled how she had ridden Ss like a pony and

    scribbled all over Axel¡¯s face in their childhood. He chortled and sald. ¡°Sure, I promise.¡±

    Newton might be old, but he was not senile. Seeing the love in Jonah¡¯s eyes, he sighed dly and said

    with regret, ¡°Mr. Jonah, I¡¯ll entrust Alice to you. I hope you give her what my grandson falled to offer

    her. Please show her love.¡±

    The color drained from Jasper¡¯s face at that moment, as though he was struck by lightning.

    ¡°I will,¡± Jonah replied gently with a determined look in his eyes. With a sharp Inhale, Jasper stared hard

    at Alice, the woman who was once his wife, now standing beside Jonah.

    Feeling like an empty shell, he fought back tears.

 Chapter 178

    Jass test as it he was crushed by the weight of shame. At the same time, Landon bitterly racked his

    brains for a counteroffensive against

    Feing a soare pare in her heart Abyssa mumbled, ¡°Grandpa¡±

    200, Es your bartas. Let¡¯s put aside the upsetting talk.¡± Javier went up to Newton and smiled. ¡°Why

    don¡¯t we look at the gifts your grandchigen get you ¡°We¡¯ll have dinner afterward so we don¡¯t keep the

    guests waiting.¡±

    right, it¡¯s present time Newton rubbed his hands adorably like a child.

    BISBAL DE guess who were close to the Becketts presented their gifts to Newton, who cheerfully

    received each item and thanked his guess

    ¡°Ganged¡± Sting. Landon stood in front of Newton and dered, ¡°I¡¯m close to Jasper. His grandpa is

    mine. May you be blessed with good health and happiness¡±

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Thank you¡± Newton was all smiles.

    ¡°Ganca, happy birthday! Betty shuffled over with a shy smile and attempted to stand beside Landon. ¡°I

    know you¡¯re into antiques. This is my gift for your

    She caliberately leaned toward Landon in an effort to close her distance from him. Too bad Landon

    refused to pay attention to her and dooged her move, causing her to almost lose her bnce.

    How humiliatirs

    Some quests were quietlyughing at her. Ovee with embarrassment, she silently cursed them

    out.

    Before long, a maid brought in the Victorian¨Cera vase by Betty. Newton beamed and nodded. ¡°Great!

    Thank you, Betty!¡±

    Betty couldn¡¯t help but gloat.

    ¡°This is Ms. Lauren¡¯s gift for you. Do check it out.¡± Ben brought out a painting.

    ¡°On is that from Lauren? Show me!¡±

    Newton looked surprised by the painting beforeughing merrily. ¡°Hahaha! Is this her portrait of me?

    Splendid! Such a talented girl!¡±

    Everyone crowded around Newton to check out the painting that made himugh. Within seconds, their

    attention had shifted from Betty to Lauren¡¯s painting.

    Lauren had painted a portrait of Newtonughing out loud in his usual outfit. She paid great attention to

    the details. Additionally, she scribbled a message at the bottom of the painting. It read, ¡°Dear Grandpa,

    smile always. From Lauren.¡±

    ¡°Look at Lauren¡¯s painting. Does it resemble me? She¡¯s talented in art!¡± Newton proudly showed off

    Lauren.

    *Laurie¨CUhm, Lauren is great at painting. She is almost like a professional artist!¡± Landon smiled at the

    thought of the adorable Lauren.

    The smile froze on Betty¡¯s face as she burned in jealousy.

    ¡°Her lines might be a little unpolished, but give her some time, and she¡¯ll be sessful in the

    industry.¡°Jasper nodded quietly.

    ¡°Grandpa, Lauren is talented in art. It¡¯s always been her wish to enroll in an art college to study the

    subject.¡± Alyssa grabbed the opportunity to speak on behalf of Lauren.

    She continued, ¡°She must have great potential if Jasperpliments her¨Cyou know he rarely sings

    praises. She should give it a try. I bet we will have a famous artist in the family in five years.¡±

    Jasper frowned at her words, which felt like a swipe at him. Did he neverpliment the others? He

    wondered if he was as harsh as she made him sound.

 Chapter 179

    ¡°You¡¯re right Dad.¡± Javier and Sophia could only agree with Newton with apologetic smiles.

    Tam so happy with this gift Where¡¯s Lauren? I want to give her a hug!¡± Newton beamed.

    ¡°Ms. Lauren says she won¡¯t join us because she¡¯s sick. She¡¯ll meet you in personter,¡± Ben reported.

    S

    tarted a bidding war with me and made me buy the painting. How could you do this to me?¡±

    Jasper looked glum as he shot icy res at Alyssa.

    ¡°I made you buy it? When did I do that? Alyssa¡¯s eyes glimmered, looking as though she was in shock.

    Jonah was the first to stand up for Alyssa. He snickered. ¡°Ms. Gardner, the auction is open to the

    public. It was a fair game, Alice could not have forced you to buy the painting against your will. Don¡¯t

    you think it was your personal decision?¡±

    ¡°She knew I wanted the painting. That¡¯s why she started the bidding war with me. Whenever I raised

    my paddle, she¡¯d follow suit. This continued until the price was 900 thousand from the starting price of

    100 thousand.

    ¡°She suddenly gave up after I bid a million for the painting. Wasn¡¯t she misleading me into buying a

    counterfeit at a high price? Liana.

    igh, that child ¡ª Newtonmented. ¡°Ben, frame the painting and put it up in my study. That way, I can

    look at it whenever I feel like it.¡±

    Ben nodded and carefully put the painting away. Betty was wordless with anger when she observed

    Newton¡¯s interest and care for Lauren¡¯s gift.

    Betty thought that Lauren, who never had much allowance, might humiliate herself by purchasing a

    miserly gift. To her dismay, Lauren decided to be creative by presenting a handmade gift.

    In the end, the vase that Betty splurged hundreds of thousands on was overshadowed by a shabby

    painting of Lauren¡¯s!

    ¡°Oh Lauren just wait and see. You¡¯re dead meat!¡± Betty thought.

    On the other hand, Liana was pacing the corridor. She had sent someone for Sophia. Sophia showed

    up, arms crossed on her chest and looking sulien.

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, what do we do?¡± Liana almost tore her hair out. ¡°Our little trick does not change

    Grandpa¡¯s perception of Alice. Not only that, they¡¯ve gotten closer because of it!¡±

    ¡°That was unexpected. The older he gets, the weirder he acts. He¡¯s ridiculous.¡± Sophia squinted her

    eyes dangerously and whispered, ¡°Lia, It looks like it¡¯s time to put n B in action today.¡±

    ¡°Right now?¡± Liana gritted her teeth with a malicious gleam in her eyes.

    ¡°No. We need to wait.¡± Sophia patted Liana on the shoulder and smirked.¡°Another VIP is showing up

    soon. I have a way to make Alice the brunt of jokes and ruin her reputation!¡±

    More gifts were presented to Newton. The Georgian¨Cera drinkware that Jasper bought for Newton was

    the event¡¯s climax. Friends of Newton, who were antique experts, were eager to check out the beauty

    of the antique drinkware.

    Worried that the old fellows might break the valuable gift, Newton hugged the box tightly and pouted.

    ¡°No one¡¯s touching the gift from my grandson.¡±

    Everyone guffawed at his antics, including Alyssa, who covered her mouth and chuckled.

    ¡°Grandpa this drinkware was donated by Mrs. Taylor of the KS Group to the charity auction. I bid for it

    as it was a rare item. I¡¯m d that you like it¡± Jasper felt obliged to exin the gift¡¯s background

    because Jonah was also at the event.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh! This must be one of the items in Mr. Taylor¡¯s personal collection. He¡¯s the top collector in Sna

    City when ites to antiques.¡± Newton sighed as he caressed the box.

    ¡°Dad would love it if he heard that you treasure an item from his collection,¡± Jonah chimed in warmly.

    Jonah was a natural peacemaker, for he was able to graciously resolve any conflict with his calm

    composure and humble attitude.

    ¡°Grandpa, here¡¯s my gift for you!¡± Liana butted in with a cloying voice. Everyone turned to her with a

    little disdain. Those who were disceming could tell that Newton disliked her. Her road to marrying

    Jasper might not be smooth sailing.

    ¡°Dad. Lia spent a lot of effort on your gift. After she heard you liked old paintings, she bid on a

    Georgian¨Cera painting for your birthday.¡± Javier attempted to pave the way for Liana, especially

    because she was Sophia¡¯s niece.

    ¡°Oh? A genuine painting from the Georgian era?¡± Newton¡¯s eyes lit up in excitement.

    Liana had someone bring in the framed painting in white gloves. The staff carefully disyed the

    painting, which the antique collectors crowded around for a look at.

 Chapter 180

    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous!¡± Liana struggled to keep the smile on her face. ¡°I bought this from the Harpers¡®

    auction house. It can¡¯t be a counterfeit?

    After she dragged the Harpers into the mess, Landon snickered. ¡°Ms. Gardner, you are probably

    unfamiliar with the industry because you haven¡¯t been involved with auctions. Parry¡¯s Auction of the

    Harper Group Is the biggest auction house in the nation,

    ¡°The items we take in have undergone stringent inspection and verification. It Is Impossible to buy

    counterfeits from us. It¡¯s one thing to be ignorant; it¡¯s another thing to ruin my family¡¯s reputation.¡±

    The look in Jasper¡¯s eyes deepened. He recalled Alice¡¯s smirk when she indirectly led Liana to buy the

    replica at ten times the starting price at the charity auction. Could she have foreseen that na would

    buy the painting for Newton?

    Was it all a coincidence or a trap from the start?

    ¡°Ms. Gardner, a counterfeit item is different from a replica,¡± an expert voiced out his opinion to clear the

    name of the Harpers. ¡°Some works of paintings are replicas but considered antique. It is hard for a

    replica to look the same as the original. A top¨Cgrade replica can fetch a high price.¡±

    The expert continued, ¡°However, the replica you bought is a little inferior. If not, I wouldn¡¯t have been

    able to tell it apart right away.¡±

    ¡°It can¡¯t be a replica! I bought it for a million from Parry¡¯s Auction!¡± Liana blurted out in the heat of the

    moment.

    How could she have bought a counterfeit with one million? She must have been wrong in the head.

    The people around chuckled at her confession, including Betty, who had to cover her mouth to stop

    herself fromughing loudly.

    Oh, how the tables had turned!

    ¡°A million? Gosh, this painting is worth at most 100 thousand. I could only say that you have

    contributed a lot to charity with that winning bid price!¡±

    Liana¡¯s mind went nk. Even Sophia suffered from second¨Chand embarrassment and looked away,

    refusing to stand up for her loser

    niece.

    ¡°Let the matter rest. Regardless of the price, Ms. Gardner bought it with good intentions.¡± Newton might

    not have approved of Liana, but he would not fuss over the authenticity of a painting. He said coolly,

    ¡°Ben, please take the painting.¡±

    ¡°Alice White, what do you have against me? Why would you do this to me?¡± Ashamed, Liana directed a

    pointed question at Alice. She finally broke down from the humiliation she had received since the

    beginning of the event.

    Startled, everyone turned to Alice. She merely blinked innocently. ¡°Ms. Gardner, what makes you say

    that? I have no clue what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    Jonah and Landon were astonished by the interaction between the twodies. Did Alice outy Liana

    by being a bigger bitch?

    ¡°It¡¯s you who tricked me! I wouldn¡¯t have bought a counterfeit item with a million! It¡¯s all because of

    you!¡± Liana pointed at Alice¡¯s face, her voice hoarse from the anger.

    Liana continued, ¡°I might not be able to tell the art apart, but you must have known it was a counterfeit!

    You even started a bidding war with me and made me buy the painting. How could you do this to me?¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper looked glum as he shot icy res at Alyssa.

    ¡°I made you buy it? When did I do that?¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes glimmered, looking as though she was in shock.

    Jonah was the first to stand up for Alyssa. He snickered. ¡°Ms. Gardner, the auction is open to the

    public. It was a fair game. Alice could not have forced you to buy the painting against your will. Don¡¯t

    you think it was your personal decision?¡±

    ¡°She knew I wanted the painting. That¡¯s why she started the bidding war with me. Whenever I raised

    my paddle, she¡¯d follow suit. This continued until the price was 900 thousand from the starting price of

    100 thousand

 Chapter 181

    Liana shouted, ¡°Why didn¡¯t she continue bidding if she wanted the painting? She never nned to buy

    it in the first ce the only Wanted to trick mel

    The onlookers shifted their opinions about the situation.

    ¡°Could Ms. White have done that to Ms. Gardner because she was upset with the divort

    ¡°That¡¯s unnecessarily petty, What¡¯s the meaning of pulling that after a divorce?

    ¡°It is not meaningless. She must have been indignant after losing her marriage with the distinguished

    Mr. Beckett

    ¡°She looks proper on the outside but mean on the inside. Women like her only use their brains on petty

    todet

    Liana felt great hearing the barrage of criticisms on Alice.

    ¡°Ms. White, did you really do that? Javier knitted his brows and looked sternly at Alyssa. Simrly,

    Newton was waiting for her answer.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner, it was a misunderstanding.¡± Alyssa took a step forward. Her face scrunched up into a

    pitiful expression. ¡°I was the one who first bid for the painting. You followed suit.

    ¡°I liked the painting and wanted to contribute to charity at the same time. Those were the reasons I bid

    for it at a higher price¨Cto win the bid at once. Jasper and Landon could attest my word because they

    were there.¡±

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    There seemed to be a twist in the incident.

    ¡°You-¡± Liana scrambled for words as she jumped in anger.

    ¡°I can vouch for her!¡± Landon jumped out to defend his crush without hesitation. ¡°Ms. White started the

    bid, followed by Ms. Gardner. Ms. White was the one who wanted the painting.¡±

    There was a gleam in Jasper¡¯s eyes. Landon seemed to be everywhere these days.

    ¡°I intended to purchase the painting for my collection. Grandpa has the original painting in his study,

    and I like it. Even if it was a replica. I would like to collect it. The sight of it reminds me of the good time

    I spent with Grandpa.¡±

    Looking helpless, Alyssa pursed her lips. ¡°Ms. Gardner seemed to want the painting as well I bid

    against her for a few rounds, but I decided that I should not deprive her of what she wanted and gave

    up on the bidding war.¡±

    Alyssa continued, ¡°What exactly was my fault? Ms. Gardner, why would you use me in that

    manner? If it makes you feel unfair, I¡¯m willing to purchase the painting from you and make up for your

    losses.¡±

    Things had changed in the court of public opinion. Alyssa¡¯s bright eyes were full of tears. She had

    convinced everyone with her exceptional acting. 1

    Jasper tilted his head and stared silently into her crystal eyes as he breathed hard. He watched as she

    acted.

    ¡°You¨CNonsense- Liana was about tounch into a tirade when Sophia went up and secretly pinched

    her. Feeling the pain, Liana was distracted and almost lost herposure.

    Sophia interjected, ¡°Haha! It was a misunderstanding. Dad, Lia is at home most of the time and rarely

    joins events like an auction. She blindly followed what the others were buying. She bought the painting

    just to make you happy, that¡¯s all

    Sophia gave Liana a look. ¡°Your mom called because of an emergency at home. Call her back now.

    Don¡¯t keep her womed.¡±

    Gritting her teeth, Liana left the scene, looking dejected.

    After some thinking, Newton grasped Alyssa¡¯s hand and said, ¡°You should have told me that you liked

    the painting. I would have given you anything you wanted, even if it were a Georgian¨Cera antique!

    ¡°I¡¯d even get you the Mona Lisa if you wanted that! I am generous when ites to things that you set

    your eyes on.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Grandpa. I don¡¯t need anything else when I have your care and attention.¡± She squeezed

    his hand and smiled sweetly.

    By that time, the guests finally saw through the dynamics of the family. Jasper might have divorced

    Alyssa on paper, but they appeared to

 Chapter 182

    It was time for Alyssa to present her present.

    When the antique rosewood chair was carried in, every antique fanatic and collector in the venue

    erupted into excitement.

    ¡°That is a stunning relic!¡±

    ¡°Oh goodness, I wish I could get my hands on it!¡±

    ¡°This is probably the most precious thing Mr. Beckett Senior would have gotten tonight besides the

    porcin set!¡±

    ¡°Who is this Alice White? How did she get her hands on something so priceless? Looks like Mr.

    Beckett¡¯s ex¨Cwife might have been an heiress in hiding!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart had leaped into his throat. He gazed fixedly at Alice. He had never expected her to give

    the old man an antique the Taylor family had won at the auction. This chair itself was worth over a

    hundred million!

    It seemed like the Taylor family really doted on her.

    ¡°This is our gift to you, Grandpa. May you be blessed with prosperity and happiness, and live

    forevermore!¡± Alyssa said to Newton.

    Beside her, Jonah bowed his head slightly. ¡°I wish you a happy birthday, Mr. Beckett Senior. May you

    be blessed with boundless youth and wisdom, and remain strong as a yew.¡±

    The sight of the two people beside one another, looking so regal and matching, was captivating.

    Jasper felt like he couldn¡¯t breathe. He instinctively reached up to cup his chest where his heart was

    pounding before quickly putting his hand away. He couldn¡¯t risk anyone else seeing him like this.

    ¡°This is too precious a gift, Alice,¡± Newton cried, feeling grateful. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have. I would

    have loved anything you prepared for me. That goes to you too, Mr. Taylor.¡±

    Jonah grinned. ¡°Mr. Beckett Senior, we¡¯re happy you like our gift, sir. It really is nothing.¡±

    ¡°You should just keep it, Grandpa. It¡¯s not like she put a lot of effort into getting it,¡± Betty sneered. ¡°How

    convenient to be able to give what belongs to someone else instead and then steal the spotlight for it. I

    should really learn from you, Ms. White.¡±

    Alice smiled kindly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have possibly taken that big of an advantage. That¡¯s why I have prepared

    my own gift, though it is nothingpared to Jonah¡¯s.¡±

    Betty stared at her in shock.

    What did she have up her sleeve now?

    Newton¡¯s eyes brightened upon hearing that. ¡°Oh? I¡¯m excited to see it!¡±

    Alice¡¯s eyes glinted mischievously as she pped her hands twice in the air. A momentter, Sean

    walked in from outside with a ss showcase in his hands.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    The box contained a piece of boulder opal with a stunningly carved scene of mountains, valleys, and

    rivers on its surface.

    ¡°Oh goodness!¡± The crowd went wild again.

    Jasper and Landon were both captivated by the carving. The craftsmanship was insane!

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this¨CIsn¡¯t this Herman Fowler¡¯s debut work. The Morning View¡¯? Where did you get this, Alice?¡±

    Newton eximed incredulously. Herman Fowler? World¨Crenowned, deceased stone carver? His

    works were exceedingly rare to find on the market nowadays!

    ¡°You think too highly of me, Grandpa,¡± Alice said shyly. ¡°This is my mimic of it. I call it ¡®A Glimpse of

    Morning¡°. I¡¯ve done my best to create a replica of the original masterpiece. However, it pales in

    comparison to the real deal.¡±

    The crowd gawked in awe at her.

    Il paled inparison? What was she talking about?!

    $15 BOWS

    Unly someone who had mastered the art of stone carving could render such an intricate scenery on

    crystalth nearly indistinguishable from the real thing!

    Who was this talented young woman? Could she have been one of Herman Fowler¡¯s private students?

    The crowd murmured amongst themselves, utterly amazed by Alyssa.

    Sophia and Betty, however, had horrid expressions on their faces.

    They no longer recognized the timid woman who once lived with them in their household. Alyssa was

    getting more formidable as the went by.

    ¡°Alice, oh my dear child, you really are incredible!¡± Newton chuckled heartily, incredibly pleased.

    ¡°What a woman her husband is so lucky to have her Landon sighed drearity,

    Jasper shot him a re.

    Lucky to have her? The thought ran through his mind like a freight train.

    He stared at Alice in the distance, seeing how slowly he was being pushed away from her world.

    Why had he never even seen a glimpse of this in their three years of marriage

 Chapter 183

    Shock rage, and disappointment flooded Jasper¡¯s chest. She had lied to him all this time!

    The birthday celebration continued into the night,ughter and chatter filling the venue. Halfway

    through, Alyssa decided to go to the washroom to powder us.

    As she went to the washroom, she recalled all the schemes and tricks Liana and Sophia had tried to

    use against her. It was all so childish, che realized, scoffing at the thought. How foolish.

    She had already guessed how they nned to take her down, which was unfortunate for them. Of all

    the things those women should have considered when plotting against her, they failed to include the

    most important factor of them all¨CNewton¡¯s fatherly affection for her.

    Love and affection were something their schemes could never break through.

    It would have been inappropriate if they had only given Newton the chair, as it undoubtedly belonged to

    Jonah and ¡°his family.¡± That was why she presented the carving she had long prepared to Newton.

    Alyssa had mastered such craftsmanship only because she had grown up watching Uncle Don do

    stone carving. In that sense, Herman Fowler could be said to be her grandmaster.

    The hallways in the building were long andplex. Alyssa quickly lost her way.

    Just then, a plump, furry kitten ran across the corridor in front of her.

    ¡°Hey, Kitty! Where are you going?¡± Alyssa cried excitedly, then chased after the cat.

    She was about to catch up with the furball when her heels slipped on the cobblestoned floor. Unable to

    stabilize herself, she was tossed forward, about to fall off a stairwell.

    ¡°Ahh!¡± She shrieked and closed her eyes.

    Just then, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her back to safety. Whoever it was had a

    steady figure, instantly making her feel safe and at ease. Her back soon came into contact with this

    familiar person.

    ¡°Meow.¡± The cat from earlier mewed at them from above a decoration. It swiftly disappeared.

    Alyssa waited for her breath to recover, not daring to look back at the man who had caught her.

    Jasper could feel the cold sweat on her back, slightly touching his solid chest. The sensation was

    hypnotizing.

    It made his heart catch slightly.

    ¡°Enjoying yourself, are we? Let me go already.¡± Alyssa gritted out, trying to get out of his grasp.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes, then slowly let go of her waist. ¡°You think I wanted to? You were about to

    break your neck.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t expect a thank you from me.¡± Alyssa quickly steadied herself on the stair post ring coldly at

    Jasper. ¡°I¡¯d rather break my neck then let you cop a feel¡±

    He thought she looked so unbelievably gorgeous right now. 1

    ¡°Cop a feel?¡± Jasper breathed out, then smirked. ¡°I think we¡¯ve both given each other long, deep feels

    by now.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett Alyssa gasped, face turning pinkContent ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I seem to recall you were the one who couldn¡¯t wait to have my hands on you.¡± Jasper cocked his

    head. ¡°We may be divorced, but i still remember every single detail.¡±

    She had repeatedly aggravated him since the start of the birthday celebration. Anger had long stewed

    bitterly in his chest. He felt like he might actually get sick if it continued.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart dropped, shame flooding her senses. ¡°So what do you want now, hm? You lost your

    chance when you had it. Are you regretting it now?¡±

    ¡°You-¡±

    ¡°Have you ever heard the phrase ¡®opportunity seldom knocks twice? Wel, for you Jordan VI FA again!¡±

    Alyssa cried.

    Thoroughly pissed, Jasper grabbed her wrists, pressing her up against the day py

 Chapter 184

    ¡°Ow! The force was enough to bruise Alyssa¡¯s back. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you, Jasper?¡±

    Jasper was fuming with rage. His grip tightened around her wrists. It was as if he was scared she might

    run from him. Their eyes met.

    ¡®You¡¯ve led again and again to me, Alice White, Who wouldn¡¯t be upset?¡± he roared, volce raspy.

    ¡°When have I ever lied to you?¡± Alyssa demanded, struggling against the man¡¯s grip. ¡°The only reason

    you know nothing about me is

    because you never cared!

    Three years, Jasper Deckelt. I would have told you everything you wanted to know if only you had

    asked. But have you ever cared to ask me? Did you ever care about me?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped several beats, pounding hard in his chest.

    ¡°Do you know what i like having for breakfast? What do I enjoy doing on the weekends? What kind of

    music do I like? I was your wife, and I gave you my all. I paid attention to everything you did, what you

    loved and hated. But what about you?

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it hrious how you¡¯re using me of lying right now when you were the cause of your own

    ignorance? Your own despair?¡± Alyssa yelled at him, eyes shoving daggers down his throat.

    Shame flooded Jasper¡¯s being.

    ¡°Three years, and you treated me like some old toy to be put in a corner and gather dust. Every day

    every single day, I prayed you woulde and talk to me, to care about me even a little bit, I would

    have bared my soul to you.

    ¡°But where did that get me, hm? All I got in the end was was you abandoning me for someone else.¡±

    Abandon?

    Jasper trembled slightly as he watched Alyssa¡¯s face turn sad and pale. His heart clenched terribly at

    the sight.

    He recalled he was the one who had abandoned her back then. He remembered how sad and in

    despair Alyssa was when he forced her to

    sign their divorce papers.

    She had been so heartbroken then. How could she be so carefree now?

    ¡°Thanks to your cruelty, the disappointment I felt has grown into despair, and any shred of hope I had

    left had permanently died out. I no longer want anything to do with you. All I want is you out of my life,¡±

    Alyssa growled out, her eyes nearly bloodshot. The look she had on herce made Jasper shiver.

    Lies!

    Jasper flinched as If someone had stabbed him in the chest. ¡°Have you really given up on me, Alice?

    You must be lying.¡±

    ¡°Lying? Hah!¡± Alice snorted. ¡°Why would I waste my time trying to lie to you?¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help it anymore. ¡°Do you really like Jonah Taylor?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± came the firm answer.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t believe you. You¡¯re only with him so that you can get back at me. You¡¯re angry at me.

    You¡¯re angry at me because of the divorce!¡± Jasper yelled, then leaned in close to Alyssa, their noses

    brushing against one another¡¯s.

    Alyssa jerked away. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Go see a therapist or something, and leave me alone!¡±

    Jasper then gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. ¡°Do you Do you hate me so much, Alice?

    So much so that you¡¯re willing to give yourself to someone you don¡¯t love, all to make me upset?¡±

    ¡°Upset? Oh, I am the furthest thing away from upset.¡± Alyssa grinned. ¡°He treats me like a goddess,

    unlike you. Every single day of being with you fell like a prison.

    ¡°You really think I¡¯d waste my time getting back at you? Bah! Do you have any idea how much I¡¯d

    degrade myself doing that? You¡¯re goddamn proud and one hell of a Jealous peacock! I should have

    seen through you!¡± Alyssa gritted her teeth.

    Pain shot through Jaspers near. Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!

    Right then and there, Alyssa felt like something vital inside her had snapped into two.

    Those six words. ¡°the worst mistake of my life,¡± echoed in her mind.

    She had given him everything, her love, her heart, her soul for three whole years. What was the result?

    Nothing but another stain to his family¡¯s name.

    Why did you do this to yourself, Alyssa? Why?

    Jasper watched as her eyes slowly welled up with tears, and herplexion turned pale. He quickly let

    go of her hands, realizing he had misspoken terribly.

    He hadn¡¯t meant to. Why couldn¡¯t he stop himself?

    If it was what he genuinely felt, then whatever, but-

    ¡°Mr. Beckett? Ms. White? Just then, Newton¡¯s secretary, Ben Gorham, spotted them.

    Alyssa quickly moved away from Jasper, forcing a smile on her face. ¡°What are you doing all the way

    here. Mr. Gorham? I thought you were with Grandpa?¡±

    Ben could tell something was off between them but didn¡¯t want toment on it. He said anxiously.

    ¡°There¡¯s been an ident. I¡¯m on my way to get it sorted out.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± Alyssa asked, worried.

    ¡°Ow! The force was enough to bruise Alyssa¡¯s back. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you, Jasper?¡±

    Jasper was fuming with rage. His grip tightened around her wrists. It was as if he was scared she might

    run from him. Their eyes met.

    ¡®You¡¯ve led again and again to me, Alice White, Who wouldn¡¯t be upset?¡± he roared, volce raspy.

    ¡°When have I ever lied to you?¡± Alyssa demanded, struggling against the man¡¯s grip. ¡°The only reason

    you know nothing about me is

    because you never cared!

    Three years, Jasper Deckelt. I would have told you everything you wanted to know if only you had

    asked. But have you ever cared to ask me? Did you ever care about me?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped several beats, pounding hard in his chest.

    ¡°Do you know what i like having for breakfast? What do I enjoy doing on the weekends? What kind of

    music do I like? I was your wife, and I gave you my all. I paid attention to everything you did, what you

    loved and hated. But what about you?

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it hrious how you¡¯re using me of lying right now when you were the cause of your own

    ignorance? Your own despair?¡± Alyssa yelled at him, eyes shoving daggers down his throat.

    Shame flooded Jasper¡¯s being.

    ¡°Three years, and you treated me like some old toy to be put in a corner and gather dust. Every day

    every single day, I prayed you woulde and talk to me, to care about me even a little bit, I would

    have bared my soul to you.

    ¡°But where did that get me, hm? All I got in the end was was you abandoning me for someone else.¡±

    Abandon?

    Jasper trembled slightly as he watched Alyssa¡¯s face turn sad and pale. His heart clenched terribly at

    the sight.

    He recalled he was the one who had abandoned her back then. He remembered how sad and in

    despair Alyssa was when he forced her to

    sign their divorce papers.

    She had been so heartbroken then. How could she be so carefree now?

    ¡°Thanks to your cruelty, the disappointment I felt has grown into despair, and any shred of hope I had

    left had permanently died out. I no longer want anything to do with you. All I want is you out of my life,¡±

    Alyssa growled out, her eyes nearly bloodshot. The look she had on herce made Jasper shiver.

    Lies!

    Jasper flinched as If someone had stabbed him in the chest. ¡°Have you really given up on me, Alice?

    You must be lying.¡±

    ¡°Lying? Hah!¡± Alice snorted. ¡°Why would I waste my time trying to lie to you?¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help it anymore. ¡°Do you really like Jonah Taylor?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± came the firm answer.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t believe you. You¡¯re only with him so that you can get back at me. You¡¯re angry at me.

    You¡¯re angry at me because of the divorce!¡± Jasper yelled, then leaned in close to Alyssa, their noses

    brushing against one another¡¯s.

    Alyssa jerked away. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Go see a therapist or something, and leave me alone!¡±

    Jasper then gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. ¡°Do you Do you hate me so much, Alice?

    So much so that you¡¯re willing to give yourself to someone you don¡¯t love, all to make me upset?¡±

    ¡°Upset? Oh, I am the furthest thing away from upset.¡± Alyssa grinned. ¡°He treats me like a goddess,

    unlike you. Every single day of being with you fell like a prison.

    ¡°You really think I¡¯d waste my time getting back at you? Bah! Do you have any idea how much I¡¯d

    degrade myself doing that? You¡¯re goddamn proud and one hell of a Jealous peacock! I should have

    seen through you!¡± Alyssa gritted her teeth.

    Pain shot through Jaspers near. Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!

    Right then and there, Alyssa felt like something vital inside her had snapped into two.

    Those six words. ¡°the worst mistake of my life,¡± echoed in her mind.

    She had given him everything, her love, her heart, her soul for three whole years. What was the result?

    Nothing but another stain to his family¡¯s name.

    Why did you do this to yourself, Alyssa? Why?

    Jasper watched as her eyes slowly welled up with tears, and herplexion turned pale. He quickly let

    go of her hands, realizing he had misspoken terribly.

    He hadn¡¯t meant to. Why couldn¡¯t he stop himself?

    If it was what he genuinely felt, then whatever, but-

    ¡°Mr. Beckett? Ms. White? Just then, Newton¡¯s secretary, Ben Gorham, spotted them.

    Alyssa quickly moved away from Jasper, forcing a smile on her face. ¡°What are you doing all the way

    here. Mr. Gorham? I thought you were with Grandpa?¡±

    Ben could tell something was off between them but didn¡¯t want toment on it. He said anxiously.

    ¡°There¡¯s been an ident. I¡¯m on my way to get it sorted out.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± Alyssa asked, worried.

    #18 BCAUS

    junday for sing

    junday for sing

    The routine, the sage my livery on Soomes the ques

    the way to the sluge. We server haste

    bends dey out in the garding bring the mansion. The guests surrounded the fur of the suffom

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    mounded by members of his family exam mutes joon and Landon to his table, along with

    alone at a potent tuna taas as if i was en implet sign that she would +

    sites. That or of around looking like in idet¡±

    unds no fos deciding to toe action. She was going to

    Just then, Jasper walked over to their L, his face dure He sat beside Landon, who shivered at how

    cold and the

    Jasper scowled. Wow should I know

    F1 go iour for her.¡±

    red, about to

    I

    I don¡¯t think that will be necessary. Since this is both of your first time in this ce, you might also find

    yourse perting list. Also know where she is. She¡¯s safe. Don¡¯t worry

    Landon was taken aback upon hearing this. His gro on his wine ss nearly sloped. Did he miss out on

    something kics between these

    Jonah and Jasper shot one another a look, their geres ky

    ley

    ng else could hannen, music red out from hudbeh speakers around

    wre drawn to the sides of the

    tacted the qu

    (beautiful jeweled i

    Just then. Hep Sneaked back beside Heyton, looking as if he had never left.

    Oh dear His performance is about to start. Where is Alice? Hewton asked, not wanting Alyssa to miss

    out. He wanted to enjoy the

    5. Ms. Alice is right here with us. Hien grinned, then pointed at the stage. ¡°See? There she is.¡±

    Hewinn was surprised to hear that.

    Jasper stood in aller shock from his seal, eyes wide open. His chest rose and fell unevenly as sheer

    awe hit him like a ton of bricks.

    Alyssa soul on stage, herre delle ately painted with peacock blue and purple. Her bright eyes met

    Jasper¡¯s, sending another jolt into his head.

    When she began ging, her volce Horoughly enchanted him

    The sweel sound! Its vole struck met Ah, that voice, which has descended into my heart!

    Jasper stared at her in shock. The two seemed so close yet so far, one a young, promising woman,

    one a rich family¡¯s heir.

    One simile from her was enough to rock his entire world.

    Is that really Alice? Newton asked, shocked. It really is! Look at her features, her delicate cheeks, her

    beautiful smile. That¡¯s That really is hel

    Jasper suddenly fell back into his seal. 1

    Delicate cheeks beautiful smile ¡­

    His temple began to throb painfully.

    ¡°Jasper? What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay? Landon asked, seeing how his friend¡¯s face looked pale.

    Tm fine, Jasper grunted, massaging his temples as he sank into his thoughts.

    Why was Alyssa¡¯s name suddenly so familiar? Where had he heard it before? It almost felt like they

    had met one another many, many years

    Newlon had chosen the a ¡°The Sweel Voice for his birthday.

    Alyssa used to visit him and perform some arias to cheer him up. She still remembered how overjoyed

    the old man had been when she

    first sang for him, the tears nearly falling down hisce as he reminisced about the time with his wife.

    Doris used to be a famous ssical opera singer in the country. Newton had been her loyal fan, loving

    her even before they actually knew each other. He had powered through the immense pressure of

    being head of his powerful family to marry her, and finally, they did.

    Alyssa had always admired their deep, loving rtionship. It was something she had never been

    blessed enough to have.

    But only after the divorce with Jasper did she realize that her love life would never amount to anything

    more than a train wreck.

    The quests got more and more entranced, turning quiet as they enjoyed Alyssa¡¯s performance. 1

    ¡°I heard them say this is Mr. Jasper Beckett¡¯s ex¨Cwile! She¡¯s so talented. You barely see anyone who¡¯s

    so multi¨Cfaceted nowadays. Not to mention youngsters who appreciate a good aria.¡±

    ¡°Hey, she¡¯s not his ex. They¡¯re still married.¡±

    ¡°Who knows if their rtionship will recover? Have you seen the way he looks at her? So gentle and so

    loving. One look, and you can tell that Jasper still has feelings for her.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I could let her go. She¡¯s so beautiful and talented, and Mr. Beckett Senior truly dotes on

    her. Besides, the other choice was that cheapskate,¡± someone snorted.

    Upon hearing this, Liana red at the quests speaking and stormed off from her seal.

    She found a corner in the garden to brood by herself, trying to concoct another evil scheme.

    Sophia¡¯s text message from earlier clearly insinuated that if she didn¡¯t act soon, she would very soon

    crumble under Alyssa¡¯s feet. However, she wasn¡¯t that easily fooled into bing a pawn for Sophia,

    so she had to watch out for herself.

    She needed someone to join her in this, and Betty was her best choice, so Liana texted her.

    Very soon, Betty came marching over, just as pissed.

    ¡°Hmph, how many tricks does she still have up her sleeve? She¡¯s gone and saved the day once again!¡±

    Calm down, Betty. So what if she knows now to sing opera? Back then, no proper woman ordy would

    be involved with a profession like this. Their livelihood depended on the men favoring them and

    providing them sustenance. They¡¯re only lit to serve people like us.¡± Liana truly had a way with words.

    ¡°You have a very good point, Lia. That bitch can sing her fucking opera. She thinks she¡¯s talented?

    She¡¯s a disgrace, is what she is!¡±

    ¡°Have you ever thought of getting back at Alice, Betty?¡± Liana suddenly suggested.

    ¡°Every single day! I want to peel her skin off and bleed her out!¡± Betty growled out, her fists trembling

    by her sides.

    Liana went and hugged Betty¡¯s arm, saying. ¡°I might have an idea. Something I would need your help

    with.

 Chapter 185

    <strong>Chapter 185</strong>

    "Mr. Javier had hired a ssical opera singer for sir, as something special for his birthday, but her student came to me just now reporting that the singer suddenly caught a terrible bug. She''s still in the bathroom, unable to perform," Ben said worriedly.

    He continued, "What can be done? The singer was hired just to perform for Mr. Beckett Senior. He''s going to be disappointed. The guests will make a fool of us."

    "Not on my watch." Alyssa assumed a confident stance. "Don''t worry, Mr. Gorham. By the time the night is over, the guests will be leaving in awe."

    Jasper''s heart skipped a beat at that.

    They weren''t technically husband and wife anymore, yet she was still standing up for his family in their times of need to ensure his grandfather had a memorable birthday.

    "Do you have a n, Ms. White?" Ben smiled.

    "Could you show me the way to the stage, Mr. Gorham?" Alyssa said, then left with Ben while Jasper stood there, still in awe.

    He blinked slowly, clenching his hands into fists. The memory of tears welling up in her eyes made it hard for him to breathe.

    ...

    The stage was an borate disy set in the gardens behind the mansion. The guests surrounded the front of the tform, akin to a scene straight out of The Great Gatsby.

    Newton loved being surrounded by members of his family. He even invited Jonah and Landon to his table, along with many others except Becky. His table was soon filled.

    On the other hand, Liana was alone at a distant table. It was as if it was an implicit sign that she would never be family. It infuriated her, but she could only sit there by herself, grinding her teeth in frustration.

    Just then, her phone rang with a notification. It was from Sophia.

    "There is no such thing as luck. You have to create your own opportunities. That, or sit around looking like an idiot."

    Liana refused to be treated as an idiot. She clenched her hands into fists, deciding to take action. She was going to make Alyssa pay for humiliating her tonight.

    "Where''s Jasper? And Alice?" Newton asked curiously, looking around the garden.

    Just then, Jasper walked over to their table, his face dark. He sat beside Landon, who shivered at how cold and prickly the man was.

    "Jasper, where''s Alice?" Newton asked curiously.

    Jasper scowled. "How should I know?"

    His mind was too flooded with thoughts right now to think straight.

    "Mr. Beckett Senior, I think Alice might have lost her way around here. I''ll go look for her," Jonah offered, about to stand up when Jasper spoke up.

    "I don''t think that will be necessary. Since this is both of your first time in this ce, you might also find yourself getting lost. Also, I know where she is. She''s safe. Don''t worry."

    Landon was taken aback upon hearing this. His grip on his wine ss nearly slipped. Did his cousin just say he knew the whereabouts of the two?

    Jonah and Jasper shot one another a look, their gazes icy.

    Jonah''s eyes narrowed just the slightest, but before anything else could happen, music red out from hidden speakers around the stage.

    Large, red curtains were drawn to the sides of the stage, which attracted the guests'' attention very quickly.

    Someone was on stage, wearing a turquoise blue gown and a beautiful jeweled headdress.

    Jasper found the performer surprisingly familiar.

    Just then, Ben sneaked back beside Newton, looking as if he had never left.

    "Oh, dear. The performance is about to start. Where is Alice?" Newton asked, not wanting Alyssa to miss out. He wanted to enjoy the performance with her.

    "Sir, Ms. Alice is right here with us." Ben grinned, then pointed at the stage. "See? There she is."

    Newton was surprised to hear that.

    Jasper stood in utter shock from his seat, eyes wide open. His chest rose and fell unevenly as sheer awe hit him like a ton of bricks.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

 Chapter 186

    was enough to bruise Alyssa¡¯s back. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you, Jasper?¡±

    Jasper was fuming with rage. His grip tightened around her wrists. It was as if he was scared she might

    run from him. Their eyes met.

    ¡®You¡¯ve led again and again to me, Alice White, Who wouldn¡¯t be upset?¡± he roared, volce raspy.

    ¡°When have I ever lied to you?¡± Alyssa demanded, struggling against the man¡¯s grip. ¡°The only reason

    you know nothing about me is

    because you never cared!

    Three years, Jasper Deckelt. I would have told you everything you wanted to know if only you had

    asked. But have you ever cared to ask me? Did you ever care about me?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped several beats, pounding hard in his chest.

    ¡°Do you know what i like having for breakfast? What do I enjoy doing on the weekends? What kind of

    music do I like? I was your wife, and I gave you my all. I paid attention to everything you did, what you

    loved and hated. But what about you?

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it hrious how you¡¯re using me of lying right now when you were the cause of your own

    ignorance? Your own despair?¡± Alyssa yelled at him, eyes shoving daggers down his throat.

    Shame flooded Jasper¡¯s being.

    ¡°Three years, and you treated me like some old toy to be put in a corner and gather dust. Every day

    every single day, I prayed you woulde and talk to me, to care about me even a little bit, I would

    have bared my soul to you.

    ¡°But where did that get me, hm? All I got in the end was was you abandoning me for someone else.¡±

    Abandon?

    Jasper trembled slightly as he watched Alyssa¡¯s face turn sad and pale. His heart clenched terribly at

    the sight.

    He recalled he was the one who had abandoned her back then. He remembered how sad and in

    despair Alyssa was when he forced her to

    sign their divorce papers.

    She had been so heartbroken then. How could she be so carefree now?

    ¡°Thanks to your cruelty, the disappointment I felt has grown into despair, and any shred of hope I had

    left had permanently died out. I no longer want anything to do with you. All I want is you out of my life,¡±

    Alyssa growled out, her eyes nearly bloodshot. The look she had on herce made Jasper shiver.

    Lies!

    Jasper flinched as If someone had stabbed him in the chest. ¡°Have you really given up on me, Alice?

    You must be lying.¡±

    ¡°Lying? Hah!¡± Alice snorted. ¡°Why would I waste my time trying to lie to you?¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help it anymore. ¡°Do you really like Jonah Taylor?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± came the firm answer.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t believe you. You¡¯re only with him so that you can get back at me. You¡¯re angry at me.

    You¡¯re angry at me because of the divorce!¡± Jasper yelled, then leaned in close to Alyssa, their noses

    brushing against one another¡¯s.

    Alyssa jerked away. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Go see a therapist or something, and leave me alone!¡±

    Jasper then gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. ¡°Do you Do you hate me so much, Alice?

    So much so that you¡¯re willing to give yourself to someone you don¡¯t love, all to make me upset?¡±

    ¡°Upset? Oh, I am the furthest thing away from upset.¡± Alyssa grinned. ¡°He treats me like a goddess,

    unlike you. Every single day of being with you fell like a prison.

    ¡°You really think I¡¯d waste my time getting back at you? Bah! Do you have any idea how much I¡¯d

    degrade myself doing that? You¡¯re goddamn proud and one hell of a Jealous peacock! I should have

    seen through you!¡± Alyssa gritted her teeth.

    Pain shot through Jaspers near. Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!

    Right then and there, Alyssa felt like something vital inside her had snapped into two.

    Those six words. ¡°the worst mistake of my life,¡± echoed in her mind.

    She had given him everything, her love, her heart, her soul for three whole years. What was the result?

    Nothing but another stain to his family¡¯s name.

    Why did you do this to yourself, Alyssa? Why?

    Jasper watched as her eyes slowly welled up with tears, and herplexion turned pale. He quickly let

    go of her hands, realizing he had misspoken terribly.

    He hadn¡¯t meant to. Why couldn¡¯t he stop himself?

    If it was what he genuinely felt, then whatever, but-

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett? Ms. White? Just then, Newton¡¯s secretary, Ben Gorham, spotted them.

    Alyssa quickly moved away from Jasper, forcing a smile on her face. ¡°What are you doing all the way

    here. Mr. Gorham? I thought you were with Grandpa?¡±

    Ben could tell something was off between them but didn¡¯t want toment on it. He said anxiously.

    ¡°There¡¯s been an ident. I¡¯m on my way to get it sorted out.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± Alyssa asked, worried.

 Chapter 187

    ¡°What?¡± Belly shrieked but was quickly silenced with a hand on her mouth.

    ¡°Shh! Be quiet!¡±

    ¡°Y¨CYou wanna drug Alice? During tonight¡¯s celebration?¡±

    Liana whispered deviously. ¡°If we can get Alice to sleep with Jonah tonight right when the celebration is

    going on, imagine the impact on her!

    ¡°Then, Alice¡¯s carefully built reputation would crumble apart in front of the masses, angering and

    disgusting both Jasper and her grandfather. Even the Taylor family wouldn¡¯t want anything to do with

    her anymore.

    ¡°Plus, you hate how close she is with Mr. Harper, don¡¯t you? Do you think he would still want to be

    involved with Alice once news of her being a whore goes out?¡±

    Betty gaped at Liana in shock. It was true that she despised Alyssa and had thought of confronting her

    from time to time, but never to drag her down in such a backward way!

    ¡°If someone finds out about this, we¡¯re doomed!¡±

    ¡°No one will know. There are so many people here tonight. Plus, even if they did, they wouldn¡¯t have

    any evidence that it was us. If you¡¯re scared, send someone to do it in your stead.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Pour a bit of this in Jonah Taylor¡¯s ss, and I¡¯ll do Alice¡¯s. We¡¯ll do it sneakily and separately. That

    way, no one will be able to trace it back to us,¡± Liana said.

    For good measure, she then added, ¡°You also saw how Mr. Harper only had eyes for Alice tonight. He

    barely looks at you and doesn¡¯t even

    talk to you.¡±

    Betty¡¯s heart tugged painfully as shame and embarrassment clouded her chest.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t remove Alice from this equation, you¡¯ll never get your chance with Mr. Harper. You¡¯ll end

    up being made a fool. So think carefully about what you want to do next!¡± Liana urged Betty on, using

    Sophia¡¯s words to her advantage.

    Finally, Betty nodded, her eyes determined.

    Outside, the guests were still enthralled with the aria performance. Landon hadn¡¯t been able to take his

    eyes away from Alyssa, who looked beautiful onstage.

    Jasper was also staring at her familiar yet distant face. Everything he had consumed turned to acid and

    tar in his throat.

    ¡°No wonder men have suffered years of agony all for her. Beauty, terrible beauty!¡± Jonah said lightly,

    sighing under his breath.

    Just then, a wave of gasps swept across the crowd of guests. Alyssa opened her eyes out of curiosity.

    What she saw made her freeze up right on the spot.

    Winston Taylor was walking into the garden, apanied by his secretary and several armed guards.

    He had a regal air about him that made the guests step out of his way almost instantly.

    ¡°Is¨CIs that KS Group¡¯s president, Winston Taylor?¡±

    To this want the Fach and the bellndic are rally ending Hesir old war? It woud gets out this news will

    make the headlinest

    The

    Alyssa¡¯s vote wavered best the allobteal as for heart pompted against her chest.

    Why was Whyshon here?

    Was he here for Newton¡¯s bithday?

 Chapter 188

    Jonah recovered from his shock and got up from his seat. ¡°Dad, what are you doing here?¡±

    He shot a worried look at the stage, where Alyssa was.

    ¡°What? Why can¡¯t I be here? Hey, you never even let me know you wereing. We would¡¯ve made

    such the entrance earlier,¡± Winston scowled, then shot Newton a hearty smile. ¡°Long time no see, old

    man. Your youth has not left you, I see!¡±

    ¡°My goodness, what an honor to have you here!¡± Newton hurriedly stood up to shake hands with

    Winston.

    Javier and the rest of Newton¡¯s family hurriedly stood up to greet Winston.

    Jasper, on the other hand, had narrowed his eyes. He didn¡¯t recall seeing Winston and Jonah Taylor¡¯s

    names on the guest list earlier

    tonight.

    It didn¡¯t seem like Newton had known they wereing over either.

    That could only mean Javier had personally invited the man.

    But why?

    ¡°I apologize for beingte. We just got off the ne. Come, let me drink to your health!¡± Winston raised

    a ss of wine.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but be reminded of Jonah and Alyssa for some reason. He took a deep breath,

    feeling like he might be losing his

    mind.

    Then, Jasper silently asked himself, ¡°What else are you capable of, Alice White?¡±

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Newton and Winston began chatting up a storm. They were so enthusiastic that you couldn¡¯t tell their

    families had a history of being at

    one another¡¯s necks.

    On the other hand, these two men had a different rtionship altogether, though it wasn¡¯t easily

    discernible.

    Jasper and Landon then got out of their seats to give Newton and Winston the main table to

    themselves. Jasper nodded his head respectfully, saying, ¡°Landon and I will leave for now.¡±

    Winston said, ¡°Oh? Is this young Jasper and Landon Harper? I haven¡¯t seen you two in ages. Look at

    how fine you¡¯ve be!¡±

    Winston eyed the two men, then asked, ¡°I heard your grandson¡¯s getting married, Newton?¡±

    Newton¡¯s expression changed just the slightest upon hearing that question.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Taylor. My son is engaged to the Gardner family¡¯s daughter, Liana Gardner. We hope you

    might care to attend the wedding next month,¡± Javier added eagerly.

    ¡°Gardner Group? Never heard of it,¡± Winston murmured tly, making Javier and Sophia tense up.

    ¡°Liana¡¯s my niece. She¡¯s childhood friends with Jasper,¡± Sophia said skittishly, then kept quiet.

    She didn¡¯t want to say anything else further, as it would only remind them of the furniture issue from

    before, which caused a rift between the Taylor and Gardner family.

    But she really didn¡¯t like this feeling Winston made her feel, as if she was being looked down upon.

    Liana was her family, after all. She couldn¡¯t let such mockery stand.

    ¡°Okay then. Come, Newton, another drink to your health!¡±

    Just like that, Winston had tossed anything to do with the Gardners into a trashcan in his mind. He

    didn¡¯t give a damn who Jasper was

    going to marry.

    His beloved daughter, Alyssa, would always be number one to him. No way in hell would Jasper

    Beckett be of the same standing with her.

    either!

    Meanwhile, Alyssa had finished her singing. She was giving her thanks when she noticed Winston had

    spotted her in the distance.

    Only God knew how terrified her poor little heart was. It felt ready to burst from her chest.

 Chapter 189

    Jasper peered at the stage, but Alyssa had long left. He could only frown, brows knit together in focus.

    The wall stall were busying about in the kitchen when a simply¨Cd maid slipped into the room. Betty

    had gotten through to her, so she W4s prepared to do her dirty work for her.

    the bed away from the cameras and took out the vials Betty had given her before adding them to two

    champagne sses. She then topped it off with champagne.

    One for Mr Tanah Taylor and the other for Mr. Landon Harper. Do you understand? You have to make

    sure he drinks It.¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    That was the instruction Belly had given her.

    uld be the maid¡¯s golden licket to being rich. She was determined not to mess up.

    Hight after she finished topping the drinks, the urge to go to the restroom hit her like a pillow to the

    face. She quickly ran off, leaving the sses unattended

    Just then, a woman in a white cotton dress snuck into the kitchen. She was the Beckett family¡¯s fourth

    child, Lauren Beckelt.

    like eyes peered carefully at her surroundings, ensuring no one was around before she chugged down

    one of the sses of

    Unbeknownst to anyone else in her family, Lauren had a drinking problem. She often snuck into the

    cer and kitchen in the wee hours of The morning to drink her fill. Right now, that bad habit was

    making itself known once again.

    ¡°Mmm Delicious! She burped slightly and smacked her lips.

    d the ss and left the scene before anyone could catch her.

    Alyssa never showed up in front of Newton again after Winston¡¯s arrival.

    Jasper found himself with no appetite whatsoever, even as countless delicious dishes were served as

    the evening went on. He kept ncing around the venue, his eyes brooding and sad.

    ¡°A toast to your health, Mr. Taylor!¡± Landon cried, raising his ss. ¡°You¡¯re truly blessed to be married

    to a woman such as Alice White! I hope you appreciate her and love her with all your heart. She

    deserves it.¡±

    Jonah smiled and clinked his ss with Landon¡¯s. ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t. I¡¯ll treat her like a queen every single

    day of my life.¡±

    Landon cleared his throat, then gave the man his name card. ¡°This is my card, and there¡¯s my phone

    number. A pleasure to be an

    acquaintance, Mr. Taylor.¡±

    Jonah raised an eyebrow. ¡°I know who you are, Mr. Harper. We can skip the pleasantries.¡±

    ¡°Oh, but I¡¯m sure there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know about me. I¡¯m interested in Alice, too,¡± Landon said

    without an ounce of holding back.

    Jasper¡¯s hand around his wine ss tightened.

    Jonah seemed unperturbed. ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always a bigger fish, Mr. Harper. Alice has a long list of admirers. If you lose feelings or

    interest in her one day, don¡¯t be shy. Call me, and I¡¯ll sweep her away in my arms.¡±

    Landon¡¯s gaze was lirm and steady. It didn¡¯t look like he was joking at all.

    Jonah grinned, finding Landon amusing. ¡°Thank you for the reminder. But I¡¯m sure that will nevere

    to pass.¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. He stood up and left the table.

    Though these two men hadn¡¯t mentioned his name once, it felt like they were throwing sarcastic jabs at

    him non¨Cstop. It was unbearable

    to sit through to the end.

    The moment he left the table and the main venue, someone smashed into his chest. It was Liana.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    Just then, he noticed a familiar ligure walking by in the distance.

    It was Alyssa.

    He opened his mouth as il about to speak, but then Liana forcefully kissed him on the lips.

    Alyssa just so happened to turn and look at them. She grimaced just the slightest upon seeing this

    sight, then turned away as if nothing had happened, leaving them alone.

    Jasper¡¯s heart lightened. He immediately shoved Liana away, nearly making her fall on her feet.

    ¡°You Why did you push me? How could you?¡± Liana cried.

    Jasper grilled his teeth, wiping away the lipstick on his face. ¡°You know I despise being forced against

    my will.¡±

 Chapter 190

    Liana felt Indignant when she heard Jasper say the word ¡°forced.¡±

    That was the first time Liana took the initiative to kiss him first. How could he see it as being forced?

    ¡°But Jasper, I¡¯m your fianc¨¦e! How could you? How could you say that of me?¡± Liana¡¯s eyes reddened

    with tears.

    ¡°You knew from the start that I never liked women who made the first move, nor can I tolerate intimate

    acts.¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was icy.

    Liana muttered, ¡°I know I¡¯ve always known.

    Liana knew that due to his upbringing and childhood trauma, he always had a hard time being intimate

    with the opposite S**. Being able tomunicate his emotions was already a big improvement for him.

    He was such a fine man. If it hadn¡¯t been Alyssa who took him away from her, it would have been some

    other woman.

    Jasper¡¯s hand curled into a fist, recalling Alice¡¯s cold gaze from afar. ¡°You say you¡¯ve always known,

    but you seem to have wilfully forgotten about it since we started dating again.¡±

    What was this emotion he was feeling?

    It felt like he had made a grave mistake. Guilt flooded his being, yet he couldn¡¯t tell what he had done

    wrong.

    He had never felt so helpless in his life.

    ¡°But we¡¯re about to marry, Jasper!¡± Liana yelled, trying to lean into Jasper¡¯s chest. ¡°We¡¯re not children

    anymore. We can¡¯t just hold hands

    forever! We¡¯re supposed to share a bed and have children together one day!¡±

    Jasper had thought marrying Liana was what he wanted.

    But why did it feel less like the truth the closer they got to the wedding date?

    Only fear and doubt gued him now.

    The venue door suddenly opened, and Jonah walked out with lumbering footsteps.

    Jasper thought he might be drunk and didn¡¯t follow him.

    Liana, meanwhile, had a devious grin on her face.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa had changed back into her original clothes backstage. She was about to leave

    when a maid ran up to her.

    ¡°Ms. White! Something has happened! Something has happened to Mr. Taylor. He¡¯s currently resting in

    one of the guestrooms. You should check on him. He looked like he was in serious pain!¡±

    Upon hearing this, Alyssa nodded. ¡°Lead the way!¡±

    After Jasper and Jonah left the table, Landon was left alone in the venue. Feeling bored, he decided to

    take a walk in the gardens.

    Fairy lights and retro streetmps were scattered here and there in the garden, forming quite the sight

    with the inky blue sky and its

    glittering stars.

    Landon thought themps had a beautiful warm light, like individual drops of moonlight. The sound of

    crickets chimed from the background as he strolled.

    Just then, he stopped in his tracks and turned around. ¡°Show yourself!¡±

    But nothing answered himn save the continuous cricket song.

    He thought that it could be a stray cat ying in the bushes.

    Landon was about to continue walking when that sound rang out again. He frowned and lightened his

    steps, walking toward its source.

    With a firm swallow, he asked, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    He then pushed the bush apart to see who it was.

    ¡°Laurie? Is that you?! What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. What

    ¡°What happened? Are you sick? You can¡¯t stay here!¡±

    Landon didn¡¯t know what had happened to Lauren. He scooped her up from the ground. But when their

    skin care in contact, he was stunned at how feverish she was.

    ¡°Are you having a lever?!¡± he asked worriedly.

    ¡°Help¨CHelp me ¡°Lauren¡¯s vision blurred out as she gasped weakly.

    ¡°Laur- Before Landon could finish speaking, Lauren had leaped into his arms, hugging him close. ¡°Hey!

    No funny moves! I already have- Mmh!¡±

    Lauren had pressed her lips against his.

    Meanwhile, Becky was anxiously circling the area, trying to find Landon. She wasn¡¯t sure if he had

    drunk the drugged ss of drink from earlier. 1

    Becky hadn¡¯t let Liana know that she had had the man drugged. She wanted to get right to fourth base

    with Landon andter force his hand in marriage. That way, Landon wouldn¡¯t be able to deny her, 1

    But where was he right now?

    ¡°Miss!¡± The maid from earlier ran to her just then.

    Becky made sure no one else was around before asking quietly, ¡°So? How did it go?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve done exactly as you asked, miss. Don¡¯t you worry. I even carried Mr. Taylor to one of the rooms

    myself and sent Ms. White there too.¡± the maid reported gleefully.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Harper then?¡± Betty asked crossly.

    ¡°Uh Um, I. I haven¡¯t seen him yet.¡±

    Betty grew furious. ¡°Did you drug his drink or not?!¡±

    ¡°I did, I did! I watched him drink it alongside Mr. Taylor. II Mr. Taylor already feels the effects, he must

    be too!¡± The maid vehemently assured.

    Betty pursed her lips, feeling annoyed. Just then, Liana called her phone. She went elsewhere to take

    the call.

    ¡°Well done, Betty. Let¡¯s sit back and enjoy the show now, hm?¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 191

    Alyssa stood in the empty quest room and no sound was heard She humbled for the baht svalch calling

    bosh buah as that?

    A low voice came from the bedroom too low for her to hear

    She quickly went into the bedroom calling lonah? Are you ha

    ¡°Al¨CAlyssa stay away! Jonah yelled his breathing in harsh pants.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Jonah? You¡¯re scaring met Alessa went and opened the bedroom door.

    It was dark inside, but she could still see Jonah leaning against the boul of

    was soaked with moisture.

    He had taken off his suit, leaving only his white dress shirt sticking against his skin, the bollens open to

    reveal its flushed red skin

    Jonah-

    ¡°I¡¯ve been I¡¯ve been drugged.¡± Jonah closed his eyes, trying to y conscious. Tiled a cold ball, but it It

    didn¡¯t work the drug¡¯s too

    strong!¡±

    ¡°How could this happen? Alyssa cried, angry and panicker

    She was masterfully skilled when it came to healing and medicine. Yet, seeing her brother now under

    the effects of an aphrodisiac left her

    at a loss for what to do.

    ¡°This is a trap, Alyssa. You need to leave this room taht now! Lock the door, I can handle this mysel!!¡±

    Jonah grunted, his eyes getting more bloodshot by the second.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t just leave him there.

    ¡°I won¡¯t leave you, Jonah. I¡¯ll get you out. We need to get you to a hospital right now! Alyssa was nearly

    in tears, seeing her brother in so much pain.

    She was about to help him when a loud sound was heard,

    Jonah had smashed a nearby vase into pieces.

    He grabbed one of the pottery shards and squeezed it hard in his palm until blood Howed between his

    fingers. Still, he wouldn¡¯t let go of

    the shard.

    Alyssa was in tears now. ¡°Jonah, don¡¯t-¡±

    She knew her brother was nearly past his limit now. He was hurting himself just to save her. 1

    ¡°Please leave, Alyssa Jonah forced his clouded gaze to meet her eyes. ¡°Leave!¡±

    Music was once again ying in the event hall, forming a cheerful background for the quests to chatter

    to their hearts¡® content.

    Winston was still speaking to Newton, so many of those who couldn¡¯t wait to curry favors were now

    stalled. Winston was too prominent a figure, after all. They would only look like lools if they tried their

    luck.

    In a good mood after being filled up with drinks, Newton called his children to sit with him. Jasper and

    Belly were likewise called over by Ben.

    ¡°What do you think of my grandson, Winston? Newton asked, grinning at the man.

    Winston nodded lightly. ¡°He¡¯s a fine, capable young man, Mr. Beckett. He surpasses you for sure in

    many ways.¡±

    Javier cleared his throat, grumbling internally about how dense Winston was. Jasper was his son, so

    Winston should have praised him instead for his good genes.

    ¡°Haha, he could never match me in my prime! When I was his age, I had far greater goals and sights!

    Though he really is a kind. considerate boy. He¡¯s just very stubborn sometimes. You couldn¡¯t get a

    single word in once he decided to do something.¡± Newton sighed,

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper said nothing, merely took a sip of his drink

    Javier spoke up, ¡°Dad, Jasper¡¯s not that bad. The family business has shown wonderful progress since

    he took over the reins. He¡¯s a really

    Capable vid, this one.¡±

    Of course, Jayer was trying to save face for himself too. He couldn¡¯t let himself look bad in front of their

    business rival.

    Hmph Shouldn¡¯t he be doing that in the first ce? If he didn¡¯t have those necessary qualities, I would

    have had someone else take over his ce from the start Newton had always had his slights against

    Jasper, so he was always looking for ways to vent his annoyance.

    Mr. Beckett, I believe the amount of people capable of carrying on your legacy is far too few in our city

    alone. Jasper is already doing very

    well for his age Winston¡¯s tone was sincere,

    After all, Jasper had single¨Chandedly pushed Beckett Group forward in three years, making them

    Sna City¡¯s number one conglomerate.

    Winston could tel

    was really proud of him, regardless of what he said aloud.

    ¡°Oh?! take it you think my grandson¡¯s a good man? N

 Chapter 192

    <strong>Chapter 192</strong>

    Newton''s suggestion had Javier''s and Sophia''s faces falling t on the table. Betty, on the other hand, nearly spat out her drink.

    "Don''t joke about these things, Grandpa!" Jasper said sternly.

    Winston was just as stunned as everyone else.

    "You have three daughters, if I remember correctly?" Newton asked, to which Winston nodded.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Yes, three. I have a total of nine children. They''re enough for me for a lifetime now."

    "Ah, and are those three married yet?"

    Winston replied awkwardly, "My sixth child, Miley, has already married. She''s currently overseas. My youngest, Tatiana, is still in school. I don''t want her to marry just yet. Let her enjoy her youth and whatnot."

    "What about your third girl, the one you dote on? What was her name again? Al-something?"

    Winston''s gaze turned gentle at the thought of his favorite daughter. "That''s my eighth child, Alyssa."

    Jasper felt something like thunder hit him. His grip on his winess nearly slipped.

    "Right! Alyssa! I remember seeing her years ago. She was such a sweet, happy child." Newton grinned. "She should be around twenty-four now, right? Any marriage prospects yet?"

    "No ..."

    "What would you say if she marries my grandson, Jasper?"

    Winston blinked rapidly, silently cursing out the old man for being so dense as to not be able to tell he didn''t want his beloved daughter anywhere close to Javier''s son.

    How could he dare to presume Alyssa was good enough for them?

    "I''m already engaged, Grandpa," Jasper spoke up, gritting his teeth at the thought of Alyssa Taylor. "Even if I were single, Ms. Alyssa and I would never work out."

    Newton was about to reply when Winston cut in, "I''m afraid I don''t understand what you mean, Jasper. Is Alyssa not good enough for you? She''s my most beloved child. I wouldn''t even let a prince near her if he didn''t get my approval. Where do you get the courage to deny her outright? It''s a bit prudish, no?"

    Winston would''ve used far worsenguage if Newton hadn''t been here.

    How could this boy dare to insult his daughter?

    "I agree that Ms. Alyssa is an incredibly skilled andpetent businesswoman. We''ve crossed paths before, and I have witnessed firsthand the incredible feats she has done, the strategies she has implemented," Jasper exined, meeting Winston''s gaze.

    He continued, "We just have shing personalities. Being together would create more conflict than necessary. But I do look forward to the day we finally meet, where I hope to work together with her, business-wise."

    Not bad, Winston thought. The kid knew just what to say.

    "What do you mean ''finally meet''? Let''s arrange a time right now for you two to meet. Who knows, you might find it easier to get along than previously thought!" Newton cried, happily pping the table.

    Jasper''s expression had turned stormy. His grandfather was really doing everything he could to stop his marriage with Liana froming to fruition.

    Just as he was about to state his refusal, Sophia cried out, "Dad, isn''t this too outrageous a suggestion? Jasper is about to marry Liana!"

    "''About to,'' so they''re not married yet." Newton met her eyes with a firm grin. "Marriage is akin to a contractual agreement most of the time. Before this agreement is signed and witnessed, it is still subject to variables, including termination!"

    "But news of their engagement has already gone out, Dad. What would the public think of Ms. Alyssa if you were to y matchmaker now?" Sophia retorted.

    Then, while sporting the most polite grin, said, "Ms. Alyssa is Mr. Taylor''s favorite child. We can''t humiliate her like that!"

    "Be quiet!" Javier yelled, tugging Sophia''s arm so she would shut up. He didn''t want her to upset his father.

    "How¡ªYou¡ª!" Newton was sessfully angered. He coughed violently, a hand pressed against his chest.

    Meanwhile, Winston silently watched everything unfold, taking a sip of his drink now and then.

    Who in their right mind would let their child marry into such a chaotic bunch? It definitely wouldn''t be him.

    When Newton''s coughing did not subside, Jasper and Ben rushed to calm him down.

    "Get your hands off of me!" Newton forced out while coughing, his face blood red. "Where''s¡ªWhere''s Alice? Have here here!"

    Alice was like a cooling salve on a burn to Newton. She was always able to calm his spirits in a moment.

    "Yeah, where is Alice, by the way? I haven''t seen her in ages!" Betty asked innocently, secretly grinning with glee.

    Just then, Liana walked over casually, as if on cue.

    "Lia, have you seen Alice anywhere? Grandpa''s looking for her," Betty asked.

    "I ... have." Liana appeared to be having a dilemma, tugging at her fingers. "But I ... I''m not sure if I should say where."

 Chapter 193

    The wall stall were busying about in the kitchen when a simply¨Cd maid slipped into the room. Betty

    had gotten through to her, so she W4s prepared to do her dirty work for her.

    the bed away from the cameras and took out the vials Betty had given her before adding them to two

    champagne sses. She then topped it off with champagne.

    One for Mr Tanah Taylor and the other for Mr. Landon Harper. Do you understand? You have to make

    sure he drinks It.¡±

    That was the instruction Belly had given her.

    uld be the maid¡¯s golden licket to being rich. She was determined not to mess up.

    Hight after she finished topping the drinks, the urge to go to the restroom hit her like a pillow to the

    face. She quickly ran off, leaving the sses unattended

    Just then, a woman in a white cotton dress snuck into the kitchen. She was the Beckett family¡¯s fourth

    child, Lauren Beckelt.

    like eyes peered carefully at her surroundings, ensuring no one was around before she chugged down

    one of the sses of

    Unbeknownst to anyone else in her family, Lauren had a drinking problem. She often snuck into the

    cer and kitchen in the wee hours of The morning to drink her fill. Right now, that bad habit was

    making itself known once again.

    ¡°Mmm Delicious! She burped slightly and smacked her lips.

    d the ss and left the scene before anyone could catch her.

    Alyssa never showed up in front of Newton again after Winston¡¯s arrival.

    Jasper found himself with no appetite whatsoever, even as countless delicious dishes were served as

    the evening went on. He kept ncing around the venue, his eyes brooding and sad.

    ¡°A toast to your health, Mr. Taylor!¡± Landon cried, raising his ss. ¡°You¡¯re truly blessed to be married

    to a woman such as Alice White! I hope you appreciate her and love her with all your heart. She

    deserves it.¡±

    Jonah smiled and clinked his ss with Landon¡¯s. ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t. I¡¯ll treat her like a queen every single

    day of my life.¡±

    Landon cleared his throat, then gave the man his name card. ¡°This is my card, and there¡¯s my phone

    number. A pleasure to be an

    acquaintance, Mr. Taylor.¡±

    Jonah raised an eyebrow. ¡°I know who you are, Mr. Harper. We can skip the pleasantries.¡±

    ¡°Oh, but I¡¯m sure there¡¯s something you don¡¯t know about me. I¡¯m interested in Alice, too,¡± Landon said

    without an ounce of holding back.

    Jasper¡¯s hand around his wine ss tightened.

    Jonah seemed unperturbed. ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always a bigger fish, Mr. Harper. Alice has a long list of admirers. If you lose feelings or

    interest in her one day, don¡¯t be shy. Call me, and I¡¯ll sweep her away in my arms.¡±

    Landon¡¯s gaze was lirm and steady. It didn¡¯t look like he was joking at all.

    Jonah grinned, finding Landon amusing. ¡°Thank you for the reminder. But I¡¯m sure that will nevere

    to pass.¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. He stood up and left the table.

    Though these two men hadn¡¯t mentioned his name once, it felt like they were throwing sarcastic jabs at

    him non¨Cstop. It was unbearable

    to sit through to the end.

    The moment he left the table and the main venue, someone smashed into his chest. It was Liana.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    Just then, he noticed a familiar ligure walking by in the distance.

    It was Alyssa.

    He opened his mouth as il about to speak, but then Liana forcefully kissed him on the lips.

    Alyssa just so happened to turn and look at them. She grimaced just the slightest upon seeing this

    sight, then turned away as if nothing had happened, leaving them alone.

    Jasper¡¯s heart lightened. He immediately shoved Liana away, nearly making her fall on her feet.

    ¡°You Why did you push me? How could you?¡± Liana cried.

    Jasper grilled his teeth, wiping away the lipstick on his face. ¡°You know I despise being forced against

    my will.¡±

    Liana felt Indignant when she heard Jasper say the word ¡°forced.¡±

    That was the first time Liana took the initiative to kiss him first. How could he see it as being forced?

    ¡°But Jasper, I¡¯m your fianc¨¦e! How could you? How could you say that of me?¡± Liana¡¯s eyes reddened

    with tears.

    ¡°You knew from the start that I never liked women who made the first move, nor can I tolerate intimate

    acts.¡± Jasper¡¯s tone was icy.

    Liana muttered, ¡°I know I¡¯ve always known.

    Liana knew that due to his upbringing and childhood trauma, he always had a hard time being intimate

    with the opposite S**. Being able tomunicate his emotions was already a big improvement for him.

    He was such a fine man. If it hadn¡¯t been Alyssa who took him away from her, it would have been some

    other woman.

    Jasper¡¯s hand curled into a fist, recalling Alice¡¯s cold gaze from afar. ¡°You say you¡¯ve always known,

    but you seem to have wilfully forgotten about it since we started dating again.¡±

    What was this emotion he was feeling?

    It felt like he had made a grave mistake. Guilt flooded his being, yet he couldn¡¯t tell what he had done

    wrong.

    He had never felt so helpless in his life.

    ¡°But we¡¯re about to marry, Jasper!¡± Liana yelled, trying to lean into Jasper¡¯s chest. ¡°We¡¯re not children

    anymore. We can¡¯t just hold hands

    forever! We¡¯re supposed to share a bed and have children together one day!¡±

    Jasper had thought marrying Liana was what he wanted.

    But why did it feel less like the truth the closer they got to the wedding date?

    Only fear and doubt gued him now.

    The venue door suddenly opened, and Jonah walked out with lumbering footsteps.

    Jasper thought he might be drunk and didn¡¯t follow him.

    Liana, meanwhile, had a devious grin on her face.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa had changed back into her original clothes backstage. She was about to leave

    when a maid ran up to her.

    ¡°Ms. White! Something has happened! Something has happened to Mr. Taylor. He¡¯s currently resting in

    one of the guestrooms. You should check on him. He looked like he was in serious pain!¡±

    Upon hearing this, Alyssa nodded. ¡°Lead the way!¡±

    After Jasper and Jonah left the table, Landon was left alone in the venue. Feeling bored, he decided to

    take a walk in the gardens.

    Fairy lights and retro streetmps were scattered here and there in the garden, forming quite the sight

    with the inky blue sky and its

    glittering stars.

    Landon thought themps had a beautiful warm light, like individual drops of moonlight. The sound of

    crickets chimed from the background as he strolled.

    Just then, he stopped in his tracks and turned around. ¡°Show yourself!¡±

    But nothing answered himn save the continuous cricket song.

    He thought that it could be a stray cat ying in the bushes.

    Landon was about to continue walking when that sound rang out again. He frowned and lightened his

    steps, walking toward its source.

    With a firm swallow, he asked, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    He then pushed the bush apart to see who it was.

    ¡°Laurie? Is that you?! What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. What

    ¡°What happened? Are you sick? You can¡¯t stay here!¡±

    Landon didn¡¯t know what had happened to Lauren. He scooped her up from the ground. But when their

    skin care in contact, he was stunned at how feverish she was.

    ¡°Are you having a lever?!¡± he asked worriedly.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Help¨CHelp me ¡°Lauren¡¯s vision blurred out as she gasped weakly.

 Chapter 194

    But Jasper wasn¡¯t giving up that easily. He grabbed hold of her arm, stopping her from taking another

    step. His eyes were nearly bloodshot by now. ¡°Did he louch you, Alice? Answer mel¡±

    ¡°Someone dutuurd Jonah! Alyssa growled out, ring at him.

    ¡°What?¡± Jasper gaped in shock.

    ¡°I managed to suppress the effects, but I can¡¯t do much else to deal with this lucked up cocktail of

    drugs, so I¡¯m getting him to the hospital right now!¡±

    Alyssa llung Jasper¡¯s hand away, yelling, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to deal with this nonsense right now, Jasper

    Beckett, but mark my words. If something happens to Jonah because of this, I¡¯ll make sure you and

    your family pay!¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Her words were like des that lodged themselves in Jasper¡¯s heart. It felt like someone had carved a

    hole into his very being. His cheeks were warm and flushed as if she had just pped him in thece.

    Jasper never expected Alyssa to be so hostile toward him all for another man, nor had he ever seen

    such a ferocious, determined gaze.

    There was a mesmerizing beauty in it.

    ¡°Come back, Alice!¡± Jasper cried as Alyssa ran off with Jonah in low.

    But she didn¡¯t stop this time.

    Just then, a whole bunch of lootsteps sounded from behind them.

    ¡°Alice¡± Newton cried out. ¡°Alice!¡±

    Alyssa stopped in her tracks, slowly turning around.

    Her face fell drastically, paling when she saw who it was.

    Her father was standing right in the middle of the rest of the Beckett family.

    Only now did Winston finally see who this ¡°Alice¡± was. He even rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn¡¯t

    hallucinating.

    Alyssa was at a loss for words. Shame, panic, guilt, and countless other negative emotions flooded her

    chest. 1

    *Jasper, Grandpa.. Mr. Taylor. You see how much she¡¯s humiliating our families, now?¡± Liana cried,

    standing ahead of everyone to

    use Alyssa.

    Liana continued, ¡°Jasper had already agreed to divorce her after your birthday, Grandpa. You love her

    so much. Why couldn¡¯t she just hold

    back for a bit longer?¡±

    It didn¡¯t look like she nned to stop. ¡°I wanted to let you have a peaceful birthday celebration,

    Grandpa, that¡¯s why I stayed in line. But clearly, Alice doesn¡¯t feel the same. She¡¯s out here shaming

    our family!

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, this is a woman who¡¯s yet to leave her marriage officially, but here she was, already getting

    herself involved with your son. She even got herself alone in a room with him on Grandpa¡¯s birthday, of

    all things! Would you really want your son to be with a woman like this?

    Jasper had had enough. ¡°Liana Gardner!¡±

    But she had already said her fill. She needed to drag Alice down this once, even if it meant Jasper¡¯s

    impression of her would turn sour

    ¡°Alice You¡± Newton blinked rapidly, not knowing what to say.

    Meanwhile, Javier shook his head, silently grateful that his son had ended things with this woman. She

    would only humiliate their family

    further if they hadn¡¯t.

    Sophia sighed and said in a tone of faux kindness, ¡°We were all young once. You can¡¯t me them for

    this. It¡¯s good that our family found out about this first, instead of anyone else. If we-

    ¡°Lyse,e here,¡± Winston said coldly, cutting Sophia off.

 Chapter 195

    Alyssa¡¯s voice was unbelievably sol St it didn¡¯t fail to sinka suszone present the lightning bolt to the

    read

    a

    Newton¡¯s and Lavier¡¯sws both fell to the ground

    na felt a chill surge through her spins, spreading through her firas. Her fork had turned pale white,

    dose ass

    Who would have thought that Jasper¡¯s unwanted bride, whom everyone had treated live a lowy med,

    was the devider of Belbanks¡® most powerful family?

    Belly nudged her mother weakly. ¡°Mom Mom, is this real? Is this bitch

    ¡°Shut up Sophia screeched, pushing her daughter¡¯s hand wha

    Jasper was frozen in ce, every emotion under the son filling his chest up like a balloon, Confusion,

    shock, and are fached through his being every other second. It fell like he might drown under the

    weight of everything.

    How could his wife of twee years, who had sacrificed herself taking care of his grandfather and tended

    to everything, be Winston Taylors most beloved daughter, Alyssa Taylor?

    His breath skipped as he went up to Alyssa, gazing at her suddenly unfamiliar fact,

    Alyssa looked away, irritation and quilt Hickering in her heart. She refused to meet Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Is It Is It really your Jasper asked weakly.

    Alyssa nodded. ¡°Yes,¡±

    ¡°So you were the one behind the acks on the Gardner Group and the one who made me climb up the

    stairs-

    ¡°You¡¯ve received your answer, Mr. Beckett. It was me the whole time. I¡¯m Winston Taylor¡¯s eighth child

    and KS World Hotel¡¯s CEO, Alyssa Taylor Alyssa cut him off, voice ice cold.

    She continued, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, however. All I did was only for the benefit of the hotel. It was

    nothing personal

    ¡°As to why I had someone else appear before you in my stead, I¡¯m sure you can understand by now. I

    kept my identity a secret to avoid unnecessary trouble and ensure we parted on neutral terms.¡±

    Alyssa then looked down briefly, ¡°But I did lie to you, and for that, I owe you an apology. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Yes, she had led to Jasper again. This was the nth time now, and each lie had been far more

    outrageous than thest

    Yet Jasper didn¡¯t find himself as upset as he imagined he might. All he wanted to know was why.

    Why would someone who had grown up in such abundance and wealth lower her status and hide her

    identity to be some caretaker

    for his grandfather?

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Why would she remain by his side even though she knew he never loved her? Why suffer so much?

    ¡°So Jonah and Ss

    ¡°They¡¯re my brothers,¡± Alyssa answered lightly, then walked over to her father with Jonah in tow.

    Jasper¡¯s heart felt like it had wrong itself into a ball.

    Just then, Sean appeared in the hallway. The moment he saw Winston and Alyssa together, he figured

    out what had happened in an

    instant.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Hold onto Jonali, He¡¯s so drunk I¡¯m afraid not even Alyssa could hold him up.¡± Even though Winston

    was enraged, he still couldn¡¯t embarrass himself or any of his children in front of the Beckells. Their

    punishment would have to wait until after.

    Sean hurriedly went to help hold Jonah up by the waist. Jasper reached out to help but was stopped by

    Alyssa.

    ¡°No, thank you, Mr. Beckell, We can do this on our own.¡±

    all our doc for right away, Sean. We need to get Jonah to the hospital. He might need to have his

    stomach pumped,¡± Alyssa ordered

    Stomach pumped? Isn¡¯t he just drunk?¡±

    Alyssa swept her icy gaze across every single one of the Beckells. ¡°He was drugged, with a heavy

    dose too. The effects are too overwhelming right now.¡±

    Hearly everyone had a puzzled look on their faces except for Liana, Betty, and Sophia. Their

    expressions instantly crumbled like a wall before a cannon, especially Betty, whose legs began quaking

    under her skirt.

    Fury overtook Winston in a split second. He¡¯d sensed something was wrong.

    Jonah had never been one to drink too much, always restraining himself from indulging. So it didn¡¯t

    make sense for him to end up drunk tonight.

    Sean quickly helped Jonah downstairs first.

 Chapter 196

    Newton¡¯s face was bone white as he quivered just the slightest. ¡°What is this, Alice? What is going on?

    He found it and to change the way he addressed her.

    ¡°How is this possibleyer¡¯s ego

    stomach these ims.

    the shame such news would bring if it were leaked to the public, nor to

    Javier said, ¡°We have the state¡¯s best security here. They would have found the culprit by now!

    Everyone on the questist tonight are close friends and family. No one would dare to do this! There must

    be some misunderstanding. Maybe Jonah got food polooning, or ¨C

    ¡°You can choose not to believe me, but the truth wille out eventually. Our doctors are very efficient

    at what they do, so the results shoulde out very soon,¡± Alyssa said firmly, her gaze a cold,

    glearning de,

    She continued, ¡°You said it yourself¨Cyou have the best security guarding this house tonight, with only

    family and friends attending the celebration. That means the culprit is most likely among you.¡±

    Javier looked like he had eaten a cockroach.

    Meanwhile, Liana hid behind him, and the other Beckells were absolutely terrified.

    Liana tried to calm hersell. She told herself that everything would be alright. After all, she hadn¡¯t done a

    single thing. Betty was the one who hadced the drinks.

    Belly¡¯s heart was pounding and leaping into her throat. They had nned to have her drug Jonah while

    Liana drugged Alyssa, so why was thetterpletely fine?

    Did Liana not do as agreed then?

    Did Liana really capsize the boat and leave Betty to drown?

    Belly couldn¡¯t help but curse at Liana inwardly. ¡°This bitch! This lying, cheating whore!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, that¡¯s a bit of a serious usation, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sophia quickly piped up. ¡°Our families have

    nothing against each other. Why

    would we want to harm Mr. Jonah?¡±

    ¡°Be quiet, you! This is not the ce for you to speak!¡± Newton barked out fiercely.

    Alyssa gazed steadily at Sophia as she replied, ¡°Maybe it wasn¡¯t my brother the culprit wasing

    after. Maybe their target was me.¡±

    Instantly, Jasper turned to nce at Sophia and Betty.

    From the start of the night, he had thought it strange how Winston and Jonah Taylor had shown up for

    the birthday celebration when they

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    hadn¡¯t been invited.

    Then he recalled how Sophia had gone on and on about his rtionship with Alyssa in front of

    Winston, followed by all this mess.

    It felt as though this had all been nned out, as opposed to being a coincidence.

    ¡°After I finished the performance, a kitchen servant told me Jonah was feeling unwell and asked me to

    check up on him. I wanted to make sure he was okay, so I went. I never anticipated this would happen.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s hands were balled into fists.

    ¡°To protect me, Jonah even cut himself with porcin. That was the only reason the culprit¡¯s evil

    scheme did not go as nned! Someone amongst you set your sights on me because I kept my

    identity a secret. If they had known who I was, they would have found another way

    to get at me.¡±

    Winston was outraged. ¡°You¡¯d better give some closure to this nonsense tonight, Javier Beckett, or

    don¡¯t me me for what I will do in

    retaliation!¡±

    ¡°There must be a misunderstanding, Mr. Taylor,¡± Javier cried worriedly. 1

    Winston scowled. ¡°Enough excuses! My son and daughter have been set up in some evil plot while

    under your roof! I don¡¯t care if it was your family who did this. It happened in your home, so I demand

    an answer!¡±

    Javier¡¯s face was beet red. ¡°That¡¯s too difficult a request to get done, Mr. Taylor.¡±

    ¡°Un, I don¡¯t think so. Your children aren¡¯t the ones getting drugged tonight, so don¡¯t talk to me about

    difficult! Winston snarled. Are you Ipetent or just scared of what you¡¯ll find?¡±

    Javier gritted his teeth, overwhelmed with anger.

    Seeing her father stand up for her and Jonah made Alyssa feel unbelievably warm inside. Her father

    was a yboy, sure, but he really knew when to protect his loved ones!

    Liana¡¯s dress had been soaked through with sweat by now, while Betty was getting more fearful by the

    second. She had been slowly stepping back, ready to escape at any moment¡¯s notice.

    ¡°Where are you going. Ms. Betty?¡± someone called out from the other end of the hallway.

    Betty nearly screamed with fright. She turned to see who it was.

    Landon was slowly walking toward them, his eyes bristling with rage. In his arms was a girl who had

    fallen sound asleep.

    When Betty saw who it was, hatred and jealousy clouded her gaze red. 1

    Lauren Beckett was in Landon¡¯s arms!

 Chapter 197

    Lauren was sleeping in Landon¡¯s arms, her hand gripping his shirt cor as her eyshes fluttered

    lightly. She looked like some angel

    from heaven.

    Landon nced at her briefly but quickly looked away. He had years of experience with this, so he

    could easily shift his focus elsewhere.

    When he looked back at Betty, his tone had grown sharp and angry. ¡°You¡¯ll be missing out if you leave

    now, Ms. Betty.¡±

    ¡°I wanted to go to the washroom. Betty stuttered, heart pounding in her chest.

    ¡°You can go alter.¡±

    Landon walked past Betty, heading for Jasper and Alice.

    Betty¡¯s jealousy spiked when she noticed the red love bites on Landon¡¯s neck. Something exploded in

    her brain and started buzzing nonstop.

    If Landon hadn¡¯t drank the drugged wine, then-

    Betty¡¯s heart plummeted at the realization that Lauren had likely drunk it.

    Did they do anything? Did they sleep together?

    ¡°F***! Damn you, Lauren Beckett!¡± Betty screamed internally.

    ¡°Lauren!¡± Alyssa and Jasper cried at the same time.

    ¡°What has happened to her? What has happened to my granddaughter?¡± Newton asked. He hadn¡¯t

    seen her once throughout the evening. so the sight of her now made him feel both confused and

    enraged.

    Javier and Sophia looked unbearably worried as well.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sir. Lauren is fine. I have experience with this kind of thing.¡± Landon assured them.

    ¡°Experience?¡± Jasper¡¯s features twisted angrily. ¡°If your ¡®experience¡® was ¡®spent¡® on Lauren, I¡¯ll be the

    first to peel the skin off your back!¡±

    ¡°Tsk.¡± Landon scowled. ¡°Have some faith in me, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Alyssa noticed the red marks on his neck but said nothing.

    Javier cried, ¡°What on Earth happened to our daughter, Landon? Tell us!¡±

    Landon took a deep breath before exining. ¡°Lauren was drugged. I found her in the garden out back.

    The effects had already ovee her, so I had her drink some water and eat something to slow it

    down. Her condition is more stable now. All she needs is some rest.¡±

    The Beckett family¡¯s faces colored up differently upon hearing that.

    Newton was trembling, ready to fall any second. ¡°What? Lauren was ¡±

    Javier went to help hold him up. ¡°Deep breaths, Dad. Come and help me, Ben!¡±

    ¡°Grandpa!¡± Alyssa went up to Newton too, worried for his health.

    Winston pursed his lips upon seeing his daughter care so much for Newton. He was feeling quite

    envious right now.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure the full picture is apparent now.¡± Alyssa said, her stern gaze lingering on Betty and Liana.

    ¡°The only other people sitting with my brother at the time were Mr. Beckett and Mr. Landon. My brother

    was drugged, followed by Ms. Lauren, who had never once appeared during the event. 1

    ¡°I¡¯m sure the drink she consumed was meant to be served to my brother¡¯s table. Unfortunately, it

    seems Ms. Lauren drank it before that could ur.¡±

    Jasper and Landon both gazed at Alyssa, their eyes filled with admiration. She had such a keen,

    analytical mind!

    Her words had implicated enougn. Everyone turned to Landon in an instant.

    The man sneered coldly. He hated when people pulled disgusting tricks like this. How could someone

    think to do this on Newton¡¯s birthday?

    Whoever it was was fucking shameless!

    ¡°Apprehend that kitchen maid,¡± Jasper spoke up angrily. ¡°Bring her over to us. Ms. Alyssa and I will

    question her. No one is leaving tonight until the truth is out!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She gazed at him incredulously, feeling a wee sense of surprise.

    Their gazes met, and in that instant, a familiar emotion rose in their hearts.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

 Chapter 198

    ¡°W¨CWhat do you mean, Jasper? Are you trying to lock us in? Do you think we¡¯re some kind of criminal

    suspects?¡± Sop screeched, learful their schemes would be revealed.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s a bit of an exauueration, don¡¯t you think? I just need everyone¡¯s cooperation to clear out the

    rotten apples in our family,¡± Jasper snapped, exuding even more authority than his own father did. ¡°If

    you are Innocent, you won¡¯t have to worry about anything.¡±

    ¡°Yest Newton cited. ¡°We We can¡¯t let something this humiliating stand! We need to investigate this

    matter and give Alice and Jonah. proper closurel

    Betty¡¯s teeth were chattering in lear, while Sophia could no longer retort.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett Just then, Xavier entered the hallway, two bodyguards behind him dragging the kitchen

    mald between them.

    With a strong push forward, the girl was, flung onto the floor before everyone.

    ¡°I managed to get the CCTV footage as you instructed, sir, I was implementing a lockdown on the

    whole venue when I caught her trying to escape through the garden!

    Alyssa was shocked again. How did Jasper pick up that something was wrong in such a short amount

    of time?

    ¡°Tsk. Her guilt is clear as day.¡± Landon red at the girl. ¡°Is further Investigation even needed? Why

    would she be trying to wriggle out through a doggy door II she was Innocent?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s needed,¡± Jasper sald sternly. ¡°I want to catch the mastermind behind this.¡±

    ¡°Mister Mr. Beckett, I had a family emergency. That¡¯s why I had to had to find a way to leave. The doors

    were all locked. I didn¡¯t do anything, I swear!¡± the maid cried.

    ¡°I remember you. You were the one who served us our drinks,¡± Landon sald.

    Alyssa added, ¡°You told me my brother was sick and led the way there.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve checked the CCTV, sir. No one else was with her when she was in the kitchen all the way to the

    banquet hall. She didn¡¯t speak to anyone either. She was the only one who came into contact with

    those drinks,¡± Xavier reported.

    ¡°That That doesn¡¯t mean Iced your drinks!¡± the mald cried, panicked.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Alyssa cocked her head. ¡°When did we say the drinks wereced?¡±

    Everyone¡¯s gaze instantly fell onto the mald like arrows on a straw dummy.

    ¡°I overheard earlier on the way here¡­¡±

    ¡°Overhead? Damn, you must have really big ears.¡±

    Xavier was nearly frothing at the mouth at how outrageous her excuses were. He pulled out the footage

    on his phone and handed it to

    Jasper.

    Xavier stated, ¡°ording to our investigation, we have no footage of her directlycing the drinks with

    anything.¡±

    The maid, and also Betty, sighed in relief.

    Xavier continued, ¡°But we did find this.¡±

    Alyssa leaned in to look at the phone screen, to which Jasper automatically stepped closer to her for

    her convenience.

    Their foreheads struck one another, the pain quickly fading into heat.

    Alyssa looked away after their gazes met for a brief second.

    That gesture made Jasper¡¯s heart hurt.

    The video footage depicted the kitchen mald in the backyard taking out the trash and then looking

    around cautiously before she tossed

    She stayed away from all the cameras on the way back but missed out on the hidden camera in the

    garden. We ve taught her red- handed, sir.¡± Xavier sneered.

    ¡°N¨CNo! I was only throwing some medicine vials I had taken. They were just normal painkillers!¡± the

    maid cited desperately.

    Jasper ignored her. ¡°Did you bring the evidence, Xavier?¡±

    ¡°Here, sir.¡±

    Xavier handed Jasper the emply vials in a stic bag. Jasper¡¯sw lightened as he examined the vials.

    ¡°Send these to theboratory straight away. If this turns out to be something else other than painkillers,

    this all is heading behind bars.¡±

    The kitchen maid burst into tears, kneeling down to beg for mercy. ¡°Please have mercy, Mr. Beckell! I

    wasn¡¯t the one behind the drugging, I

    swear!¡±

    She then turned around, pointing straight at Belly. ¡°It was het! Ms. Betty instructed me to do

 Chapter 199

    <strong>Chapter 199</strong>

    Betty immediately became the best straw dummy.

    "Did ... Did you really do this, Betty?" Newton asked in pure disbelief.

    Landon''s eyes narrowed as he red at Betty. If Laurie hadn''t identally drank that wine, he would have be a victim under a hand!

    Alyssa remained calm throughout, a faint sneer on her lips. It was as if she had grown bored of all the vileness present.

    "How dare you use me, you bitch?" Betty shrieked, about to storm up to the maid and kick her in the face when Sophia reined her in. "I''m Javier Beckett''s daughter. Think of what I would do to you if you used me of such a vile crime!"

    She might be sharp-tongued on the surface, but Betty was actually terrified out of her wits. She couldn''t drag Liana down with her, as that would reveal them as cohorts.

    Suddenly, Betty realized Liana had used her.

    "How could you be so evil as to use my daughter? Our family treats all of you servants very kindly. Yet, here you are, still trying to drug these two young men. Now you''re trying to shift the me on my daughter? Damn you!" Sophia yelled.

    She tugged Javier''s hand, saying, "Quick, call the police! Lock this evil woman up right now! She''s ndering our daughter!"

    Obviously, Javier wouldn''t believe that her daughter would do something so vile. "Get her up from the floor. Someone call the police!"

    "No! No, it wasn''t me! Ms. Betty told me to do this! She even said she would pay me a big sum afterward so I could quit my job and live a rich life! Why are you still lying, Betty Beckett? You were the one who wanted to seduce and sleep with Mr. Harper! Say something!" the maid screeched, ring at Betty.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Sophia wanted to shove her foot in the girl''s mouth so she would stop talking. She quickly had someone take her away.

    The maid had no evidence, she was sure. If she did, it would have been presented already.

    On the other hand, Alyssa had understood the gist of everything and concluded that things were not that simple.

    She had lived with the Beckett family for three years, and she had grown to understand Betty Beckett pretty well in these three years.

    Betty had always been straightforward and upfront with her actions, never capable ofing up with something so backward and evil.

    Her mother, Sophia, however, was definitely capable of this. Yet, she would never oust her own daughter as a scapegoat under any circumstances.

    That could only mean Liana was the primary suspect behind all this.

    Sure enough, there was a hint of a smirk on Liana''s face.

    Anger rose in Alyssa''s throat like bile, but she forced it down. She had no evidence, after all. Any usations would be useless right now. Alyssa wouldn''t give Liana a chance to mewl or cry her way out of this.

    "I am truly sorry for the trouble my family and I have caused your family, Mr. Taylor." Javier bowed. "We should have done better and avoided all this trouble."

    Winston hummed in acknowledgment, but neither a smile nor frown appeared on his face.

    This made Javier wince. Was Winston trying to mess with him? Javier was desperately praying for Winston to at least say something.

    However, Jasper couldn''t stomach this. "But this wasn''t¡ª"

    "They''ve already apologized, Dad. Why don''t we just let them go for now? We''ve caught the maid. And nothing too serious happened to Jonah and me. Why don''t we give them a second chance, hm?" Alyssa spoke up, interrupting Jasper to speak to her father.

    Jasper nced at her in utter shock.

    Something was definitely up.

    Alice would have taken it all without a word, but that was not how Alyssa did things.

    He still remembered how ferocious she looked when she had been defensive of Jonah. It was as if she might bite his hand off any second.

    Why was she giving up the search so soon? She would have sliced the culprits'' faces open first thing.

    Or was she building something that would bite back stronger forter?

    On the other hand, Landon was in utter shock upon hearing Alyssa refer to Winston as "Dad." Why had he never guessed that she was from such a powerful family? She was nearly above his league now!

    "I''ll let this go this once, for my daughter''s sake," Winston''s tone was harsh. Everyone could tell how unwilling he was to let this go.

    Hearing that she had escaped a death sentence, Betty crumbled weakly into her mother''s arms. Sophia then quickly left with her.

 Chapter 200

    ghter out, with Jasper quielly by Alyssa¡¯s side, asionally, he opened his mouth to speak, bo nothing

    came out.

    Winston kept on side¨Ceyeing him. If looks could kill, Jasper would have been sent to meet his Maker

    already.

    Winston couldn¡¯t believe that Jasper, whom he deemed an asshole, was the one who had married his

    precious Alyssa. Did he actually think he deserved her? Winston thought Jasper was useless.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor!¡± Liana cried, running up to Winston, ¡®I¡¯m really sorry about tonight. I made a grave

    misunderstanding, I really didn¡¯t know Alice was your daughter I misunderstood her rtionship with

    Mr. Jonah. I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡±

    Winston didn¡¯t even look at her. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that if Alyssa weren¡¯t my daughter, you would have

    continued talking trash about her and ruining her reputation?¡±

    ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Liana stuttered.

    Jasper remembered how Liana had used Alyssa and Jonah of sleeping together in front of Winston

    and his grandfather.

    Liana¡¯s gaze then had taken on a shade of deviousness Jasper had never seen before.

    A great sense of disappointment welled up in his chest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t judge books by the cover, Ms. Gardner. Looks can be deceiving. I¡¯m sure you know this at

    heart.¡± Winston shook his head. ¡°What if this had been some other girl, someone who is less fortunate?

    Wouldn¡¯t you just be ruining their lives?¡±

    With a sigh, the man quickened his pace, leaving Liana behind.

    Liana watched angrily as the group of people faded into the distance. Not even Jasper stopped to

    apany her. It felt like the cold had overtaken her senses as she began shivering greatly.

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    At the front gate were four ck limousines. Xavier and countless other bodyguards nodded

    respectfully upon seeing the Becketts.

    ¡°Alice, wait-¡± Newton couldn¡¯t stop himself anymore. He reached out to hold Alyssa¡¯s hand. ¡°What

    happened. Alice? How are you Alyssa Taylor? Why didn¡¯t you tell us who you are? Why be such a

    lowly maid in our household?

    Alyssa sighed bitterly. ¡°I chose to hide my identity when I married Jasper because of our families¡± feud

    from centuries ago. Plus, my identity would make business deals unnecessarily tense. If I married into

    your family as Alyssa Taylor I would never have been able to be by your side.¡±

    Winston and Javier flinched at the same time, while Jasper only felt bitterness in his mouth.

    ¡°No, that would never have happened!¡± Newton cried, sping Alyssa¡¯s hand. ¡°What feud, huh? Our

    ancestors were just in bored of each other! I never disallowed a marriage between our families! 1

    ¡®As long as you two love one another, it doesn¡¯t matter where you¡¯re from. I wholeheartedly support

    your marriage to Jasper. I¡¯m your number¨Cone fan!¡±

    Alyssa scowled. She found Newton rather adorable. ¡°I¡¯m not an obedient child, Grandpa. I¡¯ve lied to

    you for so long, and Jasper and I just eally don¡¯t see eye to eye.

    Once your birthday passes tonight, my divorce with Jasper will then be finalized. There will be no take¨C

    backs.¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart felt like a ot knife had cut through when she said that.

    he hugged Newton tightly, as if saying goodbye. Newton started crying.

    won¡¯t be your granddaughter¨Cinw in the future, Mr. Beckett, but I still hope that your vigor remains

    for another ten years. As for me It always be your Alice, and you¡¯ll always be my beloved Grandpa.

    I love you, Grandpa. Be safe, okay?¡±

    Newton hugged ner tightly, not wanting her to let go.

    Seeing as Alyssa was about to get in the car, Jasper ran up to her to stop her. He wanted to grab her

    arm but recalled that he couldn¡¯t simply do so anymore.

    ¡°Did you marry me only because of our familles¡® connection, Alyssa?¡± Jasper asked shakily, trying to

    memorize her features. This might be thest time he sees her in a while.

    Alyssa nced at him and hummed In acknowledgment.

    Jasper was outraged. ¡°You never had to worry about food or shelter, being raised by your father. Three

    years ago, when you agreed to the marriage contract from Grandpa, you knew it wouldn¡¯t bring

    happiness or fulfillment to your life. Still, you chose to sign it.

    ¡°Why? Why marry me knowing it would be futile?¡±

    Winston thought Jasper was useless.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor!¡± Liana cried, running up to Winston, ¡®I¡¯m really sorry about tonight. I made a grave

    misunderstanding, I really didn¡¯t know Alice was your daughter I misunderstood her rtionship with

    Mr. Jonah. I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡±

    Winston didn¡¯t even look at her. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that if Alyssa weren¡¯t my daughter, you would have

    continued talking trash about her and ruining her reputation?¡±

    ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Liana stuttered.

    Jasper remembered how Liana had used Alyssa and Jonah of sleeping together in front of Winston

    and his grandfather.

    Liana¡¯s gaze then had taken on a shade of deviousness Jasper had never seen before.

    A great sense of disappointment welled up in his chest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t judge books by the cover, Ms. Gardner. Looks can be deceiving. I¡¯m sure you know this at

    heart.¡± Winston shook his head. ¡°What if this had been some other girl, someone who is less fortunate?

    Wouldn¡¯t you just be ruining their lives?¡±

    With a sigh, the man quickened his pace, leaving Liana behind.

    Liana watched angrily as the group of people faded into the distance. Not even Jasper stopped to

    apany her. It felt like the cold had overtaken her senses as she began shivering greatly.

    At the front gate were four ck limousines. Xavier and countless other bodyguards nodded

    respectfully upon seeing the Becketts.

    ¡°Alice, wait-¡± Newton couldn¡¯t stop himself anymore. He reached out to hold Alyssa¡¯s hand. ¡°What

    happened. Alice? How are you Alyssa Taylor? Why didn¡¯t you tell us who you are? Why be such a

    lowly maid in our household?

    Alyssa sighed bitterly. ¡°I chose to hide my identity when I married Jasper because of our families¡± feud

    from centuries ago. Plus, my identity would make business deals unnecessarily tense. If I married into

    your family as Alyssa Taylor I would never have been able to be by your side.¡±

    Winston and Javier flinched at the same time, while Jasper only felt bitterness in his mouth.

    ¡°No, that would never have happened!¡± Newton cried, sping Alyssa¡¯s hand. ¡°What feud, huh? Our

    ancestors were just in bored of each other! I never disallowed a marriage between our families! 1

    ¡®As long as you two love one another, it doesn¡¯t matter where you¡¯re from. I wholeheartedly support

    your marriage to Jasper. I¡¯m your number¨Cone fan!¡±

    Alyssa scowled. She found Newton rather adorable. ¡°I¡¯m not an obedient child, Grandpa. I¡¯ve lied to

    you for so long, and Jasper and I just eally don¡¯t see eye to eye.

    Once your birthday passes tonight, my divorce with Jasper will then be finalized. There will be no take¨C

    backs.¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart felt like a ot knife had cut through when she said that.

    he hugged Newton tightly, as if saying goodbye. Newton started crying.

    won¡¯t be your granddaughter¨Cinw in the future, Mr. Beckett, but I still hope that your vigor remains

    for another ten years. As for me It always be your Alice, and you¡¯ll always be my beloved Grandpa.

    I love you, Grandpa. Be safe, okay?¡±

    Newton hugged ner tightly, not wanting her to let go.

    Seeing as Alyssa was about to get in the car, Jasper ran up to her to stop her. He wanted to grab her

    arm but recalled that he couldn¡¯t simply do so anymore.

    ¡°Did you marry me only because of our familles¡® connection, Alyssa?¡± Jasper asked shakily, trying to

    memorize her features. This might be thest time he sees her in a while.

    Alyssa nced at him and hummed In acknowledgment.

    Jasper was outraged. ¡°You never had to worry about food or shelter, being raised by your father. Three

    years ago, when you agreed to the marriage contract from Grandpa, you knew it wouldn¡¯t bring

    happiness or fulfillment to your life. Still, you chose to sign it.

    ¡°Why? Why marry me knowing it would be futile?¡±

 Chapter 201

    A contract marriage?

    Winston was close to fainting as he fought against the urge to p Jasper. However, he was the most

    puzzled by his daughter.

    He thought it was outrageous enough that his brazen daughter went to serve as a war medic on the

    battlefield. To his dismay, she had gotten married without his knowledge In the three years she was

    gone. Worse, she was involved in a contract marriage with Jasper.

    He really wanted to know what was going on in her mind.

    Jasper felt his eyes growing heavy with tears. There was a suffocating burden on his chest.

    Now that she was on the verge of leaving him for good and sealing the unhappy chapters of their lives

    during Newton¡¯s birthday, Jasper demanded an answer for the separation.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°If I recall correctly, our first encounter happened three years ago. Why didn¡¯t you reject Grandpa¡¯s

    suggestion of marrying me? Why?¡± 1

    Alyssa squinted at him without any feeling. ¡°Why are you dwelling on the details after the divorce?

    Maybe I had nothing better to do than to get a taste of marriage. Grandpa happened to give me an

    opportunity to do so.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor!¡± Jasper called her real name in anger. ¡°What I need is an answer. I need your truth!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, our past might be dark, but the future is bright. Let¡¯s look to the future and leave the past

    behind.¡±

    She reached out for a handshake and continued, ¡°We might be business rivals the next time wee

    across each other. I will not go easy on you, and I hope you will respect me as a worthy opponent by

    doing your best.¡±

    She had wanted to remind Jasper not to be held back by their past romance. On second thought, she

    rephrased her words because he had never loved her.

    Jasper felt as though his heart was emptied. He breathed hard but could not bring himself to shake her

    hand. He feared that the handshake might be ast farewell.

    She shrugged and entered the car without a care. Just as the car was about to leave, she rolled down

    the windows and stared at him. He felt his heart beating wildly, only to stiffen at what she said next.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, see you at 9:00 am at the city hall,¡±

    The luxury car rolled past Jasper, its wheels seemingly crushing his heart. Standing behind Jasper was

    Newton, who stealthily wiped away tears. Meanwhile, Javier had an Inexplicable look on his face.

    ¡®Oh, what? Do you finally appreciate her now that she¡¯s left? Feeling regretful?¡± Newton snickered at

    his son.

    You don¡¯t need a paternal test to tell that Jasper is one of yours! The two of you are equally ignorant!¡±

    avier swallowed down his fury and frustration. It was unbelievable that the country girl with a medical

    background, who had kept a low

    rofile for three years, was revealed as the beloved daughter of the Taylor family right after her divorce

    from Jasper!

 Chapter 202

    The Becketts might be one of the established elites in Sna City, but the stock price of the Beckett

    Group would have doubled following the news of the marriage with the Taylor Family.

    s, it was toote.

    In the dark of the night, Alyssa looked out of the window with a vacant look and an empty heart. She

    reyed the memory of Jasper¡¯s shattered expression when he demanded to know why she had

    married him in the first ce.

    Somehow, looking at the frustration and indignance on his face, she felt like she had abandoned him.

    She clenched her fist and shook her head hard. She reminded herself not to spare any sympathy for

    men, for that was how tragedies start.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t possibly fall in love with her now, not after she had waited for him for three years to no

    avail. Perhaps he had only pretended to look resentful and bitter in front of Winston to absolve himself

    of his cruelness in their marriage.

    ¡°So, why did you marry him?¡± Winston gritted his teeth and cracked his knuckles while staring at

    Alyssa. She rolled her eyes in frustration.¡± That¡¯s enough. Stop grilling me. It¡¯s all in the past anyway.¡±

    ¡°In the past? Bullshit!¡± Winston¡¯s roar sent the driver and Sean jolting in shock. ¡°My precious daughter

    was married to that Beckett bastard for three years without telling me. You even divorced him! Did you

    n to keep it a secret from me forever had I not shown up to Mr. Beckett Senior¡¯s birthday?¡±

    ¡°Why did you attend the birthday event? Did Mr. Beckett Senior send you an invitation?¡± She went off

    on a tangent.

    ¡°Stop changing the topic!¡±

    ¡°Uhm. She ced a finger on her lower lip. ¡°I married Jasper Beckett because he was handsome.¡±

    ¡°Handsome? Any one of my sons is better than Jasper Beckett!¡±

    ¡°Well I couldn¡¯t marry any one of them anyway.¡±

    Choking on anger, Winston hissed, ¡°How much dowry did you receive from the Becketts? Jewelry?

    Stock options? And what about mansions and cars? Why didn¡¯t I read anything in the media? Knowing

    Newton Beckett, he would have gloated about having Alyssa Taylor as a granddaughter¨Cinw.¡±

    ¡°Did you forget that I married Jasper under a fake identity? They didn¡¯t know I was your daughter.¡±

    Winston¡¯s antics cheered her up. She exined, ¡°We had a simple wedding because I preferred to be

    low profile.¡±

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    Winston, enraged by the Beckett family¡¯s bullying, was close to bankrupting the Beckett Group

    business right away to vent his anger.

    ¡°What went into you? Why did you keep your identity a secret and lower yourself just to marry that jerk?

    That was unlike you at all! Winston remained in shock and disbelief.

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t crazy. She was merely blinded by love and her obsession with marrying Jasper.

    Smiling bitterly, she sped Winston¡¯s cold hand.

    ¡°Jasper treated me alright in those three years. He never deprived me of money and luxury, and he did

    not bully me at all. It was an amicable separation. Dad, don¡¯t worry about me. Lyse is back by your

    side, safe and sound!¡±

    ¡°What else could you do? Feeling angry and sorry for Alyssa, Winston looked as though he had aged in

    seconds. ¡°Whatever Jasper¡¯s ex- wife is that unlucky Alice White, not my Lyse! You¡¯re still my proud

    and outstanding daughter!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± She gave Winston a hug and rested her head on his shoulder.

 Chapter 203

    Alter the birthday event, Newton called his family doctor to check on Lauren out of worry. He fell

    relleved when the doctor reported that everything was line with her.

    In theidor, two good¨Clooking men leaned against the window sill. Jasper asked Landon for a

    cigarette, which he lit and took a long drag the orangeme is kered between the willowing smoke,

    50 is Alice Alyssa Taylor, the unknown daughter of one of Winston Taylor¡¯s wives?¡± Landon felt that he

    was in a dream. The entire

    was rather inconceivable.

    ¡°Yeah Jasper¡¯s fingers trembled when he flicked the ash.

    Tucki Jasper, you hit the jackpot. How did yound this windfall? Landon patted Jasper¡¯s shoulder as

    his eyes sparkled. ¡°You turned out to be Winston Taylor¡¯s ex¨Cson¨Cinw by ident.

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    ¡°Would you have taken off to greater heights if you didn¡¯t divorce her? With the backing of the Taylor

    Family, your dad and your evil stepmother would have to submit to you. You could do anything with the

    Beckett Group.¡±

    ¡°The Beckett Group is firmly in my grasp even without Alyssa Taylor¡¯s help.¡± Jasper puffed a ring of

    smoke and scored Landon. ¡°Do I look like a kept man to you?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. You were not born to be a kept man. You¡¯re a workaholic.¡±

    Jasper was dumbfounded upon hearing that.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a pity that you missed the good opportunity. You could have reached your goals earlier with the

    help of the Taylors!¡± Landonmented.

    Filled with empty regrets, Jasper snuffed out his cigarette. However, his motivation was different from

    how Landon perceived it.

    ¡°I cannot wrap my head around her decision to marry me.¡±

    ¡°Same here. She could have done better marrying me than getting together with a bad¨Ctempered,

    unromantic man who was in love with another woman.¡± Landon did not hold back his insults.

    ¡°Landon, did you really believe Winston would have approved of you? Did you think you were a good

    match for Alyssa?¡± Jasper looked hard at Landon, fighting against his urge to grab his friend by the

    neck.

    ¡°At least I¡¯m not as petty as you. You questioned her character after you saw her with another man.

    Don¡¯t you think I am more attractive to her in this aspect?¡±

    Landon was rather amused. He added, ¡°Oh, right. Do you remember how you gave her trouble when

    you saw her getting along with Jonah? You must have regretted saying those mean things to her!¡±

    It was her fault for keeping her identity a secret from me.¡± His irritation red at the mention of Alyssa¡¯s

    identity.

    She has no reason to tell you the truth, especially after the divorce. Plus, you wouldn¡¯t have used

    her of anything if you trusted her nore. That¡¯s why I never thought you wouldst long with her.

    You had no feelings, no sense of responsibility, and no trust in her. I have nothing but respect for Ms.

    Alyssa. She put up with you for hree years¨C1 wouldn¡¯t havested a day.¡±

    s an outsider, Landon was clear¨Ceyed about Jasper¡¯s rtionship and was busy dissecting Jasper¡¯s

    ws.

    asper pursed his lips tight. The veins on the back of his hand were bulging.

    andon gave Jasper a squeeze on the shoulder with a confident smile. ¡°Bro, I learned a lesson from

    your mistake. I won¡¯t go down the ame path, Be it Alice White or Alyssa Taylor, I¡¯ll win her heart. Wish

    me luck!¡±

    Jet tost. Jasper shot daggers at Landon.

    ¡®m on it! Distance makes the heart grow fonder, don¡¯t you agree?¡± Before leaving, Landon leaned in

    and squinted at Jasper musement. ¡°You won¡¯t turn a blind eye to what happened tonight. Right?¡±

    Jasper was about to speak, but i c peal num to it with indignance. Grandpa, I know you have been

    tooking down on me and my family, but you can¡¯t measure a rtionship with money!¡±

    The Tarlurs might bench, but Jasper and I are in love. As his childhood sweetheart, I was by his side in

    the darkest time of his childhood. Alyssa cannot rece the bond we shared!¡±

    She ran up tosper and lugged at the hem of his shirt. Jasper, say something!¡±

    He cast a helpless and icy look at her. Despite his best attempts to recall bits and pieces of their

    childhood, his mind was nk. The precious memones from his childhood had faded into obscurity.

    In the end the light went out of his eyes. His voice wasden with exhaustion and disappointment. ¡°Lia,

    let¡¯s put a pause on our marriage.¡±

 Chapter 204

    ¡°Tsk. Her guilt is clear as day.¡± Landon red at the girl. ¡°Is further Investigation even needed? Why

    would she be trying to wriggle out through a doggy door II she was Innocent?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s needed,¡± Jasper sald sternly. ¡°I want to catch the mastermind behind this.¡±

    ¡°Mister Mr. Beckett, I had a family emergency. That¡¯s why I had to had to find a way to leave. The doors

    were all locked. I didn¡¯t do anything, I swear!¡± the maid cried.

    ¡°I remember you. You were the one who served us our drinks,¡± Landon sald.

    Alyssa added, ¡°You told me my brother was sick and led the way there.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve checked the CCTV, sir. No one else was with her when she was in the kitchen all the way to the

    banquet hall. She didn¡¯t speak to anyone either. She was the only one who came into contact with

    those drinks,¡± Xavier reported.

    ¡°That That doesn¡¯t mean Iced your drinks!¡± the mald cried, panicked.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Alyssa cocked her head. ¡°When did we say the drinks wereced?¡±

    Everyone¡¯s gaze instantly fell onto the mald like arrows on a straw dummy.

    ¡°I overheard earlier on the way here¡­¡±

    ¡°Overhead? Damn, you must have really big ears.¡±

    Xavier was nearly frothing at the mouth at how outrageous her excuses were. He pulled out the footage

    on his phone and handed it to

    Jasper.

    Xavier stated, ¡°ording to our investigation, we have no footage of her directlycing the drinks with

    anything.¡±

    The maid, and also Betty, sighed in relief.

    Xavier continued, ¡°But we did find this.¡±

    Alyssa leaned in to look at the phone screen, to which Jasper automatically stepped closer to her for

    her convenience.

    Their foreheads struck one another, the pain quickly fading into heat.

    Alyssa looked away after their gazes met for a brief second.

    That gesture made Jasper¡¯s heart hurt.

    The video footage depicted the kitchen mald in the backyard taking out the trash and then looking

    around cautiously before she tossed

    She stayed away from all the cameras on the way back but missed out on the hidden camera in the

    garden. We ve taught her red- handed, sir.¡± Xavier sneered.

    ¡°N¨CNo! I was only throwing some medicine vials I had taken. They were just normal painkillers!¡± the

    maid cited desperately.

    Jasper ignored her. ¡°Did you bring the evidence, Xavier?¡±

    ¡°Here, sir.¡±

    Xavier handed Jasper the emply vials in a stic bag. Jasper¡¯sw lightened as he examined the vials.

    ¡°Send these to theboratory straight away. If this turns out to be something else other than painkillers,

    this all is heading behind bars.¡±

    The kitchen maid burst into tears, kneeling down to beg for mercy. ¡°Please have mercy, Mr. Beckell! I

    wasn¡¯t the one behind the drugging, I

    swear!¡±

    She then turned around, pointing straight at Belly. ¡°It was het! Ms. Betty instructed me to do II¡±

    Betty immediately became the best straw dummy.

    ¡°Did

    Did you really do this, Betty?¡± Newton asked in pure disbelief.

    Landon¡¯s eyes narrowed as he red at Betty. If Laurie hadn¡¯t identally drank that wine, he would

    have be a victim under a hand!

    Alyssa remained calm throughout, a faint sneer on her lips. It was as if she had grown bored of all the

    vileness present.

    *How dare you use me, you bitch?¡± Betty shrieked, about to storm up to the maid and kick her in the

    face when Sophia reined her in.¡± I¡¯m Javier Beckett¡¯s daughter. Think of what I would do to you if you

    used me of such a vile crime!¡±

    She might be sharp¨Ctongued on the surface, but Betty was actually terrified out of her wits. She

    couldn¡¯t drag Liana down with her, as that would reveal them as cohorts.

    Suddenly, Betty realized Liana had used her.

    ¡°How could you be so evil as to use my daughter? Our family treats all of you servants very kindly.

    Yet, here you are, still trying to drug these two young men. Now you¡¯re trying to shift the me on my

    daughter? Damn you!¡± Sophia yelled.

    She tugged Javier¡¯s hand, saying. ¡°Quick, call the police! Lock this evil woman up right now! She¡¯s

    ndering our daughter!¡±

    Obviously. Javier wouldn¡¯t believe that her daughter would do something so vile. ¡°Get her up from the

    floor. Someone call the police!¡±

    ¡°No! No, it wasn¡¯t me! Ms. Betty told me to do this! She even said she would pay me a big sum

    afterward so I could quit my job and live a rich life! Why are you still lying, Betty Beckett? You were the

    one who wanted to seduce and sleep with Mr. Harper! Say something!¡± the maid screeched, ring at

    Betty.

    Sophia wanted to shove her foot in the girl¡¯s mouth so she would stop talking. She quickly had

    someone take her away.

    The maid had no evidence, she was sure. If she did, it would have been presented already.

    On the other hand, Alyssa had understood the gist of everything and concluded that things were not

    that simple.

    She had lived with the Beckett family for three years, and she had grown to understand Betty Beckett

    pretty well in these three years.

    Betty had always been straightforward and upfront with her actions, never capable ofing up with

    something so backward and evil

    Her mother, Sophia, however, was definitely capable of this. Yet, she would never oust her own

    daughter as a scapegoat under any circumstances.

    That could only mean Liana was the primary suspect behind all this.

    Sure enough, there was a hint of a smirk on Liana¡¯s face.

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    inger rose in Alyssa¡¯s throat like bile, but she forced it down. She had no evidence, after all. Any

    usations would be useless right now. lyssa wouldn¡¯t give Liana a chance to mewl or cry her way out

    of this.

    am truly sorry for the trouble my family and I have caused your family, Mr. Taylor.¡± Javier bowed. ¡°We

    should have done better and voided all this trouble.¡±

    inston hummed in acknowledgment, but neither a smile nor frown appeared on his face.

    is made Javier wince. Was Winston trying to mess with him? Javier was desperately praying for

    Winston to at least say something.

    owever, Jasper couldn¡¯t stomach this. ¡°But this wasn¡¯t-¡±

    hey¡¯ve already apologized, Dad. Why don¡¯t we just let them go for now? We¡¯ve caught the maid. And

    nothing too serious happened to nah and me. Why don¡¯t we give them a second chance, hm?¡± Alyssa

    spoke up, Interrupting Jasper to speak to her father.

 Chapter 205

    Jasper was numb and calm, but his curt remark was damaging to Liana. She froze up and felt her

    cheeks burning in shame. It was as though she had been pped a few times.

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    Javier and Sophia were stunned by the tum of events. Only Betty had a guileful smile on her face. After

    the events from that night, she had seen Liana for who she was¨Can obnoxiously conceited bitch who

    had manipted her to attack the others.

    Liana was unsuitable to marry into their family. Betty even hoped Jasper would cut Liana off forever

    instead of pausing the marriage.

    ¡°Jasper, are you giving me up?¡± Shocked and scared, na held to his arm as tears rolled down her

    cheeks. ¡°Are you ditching me after you learned that Alice White is from the Taylor family? Did you

    regret your divorce?¡± 1

    ¡°Alice White or Alyssa Taylor, she has no bearing on my decision to put a halt to our marriage.¡± He

    slowly but surely freed his arm from her grip. There was nothing but coldness in his eyes.

    He continued, ¡°I¡¯ve warned you not to give her trouble, but what did you do instead? You ndered her

    multiple times and made up fake rumors to ce her under public scrutiny. I don¡¯t understand your

    resentment toward her.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true, Jasper! I only wanted to show you her true colors! I didn¡¯t want you to be misled by her

    lies!¡± She hurriedly scrambled to grab him, but he took a step back. She missed and almost toppled

    over.

    ¡°She lied to you from the start! Why would you give up on our decades of rtionship for a bitch? Don¡¯t

    you even feel bad for me?¡±

    ¡°She might have lied to me, but she has never hurt me or anyone else.¡±

    He felt pain when he thought of Alyssa¡¯s bright smile that she had reserved only for him. He muttered,

    ¡°Let¡¯s leave it at that. We¡¯ll take a break and think over ourpatibility.¡±

    Liana watched as he left. Her throat tightened as she struggled to breathe. How did ite to this?

    Was she going to lose her dream wedding?

    ¡°No, I¡¯d do anything to marry Jasper!¡± she fumed silently. She wouldn¡¯t let Alyssa ruin the n that she

    had carefully crafted for decades.

    ¡°My grandson is loyal in love but not a fool. He knows right from wrong! Ms. Gardner, I thought you¡¯d

    put on the act until you¡¯re married. but you showed your true face faster than I thought.¡±

    Newton became increasingly outraged, to the point that his nose reddened. ¡°It¡¯s your own fault that

    things havee to this point. You keep distorting the truth, stirring trouble, and bullying Alice!¡±

    ¡°Sir, she¡¯s now Alyssa, not Alice.¡± Ben reminded Newton in a hushed voice.

    ¡°Does that matter? They¡¯re the same person anyway!¡± Newton was unbothered while Liana¡¯s finger

    turned red from the fumbling. She was in anguish from the shame and anger.

    Meanwhile, Betty was trying to hold herughter as her shoulders quivered in excitement. What a

    payback!

    ¡°Let¡¯s leave, Ben! Get me a good wer and some food to go with it!¡±

    ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve drunk a lot at the event. For your health, it¡¯s better if ¡±

    ¡°I feel happier now than when I was celebrating my birthday. Just do what I asked you to. Why the

    luss?¡± The old man grumbled as he walked away with Ben¡¯s help.

    Those left behind were in a foul mood.

    ¡°Javier, you must speak to Jasper! How could he change his mind when we¡¯ve announced the

    engagement? This is embarrassing for the Becketts!¡±

    Sophia swung Javier¡¯s arm worriedly in the same manner as Liana. ¡°He¡¯ll listen to his dad. How could

    he give up on the marriage after all these years that Lia walted for him?¡±

    Javier, who doted on his wife, felt Irritated by her pestering. He replied tly, ¡°Don¡¯t you know Jasper?

    He never makes decisions in the heat of the moment. He must havee to that conclusion after

    careful thought!¡±

 Chapter 206

    ¡°Jasper did not even inform us when he decided on the divorce. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t tell me his

    intention to call off the marriage!¡±

    ¡°Those are different things!¡± Sophia¡¯s voice was shrill, unlike her usualforting tone. ¡°Jasper

    does not love Alyssa Taylor at all. Unlike Alyssa, Lia is Jasper¡¯s childhood sweetheart. They have a

    deep bond!¡± 1

    ¡°Right. That¡¯s beyond me too. If they share a deep bond, what else did Liana want from him? Why

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    couldn¡¯t she behave instead of stirring trouble with Ms. Alyssa?

    ¡°She has humiliated our family with the infidelity drama in front of Dad. I will not help her this

    time, and I can¡¯t guarantee whether the marriage will happen!¡±

    His chest tightened when he recalled Newton¡¯s taunt. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have advised Jasper to seek

    divorce if I had known better. Liana is not the right match for our family; worse, she¡¯s a

    troublemaker. It¡¯s indeed hard to get along with those from different backgrounds!¡±

    Sophia¡¯s shoulders slumped when she realized that Javier wanted nothing to do with the mess.

    She felt as though she was slowly losing what she had been pursuing.

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, what do I do?¡± Liana¡¯s eyes were swollen from all the crying as she panted between

    sobs.

    ¡°Hahaha! You deserved it!¡± Betty perked up and pped gleefully. ¡°It¡¯s your karma for using me

    and manipting me! You¡¯re a selfish woman who should never dream of marrying Jasper!¡± 2

    ¡°When did I use and manipte you?¡± Wiping her tears away, Liana refuted, ¡°I couldn¡¯t handle the

    sheer number of quests on my own, so I asked for your help to ensure my n seeded on the first

    try. I never told you to do anything to Mr. Harper¨Cit was you who spiked his drink and made a

    mess!¡±

    ¡°How dare you pin the me on me? You shameless bitch! I should have seen you for who

    you are!

    I¡¯m going to fucking rip that mouth of yours!¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°On the count of three, let go of the hair! One, two, three!¡±

    Finally, the two belligerentdies let go of each other.

    ¡°Betty, you leave. I need to talk with Lia.¡± Sophia frowned.

    ¡°Mom, it was Liana who tricked me! I wouldn¡¯t have embarrassed myself had she not tricked me!¡±

    Looking funny in her messy hair, Betty insisted on her victimhood.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you

    think you are to be med? I¡¯ve warned you many times not to jump the gun on Mr.

    Harper! You threw yourself at him, hoping that he¡¯d take responsibility for sleeping with you.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the behavior of a youngdy from a distinguished family. He will only look down on

    you. Now, get back to your room and reflect on your behavior!¡±

    Betty, who had always feared her mom, red at Liana before leaving. Liana froze on the ground,

    grappling the hem of her crumpled skirt as a chill traveled down her spine.

    Sophia was right. The daughter of a distinguished family would never act in such a tasteless

    manner. However, Liana felt she had no choice.

    Betty had Sophia to help her out, but Liana always had to fight for what she wanted. After all, she

    was nothing to Sophia except a pawn to keep Jasper under control.

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, about tonight¡­¡±

    Eyes wide in anger, Sophia pped Liana across the face without a word.

 Chapter 207

    Liana was baffled by Sophia¡¯s p.

    ¡°I warned you not to drag Betty into any n of yours, or I won¡¯t help you out!¡±

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, I was wrong! It was a careless mistake! I will not do it again.¡± Despite the boiling

    hatred in her, Liana had to beg for forgiveness repeatedly.

    Sophia looked at the lowly woman with disdain. She wouldn¡¯t have helped a stubborn and

    maniptive woman like Liana to marry Jasper if only there were a better candidate from the

    Kirkman Family.

    Still, she refused to give up on Liana after many years of grooming her niece. Disgusted by the

    night¡¯s events, she felt like she had swallowed a fly. Still, she had to endure the setback.

    ¡°Alice White is the daughter of the distinguished Taylor family. You cannoty a finger on her.

    Winston Taylor is known for doting on his children. Your top priority is to win Jasper¡¯s heart and

    marry him ording to the n!¡± Sophia looked terrifying with her taut lips and the bright red

    lipstick.

    ¡°But he makes it clear that he¡¯s breaking up with me! Just like what Javier said, no one can

    change Jasper¡¯s mind!¡± Liana started sobbing at the thought of her crushed dreams.

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t broken up with you yet!¡± With a conniving look, Sophia grabbed Liana¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Lia,

    do not reach out to Jasper these few days. It¡¯s best if you could stay at home and meet no one. You

    must pretend that you are in shock!¡±

    ¡°W¨CWill that work?¡± Liana was doubtful..

    ¡°You need to sacrifice to get what you want. Lia, you¡¯ll have to suffer a bit for what¡¯sing next,

    but listen to me¨Cyou¡¯ll only win his heart when you remind him of his fondest memory of you!¡±

    Jasper spent the night smoking in his study. His deep eyes and grim face were shrouded in the

    smoke.

    He lost sleep when he thought of Alyssa¡¯s reminder to meet at the city hall at 9:00 am

    On the other hand, Sean and Winston ushered Alyssa back to her vi in Sna City after visiting

    Jonah in the hospital. She had an appointment at the city hall the next morning, so she convinced

    +15 BONOS

    After removing her makeup, applying skincare, and enjoying supper, she drifted to sleep with an

    eye mask on.

    Alyssa was bone tired after all the events that had happened on Newton¡¯s birthday. She woke up

    at 8:00 am, leaving no time for her morning rowing session.

    ¡°Oh, my goodness! Why didn¡¯t you wake me up earlier? I might have slept past the rm. You

    could at least help me out here!¡± She frowned while putting on her tassel earrings as she made

    her way down the stairs.

    Sean rushed to Alyssa in his apron and gaped at her radiant bare face. He¡¯d never tire of her look,

    even though he met her on a daily basis.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t wake you up because I wanted you to rest more after what happenedst night.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t work! I¡¯m getting a divorce today!¡± She pouted. ¡°I¡¯m very particr with being on time.

    If I show upte, that arrogant twat might think I¡¯m dragging my feet because I couldn¡¯t bring

    myself to leave him!¡±

    ¡°The day has finally arrived. Congrattions,¡± Sean chirped with genuine excitement.

    ¡°Right? See, I even put on a colorful dress. Don¡¯t I look festive?¡± She twirled in delight to show off

    her dress. At first, Sean thought she¡¯d be upset on the big day, but he seemed to have worried for

    nothing.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, have some breakfast before we leave.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have time! Pack it for me. I¡¯ll eat in the car.¡±

    To make the trip afortable one, Sean chose to drive a Rolls¨CRoyce instead of a luxury

    sportscar.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa held a sandwich in her mouth in the backseat as she typed furiously away on herptop,

    busy at work.

    ¡°Our team has been proactively reaching out to Ada Kingsley over thest few days, but she¡¯s

    being difficult. She does not entertain the staff from KS Group at all!¡± Seanined while

    driving ¡°Our team has only gotten in touch twice with Ada¡¯s agent. We haven¡¯t met her in person

    until now!¡±

 Chapter 208

    ¡°How about the Beckett Group?¡± Alyssa asked.

    ¡°I heard they didn¡¯t make any progress too.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good to know that we haven¡¯t fallen behind. We¡¯re still on the starting line just like they are.¡±

    ¡°But we have morepetitors than the Beckett Group! I heard that ten luxury hotels across the

    nation are fighting to host Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding!¡±

    ¡°The Beckett Group and the Taylor Group are the benchmark for hotels in the nation. Ada

    Kingsley is too fussy to host her wedding in smaller hotels.¡± She took a bite of the sandwich and

    squinted.

    She continued, ¡°Keep in touch with her team. I want to move her with sincerity. She has an event

    in the country at the start of next month, where I¡¯ll meet her in person and secure the deal. Time

    for the Beckett Group to give up!¡±

    Whoever messed with her business deals would have to suffer.

    Many young couples were waiting for their turn at the entrance to the city hall early in the

    morning. They were either hugging or taking photos sweetly.

    The Rolls¨CRoyce in dark emerald, with its Spirit of Ecstasy mascot sculpture, came to a stop in

    front of the city hall. Many of the young couples were in awe at the sight of that.

    Alyssa checked her wristwatch. It was 9:00 am.

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    ¡°Hah. Surprisingly, Jasper did not show up early.¡± Sean mocked, ¡°The president of the Beckett

    Group is indeed arrogant.¡±

    ¡°Whatever. Let him be.¡± She checked out the youthful faces from the curtain. Their eyes were

    shining with joy. She remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve waited for him countless times. I don¡¯t mind waiting for one

    Three years ago, she waited for Jasper at the entrance of city hall on the day they were supposed

    to register their marriage. She was starving all day until he showed up right before the closing time

    without a word of apology. He rushed through their marriage registration at the veryst

    minute

    Even so, she was too excited to sleep after they registered their marriage.

    +15 BONOS

    In retrospect, she was a hopeless pushover. She finally understood that she had to love herself

    before loving someone else.

    After half an hour, Alyssa almost lost her patience when she saw a cab stopping in front of the

    city hall. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes when Jasper emerged from the cab.

    ¡°F***! Did I see it wrong? Why did the president take a cab here? Could he not afford to fuel his

    Maybach?¡± Sean¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.

    ¡°Maybe he wants to keep a low profile. The divorce is not something to be proud of.¡± Alyssa

    yawned and got out of the car with Sean.

    As usual, Jasper wore his favorite ck suit with thin grey stripes, a dusty blue shirt, and a dark-

    colored tie. His style screamed aloof, stern, and disciplined, just like his character.

    The arrival of the handsome Jasper caused a stir among the crowds, especially thedies, who

    might squeal in delight if they weren¡¯t with their boyfriends.

    It was the men¡¯s turn to look delighted when Alyssa walked up to Jasper with poise.

    ¡°Wow, look at her face! It¡¯s as clear as crystal. Is her skin real?¡±

    ¡°I think she¡¯s bare¨Cfaced. Her dress is lovely! Please tell me how much it costs, so I¡¯ll forget about

    ever buying it!¡±

    ¡°Pfft, she must be unting the bare makeup look, but I¡¯ll admit she is good at makeup!¡±

    ¡°You got to have good looks to start with! You can¡¯t look like her just by applying makeup!¡±

    The young people, who were mostly interested in entertainment news, did not realize that they

    were looking at Jasper Beckett, the president of the Beckett Group. His arrival in the cab offered a

    cover for his identity.

    Standing in front of him coldly, Alyssa confronted him, ¡°Mr. Beckett, you¡¯re-¡±

    He cut her off in a heavy tone, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

 Chapter 209

    ¡°It¡¯s fine as long as you make it here before 5:00 pm. We¡¯ll have to wait a day more if the city hall is

    closed.¡± Alyssa dropped a chilly remark and marched to the entrance, leaving Jasper behind.

    His throat tightened.

    He was brought back to the day they registered their marriage three years ago. As he was notified of

    an emergency meeting by Yoarkley¡¯s project manager, he had no choice but to stay back at the

    After the meeting, he had to host a VIP who dropped by. When the meeting was over, it struck him

    that he had forgotten to inform Alyssa about the postponement of the marriage registration.

    The memories of that day were vivid and cruel. When he rushed over to the city hall, the ce

    was almost empty. There, he found Alyssa alone, looking downcast. Her frail figure appeared

    lonely and pitiful.

    He did not expect her to wait a day for him. Her stubbornness was one of a kind.

    He had wanted to apologize to her. However, he did not do so because he struggled with mixed

    emotions from his grandpa¡¯s pressure, his aversion to contract marriage, and his recent separation.

    from Liana.

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re finally here!¡± He could still picture Alyssa¡¯s smile, which was a ray of sunshine. In

    the past, he never knew if he¡¯d ever got to the point where Alyssa was disappointed in him.

    Now, he realized that his cruel neglect and abandonment led to her disappointment. Not only that,

    she had lost her feelings for him.

    His face was tense and filled with shame as he followed Alyssa past the entrance.

    ¡°Are they here to register their marriage? Good gosh! They are a match made in heaven!¡±

    They don¡¯t look happy, though.¡±

    ¡°The bride¡¯s upset because the groom waste! He deserved it! How could you bete to your

    marriage registration?¡±

    ¡°You can tell he¡¯s not as rich as the bride from the fact that he arrived in a cab. The audacity to be tardy

    when he¡¯s a social climber! There are lots of kept men these days, it seems.

    A kept man?

    +15 BONOS

    Breathless with anger, Jasper glowered at the young man who gossiped about him. The young

    man promptly shut up when he sensed Jasper¡¯s threatening vibe.

    Alyssa and Jasper sat side by side in front of the counter and turned in their marriage certificates and

    IDs. The staff checked the identification and coughed softly. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to think over your

    decision? It hasn¡¯t been easy going through the ups and downs of life for three years.¡±

    ¡°We are not in need of money. He has a maid to cook for him and a secretary to arrange his business

    trips. He has no difficulties in his life,¡± Alyssa sneered.

    Jasper and the staff were at a loss of words. Alyssa checked her wristwatch and urged, ¡°Please hurry

    up. I¡¯m short on time.¡±

    ¡°I see that you do not have kids. Any assets that need redistribution?¡± the staff questioned.

    Alyssa replied, ¡°No.¡±

    Sitting in silence, Jasper had initially wanted to transfer some of his assets to her, but she insisted

    against it. Now that he looked at it, the amount of assets he offered Alyssa looked more like an affront

    to the daughter of the Taylor Family.

    ¡°Please sign here.¡± The staff handed them two forms. Alyssa signed the form without hesitation and

    turned to Jasper.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    To her surprise, he struggled to print his signature. Not only that, his fingers were trembling.

    She frowned and wondered why he was shaking. ¡°Just sign it! He¡¯s not going to put on some

    separation drama, is he?¡± she wondered.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, please sign it. Do you struggle with writing your name?¡±

 Chapter 210

    Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Jasper grabbed his lower elbow on the right with his left

    hand but failed to stop the shaking. The ballpoint pen fell with a thud onto the floor.

    Feeling odd, Alyssa finally paid him attention and checked him out. He looked pale, and his hair

    was a mess. She spotted dust on his ck suit and some tear and wear near thepel and shirt

    cor.

    What was he up to before this? Why did he appear a little disheveled?

    Puzzled, she picked up the pen and handed it to him.

    Finally, the two forms were signed. The staff wrapped up the procedure, and the divorce was finalized.

    ¡°All the best to both of you.¡±

    Staring at the divorce certificate as she left the city hall, she struggled to describe her feelings. They

    dragged out the divorce to the point that she had gotten over the initial heartache. More than anything,

    she felt a wave of relief.

    She had once lived solely for love and learned her lesson. After reuniting with the Taylor family, her

    only wish was to focus on work and bring in the dough. There would be no ce for men in her life.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I need to leave. Suit yourself.¡± She kept her certificate and left coolly.

    ¡°Wait, Alyssa-¡±

    Right after that, she heard a dull thud on the floor. She spun around to meet with a horrifying scene.

    Jasper had fallen off the stairs and was wincing on the ground. The staircase might be short, but the

    fall must have hurt.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± She hurriedly helped him up from the floor and realized that his tremor had worsened.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been acting weird from just now. What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Nothing

    He refused to tell the truth even when his forehead was covered in sweat.

    ¡°Tell me the truth!¡± She sounded aggressive out of worry.

    +15 BONOS

    He felt pain in every part of his body, and his head was heavy. Still, he was touched by her show of

    concern. ¡°Do you care about me?¡±

    She snickered. ¡°I will do the same to a dog by the street. I can¡¯t sit back and do nothing when a fellow

    human being is suffering.¡±

    His expression darkened, and he shoved her away. ¡°Spare me your pity. I don¡¯t need your concern.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯d better visit the hospital. Something must be wrong with your cerebellum if you can¡¯t keep your

    bnce,¡± Alyssa advised him seriously.

    ¡°Are you upset at me and cursing me out because of the divorce?¡± He shot a cold look at her.

    ¡°You are overthinking it. I¡¯m not that petty, nor do I have the time to do so.¡± shing a fake smile, she

    was shocked at his insensibility.

    She continued, ¡°And you¡¯re wrong. I was looking forward to the divorce. The staff wishes us all the

    best, so let¡¯s live happy lives from now on. I won¡¯t waste my time on you if you can take care of

    yourself. I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    Rage churned inside of him. His eyes were aze. When she let go of him, he lost his bnce once

    more and copsed on her, causing their bodies to press against each other.

    Her ample bosom pressed against his chest, making his breathing heavy. His shaky hands rested on

    her waist, which was covered up by her red dress.

    Between his mind and body, one of them was always out of his control.

    ¡°Get your filthy paw off me!¡± She glowered at him and hissed, ¡°Or I¡¯ll feed it to the sharks!¡±

 Chapter 211

    At that moment, Alyssa so wanted to be Colene¡¯s pet, Bobo, and tear that bastard into pieces!

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    In the three years of marriage, they had slept in separate rooms and never held hands. She was

    disgusted at how he shamelessly initiated the skinship after the divorce.

    His heart seemed to have broken into half.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡± A Porsche stopped in front of them. Xavier hopped out worriedly. ¡°Are you mad?

    You should have gone to the hospital after the car crash! You¡¯re not taking your health seriously!¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t kill.¡± Jasper struggled to open his eyes. Still, he couldn¡¯t see Alyssa clearly. ¡°You¡¯re the

    mad one.¡±

    Alyssa was stunned. She finally learned the reason behind his tardiness and why he was so out of

    it to the point that he couldn¡¯t hold a pen.

    He had been involved in a car crash!

    ¡°You should have gone to the hospital! Do you think you¡¯re invincible? What if there¡¯s internal

    bleeding? The dy might lead to paralysis, do you know that?¡± She red at him as her heart.

    leaped to her throat.

    He said in a low voice, ¡°I thought you were looking forward to today. If I went to the hospital, we

    would have to postpone the divorce. That wouldn¡¯t have sat well with you.¡±

    Caught by surprise, she shed him an icy smile. ¡°Of course I wouldn¡¯t have wanted that. I guess I

    should thank you.¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    She turned around when she heard her nickname and found two luxury cars in ck parked

    nearby. Jonah and Ss stood in front of the cars, looking smart in their suits. Ss even brought

    a bouquet of eye¨Ccatching red roses. He was wearing a wide smile on his face.

    ¡°Jonah! Ss!¡± She skipped her way to her brothers with joy in her eyes. Jasper stared bitterly at

    the scene.

    He recalled the time he foolishly waited outside the Taylor residence for the entire day, enduring

    the outside elements and the cold shoulder while the Taylors were enjoying their family time,

    indoors.

    +15 BONOS

    He wondered if he should me himself for being dumb or Alyssa for lying to him.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± She lifted Jonah¡¯s bandaged left hand. ¡°You should have rested at home. Why

    did you tag along?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not that weak. I am fine now.¡± Jonah wrapped an arm around her waist and looked at her warmly.

    ¡°This is your big day. That means it¡¯s an important day for us too. We weren¡¯t there when you were

    married, but we would definitely be present at your divorce.¡±

    ¡°Jonah¡­¡± Touched by his gesture, Alyssa felt a rush of emotions.

    ¡°Congrats, Lyse, for getting rid of that heartless bastard. Time to shine like a queen!¡± Ss grinned and

    handed her the bouquet of roses.

    ¡°Thank you, Ss! Love you!¡± She sniffed

    +15 BONOS

    At that moment, Alyssa so wanted to be Colene¡¯s pet, Bobo, and tear that bastard into pieces!

    In the three years of marriage, they had slept in separate rooms and never held hands. She was

    disgusted at how he shamelessly initiated the skinship after the divorce.

    His heart seemed to have broken into half.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡± A Porsche stopped in front of them. Xavier hopped out worriedly. ¡°Are you mad?

    You should have gone to the hospital after the car crash! You¡¯re not taking your health seriously!¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t kill.¡± Jasper struggled to open his eyes. Still, he couldn¡¯t see Alyssa clearly. ¡°You¡¯re the

    mad one.¡±

    Alyssa was stunned. She finally learned the reason behind his tardiness and why he was so out of

    it to the point that he couldn¡¯t hold a pen.

    He had been involved in a car crash!

    ¡°You should have gone to the hospital! Do you think you¡¯re invincible? What if there¡¯s internal

    bleeding? The dy might lead to paralysis, do you know that?¡± She red at him as her heart.

    leaped to her throat.

    He said in a low voice, ¡°I thought you were looking forward to today. If I went to the hospital, we

    would have to postpone the divorce. That wouldn¡¯t have sat well with you.¡±

    Caught by surprise, she shed him an icy smile. ¡°Of course I wouldn¡¯t have wanted that. I guess I

    should thank you.¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    She turned around when she heard her nickname and found two luxury cars in ck parked

    nearby. Jonah and Ss stood in front of the cars, looking smart in their suits. Ss even brought

    a bouquet of eye¨Ccatching red roses. He was wearing a wide smile on his face.

    ¡°Jonah! Ss!¡± She skipped her way to her brothers with joy in her eyes. Jasper stared bitterly at

    the scene.

    He recalled the time he foolishly waited outside the Taylor residence for the entire day, enduring

    the outside elements and the cold shoulder while the Taylors were enjoying their family time,

    indoors.

    +15 BONOS

    He wondered if he should me himself for being dumb or Alyssa for lying to him.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± She lifted Jonah¡¯s bandaged left hand. ¡°You should have rested at home. Why

    did you tag along?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not that weak. I am fine now.¡± Jonah wrapped an arm around her waist and looked at her warmly.

    ¡°This is your big day. That means it¡¯s an important day for us too. We weren¡¯t there when you were

    married, but we would definitely be present at your divorce.¡±

    ¡°Jonah¡­¡± Touched by his gesture, Alyssa felt a rush of emotions.

    ¡°Congrats, Lyse, for getting rid of that heartless bastard. Time to shine like a queen!¡± Ss grinned and

    handed her the bouquet of roses.

    ¡°Thank you, Ss! Love you!¡± She sniffed at the scent of the flowers. Ss raised his voice when he

    was speaking. Jasper¡¯s face fell when he heard himself described as a heartless bastard.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Mandy Lovce, L Nelson, and Colene Waters emerged from the second car and crowded

    around Alyssa with smiles.

    ¡°Why are you all here?¡± Alyssa was pleasantly surprised and close to tears.

    ¡°Of course we will be here! We care about you!¡± Colene gave Alyssa a big hug right away.

    ¡°Your dad wanted to drop by, but that might cause amotion. So¡­¡± The thoughtful Mandy

    attempted to exin the situation.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Alyssa gave her an understanding smile.

    Jasper was tortured with a head full of questions when Alyssa was surrounded by her loving family.

    Why did she stay by his side and endure his emotional abuse when he did not show her a tiny fraction

    of the love that her family showered her with?

    He was driven crazy by all the questions without answers.

    ¡°Oh, my God! That¡¯s the retired actress, L Nelson!¡± Xavier gaped at L, who had aged like fine

    wine. ¡°I want her autograph! My mom is a fan of hers!¡±

    Jasper shot him a look. ¡°Back to thepany now!¡±

    However, he gave in and cked out in the next second.

    at the scent of the flowers. Ss raised his voice when he was speaking. Jasper¡¯s face fell when he

    heard himself described as a heartless bastard.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Mandy Lovce, L Nelson, and Colene Waters emerged from the second car and crowded

    around Alyssa with smiles.

    ¡°Why are you all here?¡± Alyssa was pleasantly surprised and close to tears.

    ¡°Of course we will be here! We care about you!¡± Colene gave Alyssa a big hug right away.

    ¡°Your dad wanted to drop by, but that might cause amotion. So¡­¡± The thoughtful Mandy

    attempted to exin the situation.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Alyssa gave her an understanding smile.

    Jasper was tortured with a head full of questions when Alyssa was surrounded by her loving family.

    Why did she stay by his side and endure his emotional abuse when he did not show her a tiny fraction

    of the love that her family showered her with?

    He was driven crazy by all the questions without answers.

    ¡°Oh, my God! That¡¯s the retired actress, L Nelson!¡± Xavier gaped at L, who had aged like fine

    wine. ¡°I want her autograph! My mom is a fan of hers!¡±

    Jasper shot him a look. ¡°Back to thepany now!¡±

    However, he gave in and cked out in the next second.

 Chapter 212

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Jasper woke up to find himself lying on a patient bed.

    ¡°Alyssa. The first thing out of his mouth was Alyssa¡¯s name.

    ¡°The tendon in your right hand is injured. We observed some light concussion and a bit of blood clot,

    but they shouldn¡¯t pose an issue.¡± Alyssa stood by the windows with her back against the light, leaving

    him with the sight of her lovely silhouette. 1

    When Jasper was in aa, Xavier filled in Alyssa with the details of the car crash. Xavier imed that

    Jasper had not slept at all. He found Jasper in the study filled with suffocating cigarette smoke in the

    morning.

    ¡°I think he must have lost his focus because he didn¡¯t sleep well. His headache might have

    affected his driving as well.¡±

    Alyssa was aware of the intensity of Jasper¡¯s headache. For that reason, he had rarely driven

    himself anywhere in recent years.

    He had pulled off sleep deprivation, heavy smoking, and refusal of medical treatment in one day.

    ¡°Who are you torturing yourself for? Liana might feel sorry for you, but I won¡¯t fall for it.¡± She scoffed in

    silence. She sneered at him. ¡°Rest well. I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    She approached the door in great strides.

    ¡°Alyssa, wait!¡±

    When she didn¡¯t stop, he hopped out of bed anxiously and ran after her. As she ced her hand on the

    door handle, he put his arms against the surface and trapped her between his towering figure.

    and the door.

    ¡°Jasper, are you crazy? What are you doing?¡± She was shocked and enraged.

    TII let you go if you answer me.¡± He stared squarely at her and demanded in a hoarse voice, ¡°Why

    did you marry me?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with all the questions?¡± She attempted to kick him, but he blocked her attack with his

    knee. Unable to move, she bit her lips with butterflies in her stomach. Herbat skills were

    nothing when faced with Jasper, the top of his ss at the military school.

    ¡°Is it that hard to tell me the truth?¡±

    ¡°Well, I was out of my mind at that time! Get off me, or I¡¯m calling for help!¡±

    He remained motionless at her unsatisfactory answer.

    At the same time, someone busted the door from the outside. Alyssa stumbled into Jasper¡¯s arms

    from the impact.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    He was quick to hold her waist firmly, pressing his palms against her t belly. Her lines were

    even better than what he had imagined.

    He swallowed hard as the urge rose in his body. Alyssa was breathing unevenly.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! M¨CMadam!¡± Xavier was astonished by his discovery. He couldn¡¯t figure out what was

    going on between the two.

    Alyssa took her chance to free herself from Jasper and stomped hard on his feet with her heels.

    To her surprise, Jasper dodged her attack thanks to his quick reflex.

    Despite the failed attack, she grasped at the chance to escape and was out of the room in no time.

    ¡°S¨CShe¡¯s running away. Do I go after her?¡± Xavier gulped nervously at the look of murder in

    Jasper¡¯s eyes. He wondered if he had shown up at the wrong time.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Jasper cracked his knuckles and squinted his rage¨Cfilled eyes. ¡°Go to the HR and sort it

    out! Your bonus is canceled.¡±

 Chapter 213

    +15 BONOS

    The issuance of the divorce certificate ended Alyssa and Jasper¡¯s three¨Cyear entanglement.

    If memory served her right, Jasper and Liana were set to marry after Newton¡¯s birthday. After

    years of waiting, it was Liana¡¯s time to show off the title of Mrs. Beckett to the world.

    Alyssa had nothing but good wishes for the couple. After all, the two deserved each other.

    Alyssa went home to Belbanks in the evening, apanied by her two brothers and Sean.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    Alyssa heard a singsong voice from afar when she stepped foot in Heightsnew Vi. Smiling ear

    to ear, she responded, ¡°Taty!¡±

    Tatiana, the ninth Taylor sibling, and Winston¡¯s youngest daughter, ran up to Alyssa with joy and

    anticipation.

    ¡°Lyse, I missed you so!¡± Tatiana hugged Alyssa with teary eyes and an adorable red nose.

    ¡°Look at you! Little crybaby, are you upset that I¡¯m back?¡± Alyssa wrapped her arms around

    Tatiana¡¯s waist and gave thetter a kiss on the forehead. Although she was as tall as Tatiana, at

    that instance, she looked like a bigger sister towering over her little sibling.

    ¡°You¡¯re back for good. Right?¡± Tatiana¡¯s face was as lovely as a budding flower as she questioned

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Alyssa through her tears.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I¡¯m back to help Winston manage the Taylor Group and spend time with.

    you all. I will not leave anymore.¡±

    L

    Alyssa was guiltridden when she saw the worries in Tatiana¡¯s eyes. Reckless and freedom¨Cloving,

    she bravely pursued love in the past and neglected her most beloved family.

    Thankfully, she realized her mistake and returned to the embrace of her family. She almost

    melted when Tatiana called her nickname.

    ¡°That¡¯s awesome! We¡¯ve all been waiting for you!¡±

    After some chitchatting, Tatiana nodded politely at Jonah and Ss. ¡°Hi, Jonah and Ss.

    Taty, how many times do we have to tell you to rx? Treat us like how you mingle with Lyse

    +15 BONOS

    Tatiana nodded shyly, even if she knew very well that she would neverpare to Alyssa.

    ¡°Taty, you lost weight. Is school stressful?¡± Jonah rested his hands on his back and checked in

    with Tatiana.

    ¡°I¡¯m a little worn out because I¡¯ve been busy preparing for the graduation performance. I enjoy it,

    though, so it¡¯s okay.¡± Tatiana¡¯s eyes glimmered with hesitation as she mumbled, ¡°W¨CWill you all attend

    my performance?¡±

    She quickly added, ¡°It¡¯s fine if you can¡¯t make it! I know you¡¯re busy, but I asked just in case. I

    won¡¯t mind.¡±

    Jonah and Ss replied one after another, ¡°We¡¯re going!¡±

    ¡°Of course! That¡¯s not a problem at all.¡± Alyssa rested her arm on Tatiana¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let us know the

    date in advance. I¡¯ll put aside my work and reserve the day just for my dear little sister!¡±

    ¡°I¨CI will let you know early! Thank you¡­ Thank you foring!¡± Tatiana¡¯s voice trembled in excitement

    as Alyssa gently caressed her soft hair.

    Tatiana had always behaved well and acted sensibly. The family never had to worry about her.

    Somehow, Alyssa felt sorry for Tatiana.

    Tatiana was the youngest daughter of the Taylor family and L Nelson¡¯s only child. She should have

    received plenty of attention and love. However, Alyssa had taken much of the spotlight. This was due to

    her outstanding qualities and her standing as Winston¡¯s first wife¡¯s daughter.

    Tatiana did not envy her older half¨Csister. On the contrary, she always respected the other family

    members because L raised her well.

    L

    After Tatiana became an adult, she never once asked her family for money. She relied on schrships

    to pay for college.

    During her free time, she would work part¨Ctime jobs She lived in such a humble and ordinary manner.

    Most of her schoolmates were clueless about her wealthy background.

    Still, Alyssa knew that Tatiana always felt that she was lesser than her other siblings due to being the

    child of Winston Taylor¡¯s third wife. That was the reason Tatiana had always treated everyone with a

    distant politeness.

    ¡°Ms Tatiana, do you have an extra seat for me?¡± Sean suddenly asked.

 Chapter 214

    +15 BONOS

    Tatiana stuttered, ¡°Y¨CYes!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go to your performance with Ms. Alyssa.¡± Sean beamed at Tatiana like a big brother. He was

    close to Alyssa and Tatiana because he watched them grow up.

    He even recalled how the young Tatiana, around six or seven years old, always followed Alyssa

    around with snot on her face, sucking on a lollipop.

    Alyssa did not notice the blush on Tatiana¡¯s cheeks because thetter was easily embarrassed.

    Little did she know that Tatiana had a crush on Sean for seven years.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m famished. I¡¯ve been missing L¡¯s cooking for days! Time to eat!¡± She held Tatiana¡¯s

    hand and traversed the vi.

    ¡°Mom¡¯s still in the kitchen. Dinner is not ready yet because you¡¯re back early.¡± Tatiana swung

    Alyssa¡¯s arm, just like she had done since she was young.

    ¡°Oh! I¡¯m hungry, though.¡± Alyssa¡¯s stomach was growling from hunger.

    ¡°How about some snacks?¡± Sean smiled and unwrapped a chocte bar he fished from his jacket

    pocket. Then, he attentively fed it to her.

    She turned around and took a bite, as usual, without thinking.

    Tatiana felt bitter at their intimacy. From a young age, she was aware that Sean had been

    crushing on Alyssa.

    Sean even gave up the opportunity to take over his father¡¯sw firm and the chance to be a prosecutor

    like Ss. He¡¯d rather give up on career progression for a secretary role to stay by

    Alyssa.

    Tatiana knew that Sean would never look at her.

    The family was in high spirits at night because of Alyssa¡¯s sessful divorce and Tatiana¡¯s visit from

    Sna City. The vi was filled with merriment.

    The maids were beaming, for they had not seen the siblings having fun with each other for a long

    time.

    The reunion would have been perfect had Miley joined them¨Cit¡¯d be nice to see the three sisters

    +15 BONOS

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Shields, as he was busy with his presidential campaign.

    L and the maidsid the feast. The dishes looked and smelled appetizing. Too bad Alyssa was

    unable to dig in right away as Winston had gathered everyone in the living room for ast¨Cminute

    family meeting

    Jonah, Ss, Tatiana, Colene, and L were in the living room. Winston was seated in the middle

    of the couch with a stern and unforgiving look, typical of the leader of the Taylor Group.

    ¡°Dad, can¡¯t we talk after the meal? We¡¯re hungry.¡± Alyssa swallowed hard as she savored the

    smells that wafted from the dining hall.

    ¡°How could you think about eating after what you¡¯ve done?¡± Winston smirked.

    ¡°What? The divorce is good news! I should celebrate it with a feast!¡± Alyssa smiled brightly. The other

    family members did not respond. Only Tatiana, who was kept in the dark, widened her eyes in shock

    and inhaled sharply

    +

    She was taken aback by the news about Alyssa¡¯s marriage and recent divorce. Alyssa had always

    been pragmatic and businesslike. Did she opt to marry for love? That was very unlike Alyssa, who

    was never blinded by love.

    ¡°You left home for three years only to marry a random man. In the end, you lost your marriage and did

    not get a single cent from the divorce! Plus, that jerk from the Beckett family is set to marry a

    new wife right away.

    ¡°I can¡¯t tolerate their treatment of my daughter. How could you allow them to bully you? You should

    have bankrupted them beforeing home.¡±

    Winston had lost sleep out of anger. The more he thought over the divorce, the more he fumed. If he

    could, he would travel to the office of the Beckett Group in Sna City and p Jasper Beckett

    in the face!

    ¡°Winston, is there any way we can let this go?¡± She sighed, suddenly losing her appetite. ¡°The Beckett

    Group has expanded under Grandpa¡¯s leadership. I can¡¯t possibly ruin his legacy. Your daughter is not

    a heartless woman.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather you be a heartless woman! You are my proud and heartless daughter. I¡¯d rather clean up

    after your mess than see you bullied for three years by another family!¡± Winston bellowed, his veins

    popping and his eyes turning red.

    +15 BONOS

    His outburst came as a shock to everyone. Jonah looked at his feet with pursed lips while Ss

    shot a worried look at Alyssa.

    Alyssa lowered her gaze. Hershes were fluttering as she fought back tears.

    She knew how much Winston doted on her. That was precisely why she had kept her marriage to

    Jasper a secret from Winston. However, her n seemed to have backfired.

    ¡°Mandy, I heard from the Becketts that you met with Lyse. Did you know about her marriage with that

    Beckett guy all along?¡± Winston directed his charged question at Mandy.

    ¡°Yes, I did.¡± Mandy stared at the ground and answered honestly.

 Chapter 215

    Mandy was prepared to take the bullet for everyone else as long as L and Colene were not

    implicated

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me? You should have known better than my daughter! Don¡¯t you feel bad

    watching her living in hell?¡± Winston was taking out his anger on Mandy.

    ¡°Winston, it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Mandy slowly rose from her seat. She couldn¡¯t be more humble as the

    proud daughter of the Lovce Family. ¡°Don¡¯t me it on Lyse. Fault me instead. I did not pay

    enough attention to her.¡±

    Alyssa felt her chest tightened. She was about to defend Mandy when the hot¨Ctempered Colene

    shot up from the couch and blurted out, ¡°Don¡¯t me it on Mandy! I¡¯m responsible too! I knew

    about Lyse¡¯s marriage from the start!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Winston¡¯s eyes popped out of his head.

    ¡°M¨CMe too¡­¡± L meekly raised her hand. ¡°I knew about it¡­ way before this.¡±

    ¡°L, even you are involved¡­ They are a bad influence on you!¡± His head was spinning when he

    learned that the innocent L had learned to lie.

    Tears filled Alyssa¡¯s eyes. She knew it would be hard for Winston to go off at her alone when he

    learned about the collective betrayal.

    ¡°Dad, please don¡¯t be mad. Mandy, L, and Colene did so in your best interest. You¡¯ll be more at ease

    if you know less,¡± Ss quickly jumped in to broker peace. He promptly sent Winston a cup of

    tea to suck up to him.

    ¡°Screw you, jackass!¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Winston might be a gentleman, but he could curse like a sailor. His booming voice almost shook

    the entire house.

    ¡°Wait, no¡­ Did the both of you..

    ¦§

    Jonah and Ss exchanged nces and coughed in embarrassment.

    Winston was irate to learn that he was kept in the dark, thanks to the excellent acting skills of his

    family.

    +15 BONOS

    As a shrewd businessman who had yed many others, he was shocked to learn that his family

    had yed him. He let out a deafening roar and stormed up to the second floor without looking

    back.

    ¡°W¨CWinston, aren¡¯t you eating?¡± L hurriedly asked, but he did not answer.

    ¡°L, why don¡¯t you talk to himter? You¡¯re soft and mild. He only listens to you.¡± Mandy let out a

    helpless sigh.

    ¡°I¨CI¡¯m scared. I¡¯ll keep some food for him and send them to his room.¡± L faltered, knowing that

    the situation was abnormally grave.

    ¡°When he¡¯s in a bad mood, he always hangs out in his antique vault¡­ Oh crap! He must have

    found out!¡± Colene was sweating profusely.

    Immediately, they heard Winston¡¯s desperate scream from upstairs. ¡°C¨CCall the police! Now! My

    one¨Cmillion antique rosewood chair has gone missing!¡±

    The dinner ended badly. If not for everyone¡¯s collective effort to hold back Winston from doing

    anything absurd, Alyssa believed that he would have driven to Sna City overnight just to

    demand Newton to return the chair.

    Winston had be more of an oddball as he aged. Moreover, he needed to be shameless to get

    what he wanted as an antique collector. As a result, he became increasingly brazen and hot-

    tempered in recent years.

    Right now, Alyssa bet that no woman would fall for him, even if he paid them.

    At night, Alyssa had a heart¨Cto¨Cheart talk with Tatiana. Not only that, they did everything together, from

    taking baths, drying their hair, and applying skincare. In the end, they were rolling

    around in bed and tickling each other.

    ¡°By the way, do you like my birthday gift for you?¡± Tatianay chest down on the bed, resting her

    cheeks in her palms.

    ¡°I loved it! I got it framed and hung it in my study at my Sna City vi. Sean was there when I put it

    on the wall. At first, he thought it was a 3D¨Cprinted photo because it was so lifelike! You know he¡¯s

    stingy with hispliments, but he showered you with praises that day!¡±

    Alyssa looked at Tatiana affectionately and ced Tatiana¡¯s soft hand in hers. ¡°Taty, your hands

 Chapter 216

    ¡°Lyse, stop ttering me. I¡¯m not as good as my mom in embroidery.¡± Tatiana bit her lips softly as

    dimples appeared on her flushed cheeks.

    Of course, she was over the moon to receive Alyssa¡¯s approval. However, nothing could beat Sean¡¯s

    compliments. She might not be able to sleep from the excitement.

    ¡°You took after L¡¯s talent in singing and dancing. On top of that, you¡¯re great at arts and crafts. I¡¯ll

    introduce you to a top fashion designer. You could coborate across fields, and that wouldunch you

    to fame. That will help you to carve your path in the world of fashion design. What do you think?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Lyse, but¡­ I am more interested in an entertainment career. After all, I¡¯m a student at the

    Sna Film Academy. I hope to be an actress after graduation.¡± Tatiana was soft¨Cspoken and

    rather unconfident.

    L had endured bullying in the entertainment industry. So, Winston strongly disagreed with Tatiana¡¯s

    choice to attend Sna Film Academy and enter the industry.

    After that, Tatiana quit her studies in Grunnd. She came home to study at Sna Film Academy for

    half a year without Winston knowing.

    In the end, he begrudgingly gave his approval. However, he added the condition that she would have to

    obey the family¡¯s arrangement post¨Cgraduation. Otherwise, she shouldn¡¯t im that she was the

    daughter of Winston Taylor.

    To realize her dreams, she needed to seed in the entertainment industry. She wanted to change

    Winston¡¯s prejudice against the profession and to wow him with her capabilities.

    ¡°I see. That¡¯s your n. Great. You have my full support in chasing your dreams!¡± Alyssa wrapped an

    arm around Tatiana¡¯s shoulders with a glimmer of worry in her eyes.

    She added, ¡°Still, the entertainment industry can be rather predatory and exploitative. No one will look

    at a newbie with no money or connections. You can¡¯t get a decent job.

    ¡°So, don¡¯t be humble when you attend auditions. You only need one line on your r¨¦sum¨¦¨Cthe daughter

    of Winston Taylor! I guarantee that things will go smoothly for you!¡±

    ¡°I might upset him if I namedrop him, knowing he¡¯s against my decision to be an actress. Tatiana found

    the suggestion a tad ridiculous.

    +15 BONOS

    She continued, ¡°I won¡¯t feel a sense of aplishment if all I do is piggyback on my dad¡¯s

    influence. I want to prove that I made the right decision through my effort, not through an easy

    way out.¡±

    ¡°Being ambitious is good. You¡¯re indeed a Taylor!¡± Alyssa sighed and pinched Tatiana¡¯s cheek. ¡°I¡¯m

    just worried that you might suffer.¡±

    Tatiana was almost perfect. However, she was gentle and reserved, much like L. As such, she

    would be trampled on in the cutthroat entertainment industry.

    ¡°Lyse, can I ask you something?¡± After some hesitation, Tatiana asked in a hushed voice. 1

    ¡°Do you want to ask me about your ex¨Cbrother¨Cinw?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Nodding furiously, Tatiana looked regretful. ¡°Why would you choose divorce? Was he bad

    to you?¡±

    ¡°No. We were ipatible. That¡¯s all,¡± Alyssa answered indifferently.

    ¡°Umm¡­ He¡¯s the president of the Beckett Group. He must have been too busy with work and

    neglected you. That was why you decided to go separate ways.¡±

    Alyssa furrowed her brows. ¡°Why have you not considered the possibility of infidelity?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± Tatiana waved dismissively.

    ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s pretty rich. What if you killed him before he got to spend his wealth?¡±

    Alyssa chortled. It seemed that she had always been perceived as a ruthless character in the

    family.

    Her phone started ringing at that moment. She checked the caller ID and was shocked to see

    Jasper¡¯s name.

    With a long face, she hurriedly dragged her feet in her velvet slippers and made her way to the drawing

    room, where she picked up the call.

    ¡°What now?¡±

    You picked up pretty fast this time.¡± His low and deep voice sounded clear.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°If so, do give me a five¨Cstar review, dear sir,¡± she said sarcastically with a flippant attitude.

    Choking, he replied sternly, ¡°I¡¯m leaving the hospital tomorrow. You should visit Seaview Manor.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow? What¡¯s the rush?¡± She smirked.

    ¡°Remember to stop by Seaview Manor tomorrow. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±

    She turned him down without hesitation, ¡°I¡¯m busy, and I¡¯ll never step into that ce anymore.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Let¡¯s stop contacting each other and end the call here.¡±

    After a pause, he reminded her, ¡°You left behind lots of stuff. Don¡¯t you want to take them with you?¡±

 Chapter 217

    It seemed that Liana would move into Seaview Manor as the future Mrs. Beckett and live with

    Jasper soon.

    Alyssa was understanding because she would have felt upset at the belongings of Jasper¡¯s ex-

    wife lying around too.

    ¡°So, I guess they¡¯re a problem for you? Why don¡¯t you throw them out instead of asking me?¡± Her

    voice was wintry.

    ¡°What about the gifts from you? Do you want me to throw them out too?¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Those were gifts from Alice White, not me. They might be treasure in her eyes, but they

    are nothing more than garbage to me.¡±

    She left Jasper choking on anger.

    ¡°Call up my secretary if there¡¯s anything else. I don¡¯t pick up calls from unknown numbers. I¡¯m

    hanging up.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Are you done?¡± She raised her voice out of irritation.

    ¡°What about the costumes? You take great care of them. Do you want to throw them out as well?¡±

    His voice hardened with a hint of threat. ¡°If you don¡¯t pick them up, I¡¯ll deal with them as I see fit

    because no one¡¯s iming them.¡±

    Alyssa felt her heart squeezing in her hesitation. The exquisite costumes were handmade by L

    and were once part of L¡¯s private collection.

    L generously allowed her to pick a few costumes she liked when she mentioned wanting to

    cheer up Newton with a costume show. Not only that, L gave her the costumes for free.

    She finally budged because she refused to have Jasper throw out stuff L kindly gifted her. ¡±

    Sean will drop by Seaview Manor tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°I want you here in person.¡± Jasper was adamant, as though he¡¯d won the negotiation. ¡°I will not

    allow him to enter the manor if hees alone. I will wait for you at the vi. That¡¯s it.¡±

    Then, he hung up on her.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Shit!¡± Alyssa was livid as she red at the screen that had gone dark. She was dismayed by how.

    he had used her clothes as a bargaining chip to meet her.

    She huffed dismissively at that thought. She had decided to just take it as a battle!

    The next morning, Alyssa and Tatiana headed to the dining hall for breakfast hand¨Cin¨Chand after

    washing up.

    Jonah was out early for an importantpany meeting. Only Winston, his three wives, and Ss

    were present at the dining table.

    ¡°Look at you, sleepyheads! You¡¯re prettyte. We¡¯re waiting for you.¡± Ss rested his cheek on his

    hand and poked fun at thedies.

    ¡°I chatted through the night with Taty because we hadn¡¯t seen each other for a while. We slept

    past midnight.¡± Alyssa yawned. Her eyes were bloodshot.

    In contrast, Tatiana looked fresh and awake with a rosyplexion. She did not show any hint of

    tiredness. Alyssa envied the vitality of young college students, which she¡¯d sadly never regain.

    Winston sat at the head of the table, staring at Alyssa unhappily. One could tell from his dark

    circles that he did not sleep well. No one had expected the top billionaire of Belbanks to grieve

    hard for the loss of his antique chair.

    However, Alyssa was ment*lly resilient. She had put the affairs from yesterday behind as she

    enjoyed her breakfast. The chair had been given out anyway. It would be ridiculous to ask for it

    back. She believed they should ept the reality.

    Alyssa was about to leave when they were almost done with breakfast. At that moment, Winston

    addressed in a frosty tone, ¡°Buttercup, do you still have any feelings for that Beckett guy?¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    The rest of the family felt uneasy at the question. Surprisingly, Alyssa was cooler than anyone

    about that question. She replied calmly, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean you have put the divorce behind you?¡±

    ¡°Winston, we have known each other for 24 years Just speak your mind. Stop beating around the

    bush and sounding me out.¡± She wiped her mouth gracefully with a napkin.

    ¡°Alright. I will be frank. Neil!¡± Winston yelled, and his head secretary, Neil Benson, rushed over..

    +15 BONOS

    Then, Winston sent the file soaring in the air before itnded with a thud in front of Alyssa.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°A name list.¡±

 Chapter 218

    A name list of your suitors.¡± Winston looked amused.

    Everyone was dumbfounded at Winston¡¯s announcement. Even Tatiana, who had impable

    manners, dropped her utensils in shock. Ss almost spat out his coffee and was coughing with a

    red face.

    ¡°Winston!¡± Alyssa sprung up with a sharp frown. ¡°You¡¯re taking revenge against me, right? That¡¯s

    not very gentlemanly!¡±

    ¡°Revenge is sweet.¡± He took a casual sip of his coffee. ¡°Anyway, why would I take revenge on my

    daughter? I know you¡¯re low profile, but the news of the divorce will spread in our circle soon.

    ¡°They¡¯ll beughing at you. If Jasper Beckett is marrying someone new after the divorce, I¡¯d do

    anything to make sure you have what he¡¯s having.¡±

    ¡°So, if he gets the case of the crazies, do I get that too?¡± She fired back with a snicker.

    ¡°Anyway, I have made the decision. I rushed Neil topile a list overnight covering bachelors of

    your age from simr family backgrounds in the nation. Get ready to meet with at least five of

    them weekly, starting next month. You can rest on the weekends.¡± Winston did not look like he

    was joking at all.

    She was close to flipping the table. ¡°I don¡¯t care! I¡¯m not going anywhere or meeting anyone!¡±

    ¡°Are you giving up the role of the president too?¡±

    ¡°F***! That wily old fart is attempting to change the conditions!¡± Alyssa thought to herself.

    Alyssa ground her teeth with a face flushed from anger. ¡°You promised to make me the president of KS

    Group if I sessfully ran the KS World Hotel. How can you go back on your word? Aren¡¯t

    -you worried about your reputation for being a dishonest man?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m willing to suffer reputational damage in exchange for my daughter¡¯s happiness. It¡¯s a small

    price to pay.¡± Winston had a look of righteous indignation.

    She gritted her teeth. ¡°I¡¯m not going for blind dating. Do whatever you want with it.¡±

    ¡°Shall I make someone else the president?¡± He squinted at her with a shrewd look. ¡°I¡¯m still in

    charge of Taylor Group, you know.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    The breakfast ended on a bad note. Every bite Alyssa took felt tasteless and dry as she simmered

    in anger.

    When she was younger and in a foul mood, she¡¯d run to the backyard and carve vulgar words on

    the stones in a manmade cave or cry alone in there.

    The habit remained. As a 24¨Cyear¨Cold, she hid in the cave and dwelled in anger.

    ¡°Lyse! Ha, you¡¯re here indeed!¡± Ss put his hands on his back and bent over to enter the cave.

    ¡°Say, is this Winston¡¯s revenge for stealing his chair?¡± She puffed.

    ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the main reason. I think Dad wanted to pull you out of the negativity

    caused by that heartless Beckett bastard. He would like you to start anew.¡± Ss crossed his legs

    and sat beside her.

    ¡°Is blind dating the way to start anew? He might feel concerned because I¡¯m his daughter, but my

    life is perfectly fine without a man!¡± She skipped a stone on the nearby pond.

    She added, ¡°Men are a burden! He should attend the blind dating event instead. Who knows? He

    might end up with a fifth wife!¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°You know Dad. He¡¯s vindictive and petty.¡± Ss whispered in her ear, ¡°Do you recall the show,¡±

    Session¡®? I feel that Dad¡¯s pretty simr to Logan Roy. I believe he will follow through on his

    threat of not making you the president if you refuse to go for blind dating.¡±

    Her eyes wavered with fright. ¡°What should I do?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ How about this? Give me a copy of that list.¡±

    ¡°What for? Will you get rid of every one of them for me?¡± Her eyes lit up eagerly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll run their backgrounds for you and pick some good ones. Just think of it as picking an escort.

    Keep a hot guy by your side for fun.¡± Ssughed wickedly.

    ¡°Oh, fuck off!¡± Glowering at him, she attempted to punch him.

    Her phone went off at that moment. Jasper¡¯s name on the screen attracted her attention.

    She was in the midst of a tantrum and conveniently turned Jasper into her punching bag. ¡°Why are you

    calling me this early? Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being ridiculous?¡±

    ¡°Have you left home?¡± He ignored her jab and asked calmly.

    ¡°Not yet!

    ¡°Okay Come out now.¡± After a pause, he announced in a low but firm voice, ¡°I¡¯m outside your ce.

 Chapter 219

    Jasper was standing alone by a ck Ferrari with a straight back and a gentlemanly demeanor

    right outside Heightsnew Vi.

    He narrowed his eyes at the intricate family crest on the metal gate during the wait

    He had been looking into the Taylor family for days. From his research, he learned that the

    Heightsnew Vi was the property Winston Taylor bought for his first wife, Alyssa¡¯s mother.

    The luxurious vi was one of its kind in the nation and worth more than the mary value.

    It turned out that Alyssa¡¯s mother had named the vi. On a side note, he found out that Alyssa

    had chosen the name Alice White during their marriage, partly inspired by her mom¡¯sst name,

    Whitaker.

    Still, he hadn¡¯t figured out the reason she had chosen ¡°Alice¡± for her first name, if there was any.

    She did not look like an Alice.

    When he was deep in thought, the gate creaked open. He quickly gathered his attention and

    tensed up a little. He found Alyssa standing on the stairs and staring down at him with a hand

    shielding her face from the sun.

    Alyssa was a little surprised that Jasper showed up in a different outfit than his usual three¨Cpiece

    suit. Instead, he donned a pair of beige pants and a light blue jacket, looking clean, fresh, and regal.

    This was her first time seeing him in that attire. He usually dressed like a nobleman out of a Jane

    Austen novel, looking.disciplined and serious.

    She might have been overthinking, but she had a feeling that he had deliberately dressed in a

    casual fit. She thought he might look hot on the outside, but he was still rotten on the inside.

    She approached him in her home slippers because she had rushed out in haste. Her steps were

    light and airy, looking oddly adorable and affable.

    He stared keenly at her feet and felt a rush of warmth in him.

    ¡°Why are you staring at my feet? Is this your first time seeing home slippers?¡± She uneasily

    shifted her feet in her slippers and made a sour face.

    He squinted. ¡°You were always in heels. I have never seen you in slippers until now.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    Yeah, I can tell from your eyes that something¡¯s wrong.¡± She sneered. ¡°I wore slippers around you

    at home for three years.

    ¡°How could you im that you¡¯ve never seen me in slippers? I know I was practically invisible to

    you, but you didn¡¯t have to take a jab at me now that we¡¯re divorced.¡±

    In an instant, he felt as if his heart had stopped. His face darkened.

    Yes, he remembered now.

    In the past, she was always the first person to greet him whenever he was home. She woulde

    running to him with joyful little steps in her apron, holding a small spat in one hand. Her face was

    always a bit oily from the cooking, but she always greeted him with a gentle anddylike

    smile.

    He used to scoff at her attention. Now, looking back, it was an incredibly precious moment.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the car.¡± He breathed heavily and opened the car door.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere else.¡± She was against the idea.

    ¡°Do you mean we¡¯ll talk at your ce?¡± He quickly took advantage of the loophole and took a step

    closer.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, know your limits.¡± As she was speaking, he grabbed her wrist and shoved her

    into his car in a smooth move.

    ¡°You-¡±

    Jasper sat in the driver¡¯s seat in no time and locked the car.

    ¡°Why do you need to lock your car for a talk?¡± She yanked at the handle but failed to open the door.

    ¡°I need to lock the car door when the car¡¯s moving. I¡¯m worried you might jump out of the car at any

    moment.¡±

    Right after that, she felt a shadow in front of her. A bomb went off in her head.

    She sensed the warmth of his body as he inched closer to her, his nose bridge almost touching the tip

    of her nose and his lengthy eyshes almost tickling her eyelids.

    ¡°W¨CWhat are you doing?¡± Panicking, she quickly pushed against his chest. To her surprise, he grabbed

    her hand tightly and warned, ¡°Alyssa, don¡¯t move.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 Chapter 220

    Immediately, Jasper reached for the seatbelt and helped Alyssa fasten it.

    She clenched her jaw and flinched as though she was in contact with filth. ¡°Where are you bringing

    me?¡±

    ¡°Last night, we agreed on picking up your stuff from my ce today.¡± He let go of her and leisurely

    ced his hands on the steering wheel.

    ¡°I will be there. You didn¡¯t have to pick me up!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust you.¡± He started the engine and stole a nce at her. ¡°You¡¯re a bloody good liar. How

    many times did you lie to me in the past three years? Were you ever honest with me?¡±

    ¡°Had I never?¡± She smirked. ¡°Think what you want. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    Her words were like bullets to his chest. He felt chills in his body. Sometimes, he¡¯d rather she had

    never fallen for him. At least, he wouldn¡¯t have felt guilty for his poor treatment of her.

    The Ferrari sped on the highway as the scenic view passed them by in a blur.

    Since Alyssa could not escape, she decided to take things as they came. She crossed her arms and

    had afortable shut¨Ceye after adjusting her seat.

    She¡¯d rather keep him out of her sight.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that.¡± He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

    ¡°About what?¡±

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Something was not quite right with Jasper ever since the divorce. He was stubborn as a donkey in

    the past, but now, he would own up to his mistakes.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Liana had given him lessons on manners.

    ¡°I did not know that Jonah was your brother.¡±

    ¡°Ignorance is not a sin. You¡¯re forgiven.¡± She was indifferent toward the matter.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you exin yourself?¡± He examined her soft and lovely side profile.

    ¡°Would you have believed me if I insisted that he and I were innocent?¡±

    He choked.

    +15 BONOS

    She shook her head. ¡°The world is always hostile to women. If I were Alice White instead of

    Jonah¡¯s sister, you and everyone else in this world would think of me as a shameless gold¨Cdigger.

    That¡¯s why I never care for anyone¡¯s opinion unless they are someone I love and care for.¡±

    Blood drained from his face as he gripped hard on the steering wheel.

    Was she implying that she no longer loved and cared for him?

    There was nothing wrong with that except that he felt oddly distressed at the thought.

    After a while of sitting in the depressing air, he suddenly questioned, ¡°So, Jonah and Ss Taylor

    are your older brothers? Is your third bother, Axel Whitaker? He took your mom¡¯sst name.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett.¡± Her expression steeled. ¡°People looking into my family members is my pet

    peeve.¡±

    He was about to exin himself when she spoke, ¡°I tolerated your unruly behavior only because I

    am Alyssa Taylor. I received an elite education, and because of that, I will carry myself with grace

    and manners.

    ¡°I do not wish to fight with you because that¡¯s too unbing. However, if you try to do anything

    to my family, I will not go easy on you, no matter who you are. Shape up or ship out.¡±

    He pursed his lips while digging his fingernails into the steering wheel¡¯s leather. ¡°I did not

    deliberately look into him. When I fought him thest time, I thought he looked familiar, from his

    appearance to his skills.

    ¡°I went through the yearbook of my military school and found his photo there. It was then I

    realized he was an old schoolmate.¡±

    She pettily looked out of the window and ignored him. He nced at her and called Xavier, not

    forgetting to set the call to speaker mode.

    ¡°Hi, Mr. Beckett. Any orders?¡± Xavier picked up right away.

    ¡°Get a pair of heels for Ms. Alyssa Taylor. Pick a pair from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, or

    Manolo hnik that suits her style. Send them to Seaview Manor.¡±

    Alyssa red at his calm expression. The brands he rattled off were her usual favorites.

    ¡°Yes! I¡¯ll get them ready for madam!¡± Xavier sounded overjoyed that one might think he was about

    Jasper stared at her feet with a gleam in his eyes. ¡°Her shoe size is 5.5. Get that right.¡±

 Chapter 221

    Alyssa¡¯sshes fluttered. Jasper¡¯s knowledge gave her the goosebumps.

    ¡°How did you know I am a size 5.5?¡±

    He remained stoic. ¡°Your feet look tiny. It was a blind guess.¡±

    She curled her feet in the slippers awkwardly but did not forget to take a dig at him. ¡°All men are

    the same. They¡¯re either leering or openly touching the opposite S**.¡±

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    opposite S**.¡±

    He went silent. Deep down, he knew he wasn¡¯t being upfront. He learned about her shoe size only

    because he had carefully scrutinized every single item she left behind at Seaview Manor

    He also learned that she had a stockpile of snacks at home, like a squirrel collecting nuts. Most of

    them are choctes. Her favorite perfume was La fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens, which he

    remembered well.

    At first, he thought the spicy scent did not suit her. Looking back, he was wrong. The arrogant and

    intense scent was created just for her.

    He learned about her shoe size. Her collection of white shoes wasid out cleanly on the shoe

    rack, as though she would return at any time.

    She once used him of not understanding her in disappointment. Therefore, he¡¯d like to get to

    know her again in this manner.

    They were silent during the two¨Chour trip. The Ferrari entered the grounds of Seaview Manor and

    parked in front of the entrance.

    Jasper unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to help Alyssa with hers.

    She saw thating from a mile away and blocked him with her arm. Her eyes screamed

    aversion. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can do it myself.¡±

    He took his chance to unbuckle her seatbelt when she was distracted. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±

    She glowered at him, shocked at his speed. How could she have missed it?

    Axel once told her that the average time assembling a gun was ten seconds in military school, but

    piece of cake

    +15 BONDS

    The two of the merched rheugh the entrance Gossip spread like mithre among the maids

    ¡°Oh my God Is there something wrong with my eyes? Did he bring home Madam Alice?¡±

    is Madem Alice theed She¡¯s glowing Why would he divorce such a stunning beauty?¡±

    How do we address her? Madam Aloe or Ms White? This is bad. It¡¯s all messed up

    ¡°Let¡¯s go with Ms White, or we might upset that Gardner girl Who knows what trouble we¡¯ll get

    into when she marnes M: Jasper ¡±

    Tight She¡¯s easily jealous unlike our easygoing Ms White¡±

    Jasper overheard the gossiping and turned to Alyssa with slight annoyance in his eyes. She must

    have heard the words as well, but she seemed unconcerned to the point that it bothered him.

    ¡°Where¡¯s my stuff?¡±

    ¡°In your room where you put them¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you leave them out here if I¡¯ming to pick them up? That¡¯s pureziness,¡± she

    nagged at him with a frown.

    ¡°Those are your precious items. I dare not touch them ¡°He gave her a deep look

    Perhaps, just like the average man, he was a shameless sucker for women who were hard to get. He

    never took Alyssa seriously when she was nice to him. He started developing an interest in her

    when she hurt him with words.

    She refused to look into his eyes ¡°What do I do? Pick them up from my room, or wait for someone

    to pack them up and bring them down?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s ringing phone interrupted the conversation at a bad time. He realized that he had an important

    call scheduled and informed her apologetically, ¡°I need to take a call. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    ¡°Suit yourself¡±

    After he left in haste, she let out a long sigh and rxed. It was an awkward trip for her. When she was

    married to him, she had put in a lot of effort for some alone time with him, but he heartlessly

    turned his back on her

    piece of cake.

    +15 BONOS,

    The two of them marched through the entrance. Gossip spread like wildfire among the maids.

    Oh, my God! Is there something wrong with my eyes? Did he bring home Madam Alice?¡±

    ¡°It is Madam Alice indeed! She¡¯s glowing. Why would he divorce such a stunning beauty?¡±

    ¡°How do we address her? Madam Alice or Ms. White? This is bad. It¡¯s all messed up.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go with Ms. White, or we might upset that Gardner girl. Who knows what trouble we¡¯ll get

    into when she marries Mr. Jasper.¡±

    ¡°Right. She¡¯s easily jealous, unlike our easygoing Ms. White.¡±

    Jasper overheard the gossiping and turned to Alyssa with slight annoyance in his eyes. She must

    have heard the words as well, but she seemed unconcerned to the point that it bothered him

    ¡°Where¡¯s my stuff?¡±

    ¡°In your room where you put them.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you leave them out here if I¡¯ming to pick them up? That¡¯s pureziness,¡± she

    nagged at him with a frown.

    ¡°Those are your precious items. I dare not touch them.¡± He gave her a deep look.

    Perhaps, just like the average man, he was a shameless sucker for women who were hard to get.

    He never took Alyssa seriously when she was nice to him. He started developing an interest in her

    when she hurt him with words.

    She refused to look into his eyes. ¡°What do I do? Pick them up from my room, or wait for someone

    to pack them up and bring them down?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s ringing phone interrupted the conversation at a bad time. He realized that he had an

    important call scheduled and informed her apologetically, ¡°I need to take a call. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    ¡°Suit yourself¡±

    After he left in haste, she let out a long sigh and rxed. It was an awkward trip for her. When she

    was married to him, she had put in a lot of effort for some alone time with him, but he heartlessly

    turned his back on her.

    +15 BONOS

    Things were different after the divorce. He had driven to Belbanks to pick her up, even preparing high

    heels for her and helping her buckle her seatbelt with the attentiveness of a newlywed.

 Chapter 222

    Alyssa felt creeped out by Jasper¡¯s sudden show of care. His bted attention was like expired

    food that only brought disgust

    She made a call to Sean ¡°Sean, I¡¯m at Seaview Manor in Sna City Pick me up now¡±

    ¡°What?¡± He was astonished to hear that ¡°W Why are you there?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story Let¡¯s talk when you¡¯re here¡±

    After the call, she made her way up the stairs She nned to pack the clothes and leave the

    moment Sean arrived, as she did not want to overstay

    Her former bedroom was near Lauren¡¯s room. From talking to the maids, she learned that Lauren

    had taken a break from her studies. She thought of checking in with the girl

    Standing at Lauren¡¯s door, she overheard Betty¡¯s bitchy rant ¡°You little bitch! What did you do to

    M: Harper at Grandpa¡¯s birthday? Tell me

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t Betty, I didn¡¯t do anything to him¡± Lauren¡¯s teary voice was heart¨Cwrenching to heat

    ¡°Bullshit¡± Lauren¡¯s denial only fanned Betty¡¯s anger Betty believed that her sister was lying

    How could you have done nothing with him after he took the spiked drink? How do you exn

    the hickey on his neck? Was that an animal bite?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know I don¡¯t remember a thing, I swear Ouch!¡±

    What followed was the sound of a shattered vase Alyssa clenched her fist and busted the door

    open, which came as a shock to Betty

    You? When Betty finally pulled herself together, she saw a swift movement that attacked her

    Tight on the face

    ¡°high¡± Soon, another slippernded on her face. Her face was flushed with marks from the

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    slipper attack She appeared dizzy, which made her look rather hrious

    The pressed a hand on her forehead and pointed a finger at Alyssa¡¯s face, but she was too angry to

    think of any insult

    Have you not cleaned that wiluar mouth of youte? Alyson crossed her are on her chest and

    smted with a threatening head tilt

    +15 BONOS

    A¨CAlice Lauren curled up into a tiny ball and shivered in a corner. She started crying agitatedly after

    seeing Alyssa

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, you crazy bitch!¡± Betty was seething. Her face was numb from the attack, as the

    slippers were harder than the palm of a hand.

    She continued, ¡°You think you¡¯re something just because you¡¯re a Taylor? I am a Beckett, and I¡¯m

    as powerful as you. I will not let this slip!¡±

    ¡°Please keep your word. I, too, need a good reason to punch you.¡± Alyssa did not give a damn about

    Betty at all. Her eyes spelled mockery.

    She added, ¡°You¡¯re just a good¨Cfor¨Cnothing who bullies your sibling. Pretty impressive, aren¡¯t you?

    Those who don¡¯t know that you¡¯re Sophia¡¯s daughter might think you were raised by a pack of

    wolves!¡±

    It took Betty a while to get the mockery, as she was not the sharpest tool in the shed. She growled

    and threw herself at Alyssa.

    ¡°How dare you call me an animal? I¡¯ll rip you to shreds!¡±

    Alyssa shook her head in disgust at the sight of Betty¡¯s ugliness. She was reluctant to dirty her

    hands by punching Betty¨Cthe woman was a mad dog.

    Just when Betty was close to touching Alyssa, she was grabbed on the wrist by a huge and

    defined hand.

    ¡°Ouch! That hurts!¡± Feeling the pain, Betty doubled over.

    Alyssa sensed an increase in testosterone in the vicinity. She turned around and found Jasper

    staring at her. They exchanged gazes.

    She picked up a hint of concern in his eyes, which might well be an illusion. She shook it off and

    reminded herself that she was only being delusional.

    She¡¯d rather believe in ghosts than his feelings for her.

    ¡°Did she hurt you?¡± He looked at Alyssa and questioned with a concerned tone.

 Chapter 223

    Alyssa paused for a while before saying coldly, ¡°I¡¯m fine, but Lauren might not be.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened as he tightened his grip on Betty¡¯s wrist.

    ¡°Ouch! Jasper, let go! It hurts!¡± Sweating from the pain, Betty was close to tears. He finally let go of

    her wrist. Betty stumbled backward and fell onto the ground from the strong impact.

    ¡°Jasper, that bitch started it! She threw her slippers at me! Look at the mark on my face¨Cthat¡¯s

    the evidence!¡±

    Punching the ground between sobs, she grumbled, ¡°How could you blindly side with an outsider

    who beats up your sister at home?¡±

    Surprisingly, he did not so much as give Betty a look. Instead, he turned to Alyssa. ¡°Are you really

    okay?¡±

    Betty¡¯s wrist.

    ¡°Ouch! Jasper, let go! It hurts!¡± Sweating from the pain, Betty was close to tears. He finally let go of

    her wrist. Betty stumbled backward and fell onto the ground from the strong impact.

    ¡°Jasper, that bitch started it! She threw her slippers at me! Look at the mark on my face¨Cthat¡¯s

    the evidence!¡±

    Punching the ground between sobs, she grumbled, ¡°How could you blindly side with an outsider

    who beats up your sister at home?¡±

    Surprisingly, he did not so much as give Betty a look. Instead, he turned to Alyssa. ¡°Are you really

    okay?¡±

    Alyssa secretly rolled her eyes and ignored him. Instead, she hurried over to Lauren and squatted

    on the floor, gently caressing Lauren¡¯s soft hair.

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± Lauren immediately went into her embrace and sobbed. She had never shed a tear when

    Betty hit her. However, she lost control of her tears when she saw Alyssa.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t cry. No one will bully you with me around. I got your back.¡± Feeling pained, she cast a

    furious nce at Betty whileforting Lauren. Betty was as wicked as Cindera¡¯s stepmother.

    Jasper felt shaken at the sight of Alyssa and Lauren holding on to each other. It was a

    heartwarming scene that he greedily wished to see more.

    ¡°Betty, I¡¯m telling you this. Listen well.¡± Alyssa¡¯s piercing gaze swept past Betty¡¯s face. ¡°From now on,

    Lauren is under my protection. You¡¯re wrong to think that I am unaware of what¡¯s happening.

    in Seaview Manor.

    ¡°I do not care about anything else, but if I hear that youy a finger on Lauren, be prepared for my

    wrath. The Taylors will go head¨Cto¨Chead with the Becketts.¡±

    Betty¡¯s eyes wavered as she shuddered. Once again, she turned her tear¨Cstained face to plead at

    Jasper. ¡°Jasper¡­

    ¡°Did you hear Ms. Alyssa?¡± he questioned icily, all while staring at Alyssa.

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    +15 BONOS

    Betty slumped after knowing that Jasper, the bastard child, would never back her up. He had

    never seen her as his sister from the very start! She had no choice but to admit her wrong for now.

    ¡°Apologize to Lauren right now,¡± Jasper ordered Betty to apologize with a hard and unfeeling tone.

    Betty bit her lips hard and refused to say a word.

    ¡°Betty Beckett!¡±

    ¡°Leave it An insincere apology is meaningless.¡± Eyes cold, Alyssa mocked, ¡°Everything¡¯s good as long

    as she doesn¡¯t attack people like a mad dog for no reason.¡±

    Rubbing the slipper mark on her forehead, Betty stormed back to her bedroom.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, I will not let this slide!¡± She was panting heavily, her eyes red from the anger. She

    btedly questioned the reason Alyssa was at Seaview Manor.

    Did Jasper bring her home? What was that supposed to mean?

    Did he n to rekindle the old me and get back together with her?

 Chapter 224

    Rubbing the slipper mark on her forehead, Betty stormed back to her bedroom.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, I will not let this slide!¡± She was panting heavily, her eyes red from the anger. She

    btedly questioned the reason Alyssa was at Seaview Manor.

    Did Jasper bring her home? What was that supposed to mean?

    Did he n to rekindle the old me and get back together with her?

    That wouldn¡¯t do!

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    an influential family. She was also

    physically weaker. Betty figured that she could ride over Liana, either through brain or brawn.

    Alyssa was another story. Not only did shee from a powerful family, she was ruthless in her

    revenge. Betty worried she might be Alyssa¡¯s punching bag if thetter got back together with

    Jasper.

    A sudden idea popped up in Betty¡¯s mind. Since there was only space for one, she thought of

    calling Liana to Seaview Manor. She¡¯d sit back and watch Liana and Alyssa fight.

    Once she decided on it, she called Liana and exaggerated, ¡°Lia! This is bad! Jasper brought Alyssa

    home, and they¡¯re being touchy¨Cfeely! I¡¯m worried that you might actually lose out.¡±

    Meanwhile, Jasper ordered the maid to clean up the mess in Lauren¡¯s room. At the same time,

    Alyssa hugged the poor girl while pacifying her.

    ¡°Lauren, don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re my sister¨Cinw!¡± Lauren was a twenty¨Cyear¨Cold but acted childlike due to her disability.

    She held tight to the hem of Alyssa¡¯s top and insisted, ¡°You¡¯re my sister¨Cinw, so you¡¯ll be

    staying. Right? I missed you so much..

    Alyssa stiffened at the way Lauren addressed her.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but step closer to Alyssa after watching her friendly interaction with Lauren.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett,¡± Alyssa suddenly spoke up, as if she had eyes on her back. ¡°I know you¡¯re busy, and you

    dislike your family. But Lauren grew up before your eyes, and she holds a lot of respect for

    you.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t turn a blind eye to the bullying in your family if you have a little bit ofpassion. If I

    learn that Betty is bullying Lauren again, I will not hesitate to get Betty charged with assault.¡±

    Startled, Jasper pursed his lips. He was rarely at home because of his busy schedule. Therefore,

    he had no idea that Betty had been cruel to Lauren. Apparently, Betty was putting on the act of a

    loving sister in front of their grandfather.

    ¡°I swear never to let this happen again,¡± he proimed sternly.

    +15 BONOS

    Why are you saying that to me? I¡¯m not the victim.¡±

    He was the target of her thorny remarks again, but he was no stranger to itChapter 224

    +15 BONOS

    Liana might be devious, but shecked the backing of .

    After a while offorting Lauren, Alyssa made her way with ease to the bedroom where she had

    spent three years sleeping alone. Jasper tagged along.

    She opened the wardrobe and found her belongings organized andbeled. The items reignited the

    memories of her effort in preparing the gifts for Jasper.

    She had spent countless nights on the handmade gift, only to be coldly ignored when she excitedly

    presented it to him.

    With her back against Jasper, she felt the bitterness seeping into every inch of her body as she smiled

    mockingly at herself. She had been head over heels for Jasper, but nothing like that would ever happen

    again.

    ¡°Do you have a box? I didn¡¯t bring anything with me because we were in a hurry. I¡¯ll borrow a box for

    my clothes¡­¡±

    Mid¨Csentence, she felt his shadow hanging over her. Looking up in shock, she found him closing

    the wardrobe door.

    The button on his sleeve gleamed in the light. Trembling slightly, she widened her eyes. ¡°Jasper,

    what are you doing?¡±

    He whispered her name in a throaty voice, ¡°Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    His rich and hypnotic voice tickled her ear and sent an electric shock through her body. ¡°Answer

    me if you want to take your stuff with you. Why did you marry me?¡±

 Chapter 225

    ¡°Are we not over this yet?¡± Alyssa curled her fist and took a few deep breaths as her eyes lit up in

    fury. ¡°I have said what¡¯s there to be said. I have nothing more to exin, even if you don¡¯t believe

    in me!¡±

    ¡°Had wee across each other a long time ago?¡± Jasper leaned closer to her, desperate for an

    answer. His body was close to pressing against her back. ¡°Alyssa Taylor, answer me. Had wee

    across each other a long time ago?¡± 1

    Her chest tightened, and her lips paled. ¡°No, you¡¯re overthinking. Our first encounter was when

    Grandpa dered our engagement. We never met each other before that.¡±

    She was afraid that he might find out she was the girl who had saved him ten years ago. After the

    divorce, there was no point reminiscing her 13 years of love and pursuit of Jasper, for that would

    only remind her of how embarrassing and pitiful she had been.

    She was prideful. Thest thing she wanted him to know was her 13¨Cyear crush on him. That¡¯d be

    too humiliating.

    Disappointment shed across his eyes. He had a feeling that there was more to the truth.

    ¡°Let go of me. I¡¯ll gather my stuff and leave.¡± Her voice shaking, she pulled the wardrobe door

    harder.

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    ¡°Alyssa, why¡­¡±

    ¡°Enough with the questions!¡± She appeared to have been triggered and raised her voice, ¡°We¡¯re

    divorced. Do you know what that means?

    ¡°Why would you ask questions about the past? So what if I were smitten with you back then? I¡¯m

    no longer in love with you now. I feel sick seeing the gifts I made for you. And I¡¯m disgusted at the

    sight of you too!¡±

    She was once smitten with him. He tuned out the rest of her words as the phrase echoed in his

    mind.

    Breathing deeply, he held her shoulders and turned her petite frame around to face him. Her teary

    eyes came as a shock to him.

    ¡°You can cry if you want to.¡± His voice might be stiff, but his eyes were radiating warmth.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Those are tears of anger because of you! I¡¯mughing because, thank God, I got my divorce. Why

    Would I ever cry?¡± Her eyes were wintry, and her chest rose and fell in anger. ¡°The moment I signed

    the divorce papers, I vowed never to shed a tear for you. Ever.¡±

    Her cruel words pierced through his heart. He wanted to say something but was interrupted by a knock

    on the door.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, are you in there?¡±

    The butler said politely, ¡°Um¡­ Ms. Gardner is waiting for you downstairs. What do you think¡­¡±

    Alyssa felt a change in the air. It turned out that Jasper¡¯s face had clouded over almost instantly.

    Liana waited anxiously on the first floor while the maids gossiped in private. Everyone knew that a war

    was waiting to happen if she ran into Jasper¡¯s ex¨Cwife.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Liana flung herself at Jasper, hugging his waist, when thetter descended the stairs with a

    t expression.

    He pushed her away instinctively, but she hugged him tightly like a drowning mantching onto a piece

    of driftwood.

    ¡°Jasper, I missed you so¡­¡± The familiar fresh pine scent on his body almost drove her crazy. Tears

    rolled down her cheeks as she wallowed in her misfortune.

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault, and I¡¯m sorry. I took the wrong path because I was too angry to think straight. You should

    know who I am because we¡¯ve known each other since we were kids!¡±

    She had no other way than to make an emotional appeal to him. At first, she had wanted to follow

    Sophia¡¯s advice to keep out of touch with Jasper until he was no longer upset.

    Still, when she heard about Alyssa¡¯s visit to the Seaview Manor, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore and

    rushed over.

    ¡°Lia.¡± There was no hint of warmth in Jasper¡¯s voice. ¡°I told you not to meet me for now. Go home.¡±

 Chapter 226

    ¡°Why?¡± Tears streamed down Liana¡¯s face, like a damsel in distress. Sophia had taught her this

    move because men would fall for it.

    ¡°Good question. Why?¡± Everyone heard Alyssa¡¯s voice from the top of the stairs. Looking over, they

    found her carrying a suitcase with ease and pompously made her way down with her chin held

    high.

    She was the embodiment of grace and charm, a stark contrast to Liana¡¯s gloominess.

    Liana hugged Jasper tightly with a sparkle in her eyes. She glowered at Alyssa.

    Everyone was anticipating drama at this point.

    With a hard look in his eyes, Jasper ced his hands on Liana¡¯s shoulders in an attempt to push

    her away. However, Alyssa mistook the action as a flirtation.

    ¡°So, that was why Jasper insisted I pick up my stuff at his ce. How else would I have stumbled

    upon their public disy of affection?¡± Alyssa thought.

    Her only wish at that moment was to take a bath and change into a fresh outfit at home. She

    definitely needed to take off her current outfit and throw it out. She considered anything that

    Jasper had touched to be filthy.

    ¡°Your fianc¨¦e hase such a long way just to meet you. Why would you turn her down? Tsk tsk.

    you cruel man.¡±

    Beaming at Liana, Alyssa added, ¡°Ms. Gardner, please do not misunderstand. I¡¯m only here to pick

    up my stuff. I will be leaving now. Please go on. Time is precious, and I hope you make the most

    out of today.¡±

    Jasper felt his throat tighten as raw anger shot through him.

    Meanwhile, Liana struggled to hold back her resentment, but she knew she couldn¡¯t openly

    confront Alyssa after the humiliation of wrongly using Alyssa of infidelity on Newton¡¯s

    birthday.

    ¡°Oh, right, please get rid of the stuff I left here, especially my gifts for Mr. Beckett. I¡¯ll need to

    trouble you to get rid of the trash when you move in. I heard that it¡¯s not good to keep an ex¡¯s

    belongings. It will affect your rtionship.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    After giving out clear and curt instructions, Alyssa walked past them with the suitcase in her

    hand.

    Liana and the maids at the vi were equally dumbstricken by Alyssa¡¯s grace and poise instead of

    envy. The maids were in awe of Alyssa¡¯s decorum.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t stand watching Alyssa leave. He shook off Liana¡¯s grip and caught up to Alyssa in huge

    strides.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Liana fell onto the coffee table after Jasper shrugged her off. The mugs and tes were

    shattered from her fall, the shards cutting her wrist and tearing her skirt.

    At the same time, Betty was stomping on the second floor after witnessing the interaction. among

    the three.

    Alyssa exited the vi in her slippers with the suitcase in hand.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Alyssa, wait!¡± Jasper called out to her urgently, but she ignored him..

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯ve bought the heels for madam!¡± Xavier happened to be back with the shopping bags

    from luxury brands. Jasper rushed up to him and grabbed the bags before blocking Alyssa.

    ¡°Take these.¡± He handed her the heels.

    She epted the bag but continued walking past him without a word. Still, he felt relieved and satisfied

    because this was her first time epting his gift.

    That new feeling of satisfaction did notst long. He was stunned by what she did next.

    With a thud, Alyssa flung the heels worth thousands into the trashcan without even taking a look

    at them.

    Xavier held his breath at the sight. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the crushed expression on

    Jasper¡¯s face, as devastating as scorched earth after a war.

 Chapter 227

    Sean was pacing anxiously outside the Seaview Manor. When Alyssa emerged with a suitcase, he

    hurried over to help her with it.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, that bastard did not trouble you, did he?¡±

    She frowned at him. ¡°You should quit the habit of calling him a bastard in private. What if you blurted

    that out when we were in a business meeting with him? That¡¯d be a serious gaffe!¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he answered glumly.

    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t have the guts to do anything to me unless he wants me to rip him into pieces.¡± She

    cracked her knuckles.

    Sean was tickled by her antics. He grew concerned at the sight of the slippers on her feet. ¡°Why did

    you wear-¡±

    ¡°I was in a rush when I left and forgot to change my shoes.¡±

    If she wanted, she could have worn any pair of her white sneakers on the shoe rack by the door before

    leaving. However, she stubbornly refused to change into any of her shoes at Seaview Manor to express

    her disgust and aversion to Jasper and their three years of marriage.

    Alice White was the owner of those sneakers carefullyid out on the shoe rack. Alyssa Taylor would

    never wear Alice¡¯s old shoes again¨Cher current footwear of choice was luxurious and showy heels.

    Of course, just like her refusal to wear the old shoes, she¡¯d never rekindle an old me as well.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head to KS World.¡±

    The Bugatti revved, kicking up a storm of dust as it ferried its owner to the destination.

    On the second floor, Jasper stood at the window in Alyssa¡¯s old bedroom, watching the car leave with a

    ball of rage.

    Alyssa was quiet on the way back to the office. She took the private esctor to the general manager¡¯s

    office at the hotel with Sean by her side.

    +15 BONDS

    When they turned into the condor, they pumped at the sight of Landon leaning against the wall Tie was

    dreesed in a ck shirt and ck pants

    Landon Harper, how did you get in? She marched op to him and stared keenly

    unbed my way up Grinning, he seemed happy. He panted heavily, his forehead covered in sweat He

    draped his jacket on his muscr lower arm. At the same time, a few buttons of his shirt were left

    undone to expose his sharp corbone

    Sean scrutinized Lendon¡¯s wild look with disgust, secretly cursing at thetter for being a male

    siut

    Did Landon seriously think of Alyssa as a superficial woman? He wouldn¡¯t attract her attention.

    Just because he showed some skin

    Landon seemed to have read Sean¡¯s mind. Instead of buttoning his shirt, he outrageously tugged at

    the cor of his shirt to lower it and gave Sean a wicked look

    ¡°What were Avery and the security doing? How could they let someone in without my permission?

    ¡°Her face fell as she questioned aloud with a stern voice.

    Landon shuddered at her change in behavior. It seemed that his nned surprise had turned into

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    an unpleasant shock for her

    ¡°I¡¯ll get to it night away Sean shot daggers at the ¡°slutty¡± Landon.

    ¡°Hey, stop Um, they had nothing to do with this. I sneaked in on my own * Landon put on an

    ingratiating expression as he grasped her arm They stopped me froming up, so I had to

    sneak in Just me it on me!¡±

    ¡°Avery will not receive her pay this month. As for security, please check who¡¯s the person in

    charge today¨Cthey are fired. Any outstanding wages will be cleared,¡± Alyssa quickly gave out

    instructions Then she removed her arm from Landon¡¯s grip and went to her office

    ¡°Sure, Ms. Alyssa Sean gleefully watched as Alyssa gave Landon the cold shoulder

    ¡°Alice¨CSorry, it¡¯s Ms Alyssa Landon realized that he had made a grave mistake. He ran after

    Alyssa like a helpless child who had gotten into trouble

    He said, ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I¡¯ll apologize to you! Tell me what I should do to make it up to you. I¡¯ll work

    my ass off for it, even if you tell me to sell my ass if that¡¯s what you want!

    ¡°Landon Harper.¡± She cast a frigid look at him. ¡°Come with me. I need to talk to you.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    Land¨®n, feeling exonerated, immediately perked up and happily trotted into her office. On the

    other hand, she arranged for Sean to stand guard by the door and not let anyone in without her

    orders.

 Chapter 228

    Sean was a little upset at being temporarily demoted from Alyssa¡¯s right¨Chand man to a door

    guard.

    After the door was closed, Alyssa took a seat on the couch. She crossed her legs and ced her

    left arm on the armrest. Her right arm was casually ced on her thigh in a graceful and regal

    posture that screamed boss. Landon couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her.

    Swallowing hard, he glued his eyes to Alyssa. Her vibe was something else, and he was further

    drawn into her.

    ¡°Heh, I knew you wouldn¡¯t kick me out, given how close we are¡­¡± He squinted and was about to

    lean closer when she stopped him with a frosty tone. ¡°Landon Harper, are my words a joke to you?¡±

    He froze up and looked confused.

    ¡°Alice White tolerated your behavior because you helped her out. Alyssa Taylor is different¨Cshe

    does not have the patience to entertain your bullshit.¡±

    The distant look in her eyes suggested that they were strangers. It gave him the goosebumps.

    Feeling indignant, he took two steps forward, only to freeze up again under her sharp gaze.

    ¡°You may be Alyssa Taylor, but you were once Alice White! Does our rtionship mean nothing

    once you took on a different name?¡±

    ¡°Alice White is no more after her divorce from Jasper.¡± She smirked. ¡°Be it you or Jasper, none of

    have the right to be part of my life. Mr. Harper, I know you¡¯re a yboy. It would be better to

    stay true to yourself instead of waiting for someone who would never fall for you.¡±

    you

    ¡°Did I do something wrong? You have to tell me! I¡¯ll change for you!¡± His eyes reddened from the

    anxiety.

    ¡°There¡¯s one more thing.¡± The look in Alyssa¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°Do you really think I had no idea.

    what you had done to Lauren on Grandpa¡¯s birthday?¡±

    The color drained from his face as he reyed the scenes from that night. Surrounded by the

    grassy scent of the shrubs, he grabbed Lauren¡¯s exposed shoulders after the strap of her white

    dress slid off.

    The smooth feel and the rosyplexion were calling out to him. She nted her clumsy kisses

    +15 BONOS

    He would have taken Lauren right there if she were not Jasper¡¯s sister and if he did not already

    have a crush on Alyssa.

    He was never one to suppress his desires. Like any average man, he would never turn down the

    advances of a woman.

    ¡°Your debauchery is none of my business, but I care a lot for Lauren. I see her as a sister. She¡¯s an

    innocent youngdy, and I will not let anyone hurt her.¡±

    ¡°No, Lyse, it¡¯s a misunderstanding!¡± Landon was sweating profusely as he struggled to exin

    himself. ¡°She consumed the aphrodisiac by ident that night. I just¡­ just..

    ¡°You just wanted to provide her some relief?¡±

    He had nothing to say. It seemed that he had dug himself into a hole by exining.

    ¡°You were on the grounds of the Beckett residence and could have informed anyone in the family.

    It was not your ce to do anything to Lauren.¡± She gave him a look of mockery. ¡°It is what it is. Is

    the son of the Harper family too afraid to admit to his mistakes?¡±

    ¡°This is unfair! She was the one who kissed and hugged me. I didn¡¯t do anything to her!¡± Landon

    was despairing. There seemed to be no way for him to clear his name.

    She waved at him impatiently. ¡°Landon, Lauren is living in a different world than us. She is pitiful.

    and vulnerable. You are too used to your ways. You had no idea that you might easily ruin her,

    even though that was not a big deal to you.¡±

    His shoulders slumped when he learned that it was futile to exin himself. Alyssa hadbeled him as

    a yboy. She was not wrong, but he did not want to be perceived in this manner by his

    crush.

    Perhaps a yboy like him shouldn¡¯t have turned over a new leaf. His attempt to change his ways.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    had only resulted in heartbreak.

    ¡°I still have work to do. Please leave. Oh, if you show up at my office without an appointment next

    time, I will get the security to kick you out. Sean, please see the guest out!¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Landon anxiously approached her in a Hail Mary attempt to save his dying rtionship.

    with her.

    When he inched closer to her, he heard a sharp noise. She had pressed an intricate but

 Chapter 229

    +15 BONOS

    The color drained from Landon¡¯s face. Before he knew it, Alyssa had pressed the butterfly knife

    against his neck.

    The butterfly knife was the most notorious of all weapons, as it was insidious and lethal. It

    perched precariously on the end of one¡¯s fingers, striking a perfect bnce between style and

    deadliness.

    How cruel and heartless of a woman to fight him with a butterfly knife.

    ¡°Stop pestering me, Landon Harper.¡± She narrowed her eyes and gently pped the reflective

    de against his cheek. ¡°I would never pick you even if there were no men left in this world.¡±

    ¡°What if there were only me and Jasper in this world? Who would you pick?¡± he asked in a

    shaking voice and a trembling heart. 1

    She snickered. ¡°Not you.¡±

    His heart instantly shattered into pieces.

    The door to her office opened at that moment.

    ¡°Lyse, what are you-¡± Jonah stood at the door in shock.

    She squinted and swiftly tucked away her butterfly knife. Putting on a bright smile, she chirped,

    Jonah, why didn¡¯t you tell me you wereing?¡±

    The instant change in her expression was impressive. She was almost like an award¨Cwinning

    actress.

    Landon stood up rigidly and gave her ast look before leaving in dejection.

    Through the corner of his eye, Jonah noticed how deted the arrogant Landon looked. A frown

    crept onto his face. He knew that Alyssa was the only woman in Sna City who could send

    Landon into such despair.

    ¡°Jonah!¡± She happily wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°How are you? Has your wound healed?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need bandages anymore. What do you think?¡± He lifted her off the ground and swirled her

    around like he did when they were younger. ¡°It¡¯s just a scrape on the surface. I¡¯m not that weak,

    alright?¡±

    +15 BONOS

    Indeed Had Winston known what Jonah had been involved in, he might have shuddered in fear. It

    never urred to anyone that the mild¨Ctempered gentleman was once the leader of thergest

    underground gang in Cyrris. He once had influence over the other gangs in Belbanks, Sna City,

    Oceania, and even Florin.

    However, Jonah surprisingly retired at the height of his career for some unknown reason. Ever

    since then, he wanted nothing to do with his previous job. Instead, he devoted himself to religion

    and self¨Cdiscovery.

    It boggled Alyssa¡¯s mind that Jonah had once been appointed the gang leader, for he was always a

    righteous man who had never killed, smoked, or taken alcohol.

    He must have harbored a dark and heavy secret beneath his gentle smile.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong between you and Mr. Harper?¡± Jonah chuckled defeatedly.

    He continued, ¡°Putting aside how he gets along with others, he is very sincere and serious about

    you. You can turn him down, but you don¡¯t have to put a knife on his neck. You don¡¯t want to

    bruise his ego, especially because he¡¯s the heir of the Harper Group.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯d have kept bothering me if I didn¡¯t do that.¡± She massaged her forehead in exhaustion.

    ¡°I was wrong about the male ego¨CLandon Harper did not seem to have any. He¡¯d still joke and

    ¡°Now that I¡¯m back to the Taylor family, I do not wish to be involved in anyone from Jasper¡¯s side. I

    know I overreacted this time, but it¡¯s better to put a quick end to things.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, I really wish that you¡¯d pick up some of the better traits of Alice White.¡± Jonah let

    out a soft sigh.

    ¡°Hah, that¡¯s impossible. I have buried the Alice White persona with my own hands.¡±

    Alyssa was a little tired after chatting with Jonah andy on his thigh. He grinned and gently

    massaged her temples.

    ¡°So, are you here because you have some updates for me?¡± She closed her eyes in enjoyment.

    ¡°You¡¯re smart. Try guessing.¡±

    ¡°Do you have a new strategy against the Beckett Group?¡± asked Alyssazily.

    ¡°I can get rid of Ms. Gardner on your behalf if things are getting exhausting for you.¡± It was hard to

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°No. Leave Liana Gardner for me. If I don¡¯t take her down myself, she will miss out on all the fun.

    That will be a pity.¡± She squinted with a cold gleam in her eyes.

    She¡¯d make Liana regret messing with the wrong person!

 Chapter 230

    Smiling, Jonah handed Alyssa a leather envelope.

    This. She puzzledly epted the envelope and checked the documents within. Soon, she was

    energized

    ¡°The Beckett Group won the bid for the Verdane Valley project. Javier Beckett handed the project to

    Sophia.

    ¡°Look, this is a multi¨Cbillion¨Cdor project with huge profits and lots of opportunities for abuse of power.

    Not only that, it is a good chance to widen her web of connections in Sna City.

    ¡°More importantly, Sophia would advance her influence in the Beckett Group using the project

    and rise to power against Jasper. She might have been an actress, but she is ambitious in

    business. She dreams of having full control of the Beckett Group, especially when she has Javier¡¯s

    affection.¡±

    ¡°Full control? Haha, she is delusional. She does not have the capability to do so.¡± Alyssa checked

    the documents with a spark in her eyes.

    She added, ¡°Even if Jasper runs Grandpa¡¯s business empire to the ground, she has no say in

    anything.¡±

    ¡°Take a good look at the documents I gave you. At 1:00 pm the day after tomorrow, Javier and

    Sophia Beckett will meet with the mayor, Onder Hodgson, at the Becketts¡® golf club at Verdane

    Valley. I think they will discuss the Verdane Valley project coboration.¡±

    He held her shoulder with a serious look, as though he was rying an important mission. ¡°I will

    count on you to avenge me.¡±

    ¡°Pfft, forget about it. I know what¡¯s in your mind, dear brother.¡± She tilted her head and rested on

    his broad shoulder.

    She continued, ¡°You know I¡¯m stubborn and vindictive. You know that I will make a move on

    them. So, youid everything out like a children¡¯s game for me to take my revenge.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t call me out. Be nice to me.¡± He pinched her cheek.

    ¡°I¡¯m a 24¨Cyear¨Cold, Jonah. I am even a divorcee now.¡± She turned around with a straight face. ¡°All

    my brothers have sacrificed too much for me It¡¯s my turn to protect all of you while you live the

    +15 BONOS

    After suffering the humiliation earlier in the day, Liana went home and called Sophia to cry and

    vent.

    ¡°You deserved it!¡± Sophia berated her, ¡°I told you to stay calm and stay away from him because

    he¡¯s still upset. But you did not listen! Now that you¡¯re snubbed, you have no one else to me but

    yourself. What good is crying?¡±

    ¡°But Aunt Sophia, Alyssa¡¯s back! Jasper brought her to Seaview Manor!¡± Liana¡¯s face was a mess of

    tears and snot. ¡°She¡¯s walking all over me. How could I sit back and do nothing?¡±

    ¡°You have to! I picked up the meaning behind Jasper¡¯s words that day. Why haven¡¯t you? You have

    to be gracious if you want to be his woman! You¡¯re only ruining the image I crafted for you with all

    the jealousy, the crying, and the drama!¡±

    Sophia added snarkily, ¡°Your goal is to be the wife of the Beckett Group president. You¡¯re not

    leading a romantic y with Jasper! Even if Alyssa spits on you, you must endure it if it helps you

    achieve your goal!¡±

    ¡°But, Aunt Sophia¡­¡±

    ¡°Enough! I¡¯ll make some arrangements for you. I¡¯m busy with the board of directors. Don¡¯t bother

    me for now.¡±

    With that, Sophia hung up on Liana coldly.

    Liana slumped onto her bed with such resentment that she almost crushed her phone in her grip.

    At that moment, she received a call from an unknown number. She wiped away her tears and picked

    up grumpily, ¡°Who is this?¡±

    ¡°Ashley, it¡¯s been a while. How are you doing in Sna City?¡±

    She heard a man speaking Grunndish with a Mosgravian ent mixed with a sneer.

    ¡°I¨CIs that you?¡± asked Liana tentatively. Her face paled.

    Ashley was the name she adopted when she was studying in Mosgravia. After reuniting with

    Jasper, she cut off her ties to her social circles in Mosgravia.

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    She also deleted her old Instagram ount and got herself a new email and phone number, all in

    +15 BONOS

    To her dismay, the man from her past had tracked her down!

    ¡°I missed you so much. Let¡¯s meet up. Shall I go to you, or youe to me? Darling?¡± He sounded

    threatening.

    Her silk dress was drenched in sweat. She struggled to breathe. ¡°Where are you? I¡¯ll go meet you!¡±

 Chapter 231

    In the deep of the night, Liana sat in the corner of a rowdy and tiny bar. She kept a low profile by

    wearing ck athleisure, which was a stark contrast to the women around her with heavy

    makeup and skimpy clothes. She was like a fish out of water.

    After a long wait, she felt the hot breath of a man who reeked of alcohol.

    She quickly looked up and saw a familiar face. He took a seat beside her. The strong cologne on

    him made her sick.

    ¡°Ashley, you¡¯re as gorgeous as before. I¡¯m

    aroused.¡± He shed a suggestive smile at her. She

    inched to the side. His words made her skin crawl.

    When she was in Mosgravia, she hung out with him all the time. She loved his sweet talk and

    enjoyed running her fingers over his muscr body.

    Now, she felt nothing but disgust at the sight of his face. How thirsty was she to have fallen for a

    trash like him? He was nothingpared to her handsome Jasper.

    ¡°When did youe back? And why?¡± she whispered coldly.

    ¡°I¡¯m back here for you. I have a ce to call home when I¡¯m with you.¡± With an evil grin, he leaned

    toward her. ¡°Tsk, remember to wear a dress when you meet me.¡±

    She gritted her teeth. ¡°And what do you want from me?¡±

    ¡°I missed you¡­¡± He paused and added with a grin, ¡°Give me some money.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve paid you a sum when we broke up! How could you do this to me?¡± Her voice came out croaky

    from the anger.

    ¡°You y, you win; you y, you lose. The money you gave me is not enough for me to win big. I

    saw on the news that you¡¯re marrying the president of the Beckett Group soon. You might want to

    satisfy my request if you want a perfect wedding.¡±

    He was clearly ckmailing her! Feeling something going off in her, she seethed, ¡°So what if you tell

    him everything about us? He loves me too much to care about my past. It¡¯smon to have an

    ex or two. You can¡¯t threaten me with this.¡±

    That makes sense, but I think it¡¯s hard for any man to ept that their fianc¨¦e had given birth to

    another man¡¯s child. Not only that, it was done out of wedlock.¡± He took a sip from her ss.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°H¨CHow shameless of you to bring this up!¡± The memory of her daughter gave her the chills. ¡°It¡¯s. all

    your fault! You dragged me into the mess! I would have aborted her if not for the risk to my fertility!¡±

    He scowled and held her trembling shoulder. ¡°The child is the proof of our love. We wouldn¡¯t have

    met again if not for her.¡±

    ¡°How much?¡± she said aloud in a frigid tone and a pale face.

    ¡°Five million.¡± The man suggested a ridiculous amount.

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    ¡°My family is not as rich as before. How do I even get you five million dors?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett can afford it.¡± He scoffed. ¡°Five million is probably fifty dors for a business magnate like

    him. He dotes on you a lot. I bet he would give you the money if you ask.¡± 1

    Eyes widening in shock, she calmed down from the initial rage and helpless. A wild idea popped up in

    her mind. Her behavior changed as she leaned against him and stared at him with a pitiful

    look.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the truth. My engagement to Jasper Beckett is on the rocks. He wanted to call off the

    wedding and break up with me a few days ago.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Why?¡± The man appeared more anxious than she looked. He had heard some news about

    the Gardners¡® bankruptcy. He only extorted Liana because of her rtionship with Jasper Beckett.

    Her failed engagement to Jasper Beckett would foil his n, and his long trip from Musgrovia would be

    all for nothing. He would not only fail to pay off his gambling debts but also struggle to

    pay for his return ticket!

 Chapter 232

    He wasn¡¯t about to risk his life fighting in the underground rings again! Nor was he about to

    be another rich cougar¡¯s boy toy!

    *Because¡­ because he has eyes for someone else now¡­¡± Liana¡¯s eyes reddened as tears welled up

    in them.

    She continued, ¡°What can I do? He doesn¡¯t love me anymore. You want money from me, yet I can¡¯t

    even get through to him for my own needs. You could kill me for all I care, and he still wouldn¡¯t

    budge!¡±

    ¡°Is¨CIs there no other way?¡± the man asked hurriedly.

    ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe if that other woman were no longer in the picture, things would change for the

    better¡­¡± Liana was sobbing by now, though there was a sly glint in her eyes.

    ¡°Do you want me to-?¡± The man made a cutting motion across his throat.

    Liana looked up at the man, saying, ¡°So long as you can help me ensure she never interferes in my

    rtionship with Jasper, I can give you all that you want.¡±

    She even caressed his cheek, her eyes turning soft and warm. ¡°You could ask for fifty million, and

    I wouldn¡¯t even hesitate to give you that.¡±

    Fifty million?

    Greed and lust swelled in the man¡¯s being. He pressed Liana against the wall, saying, ¡°Tell me who

    this woman is.¡±

    The next day, when Xavier yelled from his desk, Jasper had just entered his office with a mug of

    cooled coffee, ready to admire the vast Sna City view outside his office windows.

    ¡°What is the meaning of this? What on earth is Mr. Javier thinking?¡± His grip on the letter of

    appointment on his desk was so tight that it seemed nearly ready to tear.

    He continued, ¡°How could he appoint Sophia Kirkman as Vice Chairman? What qualifications does

    she have? What can she even contribute? Pigs would fly before she seeds at this position!¡±

    Javier assigned the Verdane Valley project to her so she could gain an upper hand for the board,¡±

    +15 BONOS

    Does Mr. Javier still not trust you?¡± Xavier cried. ¡°Everyone knows Mr. Justin isn¡¯t fit to take over.

    He still needs a wheelchair to be able to move about!

    ¡°Mr. Javier can¡¯t be so selfish as to withhold the position from you. You¡¯re his son too! He clearly

    appointed Sophia to create an obstacle for you. What kind of father does that?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Xavier *

    Jasper looked down at his mug. ¡°I know you worry for my sake, but never bring this up beyond

    this office¡± T

    ¡°What do we do now, sir?¡± Xavier sighed.

    ¡°Not everything can be dealt with at first instance. If this is Javier¡¯s move, then I have no choice

    but to make my stand.¡±

    Just then, his phone buzzed. It was Landon.

    Jasper was tempted to ignore it, but the vibration was too irritating.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I have a broken heart, Jasper¡­ Can we hang out tonight?¡± Landon sounded weak and helpless

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    over the phone.

    ¡°Hell no.¡±

    Jasper was about to hang up when Landon cried, ¡°Alyssa broke up with me! For real this time! Oh,

    my love¡­ my heart¡­ my soul has died.¡±

    Jasper remained unbothered. There was the faintest hint of a smile on his face before he said, ¡±

    Serves you right.¡±

 Chapter 233

    To facilitate the Verdane Valley project, Javier invited Mayor Hodgson and his wife to y golf.

    This ce was usually frequented only by society''s elite. But today, it seemed Javier had booked the whole ce, leaving the golf range to only their own men.

    Sophia was terrible at golf. Still, she dolled herself up well for today''s outing. Light makeup, cotton golf clothes, and a sleek golf club made her look quite youthful, especially while standing by her daughter, Betty. They looked almost like sisters.

    She had brought Betty over so the Mayor and his wife could get a glimpse of her. Betty was 25 now, after all. Sophia believed it was time for Betty to marry, despite her obsession with Landon Harper.

    "Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson," Betty greeted politely, putting on her sweetest smile.

    "This must be your daughter. She''s even more beautiful in person!" Minnie Minks, now Mrs. Hodgson, said with a beam.

    That made Sophia and Betty tense up for a quick second. While Minnie might not have intended any harm, it still felt like she was sarcastically alluding to Betty''s previous public media conference.

    "Sorrygate" was no longer trending online. But there were still emojis and stickers online that mocked Betty''s embarrassing moments from that time, along with hurtfulments and nicknames.

    Onder Hodgson nudged his wife gently, clearing his throat. Only then did Minnie realize what she had said. She gave an embarrassedugh. "Aha ... your daughter truly is a beauty, Mrs. Beckett. She might be the prettiest among the bachelorettes in Sna City."

    "You''re very kind, Madam." Sophia beamed, holding onto her daughter''s arm. "Where is your son, I wonder? I''ve long heard how fine a young man he is. He even studied in the same institution as my Betty did."

    "Ah, he had some matters to tend to today."

    "What a shame. Another time then. I''ll arrange another get-together for both our families," Sophia suggested enthusiastically.

    Minnie gave her a perfunctoryugh. "Haha, of course. When there''s time, yes ... Anyway, I thought you have another daughter, Mrs. Beckett? Your youngest, I believe? She isn''t here with you today?"

    Betty''s fake smile nearly crumbled. It was clear as day that Minnie wasn''t interested in her whatsoever.

    Betty was unaffected. After all, she wasn''t interested in their son either. But bringing up that little bitch she had to call her sister was too insulting!

    Sophia replied, "My youngest has weaker health than most of us, so she often stays at home to rest. She''s also quite introverted, so I didn''t ask her to join us today."

    "Oh dear. Does she have some medical condition?"

    "No, no. It''s no big deal. She just needs to stay at home to rest." Sophia assured, though she had already heard Minnie''s implicit message. The woman clearly liked Lauren more than Betty.

    But her daughters weren''t products to be pondered and bought over!

    At this point, Javier and Jasper had already gone through a few rounds of golf with Onder. They were taking a stroll, chatting leisurely.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    "We''re so d you let us handle this project, Mr. Hodgson." Javierughed heartily as he shook hands with Onder.

    "We''re more than just business partners, old friend. Of course I had to have you help me with this." Onder had known Javier for over two decades.

    "Come, let''s go out tonight. My treat!"

    "Thank you, but it''s my father-inw''s birthday tonight, so I won''t be free," Onder said. "We can drink our fill this Friday once the contract is signed!"

    Jasper kept a straight face as the two men talked, but he felt increasingly anxious.

    He needed to snatch this project under his name before Friday. If they signed the contract this Friday, he would have very little opportunity to make progress in the future.

    Even if he exposed Sophia''s crimes, Javier would still insist on keeping the matter within the family circle rather than making it public.

    That was why the only recourse Jasper had was to create something so jarring and shocking to the public eye that they had no choice but to kick Sophia off the team.

    Just then, a golf cart drove up to them and stopped.

 Chapter 234

    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Javier.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart leaped into his throat when he realized who was speaking.

    Sitting on the golf cart was none other than Alyssa herself!

    His blood felt both warm and cold, and a sense of awe washed over him. This happened despite

    the humiliation he endured from her yesterday.

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    Yesterday felt more and more like a dream that never happened.

    Everyone present was stunned. Betty was the first to cry out, ¡°How did you get in here?¡±

    ¡°Through the front entrance? I¡¯m a VIP here.¡± Alyssa gave her azy side¨Ceye, making her anger go

    from zero to a hundred in a matter of seconds. Even Betty¡¯s cheeks flushed red with

    embarrassment.

    After being humiliated by Alyssa that day, she couldn¡¯t even look at a pair of ts without getting

    PTSD.

    Sophia¡¯s expression was one of being taken aback. Meanwhile, Minnie was enthralled by Alyssa.

    Who was this beautiful young woman? She was just how she envisioned her daughter¨Cinw to be

    -elegant, beautiful, regal.

    Sean exited the golf cart, helping Alyssa step out. She was dressed in a light blue polo shirt with a

    white cap atop her dark locks. She looked quite like the prime of her youth.

    Jasper¡¯s outfit just so happened to match hers, making it seem like a couple¡¯s outfit.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes the slightest, unable to stop himself from praising how beautiful Alyssa

    looked.

    ¡°What a coincidence to meet you here, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Javier greeted warmly.

    Alyssa sped her hands behind her back, smiling. ¡°Oh, but it¡¯s no coincidence, sir.¡±

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s hand clenched slightly when he realized the implications of Alyssa¡¯s demeanor. They

    had crossed paths enough for him to pick up on how she tended to get things done. It wouldn¡¯t be

    +15 BONOS

    She wasn¡¯t here by coincidence, which could only imply she had something big nned.

    Could it be¡­

    ¡°I heard you have main control over the project in Verdane Valley, Mr. Hodgson, and have been looking

    for a business partner to work with.¡± Alyssa¡¯s smile was radiant and confident. ¡°I am very interested in

    working with you on this, sir.¡±

    Javier and Sophia were left gawking at her in sheer surprise.

    Minnie was just as taken aback. She blinked nkly at Javier, then at Jasper.

    Jasper gazed at Alyssa, his throat suddenly dry.

    But she did not once look at him.

    ¡°May I know who you are, Miss¡­?¡± Onder asked.

    Alyssa extended her hand. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hodgson. My name¡¯s Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    Onder was about to scoff that she was a nobody when Alyssa added, ¡°Daughter of KS Group¡¯s

    President, Winston Taylor, of Belbanks.¡±

 Chapter 235

    +15 BONOS

    Now Onder and Minnie were truly starstruck.

    Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter? THE Winston Taylor from Belbanks?

    ¡°Y¨CYou¡¯re Mr. Taylor¡¯s daughter?¡± Onder gasped, looking Alyssa up and down.

    Behind Alyssa, Sean scowled just the slightest. ¡°People usually whip out their credit cards, not

    their fathers.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Mr. Javier and Mr. Beckett are aware of this as well.¡± Alyssa grinned. ¡°We¡¯ve met.¡±

    Jasper looked away briefly, thinking, ¡°We¡¯ve met? Was that all?¡±

    She spoke as if they were mere strangers.

    ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re all acquainted!¡± Onder chuckled heartily. As someone experienced in politics, he

    knew just when to change his tune. ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry for my ignorance, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    He then shook Alyssa¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯m just an equal business match as Mr. Javier, no?¡± Alyssa¡¯s words sounded light on the

    surface but carried an imposing sense behind them.

    Onder blinked rapidly. He found it amazing how someone so young could already carry such an

    imposing air. Like father, like daughter, he thought.

    Jasper gritted his teeth. Was Alyssa really ying this card now? Was this all some game to her? Even

    if it was, there were still rules and etiquette to abide by. Alyssa was clearly not doing that.

    ¡°We¡¯re very pleased to see you here today, Ms. Alyssa, but my business discussion with Mr.

    Hodgson is of a private nature. It¡¯s not something an outsider could simply step into, including yourself.

    So please,¡± Javier said courteously, though his eyes had long grown icy.

    Betty wanted to express her contempt too, but was held back by her mother. Sophia believed her

    husband alone could handle Alyssa, so they could just sit back and watch.

    ¡°I am aware, Mr. Javier. But I wouldn¡¯t havee here if your discussion wasn¡¯t about the Verdane

    Valley project.¡± Alyssa¡¯s tone never wavered. ¡°As for whether it¡¯s none of my business, I beg to

    differ.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°My family¡¯spany is just as powerful, influential, and capable as yours, if not more. If you can

    handle this project, I¡¯m sure we can as well. Wouldn¡¯t it be better for Mr. Hodgson to have a choice

    of who he wishes to work with?¡±

    Onder¡¯s heart did a backflip. What a tenacious young woman!

    Now, Javier and Sophia shared the same look of worry and shock.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa.¡± Jasper stepped up, breaking the tension. ¡°We¡¯vee all the way here to reach an

    agreement with Mr. Hodgson about this project, even going so far as to settle on the technicalities and

    logistics. Don¡¯t you think your participation now is rude and unjust to the rules of fair y?¡±

    Alyssa shot him a grin. ¡°You got the ¡®rude¡® right.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± Jasper narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°As for whether it usurps fair y, that is an allegation you cannot substantiate.¡± Alyssa stepped

    away from him.

    She continued, ¡°The rules have always been set by the winners. If your family has already signed

    this business agreement, then yes, I wouldn¡¯t be ying fair. But have you?¡±

    Her eyes turned into gleeful crescent moons. ¡°The rule¨Cmaker here is still uncertain.¡±

    Jasper had no idea how to rebut her statements. She was right. They hadn¡¯t signed the contract.

    with Onder, so everything was still subject to change.

    In all his years of being in this position, he had won so many battles and knocked out countless

    adversaries. He never imagined meeting an opponent so resilient one day¨Cin the form of his ex-

    wife, too!

    Unable to watch things spiral out of control, Sophia piped up, ¡°I¡¯m afraid Mr. Hodgson wouldn¡¯t be

    willing to work with you for this project, Ms. Alyssa. Our families go way back, and we¡¯ve

    partnered on several big projects up until now. It¡¯s not something that can so easily change.¡±

 Chapter 236

    ¡°Besides, isn¡¯t it a bit sudden for you toe all the way here without notifying Mr. Hodgson or

    acknowledging our booking of this venue today just to pitch your offer? It sounds to me like you

    don¡¯t take this seriously at all.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Betty muttered.

    Alyssa sighed. ¡°I know. But I couldn¡¯t help it. If I hade by any secondter, Mr. Hodgson would

    have never had a chance to regret his decision.¡±

    ¡°Regret his decision?¡± Sophia shrieked. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Alyssa ignored her and said to Onder, ¡°Mr. Hodgson, won¡¯t you consider working with us? You¡¯re

    not refusing my offer just because I¡¯m a woman, are you? I was sent here on behalf of my brother

    Jonah.

    ¡°As CEO of KS Group, he gave me permission to oversee everything in rtion to this project. I can

    have him verify my statement if you don¡¯t believe me.¡±

    ¡°I believe you, Ms. Alyssa, but Javier and I truly do go a long way back. Our countless business

    partnerships have solidified my unwavering trust in them.¡± Onder¡¯s tone was kind.

    He continued, ¡°Plus, it would make sense for Sna City¡¯s strongestpany to work on this

    project, given it¡¯s centered here, so¡­ I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll have opportunities to work together in the

    future.¡±

    Javier and Sophia were looking quite pleased now. They saw Alyssa as proud and were surprised

    by her trying to take their project without any notable achievements of her own, finding it all.

    absurd.

    ¡°Well, alright. I understand your predicament. But I do want to say there¡¯s something that will.

    never happen if you do agree to work with us.¡± Alyssa took on a sly grin. ¡°You would never regret.

    working with us.¡±

    Jasper swallowed, suddenly realizing what her expression meant.

    She was up to something now!

    Sophia frowned. ¡°What do you mean by that, Ms. Alyssa? Why are you making it sound like we would

    fail Mr. Hodgson?¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°What time is it, Sean?¡± Alyssa asked casually.

    3:00 pm on the dot, Miss.¡±

    ¡°Get the news channel on and show it to Mr. Hodgson.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Sean then yed the news live stream for everyone to watch.

    ¡°Wee back to the afternoon news, your one¨Cstop for credible news reports daily! The 3:00 pm

    headlines for today¨CVice President Henry Kirkman of Beckett Group was detained earlier today at

    1:00 pm for suspected bribery and criminal breach of trust.

    ¡°The prosecutor has filed criminal charges against him at the district court, and the first trial is

    expected tomence soon.

    ¡°The grounds of arrest were revealed to be due to underground involvement with Wicked Co¡¯s

    thereby gaining secret profit.

    ¡°We currently have knowledge that Henry Kirkman has been involved with his cousin, Sophia

    Kirkman, present¨Cday President of the Beckett Group, and have worked on many past projects.

    The police are still investigating this matter, and we will be the first to update you all on this

    Javier¡¯s face turned pale while Sophia stumbled backward as her world crumbled before her.

    ¡°Mom, what¡¯s going on? Mom?¡± Betty cried. ¡°Why is Uncle Henry being arrested?¡±

    Jasper gazed steadily at Alyssa, his temple twitching violently. They had made sure no news

    about Henry¡¯s arrest would be released to the public two hours ago.

    It looked like that brother of hers, Ss, had really given her a push!

    Javier asked Sophia curtly, ¡°What is the meaning of this, Sophia?¡±

    ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know! I swear I don¡¯t, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson. There must be some misunderstanding You

    know how the news tabloids are. You can¡¯t believe those rumors!¡±

    Sophia never expected shit to hit the fan this quickly, so all she could do was try and y it off.

    But Minnie¡¯s face had already darkened.

    Onder spoke up, ¡°Henry¡¯s your cousin, isn¡¯t he? You were involved with those projects he

    started, right?¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°But I really have no knowledge of all the illegal stuff!¡± Sophia shook her head, trying to appear

    innocent.

    Just then, there was amotion from the golf course entrance.

    Several uniformed armed gentlemen came forward, led by a tall, stern¨Clooking man. They were

    from the Investigative Bureau.

    ¡°Madam Sophia Kirkman, on behalf of the police, you are required to apany us to assist in

    our investigation into your brother¡¯s criminal charges.¡±

 Chapter 237

    None of the Becketts knew what to do now. From Henry¡¯s arrest being leaked to public media to

    Sophia being detained for questioning¨Cit all left what remained of their family reeling in utter

    shock.

    ¡°Why are you arresting me? Do you have any evidence?¡± Sophia cried, herposed demeanor

    caving like an avnche.

    Betty could only gape in fear as the men led her mother away.

    ¡°Javier, Javier help me!¡± Sophia cried as the men brought her away. ¡°Please help me!¡±

    Javier wanted to, but he couldn¡¯t risk losingposure in front of these people. He growled,

    What is the meaning of this, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Whatever do you mean, sir? The Investigative Bureau is the one responsible for arresting your

    wife. Not me.¡± Alyssa grinned.

    ¡°How did you know this news woulde out at 3:00 pm? How could you have had the guts to

    spew all those baseless nonsense beforehand? It all points to you having been the mastermind

    behind this trickery!¡±

    ¡°That might be a stretch, Mr. Javier. My family business is an extraordinarilyrge one. How could

    we not be aware of such breaking news if even the news outlets know?¡±

    Javier roared back, ¡°Ms. Alyssa Taylor, you cannot get behind all this vindictiveness just because your

    marriage to Jasper didn¡¯t work out! If someone must be to me, it can only be yourselves!¡±

    Minnie and Onder shared the same shocked look.

    Did the Taylor and Beckett family have a matrimonial connection once upon a time? How

    interesting!

    ¡°You¡¯re taking revenge on my family by messing with us and our business. It¡¯s truly a shallow

    move, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    Sean was about to stand up for his employer when Jasper stood in front of Alyssa protectively. He

    met his father¡¯s gaze head¨Con.

    ¡°You cannot use Ms. Alyssa of this without evidence, Mr. Javier. It¡¯s baseless and outright

    disrespectful, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°You! Why are you defending her?¡± Steam gushed out of Javier¡¯s ears. ¡°She hasn¡¯t respected you or

    any of us one bit after the divorce. Why are youing to her defense now?¡±

    Alyssa met Jasper¡¯s gaze, then looked away with a sneer.

    Naturally, he would support his family. After all, he shared their blood and DNA.

    In truth, he didn¡¯t seem all that different from his father, who was always being manipted by

    women. These two wereplete idiots, Alyssa thought.

    ¡°I trust her. She didn¡¯t do it.¡±

    Alyssa turned to gaze at Jasper, but he had looked away by then. ¡°Regardless of our divorce, I¡¯ll

    alwayse to her defense if she¡¯s being wrongly used.¡±

    He sneered. ¡°Even if we haven¡¯t divorced, you still have no right to be talking about my wife like

    this.¡±

    Alyssa gnawed on her lip, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but think that these were all nonsense and utter rubbish.

    Javier thought he might get a stroke. His blood was buzzing in his ears.

    If Onder and Minnie weren¡¯t here, he would have gone up to give his son a solid punch across

    the cheek.

    Alyssa felt secretly pleased to see the father and son at odds with each other. She wasn¡¯t going to

    bother with Javier for the time being.

    Her n had taken effect as intended. All that she needed to do was thest step.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll leave you to it then. I¡¯ll take my leave for now. Good day.¡± She then went back to the

    golf cart with Sean behind her.

    ¡°Wait, Ms. Alyssa! Hold on!¡± Onder cried, running up to her. ¡°I¡¯m sure we can discuss the

    Verdane Valley project further!¡±

    Alyssa smiled, feeling like a winner. ¡°I agree. I¡¯ll arrange a date for us to meet up and talk about

    this soon.¡±

    ¡°We look forward to your call, Miss! Anytime!¡± Onder¡¯s attitude had gained a double fold in

    enthusiasm.

    415 BONDS

    Minnie approached her with a bright smile, asking, ¡°Would it be alright if my son joined us, Mise?

    Im aure he would be very d to make you acquaintance¡±

    She was defnitely going to try her luck matching her son to Belbanks¡® number one bachelorette

    Jasper¡¯s breath caught, his expression turning dark.

    The man who managed to date Alyssa would need to keep her away from prying eyes, or else she

    was sure to attract unwanted attention.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 238

    ¡°I appreciate the thought, Mrs. Hodgson.¡± Alyssa nodded kindly. ¡°But I¡¯m a divorcee with no

    intention of iemarrying anytime soon. I¡¯d only waste you and your son¡¯s time in that regard.¡±

    ¡°Oh, never! So what if you¡¯ve divorced? You¡¯re still a gorgeous, strong young woman, far more

    formidable than many other women your age!¡±

    Betty¡¯s cheeks grew hot with embarrassment and anger upon hearing this. She shot Alyssa a hateful

    re, feeling like a fading star beside a bright sun. With Alyssa around, nothing else ever

    shone.

    Alyssa and Sean soon left in the golf cart, leaving the Becketts to their mess.

    ¡°Well, Javier, I take it you¡¯d understand if we call this partnership quits. There will be better

    opportunities in the future.¡± Onder nodded at Javier, then quickly left with his wife.

    If he insisted on giving Javier this project, nothing good woulde. His entire reputation might

    be dragged through the dirt.

    Meanwhile, while Javier was getting a headache trying to resolve the current situation, he turned

    around to find that his son had long disappeared.

    Alyssa had changed out of her golf clothes into her sleek and elegant office wear. She stepped out

    of the changing room, back in her high heels.

    The moment she turned the corner, she came face to face with Jasper. His gaze was dark when

    she looked up at him, but she wasn¡¯t intimidated one bit.

    ¡°Are you some kind of peeping Tom, Mr. Beckett?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you get the Verdane Valley project, Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    Alyssa smirked, the movement of her lips making heat lick in Jasper¡¯s stomach. He continued,

    This project belongs to me. You won¡¯t get an inch near it.¡±

    ¡°Oh? What do you have nned then? Thanks to Sophia and Henry Kirkman, your family¡¯s scandal

    is breaking news now. The Bureau¡¯s not going to let this go anytime soon.

    ¡°That means you guys won¡¯t be able to get your hands on any projects for the time being. You can

    +15 BONOS

    project, Alyssa said with a smirk.

    ¡°What happened to have nothing to do with one another after the divorce? Have you taken a good

    look at what you¡¯re doing now?¡± Jasper demanded, leaning against the wall and cornering Alyssa

    1. in.

    He continued, ¡°Will triggering and upsetting me to no end make you happy? Is that what you need

    to finally get over your anger?¡±

    ¡°Aha. I knew it.¡± Alyssa sneered. ¡°Why did you stand up for me earlier, hm? Don¡¯t you know howN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    disgusting two¨Cfaced cowards are?¡±

    Disgusting.

    The word struck Jasper¡¯s heart like a molten stake. All he felt was anger¨Canger and aggravation.

    How was it that this woman always managed to cross his anger thresholds every time?

    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ make me hurt you, Alyssa,¡± Jasper hissed, leaning into her. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯d go easy on you

    just because of our marriage. You¡¯re no different than any otherpetitor of mine!¡±

    Alyssa blinked slowly, not the least bit angry. In fact, she even seemed excited. ¡°There we go,

    Jasper. An opponent always makes this game fun. I should probably tell you a secret then.¡±

    She leaned over to his ear, then whispered, ¡°I was the one who gave the authorities evidence of

    Henry Kirkman¡¯s crimes. I was also the one who leaked the news to the media.

    ¡°You should really be thanking me. I¡¯m sure you were really concerned when Sophia got.

    appointed President.¡± ¡±

    Jasper¡¯s face had warmed up with their proximity, but now it felt like knives had sliced across his

    heart.

    ¡°The art of war, Mr. Beckett. It applies to the business world too. If you don¡¯t give it your all, you will

    crumble before everyone else¡¯s. Out of respect for you, I¡¯ll be sure to give double my all next

    time.¡±

    Alyssa shot him a dazzling grin, then pushed him away before marching out like some proud.

    queen.

    Jasper was left alone in the changing rooms, feeling like the wind had been punched out of him.

 Chapter 239

    In a matter of hours, the Beckett Group made the headlines nationwide and across all social

    media. A video of Sophia being dragged off the golf course had surfaced and soon became viral all

    across the web.

    Apany as big as Beckett Group could have easily silenced such an inte movement.

    Unfortunately, Alyssa had gotten to them before they could, so it was useless.

    Thepany behind the news channel that streamed the 3:00 pm breaking news had KS Group

    as their main shareholder. Hence, they followed Alyssa¡¯s whims and instructions.

    In fact, if Alyssa asked, they could even make a silly remix of it and stream it 24/7.

    Some creative content creators had even turned Sophia and Betty¡¯s dumbfounded, shocked, and

    aggrieved expressions into stickers and emoticons. They soon became everyone¡¯s top¨Cused

    stickers.

    Javier was doing all he could to quell the rumors by getting Sophia back from the Investigative

    Bureau, feeling as if he had lost a solid decade of his life.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa was happily skipping back to KS World Hotel, where she enjoyed high tea before

    continuing to y her game in her office. She then reported what happened today to Jonah

    via video call.

    ¡°I¡¯ve booked a private dining suite in the restaurant downstairs for my meeting with Onder Hodgson

    the day after tomorrow. We¡¯ll definitely be getting this project in hand before the end of the week!¡±

    Alyssa cried happily, enthusiastically hacking at several victims in her video game.

    She continued, ¡°Ss is giving her quite the special treatment right now. Unlike when he¡¯s around us,

    he¡¯s always so serious when he¡¯s at work. He¡¯s not going to let up on her unless she gives up.¡±

    Jonah was lounging in his private office in the video camera, looking like a regal, refined lion. He

    answered slowly, ¡°It won¡¯t be much use. Sophia will be released soon enough.¡±

    ¡°Do you want her to be released?¡± Alyssa asked curiously.

    Jonah smiled. ¡°Does it matter? We might not be able to incriminate her.¡±

    Alyssa grinned, equipping her bloody chainsaw. ¡°Sophia didn¡¯t get to where she was today just

    because of Javier pampering her. She has her cunning side too.

    +15 BONOS

    She had worked with her brother to gain secret profit while pretending to be a saint in front of everyone

    else. She used Henry as her weapon while she stayed in the dark, giving the orders. How

    keen, hm?¡±

    Jonah nodded thoughtfully. ¡°I hear you. It¡¯s just a pity, is all.¡±

    ¡°No, not a pity at all.¡± Alyssa grinned. ¡°Anything that benefits KS is always good. Plus, I never

    nned to do her in one go. I want to see her lose her post aspany president and then lose

    Javier Beckett¡¯s trust.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°I want him to think theirpany lost this project because of her. That way, there will be a rift

    between those two.¡±

    Killing was fun. But sometimes, it was better to toy with the prey.

    Sophia would likely live out the rest of her days with the Becketts feeling aggrieved and trapped.

    ¡°Do you know what I want to do right now, little sister?¡± Jonah suddenly asked, leaning forward.

    ¡°No. What is it?¡±

    Jonah sighed and gave her a slow p. ¡°I want to resign from my position and pass it on to you.

    There¡¯s no person better to support this mantle right now.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s face turned crestfallen at that.

    If only her father didn¡¯t insist on her marrying someone. The list of bachelors Winston kept note of

    was enough to suffocate her.

    Just then, Tatiana called her.

    With a grin, she said, ¡°Hanging up now. Taty¡¯s calling.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Take care of her while she¡¯s back in the city,¡± Jonah reminded warmly.

    ¡°Of course. She¡¯s my only baby sister. How could I not?¡±

    In truth, Alyssa had always felt guilty toward Tatiana. Tatiana was the youngest among all their siblings.

    She should be the one being doted on at home, yet in reality, Alyssa had always taken that spot. She

    had been Winston¡¯s favorite since the day she was born.

    Though she hadn¡¯t meant to take that away from Tatiana, she still tried her best to make up for it

 Chapter 240

    Tatiana was always considerate and grateful, so Alyssa never really knew how to pamper her.

    ¡°Taty! Are you back in the city?¡± Alyssa asked happily over the phone.

    ¡°Yep, I¡¯m at the school,¡± Tatiana replied. She sheepishly asked, ¡°Um¡­ Are you doing anything

    tonight?¡±

    ¡°You wanna hang out?¡± Alyssa immediately knew what Tatiana was up to.

    ¡°Mhm!¡± Tatiana eagerly answered. ¡°We haven¡¯t had a chance to properly spend time together

    since you came home. Why don¡¯t we have dinner tonight? My treat!¡±

    ¡°Just dinner? No drinks after?¡± Alyssa teased.

    Tatiana¡¯s tone took on a mischievous edge. ¡°Drinks afterward, then! We¡¯ll go for some karaoke too.

    We haven¡¯t had that much fun in ages. I¡¯ll definitely sing better than you.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! You¡¯re on!¡± Alyssaughed. ¡°We¡¯ll see who¡¯s the final victor tonight!¡±

    During the board meeting at the Beckett Group, Javier emphasized three critical directives. The

    first was to eliminate any negative consequences resulting from the actions of Sophia and Henry,

    with the aim of halting thepany¡¯s tarnished reputation and preventing a decline in its stock

    value in the market.

    Secondly, Javier called for the removal of all of Henry¡¯s authority and his official title. He also

    urged for immediate investigations into the projects that Henry had overseen, along with interrogations

    of all relevant personnel involved. 1

    Finally, to strip away Sophia¡¯s authority and title on the board. He emphasized that any additional

    changes would be contingent upon thepletion of the ongoing investigations.

    Everyone left the conference room feeling like they had just participated in a war, feeling

    thoroughly exhausted and stressed.

    ¡°Stay back, Jasper. I want to have a word with you,¡± Javier said to his son before thetter could

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    leave.

    Jasper turned around silently and went to sit back in his seat.

    +15 BONOS:

    The atmosphere grew heavy and tense, even though it was just the two of them.

    Javier cleared his throat and asked sternly, ¡°How would you handle this issue as CEO?¡±

    ¡°In ordance with standard procedure, without any bias or personal feelings involved.¡± Jasper¡¯s

    tone was calm and t.

    He continued, ¡°All Sophia can do now is to cooperate with the Investigative Bureau and tell them

    all she knows about this. There¡¯s no other way to recover her for the time being.¡±

    ¡°I will find a way to get her out of there!¡± Javier swore vehemently.

    ¡°Do you really think you can?¡± Jasper asked. ¡°I heard that the investigating officer handling

    Henry¡¯s case is Ss Taylor.¡±

    ¡°Ss Taylor?¡±

    ¡°Winston Taylor¡¯s second eldest son and Alyssa¡¯s second elder brother.¡±

    Javier¡¯s breathing caught nervously, and he leaned back into his chair as if he¡¯d just seen a ghost.

    ¡°Alyssa has had a knife against our throats from the start. Of course, it¡¯s without a doubt that

    Sophia and Henry are to me for getting themselves into this mess too.

    ¡°As President of thepany, you need to start thinking for the good of the big picture. For example,

    making contingency ns for our stocks crashing on the market.¡± Jasper sped his hands together,

    ready to rise from his seat. He no longer wished to discuss this.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Javier cried. ¡°You know Dr. Frederick Gunn from Yoarkley, don¡¯t you? If we can get him to

    be our biomedical department¡¯s specialist cum consultant, our reputation will surely

    recover! Contact him right away and persuade him toe on board!¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes just the slightest. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Javier¡¯s shoulders finally rxed. But just when he thought things had calmed down, Jasper

    suddenly said, ¡°On one condition.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°You make me Vice President of thepany board.¡±

 Chapter 241

    ¡°Don¡¯t cross the line, Jasper Beckett!¡± Javier cried, mming his hand on the desk.

    ¡°Business is business, Dad. Keep the personal things out of it. That¡¯s what you¡¯ve always taught us

    Jaspernguidly leaned into his chair, expression calm.

    ¡°You¡¯re greedy, that¡¯s what you are! Haven¡¯t you had enough? What should have been Justin¡¯s post

    was given to you already, yet now you still want to aim for the board? Why don¡¯t you just swap in

    as President yourself?¡± Javier roared.

    Jasper sneered, shooting his father a cold re. ¡°Haven¡¯t you benefited more from me being in my

    current position? Ever since I was young, you have set a price on every single thing I wanted to

    attain.

    ¡°You know full well why I¡¯m in the CEO¡¯s chair today, so why act like the innocent victim here?

    We¡¯re the only ones in this room. Don¡¯t you get tired of putting on this act?¡±

    Javier was left red¨Cfaced and speechless.

    ¡°Me as VP, in exchange for thepany¡¯s salvation from a serious crisis. It¡¯s your choice.¡± Jasper

    stood up from his seat and went to the door.

    Before he left, he looked back and said, ¡°Of course, you could continue insisting on Sophia to

    be VP if you don¡¯t mind things spiraling further out of control.¡±

    When Jasper returned to his office, it felt like a great weight had been lifted from his chest. He closed

    the door behind him and took a deep breath, flexing his clenched fists.

    He hadn¡¯t had that much fun in ages.

    Seeing Javier suffer for Sophia¡¯s crimes and feeling helpless in meeting his demands was so refreshing

    and weing. It felt like he had been rejuvenated with a life elixir. 1

    Still, Jasper had to admit that he couldn¡¯t have done it without Alyssa¡¯s help.

    He had only nned to push Sophia out from the board, not cause such amotion as to crash.

    the family business.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa¡¯s ns had done the work intended. They not only kicked Sophia out of the picture but

    chance of Sophia keeping him in check.

    +15 BONOS

    Jasper should really be thanking her. Yet, disappointment and fury reced these emotions upon

    recalling what she had said to him.

    Why should he be thanking her?

    Her motivation had been to steal the Verdane Valley project from theirpany. Now that her n had

    worked, they were considered even.

    Just then, his phone vibrated. He nced at the caller ID and scowled before answering it.

    ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°Please stay with me tonight, Jasper ¡­¡± came Landon¡¯s raspy voice. He sounded like a mistress

    who had just been kicked out by her lover.

    He continued, ¡°I¡¯ve bought three limited edition elite¨Css luxury cars and had four A¨Clist

    celebrities drinking millions of dors worth of alcohol with me, but I still can¡¯t find sce from

    my sadness. Is this what breaking up feels like? It¡¯s so fucking terrible!¡±

    ¡°Go to a hospital and have them check on your heart. Don¡¯t bother me.¡± Jasper was about to hang

    up when Landon suggested, ¡°Hey, why don¡¯t we celebrate that stepmother of yours being arrested

    instead?¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips. ¡°Where and when?¡±

    Later that evening, a Rolls Royce rolled up to Sna Film Academy, its Spirit of Ecstasy glinting

    in themplight. Though it tried to keep away from prying eyes, it still caught the attention of

 Chapter 242

    ¡°Ms Alyssa, I¡¯ve heard there¡¯s a wonderful caf¨¦ in the university with the best mhiatos. Why don¡¯t I

    grab some for you and Ms Tatiana?¡± Sean suggested.

    ¡°That would be lovely. Bring her out here too.¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes never left the ns she¡¯d printed out.

    She added, ¡°She didn¡¯t answer my call just now, so call herter when you head inside. I don¡¯t think

    she knows we¡¯re using this entrance.¡±

    ¡°Alright, miss.¡± Sean stepped out of the car and went into the university.

    The moment he did, several young students gave him admiring looks. He was quite attractive, tall, and

    dressed in a proper suit and tie.

    Sean ignored the looks sent his way and proceeded to buy two coffees. Nheless, he still

    managed to catch the attention of the female baristas.

    Two fashionably dressed students walked into the caf¨¦, all designer clothing and jewelry.

    ¡°Did you hear? The performance arts¡® convocation y is setting Tatiana Taylor as the female lead!

    Sean paused what he was doing and focused on listening to what the two had to say.

    ¡°Hmph. Her again? She must have slept with the teachers to win that position!¡±

    ¡°Right? Earlier, I even saw her leaving for the forest behind campus with Tyler Crowley, the

    hottest guy in our term. What a slut! We should tell everyone to stay away from h¨Cah!¡±

    The girls suddenly shrieked, the sound shocking everyone in the caf¨¦.

    Sean had sshed the hot coffee in his hand onto them.

    ¡°A¨CAre you crazy? How fucking dare you?¡± the girl screamed. Their makeup was starting to run.

    down their faces.

    ¡°Section 312 of the Criminal Code provides that whoever states, makes, circtes, or encourages

    statements or ims or any information of any kind which amounts to intentional nder or

    defamation of another¡¯s personal reputation or name, can be sentenced to three years maximum

    of imprisonment or be stripped away the self¨Crealization right of politics,¡± Sean recited curtly.

    +15 BONOS

    Then, he said, ¡°You two should be grateful I don¡¯t hurt women.¡±

    One of the girls was terrified, while the other remained adamantly proud. ¡°You¡¯re Tatiana¡¯s

    boyfriend, aren¡¯t you? Why don¡¯t you go behind campus and see what¡¯s going on for yourself? We

    don¡¯t go around making shit up!¡±

    Tyler Crowley, the hottest male student in Sna Film Academy, had cornered Tatiana in the

    forest area behind campus.

    ¡°I¡¯ve told you countless times, Tyler. I don¡¯t like you or want to be with you.¡± Tatiana rolled her

    eyes. She was turned off by his personality and countless designer brand clothing.

    She added, ¡°I have a dinner date, so bye.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m just ying around, Taty?¡± Tyler cocked his head, ignoring her words. He pulled

    a red velvet box from his pocket before opening it up. Inside was a diamond¨Cstudded Cartier watch.

    ¡°I chose this just for you as a token of my affection. Keep it. As long as you¡¯re my girlfriend, you

    can have anything you want¨Ccars, horses, clothes¡­ I could even give you your own house.¡±

    Tyler grinned slyly, licking his lips. ¡°Besides, I can satisfy you in other ways, too.¡±

    Though Tatiana had always remained pure at heart, she instantly picked up on what the boy was

    implying.

    Thoroughly disgusted, she flinched and smacked the box out of Tyler¡¯s hands. The watchnded

    in the dirt by their feet just like that.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Having never been rejected by a woman, rage and shame consumed Tyler. He gripped Tatiana¡¯s

    wrist, demanding. ¡°What did you just do, Tatiana? You think you¡¯re some rich heiress who can

    mess around as she pleases?¡±

    ¡°Let me go¡­ Let me go, Tyler!¡± Tatiana cried, trying to escape from his grip.

    ¡°Heh¡­ this is part of your act too, isn¡¯t it, Tatiana? I¡¯ve seen so many girls like you who try to sleep

    up to the top.¡±

    Tyler hooked an arm around her waist, his grin turning devious. ¡°You don¡¯t want your future

    ruined, do you? You¡¯d be spoilt for choices if you are mine.¡±

 Chapter 243

    Tyler said, ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted? You can stop the act now.¡±

    Tyler then pressed Tatiana up against a tree trunk and leaned in to kiss her.

    ¡°No!¡± Tatiana screamed, closing her eyes as tears began falling from them.

    Suddenly, a loud yelp was heard, followed by Tyler cursing, ¡°F***!¡±

    Slowly, Tatiana opened her eyes. She saw a familiar figure standing before her, deftly throwing

    Tyler over his shoulder.

    Sean then knelt down, grabbed Tyler¡¯spel, and began punching his face repeatedly.

    Frightened, Tatiana cried, ¡°Stop! Stop it!¡±

    She ran up to Sean to grab him so he would stop hitting Tyler. She was scared Sean would

    actually kill the boy.

    ¡°You ¡­ How dare you? Do you have any idea who I am?¡± Tyler grunted out weakly, spitting out a

    mouthful of blood. He red at Sean, yelling, ¡°My dad is Crowley Corp¡¯s President! Hit me again,

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    and I¡¯ll make your life hell!¡±

    ¡°The name¡¯s Sean Lynch, from Belbanks.¡± Sean¡¯s voice was tinged with anger.

    Still, he forced himself to calm down, then wrapped his suit around Tatiana. It pained him to see

    her so scared. He gently gathered her in his arms, and thetter instantly felt at ease.

    ¡°Hear this well, dog. Don¡¯t ever put your filthy hands on Tatiana again, or not even Alistair Crowley.

    can save you!¡±

    Tyler ended up scrambling away for his life.

    Tatiana cleaned herself up in a nearby washroom. Sean was there by the door when she came out,

    waiting for her worriedly.

    ¡°Sean¡­¡±

    Sean met her eyes, shooting a warm smile in her direction. ¡°Ms. Tatiana.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    Tatiana¡¯s heart ached when she realized he was back to being formal. She went up to him and pulled

    the coat off her shoulders. ¡°Here, your coat. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t let what happened today stand, Ms. Tatiana. I will report this to Ms. Alyssa ordingly.¡±

    Sean had a solemn, if not angry expression on his face.

    ¡°No, please don¡¯t! Please, Sean, don¡¯t tell my sister!¡± Tatiana begged, holding onto his arm.

    She continued, ¡°If Alyssa steps in, this will only spiral out of control. I don¡¯t want that to happen, nor do I

    want to cause her trouble, so please.¡±

    ¡°That filthy mutt tried to rape you, Tatiana! How could you not do anything?¡± Sean cried, anger tinging

    his voice.

    ¡°You¡¯ve taught him a lesson. He won¡¯t try that again.¡± Tatiana was scared but even more worried about

    burdening her family with this.

    She added, ¡°I¡¯m about to graduate. We won¡¯t see each other afterward, so it¡¯s all okay. Plus, I still have

    you guys to back me up.¡±

    Sean was about to argue again when Tatiana sighed. ¡°Please just let me be, Sean¡­ I have my

    reasons.¡±

 Chapter 244

    Jasper ended up meeting Landon in a newly opened club in Sna City. Landon¡¯s tables were

    filled with all kinds of wine. He held one right now, belting out his lungs to ¡°Live or Let Die.¡±

    Jasper reclined on the luxurious sofa with a shot of whisky in hand. He looked like some sullen

    Adonis, exuding a strong, potent air even in the dim surroundings of the room.

    ¡°So live and let die!¡± Landon yelled into the microphone.

    It was nearly enough for Jasper to crush his shot ss into pieces.

    If he had known Landon for two years less, he wouldn¡¯t be sitting here keeping the loserpany

    or enduring this torture.

    Jasper took a painful swallow of his whiskey.

    ¡°My man! Burp!¡± Landon called, heaving a loud burp before falling onto the couch beside Jasper.

    He reached out to hook an arm around his friend¡¯s shoulders, asking, ¡°How was my singing?

    Terrific, no?¡±

    Jasper frowned and moved away, making Landon fall t on his face on the sofa. ¡°You¡¯re terrific if

    you were a donkey in heat.¡±

    ¡°F***ing hell, did you get kicked in the nuts earlier? What¡¯s with the shitty attitude, huh?¡±

    Recalling how beautiful Alyssa was and how cold her words were when she tapped that de on

    his cheek, sadness, and pain welled up in his chest.

    ¡°Poor Lyse. No wonder she divorced you. That foul temper of yours is enough to make her hit

    menopause early!

    ¡°Lyse?¡± Jasper questioned, ¡°I thought you had your heart broken? You two aren¡¯t that close

    anymore, no?¡±

    Landon stared at him incredulously, thinking, ¡°How mean!¡±

    ¡°I admit she¡¯s the most beautiful and intriguing woman I¡¯ve ever met. I don¡¯t think I would be able

    to lock her down, but¡­¡±

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Landon downed several gulps of wine before continuing. ¡°So how could she have given up her

    luxurious life to be a nobody¨Cto be your wife? You¡¯re a handsome man, sure

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°But that only works for so long. She was loyal to you for so many years, yet when the time came,

    you just chucked her aside like some

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Landon,¡± Jasper said curtly.

    ¡°No!¡± Landon cried, feeling unbearably upset. ¡°I can¡¯t wrap my head around it. I just can¡¯t! You two

    must have known each other for who knows how many past lives before for her to sacrifice

    everything for you! No sane human would do that!¡±

    Honestly, not even Jasper knew why. That was why he had wanted to get the answer from her at

    Seaview Manor. His confusion and turmoil had nearly be a sickness in his heart.

    He hadn¡¯t had a good night¡¯s sleep since the night of his grandfather¡¯s birthday.

    Just as Jasper was about to lose himself in his thoughts, Landon suddenly guffawed. ¡°I know I

    have a long history of being a womanizer, Jasper, but I really am serious about Alyssa

    ¡°Sometimes I wonder why I couldn¡¯t have known her earlier?¡±

    Jasper said nothing.

    ¡°If I had, I would have warned her about you. I would have told her not to get anywhere near

    Jasper Beckett, or your life would be miserable!¡±

    Now, Jasper had the urge to strangle his friend.

    The moment Tatiana saw her sister, the doom and gloom in her chest dissipated. She went up to

    Alyssa, insisting on treating her to dinner.

    Unable to talk her out of it, Alyssa picked a home¨Cstyle restaurant serving foreign cuisine. It was

    nothing extravagant, so Tatiana wouldn¡¯t have to spend too much.

    Though the food wasn¡¯t Michelin¨Cgrade, the sisters still shared a happy hour and a half, talking.

    about everything under the sun.

    Meanwhile, Sean dly topped their sses with drinks whenever he could, never bothering to get a

    bite for himself. He was just really happy to see Tatiana and Alyssa enjoying themselves.

    After they had emptied two whole bottles of wine, the sisters went for karaoke.

    Sean had nned to join them, but then his brother called at thest moment, asking him to

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Go on, Sean. Don¡¯t worry about us,¡± Alyssa urged.

    ¡°Yeah, Sean. Go on home,¡± Tatiana insisted. She shot him a kind smile. ¡°You¡¯ve helped us a lot

    tonight. It¡¯s time you took a break. We¡¯ll head home right after karaoke. Promise.¡±

 Chapter 245

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Alyssa, Ms. Tatiana. Please have a safe trip home,¡± Sean said with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll be

    leaving now. But please, contact me if there¡¯s anything urgent, and I¡¯lle to your aid.

    immediately!¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright. You nag more than women do,¡± Alyssa scowled, gently pushing him onward.

    Sean gazed at her for a moment more before finally leaving with a smile.

    The sight filled Tatiana up with envy, a bitter feeling rising from her heart to her throat. But she

    wasn¡¯t jealous of her sister at all. Alyssa truly was a marvelous and exceptional woman. It made

    perfect sense for Sean to have a crush on her instead.

    Someone as weak and soft¨Cspoken as Tatiana herself would never get his attention.

    But then, why did Alyssa¡¯s ex¨Chusband divorce her?

    Maybe he had cancer and didn¡¯t want to be a burden¡­

    Alyssa had booked a VIP room for them at the karaoke. A bone¨Cchilling wail came from the

    opposite room when they reached its door.

    ¡°So scary!¡± Tatiana grabbed onto her sister¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Sounds like a donkey in heat.¡±

    Alyssa and Tatiana quickly entered their room, not wanting possible contact with the lunatic

    across the hallway.

    They ordered two buckets of iced beers and a table full of fruits and snacks. They were

    professionals when it came to singing, after all.

    The two sang everything from opera to musicals to pop music, making full use of their time

    Alyssa ended up somewhat drunk by the end of their session, having drunk and snacked more

    than usual with the addition of her good mood from having secured the Verdane Valley project.

    ¡°Taty. I¡¯m going to the washroom. Wait for me here, don¡¯t- don¡¯t go anywhere!¡± Alyssa drawled,

    getting up from her seat.

    ¡°Are you drunk, Alyssa? I¡¯lle with you.¡± Tatiana could tell from her sister¡¯s flushed cheeks.

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°No way! How can I be drunk? I¡¯m your big sister. You should be the one getting drunk first, and

    I¡¯m supposed to¨Cuh, send you home safe after!¡±

    Tatiana giggled, finding her sister¡¯s logic amusing.

    Alyssa had to steady herself on the walls as she walked back to their VIP room. Her limbs were

    initially heavy and sluggish, but she slowly got the hang of controlling them.

    The karaoke club¡¯s decor was decorated like the Pce of Pteryx, with gold reflective mirrors and

    wallpaper everywhere, and with the confusingly numbered rooms, Alyssa soon found herself lost.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    She squinted, carefully finding her way back.

    Just then, she came face to face with a tall figure, bumping squarely into his chest.

    ¡°Oof!¡± Alyssa huffed, her mind rattled from the contact. Her feet wobbled beneath her, and she

    started falling backward.

    The man reached out to support her by the waist, stopping her fall. He could feel how lean and

    supple she was beneath her silk dress. He was able to hold her up with a single hand.

    He gazed at her through his gold¨Crimmed spectacles, marveling at her beautiful features.

    ¡°I believe you¡¯ve had too much to drink, miss.¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­ No, I haven¡¯t.¡± Alyssa gazed back at the man, meeting his eyes.

    Suddenly, she grinned and reached up to take off his spectacles. The man¡¯s eyes instantly shed.

    murderously.

    Thest person to have touched his spectacles was a hundred feet underwater in the nearest

    ocean.

    ¡°You! Little bastard!¡± Alyssa cried happily.

    The man¡¯s breathing hitched as he narrowed his eyes, once again searching for familiarity on

    Alyssa¡¯s face.

 Chapter 246

    ¡°You really are Little Bastard Alyssa cackled joyfully.

    The man smiled, the coldness in his eyes dissipating instantly. He tucked his sses back,

    reminiscing on the nickname he had been called so long ago.

    Even his father stopped calling him that years ago. Yet Alyssa was still the same old as before,

    unrestrained and always doing whatever she pleased.

    ¡°You¡¯re as beautiful as ever, even after fifteen years, Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Hehe¡­ You¡¯re not bad yourself!¡± Alyssa grinned, patting his cheek.

    The man¡¯s smile deepened. He did not shy away from her touch. Now, this was the Alyssa he¡¯d

    always remembered.

    She covered her mouth, burping once again. This time, her knees started shaking. She was unable

    to hold herself up any longer.

    The man smirked and lifted her into his arms right away, feet off the floor.

    ¡°Hey, put me down!¡± Alyssa cried, wriggling away from his grasp like a feisty kitten. Her burgundy

    -red dress made the nicest contrast with her pale, milky skin.

    Feeling a sudden desire to toy with her, the man asked, ¡°Sure, but only if you say my name.¡±

    ¡°You You¡¯re James James¡­¡± Alyssa really couldn¡¯t recall at this point. The alcohol had turned

    her mind into mush. She didn¡¯t even know what she was mumbling on and on about, much less.

    remember the man¡¯s name.

    Jameson Schmidt. But I don¡¯t mind if you want to call me Little Bastard,¡± Jameson murmured in

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    her ear, teasing her. ¡°But only you can call me that. No one else.¡±

    Unfortunately, Alyssa was too far gone to be affected. His words instantly became random

    numbers and sounds in her mind.

    Jameson carefullyid her down on the lounge in his room, making sure she was supported.

    Just then, his secretary gave him a call on his phone.

    ¡°They¡¯re here, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Send them back,¡± Jameson said, never once looking away from Alyssa.

    ¡°Huh?¡± His secretary asked, surprised.

    ¡°Cancel tonight¡¯s meeting, have them leave me alone.¡±

    Not daring to ask why, the secretary replied, ¡°As you say, sir.¡±

    ¡°And get me a bottle of ginger supplements. ASAP.¡±

    Jameson hung up the call and quietly sat down beside Alyssa. He gazed at her, eyes soft, and

    tucked her hair behind her ear.

    ¡°Such a sweet coincidence.¡±

    Landon fell asleep right on the sofa after singing ¡°You Give Love a Bad Name.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s jaw was clenched as he pondered on, finally tossing back thest dregs of his whiskey.

    He then took out one of Landon¡¯s cigarettes and lit it, taking a puff. The nicotine swirled in his

    chest, clouding the emotions riled up by the thought of Alyssa.

    Following his divorce from Alyssa, his daily routine descended into chaos. He found himself

    giving in to smoking and drinking without anyone there to advise him to cut back a bit.

    ¡°Lyse¡­ Alyssa¡­¡± Landon mumbled in his sleep, hand reaching out to tug at Jasper¡¯s shirt.

    Jasper scowled and pried his fingers off. ¡°Shut up. She¡¯s not here.

    ¡°Plus, who gave you the right to call her Lyse?¡±

    Suddenly, the door opened to Xavier standing in the doorway, looking like he had just run a

    marathon.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, sir! I¨CI just saw Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Jasper got up instantly. ¡°Where?¡±

 Chapter 247

    Xavier said, ¡°Sir, I¡¯ll tell you, but you have to promise not to¡­ not to get angry¡­¡±

    Jasper demanded, ¡°Spill it!¡±

    ¡°Well, um¡­¡± Xavier nervously swallowed. ¡°I saw¡­ I saw her open one of the VIP room doors, and

    then¡­ and then someone wearing spectacles carried her inside¡­

    Something imploded in Jasper¡¯s mind. ¡°Which room? Take me there, now!¡±

    Jameson¡¯s secretary soon returned with ginger supplements. Jameson fed some to Alyssa and

    then helped her ease it down with warm water.

    The sight left his secretary gaping in utter shock. His boss had always been cold¨Chearted and

    cruel. One never knew what schemes he had in mind when he looked at you.

    He barely saw him have any women around too. So, who was this young woman being tended to

    by his boss tonight?

    Was this¡­ Was his boss courting her?

    Tsk! Men truly were no match for women.

    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± Jameson asked kindly once the flush reduced from Alyssa¡¯s cheeks.

    Alyssa held a hand to her chest. Her stomach was churning dangerously as her vision cleared.

    1. up.

    ¡°Alcohol is damaging to your system. Don¡¯t drink so much next time,¡± Jameson said, bringing the ss

    of warm water to her lips once again.

    Alyssa had no recollection of what just happened, though she instantly picked up on the fact that

    he meant her no harm.

    He was pretty hot, to be honest, like a bookworm who had a glow¨Cup. His gold¨Crimmed spectacles.

    entuated his features very well.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°You Do we know each other?¡± Alyssa asked softly, rubbing her throbbing temples.

    Jameson smiled lightly.

    +15 BONOS

    It looked like she had forgotten about him.

    Just then, the room door was kicked open.

    Jasper marched in like a raging bull, eyes red and ferocious.

    Jameson hissed internally, his hackles rising.

    ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Jasper Beckett from Beckett Group, sir!¡± His secretary reminded him in a low voice.

    Jameson cocked his head. ¡°Tell him to leave.¡±

    The secretary nodded and went up to Jasper, saying, ¡°Mr. Beckett, please leave at-¡±

    Jasper swiftly pushed the man away, walking right up to Alyssa on the lounge. She was still

    rubbing her eyes, like a child that had just woken up from a dream.

    When she saw Jasper, shock flitted across her eyes. ¡°Jasper? What are you-¡±

    ¡°Come with me.¡± Jasper suppressed most of his rage, grabbing her by the wrist and into his arms.

    No words could describe how angry he was feeling right now.

    First, she stole his project from him. Now she was going around sleeping with strangers?

    What the hell was up with her? Had she no concern for anything sensible?

    ¡°Why? Why should I? Who are you to make me?¡± Alyssa immediately tried to pry herself away

    from Jasper¡¯s grasp. ¡°Let me go, asshole! Do you think I¡¯m some kind of dog to follow your bidding

    whenever you like?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience, Alyssa Taylor!¡± Jasper growled.

    Jameson narrowed his eyes, then grabbed Alyssa¡¯s other wrist.

    Now she was stuck between them, with both her hands starting to twinge in pain.

    ¡°Can you not see that Ms. Alyssa doesn¡¯t want to leave with you? What kind of gentleman does this

    with a woman?¡± Jameson hissed out.

    ¡°This is no business for an outsider!¡± Jasper snapped back.

    Jameson then took off his spectacles, ring at him. ¡°If I¡¯m the outsider, who are you?¡±

    ¡°Her husband!¡±

 Chapter 248

    Jameson froze up on the spot, his heart clenching painfully for a brief second.

    Alyssa had fumed so hard her cheeks had gone flushed again. She red at Jasper, yelling, ¡°How

    low are you stooping now, Jasper Beckett? Let me go now! I am not going anywhere with you!¡±

    Jasper let her scream and pull, never letting go throughout. He felt like nothing more mattered in

    this world right now besides taking Alyssa away from this ce, from this stranger.

    Seeing her being in a room alone with the stranger, having drunk so much, was unbearable for

    him. He never expected Alyssa to be capable of something like this.

    ¡°Let me go, Jasper, right¨Cah!¡±

    Jasper bent down and lifted her over his shoulder, hand locking on her waist as he marched

    straight for the door.

    ¡°Put me down, you jacka¨CI¡¯m gonna hurl!¡± Alyssa cried, beating at his shoulder with all her might.

    Her stomach was churning so badly. She was going to retch at any time.

    ¡°I¡¯m not stopping you.¡± Jasper eyed her sternly and continued walking on, not even a hint of

    That was punishment for her behavior tonight, he thought.

    He thought Alyssa was such a heartless cheat.

    Jameson watched silently as the two left, a flush of anger slowly rising in his expression.

    ¡°Bastards will be bastards,¡± he muttered

    ¡°What should we do now, Mr. Schmidt? Should I follow them?¡± his secretary asked.

    ¡°Have someone else trail them.¡± Jameson traced his finger across the rim of the ss Alyssa had

    drunk from, her lipstick soft against his skin.

    ¡°It really came as a surprise that Jasper Beckett is actually married!¡± The secretary cried in

    disbelief. ¡°When was their wedding? Not a whisper of this news was ever made public!¡±

    ¡°Look into it,¡± Jameson ordered, taking a sip of water from the ss. ¡°Find out what Jasper

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Beckett has been up to all these years and what their rtionship is.¡±

    +15 BONOS

    Jasper had wanted to bring Alyssa back to his VIP room, but the thought of Landon being there

    with them was immensely unwee, so he brought her all the way to the club entrance.

    Along the way there, the staff and some customers were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the two,

    their eyes widening and quiet gaspsing out from their mouths, but Jasper disregarded them

    entirely.

    ¡°Jas¨CJasper, I seriously need to puke¡­¡± Alyssa moaned, getting dizzier by the second.

    Her voice roused something in Jasper. Heat flushed through his body as he swallowed. ¡°Karma¡¯s a

    bitch, Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    Only then did he set her down on the sidewalk outside. The moment he did, Alyssa pressed him.

    up against a nearby car, making his breathing hitch. He gazed at her flushed cheeks and felt the

    soft weight of her hands on his chest-

    ¡°Blurgh!¡±

    Alyssa doubled over and puked the remains of her dinner all over his suit.

    The intense and pungent smell made Jasper snarl, his nausea rising to the max.

    What the fuck was wrong with her?

    ¡°Are you ¡­ Are you some kind of ghost, Jasper? Why the fuck do you keep on¡­ burp¡­ following me

    around like you¡¯re haunting me? Leave me alone already!¡± Alyssa whined and pushed him

    away with all her might:

    But then Jasper grabbed onto her wrists, asking angrily, ¡°Who was that man with the spectacles?

    ¡°Who? My He¡¯s mytest fling! Hehehe. Do you like him?¡± Alyssa grinned, her eyes narrowing Into

    crescents

 Chapter 249

    ¡°Not one bit!¡± Jasper snarled, not holding back his thoughts.

    ¡°Hahaha¡­ You¡¯re out of your mind, Beckett!¡± Alyssa yelled, pulling her hand away from his grip.

    ¡°What? You can have the love of your life, but I can¡¯t see anyone else? What kind of monopolistic,

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    egoistic bullshit is this? I¡¯m not some ve, you jackass!¡±

    Her words stabbed into Jasper¡¯s heart like des.

    He recalled how close Alyssa had been in proximity with the spectacled man, and fury rose in his

    being once again.

    Her gaze had been molten and warm, and what could have happened next made Jasper dread.

    All he felt now was the need to possess her, to keep her and shield her from everyone else.

    ¡°Interesting private life you have, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Pain, rage, and jealousy coursed through Jasper¡¯s

    chest. ¡°Why such a big room all to yourselves? Worried you won¡¯t have enough fun?¡±

    He was trying to enrage her, to upset her, yet all he seemed to be doing was making himself even

    more upset.

    ¡°Pft, hahahah!¡± Alyssa tossed her head back,ughing. ¡°Of course, st* pid! Do you think I¡¯m still

    that boring little housewife, Alice White? I¡¯m capable of so many things¡­ You can¡¯t even begin to

    imagine.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± Jasper felt like he was having a heart attack. ¡°You¡¯re leaving this ce tonight, no

    matter what! Don¡¯t you dare think about finding anyone else with me around!¡±

    Just then, a police car on patrol swerved around the corner.

    Alyssa had a sudden idea. She hunched over and wailed like a damsel in distress. ¡°Help, help me!

    He¡¯s trying to hurt me!¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Jasper paled instantly.

    The car instantly stopped, and two policemen hopped off, heading straight for the two of them.

    Hey, let her go right now!¡±

    Alyssa swiftly got rid of Jasper¡¯s grasp, forcing out tears. ¡°I identally vomited on him, but I

    me

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Stay away from thisdy, sir. You¡¯re borderline S**ually harassing her, do you know that?¡±

    ¡°We can take you in just because of this!¡±

    The two policemen surrounded Jasper, forcing him to stay put. ¡°I¡¯m no hooligan nor stranger. I

    know this woman.¡±

    ¡°Do you, miss?¡± One of the police officers asked Alyssa.

    She shook her head. ¡°No, sir.¡±

    The police stared coldly at Jasper. ¡°It looks like we have no choice but to arrest you, sir¡±

    Just then, Jasper¡¯s phone rang. It was a call from Javier.

    Still trembling from anger, he answered the call.

    ¡°Where the hell are you? Get your ass back right now!¡± Javier roared from the other end. ¡°Lia tried

    to kill herself! She has slit her wrists! She¡¯s being resuscitated right now in the hospital

    Jasper paled almost instantly.

    ¡°Can you take responsibility and make up your mind in your love life, Jasper Beckett? Why do you

    keep dragging things on with Alyssa Taylor when you¡¯re already engaged to Liana?

    ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve done! She might die, do you know that? She saved your life when you were a

    child, and this is how you repay her?¡±

    The dark memories of Jasper¡¯s childhood suddenly overcame him. He found it difficult to breathe

    When he turned around, Alyssa had already gone back into the karaoke

 Chapter 250

    Alyssa walked back to her VIP room. She was sober, and her good mood had dissipated.

    What kind of coincidence was she experiencing to be able to meet Jasper here, of all ces?

    Maybe she should get a lucky charm or something to keep her from this shitty luck.

    Just then, a pair of warm hands wrapped around her arm.

    Alyssa looked at who it was and smiled when she saw it was Tatiana. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m okay, Taty.¡±

    ¡°Was that¡­ Was that your ex¨Chusband, sis?¡± Tatiana asked curiously.

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Wow! He¡¯s so hot!¡± Tatiana¡¯s eyes were wide with admiration. ¡°I thought Jonah, Ss, Liam, and

    Axel were handsome already. I didn¡¯t expect anyone else to be able to top them.

    ¡°Your ex has that kind of striking hotness, like a beach model or something. Is he really just a

    Alyssa cupped her forehead, scowling, ¡°Striking hotness, my ass¡­ He¡¯s not even an oven.¡±

    ¡°No wonder Mom said he was hotter than Kris Hensworth! I didn¡¯t believe her at first, because she

    has had a crush on the celebrity for ages. Turns out your ex really is hotter than him!¡± Tatiana

    cried excitedly.

    ¡°So what? He¡¯s still as useless and dumb as a brick,¡± Alyssa rolled her eyes. ¡°If you say he¡¯s hot one

    more time, I¡¯m telling Winston your mom has a crush on Kris Hensworth!¡±

    By the time Alyssa and Tatiana left, it was already toote in the night. To avoid waking up her

    coursemates, Alyssa brought Tatiana back to the manor to spend the night.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Tatiana was concerned for her sister, seeing that she had gotten pretty drunk that night. She noticed

    Alyssa kept rubbing her forehead as if trying to ease some tension.

    ¡°Let me give you a massage, Alyssa,¡± Tatiana offered kindly.

    So Alyssay back in her younger sister¡¯sp, sighing and letting Tatiana do her thing. Her breath

    was still tinged with alcohol.

    +15 BONOS

    Tatiana swallowed nervously. Her sister was really pretty. Frankly, no one should look so good

    drunk.

    Alyssater had their driver park the car by the manor entrance. She liked taking walks

    whenever she was drunk so that she wouldn¡¯t have a hard timeter. The siblings then took a

    stroll outside the neighborhood, admiring the night view.

    Suddenly, Alyssa¡¯s grip on her sister¡¯s hand tightened.

    ¡°Alyssa? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Someone¡¯s following us.¡± Her intuition was setting off rm bells.

    Tatiana tensed up, scared. She looked around her surroundings, cold sweat breaking out on her

    skin.

    Alyssa assured her, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here. Whoever it is is digging their own grave.¡±

    She had already built up a great well of anger from earlier after crossing paths with Jasper. So,

    whoever was stalking them was sure to get a heavy beating.

    ¡°Show yourself already, coward!¡± Alyssa yelled, eyes glinting dangerously. She quickly tucked

    Tatiana behind her back.

    Footsteps slowly rang out. A man dressed in a full ck top, cks, and a mask came out from

    behind some trees. He wasrge and muscr, eyes unreadable.

    Tatiana was so frightened she was starting to hyperventte.

    Alyssa, on the other hand, remained unfazed. She knew this man likely knew a thing or two about

    fighting. Nheless, she was still confident in her ability to take him on. It was not like anyone

    could reach Jasper or Axel¡¯s standards.

    The man in ck asked curtly, ¡°Which of you two is Alyssa Taylor?¡±

    He sounded somewhat foreign. Not a local, Alyssa guessed.

    ¡°Me, motherfucker. You have five seconds to beg for mercy before I snap your legs in two,¡± Alyssa

    snapped, not the least bit scared.

    ¡°I see.¡± The man nodded.

    Next thing they knew, he had taken out a sharp butterfly knife and was heading straight for

    +15 BONOS

    ¡°Careful Tatiana screamed She was quickly pushed a distance away by her sister, who yelled,

    Run, Taty!¡±

    But where could the run to? She couldn t leave Alyssa alone here!

    Yet, in the next moment, Alyssa started defending herself from the attacker,unching her own.

    onught of attacks

    ¡°Careful!¡± Tatiana screamed. She was quickly pushed a distance away by her sister, who yelled,

    Run, Taty!¡±

    But where could she run to? She couldn¡¯t leave Alyssa alone here!

    Yet, in the next moment, Alyssa started defending herself from the attacker,unching her own

    onught of attacks.

 Chapter 251

    Tatiana couldn¡¯t take her eyes off of her sister. The scene was even more thrilling than watching an

    actual action film.

    ¡°You got this, Alyssa!¡± she cried.

    Alyssa dodged their assant¡¯s ankle sweep, scowling internally. Was this the time to cheerlead?

    ¡°Call the cops, Taty!¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay!¡± Tatiana quickly took out herphone.

    Their assant could never have imagined that his target would be so skilled and equipped to fight

    back despite how gentle and frail she looked.

    Seeing that fighting this one would end in defeat, he turned his attention to Tatiana.

    When he struck out, Tatiana dropped her phone in shock and quickly closed her

    eyes, fear filling her being.

    A low grunt made her reopen her eyes.

    Alyssa had leaped to her defense, using her arm as a shield against the man¡¯s sharp de. The de

    sliced through her sleeve and skin, and blood instantly poured out in thick red streams.

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± Tatiana screamed, bursting intotears.

    Her sister panted heavily, putting pressure on her arm. It hurt so bad her vision swam.

    Their attacker wasn¡¯t nning on leaving them alive tonight, that was for sure.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    Just as he raised his butterfly knife again, someone suddenly grabbed and pulled him by the cor,

    making him fall backward. Alyssa swiftly kicked the knife out of his hand.

    ¡°Fuck!¡±the man yelled. His voice crackedat the end.

    Suddenly, a loud snap could be heard.

    Alyssa watched as his arm was twisted behind his back before it snapped at an unnatural angle.

    Alyssa felt grateful for that save.

    ¡°Wait- it¡¯s you ¡­?¡±Alyssa gasped softlywhen she saw who hade to their rescue.

    ¡°Good evening. We meet again.¡± Jamesonshot her a warm smile as he pressed the ck-d man to

    the ground, pinning a foot on the back of his neck.

    With a twist of his ankle, Jameson sent the man crying in pain, fi st curling weakly.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean yelled, running towardthem.

    ¡°Sean,e quick! Alyssa¡¯s wounded!¡±Tatiana cried hurriedly.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Sean nearly had apanic attack, seeing all the bloodshed.¡±

    Who hurt you? Who did this?¡±

    Alyssa sighed.¡±What are you doing here? Is your mother alright?¡±

    ¡°Now is not the time for that!We need toget you to the hospital!¡±

    The sight of her wound felt like a sharp cut along the surface of Sean¡¯s heart. His eyes had brimmed

    with tears. He bent down to try and lift Alyssa, but she quickly stepped away.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. You should look atTaty. The poor girl¡¯s frightened out of her wits.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa ¡­¡± Sean mumbled, feelinghelpless.

    Alyssa had always been a woman of principle, always independent and holding up for herself. That

    showed even now when she was hurt and bleeding. There was not a single tear to be shed by her.

    ¡°Please let him help you, Alyssa. I¡¯m okay,¡±Tatiana cried softly, tears rolling downher eyes.¡±It¡¯s all my

    fault. You wouldn¡¯t have gotten hurt if I had reacted fast enough.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about, silly?¡±Alyssa gently cupped her sister¡¯s cheek.¡±I¡¯m the one at fault here.

    He wouldn¡¯t have targeted us if I weren¡¯t here with you. 11

    Just then, two of Jameson¡¯s men came over and apprehended the attacker, pushing him into a nearby

    SUV.

    ¡°Are you alright, sir?¡±Jameson¡¯ssecretary cried, running over frantically.

    ¡°Yes, Carl.¡± Jamesonnguidly brushedaway some dirt on his sleeve, then nced at Alyssa.

    She was so beautiful.

    Alyssa took a deep breath and went up to him, saying gently,¡±We¡¯re incredibly

    grateful for your help, sir. Could you hand that man over, please? He¡¯s vital to our investigation.¡±

    Jameson smiled.¡±Sure, but on one condition.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    Next thing Alyssa knew, her feet were off the ground, and she was safe in the man¡¯s arms. He had

    moved so fast that Sean hadn¡¯t a second to react.

    The soft gasp of surprise that left her lips was nearly inaudible, but Jameson had heard it loud as day.

    Their eyes met.

    ¡°Go to the hospital and have your woundstended to first. I¡¯ll do whatever you say after.¡±

 Chapter 252

    Liana was getting blood transfusions at Sna City¡¯s private hospital¡¯s emergency room.

    Her face had been so pale earlier that she appeared almost lifeless. The gash on her wrist had been

    equally gruesome, resembling a grim, bloody snarl.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Her mother paced nervously in the hallway, her eyes swollen from countless tears.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. You¡¯re not a childanymore, so stop crying before someone takes a picture and

    sends it to the newspapers!¡±Andrew said sternly.

    ¡°So what? My daughter is still in danger!She could leave us at any moment! What kind of father are you

    if your own pride matters more than your daughter?¡±

    Rosaline cried.

    She grabbed her husband¡¯s cor and cried hysterically.¡±I can¡¯t bear to see Liana following in Dn¡¯s

    footsteps!¡±

    Andrew¡¯s face turned as purple as a raisin, scrunched up with anger. First, his daughter had done

    something reckless all because of a man, and now his wife was causing a scene in public.

    Feeling embarrassed in front of Javier, he scowled and pushed his wife away, saying, ¡°All you ever do

    is cry and yell! Do youthink you own this ce? You¡¯re my wife, for God¡¯s sake, so start acting like it!¡± 1

    ¡°You ¡­ You pushed me ¡­¡± Rosaline saidbreathlessly, in u tter shock at what just happened.

    Betty went to help her up.¡±Please stop fighting, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Rosaline. What¡¯s important now is

    that Liana survives this critical hour.¡±

    She was internally snarling, however. If her mother hadn¡¯t been upied and her

    father hadn¡¯t dragged her here, she wouldn¡¯t have wasted her time ¡°worrying ¡°about that bitch, Liana. 1

    Still, she had to keep up the act now that she was here.

    ¡°You better answer for this, Javier!¡±

    Andrew spat out, ring at Javier.¡±My daughter has sacrificed so many years for your son, only to end

    up like this!

    ¡°Everyone in Sna City knows they¡¯reengaged. Besides, your son promised to marry her after Mr.

    Beckett Senior¡¯s birthday. But what has happened now?

    ¡°How could your son go back on his word?Which sane young woman could bear news as crushing as

    that? Do you want my daughter to die?¡±

    Javier¡¯s face was just as stormy, though he remained silent.

    ¡°We ¡­ We¡¯re not as powerful or influentis the Taylor family, but we¡¯re still decent people. This

    matters to us, Javier. You

    can¡¯t allow your son to push our daughter around like this!¡±

    Rosaline had slowly risen to her feet with Betty¡¯s help. She red at Javier, shrieking,¡±We won¡¯t let this

    go that easy, Beckett! If your son calls off this marriage, we will ¡­ We will drag you all down with us!¡±

    She knew her daughter¡¯s rash decision was to force Jasper to hurry up and marry her. The two had

    known one another since they were young.

    If Jasper had even an ounce of affection for her, he wouldn¡¯t just sit by and leave her to destion.

    Even if the marriage didn¡¯t happen, Rosaline still aimed to benefit from the Beckett family. That way,

    she could at least ensure her family¡¯s wealth and influence.

    Javier sighed, looking away.

    Sophia¡¯s news was already in the papers.

    News of Liana¡¯s attempted suicide would only worsen their already troubled situation.

    Javier dreaded the day when shareholders would withdraw as stocks hit rock bottom.

    He couldn¡¯t sit by and wait for Jasper to decide anymore.¡±Don¡¯t you worry. When Liana wakes up, I¡¯ll let

    her know the marriage is confirmed. No matter what, there will be no more changes to her engagement

    with Jasper!¡±

    Only then did Andrew and Rosaline¡¯s expression take on one of ease.

    But Rosaline still had some concerns. Jasper was no longer that powerless, meek bastard of years

    before. He might not submit to Javier¡¯s decisions.

    Just then, heavy footsteps rang out from the other end of the hallway. It was Jasper, his face stark and

    pale in the light.

    ¡°How is Lia?¡±

    Before Javier could answer, Rosaline descended on him like a seagull swooping down on a fry. Her

    hand curled around his cor.

    ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve done, JasperBeckett!When has my daughter ever hurt you? Why did you have to

    push her to her wits¡¯ end? Is this all so that you can fool around with that ex-wife of yours?¡±

    ¡°Calm down, Mrs. Gardner!¡±Xavierhurriedly pulled Rosaline away. They had to stay quiet les t the

    crowd outside decided to start taking pictures or videos.

 Chapter 253

    ¡°Calm down? Calm down?I don¡¯t evenknow if my daughter will survive the night! She has shed tears

    and blood for you, Jasper. She might not even live to see another day! Don¡¯t tell me to calm

    down!¡±Rosaline screamed.

    She continued, ¡°If you didn¡¯t love my Lia, then why did you lie to her? Why did you pro mise you would

    marry her? My Lia is too sweet a girl. When you wanted to kill yourself all those years ago, she rescued

    you! How could you do this to her? Have you no heart?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart ached dully. Those dark memories flooded his chest and mind, making it increasingly

    difficult to breathe. Those memories consumed his thoughts until they were all he could think about.

    ¡­

    Alyssa had been sent to the hospital to

    have her wound bandaged up, thanks to Jameson Schmidt.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She had asked Sean to stay back and look after Tatiana. She was concerned that Tatiana would be

    frightened by the sight of her injury.

    Meanwhile, Tatiana kept ming herself for her sister¡¯s ident, making Sean¡¯s heart clench painfully

    at the sight. He felt like one more blow might just knock the poor girl out for good.

    Thankfully, Alyssa had dodged slightly when facing the attacker¡¯s de, so the cut was only skin-deep.

    When she exited the ER, her arm had been treated with medicine and wrapped in gauze. She even got

    a tetanus shot just to be safe.

    Alyssa tossed aside her dirty, torn sweater, revealing her wine-red silk dress.

    Jameson kept a watchful eye on her. His gaze turned seductive as it lingered on her

    longshes and delicate smile.

    He took his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.¡±Here. It¡¯s cold out.¡±

    ¡°No, thank you.¡±Alyss a quickly removedit, but Jameson snugly wrapped it around her, even buttoning

    the front. 7

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried your sister andassistant will freak out if they see your injury? Keep it on for now.¡±

    Alyss a pursed her lips, no longer trying to take the coat off. This man was too kind and gentle with her,

    always knowing just what to do. She found herself unable to refute his gestures.

    ¡°What were you doing in theneighborhood, sir?¡±

    ¡°I live in the area.¡±That was a lie. Hipany had a development project nearby, but he didn¡¯t reside

    anywhere near the location.

    ¡°Oh? How coincidental.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the strongest woman I¡¯ve met.You didn¡¯t flinch once when the nurses were tending to your

    wound. Even I grimaced a little,¡± Jameson changed the topic, never looking away from her.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be surprised how many women areas tough as I am, sir. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be lucky to meet some of

    them.¡±Alyssa smiled.

    That made Jameson grin.

    ¡°Oh, but I don¡¯t want anyone else. Justyou,¡± Jameson thought to himself.

    ¡°Sir, I appreciate your concern andassistance thus far, but unexpectedly being held by someone I have

    no connection with or knowledge of ¡­

    ¡°I realize it might have been aspontaneous act on your part, but I¡¯m ufortable with getting too

    close to strangers,¡± Alyssa expressed. She distinctly disliked it when Jameson princess carried her.

    ¡°I apologize. I did the first thing that cameto mind when I saw you were hurt.¡±Jameson nodded

    lightly.¡±I¡¯ll be more careful.¡±

    Alyssa hummed in acknowledgment, pleased. He was genuine enough for her to let this go.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, I don¡¯t believe we¡¯veintroduced ourselves. What is your name, sir?¡±

    Jameson opened his mouth, about to answer, when a cold, harsh voice called from behind them.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor.¡±

 Chapter 254

    Alyssa froze in surprise, then slowly turned around.

    Once again, it was him.

    Jasper felt like the ground was sinking as he watched Alyssa stand beside the man from earlier. He

    looked down and noticed her heavily bandaged arm. His heart clenched at that sight. He instinctively

    took a step forth.¡±Your arm-¡±

    Alyssa swiftly stepped back behind Jameson.

    Nervously, Jasper gulped when he locked eyes with the other man.

    ¡°People say the third time¡¯s the charm.However, I usually make sure it ends the second time,¡±Jameson

    said deliberately, adjusting his spectacles. ¡°You¡¯ve taken her away from me once tonight. Do you think

    I¡¯d allow it a second time?¡±

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Jasper asked frostily.

    Having learned his lesson with Alyssa¡¯s brothers, he worried that this might be another one of Winston

    Taylor¡¯s sons. However, Alyss a gazed at the man differently, a look distinct from the one she used with

    her brothers.

    ¡°He¡¯s someone with a closer rtionshipto me than you, someone more important, ¡°Alyssa spoke up

    just then.

    Jameson shot her a pleased grin.

    ¡°I made myself clear earlier outside theclub, Jasper. I don¡¯t understand why you continued to hold on.

    What¡¯s the point of all this?¡±

    Jasper bristled upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s words.¡±Shouldn¡¯t you know better, Alyssa? You got yourself

    drunk with some stranger you¡¯ve never met. I was worried about you.¡±

    Alyssa scowled.¡±Your worry disgusts me.

    Please, Mr. Beckett. I¡¯ve hurled my guts out once. I don¡¯t want a second time.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t be more cruel.

    Jasper opened his mo uth as if to speak, but his heart hurt so intensely that he couldn¡¯t find any words.

    Wave after wave of pain had struck him deep tonight, making it nearly impossible to stand upright. It

    felt as though he was slowly falling apart at the seams.

    Why was it that the longer they were apart from each other, the more he couldn¡¯t let her go?

    Was he actually regretting their divorce?

    Jasper descended into a downward spiral of self-doubt. Had he been wrong from the start?

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!Mr. Beckett, Ms. Gardnerhas ¡­ She¡¯s out of the critical period now! ¡°Just then, Xavier

    yelled, running over tothem.

    Xavier didn¡¯t notice Alyss a was present, but when he did, it was toote. He wished the g round would

    open up and swallow him whole.

    ¡°So Mr. Beckett already has his hands full.¡±Jameson nodded to himself.¡±Why doyou keep on following

    Ms. Alyssa, then?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened as Xavier hastily nced away. Thetter couldn¡¯t help but think that Jameson

    was being too upfront.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa tensed up slightly. She couldn¡¯t figure out how Jameson knew who she was.

    ¡°If you two have divorced, then by right,you should stay out of each other¡¯s lives,¡±Jameson said coldly,

    eyeing Jasper.¡±The first step to being a gentleman is learning proper manners.¡±

    Xavier was upset now. He stormed up to Jameson, saying, ¡°How dare you talk to him like that?¡±

    ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve had your fun,¡±Alyssasaid tenderly, leaning up to the man. She didn¡¯t want him to cause

    a big scene.

    ¡°Okay.¡±Jameson¡¯s cold re instantlyswitched to a warm smile.

    Jasper gazed at the two as they left, the blood in his veins slowly turning to liquid ice.

 Chapter 255

    Alyssa was seeing someone else now.

    Jasper clutched his chest, wondering why the pain was so intense. It felt as if someone had carved a

    hole behind his ribs.

    It was only at this moment that the realization of their divorce struck him like a freight train of bricks.

    ¡­

    When Sean saw Alyss a and Jameson em erge from the elevator in the underground parking lot, he

    hurried over. ¡°Ms. Alyssa! How¡¯s the injury?¡±

    ¡°All taken care of. What about ourattacker?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had someone escort him back home,undercover. He¡¯s currently at our private headquarters.

    There¡¯s no way he can escape,¡± Sean whispered to her.

    ¡°Great!We¡¯re going to have loads of funfor the next few days.¡±Alyssa grinned devilishly.

    Sean nodded.¡±Whenever you¡¯re ready, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Wait for me by the car. I want to talk tothe guy first.¡±Alyss a then turned back to Jameson.

    Jameson gazed steadily at her, leaning against his sleek Bentley like a marble Adonis.

    ¡°You¡¯ve seen my rtionship with Mr.Beckett. It¡¯s moreplicated than I¡¯d like.¡±Alyssa smiled at him,

    her tone tinged with guilt.

    She continued,¡±I had to do what I did, hence the roley. Regardless, I shouldn¡¯t have dragged you

    into my mess. I¡¯m sorry. 11

    ¡°Don¡¯t be. It¡¯s my honor.¡±Jamesongrinned.

    Alyssa felt even guiltier now.

    ¡°You¡¯re wee to do it again if you¡¯dlike,¡± he added.

    ¡°You joke, mister,¡± Alyss aughed.¡±Ipray nothing like this happens next time.¡±

    ¡°Make sure no water gets on your wound.Don¡¯t eat anything too inmmatory. Get some rest as soon

    as you¡¯re home. It¡¯ste. 11

    Jameson couldn¡¯t bear to part with her, but he knew when to stop. He turned and got into his car.

    ¡°Wait!¡±Alyssa eximed, rememberingan important question she needed to pose before Jameson

    drove away.

    The ink-ck window rolled down slowly, revealing Jameson smiling kindly in the backseat.

    ¡°You called me Ms. Alyss a earlier. How doyou know my name? Have you known me from the

    beginning?¡± Alyssa asked

    curiously.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I have never revealed my identitypublicly, and barely anyone knows who I am here in Sna City. So

    how did you know? Have we met before?¡±

    Jameson¡¯s smile deepened for a few seconds. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the next time we meet.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    His secretary and bodyguards then boarded the car before it departed.

    Ten secondster, Alyssa smacked herself in the forehead. ¡°Shit! I forgot to ask for his name!¡±

    ¡­

    Jameson observed the night scene unfolding outside the window as the Bentley glided silently through

    the streets. He gently touched the window, with only Alyssa on his mind at that moment.

    ¡°I never thought we¡¯d meet again like

    this, Alyssa,¡± he murmured.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, I¡¯ve investigated herconnection with Jasper Beckett, and there¡¯s no information

    whatsoever of their marriage! But there¡¯s information indicating that they only divorced a month ago,¡±

    Carl reported, scrolling through his findings on his tablet.¡±Ms. Alyssa is officially single right now!¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. She said I¡¯m moreimportant to her than Jasper is.¡± When Jameson recalled

    Alyssa¡¯s words, his heart fluttered and swelled gloriously.

    ¡°Congrattions, sir! You beat JasperBeckett!¡± Carl said, feeling happy for his boss.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not enough.¡±Jameson tracedthe outline of Alyssa¡¯s face on the window, his eyes filled with

    warmth.¡±I want her to have eyes only for me. Me, and no other.¡±

 Chapter 256

    Alyssa, Sean, and Tatiana arrived at the former¡¯s private vi around four in the morning.

    Having been worried about her sister, Tatiana had forced herself to stay awake. Her tired, bloodshot

    eyes were a somber sight.

    ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself anymore, Taty. I¡¯mreally okay. Don¡¯t you have a ss in the morning? Go and get

    some sleep,¡± Alyssa said, hugging her sister.

    ¡°Am I useless?¡± Tatiana mumbled, tearswelling up in her eyes.

    She continued, You¡¯ve always protected me since I was a kid, yet now that I¡¯m older,I can¡¯t do anything

    to protect you in return¡­¡±

    ¡°Silly girl.¡±Alyssa gently tapped herforehead.¡±Our family is better because of

    you and your mother. We love taking care of you and watching you grow.

    ¡°If you really want to do something forme, then pursue your dreams and never give up. When you

    make it big in the world of celebrities, I n to make you an ambassador for my business. What do you

    think?¡±

    ¡°I will realize my dreams, Alyssa. You cancount on me!¡± Tatiana said, wiping away her tears.

    Later, she cleaned up and went to bed to rest. Alyssa tucked her in and bi d her goodnight before

    exiting the room.

    Sean was already waiting for her in the study.

    ¡°Any findings on why Liana washospitalized?¡±The gentleness in Alyssa¡¯s eyes had swiftly turned to a

    keen, alert stillness.

    ¡°Yes. She attempted suicide by slitting herwrists. She has made it past the critical

    hour,¡± Sean replied, narrowing his eyes before adding,¡±with Jasper Beckett¡¯s supervision.¡±

    ¡°Of course. He¡¯d remain by her side evenif he died and had be a ghost.¡±Alyssa scowled.

    ¡°What do you think about Liana¡¯s actions,Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the funniest joke I¡¯ve heard this year.¡±Alyss a massaged her temples.

    Then, she added, ¡°She hasn¡¯t had a taste of being Mrs. Beckett yet, nor has she killed me. She

    wouldn¡¯t die so soon. Plus, if she genuinely wanted to kill herself, she would have made sure no one

    found her.¡±

    ¡°So you mean to say she¡¯s using this toforce Jasper¡¯s hand?¡± Sean frowned.¡±But why such a risky

    move? Isn¡¯t their wedding date right around the corner? Is it possible that Jasper has changed his mind

    about the marriage?¡±

    Irritation welled up in Alyssa¡¯s chest.¡±

    Who knows? He might already have his eyes on some other woman as we speak. I already fell victim. I

    wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Liana is next.¡±

    Jasper chickening out and betraying his women wasn¡¯t an unexpected urrence anymore.

    ¡°You have a point. I still wish they couldproceed with the marriage. They truly deserve each other.¡±

    Sean wrinkled his nose at that. ¡°That way, they won¡¯t hurt other poor souls!¡±

    He then asked, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, who do you think sent that masked man earlier? I don¡¯t think Sophia

    Kirkman did. Mr. Ss is still interrogating her, so she shouldn¡¯t be able to arrange something like this in

    secret.¡±

    ¡°That man is local.¡±Alyssa¡¯s gazedarkened.¡±He¡¯s trained too. He is most likely a kickboxer from the

    underground rings. He had no particr set of skills, just quick to aim for the kill.

    ¡°Sophia wouldn¡¯t have had the time, andBetty would never get herself involved with someone like that.

    Only Liana would be capable.

    ¡°Ss found out about her history inMosgravia before. She has slept with countless people over the

    years. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she had been with that dimwit meat sack.¡±

    Sean was taken ab ack by how logical Alyssa¡¯s deduction was.

    ¡°As for why he came after me¡ªthere¡¯s nopoint in guessing. We might as well go and ask him.¡±Alyssa

    stood up.¡±By the way, you didn¡¯t say anything to Jonah, right?¡±

    Sean sighed. ¡°No, Ms. Alyssa. I can¡¯t disobey your direct orders.¡±

    ¡°Oh, good then.¡±

    Just then, Alyssa¡¯s phone rang. The caller ID read, ¡°Big Bro.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Alyssa bit her lip, gingerly handing her

    phone to Sean. She could almost hear her brother¡¯s wrath even without answering his call.

    Sean couldn¡¯t avoid answering, so he did.¡±Sir.¡±

    ¡°Pass the phone to Alyssa.¡±

    Beside Sean, Alyssa¡¯s eye twitched nervously.

 Chapter 257

    ¡°Miss ¡­ Ms. Alyssa has gone to bed, Mr.Jonah,¡±Sean muttered.

    ¡°Your balls must be growing bigger whileyou¡¯re away from my side, Sean. Are you seriously lying to me

    on her behalf now?¡±Jonah rarely got angry, but when he did, he was a menacing force.

    Jonah then said, ¡°I¡¯ll repeat myself. Pass the phone to Alyssa. Or else you¡¯ll be removed from your

    station right away!¡±

    Alyssa chewed on her lip, her heart beating fast in her chest as she took the phone and put it up to her

    ear.

    ¡°Jo-Jonah.¡±

    Jonah took a deep breath, as if suppressing some intense emotion.¡±Come outside. We need to talk.¡±

    ¡­

    Alyss a walked out of her house, her heart in her throat as she went up to Jonah¡¯s Aston Martin by the

    road.

    The man remained stoic and still against the car, his gray suit making him seem like some sullen god.

    All Alyssa could think of right now was how terrified she was.

    ¡°Jonah,¡±she murmured.

    ¡°Get in. It¡¯s cold.¡±Jonah took off his coat,put it over Alyssa¡¯s shoulders, then led her into his car.

    Finally, when they were inside, he asked worriedly, ¡°Where did he hurt you?¡±

    ¡°My arm ¡­¡± Alyssa looked down, feelinglike a child who had made a mistake.

    Jonah¡¯s expression hardened as he grasped her arm and slowly pulled up her sleeve. His eyes filled

    with anger when he saw the white gauze wrapped around her limb.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Jonah. It was just a skin wound.It doesn¡¯t hurt much anymore, either.¡±Alyssa reassured him.

    She didn¡¯t want her brother to worry.

    Jonah set her arm down and took her hand. The careful touch made her feel guilty.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jonah. I shouldn¡¯t have keptthis from you. I just think this is something I can handle on my

    own. That¡¯s why¡­ I didn¡¯t want you to worry.¡±

    After a depressive silence, Jonah looked up at her, growling, ¡°I¡¯ll kill him for hurting you.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s breathing hitched. Her brother¡¯s old fe rocity had returned in a split second, even after he¡¯d

    embraced a more spiritual way of life for so long.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    In that moment, Alyssa could see a shadow of his old self again¡ªthe man who had led thousands of

    men in the underground, the one feared and revered

    by all, known as ¡°Judas.¡±

    ¡°You promised, Jonah.¡± Alyssa huggedhim tightly, nuzzling into his rapidly rising chest. You promised

    not to return to that path now that you¡¯re home.

    ¡°That man was just a pawn in a biggergame. So what if you kill him? His employer would still be on the

    loose.

    ¡°We can¡¯t waste this opportunity to catchthe bigger target, Jonah. That¡¯d only make us look like idiots.¡±

    The killing intent in Jonah¡¯s gaze slowly faded away. He sighed, leaned against Alyssa, and then

    handed her a brown envelope from the front passenger¡¯s seat. ¡°Here.¡±

    Alyssa curiously opened the envelope and pulled out the documents within.¡±What ¡­?¡±

    ¡°Sean told me about your attacker firstthing. He¡¯s even more worried than you are. Here¡¯s some

    information I found

    based on what he reported.¡±Jonah narrowed his eyes.¡±He told me everything save that you were hurt.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but curse inwardly at Sean.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be upset at him. I told him not totell you.¡±Sean was working for her now, so she still had to speak

    up for him.

    ¡°If he keeps things from me again, I¡¯msending him back home. You¡¯re not stopping me,¡± Jonah

    asserted.

    Alyssa shivered at her brother¡¯s chilly gaze, then pouted. She wasn¡¯t scared of her father. But her big

    brother was truly terrifying.

    She read through the man¡¯s information, making sure not to miss a single detail.

    ¡°Oh!¡±Alyss a suddenly cried out.¡±It¡¯s him!

 Chapter 258

    The man¡¯s name was Curtis Halloway. The documents included a surgical history stating this man had

    undergone full facial stic surgery before.

    However, Alyssa recognized the man¡¯s face pre-surgery. It was the same man from the information

    packet Ss had given her. Curtis was Liana¡¯s personal trainer and lover during her time in Mosgravia.

    ¡°It¡¯s him! He¡¯s the one who was involvedwith Liana!¡± Alyssa eximed, her excitement evident.

    Jonah cleared his throat ufortably.¡±Be mindful with your words, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°I was right!¡± Alyssa grinned.¡±I knew it!Iknew Liana was the one behind this!¡±

    Jonah¡¯s gaze hardened once again.¡±Looks like I underestimated just how vile that

    bitch can be.¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why this man wouldgo all out and get stic surgery,¡± Alyssa sneered.¡±Why give up

    his looks after going back to kiss Liana¡¯s ass?¡±

    ¡°Read through the rest of the papers,¡±Jonah advised her.

    Alyssa turned to the next page, finding a contractual agreement between Curtis Halloway and a casino.

    ¡°Looks like he owes a casino too. Fivemillion in debt, huh.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s running from a casino, banks, andloan sharks. The surgery is to keep them from catching

    him,¡±Jonah exined.

    Alyssa connected the dots in her mind, immediately understanding what was going on.¡±So he¡¯s broke

    as hell and going back to Liana for money to pay off his debt.

    ¡°Liana is Jasper¡¯s fianc¨¦e now, after all.She¡¯s basically a walking ATM. Now Liana

    is taking advantage of his greed to make him do her dirty work.¡±

    Jonah snarled, his arm hooked protectively around Alyssa.¡±She told him to hurt you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure they haven¡¯t fully finalized theirns yet. If she knew he was going to attack me tonight, she

    would¡¯ve chosen another night to ¡®die.''¡±

    Alyssa turned to her brother with a look of admiration.¡±You¡¯re amazing, Jonah. You¡¯ve managed to

    uncover all this information in me re hours!Even records of his debt. Teach me your ways, Jonah!¡±

    ¡°It was pure coincidence.¡±Jonah smiled,gently caressing his sister¡¯s head.¡±I used to own the casino he

    frequented in Mosgravia. The current owner is part of my team, so it¡¯s no trouble for me to investigate.¡±

    Alyssa gaped at her brother, thinking how cool he was in that moment.

    ¡­

    Javier had silenced all news and potential leaks of Liana¡¯s attempted suicide to the public, swearing not

    to let his family name and business be at the mercy of the media once again.

    Jasper and Javier were alone in the study, the atmosphere as thick as gruel.

    ¡°The only way to end this is to marryLiana ASAP, Jasper!¡± Javier snapped.¡±Weren¡¯t you sure about this

    before? If not a wedding, then at least a brunch or dinner to officialize it. Stop messing around!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to help her out of herdepression.¡±Jasper¡¯s tone was determined.¡±But I won¡¯t marry her.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Javier¡¯s eyes widened likesaucers. ¡°You were the one adamant about marrying her back then,

    even divorcing Alyss a without telling any of us! What the he ll are you going on about now?¡±

    But Jasper only sneered, the sight pricking Javier¡¯s heart like steel needles.

 Chapter 259

    ¡°What are you smiling at? Do you thinkthis is a joke?¡± Javier snapped.

    Jasper replied, ¡°Yes,I do.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve crossed the line, Jasper Beckett!¡±Javier roared, mming his fi st on the table.

    ¡°You want me to marry her so thpany¡¯s reputation can stay intact. I would apud you for the

    quick thinking, really. But if we¡¯re arguing about personalities, then I can only say ¡®like father, like son.1¡±

    His lips curled into a sneer.

    ¡°What ¡­ What are you ¡­¡±Javier tensed upinstantly.

    ¡°Liana used to be the woman of mydreams, yes. But I can no longer convince myself to marry

    her.¡±Jasper looked away. ¡°Still, she saved me. If it weren¡¯t for her, I

    wouldn¡¯t have lived to this day. I will repay her with this. After she recovers, I¡¯ll break up with her.¡±¢Ù

    ¡°You¡­ You want to break up with Liana?¡±Javier cried in disbelief.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Jasper replied without hesitation.

    ¡°Do you think she could handle that news,Jasper? She has serious depression and took her own life

    because of the marriage postponement! Do you have any idea what she might do if you end things with

    her?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ll only bring it up onceshe¡¯s better.¡±Jasper had already decided on this course of action

    days ago.

    Javier slowly sat back down in his chair, his eyes suddenly taking on a skeptical, sarcastic color.

    ¡°You¡¯re breaking up with Liana because ofAlyssa, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped, but he still instinctively answered, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Heh. You¡¯re my flesh and blood, boy. Ican read you like a fucking book!¡± Javier sneered.¡±I saw how

    you looked at her that day after your grandfather¡¯s birthday in front of Winston Taylor. I heard you

    brought her home that night too. You made an idiot out of Liana, Jasper.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    ¡°I have known you since you were a baby,boy. Once you set your mind on something, you never let it

    go or hesitate to take action. And once you let something go, you never return to it. So it¡¯s clear as day

    that you still hold feelings for Alyssa Taylor!¡±

    ¡°Let me repeat myself. My breaking upwith Liana has nothing to do with Alyssa.¡±

    Jasper suddenly stood up, his eyes nearly bloodshot as he red harshly ahead.¡±Liana shouldn¡¯t have

    done all these foolish things regardless.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s only because she loves you! Wouldshe end anger herself if she only cared

    about your money and power? Why else would she keep on holding a grudge against Alyssa? 1

    ¡°Don¡¯t you understand? You two weremarried for three years. It only makes sense that Liana would be

    jealous. Plus, women always behave like this!¡± Javier cried.

    Sophia instantly came to Javier¡¯s mind. Sophia had been like Liana all those years ago, always

    throwing tantrums and making a fuss whenever upset.

    She would curl into his arms whenever she was happy and loved tenderly when she felt like it. It was

    this that Javier had gotten used to, making it so that he never extricated himself from her hold.

    To Javier, this was what love could make a woman do. That was why he assumed Liana only did this

    because she was too in love with Jasper¡ªjust like Sophia was.

    ¡°Alyssa loved me too, once.¡±It felt like

    someone had pressed a fiery hot brand down Jasper¡¯s throat when he said that.

    He added, ¡°She never hurt a single soul, not even herself when we were married. When did love

    be an excuse to hurt, defame, and wreak havoc at other people¡¯s expense?¡±

    He then headed for the door, no longer wanting to continue the conversation with his father.

    ¡°Are you really going to let thepany ¡ª11

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re not the only onewith stakes in thispany. I won¡¯t allow this to ruin our business.¡±

 Chapter 260

    Jasper walked out of the study, his chest so heavy it might shatter under the invisible weight.

    He hade to realize that Alyssa felt like a red-hot burn in his heart. She was something he didn¡¯t

    dare touch or think about, les t he wanted pain to course through his entire being.

    But beyond this, what he didn¡¯t want to think about the most was that Alyssa once loved him.

    Jasper had always been a person of pride. Even in his childhood, when he endured hunger and

    hardships, he never resorted to begging.

    He had even gambled with Alyssa, not for money, but for pride. Now, he couldn¡¯t help but admit that he

    had lost.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett,¡±Xavier came up to him,

    saying, ¡°I have three things to report to you, sir.¡±

    Jasper hummed in acknowledgment, signaling Xavier to proceed.

    ¡°Ms. Liana has awakened from her rest,but her condition isn¡¯t too good. She¡¯s repeatedly asked to see

    you.¡±

    ¡°Next.¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    ¡°Mr. Javier has employed a prominenwyer to defend Sophia Kirkman. She¡¯ll be released tomorrow

    morning. Her cousin, Henry Kirkman, has also taken responsibility for the usations in her name, so

    her record is clean now,¡±Xavier reported with a scowl.

    ¡°What¡¯s thewyer¡¯s name?¡±

    ¡°Lynch. Sim on Lynch.¡±

    Jasper was somewhat surprised that his father would employ such a top-tierwyer for Sophia.

    Xavier stepped closer and added, ¡°What¡¯s

    interesting is that this Lynch guy is Ms. Alyssa¡¯s personal assistant¡¯s elder brother. That PA¡ªSean is

    his name, is the Lynch family¡¯s third son. Isn¡¯t that crazy? 11

    Jasper narrowed his eyes.

    The Lynch family wasn¡¯t as wealthy orrge as their own, but they were still formidable in the political

    and legal spheres.

    The head of their family, Spencer Lynch, was a Supreme Court judge renowned for dispensing true

    justice throughout the nation.

    Spencer had three sons. The eldest, Simon Lynch, had served as a legal consultant for two of the

    nation¡¯s top financial corporations. He had also won countless legal cases both domestically and

    internationally.

    The second son, Steven Lynch, had followed in his father¡¯s footsteps and was

    currently a High Court judge.

    Finally, there was Sean Lynch. Despite appearing unassuming and meek, he was extraordinarily well-

    educated and learned. He held a degree from Sna¡¯s Political Science and Law University and had

    made history as the university¡¯s youngest doctoral graduate.

    During his time on campus, he had been known not only for his intelligence and good looks but also for

    his down-to-earth nature and dedication to his studies.

    Alyss a was indeed surrounded by all sorts of geniuses.

    A bitter taste filled Jasper¡¯s mouth as he remarked, ¡°Sophia¡¯s release was only a matter of time.

    Nevertheless, she won¡¯t be reinstated on the board of directors.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyss a won this one! There¡¯s no waythat old woman can make aeback now. Sir, we¡¯ve truly

    gained a lot from this!¡± Xavier said gleefully, rubbing his

    hands.

    Jasper scowled.¡±Why don¡¯t you work for her if you like her so much?¡±

    Xavier was rendered speechless.

    ¡°I¡¯ve won countless times before, but I¡¯venever seen you so excited. Think carefully about who¡¯s paying

    you right now before you react.¡±

    Xavier remained quiet.

    ¡°Well? What¡¯s the third thing?¡±

    ¡°Oh!I found some information on theman Ms. Alyss a was with the other night. It¡¯s quite astonishing.¡±

    ¡°Who is he?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s Schmidt Group¡¯s president¡¯syoungest son, Jameson Schmidt. He only returned from Kontina a

    couple of days ago, having lived there for the past few years.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart lurched at the mention of

    Jameson Schmidt.

    In the business realm of Sna City, there had been a longstanding saying¡ªNorth to the Becketts,

    South to the Schmidts.

    The Schmidts controlled a significant portion of the projects in Sna City, making them the Becketts¡¯

    natural counterparts.

    While a marked line seemingly separated their territories, the truth was that they had beenpeting

    to gain an advantage over each other for a long time.

 Chapter 261

    Jasper had long heard about KS Group and Schmidt Group¡¯s joint ventures, both in the country and

    overseas. Additionally, the family heads had cultivated a close friendship spanning more than two

    decades.

    Jasper pondered whether this meant that Alyssa had known Jameson since her childhood. He

    contemted whether their close bond had its roots in their shared childhood.

    Xavier sighed, a look of envy and admiration in his eyes.¡±Ms. Alyssa truly is blessed. Her father dotes

    on her so much that he surrounds her with all these elites. Even someone like Sean Lynch is only her

    personal assistant.¡±

    He then eyed his boss, feeling pitiful on his behalf. Jasper¡¯s title as CEO and soon-to-be VP of the

    board of directors seemed

    minute aplishmentspared to the grandiose Alyss a was steeped in.

    Even blind men would be dazzled by her!

    A vein in Jasper¡¯s temple was throbbing. He leaned against the wall, hands slowly curling into fists.

    ¡°First the Lynch family, then the Schmidts ¡­What the hell is this woman up to?¡±

    He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.¡±Get me some Tylenol.¡±

    As the clock struck three in the morning, a dark emerald Rolls Royce pulled up to a rundown cement

    structure located at the terminus of a dirt road.

    KS Group had acquired all the properties in this rural area years ago, anticipating a surge in property

    value with the government¡¯s ns to construct a railway system in the vicinity.

    There was a cer underneath the

    building where no one would hear you if you screamed with all your might. Now that Jonah knew what

    they were up to, he naturally joined them, not wanting his sister to face this alone.

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, Ms. Alyssa,¡±the guardsgreeted.

    ¡°How¡¯s our guy?¡± Alyss a yawned.

    ¡°Still alive.¡± 1

    Alyssa was intrigued by the attacker¡¯s determination to live. She then nodded, pleased, before going

    downstairs with her brother.

    A strong, moldy smell washed over them the moment they arrived downstairs. A rat even dashed

    between Alyssa¡¯s feet. She remained unperturbed, having seen too much during her time as a doctor.

    Curtis Halloway bore a bruised, swollen face while strung up by his feet in the middle of the cer. His

    face had flushed red and purple from how long he had been

    suspended like this.

    The moment he saw Alyssa and Jonah, he curled up like a frightened caterpir, begging, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.

    I shouldn¡¯t have hurt you, miss. Please have mercy. I¡¯ll do anything!¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    Alyss a scoffed. He had appeared so tough earlier, but his demeanor had taken a 360-degree turn in a

    matter of three days.

    Jonah¡¯s expression grew fierce. He was about to take a step closer when Alyssa held him back. ¡°You

    promised to let me handle this alone, Jonah.¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡±Jonah wrinkled his nose, thenstepped back.

    Alyssa approached Curtis with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She then nudged his shoulder

    with her foot. The swaying motion nearly made him puke.

    ¡°Please, Ms. Taylor¡­I didn¡¯t know. Iwouldn¡¯t havee at you if I did. I would never have listened to

    that evil bitch,

    Liana, if I¡¯d known¡­¡±

    Curtis began to cry, tears and snot. running down his swollen face into his hair.¡±Please let me redeem

    myself. I can do anything you ask. You can even report me to the police!¡±

    ¡°I have some questions for you. Answerthem truthfully if you want to live.¡±

    ¡°Of course!Without a doubt!¡±

    Alyss a narrowed her eyes. ¡°You and Liana fucked while you were in Mosgravia. Do you know how

    many children she has given birth to?¡±

 Chapter 262

    Jonah carefully watched his sister as she spoke. Alyssa was an opportunist, always seizing whatever

    chance she got, even if that meant breaking the rules of the game.

    One small opening was all she needed to turn the tide in her favor and strike down her enemies.

    Curtis appeared puzzled for a moment, not expecting that question.

    ¡°It looks like you know the answer.¡±Alyss a sneered.

    ¡°I ¡­I do ¡­¡± Curtis swallowed nervously.His voice shook as he said, ¡°Because ¡­ the child is mine.¡±

    Both Alyssa and Jonah tensed up in surprise. Alyssa flexed her hands excitedly. They had caught a big

    fish!

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jonah snapped,¡±Details. Now.¡±

    ¡°Liana frequented the gym in Mosgravia,where I worked as a personal trainer. She was so sexy, always

    batting her eyes and trying to seduce me. One thing led to the other, and we started sleeping

    together¡­¡±

    Alyssa cocked an eyebrow.¡±Go on.¡±

    ¡°We both know this was purelytransactional, friends with benefits and nothing more. Liana always had

    other men to y around with anyway.

    ¡°Then, one time, both of us smoked somecoke. We got really high afterward and didn¡¯t use any

    protection. She had a n B afterward, but we all know that shit isn¡¯t 100% guaranteed. And that¡¯s how

    she got pregnant.¡±

    Alyssa blinked slowly, pleased with the amount of information they were getting.

    Liana had taken drugs before. Alyssa tingled with excitement upon learning that.

    ¡°Why give birth to the child? With howevil Liana is,I doubt she would have consented to it.¡±

    ¡°She said an abortion would only makeher lose her ability to birth more children. No rich man would

    want her, she said. So she forced herself to birth the child.¡±

    Having always avoided the topic of children, Alyssa winced just the slightest. She quickly readjusted

    her emotions, asking, ¡°Where is the child now?¡±

    ¡°All I know is the child is in an orphanagedown in the South of Mosgravia. She¡¯s about two to three

    years old now. I swear I don¡¯t know anything else!¡±

    Curtis didn¡¯t dare conceal anything from Alyssa. Unfortunately, he never bothered to visit his daughter

    even once, so he could provide no other information.

    ¡°You two are a disgrace to mothers andfathers worldwide,¡±Jonah spat.¡±Did you really just decide to

    remove her from your

    life without even the slightest care? Like she¡¯s some kind of trash?¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like that. I heard Liana¡¯smother has secretly been keeping an eye on her all these years!

    She was the one who took her away from us the moment she was born! That bitch must know where

    my daughter is!¡± Curtis was spineless. He even gave up such vital information.

    Alyss a nced at her brother. Jonah sent her the same look too. The siblings seemed to have thought

    of the same n.

    Just then, the cer door opened, and a guard came with Curtis¡¯ phone. ¡°There¡¯s an iing call, Ms.

    Alyssa.¡±

    Alyss a took the device and eyed the caller ID.¡±Who is Ashley?¡±

    Curtis sniffled loudly.¡±That¡¯s ¡­ That¡¯s Liana.¡±

    ¡°I want you to talk to her when this callgoes through.¡±Alyss a bent down to meet

    Curtis face-to-face.¡±No tricks, no lies, no sudden moves. Pretend like nothing happened.¡±

    Curtis nodded vigorously, like some obedient dog.

    When Alyssa answered the call, Curtis spoke, ¡°Hey, Ashley. What¡¯s up? You miss me, baby?¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡±Liana scowled, then asked in ahushed tone, ¡°You didn¡¯t cause any trouble, did you?I told you

    to wait for my signal.¡±

    Curtis cleared his throat.¡±Of course not. I await your instructions.¡±

    Beside him, a cold sneer appeared on Alyssa¡¯s lips.

 Chapter 263

    It appeared that Curtis had acted impulsively, which exined why he hadnded in his current

    predicament. It seemed like he was in desperate need of money.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but think that Curtis was a real shithead.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything to Alyssa Taylor yet.Wait for my call.¡±Liana¡¯s voice was sickly sweet, oozing with

    glee.¡±Things are looking up right now. I¡¯ve gotten Jasper¡¯s attention on me all over again.

    ¡°He¡¯s been by my side these past few days.Mr. Javier promised the marriage would go on, too. The

    wedding should be any day now.¡±

    At the mention of the wedding, Jonah nced at his sister, worried for her emotions.

    But Alyssa seemed unaffected. In fact, she barely looked bothered.

    Jonah smiled lightly, feeling d.

    ¡°Since you two are going to marry, thenthat five million you promised¡ª¡±

    ¡°Why are you in such a hurry? Geez!¡±Liana scoffed.¡±That¡¯s barely any money. I¡¯ll send you half a million

    first. Then, when Jasper and I marry, I¡¯ll pay you the remainder.¡±

    ¡°Then, should I do anything to that Taylorchick?¡±

    ¡°Her? Teach her a lesson. That will do.¡±Liana¡¯s tone wasced with evil.¡±She¡¯s been a pain in my ass

    for so goddamn long.

    ¡°I want the rest of her life to be spent innothing but sheer pain. If you can¡¯t cripple her, then at least scar

    that bitchy face of hers for life!¡±

    After saying that, Liana ended the call.

    Curtis was now rigid with fear at Liana¡¯s words.

    But Alyssa remained stoic. She wasn¡¯t so easily shaken.¡±Good job. Take a break. We¡¯lle find you if

    we need your help again.¡±

    Just then, her phone rang. It was Sean. She left the cer to take the call.

    The moment she did, the atmosphere fell to freezing point.

    Curtis quivered as Jonah slowly strode up to him.

    Jonah leaned down, and a silver cross fell from his cor, dangling in front of Curtis like a guillotine.

    Curtis whimpered. He was scared witless even though Jonah hadn¡¯t said or done anything.

    ¡°You hurt my sister. You cut her arm open.11

    ¡°I¡¯m ¡­I¡¯m so sorry¡ª¡±

    Jonah shook his head.¡±Merciful Lord, please pardon me of my sins. I only do this for those I love

    deeply.¡±

    The next second, something silver shed across Curtis¡¯ vision, followed by blinding pain.

    Curtis let out an ear-piercing shriek.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Jonah had used his silver cross to slice apart the tendon in his wrist.¢Ù

    ¡­

    Sean was waiting outside the building. His face was pale in the cool night air.

    ¡°Sean? What¡¯s wrong?¡±Alyssa askedworriedly, seeing how unwell he looked.

    Sean¡¯s eyes were reddened with tears. He said shakily, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ms. Alyssa ¡­¡±

 Chapter 264

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Sean?¡± Alyssa asked,feeling worried now. She had never seen Sean so pitiful and

    upset. His eyes were reddened, his lips as pallid as a stray pup rescued from the gutters.

    ¡°Is this about Sophia?¡± Jonah asked,walking over to them. His gaze was kind as he rubbed his hands

    clean with a cotton cloth.

    Alyss a noticed there was redness on it and sighed internally. She still couldn¡¯t stop her brother from

    taking revenge in the end. She cursed silently, pondering when her moment to shine would finally

    arrive.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry ¡­I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Sean cried,nearly sobbing.

    Just as Alyssa was wondering what was going on, her second brother called.

    ¡°Ss?¡±

    ¡°Sophia Kirkman just left my custody,Lyse.¡± His tone was more exasperation than anything else.¡±My

    team tried all we could to gather information and evidence on Sophia¡¯s crimes these past few days, but

    she seemed to have already prepared her defenses.

    ¡°Her cousin is taking responsibility for allcrimes. Javier has also found her thiswyer from the Lynch

    family. I think his name is Simon Lynch. He was good at digging a way out for Sophia, making our

    evidence amount to nothing, so we had no choice but to release her.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ss. You did your best. We¡¯vegotten what we wanted here too. The Verdane Valley project

    is now in hand. All else can be discussed after.¡±

    Alyssa remained unfazed while everyone else around her was eager to get their hands on Sophia. That

    woman wasn¡¯t a major concern, and Alyssa had always believed that good thingse to those

    who wait.

    Javier was still infatuated with Sophia, so it made sense that he was doing all he could to save her.

    There was no point trying to hit two birds with one stone right now when both could easily fly away at

    any moment.

    ¡°Well, Lyse ¡­ Sean called me earlier. Thekid was nearly crying when he did. Talk to him, will you? Let

    him know I don¡¯t me him. This has nothing to do with him anyway.

    ¡°He cares too much about you. The kidwas really worried you¡¯d be upset with him because of his

    brother,¡± Ss said with a sigh.

    ¡°Will do.¡±

    After hanging up the call, Alyss a turned to Sean.¡±You-¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry on behalf of my family,Ms. Alyssa. I¡¯m ready to ept any punishment you deem

    fit,¡±Sean said, his

    eyes filled with self-imposed guilt.

    After hearing that his brother had taken on Sophia¡¯s case, he had gone to Simon¡¯sw firm. Sean had

    argued with Simon then.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t youremember how the Taylor family helped save us from the hands of

    those hooligans after Dad was in office for several years?

    ¡°They came at us with all their might,trying to get revenge. It was Mr. Taylor who gave him a job at his

    company so Dad could continue providing for us! How else could Mom and Dad have given us such a

    nice life? How could you be so sessful today?

    ¡°How could you take on Sophia Kirkmanas your client when you know Ms. Alyssa ns to take her

    down? Have you forgotten where your loyalty lies?¡±

    That was the first time Sean had gotten into such a row with his eldest brother in

    twenty years.

    ¡°Yes, we owe the Taylor family a debt ofgratitude, but that doesn¡¯t mean we have to sell our souls to

    them. We¡¯ve already repaid what we owed by helping Mr. Taylor all these years.

    ¡°Besides,I am a professional solicitor,Sean. To me, everyone is a potential client, nothing more. As long

    as it¡¯s a case where I can contribute and help, I will ept it. What we owe to the Taylor family has

    nothing to do with this case!

    ¡°And as for you, Mom and Dad did all theycould to raise you and give you a proper education, yet here

    you are spending your youth as Alyssa Taylor¡¯spdog!¡±

    Simon¡¯s words had pierced Sean¡¯s heart like bullets. He had devoted so much time to Alyssa. Yet, his

    family¡¯s actions were letting them down. How could he face her now?

    ¡°What are you saying, Sean?¡± Alyssa

    shook her head, smiling.

    She rested her hands on his shoulders and continued,¡±Don¡¯t me yourself. Also, don¡¯t let someone

    like Sophia Kirkmane between our families or affect you this way.

    ¡°There¡¯s no reason for someone asinsignificant as her to strain our rtionship or weigh on your mind

    so heavily.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa ¡­¡± Sean croaked out, startingto tear up.

    ¡°I understand Simon¡¯s impartiality intaking on Sophia¡¯s case.¡± Alyss a nodded.¡±Professionals do what

    they do best, and that is serving those who seek their aid while pushing aside any personal ties and

    emotions.

    ¡°It¡¯s only right for him to ept this casesince he¡¯s being asked to and paid. If my family or I need any

    legal help in the future, I would still seek out your brother,

    wouldn¡¯t I?¡±

    Sean looked down, feeling ashamed. In the end, he nodded lightly.

    After the three got back into the car, Jonah gently cupped his sister¡¯s hand and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your

    next step, Lyse?¡±

 Chapter 265

    ¡°Find Liana¡¯s daughter. I need to set thebait beforehand, though.¡±Alyssa narrowed her eyes slyly.¡±Curtis

    said only Liana¡¯s mother, Rosaline, knows her whereabouts, so we¡¯ll have to let her lead the way for

    us.¡±

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Jonah smiled. What about Liana Gardner? 11

    ¡°Those whom God wishes to destroy, hefirst makes mad.¡± Alyssa sat back, yawning.¡±Isn¡¯t she about to

    marry Jasper Beckett? We can¡¯t make her crash and burn without first letting her sit in the high seat.¡±

    Jonah pursed his lips, suddenly recalling what Curtis had said earlier.¡±Jasper Beckett is a blind, foolish

    man, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less. I¡¯ve regained mysight regardless, so he¡¯d better stay out of my way.¡±

    Alyssa took out her phone, recalling the pictures she had taken of Jameson from days ago.¡±By the way,

    see if you recognize this guy. He saved me from a potentially serious injury when Curtis attacked

    earlier today.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Jonah said, ¡°We¡¯ll have toproperly thank him then.¡±

    ¡°But he has been quite mysterious andsecretive about his identity. Yet, he seems to know who I am!¡±

    Alyssa recalled the handsome young man with his gold-rimmed spectacles.

    Although she was a woman, she possessed a sense of possessiveness usually associated with men.

    Whatever Alyssa intended to know or acquire, she never allowed them to elude her grasp.

    Jonah leaned in closer to look at the picture on her phone. In the next moment, he gasped.

    ¡°Do you really not remember him, Lyse?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±Alyssa cocked her head.¡±Should I?11

    ¡°You two hung out all the time when youwere kids.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±Alyss a frowned, then squinted atthe picture. The man did feel familiar to her, but she couldn¡¯t

    pinpoint where she had seen him or who he was.

    ¡°He¡¯s Uncle Victor¡¯s youngest son,Jameson Schimdt. You used to be really shy, but you still became

    his friend and yed with him when you two were kids. Do you really not remember?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s ¡­ Little Bastard?¡± Alyssa cried outin shock.¡±Hot damn! He¡¯s so tall now!¡±

    ¡­

    The air in Jameson¡¯s private club was thick with the scent of wine, perfume, and sex. Men and women,

    and people of all genders, writhed together, their bodies slick with desire.

    Only Jameson remained stoic and still in the midst of the room, like a lo ne and proud statuette among

    the masses. No women dared to try their luck with him, knowing how strict and cruel he could be.

    No one wanted to lose a limb or vanish without a word from the city.

    ¡°I can¡¯t attend that dinner on the yach t intwo days, Mr. Jameson.¡±A heavily drunk young man came

    over to his side. That young man was the son of an international conglomerate¡¯s CEO.

    He continued, ¡°My father wants me to go on a blind date¡­ Burp ¡­ Fuck him! When did youst see

    someone like me marry at such a young age? Maybe only Jasper Beckett, though ¡­¡±

    Jameson sipped his wine. ¡°Just don¡¯t go.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± the man whined, tugging his tieloose. ¡°My date¡¯s some fucking¡­ daughter of the most

    powerful family in Belbanks. I think her name is Alice or

    something ¡­¡±

    Jameson stiffened slightly as a n formed in his mind. ¡°I have an idea.¡±

    ¡°Do tell!¡±

    Jameson finished his drink, a smile appearing on his lips. ¡°You¡¯ll go to the yach t dinner, and I¡¯ll sit in for

    your blind date.¡±

 Chapter 266

    After nearly a week spent in the Investigative Bureau, Sophia finally walked out, heaving her tired body

    like a lump of sand. Without her makeup and skincare routine, she seemed to have aged an additional

    decade. Even her hair had more gray strands than before.

    She avoided the crowd of reporters and decided not to go home first. Javier would probably pass out at

    the sight of her. So Betty apanied her to a beauty parlor, where she could wash up, pluck away

    her gray hairs, and put on some makeup before going back.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go see Liana first.¡± Sophia pluckedaway the hair around her lips as she spoke. ¡°I have to check

    up on her. She¡¯s my niece, after all. That way, your Dad¡¯s image of me will maintain.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t have her carefully crafted

    persona of twenty-five years crash just like that.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe she pulled such a trick,Mom!¡±Betty cried. She hated Liana. Yet, she couldn¡¯t help but

    feel upset by the memory of that bloody bathtub.¡±Whether or not Jasper takes the bait, she still could

    have killed herself if no one found her in time!¡±

    ¡°Of course someone would have found herin time.¡± Sophia rolled her eyes.

    Betty blinked, confused. Then, a look of understanding appeared on her face.¡±Does that mean ¡­ Did

    you know?¡±

    Sophia pressed a finger to her lips. She had been the mastermin d behind Liana¡¯s decision to cut

    herself so Jasper would marry her. It was this very trick she had used all those years ago that made

    Javier finally marry her. Without her schemes, she wouldn¡¯t have made it to where she was today.

    Plus, Liana did help Jasper when he was depressed. Reliving his nightmare of yonder days would

    surely remind him of how much Liana had helped him. It was a high-risk investment, for sure!

    ¡°Liana might not be the best choice, but Istill can¡¯t let Jasper have any chance of going back to that

    whore, Alyssa Taylor!¡±Sophia couldn¡¯t help but snarl at the thought of her after all these days spent

    suffering in the Bureau. ¡°I swear I will make her life a living hell if it¡¯s thest thing I do!¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡±Betty yelled.¡±Sna City is stillour territory no matter what! We¡¯ll get our revenge for sure!¡±

    ¡­

    When Sophia arrived at Liana¡¯s ward, she took a second to put on a sad, motherly mask before going

    inside. She immediately burst into tears.¡±Lia! Oh, my poor girl. Why did you do this to yourself?

    Oh¡­¡±

    Sophia approached Liana, embracing her and projecting a saintly image in front of both sides of the

    family.¡±Why must the women in our family suffer so?I can¡¯t live with this!¡±

    ¡°Aunt Sophia, don¡¯t ¡­¡± Liana yedalong with her as well.

    Rosaline joined the charade too. The whole atmosphere resembled that of a funeral.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    Jasper remained unperturbed. Liana saw this from the corner of her eye. She grew worried.

    He used toe to her ai d the first instant she cried. But that warmth and care was no longer there.

    All the love and affection meant for her was slowly slipping away. And it was all because of that bitch,

    Alyssa Taylor!

    The three Gardner women clung onto each other, sobbing their eyes out.

    Javier¡¯s gaze was hard and unmoving as he said,¡±Sophia, Jasper,e outside with me.¡±

    ¡­

    A few minutester.

    ¡°Oh, Javier!¡±

 Chapter 267

    Sophia¡¯s face was lined with tears as she gazed sadly and lovingly at Javier.¡±I thought I¡¯d never see

    you again. I¡¯ve suffered so much, Javier. I was so scared¡­ 11

    Javier did not feel an ounce of pity for her right now. He had undergone too much these past few days

    to spend energy making her feel better.

    Just then, the news channel came on the television. It was news of KS Group¡¯s CEO, Jonah Taylor,

    signing the Verdane Valley project joint venture with Onder Hodgson and hispany. The two

    exchanged contracts, then shook hands as the reporters frantically took pictures of this historical

    moment.

    Jasper stared at the screen, hand slowly tightening around his ss. Javier¡¯s face was darkening at

    the same time.

    Their milk was spilled, and it was all because of Alyssa Taylor!

    Sophia¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and then she quickly grabbed Javier¡¯s arm.¡±Ms. Alyssa is too cruel to

    us! How have we offended her? She not only stole ourpany¡¯s project, but she even tried to send

    me to jail!

    ¡°How can someone be so vindictive?When have we ever mistreated her during her three years in our

    family? Even I treated her with utmost courtesy!¡±

    Jasper did not like what Sophia was insinuating one bit.¡±By that, you mean making her cook every meal

    for you?¡±

    Sophia gritted her teeth. ¡°None of us made her do it. Alyss a did that of her own volition!¡±

    ¡°Sophia,¡± Javier finally spoke up.¡±There¡¯s something I need to tell you.¡±

    Sophia turned to her husband as he

    continued,¡±I¡¯ve instructed everyone on the board. From now on, Jasper is the Vice President of the

    board of directors.¡±

    ¡°What? Javier, what are you saying? Why¡­¡± Sophia paled instantly.

    But Javier stayed silent.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes, knowing his father wouldn¡¯t continue, given his affection for her. He felt

    differently, however.

    ¡°You know exactly why, Sophia.Appointing someone in upper management who¡¯s under suspicion for

    offenses like criminal br each of trust, bribery, and abuse of power as the Vice President would only

    tarnish our reputation in the corporate world.¡±

    ¡°I was framed. Alyssa Taylor framed me!She used my cousin¡¯s crimes against me!¡±Sophia cried,

    standing up from her seat. She was quivering with anger by now.

    She continued, ¡°Henry was the one

    behind those heinous deeds. He¡¯s already taken responsibility for them, so my name is clear now! Why

    can¡¯t I be VP?¡±

    Jasper sneered, ignoring her entirely as he left the lounge.

    ¡°Bastard, bastard, you fucking bastard!¡±Sophia yelled furiously in her mind.

    She turned and held Javier¡¯s arm. Crying, she said, ¡°I¡¯m innocent, Javier!I was framed! You promised

    me that position. You promised me ¡­ How could you go back on your word?¡±

    ¡°I may be the president of thepany¡¯sboard, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can single-handedly decide

    everything. Thepany is listed, and we have shareholders and other members of the board who

    have a say in this.

    ¡°How could you expect me to appoint youas VP?¡± Javier took a deep breath, then removed his arm

    from Sophia¡¯s grip.¡±Besides ¡­ Are you really as innocent as

    you say?¡±

    ¡°You¡­ You don¡¯t believe me? Javier, I¡¯myour wife!We¡¯ve been married for 25 years. You know me!

    How could you believe in those vile rumors?¡±Sophia cried, using a tearful tone to hide the fear that was

    slowly swallowing her whole.

    Javier frowned, staring at her solemnly for several second s before leaving the room.

    Sophia was left gaping in shock, her entire being rigid as if struck by lightning.

    That look from Javier meant that it was all over for her. Her golden goose had fled its cage.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 268

    Rosaline sat beside Liana, consoling her.¡±Your uncle spent a lot of money to hi re Mr. Simon to save

    your aunt from the Bureau. Clearly, he cares deeply for her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure now that your aunt is able tohelp, you¡¯ll definitely be able to marry Jasper! Hasn¡¯t he been

    coming over frequently? I¡¯m confident your rtionship has grown even closer!¡±

    She was grinning like a fox who had eaten the canary, feeling that her position as an inw to the

    Beckett family was now 100 % secure.

    Rosaline added, ¡°You know what Jasper¡¯s temp er is like. He would never havee if he didn¡¯t like

    you anymore.¡±

    ¡°I guess so ¡­ I just¡­ don¡¯t feel good aboutall this,¡± Liana said as she recalled the look Jasper had

    given her earlier today.¡±Yes, he¡¯s been by my side all these days,

    but it feels like he¡¯s changed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. Don¡¯t go overthinkingnow.¡±

    Just then, the door opened. It was Jasper.

    Liana swiftly put up her frail, meek mask. ¡°Jas-Jasper ¡­¡±

    Jasper went up to her side, his expression t. Just when she thought he was close enough to touch,

    he stopped in his tracks. Liana¡¯s hand hung awkwardly in the air, her cheeks slowly flushing with

    embarrassment.

    ¡°I need to head back to the office to finishsome work. I¡¯lle see you tonight.¡±Although Jasper¡¯s tone

    was gentle, his expression was still unreadable.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry ¡­Jasper ¡­¡± Liana teared up.¡±It¡¯s all my fault¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think about that anymore. Rest.¡±

    With that said, Jasper turned and left.

    Liana pinched and fidgeted with her nket, words stuck in her throat, unable toe out.

    Jasper no longer doted on and pampered her as he used to. He wasn¡¯t the boy next door she was

    obsessed with anymore.

    Sometimes, the way he looked at her made her anxious.

    So, Liana shot her mother a look, and thetter quickly went out after Jasper.

    ¡°Mr. J-Mr. Jasper.¡±

    Jasper stopped, then turned around slowly. ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ you¡¯ve seen Liana¡¯s condition.She¡¯s more herself when you¡¯re around, but when you¡¯re not ¡­

    her depression gets the better of her.¡±

    Rosaline sighed before continuing, ¡°Lia¡¯s suffered so much overseas, waiting for her return to your

    side. If you give up on her now ¡­ my daughter, my baby ¡­ She¡¯ll be

    devastated!¡±

    The woman even dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure Liana recovers. I owe hermy life, after all.¡±

    Jasper said nothing else and left straight away.

    Rosaline watched as he slowly disappeared from view, feeling a sullen anxiety creeping up in her

    chest.

    ¡­

    Alyssa spent the next few days arranging board meetings to n the perfect wedding proposal for Ada

    Kingsley.

    Alyssa was in the midst of discussing ideas with her project team when Winston called her.

    ¡°Yes, Winston? I¡¯m busy right now!¡±Alyssa said, the phone tucked between her shoulder and ear as

    she flipped through some documents.

    The team members gaped at what they were hearing. The me re mention of¡±Winston¡±had them

    wondering if it was truly their elusive boss, Winston Taylor, on the line.

    Instantly, they fell into a worried silence, realizing that this was a man they would never meet, not even

    in their wildest dreams.

    ¡°The day hase.¡±Winston¡¯s voice wassolemn. 1

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°The day hase! Go on that blind date!¡±Winston roared from the other end ofthe phone.

    Alyss a wrinkled her nose and put the phone away. Unfortunately, this allowed everyone to hear what

    the old man had just said. Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

    Was a woman as beautiful as their boss,

    Alyssa Taylor, finding it hard to find suitors?

 Chapter 269

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t understand Winston¡¯s persistence. She wondered why she couldn¡¯t have a say in the

    matter.

    ¡°I¡¯m in a meeting, Winston. We can chit-chat in private, not here,¡± she grunted lowly.

    ¡°Chit-chat? Your marriage is no me re chit-chat!¡±Winston snorted.¡±If you want tobe KS Group¡¯s

    CEO, then you have to attend this!¡±

    Alyssa cursed silently at Winston. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Jasper had put him up to this.

    ¡°Alright, fine! But not today. I¡¯m in ameeting now!¡±Alyssa sighed. She was taking things slow now, never

    taking more than she could chew.

    ¡°Hmph. Alright. You can¡¯t refuse forever.¡±

    Alyssa scowled, thinking to herself, ¡°Try

    harder, old man!¡±

    The rest of the meeting went by awkwardly, with the team members fearful of upsetting Alyss a and

    getting into trouble.

    Afterward, Alyssa returned to her office andy back on her sofa, resembling a robot that had run out of

    battery-utterly motionless.

    Sean came into the room with coffee, asking, ¡°Is something wrong with the project, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°That heartless old man,¡± Alyssined, gazing up at the ceiling. ¡°I helped him spearhead this

    hotel to sess and even got thepany the Verdane Valley project.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine if he doesn¡¯t thank me, but he¡¯sstill trying to screw me over with blind dating? Maybe I should

    have be a secret agent like Axel!¡±

    ¡°I know you care about him the most, Ms.

    Alyssa. You know Mr. Winston is getting older. He will have to pass the mantle on soon. You¡¯ll surely

    stick around to care for your family, this business, and him, of course.¡±Sean beamed at her, sitting

    down beside her.

    Then, he continued, ¡°Plus, you¡¯re still needed in KS Group. We have countless rivals, both hidden and

    visible.

    ¡°And sometimes, there¡¯s conflict withinthepany itself. I¡¯ve watched Mr. Winston take everything on,

    and honestly, he can be under immense pressure at times. But I know he¡¯s only doing his best in his

    position as President and to support this family.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡±Alyssa sighed. She then kickedher heels off.

    Sean swallowed lightly, then ced her feet in hisp before covering them up with a throw. He then

    started massaging them.

    Besides his mother, Alyss a was the only other woman he¡¯d done this for.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I want to take over and letJonah step away from this once and for all. I know I have what it

    takes.¡±

    Not only did she have what it takes, but she was also very persistent and adamant about seeding.

    If it weren¡¯t for her wasting her time with Jasper, she could have propelled KS Group to even greater

    sess than it currently enjoys.

    She silently cursed at Jasper.

    ¡°Maybe it will be good to go on this date,Ms. Alyssa. You could make a new friend. It¡¯s not like Mr.

    Winston wants you to marry your date. He¡¯s just very concerned about you,¡±Sean said, though he

    couldn¡¯t help but feel envious.

    Yet he had long epted how non-existent his chance with Alyss a was. She

    was an unreachable blossom above the highest mountain peaks, not meant for someone as minuscule

    as himself.

    ¡°You have a point. It¡¯s just a blind date. Itcan¡¯t be worse than war!¡± Alyssa grinned, wriggling her feet

    underneath the throw. Sean shivered slightly, keeping out of her way.¡±I have just the n.¡±

    ¡°What is it, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    Alyssa stood up straight, walking barefoot to her desk.

    Not wanting her feet to get cold, Sean ran over with her heels and quickly knelt by her feet. ¡°Please put

    these on, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    Alyssa let him help her put the heels on, then leaned against her desk to start writing some of her ns

    down. A list soon came into existence.

    ¡°Here, pre pare everything ording tothis list.¡±She handed it to Sean, who took it with a confused

    look. When he read through the paper, heughed.

    ¡°You¡¯re having too much fun, Ms. Alyssa.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 Chapter 270

    As a result of Winston¡¯s grave concern and meddling, Alyssa¡¯s blind dating schedule had been

    expedited.

    She was putting on makeup in the bathroom while listening to Sean reading her schedule on the iPad

    from the outside.

    ¡°Lunch at 11:30 am with Mr. Manning ofHutton Group; tea break at 1:30 pm with the eldest son of

    Sandhurst Inc.¡¯s Mr. Copp; attend a privately booked musical at 3:30 pm with the second son of

    Zoleva Corp¡¯s Mr. Cruz¡­¡±

    She was taken ab ack upon hearing that because that meant one blind date every two hours. Her

    schedule was more hectic than the president of a nation!

    Soon, she emerged from the bathroom after her makeup session. Sean burst intoughter upon seeing

    her.¡±Ms. Alyssa, you went pretty hard.¡±

    She wore a huge curly wig and drew some freckles on her face. A patch of ck stuff was underneath

    her nose, like a mustache. She rested an arm against the doorframe and made a gesture of picking her

    nose.

    ¡°Is this ¡®going hard¡¯? I was thinking ofdrawing some scars on my face.¡±She grinned to reveal the dark

    paint on her front teeth. Waving at Sean, she joked,¡±Sir,e on in! I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have a fun night ¡­¡±

    As her head secretary, Sean always carried himself in a professional manner. However, he lost it and

    doubled over withughter. Alyssa was indeed the most cheeky of them all.

    Feeling naughty, she took a self ie and sent it to the group chat with her brothers, which caused quite a

    huge stir.

    Jonah wrote,¡±Um, who is this?¡±

    Alyssa replied, ¡°Darling, try guessing?¡±

    Axel texted,¡±ROFL!Lyse, you¡¯re awesome! ¡±

    Ss cursed, ¡°Fuck!You scared me witless!I was so close to peein g myself!¡±

    Liam chimed in, ¡°You could have picked a better character to cosy. Why would you be Weird barbie

    when you could be a stereotypical Barbie, right?¡±

    Axel suggested, ¡°How about cosying Bonnie? I can be your Clyde! XOXO¡±

    Axel followed up with a GIF image of two hugging bears. To that, Ss replied with a kicking GIF image.

    The two brothers, who didn¡¯t have the chance to meet up, were embroiled in a merry online battle.

    Alyssa asked,¡±So, I need the opinion of you straight guys. What¡¯s my blind dating sess rate in this

    costume?¡±

    Ss answered,¡±o.00!¡±

    Jonah was a little more polite.¡±Beauty is only skin deep. Those who know you will

    be attracted to your inner charm.¡±

    Lia m opined, ¡°I¡¯m not good with faces. I think pretty girls look the same, but an interesting personality

    is one of a kind. Those bastards will fall for your personality and talent.¡±

    Axel wrote,¡±Lyse, you know I¡¯m more into legs than face.¡±

    He sent a shrugging emoji followed by the text, saying, ¡°Ss, I expected better of a civil servant. How

    could you judge a book by its cover?¡±

    Ss fired back, ¡°Fuck you. That¡¯s not for you to say.¡±

    Alyssa scrolled through the conversation history and cackled. Ss was an honest man who always

    ended up being the brunt of the joke. She texted, ¡°Wish me good luck. On my way to meet the first

    unlucky dude.¡±

    Jonah replied, ¡°May the Lord bless you and the man you are meeting.¡±

    Ssmented,¡±Lyse, with that wig on your head, you should consider dating any guy who falls for

    you. It¡¯s 80% true love.

    ¡°It shows that he¡¯s just like us¡ªjudgingby inner beauty!¡±

    Alyssa chuckled and wrote, ¡°Haha, whoever falls for me today will receive a free medical card from

    Taylor Hospital. He needs a checkup for a or cataracts! 11

    At the same time, Sean¡¯s phone was buzzing like crazy. He stole a look when Alyssa wasn¡¯t noticing

    and saw texts from her four brothers. The content was more or less the same.

    ¡°Keep an eye on Lyse. Call us if anythinggoes wrong.¡±

    He replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will protect Ms. Alyssa from any danger.¡±

    They replied, ¡°We are more worried about the guys she¡¯s meeting, not her!¡±

    Sean smirked at the texts and thought,¡±That¡¯s siblings for you.¡±

    ¡­

    The miserable blind dating started. Alyssa was an efficient woman who decided to get it over with as

    soon as possible since there was no way out of it.

    To her shock, the scions she met with did not flinch at her horrible appearance. Instead, they

    spinelessly tolerated her presence and chatted away calmly.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 271

    Alyss a had to wonder if her suitors truly fell for her charm underneath her hideous appearance or if

    they were too eager to marry the daughter of Winston Taylor. Even she would bar f at her own face.

    How did they remain calm in front of her?

    Power was indeed a great motivator, prompting her suitors to turn a blind eye to her looks.

    Thankfully, she had n B ready.

    During her lunch with the first suitor, she suggested showing off her talent by reading his fortune

    through palmistry.

    She informed the man that he had the health of a seventy-year-old despite being only thirty, causing his

    face to fall as he stormed out of the venue.

    During her tea break with the second suitor, she kept staring at the space

    behind the man until he felt a shiver down his spine.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, what are you staring at?¡±

    ¡°Dn, there¡¯s a kid standing behind you.He¡¯s looking at you. Are you sure you don¡¯t want him to join

    us?¡±Her voice took a creepy turn. He looks ¡­ pretty ¡­ pitiful ¡­¡±

    Dn Copp fled the scene before the end of the date.

    It was Felton Cruz¡¯s turn next. Alyssa did not talk to him much during the musical. They were at peace

    with each other for a while.

    After sitting through the musical, she was invited to dinner by Felton.¡±Ms. Taylor, I had a great time with

    you. Would you join me for dinner?¡±

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯d love to.¡± She smiled andgrabbed her canvas bag.

    Felton hadn¡¯t paid much attention to her

    bag at the start. He noticed a line on her canvas bag when he did a double take. It read,¡±Belbanks

    Psychiatric Residential Treatment.¡±

    ¡°Felton, what are you doing standingthere?¡± She blinked at him innocently.

    Ashen-faced, he stumbled backward and stammered, ¡°Uh,I ¡­ I suddenly remember I have something

    to attend to. Let¡¯s do another day!¡±

    Alyssa and Sean arrived at their final venue of the day. It was a nice and quiet caf¨¦. The scent of tea

    leaves wafted in the air and calmed their nerves.

    The environment reminded her of Heightsnew Vi. It seemed that the fourth sui tor had identally

    found a ce to her taste. Therefore, she decided to go easy on him.

    Alyssa had spent a day fooling around with the scions on her blind dates while

    Sean watched on with fright.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you might have forced theminto giving up on you, but what if they spread gossip about you

    later?¡± Sean looked concerned.¡±Gossip always spreads like wildfire. I¡¯m worried that it might affect your

    reputation in Sna City.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s even better. I would like the menout there to think of me as a mentally ill woman.¡± She calmly

    added more freckles to her face with an eyeliner pencil. ¡°That will ruin Winston¡¯s n to force me into

    blind dating. He¡¯s too old to fight against me.¡±

    Sean was speechless at her thought process.

    ¡°To be honest, Sean, it would be nice torun into a soulmate at this time in my life. ¡°She put away her

    makeup andmented,¡±That way, I won¡¯t have to rush from ablind date to another.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Sean felt a rush of

    emotions and looked at her with deep eyes. He shared the same wish, except that his soulmate was

    her.

    ¡°Winston is a sly old fellow. Even if Isurvived this, he might make another wicked move against me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still Mr. Winston¡¯s favorite. Whenyou were away, he often said that you resembled him the most

    in terms of personality,¡± Sean revealed with a smile.

    Alyss a chuckled.¡±He was taking a jab at me. Couldn¡¯t you tell?¡±

    Sean was entertained by her words. His phone buzzed, and he quickly took a look.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, thest sui tor of the day hasarrived.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Sean left for an adjacent room to make space for the two.

    During the wait, Alyssa rested her cheek on her palm, looking bored. She stared out

    of the window and closed her eyes to enjoy the tranqui l environment, the scent of the flowers, and the

    birdsong.

    At that moment, she heard the door opening with a creak, followed by steady and heavy footsteps from

    leather shoes.

    When the man was near her, she picked up a crisp andyered scent from him. It was like a night

    breeze that swayed her heart.

    The scent was a mix of violet leaf and soft flowers. It was a rarebination for men.

    Alyssa might be allergic to smoke, but she was exceptionally sensitive toward fragrances and spices.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She opened her eyes a little andy her eyes on his face. Soon, she gaped and stared at him.

    ¡°Sorry for making you wait, Ms. Taylor.¡±

 Chapter 272

    ¡°Why are you ¡­ here?¡± Alyssa was caughtby surprise. She looked adorable and innocent with the

    freckles on her face and a head of messy hair.

    Jameson Schmidt had a smile in his eyes as he pressed his lips together.¡±Can¡¯t I be your suitor?¡±

    Her lips formed a taut line as she struggled to answer his question. He resolved the awkwardness with

    a gentle smile that made his question sound like a harmless joke.

    ¡°May I take a seat?¡± asked Jamesongentlemanly.

    ¡°Please do,¡± she replied graciously.

    Jameson did not look much different from their first encounter. He looked refined and suave, dressed in

    a striped emerald couture suit and wearing a pair of gold-

    rimmed sses.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, you are rocking a ratheradorable and unique style today.¡± He squinted.¡±You don¡¯t have to

    act in front of me, though. Just be yourself.¡±

    She coughed in awkwardness.¡±I don¡¯t recall having you as my date. Why are you here?¡±

    ¡°Because I know that you must havewanted to meet me again. I feel the same too.¡± He took off his

    sses and smiled.

    ¡°What a suggestive remark!¡± Alyssathought.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not a bad idea. I have beencurious about you since ourst meeting. I do wish to meet you

    again.¡±She cast a sh arp gl ance at him.¡±Jameson Schmidt.¡±

    His eyes wavered a little, and the hands on his knees trembled out of joy. He whispered,¡±Lyse, it¡¯s been

    a while.¡±

    Taken aback, she politely replied, ¡°Yes,

    it¡¯s been a while.¡±

    They had gotten along well in their childhood, but those memories were from decades ago. Jameson

    felt like a stranger to Alyssa when they met again.

    She vaguely remembered him as a short, skinny boy with good looks and smooth skin when he was

    younger. Due to his feminine looks and reserved personality, other kids mocked and ostracized him.

    In contrast, Alyss a had been the popr kid in school. She was nicknamed ¡°Big Boss¡±.

    When she saw Jameson bullied, she helped him out right away by beating up three boys who were all

    taller than her. From then on, no one dared to bully Jameson because she took him under her wing.

    That was all she could recall from her childhood. Little did she know that Jameson, through the ups and

    downs in hister life, had never forgotten the ray

    of hope she cast into his dark life.

    She was not just a first love¡ªthe term failed to describe her importance to him. She was like the sun,

    igniting the world anew with such brilliance.

    ¡°So, you recognized me when I bumpedinto you drunk at the karaoke that night. Right?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±He smiled.

    ¡°Did you save me from danger becauseyou were following me, not because you happened to be

    there?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a yes too.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± She frowned.¡±Why didn¡¯t you tellme who you were when you recognized me?¡±

    ¡°I was waiting.¡±He took a deep breathand croaked,¡±I was waiting for you to recall me.¡±

    Ridden with guilt, she felt as though she had disappointed him.¡±Were you the one

    who chose this caf¨¦ for the blind date?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I thought you might like it becauseit feels like Heightsnew Vi here.¡± There was a spark in his

    eyes.¡±Do you still recall? We loved ying hide-and-seek in the garden of Heightsnew Vi. You¡¯d hide

    in the manma de cave every time.¡±

    Hide-and-seek was their favorite childhood game. He could always guess her location every time he

    closed his eyes. Still, he always pretended to search high and low for her and deliberately avoided

    looking in the ca ve to satisfy her desire to win.

    He enjoyed losing, but only to her.

    ¡°Wow, you still remember the details.¡±She scratched her head, feeling sheepish.

 Chapter 273

    Jameson smiled and sipped his tea with poise and grace, like a noble gentleman from a regency novel.

    He chatted with Alyss a for a bit.

    From their conversation, she learned that he had been caring for his mother in Kontina. Due to

    Alzheimer¡¯s, Lily Schmidt was unable to take care of herself anymore. Despite multiple opportunities to

    return to Sna City, Jameson chose to stay in Kontina and build his career there.

    Alyss a recalled that Jameson came from a ratherplicated family. There were four Schmidt siblings

    in total, with Jameson being the youngest. His two brothers and a sister were the offspring of the first

    wife, while Jameson was born to the second wife of the Schmidt Family.

    She knew little about Lily, who was once a close family friend. She even paid a visit to

    the Schmidts¡¯manor, but Lily left no impression on her at all.

    ¡°So, why did youe home this year?¡±asked Alyssa.

    ¡°I¡¯ming back to where I belong. Afterall, I¡¯m the son of the Schmidt family. I want to take what I am

    entitled to.¡±He lowered his gaze and toyed with the teacup.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    She nodded in understanding. An offspring of a wealthy family who was not in the center of power

    would be chewed up and spat out. A harmonious family like the Taylors was a rarity.

    ¡°We have some time until dinner. Whatshould we do?¡±

    His question caught her off guard.¡±Huh?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll bring you to see some roses in thesunset.¡±He leaned toward her with an earnest gaze.¡±I have a

    private rose garden that is open to the public for today. Let¡¯s enjoy some roses.¡±

    Roses? Her eyes sparkled when she thought of her favorite flower. She had a rose garden in the

    backyard of Heightsnew Vi as well. Mandy and the others took turns caring for the garden when she

    was not around.

    Without thinking, she agreed to it.¡±Sure! Let¡¯s go!¡±

    ¡­

    Alyssa took Jameson¡¯s Bentley to his private rose garden. It would be an unnecessary fuss to meet

    each other at the destination, given that they were old family friends.

    The Bentley cruised down the street. Sean tailed the car as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.

    After seeing Jasper Beckett off, he had to rise to a new challenge¡ªJameson Schmidt, who appeared

    more strategic than Jasper.

    Last time, Jameson had stalked Alyssa to her neighborhood. Now, he made good use of his

    connections to swap out Alyssa¡¯s original date just to meet with her. He seemed well-prepared and

    calctive.

    Breathing heavily, Sean stared squarely at the back of the Bentley. He would never allow Alyssa to be

    hurt by another man after her history with Jasper. He vowed to give his best to protect her.

    Meanwhile, Jameson and Alyss a were having a good time in the Bentley. She took off her guise and

    revealed her bare face because she did not bring any makeup. Her long, dark hair was pinned up. She

    was not overly fussy about her image as the daughter of the Taylor family.

    Jameson stole nces at her from the corner of his eye. Like a petal at dawn, she was perfection,

    carrying herself in a dignified and graceful manner.

    Struggling to collect himself, he asked,¡±

    Did you remember what you called me when we met that night?¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±Taken by surprise, she blinked.¡±I¡­don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°You called me a little bastard.¡±

    He always had a way to render her speechless or embarrass her.

    ¡°My dad liked to call me a little bastardwhen he scolded me. You would poke fun at me by mimicking

    him sometimes.¡±

    ¡°Uh, kids don¡¯t know better. I apologizefor my vulgar behavior in the past.¡± Her cheeks blushed in

    shame.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You can still call me that.¡± Heshed her a forgiving smile.

    ¡°I¡¯d have to be dumb or thick-skinned todo so,¡±she grumbled in a hushed voice, attempting to wave it

    away.

    She continued, ¡°I¡¯ll go with Jameson. We¡¯re not kids anymore. You are an established businessman

    now. I need to

    show you some respect.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to her. His voice was crystal clear and velvety.¡±Whatever

    makes you happy.¡±

 Chapter 274

    If Jameson did not bring Alyss a to his private rose garden, she would have never thought such a ce

    existed to the south of Sna City.

    The garden belonged to him, not the Schmidt Group. Hundreds of acres of Damask Rose bloomed on

    the grounds. The blooming pink roses attracted Alyssa¡¯s attention under the brilliant sunset.

    A few couples were strolling and taking photos in the garden. At the same time, some influencers were

    live-streaming their visits to the rose garden.

    The picturesque view provided a respite to Alyssa from her work stress.

    Jameson and Alyssa, the good-looking pair, became the center of attraction at the rose garden.

    Anyone would agree that they were a match made in heaven.

    Alyssa bent over and gently wrapped her fingers around a stalk of rose, as though she was caressing

    the face of a lover. Her button nose wiggled as she took in the scent with a mesmerized look.

    The look in Jameson¡¯s eyes deepened. His lips curled into a smile. You¡¯re just like your name. A lovely,

    noble flower.¡±

    She widened her eyes at his praise before graciously replying, ¡°I know I¡¯m pretty. Still, thanks for the

    compliment.¡±

    ¡°If I call you Lyse, would you call meJimmy, just like when we were young?¡±He took a step close r to

    her, burning in anticipation.

    She felt awkward and dodged his gaze. He seemed to feel the same toward her, but she had long put

    their past behind her. He was just a stranger to her when they reunited yearster.

    After some thinking, she replied mildly,¡±I¡¯ll do that when we are better acquainted.

    ¡±

    ¡°I believe we will, just like how close wewere as kids. I¡¯m waiting for you,¡± he remarked firmly, eyes full

    of eagerness.

    2

    Feeling weirded out, she changed the topic of conversation with a serious face.¡±

    Jameson, what¡¯s the annual total output of your rose garden? And what are the costs? Have you

    signed any agreements with a partnerpany?¡±

    ¡°Are you discussing a coboration withme?¡± He pushed his sses and chuckled.

    ¡°Yes. I have been thinking about it.¡±Themo ment she stepped foot in the rose garden, all she saw were

    golden business opportunities.

    Upon her return to the KS Group, Alyssa had been aiming for a share of the female consumer market

    by developing makeup and skincare products.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    However, she did not have time for her business idea as she had to work on

    expanding KS World¡¯s business per Winston¡¯s wish.

    She was invigorated and inspired by the sight of Jameson¡¯s rose garden once more.

    ¡°The Damask Rose, also knownscientifically as Rosa Damascena, symbolizes the iconic legend of

    Aphrodite and Adonis in Greek mythology. It is the symbol of love and beauty, the epitome of romance.¡±

    Her eyes shimmered excitedly as she rattled off her extensive knowledge of roses.¡±The Damask rose

    essential oil is very valuable. It is effective for physical and spiritual uses. Importing Damask roses is

    costly, but we rarelye across domestic ntations that pro duce the rose.

    ¡°As you have the resources, I would like toform a strategic partnership with you. You will supply the

    roses, and I will add value to the end product.

    ¡°If you work with me, this rose gardenwill not only be a scenic spot but a legacy brand popr among

    thedies across the country. Of course, the profits will be immeasurable as well.¡±

    He gazed deeply at her. His handsome features were softened by a smile. Truth be told, he did not

    listen to a word about the business partnership. Many businesses had reached out to him for his rose

    garden, but he refused to consider any partnerships.

    He built a garden of roses with the sole aim of attracting Alyssa, like Gatsby¡¯s parties.

    She mistook his emotional pause as his hesitation. She coolly added, ¡°I know it was a sudden

    suggestion. Since this will be a big project, you should take your time to think about it. I¡¯m not in a

    rush.¡±

    ¡­

    Standing in the sunset by the entrance of

    the rose garden, Sean stared at the flowers all around him with mixed feelings.

    He knew that the Schmidts and the Taylors were close friends. To Winston Taylor, Victor Schmidt,

    Jameson¡¯s dad, was his brother from another mother. Jameson clearly harbored the intention to pursue

    Alyssa.

    Alyssa had always kept males at arm¡¯s length. A good example would be her brutal revenge against

    Jasper.

    To Sean¡¯s dismay, she did not seem opposed to a date with Jameson. Not only that, she was willing to

    extend the date.

    This could have stemmed from the fact that Jameson had saved her the other day. Still, Sean was

    bothered by Alyssa¡¯s rare eptance of Jameson.

 Chapter 275

    Sean pondered about the possibility of it being something else. He had a shback of Alyssa¡¯s wish to

    find a soulmate. He felt a squeeze in his heart as he heaved a long sigh.

    Right then, he spotted three ck luxury cars driving in his direction. His eyes hardened when he saw

    the number te of the Maybach leading the entourage.

    They were from the Beckett Group. It was Jasper¡¯s car!

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    When the cars came to a stop, Xavier emerged from the front passenger seat and opened the car door

    at the back for Jasper.

    Jasper extended his long legs and stepped out in his spotless handcrafted leather shoes. He sternly

    buttoned his sleeve as he made his way out.

    ¡°Fuck! What bad luck to run into him!¡±Sean silently cursed when he saw Jasper¡¯s handsome face.

    A few secondster, a pale hand appeared from the Maybach. ¡°Jasper, can you give me a hand?¡±

    After some deliberation, Jasper reached out for Liana with a frown. She hurriedly held onto his firm

    hand, worried that he might change his mind at any time.

    A faint smile appeared on her lips. She was secretly ted. Despite Jasper¡¯s indifference, she was

    confident in winning back his affection.

    Sean watched on with disgust as the heartless bastard approached the rose garden, hand-in-hand with

    that Gardner bitch.

    He did not even bother to curse at them. It was an unlucky day indeed, he repeatedly told himself.

    ¡°Jasper,I tagged along because I wantedto see the flowers. Am I burdensome?¡±Tears shimmering in

    Liana¡¯s eyes, like someone had wronged her. However, she kept a tight grip on Jasper¡¯s hand.¡±Should I

    ¡­ go home instead? I¡¯m worried I might be a burden ¡­¡±

    Jasper visited the rose garden for site inspection, not for flower viewing. The site was thergest

    Damask rose garden in Sna City and in the entire state.

    Through this visit, he wanted to inspect the quality of the roses and the soil. For this reason, he invited

    two botanologists to the site inspection.

    If the experts concluded that the roses were up to standard, Jasper would enter a discussion with the

    owner of the garden to source the ingredients for a new female skincare brand under the Beckett

    Group.

    Somehow, Liana got wind of his nned visit and requested to tag along.

    Considering that Liana was suffering from severe depression and recently attempted to take her life, he

    had no choice but to agree.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine with it.¡±He said tly withstony eyes.¡±The doctor did say that connecting with nature will help

    your recovery.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, thank you for still caring aboutme,¡± she tearily thanked him and rested her head on his

    shoulder. He frowne d as his body was ovee by a strong aversion to her.

    ¡°Look, Mr. Beckett! Isn¡¯t that Ms. Taylor¡¯ssecretary?¡± Behind Jasper, Xavier gasped with widened eyes.

    Jasper looked up and was shocked. A thrill exploded in his chest. His heart was palpitating.

    Knowing that Sean never left Alyssa¡¯s side, the sighting meant that she must be in the garden at that

    moment. Was she

    there to view the roses as well?

    Soon, he clenched his jaw and shook his head. No, that would not exin herpetitive nature.

    He thought, ¡°She must be here to seize my business opportunity!¡±

 Chapter 276

    Sean and Jasper tensed up in confrontation.

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Beckett. I wonder if I should callthis a pleasant coincidence or bad luck,¡±Sean was smiling but

    harsh with his words.

    ¡°Is Alyssa Taylor in there?¡±Jasperquestioned with a scowl. Liana¡¯s heart was racing, and she went

    numb at the mention of Alyssa¡¯s name.

    ¡°Why? Can¡¯t she be here?¡±Sean smirkedand retorted,¡±It¡¯s not like you booked the entire garden to

    yourself.¡±

    ¡°Tsk, Mr. Beckett did nothing except ask aquestion! What¡¯s with your attitude?¡±Xavier chided Sean.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    ¡°Really? It¡¯s pretty shameless of you tomake that im. You¡¯re giving me second-hand

    embarrassment,¡± Sean mocked him

    with a frown.

    ¡°You _¡±

    ¡°Enough, Xavier,¡±Jasper stopped Xavier.Then, he questioned tly,¡±What¡¯s Alyssa doing here?¡±

    Sean¡¯s cold gaze swept past Liana, who was clinging to Jasper. With an arched brow, he

    snickered.¡±She¡¯s here for the same reason as you are!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s f rown deepened after learning that. Alyss a had indeed developed an interest in the rose

    garden. Too bad he would never let her have it!

    ¡­

    At the same time, Alyssa had ventured deeper into the bushes, holding the hem of her skirt. She

    looked like a dainty fairy underneath the colors of the sunset.

    She squatted in the mud without much fuss and pinched the soil with her hands. She carefully

    observed the stems and

    petals, even taking photos with her phone and making detailed notes.

    The other youngdies at the rose garden were there for the view and the photo-taking. Only Alyss a

    appeared to be on her treasure hunt.

    Contrary to her appearance, Alyssa was far from being a romantic. Instead, she was a st out believer in

    pragmatism and capitalism. The only thing on her mind was making money.

    An ambitious woman was charming in her way.

    Jameson stood with his arms on his back and waited patiently outside the bushes. He had a doting

    smile on his face as he mumbled, ¡°Lyse, you haven¡¯t changed at all. That¡¯s lovely.¡±

    Right then, he was distracted by a call from Carl. He picked up the call with a steeled

    expression.¡±What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, Jasper Beckett is here,¡±

    Carl whispered,¡±The staff from the Beckett Group reached out to me about the partnership, but I did not

    give them a definitive answer per your orders.

    ¡°I never thought they¡¯d act fast and showup with experts for a site inspection. I think they are dead set

    on the coboration.¡±

    Jameson stared keenly at Alyssa, who was busy with her tasks in the bushes. He asked in a hushed

    voice, ¡°Who else is here apart from the Beckett Group personnel?¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett¡¯s rumored fianc¨¦e is here.They must be really in love if he¡¯s willing to bring her on a

    business visit.¡±Carl sounded sarcastic.

    Head in the rose shrubs, Alyssa was clueless about the situation.

    Jamesonmented secretly, ¡°Lyse, is he the man you loved? You changed yourst name and married

    down just to stay by his side for three years. What a fool you are.¡±

    Anger welled up in his chest. He asked,¡±Have you made the preparations I asked of you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Schmidt!¡± Carl responded.

    ¡°Bring it over. Get someone to lead theBeckett Group guys here.¡±Jameson nudged his sses with

    shing eyes.

    After squatting for a while, Alyssa felt the soreness in her waist. She slowly rose from the bushes,

    wiping away her sweat with light panting.

 Chapter 277

    Alyssa had always been like that. She would bepletely focused on an object of her interest and fall

    into a world of her own.

    Suddenly, it urred to her that Jameson was waiting for her. She quickly spun around to find him

    patiently standing on the side, this time with a straw basket in his hand filled with pink roses that carried

    an understated beauty.

    The breathtaking char m of the flowers reminded her of a quote from Wiwa Szymborska, which said,

    ¡°Only a rose blooms as a rose, no one else.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Taylor,¡±Jameson addressed herwhile approaching with the flower basket.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t step in here! Be careful not todirty your clothes!¡± she hurriedly stopped him when she noticed

    his sparkly clean outfit. However, he made his way through

    the thorny shrubs in an attempt to get to her.

    She pursed her lips in embarrassment.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, this is for you.¡± His eyeswere as soft as the sunset colors when he handed her the basket.

    ¡°Thank you, but I can¡¯t ept your gift,¡±she turned him down with a smile.

    The basket might be a small gift, but she thought it would be inappropriate to ept roses from him,

    which appeared more like a symbol of courtship.

    Her rejection was expected. He reframed his act with a smile.¡±A beauty like you is worthy of the roses.

    More importantly, I wanted to give you a basket of roses for your research because you seemed

    interested in them.

    ¡°The rosese with soil. You can ntthem in your garden and keep them blooming year-round with

    proper care.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa had no reason to turn down his rose basket. After some deliberation, she

    caved in and took it from him.¡±Well, thank you, then.¡±

    Suddenly, he frowned and bent toward her. She blinked in surprise, holding her breath as his face

    loomed before her.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is there something on myface?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± He nodded in seriousness.

    ¡°Where?¡± She wiped her face inconfusion, leaving a soil mark on her cheek like a dirty kitten.

    With a doting look, Jameson took out a white handkerchief and wiped away the stains on her cheek

    and forehead. It took her a while to react to his swift move, and she frantically said, ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You look clean now.¡±Gazingdeep into her eyes, he quickly withdrew his hand. He had a knack

    foring to a

    stop at the exact moment she started feeling uneasy at their intimacy.

    He was flirting. The idea popped up in her mind, but she shrugged it off very soon. Perhaps Jameson

    was merely being attentive because of his mild temperament and the fact that she was a childhood

    friend.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    They heard a flurry of footsteps in their direction. Alyssa raised her gaze and was instantly stunned. 1

    Jasper was standing stiffly a few steps away from her. He was not agitated nor furious, even though

    something was simmering in his eyes. It felt like the calm before the storm.

    Apparently, Jasper had observed the interaction between Alyssa and Jameson. He clenched his fists,

    white-knuckled.

    He watched helplessly as Alyssa beamed at Jameson and epted the rose basket. He also

    witnessed Jameson gently wiping

    away the dirt on her cheek.

    The two were close to each other, like a match made in heaven.

    Jasper felt the musicles in his back stiffening as he gritted his teeth. His mind was buzzing and in pain

    from the shock.

    He realized that Alyss a wasn¡¯t here to fight for his project. She was here to view the sea of roses with

    her new lover.

    Deep down, he¡¯d rather Alyssa show up as a business rival to seize his partnership opportunity and

    inflict torture on him.

    He¡¯d willingly give her anything she wanted rather than watch her showering another man with all her

    affection that was once reserved for him.

 Chapter 278

    Jasper, looking grim, was experiencing an emotional rollercoaster at the moment.

    Alyssa did not share the same sentiment. She merely felt unlucky to have run into him.

    Bumping into Jasper in the lovely rose garden was akin to stepping on dog shit¡ªa mood killer. She

    secretly grumbled, thinking that she might need to start reading her fortune of the day before leaving

    her house.

    Liana, clinging tightly to Jasper, was an eyesore to Alyssa.

    Jameson leaned closer to Alyssa and chuckled into her ear.¡±Don¡¯t panic. I¡¯m here for you.¡±

    Feeling ticklish, she thought, ¡°What¡¯s there to panic about? I¡¯ll take things as theye.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, what a coincidence!¡± Lianawas no longer the belligerent youngdy from before. She

    asked softly,¡±Is this gentleman your boyfriend? You make a perfect couple.¡±

    Alyssa had a deadpan look in her eyes. She obviously wanted to ignore Liana.

    However, Jameson replied, ¡°Thank you for yourpliment. Though, I¡¯m not her boyfriend yet.¡±

    Alyss a had not caught the meaning behind his words. Jasper tightened his fists, looking frosty.

    Jameson was implying that he would be Alyssa¡¯s boyfriend one day. Was it an act of provocation

    or merely a statement of his increasingly intimate rtionship with Alyssa?

    Liana observed the f row n on Jasper¡¯s face and sensed the stiff muscles on his arm. She knew that he

    still had a ce in his heart for Alyssa.

    Still, she was relieved to learn that Alyssa had a new boyfriend. Between Jasper and Alyssa, one of

    them had to be the first to let go of their three years of marriage.

    Liana was in awe of Alyssa¡¯s poprity. She was curious about Jameson and his background, given

    how handsome and well-mannered he was.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, are you here to enjoy theflowers with your fianc¨¦e?¡± A smile crept onto Jameson¡¯s

    lips.¡±Better hurry up. The rose garden is closing soon.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not as romantic as the two of you.¡±Jasper looked into his eyes with rivalry and deliberately ignored

    Alyssa. ¡°Xavier, call the owner of the rose garden. I need to talk business.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±Xavier quickly dialed a number. Toeveryone¡¯s surprise, they heard a ringing phone. The sound

    seemed to be approaching them.

    ¡°That¡¯s weird. Is he nearby?¡±Xavier

    scratched his head and scanned his surroundings in confusion. The ringing phone seemed to grow

    louder.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    Jasper was stunned at the sight of the man walking up to Jameson with a ringing phone.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, there¡¯s a call for you.¡±Carlpolitely handed the phone to Jameson while shooting a

    disdainful gl ance at Jasper.

    Jameson chuckled faintly and swiped his finger across the screen to end the call.

    At the same time, Xavier watched the call disconnect. He gaped at the scene with the phone in his

    hand. Simrly, Jasper was in disbelief. His face paled.

    ¡°I am the owner of the rose garden you¡¯relooking for. Regretfully, I have a business partner now. You

    might have to return with empty hands.¡±Jameson turned to Alyssa.¡±Ms. Taylor, I ept your

    partnership proposal.¡±

    Alyssa nced at Jameson, who was holding out a right hand. He added, ¡°Let¡¯s work well together.¡±

    She casually gianced at Jasper¡¯s crumbling expression and his bloodshot eyes.

    It was an exhrating mo ment to witness Jasper¡¯s defeat. However, she felt as if she was bullying him

    after winning the battle with little to no effort.

    Anyway, she decided to brush off her guilt and celebrate the moment. Dimples appeared on her cheeks

    as she smilingly shook Jameson¡¯s hand. ¡°Mr. Schmidt, I look forward to working with you.¡±

 Chapter 279

    Jasper¡¯s entourage stared at each other in shock, especially Xavier, who looked like he was struck by

    lightning.

    Noticing Jasper¡¯s grim expression, Liana tried to be thoughtful and quicklyforted him. Jasper, don¡¯t

    worry. It¡¯s just a rose garden. You can still reach out to the many rose gardens across the country.¡±

    Jasper removed his arm from her grip while she was talking. The impact of his movement caused her

    to stumble backward in an embarrassing moment.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mr. Schmidt.¡±Alyssa didn¡¯tbother to take another look at Jasper and Liana. She beamed

    gently at Jameson instead.

    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ve made a reservation at therestaurant. We can leave at any time now.¡±

    Jasper felt suffocated when Alyssa and Jameson exchanged smiles. His brows knitted in anger as he

    stepped forward to stand in Jameson¡¯s way.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, let¡¯s talk in private.¡± Jasperdid not falter even after he had lost the deal.

    ¡°If this is about the rose garden project, Ihave nothing more to discuss with you.¡±Jameson was unwilling

    to waste more time on Jasper.

    ¡°What if this is for something else?¡±Jasper cast an enigmatic gaze on Alyssa.

    ¡­

    Jameson brought Jasper to a pavilio n in the rose garden. They sat across each other. They might be

    surrounded by roses, but the air was tense and frigid.

    ¡°Please keep it short. I have a date withMs. Taylor.¡±Jameson checked his wristwatch impatiently.

    ¡°A date? I thought you were talkingbusiness with her.¡±Jasper refused to back down in front of another

    man when it was about Alyssa.¡±You might be the only one who saw it as a date. I knew my wife of

    three years better than you.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡±Jameson shrugged andmocked, ¡°Three years of sham marriage. Why are you confident

    that you know her better than I do?¡±

    Jasper clenched his fists as his eyes clouded with hostility.¡±Did you look into me?¡±

    Jameson shook his head with a smile.¡±Everything I do is out of my interest in Lyse. It has nothing to do

    with you.

    ¡°She did not snatch your rose gardenpartnership from you. In fact, I was waiting for her all along. I

    won¡¯t give up my rose garden to anyone except for Lyse.

    ¡°I know your secretary contacted my menin private. I didn¡¯t have a chance to tell

    you in person that I have never wanted to work with the Beckett Group.¡±

    Jameson kept dropping Alyssa¡¯s nickname to show off their intimate rtionship.

    Jasper drew a breath with fury in his eyes. ¡°Jameson Schmidt, I know a few thingsabout you even if

    you haven¡¯t been back for long. Those who don¡¯t know you, like Alyssa, might be deceived by your

    fa?ade, but I won¡¯t. I am aware of the stuff you did in Kontina.¡±

    Jameson Schmidt was a notoriously cruel character in Kontina. He was the epitome of wealth and

    desire to everyone. His romantic and gentlemanly act in front of Alyss a showed how calctive he

    could be.

    Jasper shouldn¡¯t have concerned himself with Alyssa¡¯s matters after the divorce, but he was enraged

    and fearful at her growing rtionship with Jameson.

    The smile froze on Jameson¡¯s face. Hezily nudged his sses but did not refute

    Jasper¡¯s usation.

    ¡°You always have women swarmingaround you. But you shouldn¡¯t to y around with Alyssa. She¡¯s not

    your ything when you feel like messing around. You¡¯d be foolish to think you¡¯ll win her over with a

    few bouquets of roses.¡± Jasper¡¯s good-looking features frosted up.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    A few secondster, Jameson chortled.¡±That¡¯s odd. You seem to care about her and reluctant to let her

    go. So, why did you divorce her and marry someone else?¡±

    It was a point I need question that shook Jasper at his core. A jolt of electricity coursed through his body.

    ¡°I know I am a character. I might be evil,but at least I have true feelings for Lyse and loyal to her. It¡¯s

    better than marrying Lyse and hurting her by longing for another woman like you did.

    ¡°Anyone could use me of my behavior,just not you.¡±Jameson grew increasingly

    harsh in his reply.¡±I don¡¯t care if you feel remorseful or not. You are divorced.

    Whoever she dates and falls in love with is none of your business.¡±

    Jameson made his way out of the pavilion but came to a halt. He turned to face Jasper, who was now

    as stiff as a statue.¡±I have been nning this for years. Your three years of marriage is nothing

    compared to my wait.¡±

    Sitting alone in the pavilion, Jasper paled and trembled when he reyed Jameson¡¯s words.

 Chapter 280

    As the visitors gradually exited the rose garden, only Alyss a and Liana were left behind in the endless

    sea of roses.

    In the fading light, Alyssa¡¯s bare face looked as luminous as the moon, to the envy of Liana. Putting

    aside their grudges, Liana had to admit that Alyssa was an extraordinary beauty.

    Alyssa¡¯s beauty evoked fear and resentment in Liana. After all, Alyssa had spent three years under the

    same roof with Jasper, despite their rtionship being a sham marriage.

    She bit the bullet and went up to Alyssa while flicking her straight hair. She no longer looked like the

    frail woman when she was around Jasper. She shed Alyssa a victorious grin.

    ¡°You found a new love r pretty fast. Quiteskillful, aren¡¯t you? You should have done

    that sooner. No matter how much you bother Jasper, he will not take another look at you.¡±

    Alyssa stared at Liana, as though she was staring at a madwoman.¡±Why would I want his attention like

    a peacock?¡±

    Liana choked and silently cursed at Alyssa. She showed her trump card next. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you some good

    news since we ran into each other. I¡¯m getting engaged with Jasper at my birthday party.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? Congrattions, but I don¡¯thave any gift for you,¡± Alyssa replied mindlessly.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Liana was enraged at Alyssa¡¯s indifference, which she perceived as an affront.¡±You can deny it as

    much as you want, but I¡¯m sure you are secretly pissed off. You can¡¯t do anything about it. I will be

    Jasper¡¯s spouse, and you will be a joke in Sna City.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Liana Gardner. Every time we meet,

    you are either screaming about winning over Jasper or showing off your rtionship. Is that your life?

    Do you have nothing to show except for a divorce e as your boyfriend?¡± Alyssa sighed in boredom. She

    lost some brain cells every time she spoke to Liana.

    Even so, it was hard not to p back at an arrogant and ignorant bitch like Liana.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Liana glowered atAlyssa.

    ¡°I understand the urge to show offbecause you¡¯re marrying up, but you should at least talk to the right

    person. He might be a treasure in your eyes, but he¡¯s just trash to me. It¡¯s all meaningless, don¡¯t you

    think?¡±

    Trash?

    Liana¡¯s face was flushed when she retorted, ¡°This is pure sour grapes!The meaner you are, the more

    you care about my engagement with Jasper! You call him

    trash only because you¡¯re upset! Who wouldn¡¯t be if they were abandoned by their lovers after wasting

    three years of their lives!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes frosted up. Her dagger-like gaze gave Liana the chills.

    ¡°You have to learn when to stop. Youshouldn¡¯t cross a line just because I¡¯ve backed down. My kindness

    is not a green light for running your mouth. This is myst warning¡ªdo not take advantage of my

    courtesy, or you¡¯ll suffer, Ashley.¡±

    The mention of ¡°Ashley¡± was akin to dropping a bomb on Liana. She was ashen-faced and badly

    shaken. Feeling the blood rushing through her veins, she held her breath and stumbled backward.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡± Alyssa grinnedwhen she saw Liana¡¯s pale face.¡±Wasn¡¯t Ashley your name

    when you were studying in Mosgravia? I¡¯ve nevere across anyone like you who jumps at the

    mention of their name.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who is Ashley. This is myfirst time hearing the name. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re on

    about,¡±Liana fervently denied any association with the name as her breathing became shallow.

    Ashley was an easy woman and a gold-digger, the exact opposite of Liana¡¯s prim and proper persona

    she crafted for Jasper.

    Alyss a narrowed her eyes. With a dangerous gleam, she inched closer to Liana with her arms behind

    her back. She bent over and shed a hostile and knowing smile at Liana.

 Chapter 281

    Alyssa stated,¡±You could get stic surgery or change your name, but you¡¯ll never cover up your past

    no matter how hard you try.

    ¡°The clues will show up if we look closer. Ichoose to keep my silence, not because I am nice. I couldn¡¯t

    be bothered because it¡¯s none of my business, that¡¯s all.

    ¡°If you try me again, don¡¯t me me forairing your dirtyundry.¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    Liana felt her heart tighten. She was sickened by Alyssa¡¯s threat, as though she was sucked dry.

    ¡­

    Alyssa and Jameson were gone when Jasper emerged from the rose garden. After the conversation

    with Jameson, Jasper stood alone like a statue in the chilly breeze for a while.

    The night had fallen. Jasper arranged for Liana to be driven back to the hospital while he returned to

    Seaview Manor with Xavier.

    During the trip, Xavier sweated profusely and apologized furiously to Jasper with a reddened face.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯m so sorry! Punish me inany way you want! It¡¯s all my fault for not doing my research

    and failing to recognize Mr. Schmidt from ourmunications! It¡¯s all on me ¡­¡±

    Xavier started choking back tears. Jasper stirred from his shut-eye and opened his eyes. He ridiculed,

    ¡°How old are you now? Why did you cry over nothing?¡±

    ¡°This is a big deal ¡­¡±

    ¡°Jameson Schmidt and his people havenot been in the country for decades. It¡¯s not unusual to get

    nothing on them.¡±

    Jasper closed his eyes again and breathed

    deeply.¡±Even if you looked into the Schmidts, nothing would change. He would not work with us. So,

    call up a couple of simr rose gardens in the nation. We¡¯ll find a supplier somehow.¡±

    ¡°Got it!I will get to it tomorrow!¡±Xavierrubbed his eyes and let out a long sigh.¡±Mr. Schmidt is pretty

    generous to Ms. Taylor. He handed the massive project to her without much discussion.

    ¡°Any businessman in their right mindwould have carefully considered a few proposals before making

    the decision.¡±

    Jasper was st ung by Xavier¡¯s remark. He asked in despair, ¡°Xavier, was I a bad husband to Alyssa?

    Did I fail?¡± ¢Ú

    Xavier was speechless. He might be an honest man, but he was not dumb. He was presented with a

    new challenge fresh after the heels of his blunder on the Schmidts. He felt burdened and anxious.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Tell me the truth. I won¡¯t hold it

    against you.¡± Jasper read his mind.

    ¡°Um, Mr. Beckett. You treated ma dam ¡­fairly well. You provided her with an expensive lifestyle. You

    even showered her with luxury cars and ck cards withoutints.¡±

    ¡°Alyss a and I had a sham marriagebecause of Grandpa¡¯s wish. I gave her anything I could afford.¡±

    Jasper pinched his nose bridge with a troubled expression.

    ¡°Technically, Ms. Taylor did not lose out ifher n was to take her fair share from the contract marriage

    and leave when the three years were up.¡±

    Xavier suddenly put on a straight face and continued, Sadly, she was truly in love with you. She was

    attentive to you during the three years. She neverined about your cold shoulder and the

    bullying from your family.

    ¡°You were indeed cruel to a woman whosaw you as her husband. The money you

    threw at Ms. Taylor was more likely a stinging humiliation for a woman who loved you with all her

    heart.¡±

    Upon hearing the phrase ¡°a stinging humiliation,¡±Jasper swallowed hard. His chest became heavy with

    emotions.

    He tried to take a breath and soothe the feeling. But he was almost crushed by the weight of it at the

    thought of Alyssa¡¯s genuine love for him.

 Chapter 282

    Jameson arranged a molecr gastronomy dinner for Alyssa, the perfect meal for someone who loved

    a surprise.

    The air-flown bluefin tuna was fresh and sulent. The fish and chip amuse-bouche served was crispy

    on the outside and tender on the inside.

    Additionally, the ckfish was extremely fresh and melted in her mouth. In conclusion, every single

    dish that night was amazing.

    After enjoying the good meal, she ordered some alcohol. Drinking helped to liven the air.

    Jameson and Alyssa, both knowledgeable, conversed about a wide range of subjects, including

    literature, music, and video games. He was able to chat about any topic.

    What surprised her the most was that they

    yed the same asymmetrical multiyer game. Both of them loved ying the role of killer.

    Alyssa chatted animatedly on the topic of games. Her face was flushed as she gestured wildly in

    growing excitement.

    He merely offered simple replies with a doting smile, allowing her to babble on.

    After he wined and dined her, they exited the restaurant. Although it was a pleasant dinner, he did not

    mention the business partnership as he casually chatted with her.

    She felt a little embarrassed for being carried away. She decided to bring it up before bidding farewell.

    Jameson seemed to have read her thoughts and said, ¡°Ms. Taylor, send me the proposal about the

    rose garden partnership anytime when it¡¯s ready. We¡¯ll walk through the SOP and sign the deal

    officially.¡±

    ¡°Jameson.¡±After a pause, she said tly,¡±I assume you chose me over the Beckett Group because you

    wanted to hit back at Jasper Beckett on my behalf.¡±

    He smiled softly at her, neither admitting nor denying her im.

    ¡°Running a business is no child¡¯s y. Weneed to put profits and self-interest before everything. I hope

    you take this deal seriously. You shouldn¡¯t pick your business partner based on personal feelings.

    ¡°I might have had bad blood with Jasper,but I will not bully him for no good reason. Since he¡¯s

    interested in striking a deal on the rose garden, I think you should consider both proposals and pick the

    winning side fairly.¡±

    Alyssa had been thinking hard since leaving the rose garden. After some consideration, she decided

    that it was inappropriate for her to seal the deal with

    Jameson.

    All would be fair and square if the Beckett Group lost out to her because of its shorings. However,

    she felt uneasy winning the deal from her personal connection with Jameson. She felt as though she

    was taking advantage of men to achieve her goals.

    Jameson looked into her eyes and nodded. ¡°Makes sense. I¡¯d still pick you even if heshows me his

    proposal, though.¡±

    She was dumbfounded at his response. Her long-winded persuasion from before did not seem to have

    made any difference.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, I understand what you¡¯regetting at.¡± Smiling, he opined softly,¡±However, everyone has a

    signature working style. I personally prefer to work with people I¡¯m familiar with. I would not pick Jasper

    Beckett because I¡¯m not close to him.

    ¡°But we have known each other for a long

    time. Meeting up with you felt just like yesterday. That¡¯s why I picked you.¡±

    Blinking, she turned away from him awkwardly. There was nothing wrong with his words, but somehow,

    it embarrassed her like a heartfelt romantic confession.

    ¡°Fine. Since you have faith in me, I willnot disappoint you. I¡¯ll turn in the proposal a littlete because I¡¯ll

    be busy with the hotel business. I ask for your understanding.¡± Alyss a put behind her concerns and

    treated Jameson respectfully as a business partner.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll wait, no matterhow much time it takes.¡± He opened the car door for her. ¡°It¡¯s chilly

    at night. Get home soon.¡±

    She waved him goodbye and entered the car. He bent over, head tilted, staring at her through the

    window.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor.¡±

    ¡°Anything else?¡± She blinked.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about the privateconversation between me and Mr. Beckett at the rose garden?¡±

    He had been waiting for Alyssa to bring up the question throughout the dinner, but she did not ask him

    anything up to that point. He admired her patience.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested.¡±She chuckled in aneasygoing and open manner. Her dimples were

    showing.¡±There¡¯s nothing between him and me anymore. Anything he said is none of my business.

    Goodbye, Jameson.¡±

 Chapter 283

    Alyssa¡¯s Bugatti disappeared into the night. Jameson nudged his sses with an uncontroble smile.

    His heart fluttered with burning passion.

    ¡­

    The La Voiture Noire sped on the flyover. Alyssa rolled down the window to enjoy the night breeze. She

    fell into deep thought while staring at the cityscape across the river.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, have you warmed up to Mr.Schmidt? That was fast.¡± Clutching the steering wheel, Sean

    asked in a stuffy manner.

    ¡°I guess so. We had a lot to talk about.¡±

    ¡°He might have saved you before, but hehad also stalked you to our neighborhood. You should be

    careful around him,¡± Sean grumbled.

    ¡°Maybe he did so because he recognizedme and was curious to know more. I think he¡¯s a decent

    fellow after two meetings with him. Sometimes, he does sound a little funny, though. Is it because

    Kontina is more liberal than us?¡±

    Her eyes sparkled, and she added,¡±Most importantly, he is ying the same game as me! He¡¯s my

    soulmate! We even made a pact to crush the newbies someday!¡±

    Sean felt increasingly bitter upon hearing that. Pursing his lips, he wallowed in disappointment before

    asking, ¡°You¡¯ve never been this patient with men. Do you ¡­have a crush on him?¡±

    ¡°What makes you think so? Is theresomething wrong with your head?¡± She rolled her eyes at him,

    looking speechless. ¡°If anything, he should be the one tocrush on me. Why would I fall for a man?I

    don¡¯t have the time for that. Dating is an obstacle to money-making!¡±

    Cheered by her remarks, Sean chortled. Thankfully, Alyssa remained level-headed after meeting with

    Jameson Schmidt.

    When the car slowed down in a low-speed zone, a card fell out from the flower basket.

    ¡°Hm?¡±Alyssa picked up the card with afrown. She opened the card to find a neat handwritten note from

    Jameson. He wrote, ¡°Oh, to be young and in love!¡±

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She narrowed her eyes. Jameson Schmidt was quite a character, indeed.

    ¡°It looks like you ran into your nemesisagain today. Did Liana say anything mean to you today?¡± Sean

    was concerned and bridled at the thought of the bitchy woman.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± She lifted a brow.¡±It¡¯s hard to change out of her old ways.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s made a move on you. That bitch isdigging her own grave.¡±Eyes darkening,

    he questioned, ¡°How will you deal with her?¡±

    ¡°Sean, you don¡¯t have to follow mearound for now. I need your help on something else.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡°Keep a tab on Liana Gardner¡¯s mother,Rosaline Kirkman.¡±She caressed the roses in the basket with

    an unempathetic look. ¡°Liana will put her n in action tonight because she can¡¯t sit on it.¡±

    ¡°Did you say anything to her tonight?¡±Sean frowned in confusion.

    ¡°I brought up her history in Mosgraviaand scared her witless.¡± Alyssa almostughed out loud at the

    thought of Liana¡¯s petrified expression.

    ¡°Oh!Wouldn¡¯t she keep her guard up afteryou spoke to her?¡± Sean asked worriedly.

    Smiling, she wagged her finger. ¡°No,I didn¡¯t do it to alert her. I was luring her. I

    provoked her with my words today to heighten her anxiety when her engagement nears. She¡¯ll fumble.

    She¡¯s dead set on marrying Jasper Beckett and will do anything to remove the obstacles in her path.¡±

    Sean gaspea when realization dawned on him.¡±Does that mean she¡¯ll find and hide her child?¡±

    Alyssa nodded with a sly look.¡±She will likely get Rosaline to help her out because it will be hard to

    move about when she is 1being hospitalized at the moment.

    ¡°Only Rosaline would know thewhereabouts of the child under foster care. I¡¯ve set the bait. Now, we will

    wait for them to bite.¡±

 Chapter 284

    Liana was terrified and lost when she got back to the hospital. Alyssa¡¯s threatening words echoed in

    her ears. She bit her nails anxiously and paced her room.

    ¡°No,I can¡¯t let this go on! She¡¯s thedaughter of the Taylor Family, not to mention that she¡¯s a snake.

    Now that she has learned about my history of studying in Mosgravia, she¡¯ll only dig deeper!¡±

    Liana couldn¡¯t sit back anymore. She needed to handle the matter proactively. Trembling, she dialed

    Curtis¡¯number. 1

    It took hi m a while to pick up.¡±What¡¯s up? It¡¯ste¡­¡±

    ¡°Curtis! Alyssa Taylor is looking into me.She might find out about our rtionship soon.¡±Gaze

    smoldering, she felt her throat catch fire. ¡°You must leave Sna City as soon as possible.¡±

    ¡°Pfft ¡­Is this a trick to ditch me? I willnot stop until I get my money.¡±

    ¡°If Alyssa learns about us, my marriage toJasper will go down the drain!You won¡¯t even get five cents,

    not to mention five million!¡±she growled.

    ¡°Fine. Fine. I¡¯ll trust you this once, butyou¡¯d better not pull anything on me. If not ¡­¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°I promise to give you every cent. Let¡¯s cutcontact for now to avoid any troubles.¡±She hung up promptly.

    Yet, she couldn¡¯t stop her hand from shaking.

    She pulled herself together and made a call to Rosaline. ¡°Mom,e to the hospital now. I have

    something urgent to discuss with you.¡±

    ¡­

    On the other side, Alyssa was holding Curtis¡¯ phone. The screen had gone dark.

    Curtis had been imprisoned in a dark

    underground space that was heavily guarded. Escape was almost impossible.

    The only thing worth celebrating was that he had sessfully moved into a seated position from being

    suspended upside down. It was such a relief that he almost bowed to Alyssa in gratitude. Had he

    remained hanging from the ceiling, he might have died from a brain hemorrhage.

    ¡°Not bad. Your acting has improved.¡± Shehanded Sean the phone and arched her br ow sarcastically.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I should be working foryou, Ms. Taylor.¡±He looked pale from fear. After all, he had

    recently lost two tendons in his hand. Thest thing he wanted was to be injured in the feet.

    ¡°Liana Gardner¡¯s birthday will be in a fewdays.¡±Alyssa satfortably in the chair and crossed her

    slender legs.

    She continued, ¡°I need you to work with us and follow your script. If you act well, I

    will send you to rehabilitate in prison as a reward. If not, everything¡¯s on you¡ªyou¡¯ll meet your maker.¡±

    ¡°U-Understood. I¡¯ll only listen to you!¡±Curtis was drenched in cold sweat and nodded furiously.

    Alyssa chuckled.¡±I heard you had one potato a day. Tsk tsk, how could you hold out with that little food?

    Sean, send the food over.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    Soon, Seanid a food tray in front of Curtis. The tray not only contained four freshly baked potatoes,

    but it also came with a grilled chicken and a bottle of beer.

    After days of surviving on a potato a day, Curtis could eat a horse. He stared keenly at the grilled

    chicken as his tears and saliva flowed.

    ¡°Eat up. This is from Ms. Alyssa.¡± Seanstared at Curtis coldly and ced the tray in front of the starved

    man like it was dog

    food.

    Curtis slurped and looked at Alyssa with teary eyes.¡±Ms. Alyssa, why is there so much food? Is this my

    last meal?¡±

    ¡­¡­

    After leaving the underground room, the exhausted Alyssa had a good stretch.¡±Let¡¯s go home.¡±

    ¡°Why did you prepare food for that jerk?¡±Sean felt pained when he recalled the events from that

    horrifying night. His eyes were brimming with tears.¡±Should have let that opportunistic and cruel

    bastard eat his shit.¡±

    ¡°I need Curtis¡¯help in defeating LianaGardner.¡±

 Chapter 285

    Alyssa yawned.¡±Curtis must have hated Liana and me after all the torture he¡¯s been through these

    days. If I treat him better, he feel thankful to me and shift his hate to Liana instead. He¡¯ll do anything to

    make her pay.¡±

    ¡°How smart!¡± Sean praised her with asmirk.¡±I couldn¡¯t wait to watch their fight!¡±

    ¡­

    After inspecting the hotel¡¯s restaurant, Alyssa went back to her office in satisfaction and rewarded

    herself with a few rounds of games.

    Six months had passed since she took over the KS World Hotel. The hotel was running well, and

    business was good. Not only did the hotel maintain its star rating, but it also received the ¡°Most Popr

    Hotel of the Year¡±award.

    However, that alone did not suffice for Alyssa. She was aiming for the ¡°Best Hotel of the Year¡±award

    that the Beckett Group had won for five consecutive years.

    After her appointment at the KS World Hotel, it would be Taylor Group¡¯s turn to bag the award.

    In the past few days, Alyssa epted interview s from three popr media outlets in the nation. Her

    decision came as a surprise to Sean because she had always kept a low profile.

    Alyssa had her reason for epting the interviews. She foresaw that she needed something more than

    her status as Winston¡¯s daughter to win public approval when she was appointed the president of KS

    Group.

    She had to put herself out there. Winston had given her a good opportunity when he appointed her to

    manage the hotel. She wanted to take the chance and give her

    best.

    After winning a round of games, she wanted Sean to refill her coffee, only to remember that she had

    sent him on a mission.

    A week went by. Two days before Liana¡¯s birthday, Sean was not back yet.

    Alyss a smiled and closed her eyes as she rapped her knuckles on the table. She believed that her

    calctions were right. Therefore, she would wait for his return in patience.

    She received a call at that moment. She picked up her phone merrily after seeing that it was from her

    lovable mentee, Rose Emerson.¡±Rose, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Madam!¡± Rose ditched her chic andaloof fashion designer persona in front of Alyssa and showed her

    sweet side instead. ¡°I made some desserts for you. I havesome top-grade flower tea as well. Are you

    free to drop by? I¡¯d like to pamper you.¡±

    ¡°Hah, the draft of Rozab¡¯s new seasonmust be out. Are you trying to rope me into a quality check?¡±

    Alyssa immediately saw through Rose.

    ¡°Madam, why did you call me out?¡±Rosegrumbled yfully.

    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Rose, you do not need my advice at yourlevel. You are now an inspiration for your juniors and a

    respectable figure in the fashion industry, Alyssa encouraged Rose. ¡°Just follow your guts. I might ruin

    the charm and individuality of your designs with my advice. Just be confident in yourself, Ms.

    Emerson!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, madam. I will never forgetyour help. Without you, I would not be where I am now.¡±Rose

    remained humble, like when she first started. She would forever hold a ce for Sharon.

    ¡°Madam, I have something to confess, butI¡¯m worried you might be angry at me.¡±After a pause, Rose

    gritted her teeth and

    confessed,¡±That Liana Gardner bitch asked me for a dress an hour ago. She was interested in the

    silver off-shoulder dress in my studio. I can¡¯t believe how thick-skinned she is!¡±

    ¡°Did you lend it to her?¡± Alyssa casuallyquestioned.

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s why I called you toapologize¡­¡± Rose¡¯s voice trailed off.

    ¡°I know you very well because you¡¯re justlike me. You have a good reason behind every move you

    make.¡± Alyssa did not want to me her.

    ¡°The dress she borrowed might be hautecouture, but it is an outdated style fromst year. The

    measurements did not suit her, but she insisted on wearing it.¡±

    Rose scoffed.¡±I told her that every piece of my work is one of a kind. If she alters my dress, even if it¡¯s

    putting a pin, I will make her pay five times the price!¡±

    ¡°Is she fine with a dress that¡¯s not

    tailored to her measurements?¡± Alyssa casually wondered al oud with a grin.

    ¡°That¡¯s not my concern. If there¡¯s anymishap, she¡¯s the one who has to bear the shame. Am I right,

    madam?¡±

 Chapter 286

    Liana exerted herself for her birthday party. She was no longer her previous sickly self and mustered all

    her energy to n the event.

    She called up event venues and made arrangements for the dress and makeup. One would have

    thought she was getting ready for an engagement party.

    Jasper was not involved in the preparation in any way. Knowing that she was doing much better, he

    stopped visiting her at the hospital.

    Liana was obviously upset at his indifference. Still, the birthday party remained her top priority at the

    moment.

    The night before the birthday party, Liana tried on the evening dress she had borrowed from Rose after

    much persuasion.

    She could not keep the dress from slipping down because the dress had a wider bust. The two maids

    were sweating with worry, but they f¨¤iled to keep the dress in ce.

    ¡°Clumsy losers!Why did we even keep youaround the house?¡± Liana gave the maids a shove in the

    heat of the moment. Her face was flushed.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we ¡­ get a tailor to alter thedress? We can also use a few pins to keep the dress in ce,¡±

    one of the maids suggested tentatively.

    Liana started sweating from the irritation. She refused to admit that she was worried about the

    compensation.

    She had signed an agreement to borrow the dress, which was worth six figures. If the dress got dirtied,

    torn, or altered in any way, she would have to pay Rose five times the price of the dress.

    Putting aside the astronomical amount, she was reluctant to give Rose Emerson a

    single cent because that woman was cozy with Alyssa.

    ¡°Get me some ta pe right now!¡±

    Soon, the maids hurried back with tape. They stered the tape in the inner bust area before putting

    the dress on Liana. The dress was finally secured.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner, you¡¯re clever! This is ahandy trick!¡± The maids praised her to the skies. She let out a long

    si gh with a smug look.

    Right then, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Rosaline showed up in a great hurry with a

    tense expression.

    ¡°Mom!¡±Liana¡¯s heart almost stopped atthe sight. She quickly ordered the maids,¡±Get going now.¡±

    After the maids scurried out of the room, Rosaline swiftly locked the door from within.

    ¡°Mom, how did it go?¡±Liana went up to

    Rosaline urgently, holding the hem of her dress.

    ¡°It¡¯s settled.¡± Rosaline sped herdaughter¡¯s hand in her palms.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot of trouble.¡±Liana grabbed Rosaline¡¯s hands tightly with a serious look.¡±I will

    never forget your huge favor. I will pay you back sometime.¡±

    ¡°Sweet child, what are you talking about?You¡¯re my flesh and blood. Of course I will side with you!¡±

    Looking pale but unrelenting, Rosaline replied, ¡°Now that you are back together with Jasper and

    received Javier¡¯s support, you are a step away from marriage.

    ¡°You can¡¯t give up at this point. I will notallow anyone or anything to stand in the way of your marriage

    with Jasper Beckett!¡±

    ¡­

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    The next day, Liana¡¯s long-awaited birthday party kicked off as the night fell.

    The Gardners hosted the guests at thergest ballroom in Berenike Hotel to show off their close

    rtionship with the Becketts.

    On top of that, Sophia had invited VIPs from Sna City and across the nation to attend the party on

    behalf of Javier. She poured so much effort into the birthday party as though it was her second

    wedding.

    Meanwhile, the opulent ballroom was filled with melodious music and the rustles of the luxurious outfits

    of the guests. The wealthy VIPs in Sna City had attended the event for Javier.

    Although Sophia had been called in for an investigation by the prosecution, she was proven innocent

    after Henry Kirkman was revealed to be the culprit.

    As a result, she sprang back to life and dressed up to attend the event hand-in-hand with Javier,

    chatting merrily with the guests as though nothing had

    happened.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, Madam Sophia,congrattions to you!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my niece¡¯s birthday. You shouldcongratte her.¡± Sophia was decked in jewelry and appeared to

    be in a good mood.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner is Mr. Beckett¡¯s fianc¨¦e,isn¡¯t she? I believe we¡¯ll hear some good news from them pretty

    soon. That¡¯s why I am congratting you on the new addition to the Beckett family!¡±¡±Hahaha!Thank

    you!¡±

 Chapter 287

    Betty was chatting with a few acquaintances at Liana¡¯s birthday party.

    ¡°Congrattions, Betty. You¡¯ll have a newsister-inw soon,¡±Mabel remarked with a smile.

    ¡°More urately, she¡¯ll have a new sister-inw ¡®again,''¡± Jessica joked.¡±Anyway, new is always better. I

    heard Ms. Gardner is the niece of Madam Sophia. You¡¯ll be one big family soon. I bet you all will get

    along brilliantly.¡±

    Betty faked a smile.

    ¡°Get along? What a joke!¡±Betty scoffedinwardly.

    ¡°I was told that Ms. Gardner and Mr.

    Beckett are childhood sweethearts who have gone through a lot. I believe she¡¯s his true love because

    he¡¯s marrying her right after his divorce.

    ¡°Your brother¡¯s really lucky in love. Whatabout you? When will you get yourself a boyfriend and get

    hitched?¡±

    Hearing that, Betty scanned the venue passionately in an attempt to locate Landon.

    Landon was in the presidential suite with Jasper. Looking smart in their suits, they sat in front of the

    gigantic zed double doors overlooking the night view of Sna City.

    Landon chose a co uture suit for the night, matching a white shirt with ck pants. He wore a ck

    leather choker with a golden rose charm on his slender neck, looking regal and sexy at the same time.

    On the other hand, Jasper was dressed in an all-ck ensemble. He matched his ck shirt with a

    ck tie, just like the usual. The gold dragonpel pin was the highlight of his outfit, a symbol of his

    great taste and the superiority of a leader.

    ¡°Good heavens.¡± Landon couldn¡¯t holdback frommenting on Jasper¡¯s outfit. ¡°Look at your outfit.

    People might thinkyou are attending a funeral.¡±

    Frowning, Jasper joked, ¡°You¡¯re not any better in that white shirt.¡±

    ¡°I realized that God is indeed fair. Heblessed you with good looks but cursed you with a mean mouth.

    It¡¯s hard to be perfect.¡±

    During the banter, Landon fixed his gaze on Jasper¡¯spel pin. ¡°Hm? This looks exquisite. Can I borrow

    itter?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes wavered before he turned down the request with a grim face. ¡°No way.¡±

    ¡°Aw. We used to wear each other¡¯s boxers.Why are you upset over apel pin now? You¡¯re more

    selfish when you¡¯re older!¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    Xavier showed up at that moment.¡±Mr.

    Beckett, someone was sent by Ms. Gardner to remind us that the speech is about to start. She wants

    you at the ballroom to join her for the speech.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡±Jasper wore a deadpanlook in his eyes as he coldly turned down the request.

    ¡°Okay!I¡¯ll ry the message!¡± Xavier¡¯sbrows were wiggling from the excitement. Oddly, he derived a lot

    of satisfaction from Jasper¡¯s rejection of Liana.

    ¡°Um, she¡¯s recently gone through arpse and cut her wrists. Why would you trigger her after she¡¯s

    recovered? She might stter blood all over you.¡±Landon narrowed his eyes and mocked Jasper.

    ¡°I cannot share the stage with her tonight.¡±Jasper¡¯s tone was unfeeling.

    ¡°Why? You are her boyfriend.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve decided to break up with her.¡±

    Landon appeared dumbstruck by the

    sudden news. Simrly, Xavier was close to screaming in shock after hearing the update.

    ¡°I have not told her out of considerationfor her condition.¡±Jasper stared at the g round and said in

    determination, ¡°I¡¯ll tell her when her condition has stabilized to minimize the shock. After all, she was

    my savior.¡±

    Blinking, Landon seemed to have noticed something huge. He inched closer. His face loomed in front

    of Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Spit it out. Are you breaking up withLiana partly because you have fallen for Alyssa? Yes or no?¡±

    Jasper felt a sharp and suffocating pain in his chest. Finally, he squeezed out a reply, ¡°No.¡±

 Chapter 288

    While Liana was enjoying the spotlight at Berenike Hotel, Alyssa was driving her sports car up a

    winding mountain road and enjoying the night breeze.

    She sang to the tune of¡±Burning Revenge ¡°that was ying in the car, seemingly ina good mood. Ss

    called her at that moment. She picked up and cooed, ¡°Ss!¡±

    ¡°Aw,I¡¯m melting!I should have recordedyou and sent it to Axel. He¡¯s going to burn in jealousy!¡± Ss

    sounded excited. It didn¡¯t take much to make a man happy.

    ¡°Did you call me because you haveeverything arranged?¡±asked Alyssa.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s done. Jonah has made hisarrangements too.¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    She replied sweetly, ¡°I trust you and Jonah. By the way, I¡¯m on my way to visit Newton Beckett. I heard

    that he¡¯s the only

    one in the family who isn¡¯t at Liana¡¯s birthday party¡ªSophia has dragged everyone else there.

    ¡°I know he enjoyspany and can¡¯tstand loneliness, but he never tells anyone because he doesn¡¯t

    want to burden them. I should keep himpany because he adores me.¡±

    The look in her eyes softened at the mention of Newton. She couldn¡¯t help but feel bad for the old man.

    When she was married to Jasper, she always kept Newtonpany from time to time. She spent time

    chatting, painting, and checking out antiques. She¡¯d sing for him and bring him to stroll by the beach.

    She recalled one Valentine¡¯s Day when Sna City saw a historic snowfall. She brought some

    homema de desserts and showed up at Newton¡¯s ce in the snow.

    She vividly remembered the shock on Newton¡¯s face when he stared at her

    cheeks and nose, which were red from the cold.

    ¡°Alice, it¡¯s Valentine¡¯s Day! Why did yoe to me instead of spending time with Jasper?¡±

    She cooked up an excuse for Jasper while forcing a smile. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have time to rest because he¡¯s

    the president of the Beckett Group. He doesn¡¯t have a day off on Valentine¡¯s. Anyway, I¡¯m happy he

    remembered and prepared a gift for me.¡±

    ¡°Youngdy, you are too gentle and kind.You need to toughen up to tame a stubborn man like Jasper. I

    was like him when I was younger. What my wife did was banish me to the couch. It worked like a

    charm.¡±

    Alyssa chuckled at the story.

    They took in the winter scenery for a while. He suddenly asked, ¡°Are you afraid of the cold?¡±

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°Come with me to visit your grandma,then.¡±

    Newton¡¯s face was full of affection, something that Alyss a could never expect from Jasper.¡±I¡¯ll clean

    the snow at her grave. She¡¯s afraid of the cold.¡±

    ¡­

    ¡°Grandpa! I¡¯m here!¡± Alyssa¡¯s singsongvoice echoed in the living room just like before.

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± She heard a simrly sweet andyouthful voice. Next, Lauren emerged with Newton, who was

    in a wheelchair.

    ¡°Lauren? You¡¯re here too.¡± Alyss a wasoverjoyed at the sight of Lauren. She pulled Lauren¡¯s thin frame

    into a tight hug.

    Lauren hugged Alyssa as her hand traveled across Alyssa¡¯s back. She blinked with her round, lively

    eyes.¡±You¡¯re thin-you lost some weight. Did you not eat well?

    ¡°I did. I am stuffed by the end of everymeal,¡±Alyssa replied with a smile. She had indeed lost weight

    due to her stressful workload. Sometimes, she¡¯d have brunch and miss her dinners.

    ¡°Alice,e here. Let me take a look!¡±Newton was grinning ear to ear when he saw Alyssa. He still

    called her Alice because he was reluctant to make the switch, but Alyssa did not mind.

    She had no lingering affection for Jasper anyway. Alice White was a part of the past that she left

    behind. As long as Newton was happy, he could call her by any name.

    ¡°Grandpa, you look pale. Did you not restwell?¡± She went down on one knee by the wheelchair and

    looked at him worriedly.

 Chapter 289

    ¡°Ah, my chronic illness has red upagain. It¡¯s not a big deal.¡±Newtonforted Alyss a by caressing

    her head. His face was a shade of sickly grey.

    Her chest tightened at the sight. She held his right hand and checked his pulse. A mo mentter, she

    addressed him sternly, ¡°Grandpa,I will visit you weekly toperform acupuncture. I¡¯ll give you a new

    prescription. You shouldn¡¯t ck on taking your meds. I¡¯ll get Mr. Gorham to keep a tab on you.¡±

    ¡°Alice, things are different now. You¡¯reWinston¡¯s beloved daughter. How could I trouble you?

    ¡°I heard from Jasper that you are runningthe Taylor Group¡¯s hotel business as well. That must be very

    stressful for you. You don¡¯t have to travel back and forth. Mr. Gorham will take care of me.¡±Newton

    longed to see Alyss a but worried that the traveling might tire her.

    She was surprised that Jasper would discuss her with Newton. Jasper had been neglectful and

    dismissive in the past, but he started thinking about her after the divorce. How ridiculous!

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    ¡°I¡¯m Winston¡¯s daughter, but I¡¯m yourgranddaughter too!¡± Lifting a brow, Alyss a pped her thigh. ¡°I

    am free to go anywhere and do anything I want. Winston doesn¡¯t have a say in that! Hmph! 11

    Newton and Laurenughed at her adorable antics.

    Alyssa¡¯s phone was buzzing. She checked her screen and saw a text from Sean. He wrote,

    ¡°Everything¡¯s in order. Waiting for your approval.¡±

    The luxurious stage in the ballroom was decorated with fresh flowers. The lights

    beyond the stage dimmed as the stage basked in a brilliant spotlight.

    Jasper and Landon arrivedte at the ballroom. Despite their low-profile entrance, they immediately

    became the center of attraction.

    All eyes were on the two men as the guests gossiped.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that the haughty and self-important Mr. Beckett showed up at Ms. Gardner¡¯s birthday

    party. She must have some solid connections.¡±

    ¡°You are na ive to believe that this is just abirthday party. Did you notice that her parents and Jasper

    Beckett¡¯s parents are here? They¡¯re using the birthday party as a tform for an important

    announcement.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so? I guess I made the rightdecision to attend. Will there be dramater?¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk. Didn¡¯t they say thatparison

    is the thief of joy? As a close friend of the Becketts, I heard that Jasper Beckett didn¡¯t even host a

    proper wedding for his first wife. That poor thing wasted three pitiful years by his side.

    ¡°Look at him now. If he¡¯s willing to throwa grand birthday party for his girlfriend, we can expect a

    wedding of the century. I would be so upset if I were his ex-wife!¡±

    The gossip hit Jasper hard, leaving him hurt and damaged on the inside.

    Before the divorce, it never urred to him that he had wronged Alyssa. After the divorce, he found

    himself under intense scrutiny and faced harsh public judgment as his previous actions were cruelly

    brought to light.

    ¡°Jasper, you alright? Why do you looksick?¡± Landon frowned and elbowed his friend.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±Jasper took a deep breath tocalm himself.

    Javier and Liana¡¯s parents were seated in the first row, as though they were there for their

    kids¡¯matrimony. There was a light show going on as joyful music filled the air.

    Amid the roaring apuse, Liana, dressed in a ha ute co uture off-shoulder silver evening dress and

    decked in jewelry worth millions, walked in with Sophia by her side. She bowed to the audience.

    ¡°Wow! Look! She¡¯s wearing a hautecouture dress by Rose Emerson!¡±someone gasped.

    ¡°How gorgeous! How did she get herhands on a dress worth millions just for a birthday party? The

    Becketts must love her so.¡±

    Liana was on cloud nine upon hearing thepliments and apuse from the audience. The only

    thing missing was Jasper¡ªhe should have been standing by her side. Still, that did not take away the

    mour of the event.

    She¡¯d be a majestic pr incess of the night!

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you fortaking the time to celebrate my nice, Lia¡¯s birthday. Lia will cherish

    this day forever.¡±

    She gently caressed Liana¡¯s hand with a gaze so affectionate that she seemed more like Liana¡¯s birth

    mother.¡±We¡¯d also like to make an important announcement on this asion.¡±

    The audience hushed. Javier¡¯s smile was hard to decipher. Meanwhile, Liana¡¯s parents stared at the

    stage with eager eyes.

    ¡°Our Lia will soon be officially engaged toJasper!¡±

 Chapter 290

    ¡°Wow!¡± There was a collective gasp fromthe audience, followed by an even more thunderous apuse.

    Landon was taken ab ack by the announcement and shot Jasper a worrisome gaze. Jasper stood

    frozen with a cold expression, as though he¡¯d turn anyone to ice upon touch.

    Worse, a spotlight traveled across the audience and hit Jasper like a ruthless mockery. It further

    highlighted his lifeless face.

    ¡°Lia and Jasper are childhoodsweethearts. They¡¯ve been through a lot to finally settle down. The

    Beckett family is happy at the news, and we¡¯d like to share the joy with everyone here!¡±

    Sophia grasped Liana¡¯s hand tightly. Her face was flushed from excitement, and her tone was animated

    as if she were at a

    wedding.

    Liana blushed hard like a new bride. She looked at Jasper affectionately and mistook his stiff

    expression for nervousness.

    ¡­

    At the same time, Alyssa was busy making some desserts for Newton and Lauren in the kitchen when

    Lauren stumbled in with a pale face and waved her hands.¡±Help! Help, Alyssa!¡±

    ¡°Help Alyssa?¡± Alyss a was speechless andconfused by Lauren¡¯s words.

    ¡°Grandpa ¡­ Grandpa fainted! He¡¯s fainted!¡±Lauren started crying.

    ¡°What?¡±Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened as herheart pounded. She put down thedle and ran out of the kitchen.

    She found Newton lying on the floor in the living room. His bulging eyes stared at the ceiling as his

    limbs went numb. Along

    with seizures, he was foaming from his twitching mouth.

    She inhaled sharply after recognizing the symptoms of a cerebral ischemic stroke.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯ve called the ambnce.Hang in there!¡±Ben was close to tears.

    ¡°Mr. Gorham, do not panic. I won¡¯t letanything bad happen to him.¡± Clenching her jaw, she knelt beside

    Newton and swiftly performed first aid. Her professionalism took Ben and Lauren by surprise. Alyssa

    was no different than a doctor.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Gorham, do we have the needles forGrandpa¡¯s acupuncture?¡± Alyssa asked urgently. Her

    forehead was dotted with sweat.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Bring them to me!¡± She took a deepbreath, looking gravely concerned.¡±The ambnce will arrive too

    late. I will perform acupuncture on Grandpa in the

    golden hour!¡±

    She was good at saving lives from the brink of death.

    ¡­

    Back at the ballroom, Liana and Sophia¡¯s announcement was the climax of the event. The socialites at

    the event cast envious looks at Liana, who looked like a princess.

    ¡°Was it the good karma from her past?How did she get to marry Jasper Beckett, the popr bachelor?

    Argh!¡±

    ¡°Ugh¡­ Look at the loose dress on her.Could she be pregnant with his child? Getting pregnant before

    marriage is prettymon in their circle.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re spot on!I felt that the dresswas too loose on her at first sight. That sounds possible!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true love if she¡¯s gettingmarried only because she¡¯s pregnant. It¡¯s

    at most her shameless trick to ti e him down.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d pull a shameless trick as well tomarry Jasper Beckett. She¡¯s really hit the jackpot.¡±

 Chapter 291

    Liana was aware of the gossiping. Nheless, she lifted her chin like a graceful swan without any hint

    of anger.

    Thedies could talk as much as they wanted. At the end of the day, they would look up to her as she

    started her amazing new life!

    ¡°Jasper, look!¡± Landon widened his eyeswhen he saw the trending topics on Twitter. He hurriedly

    showed his phone to Jasper.

    The top trending hashtag,#engagement, was an eyesore to Jasper.

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    ¡°I¡¯m shell-shocked.¡± Stunned, Landonhissed in Jasper¡¯s ear, ¡°I thought you said you¡¯d break up with

    Liana? Why did your stepmo m announce your engagement instead? You¡¯re even on trending topics!

    ¡°Uncle Javier isn¡¯t against the

    engagement, it seems. What¡¯s going on? Are you still with her or not?¡±

    Jasper felt his ears buzzing. His body and fingers stiffened. Like a pulled bow, he was close to a

    breakdown.

    All of a sudden, the screen that was filled with falling pink petals switched to total darkness.

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Is there a power cut? Or is the screenbroken?¡±

    Amid the confusion, the screen lit up again, this time with a photo of a young girl. The girl was petite

    and all bones. Her hair was messy, and her outfit was ragged. Her face was stained with tears and

    snot. One couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for her.

    ¡°Oh my god! Whose kid is that? Poor littlething!¡±

    ¡°Is Ms. Gardner raising funds for charityat her party? I¡¯ll make a donation¡ªI¡¯m

    into doing charity!¡±

    Liana and Sophia realized that something had gone wrong when they sensed themotion in the

    audience. They spun around to look at the screen.

    ¡°W-What¡¯s that?¡± Sophia was startled.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that dirty-looking kid? Whywould that photo show up at my birthday party? Did the backstage

    staff y the wrong photo? Liana gaped at the girl in the photo in confusion.

    Rosaline was the only one to turn pale. She shot up from her seat and pointed at the screen, howling,

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Turn it off! Turn off the screen!¡±

    The people around Rosaline turned to her, shocked by her outburst. Even Javier Beckett and Andrew

    Gardner were puzzled by her unwarranted reaction to the screen disy.

    ¡°Why turn it off?¡± a hoarse male voicerang out from the audience. Liana looked

    in the direction of the voice and almost screamed when she saw Curtis¡¯ wicked face.

    Liana¡¯s dress was drenched in sweat. She couldn¡¯t help but tremble from head to toe. Her expression

    froze up, unable to express any emotion.

    Curtis took a few steps forward into a brightly lit spot in a thuggish manner. The hooligan immediately

    attracted all the attention.

    ¡°A family must beplete. You¡¯reenjoying the high life here, dolled up and eating good, all while this

    poor child was starving and beaten up in a Mosgravian orphanage. Liana Gardner, don¡¯t you ever feel

    bad for your daughter?¡±

 Chapter 292

    Daughter? Her daughter?

    Liana was shaking incessantly. Her temples throbbed, and her mind went nk. Once pointed out,

    everyone could see the resemnce between her and the little girl.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible ¡­ Impossible!¡± shemumbled like she was put under a spell.

    ¡°Hah. How ridiculous!¡± Curtis stared ather pale face with a vile smile.¡±How could you call yourself a

    mother if you can¡¯t even identify your daughter? A poor excuse of a mother!¡±

    The audience gasped. The revtion sent a ripple of shock and unease in the crowd. Half of the

    audience stared at Liana, who was losing it on the stage.

    The other half was focused on Jasper, who clenched his jaw icily. The poor man just

    got cuckolded in public.

    ¡°Lia, what¡¯s going on?¡± Sophia was closeto losing herposure. She tugged at Liana hard and

    hissed,¡±Who¡¯s this guy, and how did he sneak in? What¡¯s between you and him?¡±

    On the other hand, Rosaline lurched at Curtis in anger because she was terrified of being

    exposed.¡±You filthy thug! How dare you taint my daughter¡¯s reputation?I won¡¯t let this slide!¡±

    As Curtis was regrly trained in boxing, he agilely dodged her attack. She lost her bnce, pping

    and stumbling around before falling face t.

    The people around quietly giggled at her clumsiness. Andrew was red in embarrassment and wished to

    distance himself from his crazy wife.

    ¡°Get someone over! Security! Get thesecurity guards!¡± Liana screamed in horror. She did not have time

    for Rosaline.

    Her priority was to kick Curtis out.¡±Drag this rude man out here! Now!¡±

    Liana¡¯s refusal to admit to their rtionship further triggered Curtis. He was about to verbally attack her

    further when he heard a chilling voice from behind.

    ¡°No one can touch him.¡±

    Eyes burning in rage, Jasper seemed like a volcano that would erupt at any time. He approached Liana

    with a sullen face.

    Staring at the terrified Liana, he felt suffocated. He remembered her as a kind angel and a sunshine in

    their childhood. She imed to only have eyes for him in this life. At that moment, she felt like a

    stranger to him.

    ¡°Jasper, someone¡¯s framing me. Theyhired a random man to nder me and taint my name!¡±While

    frantically exining to Jasper, she lifted her dress and rushed toward him from the stage. At

    one point, she almost tripped on her bulky dress.

    The walk to Jasper was a short but difficult one. When she finally stood in front of him, her legs turned

    jelly. She gripped his arms so tight that she almost dug into his flesh.

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re the only one I love overthese years. In the three years we were apart,I saved myself for

    you and never fell for another man! 2

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who sent that guy to stir uptrouble but don¡¯t listen to his nonsense. You have to trust me!¡±

    ¡°You might have only loved him. Butiming that you saved yourself for him? ¡°Curtis roared inughter,

    feelingexhrated at her shameless lie.

    ¡°I will sue you for nder! I¡¯m reportingyou to the police!¡± She glowered at Curtis and pointed a finger at

    him.

    ¡°Are you suing me? I should be the one to

    fucking sue you for child abandonment!¡±Curtis ran out of patience and threw a file he carried to Liana.

    He continued, ¡°This is the maternity test result of you and our daughter! What can you say when the

    cold, hard evidence is in your face?¡±

    Since Curtis had no other way out anyway, he decided to drag Liana down with him.

 Chapter 293

    Curtis¡¯ explosive ims dropped a bombshell at the venue.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh my God! Is that filthy and vulgar manLiana Gardner¡¯s lover? What¡¯s wrong with her taste in men?

    Why would she go after that man when she has Jasper Beckett?¡±

    ¡°You might not know this, but peoplesometimes get tired of the good stuff and go for wild game meat

    instead.¡±

    ¡°How could she give birth to his child andthen dream of marrying Jasper Beckett? She¡¯s so cruel! That

    child is her flesh and blood!¡±

    ¡°This is shocking news!¡±

    ¡°Crap ¡­ Jasper must be so ashamed ofbeing cuckolded!¡±

    Landon put a hand in his pocket and marched over to pick up the test result from the floor am id the

    chaos. Frowning,

    he double-checked the result before bringing it to Jasper.

    He deliberately raised his voice and spoke clearly so that everyone around him could hear.¡±Jasper, the

    organization that issued the result, is the leading authority in the nation. The result is likely legitimate.¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips and slowly closed his eyes. To Liana, all hope was lost at the moment. Fear

    flooded through her being.

    ¡°Jasper, I developed severe depressionwhen I left you. You knew about that!

    ¡°My condition worsened in Mosgravia.Every day was a living hell. I ¡­ I lost control of myself. I had no

    idea what I was doing most of the time.¡±

    At this point, Liana had no choice but to use her depression as a shield to gain Jasper¡¯s sympathy.

    After all, as a victim of depression, Jasper would surely give her a hand.

    On the other hand, Sophia was furious and

    hopeless on the stage. She was enraged at Liana¡¯s stupidity, which led to a disastrous situation.

    Her hopelessness stemmed from Liana¡¯s indirect admission that she had slept with Curtis and bore him

    a daughter.

    ¡°Hahaha!Depression? Liana, is that ajoke? How would a heartless woman like you suffer from

    depression?¡± Curtis double d over withughter.

    At that moment, the screen changed and disyed a bilingual copy of Liana¡¯s mental health diagnosis,

    much to everyone¡¯s shock.

    ¡°Surprise! The therapist who treated youleft behind evidence. You took the fake diagnosis with you, but

    he kept the authentic document. He was worried about getting into trouble because of you, bitch!¡±

    He had an evil idea when he thought of the torture he had endured because of Liana.

    He spat at her and cursed,¡±Depression, my ass!Why don¡¯t you check for STDs instead?¡±

    ¡°Shut up! Shut the fuck up!¡±Despiteboiling in hatred, Liana put on a pitiful expression and nced at

    Jasper with her tear-stricken face. ¡°Jasper, don¡¯t trust him!Don¡¯t ¡­ Ouch!¡±

    Jasper was overtaken with despair. He forcefully withdrew his arm from her grip, and she almost lost

    her bnce as a result. He was attacked by fury, humiliation, and remorse after finding out about her

    horrendous lie. Pain ripped through his chest. ¢Ù

    His pale lips curled into a sneer as he chuckled with raging eyes. He wasughing at himself for being

    blind in love. He was dumb to waste three years of Alyssa¡¯s life for Liana, a woman full of lies and

    wrongdoings.

    He hurt Alyssa over and over for Liana. No wonder Alyss a hated him so. Even he

    would resent himself for what he had done.

    ¡°Liana Gardner, let¡¯s break up.¡±

    ¡°W-What did you say?¡± Jasper¡¯s attractiveface turned into a blur in her vision. Her mind went nk as if

    someone had hit her on the back of her head.

    The door to the ballroom was busted open without warning. Four policemen marched in Liana¡¯s

    direction, making her blood run cold. They walked past her and headed toward Rosaline.

    ¡°W-What are you doing?¡±Rosaline¡¯steeth chattered as she squeezed out the question with thest

    ounce of her mental strength.

    ¡°You are Rosaline Kirkman, aren¡¯t you?¡±One of the police officers went up and handcuffed her.¡±You are

    arrested and charged for contract killing. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and

    will be used against you in court.¡±

 Chapter 294

    Everyone turned to Rosaline in shock. She was terribly pale. They knew that the police wouldn¡¯t make

    the effort to arrest her if they did not have solid evidence.

    The arrest basically confirmed that Rosaline had been involved in contract killing.

    Rosaline¡¯s ears rang at the sight of the shiny handcuffs on her wrists. Her vision went ck in despair.

    What happened? Why did it end in this way? She had hired a reliable hitman, who was paid

    handsomely, to get rid of Liana¡¯s out-of-wedlock daughter.

    The murder even happened abroad. How did the authorities find out about it?

    ¡°Rosie! Rosie!¡± Andrew was horrified byhis wife¡¯s arrest. He ran over to stop the policemen. However,

    he suddenly cked

    out, copsing while grimacing and clutching his chest.

    ¡°Call the ambnce!¡± Javier franticallyrequested help to move Andrew to a corner.

    Meanwhile, Landon was dumbfounded by the situation. He gasped, ¡°Fuck!Fuck! Bro, your ex-mother-

    inw is arrested for murder! That¡¯s the juiciest gossip of the night!¡±

    Jasper watched the developments indifferently without any intention to help the Gardners.¡±It¡¯s only fair

    to pay for what you did.¡±

    Rosaline was led away by the police officers in in view of the guests. When she walked pa st Liana,

    she gave her daughter a tearyst look.

    Liana finally broke down when she saw her mother¡¯s look.¡±Don¡¯t take her away! She did not kill anyone!

    Mom!¡±

    Sobbin g and wailing, she did not run far

    before she heard the ruffle of fabric. She sensed a cooling touch on her skin as people around her

    gasped.

    The ha ute co uture dress she forcefully put on with tape had slipped off her body as the tape was no

    longer adhesive due to her sweat. She only had a strapless, backless adhesive br a and panty on as

    her nude body was shamefully exposed in public.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Liana curled up and protected herchest with her arms while dying from shame. Sophia seethed at

    the unsalvageable situation and regretted hosting the embarrassing birthday party for Liana.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Betty was ted at Liana¡¯s reputational damage as she watched the drama, sipping on red wine. She

    couldn¡¯t stop herself from smiling. Some nasty men had started filming Liana.

    ¡°Tsk tsk. Her body is so-so. Bro, thebreakup is not a loss for you.¡±Landon rested his el bow on Jasper

    with a mocking

    expression.

    Jasper¡¯s decades of rtionship with Liana had turned into an outrageous joke. Staring at his feet, he

    seemed to have lost hope and turned to leave.

    Drowning in hopelessness, Liana stood up and ran after him. ¡°Jasper!¡±

    She momentarily forgot that she was clothless and unwittingly exposed her almost nude body by

    standing up.

    ¡°Lord! Look at her belly! What are thoselines?¡±

    ¡°It looks like stretch marks!¡±

    ¡°I can tell they are stretch marks rightaway because I gave birth twice!¡±

    ¡°Oh my God! How dare she act like aninnocent youngdy when she has given birth to a kid? She¡¯s

    disgusting!¡±

    ¡°Poor Mr. Beckett! He almost got into ahuge mess. Thank goodness he¡¯s making a U-turn!¡±

    Liana¡¯s dream of bing Mrs. Beckett went up in a puff of smoke. Everything she worked hard for

    had gone down the drain.

    ¡­

    Jasper dragged himself down the corridor with heavy steps and a g rim look. Landon walked beside

    him and was about to speak a few times but couldn¡¯t get his words out.

 Chapter 295

    ¡°Do I look pitiful, dumb, andughable toyou?¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was surprisingly scorched. He forced a

    bitter smile.

    Landon shook his head with seriousness.¡±No, Jasper. I¡¯m your only friend and best bud. I won¡¯tugh

    at you no matter what happens. It¡¯s just ¡­ a pity.¡±

    ¡°A pity?¡± Jasper closed his raging eyesand mentally shredded the memories of Liana at the birthday

    party.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a pity. If anything, I was blindand bad at judging her character. I deserved everything that had

    happened to me.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that.¡±Landon sighedwistfully.¡±I think it was a pity that you missed the chance of making your

    marriage work in the three years, all because of Liana. You could have been happy with Alyssa instead

    of turning into

    enemies like now. Don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Jasper froze up at the possibility of a happy life with Alyssa. He fell into a daze, reying memories.

    ¡°Jasper, can we not get a divorce? It¡¯sbecause ¡­ I love you.¡±

    A loud ringing persisted in his ears, along with a terrible headache. He quickly held onto the wall as his

    fingers curled into a fist. He felt his throat closing up and his chest pounding in pain.

    Alyss a had once begged him not to get a divorce in tears. He dismissed her plea as ast-ditch

    attempt to keep the marriage. Ignoring her plea, he perceived her as a prison that he needed to get out

    of.

    He realized toote that Alyss a never intended to tie him down. She humbly professed her love for him

    onest time in hopes that she could keep loving him.

    Knowing he had never loved her, she tried her best to keep him around because she

    feared losing the right to love him after the divorce.

    ¡°That poor little girl must have beenaround three or four. That means Liana Gardner had been sleeping

    with that man behind your back when she was at Mosgravia.

    ¡°If my memory serves me correctly, shewas stringing you along and bothering you. She gave off the

    impression that she was in exile at Mosgravia because she was willing to give in and wait for you. It

    seems she had a pretty busy social life behind your back.¡±

    Jasper grabbed his cor. He trembled violently from the heartache, and each breath he took felt like

    the end of him.

    ¡°Liana was never short of men. You werejust one of them.¡±Landon stared deep into Jasper¡¯s eyes.¡±But

    you were Lyse¡¯s only love. Do you still remember that rainy night you went to her ce? Do you know

    what she said to me?¡±

    Jasper returned a nk stare. His forehead was drenched in sweat.

    ¡°I confessed my love to her, but sheturned me down right away.¡± Landon smiled bitterly. He was never

    a man who needed to go to such lengths for a woman.

    He continued, ¡°She told me that she wouldn¡¯t have fallen in love without you and would not fall for any

    man after leaving you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes wavered in shock. He felt as though he was stabbed everywhere across his body as the

    pain spread.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, you said that you wouldnot love anyone until I showed up,¡±he thought. He wondered if

    that meant he had show n up way earlier in her life.

    He needed answers. He demanded an answer from her.

    Jasper¡¯s phone buzzed in his pocket. He took out the phone with shaking hands. It

    was a call from Ben, which reminded him that something might have happened to Newton.

    He hurriedly picked up.¡±Mr. Gorham, did something happen to Grandpa?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, your grandfather hassuffered a sudden stroke. Please hurry to the Sna City General

    Hospital now!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Jasper felt his chest tighten.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. He¡¯s been movedto the VIP room from the ER. He¡¯s in a stable condition.¡± Ben

    reported with lingering fear, ¡°This is all thanks to Ms. Taylor. She administered first aid to Mr. Newton

    just in time. Had it not been for her, Mr. Newton would have been in a critical situation!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s cheeks were burning in shame, as though someone had pped him multiple times.

 Chapter 296

    Liana and Rosaline¡¯s scandal spread like wildfire online. Jasper and Liana¡¯s engagement news was no

    longer the top trending topic. It was reced by hashtags like #LianaGardnersDaughter and

    #RosalineKirkmanContractKilling.

    The footage of the dumpster fire at the party had been leaked. Liana was shown screaming hysterically

    in the videos.

    The dress slip incident and her half-naked body were captured as well in what was a ridiculous soap

    opera that went viral online.

    Liana was violently mocked and cursed in thement sections. Netizens expressed their distaste at

    her decision to give up on her daughter for wealth. Some even started a petition to subject Liana¡¯s

    behavior to thew.

    ¡°She can¡¯t even tell her daughter apart

    after abandoning the poor kid abroad. She¡¯s worse than a dog! Even a dog takes better care of her

    pups.¡±

    ¡°Comparing her to a dog is an insult todogs.¡±

    ¡°I heard Jasper Beckett ditched his ex-wife for this bitch. Damn it, he¡¯s really something.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s love-blind and dumb. I might nothave met his ex-wife, but any woman is better than Liana

    Gardner at this point!¡±

    ¡°The ex-wife must feel humiliated to bpared to Liana Gardner.¡±

    ¡°Rumors have it that Jasper Beckett andLiana Gardner are childhood sweethearts. How tragic!I feel

    sick at fairytales of childhood sweethearts now.¡±

    ¡°LMAO!That¡¯s so dramatic. I needsomeone to make it into a TV show! My mo m and I would love to

    watch it!¡±

    Ruining one¡¯s reputation seemed easy on

    the surface. Only the Taylor brothers knew how Alyssa had meticulously nned out each step of

    Liana Gardner¡¯s downfall.

    Alyss a was the most patient of all. If she ever made a move, it was surely to decimate her enemy.

    At that moment, the entrance to the Berenike Hotel was crowded with onlookers, media, and police

    vehicles.

    Rosaline was ashen-faced when she showed up in public. She was dragged into the police car by two

    police officers as she was too weak to walk.

    Many onlookers who had not witnessed the scene of an arrest, excitedly filmed the process and

    uploaded the footage to TikTok.

    Across the road, Jonah and Ss slowly rolled up the windows of their Rolls-Royce after sessfully

    wrapping up their covert operation.

    ¡°I was about to make you buy some bots to

    keep Liana and her mo m trending. Looks like we¡¯re good now. Everyone¡¯s excited about the

    gossip.¡±Ss stared at the influx of hatements against Liana with a wicked expression that

    resembled Axel¡¯s.

    ¡°Hm?¡±Jonah stopped in the middle of hiscoffee drinking with a scrutinizing look.¡±The only problem with

    you is that miserly habit of yours.

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    ¡°Can¡¯t you fix that? You¡¯re WinstonTaylor¡¯s son. You can¡¯t seriously expect me to help pay for bot

    service. Ten million is probably nothing to you!¡±

    ¡°How dare you use me of being stingy?I have been splurging on Lyse since I was young. I never

    pinch my pennies!¡± Ss red at his brother indignantly.

    ¡°Yeah. The problem is you¡¯ve never beengenerous to anyone except Lyse.¡±Jonah sipped his coffee

    gracefully and joked,¡±Come to think of it, you¡¯re doing this for Lyse as well.¡±

    Ss wittily chuckled.¡±Jonah, we¡¯re working together this time. You¡¯re in charge of external operations

    while I¡¯m doing back-end work. You are the star of this mission, and I wouldn¡¯t want to take the credit.

    ¡°More than that, you¡¯re my older brother.It¡¯s your duty to look after me. Just take pity on me, will you?¡±

    Jonah smiled helplessly and gave Ss a yful p on the back of the head.¡±You¡¯re getting slicker by

    the day after working as a prosecutor.¡±

    Ss scratched his head goofily. An idea shed across his mind. He was about to look for his phone

    when it rang.

    ¡°Ho!We¡¯re brothers, after all! Cyruscalled me just when I was thinking of calling him.¡±Ss put the

    phone on speaker mode and chuckled.¡±Chief Cyrus, how¡¯s everything on your end?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve sent my men to arrest Rosaline

    Kirkman. I¡¯ll bring that bastard who hurt Lyse to the station as well.¡± Cyrus was simmering in anger

    when he updated Ss in his signature hoarse voice.¡±Don¡¯t worry. I will not go easy on him.¡±

    Mandy Lovce had two sons and a daughter. Thete Damien, the fifth Taylor sibling, worked as the

    captain of an airline before his demise, while the sixth sibling, Miley, married and settled down in

    Kontina. Miley was a congressman¡¯s wife and might be the firstdy of Kontina one day.

 Chapter 297

    Cyrus Taylor was the youngest son in the family. He had decided on a career in the police force to

    uphold justice.

    His childhood ambition came true as he was now chief of the First Criminal Investigation Division in the

    Sna City Police Department.

    ¡°Yeah! Fuck him up badly!¡± Ss wasinfluenced by Cyrus¡¯ passion and punched against the window.

    ¡°Can¡¯t the police spice up the interrogation? We prosecutors aren¡¯t allowed to do so. Don¡¯t miss your

    chance to take revenge for Lyse! 11

    Jonah was speechless at the exchange. The daughters of the Taylor family were regal and dainty, but

    the sons were thuggish and belligerent, even more so than himself, who had been involved in the

    underground gangs.

    When the three invincible sons of the Taylor family joined hands, their target had no way out.

    ¡­

    Jasper rushed to the hospital to visit Newton. Landon was worried for him and insisted on tagging

    along.

    Jasper sped to the hospital and parked his sports car at the entrance before sprinting into the hospital

    without care. Newton was his only tie to the Beckett family.

    Only Newton loved and cared for him, treating him like a grandson.

    ¡°Grandpa!Grandpa!¡± Rushing toward thedestination, Jasper repeatedly called out to Newton in a

    hoarse voice.

    When he dashed into the corridor, panting heavily, he found Alyssa hugging a sleeping Lauren on the

    bench. The scene was as tranquil as something out of an oil painting. 1

    She looked down and gently cuddled the girl in her arms. She had a peaceful look on her face,

    radiating grace and virtue.

    Her petite frame was house to an indestructi ble force. She always showed up like an angel to help

    those in need.

    Jasper was ovee by a wave of bitterness and remorse. He felt thankful that she was around to

    hold the fort.

    Alyss a looked up and stared into Jasper¡¯s eyes when she heard the footsteps.

    He momentarily fell for the confused and gentle look in her eyes. Sadly, the moment did notst long.

    She put on a steely expression after she recognized him.

    ¡°Has Ms. Gardner¡¯s birthday party ended?Is it okay for you to leave the mess behind and visit the

    hospital?¡±

    Alyssa did not chastise him at all, but he felt terribly ashamed and exposed upon hearing her words.

    He went up to her with regret in his eyes. She stared at the g round with a strong aversion, fervently

    wishing to shut him out.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Grandpa¡¯s asleep. Mr. Gorham is takingcare of him in the room. You can wait for him out here because

    he needs his rest,¡±Alyss a said.

    ¡°Alyssa, I¡¯m sorry,¡±Jasper croaked as hestruggled to contain his emotions.

    ¡°What? Sorry to me?¡± A snicker appearedon her lips.¡±You should feel sorry for your grandpa, who has

    narrowly escaped death. Why did you apologize to me when we have nothing to do with each other?

    ¡°Grandpa cares for you a lot, so I hopeyou¡¯ll make more time for him. You got lucky because I was at

    his ce tonight. What if I wasn¡¯t there the next time he had a stroke?

    ¡°Luck will not always favor Grandpa. TheGrim Reaper will not spare him every time.

    Feeling a heartache rising in her chest, she took a deep breath with misty eyes.¡±I regret he¡¯s not my

    real grandfather. I feel bad that I can¡¯t stay by his side all the time. I wish I could bring him everywhere

    and care for him at all times.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa ¡­¡±Jasper swallowed hard. Full ofbitterness, he struggled toe up with a reply. His apology

    was worthless to her.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±Landon hurried over all of asudden. He cast aplicated look at Alyssa before addressing

    Jasper sternly,¡±Come with me! I have something to tell you!¡±

 Chapter 298

    ¡°What is it? Tell me right here.¡± Jaspernever once took his eyes off Alyssa.

    Landon furrowed his brows as he wondered how to go about it.

    ¡°Jasper! Jasper!¡±Suddenly, he wasspooked by a wailing female voice from afar. Meanwhile, Jasper

    frowned and straightened up from shock.

    Lauren was woken up by the screeching voice and stirred in Alyssa¡¯s embrace. Her eyes fluttered open

    as she held tightly onto Alyssa¡¯s shirt.¡±What¡¯s going on? Did something happen to Grandpa?¡±

    ¡°Hey, Lauren, everything¡¯s fine. Nothingbad will happen to him when I¡¯m around.¡±Alyssa shot a re at

    the distressed Liana and helped Lauren sit up.

    Alyssa continued, ¡°Lauren, I¡¯ll find a ce for you to rest. Grandpa can meet you the

    first thing after he wakes up.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s emotionless exit put a bullet through Jasper¡¯s chest. He felt suffocated by the paini.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±Liana¡¯s eyes were swollen fromthe crying. She was about to throw herself into Jasper¡¯s arms

    when Landon stopped her coldly.

    He advised, ¡°Ms. Gardner, this is not the time to be meeting Jasper. As a daughter, you should visit

    your dad at the hospital and get your mo m a capable attorney.¡±

    She ignored his suggestion and shamelessly wailed at Jasper,¡±I¡¯m framed! I¡¯m the victim. You must

    believe in me! How could I have betrayed you when I am so in love with you?¡± 1

    Jasper stood with his back to her. He clenched his jaw in irritation with wintry eyes. Her profession of

    love sickened him.

    ¡°Tsk, don¡¯t you have any shame aftergetting knocked up? Quit talking about

    love. I¡¯m going to barf.¡± Landon gave her a side-eye.

    He continued, ¡°You should be thankful that Jasper is kind. If I were Jasper, the father of your child

    would have been dead by now. I would have kicked your family out of Sna City and made sure you

    never showed up in front of me!¡±

    Liana was stunned by Landon¡¯s heartless remark and shuddered. Jasper finally turned around stiffly

    and red at Liana.¡±Leave.¡±

    ¡°No,I won¡¯t!¡± Liana whined, still actinglike an obnoxious little brat, thinking that she could get her way

    with Jasper.

    Little did she know that Jasper had texted Xavier. Xavier showed up with two bodyguards to send her

    away.

    ¡°Remove her. Let¡¯s not disturb otherpatients,¡±Jasper ordered in an icy tone.

    ¡°Got it!¡± Xavier furiously rolled up hissleeves and took Liana away by her arms

    with the help of another bodyguard.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing between Curtis and I ¡­He ¡­ He raped me because I refused to date him! That¡¯s how

    I got pregnant with his child!¡±

    Liana resorted to telling a ridiculous lie to get out of it. ¡°He ckmailed me repeatedly and dragged me

    down with him when I refused to give in. He wanted to destroy me!

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯m a victim as well! Why do yourefuse to trust me?¡±

    ¡°Liana.¡±The glint of ice in Jasper¡¯s eyesplunged her into despair. There was no hope of salvaging the

    rtionship.¡±I didn¡¯t break up with you over that man or the child.¡±

    Puzzled by Jasper¡¯s exnation, she stared agape at him.

 Chapter 299

    ¡°I don¡¯t me you for leaving me andfalling in love in Mosgravia. I wouldn¡¯t even me you for giving

    birth to someone¡¯s child.¡± Hatred filled Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    He curled his fists and continued,¡±But you shouldn¡¯t have lied about your severe depression. You used

    it as a cover to manipte me into marrying you!¡±

    ¡°No ¡­ That¡¯s not it ¡­¡± Liana startedmumbling incoherently as blood drained from her face. The gravity

    of her mistake finally dawned on her.

    She lied that she suffered from severe depression to keep Jasper by her side. However, it hadn¡¯t

    urred to her that Jasper and his mother were the victims of severe depression.

    Worried that Liana might share his mother¡¯s fate, he tolerated her behavior

    and cruelly abandoned Alyssa, who had loved him deeply.

    She had never considered the fallout when her cover was blown. Not only did she manipte Jasper,

    but she also humiliated his mother. Jasper would never forgive her.

    ¡°You manipted my feelings with thecondition that my mother and I suffered from.¡±Jasper was burning

    in regret and rage. Heughed at himself. ¡°Liana, you made me feel like a fool.¡±

    ¡°No, Jasper! That¡¯s not it¡­¡±

    Landon shook his head and questioned with resentment, ¡°Liana, nobody knows Jasper¡¯s pain as much

    as you do because you were his childhood friend. You wouldn¡¯t have tortured and lied to Jasper,

    inflicting pain on him for the second time, if you had a bit of conscience.

    ¡°How could you guilt-trip him with yourchildhood memories? It begs the question

    if you¡¯re truly in love with him. That¡¯s not how you treat a man you love. I¡¯d rather be single than date a

    woman like you. This is sickening.¡±

    ¡°Landon, that¡¯s enough.¡± Jasper wasreluctant to revisit his memories of Liana or get involved with her

    any further.¡±Xavier, I do not want to see her ever. I want her out of my sight right now.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Mr. Beckett!¡±Xavier stared atLiana with a look of disgust and forcefully dragged her away.

    ¡°Jasper, how could you treat me this way?¡±Liana finally ditched her pitiful act andyelled at him

    hysterically.¡±Those are all excuses! You broke up with me because you were bored of me! You left me

    behind because you are in love with Alyssa Taylor!

    ¡°What¡¯s so good about that bitch? Did shesave your life or what? She used a fake identity from the start

    because she was up to something!Wasn¡¯t she lying to you as well?¡±

    2

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    ¡°Shut the fuck up! You have no right tpare yourself to her!¡±Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in fury as he

    bellowed at Liana,a scene never seen before.¡±One more word about Alyssa from you, and I will kick the

    Gardners out of this country. Get lost right now!¡±

    His harsh words hit her like a rock. Fear gnawed at her insides. She would have copsed right there if

    Xavier had not held on to her.

    She had underestimated how much Jasper cared about Alyssa. Her attempt to paint Alyssa ck had

    backfired, turning her into a joke once more.

    Peace returned to the corridor after Liana was dragged away.

    ¡°Bro, despite everything, I¡¯d like tocongratte you.¡± Landon was d that Jasper had returned to the

    right track and ced a hand on his shoulder.

    Landon added, ¡°It¡¯s not toote toe

    around, no matter how long or how badly you¡¯ve been lied to.¡±

    ¡°Is it not toote?¡± Jasper smiled in defeatas his shoulders trembled dejectedly. Why did he feel that it

    was toote?

 Chapter 300

    Liana attracted stares from the hospital staff when she was dragged toward the entrance. Her ego was

    thest thing she cared about because she had nothing left to lose.

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    Xavier and the bodyguard let go of her at the same time. She fell onto the g round in disgrace.

    ¡°Dude, do you have a napkin?¡±Xavierasked the bodyguard.

    ¡°Sorry, Xavier. I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Ah, well. I¡¯ll ask the nurse for somealcohol swabster. We¡¯d better disinfect our hands after touching

    that filthy thing. ¡±

    Xavier spat in Liana¡¯s direction. Then, he headed back to the hospital with the bodyguard.

    Through sheer coincidence, two ps of thunder roared in the night sky. It started pouring a few

    secondster.

    After going through consecutive setbacks, Liana sat nkly on the ground. She lost the energy to

    stand up in the rain.

    Her carefully styled hair for the birthday party was a mess. The makeup on her face was like a mix of

    spilled paint.

    ¡°Jasper, I am your savior. How could youdo this to me, you heartless thing?¡±

    Sobbin g loudly, she pped the puddles on the ground. The action sshed dirty water across her

    face.

    She even broke her manicured nails and yelped in pain.

    At that moment, a ck Rolls-Royce came to a stop at the entrance and sshed the puddle of water

    all over Liana. The water even got into her mouth.

    ¡°Bleh!Don¡¯t you know how to drive?

    Didn¡¯t you see me?¡± She looked like a madwoman in the pouring rain when she barked at the car to

    release her anger,

    Amid her scolding, the driver emerged with a ck umbre and politely opened the rear door.

    Ss was the first to em erge and took the umbre from the driver.

    The back of his shirt was drenched in the rain because he shifted the umbre closer to the door. Next,

    Jonah calmly left the car and shared the umbre with his brother.

    Despite the gloomy weather, the brothers looked majestic, like the figures of a famous painting.

    Liana trembled violently when she saw the Taylor siblings. She held her tongue. Her wet face flushed in

    anger and shame.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner, this is not where your dadis hospitalized, is it? You are crying at the wrong ce.¡± Ss

    couldn¡¯t hide his grin

    at the sight of the woman who was drenched in rain.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Ss. Lyse is waiting for us.¡±Jonah was only concerned about Alyssa and gave Ss a gentle

    pat on the shoulder as a reminder. They ignored Liana and walked past the doors.

    ¡°Alyss a Taylor, how could you receive lovefrom everyone when I get nothing in return? Even Jasper

    has abandoned me for you. How? How?¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    A sh of lightning illuminated the frightening scowl on her face.

    ¡°One day, I will end you with my ownhands. I will!¡±

    ¡­

    Alyssa finally coaxed Lauren back to sleep. She caressed Lauren¡¯s smooth cheek with a heavy heart

    and sighed. Lauren was shocked by the events of the night and was wiped out.

    She tucked Lauren in and wandered to the door of the room worriedly. She immediately ran into Jasper

    when she opened the door.

    He stood straight in front of her in his impable suit, but he somehow felt downcast and dispirited.

    She frowned at him. Her gaze slowly traveled down from his face. He wore an exquisite and shiny gold

    dragonpel pin that stung her eyes.

    Thepel pin was her Valentine¡¯s Day gift to him in the first year of their marriage. She designed the pin

    and picked the materials on her own. Thepel pin was encrusted with two top-grade rubies.

    The effort she poured into thepel pin rivaled Jasper¡¯s effort in preparing Crimson Heart for Liana.

    She smirked at the thought. Her eyes darkened. He finally wore thepel pin that he had once cast

    aside.

    His action was absurd and ironic, no matter how she looked at it.

 Chapter 301

    ¡°I¡¯ve asked Liana to leave. She will notbother me anymore.¡± Jasper stared into Alyssa¡¯s unfeeling eyes

    and swallowed hard.

    ¡°Is that so? Congrattions, then. At leastone good thing came out of tonight¡¯s debacle. You got rid of

    a trouble.¡± Alyssa shed him a sarcastic smile, like a proud and thorny rose.

    She continued, ¡°I know you are an expert at wrapping up romantic rtionships. I wonder if Ms.

    Gardner has received her 20 million dors and a vi?¡±

    Jasper felt as though he was physically struck by the sh of purplish lightning outside the window. His

    shoulders were trembling, and his chest was numb from the pain.

    He was again reminded of the cruel scene where he threw the divorce papers at

    Alyssa. He stubbornly wanted to escape from the contract marriage without thinking about the hurt he

    had inflicted on her.

    His action almost destroyed her pride and ego.

    The tear-stained divorce paper remained tucked away in his headboard storage.

    He was afraid to picture Alyssa¡¯s heartbreak on that day when she signed the paper alone after he

    abandoned her for Liana like a jerk.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    He felt like he was stabbed in the throat, and his heart almost shattered into pieces. He might have

    been wronged by many in his life, but Alyssa was not one of them¡ªloving him was not wrong.

    Even if he did not love her in their marriage, he shouldn¡¯t have disregarded her feelings and broken her

    precious heart.

    There was no way of piecing her shattered heart back.

    ¡°Mr. Gorham told me you saved Grandpain the golden hour through acupuncture. Thank you,¡± he

    croaked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to. He¡¯s my grandpa, too.Now, please make way for me.¡± Looking down at the floor,

    she refused to engage with him and decided to leave. However, he stood in her way and towered over

    her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stand in people¡¯s way. Where areyour manners?¡± She gritted her teeth and red up.

    ¡°Alyssa, I want to make it up to you.¡±Jasper fixed his burning gaze on her.¡±Tell me, what can I do to

    make it up to you?¡±

    ¡°Are you sick in the mind? Why don¡¯t youget your brains checked since you¡¯re at the hospital?¡± Smiling

    with furrowed brows, she felt that his words were an affront.

    ¡°I was wrong to hurt you.¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡±She irritatedly gestured.¡±Jasper,please stop apologizing to me. I¡¯m sick of

    hearing your apology.

    ¡°By the way, I have gotten over it. Youwere not in the wrong for loving Liana and wanting to marry her.

    You were only being loyal to the true love of your life and did nothing wrong from the start. It was me

    who fell in love with the wrong man.

    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯d only make that mistakeonce. I v ow never to trip over the same stone twice.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes reddened as he curled his shaking fists. He was shamed and crucified by her pointed

    remarks.

    Indeed, the two of them fell in love with the wrong person. Alyss a learned her lesson and decided to let

    go and live her life. In contrast, he sank deeper into remorse and guilt over his sins.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    Alyssa turned around when she heard someone calling her name. She saw Jonah and Ss walking to

    her from the other

    end of the corridor.

    ¡°Jonah! Ss!¡± The sorrows in her eyeswere gone in an instant. She knocked aside the frozen Jasper

    and flung herself into the embrace of her brothers.

    ¡°I¡¯m hungry! Jonah, can you make supperfor me at home?¡± She held onto Jonah¡¯s arm and pouted.

    ¡°Me too! I¡¯m hungry. Please feed me!¡±Ss mimicked her action and held onto Jonah¡¯s other arm. They

    were transported back to their childhood at that moment.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll stuff you little rascals with foodwhen we get home.¡±Jonah smiled dotingly at his two siblings.

    Meanwhile, Jasper watched helplessly as the Taylor siblings vanished from the corridor and out of his

    sight. His world was flooded with loneliness, pain, and bitterness.

    After leaving him, she was showered with love from others around her. On the contrary, he felt like a

    shell of himself after leaving her.

 Chapter 302

    After leaving the hospital, Alyssa was gued by worries about Newton¡¯s health. She decided to reach

    out to Mandyter.

    As a family of doctors, the Lovces were known for their excellent medical expertise in the nation.

    Therefore, Alyssa would like their help to find a solution to Newton¡¯s chronic illness.

    On their way home, Ss scrolled through Twitter and read out the amusing negativements about

    Liana he came across, keeping Alyssa entertained.

    ¡°Hahaha!I¡¯m surprised at how adorablethe annoying keyboard warriors seem today!I¡¯d love to frame

    some of theirments!¡± Ss teared up fromughing at the myriad of creative hatements.

    Alyssa looked out of the window with pursed lips. She felt a rush of frustration when she recalled the

    goldenpel pin on

    Jasper that night.

    She considered all her gifts for him as skeletons from her past¡ªitem s she¡¯d rather destroy than see

    with him.

    ¡°Rosaline and Curtis are in Cyrus¡¯ controlnow. Both are at the police station.¡± Jonah ran his course

    palm across her nape to offerfort.

    He continued, ¡°He texted us that Cyrus admitted to his crimes right away, but Rosaline was tight-lipped.

    No matter how they interrogated her, she insisted she was solely responsible for the contract killing.¡± ¢Ù

    ¡°As cruel as Rosaline is, she has motherlyinstincts.¡±Alyssa waved her messy thoughts away and

    replied coldly, ¡°Liana is her only hope after Andrew Gardner fell sick and Dn was jailed. As a mother,

    it only makes sense that she wants to protect her daughter.¡±

    Not only did Alyssa bait Liana to hide her

    child, but she also tasked Sean to tail Rosaline to Mosgravia.

    Rosaline, who lived a pampered and sheltered life, was unaware that she had been followed. That was

    how Sean easily found his way to the orphanage, where she hid Liana¡¯s daughter.

    In his words, the orphanage was a refugee camp for children. He was tortured by the sight of the dirty

    children who looked like beggars. If he could, he would take it out on Rosaline and Liana, the two

    heartless bitches.

    Rosaline took her granddaughter from the orphanage but did not have the guts to kill the girl. So, she

    hired a poor and unknowing female farmhand to get the job done.

    Thankfully, Sean saved the girl just in time and brought her to Sna City on Alyssa¡¯s private jet. The

    child was currently well taken care of at the police station.

    ¡°How did Rosaline have the heart to killher granddaughter? That¡¯s Liana¡¯s flesh and blood.¡±Jonah¡¯s

    eyes dimmed.

    He added,¡±From this, you can tell that all her actions are the result of her careful calction. There are

    no maternal instincts to speak of. Her only goal is to ensure that Liana marries well.¡±

    Alyssa gave him a light nod. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t you worry. Cyrus and I willmake sure that Rosaline spends the rest of her life behind bars.

    As for Cyrus ¡­ Heh heh ¡­¡± Ss cracked his fingers with a sinister grin on his lips. For a moment, he

    resembled Axel.

    ¡°He¡¯d be na ive to think that everything iing to an end after he¡¯s jailed. His nightmar e has just

    started!¡±

    ¡­

    The Beckett Family was plunged into disorder after the disastrous birthday

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    party. Jasper remained at Newton¡¯s side in the hospital while his parents didn¡¯t show up to visit. He

    assumed they were too busy dealing with the aftermath caused by Rosaline and Liana.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, there¡¯s a flood of negativeonlinements directed at you. Should we have the PR

    department handle it?¡±Xavier asked with concern.

    Jasper slumped against the corridor floor, looking pale and lifeless. His left le g was curled up while his

    right leg stretched out. He stared at the ceiling with his back against the wall. His neck formed a

    graceful arc.

    Few would look like a work of art at the lowest point of their life.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t they right? I think they are. Letthem be.¡± He closed his eyes and loosened his tie but still found it

    hard to breathe.¡±I deserve it.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say so.¡±Feeling upset,

    Xavier choked with emotions.¡±You¡¯re lied to by Liana. You¡¯re a victim as well.

    A victim.

    He furrowed his brows, feeling prickles of pain in his chest. The only victim he could think of was

    Alyssa Taylor.

    As for himself, he was once a tool wielded by Liana to hurt Alyssa. It was true that Liana had hurt him,

    but he did the same to Alyssa, didn¡¯t he?

 Chapter 303

    ¡°Mr. Jasper!¡± Mrs. Rosie waddled toward Jasper from the other end of the corridor with bags in her

    hands.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie!¡± Jasper shot up and helped her with the bags. ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    ¡°I heard from Xavier that Mr. Beckett Senior was hospitalized, and you¡¯d be staying the night. I brought

    you some toiletries, clothes, and supper. You should share the food with Xavier.¡±

    Mrs. Rosie led Jasper back to the seat andid out the food containers.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, I¡¯m not hungry. Xavier can have it.¡± He stared at the steam from the hot food. That was the

    first time he felt a touch of warmth in the long night.

    Even if he managed to mentally pull himself together after all the chaos, he did not have much appetite.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m not hungry as well! Mrs. Rosie, thanks for the offer!¡± Xavier shook his head. He wouldn¡¯t want to

    eat before his boss did.

    ¡°Gobble it up, you all!¡± She felt sorry at the sight of Jasper¡¯s exhausted appearance and shoved a piece

    of

    cake into his mouth.

    She added, ¡°Are you really not going to eat because of that dark-hearted slut Liana Gardner? Man up,

    or

    you¡¯ll lose my respect!¡±

    Jasper smiled bitterly and chewed on the food with much effort. ¡°And who told you it was because of

    Liana?¡±

    ¡°Why the long face, then? Oh, is this about Madam?¡± Mrs. Rosie winked wittily.

    Jasper¡¯s cheeks reddened for some reason, either from choking on food or embarrassment. ¡°Um¡­ It¡¯s

    because of Grandpa.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you should get a CT scan since you¡¯re at the hospital. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re eating your heart out

    now,

    ¡°she mocked him and gave him a side-eye.

    Xavier silently gave Mrs. Rosie a thumbs up for bravely voicing out what had been on his mind, too.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie.¡± Jasper said coldly, ¡°I was bad at reading characters. I was wrong to hurt Alyssa for Liana.

    But I would divorce Alyssa even without Liana in the equation.

    ¡°I married Alyssa because of Grandpa¡¯s orders. We would never stick together because there was no

    love

    between us at all. I have no regret *

    ¡°Three years, Mr. Jasper! Madam loved you with all her heart for three years. That¡¯s enough time to

    tame

    ¡°I do not love Alyssa Taylor.¡± Feeling his heart trembling, he said seriously with a dry throat. ¡°Why

    should I waste her time if I don¡¯t love her?¡±

    Xavier was extremely disappointed and upset at Jasper¡¯s words. He believed that Jasper must have

    had some feelings for Alyssa. Perhaps Jasper found it hard to trust and open his heart to another due

    to the events he had suffered-childhood trauma, his mom¡¯s suicide, and the betrayal of a benefactor in

    his teenage years.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing shameful about apologizing and repenting. Your happiness is more important than

    your ego! I¡¯d do anything just to help you get back with Madam,¡± Mrs. Rosiemented.

    Jasper frowned. ¡°Mrs. Rosie¡­¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°M-Me too!¡± Xavier hurriedly raised a hand. ¡°I¡¯ll do anything just to get Madam back!¡±

    Jasper was baffled at Xavier¡¯s deration. He should have shipped off his unserious secretary!

    ¡°Oh, by the way,¡± Mrs. Rosie took out a recording pen and handed it to Jasper. ¡°A smart-looking young

    man came looking for me at home and gave me this. He wanted me to hand it to you.¡± 1

    Jasper took the pen. ¡°And who was that man?¡±

    ¡°He introduced himself as Mr. Lynch.¡±

    Holding his breath, Jasper exchanged a look with Xavier before pressing the ¡°y¡± button.

 Chapter 304

    Overnight, the Gardner family met its downfall while going viral online. Netizens joked that the family

    was a cautionary tale ofw and order and should be given a lifetime achievement award for their

    ¡°service¡±.

    Rosaline Kirkman had been arrested and sentenced for contract killing and abetting murder, which did

    not warrant a death or life sentence, but she had to spend twenty years or more behind bars.

    As she was 50 years old at the time of sentencing, she should expect to spend the rest of her life in

    prison.

    At the same time, Andrew Gardner suffered a stroke from the shock and was sent to the ICU. As a

    result of dyed treatment due to the chaos at the event, he fell into a deepa from hypoxia and

    brain tissue damage.

    ¡°Ms. Gardner, please be mentally prepared. There is a high possibility that your father might fall into a

    vegetative state.¡±

    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

    Upon hearing Andrew¡¯s prognosis from the doctor, Liana froze by the door. The colors drained from her

    face.

    At that moment, the Gardner Group was crushed by debt. The manufacturers and debtors had been

    knocking on her door for days to demand payment, scaring her into staying at the hotel instead of going

    home.

    She had emptied what little savings she had to hire an attorney for Rosaline and to pay for Andrew¡¯s

    medical treatments. For the first time in life, she had a taste of poverty.

    It never rained, but it poured. Two dayster, the staff from Rose Emerson¡¯s studio reached out to her.

    Liana had left her dress on the ground in a hurry to flee her birthday party. When she went back to pick

    up

    the dress, it was reduced to a stained rag covered with dirty footprints.

    ¡°What? Are you saying I need to pay back five times the price tag?¡±

    She crumpled thepensation form and bellowed, ¡°That¡¯s 600 thousand dors! How dare you extort

    that amount for a fucking dress? Why don¡¯t you rob a bank instead?¡±

    ¡°Is 600 thousand dors too much for you?¡± Rose¡¯s assistant chuckled teasingly.

    The assistant continued, ¡°Those who purchase our haute couture are wealthy and influential. Six

    hundred thousand is nothing to them. We have customers who can afford dresses worth millions.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have borrowed the dress from Ms. Emerson if the price tag was exorbitant for you. Don¡¯t

    ¡°You-You¡¯re just a fucking assistant. Watch that mouth of yours! I¡¯ll lodge aint!¡± Liana¡¯s

    expression contorted in anger.

    ¡°Fine. Do as you wish, but please transfer the amount to the ount stated on thepensation form.

    If you miss the payment deadline, we will bring this to court and get a court order.¡±

    With that, Rose¡¯s assistant gave Liana a disdainful stare and left.

    Shaking in fear, Liana plopped on the chair and sobbed into her hands. Finally, she could not take it

    anymore and cried out loud.

    When she was tired from crying, she wiped away her tears and drove to Seaview Manor alone.

    Liana grasped onto herst hope-Sophia. She believed that Sophia was partly responsible for her

    downfall and should lend a helping hand as an aunt.

    The Becketts were having dinner in the dining hall. Newton¡¯s condition was stable these days and

    looked more healthy. Newton disliked his hospital stay, so he opted to recover at Crescent Bay.

    It was a rare asion where everyone in the family was present, including Jasper. However, the vibe

    at the dinner table was oppressive and depressing.

    Sophia loved being lovey-dovey with Javier at mealtime on normal days, feeding each other food.

    Tonight, the couple ate dinner in silence. Javier looked glum while Sophia yed with the food on her

    te, seemingly losing her appetite.

    In stark contrast to her parents¡¯ moodiness, Betty had a voracious appetite and took a second helping.

    ¡°You should eat less. Can¡¯t you see you¡¯re getting chubbier? It will be hard to marry you off!¡± Sophia

    treated Betty like a punching bag to release her frustration about the Gardner family.

    ¡°Tsk. What¡¯s wrong with eating a little bit more? And what¡¯s more, I am a Beckett. I don¡¯t have to worry

    about my marriage prospects,¡± Betty grumbled.

    Then, she scoffed and added, ¡°Dad, Mom, stop looking so down. The situation might be difficult for

    now,

    but at least we found out the problem and nip it in the bud.¡±

 Chapter 305

    ¡°It¡¯s way better than weing that scandal-ridden, shameless bitch into our family and letting the

    Gardners leech off us. We¡¯ve only announced the engagement without an official party. It¡¯s easy to cut

    them off,¡± Betty concluded.

    ¡°Shut up and eat your meal!¡± Sophia glowered at Betty. She was frustrated at her thoughtless daughter

    for touching the sore spot.

    Javier looked more sullen than before. Sophia¡¯s misstep had dragged the Beckett Group through the

    mud

    once more.

    Thankfully, the inte was focused on Liana¡¯s scandal-ridden past at the time being. If not, the

    Beckett Group would be a joke due to the scandal surrounding Liana¡¯s cheating and the existence

    of the bastard child.

    ¡°Madam Sophia!¡± The butler shuffled into the dining hall with a troubled expression. ¡°Ms. Gardner is out

    there. She demands t¨® meet with you.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s face crumbled. She felt as if she was on pins and needles.

    ¡°Go meet with her. We¡¯re family, after all,¡± Javier chimed in frostily, eyelids drooping.

    Knowing that Liana had nothing to lose and would loiter around until she got what she wanted, Sophia

    had no choice but to emerge from the vi.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Aunt Sophia!¡± Liana ran toward Sophia in tears and grasped her arm. ¡°You must save my mom! She¡¯s

    your sister as well!¡±

    ¡°How can I possibly save her?¡± Sophia was enraged at the thought of her dumb sister. She hissed,

    ¡°Only a pea brain like your mom would even consider contract killing!

    ¡°It¡¯s easy to send that young child anywhere. Why would she try to dispose of the evidence and cover

    her

    tracks? Does she think that murder is a piece of cake?¡± (1

    ¡°What else could we have done? Alyssa had learned about my past in Mosgravia. She had the

    powerful

    backing of the Taylors, and she wanted to destroy me.

    ¡°It was a matter of time before she found out about the child! We had no choice!¡±

    ¡°Like mother, like daughter. Alyssa was ying you. Haven¡¯t you heard of the Wild Horse Effect? She

    was

    just a harmless vampire bat who sucked on your blood. You went into panic mode, thinking that she

    would suck you dry.

    ¡°You lost your mind before she made any move and messed things up! Alyssa Taylor defeated you and

    Rosaline with the flick of a finger. How can I help her when there¡¯s solid evidence of her crime?¡±

    Sophia seethed in resentment when all her efforts of raising Liana as her pawn went down the drain.

    She needed to cut her loss and sever her ties to the Gardners to avoid getting afflicted.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just sit back and do nothing! The debtors are knocking on my door every day. My dad¡¯s in a

    coma. I could barely pay his hospital bills!¡± Liana shuddered at the thought of those ruthless debtors.

    She continued, ¡°Can you at least pay off the debts for me? Just see it as a personal loan. I¡¯ll pay you

    back when my family¡¯s in a better situation.¡±

    ¡°And what can you offer to pay your debts with?¡± Sophia was no longer patient with Liana because

    there was nothing she could gain from thetter.

    She smirked and said, ¡°Your brother¡¯s in jail, and your dad is in aa. There¡¯s no one at the helm of

    your family. 1

    ¡°The Gardners are an empty shell. Even if I sell you off, I can¡¯t pay your debts with that money. If I were

    you, I¡¯d buy a ticket to Mosgravia and stay there for good. You are done for in this country.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a few lovers in Mosgravia? Why not ask them for help?¡±

    Sophia was clearly unwilling to be involved with her niece. She impatiently swatted Liana¡¯s hand away

    to

    free herself from the burden.

    To Sophia¡¯s dismay, Liana wed into her arm tightly with a devilish look in her misty eyes. ¡°Aunt

    Sophia, we were once partners. I listened to you from a young age and ran errands for you. Have you

    forgotten

    about that?¡±

    Sophia was seized by panic. ¡°What are you going to do?¡±

    ¡°My reputation is in tatters, and Jasper hates me now. I have nothing to lose.¡± Liana¡¯s battered face

    grew

    sinister. An anxious and fretful gleam shed across her eyes.

    you refuse to help, I will tell Mr. Javier everything you asked me to do over the years.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him how you groomed me to get closer to Jasper and how you made me spread the rumors to

    ostracize him and worsen his mother¡¯s depression, driving her to kill herself¡­ I will tell Mr. Javier and

    Jasper every single detail.

    ¡°Look, we are family. Do not force my hand.¡±

 Chapter 306

    Covered in a cold sweat, Sophia returned to the dining hall with a heavy heart. She couldn¡¯t believe

    that Liana, whom she had groomed, had turned against her and threatened her.

    She was not afraid of Liana spilling the beans because there was no hard evidence that could

    incriminate her.

    Still, she noticed that Javier was not as crazy about her as before. Therefore, she was vignt of any

    potential trouble that might affect her standing in the Beckett Family.

    ¡°Javier, Lia is in the wrong, but she was a child who grew up in front of your eyes. You know what a

    nice and thoughtful kid she was.

    ¡°Now that my sister is in prison, and my brother-inw is in aa, their family is in huge financial

    trouble. That poor thing is too scared to face the debtors at home. I feel sorry for this poor girl that I¡¯ve

    raised.¡±

    Sophia sped her dainty hand on the back of Javier¡¯s stiffened hand. Tearing up, she argued, ¡°Javier,

    you have always been forgiving and generous.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we help Lia out of this rut? Think of it as charity. That way, we could im we have done

    everything we can for her.¡±

    Javier¡¯s brows rxed a little. He seemed convinced by her words.

    They heard the sound of an item hitting the floor out of the blue. The couple appeared shocked while

    Betty almost choked on her food.

    Jasper, who had been silent, took out a recording pen from his inner jacket pocket and flung it at his

    father and stepmom. ¡°Why don¡¯t you listen to this before you decide on helping Liana?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s heart hammered in her chest as she wondered what Jasper was up to.

    Javier picked up the pen with a puzzled look and pressed the y button. A recorded conversation

    between Curtis and Liana started ying.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything to Alyssa Taylor yet. Wait for my call. Things are looking up right now. I¡¯ve gotten

    Jasper¡¯s attention on me all over again.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°He¡¯s been by my side these past few days. Mr. Javier has promised the marriage will go on, too. The

    wedding should be any day now.¡±

    ¡°Since you two are gonna marry, then that five million you promised-¡±

    ¡°You lost your mind before she made any move and messed things up! Alyssa Taylor defeated you and

    Rosaline with the flick of a finger. How can I help her when there¡¯s solid evidence of her crime?¡±

    Sophia seethed in resentment when all her efforts of raising Liana as her pawn went down the drain.

    She needed to cut her loss and sever her ties to the Gardners to avoid getting afflicted.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just sit back and do nothing! The debtors are knocking on my door every day. My dad¡¯s in a

    coma. I could barely pay his hospital bills!¡± Liana shuddered at the thought of those ruthless debtors.

    She continued, ¡°Can you at least pay off the debts for me? Just see it as a personal loan. I¡¯ll pay you

    back when my family¡¯s in a better situation.¡±

    ¡°And what can you offer to pay your debts with?¡± Sophia was no longer patient with Liana because

    there was nothing she could gain from thetter.

    She smirked and said, ¡°Your brother¡¯s in jail, and your dad is in aa. There¡¯s no one at the helm of

    your family.

    ¡°The Gardners are an empty shell. Even if I sell you off, I can¡¯t pay your debts with that money. If I were

    you, I¡¯d buy a ticket to Mosgravia and stay there for good. You are done for in this country.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a few lovers in Mosgravia? Why not ask them for help?¡±

    Sophia was clearly unwilling to be involved with her niece. She impatiently swatted Liana¡¯s hand away

    to free herself from the burden.

    To Sophia¡¯s dismay, Liana wed into her arm tightly with a devilish look in her misty eyes. ¡°Aunt

    Sophia, we were once partners. I listened to you from a young age and ran errands for you. Have you

    forgotten about that?¡±

    Sophia was seized by panic. ¡°What are you going to do?¡±

    ¡°My reputation is in tatters, and Jasper hates me now. I have nothing to lose.¡± Liana¡¯s battered face

    grew sinister. An anxious and fretful gleam shed across her eyes.

    ¡°If you refuse to help, I will tell Mr. Javier everything you asked me to do over the years.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him how you groomed me to get closer to Jasper and how you made me spread the rumors to

    ostracize him and worsen his mother¡¯s depression, driving her to kill herself¡­ I will tell Mr. Javier and

    Jasper every single detail.

    ¡°Look, we are family. Do not force my hand.¡±

 Chapter 307

    Afterward, Jasper left the dining hall with a frosty demeanor, leaving Sophia shuddering at the sight of

    his cold-blooded figure.

    At the same time, Javier withdrew his hand from beneath hers and stood up with a stern look. ¡°Jasper

    is right. The Gardners brought this upon themselves.

    ¡°We, Becketts, have helped them many times. It would be abetting evil if I continued to assist them

    after all their wrongdoings. 1

    ¡°You should stop meddling in their family affairs from now on. We need to sever ties with these toxic

    rtives!¡± Javier left the table indignantly.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Mom, why do you even care about Liana? Let that bitch sink or swim.¡± Betty chewed on

    the steak with puffed cheeks as she expressed her opposition.

    ¡°You only know how to eat! What else do you know?¡± Sophia was gripped by anger. No longer caring

    about her manners, she threw a dinner roll at Betty.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She had underestimated Jasper, who was far more stone-hearted than his father. She had no choice

    but to use her savings to help the Gardners with their debt.

    She had shot herself in the foot this time. The thought of her losses pained her heart.

    After dinner, Jasper went to the garage to get his car and drove to Crescent Bay. He didn¡¯t feel as

    relieved as he had expected after parting ways with Liana.

    Ever since he became the heir of the Beckett family, he had hoped to excel in everything. However, it

    seemed that he had only made a mess of things, from his marriage to his family.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor has great skills! I was so terrified, but she calmly took the needles and urately

    performed acupuncture on Mr. Newton¡¯s head, immediately relieving the situation!

    ¡°I learned that she was an expert in the medical field for the first time. I think she¡¯s just as good as Mr.

    Newton¡¯s physician!¡±

    Jasper took a deep breath and pressed harder on the elerator. He should have known that Alyssa

    was a medical expert.

    Not only did she save Newton, but she had also once rescued a hotel employee suffering from epilepsy

    with acupuncture.

    Alyssa had made numerous sacrifices for him, including fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and

    caring for his family.

    For some reason, he felt nothing but irritation toward her in the past. He believed she was being

    insincere and he had been blind to her many good qualities

    Clutching the steering wheel with his right hand, he pressed the other against his stuffy chest. Looking

    back, he realized Liana was not worth his effort and time. He might have been to Alyssa what Liana

    had been to him.

    Newton was ted upon hearing of Jasper¡¯s visit. He waited for his grandson in the living room

    Although he had never openly expressed his love for Jasper, he had a deep affection for him

    nheless

    This was evident in his appointment of Jasper as the president of the Beckett Group despite facing

    opposition.

 Chapter 308

    ¡°Grandpa, how are you feeling these days? Let me know if something doesn¡¯t feel right.¡±

    Jasper knelt on one knee by Newton¡¯s wheelchair and nced up at his grandfather. His eyes were

    clear, bright, and reminiscent of his teenage years.

    He further suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you move back to Seaview Manor? That way, Mrs. Rosie and I can

    better look after you.¡±

    ¡°Why would I? Your dad and his wretched wife will only shave years off my life!¡±

    The thought of Sophia gave Newton a headache. He let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°I have sworn not to

    move back until Javier divorces that woman. I¡¯m fine here. The secret to longevity is to keep them out

    of sight anyway!¡±

    Jasper shed a bitter smile. He felt helpless in front of his stubborn grandfather.

    ¡°This vi was home to Mr. Newton and Madam Doris. He¡¯s unwilling to leave because it feels and

    reminds him of Madam Doris,¡± the thoughtful Ben exined with a smile.

    ¡°Ben, I am increasingly senile, I think. Sometimes, I am delusional.¡±

    Newton turned around and stared at the backyard in a daze. ¡°I once saw Doris singing and tending to

    the

    flowers in the backyard. She even smiled at me when I walked up to her.¡±

    ¡°No, Mr. Newton, you¡¯re not senile. Madam Doris must have sensed your deep longing for her. That¡¯s

    why

    she¡¯s reluctant to leave and chooses to stay by your side,¡± Benforted the old man.

    Jasper felt a lump in his throat and hung his head with guilt. Newton and Doris had a loving marriage,

    which gave him hope for a loyal rtionship. Hence, he had an obsession with his rtionship with

    Liana.

    There were warning signs early in their rtionship. They were ipatible and did not have much in

    He had been led astray by his desperation to be loved and his fear of losing everything he worked for.

    In the end, not only did he lose everything, but he also hurt another woman who truly loved him.

    ¡°How foolish I¡¯ve been.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Hisshes fluttered as he spoke in a shaking voice.

    Newton felt sympathy for his prideful grandson, now riddled with shame and guilt. He sighed and patted

    Jasper on the shoulder. ¡°Jasper, you were just like me when I was younger. I was fussy and stubborn.

    ¡°There¡¯s only one difference between us-I was luckier than you in that I fell in love with the right

    woman. Anyway, I¡¯m d you have changed your ways.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I ¡­¡±

    ¡°I was at fault, too. I shouldn¡¯t have forced you to marry Alice. Nothing goodes from force. From

    now on, you and Alice should pursue whomever you love.

    ¡°I must have put Alice in a tough ce, forcing her to be with a man who doesn¡¯t love her back.¡±

    Newton put on a straight face and instructed Ben, ¡°Ben, show me a list of bachelors who are a good

    match for Alice. Since I have too much time on my hands, I¡¯ll bring her on blind dates when she¡¯s free.

    ¡°I do not want to see her love life on pause after the divorce. That would trouble me to no end.¡±

    ¡°Uh? Oh¡­ Sure, Mr. Newton,¡± Ben responded, seemingly amused and caught by surprise.

    Newton¡¯s remark reminded Jasper of the scene where Jameson presented the roses to Alyssa under

    the

    sunset. He clenched his fists, slowly drowning in bitterness and remorse.

    Jasper left Crescent Bay after a good chat with Newton.

    ¡°Sir, I know you¡¯re eager to see Mr. Jasper back with Ms. Taylor. So, why introduce potential suitors for

    Ms. Taylor?¡± Ben sounded baffled.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°I know my grandson like the back of my hand. He would not listen to me nagging at him to get back

    with

    Alice.¡±

    Newton narrowed his eyes, looking sly and impish. ¡°I¡¯ll y on his possessiveness and make him feel

    threatened. Only then will he realize who he truly loves.¡±

 Chapter 309

    After a tumultuous period, the chaos finally died down.

    Alyssa masterfully set in motion a butterfly effect that led to the downfall of the Gardner Group, using

    he pawn, Curtis Halloway.

    While the Beckett Group was caught up in the turmoil, it did, at the very least, prevent Jasper from

    marrying Liana.

    As a scandal victim, Jasper didn¡¯t suffer significant damage apart from the temporary embarrassment

    due to being the subject of public gossip.

    One day, while Alyssa was ying two rounds of games in her office, Sean peeled some grapes for

    her. He took the opportunity to report on some developments.

    ¡°Mr. Cyrus provided an update on Rosaline Kirkman¡¯s case. It will soon be brought to the district court.

    Currently, no reputable attorney is willing to defend her because the evidence is rock solid. Nobody

    likes to fight a losing battle, so I believe she¡¯s looking at a minimum sentence of 20 years.¡±

    He leaned in attentively and fed her a grape. She ate it with a satisfied squint and licked her upper lip

    like a kitten. ¡°Ooh! That¡¯s sweet!¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t help but melt at her words.

    ¡°Cyrus is so uptight, though. He could have called me, but he insisted that you ry the message. He¡¯s

    so

    ¡­¡± Alyssa heaved a frustrated sigh.

    Cyrus was simr to Tatiana, in that they were overthinkers.

    Only three years older than Alyssa, Cyrus cared for her as much as her four other brothers did.

    ¡°He certainly has a chip on the shoulder. He struggles to show his affection openly.¡± Sean, looking in,

    was

    well aware of the dynamics among the members of the Taylor family.

    ¡°Cyrus is overthinking:¡± Alyssa shook her head. ¡°He might be my half-sibling, but I love and respect him

    the same.¡±

    ¡°Oh, one more thing. Curtis Halloway is in prison now. As revenge for you, Ss and Cyrus ced him

    with

    debtors and gangsters.¡± Sean grimaced. ¡°He shall pay for what he did.¡±

    Alyssa smiled. ¡°That¡¯s so nice of Ss and Cyrus. I¡¯ll treat them to a home-cooked dinner.¡±

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°I also heard that the Gardners have almost cleared their debts.¡±

    Alyssa paused and frowned. ¡°Did Jasper help them out? Pretty loyal and merciful of him to do so.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t him. Sophia Kirkman helped them out.¡±

    Alyssa fell into silence.

    ¡°It¡¯s weird, though. Liana is ruined and has no use for Sophia. And Sophia is no saint. Why would she

    clean the mess for the Gardners?¡± Sean wondered aloud.

    ¡°Liana might be of no use, but she might have dirt on Sophia.¡± Liana analyzed with a smirk, ¡°After all

    these years of working together, Liana must have something on Sophia. You¡¯re right that Sophia is no

    saint. She must have paid off the Gardner¡¯s debts because she was ckmailed.¡±

    ¡°Hmph! What can I say, except that she shot herself in the foot? That was well deserved!¡± Sean peeled

    another grape and fed it to Alyssa.

    He continued, ¡°I heard that Liana went abroad and left her dad behind after paying the hospital bills. I

    bet she wouldn¡¯t be back anytime soon.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t give a damn about that poor daughter of hers. I did what you asked and sent the little girl

    under the care of a Sna City orphanage sponsored by the Taylor Group.

    ¡°The girl is doing well at the new home. You don¡¯t have to worry about her.¡±

    ¡°What a pity.¡± Alyssa swallowed the grape.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Jasper and Liana did not marry. Those two selfish and heartless beings should have

    been

    tied to each other forever.¡±

    Just as Alyssa exited the game, she received a game request from a yer named ¡°Rose¡±, who was

    ranked pretty high.

    She added the yer without much thought, partly because she liked anything associated with the rose

    and also because she often received requests from yers all around the world as she was the Queen

    of

    Killers, Lucifer.

 Chapter 310

    Soon, ¡°Rose¡± sent Alyssa a message.

    Rose: ¡°Hey, want a round?¡±

    Lucifer: ¡°I¡¯m signing off. Maybe next time.¡±

    Rose: ¡°Can we meet for coffee at KS World Hotel¡¯s caf¨¦?¡±

    ONUS

    Alyssa hastily showed up at the hotel caf¨¦ on the third floor a few minutester. The caf¨¦ was rather

    empty at that time of the day.

    She spotted Jameson sitting alone near the zed double doors. The colors of the sunset danced on

    his hunky figure in what was an eye-catching scene.

    ¡°Jameson.¡± Alyssa walked up to him, astonished. ¡°Since when were you here? Why didn¡¯t you hit me

    up?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to distract you. I heard you were busy, so I decided to wait here in the caf¨¦.¡±

    He smiled and showed his phone. ¡°But I noticed you were online in the game, so I thought it would be

    okay to invite you out.¡±

    ¡°What would you like to drink? It¡¯s on me.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but admire Jameson¡¯s thoughtful n. Somehow, she felt as though she had let

    him. down, even though it was him who had made an unexpected visit.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve tried three different coffee vors by now, and I¡¯m feeling more hungry than thirsty.¡±

    He adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and gave her a warm smile. ¡°Do I have the pleasure of trying the

    food at your hotel? I haven¡¯t tasted the food in Sna City for a long time after years of living in

    Kontina.¡±

    Knowing he had been waiting for too long, she felt obliged to agree. She graciously promised, ¡°Sure,

    that¡¯s on me. Just order anything you like!¡±

    She had Sean book a VIP lounge and order a couple of the hotel chef¡¯s signature dishes.

    She chatted away merrily with Jameson at dinner while Sean sullenly stood by the wall outside the

    lounge. It upset him to hear Alyssa¡¯s muffledughter from within.

    Sean harbored a strong dislike for Jasper Beckett, and he wasn¡¯t particrly fond of Jameson Schmidt

    either.

    After all, there were certain people in this world whom one knew one wouldn¡¯t befriend at first sight, as

    one instantly felt a strong aversion toward them.

    Despite Sean¡¯s feelings for Alyssa, he was sensible enough not to be envious of any man she was in

    contact with.

    However, Jameson was a different story. Sean had a nagging feeling that Jameson was a character

    moreplex than he appeared. It was also hard to get a read on him.

    Not only that, Jameson had a mysterious way of going about things. Even Alyssa could not tell when

    Jameson would show up in front of her.

    Jameson was an unpredictable man.

    ¡°The KS World Hotel chef is talented! The food is delightful. I get to enjoy such an amazing dinner, all

    thanks to you,¡± Jameson praised, wearing a satisfied smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re too kind. I had nned to treat you to dinner as a thank you for saving me anyway.¡± Alyssa

    sounded gentle and earnest.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to send your lifesaver off with just a dinner, are you?¡± He leaned in closer with a

    captivating smile that momentarily left her bedazzled.

    Then, he presented her with two tickets to a concert.

    ¡°Tonight at 7:00 pm, the renowned Yoarkley pianist Christina Hammond is performing her first-ever

    concert in Sna City. What do you say?¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    She hesitated, looking flustered.

    Worried that she might decline his invitation, he looked into her eyes and added with a hint of flirtation,

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯d deny a small request from your rescuer, would you?¡±

 Chapter 311

    After returning from a management meeting, Jasper rested on the leather chair in the Beckett Group

    president¡¯s office, visibly exhausted.

    News of his breakup with Liana must have spread within thepany. Nheless, not one employee

    in the building dared to gossip about him lest they got into trouble.

    As the vice chair of the board of directors, Jasper was de facto yielding the most power in thepany.

    Somehow, that did not bring him any happiness at all.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that Sophia was able to pay off the Gardners¡¯ debts. It looks like she has siphoned quite

    a lot of money. This is the perfect time to pay it all back.¡± Xavier gloated at Sophia¡¯s misfortune.

    ¡°Henry was her tool to collect wealth, but he¡¯s in jail now. The fact that she could afford to pay the tens

    of millions in debt goes to show that she has other channel¡¯s of getting the money.¡± Jasper¡¯s half-

    opened eyes gleamed dangerously.

    ¡°Could she have made money ¡­ from that luxury store, EV Concepts?¡± Xavier widened his eyes in

    disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s just an ordinary store selling luxury bags and clothes. Even if their sales are off the roof,

    it¡¯s impossible to make that much in profits!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still naive after all these years of following me around.¡± Frowning, Jasperunched a paper

    ne thatnded right on Xavier¡¯s chest.

    ¡°The EV Concepts store is the front of an extensive web of connections that Sophia built over a few

    years. She might be selling luxury items on the surface, but she is secretly dealing with the exchange

    of titles, power, and even darker illegal shit.¡±

    Xavier shuddered at the thought. ¡°We¡¯ve underestimated that witch!¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t. I don¡¯t take my enemies lightly.¡± Jasper pinched his nose bridge and sneered. ¡°But it¡¯s

    not

    time to get rid of Sophia yet.

    ¡°She is well-connected in the city and is protected by Javier. We don¡¯t have evidence to drag her down,

    and it¡¯s not the right time. y with fire, and she¡¯ll get burned. Time is on our side.¡±

    Xavier nodded with resentment. ¡°Right! Sooner orter, we¡¯ll make that witch a sacrifice!¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s things going for Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding?¡± Jasper shifted the topic suddenly.

    ¡°Our team has amended the wedding nning proposal. We¡¯re ready to meet with her team at any

    time.¡±

    Xavier paused and prodded tentatively, ¡°On that matter¡­ I thought you wanted to make it up to

    Madam.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you give up Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding to KS World? I believe Madam will be¡­¡±

    ¡°Why should I?¡± Jasper red at him coldly. ¡°I¡¯m indebted to Alyssa, not KS. Why would I give the

    opportunity to Taylor Group?¡±

    Xavier stood dumbfounded. He was bewildered by Jasper¡¯s rationale.

    ¡°She once said I must give my best in any businesspetition against her. I would offend her if I

    threw the game now.¡±

    ncing down, Jasper added, ¡°Let¡¯s go with what we nned. I will not break my principles for anyone

    or anything. I¡¯m not Jameson Schmidt.¡±

    Xavier blinked in confusion. Why did Jasper sound a little begrudging there?

    Jasper¡¯s phone vibrated on the table from Landon¡¯s iing call.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Jasper spoke with a deadpan look.

    ¡°Jasper, I got my hands on two VIP tickets for Christina Hammond¡¯s concert! She¡¯s that famous pianist,

    you know. Let¡¯s go together!¡± Landon was excited.

    ¡°You, at a concert? Do you even appreciate piano music?¡± Jasper did not hold back at all.

    ¡°Tsk, of course I do.¡± Landon was no stranger to Jasper¡¯s sarcasm and took it well. ¡°Come on, join me!

    I¡¯ll pick you up from the lobby, alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡±

    ¡°Why? Are you hiding in your room, crying over the breakup? I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re so heartbroken over

    Liana Gardner. Why? Does it take time to adjust to life after years of being cuckolded?¡± Landon made

    fun of Jasper in retaliation.

    Jasper furrowed his brows in disgust. ¡°Stop putting me and Liana in the same sentence. It¡¯s sickening.

    I¡¯m

    hanging up.¡±

    ¡°H-Hold on!¡± Landon had no choice but to confess, ¡°It¡¯s Zoe. She¡¯s back from studying in Yoarkley.

    She¡¯ll

    be performing as a guest pianist at Christina¡¯s concert tonight.

    ¡°I had wanted to surprise you at the concert, but you didn¡¯t want to go. You¡¯re no fun at all!¡±

 Chapter 312

    Zoe Harper was Landon¡¯s younger sibling, and her growth into adulthood was a story that unfolded

    before Jasper¡¯s very eyes. 1

    As the eldest brother, Landon doted on Zoe very much, just like how Jonah and the Taylor siblings

    treated Alyssa.

    After some thought, Jasper relented. ¡°Fine, pick me up.¡±

    Night had fallen over thend. Landon had secured a box with the best view on the second floor of the

    Sna City National Theater, all set to enjoy Zoe¡¯s performance.

    He had also arranged for a camera to be set up in the box. He was excitedly adjusting the camera

    settings, nning to record Zoe¡¯s entire performance.

    Jasper sat beside him, crossing his slender legs. He shot a disdainful look at Landon, who was

    behaving somewhat like a paparazzi.

    ¡°The hosting organization will record the performance and present the CD to the performing guest. Quit

    embarrassing yourself with your amateur skills.¡±

    ¡°What do you know, you nitwit? My recording is full of love. It¡¯s different from the official video.¡±

    Landon narrowed his eyes before cussing in the middle of adjusting the camera angle, ¡°Lyse is here.

    Am I seeing things? Who¡¯s that pale, sickly guy beside her? Is he dying or what?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart raced, and he jumped up, rushing to the railing. He spotted Alyssa and Jameson

    conversing and exchanging nces in the box across from them.

    Unaware of the envy brewing in the other box, Alyssa felt a chill due to the powerful air conditioning on

    the rtively empty second floor. She had goosebumps in her thin, dark green maxi dress.

    Jameson noticed her difort and swiftly removed his jacket. He knelt on one knee, much to her

    surprise.

    ¡°Jameson, what are you¡­¡± Alyssa began.

    He looked into her shocked eyes and smiled. ¡°I wanted to put my jacket on your body, but I wouldn¡¯t

    want

    to hide that lovely dress of yours. You remind me of the mythological Siren in that dress.¡±

    She held her breath, her feet squirming uneasily in her heels.

    Alyssa thought that the people of Kontina must be very open about expressing their feelings. She

    concluded that that was probably how Jeremy Shields won her sister, Miley Taylor¡¯s heart.

    Meanwhile, Jasper seethed with jealousy as he watched Jameson kneel before Alyssa. The suggestive

    gesture stoked his anger, causing him to grip the railing so tightly that his knuckles turned white and his

    veins bulged.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t shake the thought of whether Alyssa and Jameson were now an item. He pondered

    whether she had developed feelings for him.

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Jasper was in so much pain that he was scared of drawing another breath.

    ¡°Who the hell is that guy?¡± Despite being rejected by Alyssa, Landon was furious when he saw her with

    another man.

    He continued, ¡°He looks all polished with those sses, but I bet he¡¯s a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. And

    why does he have that weird, powdery look on his face? Where¡¯s he from?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Alyssa as he exined with an icy tone, ¡°He¡¯s Jameson Schmidt, the

    youngest son of Victor Schmidt from the Schmidt Group.¡±

    ¡°The Schmidts?¡± Landon was taken aback. ¡°Why haven¡¯t I heard of this guy before?¡±

    ¡°He lived in Kontina for years before recently returning to Sna City.¡±

    ¡°Ooh. The Schmidts sound like a formidable bunch. Gosh! Why is it so difficult to fight for Alyssa¡¯s

    affection?¡±

    Landon cast an amused nce at his friend. ¡°Bro, you can do it. You have two choices-to surrender or

    to fight him. Make your pick.¡±

    Jasper inhaled sharply and clenched his jaw. ¡°You! Shut the hell up!¡±

    The spacious walkway suddenly felt much narrower.

 Chapter 313

    When the piano concert officially began, Christina Hammond gracefully made her way to the stage,

    dressed in a velvety navy gown.

    She took her seat at the piano and proceeded to perform her selfposed song, the one that had

    catapulted her to fame-¡°Whispers of the Four Seasons.¡±

    The audience sat in silence, captivated by the melody.

    However, Alyssa couldn¡¯t tear her gaze away from Christina¡¯s exquisite navy dress.

    It was a one-of-a-kind haute couture piece designed by the renowned fashion designer Sharon, who

    happened to be Alyssa herself.

    Sharon¡¯s creations were reserved for aplished and talented celebrities like Christina.

    Jasper, too, found himself distracted from the performance. His fists clenched, and he trembled visibly.

    Throughout the performance, he directed an intense and fiery re at Alyssa.

    asionally, Jameson and Alyssa leaned in to whisper to each other. She nodded and smiled, clearly

    engrossed in their conversation.

    Jasper¡¯s lips remained tightly pursed. The veins on his fists were close to popping, and his face looked

    pale as he continued to stare at Alyssa.

    He pondered whether they truly had so much to talk about. He recalled that during their three years of

    marriage, she rarely spoke, even when they saw each other daily.

    ¡°Wow, why did it suddenly get so cold in here? I guess the air conditioning must be on full st,¡±

    Landon

    remarked, shivering in confusion.

    After performing a few more pieces, Christina weed her mentee, Zoe Harper, onto the stage.

    The youngdy looked youthful and radiant, with her chestnut-colored hair cascading down to her

    waist. She wore avish green chiffon gown adorned with tiny silk flowers, resembling a forest fairy.

    ¡°Zoe! Look over here! It¡¯s me!¡± Thrilled at Zoe¡¯s appearance, Landon waved at his sister. Annoyed,

    Jasper

    had an urge to kick Landon over the railing.

    Zoe apparently did not notice her brother¡¯s supportive gesture on the second floor. A confident smile

    bloomed on her moonlike face as she bowed at the audience.

    She took her seat before the piano like a graceful swan. A melodious tune flowed from her fingertips,

    It was Mozart¡¯s ¡°Turkish March¡±.

    Alyssa was drawn in by Zoe¡¯s dazzling presence onstage with a hint of envy.

    Her left hand¡¯s fingers started moving on her knee, instinctively ying the same tune from muscle

    memory. Even her previously paralyzed pinky finger seemed revitalized.

    ¡°I remember how great you were at ying the piano when we were young,¡± Jameson whispered,

    finding

    her subtle finger movements endearing.

    He added, ¡°If you had pursued a career as a professional pianist, you could have easily outshone Zoe

    Harper.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± Alyssa curled her trembling fingers into a fist. ¡°That will never happen.¡±

    Years ago, she suffered a severe injury in her left hand fingers when she dragged a badly injured

    Jasper

    back to the camp in Luminara.

    Her pinky finger had be irreparably paralyzed. She dedicated days and nights to rehabilitating the

    remaining four fingers, eventually restoring them to normal function.

    Despite the injury, she never regretted saving Jasper. He might have hurt her, but they once fought for

    world peace together.

    The man she saved was not a jerk but a soldier in the Peacekeeping Forces. She perceived her finger

    injury not as a trauma but as a badge of honor.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    The concert concluded wlessly. Christina brought Zoe back to the stage, and together, they bowed to

    the apuding audience.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, would you apany me backstage?¡± Jameson asked Alyssa with a smile.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she inquired.

    ¡°It¡¯s something personal. I¡¯d like to get Madam Christina¡¯s autograph on a CD because my mom is a

    fan.¡±

    ¡°Christina is known for her arrogance. That might be a difficult task.¡±

    He smiled, undeterred. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll move her with my sincerity. As long as I get to meet her and tell

    her about the request, she will likely agree to it.¡±

    Landon beamed with pride as he led Jasper backstage, holding arge bouquet of flowers.

 Chapter 314

    The tension in the air was almost palpable. Caught off guard, Alyssa inadvertently locked eyes with

    Jasper. She furrowed his brow in annoyance.

    Jameson, too, found himself unexpectedly caught up in the situation. He adjusted his gold-rimmed

    sses with an unemotional fa?ade that quickly transformed into a sheepish expression.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Taylor. I had no idea he¡¯d be here when I invited you along. I¡¯ll forgo Madam Hammond¡¯s

    autograph. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Alyssa, however, remainedposed. She shed a cool smile and stood her ground.

    ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯m perfectly fine. There¡¯s no reason to avoid my ex-husband. I want you to get that

    autograph to fulfill your mother¡¯s wish.¡±

    Jameson widened his eyes at her, seemingly touched by her words. In contrast, her ex-husband¡¯s face

    fell.

    Jasper could hear her reply loud and clear as they stood not far away from each other.

    Throughout the concert, he had been seething with anger, and he finally lost it when Alyssa mentioned

    Jameson¡¯s mother. He had the urge to confront her about the nature of her rtionship with Jameson.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Yet, he knew deep down that it was none of his business. He even imagined how she might verbally

    humiliate him. After all, they were divorced.

    But why did his heart always overpower his mind, leading him to feel a fatal attraction toward her?

    Suddenly, the door to the dressing room swung open.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± A shrill female voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Before Jasper could react, a force

    pulled him into an embrace by a soft body in a green gown.

    Zoe clung to Jasper like a sloth, her face nuzzling against his shirt with adoration. ¡°Jasper, were you

    here just to watch my performance? Was this meant to be a surprise for me?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s expression faltered, and his body tensed. He stole nces at Alyssa through the corner of his

    eye.

    Landon did not see anything wrong with Zoe¡¯s actions. To him, Zoe was acting in the same manner

    when

    she was younger, which was perfectly normal.

    However, it didn¡¯t ur to him that Zoe was now 22 years old, a full-fledged adult.

    Her conduct toward Jasper was inappropriate, especially considering Jasper wasn¡¯t her brother. What

    ¡°Jasper, I want a cheek kiss!¡± Zoe boldly wrapped her arms around Jasper¡¯s waist, making an

    unabashed request without concern for the strangers around them.

    If anything, their presence seemed to embolden her, as she was eager to unt her close rtionship

    with Jasper.

    Jasper remained unmoved and refused to respond to her request. He had never given his attention to

    anyone else since he spotted Alyssa in the theater.

    Zoe quickly realized that Jasper¡¯s attention was directed elsewhere. She followed his gaze and saw

    Alyssa, the ethereal beauty. Jealousy consumed her as her eyes dimmed.

    The rival of a beautiful woman was someone even more beautiful.

    ¡°Zoe, have you forgotten about me?¡± Landon was totally oblivious to the situation. He was merely

    envious of Zoe¡¯s treatment of Jasper. ¡°How about a cheek kiss for me, too? Come on over!¡±

    ¡°Hmph. Why don¡¯t you get your cheek kisses from the women lining up for you?¡± Zoe retorted, a

    mischievous grin on her face as she continued to run her fingers along Jasper¡¯s chiseled jawline.

    She added, ¡°You¡¯re a bit too smooth for my taste. I prefer someone as cool as Jasper! Totally my ideal

    type!¡±

    Frowning deeply, Jasper turned his face away to avoid her touch. ¡°Zoe, you-¡±

    It was at that moment he spotted Alyssa walking up to him with calmness in her eyes.

    He held his breath as his heart jumped in his chest. 1

 Chapter 315

    Alyssa raised her chin and confidently strode toward Jasper. He could feel his heart racing as he

    watched her approach, his whole body tensing up with anticipation. He desperately wanted to approach

    her.

    Frowning deeply, Zoe tightened her grip on Jasper possessively. She could tell that Jasper knew the

    beautiful Alyssa. More than that, he seemed to care about Alyssa a lot!

    Just as Jasper believed Alyssa was headed toward him, she breezed past him.

    ¡°Christina!¡± Alyssa left behind an astonished Jasper and called out to someone with a wide smile.

    ¡°Oh! My sweetheart!¡± Christina strolled over from the far end of the corridor, waving excitedly at Alyssa

    as though they were long-lost friends. They evidently shared a close bond.

    The three men stared agape. Even Zoe was dumbfounded at the scene. Christina had always been

    distant and aloof. Throughout their three-year mentorship, she seldom praised Zoe and often appeared

    annoyed.

    What did Alyssa do to elicit a rare smile from Christina?

    ¡°Darling, I did not know you were in Sna City! I would have freed up my time to have lunch with you!¡±

    Christina eximed, embracing Alyssa with delight.

    ¡°You had your rehearsals to attend to. I wouldn¡¯t want to interfere with yourmitments,¡± Alyssa

    spoke Grunndish fluently in a singsong voice.

    Naturally, she was dealing with Christina as Sharon. They were close to each other because Christina

    had

    Alyssa possessed a charm that allowed her to effortlessly form friendships with those she coborated

    with.

    Memories flooded Jasper¡¯s mind when he saw Alyssa conversing with a renowned pianist. His

    shoulders

    trembled, and he almost cked out.

    When Alyssa was newly married to him, she¡¯d smile at him, bright-eyed.

    Like any youngdy, she¡¯d chatter about anything she deemed interesting. However, he had been too

    self-

    absorbed to give her the attention she deserved.

    Over time, Alyssa slowly transformed into a taciturn woman, an almost invisible figure who quietly

    shared

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    her days with him at Seaview Manor.

    During the three years, she withdrew from social interactions and did not form any friendships. Instead,

    she immersed herself in art and music.

    Meanwhile, he found her uninteresting and iparable to Liana in every conceivable way, even

    regarding her as a blemish on his life. 1

    It ultimately became clear that he was the one responsible for nearly breaking Alyssa. His emotional

    abuse made her subdued andpliant.

    Her profound love for him ended in tragedy, like the story of Titanic.

    ¡°Jameson,e over!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes shimmered as she looked beyond Jasper in search of Jameson.

    She beamed and motioned at Jameson.

    ¡°Coming.¡± Jameson hastily adjusted his tie and shirt. There was a hint of nervousness in his eyes as he

    approached Alyssa in great strides.

    Jasper clenched his fists as he wallowed in bitterness. At the same time, Landon ground his teeth in

    jealousy. The two looked like brothers in trouble.

    When Jameson rubbed shoulders with Jasper, he suddenly came to a stop. He adjusted his sses

    and gave Jasper a smug and triumphant smile. His razor-sharp gaze cut through Jasper¡¯s heart.

    Jasper powerlessly watched as Jameson stood beside Alyssa.

    He wondered if that was all he could do, watching on as a bystander. Was there no way to halt Alyssa

    and Jameson¡¯s budding rtionship?

    ¡°Jameson is a friend of mine. He and his mother are big fans of yours. He¡¯d love to get an autographed

    CD for his mom,¡± Alyssa introduced Jameson warmly to Christina.

    ¡°OK! I¡¯m more than willing to do so!¡± Christina was unusually nice to a stranger for Alyssa¡¯s sake. Not

    only

    did she sign the CD, but she also asked her agent to take a group photo for them.

    Everything looked so perfect at the moment. Bitterness coursed through Jasper¡¯s veins.

 Chapter 316

    As they exited the theater, Zoe clung to Jasper, just like how she did when they were younger. She

    bbered about her experiences abroad and professed her longing for him.

    The only difference was that she¡¯d hold hands with both Landon and Jasper when she was a kid. Now,

    she treated Landon like a servant,pletely disregarding him. She only had eyes for Jasper.

    Landon trailed behind them with a gloomy expression. Even his sister had ditched him after Alyssa

    rejected him. He started having doubts about his attractiveness.

    Upon reaching the parking garage, Jasper abruptly came to a stop. He took a deep breath and firmly

    withdrew his hand from Zoe¡¯s grip.

    ¡°Jasper, what¡¯s wrong?¡± She blinked innocently, her hand left suspended in mid-air.

    ¡°Zoe.¡± He turned to her, looking cold and distant, a stark contrast to how he acted around her when

    they were kids.

    She froze up in panic.

    ¡°You¡¯re not a child anymore. Some of your behavior is inappropriate.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s inappropriate about it? You¡¯re Jasper!¡± She frantically pressed on, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with holding

    your hand?¡±

    ¡°You can do that to Landon because he is your brother. You shouldn¡¯t do that with me.¡± He stopped

    there,

    not wanting to vocalize the harsh truth.

    Zoe wore a pitiful pout that concealed her anger within. Jasper must have changed his attitude

    because

    of that beautifuldy just now!

    When Zoe learned that Liana Gardner was no longer in the game, she rushed back to the country to

    keep

    Jasperpany at his lowest moments, with the n of winning his heart.

    After years of yearning for him, she was determined not to let another woman take him away.

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re hurting her with your words.¡±

    Landon couldn¡¯t stand to see Zoe hurt. He hurried up and gave Zoe a hug. ¡°You two grew up ying

    games together. There¡¯s nothing wrong with holding hands now.

    ¡°Besides, you¡¯re both single. If you were taken, it would make sense to keep a distance from other

    females. We¡¯re both bachelors. There¡¯s no point making a fuss.¡±

    ¡°Zoe will eventually date someone else,¡± Jasper reasoned, taking a deep breath and finding himself

    oddly reminded of Alyssa.

    He added, ¡°She¡¯ll hold hands with her future boyfriend. And I¡¯ll save my hand-holding for the woman I

    love.

    After parting ways with Jameson, Alyssa left in her Rolls-Royce. She sneezed loudly in the car, likely

    from the chilly air conditioning in the theater.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, did you catch a cold? I¡¯ll get you some medications when we get home and make you

    some soup.¡± Sean handed her some tissue. She wiped her snot away, her nose as red as Rudolph¡¯s.

    She joked, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Maybe someone¡¯s been gossiping about me behind my back.¡±

    ¡°I never thought we¡¯d run into that bastard at a piano concert!¡± Sean grumbled unhappily and took the

    snot -covered tissue from Alyssa without flinching.

    Alyssa¡¯s mood darkened at the thought of Zoe¡¯s intimacy with Jasper. She assumed that Jasper was

    silently enjoying Zoe¡¯s touch because he did not ask her to stop.

    While Alyssa had long been aware that Zoe was Landon¡¯s sister, she had no inkling of the close

    rtionship between Zoe and Jasper. She shook her head coldly, thinking that her marriage was a

    waste of time when she realized how little she truly knew about Jasper. 1

    ¡°Jasper, Jasper ¡­¡± she mockingly imitated Zoe¡¯s tone. ¡°Hah, it seems Jasper¡¯s not content with just

    having two sisters at home. Now, he¡¯s getting cozy with Landon¡¯s sister. What a scum!¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡± asked Sean, who was confused by her soliloquy.

    ¡°Nothing. I was chanting a curse to ward off the bad luck Jasper brought with him.¡± She crossed her

    arms

    and shut her eyes.

    Momentster, her phone rang. It was a call from Jonah.

    ¡°Jonah?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°Lyse, please stay put after work, I¡¯ll swing by the hotel, and then we¡¯ll head over to Belbanks.¡±

    ¡°Belbanks? Did something happen to Dad?¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart leaped into her throat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Dad¡¯s perfectly fine,¡± Jonah exined gently. ¡°Uncle Victor is visiting us with his two sons.

    Dad wants everyone to be there if we can make it. He wants to give his old friend a warm wee.¡±

 Chapter 317

    The night was illuminated only by the solitary presence of the moon. Jasper¡¯s Maybach pulled up at the

    gates of Seaview Manor, and he stepped out alone.

    He instructed the chauffeur, ¡°Send Xavier home. I¡¯ll head in alone.¡±

    ¡°But Mr. Jasper, we heard thunder on our way back. It will rain soon.¡± Xavier¡¯s face was full of concern.

    The distance from the gate to the manor is quite far. I¡¯ll send you in.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Jasper coldly adjusted the knot of his tie. ¡°I feel a little stuffy. A short walk will do me good.

    You should head back.¡±

    ¡°Alright, then,¡± Xavier reluctantly agreed but kept a watchful eye on Jasper until the Maybach

    disappeared from view..

    With a heavy sigh, Jasper continued on his path toward the manor. Just a few stepster, the ominous

    sound of thunder echoed through the night.

    The rain was pouring relentlessly outside. By the time Jasper arrived at the manor, he was thoroughly

    drenched.

    The cold fall winds and rain had assailed him mercilessly, further adding to the bitterness in his heart.

    ¡°Good heavens! Mr. Jasper, how did you get into this state? Where¡¯s the chauffeur and Xavier?¡± Mrs.

    Rosie rushed up to greet him.

    His face was pale, and his eyes were hidden behind his drenched front bangs. His lips quivered as

    water

    dripped from his arms.

    He resembled a water deity that had emerged from the ocean.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie,¡± he stammered, his voice choked with tears, ¡°Do we have any alcohol? I need a drink.¡±

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? You can¡¯t be thinking about drinking when you¡¯repletely soaked! Go

    take a

    bath and change, now!¡± Mrs. Rosie felt sorry for him and wanted to make him hot soup, but he stopped

    her.

    ¡°I just need a drink. Please, let me be.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Mrs. Rosie sensed that something was amiss.

    Unable to hold back his emotions any longer, he blurted out with tears welling in his eyes, ¡°I ran into

    Alyssa tonight.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you met Madam!¡± Mrs. Rosie was d to hear that, only to frown at his next remark. He added,

    ¡°She was with another man.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°She has a boyfriend,¡± he croaked.

    Mrs. Rosie¡¯s eyes widened as she took a sharp breath. ¡°That fast? Well, it¡¯s not all that surprising when

    you think about it.

    ¡°Madam is a lovely and kinddy. I¡¯m sure she has plenty of admirers even after her divorce. She won¡¯t

    ever have to worry about the prospect of remarriage!¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    The mention of remarriage fueled his anger. His heart thumped wildly.

    ¡°So, did you drag yourself through the rain and beg for drinks all because she¡¯s seeing someone else?¡±

    She stared him in the face.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± He shook his head nkly.

    ¡°If you¡¯re feeling upset because someone who used to be yours now belongs to another man, my

    advice is to change that mindset and move forward. This is for your own good and in her best interest.

    ¡°However, if you really want her back, I hope you¡¯ll listen to your heart and go after her, even if it seems

    challenging because of the divorce.¡± 1

    She ced her warm hands on his drenched shoulders and stared at him fixedly. ¡°Even if you don¡¯t

    seed, at least you know that you¡¯ve tried. She is worth all the effort.¡±

    Listen to his heart? He shook his head, seemingly rejecting some unfamiliar notion that was swirling in

    his mind.

    Each time he did so, the pain within him seemed to intensify.

    Zoe Harper was chosen to join the royal orchestra upon graduating from the Royal Academy of Music

    in

    Yoarkley.

    However, she declined the offer and returned to Sna City, a ce known for its economic prowess

    but

    Some might have considered her return unwise. Nevertheless, Zoe had her own hidden agenda,

    unbeknownst even to Landon

    She heard from Landon that Jasper had broken up with Liana and could never get back together.

    Feeling reenergized upon hearing that, she hurried back to Sna City, determined to set her n in

    motion to win Jasper¡¯s heart.

    One day, ovee with boredom, Zoe invited Betty to her home.

    Zoe was born to wealth and grew up sheltered.

    She also took pride in her good looks. She believed herself to be superior to the other women of her

    social standing in Sna City. 1

 Chapter 318

    Betty was one of Zoe¡¯s few friends. Zoe had befriended Betty primarily because Betty hailed from the

    esteemed Beckett family. Zoe deemed Betty worthy of her friendship.

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°Gosh, Betty, you look gorgeous today! And you¡¯ve even brought gifts. You really didn¡¯t have to do

    that,¡± Zoe smiled brightly and weed Betty at the entrance. They held hands like best friends.

    ¡°Zoe, I missed you so! You look prettier than when west met!¡± Bettyplimented Zoe with a hidden

    agenda.

    Knowing that Landon adored his sister, Betty believed that forming a strong friendship with Zoe would

    give her a valid reason to visit the Harper Residence.

    Her n involved ying the long game by winning over Penelope Harper¡¯s affection and eventually

    getting Zoe to speak highly of her to Landon.

    It was only a matter of time before she and Landon talked about marriage. She couldn¡¯t help but gloat

    over her clever n.

    ¡°I came back from my Sedona trip a few days ago and picked up some souvenirs. I bought some for

    you and your mother. They¡¯re nothing much, though. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    Zoe smiled knowingly at the stack of luxury brand boxes. ¡°Is the gift for Landon somewhere in there?

    ¡°O-Of course ¡­ I¡¯m just worried that he might not like it and won¡¯t ept it.¡± Betty blushed and lowered

    her head.

    ¡°Look at you! How badly are you crushing on him? You turned red at the mention of his name,¡± teased

    Zoe, who beckoned to Betty. ¡°Give it to me. He will take the gift if I hand it to him.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Zoe! Love you!¡± Betty quickly picked out the gift for Landon in excitement.

    Zoe opened the exquisite box and found a tinumpel pin encrusted with blue diamonds. She could

    tell that it was pricey from a look.

    At that moment, Landon descended from the swirling staircase in his haute couture purple YSL suit,

    which he paired with a rose-patterned ck shirt. He looked regal and seductive as usual. (1)

    Betty stared at her Mr. McDreamy with her mouth wide open, almost unable to contain her admiration.

    ¡°Landon!¡± Zoe called out to him sweetly. Landon¡¯s face lit up at the sight of her, but froze when he

    noticed

    Betty.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, what brings you here?¡±

    ¡°I ¡­ I¡­¡± Betty swallowed hard and cowered in his presence.

    ¡°I invited her to our ce.¡± Zoe gave Betty a hug and leaned on Betty¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Betty and I get

    along well. Don¡¯t you know she¡¯s my best friend in Sna City?¡±

    ¡°Is that so? I had no idea.¡± He narrowed his eyes and snickered. ¡°Zoe, I am not against you making

    new friends, but you have to be careful.

    ¡°Some friends are good for you and helpful to your future. The same cannot be said for the calctive

    ones, who are a bad influence.¡±

    Zoe quietly nced at Betty, who appeared pale and ashamed.

    ¡°I know, Landon. I¡¯m 22 now. I can tell the good people from the bad.¡±

    ¡°I know you don¡¯t have many friends in Sna City because you were away. If you¡¯re interested in

    meeting new people, I can introduce you to Alyssa Taylor, the lovelydy you met on the night of the

    concert.¡±

    Landon¡¯s demeanor softened at the mention of Alyssa. ¡°As it happens, she¡¯s a close friend of Christina.

    I believe you two will have plenty to talk about and be friends.¡±

    Befriending that beautiful woman? Zoe secretly scoffed at the suggestion. She would never befriend

    her

    love rival.

    Landon went up to Zoe and gave her a soft pinch on the cheek. Before he left, Zoe snuck Betty¡¯s gift

    into

    his hand. ¡°Betty carefully picked out this gift from Furancia for you. Treasure it, will you?¡± Zoe

    whispered.

    He epted the box without a word and left.

    ¡°See? I knew it. Landon will take anything I give him.¡± Zoe puffed her chest while Betty cast her a

    grateful

    look.

    Landon left the room glumly. He did not have the urge to check out the contents of the exquisite box.

    He

    was about to thrust it away when he was reminded of Zoe¡¯s words.

    He spotted his secretary standing by the side and tossed her the box. She caught it and asked nkly,¡±

    What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a gift for you.¡±

    She opened the box and looked stunned. ¡°It¡¯s apel pin, though. I don¡¯t have a boyfriend, so I have no

    use

    He red at her impatiently. ¡°Tsk, just give it to your dad or do whatever you like with it!

 Chapter 319

    As Landon was away and Penelope was recovering abroad, Betty¡¯s n of sucking up to her future

    mother -inw was on pause. 1

    Still, she was overjoyed when Landon epted her gift.

    The girls enjoyed the fall scenery in the afternoon with high tea under the sprawling sycamore tree in

    the Harper Residence¡¯s backyard.

    ¡°Zoe, when did you first meet Alyssa?¡± Betty felt an rm bell ringing within her. She resented and

    feared Alyssa.

    ¡°I bumped into her backstage at Christina¡¯s performance by ident,¡± Zoe replied, casually crossing

    her legs and taking a sip of ck tea.

    She nced at Betty and remarked, ¡°You seem to hold some kind of grudge against her.¡±

    ¡°A grudge? More like a long feud!¡±

    ¡°Oh, that sounds serious.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been away for years and missed out on the drama,¡± Betty ground her teeth. ¡°Alyssa Taylor is a

    master maniptor who has been toying with Jasper and Landon! She¡¯s made our family into a circus!¡±

    Betty realized that she might have inadvertently likened herself to a clown and quickly rephrased,

    ¡°She¡¯s

    turned our family upside down!¡±

    ¡°Why is that? Is Landon in love with her?¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes darkened.

    ¡°Landon has fallen under her spell! That bitch is a natural at the art of seduction-a sly vixen!¡± Betty

    almost exploded in rage. Her cheeks flushed.

    She added, ¡°Thank goodness they¡¯re not as close as they used to be. I bet that slut has found a new

    target.¡±

    ¡°Landon is choosy. He¡¯s the one who ys women like a fiddle, not the other way around.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor slept with Landon, didn¡¯t she? He will not sleep with the same woman twice. He won¡¯t

    catch feelings over a mere fling. I know him well.¡±

    Noticing Betty¡¯s crumbling expression, Zoe hurriedly tried tofort her. ¡°But remember, you¡¯re

    different. Our families are friends, and I¡¯ll be here to help you win him over.¡±

    ¡°My dear Zoe!¡± Betty eximed in tears as she excitedly pictured herself sailing toward happiness.

    ¡°Speaking of which, what¡¯s going on with Alyssa Taylor and Jasper?¡± That was Zoe¡¯s main concern.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Hah! Just the thought of it makes me furious!¡± Betty rolled her fists. ¡°She¡¯s his ex-wife!¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Zoe sprung up and identally shattered the expensive teacup.

    She continued, ¡°Ex-wife? How could that be? I thought Jasper broke up with Liana Gardner. He wasn¡¯t

    married, so where did that ex-wifee from?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that you don¡¯t know. They married in secret and were recently divorced. Guess what? My

    grandfather arranged the marriage!¡±

    Betty picked up on Zoe¡¯s jealousy and fanned the mes. ¡°They were still entangled after the divorce.

    Liana made a scene at Alyssa¡¯s ce twice, but that didn¡¯t stop Jasper at all.

    ¡°Sure, Liana deserved her fate. But think of it, he must have ditched Liana partly because of Alyssa!¡±

    This time, it was Zoe¡¯s turn to see red. That exined Jasper¡¯s longing stare at Alyssa when they met!

    If Liana had failed to win Jasper over for years, what made Alyssa believe she could seed?

    Feeling envious, she clenched her jaw. ¡°Betty, you don¡¯t mind me as your sister-inw, right?¡±

    Betty¡¯s expression shifted to one of surprise as she thought that Zoe was quite upfront and open.

    ¡°O-Of course I don¡¯t! I¡¯d prefer you over that heartless Gardner bitch any day!¡± Betty grabbed the

    chance to express her support for Zoe.

    ¡°Since we share the same goal, shall we work together and fight off our enemies? How does that

    sound?¡±

    Zoe bent over and ced her hands on Betty¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ll help you win Landon over, and you¡¯ll

    lend

    me a hand to marry Jasper. What do you think?¡±

    ¡°Zoe, you¡¯re aware of the dynamics within my family. Jasper is my half-sibling. We¡¯re not as close as

    you

    and Landon. I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be much help,¡± Betty admitted honestly.

    The idea was mission impossible.

 Chapter 320

    ¡°But Mr. Javier and Madam Sophia adore you! You can be my spy and send me intel. We¡¯ll win against

    Alyssa if we team up!¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes shimmered with desire.

    Betty perked up at the mention of taking down Alyssa. ¡°Okay! Deal. Let¡¯s see if that will put a dent in

    her arrogance!¡±

    Zoe crossed her arms on her chest with a smug smile. She had been raised in affluence and showered

    with love from her mother and brother.

    She even attended school alongside members of the royal family and received numerous international

    awards.

    Her life in the limelight was filled with a continuous stream of apuse.

    She had never lost to anyone and always got what she desired.

    ¡°And I¡¯ll save my hand-holding for the woman I love.¡± Jasper¡¯s words echoed in her head.

    She silently vowed, ¡°Jasper, I won¡¯t let you slip away, not this time. I will marry you no matter what. I¡¯ll

    be the one to hold your hands!¡±

    Soon, it was time to go home to Belbanks. She had been diligently managing her work, attending

    meetings, and working on the wedding event proposal to ensure she could make it back home in the

    evening.

    Her efforts paid off when, after ten days of intense work, her team sessfullypleted Ada

    Kingsley¡¯s wedding event proposal.

    Everyone on the team cheered exuberantly when they received Alyssa¡¯s approval. One had to be

    mentally and physically strong to work under Alyssa or risk breaking down in the process.

    Still, no one on the teamined or pulled out.

    Alyssa tended to everything and never made a fuss despite being a Taylor. She worked as hard as her

    team members and treated them well with a constant supply of refreshments.

    She might be a strict perfectionist, but she was witty and creative. Whenever the team was stuck, she

    would promptlye up with solutions, earning her the respect and admiration of her colleagues.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, you¡¯ve been through a lot. Take a well-deserved three-day break, and make

    sure

    schedule, so I won¡¯t be able to treat you all to dinner.¡±

    Standing at the head of the oval meeting table, she clutched its edge and shed a wide smile at her

    team. ¡°Once we secure Ada Kingsley¡¯s deal, you can start nning your overseas trips.

    ¡°There are more rewards than just bonuses and vacations in store for everyone! I¡¯ll personally sponsor

    your trips, and I always keep my promises!¡±

    ¡°Hooray!¡± Her team erupted in cheers. Even though they hadn¡¯t secured the deal yet, Alyssa¡¯s promise

    filled them with anticipation.

    It was 5:00 pm when she left the meeting room. Sean followed behind her and reminded her gently,

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ve prepared the outfit for the dinner. It¡¯s in the dressing room. Would you like to change

    into it?¡±

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯mzy. Uncle Victor is Dad¡¯s good friend. He has seen all sides of me since I was a child.¡±

    Alyssa entered the private elevator when she saw that the time was near.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    As the elevator descended, she nced at her reflection and delicately applied lipstick to her soft lips,

    giving her a refreshed appearance.

    Sean watched as she touched up her makeup. He felt something stirring in him. He couldn¡¯t help but

    smile, realizing that beneath Alyssa¡¯s sassy and intelligent exterior, there was a softer, moredylike

    side to her.

    The two of them were lost in their thoughts. They did not realize that the elevator had reached the first

    floor.

    As the doors slid open, they were greeted by a warm, elegant, and mysteriousvender leaf fragrance.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but think that the scent should be named after Jameson if it hadn¡¯t been already.

    In an instant, her gaze met Jameson¡¯s deep eyes. Her hands trembled, and she smudged lipstick on

    her face.

    Jameson smiled at her startled expression. ¡°Ms. Taylor, I¡¯m here to escort you home.¡±

 Chapter 321

    Alyssa stared at him nkly. ¡°W-Why are you here?¡±

    Sean felt his heart sink when Jameson showed up out of nowhere once more. He curled his fists.

    ¡°I was told that this is your private elevator. So I waited for you here.¡± He smiled softly and changed the

    topic.

    ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the elevator. I¡¯m asking you, why did youe for me?¡± She frowned.

    ¡°My dad is visiting Uncle Winston tonight, and I heard you were heading back to Belbanks,¡± he replied

    with a calm smile. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here to offer you a ride. Let¡¯s go to Belbanks.¡±

    She pursed her lips, gued by doubts. There was nothing wrong with Jameson¡¯s remark, but it

    sounded somewhat off.

    ¡°Thank you for stopping by, but Jonah has already agreed to pick me up. He should be here any minute

    now. I¡¯ll be heading home with him,¡± she said, offering a polite smile. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at Heightsnew Vi.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve actually informed Jonah about my intention to give you a ride, and he has agreed to it. So, he

    won¡¯t being,¡± Jameson replied, appearing unfazed.

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa widened her eyes, feeling distressed.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been childhood friends and family friends for so long. Uncle Winston is practically like a brother

    to my dad. Jonah isn¡¯t worried about me. It¡¯s not like I¡¯ll abduct you.¡± Jameson reassured her.

    Deep down, he so wished to abduct her, turning her into a cherished treasure.

    ¡°Well¡­ Fine. Sorry for the trouble,¡± Alyssa replied politely, intent on maintaining clear boundaries within

    their rtionship.

    Internally, she couldn¡¯t help but grumble about Jonah. He had been so protective, yet he seemingly

    pushed her into Jameson¡¯s arms without much consideration.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Was Jonah mimicking Winston, trying to marry her off?

    That was rash of him. What if Jameson was a pervert?

    Sighing, Alyssa chastised herself for her thoughts about Jameson after all he did to save her life.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. I always have time for you.¡± Jameson grinned.

    She was used to his flirtatious remarks and left the lobby with him without much thought.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean bitterly stopped her. She stopped in her tracks, and Jameson followed suit.

    Confused, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Sean?¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses, fixing a piercing gaze on Sean, who winced under the scrutiny. Sean

    tensed up and stammered, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I-¡±

    ¡°Oh, I nearly forgot,¡± she interjected with a smile. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apany us. You can sign off

    now.

    I imagine you¡¯ve been quite exhaustedtely. Take the night to rest.¡±

    With that, they left him.

    Sean¡¯s shoulders drooped at the thought of Jameson¡¯s silent but threatening look. He felt a chill down

    his

    spine.

    Alyssa and Jameson attracted the employees¡¯ attention when they walked down the hotel lobby.

    ¡°Wow, look! It¡¯s Ms. Alyssa¡¯s new pet! Finally, a guy who isn¡¯t Sean!¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right! He¡¯s damn hot too! Sean¡¯s defeated!¡±

    ¡°Sean has his own unique style, you know? The newpanion has a vampiric vibe, while Sean is

    more

    of a sunshine type. It¡¯s likeparing apples and oranges!¡±

    ¡°I vote for Sean!¡±

    ¡°One vote for the hot vampire!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s juvenile. I¡¯d just do both.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s private car had been waiting patiently at the entrance for some time. Carl opened the car

    door, and Alyssa was about to step in when Jameson gently held her arm.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± She was surprised.

    He smiled affectionately and attempted to remove the lipstick smudge with a white handkerchief.

    This time, she refused to let him take charge. Her eyes gleaming, she took the handkerchief from him.

    ¡°I can handle it myself.¡±

    He was momentarily taken aback but responded with a wordless smile. The Bentley rolled away from

    the entrance of KS World Hotel.

 Chapter 322

    A ck Lamborghini parked across the road rolled down its windows, revealing Jasper¡¯s chiseled

    features.

    Lips pursed and eyes burning, he fixated on the Bentley that drove away. He recalled how Alyssa and

    Jameson went about in a pair and felt a jolt of pain that coursed through his veins.

    He hadn¡¯t slept for two days. Even the sleeping pills were useless now.

    He had been out of it since he parted ways with Alyssa at the concert. While he usually maintained a

    high level of focus at work, he had been struggling to pay attention to the recent reports.

    He couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint why he had fallen into this state, but he knew Alyssa was at the root of his

    troubles. That was why he hade to the KS World Hotel alone, without informing Xavier, and had

    been

    waiting for Alyssa since 1:00 pm.

    He admitted that he was dying to meet Alyssa, even if it was just for the sake of sleeping better that

    night.

    He was hit hard by the sight of Jameson with Alyssa, and a throbbing headache suddenly struck him.

    His

    vision even started to blur.

    Setting aside his sleep troubles, he nearly suffered a heart attack.

    With an intense look in his eyes, he gritted his teeth and stepped on the elerator. The sports car

    sped down the road, going after the Bentley.

    Heightsnew Vi was brimming with activity that evening as the maids bustled about to make

    preparations for the guests.

    Winston had requested the presence of his children who were able to attend. Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus

    had

    already arrived at the vi, with Alyssa en route to join them.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Meanwhile, Tatiana couldn¡¯t take leave because she was working on important coursework, a decision

    supported by L. L thought it wasn¡¯t necessary for Tatiana to take leave for a casual dinner.

    Holding a cup in his hand, Ss nced at Jonah and Cyrus and shook his head. ¡°Looks like it will be

    another testosterone-charged night. It¡¯s always you two bachelors. Why is it so hard to meet my

    sisters?¡±

    ¡°I have two days off after our team solved a huge case. If not, you won¡¯t be seeing me for a long time.

    I¡¯d

    be Rapunzel, locked away in a tower.¡±

    Cyrus, d in a leather jacket, reclined on the couch with his legs crossed. His time in the police force

    had stripped away any air of the son from a wealthy family.

    As the youngest Taylor son, he bore the greatest resemnce to Winston, featuring dark brows, round

    eyes, a prominent nose, and full lips. He had a healthy tan that entuated his bright eyes.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that corny metaphor?¡± Ss pretended to barf.

    ¡°Better than saying we were separated like Romeo and Juliet, which I almost did.¡±

    Suddenly, Jonah and Ss were jolted by an unexpected noise. Although Cyrus appearedposed,

    he swiftly raised his hand to intercept a walnut hurtling toward him from nowhere.

    The speed of his reaction was superhuman.

    ¡°Hehe! Mom, thanks for picking arge walnut for me. You know I love walnuts.¡± Cyrus sat up from the

    couch and ced the walnut on the coffee table. He cracked it open and savored the kernel with a grin.

    ¡°Look at the way you carry yourself! You don¡¯t seem like you belong to the Taylor family at all. Did you

    enlist in the police force or be a spy for a gang?¡± Mandy questioned with her hand on her hip.

    Then, she stormed up to his son with a disappointed look.

    ¡°They¡¯re one and the same,¡± Cyrus responded with a grin, extending his hand toward Mandy while

    continuing to chew on the walnut. ¡°One is not enough. Do you have more?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that you¡¯re wearing? Get back to your room and change into something proper!¡± Mandy, who

    was

    always elegant, broke character and gave her son a kick in the back.

    She continued, ¡°I don¡¯t care how you act in the forces. You are the seventh son when you¡¯re back

    home, and you¡¯ll dress up ordingly. Victor and the others will be here soon. You¡¯d better not

    embarrass your

    dad!¡±

    Winston rested on the vintage leather couch in his study, peering through photos of Alyssa and

    Jameson

    through a pair of sses.

    ¡°I have been monitoring Ms. Alyssa¡¯s blind dates per your instructions,¡± Neil reported. ¡°She did not stay

    in

    contact with the other men on the list, but she is frequently in touch with the Schmidt fellow.¡±

    Winston flipped through the photos repeatedly and asked, ¡°Did that guy do anything out of line to her?¡±

    ¡°No. Jameson Schmidt is a gentleman and knows his boundaries when he¡¯s with Ms. Alyssa.¡±

 Chapter 323

    In the main hall, Jonah, Ss, and the properly dressed Cyrus weed Victor and his second son into

    their home, with Mandy and Colene by their side.

    ¡°Jonah, Ss! You both seem to grow more handsome with each passing day! Oh, pardon me, I should

    address you as the president and the prosecutor now!¡±

    ¡°Mandy, is this your youngest son? I remember him being a mischievous and adorable little boy thest

    time we met. He has grown into such a handsome young man! What is he working as?¡± Victor Schmidt,

    the chairman of the Schmidt Group, exchanged hearty handshakes with all the Taylor siblings.

    ¡°I¡¯m a policeman. I¡¯m working in the Criminal Investigation Unit,¡± Cyrus answered.

    ¡°Oh, you joined the police force?¡± Victor¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise. To him, being a police officer

    was one of the least desirable positions, given theparatively low pay and the inherent risks

    associated with the job.

    More importantly, the career progression was limited. The best Cyrus could do was to be a

    Superintendent in Chief, which paled inparison to inheriting the family business.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s Cyrus for you,¡± Mandy said, looking somewhat embarrassed. In truth, Cyrus¡¯ choice of

    profession had been a source of concern for her.

    Out of all the wives, Mandy came from the wealthiest family. While she had no intention ofpeting

    for a share of the Taylor Group¡¯s assets, she had been raised to ce great importance on family

    honor.

    Naturally, she had high expectations for her children and hoped they would excel in their chosen fields.

    Unfortunately, Cyrus was pursuing a career in a different direction than the one she had hoped for. He

    was determined to be a police officer, deviating from the career path she had envisioned. This weighed

    heavily on her mind.

    ¡°Mandy, you shouldn¡¯t undery Cyrus¡¯ achievements! He¡¯s received several awards and solved major

    cases at the young age of 27. He¡¯s a source of pride for the Sna City Police Department,¡± Colene

    chimed in.

    ¡°Yeah! He¡¯s also the chief of the First Criminal Investigation Division in the city and the youngest in the

    department¡¯s history!¡± Ss added, not wanting the Schmidts to look down on his aplished

    seventh

    brother.

    ¡°Haha! He¡¯s indeed young and sessful!¡± Victor conceded.

    Meanwhile, Cyrus was happy to receive praise from his family, even more so than when he received

    ¡°Victor! Gosh-¡± Winston approached the Schmidts with L and Neil. He looked a little abashed. ¡°I

    thought you had lost touch because of some health issues that needed attention.¡±

    ¡°Ah, the pot calling the kettle ck!¡± Victor yfully ribbed Winston, stepping closer. ¡°I invited

    horseback riding a few months back, and you turned me down, saying that you were busy.

    you

    for

    ¡°You were always so eager about horseback riding, willing to drop anything to challenge me,¡± Winston

    quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    He continued, ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if you declined because you couldn¡¯t mount a horse anymore

    due to old age. Perhaps you were worried about bing aughing stock.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an unnecessary concern. I¡¯m still hardy!¡± Grinning naughtily, Winston remained as conceited at

    the ripe old age of 60. ¡°When we¡¯re both in a nursing home, I¡¯ll be the one who pushes you around.

    Just wait!¡±

    Everyone giggled at their yful banter, just like they had for years.

    Victor had donned a sharp four-piece suit for the asion, featuring a dark grey shirt paired with a

    refreshing silver-grey dotted tie.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    To his disappointment, Winston had not opted for a suit. Instead, he sported a white athleisure outfit

    adorned with expensive embroidered patterns, looking casual and cool.

    With no sign of grey hair or a hunched back, Winston looked the same as he had two decades ago,

    much to Victor¡¯s chagrin.

    Both men had always ced great importance on their appearance, diligently maintaining their

    wardrobes and skincare routines since their youth. They continued this friendly rivalry for two decades

    with no end in sight.

 Chapter 324

    ¡°How are you doing, Uncle Winston?¡± David Schmidt went up and greeted Winston. He bore little

    resemnce to Jameson because they were half-siblings.

    David was more genderless in his appearance, in stark contrast to Jameson¡¯s burly yet slender

    physique, characterized by chiseled features and thick brows. Jameson shared the same razor-sharp

    gaze as their dad, Victor.

    ¡°David! I¡¯m fine. How are you doing?¡± Winston beamed affectionately at David, who grew up before his

    eyes.

    ¡°Vic, I thought you were also bringing your youngest son along. It¡¯s been quite some time since Ist

    saw your fourth son. Will he not join us today?¡±

    ¡°That little rascal imed he was tied up with something, so he¡¯ll be arrivingte,¡± Victor remarked as

    he surveyed the surroundings.

    Victor asked with curiosity, ¡°Winston, didn¡¯t you mention that Lyse would be joining us as well? Where

    is she?¡±

    Winston cleared his throat and replied, ¡°Well, Lyse mentioned she¡¯d be here once she had finished

    dealing with something.¡±

    Winston couldn¡¯t quite grasp what was going on, but he trusted that she would keep her word and show

    1.

    ¡°Tsk! Will she be absent? That won¡¯t do! I took this trip just to meet her!¡± Victor whined. ¡°I won¡¯t leave

    until

    she¡¯s here!¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Just then, the butler announced from the entrance, ¡°Mr. Winston! Ms. Alyssa has arrived!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right on time!¡± Winston grinned, his eyes filling with warmth.

    Everyone turned to the entrance. Victor¡¯s eyes lit up as he craned his neck in anticipation.

    David¡¯s eyes wavered a little underneath hisposure. Normally unfazed in any event, he nervously

    straightened his tie this time.

    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m home!¡± Alyssa¡¯s cheerful voice echoed, instantly brightening the atmosphere. She entered

    the

    house with Jameson, who caught everyone by surprise-everyone except Jonah.

    Victor and David wore inexplicable looks on their faces. Victor frowned at the sight, while David¡¯s

    frustration deepened as he absentmindedly tugged on his tie.

    ¡°Sorry for runningte, Uncle Winston and Dad.¡± Jameson nced at Alyssa before greeting the two

    fathers.

    ¡°Jimmy, did you bump into Lyse at the door?¡± Victor cautiously prodded, his eyes darting between the

    two young people.

    ¡°No.¡± Smiling, Jamesonid an affectionate gaze on Alyssa¡¯s side profile. ¡°I picked up Lyse and

    traveled here with her.¡±

 Chapter 325

    The hall fell into a deep silence. There was a shift in the air.

    Alyssa turned around and looked into Jameson¡¯s eyes with surprise. David¡¯s face fell at Jameson

    calling her nickname.

    Winston looked at his dear daughter before turning to Jameson. Still, he calmly remarked, ¡°Oh, did you

    pick up Lyse? Sorry to trouble you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Uncle Winston.¡±

    Ss nudged Jonah and whispered, ¡°When did Lyse be so friendly with Jameson? Why didn¡¯t I

    know about it?¡±

    ¡°Does she need to share every detail with you?¡± Jonah replied carelessly.

    ¡°Did you know about them?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Are you freaking boasting about it?¡±

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°I made Jameson pick her up.¡±

    Ss let out an audible gasp. ¡°How could you push our dear sister into the arms of a random man? You

    don¡¯t even know if he can be trusted. What if he were ill-intentioned andid his fingers on her on the

    way

    here?¡±

    ¡°Him falling for Lyse is normal. Even gay men would fall for her charm. You don¡¯t have to worry about

    her safety, though.¡± Jonah joked, ¡°if Jameson had been acting inappropriately, he wouldn¡¯t have stood

    here

    unharmed.¡±

    That was true After all, Jonah and Axel had been training Alyssa in martialbat while girls her age

    were ying with dolls

    Jonah had a fudden agenda when he orchestrated Jameson to pick up Alyssa. For three years,

    Alyssa¡¯s

    life revolved around Jasper Even though she had moved past it and tied to erase him from her und, an

    invisible wound ingered

    She needed someone to thend the heat but it was not something her cher could help with Jonah

    had failt that daison coup to: a

    After the miliar seeing the men shated in the bong on wie als esget wyssa

    ¡°Lyse, be honest. What¡¯s going on between you and Jameson?¡± Colene wrapped an arm around

    Alyssa¡¯s waist and went straight to the point.

    ¡°Friends, I guess,¡± Alyssa replied honestly.

    ¡°Is he your boyfriend?¡± Colene asked excitedly.

    ¡°Just a male friend!¡± Alyssa was speechless.

    ¡°Eh! Men and women are never ¡®just friends¡¯! He¡¯ll be your boyfriend soon!¡± Colene pinched Alyssa on

    the waist and proudly eximed, ¡°When I saved your dad after he was cklisted in Northuis by his

    rivals, he imed that I was his ¡®bro¡¯. Guess what? We¡¯re married now!¡±

    Alyssa was dumbfounded at Colene¡¯s unworldliness. Mandy and L exchanged nces. They

    weren¡¯t upset in the slightest. Rather, they found the conversation quite amusing. 1

    Without Colene, Winston would have been obliterated in Belbanks. Till now, Colene bore the two

    gunshot scars back from the time she shielded Winston.

    ¡°Lyse, it would be nice to date Jameson. You came from simr backgrounds, and your fathers are

    good friends. The Schmidts will treat you well.¡± L drifted into a daydream. ¡°Not to mention, Jameson

    is quite the looker! Your future children would be so good-looking!¡±

    ¡°Wait, why are we suddenly talking about kids? What¡¯s all this nonsense?¡± Alyssa thought her

    stepmoms were going off track.

    ¡°L, I still believe that there¡¯s more to consider when ites to Lyse¡¯s potential husband,¡± Mandy,

    always the voice of reason, furrowed her brow and analyzed the situation.

    She continued, ¡°From what I¡¯ve gathered, Jameson recently returned from Kontina. He has only a small

    stake and limited support within the Schmidt Group.

    ¡°Victor sent Jameson¡¯s mother abroad under the pretense of rehabilitation and rarely paid her attention.

    Jameson might appear to be a good, match, but in reality, Lyse would be marrying down.

    ¡°I even worry that he might be setting his eyes on Lyse¡¯s dowry. Or maybe he¡¯ll leverage her influence

    to rise in the Schmidt Group.¡±

    ¡°Oh my, Mandy, you¡¯re absolutely right. We need to be careful,¡± said Colene, who was immediately

    swayed.

    ¡°You¡¯dpare prices when you shop, so why not marriage? It is a serious matter. It is better to remain

    single if you can¡¯t find the right candidate. Would you reconsider David?¡±

    Alyssa struggled to talk her way out. She covered her ears in frustration as she drowned in the nagging

    of

 Chapter 326

    At dinner, the Taylor family and the guests enjoyed the feast in harmony and savored the Chateau

    Lafite

    Rothschild that Winston had stored for years.

    For Winston and Victor, the dinner was just another ordinary catch-up, like what they always did 20

    years

    ago. The only difference was the presence of their children.

    Furthermore, Victor had an ulterior motive this time-to assess his future daughter-inw.

    David sat across Alyssa at the long and wide table while Jameson was seated beside her. Jameson

    had

    gained the upper hand because he was closer to her.

    David could only stare with envy as his brother attentively cared for Alyssa.

    He almost crushed the utensils in frustration as he agonized at starting on the wrong foot. That little

    prick

    Jameson had gained a head start!

    Jameson discovered Alyssa¡¯s penchant for seafood, particrly crabs and shrimps, through their

    previous dinner date. If there had been no time limit, she would have indulged in seafood all day long.

    With that knowledge, Jameson patiently shelled the shrimps for her consumption, sacrificing the time to? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    eat.

    Everyone at the table was discreetly scrutinizing the two of them. Alyssa was wolfing down the dinner

    without a care in the presence of her family.

    Jameson had a smile on his face as he expertly shelled the shrimp and ced the juicy meat on her

    te. The task was not befitting of his status as Victor Schmidt¡¯s son, but he took pleasure in it.

    Alyssa ate the shrimp without feeling awkward. She epted his act of service, something she might

    have declined if they were alone.

    Since Victor was present at the dinner, she wouldn¡¯t miss the opportunity to show off her ¡°ws¡±.

    Jameson wiped his fingers every time he shelled the shrimp.

    David smirked at his brother¡¯s action, knowing that Jameson was a clean freak who wouldn¡¯t re-wear a

    shirt. Jameson had given his all in the battle for Alyssa¡¯s heart.

    ¡°My daughter is senseless! Sorry about that, Vic,¡± Winston apologized to Victor with a chuckle.

    ¡°No worries, Winston. We¡¯re all family. I like how real Lyse is, just like when you were younger! Oh, how

    I hope I could call her my daughter-inw and bring her home!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, be honest. What¡¯s going on between you and Jameson?¡± Colene wrapped an arm around

    Alyssa¡¯s

    waist and went straight to the point.

    ¡°Friends, I guess,¡± Alyssa replied honestly.

    ¡°Is he your boyfriend?¡± Colene asked excitedly.

    ¡°Just a male friend!¡± Alyssa was speechless.

    ¡°Eh! Men and women are never ¡®just friends¡¯! He¡¯ll be your boyfriend soon!¡± Colene pinched Alyssa on

    the

    waist and proudly eximed, ¡°When I saved your dad after he was cklisted in Northuis by his rivals,

    he

    imed that I was his ¡®bro¡¯. Guess what? We¡¯re married now!¡±

    Alyssa was dumbfounded at Colene¡¯s unworldliness. Mandy and L exchanged nces. They

    weren¡¯t

    upset in the slightest. Rather, they found the conversation quite amusing. 1

    Without Colene, Winston would have been obliterated in Belbanks. Till now, Colene bore the two

    gunshot

    scars back from the time she shielded Winston.

    ¡°Lyse, it would be nice to date Jameson. You came from simr backgrounds, and your fathers are

    good

    friends. The Schmidts will treat you well.¡± L drifted into a daydream. ¡°Not to mention, Jameson is

    quite.

    the looker! Your future children would be so good-looking!¡±

    ¡°Wait, why are we suddenly talking about kids? What¡¯s all this nonsense?¡± Alyssa thought her

    stepmoms

    were going off track.

    ¡°L, I still believe that there¡¯s more to consider when ites to Lyse¡¯s potential husband,¡± Mandy,

    always the voice of reason, furrowed her brow and analyzed the situation.

    She continued, ¡°From what I¡¯ve gathered, Jameson recently returned from Kontina. He has only a small

    stake and limited support within the Schmidt Group.

    ¡°Victor sent Jameson¡¯s mother abroad under the pretense of rehabilitation and rarely paid her attention.

    Jameson might appear to be a good, match, but in reality, Lyse would be marrying down.

    ¡°I even worry that he might be setting his eyes on Lyse¡¯s dowry. Or maybe he¡¯ll leverage her influence

    to

    rise in the Schmidt Group.¡±

    ¡°Oh my, Mandy, you¡¯re absolutely right. We need to be careful,¡± said Colene, who was immediately

    swayed.

    ¡°You¡¯dpare prices when you shop, so why not marriage? It is a serious matter. It is better to remain

    single if you can¡¯t find the right candidate. Would you reconsider David?¡±

    Alyssa struggled to talk her way out. She covered her ears in frustration as she drowned in the nagging

    of

    At dinner, the Taylor family and the guests enjoyed the feast in harmony and savored the Chateau

    Lafite

    Rothschild that Winston had stored for years.

    For Winston and Victor, the dinner was just another ordinary catch-up, like what they always did 20

    years

    ago. The only difference was the presence of their children.

    Furthermore, Victor had an ulterior motive this time-to assess his future daughter-inw.

    David sat across Alyssa at the long and wide table while Jameson was seated beside her. Jameson

    had

    gained the upper hand because he was closer to her.

    David could only stare with envy as his brother attentively cared for Alyssa.

    He almost crushed the utensils in frustration as he agonized at starting on the wrong foot. That little

    prick

    Jameson had gained a head start!

    Jameson discovered Alyssa¡¯s penchant for seafood, particrly crabs and shrimps, through their

    previous dinner date. If there had been no time limit, she would have indulged in seafood all day long.

    With that knowledge, Jameson patiently shelled the shrimps for her consumption, sacrificing the time to

    eat.

    Everyone at the table was discreetly scrutinizing the two of them. Alyssa was wolfing down the dinner

    without a care in the presence of her family.

    Jameson had a smile on his face as he expertly shelled the shrimp and ced the juicy meat on her

    te. The task was not befitting of his status as Victor Schmidt¡¯s son, but he took pleasure in it.

    Alyssa ate the shrimp without feeling awkward. She epted his act of service, something she might

    have declined if they were alone.

    Since Victor was present at the dinner, she wouldn¡¯t miss the opportunity to show off her ¡°ws¡±.

    Jameson wiped his fingers every time he shelled the shrimp.

    David smirked at his brother¡¯s action, knowing that Jameson was a clean freak who wouldn¡¯t re-wear a

    shirt. Jameson had given his all in the battle for Alyssa¡¯s heart.

    ¡°My daughter is senseless! Sorry about that, Vic,¡± Winston apologized to Victor with a chuckle.

    ¡°No worries, Winston. We¡¯re all family. I like how real Lyse is, just like when you were younger! Oh, how

    I

    hope I could call her my daughter-inw and bring her home!¡±

    Victor finally blurted out his agenda. Winston gave him an acknowledging smile without a word.

    Alyssa let out a contented burp. Jameson turned to her with a loving gaze and discreetly handed her a

    napkin under the table. ¡°Here, clean your hands.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± She took it with a smile and gracefully dabbed her lips.

    ¡°Alyssa, you had quite the appetite tonight.¡± David beamed.

    ¡°Forgive me, I couldn¡¯t resist. The homecooked meal was-¡±

    ¡°No, you mistook my meaning. I wasn¡¯t making a dig at you. Somehow, you feel different from all the

    girls

    I¡¯ve met.¡± He leaned forward and admitted, ¡°I admire your candid behavior. You¡¯re cute and real.¡±

    She scoffed at his remark about her behavior. Had the girls he met before never eaten in front of him at

    all? Still, she politely replied, ¡°Thanks for thepliment.¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t been drinking much. You must be thirsty now. Try some red wine.¡± David rose to pour her

    some wine, but Jameson smirked.

    ¡°Actually, seafood pairs better with white wine. Why would you suggest red wine? You must be living

    your

    life on the inte to be ignorant of the most basic knowledge.¡±

 Chapter 327

    David¡¯s face fell when Jameson made a jab at him. He curled his fists.

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    The Taylor family chose to ignore the siblings¡¯ rivalry, except for Victor, who shot Jameson a furious

    nce.

    ¡°She still needs something to warm her up. Lyse, I¡¯ll get you some white wine. It¡¯s perfectly fine to enjoy

    a little drink.¡± Jameson smiled gently, ignoring the pale David. 1

    She coughed and replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine with anything.¡±

    Feeling uneasy about being caught in the middle of the two siblings, she declined their offers in an

    attempt to defuse the situation. ¡°I¡¯d actually prefer a beer-¡±

    Surprisingly, they turned to her at the same time, warning, ¡°No! You might get gout!¡±

    When the dinner drew to a close, Jameson excused himself from the table and headed to the

    washroom.

    There, he dispensed loads of handwash into his hands.

    His pale hands looked like they were specimens in Formalin. He scrubbed his hands until they turned a

    shade of red.

    After five times of handwashing, he brought his hands to his nose and detected a lingering fishy odor.

    So, he pumped some handwash solution onto his hands and carefully cleaned every finger.

    At that moment, the washroom door swung open. In stormed David with a sullen look. He snickered at

    the sight of Jameson¡¯s problematic handwashing behavior.

    ¡°Peeling shrimp at dinner must have been quite the challenge for a clean freak like you. You might

    even have nightmares tonight.¡±

    Jameson ignored his brother¡¯s taunt, and gracefully wiped his hands dry.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while. I was hoping you¡¯d return from Kontina with some actual skills, but the only thing

    you¡¯ve picked up was to suck up to people,¡± David further mocked him in disdain.

    ¡°Why? Are you envious of me?¡± Jameson grinned maliciously. ¡°You must be. You didn¡¯t even have the

    chance to curry favor with Lyse.¡±

    ¡°You¨C¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather suck up to Lyse than panicking over not having a chance to do so, like you.¡±

    David¡¯s eyes reddened, and heughed in anger. ¡°No wonder Dad¡¯s never taken you seriously. There¡¯s

    something off in your thinking. You¡¯re willing to go to great lengths to suck up to people!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the rule of the game. What¡¯s important is to achieve your ends by any means.¡±

    Jameson casually discarded the napkin and chuckled. ¡°Why the sudden interest in conversation when

    you were reluctant to talk to me since we were kids?

    ¡°Why? Are you feeling anxious over my rtionship with Lyse? Does it feel like shit seeing your ns

    derailed?¡±

    ¡°Jameson, you¡¯re getting ahead of yourself. Tell you what, Dad will never approve of you dating Alyssa.

    You aren¡¯t at the same level to fight with me!¡± David was jumping in anger.

    ¡°That¡¯s not for you to decide.¡± Jameson turned around and squinted at his raging sibling. He adjusted

    his

    gold-rimmed sses and dered, ¡°I will put my im on Lyse.¡±

    As expected, the conversation fell apart, and David mmed the door as he left. Jameson wiped off

    the

    smile on his face and clenched his fists.

    His phone vibrated in his pocket. He answered with a curt, ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, I have news, but please stay calm after you hear it.¡± After a pause, Carl whispered,

    ¡°Jasper

    Beckett shows up from nowhere, and he¡¯s right outside the gates of the Taylor family¡¯s vi. And he¡¯s

    here

    alone.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Understood.¡±

    Jasper stood beneath a streemp across from Heightsnew Vi, dressed in a thin suit.

    Belbanks had a moderate coastal climate, but the night breezes were pretty chilly inte fall. The chill

    seeped through his clothes.

    This was his third time waiting for Alyssa at the same spot. What had once been a mere yearning now

    transformed into an inexplicable passion, smoldering in the depths of his chest.

    ¡°I waited till the shadows grew

    Like giants, grim and grey;

    I waited till night¡¯sing chased

    The shadows far away.¡±

    He had considered the possibility of not getting to meet Alyssa that night, but his ego prevented him

    from making the first move and reaching out. He couldn¡¯t possibly humiliate himself over and over.

    Therefore, he decided to keep waiting. She would eventually appear, and he would have the

    opportunity

    to meet her.

 Chapter 328

    As long as Jasper could meet her¡­

    The doors to Heightsnew Vi groaned as it slowly opened.

    Jasper¡¯s heart leaped into his throat, and he tensed up. He leaned forward and stared a hole into the

    gates. Even his breathing grew heavier in anticipation.

    His heart sank when Jameson appeared in his vision with an amused expression. He watched as his

    rival walked up to him.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, isn¡¯t it rather inappropriate to arrive unannounced on a quiet night like this?¡± Jameson¡¯s

    eyes held a mocking glint.

    Jasper remainedposed and smirked. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. The Schmidts don¡¯t run

    Belbanks.

    ¡°Are you always this stubborn and this pathetic of a sore loser?¡± Scoffing, Jameson said, ¡°I know why

    you

    showed up, and I know what¡¯s on your mind.

    ¡°You regretted choosing Liana over Lyse. You finally recognized your foolishness after being lied to,

    and

    you¡¯re now on a mission to get back with Lyse to recoup your losses and save some dignity.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°What do you take her as? A tool to ease your loneliness? Do you really think she¡¯d wait for you after

    how

    much you hurt her?¡±

    Jasper swallowed as bitterness filled him.

    ¡°Lyse has someone new, and he¡¯s right in front of you. You should ask for my permission if you want to

    go

    after Lyse. I might not have it.¡± Jameson adjusted his sses. His eyes gleamed behind.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your ce to say so, Jameson Schmidt.¡± Jasper lifted his chin, feeling the heat of his male ego.

    He continued, ¡°If I regretted my choices and wanted to get back with her, she should be the one to turn

    me down. Your words mean nothing.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett!¡± Frowning, Jameson gave his rival a murderous nce.

    To his surprise, he heard someone calling out to Jasper as well.

    Jasper looked up and felt his heart pumping wildly when Alyssa stormed up to them.

    ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re not wearing enoughyers. It¡¯s cold at night¡­¡± Jameson¡¯s eyes were filled with affection.

    He

    was about to go up to her when she brushed past him.

    She locked eyes with Jasper, creating an invisible barrier that separated Jameson from them. They

    stood there in confrontation, but even without action, they seemed to be in their own world.

    Jameson curled his fists and inhaled sharply. His hatred had grown into something more sinister.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, on a trip to Belbanks again, I see? Why do you always linger near our ce? Is it

    because Heightsnew Vi boasts impressive views and architecture?¡± She ced her hands on her

    waist and red at him.

    Still shaken, Jasper looked squarely at her and blurted out, ¡°The views here are indeed nice.¡±

    Nice? She fumed, thinking that he must have been stupid to miss her sarcasm.

    ¡°Ha! I¡¯ll get you a local tour guide to show you around properly. Stop loitering around our property. This

    isn¡¯t a tourist attraction!¡± She impatiently hissed at him, ¡°Leave now!¡±

    Jasper stared at her with a lost and disappointed look. Then, he whispered, ¡°Alright. Good night.¡± 1

    She was dumbstruck by his response. Had he really just bid her good night after traveling all the way to

    Belbanks? Was there something wrong with him? 1

    He seemed to havepleted a mission and approached his sports car without hesitation.

    ¡°Hey, wait.¡±

 Chapter 329

    Jasper, standing with his back facing her, felt a thrill in his heart as a smile shed across his lips.

    However, he did not have the courage to face Alyssa.

    Meanwhile, Jameson pursed his lips. A storm was brewing in his eyes.

    Alyssa and Jasper might have divorced on bad terms, but he sensed theplicated feelings that

    lingered between the two.

    ¡°Since you¡¯re already here, why don¡¯t you clear the air before you leave?¡± She took a step forward and

    stared at Jasper¡¯s straight back. ¡°Don¡¯t skulk around like a thief. You¡¯re going to give me nightmares.¡±

    His Adam¡¯s apple moved. He turned to her and said, word by word, ¡°Nothing. I¡¯ve just been losing

    sleep

    these past few days.¡±

    She frowned as she was puzzled by the rtionship between his Belbanks trip and his insomnia. Was

    his

    insomnia rted to her?

    Speechless, she felt unfairly med for his troubles. She certainly hadn¡¯t caused him any problems!

    ¡°Take your sleeping pills if you¡¯re having trouble sleeping. Coming to Belbanks won¡¯t solve your

    problems.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been resolved.¡± He cast a knowing nce at her. ¡°I believe I¡¯ll have a good night¡¯s sleep tonight.¡±

    With that, he turned around and left.

    She watched his slender figure and the ck sports car vanish into the night before blurting out, ¡°He¡¯s

    absolutely insane!¡±

    Back in this car, Jasper was instantly hit by waves of exhaustion, ready to drop at any time. His eyes

    were

    even more bloodshot than when he had arrived at Heightsnew Vi.

    He folded his arms on the steering wheel. His biceps were tense, apanied by frustration and

    labored

    breathing.

    He stared until Alyssa and Jameson entered the Heightnews Vi and closed the gates behind them. It

    jolted his heart.

    Trembling, he dialed Xavier¡¯s number.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, any orders?¡±

    ¡°Look into it.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Look into what?¡± Xavier was puzzled.

    ¡°The rtionship between the Taylors and the Schmidts. The rtionship between Alyssa Taylor and

    Jameson Schmidt.¡±

    He clenched his jaw. ¡°Alyssa isn¡¯t one to fall in love easily. I do not believe in Jameson¡¯s description of

    their rtionship.¡±

    ¡°Roger that! I¡¯ll get to it right away!¡± Xavier sounded overjoyed. He even daringly added, ¡°Madam

    wouldn¡¯t

    have left you if you had trusted her from the beginning. She won¡¯t be dealing with those pests!¡±

    ¡°One more word from you, and I¡¯ll ship you off to Alethia!¡±

    Xavier groaned, ¡°Pardon me, your royal highness! It¡¯s all my fault!¡±

    Alyssa had caught news of Jasper standing in front of Heightsnew Vi. She had wanted to ignore his

    dramatic act and leave him suffering in the wind.

    To her dismay, Jameson went out to meet with him. She couldn¡¯t let trouble brew and thus had to

    resolve

    the situation decisively.

    The episode did not change the mood at the dinner. The event ended on a happy note.

    Winston returned to his study with Neil and secretly called Jonah and Ss in for a meeting.

    ¡°Dad, what¡¯s up?¡± Jonah questioned.

    ¡°How much do you know about Lyse and Jameson? Tell me the truth.¡± Winston tidied his outfit and sat

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    squarely on the couch.

    The brothers exchanged nces. Ss immediately ratted out his brother, ¡°Dad, you have to ask

    Jonah. about this. I knew nothing about Lyse and Jameson showing up together!¡±

    Jonah remainedposed.

    ¡°Jonah, what stage are they at?¡±

 Chapter 330

    Winston grew stern like he was at the court. ¡°Lyse only eats the shrimps peeled by you and me. She

    has

    never allowed any other men to serve her!

    ¡°That Jameson fellow was overly passionate toward her. He almost hand-fed her the food, and she did

    not seem resistant. Tell me, what¡¯s their rtionship? Has Lyse fallen for him?¡±

    ¡°Dad, you don¡¯t sound like you like Jameson,¡± Jonah pointed out. Winston responded with a silent pout.

    ¡°Jameson and Lyse have known each other since childhood, and they get along well after reuniting. It

    was rare to see her getting along with someone from the opposite sex.

    ¡°On top of that, we are family friends with the Schmidts. It will be good news if they end up with each

    other,¡± Jonah calmly exined his rationale.

    ¡°You know Uncle Victor¡¯s agenda for this visit. He intended to set up a marriage between the Schdmits

    and the Taylors. Why else would he have brought his two single sons along? He had his eyes on Lyse!¡±

    Winston stared at the ground and shook his head. ¡°But I will not agree to the marriage.¡± (1

    Jonah and Ss¡¯s expressions fell when they heard their father¡¯s words. They were shocked at

    Winston¡¯s

    aversion to the Schmidts.

    ¡°Did you and Uncle Victor have a falling out? Did you two block each other on WhatsApp?¡± Ss

    yfully

    teased Winston with a thumbs-up gesture. ¡°You really are something else! Look at you, chatting happily

    with him even after a fight. I couldn¡¯t have done that.¡±

    ¡°How did you end up as a prosecutor with that pea brain of yours? Did you get in from the back door

    using

    my name?¡± Winston impatiently rolled his eyes at Ss and said gruffly, ¡°I will not feed my beloved

    daughter to the wolves after she¡¯s just freed herself from the Becketts!

    ¡°You think the Schmidts are living in paradise? They¡¯re notorious for their internal conflicts. The four

    Schmidt siblings are quite problematic. If Lyse were to marry into their family, she¡¯d likely find herself

    caught up in their infighting.

    ¡°And let¡¯s not forget about Jameson, who happens to be Victor¡¯s least favored son. He may have a

    sprawling overseas business, but it¡¯s possible he gained prominence through brute force. There could

    be

    some shady dealings going on behind the scenes.

    ¡°It¡¯s not impossible that he might use his marriage to Lyse as a way to clean up hispany and

    establish a foothold in this country.¡±

    Ss stared agape at his father while Jonah looked at his feet and pursed his lips with guilt. He was too

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind offering my daughter¡¯s hand in marriage to uplift her inw¡¯s family, but she should not

    sacrifice herself in doing so!¡±

    A Bentley ferried Victor and Jameson back to Sna City, which was a rare move by Victor. David had

    gone back to Sna City separately in his car.

    Victor and Jameson sat in the backseat in an oppressive silence, bound by their family ties but not

    much

    else.

    ¡°Tell me, Jimmy. What¡¯s the state of your rtionship with Alyssa?¡± Victor demanded to know.

    ¡°Are you taking an interest in my love life?¡± Jameson looked amused. ¡°You never checked in on me

    and

    Mom in the 15 years we lived in Kontina. Now that I¡¯m back in Sna City, you seem extremely

    interested in my activities.¡±

    ¡°Do not change the topic. I am asking you about your rtionship with Alyssa Taylor!¡± Victor brimmed

    with anger.

    ¡°As you can tell from tonight¡¯s dinner, I share a close rtionship with her.¡± Jameson¡¯s eyes gleamed

    as

    he smirked.

    Victor took a deep breath, his temples throbbing. He ordered, ¡°Stop getting in touch with her! Stay

    awayThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    from her.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Jameson inquired, a smile ying on his lips.

    ¡°She¡¯s my handpicked candidate for David¡¯s wife. You will only disrupt my ns if you interfere.¡±

    ¡°Am I not your son too? She¡¯ll be your daughter-inw regardless of who she marries. What¡¯s the issue

    here?¡±

    ¡°My decision is final. David must marry Lyse. If you would also like to marry a Taylor, Winston has an

    unmarried younger daughter named Tatiana. She¡¯s the daughter of L, Winston¡¯s third wife¡­¡±

    ¡°Your least favorite son only deserves the daughter of Uncle Winston¡¯s third wife. Is that what you

    mean?¡±

    Jameson wore a mocking smile on his lips.

    ¡°Jameson, enough of this nonsense!¡± Victor¡¯s anger red. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t covet what¡¯s meant for

    David.

    I¡¯ll give you what you rightfully deserve, so don¡¯ty im to things that aren¡¯t intended for you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that since I was a boy but never received anything.¡±

    Jameson closed his eyes with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m tired of your empty promises. Tell David not to fret about it.

    Lyse is mine and only mine. No one can take her away from me.¡±

 Chapter 331

    There was a period of rtive calm between the Berenike Hotel and KS World Hotel on the surface,

    but they were secretlypeting with each other.

    Their potential client, Ada Kingsley, was an international star who was an icon of the entertainment

    industry.

    She loved high-profile, extravagant events, and naturally, she would scoff at any wedding sponsors that

    were not luxury brands.

    It was public knowledge that Ada herself was a seasoned jewelry collector. She had even hosted small-

    scale private jewelry exhibitions, showcasing pieces worth no less than millions.

    For her grand wedding, she made a strict request at the twopeting hotels-offering her one-of-a-

    kind jewelry crafted by true masters.

    ¡°Ada made it clear that she wanted something one of its kind to match her superstar status,¡± Xavier

    reported the request by Ada¡¯s assistant word by word to Jasper and the upper management in the

    meeting.

    He continued, ¡°She also mentioned that she has no limits for the design and designers of the jewelry.

    She

    wants Berenike and KS World toe up with solutions. Whoever offers the better sponsor will get her

    business. And Ada Kingsley keeps her word.¡±

    Jasper listened to the update with a frown as he tapped a pen on the table with a heavy look in his

    eyes.

    The upper management of the hotel was taken aback and huddled together to deliberate on the

    request.

    ¡°She¡¯s asking for the best in everything. Isn¡¯t this an attempt to take advantage of us? We¡¯re not her

    bottomless vault!¡±

    ¡°A global superstar, she says. She really thinks highly of herself, doesn¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s with the open-ended mission? She feels more like a question setter for exams than a

    superstar.¡±

    Jasper looked up and cast pressure on the others. ¡°This is a meeting room, not an online chatroom.

    Keep

    your mouth shut if you don¡¯t have any ideas.¡±

    Everyone fell silent and racked their brains for solutions after their boss was enraged.

    The director of design rattled off a list of prominent jewelry designers abroad. She even prepared

    presentation slides to introduce the background and representative work of each designer in detail.

    Jasper listened to it unemotionally and suddenly questioned, ¡°Why isn¡¯t Alexa on your list?¡±

    The mere mention of Alexa sent a collective hush through the room.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What¡¯s that look on everyone¡¯s face?¡± Jasper asked, furrowing his brow, unaware of

    the

    reason for the silence.

    ¡°Ahem¡­ Mr. Beckett, I regret to tell you that we will never get Alexa to work for us¡­¡± the director

    stammered.

    ¡°Why? Is she dead?¡±

    Everyone was speechless at Jasper¡¯s sincere question.

    As the president of the Beckett Group, he was good at business negotiations andpany

    management.

    However, he had little knowledge about the jewelry and fashion industries.

    5

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°No, she¡¯s well and alive. The problem is that Alexa is seen as the legend of the jewelry design

    industry.

    ¡°The designers I showed you all hold Alexa in high esteem. Some even admitted to drawing inspiration

    from Alexa¡¯s work when they hit creative roadblocks.

    ¡°Alexa is an exceptional icon of the design world. Anyone who gets a hand on her jewelry would

    consider

    themselves lucky and cherish it like a family heirloom.

    ¡°How could we possibly afford tomission Alexa to create a one-of-a-kind piece for Ada Kingsley?

    It¡¯s¡­ an unrealistic dream.¡±

    The director herself was a devoted fan of Alexa, and she felt personally affronted by the notion of

    having

    Alexa design jewelry for a celebrity like Ada.

    ¡°Icon or no icon, Alexa is human, and she has her weakness.¡± Jasper remained stubborn as he insisted

    on the best solution. He announced, ¡°We will select Alexa as the jewelry designer for Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    wedding.

    Everyone immediately wondered what the hell he was thinking. The director began to perspire

    profusely.¡± But Mr. Beckett, the designers I mentioned are highly aplished experts.

    ¡°They have received international recognition for their work. Their jewelry is definitely presentable ¡­¡±

    Jasper calmly shook his head. ¡°I didn¡¯t reject your rmendations because they aren¡¯t good. You did

    a great job, but you¡¯ve underestimated ourpetition.¡±

    Everyone exchanged nces.

    ¡°Our rival this time is KS World Hotel, led by Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    He used to have a headache at the mention of Alyssa¡¯s name, but this time, his eyes were sparkling

    with admiration and respect.

    Jasper continued, ¡°I know her well. She¡¯s a perfectionist, much like myself. She must have learned

    about Ada Kingsley¡¯s request, just as we did. Do you believe that, with KS Group¡¯s wealth and her

    steeliness,

    she¡¯d half-ass this?¡±

 Chapter 332

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°No. She¡¯s bound to give it her all if she takes action, striking out all potential

    opponents. That¡¯s why we must win over Alexa before she even starts.¡±

    The staff and directors were still dubious. It didn¡¯t seem likely that Alyssa could tackle someone like

    Alexa when theirpany was having trouble already.

    ¡°I want aplete dossier on Alexa¡¯s personal life before the day is over. Exclude any information

    pertaining to Alexa¡¯s professional endeavors,¡± Jasper directed.

    Just then, the design department head muttered, ¡°Sir, we¡¯re able to give you everything under the sun

    about Alexa¡¯s professional information, but as for her personal info ¡­ there¡¯s only one thing avable.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Alexa is¡­ a woman.¡±

    The next day, Alyssa found herself craving her favoritefort food after returning to her office post-

    meeting.

    ¡°Get me some fried chicken and beer, will you, Sean? I¡¯m hungry,¡± Alyssa requested while ying her

    video game.

    Sean chuckled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried at all, Ms. Alyssa? I¡¯m as frazzled as your fried chicken due to Ada

    Kingsley¡¯s request. The Beckett Group has already begun taking action, and shouldn¡¯t we do the

    same?

    ¡°You¡¯ve shut down all the team¡¯s ns for the jewelry design, only suggesting this Alexa person to

    handle

    the request. I don¡¯t even know who she is. Shouldn¡¯t we be working on a proposal to appoint her for

    this

    task?¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t be able to appoint her, and neither will the Beckett Group, so there¡¯s nothing to worry about,¡±

    Alyssa said leisurely.

    ¡°But-¡±

    Just then, a video call request popped up on Alyssa¡¯s desktop. Sean was about to leave to give her

    some privacy when Alyssa told him, ¡°You can stay. It¡¯s just a friend of mine. I trust you.¡±

    She clicked ¡°ept¡±,

    A window appeared on the screen, revealing a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Sliva.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett from the Beckett Group just called me, requesting for Alexa to participate in their

    jewelry design project,¡± Sliva Nunez said, her tone ented.

    ¡°Oh? Did he? How uncharacteristic of him.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who calls me. I wouldn¡¯t agree to their request either way.¡±

    ¡°What if I sought out Alexa myself? Could you help me, being her personal assistant and all?¡± Alyssa

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    grinned.

    Sean blinked in disbelief as he realized why Alyssa had been so confident. It turned out that she knew

    Alexa¡¯s personal assistant!

    But the next second, his breath was taken away by the words that came out of Sliva¡¯s mouth.

    The foreign beauty narrowed her eyes and scowled. ¡°Don¡¯t kid around with me, Ms. Alexa. Do you

    have

    any idea how long it has been since you answered my calls?¡±

    Sean was taken aback when he heard Sliva refer to Alyssa as ¡°Ms. Alexa¡±.

    Could Alyssa possibly be the internationally renowned cream of the crop in the jewelry design world,

    Alexa herself? 2

 Chapter 333

    Sean¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment.

    But Alyssa remained calm. She yawned and muttered, ¡°What¡¯s with the name-calling, hm? Look. You

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    scared my secretary.¡±

    ¡°Why did you sever allmunication after returning to Sna City, Alexa? Everyone on the team has

    been praying and hoping for your swift return.¡± Tears welled up in Sliva¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dear. I won¡¯t be able to return to you guys for a long time. I need to help my family out here.

    You¡¯ll have to take charge of the firm in Yoarkley in my stead.¡± Alyssa sighed.

    She continued, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the funding, though. My previous designs will fetch prices that can

    keep the firm running for the next couple of decades.

    ¡°But please tell everyone not to dy their own progress and ambitions for my sake. If it¡¯s their wish to

    leave the firm and pursue greater heights, they have my full blessings.

    ¡°The same goes for you, Sliva. Don¡¯t wait for me.¡±

    Sliva rubbed her eyes. ¡°I ¡­ I would never leave your team, Alexa.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve helped me so much over the years. It¡¯s only right that you take your chance to make it big for

    yourself now. You have the right to choose goals that far surpass your current ones,¡± Alyssa said,

    beaming at her friend.

    Alyssa added, ¡°I couldn¡¯t have gotten to where I am now without all your help and support.¡±

    Sean was tearing up listening to their conversation.

    He realized he had never truly understood Alyssa. He had thought of her as a perfect, well-rounded

    woman before, never realizing she was akin to a goddess instead.

    ¡°If the Beckett Group contacts me again, I¡¯ll tell them that Alexa has decided to work with KS Group!¡±

    Sliva said.

    Alyssa smirked. ¡°No need. We need to give them some hope in order to have them fall gracefully t

    on

    their face.¡±

    Sliva¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I understand.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t dere victory before they¡¯ve even made their first wave of attacks,¡± Alyssa grinned.

    She continued, ¡°I can¡¯t let Jasper lose his chance to put on a good show. Racing to the finish line, only

    to

    They hung up the call. Meanwhile, Sean was still recovering from the shock of what he had just heard.

    He

    nearly bowed down in reverence to Alyssa.

    ¡°Hey, wake up.¡± Alyssa snapped her fingers in front of him, jolting him back to reality. She suddenly

    asked,

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m being too cruel?¡±

    As she swirled around in her desk chair, Sean replied, ¡°I think fair¡¯s fair. He deserves this for treating

    you

    terribly throughout those three years.¡±

    ¡°I agree.¡± Alyssa nodded, then closed her eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t hisck of love for me that hurt the most, to

    be

    honest. It was the fact that he unabashedly showed off his love for Liana while we were married.¡±

 Chapter 334

    ¡°Every year, I watched him buy ne tickets to Mosgravia to celebrate Liana¡¯s birthdays with her. I¡¯ve

    never seen someone who hated doing extra work give up their own principles just to make someone

    happy.

    ¡°He even went to Furancia to hire the best artisans for her. Let¡¯s say I could let go of that. But I was his

    wife. The least he could do was show me some respect,¡± Alyssa remarked.

    All this while, Alyssa¡¯s back was to Sean, making it impossible for him to discern her emotions. She

    spoke

    like a narrator, calmly recounting a story that had happened.

    Sean felt upset on her behalf. He knelt down beside Alyssa and said, ¡°Jasper Beckett truly deserves

    the

    worst punishment for hurting you all because of an irredeemable piece of trash!¡±

    Alyssa shook her head, smiling. ¡°I would¡¯ve yelled and screamed all my emotions out to him back then.

    But things are different now. I feel a calm I¡¯ve never felt before, like hearing an unfunny yet amusing

    joke.

    ¡°If Liana is trash, then Jasper is a trash bin. I¡¯m a reasonable woman. I won¡¯t let my feelings linger on a

    useless trash bin.

    ¡°But I can¡¯t deny watching Jasper run around in circles trying to get Alexa onboard is entertaining. I

    want

    to see all his efforts go to waste and crumble into dust.

    ¡°You¡¯ve always been cruel and uncaring, Jasper Beckett. Unfortunately for you, I am too now.¡±

    Jasper took a flight to Yoarkley just to meet Alexa in person. On the flight, he suddenly recalled the

    ne he had custom-made for Liana-the Crimson Heart.

    He remembered flying to Furancia just to seek out that one designer who had worked for the royals

    before.

    That was the first time Jasper had begged to get what he wanted. The designer eventually agreed to

    make the ne after much hassle.

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Yet now, the Crimson Heart was sealed away in its box, a ce Jasper would never deign to seek it out

    again. It had be a symbol of guilt and shame rather than his sincere love.

    Jasper gazed unseeingly at the thick clouds outside the ne. Suddenly, Alyssa¡¯s loving smile

    appeared

    in his mind.

    He gently touched the cabin window, as if it were her face, but only coldness met his fingers.

    Taking a deep breath, Jasper recalled a conversation from the past.

    ¡°Do you have any idea how much Madam adores that ne? She nearly cried when she heard you

    were giving it to Ms. Liana!¡±

    ¡°Madam would never toss your gift away, unlike Ms. Liana! She even keeps the ties you don¡¯t want to

    wear anymore just to have a token that reminds her of you!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart clenched painfully. He never thought the woman he hoped would love him would end up

    treating his heart like nothing more than a tool.

    Only Alyssa had ever shed tears and dreamt of having the love he offered.

    A bitter smile appeared on Jasper¡¯s face as he wondered why Alyssa had stayed with him for those

    three

    years, even though he had treated her cruelly.

    Jasper asked himself, ¡°Why did you do it, Alyssa?¡±

 Chapter 335

    Just then, Xavier came over with a cup of coffee. ¡°Sir, I¡¯ve contacted Ms. Sliva from Alexa¡¯s firm. She¡¯s

    willing to meet up with you to discuss the matter.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yes. But she¡¯s made it clear that that¡¯s all it is. She seemed pretty cold and unwilling to do it, honestly.

    Xavier sighed. ¡°I just hope our endeavor doesn¡¯t go kaput.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not giving up until Alexa meets me herself.¡±

    They waited in Yoarkley for three days before Jasper met with Sliva at a caf¨¦ near Alexa¡¯s design firm.

    He

    wasn¡¯t even invited over to the actual office.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get straight to the point, Mr. Jasper.¡± Sliva¡¯s expression was one of pride and mild annoyance.

    ¡°Thus

    far, Alexa has only made jewelry for presidential members, royalty, and those who have contributed

    exceedingly to societal and human welfare.

    ¡°Ada Kingsley may be a celebrity, but she does not fall into any of the above precedent categories.¡±

    Xavier scowled, unable to understand what the fuss was all about when it was just jewelry!

    Sliva added, ¡°I do not mean to sound standoffish. This is merely the truth.¡±

    Jasper responded, ¡°I have been actively involved in charitable work and have established charities and

    trust funds in my mother¡¯s name since I was young.

    ¡°I have always enthusiastically supported organizations dedicated to alleviating poverty and

    orphanages.

    I hope Alexa can consider this and not view it as just another celebrity trying to get their way.

    ¡°We are prepared to assist Alexa in any way, including financial support. Additionally, we intend to

    donate

    the proceeds from the homing party to local charities to help themunity.¡±

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°Oh? Do you think that¡¯s all Alexa cares about? Do you think she¡¯s so narrow-minded?¡± Sliva sneered.

    Jasper cleared his throat. ¡°Of course not.¡±

    ¡°Countless people havee to us seeking Alexa¡¯s help over the years, all in the name of charity. Yet

    most of them were secretly moneyunderers and crooks. Who knows if I¡¯m sitting across one now?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s hand balled into a fist.

    Xavier had had enough. ¡°Ms. Sliva, we genuinely mean well. There¡¯s no need to insinuate anything

    unkind

    whatsoever.¡±

    Jasper held out a hand to stop him from speaking further.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always personally reviewed mypany¡¯s assets and cash flow. This event will be included as

    well. I can send you all the receipts and listings of rted costs for your perusal.¡±

    Sliva looked away. ¡°I will let Alexa know of your proposal, Mr. Jasper. But at the end of the day, Alexa

    will

    be the one to decide on whether she will or will not join you. You¡¯re not the only one who hase to

    seek her help.¡±

    Sliva turned around and left right away, barely touching her coffee.

    Xavier was pissed. ¡°What was that? She was so rude! Are all Yoarkley women this irritating?¡±

    ¡°We need toe up with a n right away.¡± Jasper unclenched his hands. ¡°My guess is Alexa is

    treating Alyssa and her team just as tough as she¡¯s treating ours, given our goals are the same. I don¡¯t

    think Alyssa

    could propose anything better than we can, either.¡±

    ¡°Do you have something in mind, sir?¡±

    ¡°We need to start with Ada¡¯s weing party first without letting up on Alexa. Keep an eye on Alyssa¡¯s

    progress. If she so much as fidgets in regards to Alexa, let me know straight away!¡±

 Chapter 336

    After returning from Yoarkley, Xavier constantly paid close attention to Alyssa and KS World Hotel¡¯s

    activities.

    Unfortunately for Jasper, Alyssa hadn¡¯t done a single thing moving forward since that day. She was still

    busy managing the hotel, not even stepping out of Sna City once.

    Jasper gazed outside his window, brows wrinkled in thought.

    Wasn¡¯t Alyssa worried?

    Ada¡¯s wedding was right around the corner. Or had she secretly given up on hiring Alexa for this

    project?

    The rose garden affair, Sophia¡¯s arrest, and the Verdane Valley project being snatched out of his hands

    had slowly instilled a sense of apprehension in Jasper toward her.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but curse at himself for fearing Alyssa after their divorce.

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Just then, the phone on his desk rang.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Mr. Landon is here for you.¡±

    ¡°Have hime inside.¡±

    Landon strode into his office like he owned the ce, then lounged on his couch.

    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you to note over here without anything important to tell me? I¡¯m

    not as carefree as you are.¡± Jasper didn¡¯t even look up at Landon, only quickly flipping through the

    documents on his table.

    ¡°Tsk. You¡¯re not some warlord busy nning your next move. Lighten up a little.

    ¡°Actually, you do resemble those warlords my mom was watching a documentary about recently.

    They¡¯re

    heartless, selfish pricks. You¡¯d fit in.¡±

    ¡°The door is right there if you have nothing better to do.¡±

    ¡°Now that Zoe¡¯s back home, Mom¡¯s inviting you over for dinner.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, but no thanks. I¡¯m busy with Ada¡¯s proposal.¡±

    ¡°How long has it been since you saw your godmother? Did you know she wanted to cook for you first

    thing after returning home from her overseas treatment? Are you seriously going to reject her?¡±

    Landon scowled. ¡°She even got all the ingredients for that dish you liked. Imagine how disappointed

    she¡¯d

    Jasper pursed his lips. ¡°Alright, fine. I¡¯ll go.¡±

    ¡°There we go!¡± Landon smacked his leg excitedly.

    Jasper recalled how things had transpired at the National Theater-how Zoe had been so touchy-feely

    that it made Jasper immensely ufortable.

    They used to hold hands when Zoe was 10. He was only a few years older than her then. Back then,

    he

    saw her as an actual kid sister, especially since she was Landon¡¯s sister.

    But things had changed now that they were all adults. While she might still be naive, he couldn¡¯t afford

    to

    do as they did before.

    ¡°Is Zoe ¡­¡±

    Just then, a knock on the door interrupted Jasper.

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, I¡¯ve gathered the information you requested about Madam and Jameson Schmidt¡¯s

    connections and their families¡¯ rtions!¡± Xavier rushed in, his excitement evident in his voice.

    Upon hearing that, Landon blinked incredulously but said nothing.

    Jasper, on the other hand, nearly snapped his pen in two.

    ¡°Oh, uh ¡­ I see that you¡¯re upied. Then, I¡¯ll take my leave first, ¡± Xavier said awkwardly, slowly

    stepping

    back outside.

    ¡°Stay. Come on, I¡¯m no stranger.¡± Landon grinned, then snagged an orange from the coffee table. He

    peeled it with his fingers while eyeing Jasper from the corner of his eye.

    Landon continued, ¡°What¡¯s this then? Finally deciding to get her back?¡±

    ¡°Eat your orange and shut up. Don¡¯t ask what you shouldn¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t know? I was the one who courted Alyssa from the start, so don¡¯t give me that attitude!¡±

    Landon

    chewed on an orange slice.

    ¡°So what?¡± Jasper gazed at him curiously. ¡°She married me. Also, she shut you out the door.¡±

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t go rubbing that in my face now. Anyway, you¡¯ve divorced her!¡±

    Landon had a strong urge to smack Jasper in the face with his orange. ¡°If you were capable of

    divorcing

    herself, why rely on Xavier to do the dirty work?¡±

 Chapter 337

    Landon said, ¡°How long do you think it will take for you to drag this out before those two end up

    married, or worse-start having babies?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped several beats at the thought. Nevertheless, he said coldly, ¡°Who told you I was

    going after her again?

    ¡°I need the information because she has taken away yet another project of mine. This time, she¡¯s

    working with Jameson Schmidt. It will negatively impact thepany moving forward.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you say, dude.¡± Landon cackled, then tossed an orange peel at his friend.

    Jasper caught it with his hand before crushing it into dry pulp.

    Xavier had to resist the urge tough with every fiber of his being. ¡°Mr. Jasper, there appears to be no

    rtionship between Madam and Mr. Jameson that is worth losing sleep over.

    ¡°She had eyes only for you in the past three years, and there¡¯s no evidence of any involvement with the

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Schmidt family on her end prior to that.¡±

    Only then did Jasper¡¯s expression lighten up.

    Jameson¡¯s affections seemed to be purely one-sided.

    ¡°But I did find out that Mr. Victor Schmidt wasst seen bringing his two sons, Jameson and David, to

    Belbanks, most likely to visit Mr. Winston. Given the rtions between their families¡­ he¡­ he wouldn¡¯t

    be discussing a marriage alliance, would he?¡±

    Both Landon and Jasper were left stunned at the notion of a marriage alliance.

    Jameson and Alyssa were childhood friends. Their families had a close friendship and were equally on

    par in terms of power. On top of that, they were just the right age. Marriage seemed almost inevitable.

    Jasper was seized by a dreadful, soul-crushing terror.

    ¡°Oh, well. Good game, well yed. Landon shrugged. ¡°Even if Alyssa refuses to marry him-now that

    Victor has personally gone to see her father with Jameson in tow, Alyssa might just relent in the end if

    her

    father doesn¡¯t let up on her ¡­¡±

    Jasper was left speechless, and his expression was so sour that it looked like he had aged by a

    decade.

    ¡°Hey, do you think you¡¯d be invited to their wedding? You were married to the bride, after all.¡±

    Anger rose in Jasper¡¯s chest. ¡°No, Alyssa would never acquiesce to her family¡¯s insistence. She would

    Landon couldn¡¯t help but quip, ¡°So goddamned sour.¡±

    ¡°Landon!¡±

    ¡°Fuck you, I was talking about the orange!¡±

    Jasper followed Landon to his family home in the evening for dinner. He had known Landon¡¯s mother,

    Penelope Miller since he was a child.

    Despite their familiarity, he remained courteous and brought several presents for her benefit, from aged

    wines to gold pendants.

    Penelope was just as generous and kind to Jasper. She had prepared a feast for dinner, including

    many of

    his favorites.

    ¡°You¡¯re biased, Mom!¡± Landon huffed. ¡°You didn¡¯t even make one favorite of mine. I knew bringing

    Jasper

    over those years ago was a bad idea!¡±

    ¡°Unlike Jasper here, you¡¯ve eaten my cooking for over 20 years. Of course I have to treat him right this

    once. You just be quiet and enjoy the meal.¡±

    Penelope was quite fond of Jasper, having treated him like a son for years. ¡°Try some of this. I

    remember

    you told me you liked it after school one time.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Harper,¡± Jasper smiled, thanking his godmother.

    ¡°Eat up, Jasper!¡± Zoe sat beside him and scooped some pae into his te. ¡°Here, I made this just for

    you. Try it!¡±

    But before the rice could reach Jasper¡¯s te, Jasper stopped her. ¡°Thank you, but I can help myself.¡±

 Chapter 338

    Zoe blushed instantly, feeling awkward.

    ¡°She hasn¡¯t used those silverware yet, Jasper. Don¡¯t worry about saliva.¡± Landon frowned, defending

    his

    sister.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jasper. I¡¯ll use a clean fork.¡±

    Zoe then used a new fork to serve Jasper the seafood pae, but Jasper stopped her once again. ¡°I

    can help myself.¡±

    That made Zoe pout. ¡°We used to be inseparable, Jasper. Have a few years apart really changed our

    bond? Remember how we used to share the same ice cream?¡±

    ¡°We were children then. Now, none of us are.¡± Jasper looked away, scooping some stir-fried garlic

    green beans into his te before eating them.

    Zoe bit her lip and silently ate her helping of pae, expression upset.

    Jasper gazed at the spread of food on the table and remembered how Alyssa used to cook these for

    him,

    too.

    These dishes took a long time to prepare. Alyssa usually spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen

    making

    them until oil and vapor stained her skin. Yet, he never once thanked her for them.

    Even as they were cooked masterfully, on par with some of the renowned chefs in the country, Jasper

    still

    never admitted or acted on the urge to have second helpings.

    He remembered how Alyssa would gaze at him with hopeful expectation, waiting for words of

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    encouragement or praise, but more often than not, end up with disappointment and sadness.

    For some reason, Jasper¡¯s heart always hurt a little when he saw her like that.

    But Alyssa would always regain her spirits and beam at him, saying, ¡°That¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll do better next

    time!¡±

    With Alyssa¡¯s words resonating in his thoughts, Jasper found himself uncertain if there would ever be

    another opportunity.

    The food in his mouth started tasting more like wax than anything.

    ¡°Jasper, is it true that yourpany ispeting with KS World Hotel to organize Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    wedding? I heard it from Betty,¡± Zoe asked curiously.

    Zoe continued, ¡°I heard she¡¯sing to Sna City in the next few days. Are you nning to host a

    Landon couldn¡¯t help but quip, ¡°So goddamned sour.¡±

    ¡°Landon!¡±

    ¡°Fuck you, I was talking about the orange!¡±

    Jasper followed Landon to his family home in the evening for dinner. He had known Landon¡¯s mother,

    Penelope Miller since he was a child.

    Despite their familiarity, he remained courteous and brought several presents for her benefit, from aged

    wines to gold pendants.

    Penelope was just as generous and kind to Jasper. She had prepared a feast for dinner, including

    many of

    his favorites.

    ¡°You¡¯re biased, Mom!¡± Landon huffed. ¡°You didn¡¯t even make one favorite of mine. I knew bringing

    Jasper

    over those years ago was a bad idea!¡±

    ¡°Unlike Jasper here, you¡¯ve eaten my cooking for over 20 years. Of course I have to treat him right this

    once. You just be quiet and enjoy the meal.¡±

    Penelope was quite fond of Jasper, having treated him like a son for years. ¡°Try some of this. I

    remember

    you told me you liked it after school one time.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Harper,¡± Jasper smiled, thanking his godmother.

    ¡°Eat up, Jasper!¡± Zoe sat beside him and scooped some pae into his te. ¡°Here, I made this just for

    you. Try it!¡±

    But before the rice could reach Jasper¡¯s te, Jasper stopped her. ¡°Thank you, but I can help myself.¡±

 Chapter 339

    ¡°It¡¯s really a fine n, Mr. Jasper!¡± Xavier said, then asked timidly, ¡°It¡¯s just, with Madam¡¯s personality,

    there¡¯s a risk she just might win over Ada Kingsley. Why don¡¯t we ¡­¡±

    ¡°Get to the point.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we let Madam have this small win instead? It doesn¡¯t determine the final victor anyway.

    We¡¯ll

    be the gentlemen in this scenario and let thedy have it. Plus, you two were married before-¡±

    No!¡± Jasper said sharply. ¡°If we can¡¯t move Alexa, then we have no choice but to start from Ada

    Kingsley.

    Alyssa must be in the same boat as us if she¡¯s doing the same thing.

    ¡°Every whiff of progress is enough to set us back to square one. We cannot let her have this win. We

    need

    Ada to attend our weing party no matter the cost!¡±

    Jasper then entered his car while Xavier was left standing there alone. Thetter¡¯s face slowly

    crumbled

    into despair.

    Jasper pondered how his boss could ever win back Alyssa with the current approach.

    Jasper sighed heavily in his seat. He was actually considering Xavier¡¯s suggestion to let Alyssa win this

    round.

    But he had never won anything involving Alyssa ever since their divorce. She seemed to be leagues

    above

    him, shattering his entire ns in seconds, as if by divine intervention.

    He realized how different Alyssa was nowpared to that gentle, demure woman who used to be his

    wife. Her intelligence, beauty, and grace seemed to be setting them apart for good.

    That was why Jasper needed to win. It was one of the only ways he knew to reduce the wide gap

    between

    them.

    Landon had to leave for ACE for a client meetingter that night, leaving only his mother and sister at

    home.

    Zoe went to her mother¡¯s room, nuzzling into her mother¡¯s arms before sleep.

    Penelope recalled what had transpired during dinner and told her daughter, ¡°You¡¯ve scared off Jasper

    with your enthusiasm, Zoe. It might be best to turn it down a notch.¡±

    Penelope sighed. ¡°You¡¯re not ten anymore, and he¡¯s not just your ¡®brother¡¯ to y around with any

    longer.

    ¡°He¡¯s the CEO of his family¡¯spany now, which puts him in a critical position where no mistakes can

    be made. The way you interacted with him earlier today might not be appropriate. I think it-¡±

    ¡°Mom.¡± Zoe sat up, meeting her mother¡¯s gaze. ¡°I wasn¡¯t ying around earlier, and I don¡¯t think of him

    as just a ymate anymore.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Why do you think I refused the dream offer from RYO? I¡¯m back in Sna City because I want to

    marry Jasper and be his wife.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Penelope cried, sitting up in shock. ¡°Are you crazy? He¡¯s like a brother to you!¡±

    ¡°Yes, but he¡¯s not my actual brother!¡± Zoe said excitedly. ¡°I¡¯ve waited so long for him to finally end

    things with that Gardner chick. Now that they¡¯re over, I finally get my chance.¡±

    Penelope was concerned for her daughter, who was deep in her merry fantasies.

    ¡°What is it, Mom? Don¡¯t you want us to be together?¡± Zoe asked, shaking her mother¡¯s hand.

    ¡°No, no. It¡¯s just that Jasper is a wonderful man, but he¡¯s not a good choice for marriage. Not only was

    he involved with Liana Gardner, but I heard from your brother that he was even married once.

    ¡°You¡¯re too naive, Zoe. Jasper has aplicated past. I¡¯m so worried you¡¯ll find yourself unhappy and

    suffer if you marry him!¡±

    Zoe sneered internally. She considered herself far from naive; in fact, Betty Beckett seemed to be the

    one

    who fit that description better.

    If Zoe married into Jasper¡¯s family, she would make sure those women cowered under her. Her mother

    truly underestimated her.

    ¡°I¡¯m Zoe Harper, Mom. Our family is just as reputable as theirs. Plus, with you and Landon doting on

    me

    so much, they wouldn¡¯t dare toy a hand on me.¡±

    ¡°But this is a two-way transaction, Zoe. You still need Jasper to want to marry you!¡±

    Zoe grinned. ¡°My winning chances are already higher than most because of you and Landon around. If

    I can prove to Jasper that I¡¯m no longer the child I used to be and that I¡¯m fit to stand beside him,

    helping

    him out, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll see me for who I am!¡±

    ¡°But-¡±

    ¡°No buts! I¡¯m marrying Jasper and no one else!¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

 Chapter 340

    Three dayster, Ada Kingsley arrived in Sna City with her team of people.

    Unfortunately, Sean got wind from her manager that they had chosen to attend the Beckett Group¡¯s

    weing party instead of theirs.

    When Sean furiously ran to share this news with Alyssa, she was in the midst of ying pool with

    Cyrus.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean cried.

    ¡°Shh! I¡¯m about to win.¡± Alyssa hushed. This one strike would determine how luxurious a dinner she

    was going to have tonight.

    Sean had no choice but to fidget nervously while waiting for Alyssa¡¯s game with her brother to end. He

    couldn¡¯t interrupt her while she was so focused.

    The final two pool balls were knocked into each other and rolled slowly into adjacent pockets.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Alyssa cried excitedly.

    Cyrus chuckled, entirely unbothered by the fact he had lost to her. ¡°You¡¯re getting really good at this.¡±

    Alyssa leaned against her cue stick, sticking her tongue out. ¡°You were a good teacher, after all.¡±

    A shoulder strap on her wine-red spaghetti-strap dress had slipped while she was ying earlier. The

    sight made Sean swallow tensely, eyes flitting to and away from her shoulder.

    Cyrus noticed this and instantly approached Alyssa to tug the strap back in ce. ¡°Careful. You have to

    watch out around outsiders.¡±

    He then shot Sean a dark look, culminating his years and years of experience as a police officer to

    be one of pure contempt and warning that was enough to make Sean look away, embarrassed.

    ¡°I know, Cyrus. Sean isn¡¯t just anyone. Plus, it¡¯s not like anything was actually revealed. Don¡¯t worry,¡±

    Alyssa said.

    Cyrus cocked an eyebrow, sessfully won over by her honey-sweet tone.

    ¡°What is it, Sean?¡± Alyssa asked, finally turning to Sean. She sipped on a ss of red wine, leaning

    against

    the pool table.

    ¡°Ms Alyssa, Ada Kingsley is attending the Berenike Hotel¡¯s weing party. She has stood us up!¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Alyssa swallowed her wine.

    ¡°Good? Jasper is about to flip our entire evening upside down. How is that good?¡± Sean cried.

    ¡°Let me guess. The Berenike Hotel will flood the inte with posters and advertisements within the

    next three days, capitalizing on Ada¡¯s arrival to lure customers and enhance its reputation.

    ¡°This move will cement the Berenike Hotel¡¯s position as one of Sna City¡¯s top destinations for

    international celebrities and high-profile figures,¡± Alyssa said, swirling her wine.

    ¡°That¡¯s why this is a great loss KS World Hotel is suffering from!¡±

    ¡°How boring,¡± Alyssa murmured. ¡°I, on the other hand, like winning with all the odds against me. Now,

    that is exciting.¡±

    Sean swallowed nervously, finding her rmingly attractive as usual.

    Cyrus asked, ¡°What devious n do you have in mind, little sister?¡±

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Alyssa grinned. ¡°Have the chefs start preparing dinner for the party, Sean.¡±

    ¡°Dinner? But our guest of honor isn¡¯t even going to be here. Why waste the time and ingredients?¡±

    Sean

    was sure they had lost to the Beckett Group by now.

    But Alyssa only responded slyly, ¡°It¡¯s not a waste yet. Tonight¡¯s victor remains undecided.¡±

    Xavier was silently waiting outside KS World Hotel in a ck Porsche, ready to report any hint of

    activities on Alyssa¡¯s end to Jasper. He nearly fell asleep when Sean finally exited the building, looking

    upset.

    Having suffered a lottely while serving his boss, Xavier felt quite relieved to see Sean just as mopey

    as he felt inside. It seemed like they had discovered that Ada wasn¡¯t attending their party.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Xavier cheered internally.

    A minute or soter, Alyssa came out to the hotel entrance.

    But who was that behind her?

    Xavier used his binocrs to get a good look. It was another man!

    ¡°I know this really good Tenggrian ce.¡± Cyrus hooked an arm around his sister¡¯s. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Really? I want fried pig¡¯s brains, beetle grubs, and sheep¡¯s intestines!¡± Alyssa smacked her lips.

    ¡°Damn, when did your taste get so peculiar?¡±

    ¡°One has to partake in the finer, stranger things in life, after all!¡±

    ¡°Whatever you say. Drinks on me!¡± The siblings got into the car, chattering merrily.

    Xavier slowly put down the binocrs, trembling anxiously..

    He muttered to himself, ¡°Shit!¡±

    He quickly snapped some pictures and then sent them to Jasper.

    ¡°Bad news, Sir! Madam¡­ Madam seems to have a new malepanion!¡±

 Chapter 341

    Jasper sat in his office, quietly gazing at his desktop. Each time he clicked his mouse, a different

    picture

    would appear on the monitor.

    All of the pictures featured none other than Alyssa herself.

    These were the pictures Xavier had taken after shadowing her over the past few days.

    His initial goal had been to gather information about KS World Hotel¡¯s next move. However, he had

    only

    seeded in capturing these candid, everyday-life images of her.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze was intense as he examined the pictures, as though he were hoping they might spring to

    life at any moment.

    Just then, his phone vibrated.

    Then it vibrated again.

    Then again.

    It went on for ten more times.

    Jasper pursed his lips as he looked at the notifications.

    What he saw made his heart leap to his throat. He swiftly got his coat and ran out the office door.

    Alyssa and Cyrus had a st catching up with each other at the Tenggrian barbecue ce, topping

    each

    other off with wine every twenty minutes.

    Alyssa began to get drunk. ¡°Tell me, Cyrus. When can I expect a hot-cop sister-inw, hm?¡±

    ¡°Hm¡­ you¡¯re just like my mother. I have a dangerous career, Alyssa. I can¡¯t go looking for someone in

    the same field. One of us has to be safe at all times, right?¡± Cyrus murmured, quietly swapping out

    Alyssa¡¯s

    drinks for in water.

    ¡°What is up with all the men in our family? Why are none of you thinking about settling down yet? When

    can I get some nieces or nephews to dote on?¡± Alyssa sighed, annoyed.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t having all of us around to dote on you enough? Aren¡¯t you worried you¡¯ll lose our affection once

    we

    find our one?¡±

    ¡°Oh, stop it! Because of you guys, I couldn¡¯t have a single boyfriend until I graduated college! I still

    because of stuff like that!¡± Alyssa whined, cheeks flushed and heavy with alcohol.

    She was flipping through old scores now. This was something the Taylor family was especially good at

    doing.

    ¡°Don¡¯t start. My mother thought I was dating someone because of all those choctes. She even had

    people wait for me outside the gates to catch me!¡±

    Cyrus still remembered how sore his ass had been after being spanked.

    ¡°Really? I had no idea!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Did you tell Mandy the snacks were for me?¡±

    ¡°She had instructed the dean and teachers to ensure I didn¡¯t involve myself with anyone during that

    period. It was close to exam season, after all.

    ¡°I was as innocent as Mercutio amidst a backdrop of tragedy I had no part in,¡± Cyrus huffed, even

    pouting

    as he reminisced about those years.

    ¡°A gue on both your houses!¡± Alyssa teased, giggling.

    ¡°It just so happens that I got nominated as the hottest guy in school then. Everywhere I went, girls

    would

    look at me or flirt with me in the silliest ways.

    ¡°My lockers were filled with so many gifts. You wouldn¡¯t even believe it!¡± Cyrus scowled. ¡°Good thing

    Mom stepped in and helped stop all that bullshit.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa gasped. ¡°So you mean to say you used me to end your suffering, which I wasn¡¯t

    responsible for?¡±

    She flicked his forehead, to which he grinned. ¡°Back to the point-I don¡¯t want to marry right now. My

    wife

    might easily end up a widow.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Fair point. I.don¡¯t want to either.¡±

    ¡°Hey, no. You still have to marry. That guy from before who came to visit? He peeled your shrimp for

    you, remember? He was pretty dedicated, didn¡¯t he? What do you think of him?¡± Cyrus suggested, then

    quickly

    muttered, ¡°Though, he is kind of pale¡­ He doesn¡¯t have any terminal illness, does he?¡±

    Alyssa scowled, shoving him lightly.

    ¡°Seriously, though. Finding a good match with proper genes would be good for you. That way, we¡¯ll

    have

    healthy, fit descendants.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind if they were disabled. It would still be better than someone who has shitty morals.¡±

    Alyssa pursed her lips, her flush even more apparent now.

    After finishing their meal, the siblings exited the restaurant where Sean awaited. Sean hurried out of

    the

    car to help Alyssa get on. She was so drunk that she had to lean on Cyrus to walk.

    ¡°Hands off,¡± Cyrus snapped, holding onto his sister and nudging Sean away. ¡°I can handle it.¡±

    With that, he rendered Sean blinking awkwardly, standing to the side.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

 Chapter 342

    Cyrus wasn¡¯t fond of males who got close to his sister, save their siblings. 1

    ¡°Cool it, will you, Cyrus? He¡¯s no stranger,¡± Alyssa chuckled.

    ¡°No, he¡¯s not. But he¡¯s still a man.¡± Cyrus shot Sean a look. ¡°You should really consider a female

    personal

    assistant.¡±

    ¡°Damn, dude. This police job is really getting to you. Not everyone¡¯s a criminal, you know,¡± Alyssa said,

    swaying on her feet.¡±

    ¡°No harm in being alert.¡±

    Cyrus helped Alyssa get in the car and shut the door. Sean nodded politely at him and was about to

    head

    to the driver¡¯s seat when Cyrus said, ¡°Wait.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Cyrus?¡± Sean asked solemnly.

    ¡°I understand that given your position as Lyse¡¯s secretary, you have to stay around her nearly 24/7.¡±

    Cyrus¡¯ gaze was sharp as a hawk. ¡°However, you are also expected to keep yourself in check. What

    doesn¡¯t belong to you will never belong to you, so don¡¯t cross the line. Ever.

    ¡°I am not as tolerant as Jonah or Ss. I have seen the vilest depths of evil a human is capable of, so I

    do

    not presume anything good in anyone I don¡¯t know nor care for.¡±

    Sean took a deep breath, clenching his hands into fists.

    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about Alyssa in any way other than as your superior, nor act on any of those stray

    thoughts. Or else.¡±

    ¡°I am learned in thew, Mr. Cyrus,¡± Sean responded. ¡°Thew can stop one¡¯s actions, but not their

    thoughts.¡±

    Sean continued speaking, holding back his tears, ¡°I won¡¯t do anything to Ms. Alyssa, ever, because I

    love

    and respect her from the bottom of my heart.

    ¡°That is the truth, and you cannot stop me from feeling this. I am not wrong for having love for her.¡±

    Cyrus cocked an eyebrow. He didn¡¯t like this kid, but he was pretty honest. ¡°Remember your words

    tonight.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Alyssa said, having rolled the car window down. ¡°What are you two rambling on about? I¡¯m trying

    to

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    get home and sleep here!¡±

    ¡°Right away, miss.¡± Sean smiled.

    Cyrus made a phone gesture. ¡°Call me when you reach home.¡±

    Alyssa made an ¡°okay¡± sign in return, then waved at him before Sean drove them away.

    Cyrus watched until his sister had left before allowing the warmth in his eyes to fade and be reced

    by a stark coldness. He then turned toward the opposite side of the road and walked away.

    Across the road, Xavier was in the Porsche, observing everything. He had just sent his location to

    Jasper when he noticed Cyrus was gone.

    ¡°Weird¡­ Where¡¯d he go?¡±

    Just as Xavier was wondering to himself, the car door suddenly opened. His neck was enveloped in a

    tight, crushing grip before he was dragged out the door like a helpless chicken.

    ¡°Oy! Heck, what are you doing?¡± he yelped, rmed. ¡°L-Let me go! Or I¡¯ll call the police!¡±

    ¡°No need.¡± Cyrus showed Xavier his police officer ID. ¡°You¡¯d be turning yourself in anyway.¡±

    A cold chill rose in Xavier¡¯s spine as he gaped at the ID card.

    Alyssa had nearly dozed off in the car when her phone rang. ¡°Cyrus? What¡¯s up? I¡¯m not home yet-¡±

    ¡°Do you know who Xavier Hall is, Lyse?¡±

    Alyssa instantly turned sober. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a damned pervert, Lyse. His phone is filled with pictures of you. You¡¯re lucky I caught him in

    time!¡±

 Chapter 343

    When Jasper finally reached the barbecue restaurant, Alyssa and her panion¡± had long left. He

    gritted his teeth, recalling how she had been so intimately close to him in the pictures Xavier sent him.

    Jasper felt like a fool at the moment. However, he couldn¡¯t shake his concern about Alyssaing to

    such a cete at night for a meal. Did she not understand the concept of boundaries?

    His phone suddenly rang with an unknown number.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    A monotonous female voice asked, ¡°Is this Mr. Jasper Beckett?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°This is the East Sna Police Bureau. What is your rtion to Xavier Hall?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°He¡¯s my secretary. What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Pleasee over to the station.¡±

    The night seemed to be passing by like a dream. Jasper couldn¡¯t for the life of him figure out how

    Xavier

    had gotten himself arrested by the police.

    When he entered the police station, he came face to face with a man in a ck leather jacket. This was

    the man who was with Alyssa earlier!

    Cyrus carefully eyed Jasper, then sneered. ¡°So you¡¯re Jasper Beckett? Coming to Xavier Hall¡¯s aid?¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with you?¡±

    ¡°Good question.¡± Cyrus snickered. ¡°He¡¯s in here because of me, so it¡¯s got all to do with yours truly.¡±

    ¡°Are you doing this to get revenge?¡±

    ¡°Revenge?¡±

    ¡°Revenge on my secretary for revealing your illicit rtions with Alyssa Taylor.¡± Jasper¡¯s rage

    prevented

    him from identifying Cyrus as a police officer. All he could see was that Cyrus was a male escort.

    Cyrusughed. ¡°How you managed to be CEO with this level of intelligence, I have no idea.¡±

    ¡°I could say the same to you, snarking around here in the police department even though you¡¯re just a

    Cyrus was filled with disbelief. He couldn¡¯tprehend what Jasper was saying. He wondered if he

    looked like an escort or if Jasper was projecting his own thoughts onto him.

    Those well-defined abs hidden under his coat might earn him a couple of thousand dors in a single

    night!

    Just then, two officers walked past. They greeted Cyrus respectfully as they did. ¡°Chief Taylor!¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Cyrus nodded, acknowledging them.

    Jasper¡¯s breathing hitched as he stared at the man in shock.

    This¡­ this man was a police officer?

    And he was a Taylor, too?

    Suddenly, Jasper found the man had exceedingly familiar features.

    ¡°Cyrus! Big brother, what are you doing here?¡±

    Jasper tensed up upon hearing that familiar voice.

    How many sons did Winston Taylor have?

 Chapter 344

    Jasper turned around slowly to find Alyssa standing a couple of steps behind him. Her eyes were cold

    and t as they locked onto his.

    ¡°Why did youe all the way here, Lyse?¡± Cyrus ignored Jasper and went up to her. ¡°I told you I

    would

    handle this myself. You should be getting to bed.¡±

    ¡°No. I need to take care of this myself.¡± She then turned to Jasper, her gaze icy. The sight made

    Jasper¡¯s

    heart clench.

    She had never shown him an ounce of warmth since their divorce.

    Jasper was honestly more frightened than angry over this nowadays.

    Deep inside, he felt terrified at the thought of being treated like a stranger by Alyssa. He would rather

    she hated him with all her passion than treat her so coldly.

    ¡°Alyssa ¡­¡±

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°Walk with me,¡± Alyssa said, then walked out of the police station.

    Jasper was about to walk when Cyrus grabbed his shoulder. ¡°Hey! Let me remind you to keep yourself

    in

    line. This is the police department. Any silly moves, and I¡¯ll lock you up for a week!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re her brother. You should know what my rtionship with Alyssa is like,¡± Jasper snapped, ¡°I

    remained courteous to her while we were married. There¡¯s no need to worry about that changing now

    that

    we¡¯re divorced.¡±

    ¡°I doubt it.¡± Cyrus sneered. ¡°Nearly all of the men I¡¯ve arrested for stalking and taking photos of their ex-

    wives are either psychopaths or serial killers!¡±

    Jasper was left speechless.

    Alyssa and Jasper went to thepound behind the police department, where the silence allowed

    them

    to speak freely.

    They were both important people, after all. It would be bad for both of them if any paparazzi or

    members

    of the public happened to take pictures of them in the police department together.

    ¡°Jasper-¡±

    ¡°Did you drink?¡± Jasper stepped close to her, his shadow casting over her features.

    Cyrus was filled with disbelief. He couldn¡¯tprehend what Jasper was saying. He wondered if he

    looked like an escort or if Jasper was projecting his own thoughts onto him.

    Those well-defined abs hidden under his coat might earn him a couple of thousand dors in a single

    night!

    Just then, two officers walked past. They greeted Cyrus respectfully as they did. ¡°Chief Taylor!¡±

    Cyrus nodded, acknowledging them.

    Jasper¡¯s breathing hitched as he stared at the man in shock.

    This¡­ this man was a police officer?

    And he was a Taylor, too?

    Suddenly, Jasper found the man had exceedingly familiar features.

    ¡°Cyrus! Big brother, what are you doing here?¡±

    Jasper tensed up upon hearing that familiar voice.

    How many sons did Winston Taylor have?

 Chapter 345

    Alyssa had almost snaried the word ¡°shameless¡±.

    Winston Taylor¡¯s children had always been cherished and nurtured by him and his wife, L. They

    were provided with abundant support and room to chase their aspirations and realize their dreams.

    Alyssa had once thought she could do the same for her love with Jasper, choosing to leave her home

    to

    be with him.

    However, all that transpired was her putting herself in jeopardy and Jasper gradually stripping away her

    pride and her heart,yer byyer, until she could bear it no longer.

    She had acted foolishly then.

    Now that she had regained her senses and returned home, her decision to take on the mantle as the

    family¡¯s heiress was to empower her siblings to do the same.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t want her and her family¡¯s life to be disrupted any further, but that seemed to be all that

    Jasper was aplishing.

    She couldn¡¯t take it anymore.

    ¡°Shameless?¡± Jasper¡¯s eye grew hooded. He pressed his hands beside her head, leaning in close. ¡°So

    you decided to get revenge on me by having Xavier arrested because you think I¡¯m shameless?¡±

    Revenge?

    Now, Alyssa was infuriated.

    Why the hell was Jasper so obsessed with himself?

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    He was the one who had sent Xavier to spy on her in the first ce!

    Not only did he fail to offer an apology, but he was also still ndering?

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but think that Jasper was such a god-awful jackass.

    ¡°How would your brother, a cop, have arrested Xavier without reason other than at your behest?¡±

    Jasper

    hissed, ¡°Do you hate me just because I won this once, Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± Alyssa sneered. ¡°Are you jealous that my brothers dote and care for me? Are you

    jealous that they are leaping to my defense?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa!¡±

    ¡°But didn¡¯t Ada already choose to attend your weing party instead of ours? Isn¡¯t it shameless of

    you

    to still have your secretary follow me around, even taking pictures of my brother?¡±

 Chapter 346

    Jasper was about to punch Cyrus in the face when Alyssa cried, ¡°Don¡¯t hit my brother!¡±

    That made Jasper freeze instantly, and his hand paused in mid-air.

    Cyrus leaped on the chance tond a punch on his cheek, the skin at his lip breaking from the force.

    Jasper hissed, the taste of blood filling his mouth. He stumbled back just the slightest, wincing in pain.

    Alyssa looked on in shock, not expecting Jasper to have actually listened to her.

    Jasper just stood there and let Cyrus hit him.

    Cyrus hurried back to protect his sister, ring at Jasper, whose lip was now bleeding. ¡°Touch my sister

    again, and I¡¯ll kill you, bastard!¡±

    Unbeknownst to him, Alyssa was grateful that Jasper had actually let up on her brother. If he hadn¡¯t,

    Cyrus

    might have ended up in the hospital.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t press charges in the end. She knew what kind of person Xavier was, having spent time

    knowing him for three years.

    Xavier followed Jasper back to the car like a wounded dog, hunched over and with a metaphorical tail

    between his legs.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. I let myself get caught by that asshole cop and caused you this much trouble.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Jasper quipped, mouth still sore.

    ¡°Y-You¡¯re hurt!¡± Only now did Xavier notice the blood on Jasper¡¯s lip. He cried, ¡°Was it that cop? I¡¯m

    going

    to sue him! I¡¯m going to sue him for attacking an innocent civilian-¡±

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Innocent?

    He wasn¡¯t so innocent when he caged Alyssa in earlier.

    ¡°Just drop this.¡±

    ¡°But-¡±

    ¡°That ¡®asshole cop¡¯ is Alyssa¡¯s seventh sibling, one of Winston¡¯s many sons.¡± Jasper should have

    realized

    that earlier. He did share simr features with his father.

    ¡°Damn! The seventh sibling?¡± Xavier eximed. ¡°They¡¯re practically matryoshkas at this rate! Why do

    we

    keep on crossing their paths?¡± (1)

    Jasper closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, sighing as he brushed away the ked blood at his

    lip.

    He prayed that he¡¯d meet all of Alyssa¡¯s brothers in one shot. He really couldn¡¯t take it anymore. 1

    Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Zoe.

    ¡°Jasper?¡±

    Jasper suddenly understood why Alyssa had said what she said. ¡°You¡¯re allowed to have so many little

    sisters to y with. Why can¡¯t I have my brothers watching my back?¡±

    So this is what she meant!

    Jasper sat up straight in his seat, now alert.

    ¡°I¡¯ve prepared thepositions for the piano performance for the weing party. Do you want to take

    a

    look?¡±

    But Jasper hadn¡¯t heard a single word she said. All he could think about was why Alyssa had said what

    she said.

    7609

    So, she still cared about the fact that he was involved with other women.

    Did that mean she was jealous?

    ¡°Jasper? Jasper! What¡¯s my big brother doing, hm?¡± Zoe called. ¡°Are you paying attention?¡±

    ¡°Can you not call me that?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Landon is your brother, not me.¡±

    Zoe was taken aback. ¡°You¡­ do you not like it when I call you that?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. Don¡¯t call me that again.¡±

    Jasper then hung up the call.

 Chapter 347

    Three days passed in a blur. News of Ada Kingsley¡¯s arrival in Sna City reached both national and

    international media in a blitz of reports.

    On the night of the weing party, Ada Kingsley arrived at Berenike Hotel dressed in avender

    haute

    couture gown, her hair styled into waves that cascaded down to her knees.

    Sophia had invited herself to the party.

    Her hair was styled in an borate bird¡¯s nest atop her head, revealing tworge sapphire earrings and

    a

    teardrop-shaped sapphire at her neck. They were named ¡°Halcyon¡± by its creator. It looked like she had

    a

    mini apartment building on her head.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you have another piece of crystal prettier than this teardrop, Mom? Why aren¡¯t you wearing that

    one?¡± Betty asked curiously.

    Sophia gritted her teeth, hand clenching around her ne. ¡°Because of that bitch, Liana! God

    knows

    what she and her family got into, owing that much debt!/

    ¡°With my shop having no sales and the police still on the lookout, I had no choice but to sell that crystal

    off to help them!¡±

    ¡°Goodness! If it were me, I¡¯d cry myself to death. That was a birthday present from Dad!¡± Betty cried, ¡°I

    don¡¯t understand why you keep helping the Gardners. You should just let them rot away and die.¡±

    ¡°Hmph. I wish I could¡­¡± Sophia grumbled.

    Unfortunately for her, she had never anticipated losing this game of power when she made Liana her

    pawn to win Jasper¡¯s heart.

    Not only did Jasper be even more hostile toward her, but her pawn was also turning against her

    now!

    Liana had contacted her from Mosgravia asking for more money a couple of days ago, nearly making

    Sophia send out the order to kill her.

    But she couldn¡¯t, not yet. She had to utilize Liana while she was still useful. That was why Sophia had

    promised the girl she could return to Sna City soon.

    ¡°What do you think of my dress, Mom?¡±

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Betty did a little twirl, showing off her purple dress. Ever since she saw Landon in that purple-colored

    suit,

    she had dreamed of wearing something that matched him, like they were a couple.

    Betty added, ¡°I wanna dazzle everyone tonight!¡±

    ¡°Forget about it,¡± Sophia scoffed, ¡°Ada is the star of the event tonight. You¡¯d never top her.¡±

    She then pulled the dress down until Betty¡¯s cleavage was more visible.

    Sophia remarked, ¡°You won¡¯t have a lot of chances to get close to Landon Harper, so focus on how to

    utilize those slim opportunities rather thanpete in this useless peacock pageant.

    ¡°You could be the prettiest one tonight, and Landon still might not want you!¡±

    Liana had backfired on her, and Lauren was useless, so Sophia could only rely on Betty now.

    She hoped Betty could marry rich. That way, she could use her son-inw¡¯s influence to further

    smoothen her journey to get all the power in the Beckett family.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom. Landon will definitely want to marry me!¡± Betty grinned, puffing out her chest. 1

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your n?¡±

    ¡°His sister, Zoe, is back in the country. She has promised to help me! Landon dotes on her sister, so I

    can definitely get his attention if she helps me put in a good word!¡± Betty said giddily, as if she was

    already dating Landon.

    ¡°Zoe? Zoe Harper?¡± Sophia frowned, recalling that pale, doll-like child who always came to Seaview

    Manor looking for Jasper. Sophia believed that Zoe was obsessed with that bastard, Jasper.

    Sophia sighed, checking her painted nails as shezed on the couch. ¡°Things are never that simple.

    Zoe

    wouldn¡¯t help you for nothing. What did she want in return?¡±

    ¡°No wonder Dad is so obsessed with you, Mom! You¡¯re so keen!¡± Betty sat down beside her mother in

    her

    mboyant gown. ¡°Zoe likes Jasper. She has asked for my help to assist her to marry Jasper.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Sophia shrieked. ¡°No! Zoe¡¯s brother is close friends with that bastard Jasper. If she marries

    him,

    I¡¯ll lose my ce in this family!¡±

 Chapter 348

    ¡°But Mom, I¡¯ll be able to help you when I marry Landon.¡± Betty was pale with shock at her mother¡¯s

    reaction.

    Sophia pursed her lips, eyes turning dark. She suddenly asked, ¡°How far along is Zoe and Jasper?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by how far along? Jasper seems to be still infatuated with that whore, Alyssa. Zoe

    has

    no chance whatsoever.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    ¡°Mom?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you see? This is a great chance to distance Landon and Jasper from one another!¡± Sophia

    prodded

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    her daughter¡¯s forehead.

    She continued, ¡°Landon is his father¡¯s only son. Even if his father is still leading thepany and

    family,

    Landon is bound to take over the mantle sooner orter!

    ¡°Using Zoe to form a rift between Jasper and Landon was a far better deal than having her marry into

    the

    family.

    ¡°I know Jasper. He never surrenders no matter how much you push him. Regardless, Zoe will still

    be

    the thing that separates them in the end!¡±

    Betty looked in awe at her mother, now understanding her n.

    Suddenly, a faint knock echoed from the door.

    Sophiaposed herself, putting on a kind expression. ¡°Come in.¡±

    The door slowly opened, and in came Lauren with her teddy bear in hand. Betty gritted her teeth angrily

    upon seeing her sister. She fought the urge to tear the plush toy from her hands and rip it apart.

    ¡°What is it, Lauren?¡± Sophia asked lightly.

    ¡°Mom¡­ Mommy¡­¡± Lauren clung to her bear, asking quietly, ¡°Can¡­ Can I attend tonight¡¯s party?¡±

    Both Sophia and Betty were taken aback by her request. This was the first time this near-non-existent

    young woman had asked anything for herself.

    ¡°Tsk tsk. Your sweet little persona is nearly crumbling at the seams, little sister,¡± Betty mocked, ¡°You

    want

    to go because Landon will be there, don¡¯t you? What a horny little bitch you are.¡±

    ¡°N-No!¡± Lauren had long forgotten about Landon, including how they had kissed and held one another

    that night in the garden.

    ¡°No one can get so lucky twice, little sister. Besides, did you forget about your mental illness? Do you

    really think he¡¯d like a crazy little bitch like you?¡± Betty rolled her eyes. (1)

    Lauren stiffened up, her grip on her teddy bear tightening.

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for you to attend tonight¡¯s event, Lauren. Stay at home and-¡± Sophia cleared

    her throat. ¡°Forget whatever happened between you and Landon.

    ¡°Do not get in your sister¡¯s way or cause her any trouble from now on. Understood?¡±

    ¡°But Mommy, I wanna go because I ¡­ I really like Ada Kingsley¡¯s movies! I want to meet her!¡± Lauren

    begged, tears welling up in her eyes.

    ¡°Who would believe you, brat? Don¡¯t listen to her lies, Mom. She¡¯s a scheming little bitch. That¡¯s what

    she

    1. She¡¯s trying to steal Landon away from me!¡± (1)

    ¡°Stop this, Lauren. You¡¯ve already caused enough trouble,¡± Sophia said sternly. It was as if she was

    ordering some housekeeper around.

    Lauren could only stand there miserably, sniffling and hurt.

    Her mother¡¯s apathetic attitude and her sister¡¯s hatred toward her had led her to be a meek and

    frail

    little creature who could never stand up for herself.

    She was alwaysbeled as the sick one. She was the daughter who brought shame to her family-the

    daughter who shouldn¡¯t have been born. 1

 Chapter 349

    The headlines for the next three days were all about Ada Kingsley¡¯s visit to Sna City. The news had

    helped Berenike Hotel regain its footing in international recognition.

    They had enjoyed a reputation like no other for several decades, bing the number one ce to

    stay

    for all kinds of personalities.

    Their guests included diplomats, athletes, doctors, professors, and other world-famous bigshots. Even

    Cyrris¡¯ previous president stayed in this hotel once.

    However, its reputation had steadily soured as one scandal after another rocked the Beckett Group.

    Nowadays, when discussions turned to thepany, all thatizens could talk about were Jasper

    being

    cuckolded and Liana¡¯s reprehensible actions.

    Reputation and goodwill were something that took time to build. Yet, they could always shatter into

    nothingness in the blink of an eye.

    Ada¡¯s arrival would not only promote Berenike Hotel, but it would also help build Beckett Group¡¯s image

    back up.

    That was why Jasper wanted nothing more than to have this win.

    The hotel entrance was swarming with paparazzi and fans by six in the evening, all waiting to get a

    glimpse of Ada. A red carpet had been rolled out, too, fitting for a woman of the celebrity¡¯s stature.

    ¡°I¡¯m Ada¡¯s number one fan! I¡¯ve watched all her ¡®The Deadly March¡¯ movies and know them by heart! I

    can

    finally see her in person after ten years!¡±

    ¡°Berenike Hotel has outdone themselves this time. KS World Hotel cannotpare whatsoever!¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°But the Becketts seem to be really lost and confused these days¡­¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean their hotel will be affected. Ada¡¯s arrival here means she approves of the Berenike

    Hotel!¡±

    A limousine came to a stop at the end of the red carpet. Guards kept the crowd at bay as one opened

    the

    door for Ada. 1

    The moment she stepped out, the crowd burst into cheers and excitement.

    Ada Kingsley was of mixed blood with both Cyrris and Furancian blood in her. She sported curly brown

    hair, her Cyrrian beauty entuated by her Furancian physique. Standing at a height of 5 feet 10

    inches,

    She was in a good mood today as her fans weed her. A faint smile rose on her lips as she gently

    waved at the crowd.

    ¡°Ada! I¡¯ve watched all your movies!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re gorgeous!¡±

    Ada entered the hotel with her manager and bodyguards, then went to the banquet hall via elevator.

    Jasper and Xavier were already waiting outside when she arrived on their floor.

    Jasper calmly went up to her and offered his hand. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Kingsley. Wee

    to

    Sna City.¡±

    He was dressed in a full tuxedo tonight, looking quite princely. He nearly matched Ada herself with his

    regal, serious air.

    ¡°Same to you, Mr. Jasper.¡± Ada shook his hand.

    ¡°How is the city treating you?¡±

    ¡°Well. My mother is Cyrrian, born and bred in this very city, after all. Though this is my first time here,

    I¡¯m

    already falling in love with its sights and society.¡±

    Jasper chatted with Ada as the two strode into the main hall. Countless other celebrities and guests

    were

    inside, all invited over tonight for the party.

    Many of them couldn¡¯t resist the urge to take pictures with Ada. After all, this was the first time they had

    seen this A-list, award-winning actress in person.

    Many of these celebrities were also intrigued by Jasper. They couldn¡¯t keep their eyes off him and

    didn¡¯t

    n to.

    Now that Liana was out of the picture. Dreams of being the next Mrs. Beckett were not too far-fetched.

    Sophia and Betty stood to the side, unwillingly blending into the background. Not even their makeup

    could hide how angry they felt right now.

    ¡°Why did Jasper put us here, Mom? We¡¯re Becketts, too!¡± Betty whined. Her mother¡¯s face was

    scrunching

    up like dried rubber.

    As wife to Beckett Group¡¯s president, Sophia barely ever became a speck in the background with the

    limelight on everywhere else but her. She quickly put on a fake, kind smile and sashayed over to Ada

    and

    Jasper.

    ¡°It¡¯s so good to finally meet you, Ms. Kingsley.

    Ada nced at her, then back at Jasper. ¡°Who is this?¡±

 Chapter 350

    Sophia instantly introduced herself, a hint of pride in her tone. ¡°I¡¯m Beckett Group¡¯s president¡¯s wife,

    Sophia Kirkman.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what she¡¯s saying, Mr. Jasper. You don¡¯t need to trante for me, though. I¡¯m not

    interested in her.¡± Ada didn¡¯t look at Sophia again, continuing her conversation in Furancian with

    Jasper.

    Sophia could only understand a quarter of what they were saying. When she was about to re-introduce

    herself in Furancian, Jasper said lightly to Ada, ¡°We don¡¯t see eye to eye, and I don¡¯t n on

    introducing

    irrelevant people to you either, Ms. Kingsley.¡±

    Sophia froze in ce upon hearing that.

    A flurry of snickers and sarcasm rose from the crowd around her.

    ¡°Wow! Ada¡¯s really brave for turning down Mrs. Beckett like that. Who knew she was just as wless

    when

    being herself as she was when acting?¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding me? Why would Ada Kingsley give a shit about our country¡¯s business and economy?

    She¡¯s Mosgravian, for God¡¯s sake. ¡®Beckett Group¡¯s president¡¯s wife¡¯ my ass!¡±

    ¡°Right? Sophia Kirkman can shove her snobbishness elsewhere!¡±

    Sophia¡¯s face flushed in embarrassment. Still, she had to keep her image up. So, she forced another

    smile. ¡°We¡¯re happy you decided to attend our hotel¡¯s party tonight, Ms. Kingsley.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you know all about ourpetitor, KS World Hotel. As thepany¡¯s matriarch, I am truly

    honored you chose us over them.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze grew cold when he heard Sophia referring to herself as thepany¡¯s matriarch. He

    scoffed inwardly.

    Xavier quickly stepped in to trante for Sophia out of kindness.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ve misunderstood my being here.¡± Ada shook her head. ¡°Both Berenike Hotel and KS

    World

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    Hotel are wonderful in their own right, but I didn¡¯t choose to attend your event because of the hotel¡¯s

    reputation.

    ¡°I did so because Mr. Jasper has proven himself an honorable, sincere, and charismatic individual

    worthy

    of my attention.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s cheeks burned once again as if she had been pped.

    Though Ada seemed distant from the mundane affairs of the world, she was secretly an intelligent and

    keen woman.

    If she had agreed to Sophia¡¯s words in public, she would be acknowledging that Berenike Hotel was

    better than KS World Hotel.

    Not only would that offend thetter, but it would also mean she had chosen Berenike Hotel to have her

    wedding at.

    Ada wasn¡¯t so stupid as to fall for Sophia¡¯s trap!

    Right when the atmosphere grew awkward, the main hall doors opened.

    Zoe walked in in a Swavroski studded pink tulle gown, looking like some fairytale creature.

    ¡°Is that world-famous pianist Christina Hammond¡¯s student Zoe Harper?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not just her student. She¡¯s also Landon Harper¡¯s kid sister!¡±

    ¡°Landon Harper¡¯s kid sister? You mean my future sister-inw?¡±

    ¡°Who would my sister-inw be in that case? Betty Beckett? Ugh! I don¡¯t like her. She¡¯s fucking weird,

    man.

    ¦°

    In a corner of the hall, Betty sneezed.

    She had noticed Zoe already. She was scanning for Landon next. Unfortunately, the man was nowhere

    to

    be found. It looked like she really had lucked out with him.

    Zoe was unbearably pleased with how the crowd¡¯s gaze turned from Ada to her.

    She had persuaded Jasper to allow her to perform tonight, aiming to gain fame within Sna City¡¯s

    elite

    society. She didn¡¯t want to be known as merely ¡°Landon Harper¡¯s sister¡± forever.

    She slowly went up to Jasper, a lovely smile on her face.

    But Jasper¡¯s responding nce had no hint of affection in them.

    It made her shiver.

    Just then, there came loud, firm/clicks of heels on the floor outside the door.

    Jasper¡¯s breaths grew chaotic as he swiftly realized how familiar the sound was.

 Chapter 351

    Chapter 351

    Zoe¡¯s back was to the entrance, so Jasper¡¯s gaze was fixed right on her.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­¡± she murmured, blushing red as she strode up to him.

    Suddenly, a sensual scent, like the smell of roses, wafted in from around her, whispering of danger.

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Someone walked past her, their heels clicking loudly against the floor. Zoe felt herself ovee by

    their

    force of unwavering confidence.

    Jasper stared sternly at Alyssa as she walked over to them. Thetter was d in a woman¡¯s suit, and

    her

    fiery red lipstick made his heart leap at the sight.

    A wave of intense gossip and hushed conversations swept through the crowd. It was impossible for

    anyone not to have noticed her by this point.

    Sophia and Betty were both left in shock by her sudden arrival.

    ¡°Hold on, I recognize her-she was featured in a magazine not too long ago. She¡¯s the daughter of

    Winston Taylor, who happens to be the President of KS Group, and she also manages KS World

    Hotel!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! Her name is Alyssa Taylor!¡±

    ¡°Was she the one who had been involved with Jasper Beckett? One look at her, and you¡¯d swoon!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s like a modern-day Queen of Sheba. Just look at how regal and elegant she is,¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you¡¯re referring to. All I know is that she and Jasper Beckettplement each other

    very well. They should seriously consider uniting their families through marriage!¡±

    Jasper, who had been getting irritated listening to the gossip, rxed upon hearing thatst sentence.

    It

    didn¡¯t sound too bad.

    Zoe was furious from the tips of her toes to the ends of her ears as Alyssa stole everyone¡¯s attention

    away from herself. What was even more infuriating was the passion and fervor in Jasper¡¯s eyes as he

    gazed at Alyssa.

    Zoe couldn¡¯t recall him ever looking so alive or eager toward another woman.

    Was he still in love with Alyssa?

    ¡°I hope Mr. Jasper and Madam Ada can pardon my unannounced intrusion,¡± Alyssa greeted the two

    with

    a smile.

    She had opted to address Ada as ¡°Madam¡± to show respect, particrly due to their age difference and

    the formality of the situation.

    ¡°Of course not, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Jasper could only nod in her direction. ¡°I would¡¯ve sent you an invitation if I

    had known you were joining us tonight.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°No need to trouble yourself with that, Mr. Jasper. I have no

    intention of participating in your party tonight.¡±

    That made Jasper¡¯s expression fall just the slightest.

    Behind him, Xavier was frantically texting the guards outside the hotel.

    ¡°What is going on?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re so sorry, Mr. Xavier! We have no idea where Ms. Alyssa entered from either¡­¡¯

    ¦°

    ¡°What? Were any of you doing your jobs properly? She can¡¯t have appeared out of thin air!¡±

    ¡°We will take full responsibility for our mistakes, sir. We¡¯ll get Ms. Alyssa out right away!¡±

 Chapter 352

    Chapter 352

    ¡°Don¡¯t you even think about it! She is Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter. Besides, she¡¯s also someone whom

    Mr. Jasper cares for deeply. Do you want to get fired? Pay more attention to your surroundings and

    report any discrepancies to me immediately!¡±

    ¡°Oh my goodness!¡± Ada gasped suddenly. ¡°Is that Alexa¡¯s ¡®Ragnarok¡¯ that you¡¯re wearing, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Alyssa acknowledged, gesturing toward her brooch. Amid their intense focus on her, the

    yellow diamond-studded, internationally award-winning piece in her breast pocket remained entirely

    overlooked.

    ¡°Alexa¡¯s ¡®Ragnarok?¡¯ The renowned and elusive jewelry designer, Alexa?¡±

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen the news? This brooch is worth hundreds of thousands of dors! A single ten-carat

    yellow diamond studded on it is worth over ten thousand. Every jewelry collector wants their hand on

    this

    amazing piece!¡±

    ¡°She truly does present herself well as Belbanks¡¯ richest heiress!¡±

    ¡°Not even Sophia Kirkman¡¯s ¡®Halcyon¡¯ canpare. Forget it. No jewelry can even hold a candle to

    Alexa¡¯s creations!¡±

    Sophia nearly bit her tongue in frustration.

    Javier had gotten her this AAA, gem-grade sapphire pendant from an auction. It was the most exquisite

    piece in her collection, and they were implying it couldn¡¯tpare?

    Sophia cursed and seethed at Liana and her family internally. If it weren¡¯t for her having to help them

    clear

    their debts, she wouldn¡¯t have to endure this embarrassment tonight!

    ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for ¡®Ragnarok¡¯ everywhere, Ms. Alyssa. I remember seeing it at an exhibition two

    years

    ago. I had no idea it was in your possession!¡± Ada eximed with admiration in her tone.

    Zoe felt like she might implode from anger. Her eyes were shooting daggers into Alyssa¡¯s back.

    She wasn¡¯t sure what she should be more envious of: Alyssa¡¯s earth-shattering beauty, the priceless

    and

    highly sought-after jewelry piece designed by the internationally renowned jeweler, Alexa, that she was

    wearing, or the fact that Jasper¡¯s eyes hadn¡¯t left her once since she arrived.

    ¡°I went through a tough time two years ago, so I figured buying a piece of art would better cheer me

    up,¡± Alyssa said lightly. ¡°That¡¯s when I saw this piece at the exhibition. I fell in love with it the moment I

    laid

    eyes on it. It even lifted my spirits at the time. That¡¯s why I decided to buy it.¡±

    She had opted to address Ada as ¡°Madam¡± to show respect, particrly due to their age difference and

    the formality of the situation.

    ¡°Of course not, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Jasper could only nod in her direction. ¡°I would¡¯ve sent you an invitation if I

    had known you were joining us tonight.¡±

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    Alyssa¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°No need to trouble yourself with that, Mr. Jasper. I have no

    intention of participating in your party tonight.¡±

    That made Jasper¡¯s expression fall just the slightest.

    Behind him, Xavier was frantically texting the guards outside the hotel.

    ¡°What is going on?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re so sorry, Mr. Xavier! We have no idea where Ms. Alyssa entered from either¡­¡±

    ¡°What? Were any of you doing your jobs properly? She can¡¯t have appeared out of thin air!¡±

    ¡°We will take full responsibility for our mistakes, sir. We¡¯ll get Ms. Alyssa out right away!¡±

 Chapter 353

    Chapter 353

    Ada was left stunned. She was rendered speechless by a mixture of gratitude and awe.

    For years, she had relentlessly pursued a piece of jewelry from Alexa, but her efforts had alwayse

    to

    naught.

    It was no surprise that she now felt an overwhelming sense of joy as Alyssa presented her with this

    exquisite gift.

    ¡°N-no, no, I cannot ept this, Ms. Alyssa. It is far too precious of a gift,¡± Ada politely declined. She

    had

    to keep her appearances up, after all.

    ¡°This brooch has been my sce during the darkest times of my life, soothing my wounded soul. I¡¯ve

    since learned my lesson,¡± Alyssa said. ¡°That¡¯s why I want you to have this brooch as a blessing from

    me, in hopes that your endeavorse to fruition no matter what.¡±

    Jasper winced, as if a bullet had pierced his heart. A shiver ran down his spine at Alyssa¡¯s confession.

    ¡°Oh! Well then¡­ I graciously ept your gift. Thank you, truly!¡± Ada carefully cradled the brooch in her

    hands, her smile stretching wide.

    Her image as a stoic, queenly actress was changed in that split second.

    ¡°Why?¡± Betty cried out to her mother. ¡°Why does that bitch have the audacity to steal our spotlight? It¡¯s

    just a stupid brooch. We could easily bestow upon her hundreds, if not more! Hurry ande up with a

    way to make her leave, Mom!¡±

    ¡°Why bother?¡± Sophia sneered. ¡°Alyssa jinxes everything she touches. I won¡¯t waste my time

    humiliating

    her when someone else can do it on my behalf.¡±

    Betty grumbled internally, still upset.

    In the past, Alyssa had been haunted by the fear that Jasper might not approve of her or react angrily,

    which kept her in a constant state of apprehension concerning his moods.

    However, following their divorce, it appeared that their dynamics had shifted. Had Alyssa disyed this

    level of self-assuredness during their marriage, Liana might never have stood a chance!

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa Taylor!¡± Zoe eximed, marching up to her with an air of self-righteousness. ¡°Aren¡¯t you

    being

    rather rude to the event organizers right now? Of all the evenings to present your gift to Ms. Ada, you

    chose to crash the party tonight! Do you have no regard for this hotel whatsoever?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes grew dark.

    ¡°Since when did gift-giving be a sign of disrespect?¡± Alyssa yfully chided. ¡°You¡¯ve

    underestimated Mr. Jasper¡¯s prowess, miss.

    ¡°Besides, he hasn¡¯t uttered a single word ofint since my arrival, and he¡¯s right here by my Aren¡¯t

    you the one being a tad self-righteous right now, miss?¡±

    Zoe was on the verge of exploding with anger, but she still had to keep herself in check.

    side.

    Alyssa sighed and told Ada, ¡°I understand that I might not be the most weed presence here

    tonight, given my hotel¡¯s rivalry with Berenike Hotel.

    ¡°Now that I¡¯ve aplished my goal for the evening, I¡¯ll take my leave. May you all have a wonderful

    evening.¡±

    She turned to leave, but Ada quickly cried, ¡°One moment, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    Ada approached Alyssa. ¡°I¡¯d like to discuss Alexa¡¯s jewelry further with you, miss. Is now a good time?¡±

    ¡°Of course. KS World Hotel has prepared the finest selection of food and drink for your arrival, Madam

    Ada. Shall we?¡±

    The crowd was left stunned by the audacity of the act. Alyssa was openly pilfering from the Beckett

    Group in full view of everyone!

    Jasper was about to stop Ada when the woman turned to him with an apologetic smile. ¡°I have some

    business to attend to, so I¡¯m afraid I will have to leave your party earlier than expected. Please do enjoy

    yourselves.¡±

    What?

    Was that all?

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Ada truly lived up to her reputation for being upfront!

    Alyssa turned to Jasper with a polite smile, although her eyes remained cold and uninviting. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t

    mind saving a seat for you, Mr. Jasper, if you¡¯d like to join us?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart pounded against his chest, but before he could answer, Alyssa cut him off. ¡°Oh, silly me.

    I should leave you to your guests tonight. Maybe next time, then.¡±

 Chapter 354

    Chapter 354

    Just like that, Alyssa and Ada left the hall, walking closely together as if they were lifelong friends.

    An awkward and tense silence settled over the crowd.

    Jasper silently watched as Alyssa left, fury slowly building in his chest. She had stolen his projectst

    time, and now she had taken his guest.

    Jasper thought that Alyssa Taylor was just like a thief, heiress or not. He instinctively clutched his

    chest, feeling an ache in his heart.

    It seemed like something had also been taken away with Alyssa¡¯s departure.

    The paparazzi were still relentless, camped outside the main entrance of the Berenike Hotel.

    They should have dispersed by now, assuming that Ada had checked into the presidential suite and

    retired for the night. However, the number of paparazzi showed no sign of diminishing.

    Sean had secretly tipped them off, iming that something big would happen tonight.

    ¡°Why on earth are we here freezing our backsides off? What kind of major news could possibly be

    unfolding?¡±

    2

    ¡°Perhaps KS World Hotel refuses to surrender and is making ast-ditch effort to turn the tide in their

    favor.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a tough battle. This is Sna City, not Belbanks. They can¡¯t expect to win against the Beckett

    family on their home turf. Alyssa Taylor could never outsmart Jasper Beckett.¡±

    ¡°You might be right about that! That man might be down in luck when ites to love, but he¡¯s always

    the

    victor when ites to business!¡±

    Just then, the ring of a car horn broke through everyone¡¯s spections.

    The paparazzi watched as a dark green Rolls Royce glided to a stop at the hotel entrance, its Spirit of

    Ecstasy gleaming in the light.

    Thinking that it was probably some other influential individual, the paparazzi instantly started taking

    pictures. When the door opened, Sean stepped out, much to the crowd¡¯s dismay.

    He was hot, but hot wouldn¡¯t make the headlines!

    ¡°It¡¯s Ada! Ada Kingsley ising outside!¡± someone cried all of a sudden. The crowd¡¯s attention

    immediately shifted back to the hotel entrance.

    Sean had already opened the car door, waiting patiently for the two women toe out.

    The venue was bathed in blinding white shes as the paparazzi erupted into a frenzy, capturing every

    moment as Alyssa and Ada emerged.

    ¡°What is going on? Did Ada leave on her own, or did Alyssa persuade her?¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett is in for a major humiliation!¡±

    ¡°This is going to make headlines for sure! Hurry up and swap the film!¡±

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Everyone¡¯s attention had sessfully shifted to Alyssa, including theizens¡¯. The hottest hashtag on

    social media went from #AdaKingsleyat Berenike to #AlyssaTaylorNAdaKingsley.

    While Sean helped Alyssa into the car, a reporter asked a question.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa! Are you intentionally provoking the Beckett Group by taking Mr. Jasper Beckett¡¯s guest of

    honor for tonight? Isn¡¯t this unprofessional?¡±

    Alyssa turned slowly to face that reporter, shooting him a look that made him break into a nervous

    sweat.

    ¡°Can¡¯t I invite Madam Ada to dinner with me just because she has decided to stay at the Berenike Hotel

    during her visit to the city?¡±

    She nearly scoffed, adding, ¡°Not even Mr. Jasper said anything about my gesture. Who are you to do

    so? Doesn¡¯t your assumption portray him as too narrow-minded?¡±

    With that, she entered the car. It left before anyone else could react to what just happened.

 Chapter 355

    Chapter 355

    The party at Berenike Hotel continued, though it had lost a significant amount of its enthusiasm with the

    departure of their guest of honor.

    Zoe had longed to show off in front of Ada to feed her unbelievably swollen ego. But now that the

    celebrity was gone, all her hard work and nning had gone down the drain-all because of that sneaky

    bitch Alyssa.

    Jasper stood in the hallway, watching the green Rolls Royce drive away in the dark of the night. His

    posture was rigid and stoic, and the air around him seemed to go down a few degrees.

    ¡°This might not sound very nice, Mr. Jasper, but I believe we¡¯ve been yed the fool again,¡± Xavier

    reported shakily.

    He continued, ¡°Everyone online is focused on Alyssa and her hotel, leaving ours in the dust. Even Mr.

    Javier has caught wind of it.

    ¡°Berenike Hotel¡¯s reputation is facing serious scrutiny, with some maliciousments questioning

    whether our standards of hospitality have declined ¡­¡±

    Xavier was practically drenched in cold sweat by now. They should have known Alyssa would have

    taken

    action and prepared for the worst. That had always been her style, after all. She never left any chance

    for

    her enemies to make aeback.

    Jasper gazed into the distance, asking hoarsely, ¡°I thought she was ¡®Madam?¡±¡±

    Xavier flinched, frightened. ¡°She¡¯s ¡®Madam¡¯ when she doesn¡¯t do stuff like this¡­ When she does, well

    ¡­ ¡®

    Ms. Alyssa¡¯ will do.¡±

    ¡°You can call her whatever you please,¡± came the response. ¡°I¡¯m not too angry, really. She¡¯s always

    been

    like this, no?¡±

    Xavier was surprised by his boss¡¯ rtively calm reaction. He remembered how Jasper used to seethe

    with anger and frustration whenever Alyssa managed to outmaneuver him.

    Xavier couldn¡¯t help but wonder if/Jasper had gotten used to it.

    ¡°What I¡¯m wondering is how Alyssa managed to bypass the security measures. Every guest tonight

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    required a personal invitation to enter, and the security has remained steadfast without fail.¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ apparently, there was a CCTV malfunction shortly before her arrival. We suspect it might have

    been the work of a hacker or some sort of virus, considering the systems had just undergone

    maintenance two days ago.¡±

    Upon hearing the word ¡°hacker,¡± Jasper¡¯s mind raced with possibilities. Was hacking another skill

    Alyssa possessed? Or could it be one of her troublesome brothers at y?

    ¡°Jasper,¡± a sickly, sweet voice called out, interrupting Jasper¡¯s thoughts. It was Zoe.

    Jasper scowled just the slightest. He had no patience for her whatsoever. He didn¡¯t even turn to look at

    her.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor was too rude! How could she bring Ada Kingsley away just like that? She¡¯s practically

    humiliating you in front of everyone!¡± Zoe eximed, stomping her feet angrily.

    Her assumption was that men cared deeply about their pride and public image, especially someone as

    esteemed as Jasper. Therefore, she was doing her best to appeal to him in this manner.

    However, what he said next left her pale with trepidation.

    ¡°You¡¯ve never met her, so you wouldn¡¯t know. This is how she has always been.¡±

    ¡°W-What? What are you s-

    ¡°But I don¡¯t mind.¡± Jasper nced coldly at Zoe, a hint of anger in his tone. ¡°But you, Ms. Harper,

    crossed

    the line tonight.¡±.

    How he referred to her as ¡°Ms. Harper¡± hit Zoe like a bolt of lightning.

    They¡­ A gap had formed between them, even after all these years¡­

    Was he intent on putting up this unbreakable wall between them now?

    ¡°My family¡¯spany had organized this event, and I¡¯m thepany¡¯s representative this evening.

    There was no justification for you to speak up on our behalf before Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°But I was only trying to help you!¡± Zoe¡¯s voice had gotten so high-pitched that she sounded like a

    cartoon

    character.

    She clung to Jasper¡¯s arm, eximing, ¡°Should I have simply let her have her way? To let her steal

    your guest of honor and humiliate you in front of everyone? She¡¯s far too conceited and arrogant. You

    can¡¯t let this stand just because you two used to be married!¡±

    In a split second, Zoe realized her blunder.

    Jasper arched an eyebrow, his gaze icy and piercing. ¡°My marital status was no big secret, but I have

    never revealed who I was married to. Who told you Alyssa was my wife?¡±

    ¡°It¡­ Landon told me!¡± Zoe quickly lied.

    ¡°Betty told you, didn¡¯t she?¡±

    Zoe remained silent, her lip bitten raw.

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    Chapter 356

    ¡°What transpired between Alyssa and me is a private matter and no one else¡¯s concern. She¡¯s already

    moved on from the past, so please refrain from dredging up old affairs to create a scene,¡± Jasper

    stated

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    firmly.

    Zoe nearly hissed at that, though fear still quivered in her heart. She couldn¡¯t believe that Jasper was

    still

    defending Alyssa.

    ¡°Now that Ada has left, you¡¯re free to leave if you¡¯d rather not continue with your charade. I¡¯ll have

    someone send you back home.¡± Jasper turned away and left Zoe standing alone in the hallway.

    Next to him, Xavier expressed his disapproval with a tsk before departing with his boss. He couldn¡¯t

    help but wonder if this irate, seemingly immature individual was truly Landon¡¯s sister.

    She appeared rather unsophisticated.

    ¡°Jasper. Jasper! Jasper Beckett!¡± Zoe screamed.

    Jasper only came to a halt when she called his full name.

    ¡°You¡¯re protecting her because you love her, don¡¯t you? She¡¯s all you can think about, isn¡¯t it?¡± Zoe

    screeched.

    ¡°No,¡± he replied without hesitation, as if afraid that acknowledging any deeper emotion would be

    perilous.

    Zoe was nearly in hysterics by now. ¡°Then why do you continue to defend her? She doesn¡¯t love you.

    All

    she does is humiliate you! Why do you keep taking her side?¡±

    Zoecked the cunning of someone like Liana, who always got what she wanted through maniption.

    Hence, she saw no point in beating around the bush.

    But this was the first time in her life that she felt utterly defeated. The more she tried to approach

    Jasper,

    the further he would retreat, widening the chasm between them.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze turned lethal when he looked at Zoe, sending a shiver of fear through her.

    ¡°You have never married another, so I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t understand. We were husband and wife

    once, so even now, I still care for her in some way. There is nothing wrong with that at all.¡±

    Zoe recoiled as if she had been struck.

    ¡°I don¡¯t love her, but she was my wife once. I still have the privilege to say what I want about her, and

    this

    is a privilege no one else possesses.¡±

 Chapter 357

    Chapter 357

    Like a vulnerable creature finding safety, Lauren instinctively nestled in the person¡¯s arms.

    Landon looked down in surprise, feeling the front of his shirt soaked through.

    He could sense the warmth of her skin through the damp fabric of her dress as it made contact with his

    own. His breathing picked up slightly, and he tightened his grip around her waist.

    ¡°Laurie?¡± he murmured hoarsely.

    Lauren clung to his arm, staying mute.

    ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Landon asked, worried.

    She weakly shook her head, her vulnerability tugging at Landon¡¯s heart.

    When the two guards saw Landon there, their attitude took a 360-degree turn. They quickly paid their

    respects. ¡°Good evening, Mr. Landon!¡±

    ¡°What happened just now?¡± Landon asked nonchntly, his arms still wrapped around Lauren.

    ¡°N-nothing much, sir,¡± the guard that had snapped at Lauren earlier shot him a courteous smile. ¡°This

    youngdy imed to be Ms. Ada Kingsley¡¯s fan, but we couldn¡¯t let her in. She didn¡¯t have an

    invitation.

    When she insisted, well, we had no choice.¡±

    ¡°So you pushed her?¡± Landon¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, although that smile still yed on his lips.

    ¡°Um¡­ Well, sir, we were just doing our jobs. She wouldn¡¯t cooperate.¡± They couldn¡¯t admit to

    mistreating

    a woman, of course.

    Landon scoffed and murmured to Lauren, ¡°Why don¡¯t I help you get back at these two?¡±

    Lauren didn¡¯t dare meet his gaze. She nodded quickly, then shook her head the next second.

    Landon smirked and pulled out his phone to call Jasper. ¡°Hey, Jasper. Am I allowed to reprimand your

    staff?¡±

    The two security guards exchanged anxious nces.

    Landon¡¯s left hand moved slowly to Lauren¡¯s nape, gently stroking her hair. ¡°Alright. Thanks, man.¡±

    After hanging up, he helped Lauren stand on her own, then made a gesture with his hand.

    His bodyguards swiftly gathered around the two security guards from earlier.

    Lauren watched in puzzlement as Landon calmly stepped into the circle created by his bodyguards. In

    no time, he vanished from her view, surrounded by the group of men.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    ¡°Ouch! Help!¡±

    Lauren had no idea what Landon was doing. All she could hear were screams of pain.

    After approximately a minute of imparting a lesson to the guards, Landon ceased his actions and

    squatted before the two men.

    He epted a tissue offered by his bodyguards and wiped the blood off his knuckles. ¡°I should

    consider gouging your eyes out for failing to recognize Ms. Lauren Beckett here.¡±

    The guards were now utterly terrified. ¡°P-Please, we¡¯re so sorry, sir! We should have recognized her.

    Please, show us mercy!¡±

    Everyone in Sna City knew not to mess with the Harper family, as they had connections with both

    the police force and the underworld.

    ¡°Your boss had me step in on his behalf.¡± Landon grinned, then tossed the tissue in their faces. ¡°Get

    the hell out right now, and don¡¯t ever let me see you two here in Sna City, or you¡¯ll lose more than

    just

    blood next time.¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Landon! Thank you!¡±

    The two men profusely thanked Landon as his bodyguards dragged them out from the venue.

    Lauren felt a lingering fear from the ordeal she had just witnessed.

    Landon approached her and crouched down slightly to meet her gaze, a gentle smile gracing his face

    as

    he teased, ¡°You¡¯re quite the enigma, Laurie. They had no idea who you were.¡±

    ¡°Did-Did you really have to do that to them?¡± Lauren squeaked fearfully, taking a step back.

 Chapter 358

    Chapter 358

    ¡°You don¡¯t approve?¡± Landon¡¯s smile deepened.

    Lauren¡¯s eyes were downcast as she nodded.

    ¡°I think they deserved far worse, though.¡±

    Landon couldn¡¯t help but stroke her hair. ¡°You¡¯re Jasper¡¯s sister. It¡¯s only right that I stand up for you

    when they push you around. I¡¯ve gone easy on them this time. I didn¡¯t want to scare you.¡±

    Lauren could feel the warmth of his palm on her head. She closed her eyes and nestled into it, much

    like

    a contented little kitten.

    Betty just so happened to stumble upon this scene as she walked out from the main event hall. She

    was

    shocked to find her demure little sister all the way here.

    ¡°You bitch! I knew you were seducing my man!¡± she shrieked, then stormed up to them. But she quickly

    caught herself.

    Landon was here. She couldn¡¯t lose her precious image before him and make him dislike her even

    more.

    Betty had learned some useful things from Liana, so she could restrain herself even more now.

    She decided to hide in a corner to observe the two.

    Landon felt a pang of sympathy as he observed Lauren¡¯s disheveled appearance. Her once-white

    dress

    was now marred with mud and dirt. It was clear that she had run all the way in the rain.

    He took off his red velvet coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.

    Betty ground her teeth, her eyes narrowing menacingly as she seethed at the sight.

    ¡°Did youe all the way here in the rain? No driver sent you?¡± Landon asked gently.

    ¡°No one knows I¡¯m here. It¡¯s a secret,/ Lauren replied truthfully, never one to lie.

    ¡°A¡­ secret?¡±

    ¡°M-Mr, L-¡± Lauren didn¡¯t know what to call Landon, nor did she remember how they had kissed fervently

    all those weeks ago.

    ¡°You can call me Landon, Laurie. My name is Landon Harper. I¡¯m your brother¡¯s friend. Calling me Mr.

    Landon is kinda old, no?¡±

    Landon ¡­ Landon Harper?

    Lauren remembered how her sister had yelled and screamed at her for getting close to this man. She

    quickly stepped back away from him, fearing for her life.

    But Landon didn¡¯t seem to notice her behavior. He held her cold hand and said, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone help

    you change into something warmer.¡±

    ¡°No¡­ No need-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy. It¡¯s only right that I take care of my friend¡¯s sister. Come on.¡± He was about to lead her

    away.

    ¡°Landon.¡± Lauren wasn¡¯t so naive as to readily ept his actions, but she didn¡¯t dare to challenge him.

    Do¡­ Do you treat my sister like this too?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Landon couldn¡¯t help but scoff to himself. Betty didn¡¯t merit such treatment from him.

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    ¡°No.¡± Landon beamed at her. ¡°Only you.¡±

    Meanwhile, Betty was screaming internally in the distance, ring fiercely at her sister as they left.

 Chapter 359

    Chapter 359

    Landon booked one of the presidential suites upstairs in Berenike Hotel and promptly had his female

    secretary buy a gown for Lauren. He then had his secretary help Lauren get dressed while he waited in

    the

    suite¡¯s living area.

    His fingers rhythmically tapped on the sofa¡¯s armrest as he waited.

    Were he in a ck suit, he would have the appearance of a groom awaiting his bride¡¯s arrival.

    The bedroom door soon opened. His secretary walked out with Lauren, a smile on her face. ¡°Ms.

    Lauren

    is ready, Mr. Harper.¡±

    Landons¡¯ gaze shifted to Lauren, who timidly approached him in a wine-redce-trimmed gown, her

    eyes

    blinking innocently.

    He was taken aback for the slightest second.

    Landon¡¯s world had always been filled with chaos, violence, and women, but he had never met such a

    pure, sincere woman as Lauren.

    He worried that he might tarnish her purity if he gazed at her any longer.

    ¡°Why did you get her this color? She¡¯s still young. Pink or peach would have been more suitable.¡±

    Landon scowled at his secretary. ¡°You¡¯ve been working for me for ages. Haven¡¯t your fashion sense

    improved?¡±

    The woman blushed, knowing how nitpicky her boss actually was. She was about to apologize when

    Lauren said, ¡°I ¡­ I like this color, Landon. But-But you really shouldn¡¯t wear red. It makes you look¡­

    dark.¡±

    The secretary had to bite her lip to keep from giggling.

    For a brief moment, Landon¡¯s expression darkened. No other woman had ever spoken to him this way,

    except for Alyssa. In terms of national appeal, he should rank second, with only Jasper ahead of him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you this time because you¡¯re Jasper¡¯s sister,¡± Landon muttered.

    ¡°Are you angry?¡± Lauren asked timidly. ¡°Will you yell at me if I said you looked so dark that you looked

    like

    an olive? Will you hit me?¡±

    The secretary teetered on the edge of losing herposure. She couldn¡¯t believe her ears when she

    heard Laurenparing Landon to an olive. In that moment, she saw Lauren as her savior.

    Landon narrowed his eyes, clearing his throat. He approached Lauren and loomed over her, his

    presence

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    casting a shadow over her.

    As he raised his hand, Lauren closed her eyes and tightened her grip around her teddy bear. To her

    surprise, Landon gently tapped her forehead. ¡°Yes. Does it hurt?¡± (1

    There was a kind smile on his face when Lauren nced up at him.

    ¡°But don¡¯t make fun of me again, or I won¡¯t go so easy on you.¡± Landon scrunched his face up like he

    was talking to a child, making his secretary wonder what the hell had gotten into her usually serious

    boss.

    With Jasper taking charge of dealing with the chaos caused by Alyssa, he handed over the party¡¯s

    management to Xavier before departing from the hotel.

    Now that Ada and Jasper were gone, Zoe¡¯s ns went down the drain. She drank two full sses of

    wine before angrily marching onstage to the grand piano in the center.

    Initially, none of the guests paid her any mind, engrossed in their conversations.

    Then, out of nowhere, a deafening bang echoed through the room.

    Zoe forcefully mmed her hands onto the piano keys, creating a loud cacophony that instantly

    captured

    everyone¡¯s attention.

    The room collectively turned toward the stage, with some guests scowling at the disruption.

 Chapter 360

    Chapter 360

    ¡°What the hell? She scared the shit out of me.¡±

    ¡°Jeez. Isn¡¯t she from the Harper family? Why was she so rude? Doesn¡¯t she know any manners?¡±

    Zoe had always been ustomed to getting her way, both at home and abroad, whether it involved

    throwing a tantrum or making outright demands.

    She had vented some of her current frustration and anger just like that, especially when thinking about

    what Jasper had said to her.

    Now that she was back in the country, in front of all these guests who were part of Sna City¡¯s upper

    echelon, she realized that she should reconsider how she portrayed herself in public. 1

    Zoe cleared her throat, feigningposure. She then began ying Beethoven¡¯s 5th Symphony.

    Having graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Yoarkley had its benefits.

    The music flowed effortlessly with each stroke of her fingers on the keys, allowing her earlier outburst

    to

    fade into the background of everyone¡¯s minds.

    Betty stormed over from the back of the hotel to her mother in the event hall, screeching, ¡°Mom! Lauren

    is here!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Sophia cried, ¡°Where?¡±

    ¡°I saw her with Landon earlier. He touched her head and even gave her his coat!¡± Betty¡¯s eyes were

    nearly

    red with seething resentment.

    She continued, ¡°Do you really think she¡¯s dumb, Mom? She¡¯s a whore, that¡¯s what she is! Hiding behind

    that fake innocent mask of hers. She¡¯s already had her eyes set on Landon, Mom! That bitch wants to

    snatch him away from me!¡± (2

    Sophia squeezed her arm. ¡°Keep those filthy words out of your mouth, Betty Beckett! Where are all the

    manners and etiquette I taught you?! Lauren is your sister and my daughter. Do not insult her like this

    ever

    again!¡±

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Betty gnawed angrily on her lip, suspecting that her mother was likely making excuses to avoid facing

    the

    fact that she had given birth to a fool!

    ¡°What do I do now, Mom?¡± she cried, clinging to her mother¡¯s arm. ¡°First Alyssa and now Lauren!

    Landon

    never liked me in the first ce. I don¡¯t have a chance anymore now!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Lauren won¡¯t get in your way. She wouldn¡¯t even think of it that way. Tell Xavier to find

    Laurenter and send her home.¡±

    Sophia honestly didn¡¯t think this was a big deal. She had tightly controlled both her daughters

    throughout the years. In her view, nothing could disrupt her ns.

    Lauren¡¯s mental state and condition would make it difficult to marry her off, but Sophia would still find a

    prominent match for her. All the better if that family could benefit herself in return for all the trouble she

    had gone through in raising Lauren.

    ¡°This Harper girl has quite the temper, hasn¡¯t she?¡± Sophia remarked casually as she watched Zoe

    perform on stage.

    ¡°To be honest, Mom, her temper is pretty awful about 95% of the time!¡±

    Betty¡¯s rtionship with Zoe was purely transactional,cking any genuine depth or sincerity, so she

    saw no reason to conceal her thoughts from her mother.

    She added, ¡°Compared to Liana, she¡¯s like a whole atomic bomb.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Sophia¡¯s eyes were sharp.

    ¡°What? Why ¡­¡±

    ¡°A fiery temper means she won¡¯t hide her motives too deeply, making it easier to manipte her. She¡¯s

    a

    straightforward girl, really.

    ¡°She¡¯s been pampered and spoiled since she was young, never facing any hardship in life. All she

    wants is to be with Jasper, although she does exhibit a possessive streak ¡­¡±

    Sophia then scoffed. ¡°Unlike Liana, who wouldn¡¯t hesitate to stab you in the back right after professing

    her

    sincerity.¡±

    Just then, the hall doors swung open.

    Zoe continued to y with the symphony, oblivious that everyone¡¯s attention had shifted to the newly

    arrived guests.

    Lauren walked in with Landon by her side, her steps small and afraid.

    ¡°Who is that with Mr. Harper? I¡¯ve never seen her before,¡± some of the more curious guests chirped up.

    ¡°Probably a new fling. He goes through women like we go through shoes. I heard the longest he¡¯s

    dated

    someone was one month¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s quite pretty, almost innocent-looking. I thought he preferred the sexy, model-esque ones. Has he

    grown tired of them?¡±

    ¡°I must say, that girl is prettier than both the Harper girl and Betty Beckett. You guys just don¡¯t

    understand. This new girl is a hidden gem, not one of those snobby, wealthy types you find

    everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Well, well. It looks like Mr. Harper has better taste in women than Mr. Jasper then. She looks far more

    trustworthy. She won¡¯t be betraying Mr. Harper anytime soon¡­¡±

    Betty¡¯s face had turned an ugly shade of red as she watched Landon and Lauren enter together while

    overhearing the scious gossip around her.

    Meanwhile, Sophia was looking quite sickly.

 Chapter 361

    Chapter 361

    ¡°What did I tell you, Mom? I told you Lauren was plotting to ruin my ns!¡± eximed Betty.

    Betty was outraged seeing Lauren there, her wine-red gown catching everyone¡¯s attention, even

    though

    her sister hadn¡¯t the least bit of makeup on.

    Jealousy burned in her like a me that refused to die. What was worse was that Lauren¡¯s gown

    matched

    Landon¡¯s, making them look like a couple!

    At this moment, they even bore a resemnce to a bride and groom attending their own wedding!

    Betty

    felt like her purple gown was a p in her face right now.

    ¡°I know Lauren better than anyone else, Betty!¡± Sophia gritted out. ¡°She might be 22, but her mental

    state

    and behavior are no older than a child of 10 to 12 years old!

    ¡°She¡¯s still a child with no concept of romance, nor would she be smart enough to think about stealing

    Landon away from you!¡±

    Betty calmed down somewhat after that, though her teeth remained clenched.

    ¡°Things have be moreplicated for you. Since Newton¡¯s birthday dinner, Landon¡¯s attitude

    toward you has shifted from cold indifference to open disdain.

    ¡°He may be getting close to Lauren deliberately to provoke you to the point where you give up on him.¡±

    ¡°W-What?¡± Betty gasped. ¡°Then¡­ Then what can I do? Mom, does that mean I have no chance of

    marrying Landon now?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get so worked up. You need to get Lauren to help you get closer to Landon. And you must

    control

    your temper.

    ¡°If Landon is kind to Lauren, you need to be just as kind, if not more, to change his perspective of you.

    He

    needs to see your caring, loving side. Do you understand?¡± Sophia instructed.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Betty muttered.

    Lauren anxiously scanned the room for Ada, her wide, doe-like eyes filled with hope. But when she saw

    Zoe ying the piano onstage, all the color drained from her face.

    She started to tremble uncontrobly, flooded by painful memories from her childhood that rushed back

    like a torrential wave, overwhelming herpletely.

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°What were you thinking? Who would want to be friends with an idiot like you?! Hahahah!¡±

    ¡°Toss her into the trash where she belongs!¡±

    ¡°Cut her hair off! I hate seeing girls with prettier hair than me in school!¡±

    ¡°No wonder Mr. Javier and Mrs. Beckett don¡¯t like you! Your sister hates you, too! How could an idiot

    like you be their daughter? You¡¯re an embarrassment to them!¡±

    Embarrassment-that was what she was.

    Zoe didn¡¯t notice the hatred and fear-filled gaze directed at her from the crowd.

    Lauren slowly took a step backward, cold sweat breaking out on her skin.

    Landon gently held her by the shoulders. ¡°What is it, Laurie? Don¡¯t be shy. We still need to get you Ada

    Kingsley¡¯s signature. Come on, I¡¯ll take you to her.¡±

    But Lauren¡¯shook him off and fled from the hall.

    ¡°Laurie!¡± Landon yelled, ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    He ran after her, worried she might get into trouble outside.

    2-717

    4

    Betty was privy to all this but could only stay where she was and grind her teeth into dust. Sophia was

    just

    as irritated seeing her good-for-nothing daughter slowly foil her ns.

    H

    Lauren ran out of the hotel and into the street, fear nearly paralyzing her.

    She really wanted to meet Ada Kingsley in person. She had spent her days alone in the house in the

    Ada was always so powerful and masterful in her films, especially when ying the role of a righteous

    cop. That filled Lauren with immense respect and awe.

    It was as if Ada was bringing to life a lifelong dream of Lauren¡¯s.

    Yet the moment she saw Zoe, all she wanted to do was run as far away as she could.

    Lauren¡¯s mind was inundated with hurtful memories, which taunted her relentlessly for being a useless,

    good-for-nothing burden to those she loved.

    Lauren sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her, as if being chased by relentless demons from hell.

    Yet, no matter how hard she ran, those painful memories continued to haunt her.

 Chapter 362

    Chapter 362

    A car honked furiously in the distance, its headlights ring at Lauren as she stood frozen in the

    middle

    of the street. Fear gripped her, rendering her unable to move.

    The vehicle rushed toward her, and in her terrified state, she shut her eyes tightly.

    ¡°Lauren, watch out!¡±

    Just then, Landon ran out into the street, diving straight for Lauren and pulling her out of harm¡¯s way at

    the veryst second.

    Before they fell onto the pavement, he used his body to shield her fall, his shoulder mming into hard

    rock. Pain shot through his entire arm, nearly making him cry out.

    The car driver also swerved to the other side of the road to avoid hitting Lauren, ramming right into a

    couple of decorative flowerbeds. Luckily, he was unhurt.

    Landon was about to ask if Lauren was okay when she mbered out of his grasp and ran off.

    ¡°Hey! Hey, Laurie! Come back, goddammit!¡± Landon nearly choked himself with how upset he was. He

    couldn¡¯t help but spat under his breath, ¡°What an ungrateful brat!¡±,

    The Berenike Hotel lost their chance to shine tonight, thanks to Alyssa. The closing ceremony was a

    meager affair, leaving everyone with low expectations of the hotel.

    Landon instructed his secretary to ensure news of the car ident didn¡¯t spread out. He didn¡¯t want to

    upset his sister or mother.

    Tonight, the only thing on Zoe¡¯s mind was still Alyssa. After the evening ended, she spent the night with

    Betty in the bar lounge, venting and downing drink after drink.

    ¡°Fuck! I knew Jasper was still in love with that bitch!¡± Zoe mmed her shot ss onto the counter. ¡°If

    he

    loved her so much, then why the hell did he divorce her in the first ce?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand it either, Zoe, Betty sighed. ¡°Alyssa was like a maid in the house when she was

    married to my brother, always taking care of every little thing rted to him, trying to win his affection.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Did you know she cooked all our meals for us for three years? Three years! I would¡¯ve copsed on

    my

    first try. But she went and did that for three whole years!

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why Jasper never saw how hard she tried and turned to Liana instead. He went and

    honestly-¡±

    She sighed again, the wine lowering her inhibitions. ¡°I¡¯m beginning to think that he¡¯s just blind. He¡¯s as

    blind as a fucking bat.¡±

    Zoe¡¯s expression grew even more menacing. She sneered, ¡°Are you standing up for her, Betty? Do you

    miss Alyssa being your sister-inw?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Realizing she had misspoken, Betty gave an awkward chuckle. ¡°No, no, of course not. I¡¯m

    analyzing the situation for you.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why Jasper is behaving like this after the divorce. Is this what they mean by realizing how

    much someone means to you after you lose them?¡±

    Zoe gritted her teeth, a dark and obsessive need for possessing Jasper churning in her gut. ¡°I don¡¯t buy

    it.

    Jasper¡¯s not in love with Alyssa Taylor! If he were, they wouldn¡¯t be fucking divorced after three years

    of

    marriage! He¡¯s just envious because she¡¯s doing better without him!¡±

    She then twirled her hair around her fingers, saying, ¡°Meanwhile, I have known Jasper for years.

    Alyssa

    could neverpare to me. I¡¯m sure he still cares about me. He¡¯s just blinded by that whore, Alyssa!¡±

    Betty grimaced but said nothing. Something was definitely wrong with Zoe, but she couldn¡¯t say

    anything

    just yet. After all, she still needed Zoe¡¯s help to marry Landon!

    ¡°We need to find a way to get Ada on our side. Betty, we need to help Jasper win this. I¡¯ll help you,¡±

    Zoe

    decided. Her bloodshot eyes narrowed as she recalled how Alyssa had given ¡°Ragnarok¡± to Ada.

    Zoe added, ¡°It¡¯s just a fucking brooch. Alexa has way more designs than this. If she can get her hands

    on

    one, then I can too!¡±

 Chapter 363

    Chapter 363

    Betty thought that Zoe was a bluff. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder how someone like Zoe could possibly

    get her hands on Alexa¡¯s designs when even a celebrity superstar like Ada had trouble doing so.

    Betty rolled her eyes silently, though she still praised, ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Zoe! If you can find one of

    Alexa¡¯s

    designs to give Ada, she¡¯ll definitely join us!

    ¡°That way, we¡¯d get revenge on Alyssa and help my brother. You¡¯ll leave a good impression on him,

    too.

    I¡¯m sure your rtionship with him will blossom then!¡±

    Zoe was grinning so widely that her teeth looked like they might fall out. ¡°That¡¯s why we need to win

    Ada

    over from KS World!¡±

    Betty, meanwhile, had other ideas.

    She wasn¡¯t going to help Jasper. They didn¡¯t even share the same mother.

    Instead, she intended to use this opportunity to prove herself to their father and wrest control of the

    project from him.

    That would earn her father¡¯s favor and help reconcile her mother¡¯s rtionship with him. And Zoe

    would

    be the catalyst for that, Betty thought sneakily.

    ¡°Well, tonight went to hell,¡± Zoe grumbled. ¡°Jasper left, and my brother never showed up either ¡­

    Screw

    him. I¡¯m not going to talk to him when I go home!¡±

    ¡°But I did see your brother earlier. He left before you saw him,¡± Betty suddenly said coldly.

    ¡°What? When?¡±

    ¡°When you were ying the piano, he was right there with my sister, Lauren. She¡¯s really pushing him

    toward fame,¡± Betty remarked with a hint of bitterness.

    ¡°Your sister? Your sister, that idiot?¡± Zoe was in shock, unable to believe what she¡¯d just heard. She

    knew

    Lauren very well. They were even ssmates in the same girls¡¯ school back then.

    ¡°It¡¯s over for me, Zoe,¡± Betty moaned. ¡°Your brother seems to be in love with her already.¡±

    ¡°In love?¡± Zoe rose from her seat, sshing her drink all over the counter. ¡°That idiot doesn¡¯t deserve

    my

    brother¡¯s love!¡±

    Betty secretly cheered her on. However, on the surface, she continued miserably, ¡°You didn¡¯t see how

    caring and tender he was toward her. He bought a gown for her and even told her how he would only

    treat

    honestly-¡±

    She sighed again, the wine lowering her inhibitions. ¡°I¡¯m beginning to think that he¡¯s just blind. He¡¯s as

    blind as a fucking bat.¡±

    Zoe¡¯s expression grew even more menacing. She sneered, ¡°Are you standing up for her, Betty? Do you

    miss Alyssa being your sister-inw?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Realizing she had misspoken, Betty gave an awkward chuckle. ¡°No, no, of course not. I¡¯m

    analyzing the situation for you.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why Jasper is behaving like this after the divorce. Is this what they mean by realizing how

    much someone means to you after you lose them?¡±

    Zoe gritted her teeth, a dark and obsessive need for possessing Jasper churning in her gut. ¡°I don¡¯t buy

    it. Jasper¡¯s not in love with Alyssa Taylor! If he were, they wouldn¡¯t be fucking divorced after three years

    of marriage! He¡¯s just envious because she¡¯s doing better without him!¡±

    She then twirled her hair around her fingers, saying, ¡°Meanwhile, I have known Jasper for years.

    Alyssa could neverpare to me. I¡¯m sure he still cares about me. He¡¯s just blinded by that whore,

    Alyssa!¡±

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    Betty grimaced but said nothing. Something was definitely wrong with Zoe, but she couldn¡¯t say

    anything just yet. After all, she still needed Zoe¡¯s help to marry Landon!

    ¡°We need to find a way to get Ada on our side. Betty, we need to help Jasper win this. I¡¯ll help you,¡±

    Zoe decided. Her bloodshot eyes narrowed as she recalled how Alyssa had given ¡°Ragnarok¡± to Ada.

    Zoe added, ¡°It¡¯s just a fucking brooch. Alexa has way more designs than this. If she can get her hands

    on one, then I can too!¡±

 Chapter 364

    Chapter 364

    Being a Mosgravian, Ada had never eaten such a variety of dishes, so she naturally dug in with gusto.

    Alyssa and Sean kept herpany, the former chatting merrily with Ada as she ate but never once

    bringing up anything about her marriage with Jasper nor insulting the Beckett Group.

    They talked about everything from their hobbies to Ada¡¯s career to jewelry.

    When dinner was over, Alyssa and Sean escorted Ada down to the parking lot.

    ¡°Thank you for the delicious meal, Ms. Alyssa. It was quite amazing. I¡¯m particrly fond of that ky

    pastry filled with pistachio. Your hotel¡¯s chefs are every bit as skilled as you say they are!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pistachio and chocte cream bava. I can have a box or two of those sent to you before

    you leave for Mosgravia. One for you and one for your mother,¡± Alyssa offered kindly.

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Madam Ada, most of the dishes tonight are actually cooked by Ms. Alyssa here, including the pastry

    you just ate,¡± Sean said excitedly.

    ¡°Truly? Did you really make that wonderful dessert?¡± Ada eximed in awe.

    It was difficult to believe that a powerful businesswoman like Alyssa was so skilled in the kitchen, too.

    What a well-rounded individual.

    Clearly, she respected Ada as well, having personally cooked for her.

    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m sure it could have been better.¡± Alyssa nodded humbly.

    Ada was silent for a moment as she did some thinking.

    ¡°Did you bring the contract, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    Alyssa was taken aback. ¡°Do you mean ¡­?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to entrust my wedding to you and KS World Hotel. If you don¡¯t mind, I can sign the agreement

    right away.¡±

    Alyssa nearly buzzed with glee. Her expression remained calm, but her heart started pounding

    excitedly.

    in her chest.

    Sean was just as excited. He swiftly rummaged in his office bag. ¡°Of course, yes, it¡¯s right here!¡±

    ¡°Madam Ada,¡± Alyssa began, ¡°You requested both KS Group and Beckett Group to acquire a jewelry

    designer who could create a one-of-a-kind piece for you for your wedding..

    ¡°As of now, I am yet to be able to fulfill said request. If I may ask, why would you like us to organize

    your wedding?¡±

    Sean peered closely to listen in as well.

    Ada appeared guilty for a moment. ¡°Honestly, I was never serious about having either of you host my

    wedding. I¡¯d never been to Sna City; having the wedding here was just to fulfill my mother¡¯s wishes.

    ¡°Even earlier tonight, when I epted Mr. Jasper¡¯s invitation, I had only done so to have some

    entertainment for my night. It was never an expression of any decision I¡¯d made.

    ¡°I am sorry for my presumptions and my pride. I shouldn¡¯t have underestimated you two. Only now do I

    understand why you and Mr. Jasper are so well-known in the city. You two are truly devoted to your

    hotel, and it would be an honor to have either of you host my wedding.¡±

    ¡°But why choose us instead?¡±

    ¡°Truthfully, I didn¡¯t make my choice when you gifted me with ¡®Ragnarok.¡¯ It was because of your cooking

    tonight that changed my mind. There is a passionate devotion that you put into the food.

    ¡°I could taste it, just as much as I can see how much heart Alexa puts into crafting her jewelry. This

    devotion is why I choose to work with KS World Hotel,¡± Ada said with every ounce of honesty in her

    being.

    Alyssa now understood, but she was still in shock at Ada¡¯s decision.

    It looked like those years of learning how to cook actually served a purpose!

    The two women sat in Ada¡¯s car, where Sean ced two identical contracts before them.

    Before signing, Ada paused for a moment. ¡°Is it alright if we add another use in the contract, Ms.

    Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°I would like any and all ns for my wedding to be kept locked silent and shut away from the public

    media. I want to surprise my fans and mother when the timees.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead. We will fulfill our side of the contract to your maximum satisfaction,¡± Alyssa reassured.

    They then signed the agreement while Sean watched on happily.

    ¡°Happy working together, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Ada beamed, extending her hand out to Alyssa.

    Alyssa reached out to shake the proffered hand. ¡°Happy working, Madam Ada.¡±

 Chapter 365

    Chapter 365

    Jasper rushed to the hospital first thing after getting word that Landon had been in a car ident.

    Landon was lying in the VIP ward in a neck and spine brace while his secretary fed him apple slices.

    He looked like some impotent bum trying to act high and mighty.

    ¡°When did you swap your hair for a potbelly? You¡¯re not some greasy 45-year-old man who still has the

    hots for women twice your age, Landon. So don¡¯t act like it,¡± Jasper quipped as he walked into the

    ward.

    The secretary quickly got up and greeted Jasper before leaving the room, giving them privacy.

    ¡°Jeez! Are you here to visit me or make me look bad? I can¡¯t even move my hands, man!¡± Landon

    cried, then winced when he identally shifted his wrist too much.

    ¡°Stay put.¡± Jasper went up to help his friend settle back down, though his face remained stoic.

    ¡°Would you wheel me around if my legs get paralyzed, Jasper?¡± Landon asked pitifully.

    ¡°Ask one of your hundreds of girlfriends to do that for you,¡± Jasper scoffed, ¡°Paralyzed or not, so long

    as

    you can still talk, you¡¯d still have women putty in your hands.¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Well, you¡¯re not wrong. I am still pretty attractive.¡± Landon grinned.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes at that remark. Landon¡¯s appealy primarily in a way that made

    women see dor signs.

    ¡°How did this happen, by the way?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to ask Laurie,¡± Landon scowled. ¡°I got hurt like this because of her. She should be the one

    wheeling me around if I lose my legs!¡±

    ¡°What are you saying, Landon?¡± Jasper¡¯s face fell.

    ¡°Your sister snuck into the hotelst night but got found out by some guards. If I didn¡¯t help her out, who

    knows what they would¡¯ve done to her.¡±

    ¡°Lauren camest night?¡± Jasper was surprised. It finally dawned on him that this was the reason

    Landon

    had called him.

    ¡°I helped her change her clothes too.¡±

    ¡°You what?¡± Jasper growled out, a murderous glint in his eyes.

    ¡°Hey, hold up there! My secretary did, not me! I only bought the gown!¡± Landon cried, not wanting to

    lose

    Landon continued, ¡°I brought her to meet Ada Kingsley afterward, but then she ran out like she saw a

    ghost. I was afraid she might get in danger being all alone thatte at night, so I followed her.

    ¡°I pushed her out of the way, and she narrowly avoided being hit by a car. That¡¯s why I¡¯m so banged up

    and out of shape.¡±

    ¡°What about Lauren? Was she hurt?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ No? She got up and ran off while I was hurting and in pain on the ground. I¡¯m the victim here!¡±

    Landon

    rambled on.

    ¡°I¡¯m warning you now, Landon. Don¡¯t cross the line with Lauren.¡± Jasper¡¯s expression was dark. ¡°I

    understand what happened during my grandfather¡¯s birthday was an ident, but there must never be

    a

    This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    next time. You two are in entirely different worlds, never to mix together. Understood?¡±

    ¡°Hey, can you make some fucking sense? I¡¯m like this right now because I saved her. It¡¯s fine if you

    don¡¯t want to thank me, but can you not make me into some fucking monster?¡± Landon argued with all

    his might, looking like a turtle trying to extend its neck as far as he could.

    ¡°Who told you to bring her to the hall or change her clothes for her? Why did you make her stand there

    in

    front of so many strangers?¡±

    ¡°What are you saying?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart ached as he remembered his youngest sister¡¯s demeanor, marked by meekness,

    timidity, and vulnerability.

    ¡°Lauren has a severe phobia of people and crowds, coupled with autism. She¡¯s genuinely terrified of

    strangers and anyrge social gatherings involving lots of people.¡±

 Chapter 366

    Chapter 366

    ¡°Autism?¡± Landon¡¯s heart ached at that thought. No wonder Lauren behaved so strangely. Though she

    was 22 years old, she still had the behavior of a young, naive child.

    No wonder Sophia never let her out of the house.

    ¡°Did you ask her what she thought about those things you did for her? Whether she wanted you to do

    them or not? Did you ever step in her shoes and think for a moment?

    ¡°No, because you¡¯re not capable of that.¡± Jasper¡¯s breathing was intermingled with a dull pain in his

    chest. ¡°All she ever wanted was a peaceful, quiet life. Don¡¯t go ruining that for her now. You¡¯ll only

    make things

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    worse.¡±

    Landon was silent for a moment. He asked hoarsely, ¡°Can she be cured?¡±

    ¡°Do you think she¡¯d still be like this today if she could?¡±

    Landon thought about how frightened Lauren wasst night, his heart pounding painfully behind his

    ribcage.

    Just then, Jasper¡¯s phone rang. He crinkled his nose but still answered. ¡°Dad.¡±

    ¡°Come back to the office right now. We need to talk.

    The call was then hung up.

    Jasper stared darkly at his phone, a sneer appearing on his lips.

    Were they truly father and son? Sometimes, he wished this rtionship between them didn¡¯t exist. At

    least that way, his reasons for hating this man would be justified.

    The president¡¯s secretary opened the door for Jasper when he knocked, nodding courteously. Jasper

    was

    shocked to see someone else in the room-Betty.

    He narrowed his eyes just the slightest. Something was up.

    ¡°Jasper,¡± Betty called out in a feigned affectionate tone, as if they were intimately acquainted.

    Jasper nodded tly, never bothering to be too courteous to this sister of his.

    Javier began, ¡°I¡¯ve heard all about what happenedst night with Ada Kingsley and the ambush at the

    hotel from Betty, Jasper. I¡¯ve also seen the news online.¡±

    Javier sped his hands together, his eyes cold as they turned to his son. ¡°What is your n now that

    the

    public has lost their faith in the hotel?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had the PR and Networking Department rushing to clear things up sincest night. All news about

    this should cease to exist by tonight.¡±

    Betty spoke up, ¡°Even so, the damage is done. You cannot stop gossip from taking root and spreading

    now. It¡¯s honestly pretty embarrassing to thepany..

    Javier gritted his teeth upon hearing this. ¡°No matter what unfolds, this is the nature of business. There

    will always be a mix of favorable and unfavorable news circting, and some we cannot control.

    ¡°As long as we emerge victorious in these challenges, the negative reports will eventually fade away.

    It¡¯s

    imperative to maintain a long-term perspective on these battlegrounds, or else we risk losing in the

    grand

    scheme of things.¡±

    Knowing Javier was taking a jab at her, Betty gritted her teeth angrily.

    Suddenly, the secretary knocked and entered the office. ¡°Sir, there¡¯s something you need to see!¡±

    He quickly showed Javier something on his phone. It made all the rage in his being rush up to his head.

    He roared, ¡°Switch on the news channel! Now!¡±

 Chapter 367

    Chapter 367

    The secretary swiftly turned on the television and tuned it to the 3 o¡¯clock news.

    Jasper bristled, having shbacks to the Verdane Valley project.

    ¡°Wee to the 3 o¡¯clock news, providing you with the most up-to-date afternoon updates.

    ¡°Last night, the renowned international actress Ada Kingsley made her entrance into Sna City,

    sparking immense enthusiasm among her fans.

    ¡°ording to sources, her visit to the city is to honor her mother¡¯s request, which was to have her

    wedding held here in Sna.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°The Berenike Hotel and KS World Hotel in the city have engaged in a fiercepetition, vying to be

    selected by Ada Kingsley as the venue for her wedding.

    ¡°After several days of intense rivalry, Madam Ada Kingsley has made her decision.¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t keep his eyes off the screen.

    ¡°At 3 o¡¯clock news, we extend our heartfelt congrattions to KS World Hotel for their sessful

    efforts

    in securing Ada Kingsley¡¯s endorsement and being chosen as the venue for her wedding!¡±

    Something burst inside Jasper¡¯s mind.

    Meanwhile, Betty couldn¡¯t hide the look of glee on her face. The more the winds sailed against their

    favor

    now, the higher her chance of removing Jasper from his position.

    The screen then disyed Ada, who had consented to an interview with the 3 o¡¯clock news.

    ¡°While it¡¯s true that both Berenike Hotel and KS World Hotel are formidable yers in the industry, I

    opted for thetter based on personal preference, rather than any reputation-rted factors¡­¡±

    Javier couldn¡¯t take it anymore. He switched off the television and flung the remote forcefully onto his

    desk. ¡°There¡¯s no use looking at the long run now. We¡¯ve utterly lost!

    ¡°Not only have you lost the chance to host Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding, but you¡¯ve gained attention far and

    wide for helping our enemy win this war. What do you have to say for yourself now?¡±

    Jasper was about to speak up when Betty beat him to it. ¡°Breathe, Dad. Don¡¯t overexert yourself.¡±

    Betty had learned her mother¡¯s tricks since she was young, knowing that if she spoke up for Jasper

    now, it would only make her father hate him more.

    Betty said, ¡°Ada¡¯s said it¡¯s her personal preference too, so it really has nothing to do with our hotel¡¯s

    capabilities. I¡¯m sure Jasper¡¯s done all he could, too. We only have Alyssa Taylor to me for this. She

    really is a cunning, evil woman.¡±

    ¡°There is no such thing as cunning or evil when ites to business,¡± Jasper retorted. ¡°She has done

    no

    wrong. It¡¯s our own fault for not having nned out well.¡±

    Betty nearly sneered. She thought that if they were divorced, they should act like it. Nevertheless,

    Jasper¡¯s

    attitude would only lead to his own downfall.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t let Alyssa win on purpose, did you, Jasper?¡± Javier snapped.

    Jasper looked away. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Need I remind you that you and her are no longer married-she is no longer part of the family! She is

    our

    enemy andpetitor right now! She has purposelye for our necks not just once but thrice.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t taken action yet on ount that she used to be my daughter-inw, but not this time. She

    has

    gone too far now!¡± Javier cried, mming the table.

    Jasper met his father¡¯s enraged gaze with his calm, icy one, as if daring him to do so.

    ¡°Watch your attitude, Jasper Beckett! Don¡¯t you dare look at me like that!¡± Javier demanded, his heart

    skipping nervously.

    That was the very same look Jasper¡¯s mother had given him when shemitted suicide all those

    years

    ago, filled with sheer hatred and anger.

    Until today, Javier still found himself struggling to move on.

 Chapter 368

    Chapter 368

    ¡°Even if Alyssa and I are divorced, that does not mean you get to do anything to her.¡± Jasper took slow

    steps forward, a dark surge rising in his eyes.

    Javier bristled angrily, meeting his son¡¯s gaze.

    Betty was shocked by the murderous gleam in Jasper¡¯s eyes as well, but she quickly recovered. She

    went

    up to her father, gently kneading his shoulders.

    She said, ¡°Alright, Dad. Don¡¯t get so worked up because of Alyssa. Though she might have the upper

    hand

    now, it¡¯s not over yet. The odds might still be in our favor in the end.¡±

    Javier frowned. ¡°Do you have a n, Betty?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dad. All I need is to have the authority to manage this project. I¡¯ll win Ada Kingsley back from

    Alyssa

    Taylor¡¯s hands!¡± Betty grinned. ¡°The news can say what they want about Ada choosing KS World, but

    we

    all know things can always change, no?¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. Despite Betty¡¯s constant desire to gain some influence within the family

    business, she consistently fell short and ended up making a mockery of herself.

    This time, however, felt different. She appeared to be genuinely confident about her chances of

    winning.

    Something was up.

    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right! I knew I could count on you, my dear! I knew you had what it takes!¡± Javier chuckled,

    sping his daughter¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯ll give you full control over this project, and Jasper will step out of his

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    position in this for you.¡±

    He then turned to Jasper. ¡°You should stay out of this for now, or you might be entangled in a conflict of

    interest again, particrly concerning Alyssa Taylor. Betty will take care of it!¡±

    Jasper remained sullen and quiet.

    Javier had always been someone who leaped to attention the moment a mistake was made but never

    noticed all the wins before that. One, because Javier never liked this bastard child of his, and two, so

    he

    could always keep Jasper at arm¡¯s length in case the boy tried to revolt against him.

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Betty eximed, hugging her father. ¡°Thank you for the chance, Dad!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re rewarded finely for your sess,¡± Javier beamed, stroking her daughter¡¯s head.

    ¡°Is there anything you want as your reward yet? A new vi in the countryside? Or a new car?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Betty shook her head. ¡°As your daughter, I feel it¡¯s time for me to finally step up and help the

    family

    just as capable of managing it as Alyssa Taylor is with her hotel!¡±

    Jasper felt like someone had punched out all the air from his lungs. It finally dawned upon him what

    Betty

    was after.

    ¡°Alright! If you can prove to me that you have what it takes to take on this role, you can haveplete

    authority over the Berenike Hotel!¡± Javier said happily.

    Betty shot Jasper a gleeful, evil look. ¡°Thank you so much, Dad!¡±

    It was as if Betty could already picture Jasper¡¯s inevitable downfall.

 Chapter 369

    <strong>Chapter 369</strong>

    Jasper left the president¡¯s office and went back to his own.

    ¡°How did it go, sir?¡± Xavier asked worriedly, giving him a warm mug of coffee. ¡°Mr. Javier ... didn¡¯t push you, did he?¡±

    Jasper went to sit on the sofa, taking a sip of the coffee. ¡°No.¡±

    Xavier sighed in relief.

    ¡°He did worse.¡±

    Xavier scowled and started eximing, ¡°I knew nothing ever goodes from him when ites to you! He¡¯s not a good father at all!¡±

    ¡°Sometimes I wish he wasn¡¯t,¡± Jasper murmured, swallowing the now-bitter-tasting coffee. ¡°Unfortunately, I have 50% of his blood in me.¡±

    Xavier slumped over, not knowing what to say.

    ¡°Javier¡¯s given Betty full power to handle Ada¡¯s wedding.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Xavier eximed, then cussed aloud. ¡°What the hell is he thinking? You were the one who spearheaded all discussions, negotiations, and ns regarding Ada¡¯s wedding, from trying to win her over to even suggesting that our hotel hosts it in the first ce!

    ¡°Is he blind? You¡¯re thest person who would want to see us lose now! Why doesn¡¯t he have the least bit of appreciation or hindsight? Why is he jeopardizing all your hard work for a minor pitfall? That witch Sophia must¡¯ve done something behind our backs!¡±

    ¡°Not only that, but Betty will be CEO of the hotel if she seeds.¡±

    Xavier¡¯s internal reaction revealed his difort as he silently condemned Javier Beckett and his ruthless ns, wishing them both ill fortune.

    Shocked, he said, ¡°What d-did you say? You can¡¯t just let Betty take away all your hard work!¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything. Javier wanted me out from the start.¡± Jasper gazed into the distance, eyes filled with a stoic, dark hate. ¡°Betty was only giving him a way to do so.¡±

    He wouldn¡¯t have made it this far today if he had expressed his outrage at his father¡¯s behavior.

    ¡°What do we do then?¡± Xavier asked, feeling angry.

    But Jasper remained silent, drinking his coffee.

    ¡°Honestly, sir, I¡¯m kinda pissed off about Madam¡¯s actions right now.¡± Xavier¡¯s mouth had curled into a snarl.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°Oh? I thought you had so much respect for her that you couldn¡¯t bear my opposition against her?¡± Jasper teased.

    ¡°Setting aside personal feelings, it seems to me that Madam is solely focused on seeking revenge against you. Her desire appears to be to witness yourplete downfall, leaving no room for your recovery!¡±

    Xavier¡¯s anger had intensified to the point where his words slipped out involuntarily.

    ¡°I understand why she would do that. I was the one who hurt her in the first ce.¡± Jasper¡¯s heart still ached when he recalled their past.

    ¡°But her actions jeopardize your standing within thepany!¡± Xavier eximed. ¡°Madam wouldn¡¯tprehend the challenges you face. She¡¯s cherished and pampered by her siblings and parents.¡±

    ¡°She couldn¡¯t possibly grasp the strain you endure within this family. No one here has ever truly supported you, and with her intent to overpower you, you¡¯ll be left with virtually no backing from within thepany!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not so easily defeated,¡± Jasper replied with a smile. ¡°If I were as timid as you suggest, I wouldn¡¯t have earned her once-devoted love, and we wouldn¡¯t have been right for each other. That¡¯s precisely why I¡¯ve devised a n.¡±

    ¡°What is it then?¡±

    Jasper closed his eyes and leaned back, his smile deepening.

    Several minutes went by before he said raspily, ¡°I¡¯ll let her win it all.¡±

    Xavier gaped incredulously at his boss, even though he could understand what Jasper had in mind.

    If Jasper couldn¡¯t have it, no one in his family could.

    ¡°This time, I won¡¯t let anything or anyone get in her way.¡±

    ...

    Jasper didn¡¯t attend the board meeting scheduled for the evening. Instead, he drove alone to the KS World Hotel.

    The moment he stepped into the lobby, a flurry of emotions swam up to meet him.

    Recalling the first time he came to meet Alyssa, he couldn¡¯t help but think about how she hadpelled him to climb several flights of stairs.

    She had even arranged for a counterfeit representative to receive him, ultimately resulting in his own bitter failure.

 Chapter 370

    Chapter 370

    No woman had ever left Jasper feeling as defeated as Alyssa did. Even when Liana had used and

    betrayed him, the strongest emotion he¡¯d felt was rage.

    Staring at the newer and tidier lobby than Berenike Hotel, Jasper smiled helplessly.

    When Alyssa had married him, she always seemed unworldly and acquiescent. He had never looked

    down on her countryside background, but he always believed that they were worlds apart and shared

    no

    He finally understood that he was too far removed from her world, even if he tirelessly yed catch up.

    He realized that Alyssa had put aside her pride to stay by his side for three years. That was the only

    time

    she was within his reach.

    She was never out of his league. It was the other way around.

    Sean happened to engage in a work discussion with two hotel managers. He turned around and was

    shocked to find Jasper standing in the lobby. His eyes darkened.

    ¡°That¡¯s all for now. Go.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Mr. Lynch.¡± After the managers left, Sean marched up to Jasper with a cold expression. He

    said, ¡± Mr. Beckett, the restaurant is to the left, the bar to the right, and the caf¨¦ on the third floor. If

    you¡¯re here

    to book a room, please speak to the front desk staff.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to meet Ms. Alyssa,¡± Jasper got straight to the point as he scanned his surroundings

    emotionlessly.

    ¡°Who do you think you are, demanding to meet our Ms. Alyssa on a whim?¡± Sean smirked. He would

    have

    thrown Jasper out if it weren¡¯t for the hotel¡¯s etiquette in dealing with guests.

    ¡°Whatever. I must meet Ms. Alyssa today.¡±

    Jasper found that he was increasingly thick-skinned. In the past, he would have left after being

    humiliated.

    However, he ignored Sean¡¯s taunt and stayed, for it wouldn¡¯t hurt him anyway. He would lose sleep if

    he

    failed to see her.

    ¡°She won¡¯t see you. You¡¯ll only spoil her mood,¡± Sean asserted, trying to shoo Jasper away. ¡°You

    should scram if you know better. Don¡¯t even think of meeting her when I¡¯m around.¡±

    ¡°Fine. But I need to hear it from her.¡± Jasper did not back down. ¡°You¡¯ve stepped on her toes. Your

    words

    ¡°Are you picking trouble with me?¡± Face flushed, Sean was about to argue with Jasper when they

    heard a

    clear voice from behind that struck Jasper¡¯s heart.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, is Lyse still busy at work?¡±

    Jasper spun around and saw Jameson leisurely approaching them in a neat outfit. The two handsome

    men stood in front of Sean, ignoring each other, but Sean clearly picked up on the tension between

    them.

    The lobby was about to turn into a battlefield at any minute.

    Sean silently cussed at Jameson for being clingy. He so badly wanted to throw the two men into a cage

    and make them fight.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, you shouldn¡¯t be using her nickname in public, especially in the hotel that she manages.¡±

    Sean was equally cold to Jameson.

    Jasper silently snickered and suddenly found himself liking this secretary of Alyssa¡¯s.

    ¡°Sure. Is she busy? When will she be done?¡± Jameson remained unfazed by Sean¡¯s remark. He was

    rather

    humble and adaptive. ¡°I¡¯d like to take her out for dinner as a thank you for getting my mom Christina

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Hammond¡¯s signed CD.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not too sure,¡± Sean replied, addressing both men.

    ¡°I can wait.¡± Jasper and Jameson spoke at the same time. They turned to each other briefly before

    looking away in disgust.

    What terrible luck!

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to wait. She won¡¯t meet you even if you camp here tonight,¡± Sean replied.

    Right after that, he heard Alyssa¡¯s stern¡¯ but lovely voiceing from his earpiece. She inquired,

    ¡°Sean,

    what¡¯s happening in the lobby?¡±

 Chapter 371

    Chapter 371

    Alyssa might not be in the lobby, but she was aware of all the happenings in the hotel.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett and Mr. Schmidt are here. They wanted to meet you. What should I ¡­¡± Sean

    ced a finger on his Bluetooth earbud and turned around, lowering his voice.

    Jasper and Jameson immediately straightened up, their expressions growing tense.

    ¡°Meet me? What for? Are they looking for a discount?¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t leave without meeting you. I can¡¯t call the security on them, can I?¡± Sean was stuck

    between a

    rock and a hard ce because of the two obstinate men.

    ¡°Ask them what they¡¯re here for.¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice was devoid of warmth, like a judge in court.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa would like to know your purpose for meeting her,¡± Sean said with a hint of irritation.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to invite her to dinner as a thank you.¡± Jameson smiled and nudged his sses. ¡°I have

    mailed

    the signed CD to my mom, and she loves it so much. She wanted me to treat Ms. Alyssa to a meal, or

    she¡¯d feel bad.¡±

    After exining, Jameson shot a mocking nce at Jasper. He was confident that the kind and soft-

    hearted Alyssa wouldn¡¯t turn him down if he mentioned his mother.

    Even if Alyssa weren¡¯t interested in him, she¡¯d likely prefer him over Jasper, the cruel bastard who had

    hurt her.

    Sean turned to Jasper for an answer. Jasper merely replied, ¡°For work.¡±

    Jameson furrowed his brows at Jasper¡¯s curt reply. After moments of silence, she instructed Sean,

    ¡°Bring

    Mr. Beckett to me.¡±

    Jameson and Sean were stunned by her decision. A joyous smile lit up Jasper¡¯s face, like a mistress

    who

    finally got her lover¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, please bring me there.¡±

    Sean turned around, angry. ¡°Come with me!¡±

    Jameson was blinded by rage when Jasper left. A vortex of anger swirled inside him, and he felt he

    might

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    explode at any time.

    Carl instantly knew that Jameson met defeat when thetter returned to the underground parking

    alone.

    He quietly helped Jameson into the car.

    Jameson sat in the back and closed his eyes like he was resting, but his tense jaw suggested that he

    was

    simmering in anger.

    Alyssa called Jasper in for a meeting. Humiliation spread through his body, as though she had

    physically

    pped him in front of a romantic rival.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, where to?¡± Carl carefully questioned.

    ¡°Did I ask you to speak?¡± Jameson sneered. Carl hurriedly hung his head and broke out in a cold

    sweat.

    After a prolonged silence, Jameson finally opened his eyes and cracked his knuckles. ¡°Look into the

    rtionship between Landon Harper¡¯s sister and Jasper Beckett.¡± 1

    ¡°D-Does Landon Harper even have a sister?¡±

    Jameson did not reply, but a stern look shed under his sses.

    ¡°I-I¡¯ll look into it soon!¡± Carl stammered fearfully. Jameson shut his eyes in satisfaction. ¡°Take me to The

    Millennium.¡±

    The Millennium was a private clubhouse Jameson had established in Sna City five years ago and

    registered under Carl¡¯s name.

    The woman working in the clubhouse was his source of information in Sna City, helping him

    establish

    connections.

    This time, she might serve a different purpose.

    At that thought, Jameson adjusted his sses with an eerie grin.

    Sean led Jasper to the entrance of the restaurant¡¯s kitchen. As they approached, Jasper smoothed his

    tie and instinctively nced at the reflection on the wall beside him to inspect his appearance.

    He¡¯d never experienced this level of nervousness, not even when he received awards in the military or

    held his first meeting as the group president.

 Chapter 372

    Chapter 372

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa wants you to go in.¡± Sean turned aside as though Jasper was infectious.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Sean snickered, openly disying his disgust. ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. It¡¯s all because of Ms.

    Alyssa¡¯s generosity. I would have beaten you up and thrown you out.¡± With that, he left the back

    kitchen. 1

    Jasper inhaled and stepped into KS World Hotel¡¯s spotless back kitchen that looked like a sterileb

    with

    white decor and stainless steel tables and equipment.

    The air was quiet. The only thing he heard was his breathing and his beating heart.

    Turning a corner, he spotted a slender figure standing by the wide table that only highlighted her petite

    frame.

    Today, Alyssa was charming in the white chef uniform, her hair tied and tucked neatly into the chef¡¯s

    hat.

    She wore a transparent mask on her face and was fully focused on shaping a ball of dough into pastry.

    She did not even notice his presence.

    His eyes turned misty when he recalled Mrs. Rosie¡¯s words.

    She told him, ¡°Mr. Jasper, the desserts you ate are not store-bought or made by pastry chefs. Madam

    made them for you! Even the house chef admitted that he is not as talented as she is!

    ¡°Look at you, wolfing them down. You did not know how much effort she¡¯d poured into a tiny piece of

    dessert. She spent her day in the kitchen making the desserts without a word ofint about her

    body aches.¡±

    His expression wavered as the memory tugged at his heart. It was the first time he had ever seen

    Alyssa

    in the kitchen.

    Apparently, she had spent the three years in his home, pouring her love and effort into the food, while

    he

    had never truly appreciated her.

    He was a jerk who wasted her affection.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa frowned as she shaped the dough into choux pastries for Ada Kingsley, who wanted to take

    them

    home to Mosgravia for her mother.

    The dessert was incredibly challenging, and after a whole afternoon¡¯s work, Alyssa had only managed

    to

    make four sessful choux pastries.

    ¡°Phew! Finally,¡± she eximed with relief, wiping the sweat from her forehead after sessfully making

    the fifth one.

    Suddenly, a loud crunch broke the silence, and she looked up in shock, her eyes widening. Then, she

    screamed, ¡°Jasper Beckett, you-¡±

    Jasper calmly met her gaze as he chewed on her pastry. Only three choux pastries remained on her

    tray.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t give you permission to eat that! Spit it out right now!¡± Her face flushed with anger, and she was

    tempted to punch him in the face.

    He disregarded her screams and took a slow bite, enjoying himself.

    ¡°You bastard! My desserts are not for you! Stop it right now!¡± Eyes ming, she rushed to grab half of

    the pastry puff in his hand. Panicking, he stuffed the rest of it into his mouth.

    ¡°You prick!¡± she bellowed in fury. The floor was still wet from the cleaning, causing her to identally

    slip

    and fall into his arms.

    The impact sent his back ramming into the table. He frowned at the pain but secured his arms around

    her

    waist to make sure she was safe.

    Her breathing became erratic after she sensed the touch of his fingers. Her lips pressed against his,

    separated only by her face mask.

    They stood there in silence. He narrowed his eyes, trying hard to suppress the growing desire inside of

    him.

 Chapter 373

    Chapter 373

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes wavered, and she sprung to her feet by pushing herself away from Jasper¡¯s muscr

    chest. She hurriedly stumbled backward and mmed her back against the fridge door.

    Her breathing remained uneven. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Despite having a face mask on,

    she

    could feel the heat from his lips lingering on hers.

    Damn it! Why did she¡­

    Gasping for air and flushed with emotion, she angrily tore off her mask and tossed it to the floor. It was

    now contaminated and utterly useless.

    Meanwhile, Jasper slowly rose to his feet, leaning against the table¡¯s edge. There was a hint of

    exhaustion

    in his face, like a beast after a hearty meal.

    He pursed his lips to maintainposure, but his heart continued to race.

    ¡°Does your back hurt?¡± He was still in a daze after the idental kiss. Still, he maintained his

    composure.

    His tone sounded icy, just like usual.

    ¡°None of your business!¡± She seethed with anger over him helping himself to one of her pastries. ¡°I

    never

    permitted you to eat my pastries. I didn¡¯t spend the afternoon making them just to feed you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I tried your desserts. I¡¯d love to have a taste again. I remember how you used to

    make them for me.¡±

    He felt enticed when he saw Alyssa putting her heart into the desserts. Before he knew it, he was

    He was driven by impulse, even thinking that he should take advantage of the opportunity, for it was

    hard

    toe by.

    ¡°Hah! That was in the past!¡± There was still fury in her eyes as she dered, ¡°I cooked for you because

    i

    was your wife. Who do you think you are, eating my desserts now? I¡¯d rather feed them to a dog than

    have

    you eat them!¡±

    Her cutting remark crushed him, and his eyes hardened. He stared very hard into the abyss of her eyes

    but found no traces of that woman who¡¯d spent the day making desserts for him.

    Can love be lost? Would there be nothing left?

    With a sullen face, Alyssa shifted her attention from Jasper, carefully cing the remaining desserts on

    the tray before putting it into the storage and closing the door. She was wary of him.

    ¡°I was being rash. I didn¡¯t know that the desserts meant so much to you. Sorry,¡± he apologized,

    knowing that he was in the wrong. Therefore, he was ready to take whatever she hurled at him.

    Hershes trembled briefly before she turned her back to him and washed her hands in the sink. She

    remarked impatiently, ¡°I thought you were here for work matters? Spit it out. As you can see, I don¡¯t

    have

    all day. You¡¯re just causing trouble here.¡±

    He choked and breathed heavily. ¡°I am here to tell you that I¡¯m no longer in charge of Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    wedding nning.¡±

    Her hands paused under the flowing tap. She chuckled. ¡°Well, of course. She¡¯s already signed the deal

    with KS World. The only thing you¡¯re responsible for now is the controversy surrounding Berenike

    Hotel.¡±

    Ignoring her taunts, he continued, ¡°Javier has handed the responsibility over to Betty.¡±

    Alyssa finally turned to face him, a frown on her face.

    ¡°You¡¯re a smart woman, and you know that things are not as simple as they seem,¡± he mumbled with

    worry in his eyes as he nced at her.

    ¡°Did you make the trip just to tell me this? Typical Jasper Beckett, always so self-centered.¡± She

    sneered

    and ced a hand on her hip. ¡°Let me guess, you are still upset after losing the bid. So, you came

    ¡°Even if Betty wanted to y dirty, that halfwit wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against me. She¡¯d need to be

    reborn for a better shot.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s tense jaw rxed a little. He smiled gently, thinking that Alyssa was rather adorable when she

    was cussing at others, as long as he was not the subject.

    ¡°Even so, Betty is not that dumb. She¡¯s got Sophia backing her. Anything she hasn¡¯t considered,

    Sophia

    will help her strategize.¡±? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

 Chapter 374

    Chapter 374

    ¡°Sophia is a calctive cunt. I¡¯m concerned that they might try something against you. I wanted to give

    you a heads-up so you can be prepared,¡± said Jasper.

    Alyssa¡¯s clear eyes flickered before she turned away.

    ¡°That¡¯s all. I¡¯ll leave you to your work now.¡± He shot her another loaded gaze before leaving.

    ¡°Wait, Jasper,¡± she suddenly called out to him. He felt his chest tighten as he swiftly turned back.

    ¡°Why did you tell me all of that? You¡¯re the type to look at the big picture. Whoever from the Beckett

    Group takes over the Ada Kingsley ount will still boost the influence and reputation of Berenike

    Hotel.

    It¡¯s something you¡¯ve been working on.¡± She threw him a quizzical look. ¡°So, why did you tell me that?¡±

    ¡°Because I want you to win,¡± he responded with a genuine and innocent look in his eyes. It was a rarity

    after his many years of hustling in business.

    ¡°And why do you want me to win?¡±

    ¡°You were once my wife-¡±

    She cut him off with a scoff. ¡°You never showed me any kindness when we were married. What¡¯s all the

    talk about gratitude after the divorce? Is this a joke? 2

    ¡°Leave, now. I won¡¯t send you off.¡±

    Defeated for the second time, he felt a lump in his chest, as though he had choked on the pastry.

    At night, Betty showed up at the Harper Residence. Zoe had called Betty earlier that night, inviting the

    Thedies shuffled into Zoe¡¯s private music studio and closed the door behind them.

    ¡°Zoe, why did you call me sote at night?¡± Betty sounded curious.

    ¡°It¡¯s been five days since KS World announced their partnership with Ada Kingsley. Have you figured

    out a

    way to knock out that Alyssa bitch?¡± Zoe crossed her arms and interrogated Betty.

    Betty¡¯s pride was challenged. Her temper red because no one had ever talked to her with that

    attitude

    at home.

    She grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s only been five days. I¡¯m not a superhuman, Zoe. It takes time toe up with a

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°I was being rash. I didn¡¯t know that the desserts meant so much to you. Sorry,¡± he apologized,

    knowing that he was in the wrong. Therefore, he was ready to take whatever she hurled at him.

    Hershes trembled briefly before she turned her back to him and washed her hands in the sink. She

    remarked impatiently, ¡°I thought you were here for work matters? Spit it out. As you can see, I don¡¯t

    have

    all day. You¡¯re just causing trouble here.¡±

    He choked and breathed heavily. ¡°I am here to tell you that I¡¯m no longer in charge of Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    wedding nning.¡±

    Her hands paused under the flowing tap. She chuckled. ¡°Well, of course. She¡¯s already signed the deal

    with KS World. The only thing you¡¯re responsible for now is the controversy surrounding Berenike

    Hotel.¡±

    Ignoring her taunts, he continued, ¡°Javier has handed the responsibility over to Betty.¡±

    Alyssa finally turned to face him, a frown on her face.

    ¡°You¡¯re a smart woman, and you know that things are not as simple as they seem,¡± he mumbled with

    worry in his eyes as he nced at her.

    ¡°Did you make the trip just to tell me this? Typical Jasper Beckett, always so self-centered.¡± She

    sneered

    and ced a hand on her hip. ¡°Let me guess, you are still upset after losing the bid. So, you came

    ¡°Even if Betty wanted to y dirty, that halfwit wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against me. She¡¯d need to be

    reborn for a better shot.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s tense jaw rxed a little. He smiled gently, thinking that Alyssa was rather adorable when she

    was cussing at others, as long as he was not the subject.

    ¡°Even so, Betty is not that dumb. She¡¯s got Sophia backing her. Anything she hasn¡¯t considered,

    Sophia

    will help her strategize.¡±

 Chapter 375

    Chapter 375

    Two weeks away from Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding, Alyssa was busy updating the proposal from Ada¡¯s

    She also had to oversee the on-site decorations and review crucial documents concerning materials,

    costs, and manpower. On her worst day, she managed to grab only three hours of sleep.

    Still, she enjoyed the hustle. As long as there was something in it for her, she would feel invigorated by

    the frenzy.

    After joining the team meeting in the morning, Alyssa returned to her office, where she munched on her

    sandwich and approved documents.

    Sean knocked on the door to deliver coffee and shook his head at her tired and adorable look. ¡°Eating

    while working is bad for your health.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time! I have another fashion event to attendter this afternoon,¡± Alyssa replied, taking a

    hearty bite of her sandwich without once looking up from the documents.

    ¡°Why is your schedule so packed today? I was about to book a spa for your rxation during your free

    time.¡± Sean felt sorry for her.

    ¡°Save that for after the wedding. I¡¯m swamped with work. There¡¯s no time for rxation,¡± she said,

    lifting

    her coffee cup and meeting Sean¡¯s eyes. ¡°Any updates from Betty and Sophia¡¯s end?¡±

    ¡°I have been keeping an eye on them, but they did not make any move.¡± Thinking hard, he wondered,¡±

    We¡¯ve been making lots of preparations today. Could they have given up because they couldn¡¯t figure

    out

    a better n?¡±

    Meanwhile, Alyssa reyed Jasper¡¯s words in her head and sneered. ¡°I think we shouldn¡¯t let our

    guard

    down. This is a rare opportunity for Betty, and she¡¯d want to prove herself to Javier. She¡¯s not going to

    give up.¡±

    Just then, there was another knock on the door, and Avery entered with an elegantly wrapped white gift

    box in hand. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, these are the desserts I brought from the kitchen. I had them wrapped as per

    your request.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. ce them on the coffee table,¡± Alyssa replied.

    After Avery left, Sean went up and unboxed the pastries. The cute little choux pastries reminded him of

    Alyssa¡¯s focused look when she was baking, which brought a smile to his lips.

    ¡°Sean, get ready. We¡¯re leaving soon.¡±

    Jasper returned to his office in the afternoon after a meeting.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, the host of the jewelry show sent you an invitation a week ago. Ada Kingsley will be there

    today as well. Should we-¡± Xavier reminded Jasper, only to be cut off.

    Jasper dismissed him without hesitation, stating, ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡±

    ¡°Uh, are you sure?¡± Xavier blinked. We¡¯ve already been embarrassed once when Ada Kingsley chose

    KS over us. People will specte if we¡¯re absent from the event. Journalists will have a field day,

    twisting the story to make us look petty for snubbing it just because KS World won Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    project.¡±

    ¡°Betty will be there. She¡¯s in charge of Ada Kingsley¡¯s project, after all,¡± Jasper was unmoved and

    scoffed. ¡°Like attracts like. Betty¡¯s always jumped at the chance to attend extravagant events like that.¡±

    ¡°Ahem. But I¡¯ve just received word that Madam has arrived at the venue.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes sparkled. He ordered, ¡°Get me a change of clothes and get the car ready.¡±

    Xavier grinned at Jasper¡¯s swift change of mind when it involved Alyssa.

    AX, the luxurious jewelry brand, hosted its show at the Sna International Convention Center this

    year. Many renowned designers and A-list celebrities were in attendance, turning it into something like

    an

    awards ceremony.

    Ada Kingsley¡¯s attendance attracted the most attention, as she was the most popr star at the event

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    and AX¡¯s brand ambassador in Mosgravia.

    Betty and Zoe received the coveted invitations to the event due to their social status. When they

    stepped onto the red carpet, they were reluctant to leave and kept posing for the cameras. Even the

    reporters and photographers were irritated at the duo.

    They would have settled down on the red carpet had the emcee not ushered them along. Someone

    whispered, ¡°What the fuck? How embarrassing of them to loiter on the red carpet!¡±

 Chapter 376

    Chapter 376

    ¡°That¡¯s not all! How could they walk the red carpet after Ada Kingsley? Who do they think they are?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t take any photos of them. Just a waste of my storage space.¡±

    ¡°I know Betty is Javier Beckett¡¯s daughter; and I heard that Zoe is Landon Harper¡¯s sister. They might

    not

    be famous, but they¡¯re filthy rich. I bet they paid a huge sum to show upst!¡±

    Betty and Zoe entered the venue with satisfaction, thinking that they had garnered enough attention.

    To their dismay, they found reporters moring to interview celebrities like Ada or brand designers. No

    one wanted to interview the two youngdies at all.

    ¡°This is uneptable! Are they blind?¡± Betty stomped when she was given the cold shoulder. ¡°How

    dare

    they ignore us? They don¡¯t know their stuff! Don¡¯t they know I could end their careers if they get on my

    bad

    side?¡±

    ¡°Reporters are only after those who are worth something. They¡¯lle after you like sharks lusting for

    blood if you¡¯re famous, well-connected, or influential,¡± Zoe released her frustration by taunting Betty.

    ¡°Fine, fine. I don¡¯t know anyone in the industry because Mom doesn¡¯t want me to be in touch with the

    media. She says that rich people should keep a distance from the average folks for prestige.¡± Betty

    might

    be Zoe¡¯s partner in crime, but she was no pushover.

    She feigned innocence and took a dig at Zoe. ¡°But Zoe, you¡¯re a socialite in the city and the mentee of

    a

    famous pianist. Why didn¡¯t they interview you at all? It¡¯s ridiculous, don¡¯t you think? I¡¯m angry for you.

    Should I get a few reporters to chat with you?¡±

    ¡°Hmph, there¡¯s no need for that. I prefer keeping a low profile and hate being watched like animals in a

    zoo!¡± Zoe scoffed, anger stirring within her.

    The two fakedies rolled their eyes at each other and turned away.

    Suddenly, they heard a flurry of footsteps from behind.

    ¡°Look! It¡¯s Alyssa Taylor!¡±

    ¡°Wow! I didn¡¯t see her on the red carpet. Turns out she¡¯s in the venue! That¡¯s very slick of her.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the only one here who¡¯s truly low profile. Not to mention, she managed her hotel efficiently and

    secured the bid for Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding. She¡¯s beautiful and capable, unlike those who just throw

    money around for a red carpet appearance.¡±

    The reporters might not have called Betty and Zoe out, but the two women felt like they were being

    pped and shamed.

    The reporters swarmed toward Alyssa. In the chaos, two of them bumped into Betty and Zoe, nearly

    pushing them to the ground.

    ¡°Argh! Are you blind or what?¡± Betty growled, regaining her bnce. Meanwhile, Zoe trembled with

    anger

    as she watched Alyssa being surrounded by reporters.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, what are your thoughts on winning the bid against the Beckett Group for Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    wedding?¡± a reporter shouted a question.

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°First of all, it¡¯s my honor to work with Ms. Kingsley. I am grateful for her trust in KS World. Secondly, I¡¯d

    like to emphasize that the Beckett Group is not on the losing side just because they went after the

    same

    business opportunity as we did.

    ¡°The Berenike Hotel has a longer history than the KS World Hotel and has always set the benchmark

    for the industry. I hope there won¡¯t be any prejudice against the Berenike Hotel, and please don¡¯t

    assume that thispetition will strain the rtionship between KS Group and the Beckett Group.¡±

    Alyssa knew that she had staged a perfecteback, but she knew it was important to be moderate.

    She¡¯d be dumb to gloat about her victory or lower her ss by hitting out on the Beckett Group.

    ¡°Gosh, Ms. Taylor is so charming! I¡¯m smitten with her!¡±

    ¡°Exactly. She remains humble even after winning the project. She has a likable personality. I thought

    she

    was mean to wrangle the opportunity from the Beckett Group, but I¡¯ve changed my mind!¡±

    People showered Alyssa withpliments, which only fueled Zoe¡¯s resentment. She clenched her

    fists,

    shaking with anger.

    All of a sudden, she noticed the ruby earrings in gold on Alyssa¡¯s ears and the matching ne on

    Alyssa¡¯s neck.

    The Pigeon Blood Rubies are the rarest and the most expensive of all rubies.

    Betty stared longingly at the huge rubies on Alyssa¡¯s neck and swallowed hard in envy. Zoe was

    simrly jealous of Alyssa but soon spotted a detail and quickly hatched a n.

    4

 Chapter 377

    Chapter 377

    Alyssa did not attend the jewelry show to unt her status as Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter. She had two

    goals.

    Firstly, to address the allegations of snatching the opportunity from Beckett Group through media

    interviews to stop the spections.

    Secondly, she delivered pastries to Ada at the venue, mainly to monitor Betty¡¯s movements and gain

    control over the situation.

    She would never allow that calctive bitch to gain the upper hand.

    Ada showed up with a distinguished middle-aged man dressed in a brown suit.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, allow me to introduce you,¡± Ada said with a smile. ¡°This is Vincent Carter, the global CEO

    of

    AX and a dear friend of mine.¡±

    ¡°Vincent, this is Alyssa Taylor, the manager of KS World Hotel. She¡¯s a talenteddy!¡±

    Vincent, a native of Yoarkley with blonde hair and blue eyes, hailed from a blue-blooded family.

    ¡°Mr. Carter, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. Wee to Sna City,¡± Alyssa greeted him with a warm smile

    as she extended her hand.

    ¡°Nice to meet you too, Ms. Taylor. It¡¯s our honor to have you at AX¡¯s show,¡± Vincent replied in halting

    Cyrrisian and shook her hand.

    Ada¡¯s eyes darted between the two. She sensed that something was off. This should have been the

    first

    encounter between Vincent and Alyssa, but they gave off a feeling that they were familiar with each

    other.

    The reporters were gaping at the two. Vincent had royal blood and carried himself with poise and

    haughtiness. However, he beamed warmly at Alyssa like she was family.

    Everyone was in awe of Alyssa. They assumed that it was only normal for a ravishing beauty to attract

    the

    attention of men.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, what a coincidence!/I didn¡¯t expect to run into you here.¡± Zoe lifted the hem of her floor-

    length gown and trotted to Alyssa with the grace of a swan.

    Her dark eyes sparkled. A fairylike smile appeared on her face.

    Alyssa squinted at Zoe with a sharp gaze. Next, she gave Zoe the cold shoulder and turned to Vincent

    and Ada with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s chat on the side.¡±

    Zoe was shaking in anger when she was tantly ignored. How could they dismiss Landon Harper¡¯s

    little? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    sister?

    Vincent and Ada had the same thought of finding a quieter spot to chat.

    When they were about to leave, Zoe forced a smile suddenly and announced, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, your jewelry

    set today is stunning! The pairing of Pigeon Blood Rubies and rose gold is ssic indeed. It

    immediately

    attracted my attention from afar.¡±

    Herment immediately drew everyone¡¯s attention to Alyssa¡¯s jewelry. Alyssa responded with a

    gracious smile, saying, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°But the jewelry isn¡¯t from AX, right?¡± she bluntly pointed out.

    The onlookers did a double-take and found it out, too. Alyssa¡¯s jewelry was gorgeous, but anyone with

    decent jewelry knowledge could tell it wasn¡¯t an AX product.

    This appeared to have gone against the rules of the AX brand, and Alyssa hadmitted this faux pas

    in

    front of the global CEO.

    ¡°It¡¯s AX¡¯s jewelry show today, but you¡¯re wearing pieces from other brands. That seems rather

    inappropriate, don¡¯t you think?¡± Zoe raised her chin with a mocking look.

    She continued, ¡°Considering your status and the backing of the Belbanks KS Group, showing some

    respect to the event¡¯s organizer shouldn¡¯t be a difficult task. After all, you¡¯re here for their event, aren¡¯t

    you?

    ¡°Or perhaps you¡¯re wearing your own brand and using this show as a tform to promote your

    products?

    That¡¯s impressive. What a capable businesswoman you are!

    ¡°You¡¯ve certainly disyed remarkable sales and marketing skills!¡± Zoe¡¯s caustic remarks hit the mark,

    leaving the reporters staring at Alyssa and murmuring among themselves.

    C

 Chapter 378

    Chapter 378

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor should have known such basic rules of the industry!¡±

    ¡°Of course she does! Maybe she just wanted to take advantage. These businesswomen always y

    dirty.

    Perhaps she had used the same tricks to win Ada Kingsley¡¯s trust and beat Mr. Beckett!¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk. To think that I admired her before. Now, looking at her again, she seems quite shameless.¡±

    Zoe snickered, feeling victorious for getting Alyssa into trouble.

    She thought that Alyssa had be too arrogant and decided to teach her a lesson that day, with the

    best approach being character assassination.

    Little did Zoe know that Jasper had arrivedte and had witnessed the scene. He stood in the shadows

    quietly and cast an icy re at the gloating woman.

    Tall and gorgeous like a deity, he stood stiffly in his suit and wore a glum expression.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, that girl is bullying Madam!¡± Xavier was worried.

    Jasper pursed his lips and leaned forward. The look in his eyes hardened as he halted in his tracks.

    ¡°Let¡¯s

    wait and see.¡±

    ¡°Wait?¡± Xavier widened his eyes, looking baffled.

    ¡°She¡¯s not just any woman. She¡¯s Alyssa Taylor, and she will figure something out,¡± Jasper said with a

    fondness in his narrowed eyes that he seemed unaware of. ¡°Even if she¡¯s out of ideas, she has me.¡±

    Xavier gaped at Jasper in disbelief and pressed a hand against his chest.

    Jasper went on, ¡°No one¡¯s messing with my ex except me.¡± 2

    Xavier wondered if Jasper was the same person. The look in Jasper¡¯s eyes was enough to melt the

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ciers. It was a pity that Alyssa was not there to see it for herself.

    Meanwhile, public opinion had turned against Alyssa. Her decision to wear jewelry from other brands at

    AX¡¯s event sparked controversy. Many considered it a cheap ploy to promote other products, not to

    mention a vition of the rules. /1

    Betty, who had been hiding behind Zoe, was relishing in schadenfreude. However, she couldn¡¯t help

    but feel uneasy about Alyssa¡¯sposure. She had expected Alyssa to appear frightened and

    helpless, but that was far from the truth, and it infuriated her.

    ¡°Miss.¡± Vincent, who had kept his silence, suddenly chimed in with an amused look, ¡°I believe you¡¯re

    the world.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s correct, Mr. Carter! I absolutely love AX¡¯s jewelry, and this particr collection is my favorite!*

    Zoe¡¯s eyes lit up with hope, her heart racing when she finally captured the CEO¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Since you im it¡¯s your favorite, you should know that the ¡®Eternal Bloom¡¯ collection drew its

    inspiration

    from the talented designer Alexa¡¯s ¡®Dark Desire¡¯ collection.¡±

    Vincent shifted his knowing gaze onto the swaying golden rose earring on Alyssa¡¯s left ear.

    From Jasper¡¯s perspective, Vincent¡¯s was a suggestive and flirtatious nce. He felt uneasy and

    burdened when Alyssa was subjected to Vincent¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡¯s jewelry is from Alexa¡¯s ¡®Dark Desire¡¯ collection. In other words, the popr ¡®Eternal

    Bloom¡¯

    collection wouldn¡¯t exist without ¡®Dark Desire.¡±¡±

 Chapter 379

    Chapter 379

    There was a collective expression of shock among the onlookers.

    Even Ada Kingsley, who was not only Vincent¡¯s good friend but also Alexa¡¯s number one fan, found

    tweet

    taken aback by Alyssa wearing jewelry from the elusive ¡°Dark Rose¡± collection-a name the bad beard

    of but never seen. She briefly experienced a rare moment of envy at Alyssa¡¯s wealth.

    Alyssa quietly cast Vincent a grateful look. There was no need for her to exin herself. This was

    Vincent¡¯s turf, and it was his job to address those who were up to no good. She wouldn¡¯t need to lift a

    finger for something as insignificant as Zoe¡¯s nder.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes had never left Alyssa. There was a hint of envy in them. He was sure that Alyans knew t

    man, and the two shared a close rtionship at that.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that old man?¡± Jasper demanded to know.

    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    ¡°Vincent Carter is the global CEO of AX. His grandfather holds the title of thest Duke of Yoarday, and

    his grandmother is the founder of AX. In simple terms, they own the brand, and he has been appoints

    CEO simply because of his family ties,¡± Xavier exined.

    He continued, ¡°Vincent has inherited the dukedom from his grandfather and owns vast estates

    bestowed by the monarchy. He¡¯s also one of the top five wealthiest individuals in Yoarkley, worth tens

    of billions

    Madam is so cool for having a duke as a friend!¡±

    Jasper breathed hard and swallowed. He tightened his fists unhappily.

    ¡°Is Mr. Carter speaking up for Madam? Ooh, has he fallen for her?¡± Xavier eximed at his discovery

    and

    sighed.

    He added, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Madam stands a chance at bing a duchess. Her family background

    is

    impressive enough, and if she marries into royalty¡­ Gosh, she¡¯ll reach a whole new level of fame and

    power!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. She won¡¯t be interested in Vincent. That guy is as old as her dad,¡± Jasper muttered

    with a deep frown.

    However, Xavier was worked up ¡°That might not be the case! Who knows? Madam might be interested

    in

    older men! Why else would she have fallen for you? You¡¯re six years older than her.¡±

    Jasper shot a death re at Xavier. A six-year difference paled inparison to a twenty-year age

    gapl

    Xavier, scared witless, quickly sealed his lips and gestured to keep his lips ¡°zipped¡±, in what seemed

    like a

    cute but pitiful move.

    him. Instead, he was dismayed at and threatened by the avability of excellent suitors around Alyssa.

    ¡°Oh my god! The CEO of an international luxury jewelry brand admitted publicly that their products took

    inspiration from Alexa¡¯s work! Isn¡¯t that like digging their own graves?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I appreciate his honesty. Besides, they were only inspired by Alexa¡¯s work; they didn¡¯t

    directly copy her designs.¡±

    ¡°We did base our entire collection on her designs,¡± Vincent confessed after overhearing the reporters¡¯

    discussion.

    He further borated, ¡°Madam Alexa was well aware of it. I privately confirmed with her, and she even

    granted us permission to create the ¡®Eternal Bloom¡¯ collection inspired by her ¡®Dark Rose¡¯ series. She

    was

    actively involved in the design process.¡±

    A collective gasp of astonishment filled the room. Meanwhile, Zoe¡¯s once-gleeful expression had frozen

    in disbelief.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m delighted that Ms. Alyssa wore Alexa¡¯s jewelry for our event,¡± Vincent added, his gaze

    briefly drifting toward Alyssa before looking away.

    ¡°There¡¯s another detail that you might not be aware of, Ms. Harper.¡± Alyssa chuckled. ¡°AX has

    maintained

    a good working rtionship with Alexa.

    ¡°AX¡¯s VIP members are familiar with the rule that allows them to wear Alexa¡¯s designs at any AX event.

    Not only that, the wearer will be upgraded to the VVIP seat.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not all. AX also offers a lifetime of free repair and jewelry care services to customers who

    own

    pieces by Alexa. Ms. Harper, why did you not know about this rule if you¡¯re a huge fan of AX?¡±

    Zoe¡¯s face paled. She was speechless. She might own many jewelry from AX, but the entry barrier for

    a

    membership was beyond her means.

    Not only did she have to meet a minimum spending threshold at AX stores, but the brand also

    thoroughly evaluated membership applicants based on their family backgrounds.

    As she couldn¡¯t secure membership solely by virtue of being Landon¡¯s sister, she was unaware of the

    unspoken rule among the AX members!

 Chapter 380

    Chapter 380

    Book

    a step back, putting some distance between herself and Zoe to steer clear of the ongoing

    controversy.

    The reporters who came to their senses scrutinized Zoe.

    One of them remarked, ¡°So, Ms. Harper was pointing fingers, even though she wasn¡¯t even a VIP

    member

    at AX. That¡¯s quite absurd.¡±

    Another chimed in, saying, ¡°She should have minded her own business.¡±

    A third reporter added, ¡°She believes she can have a say just because she bought a few pieces from

    AX.

    Look at her, making these bold usations in front of the CEO, who probably doesn¡¯t even know her

    name. It¡¯s rather tactless. She¡¯s no match for Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    Zoe couldn¡¯t help but grumble inwardly about the media. How could theypare her to Alyssa?

    Zoe¡¯s mind went nk as she almost cked out from the anger. That was the greatest humiliation she

    had endured in her young life.

    Alyssa paid no attention to Zoe as she left the scene, chatting merrily with Vincent and Ada.

    The reporters flocked after them, leaving Zoe behind. Her face drained of color.

    ¡°Zoe! T-This is bad!¡± Betty hurried over and tugged on Zoe¡¯s arm. She hissed nervously, ¡°Jasper is

    here!¡±

    ¡°J-Jasper? Where?¡± Feeling guilty, Zoe sweated profusely.

    ¡°He was standing not far away and saw everything that happened! He appeared out of nowhere, like a

    ghost. I didn¡¯t even notice when he arrived or how much of it he saw!¡±

    Zoe inhaled sharply and rigidly turned around. She spotted Jasper¡¯s tall, stern silhouette ring at her

    from the shadows.

    A suffocating sensation gripped her throat. Her breathing, heart rate, and thoughts seemed to stall.

    ¡°J-Jasper!¡±

    Furrowing his brows, Jasper coldly shook his head and walked away with Xavier following closely

    behind.

    Zoe had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She stumbled backward. Jasper¡¯s gaze seemed like a

    knife, severing the ties between him and her. a

    Zoe buried her face in her palms and sobbed loudly in the washroom. Her delicate eye makeup was

    smudged, and her eyeliner and glitter were everywhere.

    She grumbled, ¡°Damn it! Why isn¡¯t that bitch dead yet? She should¡¯ve been run over by a car or

    something!¡±

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    She cried not only because Alyssa outmaneuvered her at the event. More damningly, Jasper caught

    her in the act of creating trouble for Alyssa. This time, she could not talk her way out of it. 1

    ¡°Exactly. Why hasn¡¯t karma caught up with her?¡± Betty cursed Alyssa alongside Zoe, but she was

    secretly gleeful about Zoe¡¯s defeat. (1

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you do anything about it? Not a word from you!¡± Zoe released her anger on Betty.

    ¡°I-I was too dumb to think of anything. You¡¯ve always been the one toe up with ideas. I¡¯m useless

    here. If I were smarter, I¡¯d have handled Alyssa myself,¡± Betty hurriedly exined.

    Between sobs, Zoe hissed, ¡°Is there no news from Abigail yet? Has she not found anything to exploit?

    That useless loser!¡±

    ¡°Stay calm. She will help us because she hates Alyssa to the bone.¡±

    Right then, Betty¡¯s phone buzzed. After checking the caller¡¯s name, she grinned evilly and waved her

    phone at Zoe. ¡°Guess who this is? It¡¯s a call from Abigail!¡±

    Zoe clenched her jaw. ¡°This time, I want Alyssa Taylor to crash! I want all her efforts to go to waste!¡±

 Chapter 381

    Chapter 381

    Vincent led Alyssa and Ada to the backstage dressing room, where they chatted and sipped

    champagne.

    After a while, Ada¡¯s manager summoned her for an important interview, leaving only Alyssa and

    Vincent

    In the room.

    ¡°It¡¯s been three years since west met. How have you been, Alyssa?¡± Vincent gave her a fatherly look,

    devoid of any romantic passion.

    ¡°Just like what you see. I¡¯m still the old me.¡± Alyssa opened her arms with a cool smile.

    ¡°You

    seem

    more worldly than three years ago. I can see in your weathered eyes that you went through a lot.

    Where did you go in the three years you vanished? Did you travel the world for inspiration?¡± Vincent

    detected a hint of mncholy in her expression and asked with genuine concern.

    ¡°Nah, I did not go traveling. I wasted three years working as a ve, and I¡¯mpletely burned out.¡±

    Alyssa let out a sigh with an empty look in her eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re as funny as before.¡± He clinked sses with her and chuckled. ¡°When do you n to reveal

    your identity as Alexa publicly? It¡¯s a pity to keep this remarkable identity under wraps.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take it a step at a time. I have other priorities now. While announcing my identity is nice, I do not

    want

    to attract trouble right now.¡±

    She scrunched up her eyes. ¡°If I n to drop my identity, I need to make sure that the move is

    meaningful

    and creates the greatest effect at the right time.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s ssic Alexa. You always maximize your gains, never allowing yourself to lose out.¡± He

    beamed at her. ¡°We¡¯re old friends now. If you run into any trouble or troublemaker, just tell me.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t Yoarkley. I¡¯m afraid your influence as a duke doesn¡¯t hold much sway here,¡± Alyssa replied

    carelessly after she grasped the meaning behind his words.

    ¡°Ms. Harper has always wanted to join the AX membership. We initially had her on our shortlist, but

    today¡¯s incident clearly shows that she is far from qualified to be our VIP member.¡±

    Still wearing a smile, he added, ¡°A few days ago, Mrs. Harper and Lucille Schmidt were appealing to

    me, hoping I¡¯d attend their charity events. I thought hard about it, but now, I have made up my mind.¡±

    Alyssa shrugged. ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy, I¡¯m fine with whatever you decide.¡±

    Her non-reply was in fact a silent approval of Vincent¡¯s decision. Anyone who wanted toy a finger on

    her, regardless of their identity, would not be spared.

    When the show was about to start, Vincent led Alyssa out of the dressing room. They didn¡¯t manage to

    get far before a cold and alluring voice stopped them.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    She started and turned around with a frown. There, she saw Jasper¡¯s silhouette approaching her. He

    wore

    a calm expression.

    Vincent came to a realization when he saw the hostile look in the eyes of the approaching man.

    Chortling,

    he whispered, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, is he a friend of yours?¡±

    ¡°My friend? No, he¡¯s not worthy of my friendship,¡± she answered with disdain despite being puzzled by

    Jasper¡¯s attendance.

    To her knowledge, Jasper was the opposite of the attention-loving Landon. Therefore, he would hate to

    attend events like this. Why did he undergo a change in attitude and attend the jewelry show?

    She concluded that he must have been here because of Betty, that dull, devious, and clingy sister of

    his.

    Jasper walked up to them, his eyes on Alyssa. He wondered aloud, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, won¡¯t you introduce

    me

    to this gentleman?¡±

    ¡°Is that even necessary? The Beckett Group is not involved in the jewelry business or any rted

    industries. I don¡¯t think you¡¯lle across Mr. Carter much,¡± Alyssa dropped any pretense and coldly

    turned him down.

    Jasper pursed his lips, but he wouldn¡¯t back down just because he was rejected. Instead, he held out

    his

    hand to Vincent. ¡°Mr. Carter, it¡¯s my pleasure to meet you.¡±

    ¡®Mr. Beckett! Nice to meet you. I was surprised that you and Ms. Alyssa knew each other.¡± Vincent

    graciously shook Jasper¡¯s hand.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Well, it doesn¡¯t seem you are close with Ms. Alyssa, then.¡± Jasper narrowed his wintry eyes.

    ¡°Otherwise,

    you would have known my rtionship to her.¡±

    Vincent frowned. He sensed that Jasper had grasped his hand tighter as if they were engaged in a

    quiet

    struggle.

    They stood there like two martial arts practitioners exchanging moves, holding out until the eventual

    explosion of tension.

    Jasper was bewildered by his own behavior. He had never been one to engage in such childish and

    anxious disys.

 Chapter 382

    Chapter 382

    Whenever Jasper saw Alyssa getting close to someone from the opposite sex, it frustrated him. He so

    badly wanted to rid her of the men.

    He sensed that he was getting weirder and more begrudged by the day. The self-control he had always

    prided himself on was nowhere to be found when he was with Alyssa.

    Alyssa was riled up upon hearing his remark. She said mockingly, ¡°Yeah, we do know each other.

    We¡¯re

    archenemies.

    ¡°Alyssa,¡± Jasper croaked. His chest tightened.

    ¡°An ex-husband shouldn¡¯t be out telling everyone about our ¡®rtionship.¡± You shouldy low and shut

    up.

    Don¡¯t you have any manners?¡±

    Her ex-husband? Vincent was shocked to learn that Alexa had been married. He hadn¡¯t heard of it,

    even as her close friend of many years. The question was, why did she marry Jasper?

    Alexa was a goddess who had better options. Why did she choose to marry a jealous fellow?

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you want to find trouble? I¡¯m fine with that. The sight of you has already pissed me off

    anyway. But I don¡¯t want to drag Mr. Carter, an important friend, into this,¡± she hissed and added. you

    still care about your reputation.¡±

    Clenching his jaw, Jasper felt gutted. His fingers dug hard into his sweaty palms.

    Alyssa seemed willing to speak up and defend any individual against him. As for him, an ex-husband

    she

    had once loved deeply, was unworthy.

    ¡°The show is about to begin. Aren¡¯t you supposed to keep your girlpany? She¡¯ll be anxious if she

    can¡¯t find you.¡± Alyssa prepared to leave with Vincent, leaving Jasper frozen on the ground.

    In a panic, Jasper seized her arm and tightened his grip.

    ¡°Hey, you have nothing to do with her if you¡¯re divorced! Please show her some respect!¡± Vincent

    intervened, only to be stopped by Alyssa.

    She urged, ¡°Vincent, they¡¯re waiting for your speech. Go ahead. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re divorced. He can¡¯t do anything to me.¡±

    Jasper felt that she had chipped away at his heart. The excruciating pain led him to hold on tighter.

    Knowing that the ex-spouses needed to sort out their issues, Vincent knew his ce and decided to

    leave. He was confident that no one would cause a scene on his turf anyway. 2

    The corridor was enveloped in a tense silence. Jasper heard the thud of his heart. He tried to hold his

    breath, but that didn¡¯t help to calm him down,

    ¡°Let go of me,¡± she hissed and struggled, showing no affection of any sort.

    ¡°I know who you were referring to just now. You meant Zoe, right?¡± He anxiously pulled her closer. She

    pressed softly against his solid frame, their breaths mingling.

    ¡°I never mentioned her name. How do you know it was Ms. Harper?¡± Her caustic eyes bore into him.

    Seems like she¡¯s still on your mind. Why else would you react so strongly, Jasper?¡±

    Alyssa deliberately mimicked Zoe¡¯s sharine tone to irk him.

    He smiled bitterly. Women could be quite difficult to argue with.

    He wa

    was more curious than angry. He wanted to know his ce in her heart and asked in a throaty voice,¡±

    Alyssa, are you jealous?¡±

    Sheughed incredulously and shook her head. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? The nerve to ask me that

    question!

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You were entangled with Liana when we were married. You jetted off to Mosgravia at Christmas to

    watch the lights with her. You even custom-ordered a one-of-a-kind jewelry for her.

    ¡°Not once did I feel a hint of jealousy after you treated me so poorly. How dare you question me on

    jealousy after our divorce? You shameless son of a bitch.¡±

 Chapter 383

    Chapter 383

    Jasper found himself standing before Alyssa, vulnerable and defenseless against her barrage of verbal

    attacks. She was right, though. He was the reason behind the shitty things she had to endure.

    ¡°Alyssa, there¡¯s nothing between me and Zoe. I only see her as a little sister!¡± His ears reddened from

    the anxiety as he struggled to make his point.

    Normally, he wouldn¡¯t bother exining himself, but he was at his wit¡¯s end this time.

    ¡°Why bother telling me? It¡¯s not my concern,¡± Alyssa snapped, her patience waning as she shot him a

    look of disdain. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about your rtionship with her, and I certainly don¡¯t want to hear

    your exnation. Let go. I¡¯m going to watch the show.¡±

    ¡°Do you not care? If so, why did you have to bring it up? You mentioned it once at the police station

    and again this time!¡± He was resentful at the misunderstanding between them. His eyes brimmed with

    tears from the upsetting situation, and his shoulders quivered.

    He added, ¡°If you care about which girl I¡¯m dating, it means you still care about me! You¡¯re not as over

    it

    as you im to be!¡±

    ¡°I do not care about you. I¡¯m simply disgusted at you, Jasper Beckett.¡± She stared intently at him and

    slowly pried his fingers from her arm.

    She added, ¡°If I had known you were flirting with your childhood sweetheart and the little sisters¡¯ of your

    friends, I would never have fallen for you in the first ce.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Now, I¡¯m grateful that I managed to escape that marriage, but it still sickens me to think that I was

    once in love with a capricious, cowardly scoundrel!¡±

    His breathing becamebored as he felt a crushing weight settled in on him. The feeling of being

    misunderstood was deeply unsettling, filling him with bitterness.

    For a moment, she was stung by the shattered look on his face. Still, she did not stay on any longer

    and

    shuffled away without looking back.

    She reminded herself, ¡°Lyse, the past is behind you. No matter how deep your grudges and affection,

    you

    shall not turn back.¡±

    Her phone suddenly rang, and it was Sean calling.

    ¡°Sean, what¡¯s the matter?¡± She pulled herself together.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, something went wrong! Check Twitter right now!¡± Sean spat out the words with urgency.

    Her expression sank as an ominous feeling closed in. She quickly opened Twitter on her phone, and

    almost immediately, her face drained of color as she cussed, ¡°Fuck!¡±

    At the top of the trending topics was the hashtag #AdaKingsleyWeddingDesignLeaks. The designs she

    and her team had painstakingly worked on were leaked online.

    Jasper, who was wallowing in depression, was shocked by Alyssa¡¯s cursing. A smile crossed his face.

    She was so much livelier after leaving him, much better than the demure andpliant woman who

    had

    stubbornly stayed by his side.

    He approached her slowly, but she suddenly sprinted to the other end of the corridor in her high heels

    and

    put a distance between them.

    Feeling that something had gone wrong, he worriedly dialed Xavier¡¯s number.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett,¡± Xavier answered the call.

    ¡°Has something happened to the KS Group?¡± Jasper questioned, guided by his sharp instincts.

    ¡°Yes, I was just about to brief you on the situation.¡±

 Chapter 384

    Chapter 384

    Sounding anxious, Xavier quickly voiced his concern, ¡°Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding site decor at KS World

    Hotel has been leaked on Twitter. It¡¯s circting and topping the trending topics.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes twitched as he inquired, ¡°Do we know which media outlet is responsible for this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a verified media ount!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re asking for trouble by leaking things they shouldn¡¯t!¡± Jasper remarked, his expression

    darkening.

    ¡°W-Will that affect Madam? Xavier inquired with worry.

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Jasper replied, his gaze still fixed on the direction Alyssa had hurried off to.

    He continued, ¡°I suspect there¡¯s a specific use in her contract with Ada Kingsley that prohibits the

    hotel from divulging any details of the wedding. A vition of the use is a breach of contract.¡±

    ¡°A breach of contract? That¡¯s serious!¡±

    ¡°Now that the site decoration has been leaked, KS World Hotel has breached the contract. Even if they

    aren¡¯t legally obligated topensate Ada, I¡¯m convinced she¡¯ll reconsider having her wedding there.

    *Regardless, KS World is out of the picture,¡± Jasper added with gloom in his eyes.

    After the entire debacle, Alyssa¡¯s hard work had gone down the drain. KS World Hotel, which was once

    celebrated, had been eliminated from thepetition.

    ¡°My goodness. Madam has always been smart and meticulous. How could she have been tricked?¡±

    Xaviermented.

    There was a gleam in Jasper¡¯s eyes as he curled his fists.

    He should have felt gleeful, considering that KS Group World and Alyssa were his rivals, but he

    couldn¡¯t

    even smile. He instructed, ¡°Xavier, look into that media and get their person in charge to exin the

    leak!¡±

    The leak of Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding venue spread like wildfire. Most people at the jewelry show learned

    about it soon, but the public would not understand the gravity of the situation.

    Some

    e even praised Ada for her grand andvish dream wedding.

    However, Ada did not even sit through the show. She discreetly left the venue with a long face without

    saying goodbye to Vincent.

    All of this didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Zoe and Betty, who were seated across from the runway.

    ¡°Abigail works pretty fast.¡± Zoe¡¯s face had a hint of cruelty that ran opposite to her angelic features. She

    knew she had gotten what she wanted when Ada stormed out of the show.

    She defeated Alyssa with strategy. Alyssa¡¯s wealth and her possession of Alexa¡¯s jewelry meant

    nothing

    now.

    ¡°Like father, like daughter. Abigail has her way of getting things done. She¡¯s Amazing Abigail.¡± Betty

    pped her hands and eximed, ¡°She got the photos of the wedding venue in no time. Is she a

    reporter

    or a spy?¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get in touch with her for now. You don¡¯t want to attract attention,¡± Zoe cautioned Betty with

    sparkling eyes, feeling proud and aplished. ¡°Betty, I¡¯ve helped you to get rid of Alyssa. Now, it¡¯s up

    to you to get Ada Kingsley¡¯s business.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat about it. After KS breached the contract, Ada will select Berenike Hotel out of anger,¡±

    Betty asserted, puffing her chest. ¡°There are no other decent hotels in Sna City apart from Berenike

    or KS.

    Ada doesn¡¯t have much of a choice.¡±

 Chapter 385

    Chapter 385

    When Alyssa heard from Vincent that Ada had left the show, she ran to the underground parking with

    Sean in search of Ada. At that moment, Ada had entered her private van with a foul expression.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    As the door rolled to a close, a pair of pale hands gripped it and slid it oper

    ¡°Madam Ada, we know you¡¯re furious at the trending topics. I feel the same because the photos have

    been leaked! KS World Hotel has no idea about the leak!¡± Alyssa spoke through heavy breaths after

    running all the way. She was sweaty,

    Ada gave her an amused look. She was a professional at keeping I

    Instead ofunching a tirade, she remarked, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I trust that you are unaware of the leak

    because we¡¯ve signed an agreement to keep it a secret and also because of your principles.

    Otherwise, you

    wouldn¡¯t have won Mr. Carter¡¯s approval.¡±

    Sean¡¯s eyes lit up upon hearing that. He misread Ada¡¯s tone, thinking there was a chance of turning

    things

    around.

    However, he was immediately disappointed when Ada added, ¡°But you have to admit that KS World

    security measures arecking. As the general manager, you bear a degree of responsibility for this.

    ¡°This time, photos of the wedding site were leaked. But what if it was a leak of the client¡¯s private data

    next ti

    The photo leaks happened all because of KS World¡¯s mismanagement. Don¡¯t you think so, Ms.

    Alyssa?¡±

    Sean thought that she had changed her attitude quite quickly. His face was flushed with anger as he

    fought the urge to clear Alyssa¡¯s name.

    He could withstand any insults or punches thrown at him but could not stand seeing Alyssa questioned

    and gossiped about. He would not want Alyssa to be unfairly treated.

    Alyssa stopped Sean and admitted to her mistake after taking a breath.

    ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, Madam Ada. As you said, some mismanagement here has opened up a loophole for

    people to sneak in and leak the decor of the wedding site. As the general manager, I cannot shift the

    me.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­¡± Sean teared up and clenched his fists in rage.

    ¡°You¡¯ve disyed more integrity than most managers by admitting your mistakes. Nevertheless, a

    breach of our agreement remains just that, regardless of the underlying reasons. I have to stick to the

    terms of our agreement and terminate our partnership with KS World Hotel. After all, what is the

    purpose of an

    With a smile, Ada gave a look at her manager, who shut the door.

    ¡°Madam Ada, please wait!¡± Alyssa retrieved a box from Sean and presented it to Ada with poise. ¡°I

    understand your decision to end your partnership with us. Still, you are a valuable friend. I have made

    the desserts you requested for. I came here today just to deliver them to you. Please have them.¡±

    Ada cast a nce at the box and, instead of immediately epting it, shemented, ¡°I appreciate

    the gesture. I¡¯ll only ept your gift when we have the opportunity to work together in the future.¡±

    Alyssa clenched her teeth as Ada¡¯s van departed.

    ¡°She¡¯s humiliating you by rejecting your gift! That¡¯s too much!¡± Sean was outraged but helpless.

    Anyway, they were wrong in the first ce.

    ¡°I understood her behavior. It¡¯s not really a humiliation because she has no reason to ept our gifts

    after the failed partnership.

    ¡°Besides, she must be stressed out by the thought of changing hotels when her wedding is around the

    corner,¡± Alyssa empathized with Ada and took a deep breath to calm herself.

    She added, ¡°Even if Ada has halted the partnership, I will not let this pass. Our priority is to find out the

    person who messes with us and the rat within.¡±

    ¡°The rat?¡± Sean¡¯s eyes bulged in shock. He whispered, ¡°Are you suspecting internal sabotage? Isn¡¯t it

    all

    Betty Beckett¡¯s doing?¡±

    ¡°Even if Betty Beckett were behind this, she wouldn¡¯t have seeded without help from someone

    within

    To resolve this issue, we need to address our internal matters.¡±

 Chapter 386

    Chapter 386

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes clouded over as she smirked. ¡°Interesting. They are testing my limits. They won¡¯t learn

    their

    lessons if I don¡¯t put them in their ce.¡±

    The setback didn¡¯t demotivate her. Losing an important client was not the focus right now. She needed

    to

    find out the mole in the hotel or risk losing more.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, what should we do with the box of desserts?¡± Sean appeared upset.

    She decisively tossed the box into the trashcan and walked away without a second nce. She

    reasoned,

    ¡°A gift is only meaningful if the recipient epts it. Now, it¡¯s just trash. I never reim what I¡¯ve given to

    others. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    A tall and hunky figure emerged from the shadows when the two left. Jasper¡¯s eyes flickered as he

    stared

    at Alyssa.

    *It looks like Madam will be busy hunting down the mole! It¡¯s no easy task.¡± Xavier sighed.

    Jasper wordlessly walked to the trashcan and picked up the box without concern about hygiene.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, s-stop! It¡¯s dirty!¡± Even the adaptable Xavier was grossed out by the scene. Never had

    Jasper

    lowered himself to the point of picking out trash discarded by Alyssa.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I did the same thing when I was a kid,¡± Jasper mumbled, feeling a touch of warmth at the

    memory of Alyssa carefully crafting the pastries.

    He said to Xavier, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    The first thing Alyssa did at KS World Hotel was to convene the senior management and the wedding

    nning team to the meeting room for an emergency meeting.

    The attendees were outraged and disheartened upon hearing the cancetion of Ada Kingsley¡¯s

    wedding

    event. Some even broke down in tears after their efforts went down the drain.

    Alyssa shared in their pain. Putting aside her personal feelings about the failed partnership, she was

    more

    worried about letting down her colleagues than anything else.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. This isn¡¯t a big deal, and we can handle it. Just carry on with your work as usual, and don¡¯t

    dwell on it,¡± Alyssa reassured them with a wide smile. ¡°And please, don¡¯t fret about the trips you were

    promised. Those are still happening. I don¡¯t want to see anyone upset over this-it¡¯s not worth it.¡±

    Surprisingly, everyone collectively volunteered to cancel their break to work and make up for the loss.

    When everyone left the meeting, Sean closed the door after checking that no one was out there.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, why didn¡¯t you mention the mole in the meeting?¡± He frowned puzzledly. ¡°If you put

    pressure

    on them, I could catch their expressions. We might find out who the mole is.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. You¡¯re naive.¡± She rested her hand on the leather armrest and swiveled her chair. ¡°The news has

    already spread. The culprit must have expected me to bring it up in the meeting. But I chose not to. I

    even

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    pretended not to care, just to unsettle them.¡±

    Sean was amused by Alyssa¡¯s unconventional ideas.

    *Since the leak has happened, there is no point pressuring the culprit. They have gotten what they

    wanted.

    A cunning gleam sparkled in her eyes. ¡°We need to trick them into putting down their guard, thinking

    that

    the storm has passed. Then, we¡¯ll set the bait.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯ll check the surveince footage for any suspects near the wedding venue. I¡¯ll also investigate the

    ount that leaked the photos to gather some information on the leaker!¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. ¡°Sure. Go.¡±

 Chapter 387

    Chapter 387

    The following day, Xavier hurriedly knocked on Jasper¡¯s office door at the Beckett Group, announcing.¡±

    Mr. Beckett, you wanted me to look into-Argh!¡±

    Xavier trailed off with a scream. It was toote to stop Jasper, who was seated on the table and

    casually lifting a pastry out of the dirty box.

    With a satisfied crunch, Jasper took a massive bite of the pastry and scrunched up his eyes in

    enjoyment.

    ¡°Oh god! How could you eat the food you picked from the trashcan?¡± Xavier warned him.

    ¡°Only the box is dirty. The pastries are fine,¡± Jasper replied nonchntly as he took another bite.

    The pastries tasted delightful, but too bad they weren¡¯t for him.

    Bitterness welled up inside him. He had once been dismissive of Alyssa¡¯s daily efforts in crafting these

    desserts. Now, he found himself rummaging through the trash can just to get a taste. How did he get to

    this point?

    ¡°Go ahead. How¡¯s the investigation?¡± Jasper put away the remaining pastries and questioned leisurely.

    ¡°Ahem. After using both carrots and sticks, the owner of the verified ount offered up an important

    clue!

    ¡°Don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡±

    ¡°He said he received the photos of the wedding venue through an anonymous message. He imed he

    was only a messenger who had no idea about the leaker.¡±

    ¡°How did you spend your free time?¡± Jasper looked up coldly.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Xavier was taken aback.

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to have made any progress. All you¡¯ve managed to gather is nonsense,¡± Jasper

    chastised

    him, ¡°Is this the clue you¡¯ve got? You haven¡¯t even figured out the culprit. I think we should give out

    your

    bonus to those who need it more.¡±

    ¡°Hold on! I have received the ount of the leaker, but I didn¡¯t have time to look into it because I¡¯m

    here

    reporting to you! I¡¯ll work on it now!¡± Xavier paled at the threat of a bonus deduction as he was saving

    up.

    ¡°Give me that ount. I¡¯ll handle it myself,¡± Jasper beckoned.

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s not a big deal. You don¡¯t have to-¡±

    Surprisingly, everyone collectively volunteered to cancel their break to work and make up for the loss.

    When everyone left the meeting, Sean closed the door after checking that no one was out there.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, why didn¡¯t you mention the mole in the meeting?¡± He frowned puzzledly. ¡°If you put

    pressure on them, I could catch their expressions. We might find out who the mole is.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. You¡¯re naive.¡± She rested her hand on the leather armrest and swiveled her chair. ¡°The news has

    already spread. The culprit must have expected me to bring it up in the meeting. But I chose not to. I

    even pretended not to care, just to unsettle them.¡±

    Sean was amused by Alyssa¡¯s unconventional ideas.

    ey wanted.

    ¡°Since the leak has happened, there is no point pressuring the culprit. They have gotten what they

    A cunning gleam sparkled in her eyes. ¡°We need to trick them into putting down their guard, thinking

    that the storm has passed. Then, we¡¯ll set the bait.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll check the surveince footage for any suspects near the wedding venue. I¡¯ll also investigate the

    ount that leaked the photos to gather some information on the leaker!¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. ¡°Sure. Go.¡±

 Chapter 388

    Chapter 388

    Xavier fell silent once more.

    Jasper took a deep breath and lowered his gaze. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to her, little by little.¡±

    Jonah and Ss rushed to Alyssa¡¯s private vi that night when they heard of her business setback.

    Ss was drenched in sweat as he sat in the study. His fingers typed furiously on the keyboard to track.

    down the user information from the leaker¡¯s ount that Alyssa gave her.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa lounged on the couch and clinked sses with Jonah, savoring the high-quality red

    wine he had brought along.

    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s too much!¡± Mouth dry, Ss protested, ¡°Am I here at night to work for free? Look at you,

    drinking wine and enjoying life. Is this how you treat a prosecutor?¡±

    Ss realized they showed no sympathy, so he added meekly, ¡°Please save some for me.¡±

    ¡°Ss, stay focused on your work. If you seed, I¡¯ll reward you with everything from

    Alyssa quipped.

    my wine cer,¡±

    ¡°Hmph! I am a moral and principled civil servant. You¡¯d better not attempt to bribe me!¡± He then

    returned

    to typing on the keyboard.

    Jonah interjected, ¡°Alyssa, Dad has heard about what happened.¡±

    ¡°Winston¡¯s always the first to learn about all the bad news, huh? Is heughing at me behind my back?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s mood soured, and she lost interest in the good wine. She folded her legs and pouted gloomily.

    ¡°He did indeed have a goodugh at your expense,¡± Jonah remarked with a scoff as he yfully

    pinched

    her puffed cheeks. ¡°He said, word for word, What¡¯s the point of getting upset over nothing? Doesn¡¯t she

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    have anyone else to care about?¡±

    Alyssa was left speechless. Jonah added, ¡°By the way, Dad said Ada Kingsley is filming the eighth

    installment of The Deadly March. The production team finally reached him through some connections

    and invited him to invest in the film.¡±

    Jonah leaned forward with a cryptic grin. ¡°Dad told me this in private. If you¡¯re still upset, he can always

    request that they rece the lead actress in the film.¡±

    She gasped when she learned that Winston had connections in Hollywood. He was pretty well-

    connected,

    ¡°That¡¯s unnecessary. We were the ones who breached the agreement. Ada Kingsley is not to me.

    There¡¯s no reason to ruin her life.¡± Alyssa sighed with lingering frustration.

    She added, ¡°Furthermore, I¡¯m running my own business. I can¡¯t turn to my family for help every time

    something goes wrong.¡±

    ¡°After that scandal, the only thing that will bring me peace is finding out who betrayed me and making

    them pay,¡± she dered.

    ¡°Good. An eye for an eye. You¡¯re a Taylor.¡± Jonah smiled proudly and caressed her hair.

    Alyssa was allowed to do anything she wanted. If anything went awry, her brothers would take care of

    the

    fallout.

    Just then, her phone vibrated on the coffee table. She widened her eyes when she saw Jasper¡¯s name

    on

    the screen out of the corner of her eye.

    ¡°Ah, a call from your ex-husband,¡± Jonah teased with a grin.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s like a scene out of The Ring.¡± Alyssa replied, turning her phone screen down, determined to

    ignore Jasper.

    Suddenly, Sean burst through the door with a frown and eximed, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Jasper Beckett is

    here!

    He¡¯s right outside!¡±

    The doorbell echoed in the vi at the same time.

 Chapter 389

    Chapter 389

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not ¡®The Ring¡¯ anymore. It¡¯s straight up some ¡®Insidious¡¯ shit.¡± Jonah took a sip of the red

    wine,

    still in the mood for a joke.

    With him and Ss around, Jasper wouldn¡¯t dare pull anything-unless he wanted to be crucified.

    ¡°Is that bastard knocking on your door? Screw him! Grab your weapons!¡± Ss cursed but continued to

    type away on the keyboard, his eyes glued to the screen.

    ¡°What weapon? Your keyboard, you mean?¡± She shook her head and rose with a frustrated

    expression. He¡¯se for me, so I¡¯ll be the one to show him the door. I¡¯ll go downstairs and check out

    the situation.¡±

    She went to the entrance alone and pressed the inte button. Jasper¡¯s indifference immediately

    showed up on the screen.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Her eyes held no emotion, as though she was staring at aplete stranger.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t there other ces to visit in Sna City? Why do you keeping to my ce?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa,e out. Let¡¯s talk,¡± he said, brushing off her taunt.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t we talk here? I can see and hear you perfectly well.¡±

    His throat tightened, and he let out a heavy sigh. Alyssa was like the embodiment of an evil witch.

    ¡°Stop throwing a tantrum. Come out. I need to talk to you.¡±

    ¡°A tantrum? I was trying to shoo you. Can¡¯t you tell?¡± she snickered.

    ¡°Juste out. I really want to see you.¡± His eyes glimmered under the dim lights, and his voice was

    loaded with emotions. He had shed all his pride and ego and blurted out everything from his heart.

    He¡¯d like to see her.

    Hearing that, she felt a squeeze in her heart. Blood rushed through her veins as she took a step back.

    A long pauseter, she took a deep breath and sneered. She might have cried tears of joy if he had

    said that to her in the past. She¡¯d have done anything just to hear him say it.

    However, his confession had arrived toote. Getting tangled up in a stale rtionship would only

    diminish her worth.

    ¡°The adult world is harsh. You don¡¯t always get your way.¡± She tilted her head with a jeer that sent a

    shiver down his spine. ¡°I¡¯ve learned that during our three years together.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa¡­¡± He felt a lump in his throat and a violent tremor in his body.

    ¡°It probably won¡¯t rain tonight,¡± she observed, her gaze shifting to the moon. ¡°Thest time I met you.

    outside, I was worried you might be struck by lightning. Tonight, don¡¯t expect me to meet you out there.

    Just leave.¡±

    The

    The inte screen went dark.

    He stood at the gates nkly, enveloped in thete fall chill that seeped into his bones.

    Alyssa dragged herself upstairs with heavy footsteps. She was perplexed by the change in her

    heartless ex -husband, who now ran to her house and begged to see her after the divorce. He was

    thick-skinned.

    What else could they talk about? He had had three years¡¯ worth of time to speak to her, but he chose to

    throw her in the spacious vi, ignoring her presence.

    She had wasted three precious years of her life on him and was determined not to repeat the same

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    mistake.

    When she entered the study, Sean immediately inquired, ¡°How did it go? Did he cause you any

    trouble?¡±

    ¡°As if he would dare,¡± she replied, wrapping her arms around Jonah¡¯s neck.

    ¡°How about you? Did you give him trouble?¡± Jonah smiled.

    ¡°Oh. Nope.¡±

    ¡°What a missed opportunity.¡± Jonah caressed her cheek and joked. ¡°You should have beaten him into

    pulp, especially with me here.¡±

    She was dumbfounded. ¡°Jonah, I appreciate the thought, but a believer like you should advocate for

    peaceful solutions.¡±

    ¡°Lyse! I got it! Quick, open a bottle of the most expensive red wine to reward me!¡± Ss raised his

    hands

    triumphantly and squealed.

    ¡°Sean, bring Ss the best red from the cer.¡± Alyssa looked happier. She rested her left hand on

    Ss¡¯

    shoulder, her right hand on the table. She stared at the screen and questioned, ¡°Who¡¯s our leaker?¡±

    ¡°This is her verified ount!¡± Ss pointed at the screen. ¡°She¡¯s a social news reporter at E! News

    Daily.

    Abigail Grant is the name. She shares the same IP address as the alternate ount!¡±

 Chapter 390

    Chapter 390

    ¡°Good job, Ss, although it was a little slow,¡± Alyssaplimented him merrily.

    ¡°This is pretty speedy, alright? Why didn¡¯t you get Axel to work on this? He¡¯s best at everything illegal.

    Got to find the right person for the job.¡±

    ¡°I reached out to Axel a few days ago

    but he¡¯s on an important mission. I don¡¯t want to take up his time.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re pretty good at hacking-almost at Axel¡¯s level. You¡¯d have settled this yesterday if you had

    worked on it,¡± Jonah expressed his puzzlement.

    She merely yawned and exined, ¡°I¡¯mzy.¡±

    Ss was dumbstruck after learning that he had been used.

    Alyssa looked through the Twitter ount he found and smirked. ¡°A reporter with a strong sense of

    justice, isn¡¯t she? Instead of reporting on her own news, she goes ahead and leaks the photos of the

    wedding site at my hotel, sticking her nose into other people¡¯s business.¡±

    ¡°Are you saying that someone¡¯s behind her actions?¡± Jonah wondered.

    ¡°No. She wasn¡¯t working under orders or getting paid for it because a reporter has her principles. She

    wouldn¡¯t be involved in entertainment news if she primarily covers social news.¡±

    Alyssa stared intently at Abigail¡¯s name and mumbled, ¡°Abigail Grant. Abigail Grant¡­ Why does that

    name sound familiar?¡±

    She was struck by a realization and screamed, ¡°I know who she is! She¡¯s Michael Grant¡¯s daughter!¡±

    ¡°And who is he?¡± Ss asked nkly.

    ¡°Is he the ex-assistant manager whom you fired and sent behind bars?¡± Jonah raised a brow in

    amusement.

    ¡°Yes! She¡¯s his daughter!¡± she confirmed. Thanks to her sharp memory, she recalled the information

    about

    Abigail Grant she had once read, which helped to connect the dots.

    ¡°I can see now why she might have had a motive for leaking the news.¡±

    ¡°Same here. You sent her dad to prison. She was nice enough not to make you a social news

    headline.¡±

    Ss nodded sternly.

    ¡°He¡¯s a corrupted man. Why would I keep him around?¡± She lifted her chin proudly and argued, ¡°He¡¯s

    the

    one in the wrong, not me.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°If she¡¯s a good daughter, she should visit him more, not take revenge against me to make herself feel

    better. Why do I have to be responsible for her dad¡¯s crime? It¡¯s ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ve checked the surveince footage. Our team members took turns monitoring the setup,

    and the workers surrendered their phones when they worked. No one else could have essed the

    site.¡± His eyes darkened as he stated, ¡°It appears someone from our team sold us out to Abigail Grant.¡±

    Judging from Abigail¡¯s good looks, Alyssa ventured a bold guess and instructed, ¡°Sean, keep an eye on

    everyone in the team, especially the men. Monitor their movements discreetly around the clock. Notify

    me anyone is in contact with Abigail,¡±

    ht away if

    *Lyse, why did you specify the gender?¡± Jonah questioned.

    ¡°That¡¯s because men are tuned to lust!¡± She scoffed, harboring a bias against all men after her divorce.

    ¡°Except me,¡± Jonah quipped.

    ¡°Except me.¡± Ss chimed in.

    Sean raised his hand to protest as well.

    ¡°I know you guys are decent men. You don¡¯t have to defend yourself.¡± Shezily stretched and

    remarked, You can¡¯t be any worse than the one waiting at the gates, right?¡±

    As the investigation stretched into the night, Jonah and Ss spent the night in the guest rooms

    arranged hv Alyssa

    nas

    Days of exhaustion had finally caught up with Alyssa. After a shower, she was out like a light as soon

    as her head hit the pillow.

    A sudden sh of lightning tore through the darkened sky at midnight, jolting her from her sleep. She

    usually slept soundly but was surprisingly woken up by thunder. She struggled to fall asleep after that.

    She woke up and draped a silk night robe on her silk maroon nightdress. She put on her velvety red

    slippers, ready to get some water.

    Outside, the winds were howling, and the thunder was pping. She quietly stood by the windows in

    the

    corridor with a mug of water in Her hands.

    She remembered sitting in her mother¡¯s warm embrace, nestled in a rocking chair by the window on

    rainy

    nights. They would gaze out of the windows, lost in their own thoughts. She mumbled, ¡°It was a stormy

    night when Mom left that ce.¡±

    But where? She couldn¡¯t remember.

    Thunder roared again in the sky. Through the sh of lightning, she spotted Jasper standing steadfast

    at the vi¡¯s gates, staring up at the windows of her bedroom. He remained unmoving as the tempest

    raged

 Chapter 391

    Chapter 391

    Why was Jasper still out there? What was he trying to get at?

    Was that an attempt at winning her sympathy? Alyssa would never fall for such an off-putting move!

    Fueled by anger, she stormed into her bedroom, only toe to an abrupt halt.

    The rain in fall was not as mild as the summer showers. In Sna City, the nighttime temperatures

    during fall could plummet below freezing.

    She pondered. Jasper had been standing out there for hours in a thin outfit. If he stayed put¡­

    It¡¯d be a huge hassle to deal with the police if he dropped dead at her gates!

    At the thought, she hurried back to her room and dialed his number. She was dismayed to learn that his

    phone was turned off.

    She waspletely baffled by his move. She might not have felt sympathy for him, but her curiosity

    got the better of her. Hence, she left the vi with arge ck umbre.

    Jasper had been standing in hunger and the rain for too long. He even momentarily mistook Alyssa¡¯s

    petite figure as an illusion.

    He was taken aback and touched when she came to a halt right in front of him. She schooled him in a

    shrill

    voice, ¡°What on earth are you doing? Are you ever going to stop?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you cold in that nightdress?¡± He was as indifferent as usual. He shakingly attempted to unbutton

    his jacket to drape over her, only to realize that he waspletely drenched. He stopped himself in

    awkwardness.

    ¡°Why did you switch off your phone?¡± she demanded to know.

    ¡°It ran out of battery,¡± he replied honestly, much like a man who had been reprimanded by his wife.

    Jasper was oddlyforted by the tone of her voice. Indeed, he was just like the average man, who

    loved being yelled at and put in their ce.

    ¡°Did you really n to stand here all night if I hadn¡¯te to meet you?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I needed to talk to you.¡±

    Sheughed at the absurdity of it. ¡°Why do you always make me look down on you? Do you have

    anything else up your sleeve apart from trying to earn pity? You are the president of Beckett Group, not

    some street

    hooligan!¡± t

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what method I use as long as I get to see you.¡± His voice carried a chilly edge, but his eyes

    sparkled with intensity.

    Her chest heaved as she took deep breaths, a sight that tempted him. Yet, he managed to restrain his

    desires, owing to his unwavering moralpass and the strict discipline Instilled in him during his days

    at military school.

    ¡°Did you have a good sleep tonight?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I remember you always slept through the night.¡±

    Feeling a rush of emotions, she clenched harder on the umbre. When they were first married, they

    shared a bed for about six months.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    He always had his back turned to her when they slept together. The distance between them felt as vast

    as the oceans.

    She knew that Jasper was a light sleeper, but she was more surprised that he had observed her sleep

    patterns.

    ¡°I thought you had something to discuss? Spit it out. It¡¯s freaking cold out here.¡± She shivered.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the car.¡± He took her umbre, swiftly opened the car door, and guided her inside.

    The air in the car was damp. She finally noticed his lips quivering under the dim light. His hand, resting

    on his knee, had turned slightly purple from the cold.

    She pressed her lips together, and to her surprise, he produced a nket and wrapped it around her.

    ¡°I found the culprit behind the leak. She¡¯s Abigail Grant, the daughter of Michael Grant. You probably

    know what¡¯s going on by now. That was her attempt to seek revenge for her father.¡±

    She looked up with surprise. ¡°Is this the reason you came to meet me? To tell me about this?¡±

    ¡°Partly.¡± His voice trembled. ¡°I also wanted to check if you were

    doing okay after all that happened.¡±

 Chapter 392

    Chapter 392

    As Alyssa was no longer in love with Jasper, she shed off any pretense of a demuredy and doubled

    over inughter.

    ¡°Why would I be upset over nothing? I¡¯m a Taylor. It¡¯s hard to faze me. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve

    underestimated me?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Jasper looked d.

    ¡°Why did youe all this way to tell me that? Alyssa wondered, never once considering that he might

    have done so out of love for her.

    After all, he had had many chances to fall for her in the three years of marriage. It didn¡¯t make sense

    for him to suddenly develop feelings now. That would be a ridiculously dyed response.

    ¡°Alyssa, at the end of the day, I am indebted to you. Ours might have been a paper marriage, but that

    was no excuse for my poor treatment of you,¡± he tried to exin his behavior. ¡°So, if there¡¯s a chance,

    I¡¯d like to make it up to you.¡±

    ¡®Make it up to me? Sure.¡± She cast him an indifferent nce. ¡°How about you promise to keep out of

    my sight and stay out of my business? That¡¯s all.¡±

    He furrowed his brows, feeling like a sharp knife had pierced his gut.

    She shook off the nket and smirked. ¡°Never mention making it up to me again. I¡¯d prefer it if you said

    you were doing so to thwart Betty.¡±

    Jasper felt hollow inside as he watched her dash back to the vi in the rain. Deep down, he clung to

    the hope that she might still have feelings for him.

    It felt unfair, but he was helpless.

    Was this how she had felt throughout, their loveless marriage?

    When Alyssa was back at the vi, she pressed her back against the door and took a deep breath to

    calm

    her emotions.

    The distant roar of an engine outside signaled that Jasper had finally left. She wandered back to her

    bed

    and looked out of the window.

    Suddenly, a warm hand rested on her shoulder, sending a jolt of panic coursing through her veins. She

    wore a bitter smile when she turned around and saw who it was.

    Sheined, ¡°Jonah, it¡¯s in the middle of the night. You made me jump. Why were you moving

    around like a ghost?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t particrly stealthy. You were just lost in thought, staring out the window.¡± Jonah let out a sigh

    and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Together, they turned their attention outside.

    ¡°Has he left?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Sorry for waking you up.¡± She lowered her gaze sheepishly and leaned against his broad

    shoulders. ¡°Just now, he dropped by to tell me that he found out about Abigail Grant.¡±

    ¡°Was that all?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    The two siblings fell into a shared, unspoken silence.

    Jonah broke the silence after a while and pinched her shoulder with a smile. ¡°What if Jasper had fallen

    for you-¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Jonah!¡± she yfully scolded him with a frown.

    ¡°It¡¯s a hypothetical question. Would you give him a second chance if he were willing to make sacrifices

    because he had fallen for you?¡± Jonah inquired while staring squarely at her. ¡°He was the man you

    spent your youth on.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Bitterness seeped into her words. ¡°Jonah, forgiveness and second chances are no longer my

    concern. I am simply fearful of a rtionship.

    ¡°I¡¯ve dwelled in disappointment and anticipation for far too long. I¡¯d rather not emotionally invest in a

    man

    anymore.

    *I am tired of waiting for him through the night, making his meals, and never receiving a word of

    appreciation. That¡¯s tiring, Jonah. I won¡¯t repeat the same mistake.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Jasper has no right to feel remorseful after all the heartless things he put you through.¡±

    Jonah grasped her cold hand and sighed in pain. ¡°He does not deserve you. Let him live in regret

    forever.¡±

 Chapter 393

    Chapter 393

    The day after the KS World Hotel scandal, Betty dressed up nicely to meet with Ada at the presidential

    suite of Berenike Hotel.

    It was clear to her that Betty fell short inparison to Alyssa in terms of fashion sense, ss, and

    eloquence.

    In ordi

    ordinary circumstances, Ada would never have considered associating with such a superficial person

    were it not for the fact that Betty was a Beckett.

    ¡°Madam Ada, KS World¡¯s contractual breach has led to the postponement of your wedding. Even I was

    worried when I heard the news. Their handling of the situation was amateur and careless.

    ¡°It was highly unprofessional of them to expose client¡¯s information online. This case will no doubt be

    the perfect cautionary tale in the industry.¡± Betty indignantly bashed KS World Hotel, oblivious to the

    sullen look on Ada¡¯s face.

    She went on, ¡°Had you chosen Berenike Hotel, you wouldn¡¯t have gotten into this mess.¡±

    ¡°Are

    you implying that I was bad at decisions?¡± confronted Ada, who took a sip of the ck tea in

    amusement.

    Betty¡¯s face froze. She stammered, ¡°I-I didn¡¯t mean that.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Beckett, I¡¯d like you to know that the termination of my partnership with KS World Hotel does not

    mean I¡¯ll choose Berenike Hotel.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is an excellent manager. Perhaps there were some untold issues behind their breach of

    contract. Who knows? Theirpetitors might have framed them.¡±

    Betty was stung by Ada¡¯s casual remark because of her guilt.

    ¡°B-But didn¡¯t you terminate the contract with KS World Hotel?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because we needed to honor the terms of the contract.¡± Ada snickered and added, ¡°There¡¯s a

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°I believe you¡¯re familiar with it due to your excellent upbringing. Moreover, there is no reason for the

    prestigious Beckett Group to put others down just to uplift itself.¡±

    Betty¡¯s

    expression stiffened at Ada¡¯s jab, and she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

    She had initially thought that Alyssa and Ada¡¯s rtionship had soured due to the photo leak. To her

    ¡°Madam Ada, there isn¡¯t enough time before your wedding to switch hotels and restart the nning.¡±

    Betty realized that she might have been overly confident and quickly put on a humble attitude.

    She advised, ¡°If you choose the Berenike Hotel, we will not postpone the wedding. We will set up the

    wedding venue right away and ensure everything ispleted on schedule.¡±

    ¡°I can work with the Beckett Group, but on one condition,¡± replied Ada. She tossed her short hair

    absent- mindedly. ¡°I want Mr. Beckett to liaise with me through the process. He¡¯s the only one I trust at

    thepany.¡±

    Betty stormed out of the hotel in a fit of anger.

    She felt deeply humiliated by Ada¡¯s unwavering trust in Jasper. She wished she could shake Ada by

    the shoulders to snap her out of whatever spell Alyssa had cast on her. Why else would Ada continue

    to defy

    her?

    Betty called her mother, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Mom! What should I do now?¡±

    ¡°Does that actress really think she¡¯s the queen because she¡¯s having a wedding? How dare she

    dismiss my daughter? I hope her marriage falls apart. Sophia was outraged.

    Her voice turned icy as she continued, ¡°Go beg your dad to put some pressure on that bitch for now.

    Javier will step in to protect the hotel¡¯s interest.¡±

    Taking Sophia¡¯s orders, Betty rushed to the Beckett Group building. In the chairman¡¯s office, she

    sobbed

    on Javier¡¯s shoulders about the cold treatment she received from Ada.

    ¡°Betty, you¡¯re too naive and sheltered to understand the harshness of the world.¡± Javier massaged her

    neck, feeling sorry for his beloved daughter.

    He advised, ¡°You are still a little tactless because you¡¯ve just started the job. Take this as a lesson.

    Remember, your facial expression and the look in your eyes are a reflection of your inner thoughts.¡±

 Chapter 394

    Chapter 394

    ¡°You cannot allow the others to read your mind through your actions. It¡¯s a risky behavior, Javier

    cautioned Betty.

    ¡°Got it, Dad.¡±

    Then, Javier made a video call to Jasper. Jasper¡¯s stoic face appeared on the screen.

    Seeing that, Betty clung tighter onto Javier¡¯s arm in an attempt to put on the act of a loving family.

    Jasper ignored her and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Your sister has secured the partnership with Ada Kingsley. We just need you to formalize the

    agreement,¡± Javier instructed him. ¡®Meet her as soon as you can and close the deal.¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    volle

    .

    ¡°You won¡¯t need me at all if Ada is on board, Jasper answered with a smirk. ¡°Congrattions in

    advance, Betty. You¡¯ve won a project from Alyssa that will surely help your career.

    woman,

    ¡°As you are a capable I will leave the contract signing to you, I wouldn¡¯t want to steal your thunder.¡±

    Betty smoldered in anger, but without Jasper¡¯s help, she could not resolve the awkward situation with

    Ada.

    ¡°Jasper, Betty is your little sister. She¡¯s done her best to move the deal to this stage. Can¡¯t you lend her

    a helping hand?¡± Javier hissed, anger burning in his eyes

    ¡°She is responsible for the oue of this partnership. There is no free lunch in this world. How can

    you expect me to do the dirty work while she takes all the credit?¡±

    Javier wastled when Jasper talked back to him. He bellowed, ¡°Jasper Beckett!¡±

    ¡°If you

    want to get this done, why don¡¯t you speak to Ada in person? I believe that handling a celebrity is a

    piece of cake for the group¡¯s chairman.¡± With that, Jasper hung up on him.

    The Harpers were in trouble as well. Penelope Miller had been inpetition against Lucille Schmidt in

    hosting a jewelry charity auction.

    She had almost closed the discussions with Vincent¡¯s team, only to receive the disheartening news

    yesterday that Vincent had decided to coborate with the Schmidts instead.

    Crushed, Penelope sank into a foul mood after her previous efforts went down the drain.

    Zoe felt a growing resentment as she watched her mother struggle. She knew the reason behind

    Vincent¡¯s sudden change of mind. It was a deliberate move to avenge Alyssa.

    Zoe retired to her room, where she paced back and forth with rage. Feeling utterly powerless, che

    decided to reach out to her fair-weather friend Betty.

    She said, ¡°Hey, Betty, I¡¯m in a terrible mood today. How about joining me tonight at Landon¡¯s nightclub

    for a party? Let¡¯s have a few drinks.¡±

    ¡°Ugh! Zoe, drop it. I¡¯m down in the dumps as well,¡± Betty groaned and shared with Zoe the trouble with

    Ada. ¡°We might have foiled Ada and Alyssa¡¯s partnership, but I didn¡¯t get anything out of it. It¡¯s

    frustrating!

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. Ada might be too proud to admit that she had made a mistake. She¡¯lle

    around in a few days,¡± Zoe replied.

    Zoe wandered into her dressing room and browsed through the branded items in her wardrobe. She

    asked casually. ¡°So many things have been happeningtely, and it¡¯s all getting to me. Betty, can you

    help me take my mind off things in any way?¡±

    Betty was taken aback by the request. It didn¡¯t take long for her to understand the meaning behind

    Zoe¡¯s words. She grinned and assured her friend, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure you have the time of your

    life tonight!¡±

 Chapter 395

    Chapter 395

    After escaping from Landon that night, Lauren found herself unable to sleep. Upon returning home, she

    discovered her injuries.

    She had a severe scrape on her elbow that was bleeding and oozing pus. The stinging pain brought

    tears to her eyes.

    As she had hurt herself after sneaking out, she kept quiet about her wounds and quickly tended to her

    injuries with whatever was avable in the first aid kit.

    Then, she snuggled with her teddy bear under the covers, but that didn¡¯t help. She ended up tossing

    and turning throughout the night.

    Between sleep and consciousness, a flood of memories inundated her mind.

    She remembered the degrading experience of being forced to eat lunch in a squalid restroom. She also

    remembered the humiliating incident of being dunked headfirst into a trashcan by a male student under

    Zoe¡¯smand.

    She recalled the shocking discovery of a dead rat hidden in her bag and her cherished novel torn into

    shreds by Zoe¡¯s cruel hands.

    And then there was the harrowing memory of the music room piano. It was a nightmarish episode that

    would haunt her forever.

    Zoe Harper. Landon Harper. She reyed the names in her mind. Did that mean Zoe was Landon¡¯s

    younger sister?

    She clutched the nket tightly, tears streaming down her face as she quietly sobbed until the break of

    dawn.

    Despite Lauren¡¯s psychological and developmental struggles, she wasn¡¯t thoughtless or naive. Even

    after

    discovering that Zoe was Landon¡¯s little sister, she remained grateful to Landon for saving her from a

    potentially fatal car crash.

    That afternoon, Lauren sneaked into the kitchen and made a blueberry mousse cake using an online

    recipe. She nned to have Jasper deliver her token of appreciation to Landon.

    After the cake was ready, she refrigerated it and dusted her hands off. Then, she returned to her

    bedroom.

    Upon opening the door, her expression froze as she stumbled backward. There, Betty sat in a chair,

    legs

    crossed and arms folded, wearing an evil smile.

    Lauren went numb.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you greet your sister?¡± Betty flicked her newly manicured nails and sneered, ¡°You¡¯re just

    dumb, not mute, you know.¡±

    ¡°B-Betty¡­¡± Lauren mumbled in a hushed voice.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you out for some fun. How does that sound?¡± Betty beamed at her.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t really know how to have fun. You¡¯ll probably find me boring.¡± Lauren replied, her

    head hanging low.

    ¡°Are you sure? Tsk. Fine.¡± Betty slowly rose from her chair, a hint of a smirk in her eyes. ¡°I thought we

    could strengthen our sisterhood, but I won¡¯t force you if you¡¯re not up for it.¡±

    Then, Betty left the room with her arms behind her.

    With that, Betty left the room, her hands behind her back.

    Lauren let out a long sigh and dragged herself into the room. Suddenly, she rushed to her headboard in

    shock, frantically searching through the carefully made bed, tossing the nkets and pillows aside.

    No matter how hard she looked, she failed to find her treasured teddy bear, a gift from Alyssa.

    ¡°Teddy¡­ My teddy bear¡­ Betty!¡± Lauren knew all too well that Betty wouldn¡¯t have entered her room

    without a reason. She concluded that Betty must have taken the bear.

    the entrance, she

    Drenched in sweat, Lauren stumbled out of the door and hurried to the first floor. At the

    found Betty seated gracefully in the car. The butler promptly closed the car door behind Betty.

    ¡°Give it back! Give my teddy back!¡± Lauren yelled and ran in Betty¡¯s direction. Betty rolled down the car

    window and made a face at the sweaty Lauren.

    She then taunted Lauren further by waving the teddy bear in her direction before instructing the

    chauffeur,

    ¡°Leave now.¡±

    The engine roared to life, and the car began to move away, slowly disappearing into the horizon as

    Lauren

    helplessly cried out, ¡°Betty, give it back! Give me my teddy bear!¡±

    Her desperate pleas and tears were in vain. She felt like a mother whose child had been taken from

    her.

    Even the butler couldn¡¯t help but sympathize with her.

    ¡°Get the car ready!¡± She glowered at the butler. For the first time in her life, she gave orders to the

    household staff like an owner.

    ¡°But, Ms. Lauren, Madam Sophia doesn¡¯t allow you to leave without permission¡­¡± The butler hesitated.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

 Chapter 396

    Chapter 396

    ¡°I¡¯m Ms. Lauren, the daughter of Javier Beckett. Why do you listen to Betty but not me? Go, now!*

    Lauren growled.

    The butler scurried off to get her a car with a sullen look.

    The city shimmered with the glow of night lights. In a luxury lounge in ACE, Zoe and a few rich kids in

    Sna City drank alcohol and smoked. She looked more like a female gangster than a youngdy from

    an esteemed family.

    Zoe went to Yoarkley for her studies after graduating junior high. She didn¡¯t have many friends left in

    Sna City,

    Thedies and gents that night were from the same social cli to bully Lauren,

    ¡°How¡¯s Lauren these days? I haven¡¯t seen her since we graduated

    profile for a Beckett?¡± someone wondered aloud.

    in her junior high ss and herckeys

    Isn¡¯t she keeping an unusually low

    Another gossiped, ¡®Hey, I heard from my mom that Lauren¡¯s mentally challenged. That¡¯s why Madam

    Sophia doesn¡¯t parade her around.¡±

    ¡°Seriously? No wonder she always seemed dumb and slow in junior high. Looks like she¡¯s a retard!¡± a

    third onemented callously.

    ¡°Hey, hey, that¡¯s rude,¡± Zoe interjected. She crossed her legs and took a drag. ¡°They call it ¡®autism¡¯

    now.¡±

    ¡°Ha! It¡¯s the same as retarded! Hahaha!¡±

    Everyone erupted inughter. Zoe snickered gleefully amid the mockingughs.

    The lounge¡¯s door swung open. A waiter led Betty in.

    A hushed silence fell on the crowd, who exchanged confused nces upon Betty Beckett¡¯s arrival.

    ¡°Rx. Just keep going. Betty is one of our own,¡± Zoe introduced and beckoned at someone. A rich

    guy

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    promptly handed her a crystal ashtray, into which she tapped the cigarette ash.

    Betty couldn¡¯t help but gape at the scene. She thought that Liana was the master of duplicity, but it

    turned.

    out that Zoe was equally adept at wearing different masks.

    She wondered if Landon would be mad after seeing his usually elegant and well-bred sister acting like

    a

    ¡°Eh, Betty, did you not bring Lauren along?¡± Zoe looked annoyed when she saw Betty alone. ¡°Sigh, it¡¯s

    going to be less fun tonight.¡±

    ¡°My sister is getting more rebellious as she ages,¡± Bettyined and sighed. Then, she shed a

    mischievous grin and waved a teddy bear. ¡°But, Zoe, don¡¯t worry about it. She¡¯ll show up if I have this.¡±

    ¡°Why? Are you going to try some new tricks tonight?¡± Zoe raised a brow.

    ¡°Haha. Just wait and see.¡±

    Lauren¡¯s car arrived shortly after Betty entered ACE. The extravagant entrance of the nightclub and the

    tremendous flow of traffic and people triggered Lauren¡¯s social anxiety. Her lips trembled, and her face

    paled.

    She hastily retreated to her car and dialed Betty¡¯s number.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, dear sister?¡± Lauren could discern the malice in Betty¡¯s tone amid a noisy background.

    ¡°G-Give my teddy bear back!¡± Lauren stammered, her face now flushed with anxiety.

    ¡°You mean that dirty thing? I¡¯ve hidden it.¡±

    ¡°Where?¡± Tears welled up in Lauren¡¯s eyes as she panicked.

    ¡°Somewhere in ACE. Tsk, it¡¯s not much of a ¡®hide¡¯ if I reveal the location,¡± Betty grumbled in a sickly

    swe and wicked voice.

    She continued, ¡°My dear sister, I have not yed with you much, Why don¡¯t we y a game tonight?

    Find your teddy bear. It must be feeling quite lonely, abandoned in some forgotten corner. Hahaha!¡±

    Rage surged in Lauren¡¯s eyes. Betty¡¯s demonicughter made her hair stand on end. Even during

    moments when Betty had belittled and bullied her, Lauren had never experienced such intense hatred.

    With teary eyes, she bit the bullet and dashed into ACE like a rocket.

 Chapter 397

    An eerie hush filled the air of another luxury lounge despite the deafening music reverberating from

    beyond its walls.

    Dressed in ck from head to toe, Landon had left his silk shirt partly unbuttoned, exposing a glinting

    silver ne that swayed in rhythm with his breath.

    Landon took anguid sip from his red wine and crossed his slender legs.

    He casually brushed away a drop of red wine in the corner of his lip with his fingertip. He looked

    leisurely and even insolent, but his eyes were an icy, unfathomable depth.

    A row of men stood in the lounge. Landon downed the red wine and snapped his fingers. His

    bodyguards split into two lines and revealed a badly beaten man on the floor who was tied up.

    ¡°M-Mr. Harper, it¡¯s my fault. Please.¡± After losing a few teeth to the beating, the man spoke with a lisp.

    Drool mixed with blood fell from his mouth.

    ¡®Tsk. Your blood is all over the floor.¡± Landon shot him a disdainful look and arched a brow,

    questioning,¡± Do you know how expensive is the carpet in this room? You can¡¯t even pay for it with the

    money from selling your organs.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper! The man crawled up to Landon but was kicked away. He professed, ¡°I¡¯ve served you

    loyally for

    many years. I messed up this time because Preston ckmailed me!

    ¡°Well, he didn¡¯t ask me to do anything much. He just wanted me to monitor and report your v

    Preston Harper was Landon¡¯s uncle and the only brother of Landon¡¯ste father. When Lando he lost

    his father in a ne crash.

    abouts.¡±

    Fortunately, his father had transferred shares and all assets under Landon and Penelope¡¯s names,

    span them from a precarious life.

    Landon¡¯s grandfather, Cornelius Harper, held the reins of the Harper Group. The CEO position that

    belonged to Landon¡¯ste father was handed over to Preston, even though Landon was the eldest

    grandson in the family.

    Preston, who cried his heart out in front of his brother¡¯s grave, turned out to be a snake. He appeared

    to take good care of Landon¡¯s family, only to put up his guard against Landon.

    The weak Penelope and the innocent Zoe wouldn¡¯t know about that. As the man of the family, Landon

    carried the weight of it all, never onceining, even to his closest friend, Jasper.

    ¡°You¡¯re pretty good at making a case, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re well aware of your seniority, and you wanted

    to woo both Preston and me to get some extra money. What good is that, though? You might not have

    the years to enjoy your wealth.¡±

    Landon let go of the ss, and it shattered on the floor. The dangerous look in his eyes sent a chill

    down one¡¯s spine.

    The man repeatedly bowed to Landon. His forehead made many loud thuds against the plush carpet.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine with the lying. Any sessful businessman is bound to run into a traitor or two-that¡¯s the

    hallmark of sess,¡± Landon remarked as he leaned forward, casting an elegant shadow.

    The man seemed to have glimpsed the Grim Reaper lurking behind Landon.

    Landon lowered his gaze with a sneer and added, ¡°But you made a mistake by not keeping it a lie

    forever. You should have kept me happy so that you¡¯ll live more days.¡±

    ¡°M-Mr. Harper¡­ Please.¡± The man trembled like a leaf and almost peed himself.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t visited Uncle Preston for a while. I ought to show some courtesy. Angelina, Landon called out

    to his assistant and squinted.

    A cold beauty in a low-back evening dress emerged from the shadows. She was Landon¡¯s ever-present

    assistant.

    ¡°Mr. Harper,¡± she greeted him politely.

    Landon¡¯s smile faded. ¡°Cut his little rat tongue off.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°No, no! No, please! Argh! Mmph.

    Angelina Brands stoically severed the man¡¯s tongue with decisiveness and uracy that could rival a

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    market butcher.

    Landon rose slowly with his left hand in the pocket. He ran his right hand through his dark hair and

    issued his final directive, ¡°Wrap that thing up and deliver it to Uncle Preston. It will make a good

    drinking snack.¡±

    An outrageous scene unfolded in a different lounge. Zoe had instructed the staff to connect all the ACE

    surveince cameras to the lounge¡¯s TV screen.

    The camera footage would switch ording to Lauren¡¯s location, all for their entertainment.

    Lauren was as helpless and nervous as a deer caught in the headlights while Zoe and her friends

    watched on with a thrill.

 Chapter 398

    Chapter 398

    Zoe and her friends couldn¡¯t help but share augh at Lauren¡¯s expense.

    Lauren was darting around the room like a lost kite. Drunk customers shoved and pulled her around.

    Some perverted patrons even groped her. *

    Her attempts at dodging the unwanted advances were met with reprimands.

    That was better entertainment than anyedy.

    ¡°Hahaha! That retard! Why has she not changed from junior high at all? Did she stop growing by then?¡±

    Zoeughed and pointed at the screen. ¡°Betty, I¡¯m dying to know. Where did you stash that stupid

    bear?¡±

    ¡°I hid it at¡­¡± Bettyughed and whispered something into Zoe¡¯s ears.

    Zoeughed loudly. ¡°What a brilliant idea! That dimwit won¡¯t stand a chance of finding it anytime soon.¡±

    Lauren desperately scoured the space beneath the tables and was kicked multiple times by the

    customers. She suffered bruises all over her body.

    She stood there, dazed and trembling, wrapping her arms around herself forfort. Her mind went

    nk at the funny looks of the strangers around her. Her breathing becamebored with each passing

    second.

    All of a sudden, the lighting changed. Confetti materialized in mid-air and cascaded down. The erupted

    in cheers and danced the night away on the dance floor.

    ¡°My teddy bear ¡­ Lauren remained focused on her search for the toy and leaned down to look around.

    Suddenly, her sweaty face bumped into a warm body. She was left feeling dizzy and numb from the

    collision, which prompted tears to roll down her face.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry.¡± Lauren hung her head and was ready to run when the figure stood in her way.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m really s-sorry!¡± she stammered.

    ¡°Laurie?¡±

    Her heart was beating like crazy. She covered her button nose and carefully lifted her gaze. She stared

    right into Landon¡¯s tipsy and bottomless eyes.

    He eximed, ¡°Is this a dream? It¡¯s you!¡±

    In the next moment, he pulled her into a hug. There was a noticeable change in his eyes. He wrapped

    one arm around her waist and gently ced the other on her nape to shield her from the frenzy on the

    dance floor.

    The adrenaline-charged patrons would not care about her safety when they were riding the high.

    She felt her heart drumming against her chest as she pressed a shaky hand on his sleeve.

    Initially, she had wanted to push him away, but in that very moment, she yearned for a brief respite

    after a night of feeling adrift in the crowd.

    She shouldn¡¯t have done this, she repeatedly reminded herself. He was a decent man, but at the end of

    the day, he was still Zoe Harper¡¯s brother.

    The people on the dance floor gasped at Landon¡¯s entrance as if they were witnessing the descent of a

    deity. His alluring face was the object of adtion of countless women and the misery of many a man.

    In Sna City, his upturned eyes were infamous for bearing a sultry and erotic quality.

    However, Landon¡¯s gaze remained unwaveringly fixed on the young woman cradled in his arms. All the

    hustle and bustle of the world seemed distant. At that moment, they were alone in their world of two

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Why are you here alone?¡± he said in a volume that was only audible between them.

    She nodded before shaking her head again.

    ¡°What happened? Tell me,¡¯ he coaxed her gently with a gleam in his eyes.

    ¡°I-I lost my teddy bear. She had wanted to keep that a secret from him, but his patience broke dow

    defenses.

    Tears streamed down her face as she stammered, ¡°Landon, it¡¯s missing¡­ It was a gift from Alyssa¡­

    My favorite teddy bear¡­.¡±

 Chapter 399

    Chapter 399

    Landon almost melted from Lauren calling his name. He swallowed hard as he surprisingly found his

    blood rushing.

    The tears that rolled off her reddened eyes sent ripples across his heart. Almost instantly, he put aside

    the memory of that night when she left him behind.

    ¡°Oh, did Alyssa give it to you?¡± He scrunched up his eyes and wiped away her tears with his coarse

    fingertips.

    She gave him a hard nod. Her nose was red.

    ¡°Where? Did you lose it in the club?¡±

    She nodded again, her eyes red from crying.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll help.¡± He took her hand and led her to the stage with everyone¡¯s eyes on them.

    A dreamy light was cast on them, creating a picturesque scene.

    Lauren timidly looked at her feet but stole asional nces at him.

    He might look unfriendly, but she had to admit that he was beautiful. He had chiseled and regal

    features that were unrivaled and a pair of hawkish eyes.

    She pursed her lips as she stealthily checked out his features and etched his face in her memory.

    ¡°Music, stop,¡± Landon spoke into a microphone at the DJ¡¯s booth. The noisy crowd instantly fell into a

    hush.

    Meanwhile, Zoe and Betty were deeply engrossed in the party. It wasn¡¯t until someone tapped them on

    the shoulder that they turned to the screen.

    Zoe instantly jumped from the couch and let out an angry yelp that startled everyone, as if she were

    possessed.

    Betty¡¯s anger red as she discovered Lauren standing next to Landon; the two were hand-in-hand.

    Her mind went nk from the shock.

    Landon cast an affectionate nce at Lauren. The two seemed to be in their own world. Was it a public

    disy of love?

    ¡°Lauren, you little bitch!¡± Betty vowed to teach her sister a lesson for making a move on Landon.

    +15 BONUS ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is Landon with that airhead?¡± Zoe summoned her bodyguard and

    interrogated him, ¡°Didn¡¯t I ask you to keep an eye on that dumbo? How did she run into my brother?¡±

    *P-Please calm down, Ms. Zoe. I did keep a close watch on her the whole time, but I did not expect Mr.

    Landon to show up at ACE tonight.

    ¡°She¡¯d have eventually bumped into him from the way she was running around tonight the bodyguard

    rambled in panic.

    ¡°Useless thing!¡± Zoe kicked him in the leg to release her anger. However, the bodyguard stood steadily

    while Zoe lost her bnce and ended up slippingically on the floor with a yelp.

    Betty and Zoe¡¯s friends couldn¡¯t help butugh at her misfortune.

    On the other hand, Landon smilingly addressed the crowd, ¡°Seems like everyone¡¯s in high spirits today.

    I¡¯ll y a game with you all. How does that sound?

    ¡°My dear sister here has lost a teddy bear in the club.¡±

    After that, a picture of the lost teddy bear shed across the massive screen on the stage. It was a

    photo from Lauren¡¯s phone gallery. This immediately sparked whispers among the crowd.

    ¡°Sister? I heard Mr. Landon has a sister who¡¯s the prot¨¦g¨¦ of a famous pianist, but she looks different

    here.¡±

    ¡°This ¡®sister¡¯ is probably one of his girls. Don¡¯t take it literally. Didn¡¯t you just call that old man¡¯daddy?¡±

    someone joked,

    ¡°That youngdy looks childlike, though. She must be quite inexperienced. Wait, could she be und

    ¡°You know nothing. Rich guys love frail and nerdy girls like her. They think she¡¯s more ¡°natural!¡±¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    Lauren blushed at the gossip about her and struggled to withdraw her hand from Landon¡¯s hold.

    In situations like this, the only thing on her mind was to escape. However, he gripped her hand tightly.

    She had no way to break free.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, whoever finds the teddy bear will be granted free entry to ACE, with all

    expenses on the house, for an entire year!¡± Landon announced, and the crowd roared and cheered.

    The timer on the screen began its countdown. ¡°Five, four, three, two, one. Let the game begin!¡± Landon

    eximed, waving his hand with a wide grin.

    The crowd quickly dispersed to each corner of the club. It was a scene to behold from the vantage

    point of the stage. Lauren blinked in awe, her jaw practically dropping to the floor.

    BONUS

    Landon¡¯s eyes deepened when he noticed the astonishment on her face. He said to her, ¡°Come, let¡¯s

    wait together in the lounge. We¡¯ll find your teddy bear soon.¡±

 Chapter 400

    Chapter 400

    Landon led Lauren to another lounge, where the escorts were drinking with three other young men.

    The men were Landon¡¯s friends in Sna City.

    Lauren blushed at the intimacy among the strangers, to the point she wanted to bury her head in the

    sand. Landon had to drag her into the room.

    Upon their entrance, the men started whistling and cheering.

    One of them joked, ¡°Oh! Hello there, future sister-inw! Aren¡¯t you young and sessful for nailing

    down Landon at this age?¡±

    She panicked and paled at the joke.

    ¡°Shut your trap! She¡¯s¡­¡± Landon stopped himself before introducing Lauren. He was reminded of

    Jasper¡¯s remark and quickly exined, ¡°She¡¯s my sister. Stop with that nonsense!¡±

    *Hey, Landon, her teddy bear is pretty expensive, though. You could easily rack up tens of thousands

    of dors in spending per visit to ACE.

    ¡®That will be hundreds of thousands a year if that lucky customer swings by daily! And this is all for her

    teddy bear? You can supply her a ton of teddy bears with that reward you dished out!¡±

    Landon¡¯s friends refused to change the way they addressed Lauren. They knew Landon gave Lauren a

    special treatment not orded to the otherdies who swooned at him. There was definitely som more

    between the two!

    ¡°Lauren only has eyes for that teddy bear. My first love gave it to her. It¡¯s meaningful.¡± Landon rolled hi

    eves at his shallow-minded, rich friends.

    ¡°F-First love? Do you mean Alyssa?¡± Lauren widened her eyes.

    ¡°Yeah, I had a crush on her. She¡¯s my first love,¡± admitted Landon with a smile. Although he was

    painfully rejected, he took pride in the fact that Alyssa was his first love.

    That immediately set off Lauren. She yelped and said to him, ¡°No, you can¡¯t fall for Alyssa! She belongs

    to Jasper! Nobody should take her from Jasper!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know the bro code? How could you go after his girl?¡± Lauren clenched her fists indignantly.

    ¡°He would be really upset if he found out that you were courting his woman! If you take her away, I-I¡¯ll

    never speak to you anymore!¡±

    Lauren couldn¡¯t think of a better way to scare him and blurted out aical threat. Laughter ensued in

    the lounge.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    She blushed even deeper and nervously yed with her sleeves.

    Landon initially found it amusing but stoppedughing when he noticed her embarrassment. He red

    at his friends, who promptly caught themselves and refrained fromughing at Lauren¡¯s expense.

    ¡°Laurie, you¡¯re a good egg.¡± Landon bent over and caressed her hair. He squinted and added, ¡°I know

    you¡¯re speaking up for your brother. But the others might think you¡¯re bitten by the green-eyed

    monster.¡±

    ¡°Bitten by a monster? I did not get bitten anywhere,¡± Lauren replied earnestly.

    Landon was rendered speechless. He finally learned that he and Lauren were not of the same world.

    However, he found himself increasingly intrigued by her world.

    The mmed-up guys and gals in ACE were running all over the ce in search of Lauren¡¯s teddy

    bear. The ss door of the lounge opened out to a huge balcony.

    While Landon enjoyed drinks with his friends in the lounge, Lauren stood on the balcony, gripping the

    railing tightly and praying that someone would find her beloved teddy bear.

    ¡°I found it! I found it!¡± A woman jumped on stage and held a teddy bear above her head.

    ¡°Damn! Where the fuck did you find it?¡±

    ¡°In the water tank of the men¡¯s restroom!¡±

    The men at the nightclub instinctively covered their crotches. Women could be crazilypetitive wi

    they were serious.

    Lauren jumped around like an excited child.

    ¡°Wow, that was faster than I expected. Money sure holds power. I bet they¡¯d still wear a grin if I jokingly

    asked them to do the unthinkable,¡± Landon quipped and stretched his neck.

    He strolled over to the balcony. A cigarette dangled from his lips, its orange ember flickering

    Intermittently.

    ¡°I¡¯ll I¡¯ll go get the teddy bear!¡± Lauren was wary of being in the same space as Landon,

    When she was about to slip past him, he stood in her way.

    He had learned his lesson from the car crash. Since then, he vowed not to let her slip away.

    ¡°There¡¯s no rush. Your teddy bear¡¯s wet. I¡¯ll get that otherdy to dry it and return it to you,¡± he

    suggested.

    Lauren cast her eyes downward avoiding his firtatious gare She mumbled, ¡°Thank

    ¡°Congrattions to this youngdy for winning the prizer You are the winner of one year covered

    expenses at ACE Angelina beamed and took the bear from the patron who found it

    Much to everyone¡¯s jealousy, the patron was over the moon, for ACE was the most expensive nightclub

    in Sna City. This was a bonanza

    Landon narrowed his eyes and gestured at Angelina with the cigarette between his fingers

    She got the hint and announced with a smile. ¡°We appreciate everyone¡¯s efforts in finding the lost item

    Mr. Harper will foot your bills tonigh

    Lauren cast her eyes downward, avoiding his flirtatious gaze. She mumbled, ¡°T-Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Congrattions to this youngdy for winning the prize! You are the winner of one-year covered

    expenses at ACE!¡± Angelina beamed and took the bear from the patron who found it.

    Much to everyone¡¯s jealousy, the patron was over the moon, for ACE was the most expensive nightclub

    in Sna City. This was a bonanza.

    Landon narrowed his eyes and gestured at Angelina with the cigarette between his fingers.

    She got the hint and announced with a smile, ¡°We appreciate everyone¡¯s efforts in finding the lost item!

    Mr. Harper will foot your bills tonight!¡±

 Chapter 401

    ¡°Long live, Mr. Harper!¡±

    ¡°Wow, he¡¯s really going big! I¡¯ll get myself an ACE membership as well!¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll renew my membership for two more years! He has my trust!¡±

    The patrons were deeply moved and thrilled.

    Almost instantly, Angelina received a text from the sales department, reporting that it was a record-

    breaking night for sales that year.

    Landon might be incredibly wealthy and generous with his money, but he also possessed a keen

    business

    acumen.

    While footing the bill of all the club¡¯s patrons might seem like a financial hit, it garnered him immense

    goodwill. His decision not only reinforced ACE¡¯s positive image but also encouraged spending,

    effectively

    killing three birds with one stone.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s a huge waste.¡± Flustered, Lauren stared at her feet and pursed her lips.

    ¡°Oh, did myvishness make you uneasy?¡± He arched a brow in amusement. Indeed, he had splurged

    and

    created a huge fuss for Lauren that night. However, it had been a long time since he had felt genuinely

    happy.

    At one point, he couldn¡¯t tell if he was trying to please her or simply satisfying his own desires.

    She blinked at him and nodded.

    ¡°Pfft, this is interesting. Of all the women I dated, every single one of them wished I could splurge on

    them. But you feel guilty that I spent a fortune on you.¡±

    Leaning against the railing, he studied her flushed cheeks with a charming smile. Then, he teased, ¡°So,

    are

    you thinking of managing my finances in the future, you little thing?¡±

    His words took on a rather suggestive tone in his slightly tipsy state. They stood closely together.

    shoulder to shoulder.

    Lauren didn¡¯t immediately grasp the underlying meaning of his words, but she could feel his warm,

    ticklish breath against the tips of her ears.

    She shivered and timidly shrugged as she retorted, ¡°I ¡­ I am not the bank. I will not manage your

    money for you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just banks that manage finances, Laurie,¡± Landon remarked with a soft smile. His chest rose

    and fell while he casually ran a hand through her soft, long hair. He found himself addicted to the feel of

    it.

    ¡°Why did you stop perming your hair? I loved seeing those curls on yo

    you.

    Feeling a pang of pain in her chest, she looked away with teary eyes and confessed, ¡°I do not like

    curls.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± He was astonished. His heart felt empty the moment her hair slid through his fingers.

    She went on, ¡°I don¡¯t like that hairstyle. By the way, I am also not a fan of nicknames, but I¡¯ll let you call

    me ¡°Laurie.¡± After all, you saved me once and helped me find my teddy bear tonight. So¡­¡±

    She gazed up at him and added, ¡°I¡¯m truly grateful to you. You can ask for anything.¡±

    Anything he wanted?

    He felt the desire rising in him. His breathing grew heavy.

    If any other woman had spoken those words to him, he would have interpreted it as a tant sexual

    advance. Yet,ing from Lauren, it felt touching and rejuvenating.

    Just then, a waiter entered the lounge with a bottle of decanted red wine and two wine sses on a

    tray.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, announced the waiter, ¡°this is a fine red wine that Mr. Perrin brought back from Furancia.

    Please enjoy it with this youngdy here.

    Landon nodded at the waiter, who left and closed the door. Lauren¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of the red

    wine, and she licked her lips.

    Reading her mind, he smiled and asked, ¡°Shall we?¡±

    ¡°C-Can I?¡± Her eyes widened without any attempt at hiding her eagerness.From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Of course. I can tell you love wines. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have¡­¡± Landon trailed off, briefly

    recalling

    their adventure in the bushes. He cleared his throat and pushed down his urge.

    Lauren acted quickly and boldly. She had poured the contents of the decanter into the sses. Then,

    she

    took a few sniffs of the aroma like an innocent puppy.

    Afterward, she swirled the wine and examined its color and the tears forming on the ss¡¯ exterior. She

    looked like a sommelier with that finesse..

    Finally, she took a tiny sip and savored the wine, feeling the change of vors on her pte.

 Chapter 402

    ¡°This is Haffen Cer¡¯s 1998 Merlot. It boasts a rich, deep shade of purple and offers a clean, intense,

    and full-bodied vor profile. Notable notes include ck fruits, caramel, mocha, and lemongrass. It

    also presents a bncedbination of tannins and acidity.

    Landon stared in amazement at Lauren. She wasn¡¯t just a talented painter. She was also an amateur

    sommelier!

    Despite his years of running nightclubs and owning private vineyards in Furancia and Vitelia, he

    couldn¡¯t

    hold a candle to Lauren¡¯s wine expertise.

    She was a woman of substance.

    On the other hand, Zoe and Betty were in no mood for partying anymore. The only thing they wished

    was

    to barge into Landon¡¯s lounge and drag Lauren out for a good beating.

    ¡°Zoe, I told you so!¡± Betty was holed up in the restroom, tears streaming down her face. Half of her

    faker

    She eximed, ¡°There¡¯s definitely something going on between Lauren and your brother! You saw it,

    too, right? He made such a fuss just to find Lauren¡¯s teddy bear. When has he ever shown that level of

    attention to any other woman?

    ¡°He could have given you all his attention but chose to dote on Jasper¡¯s sister! Zoe, I don¡¯t know how

    you

    feel about this, but I can¡¯t stand this anymore! It¡¯s so unfair!¡±

    While scoring pity points, she tried hard to fan the fire.

    In reality, her efforts to stoke this emotional fire were unnecessary, as Zoe was seething with anger.

    Zoe grumbled, ¡°How could Landon do that? He has never shown me that level of care!¡±

    Back when Zoe was younger, she always misced her expensive toys and cried because she

    couldn¡¯t find them. Whenever this happened, Landon would buy her a better and more expensive toy

    without

    Zoe had always believed that these gestures indicated Landon¡¯s love for her, but they paled in

    Landon, who typically avoided any inconvenience, turned ACE upside down just to search for Lauren¡¯s

    teddy bear.

    She tried not to think about it, for every time she did, she felt heartbroken.

    ¡°Jasper has been taking Lauren¡¯s side at home, and now she¡¯s won over Landon too. Putting aside my

    chances with Landon, you will be sidelined sooner orter!¡± Bettymented.

    ¡°That bitch should take a look in the mirror beforepeting with me for Landon¡¯s attention!¡± Seeing

    red,¡± -Zoe couldn¡¯t take it anymore and stormed out of their lounge in her high heels.

    As soon as Zoe left, Betty¡¯s tears stopped. A grin spread across her face as she hummed a tune and

    fixed her fallen fake eyshes in the mirror.

    Lauren and Landon found themselves rather tipsy after having a little too much to drink.

    Normally a tacit person, Lauren seemed to transform when under the influence of alcohol. She became

    unusually talkative.

    Landon, however, loved her change and foundfort in listening to her endless chatter.

    ¡°Did you know that women are naturally more attuned to colors?¡± Lauren began.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Flushing, she took two sips of the wine and exined, ¡°It¡¯s all because of a gene for vision cone light-

    sensitive proteins on the X chromosome. Women have one more X chromosome than men, making us

    more sensitive to colors!¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Landon smiled and squinted at her. His gaze traveled down to her pouty lips and down

    to her petite feet hidden under her unassuming sneakers. The look in his eyes deepened.

    ¡°And you know, they say women are ¡®made of water,¡¯ but it¡¯s actually men who have a higher body

    water percentage at 60%. Women have more fat than water!¡±

    It had been a while since she had been able to speak so openly and freely with someone.

    Suddenly, they were plunged into darkness. Fazed, she questioned disorientedly, ¡°Landon, is there a

    power outage at your club?¡±

    Her words were silenced as he captured her in a passionate kiss she caught a whiff of his masculine

    scent, her breath stolen by the intensity of the moment.

    Her heart raced, every ounce of blood rushing to it.

    Meanwhile, he dropped to one knee, his fingertips gently grazing her chin as he engaged her in a

    fervent kiss. Their lips and teeth shed in a fiery embrace, heated breath mingling between them.

 Chapter 403

    The light and shadows danced on the two figures who were entangled. Lauren¡¯s tiny frame trembled in

    his arms.

    She did nothing at all, but her innocence was a deadly attraction for Landon, who had breached the

    first

    base.

    Under the influence of the alcohol, he went all out. Lauren watched a sh across her eyes before

    feeling

    the weight of a man on her.

    Her body sank deeper into the couch, turning her into an imprisoned bird.

    Landon started breathingboriously, but he continued kissing her aggressively and toying with her lips.

    At that moment, the female singer on the stage sang in a low and sultry voice,

    ¡°I¡¯ve been watchin¡¯ you for some time

    Can¡¯t stop starin¡¯ at those ocean eyes

    Burning cities and napalm skies

    Fifteen res inside those ocean eyes

    Your ocean eyes¡­¡±

    auren was dizzy

    from all the kissing, and her eyes were glossy.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Mmph ¡­¡± She struggled to breathe, then started twisting and turning underneath him.

    His eyes were burning from a new wave of desire she had just triggered, like a famished beast.

    Despite being drunk, he held on to hisst inch of conscience, noting that Lauren was his best friend¡¯s

    sister.

    He not only had to refrain from touching Jasper¡¯s wife but also had to keep his distance from Jasper¡¯s

    sister.

    Before he lost control, he reluctantly removed himself from Lauren. A strand of saliva lingered between

    their parted lips.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡­ Lauren¡¯s eyes were in a daze. Intoxicated from the kiss, she was unable to think straight

    or

    speak.

    ¡°Just wanted to test your im from before.¡± Landon narrowed his eyes and wiped away the saliva on

    the

    ¡°You bullied me¡­ You

    ¡°So, have we proven your other statement? Do you think I¡¯m made of water or something else?¡±

    Suddenly, a wave of drowsiness washed over Lauren, and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

    He kissed her on the forehead and coaxed her, ¡°Go to sleep. Tell me your answers tomorrow.¡±

    Lauren, who had been animated a few minutes earlier, surprisingly drifted off to sleep. As she dozed

    off, she heard the faint, enchanting voice of a songstress singing.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never fallen from quite this high

    Fallin¡¯ into your ocean eyes

    Those ocean eyes..

    Zoe busted open the door to the lounge with a loud bang. Landon¡¯s half-dressed friends paled at the

    interruption as the escorts squealed and hid in the men¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± demanded one of the men, pointing a finger at Zoe. Landon had protected her

    well by keeping her identity under wraps, and her departure for Yoarkley at a young age meant that not

    many in Sna City recognized her.

    Zoe, who was already incensed, was further enraged by the question. Without a word, she grabbed an

    empty wine bottle from the table and swung it at the man¡¯s head.

    The bottle shattered with a crash, eliciting screams from the women and leaving the men gaping at

    Zoe.

    ¡°Son of a bitch!¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes were spitting fire. She looked like she was ready to take on anyone.

    ¡°And where are you from, you crazy bitch?¡± The other two guys rose to their feet and spoke out for their

    poor friend.

    ¡°Wow, things are certainly heating up in here! What are you doing to my sister?¡± Landon emergedzily

    from the balcony, lifting a soundly asleep Lauren in his arms.

 Chapter 404

    Landon¡¯s sister?

    The two guys who shot up just now exchanged a look before sinking onto the couch again. The one

    with bleeding head managed a feeble smile and chuckled, ¡°Haha, it turns out it¡¯s Ms. Harper! Please

    forgive

    me!¡±

    ¡°Landon, what are you nning to do?¡± Zoe was spurting fire at the sight of Lauren in Landon¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Zoe, what are you nning to do?¡± Frowning, he shot the same question back at her.

    ¡°Hah, how dare you interrogate me? Is it because I am in your way? Do you feel like I¡¯ve thwarted your

    n?¡± She glowered at him.

    Landon responded, ¡°I¡¯m fine with you hitting him with a bottle because he disrespected you. But have

    you forgotten what I told you? I told you not to visit ACE unless necessary. Even then, you need to

    inform me

    beforehand, and I¡¯ll make the arrangements.

    Acting like a stern, concerned older brother, he continued, ¡°Why are you always rebellious? You can¡¯t

    let me have a moment of peace. ACE is a rowdy ce. I can¡¯t protect you in time if anything happens

    to you!¡±

    ¡°Quit acting like you care about me, Landon Harper!¡± Zoe ced a hand on her hips and pointed a

    finger

    at him indignantly.

    She used, ¡°Just admit that you¡¯re angry because I put a stop to your n! Lauren is Jasper¡¯s sister.

    How dare you fuck his sister behind his back, you shameless scumbag?¡±

    ¡°Zoe Harper,¡± he hissed, his face darkening.

    Zoe felt a tremble and stumbled backward. In her memory, he had never addressed her by her full

    name

    He must have been truly angry with her.

    He took a deep breath and warned, ¡°You have no business being here. Go home!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go home, but only with you!¡±

    Zoe¡¯s shrill voice pierced the air as she protested. ¡°What? Are you going to sleep with her?¡±

    Landon, losing his patience, called out loudly, ¡°Angelina!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Mr. Harper,¡± Angelina rushed in.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You will personally see Zoe home.

    ¡°Will do.¡± Angelina only took orders from Landon as his secretary and personal bodyguard

    did not show mercy to Zoe and dragged thetter out by the arm.

    ¡°Argh! Don¡¯t touch me! Get your dirty hand off me! You¡¯re hurting me, you know? Fuck off!¡± Zoe¡¯s

    screams

    fell on deaf ears.

    To Zoe, Angelina was a monster bred by Landon, who had a firm grip that was impossible to shake off.

    Zoe was finally hauled away as everyone watched on.

    Deep in the night, Alyssa was enjoying her facial mask as she lit her handmade rose-scented incense

    sticks andy in the bathtub full of rose petals. She was ready for rejuvenation and rxation after

    many

    tiring days.

    ¡°Oooh, that feels good,¡± she whispered to herself. Her toes curled in delight, and her eyes narrowed

    with contentment. She felt like she deserved either thepany of a man or a soothing bath in her life.

    She was interrupted by a call from Sean. He was working overtime at the hotel instead of escorting her

    home because he needed to tie up some loose ends. Doing so would help reduce her workload

    tomorrow.

    ¡°Sean, let¡¯s discuss work tomorrow if you can¡¯t manage to finish everything on time. Go home and get

    some rest,¡± she spoke to Sean on speaker as she yed with the floating petals in the bath.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡­ um¡­ I witnessed something just now, and I thought you should know,¡± Sean began.

    hesitantly, his voice tinged with concern. ¡°But promise me you¡¯ll stay calm.¡±

    ¡°Pshh, I¡¯ve encountered my fair share of situations in life. Just tell me what¡¯s going on.¡±

    Sean took a deep breath and disclosed, ¡°I saw Landon Harper checking in at the hotel with Lauren

    Beckett just a little while ago.¡±

    Alyssa immediately sat up in the bath, ¡°What did you just say? Who¡¯s checking in at the hotel? With

    whom?

    ¡°Landon Harper and Lauren Beckett. I¡¯m sure I got the right person. He checked into a room with her.¡±

    Alyssa inhaled sharply before letting out an anguished growl, ¡°That fucking animal! Get me a gun! I¡¯ll

    shoot

    that bastard in the crotch!¡±

 Chapter 405

    Alyssa did not have the time to blow her hair dry. She hastily put on a wool coat over her night robe and

    sped to KS World Hotel in her Bugatti with her hair still damp.

    Buring the drive, she made a rare call to Jasper after giving it some thought.

    Jasper was on a business trip at Edenfells City, approximately 62 miles from Sna City. The Beckett

    Group had bought a piece ofnd by the countryside to build a hot springs resort, which was already in

    the works.

    At that very moment, Jasper and Xavier, wearing safety helmets, were inspecting the construction

    progress under the lead of the person in charge.

    Just as Xavier was shining a shlight for Jasper to read the blueprint, Jasper¡¯s phone rang. He

    frowned

    and impatiently dug out his phone.

    Alyssa¡¯s name lit up the screen, a golden glimmer amidst the darkness. He held his breath and felt his

    heart race. His hand was trembling slightly as he clutched the phone.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s Madam!¡± Xavier¡¯s face beamed with exhration.

    ¡°I know. Calm down.¡± Jasper feigned hisposure and was about to pick up the call when he

    identally swiped the wrong way and ended the call, all because of the stiffness in his fingers from

    the

    cold and excitement.

    Xavier howled, ¡°Mr. Beckett, why did you hang up on her? You know she only calls when something

    serious is up! What if she¡¯s in trouble?¡±

    Nervous, Jasper med his fingers for the mistake. Thankfully, she called back again.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Jasper¡¯s voice cracked slightly as he picked up the call without incident.

    ¡°Yo, you finally picked up,¡± Alyssa chirped in her melodious voice, though she sounded a little cynical.

    ¡°I will always pick up your call,¡± he said earnestly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to pretend to be nice. I know you inside out after three years of marriage. This isn¡¯t the

    first time you¡¯ve hung up on me,¡± she said with a snort.

    Confused, he asked, ¡°When did I hang up on you? I never did that.¡±

    ¡°Enough. I didn¡¯t call you¡¯just to take a trip down memoryne,¡± she replied impassionately. ¡°You¡¯d

    better

    get ready to say yourst farewell to your best bro.¡±

    ¡°Will do.¡± Angelina only took orders from Landon as his secretary and personal bodyguard. Therefore,

    she did not show mercy to Zoe and dragged thetter out by the arm.

    ¡°Argh! Don¡¯t touch me! Get your dirty hand off me! You¡¯re hurting me, you know? Fuck off!¡± Zoe¡¯s

    screams

    fell on deaf ears.

    To Zoe, Angelina was a monster bred by Landon, who had a firm grip that was impossible to shake off.

    Zoe was finally hauled away as everyone watched on.

    Deep in the night, Alyssa was enjoying her facial mask as she lit her handmade rose-scented incense

    sticks andy in the bathtub full of rose petals. She was ready for rejuvenation and rxation after

    many

    tiring days.

    ¡°Oooh, that feels good,¡± she whispered to herself. Her toes curled in delight, and her eyes narrowed

    with contentment. She felt like she deserved either thepany of a man or a soothing bath in her life.

    She was interrupted by a call from Sean. He was working overtime at the hotel instead of escorting her

    home because he needed to tie up some loose ends. Doing so would help reduce her workload

    tomorrow.

    ¡°Sean, let¡¯s discuss work tomorrow if you can¡¯t manage to finish everything on time. Go home and get

    some rest,¡± she spoke to Sean on speaker as she yed with the floating petals in the bath.

    ¡®Ms. Alyssa, I¡­ um¡­ I witnessed something just now, and I thought you should know,¡± Sean began

    hesitantly, his voice tinged with concern. ¡°But promise me you¡¯ll stay calm.¡±

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Pshh, I¡¯ve encountered my fair share of situations in life. Just tell me what¡¯s going on.¡±

    Sean took a deep breath and disclosed, ¡°I saw Landon Harper checking in at the hotel with Lauren

    Beckett just a little while ago.¡±

    Alyssa immediately sat up in the bath, ¡°What did you just say? Who¡¯s checking in at the hotel? With

    whom?

    ¡°Landon Harper and Lauren Beckett. I¡¯m sure I got the right person. He checked into a room with her.¡±

    Alyssa inhaled sharply before letting out an anguished growl, ¡°That fucking animal! Get me a gun! I¡¯ll

    shoot

    that bastard in the crotch!¡±

 Chapter 406

    The grating sound of the car tires against the parking lot ground echoed in the space. Sean watched as

    Alyssa drifted the Bugatti and parked it nicely into her parking spot.

    He wore a proud grin on his lips.

    Alyssa left her car, looking damp from the bath and seething in anger. She hissed, ¡°Which room is that

    scoundrel in?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s in the presidential suite on the hotel¡¯s top floor,¡± answered a worried Sean.

    He lowered his voice and continued, ¡°They just entered their suite. There¡¯s only one presidential suite

    on the top floor, so no other guests would be disturbed even if there¡¯s amotion.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    A few minutester, Alyssa arrived at the door of the presidential suite in her stilettos, a bundle of

    murderous rage.

    Sean followed closely behind her. Judging by her demeanor, it seemed as though she was here to

    confront a cheating couple rather than rescue a youngdy who had made a poor choice.

    ¡°Swipe the room card.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Sean acknowledged as he unlocked the door with the master card. Without

    further hesitation, she forcefully kicked the door open, almost leaving a hole in it.

    ¡°Landon Harper! Get your ass out here!¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice boomed.

    Hearing that, Landon wandered out with damp hair, water still dripping from his front bangs. He was

    shirtless and showing off his toned body. He wore nothing except for a loosely tied towel on his waist.

    Seeing that, Sean took a deep breath, worrying that the towel might unravel at any time and

    identally

    shing Alyssa. He couldn¡¯t help but, think that Landon had the potential to be a gigolo with that

    seductive

    ¡°Lyse? It¡¯s really you!¡± Landon confirmed that it was Alyssa after checking out with his own eyes.

    He had been unsure when he first heard her voice. His eyes glimmered in excitement. ¡°Gosh, why

    didn¡¯t

    you let me know before you visit? I¡¯d have thrown a shirt on.¡±

    He then put on a devilish grin and added, ¡°Though I look better without anything on.¡±

    Alyssaughed at the absurdity of the situation as she slowly went up to him. Then, he saw three

    shes

    Alyssa had moved with lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, he found himself on the receiving end of

    three stinging ps across his handsome face.

    He stared nkly at her, lips quivering from anger and disgruntlement. He mumbled, ¡°L-Lyse, you hit

    me

    How could you ¡­¡±

    His cheeks were swollen and numb. Behind her, Sean was stunned by the situation, but he was more

    concerned about the pain in her hand after pping Landon.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need good timing to p you!¡± Feeling the anger rising in her chest, she clutched her pained

    and numb palm. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you that Lauren is my beloved little sister, even though we¡¯re unrted?

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have enough women to y with? Why did youy a finger on her? Does it excite you,

    knowing

    that she¡¯s your friend¡¯s sister?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that. Lyse, hear me out!¡± Landon¡¯s throat was dry from nervousness, but she didn¡¯t give

    him a chance to catch his breath.

    She hissed, ¡®Landon, I was wrong about you. You¡¯re filthy!¡±

    i

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Her remark cut deep, leaving him feeling immensely hurt and indignant. Tears welled up in his eyes.

    ¡°Landon, what have you done to Lauren?¡± They heard a wintry voice cutting through the air at that

    pressing moment.

    Alyssa turned around and saw Jasper strode into the room after his urgent trip.

    Soon, he stood beside her, casting a nce her way.

    She furrowed her brow, examining him closely. Why was he covered in dirt and dust? Had he just

    returned

    from grave digging or coal mining?

    *Jasper, she pped me thrice and called me filthy!¡± Landon sounded even more pitiable and wronged

    with his friend¡¯s arrival.

    He wore a forlorn expression as if he had found his savior after being bullied. ¡°I¡¯m unfairly med! Why

    don¡¯t you rein her in?¡±

    Jasper gave the angry Alyssa a deep look and remarked, ¡°I can never control her.¡±

 Chapter 407

    Landon¡¯s eyes widened at the perfect ¡°couple¡± in front of his eyes.

    Jasper¡¯s remark was meaningless, but paired with his longing gaze and his deep, hoarse voice, he

    sounded like a man in love.

    After some contemtion, Landon¡¯s perspective shifted. He believed, to be precise, that Jasper was, at

    most, a man tormented by unrequited love.

    It was a pity Landon didn¡¯t have a phone with him. If not, he would have taken a photo of Jasper¡¯s

    cheesy expression and showed it to thetter.

    ¡°And it seems you never learn,¡± Jasper frowned, his eyes simmering with anger as he chastised

    Landon.

    He continued, ¡°We asked you not to make a move on Lauren, but you kept crossing our lines. Do you

    think

    it¡¯s unfair to be pped thrice?

    ¡°I, on the other hand, think that it¡¯s not enough. You should be pped every time we run into you.¡±

    We?

    Alyssa felt uneasy at the way Jasper had lumped them together. After all, he had once been a

    heartless

    man who wanted nothing to do with her.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, please be careful with your choice of words. You and I are different individuals. Don¡¯t you

    lump us together,¡± she warned him coldly and headed quickly for the bedroom.

    She added, ¡°Or else, I¡¯ll take offense.¡±

    Jasper was left pursing his lips in awkwardness.

    ¡°Pfft! You¡¯ve just failed to earn her favor! You had iting!¡± Landon gloated, feeling happy as though

    his friend¡¯s failure had made up for the ps he had endured.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    The next second, Landon let out a muffled groan as he was suddenly punched on the abs by Jasper

    with full force. The impact was so intense it almost forced his soul out of his body.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa hurriedly made her way to the bedroom. It was a short but torturous walk as her

    mind conjured up unsettling scenarios that might await her behind the bedroom door.

    If Landon had truly tainted Lauren, she vowed to make him pay for it. Not even Jasper could save

    Landon¡¯s ass.

    ¡°Lauren!¡± Alyssa stood in shock after she burst into the room. The room was quiet, and there was not

    the mess that she had braced herself for.

    A sweet and cozy scent permeated the air. A bedsidemp shone gently on Lauren¡¯s sleeping face in a

    crushingly beautiful scene.

    Alyssa tiptoed to the bed and knelt on one knee, her fingers tenderly tracing the curve of Lauren¡¯s

    warm

    cheek.

    Her chest tightened as her eyes fell upon the teddy bear nestled in Lauren¡¯s arms. Before she knew it,

    her eyes were brimming with tears.

    Alyssa, who was fearless and faced all challenges with poise, would only break apart when she

    witnessed

    Lauren¡¯s vulnerability.

    Jasper walked in at that moment and witnessed Alyssa¡¯s tender exchange with Lauren. His shoulders

    trembled, and a lump formed in his throat.

    Alyssa hastily wiped away her tears upon hearing his approaching footsteps.

    The room was dead quiet. Jasper swallowed hard and caressed Alyssa¡¯s damp hair. He urged her,

    ¡°Blow your hair dry. It¡¯s chilly out there. You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡± She hastily stood up to avoid any physical contact with him.

    A wave of

    of emotions stirred in his chest as he clenched his fists. He failed toprehend his actions, and

    he had lost himself.

    Jasper reported, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Landon didn¡¯t do anything to Lauren. He might be rash, but he knows his

    limits because Lauren is my sister.¡±

    ¡°He might not have crossed the boundaries now, but you can¡¯t guarantee he¡¯ll do the same in the

    future. You can¡¯t trust a man¡¯s words or his ability to control his sexual desires.¡± Alyssa looked

    hardened.

    Knowing that any reply would be useless because of the state of her emotions, he went to the

    bathroom and came back with a towel secondster, which he draped on her head.

    He said to her, ¡°Dry your hair before you go.¡±

    ¡°I told you there¡¯s no need for she began to protest, but he had already taken the initiative to dry her

    hair with the towel.

    She was caught off guard. Alyssa¡¯s heart wavered as she pondered, ¡°Is he truly the Jasper I know?¡±

 Chapter 408

    Was he the same man who had never performed an act of service as simple as pouring a ss of

    water?

    How could he have helped dry her hair? At that moment, it felt more like a horror story.

    ¡°Get your

    hands off me!¡± she hissed through clenched teeth, but the soft noises had stirred Lauren.

    Lauren curled up under the nket but thankfully did not wake up.

    ¡°Go louder if you want to wake her up.¡± Jasper curled his lips into a grin and went on drying her hair,

    happy

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    that he had figured out her weakness.

    ¡°Well, at least be gentle! I¡¯ve been dealing with hair loss, you know. Your rough handling might just

    make

    me go bald!¡± She scowled, her cheeks flushed with anger.

    ¡°Sorry. This is my first time drying someone¡¯s hair. I¡¯m inexperienced¡­¡± Jasper apologized. As he

    worked the towel through her hair, he could feel a warm, fuzzy sensation inside.

    He promised, ¡°I¡¯ll do it better the next time.¡±

    Alyssa had goosebumps on her skin and retorted, ¡°I¡¯m only letting you do this because of Lauren. Don¡¯t

    even think about a next time. I might just break your fingers.

    Jasper was left momentarily speechless. His fingers continued to move gently and rhythmically,

    massaging her scalp. Instantly, a wave of rxation washed over her, and her eyelids began to droop.

    She thought, ¡°Damn it, he¡¯s pretty good at this, though. It feels so amazing.¡±

    When they emerged from the room, Alyssa looked like she had been crying due to the redness around

    her

    eyes.

    Meanwhile, Jasper never once removed his eyes from her. There was an unreadable look in his eyes.

    Landon looked at them in a daze, feeling like they had never divorced and were a perfect married

    couple.

    He couldn¡¯t deny that Jasper looked absolutely breathtaking. In Landon¡¯s eyes, no woman other than

    Alyssa could match up to Jasper

    *Landon, go home now, Lauren will sleep here tonight, Jasper urged emotionlessly. ¡°It¡¯s more trouble to

    bring her home at this time. I¡¯ll send her home when she¡¯s awake tomorrow morning.

    Landon echoed, ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll stay by Laurie¡¯s side today as well!¡±

    Landon felt guilty for kissing Lauren earlier that night. Although it was not a big deal, he knew he had

    taken advantage of Lauren and would like to show his remorse by taking care of her.

    ¡°No!¡± Alyssa and Jasper shouted at the same time.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean hurried into the room and reported, ¡°The security department manager informed me

    that a helicopter is parked on our pad. We don¡¯t know who the owner is.¡±

    ¡°A helicopter?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s mine,¡± Jasper admitted without hesitation, leaving Alyssa and Sean puzzled,

    ¡°Mr. Beckett went on a business trip in Edenfells City yesterday but rushed back in a helicopter after

    you summoned him!¡± Xavier enthusiastically volunteered the information. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, he has never

    been so

    attentive to any woman!¡±

    In Xavier¡¯s opinion, Jasper¡¯s pursuit of love was hampered by the fact that he was overly reserved and

    unable to express himself well.

    At times, he wished Jasper possessed even half of Landon¡¯s thick-skinned qualities.

    Jasper¡¯s embarrassment weighed heavily on his heart, and he quickly stopped Xavier, ¡°You stay out of

    this.¡±

    *So, Xavier, am I supposed to praise your boss?¡± Alyssa smirked and added, ¡°It only takes a wrong

    deed. to demonize a good person. But a bad character is deemed honorable after one good deed.¡±

    Landon covered his mouth as he chortled while Jasper remained speechless.

    ¡°Lauren is his sister. That¡¯s a good reason for him to rush back. Is he going to earn brownie points with

    that as well?¡± Alyssa questioned. Then, she left the room, totally ignoring Jasper and Xavier.

    Sean gave Jasper a mocking look before leaving with Alyssa.

    Xavier spat and cussed, ¡°That little suck-up!¡± He thought Sean was a good-for-nothing who pulled

    ranks

    on others.

    ¡°At least he knows what to say and what not to,¡± Jaspermented and shook his head in

    disappointment. ¡°Xavier, you¡¯re good, except you talk too much.¡±

    ¡°B-But I just wanted Madam to know how much you went through¡­¡± Xavier mumbled as he looked

    disheartened.

    ¡°She has always known,¡± Jasper replied with a pang of heartache.

 Chapter 409

    After settling Lauren¡¯s matter, Alyssa returned to the vi with Sean. She reyed the scene where

    Jasper dried her hair, and she felt her throat drying.

    He had said to her, ¡°Sorry. This is my first time drying someone¡¯s hair. I¡¯m inexperienced¡­¡±

    That was bullshit. He had dated Liana for years. Even if they didn¡¯t score a home run, they must have

    done everything possible with each other. What was the point of acting all innocent?

    To her, Jasper and Landon seemed equally terrible. They were a bad influence on each other.

    Back home, Alyssa kicked off her heels and sat on the couch glumly instead of retiring to her bedroom.

    Sean handed her a ss of hot milk with concern. He advised, ¡°It¡¯s way past midnight. Take some rest

    after you¡¯ve had the milk.¡±

    ¡°How did Lauren and Landon run into each other? She has always been kept at home under the tight

    supervision of her family. So, what happened?¡± Alyssa wondered aloud.

    Alyssa did not feel sleepy at all as she couldn¡¯t shake off her worries for that poor girl.

    ¡°I asked Landon about it. He had no idea why Lauren showed up at his nightclub. He did mention that

    she was searching high and low for something. Had he not met her, things might have taken a

    dangerous turn.

    She frowned quizzically. ¡°What was she looking for?¡±

    ¡°A teddy bear you had given her.¡±

    Alyssa felt her breath catch as she clenched her fingers. She questioned, ¡°Did someone throw away

    the

    bear I gave Lauren in ACE?¡±

    ¡°I questioned Landon about any unusual urrences at ACE that night. He said there were none, but

    he

    did bring up his sister, Zoe, Sean responded. He was great at interrogation as a former attorney.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Her brows furrowed. Despite not having witnessed the incident, she had a rough idea of what

    had

    happened.

    She remarked, ¡°Betty is still the same bitch she is. The audacity to bully Lauren. She¡¯ll get roughed up,

    beaten down, and her ass kicked!¡±

    Sean was dumbfounded by her speed of talking.

    She vowed, ¡°I will make her pay for what she did to Lauren!¡±

    After being kicked home by Jasper, Landon arrived at the Harper Residence at midnight.

    He closed his eyes in his bed. His mind was filled with the memories of the kiss with Lauren. Her lips

    were delicious, soft, and tantalizing.

    Suddenly, he felt a heat rising in him, and his manhood hardened. He cursed, ¡°Fuck! I¡¯m such an

    animal!¡±

    He shut his eyes again in an attempt to sleep, but the erection remained. Feeling awful, he subjected

    himself to 20 minutes of a cold shower to push down the urge.

    Finally, he fell asleep when dawn was about to break.

    He woke up in the afternoon. When he emerged from his room in a fresh outfit, he was greeted by

    Zoe¡¯s

    furious face. She snapped, ¡°Landon, you have gone too far!¡±

    ¡°Why? Is it because I told you not to party at ACE and stay away from Betty?¡± Landon was about to

    ruffle

    Zoe¡¯s hair

    He clicked his tongue and remarked, ¡°Zoe, you seem more unreasonable with each passing day. How

    could you not tell the right from the wrong?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me after youid your hands on Lauren! It¡¯s revolting!¡± She pped his hand away and

    unintentionally voiced her resentment toward Lauren,

    ¡°Zoe, what did you just say?¡± His eyes wavered and filled with disbelief.

    Zoe had been seething ever since the previous night when she was publicly dragged out in front of

    everyone.

    Knowing that Landon had a soft spot for her, she decided to express her dissatisfaction, ¡°Yeah, I hate

    Lauren! You¡¯re my brother! I don¡¯t want to share your affection with her!¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Landon frowned.

    ¡°You turned the club upside down just to find her teddy bear! An old, dirty toy!¡±

    Zoe lost control of her emotions as she yelled hysterically and stomped her feet. The passing servants

    noticed her outburst and paused to take a second look.

    She continued, ¡°I¡¯m your sister! When have you ever treated me the same way you treated her? You

    only

    throw money at me!

    ¡°But now, you¡¯re so good to that idiot! Where¡¯s your conscience? I¡¯m not even treated the same way as

    anN?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

 Chapter 410

    ¡°Zoe, Lauren is not an idiot! You can¡¯t call her that!¡± Landon chastised Zoe, deeply disturbed by her

    hurtful description of Lauren.

    In his eyes, Zoe had always been an angel. Sure, she could be a bit petnt at times, but she was

    inherently kind and soft-hearted.

    However, in this particr moment, Zoe seemed contorted by rage and hatred, as if she had a

    personal vendetta against Lauren and wanted nothing more than to tear her apart.

    Was it all because he had spent the night with Lauren?

    Throughout his years of casual encounters, Landon had never witnessed Zoe reacting so strongly

    against any of his romantic partners. Why was she agitated just because he was being good to

    Lauren?

    ¡°Y-You yelled at me for calling her an idiot. How could you¡­. Zoe¡¯s flushed face had now paled, and

    the icy, piercing look in Landon¡¯s eyes caused beads of sweat to form on her forehead.

    ¡°Lauren is not an idiot, Zoe. I never want to hear you say that again. If it happens one more time, I¡¯ll be

    genuinely upset with you.

    Landon took a deep breath with a t look and continued. ¡°Dad passed away when you were very

    young.

    ¡°Mom didn¡¯t have the time and energy to take care of us because she was busy dealing with other

    matters. I was the one who looked after you. I fed you, yed with you, and changed your diapers.

    ¡°How could you use me of not being good enough to you? In my 20 years of life, I¡¯ve never felt such

    pain,¡± Landonmented.

    ¡°Landon ¡­¡± Zoe was confounded. Her voice was shaking.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t care about you. We¡¯ve grown up, and I¡¯m looking out for you in a different way. Your

    just haven¡¯t realized it yet,¡± he exined.

    Landon¡¯s eyes darkened as he questioned her, ¡°I don¡¯t me you for misunderstanding me, but I don¡¯t

    understand your animosity toward Lauren. Has she offended you in any way?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°I¡­ I just don¡¯t like her. She doesn¡¯t deserve to be with you!¡± Zoe panicked at his question and quickly

    made up an excuse.

    He tightened his jaw and looked at her sternly. ¡°Zoe, you have no right to look down on her. As the

    daughter of the Beckett Family, her social standing is on par with us.

    After what seemed like a love confession, Landon left in great strides, leaving behind the humiliated

    Zoe,

    who gritted her teeth.

    One week had passed since Ada Kingsley terminated her contract with KS World Hotel. During that

    time, Sean had deployed individuals to closely monitor the members of the nning team, but they had

    uncovered nothing suspicious.

    After a week had gone by, Sean found himself scratching his head in puzzlement.

    He said, ¡°It¡¯s been a week, and our operatives have made no progress. Could it be that we¡¯ve been

    pursuing the wrong lead? Maybe there¡¯s no mole within our team after all.¡±

    Alyssa, engrossed in a video game, chimed in with a question, ¡°Has any of them attempted to contact

    Abigail Grant?¡±

    Sean shook his head. ¡°No, everything has remained calm on that front.¡±

    Alyssa mused, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s the calm before the storm. It seems like the mole won¡¯t take the bait unless

    we put on a convincing act.¡±

    She continued to y her game, humming a tune while executing thest surviving opponent. Sean

    had

    to avert his eyes from the graphic violence.

    She instructed, ¡°Let¡¯s gather all the team members in the meeting room for a meeting.¡±

    Half an hourter, the eight staff members in charge of nning Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding arrived at the

    meeting room on time. After they waited for 10 minutes, Alyssa finally entered the room in high spirits.

    Unfazed by the recent contract termination, she cheerfully exined, ¡°Apologies for the dy,

    everyone.

    Work got in the way.¡±

    Taking a seat at the head of the table with a smile, she scanned the eight faces and beamed

    confidently.

    ¡°I havee up with a new wedding nner proposal. I¡¯ll reach out to Ada Kingsley once more and

    persuade her to reconsider working with us!¡± announced Alyssa.

    Everyone eximed in excitement, ¡°Really? That¡¯s great news!¡±

    Alyssa nodded with a grin while scrutinizing the expression on their faces. She couldn¡¯t help but notice

    ¡°Interesting she mused

    At that very moment, Bryan raised his hand to pose a question. He wondered aloud, ¡°Ms Alyssa, hasn¡¯t

    Ada Kingsley decided to work with the Beckett Group? Can we even change her mind at this point?¡±

    Alyssa drummed her fingers on the table, squinting in mock astonishment.

    She let out a gasp, still wearing a wry smile, and said, ¡°Oh, Ada is working with the Beckett Group?

    That¡¯s breaking news. Why am I hearing about this only now while you seem to be in the know?¡±

 Chapter 411

    With such a straightforward question, all eyes turned to Bryan.

    A chill went down his spine as he met Alyssa¡¯s sharp gaze. However, he kept hisposure and

    calmed

    down.

    He said, ¡°This was already a public secret within our circle. The Beckett Grouppeted with us

    previously, and Ada was wavering between you and Mr. Beckett.

    ¡°But in the end, you were one step ahead of his game, so you took over the right to host the wedding.

    ¡°Since we¡¯re on the losing end now, given Ada¡¯s wedding is just around the corner, it¡¯s only natural that

    she¡¯d switch to the Beckett Group, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Bryan made it sound like it made perfect sense.

    Alyssa smiled, her captivating eyes narrowed slightly. She leaned backfortably and smirked.

    ¡°Good point, Bryan. But you¡¯ve overlooked one thing-until now, the Beckett Group and Ada have not

    signed any official contract,¡± stated Alyssa,

    Everyone was appalled. ¡°What? It¡¯s been a week, and the contract hasn¡¯t been signed?¡±

    Bryan remained calm, but his expression gradually stiffened.

    if it was a suggests that things haven¡¯t progressed. This means we still have a chance.¡±

    already signed, can the Beckett Group refrain from making a bl

    announcement? Their silence

    Alyssa tiptoed and leisurely spun in her leather chair. ¡®I¡¯m more stubborn than a mule. I won¡¯t give up

    until

    the veryst moment.

    ¡°So, I came up with a new n. I will present it to Ada in the next two days. I intend to catch the

    Beckett

    Group off guard again.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯re truly remarkable! Everyone cheered for Alyssa for her bold statement.

    Bryan could only force a smile and went along with the rest.

    ¡°But Ms. Alyssa, In the end, it¡¯s KS Group who breached the contract first. Ada must be quite unhappy

    with us by now. If you were to go talk to her again, won¡¯t you end up being disappointed?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ there are certain things that just can¡¯t be forced.¡±

    A smile beamed on Alyssa¡¯s lustrous lips. Her eyes were glistening with an obsidian-like glow. ¡°In life,

    After the meeting adjourned, the project team members went their separate ways. Only Alyssa and

    Sean remained in the spacious meeting room.

    Alyssa took her coffee from Sean. She stood before the full-length window and gazed at the

    magnificent. scenery of Sna City. She savored her coffee withposure.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you said you had a new n¡­ were you trying to bait someone?¡± Sean asked tentatively

    as

    he stood beside her.

    ¡°Yes, and I did manage to bait someone.¡±

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    Excitement surged from Sean¡¯s widened eyes. ¡°Really? Who is it?¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s just a suspicion. I can¡¯t confirm because I don¡¯t have proof.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes dimmed. ¡°Sean, go and tail Bryan after you get off work today. Find out who he¡¯s meeting

    and if there is any unusual behavior from him. Report back to me promptly.¡±

    -?

    When Lauren woke up the following day, she was escorted home by Jasper.

    Although Sophia wasn¡¯t happy with it, she dared not say anything in front of Javier, given Jasper¡¯s

    imposing presence.

    As for Betty, she didn¡¯t even dare to utter a single word. After all, she was responsible for pranking

    Lauren.

    Sophia wouldn¡¯t tell her off even if she knew about it, but that wouldn¡¯t be the case for Javier. He would

    have scolded Betty.

    In the evening, Laureny in bed with a sullen expression, clutching the teddy bear she had lost and

    then

    recovered the previous night.

    She made an effort to piece together the events of the previous night, feeling her heart race as her

    cheeks gradually flushed.

    In fact, she had experienced a sort of ckout the previous night. She couldn¡¯t recall any details of

    what had urred or how she had made it back home.

    All she could recollect was the passionate kiss that had met her lips, a tantalizing and lingering

    sensation that had urred just before the lights had gone out. And that pair of fiery eyes that stared at

    her

    intimately.

    Lauren took a deep breath and got up from the bed. She sat down at the table.

    She took out her sketchbook and pencil. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before sketching on

    the

    paper.

    After about ten minutes, a face with seatures bearing a mischievous charm akin to that of a

    handsome rogue began to take shape on the paper.

    That touch of provocative arrogance was also captured in the drawing

    Lauren was in a daze as she stared at her work. She stroked the pair of eyes she drew lightly.

    *Landon. He is so good-looking.¡±

    Lauren didn¡¯t know that her good-looking Landon had already made his way into Seaview Manor. He

    was driving a bright red Ferrari.

    ¡°Who did you say has arrived?¡±

    Sophia was utterly astonished when she heard the housekeeper¡¯s report. She was apanying

    Javier to admire the autumn view in the backyard.

    ¡°Madam Sophia, Mr. Harper is here.¡±

 Chapter 412

    Javier asked, ¡°At this hour?¡±

    Javier lifted his wrist and looked at his watch. He furrowed his brows slightly. ¡°He should know Jasper

    isn¡¯t home right now. Besides, it¡¯s almost dinner time. And for him toe now¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, Javier, why are you overthinking it? It¡¯s rare for Mr. Harper to pay us a visit. Maybe he¡¯s here for

    Betty, ¡± said Sophia in a honeyed voice as she linked her arms with Javier.

    ¡°Sophia, what do you mean? Don¡¯t tell me Landon and Betty¡­ Javier was taken aback.

    ¡°You¡¯re always so busy, and you don¡¯t pay much attention to Betty. You don¡¯t even know what¡¯s going

    on

    in her mind.¡±

    ¡°Betty has had her eye on Mr. Harper for quite some time,¡± said Sophia reproachfully as her slender

    fingers gently poked Javier¡¯s chest.

    at all?

    Javier stared in astonishment. ¡°Betty likes Landon? Why haven¡¯t I noticed at

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh, you know how girls are easily embarrassed. How can they just put it straight like that?¡± replied

    Sophia.

    Sophia also had an embarrassed look on her face. It was as if she was shy on her daughter¡¯s behalf.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a trivial matter. Betty¡¯s marriage is of great importance to our Beckett Group.¡±

    ¡°Betty is my first daughter, the apple of my eye. Her marriage must be carefully nned. She must be

    with someone of the same status.

    ¡°We have to choose the best among the sessful young men in Sna City,¡± remarked Javier with a

    serious expression.

    ¡°The Harper family is one of the most prestigious families in Sna City. Besides, Mr. Harper is his

    grandfather¡¯s only grandson.

    ¡°With Preston Harper still not having any kids as he gets on his years, in the future, won¡¯t the entire

    Harper Group eventually end up in Mr. Harper¡¯s hands?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s schemes were as bright as day. ¡°Moreover, Mr. Harper is so close with Jasper. If Betty is

    married into the Harper family, the bond between the two families will be greater. What a wonderful

    union it will

    be.¡±

    Javier¡¯s creased eyebrows rxed. He was very much convinced by Sophia.

    Landon didn¡¯t have a good reputation in Sna City.

    But it was normal for him, as someone born with a silver spoon, to seek new and thrilling experiences.

    After all, he was pampered, and all his materialistic wants had been fulfilled since childhood.

    Javier used to be reckless when he was young as well. However, he naturally settled down as he

    matured when he had enough of the thrills and excitement.

    Besides, Landon¡¯s social status would make him a suitable match for Betty. If he still had the desire to

    tt family. fool around after they got married, he would have to rein it in with pressure from the Beckett

    At this moment, Landon was already making himselffortable in the mansion¡¯s living room.

    He had often been to Seaview Manor to y with Jasper since he was a child. So, he felt just as

    comfortable here as he did at his home.

    He didn¡¯t even need the housekeepers to get him tea. He did it himself.

    ¡°Landon, what brings you here today?¡±

    Javier and Sophia came over to greet him. Usually, Javier wouldn¡¯t show himself. But after hearing

    what Sophia said earlier, he thought he should show up and meet Landon in person.

    ¡°Just a small matter. It was ast-minute decision. I hope I¡¯m not causing any inconvenience, Uncle

    Javier.¡± Anyone could see how close Landon was with Javier as he addressed him as Uncle Javier.

    ¡°We¡¯re just about to have dinner. You can stay and have dinner with us.¡± Sophia put forward her

    earnest

    invitation.

    ¡°No need for that.¡± Landon casually declined her invitation. ¡°Is Ms. Betty home? I¡¯d like to have a chat

    with her in private.¡±

    Javier and Sophia exchanged looks. Both had an intrigued expression on their faces.

    When Betty knew Landon was here, she was so

    excited to the point that she could somersault down to

    see him right away.

    However, her mother¡¯s words crossed her mind.

    Sophia had said that a woman would lose her value if she didn¡¯t know how to maintain herposure

    and distance herself from a man. Hence, Betty tried hard to hold her urges in.

    Little did she expect Landon to ask for her when she wasn¡¯t being initiative.

    Betty¡¯s heart raced as she walked into the room.

    4- Warner are you here to see me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± replied Landon. He casually sipped his tea.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±. Betty sat down opposite him in a coy mannier, looking rather shy.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to say regarding what happened at ACEst night?¡± Landon stared at her

    coldly. He didn¡¯t want to beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

    Betty suddenly felt anxious. ¡°Last night¡­ what happened?¡±

    ¡°Lauren rarely leaves the house, so how can her teddy bear end up at ACE?¡±

    Landon forcefully set his teacup down and red icily at Betty. ¡°Betty, there¡¯s a limit to making fun of

    people. You crossed that line with your actionsst night.¡±

    Betty¡¯s face turned pale in an instant. Her heart raced as though it might burst from her chest.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, I think this is a misunderstanding¡­ Betty sobbed as tears trickled down her red-rimmed

    I eyes. She was doing her utmost to convey her sense of being wrongfully used.

    ¡°Lauren didn¡¯t even shed a tear after you pranked herst night. How could you have the audacity to

    cry?¡±

    Landon no longer bothered to look at her. It was as if the sight before him pained his eyes. ¡°I came to

    Inform you about two things.

    ¡°Firstly, don¡¯t you dare bully Lauren again. From now on, I¡¯ll be looking out for her. Before you eveny

    a finger on her, think about who¡¯s backing her up.

    ¡°Secondly, leave my sister alone. She¡¯s still innocent, and I don¡¯t want you to corrupt her.¡±

    Having said all that, he rose, his tall and imposing figure leaving without a backward nce.

    Betty stared nkly at the door, mmed shut. She sank from the sofa to the floor, as if all her life had

    been sucked out of her.

 Chapter 413

    Landon was in no rush to go back after leaving the room. Instead, he wandered around aimlessly in the

    Beckett family¡¯s mansion.

    In truth, he was strolling aimlessly, hoping to run into someone special. His heart yearned for that petite

    lady who always appeared downtrodden, her head hanging low.

    He wasn¡¯t exactly a saint, but his heart always had a soft spot for that delicate and seemingly forlorn

    youngdy.

    ¡°Mr. Harper? Why are you here?¡± Rosie asked in astonishment as she unexpectedly ran into him.

    ¡°Uh¡­ Uh¡­ I¡­ Landon looked sheepish and couldn¡¯t find the right words to say after stammering for a

    while. Finally, he gathered his courage and mumbled, ¡°Mrs. Rosie, where¡¯s Lauren?¡±

    Rosie looked at him in bewilderment. She couldn¡¯t associate Landon with Lauren in any possible way.

    There was no way that this could be happening.

    ¡°What are you trying to do? Mr. Harper, don¡¯t you dare to scare her! She¡¯s still young and doesn¡¯t get t

    meet people often.¡±

    Landon arched his brow. ¡°Mrs. Rosie, you¡¯ve watched me and Jasper grow up. Don¡¯t you know what

    I¡¯m

    like?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re like this toward Jasper,¡± said Rosie as she gave him a thumbs-up, then she like this toward

    women.¡± She gave him a thumbs-down instead.

    Landon sped his hand to his forehead. ¡°How kind of you to say that!¡± he thought.

    ntinued, ¡°But yo

    He tried hard to exin he wasn¡¯t a yboy. Finally, Rosie reluctantly agreed to bring him to meet

    Lauren.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right at the door. If you have anything to say, make it quick. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate if someone

    saw us like this,¡± Rosie warned him sternly as she positioned herself by the door.

    Landon was amused. ¡°Mrs. Rosie, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re scheming on something. You don¡¯t have to be that

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    anxious.¡±

    After saying that, Landon stepped into the room and closed the door.

    Rosie was momentarily stunned, but as she regained her senses, her eyes widened in anger. ¡°This

    brat! How dare he?¡±

    Landon was shocked as he stepped into Lauren¡¯s room.

    Compared to his sister¡¯s luxurious room, Lauren¡¯s room seemed exceptionally in. There weren¡¯t any

    decorations aside from the basic furnishing of the mansion. The room looked very empty.

    Landon heard some noise from the bedroom, so he approached the room stealthily, slowing his pace.

    The door was slightly ajar, so he entered the room quietly. He saw Lauren sitting in front of the

    spacious

    desk di

    scribbling something.

    Landon¡¯s eyes dimmed. He quietly approached her from behind as he craned his neck, trying to steal a

    nce at what she was scribbling.

    Suddenly, Landon¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and his pupils contracted.

    With her lips pressed together, Lauren was working earnestly on a portrait. It was a portrait of him.

    ¡°Phew¡­ All done.¡± Lauren set down her brush. She smiled as she picked up the portrait, lost in self-

    admiration.

    ¡°When do you n to give it to me?¡±

    Startled, Lauren let out a scream and jumped up from the chair. It was already toote when she tried

    to cover up the painting.

    Landon moved quickly, a sly smirk on his face as he snatched the portrait from her thin, fragile arms.

    ¡°Gi-Give it back to me!¡± With her cheeks flushed, Lauren stood on her tiptoes, trying to snatch it back

    from

    Landon.

    His exceptionally tall and imposing figure was like a mountain she could never ascend.

    In her embarrassment, she tugged on his tie while her other hand snaked around his waist, attempting

    to reach the portrait.

    ¡°Ugh! Let go! You¡¯re going to strangle me to death!¡±

    Landon was running out of breath. He had no choice but to bend down and lift her onto the table to

    alleviate some of the suffocating/difort.

    ¡°Give it back to me! That¡¯s my painting!¡± Lauren was reluctant to give up. Her eyes began to well up

    with

    tears.

    ¡°The person in the painting is me, though. In fact, you¡¯re infringing on my portrait rights, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    As soon as Landon locked eyes with her, his gaze turned intimate. ¡°Aspensation, how about you

    give

    Lauren was so embarrassed to the point that her cheeks were bright red. She tightened her grip on his

    tie

    as she struggled to get

    away.

    Landon¡¯s eyes widened as he stumbled forward, pressing Lauren beneath him. Their lips were just an

    inch

    apart.

    The kiss they sharedst night crossed Landon¡¯s mind again. He immediately felt a searing heat

    rushing

    to his head.

    ¡°Uh, it tickles.¡±

    Lauren turned away swiftly. His breath, tinged with a hint of tobo, made her ticklish.

    Her heart was pounding fast.

    Landon¡¯s vision blurred for a moment. Her body felt so soft, even softer than his branded mattress,

    making him reluctant to get up.

    In the end, he sessfully reined in his wild desires and straightened himself up. His breath was

    slightly ragged, and his eyes were glistening with emotion. 1

    Despite being an adult, Lauren had a petite and fragile appearance, almost as if she had been bor

    underweight. As she curled up on the table, she appeared delicate and vulnerable.

 Chapter 414

    Lauren extended her hand toward Landon, her face partially buried between her knees. ¡°Give it back to

    me

    ¡°I saved your teddy bearst night. Can¡¯t you give me this painting in return?¡±

    Landon leaned against the desk, his well-built arms supporting him. ¡°I really like this painting. Will you

    give

    it to me, please?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already prepared your pre-present,¡± Lauren uttered timidly, her toes curling inward.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Where is it?¡± Landon¡¯s eyes lit up in excitement.

    After around ten minutes, Landon was back in his Ferrari.

    He

    e couldn¡¯t stop smiling from the immense, unprecedented satisfaction. He held a cake box in his left

    hand and the neatly rolled portrait from earlier in his right hand.

    He had been secretly hoping he could get a painting from Lauren when he saw the painting she gifted

    to Newton on his birthday.

    A one-of-a-kind painting created just for him. He couldn¡¯t believe that his dream came true. And that joy

    and satisfaction he felt was indescribable.

    Pleased, Landon kept the portrait away carefully. He hastily opened the cake box. Inside was a in

    blueberry mousse cake. It looked a bit hideous.

    Nheless, he picked up some cream with his fingertip and put it into his mouth, savoring it slowly as

    he sucked on his finger,

    Landon furrowed his brows. He chewed it thoroughly. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder why it tasted a little

    sour.

    With a face mask on, Alyssa was still engrossed in ying games at her study table. It was already

    midnight, yet she had not gone to bed.

    In fact, she was already tired. It was just that she was worried about Sean.

    He still hadn¡¯t returned after carrying out her order to stalk Bryan. So, she yed some games to keep

    herself awake while waiting for Sean¡¯s news.

    ho had received emails sent by the official team.

    They had invited her, the Queen of Killers in the international server, to participate in the professional

    tournament more than once. However, she refused their offer every single time.

    She was simply ying for enjoyment, not wanting to mix her amusement with money-making,

    especially since she was already well-off.

    A notification tone chimed. Jameson was online.

    Rose: ¡®Do you want to y a game together?¡±

    Lucifer: ¡°Okay. Bring me in.¡±

    He connected to her voice chat, and his clear, melodious voice resonated in the study room.

    ¡°Good evening, Ms. Lucifer.¡±

    ¡°Good evening, Mr. Rose,¡± said Alyssa jokingly, ¡°What kind of rose are you?¡±

    ¡°It seems like you handle pressure really well. Ada¡¯s incident didn¡¯t really impact you,¡± said Jameson as

    he smiled gently.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s because I live by a mantra.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Haters gonna hate, yers gonna y, so I¡¯m just gonna shake it off.¡±

    Jameson couldn¡¯t help but let out a chuckle. He paused for a while, then said, ¡°Can I help you

    regarding Ada¡¯s incident?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. This is apetition between me and the Beckett Group. Although it¡¯s not a big deal, getting

    people from the Schmidt Group involved is inappropriate. Thanks for your kind concern,¡± Alyssa

    replied, politely declining his offer.

    of my own will, not on behalf of the Schmidt Group,¡± said Jameson softly, with a tinge

    ¡°I¡¯m helping you out of my of concern in his voice.

    Alyssa quirked a brow. ¡°Don¡¯t you believe in my abilities? Do you think I can¡¯t handle this on my own?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Jameson helplessly. He chuckled softly before adding, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be that tired.

    Then you can spend more time ying games with me. You haven¡¯t been online in days.¡±

    Alyssa was stunned. She blinked her eyes. Could he have been waiting for her to go online for these

    past few days?

    returned from Kontina, leaving him with free time. Besides, he didn¡¯t have any friends. So,

 Chapter 415

    Sean was panting as he rushed back to Alyssa¡¯s ce, the chilly fall air clinging to him. His forehead

    glistened with sweat.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t immediately ask him about the oue; instead, she strode to the coffee table and

    poured him a ss of warm water.

    She handed the ss over to him and said, ¡°Take a rest first and have some warm water. It¡¯s cold

    outside, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    As Sean took the ss, the tips of his chilly fingers brushed against Alyssa¡¯s. It felt warm, and his heart

    skipped a beat.

    ¡°Have a seat and rx.¡±

    Alyssa turned and sat on the couch. She had her legs crossed beneath her nightgown and her peach-

    colored velvet slippers perched on the tips of her toes.

    Sean¡¯s face was slightly flushed as he held the ss awkwardly in his hands.

    He took a moment to regte his breathing before speaking, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, everything turned out just as

    you expected. Bryan and Abigail knew each other, and they¡¯re much more than just friends!¡±

    Alyssa smiled. ¡°Even if I knew what¡¯s going on, things could only be done with your help, right?¡±

    Sean handed his phone to her as he smiled shyly.

    She took the phone and lowered her head, scrolling through the pictures with a reserved expression.

    The pictures showed Bryan and Abigail on a date at a caf¨¦. Bryan was caressing Abigail¡¯s face, their

    hands intertwined. They gazed at each other lovingly, deeply immersed in their own world.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, this is solid proof! We can question Bryan now!¡± Sean was brimming with excitement,

    convinced they had a strong lead.

    ¡°This is far from enough.¡± Alyssa put down the phone calmly.

    ¡°Is this not enough?¡± Sean widened his eyes.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    He continued, ¡°I¡¯ve got my hands on their hotel room reservation records for the past two months,

    which showed that they met at least twice in one week. They¡¯ve been in close contact.

    ¡°And before these two months, there wasn¡¯t a single interaction between them! Isn¡¯t this enough to

    prove

    Dean was the snitch?¡±

    ¡®It is, but the evidence isn¡¯t enough. You studiedw. You should know that this is circumstantial

    evidence. It¡¯s insufficient to convict Bryan.¡±

    Alyssa closed her eyes as she stretched out on the couch. ¡°What if he ims they¡¯re just a regr

    couple? What can you do about it?¡±

    Finally, Sean grasped Alyssa¡¯s intentions.

    She wasn¡¯t just interested in uncovering the betrayer¡¯s identity. She was determined to eliminate any

    potential threats.

    She intended to make both the mastermind and the aplices pay dearly for their actions!

    With a grim expression, Sean remarked, ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to find evidence that he leaked confidential

    information.¡±

    ¡°Bryan couldn¡¯t resist leaking the information to Abigail as soon as I mentioned I had devised a new

    n during the meeting. I can already anticipate his next moves.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tail Bryan for now. Assign someone to shadow Abigail and Betty. Monitor their

    interactions.

    ¡°Also, dig a bit deeper into Abigail¡¯s background. Who knows, we might uncover some other surprises..

    ¡®Understood, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    Suddenly, a rhythmic breathing filled the room.

    Sean looked closely and realized that Alyssa had fallen asleep in an instant. Her lips were slightly

    parted, and her longshes cast shadows beneath her eyes. Her breathing carried an air of elegance.

    It appeared that she was exhausted, her mind overwhelmed.

    Sean¡¯s eyes revealed concern and distress as he knelt beside the couch on one knee. Initially, he

    extended his arms. He was tempted to scoop her up.

    However, he restrained his impulse to touch her. Instead, he retrieved a nket and carefully tucked

    her secretary. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for him to exploit the situation while she

    Furthermore, he held a steadfast belief that, apart from Alyssa¡¯s father and brothers, her lover should

    be the only man who deserved to carry her in his arms.

 Chapter 416

    It was midnight. Jasper sat by the window in his study room, pouring himself a ss of red wine.

    The ss he was using at the moment was one of the presents Alyssa had given him.

    It was a pair of Baroque-style crystal wine sses. The clear clinking of these sses indicated their

    top-

    notch craftsmanship and exquisite quality.

    As he sipped the wine, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder if when she had gifted him these sses, she had

    thought of spending a lifetime together with him.

    Jasper frowned. The wine in his mouth suddenly tasted even more bitter than a bitter gourd.

    Right at that moment, a knock sounded at his door. Xavier entered the room with several documents.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯vepleted the investigation on Abigail, just as you instructed. Rest assured, I even

    found information on where her ancestors are buried! Absolutely no oversight!¡± Xavier dered

    confidently.

    Previously, Jasper hadn¡¯t left a good impression on Alyssa because of Xavier. This time, he was

    particrly diligent in gathering information, hoping to make up for his mistake.

    ¡°Alright, Scan a copy of it and send it to the president of the Taylor Group.¡±

    In the illumination of the light, Jasper held a magnificent ss in his hand, twirling it around with great

    fascination.

    Xavier was momentarily stunned. ¡°Huh? Do I send it to Mr. Jonah?¡±

    As Jasper shot him a frosty re, he immediatelyughed sheepishly. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s Madam Alice.¡±

    ¡°Send it via email,¡± ordered Jasper, then he added after a pause, ¡°Send it anonymously.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Why, though?¡± Xavier blurted out without pausing to reconsider his words.

    Jasper pursed his lips. ¡°I¡¯m worried that she might simply delete it without looking at it if she sees the

    sender is from the Beckett Group.

    Xavier wondered if it was really necessary to be this discreet.

    Jasper¡¯s phone buzzed on the coffee table. He picked it up and saw that it was a video call from

    Landon.

    Jasper was puzzled as he answered the call. ¡°What are you up to now?¡±

    On the screen, Landon¡¯s face was as pale as a sheet. Hey on a white bed with a blue and white wall

    ¡°Jasper¡­ I think I¡¯m about to die¡­¡±

    ¡°My condolences.¡± Jasper didn¡¯t even bat an eye.

    ¡°Jasper your sister, Lauren¡­ is she lethal?¡±

    With a needle inserted in it, Landon waved his left hand at his size, he was curled up into

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    Jasper. Desi

    a ball due to the intense pain he was experiencing.

    Landon exined further, saying, ¡°Today, she gave me a blueberry cake, and I ate the whole thing.

    When I arrived home, I began vomiting and experiencing diarrhea immediately.

    ¡°I nearly vomited my guts out. I had to call an ambnce to take me to the hospital! The doctor said I

    had food poisoning from eating spoiled food.

    ¡°Damn it! I knew it tasted off from the first bite. It was so sour. And now¡­. Fuck! The pain is back!¡±

    Xavier, who had been listening, turned around and burst into silentughter, tears streaming down his

    face.

    For those aware of Landon¡¯s situation, it was clear that he had an upset stomach. For those unaware, it

    seemed like he was about to give birth.

    Jasper pursed his lips, trying to contain hisughter. ¡°Then why did you finish it when you knew

    something

    was off from the start?¡±

    ¡°Lauren made it for me herself. How could I be so heartless to reject her kindness? Ugh! It¡¯s so

    painful¡­¡±

    Landon continued to whine.

    Indeed, even a tough guy couldn¡¯t endure a bout of diarrhea! 1

 Chapter 417

    After thest meeting, the team members regained their hope. The once disheartened team became

    motivated again.

    Alyssa was an inspirational leader. Her employees weren¡¯t just her staff. They were also her devoted

    fans, captivated by her dazzling personality.

    Today, she was beaming with joy as she showed up for the regr meeting. During the meeting, she

    announced, ¡°Ada has agreed to meet with me tonight. Whether it¡¯s going to seed-let¡¯s put that aside

    first. At least it¡¯s a good start.¡±

    The team members cheered,

    Bryan was the only one sitting at the far end. Although he had a delightful expression, his eyes showed

    no

    trace of joy.

    ¡°Although we breached the contract first, I believe Ada¡¯s not a rigid person. I¡¯m confident that mytest

    proposal can outperform the Beckett Group. And once she reviews it, she¡¯ll definitely be more pleased

    with it than the first version,¡± Alyssa dered confidently.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa! You¡¯ve got to show us!¡±

    ¡°Of course, I¡¯d like to show it to everyone right away. But given what happenedst time, I have to be

    cautious.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you all, but a lot has been going on recently, and there are people out there

    watching us.

    ¡°As the general manager of KS World, I can¡¯t afford to repeat mistakes. So, I¡¯d appreciate everyone¡¯s

    understanding.¡±

    Everyone understood Alyssa¡¯s predicament. They could only wish for her to return with good news, as

    they were all eager to get to work.

    In the evening, Alyssa was enjoying a meal at a restaurant while Sean worked on organizing

    documents in her office. Once hepleted his task, he left the office and made a phone call.

    As soon as he left, Bryan dashed into the General Manager¡¯s office. Security wasn¡¯t particrly tight

    tonight. He finally made it to Alyssa¡¯s private work area.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Although he knew there were surveince cameras all around that captured his every move, he still

    took

    If he couldn¡¯t get his hands on thetest proposal and Alyssa really did manage to cooperate with Ada

    again, he would no longer be able to avenge his girlfriend!

    Bryan waspletely blinded by love. He was obsessed with Abigail.

    Apart from loving her, he was determined to full her desires. He would go to great

    her wants.

    all lengths to satisfy

    Bryan meticulously searched high and low in Alyssa¡¯s office with his phone¡¯s shlight.

    He was positive that the proposal was still in her office. After all, Alyssa was still in the hotel, and Sean

    hadn¡¯t left with a bag earlier. The proposal hadn¡¯t been taken away yet.

    He was sweating profusely as he frantically rummaged through the drawers and cabs. Finally, he

    pulled out the proposal from the bottom of a pile of documents.

    ¡°Yes¡­ Yes!¡±

    Bryan held the proposal in both hands, his excitement bringing tears to his eyes. He muttered to

    himself,¡± Abby¡­ I¡¯ve avenged you. I¡¯ve finally avenged you!¡±

    Suddenly, all the lights in the office came on with a click. The next second, Sean led a group of

    bodyguards in, surrounding Bryan.

    Bryan found himself utterly stunned before the assembled crowd. Without a ce to retreat, he could

    only stand in the same spot, wearing a sheepish expression, the proposal still in his grasp.

    He knew he would get caught, but he hadn¡¯t expected it to happen so

    At this moment, the bodyguards lined up on two sides, forming a path in between.

    Alyssa, dressed in a sleek ck suit, stepped into the office with a determined stride. Her ck velvet

    shoes with red outsoles and her alluring eyes emphasized her fierce andmanding presence.

    Her intimidating demeanor resembled that of a high-ranking officer from the movies.

    Bryan was shivering in fear as he watched Alyssa approach him. He would be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t

    scared.

    ¡°Bryan, are you aware that stealing confidential information is also considered theft? With just those

    few sheets of paper in your hands, I can ensure you spend your entire life in jail and seize your entire

    fortune.¡±

    Sean continued as he frowned, with a cold glint in his eyes, ¡®Causing significant losses to the rightful

    owner of confidentialmercial information is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or

 Chapter 418

    Bryan¡¯s eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets. He staggered one step backward, almost losing

    his

    bnce.

    ¡°Do you still have anything to say now, given the multitude of witnesses and concrete evidence?¡±

    Sean was already considering what punishments Bryan should suffer.

    When he thought about how much Alyssa had endured in the past few days because of that wretched

    Bryan, his hatred for him ran so deep that his eyes turned red with loathing.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got nothing to say.¡±

    Although Bryan was petrified, his love for Abigail surprisingly overcame the fear. He had the courage

    and confidence to confront Alyssa and Sean.

    He confessed, saying, ¡°It was me who stole the proposal and sold it to the media. I did it all. I¡¯m willing

    to ept the consequences.¡±

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    But his defiant tone and the tension in his corded neck clearly contradicted what he had just said.

    Bryan was obviously defiant.

    Sean clenched his jaw. Seeing how defiant Bryan was, he really wanted to punch him in the face.

    ¡°Except for Sean, the rest of you, please wait outside in the corridor,¡± said Alyssa assertively, breaking

    her

    silence.

    The bodyguards immediately followed her orders and made their way out.

    ¡°Bryan, since we¡¯vee to this point, I might as well just tell you everything.¡±

    Alyssa strode over to the couch and took a seat. She casually grabbed a piece of chocte from a

    te. She opened the wrapper and popped it into her mouth.

    ¡°There was no such thing as a new proposal in the first ce. And I never made an appointment with

    Ada, ¡°stated Alyssa.

    ¡°What ¡­ did you say?¡± Bryan was bbergasted.

    Alyssa chuckled. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, go ahead and flip the pages.¡±

    With trembling hands, he skimmed through the ¡°proposal¡±. In an instant, he broke into a sweat. Apart

    from the first page containing some text, the rest were nk in the document!

    Moreover, his testimony had been recorded by Sean with a recorder earlier on when he admitted to his

    crime. Additionally, everyone on the scene earlier qualified as witnesses.

    Bryan had fallen for Alyssa¡¯s trap. She tricked him!

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, how do you know it was me?¡±

    At this point, Bryan finally revealed his true colors. He questioned her directly, demanding an

    exnation.

    ¡°It¡¯s impossible for outsiders to obtain information from KS Hotel-unless one of us is a mole. That¡¯s the

    only scenario in which outsiders might be able to take advantage of us.¡±

    Alyssa chewed on the chocte slowly, then said, ¡°After the incident, I knew there was a traitor among

    us. So, I secretly monitored each of you.

    ¡°However, you were extremely cautious andposed. You even refrained from getting in touch with

    Abigail.

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me baiting you into taking this risk, you might have escaped unnoticed. It wasn¡¯t easy

    for me to pinpoint your weakness.¡±

    *Do¡­ Do you know Abby? How did you find out about her?¡± Bryan¡¯s heart was solely focused on his

    girlfriend. He seemed to care little about his current predicament.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t you forget who Ms. Alyssa is, Sean sneered at Bryan¡¯s dumb question.

    Bryan¡¯s shoulders slumped dejectedly.

    How could he possibly keep Abby hidden from Alyssa, with her wealth and prestigious background?

    His adversary was too powerful, to the point of being disheartening.

    ¡°Bryan, you¡¯ve worked at KS World for almost ten years. During this time, you¡¯ve organized countless

    high- quality events.

    ¡°You¡¯re definitely one with talent. Initially, I had ns to promote you to event manager,¡± said Alyssa.

    Then, she heaved a sigh of regret.

    Bryan was taken aback.

    ¡°All because of your so-called love, you¡¯ve thrown away your promising future, even risking

    imprisonment. Do you truly believe it¡¯s worth it?¡±

    ¡°Of course! I love her, and I¡¯d do anything for her!¡±

    In an instant, Bryan¡¯s expression morphed into one of ferocity. His eyes took on a hysterical gleam as

    he

    Alyssa didn¡¯t even flinch and maintained herposure. It was Sean who was startled. He instinctively.

    shielded her behind his back, guarding her.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor! Stop pretending!¡±

    Bryan red at Alyssa¡¯s charming face as heshed out at her for the sake of his lover. ¡°I don¡¯t give a

    damn about the promotion! I did all of this to avenge Abby!

    ¡°It¡¯s all because of you that Abby¡¯s father ended up in jail. You¡¯ve ruined her life!

    ¡°You¡¯re a heartless capitalist! Losing just one partnership is too lenient a punishment for you-it¡¯s not

    even

    a big deal! I find you utterly despicable!¡±

 Chapter 419

    Bryan was

    s cursing outrageously at Alyssa, as if she had killed his mother, bullied his wife, and desecrated

    his ancestors¡¯ graves.

    Sean was seething with anger upon hearing those words. However, Alyssa remained unfazed. Instead,

    she smiled and said, ¡°Huh, this is quite interesting.¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Bryan suddenly became flustered.

    ¡°I said, Abigail is quite interesting.¡± Alyssa reached greedily for another piece of chocte.

    Seeing her indulging in sweets, Sean couldn¡¯t help but smile.

    ¡°You¡¯ve only known Abigail for two months, and she has managed to outmaneuver you. You¡¯re even

    willing to sacrifice your future and challenge the conglomerate. Tsk, Ms. Grant is really something.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa, you¡¯re in no position to mock her! You¡¯re just an unscrupulous executive who abuses her

    power! If

    it weren¡¯t for you, Abigail could have had a good life as the heiress of the Grant family-you¡¯ve ruined

    her

    life!

    Bryan¡¯s emotions spiraled out of control as he bellowed, ¡®Corrupt conglomerates like you are the bane

    of

    society!

    Sean couldn¡¯t understand why Alyssa didn¡¯t immediately hand him over to the police. Instead, she was

    here trying to talk sense into this love-struck lunatic.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t mind if you curse at me. After all, you can¡¯t control what others say. My father has

    endured

    such criticisms, and he¡¯s been the target of countless assassination attempts, all because he¡¯s wealthy

    and influential.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s re was as cold as ice. ¡°But you sabotaged Taylor Group¡¯s business, so don¡¯t me me for

    being ruthless. After all, this is my nature.

    *Those who align with me prosper; those who oppose me perish. And those who stand in opposition or

    sabotage me have never met a favorable end.¡±

    Bryan

    shuddered as his suppressed fear resurfaced. Alyssa¡¯s imposing presence was overwhelming.

    ¡°I understand that you really want to understand what¡¯s going on at this point. So, I might as well tell

    you.

    Abigail never loved you. She was only with you because you¡¯re from KS World. She wanted to use you.

    ¡°You¡¯re spitting nonsense! Absolute nonsense! You won¡¯t seed in driving us apart with these lies!¡±

    Bryan was profoundly provoked by Alyssa¡¯s words. He roared, ¡°I made mistakes because I wanted to

    seek

    justice for Abigail. Don¡¯t you dare besmirch her name or defame her!¡±

    Alyssa peered at him indifferently as she instructed Sean to turn on the television.

    Numerous explicit photos were disyed on the screen, and the individuals featured in these images

    were none other than Bryan¡¯s cherished girlfriend, Abigail, and Matthew Farley from E-News Daily!

    Sean was taken aback. Although he had investigated Abigail, this wasn¡¯t the material he had given

    Alyssa.

    ¡°This can¡¯t be real. It can¡¯t be! It must be photoshopped! It isn¡¯t real!¡±

    Bryan clutched his head in despair as he saw Abigail, wholly undressed, in the arms of a middle-aged

    man. There was no sign of coercion. She was smiling so captivatingly, Bryan was in deep anguish.

    Alyssa remained calm. After all, Liana¡¯s nude photos had been more scandalous than this. Instead, it

    was

    Sean who was ufortable with these photos. He averted his gaze guiltily like a priest who had

    broken

    his vows.

    *Their hotel records went back to a year ago. If you don¡¯t believe me, I still have some videos of them

    going on dates. Would you like to have a look at them?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Bryan let out a devastated scream as he copsed to the ground.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, how did you get these?¡± Sean leaned close to her ear and asked in a hushed tone.

    Alyssa remained unfazed. ¡°I¡¯ll tell youter.¡±

    ¡°Why¡­ Why is she doing this to me¡­ Tears trickled down Bryan¡¯s face. He was in aplete daze.

    ¡°The information you provided not only allowed her to vent her anger but also provided her with the

    opportunity to gain tremendous benefits,¡± said Sean, ring at him icily..

    ¡°Be-Benefits?¡±

    ¡°Abigail manipted you, and there were individuals behind her whopensated her for these

    actions.¡±

 Chapter 420

    Alyssa tilted her head, propping her cheek with her hand. ¡°Otherwise, how is it possible for her to

    approach you that quickly and immediately get to the heart of the matter, which is the contract?

    ¡°Do you really believe there¡¯s no one pulling strings behind her?¡±

    Bryan burst into tears on the spot. He felt profound regret.

    He regretted not because his future was ruined but because he had cherished Abigail as if she was

    precious when, in fact, she was a deceitful bitch!

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ll tell you everything I know!¡±

    Under Alyssa¡¯s relentless questioning, Bryan spilled all the details about how Abigail had instructed him

    to steal confidential business information. Sean recorded everything he said.

    Bryan was discreetly escorted to the police station. As Alyssa¡¯s secretary and the legal advisor of KS

    World Hotel, Sean would officially charge Bryan with corporate theft.

    Now that they had caught the fish, it was time to go after the shark.

    Looking at her perfectly organized desk, Alyssa sighed. ¡°Look at how professional this thief is. Look

    how neatly he ced everything back after rummaging through the documents. He¡¯s quite something.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you still haven¡¯t told me.

    ¡°Jasper gave it to me.¡±

    Sean widened his eyes in astonishment, staring at theposed Alyssa in disbelief. ¡°Jasper gave it to

    you? But he¡¯speting against KS World Hotel. Why would he do that?¡±

    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s hesitant to let Sophia and Betty usurp his work, so he¡¯s trying to get rid of Betty through

    my

    involvement.¡±

    The memory of Jasper toweling dry her hair that night suddenly crossed her mind. Her heart clenched.

    She responded icily, ¡°I¡¯d sooner believe in the existence of ghosts in this world than believe he did it for

    my sake.¡±

    He had attempted to conceal his true intentions by sending her an anonymous email. She wondered if

    he belleved she couldn¡¯t identify him. She wasn¡¯t the queen of hackers for nothing.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, now that we¡¯ve gotten rid of the mole, how do you intend to deal with Abigail?¡± Sean

    couldn¡¯t help but worry. ¡°Even if we have Bryan¡¯s testimony, we can¡¯t sue Abigail without solid

    evidence.¡±

    BONUS

    ¡°Who said I¡¯m going to sue her? Thew can punish those who sin, but bitches like her will often

    escape

    the clutches of thew.¡±

    A cold glint shimmered in Alyssa¡¯s eyes as she looked at the shirtless cheating couple. ¡°Send those

    photos to Mrs. Farley.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ve heard that Mrs. Farley is very skilled in martial arts,¡± said Sean in an intrigued manner.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that just perfect for her? It¡¯s a free opportunity for her to practice her skills.¡±

    Alyssa discreetly extended her hand into Sean¡¯s suit pocket to retrieve some chocte.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already gotten rid of her father. So, I don¡¯t want to get directly involved with her. Otherwise, I¡¯ll end

    up

    like those soap opera viins,¡± said Alyssa.

    Out of the blue, Sean¡¯s hand shot to his pocket and held her mischievous hand beneath theyers of

    his

    suit.

    With a gentle tone, he advised, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, it¡¯s best not to eat too much. I¡¯m concerned it could

    adversely

    affect your teeth.¡±

    Later that night, Jasper sat in his office, waiting for news from Xavier. He wasn¡¯t in a rush to return to

    Seaview Manor, even though he had finished his work.

    Finally, Xavier returned with a joyous expression.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, Madam Alice has finally apprehended the traitor on their team! They¡¯ve already handed

    him

    over to the police.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Jasper responded calmly. He finally felt at ease now..

    ¡°We don¡¯t know whether Madam Alice used the information you emailed her.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if she didn¡¯t.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes dimmed as he thought of that daring woman. ¡°What I provided her was just icing on the

    cake. Even without the information I gave her, she would¡¯ve handled this matter perfectly with her

    abilities.¡±

    He had underestimated his ex-wife. He realized he had thought of Alyssa as a dull woman who knew

    nothing except for cooking.

    Now, it seemed like he had not only been blind but also incredibly foolish.

 Chapter 421

    Jasper¡¯s mistaken perception of Alyssa was unquestionably deserving of a spot in the hall of shame.

    Right at that moment, the inte rang. Jasper put the call on speaker. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa¡¯s secretary is here to see you. He didn¡¯t have an appointment. Should we

    send him away?¡±

    Xavier rolled his eyes upon learning that Sean was here. He despised Sean very much, and their

    rtionship resembled that of cats and dogs-in a perpetual state of conflict.

    ¡°Let him in,¡± ordered Jasper in a cold andposed tone.

    The opportunity to meet the esteemed president of the Beckett Group was a rare privilege. However,

    Sean was connected to Alyssa, so Jasper was willing to make an exception.

    A few minutester, Sean entered the office with a stoic expression.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I came under Ms. Alyssa¡¯s orders to deliver something to you,¡± said Sean as he ced at

    white box on Jasper¡¯s desk.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°What¡¯s inside?¡± Jasper¡¯s gaze was fixed on the box.

    ¡°A bomb,¡± Sean replied indifferently.

    Jasper pursed his lips, finding himself at a loss for words.

    ¡°Hey, do you think you¡¯re funny?¡± Xavier couldn¡¯t tolerate Sean at all. He was such ackey for Alyssa.

    He retorted, ¡°If it really is a bomb, do you think you can get past the security check at the Beckett

    Group¡¯s

    entrance?¡±

    Sean sneered at him. ¡°So why did Mr. Beckett ask in the first ce? You just have to keep in mind that

    it¡¯s nothing dangerous. Ms. Alyssa gave it to you, so just ept it.¡±

    Xavier gritted his teeth and thought to himself that the person in front of him might seem decent, but he

    could be quite an asshole when speaking.

    Jasper pressed his lips together firmly as he opened the box with curiosity.

    Indeed, there wasn¡¯t anything dangerous in it. Instead, a mousse cake shaped like a dog¡¯s head was in

    it. He smiled unwittingly.

    ¡°Did Ms. Alyssa make this herself?¡± He seemedposed, but a hint of joy in his eyes gave him away.

    ¡°Huh, how can you even entertain such a thought, Mr. Beckett? Ms. Alyssa told me to buy it for you. Do

    you still think you¡¯re worthy of Ms. Alyssa¡¯s cooking?¡± Sean mocked.

    Jasper was dumbfounded, his jaw clenched tight.

    ¡°You¡¯re speaking in vain. It¡¯s not as if Ms. Alyssa never cooked for Mr. Beckett. If he wasn¡¯t worthy, how

    could she have done so for three years?¡± Xavier snapped angrily. He could no longer hold back his

    anger.

    Sean nced at Jasper with disdain. ¡°Alice might make dog food, but that¡¯s not the case for Ms.

    Alyssa.¡±

    Xavier was utterly infuriated. He clenched his fists, ready to throw a punch at him. ¡°How dare you!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Xavier,¡± Jasper called a halt to his actions. Instead, he questioned Sean sternly, ¡°Why

    did Alyssa send me this?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa sent me here to tell you that she has already received the anonymous email you sent. This

    is what she gave you in return.¡±

    Jasper was stunned for a while. She already knew? So soon?

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa sent this cake to remind you not to treat her like a fool, She¡¯s incredibly smart an extremely

    talented people around her. She doesn¡¯t need a strategist who¡¯s as dense as a dog.¡±

    and has

    Once Sean had finished his sentence, he didn¡¯t even bother to excuse himself. He simply turned and

    left the office right away.

    ¡°Strategist who¡¯s as dumb as a dog. Was he talking about you?¡±

    Jasper thought that even if it had been that apparent, he did not need to point it out.

    Xavier finally realized what he had blurted out when he saw Jasper¡¯s grim expression. His face turned

    pale in an instant, and he timidly retreated to the corner of the wall.

 Chapter 422

    In a certain hotel¡¯s luxury suite, Abigail was riding through hell and high water to upgrade her way of

    life.

    ¡°Fuck! You¡¯re so good, Daddy!¡± Abigail moaned, panting against Matthew Farley. Glistening sweat

    rolled down their skin.

    ¡°That¡¯s it, doll¡­ I love it when you call me that. Come on, who¡¯s your Daddy?¡± Matthew groaned,

    spouting out the entire spectrum of filth that was dirty talk.

    All Abigail wanted was for him to finish, however. It wasn¡¯t the first time she had slept with someone to

    get a promotion. This time, it was to be the general manager of the news department she was in.

    Just when the finish line was in sight, the hotel room door was unexpectedly thrown open.

    Abigail shrieked, quickly diving under the covers.

    t

    Matthew, meanwhile, hurriedly pulled on his underwear. A chilling sensation shot down his spine like

    icy spikes as he turned to see who was at the door.

    ¡°H-Honey?¡±

    ¡°So this is the whore you¡¯ve been sleeping with, Matthew Farley? Aurora Cristole, Matthew¡¯s wife,

    cried. She red menacingly at Abigail, looking at her up and down.

    Aurora was a wom

    was a woman of nearly five foot seven, while Abigail was not. Thetter qualled when the woman

    shrugged off her coat, revealing broad shoulders that spoke of a diligent gym routine.

    ¡°Here I was, thinking she would be nice on the eyes. Where did you find this piece of roadkill?¡±

    Aurora then stormed over and dragged Abigail out of the bed by her hair, pping her hard on the

    cheeks.

    Abigail¡¯s lip split open, and blood seeped out, staining the corners of her mouth.

    ¡°Ah! Help me, Mr. Farley!¡± Abigail screamed in pain.

    But Matthew didn¡¯t dare. He stayed on the floor, quaking in sheer fright.

    Just then, Aurora¡¯s assistant walked into the room, nked by two burly guards.

    ¡°Breaking news! My boss¡¯ husband, Director Matthew Farley, has been caught red-handed for sleeping

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    with his subordinate! What a vixen! What a cheat! Don¡¯t miss out on this news now!¡±

    The woman was live-streaming the scene..

    Abigail and Matthew were utterly shocked.

    +15 BONUS ¡°Huh, how can you even entertain such a thought, Mr. Beckett? Ms. Alyssa told me to buy

    it for you. Do you still think you¡¯re worthy of Ms. Alyssa¡¯s cooking?¡± Sean mocked.

    Jasper was dumbfounded, his jaw clenched tight.

    ¡°You¡¯re speaking in vain. It¡¯s not as if Ms. Alyssa never cooked for Mr. Beckett. If he wasn¡¯t worthy, how

    could she have done so for three years?¡± Xavier snapped angrily. He could no longer hold back his

    anger.

    Sean nced at Jasper with disdain. ¡°Alice might make dog food, but that¡¯s not the case for Ms.

    Alyssa.¡±

    Xavier was utterly infuriated. He clenched his fists, ready to throw a punch at him. ¡°How dare you!

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Xavier,¡± Jasper called a halt to his actions. Instead, he questioned Sean sternly, ¡°Why

    did Alyssa send me this?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa sent me here to tell you that she has already received the anonymous email you sent. This

    is what she gave you in return.¡±

    Jasper was stunned for a while. She already knew? So soon?

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa sent this cake to remind you not to treat her like a fool. She¡¯s incredibly smart and has

    extremely talented people around her. She doesn¡¯t need a strategist who¡¯s as dense as a dog.¡±

    §°§á§ã§Ö

    Sean had finished his sentence, he didn¡¯t even bother to excuse himself. He simply turned and left the

    office right away.

    ¡°Strategist who¡¯s as dumb as a dog¡­ Was he talking about you?¡±

    Jasper thought that even if it had been that apparent, he did not need to point it out

    Xavier finally realized what he had blurted out when he saw Jasper¡¯s grim expression. His face turned

    pale in an instant, and he timidly retreated to the corner of the wall.

 Chapter 423

    The audio file was of Bryan confessing everything about Abigail¡¯s ns-how she had seduced and

    tricked him into stealing KS World Hotel¡¯s confidential information before giving it to her.

    Abigail¡¯s phone fell to the ground.

    Her shaking grew more violent as she hugged herself tightly, feeling like her world had crumbl

    Betty took a hot bubble bath that night beforemencing her skincare routine. Ever since Landon

    gave her those warnings that day, all for Lauren¡¯s sake, she hadn¡¯t been able to sleep well.

    It seemed as though a heavy burden rested upon her chest, steadily increasing in weight.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    She truly didn¡¯t understand how that idiotic sister of hers could have Alyssa Taylor back her up. Now,

    even Landon was standing up for her!

    ¡°That lying, thieving bitch!¡± Betty cried, using her lipstick to scrawl Lauren¡¯s name on the mirror before

    furiously crossing it out. ¡°Just you wait¡­ when I¡¯m Berenike¡¯s CEO-¡±

    Her phone rang.

    Betty scowled when she saw it was Zoe. Nheless, she adopted a sweet and gentle tone. ¡°Hey, Zoe

    What¡¯s up?¡± said Betty.

    ¡°Nothing good!¡± Zoe said anxiously. ¡°Alyssa has found the mole in herpany and already had him

    arrested by the police!¡±

    ¡°What? How?¡± Betty cried, anxiety picking up in her chest. ¡°W-What about Abigail? Is she safe?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the live stream catching her in bed with her boss, Matthew? The guy¡¯s wife went to their

    hotel room in person to reveal them to the public. They didn¡¯t even have time to put on any clothes!¡±

    Betty slowly sat back in her chair, mind filled with nothing but a loud buzzing noise

    Why did everything change so drastically and so fast? She had only taken a bubble bath.

    ¡°Hurry up and delete all your message history with Abigail before the police track you down!¡± Zoe

    reminded sternly.

    ¡°G-Got it!¡±

    Just then, another call came in from Betty¡¯s secretary.

    ¡°One second, Zoe, I need to get this call.¡± Betty theh put Zoe on hold and answered her secretary¡¯s

    iing call. ¡°Do you have any news about Abigail?¡±

    ¡°Terrible news, Ms. Betty!¡± the girl cried over the phone. ¡°Ms. Grant got into an ident near Petale

    Street! She¡¯s being resuscitated in the hospital right as we speak.¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah!¡± Betty yelled in relief.

    ¡°Huh?

    Betty borated, ¡°Alyssa Taylor just caught the mole. That means Abigail is right next on her list. If she

    gets her hands on Abigail, we¡¯re doomed. This ident couldn¡¯t havee at a better time!¡±

    Betty grinned and continued, ¡°Hmph! That little whore¡¯s done enough for us. The best thing she can do

    now is stay in that hospital and not cause us any trouble!¡±

    Alyssa naturally knew of Abigail¡¯s ident minutes after it urred. She was in the wine cer Jonah

    had custom-built for her.

    When Sean reported the news to her, she was picking a nightcap to enjoy before bed.

    ¡°Sources say she may have gotten distracted and lost focus when she ventured onto the road. Looks

    like being found sleeping with her boss really impacted her,¡± reported Sean.

    Sean held onto thedder while Alyssa perused the shelfbels up top.

    ¡°She wasn¡¯t too bad looking. Pity she chose to sell herself out like some piece of meat.¡± There was not

    an ounce of pity in Alyssa¡¯s eyes, though, as she said that.

    Sean nodded. ¡°Mrs. Farley really did a number on them.¡±

    ¡°As she should. Worse would have awaited a third wheel like Abigail Grant if she¡¯d gone unpunished.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s marriage had been ruined by a third wheel, too-Liana Gardner. Just because Jasper never

    loved or cared for her during their three years of marriage, it didn¡¯t mean Liana¡¯s stepping in was

    eptable.

    ¡°Now that the two small fish have been taken care of, should we focus on the shark?¡± Sean asked.

    ¡°Not yet. We¡¯ll let Betty enjoy her short-lived glee.¡± Alyssa slowly walked down the stairs.

    Her phone then rang.

    It was General Mutt himself.

 Chapter 424

    ¡°Can you help me decant this red wine?¡± Alyssa handed Sean a bottle while taking out her phone.

    Sean frowned slightly, knowing this was her way of getting him out so she could have privacy.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, Sean. I hate Jasper, but it¡¯s not like we can¡¯t still discuss business

    together.¡± Alyssa gently patted Sean¡¯s shoulder.

    She added, ¡°I¡¯ll need to continue being in contact with him now that I n to expand KS Group in

    Sna City.¡±

    ¡°But Ms. Alyssa-

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to be afraid. He¡¯s not going to eat me. If he tries, Axel will wipe him out from the face

    of the Earth before he knows what hit him.¡±

    Sean wasn¡¯t afraid. He would give his life to Alyssa if that were what it took to see her safe. He could

    never bear to see her getting hurt again.

    He sighed and went to decant the bottle as told, leaving Alyssa alone in the wine cer.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Alyssa answered the call, her tone cold and t.

    ¡°Thank you for the cake. It was delicious.¡±

    Alyssa lowered her gaze. Jasper¡¯s voice was maic, easily enchanting those attracted to him.

    Unfortunately for him, Alyssa was no longer under that spell.

    She had always been disciplined, able to get over almost anything, even past loves.

    ¡°You¡¯re wee. I hope you¡¯ve learned your lesson. Next time you think about shoving your nose into

    others¡¯ business, think about the cake.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I was being a busybody.¡± Jasper said sternly. ¡°Anything to do with you is always worth

    paying

    attention to.¡±

    Alyssa sneered. ¡°It is worth paying attention to since you¡¯ll be using us to remove your sister from the

    picture.

    ¡°After all, if Betty Beckett bes your hotel¡¯s CEO, your stepmother is sure to take action again. You

    wouldn¡¯t want to see all your hopes and dreams fall apart.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s brows knit together. Alyssa used to love and care for him when she was still Alice White.

    That woman was gone now, and in her ce was a tough, Iron-wrought maiden who nned their

    Sadly for Jasper, this woman today made it difficult for him to let go of her.

    ¡°Do vo

    you really think I¡¯d care about Sophia and Betty, Alyssa? If they were capable of making it big for

    themselves, I wouldn¡¯t have stayed where I am for so long.¡±

    sa¡¯s knuckle cracking could be heard over the phone. ¡°I suggest you stop getting involved with my

    affairs from now on, Jasper Beckett.

    ¡°This is the final warning I¡¯ll give you on ount of being your ex-wife. You will not want to make me go

    all out against you. Don¡¯t me me if that dayes to pass.¡±

    ¡°Do whatever you please,¡± Jasper rasped. ¡°I can¡¯t speak much about other towns, but at least for

    Sna City, I¡¯m in charge. No one will get in your way here.¡±

 Chapter 425

    Alyssa frowned. Why did that sound so weird? It was like someone had vored a floral perfume with

    old

    socks.

    The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet. Neither spoke.

    After some time, Jasper said, ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to tell you. Goodnight.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    But Jasper had already hung up.

    ¡°What the hell? Was he drunk or something?¡± Alyssa grumbled, shaking her head as she switched off

    her phone.

    Meanwhile, Jasper was just realizing how mmy his hands were. His throat was burning dry, and his

    heart pounded wildly against his ribs like a caged animal.

    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. ¡°Let what is a bane of my mind today pass on before the

    next light. May that which frequents my heart unchecked, leave

    Abigail remained in a state ofa after the car ident.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ording to the doctor, she was near vegetative, with very little chance of reawakening. This came as

    wonderful news to Betty. She felt like Lady Luck was finally gracing her presence!

    She couldn¡¯t have anyone find out that she had persuaded Abigail to steal information from KS World

    Hotel.

    Still, Betty¡¯s situation didn¡¯t change for the better. Ada Kingsley insisted that she would only speak to

    Jasper about working together. Apparently, her team was also scouting other hotels, too.

    Betty went to visit Zoe at her ce after lunch. She was panicking to no end. However, Zoe appeared

    calm andposed, quietly sipping her tea.

    ¡°What do you n to do about Ada?¡±

    ¡°The only reason she chose KS World Hotel is because Alyssa fulfilled her condition of procuring one

    of the world¡¯s top jewelry designers to help design for her wedding-all for that useless little brooch!

    ¡°My useless brother hasn¡¯t been able to get Alexa onboard until today!¡± Betty cried, stomping her feet.

    Zoe cocked her head. ¡°All¡¯s not lost.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ What do you menn, Zoe?¡± Betty asked in shock. ¡°Did you manage to find one of Alexa¡¯s

    designs?¡±

    ¡°As far as I know, Alexa has never revealed herself to the public, always keeping a low profile. In fact,

    we don¡¯t even know if she¡¯s alive, and barely anyone has seen her actual products. So, why don¡¯t you

    make a counterfeit one to give to Ada?¡±

    ¡°Y-You want me to give Ada Kingsley fake jewelry? I¡¯d be ruined if someone found out!!¡± Betty gasped,

    eyes wide as tes.

    ¡°Tsk. How would anyone find out? You can¡¯t even tell whether you¡¯re bidding for a fake or genuine item

    during auctions, not to mention something as small as a bunch of shiny rocks. No one would be able to

    tell other than Alexa herself,¡± stated Zoe.

    Then, Zoe leaned in and murmured, ¡°Plus, I know a guy from Yoarkley. He¡¯s a jewelry designer and

    was once Alexa¡¯s disciple. I can have him make a counterfeit of Alexa¡¯s jewelry for you. Then, you can

    pass it on to Ada. That way, she¡¯ll definitely agree to work with you.¡±

    Betty was still feeling hesitant about this n. But honestly, she barely had a choice anymore. She

    gritted her teeth and chose to give it a go.

 Chapter 426

    With L¡¯s birthday, Winston¡¯s third wife, drawing near, Alyssa dedicated her nights to crafting a

    present In her room. It was a ring of pure gold, iid with natural aquamarine and diamonds.

    Craftsmanship-wise, this was a piece of cake. Only the aquamarine heightened the cost of the ring. It

    was a true blue, straight-from-the-mine crystal that was still attached to its host rock when she got it.

    Alyssa was always thorough and devoted when it came to the gifts she prepared for her loved ones.

    She used to be the same toward Jasper, too. Sadly, he never appreciated it.

    Just then, a video call request appeared on her phone. It was Sliva Nunez, her assistant from her

    jewelry design firm.

    ¡°There are very few reasons why you would call me at this hour,¡± Alyssa said while polishing the

    crystal.

    Dow

    you remember Tyson Nn?¡± Sliva asked.

    ¡°Yeah. Why? He apprenticed under me for three years before starting a jewelry line of his own. He¡¯s a

    pretty gifted student.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t believe what happened. Someone contacted him asking to make a mimic of your jewelry

    design a couple of days ago.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that outrageous? You might want to consider showing yourself in public again, Alexa, before

    counterfeits start filling the market!¡±

    Alyssaughed leisurely. ¡°No reason to get worked up. It shows how irreceable I am. They couldn¡¯t

    find

    me, so they had to counterfeit my work to satisfy their egos. No one else¡¯s work sufficed.¡±

    ¡°Tyson came to tell me this first thing after he failed to get in touch with you. He doesn¡¯t want to take

    the

    job at all, saying it was an insult to your name, craft, and his loyalty to you, his teacher!¡±

    Alyssa was impressed.

    Alyssa asked curiously, ¡°Who

    is this person who¡¯smissioning the fake if you don¡¯t mind me asking?

    They must be truly influential to be able to find my disciple.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how they got to know him, but he says they¡¯re a Cyrrian from Sna City. A woman. The

    rich

    heiress kind, with thest name Harper.

    Alyssa was caught off guard.

    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s also that pianist, Christina Hammond¡¯s student,¡± Sliva added.

    Alyssa smirked when she realized what was going on.

    As they continued to push the boundaries of her tolerance, Alyssa had no reservations about not

    holding back.

    ¡°Tell Tyler to proceed with themission, Sliva. He has my permission,¡± Alyssa said slyly

    ¡°What? Why?¡±

    ¡°Tell him to give it his all, and don¡¯t make me look bad.¡±

    Five dayster, Jasper received word of rming news after his staff meeting.

    Ada Kingsley bod

    Ada Kingsley had agreed to work with Berenike Hotel.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Jasper asked sternly as he gazed out of his office windows.

    Xavier said, ¡°I heard Ms. Betty got her hands on one of Alexa¡¯s designs and gave it to Ada. That¡¯s why

    she has agreed to work with us!¡±

    Jasper sneered. ¡°It¡¯s definitely a counterfeit.¡±

    ¡°That¡­ I can¡¯t be so sure. Shouldn¡¯t Ms. Kingsley be able to identify a genuine product from a fake

    one? Xavier felt dejected.

    He went on, saying. ¡°If they sign the contract, the hotel will fall into Betty and that witch¡¯s clutches.

    What if they exploit the situation and begin to oppress us?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa should have heard the news by now,¡± Jasper murmured to himself.

    Betty was a far more taxing opponent than Alyssa was. But that was the least of his concerns right

    now.

    Xavier sighed. ¡°Madam hasn¡¯t been taking much action these days. She might have given up for all we

    know.¡±

    ¡°Give up? Like hell, Jasper said slowly. ¡°Alyssa would never give up so easily. She¡¯s very likely biding

    her

    time right now. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s already plotting her next move if she hasn¡¯t already.¡±

    Betty Beckett¡¯s intelligence paled inparison to his beloved wife¡¯s.

    As soon as he thought that, he realized his mistake. She was now his ex-wife.

    Jasper winced as his heart ached.

 Chapter 427

    That night, the Beckett family got together for their monthly dinner with Newton.

    The atmosphere appeared cheerful and merry; even Betty helped serve her sister food and drink every

    now and then. It was as if they shared a close bond.

    Lauren stayed silent beside Jasper, not uttering a word since the beginning of the evening.

    Though she remained quiet, her determination was evident-every morsel of food Betty gave her was

    discreetly pushed to the side of the te.

    Javier set his silverware down. ¡°Dad, Sophia and I have something important in the works. We¡¯d like to

    seek your opinion on it now that we¡¯ve taken the time to consider it.¡±

    ¡°Why? If you two have decided, then there is no point ining to me for approval.¡± Newton tucked

    into

    some corn.

    Newton went on, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sure this wife of yours can give you all the opinions you need to hear.

    Haven¡¯t you relied on her all these years?¡±

    Sophia forced a smile, even though her chest was filled with hatred.

    She despised this time of the month. Newton always had his way of pushing her buttons or digging a

    thorn in her side. It got so bad that she would get insomnia in anticipation of the monthly dinner.

    She wondered when Newton would die.

    Javier cleared his throat, sping Sophia¡¯s hand under the table. ¡°Betty¡¯s a young woman now, Dad. I

    think it¡¯s time we consider her marriage prospects.¡±

    Betty blushed furiously in response.

    Newton paused in his eating. ¡°Marriage? Betty is only 25 years old. Why are you trying to marry her off

    so

    badly? I still want her and Lauren to be by my side for at least ten more years. What the hell are you in

    a

    rush for?¡±

    Javier pursed his lips. He didn¡¯t know what to say.

    ¡°The girls are beautiful and will no doubt stay so even until they¡¯re 52. They will still have their fair share

    of

    suitors then!¡±

    Newton suddenly narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not trying to form a marriage alliance, are you? The

    company

    isn¡¯t having an emergency, is it?¡±

    ¡°What? No, of course not, Dad,¡± Sophia hurriedly said.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you now, Javier Beckett, don¡¯t you force my granddaughters into an arranged marriage even

    if

    it means thepany is to go bankrupt tomorrow. Understood?¡± Newton ordered sternly.

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking, Grandpa.¡± Betty tugged on his arm, shaking her head. ¡°Mom and Dad are just

    helping

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    me out. It¡¯s nothing to do with the business. I¡¯m the one who wants to marry.¡±

    ¡°You?¡± Newton asked incredulously.

    Betty nodded. A shy smile graced her face.

    Newton couldn¡¯t help but wonder where the time had gone. His granddaughter was all grown up.

    ¡°You misunderstood Javier, Dad. We¡¯re only supporting Betty¡¯s wishes. She already has someone in

    mind,

    ¡°Sophia said, grinning.

    ¡°Oh? Who then?¡±

    ¡°Landon, Dad,¡± Javier said. ¡°The Harper boy. You¡¯ve known him since he was a kid.¡±

    Jasper remained silent as he ate, though a note of apprehension appeared in his eyes.

    ¡°Landon? Landon Harper?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dad,¡± Sophia affirmed.

    A loud ng suddenly interrupted the conversation. All eyes fell on Lauren, whose silverware had

    dropped onto the floor.

    That was considered extremely rude in a household where manner and etiquette were everything.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Lauren cried, bending down to pick the cutlery up. However, Jasper beat her to it.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll get you a new set,¡± he said kindly.

    ¡°Thank you. Thank you, Jasper, Lauren murmured meekly.

    Betty watched her sister, who had grown pale and stark, and grinned evilly.

 Chapter 428

    ¡°Watch your manners, Lauren! We¡¯re having dinner with Grandpa here!¡± Sophia quipped.

    ¡°Alright, alright. That¡¯s enough. It¡¯s just a fork. No reason to get upset at the girl,¡± Newton retorted.

    Lauren

    was his favorite granddaughter, after all.

    Sophia clenched her fists angrily under the table. Everything she did was wrong in the eyes of this old

    man!

    ¡°Grandpa, Mom, Dad¡­ I¡¯m done with my meal,¡± Lauren said softly, then hurriedly left the table.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched his sister leave, and certain thoughts appeared in his mind.

    Betty¡¯s gleeful mood had increased double fold.

    She thought that Lauren didn¡¯t have to endure such a situation. Lauren could have remained the

    family¡¯s

    insignificant, almost invisible member for the rest of her life.

    Regrettably, Lauren had chosen to attempt to seduce her man. That was why she felt the need to teach

    Lauren a lesson and assert her dominance in the situation.

    ¡®But why Landon?¡± Newton asked with a frown. ¡°Didn¡¯t he like Alice?¡±

    Javier, Sophia, and Betty¡¯s face turned an ugly shade of red.

    Jasper coughed violently, having been drinking some water. His grip on the ss tightened.

    ¡°What are you saying, Grandpa? Why would Landon like Alyssa?¡± Betty huffed, her face reddened with

    anger.

    ¡°Of course he does. I may be 80, but my eyes and ears still function properly. I saw how devoted

    Landon

    was to Alice. He couldn¡¯t keep his eyes or attention off of her during my birthday celebration. He¡¯s a

    smart, keen boy, that one.¡±

    Newton then nced at Jasper. ¡°I even thought of marrying Alice to him at the time. They¡¯d make the

    perfect pair. Plus, Landon would treat her like a queen, unlike some. She¡¯d definitely have a happy

    married.

    life ahead of her then.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Upon learning that Alyssa would spend the rest of her life happily with Landon, Jasper felt incredulous.

    Jasper¡¯s grip on his ss was slowly weakening, almost imperceptibly. He couldn¡¯t help but sense that

    Newton was indirectly chastising him.

    But Jasper couldn¡¯t bear the thought of Landon marrying Alyssa. The man who lost his virginity at 16

    and

    ¡°Am I still your granddaughter, Grandpa?¡± Betty cried. ¡°I¡¯m the one who likes Landon Harper right now,

    not Alyssa! Shouldn¡¯t you be helping me instead? Why would you want to match him to Alyssa Taylor?¡±

    ¡°Does Landon feel the same way about you?¡± Newton asked.

    ¡°That¡­ I¡­¡± Betty was stumped.

    ¡°I saw how he treated you the night of my birthday. You two didn¡¯t even exchange a single word. He

    doesn¡¯t care for you at all.¡±

    Betty gritted her teeth, unable to retort because she knew Newton

    was right.

    Newton advised, ¡°Just because you wouldn¡¯t be forced into an arranged marriage doesn¡¯t mean that

    you

    should force something that isn¡¯t there. You¡¯ll only end up wasting your time and embarrassing yourself.

    Newton shook his head and continued, ¡°Your personalities don¡¯t match, either. With Landon¡¯s temper,

    you two wouldn¡¯t have a day of peace.¡±

    Grandpa!¡± Betty whined, nearly crying in desperation.

    *Don¡¯t go asking Betty that, Dad.¡± Javier stepped in to help his daughter. ¡°Women tend to be shy.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like Landon has no feelings for Betty, either. He came by the other day just to talk to Betty.

    Sophia and I both saw it with our own eyes.¡±

    Betty¡¯s heart clenched, recalling how Landon had spoken to her that day. Tears pooled in her eyes.

    So what if Landon hated her guts?

    As long as she married him and became his wife, she was sure he¡¯d eventually fall in love with her after

    spending time together!

 Chapter 429

    ¡°Oh?¡± Newton responded curiously, stroking his chin.

    ¡°Yeah, Dad,¡± Sophia piped up, ¡°When has someone like Landon ever personally gone to see another

    woman?

    ¡°He clearly has Betty in his thoughts. He wouldn¡¯t havee by otherwise. Plus, Alyssa already has

    someone else.¡± 1

    Jasper slowly turned his eyes to Sophia. He swallowed anxiously, as if trying to control a turbulent

    emotion.

    Newton was surprised to hear this. ¡°Alice has a boyfriend? Who is it?¡±

    ¡°Victor Schmidt¡¯s youngest, Jameson.¡± Sophia had gotten word of this from Liana herself. Even though

    there wasn¡¯t much evidence that the two were dating, she might as well bring this up to stop the old

    man

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    from interfering with their ns.

    ¡°Alyssa is not dating Jameson Schmidt,¡± Jasper finally spoke up, setting down his cutlery.

    ¡°But I heard they¡¯ve already gone on several dates, like going to the flower gardens, orchestras¡­¡±

    ¡°They are not dating.¡± Jasper¡¯s gaze glinted with invisible knives. ¡°Hopefully, Sophia remembers not to

    Start errant rumors for any vindictive reasons.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor is the daughter of Winston Taylor, who is also the CEO of KS World Hotel.

    ¡°Most importantly, she¡¯s a woman. Rumors and gossip like this could have devastating effects on her

    reputation.¡±

    Sophia bristled, her lip twitching angrily.

    Javier cried, ¡°Is this how you speak to your elders? Don¡¯t you know r-¡±

    Jasper stood up before his father could finish talking. I¡¯m full now. Please enjoy the rest of your meal

    without me.¡±

    Newton watched as his grandson left the dining room, his eyes narrowing curiously.

    Jasper tugged on his tie, heading to the gardens to take a breather.

    Feelings of frustration, distress, and fear had enveloped him since the moment Newton brought up the

    As soon as Jameson Schmidt was brought into the conversation, the sensation in his chest grew

    exponentially.

    It felt almost as if his lungs were being slowly consumed, making it increasingly difficult to draw breath.

    He took out a cigarette and lit it before taking a puff.

    As he grew increasingly upset, he reached for his phone to call Landon.

    ¡°Finally, you asshole!¡± Landon cried from the other end. He was whining like some kind of housewife

    left at home for too long. ¡°You haven¡¯te to see me once since I got food poisoning, you ass!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something you might want to know.¡± Jasper took a deep breath. ¡°Javier and Sophia intend for

    you to marry Betty in an alliance.¡±

    ¡°Oh, fuck!¡± Landon yelped from the other end of the call. ¡°Why the fuck am I involved in your family

    drama

    now?¡±

    ¡°Does it matter who you marry? I thought you said they¡¯d be nothing more than a decoration to your

    name?

    ¡°Yes, I did say that, but-¡±

    ¡°So why not marry Betty? She likes you, and you¡¯d benefit from joining our families together.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck, man? You know how sly that sister of yours is! You can¡¯t do this to me!¡±

    ¡°She may be sly, but she¡¯s putty in your hands. You could do what you want with her, and she wouldn¡¯t

    find

    it in herself to retaliate. Think of it as karma. Jasper puffed out some smoke. 1

    Neither Landon nor Jameson was going to have Alyssa. 1

    Jasper gritted his teeth, feeling as if he were a vengeful fly swatter trying to rid Alyssa of all the stray

    flies

    buzzing around her.

 Chapter 430

    The counterfeit worked!

    Betty had nervously handed it to Ada. She had been terrified of being found out.

    In fact, she had even devised an escape n in case she was discovered.

    Her excuse would involve iming that she had been deceived by the ¡°friend¡± who had given her the

    jewelry.

    Surprisingly, Ada didn¡¯t realize the jewelry was a counterfeit. She had to thank Alexa¡¯s disciple, Tyson

    Nn, for that..

    Ada even tried the ne on, grinning from ear to ear.

    That was how Ada decided she would work with Berenike Hotel. Just like that, Betty managed to carve

    a

    spot out for herself in the hotel¡¯s higher management-all without her mother¡¯s help!

    That night, Sophia celebrated with Betty on the balcony, popping bottles of champagne.

    ¡°Once Ada¡¯s wedding is over and your father entrusts you with full control of the hotel, you¡¯ll be set on

    the

    path to securing a position on the board of directors!

    *Then we can finally kick that bastard Jasper out of the picture!¡± Sophia eximed, her hand snaked

    around her daughter¡¯s waist.

    Her eyes glowed with excitement as she said, ¡°I can¡¯t rely on your sister, but you have never let me

    down!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, Mom! Once I secure a spot on the board, I¡¯ll gradually diminish Jasper¡¯s influence.

    Then

    the entire business will be in our hands!¡± Betty happily clinked sses with her mother.

    Just then, the butler called from outside the room, ¡°Madam Sophia, Ms. Betty, there¡¯s a letter for you.¡±

    The women shared a look before going to the door.

    ¡°Who is it from?¡± Betty asked.

    ¡°KS World Hotel¡¯s General Manager¡¯s personal assistant cum secretary, Mr. Lynch.¡±

    KS World Hotel? Alyssa Taylor sent them this?

    ¡°Thank you. Now leave us.¡± Sophia took the letter and shut the door.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    She opened the envelope to find two invitations to a charity auction for jewelry. She pursed her lips, her

    expression darkened.

    ¡°Mom, this doesn¡¯t feel right. That bitch hasn¡¯t made a squeak for nearly two weeks, only to send this to

    us now for seemingly no reason. This isn¡¯t a trap, is it? Betty asked womedy

    ¡°Tsk. There¡¯s nothing to fear. Now that Ada has signed the contract to work with us. Alyssa has no

    chance

    of turning the tides in her favor anymore¡±

    Coincidentally, the evening news on the television began broadcasting about said charty auction.

    ¡°Look, Mom, the event organizer is MINT! Betty eximed. ¡°They¡¯re a famous fashion magazine that

    has

    branches all across the world.

    ¡°Countless celebrities got famous all because they were featured on its covers! I cant believe Alyssa

    had

    them organize this event. She¡¯s going all out! Look, even Ada is joining t

    She hadn¡¯t anticipated that Alyssa, whose reputation had suffered alongside that of KS World Hotel

    would be able to secure MINT. Just how many connections did she have?

    Betty¡¯s hands were clenched into fists her nails digging into her palms.

    ¡°There¡¯s no use putting bells and whistles on everything. A loss is a loss. Alyssa is only doing this to

    keep

    appearances up,¡± said Sophia, scowling

    Imre

    She added, ¡°We need to attend. She sent us invites, after am not scared of her. This is the perfect

    opportunity to keep an eye on Alyssa too. We have to make sure she doesn¡¯t steal Ada away again

    Alyssa had just finished speaking with MINTs editor-in-chief on the phone and was getting ready to go

    kayaking when Jonah visited.

    ¡°Jonah!¡± she cried happily, running downstairs to leap into his arms.

    Jonah weed her hug, nearly lifting her from the ground.

 Chapter 431

    Jonah frowned, disapproving of how skintight her outfit was. ¡°Are you going out for sports thiste in

    the

    evening?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m in a swell mood, Jonah. I have a kayak waiting for me in the river behind the house right this

    second!¡± Alyssa grinned.

    ¡°It¡¯s so dark out already. What if you fall into the water? You¡¯re not the best swimmer.¡± Jonah pinched

    her

    waist. ¡°And it¡¯s freezing out here, Alyssa. What if you get a cold?¡±

    He then turned to Sean, using, ¡°What have you been doing? Why haven¡¯t you tried talking some

    sense

    into her?¡±

    ¡°My deepest apologies, Mr. Jonah!¡± Sean bowed profusely.

    ¡°Don¡¯t me him, Jonah. He tried stopping me, but you know as well as I do, no one can stop me.¡±

    The siblings went to sit on the couch, Alyssa resting on her brother¡¯s shoulder. ¡°MINT¡¯s editor-in-chief

    just

    called me to confirm the auction¡¯s flow. Thank you so much for helping me get them onboard, Jonah.¡±

    MINT magazine¡¯s editor-in-chief was fashionista and designer Yves Vanderbilt, a demoness in human.

    skin who could make or break nearly all brands, designs, and individuals in the field with just one look.

    It was this woman who had personally called Alyssa earlier. Only God knew how excited she had been!

    ¡°I¡¯m just happy that you¡¯re happy, Lyse.¡± Jonah tapped her nose. ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to mope after losing

    Ada Kingsley, so I found something to keep you busy. I know you like filling your time with that kind of

    thing.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. I¡¯m not that fragile. I¡¯ve been eating and sleeping really well these days without a care in the

    world,¡±

    Alyssa cooed, leaning against her brother.

    Sean gnawed on his lip. His heart was in his mouth as he watched Alyssa act all cute. She was only

    ever

    like this in front of Jonah. It really was quite adorable.

    Obviously, Sean wasn¡¯t going to miss out.

    ¡°Not a care in the world? How do you exin these?¡± Jonah prodded the darkened rings under her

    eyes.

    ¡°That¡¯s because of the auction¡­ Wait, you never told me how you know Yves. You must be really good

    friends if she was willing to let me handle this event,¡± Alyssa said, ¡°MINT has never held a charity event

    in

    Sna City before!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not close.¡± Jonah¡¯s tone was t.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Huh? Then w-¡±

    ¡°She has had a crush on me for ten years.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa and Sean cried at the same time.

    Jonah continued tly, ¡°I¡¯ve rejected her countless times, but she remains devoted. I can¡¯t do anything.

    about it, so yeah.¡±

    Yves was at least 50 years old. Alyssa was taken aback to discover that Yves had a crush on her

    brother,

    who was two decades her junior.

    ¡°That is so sad.¡± Alyssa sighed.

    Sean nodded. ¡°What pressure it must be to have an admirer so much older than you.¡±

    ¡°Hey, I was talking about Yves! She¡¯s the one I feel sad for!¡± Alyssa cried. ¡°Age isn¡¯t an issue. Jonah is

    the

    issue here! She¡¯s in love with the worst possible individual-a priest!¡±

    Both Jonah and Sean were rendered speechless by Alyssa.

 Chapter 432

    The night of the charity auction at KS World Hotel did not disappoint.

    Neither KS Group nor MINT had put much effort into promoting the event. But the local news media

    andizens were still all over it like bees to honey, given it was in the name of charity.

    MINT was an Internationally renowned magazine, after all. Anyone would kill to be featured, even an

    international celebrity.

    The event was filled with famous superstars that evening, from actors to singers to models. The hotel

    security was in full action, keeping the peace in and outside the venue.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    The guests cooperated as well, making sure to quickly make their way inside the hotel once they¡¯d

    greeted their fans.

    When a limousine drove up to the hotel entrance, themotion increased.

    Out came Sophia and Betty, dressed like sequined peacocks in elegant gowns.

    Unlike the other wealthy heiresses who arrived via the back entrance or the VIPne, they chose to

    face

    the hundreds of shing camera lights centered on the red carpet.

    They behaved as though they were vampires, vanishing from existence the moment someone ceased

    taking photographs of them.

    ¡°Look, isn¡¯t that Liana Gardner¡¯s aunt?¡± someone yelled over themotion.

    Sophia¡¯s face contorted. She had spent decades shrugging off titles like ¡°outdated actress¡± and ¡°gold-

    digging mistress¡± to establish herself as the revered Madam Sophia Kirkman, wife of Javier Beckett,

    CEO

    of Beckett Group.

    But all that effort had gone to waste because of her good-for-nothing niece, Liana!

    ¡°It really is her!¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t she the one who got taken in for moneyundering?¡±

    ¡°Yeah! She was releasedter, though. Tsk. Who knew Sna City would have such a devious

    character.¡±

    ¡°Does she think we¡¯ve lost our memory? She has some balls to still show her face in person here.

    Javier

    Beckett should really keep a tight leash on her.¡±

    ¡°Every time I look at her, I¡¯m reminded of how she reprimanded Liana Gardner on her birthday

    celebration.

    followed by Liana¡¯s outburst.¡±

    ¡°Hahahah! She looked so dumbfounded then!¡±

    Sophia¡¯s face was red now. If it weren¡¯t for Betty¡¯s help, she might never have been able to walk into

    the

    hotel.

    She thought the public would have forgotten about that by now.

    Regrettably, certain humiliations cut so deep that they appeared etched onto one¡¯s countenance,

    instantly reminding anyone of the incidents.

    Her meticulously guarded self-esteem had been shattered, all thanks to that troublesome Liana.

    The two women quickly walked into the hotel, faces ashen.

    ¡°Maybe you should keep a low profile from now on, Mom,¡± Betty murmured, ¡°Look. People are all

    making fun of you. And you¡¯re dragging me into it too. It¡¯s really embarra-¡±

    ¡°Are you using me of embarrassing you, Betty Beckett?¡± Sophia cried, pinching her daughter¡¯s arm.

    Sophia continued, ¡°I didn¡¯t bat a single eysh when I married your father, not even when everyone

    called me names and insulted me endlessly.

    ¡°Yet now you find me embarrassing? If I didn¡¯t cling onto Javier all the years ago, you wouldn¡¯t have

    enjoyed such a wonderful life!¡±

 Chapter 433

    Betty gripped her arm, which now sported a light bruise, and followed her mother into the venue away

    from the crowd.

    Even though her mother had sessfully won her father over all those years ago, Betty had never

    seen. her more than a prudish, unruly woman who could never make it to the same level as those in

    her circle.

    Sophia fell far short of the graceful stature of women like Mandy Lovce from the Taylor family or

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Penelope Miller, Zoe¡¯s mother.

    That proved to be a source of misfortune for Betty. After all, one couldn¡¯t select their birth

    circumstances.

    This event had two parts-a cocktail party and the charity auction itself. Numerous A-list stars filled the

    party, and it seemed as if half of the celebrity circle was present tonight.

    In her role as the general manager of the KS World Hotel and as the leader of the organizing team for

    the charity event, Alyssa found herself inevitably in the spotlight for interviews with the reporters.

    Poised andposed, she confidently addressed questions from the cameras and microphones with

    ease.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, considering that Ada Kingsley has opted to coborate with Berenike Hotel for her

    wedding, is the event you¡¯re currently organizing for MINT perceived as a strategic move to rival

    them?¡±

    ¡°I can see why you might think that, especially considering we¡¯re directpetitors with the Berenike

    Hotel,¡± Alyssa replied with a smile.

    She continued, ¡°However, it¡¯s worth noting that MINT specifically chose us to host this event on their

    behalf. It¡¯s simply a matter of coincidence.¡±

    ¡°There had been news of Ada considering KS World for her wedding previously. What prompted the

    sudden change of heart? Was there a specific reason behind this decision?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can disclose nothing. This pertains to our hotel¡¯s confidential information.¡±

    *Is it because information about Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding venue was leaked?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes took on a chilling glint in response to that question. She felt that something about that

    reporter seemed off. He might have been deliberately ced here for a specific reason.

    Meanwhile, Zoe was drinking her champagne while enjoying the sight of Alyssa being bombarded by

    the

    She was the one who had sent that nosy reporter in.

    Though he wouldn¡¯t make much difference, he would still get on Alyssa¡¯s nerves and torture her while

    she

    was out in public.

    Just then, Sophia and Betty walked over. Betty was no longer timid. This time, she strode as if she

    owned.

    the ce. She felt like the victor, after all.

    ¡°You are correct. It¡¯s exactly because of this,¡± Alyssa answered, taking on a serious tone.

    Zoe¡¯s brows furrowed in response. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Alyssa¡¯s straightforward response. Instead,

    she

    had expected excuses or, at the very least, some sign of embarrassment.

    She had no idea what to expect next.

    ¡°Do give Ms. Alyssa a break. She¡¯s already busy enough dealing with the aftermath of her hotel¡¯s

    contract

    breach,¡± Betty said, a grin on her face.

    She added, ¡°Don¡¯t give up now. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do your best next time. We¡¯ll be sure to take your

    mistakes

    in stride, too, and ensure we fulfill our end of the contract.¡±

 Chapter 434

    Betty¡¯s words attracted some curious passersby, most in awe at how much Betty was insinuating in

    those

    few words.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Firstly, she asserted that KS World Hotel was responsible for this mistake, thus making Ada the victim.

    Secondly, she imed that Alyssa had yet to resolve the aftermath of said mistake and was using

    MINT¡¯s

    charity auction to tide things over.

    Thirdly, she used Alyssa of being an irresponsible general manager unsuitable for her role. She

    imed that Alyssa couldn¡¯t meet customers¡¯ needs and couldn¡¯t maintain confidentiality.

    That meant Ada¡¯s choice to go with Berenike Hotel was affirming that they were far better than KS

    World

    in all these aspects.

    The reporters erupted into yet another flurry of questions like fish that had been tossed bait.

    Alyssa had anticipated that Betty would do this already, attacking her and the hotel¡¯s reputation on such

    an important evening.

    She looked at Sophia and Betty¡¯s extravagant makeup, feeling that the two of them resembled clowns

    at

    this moment.

    Just then, Ada Kingsley walked into the venue with Yves Vanderbilt from MINT, dazzling all who had

    eyes on them.

    Yves nced at Alyssa from behind her shades before nudging Ada with her elbow. ¡°I think you should

    reconsider working with Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Ada asked.

    ¡°Because her brother is an intelligent, powerful, and devastatingly handsome man. I¡¯m not bluffing at

    all. Jonah Taylor is the hottest man I have ever met in my life.¡± Yves¡¯ eyes glowed when she said that.

    Then, she added, ¡°He¡¯s the love of my life.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s rted to why I should work together with Alyssa Taylor again.¡±

    Yves scowled, then prodded her friend again, this time gently saying, ¡°Come on, can¡¯t you give my

    ¡®sister-in w¡¯ a chance, for my sake?¡±

    Ada was left speechless. She wondered if this was considered moral ckmailing.

    Meanwhile, Jasper was on the second-floornding, quietly watching the event unfold as he leaned

    His gaze finally fell back on Alyssa. He watched her calmly answer all the reporters¡¯ questions. A smile

    graced his face. He knew she wouldn¡¯t give up so easily.

    Alyssa was the sort of individual whose resolve to fight grew stronger with each challenge she

    encountered.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, those mutts who call themselves reporters are bound to tarnish Madam¡¯s reputation if we

    don¡¯t do something!¡± Xavier eximed, ncing worriedly downstairs. ¡°Can we, please?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Jasper shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯te to her defense even if her reputation is actually in danger. I

    am

    a Beckett.

    ¡°Standing out now will onlyplicate things further. I¡¯m sure she already has ns on what to do

    next.¡±

    Xavier nodded solemnly, choosing to trust in Alyssa. It was best not to get in her way.

    More importantly, he didn¡¯t want Jasper to worsen his standing with her, which was likely to ur if he

    intervened at this moment.

    ¡°Xavier, I need you to get two things done right away,¡± Jasper suddenly said, his tone dead serious.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

 Chapter 435

    Jasper began, ¡°First, remove that nosy, lying, good-for-nothing reporter from this venue and the city. I

    want him gone for good.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    ¡°Second, have Beckett Group¡¯s PR department monitor anyments, statements, rumors, or gossip

    that

    could harm Alyssa and KS World Hotel¡¯s reputation. Eradicate all of them at once.¡±

    ¡°On it, sir!¡± Xavier then went to get those done, leaving Jasper where he was to continue gazing at

    Alyssa.

    His gaze softened as he watched her determined expression.

    He silently said, ¡°No thanks needed. Dance as long as you please. I¡¯ll take care of everything in the

    background for you.¡±

    ¡°We are sorry to see you unable to work with Ms. Kingsley, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Sophia said gently, taking

    advantage of the situation.

    She continued, ¡°You¡¯re only new to this line of work. You¡¯re still young. You¡¯re bound to make some

    mistakes.

    ¡°Never fear, though. You¡¯ll learn from them. After all, who here hasn¡¯t made a mistake when they were

    your age? The most important thing is that you learn from your lesson.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. It really was my fault for letting the culprit get the better of us.¡± Alyssa smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely be on

    my guard next time.¡±

    Sophia sneered internally.

    One reporter asked, ¡°Wait¡­ Do you mean to say you had been set up?¡±

    ¡°I have to take my leave now. The auction is about to begin.¡± Alyssa turned and left for the other venue,

    not answering the question.

    She didn¡¯t even look at Sophia and Betty again, making the two feel outraged rather than joyous at

    their

    victory.

    ¡°That fucking bitch. Does she think she can get herself out of this situation that easily? In her dreams!¡±

    Sophia growled as she red at Alyssa, who was slowly fading into the distance.

    ¡°She has clearly given up. She didn¡¯t even bothering up with an excusel¡± Betty held her mother¡¯s

    arm,

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    she is at managing her hotel!¡±

    ¡°Madam Sophia! Betty!¡± Zoe called out, finally walking out in her elegant peach-colored gown. ¡°Good

    evening!¡±

    ¡°Zoe!¡± Sophia went up to shake her hand, all smiles. ¡°And here I thought you were absent!¡±

    ¡°Mom, there¡¯s something you should know.¡± Betty grinned. ¡°How we got Ada on board to work with the

    ¡°Aw, shucks. It¡¯s nothing.¡± Zoe giggled, waving her off.

    ¡°Thank you so much, dear,¡± said Sophia, her smile seemedyered.

    Then, Sophia gently stroked Zoe¡¯s hand and said, ¡°If there¡¯s ever anything we can be of service with,

    just

    let us know, and we¡¯ll do our best to help you.¡±

 Chapter 436

    The guests made their way to the next venue in the hotel for the charity auction.

    Alyssa was quick to dodge the spotlight, making sure no reporters or paparazzi were on her tail. She

    went

    to take a breather out in an empty hallway.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean cried,ing up to her. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Of course I am. Those small fries were easy to cate,¡± Alyssa reassured him, then said, ¡°But you

    really

    shouldn¡¯t be here right now. You should be watching after the event flow at the venue.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ But I¡¯m worried about you.¡± Sean¡¯s voice was raspy when he continued, ¡°Those reporters were

    purposely sent to ruin your reputation!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s to be expected. The media aren¡¯t going to praise and worship me just because I¡¯m hosting an

    event for charity.¡± Alyssa was not the least bit perturbed.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    She went on to say, ¡°Plus, it makes sense that they would grill me. Technically, this mistake was

    caused

    by my slip-up, albeit some other more frivolous-looking peacocks took advantage.

    ¡°I still have no one else to me by myself.¡±

    At the mention of ¡°frivolous peacocks¡±, Sean instantly thought of Betty and her mother, Sophia.

    ¡°But I disagree with one part of what you said. Those reporters weren¡¯t sent here to ruin me. They are

    here

    to help,¡± said Alyssa.

    Alyssa leaned against the wall, fingers slowly tapping against her knuckles. ¡°We¡¯ll let Betty bask in her

    glory a little longer.

    ¡°I love it when they set themselves high up in the air. It makes for an incredibly devastating crash to the

    ground.¡±

    Sean shivered, feeling like Alyssa resembled Winston a tad too much right now. She was like a deadly.

    rose, beautiful but riddled with poisonous thorns.

    He soon excused himself to head back to help out at the auction venue.

    Alyssa, meanwhile, was feeling particrly weak. Shey on a sofa in a nearby lounge, having only

    eaten

    breakfast the entire day and not a single drop of water.

    She curled up, her stomach growling.

    ¡°Ugh¡­ Hungry¡­ Alyssa moaned, closing her eyes.

    All of a sudden, there came the rich smell of chocte.

    Was she hallucinating? Alyssa curiously sniffed the air.

    ¡°Are you going to eat it?¡± came the cold yet maic voice.

    Alyssa flinched and opened her eyes, meeting Jasper¡¯s dark eyes. They always managed to look so

    intimidating.

    Jasper was kneeling in front of her, holding a chocte cupcake.

    Alyssa wrapped her arms around her middle. Three years and Jasper had never once done something

    for

    her-all those years of giving him her all, crying, weeping, and hiding in the shadows.

    Tears filled her eyes.

    After a while, when Jasper noticed that Alyssa showed no sign of moving, he asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you

    hungry?

    Here, eat. It¡¯s chocte, your favorite. Don¡¯t worry, I didn¡¯t poison it.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Alyssa¡¯s throat ached with an unexpressed sense of grievance.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie told me about your stomach condition. You can¡¯t go too long without eating.¡±

    ¡°I said no!¡±

    Alyssa smacked the cake out of Jasper¡¯s hands, making it fall t on the floor.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze darkened as anger ignited in his chest. Disappointment washed over him like a bucket of

    ice, seeping into his every vein.

    His hearty on the floor, now in pieces.

    ¡°What is wrong with you, Alyssa Taylor?¡±

    Alyssa slowly sat up, no longer hungry. Rage and hatred fueled her being. ¡°I hate you. It bothers me

    when

    you undertake actions you think will aid me without a discernible cause.

    ¡°News sh-they don¡¯t. Do you realize how insulted and hurtful your actions are making me feel, Jasper

    Beckett?¡±

 Chapter 437

    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Jasper frowned, taken aback.

    ¡°Leave me alone. I don¡¯t need you to be nice to me. Not anymore.¡± Alyssa slowly stood up, trying not to

    wince as her gastritis acted up.

    She added, ¡°Don¡¯t try shoving your useless affection here now that Liana has broken your heart. I¡¯m

    not a

    trash recycling center-not even if you beg.¡±

    Jasper clenched his hands into fists, anger rising fast with her insults.

    He hade to help her out because he was worried about her.

    Why did she have to demonize him so? Why did she humiliate his small gesture of kindness?

    Alyssa put on her heels again and left the room while Jasper slowly cleaned up the cupcake mess on

    the

    floor, heart aching.

    Alyssa was no longer the kind, affectionate woman who would smile at him and tend to him with all her

    heart.

    Their failed marriage remained asting trauma in her heart center. It sculpted her into the hard-

    shelled,

    abrasive, and fierce woman.

    One small hint of kindness was enough to make her push away, hurting him in the process.

    Jasper trembled slightly, crushing the cake in his palm.

    He did this to himself.

    He single-handedly ruined such a sweet, young woman and their once-lovely marriage.

    There was still some time till the auction began. Ada and Yves¡¯ presence had attracted the entire hall¡¯s

    attention, with several reporters flocking to interview them for the night.

    Sophia was chatting with other rich men¡¯s wives while Betty and Zoe were busy with their ns.

    Betty was preparing to have a picture taken with Ada and consequently be interviewed about it. She

    hoped to use this to strengthen her reputation.

    Meanwhile, Zoe was eagerly waiting to take a selfie with Yves in order to have a footing in the fashion

    world.

    ¡°What a surprise to see you wear this ne to the event tonight, Madam Ada. I take it you¡¯re quite

    fond of it?¡± Betty piped up upon seeing an opportunity open up.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    The reporters instantly started taking photos of them together.

    ¡°Of course. This is Alexa¡¯s work, after all.¡±

    Ada didn¡¯t like how shallow and immature Betty was. Yet, the former still showed her respect because

    the

    So she wrapped an arm around Betty¡¯s waist, posing for the camera.

    Betty was absolutely thrilled.

    ¡°Madam Ada, do you intend to buy some jewelry tonight to contribute to this charity auction? Or

    contribute a piece of your own?¡± a reporter asked.

    Ada smiled. ¡°I intend to contribute a piece tonight.¡±

    ¡°Oh? What kind of jewelry would it be?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll see for yourselvester on.¡±

    Zoe was lurking around Yves as well. She waited until her interview with some reporters had finished

    before marching straight up. ¡°Madam Yves!¡±

    Yves stopped in her footsteps upon hearing her call. Her eyes were filled with sheer indifference as she

    looked Zoe up and down.

    They didn¡¯t know each other, nor did Zoe¡¯s limited edition fall-series peach gown help the girl¡¯s case. It

    didn¡¯t suit her and made here off as someone with bad taste.

    ¡°I¡¯ve read all your magazines since I was a child, Madam Yves. I¡¯m MINT¡¯s loyal fan!¡± Zoe cooed, an

    enthusiastic blush on her cheeks.

    *Since you were a child? Am I that old?¡± Yves smirked.

    ¡°N-No, not at all!¡± Zoe cried, cold sweat beginning to form on her nape. ¡°What I meant was, I truly and

    honestly respect you from the bottom of my heart! Can¡­ Can I¡­?¡±

    But Yves had already turned and walked past her.

    ¡°M-Madam Yves!¡± Zoe held her gown up and turned around to go after the woman.

    But what she saw made her flinch, stumbling backward.

    ¡°There you are, Ms. Alyssa!¡± Yves crooned, going up to Alyssa¡¯s side like they had known each other

    for years.

 Chapter 438

    The surrounding guests and reporters shot Alyssa incredulous, awe-filled looks.

    ¡°My apologies, Madam Yves. I didn¡¯t know you were waiting for me,¡± Alyssa said with a blush.

    Yves grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. You¡¯ve had a busy night.¡±

    She then wrapped an arm around Alyssa¡¯s shoulders, making the two look quite like close friends. She

    said to the reporters, ¡°Come on, where are our photos?¡±

    Alyssa was just as shocked as everyone else.

    This was the first time a cold, terrifying, dominating woman like Yves had initiated a photo with

    someone

    else.

    The reporters thought that Alyssa must be someone special or unique to have caught her attention.

    How tremendous!

    Betty and Zoe were devastated, especially thetter, who felt shame burst inside her veins like

    fireworks.

    Why?

    Why was this happening?

    Why were all the famous, influential, powerful people flocking toward Alyssa?

    Zoe couldn¡¯t figure out why.

    Alyssa did her best to appear calm and happy while taking the photo with Yves, though her heart was

    pounding against her ribcage like an excited little beast. Her image should have gained some positivity

    by

    now.

    After taking the photo, Yves and Alyssa went somewhere private to converse.

    ¡°Thank you so much, Madam Yves,¡± Alyssa said, her tone sincere.

    Alyssa continued, ¡°I¡¯m sure you saw the trouble I was in earlier with the other reporters. Your gesture

    earlier signified your approval of me and thus helped me regain my footing.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa.

    ¡°i know we¡¯re on the same team in this event. Your helping me will also ensure the event goes

    smoothly

    and well Alyssa smiled. Regardless, I¡¯m still deeply grateful.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t help you just because we¡¯re working together, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Yves¡¯ tone and gaze were filled with

    a kind, caring warmth. ¡°Your brother Jonah asked me to help you and watch over you tonight.¡±

    Shock flitted across Alyssa¡¯s gaze.

    Jonah was always like this, taking care of her even when he wasn¡¯t around. But in this case, he was

    taking

    advantage of Yves¡¯ feelings for him. That wasn¡¯t very kind of him!

    ¡°I know howrge an impact your hotel has suffered since Ada stopped working with you.¡± Yves took off

    her shades, her expression now serious.

    Yves continued, ¡°I can ask her to reconsiderter. We¡¯ve known each other for years.¡±

    ¡°No, no, please don¡¯t!¡± Alyssa shook her head. ¡°You¡¯ve helped so much already. I couldn¡¯t possibly

    ept

    more!¡±

    ¡°Are you worried you¡¯ll owe me one, girl?¡± Yves smiled, patting her shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t be. I¡¯m

    doing all this of my own volition.

    ¡°There is no such thing as owing any favors. Jonah has told you about my feelings for him, hasn¡¯t he?¡±

    Alyssa nodded, biting her lip.

    ¡°He loves you dearly. You¡¯re the most important person in his life right now. That means you¡¯re

    important

    to me, too.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯ve loved him for ten years but never sought anything in return. All I ask is that he continues letting me

    do so, nothing more.¡±

 Chapter 439

    Yves¡¯ eyes lit up at the thought of Jonah. Alyssa was speechless. She tried to figure out what exactly

    her

    brother had done to make her love him.

    ¡°You really did a number, Jonah,¡± Alyssa muttered under her breath.

    Jasper had finished three cigarettes outside the venue. Yet, he remained upset and disappointed.

    Nheless, he still dragged himself to the auction venue when it was time.

    While he continued walking, another man approached the scene from the opposite end of the hallway.

    The two immediately locked eyes as they stood outside the venue entrance. Tension hung in the air

    between them, with Jasper¡¯s intense re shing against Jameson¡¯s icy gaze.

    Thetter pushed his gold-rimmed sses up, a smirk rising on his lips. ¡°What a coincidence. Are you

    here to contribute to charity too?¡±

    Jasper smiledzily. ¡°Nah. I¡¯m just here to help her in any way I can.¡±

    Jameson slowly curled his hands into fists, knowing who Jasper meant.

    The charity auction was finally starting.

    There were two ways for guests to participate-to donate their jewelry pieces or to bid for the items

    being.

    auctioned.

    All proceeds would be directed toward governmental charity trusts. They would be used for various

    charitable causes withplete transparency on their part.

    Being the 15th annual charity event MINT had organized, the guests wondered if KS World Hotel would

    break the record for the amount umted.

    There was somemotion when Jasper and Jameson walked into the hall. But knowing not to steal

    the spotlight from Alyssa tonight, they chose to sit in the very back row so as not to catch attention.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa had no idea Jameson was here tonight. She was in the front row with Yves, the two

    asionally leaning in to chat and giggle with one another.

    A few rows behind them, Zoe fumed by herself at the sight.

    As the auction began, the auctioneer revealed the first item to be bid. It was encased in a ss

    specimen

    case for all to see.

    ¡°Our first jewelry piece tonight hails from the personal collection of Madam Lily Schmidt of the Schmidt.

    Group. It is an exquisite gold ne with five Iid princess-cut ck crystal opals, truly a rare and

    beautiful marvel.¡±

    There came a flurry of gasps from the crowd.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Such an expensive, high-grade specimen to start with the auction? This was truly a sign of respect for

    Alyssa and the event she was hosting tonight!

    Alyssa was just as shocked. She quickly turned around to find Jameson.

    The man swiftly met her gaze, raising a hand to give her a wave. Alyssa grinned, waving back.

    Meanwhile, Jasper watched the two¡¯s silent exchange, his grip on his number paddle tightened. He

    nearly distorted it.

 Chapter 440

    The opal ne incited a wave of awe and gossip to resound through the hall. Anyone could see just

    how fine the craftsmanship of the opals was and instantly estimated its value to be at least seven digits.

    The Schmidt family was truly being generous tonight by donating this piece!

    Just then, a spotlight fell on Jameson, making the crowd turn their attention to him. Many gasped and

    squealed at how refined this man looked.

    Yet he only had eyes for Alyssa, as if she was the only thing that mattered.

    ¡°Who is he? He¡¯s so handsome. He looks like some carved marble statue!¡±

    ¡°That must be someone from the Schmidt family. How else could such a precious jewelry piece be

    avable tonight?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him before!

    ¡°Hmm, if he¡¯s already contributing this much to Ms. Alyssa, does that mean¡­ they¡¯re together?¡±

    ¡°So what if they are? Ms. Alyssa is a modern-day Queen Sheba. They match very well together!¡±

    The more Jasper was privy to these conversations, the more irritated he was. With his sharp, brooding.

    gaze, Jameson appeared more like a sly snake than anything.

    ¡°This ne starts at two million,dies and gentlemen!¡± The moment the auctioneer announced

    such,

    the guests began raising their paddles.

    ¡°3 million!¡±

    ¡°4 million! 4.5!¡±

    ¡°5 million!¡±

    The guests were eager to bid on the stunning jewelry on disy.

    Alyssa¡¯s gastritis disappeared the moment someone bid five million. Money could cure anything.

    Meanwhile, Sophia and Betty were bristling with rage and hatred.

    They had attended the event tonight to watch Alyssa crash and burn. Now that the auction started with

    a bang, their attempts at humiliating Alyssa were down the drain.

    ¡°That Jameson Schmidt¡¯is really giving this his all, Mom! Donating something so precious. He really is

    generous with that whore!¡± Betty gritted out hatefully.

    Sophia snorted. ¡°Are you jealous?¡±

    ¡°Of course I am!¡± Betty pinched at her dress, feeling upset. ¡°No other man has ever treated me so

    kindly besides Dad himself. Alyssa receives that from her brothers, Landon, and now this Schmidt guy!

    ¡°Even Jasper seems to be warming up to her! I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s so attractive about her for them

    to be so infatuated with her! Her existence oppresses mine. I can¡¯t even sleep well nowadays!¡±

    She dreamed of having a life like Alyssa¡¯s, with brothers who doted on her at home and suitors

    everywhere. Unfortunately, that was not the case. All she had was a dumb sister dragging her down!

    ¡°Compose yourself! You¡¯re my daughter, so start acting like it. You¡¯re just as attractive and powerful as

    she is, so don¡¯t start moping like a useless ragdoll!¡± Sophia pinched her daughter¡¯s thigh, making Betty

    cry.

    out in pain.

    That made several guests re at her.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Landon will be my son-inw, no doubt about that. Your marriage with him is set in stone now, so no

    one

    better get in my way unless they want to lose their neck.¡± Sophia red right at Alyssa.

    Sophia continued, ¡°As for Jameson Schmidt? You don¡¯t need to think about him. Let that useless man

    be

    with Alyssa. It will stop Jasper from getting any ideas and won¡¯t ruin my ns for you. It¡¯s a win-win!¡±

    ¡°B-But Mom, Jameson isn¡¯t a bastard. His mother is even his father¡¯s first wife. Wouldn¡¯t Alyssa gain

    more

    advantage if they were together?¡± Betty asked.

    ¡°More advantage? I¡¯d say she¡¯d be digging her own grave.¡± Sophia crossed her arms across her chest.

    Sophia exined, ¡°Jameson is the least prospective son out of Victor¡¯s handful. His mother isn¡¯t

    favored,

    either. They¡¯ve been overseas for years while their father stayed in the country.

    ¡°He won¡¯t amount to much in the end. He has nopany shares, assets, or position in his family

    business. We can sit back and watch Alyssa crumble apart under his care.¡±

    Sophia then sneered. ¡°How I wish the two would just marry each other. That way, Alyssa can never get

    rid

    of such a useless burden.¡±

    The bidding for the opal ne had reached six million.

 Chapter 441

    There were no longer any new bidders for the time being. Alyssa was still pleased with the result,

    however.

    ¡°Seven million.¡±

    A deep, sonorous voice rang out from behind her, making her expression fall.

    The unexpected bid caught the crowd¡¯s attention, prompting them to turn and identify the speaker

    swiftly.

    Jasper was in thest row, his paddle raised high in the air. He exuded sheer confidence and stability

    among the gawking guests.

    ¡°It¡¯s Jasper Beckett from the Beckett Group!¡±

    ¡°When did he get here? I didn¡¯t see him at all tonight!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s so handsome ¡­¡±

    Jasper gazed steadily at Alyssa, his paddle never once lowering. But she never turned around.

    Seven million, and she wouldn¡¯t even spare him a nce. It looked like he would have to continue

    bidding.

    ¡°Seven million is a tad bit overpriced for this ne,¡± Yves said, shaking her head. She disapproved

    of Jasper¡¯s action. ¡°Just because you can doesn¡¯t mean you should.¡±

    ¡°At least it will help those orphanages,¡± Alyssa grumbled, cussing Jasper internally.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, congrattions! The auction extends its gratitude for your generous donation!¡± The

    auctioneer¡¯s gavelnded, igniting a wave of apuse.

    The cameras turned to Jasper, who gave a brisk nod and polite smile, nothing more.

    A distance away, Jameson watched on, his eyes pure frost.

    The auction went on smoothly as all pieces of jewelry were bid sessfully at high prices. Even

    Sophia got herself one just to show off.

    But what got Alyssa incredibly angry was the fact that Jasper would always step in at thest second

    whenever a piece wasn¡¯t faring so well, only to bid with an outrageously overpriced amount.

    He had gotten three pieces in a single hour at the cost of thirty-something-million dors! Alyssa had to

    do all she could not to get security to escort him out right away!

    Just then, Jasper bid another piece of jewelry, inviting the crowd to gossip among themselves.

    ¡°Is that really worth four million? Why does it seem like Jasper Beckett doesn¡¯t quite have the right

    taste for jewelry?¡±

    ¡°Hey, he¡¯s hot, and he¡¯s rich. I can tolerate some dumbness.¡±

    ¡°Dumb your ass! Didn¡¯t you notice he¡¯s bidding for all the less-high-grade pieces? He¡¯s clearly going

    specifically for them. Even an individual with questionable taste wouldn¡¯t choose all of them

    consistently!¡±

    ¡°Really? Then that means¡­¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s bidding for the cheaper ones to save Ms. Alyssa¡¯s auction and add more value! What a man!¡±

    Zoe stared angrily at Jasper, rage tearing at her from within when she saw how devoted he was to

    Alyssa. Alyssa¡¯s outright refusal of Jasper¡¯s gestures felt like a humiliation to her own desire to be

    treated the

    same.

    ¡°What a man!¡± Some other guests agreed with Jasper¡¯s actions.

    Jasper smiled slightly upon hearing the chatter. People seemed to understand what he was going for.

    Sadly, Alyssa never bothered to look at him, though. That intensified the turmoil within his chest.

    ¡°Tsk.¡± Jameson rolled his eyes, thoroughly unbothered by Jasper¡¯s actions.

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t motivated by material wealth; thest thing required to win her over was money.

    ¡°Now, set your eyes on our next piece!¡± the auctioneer announced, revealing the ss showcase once

    again.

    Inside was a thick ne of pear-cut white diamonds, with hundreds of smaller blue diamonds

    framing them. It was an exquisitely beautiful piece that instantly drew everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°This piece was donated by Ada Kingsley, made by internationally-renowned jewelry designer Alexa

    herself. We are truly grateful for your donation tonight, Madam!¡±

    Betty shot up from her seat, back rigid as steel right now. Her expression was very slowly crumbling

    apart.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    A distance away was Zoe, who was so tense she couldn¡¯t move a muscle. All she could manage to do

    was clench her fingers together as if in prayer.

 Chapter 442

    Neither of them expected Ada to donate that ne tonight.

    How could this be?

    The two women instantly nced at one another, unable to say a word right now, given their distance.

    The hall erupted into an ecstatic frenzy with the reveal of Alexa¡¯s ne. The experts in the jewelry

    field all craned their necks to get a good look at the piece, in awe of this legendary ne.

    Both Jasper and Jameson leaped to attention, eager to bid for the ne.

    ¡°Why are you standing up? Sit down! Don¡¯t you see everyone¡¯s looking at you?¡± Sophia hissed,

    dragging

    Betty back down into her seat.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°F-Fuck¡­ We¡¯re screwed, Mom, Betty whispered fearfully.

    ¡°What? What are you saying?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I was the one who gave Ada that ne.¡±

    ¡°You what? Where did you get your hands on one of Alexa¡¯s creations?¡± Sophia eximed, then got

    angry.

    Sophia continued, ¡°How could she just give it away like that? Isn¡¯t that just outright pping you in the

    face? And you, how dare you give it to her and not to me? I raised you, for God¡¯s sake!¡±

    ¡°Mom¡­ that¡­ the ne is a counterfeit.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s heart lurched. ¡°Counterfeit?¡±

    ¡°Z-Zoe helped memission one of Alexa¡¯s students to recreate it,¡± Betty mumbled, ¡°That was the

    only

    idea I had. Ada wouldn¡¯t work with us, so I did what Alyssa did and used the jewelry to win her over.

    ¡°It¡¯s a really good mimic of the original ne, but the cat¡¯s bound to be out of the bag one day. I

    figured by the time Ada found out, the wedding would¡¯ve already gone on.

    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t know she would donate it to the auction! If someone finds out, we¡¯re finished!¡±

    ¡°You stupid idiot!¡± Sophia growled furiously, nails digging into her daughter¡¯s skin. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have

    gotten a counterfeit to give her in the first ce! Do you have any idea how big a scandal that is to our

    family?¡±

    ¡°It w-was Zoe¡¯s idea¡­ You can¡¯t me it all on me!¡± Betty whined.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you see that Zoe was using you?¡± Sophia cried, angrily stomping her feet. ¡°If no one finds out,

    then

    ¡°But if someone finds out, she won¡¯t get in trouble whatsoever! You gifted the ne in the

    company¡¯s name, which has nothing to do with her! You¡¯ve got nowhere to hide!¡±

    Hatred pooled in Zoe¡¯s chest. She had been set up!

    ¡°What can I do now, Mom?¡±

    ¡°Stay calm.¡± Sophia took a deep breath. ¡°There¡¯s a good chance no one will realize it¡¯s a fake. Alexa

    has

    countless creations, after all. If Ada didn¡¯t find out, no one would!¡±

    Bettyposed herself but still felt nervous.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to say a few words about this ne,¡± Ada spoke into the microphone, turning around to face

    the guests. Her gazended on Betty, who was trembling where she sat.

    ¡°I was only able to get this ne because of the Beckett Group¡¯s own Betty Beckett. She was the

    one

    who gave it to me,¡± exined Ada.

    Alyssa calmly texted Sean on her phone.

    The spotlight instantlynded on Betty the next second, showing everyone her frightened, tense

    expression. Her face even appeared on the screen onstage, magnifying every detail.

    Betty had no choice but to smile politely.

    ¡°Although I have much love for Alexa¡¯s creations, I still feel that contributing to a greater cause that can

    help the less fortunate is a far better choice.¡±

 Chapter 443

    ¡°This has always been the motivation behind Alexa¡¯s jewelry design. Being a loyal fan of her work, I

    n

    to follow in her footsteps this way.

    ¡°I hope this gesture also maximizes the kindness Ms. Betty has shown me by giving me such a

    precious gift,¡± stated Ada.

    Betty couldn¡¯t publicly deny that any longer. All she wanted was for a hole to open up in the ground and

    swallow her up.

    ¡°Madam Ada has decided that, on ount of the meaning and gravitas of this piece crafted by Alexa

    herself, there will be no minimum bidding amount!¡± the auctioneer announced.

    ¡°30 million,¡± a clear voice rang out. Jameson raised his paddle, a smile on his face.

    30 million?

    That was the highest starting bid of the night so far!

    Were they nning to go up to billions?

    Alexa¡¯s creations were indeed worth that price, but it was still an exorbitant amount.

    ¡°50 million.¡± Jasper slowly raised his paddle, his expression calm save for a glint of ferocity in his eyes.

    The crowd was shocked by his bid.

    A 20 million jump?

    Was Jasper in the line of money-printing or something?

    Some potential bidders instantly deted, giving up their bids.

    Jameson raised his paddle again. ¡°70 million.¡±

    It was clear now that he was going head-to-head with Jasper.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°90 million.¡±

    ¡°100 million.¡±

    A wave of gasps and cries rang throughout the hall. It became apparent to them that the Schmidt

    family.

    was in the money-printing fine, too. It was as clear as day.

    Alyssa¡¯s lips were stretched thin as she quietly watched everything transpire. Her eyes were dark.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think these two intend to bid. They seem more like they¡¯re in some silent duel,¡± Yves pointed

    out.

    ¡°Yeah, do they think we¡¯re some sort of Wild West highway showdown at high noon?¡±

    Alyssa really wanted to stand up and teach the two a lesson right now.

    Meanwhile, Sophia was in utter shock.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say Jameson Schmidt was useless in his family, never getting a single cent? He bid one

    hundred million!¡± Betty asked. All the blood had left her cheeks.

    Sophia was truly at a loss for words.

    Had she been wrong this whole time?

    Was Jameson¡¯s background all an borate lie?

    ¡°120 million,¡± Jasper retorted tly. He needed to get one of Alexa¡¯s creations no matter what.

    ¡°150.¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice rang out loud in the hall as she raised her paddle.

 Chapter 444

    Both Jasper and Jameson turned to look at Alyssa, knowing she was pissed now. So, they stopped

    bidding.

    ¡°Congrattions, Ms. Alyssa! This one-of-a-kind ne is yours!¡± The auctioneer gestured happily,

    swiftly knocking the gavel to halt all other bids.

    There was a two-second silence before the hall erupted into morous apuse.

    Alyssa¡¯s t expression never wavered, however.

    ¡°Alyssa bought the fake, Mom! Do you think she saw through it?¡± Betty asked frantically, heart

    pounding

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    like a frightened rabbit.

    ¡°Be quiet! Do you want everyone to hear you?¡± Sophia hissed venomously, pinching Betty¡¯s arm.

    Sophia added, ¡°Alyssa wouldn¡¯t have noticed it was a fake, nor would she ever anticipate one turning

    up

    at her own auction. You should be grateful she bid off that ne!¡±

    ¡°But what if she finds out a-¡±

    ¡°That has nothing to do with you anymore! Even if she does, you can always im she swapped it out

    in order to insult you.¡± Sophia scowled.

    Betty had always admired her mother¡¯s ability to twist everything to her benefit. She always longed to

    share the same skills.

    Ada was immensely pleased to see that Alyssa bid her donation home. Ada couldn¡¯t help but think that

    Alyssa must still have hopes that she¡¯d change her mind.

    Alyssa slowly typed out an instruction to Sean, her gaze dark. She then sat up straight, preparing

    herself for the uing show.

    ¡°Now, this next piece is from-¡± The auctioneer stopped talking the moment he revealed what was in the

    ss case.

    He nced at the diamond ne within, then at his itinerary.

    That couldn¡¯t be right.

    The crowd erupted into an uproar upon seeing the ne inside.

    ¡°Ton¡¯t that¡­ Isn¡¯t that the ne Ada Kingsley had just donated?¡±

    *Fuck me! It really is!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible! Alexa never makes the same design twice! How could there be a second one?¡±

    *Does that mean¡­ One of them is a fake?¡±

    The crowd began discussing fervently among themselves.

    Ada stared at the ne in utter shock while Sophia and her daughter were both clinging to one

    another frightfully. Cold sweat dripped down Betty¡¯s back.

    The ne she gave Ada was a counterfeit, which meant the one on stage was the real deal.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you check all the donated jewelry before the auction started, Ms. Alyssa? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Yves

    asked worriedly, not ming her in any way.

    ¡°It¡¯s always so much more fun to take everyone by surprise, Madam Yves,¡± Alyssa said with a grin.

    Yves¡¯ eyes widened. ¡°Does that mean¡­¡±

    Alyssa gracefully got up from her seat and up onstage.

    Jasper watched her intently from afar, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. There was something

    exciting buzzing about on his skin, like electricity.

    ¡°I would first like to apologize to all of our guests here tonight on behalf of the hotel as MINT¡¯s charity.

    auction organizer.¡±

 Chapter 445

    Alyssa then bowed deeply to the crowd, a picture of utmost sincerity.

    The hall slowly quietened down.

    ¡°Next, I would like to rify here and now that this ne called ¡®Lacrima Dei¡¯ was my donation to

    the

    auction.¡±

    The guests turned to Ada with astonished looks on their faces. She, in turn, turned to gaze

    incredulously

    at Betty.

    Betty turned to Zoe, but thetter was already out of her seat.

    Zoe had escaped before the shit hit the fan!

    Alyssa watched the show unfold, a smirk appearing on her lips. ¡°I had no idea you would be donating

    this

    ne tonight, Madam Ada. Please trust me when I say it was a pure coincidence.¡±

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°W-Why would you have ¡®Lacrima Dei¡¯ too, Ms. Alyssa?¡± Ada asked, her confidence out the window.

    Alyssa pursed her lips. ¡°What matters right now isn¡¯t why I have this ne, Madam Ada. What

    matters

    is that your ne was a fake.¡±

    What? A fake? Turmoil and confusion swept through the crowd.

    Sophia did her best to keep her expressionposed, but Betty had already gone as white as a ghost.

    ¡°Ms. Betty Beckett herself gave me this. How¡­ How could it be a fake?¡±

    Ada still couldn¡¯t wrap her mind around it. If her ne had been a counterfeit, then¡­

    That meant she made herself look like the biggest fool tonight by donating it to the auction!

    ¡°How could you use my daughter of gifting a counterfeit without proof, Ms. Alyssa? Shouldn¡¯t you

    have an expert back up your ims? Do you intend to humiliate us?¡± Sophia hurriedly spoke up in an

    attempt to control the situation.

    ¡°If I dared to im that your ne was a fake, I would¡¯ve obviously already found a way to prove it.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s smirk deepened.

    Jasper smiled just the slightest at the sight.

    It looked like Alyssa was going to have some fun once again.

    He used to get so irritated whenever she did it.

    Now, it seemed to have grown on him.

    ¡°Where is your proof, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Madam Ada is a diehard jewelry collector herself. She could have identified a fake when she saw

    one.¡±

    ¡°You need to have a basis for your usations! We need an expert to validate the authenticity of the

    nes right this instant!¡±

    Alyssa remained unbothered by the whirlwind of cries and arguments from the crowd.

    Just then, the venue doors opened. All eyes turned to look.

    In walked a tall, broad-shouldered blonde woman with bright blue eyes. She walked in as if the world

    were

    putty in her fingers, single-handedly domineering the atmosphere.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    Sliva?

    What was she doing here?

    ¡°It¡¯s Ms. Sliva, the representative of Alexa¡¯s designer firm!¡± someone cried from the crowd.

    ¡°Sliva? She knows Alexa more than anyone. We should ask her to authenticate the jewelry right now!¡±

    Sliva didn¡¯t so much as nce at the guests, making her way to the stage where Alyssa was.

    Alyssa beamed at her, walking down to greet her. ¡°There you are.¡±

    Her affectionate smile and tone caught the guests by surprise.

    Sliva came to a stop in front of her, then held her hand before gently kissing it, a gesture of utmost

    respect in Yoarkley.

    ¡°Apologies for beingte, Ms. Alexa.¡±

 Chapter 446

    The crowd erupted into gasps of shock and awe once more.

    Alyssa Taylor was Alexa?

    Something imploded in Jasper¡¯s mind, nking his thoughts out entirely. He felt like his soul had left his

    body, slowly drifting out like an astronaut in space.

    1

    Alyssa was Alexa. She was the world-renowned, reclusive jewelry designer who had the world at her

    feet

    because of her stunning creations.

    She had been making a fool out of him all this time while he tried his best to invite her onto his team,

    likely enjoying her little games to no end.

    Jasper snarled, anger and awe pumping through his veins. ¡°You¡­ You lied to me again¡­ You fucking

    lied

    to me again!¡±

    Why did she always hide her true self from him?

    During the three years of marriage, all she did was reduce herself to a meek, quiet little woman who

    acted like some maid in the house. Why degrade herself like this?

    Was this some other ploy to rub his ignorance in his face?

    Jasper ground his teeth together, heart hurting in his chest. He sped the area with one hand,

    wincing.

    He wondered if Alyssa was having fun tormenting him..

    ¡°How do you expect me to love you when you¡¯ve never once been yourself around me?¡± Jasper

    muttered

    under his breath.

    ¡°Alexa? Ms. Alyssa Taylor is THE Alexa?¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just an act, is it?¡±

    ¡°You can fake a ne, but you can¡¯t fake an entire human, man! Sliva is right here in front of us!¡±

    Several celebrities had abandoned their etiquette and began taking photos or recording videos with

    their mobile devices. They couldn¡¯t let go of such a fine opportunity to record history as it happened!

    Jameson quietly watched on as Alyssa was beamed by the spotlight once again. He had a fond,

    endearing smile on his face.

    No woman had ever been such an exciting, intriguing presence in his life as Alyssa was. Her existence

    The crowd was getting out of hand. A wall of people had surrounded Alyssa and was slowly closing in

    on

    her.

    Jameson frowned. If this went on, she might be in serious trouble.

    Before he could get up, however, Jasper had run past him to Alyssa¡¯s aid, shoving away several guests

    to

    stand protectively beside her.

    Jameson flexed his hands, irritated. If only he could eradicate Jasper from her life there and then.

    Alyssa was surprised to see Jaspering to her defense, acting like a human shield for her against

    everyone else.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she asked, scowling.

    With his back to her, he muttered, ¡°I¡¯m worried you might get hurt. Too many people here.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. Sean and our security team are ready to jump out at my beck and call. We don¡¯t need your false

    kindness,¡± Alyssa sneered, thinking Jasper was some selfish, lying prude ying vignte.

    ¡°You lied to me again, Alyssa,¡± Jasper spoke up in a tone only they could hear. ¡°Do you have nothing to

    say to that?¡±

    Alyssa grinned. ¡°It¡¯s terrible, isn¡¯t it? Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    Jasper crinkled his nose, fuming angrily but having nothing to say.

    Sean soon led several security guards to protect Alyssa, keeping the crowd away.

    ¡°Y-You¡¯re Alexa? I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t believe it, I-¡± Ada slowly made her way up to Alyssa, tears in her eyes

    as she stumbled over her words.

    ¡°It was never my intention to hide my identity from you. I just never wanted to get involved in any media

    or special circles because of what I¡¯m passionate about.

    ¡°I create these beautiful pieces all for my own enjoyment, nothing more,¡± Alyssa spoke to Ada, her tone

    as warm and sincere as ever.

    Alyssa added, ¡°I¡¯m very honored to have been on the receiving end of your admiration and respect,

    however,

    What gracefulness!

    What elegance!

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ms. Alyssa. No, Ms. Alexa. Please forgive me for my behavior before,¡± Ada pleaded,

    feeling. unbelievably guilty about how rude and proud she had been toward Alyssa. She really was a

    fool.

    ¡°I may be Alexa, but I¡¯m also KS World Hotel¡¯s general manager. I remain at fault for breaching the

    terms

    of our contract, so please. You have no reason to apologize.¡±

    Alyssa was like a mousetrap right now, Sophia and Betty being the mice in question.

    They were seconds away from being caught.

    Sliva dered, ¡°Lacrima Dei is a less well-known piece belonging to Ms. Alexa¡¯s private collection. It

    has

    rarely been exhibited to the public, nor would anyone else in the world have it besides Ms. Alexa

    herself.¡±

    Sliva turned her sharp, usatory gaze to Betty. ¡°Hence, I hold without a doubt that the ne Ms.

    Betty Beckett gave Madam Ada is a counterfeit.

    ¡°This is an act of absolute disrespect toward Ms. Alexa, putting her good name and reputation at risk.

    Ms.

    Alexa has even purchased insurance for every single piece of jewelry she¡¯s ever crafted. I am sure Ms.

    Betty is aware of the legal consequences of her actions now that it hase to this.¡±

 Chapter 447

    The crowd¡¯s attention was now on Betty, their impression of her crumbling into pieces.

    Jasper remained calm, as if he had expected this to happen.

    He hadn¡¯t been able to meet Alexa herself even when he flew all the way to Yoarkley to find her, so

    there

    was no way someone like Betty could have gotten her hands on one of Alexa¡¯s creations.

    Jasper¡¯s anger rose once again at the thought of being toyed with, and he shot Alyssa a re.

    Thetter narrowed her eyes, a scowl appearing on her face. She wondered why Jasper was staring at

    her

    like that. She felt that Jasper was behaving like a lunatic.

    Betty couldn¡¯t take the usatory gazes andments from the crowd anymore. She shakily hid

    behind.

    her mother, quaking like a leaf in the wind.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Ada cried, ¡°Have you been lying to me from the start, Ms. Betty? How could you resort to something so

    debased and repulsive just to get me to choose your hotel?¡±

    ¡°I-I¡­¡± But Betty didn¡¯t know what to say anymore. She was covered in cold sweat by now.

    Ada said, ¡°I chose to trust in you because you were representing the Beckett Group as well as your

    family.

    ¡°Now, I have no choice but to say that you and yourpany have lost my faith and respect in all

    sense

    of those words!

    ¡°You have brought humiliation to your entire family!¡±

    Ada was furious by now, partly because she was made an idiot in front of her idol. There was no other

    reasonable alternative now than to direct her anger at Betty.

    The crowd agreed with her views.

    Seeing such a wealthy heiress use a counterfeit product to trick such a renowned celebrity was a

    humiliating sight to behold!

    That would surely make it into the books, just like how Liana had been cuckolding Jasper Beckett all

    those months ago.

    ¡°Madam Ada, as CEO of Beckett Group, I assure you we had no idea of the nature of this gift and

    agreement Betty has made on behalf of us with you,¡± Jasper spoke out of the blue, voice t as if he

    wasn¡¯t bothered about this at all. ¡°Her actions represent only herself and not us.¡±

    Behind him, Alyssa cocked an amused brow.

    Sophia was nearly losing her teeth with how hard she was grinding them.

    ¡°But,¡± Jasper nced at Alyssa as he continued, ¡°I will take responsibility on behalf of her for this

    mistake. That is to say, for any penalties liable to be incurred from this ident.¡±

    Take responsibility?

    There was something quite peculiar about that sentence.

    A disappointed look surfaced on Alyssa¡¯s face. She sneered and turned away from Jasper.

    He had once again proved how much of a coward he was. In the end, he was still going to take care of

    Sophia and Betty¡¯s mess for them to save hispany.

    He was always lying to her.

    ¡°W-Wait! Why are you using us as if we¡¯ve done something so terribly wrong? We¡¯re victims too!¡±

    Sophia quickly leaped to her daughter¡¯s defense, her face beet red.

    She continued, ¡°My daughter was only doing her best to get you jewelry you liked, Madam Ada. It is so

    that you would consider choosing ourpany.

    ¡°With so many assets, we could buy not just one but ten of Alexa¡¯s creations. We wouldn¡¯t buy a fake

    one

    just to appeal to you!

    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t have bought it in the first ce if we knew it was fake! In fact, the seller owes us an

    exnation!¡±

    Now, the crowd was sniggering at her words. Who did Sophia think she was, boasting so loudly about

    being able to buy Alexa¡¯s work?

    ¡°Mrs. Beckett,¡± Sliva said, having had enough of her bluff. ¡°Ms. Alexa¡¯s jewelry creations are unique

    and

    one-of-a-kind. They are rarely avable on the market these days.¡±

 Chapter 448

    Sliva said, ¡°Because of this, anyone who manages to buy a piece for themselves would never consider

    reselling it. I¡¯m sure you must¡¯ve felt you were being lied to when told this was a genuine product.

    ¡°I¡¯m also certain Ms. Alexa wouldn¡¯t sell any of her creations to you even if you gave her all the money

    in

    the world.¡±

    Sliva¡¯s gaze showed a dark, cunning air before she added, ¡°You are far from qualified to be able to

    obtain

    one, in any respect.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ You!¡± Sophia cried, eyes bugging out from her face, but she couldn¡¯t find the words.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    The guests were on Sliva¡¯s side on this one.

    Sophia had caused trouble countless times by now, her reputation in Sna City on a needle¡¯s edge. If

    it

    weren¡¯t for her husband, Javier Beckett, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to stick around any longer.

    It was all the more infuriating that someone who was debased and shameless as Sophia was calling for

    justice to be done.

    ¡°Besides,¡± Sliva said, turning to Betty, ¡°Can you confidently say you had no clue that this product was a

    counterfeit, Ms. Betty?¡±

    Betty tried her best to stand up for herself. ¡°O-Of course I can! I have no reason to buy a fake! I have

    the

    money!¡±

    ¡°I doubt it,¡± Alyssa snorted.

    The crowd was stunned. What did Alyssa mean by this?

    Jasper nced at her as well. The sheer brightness of her smile ignited a fiery sensation in his heart.

    So, she had set up this entire chess game from the start.

    ¡°What do you mean by that? Are you going to use my daughter again?¡± Sophia cried, hugging her

    daughter and quivering as if they were the victims.

    Sliva ignored her and said to Betty, ¡°I¡¯m sure you still recall who you sought out to make this fake.¡±

    There was no way Betty was going to respond to her. She¡¯d be digging her own grave otherwise.

    ¡°No? Well, let me refresh your memory then.¡±

    The big screen onstage suddenly disyed a live video feed of a foreign man.

    ¡°Good evening. Tyson.¡± Sliva grinned at him.

    ¡°Hi, Sliva. And¡­ Madam.¡± Tyler waved bashfully.

    ¡°Your work is as impressive as ever,¡± Alyssa praised, not the least bit upset at him. ¡°I knew this

    ne.

    was your creation the instant I saw it.¡±

    Betty¡¯s vision swam. If it weren¡¯t for her mother clutching her, she would have buckled onto the floor by

    ¦°¦¯¦´.

    Tyson sighed, looking guilty. He then held out an invoice against the camera for all to see.

    ¡°I wasmissioned to counterfeit Madam Alexa¡¯s creation, Lacrima Dei. You¡¯ll be able to see who

    All cameras zoomed into the screen, getting all the footage they could. At the bottom corner of the

    invoice, two words were written clear as day: Betty Beckett.

    Sophia flinched, hurriedly asking Betty, ¡°What is this? Why is your name written there? Didn¡¯t you say

    Zoe

    was the one whomissioned him?¡±

    Betty nearly burst into tears. ¡°She-She s-set me up, Mom!¡±

 Chapter 449

    Sophia was just about to blow her top upon hearing that. All her rage was now directed toward that

    cunning bitch, Zoe Harper.

    The crowd went wild again. Betty wasn¡¯t some pitiful victim. She was the one who started this trail of

    lies!

    The reporters began reporting this to their respective tforms, with headlines like ¡°Taylor Family

    Heiress.

    is World-Renowned Jewelry Designer Alexa?¡±, ¡°What Else Have We Yet to See from Alyssa Taylor?¡±, ¡±

    Sophia Kirkman and Betty Beckett Humiliate Themselves Once Again-Lying to International Celebrity

    with Counterfeit Jewelry!¡±, and finally, ¡°Deep Look: When Will Sophia Kirkman and Betty Beckett Finally

    Stop Their Twisted Schemes?¡±.

    Betty could never have imagined she would once again turn up on the headlines as yet another

    embarrassment in the nation in less than a year¡¯s time, this time even more riotous than before.

    Seeing how things were now out of control, Sophia tried to turn the bottle to Jasper. ¡°Are you just going

    to

    stand there and let them harass your sister like that, Jasper?

    ¡°I may not be your mother, but Betty is still half your sister. How could you side with an outsider like

    this?¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°An outsider? I have no idea who you¡¯re talking about,¡± Jasper retorted.

    ¡°Who else would I be talking about? Her!¡± Sophia growled, ring at Alyssa.

    Jasper nced at Alyssa, then said nonchntly, ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t think she counts.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s face turned beet red. ¡°You! You horny bastard!¡±

    ¡°Better that than a vile, greedy liar.¡± Jasper got his phone out and then called Xavier. ¡°Bring them in.¡±

    Now, it was Alyssa¡¯s turn to wonder what he was up to.

    At that moment, the door swung open once more, revealing a figure in a wheelchair, sporting a cap and

    a

    mask concealing their identity.

    The only discernible detail was that this individual was a woman, and nothing more could be

    ascertained.

    Alyssa tugged at Jasper¡¯s sleeve, asking quietly, ¡°What trick are you ying now?¡±

    The man swallowed, his heart warming up at the gesture. ¡°Getting back what¡¯s yours.¡±

    What¡¯s mine? Alyssa thought curiously as she gazed at the woman in the wheelchair.

    She was weakly prying off her cap and mask, revealing that she was none other than Abigail Grant.

    The crowd gawked at her in shock, then at one another incredulously.

    Betty, meanwhile, was terrified. She stumbled backward unsteadily, body nearly numb with terror.

    Alyssa, meanwhile, was deep in thought, trying to piece two and two together.

    She finally had it all figured out.

    Abigail didn¡¯t stay in aa after the car ident.

    Jasper was the one who made that news up, all to fool Betty and make her let her guard down,

    meanwhile waiting for the right time to send her out to Betty¡¯s demise.

 Chapter 450

    Alyssa smiled lightly, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons as she shot Jasper an amused look.

    ¡°Why does she look so familiar?¡± someone from the crowd asked.

    ¡°Oh! She¡¯s that chick who got caught sleeping with E-News Daily¡¯s CEO on a live stream!¡±

    Damn, she¡¯s still showing her face around here? If I were her, I¡¯d change my name, get stic surgery,

    and never return.¡±

    ¡°What the heck is she doing here? Hasn¡¯t she caused enough trouble?¡±

    Abigail took a deep, shaky breath to calm her nerves. ¡°My name is Abigail Grant, and I was an

    employee

    from E-News Daily.

    ¡°I¡¯m here tonight so I can help administer some justice to those who were wrongly used. Think of

    this

    as penance for my own crimes.

    ¡°I am truly sorry to Ms. Alyssa Taylor of KS World Hotel. I was greedy and agreed to do what I should

    never have done.

    ¡°I should never have persuaded her staff to steal thepany¡¯s confidential information about Ms. Ada

    Kingsley¡¯s wedding, nor should I have sold it to the public media, ultimately leading to their fallout¡­¡±

    The guests finally learned the truth. They shot Alyssa sympathetic looks, their views of her instantly

    shifting for the better.

    Her identity as Alexa helped, too. Right now, she was like a saint among wolves, undeserving of any

    tarnish to her name.

    ¡°Does this mean you were being bribed, Ms. Grant?¡±

    ¡°Who was the one who instructed you to do this?¡±

    ¡°Why did you get into a car ident? Did the mastermind arrange for that to happen to stop you from

    revealing the truth?¡±

    The reporters instantly surrounded her, microphones and cameras shoved in her face.

    Abigail closed her eyes and took another deep breath.

    Then, she pointed right at Betty, her eyes steely with a meek determination. ¡°Ms. Betty Beckett was the

    one who instructed me to do it!¡±

    Betty¡¯s world faded into nothing in a split second.

    Five days ago, Abigail awoke in her hospital bed to discover a man seated across from her, exuding an

    overwhelming chill that seemed to radiate from him.

    Terrified, she clutched her nket tightly, her face drained of color.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze waszy, as if he really couldn¡¯t be bothered.

    By the door was Xavier, silently waiting for instruction.

    ¡°T-Thank you for saving my li-life, Mr. Jasper,¡± Abigail squeaked frightfully.

    ¡°Do you know why I saved you?¡± Jasper toyed with his silver lighter as he asked the question.

    Abigail didn¡¯t dare answer something she had no answers for.

    ¡°Because you are still of use to me.¡± Jasper lit a me, then extinguished it. ¡°I can make sure you

    recover

    fully from your injuries or cripple you for life, or¡­ I can make sure no one ever finds you again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything, sir!¡± Abigail cried. ¡°Please, please let me know what I can do to help you! I swear I¡¯ll do

    it.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    I swear it on my own grave!¡±

    Jasper thumbed at an unlit cigarette, cocking his head.

    ¡°Reveal that Betty was the one who framed Alyssa. Restore justice to my woman.¡±

 Chapter 451

    The auction ended on a high note with this turn of events. Not only had MINT broken the record for

    raising the most charity funds in a single night, but the reporters were covering every detail as if it were

    the birthdays of all the A-list celebrities in the worldbined.

    When Javier heard the news, he instantly sent his secretary andwyer to escort Sophia and Betty

    home.

    They were huddled together, still frightened by what had happened.

    ¡°I represent the Beckett Group as their legal advisor. If you do not have solid proof of your usations

    about Ms. Betty stealing confidential information, Ms. Grant, I will see you in court for defamation,¡± the

    Abigail got scared at the thought of being sued, but she was even more terrified of dying.

    Currently, the man who held her life in his hands was gazing directly at her, leaving her with no chance

    to

    reconsider.

    She shuddered and promptly retorted, ¡°O-Of course I have proof! Don¡¯t assume I¡¯m intimidated by you

    arrogant pricks simply because you¡¯re rich and powerful! I¡¯ve changed my ways, so I won¡¯t harm

    anyone

    else just because someone paid me to!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper,¡± thewyer shot Jasper a troubled look.

    Jasper¡¯s tone was as icy as ever, and he spoke as though he had no connection to his family¡¯s

    company

    whatsoever.

    ¡°Tell Mr. Javier that he can forget about Abigail. It¡¯s the entire KS World that¡¯s going to take him down.

    now.

    He concealed the fact that he, too, would be contributing to Javier¡¯s downfall.

    Thewyer quivered in his shoes upon hearing that.

    Alyssa was Winston Taylor¡¯s most beloved child. If things took a turn for the worse, he would face the

    wrath of the entire Taylor family.

    Winston Taylor himself, Jonah Taylor, and even the whole Lovce family would rally behind them. It

    would be an utter war and him the only casualty.

    ¡°A wise general knows to raise their white g when all is lost. Persistence when not a single odd is in

    their favor will only make their downfall harder,¡± Jasper snarked as he turned to look at Alyssa.

    But she had long left the hall.

    His warm, beating heart turned as cold as ice in a split second.

    Alyssa escorted Yves to the parking lot.

    ¡°You surprised me tonight, Alyssa,¡± Yves said gently, giving her a hug. ¡°But I knew any sibling of

    Jonah¡¯s

    wouldn¡¯t disappoint.¡±

    Alyssa shed a grin, saying, ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re seeing things through Jonah-tinted lenses.¡±

    ¡°But I mean it, Alyssa. I can tell from the way you speak and behave that you¡¯re an exceptional woman.

    I

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    truly respect you. I have a feeling we¡¯re going to be great friends!¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Not great family?¡± Alyssa teased.

    Yves¡¯ eyes widened. She giggled, blushing in response.

    ¡°Oh love, I¡¯m already turning 50 next year. I do like Jonah, but I can¡¯t hold him back.¡±

    ¡°So what if you¡¯re 50? My Dad has a 25-year age difference between him and his third wife. They¡¯re

    doing

    mighty fine together.¡±

    Alyssa wrapped an arm around Yves¡¯ shoulders.

    ¡°Life is short, Madam Yves. We should do everything in our power to live it contentedly and happily,

    don¡¯t

    you think? If you truly like my brother, then go for it. I wholeheartedly encourage you.¡±

    ¡°Alexa,¡± Yves suddenly called her by her alias. ¡°Have you ever regretted anything in your life thus far?¡±

    Painnced Alyssa¡¯s heart as the harsh memories she kept locked away in the depths of her heart

    revealed a fraction of themselves.

    She smiled lightly. ¡°Honestly, yes, I have. But I¡¯ve already let that go. So, no more regrets.¡±

    She regretted marrying Jasper, but she no longer held on to it because it had happened and then

    passed.

    It might soundplicated, but that was how she felt, nevertheless.

    After Yves got into her car, Alyssa waved her goodbye.

    ¡°Alexa!¡±

 Chapter 452

    ¡°Hold on, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    The crowd of reporters swarmed around her, encircling her and bombarding her with microphones and

    cameras as if she had won some prestigious award.

    Though they meant no harm, it was still challenging to make her way through the throng.

    ¡°Ms. Alexa, do you n to take action against Betty Beckett for stealing yourpany¡¯s confidential

    information? Do you n to sue her?¡±

    ¡°Betty Beckett¡¯s actions have led Ms. Ada Kingsley to terminate her contract with you. Will KS World

    Hotel take it up with the Beckett Group for this incident?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Ada Kingsley has made it clear that she intends to terminate her contract with Berenike Hotel. Will

    you resume the contract and work with her once again?¡±

    Alyssa had had a long day. She no longer had much strength. In fact, her gastritis was starting to act

    up.

    again.

    She winced, tears beading on her forehead as her stomach churned. Yet, she remained calm and

    ¡°-¡±

    However, before she could finish her sentence, someone ran into the crowd and wrapped their arms

    around her, defending her from the onught of reporters. Her vision blurred slightly.

    When she next regained rity, a voice said, ¡°KS Group will be sure to answer all of your questions

    later. Kindly give Ms. Alyssa some space right now as she¡¯s feeling quite unwell. I¡¯m taking her to the

    hospital.¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes, looking up at Jameson.

    She hadn¡¯t once seen him throughout the night. How would he know she was feeling unwell?

    All of a sudden, the pain and anguish she¡¯d experienced for three years swelled up like an

    undercurrent.

    Jasper had not once shown her care or kindness when she was unwell. Even when she was bedridden

    after her miscarriage, he wouldn¡¯t even get her a single ss of water when she asked.

    He might not have known of her condition then, but it showed how little he cared for her if he didn¡¯t

    even make such a small gesture for her sake.

    Love was in the details, and her love for Jasper had been whittled away for three years from theck of

    it.

    Did she regret it? Indeed, she had.

    But she had made her decision already. There was no use ming herself or anyone else.

    Jameson¡¯s heart ached at the sight of Alyssa in such pain. He carefully cradled her, asking softly, ¡°Is it

    bad?¡±

    ¡°Mhm,¡± Alyssa breathed out weakly.

    ¡°Can you hold on until we reach the hospital?¡± Jameson asked worriedly.

    Alyssa forced a smile. ¡°I won¡¯t die, that¡¯s for sure.¡±

    Jameson swallowed. He had never felt like this about anyone, only Alyssa.

    He only wanted to keep her safe and love her until death parted them.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here. I¡¯ll drive you.¡± Jameson helped her walk with an arm around her waist, nudging their

    way out of the crowd.

    A nosy reporter shoved a mic in his face, smelling an opportunity for celebrity gossip. ¡°May we know

    who

    you are exactly, sir?¡±

    Jameson quipped uninterestedly, ¡°Jameson Schmidt, son of Victor Schmidt from the Schmidt Group.¡±

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    Schmidt Group? They were just about on par with the Beckett Group in the city! Naturally, only a man

    like

    him could get so close to a woman as multi-faceted and remarkable as Alyssa Taylor!

    ¡°What is your rtionship with Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Jameson?¡±

    ¡°Are you two dating?¡±

 Chapter 453

    Alyssa was in so much pain that she could only roll her eyes internally.

    How childish andcking in creativity were these media people?

    Why, when it came to a man and a woman being together, did their first assumption always jump to

    them

    being in a rtionship?

    What about just being friends?

    ¡°I¡¯m one of Ms. Alyssa¡¯s many admirers, Jameson said gently, his eyes locked onto Alyssa as if she

    were

    the sole reason for his existence. ¡°And I¡¯m currently courting her.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened in shock as the reporters erupted into gasps and exmations.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Attending this event turned out to be an absolute win for them tonight, as they were bombarded with

    breaking news one after another. It was enough to guarantee them a three-monthmission!

    Suddenly, someone barged in from the side, yanking Alyssa away from Jameson and swiftly removing

    her

    from the scene.

    ¡°Let me go, Jasper!¡± Alyssa yelped, too weak to struggle. ¡°You-bastard! Thug!¡±

    But Jasper ignored her protests. He was entirely focused on taking her away.

    The crowd looked at one another in surprise and apprehension. They couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he

    was

    another one of Alyssa¡¯s admirers.

    A storm was gathering on the horizon.

    When they reached a quiet hallway, Alyssa mustered all her energy to push Jasper away. She

    seeded,

    but Jasper ended up pulling her into his arms again.

    An arm hooked around her waist. He was worried that she might escape.

    It had been so long since he¡¯d desired a woman like this.

    Irrespective of his current state of mind, he couldn¡¯t deny the rampant longing coursing through his

    veins, enming his entire being.

    ¡°What the fuck are you doing now?¡± Alyssa cried weakly. Tears clung to hershes with how much pain

    she was in.

    ¡°What¡­ What do I have to do for you to finally go easy on me, Alyssa?¡± Jasper growled, his body

    strung

    tight as a bowstring.

    Alyssa snorted, too unbothered to further entertain this man and his hysterical delusions. ¡°Let me go-

    now. Or don¡¯t me me for doing something you¡¯d regret. I¡¯m going to give you three seconds¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you question my ability to protect you? Or do you just want to insult me like this?¡± Jasper¡¯s grip

    around her waist tightened.

    He had bore witness to Jameson¡¯s tant confession earlier.

    His ex-wife¡­ His woman being cradled so tenderly in another man¡¯s arms, being cared for. That man

    even tried to take her away from him. His heart had been in so much pain, and all that was left was

    fervent rage.

    ¡°Three,¡± Alyssa hissed.

    ¡°Alyssa-¡±

    Silver glinted in the low hallway light before a butterfly knife was pressed up against Jasper¡¯s chest.

 Chapter 454

    Jasper flinched violently.

    They used to be husband and wife. Why had ite to this?

    The de didn¡¯t need to pierce his heart for it to be riddled with pain.

    ¡°Landon was thest person to see this de¡¯s end. He learned his lesson, however.¡±

    Alyssa tilted her head, a sharp glint in her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure someone as intelligent as you wouldn¡¯t need me to shove this between your ribs for you to

    know

    better, no?¡±

    ¡°What does he have that I don¡¯t?¡± Jasper asked hoarsely.

    Alyssa was caught by surprise. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What does Jameson have that I don¡¯t?¡± Jasper asked again, slowly walking closer to her even as the

    pressure of the de¡¯s tip began increasing.

    It was as if he didn¡¯t care about his own life anymore.

    ¡°Stay away, Jasper!¡± Alyssa cried, taking meek steps backward, though her de never left Jasper¡¯s

    chest. ¡°Do you really think I won¡¯t hurt you?¡±

    ¡°Why would you be with him? Is it ¡­ Is it all just to get revenge on me?¡± Jasper¡¯s voice trembled,

    oblivious

    to the pain caused by the de¡¯s tip on his skin.

    ¡°Who else would I be with? You?¡± Alyssa scowled. ¡°It¡¯s not like we haven¡¯t tried that. You were the one

    who ended it all.¡±

    Alyssa always knew just what to say.

    Jasper took sharp, painful breaths as he felt her words strike a chord deep within his chest, causing his

    entire being to go numb. Yet, he knew she was telling nothing but the truth..

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    Alyssa turned to look at the source of the sound. She found Jameson standing at the other end of the

    hallway, his eyes burning with emotion.

    ¡°You¡¯re still in pain, Lyse. Let me take you to the hospital, please?¡± Jameson asked gently, extending a

    hand toward her.

    He didn¡¯t care for the silly game Jasper was ying. He was now employing a different tactic to show

    how much he cared for Alyssa and doted on her-to show her that he was the one who loved her the

    most.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Alyssa tucked away her butterfly knife and strode over to Jameson, as if having made her choice

    between him and Jasper.

    Thetter stood where he was, frozen in ce as he watched Alyssa say, ¡°Let¡¯s go, then.¡±

    Jameson retracted his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s.¡±

    The two exited the hallway, walking side by side as though they were a couple, leaving Jasper alone in

    the

    shadows, looking utterly dejected.

    Slowly, he grasped the aching center of his chest, feeling a surge of heat behind his eyes.

    ¡°I just want you to look at me, Alyssa.¡±

    Jameson rushed to the hospital with Alyssa in tow.

    She was in so much pain when they arrived that she couldn¡¯t move. Herplexion was as pale as

    snow.

    Her suffering today was a result of her time as a volunteer doctor overseas, where their meals were

    always inconsistent in both schedule and portion.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get a wheelchair right away!¡± Carl cried.

    ¡°No need.¡±

    Jameson lifted Alyssa into his arms and carried her into the hospital.

    ¡°Shit! Ouch¡­¡± Alyssa panted weakly.

    ¡°You told me not to simply do this thest time.¡±

    Jameson held her with such gentleness and protectiveness.

    He continued, ¡°But I have no choice right now, so¡­ don¡¯t be mad at me, okay?¡±

    His secretary, Carl, was left speechless by his boss¡¯ behavior.

    When had this cold, lethal man ever been so tender and warm to women?

    Carl was uncertain how Jameson¡¯s pride would ever return if Alyssa didn¡¯t marry him.

    Alyssa finally got her rest after midnight. She had an IV hooked up to her arm as she slept in a hospital

    bed.

    It was a rare sight, too, as she was never one to let her guard down around men she wasn¡¯t close with.

    It was even rarer for her to permit Jameson to stay by her side for the time being.

 Chapter 455

    All that could be heard in the room was Alyssa¡¯s soft breathing as Jameson remained by her side like a

    silent protector.

    As she turned in her sleep and a soft whimper escaped her lips, Jameson swallowed hard, feeling a

    rush

    of heat surge through his veins.

    Women had always thrown themselves at him all these years, whether in Cyrris or Kontina, regardless

    of

    their social stature. The more they did this, the more boring and disgusting Jameson found them.

    Only Alyssa could make him feel anything these days.

    He would do anything in the world to enable her to continue triumphing and carving her path in this city.

    Jameson slowly raised his hand to touch Alyssa¡¯s cheek.

    Just then, his secretary messaged him.

    ¡°Mr. Jameson, Ms. Alyssa¡¯s family are here for her. They¡¯re right outside.¡±

    Jameson took off his sses and went to open the ward door. Jonah, Ss, and Sean stood outside

    like

    rigid guards, ready to pounce on anyone who dared antagonize Alyssa.

    Jameson instantly exined, ¡°Lyse had a sudden gastritis attack. I had to bring her here first thing as

    she

    couldn¡¯t walk from the immense pain. I apologize for not informing you guys in time.¡±

    Sean¡¯s lips were stretched into a thin line, fists shaking angrily by his side. ¡°How dare y-¡±

    Jonah raised his hand, gesturing for him to back off. A faint, inscrutable smile graced his face as he

    addressed Jameson, ¡°Thank you for bringing my sister to the hospital, Mr. Jameson.

    ¡°You apologize for not informing us of her condition earlier, yet when we attempted to call you not once.

    but five times, you rejected it every single time. You even turned off your phone. Why is that, pray tell?¡±

    Ss¡¯ eyes darkened with a murderous intent.

    How could this Schmidt kid dare to snatch their beloved sister away like this? Did he have no respect

    for

    them, her brothers?

    Jameson dipped his head down respectfully. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for that. I was too concerned with Lyse¡¯s

    condition to think of much else. I didn¡¯t wish to wake her from her sleep either.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying we¡¯re not concerned?¡± Ss retorted.

    ¡°Of course not. You are her brothers by blood and heart. Of course you would do everything in your

    power

    to ensure she was taken care of and safe.¡±

    Jameson then continued calmly, ¡°So you won¡¯t mind if there is another man in this world who loves her

    and is devoted to her just as much as you are, right?¡±

    They were rendered speechless by Jameson¡¯s words.

    Both Ss and Sean were taken aback by this candid confession.

    No one in their family had ever been so forthright about their emotions, not even when their love for

    Alyssa was undeniably intense-not even Alyssa herself.

    Perhaps, if she had been, she wouldn¡¯t have endured so much suffering at Jasper¡¯s hands.

    Jonah¡¯s gaze grew darker. He stayed silent throughout.

    He couldn¡¯t help but understand why his father had staunchly opposed Jameson dating Alyssa at this

    point.

    Despite Jameson¡¯s outward appearance as a perfect gentleman and his unwavering dedication to

    Alyssa,

    something about him triggered Jonah¡¯s defensive instincts.

    It was as though he consistently emitted an overpowering presence to ensure things went his way.

    ¡°Wait here, Ss. I¡¯ll get Alyssa out.¡± Jonah entered the ward, walking past Jameson.

    However, before approaching Alyssa, he said, ¡°We don¡¯t need your help anymore, Mr. Jameson. You

    can

    leave now.¡±

    Jameson returned to his car. His expression remained calm and collected as ever.

    Carl followed unsteadily behind him, grumbling, ¡°Do they have a grudge against you or something, sir?

    They were so rude!¡±

    ¡°Inws almost always start out with a rocky rtionship, after all. Given how much they adore Alyssa,

    it

    only makes sense for them to behave so. They wouldn¡¯t let just any man take her away.¡±

    Jameson smirked and continued, ¡°No matter. All I need is Alyssa¡¯s approval, not theirs.¡±

    ¡°But, sir, I still feel that you shouldn¡¯t have been subjected to such treatment. You were such a

    powerful,

    untouchable force in Kontina back then. Whye back to Sna City just to face such meddlesome

    trouble?¡±

    ¡°So what if I was?¡± Jameson¡¯s eyes glowed feverishly. ¡°All everyone sees is the results and the image I

    put out there.

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°No one truly knows how much I had to sacrifice to get to where I was. Every single day in Kontina was

    a

    living hell for me.

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for those fucking bastards-if it weren¡¯t for Victor, that son of a bitch-I would have had a

    hold of thepany by now.¡±

    He hissed, eyes aze with fury. ¡°And Alyssa ¡­ She wouldn¡¯t have married that heartless pariah. She

    would have been mine from the start!¡±

    Carl shuddered, nodding respectfully as his boss ranted in a heated frenzy.

    ¡°I want thepany. I want Alyssa. I want everything-everything that was ever taken away from me!¡±

 Chapter 456

    When Alyssa woke up the next day, she was stunned to find herself at home in Belbanks.

    ¡°Did I teleport in my sleep?¡± She cried, pinching her own face.

    She felt the pinch. She wasn¡¯t dreaming. She really was home!

    ¡°If you can teleport, then I¡¯m psychic,¡± Colene teased, walking into the room with Mandy. They were

    thrilled to see Alyssa well and awake. ¡°How¡¯s your stomach now, dear?¡±

    Mandy sat down beside her bed, cupping her cheek. ¡°You¡¯ve lost weight! Have you been overworking

    yourself?¡±

    Colene cried, eyes red with unshed tears, ¡°You should just stay home and never set foot in that

    godawful

    city, Lyse!

    ¡°Why throw yourself to the sharks like this when you can enjoy all the finest things in the world? We¡¯re

    all

    at your beck and call here!

    ¡°Heck, if you want to try alligator meat, I¡¯d skin my Bobo and make sashimi of him for you!¡± A

    Alyssa giggled. ¡°I¡¯m no picky eater, Colene, but raw reptile is a bit out of my league.¡±

    ¡°You know how Colene can be when she¡¯s trying to express her love,¡± Mandy cooed.

    Mandy continued, ¡°You should be taking better care of yourself too. How could I ever face your mother

    like this?

    ¡°She begged us to make sure you live happily and free of worry, not whatever torture you¡¯re being put

    through.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just gastritis, guys.¡± Alyssa shook her head.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Colene¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Just gastritis? Do you have any idea how worried we were whenever you got

    even the slightest cough when you were a child?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, your father hasn¡¯t slept at all since you fell sickst night. He¡¯s still in bed, waiting for you to

    recover. He hasn¡¯t had a bite of breakfast thus far,¡± Mandy said with a sigh.

    Winston was certainly stubborn.

    ¡°What? He can¡¯t do that!¡± Alyssa immediately sat up in bed, all sluggishness leaving her body. ¡°I¡¯ll get

    him to eat right now! I¡¯ll pry open his mouth and get that food in!

    All of a sudden, a question came to mind. ¡°Wait. How¡­ How did Ie homest night?¡±

    ¡°Jonah carried you home

    Of course. Jonah¡¯s brotherly love was always at maximum level.

    Colene tilted her head. ¡°He didn¡¯t seem too happy when he came home, though. I rarely see him that

    upset. Do you know what happened?¡±

    Alyssa pursed her lips. ¡°Of course not. I wouldn¡¯t dare rub him off the wrong way. You two know that.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see. So that means someone else pissed him off,¡± Mandy and Colene assumed.

    Alyssa stretched her stiff body and got out of bed. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m going to go check on Winston.¡±

    Winston was in his study, his thoughts deep and heavy, a sad sigh escaping him. Pain pierced his heart

    as

    he recalled how unwell Alyssa had been the previous night.

    ¡°Have you seen the media, Mr. Taylor? Everyone has been praising andplimenting Ms. Alyssa,

    proiming her immense skill and talent.¡±

    Neil tried his best to make Winston feel better.

    ¡°Immense skill and talent? She¡¯s up to no good, that one!¡± Winston mmed a hand on the couch.

    He continued, ¡°What¡¯s so wrong with just being my daughter? She can eat and live luxuriously here, yet

    all she wants is to raise trouble after trouble for herself!¡±

    L¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°D-Did you know about Alyssa¡¯s secret identity from the start, Winston?¡±

    ¡°Of course I did! I know her like the back of my hand-save that she married that Beckett boy.¡±

    When did his chubby, sweet little daughter be such an uncontroble, outspoken woman?

    ¡°You should be proud of Alyssa,¡± L said softly, ¡°Winston, she¡¯s a globally acimed jewelry designer.

    ¡°The queen of Yoarkley herself dons her jewelry at royal gatherings. Even both Mandy and Colene

    have dered it a source of pride and glory that will endure for generations toe.¡±

    Winston massaged his aching temples. ¡°I am proud of her, L. I¡¯m just worried she might be too rash

    and end up making enemies.

    ¡°People are moreplicated nowadays. What if someone starts scheming behind her back? It¡¯d be

    too

    Just then, Alyssa opened the door and walked in.

    ¡°Let me see which old man is being defiant here¡­ If you don¡¯t go and have breakfast right now, I¡¯m

    opening your treasure vault and donating everything inside to charity!¡±

    L hurriedly went up to her. ¡°Are you feeling better now, Lyse?¡±

 Chapter 457

    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine, L,¡± Alyssa said as she hugged her third stepmother affectionately.

    ¡°Well, alright then. I¡¯ll prepare some snacks for you two.¡± L then left the study, but not before making

    a bullhorn gesture with her hands to show Alyssa that Winston was currently furious.

    Alyssa responded with a reassuring ¡°okay¡± sign and a yful wink.

    Neil also left the study, giving them some privacy.

    ¡°I heard everything you said to L earlier, Dad.¡±

    Alyssa sat down beside her father, hand wrapping around his shoulders.

    She continued, ¡°You¡¯re underestimating me. I wouldn¡¯t be charging my way through the city if I didn¡¯t

    have the guts or ability for it. Most yers there are like fledglingspared to someone as resilient as

    a

    phoenix, like me.¡±

    ¡°Even so, I hate to see those featherless pigeons pecking at you so relentlessly.¡±

    Winston shook his head and added, ¡°Why did you have to get on their bad side? I¡¯ve been so worried

    about you all this while. I¡¯m old, Alyssa. I shouldn¡¯t have to worry this much already.¡±

    ¡°Featherless pigeons? Are you talking about Betty and her mother?¡±

    Alyssa snorted out augh and said, ¡°You¡¯re meaner than I thought!¡±

    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to see you being pushed around!¡±

    Winston hugged his daughter fondly. He then frowned, recalling something. He asked, ¡°Say, Jasper

    didn¡¯t do anything to you for messing with his family, did he?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart stuttered. ¡°Nah. He actually facilitated this, too.¡±

    ¡°Oh? How so?¡±

    ¡°Remember the reporter in the wheelchair who unveiled Betty as the culprit? Based on the news after

    her

    ident, I initially thought she was in aa. Who knew Jasper had saved her and made here to

    the event to push Betty down her tower.¡±

    ¡°Talk about two birds with one stone. He¡¯s a cunning one, I¡¯ll say. No wonder he¡¯s been able to keep his

    position for so long,¡± Winston scoffed, then teased Alyssa, saying, ¡°You¡¯re lucky you didn¡¯t lose your

    mind

    after three years with him.¡±

    ¡°Dad, the people capable of messing with me are either dead or haven¡¯t been born yet.¡± Alyssa

    grinned,

    snapping her teeth yfully.

    Just then, Winston¡¯s phone buzzed.

    Alyssa picked it up for him and read the caller ID. A look of displeasure surfaced on her face.

    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

    ¡°Who is it?¡± Winston asked.

    ¡°Javier Beckett.¡±

    ¡°Oh, your ex-father-inw.¡±

    ¡°Dad!¡± Alyssa huffed angrily, crossing her arms together.

    Winston cleared his throat and answered the call. ¡°If it isn¡¯t Mr. Javier Beckett.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to speak with you aboutst night¡¯s incident, Mr. Taylor.¡± Javier was unnaturally humble-

    sounding.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be making a trip to Belbanks in a while. Why don¡¯t we have lunch togetherter?¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t believe we have much to talk about right now.¡±

    Winston leaned back on the couch, caressing his daughter¡¯s hair.

    ¡°My dear Lyse is back home, so I intend to spend my time with her as much as I can. If you have

    anything

    urgent to mention, please do so here over the call.¡±

    Javier paused slightly before saying, ¡°I¡¯m sure there has been a misunderstanding about the incident

    last.

    night at the public auction, Mr. Taylor. My daughter didn¡¯t sign that purchase receipt personally, so it

    couldn¡¯t be her.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no point discussing this matter over the call, Mr. Javier. Why don¡¯t you send yourwyers over

    instead?¡± Winston said stiffly.

    ¡°Are you really resorting to this means just because of such a trivial matter, Mr. Taylor?¡± Javier asked,

    now clearly worried.

    ¡°Trivial?¡± Winston¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Nothing is trivial when ites to my Alyssa.¡±

    Alyssa sat obediently beside her father, warmth and affection filling her chest.

    Now she understood a bit more why her mother had chosen to marry this man in the first ce. He

    really

    knew just what to say.

    Javier pressed on angrily, ¡°Does this mean there¡¯s no possibility for mediation between us?¡±

    Winston said lightly, ¡°The older I get, the more I find myself wanting to do everything in my power to

    keep

    those I care about safe.

    ¡°You can do whatever vile thing you wish when ites to business, but not to my family and loved

    ones.

    If you target my daughter, I¡¯lle for your neck.¡±

 Chapter 458

    Betty once again grew viral on social media, dragging Beckett Group¡¯s stocks down with her as well.

    The onlinements and attacks on her after the auction hadn¡¯t stopped since. Ada publicly

    denouncing

    her contract with Beckett Group didn¡¯t help either.

    ¡°Some people can try all they want, but they¡¯ll never be able to stand out against someone like Alyssa

    Taylor. Ms. Alyssa is gorgeous and talented. She even manages her family¡¯s hotel!

    ¡°Unlike some people who only know to scheme and plot in the shadows like some cowardly snake.

    They

    really embarrass all of us by lying to Ada Kingsley like that!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯tpare that Beckett girl with our lovely Ms. Alexa! They¡¯re from entirely different worlds!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised to hear what Betty did, honestly. Like mother, like daughter, as they say.¡±

    ¡°Are there any good apples in the Beckett family at this point? The police should really look into them

    and

    see if they¡¯re up to anything shady.¡±

    Jasper scheduled an emergency board meeting on the third day without notifying his father firsthand.

    Betty¡¯s vacant seat bore witness to her deep embarrassment over the entire situation.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get right to the point.¡± Jasper¡¯s fingers were pressed neatly against one another on the desk as he

    said solemnly, ¡°We all know what happened during the auction event at KS World Hotel.¡±

    The silence in the room was enough of an answer.

    ¡°I have set up an action n to deal with its aftermath.¡±

    He snapped his fingers, instructing Xavier to open up a sealed envelope.

    Xavier cleared his throat and read aloud, ¡°The following contains instructions to deal with the aftermath

    of Ms. Betty Beckett¡¯s actions, which have caused catastrophic effects unto thepany as a whole.

    ¡°From this day onward, Ms. Betty Beckett is dismissed and removed from her management position

    and

    the hotel.

    ¡°She will also cooperate with the police enforcement as much as possible in their investigations into

    this

    matter.

    ¡°As for Ms. Betty¡¯s failure to fulfill her responsibilities in the project with Ms. Ada Kingsley, she will be

    solely responsible for all consequences, including any costs rted to the damage incurred by KS

    World Hotel, without any involvement or interference from thispany.¡±

    The board was surprised, turning to one another with wide eyes.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Javier always doted on Betty, so such harsh treatment of her was a real curveball from everyone¡¯s

    perspective. Javier really had had enough now!

    ¡°No! I do not ept this!¡±

    A shrill voice came from outside the meeting room, followed by Sophia marching in. She was still

    dressed in heavy jewelry andvish clothes, trying to assert herself as the president¡¯s wife.

    Jasper nced coldly at her. ¡°Non-relevant personnel should not be allowed to attend this meeting, Mr.

    Hall.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    Xavier went up to stop Sophia from getting any closer. ¡°Mr. Jasper is currently in the midst of a board.

    meeting, ma¡¯am. Please leave right away.¡±

    ¡°How dare you?¡± Sophia screeched, digging her ws into his cor. ¡°I am thepany¡¯s president¡¯s

    wife! We own thispany. How dare you order me to leave?¡±

    The entire board watched as herposure shattered magnificently.

    If she weren¡¯t married to Javier, she¡¯d appear just as hysterical as the pent-up housewife in the slums

    of

    the city.

    A sneer rose on Jasper¡¯s lips. ¡°I don¡¯t recall a position in thepany called president¡¯s wife.¡±

    ¡°Y-You-!¡± Sophia¡¯s eyes widened into a re.

    The board erupted into quiet scoffs and sniggering.

    ¡°I will be sending a copy of this n to everyone in thepany via email.¡± Jasper leaned back in his

    chair. ¡°This isn¡¯t something you can change at your whim, Sophia.¡±

    Sophia grew pale as she stumbled backward at the mention of her name. She couldn¡¯t believe he had

    addressed her by her name instead of ¡°Madam¡± in front of all the board members.

 Chapter 459

    Jasper was clearly humiliating her in front of everyone.

    Sure enough, disdain and contempt clouded everyone¡¯s gazes when they looked at her.

    ¡°You can¡¯t simply give this order just because you¡¯re the CEO! The president should be the one making

    this decision. How could you abuse your power?¡±

    Having no other alternative but this, Sophia decided to use that to attack Jasper.

    But Jasper merely smirked. ¡°So you mean to say that the president will let Betty off the hook for all her

    hazardous actions?

    ¡°Even if she has stolen another business¡¯ confidential information, cheated and lied to a client,

    intentionally created a counterfeit of an internationally renowned piece of insured jewelry, and caused

    our stocks to plummet-all because she¡¯s the president¡¯s daughter?¡±

    His words struck Sophia like hidden des.

    The board members watched intently as she trembled in her shoes, at a loss for words.

    ¡°There is no such thing as fairness when ites to the business world. The fairness we see is but an

    borate mask hiding all the parasites underneath.¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes and continued, ¡°As long as I¡¯m CEO of thepany, I will never let those

    parasites see daylight, no matter how much they try.¡±

    Not a single word from him had mentioned Sophia. Yet it was undoubtedly a harsh whipping on

    Sophia¡¯s

    person and pride.

    The atmosphere was heavy and silent for several seconds before the members slowly pped their

    hands together, creating a thunderous round of apuse.

    Post-meeting, Sophia¡¯s hysterical fit had spread throughout thepany like wildfire. Everyone

    gathered

    tough and make fun of her in their spare time.

    What kind of etiquette was this, barging into an important meeting?

    Who in their sane mind would do something like that?

    The action n was also emailed to everyone.

    ¡°Finally! I knew those prayers worked!¡± an employee cried in relief after reading about Betty¡¯s dismissal.

    ¡°What prayers? You should be thanking Mr. Jasper! I¡¯m going to pray to him from now on instead!¡±

    ¡°Does this count as denouncing her from their family?¡±

    ¡°Bah! Of course, it does! It¡¯s not like they¡¯re from the same mother!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! Good riddance to Betty Beckett!¡±

    It wasn¡¯t a promotion or a raise, but the news brought tremendous joy to many staff.

    Xavier was buzzing with glee in Jasper¡¯s office. ¡°Seeing that old witch losing herposure was such

    a

    hit, sir! Didn¡¯t even need an actual hit to feel so good!¡±

    Jasper shot him a look. ¡°Do you often get a hit? Are you that stressed?¡±

    ¡°Uh, no, of course not!¡± Xavier shook his head frantically. ¡°It¡¯s just a metaphor, Mr. Jasper!¡±

    Jasper sat down in his lounge. ¡°Has the investigationmenced?¡±

    ¡°My sources say Madam¡¯s mutt of a secretary has handed all their avable evidence to the

    Investigation

    Bureau. They¡¯ve also issued a travel ban for Betty. There¡¯s no escape for her now!¡± Xavier eximed

    happily.

    Jasper hummed in acknowledgment.

    Alyssa was the one who served this justice unto Betty and Sophia. He only helped here and there

    wherever he could.

    ¡°By the way, sir, I¡¯ve asked what happened the other night at the hospital. Madam had a gastritis attack

    and had to stay past midnight at the hospital.¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips, worry clouding his heart.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°So¡­ Do you want to use this as an excuse to see her, sir? I can get some antacids you can bring to

    her?¡±

    ¡°Do I need an excuse just to see her?¡± Jasper scowled.

    ¡°Uh, no. No, of course not ¡­¡±

    *Plus, why would I go see her in the first ce?¡±

 Chapter 460

    Jasper¡¯s lips stretched into a thin line. ¡°She has Jameson now, besides her throng of brothers. I don¡¯t

    need to kiss her ass even more. That¡¯s embarrassing to a man of my stature.¡±

    Xavier quickly cried, ¡°But Mr. Jasper, you¡¯re not even in her neutral books at this point. This is the only

    way.

    to win her back!¡±

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper red at his secretary, making the man shut up instantly.

    ¡°We¡¯ve divorced. There¡¯s no use trying to revive anything. I don¡¯t intend on getting her back either.¡±

    Jasper cleared his throat, his voice hoarse.

    ¡°What¡¯s mine would never leave me, and what¡¯s not, well, there¡¯s no point chasing after it once it¡¯s

    gone. I

    have never regretted leaving her. Never.¡±

    Sophia stormed back to Seaview Manor, bursting into tears even before stepping into the study. She

    clung onto Javier, sobbing and crying her misery out.

    ¡°How could Jasper do this to his own sister? What a cruel child! He didn¡¯t want to help. That¡¯s fine. But

    how could he dismiss Betty from her post?

    ¡°How could she ever regain her footing in thepany now? He can¡¯t do this just because he¡¯s CEO!

    He¡¯s

    been disrespecting you more and more ever since you promoted him to this post!¡±

    ¡°I was the one who gave that order.¡± Javier pushed Sophia away, feeling irritated. ¡°I was the one who

    instructed Jasper to dismiss Betty.¡±

    How strange. Whenever Sophia behaved like this in front of him, he would always feel unbearably

    eager to

    appease her and make her happy again. His defenses would cave in like butter to a hot knife.

    But all he wanted to do right now was stay far away from her to get some peace of mind.

    Javier found himself reminiscing about Jasper¡¯s mother more and more these days, of how proud and

    independent and strong she had been.

    She never once shed a tear nor pleaded so pitifully to him as Sophia did, trying to win his favor.

    Javier¡¯s greatest regret in life was probably the fact that he never actually won Jasper¡¯s mother over.

    It was during that time of his life that Sophia had appeared, fulfilling his masculine pride and desire.

    If only Jasper¡¯s mother had been gentler with him. Maybe they wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this. After

    all,

    he had truly loved her back then.

    ¡°W-What?¡± Sophia gazed at him in utter shock. ¡°What did you say, Javier?¡±

    ¡°How could you expect me to keep her in thepany when she has made such a terrible mistake?

    Where would that make me stand, being the president of thepany? What would the world think of

    us?

    Javier asked sternly.

    Sophia retorted, ¡°Is your pride as thepany president more important than your own child?¡±

    ¡°I am Betty¡¯s father, and I¡¯m also the one steering thispany forward!¡± Javier eximed,

    angry now.

    He continued, ¡°You can spoil your daughter all you want, but I cannot sit by and tolerate her actions at

    the

    ¡°How could you say something like that, Javier? Do you hate me? Do you not love me anymore?¡±

    Sophia

    cried, inquiring the most inopportune question to pose to a man.

    ¡°I do not have time to deal with this foolishness right now! Winston is dering war against us because

    of Alyssa, and I need to deal with this. They¡¯re threatening to take this to court!¡± Javier angrily shoved

    Sophia away, making her fall back onto the couch.

    He added, ¡°If you have so much time to whine and sob before me, why don¡¯t you teach your daughter

    how

    to behave? Do you have any idea how much trouble Betty has caused us for all these years?

    How many times do I have to clean up after her? She¡¯s 25 years old, Sophia. How much longer do I

    have

    to clean up her mess?¡±

    Sophia was frightened. ¡°J-Javier¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand it. She¡¯s my child too. Yet why is she so drastically different from Anne¡¯s son? Look

    at

    Jasper. He¡¯s never caused me any trouble and always kept thepany in check.

    ¡°He even spearheaded thepany¡¯s development way beyond that of the Schmidt Group!

    ¡°On the other hand, your daughter has always found some way to be either useless or troublesome to

    us.

    So you¡¯d better think about what you¡¯ve done wrong in raising her!¡±

    Javier then stormed out of the study, mming the door behind him.

    Sophia¡¯s eyes welled up with angry, hurt tears once more, and they cascaded down her cheeks.

    ¡°Anne¡­ That fucking bitch¡­ You still haven¡¯t gotten over her, have you? Hahahaha! So what? I still

    killed her in the end¡­ I still killed her! Sophia cried hysterically, cackling and sobbing like a mad

    woman.

    Recalling Jasper¡¯s words to her earlier today, her anger upped to no end. ¡°I won¡¯t stop here, Anne¡­ I¡¯m

    going to make your precious, darling son fall to ruins in my hands!¡±

 Chapter 461

    As chaos unfolded in Seaview Manor, Alyssa leisurely enjoyed the sun in her family home¡¯s gardens.

    She sat on a swing, which was usually reserved for her nowadays-only because Winston had explicitly

    made it for her mother.

    ording to her family, her mother would often spend her days in this swing, enjoying the nature

    around

    her like a carefree child or taking a nap there in the afternoon.

    Whenever her mother was there, Winston woulde and gently push the swing from behind or

    cuddle

    with her, watching the seasons change.

    After her mother passed, Winston would have the servants clean the swing every other day. It was as if

    the woman had only left for a long trip, ready toe back to her swing at any time.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Ada Kingsley has confirmed her stance to work with us and would like to invite you to

    dinner. She¡¯d also like to apologize once again,¡± Sean reported, slowly pushing Alyssa on her swing.

    He continued, ¡°She¡¯s been calling my phone countless times these past few days as she couldn¡¯t reach

    yours.

    ¡°Good. You can practice your Mosgravian.¡± Alyssa bit into a crisp apple.

    ¡°You jest, miss.¡± Xavier chuckled, peeking at her soft lips. 2

    Her lips were so pink and full. They appeared much more delectable than the apple itself.

    He swallowed nervously.

    ¡°If I were just Alyssa Taylor to her, CEO of KS World Hotel, I would¡¯ve dly epted her invitation.¡±

    Alyssa continued chewing on her apple as she spoke, ¡°But right now, I¡¯m not just Alyssa. I¡¯m Alexa, her

    idol. That means I can¡¯t just give her this so easily. Miracles are miracles because they¡¯re rare, after

    all.¡±

    ¡°Good point. You should assert your authority to Ada Kingsley, especially after the disrespect she

    disyed. The repercussions of crossing you should not be taken lightly.¡±

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t intend to go that length. I¡¯m just tired ofte. I need to recuperate.¡±

    Alyssa yawned.

    ¡°MINT¡¯s public auction has done enough advertising for us. We won¡¯t need Ada Kingsley to upgrade

    ourselves anymore,¡± Alyssa dered.

    The only thing that could be said about Ada¡¯s snobbishness from earlier was how it had nowe

    back

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    to haunt her.

    Just then, her phone rang.

    ¡°Hello, is this Ms. Alice White?¡±

    shbacks from years ago suddenly surfaced. It had been so long since she had heard that name.

    ¡°Yes, this is her.¡±

    ¡°This is Crater Mountain Park¡¯s newly appointed head forest ranger. My name is Elias Parker. I was a

    student of Mr. Elijah Forrest.¡±

    This man had no idea he was talking to the Taylor family¡¯s Alyssa Taylor.

    Alyssa silently thought about Crater Mountain, recalling it with a sense of familiarity.

 Chapter 462

    Crater Mountain was where Alyssa had first met Jasper 13 years ago. It was where Jasper had saved

    her

    life.

    ¡°Elijah, you say?¡± Alyssa asked excitedly upon hearing her friend¡¯s name.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Elijah is retiring next month, so this month is hisst. He¡¯ll be going home to his hometown

    after

    I take over.¡± Elias sighed.

    He continued, ¡°I saw your name in Mr. Elijah¡¯s books. You must be really important to him. I hope you

    can

    visit him sometime this month before he leaves. He has pancreatic cancer, and we don¡¯t know how

    long

    he has left¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa cried, sitting up straight.

    ¡°He was already in the third stage when they found it. You know how cancer can be. It¡¯s nearly

    unstoppable if untreated¡­¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± Alyssa said solemnly. ¡°I¡¯ll visit him soon.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell him I told you this, Ms. White. He¡¯s always been adamant about having a strong,

    independent image. He doesn¡¯t want others to see him weak or pity him, so ¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve known him for 13 years. Don¡¯t you worry.¡±

    After ending the call, Alyssa sat back in the swing, dazed. She was on the verge of crying.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa? Who is Elijah Forrest? Are-Are you okay?¡± Xavier crouched before her, handing her a

    Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    handkerchief to wipe her tears away. 2

    ¡°An old friend.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart was hurting terribly. ¡°Help me find any local skilled gastroenterologists, Sean. I need to

    help.

    my friend with all my might.¡±

    ¡°On it, miss.¡± Xavier nodded. He always respected her privacy, never probing if she wasn¡¯t ready to

    reveal

    to him.

    Another phone call soon came. It was Alyssa¡¯s fashion mentee, Rose Emerson.

    ¡°Rose.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a horrible woman, ma¡¯am! How could you? How could you do this to me? You¡¯re Alexa, the

    jewelry designer Alexa! And you never told me a single thing about that? How could you lie to me? I

    should call

    ¡°Did you just find out? What kind of inte are you using? 2G?¡± Alyssa snorted, then used the

    handkerchief Sean gave her to wipe her tears away.

    She continued, ¡°Why don¡¯t I get a perm or something? That way, I can hide from the police with my

    new

    identity.¡±

    Sophia was truly in a precarious situation. Jasper had humiliated her. Meanwhile, Javier had tly

    declined to cate her. All her years of hard work andposure had gone to waste in a day¡¯s time.

    So she did the only thing she knew to do-drag Betty along with her to see Zoe Harper.

    ¡°You¡¯re so useless! If you had half of the intelligence your father had, we wouldn¡¯t be here right now!¡±

    Irritated by Betty¡¯s emotional outburst, Sophia sumbed to her frustration and prodded her finger into

    Betty¡¯s forehead, marking her otherwise wless skin.

    T

    Sophia continued, ¡°You really thought you could band together with that little bitch Liana back then,

    huh?

    Thought you could have a hold over her?¡±

 Chapter 463

    Sophia asserted, ¡°I was the one who saved you when she turned her back on us! Your father and

    grandfather haven¡¯t stopped losing faith in you since that scandal at your grandfather¡¯s birthday!¡±

    ¡°Dad would never! He loves me the most!¡± Betty whined.

    A loud smack was heard as a hard pnded on Betty¡¯s cheek. ¡°What have I taught you all these

    years?

    Never, ever talk back to me!¡±

    Betty¡¯s ear was ringing with the force of the hit. She curled away, cupping her swelling cheek as she

    ground her teeth angrily.

    ¡°Now you¡¯ve been toyed around again by that rotten brat Zoe Harper. Tell me. What else are you good

    for

    at this point? If you were born a man, this family would have crashed and burned in your hands!¡±

    Sophia was channeling all the rage she felt suffering at Jasper and Javier¡¯s hands.

    She continued, ¡°If you didn¡¯t have what it takes, you should have just listened to what I say like your

    sister,

    Lauren, and not continuously give Alyssa Taylor the upper hand!

    ¡°If your sister weren¡¯t mentally ill, she would have far excelled you! Do you think I wanted to put all my

    eggs in one basket? You useless, good-for-nothing piece of work!¡±

    Didn¡¯t that mean Betty was no better than her kid sister Lauren?

    Betty ground her teeth some more, tears of anguish and hurt falling as she stayed silent under her

    mother¡¯s verbal assault.

    Sophia rushed into the Harper Residence with Betty in tow before any of the servants could stop them.

    The servants only shot Betty curious, mocking looks, having heard all about her deeds online.

    ¡°Tsk. Why is she crying so pitifully? Mr. Harper didn¡¯t hurt her, did he?¡±

    ¡°Hey, she¡¯s not pregnant with his kid, right?¡±

    ¡°What? Of course not! He may be a womanizer, but he wouldn¡¯t simply be involved with a woman like

    that

    and disrupt Madam and Ms. Harper¡¯s life!¡±

    *Plus, Mr. Harper is a man of good taste. He would never set his eyes on someone like Ms Betty.

    Haven¡¯t

    you heard the news about her?¡±

    Betty was bristling with anger upon hearing all this gossip about her. Yet she couldn¡¯t do anything. They

    ¡°Where¡¯s Mrs. Harper? Shouldn¡¯t she be greeting her guests?¡± Sophia roared, as if she were some

    warlord

    deserving of such hospitality.

    ¡°M-Madam is resting right now, so she¡¯s unavable to meet her guests. Why don¡¯t youe back

    another time, Mrs. Beckett?¡± the butler said courteously.

    ¡°Bullshit! Her daughter ruined mine! Don¡¯t think for a second that that girl can hide together with her

    mother now that my daughter¡¯s reputation has sunken!¡±

    Sophia was so angry she didn¡¯t botherposing herself anymore.

    She continued, ¡°I demand to see your Madam today, or else I won¡¯t leave!¡±

    ¡°This is the Harper Residence, Mrs. Beckett, not a farmer¡¯s market. I don¡¯t believe your behavior is

    befitting of such an environment, no?¡±

    Just then, Penelope called out while walking down the stairs. Holding onto her arm was her daughter,

    Zoe.

    Penelope¡¯s mighty air instantly set her apart from Sophia, who had never been blessed with such an

    upbringing.

    Betty, who had been thinking about how she could take a jab as well, quelled when she saw her dream

    mother-inw and how hysterical her own mother was.

    ¡°Behavior? Hahahaha! Oh, madam. It¡¯s not like we don¡¯t have a reason foring here in the first

    ce.¡±

    Sophia red right at Zoe, who ducked behind her mother in response.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Sophia pressed on, ¡°Your daughter had someone make a counterfeit of Alexa¡¯s jewelry and forged my

    daughter¡¯s name on the receipt, ruining her reputation!

    ¡°To this day, she hasn¡¯t offered an apology and continues to act as if nothing has urred. It¡¯s

    appalling

    to see such a behavior from a member of your own family.¡±

 Chapter 464

    The servants inhaled sharply, some even covering their mouths in shock.

    Did Sophia intend to take advantage of her marital status to turn the household upside down?

    All eyes were on Zoe and Penelope, thetter of whom had a look of utter surprise on her face.

    ¡°Darling, is what Mrs. Beckett is saying true?¡± Penelope asked Zoe.

    Zoe swiftly put on her act of innocence.

    ¡°Of course not! Betty was the one who came up with the idea of getting someone to mimic the jewelry

    for

    Ada Kingsley!¡± Zoe said.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Betty red at her like she might slit her throat right now.

    ¡°Stop with your filthy lies, Zoe Harper! You were the one who wanted to persuade Ada and make

    Alyssa

    fall from her pedestal! You were the one who came up with this idea!¡±

    ¡°Alyssa¡­ Alyssa Taylor? What does this have to do with her?¡± Penelope asked, still surprised.

    ¡°I¡­¡± Now Zoe was stumped. She swallowed nervously, thinking Betty must be determined to end

    things.

    with her now that she had brought up Alyssa.

    ¡°Where do you think you are, Mrs. Beckett? Do you think we would tolerate your hysterics?¡± a cold

    voice.

    suddenly rang through the room, shooting a cold spike through Betty¡¯s heart.

    Landon walked in from the front door, a sneer of disdain on his lips. ¡°You can remain as uncouth as you

    like but keep it away from our home.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper!¡± the butler and servants greeted him with a bow.

    ¡°Landon!¡± Zoe cried, eyes wide and hopeful like she was some soap opera victim.

    Landon never did like Betty. Besides, he had always doted on her since she was young. Zoe was sure

    that

    he woulde to her defense.

    ¡°Mr. Landon, how could you speak to me so disrespectfully? You¡¯re friends with Jasper and with our

    family!¡± Sophia fumed.

    ¡°I¡¯m friends with Jasper, but I don¡¯t believe that has anything to do with you, Mrs. Beckett. You¡¯re not his

    mother, Landon said, tilting his head.

    He added, ¡°You don¡¯t treat him very well either. Do you really think pressuring me with this will work?¡±

    Sophia never expected Landon to behave like this. He was always so polite when he was over at

    Seaview Manor. Right now, he wasn¡¯t hiding his contempt or hatred for her at all!

    She couldn¡¯t help but be rmed. If this was how they treated her while she was still married to Javier,

    what if she lost Javier¡¯s favor one day? She would never be respected then!

    Chills shot up Sophia¡¯s spine. She had been ¡°Mrs. Beckett¡± for nearly 20 years now. Even though it

    seemed like she could have and did have everything she wanted, in all actuality, she hadn¡¯t even

    gotten the most basic respect from those in her circle!

    ¡°Betty is bullying me, Landon! She¡¯s trying to frame me after getting into trouble!¡± Zoe cried, diving into

    Landon¡¯s arms.

    Zoe continued, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Landon. I shouldn¡¯t have hung out with Betty. I should have listened to

    you. I swear I won¡¯t be so obtuse from now on! I¡¯ll do whatever you say!¡±

    ¡°Was Betty telling the truth, Zoe? Landon gazed sharply at his sister, voice strung tight as a violin

    string.¡±

    Were you the one who had the jewelry faked so you could stab Alyssa in the back?¡±

    ¡°No! It wasn¡¯t me! It was Betty¡¯s idea!¡± Zoe cried, turning pale with fear.

    ¡°Stop lying, Zoe!¡± Landon growled, anger thrumming through his veins. ¡°That man hired to create the

    counterfeit jewelry was from Yoarkley. How in the hell would someone have contacted a Yoarklian in

    such a short time?¡±

 Chapter 465

    ¡°You were in Yoarkley for years. Only you would have the connections to find someone to do this dirty.

    deed for you! If you lie to me again, I will call Tyson right now and have him fly over this instant!¡±

    Landon

    threatened

    ¡°Fly over?¡± Zoe retorted through gritted teeth. That means you would havepleted your

    preparations

    already. That means you might have even bought that man¡¯s favor. He¡¯ll juste and tell lies about

    me!¡±

    Things halted at this stalemate.

    ¡°You really are quite cunning, Zoe Harper, Sophia said.

    Knowing that there was no way this conversation would progress in her favor with its current direction,

    she decided to bring up Alyssa again.

    ¡°You used my daughter as a pawn to attack Alyssa, taking advantage of ourpetition with KS World

    Hotel to fulfill your little n. If it seeded, you¡¯d win and never be found out as the culprit.

    ¡°You could even push the me entirely onto Betty! Unfortunately for you, Ms. Alyssa was Alexa

    herself.

    Otherwise, your evil plot would have yed out ording to n!¡±

    ¡ª-

    Zoe¡¯s face turned red instantly. ¡°Mrs. Beckett, how could you how could you use me of something

    so vile! I-I respected you!¡±

    Penelope asked shakily, ¡°You¡­ You were the one who nned to harm Alyssa, Zoe?¡±

    Her body had always been frail. Hearing this jarring news, she could only hold onto the stair railing to

    keep herself standing upright.

    ¡°Mom, Landon, I have nothing against Alyssa whatsoever! Why would I do that to her?¡± Zoe cried,

    stomping angrily like she always did as a kid.

    They always let her have her way when she behaved like this, no matter how serious a mistake or fault

    she had made. Landon would always cate her and never pursue the matter further.

    But right now, Landon¡¯s gaze contained a harsh steeliness that made her blood run cold.

    ¡°Nothing against her? You hold the world against her! Betty yelled angrily, revealing Zoe¡¯s hatred of her

    family.

    Betty continued, ¡°You¡¯re so jealous of Alyssa because of your little crush on my brother-because she

    was

    his ex-wife!

    ¡°You can¡¯t stand the thought of her treating her well while not bothering to treat you the same. That¡¯s

    why

    you¡¯re trying all you can to remove her from the picture!¡±

    ¡°Sadly, you seemed to have neglected one important factor,¡± Sophia added, a sneer on her face.

    Sophia pressed on. ¡°Alyssa Taylor is not only important to Jasper. She¡¯s also incredibly important to

    your

    brother, Landon. If I remember correctly, your brother tried courting Alyssa, but he failed.

    ¡°However, I believe he still holds affection for her, and I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t let anyone harm those he

    cares about, right?¡±

    ¡°Y-You!¡± Zoe gritted out, shaking with pure upset. ¡°Don¡¯t believe their lies, Landon! I do like Jasper, but

    they¡¯re divorced now! I have nothing to worry about with Alyssa anymore!¡±

    Landon inhaled deeply, as if he were a god preparing to wreak the most dangerous thunderstorm.

    He had not a single ounce of belief or patience for his sister¡¯s defense right now.

    Just then, his secretary, Angelina, rushed in. ¡°Sir, the police are here.¡±

    She then looked at Betty. ¡°They must¡¯ve been searching at the Beckett Residence before getting to

    know

    that Ms. Betty is here.¡±

    ¡°The p-police¡­?¡± Betty whimpered, legs quivering.

    Sophia had grown pale, too. She clung to her daughter¡¯s shaking hand.

    ¡°Ms. Betty Beckett!¡±

    Just then, two policemen dressed in civilian outfits stormed into the room.

    They said, ¡°We have a warrant to take you in to assist in the investigation into KS World Hotel¡¯s breach

    of

    out can and will be used against you in aw of court!¡±

 Chapter 466

    There was a ringing in Betty¡¯s ears that consumed her senses entirely.

    ¡°Mom, save me! Mom!¡± she shrieked as the police dragged her away.

    Sophia couldn¡¯t bother to keep herselfposed anymore. She dived at the policemen, trying to grab

    onto her daughter.

    ¡°My Betty was framed! She¡¯s framed! How could you arrest her on the basis of a lie? What kind ofw

    enforcement are you?¡±

    Landon stared coldly as Sophia and Betty wailed their lungs out. He just wanted the police to take them

    away as soon as possible so that he could finally have some peace.

    ¡°Please let go, Mrs. Beckett, or else we¡¯ll take you in for interfering with police duty!¡±

    ¡°But sir, my daughter is innocent! She is the one who framed her-Zoe Harper. She is standing right

    there!¡±

    Sophia red at Zoe.

    ¡°This has nothing to do with me! Even if I didmission that counterfeit, I could just pay some fines. I

    have nothing to do with that information stealing whatsoever. Your daughter is the one who bit more

    than

    she could chew and put herself in this shithole!¡±

    Zoe quickly cupped her mouth upon realizing she had spoken too much.

    She panicked and began muttering curses under her breath. She had revealed the counterfeit

    Suddenly, Zoe felt two sharp pairs of eyes bore into her back, as if stabbing right into her heart.

    When she slowly turned around, all she could see was the conflicting emotions in Landon¡¯s gaze-

    outrage, shock, moroseness, andst but not least, disappointment.

    ¡°Your sister is not the innocent young woman she puts herself out to be! She¡¯s utterly rotten and filled

    with pus, I tell you! She has lied to all of us!¡± Betty shrieked, her voice ringing throughout the hall like

    some banshee.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Betty continued, ¡°How could you use me like this, Zoe? I¡¯ll never forgive you-never! Just you wait what

    I¡¯ll

    do to you!¡±

    ¡°Zoe,e here!¡± Penelope cried, wanting to defend her daughter.

    ¡°Mommy!¡± Zoe was about to run into her mother¡¯s arms when Landon grabbed her wrist.

    ¡°L-Landon¡­¡±

    ¡°Why did you do this, Zoe¡­ Is it all just to get revenge on Alyssa?¡± Landon asked hoarsely, trembling

    with

    rage.

    ¡°That¡¯s a lie! Betty¡¯s making that up!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re still lying to me!¡± Landon roared, his grip tightening around his sister¡¯s wrist. It made Zoe flinch

    and try to break free from his grasp.

    ¡°Ouch! You¡¯re hurting me! Mom! Help me!¡±

    ¡°Let go of your sister right now. Are you actually going to hurt her?¡± Penelope ran over, trying to pull her

    daughter away from Landon. ¡°Why can¡¯t we just sit down and talk things out?¡±

    ¡°Talk things out? I gave her her chance to talk, but what talk has she done?¡±

    Landon red at her sister even as she began to cry. His heart ached so much right now.

    Landon continued, ¡°Nothing but filthy, putrid liese out of her mouth every time she¡¯s given a

    chance

    to tell the truth! She¡¯s even colluding with Betty to harm Alyssa.

    ¡°What wrong has Alyssa done to deserve this? All because she was Jasper¡¯s ex-wife? Are you some

    petty

    little child?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Landon! You¡¯ve known your sister since she was a child. You know just how kind and

    sweet she is!¡± said Penelope.

    Penelope loved her daughter more than anything else in the world.

    She added, ¡°Even if she made a mistake this time, that¡¯s only because Betty made her do it! You can¡¯t

    frame your sister like this. Who knows what damage it would do to her reputation?¡±

    ¡°I asked Zoe where she was going when she got on a private jet to travel overseas a month or so ago,

    and

    she told me she was attending a fashion show in Furancia.

    ¡°When I told Angelina to investigate her whereabouts, she had secretly flown to Yoarkley. Why would

    she

    lie about her flight ns if she had nothing to hide?¡± Landon¡¯s voice thundered furiously.

    ¡°You heard yourself when Betty was being dragged away. You confessed about making the counterfeit,

    so

    why won¡¯t you just tell the truth? Dad would turn in his grave if he knew just what kind of person you¡¯ve

    be!¡±

    ¡°Landon! Don¡¯t talk about your sister like that!¡± Penelope cried, feeling conflicted at the mention of her

    ¡°You asshole!¡± Zoe cried, her voice filled with fear and anger.

    Zoe pressed on, ¡°Alyssa ernbarrassed me so many times in public, yet you never once came to my

    defense! What¡¯s so wrong about getting back at her for that? How could you stand up for her now?

    Why do you stil! like that used ragdoll? Am I nothing to you?¡±

 Chapter 467

    Zoe retorted, ¡°You can be an incel all your want, but Alyssa Taylor will never have eyes for you! You¡¯ll

    only

    end up with nothing!¡±

    ¡°Zoe Harper!¡± Landon roared at his sister, making her flinch, frightened. ¡°Even if she doesn¡¯t marry me,

    that still does not give you an excuse to harm, humiliate, or defame her!

    ¡°She is a well-educated, respectable, and honest woman. Even though she¡¯s quick and lethal at times,

    she

    would never be the first to intentionally harm another person.

    ¡°If, like you said, she tried to harm you, then you must¡¯ve caused her trouble first!¡± 2

    Zoe was so angry she might pass out..

    ¡°Need I also remind you to give up on Jasper as soon as possible? The one woman he¡¯s interested in

    is Alyssa herself. Any person can see that fact clear as day except himself,¡± Landon sneered.

    Even the way Landon mocked his friend was restrained!

    ¡°You areing with me to apologize to Alyssa tomorrow morning, in person,¡± Landon snapped, then

    turned to leave.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind, Landon? Why do I need to apologize to Alyssa? I won¡¯t do it!¡± Zoe

    screamed.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°If you refuse, I¡¯m sending you back to Yoarkley, where you¡¯ll never set foot back in this city ever again!¡±

    Penelope was frightened by her son¡¯s determined, harsh order.

    When had Landon ever spoken to Zoe like this in all her life?

    Was this all because of Jasper Beckett¡¯s ex-wife, Alyssa Taylor?

    ¡°Landon ¡­ Landon,e back!¡± Zoe screamed, her voice breaking in the process. Tears clouded her

    eyes

    as she watched her brother leave.

    But Landon, who had loved and doted on her since she was a baby, never once looked back.

    It was past midnight. Landon sipped on his drink in ACE, his heart twinging whenever he remembered

    what Zoe had yelled at him. He felt like hitting something right now.

    The door opened.

    ¡°Damn it! Get the girls out of here!¡± Landon cried instinctively. ¡°I don¡¯t need the fuckingpany right

    He tossed the ss in the direction of the door, making it shatter on the ground.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, Mr. Jasper is here to see you,¡± said Angelina as she nodded respectfully.

    Then, she shot Jasper an embarrassed look. She stepped aside, her figure swaying sensually in the

    dim

    light.

    ¡°I apologize on behalf of my boss, sir. He¡¯s feeling under the weather tonight.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m used to it.¡± Jasper was the perfect picture of indifference right now.

    ¡°Please enjoy yourself.¡±

    Angelina then shut the door behind them, leaving the two men to their privacy.

    ¡°What bad luck got you this time?¡± Jasper quipped, sitting down beside Landon. ¡°Didn¡¯t you give up on

    Alyssa already? What¡¯s all this again?¡±

    ¡°Fuck! Can you drop the fact that Alyssa dumped me for once, you asshole?¡± Landon scoffed, drinking

    straight from the bottle.

    ¡°Hmph. Dumped you? You didn¡¯t evene close.¡±

    Jasper took out a cigarette and held it between his lips.

    He continued, ¡°She never epted you in the first ce, so no ¡®dumping¡¯ was involved. All you are is

    an

    unwanted spare tire.¡±

    ¡°Fuck you, man. If I¡¯m a spare tire, then you¡¯re a damned t one! Not even a Ferrari could run if they

    swapped you on it!¡±

    Before Landon finished his sentence, he recalled how Zoe had called Alyssa a ¡°used ragdoll¡±. His heart

    plunged into icy water as he winced before throwing the bottle across the room.

    If any other woman had said that, Landon would have pped her without hesitation.

 Chapter 468

    Yet those words had toe from his kin-his beloved kid sister. A deep part of him still didn¡¯t want to

    see her suffer from too harsh a punishment. The conflicting emotions pained Landon to no end.

    ¡°Are you having PMS or what?¡± Jasper flicked away the ash on his cigarette. ¡°Seriously. What the hell

    is up

    with you?¡±

    Landon took a deep breath. ¡°Zoe was the one who had someone make the counterfeit jewelry for

    Betty.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened, but he remained silent.

    ¡°Did you know this from the start?¡±

    Jasper nodded. ¡°I did.¡±

    Guilt gued Landon¡¯s heart. ¡°Jasper, my sister is-¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something else you should know now that it hase to this point.¡± Jasper huffed out a puff of

    smoke. ¡°Your sister was also the one who set up the reporters to catch Alyssa unaware.¡±

    Landon¡¯s expression fell, as if he was stuck in quicksand that he could not pull himself out of.

    A momentter, he murmured weakly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jasper.¡±

    Jasper merely said, ¡°The person who should be saying that is your sister, not you. And the person who

    should be hearing that is my ex-wife, not me.¡±

    Even calling Alyssa his ex-wife made his heart ache.

    ¡°There¡¯s no point using Zoe¡¯s age as an excuse. She¡¯s 22 now.¡± Landon swallowed nervously. ¡°But

    you¡¯ve

    seen what she was like back then.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°She can be very adamant and temperamental, always wanting to get her way. She never considers

    the

    consequences of her actions.

    ¡°But she¡¯s not bad at heart. Betty¡¯s just led her astray. I¡¯m at fault for not disciplining her properly, too.¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips briefly before asking, ¡°So, how do you n to deal with your sister¡¯s mess and

    make it up to Alyssa?¡±

    Landon reflected that Jasper had always been like that. He was always focused on what should and

    shouldn¡¯t be done.

    Jasper was never lenient in moments like this, not even for Zoe, who was Landon¡¯s sister. It only took

    the

    ¡°I¡¯m bringing Zoe to Belbanks to apologize to Alyssa in person.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°Jasper, Zoe¡¯s my sister. Can you let her go easy this time around, for my sake? This is a first for her,

    after

    all¡­¡± Landon begged.

    Jasper murmured, ¡°I¡¯ming with you tomorrow.¡±

    ¡®You¡­ What? You don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to defend my sister¡¯s actions, are you? I swear, if I do, I will-¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m just concerned you might get into trouble.¡± Jasper slowly got up from his seat.

    Landon winced slightly. Jasper must be recalling how Alyssa had threatened him with her dest

    time.

    ¡°Just in time, too. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen her.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes softened just the slightest as he

    walked toward the door.

    ¡°Hey! Answer my question first!¡± Landon yelled, ¡°Can you let Zoe off this time, for our friendship¡¯s sake,

    please? I¡¯ll make sure Zoe apologizes to Alyssa and pays her all the costs and damages that arose

    from

    this mess!¡±

    Jasper stopped in his step, asking slowly, ¡°Tell me, Landon: if it was your sister who got schemed and

    attacked like this today, would you let the perpetrator go that easy?¡±

    Landon was left speechless by that question.

    ¡°I can let Zoe keep her pride in all of this, for your sake.¡± Jasper cracked his knuckles lightly, his tone

    turning dangerous. ¡°But only this once.¡±

 Chapter 469

    In the three days Alyssa stayed at home, she did nothing except eat and sleep like a farmed animal.

    Her three stepmothers took exceptional care of her. L whipped up delectable dishes, leading to

    Alyssa gaining over three pounds in three days.

    ¡°I¡¯m turning into a pig if I keep eating!¡± Alyssa groaned.

    ¡°Alright, just onest meal, dear,¡± L and Colene coaxed her toward the dining hall.

    With Winston and Jonah away in another state for an important event, Alyssa found herself sharing

    lunch

    with her stepmothers.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, good news!¡± Sean rushed in with a grin on his refreshing face.

    ¡°The police have arrested Betty Beckett for suspected business crime. Sophia Kirkman is worried dead

    for her daughter, and Javier Beckett is busy bailing his daughter out!¡±

    ¡°It took them three whole days to arrest Betty. The Sna City Police Department certainly isn¡¯t as

    efficient as our Belbanks police,¡± Alyssa remarked without surprise and gracefully dabbed her mouth

    with

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    a napkin.

    ¡°They would¡¯ve been in hot water if they¡¯d arrested her immediately, given her status as a Beckett,¡±

    Mandy

    chimed in, cing a piece of dessert on Alyssa¡¯s te.

    Mandy continued, ¡°Come now, have one more. You won¡¯t get to enjoy L¡¯s cooking when you¡¯re back

    in

    Sna City.¡±

    ¡°Mm¡­ I really can¡¯t eat anymore! Burp!¡± Alyssa shook her head and burped softly with a hand over her

    mouth. The three stepmothers instantly burst outughing.

    Sean smiled at Alyssa¡¯s adorable demeanor. Then, he leaned over and gently patted her on the back to

    prevent her from choking on her food. Hemented, ¡°Take your time. Don¡¯t choke on your food.¡±

    The observant Mandy noticed Sean¡¯s action and noted his affection for Alyssa. She furrowed her brows

    but kept her thoughts to herself for the moment.

    ¡°That Beckett girl is really something for picking trouble with Lyse a few times. She should be punished

    heavily.

    ¡°But, honestly, I believe Sophia Kirkman is the one who should be held ountable! She¡¯s just pure

    evil. I think Sophia is the mastermind behind Betty¡¯s attempts to undermine Lyse. She¡¯s even more

    wicked than the devil!¡±

    Colene let go of her usual table manners when Winston wasn¡¯t around. She mmed her hand on the

    table and spoke her mind, ¡°What goes around,es around! When will it be Sophia¡¯s turn to face

    divine justice? If it weren¡¯t for her, L wouldn¡¯t have-¡±

    ¡°Colene, you¡¯ve been talking non-stop. Here, have some dessert.¡± L¡¯s heart raced as she quickly

    shoved a piece of shortcake into Colene¡¯s mouth with a forced smile.

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa¡¯s eyes dimmed. There seemed to be some history between L and Sophia.

    After lunch, Alyssa went to Colene¡¯s bedroom to find out the details instead of confronting L directly.

    Colene finally realized that she had blurted out L¡¯s secret and gently pped herself on the cheek as

    she eximed, ¡°It¡¯s all because of my big mouth! I promised L I¡¯d never bring up the matter,

    especially

    not in front of the children!¡±

    ¡°L worked with Sophia at TS Network for quite a while before marrying Winston, didn¡¯t she? They

    were both signed under thework. While L was one of the top actresses on thework, Sophia

    was only assigned viin roles in L¡¯s TV shows,¡± remarked Alyssa.

    After a moment of reflection, Alyssa continued, ¡°From what I know about Sophia, she¡¯s quite cunning

    and envious. She might have resorted to underhanded tactics because she was jealous of L¡¯s

    poprity.¡±

    ¡°Ain¡¯t that right! That¡¯s why-¡± Colene almost blurted out more details. She bit her lips and closed her

    eyes as she mumbled, ¡°No, no, I promised not to betray L. I won¡¯t say anything more.¡±

    Growing increasingly anxious, Alyssa pressed on, ¡°Colene, it¡¯s clear that Sophia has deeply hurt L in

    the past. You¡¯ve always been known for your righteousness and courage. Don¡¯t you want to help L

    seek justice?¡±

 Chapter 470

    Colene plugged her fingers into her ears and mumbled, ¡°Nope, not listening to you!¡±

    Alyssa was speechless at her antics.

    ¡°There was indeed some history between L and Sophia. L wouldn¡¯t have retired from the

    entertainment industry at the peak of her career if not for that woman.¡±

    Mandy¡¯s unfeeling voice seemed to materialize out of thin air, causing Colene and Alyssa to yelp in

    shock.

    ¡°Gosh, what are you doing, Mandy? You have a talent for sneaking up on people silently. Are you an

    apparition?¡± Colene rested a hand on her chest.

    It was funny that she never acted cute in front of Winston, but she was unusually adorable around

    Mandy.

    ¡°Mandy, since when did you show up? I had no idea.¡± Alyssa sighed with relief, grateful that it wasn¡¯t

    L

    who had walked in on them.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been here since the beginning of your ¡®private conversation,¡¯ which was far too loud to be

    considered

    private,¡± Mandy quipped, briefly ncing outside the door before closing it.

    She went up to them and said, ¡°Colene, there¡¯s no point hiding everything now. Lyse is all grown up

    anyway. We should tell her.¡±

    Alyssa eagerly grasped Mandy¡¯s hand and quietly waited for her to speak.

    Mandy began, ¡°Sophia was envious of L¡¯s talent and poprity. So, she yed dirty and subjected

    L to bullying and ostracizing at thework. In the end, L was drugged and lost control of herself

    at a

    huge event, which almost cost her reputation.

    Mandy had to take a deep breath before she could calmly recall the dark past. Meanwhile, Colene

    merely sighed wistfully without a word, unlike her usual boisterous self.

    ¡°Drugged?¡± Alyssa felt her throat mmed up. She croaked, ¡°Was L ¡­¡±

    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t some kind of date rape drug,¡± Mandy reassured Alyssa.

    She felt a lump in her throat and lowered her voice, ¡°It was an illegal drug that would affect one¡¯s

    nervous

    system. The drug has since vanished from Cyrris, though it was once popr in the entertainment

    industry. You could describe it as a soft drug that was harmful to health.¡±

    Alyssa and Colene were stunned by the revtion as tears welled up in their eyes.

    Mandy was the daughter of the Lovce family, who was practicing medicine and leading the top

    ¡°What happened after?¡± Alyssa clutched Mandy¡¯s hand tightly.

    ¡°L¡­ She wetted herself during her performance at TS Network¡¯s founding anniversary celebration,¡±

    Mandy revealed with difficulty as tears brimmed.

    ¡°Fuck ¡­ How did that happen?¡± Colene was outraged and instantly punched through the makeup

    mirror,

    shattering it.

    Alyssa¡¯s shoulders were quivering as she held her breath. Even though the incident had urred two

    decades ago, Alyssa could still feel the excruciating pain of humiliation.

    L Nelson had once been the nation¡¯s most beloved beauty. Tragically, that incident on her beloved

    stage had left her traumatized.

    Perhaps she would never find the courage to be her charismatic self again.

    ¡°Mandy, how could you be sure that it was Sophia¡¯s doing?¡± Alyssa questioned after forcing herself to

    calm down.

    ¡°Winston and I looked through a lot of evidence, but there wasn¡¯t anything that could incriminate

    Sophia,¡±

    answered Mandy with a shake of the head.

    ¡°Sophia was always sabotaging L, all while having improper rtions with the owner of thework.

    L suffered a lot at thework but endured it all because she couldn¡¯t afford to terminate her

    contract.

    ¡°During my investigations, I discovered that Sophia had requested her manager to purchase that

    specific

    drug from the ck market around the time of the anniversary celebration. Even then, we did not have

    sufficient evidence to prove Sophia guilty, as many celebrities were taking the same drug then.¡±1

    ¡°That¡¯s sufficient evidence.¡± Alyssa closed her eyes slowly before opening them again.

    They were filled with blood lust.

    Alyssa announced, ¡°As long as I think Sophia was the mastermind, that would be enough evidence to

    go after her.¡±

 Chapter 471

    Alyssa was quiet on the way from Belbanks to Sna City. There was no hint of her good mood from

    days ago. Her face was shrouded in gloominess.

    Back at the hotel, she kept Sean out and locked herself in her office. Then, she plunged into her

    investigations about L¡¯s incident years ago.

    ¡°The anniversary celebration was the darkest moment in L¡¯s life. Yet, it was because of this incident

    that her rtionship with Winston Taylor blossomed,¡± wrote an article.

    ¡°The inte was in its early stages back in those days. People read their news from magazines or

    newspapers.

    ¡°Winston Taylor was rumored to have bought all the publications that reported on the incident and

    destroyed all the evidence to suppress the news.

    ¡°On top of that, he meted out punishments for the reporters who penned stories on L¡¯s mishap.¡±

    ¡°Still, there were some foreign media at the event. Someone filmed the incident and uploaded it to the

    inte. Winston Taylor had sent his men to take the videos down, but fragments of it lingered on the

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    inte.¡±

    Alyssa inhaled deeply and stared keenly at theputer screen while typing away furiously. Before

    long, she unearthed a blurry recording of the event that had remained buried for over two decades.

    In the video, a visibly pale L Nelson was half squatting and shaking violently. She appeared

    vulnerable,

    teetering on the brink of a breakdown.

    The spotlight shone mercilessly on top of her head, further intensifying her despair. The audience¡¯s

    horrified gasps and mocking jeers inundated her, almost drowning and crushing her.

    At that moment, a tall figure rushed up to the stage and marched steadily toward her. Alyssa could tell

    he

    was Winston from the look of his back.

    Without a word, he swiftly removed his jacket, knelt before L, and secured it around her waist.

    A hushed silence fell over the audience. Then, the recording abruptly ended.

    Alyssa stared nkly at the screen. She leaned into the chair with slumped shoulders. Was that how

    Winston won L¡¯s heart?

    She mused, ¡°Interesting? That old man is certainly an expert in wooing women. He could very well

    have

    founded his own school on the subject.¡±

    She was interrupted by her phone¡¯s ringing. Gathering herself, she picked up her phone and said,

    ¡°Sean,

    what is it?¡±

    ¡°Landon Harper is here with his sister.¡±

    Alyssa initially wished to turn Landon and Zoe away due to her foul mood over L¡¯s past incident, but

    she changed her mind when Sean revealed that Landon had brought Zoe over to offer an apology.

    Perhaps the sight of a disgruntled Zoe would lift her spirits. She decided to see it as a form of

    entertainment, as finding joy in another¡¯s misfortune could be rather satisfying.

    Sean, his expression marked by a frown, came to her by the entrance of the guest meeting room. He

    whispered, ¡°Sorry, Ms. Alyssa. I wasn¡¯t informed that Jasper Beckett had tagged along as well. He¡¯s in

    there.¡±

    She looked at him coldly and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you punch him in the face and kick him out?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Alyssa,¡± replied Sean, who knew he didn¡¯t do his job right.

    The problem was that Jasper was sneaky. When Sean led Landon and Zoe into the meeting room,

    Jasper

    wasn¡¯t there.

    However, when Sean came back to check, he was aghast to see that bastard sitting on the couch and

    sipping coffee unabashed.

    ¡°Whatever. You can¡¯t beat him anyway,¡± scorned Alyssa, who gestured at Sean to open the door with a

    lift

    of her chin.

    Then, she strutted into the room with a regal air in her high heels and ck suit.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Landon rose from the couch. His throat was dry from the nervousness.

    Alyssa was as breathtaking as usual. She looked just like a beautiful and heartless gangster. Her

    beauty

    shook him.

    Jasper nced at Alyssa, feeling tense all over. His heart skipped a beat.

    All the while, Zoe was hiding behind Landon, staring squarely at Alyssa¡¯s haughty expression with

    clenched fists.

    ¡°Wow. Everyone¡¯s here,¡± remarked Alyssa, who shook off her jacket from her shoulders. Sean promptly

    received it.

    Next, she turned to Jasper, who had been staring at her. She snickered. ¡°Oh, Jasper, you are such a

    darling. Are you here to lend your support for Ms. Harper?¡±

    The way Alyssa mimicked Zoe¡¯s tone irked Jasper. He shot her a begrudging look and coughed in

    anger

    at her taunting expression.

    Alyssa had been mean to him as usual and would say things that he hated. That was Alyssa for you.

    She

    was no Alice White. And Jasper was willing to deal with a rose with thorns.

    Zoe was gleeful to see Alyssa misunderstood Jasper¡¯s purpose of visit. She grabbed her chance and

    trotted over to Jasper with a pitiful look.

    ¡°Alyssa, I was a bad judge of character, that I admit. But why are you getting worse by the day as

    well?¡±

    Jasper remained poised and looked at her with an expression that wasn¡¯tpletely innocent.

    Jasper stated, ¡°I¡¯m not anyone¡¯s lover. I¡¯m just your ex-husband. I was exhausted enough as a

    husband. I had no time and mood for anyone else.¡±

    Hearing that, Zoe stood frozen as though she was struck by lightning. Jasper had cleared the air with

    her some time ago, but she refused to let go and clung to her delusions.

    The way he rified his rtionship with Zoe in front of Alyssa was a p to her face.

    ¡°I am indeed here to lend some support, but not to Ms. Harper,¡±mented Jasper, who quickly hid his

    embarrassment by sipping coffee.

    He forced himself to down the piping hot coffee, scalding his tongue in the process.

    He was fine with these sentiments roaming his mind. Dering them out loud, however, was rather

    embarrassing.

    Frowning, Alyssa was surprised by the meaning behind his words. Who else would he lend his support

    to if not Zoe? Was he here to support Landon?

    Well, that was no different from supporting Zoe!

 Chapter 472

    Alyssa pursed her lips coldly, looking unbothered and even a little impatient. In contrast, Zoe was

    furious, almost ready to explode right then and there.

    For Zoe, Jasper openly taking his ex-wife¡¯s side felt like the harshest blow he could deliver.

    Why on earth would Jasper choose his former me over her-an attractive, well-bred singledy?

    What made him go back to a woman he had once let go?

    Besides, Alyssa always had many men around her.

    She had been close to Landon before, andtely, she had been seen with someone named Jameson

    Schmidt, who wasn¡¯t particrly well-known. Who knew how many-men she had been involved with?

    Zoe couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Jasper didn¡¯t find Alyssa repulsive.

    ¡°I heard that you brought Ms. Harper here to apologize. That was why I took the time to meet with you.

    You should know that I¡¯m not just Alyssa Taylor but also the renowned designer, Alexa.

    ¡°Many are lining up to meet with me, spamming my secretary with calls. I don¡¯t have the time for

    nonsense.¡±

    With a casual toss of her hair, Alyssa crossed her arms and settledzily but gracefully on the couch.

    She added, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have bothered showing up if I knew Mr. Beckett was here as well.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s chest tightened, and he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Why? Would you really prefer to meet with

    Landon than me?¡±

    Landon felt his eyes twitching as he silently grumbled, ¡°Come on, man! Watch what you say!¡±

    He believed that Alyssa liked him more than Jasper did, so he didn¡¯t appreciate Jasper trying to belittle

    him.

    ¡°I meet my guests for either work or personal matters,¡± Alyssa exined, wagging two fingers before

    Jasper. ¡°I don¡¯t have any work or personal matters to discuss with you. So, why should I meet with you-

    a stranger?¡±

    That stung. He was just a stranger to her.

    His face darkened as his throat mmed up. A burning sensation shot through him.

    Landon smirked. He thought Alyssa was being pretty polite not topare Jasper to an animal.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, spit it out. I have a meetingter. I have no time to dilly-dally,¡± urged Alyssa in a haughty

    tone.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were hypnotizing, and her long legs folded as the red heels exuded charm, like an

    elegant

    viin from aic book.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but travel to her ankles underneath her pants. He clenched his jaw as thirst

    grew in him. He felt the urge to swallow.

    That was the woman he once decided to give up on in a moment of stupidity. Now, she seemed like a

    goddess that sparkled in his eyes.

    Zoe pulled the victim card again. Her face was pale, and her lips trembled as though Alyssa had done

    something horrible to her.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ahem, Lyse¡­ I mean, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Landon corrected himself, noticing the subtle change in Alyssa¡¯s

    expression.

    He continued, ¡°I¡¯m here with my sister to apologize. The ne that Betty gave Ada Kingsley at the

    auction turned out to be a counterfeit piecemissioned by Zoe in Yoarkley ¡­¡±

    His voice trailed off as he closely watched Alyssa¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°Oh, I knew that long ago,¡± Alyssa replied casually, surprising both Landon and Zoe.

    A faint frown appeared on Jasper¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t seem surprised, knowing that Zoe¡¯s little tricks were

    no challenge for his resourceful and clever ex-wife.

    ¡°When did you find out?¡± Zoe blurted anxiously. Alyssa shed her a knowing smile and replied, ¡°I

    learned about it the day you met with Tyler and spent a fortune having him recreate my jewelry design.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Zoe¡¯sposure crumbled as she shouted in disbelief.

    ¡°Ms. Harper, you assumed Tyler and I had a falling out, after which he set up his own business, which

    is why you sought his help,¡± Alyssa exined calmly.

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty narrow-minded thinking. A divorced couple might not stay friends, but mentors and

    mentees who go their separate ways can certainly remain on good terms,¡± Alyssa lifted her chin as she

    spoke.

 Chapter 473

    Jasper inhaled sharply. That hit Zoe where it hurt.

    ¡°Tyler might be from Yoarkley, but he understood the importance of respecting one¡¯s mentor. He¡¯s my

    mentee, and he¡¯ll never betray our trust for short-term gains,¡± Alyssa said with a smirk.

    She then added, ¡°So, Ms. Harper, you made a mistake from the beginning. One shouldn¡¯t have

    underestimated the noble character of a gentleman with one¡¯s questionable values.¡±

    It was a clear insult directed at Zoe.

    Jasper wore a grin on his lips despite looking calm. Landon¡¯s lips drooped as his face looked clouded,

    losing hisposure.

    He had braced himself for Alyssa¡¯s straightforwardness but hadn¡¯t expected it to sting so deeply.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor! You¡¯re a sly, devious bitch!¡± Zoe was seeing red. She pointed a finger at Alyssa, which

    only

    highlighted her farcical behavior.

    ¡°Y-You acted like you didn¡¯t know I met with Tyler. You knew Betty would give Ada Kingsley that

    ne,

    but you said nothing until the charity auction. Was that to humiliate her?

    ¡°Alyssa, how could you be so wicked? Must you ruin every person who was in your way?¡± As Zoe

    spoke,

    she started weeping as if she was the victim.

    ¡°What else should I do? I can¡¯t be keeping them around.¡± Alyssa rolled her eyes in annoyance.

    ¡°You-¡± Zoe was too angry to speak. Alyssa was impudent. How dare she speak recklessly in Landon

    and

    Jasper¡¯s presence? She did not seem to mind what men think about her. 1

    ¡°Ms. Harper, you¡¯re here to apologize, not to point fingers. Is it difficult to admit you¡¯re wrong?¡±

    After a pause, Jasper looked squarely at Alyssa while addressing Zoe, ¡°Even if Javier did not teach

    Betty a lesson, I would have done so. Even if Landon did not force you toe here, I would have

    done so. The result is the same. Do you have anything else to say?¡±

    Alyssa looked up with aplicated expression. Jasper did not go easy on Zoe. Anyway, it was none

    of her business.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­¡± Zoe was heartbroken and furious as tears streamed down her face. Jasper was no longer

    the gentle guy with a smile who¡¯d stroll in the park with her, hand-in-hand.

    He hadpletely lost himself after being bewitched by Alyssa!

    ¡°Hey, are you going to apologize or not?¡± Alyssa lost her patience and was ready to leave.

    ¡°Zoe, apologize to Ms. Alyssa!¡± Landon urged.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Zoe hissed through gritted teeth in an almost inaudible voice.

    ¡°Louder. I can¡¯t hear you,¡± demanded Alyssa with a frown.

    ¡°Sorry!¡± Just as Zoe spoke, Landon approached her and forced her to bend over and bow to Alyssa.

    She couldn¡¯t fight Landon and was forced to nod to Alyssa. She was torn by the grave humiliation, and

    she vowed to take her revenge.

    ¡°Sean,¡± Alyssa called out to Sean as she rose.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa,¡± he answered.

    ¡°I heard Mr. Harper said he¡¯dpensate me for the damages caused by Ms. Harper¡¯s actions on

    behalf

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    of the Harper Group. Please itemize thepensation for infringement and psychological distress and

    present them to Mr. Harper.¡±

 Chapter 474

    Alyssa decisively walked out of the door and added, ¡°I will be donating thepensation to Sna City

    Hope Foundation. I won¡¯t take a single cent.¡±

    Landon was surprised by her statement and then smiled wryly.

    Alyssa not only exuded ethereal beauty; she was strangely devoid of human emotions as well.

    Alyssa returned to work in her office while Sean brought Landon to settle thepensation matters. As

    an attorney, Sean had itemized thepensation, which was an astronomical sum for the average

    citizen.

    That was the price for forging Alexa¡¯s work.

    Landon let out a heavy sigh when he looked at the agreement, a bitter taste in his mouth. He could

    afford to pay up, but the humiliation was too much.

    He had once truly loved Alyssa. Even though they weren¡¯t destined to be lovers, he still hoped to

    remain friends with her and never thought of hurting her.

    Sadly, their friendship seemed to drift further away with each passing day.

    On the way to the parking lot, Zoe was sobbing and moaning like she had been wronged.

    ¡°The real victim didn¡¯t shed a tear. What gives you the right to cry?¡± Landon said sternly, walking in

    huge strides, leaving Zoe struggling to catch up with him.

    ¡°Is Alyssa heartless? Why would she demand ten million dors inpensation? She might as well

    have robbed a bank!¡± Zoe groaned, feeling upset at the idea of Alyssa getting ten million dors without

    doing anything.

    Zoe added, ¡°Landon, have you ever felt this humiliated in your 28 years? If I¡¯d known this would

    happen, I wouldn¡¯t have apologized to her!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa has been kind to you,¡± Landon replied, stopping in his tracks because he couldn¡¯t take it

    anymore. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t pushed you to make a sincere apology, you¡¯d be apologizing at a press

    conference

    instead of her meeting room.¡±

    Zoe shivered at the thought.

    ¡°When you¡¯re home, do not leave without my permission. Reflect and repent on your behavior!¡± Huffing,

    ¡°You can¡¯t ground me, Landon! You can¡¯t!¡± Zoe pounded on the car window and cried, but Landon sat

    inside, unfazed.

    He realized he couldn¡¯t afford to be lenient with Zoe anymore. It would only lead his sister down the

    wrong path.

    When Landon¡¯s luxury car sped away, Zoe stomped her feet and cried, squatting on the ground.

    ¡°Ms. Harper, please get in the car,¡± two female bodyguards instructed as they lifted Zoe¡¯s arms and

    ced her inside, swiftly closing the door.

    The car headed to Harper Residence. Zoe felt dead inside.

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    It was at that moment her phone rang. She wiped away her tears and checked the screen, only to see

    it

    was from an unknown caller.

    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Zoe barked into the phone.

    ¡°Ms. Harper,¡± a man with a pleasant voice replied, but his voice sounded processed.

    ¡°W-Who are you?¡± questioned Zoe, sobbing.

    ¡°You must have felt frustrated and wronged from what happened today, am I right? Your crush did not

    even take a look at you.¡±

    Zoe widened her eyes as her heart raced.

    Who was this man, observing her in the dark and privy to her situation? 2

    The man offered, ¡°If I promise I could get you the man you want, would you listen to me and work with

    me?¡±

 Chapter 475

    Sean returned to Alyssa¡¯s side afterpleting his task. He quizzed, ¡°Are you really going easy on Ms.

    Harper? This is the nicest you¡¯ve ever been.¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t help but smile when he noticed Alyssa¡¯s high heels carelessly strewn on the floor. He

    neatly

    ced them under her table.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa was engrossed in a gaming session, rxing by wreaking havoc in the virtual world.

    Lucifer, also known as the Queen of Killers, had be a revered figure for most yers in the

    gaming

    Every time she live-streamed her gamey, she¡¯d attract hundreds of thousands of viewers, further

    proving her poprity.

    She snickered. ¡°Who do you take me as? Be kind to her? I¡¯m an enthusiastic phnthropist, but I¡¯m no

    Mother Teresa.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t dealt with her because I do not have solid evidence. Betty was her scapegoat, and she

    wasn¡¯t directly implicated. My hands are tied now.¡±

    ¡°Looks like Ms. Harper has really rubbed you the wrong way,¡± Sean said indignantly. ¡°She doesn¡¯t

    seem remorseful at all. She even shot you a hostile re before leaving, as if she could tear you

    apart!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, like that¡¯s even possible. She should keep her thoughts as thoughts. She wouldn¡¯t want it to

    backfire and make herself the clown.¡±

    Her phone rang from Jonah¡¯s call. She hurriedly picked up and cooed, ¡°Jonah!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, are you still at the hotel?¡± he inquired.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m in my office.¡±

    ¡°Ah, that means Sean¡¯s with you, right?¡± he lowered his voice.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa cleverly excused herself by heading toward the door, pretending she needed to use the

    bathroom.

    She didn¡¯t want the sensitive Sean to catch on that she was intentionally avoiding him.

    After closing the door to her private bathroom, she whispered, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Does this have

    something to do with Sean?¡±

    Jonah replied, ¡°It¡¯s not directly rted to Sean, but it¡¯s connected somehow. I can¡¯t speak freely with

    him around. Javier sought Sean¡¯s brother, Simon. He is helping to bail out Betty. Simon is on his way to

    pick

    Alyssa¡¯s expression darkened as she murmured, ¡°With Simon Lynch¡¯s help, Betty has a better chance

    of

    being released.¡±

    Jonah said, Simon Lynch is crafty and bold. He¡¯s never lost a case in his decades-long career and

    won¡¯t

    let it happen now. He¡¯ll do whatever it takes to clear Betty¡¯s name.¡±

    He paused and added gently, ¡°If I were him, I¡¯d start by dealing with that reporter. She¡¯s the key witness

    against Betty right now.¡±

    Alyssa sighed, ¡°I get what you mean, but I have no influence over Abigail Grant. She¡¯s under Jasper¡¯s

    control at the moment.¡± She took a deep breath andposed herself.

    She added, ¡°I¡¯ll handle this on my own. You and Ss should stay out of it, especially him. I can¡¯t risk

    involving a civil servant in this case. It could be used against us.

    After the conversation, Alyssa emerged, looking more somber. She hadn¡¯t cared much about a loser

    like Betty. Her true target was Sophia Kirkman.

    Her only concern was that these new developments might upset Sean, who was sensitive and carried a

    heavy sense of responsibility. She didn¡¯t want him crying in front of her again.

    Deep in thought, she made her way back to her desk.

    ¡°Alyssa.¡±

    She heard a captivating voice call out to her, causing her to halt in her tracks. Her heart squeezed as

    she turned around.

    To her surprise, there was no one there.

    She shook her head and massaged her temples. She must have been seeing things due to her recent

    lack of sleep.

 Chapter 476

    Alyssa squealed as a powerful force gripped her arm, pulling her into an embrace. She collided with

    Jasper¡¯s chest, feeling the warmth of his frenzied breath atop her head.

    A surge of warmth enveloped her.

    He hugged her tightly and heavily. It all felt strange yet familiar to her.

    He was perhaps worried she might twist her ankle from wearing high heels. So, he cinched his grip

    around

    her waist.

    His grasp was firm, charged with a mixture ofplex emotions. On the one hand, he wanted to

    protect

    her; on the other hand, he worried she might escape.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, how did you get in?¡± Her cheeks were flushed with anger as she struggled to free

    herself.

    ¡°Landon said the security here¡¯s tight, and it will take some effort to get in,¡± Jasper said in a raspy,

    nonchnt tone, his gaze narrowing as he looked at her.

    Navigating past the hotel security was a breeze for the top graduate of the military school.

    Ever since assuming the presidency of the Beckett Group, he had his staff taking care of all aspects of

    his life. Hence, he never had the opportunity to showcase his skills.

    Meeting Alyssa was the only time he had to exert extra effort.

    ¡°You stealthy little devil!¡± Alyssa clenched her teeth and indignantly stepped on his feet, only for him to

    evade her attack and press her against the wall.

    Their gazes met in an electrifying moment.

    He took advantage of the rare encounter and greedily traced the contours of her face.

    ¡°What the hell are you gawking at? Never seen me before?¡± she cussed, her ears reddening from the

    anger.

    ¡°You have put on weight,¡± hemented, eyes still on her. He couldn¡¯t help but grin at her chubby

    cheeks, which used to be bony.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Put on weight?

    She was astonished by his remark.

    ¡°Did I upset you? Gaining weight is actually good for you. You were too thin before, and you felt bony to

    remarke across as proper.

    Her face turned a deeper shade of red. Eyes widening, she gave him a p across the face.

    He felt the burn on his cheek and grabbed her right wrist. A p mark had appeared on his face, like a

    stamp of humiliation.

    He confronted her, ¡°Is this how you treat a man who helped you? I¡¯m not asking for a ¡®thank you,¡¯ but

    you

    shouldn¡¯t throw punches at me every time we meet.¡±

    ¡°Why should I thank you? For pressuring Abigail into testifying against Betty?¡±

    She huffed and puffed, her eyes taking on a charming crescent shape. Even her taunting smile held an

    enchanting allure.

    Alyssa retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t be shameless. If anything, you should be thanking me. Don¡¯t you think I should

    get some credit for enabling you to defeat Betty with Abigail¡¯s testimony? You wouldn¡¯t have achieved

    that if I hadn¡¯t worked on Abigail earlier!¡±

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor!¡± He was stoked by her pointed words and felt anger rise in his chest. ¡°I just¡­ wanted to

    see you.¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t!¡± Her left hand remained trapped in his grip. She also realized she couldn¡¯t overpower a

    man with special forces training.

    Instead, she tried to sneak her other hand into her shirt pocket to call Sean with her phone.

    He immediately saw through her n and grabbed her other hand.

 Chapter 477

    When Alyssa realized she waspletely cornered, she yelled, ¡°Help! Somebody-Mmph-¡±

    Jasper lost hisposure when he heard her screams. Gripped by a sense of urgency, he sealed her

    mouth with a kiss and stopped her from shouting.

    Her eyes wavered, and her mind went nk like a grenade had gone off in her head.

    His hot breath surrounded her shaky lips. His sweaty palms held her wrist. Even his forehead was

    dotted

    with sweat.

    Thest time he had kissed her so passionately, he was under the influence of alcohol. He had no

    better

    excuse for crossing the line this time.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, you are divorced. You shouldn¡¯t do this,¡± a voice in his mind warned.

    But he had lost his bearing of right and wrong and sumbed to passion. He was ovee by an

    urge

    to im her.

    At that thought, his heart raced as he clung to the final shred of self-control. Eyes burning with lust, he

    had initiated the kiss to stop her from shouting, but it progressed into an aggressive kiss like he wanted

    to devour her.

    She had stubbornly fought back, but her body was subjected to his control. Her tongue danced with his,

    and her breath grew unsteady. Slowly, her body went limp underneath him.

    Furious and resentful, a single tear escaped her eye.

    She was a poor woman who had hopelessly loved him for three years and received nothing in return.

    What kind of karmic return debt was this that she had to be repeatedly humiliated in this way?

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, you bastard!¡± a roar reverberated in the corridor. Sean sprinted toward Jasper and

    pushed him away from Alyssa before punching him in the face.

    Still, Sean was too slow for Jasper, who possessedbat skills. He deftly dodged the attack.

    ¡°Sean!¡± Alyssa cried out, her voice cracking, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Sean¡¯s mind was filled with

    the disturbing image of Jasper forcibly kissing Alyssa¡¯s rosy lips.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, I¡¯li skin you alive!¡± Sean threatened.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes wavered, and a frown crossed his face.

    Sean was once famous in Sna City for his kicks. He was a holder of the Sixth Dan ck Belt in

    Despite his best efforts, he was too slow for the invincible Jasper.

    The moment he raised his leg, Jasper dodged his attack and sneaked behind him. Then, he rested his

    hand on Sean¡¯s shoulders and tightened his grip.

    Immediately, Sean felt an electrifying numbness spreading through his body. He felt an uncontroble,

    sinking feeling. What sort of magic was that?

    He once thought that such mystical abilities only existed in fiction.

    Alyssa immediately recognized the Close Quarters Combat technique taught in military schools, which

    Axel was equally familiar with.

    With the right speed, one could defeat the opponent by finding the right pressure point on the body.

    However, the average person would need five years of special training to master these skills.

    ¡°Enough, Jasper Beckett!¡±

 Chapter 478

    Alyssa hurriedly held tight onto Sean, who went numb and limp. Had she not done so, Sean would

    have

    fallen on his knees before Jasper.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­ I¡¯m okay¡­¡± Panting, Sean assured her despite losing all his strength.

    ¡°How are you okay when you can¡¯t even stand up straight?¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes were furious and filled with

    worry for Sean.

    She shot a death re at Jasper, who stood there looking unaffected. Then, she used him, ¡°How

    dare youy a finger on my staff before me? Are you still human? You¡¯re just a heartless animal

    underneath

    that human skin!¡±

    Jasper winced from the pain. His eyes burned with anger, as if his efforts had all been in vain.

    He tried to exin, ¡°Didn¡¯t you see it? He was the one who attacked me first! And I didn¡¯t even hurt

    him!

    He¡¯ll be back to normal at night when his pressure point is relieved!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother exining yourself. The more you do, the worse you make yourself look.¡±

    The tears in Alyssa¡¯s eyes pained Jasper. He watched helplessly as she carelessly wiped her lips, her

    way of steering clear from him. She confronted him, ¡°Admit it! You are regretting the divorce!¡±

    Jasper felt his heart tremble and crumble. When they locked eyes, she examined him with a sharp

    look,

    dissecting his thoughts and feelings.

    He stayed silent for a long while. He couldn¡¯t even bring himself to say no. He clung to his pride by

    saying

    nothing.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a silent admission.¡±

    Her voice quivered as she forced a bright smile and continued, ¡°You know what? Even if you regret the

    divorce, keep it to yourself. It¡¯s a huge insult to me that you¡¯re catching feelings for me.¡±

    He remembered the harsh words he had spoken to her when he served her with divorce papers. They

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    flooded back, wing at him from the inside..

    ¡°Alice White! I¡¯ve had enough! Every second is torture to me in this loveless marriage.¡±

    ¡°Now that the three-year period is up and Lia is returning from Mosgravia, it¡¯s time you vacate the

    position.

    of Mrs. Beckett.¡±

    Jasper stumbled listlessly toward the parking lot. He didn¡¯t know how he made it there, with an awful

    headache and heavy limbs. He was like a dying man who sustained multiple injuries.

    He finally gave way the moment he saw Xavier.

    Xavier ran up and supported him, noting his pale face. Concerned, he inquired, ¡°Mr. Beckett, is that

    headache bothering you again? Hop in the car. I¡¯ll get your medication.¡±

    A headache would go away by taking pills. But what would it take to heal a broken heart?

    ¡°Xavier, I don¡¯t get it¡­¡± Jasper held his head, gasping for breath.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t care much for her when we got married. She stood by me, even when I treated her poorly. Why

    is

    she so cold to me now that I¡¯m finally treating her right?¡± asked Jasper.

    Xavier furrowed his brows in shock. He was distressed at the sight of Jasper in agony.

    After a long silence, Xavier let out a long sigh and replied, ¡°It¡¯s because she used to love you deeply.¡±

    But Alyssa did not love him anymore.

 Chapter 479

    After Jasper left, Alyssa helped the paralyzed Sean back to her office.

    She carefullyid his trembling body on the couch, her forehead damp with sweat and her lips pressed

    together in concentration. She began examining him like a skilled physician.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Sean managed to move slightly despite being paralyzed. Tears welled up in his

    eyes as he witnessed Alyssa¡¯s genuine concern. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the trouble.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous! You were trying to protect me, but you should avoid acting recklessly in the future,¡±

    she replied, leaning in to gently massage his legs.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t being reckless.¡± Sean summoned all his strength to sit up on the couch. His eyes sparkled

    with determination as he swore, ¡°If it ever happens again, I¡¯ll still choose to protect you.¡±

    ¡°Sean Lynch, you shouldn¡¯t expose yourself to unknown dangers just because you think you have

    some

    chops.

    ¡°You¡¯re no match for Jasper at all! Did you think he wasted four years in military school for nothing?¡±

    Alyssa yelled at him out of worry.

    She added, ¡°He went easy on you today. He might have done something far worse if you weren¡¯t my

    employee!¡±

    ¡°So what? I don¡¯t mind risking my life.¡± Sean clenched his teeth, unsteadily rising to his feet and

    towering over the petite Alyssa. ¡°Even if it came to that, I¡¯d never let him bully you!¡±

    ¡°Sean ¡­¡± Her eyes widened in shock as they gazed into his misty eyes. Tears streamed down his face,

    but

    he remained unaware due to his paralysis.

    ¡°Oh God, why are you crying again? Are you a three-year-old?¡± Feeling bitter, she jokingly attempted to

    wipe his tears away.

    Suddenly, he gathered his courage and pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her waist. He

    pressed a hand on her back, as if he wished to be one with her.

    Her eyes wavered. She wasn¡¯t oblivious to the feelings in his hug. She gave him a light shove and said,

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Sean, let go. We can always talk.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯m willing to be punished for what I did to you.¡± Sean¡¯s face was tear-stained.

    He knew he was pathetic. He was begging for her sympathy. He was outraged and distressed to the

    point

    of madness.

    TH

    However, Alyssa wasn¡¯t a soft-hearted woman. She firmly poked his chest with a stern look in her eyes,

    causing him to lose his bnce and slump back onto the couch.

    ¡°Sean, I understand you didn¡¯t have bad intentions. I won¡¯t punish you for what happened,¡± she said,

    her

    expressionplex.

    With an unfeeling tone, she continued, ¡°Starting tomorrow, take a week off and have a good rest at

    home.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­¡± Astonished, he felt a crippling pain rising in him.

    ¡°You¡¯re too tense, which exins your moodiness. Take that week to rx and manage your emotions.

    After that, think about how you n to work alongside me.¡±

 Chapter 480

    A day had passed after Betty was subjected to a grueling overnight interrogation by the police. It had

    been a harsh ordeal for a sheltered young woman like her.

    Although they provided her with food and drinks, she wasn¡¯t allowed to lie down or sleep, which left her

    with dark circles under her eyes and a disheveled appearance. Her backside ached from sitting for so

    long.

    The harsh fluorescent light above her head had nearly dried out her hair, which she had spent a lot of

    money to maintain.

    It was truly a torturous experience!

    ¡°I didn¡¯t. Abigail wasn¡¯t a corporate spy. I have nothing to do with it. This is all Alyssa¡¯s plot to frame me.

    I¡¯m innocent¡­¡± Despite her fatigue and exhaustion, Betty continued to argue and refused to give in.

    At that moment, the door to the interrogation room opened. A confident and good-looking man in a suit

    entered with a ck suitcase in his hand.

    The man introduced himself, ¡°Gentlemen, I am Betty Beckett¡¯s attorney, Simon Lynch.¡±

    Simon Lynch¡­ Attorney Lynch?

    Betty¡¯s eyes brightened.

    Simon beamed at her with a reassuring look. ¡°I need to talk with my client.¡±

    Betty followed Simon to another room. Her attorney was the only person she could meet with.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, my dad requested you for help, didn¡¯t he?¡± She clutched his hand and started crying. ¡°Save

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    me! I can¡¯t stand a minute more of this!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Betty, do not worry. I am at least 80% confident in this case if I decide to ept it.¡± Simon had a

    gentle tone but a pair of eagle eyes.

    He advised, ¡°But there is one condition-I need your absolute cooperation. Tell me every single detail.

    Do

    not hide a thing from me.¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± She nodded furiously, knowing that Simon could definitely save her, given how he had

    sessfully handled Sophia¡¯s scandal before. So, she told him everything about the incident without

    reservation.

    Simon listened to her quietly.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, can¡¯t you teach Alyssa Taylor a lesson? She¡¯s wicked!¡± Betty mmed the table in anger

    and moaned, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this if not for that bitch!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Betty, she is the intiff, which makes her the victim in this case. You should also be aware of her

    family¡¯s influence,¡± Simon pointed out.

    A look of doubt crossed his eyes as he continued, ¡°Our opponent is powerful. Ms. Taylor is a ruthless

    woman. Consider yourself fortunate if you get out of this unscathed. Don¡¯t set your hopes too high.¡±

    She felt a twinge of indignation at being schooled. Still, she wasn¡¯t in the position to act out, for she

    needed Simon¡¯s help.

    ¡°As for Abigail Grant, she¡¯s the one using you, and she happens to have a questionable rtionship

    with the head of E! News Daily. This could work in our favor to discredit her as a witness,¡± Simon

    exined with a grave look while twirling his pen.

    He added, ¡°Bryan Hanssen, the suspect, was Abigail¡¯s lover before the incident. This is the key point,

    our

    breakthrough in this case.¡±

    ¡°So, are you saying we¡¯ll make Bryan Hanssen the fall guy?¡± Betty asked in a hushed tone. He gave

    her a knowing smile.

    ¡°But¡­ will he do it? I heard he had a falling out with Abigail.¡±

 Chapter 481

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that,¡± advised Simon.

    As the top attorney in Sna City, he didn¡¯t solely rely on his family¡¯s influence and connections in the

    legal profession to reach the apex of his career.

    He was capable and employed a cunning and daring approach to achieving his goals. He had to resort

    to

    certain means to turn the tables and win the case.

    Alyssa insisted on giving Sean some time off despite his pleas.

    She made it clear through the decision that she wanted him to set his intentions right and think carefully

    about how he perceived his rtionship with her. It wasn¡¯t exactly a vacation for rxation.

    After Ada Kingsley¡¯s multiple requests, Alyssa, now adorned with Alexa¡¯s reputation, finally agreed to

    meet with her.

    The global superstar, Ada Kingsley, put aside her ego before Alyssa and groveled at thetter.

    Alyssa did not intend to give her a hard time.

    She might be the famed designer Alexa, but she was also a businesswoman who knew that ego was

    worth nothingpared to sealing business deals for the hotel and upping its reputation.

    Therefore, she agreed to host Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding.

    Upon hearing that, Ada was ted and said she¡¯d pay for the wedding. She even promised to be the

    brand ambassador for products under KS Group withoutpensation, just to make it up to Alyssa.

    ¡°M-Ms. Alyssa, this is ¡­¡± Ada looked at the document in shock while Alyssa calmly sipped her coffee

    and

    replied, ¡°Your wedding event proposal.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Ada exchanged shocked looks with her manager and eximed, ¡°That was fast!¡±

    The speed at which Alyssa served the new proposal was never heard of.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t being fast. I had it prepared a long time ago.¡±

    Alyssa leisurely ced her cup down and exined, ¡°I came up with a n B when I first drafted the

    event proposal, just in case. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d need it, but it came in handy.¡±

    Ada pursed her lips, feeling rather upset by the remark.

    ¡°The wedding is around the corner. Wouldn¡¯t it take a long time to redecorate the venue? Do we have

    time for that?¡± Ada¡¯s manager wondered aloud worriedly.

    ¡°I remember you like the gothic style, Ada. How about ck roses?¡± Alyssa suggested with a grin.

    ¡°ck roses?¡± Ada squealed in excitement.

    ¡°We decorated the previous venue with ten tons of red roses. We don¡¯t have time to redecorate

    everything, but switching to Essagerian ck roses would be easy.¡±

    Ada¡¯s face was glowing. She had liked Alyssa¡¯s first event proposal, but this second one was her

    dream

    wedding.

    ck roses were symbols of mystery, desire, and possession. The symbolism was unique, cool, and

    romantic.

    ¡°ck roses? Won¡¯t that be a little¡­ ominous?¡± the manager questioned feebly. She knew very well

    that

    the decision to go with ck roses would break the inte, especially for a celebrity¡¯s wedding.

    She couldn¡¯t help but admire Alyssa¡¯s business acumen

    Alyssa cared not only about profits but also understood that increasing the hotel¡¯s poprity was the

    key to long-term sess. However, that meant Ada would be Alyssa¡¯s tool to achieve virality.

 Chapter 482

    Ada chided, ¡°Is this my wedding or yours? Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s rather rude to butt in while I¡¯m talking

    business with Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    Ada then red at her manager and added, ¡°I gave her my full trust when I picked her. I¡¯ll ept all her

    suggestions, so I don¡¯t need your opinion.¡±

    After signing the agreement, Alyssa sent her staff to see Ada¡¯s team out. Next, she ryed the new

    tasks

    to her team before leaving work.

    When she stepped out, she immediately spotted Jonah¡¯s Rolls Royce waiting by the hotel entrance.

    The

    driver courteously opened the car door for her.

    ¡°Jonah! Are you free today? Why did youe to pick me up? Alyssa wrapped her arms around

    Jonah¡¯s

    neck.

    ¡°I heard you gave Sean some time off.¡± He caressed her soft hair.

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s been really tiredtely and needed a break.¡±

    ¡°Is that the only reason?¡± Jonah squinted, as if he could read her thoughts. ¡°You are at a time when you

    need extra help at work. Why send him away? Did you fight with him?¡±

    She frowned and replied, ¡°Why did your question sound funny? We have nothing to fight about. We¡¯re

    not

    a couple.¡±

    ¡°You might not feel anything for him, but he¡¯s certainly interested in you.¡±

    ¡°Jonah, what¡¯s that nonsense?¡± She glowered at him.

    He smiled and added, ¡°We are aware of Sean¡¯s feelings for you.¡±

    ¡°We?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, including Mandy. She brought up the issue with me a few days ago because she felt too

    awkward

    talking to you about it.¡±

    Alyssa was a little exasperated after learning that everyone knew about Sean¡¯s one-sided love.

    That was rather embarrassing.

    ¡°Mandy is worried about how his personal feelings might affect you. You are with him all day and live

    Alyssa¡¯s hand.

    Mandy was extra cautious with the men around Alyssa because she saw her as a daughter, which

    Alyssa

    understood as well.

    Mandy was worried that Sean might cross the line and take advantage of Alyssa when the two were

    together.

    ¡°I believe in Sean¡¯s character. He¡¯s not that type of guy. Still, I need to check in with you because you

    sent

    him on leave out of the blue,¡± said Jonah with concern.

    ¡°I gave him a chance to reflect on his actions,¡± Alyssa replied, growing serious.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She saw no need to hide the truth from Jonah and continued, ¡°I could sense his feelings for me, so I

    sent him on vacation to sort out his emotions. It also serves as a warning. I can¡¯t have him by my side if

    he can¡¯t let go of his feelings.¡±

    Jonah frowned and asked, ¡°Are you going to let him go just like that?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s for his own good.¡± She sighed in frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not nning to date anymore, so he has no

    chance. at all. He¡¯ll only suffer when he works alongside me with expectations. He would only be

    disappointedter.

    ¡°I know the pain of unrequited love, and I¡¯m not letting anyone go through the same thing. Sean is a

    great guy who deserves better. He shouldn¡¯t waste his time on me.¡±

    Touched by Alyssa¡¯s words, Jonah trembled and gave her a hug. He was interrupted by his ringing

    phone. So he picked up the call with his left hand while hugging her with another. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, Betty has been acquitted just now! She was seen leaving with Simon Lynch!¡±

 Chapter 483

    After spending three days behind bars, Betty finally regained her freedom. However, despite Simon¡¯s

    request for Javier to keep the news under wraps, Jasper quickly got wind of it.

    ¡°How did Betty get acquitted? Didn¡¯t you have someone keeping an eye on Abigail Grant? Did Simon

    meet with her?¡± Jasper looked icy as he mmed his fist against the car window.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, the issue isn¡¯t with Abigail. It¡¯s Bryan Hanssen!¡± Xavier¡¯s eyes zed with anger.

    He exined, ¡°Our intel revealed that Simon Lynch had a secret meeting with Bryan Hanssen as

    Betty¡¯s attorney, all arranged by Javier. He probably spooked Bryan out with some bullshit because that

    dude

    immediately took all the me for Betty.¡±

    ¡°What else could Simon have done? He must have threatened to harm Bryan¡¯s family! How could an

    attorney pull such a dirty trick? How could an attorney resort to such dirty tactics?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened like the calm before the storm, his fists trembling. Hemented, ¡°The good

    name

    of Judge Spencer Lynch has been tarnished by his eldest son!¡±

    ¡°If Bryan Hanssen became the scapegoat, what about Abigail ¡­¡± Xavier¡¯s sentence was cut short by a

    ringing phone.

    He picked it up. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Xavier¡¯s expression grew serious after the call. He quickly reported to Jasper, ¡°Something¡¯s happened.

    The police have arrested Abigail on the charges of defamation and perjury!¡±

    Jasper saw thating. While Abigail deserved to face consequences for her actions, he couldn¡¯t help

    but feel a surge of anger at the oue.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Betty seemed to be reborn when she arrived at Seaview Manor in tears. In front of Javier and Newton,

    she and Sophia embraced each other tightly, showing off their mother-daughter bond.

    Sophia had never been a great actress during her career, but she had a knack for putting on a

    performance when the situation called for it.

    ¡°Mom, Dad, you must seek justice for me! Alyssa and Zoe framed me!¡± Betty seized the opportunity to

    vilify Alyssa.

    She knelt by Newton¡¯s wheelchair andmented, ¡°Grandpa, Alyssa wants me gone! She¡¯s a sly, wicked

    woman! I wouldn¡¯t have been standing in front of you had it not been for Mr. Lynch¡¯s help!¡±

    Newton felt torn in the face of Betty¡¯s usations. On one hand, he refused to believe that Alice was

    the woman described by Betty; on the other hand, it was Alice who provided the police with evidence

    for

    Betty¡¯s arrest.

    For the second time in Newton¡¯s life, he was stuck between a rock and a hard ce regarding his

    family.

    Two decades earlier, during the Beckett Group¡¯s rapid expansion in Sna City, Javier and Chester

    Beckett had be entangled in bribery andnd auction scandals in their quest to dominate the

    market and grow thepany swiftly.

    In the end, Newton had his younger son, Chester, shoulder all the me for Javier. It happened partly

    because Newton favored his eldest child and partly because Chester was in poor health.

    Chester received a four-year prison sentence, but to everyone¡¯s shock, he passed away from a heart

    attack just six months into his sentence.

    Newton mourned Chester¡¯s death while his wife¡¯s health deteriorated due to the heartbreak, eventually

    leading to her passing. (1

    ¡°Grandpa, I told you Alyssa had ulterior motives! She must have married Jasper for her own gain!¡±

    Bettyined and cried on Newton.

    Betty continued, ¡°She was probably nice to you because she wanted something from you-likely those

    Beckett Group stocks!¡±

    ¡°Dad, she¡¯s right!¡±

 Chapter 484

    Meanwhile, Sophia fanned the fires, chiming in to demonize Alyssa, ¡°She concealed her identity as

    Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter and stuck around to gain your trust. She even married Jasper.

    ¡°Think about it, didn¡¯t that seem like a calcted move? Thank goodness Jasper didn¡¯t fall for her

    charms

    and divorced her to cut the losses.

    ¡°If she had won his heart and your affection, you might have had reason to worry that she¡¯d gradually

    take

    control of the Beckett Group!¡±

    ¡°Stop it. Alice isn¡¯t what you make her sound,¡± replied Newton with a wave of his hand. He looked glum.

    ¡°I know Winston. He might be a yer, but he¡¯s a loyal, honorable man. I don¡¯t believe he¡¯d raise a

    corrupt

    daughter,¡± stated Newton.

    ¡°Dad!¡±

    ¡°Grandpa!¡±

    ¡°Besides, the Taylors are on par with us when ites to influence and wealth. Why would she give up

    her happiness and marry Jasper for some cheap Beckett Group stocks?

    ¡°Ms. Gardner might resort to something like that, but not Ms. Alyssa. She¡¯s a proud woman and would

    never stoop that low,¡± Newton continued to defend Alyssa as he favored her and also because Sophia

    seemed intent on causing trouble.

    Sophia seethed at Newton¡¯s reply as she held back her urge to kick his wheelchair.

    ¡°Dad, no matter what, Ms. Alyssa is being hostile to the Beckett Group,¡± Javier stated.

    He knew that his daughter had started the conflict, but admitting that he had raised Betty wrong in front

    of Newton was tough. 1

    He grumbled indignantly, ¡°Sure, the Beckett Group might have internal issues, but it¡¯s not her ce to

    point fingers at us.

    ¡°She has used the influence of Taylor Group against us a few times. Sophia was a victimst time, and

    now, Alyssa¡¯s trying to send Betty to jail over nothing!

    ¡°Her heartless, extreme behavior shows that she doesn¡¯t mind a fallout with the Beckett Group! Have

    you ever considered that she might have changed after reuniting with the Taylors? She will choose the

    interest of Taylor Group over her rtionship with you without hesitation!¡±

    Newton clutched the arm of his wheelchair as he heaved. He instructed, ¡°Ben, I want to meet Alice. I

    need to hear everything in her own words!¡±

    At the same time, Jasper¡¯s Maybach was parked in front of Seaview Manor¡¯s entrance. Xavier opened

    the

    car door for him.

    When Jasper emerged calmly from the car, a ck Maserati slowly rolled up and stopped by the

    Maybach. Simon, dressed in a suit, appeared in his view.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Simonmented, ¡°What a coincidence, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°And why did you take a special trip here at this time? Does Javier need your help to clean up his

    mess?¡± Jasper sneered with a mocking grin.

    Simon maintained a patient smile and exined, ¡°As Javier has hired me to represent Ms. Betty, I am

    responsible for my client until the end. It¡¯s a matter of professionalism in my line of work.

    ¡°Yourments suggest that you may not be very familiar with the legal profession, but that¡¯s

    understandable.¡±

    Jasper approached Simon with a piercing gaze and pursed lips, creating invisible pressure. Frowning,

    Simon inadvertently took a step back.

    The moment he did so, he had lost to Jasper. At the very least, he showed weakness before the

    handsome but fear-inducing Jasper.

    Jasper began, ¡°The legal profession is aplicated industry. There are plenty of attorneys who work

    for justice. Of course, many famous attorneys, such as you, work for corporate interests and would go

    to any lengths to achieve their goals.¡±

    Simon¡¯s smile froze on his face.

    Jasper continued, ¡°I don¡¯t have the right to criticize your personal decision. However, I have a warning

    for you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s deep, prating eyes were unsettling as he cautioned, ¡°I know you¡¯re cruel and cunning. But

    never try anything on Alyssa, as she¡¯s someone important to me. If you darey a finger on her, expect

    retribution from me.¡±

 Chapter 485

    With that, Jasper walked away in huge strides, leaving Simon frozen on the ground in humiliation.

    He was born into a family of attorneys. His parents had high hopes for him from childhood, and he was

    the role model of his siblings.

    He sailed through life and was considered one of the elite attorneys in Sna City.

    Even the scions in Sna City had to humble themselves to seek his services. He had never felt so

    humiliated after the exchange with Jasper.

    Simon thought of something.

    Brows furrowed, Simon turned around to nce at Jasper¡¯s proud figure. He wondered about the

    rtionship between Jasper and Alyssa.

    Why would the unfeeling, ascetic Jasper Beckett fly into temper for Alyssa?

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Simon himself was an acquaintance of Alyssa. He knew her as a beauty and the beloved daughter of

    Winston Taylor. She had higher standards and better taste than most people. She wouldn¡¯t be

    interested in just any ordinary man.

    There seemed to be only one possible exnation-Jasper Beckett, the illegitimate son who had

    overestimated himself, must be in love with Alyssa Taylor!

    So what if he was handsome and strategic? His mother was never recognized as a legal spouse, even

    after her death.

    Javier Beckett was merely being charitable by offering Jasper the role of president at the Beckett

    Group.

    ¡°You¡¯re still nothing, even with all the titles! How dare you dream of dating Alyssa Taylor with that lowly

    background?¡± Simon¡¯s eyes grew cold as he followed Jasper into the vi. 3

    Everyone was surprised to see Jasper showing up, followed by Simon Lynch.

    Javier wasted no time introducing Simon to Newton, showering him with praise. ¡°Dad, this is Simon

    Lynch. He¡¯s a talented attorney. Without him, Betty wouldn¡¯t have been released. He¡¯s done some great

    work.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ve decided to hire Mr. Lynch as ourpany¡¯s Director of Legal Affairs. What do you

    think?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you, Mr. Beckett Senior. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you,¡± said Simon with a courteous

    ¡°Simon Lynch¡­ Are you Spencer Lynch¡¯s eldest?¡± Newton studied the man before him and asked

    sternly.

    ¡°Indeed, Spencer Lynch is my dad.¡± Simon couldn¡¯t hide his pride and joy. He mused, ¡°Are you an old

    friend of his?¡±

    Jasper watched their exchange with a grave expression. He disliked Simon Lynch for his hypocrisy, but

    Simon¡¯s dad seemed acquainted with Newton.

    Newton responded with an amused expression, ¡°Of course, I knew him. He was the judge presiding

    over

    the case of my youngest son, Chester. Quite a strict judge, that man. He handed down a four-year

    sentence.¡±

    This revtion shocked everyone, causing Simon¡¯s smile to almost crumble as the color drained from

    his

    face.

    Almost immediately, Javier was exposed to the dark memories of the past. His expression darkened,

    which was not lost on Jasper.

    ¡°Well, Mr. Beckett Senior, my dad might have been a capable judge, but he wasn¡¯t very diplomatic. I¡¯ll

    apologize to you on behalf of his actions,¡± Simon hurriedly apologized.

    He hadn¡¯t anticipated the situation taking such a negative turn and sensed that Newton might still hold

    some resentment based on the grave look on Newton¡¯s face.

    ¡°Interesting,¡± Newton raised an eyebrow. ¡°What did your father do wrong? Why are you apologizing for

    him?¡±

    ¡°I-¡± Simon was taken aback.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a fundamental requirement for a judge to be fair and firm? Were you suggesting he was wrong

    when you apologized?¡±

    ¡°I ¡­ It¡¯s a misunderstanding. I didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Simon was left chuckling dryly.

    ¡°I have heard about you, to be honest. You are known for only representing the rich and have dealt with

    many celebrities and billionaires, remarked Newton with a snicker. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t mentioned you were

    Spencer¡¯s son, I couldn¡¯t have associated you with him. You seemed¡­ quite different from your father.¡±

 Chapter 486

    Anyone could tell that Newton was being sarcastic. He was doubting Simon¡¯s integrity.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t hold back a grin while Javier and Sophia put on sour faces.

    ¡°Sir!¡± Ben hurried over and announced courteously, ¡°Ms. Alyssa is here!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart sank, and his eyes faltered. Everyone shotplicated nces at the door.

    Alyssa¡¯s high heels clicked sharply, echoing in Jasper¡¯s heart. She walked alone into thepound,

    her

    confident and regal air making it seem like her first visit despite her three years of living there.

    Jasper fell into a daze, feeling as though they were still married.

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m here!¡± Beaming, she approached Newton with bright eyes. She did not pause for a

    second

    as she brushed past Jasper, treating him like a stranger.

    He felt suffocated as his fingers curled into a fist. His heart skipped a beat and sank. After the divorce,

    every time he crossed paths with her was like torture.

    ¡°Alyssa ¡­¡± Betty glowered at Alyssa, ready tosh out, only to be reined in by Sophia.

    ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this Simon? What a small world!¡± Alyssa paused when she passed Simon and grinned at him.

    Simon looked startled, just like the others. Everyone wondered about the nature of their rtionship,

    seeing how they were on a first-name basis.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa. It¡¯s been a while,¡± replied Simon with a forced smile as he addressed her politely.

    ¡°Right? You haven¡¯t visited Dad for five years or so. He thought about you recently,¡± she remarked,

    ¡°We¡¯re old family friends. Uncle Spencer always brought you and Sean to visit us when I was a kid. But

    we grew distant over the years.¡±

    Then, she turned her gaze onto Javier¡¯s shocked face and stated, ¡°Mr. Beckett, you probably had no

    idea about this, but Uncle Spencer and his three sons have always been very wee at our home.

    ¡°After Uncle Spencer retired, he briefly served as the Director of Legal Affairs of KS Group, although

    not many people knew because he kept a low profile.¡±

    Simon struggled to maintain hisposure. His cheeks burned in shame. Alyssa sounded unbothered,

    but every single one of her remarks was aimed at him.

    He was reluctant to reveal that his family was indebted to the Taylors. Deep down, he acknowledged

    that he owed much of his current sess to their financial support.

    He had to break free from the Taylors¡¯ influence to build a name for himself and grow his career.

    ¡°I never knew that Mr. Lynch had a close connection to the Taylor Family,¡± mused Newton.

    ¡°Yes, my dad served as the legal counsel of KS Group for a few years, but it was all in the past. I have

    not

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    been in touch with the Taylors for a long time,¡± Simon quickly added, anxious to distance himself from

    the Taylor family.

    ¡°Simon-My bad, Mr. Lynch.¡± Alyssa squinted, her smile fading. ¡°I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t forgotten the

    unfortunate incident that urred when Uncle Spencer retired. Without my dad¡¯s help, your family

    might not have survived that challenge.

    ¡°My dad was indebted to yours, and your family received help from ours as well. We never wanted you

    to repay us, but at the very least, you shouldn¡¯t join forces with outsiders to give me trouble.¡±

    She put on a cool, mocking grin. ¡°Is burning bridges one of the principles an attorney swears by?¡±

 Chapter 487

    Alyssa had effectivelybeled Simon as an ingrate with her firm and strong statement.

    If he wanted to distance himself from the Taylor family, she would air their dirtyundry in front of everyone.

    With a fake smile on his face, he shot a chilling look at Alyssa. He couldn''t help but question Sean''s taste in women. She seemed insolent and argumentative. If Sean married her, she would only bring trouble to the Lynch Family.

    The air turned awkward and tense. Javier viewed Alyssa as a troublemaker who seemed to bring chaos with her every appearance. While he acknowledged Simon''s capability, he felt uneasy upon learning about Simon''s connection to the Taylor Family.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had a hidden past with the Taylor family,¡± Jasper chimed in, seemingly addressing Simon, but his eyes were on Alyssa. ¡°So, does that make Ms. Alyssa the daughter of your benefactor? Is this how you repay her-by going against her?¡±

    Alyssa furrowed her brows and sulked at Jasper''s words.

    Was he actually defending her in front of his family?

    He had never sided with her when they were married. There was no need for the pretense. Newton''s frown deepened when he heard Jasper''s words.

    ¡°Do you mean I couldn''t be an attorney just because we were indebted to the Taylors?¡± Simon would not have it. Faking a smile, he countered, ¡°As a professional, I categorize people into two groups. They are either my clients or they are not.

    ¡°I will do my best for Ms. Betty because she¡¯s my client. Is there anything wrong with that? If you hire me for a case, I''ll do my job just as diligently. This has nothing to do with gratitude.¡±

    The gleeful look on Simon''s face triggered Jasper, who clenched his fists.

    ¡°Oh, I wouldn''t dare hire you!" Alyssa waved her hands, seemingly shocked by the notion. She eximed, You''re an excellent attorney and a double-edged sword! Today, you might assist me, but tomorrow, you could be on the opposing side, helping others win against me!¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    As if that wasn''t enough, she lightly poked her cheeks and added, ¡°You didn''t even show mercy to my dad, who is your benefactor. I must mean nothing to you. If you climb the ranks and end up working against me someday, you''ll undoubtedly crush me. I don''t have the means to hire and satisfy a big shot like you.¡±

    Even Alyssa was disgusted by the performance she had put up. She could rival Liana Gardner when it

    came to acting mean and petty.

    Jasper couldnt hide his amusement, seeing the innocence on Alyssa¡¯s face, which concealed her slyness.

    Simon coughed, feeling uneasy in his chest.

    Betty had wanted to openly taunt Alyssa, given that she was at home and in Simon''s presence. Even if

    she couldn''t physically hurt Alyssa, she hoped to at least make herself feel better.

 Chapter 488

    After Alyssa¡¯s verbal attacks, Betty hid behind Sophia cowardly without any thoughts of causing

    trouble, seeing that Simon had been defeated.

    Alyssa went over to Newton and sped his bony hand with worry, looking closer to him than Betty

    ever did. ¡°Grandpa! Why did you call me over at this hour? Are you feeling unwell?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, child. I¡¯m fine.¡± Newton looked into her bright eyes tenderly and patted the back of her

    hand. He reassured her, ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine. In the best of health.¡±

    She let out a long sigh. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±

    ¡°Alice, it isn¡¯t anything serious. I wanted you here because, firstly, I missed you, and secondly, I wanted

    to understand. What happened between you and Betty? Why did things escte?¡± He sounded

    sincere.

    He added, ¡°You and Betty are both dear to me, and I wish to see the two of you doing well. I get

    nervous and concerned every time the both of you cause a stir.¡±

    Despite his choice of words, Alyssa could tell he wanted to speak up for Betty. She felt a lump in her

    throat. It seemed that no matter how kindly she treated him, she would never be treated the same as

    his

    granddaughter.

    He¡¯d still have a soft spot for his precious granddaughter, even if she was, in reality, a deceitful

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    backstabber.

    ¡°Dad, Betty nearly didn¡¯t make it out of the police station alive during those two days!¡±

    Seizing the opportunity, Sophia embraced Betty tightly.

    She sobbed together with her daughter andmented, ¡°The police took turns interrogating her in 24

    hours, threatening her and scolding her. They didn¡¯t even allow her to sleep. Look at this poor girl!

    She¡¯s utterly

    drained from that torture!¡±

    Indeed, Betty appeared more exhausted than before, and her tears added to her miserable look.

    Newton had doted on Betty since she was a child. She might not be as talented as Alyssa, nor did she

    please him the way Alyssa had. Besides, Betty rarely visited him after gaining her independence in

    adulthood.

    Despite all that, Betty was his granddaughter. At his age, he only wanted to enjoy family time.

    Jasper felt a pang of unease when he noticed the tears in Alyssa¡¯s eyes, seeing her confidence waver.

    It

    was clear she felt hurt by what Newton had said to her.

    It reminded him of how she had been treated as an outsider during their three years of marriage. Not

    only

    did he not feel bad for her, he secretly wished that she¡¯d give up and suggest a divorce.

    The look on Alyssa was a reenactment of her life in the past. Jasper couldn¡¯t afford to mistreat her any

    longer.

    With that in mind, he went up to Newton with rage in his eyes. To everyone¡¯s shock, he casually

    wrapped

    an arm around her shoulders and drew her closer, making her appear like his woman. They looked like

    they had never been divorced.

    She red at him, freezing in ce. ¡°Jasper-¡±

    Refusing to let her go, he tightened his grip on her rounded shoulder. ¡°Grandpa, instead of asking her

    what

    happened, you should ask about what Betty had done.¡±

 Chapter 489

    Alyssa felt the warmth from Jasper¡¯s hand against her skin.

    She kept herints to herself, deeming Jasper a ¡°crazy piece of garbage.¡± She couldn¡¯t fathom his

    actions and wished he would withdraw his dirty hands.

    Sensing her urge to free herself, he gripped her tighter, almost crushing her body. Everyone was

    surprised

    by the intimate disy between the ex-couple.

    Only Newton looked pleasantly surprised and d, his earlier moodiness giving way to joy.

    Was Alice back together with Jasper? She looked reluctant, though.

    He didn¡¯t care how Jasper went around it. He was just d that Jasper finally got it straight. The

    progress

    in his romantic rtionship was worth celebrating.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t stand Jasper¡¯s advances anymore. When no one was looking, she slowly raised her

    foot

    and stomped on his toes with her high heels.

    ¡°Ugh-¡± Jasper grimaced, letting out a muffled groan audible only to her. She couldn¡¯t help but grin

    wickedly as she continued to press her heel down on his foot.

    Alyssa privately expressed a sigh of relief and thought that it had been cathartic.

    Jasper was left trembling in the stabbing pain that almost killed him.

    Gritting his teeth, he cast his nce on Alyssa, who was gloating at him. His frown vanished when he

    noticed the happiness in her eyes.

    He wondered if she felt happy bullying him. If so, he wouldn¡¯t mind letting her get her way.

    ¡°Grandpa! I¡¯ve been framed!¡± 1

    Betty was anxious that Jasper and Alyssa might use her in front of Newton, so she swiftly involved

    Simon to clear her name.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch wouldn¡¯t have secured my release if I were guilty! The police aren¡¯t dumb. The real suspect

    will leave behind evidence. I was framed by this wicked woman, Alyssa Taylor, right from the start!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett Senior, the police follow a standard operating procedure,¡± Simon defended Betty. ¡°As Ms.

    Betty¡¯s attorney, the best I could do was to protect her rights. I have no power to absolve her of any

    crimes.¡±

    Then, he turned to Alyssa with an usatory look and remarked, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I do not understand your

    Considering Mr. Taylor¡¯s good reputation, I expected more from his daughter.¡±

    She squinted at Simon and snorted. The absurdity of Simon Lynch and his caustic remarks was

    beyond

    belief.

    Simon seemed to have forgotten Spencer Lynch¡¯s humbled behavior when thetter brought his sons

    to greet Winston and ask for help.

    Simon had essentially used Alyssa of ying dirty in Betty¡¯s case.

    Jasper suddenly let out a cold, humorlessugh, a sound that sent shivers down Alyssa¡¯s spine.

    He began, ¡°We¡¯re too nice to you, making you think too highly of yourself.¡±

    Jasper then shot a piercing gaze in Simon¡¯s direction and hissed, ¡°Have you forgotten what I said to

    you before we came in? Is there something wrong in your head? You forgot about it in a blink of an

    eye.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes flickered with confusion. Had Jasper met with Simon before this? What had happened

    during their conversation?

    Sophia and Betty were taken aback, stepping back to distance themselves from Jasper¡¯s hostility.

    Meanwhile, Simon¡¯s carefully crafted smile began to crumble. His face contorted with fear and rage.

    ¡°Jasper, how could you speak to Mr. Lynch in that manner? He¡¯s our guest!¡± Javier chided his son. He

    had ns to appoint Simon to a key role and make Simon serve him. Jasper¡¯s actions were now

    jeopardizing

    those ns.

    ¡°He¡¯s your guest, not mine,¡± Jasper retorted, his icy gaze sweeping past Javier¡¯s flushed face before

    settling once more on Alyssa¡¯s enchanting eyes.

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    His look suddenly softened, as though the entire world had disappeared, leaving only her in his gaze.

    ¡°I told you that I will not go easy on anyone who caused trouble for Ms. Alyssa,¡± Jasper reiterated.

    Alyssa inhaled sharply, trembling in her ce. She couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away from his.

    Simon swallowed hard, his fists clenched.

    Jasper issued a warning, ¡°Mr. Lynch, take my words seriously this time.¡±

 Chapter 490

    Every time Alyssa showed up, the Beckett family would fall into chaos and leave on a bad note.

    Alyssa had no mood nor reason to exin herself to Newton, for the truth was on her side.

    Besides, she had learned about Simon¡¯s character from Winston and Mandy. If he had managed to

    secure

    Betty¡¯s release, it indicated that he had tied up any loose ends.

    Even though Alyssa was aware that Simon had coerced Bryan Hanssen into bing the scapegoat,

    she

    could not get the police to reopen the case for the time being.

    Simon might appear courteous, but he was equally cunning.

    Meanwhile, Newton did not want to put Alyssa on the spot because he had faith in her character. He

    had

    witnessed her sincerity, and if he were to lose trust in Alice, there would be no one else he could rely

    on.

    Alyssa wheeled Newton back to his bedroom, with Jasper annoyingly tagging along the entire time.

    However, Newton seemed content that night, a satisfied smile gracing his face when he saw Alyssa

    and

    Jasper at his side. Grinning from ear to ear, he looked energized and rejuvenated.

    Love didn¡¯t only make lovers glow; even their supporters radiated happiness.

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m sorry for not visiting you. I have been busytely. You must be angry at me, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Alyssa looked guilty.

    ¡°Silly child, what are you talking about? I¡¯m just grateful you¡¯re even thinking of me,¡± Newton replied.

    He sped her warm hand and shot Jasper a knowing look. ¡°You know, you should enjoy your youth

    and

    meet some nice young men.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re close to Landon Harper, Jameson Schmidt, and that bunch. Are there any prospects

    catching your eye? You can always introduce your date to me. I¡¯ll help you vet him!¡±

    Jasper felt like he was punched in the chest. He quietly grumbled about Newton¡¯s matchmaking efforts

    for Alyssa, even though the old man was bound to a wheelchair.

    He was concerned that Newton/might inadvertently introduce her to a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing.

    His eyes were bulging with anger as he panted anxiously. On the other hand, Alyssa was surprised.

    ¡°Grandpa, how did you learn about Landon and Jameson?¡±

    ¡°Ah, I manage to stay well-informed without ever leaving this house,¡± gloated Newton.

    ¡°Mm. Jameson and I are childhood friends.¡±

    ¡°Childhood friends?¡± Newton¡¯s heart leaped into his throat.

    ¡°Haha, I guess we are like siblings. When we were younger, he was a bit of a weakling, and I was the

    one always protecting him.¡±

    She lifted her chin and ced her hands on her hips, grinning animatedly. She appeared no different

    from the bright and lively ten-year-old she once was.

    As Jasper stared deep into her eyes, a sudden wave of dizziness and a throbbing headache overcame

    him.

    Worried that Alyssa and Newton might notice, he quickly turned away. Pressing his temples, he was

    sweating profusely from the pain.

    Her smile ovepped with the blurry and childlike face of the girl deep in his memory.

    He had a nagging feeling that he had met Alyssa long ago, but he struggled to conjure that memory.

    ¡°Is that so? I never knew you were close with Jameson Schmidt,¡± Newton responded.

    Newton had never been one to indulge in rtionship gossip, but this piece of information piqued his

    interest as it concerned the future of Alyssa and Jasper.

    ¡°He lost contact with me after he settled in Kontina with his mom. It wasn¡¯t until recently that we

    reconnected,¡± Alyssa confessed openly to Newton, for there was nothing between her and Jameson.

    ¡°Oh, I heard he donated a priceless ne to your charity auction to support your cause,¡± Newton,

    prodded further.

    She brushed that off with a smile. ¡°He probably helped me out to thank me for standing up for him

    when

    we were younger.¡±

    ¦§

    ¡°Looks like Victor¡¯s son is a considerate young man,¡± Newton remarked.

    Then, he shot a disdainful look at Jasper, feeling the heat rising in him. ¡°Well, he¡¯s certainly more

    agreeable than my cold, inflexible grandson!¡±

    Newton¡¯s intention was not to speak up for outsiders. He merely wanted to provoke Jasper as a way to

    motivate his grandson.

    ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯tin about him because of our divorce. I told you clearly that we divorced on good

    terms. I don¡¯t have any grudges against him,¡± Alyssa assured Newton.

    Her unemotional eyes hurt Jasper. She exined, ¡°Jasper isn¡¯t quite as you described. He is

    appreciative,

    caring, and affectionate.¡±

    Jasper felt a sharp pang in his chest, His emotions catching in his throat as he quivered.

    He had indeed been appreciative and caring, yet he had given his heart to the wrong woman. Only

    after

    crashing headfirst into a wall did he realize how foolish he had been.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Was he not as good as Jameson Schidmt in Alyssa¡¯s eyes?

    Maybe.

 Chapter 491

    After offering some health advice to Newton, Alyssa left the room. Jasper wasted no time and quickly

    caught up to her. He said curtly, ¡°I¡¯ll send you home.¡±

    Alyssa had held back fromshing out at Jasper in front of Newton. Now, she finally exploded and

    jumped back while pointing a finger at his face.

    She yelled, ¡°Naw!¡±

    Jasper was a little confused by the sound she made.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She pursed her lips awkwardly. It appeared she had identally uttered ¡°no¡± with an ent, but the

    meaning was clear.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your help. I¡¯m an adult who knows my way home!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ste at night. I¡¯ll see you home,¡± insisted Jasper, who took a step forward.

    Alyssa¡¯s anger red as she recalled how Jasper had pulled her into a hug earlier.

    She seethed and dusted her shoulders, confronting him, ¡°I didn¡¯tsh out at you not because I

    condoned your behavior. I did it for Grandpa¡¯s sake. Don¡¯t take a mile when I give you an inch!

    ¡°I¡¯m already pissed at Simon and Betty, and I¡¯d take it out on anything that crosses my path. Come any

    closer, and I¡¯ll give you a piece of my mind.¡±

    She thought she sounded authoritative, but Jasper thought she was being hrious.

    ¡°Let me know if Simon bes a bother. I¡¯ll handle him for you,¡± he whispered.

    ¡°No, thanks! That¡¯s between the Taylors and Lynches. You should stay out of it and mind your own

    business!¡±

    Her words carried a tinge of bitterness. She was reminded of how Jasper had humiliated Simon in front

    of the Becketts to defend her.

    On second thought, Jasper¡¯s actions were likely driven by his own interests. Alyssa had noticed that

    Javier seemed keen on hiring Simon for a role within the Beckett Group.

    With Simon as their legal counsel, he would be a valuable asset to Javier¡¯s team, much to

    Jasper¡¯s

    disadvantage.

    This realization prompted a smirk from her.

    Just as Jasper was about to approach her, he was stopped by a stern voiceing from behind.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    He knitted his brows and turned around to see Javier shuffling up to him. Javier ordered, ¡°Come to the

    study. i need to have a talk with you.¡±

    ¡°Later. I¡¯ll send Ms. Alyssa home,¡± replied Jasper coolly without giving in.

    ¡°Hah, she doesn¡¯t need your help. She¡¯s already left!¡±

    Jasper spun around, bbergasted.

    That slick woman was nowhere to be seen.

    Alyssa wandered out of Seaview Manor with a t expression.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    She stopped in her tracks and watched coldly as Simon approached her. He looked amused.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you are happy with the oue or not. I helped free Ms. Betty. It¡¯s not embarrassing to

    lose to me, you know.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, when I reflect upon it, I¡¯vee to realize that I¡¯ve gained something valuable from all this,¡±

    Alyssa responded with a mocking tone instead of sumbing to anger.

    She continued, ¡°I finally saw your true colors from Betty¡¯s case. I¡¯ve encountered my fair share of

    ungrateful individuals, but you, Simon, may just be one of the worst.

    ¡°I wonder if Uncle Spencer will feel any sense of shame when he discovers that his proudest son¡¯s

    greatest ambition is to serve corporate interests and go against his own benefactor?¡±

    Simon¡¯s smile froze, and his expression fell. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I am nice to you because you¡¯re Mr. Taylor¡¯s

    daughter. You have crossed a line by repeatedly challenging me. Do you think you¡¯re invincible just

    because you are the daughter of a tycoon?¡±

    ¡°Thank you for the reminder. I am indeed the daughter of a tycoon, and I fully intend to exercise the

    privileges thate with it. Why wouldn¡¯t I leverage my superior status?¡± 2

    Her eyes squinted dangerously, and her smile took on a more sinister edge.

    ¡°Before you decide to work against me, I suggest you carefully consider my background and the extent

    of my influence. I have a far shorter fuse than my father.¡± After delivering the warning, she was gone

    with the

    Watching the departure of that charming woman, Simon seethed with resentment.

    He thought to himself that he wasn¡¯t like his ipetent brother, Sean.

    While Sean might be willing to grovel at her feet, he would never do that. He had no intention of being

    under her thumb and wanted to see how the situation would unfold.

 Chapter 492

    Sophia and Betty were in the study. Javier would never ask Newton to join. In his eyes, Newton was on

    Jasper¡¯s side.

    Javier had firmly positioned himself in the opposite camp from his father. Ever since the tragic loss of

    Anne Bartley, Jasper¡¯s mother, who had taken her own life, there was nothing left between him and

    Newton.

    Their already strained rtionship grew even more distant, exacerbated by the presence of Alyssa.

    However, for Sophia, this growing rift was a wee sight. She needed father and son to turn against

    each other for her personal gain.

    Upon further thought, no matter how powerful Javier was, he would always be under Newton¡¯s thumb

    for

    having an illegitimate son.

    ¡°I want you here to inform you about this,¡± croaked Javier. He sat on the couch with a stoic expression

    and tossed a freshly printed appointment letter in front of Jasper.

    He dered, ¡°I¡¯ve chosen to hire Simon Lynch as Beckett Group¡¯s legal counsel and Director of Legal

    Affairs. The letter will be officially circted tomorrow, and I¡¯ve already signed it, so there¡¯s no need for

    you to do so.¡±

    Sophia and Betty secretly grinned at the development.

    ¡°I disagree,¡± Jasper protested without hesitation.

    ¡°I do not need your opinion. Simon Lynch is a rare gem. Don¡¯t you know the importance of an excellent

    attorney?¡± Javier retorted sharply.

    ¡°You heard the conversation between Alyssa and Simon tonight, didn¡¯t you?¡± Jasper snickered. ¡°Do

    you

    seriously n to work with an ungrateful and greedy attorney like him?¡±

    ¡°You-You little brat!¡± Javier shot up from the couch, only to be overwhelmed by a sudden dizziness.

    Sophia grabbed him just in time and soothed him, ¡°Javier, stay calm! It¡¯s for your health.¡±

    She gently caressed his back while concealing her joy at the unfolding situation.

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    ¡°The Taylors were the benefactors of the Lynches. The Lynch family has been well taken care of. Even

    Sean Lynch is working in KS Group.

    ¡°But that didn¡¯t even stop Simon from deciding to betray the Taylor family for personal gain. Do you

    really

    ¡°If someonee to him with a better offer, do you think he¡¯d stay by your side?¡± Jasper went straight

    to

    the point without showing any mercy.

    ¡°You are simply finding an excuse to side with Alyssa Taylor!¡± Javier refused to stay civil now that they

    were speaking in private. He snarled, ¡°Have you fallen for her?¡±

    ¡°What if I have?¡± Jasper countered calmly, though his heart raced.

    Javier reacted as if he¡¯d been struck by lightning.

    Sophia and Betty were equally stunned, unable to discern whether Jasper¡¯s confession was genuine or

    merely an attempt to irk Javier.

    In his life, Jasper had only made one foolish decision, and that was choosing Liana over Alyssa.

    ¡°Are you telling me you regret that choice? You don¡¯t stand a chance!¡± Javier shouted, his eyes

    twitching

    and his voice cracking.

    ¡°Even if you¡¯ve fallen in love with Alyssa, you¡¯d better give up now. I will never approve of your

    rtionship

    with her over my dead body!

    ¡°If I had known she was Alyssa Taylor, I would never have agreed to that marriage! She yed us for

    fools

    and wasted three years of your life!¡±

    Javier¡¯s cutting remarks hit Jasper hard, fueling his anger. His pupils constricted, burning with hatred.

    Without hesitation, he grabbed the crystal ashtray from the table and smashed it onto the floor.

    Javier yelped and shivered at the sound of the crash. The sudden noise elicited screams from Sophia

    and

    Betty, who were shocked.

    The crystal ashtray had shattered into countless pieces, its shards flying in all directions. Some of them

    had struck Sophia, leaving her with cuts on her dress and arm.

    She stood there, a mixture of shock and anger welling up as she looked at her bleeding arm, teetering

    on

    the brink of tears.

    ¡°You have no right to criticize Alyssa. She¡¯s done nothing wrong.¡± Eyes burning and fists clenched,

    Jasper confronted Javier, ¡°Was she in the wrong for marrying me? Tell me, has she wronged any of us

    or our

    family in any way?

    ¡°It¡¯s me who wronged her. It¡¯s our family¡¯s fault! One more word about Alyssa, and I¡¯ll make you pay,

    even

    if you¡¯re my dad!¡±

    Javier shuddered at the crazed look in Jasper¡¯s eyes.

 Chapter 493

    Jasper had the same wild look in his eyes, as though he was in a colosseum.

    Javier¡¯s breath caught in his throat, his lips quivering. He recalled the very same look Jasper had cast

    upon him when he arrivedte to the tragic scene. Anne had jumped off a high floor, and Jasper was

    hugging her bloodied body tightly.

    Javier hated and resented Jasper, but more than anything, he feared his son. Was Jasper ready for a

    fallout with his father over Alyssa?

    Sophia and Betty had wanted to see Jasper make a fool out of himself. Instead, they found themselves

    horrified, unable even to draw a breath.

    Jasper closed his eyes and breathed heavily. Since there was no point arguing, he spun around to

    leave.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett!¡± Javier called his name in a shaking voice. ¡°Are you nning to side with Alyssa and

    the Taylors while going against your father? Do not forget whosest name you¡¯ve taken or the blood

    that

    flows through your veins. [1

    ¡°Remember, you wouldn¡¯t have the opportunity to lead the Beckett Group if it weren¡¯t for my support!¡±

    Javier¡¯s threats were nothing new to Jasper, who gave no reaction, irritation creeping in.

    ¡°If you go against me, I¡¯ll remove you from the president role and strip you of everything! Try me!¡±

    Javier¡¯s

    tone became increasingly maniacal, even catching Sophia off guard as she had never witnessed him

    behave in such a manner.

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you wish, go ahead-if you have the power to see it through.¡± Turning slowly to the back,

    Jasper had a determined look in his eyes. ¡°I have no qualms turning against Beckett Group for Alyssa.¡±

    As Jasper left the study, his broad shoulders slumped instantly, as if his very soul had been drained.

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    ¡°Jasper,¡± Newton showed up and called to him gently. Jasper looked up with teary eyes-he¡¯d been too

    immersed in his emotions to notice anyone¡¯s presence in the corridor.

    Since Newton had not changed into his pajamas, he probably did not n to stay the night at Seaview

    Manor.

    Ever since his wife¡¯s passing and Javier¡¯s marriage to Sophia, Newton no longer felt at home there.

    The vi at Crescent Bay¡¯s hills had be his true home.

    ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Jasper began, but his voice emerged coarse and choked with tears.

    ¡°I overheard your conversation with your father in the study,¡± Newton remarked. Jasper bent over to

    allow Newton to pat his shoulder so that thetter wouldn¡¯t have to stand from his wheelchair.

    Newtonmented, ¡°It¡¯s rude to talk back against your father, but I share your sentiment this time! I

    don¡¯t want Simon Lynch to join the Beckett Group. You¡¯re right-a greedy man like him doesn¡¯t align with

    ourpany culture.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I might be retired, but I still have a say in thepany. If Javier insists on hiring Simon

    Lynch, I¡¯ll put a stop to it.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I should be taking care of this problem as the president. You should enjoy your retirement

    and

    keep these matters out of your mind,¡± replied Jasper. He wouldn¡¯t want to burden his grandpa with

    these

    trivial matters.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing! I¡¯m just contributing while I still can! Hey¡­¡± Newton blinked at him in anticipation. ¡°You

    mentioned you¡¯d protect Alice and confessed your feelings for her. Were you serious?¡±

    Jasper widened his eyes while his heart pumped wildly. He gulped and answered tly, ¡°I said that

    without thinking in the heat of the moment. I didn¡¯t give it much thought.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. Very well! I¡¯ll let it slide if you¡¯re unwilling to admit your feelings!¡± Newton sounded slightly

    disappointed.

    Frowning, Jasper groaned, ¡°Grandpa.¡±

    ¡°Come on, send me home! Chat with me on the way back, or it will be boring!¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    Jasper wheeled Newton toward the end of the corridor. With his back to Jasper, Newton shed an

    amused smile.

    Silly fellow. Words spoken without thought were often the most sincere.

 Chapter 494

    A weekter, the highly anticipated wedding between Ada Kingsley and the CEO of an internationally

    renowned luxury car brand proceeded as nned at KS World Hotel.

    News of the wedding spread across the inte and social media within the country and abroad. Media

    outlets in Sna City were quick to jump on the story, churning out sensational headlines online.

    ¡°KS World Scores Big with Wedding, Dealing a Crushing Blow to Its Competitor.¡±

    ¡°Belbanks¡¯ KS Group¡¯s First Win in Sna City! Legacy Brand Beckett Group Legacy Tarnished!¡±

    ¡°A Series of Scandals gue the Beckett Family; Huge Disparity in ss Between the Becketts and

    the

    Taylors.¡±

    The attention on KS World Hotel soared to a new height on the big day. Netizens piledpliments for

    Alyssa, who had revealed her other identities. It came as no surprise that they¡¯dpare the

    unimpressive Betty to the aplished and dazzling Alyssa.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is destined to win thepetition. How could Jasper Beckett even dream ofpeting

    with someone as talented as Alexa?¡± someone wrote.

    ¡°To be fair, this has nothing to do with Mr. Beckett. It was Betty Beckett who decided to y with fire

    and ended up getting burned!¡± argued another.

    ¡°She probably thought she had hit Alyssa hard, only to show her ugly side. ROFL!¡± aizen gloated.

    ¡°She¡¯s absolutely disgraceful! Imagine having the audacity to purchase counterfeit jewelry for a global

    celebrity.¡±

    ¡°Well, you see, she¡¯s trying to cut corners where it counts, muddling her way through!¡±

    ¡°She might have been released, but her reputation is in tatters.¡±

    With her tarnished reputation, Betty watched as she trended on Twitter due to the negativements.

    She felt as though she were being paraded and publicly shamed online.

    The emotional toll of the online abuse triggered a severe illness that left her bedridden.

    Asbative as Sophia was, she had no choice but to put matters aside and take care of her sick

    daughter while trying to regain Javier¡¯s favor.

    To do so, she went for cosmetology and secretly bought a few sensual ckce outfits. She even

    purchased some aphrodisiac essential oils for a chance to seduce Javier. She wanted him to fall under

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    However, her husband, who hadn¡¯t been intimate with her for the past six months, seemed to be

    avoiding

    her.

    Javier hadn¡¯t returned home for a week, and when they did cross paths, their conversations were few

    and

    far between. He wouldn¡¯t even spare her a nce.

    Sophia¡¯s resentment was understandable. She directed all her resentment toward Alyssa and swore to

    make Alyssa pay dearly for the humiliation she had endured at the hands of Javier.

    While Sophia was seething, Alyssa was basking in glory. Ada Kingsley¡¯s century wedding stood as a

    testament to the immense influence of KS Group in Sna City when it was already a leading

    conglomerate in Belbanks.

    KS Group¡¯s stock price skyrocketed, and experts predicted it would hit the limit when the markets

    opened the following morning.

    But that wasn¡¯t all. As photos of the wedding venue spread across the inte,izens from all

    corners of the nation engaged in fervent discussions.

    ¡°Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding was so cool with the sea of ck roses!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! I¡¯ll copy the entire idea for my wedding!¡±

    ¡°KS World deserves top marks for their event proposal this time! I¡¯m tired of the same old conventional

    weddings.¡±

    Jasper was keenly watching the livestream of Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding from his office. He wore a grin

    on his face and a tender look in his eyes.

    He had never been interested in weddings, but he paid extra attention to the event because it was the

    result of Alyssa¡¯s hard work.

    There was a knock on the door. Xavier entered with an army green nylon sack in his hand and

    reported, ¡± Mr. Beckett, I¡¯ve gathered the hiking gear you wanted.¡±

 Chapter 495

    ¡°Thanks. Sorry for the trouble,¡± said Jasper.

    ¡°Why did you suddenly think of hiking this year?¡± Xavier wondered.

    I go hiking every year,¡± Jasper answered tly.

    When he was younger, he had once spent one summer volunteering at Crater Mountain Park to relieve

    his

    stress.

    Life was simple back then, consisting only of eating, sleeping, and hiking with Elijah to assist hikers or

    check for safety concerns.

    Such peaceful moments had been rare in his life.

    When he was appointed president of the Beckett Group, he¡¯d make a hefty annual donation to the park,

    which was unknown to most except for himself and Elijah.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, did you catch Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding? Wow! Madam was incredible!¡± Xavier gushed with

    admiration. ¡°How did shee up with the idea of using ck roses as decorations? I¡¯m surprised

    Adal

    agreed to it!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes narrowed as he whispered, ¡°That¡¯s because Alyssa is no ordinary woman. That little

    muffin

    always has a solution for everything.¡±

    That prompted Xavier to widen his eyes and stare at Jasper agape. Had he misheard? His boss had

    called Madam a little muffin.

    That was a rather abrupt departure from Jasper¡¯s usual stoic manner, revealing his more affectionate

    side.

    As a result of Jasper and Newton¡¯s involvement, Simon Lynch¡¯s appointment to the Director of Legal

    Affairs position had been aborted.

    Simon, whose life was smooth sailing, tasted defeat for the first time. He took a month off traveling in

    Sedona for some headspace be oreing home.

    At home, he bumped into Sean, who had waited for that moment for one week.

    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Ms. Alyssa¡¯s loyalbrador,¡± Simon remarked with a hint of mockery. ¡°What brings

    you

    back home? I thought you¡¯d be working your ass off for her.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to inform me?¡± Sean confronted him, ignoring the taunt.

    ¡°Sean, is this how you talk to your brother?¡± Simon was on the verge of exploding in anger, having

    bottled

    up his emotions for a while.

    *You assisted Sophia Kirkmanst time, and now you¡¯ve taken on Betty Beckett as yourtest client.

    Your

    work ethic is certainly something, taking on all the dirty jobs you can.¡± Sean clenched his fists and

    sneered.

    ¡°Sean Lynch!¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s your goal to be the pride of the family by reaching heights in your career, but you shouldn¡¯t

    have achieved your goals by betrayal!¡± Sean growled in fury, ¡°We wouldn¡¯t be where we are today

    without

    the Taylors. You¡¯re heartless for helping the Becketts go against Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    ¡°Heartless? I¡¯m doing it for the sake of our family!¡± Feeling aggrieved, Simon did not think he was in the

    wrong.

    He argued, ¡°Do we have to work under the Taylors after they helped us that once? That¡¯s ridiculous!

    You made your choice to serve Alyssa, but Steven and I have greater ambitions. Not everyone dreams

    of

    marrying into a rich family!¡±

    Sean could not take it anymore and punched Simon¡¯s face. It marked the first time in 28 years that he

    resorted to physical violence against his brother.

    Once, Simon had been a source of pride for Sean, but now he had be nothing short of an

    embarrassment.

    Simon furiously returned the punch, leaving the household servants in shock as the two brothers

    engaged

    in a fight right there in the living room.

    Sadly for Simon, he proved no match for Sean, a Taekwondo ck belt holder who stood tall at six feet

    two inches. Before long, Simon found himself thrown to the floor and crushed by his younger brother.

    ¡°Sean, stop it!¡±

    Their parents and Steven happened toe down from the second floor and were taken aback by the

    scene.

 Chapter 496

    Steven reacted swiftly, pulling Sean away from Simon and embracing him from behind to restrain him.

    He

    scolded Sean, ¡°Are you out of your mind? How could you attack Simon like that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he is fucking crazy!¡± Simon got up from the ground, pressing against his face. ¡°He¡¯s about to

    abandon his family for that Taylor chick!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not the monster here. You are!¡± Sean spat out in anger.

    ¡°Enough! Shut up, the two of you!¡± Spencer yelled back at his sons while holding his wife, Sinead

    Everton.

    Sinead was deeply concerned, as she had never seen her sons in such a state before.

    Steven positioned himself between his two brothers, acting as a mediator, fearing that they might start

    fighting again.

    He reasoned, ¡°Sean, I heard that Simon took on the Becketts¡¯ legal case. You shouldn¡¯t me him.

    He¡¯s

    just doing his job.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m staying out tonight,¡± Sean dered, storming out of the house with a bruised face.

    ¡°Sean, where are you going?¡± Sinead called after him, her voice filled with worry.

    ¡°Where else can he go? He¡¯s rushing back to be with his beloved Ms. Alyssa!¡± Simon hurled hurtful

    comments at Sean, as there were no outsiders present. He retaliated, feeling humiliated like never

    before.

    Simon sneered, ¡°I wonder if Ms. Alyssa can sleep peacefully tonight without Sean.¡±

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You jerk! I won¡¯t let you speak about her that way!¡± Sean¡¯s eyes burned with hatred as he cracked his

    knuckles. He would have attacked Simon if Steven hadn¡¯t held him back.

    ¡°Simon, show Alyssa some respect!¡± Spencer could take it no more and stood between the brothers to

    exert pressure. ¡°No one is leaving home tonight. Go to the study! Steven, fetch the cane. We¡¯ll handle

    this

    ording to our family rules.¡±

    Spencer¡¯s sudden decision took Simon and Sean aback, while Steven reluctantly obeyed his father¡¯s

    Sinead had wanted to talk Spencer out of it, but she had never seeded in doing so. Instead, she

    sighed and moaned as she stood next to him.

    ¡°Sean, did you make the first move?¡± Spencer scowled and questioned sternly.

    ¡°Yes, Dad.¡±

    ¡°Apologize to your brother now!¡±

    Sean clenched his fists tightly as his blood bolled. Still seething, he replied, ¡°Dad, I will take your

    punishment for my action, but I will never apologize to him. I¡¯ll hit him every time he disrespects Alyssa

    until he learns.¡±

    ¡°Sean!¡± Spencer was taken aback by his youngest son¡¯s fierce defense of Alyssa, even turning against

    his

    family for it. Spencer was left feeling disheartened.

    Just then, the butler hurried over. ¡°Mr. Lynch, Mr. Taylor¡¯s secretary is here!¡±

    The family members set aside their arguments, surprised by Winston¡¯s secretary¡¯s unexpected arrival.

    Neil Benton entered the room with a smile but quickly sensed the tension in the air. He pieced things.

    together when he noticed the injuries on Simon and Sean¡¯s faces.

    Still, he did his job and conveyed his message, ¡°Mr. Lynch, Mr. Taylor has invited you and your family to

    dinner at Heightsnew Vi. He¡¯s hoping you can join. It¡¯s been a while since hest saw your two other

    sons. Since you¡¯re all in Belbanks, he thought it would be a good opportunity for a get-together.¡±

    ¡°Understood. Thank you foring to inform us. We¡¯ll be there on time!¡± Spencer responded

    courteously.

    After Neil left, a somber atmosphere settled over the family.

    ¡°I won¡¯t join,¡± Simon protested, turning away. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted from the trip. I need to rest.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Spencer retorted sharply. ¡°Who do you think you are, declining an invitation from Winston Taylor?

    You¡¯ll attend, even if you have to limp there!¡±

 Chapter 497

    Ada Kingsley¡¯s wedding wrapped up amid praises. Alyssa emerged victorious from the wedding,

    garnering both reputation and profit. She had sessfully turned the failing KS World Hotel business

    around and returned it to its glory.

    Within half a year, she hadpleted Winston¡¯s mission for her and more. The first thing she wanted

    was, of course, to get her reward from Winston in Belbanks!

    That evening, she picked up Tatiana from school. They sat in her Dark Emerald Rolls-Royce, chatting

    and

    fooling around merrily as the car headed to Belbanks.

    ¡°Lyse, I never thought that you were the renowned jewelry designer Alexa!¡± Tatiana pped her hands,

    her

    cheeks flushed from the excitement.

    ¡°Okay, stop. I know what you will say. You¡¯re going to profess your admiration for me again, aren¡¯t

    you?¡± joked Alyssa. She flicked her hair and lifted her chin. ¡°You don¡¯t have to. I¡¯m sick of all those

    ¡°T-That¡¯s not okay!¡± Tatian shook her head furiously. ¡°Alexa¡¯s jewelry is for global superstars. Why don¡¯t

    you gift Miley a piece of jewelry instead? Dad and Mom told me that Jeremy will be Kontina¡¯s president

    soon. You¡¯ll be proud to have the First Lady wear your designs!¡±

    ¡°Pfft. People might see Alexa as a famous designer, but I am just me in my family¡¯s eyes.¡± Alyssa

    proudly lifted her brows and wrapped an arm around Tatiana¡¯s waist.

    She remarked, ¡°You can finally show off your sister, Alexa, at school. Your schoolmates sure would

    want to suck up to you. It¡¯s their pride to be acquainted with you.¡±

    That reminded Tatiana of the rumors about her on campus and Tyler Crowley¡¯s troublemaking. Her

    eyes brimmed with tears, but she pushed herself to smile and maintain tightly sealed lips.

    Alyssa sighed. ¡°Speaking of which, I miss Miley a lot.¡±

    The sisters leaned against each other. Alyssa¡¯s eyes glimmered. ¡°I wonder if Jeremy¡¯s treating Miley

    nicely. I¡¯ll tear him into pieces if he¡¯s mean to her.¡±

    ¡°I bet Jonah, Ss, Liam, Axel, and even Dad would teach him a lesson before you get to it,¡± Tatiana

    rapped with a grin.

    She was right. Bet Jeremy was sensible enough not tond himself in hot water.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Lyse, why isn¡¯t S-Sean with you?¡± Tatiana finally inquired after searching for Sean when she

    entered the car.

    ¡°He¡¯s pretty tiredtely, so I gave him time off,¡± replied Alyssa emotionlessly.

    Alyssa¡¯s car rolled past the gates of Heightsnew Vi. The sisters Immediately found Spencer, Sinead,

    and their three sons walking toward them when they disembarked.

    Alyssa seemed slightly taken aback, as she hadn¡¯t been informed about Winston¡¯s guests. She quickly

    regained herposure.

    Simon¡¯s eyes were spitting fire when he spotted Alyssa. He would have cussed her out if he opened his

    mouth.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa,¡± Sean croaked. He took a step forward but was reminded of Alyssa¡¯s warning that day.

    Despite his eagerness to get closer, he distanced himself from her.

    Alyssa carelessly swept her eyes past him. His tall figure stood in front of her helplessly. Shoulders

    slumped, he bit his pale lips like a pitiful, homeless puppy.

    Nevertheless, she decided not to raise his false hopes, for that would only hurt him.

 Chapter 498

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, it¡¯s been a while!¡± Spencer led Sinead over to greet Alyssa.

    ¡°Uncle Spencer, just call me Lyse like you did when I was a kid,¡± replied Alyssa warmly. Despite being

    the

    Taylor family¡¯s daughter, she did not put on any airs.

    ¡°That was a long time ago. You are in management, and you¡¯re Sean¡¯s boss! Things are different now,¡±

    Spencer remarked.

    He knew about Alyssa¡¯s fame and the likelihood that Winston would groom Alyssa to be his sessor.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Therefore, he was extra cautious in his exchange with Alyssa.

    However, Simon scoffed at his dad¡¯s humble manner, which he found shameful.

    Why did the Lynches always have to lower themselves in front of the Taylors?

    Sessful men did not alwayse from blue-blooded, wealthy families.

    Alyssa let Spencer be, seeing that thetter insisted on courtesy. Meanwhile, Sinead silently studied

    the

    two Taylor sisters.

    She was amazed by Alyssa¡¯s beauty. As a child, Alyssa resembled a delicate porcin doll. She had

    since grown up to be a dazzling beauty. With one look, anyone would fall for her.

    No wonder Sean would lose sleep over Alyssa. Sinead felt sorry for her son.

    Besides, the social standing of the Lynches was lower than that of the Taylors. They might be a

    schrly family, but the Taylors were the most wealthy family in Belbanks. Therefore, Alyssa was out of

    Sean¡¯s

    league.

    She switched her attention to Tatiana, who was well-raised and quiet.

    ¡°M-Mrs. Lynch! How do you do?¡± Tatiana hurriedly greeted the mother of her crush. Her heart raced,

    and

    her cheeks reddened in nervousness. 1

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Ms. Tatiana,¡± replied Sinead. If Sean insisted on marrying a Taylor, Tatiana was the next best

    option. The youngdy was obedient, sensible, and gentle. Her being the daughter of Winston¡¯s third

    wife

    was the only w.

    Alyssa and Tatiana were both Winston¡¯s daughters, but Tatiana¡¯s mom, L, did not officially register

    her marriage to Winston. Sinead assumed that L wasn¡¯t the favorite wife in the family with that weak

    daughter.

    Upon second thought, Sinead believed Sean would lose out by marrying Tana.

    Tatiana furtively nced at her crush with a thumping heart. However, she felt a shot of pain after

    taking

    one look.

    Sean only had Alyssa in his eyes from the very beginning. She knew the passionate look in his eyes

    too

    well, for she had cast the same look at him in the past seven years.

    Heightsnew Vi was filled with merriment today. Only Jonah was absent because he was on a

    business

    trip.

    Ss and Cyrus, the two civil servants, surprisingly showed up at the asion.

    The dinner kicked off on a high note. Winston and Spencer, old friends of simr age, had plenty to

    catch up on. Meanwhile, Sinead thoroughly enjoyed her conversation with Winston¡¯s three wives.

    In contrast, an air of unease hung around their sons. A policeman, prosecutor, judge, attorney, and

    Alyssa, the intiff, gathered at the other end of the table, resembling a day in court.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, I heard yourw firm in Sna City is doing well,¡± jeered Ss, who swirled the contents of

    his wine ss. ¡°In thest two years, we prosecutors have seen you taking on multiple high-profile

    cases, representing the defendants.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s my job as an attorney.¡±

 Chapter 499

    Simon remarked with an amused expression, ¡°I will do my best to win the case if the defendant seeks

    my help and gives me their trust.¡±

    ¡°I found something interesting.¡± chirped Cyrus, who crossed his legs and examined Simon in the

    manner

    he¡¯d observe a suspect. ¡°Your clientele appears to be quite rich. I assume you have your standards for

    selecting your clients.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the case. I might be the person in charge of ourw firm, but I don¡¯t own the firm. I need to

    pay

    my two shareholders and the ten or so attorneys working under me. Look, I don¡¯t have a choice.¡±

    Simon

    ended his sentence with a troubled sigh.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Ss, Cyrus, and Alyssa almost barfed at Simon¡¯s hypocritical exnation. How could Simon and

    Sean.

    turn out so differently when they were both Spencer Lynch¡¯s sons?

    ¡°Simon is a top attorney in Sna City. He¡¯s also a famous name across the country,¡± Sean broke his

    silence and snickered.

    He continued, ¡°Two million dors-that was the lowest amount in legal fees you were paid this year

    among all your cases. The highest was 15 million dors. Those figures were only one source of your

    ie, not including themission fees from your attorneys.¡±

    The dining hall fell into an awkward silence. Winston and Spencer stopped talking and cast their

    nces

    at the children

    ¡°Sean, my firm¡¯s financial details and ie are private matters. It¡¯s inappropriate to reveal them at

    this

    dinner, chided Simon. As he spoke, he identally pulled the wound on his cheek that he had covered

    up with foundation.

    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to prove that you, Simon Lynch, do not need money. You have enough savings for a

    lifetime and more,¡± Sean retorted with a chuckle, his eyes aze with anger. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why

    you¡¯d take the Becketts¡¯ case and go against Ms. Alyssa when money is not an issue for you.¡±

    Everyone gaped at Sean¡¯s attack against his sibling. He had exposed Simon¡¯s hypocrisy. Would the

    two

    turn into enemies?

    Alyssa, who had not taken a look at Sean that night, cast a stoic nce at him. She knew Sean was

    standing up for her, but she neither wanted nor needed him to do so.

    ¡°Sean, you shouldn¡¯t act out at this time! Let¡¯s talk when we¡¯re at home,¡± urged Steven, who tugged at

    Sean¡¯s hand beneath the table while sweating nervously.

    However, Sean did not intend to go easy on Simon, judging from the steely expression on his face.

    Meanwhile, Simon had lost hisposure, and his face contorted into a pale scowl.

    ¡°Sean, watch your mouth!¡± Spencer hissed at his youngest before smiling apologetically at Winston.

    Forgive me, Mr. Taylor. I didn¡¯t teach my boys well. Sorry for that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t fret about it.¡± Winston calmly smiled. ¡°I watched Sean grow up. He worked under Jonah before

    helping out Lyse. He¡¯s a capable and principled young man.

    ¡°I have always liked Sean, and I consider him a godson. I¡¯m not bothered by that minor slip because I

    know his character.¡±

    Godson? Winston¡¯s careless remark elevated Sean¡¯s standing while undermining Simon¡¯s.

 Chapter 500

    Sean had always looked down on his ¡°useless¡± brother, feeling aghast at Sean¡¯sck of ambition. How

    could one be content ving away as Alyssa¡¯s secretary?

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Hence, Simon was taken aback when Winston confessed that he considered Sean his godson. It was

    the Belbanks tycoon¡¯s subtle way of aligning with Sean.

    What angered Simon the most was the undertone of Winston¡¯s praises for Sean, which insinuated that

    Simon did not exhibit simr qualities.

    The Taylor siblings had different looks on their faces. Alyssa grinned and almost burst outughing at

    Winston¡¯s clever maneuver.

    Simon probably hadn¡¯t anticipated this dinner would turn into a trap.

    ¡°M-Mr. Taylor, you¡¯re ttering us!¡±

    Spencer and Sinead were overjoyed by Winston¡¯s words.

    Still, Spencer waved his hand humbly and added, ¡°My youngest isn¡¯t good enough to be your godson.

    He¡¯ll simply keep his head down and work at KS Group. We don¡¯t expect more than that!¡±

    ¡°Spencer, we¡¯ve known each other for years. I don¡¯t put on an act around you. I wouldn¡¯t praise Sean if

    he weren¡¯t amendable young man,¡± Winston replied.

    The more heplimented Sean, the more he appeared to be admonishing Simon.

    Simon curled his fists under the table as he seethed. He had wanted to find an excuse to leave when

    Winston said, ¡°Lyse, tell Jonah this when you meet him the next time.¡±

    ¡°What is it, Dad?¡± Alyssa rested her cheek in her hand and cooed.

    ¡°I have approved his proposal to purchase Evergreen Capital. He can kickstart the n at any time

    now.¡±

    Simon felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Evergreen Capital was thergest shareholder backing

    hisw firm. The acquisition meant that Simon¡¯sw firm would fall under Winston¡¯s control.

    He finally saw the dinner as what it was. He gritted his teeth in resentment, sweat beading on his

    forehead.

    He dared not meet Winston and Alyssa¡¯s eyes, but he knew they were sending him piercing looks.

    Winston had nned this gathering under the pretext of reuniting with old friends, but his true intention

    was far from that. He wanted to teach Simon a lesson and avenge Alyssa.

    It was time for Simon to understand the consequences of working against his precious daughter.

    After dinner, the Lynches stayed put and chatted in the living room.

    After not seeing each other for a while, Alyssa had endless topics to chat with her two brothers.

    Ss and Steven both worked in the judiciary system and were familiar with each other. The four of

    them gathered and yed the ¡°Halli Galli¡± card game.

    In the heat of the moment, Alyssa identally knocked the wine ss off the table. The red wine

    sshed across her body, trickling down her shin and onto her feet.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a hand here!¡± Ss immediately searched for napkins.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help!¡± Cyrus frantically looked for anything that could serve as a napkin.

    ¡°Um, I guess I¡¯ll help too?¡± Steven felt it was only appropriate if he joined the two panicked brothers as

    well.

    Just as the three men were fighting to be of service to Alyssa, a towering figure showed up and went

    down on one knee in front of her.

    Alyssa gazed down at her feet in astonishment, her eyes wavering. Sean had swiftlye to her side,

    producing a handkerchief he always carried on him.

    He gently lifted her delicate feet with one hand and patiently wiped away the wine with another.

    In a hurry, she tried removing her feet. However, Sean did not care about that and remained focused

    on cleaning her feet.

    He didn¡¯t seem to consider his action weird. He made it appear as though it was part and parcel of his

    job as her secretary.

    The people around were stunned by the scene. Tatiana had been leaning against L and chatting

    when her heart sank upon witnessing the sight.

    Quivering with anger and a sense of heartache, Tatiana furrowed her brow.

    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m not feeling well. I think I¡¯ll rest for a bit,¡± Tatiana informed L. She swiftly escaped from the

    living room, lowering her head to conceal her teary eyes behind her flowing hair.

    ¡°Taty? Taty!¡± L called out to her daughter with concern. The more she did that, the faster Tatiana ran.

    Alyssa grew flustered when Sean proceeded to clean her legs after wiping her feet. She moved her

    legs

    He looked up at her with shimmering eyes.

    Staring coldly at her loyal secretary, she sighed woefully and whispered, ¡°You¡¯re Mr. Lynch tonight, not

    my secretary. Even if you were acting as my secretary, there was no need to go to such lengths.¡±

    With that, she left Sean behind amidst the watchful eyes of everyone present.

 Chapter 501

    Alyssa went to the bathroom to wash up before changing into a new set of clothes. After that, she went

    out for a stroll to clear her mind.

    She recalled when Sean knelt before her, delicately wiping spilled wine from her feet before everyone.

    It

    left her with a strong sense of difort.

    Yes, he had always been kind to her, but she could no longer tolerate his kindness after that passion-

    filled

    embrace.

    They had been childhood friends, and over the years, she had only seen him as a friend whoter

    became

    a subordinate.

    And him? He had taken her as a potential lover or possibly his childhood crush.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t tolerate it.

    She sighed, frustrated.

    Just then, she noticed Sean standing in the distance, looking unnaturally pale and tense.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa,¡± he called out weakly.

    ¡°Sean? What are you doing here?¡± Alyssa asked, surprised.

    Sean swallowed nervously and slowly walked up to her. ¡°I came to check up on you. I was worried.¡±

    ¡°Sean ¡­¡±

    ¡°A week has passed, Ms. Alyssa. Why haven¡¯t you summoned me back to your side?¡± he asked

    hoarsely.

    ¡°Because I¡¯m waiting for you to let this go.¡± Alyssa leaned against the wall, meeting his soft gaze.

    ¡°Have

    you made up your mind this past week, Sean?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I like you, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Sean said gently, his voice shaking. ¡°You can hate me and despise me all

    you want, but you can¡¯t stop me from feeling this way for you.

    ¡°I never asked for reciprocation. I wouldn¡¯t dream of it. I just don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything wrong with

    having feelings for you, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes narrowed just the slightest.

    ¡°But that¡¯s all I¡¯ve allowed myself to feel for you. I know any more than that would be beyond all

    respectable boundaries.¡± Sean tried his best to smile encouragingly.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with your feelings, Sean. I just can¡¯t ept them.¡± Alyssa met with his smile

    bitterly.

    If having feelings and facing rejection were criminal acts, she should have been condemned to the

    harshest punishment for loving Jasper and ultimately being discarded.

    The person I am today has lost all faith in love. I don¡¯t dare to give love a second chance and have no

    interest whatsoever. Unreciprocated love can kill you slowly, Sean. You should find someone who can

    love you the same way you love them.¡±

    Though Alyssa had suffered at a man¡¯s hands, she remained kind to Sean.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find someone who loves you truly, just as much as you love them, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Sean

    croaked out, his eyes reddening.

    ¡°I won¡¯t make the same mistakes again.¡± Alyssa waved her handnguidly. ¡°I have loved, and I have

    lost.

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    All I want to do now is make lots of money and be single forever!¡±

    ¡°Does¡­ Does that mean I can work by your side again?¡± Sean asked awkwardly. ¡°I¡­ I feel like a fallen

    log

    ready to sprout mushrooms after a week of no work.¡±

    ¡°Oh, of course you can! Wee back to your queen¡¯s side, dear knight,¡± Alyssa teased and extended

    her

    hand out to him.

    Sean beamed. He respectfully held her hand and gently kissed her knuckles. ¡°It is my honor to serve

    you till the end of my days, my queen.¡±

    Their eyes met, filled with a shared understanding and joy.

 Chapter 502

    In a corner around this hallway was Tatiana, her eyes brimming with shock and sadness. She felt as if

    invisible des were thrusting into her heart as she observed the scene before her.

    She had thought that she had already epted the fact that Sean loved her sister.

    Yet tonight¡¯s events proved to be unbearably painful for her, shaking her to her core. Tears streamed

    from

    her eyes as she cupped her mouth to silence her sobs.

    Not wanting to disturb the two, she turned and ran away.

    Her love for Sean could only be transmuted into sheer pain right now. There was nothing more

    devastating than to willingly let him go.

    ¡°By the way, what has been up to you tonight?¡± Alyssa asked, gently knocking on Sean¡¯s temple.

    ¡°We¡¯re not

    ying Werewolf here. You don¡¯t need to be so hostile.

    ¡°Simon¡¯s still your brother, and your parents are present tonight, too. You can¡¯t always take my side.

    You

    need to have your own stance, too. How else would you be able to show yourself at home?¡±

    Sean was determined, however. ¡°Your side is my side, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. You¡¯re a pretty good god brother, knowing how to care for me!¡± Alyssa teased, her eyes forming

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    crescent-shaped slits.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Sean hurriedly shook his head. ¡°That was because Mr. Taylor was trying to pressure

    Simon, nothing else! I would never assume to-¡±

    ¡°Oh, you have no idea what Winston is capable of. His tongue may be loose at times, but he never just

    puts up an act to lie. If he said it, then he means it. He¡¯s not the type to use you like that, anyway.

    ¡°Plus, Dad can easily care for Simon if he wants to. He was just trying to keep our families¡¯ rtionship

    intact.¡± Alyssa grinned, patting Sean¡¯s shoulder.

    She added, ¡°No pressure, though. Better godson than born out of wedlock, am I right?¡±

    Sean just about choked on his own spit at that.

    Tatiana staggered through the halls, her steps unsteady. She had had a lot to drink tonight. The

    combination of alcohol and tears blurred her vision, making it difficult to see.

    Her legs grew weak, and her thoughts began to unravel at the edges. She came perilously close to

    She cursed silently. Was she actually getting lost in her own home?

    ¡°Sean¡­ Sean¡­¡± Tatiana whimpered, her breathing picking up.

    ¡°Ouch!¡±

    She suddenly came face to face with a wall, mming nose-first into it. Her nose had hurt so bad that

    more tears fell out of her eyes.

    Just as Tatiana was about to fall back, the wall she mmed into curled an arm around her waist,

    catching her. She fell right into the man¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Be careful, Ms. Tatiana.¡±

    She could vaguely see the man before her through her blurry vision. He looked quite like Sean.

    Her heart pounded in her chest. ¡°¡­ Sean ¡­¡±

    ¡°No, Ms. Tatiana. I¡¯m not Sean. I¡¯m Simon, his elder brother,¡± Simon said, an amused curl on his lips.

 Chapter 503

    ¡°You¡¯re not Sean. Let go of me,¡± Tatiana stammered, her face reddening with embarrassment as she

    attempted to free herself from Simon¡¯s grasp. However, she could barely exert any energy with how

    weak

    she was.

    ¡°Oh? Only Sean can hold you, then? Do you fancy him?¡± Simon teased, gazing at her flushed, delicate

    face. The urge to mess with her grew the more she struggled in her arms.

    Tatiana really took after her mother, L.

    Like any other man, Simon¡¯s instincts beckoned for something carnal in response.

    ¡°N-No!¡± Tatiana cried, and her face grew even redder.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t mind if I take you back to your room.¡±

    Simon¡¯s hold on her waist did not lessen in the slightest.

    ¡°No, thank you. I can go myself.¡±

    ¡°Aw, don¡¯t push yourself.¡±

    Simon leaned in so close that they were inches away from kissing, but Tatiana¡¯s hands on his chest

    pushed him back.

    He continued, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other since we were young. You can just call me Simon.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Tatiana!¡±

    An abrupt cry jerked Tatiana awake.

    If it weren¡¯t for Sean¡¯s arrival, Simon might have actually kissed her!

    Simon cursed inwardly at Sean. He then quickly put on a serious face and turned to his brother.

    ¡°Ms. Tatiana, what are you doing with my brother?¡± Sean asked, eyes burning with worry.

    He saw how close the two were holding one another earlier. It even looked like Simon was about to

    kiss her, and Tatiana did not fight back at all. The thought made something clench in Sean¡¯s chest and

    throat.

    Tatiana wiped her misty eyes, heart pounding in her chest.

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    *Please answer me, Ms. Tatiana!¡± Sean implored worriedly.

    Simon quickly stood in front of Tatiana, saying sternly, ¡°Ms. Tatiana has had too much to drink. I was

    only

    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s all you were doing?¡± Sean gritted out. He knew the gaze in his brother¡¯s eyes

    earlier. It was not at all pure of heart.

    ¡°What are you saying, Sean? Do you take me for some defiler?¡±

    Simon scowled, as if he was the victim here.

    Simon pressed on, ¡°I¡¯m awyer. I know thew. Plus, this is Ms. Tatiana¡¯s home. All her family

    members are here. What could I have possibly done? Unlike you, who¡¯s now Mr. Taylor¡¯s ¡®godson.¡¯

    ¡°His most beloved daughter also favors you. Of course you can do whatever you please. Surely, I can

    take

    care of Ms. Tatiana while you ve away to Ms. Alyssa, alright?¡±

    Simon then turned around to look at Tatiana.

    All that was on Sean¡¯s mind right now was how much he wanted to punch Simon. He couldn¡¯t even

    bring

    himself to call him his brother.

    ¡°S-Simon¡­¡± Tatiana said sheepishly, not wanting the two to fight. ¡°I¡¯m okay now. I¡¯m sober. Let¡¯s go

    back

    out to the living room.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll escort you.¡±

    When the two were about to leave, Sean went up to grab Tatiana by the wrist.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± She winced at his tight grip.

    ¡°Come with me,¡± Sean insisted. He then wrapped an arm around her shoulder, forcing her toe

    along.

    Tatiana was still feeling upset. This was her home, yet here she was, sullen and quiet as she followed

    Sean to who-knows-where.

    She didn¡¯t want to, yet she couldn¡¯t stop her feelings from blossoming.

    What could she do?

    She adored Sean so much.

    Simon silently watched the two leave, never making another move.

 Chapter 504

    Simon wasn¡¯t going to humiliate himself all for a woman.

    As he watched Sean and Tatiana¡¯s figures fade into the distance, he recalled how furious Sean had

    looked when he snatched her away.

    Suddenly realizing something, a cunning grin rose on Simon¡¯s face. ¡°If you can be Winston¡¯s godson,

    why

    can¡¯t I be his son-inw?¡±

    Sean brought Tatiana back to her room, mming the door behind them.

    She moaned weakly before copsing on the couch. The earliermotion had swiftly shattered her

    sobriety.

    Upon witnessing her profound difort, Sean¡¯s initial upset rapidly faded away.

    ¡°You know you can¡¯t drink that much. Why did you do it anyway?¡±

    He sighed and shook his head, quickly filling up a ss of water for her. ¡°Here, drink this.¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t want.¡± Tatiana turned away from him. ¡°Go away. I want to be alone.¡±

    ¡°At least sleep on the bed. You¡¯ll catch a cold here.¡±

    ¡°I said go away! Why don¡¯t you go bother Alyssa instead?¡± Tatiana shouted, curled up into a ball.

    Sean¡¯s heart throbbed with pain.

    He then pulled Tatiana up into his arms and carried her into her bedroom.

    ¡°Argh! Let me go, Sean!¡± Tatiana cried, her heart beginning to pound. Her velvet slippers fell away as

    she

    struggled in his arms, revealing her bare feet.

    The moment Sean noticed them, he immediately felt like he was doing something forbidden. His

    heartbeat grew erratic, and his throat dry.

    He quickly set Tatiana down on her bed and tucked her in, ¡°Rest well, Ms. Tatiana. Good night.¡±

    Tatiana drunkenly watched him move away. She swiftly grabbed his hand before he could leave.

    With a sudden surge of strength, she managed to pull him down onto her. Just like that, Sean fell t

    onto

    her, their lips touching.

    ¡°Mm¡­¡± Tatiana moaned weakly, toes curling in response.

    Sean¡¯s eyes widened at the touch, with an increased blood flow surging through his body in an instant.

    He thought that Tatiana tasted so sweet-just like cotton candy.

    Tatiana wrapped her arms around his neck as her awareness faded, gently kissing and sucking on his

    lips.

    Their kiss deepened.

    The crescent moon outside seemed to watch on approvingly as the minutes went on.

    The evening ended in an unceremonious tone due to Simon¡¯s presence. The Lynch family had driven

    over

    via three separate vehicles.

    Before they left, Spencer said crossly, ¡°Sit with me, Simon. We need to talk. Sean, go with your

    mother.¡±

    Simon pursed his lips but did not refute.

    Sean, meanwhile, sat in the backseat of their car with his mother while Steven sat in the front

    passenger

    seat.

    Sinead noticed the flush on Sean¡¯s face and his uneven breathing. Worried, she asked, ¡°Are you

    alright,

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    dear? Do you have a fever?¡±

    ¡°Hm? What did you say, Mom?¡± Sean asked, distracted. He still hadn¡¯t recovered from that kiss earlier.

    ¡°Your face is so red, dude.¡± Steven looked at his brother from the rearview mirror. ¡°You know, my face

    was exactly that color when I had my first kiss.¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Sean scowled, blushing further. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Mom. I¡¯m alright.¡±

 Chapter 505

    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ll be here tomorrow morning to fetch Ms. Alyssa and drive her back to Sna City. It¡¯s

    time I

    get back to work.¡±

    Sinead thought back to when her beloved youngest son knelt to clean Alyssa¡¯s feet. She wrinkled her

    nose, saying, ¡°You were doing just fine by Mr. Jonah¡¯s side, Sean. He¡¯s KS World¡¯s CEO, after all.

    ¡°Why are you going back to Ms. Alyssa¡¯s side now? What kind of future would that hold for you?

    Winston

    will want to pass his family business onto his sons one day, not his daughter.¡±

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you read the news, Mom? Ms. Alyssa¡¯s been taking Sna City by storm,¡± Steven cut in

    excitedly.

    He continued, ¡°Theizens are even calling her ¡®Queen of Pseudonyms¡¯ now. By the looks of it, she¡¯s

    nearly as capable as her brother, Jonah.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because she has her father to help her!¡± Sinead said, still upset.

    Sean held his mother¡¯s hand and said earnestly, ¡°Mom, Ms. Alyssa is very generous and kind to me.

    She

    needs me. And as long as she still needs me, I¡¯ll always be there by her side¡­ until she decides

    otherwise

    someday.¡±

    Sinead was astounded and felt as though she had been neglected or had slipped from importance to a

    child who was now wholly engrossed with their fianc¨¦e.

    Spencer gazed incredulously at his younger brother. Sean had basically confessed his love to Alyssa

    Taylor.

    *Sean, does Alyssa return your affection?¡± Sinead asked, still worried about her son. She felt like

    Alyssa

    might have seduced him into whatever this was. She didn¡¯t want her pride and joy to go to waste like

    this!

    Sinead added, ¡°Look at what Alyssa made you do! Just because we owe it to the Taylor family didn¡¯t

    mean they could just treat you like you were subservient!¡±

    Sean hugged his mother, seeing the tears in her eyes. ¡°You overthink, Mom. Ms. Alyssa truly is kind to

    me. She never demands or orders me around. I do what I do of my own volition.¡±

    Meanwhile, the atmosphere was getting heavy and dense in the other car.

    ¡°Stay out of the Taylor family¡¯s way from now on!¡± Spencer reprimanded sternly.

    Spencer continued, ¡°Do you not remember what I¡¯ve always taught you? Never forget those who have

    ¡°Besides, your worth is already more than millions! Why do you still need to go work with the

    Beckett

    family and turn against the Taylors?¡±

    ¡°I did nothing wrong! The Taylor family is the one who¡¯s pushing my limits!¡± Simon gritted out, feeling

    contempt at the humiliation he had suffered earlier tonight.

    Simon added, ¡°Alyssa must have told her father about this. That¡¯s why he bought out Evergreen Capital

    and took control of my firm!

    ¡°I refuse to let her get the best of me! I¡¯m going to make her regret it if it¡¯s thest thing I do!¡±

    ¡°When will you wake up from this delusion of yours?¡± Spencer angrily pped Simon across his cheek.

    Spencer asserted, ¡°Listen and do as I say. I am your father. I.won¡¯t let you down! Do you think you can

    manipte the Taylors like the Beckett family? They¡¯re more close-knit than you can imagine.

    ¡°I know that better than anyone else! Trying to attack one of them is waging war with their entire family.

    You¡¯ll lose everything you have!¡±

    But Simon was still adamant. In the end, all Spencer could say was, ¡°I¡¯m warning you, you can go dig

    your

    grave all you like, but keep our family out of this!¡±

    After clearing things up with Alyssa, Sean returned to work by her side. Though his first love had to end

    so

    abruptly and sadly, it was still an end to something he had been holding on for years.

    What remained on his mind was that kiss from that night in Tatiana¡¯s bedroom.

    ¡°Sean. Sean? The eggs are burning!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s yell jerked him back to the present.

    Smoke billowed from the grayish-looking lumps in the pan before him.

    ¡°Shit!¡± He quickly switched off the stove and tossed the pan in the sink before turning on the tap.

    ¡°What is up with you? You¡¯ve been so distractedtely.¡± Alyssa hurriedly came over to see if he had

    suffered any burns.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Alyssa. I haven¡¯t slept very well these past few days. Please, let me make another

    omelet for you.¡±

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    Sean was about to scrub the ckened pan when Alyssa stopped him.

    ¡°No need. We¡¯re running out of time. Let¡¯s just grab breakfast at a caf¨¦ outside. I need you to drive me

    to

    Crater Mountain Parkter. I want to go see Mr. Forrest.¡±

 Chapter 506

    Alyssa opted for a mediocre-looking sedan for her drive to the parkter that day with Sean¡¯spany.

    13 years ago, she had nearly lost her life here while searching for her mother¡¯s belongings.

    Supposedly, the memory should still traumatize her, but that trauma wavered in the face of her

    determination to be

    strong.

    Ever since that incident, all that changed was that Alyssa would pay the park a visit every year and hike

    around the area with Elijah Forrest, aiding any trekkers or hikers in peril.

    At first, the park rangers underestimated Alyssa, thinking she would go running back to her parents

    after a

    day¡¯s work and never return.

    To their surprise, Alyssa pushed through every obstacle withoutint, finally leaving a good

    impression in front of everyone.

    Sean looked at her from the rearview mirror. She was d in full hiking gear, with no makeup on her

    skin.

    She had a robust elegance to her, like some determined huntress.

    ¡°I¡¯lle with you on the trek, Ms. Alyssa. It will be dangerous,¡± Sean suggested.

    ¡°You?¡± Alyssa squinted at him. ¡°Did you bring any hiking gear? Have you learned anything about the

    do¡¯s

    and don¡¯ts? Do you know any techniques to keep yourself safe?¡±

    ¡°No, but I did surf before, so I know how to dive!¡± Sean grinned.

    Alyssa scowled. ¡°Are we even on the same frequency here?¡±

    Sean pursed his lips, mumbling, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare stray ¡­¡±

    ¡°What if we get in danger? Are you going to dive into the ocean? Hey, that might not be a bad idea. I¡¯m

    sure some sirens are out there looking for an unfortunate human to be their spouse.¡±

    Sean awkwardly scratched his head, taking that as apliment.

    The car stopped halfway through the park. Beyond the road were forests and mountains as far as the

    eye could see, interspersed with faint mist and fog.

    Sean gaped in awe at the tall, snowy peaks. ¡°Whoa¡­ that is very tall ¡­ It¡¯s massive ¡­¡±

    *Are those the only words thate to mind for you?¡±

    Alyssa shook her head disapprovingly and recited a poem with a hint of nostalgia.

    ¡°I saw the mountains stand,

    Silent, wonderful, and grand;

    Looking out across thend,

    When the golden light was falling,

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    On distant dome and spire¡­¡±

    Sean nodded as if he understood, not daring to question her.

    ¡°Alice!¡±

    The warmth in the voice made Alyssa¡¯s heart blossom. She turned to find Elijah a distance away, being

    supported by Elias.

    ¡°Mr. Forrest,¡± she said gently, her eyes brimming with tears at the sight of her friend looking so ill. He

    had lost a lot of weight, his cheeks caving in on themselves.

    Alyssa went up to hug Elijah, and he met her embrace as if she were his daughter.

    ¡°How have you been?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Never better! I¡¯ve been eating heartily and sleeping just as soundly!¡± Elijah said with a grin.

    Beside him, Elias looked away sadly.

    Alyssa took a deep breath to settle her upset emotions. Being a doctor, she knew what someone with

    an illness like Elijah¡¯s would go through on a daily basis-loss of appetite, weight loss, hair loss. Even

    the most resolute of individuals would discover their determination waning in such circumstances.

    Alyssa shot Sean a look, to which the man nodded. He had found the specialist she needed to treat

    Elijah.

 Chapter 507

    ¡°And who might this be, Alice?¡± Elijah turned to Sean.

    ¡°Oh! He-He¡¯s my cousin.¡± Alyssa quickly made a white lie.

    The park rangers werergely oblivious to how things were transpiring in Sna City, given their focus

    was on the park itself. Naturally, they had no idea of her identity as Alyssa Taylor.

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    ¡°Your family has quite the gics. Even your cousin appears to be a fine man!¡± Elias praised.

    Sean blushed happily. He could ept that instead of ¡°boyfriend¡±.

    ¡°The weather¡¯s been peculiar ofte, Alice. A storm might spring up on us when we least expect it,¡±

    Elijah said worriedly. ¡°I¡¯m truly d you could pay me a visit today, but you don¡¯t need toe up into

    the mountains with us.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. Did you forget? I got amunity award for helping people up there before. They even

    called me a living Mountain Goddess!¡± Alyssa said proudly, thumping her chest.

    ¡°Hahaha! How blessed we are to have two great individuals in our midst!¡± Elijah chuckled fondly.

    Alyssa cocked her head. ¡°Oh? Is there someone else I should know about?¡±

    ¡°Yes! His name is Jasper Beckett, from the Beckett Group!¡± Elias cried excitedly.

    Alyssa and fellow ¡°cousin¡± Sean shot one another a look. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett from the Beckett Group! Isn¡¯t that amazing? What a surprise, right?¡±

    Elias¡¯ eyes were wide with admiration as he waxed on, ¡°I only knew his true identity two years ago.

    You¡¯d never expect a rich, refined man like him would be able to hike so well!

    ¡°When he went up the mountains with Mr. Forrest two years ago, he saved two hikers who got off the

    trail

    due to a thunderstorm. They were calling him the ¡®Mountain God¡¯ at that time!¡±

    F

    ¡°This mountain¡¯s only big enough for one god,¡± Alyssa grumbled to herself.

    ¡°What¡¯s that, Alice?¡± Elijah asked.

    ¡°Oh, no, nothing. I¡¯m just admiring Mr. Jasper¡¯s bravado, is all!¡± Alyssa forced a smile and a thumbs up.

    ¡°Yeah. He really is brave. He evenes by sometimes to join our hikes and donates asionally

    too.¡±

    Elijah bearned at the thought, adding, ¡°I¡¯d love for you two to meet. After all, both of you have made

    significant contributions to our park here, and both adore the hike. I¡¯m sure you two would get along

    very

    The corner of Alyssa¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, really!¡±

    In the end, Sean was left behind while Alyssa went to the start of the trail with Elijah and Elias.

    Alyssa remained distracted throughout their walk, the only thing on her mind being the memory from 13

    years ago when Jasper saved her from the pit she hadnded in.

    Like her, he¡¯d revisited this park all these years.

    Surprisingly, neither of them ever met one another during their visits.

    Alyssa tightened her grip around her backpack, her lips thinning slightly.

    It seemed like they really were never meant to be.

    Any fate between them had run out in that incident 13 years ago, and everything else afterward was

    nothing but a figment of her fervent imagination.

    They soon reached the foot of the mountain.

    Just then, several park rangers ran over to them, yelling, ¡°Mr. Forrest! We just got a signal for help from

    two hikers! One of their friends is still stuck on the mountain. We¡¯re just about to go on a search!¡±

 Chapter 508

    ¡°Lead the way!¡± Elijah said gruffly.

    Elias was concerned for him, however. ¡°But sir, the weather might turn against us any minute, and

    you¡¯re

    already¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, I¡¯m fine!¡±

    ¡°Leave this to Elias and me, Mr. Forrest!¡± Alyssa cried. ¡°I¡¯ve volunteered as a medic in a warzone

    before. If

    this hiker is in any danger, I cane to their aid immediately!¡±

    A look of shock and respect surfaced on Elias¡¯ expression.

    ¡°Well¡­ alright then.¡± Elijah nodded. He gave Alyssa¡¯s hand a firm grab. ¡°We¡¯re counting on you, Alice!¡±

    Jasper drove into Crater Mountain Park on his own. He had swapped for a less-showy-looking SUV, so

    Sean hadn¡¯t noticed his arrival outside the park.

    He soon parked the car and got out.

    ¡°Mr. Forrest? Is that you?¡± He called, dressed in camo for the hike. He looked just like some special

    ops

    team sergeant.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper!¡± Elijah greeted him warmly at the entrance. ¡°The weather is not on our side today. What

    brings you here out of your busy schedule?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s precisely because I¡¯m only going to be busier that I decided to stop by. I won¡¯t be able to for a long

    time.¡± Jasper sighed. ¡°But you can just call me Jasper, sir. Like you used to.¡±

    ¡°That was when you were but an 18-year-old. I can¡¯t keep calling you that now that you¡¯re the head of

    your

    family business. What if you get upset and stop donating to our park?¡± Elijah said jokingly.

    ¡°I would never. I¡¯ve already allocated a fund in my secretary¡¯s name. If something happens to me, he¡¯ll

    continue donating annually to the park on my behalf.¡±

    Elijah didn¡¯t expect this response. He quickly smacked Jasper¡¯s chest, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that! I

    was

    only joking around with you. You¡¯re too serious for your own good.

    *Ah¡­ What a lucky day it is for me today. Both my favorite youngsters are here visiting me. How

    blessed!

    am.¡±

    Elijah teared up slightly after saying that. He knew his time would soon be up, so being able to witness

    a

    ¡°Do you have another visitor?¡± Jasper asked lightly.

    ¡°I do, yes. I wanted to introduce her to you. You two are so alike, joining the patrol and helping hikers

    and

    donating to the park every year.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s curiosity increased upon hearing that. ¡°If they are important to you and share the same

    passions as I do, I wouldn¡¯t mind getting to know them.¡±

    ¡°Too bad. Alice has joined the rest of the patrol!¡±

    When ¡°Alice¡± was mentioned, Jasper was initially puzzled before the realization struck him.

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped violently as a surge of electricity swept through his being, sending him into a

    peculiar state of numbness and shock.

    Secondster, he held Elijah¡¯s arm and asked, ¡°Is herst name White?¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh? Do you know her?¡± Elijah asked, surprised. ¡°Yes, her family name is White. Alice White is her full

 Chapter 509

    Just then, thunder sounded in the skies, followed by a strike of white lightning.

    It seemed to have struck Jasper to the ground, making his entire body numb and fixed to the spot. Only

    his heart remained tossing and turning in turmoil.

    ¡°How long has she been joining you on your hikes, Mr. Forrest?¡± Jasper inquired restrainedly as if he

    were

    suppressing some emotion.

    ¡°For the past three years now, actually.¡±

    The past three years.

    That meant since the start of their marriage.

    Jasper¡¯s heart lurched once again. Bile filled his throat, flooding his senses.

    Alice¡­ Alyssa ¡­

    Jasper came to realize that Alyssa had been keeping that from him all these years, even though they

    were

    doing the same thing.

    While Jasper had his own reasons for his actions, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder about Alyssa¡¯s

    motivations.

    His head throbbed painfully. All these lies and secrets were driving him insane!

    ¡°Oh dear. The rain¡¯s aing.¡± Elijah nced at the gray clouds gathering above the mountains and

    got

    his walkie-talkie out.

    He said, ¡°Elias, it looks like a thunderstorm is on our heels. Please have the team be extra careful

    during

    the patrol, especially Alice! Over.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sir. Over,¡± came Elias¡¯ reply.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s jaw was clenched worriedly. He turned and ran right into the park.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, where are you going?¡± Elijah cried.

    Jasper kept running, with only five words on his mind right now-¡°I need to find her!¡±

    The sky darkened considerably as thunderclouds gathered as far as the eye could see. It felt like the

    sun

    has taken a holiday.

    Blinding strikes of lightning crackled through the sky as the wind picked up, howling in the rangers¡¯

    faces.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± someone cried, ¡°We already warned these hikers about potential thunderstorms! Why did

    they

    still decide to go on a hike?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s just focus on the present, shall we? Our duty as park rangers is to keep the hikers safe no matter

    their personal decisions!¡± Elias yelled through the torrent of rain and wind.

    ¡°Over here, Mr. Parker!¡± Alyssa called, noticing a hiker¡¯s phone caught between some rocks.

    ¡°It must have belonged to that missing hiker! We must be on the right track!¡±

    Elias noticed how fast the weather was turning south. If they continued staying there, they might be the

    ones in danger next.

    He hurriedly instructed, ¡°Split into two formations! Ms. Alice and Team A will go north with me while

    Team B heads west!¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    The raincoat and windbreaker Alyssa had on were nothingpared to the violent tearing of wind and

    rain. She was shivering right now. Even her breath came out as a wispy mist.

    The two teams went on their separate ways to search for the missing hiker. It was a dense andrge

    mountain, paths nearly indistinguishable from one another in the torrential rain.

    ¡°Help ¡­ Help me! Help me!¡±

    ¡°The hiker is nearby. I can hear her already!¡± Alyssa announced, stopping to gauge her surroundings

    for

    more clues as to where the hiker might be.

    The other rangers shared looks of shock. They wondered if Alyssa had a supersonic hearing or

    something.

    ¡°Be careful!¡± Elias cried, running toward Alyssa when she ran straight to the source of the call.

    Alyssa used her torchlight to guide her way, focusing on that weak cry for help just now. She had found

    herself at the mercy of this mountainous terrain once upon a time, so she hoped they found the

    salvation they needed just like she did.

    After some time, she finally found the hiker who had lost their way, leaning against an inclined ledge.

    ¡°Stay right there! We¡¯re here to help!¡± Alyssa cried. ¡°Are you okay? Can you walk?¡±

    ¡°N-No¡­¡± the hiker cried, clearly in pain. ¡°My leg is stuck¡­ It hurts¡­¡±

    Alyssa gritted her teeth, about to climb down to help her up, but Elias stopped her.

    ¡°This is the steepest, barest face of the mountain, Ms. Alice! The rock might give way at any moment

    under this rain! Let me go in your stead!¡±

    The hiker suddenly screamed, ¡°Ah! Help me!¡±

    Alyssa watched as the rock under the hiker¡¯s feet crumbled, making her slip further toward the ledge.

    Things were critical right now.

    ¡°The ledge can¡¯t support any more weight right now!¡± another ranger cried.

 Chapter 510

    ¡°I¡¯ll pull her up!¡± Alyssa cried. ¡°I¡¯m lightweight, so it should be safe enough!¡±

    There was no other choice right now.

    ¡°You can¡¯t!¡± Elias cried, shaking his head. ¡°I promised Mr. Forrest I would keep you safe! Let me go

    save

    her!¡±

    His team cried, ¡°You know the rock won¡¯t hold your weight, sir!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not some prissy little miss, Mr. Parker. I¡¯m a qualified park ranger, just like you! Now stay there and

    let

    me save her!¡±

    Alyssa then hooked atch around the safety rope around her waist and slowly climbed toward the

    injured hiker.

    Unfortunately for her, the rain only added to the smoothness of the mountain¡¯s rocky surface, making

    climbing even more difficult.

    ¡°I¡¯m here! You¡¯re safe!¡±

    Finally, Alyssa reached the injured hiker, quickly grabbing her by the waist.

    ¡°My leg¡­ It won¡¯t move¡­¡± The woman¡¯s face was covered in rainwater and tears. She was so weak

    andThis is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    limp that she could barely speak.

    Alyssa could instantly tell that her leg had fractured. She hurriedly tied the safety rope around the

    woman¡¯s waist.

    At that moment, the ground beneath them started to tremble and disintegrate.

    ¡°Shit! The rock¡¯sing apart! Hurry and get them back up!¡± Elias cried, pulling on the rope with the

    rest of his team.

    Yet, no matter how hard they tried, the slippery ground beneath their surfaces only made them slip

    forward even more.

    ¡°We need to hurry, sir!¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t hold on much more!¡±

    ¡°We can only save one of them, Mr. Parker! We need to leave quickly!¡±

    Thendslide had already begun, rock and soil falling in great clumps down by their feet and past the

    Elias used all his strength, a cry tearing from his lips as he and his team pulled with all their might.

    Finally, they managed to rescue someone.

    ¡°Mr. Parker, the hiker has made it! She¡¯s alive!¡±

    ¡°But Ms. Alice isn¡¯t here, sir!¡±

    Elias¡¯ breathing caught at the realization that Alyssa hadn¡¯t been pulled up. His vision swam, turning

    dark

    in an instant.

    The team had to return the injured hiker to the base camp to treat her injuries.

    ¡°Half of you take the hiker back. The rest of youe with me! We need to find Ms. Alice!¡± Elias cried.¡±

    Dispatch the search and rescue team right now! We need backup!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Parker, could she have been washed away by the rubble?¡±

    ¡°What if¡­ What if she fell down the cliff?¡±

    The team stood there dejectedly, not an ounce of hope in their chests.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare spout nonsense like that! Ms. Alice is safe and sound, waiting for us to rescue her right

    now!¡± Elias yelled. Still, he had to bite his cheek to keep the tears from falling.

    He had lost a teammate to one of these ursedndslides three years ago, so he knew just how

    much

    danger Alyssa was in, bravado or not.

    ¡°Look there, sir!¡± someone called out.

    §±

    Elias turned to look. Amid the rain and wind, a man in green camo hiking gear marched right up to

    them.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper?¡±

    ¡°It really is him!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s face was pale. He was drenched in rainwater, but his gaze remained steely and determined.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Alice?¡± He nearly barked out.

    ¡°She¡­ was swept away in andslide while saving a lost hiker. We don¡¯t know if she¡¯s safe or in

    danger right now,¡± Elias bit out. There was no use hiding the truth right now.

    Jasper seemed to grow even paler. Pain tore at his heart in an instant.

    ¡°No. She can¡¯t be. She¡¯s going to be okay!¡± Jasper growled madly.

    Alyssa still owed him answers. She hadn¡¯t gotten her revenge on him, and he hadn¡¯t made things up to

    her

    yet for all the pain and suffering he caused her. So she couldn¡¯t be dead. He wouldn¡¯t allow it.

    Wait for me, Alyssa!

    With that burning thought in mind, Jasper turned and ran back into the torrential rain, heading for the

    mountain trail.

 Chapter 511

    Rain, rock, mud, and fog-those were the only things Alyssa could recall before losing consciousness.

    She had used thest ounce of strength in her lithe body to push the hiker up toward the patrol team.

    All

    she hoped was that the hiker would be safe and sound.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t call herself apetent park ranger and wear her badges if she hadn¡¯t prepared

    herself

    for the risk of death. She wasn¡¯t afraid of it as long as it was a meaningful death.

    Frankly, she didn¡¯t used to be so brave. In fact, she used to whine and cry whenever her father and

    stepmothers tried to bring her to the doctor for a shot.

    She was 11 when she met him. That was when everything changed.

    His bravado and determination were like the lighthouse she needed to guide her out from dark waters.

    How he had intercepted danger to rescue her had permanently shifted her outlook on life.

    It was the first time she had witnessed how selfless one could be for another.

    Even if he had hurt her countless times after they married, Alyssa still couldn¡¯t deny it.

    She couldn¡¯t deny just how much Jasper had changed her life for the better.

    It was as if he had rewritten the very stars.

    Everything seemed to happen in a sh.

    Alyssa had a strange dream. In it, her parents and brothers celebrated her childhood birthday with her.

    Jonah lifted her into his arms and ced her onto a mountain of presents while Ss sang her ¡°Happy

    Birthday¡± off-key.

    Liam raised her birthday cake to her lips, where she blew the candles out while Axel ced a toy gun

    in

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    her hand.

    Jasper also appeared in her dreams, with vivid recollections of the battles they fought together on the

    battlefield, the first time she saw him while tending to Newton, and the cold-hearted manner in which he

    handed her divorce papers, ultimately driving her away.

    A sudden pain spread out from the center of her chest, flooding her head and limbs.

    Alyssa jolted awake, taking loud, hurried breaths as her body came back online. The sweat and rain on

    ¡°I¡¯m still alive¡­ I¡¯m alive!¡± she cried, tears of relief falling down her cheeks.

    If it wasn¡¯t for that bastard and the hurt he had caused her, she might not have woken up from her

    death-

    like sleep!

    Just then, she recalled that she was still in danger.

    She had been washed away to some unknown location, her backpack hanging limply on a nearby

    branch.

    while she remained half-buried in rubble and rock off a ledge. She was nearly buried alive at this point.

    ¡°Shit!¡± Alyssa forced herself to calm down.

    She muttered to herself, ¡°I cannot die. I mustn¡¯t! What would happen to Winston if I did? To Jonah and

    Ss and Liam and ¡­ If I¡¯m still alive, that means it¡¯s not my time yet! I decide when I want to go!¡±

    Just then, the branch above her let loose a loud snap.

    Alyssa dared not say another word. She quickly pulled herself out from the rock and climbed onto safer

    ground. Just as she did, the branch above her snapped in half.

    The longer end fell right into the bottomless pit of the mountainside beneath her feet.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart nearly leaped from her throat at the sight, but she couldn¡¯t be bothered to feel scared.

    She

    needed to find a way to make it to higher ground so she could call for help!

    The wind and rain picked up, water clouding her vision while chills racked her limbs.

    The only thing keeping her climbing right now was her determined will to survive.

 Chapter 512

    Alyssa had been raised by her three stepmothers from a young age due to her birth mother¡¯s early

    passing.

    Naturally, their habits, such as Colene¡¯s horse-riding, archery, and rock-climbing hobbies, assimted

    into

    her own.

    Fortunately, those hobbies were a lifesaver, as she couldn¡¯t imagine how she would survive in her

    current

    situation without them.

    As Alyssa was about to reach the mountain trail above, there suddenly came rumbling by her feet.

    Rock

    and sand snaked past her hands. Anotherndslide wasing fast!

    ¡°Damn it! Is this what I get for doing charity for all these years?¡± Alyssa yelled indignantly.

    The rock beneath her feet suddenly shifted and tumbled from its ledge at that precise moment, leaving

    her body dangling precariously.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Help!¡± Despair and fear washed over her.

    An immeasurably long fall awaited her below. She was going to die falling, and no one would ever find

    her.

    A tear escaped her eye as she shut them tight, awaiting her fate.

    ¡°Alyssa!¡±

    Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around her wrists and pulled her back to solid ground.

    She slowly opened her eyes.

    Jasper was staring right at her, his eyes wide and seemingly delving into her very soul. Her breathing

    hitched.

    ¡°J-Jasper?¡±

    Was she dreaming right now? Or hallucinating?

    Her heart pounded violently in her chest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here now!¡±

    Jasper saw a conflict of emotions on her face, everything from fear to joy to worry, all directed right at

    his beating heart. He pulled her up some more, his grip on her arm even quivering slightly.

    He could feel the ground beneath them slipping, the rock falling off the ledge. If they didn¡¯t move right

    now, both of them might fall to their deaths.

    *Jasper¡­¡± Alyssa mumbled, tears falling down her cheeks. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡±

    She had transcended all her limits of strength in making it so far up here on the mountain. The moment

    she saw Jasper, herst wall fell, revealing the frightened young woman within.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t bear seeing her so upset. All he wanted was to keep her safe.

    ¡°You can cry all you wantter. Now, just try and push yourself up!¡±

    Alyssa sniffled and quickly climbed back up the side of the mountain.

    ¡°Hurry! This ledge won¡¯t hold on much longer!¡± Jasper yelled.

    ¡°I know! I¡¯m trying!¡± Alyssa roared back.

    Jasper cocked his head. Her cuteness had evaporated with that yell.

    Suddenly, a lightning strike lit up their surroundings, casting Alyssa¡¯s visage in vivid rity, as if a

    hidden

    truth had been exposed.

    A sudden headache overwhelmed Jasper. All of a sudden, Alyssa¡¯s expression fused with that of a

    young

    girl from years ago.

    Faint yet familiar memories swam in his head.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name, kid?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not telling me? I¡¯ll call you Alice then. You¡¯re like Alice from Alice in Wondend, short and

    cute-

    looking.¡±

    There was a buzzing in Jasper¡¯s ears as realization hit him like a truck.

    Alice¡­ Alice White.

    Alyssa was the girl he had rescued 13 years ago.

 Chapter 513

    It was as though Jasper was adrift in a pool of pure astonishment, and the fact that the ledge beneath

    them was falling apart only enhanced this surreal feeling.

    ¡°Hurry, Alice!¡± he cried, resurrecting a name that had been dormant in his mind for years.

    Alyssa jolted in shock. The call of that name seemed to give her a boost of adrenaline. She was able to

    push herself up on the ledge at thest second, right into Jasper¡¯s arms.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    He held her close in his arms, keeping her safe.

    A thunderous boom echoed through the air.

    Just as the rocky ledge disintegrated and tumbled down the mountainside, Jasper deftly rolled aside,

    narrowly escaping the peril.

    ¡°Fuck!¡± he hissed in pain when his back collided with a boulder. The intensity of the pain led to an

    immediate outbreak of sweat on his skin.

    ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Alyssa asked worriedly, noticing how pale he was.

    Jasper shook his head, his voice steady as he reassured, ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±

    Alyssa heaved a sigh of relief, falling back against his chest. By now, both were thoroughly drenched

    and

    shivering from the cold.

    ¡°Why¡­ Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Jasper asked hoarsely, gazing at her.

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa avoided his gaze.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that we met 13 years ago? Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were the girl I saved all

    those years ago?¡± Jasper asked, pain and anguish flooding his chest.

    Alyssa¡¯s throat mped in on itself.

    Did he call her Alice because of that? Because he suddenly remembered?

    But why now?

    Why, only after 13 years?

    It was toote now. How she wished he had never remembered.

    ¡°Tell me, Alyssa!¡± Jasper asked, forcing her to meet his gaze.

    ¡°Now, do you remember why I called myself Alice when we married?¡± she asked solemnly.

    Needles pricked Jasper¡¯s heart. Of course he did.

    He had given her that nickname because she refused to answer when he asked. He named her ¡°Alice¡±,

    like Alice in Wondend.

    Never in his wildest dreams did Jasper imagine that a seemingly trivial and long-forgotten memory

    would

    resurface, ultimately intertwining their lives 13 yearster. She had even married him.

    She kept it secret for so long, too.

    ¡°Looks like you do.¡± Alyssa smiled lightly. ¡°There¡¯s no need to, really. I never hoped you would. I¡¯m

    nothing

    more than another passerby in your life, after all. Whether it was 13 years, three years, or right now.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s breathing hitched.

    Technically, there was nothing amiss in hisplete forgetfulness of her or in his act of saving her from

    13 years ago. Yet, he couldn¡¯t stop the guilt weighing on his chest.

    Alyssa had kept him in her heart for 13 years, yet he had forgotten her. All she ever did was try closing

    their distance, unlike him, who only wanted to shut her out.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Jasper croaked out. ¡°I ¡­ really didn¡¯t know¡­ If I knew, I-¡±

    ¡°You would have still divorced me, no?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s smile widened. Though she had her regrets about him, she wasn¡¯t holding on anymore.

    She continued, ¡°Whether I¡¯m Alyssa or Alice, they¡¯re nothing more than just names. It wouldn¡¯t change

    our

    rtionship. You don¡¯t need to apologize, really. I should be the one thanking you.

    ¡°When you saved me all those years ago, I never got a chance to know your name or who you are, nor

    ¡­

    properly thank you.¡±

    ¡°Why did you still marry me, Alyssa?¡± Jasper wanted to know the answer to this. It had tortured him for

    months on end. ¡°Is it just because I saved you once, and you wanted to pay me back?¡±

    ¡®It doesn¡¯t matter anymore, Jasper. It¡¯s all in the past now. No point digging up a failed marriage.¡±

    Alyssa closed her eyes, as if closing a tender ce in her heart away.

    Then she said, ¡°We need to focus on getting to safety right now. I¡¯m freezing here.¡±

    There seemed to be an unspoken truce between them as they waded through the thunderstorm.

    All they had was each other right now. Even their phones were out of use. Alyssa¡¯s had long broken in

    the

    fall, while Jasper¡¯s had no signal.

    With ragged breaths, Alyssa rasped, ¡°All I can tell is that we¡¯re situated behind Crater Mountain¡¯s main

    trail. If we were closer, your phone would have a signal.¡±

    She had long lost her main reserves of energy.

    The only thing that propelled her onward was her determination not to fall behind Jasper, even though

    her

    legs feltpletely detached from her body.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already told Xavier to do a helicopter rounding earlier beforeing to find you.¡± Jasper hurriedly

    hooked an arm around her waist to keep her from falling.

    ¡°In this weather? That¡¯s a tough one. He should¡­¡±

    Unable to hold on anymore, Alyssa fell forward.

    Jasper swiftly gathered her into his arms. She smelled of rain and dirt and nothing else.

    His heart twinged.

    Just how much had she been through before he found her?

    ¡°Let¡¯s find shelter from the rain first.¡± Jasper carried her on his back and continued walking.

    Alyssa¡¯s arms weakly wrapped around his neck as she mewled, ¡°Will we get out of here alive, Jasper?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I nearly died¡­ What if ¡­¡±

    ¡°I heard they call you the Mountain Goddess here.¡± Jasper walked on, his strength slowly dissipating.

    ¡°They sometimes call me the Mountain God, too.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa scoffed and closed her eyes.

    ¡°So we¡¯re going to be just fine, Alyssa.¡± Jasper took a deep breath, gently tugging on her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll

    keep

    you safe.¡±

 Chapter 514

    All Alyssa could feel in the endless cold was how warm her hands were.

    Jasper heid onto her hands, making sure her fingers were kept safe from the harsh weather. It felt like

    the only thing keeping her near-dead nerves alive.

    She leaned on his back, knowing he would keep her safe. Her fingers twitched just the slightest in

    Jasper¡¯s grasp.

    Jasper swallowed nervously. Fearing she might pull away, he tightened his grip. ¡°Stay still. Good girl.¡±

    His back was hurting like mad where the boulder had hit his spine. Still, he was doing a good job of

    hiding

    his pain. He didn¡¯t want her to worry.

    Just this once, Jasper wanted her to know she could rely on and be safe with him.

    ¡°Ugh¡­ It¡¯s cold. Hurry up then¡­¡± Alyssa grumbled.

    ¡°Hold on a bit longer. We should be able to find shelter soon.¡± Every breath Jasper took evaporated into

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    mist.

    ¡°What if we don¡¯t?¡±

    Before Jasper could stop himself, he responded, ¡°Then you can take shelter in my arms.¡±

    H

    ¡°No!¡± Alyssa whined. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try and take advantage of me!¡±

    Jasper smiled. Though she wasn¡¯t staying very still, he still could support her weight. Even his heart felt

    warm and d for this moment with her.

    He should really focus on finding shelter for them, though. It was not like she could run away from him

    right now.

    The two stayed close to one another, their breathing and heartbeats nearly in sync.

    It was as if time had turned back to 13 years ago-the only change being that Alyssa was no longer the

    young girl he had met. She had even married him and been his wife for three years.

    Meanwhile, Sean had rushed back to the base camp with only an umbre for protection from the rain,

    having been worried about Alyssa.

    Upon his arrival, he was soaked through with rainwater and had mud caked at the ends of his pants.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssal¡¯ he cried right before opening the doors.

    Elijah and Xavier just so happened to walk out.

    ¡°You!¡± Xavier eximed in shock, then quicklyposed himself.

    ¡°What are you¡­ is Jasper Beckett here? Where¡¯s Ms. Alyssa?¡± Sean had a nagging sense that

    something

    was very wrong right now,

    ¡°Quiet down, will you?¡± Xavier quickly shut him up. He was just as worried, but he trusted that Alyssa

    would be kept safe and protected by the forces above. He also had faith that his boss would be able to

    do the same.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper and the rest of the rangers are up in the mountains looking for Madam. I¡¯ve already

    dispatched three helicopters to search for them, too, and Mr. Jasper has sworn not toe back down

    the mountain until he finds her!¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t help but reel at Xavier¡¯s words. He couldn¡¯t believe someone as cruel as Jasper would

    be

    so devoted to Alyssa.

    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have let Alice go out on the search patrol!¡± Elijah wailed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, sir. Have some faith in Mr. Jasper. He¡¯s the ¡®Mountain God¡¯ for a reason, no?¡±

    Elijah was rendered speechless.

    Xavier was really good at making the atmosphere awkward.

 Chapter 515

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t trust Jasper Beckett! Mr. Jonah needs to hear about this!¡± Sean hurriedly pulled out his

    phone

    to give Jonah call.

    When the line connected, Jonah instantly asked, ¡°Did something happen to Alyssa?¡±

    Maybe it was because of their sibling bond, but he had felt off all day. Now that Sean had called him,

    he was sure something terrible had happened to his sister.

    ¡°Sir!¡± Sean cried, ¡°Ms. Alyssa is¡­ You need to send someone to Crater Mountain Park to save her

    now!¡±

    Jonah had been over 300 miles outside Sna City when he received the call from Sean. He was

    currently in Leichtown¡¯s military department.

    Since he¡¯d stopped by, he naturally had to pay his brother Liam a visit. His mother had birthed the four

    of them, including Alyssa, so his love for all his three brothers and his sister went unrivaled.

    However, Liam had to live apart from their family, given that he had be a colonel at the age of 28.

    He had to be stationed in Leichtown, where he headed the local military force.

    That was why Jonah would always take the opportunity to see his third brother.

    ¡°Something has happened to Lyse, Liam. I need to return to Sna City right away.¡± Worry colored

    Jonah¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Liam leaped up from the couch he was sitting on, instantly bing alert. His

    usually cool and calm demeanor had dissipated in seconds upon hearing that his sister was in trouble.

    Jonah replied hoarsely, ¡°Our beloved Lyse has gone to volunteer as a park ranger once again.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Liam cursed aloud, marching back and forth worriedly. If any of his subordinates saw him right now,

    they

    would probably think they were dreaming.

    ¡°I¡¯ve told her countless times to just donate money instead of going on those ranger patrols. All she

    does

    is put herself in harm¡¯s way! But she never listens!¡± Jonah huffed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why she insists on going there. Are there any mineral mines, or does she visit some

    hermit to learn the arcane arts there?¡±

    Liam scowled. All of a sudden, he appeared so much like their father, Winston.

    Jonah shot him a long look. ¡°Did you forget what happened to her when she was 11?¡±

    ¡°Of course not!¡± Liam¡¯s eyes narrowed as he heaved a sigh. ¡°That¡­ bastard Jasper kid!¡±

    ¡°The longer I live, the more I¡¯m convinced Mom gave birth to the four of us so we could protect her.¡±

    Jonah also heaved a sigh. He turned to leave. ¡°I need to go save her. We¡¯ll talk again soon, Liam.¡±

    ¡°Wait up!¡± Liam cried, putting on his cap. ¡°I¡¯ming with you!¡±

    It was unclear how much time had passed before Jasper eventually stumbled upon a small cave in the

    mountainside for their shelter.

    Trembling violently, Alyssa sought refuge against the rock wall, her arms wrapped around her in an

    attempt to stay warm.

    The sight of her looking so fragile tugged at Jasper¡¯s heartstrings. He went up and gently cupped her

    frigid cheeks.

    His expression darkened. Alyssa was burning up.

    ¡°You¡¯re having a fever!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m okay. I can handle it.¡± Alyssa allowed herself to feel the coolness of his touch on her skin, not

    shying away for once.

 Chapter 516

    Jasper hurriedly felt the temperature of her forehead. Feeling panicked, he took off his coat and shirt

    and

    wrapped them around Alyssa, giving her warmth.

    Alyssa weakly opened her eyes and saw that he only had a ck singlet inside. The tan lines of his

    muscle were right in her face, making him look extra rugged out here in the wild.

    ¡°Is it still cold?¡± Jasper asked hoarsely, noticing her reddened face.

    ¡°Yes¡­ It¡¯s fr-freezing¡­¡± Alyssa said, her teeth chattering.

    Jasper took a deep breath and slowly held her in his arms, pressing her against his chest, as if hoping

    she

    could soak up all the warmth he wanted to give.

    ¡°Still cold?¡± he asked softly.

    Alyssa leaned against his body, nuzzling into his chest.

    Jasper sighed, one hand gentlybing through her hair as if he was trying to console her.

    Alyssa slowly rxed in his arms, exhaustion making her body go limp.

    Jasper allowed her, silently bringing her hands up so he could check for injuries. Bruises and cuts lined

    her fingers. Dirt and gravel were caked up under her nails.

    He pursed his lips. He couldn¡¯t shake the memory of Alyssa¡¯s resolute will to survive on the

    mountainside

    from his mind.

    Painnced through his heart.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°Don¡¯t risk yourself like this again, okay, Alyssa? You¡¯re not some cat with nine lives!¡± Jasper huffed,

    actually upset now.

    ¡°Tsk¡­ Why do you care?¡± Alyssa grumbled, mind heavy and dizzy.

    Until now, she remained as loud and adamant as ever.

    ¡°Why?¡± Jasper¡¯s face took on a reddish hue. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell?¡±

    ¡°No, I can¡¯t. Tell me.¡±

    Words eluded Jasper, and in the end, he couldn¡¯t go through with it.

    ¡°Hmph! Whatever. It has nothing to do with me anyway,¡± Alyssa scoffed and shut her eyes once again,

    too.

    exhausted to care.

    All she wanted to do now was take a hot bath and fall asleep in herrge,fy bed. She was so tired.

    ¡°Why did you marry me, Alyssa? Is it all because I saved your life once? All to return the favor?¡± Jasper

    pressed her hand against his heart.

    Part of Alyssa¡¯s inhibitions were gone now due to her fever. She couldn¡¯t even retort anymore,

    ¡°I married you because I loved you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always hoped to marry you and never expected it toe true.¡± Tears filled Alyssa¡¯s eyes, though

    they never fell. ¡°I spent 13 years trying to catch up to you, Jasper. My entire youth was spent on you.¡±

    ¡°What about now? Do you still love me, Alyssa?¡± Jasper asked, dying to know the answer.

    She gently pulled her injured hand out from his grasp, as if safeguarding her pained heart from more

    suffering.

    Until now, her heart still hurt for him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t feel angry anymore. There¡¯s no hate to be found, either. Naturally, there wouldn¡¯t be any love

    lingering on.¡±

 Chapter 517

    No love lingering on.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t lie. Pain swept through her chest when she said those words out loud.

    This pain had be a familiarpanion. It was a constant presence in her three years of marriage

    to Jasper, and she often worried it might trigger a heart attack. It struck her more often than the

    asions

    when Jasper spent time with her.

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of asking all this now, Jasper? Do you still expect me to feel the same way for you

    and not move on?¡± Alyssa asked weakly. She rarely appeared so fragile in front of others.

    She continued, ¡°I¡¯ve loved you for 13 years. Tell me, how many more years could I possibly sacrifice? I

    can¡¯t bring myself to love you anymore. I¡¯m afraid to.¡±

    She was scared of loving anyone else at this point.

    It felt like someone was squeezing Jasper¡¯s heart. Painful emotion rose like a wave in his throat, cutting

    his breath off.

    He suddenly realized just how vile he had been. Not only had he dragged her down in this meaningless

    marriage, but he had also ruined her.

    ¡°Are you telling the truth, Alyssa?¡± Jasper asked, knowing he would be defeated by her answer in the

    end.

    Nevertheless, he still tried.

    ¡°Of course. When have I ever lied to you?¡± Alyssa said softly. ¡°I was telling the truth when I said I loved

    you, when I said I didn¡¯t want the divorce, and when I cried those tears¡­ Of course I wouldn¡¯t lie when

    I

    say I don¡¯t love you anymore.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa¡­¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes were hot with unshed tears. He held her hand. It felt so cold. He couldn¡¯t keep

    it

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    warm anymore.

    ¡°Thank you for saving me once again, Jasper. I owe you one. I¡¯ll definitely pay back the favor as long

    as

    your request isn¡¯t too outrageous,¡± Alyssa said.

    It was clear she was setting up boundaries between them once again.

    Jasper meant to say something in response, but she had fallen asleep on his shoulder.

    He watched her as she did, her flushed cheeks standing out on her pallidplexion, reminiscent of a

    delicate bunny. He hugged her closer, reminiscing on the countless chances he had before to do this.

    He had passed those chances by already. So he was going to appreciate this opportunity here and now

    as

    much as he could.

    Jasper could only me himself for how things had turned out.

    The walkie-talkie wasn¡¯t functioning in this weather, nor could his phone pick up any signal. Though

    Jasper wanted this moment tost forever, he knew it couldn¡¯t, not with Alyssa running a high fever.

    Panicked, he kept on feeling for her temperature and pulse.

    He had to try to reduce the fever and signal for help. Only then the helicopters and rescue team could

    find

    them.

    Finally, Jasper went out into the rain to find some dried twigs and branches. He created a fire by the

    cave

    entrance to alert any rescuers. Afterward, he made a fire inside the cave so Alyssa could stay warm.

    The orange mes lit up Alyssa¡¯s face, highlighting how deeply she rested. Jasper¡¯s gaze grew warm

    as

    his eyes traced the contours of her face.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­¡± Alyssa suddenly mumbled in her sleep.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Alyssa.¡± Jasper knelt by her side. ¡°Do you feel warmer?¡±

    ¡°You¡­ asshole, Jasper Beckett!¡± Alyssa suddenly cried. She was having a nightmare.

    Next thing Jasper knew, she had swung a hand right in his face.

    It didn¡¯t hurt, though. It felt like a feather grazing his cheek.

 Chapter 518

    Jasper shook his head gently. Alyssa wasn¡¯t even forgiving him in her dreams. It seemed he would

    need to dedicate his entire life to making things right with her.

    While he consideredmitting his entire life, he abruptly halted his thoughts and questioned why he

    had such notions. It made him wonder if he had started to have feelings for her.

    Jasper¡¯s heart thumped wildly as he pondered on that for a bit. He leaned down and gathered Alyssa

    into

    his arms before gently kissing her.

    ¡°Mm¡­¡± she moaned softly.

    Jasper deepened the kiss. All he wanted was to hold her and kiss her longer.

    Just then, a flurry of wind swept up from outside the cave. It was a helicopter.

    ¡°Someone¡¯s here to save us, Alyssa! We¡¯re being rescued!¡± Jasper cried excitedly.

    The helicopternded in front of the cave under the battering of the rain. Jasper squinted as he looked

    at

    its decal.

    It was not one of his copters.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Then, who hade to their rescue?

    No matter.

    All that mattered now was that Alyssa could get the treatment she needed.

    Jasper lifted her into his arms while she was still bundled up tight in his clothes and walked out toward

    the helicopter.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± There came two distinct cries at the same time as Jonah and Liam stepped off the helicopter.

    Jasper was shocked when he noticed Liam. He was fully d in his military outfit. He felt like he was

    looking through a mirror from yesteryears.

    Even though he was a CEO now, staying in air-conditioned offices every day atop his family¡¯s business

    empire, he could never forget his time in the army,

    Now was not the time to reminisce, however. Jasper was more concerned about who this man was to.

    Alyssa.

    ¡®Hand her over to me right now!¡± Liam roared, anger evident in his tone and demeanor.

    Unlike Liam who had never met Jasper, Jonah was doing a very good job at keeping cool. He cocked

    his head lightly when he noticed Jasper was d in barely anything in this cold weather while Alyssa

    was

    wrapped in his clothes.

    ¡°Lyse¡­ What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Liam cried, storming up to Jasper. Thetter instinctively stepped

    back, coldly eyeing him up and down.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Jasper asked.

    Jonah answered him by saying, ¡°He¡¯s Alyssa¡¯s third brother.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    Though Liam didn¡¯t resemble his brother much, Jasper could still find traces of Axel on his face. He just

    didn¡¯t realize it at first nce.

    Jasper never knew Alyssa had a brother who was involved in the military! And at such a high ranking,

    too!

    He pursed his lips, his grip around Alyssa tightening.

    For the first time in his life, jealousy bubbled sourly in the pit of his stomach.

 Chapter 519

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Liam teared up, feeling bad for Alyssa. He attempted to get her out of Jasper¡¯s arms.

    Jonah might seem the gentlest among the four sons by Alyssa¡¯s mom, but that wasn¡¯t true at all.

    Liam always projected a stoic and aloof image due to the requirements of his profession. Yet, in reality,

    he was the most soft-hearted and emotional among the Taylor siblings.

    He had even shed tears beneath his nket the year he couldn¡¯t make it home for Alyssa¡¯s birthday

    due

    to a mission, which went to show his sensitive nature,

    ¡°I¡¯ll hold her,¡± Jasper refused to let go of Alyssa as he looked at her.

    ¡°You have no right to touch her!¡± Liam growled at him upon thinking of his poor, divorced sister. ¡°Don¡¯t

    forget the way you abandoned and hurt her! Stop pretending to be a saint. I wouldn¡¯t thank you even if

    you

    saved her.¡±

    ¡°I never wanted to be thanked.¡± Jasper paused before adding, ¡°She means a lot to me. I admit that I

    had

    hurt her in the past. What I¡¯m doing now is making amends.¡±

    ¡°No, you can never make amends,¡± Liam interjected sternly. ¡°If you knew this would happen, you

    should

    not have hurt her in the first ce. You took the light out of my bright, carefree sister. You will never

    make

    up for that, even if you put your life on the line!¡±

    Jasper froze on the spot, as if he was struck by lightning.

    ¡°Home¡­ I want to go home¡­¡± Alyssa trembled and murmured feverishly in her sleep, cradled in

    Jasper¡¯s

    arms.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll take you home!¡± Liam took Alyssa from Jasper without another word. The moment he

    scooped

    her soft body up, she surprisingly grabbed Jasper¡¯s ck shirt tightly and wouldn¡¯t let go.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go¡­ Don¡¯t ¡­¡± she mumbled between consciousness.

    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving. How could I leave you behind when you¡¯re running a fever?¡± Jasper whispered. His

    usual steely demeanor gave way to a softer side.

    He turned to Liam and pleaded, ¡°Let me send her to the hospital. I¡¯ll leave once she¡¯s there.¡±

    ¡°Dream on!¡± Liam glowered at him and barked.

    ¡°Liam,¡± Jonah called out to his sibling and approached him. ¡°Let¡¯s send her to the hospital with Mr.

    Beckett ¡±

    ¡°But Jonah-¡±

    *Anyway, Mr. Beckett, I¡¯ll have to thank you for saving Lyse. Do get on the ne with us,¡± Jonah calmly

    extended an invitation.

    Jasper felt his heart squeezed and replied dejectedly, ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Once again, he gently wrapped Alyssa in his arms like recouping something he had lost.

    The helicopter Xavier sent over had arrived then, but Jasper gestured at it to return. Then, he boarded

    the

    helicopter with Jonah and Liam.

    The helicopter took off into the night. All the while, Jasper never let go of Alyssa.

    Liam touched her warm forehead. He breathed heavily as tears brimmed in his eyes. He called out to

    her,

    ¡°Lyse, open your eyes. I¡¯m by your side. I¡¯m back.¡±

    ¡°Liam, it¡¯s just a fever. Don¡¯t worry too much,¡± Jonah reassured his brother despite his own worries.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa has gone through a lot. She almost fell off the cliff today,¡± Jasper stated, his gaze fixed on

    her. The memory of that harrowing moment still haunted him.

    That caught Jonah and Liam off guard. They were gripped by lingering fear in the aftermath.

    ¡°I merely offered her a helping hand. She saved herself,¡± Jasper exined.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, you¡¯re really a piece of shit,¡± seethed Liam. ¡°You are the source of all her suffering.¡±

    ¡°I know. It¡¯s all my fault,¡± admitted Jasper. After all the ups and downs in life, he finally grasped the

    cruelty

    of his actions toward Alyssa. Hence, he humbly epted all criticisms directed at him.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Why did you marry her if you didn¡¯t love her? Why did you give her false hope?¡± Liam red at him.

    through tears that had rolled down his cheeks.

    Liam added, ¡°She is fond of this mountain. It¡¯s a special ce for her because of you! She¡¯s lived her

    life for you, but what have you ever done for her?¡±

 Chapter 520

    Jasper¡¯s soul felt like it had been torn apart, and his heart twisted with a crushing pain.

    What had he ever done for Alyssa? Nothing.

    He had never proposed to her and given her anything she deserved as his wife. He left her behind on

    their

    first night of marriage and slept in a separate quarter.

    He had never celebrated festivals or anniversaries with her nor bought her any gifts. That year, when

    she

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    was involved in a car crash with Newton, he did not even rush to her side promptly.

    All of these terrible actions paled inparison to the fact that he had been in love with another

    woman,

    squandering Alyssa¡¯s best years and making a mockery of her love.

    His eyes welled up with emotion. He tightly sped her hand, pressing it against his chest while

    breathing

    heavily.

    He felt remorseful for his past actions, but it was too little, toote.

    Like Jonah, Liam understood the depth of Alyssa¡¯s suffering over the years. The thought of it broke his

    heart every time.

    He began, ¡°Jasper, Lyse has given up too much for you. Did you know that she almost lost her life

    because of you? To go after you, she-¡±

    ¡°Liam Taylor, that¡¯s enough!¡± Jonah interrupted him firmly, his brows furrowed.

    Liam bit back his words but clenched his fists in frustration. Oh, how he wished he could punch Jasper

    in

    the face!

    Still, he wasn¡¯t as rash as Axel. After years of holding an important position in the military, his temper

    had mellowed. Now, he was more sensible and calm.

    He¡¯d only lose his temper over matters concerning Lyse.

    ¡°What did that mean?¡± Jasper questioned as he felt a stinging pain.

    He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Alyssa had been keeping an even bigger secret from him. Doubts

    gnawed at him. ¡°You mentioned she nearly lost her life for me. When did this happen? Tell me!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett,¡± said Jonah with a grave expression. ¡°The grudges between you and Lyse are in the past.

    We won¡¯t look into it if she doesn¡¯t want to bring it up. It¡¯s time to put an end to your conflict with her

    and

    move on.

    ¡°However, if you continue intruding on her life from now on, I will not hesitate to act on you.¡±

    Hearing that, Liam added, ¡°Stay out of her life if you want to honor your past rtionship with her.

    You¡¯ve

    already caused her enough pain. Do you really want to ruin the rest of her life? You do not deserve to

    be

    with her after casting her aside like trash.¡±

    Alyssa was rushed to the hospital by Jonah and Liam. Jonah kept the news under wraps and discreetly

    arranged for a helicopter from Leichtown. Winston remained unaware of what had happened to his

    daughter.

    Had he known about Alyssa¡¯s precarious situation, he would have gone on a rampage in Sna City.

    Jasper had not once left Alyssa¡¯s side. He left the helicopter and followed Jonah and Liam closely.

    He stayed by her even as she was taken into the emergency room, and it wasn¡¯t until she received

    medical help and was warded that he finally felt a sense of relief.

    ¡°Have you forgotten what you said? You said you¡¯d leave once we reached the hospital. Why are you

    still around?¡± Liam grumbled, blocking Alyssa¡¯s patient room door with his stocky frame.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave when she wakes up,¡± Jasper muttered with a pale face and stood there with a straight back.

    He admitted that he was rather shameless.

    Xavier was right. Jasper wasn¡¯t fated to be with Alyssa. He would have to be a little more thick-skinned

    if he wanted to cling to her.

    ¡°You shameless rascal!¡± Liam cursed in frustration, unable to contain his annoyance at Jasper despite

    his usually gentlemanly ways.

 Chapter 521

    Jasper stood there, unfazed by the words hurled at him. He was immune to the shaming as he had

    gone

    through it many times.

    Jonah approached him with a sour face and advised him, ¡°Mr. Beckett, Lyse hasn¡¯t met Liam for a long

    time. I think she¡¯d prefer meeting him over you. Your presence will not help her recovery.

    ¡°You¡¯ll only be standing in the way of a family reunion. You don¡¯t have to worry now that she¡¯s with

    family.

    There¡¯s no reason for you to stay. Please go home.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s eyes looked dead as he addressed Jasper in a t tone. Despite that, Jasper felt the stabbing

    pain from Jonah¡¯s words that froze his blood.

    Outside the hospital, the outpour had stopped. The skies brightened, like a mncholic swath of blue

    velvet.

    Jasper walked out with heavy footsteps, gripping a wet coat in his hand. He seemed to feel Alyssa¡¯s

    lingering warmth on the fabric. Feeling chilly, he clutched the coat tighter. 1

    ¡°Jasper, Lyse has given up too much for you.¡±

    ¡°Did you know that she almost lost her life because of you? To go after you, she-¡±

    To go after him? What for? What had she given up?

    Jasper wondered what had happened before this. He was gued by Liam¡¯s words. It was then he felt

    a

    head-splitting headache creeping up.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Jasper lifted his gaze in difficulty as drops of sweat trickled down his chiseled face. In a blur, he saw

    Landon and Xavier running toward him.

    ¡°Jasper, you look pale! Are you okay?¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m fine.¡± Jasper hung his head and stared listlessly at the coat in his hand.

    ¡°How about Madam? Did you manage to find her? How¡¯s she doing?¡± Xavier questioned anxiously.

    Before Jasper had a chance to answer, a tall figure brushed past his shoulder and headed for the

    ¡°Hey, Sean Lynch, watch where you¡¯re going!¡± Xavier bellowed at Sean while pointing a finger at the

    latter. The encounter left Jasper trembling like a leaf in the wind despite his tall, bulky frame.

    Sean spun around and snickered at Jasper. ¡°Hah.¡±

    ¡°Fuck ¡­ What¡¯s with that attitude? Mr. Beckett saved Ms. Alyssa, you know?¡± Xavier was enraged and

    almost wanted to fight Sean.

    ¡°He owed her that much. I¡¯ll consider it as making amends. Don¡¯t ever dream that I¡¯d thank him,¡± Sean

    hissed through gritted teeth and entered the hospital.

    At that moment, Jasper felt his chest tighten and his forehead dotted by sweat. He dug his fingernails

    deep and hard into his palm but couldn¡¯t feel the pain amid the agony that shot through his back and

    tortured his spirit.

    ¡°Jasper, you don¡¯t look okay! Let¡¯s go to the hospital¡­ Jasper-¡± Midway through Landon¡¯s persuasion,

    Jasper could not hold back and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡± Xavier was on the brink of tears. Sean looked simrly shocked at Jasper, who was

    vomiting blood out of the blue.

    Following that, Jasper¡¯s body trembled as he copsed onto the floor.

 Chapter 522

    Xavier, Sean, and Landon were shocked by Jasper¡¯s sudden fainting spell. Fortunately, they happened

    to

    be just outside the hospital¡¯s entrance.

    Without hesitation, Landon and Xavier rushed to assist the doctors and nurses in sending Jasper into

    the

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    emergency room.

    Meanwhile, Sean found himself rooted to the spot at the far end of the corridor. He watched with

    concern

    as they wheeled the pale Jasper with blood-stained lips into the emergency room.

    Why did Jasper suddenly faint? Was it a ploy to gain sympathy?

    None of it added up. Jasper had seemed perfectly fine throughout their journey to the hospital until this

    sudden copse.

    ¡°Mr. Landon, is Mr. Beckett going to be¡­¡± Xavier clenched his fists, tears welling up in his eyes.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be alright,¡± Landon reassured him. He nced fearfully at the emergency room sign and

    mumbled,

    Jasper will pull through. He¡¯s the toughest, coolest, and bravest guy I¡¯ve ever known. He¡¯ll be just fine.¡±

    At that moment, one of Jonah¡¯s bodyguards went up to Sean and informed him, ¡°Mr. Lynch, I¡¯ve been

    sent

    to bring you up.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Sean replied uneasily. Before he left, he leaned in and whispered to the bodyguard, ¡°Mr.

    Beckett

    from the Beckett Group is in the emergency room right now. Please arrange for two top-tier physicians

    to

    attend to him.¡±

    Alyssa finally opened her eyes groggily on the evening of the second day. She felt more refreshed after

    the long sleep.

    ¡°Mmph¡­ Where ¡­ am I ¡­¡± She could not move her body and felt that her bones were in disarray.

    ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re up! It¡¯s Liam here!¡± Liam yelped in excitement and hugged her. He had not slept at all.

    Instead, he held her hand tightly and cried through the night, as evident from his swollen eyes.

    ¡°Liam? Is that really you? You¡¯re back¡­ Liam!¡± She widened her teary eyes. Her nose turned red from

    the

    emotions.

    He gave her a firm nod and a peck on the forehead. Her fever had gone down.

    The previous day, the doctor had warned that if Alyssa had dyed treatment any longer, she could

    have

    ¡°Is it okay for you to leave your military duties behind? Do you even have any leave days?¡± Alyssa was

    more concerned about Liam than herself.

    ¡°It¡¯s not okay to do that, but you¡¯re my utmost priority,¡± he answered.

    ¡°Liam ¡­¡± She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek against his.

    Liam hadn¡¯t seen her for a while. A bitter taste filled his mouth when he noticed her weight loss and the

    dullness in her eyes.

    ¡°By the way, how did I get here?¡± Alyssa wondered. She sat up with Liam¡¯s help and leaned weakly

    against

    the headboard.

    Liam remained silent.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Jasper?¡± She spoke in a hoarse voice, her eyshes fluttering.

    ¡°He came here in our helicopter. That fellow is doing just fine. Don¡¯t worry about him,¡± Liam coldly

    brushed off the topic.

    Somehow, Alyssa had an ominous feeling. She pressed on, ¡°Where is he now?¡±

    The door to her room swung open. Jonah and Sean entered one after another. Their faces lit up with

    joy

    upon seeing Alyssa awake.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean eximed with joyful tears in his eyes. He had wanted to rush up to Alyssa. But he

    restrained himself in Liam¡¯s presence, choosing instead to kneel beside Alyssa¡¯s bed.

    ¡°You must have been so shockedst night, Sean¡­¡± muttered Alyssa. She looked sickly, but there was

    a

    cheeky glimmer in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for acting rashly, but I didn¡¯t have a choice. I had to save a life.¡±

    Sean gazed deeply into her eyes and shook his head as he choked on emotions. Based on what he

    had

    heard, Alyssa hade dangerously close to falling off a cliff. It was Jasper who had risked his life to

    rescue her at that critical moment.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, there¡¯s something I need to tell you,¡± Sean blurted out after a moment of hesitation.

    ¡°Jasper

    Beckett suffered severe internal injuries. He coughed up blood earlier today.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± She sat up abruptly, her eyes widening in shock. Her breathing grew heavier. ¡°H-How did that

    happen?

    Jonah and Liam seemed equally taken aback by the sudden news.

    His attending physician said that he sustained a major blow to his back, which impacted his internal

    wasn¡¯t a petty, jealous liar.

    A flicker of realization crossed her mind. She recalled that he had mmed his back into a huge rock

    when he grabbed her from the cliff¡¯s edge and rolled away from the rockslide.

    But he assured her he was fine back then! What a liar!

    Worried and frustrated, she flipped around and wanted to get out of bed. The three men around her

    were

    concerned about her health and went up to stop her.

    ¡°Lyse, where are you going? Are you going to look for Jasper?¡± Liam pinned down her shoulders.

    ¡°He got hurt because of me. I can¡¯t just leave him alone!¡± she argued, her heart racing with worry. She

    was

    determined to get to Jasper.

    ¡°Why would you want to see him? He deserves whatever happens to him! I don¡¯t care if he lives or

    dies!¡±

    ¡°Liam, I-¡±

    Liam¡¯s eyes were sprouting fire. He forcefully pinned her down by the shoulders and schooled her, ¡°You

    wasted so many years on that guy. Can you just put him behind from now on, please? Can you put

    yourself first for once?¡±

    ¡°Liam,¡± she mumbled after taking a deep breath. ¡°I can be harsh sometimes, but I can¡¯t abandon my

    conscience. You have to admit that I¡¯m still here, alive and kicking, only because of him.¡±

    In the end, Liam couldn¡¯t persuade Alyssa to stay. She found out Jasper¡¯s room number and went there

    with Sean¡¯s support.

    As they pushed the door open, they were taken aback by what they saw. The room was empty, and the

    nket was neatly folded on the bed.

    Yet, Alyssa could still detect Jasper¡¯s distinct, manly scent lingering in the air, tugging at her heart.

    *Excuse me, where¡¯s the patient in this room?¡± Alyssa stopped a nurse and questioned her.

    ¡°He was discharged earlier in the afternoon.¡±

 Chapter 523

    Landon and Xavier transferred Jasper to another hospital under Jasper¡¯s persistent requests.

    Jaspery on a pristine white bedsheet in his room, hooked to an IV drip. The ordeal had taken its toll

    on

    him, but he still appeared remarkably handsome, much to Landon¡¯s envy.

    ¡°You scoundrel. I bet you¡¯ll be a casanova even in the afterlife. Tsk tsk, you sinner,¡± teased Landon with

    an

    amused expression. He sat facing the back of his chair with his legs spread and his arms folded on the

    backrest.

    ¡°You¡¯re mean.¡± Jasper slowly opened his eyes with rage. He couldn¡¯t breathe properly from the pain. ¡°I

    was puking blood, and here you are, talking about my looks. I¡¯ve always been better-looking than you.

    Does that annoy you?¡±

    ¡°Ah,e on now. I was just trying to lighten the mood in case you were getting bored,¡± Landon

    responded.

    Landon was concerned for Jasper¡¯s health but hesitant to delve too deeply into that conversation,

    fearing

    it mighte across as cheesy.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not going to die. I¡¯ve arranged for the best experts to treat you. I even shelled out

    100

    thousand dors for a one-time use of a lung machine.

    ¡°And if that doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll reach out to international experts. I can do anything with the money I have-

    even negotiate with the Grim Reaper!¡±

    Jasper furrowed his brows, annoyed by Landon¡¯s endless chatter.

    Landon pped his chest confidently and dered, ¡°Even if you were paralyzed from head to toe, I will

    bring you everywhere by my side and make you my lucky charm!

    ¡°You might have lost a wife, but you still have a friend in me! I will never abandon my bro!¡±

    Jasper went over Landon¡¯s words and couldn¡¯t help but wonder if his friend was subtly cursing and

    mocking him.

    ¡°We can still be friends if you keep your mouth shut,¡± replied Jasper.

    Landon smiled sheepishly with a heavy feeling within. Still, he gathered himself and encouraged

    Jasper, Hang in there! If something happens to you, not only will your family lose their bloodline, but

    your grandpa

    will not have anyone by his side!

    ¡®Your family is a group of devils. They would totally usurp your sess and exploit your grandpa

    without

    Jasper felt his chest tighten. He had shbacks of the moment he coughed up blood.

    He had been gripped by despair then, and his life shed across his mind. Two faces appeared in his

    mind. One was Newton¡¯s, and the other was Alyssa¡¯s.

    Jasper inhaled deeply to calm his nerves. He casually remarked, ¡°If something bad happens to me, my

    brother will be the one who takes over the presidency.

    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°To be fair, I took what was supposed to be his. I wouldn¡¯t have be the heir of Beckett Group if it

    weren¡¯t for his health issues.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense! Primogeniture has no ce in the modern world! Your grandpa would have chosen you for

    your talent and capability, even if Justin were in good health,¡± objected Landon, who had been

    watching

    too many family dramas with his mom.

    Jasper smiled softly, feeling fortunate to have an optimistic friend in his otherwise dreary and boring

    life.

    ¡°Why did you request for a hospital transfer, though? You got hurt because of Lyse!¡± questioned

    Landon.

    Still seated, he rowed himself to Jasper¡¯s bedside with his legs.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that a great chance to talk to her? I might even put on a little show at her doorstep if I were

    you.

    Perhaps I¡¯d pretend to vomit blood all over, just to show how much I¡¯ve sacrificed for her! You should

    evoke her maternal instincts by parading your misery!¡±

 Chapter 524

    ¡°It¡¯s my duty to protect her. I would never ask for any reward or praise,¡± Jasper remarked. He closed his

    eyes as a dull pain pulsed in his chest. ¡°I am only making amends for wronging her in thest three

    years.¡±

    ¡°With your life?¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t make amends with money, can I? Do you realize how wealthy her family is?¡± Jasper¡¯s

    temper red.

    Landon scratched his head. Right, Alyssa could afford anything with her wealth.

    Jasper¡¯s thoughts drifted to the memory of her pale face in his arms, which only intensified his

    heartache.

    He wondered if she was awake now and if her fever had subsided. He also couldn¡¯t help but worry if

    she suffered any fractures from hanging onto the cliff.

    She was all he could think about.

    Taking a deep breath, he clutched his bedsheet tightly as if trying to kill a budding urge.

    Had he truly fallen for her? 2

    His heart raced at the thought of it. His breaths grew heavy, and his cheeks flushed.

    ¡°Hm, why are your cheeks red? Do you have a fever?¡± Landon wanted to take Jasper¡¯s temperature by

    touching the forehead, but Jasper swatted his hand away.

    ¡°Ouch! That fucking hurt!¡± Landon grinned while shaking his hand. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the strength. Looks

    like you¡¯re in good shape. Yourbat skills are there.¡±

    They were interrupted by a series of urgent knocks on the door. Xavier barged in without waiting for

    permission, his mouth hanging open in surprise.

    Then, a melodious yet assertive female voice filled the room. ¡°Jasper Beckett, how dare you switch

    hospitals without informing me when you¡¯re seriously injured? You should have stayed put. What the

    hell were you doing?¡±

    With that, Alyssa entered the room with Sean¡¯s assistance. Her presence was astonishingly

    captivating.

    After a shower, she changed into an aqua-blue dress and a chic white cashmere coat. Her radiant

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    She strutted in her iconic high heels, her head held high. She didn¡¯t look sick at all.

    She was literally glowing from head to toe when she gave Jasper a frosty stare. Her actions made it

    seem

    kisses.

    Jasper pressed his parched lips together and put on a look of dismay.

    ¡°I¡¯m asking you. Answer me!¡± Though she appeared emotionless, she silently observed his pale

    expression, which only fueled her anger.

    Her irritation grew as she scolded him, ¡°What¡¯s your n? Keeping your injuries hidden from me and

    avoiding me physically? Is this your way of grabbing my attention?¡±

    Landon was caught off guard by Alyssa¡¯s domineering air. On the other hand, Jasper looked like a

    disgruntled spouse as he weakly sat on the bed and shot a begrudging look at Alyssa.

    Once the idea crossed Landon¡¯s mind, he suddenly saw the situation in aical light. He couldn¡¯t

    help but guffaw.

 Chapter 525

    However, Landon obediently stumbled backward after Alyssa shot him a death re, like one of

    Cleopatra¡¯s many male lovers.

    Xavier swiftly went up to her and said, ¡°M-Madam-¡±

    ¡°Madam? What?¡± Alyssa frowned.

    ¡°Uh, Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett switched hospitals because he didn¡¯t want you to worry about his injuries.

    He

    wanted you to focus on your recovery,¡± Xavier muttered meekly.

    Xavier felt nervous every time he had to face Alyssa, who had grown assertive and abrasive. She had

    be theplete opposite of her past acquiescent self.

    ¡°He¡¯s overthinking, then. I am not going to worry about him,¡± replied Alyssa with a snicker and a lift of

    the

    brow.

    ¡°But you wouldn¡¯t have quickly located him if you weren¡¯t worried about him, right?¡± Xavier bit the bullet

    and retorted.

    ¡°You-¡± She red at him.

    Jasper secretly grinned as he rested against the headboard.

    Xavier might be a little slow and clumsy and didn¡¯t always do his job right. However, he had redeemed

    himself and pleased Jasper with his words just now.

    Jasper secretly decided to increase Xavier¡¯s bonus pay.

    ¡°Leave, all of you,¡± Alyssa instructed coldly.

    Sean mumbled with a troubled expression, ¡°But Ms. Alyssa-¡±

    She promptly cut him off, ¡°You too, Sean.¡±

    Nobody dared defy Alyssa¡¯s orders. Landon, Xavier, and Sean shuffled out of the room with their heads

    hung low.

    When the door closed, Alyssa marched up to Jasper. Her face was a mix of anger and concern.

    She began, ¡°looked at your patient records. You¡¯ve got a serious concussion. If you¡¯d waited just one

    more minute for treatment, you could have risked a hemorrhage and your life.¡±

    ¡°But I got help on time. And I¡¯m still alive,¡± he replied calmly with a hint of nasal voice.

    Jasper then cast a tender and heavy look at her. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, I¡¯ve served in wars. I endured all sorts of

    suffering and injuries. This is nothing.¡±

    His intense gaze burned into her, triggering memories of their time together on the Luminara

    battlefields.

    Despite herposed demeanor, those memories tugged at her heartstrings. Her palms grew sweaty,

    and her breaths became ragged.

    ¡°I¡¯m thankful to you for saving my life, but you don¡¯t have to handle everything on your own. Just let me

    know if you¡¯re hurt, and I¡¯ll get you help. Why hide it from me?¡± She looked squarely at him and said

    shakily.

    ¡°Xavier just exined the reason,¡± Jasper answered coolly. He seemed nonchnt about his injuries.

    ¡°You¡¯re hurt on your back, aren¡¯t you? Take off your clothes and turn around,¡± she instructed, her tone

    cold

    and authoritative, ignoring the meaning behind his words just now. ¡°Hurry up! What¡¯s with the dilly-

    dallying? Scared I¡¯d take advantage of you?¡±

    He smiled bitterly at her. ¡°Of course not. You would have taken advantage of me three years ago if

    you¡¯d

    wanted.¡±

    ¡°Well, I had the intention, but you never gave me a chance. You avoided me like the gue¡­¡± She

    trailed

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    off when she realized her words hade out wrong. An embarrassed blush crept onto her face.

    Jasper was taken aback by the slip of her tongue. A heavy sense of guilt washed over him. The

    awkward

    tension in the room grew palpable once more.

    He silently unbuttoned his shirt and took it off, revealing his bare, muscr top with attention-catching

    scars all over.

    That wasn¡¯t the first time Alyssa had seen him half-naked, but she still found herself admiring his toned

    physique. Swallowing hard, she ordered with an icy tone, ¡°Lie face down.¡±

 Chapter 526

    Jasper, who had always been prideful and rebellious, went along with Alyssa. He rolled over just as

    instructed.

    Alyssa pressed her lips, surprised by hisck of protest. The huge area of bruises on his wide and

    muscr back nowy exposed before her eyes.

    At that moment, her eyes wavered. Despite her best efforts to keep her emotions in check, she couldn¡¯t

    help but feel extremely bad for him.

    He mistook her silence for shock and attempted to roll over again, but she pinned him down and

    ordered,

    ¡°Stop moving around. I need to take a better look.¡±

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    ¡°The doctor said the bruises would slowly go away as I heal,¡± he remarked in a low voice. It was

    strange

    how he seemed to be trying to console her when he was the one who was injured.

    ¡°Like I can¡¯t tell,¡± she fired back, annoyed.

    Her sharp retort caught him off guard, and he responded with a hint of amusement, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you

    were such a firecracker when you were still with me. I am amazed by that sharp tongue of yours and

    your

    guts.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I faked my personality to win you over,¡± she admitted. Her fingertips gently traced the scars on

    his

    back as she examined his wounds, her tone as cold as ice.

    ¡°I thought you might catch feelings for me one day if I were attentive and caring enough. After seeing

    the heartless side of you, I opted out of that marriage. I don¡¯t need to put on a front now.

    ¡°Thinking back, I was really an idiot. It wasn¡¯t worth losing myself for someone who¡¯d never love me

    back.¡±

    He felt suffocated-a bitter taste spread in his mouth.

    Back then, he was blind to her love. He grew up to be a sensitive and anxious person after being

    subjected to unfair treatment.

    He wanted to cling on to his possessions. He might be willing to ept defeat, but he couldn¡¯t stand

    seeing people leave him.

    He wasn¡¯t really infatuated with Liana. In reality, he had been with her to escape his inner demons.

    ¡°Alyssa¡­¡±

    ¡®Done checking. Roll over now.¡± She patted him on the shoulder.

    ¡°But the doctor has looked at-¡±

    ¡°I trust no one except myself. Roll over,¡± Alyssa reiterated. She was in doctor mode with a stoic look in

    her eyes. Confused, he followed her instructions and rolled over.

    Their eyes met. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of his perfect eight-pack. He might be a jerk, but

    he

    was undeniably attractive.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she was a pervert in herst life.

    She collected herself and gently pressed on various areas of his legs, arms, and abdomen.

    His eyes sparkled. Some unknown emotions stirred in his chest. He had an urge to confirm something

    with her.

    ¡°You¡¯re stronger than the average person thanks to your military background, and you didn¡¯t sustain

    severe injuries.

    ¡°But don¡¯t ignore the bruises on your back. Mandy¡¯s family¡¯s pharmaceuticalpany produces this

    really

    effective medicine.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask for it and have it sent to you,¡± Alyssa informed him in a matter-of-fact tone as she ran her

    fingers

    over his ribs.

    Without warning, he grabbed her hand and pressed it against his chest. Her eyes widened, and her

    heart

    raced, ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    That was crazy! For a second, she couldn¡¯t tell if he was taking advantage of her or the other way

    around.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you need to check me here?¡± He stared deep into his eyes. His breathing became heavier.

    ¡°No! Let go!¡± She started a tugging war with him in a panic.

 Chapter 527

    Jasper was strong despite being injured, much to Alyssa¡¯s surprise. With a glimmer in his eyes, he

    pulled

    her toward him. She fell into his arms, and their bodies pressed against each other.

    Jasper pinned her down by resting his left hand on the back of her waist. It was still hooked to the IV

    drip.

    ¡°Jasp-¡± Alyssa teared up from the anxiety. Her words were cut short by his sudden kiss.

    His damp and warm lips brushed against her. Upon tasting her sweetness, he became a beast out of

    control, kissing her aggressively and taking her in.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa was dizzy from the kiss and unknowingly moaned. She tightened her grip on his

    chest,

    leaving behind red marks.

    She was going through a mix of emotions-shame, humiliation, grievance¡­ Driven by those emotions,

    she gave him a bite on the lip. Surprisingly, he did not flinch and only hugged her tighter as she bit him.

    deeper.

    The metallic taste of blood spread in their mouths. He endured the pain she inflicted on him but did not

    let go until she was almost out of breath.

    They panted heavily, foreheads dotted with sweat. His lips were bloodied from her attack just now.

    ¡°You can¡¯t do anything you want to me just because you¡¯ve saved my life! You said that yourself!¡±

    Alyssa

    growled, panting and blushing hard.

    He gazed at her affectionately and ran his fingertip across the blood. He said, ¡°You mentioned you¡¯d

    make it up to me as long as it¡¯s not an outrageous request.¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that considered outrageous?¡± Alyssa spoke but was unaware of the tears streaming down her

    face. She raged at him, ¡°When will you let me live? I thought we were divorced. You wanted me gone!

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°When will you stop bullying me? You have no right to touch me now that I don¡¯t have feelings for you

    anymore!¡±

    ¡°I regretted it,¡± he croaked with tears in his eyes.

    Unlike her, he could not afford to disy his emotions openly. In the two decades, he had kept his

    feelings under strict control to the point that he was clueless about how to express himself.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± she questioned, her eyes wide open in bewilderment.

    ¡°Alyssa, I regretted the divorce. I regretted letting you go. Would you give our rtionship a second

    Would you give our rtionship a second chance?

    From where? He wanted a second chance when he had no idea what happened in the 13 years. He

    was even oblivious to her miscarriage. The audacity to ask for a second chance!

    Her eyes clouded over. There wasn¡¯t a hint of joy. Jasper picked that up. His enthusiasm turned cold,

    and

    his heart squeezed.

    ¡°Things have ended between us. Do you understand? There¡¯s nothing more between us beyond this

    point,¡±

    she dered cold-bloodedly with tears in her eyes.

    She added, ¡°We didn¡¯t even start on the right foot. The journey from our marriage to divorce was filled

    with mistakes.¡±

 Chapter 528

    ¡°My dad once told me that a perfect rtionship has to be smooth from the start. In our three years of

    marriage, I gave up myself to prop you up. I kept the rtionship bypromising. What¡¯s the point of

    keeping this broken rtionship? Why would I hurt myself by giving you a second chance?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s words were piercing and damning. Jasper refused to lose her and reached out to hold her

    hand,

    but she dodged the move.

    He panted heavily and dered, ¡°I swear I will not treat you like I did in the past. You don¡¯t even have

    to

    do anything. I¡¯ll pursue you.¡±

    Her heart raced as she went through a whirlwind of emotions. Her palms grew sweaty, her breathing

    became erratic, and her heart raced in all directions.

    She scoffed at his suggestion. ¡°You once said I was a shameless and deceitful woman. I¡¯m not a prim

    and properdy, unlike Liana Gardner. Why would you fall for me?¡±

    She sniffled and added, ¡°Besides, I¡¯m no longer the gullible and weak Alice White. Men are lining up for

    1. Do you think you stand any chance after being cklisted as a massive jerk?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa, I really-¡±

    ¡°Stop it. I don¡¯t want to hear one more word,¡± she interrupted, covering her ears and leaving the room

    hastily. ¡°I¡¯ll consider your words today as nonsense. I¡¯m treating your wounds only because I feel bad

    for

    you. We will part ways once you¡¯ve recovered.¡±

    With that, she mmed the door shut.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. His hands, suspended in mid-air, finally dropped.

    He mumbled, ¡°But I truly love you.¡±

    After leaving Jasper¡¯s room, Alyssa met with Xavier instead of going home. She wanted to obtain more

    information about Jasper¡¯s condition. She also took the body checkup reports and patient files to

    review

    She was concerned because she realized that Jasper was in a bad condition after performing a body

    checkup on him just now. He might suffer from chronic side effects if his wounds were not taken care

    of.

    Sean drove the Taylor siblings to Belbanks in their Rolls-Royce. Liam took the second passenger seat

    while Jonah sat in the back with his arm draped around Alyssa¡¯s shoulder.

    Throughout the journey, Alyssa tightly clutched Jasper¡¯s patient profiles and scan results. She rested

    her head on Jonah¡¯s shoulder and repeatedly sighed, obviously in low spirits.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Lyse? You seem upset,¡± Jonah inquired and gently caressed her cheek. ¡°Is Jasper

    dying?

    She was speechless at his spection. Liam turned around with a frown and said, ¡°Oh, that would be

    good news. Why would you feel upset?¡±

    Again, she was dumbfounded.

    ¡°Liam, Lyse is a thoughtful and kind soul. She¡¯ll feel bad if something happens to Jasper because he

    has

    saved her life,¡± Jonah remarked with a sigh.

    Liam seethed but did notment more.

    ¡°Jasper is severely injured, but he¡¯s no longer in critical condition because he received timely

    treatment.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great news. Why are you upset, then?¡± Jonah sounded puzzled.

    She replied, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± After a pause, she admitted, ¡°Jasper said he wanted to pursue me.¡±

 Chapter 529

    A heavy silence enveloped the car.

    Jonah, Liam, and Sean were baffled. Sean, who was driving, almost lost his grip on the steering wheel.

    ¡°Lyse, w-what did you just say?¡± Jonah stammered, losing his usualposure.

    ¡°Jasper told me he regretted the divorce. He wanted a second chance and even said he¡¯d pursue me

    this

    time,¡± Alyssa recounted.

    She raised her chin and fixed her crystal-clear eyes on Jonah. ¡°Jonah, what does that mean? Is that a

    love

    confession?¡±

    Liam and Sean retorted at the same time, ¡°Nonsense!¡±

    Then, they again scolded Jasper in unison, ¡°That shameless bastard!¡±

    Jonah blinked, his brows furrowing.

    ¡°Jonah, can you believe it? The man who destroyed my marriage now swears that he¡¯s going after me.

    He

    almost had me convinced,¡± Alyssa mused with a forced smile. 1

    Her past self would have rejoiced. Now, she felt nothing but glum. It was like desiring a toy as a child

    but

    losing interest when finally getting a better one as an adult.

    Besides, what was Jasper¡¯s reason to pursue her romantically? He did not even appreciate her efforts

    when she was good to him. But now, he wanted a second chance when she treated him like scum.

    ¡°His love is worth nothing when it arriveste. His confession is nothing but garbage!¡± Liam seethed.

    ¡°Yeah. What did we really expect from him?¡± Sean agreed under his breath as he clutched the steering

    wheel.

    ¡°Lyse, did you forget the pain from how he treated you when you gave your heart to him? He¡¯s now

    feeling

    upset and indignant when you reveal yourself to be the well-loved Alyssa Taylor, in all your glory.

    ¡°He probably wants you back just because he finally realized he was a fool. All he wants is to have you

    by

    his side to stroke his ego. As a man, I understand his psychology all too well!¡± Liam used Jasper

    with

    a sullen face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think this has anything to do with his ego,¡± intervened Alyssa. ¡°But you got one thing right. He¡¯s

    likely interested in me because he finds me more charming now. His attitude only changed after l

    revealed my true identity.¡±

    ¡°Men can be quite shallow, seeking novelty,¡± Sean hissed. ¡°He¡¯s fallen for the new you after growing

    tired

    of the dylike¡¯ Liana. It¡¯s just a change in taste for him. He went from liking poop to liking durian. He

    may

    be chasing you today, but who¡¯s to say he won¡¯t pursue someone else tomorrow.¡±

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Liam agreed with him, ¡°Absolutely! Do not give a cheating man a second chance!¡±

    Alyssa merely raised a brow in scrutiny. ¡°I know you¡¯reparing Liana to poop, but please exin

    who

    you¡¯re drawing parallels to¡­ the durian.¡±

    Sean coughed awkwardly and exined, ¡°I-It was just an analogy. I didn¡¯t give it much thought.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the durian? It¡¯s called the ¡®King of Fruits,¡¯ and it does match your personality,¡±

    Jonah

    interjected with a smile.

    ¡°But the durian is thorny and smelly!¡±

 Chapter 530

    ¡°The durian is also soft inside and sweet in taste,¡± Jonah disagreed. He yfully touched the tip of

    Alyssa¡¯s nose ¡°Doesn¡¯t that sound just like you?¡±

    She looked away, adorably feigning anger and letting out a snort.

    ¡°Anyway, Lyse, you really shouldn¡¯t fall into Jasper¡¯s trap again. Men are all scumbags!¡± Liam advised

    Alyssa, worried that his sibling might reignite her rtionship with Jasper.

    ¡°Except for me, Liam,¡± Sean timidly stood up for himself.

    ¡°Me too,¡± Jonah chimed in.

    ¡°Right, right. The guys in our family are pretty decent,¡± Liam hurriedly added.

    ¡°Well, not all. There¡¯s this one old man who tarnishes the reputation of Taylor men,¡± joked Alyssa. She

    crossed her legs.

    The three men exchanged knowing nces. Winston Taylor immediately came to their minds.

    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn!¡± Mandy scowled when she was being asked to help Jasper. She had always

    yielded

    to Alyssa¡¯s wishes, but this time, she staunchly refused Alyssa¡¯s request for the medications.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°Mandy, listen to me¡­¡± Alyssa pleaded in desperation.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more to talk about.¡± Mandy waved at her and reminded her coldly, ¡°I¡¯m well aware of

    how

    he mistreated you in the past. L and Colette would have remembered it, too. Isn¡¯t he the president of

    the Beckett Group? Let him figure it out himself with the power he has!¡±

    ¡°Mandy-¡±

    ¡°Oh, right, doesn¡¯t he have a couple of lovers around him? I don¡¯t see them shedding tears for him,

    though,

    Mandy¡¯s tone remained hostile and unrelenting when discussing Jasper.

    H

    ¡°He is a jerk, but he¡¯s saved my life this time,¡± exined Alyssa. She took Mandy¡¯s hand and led the

    latter

    to the couch, looking like the parent figure instead.

    Mandy frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Alyssa recounted her ordeal of getting into danger while saving someone at Crater Mountain. She also

    detailed how Jasper got hurt while rescuing her.

    Mandy¡¯s hand went cold as she heard about the harrowing experience. She scolded, ¡°Lyse, if you were

    my

    daughter, I would have grounded you and given you a good beating! You¡¯re quite the daredevil!¡±

    ¡°Only Jonah, Liam, and Sean knew about this. Winston is still in the dark.¡± Alyssa ced a finger

    between

    her lips and whispered, ¡°Please keep this a secret from him. I¡¯m scared his blood pressure might

    skyrocket if he finds out.¡±

    ¡°God, I¡¯m tired of keeping secrets for you. We¡¯ve gathered enough secrets to fill a dossier from your

    marriage to Jasper Beckett,¡± Mandy grumbled, poking Alyssa lightly on the temple.

    She added, ¡°I should have told your dad about the mountain incident and have him discipline you!¡±

    ¡°He-he! Even if you did, he wouldn¡¯t be able to do much. He would have disciplined me earlier if he

    could

    have,¡± Alyssa teased.

    After some persuasion, Alyssa finally convinced Mandy to help.

 Chapter 531

    ¡°Tell me the truth, Lyse. Did you catch feelings for him again after that incident?¡± Mandy asked with

    concern.

    ¡°Not at all,¡± Alyssa replied firmly. ¡°I¡¯m not going to dig my own grave. I just want to pay him back for

    what

    he has done for me.¡± Her heart panicked for a moment, but she soon gathered herself.

    ¡°Good to hear. ¡°Just know that if you ever consider getting back with him, you¡¯re out of our lives. It¡¯s

    your

    family or that jerk,¡± Mandy warned and cast a frosty nce at Alyssa.

    Alyssa rubbed against the goosebumps on her arm. Her skin prickled at Mandy¡¯s threat.

    ¡°Lyse! Mandy!¡± Colette¡¯s voice interrupted as she knocked on the door and entered.

    She eximed, ¡°The dresses for L¡¯s birthday party have arrived, and I need your input! I mean, I¡¯m a

    woman who got married in jeans-I know nothing about women¡¯s fashion.¡±

    ¡°Alright! we¡¯ll be right there!¡± Alyssa replied. Eager to avoid more questioning from Mandy, she grabbed

    Mandy¡¯s arm and headed to see L¡¯s dresses.

    The three women hastily made their way to L¡¯s room, where endless opulent evening gowns were

    disyed on racks.

    Each dress was a limited edition and thetest design from Bastian Fashion Week. It was truly

    dazzling!

    On the floor, pairs of haute couture heels wereid out. Some of them were adorned with diamonds in

    an

    envy-inducing disy of wealth.

    Any other woman would have squealed in delight at the scene. The price of the diamonds on those

    heels

    alone could buy a house.

    However, L appeared lost as she sat on the couch in her simple lc sweater.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, L? It¡¯s your birthday soon, but you seem upset,¡± Alyssa asked with concern. She

    took a

    seat beside L and wrapped an arm around thetter.

    ¡°Lyse, could you please ask your dad to cancel the party?¡± L sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been insisting for months

    that I wanted a small gathering at home. I¡¯m not ustomed to dining out, and it feels exhausting and

    wasteful to host all the guests he invited. But he won¡¯t listen. What should I do?¡±

    ¡°Woah, L, is that a humblebrag? Colette poked fun at her.

    ¡°We would have thought you were a bitch if we didn¡¯t know you better,¡± joked Mandy, who rested her

    hand

    on Colette¡¯s waist,

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes flickered. She was a little uneasy by L¡¯s behavior. Ever since she was young, L,

    who married Winston, had deliberately stayed out of her sight out of consideration for her feelings.

    Alyssa would only see her during mealtimes, busying herself in the kitchen.

    Back then, Alyssa was too young to understand much, but she knew that L had been Jennifer¡¯s

    romantic rival. As a child, she threw tantrums at home and caused trouble for L to take Jennifer¡¯s

    side.

    She had even used hurtful words to insult L.

    At that time, she perceived women like L as homewreckers. How could they humiliate themselves by

    staying with him, even after knowing that he had been married and had flings with multiple women?

    It wasn¡¯t until she grew a little older that she learned the full story from Jonah and Ss. It was L who

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    had selflessly donated her bone marrow to Jennifer, who was battling a severe case of lupus.

    The bone marrow transnt took ce two decades ago when medical technology was less advanced.

    L had enduredsting side effects from the transnt, leading to asional pain throughout her

    body.

 Chapter 532

    Although Jennifer had passed, Alyssa felt grateful to L for adding a year to Jennifer¡¯s life. Thanks to

    L, she enjoyed one more year of childhood happiness with her mom.

    Later, it was L who had taken care of her like a mom when she miscarried.

    As time passed, Alyssa did not harbor resentment for L anymore. She was a human with feelings

    and

    couldn¡¯t bring herself to hate a woman who was consistently nice to her for two decades.

    There was no reason for Alyssa to dislike L, especially when Jennifer herself didn¡¯t me L for

    anything.

    ¡°L, we¡¯ll have the party just as Winston wants it,¡± Alyssa advised. She held onto L¡¯s arm like a

    daughter.

    Alyssa continued, ¡°This is not only his wish-it¡¯s mine, too. I have never properly celebrated your

    birthday

    in thest 20 years. I feel a little regretful about it.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, darling,¡± gasped L with widened eyes. ¡°I¡¯m the one who refuses any huge

    celebrations. It

    has nothing to do with you!¡±

    ¡°If so, let us throw this party for you toplete my wish. Alright?¡±

    ¡°L, don¡¯t overthink it! Lyse has made her wishes clear,¡± Mandy and Colette also encouraged L.

    In the end, L was ushered to choose her dress with everyone¡¯s insistence.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°These dresses won¡¯t do,¡± Alyssa critiqued the luxurious dresses, crossing her arms on her chest.

    ¡°They

    look so gaudy! Winston¡¯s taste is pretty bad, unlike mine.¡±

    ¡°Well, they are good enough,¡± L hurriedly replied.

    Alyssa wagged her finger as her eyes shone with pride.

    ¡°You should be wearing a tailored dress from a top designer for your dress. And it has to be the most

    unique design in this world. L, have you heard of Sharon?¡±

    ¡°Sharon?¡± Mandy and L were taken aback. Even Colette, the tomboy. She looked a little confused

    and

    had vaguely heard of Sharon¡¯s fame.

    ¡°Yep. Would you like me to ask her to design your dress for the birthday party?¡± Alyssa beamed.

    ¡°Lyse, are you serious? Sharon? The world-renowned fashion designer?¡± Mandy stared at Alyssa in

    disbelief

    ¡°There¡¯s only one Sharon in the world, as far as I know,¡± Alyssa quipped.

    ¡°Winston once thought of getting Sharon to design a dress for L, but he gave up after failing to

    contact-

    her. Lyse, do you really have a way to reach out to Sharon?¡±

    Alyssa grinned. Winston would probably find it hard to believe that Sharon had been right under his

    nose

    all along-Sharon was none other than his little girl!

    ¡°Of course. Sharon and I go way back. She¡¯ll help if I ask her to,¡± Alyssa reassured them with a glint in

    her

    eyes.

    She gave L a hug and added, ¡°L, I want you decked in Alexa¡¯s jewelry and Sharon¡¯s dress. You¡¯ll

    be

    the talk of the town. I want everyone to witness the charm and beauty of a former top actress!¡±

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Tears welled up in L¡¯s eyes as she grappled with her emotions.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make you the envy of every woman alive on that day!¡±

 Chapter 533

    Finally, Mandy handed Alyssa the two medications, one for internal injuries and the other for external

    wounds, both developed by Lovce Pharmaceuticals.

    The next day, Alyssa tasked Sean to deliver the drugs to Jasper.

    Weirdly, Jasper had his pride in front of his romantic rival and refused to show his weak side. When he

    noticed that Sean arrived alone, his disappointment swelled as he had hoped to see Alyssa.

    In an instant, his high spirits crumbled. ¡°Where is she?¡±

    He leaned his stocky body against the headboard. He looked pitiful, with a hint of loneliness etched

    between his brows.

    None of it mattered when Alyssa wasn¡¯t there for his pity party.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is busy. She wanted me to deliver these to you,¡± Sean answered.

    cing the package of rare medications by the headboard, he cast a chilly nce at Jasper¡¯s pale

    face.

    ¡°She mentioned that the external injury medication should be applied thrice a day, while the one for

    internal injury should be applied once a day.

    ¡°I¡¯ll send you a new batch of medications half a monthter. They¡¯re like targeted drugs and will help

    curb

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    the symptoms.

    ¡°However, taking the medications also leads to side effects such as nausea and dizziness. The

    symptoms vary from person to person.

    ¡°Let her know immediately if you have a strong reaction to the medications. Got it?¡±

    Throughout Sean¡¯s exnation, Jasper remained silent.

    ¡°Those medications sound quite potent. Will it affect the patient¡¯s health?¡± Xavier mumbled doubtfully.

    He was concerned about the side effects but hesitated to voice his worry too strongly, given that the

    medications came from Alyssa.

    ¡°If he¡¯s worried about adverse effects, he can choose not to take them. The decision is entirely up to

    him.

    That¡¯s it.¡±

    With that, Sean was ready to leave.

    ¡°I will not take the medications,¡± Jasper suddenly dered, causing Sean to whirl around.

    Sean eximed, ¡°You won¡¯t? What do you mean?¡±

    Alyssa had specifically ordered Sean to ensure that Jasper took the medication on time, or he would

    suffer from health consequences.

    Surprisingly, that bastard told Sean that he had no intention to take the medications. Sean now worried

    that he might notplete the mission.

    ¡°I will not take them unless Alyssa sees me.¡± Jasper gazed down and coughed feebly. ¡°I saved her life

    13

    years ago and did it again. Even if she hates me after the divorce, I¡¯m still her savior. She can¡¯t just

    dismiss me like this.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, you-¡± Sean began, intending to use Jasper of selfishness, but Jasper interrupted

    him.

    ¡°I need her to take care of me this time,¡± Jasper demanded.

    Take care of him?

    Sean¡¯s eyes reddened with anger, and his knuckles turned white. Among everyone else, Jasper was

    the

    ¡°That¡¯s right! Mr. Beckett has endured a lot over the years to save Ms. Alyssa,¡± Xavier chimed in. He

    might

    be slow, but he understood what Jasper was getting at.

    He added, ¡°Mr. Beckett is in pain all over his body. He can¡¯t eat or sleep well and even coughed up

    blood

    again this morning. I¡¯m really worried he won¡¯t make it through the day. It¡¯s quite heartless of Ms.

    Alyssal

    to treat her savior this way, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Jasper raised an eyebrow, thinking that Xavier had gone too far. Sean gritted his teeth and left the

    room.

    After the door mmed shut, Jasper¡¯s shoulders slumped. Just a minute ago, he had stood on the

    moral

    high ground, but now he appeared dispirited and downcast.

    Without warning, he leaned forward and heaved a mouthful of blood.

 Chapter 534

    ¡®M-Mr. Beckett? Xavier eximed in panic and hit the emergency button.

    Xavier grabbed some napkins and wiped the blood off Jasper¡¯s lips as he pleaded, ¡°You can¡¯t keep

    going like this! Please put an end to your confrontation with Madam and take the medications she sent

    you.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Jasper replied adamantly despite the throbbing chest pains.

    His eyes carried a deep sadness as he dered, ¡°This is the only way to get Alyssa back to my side.

    It¡¯s

    my only chance to spend time with her. I¡¯ll put my life on the line just to see her once.¡±

    ¡°What did you say? That bastard refused to take his medications? But why?¡± Alyssa growled when

    Sean interrupted her family dinner to update her. She immediately lost her appetite from all the

    frustration.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    ¡°He said he¡¯d only take his medications if you meet with him,¡± Sean fumed. ¡°Give him an inch, and he

    takes a mile!

    ¡°Not only is he ungrateful for your help, but he¡¯s also resorting to threats. Who does he think he is? Ms.

    Alyssa, you have done all you could to help. If I were you, I¡¯d let him be. You should move on.¡±

    ¡°Get the car ready. I¡¯m going to Sna City,¡± Alyssa ordered furiously and vanished in no time to

    change

    into a new outfit

    ¡°M-Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean called out to Alyssa, who had left in a hurry. Bitterness coursed through his heart.

    Jasper did not tell anyone in the Beckett family about his injuries and subsequent hospitalization. He

    had

    reached a point in his career where he needed to maintain the confidentiality of his health status.

    Many, both within and beyond the Beckett Group, had their eyes on his presidency. If anything were to

    happen to him, it would give them an excuse to remove him from his position.

    For years, he had been walking on thin ice. He dealt with internal and external threats over the years,

    all

    because he was not Javier¡¯s favored son.

    As usual, Landon was his only visitor that night. Jasper did not confide in Landon that he coughed up

    blood so as to not worry Landon. He was determined not to let Landon waste time searching for

    medical

    help on his behalf.

    ¡°Aw, you poor thing.¡± Landon gleefully remarked as he slouched on the couch.

    Seeing Jasper¡¯s pale face, he jested, ¡®Look how miserable you are. Mr. Beckett was on top of the world

    just a few months ago.¡±

    Jasper lifted his gaze and wondered aloud, ¡®What are you trying to say?¡±

    ¡°You had a gentle wife at home and a passionate lover out there. Life was good back then.¡±

    ¡°Ahem, Landon Harper, Jasper warned. His face was rather dull. Landon¡¯s provocation almost triggered

    another bout of coughing up blood.

    ¡°I still remember yourints. You grumbled about going home to your overly zealous wife, which

    made you ufortable. I was so freaking jealous of you at that time! Having a doting wife is way

    better

    than countless servants, don¡¯t you know?¡± Landonmented with a hint of disgruntlement.

    He felt indignant for Alyssa and sorry for Jasper, who lost a good woman.

    ¡°At that time, I wasn¡¯t truly bothered by her,¡± confessed Jasper. His heart ached at the thought of

    Alyssa¡¯s

    kindness to him during their marriage.

    ¡°I¡¯m not heartless. I could see how much she cared for me and loved me during those three years. I

    gave

    her the cold shoulder to show her the harsh reality and push her toward getting a divorce.

    ¡°At the time, I wasn¡¯t in a position to secure her future. Staying with her would have only been a waste

    of

    her time.¡±

    ¡°What about now? You are practically clinging to her. Do you like recycling your women?¡± Landon

    quipped He cocked his head and ced a cigarette between his lips.

 Chapter 535

    All of a sudden, Landon recalled that he was in a hospital and did not end up lighting the cigarette.

    After a pause, Jasper inhaled deeply and said in a hushed voice, ¡°Landon, I think¡­ I might have fallen

    for

    Alyssa.

    What the heck? The cigarette between Landon¡¯s lips trembled. He came very close to leaping out of his

    seat in shock.

    Everyone could see that Jasper was smitten with Alyssa, except for Jasper himself. Yet, hearing him

    admit it was both refreshing and cathartic.

    ¡°I am in love with her. That¡¯s why I want her back by my side. I¡¯d like to try pursuing her,¡± Jasper

    confessed

    in a shaky voice and raised his head. He had a deep and sincere look in his eyes.

    ¡°You, going after the opposite sex? Are you sure you can do that?¡± Landon pressed on with an

    astonished

    look.

    ¡°There is a first time for everything. I¡¯ll have to give it a shot,¡± Jasper replied. He cast a judgmental

    nce

    at Landon. ¡°Even if my attempt fails, I still have you as my advisor, albeit an ineffective one.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Damn, why are you always so mean? Can¡¯t you ever put me in a good light?¡± Landon glowered at him.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re pretty bad at it, too. Otherwise, you would have won her heart. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Jasper

    retorted, growing even more sarcastic.

    Jasper added, ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have better options. Looks like I have no choice but to appoint you

    as my right-hand man.¡±

    Jasper had experienced a failed rtionship in the past but had never actively pursued any woman, not

    even Liana. He and Liana were childhood friends. Besides, Liana had always made the first move

    because he used to be an introverted and moody teenager.

    This time, for Alyssa, he decided to swallow his pride and take a chance.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty good with thedies, but what could I realistically have done to catch the attention of the rich

    and charming Alyssa Taylor?¡± Landon pouted unhappily.

    Landon continued, ¡°I thought she was a lovesick fool from the way she hopelessly fell for you. Little did

    I know she was a queen who wanted to build a career!

    ¡°She¡¯s better than any one of us. I¡¯m ranked the lowest among the three of us, all aspectsbined.

    How could I ever hope to win her over? I should be grateful she didn¡¯tpletely kick me aside.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll still pursue her. Whether she responds or not is up to her,¡± Jasper replied with

    determination. ¡°I¡¯ve got a long journey ahead in life, and I¡¯m not interested in anyone else. I can take

    my

    time with her.¡±

    To their surprise, the door was busted open. In walked Alyssa, her hair flinging and her eyes shining

    brightly.

    She yelled, Jasper Beckett! Are you really going to take your medications only when I¡¯m here? You¡¯re

    really ying with fire, aren¡¯t you? What¡¯s your game n?¡±

    The first thing that greeted her was Landon, who sat haphazardly on the couch. Her anger red at the

    sight of the cigarette between his lips.

    She swiftly snatched the cigarette, threw it on the floor, and crushed it beneath her heel.

    She berated him, ¡°Why the hell are you smoking here? Don¡¯t you know that Jasper can¡¯t inhale smoke

    because of his lung injuries? Are you his friend or the Grim Reaper?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s grin widened at Alyssa¡¯s concerned actions.

    ¡°But¡­ Lyse, I didn¡¯t even light it!¡± Landon protested with a pitiful expression.

    ¡°Take your cigarettes and get out of here! Now!¡± Alyssa pointed angrily at the door. Landon shot Jasper

    a

    pleading look with a downturned mouth.

    Without even making eye contact with Landon, Jasper calmly replied, ¡°Listen to her and leave.¡±

    Landon silently cursed Jasper, considering him an unfaithful friend who had put romantic interests

    before

    their friendship.

 Chapter 536

    Jasper and Alyssa were alone in the room after Landon left. Alyssa had learned from Xavier that

    Jasper had coughed up a significant amount of blood earlier that day, and this news deeply troubled

    her.

    If Jasper couldn¡¯t survive this ordeal, or if he suffered from long-term side effects, she¡¯d never be able

    to

    make up to him. The burden of guilt would haunt her every day.

    She went up to his bed with a sour face and grabbed his wrist. Then, she started checking his pulse.

    His eyes widened. Alyssa looked as serious as an experienced doctor. She announced, ¡°Your condition

    is

    not looking great. You need to take your medications right away. You cannot wait until the next day!¡±

    She was angered by his condition. Just as Alyssa was about to release his hand, he surprised her by

    wrapping her small, cold hand with his own.

    His action took her aback. Her breathing was caught in her throat.

    ¡°I can tell it¡¯s super cold out there from your hand.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s rough fingertips lightly massaged the back of her hand. He felt sorry at the sight of her scars

    and

    croaked, ¡°Sorry for making youe all the way at this hour.¡±

    ¡°If you feel sorry, you should take your medications on time! Why kick a fuss?¡± She tried to calm herself

    down and withdrew her hand from his grip. ¡°Are you a baby or what? Do you need me to feed you your

    medications?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it,¡± exined Jasper. He swallowed in frustration and whispered, ¡°I couldn¡¯t think of any

    other way to see you, Alyssa. I just wanted to meet with you.¡±

    ¡°Now that I¡¯m here, can you please take your medications?¡± Alyssa questioned.

    Jasper lowered himself despite his usual aggressive and authoritative behavior, but that did not sway

    her.

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She recalled Liam and Sean¡¯s warning and felt a growing aversion and impatience toward Jasper.

    She nced at her wristwatch and urged him, ¡°Hurry up and take your medications. I need to go home

    to

    Belbanks. We don¡¯t often have Liam back for dinner. I don¡¯t have time to waste on you!¡±

    Her harsh words stung him, and he clenched his fists. She had once been his caring wife, but now her

    patience for him had worn thin.

    He had no one to me but himself for her change. He regretted his past behavior to no end.

    The road to win back Alyssa¡¯s affection was long and tenuous, but he wanted to give it a go until he

    could

    ¡°Alyssa, I am in the hospital because of you,¡± Jasper argued.

    Since Alyssa did not soften at his pitiful look, he shamelessly resorted to guilt-tripping for more time

    together. ¡°I almost lost my life because of you. You can¡¯t just leave me here and never ask about me.¡±

    ¡°What do you expect me to do, then?¡± She gave him a scalding re.

    ¡°Take care of me until I¡¯m discharged,¡± he proposed, his eyes fixed on her radiant face.

    Alyssa burst intoughter at the audacity of his request. She retorted, ¡°I¡¯ve never met anyone as

    shameless as you.¡±

    Indeed. Jasper was aghast at his behavior, but he was merely imitating Landon.

    He might not have pursued women before this, but he had watched Landon going afterdies. Any

    female

    would sumb to a man¡¯s passionate pursuit.

    He was clueless about the passionate part of the equation, but the least he could do was to execute

    the

    pursuit.

    ¡°Listen carefully, Jasper. I¡¯m not your wife or your house servant. I have no reason to look after you,¡±

    she

    began coldly. ¡°You didn¡¯t appreciate my previous attempts to care for you, and you even found it

    annoying. But you¡¯re begging for me to stay now. Is there something wrong with your head?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because I love you, Alyssa Taylor!¡± Uncertain of the best way to win her heart, he could only

    confess his feelings with a passionate and sincere gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think of me. You can

    hate

    me or be disgusted by me. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

 Chapter 537

    ¡°I love you, Alyssa Taylor. I¡¯ve fallen for you.¡±

    Alyssa held her breath and stumbled backward without knowing it. Only she would understand the

    mixed feelings from hearing Jasper¡¯s love confession.

    They could hear each other¡¯s heart beating in the silence.

    ¡°I would have epted your confession right away if it happened in the three years we were married.

    But it¡¯s toote now. I told you before that my feelings for you had expired. I no longer love you,¡± Alyssa

    responded with a stoic look in her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I know my confessiones toote, but I¡¯m not one to give up when I set my mind to

    something,¡± Jasper argued, his forehead dotted with sweat.

    He wanted to go up to her but feared that he might scare her off. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t love me. I¡¯ll be the

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    one who sacrifices for you this time around. I¡¯ll-¡±

    He wanted to say, ¡°I¡¯ll love you¡±. He never told Liana he loved her, but he had an urge to use the word

    on

    Alyssa.

    ¡°Enough. I do not need the love from a man I¡¯m not interested in. How many times do I need to repeat

    myself?¡± To shut him up, she threatened, ¡°I¡¯ll turn around and leave if you keep spouting nonsense.¡±

    That immediately silenced him. After a while, when Alyssa looked much moreposed, he cautiously

    asked, ¡°I won¡¯t bring it up anymore. Will you stay the night?¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Dream on.¡±

    ¡°You said you¡¯d grant me a promise if I save you, as long as it¡¯s not something outrageous,¡± Jasper

    persisted.

    ¡°Last night, you-¡± She recalled how Jasper had kissed her in the same room yesterday.

    He had pinned her by the waist and showered her with a long, passionate kiss. She blushed at the

    thought

    as heat rose in her body.

    ¡°Oh, are you talking about the kiss? That doesn¡¯t count,¡± Jasper said in a low voice as he grinned,

    pleasured by the sight of her embarrassment.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t count?¡± she raised her voice in shock. She finally realized how cunning Jasper could be

    and

    that she should really stay away from him.

    ¡°Sure, I forced a kiss on you, but you counterattacked,¡± he said, pointing at the scab on his lip. ¡°Here¡¯s

    the

    evidence.¡±

    ¡°You deserved it! I¡¯d tear your lips to pieces if I could, you pervert!¡± Her cheeks reddened in anger at

    the

    thought of his advance.

    ¡°Okay. Go ahead,¡± Jasper invited her with a straight face, even leaning backward as a weing

    gesture.

    She gritted her teeth. How she wished she could kick him off his bed to wipe that gleeful smile off his

    face!

    She didn¡¯t want to argue further with Jasper, who had guilt-tripped her. Instead, she caved in and

    decided

    to stay the night.

    Since she arrived at the hospital in a rush, she did not bring anything with her. She had to request Sean

    to

    bring her some pajamas and daily essentials from her Sna City vi.

    Sean returned to the hospital soon with a somber expression. He walked down the corridor with a tiny

    suitcase in his hand.

    ¡°Sorry for the trouble, Sean. You should get home and rest now. Pick me up tomorrow morning,¡± Alyssa

    thanked Sean and was about to take the suitcase from him, but he refused to let go of it.

    He implored her, ¡°Ms. Alyssa,e home with me.¡±

    ¡°I know Jasper has thrown out a sudden request, but it¡¯s not a big deal to me. I don¡¯t mind paying him

    back this way,¡± Alyssa exined calmly.

    ¡°But you¡¯ll share a room with him! What if he¡¯s up to no good and¡­ and ¡­¡±

    ¡°I was once married to him. If he really wanted to take advantage of me, he wouldn¡¯t have waited until

    today.¡±

    ¡°But-¡±

    Alyssa waved off Sean and reassured him, ¡°Jasper might be a jerk, but he understands thew. If he

    ever

    forces himself on me, I¡¯ll castrate him.¡±

 Chapter 538

    Right after Alyssa entered Jasper¡¯s room, Sean immediately got a call from Liam. He picked up. ¡°Hi,

    Mr. Liam.¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sean, as her secretary, why didn¡¯t you immediately report her whereabouts to us?¡± Liam interrogated

    Sean right away. ¡°Why are you at the Sna City Memorial Hospital with Lyse? Is she there to see

    Jasper Beckett?¡±

    Jonah chimed in calmly, ¡°Liam, calm down.¡±

    Liam, usually gentle, was only out of character when it came to matters concerning his sister¡¯s well-

    being.

    Sean was shocked by Liam¡¯s intel and gasped, ¡°Mr. Liam, how¡­ how did you know? We kept it a

    secret!¡±

    ¡°GPS tracking.¡±

    Jonah sighed helplessly. ¡°Liam almost put to use his method to track criminals. Tracking down Lyse

    was a piece of cake.¡±

    Sean was rendered speechless.

    ¡°Liam, stop worrying about Lyse. Even if you scold her, given her character, she will not listen to you

    ande home. Just let her be. She¡¯s an adult,¡± advised Jonah, who seemed unbothered by the

    incident.

    ¡°I will station a team of guards to the hospital and stand guard in front of Jasper¡¯s room. Sean, I¡¯ll have

    to trouble you to keep an eye on them. Inform me right away if that bastardys a finger on Lyse,¡±

    instructed Liam.

    ¡°Roger that, Mr. Liam!¡± Sean almost stood at attention from the young colonel¡¯s air of authority.

    Liam seethed, ¡°If he tries anything on Lyse, I¡¯ll make him stay in that hospital for the rest of his life.¡±

    Jasper happily took his meds and applied the ointments since Alyssa agreed to stay by him.

    The hospital served some nd dinner that wasn¡¯t even nutritious, but he wolfed it down because he

    was in a good mood. The food tasted like the best meal he¡¯d ever had.

    Alyssa felt hungry after staring at Jasper for a while. She ordered a set for herself as supper and forced

    herself to finish the tasteless food as she refused to waste food.

    ¡°You should eat something nutritious, for example, some soups and stews,¡± she casually suggested.

    ¡°Sounds good, Can you make that for me?¡± he replied with anticipation.

    ¡°I made those for you all the time in the past, but you never appreciated them,¡± she retorted with a

    chuckle and put aside her tray.

    Then, she headed for the bathroom with her pajamas and toiletries. She added, ¡°Mrs. Rosie is a good

    cook. Get her to make soups for you.¡±

    With that, she mmed the bathroom door close.

    He felt remorseful at her remarks. Restarting their rtionship from scratch seemed a difficult task.

    When she appeared again, she had changed into a coral silk pajamas. She looked radiant with her

    bare

    face. She appeared more youthful without the makeup that always made her lookmanding.

    He pressed his lips as his heart raced.

    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? First time seeing my bare face?¡± she questioned. She was

    spraying

    some mist on her face due to the dry air in the room.

    ¡°I saw you bare-faced many times,¡± he replied, swallowing hard to suppress his desire. ¡°Your bare face

    has just¡­ stirred up some memories.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? Why do I feel like you¡¯re just physically aroused?¡± she mocked him and took a seat on the

    couch.

    Her reply dumbfounded Jasper. She was better than anyone in pbacks.

    ¡°Look, here¡¯s the border. You¡¯re dead if you trespass,¡± she warned him andy on the couch.

    Then, she pulled down her sleeping mask and covered herself with the nket while adjusting for the

    best position. ¡°I¡¯m sleeping.¡±

    ¡°Sleep on the bed,¡± he advised.

    ¡°Wow, are you seriously thinking of sharing a bed with your ex-wife? You¡¯re really seeking trouble,¡± she

    shot back coldly.

    ¡°No, you misunderstood me. You¡¯ll sleep on the bed, and I¡¯ll take the couch,¡± he corrected with a bitter

    smile.

    ¡°One more word from you, and I¡¯ll leave. You took your medications anyway. Now, you hold nothing

    over me.¡± She refused to follow his words. Instead, she threatened him.

    She managed to shut him up. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t want her to leave after going through all the

    trouble

    After they turned off the lights, the room fell into silence. The sleepless Jaspery on his side and

    asionally stole nces at Alyssa, admiring her. Despite having her back to him, she looked like a

    perfect, moonlit work of art.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave if you keep staring at me,¡± she suddenly opened her mouth, as though she had eyes on the

    back

    of her head.

    ¡°Sorry to interrupt your sleep,¡± he apologized, feeling spooked. He was extremely deferential in her

    presence.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I can tell you¡¯re not asleep from your breathing,¡± she blurted out and surprised herself.

    Jasper

    was equally astonished.

    Aching inside, she curled up and clutched her sleeve tightly. She was angry at herself. How pathetic

    had

    she been in the past three years to remember every detail of her loveless husband?

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened. The intense feelings of guilt almost crushed him.

    Throughout his three years of marriage, he had slept soundly each night without a care while Alyssa

    endured countless lonely nights. He wondered how she had managed to survive.

    ¡°Alyssa, I was really a huge jerk,¡± he finally croaked after a long pause.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s all in the past. Let¡¯s not repeat our mistakes.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa, I¡¯m serious. I-¡±

    She shut her eyes and cut him off with a snicker. ¡°If you had genuinely cared for me, you wouldn¡¯t have

    waited until now to develop feelings for me. I¡¯m not dumb. I won¡¯t mistake the fleeting change in your

    taste for true love.¡±

 Chapter 539

    Jasper also clutched his sleeve and struggled with the weight of guilt and pain.

    Alyssa had been wrong about him. He wanted to tell her that his feelings were not fleeting. Was his

    love

    worthless just because he discovered itte?

    13 years ago, he had gone through a life-and-death experience with her. Yearster, they went through

    the

    same thing. They seemed fated to be with each other.

    For the first time, he felt the pain of not being able to express himself. It was a suffocating feeling. Still,

    he

    remained silent because it was not the time to make lofty derations. He needed to show his love

    through actions.

    Although Alyssa¡¯s fever had subsided, she still felt a little weak, especially after the trouble she was put

    through in the past three days.

    She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow without even keeping guard against Jasper.

    Meanwhile, Jasper fixed his eyes on her, like a guardian, without any hint of sleepiness.

    When he confirmed that she was asleep, he rose from his bed in pain and tiptoed to the couch. He had

    wanted to admire her beauty for a little more, but he decided to scoop her into his arms, as he was

    more

    concerned about her sleeping position.

    His palms were sweating a little. He couldn¡¯t help but ruffle her soft hair with his chin.

    Alyssa moaned in her sleep. She looked like a baby in his arms.

    His eyes glimmered. He swallowed, suppressing the urge to taste her lips.

    He once thought he had married an innocent and demure woman, only to find out btedly that she

    was

    a vixen.

    When Alyssa woke up the next morning, she habitually stretched under the nkets. She enjoyed a

    surprisingly good night¡¯s sleep.

    Suddenly, she felt something amiss.

    She sat up straight and alertly scanned her surroundings. It was then she realized she was sleeping on

    the

    bed.

    What happened? Did she sleepwalk?

    She hurriedly tossed her nket aside, only to find herself fully dressed. Since it was a single bed, she

    doubted that Jasper could fit in the bed with her with his bulky build. She would have felt his weight.

    To her surprise, he was absent from the room. She punched the bed and silently cursed. What was he

    doing, running around with all those injuries on him?

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    At that moment, she heard a knock and Sean¡¯s voice. Sean called out to her, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, are you

    awake?¡±

    ¡°Come in,¡± she replied. Then, she took a seat on the couch, worried that Sean might misunderstand her

    if

    she sat in the bed.

    Sean squeezed through the door with two luxurious-lookingcquer food containers.

    He announced, ¡°Mr. Jonah and Mr. Liam are on their way from Belbanks. They¡¯ll pick you up and go for

    lunch. Mr. Liam will head back to Leichtown after that.¡±

    Alyssa rubbed her sore temples and let out a sigh. Despite her best efforts to cover her tracks, her

    brothers had somehow caught wind of her activities.

    ¡°What¡¯s that in your hand?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your breakfast. Jasper Beckett requested his loser secretary to buy it for you.¡± Sean reluctantly

    ced the two containers on the table.

    At the same time, Xavier was sneezing outside the room. He wondered if someone had badmouthed

    him

    behind his back.

    Alyssa frowned and questioned, ¡°Where¡¯s Jasper?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s getting some checkups.¡±

 Chapter 540

    When Alyssa opened the lid of the food containers, her eyes widened at the array of Belbanks

    delicacies.

    The ting was immacte, and the food was both aromatic and delicious. To her surprise, those were

    all her favorite dishes at home. Her stomach rumbled.

    ¡°I heard that Jasper Beckett sent his people to buy the food from Belbanks at 5:00 am. The containers

    are

    insted, so the food is still hot,¡± Sean exined robotically as heid out the breakfast.

    He was well aware that Jasper had made a move to pursue Alyssa. Sean had been in love with Alyssa

    and did not want to interfere in her love life, but he didn¡¯t want her to date Jasper.

    ¡°Is he crazy? Nobody wanted him to do that!¡± Despite herints, she couldn¡¯t help but shove a

    hashbrown into her mouth and chew away happily.

    Sean smiled wryly at her reaction.

    Suddenly, they heard a raspy voice that almost sent Alyssa choking on her food.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, is the food delicious?¡±

    She coughed violently and pressed a hand against her chest.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, are you okay?¡± Sean panicked and quickly patted her on the back.

    Jasper was enraged by Sean touching Alyssa on the back. He knew there was nothing between Alyssa

    and Sean, but he was green with envy nheless.

    Frowning, he was about to approach Alyssa when she marched up to him. She confronted him

    furiously,

    What happenedst night? How did I end up in that bed?¡±

    ¡°I moved you to the bed. It is ufortable sleeping on the couch,¡± he answered. Due to their

    proximity,

    she sensed his hot breath tickling her forehead. It felt rather intimate.

    ¡°Nobody asked you to do so! You¡¯re just a busybody.¡± She red into his eyes, that was filled with a

    doting look. Then, she clenched her fists.

    ¡°I¡¯ll always be a busybody when it concerns you,¡± he said sincerely. There was no hint of flirting in his

    tone.

    Paired with his enchanting eyes, he could make any woman fall for him.

    ¡°Look, you will not touch me no matter what you do for me. Save the trouble,¡± she retorted.

    Suddenly, she caught some details on his outfit from a casual nce.

    He was dressed in a custom navy striped suit and wore a tie that was a gift from her. He even sported

    apel pin that she gave him, Her eyes wavered at his choice of attire.

    ¡°Are you getting yourself discharged soon?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he openly admitted.

    ¡°That won¡¯t do. You¡¯re not well enough to be discharged.¡±

    ¡°So, will you stay by my side until I¡¯m well enough to leave the hospital?¡± he wondered with a grin.

    ¡°You¡¯re delusional!¡± She glowered at him. Maybe she had been too easy on him.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I do not want to be kept a prisoner in the hospital. And I want to see you,¡± he said to her.

    He

    had a rebellious yet affectionate look in his eyes.

    His childlike demeanor caught her off guard, and she momentarily forgot to deliver hereback.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Jonah and Liam showed up at the door, looking smart and stunning.

    ¡°Jonah! Liam!¡± Alyssa immediately left Jasper behind and ran toward her brothers.

    Seeing that, Jasper frowned and puffed his chest with a hint ofpetitiveness in his eyes.

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    He decided he wouldn¡¯t lose out to Alyssa¡¯s two brothers.

 Chapter 541

    Jasper didn¡¯t have a choice. The men surrounding Alyssa were all distinguished in their own right. Now,

    he had another Taylor sibling to worry about-Liam, the young colonel.

    ¡°Lyse, he didn¡¯t do anything to you, did he?¡± Liam held Alyssa¡¯s shoulders and examined her from head

    to

    toe.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine! Let¡¯s leave, Liam,¡± suggested Alyssa. She tried to drag Liam away, worried that war would

    break

    out between Liam and Jasper at any second.

    To her dismay, her worst fear came true.

    Liam addressed the others coldly, ¡°Jonah, Sean, please leave with Alyssa. I¡¯ll join you shortly.¡±

    ¡°Liam!¡± Alyssa called out to him, her tone tinged with concern. She knitted her brows.

    ¡°Lyse, let¡¯s go.¡± Jonah wrapped an arm across her shoulder and gave Jasper a knowing look.

    He then whispered in Alyssa¡¯s ear, ¡°You know Liam is the calmest and the gentlest of all, don¡¯t you?

    Don¡¯t

    worry. He knows where to draw the line.¡±

    She let out a sigh and left with Jonah. After all, it was unlikely that anything serious would happen

    between Liam and Jasper in a hospital setting.

    Jasper¡¯s intense gaze followed Alyssa on her way out and lingered until the door was closed.

    Suddenly, he recalled that she hadn¡¯t had breakfast. He was about to pick up the food container from

    the

    table when Liam pressed it back down.

    Their gazes locked, and tension hung in the air.

    ¡°I¡¯ll send her breakfast. She hasn¡¯t had anything,¡± Jasper remarked icily.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to. I¡¯m worried she might suffer after eating food from a massive jerk,¡± Liam retorted

    with

    a chuckle.

    Liam continued, ¡°Trying to win her back with pity and sweet talk, are you? You¡¯re the one who caused

    her suffering! Do you take her for a puppy that can be lured with a treat? You think too highly of

    yourself.¡±

    ¡°I was in the wrong. From now on, I¡¯ll give my best and treat her well,¡± Jasper admitted. He red at

    Liam

    and attempted to retrieve the food container,

    if he remembered correctly, Alyssa always had digestive issues. Even now, he felt a pang of guilt

    thinking about her curling up in pain on the couch from gastric distress at the charity auction event.

    Liam scoffed. ¡°Hmph, I¡¯d never believe in a word you say!¡± Then, he suddenly lifted a hand and

    knocked

    over the container.

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Before Jasper could react, Liam swiftly tossed the second container onto the ground, sending tes

    crashing and food scattering across the floor.

    Liam¡¯s actions greatly wounded Jasper.

    Liam spat, ¡°Stay away from my sister. Consider this myst warning.¡±

    He pointed a finger at Jasper¡¯s pale face and added, ¡°Or you¡¯ll end up like the mess on the floor!¡±

    Jasper closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was a murderous look in his eyes when he

    reopened his eyes.

    He dered, ¡°I will not give up on her. I have decided that she¡¯s the one for me. I love her, and I want to

    be with her. Even if everyone is against my decision and the Taylor family tries to sabotage me, I will

    not

    waver.¡±

    Liam was jumping in anger at Jasper¡¯s audacity. Soon, he burst into a mockingughter.

    ¡°Did you think the Taylor family could stand in your way? We tried to talk Lyse out of marrying you, but

    she

    went ahead anyway.

    ¡°Tell you what, even if our family did nothing, she¡¯d never get back with you. You¡¯ve exhausted all her

    love

    and patience. There¡¯s no room for you in her heart anymore.

    ¡°Do not mistake her action yesterday for love. She¡¯s much like her father, loyal and principled. She

    would

    have done the same for someone else. So, please do not tter yourself.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart was thumping wildly as he curled his fist. No matter what people said to him, his feelings

    for Alyssa would not change.

    After a period of fighting, confrontation, and entanglement, he realized that he had fallen for Alyssa.

    Even

    he worried that he might have arrived at the realization toote.

    He feared he no longer had a ce in her heart, just like what Liam had said.

    Liam ignored Jasper and marched out of the door. Suddenly, he came to a halt and dropped a remark,

    saying, ¡°I heard from Lyse that you came from a military background. Pfft. You are a disgrace to the

    military!¡±

 Chapter 542

    Xavier stood in the corridor outside the patient room and nced warily at the two lines of guards

    standing there. Their uniform posture and cold demeanor sent a chill down his spine.

    The door to Jasper¡¯s room flung open, followed by the heavy thud of military boots.

    Liam showed up with a stoic expression while adjusting his beret. After years of strict military training,

    he

    was able to keep a poker face at any time.

    The guards immediately performed a military salute.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Liam calmly ordered his men and whooshed past Xavier. The guards followed suit, and

    peace

    was restored in the corridor.

    Xavier gaped at Liam¡¯s handsome figure. He was charmed by Liam¡¯s masculine and regal air. Liam¡¯s

    presence made clear to him that some people were born to be special.

    When he was spacing out, Jasper had exited the room with a dark expression and heavy footsteps.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, don¡¯t push yourself. You¡¯re not in the condition to be discharged!¡± Xavier advised. He

    wanted to lend Jasper a helping hand, only to be shoved away.

    Jasper insisted, ¡°No. Javier and Sophia will be suspicious of me if I don¡¯t head back to thepany.

    They¡¯ll grab the chance to remove me. You cannot let anyone know about my hospitalization and my-¡±

    He started coughing violently after suppressing the bout of cough during his argument with Liam.

    The hollowness of the cough scared Xavier out of his skin as tears welled up in his eyes. He pleaded, ¡±

    Your health is more important than the Beckett Group and the presidency.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I will survive. I¡¯ve escaped many near-death experiences and sustained multiple

    injuries, but I¡¯m still kicking.¡±

    Jasper puffed his chest and took a deep breath. His eyes were burning in rage when he reyed

    Liam¡¯s

    insult in his mind.

    Liam had described him as a disgrace to the military.

    That was so unfair.

    Alyssa reserved a luxury lounge at KS World Hotel and served a feast for Liam¡¯s farewell dinner. Ss,

    Cyrus, and Tatiana, who were all working or studying in Sna City, had joined the merry asion.

    Every

    Unfortunately, Ss, Cyrus, and Tatiana had to see Liam off at their first gathering after a long time.

    TheyT¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    were reluctant to let Liarn go. An emotional Alyssa even teared up and had a few more drinks.

    She struggled toprehend her feelings at that moment. Of course, she was happy to be with her

    siblings, but the thought of Jasper left her frustrated.

    Why would he fall for her?

    Had he misattributed theirradery during the Crater Mountain Park incident to romantic love? Or did

    he feel bad after learning that she was the girl he had saved 13 years ago?

    Perhaps he was just a yboy. In the past, he was a sucker for bitches like Liana, and now, he was

    into

    cold beauties.

    Alyssa smirked and let out a snort. It seemed that he had rebounced from Liana¡¯s betrayal quite fast. In

    no time, he was going after his pretty ex-wife, who was like a new woman.

    What a shameless scoundrel!

    ¡°Lyse, I heard you once again volunteered to be a park ranger at Crater Mountain Park. They said you

    almost fell off a cliff to save a hiker!¡±

    Ss shuddered when he learned about Alyssa¡¯stest life update from Jonah. He gave her a tight and

    warm hug, and he refused to let go.

    He scolded her yfully, ¡°You little brat! Do you want to give me a heart attack? If anything bad

    happens

    to you, I won¡¯t want to live either!¡±

 Chapter 543

    ¡°Ss, let go! You¡¯re going to suffocate Lyse,¡± eximed Liam.

    Then, he hurriedly pried Alyssa from Ss¡¯ grip when he noticed Alyssa¡¯s eyes bulging and her tongue

    hanging out.

    ¡°Tsk tsk. How interesting! I¡¯ve only heard of lovers dying for each other, never between a brother and

    sister!¡± Cyrus joked and shoved a piece of grilled chicken into his mouth.

    Tatiana covered her mouth and snorted. She had always been quiet around her older brothers, but she

    nearly spat her drink at that moment after hearing Cyrus¡¯ words.

    Jonah feared that Tatiana would choke and pat her on the back. He teased, ¡°Ss, stop fooling around

    with Lyse. She¡¯s gone through enough.¡±

    ¡°You really don¡¯t know me, do you? I¡¯m just concerned about her!¡± Ss retorted. He refused to let go of

    Alyssa¡¯s hand despite Liam having taken her away. The family gathering looked more like a telenov.

    ¡°By the way, did you receive any award for that woman you courageously saved?¡± Cyrus asked in

    curiosity.

    ¡°I fainted after saving her and falling. I don¡¯t recall what happenedter,¡± Alyssa answered with an

    unbothered shrug. She went on eating the shrimp that Liam peeled for her.

    ¡°They awarded her a gold lifesaving medal,¡± Jonah chimed in as he gracefully wiped his lips with a

    napkin.

    Everyone was surprised by the update. Alyssa looked up in shock, her mouth stuffed with shrimp.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I shared my contact information with Elias Parker from the Park Ranger Corps. He reached out to me

    and informed me that the female hiker you rescued went to him in a wheelchair, along with her family.

    They would like to award you a medal and thank you in person.

    ¡°Too bad they had no idea about your name. They kept referring to you as the ¡®kind angel.¡±¡±

    ¡°Wait, you called Mr. Parker? Wouldn¡¯t that-¡±

    *Indeed. He and Mr. Forrest, whom you hold in high regard, now know your identity,¡± replied Jonah with

    a

    disgruntled look.

    Jonah continued, ¡°Surprisingly, they weren¡¯t overly shocked by the revtion. They did, however,

    remind

    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

    me to take good care of you!

    ¡°They mentioned that you¡¯ve made substantial donations to Crater Mountain Park. Mr. Parker has

    safeguarded these contributions in a public trust.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to make any donations because they have enough tost for generations. They

    appreciate your kindness, and they hope you quit volunteering for the sake of your personal safety.¡±

    ¡°Gosh, Jonah¡­¡± Alyssa grumbled and set down the shrimp she had been holding.

    Jonah sighed helplessly. ¡°Lyse, your family background is not meant to be a secret. In fact, we don¡¯t

    want

    it to remain hidden. You¡¯re a precious daughter and sister.

    ¡°While it¡¯s true that some members of the public have now be aware of you, it¡¯s only a matter of

    time before you have to present yourself to the public, especially when you eventually take over my

    role.

    It¡¯s time to shift your perspective.¡±

    ¡°Eh, Jonah, that¡¯s odd!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes lit up in excitement. ¡°The way you put it, it seems like I¡¯ve passed

    Winston¡¯s evaluation and am on my way to senior management!¡±

    Alyssa was overwhelmed by joy and had momentarily forgotten the earlier gloominess caused by

    Jasper.

    That would be a watershed moment in her life after a failed marriage and a promotion.

    Jonah beamed at her and teased, ¡°I know you¡¯re anxious about the result, but stay calm. When

    Winston¡¯s

    less upied, he will reveal the final result.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, isn¡¯t Dad being unnecessarily strict? It¡¯s ourpany anyway. He could literally make Lyse work

    in

    KS Group by giving out an order!¡± Cyrusined while stuffing himself with more grilled chicken.

    Jonah, Alyssa, and Tatiana were speechless at Cyrus¡¯ simplified views. Ss coughed and exined,

    Cyrus, we always assumed that Winston has the final say, but that might not be true.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Well, the oue will still be the same!¡± Cyrus grinned.

 Chapter 544

    At that moment, Tatiana stood up with a wine ss in her hand. ¡°Why don¡¯t we drink a toast to Lyse?

    Here¡¯s to you reaching new heights in your career, and may everything go smoothly for you.¡±

    ¡°Gosh, I love what you just said. Come, I¡¯ll give you a kiss!¡± Alyssa chirped and downed her wine

    before

    blowing a kiss to her sister.

    Tatiana lowered her gaze shyly and blushed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s all drink to Lyse! All the best for Lyse! Cheers!¡± The other siblings raised their ss tipsily and

    passionately.

    The sincere faces around Alyssa and the clinking of sses brought tears to her eyes.

    The dinner ended on a high note. Alyssa hugged Liam warmly. They had beenughing and joking

    during

    dinner, but when it was time to go, they both teared up.

    Liam¡¯s division was stationed not too far away in Leichtown. However, his demanding role required

    frequent months-long trips, which did not allow him many chances to reunite with his family.

    ¡°Will you be back for L¡¯s birthday?¡± Alyssa ran her hand across Liam¡¯s uniform and put his beret on

    him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lyse,¡± Liam apologized with a sigh and pinched her cheek. Then, he turned to Tatiana and

    repeated, ¡°Sorry, Taty. Please convey my apology to L, too.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Liam! We know you¡¯re busy. Your work is more important!¡± Tatiana responded quickly,

    waving

    her hand. She felt it wasn¡¯t her ce to ept Liam¡¯s apology.

    ¡°But I¡¯ve prepared a gift for L. Lyse, I¡¯ll need your help to hand it to L.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    The bulletproof vehicle that was driven from Leichtown to pick up the colonel had been waiting for a

    while at the hotel¡¯s underground parking.

    The aide courteously opened the door for Liam, who entered the car after bidding his family farewell.

    Then, he rolled down the windows and reminded Alyssa with some concern, ¡°Do not ever entertain that

    Beckett fellow. Let him be. Got it?¡±

    ¡°Okay! I got it! Bye, Liam!¡± Alyssa smiled demurely in front of Liam, unlike her usual headstrong

    character. She even seemed gentler than Tatiana.

    After seeing Liam off, Ss and Cyrus returned to their respective jobs.

    On the other hand, Alyssa asked Jonah for a ride because she had had a lot to drink and needed rest,

    given her injuries.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ll send you home,¡± Sean interjected and approached her without thinking. Taking care of

    Alyssa had be second nature to him.

    ¡°If youe with me, who¡¯s going to stick with Tatiana? She drank a fair bit too!¡± Alyssa wrapped an

    arm

    around Tatiana¡¯s waist and yfully nudged her toward Sean.

    Tatiana, who was already dizzy, lost her bnce and nearly copsed after being shoved. Fortunately,

    Sean was quick to catch her in his arms.

    With her head against his chest, she looked up in a daze. Their eyes locked, and an electrifying

    sensation

    passed between them, causing them to breathe raggedly.

 Chapter 545

    Tatiana instantly sobered up when Sean hugged her. Her entire face and neck blushed from the

    exchange

    between them.

    ¡°Ms. Tatiana, look out,¡± Sean warned. He thought she was drunk from the way she failed to steady

    herself.

    Concerned, he pulled her closer with his hand on her waist.

    All of a sudden, his heart skipped a beat, and his throat went dry. He couldn¡¯t help but admire Tatiana¡¯s

    tiny waist in his grip.

    Still, as a gentleman, he quickly pulled himself together without betraying any hint of desire.

    ¡°Sean, please send Taty back. Thanks!¡± Alyssa yelled.

    She had always been observant, but she was much more rxed and careless around family. Up until

    then, she failed to pick up the subtle tension between Sean and Tatiana.

    She waved at them and left, arm-in-arm with Jonah. It was only Tatiana and Sean alone after that. The

    air

    between them froze, leaving them rather flustered.

    ¡°Um, Lyse! Lyse!¡± Tatiana called out feebly, her heart pumping wild.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    Sean reassured her with a straight face and a gentle tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Tatiana. I promised Ms.

    Alyssa I¡¯ll send you back to campus.¡±

    ¡°I-It¡¯s okay! I just had a few sips. I¡¯m not that drunk,¡± she insisted. Staring at her feet, she gently pushed

    him away to prove she wasn¡¯t drunk.

    Despite that, Sean held her again out of concern. ¡°Look at you saying that you¡¯re not drunk! Do you

    remember what happened when you said the same thingst time-¡±

    Both of them were startled at his words. They were reminded of their light kiss on that night that started

    it

    all.

    He stared nkly at her rosy cheeks. His heart was beating fast, and his chest swelled with some

    inexplicable emotions.

    ¡°S-Sean, I had too much to drink thest time. I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Tatiana muttered an apology with a

    frantic and guilty look.

    Any woman with a little courage would have taken the chance to confess her love.

    However, Tatiana was a copy of L-timid and unsure of herself. Despite sharing a kiss with a kind

    man

    She believed that Sean was Alyssa¡¯s, and she wouldn¡¯t want to get involved with Alyssa¡¯s man.

    ¡°Ms. Tatiana,¡± Sean gulped and cautiously prodded. ¡°Was that¡­ your first kiss?¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine, Sean. I had too much to drink. Please don¡¯t overthink it.¡± Tatiana forced a smile.

    The guilt hit Sean like a train. ¡°Was it really¡­ your first?¡±

    He stumbled a few steps back and apologized sincerely, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Tatiana! I was wrong and

    unprofessional. How can I ever make amends?¡±

    Her heart froze. She was tortured by her crush, who had no other feelings except for guilt and

    reverence toward her.

    ¡°It¡¯s really okay, Sean,¡± she replied after taking a deep breath to stop her tears from falling. She helped

    him

    ¡°Be extra nice to Lyse If you really want to make it up to me.¡±

 Chapter 546

    On their way home, Alyssa grew drowsy as she rested her head on Jonah¡¯s shoulder.

    She had initially nned to ask Jonah what Liam had said to Jasper, but she quickly dismissed the

    thought, knowing it likely wasn¡¯t pleasant.

    Liam might appear soft and kind, but he could be more sharp-tongued than she was.

    She didn¡¯t want to hear what Liam had said about Jasper, not because she felt sorry for Jasper. Rather,

    she would be upset if her family disrespected the man she once loved with all her heart.

    ¡°Lyse, are you asleep?¡± Jonah suddenly whispered.

    ¡°No. What is it, Jonah?¡± she replied, her mind drifting.

    ¡°Can you sense it, too?¡±

    She cast him a confounding look.

    Jonah smiled. ¡°Did you notice something between Sean and Taty? I could be mistaken, but I have a

    feeling they might be flirting.¡±

    Oh.

    Wait.

    Flirting?

    She widened her eyes as she stared agape at him. ¡°Jonah, did you have too much to drink? You¡¯re

    joking,

    right?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t joke about matters of the heart. You probably didn¡¯t notice earlier because you were high. When

    Sean held Taty, they both blushed and seemed a little awkward. Taty¡¯s expression was the same as

    how

    you used to look at Jasper.¡±

    Alyssa lowered her gaze speechlessly. She grumbled, ¡°Why must you involve me in Taty¡¯s affairs?¡±

    Meanwhile, she secretly processed the rtionship between Sean and Tatiana. She did not even

    realize

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    the chemistry between the two.

    ¡°Sean is all grown up. He¡¯s going to turn 30 soon. After his college graduation, he served as my

    secretary.

    Later, i sent him to work as your secretary, which he did notin about. Year after year, he¡¯s been

    tirelessly dedicated to his work, hardly taking a break,¡± Jonah remarked, cing an arm around

    Alyssa¡¯s

    shoulder.

    He added, ¡°I hope you¡¯ll support him if he decides to pursue someone else and start a life of his own.¡±

    Frustrated, she punched the window and hissed through gritted teeth, ¡°How could he do this without

    telling me? He¡¯s behaving exactly as he appears-a yer!

    ¡°Men are truly the worst! He just confessed his love for me, and now, he¡¯s pursuing Taty. Taty is my

    only sister. I¡¯ll exile him if he has any indecent thoughts about her.¡±

    ¡°Did Sean confess to you?¡± Jonah lifted a brow in shock.

    ¡°Yeah, but I turned him down,¡± Alyssa admitted. She had always been honest with Jonah. ¡°He¡¯s a good

    guy, but I don¡¯t have feelings for him. I don¡¯t want to waste his time because I don¡¯t n to date after

    the

    divorce.

    ¡°But how could he go after Taty right after he confessed to me? That seamless timing is quite

    suspicious. I¡¯m worried Taty will get the short end of the stick.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, Sean is not that type of person. Regarding the timing, I think he just didn¡¯t realize his feelings for

    Taty after being by your side for so long. You were his first love, after all, and he was used to showering

    you with his care and affection,¡± Jonah opined in seriousness.

    ¡°Hmm? How could he not notice he¡¯s falling for someone else?¡± she asked skeptically.

    Jonah squinted his eyes with an amused expression and quipped, ¡°Rtionships aren¡¯t always

    straightforward. Take Jasper Beckett, for instance. He once again saved your life after 13 years.

    ¡°Do you love or hate him right now? Can you be certain that your feelings for him are only resentment,

    with no trace of affection?¡±

    Her heart twinged with pain, her breath catching.

    Her thoughts went back to that eventful night when a severely injured Jasper carried her on his back for

    a long distance. She remembered how he had given her most of his clothes to keep her warm in that

    damp cave.

 Chapter 547

    Alyssa¡¯s chest felt heavy, and she instinctively curled her numb fingers in response to the unsettling

    sensation.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Jasper had never treated Alice White as kindly as he had treated

    her,

    Alyssa Taylor.

    ¡°Jonah, I know my likes and dislikes. Maybe you¡¯re right-a rtionship is never ck and white, but

    that

    doesn¡¯t apply to me because I know what I want,¡± she dered in a teary voice and gazed out the

    window.

    ¡°My rtionship with Jasper isplicated, but I no longer have any affection for him. I¡¯ll never repeat

    my mistake-wasting my youth on a man is a silly decision with no reward,¡± Alyssa asserted.

    Silence enveloped Sean and Tatiana as they journeyed back to her campus, each lost in their thoughts.

    The Porsche came to a halt at the school¡¯s quiet entrance in the middle of the night.

    Seated in the car, they both seemed to share an unspoken agreement not to get out. The crescent

    moon

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    cast a soft light over thend, adding a romantic touch to the silence in the car.

    ¡°Sean, thanks for driving me back,¡± Tatiana broke the silence shyly.

    Feeling a twinge of regret, Sean responded professionally, considering their status differences, ¡°Ms.

    Tatiana, there¡¯s no need for such formality with me. I may have seen you and Ms. Alyssa grow up, but

    I¡¯m

    still an employee of the Taylor Group. You should treat me as such.¡±

    Tatiana, who was extremely sensitive, immediately sensed that Sean wanted to put a distance between

    them.

    Tearing up, she muttered in heartache, ¡°I ¡­ I won¡¯t give you trouble anymore. Don¡¯t hate me, okay?¡±

    Sean exined with a sigh as he slowly unfastened her seatbelt, ¡°You¡¯ve misunderstood my words.

    You¡¯ve never been a bother to me. It¡¯s me who didn¡¯t want to trouble you.¡±

    Their breaths intermingled, and the atmosphere in the car grew tense. Sean consciously avoided her

    gaze

    and quickly moved back in his seat. He said to her, ¡°It¡¯ste. I¡¯ll walk you to your dorm.¡±

    With that, he got out of the car.

    Repeating his words in her mind, she felt lonely and disappointed. She knew she didn¡¯t have a chance

    with Sean and that the kiss was merely an ident.

    She convinced herself that she was too ordinary to deserve a man like Sean and that she was just

    being

    delusional.

    After collecting himself, Sean courteously held the door open for Tatiana. She stepped out, her lips

    paling as she said, I¡¯ll manage on my own. You don¡¯t have to- Oh!¡±

    She eximed in panic, squeezing her eyes shut and covering her ears when the sound of a revving

    engine reached her.

    A near-car crash in her childhood had left her with a deep-seated fear of the roaring engines of sports

    cars.

    Seeing that, Sean frowned and swiftly pulled her into a protective embrace. Just then, a silver Laferrari

    roared down the street at breakneck speed, ruffling Sean¡¯s jacket.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m here,¡± he murmured gently,forting the trembling Tatiana and

    patting

    her. He felt both sympathy for her and anger toward the reckless driver.

    The Laferrari stopped at the school entrance. A pair of long and sexy legs emerged from the front.

    passenger seat.

    Next, a woman with impable makeup and a head of brte curlszily strutted out of the sportscar

    in a minidress.

 Chapter 548

    The moment Tatiana saw that woman, her pupils wavered as she trembled more violently in Sean¡¯s

    embrace.

    The woman was Brie Caldwell, a fellow student at the same school with the same major as Tatiana.

    Brie

    had caused trouble on numerous asions, subjecting Tatiana to bullying and humiliation.

    Sean suddenly remembered that Alyssa had mentioned Tatiana¡¯s fear of crossing roads and speeding

    cars.

    When L married Winston, their children were still quite young. Some jealous adversaries of Winston

    attempted to harm his children when they couldn¡¯t bring him down.

    At that time, their opponent assumed that L was Winston¡¯s least favorite wife and that her child was

    also the least favored.

    This adversary went to the extreme of hiring assassins to target Tatiana, who was just seven years old,

    as

    revenge against Winston for winning business deals against them.

    Although Tatiana survived the incident with minor injuries and Winstonpletely decimated said

    opponent, she was traumatized and scarred from then on.

    Frustrated and furious, Sean inquired, ¡°Ms. Tatiana, are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she calmly replied with a forced smile, but her pale face and sweaty forehead betrayed the

    fear

    that had gripped her.

    The attractive woman, Brie, shot a nce in their direction and immediately grew envious and irritated

    by

    the sight of Tatiana with a handsome man.

    She looked around and put on a mocking expression when she noticed that Sean drove a Porsche that

    was worth only a million dors or so. She snickered, ¡°Cheap ass bitch.¡± a

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Though she spoke in a hushed tone, Sean and Tatiana overheard the insult. Filled with anger, Sean

    told

    Tatiana, ¡°Wait for me. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    *Sean!¡± Tatiana panicked, but it was toote. Sean walked up to Brie and asked, ¡°Who are you

    referring to?

    ¡°Did I say anything? You must have imagined it,¡± Brie replied with a slightly less hostile tone but equally

    impudent.

    Sean clenched his jaw and balled his fists, knowing that Brie was mocking Tatiana.

    However, he felt powerless if Brie wouldn¡¯t admit it, and he couldn¡¯t resort to violence against a woman.

    His anger simmered.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, thank you for the ride. I¡¯m looking forward to our next outing!¡± Brie spoke in a sharine

    tone and blew a kiss toward the car window.

    Wait.

    Was that Josh Schmidt, the president of the Schmidt Group?

    Sean¡¯s brows furrowed. Josh remained silent in the car, even revving the engine provocatively.

    Fuming on Tatiana¡¯s behalf, Sean rapped on the car window and said, ¡°Your car nearly hit that young

    lady

    back there. Are you really nning to drive off like nothing happened?¡±

    Tatiana pressed her lips together with concern. She didn¡¯t want Sean to stand up for her, and she

    certainly

    didn¡¯t want a conflict with Brie.

    Yet, the Laferrari driver continued to ignore them.

    ¡°Hey, be careful with your words. We were just driving down the road as usual. Did Mr. Schmidte

    anywhere near you?¡± Brie crossed her arms and smirked. ¡°Or are you trying to extort money? I thought

    you

    were a gentleman. Why act like this?¡±

    Sean furrowed his brows, about to respond when the car window rolled down.

 Chapter 549

    The driver threw a wad of cash at Sean like it was toilet paper,

    ¡°You-¡± Sean shot a fierce re at the man behind the wheel. The Laferrari roared to life and swiftly

    disappeared into the night.

    Meanwhile, Tatiana trembled, her expression contorted into a deep frown as she witnessed Sean¡¯s

    humiliation.

    ¡°Gentleman, that¡¯s Mr. Schmidt¡¯s reward for you. Take it,¡± Brie said. Once Josh was gone, she no

    longer

    put up a front.

    She leaned toward Sean, puffing her voluminous chest, and touched him on his sleeve.

    Brie began, ¡°You look incredibly hot and refined. Why would you want to date a bitch? It¡¯s a blemish on

    your image. Why don¡¯t you-ugh!¡±

    Sean abruptly stepped back, his face stern. Brie, who had leaned into him, lost her bnce and knelt

    on

    the floor.

    Tatiana couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, her hand covering her mouth.

    ¡°That hurts! Shit!¡± Brie cussed, feeling that her kneecaps had shattered from the fall. She couldn¡¯t stand

    up in pain and cast a teary nce at Sean as she pleaded, ¡°Help me up, will you? I¡¯m in so much pain

    and

    can¡¯t do it myself.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t even stand up? I thought you were down on your knees, offering an apology to Tatiana,¡±

    Sean

    taunted. ¡°Regardless, we¡¯ll consider this your apology.¡±

    Silently seething, Brie had an urge to punch the floor to release her anger.

    She couldn¡¯t believe that Sean had such audacity to speak down to her. She was Josh Schmidt¡¯s date,

    after all. Sean was in for a rude awakening!

    She was also determined to teach Tatiana a lesson forughing at her.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sean went to Tatiana and wrapped an arm around her as they walked toward campus.

    Before that, he added, ¡°The world is a dangerous ce. Even the campus isn¡¯t a safe space. You

    should

    really stay away from filthy and snobbish people.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Tatiana replied, her eyes filled with admiration. She would likely lose sleep over the joy of

    Sean standing up for her.

    Sean finally left after escorting Tatiana to the dorm entrance.

    Tatiana stood there, her hands pressed against the ss door, watching him as he walked away. She

    looked exactly like a youngdy with those blushed cheeks and longing eyes after a date.

    She wondered when her next meeting with Sean would be.

    She let out a mncholic sigh when he was out of sight and returned to her room. It was at that

    moment

    that she heard Brie¡¯s voice shouting from behind, ¡°Tatiana Taylor, you shameless flirt!¡±

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Tatiana used to be afraid of Brie.

 Chapter 550

    During Tatiana¡¯s four years at the Sna Film Academy, Brie had worked with other schoolmates to

    give.

    her trouble. Tatiana was a meek personality, so she endured the bullying to avoid esction.

    However, Tatiana¡¯s fear gave way to a surge of anger after she witnessed Sean being humiliated by

    Josh

    and saw Brie making advances toward Sean.

    Tatiana had a steely look in her eyes and continued walking,pletely ignoring Brie¡¯s provocation.

    ¡°Cheap bitch! Tatiana Taylor, stop right there!¡± Brie called out, but Tatiana maintained her stride.

    Tatiana eventually halted and turned around slowly. She grinned as Brie panted and limped toward her

    with bruised and bloodied knees.

    She questioned, ¡°Cheap bitch? Who are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°The nerve to ask! It¡¯s you, of course!¡± Brie momentarily brushed aside her physical pain to seek

    vengeance.

    ¡°Oh, I thought you were introducing yourself for a moment,¡± Tatiana teased her without any change in

    expression. That caught Brie by surprise, for she wasn¡¯t used to Tatiana talking back.

    Seizing the chance, Tatiana went for the kill, ¡°You should take a long, hard look in the mirror before you

    judge anyone. You are an escort to Josh Schmidt, the president of Schmidt Group. Is that right?

    ¡°Everyone in this city knows he¡¯s a married man. His wife is a lovely, well-bred youngdy. You can

    hardly

    Infuriated, Brie barked, ¡°You know nothing! He fell for my youth, beauty, and charm!¡±

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡°Well, perhaps he¡¯s tired of haute cuisine and needs to take some junk food once in a while. It¡¯s a

    cheap pleasure,¡± Tatiana mocked.

    ¡°Junk food? Are youparing me to junk food?¡± Brie¡¯s face had turned a deeper shade of red.

    ¡°The nerve to ask! It¡¯s you, of course!¡± Tatiana mimicked Brie¡¯s remark.

    As Brie couldn¡¯t win the verbal argument, Brie resorted to pping Tatiana across the face. Tatiana¡¯s

    cheeks immediately swelled with the searing pain coursing through her.

    This wasn¡¯t Tatiana¡¯s first time being pped by Brie. Brie always took advantage of her roles in theater

    rehearsals or performances every semester to p Tatiana,

    She even bribed the instructors and the ss president to assign Tatiana roles of sexual violence

    victims,

    all just to satisfy her twisted desire.

    ¡°You think I won¡¯t hurt you just because you¡¯re now dating a rich man driving a cheap Porsche?¡± Brie

    put

    on a dangerous smile. ¡°Do you really think he can protect you? It¡¯s all talk. When you join the

    entertainment industry, only connections and money matter!

    ¡°I¡¯m dating Josh Schmidt. I will have endless wealth to splurge for my career in the industry. If you get

    on

    my wrong side, I might even ask him to cklist you and end your career in Sna City.¡±

    Tatiana listened to Brie¡¯s hriously delusional speech. Little did Brie know that the Schmidts and the

    Taylors were family friends. Victor Schmidt had even held Tatiana when she was a baby.

    Tatiana replied, unfazed, ¡°Is that so? I hope you get me cklisted. That will be a dreame true.

    Who

    knows if you¡¯re still in favor with Josh Schmidt by then?¡±

    ¡°You-¡±

    Tatiana paused with a deadpan look in her eyes before leaving. She muttered, ¡°By the way, I¡¯ll return

    this

    to you.¡±

    Before Brie could process the situation, Tatiana had pped her hard in the face. The sound

    reverberated

    in the space.

    ¡°H-How dare you?¡± Brie covered her cheek in astonishment. She was shocked by Tatiana¡¯s change in

    demeanor.

    ¡°I¡¯ll p you when I feel like it,¡± Tatiana retorted and lifted her chin pridefully. The sharp look in her eyes

    sent a wave of panic through Brie.

    Tatiana continued, ¡°I want you to know that I¡¯m not a doormat. I didn¡¯t fight back, not because I was

    powerless. I simply couldn¡¯t care enough to do that.

    ¡°Oh, and the man driving the Porsche is my lover. If you try anything funny on him, I¡¯ll make you suffer.¡±

 Chapter 551

    After Jasper was discharged from the hospital, he worked hard for three full days to clear the backlog

    of work that had piled up. Given his unstable health condition, he relied on supplements and Alyssa¡¯s

    prescribed medications to keep himself going.

    Apart from that, Xavier would apply the external creams and ointments daily onto Jasper¡¯s wounds.

    With all the effort, Jasper hoped he would recover soon. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be able to offer Alyssa

    any protection with his ailing body.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, it¡¯s time to take your medication, Xavier announced as he brought the pills and a bottle of

    water on a tray. Jasper was in the midst of approving some documents and responded, ¡°I¡¯m busy now.

    Later.¡±

    ¡°Um, if you don¡¯t take your medications on time, I¡¯ll report it to Madam,¡± Xavier dered. ¡°She reached

    out to me that day and reminded me to make sure you take your medications on time. I¡¯ll need to report

    any issues to her right away. She¡¯ll be upset to learn that you¡¯re not listening.¡±

    Hearing that, Jasper instantly put aside his pen and took his medications. Xavier nodded, feeling

    satisfied and tickled.

    Xavier couldn¡¯t help but reflect on what might have been if Jasper had heeded Alyssa¡¯s advice during

    their marriage. They might have already built a family with children by now. The emotionless bachelor

    still had a long way to go in his pursuit of Alyssa.

    *Did you keep an eye on Madam, like I asked you to?¡± Jasper questioned. He frowned at the bitterness

    of the pills that had spread in his mouth. He opened a drawer, unwrapped a piece of chocte, and ate

    it.

    The pack of chocte was among the snacks Alyssa had left behind at Seaview Manor. When he had

    come across it, he had cherished it in his office drawer like a hidden treasure. In moments of stress or

    low spirits, he¡¯d seekfort by indulging in a plece. Oh, how pathetic was that!

    ¡°I did. I heard that Mr. Taylor¡¯s third wife, L Nelson, is about to have her birthday party. Madam

    seems preupied with organizing the event at the hotel.¡±

    ¡°Is L Nelson the former celebrity?¡± Jasper inquired.

    ¡°Yes! She was my mom¡¯s Idoll When I was young, our family watched her shows every day. My mom

    even tried to replicate L¡¯s outfits from the show.

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame that L retired from the industry so early. It even left my mom feeling depressed for a

    while. After all, L Nelson was an icon to many!¡± Xavier exined with a mix of excitement and

    regret.

    ONUS

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°Why did she suddenly retire?¡± Jasper asked absent-mindedly.

    ¡°ording to my mom, L was used of using illegal drugs and got cklisted in the industry. It

    was

    a major scandal at the time, and it nearly destroyed L¡¯s reputation. 1

    ¡°Mr. Taylor did try to clear her name, but the damage was already done, and her poprity tanked. She

    might as well leave the industry.

    Gosh, you have to give it to Mr. Taylor! He¡¯s quite the charmer, always getting what he wants. Women

    couldn¡¯t resist his help when they were at their lowest,¡± Xavier remarked, stealing a quick nce at

    Jasper¡¯s reaction.

    Indeed, Jasper tensed up after sensing the loaded meaning in Xavier¡¯s words. That was not the end of

    it. Xavier added, ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind my bluntness. Your ex-father-inw sure knows how to handle

    women.

    ¡°Just look at him, living peacefully with multiple wives. Why couldn¡¯t you keep Madam satisfied? Would

    you like to meet up with him for some pointers?¡±

    Jasper hissed with a sullen face, ¡°Are you serious? Do you want me to seek advice from Winston

    Taylor on how to win back his daughter? What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±

 Chapter 552

    Xavier shivered and stammered, ¡°Uh, well, Mr. Beckett, I am worried for you! There has barely been

    any progress in your rtionship with Madam. Who knows if I ever live to the day when you get back

    together!

    ¡°You said you risked your life to save her, but her attitude hasn¡¯t changed. She hasn¡¯t visited you

    except for her daily check-in calls to me. I feel sorry for you.

    Xavier recalled that Alyssa had always prepared a feast whenever she learned Jasper woulde

    home

    Then, she¡¯d wait for him by the door. She had given all her heart to him

    But now, all she offered were icy nces that sent shivers through onlookers. Some things, once lost,

    were impossible to regain

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Jasper said and sighed. He rubbed his fist on his knee ¡°I will not give up on pursuing her,

    no

    matter how she treats me

    There was a knock on the door. A female secretary announced, ¡°Mr Beckett, Mr. Harper is here to see

    you

    ¡°Let him in

    Then, Landon smilingly entered, humming a tune with a gleeful expression He was dressed in a white

    suit

    as usual

    Upon closer look, he did not seem to wear anything underneath his suit despite the cold weather. His

    tanned and solid chest was exposed, and a tinum ne hung from his neck. He looked wild,

    sexy.

    and seductive

    Landon was the only man in Sna City who could exude such charm in that outfit

    ¡°Bro, you look good. Lyse¡¯s medication works, it seems,¡± Landon remarked and plopped on the couch.

    He felt relieved seeing Jasper¡¯s marked improvement.

    Ever since Jasper admitted his feelings for Alyssa, Landon had been mentioning her a lot more

    Jasper cheered up at the mention of Alyssa, but he cast a disgusted look at the skimpy outfit on

    Landon and warned, ¡°You won¡¯t be let in the next time if you dress like this¡±

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    Landon wondered aloud, ¡°But why?¡±

    Jasper lowered his gaze and pored through his documents ¡°This is an office, not a nightclubs i¡¯d rather

    ot have people gossiping about my weird links.¡±

    Xavier nearly burst intoughter, leaving Landon squinting as it took him a moment to catch on.

    Then, Landon yelled angrily, ¡°You little fucker! I¡¯m straight, okay? Even if you want to bed me, I won¡¯t

    sleep with you. I¡¯ve got better options out there¡­¡±

    Jasper was left dumbfounded while Xavier struggled to hold back hisughter.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I don¡¯t have time for your nonsense. What¡¯s up?¡± Jasper questioned.

    ¡°Look at this!¡± He produced an invitation card and waved it in front of Jasper.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°I got this invitation card to L Nelson¡¯s birthday party this weekend! Ms. Alyssa¡¯s staff delivered it to

    me!¡±

 Chapter 553

    Jasper fumed as Landon gloated. Green in envy, Jasper scoffed. ¡°What¡¯s so special about that? It¡¯s

    normal to be invited, given the Harpers¡¯ social standing in Sna City.¡±

    ¡°So, given your family¡¯s social standing in Sna City, did you receive an invitation?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t we have anything better to talk about? If not, please leave,¡± Jasper remarked. He had a short

    fuse when it came to anything rted to Alyssa.

    ¡°Look at you! I¡¯m fooling with you,¡± Landon said. He stopped teasing Jasper, knowing he was upset

    about not receiving an invitation.

    Then, he produced another crumpled invitation card from his back pocket and exined, ¡°Here. This is

    an invitation from the witch.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a coincidence that she chooses to throw her birthday party on the same day as L Nelson?

    Not only that, she¡¯s hosting it in Sna City. Is she turning this into apetition?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s brows

    brows furrowed in surprise. ¡°What? Does Sophia share her birthday with L?¡±

    Xavier chimed in, scratching his head in confusion. ¡°If I recall correctly, Madam Sophia¡¯s birthday is this

    Thursday, not on the weekend. Why would she move her birthday event to the weekend? Is she trying

    topete with L?¡±

    ¡°Is there any bad blood between Sophia and L Nelson? Jasper inquired, his senses sharp.

    ¡°Um, I¡¯m not too sure. I remember they were signed to the samework as actresses. L always.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    snagged the lead roles, leaving Sophia with no option but to take on the viin roles.¡±

    Jasper fell into deep thoughts. He replied, ¡°Got it. Keep an eye on Sophia for the next few days. If she

    makes any move, let me know right away.¡±

    In Sophia¡¯s room at Seaview Manor, she was busy picking her dress for her birthday party with Betty.

    The room was overflowing with luxurious dresses, covering the surface of the clothing rack, the couch,

    and the bed. The expensive dresses were carelesslyid across surfaces like colorful rags.

    ¡°They¡¯re all gaudy! Are these the limited edition dresses for this year? The designers must have been

    out. of their minds! No one could possibly look good in these outfits!¡± Betty eximed in dissatisfaction.

    She flung them onto the floor and even stomped on them.

    Xavier nearly burst intoughter, leaving Landon squinting as it took him a moment to catch on

    Then, Landon yelled angrily, ¡°You little fucker! I¡¯m straight, okay? Even if you want to bed me, I won¡¯t

    sleep with you. I¡¯ve got better options out there

    Jasper was left dumbfounded while Xavier struggled to hold back hisughter.

    ¡®That¡¯s enough. I don¡¯t have time for your nonsense. What¡¯s up?¡± Jasper questioned

    ¡°Look at this!¡± He produced an invitation card and waved it in front of Jasper.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°I got this invitation card to L Nelson¡¯s birthday party this weekend! Ms. Alyssa¡¯s staff delivered it to

    me!¡±

 Chapter 554

    Back at the KS World Hotel, Alyssa monitored the progress of L¡¯s event proposal with a greater

    focus and dedication than she poured into Ada Kingley¡¯s wedding.

    While she had worked diligently for Ada as a client, this time, hermitment was out of love for L.

    She was family.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯ve been through a lot. You should rest after pulling three all-nighters,¡± Sean reminded

    her

    and handed her a ss of orange juice, as he worried that coffee might be too acidic for her.

    ¡°I can¡¯t. The event hall arrangements have been made, but we haven¡¯tpleted the dress for L,¡±

    Alyssa mumbled and massaged her sore forehead.

    Women of Alyssa¡¯s age would be shopping, traveling the world, and dating. Unlike them, she spent

    most of her time buried in documents and data, leading the hotel management to improve their

    business.

    She might be hardy, but she would also get exhausted like any other person. She instructed, ¡°Arrange

    a

    visit to Rose Emerson¡¯s studioter.¡±

    ¡°Is it to work on Madam L¡¯s dress?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to finish it on time without putting in some overtime.¡±

    Sean sighed, feeling concerned for her. His phone suddenly buzzed. It was a text from Jonah

    containing

    the guest list of L¡¯s birthday party. Jonah ordered Sean to ry the list to Alyssa.

    Sean tapped into the attached photo and was immediately attracted by the names of the three Schmidt

    brothers. He was consumed by fury once more at the thought of Josh Schmidt, who had thrown a wad

    of

    cash at him, and Josh¡¯s mistress with heavy makeup, who had humiliated Tatiana.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with the guest list? You have a funny look on your face,¡± Alyssa questioned. She had

    observed the change in his microexpressions.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, there¡¯s something that I need to report to you,¡± Sean began. Then, he told her all about

    the

    incident from the night he sent Tatjana back to campus while leaving out Josh¡¯s humiliation.

    At first, he had wanted to solve the problem for Tatiana. On second thought, he realized he might get

    into

    greater trouble, given that Brie was Josh¡¯s mistress. As a mere secretary, hecked the power to

    protect

    Tatiana.

    Besides, Brie probably gave Tatiana trouble as her schoolmate. Since Sean was busy with work, he

    had to

    ask for Alyssa¡¯s help to get rid of the problem for Tatiana.

    Alyssa listened to his ount with an angry frown. She spat, ¡°How dare a mistress harass my sister?¡±

    Then, she mmed her hand against the table and hissed, ¡°What goes aroundes around! She will

    reap what she sow.¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t help but let out an amused chuckle at her reaction.

    She continued, ¡°That woman is only acting insolent because she thinks she has Josh Schmidt¡¯s

    support. I bet she¡¯d fall to her knees and apologize to Taty if she knew that Taty was backed by the

    Taylor family

    and the KS Group. I¡¯d like to see if Josh Schmidt would defend her by then!¡±

    ¡°So, are you nning to teach that mistress a lesson?¡± Sean cautiously prodded.

    Alyssa lifted her ss and took a sip of the juice leisurely. She scoffed. ¡°She isn¡¯t worth my time. If

    anything, I¡¯ll need to put the me on Josh Schmidt to get revenge for Taty.¡±

    ¡°But he might not know that Tatiana Taylor was the woman that his mistress had a fight with. If he had

    known¡­

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Alyssa red at him. ¡°I don¡¯t care! I can be unreasonable and overly protective. Ignorance is bliss¡¯

    doesn¡¯t

    work for me.¡±

    That evening, Alyssa drove her Bugatti La Voiture Noire to Rose Emerson¡¯s studio alone without

    Sean¡¯s

    <ppany.

 Chapter 555

    ¡°Gosh, the goddess, Alexa, has graced my tiny studio with her presence! I am beyond honored to

    wee you!¡± Rose teased Alyssa when thetter showed up.

    She had been impressed enough by Alyssa¡¯s elite family background and her identity as Sharon, the

    renowned fashion designer. To her surprise, Alyssa wore many more hats, including Alexa.

    Alexa was regarded as an icon of the jewelry design industry, akin to Sharon¡¯s status in the fashion

    world.

    ¡°Alright now. I¡¯m wrong for hiding my identity from you, How can I make it up to you?¡± Alyssa mused

    and

    confidently wrapped an arm around Rose¡¯s waist.

    ¡°Well, do visit me often. Don¡¯t show up only when you have something to ask from me, okay?¡± Rose

    pouted sadly.

    ¡°You¡¯re making me out to be a yer, and I¡¯m not! Alyssa yfully touched Rose¡¯s nose and sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯m

    swamped with work right now. But when things ease up, how about we n a getaway abroad? I¡¯ll

    cover

    all the expenses!¡±

    ¡°Yay! You¡¯re the best!¡±

    Alyssa had no time for tea and desserts. She hurried into the studio with Rose. A nearlypleted

    evening dress in red and ck stripes draped on the mannequin in the studio. Under the warm studio

    lights, it exuded a graceful and captivating charm, resembling something out of a dream.

    Once again, Rose admired the dress with bright eyes, ¡°This dress is absolutely divine! It¡¯s even better

    than

    what angels wear!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been in your studio for a few weeks. Aren¡¯t you bored of it yet?¡± Alyssa joked and delicately ran her

    fingers along the smooth fabric.

    Rose eximed with adtion, ¡°I¡¯ll never get bored of it! This dress is crafted from a rare, top-grade

    gambier gauze called ¡®soft gold. The process of dyeing a single roll of this fabric is incredibly intricate,

    taking up to a year-three rinses, nine boilings, and eighteen rounds of sun-drying.

    ¡°I¡¯m amazed you could get your hands on such an excellent fabric. It¡¯s even superior to what¡¯s currently

    avable in the market. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if you could auction it.¡±

    ¡°This fabrices from my private collection. I¡¯ll give nothing but the best for my family,¡± Alyssa

    proudly

    shared and toyed with the sleeves of the dress as she prepared toplete the birthday outfit for L.

    Alyssa listened to his ount with an angry frown. She spat, ¡°How dare a mistress harass my sister?¡±

    Then, she mmed her hand against the table and hissed, ¡°What goes aroundes around! She will

    reap what she sow.¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t help but let out an amused chuckle at her reaction.

    She continued, ¡°That woman is only acting insolent because she thinks she has Josh Schmidt¡¯s

    support. I

    bet she¡¯d fall to her knees and apologize to Taty if she knew that Taty was backed by the Taylor family

    and the KS Group. I¡¯d like to see if Josh Schmidt would defend her by then!¡±

    ¡°So, are you nning to teach that mistress a lesson?¡± Sean cautiously prodded.

    Alyssa lifted her ss and took a sip of the juice leisurely. She scoffed. ¡°She isn¡¯t worth my time. If

    anything, I¡¯ll need to put the me on Josh Schmidt to get revenge for Taty.¡±

    ¡°But he might not know that Tatiana Taylor was the woman that his mistress had a fight with. If he had

    known¡­¡±

    Alyssa red at him. ¡°I don¡¯t care! I can be unreasonable and overly protective. ¡°Ignorance is bliss¡¯

    doesn¡¯t

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    work for me.¡±

    That evening, Alyssa drove her Bugatti La Voiture Noire to Rose Emerson¡¯s studio alone without

    Sean¡¯s

    <ppany,

 Chapter 556

    Xavier swiftly closed his gaping mouth, only for his jaw to drop open again. He gave Jasper a thumbs-

    up and replied, ¡°You look fantastic! So full of energy!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s expression instantly soured as he demanded, ¡°Do I really look great?¡±

    Xavier was momentarily stunned before finally getting it. If Jasper appeared healthy and energetic, it

    would alleviate Alyssa¡¯s guilt, as it meant he was recovering well. On the other hand, if Jasper showed

    up

    looking sickly, Alyssa would feel concerned about him.

    So, that was Jasper¡¯s strategy. How clever!

    The two men were stopped by an assistant when they stepped into the building. The assistant said,

    Gentlemen, Ms. Emerson is seeing a VIP now and unavable for meetings. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to

    leave.¡±

    Jasper put on a stern face and asked, ¡°Is Ms. Emerson with her mentor right now?¡±

    The assistant was taken aback by his knowledge and asked, ¡°How did you know?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here as Ms. Emerson¡¯s mentor¡¯s husband,¡± Jasper responded with narrowed eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t stop

    a

    husband from seeing his wife.¡±

    Xavier¡¯s jaw hung agape at Jasper¡¯s audacity.

    The assistant frowned and scrutinized Jasper before remarking. ¡°Mr. Beckett, do you think I wouldn¡¯t

    recognize you? If I recall correctly, your fianc¨¦e, Ms. Gardner, ordered a dress from us just a few

    months

    ago. She announced your uing wedding at her birthday party in quite a grand manner.¡±

    Jasper tensed at the mention of Liana¡¯s name.

    The assistant continued, ¡°It¡¯s been only a few months, and now you¡¯re here iming that Ms.

    Emerson¡¯s

    mentor is your wife. Do you take us as fools?¡±

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Jasper wanted to exin himself but was abruptly interrupted by a sharp scream from the second floor.

    Rose shouted, ¡°Jasper Beckett, what did you just say? Repeat it. Who¡¯s your wife?¡±

    She ran up to Jasper, eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°Your mentor, Alyssa Taylor, is my wife.¡± He paused and added in a low voice to avoid any

    misunderstanding, ¡°Well, she¡¯s my ex-wife.¡±

    ¡°Oh-my-gosh!¡± Rose was baffled to learn the truth. Still, she was in disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m warning you now-

    you¡¯d better not make un stories to take advantage of her famal Wall

    ¡°If you doubt my words, feel free to ask Alyssa herself. She¡¯ll tell you,¡± Jasper replied calmly.

    ¡°Impossible! I don¡¯t get it! What on earth made her choose you?¡± Rose instinctively took a step back

    from Jasper. ¡°Only someone shallow like Liana Gardner would fall for an audacious older man like

    you!¡±

    Jasper awkwardly pressed his lips. Right, what made Alyssa fall for him? While he had once saved her

    life, that had urred 13 years ago when she was just 11. Could she have even considered marrying

    him at that age? It simply didn¡¯t make sense.

    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s my ex-husband,¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice echoed from the second floor, drawing the attention of

    Rose,

    Jasper, and Xavier.

    Dressed in a white silk blouse and ck formal pants, she leaned against the railing with an amused

    expression. It was as though she was looking right through Jasper,

    She continued, ¡°Forgive me, Rose. Again, I¡¯m not the first woman who has stumbled into a wrong

    marriage.¡±

 Chapter 557

    Jasper¡¯s heart thumped wildly as he tenderly gazed at Alyssa. He momentarily fell into a daze from the

    hurtful words she directed at him.

    ¡°M-Madam!¡± Rose gasped at Alyssa¡¯s unexpected presence, her face a mixture of emotions. She had

    so many questions for Alyssa, but she had no idea where to begin.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, why are you here?¡± Alyssa wondered aloud.

    Jasper noticed that she seemed indifferent to him, as though they had never experienced the near-

    death incident at the mountain park. Her reaction stung, but he replied softly, ¡°I¡¯vee to see you

    because I

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    miss you.

    ¡°Cut the crap, Do you even believe in what you just said?¡± She smirked, not believing in a word he said.

    He

    merely stood there speechlessly.

    ¡°Fine. You¡¯ve seen her. Now, please leave,¡± Rose angrily demanded her visitors to leave.

    Jasper had been involved with Liana earlier. Now that Liana was done for good, he immediately made

    a U

    -turn to win back Alyssa. Rose found him distasteful.

    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving,¡± he firmly responded, his gaze unwavering.

    ¡°What, are you determined to be a holdout? Don¡¯t make me resort to using my golf club to send you

    packing!¡± Rose snapped. She might appearposed and even stoic in public, but she would fiercely

    protect those dear to her.

    In this aspect, she resembled Alyssa a lot.

    ¡°Lyse, I need to talk to you about something,¡± Jasper pleaded fervently with Alyssa, ignoring Rose¡¯s

    warning

    Alyssa¡¯s chest tightened while she looked into his passionate eyes. Did he just address her as Lyse?

    He had always addressed her by her full name in their three years of marriage. Sometimes, he¡¯d even

    go

    straight to the point without mentioning her name.

    Xavier was taken aback and happy for Jasper. It seemed that Jasper had finally learned a thing or two.

    ¡°Who are you referring to? You¡¯d better watch your mouth. Madam seems reluctant to pay attention to

    you after the divorce. You should instead address her as-¡±

    ¡°Come with me. We¡¯ll talk,¡± Alyssa instructed him coldly before she left.

    ¡°If you doubt my words, feel free to ask Alyssa herself. She¡¯ll tell you,¡± Jasper replied calmly.

    ¡°Impossible! I don¡¯t get it! What on earth made her choose you?¡± Rose instinctively took a step back

    from Jasper. ¡°Only someone shallow like Liana Gardner would fall for an audacious older man like

    you!¡±

    Jasper awkwardly pressed his lips. Right, what made Alyssa fall for him? While he had once saved her

    life, that had urred 13 years ago when she was just 11. Could she have even considered marrying

    him at that age? It simply didn¡¯t make sense.

    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s my ex-husband,¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice echoed from the second floor, drawing the attention of

    Rose, Jasper, and Xavier.

    Dressed in a white silk blouse and ck formal pants, she leaned against the railing with an amused

    expression. It was as though she was looking right through Jasper.

    She continued, ¡°Forgive me, Rose. Again, I¡¯m not the first woman who has stumbled into a wrong

    marriage.

 Chapter 558

    Alyssa slowly narrowed her eyes at Jasper with a look that could cut through steel. He appeared a bit

    flustered under her intense scrutiny.

    She didn¡¯t mince words as she remarked, ¡°That¡¯s disgustingly corny, even if you think it isn¡¯t.¡±

    He stammered, ¡°I just¡­ want to be closer to you.¡±

    Perplexed by her sudden anger, he realized he was utterly clueless when it came toforting women.

    As apany president known for his decisiveness in business and eloquence at global summits, he

    now felt utterly helpless before the woman he loved.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t call me Lyse, like how you called her ¡®Lia.¡¯ It only makes you associate me with her, and

    that¡¯s a grave insult.¡±

    She fixed a piercing look on him.

    In response, he pursed his lips, feeling his throat catch.

    The pain he had inflicted on her had never truly lessened. She remained as hurt as the day they

    divorced.

    Every time he evoked their past, she wouldtch onto it and dwell on the hurt.

    Never had she considered forgiving him. In other words, she had reminded herself never to forget the

    humiliating past. There could be no future for their rtionship if she stubbornly clung to the past.

    ¡°Lyse, this has nothing to do with Liana or anyone else. I just-¡± he began to exin himself.

    ¡°Enough,¡± she cut him off coldly and opened the door. ¡°Don¡¯t read too much into this. I allowed you in

    here because I know you well. You¡¯ll never leave Rose¡¯s studio today without achieving your goal, and I

    don¡¯t want to trouble Rose.¡±

    His face darkened as he stared at her lonely figure.

    She had only let him into the studio because she was pressed for time. She was busy with hotel

    business

    during the day and could only work on L¡¯s dress at Rose¡¯s studio in the evening.

    She picked up an exquisite crystal hair clip from the table. Tossing her hair coolly, she fashioned her

    hair

    into a bun.

    His tender gaze remained fixed on her, and his fingers moved unconsciously. He had an irresistible

    urge

    to touch her thick, dark, and luscious hair.

    They had once shared a bed as newlyweds. Back then, Alyssa always tossed and turned in her sleep,

    and

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    Jasper was relieved and grateful. He tried to suppress his joy but failed. He hurried after Alyssa.

    In the background, Xavier wore a broad, mischievous grin, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Jasper¡¯s

    humility before Alyssa.

    With no way to prevent Jasper from entering, Rose redirected her ire toward Xavier. She shot him a

    fierce

    re and hissed, ¡°You wait out there. Jasper Beckett¡¯s staff is not permitted inside!¡±

    Jasper caught up to Alyssa as fast as he could. Despite that, she did not once turn around to look at

    him.

    He didn¡¯t manage to get her attention even once.

    Nheless, it was a significant step forward that she let him stay. He clung to this glimmer of hope,

    fully

    As they approached the studio¡¯s entrance, Alyssa suddenly stopped without facing him. He began,

    ¡°Lyse, I

    ¡°When have I allowed you to address me as ¡®Lyse¡±?¡±

 Chapter 559

    ¡°A family member I know is celebrating her birthday soon. I¡¯d like Sharon to design a dress as a gift to

    that family,¡± Jasper responded with a hint of discretion in his voice.

    He was keeping his surprise gift for L a secret from Alyssa.

    Despite his good intentions, Alyssa took it the wrong way. She smirked at him and said, ¡°Oh, right. I

    forgot that Her Royal Highness Mrs. Beckett is celebrating her birthday this weekend. I assume you¡¯re

    trying to win your dad¡¯s favor by sending her a gift. How considerate of you.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor,¡± he warned her with a frown. He didn¡¯t mind a bit of teasing, but he didn¡¯t want to be

    misunderstood.

    ¡°When you contact Sharon, please don¡¯t mention that the dress is a birthday gift for Sophia Kirkman.

    I¡¯m worried she might give you a good scolding.¡± Alyssa retorted and angrily turned her back to him.

    Then, she added, ¡°Are you finished? If you are, please leave. You¡¯re distracting me while I¡¯m working-

    Ouch!¡± In a moment of distraction, she identally pricked her finger with a needle and gasped in pain.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you hurt?¡± He marched up to her and worriedly held her hand. A drop of blood

    appeared on her fingertip.

    He furrowed his brows and felt the pain as though he was the injured. Hemented, ¡°That must have

    hurt.¡±

    ¡°Let go,¡± she told him and struggled to free her hand, but she failed. More blood started oozing out from

    the wound like a blooming rose. Tears welled up in his eyes, and suddenly, he gathered courage and

    put

    her finger into his mouth.

    ¡°You-¡± Her pupils shifted uneasily as her heart raced. She felt her index finger wrapped in a damp but

    warm sensation.

    When he sucked on her finger, she felt a jolt of electricity swiftly spreading through her body. Slowly,

    her breathing grew uneven, and her fingers started trembling in his warm mouth.

    Feeling her quiver, he narrowed his eyes and gently sucked on her finger rhythmically. As their gazes

    locked, her body went limp, and her mind drifted into a hazy reverie.

    His passionate eyes reflected the same intense gaze he had given her on that moonlit, drizzling night

    at

    the mountain. They didn¡¯t even cross a line, but it felt that they had reached a home run.

    His breathing quickened, and the temperature around them rose.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± She panicked, raising her voice and hastily withdrawing her hand from his grasp. She

    stumbled backward, only to find herself pulled into a hug.

    There was an rmed look in her eyes. She gasped, ¡°Jasper, what do you want to do to me?¡±

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    His heart raced as he stared into her eyes. Their bodies pressed against each other, close enough to

    feel.

    each other¡¯s heartbeat and warmth.

    ¡°Alyssa, I want to kiss you,¡± he admitted honestly, his eyes filled with lust.

    She felt her heart skipped a beat. Gritting her teeth, she spat, ¡°Dream on-

    He sealed her mouth with a kiss, his tongue forcing its way into her mouth and silencing her. They fell

    deeper and deeper into the kiss¡­

 Chapter 560

    The setting sun bathed Alyssa and Jasper in a radiant golden hue, their figures entwined beneath the

    ss windows.

    It was a breathtaking spectacle. The fading sunlight felt as tender as the kiss they had just shared.

    The kiss left her feeling a bit giddy, a sensation that was electrifying and momentarily immobilizing.

    Initially, she punched at his chest and shoulders, but over time, her strength waned. His masculine

    charm left her breathless, and her legs went weak.

    She found herself gradually retreating until he pressed her against a table, causing the items on it to

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    scatter to the floor.

    In the midst of making out, she let out a moan that seemed both like a protest and a plea.

    Jasper was incredibly turned on by the sight, and he blushed all the way to the tip of his ear. An

    unprecedented burning feeling engulfed him as if she had lit a fire on his body.

    At that moment, he made an unspoken promise to himself that Alyssa was the only woman he would

    ever kiss in such a manner. Furthermore, he vowed that he would never share such a kiss with another

    woman

    in his lifetime.

    ¡°Madam!¡± The clueless Rose called out to Alyssa and thoughtlessly barged into the studio. Her jaw fell

    to the floor when she ran into the racy scene, causing her to cover her mouth in shock.

    Soon, she let out a scream that would pierce the roof. ¡°Jasper Beckett, what are you doing to Madam,

    you

    pervert? Let go of her!¡±

    Meanwhile, Alyssa¡¯s half-closed eyes were now wide open. In a sudden, heart-pounding realization,

    she abruptly pushed him away, the action punctuated by a resounding p across his face.

    The p¡¯s echoing impact reverberated through the room, and Jasper¡¯s left cheek immediately swelled,

    leaving Rose staring at them in utter shock.

    Despite the burning sensation on his cheek, Jasper wore a self-satisfied grin. Were it not for his

    striking. good looks, people might havebeled him a pervert..

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, get the fuck out! Right now! I don¡¯t want to see you ever!¡± Alyssa growled. She was

    blushing from the kiss and tearing up. Even the corners of her lips were red and swollen from their

    Intimate moment.

    His smile deepened. How could she ask him to leave when the evidence of their passionate kiss still

    ¡°Get lost!¡± Alyssa yelled again, her chest heaving with humiliation.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll catch up with you when you have some free time.¡±

    She was baffled by his response. What was he talking about? She never said she wanted to meet up!

    After giving her a meaningful nce, he reluctantly walked out of the door. As he passed Rose, she

    caught a whiff of the fresh pine scent on his body, leaving her stunned. By the time she snapped back

    to reality, he had vanished.

    ¡°Madam! H-How are you feeling?¡± Rose rushed to support Alyssa, whose legs felt weak. She was

    seething with anger and on the verge of crying.

    Rose suggested, ¡°Madam, your ex-husband is behaving like an animal! It¡¯s clearly harassment. We

    should report him to the police.¡±

    Alyssa ced a trembling hand over her racing heart and sighed. She reassured Rose, ¡®I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll

    take it as being bitten by a wild beast.¡±

    Rose was taken aback by the response. She sensed something wasn¡¯t right from how Alyssa avoided

    her gaze. She hugged Alyssa and said, ¡°Madam, please be honest with me. Have you truly moved on

    from

    him?¡±

 Chapter 561

    ¡°I have moved on,¡± Alyssa replied without thinking and hugged Rose back.

    She continued, ¡°If I don¡¯t move forward after the divorce, what does that say about me? For 13 years, I

    left him, I won¡¯t make the same mistake again. didn¡¯t treat myself right because of him. But now that i

    It¡¯s time to focus on the future.¡±

    Rose sighed, her eyes misty as she could see the pain in Alyssa¡¯s heart from the way Jasper had

    treated her. Healing would be a long, arduous journey.

    ¡°Exactly! We must look ahead to the future. A smart woman does not blindly fall in love!¡± Rose

    concurred and patted Alyssa on the shoulder.

    She yfully chirped, ¡°Madam, let¡¯s have a feast tonight and enjoy some good wine. I think I¡¯ll find your

    tragic love story quite entertaining.

    ¡°Oh, my love life is aplete mess. I cant even bear to recount it,¡± Alyssa replied with a smile and

    lifted her chin. ¡°And you, Rose? You¡¯re always swooning over attractive men. Any new romances to

    share?¡±

    Rose scoffed, ¡°What romance can I have? I spend my days designing clothes. I suppose I¡¯m dedicating

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    my life to my work.

    ¡°Hot guys are cool, but they¡¯re nothing more than eye candy. The models and idols that I was

    interested in didn¡¯tst a few days of dating. They started asking for luxury watches or sports cars. I

    might be thirsty,

    but I¡¯m not naive!¡±

    Alyssa guffawed at Rose¡¯s remark and chimed in, ¡°Looks like you and I both attract the wrong kind of

    men! Don¡¯t worry, Rose. I won¡¯t let you walk down my path. If you want to date, I¡¯ll introduce a few guys

    to

    you.

    ¡°A few guys? I thought you were busy. How did you meet them?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I have plenty of connections by birthright,¡± Alyssa quipped, patting her chest proudly. ¡°My

    brothers- Jonah, Ss, Liam, Axel, and Cyrus-are all still single. I¡¯ll prepare their r¨¦sum¨¦s for you. If any

    of them catches your interest, I¡¯ll set up a date.¡±

    Rose was dumbfounded by Alyssa¡¯s offer and joked, ¡°With the way you rattled off your brothers¡¯

    names, people might think you¡¯re introducing male escorts to me.¡±

    Alyssa winked at her and imed, ¡°Trust me, my brothers are better. Hm, how about I introduce you to

    Ss, my second brother? He¡¯s even more attractive than any escort. Besides, he¡¯s a great

    conversationalist and a sweet talker. He¡¯ll entertain you far better than any escort could.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? What does he do?¡± Rose¡¯s eyes sparkled at the mention of hot guys.

    ¡°He¡¯s a prosecutor,¡± Alyssa revealed.

    Rose was shocked. ¡°Well, thanks, but no thanks.¡±

    Jasper stumbled out of the vi, still lost in the memory of the passionate kiss he had shared with

    Alyssa.

    Xavier, who was shivering in the cold, quickly approached Jasper and called out, ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Upon closer look, he noticed that Jasper¡¯s eyes were glistening, and his cheeks had a rosy hue.

    Jasper¡¯s

    lips were still moist.

    Xavier blushed at the sight of his boss. Jasper looked like he had gotten some action. He stammered,

    ¡°M- Mr. Beckett, your face looks-

    ¡°Oh, this?¡± Jasper replied. ¡°Alyssa pped me across the face.¡± He touched his cheek and squinted.

    ¡°Huh? Why would she do that?¡± Xavier looked puzzled.

    Jasper¡¯s heart raced as he remembered How Alyssa had almost melted in his arms during their kiss.

    He grinned and answered, ¡°Well, it¡¯s because she cares about me.

    Just three days before the birthday party, Sophia received disappointing news despite putting forth her

    best efforts.

 Chapter 562

    The news hade in-Sharon had made it clear that she had no intention of designing a dress for

    Sophia.

    ¡°Sharon¡¯s studio staff informed us that she will not design a dress for you, no matter what amount you

    offer, Betty timidly conveyed the message to Sophia.

    Sophia¡¯s eyes bulged in anger. She growled, ¡°But why?¡±

    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t press for the reason,¡± Betty found it difficult to disclose Sharon¡¯s reasoning.

    ¡°Quit beating around the bush! Tell me now!¡±

    Shuddering, Betty bit the bullet and confessed, ¡°Sharon said that she will not ruin her reputation by

    designing dresses for clients with tainted reputations.¡±

    Betty had, in fact, rephrased Sharon¡¯s words to sound civil, as Sharon¡¯s original remark was incredibly

    insulting. It appeared that Sharon held Sophia in low regard

    ¡°Damn it! This is outrageous!¡± Sophia eximed in a fit of rage and hurled her expensive makeup

    products onto the floor. Her eyes zed with anger, and her face turned beet red.

    ¡°She¡¯s just a dress designer. Who does she think she is? Without Sharon¡¯s dress, I can st

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    bitch, L Nelson, on her big day!¡±

    Suddenly, the room was enveloped by silence.

    Betty saw Javier standing like a statue by the door and panicked. ¡°D-Dad¡­

    outshine that

    Sophia quickly spun around and saw her husband wearing a sullen expression. She immediately

    cooed, Javier, you¡¯re back from your business trip! When did you get home? Why didn¡¯t you tell-¡±

    Javier cut her off, frowning at the sight of the mess in the room, saying, ¡°What are you up to now? Why

    did

    you smash your stuff?¡±

    ¡°I wanted the designer, Sharon, to tailor a dress for my birthday party. Not only did she snub me, but

    she

    also verbally abused me! How can I ever get over this?¡±

    Teary-eyed, Sophia ran up and hugged Javier. Her demeanor resembled that of a teenage girl that

    even

    Betty couldn¡¯t emte.

    Sophia continued, ¡°Javier, as your wife, I represent both you and the Beckett Group. Sharon¡¯s actions

    are like a p in your face and a tant disrespect to thepany. You need to stand up for me and

    have

    ¡°Is that so? What does he do?¡± Rose¡¯s eyes sparkled at the mention of hot guys.

    ¡°He¡¯s a prosecutor,¡± Alyssa revealed.

    Rose was shocked. ¡°Well, thanks, but no thanks.¡±

    Jasper stumbled out of the vi, still lost in the memory of the passionate kiss he had shared with

    Alyssa.

    Xavier, who was shivering in the cold, quickly approached Jasper and called out, ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Upon closer look, he noticed that Jasper¡¯s eyes were glistening, and his cheeks had a rosy hue.

    Jasper¡¯s

    lips were still moist.

    Xavier blushed at the sight of his boss. Jasper looked like he had gotten some action. He stammered,

    ¡°M-

    Mr. Beckett, your face looks-

    ¡°Oh, this?¡± Jasper replied. ¡°Alyssa pped me across the face.¡± He touched his cheek and squinted.

    ¡°Huh? Why would she do that?¡± Xavier looked puzzled.

    Jasper¡¯s heart raced as he remembered how Alyssa had almost melted in his arms during their kiss.

    He

    grinned and answered, ¡°Well, it¡¯s because she cares about me.¡±

    Just three days before the birthday party, Sophia received disappointing news despite putting forth her

    best efforts.

 Chapter 563

    Javier¡¯s gaze wavered. He sternly rebuffed, ¡°What nonsense is that? What do I have to do with Winston

    Taylor¡¯s woman?¡±

    ¡°You were a shareholder of TS Network before we even met. Back then, L¡¯s fame was on the rise,

    and rumors were flying that you were her sugar daddy. Reporters took photos of you and L meeting

    in private.

    ¡°Are you sure 1

    sure there was nothing between the two of you?¡± Sophia couldn¡¯t help but mention the past at the

    thought of L. She was green in envy.

    She had chosen to date Javier not only because he was the heir of Beckett Group but also because

    rumors had it that he was L¡¯s man.

    That was why she feltpelled to take everything in L¡¯s possession. And if she couldn¡¯t, she was

    willing to destroy it all.

    Growing increasingly enraged, Javier asserted, ¡®There¡¯s absolutely nothing between me and L.¡±

    Sophia was stung by the intense look in his eyes and cowered.

    He added, ¡°If there had been something between us, do you think I¡¯d have ended it with her and

    married you instead? Besides, I¡¯m not the kind of man who keeps mistresses.¡±

    Sophia felt like the air was being sucked out of the room. As innocent as they might have been,

    Javier¡¯s

    words made her feel like she was i

    recement, a second choice.

    ¡°So, you liked her, didn¡¯t you? And you still have feelings for her!¡± Sophia¡¯s voice trembled with anger

    as she tugged at Javier¡¯s arm, her eyes filling with tears.

    Sheined, ¡°Javier, she¡¯s just a bitch! She slept with management and ruined her career by taking

    drugs. A man would only risk his reputation by getting associated with her. She¡¯s not worthy of anything

    other than being Winston Taylor¡¯s third wife.¡±

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    Oddly, Javier was troubled by Sophia¡¯s remarks. He had met Sophia through L over two decades

    ago, back when L surpassed Sophia in terms of fame, beauty, and acting talent.

    In his memory, L wasn¡¯t as indecent as Sophia made her out to be. Even when L failed the drug

    test and left the industry with her reputation in tatters, he remained steadfast in his bellef that she had

    been framed. Not once did he look down upon her.

    With a stem expression, he began, ¡°I know L¡¯s character. Besides, Winston wouldn¡¯t have married

    her if she was as indecent as you mentioned.

    ¡°During those years, I sympathized with L, who did not fight back at all despite being bullied and

    ostracized by her colleagues from the samework.

    ¡°As a shareholder, I was technically TS Network¡¯s boss. It was only natural for me to want to look after

    a

    potential star within ourwork.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand the point of digging up gossip from two decades ago. I married you b

    because I thought you were understanding and gracious. If you keep stirring trouble, youll only make

    me question my

    decision to marry you.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s eyes widened, and a knot formed in her stomach, Javier¡¯s words felt like a brutal blow to her

    heart.

    Shemented, ¡°Javier, how could you see me in that light? I remained by your side even when I faced

    humiliation-I was pregnant with your child before we were married.¡±

    Javier finally relented at the sight of Sophia weeping sorrowfully. He sighed and patted her trembling

    back. ¡°Stop crying. I admit I was quite harsh just now. Don¡¯t take it personally, okay?¡±

    Sophia would not have been easily coaxed in the past. But now, she learned the importance of

    moderation. 1

    She cooled down and hugged him. ¡°Javier, don¡¯t be angry at me. I was angry because I loved you and

    cared for you too much. I worried that you might dump me someday.¡±

    Then, she kissed him, her lips damp with her tears. Exhausted, Javier sumbed to his desire as he

    savored the sexy time with his wife that he had missed.

    Tugging on his tie, Sophia shrugged off her nightrobe. They stumbled their way to the bed while

    passionately making out.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa was back at her vi in Sna City.

 Chapter 564

    As the weather was getting colder, Alyssa stopped rowing on theke behind the vi. Still, she was

    disciplined when it came to workouts.

    d in a snug-fitting pink athletic outfit, she went for a treadmill run instead. Her face was flushed, and

    she was covered in sweat.

    With a towel and a bottle in each hand, Sean reported, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Beckett have

    She didn¡¯t look surprised. ¡°As expected.¡±

    Sean looked worried and confessed, ¡°I¡¯m a little concerned now. Madam L is having her birthday

    party

    at the KS World Hotel, while Sophia is having hers at the Berenike Hotel. It smells like a rivalry all over

    again.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not us who wanted topete against her. It was that witch who wanted to host her party on the

    same day as L¡¯s. She¡¯s not afraid of karma, it seems,¡± Alyssa was able to speak and taunt Sophia,

    all

    while running hard on the treadmill.

    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right. Sophia is the one causing trouble. But the party¡¯s happening in Sna City, not

    our home base in Belbanks. I¡¯m worried that-¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re worried that the guests would choose to attend Sophia¡¯s party for Javier¡¯s sake? It¡¯s impossible

    that Winston, with his influence, couldn¡¯t outshine the localpetition.¡±

    ¡°Well, I suppose you¡¯re right,¡± Sean sucked up to her.

    ¡°You¡¯re worried over nothing¡± She dismounted the treadmill, and Sean reached out to wipe her sweat

    as

    usual. However, she unexpectedly took the towel from him, her gaze avoiding his. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it

    myself.¡±

    Sean felt a tightening in his chest and pressed his lips together.

    Despite having previouslyid his feelings bare, he believed they had talked it out and established clear

    boundaries. He never expected anything more from her, so why did their rtionship worsen

    regardless?

    ¡°The Schmidts are on Dad¡¯s guest list. Not only that, I handed the invitation card to Landon, and he

    jumped at it like an excited pup.

    ¡°He¡¯s turned down the invitation to Sophia¡¯s party for L¡¯s,¡± Alyssa exined, her gaze shifting away

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    from Sean¡¯s disappointed expression as she wiped her sweat with a towel.

    She added, ¡°Both elite families, the Schmidts and the Harpers, are confirmed attendees. We expect

    them

    ast

    to send important figures as representatives. I believe the fence-sitters will make their decisions soon.

    ¡°After this, the Becketts and the Schmidts won¡¯t be the only two yers in the game. When I be

    the

    president of KS Group, they¡¯ll have to enter a three-way fight!

    ¡°Besides, the Schmidts and the Taylors are close acquaintances. On top of that, Landon Harper is

    joining our party. It will be unwise of a shrewd businessman to choose Javier Beckett over us.¡±

    Sean nodded vigorously. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    While Alyssa sipped water from her bottle through a straw, she continued to avoid eye contact with

    Sean.

    Suddenly, Sean approached her hesitantly, asking, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, have I done something wrong? Did I

    not

    meet your expectations?¡±

    Alyssa blinked rapidly and replied, ¡°Huh? No.¡±

    Sean panicked and blushed, admitting, ¡°Yes, I have¡­ Just tell me what went wrong. I¡¯ll change.¡±

    ¡°Sean, you haven¡¯t done anything wrong. It¡¯s just that¡­ you¡¯re approaching your 30s, and it¡¯s time for

    your to live your life and get into rtionships.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­¡±

    ¡°My s

    you like sister, Taty, has always been close to you. In fact, the two of you are still close. I can tell that

    her,¡± Alyssa earnestly attempted to y matchmaker. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give it a shot? Don¡¯t stress about

    it.

    ¡°Youe from a family of schrs, and Winston sees you as his godson. No one is going to protest

    against your rtionship. In fact, we¡¯d be delighted to have an old family friend as Taty¡¯s boyfriend.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I appreciate the sentiment. I treat Ms. Tatiana well for two reasons. Firstly, she¡¯s your

    sister and Mr. Taylor¡¯s daughter, which makes her one of my superiors. I have a responsibility to look

    after her. Secondly, I¡¯ve watched her grow up, and she¡¯s like a sister to me.¡±

    After wrapping

    After wrapping up his work for the night, Jasper returned to Seaview Manor. The temperature in Sna

    City had significantly dropped over the past few days, and it might snow soon.

 Chapter 565

    Jasper tried to suppress his cough. Nevertheless, upon entering the vi, a fit of coughing seized him,

    likely triggered by inhaling the blend of cold and warm air.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper!¡± Mrs. Rosie eximed and went up to him. She felt sorry looking at him coughing his lungs

    out. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You have a bad cough. Did you catch a cold?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Mrs. Rosie, just get me some water,¡± he instructed, hiding the fact that he was injured.

    That did not lessen Mrs. Rosie¡¯s concerns. ¡°But you don¡¯t look fine at all! Why don¡¯t we get the family

    doctor to check on you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really fine. I just need to take some medications, he reassured her with a smile.

    Just then, the butler, Barry Durham, announced. ¡°Mr. Jasper, Mr. Javier would like to talk to you in his

    study.¡±

    Jasper frowned at the scene that greeted him in Javier¡¯s study. Javier was on the couch with Sophia,

    both dressed in matching silk nightrobes.

    She had put on some light makeup, and her hair was tousled. She leaned limply in Javier¡¯s arms and

    asionally nted kisses on him.

    Jasper nearly left the study after witnessing the disconcerting scene.

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough. Jasper is here,¡± Javier reminded Sophia, as he wasn¡¯tpletely thick-skinned.

    Sophia responded byzily tracing circles on Javier¡¯s chest with her slender fingers, casting him a

    flirtatious look. ¡°We¡¯ll continue from where we left offter.¡±

    The more she aged, the more coquettish she became.

    With a sullen face, Jasper asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Dad?¡±

    Javier probed, ¡°How are your preparations for your mom¡¯s uing birthday party going?¡±

    ¡°My mom¡¯s birthday party?¡± Jasper¡¯s smile took on a chilling undertone. ¡°I¡¯ve spent Mom¡¯s birthdays

    with her at her grave. You¡¯ve never made any effort for her, let alone visit her. So, why did you suddenly

    take an interest in it?¡±

    Javier¡¯s expression froze, taken aback by Jasper¡¯s retort.

    She added, ¡°Both elite families, the Schmidts and the Harpers, are confirmed attendees. We expect

    them

    to send important figures as representatives. I believe the fence-sitters will make their decisions soon.

    ¡°After this, the Becketts and the Schmidts won¡¯t be the only two yers in the game. When I be

    the president of KS Group, they¡¯ll have to enter a three-way fight!

    ¡°Besides, the Schmidts and the Taylors are close acquaintances. On top of that, Landon Harper is

    joining our party. It will be unwise of a shrewd businessman to choose Javier Beckett over us.¡±

    Sean nodded vigorously. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    While Alyssa sipped water from her bottle through a straw, she continued to avoid eye contact with

    Sean.

    Suddenly, Sean approached her hesitantly, asking, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, have I done something wrong? Did I

    not meet your expectations?¡±

    Alyssa blinked rapidly and replied, ¡°Huh? No.¡±

    Sean panicked and blushed, admitting, ¡°Yes, I have¡­ Just tell me what went wrong. I¡¯ll change.¡±

    ¡°Sean, you haven¡¯t done anything wrong. It¡¯s just that¡­ you¡¯re approaching your 30s, and it¡¯s time for

    to live your life and get into rtionships.¡±

    you

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­¡±

    ¡°My sister, Taty, has always been close to you. In fact, the two of you are still close. I can tell that you

    like her,¡± Alyssa earnestly attempted to y matchmaker. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give it a shot? Don¡¯t stress

    about it.

    ¡°Youe from a family of schrs, and Winston sees you as his godson. No one is going to protest

    against your rtionship. In fact, we¡¯d be delighted to have an old family friend as Taty¡¯s boyfriend.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I appreciate the sentiment. I treat Ms. Tatiana well for two reasons. Firstly, she¡¯s your

    sister and Mr. Taylor¡¯s daughter, which makes her one of my superiors. I have a responsibility to look

    after her. Secondly, I¡¯ve watched her grow up, and she¡¯s like a sister to me.¡±

    After wrapping up his work for the night, Jasper returned to Seaview Manor. The temperature in Sna

    City had significantly dropped over the past few days, and it might snow soon.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

 Chapter 566

    ¡°Indeed, I am. Is there a problem with that?¡± Jasper¡¯s nonchnt reply nearly gave Javier and Sophia

    heart attacks.

    Sophia stared resentfully at Jasper¡¯s indifferent look as she lurked behind Javier like a ghost. Her eyes

    held an ominous quality as if she were bestowing an evil curse upon Jasper.

    Javier shook in rage as he growled, ¡°Jasper Beckett, have you forgotten your roots?¡±

    Jasper snickered. ¡°Thanks for reminding me over and over again that I¡¯m your son. Otherwise, I might

    have forgotten.¡±

    ¡°You ungrateful brat!¡± With his eyes burning with anger and a dizzying sensation overwhelming him,

    Javier pointed at Jasper. He seethed, ¡°I¡¯ll ask you onest time-are you dead set on attending the

    Taylor

    Family¡¯s event this weekend?¡±

    ¡°Oh, dear child, how can you be so wrong?¡± Sophia seized the right timing and put on the fa?ade of a

    worried mother. ¡°It¡¯s not my party that I care about. But you knew your dad and Winston don¡¯t get along

    well, and Alyssa has been giving us trouble repeatedly.

    ¡°Why would you side with them during such a crucial time? You, missing our event as thepany.

    president, will only be a disgrace to your father!¡±

    Jasper retorted in a frosty tone and a re, ¡°Sophia, if you don¡¯t care about the party, why don¡¯t you

    call it

    off?

    ¡°You, your daughter, and your rtives have been abusing your power, causing scandals ourpany

    struggles to recover from.

    ¡°You have pushed thepany to the forefront of public scrutiny and hurt our operations.

    ¡°Your reputation stinks in Sna City, so why would you choose to throw a high-profile event for your

    birthday? You should lie low instead. Do you take theizens as fools? They remember.¡±

    ¡°You-You-¡± Sophia balled her shaky fists in a fit of rage.

    Initially, Javier was somewhat swayed by Jasper¡¯s argument, but his sentiments shifted when Jasper

    added, ¡°While my father might be willing to make sacrifices for you out of love, don¡¯t expect the rest of

    the family to go along with your behavior.¡±

    Sophia nearly passed out from the provocation.

    Meanwhile, Javier momentarily pushed Sophia out of his thoughts. He was only consumed by a sense

    of

    Jasper continued, ¡°If you¡¯re talking about Sophia¡¯s birthday, forgive me; that has nothing to do with me.

    I¡¯m not prepared for it at all.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s smile faded as he added, ¡°Sophia is your wife and Betty¡¯s mom. The two of you can take care

    of

    her party. I see no reason for me to get involved as an outsider.¡±

    Javier was enraged when he heard Jasper describing himself as an outsider. He snapped, ¡°Aren¡¯t you

    part of the Beckett family too? How dare you act like an ungrateful brat when you¡¯re benefiting from the

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Beckett Group and sitting in the role of the president?¡±

    Sophia leaned into Javier, wearing a sly smirk.

    In the past, Jasper might have engaged in an argument with his father. But now, he had no intention of

    speaking to his father, who had fallen entirely under the influence of Sophia and Betty¡¯s maniptions.

    He said, ¡°Do you have anything else to discuss? If not, I¡¯ll retire to my room.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, I¡¯m not finished with you! Get back here!¡± Javier sprang up from the couch, nearly

    toppling Sophia in the process.

    Jasper paused in his tracks, standing tall without looking back. He dered, ¡°Oh, I almost forgot to

    mention-I won¡¯t be attending Sophia¡¯s birthday party

    Sophia¡¯s expression soured upon hearing this. She demanded, ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Javier was equally astonished and eximed, ¡°Are you ditching your family event for the Taylors¡¯ party

    instead?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, I am, Is there a problem with that?¡±

 Chapter 567

    Sophia reveled in satisfaction. Javier had better whip Jasper with all his might. Even if Jasper survived

    the whipping, they¡¯d have at least released the pent-up anger and humiliation.

    All the servants at Seaview Manor were summoned to the first-floor main hall and assembled in a few

    rows.

    Betty couldn¡¯t contain her delight upon hearing about Jasper¡¯s whipping. She sought out Lauren, who

    had nearly slipped her mind. ¡°Hey, you idiot!¡±

    Betty kicked the door open. Lauren, who was sketching, dropped her pencil onto the floor at the

    sudden Intrusion. ¡°W-What¡¯s going on, Betty?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s time to witness the spectacle downstairs! Jasper is about to get whipped! Hahaha!¡± Betty cackled

    like a maniac.

    Lauren felt her heart skip a beat. ¡°Jasper? But why?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all because that insolent little shit insulted Dad to his face!¡± Betty replied with a malicious grin.

    Hmph! Does Jasper truly believe he¡¯s untouchable just because he¡¯s thepany¡¯s president? He

    wouldn¡¯t have gotten the position if it weren¡¯t for Justin¡¯s health issues!

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Dad would have shipped him off to some obscurepany branch in the world if he hadn¡¯t pitied

    Jasper for his mom¡¯s untimely death! Jasper¡¯s really taking things for granted.¡±

    Betty might have called Lauren an idiot, but Lauren was far from one. She picked up Betty¡¯s disdain for

    Jasper from the remarks.

    Feeling frustrated, she mustered all her courage and retorted, ¡°Jasper isn¡¯t that kind of person. You

    must

    have joined hands with Mom to bully him.¡±

    ¡°You fucking idiot! What did you just say?¡± Betty yelled and charged at her. She closed her eyes in fear

    and reflexively shielded her head.

    ¡°M-Ms. Betty,¡± a maid called out to Betty just in time with an urgent tone. ¡°M-Mr. Javier wants you and

    Ms. Lauren on the first floor right now.¡±

    Hearing that, Betty dropped her arms resentfully. ¡°Got it!¡± Then, she stormed out of the room.

    The maid hurried up to Lauren and felt bad to see Lauren turning pale. She asked, ¡°Ms. Lauren, are

    you

    okay?¡±

    ? +15 BONUS

    ¡°I¡¯m fine it¡¯s all thanks to you, Nina Had you not shown up on time.¡±Lauren trailed off as tears welled

    pin her eyes.

    ¡°Oh, just look at your Nina Carle grasped Lauren¡¯s cold hand and rolled up the sleeve to reveal patches

    of bruises

    She was nearly brought to tears by the sight. ¡°Your skin is covered in bruises from Ms. Betty¡¯s bullying!

    This can¡¯t go on! Why don¡¯t you tell Mr. Javier about it? Madam Sophia might ignore the bullying, but

    your father will certainly speak up for you!¡±

    Lauren quickly withdrew her hand and hung her head silently. Then, she mumbled, ¡°You You should go.

    Il head downstairs soon. Dad wants me there

    Nina groaned and left as instructed

    After the door closed, Lauren quickly retrieved her phone and dialed Alyssa¡¯s number. After moments

    of

    hesitation, she made the call

    Alyssa answered promptly, her voice soft and concemed ¡°Hey, Lauren! What¡¯s the matter? Do you

    need

    help?

    Upon hearing the familiar voice, Lauren choked up, and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

    ¡°Lauren? Lauren, what¡¯s wrong? Why didn¡¯t you say anything? Alyssa¡¯s tone was filled with worry.

    ¡°Alyssa, they¡¯re bullying Jasper?)

    Alyssa was confused by the remark Thinking that Lauren was exaggerating she teased, ¡°Oh, is that

    so? Who has the power to bully Jasper, though? He¡¯d get nd of them if they tried¡±

    ¡°Mom and Dad are bullying Jasper Dad is going to whip him Lauren anxiously paced around.

    ¡°Whip him?¡± Alyssa was taken aback

    ¡°Please, Alyssa! Can you. Can you save Jasper? Dad is going to whip him soon. What if he hurts

    Jasper

    badly?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine! It¡¯s all thanks to you, Nina. Had you not shown up on time¡­¡± Lauren trailed off as tears welled

    up in her eyes.

    ¡°Oh, just look at you!¡± Nina Carle grasped Lauren¡¯s cold hand and rolled up the sleeve to reveal

    patches of

    bruises.

    She was nearly brought to tears by the sight. ¡°Your skin is covered in bruises from Ms. Betty¡¯s bullying!

    This can¡¯t go on! Why don¡¯t you tell Mr. Javier about it? Madam Sophia might ignore the bullying, but

    your father will certainly speak up for you!¡±

    Lauren quickly withdrew her hand and hung her head silently. Then, she mumbled, ¡°You¡­ You should

    go.

    I¡¯ll head downstairs soon. Dad wants me there.¡±

    Nina groaned and left as instructed.

    After the door closed, Lauren quickly retrieved her phone and dialed Alyssa¡¯s number. After moments

    of

    hesitation, she made the call.

    Alyssa answered promptly, her voice soft and concerned. ¡°Hey, Lauren! What¡¯s the matter? Do you

    need

    help?¡±

    Upon hearing the familiar voice, Lauren choked up, and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

    ¡°Lauren? Lauren, what¡¯s wrong? Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± Alyssa¡¯s tone was filled with worry.

    ¡°Alyssa, they¡¯re bullying Jasper.¡±

    Alyssa was confused by the remark. Thinking that Lauren was exaggerating, she teased, ¡°Oh, is that

    so?

    Who has the power to bully Jasper, though? He¡¯d get rid of them if they tried.¡±

    a

    ¡°Mom and Dad are bullying Jasper! Dad is going to whip him!¡± Lauren anxiously paced around.

    ¡°Whip him?¡± Alyssa was taken aback.

    ¡°Please, Alyssa! Can you ¡­ Can you save Jasper? Dad is going to whip him soon. What if he hurts

    Jasper

    badly?¡±

 Chapter 568

    Javier had summoned everyone in the vi to the main hall. Jasper was surrounded by the crowd,

    isting him further.

    Jasper had shed his suit, unveiling his well-defined muscr physique beneath a thin white shirt. His

    masculine contours were visible through the fabric,

    Javier had wanted Jasper to be punished in front of everyone to humiliate him. To his dismay, Jasper

    won hearts by standing stubbornly in the middle of the crowd.

    The maids around him covered their mouths and blushed, struggling to suppress excited squeals. Even

    when Jasper was receiving a punishment, he looked as stunning as ever.

    When Javier noticed that Jasper had no intention of admitting his wrongdoing, he menacingly waved

    the whip in his hand, producing a bone-chilling, cracking sound as it struck the ground.

    ¡°Kneel!¡¯ Javiermanded.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes bore a defiant look as he sneered, ¡°Do you think I would?¡±

    ¡°You-¡°Javier began.

    ¡°I¡¯m standing right here. Whip me if you must. Spare me the nonsense,¡± Jasper dered, his gaze

    unwavering and icy.

    Whipping had been a longstanding tradition within the family, passed down through the generations.

    When Javier was young, Newton had whipped him in front of all the servants with his shirt taken off.

    Even when Javier had taken charge of the family, this cruel practice had remained unchanged.

    Jasper was thetest victim of the arcane rule. He turned around, devoid of expression.

    The sound of three whips cracking through the air filled the room. Javier red at Jasper, putting all his

    might into delivering the threeshes.

    A collective gasp filled the hall as yoices eximed, ¡°Mr. Jasper is bleeding!¡±

    The marks on Jasper¡¯s solid back started bleeding and seeping into his white shirt. The flogging

    resembled an inhumane punishment from a bygone era.

    Sophia and Betty observed the proceedings with great delight.

    Jasper, however, remained resolute and unyielding, refusing to bow down in any way.

    His flesh had been bared, and theshes tugged at old wounds. Nerves twitched, and his bones felt as

    if

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    they might give away, but he persevered.

    ¡°Are you going to admit your fault? Hmm?¡± Javier continued tosh at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the wrong,¡± Jasper hissed and raised his chin.

    ¡°You insolent brat!¡± Just as Javier was about to strike again, two familiar figures suddenly appeared. A

    clear,manding female voice cut through the tense air. ¡°Stop it!¡±

    All eyes turned immediately to the door. Meanwhile, Jasper was drenched in sweat from the whipping,

    his

    face drained of color.

    In his blurred vision, he saw Alyssa. Her beauty acted as an instant shot of adrenaline for him. Even on

    the brink of death, her presence had the power to revive him.

    ¡°Alyssa ¡­¡± he mumbled. She stormed up to him. As she drew near, he hesitated for a moment before

    closing his eyes and copsing into her arms, wearing a faint smile.

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

 Chapter 569

    Alyssa reflexively held Jasper when he fell toward the ground. She was startled by the warm liquid on

    her hands. When she slowly unfurled her palm, she was shocked by the massive amount of blood.

    Then, she noticed the long, humiliatingsh marks on Jasper¡¯s broad back. His white shirt was now

    stained red from the bleeding.

    Unable to contain her anger, her eyes shed with fury as she questioned, ¡°Jasper, are you okay?¡±

    Covered in sweat, hey in her arms and muttered, ¡°Are you worried about me?¡±

    ¡°Bullshit!¡± she blurted out without thinking.

    His heart raced with delight as he grinned. ¡°Thank you, Lyse.¡±

    Feeling angry, she hissed at him, ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re badly injured. Stop talking. I don¡¯t want to hear a

    word

    from you.¡±

    He smiled bitterly and whispered in her ear, ¡°Okay,¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s sudden appearance left everyone in astonishment. Lauren, who had witnessed the entire

    incident from the sidelines, welled up with tears at Alyssa¡¯s timely intervention,

    On the other hand, Sophia and Betty wore disapproving scowls.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, your ce seems pretty merry today. I would have missed the Battle of the Bastards if !

    arrived a secondter,¡± Alyssa taunted him with a sly grin, sending a piercing look at Javier that would

    even startle Jon Snow,

    The servants, who understood the reference,ughed discreetly. Alyssa held tight onto Jasper and

    smiled

    hitting his son in front of many witnesses.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you strip Jasper naked instead and parade him at the gates of Seaview Manor? I¡¯ll invite all

    the

    Sna City reporters to cover the spectacle and catapult you to fame.¡±

    Her snarkiness elicited more muffledughter from the servants. Jasper was left speechless and

    amused

    by her witty retorts. It seemed that Alyssa had been using her free time to think up creative ways to get

    back at him.

    Javier harbored a deep resentment for Alyssa. He wondered how Winston had raised such an

    impudent

    and Ill-mannered daughter.

    His flesh had been bared, and theshes tugged at old wounds. Nerves twitched, and his bones felt as

    if

    they might give away, but he persevered.

    *Are you going to admit your fault? Hmm?¡± Javier continued tosh at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m not in the wrong.¡± Jasper hissed and raised his chin.

    ¡°You insolent brat!¡± Just as Javier was about to strike again, two familiar figures suddenly appeared. A

    clear,manding female voice cut through the tense air. ¡°Stop it!¡±

    All eyes turned immediately to the door. Meanwhile, Jasper was drenched in sweat from the whipping,

    his

    face drained of color.

    In his blurred vision, he saw Alyssa. Her beauty acted as an instant shot of adrenaline for him. Even on

    the brink of death, her presence had the power to revive him.

    ¡°Alyssa¡­¡± he mumbled. She stormed up to him. As she drew near, he hesitated for a moment before

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    closing his eyes and copsing into her arms, wearing a faint smile.

    *Jasper!¡±

 Chapter 570

    A powerful voice caught everyone¡¯s attention, and to their surprise, it was Newton who had arrived at

    the entrance with Ben by his side. Alyssa¡¯s presence was somanding that neither Javier nor

    Sophia had

    noticed Newton¡¯s arrival.

    ¡°Grandpa!¡± Jasper and Alyssa eximed simultaneously, with Alyssa appearing particrly close to

    Newton.

    Sophia instantly grew flustered and sweated in Newton¡¯s presence.

    ¡°Dad, what brings you here?¡± asked Javier, his hand trembling in astonishment.

    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t made it here on time, my grandson would have been whipped to death,¡± Newton growled in

    his

    wheelchair, looking authoritative.

    He shook emotionally at the sight of a heavily injured Jasper and anxiously asked, ¡°Jasper, are you

    okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Grandpa.¡± Jasper shed him a reassuring smile.

    ¡°Ben, please call my physician to attend to Jasper.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Mr. Newton,¡± Ben replied, promptly making the call.

    Sophia tugged at Javier¡¯s shirt and shifted the me toward Alyssa, saying, ¡°Oh, Ms. Alyssa, it¡¯s quite

    a burden for Grandpa to make such a journey for Jasper. Javier, Dad¡¯s health isn¡¯t the best, and I feel

    bad

    that he had to rush here in this cold weather-

    ¡°Enough! Stop faking it!¡± Newton waved dismissively, cutting off Sophia¡¯s act. ¡°I¡¯m doing quite well

    because Alice has been visiting and taking care of me. Why do you keep insisting that I¡¯m in poor

    health?

    Are you cursing me?¡±

    Sophia, knowing that she had messed up, hurriedly exined, ¡°No, Dad-¡±

    Newton refused to let Sophia speak and continued his reproach, ¡°By the way, it wasn¡¯t Alice who called

    me here. It was all a coincidence.

    ¡°She happened to be visiting me tonight when I learned about Jasper¡¯s punishment. I came here

    angrily, and she followed me because she worried for me. If you have any questions, direct them to me,

    not her!¡±

    Everyone shotplex looks at Sophia, who had gone pale and fallen into silence. She had foolishly

    shot

    herself in the foot.

    ¡°Lyse, you visited Grandpa? Jasper eximed and looked at her.

    ¡ª

    ¡°Yeah,¡¯ she replied without looking into his fiery eyes.

    Meanwhile, Betty listened to Newton¡¯s ount with a mix of confusion and doubt. If Alyssa had

    followed

    Newton to Seaview Manor, then who had originally called him?

    A sudden realization dawned on her, and she shot a furious nce at Lauren, who stood nearby.

    Indeed,

    Lauren¡¯s foolish grin had betrayed her actions.

    ¡°Dad, Sophie¡¯s absolutely right. You shouldn¡¯t have made this long journey. It¡¯s too strenuous. It¡¯s all for

    the sake of your health,¡± Javier exined as he approached Newton.

    However, Newton gestured for him to stop. ¡°If you were genuinely concerned about my health, you

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    shouldn¡¯t have struck my grandson and provoked my anger. You fucking piece of scum! You¡¯re driving

    me

    nuts!¡±

 Chapter 571

    The spacious hall remained quiet. Amused, Alyssa blinked and smiled.

    Jasper was cheered up by the animated look on her face and put behind the pain he was enduring. He

    fixed his eyes on her with a contented smile.

    In the meantime, a hushed astonishment gripped the onlookers as they watched Newton berating the

    current patriarch, Javier, in their presence. The public scolding was doubly humiliating, given Javier¡¯s

    prominent social standing.

    He had turned into a punchbag.

    Javier, nursing a wounded ego, flushed with anger and hissed, ¡°Barry, please get everyone to leave the

    hall.¡±

    ¡°No! No one is allowed to leave before we settle this matter once and for all!¡± Newton dered with

    authority. When she was angry, Alyssa bore a striking resemnce to Newton, as if they were blood

    rtives.

    ¡°Dad, what do you mean?¡± Javier inquired, his brows furrowing in anger.

    ¡°It means exactly what you think it is!¡± Newton responded, his eyes half-closed as he taunted his son,

    ¡°If you can bruise Jasper¡¯s ego by hitting him in front of everyone, I don¡¯t see why I can¡¯t address this

    matter publicly.¡±

    Javier pointed at Jasper and argued, ¡°Dad, you can¡¯t always side with this little brat! You¡¯ll only spoil

    him further! He¡¯s been pampered to the point where he no longer respects anyone in this family. If this

    continues, he won¡¯t even heed his father one day!¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°Hah,¡± Jasper scoffed with a cold look. Javier had been dead to him from the moment Anne jumped

    over the balcony in this vi.

    Alyssa noticed his smirk and observed his profile in silence. He appeared pallid, and she could sense

    the animosity in his eyes, which stung her.

    ¡°Oh, is Jasper showing disrespect? How so? Enlighten me,¡± Newton inquired casually as he idly picked

    at

    his teeth.

    Everyone was speechless at Newton¡¯s nonchnce. The more Newton aged, the less he cared about

    upholding his image. Perhaps he had been forced toply for too long. When he was finally old and

    rich enough, his true personality emerged.

    ¡°He talked back to me and rebelled against me!¡± Javier lost his train of thought due to anger and said

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she replied without looking into his fiery eyes.

    Meanwhile, Betty listened to Newton¡¯s ount with a mix of confusion and doubt. If Alyssa had

    followed

    Newton to Seaview Manor, then who had originally called him?

    A sudden realization dawned on her, and she shot a furious nce at Lauren, who stood nearby.

    Indeed,

    Lauren¡¯s foolish grin had betrayed her actions.

    ¡°Dad, Sophie¡¯s absolutely right. You shouldn¡¯t have made this long journey. It¡¯s too strenuous. It¡¯s all for

    the sake of your health,¡± Javier exined as he approached Newton

    However, Newton gestured for him to stop. ¡°If you were genuinely concerned about my health, your

    shouldn¡¯t have struck my grandson and provoked my anger. You fucking piece of scum! You¡¯re driving

    me

    nuts!¡±

 Chapter 572

    Alyssa widened her eyes in shock and stared at Jasper.

    *KS Group has beenpeting against us for a long time. Your beloved Alyssa has been finding

    trouble with the Beckett Group, leading to stock price vtility and causing a loss of a few billion do

    ¡°We are finally hosting an event on the weekend towork with the high society of Sna City. As the

    How can I not be furious with him?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened even further in disbelief, and her heart skipped a beat.

    ¡°Is the event in question Sophia¡¯s birthday party?¡± Newton questioned.

    Javier replied, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s her birthday party, and it¡¯s also a rareworking opportunity.¡±

    ¡°Alright, if Jasper isn¡¯t going, count me out.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Javier¡¯s expression fell.

    ¡°Not only am I not attending, but I¡¯ll be joining Alice at Winston¡¯s wife¡¯s birthday party. What do you say

    to

    that? Are yo

    you going to beat me into submission, too?¡± Newton lifted a brow with a roguish smile.

    ¡°Grandpa.¡± Alyssa muttered in shock. She was incredibly moved by his affection for her.

    ¡°Dad, you¡¯re doing this on purpose! Why must you go to such lengths?¡± Javier groaned and tossed the

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    whip onto the floor.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you understand? I¡¯m concerned about losing face at your wife¡¯s birthday party when her

    reputation

    is in tatters,¡± Newton replied with disappointment.

    The servants cast disdainful and gleeful nces at Sophia. The ex-actress cum matriarch was

    notorious in the household for berating the servants and treating them poorly. Everyone had been

    privately

    condemning her.

    Sophia blushed in embarrassment. She felt like digging a hole and burying her head in shame. Sophia

    decided that Newton¡¯s time was up. She was determined to silence him from advocating for Jasper and

    Alyssa any longer.

    ¡°That¡¯s it. Jasper and I will not be attending! I¡¯ll support my grandson, even if it makes you angry,¡±

    Newton announced and nced at Jasper and Alyssa. His tone softened. ¡°Alice, Jasper,e home

    with me

    tonight!¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged nces and simultaneously nodded in agreement.

    Just then, Ben rushed in with a man carrying a first-aid kit. He announced, ¡°Mr. Newton, the doctor has

    arrived.¡±

    ¡°Excellent. You, too, join us! I can¡¯t stand another minute in this ursed ce! Newton abandoned

    Javier and, apanied by Jasper and Alyssa, made his way toward the exit

    He added, ¡°Oh, by the way, there will be no room for such family rules in the Beckett family!¡±

    Seated in the wheelchair, Newton raised his voice, ¡®It¡¯s been centuries since the feudal system. I¡¯m

    astounded that you¡¯ve kept such an outdated tradition alive! You¡¯re even more closed-minded than I

    am.¡±

    Everyone in the hall covered their mouths to stifle theirughs. Meanwhile, Javier¡¯s face had turned a

    deeper hue of red.

 Chapter 573

    Alyssa, Jasper, and the others followed Newton back to Crescent Bay vi. Newton enthusiastically

    held Jasper and Alyssa¡¯s hands with each of his, refusing to let go at all.

    Not only that, he cussed out Javier and Sophia with creative, colorfulnguage during the trip. Alyssa

    even worried that he would get exhausted from all the name-calling.

    After venting his anger, Newton started feeling bad for Jasper. He moaned and sighed about his poor

    grandson while discreetly trying to put Jasper¡¯s hand on top of Alyssa¡¯s.

    Jasper smiled at Alyssa from beside Newton as his heart exploded in joy. She noticed his passionate

    eyes but merely pressed her lips and ignored him.

    Her indifference worried him, and he tried to hold her hand. All of a sudden, the warmth in his hand

    disappeared as she had removed her hand.

    He gazed up and identally met her eyes. She was ring at him as though she would skin him

    alive.

    Jasper resigned to the current situation. It seemed that he had failed to hold her hand. Nevertheless,

    het

    was happy enough that she had shown up for him. He dared not ask for more.

    ¡°Jasper, you should really thank Alice for tonight. If she hadn¡¯t told me that your dad beat you, I

    wouldn¡¯t

    have rushed over in time!¡± Newton said knowingly and blinked at Jasper.

    Newton added, ¡°See, Alice cares about you, you little rascal. You should thank her for saving your life.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, thank you,¡± Jasper tenderly spoke to Alyssa.

    She was jolted by the affectionate gaze and responded with a faint smile, ¡°You should thank Lauren

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Instead of me.¡±

    This revtion surprised both Newton and Jasper. ¡°Lauren?¡±

    Alyssa put on a cold expression as she exined, ¡°Yes, it was Lauren who called me and informed me

    about the situation. I then alerted Grandpa. I was just lending a helping hand. Mr. Beckett, please don¡¯t

    read too much into it.¡±

    ¡°The fact that you told Grandpa about it shows that you still care for me,¡± Jasper shamelessly pointed

    out.

    Alyssa could deny her intention as much as she liked, but he¡¯d somehow find a way to prove that she

    cared.

    She snickered at him. ¡°Sure, if you¡¯d like to think so.¡±

    Newton sighed. ¡°Oh, so that was what happened. My dear Lauren is a kind and helpful soul. She might

    not have grown up by my side, but thankfully, she did not turn into a rotten apple living with that witch.

    ¡°On the other hand, Betty has been spoiled rotten by my son, who couldn¡¯t tell right from wrong. She

    hasn¡¯t learned anything good from her mom and nearlynded herself in prison. My hair almost turned

    grey fretting about her scandals!¡±

    Alyssa chimed in, ¡°Lauren¡¯s a good kid. She was closest to me when I was living with the Becketts, and

    she was always kind to me.¡±

    The mention of Lauren brought back memories of her marriage, which once again brought her

    heartache.

    Nevertheless, she remainedposed and added, ¡°I could even say that I wouldn¡¯t have survived my

    time at Seaview Manor without Lauren¡¯spanionship.¡±

    Newton picked up her undertone. Feeling sorry for Alyssa, he shot a disapproving look at Jasper.

    Jasper¡¯s

    eyes dimmed as he put on a troubled expression, filled with remorse and pain.

    ¡°Grandpa, I have something that I¡¯m not sure if I should discuss with you. If it¡¯s inappropriate, just forget

    about it,¡± Alyssa said hesitantly.

    Jasper hurriedly reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You can talk about anything you want-nothing is off-limits.¡±

 Chapter 574

    Alyssa silently rolled her eyes at Jasper and mused, ¡°Did I ask for your opinion, you jerk?¡±

    ¡°Go on, Alice! I believe you wanted to discuss this after careful consideration,¡± Newton said gently.

    ¡°Grandpa, I hope you can step in and bring Lauren out of Seaview Manor to live with you,¡± Alyssa

    voiced out without reservations because she treated Newton as family.

    Jasper concurred, ¡°I agree.¡±

    Alyssa shot back, ¡°I never asked for your input.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes and grinned. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Even if you didn¡¯t ask for my opinion, I wholeheartedly

    support the idea.¡±

    She red at him irritatedly and clenched her jaw. She was so frustrated that she nearly left the car.

    Newton asked with concern, ¡°Alice, did you suggest this because something happened to Lauren?¡±

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°She is autistic, but her parents are busy taking care of the family and running apany. I¡¯m afraid

    they don¡¯t have time to look after her, which will not help her condition at all.

    ¡°My hope is for Lauren to stay with you and enjoy yourpany. Her condition will improve with your

    presence, and it would put my mind at ease to have her by your side,¡± Alyssa exined without

    mentioning Betty¡¯s mistreatment of Lauren. Instead, she considered the best interests of Lauren and

    Newton.

    Moreover, she didn¡¯t want to meddle excessively in the Becketts¡¯ family affairs.

    ¡°Alice, you¡¯re very considerate. It¡¯s my fault for not thinking of Lauren¡¯s best interests, even though I¡¯m

    her grandfather,¡± Newton admitted regretfully with a furrowed brow.

    He patted the back of Alyssa¡¯s hand and promised, ¡°My dear, I understand your concerns. I¡¯ll have Ben

    pick up Lauren from Seaview Manor tomorrow moming. She¡¯lle to live with me.¡±

    Meanwhile, the atmosphere within Seaview Manor had reached a new low. The spectacle hadn¡¯t

    bolstered Javier¡¯s authority within the household. On the contrary, it had subjected him to humiliation by

    his own father in the presence of the household staff, causing him to lose face as the patriarch.

    Following this incident, Javier changed into fresh attire and left the house to release his pent-up

    frustration. He also informed his family that he would be spending the night away, leaving Sophia alone

    in

    She fumed at the thought of losing Javier¡¯s affection just after she had regained his favor. She hated

    Newton for messing it up for her, and she equally resented Alyssa.

    ¡°Fuck that Gid man! And that bitch, Alyssa! They both deserve to rot!¡± Sophia muttered in growing

    anger, her rage taking hold of her until she trembled like a madwoman.

    Then, she heard a knock on the door. She instantly snapped, ¡°Who is that? I said not to disturb me!¡±

    ¡°M-Madam, do you want to take a look downstairs?¡± a maid mumbled fearfully from the other side of

    the

    door.

    ¡°What is it now?¡±

    ¡°M-Ms. Betty is beating up Ms. Lauren. We dare not get involved. Won¡¯t you check out the situation?¡±

 Chapter 575

    Just as a spectacle had ended, another was about to start. As Javier and Jasper weren¡¯t home, Betty

    was

    emboldened to act out.

    She was convinced that Lauren had leaked news of Jasper¡¯s punishment to Newton. So, she marched

    to Lauren¡¯s room and dragged Lauren to the living room by her hair. She seemed to have picked up a

    thing

    or two from Javier and decided to reenact the punishment right away.

    ¡°B-Betty, let go of me! My scalp hurts!¡± Lauren pleaded, tears welling up as she felt the pain in her hair.

    ¡°You little traitor! Bitch! Oh, it hurts? Great. I¡¯ll teach you a lesson for selling out!¡± Betty cursed

    vehemently

    while delivering a stinging p to Lauren¡¯s face.

    ¡®Ouch!¡±

    The loud p echoed through the hall, leaving the household staff shocked and concerned for Lauren.

    However, they remained powerless to intervene as mere employees.

    Lauren covered her face and wept, ¡°Betty, it¡¯s all my fault! I will not repeat my

    mistake!¡±

    She knew that no one woulde to her help. She had wanted to fight back, but her body curled into a

    ball in a cowardly manner.

    Betty was not only Newton¡¯s favorite granddaughter but also her parents¡¯ beloved child. How could

    Lauren possibly stand up against her?

    While Alyssa might have had the option to leave the family, Lauren saw no alternative but to endure

    silently in the hopes of surviving within the household.

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡°Ms. Lauren!¡± Crying, Nina ran to Lauren and hugged thetter. She implored, ¡°Ms. Betty, she¡¯s Mr.

    Javier¡¯s daughter too. What right do you have to punish her?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Betty chuckled at the absurdity of it all, cing her hand on her hip and ring at the two of

    them.¡±

    You idiot, I didn¡¯t know you had an ally in this house!¡±

    ¡°N-Nina, just leave me alone! Run!¡± Lauren hurriedly covered Nina¡¯s mouth, knowing she would be

    powerless to protect Nina if Betty flew into a rage. She knew what Betty was capable of doing.

    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving!¡± Nina clung to Lauren tightly and stared at Betty through her tears. ¡°I won¡¯t abandon

    you, even if it means I¡¯m cklisted in Sna City! Ms. Betty, do you realize you¡¯ve broken thew?

    You

    shouldn¡¯t have hit your sister! That¡¯s against thew.¡±

    ¡°Ahahaha! How hrious! Who do you think you are, raising your voice at me?¡± Betty cackled and

    Incensed, and a few were even itching to retaliate, but others held them back.

    Each was well aware of the Becketts¡¯ influence in Sna City. Acting on impulse might cost them their

    livelihoods in the city permanently.

    Despite their anger at Betty, they were just servants who had to think twice for the sake of their jobs

    and

    their families.

    ¡°Betty Beckett!¡± Lauren growled. She could tolerate Betty hitting her, but she was enraged when Nina

    got hurt as well. Anger zed like wildfire in her eyes.

    Betty was stunned by Lauren¡¯s rare temper and screamed back, ¡°What? Did you just call me by my full

    name?¡±

    She thought Lauren must have lost her mind to defend a mere servant..

 Chapter 576

    ¡°You¡¯ve hurt Nina. Apologize to her now!¡± Lauren sprang up from the ground, her delicate shoulders

    trembling with anger as she fixed a piercing gaze on her sister. This was one of Lauren¡¯s rare

    outbursts.

    ¡°Apologize to her? Hahaha! You¡¯re delusional!¡± Bettyughed, but she was interrupted by Lauren¡¯s next

    move. Lauren snarled and charged at her like an angry bull at lightning speed.

    Before anyone could react, she had knocked Betty onto the ground. Bettynded on her back like an

    upturned turtle, narrowly avoiding an embarrassing sh of her skirt.

    The servants around them snorted and let out stifledughs.

    ¡°Lauren Beckett!¡± Betty seethed with anger as if she might spontaneouslybust. She sprang to her

    feet, feeling an urge to tear Lauren into pieces.

    ¡°Come up here! Hold her down right now!¡± Bettymanded. The two stocky maids, who were loyal to

    Sophia and Betty, rushed over right away and held Lauren¡¯s arms.

    Lauren fought back with all her might, her eyes wide with rage. ¡°Let go of me!¡± However, she was easily

    lifted off her floor, given her petite frame and slender limbs.

    ¡°You little bitch! Not even God can save you now!¡± Betty rolled up her sleeves and gave Lauren a hard

    p

    across the face.

    Lauren saw stars and groaned in pain. Her thin nightdress clung to her skin, soaked in sweat.

    Betty derived pleasure from Lauren¡¯s suffering. She could finally release her pent-up frustration on her

    personal punching bag.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    She remarked, ¡°You won¡¯t look good with the blush on just one cheek. Let me even it out for you.¡±

    Betty then proceeded to p Lauren¡¯s right cheek.

    A cold male voice suddenly cut through the tension. ¡°Touch her one more time, and I¡¯ll make you pay!¡±

    The servants looked at the door and inhaled collectively. Meanwhile, Betty nearly jumped out of her

    skin from the familiar voice. She had wanted to lower her hand, but it was toote.

    The tall and imposing figure marched through the entrance with hostility.

    ¡°L-Landon Betty mumbled, guiltily concealing her hand. The scowl vanished from her face, reced by

    a demure expression.

    Lauren opened her teary eyes and noticed Landon approaching her. She immediately went limp as a

    wave

    ¡°L-Landon¡­ Lauren¡¯s feeble moans only fueled Landon¡¯s anger. He breathed heavily, his heart aching

    with pain.

 Chapter 577

    ¡°Release her,¡± Land¨®nmanded, his gaze unwavering as it bore down on the two maids. His tone

    carried a menacing edge akin to an infernal angel. The two maids nervously looked to Betty for help.

    Betty was aware of Landon¡¯s affection for Lauren from the way he ordered the maids around. She had

    wanted to cave in for her Mr. McDreamy but changed her mind upon second thought.

    Following Sophia¡¯s sh with the Harpers after Zoe¡¯s incident, any hopes of Landon developing

    feelings for Betty had been shattered.

    Moreover, Landon¡¯s intervention in their family affairs, even if it was out of concern for Lauren, was

    entirely unwarranted.

    Brimming with resentment, Betty hissed, ¡°Do not release her! You¡¯re working for the Becketts, and your

    shall listen to m-¡±

    Her words were abruptly silenced by a piercing scream.

    One of the maids restraining Lauren was sent hurtling through the air by the force of Landon¡¯s kick.

    Betty

    stared in shock as the maidnded on the floor like a ragdoll.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    The second maid hastily released Lauren and apologized profusely, ¡°Mr. Harper, I made a mistake, but

    we

    were just following ord-Ouch!¡±

    Another scream echoed through the room as Landon¡¯s kicknded on the second maid, causing her

    ribs

    to fracture.

    Betty instantly screamed in horror. She thought people were fooling around when theybeled Landon

    as ¡± The Tyrant¡± and ¡°Devil Incarnate¡±, but now, it appeared she had been naive all along.

    The terrified servants fell into a hushed silence.

    Lauren blinked and inched toward Landon with her unsteady legs. ¡°Landon¡­¡±

    He quickly held onto her waist and pulled her into a tight hug while patting her back soothingly. He

    reassured her, ¡°I¡¯m here. Everything¡¯s fine.¡±

    Betty was green in envy and rolled her fists, digging her nails into her palms.

    Lauren mumbled weakly, ¡°It hurts..

    ¡°Where does it hurt?¡± Landon felt his chest tighten. She continued to murmur about the pain, seemingly

    oblivious to his question.

    As Sophia descended the stairs, she witnessed the confrontation between Landon and Betty and was

    taken aback to see Lauren in Landon¡¯s embrace.

    Frowning, she seemed to have connected the dots and stealthily hid in a corner to watch the events.

    unfold.

    Landon shot a menacing re at Betty and warned, ¡°Betty Beckett, are you itching to be sent back to

    the

    police station?¡±

 Chapter 578

    ¡°¡­¡± Betty stammered and faltered in the face of Landon¡¯s threatening presence. She took a step back

    in fear.

    ¡°Seems like you¡¯re pretty forgetful. I¡¯ll give you a final warning in front of your servants,¡± Landon

    remarked with hostility.

    He continued, ¡°Lauren is important to me. Whoever bullies her will be going against me and the Harper

    family!¡±

    His words resonated throughout the hall, causing Betty to break into a sweat and turn pale. Without

    Javier and Sophia around, she had no backup at all.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been fortunate not because of your status as a Beckett but because you haven¡¯t pushed my

    limits, Betty. If youy a finger on Lauren again, I¡¯ll make sure you rot in prison. Not even Javier Beckett

    could

    save you.¡±

    With that, Landon lifted Lauren with his left arm and cracked his fingers on his right hand. He issued a

    stern warning. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking try me. I will not hold back even if we are family friends!¡±

    He squinted at the staircase when he spoke. Sophia sensed his chilling re and retreated in rm.

    Wait a minute. Why was she panicking? She held the position of matriarch within the Beckett family,

    and

    she was more senior than Landon.

    Meanwhile, Betty was choking on anger. She knew that the servants, despite their poker faces, were

    secretlyughing at her.

    ¡°Lauren,e with me. I¡¯ll take you to Jasper or Alyssa. How does that sound?¡± Landon whispered into

    Lauren¡¯s ear.

    Lauren merely nodded obediently to what he suggested, as she was in a state of dizziness.

    Landon¡¯s eyes glimmered. He effortlessly scooped up Lauren and strode out of the vi, paying no

    heed

    to the looks of the servants.

    ¡°Landon Harper, you cannot leave with her! She¡¯s a Beckett. How can you bring her with you? Have

    your asked my parents for their permission?¡± Betty yelled at him. Thest thing she wanted was for

    Landon to

    leave with Lauren-she¡¯d lose sleep if that happened!

    ¡®I¡¯d like to bring Lauren with me. She wants toe with me too. What¡¯s the problem here?¡± Landon

    scoffed and looked at Betty in disdain. ¡°Do I need your mom¡¯s permission? She would havee down

    and stopped me if she were against it.¡±

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Betty felt like she was being struck by lightning upon hearing that. Landon took the chance and left with

    Lauren without turning back.

    The chilly winds rustled around them. Landon might be rash and impulsive in his daily life, but he was

    exceptionally attentive when it came to caring for Lauren.

    He continuously rubbed his palm on her arms to warm her up. She nestled against his sturdy chest,

    cing her trust in him.

    A lump formed in his throat. He cherished the feeling of being trusted.

    Angelina, pleased to see Landon leaving with Lauren, courteously held the car door open for them.

    As Landon was about to step into the car with Lauren, Nina stumbled out of the vi and called out to

    him, ¡°Mr. Harper, please wait!¡±

 Chapter 579

    As a secretary cum bodyguard, Angelina frowned at Nina¡¯s appearance and instantly shielded Landon.

    Nina approached them and fell on her knees, rendering them dumbfounded.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, would you please help Ms. Lauren? Could you?¡± Nina pleaded in tears as she knelt on the

    cold ground.

    ¡°Angelina, help her up.¡± Landon ordered. ¡°Stand up, and we¡¯ll talk.¡±

    Angelina attempted to help Nina up, but Nina shook her head and refused to do so. She begged, ¡°I

    won¡¯t

    get up

    up unless you

    you promise to help Ms. Lauren. I may be a humble servant, but I¡¯ll use my limited power to help her

    just this once!¡±

    Landon¡¯s heart grew heavy, and he demanded to know, ¡°What is going on?¡±

    Nina wiped away her tears and shuffled up to Landon. Then, she gingerly rolled up Lauren¡¯s sleeve.

    Landon and Angelina were stunned by what they saw next.

    Lauren¡¯s pal

    arm was full of old and new bruises alike, enough to shatter anyone¡¯s heart. Landon¡¯s eyes red with

    anger, and his muscles tensed beneath his shirt.

    He hissed, ¡°Who did this to her?¡± Despite his anger, he went straight to the point.

    Angelina recoiled at Landon¡¯s reaction. Knowing him well, she knew he must be really angry when he

    spoke in curt sentences.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s Ms. Betty¡¯s doing!¡± Nina blurted out without consideration. ¡°Ms. Betty has been bullying Ms.

    Lauren at home. She thinks she can do so because she¡¯s the favorite child of her parents. She¡¯s been

    hitting and cursing at Ms. Lauren like a devil!

    ¡°When Mr. Jasper is at home, Ms. Betty will hold back because she¡¯s afraid of him. But he rarely visits

    home due to his demanding job. He can¡¯t do much for Ms. Lauren either.¡±

    Landon¡¯s frown deepened. Angelina¡¯s fists involuntarily clenched.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, you¡¯re Mr. Jasper¡¯s closest friend. I can see you care for Ms. Lauren. Can you help her

    and protect her?¡± Nina cried uncontrobly.

    upon Lauren in

    Landon inhaled sharply and promised, ¡°Okay, I promise you.¡± He cast a determined gaze upon his

    arms, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

    He added, ¡°I will protect Lauren as long as I am around.¡±

    With that, Landon whisked Lauren away from Seaview Manor, but not before humiliating Betty in front

    of

    the household staff.

    The incident might have urred behind closed doors, but Betty sensed that her authority had been

    undermined.

    Why? Betty was envious that even Lauren, whom she considered lesser in appearance, family

    background, and talents, had found herself a guardian angel.

    She couldn¡¯t fathom the reason Landon snubbed her for a mentally challenged woman.

    Furious, she took out her anger on Nina. Not only did she order Nina to clean all the manor¡¯s

    washrooms that night, but she also docked Nina¡¯s year-end bonus.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. Your expression now is worse than that Alyssa bitch. It¡¯s no surprise that Landon isn¡¯t

    interested in you. Frankly, I am not fond of how you look now either.¡±

 Chapter 580

    Sophia leisurely filed her red nails on the couch as she made the remark.

    Arnid Betty¡¯s outburst, she somehow felt that Sophia had been acting funny.

    Usually, Sophia would have jumped in and defended Betty when thetter was humiliated at home.

    After all, Betty was Sophia¡¯s favorite daughter. Besides, Sophia would not tolerate anyone stepping all

    over her

    at the Becketts¡¯ residence.

    However, Sophia¡¯s indifference was worrying. Betty wondered why Sophia had never intervened,

    especially when Sophia had clearly heard themotion downstairs.

    Sophia nagged at her, ¡°Betty, I do not wish to see this happening again at home. Remember, Lauren is

    my daughter too. How could you hit her as her elder sister? If your dad and grandpa hear about this,

    they¡¯ll

    fault me for raising you poorly.

    ¡°You¡¯re 25 this year, but why do you carry yourself like a manic depressive? You keep saying Lauren is

    abnormal, but you¡¯re not better than her!¡±

    Betty rushed up to Sophia, glowering as she asked, ¡°Mom, I have a question. Did you witness Mr.

    Harper

    and I fighting on the first floor?¡±

    Sophia arched her brow. ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±

    ¡°So, you watched the entire time without stepping in to help me?¡± Betty snapped in anger. ¡°I can

    understand you not helping me, but why did you let Landon take Lauren away?¡±

    can¡¯t

    Sophia retorted with a smirk, ¡°Why I?¡±

    Betty was stunned by her mother¡¯s nonchnce and stammered, ¡°Mom¡­ You¡­¡±

    ¡°Even I have given up on Landon Harper. Haven¡¯t you? Tsk tsk, I wonder how a smart woman like me

    would give birth to a lovesick daughter,¡± remarked Sophia, shaking her head in disdain.

    She added, ¡°At this point, I can¡¯t ce my hopes on you anymore. It¡¯s clear that you two won¡¯t work

    out.

    Since Landon is interested in Lauren, I have no choice but to approve of their rtionship.

    ¡°In the end, Lauren is still my daughter. I¡¯m happy that Landon epted and cared for her despite her

    disability, so I have no reason to object to their rtionship. If they end up getting married, you should

    feel proud as well, shouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    Something inside Betty shapped. She felt her vision blur. Did Sophia just say she¡¯d approve of their

    rtionship?

    Inwardly, Betty questioned whether she had been reduced to a mere pawn and if she had turned into

    the

    butt of a joke.

    Trembling violently, Betty yelled hysterically at Sophia, ¡°Lauren will never be with Landon! I won¡¯t allow

    it.

    Never!¡±

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    It was the first time she had be so furious with Sophia, whom she had always held in high regard.

    A gleam appeared in Sophia¡¯s eyes as she grabbed the wine ss on the table and sshed its

    contents in Betty¡¯s face. The red wine spilled all over Betty, turning her into a mess.

    Bewildered by Sophia¡¯s action, Betty stared nkly at her mother as red wine streamed down her face

    and dripped onto the floor.

    Sophia scowled and tossed the wine ss onto the floor, shattering it. She seethed, ¡°Who gave you the

    right to raise your voice at your mother? Where are your manners? If you¡¯re unhappy with the situation,

    then win Landon¡¯s heart.

    ¡°But as a veteran, I¡¯m afraid I have to tell you that you¡¯re delusional. Landon Harper will never choose

    you, not even if every other woman were out of the picture!¡±

    With that, Sophia stormed off. Her final words crushed whatever was left of Betty¡¯s ego and

    conscience.

    Betty¡¯s eyes bulged as she slowly crouched down to pick up the ss shards, clutching them so tightly

    that they cut into her hands like she wished to strangle Lauren.

    Sheughed. ¡°Not even if every other woman were out of the picture? Well, they will be, and Landon

    will

    be mine!¡±

 Chapter 581

    Landon escorted Lauren into the car, with Angelina at the wheel as they departed from Seaview

    Manor¡¯s

    grounds.

    Inside the vehicle, he tenderly embraced Lauren and ran his fingers through her hair, his heart heavy

    with

    pain.

    He had dropped by Seaview Manor to invite Jasper for drinks. He¡¯d never expected to run into the

    fiasco.

    He reyed the memories of Nina¡¯s indignant speech and Lauren¡¯s wounds on her arms with

    resentment. A searing pain surged through his body, unlike anything he had ever experienced.

    Although he had endured heartbreak after Alyssa¡¯s rejection, this anguish far surpassed any previous

    pain.

    Inhaling sharply, he rested his jaw on Lauren¡¯s head and shut his eyes. He vowed that he would keep

    his

    word to protect Lauren.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, where should we go next?¡± Angelina whispered, looking at him through the rearview

    mirror.

    Landon was caught off-guard by the question. He had told Betty he¡¯d bring Lauren with him, but he

    couldn¡¯t host Lauren at his ce. He¡¯d be in grave trouble if Jasper heard about it.

    ¡°Laurie, I¡¯ll drop you off at Jasper¡¯s. Or how about Alyssa¡¯s ce? Would you like to spend the night

    there?

    * he asked Lauren gently, lowering his gaze.

    She winced and held her left ear, offering no response.

    *Lauren? Lauren?¡± Landon called out to her a few times, but she did not seem to hear him. Instead,

    she

    incessantly mumbled, ¡°It hurts¡­¡±

    ¡°Where does it hurt?¡±

    Lauren looked up at him, the red marks still visible on her cheek. When their eyes met, the sparkle in

    her

    eyes moved his heart.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°Landon, I¡¯m sorry. I know you are speaking to me, but I can¡¯t hear you

    ¡°Why can¡¯t you hear me? Landon inquired with worry. Slowly, Lauren removed her hand from her left

    ear,

    revealing blood on her palm.

    Landon took a sharp breath as his mind went nk. Pained, he instructed Angelina, ¡°Angelina, head to

    the

    hospital now!¡±

    In a bedroom at Crescent Bay, Jasper found himself surrounded by Newton, Ben, the physician, and

    Alyssa.

    Even Xavier had shown up after his work hours in his pajamas and home slippers, having no time to

    change after getting the news about Jasper. Standing next to the men in suits, he appeared quite

    comical. The five of them stood around Jasper, who was speechless at the sight.

 Chapter 582

    Alyssa was the first to break the silence. With a furrowed brow, she addressed Jasper, ¡°What are you

    staring at? Don¡¯t you realize you¡¯re badly injured? Take off your clothes right now!¡±

    ¡°In front of everyone?¡± Jasper questioned hesitantly.

    She scolded him impatiently. ¡°Goodness, are you feeling shy? They¡¯re all men, and your body looks the

    same as theirs.¡±

    Xavier shuddered at the speed of Alyssa¡¯s speech. She had been gentle and obedient to Jasper in the

    past, but she had changed into a fiery woman.

    Jasper lifted his pale face and cast her a tender nce. Smiling wryly, he exined, ¡°No, that¡¯s not

    what I meant. I just thought gathering everyone here for my treatment was unnecessary. I only need

    you.¡±

    She red at him and balled her fists. Jasper was one of the most thick-skinned guys she met.

    Newton, always observant, cleared his throat and urged the others, ¡°Jasper¡¯s right. We can¡¯t be of

    much help here. Only Dr. Caghan and Alice should stay, as she has experience in medicine and can

    assist Dr.

    Caghan.¡±

    Jasper gazed deeply at Alyssa with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re right. Lyse knows medicine. She¡¯s been taking care

    of me recently. Dr. Caghan, leave the medications behind and go off duty. I only need Lyse by my

    side.¡±

    Everyone cast amused looks at Alyssa, who was seething angrily at Jasper.

    Finally, everyone exited the room, leaving only Alyssa and Jasper. The ensuing silence was quite

    unsettling.

    She took a deep breath and instructed, ¡®Take off your

    shirt.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± replied Jasper. He obediently took off the jacket. Just as he was about to take off the shirt,

    which had been torn from theshing, his movements tugged on the wounds on his back. He frowned

    and let

    out a groan.

    In reality, the pain was nothing for a veteran like him. He merely faked being in pain to elicit Alyssa¡¯s

    pity

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    and care.

    She urgently pressed her hand against his and said, ¡°Stop moving around! I¡¯ll help you.¡±

    He felt touched and sped his hand over hers. She felt the warmth from his hand seep into her heart.

    He said, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll listen to you.¡±

    She was slightly fazed as she removed her hand from his grip and retorted, ¡°We¡¯re not rted in any

    way.

    You don¡¯t have to listen to me if you don¡¯t want to. Now, lle face down.¡±

    He obediently rolled around andy face down on the bed. Alyssa saw some of his wounds were

    already forming scabs underneath his blood-stained shirt, and the wounds were stuck to the fabric.

    It was a mortifying sight. Anger colored her eyes.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you horrified by my wounds?¡± he wondered, concerned by her silence.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Just stay still,¡± she replied. She took a deep breath and grabbed a pair of scissors from the

    headboard. Then, she carefully cut through the fabric of his shirt stuck to the wound and peeled it off.

 Chapter 583

    Jasper¡¯s gaze took on an unexpected, intense warmth shadowed by darkness.

    There was something oddly familiar about how Alyssa was tending to him right now. She took out some

    antiseptic cream and the medicine Omar Caghan had given him and began cleaning out his injuries.

    ¡°Lyse,¡± Jasper murmured.

    Alyssa said nothing, though the sudden increase in pressure in her application seemed to serve as a

    warning.

    Jasper winced at the pain but remained adamant. ¡°You remind me of someone, Lyse. Someone I met a

    long time ago.

    Alyssa was focused on tending to his wounds and merely responded with, ¡°Who?¡±

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean you don¡¯t know?¡±

    ¡°I mean, I really don¡¯t know who they were,¡± Jasper said as he recalled those memories from years

    ago- that person¡¯s lithe but strong figure appearing in mind. ¡°I was still in the Peacekeeping Forces

    when I met.

    her on the battlefield.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s hold on the cotton she was using faltered. Her heart fell into her stomach, pounding heavily.

    All she could hear was its panicked beating. If she didn¡¯t calm herself now, she would expose herself.

    It was o

    good that Jasper had his back facing her; otherwise, he would have seen right through her.

    ¡°We¡¯d receive a nearly impossible mission at the time-to rescue the hostages held by Luminara¡¯s

    terrorist forces and ferry them to a safehouse before handing them over to the embassy.

    ¡°We were barely a hundred men total on our way into a den of fully armed terrorists. It was basically a

    suicide mission, I had nothing to lose at the time, so I just went with it.¡±

    A bitter smile appeared on Jasper¡¯s face as he continued, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the White Dove, I would

    never

    have made it home alive.

    ¡°She dragged my injured ass back to the camp, urging me to stay alive throughout the trip. I don¡¯t know

    where I¡¯d be today without her.¡±

    ¡°White ¡­ Dove?¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice trembled just the slightest.

    ¡°Mhm. I don¡¯t know her name. All I remembered was that she wore a white coat and a mask. She was

    on

    White Dove.

    Alyssa quite liked that.

    ¡°When i woke up from my rest afterward, she¡¯d already left the camp. I never even got to thank her or

    ask for her name. It was something I still regret.¡±

    Jasper sighed and continued, ¡°I¡¯ve not stopped looking for her all these years. But no matter how many

    sources I use to search for her, nothing ever turns up. It¡¯s as if she¡¯s just disappeared from the face of

    the

    Earth.¡±

    Alyssa gently sped her chest to calm herself. Her palms were moist with sweat.

    So Jasper hadn¡¯t forgotten about her even after all these years.

    ¡°When you were cleaning my wound just now, you suddenly reminded me of her, so¡­.

    Alyssa swallowed her panic and teased, ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve had your fair share of women for years,

    huh? You were still dating Liana during your time with the military, no?¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips. Why did Alyssa involve Liana in every little thing he mentioned to her?

    ¡°Still, it makes sense. Being away from the love of your life while you¡¯re in the military, I¡¯m sure finding

    another woman to focus on helped tide you through the pain,¡± Alyssa drawled.

    ¡°Lyse,¡± Jasper said warningly.

    ¡°If you

    you managed to find your White Dove, I¡¯m sure you could recreate your military fantasy with her,¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t seem to n to stop her mocking.

    ¡°Don¡¯t insult the woman who saved my life, Lyse.¡± Jasper suddenly grew immensely serious. ¡°Though

    we¡¯ve only met one another once, she holds an important ce in my heart that can never be reced.

    You can get angry or try to tear me down. So be it. But please, show some respect to White Dove.¡±

 Chapter 584

    Alyssa¡¯s heart thudded in her chest, nearlying to a stop as she was left stunned.

    She¡¯d thought she was the only one who kept that memory from the battlefield so sacred. Who knew

    per treated it with just as much importance, even trying his best to track her down all these years. If it

    had been any other woman, he would have easily found her.

    Unfortunately for Jasper, he didn¡¯t know White Dove had been right beside him all this time, even

    married to him once upon a time under the name of ¡°Alice White¡±.

    After parting ways with him in Luminara, Alyssa erased all traces of her in that war.

    She¡¯d used a false identity to help as a medic in that war to avoid her father¡¯s fury. So how could

    Jasper have uncovered her true identity when she¡¯d been so careful to leave no clue behind?

    ¡°Are you okay? Was I too harsh, Lyse?¡± Jasper asked worriedly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to get upset at

    you. I just wanted to make my stand clear. White Dove saved my life. The only thing I feel for her is

    gratitude, nothing more!¡±

    Alyssa sneered. ¡°Of course you didn¡¯t. You were getting hot and heavy with Liana at the time, even

    upsetting Grandpa several times in the process. There was no way you would¡¯ve set your eyes on

    another woman, not even this White Dove who saved your life.¡±

    Her words stabbed into Jasper¡¯s heart like so many knives. Unable to stand her anymore, he sat up

    from the bed, making Alyssa gasp quietly. The cotton she held slipped from her hand as Jasper

    clutched her

    wrist.

    ¡°What are you doing? That hurts! Ouch!¡± Alyssa hissed.

    ¡°I know I¡¯ve wronged you terribly in the past, Alyssa. I regret it all and have been trying my best to

    make it up to you.

    ¡°I know you won¡¯t forgive me so easily and ept me back into your life, but I¡¯m prepared to devote the

    rest of my life to pursuing you until my heart stops beating.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was hoarse as he spoke

    earnestly.

    He continued, ¡°You spent 13 years loving me, so let me reciprocate with all the time I have in this

    world. You have my word, Alyssa. Whether you take me back or not, I¡¯m yours for the rest of my life!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart pounded frantically, her eyes widening in shock.

    Why did she never realize how clingy and persistent this man could be?

    Hers for the rest of his life?

    Alyssa still had a bone to pick with him about their age gap and his stupidity!

    ¡°The rest of your life? I¡¯m sure this isn¡¯t the first time you¡¯ve promised a woman that.¡± Alyssa pried his

    fingers away one by one. ¡°Liana must have heard tons of promises like this.

    ¡°I thought you told me the only woman you¡¯ll ever marry to be your wife was her? How could you go

    back in her on your word now? And you expect me to believe you still?¡± she sneered, a liquid warmth

    welling up

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    eyes.

    Jasper had hurt her too deeply.

    Despite him having saved her life and possibly developing feelings for her, and even though he was

    determined to make amends, Alyssa still couldn¡¯t erase the memory of how devoted he had once been

    to that dreadful, repugnant woman, Liana Gardner.

    Pain and agony filled her being. It was as if she was in a neverending nightmare.

    Jasper¡¯s heart clenched upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s steely gaze.

    ¡°We were married once. You were my husband, yet you were never mine. So, do you really think I¡¯d

    care

    now that it¡¯s over?

    ¡°I won¡¯t interrupt your little pity party here, and you can waste the rest of your life pursuing however you

    like. I don¡¯t want to hear about it anymore,¡± Alyssa fumed, her throat slowly closing up.

    ¡°Okay, okay. I won¡¯t say it anymore.¡± Jasper quickly knelt before her on one knee, a tenderness in his

    eyes blooming only for Alyssa.

 Chapter 585

    Jasper then gently held her hand and kissed the back of her palm.

    Alyssa blushed furiously, flinching just the slightest in response. Yet she forgot to pull her hand away.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alyssa. I¡¯m sorry for making you listen to all that. Could you please forgive me this once?¡±

    Jasper asked earnestly, gazing into her eyes.

    Was this still Sna City¡¯s revered bachelor, Jasper Beckett? The man whom corporations feared to

    cross? Or had someone taken over his body?

    Alyssa cleared her throat lightly, saying nothing else as she watched Jasper kneel before her.

    A sense of glee welled up in her chest,

    ¡°What is wrong with you tonight?¡± she asked. ¡°How could you just stand there and let your father beat

    you

    up?

    She wrinkled her nose, poking at his forehead as she snapped, ¡°You¡¯re a 30-year-old man. Couldn¡¯t

    you have retaliated even a little bit? Do you two have a father-son rtionship or a ve-master one?¡±

    ¡®Did you worry about me?¡¯ Jasper asked, tilting his head.

    ¡°You saved my life and are like a patient to me right now. It¡¯s only natural that I worry about your health

    as

    your doctor.¡± Alyssa refused to answer his question directly.

    ¡°So you are.¡± Jasper beamed at her. ¡°I don¡¯t mind being beaten up. I got to see just how much you

    cared

    about me, after all.¡±

    Alyssa scowled, rolling her eyes. Jasper should really get his brain checked.

    Meanwhile, Landon was driving Lauren to the hospital at the fastest speed possible. He never once let

    her go from his arms, even after arriving.

    When had a powerful, feared man such as Landon ever been so worried and anxious over a woman?

    Angelina followed briskly behind him, a faint smile appearing on her face.

    Lauren really was an angel to have blessed her boss with tenderness and love.

    ¡°Mr. H-Harper, none of our elite doctors are present tonight. If you want to send her to the emergency

    ward, we can find someone for you ASAP!¡± The nurse cried, shivering with fear after recognizing

    Landon

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°If you don¡¯t send me your hospital¡¯s best doctor within the next ten minutes, I¡¯m demolishing this ce

    from the ground up!¡± Landon roared. ¡°Well? What are you waiting for?¡±

    The nurse quickly ran off to find the doctor. Most of the other staff and patients also stayed out of his

    way.

    ¡°Does it still hurt, Laurie?¡± Landon asked softly, the sweat on his skin soaking through Lauren¡¯s clothes.

    Lauren winced lightly, tears still falling down her face. The sight only made Landon¡¯s anger burn more

    furiously.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, Ms. Lauren¡¯s hearing might be affected right now by Betty¡¯s p. I¡¯m sure she can¡¯t hear

    you quite well,¡± Angelina suggested.

    The desire to rip Betty apart limb by limb rose in Landon¡¯s chest. ¡°If something happens to Lauren¡¯s

    hearing, I¡¯m cutting that bitch¡¯s eyes out and shoving it down her throat!¡±

    Spikes of pain and anxiety cut into Landon¡¯s heart as he watched Lauren tremble. He leaned down to

    kiss

    her forehead, praying for it to go away.

 Chapter 586

    Ten minutester, Landon brought Lauren to the ENT department. The doctor quickly did a series of

    checkups on Lauren while Landon and Angeline waited anxiously to the side.

    ¡°Will she be okay, doctor?¡± Landon finally asked.

    ¡°Some external trauma appears to have caused her eardrum to rupture,¡± the doctor replied truthfully.

    Most of the cases I encounter result from severe ps or punches. Some serious cases end up with

    long-

    term tinnitus.¡±

    Landon and Angelica¡¯s expressions fell as they feared for Lauren¡¯s health.

    ¡°Is full recovery possible, doctor?¡± Angelica asked worriedly, as if she was Lauren¡¯s sister.

    ¡°Yes. The perforation isn¡¯t too big, and you sent her here without a moment¡¯s dy, so it seems full

    recovery should¡­.¡±

    ¡°Should?¡± Landon gritted out.

    ¡°It will! Full recovery will ur! All that¡¯s needed is surgery and proper care afterward.¡± The doctor

    quickly

    corrected himself, frightened by Landon¡¯s threatening re.

    ¡°That had better be the case.¡± Landon held Lauren in his arms protectively, warning the doctor, ¡°Or this

    will be thest case you ever take on in your life.¡±

    The ENT doctor nodded frantically.

    Landon gently stroked Lauren¡¯s back to calm her down, murmuring close to her right ear, ¡°Don¡¯t be

    afraid.

    I¡¯m here. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re okay.¡±

    Angelica blushed just the slightest upon seeing this.

    ¡°I heard something about surgery, Landon?¡± Lauren whispered. She was shivering with fear as shel

    hugged Landon¡¯s waist.

    Landon¡¯s tone softened. ¡°Yes. Just a tiny one. It won¡¯t hurt.¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to have surgery! I don¡¯t want to stay in the hospital! I don¡¯t want to!¡± Lauren cried,

    shaking her head.

    Landon swallowed tensely, her movements causing a warm sensation to pool down south.

    Landon cursed himself. This was not the time for him to dwell on those thoughts!

    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. It really is just a minor surgery. I¡¯ll be there with you from start to end-until you

    recover

    fully,¡± Landon promised.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t want to¡­ I¡¯d rather be deaf than stay here!¡± Lauren whined through her sobs.

    Angelica suddenly noticed that Lauren seemed to have a strange aversion toward the hospital, as if it

    triggered some deep, painful trauma of hers.

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡®Are you sure, Laurie? Are you sure you want to be a deaf person? You won¡¯t be able to hear my

    voice anymore,¡± Landon responded.

    Lauren pursed her lips but said nothing.

    Landon slowly knelt before her, holding her hands and saying, ¡°Can you do this surgery, please? For

    my sake? If not, your brother¡¯s going to skin me alive. Please, Laurie?¡±

    Sure enough, his pleas worked.

    Lauren rubbed her eyes, which were swollen from tears and nodded.

 Chapter 587

    Alyssa had just finished tending to Jasper¡¯s wound when Ben walked in. ¡°How are you doing, Mr.

    Jasper?¡±

    ¡°Very we!!, thanks to Alyssa.¡± Jasper shot her a fond look as he spoke.

    Alyssa instinctively looked away.

    Jasper used to be so stoic. What was with all this passion and emotion now?

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡°You have our sincere thanks, Ms. Alyssa. Ben bowed, but Alyssa quickly helped him up.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do this, Ben. It was my duty, after all.¡±

    Ben wasn¡¯t one to be nosy, but he still wanted to see Jasper be together with Alyssa again. ¡°You¡¯re still

    as

    kind to Mr. Jasper as always.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m only doing this because Jasper is important to Grandpa.¡± Alyssa

    smiled

    lightly. ¡°I do what I do only for Grandpa¡¯s sake.

    Ben met her smile. Jasper, on the other hand, grinned warmly at her. He was used to her indignance by

    now. He just had to read her bodynguage or pay attention to what she said. One of them was bound

    to

    tell him the truth.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, if you¡¯re able to walk, please head to the study. Mr. Newton would like to speak to you.¡±

    Jasper nodded, ¡°Alright.¡±

    He turned and said gently to Alyssa, ¡°Wait for me here. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±

    ¡°Like hell! I¡¯m leaving. Goodbye!¡± Alyssa snorted and marched out of the room.

    Jasper wanted to reach out to stop her but didn¡¯t in the end. He watched as she left, leaving only him

    and

    Ben in the room.

    Ben could see just how tender and emotional Jasper¡¯s gaze was as he watched Alyssa leave.

    Jasper chuckled, shaking his head ¡°Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m pathetic, Ben?¡±

    Since he was young, he¡¯d treated Ben as a family, so there was no need to hide anything from the

    older

    man.

    ¡°Of course not, Mr. Jasper. Ben shook his head. ¡°I¡¯d like to congratte you, actually, for finally

    realizing-

    what your heart really wants.

    ¡°Now that both you and Ms. Alyssa are unattached, you have a chance with her. I pray you can learn to

    Please, don¡¯t disappoint her again.¡±

    Ben then looked at Jasper, who felt like there was a lump in his throat. He had to hold back a tear from

    falling down his cheek.

    ¡°Do you think¡­ I still have a chance, Ben?¡±

    All of a sudden, Ben was reminded of an image of Alyssa being sent to the ER, blood soaking both her

    legs as shey weakly in the hospital bed, begging him to keep that night a secret from Jasper.

    Ben blinked rapidly before saying, ¡°It may be difficult, sir, but it is my sincere hope that you do not give

    up

    no matter what.¡±

    Jasper entered Newton¡¯s study, shutting the door behind him.

    Out in the corridor, Alyssa tip-toed back into the hallway and crept up to the door of the study. She

    carefully looked around, ensuring no one else was around, before pressing her ear against the door.

 Chapter 588

    Newton poured a ss of warm water for Jasper, handing it to his grandson, who sat across from him.

    ¡°Thank you, Grandpa.¡± Jasper gratefully took the ss, sitting up straight. He cupped the ss with a

    hand around the body and another at the base.

    ¡°How¡¯s your injuries, Jasper?¡± Newton asked gently.

    ¡°They¡¯re mostly surface wounds but have healed a lot,¡± Jasper replied, masking most of his weakness

    and

    pain. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Grandpa. I¡¯m stronger than you think. I was in the army once, after all.¡±

    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you fight back when your father hit you?¡± Newton scowled. ¡°That vixen, Sophia,

    clearly

    influenced him to hurt you for no good reason. Why didn¡¯t you just snatch the whip away and hit her

    back?!

    He¡¯d called Jasper over just to question him about this.

    Jasper looked down at his ss of water. To Newton¡¯s surprise, he stayed silent.

    After a moment, Newton asked in a softer tone, ¡°You¡¯re my grandson, Jasper, and blood of blood. You

    don¡¯t still feel like you owe it to our family, do you?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line.

    When he was five years old, he once had to survive in a filthy, narrow little slumhouse with his sick and

    frail mother. It was a stormy night when those cars arrived outside the house. Rainwater had drenched

    the building, and the biting cold wind numbed their fingers.

    Jasper had been sitting by the bed, trying to feed her mother some water.

    Javier had been younger then, d in a smart suit and tie as he walked into the room. Not even his

    leather shoes had a drop of rainwater on them.

    All Jasper had in mind at that time when he saw this man was-

    ¡°Please. Please save my mom, sir!¡±

    Javier had marched over to the bedside. Tears welled up in his

    eyes as he hugged Jasper¡¯s thin and sickly

    mother. He cried out, ¡°Oh, Anne! My sweet Anne! I¡¯m so sorry it took me so long. I¡¯m so sorry! I¡¯m

    finally

    here for you and our son.¡±

    Jasper still vividly remembered his father¡¯s devotion to his mother, insisting on marrying her no matter

    the pressure from his family and the public. Thus, Jasper, a child born out of wedlock, was legitimized.

    He never understood, though. Did Javier really love his mother? If he did, why would he turn his

    affections elsewhere, causing his mother tomit suicide when she crumbled under her depression?

    Jasper often wondered whether it would have been better for his mother to die on that cold, stormy

    night sick in bed or from the torturous existence the love of her life had caused her.

    ¡°You don¡¯t owe a single thing to us, child. We¡¯re the ones who owe you.¡± Newton ced a hand on

    Jasper¡¯s shoulder, unshed tears in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m the one who¡¯s to me for what happened all those

    years ago.

    ¡°I knew just how much your father loved your mother, but the economic crisis had just hit us. We would

    have faced bankruptcy, what with the projects we took on being halted and our assets worth

    diminished. That¡¯s why I had your father marry the Dutton girl from Minestrom-your brother¡¯s mother.

    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, dear child. The suffering that you had to go through when you were a kid

    ¡°No, Grandpa. You were only doing what was best for the family and thepany. I can empathize

    with

    your reasons. It¡¯s okay.¡± Jasper didn¡¯t me Newton at all.

    Newton didn¡¯t have to hear him say it out loud to hear it. He sighed long and hard in response.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t fight back earlier because of Justin,¡± Jasper said. ¡®Before he left the city for Mosgravia,

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    that I don¡¯t get on Javier¡¯s bad side too much, for his sake.¡±

    he asked

 Chapter 589

    Jasper slowly met Newton¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve held back as much as I can. But there will not be a next time.

    Next

    time, I¡¯m not holding back.¡±

    Sorrow filled Newton¡¯s heart, reflecting on his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandpa. I shouldn¡¯t have brought this up. Jasper held his grandfather¡¯s hands. ¡°I know you!

    would have wanted Justin to lead this family if that hadn¡¯t happened to him. I know you¡¯ve had the

    highest hopes for him since he was young.¡±

    ¡°Jasper¡­¡±

    ¡°I owe everything to you, Grandpa, and to Justin, too.¡± Jasper smiled lightly, forcing his tears back. ¡°I

    never dared hope to have a grand father who truly loved me, so now that I¡¯m blessed with one, I daren¡¯t

    pray for more.¡±

    ¡°No, listen to me, Jasper!¡± Newton cried, cing both hands on Jasper¡¯s shoulders. ¡°You and Justin are

    both my grandsons. I love you two just as equally! Even if your brother fully heals one day, or even if

    what happened to him never did, I would still choose you to take over the family business!¡±

    Jasper was stunned, ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if the rest of the family disagrees with my choice. You¡¯ll always have my support!¡±

    Alyssa was nearly t against the door, trying to eavesdrop on the two¡¯s conversation. The door noise.

    instion was surprisingly good, making it difficult to hear. She couldn¡¯t make out what Jasper said but

    could thankfully hear Newton¡¯s, given how loud he was.

    ¡°Jasper¡¯s brother? What happened to him? Sounds like something serious¡­¡± Alyssa murmured to

    herself.

    Alyssa hadn¡¯t once met the Beckett family¡¯s eldest grandson in her three years of marriage to Jasper.

    However, she¡¯d heard from Rosie that Justin Beckett lived overseas in Mosgravia due to his condition.

    Because of said condition, the family had to pass on Justin¡¯s inheritance rights as first-born grandson to

    Jasper.

    Why did it sound like Justin¡¯s condition had something to do with Jasper?

    The door suddenly opened, making Alyssa mn into Jasper¡¯s chest.

    Jasper stared down at her in surprise.

    Alyssa yelped,ing back to her senses.

    Newton called from inside the study just then, ¡°Is that Alice, Jasper?¡±

    ¡°No, Grandpa. it was nothing. Why don¡¯t you get some rest now?¡¯ Jasper pressed a hand on Alyssa¡¯s

    back, swiftly shutting the study door. He gazed at Alyssa, eyes bright and hopeful. ¡°Were you

    eavesdropping?¡±

    ¡°Goodbye!¡± Alyssa hurriedly turned away, panic making her heart flutter.

    But Jasper pulled her back by the waist until she was tucked in his arms.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Chapter 590

    ? +15 BONUS

    The Their bodies pressed close to one another, heartbeats loud and clear in the still air.

    Alyssa¡¯s face was flushed, knowing she¡¯d been caught red-handed. She struggled to get out of

    Jasper¡¯s grip, the man responding by curling his fingers around her waist.

    ¡°The cat got your tongue?¡±

    ¡°I-I was just here to say goodbye to Grandpa, I¡¯m not interested in whatever family secrets you two

    were

    discussing! Now let me go!¡± Alyssa cried, wriggling out of his grip.

    Something delicate fluttered against Jasper¡¯s heart. Alyssa was quite the adorable sight, blushing and

    trying to hide herself,

    ¡°No secrets.¡± Jasper grinned.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t keep any secrets from you,¡± Jasper murmured, leaning in until their lips were inches apart. He

    resisted the urge to kiss her. ¡°Ask me whatever you want, and I¡¯ll tell you what you want to know, in full

    honesty.¡±

    ¡°Alright. What happened between you and your brother, Justin?¡± Alyssa asked curiously.

    Jasper¡¯s lips thinned for a moment as he shied away.

    ¡°Tsk. Liars, all of you.¡± Alyssa rolled her eyes. ¡°You know you¡¯re just wasting my time, right?¡±

    ¡®Give me some time. We¡¯ll find a suitable time to sit down, and I¡¯ll tell you all about it. You¡¯ve done a lot

    today. Why don¡¯t you go back and rest?¡± Jasper said kindly, then nted a kiss on her forehead.

    has!

    It made Alyssa¡¯s breathing catch as something warm sank into her heart.

    ¡°Goodnight, Lyse.¡±

    Sean was waiting outside the vi with a swan-down coat for Alyssa. The temperature had lowered

    considerably tonight. He didn¡¯t want her to catch a cold.

    Sean waited until his feet grew numb before Alyssa finally appeared at the entrance.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssal¡± Sean eximed cheerfully.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t answer him, however. Her cheeks were flushed as she walked toward the gate, dazed. It

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean cried again, tugging her sleeve. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    Alyssa quickly returned to her senses. ¡°Oh. Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Thanks foring all the way here. Let¡¯s

    go.¡±

    The two slipped into the car, where the AC sted warm air. There was even a thermos sk of hot tea

    feady for Alyssa.

    She leaned in her seat and took a sip.

    Then, she gently touched her forehead where Jasper had kissed her, as if the warmth of his lips were

    still

    there.

    ¡°Look into something for me, Sean.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Investigate Jasper¡¯s rtionship with his brother Justin and what happened before Justin left for

    Mosgravia.¡±

    Alyssa had no faith in Jasper¡¯s honesty whatsoever, so she chose to resort to more familiar ways of

    getting what she wanted.

 Chapter 591

    Usually, surgeries for the eardrums had to be scheduled way in advance. However, because the

    hospital was concerned Landon might actually demolish it, they arranged for Lauren¡¯s surgery to be

    done

    immediately the morning after.

    Landon hadn¡¯t slept a wink or had a bite since the night before, and Angelina followed suit.

    Angelina had stayed loyal to Landon for ten years, the only woman in his life for so long that had never

    been swapped or reced.

    Angelina would always be by his side when a femalepanion was needed for whatever events he

    attended.

    Some people woulde andpliment her for her looks and how well they looked together, but

    well.¡± Landon would only chuckle and say, ¡°I see you¡¯re a man of culture as

    Angelina knew very well that nothing beyond their current rtionship would ever be possible and

    never hoped for such.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    She was privy to his habits by now and knew his boundaries when it came to other women.

    They could fool around and sleep together, but there would be no talk of marriage. Even if he did marry,

    he would have ended up with multiple wives like Winston Taylor,

    Yet things were entirely different now. This was the first time Landon had treated a woman like he

    treated

    Lauren, as far as Angelina knew anyway.

    Sir.

    the surgery

    will take some time for sure. Why don¡¯t you sit and rest your legs?¡± she asked gently.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need rest.¡± Landon stared fixedly at the surgery room door, anxious like nothing else.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a minor surgery with barely any failure rate. I don¡¯t think it should be that worryi-¡±

    ¡°How could I not worry? What if Lauren¡¯s hearing worsens? What if she gets side effects from this?

    What if she goes deaf once she grows old?¡± Landon roared,

    At this rate, Lauren might need a hearing aid, Angelina thought as she winced.

    ¡°Betty should fucking go to hell!¡± Landon roared again, punching the hospital wall. ¡°I¡¯m not going to let

    her off that fucking easy, even if Lauren¡¯s ear heals! I¡¯m going to snap every one of her fingers in half!¡±

    Gathering her courage, Angelina asked, ¡°May I ask you a question, Mr. Harper?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Do Do you have feelings for Ms. Lauren?¡±

    Landon¡¯s heart fell into his stomach and back up, pounding furiously in his chest.

    His breathing quickened into something uncontroble.

    Did he have feelings for Lauren?

    Did he?

    His feelings for Lauren had gone beyond the point of using his friendship with Jasper as an excuse to

    keep her safe.

    But she was still Sophia Kirkman¡¯s daughter.

    Even if Landon truly adored how sweet and innocent Lauren was, making a never-before-seen

    tenderness

    and protectiveness arise in him, that one fact was enough to keep an uncrossable gap between him

    and

    Lauren

    ¡°I do, Angelina, but I can¡¯t act on it beyond this.¡± Landon leaned against the wall, palms t against it.

    His knuckles were bruised red from the punch he¡¯d struck earlier-as were his eyes.

 Chapter 592

    ¡®Is it because she¡¯s Sophia Kirkman¡¯s daughter?¡± Angelina asked.

    Landon¡¯s voice was hoarse when he answered, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°But if you truly like her, then you should try and work things out together.¡±

    Angelina really wanted her boss to be with Lauren. She was such an endearing girl.

    Angelina continued, ¡°If you were in a rtionship with Ms. Lauren, you¡¯d literally save her from a life of

    suffering. Betty Beckett wouldn¡¯t dare do anything to her sister anymore.¡±

    ¡°As if she dares to now.¡± Landon¡¯s eyes darkened.

    ¡°But wouldn¡¯t you feel much more secure with Ms. Lauren by your side all the time? Think about it-if

    Ms.

    Lauren became your wife, that¡¯d be the greatest p in Betty¡¯s face.

    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t even daree near Ms. Lauren anymore. Because if she did, she¡¯d be waging war

    against

    all of us. You wouldn¡¯t even need to tell me before I cut her tongue out!¡± Angelina exined.

    She was this close to calling Lauren ¡°Madam

    He cursed, pondering when they would finally have the chance to be together.

    ¡°But did you ever consider what it would mean for both our families if I married Lauren? Our families

    would be allied. Think about what would happen to our footing in the city,¡± Landon said slowly, turning

    around to face Angelina.

    He was strangely reasonable as he continued, ¡°I still have Preston to worry about, and I have no full

    control of the family business yet. Jasper¡¯s situation in his family isn¡¯t very stable either.

    ¡°If I married Sophia¡¯s daughter right now, what would Jasper think of me? That power-hungry uncle of a

    man would take advantage and take full control alongside Sophia. I might even drag Jasper down in

    the

    process!¡±

    ¡°But sir

    ¡°I will never forget how my father died, Angelina.¡± Landon sank into a nearby bench, sping his head

    as

    if he were having a migraine.

    Landon continued, ¡°I will never forget how distraught my mother was the night news of my father¡¯s

    death

    reached her how she stood outside in the rain the entire night, crying¡­.

    ¡°I¡¯ll never forget how, during my father¡¯s funeral, my own uncle Preston grinned in the corner like some

    my way of that!¡±

    Angelina knelt before her boss, gently caressing his quivering back.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to take back everything that belonged to my father, Angelina, I can¡¯t afford to make any

    mistakes before that happens!¡±

    Alyssa arrived at KS World Hotel for work in the morning and to do the final check-up on the birthday

    celebration venue for L. She¡¯d just returned to her office when Jasper called her.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Beckett?¡± she asked tly, as if whatever happenedst night didn¡¯t.

    ¡°Lyse,¡± Jasper murmured.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Lyse? There¡¯s only Ms. Alyssa Taylor here.¡±

    ¡°Has Grandpa called you at any point today?¡± Jasper asked, making Alyssa tense up

    ¡°Grandpa? No, he hasn¡¯t. Why? Did something happen to him?¡±

    ¡°Not him, but Lauren.¡±

    ¡°Lauren?¡± Alyssa gasped.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t go back to Seaview Manorst night. Only when Grandpa called earlier to ask me why Landon

    had taken Lauren away did I get to know something happened with my family.¡± There was exhaustion

    in

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Jasper¡¯s voice, with a tinge of rage. ¡°I tried calling Landon earlier, but none of the calls went through.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s done for now!¡± Alyssa hissed, mming a hand on the table as she stood up. ¡°I knew that

    jackass

    was up to no good when he brought Lauren to that hotelst time, yet you kept defending him! He¡¯s

    nothing but a sick pervert!¡±

 Chapter 593

    ¡°Lyse, I grew up with Landon. I know him in and out. He may be fond of women, but he doesn¡¯t just

    sleep with anyone.¡± Jasper tried his best to console Alyssa while defending his friend.

    Landon continued, ¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare do anything to Lauren. She¡¯s my sister, after all.¡±

    ¡°Like hell! Landon would sleep with anyone who isn¡¯t rted to him!¡± Alyssa yelled. ¡°You¡¯d better get on

    your knees and pray Landon didn¡¯t so much as touch Lauren, or I¡¯m cutting his fingers off one by one!¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± came the calm reply.

    Alyssa was taken aback. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I said, alright. I agree with your decision. If something did happen, you can get to work on his left hand.

    I¡¯ll go for the right one.¡±

    Alyssa was truly left speechless now.

    Hoes before bros, indeed.

    Lauren was transferred to a general ward after her surgery. Shey weakly in bed, face as pale as the

    hospital gown she wore.

    ¡°How do you feel? Does it still hurt?¡± Landon asked tenderly, gazing into her doe-like eyes.

    Lauren shook her head meekly.

    ¡°Can you hear me then?¡±

    Lauren nodded.

    Landon sighed long and hard. ¡°Thank goodness.¡±

    He then took out his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll call your brother and sister-inw to have theme pick you up

    Panicked, Lauren quickly grabbed his wrist. ¡°B-But I¡¯m hungry, Landon¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve ques

    guessed you might, so I¡¯ve already asked Angie to get you something to eat. She should be back

    soon.¡±

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Angelina entered the ward with a paper bag just then. ¡°Here¡¯s the meal, as you instructed, sir. Nothing

    heavy.¡±

    ¡°Bring it over.¡±

    She set it down on the meal tray above the hospital bed, where Landon opened it up. He blew carefully

    on

    a spoonful of cream of mushroom soup before bringing it to Lauren¡¯s lips. ¡°Here, eat up.¡±

    Angelina had to look again to make sure she wasn¡¯t hallucinating.

    There was no point hiding what one truly felt for another, as it would manifest in other ways no matter

    what.

    ¡°I¡­ I can eat on my own¡­¡± Lauren mumbled, blushing,

    ¡°You¡¯re still weak from the surgery. Let me help you.¡± Landon pressed the spoon to her lips again,

    smirking

    lightly as he teased, ¡°You should be feeling blessed right now. Do you have any idea how many women

    in

    Sna City would die for me to be doing this for them?¡±

    Lauren said nothing. She merely obediently swallowed the soup.

    ¡°There we go! You can go brag to the world about how I¡¯ve personally fed you. Come on, open up.¡±

 Chapter 594

    From beside them came Angelica¡¯s sudden snort ofughter.

    Landon was really trying his hardest to take care of Lauren. None of his techniques applicable to other

    women worked for Lauren, so he had no choice but to try something new.

    It was fun to watch.

    Meanwhile, Lauren eagerly savored the soup Landon served her. Her motivation wasn¡¯t to boast about

    the experience but to ease Landon¡¯s burden. She just didn¡¯t want him to strain his arm by repeatedly

    lifting the spoon to her lips.

    Landon¡¯s eyes narrowed happily the more Lauren ate.

    ¡°Slow down now. Don¡¯t choke yourself.¡± He gently patted her back.

    sa

    When he noticed a drop of white at the corner of Lauren¡¯s lips, his breathing hitched inexplicably as

    surge of heat washed through him.

    It was a drop of soup, nothing more.

    Landon cursed at himself as he pondered thest time he had taken someone to bed. How could soup

    make his mind go south that quickly?

    ¡°This is tasty. I want more, Landon,¡± Lauren eximed happily.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Landon said hoarsely.

    The ward door was suddenly mmed open, followed by a shriek, ¡°How dare you, Landon Harper?¡±

    Frightened, Lauren dove into Landon¡¯s arms, wrapping hers around him. Lauren¡¯s action made him

    realize

    just how important he was to her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just your sister-inw and your brother,¡± he murmured.

    Jasper and Alyssa had already marched into the room by now. They were both shocked to their core

    when they saw Landon and Lauren¡¯s positions

    ¡°You! Keep your hands off of her!¡± Alyssa cried, her heart nearly bursting out from her chest when she

    saw

    how close the two were.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Landon blurted out, instinctively holding onto Lauren in a protective stance.

    Alyssa was nearly seething with rage and visibly upset.

    It had been 12 hours. Could someone like Landon resist helping himself for such a prolonged duration?

    Alyssa could never believe Landon could. There was no way in hell that he could!

    Jasper¡¯s expression was dark and frigid as he demanded, ¡°What is going on? Why is Lauren here?¡±

    ¡°What happened to your ear, Lauren?¡± Alyssa suddenly asked, keen eyes noticing Lauren¡¯s bandaged

    ear. She hurried to the bedside, asking Landon, ¡°What happened to her?¡±

    Jasper walked over to Alyssa¡¯s side, just as worried.

    Landon grimaced. Could they have a little more faith in him?

    He gently rubbed Lauren¡¯s trembling back, saying slowly, ¡°Lauren just came out of surgery. I¡¯ll tell you

    all

    about itter.¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes, dropping the matter for now, ¡°Grandpa intends to have Lauren live with him

    in

    Crescent Bay, so she¡¯ll be staying with him from now on.¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s wonderful news! Laurie¡¯s finally escaped that hellhole!¡± Landon cried happily.

    Jasper noticed how frightened his sister looked and immediately realized something. His lips stretched

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    into a thin line.

    ¡°No! I¡¯m not going!¡± Lauren yelled all of a sudden. ¡°I want to stay with Landon!¡±

    Looks of shock flitted across Landon, Jasper, and Alyssa¡¯s faces.

 Chapter 595

    Landon, especially, stared fixedly at the young woman in his arms as a sudden thought surfaced in his

    mind.

    He wanted to bring Lauren home with him.

    So, so much.

    Alyssa was unbelievably shocked. ¡°Lauren, you¡­ want to¡­

    ¡°Landon¡­¡± Lauren mumbled, nuzzling into Landon¡¯s chest and making his heart skip. ¡°I want to go

    home

    with you.¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper had no choice but to respect Lauren¡¯s choice under her insistence.

    Jasper then had Landon follow him to the smoking area to speak to him.

    ¡°What happened to Lauren¡¯s ear, Landon?¡± Jasper asked, cing a cigarette between his lips and

    offering

    his friend another.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Hatred and cold fury red in Landon¡¯s gaze. ¡°Your spoiled bitch of a sister, Betty,

    happened!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not my sister. I only have one sister and her name is Lauren.¡± Jasper bristled at the mention of

    Betty. ¡°So, Betty hurt Lauren?¡±

    Landon nearly ground his teeth into dust. The cigarette in his hand almost broke in two under his

    furioust

    pinching. ¡°If I did something to Betty, would you retaliate on behalf of your family, Jasper?¡±

    Jasper lit his cigarette and took a long puff. ¡°I¡¯ll pretend you never said that to me.¡±

    His stance was clear as day.

    ¡°Thanks, man.¡± Landon grinned, delighted. He patted Jasper¡¯s shoulder in solidarity.

    ¡°But no deaths, for your own good.¡± Jasper shot him a look.

    Jasper continued, ¡°If you really like Lauren and intend to build a future with her, then first make sure to

    cut off all those women you keep on strings around you-secondly, no more killing. You¡¯re a Harper, not

    some underworld warlord. I wouldn¡¯t feel safe entrusting Lauren with you otherwise.¡±

    ¡°I only think of Lauren as a sister, Jasper. Nothing more,¡± Landon hurriedly said, though his heart

    betrayed

    So did his wavering gaze and slightly trembling fingers, which Jasper was privy to.

    Thetter only responded lightly, ¡°Ignore the feud between Sophia and I. Lauren may be her daughter,

    but I¡¯ve never held a grudge against her for that. She¡¯s a good girl. I truly hope she finds happiness.¡±

    ¡°Jasper¡­ I¡­ Landon choked out hoarsely.

    ¡°You may not be the best option for Lauren, but I can tell you¡¯re serious and genuine about her.¡±

    Jeez, what was with this attitude? Why did Landon feel like he was getting schooled by his future

    father-in

    w?

    ¡°Are you lighting that or not?¡± Jasper asked, reaching out for the cigarette in Landon¡¯s hand. ¡°Give it

    back

    if you¡¯re not. It¡¯s myst one.¡±

    ¡°I am, I am¡­ ¡°Landon quickly tucked it between his lips. ¡°Say, when did you get so stingy? You¡¯re worth

    billions, yet here you are fussing over a cigarette? No wonder you¡¯ve only ever made one friend-me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to quit. I only go through half a pack daily now.¡±

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°Why? You¡¯re only 30 years old. At this rate, you might as well go vegan.¡±

    ¡°Because of Lyse.¡± Warmth and joy flooded Jasper¡¯s heart as he thought of her. ¡°She hates it when I

    smoke. It¡¯s hard to quit, but I¡¯m trying my best.¡±

    ¡°Tsk. Why didn¡¯t you cut Liana out of your life when Alyssa was still married to you then? You know how

    much she hated that bitch,¡± Landon teased.

 Chapter 596

    ¡°I know I messed up. You don¡¯t need to remind me.¡± Jasper snubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

    ¡°But

    there¡¯s no going back for me anymore. I want Lyse. No one else in this life but her.¡±

    Lauren slept until the evening hours. When she woke up, Landon had prepared her dinner.

    you being serious when you said you wanted to go home with me, Laurie?¡± Landon asked, half-

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡°Were

    teasing.

    Lauren bit her lip and nodded, then shook her head. She wrapped her arms around her knees, toes

    wiggling lightly on the bed. 1

    The sight made Landon¡¯s breathing quicken slightly.

    ¡°I-I want to live with Grandpa, but I need to wait till I¡¯m better¡­ so he doesn¡¯t worry.¡± Lauren¡¯s eyes

    were

    moist with tears.

    ¡°I understand.¡± Landon gently caressed her hair.

    With a sly grin, he asked, ¡°Do you trust me that much, Laurie? Do you know who I truly am? Do you

    have

    any idea how badly the world thinks of me? Aren¡¯t you worried you¡¯ll find yourself in danger if youe

    with me, hm?¡±

    Lauren slowly met his gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t care what everyone else thinks. I know you¡¯re a good person, just

    like

    my brother.¡±

    Landon¡¯s heart pounded, warmth surging through his being. He gently stroked her hair, hand cupping

    her

    nape.

    Seeing his silence, Lauren asked worriedly, ¡°Would I be troubling you, Landon? Do you not¡­ want to

    take me home with you?¡±

    How innocent and direct her words were. Lauren had no idea what she was saying in an adult setting.

    Landon murmured but suddenly tensed up, eyes widening in shock.

    Lauren had wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning so close to him that all he could see was her.

    She

    then pressed her lips against his own.

    Landon¡¯s heart leaped into his throat as he grew rigid with shock.

    Lauren closed her eyes lightly and recalled their first kiss. She gently pressed her tongue against his

    lips,

    Electric fire surged through Landon¡¯s veins. He swiftly pulled away, panting heavily as he gazed sharply

    at

    her. ¡°What are you doing, Lauren?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Lauren stuttered, asking innocently, ¡°I thought you liked that, Landon? I want to make it up to

    you.

    ¡°Make it up¡­ to me?¡± Landon could barely think straight at this point.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to just take advantage of your kindness. I thought you liked stuff like that? I can learn to

    be

    better at it.¡±

    Landon swallowed harshly, blood boiling in his veins. ¡°Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for

    you.

    to be saying that right now?¡±

    ¡°Dangerous?¡± Lauren asked, meeting his dark gaze.

    Landon couldn¡¯t shake the thought that Lauren might be the cause of his downfall.

    He slowly leaned in and kissed her again. Lauren shivered as Landon wrapped his arms around her

    waist, slowly pressing her onto the soft bed.

 Chapter 597

    Alyssa

    left the hospital without so much as a word to Jasper. Though he¡¯d left her with an iplete puzzle,

    she wasn¡¯t going to grovel for the entire thing.

    She¡¯d rather figure it out herself than ask. It was high time she stepped back into her spotlight after

    what

    she¡¯d endured for three years.

    On the way back to the vi, Sean called her.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, we were unable to find any information on Jasper directly, but we did find some interesting

    things pertaining to Justin Beckett.¡±

    ¡°Being Beckett Group¡¯s CEO, it only makes sense that anything personally rted to him is entirely off

    the records. You¡¯re getting smarter, Sean.¡± Alyssa grinned.

    Sean savored the praise and continued, ¡°Justin Beckett was a victim of a kidnap when he was 11

    years.

    old.¡±

    ¡°Kidnap?¡±

    ¡°Yes. But there is virtually no news about this incident on the World Wide Web, not even in the

    newspapers. The Beckett family must have silenced all potential leaks on this incident.

    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the police¡¯s records, we¡¯d never have found out about this. If you¡¯d really more about it,

    miss, you can always ask my father.

    to to know

    ¡°He was Sna City¡¯s Supreme Court judge, after all. He must¡¯ve heard something about it.¡±

    ¡°No need, Sean, You¡¯ve already done exceedingly well. You can drop the matter for now.¡± Alyssa then

    hung up the call, sinking into thought.

    Sean was on bad terms with most of his family right now, so he couldn¡¯t be asking them for help on

    their

    behalf for the time being.

    Thankfully, Alyssa had some leads now.

    She had just reached home when she noticed a man standing outside the gate.

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes to see who it was. Her heart dropped upon realizing it was Jasper.

    Jasper gazed at her through her windshield, a fond smile on his face.

    Alyssa pursed her lips, a bitter wave rising in her chest.

    She had to admit Jasper looked extremely fine when he smiled, just like how she used to dream of him.

    She had foolishly stayed by his side for three years, giving him things she thought he might appreciate,

    learning how to cook, all just so he would smile at her for once.

    All of it was futile, however.

    Yet, here he was now, smiling at her, even admitting he had feelings for her.

    But could her injured, pained heart really be healed by this love that hade toote?

    Alyssa took a deep breath, exited the car, and walked up to him.

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

 Chapter 598

    ¡°What is this? Highway robbery?¡± Alyssa snapped, eyes scanning him up and down.

    ¡°You left is a hurry from the hospital, so I didn¡¯t have a chance to speak to you,¡± Jasper said gently,

    Ignoring her frigidity

    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t have met there if it didn¡¯t concern Lauren¡¯s well-being. There¡¯s nothing more to say

    between us.¡± Alyssa turned and marched straight for the vi gates.

    She added, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone send over the next batch of medicine for the second stage of your

    healing. If you want to live a long life, make sure you take them on time.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, wait.¡± Jasper reached out to hold her hand.

    But Alyssa stopped just then. ¡°By the way, do ry a message of mine to Landon. I¡¯m aware of his

    feelings for Lauren, and I vehemently disagree with it.¡±

    Jasper blinked rapidly, frowning.

    aw, I would ¡°I know I¡¯m no longer Lauren¡¯s sister-inw but an outsider, and even if I were still her in-

    law, never have the right to step in on her personal affairs so long as her parents were still breathing.

    But

    unfortunately, I insist on stepping in.¡±

    There was a a hint of anger in Alyssa¡¯s tone as she continued, ¡°Right now, the only person who could

    help Lauren in your family is Grandpa, but you know just as I do what condition he is in right now. He¡¯s

    getting older, and he may not have the energy to be concerned with Lauren¡¯s affairs too much

    anymore.

    ¡°Lauren¡¯s parents are basically there for show, and so are you. When have you evere to her aid

    first thing v

    when she was in trouble all this time? You clearly have no capability to keep her safe, and she¡¯s

    clearly not your priority.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart winced with pain as he slowly balled a hand into a fist.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to care about Lauren. From now on, I¡¯m treating her as my sister and family,¡±

    Alyssa

    said sternly, ¡°And I will never, ever agree to a rtionship between her and Landon!¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± Jasper asked, taking a step closer to her, meeting her steely gaze.

    ????

    Misunderstanding his gaze for a challenge, Alyssa scowled, ¡°Why not? Do you not care about your

    sister¡¯s

    well-being, Jasper Beckett? Or do you just not care that Landon is going to use her for his selfish

    desires,

    all because she¡¯s Sophia¡¯s daughter?¡±

    Jasper was angry now. Not at Alyssa, really. He could empathize with where she wasing from. But

    he

    ¡°Landon genuinely likes Lauren. You saw how much she depended on him today, Lyse, how much she

    wants to be with-¡±

    ¡°Is being dependent the same thing as like? Don¡¯t forget that Lauren is on the spectrum and has rarely

    attended a day of school. How could someone like her, who¡¯s never been exposed to the real world,

    know what a rtionship between adults is like?¡± Alyssa eximed, her voice echoing in the night air.

    ¡°Would you give them one chance, Lyse, if Landon truly likes Lauren?¡± Jasper was nearly begging by

    now.

    ¡°First of all, you know just how hedonistic a lifestyle Landon has lived all these years with all those

    women he¡¯s slept with.

    ¡°I know there¡¯s a possibility for him to turn away from those one day and settle down, but Lauren is too

    ipatible with him..

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know how to keep him under control or meet him on equal footing. I can¡¯t watch Lauren

    waste away her youth like this.

    ¡°Secondly, do you really think marrying into the Harper family is the right decision for Lauren?¡± Alyssa

    asked sternly.

    Jasper winced. He and Landon rarely spoke about thetter¡¯s family, even though they¡¯d been close

    friends for so many years.

 Chapter 599

    Jasper knew mentioning the issues in the Harper family would only upset Landon, so he rarely brought

    it up, though it remained an area of concern for him.

    Alyssa continued, ¡°Mrs. Harper is a woman with traditional beliefs. After her husband¡¯s unfortunate

    passing, the hope of the family now lies on Landon¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°If she already has a grudge against Betty, how could Lauren ever make it past her? Landon adores

    and respects his mother.

    ¡°Do you think he¡¯d challenge her just to be with Lauren? Don¡¯t forget that cunning sister of his, too,

    who¡¯s

    differently? been using Betty as a pawn to get her way. Do you think she¡¯d treat Lauren any

    ¡°If Lauren really stays by Landon¡¯s side, it would upset his entire family system and only cause more

    disturbance to her life. Would Lauren truly be happy, then?

    ¡°Even if Landon loved her with all her might, their love would slowly crumble under the weight of all

    these obstacles sooner orter. Not to mention how innocent Lauren is-what could she do to even fight

    back.

    against them?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were red-rimmed with unshed tears by now.

    Jasper gazed longingly at her, a sharp warmth filling his heart alongside guilt and regret.

    She was projecting her own suffering and torment from their three years of marriage onto Lauren. This

    he

    knew very well.

    Alyssa hadn¡¯t let go of her pain. She¡¯d only forced it down her throat each time she was reminded of it,

    behind bitter tears and choked sobs.

    Alyssa had nothing more to say any longer. If Jasper insisted on supporting Landon, she would just opt

    to

    do things her way.

    Just as she was about to leave, Jasper marched up and hugged her from behind, wrapping his arms

    around her.

    ¡°You¡± Alyssa¡¯s breathing hitched in shock.

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. It was all my fault for upsetting you. I won¡¯t bring it up again if it makes you unhappy, I

    won¡¯t

    Jasper¡¯s arm was around her waist and shoulder, hugging her tightly, as if wanting to melt into one with

    her.

    Alyssa tensed up instantly, shivering with how close his voice was to her ear. ¡°Let go, Jasper¡­

    Her voice was so meek and soft, as if she didn¡¯t really want him to let go.

    ¡°No.¡± Jasper nuzzled his way into her neck. ¡°I¡¯m not a greedy man, Lyse. But I can never have enough

    of you. Not with hugging or kissing.¡±

    Even his words of confession were so brutally honest. It made Alyssa¡¯s heart skip.

    ¡°Lyse.¡±

    Just then, another voice called out from behind them, soft yet stern.

 Chapter 600

    The familiar voice cut through Jasper¡¯s heart like a de.

    Alyssa suddenly came back to her senses and tore away from Jasper¡¯s grip, as if she¡¯d been caught

    doing something inappropriate. She shoved Jasper away, making the man stumble backward.

    ¡°What are you

    you doing here, Mr. Jameson?¡± Alyssa asked curtly, unable to mask the shock in her eyes.

    Jameson bristled with killing intent, shaking just the slightest against the dark background. He shot

    Jasper a menacing re, pushing at his sses, It disappeared just as swiftly as it came, though not

    before Jasper picked up on it.

    In response, Jasper stirred up the deadliest energy he could muster, nearly snarling at Jameson. He

    was

    never one to lose when it came to this, especially not now when he stood before the woman he loved.

    Alyssa noticed Jasper¡¯s gaze. It looked like he was ready to tear Jameson limb by limb.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Alyssa was perplexed by the animosity disyed. Was it all because Jameson stopped him from taking

    advantage of her?

    How shameless!

    ¡°Are you okay, Lyse?¡± Jameson went over to Alyssa¡¯s side, asking kindly, ¡®Do you need any help?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± Alyssa smiled, making Jasper tremble with envy.

    It had been ages since Alyssa smiled at him like that. Yet now it was directed at Jameson Schmidt!

    ¡°You don¡¯t look fine.¡± Jameson stood close by her side, exuding a protective, authoritative presence. He

    then nced at Jasper. ¡°Do you need me to do something about him?¡±

    Jameson was behaving as if he was dating Alyssa!

    Jasper¡¯s eyes!

    red with fury as he clenched his hands into fists. If Alyssa weren¡¯t here, Jasper would have struck him

    by now.

    ¡°No need. His legs are still functioning, so he can leave on his own.¡± Alyssa didn¡¯t once look at Jasper

    when she spoke.

    ¡°Then¡­ Can youe with me, Lyse?¡± Jameson asked.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.

    Unable to stifle his rage any longer, Jasper hissed, ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯re asking,

    Jameson

    ¡°I do. However, I¡¯m afraid some people have no idea what they¡¯re doing.¡± Jameson stood in front of

    Alyssa. ¡°Can¡¯t you see how much she hates you? You¡¯re no longer married. I can call the cops on you

    right now for harassment, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Alyssa quipped, not wanting things to escte. She said tly to Jasper, ¡°Hurry up

    and

    leave.¡±

    ¡°Lysel

    ¡°I said, leave!¡± Alyssa yelled, finally showing her anger. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you, Jasper!¡±

    Jasper flinched. His mouth suddenly filled with blood. He held back from spitting it out, however.

    Beside them, Jameson¡¯s lips curled into a sneer.

 Chapter 601

    There was rarely anything that could satiate Jameson. But one thing that could do the trick was

    crushing

    and torturing Jasper Beckett.

    Alyssa regained herposure and questioned, ¡°Jameson, why are you here?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve moved into a vi behind yours,¡± he revealed with an affectionate gaze.

    She was utterly astonished and gasped, ¡°What?¡±

    Equally shocked, Jasper¡¯s chest tightened as he sensed an impending threat.

    ¡°I said we¡¯re neighbors now, Lyse,¡± teased Jameson, tilting his head and shing a gentlemanly and

    youthful smile at her.

    Then, he extended his hand to her, saying, ¡°Hello, new neighbor. Let¡¯s get along well in the future.¡±

    Although she was taken aback, Alyssa regathered herposure and politely shook his hand,

    effectively

    keeping her ex-husband, Jasper, out of the conversation.

    ¡°Lyse, would you like to visit my new ce? Jameson invited her. Just like her, he was an opportunist.

    He added, ¡°I bought a lot of fresh seafood, including salmon and lobsters-your favorites. I¡¯ll cook for

    you.

    Each word Jameson said was filled with love for Alyssa. His thoughtfulness and courtesy made him the

    ideal boyfriend for any woman.

    Feeling troubled and thinking it wasn¡¯t the best time to join a housewarming event, she declined. ¡°Let¡¯s

    do

    that another day. We¡¯ll run into each other a lot now that we¡¯re living in the same neighborhood. Thanks

    for the offer, though.¡±

    ¡°My mom will be there tonight,¡± Jameson stated, his gaze unwavering.

    He earnestly extended the invitation once more. ¡°I promised her I¡¯d invite you for dinner. She¡¯s

    delighted

    since she hasn¡¯t seen you in years. She¡¯s eager to meet Mr. Taylor¡¯s precious daughter.¡±

    Alyssa looked surprised and eximed, ¡°Is Mrs. Schmidt back from Kontina?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I brought her back,¡± Jameson replied with a contented smile.

    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful.¡±

    Jasper stood by anxiously throughout the exchange, watching them. He couldn¡¯t find an opportunity to

    As an experienced businessman, he was always capable and never helpless. However, he often felt

    like a

    fool when he was with Alyssa.

    ¡°Lyse, you know my mom¡¯s condition. She¡¯s rarely conscious, Jameson mumbled with a sorrowful look

    in

    his eyes that evoked sympathy.

    ¡°I hope you¡¯ll meet with her while she¡¯s still awake. Otherwise, it would be pointless. I understand it¡¯s a

    big

    ask, but could you do this for me?¡±

    Given the long-standing friendship between the Schmidts and the Taylors and the fact that Alyssa had

    no

    ns for that evening, she had no reason to decline the invitation.

    She replied, ¡°Well, I¡¯ll have to trouble you, Jameson.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s anger red, and his blood pressure rose as he clenched his fists.

    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all, and I appreciate you epting the invitation, Lyse,¡± Jameson said with joy in his

    eyes. He gestured for Alyssa to go ahead of him, and they left Jasper standing there.

    However, Jasper was no pushover, especially when his rival was Jameson Schmidt. He hated seeing

    Alyssa leave with another man. But what could he do?

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    A voice in his head urged him on, ¡°Go, stop them! Ego is nothing in the face of love! Keep her by your

    side!¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Jasper¡¯s heart raced as he approached them with determined strides.

    But before he could get close to Alyssa, he saw Jameson throwing a punch in his direction, as if the

    latter had eyes on the back of his head.

 Chapter 602

    A sudden gust of wind brushed past Jasper¡¯s nose. Jameson¡¯s punch was brutal and swift. Jasper

    would have been punched in the face if he hadn¡¯t been trained enough to dodge the ambush.

    From that deceptive move, Jasper could tell that Jameson was a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. There was

    another reason he could never let Alyssa be with Jameson. Never!

    The attack unfolded in the bink of an eye, so swiftly that not even Alyssa noticed the altercation as she

    proceeded toward Jameson¡¯s vi,

    Once again, Jameson hurled punches at Jasper, but thetter skillfully evaded each one. Jameson

    launched another kick that narrowly missed Jasper¡¯s chest.

    Jameson staggered backward, fighting to regain his bnce, the veins in his seemingly feeble arms

    throbbing beneath his elegant silver cufflinks.

    Meanwhile, Jasper stood at the same spot despite suffering the attacks. Jameson adjusted his sses,

    his eyes smoldering with rage.

    For years, Jameson had obsessively honed his skills under the guidance of a mentor, delving into the

    realms of closebat, marksmanship, swordy, and more. His motivation was to acquire the

    strength necessary to protect his mother and establish his own power base.

    While he was a quick learner, he had invested a huge effort in honing his skills to make up for his

    physical

    weakness

    Initially, he had been confident in his abilities, but the brief exchange just now had revealed that he had

    underestimated Jasper. Jasper proved to be a formidable rival, one whom he couldn¡¯t hope to match,

    even with his best efforts.

    Jameson¡¯s expression morphed from a frown into a sinister smirk that unsettled Jasper. The affection in

    his eyes for Alyssa had transformed into a menacing look that challenged Jasper¡¯s patience.

    Suddenly, a gleam shed across Jameson¡¯s eyes as he leaned forward. Jasper¡¯s gaze faltered, and,

    out of muscle memory, he inadvertently punched Jameson on the left cheek.

    At the same time, Alyssa turned around and witnessed the scene. Jasper noticed that Jameson wore a

    conniving grin on his lips, showing no sign of anger after the unexpected punch,

    Damn it! Jasper realized he had fallen right into Jameson¡¯s trap. It dawned on him that Jameson hadn¡¯t

    intended to attack him. Instead, he had simply lured Jasper into making a move.

    Jasper secretly chided himself for his foolishness.

    *Jimmy!¡± Alyssa gasped in wide-eyed shock and hurried over to support Jameson, who looked like he

    was on the verge of copsing. In the heat of the moment, she blurted out Jameson¡¯s childhood

    nickname.

    Hearing this, Jameson ignored the pain in his cheek and held her wrist, asking in disbelief, ¡°Lyse, what

    did

    you just call me?¡±

    She finally realized her mistake. After a brief moment, she decided not to make a big deal out of it. It

    was

    just a nickname from when they were younger.

    She repeated, ¡°Jimmy.¡±

    Jameson teared up with joy, his cheeks twitching in excitement. He had waited for this moment for 15

    years.

    He had pined for Alyssa throughout those years, a feeling Jasper Beckett-heartless as he was-would

    never understand.

    At that moment, Jasper¡¯s face drained of color. He appeared lifeless, feeling like something had broken

    inside him.

    Once again, Alyssa had crushed his heart.

    Had Jameson and Alyssa¡¯s rtionship progressed? Had their childhood friendship never changed?

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but wonder what he had meant to Alyssa from the start.

    ¡°Jasper, are you out of your mind? Jameson is inviting me to his ce to greet his mom. What did he

    do wrong? Why did you have to hurt him? Alyssa confronted Jasper with a re while holding onto

    Jameson.

    Her eyes revealed a mix of emotions. There was rage, helplessness, and, more than anything.

    disappointment

    She had ced Jasper on a pedestal for the past 13 years. However, she felt as if he had slowly

    be

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    less attractive to her. He was straying further from her impression of him.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m okay. Calm down.¡± Jamesonforted her with a gentle look in his eyes

    why Mr. Beckett attacked me.¡±

    ¡°I can understand

 Chapter 603

    ¡°Everything he did, he did it for you.¡±

    ¡°So, is he willing to harm others on my behalf?¡± Alyssa couldn¡¯t take it any longer and snickered. ¡°He¡¯s

    attempting to justify his uncivilized behavior. He¡¯d better not use that excuse anymore-it¡¯ll only

    embarrass me!¡±

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± Jasper called out to her, his toneden with bitterness. He felt like he was being crushed. ¡°I¡¯m

    not trying to justify my actions. I just have one question for you-what do I mean to you?¡±

    Her breath caught, and her heart ached. In the dim light, she could see the shattered look in Jasper¡¯s

    eyes

    and the pain that was etched across his face.

    Jameson¡¯s sharp gaze bore into Jasper¡¯s pale face.

    ¡°If you stay out of my life, we might have a chance to be business partners in the future. If you remain

    stubborn, we can only be enemies,¡± Alyssa cautioned. Then, she walked away slowly, holding Jameson

    without even ncing at Jasper.

    Jasper stood motionless for a long time, feeling as though the world had forsaken him.

    After what seemed like an eternity, he felt numb from head to toe. His tears had dried in the wind, only

    to

    well up again.

    Someday, a woman might take Alyssa¡¯s ce in his life, but he would never love anyone as deeply as

    he

    had loved Alyssa

    Jameson had secured the secondrgest vi in the affluent neighborhood, while Alyssa resided in the

    grandest one

    The entire estate belonged to the Schmidts, granting Jameson the freedom to switch between buildings

    as he wished.

    As they stepped into the courtyard, Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but sympathize with Jameson when she

    noticed

    the severe injury on his face. She cautiously asked, ¡°Does it hurt?¡±

    He warmly beamed at her but identally brushed against his injury, making his smile appear

    somewhat

    strained. He reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s alright. It doesn¡¯t hurt much.¡±

    ¡°That bastard! He¡¯s gone out of hand! Alyssa seethed, as though she were ready to confront Jasper.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett is a military school graduate and a veteran, so it¡¯s no surprise that he can be rather heavy

    handed, Jameson exined.

    Alyssa¡¯s face fell a little. She questioned, ¡°How did you know about his military past? Did you

    investigate

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    him?¡±

    Jameson calmly replied with a smile, ¡°In both business and rtionships, I¡¯m destined to be his rival. To

    win the game, I need to know my rival inside out.¡±

    Alyssa understood the underlying message in his words and pressed her lips together.

    Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t share the same sentiments as Jameson. What¡¯s more, she had to feign

    ignorance about his feelings.

    He turned to her, worrycing his tone as he said, ¡°If my mom asks about the injury, you¡¯ll need to

    cover

    for me.

    ¡°How? Should I tell her you fell on your face while walking at night?¡± she pondered, frowning at the

    impossible idea.

    He smiled wryly with an affectionate gaze.

    ¡°Hey, I have an idea!¡± Alyssa had a sudden realization and retrieved a foundation case from her bag.

    handing it to him. She suggested, ¡°Use some foundation to conceal it.¡±

    ¡°Is this¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you even know how to use it?¡±

    Jameson looked at her with hopeful eyes and shook his head.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you,¡± she offered. Dabbing the foundation powder onto the cushion, she gently patted it onto

    the

    swollen area on his cheek.

    ¡°Ouch¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t help but grimace.

    She hurriedly asked, ¡°Does it hurt?)

    He squinted and intentionally drew nearer to her. Her skin was as soft as a baby¡¯s, right down to the

    fine

    baby hairs on it.

    Oh, how he loved her.

    Their breaths intermingled as their noses nearly touched. She detected the minty freshness of his

    breath, which,bined with the violet scent from his shirt, made her feel slightly lightheaded.

    ¡°It hurt a bit. But now, it¡¯s all better,¡± he replied, gazing Into her eyes with a smile.

    quickly stepped back, nearly dropping the foundation case. She might have identally called him by

    his childhood nickname, but that didn¡¯t mean they were close.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Lyse, or it¡¯ll be toote to make dinner,¡± he said, stopping teasing her. He knew he needed to

    win her over gradually.

    They disappeared into the doors of his vi.

    On the other side of the vintage gates, Jasper stood across the street, ring angrily at the lights inside

    the vi.

 Chapter 604

    had recently settled

    Everything in Jameson¡¯s ce was new. It was evident that he in.

    He had embraced a simple and minimalist monochromatic style for home decor. Alyssa could tell from

    one look that the furniture and houseware he had chosen were from understated luxury brands.

    When she stepped into the house, she immediately shuddered from the coldness. It wasn¡¯t the heater¡¯s

    problem. The spacious halls, Coupled with the boring color palette, sent a chill down her body.

    ¡°Lyse, are you feeling cold?¡± Jameson retrieved a pair of white home slippers from the shoe rack, knelt

    on

    one knee, and ced them at Alyssa¡¯s feet.

    ¡°Put these on. I¡¯ll turn up the heat.¡±

    She blinked and slid her feet into the warm,fortable slippers.

    She was surprised to find that the slippers were brand new and the right fit for her. They appeared to

    have

    been prepared especially for her.

    *

    ¡°Jameson, you¡¯re home,¡¯ ire greeted them with a warm smile. She was the housekeeper

    responsible

    for taking care of both Jameson and Lily.

    ¡°Lyse, this is Madam ire.¡± Jameson introduced Alyssa to thedy

    Then, he turned to ire, saying. ¡°Madam ire, she¡¯s-

    ¡°I know! This must be the Ms. Alyssa who¡¯s always on your mind!¡±

    ire enthusiastically weed Alyssa. ¡°How are you, Ms. Alyssa? You look so lovely! Even more

    stunning than Miss Kontina!¡±

    Alyssa smiled, blushing shyly. ¡°Thanks for thepliment, Madam ire.¡±

    ¡°Come on in! It must be freezing outside! Jameson, Madam Lily is waiting for you both,¡± urged Madam

    ire, leading them into the living room.

    She couldn¡¯t help but steal nces at the two along the way. She grew more fond of them with every

    look. They seemed like a match made in heaven.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa felt a bit nervous because she couldn¡¯t recall Lily Schmidt¡¯s appearance. When shel

    had visited the Schmidts during her childhood, Victor had been the one who had weed her.

    Lily had rarely made an appearance, but when she had, Alyssa had thought of her as a gentle and kind

    woman.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Jameson called out to the woman in the wheelchair with a tan velvet nket on herp. She

    slowly turned around.

    Alyssa felt a pang of sympathy when she saw Lily, who was the same age as Mandy but looked much

    older with her gray hair.

    ¡°My son! You¡¯re back!¡± Lily broke into a radiant smile. Though she may have aged, her beauty from her

    youth was still evident, especially when she smiled.

    He hurried over to give her a hug. Then, he announced, ¡°Mom, Alyssa is here to see you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is it Lyse? Lyse?¡± Lily gasped in a childlike and animated manner.

    She seemed to have taken a liking to Alyssa and said, ¡°Hurry up, Madam ire!¡±

    ¡°Madam Lily, I¡¯m here!¡¯ Madam ire quickly replied

    ¡°Get some juice and candy for Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡± Madam ire answered. She swiftly grabbed a handful of colorful candy from the exquisite

    snack box on the coffee table and eagerly handed them to Alyssa.

    She said, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, please have some candies¡±

    Alyssa epted the candy in surprise. She hadn¡¯t expected such a unique wee from Lily.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°Jimmy, you should bring your friends home more often! Don¡¯t worry about disturbing me. I don¡¯t want

    you

    to be alone,¡± said Lily as she nced worriedly at Jameson,

    Stunned, Alyssa slowly turned to Jameson. He said to Lily, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. With Lyse by my side. I¡¯ll

    never be lonely.¡±

    A hint of

    of sadness-briefly crossed his eyes as he gently caressed Lily on the back. ¡°Even if everyone

    ignores me, Lyse will stay by me.¡±

    ¡°Good. That¡¯s good. Lyse, you have to visit Jimmy often and y with him!¡± Lily said, looking at Alyssa

    as

    if she were the same young girl from 15 years ago.

    Alyssa responded courteously, ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Schmidt,¡±

 Chapter 605

    Feeling touched, Alyssa kneeled in front of Lily on one knee and shed a brilliant smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry!

    I¡¯ll

    be a good friend to Jimmy.¡±

    Jameson took off his jacket and strode to the kitchen in his white shirt and gray vest. Alyssa, though a

    guest, felt uneasy about having him cook for her. Hence, she followed him into the kitchen.

    ¡®I¡¯ll lend you a hand. You don¡¯t even have a chef. It would take ages to prepare the dishes,¡± Alyssa

    softly.

    suggested, her eyes fixed on the exquisite ingredientsid out on the table. She couldn¡¯t resist the urge

    to

    start cooking herself and began rolling up her sleeves.

    ¡°No worries. Everything¡¯s ready to go. The seafood dishes will be ready in no time, Jameson reassured

    her, a concerned look in his eyes.

    ¡°Lyse, I remember you¡¯re allergic to smoke. It¡¯s quite oily and smoky in the kitchen. Why don¡¯t you join

    my

    mom in the living room for a chat instead?¡±

    A surprised expression crossed her face as she tensed up. She stammered, ¡°H-How did you know

    about

    my allergy?¡±

    ¡°Remember when Uncle Winston brought you to our house and Josh insisted on having grilled meat?

    So

    the maids set up a barbecue in the backyard.¡± Jameson fondly recalled, a chuckle escaping him.

    ¡°When the smoke wafted over, Uncle Winston quickly whisked you away, mentioning your allergy. I can

    still picture the way he tensed up, like he was in the midst of a battle. He even scolded my dad over it,¡±

    Jameson reminisced.

    ¡°You mean the world to your dad, Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa stared at him nkly with bitterness that turned into tears. Despite her best efforts, her eyes.

    brimmed with tears.

    She had yed a dutiful wife to Jasper for three years, but he had never known she was allergic to

    smoke. In contrast, Jameson remembered the small detail from a decade ago.

    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll help you,¡± she replied, standing by his side in front of the sink. She lowered her head

    and

    deftly prepared the fresh ingredients.

    A glint sparkled in Jameson¡¯s eyes, and he swallowed as he took a step toward her. He mumbled,

    ¡°Thank

    you, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°I should be the one thanking you for the dinner invitation.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not about the dinner,¡± he croaked.

    ¡°You¡¯ve probably noticed my mom¡¯s condition. Her memories are fading fast. Sometimes, she doesn¡¯t

    even recognize me. She still thinks I¡¯m an eight-year-old.¡±

    ¡°I understand. That¡¯s one of the symptoms of Alzheimer¡¯s,¡± Alyssa said with a sigh.

    ¡°I¡¯m grateful that you¡¯re willing to bring some joy to her with me,¡± Jameson said. Their eyes met, and

    their

    foreheads gently touched. They both seemed surprised and soon broke intoughter.

    The vi was filled with warmth and merriment, a stark contrast to the wintry climate and unforgiving

    wind outside.

    Standing by the vi like a statue, Jasper gazed longingly at the cozy lights within. He had lost track of

    how long he had been standing there. In truth, he wasn¡¯t sure how much longer he could stay there.

    Only one thought upied his mind-he would wait for Alyssa toe out and meet him. She would

    All of a sudden, he felt a chill on his face that spread through his body. He slowly raised his head and

    observed snowkes drifting onto his pale face with his bloodshot eyes.

    It was snowing the first snow in Sna City

    He would love to spend many more winters in his life with Alyssa. He so wished to experience the first

    snow with her.

    His breath condensed into a misty cloud as he shakily took his phone and dialed her number.

 Chapter 606

    The dinner was filled with merryughter. Jameson wanted to serve a bottle of wine from his precious

    collection, but Alyssa found herself sipping on juice, thanks to Lily¡¯s insistence. Over the course of the

    evening, she downed various types of fruit juices.

    After dinner, ire entertained Lily in order to give Jameson and Alyssa some personal time. Jameson

    then took Alyssa on a tour of his vi, graciously sharing his antique collection.

    They marveled at notable pieces such as Paulo Gagarin¡¯s ¡°Impressionist Oil Landscape Painting¡±, Van

    Gogh¡¯s ¡°Landscape with Snow¡±, a vase from the Victorian era, and many more treasures, each of

    which

    would be worth a significant amount at auction.

    Alyssa stood before the table, examining the paintings with a magnifying ss. Her eyes sparkled with

    excitement, clearly infatuated with the items.

    ¡°Do you like them? I¡¯ll wrap them up for you to take home if you wish,¡± Jameson offered with a warm

    smile as he rested his arm on the bed.

    While she

    was admiring the paintings, he was admiring her beauty,

    ¡°Wrap them up for me? Each of these items is worth at least a million or more, and they¡¯re all authentic.

    I can¡¯t imagine their previous owners parting with them willingly. Why would you offer these to me?¡±

    Alyssa yfully teased.

    She straightened her posture and winked at him through the magnifying ss. ¡°Are you a collector or a

    seller? A true collector, like Winston, would never allow anyone to touch their collection, let alone part

    with it.¡±

    He grinned, responding in a low and charming voice, ¡°My generosity extends to only two people-you

    and

    Uncle Winston.¡±

    A warmth enveloped her, and she pursed her lips. Jameson was the pr opposite of Jasper. He was a

    smooth-talker, whereas Jasper wouldn¡¯t say something nice even under duress.

    ¡°Winston is a greedy old man. If he knows you have something good, he¡¯ll take advantage of your

    generosity.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s wee to take whatever he likes. I don¡¯t have much to offer, just a few antiques that he

    appreciates. Naturally, I would share them with him,¡± Jameson replied earnestly.

    ¡°What about you? Is there anything you would like, apart from iming your rightful share in the

    Schmidt

    Group?¡± Alyssa asked, her tone intentionally probing.

    He fondly considered responding with ¡°You,¡± but instead he remarked, ¡°It¡¯s snowing. Lyse.¡±

    ¡°Is it?¡± She radiated excitement, her eyes glittering like stars.

    Snowy days held a special ce in her heart. When she was a child, her mom used to take her to the

    backyard to enjoy the snow, clutching her hands and sliding their fingers across theyers of snow and

    ice.

    Jameson suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s watch the snow.

    Guiding her to the balcony, he pushed the doors open. She was captivated by the scene outside. A

    flurry

    of snowkes danced through the e sky.

    ¡°How pretty!¡± she eximed into the night sky.

    Behind her, Jameson quickly removed his jacket and draped it on her shoulders

    The view is great, but we don¡¯t want you to catch a cold.¡±

    He gently reminded her,

    The cold in her body was immediately reced by the warmth from the jacket. When she turned to face

    him, she noticed his intense gaze and stuttered, ¡°Your..

    Jameson¡¯s heart raced, and his breathing became uneven

    ¡°Your sses are frosted. Can you still see the snow?¡± she asked with genuine interest. He paused

    and grinned, not bothering to conceal his feelings for her.

    He thought, ¡°Alyssa, did you know there was a saying in Kontina? They said that you should watch the

    first snow with the woman you would like to marry.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    Despite her cold hands, she looked joyful as she raised her hands to catch snowkes.

    Jameson was ovee with a sudden urge to take her hand and never let go.

    Just then, her phone rang, disrupting the perfect moment. Her expression changed as she nced at

    the

    screen.

 Chapter 607

    Alyssa still held Jasper¡¯s name in high regard. Jameson¡¯s eyes had a gleam when he saw his love rival

    calling up his crush. He called out softly, ¡°Lyse.¡±

    Her eyes deepened She decided to pick up. ¡°Hello?

    Jameson was filled with disappointment as well as resentment toward Jasper.

    while, Jasper gazed at the illuminated windows from a distance, uncertain of where she was or if he

    would get to see her. His voice was hoarse.

    ¡°Lyse, it¡¯s snowing. The first snow in Sna City this year.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± she responded tly. ¡°So, what¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Jasper was taken aback by her reaction. After a brief pause, he mustered the courage to suggest, ¡°May

    I

    invite you to enjoy the snow tonight?¡±

    ¡°Do you have the memory of a goldfish?¡± she asked with a frown.

    ¡°Um, no ¡±

    you understand the state of our rtionship now? Do you think it¡¯s appropriate for us to do that?¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s still better than spending time with Jameson Schmidt, Jaspermented enviously.

    Simultaneously angered and amused, she retorted, ¡°Hah. I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa, I won¡¯t leave from here unless you meet me tonight,¡± Jasper insisted, but she was equally

    resolute.

    She countered, ¡°If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯ll stay put at Jameson¡¯s vi.¡±

    ¡°Are you trying to give me a heart attack?¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes red with intensity as he clutched the left

    side.

    of his chest, struggling to breathe. There was a metallic taste in his throat.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    He growled, ¡°Are you staying the night at his ce? Do you know what you¡¯re doing?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s anger surged. She moved to a quiet corner with her back to Jameson, taking a deep breath.

    before whispering. ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯m thankful for you saving my life, but it doesn¡¯t mean you can force

    me to do something against my will.¡±

    ¡°I just wanted to share the first snow with you! Nothing more.

    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to! That¡¯s thest thing I want!¡± she yelled at him hysterically, startling him with her

    ++15 BONUS

    Jameson hurried up to her and gently held her trembling shoulders. He deliberately whispered into her

    ear, ¡°Lyse, are you okay?¡±

    Jasper hung onto every word that fell from Jameson¡¯s lips. With her eyes shut, Alyssa shook

    uncontrobly from head to toe.

    She was transported back to that Christmas night two years ago, when Sna City had btedly seen

    its first snowfall of the year. Theye had been a car ident, a lot of blood, and the loss of her baby

    when she

    had been nine weeks pregnant.

    She was crushed by the pain. The ident had cruelly robbed her of the chance to meet her child.

    Where had Jasper been back then? He had traveled to Mosgravia to spend Christmas with Liana.

    After Alyssa had sent Newton to the hospital, she had called Jasper once, just before she lost

    consciousness. But she had been greeted with a cold, busy tone.

    Once more, she felt like she was drowning in a sea of agony. Suddenly, she cked out and copsed.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

 Chapter 608

    Jameson tightly embraced Alyssa the moment she fainted. His eyes grew darker as he spiraled into

    madness.

    Meanwhile, Jasper found himself lightly dusted with snow. He waited faithfully by the entrance,

    prepared

    to spend the night there.

    Suddenly, the vi¡¯s gates swung open. Jasper jolted with excitement, only to feel his heart sink as he

    witnessed a pale Jameson marching toward him.

    He shot Jameson a tense look and curled his fists. He asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Lyse?¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses with a menacing grin, filled with the triumph of a victor.

    He replied, ¡°She¡¯ll be spending the night at my ce. She won¡¯t be going home or watching the snow

    with

    you because she¡¯s resting now.

    ¡°If you have any decency left and if you care about your image, you should leave immediately. I need to

    return to her.¡±

    Jasper felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He retorted, ¡°Jameson, are you happy now? You¡¯re

    only with Alyssa because you yed dirty!¡±

    ¡°Sure. So what?¡± A greedy look shed across Jameson¡¯s eyes. His behavior now waspletely

    different from how it was when he was in front of Alyssa.

    He gloated, ¡°I¡¯m willing to y dirty for the woman I love. I¡¯m not sorry for it.

    ¡°It¡¯s better than some other guys who want to im the moral high ground after breaking her heart-a

    scumbag who pretends to be deeply in love with her.¡±

    ¡°Jameson Schmidt!¡± bellowed Jasper. The metallic taste in his throat grew thicker.

    ¡°From what I heard, you never spent any of your holidays with Lyse throughout your marriage,

    right?

    ¡°You were with Ms. Gardner on Valentine¡¯s Day in the first year of your marriage, Christmas Day in the

    second year, and of course, on Ms. Gardner¡¯s birthday,¡± taunted Jameson.

    He added, ¡°You should spend this romantic night with Ms. Gardner. You¡¯re only humiliating Alyssa by

    knocking on her door.¡±

    The color drained from Jasper¡¯s face. He felt utterly crushed.

    ¡°As your rival, I¡¯m only looking into your background because I care about Lyse. I¡¯ll protect her and

    never make the same mistake,¡± imed Jameson, a chilling glint in his eyes.

    ¡°Get lost. You¡¯re a despicable human being inside and out. You don¡¯t deserve to be with her.¡±

    After Jameson walked away, silence descended upon the scene. Jasper remained frozen in the wintry

    weather. Suddenly, he bent forward, covering his mouth.

    His eyes widened as he felt a damp and warm sensation on his palm. Thick blood began to drip onto

    the floor, mixing with the snow and staining it red.

    is way

    When Jameson entered the vi, instead of checking on the unconscious Alyssa, he quietly made his

    to his study and reviewed the surveince footage on hisputer.

    He sat leisurely in the leather chair, ready to watch Jasper leave in defeat. To his surprise, he

    witnessed something even more satisfying.

    Jasper knelt on the snowy ground, breathing heavily and with his lips stained with blood.

    That was blood. Was he coughing up blood?

    ¡°Hahaha! Jasper Beckett, what a surprise!¡± Jamesonughed. Staring at the footage, he quickly called

    Carl.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, what can I do for you?¡±

    ¡°Look into Jasper Beckett¡¯s recent health condition. I need a detailed report on his illnesses, injuries,

    and

    hospital stays.¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

 Chapter 609

    The next morning, Alyssa woke up groggily, still disoriented.

    Her eyes suddenly fluttered open, and she bolted upright in bed. She found herself in a monochromatic

    the scent of incense wafting through the air, making her feel rxed.

    room,

    ¡°This is a man¡¯s bedroom¡­ Jameson¡¯s room?¡± Alyssa gasped, her head throbbing as if she had been

    struck in the head.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    The only thing she recalled fromst night was the fight with Jasper. After that, her memory nked.

    Heart racing, she quickly left the room.

    In the kitchen downstairs, Jameson was making breakfast for Alyssa. He was wearing a white shirt with

    his sleeves rolled up.

    He was bathed in the morning sunlight that cast a gentle, almost ethereal glow over his features. He

    looked like a soft painting.

    Jameson frequently cooked, but he never bothered with an apron as he never wore the same outfit

    twice.

    ¡°Jameson,¡± Alyssa called out to him. He cast a gentle nce and said, ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re up. How are you

    feeling?¡±

    ¡°Jameson,¡± Alyssa began.

    ¡°Lyse, didn¡¯t we agree on ¡®Jimmy¡¯ from now on?¡± he teased. He busied himself around the kitchen like

    a

    dutiful spouse.

    ¡°You weren¡¯t feeling wellst night and fainted. I think it might have been abination of low blood

    sugar and some moodiness. Don¡¯t worry-although you slept in my room, I didn¡¯ty a hand on you.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± she replied, rubbing her forehead in exhaustion. She wasn¡¯t some inexperienced youngdy.

    She had no idea about her low blood sugar, but one thing was for sure-she had been upsetst night.

    Her past traumas had a way of triggering painful reactions, putting her in agony each time.

    She was quite surprised that she had fainted from the psychological reaction. Jasper Beckett was

    indeed

    a curse.

    ¡°Breakfast is ready. Come, Lyse, Jameson coaxed her gently as he set the table. They almost looked

    like newlyweds, with Jameson ying the part of a devoted husband preparing breakfast for his still-

    sleepy

    wife.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m not hungry. Thank you for the offer, though, she responded. After spending the night in a

    stranger¡¯s home, she already felt uneasy. Having breakfast together was out of the question.

    She wasn¡¯t an easy woman.

    ¡°Thanks for your hospitality. I need to go home because I have something to do.¡± Alyssa thanked him

    and pressed her lips awkwardly. She headed to the entrance.

    Feeling his chest tighten, Jameson hurried after her. ¡°Lyse, did I upset you in some way?¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m simply not used to staying the night at some random man¡¯s ce, not to mention having

    breakfast together. That¡¯s not my style,¡± she exined tly with a forced smile.

    Her words stung him, and he clenched his fists.

    Jameson pondered silently, ¡°Why had she allowed Jasper to hug her but declined to have breakfast

    with

    me?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what might have unfolded had he not intervened in timest night. Would

    Alyssa and Jasper have kissed? Would she have invited Jasper Beckett to spend the night at her vi?

    Alyssa¡¯s phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She saw the call from Jonah and answered, ¡°Hey,

    Jonah.¡±

 Chapter 610

    ¡°Lyse, Ss, Cyrus, Sean, and I are in front of Jameson¡¯s vi,¡± Jonah said tersely, his voice as

    commanding es thunder. He provided her with a sense of security.

    ¡°Jonah, I¡¯m all good. You guys overreacted¡­¡± Alyssa mumbled and massaged her temples, trying to

    visualize the absurd situation unfolding outside.

    ¡°Overreacting? Lyse, you spent the night at another man¡¯s ce! As your brothers, we were almost in

    tears!¡± Ss yelled, his voice nearly hoarse.

    ¡°Did that guyy a hand on you? Did you stay willingly, or did he trick you into it? I¡¯ve got a pair of

    handcuffs ready for him!¡± Cyrus turned into a hot-blooded policeman, ready to barge in and arrest

    Jameson on the spot.

    ¡°Calm down! All of you!¡± Alyssa instructed, frantically slipping on her heels and leaving the vi.

    Outside, several luxury cars had surrounded the vicinity.

    Sean was the first to rush up to her, his eyes filled with tears. He held onto her shoulders and asked,

    ¡°How are you? Are you okay? Did Jameson Schmidt do anything to you?¡±

    ¡°As if he would dare! The Taylors would destroy his family!¡± Alyssa responded, still thinking her brothers

    and Sean were unnecessarily worried.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± The three brothers encircled her. They sighed in relief to see her fully dressed and unharmed.

    *Jonah, Ss, good morning,¡± greeted Jameson, who strolled over with a warm smile.

    I

    He turned to Cyrus and remarked, ¡°Cyrus, you¡¯re here too. I guess there¡¯s not much to do at the police

    station.¡±

    Cyrus clenched his teeth, aching to p the handcuffs on Jameson.

    Ss was equally irate. He snapped, ¡°Who are you to call me ¡®Ss¡¯? We¡¯re not that close! It¡¯s ¡®Mr.

    Taylor¡¯

    for you.¡±

    ¡°Ah, right. I haven¡¯t been back for a while. It looks like we¡¯re not as close as we used to be,¡± Jameson

    replied nonchntly, giving Alyssa a tender look.

    ¡°No matter what you think of me, my feelings for Lyse haven¡¯t changed.¡±

    This was the second time Jameson had taken away Alyssa, the Taylor family¡¯s princess. Jameson He

    might not have harmed Alyssa, but his actions were a clear provocation to the Taylor siblings.

    *Jonah, Ss, let¡¯s go home.¡± Sensing that the situation was taking a bad turn, Alyssa tugged on Jonah

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    and Ss¡¯ sleeves, hinting at them to leave.

    ¡°You guys should go home with Lyse,¡± Jonah instructed.

    He gently squeezed Alyssa¡¯s hand and said to Jameson, ¡°Jameson, let¡¯s have a talk.¡±

    Jameson warmly agreed, ¡°Of course, Jonah.¡±

    Since Alyssa couldn¡¯t convince Jonah to leave, she got into the car while Ss, Cyrus, and Sean

    looked on,

    As the car pulled away, she casually nced out of the window, only to be startled by what she saw.

    There was a gruesome patch of dried blood on the snowy ground by the roadside.

    The air was tense in the vi¡¯s living room. Jonah sat straight on the couch and crossed his legs with at

    stern look. He looked at Jameson with more hostility than before.

    Jameson offered him some tea, saying, ¡°Jonah, please have some tea.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll be quick.¡±

 Chapter 611

    QUITE

    Jonah checked his wristwatch, his expression turning icy. He began, ¡°Jameson, I know Lyse very well.

    She has never spent the night at a man¡¯s ce in her life.

    ¡°Yet, she was at your cest night. I need an exnation.¡±

    ¡°You never allowed her to stay out, but you supported her when she decided to elope. For three years,

    you kept her marriage to that jerk/a secret from Uncle Winston.

    ¡°You let her suffer at her inws¡¯ ce, living without any official recognition, Jameson stated calmly,

    taking a seat across from Jonah.

    Jonah¡¯s breath briefly stopped. Lips downturned, he taunted, ¡°Oh, is that what you¡¯re doing? You¡¯re

    ¡°As her brother, I might not agree with her decision, but I had to respect it. You, on the other hand, are

    a

    different case.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s eyes wavered as he started to falter.

    Jonah continued, ¡°I know Lyse isn¡¯t into you. If you persist, you¡¯ll not only anger her but also change my

    impression of you.¡± His eyes carried a threatening glint.

    Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed sses with a faint smile. But in truth, he was swallowing hard and

    holding in his rage.

    He exined, ¡°I invited Lyse for dinnerst night, as my mom and I loved meeting her. We had a good

    time at dinner.

    ¡°Later, Jasper called Lyse, said something that upset her, and she fainted.¡± The thought of yesterday¡¯s

    Incident infuriated Jameson once more.

    While listening, Jonah furrowed his brows. Even if Jameson might not be lying. Jonah was wary of his

    ims.

    ¡°Even so, you let Lyse stay at your ce without informing us. You¡¯ve crossed a line.

    ¡°As her eldest brother, I¡¯m almost like a father figure to her. She¡¯s precious to my dad and me. Lyse

    might not care aboutst night¡¯s incident, but I¡¯m cklisting you because of it.¡±

    Jonah rose with an air of authority, heading toward the entrance hallway. He added, ¡°Jameson, you

    may be interested in Lyse. Our dads are good friends, but I speak for my dad now.

    ¡°We approve of your friendship with Lyse, but not a romantic rtionship! Don¡¯t ever dream of marrying

    her.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s words were polite, but it was a humiliating rejection of any romantic rtionship between Lyse

    and Jameson, even if Jameson wanted to be a matrilocal son-inw.

    As Jonah was about to leave, Jameson dered, ¡°Mr. Jonah, Lyse will marry me one day. Do attend

    our

    wedding.

    ¡°That would indeed be a dream wedding-it will only be in your dreams!¡± Jonah quipped and snorted

    before exiting.

    When the door mmed shut, Jameson¡¯s expression froze. He hissed, ¡®I don¡¯t need your approval to

    do

    anything! That¡¯s absurd.¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    His phone rang with a call from Carl. ¡°Mr. Schmidt, I have two updates for you. First, Zoe Harper will

    return to Cyrris soon.¡±

    Jameson smirked. ¡°And the second update?¡±

    It¡¯s regarding Jasper Beckett¡¯s health, which you wanted me to investigate. I don¡¯t have all the details,

    but I do know he was hospitalized at Sna City Memorial Hospitalst month for a severe injury. He

    was discharged after two days.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I don¡¯t need every detail. The fact that he¡¯s gravely injured is all I need to know,¡±

    Jameson

    said, raising an eyebrow

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, what¡¯s your next step?¡± Carl inquired cautiously.

    ¡°I want him dead,¡± Jameson drawled with a menacing look.

    ¡°Sigh. Too bad we aren¡¯t in Kontina. If we were, you could have gotten rid of him earlier on,¡±mented

    Carl.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. He¡¯ll die by my hands eventually. I can wait.¡±

 Chapter 612

    Landon¡¯s private jet touched down at Sna City International Airport under the cover of night.

    Zoe descended the stairs from the aircraft, wrapped in an opulent fur coat, her radiant brown curls

    cascading around her. She slipped into the waiting car that hade to pick her up.

    After the incident with the counterfeit ne, Landon had grounded Zoe, going so far as to

    confiscate

    her phone.

    He had wanted to cut off hermunication with her terrible friends, who had a bad influence on her.

    In protest, Zoe had resorted to starving herself after bouts of crying and frustration. Penelope couldn¡¯t

    bear to see her daughter suffer. So she had persuaded Landon to release Zoe and send thetter back

    to Yoarkley for a period of self-reflection instead.

    By the time it was winter, Landon had reluctantly permitted Zoe to return to Cyrris. Boredom had

    consumed her in Yoarkley, and Landon hadn¡¯t visited her once. It had been too much!

    Zoe couldn¡¯t contain her frustration. ¡°Where¡¯s Landon? Why isn¡¯t he here to pick me up?¡± she

    comined. She unleashed her wrath on Gary Hopkins, one of Landon¡¯s bodyguards, by incessantly

    kicking the front

    passenger seat.

    Gary, who had watched Zoe grow up and was one of Landon¡¯s trusted employees, had served Zoe for

    a

    long time.

    He looked at her with warmth and offered a vague response. ¡°Well, Mr. Landon. He¡¯s been quite busy

    Zoe¡¯s tears flowed as she punched the seat relentlessly. ¡°Landon has changed! He¡¯s not as good to me

    as he used to be! He always picked me up, no matter how busy he was!

    ¡°He never called me even once when I was in Yoarkley. He clearly doesn¡¯t care about his sister

    anymore.¡±

    Her tantrum escted into a fit of tears. Gary felt a pang of sympathy for her. He mustered his courage

    and whispered, ¡®Ms. Zoe, I¡¯ll tell you something, but please stay calm after you hear it.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s it?¡± She sniffled, taking the napkin from Gary.

    Gary hesitated before confessing. ¡°Mr. Landon hasn¡¯t been in touch with you because¡­ he¡¯s been

    involved with Ms. Lauren.¡± He broached the sensitive topic carefully.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Zoe eximed in disbelief.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± Gary continued, moving closer to her and deciding to reveal the whole truth.

    ¡°He¡¯s been staying with Ms. Lauren for a few days now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Zoe raged, her eyes filled with hatred. ¡°How could that idiot marry a Harper?

    Besides, my brother has never brought any woman home!¡±

    ¡°No, Mr. Landon didn¡¯t bring her home. They¡¯re staying elsewhere.¡±

    Upon hearing this, Zoe felt a ¡®wave of dizziness wash over her. ¡°Where is that ce? Take me there

    right

    now!¡±

    Landon¡¯s private vi was located in an affluent, hilly neighborhood in Sna City. The white walls and

    green tiles of the vi were symbols of wealth.

    Though not as stately as the Harper Residence, it offered a lush environment, making it an ideal setting

    for rxation and rejuvenation.

    Landon had dedicated himself to caring for Lauren as she recuperated from her injury, forsaking work

    and othermitments.

    Formerly a nightlife-loving yboy, he now willingly stayed in, fully devoted to Lauren. This change

    made

    Angelina feel like she was getting to know him again.

    ¡°Landon, I made something for you! Come and see,¡± Lauren beamed, pulling him toward the backyard.

    She was wrapped in a red cloak with white fur trim.

    Angelina stared at the youthful face under the red cloak, thinking that Lauren resembled a princess.

    Even as a fellow woman, she had developed a fondness for the lovable Lauren. It was no surprise that

    Landon adored Lauren.

    ¡°Slow down! There¡¯s some snow on the ground. Don¡¯t slip,¡± Landon reminded Lauren tenderly.

    These days, he carried her across the vi and hardly allowed her to walk around unless it was

    absolutely

    necessary, such as for a bath or a trip to the bathroom.

    He pampered and doted on her like never before.

    The backyard was a tranquil winter wondend, with a delicate dusting of snow on the trees and

    shrubs.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Laure appeared like a blossoming camellia in the snow, enchanting Landon.

    ¡°Look, Landon!¡± she eximed, her cold right hand securely held in Landon¡¯s warm grip. She pointed

    at a

    Her eyes sparkled as she proudly proimed, ¡°I made this snowman for you. Isn¡¯t it lovely?¡±

    Landon was pleased with the snowman, but upon closer inspection, he was left momentarily

    speechless.

    A rather unttering photo of himself was stered on the snowman¡¯s face. Not only that, Lauren had

    picked one of his worst photos, printed in ck and white.

    *Laurie, I have plenty of good pictures. Why did you choose this one?¡± Landon grumbled, feeling a bit

    bewildered.

    ¡°Um, I took that picture of you secretly. I wanted it to be a surprise,¡± she replied, her bright eyes looking

    up

    at him.

    ¡°But why is it in ck and white?¡±

    ¡°The printer ran out of color ink¡­¡±

    Landon sighed and managed a wry smile as he gently ruffled her hair through her red hood. Well, he

    appreciated her gift. He shouldn¡¯t have expected more.

    Out of nowhere, Landon¡¯s Dobermann, Richie, dashed out. He began barking and charging straight at

    the

    snowman.

    *Richie,e here!¡± Landon shouted in worry, but it was toote. Richie had knocked the snowman¡¯s

    head off.

    The dog wagged his tail and barked excitedly, while Lauren blinked and jokingly remarked, ¡°Uh,

    Landon,

    your head just rolled off.¡±

    Landon clenched his fists. In a yful mood, Richie started nudging the snowball around. Lauren

    remarked, ¡°Wow, Richle is ying with your head like a ball!¡±

    Landon gritted his teeth and eximed, ¡°Richie McRich, how dare you kick my head around! I¡¯ll have to

    send you away!¡±

    Richie seemed to understand Landon¡¯s tone and gave Lauren a pleading look, whining softly.

    ¡°No! Don¡¯t punish Richie!¡± Lauren yfully protested, swaying Landon¡¯s arms.

    ¡®I¡¯ll rebuild the snowman. Just wait for me.¡±

    Landon was utterly charmed by Lauren¡¯s antics. He watched her tenderly as he added, ¡°Richle, you¡¯d

    be in

    big trouble if your mom hadn¡¯t put in a good word for you.¡±

    He had blurted that out without thinking, and his heart raced with anticipation. Fortunately, Lauren

    hadn¡¯t.

    heard him, as she was engrossed in rebuilding the snowman.

    Somehow, he wished she had heard his unintentional confession.

 Chapter 613

    Lauren skipped over to the snowman, and Richie yfully kicked the snowball back. She retrieved it

    and

    carefully set it back atop the snowman while standing on her tiptoes.

    Richie joyfully wagged his tail while circling around Lauren, even yfully rolling by her feet.

    ¡°Haha! Richie, are you cold? I¡¯ll crochet a sweater for you someday!¡±

    Richie barked as though he understood her. He wagged his tail excitedly and then threw himself at her,

    showering her cheeks with affectionate licks.

    ¡°Hahaha! That tickles, Richie. Stop fooling around!¡± Laurenughed and tumbled onto the snowy

    ground,

    and they both rolled around in the snow with delight.

    Landon gazed tenderly at Lauren and the heartwarming scene, which was rare in his life.

    He had once believed that an ordinary, happy life was beyond his reach. To his surprise, Lauren had

    brought him the happiness that every ordinary man deserved.

    ¡°Mr. Landon, I never expected Richie to get along so well with Ms. Lauren. He used to nip at almost

    everyone he encountered, and he only listened to you since he was a puppy.¡± Angelina remarked

    happily

    as she approached Landon.

    ¡°That¡¯s because he¡¯s a little pervert!¡± Landon grumbled.

    Angelina silently thought, ¡°Guess he takes after his owner

    Landon grew more jealous when he saw Richie on Lauren, and he felt an urge to discipline Richie.

    Damn

    1. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he had stooped so low as to be envious of his own pet.

    ¡°Richie, get down!¡± Landon eximed as he gently lifted Lauren from the snowy ground.

    He continued, ¡°The ground is icy. You don¡¯t want to catch a cold.¡±

    Leaning over, he brushed the snow off her coat.

    ¡°Thank you, Landon.¡±

    ¡°No need to thank me,¡± he replied, gazing deeply into her captivating eyes. His warm breath tickled her

    rosy cheeks

    ¡°Lauren, you mean a lot to me. I feel happy when I¡¯m with you. I should be the one thanking you.¡±

    ¡°B-But I haven¡¯t done much,¡± Lauren mumbled, looking puzzled.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done a lot,¡± he insisted. He grasped her frozen hands and rubbed them, even blowing at them

    to

    warm them up.

    He said, ¡°Come here.¡±

    He opened up his ck jacket. She obediently nestled into his embrace, enveloped by his masculine

    scent. Feeling snug, she closed her eyes and cuddled against him.

    All of a sudden, Landon felt his desire rising in him, and the look in his eyes deepened. ¡°Laurie.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡± she responded in a muffled, adorable voice.

    ¡°You will only do this with me,¡± Landon dered, looking down at her with passion, longing to be closer

    to

    her.

    He uttered huskily, ¡°If you do this with another man, I would be very upset. And I can be quite scary

    when

    I¡¯m upset.¡±

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°H-How scary?¡± she wondered, feeling a little flustered as she blinked up at him.

    He fixed his seductive gaze on her, drawing closer to her face. His lips nearly brushed against hers as

    he

    whispered, ¡°Very. Do you want to find out?¡±

 Chapter 614

    Lauren shook her head furiously. Her heart pounded. She stammered, ¡°I-I got it. I will only do it with

    you.

    Don¡¯t be upset, okay?¡±

    Landon had been treating her exceptionally well over the past few days. He had gifted her beautiful

    clothes she had only seen on Betty before-clothes she had never owned.

    What¡¯s more, the food at the private vi was delicious, even if it wasn¡¯t quite on par with Alyssa¡¯s

    cooking.

    In addition, Landon took care of her in every way, from drying her hair to feeding her and even sharing

    a

    bed, all without crossing any boundaries.

    Since he had been so good to her, she couldn¡¯t bear to do anything that might upset him.

    ¡°Good girl.¡±

    Her eyes shimmered like a starry night, nearly making Landon kiss her. However, a sudden thought

    made him reassess his behavior. Was he acting like a pickup artist?

    Still, he really wished that Lauren could stay by his side forever. The idea of her marrying another man,

    being intimate with him, and having children tore at his heart.

    ¡°Mr. Landon, pleasee over,¡± Angelina called after receiving a phone call.

    ¡°Okay.¡± Landon approached her, inquiring, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Angelina nced at Lauren before whispering, ¡°I received a call from Xavier Hall, Mr. Beckett¡¯s

    secretary. He informed us that Mr. Beckett¡¯s condition has worsened.¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Landon raised his voice, his heart sinking. Lauren looked in their direction.

    ¡°Mr. Hall didn¡¯t go into the details, but he mentioned that Mr. Beckett is recuperating in his vi without

    anyone knowing.

    ¡°Mr. Hall secretly contacted me because he couldn¡¯t stand seeing it anymore. He wanted you to check

    in.¡±

    ¡°Understood. Get the car. We¡¯ll leave shortly!¡¯ Landon gave the order.

    But he kept the truth from Lauren to avoid causing her worry. He simply told her he had to go

    somewhere and might not return home that night. So he told her to go to sleep without waiting for him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you toe home before I go to sleep,¡¯ she responded, walking him to the door. She didn¡¯t

    express her feelings openly, but her longing look spoke volumes.

    Landon¡¯s heart melted, and he offered her a faint smile. Then, he turned to the maid, Marie Moore.

    ¡°Mrs.

    Moore, take good care of Ms. Lauren.¡±

    Right after Landon¡¯s car departed from thepound, Zoe¡¯s entourage of three luxury cars came to a

    stop at the entrance.

    Gary whispered, ¡°Ms. Zoe, we¡¯ve arrived.¡±

    ¡°Wow, Landon is quite generous to that dumb bitch. Look at the size of this ce! Is he nning to turn

    it

    into a newlywed home?¡± she muttered.

    She trembled violently and cast an angry, disdainful gaze at the splendid vi.

    Garyforted her. ¡°Please, Ms. Zoe, everyone in Sna City is aware of Landon¡¯s character. He¡¯s

    not

    the type to fall for someone-I can vouch for that after all these years.

    ¡°He¡¯ll probably have a few days of fun with Ms. Lauren and then grow tired of it.¡±

    Zoe¡¯s anger red, and her face turned red as she vehemently protested, ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Gary!

    This time is different.

    ¡°I know my brother better than anyone. He¡¯spletely infatuated with that dumb bitch. After all the

    women he¡¯s been involved with, he probably saw something special in Lauren and hopelessly fell for

    her.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t he worried about the possibility of producing mentally disabled offspring? She¡¯ll only taint our

    family¡¯s gene pool!¡±

    Hearing that, Gary fell silent.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

 Chapter 615

    ¡°No matter what, I will never approve of Lauren as my sister-inw! Only one of us shall stay!¡± Zoe

    ed and engrily opened the car door.

    She was surprised when Gary didn¡¯t budge. She asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t youing with me?¡±

    ¡°My apologies, Ms. Zoe. I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m Mr. Landon¡¯s employee, after all. It¡¯s inappropriate for me to get

    involved,¡± Gary answered uncasily.

    ¡°Fine. I understand. I won¡¯t tell a soul about your help. In return, I need you to keep a close eye on

    Landon¡¯s activities,¡± Zoe reminded him. Her pretty face was in stark contrast to the menacing look in

    her

    eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯ll reward you generously if you do a good job.¡±

    Gary shook his head with a loyal expression and dered, ¡°I will be willing to do anything for you.¡±

    Zoe left the car, mmed the door shut, and quietly cursed, ¡°Pfft. He¡¯s just punching above his weight. I

    wouldn¡¯t have kept him around if he wasn¡¯t useful to me. I feel sick just sharing a space with him.¡±

    Zoe knocked on the door, leading a few bodyguards and her secretary, Donna McKay.

    Marie rushed out and froze upon seeing Zoe. She greeted Zoe frantically, ¡°M-Ms. Zoe, what brings you

    here?¡±

    ¡°Is Landon home?¡± Zoe hissed, her anger growing as she noticed that Landon had assigned their

    family

    staff, Marie, to serve Lauren.

    ¡°M-Mr. Landon isn¡¯t at home. Marie answered, looking panicked.

    ¡°Where¡¯s that bitch, Lauren? She must be in there.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Zoe, Mr. Landon instructed us not to allow anyone into the vi without his permission,¡± dered

    Marie. Despite feeling anxious, she loyally stood her ground.

    ¡°Mrs. Moore, you have served our family for decades. If you refuse to move, you¡¯ll only bring disgrace

    upon yourself,¡± Zoe threatened.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I only take orders from Mr. Landon. Ms. Zoe, please leave.¡±

    ¡°Argh!¡± Zoe yelled hysterically and kicked the door. She ordered, ¡°Break the door open!¡±

    Finally, the bodyguards forced the door open and pinned Marie down. Zoe confidently strode into the

    living room with Donna, loudly dering, ¡°Lauren Beckett, you bitch!¡±

    Lauren, who had been leisurely reading aic book and ying with Richie on the couch, was

    startled

    when she saw Zoe.

    Her face paled, and she instinctively huddled into a corner of the couch, tightly wrapping her arms

    around.

    her head.

    She pleaded, ¡°Don¡¯t hit me. Please don¡¯t hit me!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m doing! You filthy bitch. How dare you seduce my brother? I¡¯ll teach you a

    lesson!¡±

    While cussing, Zoe lunged at Lauren

    She seized a handful of Lauren¡¯s hair and delivered a stinging p with her free hand. If Landon had

    been there, Zoe would never have dared to harm Lauren, but his absence emboldened her.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Lauren moaned in pain. Her ear injury had only just begun to heal, but Zoe had pped her

    now.

    Lauren¡¯s ear canal throbbed with unbearable agony, causing her to break out into a sweat.

    ¡°Drag this bitch out of the house! This is Landon¡¯s ce, which means it¡¯s mine. I don¡¯t want her

    staying

    here,¡± Zoemanded. Donna promptly acted, dragging Lauren away.

    Upon seeing the harassment Lauren had endured, Richie angrily barked and bit Donna on the arm.

 Chapter 616

    ¡°Let go! Let go!¡± Donna screamed in pain, releasing Lauren¡¯s hand. At the same time, Zoe took a few

    steps backward in shock.

    Donna kicked and hit Richle, but he refused to release her.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ¡°Don¡¯t hit Richie! No!¡± Lauren fell on top of the Dobermann to protect him.

    Filled with resentment, Zoe kicked Lauren again amidst the chaos.

    ¡°Zoe Harper!¡± A stem voice cut through the turmoil, making Zoe freeze. Her leg was suspended mid-air

    when she was caught red-handed.

    She stiffly spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. She mumbled, ¡°L-Landon¡­¡±

    Landon stood tall at the entrance, seething with anger. His expression darkened.

    His chest heaved as his eyes glinted with an impending storm.

    Lauren, still unaware of Landon¡¯s return, hugged Richie tight and shut her eyes. She curled into a ball,

    quivering pitifully.

    Donna nearly fainted from the shock of Landon¡¯s arrival and momentarily forgot about her pain. No one

    had expected him to return so abruptly after he had gone out.

    ¡°Zoe, did you hit Lauren?¡± Landon confronted Zoe, his eyes wavering as he took in Lauren¡¯s bruised

    and

    swollen face. He closed in on Zoe.

    Zoe involuntarily shivered when she saw an expression in Landon¡¯s eyes that she had never witnessed

    before. It was terrifying.

    She couldn¡¯t justify her behavior, but she believed Landon wouldn¡¯t be too hard on her, no matter

    much he loved Lauren,

    After all, she was his precious sister. Family came before anything-or so she thought.

    ¡°Yes, I hit her! Landon, you¡¯ve gone too far. You disappointed and hurt me!¡±

    how

    Tears streamed down her face as she wept and wailed, ¡°You sent me off to Yoarkley and didn¡¯t check in

    on me at all. Not even a call!

    ¡°And this is why-you¡¯ve been spending time with this bitch! You dumped your sister for her! Landon, are

    you-¡±

    Midway through her rant, a resounding p echoed through the living room. Landon was devoid of

    emotion as he delivered a p to Zoe¡¯s face.

    Zoe¡¯s head turned to the side upon impact, her cheek immediately disying a vivid red mark from the

    force of a grown man¡¯s p. The p hurt like hell, and it shattered Zoe¡¯s heart.

    Angelina, who had just walked into the living room, looked astonished by the scene. Landon had

    always been a loving and protective brother to Zoe, so the idea of him hitting her had never crossed

    Angelina¡¯s

    mind. It was truly a shocking right.

    ¡°Zoe, I cannot believe that the evil and hateful woman in front of me is my sister,¡± Landon remarked

    without looking at her.

    a

    Heartbroken, he instead held onto Lauren¡¯s arm and pulled her into a hug. He added, ¡°Or have I

    spoiled

    you rotten? Are you no longer my innocent baby sister?¡±

 Chapter 617

    Zoe stood there, utterly shocked. Her face darkened, and it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her.

    She stumbled over her words, asking, ¡°Landon, what are you saying? Do you no longer see me as your

    sister?¡±

    Landon ignored her questions. Instead, he focused on Lauren, who was now in his arms.

    He gently massaged her trembling back and reassured her, ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be afraid of, Lauren. I¡¯m

    here now. No one will hurt you.¡±

    Yet Lauren was no longer as at ease as before. She had put up a guard against him, her rapid

    breathing

    reflecting her aversion.

    She stated, ¡°No. You¡¯re Zoe¡¯s brother, not mine¡­¡±

    She weakly pushed against his solid chest with her arms. Each shove felt like a dagger in his heart.

    She pleaded, ¡°Let me go! I¡¯m going home to Grandpa. I want to go home!¡±

    ¡°Lauren, be good.¡± Anger colored Landon¡¯s eyes as he stubbornly soothed her.

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Lauren cried out, but Landon refused to release his grip on her, tightening his embrace

    instead.

    Landon¡¯srge, calloused hand gripped her waist so tightly through the fabric that her skin reddened.

    You¡¯re right.

    Then, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m not your brother. I¡¯m your man, Lauren

    Beckett.¡±

    Hearing that, Zoe¡¯s eyes widened. She witnessed her brother showering Lauren with love-the woman

    whom she had bullied since she had been young.

    It felt like her heart was empty and her soul had been crushed. The pain was unbearable, far worse

    than

    when she had learned about Jasper¡¯s feelings for Alyssa.

    Landon was the most important man in her life. She had always believed that she could get away with

    anything thanks to his protection.

    At that moment, she felt she was on the verge of losing her brother¡¯s love. It seemed that he would give

    everything to Lauren.

    ¡°My¡­ man?¡± Lauren looked up at him through tears, her innocence only intensifying his pain.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m yours,¡± he confessed hoarsely, his eyes filled with passion.

    Zoe felt her perfect life shattering and copsing, while Angelina smiled in a corner, happy to have

    witnessed Landon¡¯s heartfelt confession to Lauren.

    Zoe¡¯s beating had triggered Lauren¡¯s old trauma. Overwhelmed, she cried until she fainted in Landon¡¯s

    arms.

    He carried her back to her room and tenderly wiped away her sweat and tears with a clean towel

    before

    tucking her in.

    ¡°Mm¡­¡± Lauren rolled over with a frown, which only hurt Landon more. He turned white as he wrestl

    with the anger and guilt.

    ¡®I¡¯m so sorry, Lauren. I failed to protect you. It¡¯s all my fault,¡± he whispered.

    Angelina discreetly opened the door and stood there quietly, fearing she might intrude on their moment.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Landon said, his touch still gentle on Lauren¡¯s face, though his eyes were icy.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯ve downloaded the surveince footage you requested,¡± Angelina informed him, handing him a

    phone.

    Landon had only made it home so fast thanks to the numerous surveince cameras he had installed

    at

    home due to his feelings of insecurity

    The cameras would capture every corner of the ce, and he could monitor the vi from anywhere

    through his phone.

    He coldly stared at the screen, watching how Zoe had forced her way into the vi, subdued Marie, and

    then assaulted Lauren.

    He sank into a brief silence. Angelina began, ¡°Mr. Landon, so

    She suddenly felt a pain in her wrist. Landon had pped the phone out of her hand in a fit of anger.

 Chapter 618

    ¡°Mr. La

    Landon, calm down,¡± Angelina reminded him, taking a step back. Nheless, he stormed out of the

    room and made his way to the first floor.

    Sitting on the living room couch, Zoe was ovee with anxiety and covered in sweat. She found

    herself trapped in the vi under the watchful eyes of four bodyguards.

    ¡°M-Ms. Zoe, Mr. Landon is fufious. What should we do?¡± Donna, who was kneeling on the floor,

    desperately clung to Zoe¡¯s legs.

    ¡°How should I know?¡±

    They heard heavy footsteps echoing through the house. As Landon entered the living room with

    Angelina,

    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

    an eerie silence enveloped the room.

    ¡°Landon..¡± Zoe called out to him weakly. Knowing that tantrums wouldn¡¯t work on him, she put on a

    pitiful look instead.

    ¡°You hit and kicked Lauren. I saw everything clearly from the surveince footage,¡± he stated,

    suppressing

    his boiling rage. He couldn¡¯t imagine what he would have done if Zoe hadn¡¯t been his sister.

    ¡°Landon, I did it because I couldn¡¯t contain my anger. We grew up together. When have you ever seen

    me

    hit anyone? I¡¯m even scared of bugs! I¡¯ve never assaulted anyone before,¡± Zoe argued.

    Landon remained expressionless.

    An idea struck Zoe. She pushed Donna away while using. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s her! She incited me to do that!

    She

    fueled the fire the moment I got off the ne and told me to hit Lauren.

    ¡°I already disliked Lauren, and Donna¡¯s provocation was thest straw for me. She¡¯s to me for what I

    did!¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Donna pleaded as she knelt on the floor. She dared not even retort

    ¡°And why would you hate Lauren? Did she wrong you in any way?¡± Landon wondered, casting a glum

    look

    at Zoe.

    ¡°S-She¡­¡± Zoe was at a loss for words, but she quickly came up with an excuse.

    ¡°She¡¯s an idiot. How dare she try to seduce you? I¡¯ll never approve of a future sister-inw like her!¡±

    ¡°Why so? Do I need your approval for my partner?¡± Landon narrowed his eyes, chuckling. He appeared

    more intimidating now than when he was angry.

    ¡°H¨C Zoe nearly burst into tears from the anger and felt disappointed in Landon.

    ¡°And you¡¯ve got one thing wrong.¡± Landon added, his blood boiling at the thought of Lauren¡¯s joyous

    presence and her soft lips.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t seduce me. It was the other way around. I wanted to be with her.¡±

    Zoe nearly cked out upon hearing that. Lauren, who had always been beneath her, seemed to have

    risen above her.

    ¡°Angelina.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Landon?¡± Angelina stepped forward.

    ¡°Punish this woman by sending her to Doomsbury,¡± Landon instructed with indifference, effectively

    condemning Donna to death.

    Doomsbury was notorious for being a hellhole. Men who found themselves there could have their

    organs forcibly removed or be enved. The women were worse-they could end up in prostitution and

    gued

    by sexual diseases.

    ¡°Mr. Landon! It wasn¡¯t me. I was taking Ms. Zoe¡¯s orders!¡± Donna cried out, but it was in vain. Angelina

    signaled at two bodyguards, who dragged Donna away.

    Meanwhile, Zoe stood motionless on the ground. It was her first time witnessing her ruthless brother

    get.

    rid of her staff right before her eyes.

    ¡°Nobody knows about this vi except for me, Angelina, and a few trusted individuals-not even Mom or

    you,¡± Landon remarked.

    He lowered his gaze and took out a cigarette, shoving it between his lips. ¡°So, who spilled the beans?¡±

    Zoe trembled violently under her expensive fur coat. The coat was nearly drenched in her sweat.

    *

    ¡°Those around me who know me well will understand that I despise betrayal the most,¡± Landon added

    as

    he lit the cigarette with the lighter in his gloved hands.

    He took a drag and asked, ¡°Zoe, who told you that Lauren and I lived here?¡±

    Speechless and pale, Zoe felt as though she were being strangled.

 Chapter 619

    Landon had once spoiled Zoe as her brother, but now she felt nothing except fear for him.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have an idea? It¡¯s okay as long as I know who he is,¡± Landon taunted. Then, two

    bodyguards dragged Gary into the house. He had been beaten into a pulp.

    Zoe gasped and covered her mouth in shock as she watched the trail of blood left behind by Gary as

    he

    was dragged inside.

    ¡°Gary, you¡¯ve served me for a decade, and I¡¯ve treated you well over the years. for dead on the streets

    if it hadn¡¯t been for my help,¡± Landon began.

    You would have been left

    He took a seat on the chair Angelina had pulled out for him. ¡°Is this how you repay my kindness?

    Posing as my loyal employee while groveling to my sister? You¡¯re quite good at this double-agent act.¡±

    ¡°M-Ms. Zoe, save me¡­.¡± Gary pleaded desperately, as he had no other option.

    She quickly averted her gaze from his severely bruised and bloodied face, which made her feel

    nauseated.

    ¡°Angelina, give him the same old punishment,¡± Landon instructed, taking a drag on his cigarette.

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Landon.¡± Angelina approached Gary with a hot iron and inflicted burns on his body.

    The hissing sounds, mixed with Gary¡¯s agonizing groans, were extremely disturbing and sickening.

    Zoe screamed, wrapping her arms around her head. She fainted soon after.

    Alyssa hadn¡¯t received any updates from Jasper since their night at Jameson¡¯s ce, and she had

    been gued by nightmares about him for three consecutive nights.

    While she understood that dreams were not necessarily a reflection of reality, their vividness scared

    her.

    Moreover, she had found the patch of blood outside Jameson¡¯s gate. It was particrly unsettling and

    frightening.

    Mandy knocked on Alyssa¡¯s door and entered the room. She said, ¡°Lyse, this is the medication for the

    second treatment.¡± Then, she ced the medication in front of Alyssa.

    Alyssa was in the process of packing her belongings for her return to Sna City. She dly epted

    the medication and replied, ¡°Thank you, Mandy.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I would do anything for you,¡± Mandy said, gently stroking Alyssa¡¯s hair.

    Then, she asked, ¡°By the way, how is Jasper¡¯s recoverying along?

    ¡°Do you care about him?¡± Alyssa asked in surprise.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s absurd,¡± Mandy quickly rified, distancing herself from Jasper.

    ¡°He¡¯s using Lovce Pharmaceutical¡¯s medication, and I¡¯m naturally interested in how our little test

    subject is responding. I would like to gauge its effectiveness.¡±

    Upon hearing this, Alyssa pufsed her lips and felt a touch of frustration. The medication from Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals had not yet received approval for sale as it was still in clinical trials.

    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Despite the risks, Alyssa had provided the medication to Jasper in an effort to prevent his injuries from

    worsening, which could result in long-term side effects.

    ¡°He¡­ looks fine. But Mandy, what are

    the side effects of the medication?¡±

    Mandy shook her head with a sigh. ¡°I have no clue. That¡¯s why I asked you about his cor Regardless,

    there are two important things he should be aware of when he¡¯s on the medication

    ¡°First, he must avoid getting injured. Second, he should keep his emotions stable. Emotional turmoil

    won¡¯t

    help his recovery. It will only worsen his condition.¡±

    Alyssa felt a tightness in her chest, and a frown crept across her face. The thought of the bloodstain

    weighed heavily on her mind.

 Chapter 620

    After Alyssa and Sean packed up, they prepared to return to Sna City with Mandy¡¯s medication for

    Jasper.

    ¡°Lyse, are you in a hurry? Can¡¯t you stay for dinner? It¡¯s almost ready,¡± L called out to her and

    hurried

    over, wearing an apron.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, L. I have to get home soon,¡± Alyssa replied. She gently held L¡¯s face in her hands and

    examined her.

    Then, she suggested, ¡°Your birthday is just around the corner. You should take a few days off, rx,

    and

    stop doing all the chores. Treat yourself to some beauty spas and look your best for your big day this

    weekend!¡±

    L grumbled, ¡°What birthday? I never wanted to celebrate it. The thought of all the socializing on

    Sunday

    tires me.¡± She sighed. ¡°I¡¯m only doing it for your dad.¡±

    ¡°No, you¡¯re wrong. He¡¯s doing it for you. Or rather, we¡¯re doing it for you,¡± Alyssa corrected her.

    ¡°Listen to me. Don¡¯t overwork yourself, I have my spies at home, and they¡¯ll report to me if you refuse

    to

    listen.

    ¡°If I¡¯m upset, I¡¯ll show up at your birthday party empty-handed and eat all your food! Heh heh!*

    Sean smiled at Alyssa¡¯s yful act as she pretended to be angry. Her little button nose and her pouted

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    cherry lips were adorable.

    A smile lit up L¡¯s lovely face. She yfully pinched Alyssa¡¯s cheek and said, ¡°Family is the best gift!¡±

    Having grown up in an orphans

    L had been discovered by talent agents while performing in a

    theatrical troupe. She had then signed with an entertainment agency and embarked on her acting

    career.

    She¡¯d had a challenging upbringingpared to some of Winston¡¯s other wives. She hadn¡¯te from

    a

    prominent family like Mandy, whose family ran a business, or Colene, whose father was a gangster.

    Therefore, she often felt inferior and believed she wasn¡¯t a good fit for Winston and the Taylor family.

    Her

    only desire was to lead a low-profile life and avoid causing trouble for anyone.

    Alyssa felt a lump in her throat upon hearing L¡¯s reply. Sometimes, she envied Winston for his many

    wives. She had the thought of inheriting Winston¡¯s business and subsequently forming a harem of her

    own.

    Too bad it was hard toe across decent men. It would be pointless to have a harem if she could

    only

    ¡°Lyse.¡± A stern voice interrupted her thoughts. Turning around, she saw Jonah in his ck pastor¡¯s

    robe with a Bible in his left hand. He gracefully descended the white marble stairs.

    ¡°Hey, Jonah.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t hurry back yet. I need to have a talk with you.¡±

    In the tea room, Jonah made Alyssa some fragrant tea. She watched him prepare the tea with much

    admiration. His grace could rival that of a royal prince.

    It seemed impossible to find Jonah a woman who could match his ss and poise.

    Jonah gently handed her the cup of tea and asked calmly, ¡°Lyse, are you at all interested in Jameson?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Alyssa went nk and nearly dropped the cup.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡±

    ¡°No. Nada. Nein. Non,¡± Alyssa replied firmly, shaking her head.

    ¡°Okay then. You shouldn¡¯t keep too much contact with him,¡± Jonah advised, sipping on his tea

    elegantly.

    ¡°Um, Jameson¡¯s the one who came to me. I never wanted to be close to him,¡± she argued.

    ¡°And you neither epted his feelings nor rejected them? What does that make you, a yer?¡± teased

    Jonah,

    ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m not! How could you say that about your sister?¡± Alyssa countered, her

    face blushing in anger.

    ¡°Lyse, if you¡¯re not interested in him, you need to set boundaries. What you¡¯re doing now is giving him

    false hope.¡±

 Chapter 621

    After a brief pause, Jonah lowered his voice and cautioned, ¡°You know, Jameson Schmidt is even more

    calcting then we initially thought. What we¡¯ve uncovered so far is just the tip of the iceberg.

    Consider this: he returned from Kontina after a 15-year absence and suddenly became close to you.

    You¡¯re a Taylor, and we¡¯re entrusting KS Group to you.

    ¡°You¡¯re a princess, a queen. Ifyou were more high-profile, you would have been the most eligible

    bachelorette in Cyrris.

    ¡°I can¡¯t shake the feeling that Jameson might have ulterior motives-I don¡¯t trust him.¡±

    He furrowed his brow and continued, ¡°I know this might sound harsh, but, to me, Jameson is even

    worse

    than Jasper.¡±

    ¡°Jonah!¡± Alyssa eximed, gripping her cup tightly as her heart raced.

    Jonah remarked, ¡°At least Jasper is honest with the woman he loves.¡±

    Alyssa tightened her grip, her eyes welling up with tears. She retorted, ¡°You¡¯re right. He was so

    devoted to Liana Gardner that he enlisted in the military and went to war after she broke up with him!¡±

    ¡°But isn¡¯t it true that he risked his life for you? He¡¯s still dealing with the repercussions of those old

    injuries. I¡¯m concerned there might be long-term effects.¡±

    Alyssa grew more and more anxious. Her eyes darkened. She refuted, ¡°That¡¯s a different thing

    altogether.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, you weren¡¯t blind when you fell for him. He was brutally honest about the fact that he didn¡¯t love

    you,¡± Jonah exined with a sigh.

    He leaned forward and grasped her cold hand. ¡°At the very least, Jasper has never lied to you. I don¡¯t

    care about other ws, but your partner shouldn¡¯t be dishonest with you.¡±

    Her eyes wavered, and she hung her head silently.

    After bidding farewell to the Taylors, Alyssa and Sean returned to Sna City. As they neared the

    freeway, Alyssa suddenly suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s make a detour to Seaview Manor.¡±

    Sean wore a slight frown but, agreed. ¡°Sure.¡±

    Upon their arrival at the manor, Alyssa decided to call Rosie instead of Jasper.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Rosie answered with concern, ¡°Madam, I won¡¯t lie to you. Mr. Beckett hasn¡¯t been home for a few days.

    I¡¯ve tried calling him, but he seldom picks up. He sounds weak yet insists everything is fine when I ask.

    Alyssa¡¯s chest tightened as if something had mped down on it.

    Rosie went on, ¡°I knew him well because I raised him. He¡¯s the type who doesn¡¯t like to worry others.

    He always keeps to himself when he¡¯s sick or in trouble, and he refuses to tell me, no matter how many

    times

    I ask.

    *Madam, can you get in touch with him? I¡¯m so worried for him!¡± Rosie sounded like she was about to

    cry.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, don¡¯t panic. I¡¯ll find him,¡± Alyssa gentlyforted her. Even if Jasper refused to meet

    everyone, she believed he would never turn her down.

    Following the call, Alyssa pondered and decided to contact Xavier. She began, ¡°Hello, Mr. Hall.¡±

    ¡°M-Ms. Alyssa! Good evening. Xavier replied with a hint of panic in his voice, a stark contrast from his

    usual warm demeanor. She was sure that he had something to hide.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Beckett? He¡¯s not at home, so where did he go?¡± Alyssa impatiently interrogated Xavier

    with

    a frown.

    ¡°M-Mr. Beckett is on a business trip,¡± Xavier exined.

    ¡°Xavier Hall, if you lie to me, there will be consequences,¡± Alyssa warned him in an intimidating tone.

    ¡°Madam, I¡¯ll tell you everything, even if Mr. Beckett fires me for it,¡± Xavier finally confessed with a teary

    voice.

    ¡°Please check on him now. He¡¯s in a poor state. I fear something terrible might happen to him!¡±

 Chapter 622

    Meanwhile, Jasper was recuperating at a private vi in a nearby suburb.

    On that particr day, he had taken the medication, marking the conclusion of his first round of

    treatment. He was aware that Alyssa¡¯s employees would deliver the medication for the second round

    He believed Alyssa was only repaying him for his help, not doing it out of genuine affection for him.

    Throughout the day, he had experienced mild chest pains. To his surprise, a high fever struck him

    during

    the night.

    ¡°Xavier? Xavier?¡± he croaked, his throat parched and sore, as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

    After a while, he remembered that he had sent Xavier on an errand to pick up some important

    documents

    from Beckett Group. Xavier was probably on the way right now.

    He managed to rise from the bed, only to discover that his sheets were soaked in sweat. His hair clung

    to

    his forehead, and his entire body was drenched, as if he had fallen into a pool.

    Changing into fresh pajamas, he went downstairs to get some water. The doorbell rang just then.

    Puzzled, he approached the inte and turned on the video feed. When Alyssa¡¯s radiant face

    appeared

    on the screen, his eyes brightened with excitement as his heart raced.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, I know you¡¯re in there. Open the door,¡± she demanded, her gaze unwavering as she

    stared into the camera.

    He remained silent, his lips pressed together.

    Her anger ring, she threatened, ¡°Are you faking your death, or are you truly dead? Open the door

    now! If you want to draft a will, go ahead. If you don¡¯t have one, I¡¯lle in and take care of your

    affairs.¡±

    Jasper coughed, taken aback by her words.

    Growing concerned, Alyssa began banging on the door, saying, ¡°I see through your little game. If you

    refuse to open the door, I¡¯ll just stay here until-

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    The door su cuttin

    open, her off mid-sentence. Jasper, dressed in navy pajamas and looking pale,

    stood before her, smiling weakly but still managing to look good.

    He weed her, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, it¡¯s cold outside. Pleasee in.¡±

    It would hurt his heart to make her stand in the cold.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she saw Jasper, who had visibly lost weight and appeared sickly.

    Hadn¡¯t he been taking his medication on time? He had seemed fine not too long ago, so how had his

    condition deteriorated so quickly?

    She bit her lower lip and went in. He tried to pull himself together as he led her to the living room.

    He inquired, ¡°What brings you here? Did Xavier tell you my address?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t me him. He did it for your own good,¡± Alyssa replied. She took a seat on the couch and fixed

    at

    prating gaze on him.

    In a chilly tone, she continued, ¡°You don¡¯t have trustworthy people around you. It would be unwise to let

    go of Xavier.

    ¡°Besides, there¡¯s no point working for a loser like you. If you fire him, I¡¯ll hire Xavier to work at KS

    Group.

    You¡¯d better not cry over losing him.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Jasper said, locking eyes with her.

    never selv

    Despite his attempt to contain his joy, a smile crept onto his face. He added, ¡°I would to

    leave after all the years he¡¯s been with me. I just

    He just didn¡¯t want to worry Alyssa,

    Suddenly, his mind traveled back to the night when Alyssa had put distance between them and stood

    by

    Jameson. She had seemed averse to him.

    Because of that, he dared not vocalize his thoughts.-

    ¡°Wow, you keep calling me Ms. Alyssa. Why did you stop calling me ¡®Lyse¡¯?¡± she wondered with an

    amused squint.

    ¡°I know you hated it when I called you ¡®Lyse¡±,¡± he replied.

    Her eyes widened. For some inexplicable reason, she felt a pang of sadness and pain.

 Chapter 623

    ¡°I was wrong for forcing you against your will. I won¡¯t make you do anything that makes you

    ufortable,¡± Jasper announced.

    His paleplexion was strangely captivating, leaving Alyssa momentarily entranced..

    Clearing her throat, she ced the medication on the table and rose. ¡°These are the medications for

    your second round of treatment. Take them on time. I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    Jasper shook his head and insisted, ¡°No, please take them with you.¡±

    Frowning, she admonished him, ¡°What are you thinking? Do you want to risk your life? You¡¯re a rising

    star in the business world with a substantial worth. Are you seriously throwing it all away?¡±

    ¡°No. I just feel like you shouldn¡¯t be indebted to me. I might have saved your life, but I did that because

    I

    was making up to you,¡± he exined, shaking his head once more.

    He added, ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel sorry for me, no matter how bad my state is. Besides, I¡¯m much

    better

    now. I don¡¯t need the medication.¡±

    Much better? Who was he trying to fool?

    She couldn¡¯t contain her anger, and a wry smile crossed her lips. ¡°Is this some new trick? Are you

    trying to

    make me chase after you by giving up on me? It might work in romantic dramas, but I¡¯m not the maMaterial ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    character.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± he said with a bitter smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m not ying games. I genuinely have feelings for you. I truly don¡¯t need these medications

    anymore.¡±

    His words left her conflicted. She retorted, ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the case, then I have nothing more to say. If

    you won¡¯t ept my help, I won¡¯t force my kindness on you. That would be shameless.

    ¡°After youplete your first round of treatment, you can discontinue the routine. All medicinees

    with some level of side effects. It¡¯s not good to take them regrly anyway. Good luck.¡±

    With that, she nned to leave, but he stopped her. He said, ¡°It¡¯s not often that you visit. Since it¡¯s

    chilly

    outside, why don¡¯t you stay and have some hot tea? I¡¯ll prepare it quickly.¡±

    She hesitated but, surprisingly, didn¡¯t turn him down. She took her seat on the couch and watched him.

    head toward the kitchen while reying Jonah¡¯s words in her head.

    Jasper was the same as her when it came to honesty and sincerity. They would give their all to the

    people

    Sadly, he had once dismissed her passionate sacrifice. Opening up to him a second time was proving

    to

    be a challenge.

    Suddenly. loud crash reverberated through the house, followed by the sound of shattering ss.

    *Jasper?¡± she called out. She had a sinking feeling and dashed to the kitchen.

    There, she discovered a broken cup on the marble floor. Jasper knelt among the shards, one hand

    bracing himself against the floor while clutching the edge of the table with the other.

    Drenched in sweat, he struggled for breath.

    oo heavy.

    Wide-eyed, she eximed, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± She attempted to help him up but found him too

    She had no choice but to crouch and sweep away the pieces on the floor. She didn¡¯t want him to suffer

    from cuts should he copse.

    ¡°Lyse. Lyse..¡± he mumbled, gathering his strength to look up. His cheeks were flushed thanks to the

    fever, and his eyes were unfocused.

    She gently touched his forehead, which was burning with heat.

    ¡°How did this happen? Why did you run a fever?¡±

    She scolded him with concern, ¡°Did you even take your medication on time, you fool?¡±

    begged,

    His breath wasbored. Using thest reserves of his energy, he pulled her into an embrace. He begg

    Lyse, please give me some of your love. Even just a little¡­¡±

    Overwhelmed by emotions, tears welled up in her eyes.

    ¡°Jasper-*

    ¡°I want a bit of your love,¡± he rasped, his words tugging at her heart.

    He added, ¡°But I¡¯m afraid to ask for it. I know I¡¯m not worthy of your love¡­¡±

    Cha

 Chapter 624

    Alyssa felt Jasper¡¯s hot and heavy breath on her neck, like mes licking her skin, leaving it tinged red.

    ¡°Jasper, are you out of your mind? What¡¯s all this nonsense? Jasper!¡± she eximed.

    Jasper¡¯s thin pajamas were soaked with sweat, and it seeped into Alyssa¡¯s shirt as well.

    He teetered between consciousness and a haze of excruciating pain, his body aching. The only

    thought in

    his mind was holding onto the woman he loved, despite how pathetic and shameless it made him

    appear.

    ¡°Lyse, please don¡¯t leave me¡­ Don¡¯t hate me¡­ Jasper buried his damp face in her neck and spoke in

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    tears. It was heart-wrenching to hear.

    Alyssa could feel the warmth on her shoulders. It was impossible to tell if it was sweat or tears. A

    profound bitterness suddenly washed over her, gripping her very soul.

    She thought, ¡°Oh, Jasper, you¡¯ve never been so small in front of me.¡±

    When she had cried and begged him not to divorce her, he had callously tossed the divorce papers in

    front of her, forcing her to end the rtionship. He had been so haughty and stoic back then.

    She bit her lip with teary eyes at his pathetic look. ¡°Jasper, you must be out of your mind. What

    nonsense

    is this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not nonsense. It¡¯s my true feelings¡­¡± he argued, stubbornly shaking his head. Drops of tears or

    sweat

    trickled down his face.

    ¡°Lyse, I love you¡­¡±

    Her eyes quivered, and her neck stiffened. Despite her cool demeanor, she blushed hard.

    With thest ounce of his strength, Jasper looked up and tried to caress the face he had longed for day

    and night.

    His eyes glimmered, touching her heart. He rambled on, ¡°Alyssa, I know what I¡¯m talking about. I said I

    love you¡­ Only you¡­¡±

    Then, he lost consciousness and slum

    against her.

    ¡°Ugh, you fool! Why did you have to pass out here? You¡¯re so heavy!¡± she eximed with wide eyes,

    feeling a mixture of anger and concern.

    However, she unclenched her fists when she remembered his injuries. Instead, she ced a hand on

    his

    sweaty back and let out a sigh.

    Shemented, ¡°You reap what you sow. Jasper, loving you is too hard. Let¡¯s move on.¡±

    Landon and Xavier arrived at the vi at the same time. Xavier might be hot-headed at times, but as

    Jasper¡¯s head secretary, he was rather observant. He could tell that Landon was in an extremely foul

    mood.

    Landon asked worriedly, ¡°Mr. Hall, how is your boss holding up?¡±

    Xavier answered, ¡°Mr. Beckett coughed up blood twice, and he¡¯s running a high fever.¡±

    The memory of Jasper¡¯s suffering the previous night weighed heavily on Xavier¡¯s mind. He wished he

    could bear that pain on Jasper¡¯s behalf.

    Landon¡¯s frustration red, and he clenched his fists. ¡°How did things get this fucking bad? Fuck!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve informed Madam about Mr. Beckett¡¯s condition. His condition improved after taking the medication

    him. I trust she¡¯ll find a solution,¡± Xavier stated. He had no choice but to pin all his hopes on

    she

    e gave

    Alyssa.

    At that moment, Landon noticed Alyssa¡¯s Bugatti at the entrance. After some contemtion, he

    narrowed his eyes and suggested, ¡°Hold on. Let¡¯s not go in just yet.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Xavier was puzzled.

    ¡°It¡¯s rare for them to be together. Let¡¯s give them some private time.¡±

 Chapter 625

    As Jasper¡¯s good friend, Landon felt obliged to help his bro.

    Moving a nearly six-foot-tall man to the bedroom proved to be a huge challenge. Thankfully, the vi

    was

    equipped with an elevator.

    Alyssa managed to drag Jasper to the bedroom, feeling as though she was lugging a lifeless body.

    Upon settling him in bed, she realized that their sweat had mingled, leaving her shirt soaked.

    ¡°You¡¯re incredibly heavy! Count yourself lucky that I didn¡¯t have to dismember you.¡± Alyssa panted.

    Then, she hurried to the bathroom to retrieve a wet towel. She gently applied it to Jasper¡¯s skin to

    alleviate his fever.

    Exhausted, she slumped beside the bed andined, ¡°I¡¯m so speechless. Why did you push

    yourself

    so hard when you¡¯re already sick? You¡¯re a handful.¡±

    She shot the unconscious man an irritated look. Despite her harsh remarks, a sense of guilt gnawed at

    her, knowing she was partially responsible for his illness.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Jasper mumbled with his eyes closed. Hisshes fluttered as he unknowingly professed his

    love

    for her in his dreams.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. Are you trying to cast a spell on me? I¡¯m right here,¡± she grumbled to herself.

    ¡°If I had known I would be dealing with this mess, I would have sent Sean instead. I didn¡¯t sign up for

    this.

    Just rest and stay still.¡±

    Then, she tried to get up and look for some Ibuprofen in the vi.

    Suddenly, Jasper¡¯s bloodshot eyes popped open, and he seized her wrist.

    Her expression crumbled as she struggled to free herself. She questioned, ¡°When did you wake up? Or

    were you conscious the whole time? You¡¯re lying to me, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never lied to you¡­¡± he rasped betweenbored breaths. Anxious that she might escape, he clung

    to

    her wrist.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Just stay with

    ¡°I heard that you were nning to leave, so I forced myself to wake up. Please, don¡¯t go. Just

    me, even for a little while

    His eyes, normally devoid of emotion, shone with warmth and deep affection. Her heart skipped a beat.

    Still, she remained sharp-tongued. ¡°I¡¯ve already contacted Xavier, and he¡¯ll be here any minute. I¡¯ve

    given

    you medication and helped you into bed.

    I¡¯ve done everything I can, but it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for me to stay with you after our divorce. Mr.

    Beckett, please don¡¯t put me in a difficult position.¡±

    As she leaned forward to get up, Jasper tugged at her wrist, causing her to tumble into his warm

    embrace. She gasped, ¡°Jasp

    Following that, she felt lightheaded and immediately eximed in surprise. Jasper had shifted on top of

    her.

    Fearing that he might crush her with his weight, he braced himself with his arms on the bed. The

    contours

    of his muscr arms were visible beneath his pajamas.

    Their breathing grew uneven and intermingled. She gazed up into his seductive eyes, which resembled

    a

    starry night.

    ¡°I thought you promised not to force me against my will,¡± she said aloud, feeling herself blush. An

    electrifying feeling coursed through her.

    A bead of hot sweatnded on her cheek, stirring her heart. She continued using him, ¡°I can¡¯t trust a

    word from you! You¡¯ve gone back on your word right away!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your fault for visiting me at the wrong time,¡¯ he replied, enveloping her with the warmth of his body.

    He stared deep into her soul, captivated by her beauty. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯re toying with the life of a sick

    man.¡±

    She blushed and attempted to retort angrily, but he didn¡¯t give her the chance.

 Chapter 626

    Pinching Alyssa¡¯s chin between his fingers, Jasper leaned forward and kissed her aggressively. Hist

    tongue forced its way into her mouth and passionately tangoed with hers.

    Landon and Xavier were trapped in a seemingly endless wait on the first floor. Xavier paced nervously,

    casting asional nces of the second floor.

    Meanwhile, Landon sat on the couch with a grim expression and stared down at the surveince

    footage

    that yed on his phone. He reyed the scene where Zoe had bullied Lauren a couple of times. His

    anger grew with each rey.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, what are you watching? You look serious,¡± Xavier wondered and went up to Landon.

    Landon shot him a death re and waved him away, saying, ¡°Go away. I don¡¯t air my dirtyundry.¡±

    Stunned by Landon¡¯s anger, Xavier retreated right away. Landon went back to watching the footage.

    His heart ached at Lauren¡¯s reflex reaction-she had curled up into a ball and wrapped her arms around

    her head when Zoe had approached her.

    Wait a minute! He furrowed his brows and examined Lauren¡¯s response. Why did she exhibit symptoms

    of

    PTSD? Could she have been a victim of abuse at home?

    Could her response to Zoe be rooted in her trauma from Betty¡¯s abuse? Was that the reason?

    ¡°When did you get here? Why didn¡¯t you let me know?¡± Alyssa broke the

    the silence as she d

    stairs. Startled by the two silent men in the living room, she tried to calm her breathing.

    Landon quickly stowed his phone away and shed her a knowing grin. ¡°Well, we didn¡¯t want to intrude

    on

    your intimate time together. It¡¯s not often that you two get to meet. We didn¡¯t want to stand in the way.¡±

    ¡°What intimate time?¡± she eximed and red at him, feeling the urge to wipe that grin from his face

    by

    hitting him with her heels.

    Landon crossed his legs and turned around, resting his chin in his palm. He studied her keenly and

    raised an amused brow at her moist lips and blushing cheeks.

    He thought, ¡°Oh Jasper, you must have gotten some action. You¡¯re just a horny, shameless man

    beneath that stoic exterior!¡±

    ¡°Madam, you¡¯re finally here! There¡¯s hope for Mr. Beckett!¡± Xavier eximed and stared at Alyssa with

    She didn¡¯t bother to correct how Xavier had addressed her. Instead, she told him sternly, ¡°Mr. Hall, the

    rpse of internal injuries is the reason behind Mr. Beckett¡¯s fever. We must take it seriously.

    ¡°I¡¯ve just contacted a hospital under KS Group known for high patient confidentiality and arranged for a

    head physician to attend to him. Why don¡¯t you and Landon prepare to send him there right now?¡±

    Xavier nodded with gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Madam! I knew you cared about Mr. Beckett. You wouldn¡¯t

    leave him to his fate.¡±

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    ¡°I won¡¯t watch him die, but that doesn¡¯t mean I have feelings for him. Stop making things up,¡± she

    stubbornly rebuffed Xavier.

    Then, she walked down the stairs and approached Landon. When they exchanged nces, he felt a

    weird

    feeling of pressure.

    She said to him, ¡°Mr. Harper,e with me. Let¡¯s have a chat.¡±

 Chapter 627

    Alyssa left the vi and entered Landon¡¯s luxury car.

    Landon quipped, ¡°Lyse, it¡¯s rare that you¡¯re willing to spend time with me.¡±

    His eyes were always seductive. He watched the beautiful Alyssa with a grin.

    ¡°I¡¯ve be more aware of any boundaries now, but I¡¯m concerned that my jealous friend, Jasper,

    might be upset if he finds out we¡¯re chatting here. He¡¯s still unwell.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I would be in the same space with you if it hadn¡¯t been for Lauren?¡± She folded her legs

    and

    crossed her arms in front of her chest.

    ¡°Landon Harper, you¡¯re a notorious charmer. Did your preference for women shift to our innocent

    Lauren because you¡¯re tired of the sexydies you dated?¡±

    At the mention of Lauren¡¯s name, a shiver coursed through Landon. He responded with a shaky voice,¡±

    Lyse, you know about Lauren and me?¡±

    Alyssa replied with a smirk, ¡°You and her? You¡¯re confusing me now.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, look, I don¡¯t want to hide this from you any longer,¡± Landon said.

    He took a deep breath and, with a racing heart, solemnly admitted, ¡®I¡¯m in love with Lauren. I want to be

    with her.¡±

    ¡°And how manydies have you fallen for this year?¡± She fired back with a disdainful smirk.

    ¡°She¡¯s the one I love the most.¡±

    ¡°Every woman was ¡®the one you loved the most¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m serious about Lauren!¡± he stated worriedly.

    ¡°I admit I was a yer and dated many women, but those were just transactional rtionships. Once

    we

    met each other¡¯s needs, we went our separate ways.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never felt like this before. Lauren is different. She captivates my entire soul.¡±

    Alyssa teased, ¡°You¡¯re indeed Landon Harper. You seem enticed by the challenge of going after your

    friend¡¯s sister.

    ¡°But mark my words-once you¡¯re done with Lauren, you¡¯ll cast her aside. As the novelty wears off, you¡¯ll

    realize she may not fulfill the role of an ideal partner due to her disabilities, and you¡¯ll discard her like a

    NUS

    *A used toy? God, I wish I could be with her 24/7! Lyse, do you have no faith in me?¡± he croaked

    miserably.

    ¡°Pigs might fly before I believe you¡¯ve truly changed your ways,¡± she quipped, rolling her eyes.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I change my ways? I¡¯ve turned over a new leaf!¡± he argued earnestly, his eyes filled with

    passion.

    ¡°Lyse, I understand that you see Lauren as your sister, but please, trust me. I¡¯m willing to stake my

    reputation-no, my life-on it!

    ¡°I am wholeheartedly in love with Lauren. I want to be with her and build a future together!¡±

    ¡°Alright, I have a question for you.¡±

    Alyssa turned serious and asked, ¡°Imagine your grandpa, your mom, and your sister strongly

    disapprove of Lauren. They threaten to kick you out of Harper Group, withholding your inheritance.

    Your mom says she¡¯ll cut ties with you, and your family life is in turmoil due to your rtionship.

    ¡°Would you still stand by Lauren¡¯s side?¡±

    Eyes b

    zing.h

    he clenched his fists and replied firmly. ¡°Absolutely. I may not haveplete control over Harper

    Group. The risks you¡¯ve described are very real, but I know that Lauren is the one I want.

    *I¡¯ll do everything in my power to protect her from bullies, even the Becketts!

    ¡°You¡¯re avoiding my question,¡± she said with a touch of disappointment. ¡°The only way to protect

    Lauren is by marrying her. Anything less would put her in harm¡¯s way.¡±

    The notion of marriage hit Landon like a lightning bolt, leaving him tensed and in shock.

    Seeing his reaction, Alyssa assumed he had faltered. She let out augh and taunted, ¡°In the past, you

    used to swear that you would marry me. Why are you silent now when I asked if you

    will marryMaterial ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Lauren?¡±

 Chapter 628

    ¡°Or perhaps, you think of Lauren as the least important Beckett daughter. Do you only deem her good

    enough as a mistress, not a wife?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor! How could you- Landon snapped at her.

    This was the first time in his life that he had felt genuine anger toward her. It suddenly became clear to

    him why Jasper would frequently cough up blood-it must have been because of Alyssa.

    watch

    ¡°Enough. There¡¯s no point in arguing. I¡¯m all for true love, but I refuse to Lauren suffer by your side,¡±

    she concluded. Her eyes welled up with tears at the thought of Lauren, who had endured abuse at

    home.

    She pleaded. ¡°Life has been harsh for Lauren. I don¡¯t want to see her endure more suffering. Landon,

    you

    After taking Jasper to the hospital, Landon returned home, utterly drained.

    He considered the vi he shared with Lauren his home. He might have a mom and a sister, but his

    mom

    had been depressed ever since his dad¡¯s passing and had stayed abroad for her treatment. Not only

    that,

    but Zoe had also been studying abroad.

    The Harper Residence had always been lonely and never merry.

    During his brief time with Lauren, he had felt at ease, rxed, and truly at home. He even harbored a

    desire to live like this forever.

    ¡°How¡¯s Lauren doing?¡± Landon immediately asked Angelina with concern upon arriving

    Angelina fuscus

    her brow and sighed. ¡°Ms. Lauren is in her room. I tried to soothe her to sleep, but she

    was too shocked to rest. I feel so sorry for her.¡±

    Hearing this, Landon was overwhelmed with guilt and ascended the stairs with heavy steps. ¡°I¡¯ll keep

    her

    After some hesitation, Angelina questioned, ¡°Mr. Harper, how will you deal with Ms. Zoe?¡±

    ¡°Angelina, do you ever think I¡¯m a failure?¡± Landon pondered with his back turned to her.

    Angelina was taken aback by the question. Having served him for a decade, she had always seen him

    as rebellious and haughty. She had never seen him so defeated and unsure.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, I always hold you in high regard

    Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°But I can¡¯t keep Zoe under control, and Lauren is hurt because of that. Angelina, I really have no ideal

    what to do,¡± he confessed. Zoe¡¯s sickening scowl when she had bullied Lauren had left him feeling

    powerless.

    He added. ¡°The best I can do is to send her to Yoarkley, but that won¡¯t solve the problem.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper, take it one step at a time. As long as you don¡¯t give up on Ms. Lauren, Ms. Zoe will

    eventually ept your decision.¡±

    Landon gathered his thoughts and opened the door to Lauren¡¯s room. He called out, ¡°Lauren? I¡¯m

    back.¡±

    Only amp was switched on by the headboard in the quiet room. Lauren curled up at the edge of the

    bed, burying her head between her knees.

    He removed his ck fur coat andid it on the couch to avoid letting in drafts. Then, he tiptoed over

    and joined her by the bed.

    ¡°Lauren, does it still hurt?¡± He gently tousled her soft hair. She shook her head.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

 Chapter 629

    ¡°Shall we sleep?¡± Landon blurted it out without much thought, but he instantly regretted it.

    He sounded like a pervert whose only thought was to get it on. That wasn¡¯t what he had intended.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sleepy,¡± Lauren finally said softly.

    ¡°I just wanted some quiet tim

    ¡°Oh. I¡¯ll keep youpany,¡± he offered, gently caressing her nape.

    ¡°I won¡¯t sleep if you¡¯re awake. If you find me bothersome, I¡¯ll sit beside you quietly. You¡¯ll need

    someone

    to get you drinks and food when you¡¯re thirsty or hungry, isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    ¡°What if I stay up all night?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay up with you.¡±

    ¡°Alright then. Go ahead and sleep,¡± she softly urged him, still not looking up

    Feeling dejected, he sighed heavily and said, ¡°If you¡¯d rather I leave, I will.¡± With that, he made a move

    to

    get up.

    Lauren suddenly grabbed his arm and held it tightly as her breathing quickened.

    ¡°Lauren?¡± He was taken aback.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t go, Landon! Don¡¯t leave!¡± she pleaded, looking up with trembling lips and tear-streaked

    cheeks.

    She admitted, ¡°I lied to you. I was wrong. I want you to stay. Landon, I want you by my side!¡±

    Feeling touched, he wiped away her tears and assured her, ¡°I¡¯m not leaving. I never intended to. I was

    just

    teasing you.¡±

    Lauren knelt on the bed and stared at him through tears like a pitiful kitten. She said, ¡°Landon, hold me.

    Tears brimmed in his eyes. He pulled her into his embrace, his heart bursting with affection. ¡°Here¡¯s a

    hug.

    ¡°Tighter.¡±

    ¡°Mmhm.¡± He rested his chin against her neck, and his lips brushed against her reddened earlobes.

    ¡°Even tighter.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Once again, he held her close and patted her trembling back. He whispered, ¡°I wish I could

    be

    even closer to you, Lauren.¡±

    hugged each other longingly in the soft light. After some time, Lauren began to feel drowsy.

    bin

    Landon joined her in bed, and theyy there together like a newlywed couple.

    She rested her head against his arm and buried her head in his chest, where she sniffled a little before

    closing her eyes.

    ¡®Lauren, can I ask you a question?¡± Landon held her shoulders and gently caressed her arms.

    ¡°Um, sure.¡±

    ¡°Do you have feelings for me?¡± Landon asked, his heart pounding.

 Chapter 630

    ¡°Of course,¡± Lauren answered.

    ¡°It¡¯s different from just liking me as a person,¡± Landon said, clearing his throat. He exined in

    embarrassment. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ the kind of feelings that Jasper has for Alyssa.¡±

    Her clear, bright eyes wavered. She toyed with the intricate button on his dark shirt and stammered, ¡°I-I

    don¡¯t know.¡±

    He silently sighed and smiled wryly at her. ¡°Alright. Go sleep now.¡±

    ¡°But I like to be with you. I can¡¯t do anything right when you¡¯re not at home because I¡¯m worried. I¡¯ll wait

    for you toe home. Time flies when I¡¯m with you. Looking at you makes me happy,¡± she mumbled,

    her

    eyes half-closed.

    His breath grew heavy, and his palms started sweating as he held her.

    She confessed, ¡°One day, you came homete. I pretended to be asleep when you checked on me in

    the bedroom, but I had been awake all along.¡±

    His chest tightened. That night, he and Angelina had gone out to get rid of two dissenters in Harper

    Group

    who had turned out to be Preston¡¯s men.

    He had always presented himself as a cheerful and outgoing man, hiding his dark and heartless side

    from

    her.

    She pressed her lips together and said, ¡°I smelled a strong stench of blood on you. You had a wound

    on your hand-I felt it when you touched my forehead.¡±

    Then, she picked up his hand and removed the ck leather glove from his right hand. The wounds on

    his knuckles and fingertips might have healed, but the scars remained.

    ¡°Landon, I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll get into danger out there. I¡¯m so worried¡­¡± She felt a burst of pain in her

    heart.

    Hershes fluttered when she kissed his wounds.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that counts as having feelings for you.¡±

    His heart trembling, Landon finally lost control of his desire and pinned her underneath him.

    Lauren moaned gently but wasn¡¯t too shocked. She had never been intimate with any man in her 22

    years.

    of life.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Landon was her first, and she was slowlying to embrace him. She didn¡¯t seem to have any other

    ¡°Lauren, please don¡¯t tempt me. I¡¯m scared I might lose control of myself,¡± he warned her, his breathing

    intensifying at the sight of her rosy face. It was evident that he desired her.

    ¡°Do you want a kiss?¡±

    She obediently wrapped her arms around his neck and pouted her lips. ¡°I-I¡¯m ready for it!¡±

    His eyes burned with desire. ¡°No. I might go further than that. It¡¯ll make you a woman.¡±

    Thest time, he had shared a long kiss with Lauren at the hospital but had suppressed his urge to

    take

    her.

    Afterward, he had gone home and taken a two-hour-long bath to calm down, almost falling sick from it.

    Not only was he an

    He didn¡¯t know if he could hold back if subjected to the same temptation twice. Not only

    ordinary man with sexual needs, but his libido was very high.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know¡­¡± she mumbled through her watery eyes, a little confused.

    Finally, he let out a sigh and bit her on the neck. As if that wasn¡¯t enough, he gave her some hickeys.

    She chuckled and wriggled underneath her, covering her face as she said, ¡°It¡¯s ticklish!¡±

    He rolled onto his back and grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s ticklish to you, but hellish to me.¡±

    He hugged her tight and mumbled, ¡®Lauren, I¡¯ll wait for the day you¡¯refortable with me.¡±

 Chapter 631

    Zoe was terrorized by Landon¡¯s wrath. She had witnessed him teaching Donna and Gary a lesson. He

    hadn¡¯t even spared Gary, who had been serving him for years. The punishment he had inflicted on

    Gary

    seemed almost fatal.

    All of this chaos was because of Lauren. Zoe couldn¡¯t fathom why Landon would go to such lengths for

    an idiot. Inparison, she felt that she had been reduced to a joke as his sister.

    After leaving the vi, she returned to the Harper Residence with a resentful scowl. Throughout the

    journey, she couldn¡¯t hold back her tears when she reminisced about how Landon had used to spoil

    her.

    Amidst her anger, Zoe made a resolute decision. No matter what, she was determined toe

    between Landon and Lauren. She would never ept Lauren as her sister-inw.

    ¡°Zoe, you¡¯re finally home!¡± Penelope called out. She teared up after a long separation from her

    daughter

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    and came out to hug Zoe.

    ¡°My darling. I thought your flight hadnded earlier. Why are you only home now? I was so worried.¡±

    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Zoe teared up at the sight of her mom and the injustice that had befallen her.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, my dear? You look upset. Did someone bully you?¡± Penelope inquired

    ¡°Where¡¯s your brother? Did he pick you up? Why didn¡¯t hee home with you?¡±

    Zoe stared at her feet and shook her head pitifully.

    Penelope grumbled, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into Landon? He¡¯s always pampered you, but he was ready to

    send you to Yoarkley over that Beckett girl incident.

    ¡°And now, when you¡¯ve finallye home, he couldn¡¯t even be bothered to pick you up from the airport

    at night! I just don¡¯t understand him.¡±

    Then, she caressed Zoe¡¯s chilly cheek with concern. ¡°Landon hasn¡¯t been home in the past few days. I

    know he¡¯s busy, and he¡¯s always done things his way.

    ¡°But in the past, he never disappeared without a trace, no matter how busy he was. Now, he doesn¡¯t

    come home and doesn¡¯t seem to care about his sister. I wonder what¡¯s going on in his mind.¡±

    Zoe blurted out, ¡°I know why he¡¯s not home.¡±

    ¡°What? You know?¡± Penelope eximed in surprise.

    Zoe clenched her fist, her voice growing somber. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll tell you something, but promise me you¡¯ll

    stay

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Please don¡¯t give me a heart attack.¡±

    ¡°Landon is dating Sophia¡¯s youngest daughter now,¡± Zoe stated through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Who? Sophia Kirkman? The youngest daughter of that bitch? Penelope gasped, her jaw dropping.

    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s dating Betty¡¯s sister, Sophia¡¯s daughter!¡± Zoe confirmed and grabbed Penelope¡¯s arm.

    Sheined, ¡°Mom, what¡¯s he thinking? Sophia and Betty caused a scene at our ce, ndered

    me, and even wanted to send me to jail!

    ¡°All of this happened recently, and yet, Landon ended up dating Lauren. How can he do that to me?

    Doesn¡¯t he care about me anymore?¡±

    Penelope felt uneasy upon hearing the news, even though the Becketts were a prestigious family and

    Jasper was Landon¡¯s best friend. After all, Landon was a proud and aplished man.

    Nevertheless, she tried tofort Zoe. ¡°I don¡¯t like Sophia¡¯s daughter either, but you know your

    brother. He¡¯s adies¡¯ man, and he¡¯s been involved with more than half the young women in Sna

    City. However, he¡¯s never brought any of them home. Most of the time, he¡¯s not genuinely interested.

    ¡°It¡¯s possible he¡¯s taken an interest in Jasper¡¯s sister because he spends so much time with Jasper. I

    believe he¡¯ll grow bored of her soon, just like he has with others in the past-

    ¡°No, Mom! It¡¯s different this time!¡±

 Chapter 632

    Zoe¡¯s eyes burned with anger, and she trembled as she shared, ¡°Landon hasn¡¯t been around for a long

    time because he¡¯s living with Lauren Beckett! He¡¯s even bought a ce for her!¡±

    Penelope felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her, and her face paled.

    ¡°I hate Sophia and Betty, and I wouldn¡¯t want Lauren as my future sister-inw. But London is

    Infatuated. with her! He raised his voice¨¢t me for that woman, and he even- Zoe deliberately paused for

    suspense.

    ¡°What else did he do to you?¡±

    ¡°He hit me!¡± Zoe said, tears rolling down like a waterfall.

    ¡°Where did he hit you?¡±

    ¡°My face! He pped me in front of his staff and that Beckett bitch! Mom, my face hurts!¡± Zoe moaned.

    and reached for a hug as she cried her heart out.

    Penelope¡¯s heart ached for her beloved daughter. Her eldest son, who had always been obedient, had

    had

    the audacity to fight with his sister over Sophia¡¯s daughter

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Landon might one day sever ties with her, his own mother, as well,

    ¡°Mom, you need to put a stop to Landon and Lauren¡¯s rtionship. If he marries her for real, it¡¯ll bring

    disgrace to our family! Landon will be aughingstock in Harper Group,¡± Zoe choked out with urgency.

    ¡°W-What do you mean?¡± Penelope sounded perplexed.

    ¡°Lauren Beckett is mentally challenged! She¡¯s an autistic patient!¡±

    Upon hearing this, Penelope felt her world spin. She believed Landon was good enough for even

    Alyssal

    and couldn¡¯t fathom him marrying an autistic woman.

    She would never agree to it!

    ¡°Mom, Lauren might be a Beckett, but I¡¯m concerned that her offspring might be autistic as well! Who

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    knows if it¡¯s hereditary?¡± Zoe cautioned.

    Zoe¡¯s words struck a nerve with Penelope. She dered, ¡°Zoe, thank you for sharing this with me. I

    know.

    what needs to be done now.¡±

    Penelope¡¯s warm gaze had turned icy as she vowed, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will take care of both of you. I won¡¯t

    allow Landon to jeopardize his future with someone like Lauren Beckett.¡±

    Snuggled against Penelope, Zoe broke out into an evil grin upon hearing those words.

    Time flew by, and it was soon the day of L and Sophia¡¯s birthday event.

    Due to Javier¡¯s disapproval, Sophia hadn¡¯t publicized her birthday party extensively. However, she had

    distributed invitations to the esteemed members of Sna City¡¯s high society and quietly spread the

    word through other means.

    Although her reputation in the city had taken a hit, she remained confident that her celebration would

    be merrier than L¡¯s, given her title and status as Mrs. Beckett.

    Conversely, the Taylors had also refrained from publicizing L¡¯s birthday party. They had been

    nning.

    for it quietly.

    L wasn¡¯t a celebrity anymore-she didn¡¯t need the publicity for the clicks and attention.

    The night before the birthday party, L found herself blindfolded and guided into a room by Mandy,

    Colene, and Alyssa.

    With a curi

    a curious smile, she pondered, ¡°What¡¯s the surprise?¡±

    Alyssa began the countdown. ¡°Three, two, one!¡± Then, she removed L¡¯s blindfold.

 Chapter 633

    L took a few seconds to get used to the bright light before her eyes widened in shock.

    A mannequin stood before her, dressed in a grand yet elegant red and ck gown, its flowing train

    blooming like that of a dark rose.

    ¡°It. It¡¯s beautiful,¡± L eximed, dazed.

    ¡°Lyse had that internationally-renowned designer, Sharon, make this just for you, L!¡± Mandy cooed,

    holding onto L¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°My goodness, and here I thought I had seen it all. I still feel like squealing in joy seeing Sharon¡¯s

    design before my eyes! It¡¯s absolutely gorgeous!¡±

    Alyssa had long been used to the world¡¯s praise for her designs under her alias, Sharon. Still, it couldn¡¯t

    beat the joy and pride she felt upon hearing praise from her own family.

    She silently basked in her joy, grinning.

    ¡°Sharon? This is too precious, Lyse!¡± L cried, holding Alyssa¡¯s hand. Her cheeks were flushed with

    joy.

    and bashfulness.

    ¡°You must have put in a lot of money and effort to get this made, right? You really didn¡¯t have to! It must

    have been really difficult!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean difficult? Nothing¡¯s too difficult for Alyssa Taylor, daughter of Winston Taylor of

    Belbanks. Sharon wouldn¡¯t dare refuse a personal request from me, hehe!¡± Alyssa said cheerfully.

    ¡°Wow! Could you get her to make me something too? I want an outfit for biking-like a leather jacket!¡±

    Colene cried excitedly.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been so into bikestely, I even joined Belbanks¡¯ Bikers¡¯ Club. They have monthly events that I¡¯ve

    been attending, but I still don¡¯t have a proper outfit for them yet. Could you get Sharon to make

    something like that for me? I¡¯ll pay you!¡±

    Alyssa and L were left speechless.

    Sensing how off the atmosphere had be, Colene quickly cleared her throat. ¡°Ahem¡­ I don¡¯t think

    Sharon really makes anything inspired by this industry, so just pretend I never said anything.¡±

    Damn it, she was nearly 40 years old now. When would she grow up?

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Colene, and Mandy. I¡¯ll be sure to ask Sharon to make something for you two when it¡¯s

    time

    every

    ¡°Oh? Isn¡¯t Sharon rumored to be very stoic and hard to persuade? How could you possibly make her

    Then, she narrowed her eyes. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re not Sharon, are you, Lyse?¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Both L and Co

    L and Colene turned to look at Alyssa at the same time.

    ¡°Uh, of course not!¡± Alyssa quickly waved the idea away,ughing awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m already Alexa; I can¡¯t

    be

    Sharon too. I¡¯m capable, but not that capable.¡±

    L, Mandy, and Colene said at the same time, ¡°Yes, you are!*

    Okay, fine. Maybe.

    ¡°Wait! There¡¯s something else too!¡± Alyssa called, running behind the mannequin to retrieve a red

    velvet.

    box before giving it to L.

    ¡°I might be busy tomorrow, so I¡¯ll give you this beforehand first. Happy birthday!¡±

    Tears of gratitude welled in L¡¯s eyes. She slowly opened the box, revealing a delicately carved

    aquamarine ring of magnificent craftsmanship.

 Chapter 634

    it was as if the sea itself had been crystallized into a single piece of jewelry.

    ¡°Thank you, Lyse¡­¡± L croaked out tearfully. ¡°I love it! Thank you so much¡­¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to use a more precious stone, lest Winston¡¯s gift pale inparison, and I thought a

    lighter shade of crystal like this one was far more suitable for you.¡± Alyssa beamed at her.

    ¡°I enjoy crafting my designs ording to the wearer¡¯s personality and aura. The fact that I designed it

    makes it exceed in value far more than the value of the crystal itself.¡±

    Mandy and Colene then led L to unveil the presents they had gotten for her.

    When Alyssa¡¯s phone began ringing, she stepped out into the hallway to check on it.

    ¡°Hello?¡± She answered in a t tone..

    ¡°I called to report my status to you, Ms. Alyssa. I¡¯m feeling much better now.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was

    especially tender tonight and irresistibly sensual.

    ¡°Next time you would like to know how I¡¯m doing, please don¡¯t hesitate to call me instead of going

    through Xavier.¡±

    Alyssa gnawed on her lip, her heart skipping a beat.

    ¡°Or I could call you. You know I wouldn¡¯t pass up any chance to do so.¡± Jasper¡¯s eagerness was in

    stark

    contrast to how cold Alyssa knew him to be.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯m not your primary care doctor, and I don¡¯t have the time to keep an eye on your

    condition 24/7.¡±

    Alyssa made her voice was cold. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re fine. Let¡¯s hope this doesn¡¯t happen again so we

    can stay out of one another¡¯s hair.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for taking care of me before. My fever wouldn¡¯t have gone away that fast if you hadn¡¯t,¡±

    Jasper

    said gratefully.

    Then, he said, ¡°You¡¯re much better than any other cure I¡¯ve tried.¡±

    ¡°Do you want me to cut your tongue out, Jasper Beckett?¡± Alyssa¡¯s cheeks flushed as she punched the

    window beside her, recalling how he had pressed her into the bed and kissed her days ago.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°If you try anything funny again, I swear I¡¯ll make you regret it!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I have anymore regrets to have, Lyse. Jasper chuckled bitterly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I could ever move on from how much I regret divorcing you.¡±

    ¡°Good. Now hang up. I¡¯m busy.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa cried, irritated to no end.

    ¡°Can I ¡­ attend Ms. L¡¯s birthday party tomorrow night? Please?¡± Jasper asked cautiously, his voice

    filled with hope. Hope that he would be able to see her again.

    Alyssa scowled. ¡°L¡¯s birthday celebration will only be open to close friends and family, Mr. Beckett.

    Aren¡¯t you being a little too presumptuous?¡±

    ¡°I understand that; I do. But they do say it¡¯s best to pay your inws a visit every now and then,¡± Jasper

    replied in a serious tone.

    ¡°Did you get that stick pulled out of your ass recently or what?¡± Alyssa groaned, punching the window

    again, imagining it was Jasper¡¯s head.

    ¡°Please, Lyse?¡± he asked again.

    Alyssa recalled how Javier had beaten Jasper to shit the other night and how much blood thetter had

    lost from it. Biting her lip, she grumbled, ¡°Remember to bring a present.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s voice was immediately colored with joy. ¡°Of course! It makes no sense to visit your inws

    empty

    -handed.¡±

    ¡°Screw off!¡± Alyssa cussed.

 Chapter 635

    Both L and Sophia¡¯s birthdays happened to be on the same weekend.

    Sophia was so excited the night before that she barely got any sleep. All she could think of was how

    stunning she would be during her birthday celebration, with all eyes on her.

    She had even had photo reels of her from her glory days as an actress made, which would be yed

    on loop onstage during the celebration for everyone to admire.

    Sophia ended up looking like the undead the next morning, with sunken hair, bloodshot eyes, and

    eyebags so dark and heavy that it looked like she had prosthetics on. Makeup was sorely needed, lest

    she looked

    like some ravenous ghoul.

    She was nearly 50 years old, after all. Unlike in her youth, when she would spend days shooting

    continuously, one sleepless night was enough to make all her wrinkles stand out in the spotlight.

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get my makeup artist!¡± she roared, pacing back and forth in

    her room. She even shattered an expensive crystal ss out of sheer anger, like someone having a

    manic

    episode.

    Naturally, Javier was oblivious to all this. Meanwhile, all the maids had run off to get the makeup artist.

    Sophia stared at herself in the mirror, anger boiling in her gut like a witch¡¯s cauldron.

    She was celebrating her birthday tonight, right on L¡¯s birthday.

    It had been years since Sophia had seen L in person. She was proud, thinking she was in a far

    better

    position than L, being Javier Beckett¡¯s wife and all that. But she still felt terrified whenever she

    recalled

    how L had been the star of TS Network in their youth.

    Sophia was deeply afraid she wouldn¡¯t be able to best L.

    ¡°Mom!¡± Betty ran into the room, yelling, ¡°Mom!¡±

    However, Betty was left stunned by how horrifying Sophia looked.

    ¡°What are you yelling for?¡± Sophia huffed.

    ¡°I-I just called Grandpa earlier to ask him, and¡­ he still said he won¡¯t be attending your birthday

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    celebration tonight¡­

    ¡°What¡¯s so

    rming about that? I never expected that old buffoon to show up in the first ce. My night.

    just might have turned for the worse if he did!¡¯ Sophia snorted, not hiding her disdain for Newton in front

    ¡°But¡­ but Grandpa also wanted me to tell you¡­¡± Betty stammered over her words.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be attending the celebration at the Taylor family¡¯s, like Jasper¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Sophia shrieked, her eyes bugging out in rage.

    ¡°He said Mr. Taylor and Alyssa had both called himst night and that they had a really enjoyable

    conversation. So he decided to go spend some time with Mr. Taylor at the veryst minute.¡±

    ¡°Damn that old fool!¡± Sophia fumed, steam nearly blowing out of her ears. With one mighty sweep of

    her arm, she sent everything on the makeup table ttering onto the floor.

    ¡°How can this stand, Mom? Jasper and Grandpa are clearly humiliating you by attending an outsider¡¯s

    party instead of yours. It would be terrible if the public got word of this!¡± Betty cried.

    She used this as an opportunity to get back at Sophia after thetter had supported Lauren getting

    together with Landon.

    ¡°They never respected you as the matriarch of this family and think it¡¯s embarrassing to attend your

    party!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough from you!¡± Sophia shouted, her blood pressure rising dramatically.

    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Although Betty sounded concerned, she was secretly cackling with glee.

    ¡°Leave it be! That old fool is clearly angering me on purpose! If I get upset now and ruin my own

    birthday

    celebration, they wouldugh their heads off!¡±

    Sophia fumed and sat down on the couch. ¡°No matter what, that old man¡¯s already retired. Everything

    that

    belongs to him will go to Javier in the end, so I don¡¯t give a damn what happens to him now.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like he¡¯ll outlive me!¡±

    At 6:00 pm sharp, several sleek, ck cars lined up outside the house. Javier, Sophia, and their two

    daughters sat in the middle car while bodyguards filled the rest, protecting them as the cars drove to

    Berenike Hotel, (2)

    Javier gazed outside the window during the ride, his attitude toward Sophia as warm as usual, given

    that

    it was her birthday.

 Chapter 636

    Still, one couldn¡¯t help but find him to be much less enthusiastic than before.

    Lauren and Betty sat in front of their parents, with Lauren hunched tight around the teddy bear Alyssa

    had given her so as tofort herself.

    Betty wore a cocktail dress that had just been released to the market recently, looking quite the model

    big sister beside Lauren.

    ¡°Tonight is Mom¡¯s big day, Lauren. Why didn¡¯t you put on any makeup?¡± Betty asked, a faux grin on her

    face as she gently caressed Lauren¡¯s long, sleek hair.

    ¡°Do you not know how to? You should have told me earlier. I would have loved to help.¡±

    Lauren tensed up instantly, her lips pressing tightly together.

    ¡°That perm I gave you before was such a good look on you. I could have given you one today, too,¡±

    Betty

    snickered.

    All of a sudden, Lauren pped Betty¡¯s hand away.

    Both Sophia and Javier were shocked by this. They had never seen their youngest daughter behave

    like.

    this.

    ¡°Ow! What was that for, Lauren? It hurts!¡± Betty cried, acting like she was the victim.

    ??

    ¡­ never wanted you to do my makeovers. You were the one who forced me every time!¡± Lauren

    tv bear eximed, ring at Betty as she held tightly onto her teddy

    Javier narrowed his eyes inquisitively, ncing at Betty.

    ¡°What¡­ What did you say?¡± Betty asked, astonished.

    ¡°And I hate that perm you gave me¡­ I hate it so much! Can you not do that to me anymore?¡± Lauren

    gritted out, her voiceced with hatred.

    ¡°What is your sister talking about, Betty?¡± Javier asked sternly.

    ¡°Dad, you know how Lauren is! She says nonsensical things out of the blue sometimes. I don¡¯t really

    know what she¡¯s talking about either. Betty said sheepishly, ying dumb.

    Sophia quickly changed the subject, holding Javier¡¯s arm. ¡°Javier, is ¡­ is Jasper really going to the

    Taylor family¡¯s celebration and not to ours?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mean anything else, just that it might be for the best if he shows up.¡± Sophia said, ying the

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    gracious card.

    ¡°It would make more sense for Jasper to attend Mandy Lovce¡¯s birthday, given that it would help our

    family if we had good rtions with hers.

    ¡°But this is just L Nelson¡¯s birthday, who doesn¡¯t evene from anywhere influential. I heard she

    had

    embarrassed herself in the entertainment industry when she was in her youth, too.

    ¡°Who knows what nonsense the media is going to write if they find out Jasper is attending her birthday

    celebration?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s gaze darkened as she continued, ¡°Plus, L is the least noteworthy wife Winston Taylor has.

    In

    fact, she¡¯s no more than a concubine. I don¡¯t think someone like her is worth the attention of Beckett

    Group¡¯s CEO. What do you think?¡±

    For some reason, the term ¡°concubine¡± made Javier deeplyfortable, even making him reminisce.

    about Jasper¡¯s birth mother.

    ¡°L didn¡¯t have any support back then, but now she has Winston Taylor. That means she¡¯s no longer

    as

    helpless and lowly.

    ¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for what had happened in her youth, she would have made it to far greater heights in

    the

    industry too and not have ended up being Winston¡¯s third wife, Javiermented.

    Sophia bit back her shock, then asked gently. ¡°Did I misspeak, Javier?¡±

    ¡°I heard Dad is going to attend the party too, to catch up with Winston, Javier continued, his tone

    neutral,

    ¡°It¡¯s not like L is the only person worth paying a visit to tonight. Did you forget how important Winston

    Taylor himself is? Just let the old man and his grandson go on their way. I¡¯m too tired to bother with all

    this,¡± Javier concluded.

    What was going on? Sophia was baffled. Why had Javier¡¯s attitude shifted so drastically?

    She chuckled awkwardly, unable to say much else.

    Meanwhile, Lauren had found a cozy position to curl up in and was currently dozing off. She had been

    spending her days and nights with Landon before, after all, and hadn¡¯t had good sleep given how often

    he

    wanted to kiss or cuddle with her.

 Chapter 637

    Betty was silently trembling with rage beside Lauren, her lips twitching. She wanted nothing more than

    to

    tear at Lauren¡¯s face right now.

    This fucking bitch! Did she really think that she could do as she pleased just because Landon was

    protecting her?

    Betty thought menacingly, ¡°I going to kill you if it¡¯s thest thing I do!¡±

    Though Sophia had insisted on a low-profile celebration, she had still allowed the media to get word of

    it.

    After all, she needed it like a fish needed water.

    The reporters were pa

    were pacing around the hotel prior to Sophia¡¯s arrival. They quickly surrounded her when

    she arrived, though she remained behind a circle of bodyguards as she walked into the hotel, looking

    like

    some kind of big shot.

    ¡°Mrs. Beckett!¡±

    ¡°Madam Sophia!¡±

    The reporters cried, snapping all the photos they could get of her and her family.

    Javier was displeased with this turn of events but remained indifferent before the reporters.

    ¡°Your family has arrived for your wife¡¯s birthday celebration, Mr. Javier, but why isn¡¯t Mr. Jasper here?¡±

    A

    reporter asked.

    After all, it would be unbing of a reporter not to get a little nosy.

    ¡°Jasper¡¯s upied, so he had to skip tonight¡¯s event,¡± Javier replied lightly, nodding at the reporter.

    ¡°Madam Sophia, your birthday supposedly falls on Wednesday instead of tonight, yet you¡¯re only

    celebrating it tonight. Could it have something to do with tonight being KS Group¡¯s President, Winston

    Taylor¡¯s third wife, L¡¯s birthday?

    ¡°Did you n

    you n to celebrate your birthday on the same night as hers? You two were once TS Network¡¯s star

    actresses and were rivals. Is this rivalry still going on today?¡± a reporter questioned.

    ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t know it was L¡¯s birthday tonight until you told me!¡± Sophia put on a look of surprise, her

    diamond ring glittering as she covered her mouth.

    ¡°I must remember to wish her a happy birthday and a cheerful year ahead. But no, I chose today

    She was all smiles. ¡°We have many, many quests tonight, after all, so I had to consider their schedules

    when nning tonight¡¯s celebration.¡±

    ¡°Did you say ¡®guests?¡± the reporter asked.

    They shot looks at one another before someone asked, ¡°We¡¯ve been standing here for two hours but

    didn¡¯t see anyone arrive

    Sophia¡¯s heart leapt into her throat.

    That couldn¡¯t be! She had clearly invited over a hundred quests two weeks ago, and most of them had

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    agreed to attend!

    Had they note?

    Sophia forced another smile, though she was as tense as a pulled howstring right now.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we head inside first? Javier urged quietly.

    They walked to the hotel¡¯s entrance, where two of the staff opened the grand doors for them.

    The moment they did, both Javier and Sophia¡¯s expressions froze on their faces. Sophia¡¯s face turned

    white as a sheet. She had to bite her lip to keep from screaming out.

    There were less than a handful of quests in therge, spacious ballroom! Her fantasy of a hall filled

    with women in flowing gowns and men in crisp suits was gone just like that!

    Where was everyone?

 Chapter 638

    The ballroom was a pitiful sight with how empty it was. The few men who had attended were Javier¡¯s

    business partners instead of anyone Sophia knew.

    The only women in the room besides Sophia and her daughters were the hotel staff and the pianist

    they hired! All the rich men¡¯s wives and mistresses who appeared to be on good terms with Sophia

    were

    nowhere to be found!

    Damn it! Damn it to hell!

    If the reporters hadn¡¯t been present right now, Sophia would have thrown a tantrum right then and

    there.

    Javier¡¯s brows furrowed just the slightest, but besides that, he didn¡¯t show much emotion.

    Meanwhile, Betty was shocked. She had known how bad her mother¡¯s rtionships in their social circle

    were, but not to this extent!

    ¡°Hurry up

    up and take those photos! This is going to make the headlines!¡± a reporter cried, followed by frantic

    snapshots of the virtually empty ballroom.

    ¡°We can title this ¡®Madam Sophia Beckett¡¯s Birthday Bash-Truly Bashed! No Longer the Starlet of

    Yesterday¡¯!¡±

    ¡°This is hrious! She was even bragging about how many guests she had invited earlier!¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Sophia was quaking angrily under her dress. She red at Betty, signaling for her to help kick the

    reporters out.

    Betty hurriedly went up to the reporters with a courteous smile, saying, ¡°My mother¡¯s birthday

    celebration is about to begin, so we¡¯ll be heading on inside to tend to the guests now. Please have a

    safe journey

    home, and be sure to get your door gifts outside!¡±

    The bodyguards quickly shoved the reporters outside the hotel.

    Some of them scowled and gossiped amongst themselves after getting their door gifts, saying, ¡°To

    think we trudged all the way here in the snow just to be kicked out. They clearly don¡¯t want to be caught

    being

    embarrassed!¡±

    ¡°Tending to guests, my ass! More like ghosts!¡±

    Though Sophia¡¯s celebration had just begun, it was so quiet and boring that it felt like it was ending.

    Sophia was so angry that not even her makeup could contain the rigid expression on her face

    anymore.

    The guests present were all Javier¡¯s friends, so they ignored her right after giving her their well wishes,

    chatting a storm up with Javier instead. Just like that, the supposed star of the night was kicked to the

    side

    How could this¡­ How could this happen?

    ¡°Mom! Betty hurried over, her face pale with worry. ¡°Look what I found out! All the quests you invited to

    your party tonight are all at KS World Hotel right now! Alyssa¡¯s gotten the better of us again!¡±

    Sophia had guessed as much earlier, but the feeling was iparable to actually hearing it as truth.

    *Alyssa Taylor

    Taylor¡­ That selfish little demoness again?¡± She seethed, boiling with fury.

    Beside them, Lauren turned to gaze at her sister and mother upon hearing the mention of Alyssa. Her

    eyes were clouded withplex emotions.

    ¡°Half of the guests are there for the Taylor family, and the rest are for the Schmidt familly. I heard most

    of the Schmidt family¡¯s friends are at L¡¯s birthday party right now, too! They want to kiss both of

    those families¡¯ asses while the iron¡¯s hot, after all!¡± Betty eximed.

    She added, ¡°I even heard that some of the guests weren¡¯t on the Taylor family¡¯s list at first, but for some

    reason, they received an invitation from Alyssa yesterday.

    ¡°So they decided to attend that celebration at the veryst minute! Alyssa was the one behind all this!¡±

    ¡°When will that bitch stop messing with me? Does she think she can best me just by ruining my

    birthday party? Who does she think I am?¡± Sophia shrieked, her face twisting into ugly hatred.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call my sister-inw that! She¡¯s not a bitch!¡± Lauren finally cried angrily.

    Sophia red at her. ¡°Shut the hell up! She¡¯s not your sister-inw!¡±

    ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯re saying, Lauren?¡± Betty cried, taking advantage of the situation to

    storm.

    up to Lauren and jab her in the cheek.

    Her nail pierced Lauren¡¯s skin, making Lauren wince and shrink back.

 Chapter 639

    Just like that, a red crescent appeared on Lauren¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°Mom is already so angry because of that bitch Alyssa¡¯s meddling! Why must you stille to her

    defense? You¡¯re already useless as it is!¡± Betty shrieked.

    *Alyssa isn¡¯t a bitch!¡± Lauren grew angrier, meeting Betty¡¯s yells.

    ¡°Then who is?¡± Betty roared, making the guests shoot her inquisitive looks.

    ¡°Not her!¡± Lauren cried, standing up to re right into Betty¡¯s eyes, which were now shocked.

    Lauren could tolerate Betty scolding her and hurting her, but she wouldn¡¯t let her humiliation of Alyssa

    stand!

    ¡°How dare you conniving little beast yell at me? You think you¡¯re so powerful now that Landon has your

    back, do you?¡± Betty yelled, reaching out to grab Lauren¡¯s arm. She¡¯d had enough of Lauren¡¯s jabs

    tonight.

    Just then, the ballroom doors opened.

    All eyes turned as a man walked in steadily.

    ¡°L-Landon¡­¡± Lauren murmured, her eyes tearing up as she called out to him.

    Landon met her gaze, his own fervent with passion and tenderness. He didn¡¯t want to look away.

    Even if she was dressed inly or if she made herself smaller than everyone else, he would still be

    able

    to find her at first nce.

    ¡°Mr. H-Harper?¡± Sophia and Betty were shocked.

    Javier, who had just been speaking to his friends, was just as surprised to find Landon striding into the

    ballroom d in a wine-colored suit.

    Betty quickly retracted her hand, her eyesplex as she gazed at Landon. Even if he had tortured

    her and pained her for so long, she still couldn¡¯t help but get hopelessly infatuated with him whenever

    she

    saw him. All she wanted was to die in his arms.

    Yet she knew Landon had no eyes for her whatsoever, not even if she stripped naked before him.

    So what was he doing here?

    Could it be because of

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m so d you coulde here tonight, Mr. Harper. We¡¯ve been waiting for you!¡± Sophia eximed.

    Then, she hurriedly called out, ¡°Hurry up and get Mr. Harper some champagne!¡±

    It didn¡¯t matter that he was here for Lauren. What mattered was that his arrival would add some life to

    her

    celebration.

    ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯m not here for the birthday celebration,¡± Landon said lightly, hands in his pockets.

    ¡°Then, what are you here f-

    ¡°I¡¯m here to take my woman way.¡±

    Landon¡¯s words were filled with tender love and affection as they rang throughout the ballroom. Under

    everyone¡¯s gaze, he slowly walked up to Lauren.

    Both Sophia and Betty looked like they had just tasted bitter lemons.

    Lauren blushed slightly, watching Landon walk up to her like she was a bride at the altar.

    Landon even shoved Betty away when he came up close to Lauren.

 Chapter 640

    ¡°Ow!¡± Betty winced, nearly falling backward.

    ¡°Lauren.¡± Landon stood before Lauren, gazing lovingly at her as she blushed.

    ¡°You look beautiful tonight.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Lauren mumbled, her heart pounding in her chest.

    ¡°It¡¯s so boring here. Do you want to go somewhere with me?¡± Landon extended his hand to her.

    ¡°Go where?¡±

    ¡°Wherever you want. Just name it, and I¡¯ll take you there.¡± Sincerity filled Landon¡¯s eyes.

    For some reason, Lauren wanted to cry.

    She had always been the slowest yet most obedient child in her family. She never learned what it was

    like

    to be doted on or have what she wanted fulfilled. This was a first for her.

    ¡°I¡­ I want to find Alyssa and my brother,¡± she mumbled, her voice small.

    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll take you to them.¡± Landon held her hand and turned to leave with her.

    The hall was dead silent.

    When the two reached the entrance, Landon stopped in his tracks suddenly, nearly making Lauren

    m

    right into his back.

    He turned around and nodded respectfully to Javier before leaving with Lauren.

    This made Javier¡¯s eyes widen.

    He had been annoyed with how rude Landon was, taking his daughter away like that, yet Landon had

    just paid his due respects to him. With that, Javier couldn¡¯t help but grow fonder of Landon.

    ¡°What do we do, Mom? What do we do?¡± Betty cried, holding onto her mother¡¯s arm.

    ¡°How could Landon just take her away like that? Isn¡¯t he intentionally provoking you now? You can¡¯t let

    Lauren leave with him! Get him toe back!¡±

    ¡°Get him toe back? Why would I do that?¡± Sophia flung her daughter¡¯s hand away, her eyesced

    with

    a disdain that used to only be meant for Lauren.

    ¡°My birthday party is already ruined. What does it matter whether your sister is here or not?

    ¡°Plus, why would I want her toe back? Can¡¯t you see how devoted Landon is to her? He looks at

    her just the way your father used to look at me. So you better give up all those silly ideas of yours and

    stay

    out of your sister¡¯s way!¡±

    Betty¡¯s heart sank into a dark abyss. She gritted her teeth in anger.

    Sophia downed a ss of champagne, growling. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m just going to give up. Alyssa Taylor?

    I¡¯m not going to let you ruin my night any further!¡±

    Outside the ballroom, Betty walked to a less-crowded area before calling Zoe. It only went through after

    several rings.

    ¡°Hmph. You got some balls for calling me,¡± Zoe said over the phone, her voiceced with irritation.

    Though Betty hated Zoe for having used her before, the saying that her enemy¡¯s enemy was her friend

    couldn¡¯t be more applicable now. Betty needed Zoe¡¯s help to deal with Lauren once and for all.

    So sheposed herself and said sternly, ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood to argue. I bet you¡¯ll feel the same way

    after you hear about what happened earlier tonight.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this.

 Chapter 641

    Landon held Lauren¡¯s hand as he steadily walked forward. He smiled, feeling the sweat on her palm

    from

    how nervous she was

    ¡°L-Landon, why aren¡¯t we going to the parking lot?¡± Lauren asked worriedly when they reached the

    hotel

    lobby.

    ¡°The underground parking lottakes too long to drive through. My car is parked right outside.¡±

    ¡°But.. but the reporters are outside. Lauren suddenly stopped in her tracks, growing rigid with fear.

    ¡°I-If we go out right now, the reporters are going to write nonsense.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense? What kind of nonsense?¡± Landon took off his coat and draped it around Lauren¡¯s

    shoulders,

    then buttoned it up for her.

    He was such a caring boyfriend!

    ¡°If this nonsense they write just so happens to be what I genuinely feel, then it wouldn¡¯t be nonsense at

    all,

    Landon said.

    ¡°Um¡­ you know¡­ they¡¯re going to say we we¡¯re in that kind of rtionship¡­¡± Lauren mumbled, her

    face flushed red. Her voice had grown softer the more she spoke, tickling Landon¡¯s heart like a gentle

    feather.

    Landon swallowed tensely, passion igniting in his eyes. He gently ced a hand on Lauren¡¯s back,

    caressing her. ¡°That would be wonderful.¡±

    Lauren gazed up at him in shock.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re my woman, Lauren. Only mine. Do you know what that means?¡± Landon asked, his gaze

    darkening.

    slightly as his fingers traced her back.

    He enjoyed stroking the nape of her neck, feeling her soft hair and skin. All of it tempted Landon like no

    other.

    Lauren shook her head innocently.

    ¡°It means that I¡¯m only going to be with you, no matter what anyone else says.¡±

    ¡°Only you and no one else,¡± he thought.

    Lauren¡¯s breathing caught in her chest as she caught sight of the raw passion in Landon¡¯s eyes. She

    really

    adored being together with Landon. But

    Landon gently tugged at her when she stopped moving. ¡°What is it, Lauren?¡±

    es were wet

    ¡°Can we just go through the back door, Landon?¡± Lauren asked, nearly begging him. Her eyes with

    anxious tears. ¡°I¡¯m worried that they¡¯ll make fun of you!¡±

    ¡°Lauren?¡± Landon asked, confused.

    ¡°Please! We we can be together somece where no one will see us!¡± Lauren begged, hands pressed.

    together.

    I

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if they make fun of me, but I don¡¯t want them to do the same to you! Everyone who¡¯s ever

    been around me since I was a kid has always beenughed at¡­ I won¡¯t let that happen!¡±

    Landon¡¯s eyes widened. A great weight seemed to have settled in his heart. As he gazed at her pale,

    worried face, pain began radiating through his chest in waves.

    All of a sudden, hatred boiled within him.

    He hated everyone who had pushed Lauren around before and hated himself for not havinge to

    her

    side earlier in life. That way, he could have protected her earlier.

    ¡°Ah! Let me ¡­ let me down!¡± Lauren cried, her vision shifting suddenly as Landon lifted her up in his

    arms.

    ¡°No.¡± Landon¡¯s gaze was sharp and steady as he marched out the front entrance. He gritted out, ¡°I

    want to see just who dares make fun of my woman. I¡¯ll make sure they live to regret it!¡±

    Many of the reporters were still outside the entrance. When they saw Landon walk out with Lauren in

    his arms, they immediately swarmed him.

    ¡°Who are you carrying. Mr. Harper? Is it your new girlfriend? We¡¯ve never seen her before!¡±

    ¡°Jeez, do you not have eyes? Can¡¯t you see this is the Beckett family¡¯s youngest daughter, Lauren

    Beckett?

 Chapter 642

    ¡°Fuck me! Seriously? I¡¯ve heard of the Beckett family daughter who never shows herself. So this is

    her? Wow, she¡¯s even prettier than I imagined!¡±

    ¡°That sister of hers, Betty, is always unting herself around like she¡¯s some great beauty. But now we

    know her sister is far more beautiful than her!¡±

    ¡°Tsk¡­. Mr. Harper¡¯s taste in women really is fine!¡±

    Seeing how chaotic the situation was bing, Angelina swiftly sent two bodyguards to help create a

    path for Landon amidst the crowd.

    As the camera lights shed in their faces, Lauren shyly buried her face in Landon¡¯s shirt.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m right here,¡± Landon murmured in her ear.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    That simple response made happiness bloom in Landon¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Is Ms. Lauren your new girlfriend, Mr. Harper?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Harper, are you two officially dating?¡±

    Excited, the reporters tossed out one question after the other.

    All of Sna City knew just how much of a yboy Landon was. However, he had never shown himself

    in public with any of the other women. Lauren was a first, implying just how significant she was to him.

    Landon stopped in his tracks and turned to face the cameras, holding Lauren closer. ¡°That depends on

    what Ms. Lauren thinks. She can say no, but regardless, I¡¯ve chosen to be with her.¡±

    His words left the crowd stunned.

    Landon was reputed to insist on his ways and demands, never caring what other people said before

    deciding he wanted something.

    Yet this time he was treating Lauren with a level of respect he had never given before, setting himself

    at a

    weaker level instead.

    It was clear as day just how much he doted on Lauren.

    The instant those words left his mouth, the crowd went wild.

    Angelina ended up using more effort than usual to get Landon and Lauren back safely into the car. It

    ¡°Mr. Harper,¡± Angelina said after some hesitation. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the news that will break out online

    later

    as fast as I can.¡±

    ¡°Why? Have I done something shameful?¡± Landon quipped, his gaze darkening.

    ¡°No, of course not.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I would care about what those lifeless, cruel, social justice-spouting idiots say online? Am

    I wrong for wanting to be with the woman I like?¡±

    No. Not in the least bit!

    Angelina didn¡¯t dare respond to that. She quickly turned back to the wheel.

    Lauren was shivering lightly. Her gaze was filled with confusion when she met Landon¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Landon, I-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say a word, Lauren. I made this choice myself. It has nothing to do with you.¡± Landon tenderly

    brushed her sweat-drenched hair behind her ear.

    His eyes suddenly darkened, noticing the red mark on her cheek. ¡°What happened to your cheek,

    Lauren?

    Who did this to you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no biggie¡­ I cut myself is all.¡± Lauren tried hiding it with her hair, but Landon grabbed her wrist,

    stopping her.

    Anger burned in his eyes as he grunted out, ¡°Did Betty do this?¡±

    Lauren could only bite her lip and stay quiet.

    That was it. Landon was going to get back at that vile bitch, Betty, if it was thest thing he did!

    ¡°Please¡­ don¡¯t do that anymore, Landon. I don¡¯t want to cause you trouble¡­¡± Lauren said, worried

    sick.

    Landon smiled bitterly, holding her hand and leaning down to kiss her forehead. ¡°You don¡¯t cause me

    any

    trouble at all, not a single bit. Everything I do is of my own free will.¡±

    He would do this because he wanted her to be his woman and stay by his side!Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

 Chapter 643

    KS World Hotel was brimming with activity inparison to Berenike Hotel Luxury cars filled the

    streets. outside, and their owners were all well known members of elite society. Many were dressed

    exceptionally well, bejeweled, and dazzling in their own way.

    Though Winston had agreed to L¡¯s request to make this celebration as low key as possible, who

    could maintain a low profile in the Taylor family?

    They held a formidable position in society and were already nning on developing further in Sna

    City,

    so it was only natural for their quests to show respect by turning up.

    Plus, Winston was father to thetest star on the rise-Alyssa Taylor!

    In order not to steal L¡¯s spotlight, Colene and Mandy remained upstairs, where they tended to their

    close friends instead of joining the party. Rather than feeling left out, they were d to have such a

    rxed time to themselves.

    Meanwhile, Tatiana was helping Alyssa tend to the guests since it was her mother¡¯s birthday after all.

    Tatiana was dressed in a yellow gown that Alyssa had picked out for her. Its hemline shimmered

    around

    her feet, making her look as magical and dreamy as a fairytale princess

    She was grateful that Alyssa had taken the effort to dress her up. However, she still thought Alyssa was

    far more dazzling in her ck gown with its long train.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Tatiana¡¯s sneaky nces at her sister soon turned into outright gawking.

    ¡°Taty? Is there something on my face? Alyssa asked, seeing how dazed her sister was.

    ¡°Oh no, no.¡± Tatiana blushed.

    ¡°Are you tired? There¡¯s still some time until the celebration starts. Why don¡¯t I arrange a room for you.

    upstairs so you can rest?¡± Alyssa offered.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not tired. Tatiana quickly shook her head.

    Sean suddenly ran inside, sweat staining his forehead. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, the Schmidts are here!¡±

    Tatiana hurriedly took out a handkerchief from her purse. She held it tightly, afraid of actually giving it to

    Sean.

    ¡°Look at how much you¡¯re sweating.¡± Alyssa said with her lips pursed.

    She gently pushed Tatiana forward. ¡°You have a handkerchief, right, Taty? Can you help Sean out?¡±

    Both Sona Tatiana were stunned by her suggestion. Their faces quickly flushed red.

    Taba gerly went up to Sean, about to dals his forehead dry, when Sean swiftly snatched the bakerchief

    away to wipe it himself. His heart was pounding in his chest.

    ank you Ms. Tatiana, but I can do this myself.¡±

    Youle wee.¡± Tatiana murmured, gnawing at her lip as disappointment welled in her chest.

    T get you a new handkerchief to rece this one.¡± Sean winced, folding the cloth away.

    No need You can have it.¡± Tatiana smiled lightly.

    Assa watched on silently, though she could tell something was up. Why was Sean, who was usually

    steadfast and helped her take care of everything, suddenly acting so meek in front of Tatiana?

    Just then, the Schmidt family walked in.

    The Schmidts had four children in total, Only Lucille Schmidt was overseas right now and hence unable

    attend. Although the three sons had said they would attend, Jameson was nowhere to be found among

    his brothers

    Josh was there with his wife, rissa Sparks, while David followed behind.

    The moment Alyssa saw Josh, an imperceptibly grim look appeared in her eyes.

    Long time, no see, Lyse,¡± David called fondly, entirely unlike his usual proud self.

    Alyssa¡¯s smile was light. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s been too long. We did meet thest time in Belbanks. But it¡¯s

    been a long time since you¡¯ve met my sister, Tatiana.¡±

    She could understand why David was so enthusiastic around her. After all, who wouldn¡¯t want a

    womant

    as capable as her?

    But Alyssa couldn¡¯t tolerate how he had just ignored Tatiana, who was no different from her in terms of

    background

    David blinked, stunned for a moment. He really hadn¡¯t recognized Tatiana.

    ¡°Hi there, Mr. David,¡± Tatiana said gently, not minding his attitude at all.

    Josh¡¯s expression was neutral as he nced at Tatiana and Sean. He smiled lightly, saying, ¡°Your mind

    is

    too one-tracked, David.

    ¡°How could you forget about everyone else the moment you see Ms. Alyssa? Hurry up and show Ms.

    Tatiana the respect she deserves.¡±

    ¡°My bad. I apologize, Ms. Tatiana!¡± David said, nodding respectfully at Tatiana.

    Tatiana smiled back, feeling embarrassed.

    ¡°This way, please. Sean, please lead the way for them,¡± Alyssa called.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    After escorting the Schmidts, Sean returned to Alyssa¡¯s side. He murmured, ¡°I would like to speak to

    you in private, Ms. Alyssa¡¯

    The two went to a quiet corner in the hallway.

    ¡°Mr. Josh¡¯s mistress, the one who pushed Ms. Tatiana around the other night, is here! She even has an

    invitation with her! Sean said hurriedly.

    ¡°Should I have someone kick her out?¡±

    ¡°Kick her out? Why go to the trouble? She has an invitation, after all. We can¡¯t afford to kick out a guest

    we

    invited.¡± Alyssa leaned against the wall, her arms around her chest.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand how she got the invitation. I personally checked all the invites we sent out to make

    sure all of our guests had received a copy. How could she have gotten one?¡± Sean asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s because I gave it to her.¡±

    ¡°What¡­ what did you say?¡± Sean asked, his breath catching in his throat.

    ¡°I said, I gave Brie that invite.¡± Alyssa smirked cunningly

    ¡°There¡¯s no better opportunity to get revenge for my sister than right here and right now.¡±

 Chapter 644

    Sean was stunned. Alyssa¡¯s actions always seemed to catch him by surprise.

    ¡°But both Josh and his wife, rissa, are here tonight. Won¡¯t Brie cause a scene? It¡¯s Madam L¡¯s

    birthday after all. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to end the night on a positive note?¡± Sean asked, concerned.

    not going to let her past the front door and let her be a pain in everyone¡¯s ass.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m n

    ¡°Do you mean?¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint in them. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry. I¡¯ll be sure she¡¯s taken care o

    before the celebration officially starts.¡±

    of

    Meanwhile, Tatiana had gone to the restroom. After she finished powdering her nose, she hurried back

    outside.

    ¡°You stupid beasts! What are you stopping me for? Can¡¯t you see I have an invitation?¡±

    The familiar yet irritating voice made Tatiana stop in her tracks. Her heart sank briefly as she turned to

    look at its source.

    Tatiana spotted two security guards holding Brie back not far away while she yelled at the top of her

    lungs, flinging the invitation around in her hand like she was some mad hag.

    Brie had really gone all out tonight. Her makeup was exceptionally striking, and she was wearing an

    extremely revealing dress. One look at her, and anyone would think that she was attending a wedding.

    while others might think she was some harlot.

    But what was Brie doing here?

    She even had an invite! Had Josh gotten her in?

    Those thoughts ran through Tatiana¡¯s mind as her heart pounded in her chest.

    ¡°Get out of my way! Do you have any idea who you¡¯re messing with? If you don¡¯t let me in right now, I¡¯ll

    make your life hell!¡¯

    Brie struggled with all her might against the guards¡¯ grips, but they were so strong that it felt like her

    bones might snap.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Just then, Sean walked over, his expression t.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, this woman is trying to sneak into the premises with a fake invitation. We managed to stop

    her in time, but she won¡¯t leave, no matter how hard we try,¡± one of the guards reported.

    Sean raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°It¡­ It¡¯s you! The one in the Porsche!¡± Brie recognized Sean as the man who hade to Tatiana¡¯s

    defense the other night.

    She v

    yelled at him, ¡°So you work in this hotel, huh? Are you the manager here? Ah, it doesn¡¯t matter. Just tell

    these guards to keep their filthy hands off of me and let me inside!¡±

    But Sean behaved as if they had never met, only saying coldly, ¡°If your invitation is fake, then please

    leave

    right away.¡±

    ¡°Fake? What bullshit are you talking about? I got my invite directly from one of your hotel¡¯s staff! How

    could it be fake?¡± Brie roared, tossing the invitation right in Sean¡¯s face.

    ¡°Open those good-for-nothing eyes of yours and see for yourself!¡±

    The card hit Sean¡¯s face, leaving a thin papercut.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    He remained unperturbed, only raising a hand to touch the wound.

    *Sean!¡± Tatiana finally ran over to his side, unable to bear seeing the man she loved get hurt.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here too, you little bitch? Brie was surprised, but it was quickly reced by disdain.

    ¡°What a fine pair you two make.¡±

    As Brie spoke, she eyed the dress Tatiana was wearing. Wasn¡¯t that dress part of a spring collection

    due next year that had been revealed during Bastian Fashion Week?

 Chapter 645

    How could a hotel manager who only drove a Porsche possibly maintain a girlfriend like Tatiana?

    Tatiana must really focl around in private, yet she still always acted like she was so innocent.

    How disgusting!

    ¡°Who are you calling a bitch? Show some respect!¡± Sean couldn¡¯t hold his anger back anymore as he

    cracked his knuckles menacingly.

    ¡°You¡¯d best not trust her too much, kid. She might look innocent, but she¡¯s secretly very experienced in

    bed,¡± Brie said with a toss of her hair, staring right at Tatiana.

    ¡°Her scandals have long spread throughout our campus. Everyone in Sna Film Academy knows

    what a

    slut she is in. Only an outsider like you would be fooled without your knowledge.¡±

    Sean was

    so angry that his shoulders were shaking. Alyssa had made him promise to control himself. At

    the same time, he understood he had to let Brie loseposure first before getting rid of her.

    But he still found it incredibly difficult to hold back right now.

    ¡°We can talk about your grievances outside, Brie. Don¡¯t start a scene in here!¡± Tatiana stood before

    Sean,

    worried that things might escte

    ¡°Who would want to talk to you? I have a celebration to attend, and you are not worth my time! Now let

    go

    of me!¡± Brie screamed.

    Tatiana¡¯s lips pressed into an angry line as she resisted the urge to give Brie a tight p.

    ¡°What¡¯s with all the noise?¡± A cold yet melodious voice rang out all of a sudden.

    Brie quickly turned to look at who it was.

    Alyssa was walking toward them, apanied by two bodyguards. Brie¡¯s heart dropped at the sight,

    and

    she instantly grew silent.

    This

    ¡­.this was the renowned Alyssa Taylor? KS World Hotel¡¯s CEO and world-famous jewelry designer,

    Alexa?

    She was so stunningly beautiful, like she was some mythical goddesse to life!

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa,¡± Sean and the other guards greeted respectfully.

    Tatiana lowered her head silently, feeling guilty for having troubled her sister. Like L, Tatiana was

    most

    afraid of causing her family trouble. The feeling was worse than death.

    Alyssa walked over to them solemnly. She didn¡¯t so much as nce at Brie as she asked Sean,

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? This isn¡¯t some mall hosting ck Friday, so what¡¯s with all the screaming and

    yelling?¡±

    ¡°This woman was trying to enter the venue with a fake invitation. We¡¯re not sure what her motives are.

    She might pose a threat to everyone inside.¡±

    Sean had a look of utmost seriousness on his face as he suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t we hand her over to

    the

    police and let them handle it?¡±

    ¡°Police?¡± Brie immediately grew frantic at the suggestion.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for them at all! I have an invitation right here. Your men were the ones who tried to

    stop

    me in the first ce! Can¡¯t I try to stand my ground? Is this how you rich folk treat usmoners? I¡¯m

    going to record this and post it online!¡±

    Brie then tried to take her phone out.

    Just then, Alyssa took the invite Brie had tossed at Sean earlier and nced at it.

    With a sneer, she said, ¡°But my secretary was right. This is a fake invitation.¡±

    ¡°W-What?¡± Brie was stunned.

    So was Tatiana, whose eyes widened as they focused on her sister.

    Alyssa waved the invitation in the air. ¡°Every invitation is sealed with KS Group¡¯spany seal and

    contains my handwritten signature. Your copy doesn¡¯t appear to have either of these, which can only

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    mean that it¡¯s fake.

    ¡°At the very least, I didn¡¯t issue this.¡±

    Cold sweat dripped down Brie¡¯s back. She was left speechless.

    Brie had known that someone like her wasn¡¯t fit to attend an event hosted by the Taylor family. But she

    had still received the invitation.

    She had initially thought that Josh had arranged this for her and had dressed up ordingly just to

    surprise him.

    Who knew she would end up embarrassing herself like this?

 Chapter 646

    But then, what was up with this invite?

    ¡°Forgery is indeed concerning. We¡¯ll do as you suggested, Sean, and send her to the police station,¡±

    Alyssa instructed.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Sean nodded,

    He turned to the guards and instructed, ¡°Take her away!¡±

    ¡°Why? I didn¡¯tmit any crime!¡± Brie cried, her face turning an ugly shade of red. She then pointed to

    Tatiana.

    ¡°If you want to take me away, then she should being with me! She shouldn¡¯t be here in the first

    ce,

    given her status!¡±

    Tatiana was about to retort when Alyssa beat her to it, asking slowly, ¡°Oh? What do you mean by that?

    Why can¡¯t she be here?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s my ssmate! I know her better than anyone else here!¡± Brie had always been someone who

    tossed others under the bus, even when she was in trouble.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    ¡°She would never get an invitation for this event tonight! Your secretary must have snuck her in! I can

    leave, but she has to too!¡±

    ¡°Taty, is this woman really your ssmate?¡± Alyssa asked softly, going to Tatiana¡¯s side and gently

    holding her shoulder.

    Brie¡¯s gaped in shock.

    What was going on? Why were Alyssa Taylor and Tatiana so close?

    ¡°Yes, Lyse.¡± Tatiana knew it was futile to hide her identity any longer. Her head lowered in guilt. ¡°I¡¯m so

    sorry for causing you all this trouble. It¡¯s all my fault.¡±

    ¡°Silly girl, I don¡¯t find this troublesome in the least bit. In fact, I would be worried if you didn¡¯t ask for

    help.

    What would a sister like me be good for otherwise?¡± Alyssa gently pinched Tatiana¡¯s cheek.

    Feeling numb as she stared at Alyssa and Tatiana, Brie asked, ¡°Is Tatiana¡­ your sister? For real?¡±

    Alyssa hugged Tatiana, sneering, ¡°Of course she is. Why do you think herst name is Taylor?¡±

    A low buzzing sound filled Brie¡¯s mind.

    Her legs wobbled weakly beneath her. The next thing she knew, she had crumpled onto the floor.

    Tatiana¡­ was from the Taylor family?

    This woman, who had been subjected to bullying and harassment at Sna Film Academy¡­ was

    Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter?

    ¡°Tonight¡¯s birthday celebration is meant for my father¡¯s third wife, L. L happens to be Tatiana¡¯s

    mother, so in a way, this entire night is meant for both Tatiana and her mother. The same goes for all of

    our guests.

    ¡°Yet you barged in here with your fake invitation, insulted my secretary when we stopped you, and

    humiliated my sister in the process.

    ¡°Based on those actions alone, Ms. Caldwell, I have sufficient grounds to sue you for defamation.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s tone was icy as she gazed at Brie, her eyes boiling with dark fury.

    Her words struck Brie like lightning.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Tatiana¡¯s words caught in her throat as she gazed tearfully at Alyssa.

    Brie¡¯s face was flushed red. It felt like Alyssa had pped her with her words.

    ¡°Take her away. Now!¡± Sean ordered coldly, no longer wanting to waste his time with Brie.

    ¡°Mr. Josh was the one who gave me this invitation, Ms. Alyssa! I didn¡¯t know it was fake!¡± Brie had no

    choice but to use this card at the veryst second to defend herself.

    ¡°Mr. Josh is here tonight too. You can ask him yourself to verify what I said!¡±

    Both Tatiana and Sean looked at Alyssa at the same time.

    Alyssa was smiling like the cat who had caught the canary. She secretly snapped her fingers.

    Finally! She had waited all night for Brie to toss Josh under the bus!

 Chapter 647

    In the hall, Josh and rissa were having a lively conversation with Jonah.

    Josh had not only taken over several substantial holdingpanies under Schmidt Group but was also

    expected to take over thepany one day. Jonah, on the other hand, being Winston¡¯s eldest and all,

    would likely take over KS Group one day as well.

    Hence, Josh didn¡¯t mind spending some time building a connection with Jonah, even though he held no

    respect for the polyamorous rtionship Winston Taylor had.

    ¡°I heard KS Group intends to develop in Sna City, Mr. Jonah. You¡¯ve made quite some progress

    lately.¡±

    Josh had on his winning smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll be seeing one another in the business world soon. We¡¯re on the same level, and our

    parents

    are good friends. I do hope that friendship extends to our generation and beyond.¡±

    Jonah smiled lightly and made a toast to him.

    ¡°If you

    u ever have any big projects in Sna City, Mr. Jonah, you know where to find us. I¡¯m sure if we

    worked together, we would be an unstoppable force, not just in Sna City but even in the country

    itself,¡±

    Josh said before taking a sip of his drink. His strong ambition was in to see.

    ¡°You¡¯re mostly correct. Nheless, I¡¯m afraid that I won¡¯t be in my position for long. I¡¯ll soon be taking

    a

    step back Jonah¡¯s expression was calm as he drank his wine.

    This made Josh and rissa share a look of confusion. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°As you all know, it wasn¡¯t my intention to take over this position in the first ce. I¡¯m only doing this for

    my father¡¯s sake and to give my siblings a chance to fulfill their dreams and goals instead of being

    burdened by other responsibilities,¡± Jonah exined

    He couldn¡¯t help but smile fondly upon recalling Alyssa. ¡°Now that Alyssa is back and enthusiastic

    about managing our family business, I¡¯ll be handing over the mantle to her once the time is right.¡±

    Josh¡¯s expression was an incredulous one. ¡°Do you mean¡­ that Mr. Taylor means to make Ms. Alyssa

    the CEO of KS Group?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Jonah nodded. It wasn¡¯t some secret, after all. Alyssa was bound to take over the family

    business

    one day. There was no one more suitable in their family.

    ¡°But she¡¯s so young and inexperienced. Shouldn¡¯t she be enjoying her youth? What about marriage

    and

    having a family of her own?¡± rissa asked gently.

    ¡°Plus, I¡¯m sure you have several other siblings, allpetent and capable enough to take over the

    family

    business. Should it really be passed on to Ms. Alyssa¡¯s hands? Wouldn¡¯t she be under such

    unnecessary

    pressure?¡±

    ¡°I understand your concerns, Madam rissa, but Lyse is no ordinary woman, Marriage and raising

    children don¡¯t go with her principles at all. She might end up abandoning us once again, only returning

    when I¡¯m in my 70s,¡± Jonah joked.

    ¡°I would rather she stay by my side and be CEO than have her leave. We¡¯ve doted on her since she

    was a

    child. As long as she wants something, I¡¯ll be sure to give it to her if she asks.¡±

    rissa was touched by his statement

    The Schmidt family was already chaotic, even though there were only four children, with three being

    born

    to the same mother. Yet Winston¡¯s family, with his three wives and countless children, were so

    selflessly

    offering their family business without argument?

    It was incredibly hard to believe!

    Though Joshmended Jonah¡¯s actions, he secretly scoffed at them.

    Jonah really was foolish to be doting on his sister so blindly and giving his bright future up in the

    process.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    He would surely live to regret it!

    ¡°Mr. Josh!¡± Just then, Josh¡¯s secretary, Morgan Styles, hurried over. The moment Morgan saw rissa,

    however, he swallowed his words back down.

    ¡°Please excuse me for a moment,¡± Josh said with a polite smile.

    Jonah nodded. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    The moment Josh left, rissa¡¯s expression turned gloomy.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Josh asked after hearing what Morgan had to say, and his brows furrowed.

    ¡°Ms. Caldwell is here, but she was barred outside the premises by the Taylor family¡¯s bodyguards. She

    insists on seeing you right now. Some of the guests have noticed her too!¡± Morgan reported in a

    hushed tone.

    ¡°She isn¡¯t fit to be present at such an event. Kick her out.¡±

 Chapter 648

    ¡°Mr. Josh, I also heard that Ms. Alyssa had found Ms. Caldwell insulting Ms. Tatiana,¡± Morgan said

    worriedly

    ¡°I don¡¯t think Ms. Alyssa ns to let this go lightly, sir. Things might escte if you don¡¯t show up right

    MOU

    Josh¡¯s expression was dark as he tugged at his tie. ¡°Alright then.¡±

    Alyssa had wanted to deliver Brie to justice, but after Tatiana¡¯s persistent pleas not to make a bigger

    scene and take care of it in private instead, Alyssa had decided to do just that.

    They were in one of the empty halls right now, with two burly bodyguards nking Brie. Under pressure,

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Brie¡¯s obnoxious demeanor from earlier had disappeared entirely.

    Alyssa was lounging on the couch with Tatiana, her legs folded together. Beside them, Sean stood with

    a

    fruit te in hand.

    Appearing rxed, Alyssa slowly fed a piece of cantaloupe to Tationa. She asked, ¡°Sean told me that

    this

    woman had insulted you before? And that she had made some terrible insinuations, too.¡±

    Brie began quivering, frightened. She felt cold as ice right now.

    Alyssa¡¯s bearing was so imposing that Brie felt nothing but suffocating terror!

    ¡°That¡¯s between me and Brie, Lyse. I can handle it myself,¡± Tatiana said after taking a deep breath.

    It was an insult to Alyssa for her to even be seeing Brie right now. Tatiana really didn¡¯t want her to be

    further involved in this situation.

    ¡°You¡¯re such a darling sister, Tatiana. I know you just don¡¯t want me to worry.¡±

    Alyssa lovingly caressed Tatiana¡¯s hair, saying gently, ¡°I¡¯m really d you¡¯re so considerate about me,

    Taty.

    I

    ¡°But don¡¯t feel bad just because I¡¯m helping you deal with this woman. I want you to treat it as a lesson

    from me so you know what to do to those who disrespect you from now on.¡±

    Brie began quaking even harder. She had no choice but to wait for Josh to rescue her now!

    Finally, the doors opened. Josh walked in with Morgan trailing behind him.

    Sean¡¯s gaze darkened, recalling how Josh had humiliated him the other night.

    ¡°Sir!¡± Brie cried, her tears messing up her makeup. ¡°Please save me, Mr. Josh! I was framed!¡±

    Josh¡¯s expression grew rigid.

    He had never been loyal to rissa when it came to his private affairs. He had met Brie when she had

    appeared at one of his clubs two months ago, and it was during that time that they had hooked up.

    To Josh, Brie was like junk food. Once you were done with it, you could just toss the bag away as if

    nothing had ever happened.

    However, little had he expected that she would make her way here and even drag him down with her!

    Josh¡¯s deadly gaze made Brie stumble backward, feeling frightened.

    ¡°What¡¯s themotion about, Ms. Alyssa?¡± Josh asked with a polite smile, turning to Alyssa.

    ¡°Your girlfriend broke into our hotel, injured my secretary, and insulted my sister.¡± Alyssa¡¯s expression

    was

    calm, but the smile on her face didn¡¯t reach her eyes.

    ¡°After some thought, I decided to call on her handler before dealing with her so we may settle this with

    both her and you, Mr. Josh. I can tolerate most things, but not when someone hurts my family.

    Josh¡¯s smile froze on his face as his teeth ground together. He hadn¡¯t expected Alyssa to disregard

    their

    family connection and tie him at the stake, all for that lousy woman, Brie.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Tatiana murmured worriedly, tugging at Alyssa¡¯s gown.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t understand what you mean, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Josh said.

 Chapter 649

    The smile on Josh¡¯s face was tinged with frost. ¡°I¡¯ve only seen this woman once in my life and have no

    reason toe to her defense. Why would you wish to settle her issues with me?¡±

    ¡°M-Mr. Josh¡­ ¡°Brie stammered, her face pasty, as she gazed at Josh. She had pleased him so

    thoroughly in bed a few days ago, yet here he was abandoning her so easily!

    ¡°Oh? In that case¡­¡± Alyssa¡¯s¨¦yes narrowed into sly crescents.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t mind if I took Ms. Caldwell out to the main hall for a stroll, would you? To let everyone,

    and

    especially Madam rissa, get to know her?¡±

    Brie was scared out of her wits by now.

    Meanwhile, Josh paled instantly. His gaze grew hostile. ¡°What is your intention here, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much, really.¡± Alyssa leaned against the couch, her gaze just as hostile.

    ¡°One should always refer to the owner before reprimanding their mutt. I only hope the owner of this one

    knows when to reprimand them themselves. I¡¯m only a young woman, after all. It would be terribly rude

    of

    me to do it myself, no?¡±

    Ah. So that was it.

    Josh understood now. Alyssa wasn¡¯t only getting back at Brie. She was also getting back at him.

    It had been ten years since they hadst met, and there were no grudges between them. So why¡­

    All of a sudden, Josh nced at Sean.

    Oh, so that was how it was. It looked like Alyssa had found out about what had happened the other

    night.

    All bite and no bark, this one!

    ¡°P-Please help me, sir.. please!¡± Brie begged, stumbling over to Josh¡¯s feet, only to be held back by

    Morgan.

    ¡°Apologize to Ms. Alyssa and Ms. Tatiana,¡± Josh said with a re.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I made a mistake before. I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Brie cried, pleading on her knees.

    Tatiana gazed at Alyssa, her eyes filled with admiration and respect.

    Josh was Schmidt Group¡¯s president, the one person on par with Jasper Beckett in Sna City. But

    that

    didn¡¯t matter when Alyssa was concerned. Whether they were a Schmidt or a Beckett, everyone would

    fall

    ¡°Do you think a mere apology will suffice?¡± Alysas asked frostily.

    Josh slowly stroked his chin, nodding at his secretary. ¡°Morgan.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Morgan instantly understood what his boss meant. He went up to Brie and pped her without

    hesitation.

    e had just

    Brie yelped in pain, falling to the floor, Blood filled her mouth from the multitude of ps she

    received.

    Tatiana¡¯s heart lurched. She quickly looked away.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m here.¡± Alyssa held Tatiana in her arms.

    She turned to Sean and said, ¡°What are you standing there for, Sean? Can¡¯t you see that Tatiana

    needs some consoling after being so frightened? Get over here already.¡±

    Tatiana immediately blushed.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡­ Sean¡¯s expression shifted quickly, his heart pounding in his chest.

    ¡°Alright, time¡¯s nearly up. You can console her outside, Sean.¡± Alyssa then led Tatiana out of the hall.

    Before stepping out the door, she said, ¡°This hall is especially hidden from public view, Mr. Josh. Most

    people usually stay out of its way. I¡¯ll leave it to you to do the needful.¡±

 Chapter 650

    ¡°But do hurry. The c¨¦lebration is about to begin.¡±

    The door mmed shut behind Alyssa and the others.

    Ten minutester, Josh and Morgan walked out of the hall. The former¡¯s watch was still stained with

    blood. A woman¡¯s wails and sobs of pain could be heard in the hall he had just left.

    ¡°Clean the mess up.¡¯ Josh instructed Morgan.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor really is something.¡± Josh emanated a frosty air as he cracked his knuckles.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve met someone who dared challenge me. If she wants to y, I¡¯ll y

    along

    with her.¡±

    Alyssa felt incredibly satisfied after getting revenge for Tatiana. But thetter still felt ufortable.

    Knowing this, Alyssa gave her and Sean some alone time. The two went to the balcony to freshen up

    after

    the whole ordeal.

    Sean took off his coat and wrapped it around Tatiana¡¯s shoulders, since she was quivering in the cold.¡±

    Here. The wind is stronger here.¡±

    ¡°Did you ¡­ tell my sister about the other night when Brie messed with me?¡± Tatiana asked, slowly

    turning to face Sean. Her gaze was filled with a mix of emotions.

    Sean blinked for a moment before answering softly, ¡°Yes. I was the one who told Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Why? Why did you have to involve my sister in my personal issues with Brie?¡¯ Tatiana¡¯s eyes were

    filled with panic, her brows knitting together.

    *Alyssa is already so busy all the time. How could she still have time to deal with something as trivial as

    this? She nearly cut off all ties with Josh Schmidt! Don¡¯t you think he¡¯s going to hold a grudge against

    her

    instead of letting this go?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Tatiana ¡­¡±

    ¡°I know you¡¯re my sister¡¯s secretary, Sean. But if you care about her so much, then why didn¡¯t you

    consider these things on her behalf?¡± Tatiana¡¯s tone was serious now.

    ¡°What if Josh decides to make things difficult for Alyssa? Did you ever consider how serious the

    consequences of your action would be?¡±

    Sean¡¯s heart prickled with pain at Tatiana¡¯s words.

    In the midst of his panic, he ced both hands on Tatiana¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I was too angry! All I wanted

    was to help get revenge for you. I was so worried that Brie would bully you on campus again.

    jump to

    ¡°Every time I remember how she humiliated you that night, I get so pissed off¡­ All I want to do is jum

    your defense and protect you!¡±

    ¡°Sean¡­¡± Tatiana was taken aback by his words. She looked deeply into his passionate eyes. She

    could feel the heat from his hands warming her up, making her heart pound.

    ¡°I know I manipted Ms. Alyssa into this. I¡¯ll definitely ask for her forgiveness, but I just can¡¯t ignore it,

    Ms. Tatiana. I just can¡¯t.¡±

    Sean¡¯s breathing quickened, and his cheeks flushed. ¡®I hate how useless I am. If I could, I would do

    anything to keep you safe. Anything.

    Tatiana¡¯s cheeks were bright red now. Tears welled in her eyes as she leaned against Sean¡¯s shoulder.

    She had once read a poem that went like this:

    What was love?

    It was the coward¡¯s bravado, the pauper¡¯s generosity.

    the diator¡¯s determination, the stoic¡¯s gamble,

    the meek¡¯s confidence,

    and-the fight to the end, knowing only futility stood in the way.

 Chapter 651

    Alyssa hummed a tune and headed for the event hall, knowing that Brie was done for good. That put

    her

    in a great mood.

    Given her understanding of Josh-no, her understanding of men in general-their egos often got the

    better of them. Now that Brie had disgraced Josh, she hadnded herself in hot water.

    Alyssa believed Brie deserved everything that had happened for bullying Lauren. (2)

    ¡°Lyse.¡± Suddenly, she heard a low and affectionate voice calling out from behind. Her heart skipped a

    beat, and she clenched her fists.

    No other man could make her flustered except for Jasper, the man whom she loved and suffered for.

    She inhaled deeply and calmed herself before turning around coldly. He stood a few steps away with

    an

    exquisite gift box in his hand. He marched up to her with a regal air about him.

    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± he said to her tenderly.

    Alyssa replied tly, ¡°Okay.¡±

    He pursed his lips and looked apologetic. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I wanted toe early and lend you a hand, but I

    still

    gotte.¡± T

    Jasper, who was always haughty, looked humble in front of Alyssa.

    She scoffed. ¡°Why would we need an outsider to help with a family event?¡±

    ncing around, she asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Grandpa? Didn¡¯t hee with you?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s chatting with Mr. Taylor in the reception,¡± Jasper replied.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go greet him. Make yourself at home,¡± she said, her voice devoid of any emotion, and she

    turned

    to leave.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Feeling anxious, he grabbed her hand and tightened his grip.

    ¡°Why are you pulling and pushing around? People might gossip. Let go!¡± She struggled to free herself

    and

    blushed.

    ¡°No one¡¯s around. It¡¯s just us,¡± he whispered, breathing heavily and looking at her.

    Pulling her into a hug, he confessed, ¡°I¡¯m an opportunist. I won¡¯t miss a chance. If there isn¡¯t one, I¡¯ll

    create

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    it.¡±

    Since Alyssa was wearing a pair of high heels, she lost her bnce between all the shoving and

    tugging. She gasped as she fell on his chest.

    His eyes widened. He was holding the gift box in his left hand, leaving him with no choice but to catch

    her

    with his right arm.

    ¡°Ugh-¡± Alyssa gasped as her chest hit against his inner arm. He held his breath as well when he

    sensed her breasts pressing against his skin. His thoughts were momentarily clouded by desire.

    In fact, he was already picturing it in his head. His mind went nk, and his breath grew hot. There was

    a

    carnal look in his eyes.

    ¡°Lyse, you have¡­ a great body,¡± he murmured, turning his face aside and whispering into her ear.

    Every

    word sent shivers down her spine. She was enveloped by his warmth.

    ¡°You-You-¡± ring at him, she pushed him away and pped him across the face.

    Her voice wasced with anger as she berated him, ¡°You filthy pervert! You¡¯re asking for it!¡±

    Her p was nothing but a minor scratch for him. Rather than anger, he felt thirsty and dazed, like he

    had

    too much to drink.

 Chapter 652

    ¡°I¡¯ll always speak the truth, even if it means taking a punch. You have an amazing body,¡± Jasper

    reiterated

    with sincerity

    He was probably the most ssy yboy ever, flirting around with a straight face.

    ¡°Shut up! Stop talking!¡± Alyssa snapped at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes zed with

    anger.

    ¡°Stay away from me, or I¡¯ll castrate you!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not interested in having kids anyway. It¡¯s not like I have a crown to pass down,¡± he

    replied,

    gazing at her in a daze.

    Defying her, he took a step closer. They could pick up each other¡¯s scent at that distance. He

    confessed, ¡±

    I¡¯m only interested in you, Lyse. Telling me to stay away from you is the same as killing me.¡±

    ¡°Well, consider yourself dead, then! Bye!¡± She turned and stomped away indignantly with red cheeks.

    She knew Jasper wasn¡¯t to me for the ident just now, but he shouldn¡¯t havemented on her

    body in the first ce.

    It was no surprise that Jasper was friends with Landon; birds of a feather flock together.

    At that moment, Landon, who was holding Lauren, let out a loud sneeze. He wondered who was

    making

    fun of him behind his back.

    Jasper stared at Alyssa¡¯s delicate figure. He could picture her pouting, which put a smile on his face.

    ¡°Lyse?¡± A clear and strong voice suddenly rang out from behind her with a mix of longing and

    excitement.

    Alyssa froze and spun around. Tears immediately brimmed in her eyes as she dashed past Jasper to

    meet the person who had called out to her.

    ¡°Miley!¡±

    ¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡± This time, Miley sounded more emotional and even choked up a bit.

    Astonished, Jasper turned around as well. He saw Alyssa standing with an elegantdy in an aqua

    pantsuit. The graceful yet powerfuldy embraced Alyssa tightly.

    Miley had long, sharp brows and delicate features on a full, radiant face. Her makeup was perfect, and

    her

    eyes shone with pride and determination.

    Somehow, one could see Mandy in Miley.

    Alyssa had called the woman Miley. Could she be Alyssa¡¯s half-sister, the one who had moved to

    Kontina after getting married?

    Alyssa hugged Miley with surprise and joy, wetting thetter¡¯s shoulders with her tears.

    ¡°Miley, when did you get home? You should have told me. I would have picked you up at the airport.¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I arrived just an hour ago. I thought I had missed the party, so I didn¡¯t bother telling anyone,¡± Miley

    exined with teary eyes as she caressed Alyssa¡¯s back.

    ¡°Well, I turned it into a surprise for everyone.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it was a wonderful surprise!¡± Alyssa began choking up again.

    Miley studied Alyssa from head to toe in both joy and sorrow. ¡°Lyse, I could barely recognize you from

    behind. You¡¯ve lost so much weight. Your chubby cheeks are gone. Who did this to you? Did they

    starve

    you or something?¡±

    Jasper felt uneasy upon hearing Miley¡¯s remark. He remembered Alyssa being adorably chubby when

    they

    got married.

    Over time, Alyssa, who had always been around him, had slowly lost the sparkle in her eyes, and her

    cheeks had sunken.

    The reason behind her change was the suffering she had endured due to the cold shoulder he had

    given

    her. He deserved to be condemned.

    ¡°Ss used to call me round and chubby. He can¡¯t say that anymore now that I¡¯ve lost weight!¡± Alyssa

    shrugged it off and leaned on Miley¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯m still pretty even after losing weight, don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    ¡°Yes, indeed. Our Lyse is the prettiest,¡± Miley replied. Despite being only three years older, she doted

    on

    Alyssa like a mother.

 Chapter 653

    ¡°Miley.¡± Jasper calmly greeted her, abruptly inserting himself into their conversation.

    Miley was taken aback as she sized up the handsome man before her. Her expression wavered, and

    she

    eximed. ¡°Are you Mr. Beckett, the president of Beckett Group?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just Jasper. We can keep it casual,¡± Jasper introduced himself and politely extended his right hand

    for a handshake. His stunning eyes radiated warmth and joy.

    He appeared to be a gracious and honest man, quite unlike the rumors that painted him as ruthless

    and

    deceptive.

    Miley was about to shake hands with Jasper out of courtesy when Alyssa held her back.

    Alyssa glowered at Jasper and warned him, ¡°You¡¯d better not think of currying favor with my sister and

    earning brownie points. I can see through your n.¡±

    He shed a bitter smile and awkwardly retracted his hand.

    Miley was confused by Alyssa¡¯s brash attitude. She had no idea that Alyssa and Jasper were once

    married for three years.

    Looking flustered, Alyssa pressed her lips and mumbled, ¡°Miley, he and I-¡±

    ¡°Miley, I¡¯m her man.¡±

    Both Alyssa and Miley were dumbstruck by Jasper¡¯s sudden promation.

    He added, ¡°I¡¯m Alyssa¡¯s man, though it¡¯s a one-sided deration.¡±

    He cast an intense gaze at Alyssa. ¡°She can date whomever she pleases, but she¡¯s the only woman for

    me.¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Miley gasped at his self-deprecating statement, while Alyssa clenched her teeth, blushing with

    humiliation. She couldn¡¯t believe Jasper¡¯s audacity!

    ¡°So are you pursuing her?¡± Miley asked tentatively.

    Jasper replied, ¡°Yes, I am.¡±

    He had embarked on an ardent and determined pursuit of love.

    However, Alyssa led Miley away, saying, ¡°Miley, he¡¯s insane. Just ignore him. Let¡¯s go meet Dad,

    Mandy,

    and the others!¡±

    1.2

    Jasper stood there, smiling foolishly at Alyssa. He was hopelessly in love with her.

    Alyssa held Miley¡¯s hand and asked, ¡°Miley, did youe back alone? Why isn¡¯t Jeremy with you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s swamped with work. These few days are crucial for him because the election results will be

    announced soon,¡± Miley replied with a somber expression.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. He¡¯s a dutiful politician who cares about his constituents. Your charity work in Kontina

    must

    have attracted lots of votes for him as well. He¡¯ll be the next president of Kontina!¡± Alyssa reassured

    her.

    ¡°Thank you for that, Lyse,¡± Miley replied.

    She then sneaked a nce behind her and whispered, ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s your rtionship with Mr.

    Beckett?¡±

    ¡°Hmph. We¡¯re archenemies.¡± Alyssa clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes.

    ¡°Anyway, just ignore him. He¡¯s a madman who spouts nonsense. He¡¯s annoying.¡±

    ¡°Really? I heard that he¡¯s an outstanding young man and the heir of Beckett Group,¡± Miley pondered

    out

    loud.

    Alyssa nearly bawled as she recalled the incident just now, when he had identally felt her chest.

    She

    taunted, ¡°An outstanding man? He¡¯s just full of shit.¡±

 Chapter 654

    Miley¡¯s unexpected return was a delightful surprise for the Taylors. Mandy, Miley¡¯s mother, appeared on

    the verge of tears, her eyes glistening with joy.

    However, she maintained her usualposed demeanor, a skill she had perfected over the years. It

    had been a long time since anyone had witnessed her shed a tear.

    On the other hand, L and Colene couldn¡¯t contain their emotions, and they wept as they embraced

    Miley. To an outsider, it might seem as if Mandy was Miley¡¯s stepmother.

    ¡°Are you done yet?¡± Winston wondered with a disgruntled look. ¡°It¡¯s my turn!¡±

    Everyone was rendered speechless. L and Colene had no choice but to let go of Miley.

    Winston eagerly enveloped Miley in a heartfelt hug, sobbing even louder than his wives.

    ¡°Oh, my dear daughter! I¡¯ve missed you so much! I thought you had forgotten all about me after

    marrying

    Jeremy. I¡¯ve raised a little rebel, it seems!¡±

    Again, everyone was dumbfounded by Winston¡¯s antics. Alyssa¡¯s lips twitched as she froze on the spot.

    Thankfully, the reception was filled with family members only, sparing Winston from embarrassment in

    front of other guests.

    ¡°Dad, I never forgot about you,¡± Miley reassured him, patting him on the back.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m here to visit you now. I was just very busy. Jeremy has important matters to attend to, and I

    was campaigning for him every day.

    ¡°I only messaged him abouting home when I boarded the ne. You¡¯re always on my mind, so

    please don¡¯t be upset with me. And I brought you a white porcin vase. Kontina is famous for them.

    I¡¯m

    sure you¡¯ll love it.¡±

    Everyone felt for Miley. She had gone against Winston¡¯s wishes and married a congressman from

    Kontina, Jeremy Shields, who was ten years older than her.

    After she had moved to Kontina, she rarely had the chance to meet her family.

    No one had expected Miley to do well in a foreign country. As a charming and inspirational role model,

    she was voted the second most popr and respectable woman in the country, just after the queen of

    Kontina.

    Even Alyssa couldn¡¯t match Miley¡¯s stature, and she took pride in her aplished sister.

    Winston quipped, ¡°Where¡¯s the gift?¡± He looked much like a child who had stopped crying after

    receiving

    candy.

    ¡°I bumped into Mr. Gorham when I arrived and gave him the gift, along with some jewelry I got for L,¡±

    Miley exined.

    She turned to L with a soft smile. ¡°Happy birthday, L.¡±

    ¡°Miley, your presence is the greatest gift,¡± L replied, her eyes brimming with emotion. She was more

    sensitive and emotional.

    ¡°What about your husband? Doesn¡¯t he have anything for me?¡± Winston raised an amused brow,

    always

    picking at his only son-inw.

    Alyssa rested her chin on her hand and shot Winston a disdainful look.

    She teased, ¡°You have heaps of antique items at home, but you refused to run an auction or donate

    them

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    to a museum. You can¡¯t take that stuff with you to the afterlife anyway, so why hoard them?¡±

    ¡°Hmph! You don¡¯t get it because you¡¯re still young!¡± Winston huffed and pouted as he straightened his

    back.

    Alyssa clicked her tongue and countered, ¡°You¡¯re just too greedy. If you had lived centuries ago, you

    would have been a corrupt official.¡±

    Winston raised an eyebrow and retorted, ¡°And what would you have been?¡±

    With a haughty demeanor, she replied, ¡°I would have been Julius Caesar!¡±

    Laughter erupted in response to her wittyeback.

    She suddenly asked, ¡°I thought Ss would be here after work. Why isn¡¯t he here yet?¡±

    She checked her wristwatch and said, ¡°I¡¯ll give him a call.¡±

 Chapter 655

    Meanwhile, Rose was waiting at the red light at an intersection not far away from KS World Hotel. She

    was taking a call with her Bluetooth earpiece in her pink Ferrari.

    She barked, ¡°Send me the blueprint for the Bastian Fashion Week walkway! If the person in charge on

    their

    end gives us trouble again, tell them that Rose Emerson will never work with them!

    ¡°Not only that, but I¡¯ll also make things difficult for them if they ever n to host a fashion show at

    Sna

    City.¡±

    When the light turned green, Rose stepped hard on the elerator out of anger. The Ferrari dashed

    across the road like a streak of pink lightning.

    At the same time, a sleek ck Mercedes-Benz E-ss approached from the opposite direction. One

    of

    the vehicles attempted a left turn, while the other tried to make a right turn at high speed.

    ¡°Oh, crap!¡± Rose cussed. She had been so distracted with her call that she hadn¡¯t noticed the ck

    Mercedes-Benz.

    As they hurtled toward each other, she mmed the brakes with such force that sparks nearly flew

    from

    her tires due to the friction.

    The impact was apanied by a loud crash. Rose groaned, feeling the violent collision. The airbag

    deployed, striking her in the face.

    Fortunately, her windshield cracked but didn¡¯t shatter. Otherwise, her face would have been scarred.

    ¡°Fuck! Is mercury in retrograde? What a shitty day!¡± Roseined and angrily stormed out of her

    car

    while massaging the back of her neck. Her prized limited edition pink Ferrari¡¯s hood was utterly

    wrecked.

    ¡°Oh my god! My pink Ferrari! Damn it!¡± Rose muttered, her impably styled hime cut now in disarray,

    but

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    that wasn¡¯t her prioritypared to her Ferrari.

    The other vehicle in the crash was also in shambles, its hood bent and smoke billowing from the

    engine.

    Ss emerged from his car and coughed as he inhaled the smoke.

    ¡°Hey! Do you even know how to drive? You literally rammed into my car-¡± Rose was on the brink of

    losing

    her temper as she would bete for the birthday party.

    However, she was instantly captivated by Ss¡¯ good looks and his toned physique under his ck suit.

    Her words faltered as she gazed at him, her eyes sparkling.

    He had a pair of thick brows, huge eyes, and a tall nose. He also had broad shoulders, a cinched waist,

    and a nice ass¡­

    Rose couldn¡¯t help but gasp. This man was a gem!

    She stared intently at him, her heart racing as he approached.

    Hold on a second. Why did he look so familiar?

    Ss massaged his sore neck and scowled in irritation. He retorted, ¡°Miss, I¡¯m a skilled driver. But my

    abilities are useless if someone is dead set on crashing into my car. Why were you driving at such a

    high

    speed anyway?¡±

    ¡°You-I didn¡¯t crash into you! You¡¯re the one who crashed into my car!¡± Rose argued, her eyes widening

    with anger.

    She stamped her foot and added, ¡°And why were you driving a ck car at night? You scared me when

    you sneaked up on me like that!¡±

    His frown deepened. There was a hint of mockery in his eyes. He responded, ¡°There¡¯s now

    preventing

    me from driving it at night.¡±

 Chapter 656

    Ss continued, ¡°However, thew clearly states that a driver shouldn¡¯t use the phone while driving,

    and

    they shouldn¡¯t be wearing heels.¡±

    Feeling a little guilty, Rose immediately curled her toes in her heels. She argued, ¡°B-But you crossed

    the

    road marking when you made the turn, so you¡¯re the one responsible!¡±

    ¡°That depends on the verdict of the traffic police, but I have no time to reach out to them. Why don¡¯t you

    do that? I¡¯m in a hurry,¡± he retorted.

    He handed her a business card from his wallet. ¡°Here¡¯s my phone number and my work address. After

    you¡¯re done, just update me on the next steps.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with that attitude? Are you seriously going to leave the mess to me? But I¡¯m short on time too!¡±

    she protested, unhappy at his aggressive and irresponsible behavior.

    She tossed the business card back at him and grumbled, ¡°How can I be sure you¡¯re not a scammer

    trying

    to pull a fast one?¡±

    ¡°A scammer?¡± Ssughed at the absurd notion, finding the woman with the unconventional haircut a

    tad fussy and unreasonable.

    ¡°If I were a scammer, there would be no good left in the world. I¡¯m leaving now.¡±

    Incensed, she grabbed his arm and shouted, ¡°I don¡¯t care! You need to take responsibility for wrecking

    the

    Ferrari I just bought this month!¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Oh, is money what you¡¯re after? You should have told me from the beginning,¡± Ss replied. He was

    determined to make it to the party on time and had no patience for a long argument.

    He pulled a debit card from his wallet and nonchntly dangled it in front of her. ¡°Use this for the

    repairs.

    No PIN required.¡±

    The sight of the card enraged her further. She felt extremely humiliated. She snapped, ¡°Dude, this was

    a

    limited edition Ferrari reduced to scrap metal because of you. Offering to pay for repairs? What¡¯s wrong

    with you?¡±

    ¡°Well, you can always buy a new one. I can afford that,¡± Ss shot back.

    He was known for his punctuality, especially when it came to family events, and he was determined not

    to let anyone derail his ns.

    Looking cold, he pried Rose¡¯s fingers off his arm and freed himself.

    When he turned around to leave, he suddenly felt suffocated. Rose had grabbed his navy necktie and

    tugged at it hard.

    The two proud drivers were now face-to-face, their noses almost touching. Ss was taken aback, his

    breathing heavy, as their breaths mingled.

    Apart from Alyssa, Ss, the long-time bachelor, had rarely been in such close proximity to another

    woman.

    As Rose huffed and puffed, her rising chest beneath her fiery red dress brushed against his shirt.

    He forced himself to maintain eye contact, as though he mightpromise his principles in the

    presence

    of this sultry woman.

    ¡°W-What are you doing?¡± he croaked.

    She smirked and dangled another card in front of him, even giving his flushed cheeks a yful tap with

    it.

    ¡°Money is the least of my concerns. In fact, I have so much that I could be your sugar mommy, you little

    brat!¡±

    His eyes widened. All of a sudden, his heart skipped a beat, and his mind went nk.

    ¡°You think you¡¯re something just because you have money? My mentor happens to be a wealthy

    heiress and a globally renowned designer. Despite her unimaginable riches, she¡¯s nowhere near as

    snobbish as

    you are!¡± Rose schooled him.

    Ss looked confused. Why did that remark somehow ring a bell?

    With that, Rose tossed the card onto his leather shoes and returned to her Ferrari. Then, she drove

    away

    in the creaky car.

    Ss watched as the pink Ferrari disappeared into the night. After a moment, he snapped out of his

    daze. and grinned. ¡°A pink Ferrari? What terrible taste.¡±

 Chapter 657

    The birthday party was about to start. Alyssa smiled. She felt d to see Winston and Newton engaged

    in

    an animated conversation at the front.

    ¡°Oh, is this real? That¡¯s Newton Beckett!¡± a guest eximed.

    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re right! He looks great for his age.¡±

    ¡°Newton is quite close to Mr. Taylor. It¡¯s umon to see such good friendships these days. One

    might

    mistake Mr. Taylor for Mr. Beckett¡¯s son!¡±

    ¡°I heard that Javier Beckett¡¯s wife is hosting her birthday celebration at Berenike Hotel tonight. It¡¯s quite

    intriguing to see Mr. Beckett attending L Nelson¡¯s birthday party instead of attending his own family

    event.¡±

    The guests shared hushed chuckles and snorts.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett obviously doesn¡¯t approve of his daughter-inw, Sophia Kirkman. She¡¯s been embroiled

    in bribery and counterfeit scandals for the past six months. Besides, her niece cheated on Jasper

    Beckett.

    Of course Mr. Beckett dislikes Sophia.¡±

    ¡°I think Jasper Beckett and Alyssa Taylor would make a great couple. I read about the auction, and it

    seemed like he stood up for her. Do you think they might date?¡±

    Alyssa furrowed her brows as she overheard this conversation, and the guests continued to gossip.

    ¡°Well, I doubt it.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°Things got pretty messy between Jasper Beckett and his ex, Liana Gardner. They were a

    laughingstock. I can¡¯t see someone as dignified as Alyssa Taylor settling for less.¡±

    Alyssa quietly nodded at that remark, which she thought was sensible.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s best to turn a blind eye to your partner¡¯s romantic history. But there¡¯s always that nagging fear

    that the past could resurface unexpectedly, like opening a can of worms. Even if you try not to care, it¡¯s

    hard not to be affected by it.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett is a decent man, but Alyssa Taylor has plenty of other options. She doesn¡¯t need to get

    with a problematic guy.¡±

    Alyssa nodded in agreement. Yup, that was right.

    Suddenly, Jasper interrupted her thoughts with a mischievous remark. ¡°Enjoying the eavesdropping?¡±

    Startled, she swiftly looked up to find him standing beside her, gazing down at her with a tender smile.

    ¡°I-I wasn¡¯t!¡± She hurriedly looked away and bit her lower lip angrily. She had been caught red-handed.

    He sat down beside her and remarked, ¡°Well, they had it mostly right, except for one thing. Yes, I might

    be

    a man with aplicated past, but you¡¯re part of that past too.¡±

    ¡°Is that something to be proud of?¡± she retorted, crossing her arms and smirking.

    Noticing her frustration, he smiled wryly and said, ¡°Lyse, I don¡¯t have an ego when ites to you.¡±

    His confession caught her off guard.

    ¡°All I have is regret,¡± he added, his voice bing hoarse.

    His expression darkened. ¡°I regret how poorly I treated you, and I regret not introducing my wife to the

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    public.¡±

    Alyssa looked away and responded coolly, ¡°You don¡¯t have to carry that regret, Jasper. I¡¯m relieved that

    no one knows I was your wife for three years. I feel fortunate that you didn¡¯t publicize our disastrous

    marriage.¡±

    Their disastrous marriage.

    Jasper felt a pang of pain in his chest. Even after all they had been through, he remained a stain in

    Alyssa¡¯s past.

    ¡°That helped me move on from our failed marriage. I could simply pretend it never happened,¡± she

    continued with a chuckle, adding, ¡°We were never truly together, anyway.¡±

 Chapter 658

    ¡°Lyse, 1- Jasper was cut off by a sweet voice.

    Rose purred, ¡°Madam Alyssa, I¡¯m sorry for beingte!¡±

    Alyssa turned around and saw Rose, which put a smile on her face. ¡°Rose! It¡¯s notte at all! I was

    worried

    you might be too busy with the Bastion Fashion Week to attend!¡±

    Rose ran over and gave Alyssa a warm hug. ¡°How could I be absent after you invited me? Of course I

    had

    to be here!¡±

    At that moment, Rose noticed Jasper¡¯s jarring presence, and her expression crumbled.

    She asked, ¡°Madam Alyssa, are you going to sit at the same table as him? Isn¡¯t it nauseating?¡±

    Alyssa shot a brief nce at Jasper and replied, ¡°It is.¡±

    He was hurt by her words but remained thick-skinned, suggesting, ¡°Lyse, if you feel sick at my sight,

    you can always look away.¡±

    He implied that he had no intention of moving to another table.

    Rose couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes at Jasper¡¯s audacity.

    ¡°I can¡¯t not look at you. You¡¯re gigantic,¡± Alyssa replied, chuckling at his words.

    ¡°You can put on a blindfold,¡± he joked with her, enjoying her minor tantrum.

    ¡°And how am I going to eat?¡±

    For once, the witty Alyssa had taken his bait. He leaned in and whispered into her ear, ¡°I¡¯ll feed you.¡±

    She felt an electric jolt spreading across her body and frantically pulled her chair away from him.

    However, he had predicted her action and held the back of her waist to stop her.

    ¡°You-¡± she stammered and blushed, staring angrily into his deep and tender eyes.

    ¡°Lyse, we¡¯re just sharing a table. Please don¡¯t leave,¡± he said to her with a frown and a longing look.

    Jasper Beckett,¡± she warned, grabbing his wrist tightly as a form of protest or revenge.

    She was unable to grab his entire wrist with her tiny hand, but she tried her best to make him feel pain.

    Again, he was stung by her action.

    She mocked, ¡°I used to dream about having meals with you as a married couple. But now, the thought

    of

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    He felt hurt and released her waist, a lump forming in his throat. He felt drained all of a sudden. ¡°I¡¯m

    sorry,

    Lyse

    ¡°Let¡¯s not spoil the mood at L¡¯s birthday party,¡± she finally said with mixed emotions, attempting to

    shrug off their interaction.

    ¡°You¡¯re here as a guest, so just stay.¡±

    She seemed to show some pity for him. Even if it was just pity, he would seize the opportunity to get

    closer to her.

    ¡°Madam Alyssa, do you know what happened? I ran into a dumbfuck on my way here. I was damn

    unlucky!

    Rose quickly changed the topic of the conversation to distract Alyssa and ease the tension.

    Jasper picked up the ss and quietly sipped on the water. Rose was a renowned fashion designer

    who sported an elegant and indifferent image. Therefore, he was surprised by her crude manners in

    front of

    Alyssa.

    ¡°Is that so? Tell me all about it. I want to know what he¡¯s done,¡± Alyssa responded, blinking her eyes in

    curiosity.

    Jasper choked on the water. Well, it seemed like he needed to take back his remarks about Rose¡¯s

    behavior.

    ¡°I got into a car crash on my way here,¡± Rose revealed, delivering a shock to both Alyssa and Jasper.

    They

    couldn¡¯t fathom how she had brought up the ident so casually.

 Chapter 659

    ¡°Gosh are you hurt anywhere? Why didn¡¯t you call me? I could have taken you to the hospital!¡± Alyssa

    eximed, gripping Rose¡¯s shoulders nervously.

    Tmn fine. I just have some neck pain,¡± Rose replied, moved by Alyssa¡¯s concern.

    ¡°You should get it checked. There might be internal injuries that could cause more painter,¡± Alyssa

    suggested.

    Jasper suddenly chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ll get that arranged after the birthday party. I can get a physician to check

    on you at any time.¡±

    Rose was taken aback by his thoughtfulness.

    Alyssa held Rose again, appearing irritated as she said, ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m a surgeon myself,

    and I can take care of my mentee. I appreciate your offer, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    He smiled wryly. She had dismissed his offer once more.

    ¡°After that idiot crashed into my pink Ferrari, he didn¡¯t even apologize and had the audacity to confront

    me with an attitude. He tossed me a card to ¡®buy a new car¡¯ and walked away!¡± Roseined, her

    anger resurfacing.

    ¡°Do you think he was trying to humiliate me, Madam? Does he think I¡¯m poor or something? What¡¯s

    with

    the snobbishness?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­ And what happened next?¡± Alyssa was engrossed in the amusing story.

    ¡°I tossed my card at him! I told him I had loads of money, enough to be his sugar mommy!¡±

    Jasper listened quietly with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. She remarked, ¡°Somehow, I feel like you would make a great couple

    with him because you share the same brain cell. You take a ¡­ logical approach to problem-solving.¡±

    Rose immediately thought of Ss¡¯ slender build and his handsome face. That pair of eagle eyes,

    smooth skin, and youthful demeanor¡­ She swallowed hard, feeling thirsty all of a sudden.

    Still, she scoffed and grumbled, ¡°Hmph. I wouldn¡¯t want to date him.¡±

    That man might seem good-looking from a distance, but he turned out to be insufferable up close.

    She absentmindedly scanned the surroundings, and her expression suddenly changed. She shot up

    from her seat and pointed at a man approaching them.

    ¡°You-Why are you everywhere? How did you get here?¡± Rose gasped.

    Alyssa and Jasper turned to see who she was addressing.

    In a sea of lights, Ss calmly made his way toward them, only to be stunned when he saw Rose. He

    retorted, ¡°You brash woman! I should be asking you the same question! What are you doing here?¡±

    Blinking, Alyssa tugged at Rose¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Rose, do you know him?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the idiot who crashed into me!¡± Rose used Ss through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Alyssa replied with a look of realization. Then, she rose and walked up to Ss. She stood on

    tiptoe and suddenly draped her arm across his shoulders in an intimate move, much to Rose¡¯s surprise.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened. Even though he knew Alyssa and Ss were siblings, he couldn¡¯t help but

    envy

    any man near her.

    ¡°Rose,e here. I¡¯ll introduce you to each other,¡± Alyssa said to the bewildered Rose with a grin.

    ¡°He¡¯s my brother, Ss. He¡¯s the lead prosecutor in Sna City.¡±

 Chapter 660

    Rose immediately paled. Her mind went nk like she had been struck by lightning. She panicked and

    was at a loss for what to do.

    Had she really just insulted Alyssa¡¯s brother right in front of her? Oh, that was a grave blunder!

    Jasper sat calmly and observed the situation, barely concealing a smile. He empathized with Rose,

    though. Alyssa had too many siblings, and it wasn¡¯t unusual to bump into one of them on the streets.

    Having once fallen victim to his own ignorance, he had suffered at the hands of Alyssa¡¯s brothers as a

    result of not grasping their family dynamics.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Ss, on the other hand, watched Rose¡¯s face transform from fear to anger, her cheeks turning as red

    as a

    ripe cherry.

    Initially upset by her ¡°sugar mommy¡± remark, he couldn¡¯t help but soften when he saw her adorable

    flustered expression.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to disown me for this, are you?¡±

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Alyssa pretended to contemte, resting her index finger under her chin.

    ¡°Madam¡­¡± Rose pouted, looking close to tears.

    Alyssa approached Rose with a serious demeanor before breaking into a wide grin.

    ¡°Silly thing, what on earth are you thinking? This isn¡¯t something worth getting upset over. I would have

    no

    mentee left if I were to disown you!¡±

    Rose felt much more reassured but remained embarrassed.

    ¡°Besides, I know you¡¯re a nice woman, Rose. If you¡¯re mad at Ss, he must have done something

    really

    wrong,¡± Alyssa reassured Rose, shooting a stern nce at Ss.

    Ss raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and chagrin on his face. Despite feeling slighted, he

    chose

    to keep silent.

    He couldn¡¯t believe that Rose, the audacious woman who had crashed into his car and even mocked

    him, was Alyssa¡¯s close friend. He considered himself unlucky.

    At that moment, a group of guests showed up, and the party grew merrier.

    Mandy, Colene, Jonah, Tatiana, and Cyrus-who was busy at work but forced to attend the party by

    Mandy hugged Alyssa in turns. The new couple, Landon and Lauren, went up to chat with Alyssa as

    well. They

    The scene resembled a festive family gathering, drawing the attention of other guests. It was a

    picturesque sight of a happy family parading their attractive children.

    Amidst the celebration, Jasper sat alone in a corner, his eyes filled with mncholy as he gazed at

    Alyssa.

    She was surrounded by loved ones who cherished her, an image that evoked envy in him. Soon, his

    eyes welled up with tears.

    That was the life that Alyssa deserved to live. She had spent her first 20 years well-loved. The only

    suffering and pain she had experienced had been inflicted by him.

    Jasper, who was a charismatic and powerful leader in business, sat there in a daze, feeling left out. No

    one cared to go up and greet him.

    Feeling awkward, he pressed his lips and took a deep breath as he came to a decision. Even if Alyssa

    didn¡¯t end up with him, he would still protect her in this life.

 Chapter 661

    ¡°Lauren! Why are you here?¡± Alyssa pinched Lauren¡¯s soft cheeks and smiled widely.

    Lauren ressed her lips shyly and hugged her teddy bear tight. ¡°Alyssa, 1 missed you¡­ and Jasper. I

    came

    because I wanted to see you.¡±

    A pleased grin spread across Jasper¡¯s face upon hearing Lauren¡¯s words.

    However, Alyssa felt a slight unease at being mentioned in the same breath as Jasper. But her heart

    warmed at the sight of the teddy bear, which she had bought Lauren. Lauren had insisted on bringing it

    to

    the party.

    She gently stroked Lauren¡¯s head and confessed, ¡°Lauren, I missed you too.¡±

    Turning her attention to Landon, Alyssa gave him a pointed look and inquired, ¡°Are you the one who

    brought her here from Sophia¡¯s birthday party?¡±

    Landon openly admitted with a smile, ¡°Yes, it was me.¡±

    Alyssa shot him a re and jabbed him in the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re still smiling? It seems like you only care

    about your rtionship with Lauren and how it makes you feel.

    ¡°Have you considered what¡¯s best for her? What will happen when you take Lauren away from her

    family?

    Javier and Sophia will be upset with her when she returns hometer!¡±

    Landon retorted, ¡°She¡¯s not going back. Why should she go to a home where her mom and sister treat

    her like crap? Lauren has been staying with me for a while now.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve registered my vi on the hill in Lauren¡¯s name. It¡¯s her second home. If she¡¯s unhappy at the

    Becketts home and doesn¡¯t want to see her mom and sister, she¡¯s always wee to stay at that vi,¡±

    Landon

    exined, gazing tenderly at Lauren,

    Meanwhile, Alyssa nearly fainted from the outrage.

    Jasper, unable to contain his anger, confronted Landon. ¡°When did this happen, Landon? How dare

    you

    live with my sister without anyone¡¯s permission? You¡¯ve got some nerve.¡±

    Landon hurriedly rified, ¡°We¡¯re just living under the same roof, Jasper! I haven¡¯t done anything out of

    the line,¡± Landon hurriedly exined, feeling gravely misunderstood.

    Women out there were lining up to please him, and they would be d to spend a night at his ce.

    Over

    Lauren was the only woman with whom he hadn¡¯t done anything more than hugs and kisses. He was

    no gentleman, but he refused to sully Lauren. He was content just staying by her side.

    Alyssa gritted her teeth and fumed, ¡°Landon, did you hear yourself just now? Do you expect us to

    believe

    that you haven¡¯t slept with her at all?¡±

    Landon frowned helplessly. Alyssa and Jasper looked like Lauren¡¯s parents, who disapproved of her

    partner.

    However, Lauren shielded Landon, much to Jasper and Alyssa¡¯s astonishment. Her cheeks were

    flushed,

    and she said, ¡°Jasper, Alyssa, don¡¯t scold him. I wanted to be with him.¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Her confession left Jasper and Alyssa in shock. Landon hugged Lauren from behind and rested his

    chin

    on her head. Together, they looked like a family,plete with the teddy bear she clung to.

    ¡°Lauren, I can take you to Grandpa¡¯s house after the party if you want. Is that okay?¡± Alyssa asked for

    Lauren¡¯s opinion softly.

    Lauren merely bit her lower lip and stared at her feet unhappily. Taken aback, Alyssa sighed. ¡°Do you

    seriously want to be with Landon?¡±

 Chapter 662

    Lauren looked up and met Alyssa¡¯s gaze with her clear eyes. Despite the silence, Alyssa read Lauren¡¯s

    mind just by exchanging looks.

    Jasper looked over andforted Alyssa with a hint of pleading, ¡°This is the first time Lauren¡¯s had a

    crush on someone and defended him. Just think of it as Lauren going on a trip. If she¡¯s happy with

    Landon, let¡¯s give them a chance.¡±

    ¡°I can tell that Lauren cares about him. I don¡¯t want to get between them. I just-¡± Alyssa stared into

    Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    He smiled understandingly. ¡°I know. I get it.¡± He only reserved this side of himself for her.

    He added, ¡°But don¡¯t you forget that Lauren has me too.¡±

    It was a curt and powerful statement. She felt her heart skip a beat and hurriedly looked away.

    Jasper had always been taciturn, but each word he spoke carried weight.

    All the family members took their seats at Alyssa¡¯s table, except for Winston and L. Jasper insisted

    on

    sitting beside Alyssa, unfazed by the disapproving looks from those around her. He had thick skin, to

    say

    the least.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you¡¯re seated at the wrong table.¡± Cyrus spoke his mind as he shot daggers from across

    the

    table, as though he were examining a suspect.

    ¡°This table is reserved for my family and our close friends. What are you doing here?¡±

    All eyes at the table turned to Jasper, and a hush fell over them.

    Jasper responded with a smirk, meeting Cyrus¡¯s challenge head-on while casting a tender gaze in

    Alyssa¡¯s direction. He insisted, ¡°I¡¯m exactly where I should be-right beside Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa nearly spat out her drink. She, spun around and red at Jasper, who looked at ease.

    Cyrus muttered under his breath, ¡°That jerk.¡± Then, he took a sip of water.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know the Beckett family¡¯s rules, but we don¡¯t allow animals at the dinner table.¡± Colene

    immediately fired at Jasper, implying that he was a beast.

    Colene crossed her legs and leaned backward while drumming her calloused fingers on the table. She

    had the air of the daughter of a gang leader.

    Jasper frowned silently and clenched his jaw. No one would feel good after being called an animal.

    He might be hopelessly in love with Alyssa and desperate to leave a good impression on her family, but

    that didn¡¯t mean they had the right to insult him.

    ¡°Enough now. Since Grandpa is here tonight, let¡¯s get along well and enjoy dinner for his sake.¡± Alyssa

    helped Jasper out, thinking that her family was a little harsh on him.

    At that moment, Sean called out to Alyssa, drawing her aside and whispering, ¡°Mr. Jameson Schmidt is

    here.¡±

    Jasper picked up on that, looking visibly upset.

    Alyssa responded tly, ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t expect him to join us. Bring him in and seat him at the Schmidts¡¯

    table.¡±

    ¡°The situation is somewhatplicated,¡± Sean informed.

    After a pause, he lowered his voice, saying, ¡°Mrs. Schmidt is here with him.¡±

    Alyssa gasped in shock, her eyes widening. ¡°She¡¯s here too?¡±

    Sean confirmed, ¡°Yes, they¡¯re waiting outside the hall. What would you like to do?¡±

    Alyssa immediately followed Sean and left the hall.

    Jasper felt a bitter sense of loss after being left behind. He tightened his grip on his ss, almost

    crushing it.

    dressed family members.

    His neatly slicked-back hair and gold-rimmed sses added an intellectual touch to his

    appearance.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Jimmy, let¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s go home. I¡¯m scared¡­¡± Lily mumbled, tugging timidly at Jameson¡¯s shirt.

    Thanks to Jameson, she was all dressed up in an exquisite magenta dress, and she wore an

    expensive

    hairpin on her bun.

    Although her set of pearl jewelry seemed simple, it had been exclusively designed for the royal family

    in

    Kontina and was more valuable than diamonds.

    She was Jameson¡¯s only family. Therefore, he wanted the best for her. He beamed at her and held her

    hand, reassuring her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom. I¡¯m here with you.¡¯

    ¡°But¡­

 Chapter 663

    ¡°Mom, I brought you here tonight to meet Lyse. You said you missed her justst night, didn¡¯t you? You

    can meet her here tonight.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I need to meet Lyse.¡±

    Her eyes lit up as she called out, ¡°Lyse! That¡¯s Lyse!¡±

    Jameson quickly turned to see Alyssa walking toward them. Touched, he smiled at her.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Lily eximed.

    ¡°Mrs. Schmidt!¡± Alyssa greeted her and immediately held her hand with a delighted smile.

    ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t show up! I¡¯m d you made it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you too.¡± Lily took a liking to Alyssa and gave her a big hug.

    Then, she grabbed a handful of chocte candy from her bag and stuffed them into Alyssa¡¯s hand.

    She

    urged, ¡°Have some candy! I noticed you really liked chocte thest time you dropped by. Look, I

    brought some for you!¡±

    ¡°Thank you for thinking of me,¡± Alyssa replied, feeling touched as she held the candy. Perhaps she had

    experienced too many life-changing events as well as the brutality of the battlefield in her life. Nothing

    could faze her anymore, except for the tiny, heartwarming things in life.

    ¡°You look gorgeous tonight,¡± Alyssa praised Lily.

    ¡°Is it?¡± Lily blushed like a young girl.

    ¡°My son picked the dress for me. I only wear loose clothes at home. I feel a little awkward in formal

    wear

    today.¡±

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°You look really great, Mrs. Schmidt.¡±

    Alyssa smiled at Jameson and remarked, ¡°Jameson has great taste.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s breathing quickened when she smiled at him, and his heart raced.

    ¡°The other Schmidt family members are here. Mr. Victor Schmidt is seated with my dad. I¡¯ll take you

    over,

    Alyssa offered.

    n

    She was about to lead Lily away when Jameson suddenly interrupted, ¡°Lyse, wait a minute.¡±

    She turned around with a confused look. ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°You know our family dynamics. My mom and I lost our roles and shares in Schmidt Group, and Dad

    shipped us off to Kontina for 15 years without a chance of return.

    ¡°I was very young back then, and my mom¡¯s health was in decline. You can imagine how hard life was

    for

    the two of us,¡± he said with a bitter tone.

    Alyssa listened silently, her heart going out to the young boy who¡¯d had to take care of his ailing

    mother.

    Jameson continued, ¡°That¡¯s why I refuse to sit with my family members. I don¡¯t want my mom near

    them.¡±

    He mistook Alyssa¡¯s silence for rejection. He smiled wryly, saying, ¡°If you feel uneasy inserting

    outsiders.

    at your family¡¯s table, just forget about what I said.

    ¡°You¡¯ve met my mom, and we¡¯ve handed over our gift for Madam L. That should suffice. We¡¯ll go

    home.

    Please enjoy your night.¡±

    ¡°Jimmy, you¡¯re overthinking,¡± Alyssa responded warmly. She couldn¡¯t possibly turn him down after what

    he had shared.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ll share a table. Today¡¯s party is just a family gathering. Please make yourself at home.¡±

 Chapter 664

    Looking delighted, Jameson smiled. ¡°Thank you, Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa led Jameson and Lily into the event hall. David appeared baffled by the scene. Pointing at the

    door, he gasped, ¡°Josh, look! It¡¯s that woman!¡±

    Josh casually swirled the red wine in his ss and looked up with a cold expression. He frowned when

    he

    noticed Jameson and Alyssa chatting andughing.

    ¡°Jimmy seems close to Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    ¡°Pfft, right! A firecracker like her wouldn¡¯t fall for a clingy man like Jimmy,¡± David muttered through

    clenched teeth, downing a ss of wine while ring at Jameson.

    He added, ¡°Jimmy is more thick-skinned than anyone else. He was busy peeling shrimp for Alyssa

    when

    nothing had even happened between them. If they start dating, he would probably lick her boots!¡±

    rissa shot a disdainful look at David, whose crude remarks were at odds with his status as a

    Schmidt.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Dad want to set you up with Alyssa?¡± Josh chimed in with a smirk. 1

    ¡°At this rate, your future wife will soon be your sister-inw.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not as thick-skinned as Jameson! I couldn¡¯t grovel to Alyssa like he did,¡± David retorted scornfully.

    ¡°What if groveling made you the son-inw of a wealthy family and boosted your worth? Would you

    do

    it?¡± Josh taunted.

    Looking stunned, David fell silent and pursed his lips.

    Josh continued, ¡°David, if you don¡¯t work for it, all of our efforts will go to waste. If Jimmy marries

    Winston Taylor¡¯s favorite daughter, he¡¯ll be a formidable rival for me.

    ¡°He¡¯s always been a thorn in your side. Won¡¯t you be upset to see him seed?¡±

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Hearing that, David¡¯s eyes took on a threatening glint as he stared at Jameson.

    Alyssa guided Jameson and Lily to her family. Mandy and Colene immediately stood up to greet Lily.

    ¡°Oh!

    Mrs. Schmidt, are you back from Kontina? It¡¯s been a while.¡±

    Lily appeared nk as she looked at Jameson. ¡°And who are they?¡±

    ¡°Mom, this is Mr. Taylor¡¯s second wife, Mandy. And this is Mr. Taylor¡¯s fourth wife, Colene. That¡¯s

    Landon

    Lily.

    At first, Landon was disgusted to see Jameson around, but he felt better after hearing Jameson¡¯s

    Landon had always been hard to please, but recently, he seemed to be easily satisfied.

    Jonah stood up to greet Lily, and the rest of the people at the table followed suit. The Taylor siblings

    were

    raised with good manners. Even though the Taylor brothers disapproved of Jameson, they would hide

    their displeasure at a formal event.

    Only Jasper remained seated with a long face. He shot an icy look at Jameson as he stiffened like a

    tense bow.

    Jameson had introduced everyone at the table to Lily, leaving out only Jasper. That was an obvious act

    of

    provocation and disdain.

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s a lot of people,¡± Lily said worriedly.

    ¡°I can¡¯t remember all the faces and names. What do I do?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mrs. Schmidt. We¡¯re all old friends. Just rx and take a seat.¡± Alyssa invited them to sit

    but

    suddenly noticed an issue.

    There was only one empty seat left at the table.

    ¡°Mom, why don¡¯t you sit at this table with Lyse? I¡¯ll find a seat elsewhere,¡± Jameson suggested, as if he

    were considerate and reluctant to trouble Alyssa.

    ¡°No!¡±

 Chapter 665

    Lily grabbed Jameson¡¯s arm with a nervous expression and insisted, ¡°I want to sit with you. I don¡¯t want

    to

    be alone here!¡±

    Everyone at the table exchanged looks.

    ¡°Hey, Mandy, why do I feel that Mrs. Schmidt¡­ acts a little weird?¡± Colene elbowed Mandy and asked

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    quietly.

    ¡°I heard from Winston that Mrs. Schmidt has Alzheimer¡¯s. It looks like a particrly bad case. She

    doesn¡¯t

    even recognize us,¡± Mandy whispered back.

    ¡°Oh gosh, Alzheimer¡¯s at such a young age? Poor woman¡­¡± Colene sighed and cast a sympathetic

    look at Lily.

    Jameson looked at Alyssa helplessly as Lily refused to let go of him.

    After some hesitation, Alyssa tapped Jasper on the shoulder. ¡°Mr. Beckett, could you do us a favor and

    change your seat?¡±

    He looked up slowly with an astonished and aggrieved expression. ¡°Why should I? I was here before

    them.

    Landon bit his lip, trying not to burst intoughter. Jasper was indeed quite petty!

    ¡°The timing of your arrival isn¡¯t the issue. As you can see, Mrs. Schmidt doesn¡¯t want to be separated

    from

    her son, and I¡¯d like them to sit at this table. I have no choice but to ask you to move to another table,¡±

    Alyssa exined.

    She hadn¡¯t wanted to sit beside him in the first ce, and now she had a valid reason.

    She urged, ¡°After some thought, I¡¯ve realized you¡¯re the only one I can ask to move. Please take a seat

    at

    another table.¡±

    Jameson held onto Lily and adjusted his sses, a sly grin ying on his lips.

    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Jasper frowned and stubbornly refused to budge.

    ¡°Fine, you¡¯re not moving, right? Then, I¡¯ll sit at Grandpa¡¯s table!¡± Alyssa¡¯s anger red. She was so

    close to

    punching Jasper in the face./

    Now, it was Jasper¡¯s turn to get flustered. Worried that she might leave for real, he decided to listen to

    her and leave instead.

    Just then, Jonah stood up in time with a soft smile. He said to Alyssa, ¡°Lyse, Mr. Beckett is a guest as

    well. Let¡¯s not trouble him. I¡¯ll join Dad at his table. We shouldn¡¯t let a minor incident dampen the

    mood.¡±

    With that, Jonah smoothly moved to another table, leaving an empty seat behind.

    Jameson¡¯s face crumbled. He knew the motive behind Jonah¡¯s actions and felt disheartened.

    On the other hand, Jasper let out a relieved sigh when the problem was solved. He decided to thank

    Jonah at another time.

    L¡¯s birthday party finally got underway. Alyssa had purposely arranged for Miley to sit beside her, as

    she hadn¡¯t seen thetter in a long while.

    Jameson had no choice but to take a seat next to Miley, looking somewhat disappointed that he

    couldn¡¯t sit beside Alyssa.

    ¡°Miley, Mr. Schmidt has just returned from Kontina recently. The two of you must have a lot inmon

    to

    talk about,¡± Alyssa began, trying to strike up a conversation and lighten the mood.

    ¡°Oh, did you live in Kontina for a long time?¡± Miley asked, looking surprised.

    ¡°15 years, to be precise,¡± Jameson replied with a smile.

    ¡°Well, you are almost a local then. You lived there longer than me. This is my third year living in Kontina

    after my marriage,¡± Miley remarked.

    Eager to participate in the small talk, she casually asked, ¡°I wonder, what¡¯s your profession?¡±

    Jameson merely replied, ¡°I was in the trading business.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±

    Out of the blue, Jasper interjected, ¡°Mr. Schmidt, can you borate on the types of goods you traded?¡±

    Jameson narrowed his eyes and balled his fists under the table.

    Jasper nced at him with a piercing gaze and added, ¡°This isn¡¯t confidential information, is it? Or did

    you run a ¡­ unique business that you can¡¯t publicly disclose?¡±

 Chapter 666

    Alyssa, looking skeptical, silently gave Jasper a look. She didn¡¯t understand what he was up to by

    provoking Jameson.

    ¡°Just some everyday goods. I ran a typical business,¡± Jameson responded, adjusting his sses. Only

    the

    stiffness of his lips betrayed the anger simmering beneath his facade.

    He added, ¡°Mr. Beckett, I must say you¡¯re quite imaginative. I know you hold a grudge against me, but

    you

    shouldn¡¯t question my character and disregard my hard work because of it.¡±

    Jasper put on an amused expression.

    Jameson continued, ¡°I¡¯m different from you. You smoothly rose up the ranks within Beckett Group and

    swiftly became a young businessman.

    ¡°You were chosen as the heir by your grandfather. You will never understand the challenges of building

    a

    business from scratch.¡±

    Alyssa took a sip of champagne after hearing Jameson¡¯s biting reply. It stirred some of her memories.

    She was among the few who trulyprehended Jasper¡¯s tough journey to the position of Beckett

    Group¡¯s president. It hadn¡¯t been as straightforward as Jameson assumed.

    ¡°I never thought that I would get a lecture just for asking you a question, Mr. Schmidt. It seems I¡¯ve

    made

    you nervous. Let¡¯s leave the rumors I heard from Kontina as mere hearsay,¡± Jasper quipped with a faint

    smile.

    He exuded an air of intimidation, and his eyes gleamed with a subtle threat. ¡°I have no prejudice

    against

    you, but I will if you get any closer to Lyse.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s jaw clenched upon hearing that, and Miley¡¯s reaction changed from shock to excitement

    while

    witnessing the exchange between the two men.

    As Alyssa¡¯s older sister and a woman of high social standing, she had to stifle herughter. The trip

    back

    home had certainly been worthwhile!

    Jasper, are you done?¡± Alyssa finally snapped and red at him, ¡°I¡¯ll kick you out if you keep spewing

    nonsense.¡±

    Jasper held his breath and clenched his fists. He then inched closer to her, touched her fingers, and

    started softly caressing her skin. ¡°Lyse, I was wrong. Please don¡¯t be angry, okay?¡±

    Any woman would find it difficult to resist the advances of such a handsome and affectionate man. The

    He grew even more anxious when she remained silent.

    Leaning in, he coaxed her, ¡°Can you at least wait until after dinner to beat me up? My title might mean

    nothing to you, but please spare apany president from public humiliation.¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Miley silently chuckled at the situation. She and Alyssa shared a penchant for eavesdropping.

    ¡°Just stay where you are. I can¡¯t be bothered to beat you up-you¡¯re quite a handful,¡± Alyssa scoffed,

    turning away from Jasper.

    Jasper stared longingly at her rosy lips, feeling tempted. Despite being in his 30s, he still acted like a

    love-

    struck teenager when faced with her smile and words.

    The stage lights dimmed, and a spotlight illuminated the stage as the emcee made an announcement.

 Chapter 667

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Let us wee the star of tonight, Madam L!¡±

    Apuse erupted in the hall.

    ¡°L! L!¡± Alyssa cheered happily and pped hard.

    At that moment, Winston, looking dapper in a ck tuxedo, led L onto the stage.

    ¡°Damn! Dad looks incredibly handsome,¡± Cyrus remarked, impressed by Winston¡¯s youthful

    appearance.

    ¡°He might have overdressed for the asion, don¡¯t you think? People might mistake him for getting

    married a second time,¡± Ssmented, his gaze fixed on the stage with keen interest.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It would have been his fifth wedding,¡± Landon corrected while ying with Lauren¡¯s hand.

    He joked, ¡°Not too bad. At least I can still count with one hand.¡±

    He made a face and behaved himself when Mandy and Colene red at him.

    Ss, feeling hungry, swiped a piece of dessert and sneaked it into his mouth when no one was

    looking. However, Rose, seated at another table, caught his sly move and yfully called him out,

    ¡°Hey, why are

    you eating like a thief, Mr. Taylor?¡±

    Startled, Ss choked on his dessert and coughed, his face turning red. He had to pat his chest and

    gulp down some water, while Rose chuckled at theical moment.

    Meanwhile, Ss was left wondering if Rose had been sent to mess with him. After crashing into his

    car, she had made him choke on food, and she had even received Alyssa¡¯s backing!

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with eating the food at my family dinner?¡± Ss shot a frustrated and annoyed look at

    Rose.

    ¡°Well, you ate ahead of everyone else at the table. Where are your manners?¡± she retorted, resting her

    chin on the back of her seat as she turned around with a cheeky smile that bore a striking resemnce

    to Alyssa.

    Ss¡¯ anger went away when he saw her smile.

    ¡°Wow, have you seen that stunning ck and red dress Madam L is wearing?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I noticed it as soon as she stepped on stage. She looks absolutely gorgeous.¡±

    The audience couldn¡¯t take their eyes off L¡¯s dress, gasping in awe. Jasper turned to look at L,

    visibly surprised. Wasn¡¯t that the same dress he had seen hanging in Rose¡¯s studio, which was

    Alyssa¡¯s

    Sharon¡¯s design?¡±

    ¡°What? Sharon¡¯s design?¡±

    ¡°Goodness gracious, I¡¯m honored to see her designs with my own eyes.¡¯

 Chapter 668

    ¡°How I wish I could touch the dress!¡±

    ¡°The Taylor family¡¯s prestige is the only thing that could bring Sharon out of retirement. Winston Taylor¡¯s

    social status must be exceptionally high. On the other hand, I doubt Sharon would even consider

    making

    a dress, even if Mrs. Beckett begged her.¡±

    Jasper widened his eyes and turned around to stare at Alyssa in disbelief. She was smiling softly.

    He btedly realized that Alyssa was Sharon, another one of her many identities after Alexa!

    His breathing quickened, and he felt a jolt of electricity. How could a woman perfect her talent across

    multiple industries? Alyssa seemed like a superhuman to him.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Alyssa sensed his intense gaze and turned to him. She was taken aback by his reddened eyes.

    ¡°What¡¯s with that look? Are you sick?¡± she taunted him heartlessly.

    ¡°I never thought that you were ¡­ Sharon,¡± he croaked, still staring keenly at her.

    ¡°Why are you that surprised? This isn¡¯t your first encounter with Sharon,¡± she said with a chuckle and

    looked away from his stiffened expression.

    ¡°Alexa designed apel pin for you, and Sharon tailored a suit for you as well.¡±

    He felt a gripping sensation around his heart as he looked downtrodden. Back in the old days, Alyssa

    would spend her time at the tailor shop daily just to prepare a birthday gift for him.

    Now, he wore thepel pin almost every day. When night fell, he would sit alone on his bed, carefully

    cleaning it, treasuring it as much as she had when she had created it. Yet ¡­

    ¡°Nevertheless, you never cared about me as a person in the past. Naturally, you wouldn¡¯t care about

    my

    talents either. Those gifts would just gather dust, much like how you ignored me,¡± she remarked, a

    touch

    of loneliness in her voice as she watched the festive scene on stage.

    ¡°Lyse, I was wrong. I missed out, but now I won¡¯t let you down,¡± Jasper said sincerely.

    ¡°I understand it might be hard to give me a second chance, but I won¡¯t give up, even if it takes a

    lifetime.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, I can only describe our rtionship as water under the bridge,¡± she finally said, her expression

    devoid of emotion.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    ¡°I believe in miracles, but not in rtionships. Even if we get back together, our rtionship will never

    be

    the same again.¡±

    The atmosphere at the birthday party soared after L¡¯s dress reveal. Reporters swiftly seized the

    opportunity and spread the news online.

    Within 15 minutes, the hashtag #Sharons DressonL Taylor topped the trending topics on Twitter.

 Chapter 669

    ¡°Are you talking about L Nelson, Winston Taylor¡¯s third wife and a has-been-actress? Why would

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Sharon design a dress for her?¡±

    ¡°Amazing! I am absolutely smitten with the ck and red dress!¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t L Nelson have Sharon design her dress? She was once an award-winning actress under

    TS

    Network. My parents are still her fans!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a huge fan of hers too. Oops, I just revealed my age.¡±

    ¡°She was famous many years ago. She became Winston Taylor¡¯s mistress and gave birth to his child.

    before marrying him. A woman like her doesn¡¯t deserve Sharon¡¯s attention.¡±

    ¡°This is a case of sour grapes. Any woman who bears a child for Winston Taylor gets millions in return.

    I

    would have dly be his fifth wife and given birth to an entire football team.¡±

    This particrment received a thousand likes. It seemed like society¡¯s morals were declining, with

    money taking precedence over love.

    ¡°L might be a third wife, but she¡¯s a winner! Just look at Sophia Beckett. Nobody attended her

    birthday

    party, and she doesn¡¯t have a dress designed by Sharon. That¡¯s so humiliating. Her life is worse than

    L¡¯s.

    ¡°I can understand Sharon designing a dress for L. At least L Nelson has some notable work under

    her belt, and she keeps a low profile while working hard for charity. Sharon would only taint her

    reputation

    by designing for that sly and evil Sophia Beckett.¡±

    The conversation around L¡¯s dress heated up. Thanks to Alyssa, L experienced a resurgence in

    poprity that she hadn¡¯t seen in years as a long-retired top actress.

    Alyssa was physically at the dinner but always kept an eye on the online discussions. She turned away

    and sent Sean a voice message.

    ¡°Get thepany¡¯s PR department to keep an eye on the onlinements. Any negative remarks

    about

    L need to be addressed promptly. Check and clean up thement section every five minutes.¡±

    ¡°Sure, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°And, regardless of the circumstances, keep the discussion alive.¡±

    Sean pondered for a moment and responded, ¡°Mr. Taylor and Madam L want to keep a low profile

    tonight. They would like to celebrate with the guests without drawing public attention.¡±

    Sharon designed a dress for a client or her designs were featured in a fashion show, the inte

    buzzed

    with discussions.

    Her peers in the jewelry industry regarded her as an icon, and the same went for the fashion industry.

    Now that the news of her designing for L had broken, people would definitely talk about it. Alysen

    believed they should leverage it to give L an unforgettable birthday that would make other women

    envious.

    L deserved the spotlight. Moreover, Alyssa took satisfaction at the thought that Sophia, who had

    attempted to undermine L, had ended up bing aughingstock instead.

    She could imagine Sophia fuming, a mental image that made her chuckle.

    ¡°Fuck! That stupid bitch, L Nelson!¡± Sophia growled, smashing the decor in her presidential suite,

    but it

    wasn¡¯t enough to vent her anger.

    Finally, she flung a crystal ashtray at the TV screen and shattered it.

    Betty cowered from afar, her face drained of color. ¡°M-Mom, please calm down!¡±

    ¡°How can I stay calm when that woman is unting Sharon¡¯s design? Who does she think she is?

    She¡¯s

    not worthy of it!¡± Sophia hissed, her fury pushing her to the brink of madness.

    For a fleeting moment, an unsettling idea crossed her mind. She wanted L dead. (1

 Chapter 670

    ¡°Mom, calm down.¡± Betty approached Sophia shakily,

    She took a seat beside Sophia and continued, ¡°I hate seeing you so upset. How can I help?¡±

    ¡°If you want to help, how about getting rid of L Nelson for me? Can you do that?¡± Sophia gritted her

    teeth.

    ¡°-¡± Betty was at a loss for words.

    ¡°I thought L married Winston because she had no other choice and that she would be a worthless

    mistress forever. She¡¯s a loser who bore a useless daughter for him,¡± Sophia remarked bitterly,

    Betty thought that Sophia¡¯s remark backfired on herself, for Sophia had given birth to two daughters.

    ¡°I never thought that Winston loved her so much as to throw her a huge birthday party and even hire

    Sharon to design a dress! How could L enjoy a more morous life than me?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s face reddened, and she fought back tears. The more morous L¡¯s life became despite

    starting off as a mistress, the more Sophia felt like a joke as Javier¡¯s only wife.

    ¡°Mom, anger won¡¯t solve anything. We should figure out how to silence L and spoil her birthday

    celebration,¡± Betty suggested as she tugged at Sophia¡¯s arm worriedly.

    Sophia bit the bullet. She dialed a number and paced toward the window.

    A man answered on the other end, ¡°Ms. Kirkman, it¡¯s been a while. How have you been?¡±

    He sounded like a middle-aged man with a hoarse voice.

    Sophia struggled to hold back her tears. ¡°Not well at all. I¡¯m facing a dire situation.¡±

    ¡°Is this about L Nelson?¡± the man inquired.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s none other than her,¡± Sophia confirmed.

    ¡°Ms. Kirkman, I owe you a great deal for your past help. Please tell me how I can assist you now,¡± the

    man

    offered.

    Sophia sniffled, a wicked gleam appearing in her eyes.

    The evening dress that Sharon had designed for L was the talk of the party. However, that wasn¡¯t the

    climax yet, for the gift presentation wasing up soon.

    Everyone was curious about Winston¡¯s birthday gift for L, thinking it might be a property or some

    jewelry.

    To everyone¡¯s astonishment, he presented L with a charity foundation dedicated to disabled and

    seriously ill children. Not only was the foundation named after her, but she had also been appointed as

    its

    chairwoman.

    Alyssa smiled in satisfaction at the gift, knowing that the Taylor wives were of a different breed. Except

    for Winston and herself, none of the women were remotely interested in material wealth or jewelry.

    Winston¡¯s gift was much better than any diamonds and resonated with L. She had been volunteering

    at an orphanage during her free time for years, funding the needs of underprivileged children with her

    private

    savings.

    She had kept her charity work a secret from the family, thinking that Winston had no clue about it, but

    Winston had known and orchestrated this grand surprise.

    ¡°L, I know you¡¯re into charity work, and you¡¯ve been secretly helping a lot of kids at the orphanage.

    After much consideration, I thought this would be the most fitting gift,¡± Winston exined, holding her

    hand with an affectionate gaze.

    L sighed, her eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Oh, Winston, you knew after all.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t cry on your big day.¡± Winston chuckled with a frown and gently wiped her tears away. He

    looked at her with such tenderness that it would make any woman envious.

    ¡°Since I¡¯ve established a charity foundation for L, I¡¯ll invest five million dors in its operations. I

    hope

    to see everyone¡¯s future support for the L Taylor Care Foundation. On behalf of KS Group, I express

    my

    gratitude in advance,¡± Winston dered, exuding an air of authority.

    With his straight posture and captivating voice, he looked not a day older than 40 years of age. One

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    couldn¡¯t believe his age based on his looks.

    ¡°Wow!¡±

 Chapter 671

    A thunderous apuse broke out in the hall.

    One guestmented, ¡°Mr. Taylor might not have bought a property or jewelry for his wife, but he

    generously donated five million dors to her charity foundation. That shows how much he cares about

    her.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Taylor¡¯s gift is creative and meaningful, unlike the other husbands who always buy their wives the

    same gifts.

    ¡°This not only elevates L¡¯s stature but also builds a positive image for the Taylor family. It¡¯s a win-win

    solution.¡±

    Newton, Victor, and Jonah were seated together at the same table just below the stage.

    Victor grumbled under his breath, ¡°What¡¯s that guy using to maintain his youthful appearance?¡±

    He turned to Jonah and inquired, ¡°Jonah, what¡¯s your dad¡¯s skincare like? He¡¯s aging backward. Just

    tell

    me.¡±

    Jonah offered a humble smile. ¡°He probably uses some makeup.¡±

    Victor and Winston had been silentlypeting against each other for decades.

    ¡°Oh, where did he hire his makeup artist from? That¡¯s a pretty natural look. Can you introduce me to

    that makeup artist?¡± Victor inched closer to Jonah, who looked speechless.

    Meanwhile, Newton was tickled by their conversation.

    At the other table, the Taylor family was joyfully apuding. Tatiana suddenly burst into tears upon

    seeing L so emotional and happy onstage.

    Seated beside Tatiana, Mandy quickly noticed it and handed her a napkin. ¡°Taty, why are you crying?¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m fine, Madam Mandy,¡± Tatiana replied, wiping her tears with the napkin.

    She added, ¡°I¡¯m just ¡­ happy for Mom.¡±

    Mandy affectionately tousled Tatiana¡¯s long hair. In their huge family, everyone called her Mandy. Only

    Tatian, the youngest, still referred to her as ¡°Madam Mandy¡±.

    That didn¡¯t bother Mandy at all. She was deeply moved by Tatiana¡¯s response and agreed, ¡°Oh, you

    should

    be.¡±

    I¡¯ve always thought Dad didn¡¯t care much about Mom, Tatiana confided.

    ¡°And I¡¯m the least aplished among his daughters Madam Mandy, your daughter is the future first

    ¡°But look at me. I know nothing. I¡¯m always a burden to Mom and everyone else¡­¡±

    ¡°Taty, you shouldn¡¯t see yourself that way.¡± Mandyforted her and pulled her into a warm hug.

    ¡°Your dad has repeatedly told us that he wants you to enjoy life without worry. He doesn¡¯t care about

    your

    sess, only your happiness and safety.

    ¡°Besides, your dad loves your mom deeply, even if he doesn¡¯t express it openly. We should judge him

    by

    his actions, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Tatiana nodded tearfully as she rested her head on Mandy¡¯s shoulder.

    Next, several important guests presented L with gifts worth millions of dors to avoid looking stingy.

    in front of Winston Taylor, the Belbanks tycoon.

    ¡°The next gift is from Jameson Schmidt of Schmidt Group!¡± The emcee announced, and the spotlight

    beamed on Jameson..

    Everyone looked toward Alyssa¡¯s table. She also nced curiously at the calm and poised Jameson.

    ¡°Did Jimmy prepare his gift without telling us?¡± David gasped. His face darkened as he gritted his teeth.

    ¡°Huh, what a calctive fellow. All he cares about is impressing the Taylor family and stealing the

    spotlight. What¡¯s the purpose of that?¡±

 Chapter 672

    Josh leisurely sipped his red wine, his expression dripping with disdain. Hemented, ¡°Jimmy has

    always been a smart aleck. He doesn¡¯t understand that trying too hard will backfire on him.

    ¡°While he might have pleased Alyssa with that gift, little does he know he¡¯s pissed Dad off. Dad still

    holds

    the power

    David grinned and added, ¡°Well, let Jimmy grovel at the Taylors¡¯ feet and watch everything fall apart

    around him!¡±

    As expected, Victor¡¯s expression soured. He clenched his jaw and shot a piercing look at Jameson. He

    was shocked to see Lily there with Jameson.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    The emcee brought Jameson¡¯s gift onto the stage, and everyone watched on with interest. L looked

    at Winston with hesitation.

    Winston put his arm around her waist and said, ¡°He put in time and effort for this gift. Let¡¯s take a look.¡±

    Winston¡¯s expression changed when he saw the gift, and his gaze silently turned to Jameson. The

    other guests eximed and praised the gift with an intensity that rivaled their surprise at Sharon¡¯s

    design.

    Alyssa frowned when she realized Jameson had bought L a valuable marble sculpture from the

    Victorian era.

    It was an item so rare that it could have been showcased in a national museum. At auctions, it could

    easily fetch a starting price of 30 million dors.

    The fact that Jameson had chosen this gift for L, one that was more expensive than Victor¡¯s, was a

    clear provocation.

    What made it worse was that Jameson and L were not particrly close, likely having only met a

    few

    times. It wasn¡¯t a gift for L. It was a thinly veiled attempt to curry favor with Winston.

    Alyssa pressed her lips and shook her head gently. When she casually looked to the right, she was

    shocked to find Jasper missing.

    Her heart skipped a beat as she scanned the room for his presence.

    ¡°Madam L,¡± Jameson greeted her in front of the stage, wearing a humble smile as he introduced his

    gift.

    ¡°This is my birthday present for you-a marble sculpture from the Victorian era. I wish you good health

    and happiness with Mr. Taylor.¡±

    After a brief pause, L beamed at him warmly. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. You didn¡¯t have to give me

    such an extravagant gift. Your presence is more than enough.¡±

    Winston chimed in with a joking tone, ¡°Indeed. This is quitevish, People might think it¡¯s my birthday

    gift,

    haha!¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses with an inscrutable gleam in his eyes.

    Meanwhile, the guests gasped and gossiped.

    ¡°Wow, a gift from the Victorian era!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an incredibly rare and valuable antique!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jameson Schmidt has never shown up at any formal family events, and now he¡¯s making a grand

    entrance with a generous gift. He¡¯s quite something.¡±

    ¡°His gift is worth 10 million dors more than his dad¡¯s, though. Is that even appropriate?¡±

    The answer was no. Victor looked ashen-faced. However, the guests didn¡¯t know that Jameson had

    deliberately made such a move.

    This was just the beginning. The Schmidts had better brace themselves for more trouble from now on.

    Just then, the emcee announced loudly, ¡°The next gift is from Jasper Beckett, the president of Beckett

    Group!¡±

 Chapter 673

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but sit up straight, her heart pounding as she fixed her gaze on the stage.

    Miley instantly picked up on the change in Alyssa¡¯s behavior as they were seated next to each other.

    The

    look in her eyes deepened.

    All eyes in the room shifted from Jameson to the stage.

    Underneath the stage, Newton gleefully patted Jonah and Victor, who were seated beside him. ¡°Heh

    heh!

    It¡¯s time for my grandson¡¯s gift!¡±

    Newton was confident that Jasper wouldn¡¯t let Jameson steal the limelight with an inferior gift..

    ¡°By the way, Victor, judging from your son¡¯s behavior¡­ Is he interested in Alice?¡± Newton wondered

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    curiously with an arched brow.

    ¡°Alice?¡±

    ¡°Ah, sorry. It¡¯s Alyssa¡¯s nickname. I¡¯m used to calling her that,¡± Newton exined. He hadn¡¯t shaken off

    the

    habit.

    Victor pursed his lips with an unreadable expression on his face. He remarked, ¡°Jimmy, my fourth son,

    has been living abroad without my supervision for a long time. I have no idea what¡¯s on his mind.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think he¡¯s making his intentions clear by giving L a 30-million-dor antique?¡± Newton

    asked

    with a wry smile and a raised brow.

    ¡°It seems your youngest son is quite interested in Alyssa.¡±

    Victor offered a tight-lipped smile, trying to divert the conversation. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the affairs

    of young people.¡±

    Newton leaned back with a triumphant smile and continued, ¡°Well, let me offer you some advice. Lyse

    will eventually date my grandson. You should talk to Jameson about this.

    ¡°There are plenty of other women out there who are more suitable for him. He shouldn¡¯t waste his time

    on

    someone who won¡¯t choose him.¡±

    Victor smiled at him, looking shocked and abashed. Even Jonah looked quite taken aback as he

    concealed a small grin.

    Newton could be quite unpredictable sometimes, which was a testament to his charisma in his

    days.

    younger

    Back on the stage, Jameson wore a sullen expression. He had anticipated Jasper¡¯s gift for L but

    hadn¡¯t expected such a grand presentation.

    The emcee had ced a tray on the table. A cloth was draped across the gift.

    Jameson stared unhappily at Jasper, who showed up poised and calm. Jasper addressed L,

    ¡°Madam

    L, this is my gift for you.¡±

    Then, he stood right next to Jameson, like a figure out of an oil painting.

    Smiling, he said to L, ¡°I wish you a very happy birthday. May everything go well for you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s ss and manners were typical of a gentleman. Newton was grinning under the stage,

    thinking that Jasper looked way better than the four-eyed Jameson.

    Alyssa cast aplicated nce at Jasper. She was curious about his gift for L.

    Jameson¡¯s expensive antique gift had set a high bar. What could Jasper possibly present to outshine

    him?

    ¡°Thank you for your kind wishes. I¡¯m honored to have you and Mr. Newton Beckett at my party,¡± L

    gracefully expressed her gratitude.

    Winston gave Jasper an amused look. Despite his silence, he was upset at Jasper, who had deeply

    hurt Alyssa. How bold of him to show up at his family¡¯s event!

 Chapter 674

    Winston smirked at Jasper¡¯s thick-skinned behavior.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t prepared anything extravagant, but I believe it¡¯s the thought behind a gift that truly matters. I

    hope Madam L likes it,¡± Jasper humbly remarked.

    Alyssa rested her chin on her hand and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at him. It was rare for him to

    show

    such a friendly side to anyone. He was indeed a good actor.

    ¡°Since Mr. Beckett has put thought into the gift, let¡¯s see what it is,¡± Winston replied somewhat

    reluctantly. L smiled helplessly at Winston¡¯s expression. He clearly held some disdain for Jasper.

    Jameson found Winston¡¯s expression ratherical and believed that Jasper could never make

    amends

    with the Taylor family after offending them with his poor treatment of Alyssa.

    When L and Winston unveiled the gift, they discovered a golden tiara adorned with diamonds inside

    a

    ss box.

    L¡¯s heart raced, and tears welled up in her eyes.

    ¡°L, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Winston gently asked, noticing her emotional reaction.

    She quicklyposed herself and offered him a radiant smile. ¡°Winston, I absolutely adore Mr.

    Beckett¡¯s

    gift.¡±

    Her voice resonated through the hall via the microphone, surprising everyone, including Alyssa, who

    was

    perplexed by L¡¯s appreciation for the tiara.

    After all, it wasn¡¯t made from top-quality materials. The only remarkable aspect was its exquisite

    craftsmanship. It resembled a prop for a stage performance.

    ¡°L, I don¡¯t get it ¡­¡± Winston sounded confused.

    L¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. Before she exined the situation, she calmly looked at Jasper

    and

    questioned, ¡°Mr. Beckett, may I know where you found this tiara?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story. I obtained it from a retired craftsman after some effort,¡± Jasper replied with a somber

    expression.

    ¡°He had been holding onto this tiara. I initially tried to purchase it at a high price, but he declined.

    ¡°When I revealed that I wanted to give the tiara to you as a birthday gift, he was touched by the thought

    and gave it to me for free. That was how I lucked out.¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Hearing that, L¡¯s tears rolled down her cheeks. She questioned, ¡°Was It Mr. Hahn who worked on

    the

    set of ¡®The Cyrrisian Beauty¡¯?¡±

    Jasper nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±

    L covered her mouth to stifle her cries. Shocked by the revtion, Alyssa hurriedly searched for

    information about ¡°The Cyrrisian Beauty¡± on her phone.

    ¡°The Cyrrisian Beauty¡± turned out to be a ssic drama that had aired two decades ago. It had been a

    cultural phenomenon, and L had yed the role of the queen in the show.

    It was the very TV series that had propelled L to stardom. During TS Network¡¯s anniversary event,

    thepany had even prepared a special stage for L to perform a song as the Queen of Cyrris,

    earning a round of thunderous apuse.

    The golden tiara was the same one worn by the Queen of Cyrris in that iconic show, brought to life by

    L.

    ¡°No wonder ¡­¡± Alyssa mused, her eyes locking onto Jasper with newfound understanding.

    Jasper had won this round. Even if she disliked Jasper, she had to admit that he had put in effort for the

    gift.

    Despite his simple introduction of the gift, Alyssa knew he must have put in lots of time and effort to

    secure the tiara that meant everything to L. It was undoubtedly a heartfelt gesture.

 Chapter 675

    It was impossible not to be moved by Jasper¡¯s efforts.

    Winston was incredibly touched by Jasper¡¯s exnation, and he no longer treated Jasper with hostility.¡±

    Jasper, thank you. I can see your effort and sincerity in the gift. You must have gone through a lot of

    trouble for this.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, you¡¯re most wee,¡± Jasper replied with calm, but his heart was drumming in joy as he

    clenched his fists. Winston had finally called him by his first name!

    He felt as though he had finally gained the approval of an inw after years of taunting for his

    rtionship

    with Alyssa. He might even lose sleep over this milestone.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    In contrast, Jameson wrestled with anger when he witnessed Jasper¡¯s triumph and Winston¡¯s praise.

    He couldn¡¯t believe he had lost to Jasper in this round, despite all his careful nning. It was a bitter

    defeat.

    With a smile, Jasper announced, ¡°I have another gift for Madam L. It¡¯s a joint gesture from me and

    my

    grandfather. On behalf of Beckett Group, we will contribute three million dors to L Taylor Care

    Foundation for its charitable work.¡±

    The guests were astounded by Beckett Group¡¯s generous donation.

    Winston¡¯s eyes sparkled as he nodded appreciatively. Jasper, despite his ws, had shown keen

    observation and thoughtfulness.

    He had donated three million dors, slightly less than Winston¡¯s previous donation, to avoid stealing

    the

    spotlight. The gesture ced him ahead of Jameson.

    Newton beamed approvingly and gave Jasper a thumbs-up. He had nned to donate to the

    foundation

    anyway.

    Sensing an opportunity, Victor casually raised his hand and dered, ¡°I¡¯m contributing four million

    dors,

    just a bit less than your donation, Winston!¡±

    The guests were awestruck by Victor¡¯s generosity. The Schmidts feltpelled to follow the Becketts¡¯

    lead to save face.

    ¡°Thanks!¡± Winston waved at Victor with a smile. For these business tycoons, millions of dors were

    nothing.

    ¡°Did Dad just donate four million dors to Taylor Group¡¯s foundation? Is it worth it?¡± David muttered

    quietly.

    ¡°Dad probably thinks that four million dors is a fair price to pay after getting humiliated by Jimmy,¡±

    Joshmented with a snicker when he noticed Jameson turning white.

    After presenting the birthday gifts, Jasper and Jameson left the stage. Adjusting his sses with a

    malicious glint, Jamesonmented, ¡°Well, Mr. Beckett, I never expected you to be so clever. It was

    quite an effort. I¡¯ll let you win this time, but just this once.¡±

    ¡°Choose your words carefully, Mr. Schmidt,¡± Jasper replied, lifting his chin proudly.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t ¡®let me win¡¯. You lost to me.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett,¡± hissed Jameson with rage in his eyes. He couldn¡¯t stand the idea of being defeated.

 Chapter 676

    ¡°Do you know why you lost to me despite all your efforts?¡± Jasper snickered.

    ¡°Even if ! were being slick, I did it to impress Alyssa. But you wanted more than that. You were destined

    to

    lose to me when you insisted on bringing your sick mother to the party.¡±

    With that, Jasper walked away. Feeling suffocated, Jameson cast a threatening nce at him.

    The party went on merrily. Since Jasper had secured a victory, he happily searched for a corner for a

    well- deserved smoke.

    Not long after he had ventured out of the hall, he heard a beautiful voice calling to him, ¡°Jasper

    Beckett!¡±

    He gulped and spun around to see Alyssa rushing to him in her sexy heels.

    Her eyes sparkled like the starry night, her soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips were as

    red

    as a rose.

    He had a sudden urge to embrace her tightly and kiss her.

    Before long, she stood right before him. They gazed at each other, the air thick with tension, and heard

    each other¡¯s ragged breaths.

    There was palpable chemistry between them, even without sweet words or physical affection.

    ¡°Um, I didn¡¯t expect you to prepare such a surprising gift for L,¡± she began.

    ¡°I can tell she likes your tiara the most among all the gifts. She likes it better than mine.¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s expression fell as he exined, ¡°Sorry. I got it for her only because I thought she would like it.

    I

    didn¡¯t think about it too much.

    ¡°Lyse, I didn¡¯t mean to overshadow you. You¡¯re her family, and I bet she likes your gift the most.¡±

    ¡°Can you please stop apologizing at every opportunity? How many times do I have to remind you that I

    hate hearing ¡®sorry¡¯? You make me sound like a bully,¡± she grumbled with a frown.

    ¡°I just wanted to say thank you for the gift.¡±

    His eyes wavered. He could deal with her tantrums, but he was at a loss for words when she thanked

    him.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen L this happy in a long time,¡± Alyssa said with a contented smile.

    ¡°So I need to thank you for that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nice that you ce your family above everything else,¡± he replied while gazing tenderly into her

    eyes.

    The look sent a surge of emotions through her chest. She had once considered Jasper one of the most

    important people in her life, but that was all in the past.

    ¡°Come with me, Lyse,¡± he said, taking her hand.

    ¡°I have a gift for you.¡±

 Chapter 677

    Holding Alyssa¡¯s hand, Jasper rushed down the opulent yet deserted corridor, like two young

    aristocrats

    who were defying societal rules and eloping.

    Her gaze was fixed on his broad back, which provided her with a sense of security. Her chest heaved,

    and

    her palms grew sweaty.

    She had to admit that she felt a little attracted to him. At the same time, she berated herself for still

    having feelings for him over mere hand-holding, after having fallen in love with him twice, 13 years and

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    three years ago, respectively.

    She felt rather indignant for being weak when it came to Jasper.

    In contrast, he appeared to be in high spirits, jogging alongside her until they reached the door of a

    luxurious suite.

    A surge of panic and embarrassment washed over her. In anger, she yanked her hand from his grasp

    and

    hissed, ¡°What is this? How dare you disrespect me on my turf? You know I could always get my

    brothers

    to beat you up right now.¡±

    He paused in surprise. Realizing she had misunderstood his intention, he exined helplessly, ¡°What

    on

    earth are you thinking? I¡¯ve kept my gift for you in this suite. That¡¯s all.¡±

    Her eyes widened, her blush deepening as she pressed her lips together.

    ¡°Well, I can tackle a few men on my own, but I would much rather make a good impression on your

    brothers. I wouldn¡¯t dream of doing anything untoward,¡± he added.

    He leaned toward her with desire in his eyes and teased, ¡°Even if I did have any such intentions, I

    would

    have taken you to my ce instead.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, I would never ever go back to that family of yours! They¡¯re unbearable!¡± Feeling embarrassed,

    she

    looked away from him.

    ¡°Seaview Manor was never my home, Lyse. I don¡¯t have a home,¡± he admitted with a hoarse voice and

    a

    somber expression.

    His words stung her, leaving her momentarily speechless.

    ¡°I¡¯ll only have a home if I¡¯m with you. If we can¡¯t be together, I would rather be in exile for the rest of my

    life,¡± he added, his eyes brimming with sincerity.

    She met his gaze, but her response was slow, as if she were numbed by the weight of their shared

    history.

    He had rushed the conversation. However much he yearned to get back with her, he shouldn¡¯t have

    broached the subject right away.

    ¡°You served in the military, didn¡¯t you? You joined the Peacekeeping Forces,¡± she suddenly inquired.

    He had a sinking feeling. Before he could respond, she sharply interrupted, ¡°You led a nomadic life

    during

    those years, but don¡¯t forget why you did it. You didn¡¯t join the military because of me.¡±

    She could never overlook that pain. Panicking, Jasper felt his words stuck in his throat.

    At that moment, the door unexpectedly swung open, surprising them both and relieving the tension.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Madam! It¡¯s you.¡±

    Xavier stood there with a satisfied smile and exined, ¡°I heard your voices from inside. I opened the

    door to check on you since you¡¯ve been out here for quite a while.¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper looked dumbfounded. Xavier began to sweat as he realized something was amiss.

    Stammering, he said, ¡°Uh, d-did I interrupt something?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± she replied coldly, and she walked into the suite. A pale-faced Jasper followed suit.

    Xavier attempted to enter the suite with them, but Jasper swiftly closed the door in his face. Just before

    shutting itpletely, Jasper instructed him through the crack, ¡°Stand guard.¡±

    Xavier immediately stood at attention and answered, ¡°Roger that, Mr. Beckett!¡±

 Chapter 678

    Alyssa¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to a beautiful ebony box on the coffee table. Her expertise in

    antique collections allowed her to discern that the box contained something truly rare.

    ¡°What a lovely box ¡­¡± She gasped and stared at it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t just admire the box. You should see what¡¯s inside.¡± Jasper encouraged her, standing by her side.

    and utterly captivated by her beauty.

    Confused yet eager, Alyssa wiped her sweaty palms on her dress. Her endearing action only deepened

    Jasper¡¯s affection for her, and he felt an irresistible desire for her.

    Carefully, she opened the box to reveal a pink top and a green-stemmed ss goblet that seemed like

    something out of a dream.

    She eximed in delight and covered her mouth.

    Winston had collected antiques from all over the world, but he had never acquired an item from the

    Regency Era. The ss goblet finally filled that gap, and Alyssa was thrilled by the find.

    ¡°I stumbled upon this ss goblet in a Yoarkley collector¡¯s collection three months ago. I thought you

    would appreciate it, so I went to great lengths to negotiate with him and convince him to sell it to me,¡±

    Jasper exined with a smile.

    The effort he had put into securing this item was inconsequentialpared to the joy of seeing her

    smile.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s absolutely lovely,¡± she murmured, her eyes sparkling with joy.

    Since she didn¡¯t have a pair of gloves, she hesitated to touch the goblet and instead ran her fingers

    along

    its edges.

    ¡°You can touch it however you like. It¡¯s yours,¡± he said tenderly, then slowly wrapped his arms around

    her

    from behind, as if protecting something precious.

    He breathed heavily and held her hand firmly from behind. She could feel his warm breath against her

    hair

    and ears, and their hearts raced as their shadows merged.

    A sweet, intoxicating scent filled the air.

    ¡°Jasper-¡± she called out and suddenly felt a force from behind. He pressed against her back and

    tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her into an embrace.

    ¡°Lyse, save the scolding and punching forter,¡± he whispered. For now, he just wanted to savor the

    hug.

    It was time for ballroom dancing at the birthday party.

    As the star of the night, L danced to the music with Winston, drawing the admiration and envy of the

    guests.

    Since Winston came from a prestigious family, he had taken lessons in ballroom dancing in his teens.

    He danced better than any young man for a man of his age.

    As for L, she could rival a professional dancer due to her theatrical experience, where ballroom

    dancing was one of the skills she picked up.

    Together, they danced elegantly, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.

    Some of the guests hade with their own partners, while others sought dance partners among the

    other attendees. Laughter and conversation filled the dance floor.

    Josh, of course, had to dance with his wife, rissa. Simrly, Landon would only dance with Lauren.

 Chapter 679

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to dance¡­ I¡¯ll skip,¡± Lauren excused herself. She had been sipping juice and

    enjoying

    cake on the couch until Landon had suddenly invited her to dance.

    Having watched her parents and Betty dance before, Lauren felt that dancing wasn¡¯t something she

    could

    1. Besides, she believed she would never have a chance to be in the spotlight anyway.

    *It¡¯s alright if you don¡¯t know. I can teach you, Lauren,¡± Landon reassured her, cing his hands on her

    shoulders.

    She hung her head low, a tiny patch of cream at the corner of her lips. She mumbled, ¡°I¡¯m not dancing,

    Landon. They all dance well.

    ¡°I would only embarrass you because I don¡¯t know how to dance. Besides, I don¡¯t like crowded ces. I

    panic when there are too many people around.¡±

    Landon was shocked and upset. Lauren¡¯s second excuse was the real reason behind her refusal to

    dance.

    Despite his attentiveness, he had let his excitement get the better of him, forgetting that she suffered

    from autism and social phobia.

    He silently chided himself for being thoughtless.

    ¡­

    ¡°Landon, are you angry with me?¡± she asked anxiously when Landon remained silent. Her feet turned.

    inward in her Mary Jane shoes from her nervousness.

    = = 5

    He quickly knelt before her and wiped away the cream on her lips. He then tasted it, eximing, ¡°Ah.

    How

    sweet!¡±

    Lauren instantly blushed and clenched her fists. ¡°Why did you eat it? That¡¯s ¡­ dirty.¡±

    ¡°No, how could that be? You¡¯re sweet, and you smell good,¡± he said as he held her hands. His eyes

    sparkled with sincerity.

    Her heart raced. She asked, ¡°Is that true?¡±

    ¡°Yes. When have I lied to you?¡± He gazed into her eyes and suddenly broke into a mischievous grin.

    ¡°You seem bored sitting by the side. Shall I teach you how to dance?¡±

    ¡°B-But I¡¯m a slow learner,¡± she replied, not feeling confident.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll teach you. We can take our time,¡± he whispered into her ear, his warm breath tickling it,

    just like how I taught you to kiss.¡±

    #

    Lauren gasped in embarrassment, her face red. Landon couldn¡¯t help but softly p himself on the

    cheek,

    chastising himself for being unserlous and flirty..

    The Taylor family seemed to be in a good mood as well. Colene had had too much to drink and started

    dancing with Tatiana while drinking from a wine ss.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to dance with you. You¡¯re clumsy. You might be good at prosecuting suspects, but not at

    dancing!¡± Mandy remarked at Cyrus as she twirled.

    ¡°How did your dad and I give birth to a bad dancer when we¡¯re so talented in music and dance? It¡¯s

    strange.¡±

    Cyrus shrugged. ¡°A good dancer might not be a good policeman. It¡¯s not like I can subdue suspects by

    dancing in front of them.¡±

    Mandy retorted, ¡°It would have been great if you could do that. You don¡¯t even need to point a gun at

    them

    -suspects would faint from your poor dancing skills!¡±

    The guestsughed at the mother-son duo¡¯s banter. At the same time, Rose was drinking alone in a

    corner. She teared up at the sight of the joyful family.

    ¡°Ms. Emerson,¡± Ss called out to her. She snapped back to reality and found him standing in front of

    herExclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    with a bright smile, extending his hand in a gentlemanly manner.

 Chapter 680

    ¡°May I invite you to a dance?¡± Ss inquired.

    Rose stood up gracefully and ced her hand in his palm. ¡°Of course.¡±

    Ss noticed the tears glistening in the corners of her eyes in the soft light. He tightened his grip on her

    hand, which startled her, prompting a futile attempt by her to break free from his hold.

    ¡°Is something wrong? Do you regret your decision?¡± Ss inquired, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°No, but why did you pinch my hand?¡± Rose grumbled.

    ¡°I can¡¯t pinch your feet, can I?¡± he teased, finding humor in the odd question.

    ¡°You¡± Rose began, but her retort was cut short as Ss twirled her gracefully by the waist. After a

    dizzying spin, she found herself dancing to the rhythm of the music with him.

    ¡°Did you cry just now?¡± he whispered, ncing at her reddened eyes as his hand rested on the small of

    her back.

    ¡°No, no tears. I was yawning,¡± she denied, but was taken aback by how observant he was.

    ¡°Alright, I could have been mistaken.¡±

    ¡°Mistaken? You certainly were,¡± she retorted, her teeth gritting.

    ¡°Your eyesight must be pretty poor, or you wouldn¡¯t have crashed into my car.¡±

    ¡°By the way, I forgot to mention,¡± Ss interjected with a sly grin.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    He turned her around with him. ¡°After you left the ident scene, I called the traffic police, and they

    determined you were at fault, Ms. Emerson.¡±

    ¦°

    She red at him, biting her lip in embarrassment.

    ¡°My insurancepany will be in touch with you tomorrow. I don¡¯t need a sugar mommy, just

    ¡°That will save you some money.¡±

    She was silently frustrated. Ss had to be one of the most thick-skinned individuals she had ever

    encountered. She felt an urge to stomp on his foot with her heels.

    Jameson had been by Lily¡¯s side throughout the party but couldn¡¯t help scanning the room for Alyssa.

    She was nowhere to be found, and neither was Jasper

    A sense of unease crept over him.

    ¡°Jimmy, don¡¯t worry about me. Go find Lyse,¡± Lily, who was fully conscious, said with a hint of regret.

    ¡°I know you¡¯ve loved her for a long time. Find her and ask her to dance, It¡¯s a great opportunity for you.

    Stop sticking with me. Just go.¡±

    ¡°Mom, you¡¯re overthinking. I want to be with you,¡± he reassured Lily, offering a gentle smile.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have plenty of time with Lyse,¡±

    ¡°Jimmy!¡±

    At the sound of the familiar voice, Jameson¡¯s demeanor grew cold. The voice also startled Lily, who

    sought refuge in his embrace.

    ¡°Jimmy,e out! We need to talk!¡± Victor bellowed and red at Jameson.

    ¡°Dad, is your eyesight worsening with age? Can¡¯t you see that your wife is right in front of you?¡±

    Jameson

    taunted. Tension hung in the air as he confronted his father.

 Chapter 681

    ¡°You insolent brat! How dare you speak to your father in such a manner?¡± Victor raged. He would have

    pped Jameson if it weren¡¯t for the presence of other guests.

    Except for Winston, men of Victor¡¯s generation believed in the importance of discipline and felt that

    rebellious individuals should be subject to corporal punishment.

    Therefore, he believed it was only appropriate to physically punish Jameson.

    ¡°If you still have some respect left for Mom, I could attempt to maintain the facade of a father-son

    rtionship with you. If you disrespect her further, I have more scathing remarks reserved for you.¡±

    Jameson chuckled with a smirk.

    Even Victor was taken aback by Jameson¡¯s ruthlessness.

    Victor and Jameson confronted each other on the balcony at the end of the corridor. Even the cold

    weather was no match for the tension between the two.

    ¡°What the hell do you want?¡± Victor questioned icily.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know the value of your gift for Madam L. If you¡¯re angry because you felt humiliated by the

    worth of my gift, I hope you can let that go,¡± Jameson exined nonchntly.

    ¡°One who errs unknowingly shouldn¡¯t be held responsible, right?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t referring to that!¡± Victor hissed and took a step forward.

    ¡°Why did you bring her to this event? Are you trying to upset me?¡±

    Jameson threw his head back inughter, tears rolling down his cheeks. ¡°I thought it was something

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    serious. It turns out it¡¯s about Mom.¡±

    ¡°Jameson Schmidt!¡± Victor warned as he clenched his fist in anger.

    ¡°When you married my mother, you made a vow in front of God to be with her in good times and bad, in

    sickness and in health. Do you feel nothing but disgust for her now?¡± Jameson was equally furious.

    ¡°You abandoned her and never once checked on her during her 15 years in Kontina. Now that I¡¯m able

    to take care of her in Cyrris, you call her disgusting. I¡¯m being kind by notbeling you the same.¡±

    ¡°You brat!¡± Victor finally pped Jameson across the face, leaving a jarring red mark.

    Still, Jameson smiled with a menacing look. ¡°Dad, you¡¯ve be weak. Your p hurts less now.

    Didn¡¯t

    Josh and David take care of your health?¡±

    ¡°You jerk! Shut up!¡± Victor pointed a finger in Jameson¡¯s haughty face.

    ¡°Leave with your mom right now! If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll have my men send her back to Kontina!¡±

    ¡°How dare you?¡± Jameson barked at him, tightening his fists. He was apletely different person

    right

    now than he was in front of Alyssa.

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill anyone whoys a finger on Mom tonight.¡±

    ¡°You-¡± Victor choked on his anger. He sensed Jameson¡¯s murderous intent in thetter¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°If my siblings are allowed to be here, the same goes for my mom. As you can see, Mom and I are

    Alyssa¡¯s VIP guests. If you kick Mom out, you¡¯ll be going against Lyse. Whatever your n is, it won¡¯t

    work

    if you¡¯re on her bad side.¡±

    After that, Jameson tried to leave because he refused to engage with his heartless father.

    At that moment, Victor dered, ¡°I have never wronged your mom! It was your mom who cheated on

    me

    in the first ce! Not only that, we lost a daughter because of her!¡±

    He bellowed uncontrobly, ¡°If she hadn¡¯t slept with a random man, she wouldn¡¯t have miscarried! She

    could have enjoyed her life as Mrs. Schmidt instead of bing the brunt of a joke!¡±

    Jameson refuted, ¡°I trust my mom¡¯s character. She¡¯s deeply in love with you. There¡¯s no way she

    would.

    sleep with other men!¡±

 Chapter 682

    Jameson struggled to maintain hisposure, his body trembling with anger as he cried out in agony,

    I¡¯ve told you countless times that it was Josh, David, and Daisy-the very children you treat with such

    trust and love-who framed my mother!

    ¡°Instead of seeking the truth and listening to her, you dismissed her and sent her to that wretched

    ce.

    Marrying you was the worst thing that ever happened to her!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been generous enough to let her keep her title after the way she was caught red-handed. What

    more

    can she possibly say?¡±

    Victor¡¯s face flushed with anger as he recalled the painful past, driving him to a point where he felt like

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    choking both Lily and Jameson.

    ¡°You damn fool,¡± Jameson muttered under his breath, turning away in frustration. He had no intention

    of

    bringing up the infidelity, as it only served as a painful reminder of Lily¡¯s past.

    Every time he mentioned it, it reopened old wounds. It was purely coincidental that Victor had

    mentioned

    it in their heated argument.

    Jameson no longer wished for Victor to be disillusioned and realize the true nature of the other

    Schmidt children.

    He had grown indifferent to Victor¡¯s opinions. He would send them all to hell for what they had done.

    H

    The tension in the luxurious and quiet suite was palpable. Alyssa and Jasper found themselves tightly

    entwined, bathed in the soft glow of the room.

    Alyssa was breathless from his firm hold and struggled within his grasp. Her cheeks were ame with

    embarrassment.

    She threatened, ¡°Let go now, or I¡¯ll punch you!¡±

    Even in her anger, she managed to look cute.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes glinted with desire.

    ¡°Why not? You mean nothing to me,¡± she coldly retorted, though she felt a surge of electricity coursing

    through her, heightening her sensitivity.

    His eyes softened with affection. ¡°In the end, I¡¯m still ¡­ your savior.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze wavered as she felt a burning sensation in her chest. He had saved her life once, but he

    didn¡¯t know that she had also saved him on the battlefield.

    Jasper panicked when Alyssa fell silent, worried that he had overstepped. He decided to tone it down

    and yfully said, ¡°I was wrong, Lyse. I¡¯m nobody. I¡¯m just your loyal pet dog.¡±

    She struggled to stifle augh. The typically arrogant Jasper Beckett had just dered that he wanted

    to be her pet, a statement that would leave the women of Sna City green with envy.

    ¡°Since we¡¯vee this far, why don¡¯t you bark for me?¡± Alyssa yfully suggested something

    outrageous, both as a joke and as a form of revenge.

    She had no intention of getting involved with Jasper any further.

    ¡°Woof, woof,¡± he responded, much to her shock.

    Worried that she might have missed it, he responded again, ¡°Woof, woof.¡±

    His first attempt was humiliating, but he fully embraced the roley after the second attempt, which he

    found ridiculous as well.

 Chapter 683

    So what if he woke up everyone else? All that mattered was that his woman was pleased.

    ¡°What the¡­ what the hell is wrong with you, Jasper Beckett?¡± Alyssa cried, unable to take it anymore.

    ¡°Are you going to jump off a cliff just because I tell you to?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to do that. I would die and wouldn¡¯t be able to see you anymore.¡± Jasper slowly turned

    Alyssa around so she was facing him.

    When their eyes met, Alyssa could see the gushing, naked passion in his gaze. It was so intense, as if

    he

    was worried she would be oblivious to it.

    His eyes conveyed too much!

    ¡°Jasper,

    Alyssa murmured, but before she could finish speaking, Jasper had handed her his neck tie.

    ¡°Lead me home, Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa stared fixedly at the tie, suddenly feeling so overwhelmed. It looked like Jasper needed a bigger

    dose.

    He swallowed nervously, gently leaning into Alyssa as he eyed her lips.

    Their hearts pounded in their chests as their visions blurred.

    All of a sudden, Alyssa¡¯s phone rang.

    As if she had been jolted away from a dream, she pushed Jasper away to answer the call. ¡°What is it,

    Sean?¡±

    ¡°Where are you, miss?¡± Sean asked, sounding panicked.

    ¡°I¡¯m taking care of some things here in the hotel. What happened?¡± Alyssa asked, her heart tensing

    worriedly.

    ¡°It¡¯s Madam L! Things have gone terribly wrong!¡±

    ¡°What exactly happened?¡± Alyssa hurriedly responded. Behind her, Jasper grew just as tense.

    ¡°Ten minutes ago, news of Madam L¡¯s fall from grace in her youth suddenly swarmed all of social

    media! There¡¯s photos, videos, and old headlines about it!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart fell. ¡°What are theizens¡¯ reactions?¡±

    ¡°More and more people are seeing the news and sharing it online!¡±

    ¡°What about L? Does she know about this?¡±

    ¡°Of course she does! Not only that, but now every single news journalist is swarming to KS World Hotel

    after hearing word of this!¡±

    Sean was so anxious that he might as well be steaming at the ears. ¡°Madam L can¡¯t stay here any

    longer. Mr. Taylor wants you to escort her and Ms. Tatiana back home right away.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor and Mr. Jonah will stay behind to deal with the reporters. If they leave now, the public will

    only

    specte more about us. We can¡¯t let the situation go out of control like that!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m on my way to get L and Taty right now. Send me those article links, and look into who was the

    source of them!¡± Alyssa instructed, anger burning within her like a melting pot.

    She was going to skin whoever had leaked this news alive!

    Just then, Sean sent the photos and videos to her. Alyssa nced at it briefly before her rage swelled

    tenfold.

    ¡°Are ¡­ are you okay, Lyse?¡± Jasper asked gently, only to be met with an angry snap from Alyssa.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Stay out of this!¡±

 Chapter 684

    Jasper was taken aback, his arms still in midair. He had wanted tofort Alyssa with a hug.

    ¡°I only wanted to¡­¡±

    ¡°I said, stay out of this!¡± Alyssa had no patience to deal with him further. She stormed away from him,

    still

    on her phone, and mmed the door as she walked out.

    The warmth and tenderness Jasper had so achingly wished for disappeared just like that. Their shared

    moment from earlier burst, just like a short-lived bubble floating up into the sky.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t take the antique Jasper had given her. To her, family was the most important thing right

    now.

    Sadness filled Jasper¡¯s chest, making his heart twinge in pain.

    But now wasn¡¯t the time to be depressed. He quickly recovered and left the room.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I just saw Madam leave looking absolutely pissed. Did you upset her?¡± Xavier asked

    worriedly, a sliver of me in his eyes. After all, his boss had always been known to get on Alyssa¡¯s

    wrong

    side.

    ¡°Something¡¯s happened to Madam L,¡± Jasper said, his gaze dark.

    ¡°Huh. No wonder there was somemotion downstairs!¡± Xavier quickly took out his phone and

    looked

    up the news online.

    He suddenly frowned, showing Jasper the screen. ¡°Look at this, sir!¡±

    Jasper focused on the video that yed on Xavier¡¯s phone. Narrowing his eyes, he snatched the

    phone

    away to take a closer look.

    It was a video from decades ago, and the resolution was blurry. Yet it was still clear enough to

    recognize

    L standing onstage while she shakily covered her legs. A clear liquid was flowing down between

    them.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    The audience erupted in shrieks and gasps of shock, followed by countless snapshots from cameras

    as if

    they were starving wolves jumping upon fallen prey.

    ¡°My ¡­ my mother was L Nelson¡¯s biggest fan. She told me about how L¡¯s reputation got ruined

    because of the rumors that she was on drugs and how she even pissed herself onstage during TS

    Network¡¯s celebratory live broadcast,¡± Xavier exined.

    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to watch the video. ¡°The inte wasn¡¯t as powerful back then as it is today,

    nor

    were the phones back then capable of taking videos, so the news didn¡¯t spread as rampantly as it is

    today.

    ¡°But my mother had attended the broadcast in person, being a fan and all, so she had seen the incident

    firsthand.¡±

    Jasper was getting more and more upset by the second.

    An incident like urinary incontinence in public was worse than a death sentence for someone like L,

    who had been the number one celebrity actress loved and adored by countless people nationwide.

    Xavier went on to say, ¡°My mother also said that the incident was all over the news and magazine

    headlines the next day. You could get it anywhere!

    ¡°But only a couple hourster, every single shred of news about the incident suddenly ceased to exist

    in

    public. She had no idea who had bought all the papers, but they couldn¡¯t find a single report on it

    anymore.

    Jasper knew just exactly who had done that for L-Winston Taylor.

    Only a man of his power and influence could force the entire country¡¯s media outlets to go silent on

    L¡¯s

    incident.

    ¡°It looks like whoever leaked that incident today has been keeping it in the works for a long time.

    Seeing

    how they were able to acquire videos that Mr. Taylor had destroyed, they mustn¡¯t be an ordinary

    person,¡±

    Jasper analyzed calmly.

    He was able to maintain aposed demeanor even though Alyssa had basically backhanded him just

    a

    moment ago.

    ¡°Whoever it was must either be someone from TS Network itself, or they were directly involved with

    what

    happened to L all those years ago.¡±

    ¡°Good analysis, sir!¡± Xavier eximed.

    Jasper¡¯s expression was frosty. ¡°Look into this immediately. I want you to get me every single person

    who

    was involved in this incident, including any reporters, social media ounts, and whoever recorded

    that

    video in the first ce.¡±

    ¡°Right away, sir!¡±

    Jasper then hurriedly left, leaving/Xavier behind.

 Chapter 685

    ¡°Where are you going, Mr. Beckett?¡± Xavier asked hurriedly.

    Jasper paused in his footsteps to answer. ¡°To Lyse¡¯s side while she helps her family.¡±

    It didn¡¯t matter if she didn¡¯t love or cherish him. All that mattered to Jasper was being able to hold her in

    his heart and fill his life with her.

    After the incident from decades ago was released, with help from whoever leaked it online, terrible

    rumors and gossip about L bubbled and overflowed uncontrobly yet again.

    The journalists swarmed KS World hotel like a gue of locusts. Even the forums andizens had a

    change of topic.

    ¡°Do we really not need to pay to see this shit? Who had known an A-list actress could ever have such a

    demeaning side to her?¡±

    ¡°People bid farewell onstage with tears. Why is she doing it with piss?¡±

    ¡°All of you youngsters weren¡¯t born yet when this happened, but I was there. L Nelson pissed herself

    as

    a side effect of getting addicted to drugs! She quit the acting industry because of it!¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s so shocking!¡±

    ¡°Why would Winston Taylor want someone like her? The Taylor family is elite and influential-how could

    they ept someone with such a terrible history?¡±

    ¡°They even hosted a birthday party for L! Alyssa Taylor must be so angry right now.¡±

    Alyssa ran to the hall while reading thements. Her anger continued to grow fiercer, and her grip on

    the phone was so tight that it nearly cracked the screen.

    Outside the door, Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus were in the middle of discussing something.

    ¡°Jonah! Ss! Cyrus!¡± Alyssa cried tensely.

    ¡°Lyse?¡± The three men turned to her in an instant.

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    ¡°Where¡¯s L? How are things right now?¡± Alyssa asked, panting heavily.

    ¡°Dad¡¯s already sent a team of bodyguards to escort the women out.¡± Jonah took out a handkerchief to

    dry the sweat on Alyssa¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°They should be in the parking lot by now. We¡¯ll stay behind to deal with the crowd.¡±

    ¡°But what about L? How is she doing?¡± Alyssa asked, pushing Jonaly¡¯s hand away. All she cared

    about

    right now was L.

    The three brothers shared a gaze and shook their heads.

    ¡°L was deathly pale when she left. She was shaking from head to toe, too,¡± Ss sighed.

    ¡°That incident had traumatized her for so long, after all. It must have been extra difficult to have that

    shoved in her face on such an important day for her.¡±

    ¡°Fucking hell!¡± Cyrus cussed.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to call the Division and have the Cybersecurity Department find the motherfucker who

    released

    that news!¡±

    ¡°Stay calm, Cyrus,¡± Jonah quipped sternly.

    ¡°You¡¯re a government officer. You can¡¯t use your authority to look into something that¡¯s at most a

    personal matter. That would be a grave mistake on your part.¡±

    Realizing this, Cyrus quickly reeled himself back in. He had a hard time controlling himself, given how

    hot-

    headed he could be.

    Thankfully, his elder brother was here to keep him in check and stop him from going down the wrong

    path.

    All of a sudden, there was a loud crash, followed by the sound of falling ss.

    In a fit of rage, Alyssa had punched the fire rm¡¯s ss shield.

    ¡°Ahh! Don¡¯t, Lyse!¡±

    The three men, who were usually so calm andposed in the face of danger, were suddenly reduced

    to

    panicked, squawking boys in front of their baby sister. They immediately rushed to her side.

 Chapter 686

    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding, Lyse!¡± Ss cried, seeing how bloody Alyssa¡¯s hand was.

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    ¡°Call an ambnce, Cyrus! Hurry!¡±

    ¡°Tsk. Is this all it takes for you to panic?¡± Alyssa scowled, grabbing Ss¡¯ tie and unraveling it before

    wrapping it around her injured hand.

    ¡°Cool!¡± Cyrus gasped at Alyssa¡¯s swift action.

    ¡°Calm down, Lyse,¡± Jonah said, heart aching at the sight of his sister¡¯s injuries.

    He gently held her wounded hand, grumbling, ¡°You can¡¯t hurt yourself, no matter how upset you get,

    silly.

    ¡°Your family is right here with you. As long as we stick together, there¡¯s nothing we can¡¯t handle, right?¡±

    ¡°You guys stay here to deal with the reporters and find out who is behind this. I¡¯ll make sure Taty and

    L

    reach home safe and sound!¡± With that, Alyssa turned and left.

    ¡°Lyse, your hand-¡± Cyrus cried, but Alyssa was already gone.

    ¡°Tsk¡­ too hot headed. Even more so than me.¡± Ss shook his head.

    ¡°There¡¯s no use stopping her, guys. She has the skills, brains, and has been a doctor before too. We

    don¡¯t

    even have a tenth of thatbined.¡±

    Jonah patted his brothers¡¯ shoulders, sighing. ¡°If we don¡¯t let her take care of this herself, she will never

    get over it.

    ¡°We¡¯re her brothers. What we can do now is just to hang back and make sure she¡¯s safe.¡±

    Alyssa sped to the underground parking lot, wasting no more time to meet Winston.

    ¡°Y-you can¡¯te in here, Ms. Alyssa!¡± Unexpectedly, one of her family¡¯s guards stopped her halfway.

    ¡°Get out of my way!¡± Alyssa snapped.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor instructed you to stay out of the parking lot right now with how chaotic it is in there. Me and

    my team will do our best to take Madam L and Ms. Tatiana home!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust any of you to do that!¡± Alyssa quickly dodged the guards and ran ahead.

    Minutester, she found her family being swarmed by countless journalists.

    ¡°Madam L, what do you have to say about what happened tonight?¡±

    ¡°Are those videos and photos real? Was what happened those years ago true?¡±

    ¡°Can you give us a statement?¡±

    The journalists were ravenous, waiting for L to answer them before they would leave her alone.

    Tatiana hugged her mother tight while Colene and Mandy stood in front of them, shielding them.

    ¡°Stop that nonsense all of you! If you say another word don¡¯t me me for suing all your asses!¡±

    Colene

    roared.

    She was holding back from throwing some punches into some of the journalists.

    ¡°Leave! We won¡¯t answer any of your questions because L is innocent!¡± Mandy eximed.

    She was calmer than Colene though she herself was already near her limit.

    ¡°Innocent? Just because it¡¯s been decades doesn¡¯t mean the people who witnessed that incident in

    person are all dead, Madam Mandy!¡± A middle-aged reporter suddenly shouted.

    ¡°I was there in person during TS Network¡¯s celebratory broadcast. I saw how Ms. L pissed herself

    onstage with my own eyes.¡±

    The reporters sniggered amongst one another. Who knew such an adored A-list actress would have a

    <pbel like that to her name!

 Chapter 687

    More snickering erupted from the journalists. Their cruel, merciless teasing and mockery consumed

    L

    like a pitch ck wave of pain.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom. I¡¯ll protect you!¡± Tatiana kept her mother away from the sly gazes of the reporters,

    ring at every one of them.

    Who would ever guess such a shy and demure girl would be so fearless and strong right now?

    ¡°No one will hurt you¡­ no one!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m okay, Taty ¡­ I¡¯m¡­¡± L murmured weakly, her gaze distant and lost.

    Seeing this, tears fell down Tatiana¡¯s eyes and onto her mother¡¯s hair.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Colene fumed angrily, pointing a finger at the reporter who hadjust spoken.

    She

    was this close to hitting him!

    ¡°Why so angry, Madam Colene? It¡¯s not like this has anything to do with you,¡± another reporter said

    sarcastically.

    Mandy¡¯s gaze darkened. Her guess was right. These reporters had clearly been sent here to aggravate

    them.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I be angry? L is my family, so when you insult her, you¡¯re insulting me!¡± Colene

    eximed.

    How she wished she could snap this man¡¯s ribs one by one while he howled in pain!

    ¡°Family? In front of the cameras, sure. But who knows what actually goes on behind the scenes?¡± The

    reporter said gleefully.

    ¡°We¡¯ve seen a lot of women like you, madam. Who would ever want to be married to a man with more

    than one wife if they could help it? Women get jealous, after all.¡±

    ¡°F¡ª¡± Colene was about to roar out ¡®fuck you!¡¯ when Mandy pped a hand over her mouth.

    They were in powerful yet delicate positions, representing the Taylor family whenever they were public.

    That¡¯s why they couldn¡¯t simply do whatever they pleased without considering the impact it would have

    on Winston and their children!

    ¡°They¡¯re not worth it, Colene. Let¡¯s go.¡± Mandy turned away, dragging Colene along with her into the

    car.

    The first reporter who had taken a jab at them sneered, ¡°I¡¯m sure L, who was once the face of TS

    been brought to light once again, right?¡±

    All of a sudden, something shed before the reporter¡¯s eyes.

    A wave of gasps spread throughout the crowd.

    No one had seen when she had appeared, but Alyssa was now standing in front of her family,

    protecting

    them.

    The reporter was stunned. How could there be someone with such a beautiful visage in this world?

    In all his years of being a news reporter in the entertainment industry, he had seen countless actresses

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    and influencers. But none of them couldpare to Alyssa Taylor.

    Hers was an unrivaled beauty that captured people¡¯s souls.

    He could die happy now that he had gotten to see such a beautiful woman.

    ¡°So you¡¯re the one who¡¯s been insulting L, you bitching, skunk-mouthed asshole?¡± Alyssa sneered.

    Before the reporter could react, she grabbed him by the cor and pped him harshly across the face.

    Everyone else, including Tatiana, Mandy, and Colene, were stunned.

    ¡°L-Lyse¡­¡± Tatiana froze where she was, her admiration for her sister reaching an unbelievable peak.

    ¡°Go get ¡¯em, Lyse!¡± Colene cried excitedly, pping for Alyssa.

    She was about to follow up with a smack of her own when Mandy pulled her by the back of her dress

    with

    all her might, stopping her.

    ¡°D-did you just ¡­ did you just hit me? In public?¡± The reporter gaped in shock, clutching his stinging

    cheek.

 Chapter 688

    ¡°That¡¯s only a start. I¡¯m suing you for your despicable behavior, you jackass.¡±

    There wasn¡¯t an ounce of fear on Alyssa¡¯s face as she said coldly, ¡°My grounds are that you humiliated

    and defamed my family with a story you made up without knowing the truth of the matter, and thus

    insulted her character and reputation.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think you can spew out whatever trash you want just because you¡¯re a reporter. You really think

    you can live without seeing the consequences of your actions just because the poor people whom you

    humiliated didn¡¯t want to take you to court?

    ¡°Heh. I¡¯m here to do them justice and show you and everyone else who means ill toward us just what

    happens to those who distort the truth and nder the innocent!¡±

    The reporters were stunned by Alyssa¡¯s fierce bearing. She was the one who had initiated the first

    physical attack, yet her speech and demeanor was so bold¡­.

    It felt like there was no way they could hate her for her actions.

    ¡°Me? Distort the truth?¡± The reporter grinned madly.

    ¡°The kids may not know what happened on that stage those years ago, but that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t!

    The inte may not have been as powerful as it is today, but my memory is still going strong!¡±

    ¡°Oh? Is your evidence strong as well?¡± Alyssa snapped back.

    The reporter¡¯s heart fell into his stomach, visibly deting.

    ¡°What happened? You were talking so much earlier while ndering L. Cat got your tongue?¡± Alyssa

    gazed coldly at him.

    ¡°You¡¯re an adult. That means you¡¯ll take full responsibility for the statements you just made. Be sure to

    keep an eye out for a letter from KS Group¡¯s legal team.¡±

    That made the reporter jolt. He was now frightened.

    Alyssa turned away, helping her family get into the car.

    ¡°You really don¡¯t have to do this for me, Lyse¡­ really¡­¡± L-said weakly, tugging on Alyssa¡¯s dress.

    She was a painful sight to bear. Her eyes were rimmed red with unshed tears.

    ¡°What are you talking about, L?¡± Alyssa gazed warmly at her, giving her thefort she needed.

    ¡°I can¡¯t just sit around and note to your defense when you¡¯re hurt. You¡¯re my family. Mandy and

    Colene may not be able to do anything, but I can. I¡¯m still young, after all.¡±

    All of a sudden, a shocked cry rang out from within the crowd of journalists.

    ¡°L Nelson! You still dare show your face in public, you bitch? Go to fucking hell!¡±

    There was a loud roar, followed by a man running out from the crowd d in a mask and cap.

    He held a metal baton in his hand, raising it high to hit L on the head.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Tatiana shrieked, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

    Though the bodyguards were well-trained, they were still a second toote to react to the man¡¯s

    calcted attack.

    Alyssa, on the other hand, instantly gathered L into her arms and turned her back to the aggressor.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Mandy and Colene cried.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were scrunched tight, her heart pounding in anticipation of the tragedy that would befell

    her.

    There was a sound as the bat hit someone.

    ¡°Argh!¡±

    But the pain never came.

    What did was someone¡¯s familiar warmth and breathing in Alyssa¡¯s hair, making her heart clench up

    tightly.

    Jasper ¡­ it was Jasper!

    Alyssa slowly opened her reddened eyes, tears now welling inside them.

 Chapter 689

    Jasper had used his own body to protect her. His breathing was slow and irregr. ¡°Are you ¡­ okay,

    Lyse?

    ¡°What is wrong with you? I should be asking you that question!¡± Alyssa cried.

    A stinging pain pricked the back of her nose and forced tears into her eyes.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Pain red from the back of Jasper¡¯s head. His vision began to blur, though he still sported a fond

    smile.

    ¡°You care about me, that¡¯s all that¡­¡±

    Everything suddenly went ck.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart stopped instantaneously. She clung onto Jasper¡¯s body as it copsed, crying out,

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    The man who tried attacking L was swiftly subdued and taken under Cyrus¡¯ hold.

    As he was being shoved into the police car, Alyssa suddenly lunged at him, ready to strike.

    Cyrus held her back just in time, consoling her, ¡°Leave him to me, Lyse! I¡¯ll deal with him for you. Don¡¯t

    dirty your hands with a goon like him!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill him! I¡¯m going to kill him, even if it¡¯s thest thing I do!¡± Alyssa yelled hysterically,

    struggling in her brother¡¯s grasp.

    Ss and Jonah quickly came over, both shocked by how Alyssa was behaving.

    Though they knew Alyssa to be steadfast and swift to take action, she was alwaysposed, never as

    hysterical as she was right now.

    The aggressor was swiftly locked up in the car. Before it drove off, he even shot Alyssa a dark, cunning

    grin.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let him go easy, Cyrus! Don¡¯t!¡± Alyssa cried, ring at him with all her might. Pain and anger

    welled

    up in her chest.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lyse.¡± Cyrus nodded, getting into one of the cars.

    Alyssa stood alone, watching the cars leave. She was shaking terribly, her hands balled into fists.

    ¡°Lyse.¡± Jonah came over to hug her.

    now to have the best doctors treat him. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Lyse ¡±

    Ss went to her side, adding, ¡°Jasper¡¯s been in the army before, so his body¡¯s seen worse. That hit on

    the

    head is probably nothing to him.¡±

    ¡°Nothing to him?¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart clenched painfully.

    She ground her teeth, eximing. ¡°That bat was made of metal! He may be strong, but it¡¯s already a

    miracle that he didn¡¯t die from that hit right then and there. Yet here you are still saying¡­ that it¡¯s

    nothing

    to him?¡±

    Ss flinched, feeling upset at himself. Now wasn¡¯t the time to kid around.

    ¡°I know every single doctor in our family¡¯s hospital, but no one is a better doctor than myself.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath, pushing away from Jonah. ¡°I¡¯m going to the hospital right now. If anything

    happens to Jasper, he¡¯s answerable to me!¡±

    The two Taylor brothers sighed in unison as their sister left.

    ¡°Did I misspeak just now, Jonah?¡± Ss asked worriedly.

    ¡°You did. Jasper saved Alyssa¡¯s life after all, and he still hasn¡¯tpletely recovered. You shouldn¡¯t

    have joked about it,¡± came Jonah¡¯s stern response.

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault¡­ It was only thanks to Jasper that Lyse wasn¡¯t the one being sent to the hospital right

    now. I

    shouldn¡¯t have spoken without thinking. I didn¡¯t mean anything bad¡­¡± Ss sighed.

    The more he thought about it, the guiltier he felt.

    He cried, ¡°Please help me, Jonah¡­ I¡¯m so worried Lyse will stay angry at me!¡±

    ¡°She won¡¯t. Lyse never stays mad at us for more than a night.¡±

 Chapter 690

    Jonah grew serious and patted Ss¡¯ shoulder. ¡°But remember to not call him ¡®Jas¡¯ in front of Alyssa

    anymore. Be respectful.¡±

    Siias nodded, feeling overwhelmed.

    Meanwhile, Jameson was standing on the second floor overlooking KS World Hotel¡¯s ballroom.

    He watched as Winston and Newton hurried down the stairs. A cold glint shed in his eyes.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt.¡± His secretary quickly went to his side.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa went to Madam L¡¯s defense when an aggressor attacked them, but Jasper Beckett

    protected her just in time, taking the blow to the head himself.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s brows furrowed.

    ¡°A blow on the head¡­ My goodness. Why did he do that to himself?¡± The secretary murmured,

    astonished.

    ¡°Keep your tongue in line or I¡¯ll do it for you!¡± Jameson snapped, shooting the man a re.

    Frightened, the secretary instantly shut up.

    ¡°What happened after? Did Jasper die on the spot?¡± Jameson asked darkly.

    ¡°No He lost consciousness. The injury was quite serious. He ended up bleeding from the head.¡±

    ¡°What about Ms. Alyssa?¡±

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    Swallowing nervously, the secretary said, ¡°Miss¡­ Ms. Alyssa went after him to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°Wonderful ¡­ hahaha¡­ just wonderful.¡± Jameson chuckled evilly, bristling like an untamable beast

    was

    on the edge of losing itself from its leash within him.

    ¡°I love a good game of cat-and-mouse. You really are giving your all for Lyse, aren¡¯t you, Jasper?

    Sacrificing yourself again and again to gain her affection.

    ¡°Enjoy it while you can because I¡¯ll soon rip all that away from you. As long as I¡¯m alive, you¡¯ll never be

    able to win Lyse over!¡±

    Jasper was sent straight to Taylor General Hospital¡¯s ER. Meanwhile, Jonah and Winston hurriedly led

    Newton and his men over to the hospital.

    ¡°Jasper! Oh Jasper, my poor grandson!¡± Newton cried, stumbling to the ER.

    If Winston and Jonah hadn¡¯t been supporting him, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to walk all the way here.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Beckett Senior. We have the best doctors and top-notch medical equipment in this

    hospital.

    ¡°I¡¯ve also asked Jonah and my other sons to call on all avable specialists to save him. Your grandson

    will be healed in no time!¡± Winston promised, though he was just as worried.

    ¡°Why¡­ Why did this happen?¡± Newton cried, sitting down in a chair.

    Unshed tears glinted in his eyes. ¡°Oh my poor grandson ¡­ you have to stay strong!¡±

    ¡°Grandpa ¡­¡±

    Everyone turned to look at who had spoken, only to find Alyssa walking over. She slowly went to

    Newton¡¯s side before kneeling down before him on one knee.

    ¡°Alice¡­¡± Newton mumbled, seeing how pale she was.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Grandpa,¡± Alyssa choked out.

    ¡°Jasper¡¯s be like this all because of me.¡±

 Chapter 691

    ¡°Lyse¡­ What are you saying?¡± Newton stared dully at her, stunned by her words.

    ¡°Things went out of hand. Someone tried attacking us. I was trying to protect L and couldn¡¯t defend

    myself. Not even our bodyguards were quick enough¡­

    Alyssa recalled how Jasper had leapt to her aid, protecting her and taking the hard hit himself.

    Tears clouded her eyes. Even her breathing grew harsh.

    ¡°Just when I thought I was done for, Jasper ran out to protect me. If it hadn¡¯t been for him, I would be

    the

    one in the ER right now.

    ¡°This is all my fault, Grandpa¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have been so slow. You can punish me or scold me

    to Jasper this time.¡±

    ???? ??

    I owe it

    ¡°What are you talking about, you silly girl?¡± Newton¡¯s eyes burned with tears as he pulled Alyssa up to

    her

    feet.

    ¡°I¡¯d be upset regardless of whether it was you or Jasper in there right now! If it really had been you ¡­ I

    would only be more devastated!¡±

    Feeling touched, Alyssa barely managed to croak out, ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t feel guilty just because Jasper did this for you, Alyssa.¡± Newton gently caressed Alyssa¡¯s hair,

    his eyes filled with tenderness.

    ¡°That foolish boy mistreated and held you back for a whole three years, even hurting you so deeply.

    ¡°He¡¯s got what he deserved now! Don¡¯t worry. That hit just might finally wake him up for good!¡±

    Alyssa knew Newton was only trying to console her. Which grandparent wouldn¡¯t be distraught at the

    sight of their own grandson in such a dire state?

    ¡°Mr. Beckett!¡± Ben hurried over, looking anxious.

    ¡°Mr. Javier and Madam Sophia are here.¡±

    Newton frowned. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say not to tell them about this?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t, but I couldn¡¯t stop the news of something so important from reaching their ears!¡±

    Just then, Javier and the rest of his family arrived.

    ¡°Jasper? Where¡¯s Jasper?¡± Javier called out loudly as he walked over.

    He rarely was this worried about his younger son. After hearing how badly Jasper was injured, he had

    been so panicked that he had nearly aged another decade!

    Sophia ground her teeth at Javier¡¯s sudden change in attitude. But she could only pretend to be

    worried in

    front of him.

    She cried out, ¡°Jasper! Where are you?¡±

    Not even Betty could stomach it anymore. She quietly winced in disgust behind her mother.

    ¡°What are you yelling so loudly for? This isn¡¯t a funeral!¡± Newton cried angrily, standing up with his

    secretary¡¯s help.

    ¡°Dad! How is Jasper right now?¡± Javier asked worriedly.

    ¡°They¡¯re still tending to him in the ER. There¡¯s no use getting all worked up now. Just sit down and

    wait!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, I heard that my son only got injured because he was saving your daughter. What do you

    have

    to say to that?¡± Javier stormed up to Winston.

    If it weren¡¯t for their professional rtionship, Javier would have already grabbed thetter by thepel.

    Jonah swiftly stood in front of Winston, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s all take a step back, Mr. Javier.¡±

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    ¡°Take a step back? If it was one of your brothers lying in the ER right now, do you think your father

    could

    just ¡®take a step back¡¯?¡± Javier roared.

    Ever since Jasper had divorced Alyssa, nothing but cmity had struck his family. Now because of her,

    Jasper himself was in mortal danger. So how could Javier not be angry?

    Sophia internally sneered. Things were getting more and more interesting.

    She had only wanted to end L for good. Who knew the little bastard, Jasper, would sacrifice himself

    like that?

    If it was death he wanted, it was death he would get!

    ¡°I can understand how you feel, Mr. Javier. But getting angry right now won¡¯t change the fact that your

    son

    is still in the ER being rescued. It won¡¯t solve anything either.¡±

 Chapter 692

    Winston had no choice but to offer some constion. ¡°Ever since our hospital started working with

    Lovce Pharmaceuticals, we¡¯ve be the top hospital in the country. Your son will definitely make

    it out safely under our doctors¡¯ care.¡±

    Javier pursed his lips, quietly grumbling to himself about how the hospitals under theirpany were

    just as capable. Even now, Winston was still bragging!

    All of a sudden, the ER doors opened. Two of the country¡¯s best neurologists came outside, sporting

    uncertain expressions.

    Alyssa immediately tensed up. She wanted to run up to them right away to ask how Jasper was. But

    her tumultuous emotions kept her feet locked to the spot.

    ¡°Doctor! Doctors, how is my grandson?¡± Newton rushed over with Javier¡¯s help.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart clenched painfully at the sight of the old man¡¯s legs wobbling weakly under his weight.

    ¡°Things aren¡¯t as good as we hoped. Mr. Jasper is still in a critical condition,¡± one of the doctors said.

    An invisible ray of lightning struck through the Beckett family members. Newton¡¯s legs wobbled even

    further, nearly making him fall backward.

    Javier was as pale as a bone. ¡°How ¡­ how could this be?¡±

    The doctor reported, ¡°If this had been the first time Mr. Jasper had a head injury, his wounds would

    have

    been easier to deal with.

    ¡°But after doing a CT scan, we noticed old scar tissue in his cranial area. That means he¡¯s suffered

    traumatic injury on his head once before.

    ¡°There¡¯s still blood clots near his brain that have yet to be removed entirely!¡±

    ¡°Old¡­ old scar tissue?¡± Newton was shocked.

    ¡°He¡¯s never participated in anything extreme. Why would he have suffered such injuries before? Who

    dared to hurt my grandson?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart pounded furiously in her chest. When she had still been married to Jasper, she had tried

    healing the old injuries in his head with acupuncture.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Every time she had tried asking him how he got it, he had always refused to answer.

    Had Jasper gotten those injuries from his time in Luminara? Were they the cause for the side effects?

    BABUS

    ¡°The clots have shifted and are now pressing against his brain¡¯s nervous system. If we don¡¯t remove

    them

    now, there¡¯s a high risk of brain death.¡±

    The doctors¡¯ words shocked Javier and Newton to their cores.

    Javier¡¯s heart slowly fell into a bottomless pit, while Newton nearly copsed in his son¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Oh Jasper! You¡¯re still so young¡­ why did it have toe to this?¡± Sophia wailed, ming Alyssa as

    she

    did.

    ¡°When did Jasper ever mistreat you in your three years of marriage, Alyssa? He only asked for a

    divorce!

    Why won¡¯t you just leave him be?

    ¡°He didn¡¯t evene to my own birthday but went to your father¡¯s third wife¡¯s instead! Now look at

    what

    happened to him! Are you trying to torture him?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about, Madam Sophia?¡± Jonah finally¡¯ snapped, his expression dark.

    Though he was usually calm, he couldn¡¯t stand hearing the insults directed at his sister any longer.

    ¡°Jasper owes my sister for all she did during their marriage. You and your family know just how kind my

    sister was to him during those three years!

    ¡°We¡¯re just as worried for Jasper now that he¡¯s hurt, but don¡¯t start ming my sister for things she

    didn¡¯t

    do and ruin her reputation.

    ¡°Another word from you, and I can¡¯t promise what I will do to you!¡± Jonah hissed.

    Winston approved his son¡¯s words and went to stand behind Alyssa protectively.

    Sophia¡¯s heart skipped fearfully, though she still used Javier as a shield.

    ¡°Did I say anything wrong? Do you dare swear upon your heart that Jasper hasn¡¯t suffered plenty in all

    these days that he¡¯s been involved with your sister? Your sister clearly wants to make his life hell!¡±

    ¡°You got it wrong, woman! Jasper is the one who won¡¯t stop bothering Alice, so just shut the hell up!¡±

    Newton cried, still adamant on protecting his dear Alice.

    Sophia¡¯s expression turned all sorts of ugly colors before she finally shut up.

    ¡°What can be done to save my son now, doctor? He has to regain consciousness!¡± Javier asked

    worriedly.

    He didn¡¯t have any patience to deal with Alyssa and Sophia right now.

    His eldest was crippled, so Jasper was the only heir he had left who was still whole and healthy.

    Javier didn¡¯t want anything to happen to Jasper now. That would jeopardize his family.

 Chapter 693

    The doctor wiped the sweat off his brow, saying, ¡°We ¡­ will need to do brain surgery immediately.¡±

    ¡°Brain surgery?¡± Everyone was shocked.

    ¡°Do it. If that¡¯s the only way to save Jasper, then why not?¡± Newton decided.

    ¡°But the problem is no neurosurgeon in the hospital right now can guarantee a high chance of

    sess!¡±

    Winston eximed.

    Javier red at him. ¡°Didn¡¯t you swear your hospital could save my son? What do we do now?¡±

    Winston opened his mouth but no words came to mind.

    ¡°We have a doctor.¡± Alyssa calmly stepped forward.

    ¡°I¡¯ll operate on Jasper.¡±

    Everyone, including Jonah and Winston, were stunned to their core.

    They knew Alyssa was skilled as a doctor. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have volunteered to work as one

    overseas.

    But this was no mere skin-deep wound. This was cranial surgery!

    ¡°W-What did you say?¡± Javier stuttered, staring at Alyssa.

    ¡°You know how to perform brain surgery, Alice?¡± Newton asked, surprise lighting up his desperate

    eyes.

    ¡°Yes, Grandpa.¡± Alyssa did her best to smile, holding onto his hand.

    ¡°Please have faith in me. I¡¯ll be sure to return your grandson to you alive and kicking.¡±

    ¡°What a bluff. What if you can¡¯t save my brother?¡± Betty shot out.

    This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to mock Alyssa, after all.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze swept across Betty, eyes cold and frigid. ¡°If anything happens, I¡¯ll personally cut my own.

    head off for you.¡±

    That left everyone speechless.

    Jonah huffed lightly, thinking to himself, ¡°How bloody.¡±

    Landon only came to know of Jasper¡¯s ident after he had been sent to the hospital.

    ¡°Something¡¯s happened to your brother, so I¡¯ll send you home first, Lauren.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you get some rest first? Don¡¯t wait for me.¡± Landon said gently, wrapping Lauren up in a red

    cloak he had retrieved from Angelina.

    He didn¡¯t tell Lauren much about what had happened to Jasper because he didn¡¯t want her to worry.

    ¡°What happened to my brother?¡± Lauren asked.

    She had always had a keen eye, so she was still able to tell that something serious had happened

    even

    though Landon tried to hide it.

    ¡°You have to tell me, Landon. Don¡¯t hide the truth from me!¡±

    ¡°Go back home and get some sleep. I¡¯ll tell you once you wake up.¡±

    Landon wrapped an arm around Lauren¡¯s waist and leaned in to kiss her. Angelina smiled lightly,

    looking

    away.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Landon held Lauren¡¯s hand and walked into the house.

    Their hearts intertwined, and their love for one another gushed out from their eyes.

    Words weren¡¯t needed to describe how lovely the two were being with one another.

    All of a sudden, a familiar voice called out, ¡°Landon!¡±

    Landon swiftly turned to the source of the noise. With a frown, he asked, ¡°Mom? What ¡­ are you doing

    here?¡±

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Penelope was getting out of a car just a couple feet away, with Zoe following behind.

 Chapter 694

    Dressed extravagantly, Zoe looked like some prissy princess beside Penelope. She was no longer the

    meek, tearful little girl she used to be in front of Landon.

    When she saw Lauren, her gaze turned dark and hateful, as if she wanted nothing more than to lunge

    at

    Lauren right now.

    ¡°Let me introduce you, Mom.¡± Zoe¡¯s smile didn¡¯t reach her eyes.

    ¡°This is Ms. Lauren Beckett from the Beckett family. She was my ssmate in middle school. She¡¯s

    now

    Landon¡¯s girlfriend. Hahaha¡­ isn¡¯t that such a coincidence?¡±

    Lauren¡¯s heart pricked painfully upon hearing the term ¡®girlfriend¡¯.

    She looked down at her feet, face flushing red. Her low self-esteem hit her like a brick, making her pull

    her

    hand away from Landon¡¯s grip.

    But Landon held on tight, as if he were able to read her mind.

    ¡°Are you done, Zoe?¡± Landon said, a hint of anger in his tone.

    Zoe grinned, using her mother as a defense. ¡°Why so angry, Landon? Am I wrong?

    ¡°Or do you n to keep Ms. Lauren out here to yourself forever because you don¡¯t dare to take her

    home

    to face Mom?

    ¡°You know yourself that she¡¯s nothing more than a mentally-ill little girl, that she¡¯ll never be fit to

    be

    Mrs. Harper, right?¡±

    ¡°Shut up, Zoe!¡± Landon roared, unable to stand his lover being insulted.

    Behind him, Angelina¡¯s hand balled into fists.

    ¡°Look at you.¡± Zoe snickered.

    ¡°Would you be so angry if I wasn¡¯t right?¡±

    ¡°I have no time to argue with you.¡± Landon wasn¡¯t going to yell at his sister in front of his mother.

    He swallowed his anger and said sternly, ¡°Lauren, let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Wait.¡±

    This time, Penelope was the one who had spoken.

    Landon stopped in his steps, his grip tightening around Lauren¡¯s hand.

    Penelope slowly walked up to the two of them, a faint smile on her lips. It was this smile that made

    Landon rx his guard.

    However, the moment Penelope went up to Lauren, her gaze suddenly grew frigid.

    She raised her hand and pped Lauren right across her cheek.

    ¡°Ow!¡± Lauren¡¯s head flung to the side, her cheek stinging as tears welled in her eyes.

    ¡°What are you doing, Mom?¡± Shock flitted across Landon¡¯s eyes as he red at his mother, rage.

    overwhelming his senses.

    Angelina angrily gnawed on her lip. She couldn¡¯t do anything inappropriate before Penelope since she

    was

    only a subordinate in the Harper household.

    Penelope ignored her son and coldly red at Lauren as thetter wept.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll allow you to be with my son just because you¡¯re from the Beckett family. Your sister is

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    already crossed out in my books.

    ¡°What makes you think I would ept someone as mentally ill as you to be my son¡¯s wife?

    Dream

    on!¡±

    ¡°Stop it! I won¡¯t let you hurt Lauren!¡± Landon yelled, standing in front of Lauren defensively.

    Rage and hatred burned in his eyes. His hands balled into tight fists, as if he might hurt Penelope at

    any

    moment.

    ¡°If¡­ you still want me to call you mother!¡±

    Zoe was shocked to silence.

    She had thought using her mother would be the thing to make Landon surrender.

    After all, everyone in Sna City knew just how much of a mother¡¯s boy Landon was. He may be a

    rebel,

    but he always abided by his mother¡¯s instructions.

    That was why Zoe had never imagined Landon would threaten to cut off their mother for Lauren.

    What in the world was happening?

    ¡°You ¡­ you¡¯re abandoning me, your own mother, all for this little retard?¡± Penelope gasped, chest

    heaving

    painfully.

    BONU

    ¡°She¡¯s not a retard! I love her!¡± Landon¡¯s voice shook, filled with fervent love.

    ¡°I love Lauren. I want no one else but her. If you insult or hurt her again, then¡­ then you¡¯re renouncing

    me,

    your son.¡±

    ¡°Are you out of your mind, Landon? You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re turning your back on your own mother, all for this

    woman? For her?¡±

 Chapter 695

    Penelope was so angry that she couldn¡¯t think of anything else to say.

    What had happened to her obedient son? Why had he be so rebellious after just a few days off on

    his own? All for this silly little girl, too?

    ¡°Why are you upsetting Mom, Landon? You know she¡¯s not in the best condition right now!¡± Zoe held

    onto her mother, switching gears.

    ¡°How many women have you gone through all these years? Countless! The list is endless! You¡¯re only

    fighting with Mom over Lauren because she¡¯s refreshing to you, nothing else!

    ¡°When you¡¯ve had your fill, you¡¯ll regret what you said to Mom today and for how angry you made her!¡±

    Lauren, who had been clinging onto her teddy bear behind Landon, shakily took a step back upon

    hearing that. Pain shot through her heart, overwhelming her.

    Landon had made her feel safe and secure for so long. Yet, for some reason, all she could feel right

    now

    was panic and fear ¡­

    ¡°I¡¯ve never asked anything from you since I was a kid, Mom. I always just did what you and Zoe wanted

    me to do as best I could,¡± Landon said, his voice tight

    ¡°I haven¡¯t asked for anything from you in all my 28 years of life. All I want right now is to be with Lauren.

    Can¡¯t you just¡­ ¡±

    ¡°No. I can¡¯t,¡± Penelope gritted out before Landon could finish talking.

    ¡°Over my dead body, Landon Harper. Don¡¯t you dare think you two can be together or that this retard

    can

    marry into our family!¡±

    ¡°Mom!¡± Landon roared, eyes zing angrily.

    ¡°You are my only son and the hope of the entire Harper family! How will I ever face your father if you

    marry someone like her?¡± Penelope cried.

    She was nearly losingposure now. ¡°Sophia Kirkman is a nasty, vile woman, and that daughter of

    hers,

    Betty, tried to hurt Zoe!

    ¡°The apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree, Landon. Don¡¯t be fooled by Lauren¡¯s acts and tricks!¡±

    Beside her, Zoe was cackling like mad internally, though she sported a worried look.

    ¡°You said Ms. Lauren was a mentally-ill fool before, Madam. How would someone like her be capable

    of

    Penelope¡¯s insults.

    ¡°Be quiet! Who do you think you are?¡± Zoe cried, pointing angrily at her.

    Zoe had long been irritated by Angelina, so she used this opportunity to vent out her anger.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need either of you to tell me what kind of person Lauren is.¡±

    Landon took a deep breath, not wanting to speak to his sister or mother anymore. ¡°Nothing you two do

    or

    say to me will change my decision. I want Lauren. That¡¯s all.¡±

    Penelope¡¯s blood rushed frantically upon hearing this.

    ¡°Mr. Harper! Ms. Lauren is missing!¡± Angelina suddenly cried, looking around for Lauren.

    ¡°Lauren? Lauren!¡± Landon paled with fright, running off to look for her.

    ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind, Landon! Out of your mind!¡± Penelope cried, clutching her chest as she heaved

    heavy breaths.

    ¡°We can¡¯t give up now, Mom!¡± Zoe gritted her teeth together as she watched Landon leave.

    ¡°What else can we do now? He doesn¡¯t even respect me anymore!¡± Penelope moaned, disappointment

    flooding her.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°He still has to go through Grandpa. Do you think Grandpa would want a granddaughter-inw like

    her?¡±

    Zoe¡¯s gaze darkened. She had long plotted all of this. ¡°We just need a chance to let Grandpa see how

    retarded Lauren is. That way, he¡¯ll step in.¡±

    ¡°Will it really work, Zoe? With how stubborn your brother is, I don¡¯t think even your Grandpa would¡­¡±

    ¡°It will work,¡± Zoe said decisively.

    ¡°Landon only got so far in his life because he wanted to get Grandpa¡¯s approval and to make Dad

    proud

    by taking over the family business.

    ¡°If he upsets Grandpa now, he will take back everything from Landon and give Uncle Preston the

    company

    instead.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t Landon then be abandoning Dad¡¯s love and the hope everyone has ced on him?¡±

    Landon instructed all the bodyguards under his family¡¯s control to spread out and look for Lauren.

    Yet Landon it have g

    sure Lauren was safe.

 Chapter 696

    Finally, Landon found Lauren in the yground, sitting alone on the children¡¯s swing.

    ¡°Lauren¡­

    Lauren¡¯s hair and her red cloak were coated in ayer of snow, making her look like a snowman,

    Silly girl. How long has she been sitting out here in the cold?

    Heart aching at the sight, Landon slowly walked up to her. ¡°There you are, Lauren.¡±

    He knelt down on one knee before her, sweaty palms holding onto her cold hands that were locked

    around her teddy bear.

    ¡°How ¡­ how did you find me?¡± Lauren asked, blinking in surprise.

    ¡°Our hearts are connected, Lauren. I would be able to find you no matter where you go,¡± Landon

    croaked

    out lightly.

    He caressed her flushed cheeks as the pain in his chest swelled. ¡°You¡¯re never running away from me

    again, Lauren.¡±

    Lauren¡¯s eyes grew downcast as she went silent.

    ¡°It¡¯s so cold out here. Why don¡¯t youe home with me?¡±

    ¡°I want to live with Grandpa, Landon.¡± Lauren slowly inched her hands out from Landon¡¯s.

    ¡°I called Grandpa¡¯s assistant, Mr. Gorham, earlier. He said he¡¯ll send someone to pick me up right

    away.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t want me anymore?¡± Landon asked sadly.

    Lauren shook her head, lips pulling taut. ¡°I-I don¡¯t want to make things hard for you. I don¡¯t want you to

    be

    angry with your mom.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t be angry at her anymore. She¡¯s your mother, you need to listen to her.¡±

    ¡°But I only want to listen to you.¡± Landon¡¯s gaze was tender as he brushed off the snow on Lauren¡¯s

    shoulders.

    He cupped her cheek with his hand, knowing his cool palm would help sooth her still-stinging cheek.

    ¡°You should hurry and go home, Landon. Mr. Gorham will be here to pick me up soon,¡± Lauren ushered

    him even as her own heart hurt at the suggestion.

    ¡°Let me ask you something, Lauren.¡± Landon swallowed nervously, his eyes brimming with tears.

    ¡°Do you love me?¡±

    Love.

    Love?

    Lauren blinked in surprise. She looked up at Landon, her lips parting as if to speak yet no words came

    out

    of them for several long seconds.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Landon¡¯s heart ached so painfully.

    What was he thinking? What happened to it being enough that only he loved her?

    Lauren was no ordinary girl. He couldn¡¯t do this to her.

    ¡°Landon,¡± Lauren called softly.

    She gently raised her hands, cing them on top of Landon¡¯s.

    ¡°I love you.¡±

    He had been in her heart from the very beginning.

    It might have been since the first time he had kissed her, or when she had secretly sketched that

    drawing

    of him.

    Or it might have been each and every time he had stood by her, without a care about what the rest of

    the

    world thought.

    She didn¡¯t know what love was, but this all-epassing feeling in her heart might be it.

    Landon¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as tears flowed down his cheeks.

    He had enjoyed thepany of countless women throughout the years, but this was the first time he

    had

    felt truly in love.

    The lovers hugged one another tightly in the snow.

    Landon tried wrapping her closer and closer still in his coat, but it wasn¡¯t enough.

    He wanted Lauren to be buried deep in his heart.

 Chapter 697

    Landon hurried to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning after coaxing Lauren to sleep, where he

    soon joined Becketts and Taylors.

    Unable to take it anymore, Newton had retired to a VIP ward to rest with Javier¡¯s help.

    ¡°Jonah, I just interrogated that son of a bitch.¡±

    Jonah had gone to the end of the hallway to answer a call from Cyrus.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been in this line of work for so long. I could instantly tell he¡¯s hiding something from us! But he just

    won¡¯t crack!¡± Cyrus eximed.

    ¡°What did that asshole tell you?¡± Jonah asked solemnly.

    ¡°He said he attacked Madam L because he used to be her top fan. He¡¯s harbored anger toward her

    ever since she quit the industry, feeling like she betrayed him.

    ¡°Can you imagine that bullshit? Madam L was the actress of the century back then! Who does he

    think

    he is to be able to bag someone like her?¡± Cyrus yelled, venting out a whole night¡¯s worth of anger to

    his

    brother.

    Jonah frowned. ¡°Get to the point.¡±Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sorry, Jonah. I got too carried away.¡±

    Cyrusposed himself and said, ¡°The jackass said he attacked Madam L because seeing her

    triggered all the sadness he had felt over the years because of her.

    ¡°He¡¯s not fooling anybody with that nonsensical story! Someone ordered him to do this. I¡¯m sure of it!¡±

    ¡°Your interrogation results are simr to what I figured,¡± Jonah said lightly.

    Cyrus said, ¡°This is all I could dig out so far, Jonah. The guy was really meticulous to erase everything

    suspicious from his phone, too.

    ¡°There¡¯s no sign that he was instructed by anyone at all. My guess is that he used a spare phone to

    ¡°What if this isn¡¯t the first time he¡¯s done this?¡± Cyrus asked.

    Jonah narrowed his eyes and said coldly, ¡°Then I don¡¯t trust a word he¡¯s said. It¡¯s all too much to be a

    coincidence.

    ¡°You can immediately tell that someone orchestrated this behind the scenes. I need to figure out who

    tried to hurt Madam L.¡±

    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll do my part as well, Jonah.¡±

    Cyrus paused before asking, ¡°How is ¡­ how is Jasper doing?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s still in a critical state,¡± Jonah answered tightly.

    Cyrus really didn¡¯t know what to say to that.

    ¡°But I¡¯m sure the odds will turn in his favor. Lyse is operating on his brain as we speak. It¡¯s been five

    hours

    now.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Cyrus nearly spat his drink out.

    ¡°O-operating on his brain? Does she think he¡¯s some practice dummy? Lyse¡¯s way of getting revenge

    on

    her ex is¡­. quite something!¡±

    ¡°We need to trust Dr. Snow¡¯s medical expertise. To her, brain surgery shouldn¡¯t be a difficult task.¡±

    Jonah

    smiled, recalling his multifaceted sister.

    ¡°Doctor¡­ Snow?¡± Cyrus gasped.

    ¡°That skilled, well-known medical expert who has saved countless patients from death¡¯s door again and

    again¡­ is Alyssa?¡±

    Jonah chuckled proudly. ¡°Yes, your baby sister.¡±

    He could imagine Cyrus¡¯ jaw hitting the ground through the phone.

    ¡°Damn! That¡¯s fucking awesome!¡±

 Chapter 698

    The Beckett family remained gathered outside the surgery room until 9:00 am the next morning.

    Javier and Newton stared fixedly at the door, with the former helping thetter stand.

    Sophia had used the excuse that she was tired to return home to rest. Newton despised her, and she

    didn¡¯t give a damn about Jasper. So there was no point faking her concern any longer.

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t Lyse out yet? It¡¯s been so long.¡± Winston gazed at the surgery room, feeling uneasy.

    ¡°Brain surgery isn¡¯t a small feat. Some take entire days toplete.¡± Jonah consoled his father, patting

    his back.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Lyse is stronger and more capable than you think. This surgery will definitely be a

    sess.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that. I¡¯m just concerned that Alyssa won¡¯t be able to handle staying up for an

    entire

    night without rest.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t she tired? Did she have time to eat a bite or drink some water?¡±

    If Jonah hadn¡¯t stopped Winston, he would have barged into the room to check on Alyssa himself.

    Jonah smiled lightly, ¡°Here I thought you were worried about¡­ the one being operated on.¡±

    Winston nced at Newton who remained anxiously worried in the distance, frowning lightly.

    ¡°The kid ¡­ gets a point for saving my darling daughter. He¡¯s gone from a negative one to zero now.¡±

    Jonah pursed his lips. He didn¡¯t tell Winston anything more because he had promised Alyssa to keep

    those secrets.

    This wasn¡¯t the first time Jasper had saved Alyssa. There was that time at Crater Mountain Park too,

    which had nearly killed him.

    ¡°Dad, let me ask you a question. If

    ¡°Jasper! Oh, Jasper!¡±

    Before Jonah could finish speaking, a whining, sobbing voice cried out.

    The atmosphere in the hallway swiftly changed. Both Newton and Javier turned to the source of the

    noise.

    Zoe was running over to them sobbing terribly, her high heels clicking loudly on the floor.

    ¡°What are you doing here, Zoe?¡± Landon hurriedly went up to stop her.

    This is no ce for you to cause a scene. Hurry up and go home!¡±

    The moment Zoe nced up at him, he jolted in shock.

    There was a sheer coldness in her eyes Landon had never seen before. It was so alien and strange to

    him,

    as if Zoe was no longer his sister of 20-something years.

    He no longer saw the trust and faith she used to have for him.

    Zoe then gritted her teeth and shoved Landon away before running over to Javier and Newton.

    ¡°Grandpa Newton! Uncle Javier! How is Jasper? Has he woken up yet?¡±

    Zoe¡¯s eyes had turned swollen red with her crying, creating quite the pitiful sight with her hitching sobs.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Who is¡­?¡± Newton asked, confused.

    ¡°Dad, this is Landon¡¯s kid sister, Zoe Harper,¡± Javier introduced, feeling touched at how upset Zoe was

    all

    because she was worried for Jasper.

    His tone grew gentler as he spoke. ¡°She always came over to visit us when she was a child. She was

    close friends with Jasper, too. He always treated her as his own sister.

    ¡°Zoe went to study overseas afterward. She got back this year.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­ Landon¡¯s sister, huh.¡± Newton nodded, but he said nothing else.

 Chapter 699

    ¡°Jasper has¡­ always been really nice to me since I was a kid. He looked after me a lot, and so, he¡¯s

    the

    most important person to me right now¡­

    Zoe wiped her tears, shoulders quaking as she sobbed. ¡°After hearing that he got hurtst night, I was

    so

    worried I didn¡¯t sleep a wink.

    ¡°I wanted toe over first thingst night, but Landon wouldn¡¯t let me. He was worried I would cause

    more trouble for you.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I should havee over earlier. That way I might still have been able to help out some¡­¡±

    ¡°Poor thing. We see your efforts, dear girl,¡± Javier said with a sigh, approval apparent in his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m really grateful that you still care about my son. I¡¯m so d you two have been friends since young.¡±

    ¡°We still have a close bond now, too, not just when we were kids.¡±

    Zoe blushed shyly, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll be here as long as Jasper needs me.¡±

    There was no doubt as to what she was implying.

    Landon¡¯s expression turned ugly. Zoe¡¯s outright confession and attitude toward Jasper really was

    embarrassing to her status.

    ¡°Is Mr. Harper¡¯s sister interested in Jasper, too, Jonah?¡± Winston asked curiously, nudging his son, who

    was sitting beside him.

    ¡°It looks like it, yes.¡±

    ¡°What does Jasper feel about her then? Is he interested?¡± Winston narrowed his eyes.

    Jonah shook his head. ¡°As far as I know, no.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that he was helping to put in a good word for Jasper. He had juste to understand just

    what

    kind of man Jasper was.

    Jasper was a single-minded creature, really. When he had liked Liana, all he had cared about was her.

    Not even someone as wonderful as Alyssa had been able to move his heart.

    Now that Jasper had realized his faults, he only had eyes for Alyssa and no one else.

    Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have sacrificed himself again and again for her.

    ¡°I really don¡¯t understand what these young girls are thinking these days. What¡¯s so fine about the

    Beckett kid? They¡¯re all lunging at him like bees to honey.¡±

    Winston wrinkled his nose, grumbling, ¡°My sons are all still single and just as handsome as Jasper

    Beckett.

    ¡°The Harper family are a decent lot. If they have a daughter, why don¡¯t they consider one of my sons?

    Go

    and win her over, Jonah!¡±

    Jonah¡¯s heart clenched. ¡°I don¡¯t like women.¡±

    ¡°What? What did you say?¡± Winston¡¯s brows furrowed.

    ¡°What I mean is, Ms. Harper isn¡¯t my type.¡±

    Jonah cleared his throat and said wryly, ¡°Can¡¯t you tell she¡¯s already set her eyes on someone else?

    Drop

    the matchmaking and leave us in peace, Dad.¡±

    ¡°What misfortune befell upon me to have none of my sons grow up to be like me?

    ¡°All you and your brothers care about is business, not women!¡± Winston grumbled, shaking his head

    and

    dropping the topic.

    ¡°I¡¯m grateful that Ms. Harper still cares about my grandson at this time. You can go back home now.¡±

    Newton remained distant. There wasn¡¯t even a hint of a smile on his face.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    After all, he had no patience to deal with outsiders when Jasper was still in critical condition.

    ¡°I heard¡­ Jasper got hurt because he was saving Ms. Alyssa.¡± Zoe wasn¡¯t going to let her golden

    opportunity to make a good impression in front of Newton go to waste.

    ¡°I can¡¯t do much for Jasper right now, but¡­ I can pray for him here. I won¡¯t leave until he wakes up.¡±

    ¡°No need, Ms. Harper.¡±

    Newton forced a smile on his face, saying kindly, ¡°I ept your gesture, but I¡¯m a materialist. I would

    rather believe in the doctors¡¯ capabilities and science than prayers.¡±

 Chapter 700

    Zoe¡¯s heart dropped into her stomach. Face flushed, she hurriedly exined, ¡°I don¡¯t mean anything

    untoward. Grandpa Newton, nor do I want to cause anymore trouble for you guys ¡­ I¡¯m just trying to

    do

    what I can to help!

    ¡®t may not be the most capable, but at least I never injured Jasper! I didn¡¯t hurt him so bad that he

    ended

    up suffering on a cold surgical table!¡±

    ¡°Enough, Zoe!¡± Landon cried, walking over to stop her.

    Newton¡¯s expression grew cold. He asked sharply, ¡°Are you ming Alyssa? Do you think she was the

    one

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    who did this to my grandson?¡±

    ¡°¡­.I¡­.¡± Zoe stammered.

    Of course she did! Of course, it was Alyssa¡¯s fault!

    But Zoe couldn¡¯t say that out loud. Newton was clearly biased towards Alyssa.

    Just then, the sound of doors opening rang through the hallway.

    Everyone turned to see the surgical room doors open.

    Winston and Jonah leapt from their seats while everyone else hurried over to the door.

    Two medical personnel exited first, followed by slow, heavy steps.

    A shorter figure walked out the door, d in a mask and surgeon¡¯s garb. However, it did nothing to take

    away from her beauty.

    She took a deep breath and took off the mask.

    The moment Zoe saw who it was, she was left stunned to her core. Her eyes were just as wide as her

    mouth.

    How could this be¡­

    The person who had operated on Jasper¡­ was this bitch?

    ¡°Lyse¡­ oh, Lyse!¡±

    Winston and Newton ran over, each holding onto her shaking hands.

    Their hearts ached at the sight of Alyssa¡¯s tired eyes and the red marks on her face left by the surgical

    mask

    Lyse, is Jasper ? Newton asked hesitantly.

    Alyssa heaved a great sigh, holding his hand tight. ¡°Jasper must have heard your prayers while he was

    unconscious, Grandpa. I¡¯ve sessfully removed the blood clots from his brain. The surgery was a

    sess.¡±

    Everyone cried out in sheer joy.

    Landon clutched his chest, his heart finally able to find peace.

    ¡°Thank goodness! Oh, thank the heavens!¡± Javier¡¯s hands were held tight together as he muttered

    gratefully.

    ¡°What heavens? Alice was the one who performed the surgery. You should be thanking her!¡± Newton

    red at his son.

    Though Javier was prejudiced against Alyssa, he still couldn¡¯t not say anything for fear of ruining his

    public image.

    So he went over to her and said quietly, ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Alyssa. Thank you for saving my

    son¡¯s

    life.¡±

    ¡°No need, Mr. Javier.¡± Alyssa sighed deeply.

    Jasper only ended up like this because he saved me. Saving him was naturally my rightful duty.¡±

    This is all thanks to you, Alice! All you!¡± Newton hugged her tight, tears nearly falling down his cheeks.

    Alyssa consoled him for a while before slowly turning her cold gaze to Zoe, who was standing stock still

    a

    distance away.

 Chapter 701

    Zoe gasped and took a step back as she watched Alyssa approach with a cold determination.

    Despite wearing heels, Zoe was still shorter than Alyssa. However, the height wasn¡¯t the problem.

    Alyssa had outshined Zoe in terms of her inner qualities and her intimidating air. Zoe was reduced to

    nothing in front of Alyssa.

    ¡°W-What are you doing?¡± Zoe gasped. She turned white.

    ¡°Nothing much. I just want to clear your doubts,¡± Alyssa replied with a calm smile and took off her

    surgeon cap. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders in a sassy way.

    She announced, ¡°Your dear Jasper is out of critical condition. You don¡¯t have to pray for him anymore.

    Then, she whispered into Zoe¡¯s ear, ¡°You should just ask for my help instead of praying Since he got

    hurt because of me, I¡¯ll treat him till he¡¯s recovered. So, please don¡¯t waste your time worrying for him.¡±

    Zoe was trembling in rage at Alyssa¡¯s provocation. It seemed that Alyssa had overheard what she said

    in

    the corridor.

    Just as she was thinking hard on a pback, Landon joined them, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

    He blurted out, ¡°Lyse, you know how to perform surgery?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± she replied crossly and wiped the sweat on her forehead. She had just made it through a

    long

    surgery and wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk.

    ¡°No, I mean, you¡¯re cool! You¡¯re the best!¡± Landon scrambled forpliments.

    She gave him, a side-eye and shook her head, saying, ¡°If you studied harder in school, you could use

    adjectives with more than two sybles.¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but wonder how someone as lovely as Lauren ended up with a shallow man like

    Landon, whose only redeeming quality was his wealth.

    Zoe quivered in resentment, wishing that Landon would shut up.

    Suddenly, they heard urgent footsteps approaching from the corridoi.

    He continued, ¡°Abel, meet my daughter, Alyssa, the one I¡¯ve spoken so highly of many times.¡± Winston

    proudly pulled Alyssa to his side and added, ¡°It may be hard to believe, but she¡¯s an exceptional doctor.

    She justpleted a ten-hour-long surgery. She freaking cracked open a brain!¡±

    Jonah and Landon shuddered upon hearing Winston¡¯s crude description. Abel and the deputy director

    exchanged looks and turned to Winston in shock.

    Abel stammered, ¡°M-Mr. Taylor, is she really your daughter?¡±

    Winston furrowed his brow at the strange question. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean? She¡¯s definitely

    not.

    yours!¡±

    Abel rified, ¡°No, no. What I meant was, were you unaware of her reputation?¡±

    Winston looked puzzled. ¡°What reputation?¡±

    Taking a deep breath, Abel proceeded to introduce Alyssa to everyone with great respect and

    admiration.

 Chapter 702

    ¡°Your daughter is none other than the renowned genius doctor-Dr. White!¡±

    The revtion left everyone in a state of shock.

    Alyssa Taylor, in addition to her remarkable skills as a manager at KS World Hotel and a genius

    designer, was now unveiled as a brilliant doctor. She was nothing short of a superhuman.

    Newton and Javier looked shell-shocked. They couldn¡¯t believe what they had just heard.

    People of their social standing were well aware of Dr. White¡¯s formidable reputation, as she was highly

    regarded for her surgical expertise. Receiving treatment from Dr. White was a great honor for anyone.

    Despite her widespread acim, Dr. White was a mysterious figure who refused to show her face or

    engage in interviews. Only a select few, like Jonah and Abel, had been privy to her truc identity.

    The staggering revtion left Javier gaping in astonishment. Never had he imaginer that the young

    woman who had lived under his roof for three years possessed such a multitude of talents.

    Feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness overwhelmed him. He knew he might never find another

    daughter-inw as exceptional as Alyssa.

    ¡°Dr. Liverton, good grief¡­¡± Alyssa sighed with a wry chuckle. ¡°Why did you have to let my father in? I

    explicitly told you to keep it a secret.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, in the past three years, you¡¯ve performed several sessful surgeries at our hospital and

    helped us through challenging times. How can I keep this good news from Mr. Taylor?

    ¡°I understand you want to keep a low profile, but you should at least let your dad hear about it!¡± Abel

    expressed his admiration for Alyssa.

    Winston, a mixture of happiness and anger, couldn¡¯t bring himself to scold Alyssa and instead yfully

    pinched her cheek. ¡°How could you keep this from me? I should give you a good scolding!¡±

    ¡°Winston, you can¡¯t say that in front of everyone,¡± Alyssa admonished him in a hushed voice, clearly

    embarrassed.

    ¡°Alice¡­¡± Newton approached her and held her shoulders as he teared up. He scanned the outstanding

    young woman frein head to toe longingly. ¡°Alice, i teel sorry. The Beckett family has wronged you.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, what are you talking about? Stop it.¡±

    ¡°No. Our family was an obstacle in your life,¡± Newton added. He grew even more remorseful and

    reluctant

    Hemented, ¡°Oh, what to do? I don¡¯t ever want any woman near Jasper except for you. I will never

    approve of anyone else as my granddaughter-inw!

    ¡°Call me greedy and shameless, but I do not want anyone except for Alice!¡±

    Winston wore a displeased expression, but before he could speak, Jonah held him back.

    Alyssa was flustered by Newton¡¯s antics. She blushed and said, ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯re acting out like a

    child.¡±

    While everyone

    ignored.

    admired and praised Alyssa, Zoe stood on the outskirts of the crowd, ashen-faced and

    Even Landon did not show her any concern. She was forgotten by everyone.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Newton¡¯s words had struck a nerve with Zoe, fueling her simmering hatred, and she wished ill upon

    Alyssa.

 Chapter 703

    It was not unusual for patients who underwent major surgeries to be in aa for ten days. However,

    Jasper had a good physique thanks to his military background. He woke up on day four.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Jasper felt increasingly irritated as someone persistently called out to him. He struggled to open his

    eyes.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    As his vision gradually cleared, he saw Xavier standing before him, appearing disheveled and visibly

    thinner.

    Xavier was agitatedly spamming the emergency button by the bedside. ¡®Mr. Beckett is awake! He¡¯s

    awake!

    ¡°Anyone would wake up if you keep bothering them like this,¡¯ grumbled Jasper, his ears ringing and his

    mind muddled. ¡°Where am I?¡±

    ¡°The hospital, of course! Don¡¯t you know you¡¯ve undergone a life-and-death situation?¡± Xavier informed

    him. Tears welled up as he recalled the misfortune that befell Jasper.

    ¡°Oh¡­ Lyse!¡± The first thing Jasper thought about after waking up was Alyssa¡¯s safety. Thest scene in

    his memory was of the attacker aiming the metal stick at Alyssa. He lost the memory of what

    happened.

    next.

    fhe

    He wondered if he managed to protect her. What if he failed to protect her from the attack? The thought

    was unbearable.

    Xavier are sed him down and coaxed him, ¡°Madam is fine! She¡¯s not hurt at all because you saved her.

    Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    Jasper was till concerned. At that moment, the hospital staff and the attending physician rushed in and

    helped Xavier restrain Jasper.

    ¡°Where¡¯s i yse? I want to see her! Jasper shot up from the bed and trembled in rage. He seemed

    extremely emotional

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, would you take a good rest for now? We can meet in Madam when you¡¯re feeling better.

    Just look at you now.

    ¡°I want to see her now. Right now!¡± For some reason, Jasper was tensed up His head felt like it might

    explode at any morment, and his heart seemed ready to leap out of his chest.

    Just as everyone was taken aback by his outburst, a melodious voice cut through the tension. ¡°Jasper

    A hush fell over the room as Alyssa stood at the doorway with a stern expression, her beauty still

    shining through.

    ¡°M-Madam!¡± Xavier grinned at her as if he had run into a savior.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Jasper called out to her tenderly, but his trembling worsened. His head was heavily bandaged.

    He looked ratherical with his affectionate gaze.

    She gave a faint smile and spoke coolly, ¡°Please leave, all of you. The patient needs some rest.¡± Her

    tone. was professional.

    ¡°We¡¯ll leave him to you, Ms. Alyssa,¡± the attending physician said respectfully and led the nurses out of

    the room.

    Ever since Dr. White¡¯s true identity had be known throughout the hospital, the usually arrogant

    medical staff showed Alyssa the utmost respect and admiration.

    ¡°Madam, I¡¯ll leave Mr. Beckett in your good hands!¡± The sensible Xavier left the room and shut the door.

    after him.

    Alyssa was d to see Jasper waking up. However, she was reluctant to show her jov. Instead, she put

    on

    a stoic look.

    She reminded him, ¡°Jasper Beckett, you¡¯d best avoid excessive movements after the brain surgery. If

    you

    don¡¯t listen to me, you might end up an actual fool.¡±

    She crossed her arms on her chest with a mocking expression on her face. ¡°If that happened, I would

    be

    too embarrassed to admit I was an acquaintance of yours.¡±

    Jasper interrupted her words with his next action.

 Chapter 704

    Jasper rolled out of his bed and rushed over to Alyssa.

    ¡°You-¡± she began. He grasped her wrist and spun her around dizzyingly into a hug. She bumped her

    head against his chest.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m so d you¡¯re safe,¡± Jasper mumbled repeatedly and rested his chin on her shoulder. He

    seemed to care more about her than himself even when he was injured.

    Alyssa refrained from touching Jasper. She protested, ¡°You¡¯re still injured. Don¡¯t move around. Go back

    to your bed and rest now.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he stubbornly refused, tightening his arms around her.

    Widening her eyes, she sensed his fast-beating heart. Why? His body was warm and tense, his

    trembling suggesting something was wrong.

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re not quite yourself now. Please let go of me. You should-Mmph-¡± She was cut off when

    Jasper sealed her lips with a kiss. His heart raced, and his breathing was ragged.

    He inched closer to her while she strumbled backward until her back was pressed against the wall.

    Having nowhere to escape to, she was subjected to his aggressive kiss.

    Jasper closed his eyes and kissed her passionately, like an exhausted traveler who hade across

    an oasis. He forced her lips open, and their tongues intertwined.

    Her body flushed as he pressed against her and kissed her. His breathing stabilized after a while, and

    the trembling faded. Even his uncontroble desire was reigned in.

    Still, he kissed her as forcefully and as deeply as before, and he would have continued doing so all day

    if not because she was out of breath.

    After the kiss, they were sweaty and panting. Jasper¡¯s patient outfit was drenched and clung to his

    solid chest. He might as well not wear anything.

    Even his pale lips became rosy. Was he trying to kiss his way back to recovery?

    ¡°You bastard! How dare you attack me right after you woke up?¡± she cursed him out harshly as she

    struggled to gather herself after the kiss.

    He replied. ¡°And I¡¯ll only attack you.¡± After the kiss, he felt much refreshed. The bothering frustration no

    longer lingered.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    His eyes deepened. He boldly pressed hirnself against her and lifted her chin as he remarked, ¡°But it

    doesn¡¯t hurt, does it?¡±

    ¡°Get lost! Get into your bed!¡± She looked away as her heart raced.

    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Are you not even listening to me now?¡± she blurted out.

    After a pause, he grinned and replied, ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll listen to you, but¡­¡± He swallowed hard and

    tickled her nose with a hot breath. ¡°¡­ only after I have enough of the kissing.¡±

    Before she could react, he pinned her wrists against the wall. He showered her with aggressive kisses

    once again.

    It was after dusk when Alyssa freed herself from Jasper. She limped exhaudly to Abel¡¯s office, sweaty

    and in a daze.

    She and Jasper did nothing more than kiss, but it somehow felt as though they had scored a home run.

 Chapter 705

    After knocking, Alyssa entered the office. She greeted Abe

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you looked flushed. Are you feeling unwell?¡± he asked with concem.

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m fine,¡± she reassured him while silently cursing out Jasper. She took a deep breath and touched

    her burning cheeks. ¡°Are Jasper¡¯s CT scan results out yet?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Abel retrieved the scan results from his drawer and handed it to her gravely. She scrutinized the

    results under the office lights, her expression turning troubled as her heart sank.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you can tell what¡¯s wrong, can¡¯t you?¡± Abel looked worried. ¡°But the surgery was a huge

    sess. Only three doctors in the country have seeded in performing this surgery sur

    ¡°Is this what you call a sess?¡± she wondered, feeling frustrated. Her trembling hands lungs d by her

    body, ruffling the scan results.

    She groaned, ¡°In my opinion, the surgery was a failure because of theplications!¡±

    The only thing she couldn¡¯t bear was the taste of defeat, especially when it concerned ¡­ sper¡¯s health.

    Clutching her sleeve, she felt a pang of heartache.

    Knowing that she was prideful, Abelforted her, ¡°It was aplicated surgery. I¡¯m not surprised at

    the

    ¡°No wonder he was emotional when he saw me just now¡­¡± Her voice trailed off. She clenched her fists

    indignantly and inquired, ¡°Is there any way to treat theplications?¡±

    Abel sighed. ¡°We can only suppress his symptoms with sedatives. That¡¯s the best option for the time

    being. However, the patient could better manage the symptoms if he remains calm and emotionally

    stable.¡±

    Emotionally stable? Did his emotions stabilize after kissing her?

    She gritted her teeth and blushed in embarrassment. Treating someone as thick-skinned as Jasper

    was

    no easy task.

    At midnight, two scantily dressed women in thigh-split dresses were entertaining Jameson in a treeriou

    lounge at The Millenaturn, they mostly served him alcohol and kept himpany.

    Everyone at The Millennium knew that Jameson was a clean freak, so the escorts knew better than to

    get

    Amidst the y of light and shadow, Jameson slumped on the couch and leaned back. His neckline

    breathtakingly graceful, like a work of art.

    One of the escorts, who was too engrossed in watching him, identally spilled a few drops of wine on

    the tip of Jameson¡¯s spotless shoes.

    Her face drained of color as she apologized profusely to him, ¡°M-Mr. Schmidt, I¡¯m so sorry!¡±

    He slowly opened his eyes without looking at her. ¡°Clean it up.¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes!¡± Feeling relieved, she immediately knelt and shakily wiped his shoes clean with her dress.

    ¡°Now, get lost,¡± he instructed her irritatedly and massaged his forehead,

    ¡°Okay!¡± The woman retreated and stumbled out of the door.

    ¡°You leave too,¡± Jameson added.

    The remaining escort fearfully scrambled to exit the lounge.

    As soon as they left, Carl cautiously entered the lounge and informed Jameson, ¡®Mr. Schmidt, Ms.

    Altman has arrived.¡±

 Chapter 706

    Jameson¡¯s eyes finally lit up in anticipation. He ordered, ¡°Let her in.¡±

    ¡°Sure, Mr. Schmidt!¡± Then, Carl left the room. Soon, the silence was broken by the sound of clicking

    heels.

    ¡°Jimmy,¡± Amber Altman called out to him tenderly as she strutted over. He squinted at her with a grin,

    like

    he was admiring a piece of art.

    Amber was the manager of Millennium. Each step she took was full of seduction. However, she

    maintained an air of sophistication.

    Her looks were the biggest surprise of all. Jamseon¡¯s heart raced the moment she showed up. She

    resembled Alyssa, with her dark hair, rosy lips, confident smile, and features he had painstakingly

    worked

    on over the years.

    However, what she could never replicate was Alyssa¡¯s charm and personality.

    ¡°Amber,e here,¡± he called to her, gesturing for her to approach. She obeyed, and he pulled her into

    an

    embrace.

    ¡°Jimmy¡­¡± Amber reached for his tie knot with her slender fingers and tugged on it affectionately.

    Thirsty

    for him, she leaned in for a kiss.

    ¡°Have you forgotten my warning to you?¡± He suddenly put on a stern look, his demeanor cooling

    down.¡± You resemble Alyssa in your looks, but you are not Alyssa.

    ¡°You¡¯re just her recement, so act like one. I am reserving my kiss for Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Got it. I¡¯m sorry, Jimmy. I¡¯ll take note of it next time,¡± she apologized and withdrew her hand as if her

    passion had been doused.

    Among all of Jameson¡¯s staff, only Amber was allowed to address him as ¡°Jimmy¡±. Many assumed it

    was due to Jameson¡¯s affection for her, but she alone knew it was because of her resemnce to

    Alyssa.

    She bit her lips in heartbreak. She had been with Jameson since he was 15 in Kontina. He had never

    once forgotten about Alyssa.

    She wanted to understand what kind of woman Alyssa was for Jameson to have loved her for so long.

    e i beg? Amber cat pe pie i ha demoto

    After all these yearsyarance are finally useful

    Just then, there was a knock on the doc Cars voce flowed Scheme¡±

    Cat entered the lounge and jumped the sight of Amber

    m

    og Although this wat first

    man

    time seeing them together

    always surprised by Amber¡¯s

    kingeance to Alyssa

    ¡°What¡¯s the matte questered Jameson who

    ut that Amber Set hom

    immy tell me how 1 can cheer you up. How can I help?¡± Amber cast a passionate gaze in his direction

    ¡°After

    e years, you and your appearance are finally useful to me,¡± he remarked with a gleam in his

    eye as he traced her profile with his fingers

    Just then, there was a knock on the door. Carl¡¯s voice followed, ¡°Mr. Schmidt, it¡¯s

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Come in¡±

    Carl entered the lounge and jumped at the sight of Amber in Jameson¡¯s hug. Although this wasn¡¯t his

    first

    time seeing them together, he was always surprised by Amber¡¯s striking resemnce to Alyssa

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? questioned Jameson, who took a bite of the fruit that Amber fed him.

 Chapter 707

    ¡°The spy you nted in Taylor General Hospital has some new updates.

    News of Jasper regaining consciousness quickly reached the Beckett family. Newton and Javier hurrie

    to the hospital.

    Upon seeing Jasper, Newton broke down, hugged him, and fought back tears. He moaned, ¡°Oh, my

    deal

    grandson, you¡¯re giving me a heart attack!¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m so sorry for worrying you,¡± Jasper replied. He felt sorry for Newton.

    ¡°How do you feel? Do you still have a headache? Where does it hurt?¡±

    Newton refrained from touching Jasper¡¯s head when he thought about the major surgery to stitch

    Jasper¡¯s head. Right now, Newton was more careful with Jasper than with himself.

    ¡°I¡¯m doing fine,¡± Jasper reassured Newton, Knowing what was on Newton¡¯s mind, Jasper grabbed his

    hand to touch his own head. ¡®Feel my head. Isn¡¯t it pretty solid?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you idiot!¡± Newton teased him. He gently and cautiously touched Jasper¡¯s head with a wide grin.

    Javier was there to visit Jasper as well. His rtionship with Jasper could be described as awkward.

    Javier had lost sleep when Jasper was in aa, but he put on a sour face when Jasper was awake.

    Javier always struggled to say anything nice to Jasper.

    Newton patted Jasper¡¯s cheek. He felt scared when he recalled the perilous situation, and he warned

    Jasper, ¡°You¡¯d better not give me another scare! I know you were protecting Alice, but you shouldn¡¯t

    have.

    exposed yourself to danger.

    ¡°It¡¯s normal to want to be good to your woman, but you need to be healthy and strong to protect her.

    You

    don¡¯t want to turn into ashes before you win her over.¡±

    Javier and Jasper were dumbfounded by Newton¡¯s remark. Jasper cleared his throat and said,

    ¡°Grandpa, can¡¯t you say something more encouraging? Why the talk about death right after I¡¯ve woken

    up?¡±

    ¡°Sigh. You know what I mean. Right, my grandson?¡± Then, Newton whispered into Jasper¡¯s ears as if

    sharing a top secret. ¡°Let me tell you a secret- your wife is extraordinary.¡±

    Jasper blushed at the mention of ¡°wife¡±.

    Newton revealed, ¡°She was your surgeon. It took her ten hours to remove all the blood clots in your

    brain!¡±

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    ¡°Lyse was my surgeon?¡± Jasper was stunned.

    ¡°It¡¯s a shock, isn¡¯t it? I never expected Alyssa to be the renowned ¡®Dr. White.¡¯ Goodness, what do we do

    now? She¡¯s an incredible woman. Now, I worry that she¡¯s out of your league,¡± Newton punctuated his

    worry with a sigh.

    After the initial shock, Jasper looked determined. ¡°I will try my best to be a sessful man who can

    protect her and make her happy.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. She¡¯ll consider herself lucky if you don¡¯t end up causing her more problems, Javier scoffed when

    he was reminded of his loss. ¡°Back then, I advised you to stick with the marriage, but you insisted on

    divorcing Alyssa to date Liana. It¡¯s toote now.¡±

    Jasper frowned. He wanted to retort, only for Newton to cut him off. Newton sted Javier Tsk, why are

    you getting grumpier the older you are? Why bring up Liana?

    Jasper might not be perfect, but he did leave that toxic rtionship, unlike some who are still infatuated

    with the wrong person. You are in no ce to lecture him when you can¡¯t even get it right.¡±

    ¡°Dad, how could you- Javier was incensed. His phone suddenly buzzed, interrupting the argument.

    Javier checked his phone and instantly brightened. Justin had called him from abroad.

 Chapter 708

    ¡°My dear son! You finally called!¡± Javier eximed with a smile. He was uncharacteristically warm and

    friendly.

    Jasper blinked, taken aback by the warmth in Javier¡¯s tone. He had never enjoyed such a cordial

    conversation with his father, and Javier had never addressed him as ¡°dear son.¡±

    Javier seemed to reserve his paternal affection for Justin alone, and that stung Jasper. He couldn¡¯t

    help. but wonder if Javier considered Sophia his one true love and Justin his sole son

    The overt favoritism was outrageous, leaving Jasper at a loss for words.

    ¡°Dad, how are you?¡± Justin asked. He had a distinctive chest voice and was loud enough to be heard

    by

    Jasper.

    ¡°I¡¯m good. How about you? Are you recovering well at Mosgravia? Any relees? Javier questioned. He

    had flown to Mosgraviast year to visit Justin but was too busy to do the same the year

    ¡°I¡¯m doing well, Dad. Please don¡¯t worry about me,¡± Justin answered. Then, he shifted the topic with

    concern, ¡°I heard that Jasper¡¯s hospitalized. How is he doing? Is it a serious case?¡±

    Jasper furrowed his brows, touched by Justin¡¯s concern but also bewildered by Justin¡¯s updated

    knowledge of his younger brother¡¯s life after years of living abroad.

    Javier informed Justin, ¡°Jasper underwent a major surgery. He was in aa for a few days, but he¡¯s

    awake now.¡±

    Justin wondered, ¡°Are you visiting him at the hospital now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, your grandpa and I are here in Jasper¡¯s room.¡±

    ¡°Can you pass the phone to Jasper? I¡¯d like to talk to him.¡±

    Javier agreed and handed the phone to Jasper, saying, ¡°Justin wants to speak to you

    Jasper took the phone hesitantly and said, ¡°Hey, Justin.

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯m worried after hearing that you were badly injured. I wish I could fly home to visit you, but

    Justin sounded genuinely concerned.

    *Justin, I¡¯m fine. Your health condition doesn¡¯t allow for long flights, and I wouldn¡¯t want you to suffer fo

    my sake, Jasper reassured him with a smile Tm on the mend now, so please don¡¯t worry

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    Justin then inquired, Was Ms. Alyssa your surgeon?¡±

    Jasper was

    ¡°Alveun was my sister inw, but you got a diver this year or surprised that she¡¯d put aside the

    operate on you Head¡¯s very teenus

    ¡°Even though both of you are divord, you should be on greet terms with a kind and noble soul like

    Alyssa Justin sanded a little regretful

    Alyona¡±

    Jasper pressed his lips, wondering how bustin had kept tale on events in Cys despite living in

    Mengravia for yours.

    He admitted, ¡°Justin, our divorce was my fault Imissed out on a remarkable wornan. I did this to myself,

    He clenched his fists with determination. ¡°But I am determined to win her back, even if it takes my

    entire

    life to do so. She was my wife, and she will be my wife again¡±

    Javier was struck by Jasper¡¯s unwaveringmitment. He believed Alyssa was a fine woman.

    However,

    to him, it would be unwise of Jaspest to upend his life for a woman¡¯s sake.

 Chapter 709

    ¡°Bravo! Great speech!¡± However, Newton excitedly patted Jasper on the shoulder, nearly causing

    Jasper

    to barf.

    Justin fell silent for a moment, then chuckled and offered encouragement, saying. ¡°Good, I¡¯m d

    you¡¯re

    determined. I wish you all the best in winning Alyssa back.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Justin,¡± Jasper muttered, but Justin¡¯s mention of winning Alyssa back left him feeling

    uneasy.

    Newton took the phone and cheerfully greeted Justin, ¡®Justin, how¡¯s life abroad? I¡¯ve heard the

    beaches

    are fantastic! When will you show me around and soak up some sun?¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, there¡¯s no ce like home,¡± Justin replied with augh. ¡°Considering your age, I¡¯d rather not

    have you take the long journey to Mosgravia. Perhaps we can meet in Sna City once I¡¯m feeling

    better.¡±

    Jasper felt miffed but kept hisposure.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Hahaha! That¡¯s great, too. I so wish you coulde home and reunite with your family!¡± Newton

    sighed. and added, ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself too hard. I¡¯m aware of your health condition, and I won¡¯t me

    you for staying abroad. I can visit you from time to time.

    ¡°After all, it¡¯s just a ten-hour flight on a private jet, How tiring could that be?¡±

    After a brief chat, Newton finally hung up.

    Javier¡¯s eyes brightened as he asked, ¡°Dad, did Justin say he¡¯sing home? Is that true?¡±

    Newton had a twinkle in his eye, but before he could respond, they were interrupted by Ben, who

    knocked on the door and announced, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Landon, and Ms. Lauren have arrived.¡±

    ¡°What? Is Lauren here too?¡± Javier eximed.

    Alyssa and Landon entered, with Landon confidently holding Lauren¡¯s hand. He showed no sign of

    embarrassment as if they were officially dating.

    Meanwhile, Lauren bashfully hid behind Landon with flushed checks. Alyssa, who had followed the

    couple into the room, felt a tinge of frustration and helplessness but knew it wasn¡¯t right to break them

    up.

    ¡°Landon, what¡¯s going on?¡± Javier stared at their intertwined hands in shock.

    ¡°Dad!¡± Landon greeted Javier with a grin, surprising everyone.

    Alyssa almost choked and shot a disapproving look at Landon. He had always referred to Javier as

    Uncle Javier¡± or ¡°Mr. Javier,¡± but now he had called him ¡°dad¡±.

    Javier stiffened and questioned Landon what do you mean?¡±

    Landon inhaled deeply and raised his and Lauren¡¯s interlocked hands. Heunched into a rehearsed

    speech ¡°Dad Lauren and I are deeply in love I¡¯m head over heels for your daughter. My love for her is

    deeper than the ocean and higher than the mountains

    Alyssa and Jasper cringed at Landon¡¯s cheesy speech

    Landon please stop. This is so embarrassing Lauren interjected, unable to bear listening to Landon¡¯s

    words Her face turned deep red, and she squeezed his hand tightly

 Chapter 710

    So, I solemnly ask that you

    Lauren in the future

    * the past will host to

    Treat Lauren better that sews Awake he the over

    woman love Lauren abcess

    ¡°We are dating sen

    Alyssa gered at Lesson thinking thing to that Beckett day make you a

    Meanwhile Jasper shot at kataster than that stand bed treat

    Lauren better than Jas tended Lyse was at thething he wo

    Throughout the lengths sech

    as too chly but his eyes

    brimmed with sincerity. One could tell that he had a wasting to let his telines out

    Newton smiled

    med way, thinking. Quite the tooth talke

    Javier, a businessman with three decades of experience was flustered by a younger apponent for

    He humedly regained hisposure and it on a stem look

    He cleared his throat and began, Landon, I don¡¯t doubt that, but as a father, I wish

    as a father, I wish to see a daughter

    marry a respectable man and build a loving family. I have no choice but to be honest with you. Please

    don¡¯t take it personally.¡±

    ¡°I know what you are about to say,¡± Landon collected himself and looked dead serious ¡°You dont have

    to say anything to me. I know everything about Lauren We have bared our hearts and soule to each

    other

    She¡¯s the woman I want

    ¡°What? You scoundrel! Have you sullied my granddaughter Newton pointed a trembling finger at

    landen

    Landon waved his hand frantically in an attempt to rify ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯ve misunderstood me! I¡¯ve

    never been intimate with Lauren We¡¯ve bared our hearts and souls but not our bodies Please don¡¯t take

    it thes

    wrong way!

    Initially confused by the conversation, Lauren blushed and hid in Landon¡¯s arms upon hearing this

    exnation.

    Alyssa smiled at the sight of Lauren seekingfort in Landon¡¯s embrace She tually felt at ease

    If it was Lauren¡¯s destiny to be with Landon, she would choose him even if she had to go against the

    world. It reminded Alyssa of how she had stubbornly chosen to be with Jasper years ago.

    Landon¡¯s unexpected confession of love left Javier stunned. Since it was not the appropriate asion

    for further discussion, he chose to keep his silence.

    Lauren ran over to Jasper and blinked worriedly. ¡°Jasper! Landon told me that you were hurt in the

    head.

    How are you? Does it still hurt?¡±

    Jasper gently caressed her face and replied, ¡°No, it does not hurt. Alyssa saved me, and she¡¯s taking

    great

    care of me.¡±

    Even though Jasper was Lauren¡¯s brother, Landon was envious when he saw Jasper touching Lauren.

    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Thank goodness. Lauren sighed. Suddenly, she grasped Alyssa¡¯s hand and begged, ¡°Alyssa, can I

    ask you for a favor? Can you please stay by Jasper¡¯s side? Take care of him until he¡¯s out of the

    hospital.

    ¡°If you¡¯re by his side, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll feel happier and recover more quickly.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She pursed her lips at Lauren¡¯s request.

    Jasper stared at Alyssa with his puppy eyes. The two siblings were equally good at earning sympathy.

    Finally, she broke into a smile and replied, ¡°Of course. I will take care of Jasper, He was hurt because

    of

    I¡¯ll look after him until he¡¯s fully recovered.¡±

    ¡°Woohoo! That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Lauren pped with joy.

 Chapter 711

    Jasper finally felt relieved upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s promise. Grateful and nearly moved to tears, he

    uttered,

    Thank you, Lyse.¡±

    Even though Alyssa appeared stoic, she was touched by the scene.

    Shortly after, Javier excused himself to attend an important meeting at the Beckett Group.

    Ever since Alyssa¡¯s identity as Dr. White had been revealed, she had been appointed as Jasper¡¯s

    attending physician and tasked with overseeing his follow-up treatments.

    After inquiring about Jasper¡¯s condition, she ced him in a wheelchair and instructed Landon and

    Abel

    to take him for a checkup.

    After their departure, only Alyssa, Newton, and Ben remained in the room.

    Since there wasn¡¯t anyone around, Newton inquired, ¡°Alice, you seem down. Is there something on

    your

    mind?¡±

    She snapped back to reality and denied sheepishly, ¡°No, Grandpa. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Newton expressed concern as he gently reminded her, ¡®Alice, you can get away with lies from others,

    but not from me. Are thereplications rted to Jasper¡¯s injury?¡±

    ¡°Grandpa¡­¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t keep it from me. You know me well. Just tell me the truth because I can handle it.

    However, if you keep it a secret, I¡¯ll lose my appetite and sleep.

    After some contemtion, she finally turned to Ben and requested, ¡®Mr. Gorham, could you excuse

    us?¡±

    Ben understood the directive and left the room, closing the door behind him.

    ¡°Jasper has PTSD?¡± Newton asked in a trembling voice. He felt his heart twisting.

    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s my fault, Grandpa,¡± Alyssa murmured, lowering her head and fidgeting with her fingers. She

    added, ¡°He wouldn¡¯t be in this condition if I were more skilled.¡±

    I

    ¡°Please don¡¯t me yourself, Alice. Without your help, Jasper might not have survived the ordeal,¡±

    Newton consoled her.

    He sped her hands with a somber expression and said, ¡°Promise me something, will you? You must

    ¡°For now, only Dr. Liverton and I are aware of the diagnosis. Grandpa, don¡¯t worry. Dr. Liverton is a

    trustworthy acquaintance of mine. He¡¯ll keep it confidential,¡± she reassured.

    Then, she frowned and whispered, ¡°Grandpa, there are no other solutions to his PTSD except for

    taking sedatives now. Besides, I have no idea when and where he would be triggered. The secret could

    beCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    exposed at any time. What if¡­¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s do our best to keep it under wraps as long as possible. At the very least, we should do so until

    Jasper takes over thepany and inherits the majority of the shares and assets,¡± Newton replied,

    looking concerned and clenching his fist.

    He added, ¡°No one else should lead thepany except Jasper. If others find out about his diagnosis,

    they might use it against him. His position as president could be jeopardized, not to mention inheriting

    thepany.¡±

    Alyssa felt thoroughly puzzled. After deep consideration, she prodded, ¡°Grandpa, under normal

    circumstances, the family business would go to the eldest, which means Justin should have been the

    heir

    of the Beckett Group.

    ¡°I heard that Justin has been recuperating at Mosgravia due to his poor health. I always assumed that

    Jasper was made the heir only because of Justin¡¯s health, but your earlierment suggests there¡¯s

    more to the story. What¡¯s behind your insistence on making Jasper the heir?¡±

    Newton looked rmed. He swallowed hard and fell silent.

 Chapter 712

    Alyssa noticed the distress and wariness on Newton¡¯s face and assumed that she might have breached

    a sensitive family topic. It would be inappropriate for her to press for an answer.

    Despite always being sensible, she somehow developed a deep interest in the matter that concerned

    Jasper.

    She blurted out boldly, ¡°Grandpa, is there any tension between Jasper and Justin? And is that rted

    to

    their kidnapping case when they were younger?¡±

    Newton looked astonished. Wide-eyed, he gasped, ¡°Y-You knew about the kidnapping?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandpa. I didn¡¯t intend to overstep. Alyssa apologized.

    After a pause, she whispered, ¡°Jasper mentioned Justin to me a while ago. He¡¯d promised to tell me

    the

    truthter and that he won¡¯t keep anything from me.

    ¡°I was giving him the silent treatment back then. And I had refused to learn the truth. But curiosity got

    the

    better of me, so I ¡­¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice faded as she blushed in embarrassment.

    Newton felt happy at the shy look on Alyssa¡¯s face, which reminded him of her old self. That proved

    that

    Alyssa was less resentful toward Jasper and even developed an interest in his affairs.

    Their rtionship appeared to have improved.

    ¡°Alice, the fact that Jasper is willing to share his past with you shows that he considers you family. He

    trusts you,¡± Newton sighed, clearly still affected by the incident.

    He began, ¡°My grandsons were kidnapped when they were just children. Their kidnappers were part of

    a

    notorious gang involved in various crimes, including drug trafficking, murder, and robbery. They were

    known for kidnapping numerous heirs from wealthy families across the country.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware of that. You¡¯re referring to the gang leader, Gustav Holm, also known as ¡®Crazy Gustav,

    right?¡±

    Alyssa pondered, recalling the information she had heard from Colene.

    Gustav had once been a henchman under Colene¡¯s father butter left the gang to pursue his own

    criminal ambitions by establishing his gang.

    das

    Back in the day, Gustav was so bold as to provoke the police, iming that he would only retire after

    amassing tens of millions in ransom payments.

    When he was finally arrested 18 years ago, the media celebrated, only to have Gustav grinning in front

    of

    the cameras.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    ¡°For now, only Dr. Liverton and I are aware of the diagnosis. Grandpa, don¡¯t worry. Dr. Liverton is a

    trustworthy acquaintance of mine. He¡¯ll keep it confidential,¡± she reassured.

    Then, she frowned and whispered, ¡°Grandpa, there are no other solutions to his PTSD except for

    taking

    sedatives now. Besides, I have no idea when and where he would be triggered. The secret could be.

    exposed at any time. What if

    ¡°Let¡¯s do our best to keep it under wraps as long as possible. At the very least, we should do so until

    Jasper takes over thepany and inherits the majority of the shares and assets,¡± Newton replied,

    looking concerned and clenching his fist.

    He added, ¡°No one else should lead thepany except Jasper. If others find out about his diagnosis,

    they might use it against him. His position as president could be jeopardized, not to mention inheriting

    thepany

    Alyssa felt thoroughly puzzled. After deep consideration, she prodded, ¡°Grandpa, under normal

    circumstances, the family business would go to the eldest, which means Justin should have been the

    heir

    of the Beckett Group.

    ¡°I heard that Justin has been recuperating at Mosgravia due to his poor health. I always assumed that

    Jasper was made the heir only because of Justin¡¯s health, but your earlierment suggests there¡¯s

    more!

    the story. What¡¯s behind your insistence on making Jasper the heir?¡±

    Newton looked rmed. He swallowed hard and fell silent.

 Chapter 713

    "Justin was a 15-year-old. And he was taller and stronger than Jasper,¡± Newton exined.

    However, Justin was still a defenseless teenager at that time. How did he manage to subdue the kidnappers so Jasper could escape?

    Alyssa, keeping her doubts to herself, wondered, ¡°Grandpa, what happened next? How did Justin escape from the kidnappers?

    Newton turned pale and trembled as he answered, ¡°We paid Gustav the two billion dors in ransom. Half a monthter, Justin appeared in front of the Seaview Manor gates,pletely naked. "When we found him, he was covered in blood and nearly dying from the torture. He spent a month in the hospital and underwent six months of psychiatric treatment before he improved, but his health was

    forever ruined.¡±

    "Why?" Alyssa asked in shock.

    Newton said, ¡°We learned from Justinter that he had infuriated Gustav and the gang after helping Jasper to escape. They couldn''t kill him off due to the ransom, so they turned him into a punching bag.

    ¡°They starved him, punched him, and even put him into a tightly sealed container. Due to the long- term abuse, he suffered from hypoxia. When he was hospitalized, he nearly lost his life from multiple organ failure. It took us a lot of effort to save his life.

    ¡°Until now, Justin is in poor health. He is also immunpromised. Many times, he can only go out ina

    wheelchair. In the end, we owe him a tremendous debt.¡±

    At this point, Alyssa had pieced the puzzle together. The incident was the source of Jasper¡¯s guilt toward Justin. It also rified Javier''s hostility and stringent demeanor toward Jasper.

    Jasper survived a traumatic experience as a child thanks to Justin''s help, but as a result, Justin was leftProperty of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    disabled.

    She couldn''t even picture the emotional burden on Jasper, It was why he endured Javier''s scolding without retaliating, all due to his indebtedness to Justin.

    Newton reminded her, ¡°Alice, do not let Jasper know that I told you about the kidnapping and Justin. Act

    like you don''t know if he doesn''t bring it up.¡±

    She smiled thoughtfully. ¡°I understand. Don''t worry.¡±

    ¡°Alice, will you look down on Jasper after learning the story? Will you see him as a coward who Colene once remarked that her father''s greatest regret was failing to get rid of Gustav once and for all.

    ¡°Yes, it was indeed him, confirmed a troubled Newton. ¡°Javier and I were cautious, but Gustav seized an opportunity and kidnapped my two grandsons.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart dropped upon hearing that. She whispered, ¡°What happened next?"

    "After they took away Justin and Jasper, they demanded a ransom of two billion dors-one billion for each kid. That was an astronomical amount back in those times. However, I didn¡¯t even blink an eye and prepared the money. The safety of my grandsons came first.

    ¡°That cunning Gustav kept switching the meetup location to fool us. We dared not even file a police report for weeks after Justin and Jasper had been kidnapped.

    Staring at the ground, Newton shook his head bitterly. ¡°Jasper went through a lot and escaped from where they were held with injuries over his body. I couldn''t believe it-he was only 11!"

    "Did he escape alone?¡± Alyssa gasped in surprise. ¡°How did he manage to pull it off at that age, surrounded by those ruthless gangsters? Someone must have helped him.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Justin did.¡±

    Alyssa inhaled sharply at the revtion.

 Chapter 714

    Upon hearing Landon¡¯s words, Jasper choked on his water in surprise.

    He let out a muffled cough and retorted, ¡°Landon Harper, are you thinking straight? Lyse can give you

    al checkup, you know. You shouldn¡¯t be wasting Lauren¡¯s time.¡±

    Alyssa crossed her legs on the couch and stared disdainfully at the cheesy Landon. She quipped, ¡°So,

    you¡¯re a chef now after retiring from your yboy days? Well, it¡¯s pretty impressive for you to turn over

    al

    new leaf.¡±

    ¡°Ahem. This will be my first time cooking tonight. I¡¯m kind of nervous,¡± Landon confessed. In his 28

    years, he had never set foot in the Harper Residence¡¯s kitchen, let alone tried his hand at cooking.

    ¡°Landon, don¡¯t push yourself too hard,¡± Lauren chimed in with concern while gently tugging at his

    sleeve.

    Alyssa cast Landon a look of disdain and agreed, ¡°Right. You shouldn¡¯t drag Lauren into the mess

    you¡¯re

    about to make.¡±

    Jasper pressed his lips and added, ¡°Remember, if the stove catches fire, the first thing to do is cover it

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    with a pan, not douse it with water

    ¡°I-I got it,¡± Lauren replied as she raised her hand. She blinked obediently at Jasper.

    Landon was annoyed. ¡°I¡¯m a college graduate, for fuck¡¯s sake! Can you two lovebirds stop treating me

    like

    an idiot?¡±

    Alyssa bristled at Landon¡¯s ¡°lovebirds¡± remark, but before she could respond, Landon hurriedly left the

    room with Lauren in his arms.

    After the new couple left, silence returned to the room. This time, it was a mix of awkwardness,

    flirtation,

    and bitterness.

    Jasper, having been advised against contact with water due to his injury, hadn¡¯t had a proper bath

    since

    the incident and reeked a little.

    Thanks to his good looks, he remained an eye candy despite his disheveled appearance.

    To break the silence, Alyssa cleared her throat and tly said, ¡°Let¡¯s have a serious talk since no one¡¯s

    around.¡±

    ¡°How about getting into some serious action?¡± he suggested in a hoarse voice and looked at her

    suggestively. He had vited her with the desire in his eyes without making any physical advances.

    ¡°Hah. Jasper Beckett, remember that your life is in my hands now. You¡¯d better behave. I was the one

    who stitched your head, and I can undo it too,¡± she seethed. Her cheeks were burning in shame.

    1. You

    He squinted and stopped teasing him. Then, he began, ¡°Lyse, I know what you¡¯ll discuss with m want

    to look into the identity of that man who attacked Madam L, and you want to learn his motives. Am I

    right?¡±

    Her eyes brightened. She nodded. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll take care of this for you. When I¡¯m discharged¡­¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait. Don¡¯t you know how badly L has been affected by the incident?¡± she cut him off coldly

    and cracked her fingers. ¡°I had to put my investigation on hold because of your surgery. Otherwise, I

    would have tracked down that man and taught him a lesson.¡±

    Jasper looked at her with a tender smile, his expression unchanged.

 Chapter 715

    Jasper smiled at Alyssa, knowing that she would keep her word. He had made up his mind

    no matter what decision she made.

    > support her,

    He advised her, ¡°I know you want revenge, but you can¡¯t rush it. We will eventually find the

    mastermind.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s lips tightened, and her eyes filled with emotion. There was another reason behind her

    vengefulness that she couldn¡¯t reveal to Jasper-the attacker and the mastermind behind him had posed

    a severe threat to Jasper¡¯s life.

    Were it not for her medical intervention, Jasper could have been in grave danger.

    Alyssa had been bottling up her anger, which led to a loss of appetite and restless nights. She felt the

    urgency to seek vengeance to find sce.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Jasper, I appreciate that you protected L and me, but ultimately, this is a family matter. Please focus

    on your recovery and stay out of this.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it might be a Taylor family issue, but Lyse, I¡¯m your man,¡± he croaked. He was as thick-skinned as

    usual.

    She glowered at him. He continued, ¡°Your problem is mine.¡±

    ¡°Rest well. I¡¯m leaving she mumbled. She couldn¡¯t stand to listen to Jasper¡¯s embarrassing remarks

    anymore.

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t go!¡± Desperate to stop her, Jasper attempted to get up. But in

    dizzy and nauseous.

    s weakened state, he felt

    When he was on the brink of falling off the bed, he caught a whiff of roses. A slender but powerful arm

    caught him in time.

    ¡°Lyse He looked touched after she returned to him, and he gave her a hug. He buried his face in her

    dark hair and took in her unique scent.

    Alyssa was once a constant presence in his life. But now, she was out of reach for him, much to his

    regret.

    Struggling for breath in his tight hold, she was amazed at his strength after undergoing brain surgery

    and

    aa.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett,¡± she called his name and attempted to push him away with all her might, but he

    remained unmoved.

    Sheined, ¡°Get off me! You stink!¡±

 Chapter 716

    Jasper realized something after falling in love with Alyssa. She was like a coconut-tough on the outside

    and soft within. She was a sincere and kind-hearted soul.

    Alyssa¡¯s affection for him had dwindled, and he resorted to gaining her sympathy just for a few more

    moments with her.

    In the past, Alyssa had to beg for his affection, but now the tables had turned. It was his turn to

    experience what it felt like to be on the other side.

    In the end, Alyssa had no choice but to stay with him. She rified, ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way. I

    didn¡¯t stay because you wanted me to. It¡¯s because I promised Grandpa and Lauren to look after you.¡±

    She gathered herself and rose from the bed, announcing. Til rest in the adjoining room. Call me if you

    need anything.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze deepened, and he held onto her hand. He suggested, ¡°Lyse, why don¡¯t you spend the

    night

    here?¡±

    ¡°The couch is ufortable to sleep on,¡± she exined, attempting to free her hand from his grasp but

    failing.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Then, let¡¯s share the bed,¡± he whispered as if trying to persuade her.

    ¡°Nothing good everes out of your mouth,¡± she snapped. She wondered what lengths he would go

    to.

    ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand me, Lyse. I won¡¯t force anything against your will, even if I wanted to

    help but lean closer to her as he felt the heat rise in his body.

    In her thoughts, she dismissed the idea.

    He couldn¡¯t

    Then, she grumbled, ¡°You stink to high heaven. Stay away from me!¡± Moving backward, she pinched

    her

    nose with a look of disgust.

    She added, ¡°I don¡¯t want to share a room with you. I might faint from the smell.¡±

    ¡°Do I stink? I think it¡¯s

    not that bad,¡± he replied, sniffing himself. ¡°Back when I was in the military, the

    conditions were rough. I could only shower once a week. It was worse than now.

    ¡°When I returned and took on my role in thepany, it felt strange to be able to shower daily.¡±

    Her gaze wavered. She was the only one, besides himself, who understood the challenges he had

    faced.

    She had never looked down on him, but she was scarred. Even though he was sincere, she couldn¡¯t

    bring herself to get closer.

    She had once loved him like a moth to a me, but he had shattered her hopes, making it difficult to

    rekindle her passion for him.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll freshen up a bit. Just wait for me,¡¯ he said, worried that she might avoid his room due to his

    smell. He tried to leave the bad.

    She freed herself from his grip and replied, ¡°Quit it. You shouldn¡¯t be in contact with water. Keep

    stinking. I¡¯ll wash up.¡±

    Jasper felt weak but was reluctant to show his vulnerability due to his male ego. He believed he should

    be protecting his woman.

    Besides, he considered a minor head injury insignificant. Having been shot on the battlefield before, he

    was perplexed by his frailty and felt ashamed to disy it in front of Alyssa.

    He leaned against the headboard and listened to the sound of the running water in the bathroom. It had

    been a while since he had experienced such simple peace and happiness.

    Suddenly, tears welled up in his eyes as he grasped the bedsheet.

 Chapter 717

    Jasper recalled the many times during their marriage that he was irritated at Alyssa.

    He felt she took too long in the shower. He found her skincare routine fussy. When she prepared a

    table full of food for him, he thought she wasted her time in the kitchen.

    As these mundane memories of their marriage shed before his eyes, they stung his heart.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    The bathroom door creaked open. Alyssa appeared, her hair wrapped up in a white towel. She

    emerged from the condensation bare-faced, looking as lovely as ever.

    Jasper was captivated by her youthful and radiant face. He gulped and remarked, ¡°You look even

    better without makeup

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. You¡¯ve said the same thing before. Don¡¯t repeat yourself.¡± Alyssa shot back, holding

    the towel on her head as she sat on the couch with a gloomy expression.

    She added, ¡°Don¡¯t force yourself to givepliments if you¡¯re not good at it. ¡°You look better without

    makeup? Obviously! I look gorgeous all the time!¡±

    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re absolutely gorgeous,¡± he agreed, staring at her nkly. ¡°I¡¯ve always thought you were

    beautiful.

    ¡°Of course you do,¡± she dismissed him.

    ¡°I¡¯ve found you beautiful since the day we got married,¡± he confessed sincerely.

    ¡°Do you even believe what you¡¯re saying?¡± She smirked in disdain. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have ignored me if

    you

    truly thought I was beautiful.¡±

    Jasper fell silent when he realized that anything he said would get him into trouble.

    He made a decision to gradually win her heart back.

    After all, she was like a coconut that was tough outside but soft within, wasn¡¯t she?

    Things would eventually get better, and they would reconcile one day.

    She said, ¡°I¡¯m sleepy. You should sleep too.¡± She stretched like a cat and was about toy on the

    couch

    when she heard a knock on the door

    Xavier inquired from the outside, ¡°Mr. Beckett, Madam, are you both heading to bed now?¡±

    Alyssa frowned. Jasper beat her to the response, saying. ¡°No,e on in.¡±

    She had never looked down on him, but she was scarred. Even though he was sincere, she couldn¡¯t

    bring herself to get closer.

    She had once loved him like a moth to a me, but he had shattered her hopes, making it difficult to

    rekindle her passion for him.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll freshen up a bit. Just wait for me,¡± he said, worried that she might avoid his room due to his

    smell. He tried to leave the bad.

    She freed herself from his grip and replied, ¡°Quit it. You shouldn¡¯t be in contact with water. Keep

    stinking. I¡¯ll wash up.¡±

    Jasper felt weak but was reluctant to show his vulnerability due to his male ego. He believed he should

    be protecting his woman.

    Besides, he considered a minor head injury insignificant. Having been shot on the battlefield before, he

    was perplexed by his frailty and felt ashamed to disy it in front of Alyssa.

    He leaned against the headboard and listened to the sound of the running water in the bathroom. It had

    been a while since he had experienced such simple peace and happiness.

    Suddenly, tears welled up in his eyes as he grasped the bedsheet.

 Chapter 718

    The winter wind howled outside. In contrast, Jasper¡¯s room was a tranquil and cozy haven,

    His bed and Alyssa¡¯s were next to each other. Despite the distance between the beds, he considered it

    as sharing a bed with her.

    Xavier had slyly moved Alyssa¡¯s bed closer to Jasper¡¯s, and it was toote for her to protest, as Xavier

    and the other movers had already left. She couldn¡¯t move her bed on her own, and Jasper was too

    feeble to be of any help.

    Shey on the bed and closed her eyes, her breathing calm.

    Meanwhile, Jasper was in his own bed, taking in the scent that wafted from her hair. The scent tempted

    him, and even the mundane ceiling in his room seemed to have transformed into a starlit sky.

    His palms were drenched, and his fingers shakily inched toward Alyssa.

    Her voice suddenly rang in the silence. ¡°Behave yourself.¡±

    His fingers froze in the middle.

    She threatened, ¡°If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll regret it.

    Jasper sweated profusely and managed a bitter smile.

    After what felt like an eternity, he noticed that Alyssa had drifted asleep.

    Swallowing hard, he took a deep breath and mustered all his courage to hold her hand.

    He whispered, ¡°Lyse, I love you, Good night,¡± before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

    Amid his light snoring, she quietly opened her eyes and curled her fist. Her heart was pounding wildly.

    She

    whispered back, ¡°Good night, you scoundrel.¡±

    After two days of looking after Jasper, Alyssa took some time off to visit her home in Belbanks. She

    went back out of concern for L. Besides, she needed to ask Mandy for any medication that could

    help

    manage Jasper¡¯s PTSD.

    She might be Dr. White, but she wasn¡¯t omnipotent.

    *Taty, how¡¯s L doing?¡± Alyssa asked, worried. She hugged Tatiana, who teared up.

    ¡°Mom has been hiding away in her room and refused to meet anyone. She didn¡¯t eat anything

    yesterday.

    The door flung open, Sweating, Xavier and two bodyguards lifted a huge bed into the room. Due to its

    size, they spent a lot of effort to fit it through the door.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, the bed you arranged for Madam is here!¡± Xavier gasped and wiped away his sweat.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    ¡°Good job. Set it down,¡± Jasper acknowledged with a brief nod.

    As someone raised in wealth, Alyssa recognized that Jasper had purchased the same bed she had at

    her family home, which was worth a staggering 100 thousand dors.

    ¡°Jasper, what on earth is that?¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯tfortable on the couch, and you refuse to share my bed. I had no choice but to get you a

    new one,¡± Jasper replied matter-of-factly.

    He didn¡¯t want her to lose sleep due to difort. Meanwhile, Alyssa vented her frustration with

    Jasper by punching the new bed, only to secretly marvel at its plushness.

 Chapter 719

    Feeling sorry, Sean apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Alyssa, I didn¡¯t take good care of Ms. Tatiana. I ept

    any

    punishment.¡±

    ¡°L-Lyse, don¡¯t! Sean has been busy enough. He tried his best to look after me well, so please don¡¯t

    punish

    him!¡± Tatiana pleaded with a pale face, worried that Sean might get into trouble because of her.

    ¡°Hmph. There¡¯s no denying that he¡¯s at fault. Sean, your punishment is to bring Taty out tonight and

    have

    the best dinner in Belbanks. You need to bring her to her favorite dessert ce, too. Do note

    home

    until it¡¯ste at night. Got it?¡± Alyssa instructed him, looking stern.

    Tatiana was taken aback by Alyssa¡¯s orders. She mumbled, ¡°L-Lyse¡­¡±

    Sean¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he stared at Tatiana through his tears. He said, ¡°Ms. Tatiana, please

    bear

    with me tonight.¡±

    Tatiana was, in fact, overjoyed at the private date with Sean, but she had some reservations.

    ¡°Taty, don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯m at home to take care of everything. You deserve a break after your hard

    work. Stress is bad for health, so go have fun with Sean.¡±

    After Alyssa sent Sean and Tatiana on their way, she met up with Mandy before checking on L.

    Mandy advised Alyssa, ¡°You should refrain from seeing L now. I can tell she¡¯s badly shaken because

    she doesn¡¯t even want to meet with Winston. She needs some alone time.¡±

    Mandy looked glum when she recalled the events from that day.

    Alyssa agreed, ¡°I¡¯ll talk to L a littleter.¡± She pressed her lips and sank into deep thoughts. Then,

    she

    said, ¡°Mandy, I have a huge favor to ask you.¡±

    ¡°Dear child, what are you talking about? No favor is out of bounds!¡± Mandy grumbled and poked

    yfully at Alyssa¡¯s cheek. ¡°If you¡¯re going to be awkward around me, you¡¯d better not ask for my help

    in the first

    ce.¡±

    Alyssa grinned and rested her head on Mandy¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯ll get straight to the point then. I

    heard that you have a nephew working in Mosgravia as a neurologist. I also heard that he was the

    youngest student who got his doctorate at the Royal Medical College of Mosgravia.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you mean Julien?¡± Mandy frowned.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Yes. I was talking about Julien Lovce, or rather, Dr. Lovce,¡± Alyssa confirmed. She blushed and

    pleaded, ¡°Could you get him to Sna City? I need his help.¡±

    Mandy blinked and examined her. She spected, ¡°Why? Are you in an inte rtionship with him?¡±

    Alyssa was dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Mandy was visibly excited from her own imagination.

    Mandy pped and eximed, ¡°Are you nning to settle down with him? That¡¯s great news! He¡¯s a

    good match for you, not to mention he¡¯s my nephew. I know him through and through, so I approve of

    it!¡±

    Alyssa looked amused. She stopped Mandy, saying, ¡°What are you imagining? I have something

    urgent to ask his help for

    Alyssa continued, ¡°Jasper suffered a head trauma from saving me at the parking garage. He is now

    suffering fromplications after the surgery. I can¡¯t do anything about it, so I need Dr. Lovce¡¯s

    expertise.¡±

    Mandy felt a mix of emotions upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s worried demeanor. Although Mandy disliked Jasper,

    she couldn¡¯t deny Jasper¡¯s heroic act.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong. Mandy? Are you reluctant to contact him?¡± wondered Alyssa with a remorseful sigh.

    Sorry. I got ahead of myself and forgot that you¡¯ve be estranged from your family after you got

    married. I have imposed something impossible on you.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not the case. It¡¯s true that I am in low contact with my family, but I have maintained a good

    rtionship with Julien over the years, and he holds me in high regard. I will try my best to persuade

    him,

    but I can¡¯t do much if he refuses to travel here.¡±

    ¡°Even if he refuses to, I have a way to get him here,¡± Alyssa said through gritted teeth. She squinted. ¡°I

    can

    always make a call to Axel. He has many ways to get Dr. Lovce to Sna City.¡±

 Chapter 720

    Mandy trembled at the thought of even asking for Axel¡¯s help, knowing that Axel was resentful toward

    her and the entire Taylor family.

    Despite Mandy¡¯s sacrifices and true love for Winston and her stepchildren, Axel had stubbornly

    perceived her as a homewrecker. Without Mandy opening the polygamous floodgate, Winston wouldn¡¯t

    have gone on to marry L and Colene.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Axel probably wondered if Winston would have stayed monogamous had it not been for Mandy¡¯s

    presence.

    As Winston¡¯s second wife, she bore the brunt of criticisms and prejudices more than the other two

    wives.

    Mandy

    replied to Alyssa, ¡°I¡¯ll get this done right away. I¡¯m calling Julien now.¡±

    She always attended to Alyssa¡¯s concerns promptly. She dialed Julien¡¯s number, and soon, they heard.

    Julien¡¯s surprisingly youthful voice from the other end. He greeted, ¡°Aunt Mandy, I¡¯ve missed you!¡±

    ¡°Julien, have you been busytely? You didn¡¯t call me at all. Did you have too much fun and forget

    about

    me?¡¯ Mandy teased him.

    ¡°Gosh, no! I¡¯d never forget a lovelydy like you, replied Julien. Alyssa lifted a brow at his slick reply.

    From how Julien spoke to Mandy, Alyssa perceived him as a sweet talker. He presented himself very

    differently from what she had imagined.

    ¡°Julien, you¡¯re all grown up. When you were younger, I could praise you for being clever. Now, you¡¯re

    just

    cheesy,¡± Mandy teased him with a chuckle.

    He protested, ¡°I¡¯m just 27 years old! Call me cheesy when I hit my thirties. If I¡¯m not wrong, my cousins

    should have reached that age. I bet you interacted with those cheesy guys too much.

    ¡°You should visit Mosgravia to enjoy thepany of a good-looking gentleman like me! Hahaha!¡±

    Alyssa grimaced when she overheard Julien¡¯s remarks. He sounded unserious, annoying, and crude.

    ¡°Alright now, let¡¯s get to business,¡± Mandy suggested, clearing her throat. After some hesitation, she

    exined, ¡°Julien, I called to ask for a favor.¡±

    FOX Just

    tell me what you need. I don¡¯t count favors,¡± he replied.

    After a pause, she said in a ushed voice, ¡°Could you take some time off to visit Sna City? I have ant

    acquaintance who suffered from head trauma a few days ago in a near-death Incident.

    ¡°After undergoing brain surgery, his condition has stabilized, but there are someplications. Julien,

    you¡¯re a talented neurologist. Can you examine him in Sna City for my sake?¡±

    ¡°Who is that?¡± Julien wondered. Mandy nced at a visibly nervous Alyssa and answered, ¡°Why don¡¯t

    youe to Sna City? I¡¯ll bring you to him when you¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°Aunt Mandy, you know my rules. Patient information is the first thing I need before any consultation, or

    I will not take the case,¡± Julien countered. He was smart enough not to fall into Mandy¡¯s trap.

    He seemed like a really fussy person to deal with,

    Mandy had no choice but to divulge. ¡°His name is Jasper Beckett. He¡¯s an important friend to Lyse.¡±

    ¡°You mean that president of Beckett Group, Jasper Beckett?¡± Julien gasped, his tone visibly growing

    solemn.

    ¡°Yes,¡±

    ¡°Aunt Mandy, I need to get going. Goodbye!¡±

    ¡°Hey, Julien! Listen to me-¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more to discuss. You know my principles. The reason I went to Mosgravia and started

    my career in a foreignnd was because I despised the elitism in Sna City.

    ¡°When I worked at the local hospital years ago, I witnessed a poor couple kneeling in front of the

    hospital director¡¯s office just to beg for a heart transnt that was originally supposed to be for their

    daughter!¡±

 Chapter 721

    ¡°Did you know who else received the heart transnt instead of their daughter? It went to the Sna

    City

    mayor¡¯s son! The poor girl left the world after much suffering because she couldn¡¯t wait for the next

    donor, mented Jul

    Even Alyssa felt heartbroken upon hearing the story. As a doctor, she empathized with Julien.

    Mandy replied. ¡°Julien, I understand what you feel, but-¡±

    ¡°Aunt Mandy, I will never provide any treatment to high officials or tycoons. Since they are filthy rich

    and powerful, I believe they can get any doctor they want. I¡¯m just a hot-tempered doctor who might

    even

    harm their life if I ever treat them. You should ask Mr. Beckett to hire another doctor.¡±

    Mandy gaped. Before she could say a word, Julien hung up.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m sorry, Even his parents can¡¯t do anything about him, not to mention me,¡± Mandy sighed.

    Alyssa felt her chest tightened. She pressed her lips andforted Mandy, ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself for

    that.

    It¡¯s not your fault. You tried your best. I¡¯lle up with a solution myself.¡±

    Alyssa dragged herself to her room, feeling downcast. After some thinking, she dialed Axel¡¯s number

    ¡°Lyse, did you miss me?¡± Axel huffed, sounding as doting as ever.

    ¡°Axel, are you busy with work?¡± she wondered.

    ¡°We¡¯ve justpleted our daily training. It¡¯s fine. What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re working for the Mosgravia Secret Intelligence Service, aren¡¯t you? It must be a piece of cake to

    look into someone.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a piece of cake, but it¡¯s close,¡± Axel boasted. He rivaled Ss in the way he exaggerated

    himself.

    ¡°Okay, great. That¡¯s great,¡± she mumbled.

    Then, she said with a frown, ¡°Please look into the youngest son of Joseph Lovce, also Mandy¡¯s

    nephew. His name is Julien Lovce, and he¡¯s an excellent neurologist.¡±

    ¡°I know him,¡± he replied casually. Alyssa gasped, ¡°What? How?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s confidential. Just tell me what you need,¡± Axel urged her with a chuckle.

    ¡°I want to get hold of his kinks or his weaknesses that I could manipte him with,¡± she dered with

    at

    BONUS

    ¡°After undergoing brain surgery, his condition has stabilized, but there are someplications. Julien,

    you¡¯re a talented neurologist. Can you examine him in Sna City for my sake?¡±

    ¡°Who is that?¡± Jullen wondered. Mandy nced at a visibly nervous Alyssa and answered, ¡°Why don¡¯t

    youe to Sna City? I¡¯ll bring you to him when you¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°Aunt Mandy, you know my rules. Patient information is the first thing I need before any consultation, or

    I will not take the case,¡± Julien countered. He was smart enough not to fall into Mandy¡¯s trap.

    He seemed like a really fussy person to deal with.

    Mandy had no choice but to divulge. ¡°His name is Jasper Beckett. He¡¯s an important friend to Lyse.¡±

    ¡°You mean that president of Beckett Group, Jasper Beckett?¡± Julien gasped, his tone visibly growing

    solemn.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Aunt Mandy, I need to get going. Goodbye!¡±

    ¡°Hey, Julien! Listen to me-¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing more to discuss. You know my principles. The reason I went to Mosgravia and started

    my career in a foreignnd was because I despised the elitism in Sna City.

    ¡°When I worked at the local hospital years ago, I witnessed a poor couple kneeling in front of the

    hospital. director¡¯s office just to beg for a heart transnt that was originally supposed to be for their

    daughter!¡±

 Chapter 722

    Axel chuckled amusedly. ¡°That¡¯s because Julien Lovce is gay.¡±

    Alyssa had goosebumps from the revtion.

    Axel advised her, ¡°You¡¯ll need to get a man to seduce him. He doesn¡¯t get hard for women.¡±

    Then, he grinned wickedly. ¡°Hey, why don¡¯t you get Ss to do the job for you? He¡¯s got broad

    shoulders. and a nice ass. I bet he¡¯s considered a ten in the gaymunity. That Lovce guy will

    definitely thirst

    for Ss!¡±

    Alyssa snickered.

    Was this the first time Axel had everplimented Ss?

    Half a monthter, Jasper was discharged from the hospital. Newton picked him up on that day,

    keeping

    a low profile to avoid media attention.

    In the car, Newton held Jasper¡¯s hand tightly and stared intently at Jasper¡¯s head, causing Jasper to

    shiver.

    Curious, Jasper asked, ¡°Grandpa, what¡¯s wrong with my head?¡±

    ¡°You l

    look good in a military haircut,¡± Newton remarked, caressing his head.

    ¡°That was my hairstyle throughout the military school. They called me the hot guy,¡± Jasper said with a

    confident smile.

    ¡°Alice is certainly skilled! I can¡¯t even tell that you¡¯ve been through surgery. The stitching is pretty neat,¡±

    praised Newton.

    Thoughts of Alyssa sent a warm current across Jasper¡¯s body.

    ¡°Are you heading home to Seaview Manor, or should we have dinner at my ce?¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I miss Lyse a lot. I¡¯d like to see her,¡± confessed Jasper, leaning forward with anticipation. His

    heart and thoughts were on Alyssa

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine! I¡¯m d you missed her¡± Newton beamed, patting his grandson on the shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll send

    you to Alice!

    You¡¯re a lucky one for surviving the attack. Hope you¡¯ll be lucky enough to win her back!¡±

    Ben, seated in the front passenger seat, had to hold back hisughter.

    She gritted her teeth and remarked, ¡°He looks like a yboy. Do you think it will work if I seduce him?

    I¡¯l do that if need be.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck? Lyse, are you for real? And what is all this for?¡¯ Axel raised his voice in shock.

    ¡°I need his help. I need to get him to Sna City,¡± she informed him.

    ¡°I would rather seduce him than let you do it-how humiliating is that? Why do you need him in Sna

    City anyway?¡±

    She pressed her lips and quipped, ¡°It¡¯s confidential!¡¯

    Axel let out a long sigh. Alyssa had started keeping secrets from him.

    ¡°What do you think? Will that work?¡± She sounded anxious.

    ¡°That might not work. However, it might work if I¡¯m the one flirting with him,¡± Axel pondered.

    She looked perplexed. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

 Chapter 723

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened. He was utterly confused. ¡°What do you mean? She¡¯s no longer working here?¡±

    ¡°The day before, the hotel management received an official update about Ms. Alyssa¡¯s transfer to KS

    Group headquarters. She has officially left her role as the hotel manager, and she¡¯ll take up a new role

    once she reports to HQ.¡±

    ¡°What about the hotel?¡±

    ¡°A senior personnel from KS World¡¯s overseas branch will be transferred here to take over the

    manager. role in Sna City,¡± Avery informed Jasper.

    Avery was reminded of Alyssa¡¯s busy schedule and the unforgettable memories of their time working

    together.

    She smiled at Jasper and recounted, ¡°Ms. Alyssa produced great results within a year of managing the

    hotel. She¡¯s brought us back on track, motivated the employees, and achieved the highest sales record

    in

    ten years.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor is extremely pleased with her work. The transfer did note as a surprise at all. She

    should

    develop her career in a better environment. Working in the hotel is a waste of her talents.¡±

    Jasper nodded at Avery¡¯s analysis. Alyssa was smart and multi-talented. She shouldn¡¯t be confined

    within

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    hotel management.

    But the issue at the moment was, why didn¡¯t Alyssa inform him about the huge change?

    ¡°So, where can I find Ms. Alyssa?¡± Jasper wondered.

    Avery was amused by Jasper¡¯s panicked look and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t have ess to that information.

    You¡¯re

    Jasper Beckett. If anything, you should be the one who can track her down.¡±

    Jasper appeared disappointed and dejected.

    The skyscraper that hosted the KS Group headquarters was located in the most expensive area in

    Belbanks-its central business district. The building was regarded as an Icon of Belbanks.

    At 3:00 pm, employees noticed a group of senior executives in suits rushing down the brightly-lit

    corridors. They were headed for the first floor.

    News of Alyssa Tayloring to KS Group headquarters had spread across thepany. Even the

    ¡°Wowser! What a grand event! Are those people on their way to wee Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°She might be Winston Taylor¡¯s daughter, but she¡¯s not part of the senior management. Why is she

    orded a grand wee?¡±

    she was

    ¡°I heard that she had improved the business and reputation of KS World Hotel in the one year s there.

    The sales increased by tenfold. Mr. Taylor might make her work for the KS Group after noting her

    competence!¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Who knows if she truly deserves the credit? Maybe Mr. Taylor lent her a hand. A twenty-

    something can be a sessful designer, but she can¡¯t possibly run apany.¡±

    ¡°Shush. She¡¯s here!¡±

    In the lobby, the senior management held their breath and split into two rows, looking professional in

    formal wear.

    It was thepany rule to wear simr formal ck attire on important asions, for example,

    weing Winston Taylor. They were also required to wear the KS Group logo pin. Everyone wore a

    solemn expression.

    A Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the lobby entrance. Sean got out of the car and opened the door for

    the others.

    Jonah was the first to exit. Two senior executives went over to greet him. ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Jonah!¡±

 Chapter 724

    Jonah subtly nodded at Alyssa, apanying it with a warm smile as he extended his hand. ¡°Lyse.¡±

    ¡°Coming!¡± Alyssa responded, gracefully stepping out of the car in her sleek ck YSL heels. The

    swaying of her ck skirt revealed the fairplexion of her slender legs, a captivating sight for

    anyone.

    She ced her hand in Jonah¡¯s palm and alighted the car.

    The two senior executives greeted her, ¡®Good afternoon, Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    Acknowledging them with a nod, Alyssa replied, ¡°You must have waited for a while. It¡¯s cold out here.

    Let¡¯s head in.¡±

    When the siblings showed up in public, everyone marveled at their good looks.

    Someone gasped, ¡°Wow, Ms. Alyssa looks more stunning than on TV!¡±

    ¡°Absolutely. Even with the handsome Mr. Jonah by her side, I can¡¯t help but focus on her. She¡¯s so

    pretty

    that anyone would instantly fall in love with her.¡±

    People who had previouslyined about Alyssa were now praising her upon seeing her, well

    before.

    she had even started working. She was, undeniably, a bombshell.

    ¡°Wee, Ms. Alyssa!¡± the senior management greeted them in unison, and Alyssa and Jonah strolled

    past them side by side.

    Turning to her with a smile, Jonah asked, ¡°Do you want me to give you a tour of thepany?¡±

    ¡°We can do thatter. I want to check out the office you arranged for me,¡± Alyssa replied with a squint

    and yfully poked Jonah¡¯s arm when no one was looking.

    Softly, he responded, ¡°Of course.¡±

    Jonah led Alyssa to her new office, with Sean trailing behind them.

    Suddenly, a man¡¯s voice came from behind. ¡°Gosh! That¡¯s my dear nephew and niece!¡±

    They halted and turned around to find a well-dressed, smiling middle-aged man approaching,

    apanied by his secretary and a few subordinates.

    ¡°Hi, Uncle Dominic,¡± Alyssa greeted him with a smile. Dominic Taylor, Winston¡¯s only brother and the

    current vice chairman of KS Group¡¯s board of directors, was a friendly and sophisticated man.

    Though not as handsome as Winston, Dominic carried himself well. Unlike Winston¡¯s stern demeanor,

    Dominic appeared easygoing.

    ¡°Lyse, I have not seen you in a while. You¡¯ve grown to be so pretty!¡± Dominic scanned her and shed

    a

    surprised smile.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a while. You look younger and more energetic, Alyssa replied politely.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re still as sweet as when you were a kid! remarked Dominic. He turned to Jonah and asked,

    ¡°Jonah,

    I saw you headed in that direction. Are you bringing Lyse to check out her new office?¡±

 Chapter 725

    v

    ¡°I heard from Winston that Lyse is starting work at KS Group. Which department and role will she

    undertake? Since I have some time today, shall I give her a tour? Dominic offered.

    Alyssa and Jonah exchanged nces in the face of Dominic¡¯s enthusiasm

    Jonah replied tly, ¡°We¡¯ll have to wait for Dad¡¯s further instructions. I¡¯m sure he will assign Lyse a

    suitable role to make use of her talent. We¡¯ll update you when we get the news.

    ¡°Oh, of course! Sounds good. I¡¯ll wait for the good news, Lyse!¡± Then, Dominic thought of something

    and smiled at Lyse. ¡°By the way, Renee sent you a gift when she heard you¡¯re joining KS Group. She¡¯s

    got it delivered to your office. Go check it out!¡±

    Renee Taylor was Dominic¡¯s only child and Alyssa¡¯s cousin. The two had not met for a while, and they

    didn¡¯t exactly share a good rtionship.

    Alyssa shed a smile in amusement. ¡°Is it? That¡¯s thoughtful of her.¡±

    The group made their way to Alyssa¡¯s new office. When they were near, Sean pointed at the entrance

    with

    a look of disbelief. ¡®Ms. Alyssa, look. What are those?¡±

    Frowning, Alyssa spotted two huge items by the door. A few employees who passed by pointed at the

    items while giggling.

    When they neared the door, Jonah and Alyssa both looked astonished at the tworge wreaths ced

    there.

    ¡°Uncle Dominic, is that Renee¡¯s wee gift for Lyse?¡± Jonah pondered while shooting an icy re at

    Dominic.

    Dominic had wanted to deny it, but he noticed that Renee had signed her name on the card.

    He was left with no choice but to reply with a chuckle, ¡°Gosh, Renee is such a blunt child! She studied

    design abroad at Hestrya. Their customs are different from ours. They would buy wreaths with white

    flowers for celebrations.¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°But she¡¯s in Cyrris now. If she doesn¡¯t change her habits, people will only take that as ignorance,¡±

    Jonah

    retorted coldly, ignoring Dominic¡¯s exnation.

    ¡°Oh, Jonah, you shouldn¡¯t have said that. Renee did not mean any harm.

    ¡°Right, Jonah. Renee had good intentions,¡± Alyssa chimed in. She was smiling and unbothered by the

    infuriating situation. She appeared generous in front of her subordinates.

    Thought a handsome an Won Doncast

    ¡°You¡¯re still as sweet as when you were damed to Jonah and asked Jon

    you headed

    vick cut her new office?

 Chapter 726

    Dominic¡¯s smile froze after hearing Alyssa mock Renee.

    Jonah and Alyssa entered her new office. When the door shut behind them, she snickered and sat on

    the couch. ¡°Renee is such a bitch. She¡¯s already giving me trouble before I officially join thepany-

    always so impatient.¡±

    Jonah poured her a ss of water and sighed. ¡°Shepeted for stickers with you in preschool. When

    you were in elementary school, youpeted against her for the lead role in a dance performance,

    ¡°She¡¯s been

    ¡°She has been losing to me when we were young. She¡¯d be naive to think that she could win when we

    are now adults,¡± remarked Alyssa. She took a sip of water with a glint in her eyes. ¡°Things are different

    now. If she works against me, I will not hesitate to get rid of her, even if she¡¯s family.¡±

    ¡°Of course, you won¡¯t. You always retaliate against those who oppose you. I know you¡¯re tough,¡± Jonah

    commented, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

    He offered a piece of advice with concern, ¡°Starting here, you¡¯ll find thepany is a battlefield. The

    challenges are tenfoldpared to KS World Hotel. Be extra careful, especially around Uncle Dominic.

    ¡°He¡¯s built a faction, and Dad goes easy on him because he¡¯s Dad¡¯s only brother. You need to be very

    cautious dealing with Uncle Dominic.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Alyssa replied with an unreadable look in her eyes. ¡°I will treat their family well if they behave,

    and we¡¯ll get along nicely. However, if they try to go against me, I will not hesitate to go hard on them

    and publicly humiliate him.¡±

    Jonah squinted at her and warned, ¡°Girl, you shouldn¡¯t exaggerate. Remember, Uncle Dominic is the

    vice chairman of thepany board.¡±

    She haughtily lifted her chin and scoffed. ¡°Hmph! My dad is the chairman! I¡¯m not afraid of Uncle

    Dominic.

    ¡°By the way, have you informed Jasper about your transfer?¡± Jonah suddenly shifted the topic.

    She blinked at him and pressed her lips, asking. ¡°Why should I tell him? Why does he need to know?¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Jonah was taken aback. He then smiled wryly. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±

    At that moment, her phone rang. Her heart sank as she wondered if it was Jasper. When she checked

    her phone, she saw Jameson¡¯s name on the screen.

    Jonah quietly stole a nce at her screen, and a frown crept onto his face. He¡¯d rather the caller be

    Jasper.

    ¡°Jimmy?¡± Alyssa answered the phone calmly. 1

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m in Belbanks now,¡± Jameson said tenderly. The sound of waves crashing, unique to Belbanks,

    could be heard in his background. His voice was filled with charm and passion.

    He added, ¡°I believe you must be in Belbanks as well. Do you have time to meet up?¡±

    She checked her wristwatch, looking shocked. ¡°Do you mean right now?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re busy now, I can wait for you for as long as it takes.¡±

 Chapter 727

    v

    On the street opposite the KS Group building, Jameson leaned casually against his car door, hands in

    pockets, basking in the twilight glow as he fixated on the building¡¯s entrance.

    He had been waiting for Alyssa to reach out to him. Even if they couldn¡¯t meet, he would be satisfied

    with a text from her.

    Disappointment settled in, confirming his suspicions that he did not hold any weight to her.

    Worse, he knew for sure that Alyssa had a ce for Jasper in her heart. It was concealed beneath the

    aftermath of her divorce and reluctance to admit her feelings.

    Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and put on an icy look that contrasted the brilliant glow

    around him.

    *Jimmy!¡±

    Upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s sweet voice, he immediately put on a warm smile. ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re finally here.¡±

    She shuffled up to him, hands on her back, and tilted her head quizically. ¡°From the sound of it, you¡¯ve

    waited for a long time. Is that true? I thought you just arrived.¡±

    Her demeanor was like a cheerful teen-the same girl who had saved him from the abyss 15 years ago.

    Every time he saw her, he couldn¡¯t move his eyes from her, even if he typically remained stoic around

    Women

    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for a while. I¡¯ve been yearning to see you since Madam L¡¯s birthday,¡± he replied

    with a hint of disappointment. Coupled with his pale face, he appeared unexpectedly vulnerable.

    She was taken by surprise at his words and was reminded of her abrupt departure from the party. She

    hadn¡¯t had a proper conversation with Jameson and Lily that night, which she considered impolite of

    her.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. You must have heard about the incident. Everything was a mess. I was worried about the

    safety of my family, and that¡¯s why-¡±

    ¡°Lyse, you really should apologize to me,¡± Jameson interjected, suddenly serious.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Perplexed, she asked, ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°You should apologize for not turning to me when you were in great trouble,¡± Jameson asserted,

    stepping

    closer to her with a touch of disgruntlement. ¡°Do you not trust me? Or do you believe I wouldn¡¯t be of

    much help?¡±

    ¡°Jimmy, that¡¯s not how I see you¡­¡±

    ¡°I deeply regret arrivingte, just after Jasper. If I had been there earlier, I could have protected you,

    too,¡± he argued, his tone growing intense. Regrets gnawed at his soul.

    ¡°Wow, you totally shouldn¡¯t! It was such a violent attack. You could have ended up with head trauma,¡±

    she said, waving her hands at him.

    Each time she met his gaze, an unsettling feeling overcame her. She said, ¡°Jasper took the blow for

    me. You should stay out of this.¡±

    ¡°Why him and not me? Do you genuinely believe only Jasper Beckett could protect you?¡± he pressed,

    his voice taut with tension.

    She leaned backward out of shock. ¡°No, that¡¯s not the case. I don¡¯t want you to be hurt. Why would you

    insist on taking the blow for me? You shouldn¡¯t ever consider that, even if it were to save me.¡±

    A warmth enveloped Jameson, a sensation he hadn¡¯t felt in a while. Gazing at her tenderly, he asked.¡±

    Lyse, you care about me, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Alyssa felt shaken. Jasper had often posed the same question after their divorce. Every time, she¡¯d

    chastise and mock him harshly. Despite that, she still felt a pang of pain deep in her heart when he

    asked that question.

    In contrast, she felt nothing when Jameson did the same, which was totally fine. It further proved that

    Jasper meant more to her than Jameson.

 Chapter 728

    ¡°Well, I just thought you might not be able to save me. I mean, you won¡¯t be rescuing a damsel in

    distress. You¡¯ll just be adding to my troubles,¡± Alyssa made up an excuse.

    She added, ¡°Jasper has a different physique. He¡¯s stronger than the average guy. He stands a better

    chance of surviving the surgery. I might not have been sessful in saving you if you were injured, and

    I¡¯d be burdened with guilt for the rest of my life.¡±

    Jameson frowned, his heart sinking.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, wee to Belbanks! Can I treat you to dinner tonight?¡± Alyssa extended an invitation

    with a smile, not wanting his trip to Belbanks to be in vain.

    ¡°Lyse,e with me to Sna City. We¡¯ll have dinner there,¡± he said, his eyes suddenly brightening.

    ¡°I¡¯ll also bring you to a ce you¡¯ll love.¡±

    After some consideration, she nodded. She wasn¡¯t particrly keen on the ce Jameson had in mind.

    In

    fact, she nned to return to Sna City to meet with Cyrus as they were investigating the assant

    behind the attack on L.

    Since Alyssa insisted on treating Jameson to dinner, he epted the offer and took her to the

    restaurant

    where they had first dined.

    The atmosphere was light and cheerful, but Alyssa appeared troubled due to the issues on her mind.

    ¡°Have you

    you not resolved Madam L¡¯s issue?¡± Jameson wondered with concern as he took a sip of tea.

    ¡°The attacker is still at the police station. He confessed to the crime,¡± she replied in a low voice,

    gripping

    her cup indignantly.

    ¡°Does the police know where to look into?¡±

    His sudden question gave her an idea, and she asked, ¡°Judging from your question, I wonder if you

    have

    any thoughts on this.¡±

    He smiled and quickly tapped on his phone.

    A notification sounded on her phone. Jameson had sent her photos of the attacker and his background

    Jameson exined while pouring her some tea, ¡°This guy used to work on-site for TS Network 20

    years ago. Heter became a stuntman. But a few years ago, he suffered a left leg fracture in a filming

    incident

    ¡°Jimmy, that¡¯s not how I see you.¡±

    ¡°I deeply regret arrivingte, just after Jasper. If I had been there earlier, I could have protected you,

    too,¡± he argued, his tone growing intense. Regrets gnawed at his soul.

    ¡°Wow, you totally shouldn¡¯t! It was such a violent attack. You could have ended up with head trauma,¡±

    she said, waving her hands at him.

    Each time she met his gaze, an unsettling feeling overcame her. She said, ¡®Jasper took the blow for

    me. You should stay out of this.¡±

    ¡°Why him and not me? Do you genuinely believe only Jasper Beckett could protect you?¡± he pressed,

    his voice taut with tension.

    She leaned backward out of shock. ¡°No, that¡¯s not the case. I don¡¯t want you to be hurt. Why would you

    insist on taking the blow for me? You shouldn¡¯t ever consider that, even if it were to save me.¡±

    A warmth enveloped Jameson, a sensation he hadn¡¯t felt in a while. Gazing at her tenderly, he asked, ¡±

    Lyse, you care about me, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Alyssa felt shaken. Jasper had often posed the same question after their divorce. Every time, she¡¯d

    chastise and mock him harshly. Despite that, she still felt a pang of pain deep in her heart when he

    asked that question.

    In contrast, she felt nothing when Jameson did the same, which was totally fine. It further proved that

    Jasper meant more to her than Jameson.

 Chapter 729

    Alyssa thought Jameson¡¯s remark made sense.

    After settling the bill post-dinner, Alyssa excused herself and headed to the restroom.

    In her absence, her phone buzzed on the table. Jameson, leaning forward, slid her phone over and

    answered a call with a cold expression.

    Jasper¡¯s tender

    voice called out, ¡°Lyse, are you free to talk now? Lyse?¡±

    Jameson sat in silence, listening as Jasper continued with a growing concern, ¡®Lyse, where are you

    now? Can we meet?¡±

    Finally, Jameson smirked and ended the call. Within moments, Jasper called again.

    This time, Jameson chuckled and blocked Jasper¡¯s number before returning Alyssa¡¯s phone to its

    original position, 2

    Alyssa returned to the table shortly after, having reapplied her lipstick, her face radiant. She said,

    ¡°Thanks for waiting. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Admiring her beauty, Jameson smiled and agreed, ¡°Sure.¡±

    Alyssa sat in the front passenger seat as Jameson drove

    curiosity. ¡°Where are we going?¡±

    her to the east side of the city. She asked with

    ¡°We¡¯re arriving soon,¡± he assured her. 20 minutester, they arrived at a newly built racecourse at

    Eastbrooke.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°A racecourse?¡± she eximed, rolling down the windows and staring at the venue excitedly.

    ¡®Do you still remember the times you sneaked into your family¡¯s racecourse with me when we were

    kids? I was still living in Belbanks then. You even made me feed the horses, Jameson recalled with a

    warm

    smile.

    Alyssa, recalling their childhood adventures, chirped happily, ¡°Of course! You were such a scaredy-cat

    back then-you were afraid of touching the horses!¡±

    He smiled helplessly, for she had mistaken his obsession with hygiene for cowardice

    ¡°The racecourse in Eastbrooke is our family¡¯s property. It waspleted this fall but isn¡¯t open to the

    public yet,¡± he introduced the ce to her. After parking the car, he led her into the racecourse.

    +15 BONUS To their dismay, two security guards blocked their way. ¡°Hey, you two, stop! We don¡¯t

    ept visitors because this ce isn¡¯t open for business yet.¡±

    Alyssa, stunned, looked at Jameson with mixed emotions. Everyone working in the Schmidt Group

    would recognize his brothers Josh and David, but Jameson, the youngest, remained unknown. It

    resulted in him being denied entry.

    The discrimination was infuriating even in the eyes of an outsider like Alyssa.

    Jameson frowned and smiled bitterly at Alyssa. ¡°Sorry, Lyse. It isn¡¯t often that you hang out with me,

    but! let you down.¡±

 Chapter 730

    Alyssa handled the situation gracefully, careful not to let any difort show on her face that might be

    mistaken as disdain by Jameson,

    She might be feisty and blunt, but she was raised to never look down on anyone.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. If we¡¯re denied entry now, we can alwayse back when it¡¯s open. Let¡¯s go,¡± Alyssa

    suggested, refusing to burden Jameson further.

    In a light-hearted tone, she added, ¡°If you ever fancy horse riding, just drop by my family¡¯s racecourse.

    It¡¯s essentially the same experience.¡±

    As she prepared to leave, Jameson unexpectedly seized her hand, his grip tightening. With a pleading

    tone, he urged, ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t go. We need to get in today.¡±

    Her fingers trembled as she instinctively tried to free herself, but Jameson¡¯s grip held firm. This

    insistence

    and forcefulness was a side of him she had never witnessed before.

    The security guards exchanged nces and sternly warned them, ¡°Please leave, or we may have to

    handle this differently. Mr. David is hosting guests on the racecourse today, and public entry is not

    permitted.¡±

    Alyssa rolled her eyes at the audacity of the guards. Jameson was more than just a member of the

    public.

    ¡°Is that so? What if I insist on entering?¡± Jameson coolly approached them and issued a challenge.

    ¡°Are you finding trouble?¡± A guard red at Jameson and attempted to shove him.

    Much to everyone¡¯s surprise, the guard was swiftly thrown to the ground, yelping in pain before making

    contact with Jameson.

    Alyssa watched on in shock as Jameson flung the guard over his shoulder and onto the floor. The

    guard couldn¡¯t rise from the floor. His colleague angrily threw himself at Jameson but ended up

    groaning and

    suffering broken bones as well.

    Jameson gracefully cleaned his hands with a white napkin and addressed Alyssa, ¡°Lyse, let¡¯s move.¡±

    He instantly transformed into a gentleman who was totally different from the fighter just now. She was

    rendered speechless.

    He pressed his lips and gently held her hand, guiding her as they walked along.

    The guards called out to him while grimacing on the floor, ¡°Wait a minute! Who¡­ Who exactly are

    you?¡±

    Jameson halted and chuckled. I¡¯m a Schmidt, too.¡±

    The revtion left the guards pale and speechless.

    Meanwhile, Jasper grew increasingly anxious as he failed to reach Alyssa.

    Concerned, Xavier inquired, ¡°Mr. Beckett, is Madam not answering your calls?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. She used to pick up even if she was upset with me. Xavier, did I do something to upset her? My

    memory is hazy after the head injury. Help me remember-did I say or do anything?¡± Jasper clutched his

    phone with sweaty palms and a somber expression.

    He looked way different from his usual confident demeanor when he was talking business.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t met with Madam for days. How could you upset her?¡± Xavier pondered. ¡°Maybe she had a

    dream about you mistreating her in the past, woke up angry, and decided to give you the silent

    treatment.¡±

    Jasper was dumbfounded by the spection. He repeated, ¡°A dream, you say?¡±

    Xavier shared his own experience. ¡°My girlfriend back in college was a drama queen. Once, she

    dreamed that I had cheated on her, and she gave me hell the next day! We broke up shortly after that.¡±

    Jasper scowled and retorted, ¡°Do you really think Lyse is like those girls?¡±

    Sweating over his blunder, Xavier apologized. ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Jasper sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

 Chapter 731

    Jasper silentlymented. How could he possibly be responsible for what happened in Alyssa¡¯s dream?

    Regardless, he had indeed scarred Alyssa with his poor treatment of her.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you contact Mr. Jonah instead? We learned that Madam had gone home to Belbanks. I

    believe

    Mr. Jonah must know where she is,¡± Xavier threw out a good suggestion.

    Jasper red at him. ¡°It¡¯s absurd that, as president of Beckett Group, I have to call her family because I

    couldn¡¯t locate her. What if Jonah doesn¡¯t know either? Should I call all her brothers then? Get out of

    my

    sight.¡±

    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m leaving!¡± Xavier quietly left the office, knowing that Jasper was in a foul mood.

    After the door closed, Jasper dialed Jonah¡¯s number right away. Jonah picked up and spoke with an

    emotionless tone, ¡°Mr. Beckett, how¡¯s your injury?¡±

    Jasper ignored the question and worriedly asked, ¡°Mr. Jonah, is Lyse with you?¡±

    ¡°No, she¡¯s not. Why? Is she unreachable?¡±

    Jasper breathed heavily and informed Jonah, ¡°She¡¯s not answering. I called her a few times.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not unusual.¡±

    Jasper was taken aback by Jonah¡¯s nonchnt attitude.

    Jonah added, ¡°I have no idea where she went. She¡¯s an adult. She doesn¡¯t have to report her

    whereabouts.

    You know, she once cut off contact with her family because of you.¡±

    ¡°She cut off contact because of me? Why?¡¯ Jasper was surprised.

    Jonah quickly changed the topic after the slip of the tongue. ¡°Why are you looking for her? Is it because

    your head hurts?¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m just worried about her.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She knows how to keep herself safe and protect her best interests. She¡¯ll show up when

    she

    wants to talk to you. The only possibility right now is that she doesn¡¯t want to see you.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Jasper felt a stabbing pain in his heart. The pain spread through his body. He

    looked

    after hanging up, and his palms grew sweaty.

    Still, he was moved by Jonah¡¯s words just now. He shared a simr experience with Alyssa, which was

    to

    cut off contact with family for a few years.

    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what she had been up to during those years of no contact Why had she

    not shared the story with him before?

    After entering the racecourse, Jameson still refused to let go of Alyssa¡¯s hand. She called him a few.

    times. ¡°Jimmy? Jimmy? Jameson!¡±

    He snapped back to reality. ¡°Huh?¡±

    She pursed her lips and red at him before her eyes traveled to their hands.

    Jameson sheepishly let go of her hand, saying, ¡°Sorry, Lyse. I was nervous just now.¡±

    The air between them grew awkward. However, Alyssa decided to put on a serious face, refusing to act

    weird about the hand-holding, as they were both single adults, with her being a one-time divorcee it

    would be weirder if she fussed about the hand-holding

    She addressed him sternly, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you announce your identity to the guards? They wouldn¡¯t have

    misunderstood you, and you wouldn¡¯t have had to fight with them.¡±

    ¡°Did you really think they¡¯d let me in if I did that? he responded indifferently. ¡°They¡¯d only inform David

    about it, and I¡¯d still be denied entry. The oue would be the same.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t probe further, as that would be crossing a line. As an outsider, she had no intention of

    meddling in the Schmidt siblings¡¯ infighting.

    She asked, ¡°Jimmy, why did you bring me here? Is it for horseriding?¡±

    I¡¯ll show you a horse. I promise you¡¯ll love it.¡±

 Chapter 732

    As Jameson spoke, he reached out for Alyssa¡¯s hand. He then recalled her uneasiness, and his hand

    stopped mid-air. He curled his fingers.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat when she saw him reaching out

    At that moment, Jameson¡¯s secretary, Carl, ran over, panting. He eximed, ¡°M-Mr. Schmidt, I have

    bad

    news.

    Jameson knitted his brows. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Mr. David has led the horse for Ms. Alyssa to the racecourse!

    Upon learning that, Jameson adjusted his sses with a burning rage in his eyes.

    David sent a horse trainer to present the guests with a magnificent champagne-colored Golden

    Ausman

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    horse.

    ¡°Mr. David, this horse is truly rare! I¡¯ve heard of Golden Ausman horse before, but seeing it in person is

    a

    first!¡±

    ¡°This horse probably costs a good ten million.¡±

    David gleefully replied, ¡°Ten million dors? You¡¯re underestimating its value.¡± He gently caressed the

    horse¡¯s smooth skin. ¡°These pure-bred horses from Bahari are rare. They fetch at least 15 million.¡±

    The guests gasped at the value of the horse and started taking photos. While they could afford 15

    million dors, they preferred to spend it on luxury cars, mansions, and yachts.

    Racehorses required substantial long-term care, a luxury only extinguished families like the Becketts,

    the

    Schmidts, and the Taylors could afford.

    ¡°Come, help me out! I want to test out the horse!¡± David rubbed his hands and grabbed the saddle,

    ready

    to ride the horse.

    Suddenly, a cold voice interrupted, making everyone jump. ¡°Who gave you permission to touch my

    horse?¡±

    ¡°Goodness!¡± Davi¨² clumsily fell off the horse but was caught by the trainer on time.

    The guests expresund concern but secretlyughed at him, ¡°Oh no! Mr. David, be careful!¡±

    David shoved the trainer away and turned around with a malicious expression Jameson and Alyssa

    ¡°Who¡¯s that pretty woman? She looks familiar.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s Alyssa Taylor, the daughter of the Belbanks tycoon Winston Taylor!

    ¡°And w

    what about the man by her side? They look good together!¡±

    ¡°I just remembered. He¡¯s Jameson Schmidt, who recently returned from abroad. I didn¡¯t know he was

    close to Ms. Alyssa. I bet he¡¯s pretty aplished as well.¡±

    David was fuming after Jameson took the spotlight at his carefully nned event, but Alyssa was

    oblivious to his emotions. She gaped, captivated by the horse. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s beautiful

    Jameson smiled at the sight of Alyssa¡¯s bright eyes and rosy cheeks.

    ¡°Jimmy, what brings you here?¡± David questioned with a fake smile while dusting his outfit.

    ¡°David, is my horse that good? Does it make you happy to show off the possession of other: Jameson

    tilted his head and taunted his brother. z

    Jameson continued, ¡°If you want that horse, you can always borrow it from me. Taking it without my

    permission? What are you thinking?¡±

    ¡°You-¡°David seethed with anger and shame.

    ¡°But even if you ask to borrow my horse, I won¡¯t lend it to you,¡± Jameson added.

 Chapter 733

    David¡¯s face turned from red to green as he listened to Jameson¡¯s taunting words. The crowd began to

    murmur and gossip. ¡°Are the two sons of the Schmidt family not getting along?¡±

    Someone remarked, ¡°Is this just ack of harmony or a full blown feud?¡±

    Another quest chimed in, ¡®Did Jameson just im that the horse is his? Did David use Jameson¡¯s horse

    without permission? Isn¡¯t that a bit inappropriate?¡±

    The murmurs reached David¡¯s ears, and he couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. He clenched his teeth and said

    coldly. ¡°Jimmy, it¡¯s just a horse. Is it necessary to say such things in front of so many people?¡±

    Jameson replied, ¡°Yes, it is.¡± His refined features were icy, and his voice was cutting. ¡°If it were just an

    ordinary horse, I wouldn¡¯t argue with you.¡±

    He continued, ¡°But the horse you touched is a gift I intended to give to Ms. Taylor. She has seen it yet,

    and youid your hands on it. Do you think that¡¯s appropriate?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s excited gaze was still fixed on the splendid horse. However, she was suddenly stunned by

    Jameson¡¯s words. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

    ¡°David, howe your manners seem to have deteriorated over the years?¡± Jameson openly mocked

    David. ¡°When we were kids, didn¡¯t Dad tell you that touching someone else¡¯s things without permission

    is

    impolite?

    David felt as if he had been pped in the face. The humiliation was multiplied a hundredfold with

    Alyssa present. It coursed through his veins, driving him insane.

    ¡°Since it¡¯s a horse you intended to give to Ms. Taylor, why did you tie it here? If you leave it tied here, I¡¯ll

    assume it¡¯s a horse from the Schmidt family¡¯s stable. I¡¯m a Schmidt family scion, and I can¡¯t even lead

    a

    horse?¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses and shed a sardonic grin. ¡°Does that mean I can lead you with me if

    you¡¯re tied up here?¡±

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    David¡¯s face flushed with anger. ¡°You!¡±

    Laughter broke out among the crowd, and David¡¯s face turned red with anger. He took a half step

    forward and clenched his fists.

    If it weren¡¯t for his secretary holding him back, he might have charged at Jameson.

    ¡°Jimmy, it¡¯s just a minor issue. Let¡¯s not spoil the atmosphere over this,¡± Alyssa said.

    Alyssa gently touched Jameson a couple of times and

    go somewh

    Let¡¯s not disturb David¡¯s meng Shall

    Jameson replied softly, ¡°Sure¡± He approached the splendid horse and led it away with Alyssa under

    everyone¡¯s gazes. At that moment, he appeared as a prince, walking under the starry moonlight with

    his beloved princess

    David seethed with hatred. He despised Jameson for humiliating him in public. He even took Alyssa

    away as if he were nothing. In the lounge. David¡¯s chest swelled with anger

    He downed a ss of whisky before hurling the ss to smithereens ¡°That bastard. It¡¯s just a stupid

    horse. What makes him so arrogant? David fumed

    ¡°Mr. David, it¡¯s not just about the horse it¡¯s about how he has humiliated you in front of others his

    secretary snapped

 Chapter 734

    David was furious, ¡°Are you saying I gave him a chance to humiliate me?¡±

    The secretary immediately exined, ¡°No, no, no! I¡¯m just ticked off on your behalf! You¡¯re the one Mr.

    Victor picked for Alyssa, after all!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t require you to be angry on my behalf. I need you to find a solution for me!¡± David snapped. He

    was

    visibly agitated as his eyes reddened, and his hands started to tremble.

    Seeing this, the secretary hurriedly brought another ss of whiskey, which David promptly downed.

    His

    He looked all aristocratic in public. But who would have thought he relied on strong liquor to handle his

    emotions?

    ¡°He made e you ufortable. You should return the favor. At least, don¡¯t let him enjoy his date with

    Alyssa so smoothly,¡± the secretary whispered.

    David¡¯s eyes lit up. After a pause, he motioned for the secretary toe closer. ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea. Get

    on it

    right away.¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t reach Alyssa¡¯s phone, and Jonah couldn¡¯t provide her whereabouts, leaving him in

    distress. Due to excessive anxiety, he even developed tinnitus, with his heart beating irregrly.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, there¡¯s an important event for Mr. Javier. You¡¯re to attend it right away. Since you¡¯ve

    recovered, making a public appearance is crucial,¡± Xavier emphasized.

    Jasper remained silent as he stared nkly at his dark phone screen. ¡°Mr. Beckett, you can fall in love,

    but don¡¯t let it mess with your head.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Xavier sighed, ¡°I get that you worry about Ms. Alyssa, but she¡¯s an adult and can take care of herself.

    What

    could happen? This isn¡¯t like you, You should prioritize your career.¡±

    Jasper frowned, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s wrong for me to care about her?¡±

    Xavier cleared his throat and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I

    ¡°Remember how I used to be? I was a workaholic, always focused on my job. I had a wife, but I didn¡¯t

    care. I thought work was everything, and losing my status felt like losing everything.¡±

    Jasper slowly closed his eyes, his longshes trembling sadly. ¡°Later, when I lost Alyssa, I understood.

    Status meant nothingpared to losing Alyssa

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, how can you say that? You used to tell me that you willingly stood in the cold heights

    because you knew that without power, you wouldn¡¯t be able to protect those around you. Your pursuit

    of sess was also for ountability to your mother!¡± Xavier persuaded anxiously.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze slightly narrowed. Thinking of his mother¡¯s tragic death, a wave of heartache

    overwhelmed

    him, making him feel suffocated.

    ¡®Besides, you have to juggle both. You¡¯re too focused on pleasing Ms. Alyssa and have neglected your

    career. What if you end up worse off than Ms. Alyssa in the future?¡±

    Xavier smirked. ¡°You want to be a kept man? Being one doesn¡¯t let you hold your head high.¡±

    Jasper squinted his eyes as a hint of restlessness surged in his chest. Xavier¡¯s words were harsh, but

    they

    were not without truth.

    ¡°Get the car. We¡¯re leaving now.¡±

 Chapter 735

    ¡®The Golden Ausman horse is like the Ferrari of horses. It¡¯s a national treasure of Bahari. I used to

    pester my dad to get me one, but he was always worried I might have an ident while riding. He was

    reluctant to let me get too close to horses,¡± Alyssa said.

    In the glow of the lights, Alyssa excitedly stroked the golden fur of the Ausman horse. The pulses

    beneath her fingertips made her heart race.

    Suddenly, her tongue felt dry, and an image shed in her mind, Jasper was standing before her. He

    was bare and muscr, and his chest was wild and firm.

    A tingling sensation surged through Alyssa¡¯s fingertips. Her cheeks were burning.

    Jasper, who once pressed her down in her wildest desires, was like an untamed steed.

    ¡°Lyse, do you like it? Lyse?¡± Jameson¡¯s voice brought her back from her wild thoughts.

    Alyssa snapped out of her reverie and quickly touched her flushed cheek. Her eyes were glistening.

    She said, ¡°I like it. Horses are my favorite animals.

    Damn it! Why did Jaspere into her mind as she saw the Golden Ausman horse?

    Jameson walked silently behind her, his tall figure casting a beautiful silhouette.

    He gazed down at her lovingly and said, ¡°When you were a child, you told me you loved horses.

    Bing a jockey was your dream.¡±

    ¡°That was my childhood dream,¡± Alyssa said with a smile. ¡°But now, it¡¯s not anymore. Besides, I know

    I¡¯m

    not cut out to be a jockey.¡±

    She didn¡¯t mind Jameson often bringing up her childhood, even though there were things she truly

    couldn¡¯t remember. She just felt the main difference between them was that she always looked ahead,

    while he seemed stuck in the past.

    ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s your dream now?¡± Jameson¡¯s fingers tightened. His chest rose and fell. His breaths were

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    warm. He was tempted to embrace her.

    Alyssa said, ¡°After a while, I wanted to be a good doctor.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t fight alongside Jasper, so she wished to be his support. Each time, she wished for he

    safe return. If he got hurt, she hoped to be the one to help.

    She added, ¡°Now. I don¡¯t have dreams.

    +15 BONUS Alyssa¡¯s chest felt strange with a mix of emotions. A slight smile yed on her lips. ¡°Now,

    I just want things toe easy. I want to enjoy the rewards without much effort and reach the top in

    one leap.¡±

    Jameson softly chuckled by her ear. ¡°Oh? Lyse, can you read minds? Let¡¯s figure it out together.¡±

    Alyssa raised an eyebrow. ¡°You, a grown man, thinking of an easy life without challenges? Aren¡¯t you

    lacking ambition?¡±

    Jameson continued, ¡°You misunderstood me. I hope my wife lives carefree.¡± His warm breath hinted at

    desire. ¡°Be my woman and enjoy the easy life. Only men without abilities let their women suffer.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s breath caught, wondering if she overthought. Jameson¡¯s seemingly gentle words felt a bit

    sarcastic. Suddenly, a loud neigh broke the silence in the quiet horse stable.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt! Ms. Alyssa! Be careful!¡± A swift wind stirred up yellow sand and dust. Alyssa¡¯s eyes

    widened as a ck horse broke through the fence, charging straight at them!

 Chapter 736

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened. Every nerve in her body tensed. Her red lips quivered. She wasn¡¯t slow to

    react,

    but it had happened too fast.

    A purebred, powerful horse charging at full speed was equivalent to top te sports car

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt!¡± Todd yelled, desperately trying to reach Jameson for protection, but it was toote.

    The uncontroble ck horse charged into the stable, panting heavily, its eyes crimson. It headed

    straight for Alyssa like a raging madness.

    Alyssa¡¯s breath caught. She wanted to run, but in the overwhelming panic, her legs felt like they were

    nailed down.

    ¡°Lysel¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s pupils contracted, and her vision darkened.

    Jameson threw himself at her, sweeping her into his arms and flipping them both to the other side just

    the horse went berserk.

    With a loud thud, theynded together. Dust rose.

    Jameson¡¯s back hit the ground first, and Alyssa, protected in his arms, suffered only minor scrapes.

    as

    Even so, during the fall, she felt a violent shock to her internal organs. It was as if everything inside her

    was shaken up. One could only imagine the pain Jameson must have endured at the moment of

    impact.

    ¡°Jimmy! Are you okay?!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes reddened in panic.

    Jameson¡¯s face turned pale.

    ¡°I¡­ Be careful!¡± Ignoring the pain, he tightened his grip on Alyssa and rolled to the side with all his

    strength.

    The ck horse let out a loud neigh and suddenly changed direction. It raised its front hooves abruptly.

    Jameson felt a sharp pain in his back. His sult was almost soaked through with his weal

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    ¡°Jimmy!¡± Alyssa¡¯s chest felt constricted. She felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing her tightly,

    ranking it hard to breathe At that moment, Todd and two horse trainers arrived.

    They sessfully subdued the frantic horse by giving it a powerful tranquilizer. Under the influence

    othe tranquilizer, the horse¡¯s emotions gradually calmed, and its crimson eyes regained rity.

    Alyssa¡¯s chest

    13. A

    things toe easy. I want to enjoy the rewards without much effort and reach the top in one leap

    Jameson softly chuckled by her ear. ¡°Oh? Lyse, can you read minds? Let¡¯s figure it out together.¡±

    Alyssa raised an eyebrow. ¡°You, a grown man, thinking of an easy life without challenges? Aren¡¯t your

    Jameson continued, ¡°You misunderstood me. I hope my wife lives carefree. His warm breath hinted a

    desire. ¡°Be my woman and enjoy the easy life. Only men without abilities let their women suffer.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s breath caught, wondering if she overthought. Jameson¡¯s seemingly gentle words felt a bit

    sarcastic. Suddenly, a loud neigh broke the silence in the quiet horse stable.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt! Ms. Alyssa! Be careful!¡± A swift wind stirred up yellow sand and dust. Alyssa¡¯s eye

    widened as a ck horse broke through the fence, charging straight at them!

 Chapter 737

    ¡°Jameson, is this the time for jokes?¡± Alyssa raised her voice as she was both anxious and angry.

    Jameson dared not tease her further. He endured the pain and softly said, ¡°My arm and back are a bit

    sore.¡±

    Before he finished speaking, Alyssa paused, precisely locating the position of his broken arm. Touching

    the protruding bone, she recalled the heart-stopping moment just now. A pang of guilt pierced her

    heart.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lyse.¡± Jameson¡¯s eyes met hers as he said gently.

    ¡°And you say it¡¯s okay? You have a fracture!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes reddened as she shouted at him.

    He was the one injured, yet he tried tofort her. It made her feel even more guilty.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll mend every bone you break. Even if all the bones in your body break, I¡¯ll fix them all. I

    will

    be responsible for you!¡± Alyssa reassured him.

    Jameson felt warmth in his heart. No woman had ever dared to say she¡¯d take responsibility for him.

    That

    audacity was one reason he was deeply infatuated with her.

    ¡°This is really strange!¡± One of the horse trainers scratched his head in bewilderment. ¡°This ck horse

    is

    usually the gentlest and most obedient in our stable. It¡¯s usually timid, so why did it suddenly lose

    control

    today?¡±

    Todd red at him irritably. ¡°Who the hell are you asking? Don¡¯t you know what¡¯s going on? Useless!¡±

    Alyssa seriously contemted and said, ¡°Normally, horses exhibit abnormal behavior after a severe

    fright.

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    ¡°How is that possible?¡± another horse trainer eximed, ¡°This horse has been peacefully staying in the

    stable. No one touched it or let it out. How could it be scared out of control?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa and Jameson shared a darkened expression.

    Sna City Center was a high-profile gathering of business moguls Javier was busy chatting with

    familiar business tycoons.

    ¡°Mr. Javier! Long time no see

    Surprised, Javier turned to see Dominic walking toward him with a champagne ss

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Dominic, nice to meet you,¡± Javier casually greeted.

    Compared to Dominic¡¯s warmth, Javier¡¯s attitude seemed somewhat aloof. Despite being Winston¡¯s

    only

    brother and holding the position of vice chairman at KS Group, the majority of KS¡¯ shares and

    industries

    were still under the control of Winston and his children.

    Dominic was more of a figurehead. Even within thepany, hecked the influence Jonah held as

    the

    eldest son.

    In a few years, Dominic¡¯s status would be virtually obsolete! Business circles always yed this

    name of influence.

    Javier might not like Winston, but at least Winston¡¯s status warranted a conversation. Dominic, on the

    other hand, was a different story.

    ¡°Mr. Dominic, is Mr. Winston noting? Are you here alone?¡± a tycoon curiously inquirer

    ¡°Winston has been busy with family matterstely. He couldn¡¯t make it.¡± Dominic sighed with feigned

    concern.

    ¡°You¡¯ve likely heard about L¡¯s recent struggles. It¡¯s been tough for her, almost unbearable. Winston

    fears she might do something drastic, so he¡¯s been by her side day and night. Social events are the

    last

    thing on his mind.¡±

 Chapter 738

    Javier remained a straight face upon hearing that. However, his eyes betrayed a myriad of emotions.

    ¡°Oh! I heard about this before. Come on! It has been so many years, and someone still brought it up.

    Don¡¯t

    they have better things to do?¡± someonemented

    Another personmented, ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s jealousy! They can¡¯t stand seeing the attention she gets on

    her

    birthday. Besides, she married a wealthy man and is beautiful!

    ¡°They can¡¯t stand all that, so they resorted to digging up old dirt. It¡¯s an everyday urrence.

    ¡°It happens all the time with celebrities managed by my entertainmentpany. They¡¯re always

    backstabbing and spreading rumors for no good reason!¡±

    Javier pursed his lips and furrowed his brows slightly. Even though they were just expressing their

    opinions without mentioning anyone, he still felt an indescribable difort.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor is truly a loyal person.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. After all, L was an actress and on! gave birth to a daughter. Yet, Mr. Taylor treats her well. It

    truly speaks volumes about his character!¡±

    Upon hearing those words, the guests nodded in agreement. On the other hand, Dominic smiled

    awkwardly. He could not help but feel resentful.

    He h

    thought by bringing up this matter, people would see Winston as aughingstock. To Dominic¡¯s dismay,

    his n backfired.

    To make things worse for him, the attendees even praised Winston. He thought they were status-

    conscious, trying to bootlick Winston at every opportunity.

    Javier looked up to check the time. Then, he nced around. Nevertheless, Jasper was nowhere to be

    seen.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, why isn¡¯t Mr. Beckett here? This is an important asion, after all,¡± Dominic asked

    tentatively.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Javier replied, ¡°Oh, he¡¯ll be here soon.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? That¡¯s great!¡± Dominic eximed as his eyes lit up.

    In the next rond, his tone became more polite. ¡°Our group is currently working on a promising project

    It¡¯s rted to environmental causes, something the country is supporting.

    ¡°Jonah has assigned this project to me, and right now, I¡¯m looking for partners.¡±

    Then, Dominic briefly exined the project to Javier. Thetter nodded in response, showing some

    interest.

    ¡°My daughter, Renee, had recentlye up with two great coboration proposals. She¡¯ll be joining us

    ¡°Shall I find a ce for us after the cocktail party? Why don¡¯t you and Mr. Beckett join us? Then, we

    can discuss more about it. How does that sound?¡± he asked with a smile.

    Javier frowned. ¡°Your daughter?¡±

    ves. I only have a

    daughter. Her name is Renee Taylor. She¡¯s the same age as my brother¡¯s daughter,

    Alyssa,¡± answered Dominic.

    ¡°But she¡¯s younger than Alyssa by four months. She studied at the top university in Hestrya and

    received a full schrship every year. She even worked as a trantor for Hestrya¡¯s president.

    ¡°Upon returning to the country, she joined KS Group with her capabilities. She has always been

    working as the director of product design,¡± Dominic proudly introduced his daughter.

    It was as if he was marketing a high-end product he had personally crafted.

    However, the guests nearby scoffed silently after hearing what he said. They knew that Dominic¡¯s

    daughter, Renee, did not need to possess any qualifications to join KS Group. Who did he think he was

    fooling?

    Javier did not know how to respond and reluctantlymented, ¡°Oh, what an outstanding youngdy.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s settled then! I¡¯ll make arrangements after the cocktail party!¡±

    Javier was slightly taken aback. After all, he did not agree to meet Dominic after that.

    Although he was not young, he was far from senile. Javier could see that Dominic was just using the

    business meeting as an excuse.

    The real purpose was to introduce Panee to him and create an opportunity for Jasper to meet her.

    ¡°Mr. Dominic, my father hasn¡¯t answered yet. How could he have settled anything with you?¡±

    As soon as the crowd heard the volce, they were momentarily stunned. They immediately tumed their

    heads to look.

    remained cool and indifferent.

    Jasper, what took you so long to get here? Javier could not help butin. Yet hely

    Dom¡¯s smile froze momentarily. Just as he was about to speak, Jasper said coldly. ¡°Mr. Dominic

    you genuinely want to talk about business, you can choose a more appropriate time,

    ¡°You can¡¯t just decide as you like At the very least, you should make an appointment. After all, we he

    not

    close enough to meet any time, anywhere

    ¡°Mr. Beckett actually ¨C

    Jasper¡¯s gaze grew coder ¡°if you have something other than business in mind, such an introducing

    your daughter, then I¡¯m sorry I decline all matchmaking arrangements¡± he said straightforwardly

 Chapter 739

    Jasper¡¯s remarks left everyone stunned. They could not believe how straightforward and sharp-

    tongued.

    he was.

    Upon hearing what Jasper said, the business titans remainedposing their expressions

    well. However, their gazes toward Dominic carried a tinge of disdain.

    They agreed that if Dominic wanted to discuss business, he should do it correctly. How could hel

    suddenly extend an invitation?

    Besides, why was he determined to involve his daughter, whom Jasper and Javier had never seen

    fore?

    His intentions were clear as day.

    Yet, Dominic did not expect Jasper to be such a straightforward and unforgiving person. He had just

    revealed his hidden agenda a little. However, thetter promptly intervened, putting an end to it.

    Usually, Dominic was someone who hid his emotions behind a smiling fa?ade. But at that moment, he

    found it hard to maintain hisposure.

    His smile froze as he awkwardly said, ¡°Hahaha! You¡¯re right, Mr. Beckett. My apologies for the

    abruptness.

    ¡°I should formally invite the both of you. It¡¯s just that tonight is a rare opportunity to meet Mr. Javier, and

    I

    got too excited. So-¡±

    Jasper interrupted, ¡°Since you¡¯re happy to see my father, you should invite him. After all, he¡¯s the

    chairman

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    of Beckett Group. So, discussing it with him would be just as effective.¡±

    After saying that, he nced at Dominic coldly before averting his gaze. Jasper continued in an iciert

    ¡°I¡¯m just curious. Is Mr. Taylor aware you¡¯re representing KS Group to talk business with us?¡±

    tone.

    Dominic was momentarily stunned. Then, he chuckled and responded, ¡°Jonah has entrusted the

    project

    to me. He lets me undertake full responsibility,

    ¡°Of course, I prioritize working with powerful corporations. He¡¯ll be delighted to know that we can work

    with the Beckett Group. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll support us.

    A cold, faint smile crept onto Jasper¡¯s face, his gaze piercing. ¡°Would Mr. Taylor still be delighted and

    supportive if he finds out that you secretly contacted Ms Alyssa¡¯s ex-husband to discuss a

    partnership?¡±

    The attendees were shocked upon learning that. On the other hand, Javier frowned and reprimanded

    Jasper, why are you bringing this up here?¡±

    Dominic widened his eyes in disbelief. His mouth hung slightly agape. He had a hard time processing

    the

    ¡°Jasper, what took you so long to get here?¡± Javier could not help butin. Yet, he was secretly

    relieved.

    Dominic¡¯s smile froze momentarily. Just as he was about to speak, Jasper said coldly, ¡°Mr. Dominic, if

    you genuinely want to talk about business, you can choose a more appropriate time.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just decide as you like. At the very least, you should make an appointment. After all, we¡¯re

    not

    close enough to meet any time, anywhere.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, actually, I-¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze grew colder. ¡°If you have something other than business in mind, such as introducing

    your

    daughter, then I¡¯m sorry. I decline all matchmaking arrangements,¡¯ he said straightforwardly.

 Chapter 740

    Suddenly, Renee became excited. ¡°Dad, has Mr. Beckett arrived?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s here.¡±

    She eagerly added, ¡°Have you discussed the new project with him? You must tell him that the proposal

    was my idea!

    ¡°A man born with a silver spoon like Mr. Beckett has seen countless beautiful women. I¡¯m sure none of

    them can grab his attention,¡± Reneemented with a smug smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be interested in me. After all, I¡¯m highly educated and broad-minded. In addition, I¡¯m

    beautiful, not to mention my distinguished background.

    ¡°Once he notices me, he¡¯ll be drawn to my talents. Then, I¡¯ll captivate him, and eventually, he will fall for

    me!*

    Her cheerful tone sounded like she had already won Jasper¡¯s heart and was one step closer to

    marrying

    into the wealthy Beckett family.

    In the new!

    next second, Dominic¡¯s gaze turned menacing. He replied in a low voice, ¡°Hmph! Let me offer a

    piece of advice. Don¡¯t get too happy,

    ¡°What do you mean by that, Dad?¡±

    Dominic answered, ¡°Jasper is a divorcee.¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°What? H-He¡¯s a divorcee? When did he get married?¡± Renee was astonished upon hearing that.

    ¡°How would I know when he got married? But never mind that. What¡¯s more important is, do you know

    who his ex-wife is?¡±

    Of course, Renee had no idea who Jasper¡¯s ex-wife was. She had spent thest year studying and

    doing

    her research in Hestrya.

    Diving deep into the development of technology and intense work, she paid miniinal attention to

    domestic affairs during this phase of self-enhancement.

    ¡°It¡¯s your cousin, Alyssa Taylor Dominic uttered the name through gritted teeth.

    Instantly, the other end of the call fell silent. At that moment, all he could discern was the sound of

    Renee¡¯s breathing.

    After a while, she burst intoughter. ¡°Haha! Dad, you must be joking, right? Uncle Winston dotes or

    ¡°There¡¯s no way he would marry her off silently. Not when Alyssa is getting wed to the president of

    Beckett Group. Shouldn¡¯t they hold a wedding of the century? How is that possible?¡±

    Dominic replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know the specific details, too. But the next one would be Mr. Beckett¡¯s second

    marriage.¡±

    ¡°Well, so what if it¡¯s his second marriage? Even if he gets divorced eight times, he¡¯s still a gift from the

    heavens.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s not Mr. Beckett¡¯s fault that he and Alyssa are divorced. It must be because she doesn¡¯t

    have

    the capabilities to safeguard the marriage.¡¯

    Renee continued disdainfully, ¡°I think it¡¯s good that they¡¯re divorced. Alyssa is now a forsaken woman

    that

    no man wants.

    ¡°She¡¯ll never get in my way anymore. This gives me even more reasons to mock her when I see her.

    Haha!¡±

    Dominic hurriedly said, ¡°Just moments ago, Jasper admitted publicly that he still has feelings for Alyssa

    and is still in love with her!

    ¡®He made it clear that he wants to remarry her! i don¡¯t think it will be easy for you to be with Mr.

    Beckett.¡±

    However, Renee remained indifferent. ¡°Men are egoistic creatures. Back then, when you divorced

    Mom,

    you had two mistresses. Yet, you acted like Mom was the love of your life before Uncle Winston.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett is a man of high status. So, of course, he needs to maintain his good image in public. After

    all, divorce isn¡¯t seen as a positive thing.¡±

    Dominic was infuriated after listening to her. ¡°You ungrateful girl! When have I ever mistreated you? I

    paid

    for all your food, clothes, and expenses!

    ¡°You spent three to four million dors annually in Hestrya, including your sponsorship for emerging

    celebrities and cosmetic surgeries! Who did you think filled that financial hole for you?

    ¡°It¡¯s one thing if you don¡¯t know how to appreciate my efforts. How dare you talk back to me like that?

    Believe it or not, I¡¯ll cancel your credit cards!¡±

    Renee responded yfully, ¡°Come on, Dad. I was just joking with you. Even though you and Mom

    divorced, I¡¯m certainly on your side.

    ¡°Dad, since you want me to give back to you, just watch closely. Once I have the chance to get close

    Mr. Beckett, it won¡¯t be long till I be Mrs. Beckett.¡±

    Renee spoke with confidence while smiling arrogantly.

    On the other hand, the cocktail party moved on to the next segment. It was the much-anticipated part of

    the event, where prominent figures in Sna City¡¯s business sector would give speeches.

    Initially, Javier was supposed to take the stage. However, sincer had arrived, Javier gave him the

    chance to address the audience.

    Jasper had just recovered from a severe injury, after all. Thus, he needed to make a public appearance

    to

    set the record straight on certain rumors regarding him and the Beckett Group.

    ¡°You know you¡¯re attending an event tonight. It¡¯s fine if you¡¯re not wearing high-end attire, but why didn¡¯t

    you tidy up your hair?¡±

 Chapter 741

    Javier sat in the audience and looked disdainfully at Jasper. ¡°Look at all thepany presidents here.

    Which one of them shaved their head to get a crew cut? Are you still serving in the military?

    ¡°You should pay more attention to your image. Also, you had surgy but a scar on your scalp.

    Why didn¡¯t you wear a wig to cover it?¡±

    Jasper lowered his gaze, his tone cold yet confident as he replied, ¡°Everyone in Sna City knows

    about

    my injury. So, covering it would be pointless. Besides, even if I¡¯m bald, it won¡¯t affect my good looks.¡±

    Javier pursed his lips upon hearing that. Despite having low opinions of many aspects of his son, he

    had

    to admit that Jasper had inherited all the best traits from him and Anne. Jasper was basically wless

    and perfect.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone make a realistic wig for you tomorrow. Then, I¡¯ll send it over to you,¡± Javier insisted.

    In fact, it was not about the wig. Javier simply did not like that Jasper was going against him. Hence, he

    was always looking for opportunities to control thetter.

    ong as she

    ¡°I won¡¯t wear it even if you pass it to me. Alyssaid she likes my current hairstyle. So, as longN?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    likes it, I¡¯ll never change it.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s voice immediately softened when he mentioned Alyssa.

    ¡°You-¡±

    ¡°And now, let¡¯s wee the president of Beckett Group-Mr. Jasper Beckett!¡±

    The audience erupted in thunderous apuse. Jasper rose to his feet gracefully, ignoring Javier¡¯s grim

    expression. Then, he walked toward the stage.

    Standing in front of the microphone, Jasper appeared collected and handsome. His presence was

    imposing.

    One would never suspect that he recently had his head cut open as he looked incredibly energetic.

    Just

    as he was about to speak, the phone in his hand vibrated.

    In the past, Jasper would ignore it. However, that night, Alyssa was unreachable. That was why he kept

    his phone with him the whole night.

    Jasper worried that he would miss any of her calls or messages. Thus, when his phone vibrated, his

    hea skipped a beat too.

    On the other hand, the cocktail party moved on to the next segment. It was the much-anticipated part of

    the event, where prominent figures in Sna City¡¯s business sector would give speeches.

    Initially, Javier was supposed to take the stage. However, since Jasper had arrived, Javier gave him the

    chance to address the audience.

    Jasper had just recovered from a severe injury, after all. Thus, he needed to make a public appearance

    to set the record straight on certain rumors regarding him and the Beckett Group.

    ¡°You know you¡¯re attending an event tonight. It¡¯s fine if you¡¯re not wearing high-end attire, but why didn¡¯t

    you tidy up your hair?

 Chapter 742

    With Renee¡¯s ankle twisting, her arms iled frantically in mid-air. The Herm¨¨s bag she held soared,

    leaving her in aically awkward sprawl on the ground.

    ¡°Ouch! I-It hurts!¡± she yelped.

    er lips were

    She sat on the floor as tears welled up in her eyes. Even quivering uncontrobly.

    In a typical scenario, a man would step forward to help a beautiful woman in distress, especially when

    she fell because of the man. Who would have thought Jasper was unaffected by the situation?

    He walked away fast. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from Renee¡¯s sight.

    At that moment, Xavier rushed over, too. He merely nced at Renee, who was pathetically lying on

    the ground. Then, he followed behind Jasper and left.

    In just a short span of seconds, Renee started to question her appearance. She had always been

    confident with her looks.

    It was often said that people would hesitate to help an olderdy who fell, but why didn¡¯t anyone help

    Renee? She was a gorgeous woman, after all.

    Dominic happened toe out for a smoke when he saw his daughter in such an embarrassing state.

    He could not help but frown, asking, ¡°Renee? Why are you sitting on the ground? You look like a

    mess!¡±

    ¡°Dad! You should lend a hand to your daughter, who has just fallen. But instead, you¡¯re standing there

    making sarcastic remarks!¡± Renee supported herself on the coffee table and struggled to stand up.

    At that point, her ankle was swollen. In addition to that, her Chanel heels had broken as well. She was

    infuriated and kicked her damaged shoes away.

    ¡°I just bumped into Mr. Beckett. If it weren¡¯t for him, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up in such a pathetic state,¡±

    Renee exined to Dominic.

    ¡°But I wonder why he was in such a hurry,¡± she added. She remained seated on the couch, wincing in

    pain.

    Initially, she thought she could make a memorable and stunning appearance before Jasper However, it

    turned into a chaotic mess, Renee was so annoyed that she almost burst into tears.

    Upon hearing her words, Dominic recalled how Jasper abruptly left the cocktail party, looking like ther

    was an urgent sluation. At the thought of that, the former¡¯s gaze became menacing

    Xavier was sweating profusely as he ran after Jasper at the underground parking lot.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! W-Where are you going? What happened?¡± Xavier asked. His voice trembled because of

    now

    nervous he was.

    Jasper¡¯s expression turned frosty as he answered, ¡®Alyssa is in trouble end to go find her now!¡±

    As he spoke, his jawline tightened, creating a striking and sharp profile. Then, he opened the door of

    the

    sports car.

    His veins on the back of his hand were popping. Even though he had not lost his temper, his piercing

    gaze

    revealed his inner intense emotions.

    ¡°I-I¡¯ll follow you! It¡¯s better to have someone with you!¡± Xavier offered.

    Yet, Jasper refused, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. You drive too slowly. Besides, you can stay back to

    handle

    things here.

    As soon as he finished speaking, the powerful rumble of the sports car¡¯s engine echoed. In the next

    second, the car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

    Xavier watched as the car departed, and his heat tightened. He sighed and muttered, ¡°Madam, you

    must

    be safe. Mr. Beckett, you must bring her back safe and sound.¡±

    The ck Lamborghini flew through the streets of Sna City like lightning.

    ¡°Alyssa.. I¡¯ming. Please be safe. You must be safe!¡± Jasper mumbled under his breath.

    The veins on his forehead were bulging, and his heart was pounding. Without hesitation, he floored the

    elerator.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    On the passenger seat, his phone disyed a slightly blurry photo. Jasper knew it was a sneaky shot.

    In the picture, an unfamiliar man in a well-tailored suit embraced Alyssa. Her silky ck hair was down,

    her gaze was enchanting, and har red lips were seductive.

    Who was the man holding her? Was she drunk?

    No, Jasper knew that Alyssa never drank with men she was unfamiliar with. Moreover, she had only

    drank

    twice. And both times were with her brothers.

    Could it be that he was d:ugged?

    As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Jasper felt a pang of pain in his chest. His eyes gradually

 Chapter 743

    On the west side, in a hotel, Jasper entered the lobby with his suit drenched in sweat. His phone, held

    in

    his sweaty palm, vibrated continuously.

    He looked down at the screen and saw an iing call from an anonymeet member.

    ¡°Hello,¡± Jasper said in a deep voice, his throat felt dry.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, it¡¯s room 2051, on the 20th floor.¡±

    A stranger¡¯s voice on the other end said, ¡°I left the key card in the flowerpot in the 20th-floor stairwell, if

    you want to save Ms. Taylor, you need to act quickly. Dying any further could lead to unwanted

    consequences! Make sure you don¡¯t regret your decision.¡±

    Jasper was about to take a step forward when his face suddenly darkened. He asked, ¡°Who are you,

    really? Did you send me those pictures?

    There was silence on the other end.

    ¡°Are you a paparazzo or acting on someone¡¯s rders? How did you get the hotel room key card?¡±

    Jasper,

    with quick thinking, asked the most crucial question.

    ¡°Good question, Mr. Beckett. But I can¡¯t disclose those details to you. All I can say is that I have a

    purposeProperty of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    for my actions.¡±

    Jasper found the whole situation odd but had to act quickly due to the urgency of the moment.

    He took the elevator to the 20th floor, and the room key card for room 2051 was indeed in the potted

    nt.

    Jasper¡¯s heart raced as he approached the door. It felt as if his heart were about to burst out from his

    chest.

    On his journey here, he grappled with his thoughts, contemting numerous possibilities.

    Despite his efforts, he couldn¡¯t convince himself, especially upon witnessing Alyssa entering the hotel

    with a stranger!

    Holding the key card, Jasper swiped it to open the room dour.

    His throat fantened, and he slowly walked in.

    The room was dimly lit, quiet, and had a subtle floral scent. To his surprise, the chaotic and

    uneptable scene he had imagined was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°Lyse¡­ Lyse?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart pounded as he called out her name in a hoarse voice.

    There was no response.

    His chest felt constricted as he slowly moved toward the bedroom.

    In that moment, he faintly heard a rustling sound in the room, and countless terrifying thoughts

    inundated

    his mind like a flood!

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes reddened.

    Unable to wait any longer, Jasper forcefully pushed open the room door.

    A sharp female voice suddenly filled the dim room with a tone of intense fear!

    awa

    The next moment, Jasper saw a woman before him, her body delicate as porcin andpletely

    unclothed, like a fresh rose with glistening dewdrops.

    His mind spun, pupils shrinking, and the veins on his temples bulged.

    The woman before him was clearly Zoe!

    Zoe¡¯s long hair partially covered her chest, and her delicate body trembled in the soft lighting.

    She exuded a mixture of innocence and desire, provoking a sense of pity and an overwhelming

    protective

    instinct. However, her calm demeanor hid a sly glint in her eyes, revealing a cunning nature.

    Jasper¡¯s mind reeled, and he quickly turned away, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.

    The anger and humiliation of being yed with sent shivers down his spine, with his every nerve felt

    ready

    to snap.

    ¡°Jasper¡­ how did you how did youe in?¡±

    Zoe¡¯s voice was soft, with a hint of trembling, and she crossed arms in front of her chest. ¡°Jasper, my

    body¡­ Did you see everything?¡±

    ¡°Put on your clothes,¡¯ said Jasper, his knuckles white as if the veins on the back of his hand were about

    to

    explode, his shoulders quivering with anger.

 Chapter 744

    Jasper couldn¡¯t exin. He had to leave immediately.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call your brother and have hime to pick you up right away!¡±

    After saying that, Jasper turned to leave.

    Jasper! No, please don¡¯t go.¡±

    Zoe threw herself at him, tightly hugging him from behind, her naked body pressed against his. She

    pleaded, ¡°Jasper, I¡¯m scared. I¡¯m really scared. Please don¡¯t leave me, okay?¡±

    Jasper looking disgusted. He ordered coldly, ¡°Let go.¡±

    ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to!¡±

    Zoe, without hesitation, pressed her body against his masculine back and continued, ¡°Throughout my

    life,

    I¡¯ve never had a boyfriend, and my body has always been untouched by anyone

    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve seen my body, Jasper, you can¡¯t just walk away without taking responsibility!¡±

    ¡°Taking responsibility?¡±

    Jasper bit his lip and said, ¡°I¡¯ll only be responsible for one woman in my life, and that¡¯s Alyssa.¡±

    Following his statement, he forcefully disentangled Zoe¡¯s arms from his and broke free.

    Zoe couldn¡¯t match the strength of a six feet two inches tall man. She was quickly overpowered.

    She ended up falling onto the bed.

    In the blink of an eye, Jasper had already rushed out the door.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett! I undressed and practically offered myself to you, and you didn¡¯t even spare a nce.

    Why?¡± a

    Zoe, angry and frustrated, pounded the bed with her fist. In the dim light, she gritted her teeth, her hair

    disheveled, looking like someone driven to madness.

    Jasper, panting, walked to the door and yanked it open.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! It¡¯s Mr. Beckett!¡±

    In an instant, Jasper¡¯s surprised face was overwhelmed by the blinding sh of the camera.

    At the room¡¯s entrance, a group of reporters had arrived, blocking the door with cameras and snapping

    pictures of Jasper like crazy.

    Jasper¡¯s breath caught, and his handsome face paled instantly. His lips quivered, and it felt like an

    immense weight was crushing his chest, making it hard to breathe.

    He finally understood.

    He realized he had been ensnared in a set trap from the moment he received those photos.

    No, this trap had many ws if one thought about it carefully.

    The person behind this skillfully manipted his love for Alyssa, urately predicting that he would

    lose hisposure for her, leading him into a series of mistakes.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­ Oh my! Why are there so many reporters?¡±

    At this moment, Zoe pretended to look confused, with her bare shoulders covered only in a while towel,

    confidently walking out of the bedroom.

    Her acting was truly remarkable!

    ¡°It¡¯s Zoe, the heiress of the Harper family?¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s Zoe! It¡¯s really her! Quick, take photos! We¡¯ve got a headline!¡±

    ¡°Jasper and Zoe met privately in a hotel roomte at night. Zoe wasn¡¯t even wearing any clothes. This

    news will be trending!¡±

    Zoe hid behind Jasper, appearing as if she was relying on him for protection.

    Jasper¡¯s face turned pale, and sweat slowly trickled down his face.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Are you and Ms. Zoe dating? Otherwise, why did you book a hotel room together?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Just admit it, you¡¯re both adulis. There¡¯s nothing to be embarrassed about!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Zoe! How about you tell us? Are you guys actually dating?¡±

    ¡°Get out.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes turned cold, his voice menacing as he demanded. All of you, get out!¡±

 Chapter 745

    Jameson donned a patient¡¯s gown in a hospital VIP ward. Then, he reclined in bed. His handsome and

    delicate face lost its color, and his lips resembled pale, wilting petals, portraying a frail image that

    evoked

    sympathy.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, why are you so foolish?¡±

    Todd stood by the bed, still visibly shaken. ¡°Mr. Schmidt, do you realize how dangerously close you

    came to being seriously hurt by that horse? if it had trampled you, you might have lost your life right

    then, and all your hardships and ns in Kontina would have been for nothing!¡±

    Jameson gradually opened his eyes and smirked. ¡°Todd, it seems you¡¯re genuinely concerned and care

    about me.¡±

    Todd was startled. Tears welled up in his eyes as he began, ¡°Mr. Schmidt..

    He had been with Jameson for eight years, first as a runner and now as a secretary. Although his role

    had

    changed, his status hadn¡¯t. He remained a devoted subordinate.

    Jameson was exceedingly shrewd and suspicious, maintaining a cold and guarded distance from

    everyone.

    Over the years, men and women, except Alyssa, couldn¡¯t get close to him. Nobody could open up his

    heart.

    Todd didn¡¯t have any close friends, so when Jameson addressed him as ¡°Todd¡±, it undoubtedly brought

    them closer and made Todd feel like he was one of Jameson¡¯s own. That moved him to tears.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, health is your most important asset. You must take good care of yourself!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do anything for Lyse!*

    Jameson took a deep breath as he mentioned Alyssa, and his typically cold gaze softened. He said,

    ¡°And

    I also want to show Lyse that I can be someone willing to risk my life for her-it¡¯s not just Jasper.

    In the future, when she needs help, she¡¯ll think of me first instead of Jasper.¡±

    The second sentence was intriguing.

    Todd understood the implication and nodded with a serious look. ¡°You¡¯re right. How can a man like

    Jasper, with a promiscuous andplicated life, deserve someone like Ms. Alyssa?

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is smart. She won¡¯t fall into the same trap twice, will she?¡±

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Jameson¡¯s eyes grew colder. He didn¡¯t respond.

    At that moment, his phone, ced beside the pillow, vibrated.

    He picked it up and checked the screen. But before he could respond, the ward¡¯s door opened.

    ¡°Jimmy, are you asleep?¡±

    Upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s voice, Jameson quickly hid the phone under his pillow and greeted her with a

    warm

    smile.

    ¡°Lyse, I told you not to worry about me. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Alyssa entered the room and observed the man¡¯s pale, fragile appearance, which saddened her. /ter

    all,

    he had be like this to save her.

    ¡°I¡¯ve also said that I¡¯ll take full responsibility for your injuries, Alyssa said as she walked up to him with a

    gentle tone.

    Jameson¡¯s heart warmed, and his eyes grew slightly teary.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you also fell. Are you okay?¡± Todd had a keen eye, and he asked with concern.

    ¡°No big deal, I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m concerned about you, Jameson. You have a broken arm, cracked ribs, and

    five external wounds. You need to be hospitalized. You need to rest,¡¯ Alyssa calmly reminded Jameson.

    Alyssa had some minor scrapes on her, but she didn¡¯t seem concerned.

    Jameson chuckled lightly and said, ¡°Lyse, I don¡¯t need to be hospitalized. I know my body.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with you men? Jasper, too, after such a major surgery, didn¡¯t stay in the hospital! Is the hospital

    haunted, or you can¡¯t afford the hospital bills?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s lips moved quickly as she spoke in a rapid-fire manner.

    As she finished speaking, she suddenly froze, clenching her fingers tightly.

    For some reason, she couldn¡¯t help but think of Jasper. Thoughts of him often overwhelmed her. She

    couldn¡¯t help it.

    Jameson¡¯s heart tightened as he fought against the jealousy woiling up. His pale lips twitched as he

    said, Lyse, it looks like you really care about Mr. Beckett. You can think of him anytime, anywhere. It¡¯s

    clear that

    he holds an important ce in your heart.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath and stared at him with a calm look. ¡°Do you want to hear the truth?¡±

    Jameson¡¯s chest tightened, and he pressed his lips together.

    ¡°He¡¯s indeed important to me.¡±

 Chapter 746

    Faced with Alyssa¡¯s honesty, Jameson felt a surge of anger. His hands clenched the bed sheets tightly.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been married to Jasper for three years, but I¡¯ve known him much longer than that. It¡¯s definitely

    longer than you might think.¡±

    Alyssa spoke calmly, as if chatting with a friend, but she couldn¡¯t deny that mentioning those past

    events

    still caused an ache in her heart.

    She

    continued, ¡°Once, there was nothing in my life but him. Later, he divorced me, and it felt like he had

    taken my entire heart with him. My body had a void from then on, like an irreparable disability.

    ¡°If you were me, could you ignore it? Could you pretend that nothing ever happened?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I¡­¡±

    *But don¡¯t think that I¡¯m so dependent on Jasper that I can¡¯t live without him. That¡¯s too extreme.¡±

    Alyssa waved her hand, a momentary sadness crossing her beautiful eyes. ¡°Life must go on. I just

    need

    some time.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, no matter how long it takes, I¡¯m willing to wait for you.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s rale face showed signs of pain as he tried to sit up, but Alyssa quickly stopped him.

    *Jimmy! You¡¯re a patient now. Stay still!¡±

    ¡°It could be decades, centuries, or even forever. I¡¯m willing to wait. I¡¯ll wait for you to heal. I¡¯ll wait for

    you

    to find peace. I¡¯ll wait for you to notice me

    Jameson¡¯s pale lips quivered as he delicately held her hand, causing her fingertips to turn red.

    ¡°Let go. Please don¡¯t be like this!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes grew wide, and she quickly withdrew her hand.

    Jameson, weak, was jolted and zimost fell from the bed.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, be carefull

    Todd quickly supported him and turned to Alyssa with a pleading look. ¡°Ma Alyssa, I beg you M

    Schmidt got seriously hurt because of you Can you please show a little care for him? Even just

    ¡°Todd, forget it Jon¡¯t pressure Alyssa

    Jameson coughed, clutching his chest, and said. It¡¯s not her fault, It¡¯s mine. I pushed too hard.¡±

    Alyssa furrowed her brows but didn¡¯t say anything.

    In that instant, a soft ¡°ding¡± resonated from a phone in the room.

    In quick session, another ¡°ding¡± followed. Then, another.

    All three phones chimed simultaneously.

    Alyssa was confused. It was a coincidence for two phones to ring simultaneously, but not for all three.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    She retrieved her phone, ncing at the screen to find Twitter notifications. The disy revealed,

    ¡°Jasper

    and Zoe¡¯s Secret Affair Exposed¡± and ¡°Jasper and Zoe¡¯s Hotel Room Secret Rendevouz with Video

    and

    Photos.¡±

    Alyssa stared at the screen. Her eyes turned red as her heart sank into a deep, cold abyss.

    ¡°Oh my! Alyssa, Mr. Schmidt, what¡¯s this trending topic?¡±

    Todd swiped the screen in shock and said, ¡°Mr. Beckett and the Harpers¡¯ daughter in a hotel room?

    This

    is really scandalous! Mr. Schmidt, take a look at this news. Both families are prominent in Sna, and

    this

    hotel room situation, private affairs. If this gets out, it would be embarrassing

    Jameson remainedposed. His eyelids lowered, and dark, longshes concealed a hint of his

    restrained emotions.

    *Jimmy, I have to handle something. I¡¯ll be backter to check on you.¡±

    Alyssa turned stiffly. She moved toward the door, her steps heavy. Her shoulders trembled subtly.

    ¡®Lyse!¡± Jameson called out.

    Alyssa halted her steps. She took a deep breath.

    *No matter what happens, I¡¯ll always be by your side. in this world, anyone can betray you, but I,

    Jameson

    Schmidt, will never betray you!¡±

 Chapter 747

    Alyssa mmed the bathroom door and sat on the toilet. She bit her lips and scrolled through Twitter¡¯s

    trending topics andments in a frenzy.

    Large beads of sweat fell onto the screen one by one.

    ¡°Hahaha! I knew it. Men are all the same. They just can¡¯t stay loyal. Wasn¡¯t there a rumor about Jasper

    getting close to the Taylor family¡¯s daughter? He kept defending her, and now he¡¯s involved with Zoe.

    How can he be so unfaithfu/

    ¡°It¡¯s officially confirmed. He¡¯s the scumbag of the century!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s all a lie. Let me tell you-Jasper just wants to marry into the Taylor family and be a billionair

    son-inw! If he really ends up with Alyssa, it¡¯s a union between the Beckett and Taylor dynasties. With

    Winston as his father-inw, who would dare to challenge him in the whole of Andgalbia?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Jasper¡¯s a billionaire himself. He doesn¡¯t need Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Hah, don¡¯t be naive. Who doesn¡¯t like having more money?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes grew cold as she raised her hand, tightly gripping her cor. She pressed down firmly.

    However, she couldn¡¯t manage the pain that seemed to tear her heart in two.

    ¡°But then again, Zoe¡¯s skinny figure is like a stick. She doesn¡¯tpare to the beauty of the Taylor

    family¡¯sN?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    daughter. In my opinion, she¡¯s not even as pretty as Liana. Why is Jasper¡¯s taste in women going

    backward?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a musical genius. Maybe Jasper likes women with an artistic touch. Same as Liana, right?¡±

    At this moment, Jonah¡¯s phone rang.

    It rang multiple times before Alyssa could collect her thoughts and answer.

    ¡°Lyse? Lyse? Are you there?¡± Jonah¡¯s voice was filled with concern as he called her name repeatedly.

    *Jonah,¡± Alyssa softly replied.

    ¡°Lyse, where are you?¡±

    ¡°In Sna,¡± she couldn¡¯t muster the strength for any extra words,

    ¡°Lyse, you must have seen those trending topics about Jasper, right?¡± Jonah asked cautiously.

    Alyssa could only hummed In response.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Why wouldn¡¯t I be? He found someone he likes.¡±

    Alyssa chuckled softly, her eyes reddening. ¡°Zoe is Landon¡¯s only sister. So, if they be a couple,

    they will be closer. Jasper¡¯s future will be much easier with the Harpor

    Jonah¡¯s tone became serious. ¡°Lyse, I want to know your true feelings.¡±

    ¡®This is what¡¯s in my heart.¡± Alyssa clenched her first, feeling the pain in her knuckles.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been married to Jasper for three years, and with your 13 years of knowing him, do you think he

    would do something like having an affair with the Harper family¡¯s daughter? Is he a man who can¡¯t

    control

    his desires?¡±

    Jonah raised a valid question. ¡°If he were a shallow man driven by lust, he would have had a child with

    Liana long ago. You¡¯ve been married for three years. How could he not be intimate with you? Don¡¯t you

    think there¡¯s something suspicious about this?

    ¡°Also, I¡¯ve heard that there were many reporters outside the hotel room. It was as if they knew in

    advance

    that something would happen and were waiting there. All of this seems like a setup by someone else,

    doesn¡¯t it, Lyse?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes briefly showed emotion, but she remained cold as she said, ¡°Whether it¡¯s a setup or not,

    it¡¯s

    ultimately his decision, isn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Even if it were a trap set by Zoe, if he chose to ignore it and refrained from going to the hotel or that

    room, could Zoe still force him to go? Would those reporters have captured all of this?¡±

    Jonah remained silent.

    ¡°There is no smoke without fire. If Jasper showed no interest, none of this would have happened.¡±

    Alyssa wore a serious and cold expression as she remarked, ¡°Well, the name ¡®Jasper Beckett¡¯ isn¡¯t just

    for

    show.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I think you should hear Jasper¡¯s exnation.¡±

    ¡®There¡¯s no need for that, Jonah.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s throat tightened. Her gaze distant, her dark eyes filled with a sense of mncholy.

    ¡°Jasper and I¡¯ve ended things long ago. Whoever he is with is his choice, and I have no right to

    intervene.¡¯

    After saying that, she hung up the phone.

    Within two seconds, another call came in.

    It was Jasper.

 Chapter 748

    The screen showed a string of numbers instead of a name.

    Jasper had always had two numbers, one for personal use and one for work. She remembered them

    both

    very well.

    He would only use his personal phone to call her privately, so this time was a bit unusual.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart tightened, and she answered the call, slowly cing the phone to her ear, but remained

    silent.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was hoarse and unrecognizable.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t reply. She kept her lips tightly sealed. Her eyshes fluttered slightly.

    ¡°Lyse, please believe me, I¡¯ve been set up by someone!¡±

    Jasper knew it wasn¡¯t easy to get her to answer the call, so he didn¡¯t waste time and got to the point.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    This is aplex setup. Zoe couldn¡¯t have done it alone. Someone must be backing her!

    ¡°And t

    the bait set by the other party wasn¡¯t Zoe. It was you!¡±

    Alyssa, with her eyes cast down, spoke slowly. ¡°Let¡¯s meet at the City Center Amusement Park near

    KS

    World in half an hour.¡±

    If she hadn¡¯t answered Jonah¡¯s call just now, Jasper wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to talk to her.

    Now, she really wanted to hear what Jasper had to say.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Alyssa has left the hospital. She was driving by herself.¡±

    Todd quickly returned to inform Jameson. ¡°She stayed in the bathroom for quite a while, and when she

    left, she looked furious and even paler than you!¡±

    Jameson leaned against the head of the bed and curled his lips. He wished for her anger, believing the

    more intense, the better.

    A profound ache, like scraping to the bone, seemed the only effective way to expunge Jasper entirely

    from her heart!

    ¡°Have someone closely follow Ms. Alyssa. And get a car ready for me. I¡¯ll followter to find her.¡±

    Todd had thought about advising him. But he understood Jameson wouldn¡¯t listen, so he simply

    agreed.

    That¡¯s

    not necessary.¡±

    Jameson made a subtle gesture, and the pain prompted beads of sweat on his forehead, causing his

    jawline to stiffen.

    FOOR

    Todd felt disheartened observing Jameson in such a state. He sensed that this time, Jameson was

    wholeheartedly devoted and deeply in love with Alyssa.

    He couldn¡¯tprehend how someone as astute as Jameson could appear worn and haggard for love.

    Jameson waspetitive and never allowed himself to be in a weak

    position.

    However, only Jameson knew what he was doing in his own heart.

    In love, being dominant wasn¡¯t always beneficial. Sometimes, being humble and showing vulnerability

    would yield better results.

    Moreover, Alyssa was naturally a strong-willed woman, and after the hardships she endured because

    of

    Jasper, he wouldn¡¯t let her suffer again. He would ensure she had the pride and self-esteem she

    deserved.

    At this moment, the phone under the pillow vibrated.

    Tood quickly picked it up and handed it to Jameson, saying, ¡°Mr. Schmidt, it¡¯s Ms. Arman.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s eyes darkened as he answered the phone. ¡°Hello.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, how was my performance?¡±

    Ambe¡¯s voice carried a cheerful tone with a touch of seduction. ¡°I sent those photos to Jasper, and he

    fell for it immediately. He rushed to the hotel and jumped into the trap eagerly.

    ¡°Hahaha! These supposed young geniuses and business prodigies are foolish when ites to

    women, thinking only with their lower half of their body. These kinds of men aren¡¯t a match to you.¡±

    ¡°Did you send those photos to his phone via text message?¡± Jameson asked casually.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

 Chapter 749

    ¡°Well, that makes things easier.¡± Jameson smiled faintly and added, ¡°You did a big favor for me tonight.

    Thanks for your hard work.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, please don¡¯t say that. I owe my life to you, and I¡¯m willing to do anything for you,¡± Amber

    said softly, full of affection.

    Jameson¡¯s tone was stem, ¡°I¡¯ll send you a ne ticket and some money. You can go and enjoy yourself

    for a while. If you need more, just let Todd know, and he¡¯ll send it to you.

    e away?

    Amber¡¯s breath caught, and she became anxious. Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. Are you sending me

    ¡®Jasper fell for our trap. He won¡¯t let it slide. He¡¯ll start an investigation right away. He¡¯s not foolish, but

    Ms. Alyssa has thrown him off this time.

    ¡®To avoid unnecessary trouble, you shouldy low for now. Todd will temporarily handle things on The

    Millennium¡¯s side.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°Listen to me.¡± Jameson¡¯s voice turned cold suddenly.

    Amber¡¯s throat tightened as she muttered, ¡°Yes, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    Alyssa got to the park first because she was nearby.

    The temperature had dropped suddenly that night, and heavy snowfall made the typically lively park

    exceptionally empty.

    Alone on a bench, Alyssa stared at the quiet snowy night. She remembered the past three years when

    she used toe here during her free time, watching young couples sharing cotton candy and ice

    cream as

    they exchanged affectionate gestures.

    She also observed young married couplesing with their children, creating a warm and happy

    atmosphere. Back then, she ofter wondered when it would be her turn to be like them.

    Could she have a day like an ordinary couple, walking hand in hand with Jasper in the park, sharing

    sweet

    moments?

    Alyssa¡¯s heart tightened as she exhaled visible puffs of breath. Her eyshes glistened with tears.

    At that moment, an ice cream truck passed by, prompting her to buy a vani ice cream.

    Before she could take a bite, hurried footsteps crunched through the snow toward her.

    ¡°Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa held the ice cream tightly. Her heart raced as she slowly looked up.

    Standing before her was Jasper, his thin suit and head covered in snow. His face and ears were red

    from

    the cold, but what captured her attention the most were his beautiful eyes.

    Alyssa felt a lump in her throat. The scenarios she had imagined so many times hadn¡¯t turned out as

    she

    had expected.

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t sit here. It¡¯s too cold. You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Jasper¡¯s throat tightened, filled with deep concern. He reached out his hand to her without hesitation.

    Alyssa swatted his hand away and spoke in a tone colder than the snow. ¡°So, you do know it¡¯s cold. If

    you

    have something to say, say it.¡±

    ¡®It was a setup. Someone is plotting against me to create a scandal. Someone wanted toe

    between us! Jasper exined urgently, his distress evident.

    ¡°Us?¡± Alyssaughed out loud. ¡°There¡¯s no us

    Jasper¡¯s heart ached.

    ¡°Besides, in our divorced and estranged rtionship, there¡¯s nothing left toe between us,¡± Alyssa

    said.

    ¡®Lyse, is this how you truly feel? Is this what you want?¡± Jasper¡¯s throat felt like it had been stabbed. A

    strong sense of unease washed over him.

    Alyssa stood up slowly, ring coldly at him. ¡°Jasper, even if this was a trap, wasn¡¯t it a fact that you

    went to the hotel to meet Zoe? It seems that Ms. Harper holds a significant ce in your heart,¡± Alyssa

    said.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t go to meet Zoe! I went to see you!¡±

 Chapter 750

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were red as he took a step forward. His warm and shaky breath brushed against

    Alyssa¡¯s

    red nose as he reached out to hug her.

    ¡®Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    Suddenly, Alyssa, like a hedgehog with raised spines, stepped back and threw the ice cream she was

    holding directly onto his shirt.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m telling the truth!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s arms hung in the air, torn between wanting to approach her and fearing her resentment. He

    was

    in such a tangle that he was on the brink of madness.

    Jasper eximed, ¡°I called you so many times tonight, but you didn¡¯t answer! I thought something had

    happened to you, and I¡¯ve been worried about you all night!!

    Alyssa was startled.

    So many times? When did he even call?

    Was he making things up?

    Alyssa didn¡¯t receive any calls.

    Jasper was a liar-a liar who didn¡¯t even make the effort to craft a believable lie!

    ¡°I received photos from an anonymous number. They showed you being embraced by a stranger,

    entering

    a hotel together! I was worried for your safety, so I went to the hotel to find you. That¡¯s when the scene

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    with the reporters urred!¡±

    Alyssa looked at him with a mocking expression ¡°Jasper, if you¡¯re going to make up an excuse, at least

    make it believable. If I had known you were going to say these baseless and nonsensical lies, I

    wouldn¡¯t

    have bothereding to see you at all.¡±

    ¡°I have proof.¡±

    Jasper gritted his teeth and, with hands shaking from the cold, he pulled out his phone.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart raced, her lips pursed. She was giving him the benefit of the doubt.

    ¡°These are the photos I received. Look, isn¡¯t the person in these photos.

    Suddenly, Jasper¡¯s eyes widened, fixated on the phone screen, repeatedly checking the messages in

    the

    The photos sent to him via text messages had all vanished!

    He swiped the screen frantically with trembling fingers. His perplexed stare gave the impression it could

    prate the screen, but he couldn¡¯t locate the photos serving as evidence

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t believe that the photos had all vanished.

    She forced a smile, but her eyescked any hint of amusement. She spoke coldly, sending a chill

    through

    Jasper¡¯s heart. ¡°Jasper, if you haven¡¯t thought of a good reason or excuse, there¡¯s really no need to

    rush to

    see me

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to see you before, and I don¡¯t want to see you now or in the future.¡±

    As Jasper watched her walk past him, Jasper felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss.

    ¡°Lyse! Lyse, don¡¯t go!¡±

    He was about to stop her when another voice said, ¡°Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa looked up and saw Jameson standing a few steps away. He was still wearing a patient¡¯s gown,

    covered only by a sheepskin coat. His face was paler than the snow.

    *Jimmy! Why did you leave the hospital? Don¡¯t you realize you¡¯re still injured?¡±

    Alyssa rushed to Jameson¡¯s side, looking displeased. ¡°How did youe here? How did you know I

    was

    here?¡±

    ¡°After you left the hospital, I couldn¡¯t stop worrying, so I had someone follow you. But don¡¯t get me

    wrong. I¡¯m not stalking you. I just want to protect you.¡±

    As he spoke, Jameson weakly breathed and expressed concern, ¡°How could I let you, a girl, go out

    alone sote at night? That¡¯s against my conscience.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s features adopted a chilly demeanor, and his gaze became as cutting as a knife. It was as if he

    wanted to tear Jameson apart!

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back. It¡¯s too cold outside.¡±

    Alyssa helped him. She was ready to leave.

    ¡°Was it you, Jameson?¡±

    The man¡¯s voice, sharp as a de, cut through, deep and maic, hoarse with a hint of anger.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you had an affair with Zoe Harper, and the paparazzi captured your hotel rendezvous

    How

    Jameson couldn¡¯t help butugh, his eyes filled with mockery. ¡°Isn¡¯t this a case of mutual affection

    between you two?¡±

 Chapter 751

    ¡°Jameson Schmidt!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, instead of using me without evidence, why don¡¯t you consider how you¡¯ll exin

    yourself

    to the Harpers? How do you n to rify this with your friend, Landon Harper?

    ¡°Ms. Harper is unmarried. Given recent events, I believe marriage might be on the horizon for you.¡±

    Jameson smiled.

    ¡°Jimmy, quit it. Let¡¯s go,¡± Alyssa suggested. She felt a stabbing pain in her heart and had the urge to

    flee the scene. She needed to get away from Jasper-as far as possible.

    As they turned to leave, Jasper persisted, ¡°Were you with Jameson the entire night?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she said coldly, her back turned toward him.

    ¡°Alyssa, is he more important to you than me?¡± Jasper trembled despite trying to control his emotions.

    ¡°Jasper, what¡¯s the point of asking that now?¡± She chuckled, her eyes dimmed. ¡°To be blunt, you¡¯ve dug

    your own grave. I was lying to myself. Let¡¯s call it quits now-I beg you.¡±

    With that, they vanished from his teary vision. Alyssa did not turn back at all.

    Jasper stood in the snow for a long time until his knees went limp. He fell onto his knees. It was then

    Xavier ran to him, panting.

    Xavier gasped, ¡°Mr. Beckett! Where¡¯s Madam? Has she left?¡±

    Jasper hung his head like a defeated soldier. He grabbed the ice cream she had discarded on the floor

    until it melted in his hands. Tears rolled down his cheeks.

    He mumbled, ¡°She¡¯s never trusted me. I don¡¯t mind if she doesn¡¯t have feelings for me, but how could

    she

    distrust me?

    ¡°Should I keep going? Is there even hope?¡±

    Alyssa and Jameson sat in the back of a luxury car as it sped to the hospital. The air was heavy in the

    car.

    Jameson turned to her with a worried look. ¡°Lyse, are you angry at me? Sorry, I did it because I was

    worried about you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not to be med for my meeting with Jasper. You don¡¯t have to feel bad about it.¡±

    we are

    cada mes tight but you did aught mengadappened and

    ied about you g

    gly didn¡¯t have to lie

    alher with his offer under the

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Sudden death and on the lot of socked numbe

    Her eyes darkened when these that t

 Chapter 752

    ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Jameson noted the change in Alyssa¡¯s expression and asked with concern.

    She stated, ¡°I¡¯ve never blocked Jasper on my phone. Why is his contact in my blocked list?¡± Her

    piercing gazended on Jameson¡¯s innocent face.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    ¡°Did you do that?¡± She cut to the chase. ¡°I did not contact anyone except for you tonight. Jasper

    imed that he called me throughout the night but couldn¡¯t reach me because his number was

    blocked.¡±

    Jameson balled his fists on his knee. There was a glint in his eyes.

    She squinted at him and recalled, ¡°I remember that I left my phone when I used the restroom at the

    restaurant. Did you take the chance to block his number?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, are you suspecting me now?¡± Jameson stared at her with innocent-looking bright eyes.

    ¡°I am not suspecting you. I am merely stating the truth,¡± Alyssa countered harshly.

    Jameson felt a weight on his chest that nearly crushed him. He began, ¡°Lyse, I shouldn¡¯t have touched

    your phone, but I didn¡¯t want him interrupting our date. Do you know how much I¡¯ve suffered for today?

    ¡°Yes, I am selfish and can never justify my actions. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°This is yourst chance,¡± she dered. After the chain of events that night, she didn¡¯t have the mental

    capacity to fuss over Jameson¡¯s action. She added, ¡°What happens between me and Jasper is private.

    I

    do not want anyone poking their noses into our affairs.

    ¡°I did not block his contact when we divorced. Even now, I do not want to pull off such a vile and

    childish

    act to cut him off. After all, we mighte across each other in business partnerships.

    ¡°There might be proof that I haven¡¯t let go of him yet, but what matters is that he is dead to me.¡±

    Jameson, who was heartbroken, suddenly brightened upon hearing her remark. He asked, ¡°Lyse, have

    you

    really gotten over him?¡±

    Alyssa nodded slowly in tears.

    ¡°That¡¯s great, Lyse.¡± Jameson was ovee with joy and struggled to ce his hands. ¡°Since you¡¯ve

    gotten over him, could you give me a chance?

    ¡°I want to be your man. I want to protect you. I might not be a part of your past, but I want to be in your

    future.¡±

    Alyssa wheezed in exhaustion, ¡°Jimmy, I told you before that I wasn¡¯t ready for a rtionship. I¡¯m

    beyond tired. I do not want to love again. Sorry.¡±

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything when you¡¯re with me. Just enjoy being loved,¡± Jameson pleaded with

    his eyes gleaming with hope. He leaned toward her, his hot breaths tickling her.

    He continued, ¡°Lyse, let¡¯s give it a go. Try dating me. Give me a chance to treat you right.¡±

    She pressed her lips speechlessly. ¡°A rtionship is not an online purchase. There¡¯s no free return

    policy

    within a week of purchase.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything. I¡¯ll love you and protect you,¡± Jameson said. He ced his non-injured

    hand on the car window above her head. His eyes were filled with tenderness that could drown her.

    He professed, ¡°I will always be there for you. If you think I¡¯m worth dating, I¡¯ll be there when you¡¯re

    ready.¡± ¡°Jimmy, thanks for saving me tonight, but please don¡¯t ever put yourself in danger,¡± she replied.

 Chapter 753

    Alyssa knitted her brows as she grappled with the mixed emotions. She argued, ¡°I¡¯m not worth risking

    your life for. You should cut your losses now.¡±

    Cut his losses?

    Rage filled Jameson¡¯s eyes as he clenched his fists against the car window. Her words were more

    humiliating and hurtful than a simple ¡°I do not love you.¡±

    She continued, ¡°Everyone is deserving of love. I don¡¯t want to see you end up like me.¡±

    Jasper returned to his car well past midnight. Xavier purchased a cup of hot coffee from the 24-hour

    mart across the park. When he handed the coffee to Jasper, he noticed that Jasper¡¯s hands were too

    frozen to

    grip the cup properly.

    Feeling sorry for Jasper, Xavier increased the heat in the car and draped Jasper in his jacket. Then, he

    ced the coffee in Jasper¡¯s hands.

    He suggested, ¡°Mr. Beckett, there¡¯s a hospital nearby. Let¡¯s see a doctor. Your hands are cracking from

    the cold.¡±

    ¡°How did he do it?¡± Jasper stared at his phone and pondered icily.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Xavier was surprised. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°It was a photo on my phone. No one had touched my phone, including myself. So, how did he delete

    my photo?¡± Jasper seethed.

    ¡°Could your phone have caught the Trojan virus?¡± Xavier wondered. His mind raced.

    ¡°When you sent me to an IT ss, I learned about the virus but never used it. I remember that th

    hackers could hack into your phone with only your phone number and model. They could dele

    information that is not stored in password-protected folders.

    ¡°That¡¯s why you delete any information after reading them or store them in secure folders-never on

    your phone. So, did someone hack into your phone?¡±

    Jasper huffed and puffed as he rubbed his sweaty forehead. How could he forget the hacker

    knowledge from military school? The hackers might not alter the information in a text message, but

    they could delete the text itself! 1

    Jasper, looking pale, gritted his teeth and ordered, ¡°Look into it. Examine the surveince footage of the

    hotel where Zoe was tonight. Also, investigate the woman who looks like Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Does she look like Madam? How is that possible?¡± Xavier gasped, wondering if Jasper¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t

    working after the cold. ¡°Madam is the top beauty in the city, and no one can rival her. A carbon copy?

    That¡¯s ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Just do what I ask of you. Quit bbering,¡± Jasper said. The memory of that woman who bore an

    uncanny resemnce to Alyssa sent a shiver down his spine.

    She certainly wasn¡¯t Alyssa, but he worried that she might exploit her likeness to harm Alyssa.

    Finding that woman was more for Alyssa¡¯s safety rather than for exposing Jameson¡¯s tricks. He added,

    ¡±

    I¡¯ll investigate my deleted texts on my own.¡±

 Chapter 754

    The online buzz surrounding Zoe and Jasper¡¯s ¡°rendezvous¡± continued to escte. Both the Beckett

    Group and the Harper Group PR teams worked tirelessly to mitigate the controversy. Still, the

    widespread

    dissemination of videos and photos made it difficult to quell the public discussion.

    Even if they managed to take relevant hashtags off the trending topics, they couldn¡¯t stop people from

    discussing it.

    Penelope dropped her phone in shock and slipped down the stairs when she saw the trending topics.

    Thankfully, she was near thending and merely stumbled a few steps down. Still, she suffered from a

    sprained ankle and hurt her head.

    Landon was badly shocked by his mom¡¯s injuries and sent her to the hospital overnight.

    Penelope, while on an IV drip, held Landon¡¯s hands tightly and sobbed. ¡°Landon, what do we do? Zoe

    is only 22. How is she going to live her life with this stain? What can I say to your grandpa and your

    dad?¡±

    Then, she cried hysterically. Landon swallowed hard and sat by her side with a troubled look. He

    promised, ¡°Mom, I will take care of this.¡±

    ¡°And how will you do that? There are photos and videos on the inte! Zoe is still unmarried. Now that

    she¡¯s involved in the scandal, no self-respecting family would want her as a daughter-inw!¡±

    ¡°Zoe is my sister, and I won¡¯t tolerate anyone gossiping about her,¡± Landon dered, his eyes burning

    with

    anger.

    ¡°The weight of gossip will crush her! Do you think it was 20 years ago when our family was above the

    law? We are under the rule ofw. You can¡¯t do anything about it!¡± Penelope wailed and punched her

    bed.

    Landon furrowed his brows as he recalled his family¡¯s origins. The Harpers started off as gangsters.

    Landon¡¯s grandpa, Cornelius Harper, had been involved in fights and killings to build his family¡¯s

    fortune.

    When the times changed, Cornelius retired from the scene and slowly legalized Harper Group¡¯s

    operations to prevent his offspring from going down the same path.

    When Landon¡¯s dad was appointed the president, the group¡¯s operations had been legalized. Still, the

    family couldn¡¯t shake off the influence of the group¡¯s origin and worked with both the authorities and the

    criminals. Landon¡¯s dad got into many arguments with Cornelius and Preston Harper over the issue.

    Landon always perceived his dad as soft and egotistical. If he were the one running Harper Group, he

    would have been the patriarch by now, and Preston would have been reined in.

    ¡°This happened because of your friend, and he has not made a statement until now! Is he going to

    ignore

    ¡°Stop speaking ill of Jasper, Mom! He¡¯s not what you think!¡± Landon defended his friend.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°But the reporters have photos of them together! He can¡¯t deny that!¡± Penelope retorted.

    ¡°There must be a reason for those photos. Jasper isn¡¯t interested in Zoe. He has feelings for someone

    ¨¦lse. He would never sleep with Zoe,¡± Landon argued anxiously.

    ¡°Zoe is your sister! How can you defend an outsider when she¡¯s the victim?¡± Penelope snapped.

    ¡°Mom, I-¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s only one solution now. Jasper must take responsibility for Zoe!¡±

    Landon looked rmed. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get discharged as soon as possible, and I¡¯ll meet with the Becketts to discuss marriage,¡± Penelope

    dered determinedly.

    ¡°Cut the drama! Jasper will never marry Zoe, even if you point a gun at his head!¡± Landon bellowed and

    jumped in rage.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have a say,¡± Penelope insisted fiercely, her usual vulnerability reced by determination.

    ¡°A man should take responsibility for his actions. If he refuses to marry Zoe, he¡¯ll offend the Harper

    family.

    ¡°Even if I don¡¯t intervene, your grandpa won¡¯t stay silent. He won¡¯t allow his granddaughter to be

    mistreated. Jasper is wrong to assume the Harpers won¡¯t act just because he¡¯s Javier Beckett¡¯s son.¡±

 Chapter 755

    Cornelius lived separately from his sons, just like Newton. He lived in a massive manor slightly smaller

    than the Seaview Manor, but it was still considered one of the top ten manors in the nation.

    The scandal had spread across the family. Even the domestic staff would gossip about Zoe in their

    pastime.

    Furthermore, the silence from Jasper and the Beckett Group created an impression that Zoe was

    nothing more than a discarded ything after a night of fun and passion. Her reputation as a Harper

    lay in ruins.

    ¡°Hey, is Ms. Zoe around?¡± The maids huddled together to gossip.

    ¡°She¡¯s in Mr. Cornelius¡¯ study, crying as if someone died.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of crying? She should have behaved better as a Harper-protecting her reputation is a

    priority. She¡¯s now involved with Mr. Beckett and wasn¡¯t even fully dressed in the photos. Any

    distinguished family would care about their reputation. No one would want a woman like her.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps Mr. Beckett would want to marry her. They must have had rtions after sharing a room for

    the

    night. Now that the cat is out of the bag, he will have to take responsibility.¡±

    ¡°But he doesn¡¯t seem inclined to do so. He hasn¡¯t made any statement. He¡¯s obviously not eager to

    take

    responsibility.¡±

    ¡°I think Mr. Landon is a close friend of Mr. Beckett. It¡¯s going to be awkward between them now.¡±

    ¡°Hush! Mr. Preston is here!¡±

    The maids hurriedly retreated to a corner and greeted Preston respectfully, ¡°Hi, Mr. Preston!¡±

    Preston descended the stairs in a slick back haircut and a navy-tailored suit with a closure cor. He

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    looked bright and shrewd.

    Preston was Cornelius¡¯ second son and Landon¡¯s uncle. He smiled as he walked down the stairs and

    left a remark when he passed by the maids, ¡°You big mouths. You¡¯re still safe if I¡¯m the one overhearing

    you, but if Landon hears that, he might penalize all of you.¡±

    The maids shivered as they held their tongues.

    ¡°Grandpa, you have to help me! How am I ever going to show up in public now?¡± Zoe cried as she flung

    herself into Cornelius¡¯ arms. Her eyes were swollen from the crying.

    ¡°My dear granddaughter, don¡¯t cry! You¡¯re going to hurt your eyes,¡± Corneliusforted Zoe and patted

    her on the back. He teared up because he felt sorry for her.

    ¡°Fear not, dear child. Even if your mom or Landon refuses to help you, I¡¯ve got your back! My

    grandchildren are raised pampered. No one shall take advantage of you!¡±

    ¡°Dad, you¡¯re so right,¡± Preston chimed in solemnly. ¡°Zoe was my brother¡¯s darling daughter and your

    favorite grandchild. We cannot turn a blind eye after what that Beckett guy has done to her.¡±

    ¡°Uncle Preston ¡­¡± Zoe wailed even louder. In her eyes, Preston had always been nice and smiling to

    her.

    When she was young, her dad refused to buy her luxury items and limited her pocket money, causing

    her

    to feel humiliated around her peers.

    But Preston treated her differently. He¡¯d always give her loads of pocket money and buy her expensive

    gifts when he visited. He satisfied her vanity, and therefore, she always regarded him fondly.

    ¡°Preston, have you heard about the scandal?¡± Cornelius looked grim.

    ¡°Goodness, you know how influential our family is in Sna City. Any scandal involving us will create a

    storm in the city.¡±

 Chapter 756

    Preston lounged on the couch,zily peeling a tangerine he plucked from the fruit te. ¡°You know, I

    think Jasper Beckett should marry Zoe.¡±

    Cornelius¡¯ eyebrows shot up at the statement, and Zoe couldn¡¯t contain a quiet grin in Cornelius¡¯ arms.

    ¡°Sure, Jasper might be an out-of-wedlock son, which isn¡¯t ideal, but Justin Beckett is unwell. Sooner or

    Preston remarked, crossing his legs and stuffing a piece of fruit into his mouth.

    ¡°Uncle Preston, what are you even saying¡­¡± Zoe bit her lower lip and blushed.

    ¡°I¡¯ve thought it over. We¡¯ll make an announcement saying that you¡¯ve been dating Jasper for a while

    now,

    but we kept it private because we didn¡¯t want to take up the press space.

    ¡°Two single adults sharing a room is pretty normal, isn¡¯t it? Is there a need for public outrage? Look

    how badly they¡¯ve scared Zoe,¡± Preston added. He was in charge of entertainment and PR agencies

    and was

    no stranger to sensationalism and whitewashing tactics.

    ¡°That¡¯s so typical of you, Uncle Preston. All you¡¯re good at is bullshitting. You¡¯re such a great role model

    for the young,¡± Landon said with a snicker and strode into the study with an intimidating air.

    ¡°L-Landon ¡­¡± Zoe¡¯s heart sank as she buried herself in Cornelius¡¯ embrace.

    Preston¡¯s smile froze on his face, and he crushed the tangerine in his hand. ¡°Oh, Landon, looks like

    you¡¯re in a bad mood. Attacking your uncle just when you walked in, huh?¡±

    ¡°Landon, watch your attitude,¡± Cornelius warned with fury.

    Landon smirked and sat across from Preston, surly but still good-looking. ¡°You have expanded your

    reach ever since you became the CEO, haven¡¯t you, poking your nose into our family matters? Is it

    because you are childless? Does it feel good to roley a father in our marriage arrangements?¡±

    Preston felt the anger rising, his childlessness a lifetime humiliation. Publicly, he exined it away,

    citing it was his wife¡¯s fault. Only his wife knew that he suffered from erectile dysfunction.

    Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t throw a tantrum in front of Cornelius and had to hold it in.

    ¡°Landon, how could you talk to your uncle like that? You brat!¡± Cornelius pped the arm of the couch.

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m joking around with him. He doted on me since I was young, so I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t take

    it personally. Right?¡± Landon instantly switched his behavior and grinned cheekily at his uncle, his tone

    irritatingly thick-skinned.

    Despite smiling, Preston secretly cursed Landon out.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°You should quit worrying about Zoe¡¯s marriage. I¡¯ll introduce her to someone rich, but he is definitely

    not Jasper Beckett,¡± Landon dered. The air in the study immediately grew heavy.

    Zoe¡¯s glee had changed into glumness.

    ¡°Landon, I am confused. Who else can Zoe marry if not Jasper?¡± Preston asserted with an air of

    authority.

    He added, ¡°If the Beckett Group doesn¡¯t agree to take her in, they will be humiliating us. They are

    basically saying that Zoe, a precious granddaughter and sister, is nothing more than Jasper Beckett¡¯s

    ything that can be discarded at whim. What do they take us as?¡±

 Chapter 757

    Preston was halfway through his speech when Zoe burst into tears. She moaned, ¡°Grandpa, Uncle

    Preston, I am so ashamed and done for! I should just end my life!¡±

    ¡°Dear child, don¡¯t cry. I will take care of this for you,¡± Cornelius soothed her. As a retired businessman

    who had once dominated the ying field, he was aghast at the treatment his family received.

    He shattered the teapot and seethed, ¡°So, is Jasper Beckett thinking of shirking his responsibility? He¡¯s

    going to regret it.

    ¡°Landon, didn¡¯t your mom get hurt after hearing about the scandal? She¡¯s in the hospital, right?¡±

    Landon gulped and sank into silence.

    ¡°When she¡¯s out of the hospital, meet with the Becketts to discuss marriage. If you don¡¯t, I will!¡±

    Cornelius

    threatened.

    ¡°Grandpa, can we calm down for a bit?¡± Landon growled. He was at his limits when he learned that his

    family nned to cause a ruckus at the Becketts¡¯.

    ¡°Landon, if I recall correctly, you¡¯re like brothers with Jasper Beckett,¡± said Preston, who crossed his

    legs and nonchntly watched the drama unfold. ¡°Isn¡¯t it good news that your sister married your good

    friend? I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯d protest against the marriage.¡±

    ¡°I know Jasper well exactly because I¡¯m close to him,¡± Landon blurted out.

    He had no choice but to admit, ¡°Jasper has someone in his heart-Alyssa Taylor, the only daughter of

    Winston and Jennifer Taylor!¡±

    The others froze upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s name. A hint of deference shed across Cornelius¡¯ eyes,

    which was rare for the usually ruthless old man.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Zoe, you have professed a few times to Jasper, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯ve pulled many tricks on him. Do you

    think they worked? Has Jasper paid you any attention?¡± Landon hissed at Zoe.

    Zoe quivered and replied, ¡°L-Landon, what are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°After all your efforts, he did not even take a look at you. So, tell me, how could he have possibly met

    you at the hotel for a night together?

    ¡°Zoe, are you forcing me to be blunt with you? When will you ever learn?¡± Landon grew furious, his

    veins throbbing.

    Despite smiling, Preston secretly cursed London out.

    ¡°You should quit worrying about Zoe¡¯s marriage. I¡¯ll introduce her to someone rich, but he is definitely

    not Jasper Beckett,¡± Landon dered. The air in the study immediately grew heavy.

    Zoe¡¯s glee had changed into glumness.

    ¡°Landon, I am confused. Who else can Zoe marry if not Jasper?¡± Preston asserted with an air of

    authority.

    He added, ¡°If the Beckett Group doesn¡¯t agree to take her in, they will be humiliating us. They are

    basically saying that Zoe, a precious granddaughter and sister, is nothing more than Jasper Beckett¡¯s

    ything that

    can be discarded at whim. What do they take us as?¡±

    ***

 Chapter 758

    Preston¡¯s expression twisted as he exited Cornelius¡¯ ce. His shocked secretary trailed closely

    behind and questioned, ¡°Mr. Preston, I overheard most of your conversation with Mr. Landon in the

    study. Why would you support Ms. Zoe¡¯s marriage to Mr. Beckett? You clearly knew that-¡±

    ¡°And do you really believe Jasper Beckett would marry Zoe?¡± Smirking, Preston added, ¡°Jasper has

    gotten himself into trouble many times because of Alyssa Taylor. Not long ago, he even risked his life to

    save

    her from an attack.

    ¡°Those two are obviously involved with each other. Zoe is deluded in this one-sided love. I am certain

    Jasper Beckett will not agree to marry Zoe, and that is precisely why I¡¯m endorsing the marriage. I n

    to

    exploit the strain between Landon and Jasper for my benefit.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s clever!¡± the secretary praised. A glint appeared in Preston¡¯s eyes. ¡°Romance has always been

    the

    most effective tool to pit two men against each other.¡±

    Just as he prepared to descend the stairs, an idea struck him. He whispered, ¡°By the way, what¡¯s the

    name of the woman living with Landon? The one Zoe mentioned before?¡±

    ¡°Lauren Beckett.¡±

    ¡°Keep a close watch on her. She¡¯s our ace card when the timees.¡±

    ¡°Ouch, Landon! It hurts! Let go of me!¡± Zoe yelped.

    Ashen-faced, Landon seized Zoe¡¯s arm and pulled her into an empty room. As the door closed behind

    him, he tossed her onto the ground.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± Zoe winced in pain from the fall. Her arm was bruised from Landon¡¯s grip.

    ¡°Zoe Harper, tell me the truth about what happened at the hotel!¡± Landon struggled to contain his

    anger.

    With anyone else, he would have unleashed his fury.

    ¡°What about it? I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡± she stubbornly insisted despite the pain.

    ¡°Youck the wit for aplex scheme. Don¡¯t you dare lie and say there¡¯s no one helping you!¡± He

    closed

    in and leaned over her, staring right into her eyes.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    He demanded, ¡°Tell me! Who set this up?¡±

    Zoe¡¯s heart raced, and sweat covered her forehead. There was no way she would confess to Landon.

    Gritting her teeth, she replied, ¡°No one! It was all my n!¡±

    ¡°How dare you lie at this point?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with that expression?¡± Zoe mocked, further fueling Landon¡¯s anger. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re upset? Beat

    me up, then!¡±

 Chapter 759

    Zoe had tested Landon¡¯s boundaries with her audacious demeanor and shamelessughter, leaving

    him

    incredulous that she was his sister.

    When had Zoe transformed into this woman? He had doted on her since childhood, but she had

    gradually

    veered down the wrong path.

    He screamed at her in a fit of hysteria. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you onest time. Who¡¯s the mastermind behind this

    scandal?¡±

    ¡°No one. My answer remains the same, no matter how many times you ask me,¡± she replied and rose

    from the ground.

    She smoothed the wrinkles on her expensive dress and tossed her brown wavy curls. ¡°Landon, I will

    your best friend soon and be Mrs. Beckett.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    marry

    ¡°You know Jasper well. Although you said you¡¯d introduce me to wealthy suitors, I won¡¯t marry anyone

    except for Jasper, as I have loved him for a long time. No one is better than Jasper. Aren¡¯t you happy

    that I¡¯m about to marry a Beckett? I thought you loved me the most. Was that just for show as well?¡±

    ¡°Zoe Harper, what¡¯s all that bullshit?¡± Landon felt that every word of hers only fueled his rage.

    ¡°Oh, right. My brother does not love me anymore because he has a new lover. She has reced me in

    your heart. I bet I¡¯m not even as important as Alyssa to you,¡± she remarked andughed until she

    teared

    1.

    Landon clenched his jaw and reminded her, ¡°Just listen to me. Jasper will never marry you. Stop

    deluding

    yourself! And Lauren is never your enemy. She¡¯s-¡±

    ¡°My future sister-inw? Am I going to have a retard as a sister-inw?¡± Zoeughed with a disdainful

    look. ¡°Even if I epted her, Mom and Grandpa would never approve of her. Landon, ept the

    reality. No matter how much you love her, she can only remain a kept woman without any

    acknowledgment or

    title.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think Mr. Javier would ever allow his daughter to marry you just to be a second wife. You¡¯d be

    better off marrying Betty Beckett.¡±

    Landon¡¯s heart was broken, and his breathing grew heavy. ¡°I have a say in my marriage and the

    woman I

    love. You and the others need to stay out of it!¡±

    ¡°Same to you. You should keep out of my marriage,¡± Zoe retorted. Refusing to engage further, she

    massaged her bruised arm and headed to the door.

    BONUS

    ¡°Zoe Harper, you will take a flight back to Yoarkley tonight. Do not step foot in Sna City without my

    permission!¡± Landon barked. looking furious and disappointed.

    He turned around and added, ¡°You have to leave, even if you don¡¯t want to.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! Landon Harper, do you think you can control me?¡± Zoe leaned against the door and lifted her

    chin arrogantly. ¡°Grandpa said he¡¯d keep me by his side until I am married. You can¡¯t control me now.

    Sending me to Yoarkley? Dream on!¡±

    ¡°Zoe Harper!¡± Landon inhaled sharply, incensed. ¡°Don¡¯t call me your brother again if you step out of this

    door!¡±

    Zoe remained emotionless, like a stranger. She remarked, ¡°I don¡¯t need a brother who refuses to side

    with

    me.¡±

    The new scandal in Sna City spread like wildfire. The drama of affluent families had always sold

    better

    than the gossip of small-time celebrities. After all, many were envious of the riches of the wealthy.

    However, Alyssa had no time for the scandal, as she had something more important to deal with.

 Chapter 760

    ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re awesome!¡± Cyrus eximed. He was seated in a corner of the KS World Hotel caf¨¦ with

    Alyssa.

    Heid out a few photos on the table and remarked, ¡°As you have predicted, the culprit has a secret

    room at his house where he kept Sophia Kirkman¡¯s photos. He¡¯s not a loyal fan of L like he imed,

    but a fanatic supporter of Sophia Kirkman.¡±

    Alyssa pursed her lips and said in a hushed voice, ¡°Cyrus, have you found any other important clues?¡±

    After some hesitation, Cyrus showed her a transparent evidence bag. The bag contained a tinum

    ne studded with diamonds. The design of the jewelry was rather outdated, and the quality was

    not

    the best.

    Cyrus exined, ¡°I found this ne at the attacker¡¯s ce. He carefully stored it in a case, so!

    assume it¡¯s very important to him.¡±

    Alyssa always had a sharp memory. Somehow, the ne looked familiar to her. She quickly looked

    through some of the photos.

    ¡°Look, Sophia has worn this ne before. It¡¯s the same one,¡± she picked out one of the photos.

    Even a seasoned cop like Cyrus was in awe of Alyssa¡¯s memory. ¡°Lyse, you should have joined the

    force.

    What a waste of talent!¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Nah, I can never be a cop. I would have beaten the living daylight out of the suspect at

    the

    scene.¡±

    Cyrus was speechless at her reply.

    She surmised with a squint, ¡°Seems like Sophia has a close rtionship with the attacker if he

    possesses

    her ne. Do you think there¡¯s something between them?¡±

    ¡°Even if there is, it is all in the past. The ne evidence proves they are acquainted, but we cannot

    infer any affair between the two,¡± Cyrus exined sternly.

    ¡°I know, but this evidence is enough to get Sophia into trouble,¡± she mused. She examined the

    ne¡¯s

    charm under the light. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

    Then, she said to Cyrus, ¡°Cyrus, the attacker refused to say a thing in your interrogations. They

    wouldn¡¯t leave any transaction trail behind if he is a loyal fan who worked for Sophia. We can¡¯t prove

    that Sophia

    hired him to attack L.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°What I need is to use the avable evidence to ess more evidence and deliver a blow to Sophia.¡±

    Cyrus widened his eyes and asked, ¡°Lyse, what exactly do you n to do?¡±

    She leaned backward and tapped her fingers on the table, looking charming yet intimidating. She

    replied, ¡±

    I¡¯ll have a chat with Sophia Kirkman.¡±

    After parting ways with Cyrus, Alyssa received a call from Miley and learned that Miley would return to

    Kontina the next morning. She rushed back to Heightsnew Vi upon hearing that.

    Mandy held onto Miley¡¯s hands in the living room, chatting tearfully.

    ¡°Mom, you¡¯re being dramatic,¡± Miley chirped despite the tears in her eyes. ¡°Kontina isn¡¯t far from Cyrris.

    They¡¯re on the same continent. You can visit me at any time.¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t get me started on that! On myst visit, I did not get to see you in the three days I was there!

    You were busy apanying your husband to events. Gosh, I regret having you marry abroad. You¡¯re

    too far from me now,¡± Mandymented in a teary voice while sping Miley¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Mom, it was my faultst time. Jeremy had a sudden engagement, which I had to attend as his wife.

    I¡¯m

    sorry,¡± Miley apologized and felt bad for Mandy.

    ¡°Miley!¡± Alyssa eximed when she got home. She looked sad and reluctant to see Miley leave. ¡°Can¡¯t

    you stay a bit longer? I didn¡¯t even make time to chat with you.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll have a chance in the future, Lyse.¡± Miley rose from the couch and held Alyssa¡¯s hands. ¡°After the

    election, I¡¯lle home with Jeremy for a longer stay. We¡¯ll get to catch up by then.¡±

 Chapter 761

    ¡°Well, I can only trust your word, future firstdy of Kontina!¡± Alyssa teased Miley.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯re home!¡± Sean rushed out from the kitchen, looking dapper in his suit. However, he

    was covered in some flour.

    ¡°Sean, are you cooking?¡± Alyssa inquired curiously.

    ¡°Yes. Madam L and Tatiana are in the kitchen. I¡¯m helping out,¡± Sean replied with an awkward and

    troubled expression.

    ¡°What? Is L cooking in the kitchen?¡± Mandy gasped and stood up. ¡°Why didn¡¯t anyone stop her? She

    fainted this morning!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart sank upon learning that. ¡°Did L faint earlier today? Let me check on her.¡±

    Meanwhile, Tatiana was helping L in the kitchen. L looked pale, which made Tatiana worry.

    She asked L, ¡°Mom, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll have to rush. It¡¯s almost dinnertime. I don¡¯t want to leave everyone hungry,¡± L mumbled

    while speedily cutting the vegetables. Suddenly, a gasp escaped her lips.

    Tatiana panicked and nearly cried when she saw what had happened. ¡°Mom, you cut your finger! It¡¯s

    bleeding!¡±

    Alyssa and Sean arrived at the kitchen just in time. Alyssa immediately ordered, ¡°Sean, get the first-aid

    kit from my room. L needs some stitches because her wound is pretty deep.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean hurriedly brought the first-aid kit. Alyssa expertly took care of L¡¯s wound.

    Tatiana was shocked at Alyssa¡¯s medical expertise. Nothing seemed impossible for the multi-talented

    Alyssa.

    In contrast, Tatiana felt useless and small. She couldn¡¯t even do anything when her mom was bullied

    and

    nearly attacked. She fought to hold back her tears at the thought.

    Sean leaned over and ced aforting hand on Tatiana¡¯s trembling shoulder. Feeling sorry for her,

    he reassured her, ¡°Ms. Tatiana, don¡¯t worry. Ms. Alyssa is around to help. Madam L made a lot of

    dishes.

    Let¡¯s set the table now.¡±

    Tatiana sensed that Alyssa needed a private chat with L. So, she wiped away her tears and followed

    Sean out of the kitchen.

    +15 BONUS ¡°L, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let this slip after all that happened to you,¡± Alyssa said to L

    while bandaging the wound.

    ¡°Oh, Lyse, I appreciate the sentiment, but you don¡¯t have to do anything for me. I¡¯m fine!¡± L hurriedly

    stopped her, looking fazed and lost.

    ¡°20 years ago, she might have bullied you without a concern. But her attempt to pull the same trick now

    willnd her in hot water,¡± Alyssa said while inhaling deeply.

    She kept her anger in check and added, ¡°If that woman wants to y with fire, I will make sure she is

    scorched.¡±

    L suddenly snapped back to reality and grabbed Alyssa¡¯s hand while panting hard. ¡°Lyse, do you

    know

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    who was behind the attack?¡±

    ¡°Yes. At this point, I believe you know as well.¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes were filled with pain. ¡°You should have

    told

    Winston about it. He would have taken action on your behalf. No man would sit back and watch his wife

    bullied.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I do not want any revenge. I just want our family to live in peace,¡± L confessed. Tears rolled

    down her cheeks. She looked breathtakingly dazzling at that moment.

 Chapter 762

    Alyssa let out a knowing sigh. She and L were well aware of Winston¡¯s hot temper. He would have

    sent someone to harm Sophia had he known that Sophia was the mastermind behind L¡¯s attack.

    In Alyssa¡¯s opinion, that was not the most satisfying way of dealing with Sophia, nor was it legal.

    Alyssa was adept with dealing honestly or ying dirty. Knowing how cunning Sophia was, Alyssa had

    to y dirty.

    ¡°L, do you recognize this man?¡± Alyssa presented a photo on her phone to L, as the attacker had

    concealed his face during the attack.

    ¡°This man¡­ He¡¯s¡­ He¡¯s¡­¡± L stammered, wide-eyed. ¡°His name is Ronald Branson. He was an

    assistant at TS Network, handling tasks like distributing food and drinks for actors.¡±

    ¡°So, he had ess to the TS Network building, right?¡±

    ¡°Not only that, he filled in other roles on set. Sometimes, when we were short on extras, he had to fill

    in¡±,

    L exined, a hint of confusion in her expression. ¡°Lyse, why are you asking about him?¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Alyssa frowned as an unsettling thought crossed her mind.

    Alyssa emerged from L¡¯s room with a worried expression.

    A maid approached her and told her, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, a young gentleman is waiting for you out there. He

    seems to be waiting for some time.¡±

    Alyssa felt her heart skip a beat, and her palms grew sweaty. She couldn¡¯t help but get reminded of the

    scene where Jasper stood on the snowy grounds, loyally waiting for her.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell anyone about it, did you?¡± Alyssa asked discreetly.

    ¡°No. He specifically instructed me not to alert anyone else when passing the message to you,¡± the maid

    replied.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Alyssa steadied her breathing and crossed the spacious courtyard to the entrance with a

    throbbing heart.

    Despite their recent argument, she felt no resentment toward Jasper. Her heart raced inexplicably,

    leaving her bewildered by her own emotions.

    Pushing the door open, Alyssa looked up to hear a tender call, ¡°Lyse.¡±

    The chamar gh, and mandious voice shader Pes

    hood before her with a passionate gana warm smile, and the Golden Aura

    ?

 Chapter 763

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Alyssa asked, catching herself before she could blurt out, ¡°Why is it you?¡±

    Jameson was dressed in an exquisite ck suit. He looked regal with the dazzling horse in hand, like a

    prince out of a pce.

    He said, ¡°I¡¯m just here to see you.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s your injury? You should rest for at least two months. What about the cast on your arm?¡± Alyssa

    inquired about his condition upon recalling the frightful night.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    ¡°I have no regret after hearing that,¡± he responded with a passionate look at her.

    She held her breath, uncertain how to continue the conversation.

    Jameson added, ¡°I¡¯m not only here to see you. I¡¯m here to give you the horse. You left in such a hurry

    that you didn¡¯t get to bring it with you.¡±

    ¡°Jimmy, thanks for the lovely horse, but I can¡¯t ept that expensive gift from you,¡± she calmly turned

    down his offer.

    ¡°Lyse, did I do anything wrong? Did it upset you? Were you still angry because of what happened that

    day?¡±

    ¡°No. That¡¯s all in the past. It doesn¡¯t make a difference whether Jasper is blocked on my phone now,¡±

    Alyssa said with a chuckle.

    Jameson tightened his grip on the horse¡¯s headcor. He grinned and said, ¡°I specifically picked this

    horse for you. It took a month of sea shipping to get it here.

    ¡°I kept him at our family¡¯s racecourse without informing them. And you saw what happened at the

    racecourse that day. David is in charge of the racecourse, so I can¡¯t possibly keep my horse there, but I

    don¡¯t have space at my vi for the horse.

    ¡°So, can you help me to take care of it for now? Just think of it as helping a friend out.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t possibly turn down the horse after hearing his plea. She had always tried to help her

    friends. She reluctantly said, ¡°Well, I¡¯ll look after it for now. Please let me know when you¡¯ve found a

    ce for it. I¡¯ll send it over.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze never left the horse. One could tell that she was fond of it. However, she was raised not

    to ept any exorbitant gift for no good reason.

    ¡°Cool. I¡¯ll take it with me when I find a ce for it,¡± Jameson said, looking at the night sky as

    snowkes

    Suddenly, he asked, ¡°Lyse, the winds at Belbanks are quite chilly. May I have some hot tea at your

    home?¡±

    Feeling sorry for making her guest stand in the cold, Alyssa immediately invited him in, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,

    Jimmy. Doe in.¡±

    Jameson smiled and made a move. Walking past Alyssa, he suddenly frowned, staring at her left

    temple.

    She blinked in shock. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is there something in my hair?¡±

    He slowly lifted a hand and reached out for her temple. Her heart sank, and she was about to dodge

    his

    advance when he brandished a red rose.

    The fresh and ravishing rose almost seemed like it was plucked right off her hair.

    ¡°Where did you get this from?¡±

    ¡°I learned some magic tricks for you in the past days,¡± Jameson admitted shyly and adjusted his

    sses.¡±

    A female warrior is worthy of a horse, and a beauty deserves flowers. Sorry, I¡¯m not too good at magic

    tricks. Laugh at me if you want.¡±

    Alyssa was taken aback. She had mixed emotions about the situation. Whenever Jameson was nice to

    her, she¡¯d feel guilty, as if she had wronged him.

    The butler led the horse through the gates, gaping in awe, while Alyssa guided Jameson toward

    Heightsnew Vi.

 Chapter 764

    Before the gate closed, Jameson abruptly halted, shooting an icy gaze toward his back. His pale lips

    curled into a mocking smile as he scoffed, ¡°Hah. You coward.¡±

    Meanwhile, Jasper stood before his bedroom window, staring nkly into the distance.

    He smoked one cigarette after another, the ashtray overflowing with stubs, the room shrouded in

    smoke

    that masked his loneliness.

    He let out some muffled coughs, his chest feeling like an empty cave.

    He reyed the scene of the day when he tossed the divorce papers in front of Alyssa and forced her

    to

    sign them. After that, she left without taking a dime from him.

    He stood at the same window when she left in Jonah¡¯s car, his gaze talling the car.

    He was filled with unexinable rage at that time. He finally realized the reason behind his emotions-

    he

    hated seeing her leave.

    Their subsequent bitter exchanges were attempts to convince himself he didn¡¯t love her.

    He didn¡¯t fall in love with Alyssa only after losing her. Instead, it took losing Alyssa to reveal his true

    feelings for her.

    He had never expressed his love and affection, all because it was like oxygen to him.

    A phone call interrupted his thoughts. His heart jumped upon seeing Xavier¡¯s name, and he qui

    extinguished his cigarette and picked up his phone. ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I was in front of Madam¡¯s house overnight per your orders, and I finally saw her,¡± Xavier

    reported in a tense voice despitepleting his mission.

    ¡°Lys-How is she doing?¡± Jasper asked, holding his breath. He recalled how Alyssa had left with

    Jameson

    that night at the park. The scene still killed him.

    Now, he refused to call her by her nickname out of anger. He might be deeply in love with her, but that

    didn¡¯t mean he had no ego.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯ll send a few photos over. P-Please brace yourself.¡± Then, Xavier texted Jasper the

    photos.

    Tapping on his phone, Jasper saw Jameson leaning toward Alyssa¡¯s neck. From the photographer¡¯s

    angle

    Jameson seemed to be kissing her on the cheek.

    +15 BONU

    They were acting so intimately.

    Despite his various attempts to reconcile, Alyssa had never shown anything other than an aversion to

    Jasper. She crushed his ego every time.

    Anger rose in Jasper. He punched the window, startling Xavier.

    ¡°C-Calm down, Mr. Beckett. Why don¡¯t you visit in person if you¡¯re upset? The Schmidt fellow is at

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Madam¡¯s ce. You can¡¯t just sit back and do nothing, or you¡¯ll be granting him what he wanted and

    admit your defeat!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the point of meeting her?¡± Jasper bellowed. He puffed and huffed as tears welled. He looked

    pitiful and dejected. ¡°She said she didn¡¯t want to see me again. I¡¯ll grant her wish.¡±

    Jasper projected his thoughts into the vacant space, behaving as though Alyssa stood before him, stati

    that the torment was too much for him.

 Chapter 765

    Winston and Alyssa¡¯s older brothers were on a business trip abroad. Only the female family members

    were at home.

    Jameson was not a stranger to the family. However, it waste at night, and the family was taking care

    of L. Not wanting to disturb her family, Alyssa discreetly ushered Jameson into the guest room.

    To her surprise, Miley was already in the room, enjoying tea.

    ¡°Miley, are you still up?¡± Alyssa introduced Jameson to him, ¡°Oh, this is my friend. He¡¯s Jameso-

    ¡°I know. He¡¯s Jameson Schmidt, the fourth son of the Schmidt family. I remember him from L¡¯s

    birthday party,¡± Miley said and calmly set her tea on the table.

    With a smile, she remarked, ¡°Lyse rarely has any friend of the opposite sex apart from her brothers.

    You¡¯re

    the first, Jameson.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my honor,¡± Jameson replied with a seemingly genuine smile. ¡°I¡¯m more honored to have a chance

    to

    meet with the future firstdy of Kontina.¡±

    Jameson¡¯sment took Alyssa aback.

    Miley answered tly, ¡°I¡¯m just Lyse¡¯s sister. My husband is only an ordinary congressman in Kontina.

    Your

    remark is an overstatement.¡±

    Jameson smiled without saying anything.

    Miley slowly rose from her seat and said, ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll leave you to host your guest.¡±

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Despite smiling, Alyssa clearly felt the odd air between Miley and Jameson, but she couldn¡¯t pinpoint

    the

    exact issue.

    After Miley exited the guest room and closed the door behind her, she called her assistant with a grim

    expression. ¡°Have you found anything from the investigation?¡±

    ¡°Hi, Madam. I¡¯ve looked into Jameson Schmidt¡¯s background and emailed you the information.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡±

    Since it was gettingte, Jameson didn¡¯t stick around for too long before he left.

    When he was back in the car, his secretary, Carl Moses, immediately beamed. ¡°Mr. Schmidt, Ms.

    Alyssal

    Jameson adjusted his sses. He didn¡¯t look particrly happy. ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡±

    Alyssa had neither willingly epted his gift nor invited him to her ce. Everything remained the

    same as before. He had to take the initiative, as Alyssa would not make the first move.

    ¡°She has totally given up on Jasper Beckett. He¡¯s out of the game. From what I¡¯ve seen, you¡¯re the best

    candidate for Ms. Alyssa. It will all work out.¡±

    Jameson tugged on his tie knot and asked, ¡°Do you mean I am not as good as Jasper Beckett?¡±

    Carl shuddered. ¡°No, of course not! I was wrong.¡±

    ¡°Lyse might have gotten over Jasper, but he¡¯s still into her. I cannot underestimate my enemy.¡± With

    that,

    Jameson cast a troubled look out of the window.

    ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve made progress in the investigation you ordered,¡± Carl reported grimly.

    ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡°Someone drugged the horse in the attack against you and Ms. Alyssa. We examined the horse¡¯s

    blood.

    sample and found traces of stimnts.

    ¡°Not only that, we found this in the trash after thoroughly searching the racecourse.¡±

 Chapter 766

    Carl reached into his bag, pulling out a stic bag containing a syringe. He exined, ¡°After reviewing

    the

    surveince footage, we discovered that David¡¯s men were responsible.¡±

    Jameson smirked with half-closed eyes. ¡°David is as malicious as Josh butcks Josh¡¯s effectiveness.

    His methods are crude, always leaving behind evidence. A halfwit like him doesn¡¯t deserve my time.¡±

    ¡°But we can¡¯t let this slide, can we? It would be too cowardly!¡± Carl gritted his teeth.

    Leaning back, Jameson enjoyed some shut-eye. ¡°Of course not. I¡¯ll make him pay for what he did to

    me.

    He broke my arm, so I¡¯ll break his leg. That¡¯s only fair, right?¡±

    Carl concurred, ¡°Of course! You¡¯re already showing mercy by not taking his life, all because he¡¯s your

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    brother!¡±

    Jameson thought, ¡°David does not deserve to be called a brother.¡±

    He wagged his finger, stating, ¡°If it were Lyse who got injured that day, I would have gotten rid of David

    Schmidt by now.¡±

    After taking a bath and applying skincare, Alyssa¡¯s mood finally lifted.

    Miley called her from the outside. ¡°Lyse, are you asleep?¡±

    ¡°Not yet, Miley. Come on in!¡±

    Miley entered the room. Alyssa turned around while patting some cream on her face. Miley, with her

    radiant skin and dressed in a light blue silk nightdress, looked dazzling.

    ¡°Wow! Herees the prettiest firstdy!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, where did you get that golden horse from? It¡¯s shining brighter than the lights in the courtyard.

    I¡¯m

    nearly blinded,¡± Miley wondered.

    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s Jameson¡¯s horse,¡± answered Alyssa, continuing her skincare.

    ¡°Is that his horse, or did he give it to you as a gift?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s his horse. He wanted to give it to me, but I refused.¡±

    ¡°Horses are your favorite animal, and he wanted to give you a Golden Ausman Horse. It¡¯s incredible

    that

    you¡¯re able to resist the temptation. You seem really insistent on keeping your boundary with him,¡±

    She then mumbled to herself, ¡°Good. I¡¯m relieved.¡±

    Alyssa picked up on Miley¡¯s remark and mused, ¡°Miley, what was that? You¡¯re relieved? But why?*

    ¡°I can tell that he likes you a lot from the way he looks at you.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa felt a headacheing in. ¡°I know. He¡¯s confessed his love to me. What do I

    do? Is there a manual somewhere, like ¡®How To Quit Being Charming¡¯ or ¡®How To Stop Men From

    Falling

    for You?

    ¡°I have PTSD over rtionships. If this keeps going, I might have to be a nun.¡±

    ¡°Why? Are you hurt because of Jasper Beckett?¡± teased Miley.

    ¡°Nah. He can¡¯t hurt me. He¡¯s just an animal gone rogue. Ouch, that hurts!¡± Alyssa inadvertently

    increased

    her strength when she thought about Jasper, almost causing her face to swell from all the patting.

    ¡°Colene is so happy to see the horse. She¡¯s riding it in the courtyard right now,¡± Miley changed the topic

    of

    the conversation with augh.

    Alyssa shot up from the seat, eyes widening. ¡°What? Is Colene riding it? I haven¡¯t even gotten a

    chance to

    ride it!¡±

    ¡°Just try it out. How could you give out millions worth of jewelry but feel reluctant to ride a horse?¡±

 Chapter 767

    Alyssa and Miley heard Colene¡¯s muffled shouts from the horse¡¯s back, followed by a chorus of

    laughter.

    Speechless, Alyssa said, ¡°Well, I don¡¯t mind, as long as Colene¡¯s happy.¡±

    Miley slowly sat on the couch and looked hesitant to speak. Alyssa sat by her side and took her arm.¡±

    Miley, you must have something to discuss with me when you knock on my door thiste. Is it rted to

    Jameson?¡±

    ¡°I remember he visited our home when he was younger. You seemed close to him,¡± Miley said tly.

    ¡°Yes. We were ssmates in elementary school,¡± Alyssa reminisced. ¡°I fended off the ss bullies for

    him, and he started sticking around me because he was grateful.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have many friends in the ss due to my family background. Since everyone kept their

    distance, I

    had no choice but to be friends with Jameson.

    ¡°To be honest, it was a happy time in my childhood. Later, Jameson went to Kontina with his mom, and

    we lost contact for 15 years.¡±

    ¡°So, he¡¯s practically a stranger after all these years,¡± remarked Miley knowingly.

    ¡°Exactly. I couldn¡¯t even recognize him at first. When he was younger, he looked fair and somewhat

    feminine. Now, he¡¯s a tall, handsome guy.¡±

    ¡°Between Jasper and Jameson, who¡¯s hotter?¡± Miley yfully winked at Alyssa.

    ¡°Miley, did Jasper bribe you or something? Why do you keep bringing him up? It¡¯s such a mood

    dampener,

    grumbled Alyssa, who pouted in frustration.

    ¡°Look, Lyse, I¡¯m not against you dating anyone. Victor Schmidt is Dad¡¯s good friend, so I¡¯m sure his son

    will not treat you poorly. It¡¯s just that¡­¡± Miley¡¯s voice trailed off. She looked a little worried when she

    recalled Jameson¡¯s profile that her assistant had found.

    She exined, ¡°Jameson Schmidt is not what he seems. I secretly looked into his background. He runs

    a

    huge,plex business in Kontina¡¯ that spans many industries.

    ¡°Kontina¡¯s society is not as simple as Cyrris¡¯. It¡¯s hard to tackle the organized crime and drug trade. The

    politicians and businessmen there are corrupt, and they work with each other. Jeremy¡¯s first task when

    in

    power is to address the illegal drug trade and corruption.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart leaped to her throat. ¡°Wow, life is going to be tough for you and Jeremy!¡±

    ¡°Stop changing the topic,¡± Miley reminded her. ¡°Given the scale of Jameson¡¯s business in Kontina, it¡¯s

    highly likely that he¡¯s involved in organized crime and gangs.

    ¡°I even heard that he was once discreetly called in by the prosecution for interrogation over his

    involvement in drugs but was released due to ack of evidence.¡±

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Alyssa was shocked.

    ¡°He¡¯s safe now because there¡¯s no concrete evidence, but there¡¯s no smoke without fire. He must have

    been a top suspect if the police looked into him.

    ¡°Besides, the prosecutor who interrogated him was Jeremy¡¯s student. That fellow is an upright and

    honest character. He would never be bribed and wouldn¡¯t use anyone without evidence.¡±

    Miley sped Alyssa¡¯s hands worriedly. ¡°Lyse, you can be friends with him, but don¡¯t be too involved

    with

    a dangerous man like him.¡±

    Alyssa blinked as she sank into deep thoughts. Then, she nodded gently. ¡°Miley, I¡¯m an adult who has

    my

    fair share of real-world experience. I¡¯ve witnessed the ruthlessness of a warzone and experienced the

    dark side of humanity. I¡¯ll keep your words in mind. I know what to do.¡±

    **

    A

    Five dayster, a procession of ck luxury cars lined the entrance of Seaview Manor in the evening.

    Bodyguards in ck, adorned with golden pins bearing the Harper Group insignia, stepped out of the

    cars.

    ¡°Ms. Zoe!¡±

    ¡°Madam Penelope!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius!¡±

 Chapter 768

    The doors of the three cars opened simultaneously. Zoe and Penelope disembarked from their

    respective

    vehicles, followed by the gray-haired Cornelius, dressed in an opulent ck fur coat. Holding a walking

    stick with a golden eagle carving, he exited the car with Zoe¡¯s help, looking stern.

    ¡°Dad, be careful,¡± Penelope cautioned while approaching him.

    Cornelius let out a heavy sigh at the sight of the Becketts¡¯ gate. ¡°Jasper did not show up at all when

    you

    visited the Becketts to discuss marriage. Is that right?¡±

    She bit her lips and nodded shamefully. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re useless.¡±

    Zoe silently pouted, seemingly unhappy at her mom as well.

    Penelope exined fearfully, ¡°You know Jasper¡¯s character well. Even Javier can¡¯t force him to do

    anything against his will. Sophia, as his stepmother, is of no use at all.¡±

    Ever since Penelope¡¯s husband¡¯s passing, Landon had been the pir of support for their small family.

    Without Landon, Cornelius would have looked down on Penelope even more.

    ¡°You¡¯re Zoe¡¯s mom. How could you be of no help when she¡¯s bullied? All you can do is wallow in

    helplessness and anger,¡± growled Cornelius, who poked Penelope with his stick.

    He added, ¡°The Harpers are a distinguished family in Sna City. Everyone holds us in high regard.

    But

    now, I am forced to show up to settle the mess caused by that Beckett fellow. Is this how you show

    your

    respect to me?¡±

    ¡°Dad, it¡¯s all my fault. I¡¯m useless,¡± Penelope apologized profusely, head hung low.

    ¡°Grandpa, Mom has tried her best. You should stop ming her,¡± Zoe spoke up for Penelope while

    holding

    Cornelius¡¯ arm.

    Cornelius¡¯ eyes were spitting fire. His temples were throbbing. ¡°Jasper is an arrogant little brat! He

    basically humiliated the Harper family with his actions. He¡¯d better behave today and agree to marry

    Zoe.

    If not, I will treat the Becketts as our archenemy!¡±

    In a lounge at the nightclub, Betty was partying with her friends, reveling in a hedonistic lifestyle. She

    danced closely with two nearly naked male models amidst excited screams.

    In a daze, Betty stretched her neck and poured red wine all over her trembling chest. Witnessing this, a

    male model hugged her tight and started licking her from the neck down to her chest.

    This elicited more cheers and screams around her as sheughed hysterically.

    After the lustful moments, she grabbed a wine bottle and slumped on the couch. While downing the

    wine,

    she let out uncontrobleughs.

    ¡°Ms. Betty? Ms. Betty!¡± Her assistant walked up to her and kneeled. ¡°There¡¯s a situation at Seaview

    Manor

    now.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Betty drawled.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°The Harpers are paying a visit. I believe they are there to discuss marriage.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. What the fuck is going on? Didn¡¯t Zoe¡¯s widowed mom show up a few days ago? She was sent

    home

    without getting to meet Jasper at all.¡±

    The assistant exined, ¡°Things are different this time. She¡¯s there with Cornelius Harper!¡±

    Betty¡¯s eyes flickered open. She shot up on the couch. ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Cornelius Harper, Zoe¡¯s grandpa! I heard they came with a group of people. They must be there for a

    confrontation.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! That¡¯s interesting!¡± Betty pped the couch with an exciting gleam in her eyes. ¡°Get the car

    ready! I¡¯ll be home to enjoy the debacle!¡±

 Chapter 769

    Javier and Sophia were home at Seaview Manor. He was checking the news on his phone with a sour

    expression.

    Despite enlisting the top PR team in the nation to handle the scandal between Jasper and Zoe, online

    discussions showed no signs of abating.

    As the president of the Beckett Group, Jasper¡¯s reluctance to make a public appearance or issue a

    statement only fueled spections, tarnishing his reputation.

    Meanwhile, Sophia sat at the dresser, applying hair care products to the long locks she had invested

    time

    and money in over the years.

    Back in the day when she slept with Javier to advance her career, Javier loved caressing her smooth

    and

    silky hair during their intimacy.

    ¡°Come here, Javier,¡± shemanded, turning around to gesture at him.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Javier replied, never once looking away from his phone.

    ¡°Come over. Touch my hair. I¡¯ve been taking good care of them every day for you,¡± she purred with a

    seductive twinkle in her eyes. ¡°Touch it and let me know if it still feels the same as before.¡±

    ¡°Sophie,¡± he began, only to pause. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to ask her if she was behind the attack on

    L.

    Instead, he changed the subject. ¡°Landon confessed to me and Dad about his love for Lauren.¡±

    ¡°What? When was that?¡± Sophia asked, standing up with a dumbstruck expression.

    ¡°He told us when he visited Jasper in the hospital with Lauren.¡±

    Sophia pped her hands joyfully. ¡°That¡¯s good news. Gosh! What does Dad think about it? He¡¯s

    watched

    Landon grow up, and we are close family friends with the Harpers. We also share the same social

    status.

    I assume he¡¯s supportive, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°You were busy matchmaking Betty and Landon before this and never paid attention to Lauren¡¯s

    matters. Why did you suddenly support the rtionship?¡± questioned Javier coldly.

    Sophia¡¯s mind raced. She exined, ¡°Javier, you make it sound like I don¡¯t care about Lauren at all.

    She¡¯s my daughter. Of course, I care for her.

    ¡°Well, too bad Betty and Landon are ipatible. They¡¯re not meant to be. If Landon is interested in

    good family.¡±

    ¡°Lauren might be dating Landon, but they haven¡¯t made it public. There¡¯s still a chance to turn things

    around,¡± Javier opined. ¡°Things will only get messy if they make their rtionship public.¡±

    ¡°Javier, what do you mean? Do you not want Lauren to marry Landon?¡± Sophia asked worriedly.

    ¡°Mrs. Harper visited our ce to discuss Jasper and Zoe¡¯s marriage, but she went home empty-handed

    without getting to meet with Jasper. Didn¡¯t you see her expression when she left? She was so resentful.

    ¡°Landon is her only son. After what happened between Jasper and Zoe, she couldn¡¯t possibly agree to

    the marriage between Landon and Lauren,¡± argued Javier while impatiently rubbing his forehead.

    Sophia was taken aback. She reyed the scene and recalled Penelope¡¯s look of rage, realizing that

    Lauren might have lost her chance of marrying into the distinguished Harper family.

    No. All wasn¡¯t lost yet!

    Given that Landon was willing to marry Lauren and take the problem off their hands, Sophia resolved to

    push the marriage through by all means.

    With that in mind, she sighed sorrowfully and tiptoed to Javier. While massaging his shoulders, she

    whispered, ¡°Javier, you¡¯ve been in a bad mood in the past few days. You must be worried about this

    matter. I have a win-win solution that will solve everything.¡±

    Javier mused, ¡°And what is that?¡±

    ¡°Make Jasper marry Ms. Zoe, and everyone will be happy. We¡¯ll approve of Zoe in exchange for Mrs.

    Harper¡¯s approval of Lauren,¡± Sophia suggested, getting more excited and greedier as she spoke.

    Javier frowned with frustration. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell who Jasper is in love with? He has no eyes for anyone

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    except for Alyssa Taylor. And you should know his temper well after 20 years of living together.¡±

    ¡°Jasper might be in love with Alyssa, but it¡¯s all meaningless if she doesn¡¯t reciprocate.¡±

 Chapter 770

    Sophia sneered, remarking, ¡°Jasper deeply wounded Alyssa when they divorced. And his rtionship

    with

    Zoe is questionable.

    ¡°Considering Alyssa¡¯s intolerant and strong-willed personality, is it possible for her to ept Jasper? It

    might be beyond what she finds eptable.¡±

    Javier¡¯s expression grew serious at the mention of the probability that Alyssa might find the situation

    beyond eptance. But before he could speak, a knock on the door interrupted.

    Following that, Barry¡¯s anxious voice came through. ¡°Mr. Javier, Madam Sophia, the Harpers are here.¡±

    ¡°Just say I¡¯m not here,¡± Javier answered without hesitation while frowning.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, Harper Group¡¯s chairman, Mr. Cornelius, came along as well. Are you sure you don¡¯t want

    to

    meet him?¡±

    Suddenly, Javier¡¯s heart sank.

    ¡°You see that, Javier?¡±

    With her arms crossed, Sophia smiled nonchntly. ¡°Until Jasper and Zoe¡¯s marriage is settled, our

    family

    won¡¯t have a peaceful day. Even Cornelius is here. If this continues, it won¡¯t end well.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Cornelius sat on the center sofa with his hands folded on top of the eagle head of his cane. His imposi

    presence made everyone in Seaview Manor hold their breath.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, why didn¡¯t you inform me you wereing? I would have weed you,¡± Javier said

    with

    a smile, walking over with Sophia.

    The living room was filled with the Harpers, creating a tense and unfriendly atmosphere.

    With an unchanged expression, Javier looked around and said, ¡°Mr. Cornelius, you made quite a grand

    entrance. Are you upset because I didn¡¯t wee you personally?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m indeed upset, but you know why, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Frowning, Cornelius spoke with a cold and intimidating tone. ¡°Your family is quite arrogant. My

    daughter-in

    w personally came here, but your son didn¡¯t bother to meet her.

    ¡°I had toe here personally, or your son wouldn¡¯t even bother to show respect.¡±

    good family.¡±

    ¡°Lauren might be dating Landon, but they haven¡¯t made it public. There¡¯s still a chance to turn things.

    around,¡± Javier opined. ¡°Things will only get messy if they make their rtionship public.¡±

    ¡°Javier, what do you mean? Do you not want Lauren to marry Landon?¡± Sophia asked worriedly.

    ¡°Mrs. Harper visited our ce to discuss Jasper and Zoe¡¯s marriage, but she went home empty-handed

    without getting to meet with Jasper. Didn¡¯t you see her expression when she left? She was so resentful.

    ¡°Landon is her only son. After what happened between Jasper and Zoe, she couldn¡¯t possibly agree to

    the

    marriage between Landon and Lauren,¡± argued Javier while impatiently rubbing his forehead.

    Sophia was taken aback. She reyed the scene and recalled Penelope¡¯s look of rage, realizing that

    Lauren might have lost her chance of marrying into the distinguished Harper family.

    No. All wasn¡¯t lost yet!

    Given that Landon was willing to marry Lauren and take the problem off their hands, Sophia resolved to

    push the marriage through by all means.

    With that in mind, she sighed sorrowfully and tiptoed to Javier. While massaging his shoulders, she

    whispered, ¡°Javier, you¡¯ve been in a bad mood in the past few days. You must be worried about this

    matter. I have a win-win solution that will solve everything.¡±

    Javier mused, ¡°And what is that?¡±

    ¡°Make Jasper marry Ms. Zoe, and everyone will be happy. We¡¯ll approve of Zoe in exchange for Mrs.

    Harper¡¯s approval of Lauren,¡± Sophia suggested, getting more excited and greedier as she spoke.

    anyone

    Javier frowned with frustration. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell who Jasper is in love with? He has no eyes for

    except for Alyssa Taylor. And you should know his temper well after 20 years of living together.¡±

    ¡°Jasper might be in love with Alyssa, but it¡¯s all meaningless if she doesn¡¯t reciprocate.¡±

 Chapter 771

    Jasper casually ced his left hand in his pocket on the white marble-carved spiral staircase. His

    tailored gray suit outlined his figure as he descended the stairs elegantly.

    Zoe stared at his handsome face and forgot to cry, half-opening her mouth in astonishment.

    Jasper was truly the fantasy of all women.

    Zoe was willing to lose her dignity and shame just to cling to him. She felt that she didn¡¯t make the

    wrong

    move.

    No matter what, she must obtain him.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, what do you mean by that? You bullied my granddaughter, but now it has be her

    fault?¡± Cornelius¡¯s gaze was sharp as he questioned coldly.

    Jasper smirked. ¡°You¡¯ve understood. There¡¯s no need for me to repeat it and embarrass your

    granddaughter again, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    His words left everyone in shock.

    What did he mean by that?

    Did something happen during that night they spent together?

    Instantly, Zoe¡¯s face turned pale. She hid in Cornelius¡¯s arms and bit her lip, afraid to make a sound.

    ¡°Y-You!¡±

    Being of an old age, Cornelius was almost out of breath from Jasper¡¯s words. His face turned red.

    ¡°Jasper! What nonsense are you talking about? You can¡¯t act recklessly in front of the elders!¡± Javier

    quickly scolded. But in his heart, he started to have doubts.

    ¡°Act recklessly?¡±

    Despite Jasper¡¯s smile, his eyes held an intimidating gaze. ¡°I was merely stating facts. Ms. Zoe, do you

    dare to make a solemn oath to God?¡±

    A chill ran through Zoe¡¯s body, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.

    ¡°Do you dare to swear that you knew nothing about what happened in the hotel that night and were

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were as deep as an abyss as he stared at her, like a police officer scrutinizing a heinous

    ¡°¡­ ¡­¡±

    I

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Zoe darted her eyes around, trying to look innocent. ¡°Jasper, why are you saying that? Swear? Why

    should

    I swear? Didn¡¯t you ask me to meet you at the hotel that night?¡±

    At her words, Jasper¡¯s eyes contracted sharply.

    He thought Zoe would quibble. But he didn¡¯t expect her to dare to make up lies.

    ¡°We agreed to meet in room 205. I arrived first and waited for you, but you didn¡¯t show up. So I thought

    I¡¯d

    take a bath while waiting for you.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that as soon as I finished bathing, you came. Isn¡¯t that what happened that night?¡±

    Zoe¡¯s eyshes were wet with tears, and her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. Everything she said

    seemed so real.

    ¡°Jasper, I don¡¯t know what happened in the middle that made you unwilling to admit what happened

    that

    night. But no matter what you say, I won¡¯t me you.

    ¡°If you want me to make an oath, I will!¡±

    As Zoe spoke, she clenched her teeth and raised three fingers. ¡°I, Zoe Harper, swear to God that

    everything I said that night was true. Otherwise, I would get hit by a car and die miserably!¡± 1

    Zoe considered the idea of solemnly swearing to God as absurd.

    Did God even exist in this world?

    Zoe didn¡¯t believe in hell or karma.

    She only knew that, as long as it was something she wanted, she would get it no matter the dirty tricks

    she needed to use.

 Chapter 772

    At that moment, Jasper found himself to beughable.

    He had thought that, despite Zoe¡¯s bad behavior, there should still be a trace of innocence in her. After

    all,

    she was his best friend¡¯s only sister.

    However, he had misjudged her. Her rtionship with Landon was only by blood, and Zoe was nothing

    like Landon in other aspects.

    She had already been corrupted, perhaps even inherently bad from the beginning. The only reason

    Jasper

    had seen the good in her was the fact that she was Landon¡¯s sister.

    Since that was the case, he didn¡¯t need to show mercy for the sake of his best friend.

    ¡°Zoe! What nonsense are you talking about? Getting hit by a car? If something happens to you, how

    can I

    continue living?¡± Penelope pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her tears.

    ¡°Zoe is my only granddaughter, my precious jewel! She has been raised with the utmost care since

    childhood. She had never suffered any hardship.

    ¡°She cursed herself just to prove her innocence to you. This shows that every word she says is the

    truth!¡±

    Cornelius stroked Zoe¡¯s head as he red at Jasper. ¡°Zoe might be a little spoiled, but she has never

    told

    a lie in her entire lifetime! Is Newton¡¯s grandson so cowardly that he can¡¯t own up to his actions?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Jasper squinted his eyes and clenched his fingers tightly, suppressing his raging

    anger.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, your words are simply too harsh!¡±

    Javier couldn¡¯t bear to hear others insult his son so recklessly in front of so many people, especially

    when

    his father was dragged into it. He had to uphold his dignity.

    ¡°Let¡¯s stick to the matter at hand! What are your demands? Just say it.

    ¡°Both of our families are prestigious in Sna City. It¡¯s already unsightly for you toe here tonight.

    Do

    you really want to make things ugly with my family?¡±

    Just then, Zoe¡¯s eyes sparkled with a sinister light.

    This time, she brought Cornelius here to use his influence to force Jasper into marrying her.

    She didn¡¯t want to make things ugly with the Beckett family. That would be aplete loss.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, I have two reasonable requests.¡±

    Cornelius¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Firstly, I want your son to apologize to Zoe right now. After all, it was

    because of him that she was surrounded by reporters and almost suffered a reputation loss.

    ¡°Originally, I wanted your family to hold a press conference, but as you said, we are all prestigious

    figures. Making a big deal out of it would bring shame to your family. So, just privately apologize, and I

    won¡¯t

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    pursue it any further.¡±

    All the butlers and servants in the Seaview Manor couldn¡¯t stand it any longer. They all showed

    expressions of indignation.

    Jasper was a noble figure, yet this old man badly bullied him!

    They really wanted to let a dog in to bite him.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, what has Mr. Jasper done wrong? Why should he apologize to Ms. Zoe? You¡¯re being

    too

    unfair!¡±

    Everyone turned around in unison, only to see Rosie storming out in anger, standing up for Jasper.

    Sophia, hiding behind Javier, was initially surprised but then revealed a sinister smile.

    She had disliked Rosie for a long time. Over the years, Rosie had taken advantage of Jasper¡¯s support

    to

    disregard her.

    Now, she even had the audacity toe forward for Jasper. Well, this wouldn¡¯t end well for her.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, go back quickly,¡± Jasper urged Rosie in a low voice.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll be bullied!¡± Rosie¡¯s eyes were teary.

    She had been silently watching from upstairs for a long time, enduring it. When she heard Cornelius

    forcing Jasper to apologize to Zoe, she couldn¡¯t bear it anymore.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, Madam Sophia, even a servant from your house can speak so recklessly? Isn¡¯t that too

    disrespectful?¡± Penelope sneered at Rosie.

 Chapter 773

    ¡°Madam Penelope, you may not be aware of our family situation. Despite being a servant, Mrs. Rosie

    holds a high position in our family.¡±

    Sophia started sarcastically, taunting Rosie. ¡°She doesn¡¯t even respect us as the hosts of this house,

    let

    alone you as guests.¡±

    ¡°Sophia, you know very well why Mrs. Rosie holds such a high position.¡±

    Jasper walked to Rosie¡¯s side and positioned himself before her, acting like a shield. His gaze turned

    frosty as he red at Sophia, causing her to shudder.

    ¡°After my mother passed away, Mrs. Rosie has been with me, taking care of me like her son. In my

    eyes,

    she¡¯s as important as my mother.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper.¡± Rosie was moved, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

    ¡°And I¡¯ve already said it. In Seaview Manor, Rosie only takes care of my daily life. She¡¯s not your

    servant.

    Isn¡¯t it normal for her not to listen to you?¡±

    At his words, people couldn¡¯t help but snicker.

    After all, in Seaview Manor, Rosie¡¯s poprity surpassed that of Sophia and her daughter.

    ¡°You!¡± Sophia seethed with hatred, but retorting would make her look bad.

    ¡°Besides an apology, I have a second request.¡±

    Cornelius ignored the women¡¯s disputes and continued coldly, ¡°Mr. Javier, with the current situation,

    there¡¯s only one way to resolve it-our families must form a union. Allow Jasper to marry Zoe.¡±

    Everyone was shocked.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me to marry Zoe?¡±

    Jasper chuckled, his gaze turning icy. ¡°Mr. Cornelius, what do you take me for? Am I expected to marry

    her simply because she¡¯s a woman? Gender alone doesn¡¯t automatically qualify someone to be my

    wife.

    ¡°I may not actively pursue rtionships with women, but that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t exercise

    discernment

    in my choice of a partner.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s words stunned everyone.

    While not directly insulting Zoe, Jasper¡¯s words cut deep into her heart.

    Zoe¡¯s lips trembled, and her face turned as white as a sheet.

    ¡°Watch your words, Jasper!¡± Javier was unhappy with the Harper family¡¯s coercion but didn¡¯t want the

    situation to escte.

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re outrageous!¡±

    The furious Cornelius banged his eagle-headed cane on the ground, ¡°I¡¯m giving my granddaughter to

    you, yet you¡¯re upset about it? How dare you humiliate Zoe? You¡­¡±

    ¡°In this lifetime, I have only one wife. Once she was chosen, it can only ever be her!¡±

    As soon as Jasper said those words, Barry hurriedly approached. ¡°Mr. Javier, Mr. Jasper, Ms. Alyssa is

    here.¡±

    Following that, a crisp sound of footsteps in high heels echoed in the hall.

    Jasper¡¯s breath caught as he watched the slender, elegant figure approaching them. His gaze was

    intense, as if wanting to sear the beautiful silhouette into his memory with his eyes.

    Zoe watched as Jasper waspletely captivated by Alyssa. Jealousy transformed her face, yet there

    was nothing she could do.

    In his eyes and mind, Jasper only had room for Alyssa, with no space for any other woman.

    If not for that person helping her strategize and her readiness to sacrifice, she might not have had the

    chance to be alone with Jasper in this lifetime.

    ¡°Ah! Madam!¡± Rosie eximed in delight.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Madam. It¡¯s really Madam.¡±

    The servants, though they didn¡¯t dare speak loudly, looked at Alyssa with surprised and hopeful eyes.

 Chapter 774

    At this point, everyone knew that Jasper had someone in his heart, and that particr someone was

    their

    former madam.

    Why did Alyssa suddenly appear now? What was she here for?

    Did she hear about the Harper family pressuring Jasper into marriage, so she came to save him?

    Alyssa wore a tight ck dress draped with a stylish ck velvet shrug. Her hair swayed down to her

    waist, and her red lips were vivid. She looked cool and elegant.

    Two initially contradictory qualities harmonized perfectly in her. She was truly astonishing.

    She exerted such pressure on Zoe with a single assured nce that thetter couldn¡¯t lift her head.

    Upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s sudden appearance, Penelope quickly pressed on her tightened chest.

    When she recalled Alyssa¡¯s deeds, she felt that even their entire family joining forces might not be

    enough topete with her. Penelope¡¯s not-so-healthy heart couldn¡¯t take it.

    ¡°Grandpa, she¡¯s the one I mentioned to you, Alyssa,¡± Zoe urgently whispered to Cornelius.

    Zoe added, ¡°She used to bully me a lot. Grandpa, you must help me get justice.¡±

    Cornelius stared at Alyssa¡¯s face, feelingplicated.

    Although he was meeting Alyssa for the first time, her father, Winston, was an old acquaintance.

    They might not be friends, but Winston¡¯s character was well-regarded in their circle. He could confront

    Javier but found it hard to make things difficult for Winston¡¯s daughter.

    ¡°Good evening, Mr. Javier. I apologize for the sudden visit. Oh, Mr. Cornelius, you¡¯re here too.¡±

    Smiling, Alyssa greeted Cornelius. ¡°I¡¯m Alyssa. Nice to meet you, Mr. Cornelius.¡±

    Graceful and sensible, she was indeed raised by Winston.

    Zoe anxiously urged Cornelius, ¡°Grandpa! Grandpa, why aren¡¯t you saying anything? She not only

    bullied

    me but is also my rival for Jasper!¡±

    Hearing that, Cornelius pressed his lips together. This grudge was not something he couldn¡¯t help his

    granddaughter settle.

    However, as a big shot who had been through life and death, he couldn¡¯t stoop to the level of quarreling

    with a young woman.

    Meanwhile, Jasper¡¯s intense gaze was still on Alyssa¡¯s stunning face.

    His brain told him that this woman had hurt him deeply and he should be angry. But his heart and body

    were on fire, with passionate hormones telling him he longed for her.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, what brings you here and at such ate hour too?¡± Javier asked with a half-smile,

    maintaining

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    a distant attitude toward his former daughter-inw.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Ms. Alyssa. You just said it yourself that it was an impromptu visit. It¡¯s quite rude toe

    unannounced.¡±

    Sophia added with a smirk, ¡°Didn¡¯t you see? We have an esteemed guest here, and we¡¯re discussing

    important matters. It¡¯s inappropriate for an outsider to listen. If there¡¯s good news, we¡¯ll inform you

    later.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s words were loaded with implication and sarcasm.

    At once, Jasper¡¯s expression turned cold. Just as he parted his lips, Alyssa calmly said, ¡°Madam

    Sophia, you misunderstood. I¡¯m not interested in the conversation between your two families at all. I¡¯m

    here to

    see you.¡±

    Everyone was puzzled, exchanging nces.

    Stunned, Sophia frowned. ¡°Me? Why?¡±

    ¡°Would you like to have a private chat, or should I speak openly right here?¡± Alyssa smiled, her eyes

    twinkling menacingly.

 Chapter 775

    The hall fell into an eerie silence as Alyssa¡¯s imposing presence made everyone feel like they were in

    an

    icy abyss.

    Her intimidating presence was no less formidable than that of Cornelius, a figure known in legitimate

    and

    underworld circles.

    Sophia, who had been wearing a smug smile, assumed that Alyssa had heard about the Harper family

    pressuring Jasper into marriage and hade to snatch him away from Zoe.

    Sophia was ready to witness a dramatic showdown, but Alyssa¡¯s unexpected im that she hade

    to

    see her threw her off guard.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯re here for me? We don¡¯t seem to have any disputes, do we? Why do you want to see

    me?

    Sophia asked with surprise, forcing a nervousugh.

    ¦°

    ¡°Actually, our dispute ended the day Jasper and I got divorced. But your dispute with an old

    acquaintance

    is far from over,¡± Alyssa said calmly, her tone devoid of any emotion.

    Yet Alyssa¡¯s calm words were like a bomb that caught everyone off guard.

    ¡°Zoe, what did Ms. Alyssa just say? Divorced? What¡¯s going on?¡± Cornelius stared at Zoe in disbelief.

    ¡°Grandpa, I mentioned it to you. Don¡¯t you remember?¡± Zoe reminded him timidly.

    ¡°Mentioned? When? I might be old, but I¡¯m not a fool! When did you tell me that Jasper had been

    married

    before and divorced?¡±

    Cornelius had spent most of the year recuperating abroad, leaving the family business in the hands of

    Landon and Preston.

    He was unaware that Jasper had already been married and divorced and that his former wife was

    Winston¡¯s daughter!

    A feeling of being deceived overwhelmed him.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, so what if Mr. Jasper has been married before?¡±

    Rosie couldn¡¯t stand Cornelius¡¯ attitude anymore. She retorted, ¡°Mr. Jasper is an incredible being. Even

    if

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    he has been married eight tirnes, a long queue of women will still be waiting to marry him.

    ¡°Moreover, your granddaughter also wants to marry Mr. Jasper. If she doesn¡¯t mind, why are you

    making a

    fuss?¡±

    ¡°You old woman, who gave you the right to speak?¡± Cornelius snapped.

    ¡°This is Seaview Manor, not the Harper Residence. I can say whatever I want. It¡¯s none of your

    business,

    Rosie retorted coldly, not even bothering to look at him.

    Cornelius was furious, but getting into a dispute with a servant from another household was beneath

    his

    status as a big shot.

    Javier had been suppressing his emotions all night. Rosie¡¯s outburst against Cornelius finally allowed

    him

    to vent some of his frustration.

    He might not like Jasper, but Jasper was still his son. He could scold and punish Jasper, but others

    couldn¡¯t.

    On the other hand, Jasper¡¯s breathing hitched, and his heart pounded intensely. He walked briskly to

    Alyssa and said with a lowered voice, ¡°Alyssa, you can tell me what you want to say. I can solve it for

    you.¡±

    ¡°Why? Are you afraid I¡¯ll ruin your ns, Mr. Jasper?¡±

    Alyssa looked at Jasper coldly and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t dy your family meeting. I¡¯m just

    here for Sophia. After that, I¡¯ll leave.¡±

    ¡°I said I¡¯d help you if you have trouble.¡± Jasper frowned, andplex emotions surged in his dark eyes.

    ¡°You can¡¯t solve it, and I don¡¯t need you to.¡±

    Alyssa avoided his intense gaze and turned to look at Sophia sternly.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯vee all this way. I don¡¯t mind if you have a cup of tea before leaving. But there¡¯s

    nothing for both of us to talk about.¡±

    Sophia tilted her chin slightly with a haughty expression. ¡°As for your so-called old acquaintance¡­

    Hmm,

    I¡¯m even more puzzled.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything to say about L?¡± Alyssa¡¯s gaze turned icy, and her tone exuded a chilling

    coldness.

    Sophia¡¯s heart skipped a beat at Alyssa¡¯s words, and her shoulders trembled involuntarily.

 Chapter 776

    Why did Alyssa want to talk to Sophia about that? Did she find out something? Did that man betray

    Sophia?

    That was impossible!

    Alyssa must be trying to deceive her.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you should find another time to talk. Perhaps tomorrow?¡±

    Sensing the weird atmosphere, Javier hurriedly stepped forward in an attempt to drive Alyssa away.

    ¡°As

    you can see, we have guests at home now, so it¡¯s not quite the right time.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s initially smiling eyes abruptly grew cold. Just as she was about to speak, Jasper unexpectedly

    grabbed her wrist and led her upstairs before everyone.

    His grip was so strong that she couldn¡¯t break free.

    ¡°What are you doing. Jasper? Let go!¡± Alyssa¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she tried hard to break free, but it

    was

    in vain.

    Once Jasper made up his mind, nothing could stop him.

    ¡°Oh my!¡± Rosie covered her mouth, full of excitement. In her thoughts, she considered Jasper to be

    exceedingly domineering but found Alyssa to be remarkably adorable.

    *Jasper! Jasper, where are you going? Come back!¡±

    No matter how much Javier shouted, Jasper didn¡¯t even turn around. Soon, he led Alyssa away and

    disappeared from the hall.

    The Harpers were left stranded in ce. Since the male lead had left, they didn¡¯t know how to continue

    the y. Instantly, the scene became awkward.

    Zoe, in particr, red with intense hatred, her eyes reddening.

    Whenever Alyssa appeared, no matter where or who was around, she would immediately be the

    center of attention. She was the only female lead.

    At this moment, Zoe suddenly understood something.

    Her hatred for Alyssa might not only be because she was the woman Jasper loved and her love rival

    What she hated and envied even more was the charm radiating from Alyssa and the pride that no one

    In Zoe¡¯s world, there could only be one sun-herself. How could she tolerate someone shining brighter

    than her and overshadowing her?

    ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m back.¡± Betty rushed over, panting.

    Since she was meeting people, she deliberately changed into a decent new outfit. But she had a sleepy

    look, with dark circles under her eyes.

    Her body reeked of alcohol, and her pale face had overly red lips, making her look like a ghost who had

    just eaten a child.

    Seeing her daughter in such a state, Sophia felt so embarrassed that she wanted to flush Betty down

    the

    toilet. What a shame!

    ¡°Betty, where did you go? Why do you reek of alcohol?¡± Javier frowned, scrutinizing her.

    ¡°Oh¡­ I had a small gathering with friends¡­ Hup!¡± Betty couldn¡¯t hold back and let out a loud hup.

    ¡°Someone, help Ms. Betty upstairs to rest!¡± Sophia quickly gave the order.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Oh my! Zoe!¡±

    Being intoxicated, Betty ran directly to Zoe, looking at her with a smiling face. ¡°Congrattions! You¡¯re

    about to marry Jasper and be my sister-inw!

    ¡°After all the scheming, driving away Liana, and getting rid of Alyssa, you¡¯re finally marrying him.

    Hahaha!¡±

    Cornelius¡¯s frown tightened.

    Meanwhile, Penelope¡¯s and Zoe¡¯s faces turned pale and stiff.

    ¡°Betty, what do you mean by that? Are you mocking me, or are you ying drunk?¡±

    Zoe was already angry. After being provoked by Betty, she blurted out, ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking.

    You

    want to marry Landon. You asked me to help match you two, but I didn¡¯t. So you resent me.¡±

 Chapter 777

    At the mention of it, Cornelius¡¯ look at Betty underwent a change, apanied by a disapproving click

    of

    his tongue.

    Fortunately, Landon had good judgment and didn¡¯t take a liking to this impudent woman before him.

    Otherwise, it would have been a misfortune for the family.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Betty was infuriated, staring wide-eyed.

    Zoe sneered. ¡°Even if you¡¯re upset, there¡¯s nothing you can do. After all, Landon just doesn¡¯t fancy

    you.¡±

    Betty covered her chest andughed, a mix of anger in her amusement. ¡°It goes both ways, doesn¡¯t it?

    Jasper doesn¡¯t fancy you either.¡±

    ¡°You¡­¡± Zoe was the one burning with anger this time.

    ¡°When I came back, I saw Alyssa¡¯s limited edition Bugatti parked at the gate. It seems she¡¯s already

    here.¡±

    With hands on her hips, Betty yawned. ¡°I see that Jasper isn¡¯t here. Did he go with Alyssa, leaving you

    stranded here again?¡±

    ¡°Betty Beckett!¡± Zoe¡¯s eyes turned red, wishing she could pounce on Betty and rip her mouth apart.

    ¡°Oh, Zoe, Jasper is always like that. You¡¯ll get used to it when you marry him.¡±

    The more Betty said, the more excited she became. ¡°You see, when he married Alyssa, he had his eye

    on

    Liana. Even if he marries you, he won¡¯t let go of Alyssa.

    ¡°Men are like that. They have a wife at home but still yearn for someone else. Alyssa spent three years

    adjusting little by little. Since you like Jasper so much, you should adapt faster than her, right?¡±

    Everyone was so shocked that their eyeballs almost popped out.

    This was no longer just a simple argument but outright verbal sparring!

    If it weren¡¯t for the presence of the elders from both families, Zoe would have already engaged in a

    brawl

    with Betty.

    ¡°Betty! Did you have too much to drink? What nonsense are you talking about?¡±

    Sophia was agitated. With a reddened face, she roared, ¡°Hurry up and take Ms. Betty away!¡±

    ¡°Jasper! Let go! Let go of me!¡±

    T/2

    In Zoe¡¯s world, there could only be one sun-herself. How could she tolerate someone shining brighter

    than her and overshadowing her?

    ¡°Dad, Mom, i¡¯m back.¡± Betty rushed over, panting.

    Since she was meeting people, she deliberately changed into a decent new outfit. But she had a sleepy

    look, with dark circles under her eyes.

    Her body reeked of alcohol, and her pale face had overly red lips, making her look like a ghost who had

    just eaten a child.

    Seeing her daughter in such a state, Sophia felt so embarrassed that she wanted to flush Betty down

    the

    toilet. What a shame!

    ¡°Betty, where did you go? Why do you reek of alcohol?¡± Javier frowned, scrutinizing her.

    ¡°Oh¡­ I had a small gathering with friends¡­ Hup!¡± Betty couldn¡¯t hold back and let out a loud hup.

    ¡°Someone, help Ms. Betty upstairs to rest!¡± Sophia quickly gave the order.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Oh my! Zoe!¡±

    Being intoxicated, Betty ran directly to Zoe, looking at her with a smiling face. ¡°Congrattions! You¡¯re

    about to marry Jasper and be my sister-inw!

    ¡°After all the scheming, driving away Liana, and getting rid of Alyssa, you¡¯re finally marrying him.

    Hahaha!¡±

    Cornelius¡¯s frown tightened.

    Meanwhile, Penelope¡¯s and Zoe¡¯s faces turned pale and stiff.

    ¡°Betty, what do you mean by that? Are you mocking me, or are you ying drunk?¡±

    Zoe was already angry. After being provoked by Betty, she blurted out, ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking.

    You

    want to marry Landon. You asked me to help match you two, but I didn¡¯t. So you resent me.¡±

 Chapter 778

    ¡°Jasper! You jerk! Don¡¯t touch me! Put me down!¡±

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Alyssa¡¯s face instantly turned red as she twisted her waist, her legs restlessly kicking up and down.

    The hand that initially clutched Jasper¡¯s shirt became a fist, pounding vigorously on his chest.

    Even though her hand was sore from the pounding, for him, it was like being tickled. He was even

    enjoying it.

    ¡°I told you to listen to me, but you didn¡¯t. If you don¡¯t listen, I can only carry you.¡±

    The gaze Jasper directed at Alyssa carried profound affection. Despite his cold gaze, there was a

    hidden warmth in his eyes as they looked at her. He found himself unable to rein in his emotions.

    After all, could it truly be deemed love if it were within one¡¯s control?

    ¡°Why should I listen to you? Who are you? I won¡¯t listen! I just won¡¯t!¡± Alyssa¡¯s face turned redder from

    the

    anger, and she struggled even harder.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t stay still, I¡¯ll kiss you.¡± Jasper swallowed hard and squinted his eyes.

    ¡°You beast!¡± She shrank her whole body, anxiously biting her lower lip.

    Just then, he smirked and mischievously let go of his hand suddenly.

    Alyssa abruptly cried out and closed her eyes. Sweating in fear, she directly wrapped her arms around

    Jasper¡¯s neck.

    His expression remained cold, but his gaze softened a little.

    Jasper carried Alyssa upstairs, leaving the group of people behind.

    As such, the Harpers were left in an awkward position. But now that they were there, leaving without

    finalizing the marriage would be more embarrassing.

    ¡°Dad, what should we do now?¡± Penelope anxiously whispered to Cornelius.

    ¡°Jasper¡¯s stance is clear. He doesn¡¯t want to ept Zoe, and he doesn¡¯t even want to discuss the

    marriage with us.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, are you just going to watch me be bullied? I¡¯m your granddaughter!¡± Zoe cried, sounding

    pitiful.

    If Cornelius weren¡¯t someone with a bit of stature, an ordinary old man would probably have exploded

    in a

    string of expletives.

    Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t endure it any longer.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, is this how you¡¯re going to handle this matter? Your son has almost ruined Zoe, but he¡¯s still

    pestering his ex-wife right in front of us. Do you believe you can toy with my family?¡±

    Cornelius angrily picked up a teacup from the coffee table and hurled it to the ground.

    The Harpers¡¯ bodyguards rushed forward as if the cup smashing was a signal.

    This frightened Sophia so much that the color was drained from her face. Instantly, she hid behind

    Javier.

    The Harper family rose from the underworld, and everyone in Sna City knew about it.

    With the bodyguards, they looked like they were about to sh with the Beckett family.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, what are you doing?¡± Javier¡¯s eyes burned with intensity. ¡°Our family isn¡¯t one to be

    trifled

    with either!¡±

    ¡°Hmph, rest assured, this is a society governed byw. I¡¯m tired of the days when people kill at every

    turn.¡±

    Cornelius¡¯s eyes slowly darkened as he continued, ¡°I just want to tell you that I¡¯m very angry at what

    Jasper did tonight. When my anger res, who knows what consequences it might bring?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Javier clenched his fists, barely able to control his anger.

    Wasn¡¯t that a tant threat?

 Chapter 779

    However, the Harper Group was one of the top ten consortiums in the country, with business ventures

    spanning Andgalbia.

    Although not as prominent as the Taylor family and not among the wealthiest, the Harper family had a

    neutral stance. They could still pose a significant threat if they teamed up with the Schmidt family. They

    happened to be the Beckett family¡¯s arch-enemy.

    ¡°Grandpa, why won¡¯t you listen to me? I¡¯ve only been away for a few days, and you¡¯re already causing

    trouble for the Beckett family?¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    The echoing sounds of leather shoes, cold and imposing, reverberated through the hall.

    Following that, Landon walked into the view of the astonished crowd.

    When Sophia saw him, her eyes lit up like she had discovered a diamond mine. After all, he was her

    future

    son-inw.

    If Landon became her son-inw, she would be over the moon. Those socialites who had previously

    ignored and looked down on her would have to tter her.

    The bodyguards greeted in unison, ¡°Mr. Landon!¡±

    ¡°Landon, why did youe over?¡± Cornelius¡¯ face darkened.

    ¡°I came to find Jasper, of course.¡±

    Landon coldly swept his gaze over the Harpers, and the bodyguards were so scared they lowered their

    heads. ¡°Luckily, I came. If I hadn¡¯t, I would have missed this good show.¡±

    In fact, he had received the news from his girlfriend, Lauren.

    Initially, he was outside discussing a project. Lauren was alone in the vi, watching a show with

    Angelina.

    Midway through, she received a call from Nina, saying that Jasper was in trouble. The Harpers had

    come

    to pressure him into marriage, causing quite amotion.

    Worried, Lauren contacted Landon toe and help resolve the situation.

    Since Lauren made a request, Landon had to fulfill it, especially when the person involved was his best

    friend. He abandoned his business discussions and raced over immediately.

    ¡°Okay, okay. Hurry up and bring your best friend down.¡± Cornelius was furious.

    If Cornelius weren¡¯t someone with a bit of stature, an ordinary old man would probably have exploded

    in a

    string of expletives.

    Nevertheless, he couldn¡¯t endure it any longer.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, is this how you¡¯re going to handle this matter? Your son has almost ruined Zoe, but he¡¯s still

    pestering his ex-wife right in front of us. Do you believe you can toy with my family?¡±

    Cornelius angrily picked up a teacup from the coffee table and hurled it to the ground.

    The Harpers¡¯ bodyguards rushed forward as if the cup smashing was a signal.

    This frightened Sophia so much that the color was drained from her face. Instantly, she hid behind

    Javier.

    The Harper family rose from the underworld, and everyone in Sna City knew about it.

    With the bodyguards, they looked like they were about to sh with the Beckett family.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, what are you doing?¡± Javier¡¯s eyes burned with intensity. ¡°Our family isn¡¯t one to be

    trifled

    with either!¡±

    ¡°Hmph, rest assured, this is a society governed byw. I¡¯m tired of the days when people kill at every

    turn.¡±

    Cornelius¡¯s eyes slowly darkened as he continued, ¡°I just want to tell you that I¡¯m very angry at what

    Jasper did tonight. When my anger res, who knows what consequences it might bring?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Javier clenched his fists, barely able to control his anger.

    Wasn¡¯t that a tant threat?

 Chapter 780

    Zoe was manipted? Could there be hidden motives in the incident?

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Landon, is that true?¡± Rosie couldn¡¯t hold back, pping her thigh indignantly. ¡°I knew it! Mr.

    Jasper is

    very innocent. I¡¯ve watched him grow up. I don¡¯t believe he¡¯s the kind of man who loses his mind when

    he

    sees a woman and is unable to control his lower half.

    ¡°If he really were like that, would Madam love Mr. Jasper so much? There must be something fishy

    here.¡±

    Penelope¡¯s eyes turned red. ¡°What do you mean? Are you saying my daughter is promiscuous, and

    she set

    a trap for Jasper?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. You said it yourself.¡± Rosie rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

    Rosie had never married or had children of her own. Her only Achilles¡¯ heel was Jasper. She wasn¡¯t

    afraid

    of these wealthy and influential people.

    ¡°You¡­ You old woman!¡±

    Penelope covered her aching chest, ring at Sophia. ¡°Madam Sophia, are your servants all so rude?

    They speak to guests like this, and you don¡¯t even interfere?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Mrs. Harper, you saw it just now. Mrs. Rosie regards Jasper even higher than us. How could we

    dare

    to interfere?¡± Sophia put on a helpless look, enjoying herself as Penelope suffered.

    ¡°Landon, you have no evidence. How can you nder me?¡± Zoe stammered, looking like she was

    about to

    cry but was actually furious.

    ¡°Who said I have no evidence?¡±

    Landon narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to release what I found today because it would really

    be

    ugly. But since you¡¯ve dragged Grandpa into this, I can¡¯t stand it anymore.¡±

    Instantly, Zoe¡¯s heart suddenly tightened.

    Everyone else also perked up their ears.

    ¡°I checked your phone records from that day and the surrounding days. I even checked your phone

    records for this month. If you were really secretly dating Jasper, how is it possible that you didn¡¯t make

    a

    single call to each other?

    ¡°Even on the so-called secret meeting day, you didn¡¯t even call him. Is your rtionship so tonic?

    Did

    you maintain a rtionship through thoughts alone?¡±

    Sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, Landon looked at Zoe with eyes that sent shivers down her

    spine.

    His statement shocked everyone present.

 Chapter 781

    Alyssa didn¡¯t expect Jasper to carry her to the room where she had lived alone for three years.

    Jasper¡¯s original intention was to carefully ce her on the bed. However, her restlessness in his arms.

    led to a loosened grip, and she ended up descending heavily onto the bed.

    Luckily, Alyssa had not undergone stic surgery. Otherwise, her nose might have suffered.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t stay still. I didn¡¯t mean to drop you.¡± Jasper looked down at her. Seeing her awkward state,

    he

    couldn¡¯t help but find it amusing.

    ¡°You bastard. You always find various excuses for yourself!¡± Alyssa muttered indignantly.

    She attempted to sit up on the bed. But the moment she did, Jasper seized her ankle, and he promptly

    pressed her back down.

    ¡°Let go of my foot! Are you a pervert?¡± Alyssa quickly curled her legs. Almost revealing too much, she

    felt

    extremely embarrassed.

    Alyssa had a grasp of self-defense techniques, but from Jasper¡¯s perspective, they seemed no more

    significant than her routine stretching exercises.

    Just then, Jasper¡¯s grip on her ankle tightened a little. His calm gaze wandered from her blushing face

    to

    her rosy lips, slender neck, and alluring corbone.

    His breath hitched involuntarily. He could feel his blood warming as his heart pounded loudly.

    Suddenly, a needle-like pain pierced his head. He closed his eyes, pressing his temples with both

    hands

    to alleviate the sudden difort.

    ¡°Jasper, it hurts. It hurts so much.¡±

    ¡°Be good. You won¡¯t feel the painter.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll try to be gentle with you, I promise.¡±

    Images Jasper had never seen before shed through his mind, apanied by amorous gasps and

    moans.

    It seemed like he had shared an intimate moment with a woman in this room.

    But how was that possible? He had never slept with any woman.

    Noticing Jasper momentarily distracted, Alyssa kicked him in the abdomen.

    F15 BONUS

    ¡°Get off me!¡±

    She didn¡¯t use much force. Given Jasper¡¯s muscr frame of six feet two inches, he should be able to

    withstand that kick.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    However, to her surprise, he staggered two steps back. He would have fallen if he hadn¡¯t steadied

    himself against the wall.

    Alyssa¡¯s pupils contracted, and she could see that Jasper had turned pale, with beads of sweat forming

    on his forehead.

    She hesitated for a moment. Just as she was about to say something, Jasper asked hoarsely, ¡°Why are

    you here for Sophia?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. I don¡¯t need you to interfere.¡± Alyssa¡¯s gaze suddenly turned icy.

    Jasper experienced a sharp pain in his heart as she regarded him as if he were a stranger. Gritting his

    teeth, he uttered, ¡°If you¡¯re here seeking revenge for L¡¯s sake, I rmend picking another day.

    Tonight is not the right time.¡±

    ¡°Why is it not the right time?¡±

    Smiling, Alyssa sat gracefully with her legs crossed. She showed off her dignified charm like a queen.

    ¡°Oh, is it because Mr. Cornelius, Mrs. Harper, and your Zoe are all here? Are you afraid I¡¯ll mess up

    your

    little arrangement?¡±

    Jasper furrowed his brows. ¡°What arrangement?¡±

    ¡°Your marriage discussion.¡± Alyssa smiled teasingly.

    ¡°Alyssa! That¡¯s enough!¡± Jasper¡¯s chest tightened, his bloodshot eyes ring at her.

    ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Beckett. You¡¯re getting married again.¡±

    Alyssapletely ignored his anger and instead expressed her seemingly sincere blessing. ¡°Ms. Zoe

    is

    young and beautiful, with a family background that¡¯s so much more prominent than Liana¡¯s. And she¡¯s

    Landon¡¯s sister, making it all the more familial.¡±

 Chapter 782

    ¡°Mr. Javier will definitely be very satisfied with this daughter-inw, and your status in Harper Group will

    also get a boost,¡± Alyssa remarked.

    ¡°Do you think I care about that?¡± Jasper felt like he was going to explode.

    ¡°Who cares if you care or not? Don¡¯t mind my business, and I won¡¯t bother with yours. I¡¯m leaving.¡±

    Alyssa came tonight to cause trouble for Sophia, not to be bothered by him.

    She just wanted to leave this room as quickly as possible, as being alone with him in this room made

    her

    feel suffocated.

    She was a sensitive woman, easily affected by emotions and prone to sentimental reactions. And in

    this

    room, when she looked back on her three years of marriage with Jasper, all she could recall were

    unpleasant memories.

    Moreover, she had lost her virginity in this room. And Jasper, even to this day, still hadn¡¯t remembered

    the

    night they spent together.

    It was better to forget anyway.

    Some things, when remembered, only caused pain.

    Alyssa stood up gracefully, treating Jasper as if he were just a mass of air. Without looking at him, she

    quickened her pace, wanting to walk past him quickly.

    Just as they brushed past each other, Jasper¡¯s face turned frosty. He suddenly grabbed her arm and

    forcefully pinned her against the wall.

    Alyssa cried out in shock, and her spine was sore from the impact.

    In her gaze, Jasper¡¯s bloodshot eyes were simultaneously beautiful and stifling.

    ¡°Jasper! Are you cra-¡±

    ¡°Did we have sex before?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s rough yet maic voice reached her ears, almost making her blush. Her heart skipped a

    beat.¡± What did you say?¡±

    ¡°Never mind.¡± Jasper felt his throat turn dry, and he shook his head forcefully.

    Alyssa felt that Jasper must have lost his mind. How could he ask her such a provocative question?

    ¡°Get off me!¡±

    She didn¡¯t use much force. Given Jasper¡¯s muscr frame of six feet two inches, he should be able to

    withstand that kick.

    However, to her surprise, he staggered two steps back. He would have fallen if he hadn¡¯t steadied

    himself

    against the wall.

    Alyssa¡¯s pupils contracted, and she could see that Jasper had turned pale, with beads of sweat forming

    on his forehead.

    She hesitated for a moment. Just as she was about to say something, Jasper asked hoarsely. ¡°Why are

    you here for Sophia?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. I don¡¯t need you to interfere.¡± Alyssa¡¯s gaze suddenly turned icy.

    Jasper experienced a sharp pain in his heart as she regarded him as if he were a stranger. Gritting his

    teeth, he uttered, ¡°If you¡¯re here seeking revenge for L¡¯s sake, I rmend picking another day.

    Tonight is not the right time.¡±

    ¡°Why is it not the right time?¡±

    Smiling, Alyssa sat gracefully with her legs crossed. She showed off her dignified charm like a queen.

    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ¡°Oh, is it because Mr. Cornelius, Mrs. Harper, and your Zoe are all here? Are you afraid I¡¯ll mess up

    your

    little arrangement?¡±

    Jasper furrowed his brows. ¡°What arrangement?¡±

    ¡°Your marriage discussion.¡± Alyssa smiled teasingly.

    ¡°Alyssa! That¡¯s enough!¡± Jasper¡¯s chest tightened, his bloodshot eyes ring at her.

    ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Beckett. You¡¯re getting married again.¡±

    Alyssapletely ignored his anger and instead expressed her seemingly sincere blessing. ¡°Ms. Zoe

    is

    young and beautiful, with a family background that¡¯s so much more prominent than Liana¡¯s. And she¡¯s

    Landon¡¯s sister, making it all the more familial.¡±

 Chapter 783

    However, Jasper suddenly realized that Alyssa wasn¡¯t seeking an exnation or defense. She wasn¡¯t

    concerned about his innocence.

    What she wanted was for him to disappear from her lifepletely.

    Landon¡¯s presented evidence, while not direct, still implied an indirect solid connection.

    This incident had be much moreplicated than it should have been.

    Luckily, only members of the Beckett and Harper families were present tonight. Making these matters

    public to outsiders or the media could ruin Zoe¡¯s reputation.-

    After all, Landon was Zoe¡¯s brother, and it was impossible for him to be so ruthless.

    Landon refused topromise, and the situation was at a stalemate. Cornelius had no choice but to

    leave first. He needed to go back and investigate the whole situation thoroughly.

    ¡°Landon, Zoe, you two areing back with me!¡± Cornelius said, standing up with his cane.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, are you leaving just like this? Have you settled your granddaughter¡¯s marriage?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s

    voice rang out as she descended the stairs gracefully with a charming smile on her face.

    She radiated a presence far more potent than Sophia, the true owner. It was almost as if Seaview

    Manor

    belonged to her as much as Heightsnew Vi did.

    Sophia¡¯s face darkened.

    ¡°Oh, Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯ve graced us with your presence again. I¡¯m sure you and Jasper have a lot to

    catch

    up on. We won¡¯t bother you.¡±

    Cornelius didn¡¯t look pleased, as Alyssa¡¯s arrival had indeed messed up their ns.

    ¡°Please stay, Mr. Cornelius. Don¡¯t get the wrong idea. Jasper and I don¡¯t have much to discuss. You

    can

    consider his recent behavior as a moment of confusion. As his ex-wife, even I still haven¡¯t quite

    grasped

    what¡¯s going on in his mind these past three years.¡±

    Alyssa openly admitted her identity as Jasper¡¯s ex-wife, leaving Cornelius at a loss for words.

    Jasper arrived at the scene and quickly caught up. He overheard her words and frowned in frustration.

    Cursing under his breath, he questioned whether he could ever win this woman¡¯s favor in the next life.

    But what was with those erotic scenes that appeared in his mind? Was he starting to have serval

    fantasies at the age of 20?

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother me anymore, Jasper.¡±

    Despite Alyssa¡¯s pounding heart, she fiercely pushed against his chest, her cheeks burning. ¡°You

    saved my life, and I don¡¯t want to hate you. But if you bother me again, I won¡¯t show you mercy.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa, do you really hate me so much? Do you really not trust me?¡± Jasper knew he sounded resentf

    A man unable to garner any response from the woman he loved could grow resentful, eventual

    descending into madness.

    ¡°Jasper, do you know how much I hate staying in this room?¡±

    Alyssa lifted her eyes, casting a cold gaze at the stunning crystal chandelier suspended from the calling

    Her eyes had met the elegant fixture for over a thousand nights in the past three years.

    She smiled bitterly. ¡°Returning here, all I can think of are the countless lonely nights, unrequited love,

    and

    heartache.

    ¡°Honestly, you should be with Zoe because, in her eyes, you¡¯re perfect. But in my eyes, you¡¯ve already

    fallen and broken into pieces that can¡¯t be pieced back together.

    ¡°I wish for our future lives to be happy, and I hope our paths never cross again.¡±

    Never cross again.

    Well said, Alyssa.

    Jasper felt like he was in agony. As he stiffly and slowly released his grip on her, the mes of anger

    burned in his blood vessels, churning and roiling in his chest.

    Initially, he had wanted to exin.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 784

    Acquaintance?

    A shockwave of disbelief swept through everyone like an earthquake. Their eyes widened, and all

    attention turned to Sophia.

    This included Javier and the members of the Harper family.

    However, only Jasper remained calm amid themotion, just like Alyssa.

    Ever since Alyssa began suspecting Sophia, he had also harbored suspicions. Unfortunately, he

    suffered a

    severe head injury during that time and had to undergo life-threatening surgery. Following that, Zoe had

    caused chaos, dying his investigation.

    Tonight, when Alyssa came alone to find Sophia, he took her upstairs, intending to stop her actions. He

    didn¡¯t want Alyssa to get into trouble.

    If Sophia was bold enough to set up an ambush against L in front of everyone, she might also resort

    to

    dangerous actions against Alyssa!

    He could do the dirty work for her, ensuring she wouldn¡¯t have to dirty her hands or step into any mess.

    He could willingly be her executioner for all things dirty and sinful.

    He acknowledged his anger, resentment, and even some hatred toward her for not trusting him.

    Yet, in the deepest recesses of his soul, he still loved her. This love made him extreme, no longer

    weighing pros and cons, solely wanting her at the center of his life.

    ¡°Sophie, Alyssa said you are acquainted with the attacker. Is that true?¡± Javier felt his heart tighten and

    couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    ¡°Javier, are you questioning me? Alyssa is doubting me for no reason, and now you are siding with her

    and kicking me while I¡¯m down?¡±

    Sophia widened her eyes, expressing sorrow and grievance as she poked her own chest with sharp

    fingertips.

    This reaction was somewhat exaggerated, akin to a melodramatic soap opera.

    At this moment, the still-drowsy Betty stumbled out of the room.

    She heard her father¡¯s question word for word, and her heart pounded like a drum under the shock.

    In her memory, her father had always been very affectionate toward her mother.

    ¡°Mrs. Beckett, shall we have a chat?¡± Alyssa coldly nced at Sophia.

    ¡°Sorry, Alyssa, it¡¯ste now, and I need to rest. I don¡¯t have time to chat with you. Let¡¯s talk another

    day.¡± Sophia was aware of Alyssa¡¯s ill intentions, evident in her resentful tone.

    ¡°You have no time, but I do. I have plenty of time.¡±

    Alyssa raised her brows, confidently smiling as she walked to the forefront.

    ¡°The night is long, and we can take our time to discuss our grievances. I¡¯ll apany you in the

    conversation until dawn.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m old and can¡¯t keep youpany. Please leave!¡± Sophia¡¯s expression darkened, and her attitude

    became firm.

    Jasper and Landon both clenched their fists.

    When it came to Alyssa being bullied, both Jasper and Landon were on the same page. They were

    open to

    discussing anything, but they wouldn¡¯t tolerate seeing her mistreated.

    ¡°I initially wanted a private conversation because family matters should stay private. Since you¡¯re being

    unreasonable, don¡¯t me me if I don¡¯t show you any respect.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s smile turned icy as she pressed on, ¡°The incident during the birthday banquet when L was

    attacked-isn¡¯t that somehow linked to you, Mrs. Beckett?¡±

    Everyone was shocked, and all eyes turned to Sophia.

    The Harper family members were about to leave. But, upon hearing this, everyone halted, and their

    ears perked up.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, let¡¯s not resort to mudslinging in our mother-inw and daughter-inw rtionship. I

    know you don¡¯t like me, but you don¡¯t have to be so offensive.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s heart raced, and sweat dripped from her palms. Despite the tension, she struggled to stay

    calm.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Okay, let me rephrase it then.¡±

    Alyssa smiled again, her expression turning sly. ¡°Isn¡¯t the person who tried to harm L and caused

    severe injury to Jasper someone acquainted with you?¡±

 Chapter 785

    Sophia was in disbelief. In front of everyone, despite being his elder, Jasper openly mocked her.

    Sophia stated, ¡°Heh, being the Beckett family¡¯s mistress demands that I guide this young one!¡±

    Sophia red at Alyssa before adding, ¡°Alyssa, this is Seaview Manor, not your Heightsnew Vi! As

    the Beckett family¡¯s chairwoman and mistress, how can I tolerate you spewing nonsense here?¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. He was about to speak, but Alyssa interrupted with a contemptuous

    smile as she asked, ¡°Mistress? Does Mr. Beckett Senior recognize you as the mistress?¡±

    A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd.

    Alyssa¡¯s arrogant behavior in front of Sophia showed that she truly deserved to be the youngdy of

    the

    Taylor family!

    Betty watched her mother¡¯s face shift between shades of red and white. It was an almost unbearable

    sight that left her feeling humiliated..

    She wanted to defend her mother but hesitated upon seeing Landon and Jasper present. They would

    undoubtedly back Alyssa, that vile woman, without any conditions.

    What made her most apprehensive was Javier. He hadn¡¯t said a word to defend her mother.

    A shiver ran down her spine as she decided it was best to quietly observe for the time being.

    ¡°Do you even have the audacity to im the title of the Beckett family¡¯s mistress here? You¡¯re merely

    benefiting from Mr. Javier¡¯s favoritism. From what I¡¯ve gathered, neither the entire Beckett Group nor

    the

    upper circles of Sna City acknowledge you as the Beckett family¡¯s mistress, correct?¡±

    Alyssa tilted her head, hands in her pockets, wearing a bright and arrogant expression. It seemed like

    no

    one in the world could match her.

    ¡°When ites to the Beckett family¡¯s mistress, it should be Justin¡¯s birth mother, the legal wife of

    Javier

    Beckett. At least, that¡¯s how it should be.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s words shocked everyone who was present.

    Sophia¡¯s heart felt like it had been stabbed with a knife. Before she could feel the pain, Alyssa¡¯s second

    sword came stabbing.

    ¡°If not her, it should be Mr. Beckett¡¯s mother, Ms. Anne Bartley.¡±

    Anne ¡­

    In the past, when her mother kept provoking Newton, her father, being the biological son of her

    grandfather, wholeheartedly protected his beloved wife.

    On several asions, he nearly got into physical altercations with the old man! However, what

    unfolded

    this time left Betty bewildered.

    She couldn¡¯t understand why her father began casting doubts on her mother with just a single question

    from Alyssa.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to question you. You¡¯re overthinking it,¡± Javier said, furrowing his brow and tightening his

    fingers.

    ¡°Of course, there¡¯s absolutely nothing like that! How could I possibly know such a person!¡±

    Sophia¡¯s temples glistened with sweat, and she red at Alyssa with hatred.

    Sophia said, ¡°Alyssa, I know we¡¯ve had our differences, but I¡¯ve moved on from that. Why are you

    approaching me now that your family is facing issues? I¡¯m not an insurancepany, so why should

    your

    family turn to me for answers when something goes wrong? Do you think I¡¯m an easy target?¡±

    Alyssa smiled calmly before saying, ¡°Mrs. Beckett, are you feeling nervous? I just asked if you were

    acquainted with the attacker. Nothing else. Why are you so on edge? Could it be that a guilty

    conscience

    is at y?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa!¡± Sophia¡¯s anger was tangible, as if smoke were about to billow from her ears, and her eyes

    were

    bulging. ¡°I¡¯m offering you the respect due to the good rtionship between your father and my father-

    in-

    ¡°Holy crap!¡± Landon¡¯s eyes red red with anger. He would have charged up and given Sophia a good

    beating if it weren¡¯t for the elders present. 1

    Jasper¡¯s fists clenched tight, a terrifying gloom shrouding his ink-ck pupils. ¡°Sophia, if you truly see

    yourself as Mrs. Beckett, be mindful of your words.¡±

    ¡°Bastard!¡± Sophia seethed inwardly. ¡°You¡¯re just a pawn trailing behind that cunning little vixen!¡±

 Chapter 786

    Sophia flourished andter surpassed, eventually being legitimized by Javier. She assumed the role

    that

    originally belonged to Jasper¡¯s mother and became Javier¡¯s remarried wife.

    ¡°Jasper, don¡¯t be sad. Anne has passed away, and none of us feels good about it. From now on, I am

    your

    mother, and Betty is your real sister.¡±

    ¡°s, your mother was truly a good person, but unfortunately, shecked some luckpared to me. I

    hope she is not tormented by illness on the other side. I believe she wouldn¡¯t me me for taking her

    ce, right? She was so kind. She surely wouldn¡¯t me me.¡±

    Jasper couldn¡¯t forget the sarcastic words Sophia had said to him at his mother¡¯s funeral.

    Although young, he still sensed the insincerity behind the woman¡¯s friendly smile.

    In the blink of an eye, it had been over 20 years since then.

    Over the years, it felt as if everyone, including the entire Beckett family, had forgotten his mother-

    everyone except him.

    Tears welled up in Jasper¡¯s eyes as he heard his mother¡¯s name from Alyssa¡¯s mouth. Inexplicably, he

    felt

    like crying.

    ¡°Anne¡­ Anne¡­¡± Jasper¡¯s expression turned dazed as he murmured the name of the departed.

    Anne¡¯s gentle and picturesque face gradually emerged from the deep sea of memory.

    A sudden, piercing pain struck the deepest and softest part of his heart.

    Sophia was closest to Javier.

    She heard him repeatedly uttering that long-lost name. The woman she once hated infuriated her, and

    she

    directed that anger straight at Alyssa.

    ¡°Anne¡­ Anne had a questionable status, merely Javier¡¯s past paramour! Even after joining the family,

    she

    served as a maid for the Beckett family. What gives her the right to be called thedy of the house?

    The

    rightful mistress of the Beckett family is me! She doesn¡¯t match up to me!¡±

    ¡°Sophia! That¡¯s enough!¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Javier, as if awakened from emotional numbness, angrily roared at Sophia. Hepletely forgot that

    there were others present.

    ¡°Anne was not a paramour! She was not a maid! And she¡¯s no longer here. You have no right to speak

    ill of

    ¡°Why don¡¯t I have the right?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s eyes widened in anger. ¡°Is what I¡¯m saying not true? She was only a paramour who couldn¡¯t

    enter

    polite society!¡±

    Before she could finish speaking, a sudden overwhelming chill enveloped her, as if a shadow had

    engulfed her, akin to standing on the edge of a vast abyss!

    Sophia was stunned. She looked up and saw Jasper standing right in front of her.

    ¡°You¡­¡±

    A sharp sound suddenly reverberated in the hall.

    Everyone was shocked, including Alyssa, all staring with mouths agape.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened, and his thin lips tightly pursed. He then raised his hand and fiercely pped

    Sophia. 1

    Sophia¡¯s cheek turned red and swollen, with traces of blood at the corner of her lips. The impact made

    her eardrums buzz, and stars shed before her eyes.

    She staggered back, clutching the sofa¡¯s back. She barely avoided falling to the ground in a disheveled

    state.

    ¡°Jasper ¡­¡± Alyssa¡¯s pupils involuntarily constricted. She couldn¡¯t help but squeeze her palms in anxiety

    for

    Jasper.

 Chapter 787

    Jasper used 80 percent of his strength with that p.

    He knew his hands, honed in military training, possessed immense power. Sophia wouldn¡¯t only be

    looking for her teeth if he used full force. She might even end up unconscious.

    He didn¡¯t want to give her an opportunity to leave. Many grievances between Alyssa and her still

    needed

    to be settled!

    Everyone was in a panic. Upon witnessing Jasper p Sophia, no one dared to intervene.

    In this household, not even Javier could control Jasper. Who else could?

    Frightened, Betty let out a shriek before covering her mouth. Her whole body was sweaty, and her legs

    shook vigorously!

    Seeing her mother being pped, she didn¡¯t even have the courage to rush forward and stop it!

    The Harper family members were also dumbfounded.

    Although Sophia¡¯s words were quite harsh, she was still Javier¡¯s wife, Jasper¡¯s stepmother, and

    considered an elder. How could Jasper dare to p an elder in front of so many people?

    It was audacious and bold!

    This p not only struck Sophia¡¯s face but also pped his own father¡¯s dignity.

    Only Landon stared at Jasper with such fervor. He took a deep breath, and his lips curved into a slight

    smile. Complex emotions surged within him.

    This p was something Jasper had endured for a long time. As Jasper¡¯s only good friend, no one

    understood better than him the challenges Jasper faced in his family over the years.

    ¡°Ja-Javier¡­ my ears¡­. my ears can¡¯t hear anything!¡±

    Sophia covered her ears, crying and rushing to Javier, embracing him tightly.

    Her lips bled, and her carefully styled hair was now in disarray. Her eye makeup had also been

    smeared.

    Her image of a noblewoman waspletely ruined.

    ¡°I¡¯m deaf! Your son has made me deaf! Aren¡¯t you going to do something about it?¡±

    Blood was visibly seeping from between Sophia¡¯s fingers. Alyssa nced over at Jasper, whose

    expression remained as cold as iron.

    Without a doubt, that wicked woman¡¯s eardrums must have been ruptured,

    It was incredibly gratifying!

    Javier looked down at Sophia, his gaze mixed withplexity.

    He felt a lingering pain in his heart, but he knew it wasn¡¯t because of Sophia. The pain belonged to the

    woman he had buried in his heart for a long time.

    Yet, Javier still had to step in.

    ¡°Jasper, are you going crazy? How can youy hands on an elder?¡±

    Jasper curled his thin lips into a chilling smile.

    ¡°Elder? What kind of elder is she to me? In the entire Beckett family, Grandpa is my elder. You are my

    elder, and Mrs. Rosie is also my elder. Among those I respect, she holds no position.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper¡­¡± Mrs. Rosie suddenly caught on, disying a smile filled with relief and gratitude.

    Sophia¡¯s face, puffy from the p, turned red. Her chest heaved with rising blood, and the taste of iron

    lingered on her tongue.

    Jasper¡¯s implication cut deep. In this household, an old housekeeper like Rosie holds a higher status

    than

    Sophia herself!

    Sophia found the situationpletely unreasonable, feeling intense frustration toward this illegitimate.

    child.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    ¡°I address you as Sophia only because you have served my dad for almost 30 years. Elder? Huh,

    you¡¯re not worthy of it.¡± Jasper¡¯sughter sent chills down people¡¯s spines with its coldness.

    The people from the Harper family saw that a fight was about to break out, and they couldn¡¯t leave.

    How could they miss such a lively scene?

    ¡°My mother is my limit. Anyone who crosses it shouldn¡¯t expect respect from me. I might even go to Li

    extent of taking their life,¡± dered Jasper with cold determination in his eyes.

    As he uttered those words, he nced in Alyssa¡¯s direction.

 Chapter 788

    Jasper didn¡¯t voice it out loud, but Alyssa was also his limit.

    However, in Alyssa¡¯s heart, was he truly her limit? He might not even measure up to Jameson in her

    eyes.

    As Jasper pondered, he experienced an overwhelming mix of discontent, anger, and loss, making it

    unbearable. He forcefully averted his gaze from Alyssa¡¯s captivating beauty, no longer looking at her.

    As if they shared a telepathic connection, Alyssa stole a nce at him. Upon witnessing his cold,

    determined gaze fixed ahead, her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

    Sophia shivered violently. Her heart leaped into her throat, making it difficult to breathe. Now, Javier

    had

    lost control over Jasper, and her man was no longer a reliable pir of support.

    If he found out she had caused his mother¡¯s depression to worsen, there would be no escape for her!

    She had bribed a maid back then. This maid was the one Anne trusted the most, second only to Rosie.

    She made her change the depression medication to a central nervous system stimnt.

    Over time, this not only elerated physical problems caused by depression but also induced

    emotional

    distress, breathing issues, and even hallucinations.

    In thest few months of Anne¡¯s life, she left this world under the dual torment of physical and mental

    pain.

    The revtion of this secret must remain buried in the shadows.

    The day it sees the light of day would spell Sophia¡¯s doom.

    Sophia clung to Javier¡¯s clothes. Her tears streaming down as she pleaded, ¡°Javier, are you truly going

    to

    stand by and witness me being beaten like this? I¡¯m your wife.¡±

    Having been unsessful in maintaining an assertive front, she had to resort to portraying herself as

    pitiable.

    She understood Javier very well. He was most vulnerable to this.

    Javier held his breath while supporting Sophia, his hand stiffening.

    ¡°Go back to your room, freshen up. I¡¯ll arrange for Betty and the secretary to take you to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jasper responded coldly.

    ¡°Jasper, what are you nning again?¡± Javier¡¯s brows furrowed.

    Jasper, too, furrowed his brows, and his gaze turned intimidating.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a p. It won¡¯t be fatal. But the issue between Sophia and Alyssa must be settled tonight.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she bit her lips lightly.

    ¡°How many times do I have to say it? L¡¯s case has nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t even know the

    attacker! Alyssa made it up to frame me!¡± Sophia hysterically shouted.

    ¡°Mrs. Beckett, consider heeding Mr. Javier¡¯s advice and visiting the hospital for a check-up. It¡¯s

    essential

    to rule out any early signs of dementia,¡± Alyssa said, ncing at Sophia¡¯s pale face with disdain.

    Sophia seethed through gritted teeth, ¡°Alyssa!¡±

    After hearing this, Cornelius raised his gray eyebrows. ¡°Is this girl from the Taylor family really that

    outspoken?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Dad. Alyssa Taylor has always been like this, aggressive and hot-tempered in her actions.¡±

    Penelope resembles Aunt Alexandra from ¡°To Kill a Mockingbird¡±. Naturally, she disapproved of

    Alyssa¡¯s

    behavior.

    Cornelius cleared his throat before saying, ¡°It¡¯s fine for a girl to be a bit fierce and hot-tempered. This

    girl¡¯s

    family background matches her temper. She looks beautiful, too. It¡¯s just a pity she¡¯s a divorcee.

    Otherwise, she would be a good match for Landon.¡±

    Penelope stood in stunned silence, shocked.

    Zoe was scared, her heart racing. ¡°Grandpa! What are you saying? Alyssa is just a second-hand item

    that

    Jasper rejected. How could she be a match for my brother?¡±

    ¡°Second-hand? Ms. Alyssa is exceptional. Even if she¡¯s been divorced a hundred times, I¡¯m sure there

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    would still be men eager to be with her,¡± Cornelius remarked nonchntly.

 Chapter 789

    Landon smirked. His lips curled as he looked at Alyssa.

    ¡°Grandpa, truth be told, when I first saw Alyssa, I was deeply captivated. I Immediately pursued her

    passionately.¡±

    Zoe gritted her teeth as she listened, despising every bit of it.

    ¡°What? You pursued this Taylor girl?¡±

    Surprised, Cornelius asked with curiosity, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you two end up together? I heard people say

    you¡¯re

    quite thedies¡¯ man.¡±

    Penelope was speechless hearing the conversation.

    ¡°Well, she wasn¡¯t interested in me,¡± Landon confessed, scratching his head sheepishly.

    ¡°Even you weren¡¯t good enough? Does she think she can marry someone from heaven?¡± Cornelius

    was

    somewhat displeased.

    But considering Alyssa¡¯s ex-husband was Jasper, his grandson¡¯s defeat wasn¡¯t too embarrassing.

    ¡°30 years ago, a guy named Ronald Branson worked at TS Network. He not only teamed up with you in

    numerous shows but also served you in various capacities for a long time. Your connection with him is

    quite peculiar.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Even L and many famous TS Network directors are familiar with Ronald. Yet, you insist on not

    knowing him. Are you certain it¡¯s not a memorypse or dementia?¡± Alyssa scrutinized Sophia with a

    stern look.

    Sophia, with intelligence seemingly only fit for nting rice, somehow ascended from humble origins to

    a

    position among the wealthy and privileged.

    One could only say that Javier was more blind than his own son.

    Sophia stubbornly defended herself, stating, ¡°I don¡¯t know any Ronalds! Does that mean I must know

    them just because they know me?¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Beckett, you forget things too easily. Let me jog your memory a bit.¡±

    Alyssa descended the stairs gracefully and approached the Beckett couple.

    Before Sophia¡¯s eyes, a cold glint appeared. It was an elegant silver lily-shaped tinum pendant. It

    was gleaming cold like a sharp de poised to slit her throat at any moment!

    Her heart raced, and her lips trembled.

    In bewilderment, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder how it ended up in Alyssa¡¯s hands. It was impossible.

    Javier furrowed his brows, sensing Sophia trembling in his embrace. Despite her efforts to conceal it,

    the

    tremors were evident.

    ¡°What¡¯s this? Why are you showing me this?¡± Sophia evaded Alyssa¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Sophie, I remember. This is your ne.¡± Javier¡¯s expression tightened, and he spoke with a stern

    tone.

    ¡°When we first met, you always wore it. You said it was the only thing your mother left you, a precious

    heirloom. But one day, you stopped wearing it. I asked where it went, and you said you identally lost

    it while filming, and it made you sad for a long time. I remember it¡¯s this lily pendant ne.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s ears rang with a deafening noise!

    She remembered now. She did tell Javier that-specifically, she fabricated this lie to gain his affection.

    Over the years, Sophia built herself on countless lies. There were too many lies for her to remember.

    ¡°So, this ne was your mother¡¯s heirloom, Mrs. Beckett? Oh, that¡¯s something significant for you.¡±

    Alyssa observed the pendant, her eyes glinting with a cold light.

    ¡°Why would such a significant item be in the possession of that attacker? It was carefully kept in an

    exquisite jewelry box when we discovered it. It appears that this ne holds importance for Mr.

    Branson as well.¡±

 Chapter 790

    Meanwhile, Ronald had endured three days and three nights of relentless questioning at the detention

    center. The harsh lights red down, tormenting both his mind and body.

    But under theyers of pressure, he stood his ground.

    As long as he thought of Sophia, as long as he thought of thedy who filled his thoughts day and

    night,

    the one he couldn¡¯t get close to, he would endure it even if the sky copsed.

    At that moment, the interrogation room door swung open, and Cyrus strolled in with an indifferent

    expression.

    In front of the suspects and criminals, he no longer resembled the affluent and noble Cyrus Taylor.

    Instead, he had the demeanor of a gangster. Even people from the criminal underworld would address

    him with respect.

    Cyrus yawned and casually pulled out a steel chair, sweeping his long legs as he sat down.

    ¡°Smith, make a cup of coffee for Mr. Branson to refresh him. The night has just begun.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Chief Taylor.¡±

    Ronald sneered. He then asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Chief Taylor, aren¡¯t you tired of interrogating me

    every day?¡±

    ¡°No, not at all. I¡¯m young and can endure it,¡± Cyrus replied with a mischievous smile.

    ¡°I¡¯ve told you everything in the past two days. You can ask me all night, ask me a thousand times, and

    my

    answer will still be the same.¡±

    Cyrus narrowed his eyes and coldly lifted the corner of his lips.

    ¡°We¡¯ve covered the old questions. I¡¯ll bring up something new.¡±

    He ced the photos of the evidence in front of Ronald.

    Ronald lowered his head and saw the tinum lily-shaped ne in the pictures.

    His body leaned forward as he attempted to control his expression. But the trembling muscles around

    his

    eyes exposed his fear.

    ¡°Do you recognize this ne?¡±

    Cyrus stared at him intently, tapping his fingertips on the table.

    Ronald immediately denied it. His forehead broke out in a cold sweat as he said, ¡°I don¡¯t recognize it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t recognize your belongings?¡±

    Cyrus mockingly chuckled.

    ¡°You meticulously wrapped it in fine silk and kept it in a pricey jewelry box, clearly indicating its

    importance to you. And now, you im not to recognize it? Who do you think you¡¯re fooling? Ghosts?¡±

    ¡°Did you search my house? You!¡± Ronald¡¯s pupils trembled, and he clenched his fists. The handcuffs

    on

    him produced a grating sound.

    ¡°You¡¯re a criminal, and I¡¯m a cop. Isn¡¯t it normal to search your house? Don¡¯t you have any

    psychological

    preparation for that?¡±

    Cyrus chuckled as he leaned back.

    ¡°I¡¯ve looked into it. This ne belonged to Sophia Kirkman. You stored her personal belongings

    carefully in your home. Your connection with Sophia seems unique.¡±

    ¡°I stole it. So what?¡± Ronald¡¯s face turned pale as he clenched his teeth.

    ¡°I visited TS Network and found colleagues and directors you coborated with over 20 years ago. I

    also

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    spoke with actors who are still active on the screen. They all know you. They talked a lot about you and

    Sophia. These are all testimonial evidence. They said you admired and pursued not L but Sophia.¡±

    Ronald¡¯s sweat trickled down his face, and he uttered with resentment, ¡°They don¡¯t know a damn

    thing!¡±

    ¡°Not only that, they also mentioned that you seized every opportunity to get close to Sophia, providing

    her

    unwavering support. At that time, almost everyone knew that Sophia and L were arch-enemies.

    ¡°Your house is adorned with Sophia¡¯s pictures butcking any of L¡¯s. Not a single L movie is

    found

    on yourputer. How could you im to be L¡¯s fan?¡±

 Chapter 791

    Cyrus¡¯ gaze darkened as he added in a cold, harsh tone, ¡°So the im you made earlier about hating

    L

    out of love for her ispletely baseless.¡±

    Ronald clenched his jaw, sneering, ¡°Even if you find out, so what? I am indeed Sophia¡¯s fan. I love her

    madly. I can do anything for her, including killing L!¡±

    Furious, Cyrus¡¯s shoulders shook, and he yearned to crush Ronald¡¯s despicable head.

    ¡°But when ites to my rtionship with Sophia¡­ Well, there isn¡¯t any. She has no ties to me. It¡¯s all

    just my one-sided wish. I¡¯m ready to do anything for her, even if it involves dying or killing. And she

    doesn¡¯t have to be aware of any of it.¡±

    Ronald¡¯s audacious words stemmed from his confidence that being charged with intentional harm, the

    worst-case scenario would be attempted murder.

    Jasper and L were unharmed, and even if the Taylor family wanted to go after him, there wasn¡¯t

    much

    they could do.

    Unfortunately, he failed to fulfill the task Sophia assigned to him.

    Cyrus knew Ronald¡¯s schemes well. His chest burned with intense anger, his eyes turning fiery red.

    After a moment, he dismissed his subordinates and rose from his seat, turning off the recording.

    equipment.

    ¡°Ronald, it¡¯s just between us now. Let¡¯s be frank.¡±

    Cyrus walked casually inside the interrogation room. With his hands in his pockets, he sat on the table.

    with a sarcastic look at Ronald.

    ¡°You willingly y the executioner for Sophia, sacrificing yourself for her, even willing to kill for her.

    That¡¯s

    your choice. But if news of your extraordinary rtionship with Sophia gets out, what would the medial

    think? What would Mr. Javier think when he hears it?¡±

    He continued, ¡°Everyone will believe Sophia sent you to attack L. And Javier would suspect there¡¯s

    something between you and Sophia. If that happens, you¡¯ll end up in prison, but your old sweetheart¡­

    How would she cope with that? Her reputation is already in shambles, but this will be the final blow.¡±

    The first step to murder was to first destroy the soul.

    That was what his younger sister, Alyssa, once told him.

    Ronald was tense. His eyes were burning red from exhaustion. He stared at Cyrus while his handcuffs

    clinked.

    ¡°You¡¯re a cop! Revealing case information to the media¡­ That¡¯s against the rules! I¡¯ll report you!¡±

    ¡°Handling someone as vile and uncooperative as you sometimes calls for unconventional methods.

    Can you cooperate without them?¡±

    Cyrus fearlessly raised his chin.

    ¡°Ronald, you¡¯ve stirred up trouble with the whole Taylor family this time. You dare to harm L Nelson.

    I¡¯ll go to great lengths to make sure you and Sophia both suffer in hell!¡±

    Panicking, Sophia looked around with a scattered gaze and stuttered, ¡°That guy¡­ He stole it! While I

    was filming, I left the ne in the dressing room. When I came back, it was gone. He must have

    stolen it!¡±

    ¡°Is that so? Stolen and yet not sold. Instead, meticulously preserved until now?¡± Alyssa heard Sophia¡¯s

    wed story and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.

    ¡°He¡¯s up to something. How would I know what he¡¯s up to?¡± Aware that she might not outtalk the sharp-

    tongued Alyssa, Sophia chose to y the fool to the end.

    Without concrete evidence, what could Alyssa do to her?

    ¡°To be honest, I had someone investigate TS Network. I found people who worked with Ronald back

    then. They all said that both of you were very close at the time. He never took money from you.

    ¡°He willingly yed the role of yourckey, ensuring your safety and assisting you in every way. How

    could a man so infatuated with you, acting like a devoted fan, possibly steal from you?

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Even if he did steal it, it must have been out of admiration for you, Mrs. Beckett.¡±

    Alyssa squinted, showing a mocking smile that gave Sophia chills.

    Alyssa added, ¡°He¡¯s willing to do anything for you-including premeditated murder.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa! Shut up!¡± Sophia was drenched in cold sweat, her voice breaking.

    The gazes of those around her gradually became skeptical andplex.

 Chapter 792

    Javier regarded Sophia with a cool and lowered gaze, his icy stare concealed beneath his thickshes.

    ¡°Did you secretly instruct Ronald to attack L in thest incident, Mrs. Beckett?¡± Alyssa suddenly

    changed the topic.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t! Everything was Ronald¡¯s idea, and it has nothing to do with me!¡±

    Sophia clutched Javier¡¯s suit, her teary eyes blurred.

    ¡°Javier, I bear no grudges against L. Why would I do that? I¡¯m thedy of the Beckett family. L is

    just Winston Taylor¡¯s mistress! Why would I bother with a concubine like her?¡±

    With a scowl, Javier ordered her sternly, ¡°Sophie! Stop talking.¡±.

    ¡°Ms. Sophia Kirkman, you can insult me, but you cannot insult my family.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze sharpened as she pointed her finger directly at Sophia¡¯s tearful and sinister face.

    ¡°Be careful. If you dare to insult L again, I might p you too!¡±

    The room fell into an awkward silence.

    People from the Harper family also wore a dumbfounded expression.

    Cornelius shook his head and tutted. ¡°Winston¡¯s daughter, always wanting to p people,cks the

    demeanor of a youngdy. Too arrogant, too impolite, too willful!¡±

    ¡°What to do? Everyone spoils her.¡± Landon raised his hand and shrugged. He continued, ¡°Mr. Taylor

    spoils

    her, all her brothers and sisters at home spoil her, even Jasper spoils her.

    ¡°She can¡¯t help being willful. You know, Jasper has never spoiled any woman in his life except for

    Alyssa.

    That¡¯s an exception, an indulgence without limits. No other woman canpare.¡±

    Zoe¡¯s face burned, and her heart bled with hatred upon hearing the undertones.

    Jasper observed Alyssa, who exuded the fierce demeanor of a feisty woman. He couldn¡¯t help but

    smile,

    and his thin lips curved upward as his heartbeat elerated.

    Sophia felt a sudden surge of fear, causing her to freeze in ce. She was hesitant to make a move.

    Sophia was aware of Alyssa¡¯s straightforward approach. When Alyssa mentioned pping someone,

    she

    meant it. Yet, Sophia couldn¡¯t endure it.

    ¡°Alyssa! All this is just your spection! You¡¯re trying to smear me! You have no evidence!¡±

    +15 BONDS

    Sophia was convinced that Alyssa didn¡¯t have conclusive evidence. Otherwise, how could she remain

    unscathed until now?

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m just saying. Why are you so anxious? Could it be that you¡¯re feeling quilty?

    Sophia was left red-faced and speechless by Alyssa¡¯s words.

    Alyssa smiled and took back the tinum ne.

    ¡°As for the specific rtionship between you two, asking Mr. Branson again should yield results soon.

    No

    need to rush.¡±

    Thinking of Ronald, who was already under police control, Sophia¡¯s nerves tightened.

    ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t interrupt your important discussion any longer. I¡¯ll excuse myself.¡± Alyssa walked

    confidently toward the door, aware of the scrutinizing gazes around her.

    Jasper clenched his fists tightly, and his fiery gaze followed her.

    He considered following her several times but managed to control the restlessness in his heart.

    Seeing Alyssa about to leave, Penelope suddenly stopped her. Wearing a frosty expression, Penelope

    said, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, next time you handle family matters, it¡¯s better to choose the right time and asion.

    At the very least, you should inform Mr. Javier and Jasper in advance so that it won¡¯t be so awkward for

    everyone.¡±

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Awkward? I didn¡¯t feel that way.¡± Alyssa shrugged indifferently. With a smirk, she mocked, ¡°Next time,

    try

    to thicken up your skin a bit, and you won¡¯t feel embarrassed.¡±

 Chapter 793

    Penelope choked at Alyssa¡¯s words, her heart rate bing irregr.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but notice that Penelope¡¯sebacks were not as sharp as Sophia¡¯s. It seemed

    ridiculous to Alyssa that Penelope dared to challenge her with such responses.

    ¡°Alyssa! How dare you contradict my mother like that! You¡¯re so disrespectful! She¡¯s your elder!¡± Zoe,

    holding Cornelius, acted like a watchdog, barking loudly at Alyssa.

    Jasper overheard, and his eyebrows tightened, expressing clear disdain for Zoe.

    ¡°Does age automatically make someone an ¡®elder¡¯? Following that logic, I¡¯m also your elder. Is it

    appropriate to address elders this way?¡±

    Alyssa, who was a head taller than Zoe, coldly looked down at her, intensifying the pressure on Zoe.

    Zoe trembled, her lips quivering. She was afraid to retort further for fear of Alyssa¡¯s harsh words.

    Penelope was aware that Cornelius wouldn¡¯t create problems for Winston¡¯s daughter over such a minor

    issue. So she kept sending frantic eye signals to Landon, urging her son to restore her honor.

    Landon¡¯s gaze flickered. He cleared his throat and spoke timidly, ¡°Well ¡­ Alyssa, I¡­¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes flickered, and her cold gaze fell on his face.

    Landon Harper, the all-capable demon king, quickly changed his stance, saying, ¡°I-I¡¯ll take you back.

    It¡¯s

    alreadyte. It¡¯s not safe.¡±

    ¡°No need. I drove here.¡±

    Alyssa, without looking back, swiftly walked out of the vi gate. Her high heels echoing crisply.

    Landon scratched his head, feeling embarrassed.

    Cornelius snorted angrily, feeling that his grandson was too obedient to Winston¡¯s daughter.

    It was embarrassing!

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    The Harper family members all walked out in a rush.

    ¡°Sophia, leaning against Javier, moaned weakly. It was as if she had no bones. ¡®Ah¡­ my head¡­ I feel

    so

    dizzy.¡±

    Rosie nced at Sophia and muttered disdainfully, ¡°Ha, either acting like a pitiful victim or feigning

    dizziness. Your acting skills from your acting days are quite apparent. It¡¯s no surprise you were

    overshadowed by Ms. Lyia Nelson for so long.¡±

    Sophia heard every word clearly, and they fueled her anger.

    Javier¡¯s expression stiffened, his face turning pale. After a silent moment, he murmured to Rosie, ¡°Mrs.

    Rosie, help Madam get back to the room.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Javier. I¡¯m only responsible for Mr. Jasper¡¯s daily life, and I need to prepare a bath for him

    now.

    Please get someone else to take care of Madam. Madam probably wouldn¡¯t want me to attend to her,

    too. She might not feelfortable around me.¡±

    Rosie then left with a disgruntled face.

    Rosie¡¯s response left Javier without words.

    Jasper stood alone, his expression a mix of reluctance and anger, portraying a forsaken figure. He

    seemed overwhelmed with mncholy and sorrow.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    ¡°Jasper! Why are you still standing here?¡± Landon walked up to Jasper, pushing him hard. His face was

    anxious. ¡°Alyssa is about to leave. You finally met her. So go and stop her! Exin the situation

    between

    you and my sister!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s breath hitched. His feet seemed to be filled with lead, making him heavy.

    On their way back, Cornelius drove one car, and Penelope and Zoe took another.

    In the car, Penelope was still indignant, full of resentment.

    In her youth, she was protected by her husband, and in her middle age, her son cared for her. When

    had

    she ever experienced such humiliation as tonight?

    ¡°Mom, Landon publicly questioned me in front of the Beckett family and Grandpa! He used despicable

    means to prevent me from marrying Jasper. He¡¯s so despicable!¡±

    Zoe cried and leaned into her mother¡¯s arms.

    Zoe continued, ¡°He only cares about seeking his own happiness and doesn¡¯t consider my life at all!

    Does

    he still see me as a sister? In his eyes, I¡¯m just an enemy!¡±

 Chapter 794

    "Don''t you worry, Zoe. Things won''t end so easily. I''ll be sure to get back at them for you!¡± Penelope consoled her daughter, a coldness glinting in her eyes.

    "How? Landon is the one in control of the family right now, and he¡¯s on such good terms with Jasper and Alyssa. What could you possibly do?¡±

    Penelope snarled, ¡°If Landon won''t let you be with Jasper, then no way is he going to be together with that retarded Beckett girl! You have Grandpa on your side.

    ¡°Grandpa wouldn''t just let our family reputation be tarnished like this. He''s definitely going to facilitate your wedding with Jasper while keeping Lauren away from our family!¡±

    ¡°Landon isn''t budging at all to our attempts, Mom. Don''t you think he knows exactly what we''re up to?¡±

    Zoe cried anxiously, ¡°He protects that nitwit Lauren like she¡¯s some prized toy! When would we ever get the chance to do anything?¡±

    ¡°Our chance wille. As much as Landon adores Sophia''s silly little daughter, he can''t possibly keep herContent rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    around with him 24/7. He''s bound to leave her side sometime!¡± Penelope was truly angry now. Penelope was usually so calm and collected, but now, seeing how in danger her daughter''s reputation

    was, Penelope was ready to remove every single obstacle between Zoe and Jasper so Zoe could marry him!

    Penelope was also determined to find the perfect match for Landon so he would bring home a proper, reputable wife. This wife of his could never be Sophia''s daughter!

    Alyssa hurried into her car before elerating out of Seaview Manor. It was as if the ce was filled with horrid poison.

    The moment her car exited the front gate, her grip around the steering wheel tightened.

    Under the dim light of the streemp, Jameson stood leaning against his electric blue car. Who kne how long he''d been standing there?/No impatience or irritation showed in his expression. 3

    The moment Jameson saw Alyssa''s car, his eyes brightened. He stood up straight and waved at her, looking like an excited youth.

    Alyssa¡¯s car came to a stop before him.

    "What are you doing here?¡± Alyssa asked in surprise as she walked out of her car.

    ¡°I was waiting for you.¡± Jameson smiled with a fond gentleness in his eyes.

    "Waiting for me? Why?¡± Alyssa was confused now.

    ¡°I used some connections to figure out that you were headed here, so I followed along. I was just worried you might be overwhelmed, nothing else. You don''t have anyone around to help you after all.¡±

    Jameson then smiled bitterly. ¡°I ended up making a fool of myself. I can''t go inside nor help you with anything. But I did get to see you, so it wasn''t aplete waste of time.¡±

    Alyssa blinked rapidly, feeling befuddled by Jameson''s words.

    She had always enjoyed going wherever and doing whatever she wanted without being restrained. The thought that someone was investigating her whereabouts behind her back made her very uneasy.

    ¡°It wasn''t anything serious. Just something personal.¡± Alyssa¡¯s smile was forced. ¡°The Beckett family isn''t a lions¡¯ den. I''ve lived here for three years. I know my way around.¡±

    Dark thoughts swirled in his mind as he contemted those three years-three years of the lifeless, suffocating marriage that Alyssa had endured.

    Anguish welled up in Jameson''s chest. He was about to say something when his expression darkened.

    Jasper watched them from a distance. His handsome features were cold and collected. He seemed like a statue standing there, blending into the dark background.

    However, Alyssa was oblivious to how longingly Jasper stared at her.

    ¡°Jimmy, 1..." Alyssa was about to speak when her vision swam.

    The next thing she knew, Jameson had enveloped her in a tight hug.

    Alyssa reacted too slowly. She was pressed against his chest-so close that she could hear his uneven breathing. His hands wrapped around her waist, slowly tightening.

 Chapter 795

    ¡°W-What are you doing, Jimmy?¡± Panicked, Alyssa instinctively tried to shove him away.

    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    But in Jasper¡¯s eyes, her struggle was seen as ying hard to get.

    Jameson remained silent, only tightening his grip around her. His eyes were filled with mockery and

    sarcasm when he met Jasper¡¯s angry ones. Jameson never once loosened his hold around Alyssa,

    even

    as she continued to struggle.

    It felt like knives were stabbing into Jasper¡¯s heart, slowly killing him. His entire being buzzed with pain

    as

    goosebumps swept over his skin.

    The sight of Alyssa in Jameson¡¯s embrace felt worse than death and far more painful than being

    wounded on the battlefield.

    With his face now pale, Jasper turned away and stumbled back into the house.

    Only then did Jameson loosen up his arms. Alyssa swiftly escaped from his grasp, eyes burning with

    anger.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that again, Jameson. This is thest warning you¡¯ll have, or I¡¯m ending our friendship!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Lyse.¡± Jameson quickly put on an innocent and guilty expression.

    Jameson¡¯s arms were left hanging in the air as he continued, ¡°I know you treat me only as a friend. I¡¯ve

    done my best to keep myself in check, but I couldn¡¯t control myself. I promise there won¡¯t be a next

    time.

    Please forgive me this once, Lyse. It was out of worry for you.¡±

    Alyssa sighed, hand cupping her forehead. ¡°I hope you can remember how much I hate it when men

    other

    than my brothers touch me.¡±

    Jameson gritted his teeth, arms finally sagging by his sides. His hands balled into fists.

    Jasper bitterly wondered if Alyssa could ever ept another man into her life.

    What was Jasper to her then? She even let that secretary of hers get so close to her. Was he the only

    person she would never ept into her life? 1

    ¡°Thank you for your concern. It¡¯ste now. I¡¯ll be on my way back,¡± Alyssa said.

    All of a sudden, she felt a familiar presence behind her. She slowly turned back to look.

    Her heart seemed to drop in the next second.

    There was no one behind her anymore.

    Jasper dragged his lead-filled legs back into the house.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Landon quickly went to his friend¡¯s side. He hadn¡¯t left with his family, being worried about

    Jasper.

    But Jasper seemed not to have noticed him. He continued walking slowly forward.

    ¡°Jasper. Jasper!¡± Landon grabbed Jasper¡¯s arms, asking worriedly, ¡°Where¡¯s Lyse? What did you two

    talk about? Did she forgive you?¡±

    ¡°Why would I want her forgiveness? I didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡± Jasper¡¯s unfocused eyes were filled

    with

    exhaustion. It was as if Alyssa had shattered the light in them into smithereens. ¡°I¡¯m tired, Landon. If

    nothing I do can keep Alyssa by my side or help me get to her, then why not just let her go?¡±

 Chapter 796

    Alyssa sped her car all the way back to her ce in Sna City, emotions tumultuous.

    She had aimed for Sophia when she went to Seaview Manor earlier, yet on the way back home, all she

    could recall was how Jasper pressed her up against the wall.

    The man¡¯s eyes had locked onto her, filled with a deep sadness. There was exasperation and

    desperation in his anger that Alyssa couldn¡¯t forget, no matter what. Her grip around the steering wheel

    tightened, making her fingers numb.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze had been so sincere.

    But what could that prove?

    Try as he might, Jasper couldn¡¯t conceal the fact that he had slept with Zoe.

    Alyssa glumly walked out of the car, only to find Jonah, Cyrus, and Sean standing outside the front

    gates.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Jonah, Cyrus, Sean! What are you three doing here?¡± Alyssa asked, surprised.

    ¡°Cyrus told me you went to Seaview Manor alone, not even bringing Sean with you. What were you

    thinking

    -taking on everybody by yourself?¡± Jonah said with a sigh.

    He circled an arm around Alyssa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°But after hearing that Jasper was there, I grew less

    worried.

    He wouldn¡¯t let you get into too much trouble.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡± Alyssa asked tightly, brows furrowed.

    ¡°He cares about you, so he would definitely protect you.¡±

    ¡°Heh. That joke isn¡¯t as funny as you think, Jonah.¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart trembled slightly as she pressed on,

    ¡°I

    was his wife for three years. Yet he continued letting me be pushed around without so much as telling

    anyone off. What more now when we have nothing to do with each other?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right, Jonah.¡± Cyrus walked over to them with a sneer, hands tucked in his pockets. ¡°Jasper

    Beckett is nothing but a heartless, cold-blooded jackass. Even if he had no feelings for Lyse, he still

    should have

    protected her as her husband.

    ¡°But look at what he¡¯s done all these years? A leopard can¡¯t change its spots. Look how quickly he¡¯s

    gone

    back to his old ways right after courting Lyse!¡±

    Upon hearing that, Sean decided to ask, ¡°What old ways, Mr. Cyrus?¡±

    ¡°Fooling around with Landon¡¯s sister, Zoe, of course! Jasper¡¯s known that bratty jinx since he knew how

    to suckle from his mother¡¯s tit!¡± Cyrus was really good at insulting people, even better than his brothers

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    could.

    Jonah remained silent.

    Meanwhile, Sean coughed awkwardly, neither agreeing nor denying it.

    ¡°You¡¯re really good with words, Cyrus, Keep it up.¡± Alyssa nodded approvingly.

    Jonah¡¯s lips tightened into a line as he maintained his silence.

    All of a sudden, his gaze fell to a spot some distance behind Alyssa. ¡°Jameson?¡±

    Shocked, Alyssa turned around to look.

    Jameson¡¯s car had stopped not far away. Its engine was switched off, and it remained so silent its

    presence was nearly undetectable.

    Jameson was leaning forward in the driver¡¯s seat, his arms resting on the steering wheel as he stared

    fixedly at Alyssa.

    Alyssa bit her lip, meeting his eyes.

    She neither waved at him nor went over.

 Chapter 797

    Alyssa could see how Jameson slowly lowered his head into his arms, only revealing his bright eyes.

    Those eyes conveyed a lonely emotion, as if he were some wounded animal. Alyssa recalled how

    Jameson had this very same look in his eyes 15 years ago when Victor punished him by making him

    stand outside in the pouring rain.

    ¡°Fuck me. When did he arrive here? There wasn¡¯t a sound at all. What is he? A ghost?¡± Cyrus

    shivered. chills shooting up his spine.

    Jonah nced at Jameson, then turned back to Alyssa. ¡°Did he follow you over to the Becketts ce?¡±

    Alyssa hummed in acknowledgment.

    Just then, Jameson¡¯s car engine revved up. It swiftly U-turned back the way he came, disappearing into

    the night.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Huh? Is he leaving just like that?¡± Cyrus frowned. ¡°Why are all the people who try to court you so

    strange.

    Lyse? From jackass-of-the-year to stalker supreme. How could we not be worried about your safety

    when

    you¡¯re out alone now, Lyse?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s get to the point here.¡± Alyssa didn¡¯t want to talk about Jameson any longer. She said solemnly,

    What did you find out about Ronald, Cyrus? Is he still keeping quiet?¡±

    Cyrus sighed in exasperation. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I need more time. That bastard¡¯s more loyal than we thought.

    He

    really is so devoted to Sophia that you¡¯d think they were married.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve actually anticipated that he wouldn¡¯t give up so easily. He¡¯s already gone and killed for Sophia,

    after

    all.¡± Alyssa crossed her arms around her chest. Her face was as cold as ice.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I want you to interrogate him ording to my instructions. It will weaken his resolve and

    allow us to deal the killing blow right when he¡¯s vulnerable. We¡¯ll make his love for Sophia crumble for

    good,¡± she said.

    ¡°What do you want us to do, Lyse? We¡¯ll do as you say!¡± Cyrus eagerly rubbed his hands together,

    determined to make Sophia and Ronald pay.

    ¡°Ronald¡¯s testimonial for Sophia¡¯s crime won¡¯t be enough.¡± Alyssa balled her hands into fists, snarling,

    Sophia¡¯s hurt L so much and even made her lose her pride. I¡¯m going to make sure she gets

    punished a

    millionfold!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, Cyrus, I think there¡¯s more to uncover about Ronald and Sophia¡¯s rtionship.¡± Jonah¡¯s eyes

    were filled with cold reason as he continued, ¡°Sophia must¡¯ve told Ronald to attack L on a whim.

    ¡°If one call from her could make him take action without hesitation, it goes to show just how close

    they¡¯ve remained for all these years. She likely had him take care of all her dirty deeds for her, too.¡±

    ¡°Right? Maybe Sophia has had children with him, too. What a cuck Javier Beckett must be!¡± Cyrus

    sneered.

    Alyssa treated the statement as a joke, yet couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the truth really was what Cyrus

    suggested. If that truly was the case, then Sophia could be ruined for life!

    But would someone so proud and as vain as Sophia, who treasured her title as Mrs. Beckett, really get

    together with a destitute and lowly supporting actor like Ronald?

    ¡°Hmph. If they really did have children, I hope it¡¯s Betty. That way, Ms. Alyssa can finally get her

    revenge on that evil duo, and they can leave the Beckett family for good!¡± Sean gritted out.

    Alyssa thought about some things before asking gently, ¡°Jonah, has Axel contacted youtely? Does

    he know when Julien will be here in the city?¡±

    ¡°Axel did call. He said he¡¯s still nning things out with the Lovce family. He¡¯ll try to have Julien

    come

    over ASAP,¡± Jonah said.

    He then patted his sister¡¯s shoulder, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m still around. I¡¯ll get you whatever you

    need,

    even if it means walking through the fires of hell.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here too! I¡¯ll help you!¡± Cyrus raised his hand excitedly.

    ¡°You have me as well, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Sean shot her a warm smile.

    Alyssa felt touched. She leaned into Jonah¡¯s shoulder, suddenly feeling much more at ease than

    before.

 Chapter 798

    After a whole night of expending energy, Landon finally slumped back to his and Lauren¡¯s love nest.

    Snow began to fall even before he reached the house. When he arrived, Angelina was already waiting

    for him outside the front gate with an umbre.

    ¡°Wee back, sir.¡± Angelina nodded respectfully when Landon exited the car. She then sheltered him

    with the umbre from the snow, exposing herself.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Lauren? Has she gone to sleep?¡± Landon asked worriedly.

    ¡°Ms. Lauren has stayed up waiting for you all this while. I tried persuading her otherwise but to no

    avail.¡± Angelina smiled fondly. ¡°Don¡¯t me her. She just couldn¡¯t stop worrying about you.¡±

    Landon swallowed as warmth surged in his chest. He then walked into the vi.

    Afraid Lauren might catch a cold from him, he changed into the clothes Angelina had prepared for him

    before tiptoeing upstairs. He wanted to surprise his darling wife. 1

    When Landon opened the bedroom door, he noticed a copy of ¡°The Nightingale and the Rose¡± on the

    bed.

    However, Lauren was nowhere to be found.

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    Getting slightly panicked, Landon was about to call out to her when he heard the sound of running

    water

    in the bathroom.

    He marched over to it, gently pushing the door open.

    The sounds from inside suddenly grew silent.

    ¡°Lauren?¡± Landon cried worriedly. Ever since he fell in love with her, he often felt afraid of losing her. All

    he wanted was to keep her by his side.

    Worried something might have happened to Lauren because of how silent the bathroom suddenly

    became, Landon kicked the door open. It nearly broke away from its hinges. 2

    Lauren, who was standing in front of the mirror, screamed. She turned around to face Landon, hands

    clutching her head.

    Landon jolted in shock, breathing growing rough and uneven.

    His eyes roamed across Lauren¡¯s face before falling on her milky white ¡­

    Landon snickered at the sight before him. They didn¡¯te off as big, but they were unexpectedly

    plump.

    Landon¡¯s mind went nk as desire burned in his eyes. His hands twitched slightly. It was as if he was

    fantasizing and desiring to hold onto something.

    Lauren shrieked again upon seeing it was Landon. She shut her eyes tightly, covering her front with her

    slim arms. She then turned her back to him.

    But it was useless.

    Her pale, wless back tempted Landon just the same, making his blood roar. Simultaneously, desire

    began to surge throughout his body.

    ¡°Lauren, you¡­ I¡­ we¡­.¡± Landon stammered, breathing heavily as he stared at Lauren.

    ¡°I-I just finished showering. I didn¡¯t know you would be back so soon,¡± Lauren said meekly, her frail little

    body shivering. It was both tempting and pitiful.

    Steam swirled in the bathroom like they were the embodiment of the couple¡¯s intimacy.

    Unable to hold himself back, Landon stepped closer to Lauren.

 Chapter 799

    Lauren didn¡¯t dare turn around even when she heard Landon¡¯s footsteps. She continued quaking,

    holding onto her shoulders like some frightened bunny.

    Landon, meanwhile, appeared quite like a lustful big bad wolf.

    ¡°Lauren¡­¡± Landon grunted, swallowing hard.

    He gently lifted a trembling hand, wanting to touch Lauren¡¯s skin. But Lauren spoke up just then,

    saying, ¡°I- I wanted to put on some lotion after the shower but couldn¡¯t reach my back. I would¡¯ve f-

    finished earlier otherwise and been waiting f-for you in bed.¡±

    Landon¡¯s cheeks flushed with heat. His fingers buzzed with electricity as his senses nearly copsed

    into themselves.

    He had had his fair share of women.

    Countless tried to seduce him in whatever manner they could, whether dressed or not, and many

    others

    threw themselves into his arms without a second thought.

    But none of them had ever made Landon¡¯s heart pound so wildly or feel at a loss.

    ¡°C-can you help me, Landon? Please?¡± Lauren asked softly.

    ¡°Can I, Lauren?¡±

    Landon wondered if he could. His breathing was harsh and rapid by now, filled with apparent desire.

    His

    words were loaded with anotheryer of meaning.

    Lauren nibbled on her lip as she nodded. She slowly rxed her arms.

    Landon¡¯s heart pounded against his ribs. He did his best to calm himself before squeezing some body

    lotion and slowly nearing Lauren¡¯s back.

    He wasn¡¯t going to do anything funny, no siree.

    This was the ultimate test for Landon right now!

    His fingers trembled as he repeated those same words in his mind, trying to suppress the roaring

    desire

    in his veins.

    But the moment Landon¡¯s hand came into contact with Lauren, his restraint snapped. He enveloped

    Lauren from behind, crushing her soft, milk-white body into his.

    ¡°Landon¡­¡± Lauren gasped softly, cheeks flushed red.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say my name right now,¡± Landon rasped lowly.

    ¡°Landon, I¡­

    ¡°I can¡¯t promise I¡¯ll hold back if you say my name again, Lauren.¡±

    ¡°Landon¡­¡±

    Lauren suddenly felt her feet leave the floor.

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    Landon lifted her by the waist, cing her on the countertop where a towel had been syed out.

    Their eyes met. Lauren¡¯s flushed cheeks and delicate expression captivated Landon to no end.

    His hands had reddened her skin with their grip, and they weren¡¯t stopping. Lauren¡¯s body was soon

    growing deliciously pink.

    Lauren wrapped her arms around Landon¡¯s neck to stabilize herself.

    Something snapped inside Landon¡¯s being.

    He was kissing her in an instant, his mind now nk. It had been so long since he¡¯d been satisfied. His

    kisses were powerful and wild, nearly biting Lauren.

    Lauren¡¯s lips were bitten raw by Landon, yet there was a sliver of adrenaline in the pain that made her

    entire body buzz. She nearly melted in Landon¡¯s arms.

    ¡°If you¡¯ll have me, Lauren, I want you to bite me,¡± Landon panted out, his breaths warm against

    Lauren¡¯s

    skin.

    Steam filled the bathroom. Landon was sweaty. It was as if they¡¯d done something more intense than

    merely kissing.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to, I won¡¯t¡­¡±

    Before Landon could finish speaking, Lauren leaned in to bite his lip. It was a soft, clumsy bite.

    But it was enough to send Landon¡¯s mind spiraling into ecstasy.

 Chapter 800

    Lauren never said a word, but Landon could tell from the way she was flushed to her ears and her

    slowly quickening breathing that she had answered yes.

    Landon made love to Lauren the entire night. From the bathroom to the living room, then on their bed.

    In the end, the couple went back to the bathroom for seconds.

    Every inch of Lauren¡¯s delicate, virgin body mesmerized Landon to no end. He had never felt so sated

    in both body and soul.

    In the end, Lauren ended up feeling so sore she couldn¡¯t move anymore. She panted weakly for him to

    stop, sprawled across his chest as she grew sleepy.

    Landon felt like a fed lion, now thoroughly satisfied. He tended lovingly to Lauren, arm wrapped around

    her and gently patting her to sleep.

    With his other arm, Landon flipped the nket over.

    A dark red flower had blossomed on the bed sheets.

    Landon smiled, his eyes filled with emotion. He then kissed Lauren again.

    ¡°It tickles,¡± Lauren mumbled in her sleep, not waking up even as Landon continued kissing her.

    ¡°You really are mine now, Lauren.¡± Landon tucked his chin above her head, caressing her shoulder.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll never suffer ever again. I¡¯ll love you for the rest of your life, Mrs. Harper.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s p ended up rupturing Sophia¡¯s eardrum and even made one of her teeth loosen up.

    What rage Jasper must have felt tond such a strong hit!

    Betty rushed to the hospital with Sophia, thetter who ended up cursing Alyssa and Jasper the entire

    trip while she clutched onto her ear.

    The driver was stunned. He kept on sneaking peeks into the backseat.

    Who knew the usuallyposed and elegant Sophia would react hysterically like some rabid woman?

    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Betty snapped, noticing the driver¡¯s looks. ¡°I¡¯m warning you-you¡¯d better

    keep your eyes on the road! One word of what happened in this car today, and I¡¯ll make sure your life in

    Sna

    ¡°Y-Yes, Ms. Betty,¡± the driver stuttered

    ¡°You brat! I should never have wasted my time with you, you useless imbecile!¡± Sophia roared, having

    no one else to vent to. She viciously prodded Betty¡¯s forehead, making her sway.

    Sophia continued, ¡°Why did you just stand there and watch me get hit? Why didn¡¯t you do anything

    when that bitch Alyssa pushed your own mother around? You never once said a word throughout

    ¡°I-I can¡¯t overpower Alyssa. I might¡¯ve made things worse if I tried! Betty whined, fists clenching tightly.

    Why aren¡¯t you scolding Lauren? She didn¡¯t once show up when you were victimized, and she still isn¡¯t

    here! All she knows is to sleep around! I really don¡¯t understand why Landon likes her so much!¡±

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    ¡°Bah! Do you still think you¡¯reparable to your sister? So what if she didn¡¯t show up? She still

    bagged Landon Harper! Being Landon¡¯s mother-inw greatly boosts my reputation and is far better

    than whatever you¡¯ve ever offered me!¡±

    Sophia didn¡¯t hide her disdain for Sophia.

    She didn¡¯t believe it before, but now she had to admit that Betty, with her bad gic makeup, really

    was a lost cause ever since she was conceived.

    Lauren, who was Sophia and Javier¡¯s child, was far better than Betty!

    Sophia would have groomed Lauren if she¡¯d only known. What a waste of her time and effort!

    Sophia was quickly checked into a VIP ward after getting a checkup at the hospital. Shey on the bed,

    the pain in her ears keeping her awake. She tossed and turned, rage and fear rising in her chest.

    Sophia was worried Alyssa would find out about her rtionship with Ronald or that Ronald would

    reveal it to Alyssa.

    But there was something Sophia was even more terrified of.

    She was terrified that Betty, being Ronald¡¯s daughter and not Javier¡¯s, would be found out.

 Chapter 801

    If the truth about Betty¡¯s birth father was exposed, Sophia knew that she and Betty would be done for.

    Sophia was confined to the hospital for three days, during which Betty stayed by her side, battling

    boredom. On the third day, the swelling on Sophia¡¯s cheek finally subsided. Throughout her stay, Javier

    never once visited.

    Betty called Javier numerous times during the wait, imploring him to visit Sophia at the hospital.

    However, he coldly dismissed her.

    Betty thought Sophia might break down in tears due to Javier¡¯s cold treatment. After all, every wife

    would yearn for the love of her husband. It was only natural to be distraught if a spouse abandoned

    them in the hospital.

    To Betty¡¯s surprise, Sophia appeared rtively calm about Javier¡¯s dismissal. Instead of kicking up a

    fuss,

    Sophia went about her life, taking all three meals and recuperating from her injuries. Yet, there seemed

    to be more beneath her seemingly normal behavior.

    Sophia¡¯s calmness bewildered Betty. In her recollection, Sophia couldn¡¯t live without Javier.

    Surprisingly,

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    Sophia looked tough and heartless during the hospital stay, like she had never loved Javier at all.

    ¡°Mom, Dad hasn¡¯t visited you at all in three days. Why do you seem so calm?¡± Betty blurted out

    curiously.

    ¡°Forcing it upon him wouldn¡¯t work. Your dad is just like Jasper. The more you pester them, the less

    you matter to them. Just leave them be, and these wretched bastards wille back to you naturally,¡±

    Sophia exined, disgruntled, while grappling with mixed emotions.

    She refrained from reaching out to Javier in the past three days out of fear. Despite being healthy

    enough. for discharge, she dared not return home. Instead, she prolonged her hospital stay to

    ¡°recuperate¡±, hiding away from him.

    After facing Alyssa¡¯s usations that night, Sophia sensed that Javier had looked at her differently.

    She decided to use her hospital stay to devise an exnation to salvage her image in Javier¡¯s eyes.

    At that moment, the door swung open. They heard Javier saying, ¡°Wait out there. I¡¯ll check on Madam.¡±

    ¡°Sure, Mr. Javier.¡±

    Sophia and Betty were taken aback when they heard his voice. Sophia hurriedly retrieved a cushion

    foundation from under her pillow and dabbed the foundation on her lips, seeking to make herself look

    sickly.

    ¡°Y-Yes, Ms. Betty,¡± the driver stuttered.

    ¡°You brat! I should never have wasted my time with you, you useless imbecile!¡± Sophia roared, having

    no one else to vent to. She viciously prodded Betty¡¯s forehead, making her sway.

    Sophia continued, ¡°Why did you just stand there and watch me get hit? Why didn¡¯t you do anything

    when that bitch Alyssa pushed your own mother around? You never once said a word throughout!¡±

    ¡°I-I can¡¯t overpower Alyssa. I might¡¯ve made things worse if I tried!¡± Betty whined, fists clenching tightly.

    Why aren¡¯t you scolding Lauren? She didn¡¯t once show up when you were victimized, and she still isn¡¯t

    here! All she knows is to sleep around! I really don¡¯t understand why Landon likes her so much!¡±

    ¡°Bah! Do you still think you¡¯reparable to your sister? So what if she didn¡¯t show up? She still

    bagged

    Landon Harper! Being Landon¡¯s mother-inw greatly boosts my reputation and is far better than

    whatever you¡¯ve ever offered me!¡±

    Sophia didn¡¯t hide her disdain for Sophia.

    She didn¡¯t believe it before, but now she had to admit that Betty, with her bad gic makeup, really

    was a lost cause ever since she was conceived.

    Lauren, who was Sophia and Javier¡¯s child, was far better than Betty!

    Sophia would have groomed Lauren if she¡¯d only known. What a waste of her time and effort!

    Sophia was quickly checked into a VIP ward after getting a checkup at the hospital. Shey on the bed,

    the pain in her ears keeping her awake. She tossed and turned, rage and fear rising in her chest.

    Sophia was worried Alyssa would find out about her rtionship with Ronald or that Ronald would

    reveal it to Alyssa.

    But there was something Sophia was even more terrified of.

    She was terrified that Betty,being Ronald¡¯s daughter and not Javier¡¯s, would be found out.

 Chapter 802

    The air in Sophia¡¯s room hung heavy with tension.

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    Sophia was once pampered by Javier. He might even be more attentive to her than to Newton when

    Newton was sick. When she fell ill, Javier would worry and visit her daily.

    Yet, after three days, he hadn¡¯t shown up, which was a first.

    She leaned weakly against the headboard, her lips trembling. Through her tears, she stared longingly

    at him.

    Sophia started, ¡°Javier, have you been busy? I know it¡¯s hard to get away from the work at Beckett

    Group. I understand. I¡¯m fine, though. Just a ruptured eardrum and I¡¯ve had surgery-¡±

    Javier interrupted with a low, stern voice, ¡°Sophie, I¡¯m here to ask you something. Was Alyssa telling

    the truth?¡±

    Sophia was caught off guard, and her eyes wavered.

    ¡°Javier, do you still doubt me? But I¡¯m your wife. You know how I treated you over the years. I¡¯ve given

    you two daughters and risked my life giving birth to Lauren. After all I¡¯ve sacrificed, how could I possibly

    cheat on you with a murder suspect?¡±

    She wailed, ¡°Javier, don¡¯t you love me anymore? This is what happens when you don¡¯t love a person-

    you¡¯ll distrust her! Everything she does will look suspicious to you.¡±

    Beneath her rage, unease, and nervousness lurked. Her confrontation masked her inner panic.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about Ronald Branson. I will look into your rtionship with him,¡± muttered Javier

    emotionlessly. ¡°I was talking about L Nelson. Were you behind the attack against her?¡±

    ¡°No! No! That wasn¡¯t me!¡± Sophia raised her voice and tried to rify, ¡°Why would I hurt her? What

    could I gain from it? There¡¯s no need for me to take that risk.¡±

    Javier stared at her while tightening his grip on his phone, which was warm in his hand.

    In the past three days, he had instructed his secretary to investigate the rtionship between Sophia

    and Ronald secretly.

    Some of Alyssa¡¯s ims were untrue-Sophia didn¡¯t secretly date Ronald or give Ronald her ne

    as a love token.

    However, some ims were partially true. Sophia knew Ronald from their time at TS Network, and they

    When Javier entered, he found Sophia leaning weakly against the headboard, staring at Betty through

    tears. Sophia mumbled, ¡°Betty, I¡¯m thirsty. Can you get some water for me?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s ability to produce tears reminded Betty of that bitch Liana Gardner, whose whereabouts were

    uncertain.

    ¡°Dad! You¡¯re finally here!¡± Betty covered her mouth, feigning a look of shock.

    Javier fixed his gaze on the feeble Sophia in bed with an inexplicable look. She felt uneasy under his

    scrutiny.

    Javier said, ¡°Betty, taking care of your mom must have been tough for you. I¡¯ve asked the family maids

    to take over. Go home and rest.¡±

    ¡°Sure. Dad, Mom, I¡¯ll leave now,¡± said Betty, who cast a knowing nce at Sophia before leaving the

    room and closing the door behind her.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, I¡¯ll send you home,¡± the bodyguard at the door addressed Betty politely.

    She refused, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Give me the car keys. I need to go on a drive.¡±

    Frustrated, Betty headed to the underground parking to retrieve the car. After three days in the hospital,

    the scent of disinfectant clung to her clothes.

    Now, she wanted a new outfit for herself. Afterward, she nned to unwind at a luxury spa.

    Suddenly, she felt an excruciating pain in her neck when she approached her car. She let out a scream

    before losing consciousness.

    When she copsed to the floor, Angelina showed up behind her, looking dazzling yet ruthless.

    Angelinal ordered, ¡°Take her away.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Ms. Angelina.¡±

    Two men in ck emerged and dragged Betty away as if she were a ragdoll.

 Chapter 803

    Sophia looked shocked. Innocent and naive didn¡¯t seem like adjectives to describe her. It almost

    sounded as if J¨¢vier were talking about someone else entirely, perhaps Jasper¡¯s mother, Anne Bartley.

    His description irked her.

    Without missing a beat, Javier pressed on, ¡°You don¡¯t appear to be in need of protection. Even without

    me around, you seem determined to achieve your goals by any means and exact revenge on those you

    hate.¡±

    A furrow formed on his forehead, and his gaze darkened.

    Javier added, ¡°Consider this your final warning. I hope you behave yourself and don¡¯t hurt the innocent.

    Do not give our family more trouble. If you don¡¯t listen, I will have no choice but to send you abroad, far

    away from the drama in Sna City.¡±

    Sophia trembled in rage when she heard Javier threatening to send her away.

    She barked, ¡°Javier Beckett, what was that? Are you dumping me now? Do you want to turn me into a

    divorcee, all because of Alyssa Taylor¡¯s baseless ims? Or do you have feelings for Winston Taylor¡¯s

    woman? Is that why you unleash your anger on me and try to get rid of me so that you¡¯ll get to marry a

    new woman?¡± 1

    ¡°What on earth are you talking about?¡± Javier rasped.

    He was consumed by rage.

    ¡°Oh, I hit the mark, didn¡¯t I? Feeling guilty now?¡± Sophia straightened, casting a resentful re at him.¡±

    Rumors were circting on TS Network about you and L when she worked there. People imed

    you actively supported her career and wanted to be her sugar daddy!¡±

    Javier¡¯s shoulders tensed as he silently clenched his fists.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Sophia used, ¡°L Nelson is your dream, and I¡¯m merely a stand-in. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±

    Finally, she had vocalized the thoughts that had long festered within her. It was a cathartic release,

    leaving her both refreshed and infuriated.

    She added, ¡°L would have been Mrs. Beckett if she hadn¡¯t tarnished her image with drug use. It

    wouldn¡¯t have been me!¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Javier snapped, his veins pulsating.

    ¡°Hmph. If you loved her and wanted to protect her, you should have stepped in when she embarrassed

    because you were a coward.

    ¡°You were terrified of damaging your reputation as the head of the Beckett Group. You failed to protect

    her in the past, so why do it now? Is it to make up for your past failures?¡±

    Thoroughly provoked, Javier growled, ¡°Sophia Kirkman, shut up!¡±

    She snickered in disdain and taunted, ¡°Your son is infatuated with a woman who isn¡¯t his, and his father

    is no different. It seems both Beckett men are enchanted by the Taylor women.¡±

    Unable to control his anger, Javier pped her in the face. Sophia felt her eardrum was about to

    rupture again. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at him hatefully.

    Realizing what he had done, he stood there in shock and curled his numb fingers. For the first time in

    his life, he had physically assaulted a woman. He had been raised to treat women with utmost respect,

    yet he couldn¡¯t restrain himself due to Sophia¡¯s audacious behavior. 1

    ¡°How could you hit me?¡± Crying hysterically, she leaped from the bed and ran barefoot toward the

    balcony, threatening to off herself. ¡°What¡¯s the point of living? I should just die right now!¡±

    Wide-eyed, Javier yelled, ¡°Somebody, help!¡±

    The secretary and the bodyguards rushed in from outside and fearfully pinned down Sophia like she

    was a suspect.

    Sophia cried her lungs out. She looked like a total mess with her tear-stained face.

    With a heavy heart, Javier instructed, ¡°Arrange for two maids to take turns looking after Madam. The

    rest of you guard her door 24/7. You¡¯ll be held ountable if anything happens to her.¡±

 Chapter 804

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Javier!¡± his staff replied.

    After that, Javier shook his head glumly and left with heavy footsteps without taking another look at

    Sophia.

    Sophia¡¯s mouth hung open. Her legs trembled as her body slowly slumped to the floor.

    There was no use crying and throwing a tantrum. Now, even when she threatened to take her own life,

    Javier was unwilling to stay by her side and pay her any attention.

    She wondered if Javier no longer loved her, questioning whether she was merely a recement for

    someone else and if he had never truly loved her.

    Then, she let out a series of maniacal cackles that scared the wits out of the poor bodyguard. He

    stammered, ¡°M-Madam, are y-you alright?¡±

    ¡°Great. I guess we are on the same page. You¡¯ve never loved me, and I¡¯ve never loved you. But Javier,

    I am the winner at the end because I am the one who forced the love of your life to death!¡±

    ¡°Ouch. It hurts like hell¡­¡± Betty groaned.

    She woke up drowsily and found herself in a humid and filthy environment. When she squinted, she

    realized she was in an abandoned garage, where the moldy smell perforated the air. Two rats

    squeaked as they ran along the wall.

    After the rats ran away, the squeaking didn¡¯t cease as though they were mocking her.

    ¡°I-Is there someone here? Help! Save me!¡± Amid her panicked screams, the door creaked open.

    After she adjusted to the blinding light, she found a voluptuous figure approaching her. Any man would

    be tempted by the sexual appeal of that mysterious woman.

    Betty immediately recognized Angelina. She gasped, ¡°I-It¡¯s you! You¡¯re the woman who follows Landon

    around!¡±

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    ¡°Good evening, Ms. Betty. You were unconscious for a very long time. It was a long wait for me,¡±

    Angelina spoke while she narrowed her eyes. She pulled on her ck leather gloves with an amused

    look.

    ¡°Did you abduct me and dump me over here? How dare you do this to a Beckett? You¡¯re asking for

    trouble! Betty seethed, but she was fearful. ¡°What the heck is this ce? Let me out, or I¡¯ll make you

    suffer! Even

    Angelina chuckled louder and tilted her head, entertained by Betty¡¯s crazy behavior.

    Betty realized that she couldn¡¯t talk sense into Angelina. So, she got up from the ground and dashed

    toward the door while screaming, ¡°Somebody help me! Argh-¡±

    She felt dizzy as a stabbing pain spread across her abdomen. Angelina had kicked her in the stomach.

    Flung into the air and falling hard onto the ground, Betty groaned loudly from the pain that spread

    across her body.

 Chapter 805

    ¡°How dare you hit me? I¡¯m Betty Beckett. You¡­¡± Betty curled into a ball from the pain and drenched in

    sweat. She rolled around like a burrito and moaned, but her voice gradually faded.

    She was surprised by Angelina¡¯s strength, which didn¡¯t seem typical for a woman,

    Angelina scoffed. ¡°So what? I can hit you as long as you¡¯re not Ms. Lauren.¡±

    She chuckled and stretched her neck. Then, she cast an icy re at Betty. ¡°Your life, to me, is as

    worthless as those rats in the corner.¡±

    Betty was incensed and humiliated upon hearing that. She got up from the floor with gritted teeth and

    resolved to fight Angelina with every ounce of her energy.

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    However, before she could even stand, Angelina kicked her again with greater force.

    Yelping, Betty stted on the ground, feeling excruciating pain throughout her body. Tears, snot, and

    dust. covered her face, turning her into a mess.

    Angelina, devoid of remorse for hitting a woman, was about to deliver a second kick when Landon¡¯s

    voice came through the earpiece, ¡°That¡¯s enough, Angie. You¡¯re too hard on her. If you kick her once

    more, I bet you¡¯ll cripple her.¡±

    Angelina drew back her leg and replied, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Betty¡¯s soul almost departed her body from the pain. She vaguely heard the ruthless Angelina talking to

    someone through the earpiece. However, she couldn¡¯t make out the conversation.

    Angelina mused, ¡°Do you n to leave her alone?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to go hard on her. Just give her a few ps to teach her a lesson,¡± Landon instructed

    nonchntly.

    Simultaneously, in his ck Rolls-Royce, Landon watched the warehouse scene unfold on a screen.

    The pitiful sight of Betty brought him cathartic satisfaction and amusement.

    No. That wasn¡¯t enough. The thought of what Betty had done to Lauren enraged him. How he wished

    he could crush Betty and avenge Lauren for all the past bullying.

    Still, he had to show some respect to Betty, as she was a Beckett. Before he got into power at the

    Harper Group, he wouldn¡¯t want to jeopardize his position by creating trouble.

    He wasn¡¯t worried about any trouble per se. He was only worried about Lauren¡¯s safety. He feared that

    he

    At the thought of his promise to wed Lauren and the challenges ahead of them, he felt a burden on his

    chest. He let out a heavy sigh, and his warm breath tickled Lauren¡¯s ear while she slept in his arms.

    She moaned softly and opened her eyes drowsily, her gentle and adorable doe eyes meeting his.

    ¡°Did I wake you up, hmm?¡± he wondered aloud.

    He stared down at her and brushed his lips against her reddened ears. He loved her so much. Each

    hug or kiss made him crave more of her.

    ¡°Mmm¡­ No. I just happened to wake up,¡± Lauren muttered.

    Though ate bloomer, after experiencing intimacy with Landon, she seemed to have matured from a

    young girl into a woman, as if her soul and body had awakened.

    She heard his deep breathing and felt his kisses traveling southward, with a desire to explore further.

    At the thought of his promise to wed Lauren and the challenges ahead of them, he felt a burden on his

    chest. He let out a heavy sigh, and his warm breath tickled Lauren¡¯s ear while she slept in his arms.

    She moaned softly and opened her eyes drowsily, her gentle and adorable doe eyes meeting his.

    ¡°Did I wake you up, hmm?¡± he wondered aloud.

    He stared down at her and brushed his lips against her reddened ears. He loved her so much. Each

    hug or kiss made him crave more of her.

    ¡°Mmm¡­ No. I just happened to wake up,¡± Lauren muttered.

    Though ate bloomer, after experiencing intimacy with Landon, she seemed to have matured from a

    young girl into a woman, as if her soul and body had awakened.

    She heard his deep breathing and felt his kisses traveling southward, with a desire to explore further.

 Chapter 806

    Blushing profusely, Betty understood that Landon was aroused, so she sneaked into Landon¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Stay still. Let me kiss you a little more,¡± Landon said to her tenderly as he engaged in a tongue kiss

    with her, pinching her chin. Dizzy and defenseless, she sumbed to his passionate advance.

    Landon was abruptly interrupted by a deafening p through his earbud as things were about to

    escte. Halting, he removed the earbud with a frown.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°L-Landon, is that Betty?¡± Lauren clung tightly to his waist, staring in disbelief as Angelina pped

    Betty on the other side.

    ¡°Yeah. No one is as ugly as that heartless sister of yours,¡± Landon replied, observing Betty¡¯s distress

    from the assault.

    Lauren witnessed Angelina holding Betty up from the ground by holding Betty¡¯s hair. Then, Angelina

    started pping Betty indiscriminately.

    A few roundster, Betty¡¯s haughty and pretty face swelled, her nose bleeding, and her eyes struggling

    to open.

    Angelina, trained in martial arts and serving as Landon¡¯s bodyguard, proved to be ruthless and strong.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Please stop! Please stop it!¡± Betty pleaded for mercy, suffering in pain.

    The more she screamed, the more satisfied Landon seemed.

    ¡°Why would you hit her?¡± Lauren eximed in shock and tugged at his arm. ¡°Tell Angie to stop!¡±

    ¡°Darling, why would I?¡± Landon caressed Lauren¡¯s face.

    She blushed embarrassedly and pursed her lips upon hearing his nickname for her.

    Landon¡¯s eyes gleamed murderously. ¡°I told you I¡¯d protect and hurt those who bullied you. I want them

    to suffer. I cannot forgive what Betty has done to you.

    ¡°I¡¯ve shown mercy for too long, and it¡¯s time she paid for her actions. This is just the beginning.¡±

    Lauren quivered. Landon treated her gently, but the look in his eyes had changed.

    She knew he was only nice to her and ruthless to the others. She might find it hard to understand and

    approve of his behavior, but she loved him regardless.

    ¡°Darling, just watch the performance without worry,¡± Landon said, holding her waist. ¡°It¡¯s boring to be at

    At the thought of his promise to wed Lauren and the challenges ahead of them, he felt a burden on his

    chest. He let out a heavy sigh, and his warm breath tickled Lauren¡¯s ear while she slept in his arms.

    She moaned softly and opened her eyes drowsily, her gentle and adorable doe eyes meeting his.

    ¡°Did I wake you up, hmm?¡± he wondered aloud.

    He stared down at her and brushed his lips against her reddened ears. He loved her so much. Each

    hug or kiss made him crave more of her.

    ¡°Mmm¡­ No. I just happened to wake up,¡± Lauren muttered.

    Though ate bloomer, after experiencing intimacy with Landon, she seemed to have matured from a

    young girl into a woman, as if her soul and body had awakened.

    She heard his deep breathing and felt his kisses traveling southward, with a desire to explore further.

 Chapter 807

    Jim Ford, the old driver who had served Landon for decades, looked shocked by Landon¡¯s

    transformation. He had lots of admiration for the adorable Lauren, who had saved Landon from the

    abys

    Ever since the loss of his father, Landon had dwelled in darkness, bing increasingly cynical and

    callous. However, Lauren had managed to breathe life back into him, rekindling his human emotions.

    Jin was d for Landon.

    Slowly, Lauren calmed down and sobbed quietly in Landon¡¯s arms, paining him.

    Sometimes, he forgot the fact that Lauren was autistic because she was always energetic and innocent

    He secretly looked for treatments abroad but didn¡¯t get anything useful. The experts from abroad

    merely rmended therapy and long-term care, a long and grueling process that not many could

    withstand

    However, he had to do it for Lauren. He had chosen to be with her and was determined to spend the

    rest of his life with her.

    ¡°Thank you, Landon, for not beating up Betty,¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Why do you want to protect her after what she has done to you? She hurt you, cursed you, and hit

    you,¡± wondered Landon with a frown.

    Lauren sniffled and answered, ¡°Because she¡¯s my sister. Mom and Dad love her a lot. They are happy

    when they see her. I don¡¯t want Betty to be hurt. That will upset them.¡±

    It was a mind-boggling sentiment. Lauren, to appease her parents, was willing to make peace with her

    aggressor.

    Choking up, Landon felt the stabbing pain spread across his body. He remarked, ¡°Lauren, you are too

    kind.

    Her kindness moved him. And that same kindness also served as a beacon of light in his dark life. She

    was the antithesis of everything in his life, yet he yearned to be with her.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    She leaned over and kissed him on his Adam¡¯s apple when he was lost in thought. He immediately

    tensed up as he battled his desire for her. He was utterly aroused.

    ¡°Landon, do you want to do it here?¡± she asked.

    Not knowing how to describe sex, she vagued it up, which was even more alluring to him.

    Quietly and stoically, Jim, the driver, raised the partition between the front and back seats, providing

    them

    ¡°Lauren, you¡¯re naughty,¡± Landon said.

    Sweat dotted his forehead. He slowly tightened his grip on her supple breasts.

    She replied, ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I just wanted to thank you.¡±

    Blinking, she pouted. ¡°Forget about it, then. Mmhm-¡±

    He sealed her lips with a kiss that quickly escted. He sucked on her lips, rendering her breathless.

    Their tongues danced with each other.

    Landon¡¯s fingers ran themselves all across her body, causing her skin to flush.

    ¡°You can¡¯t take back what you¡¯ve said, my darling,¡± teased Landon. He loosened his tie and went on

    top of her, saying, ¡°Only you can take care of what you started.¡±

 Chapter 808

    Alyssa enjoyed a hotte-night bath and changed into her pink silk night robe. She tied her long hair

    with a towel and whistled a tune as she descended the stairs, looking radiant.

    Despite all her recent troubles, she knew her luck would turn around soon. Besides, as a Taylor, she

    knew she could get anything she wanted, even if it were the nation¡¯s presidency.

    However, Jasper Beckett remained a headache for her.

    The thought of Jasper frustrated her to no end. She thought Jasper had fallen for her. She even

    gradually warmed up to him and epted him, only to be disillusioned.

    Men were disappointing and despicable, and Jasper was the worst of them all.

    The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. Her lips turned into a scowl.

    Sean beamed at her from the living room and said, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I made some hot soup. Would you like

    some? It¡¯s not going to ruin your diet n.¡±

    Alyssa felt sorry for Sean, who was sweaty from all the cooking. She told him, ¡°Sean, you¡¯re my

    secretary, not my nanny. You don¡¯t have to cook for me. I¡¯ll ask Mandy to send me a maid from our

    Belbanks home to cook for me. I appreciate your thought, but you¡¯ve worked hard all day.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, your dad arranged for me to work for you, including taking care of your daily life. I¡¯ve been

    doing the same thing over the years,¡± Sean argued, worried that he might not be important to Alyssa

    anymore.

    She shook her head and said firmly, ¡°I told you before that you should pay more attention to those

    worthy of your love, such as Taty.¡±

    He clenched his fist as his heart skipped a beat.

    She advised him for the sake of Tatiana¡¯s happiness, ¡°You¡¯re busy working for me in the day. Don¡¯t

    bother taking care of every detail of my life. Just be good to Taty. You¡¯ll hurt her if you are distracted.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, my feelings for Ms. Tatiana-¡±

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Not in the mood to discuss rtionships, she cut him off, ¡°Sean, any news from the hospital?¡±

    All she wanted was to get back at Sophia.

    After a pause, Sean pursed his lips and replied, ¡°Our Intel in the hospital reported that Sophia Kirkman

    and Javier Beckett have gotten into a fight, just as you expected.

    ¡°After the fight, Javier did not stay at the hospital and didn¡¯t show up in thest two days either.

    Congrattions, Ms. Alyssa. You¡¯ve seeded ining between them.¡±

    ¡°Once we sow the seeds of doubt, Javier will start suspecting Sophia. Her life with the Beckett family

    will be hellish from now on,¡± Alyssa said with a cold smirk. ¡°Only by ruining their rtionship and

    pressuring Sophia will we see her true colors.¡±

    She wanted to drive Sophia to the brink of sanity, destroying her once and for all.

    ¡°By the way, as you requested, I looked into Sophia Kirkman¡¯s daily routine. She would go for a routine

    touch-up weekly, and she has a close rtionship with her stic surgeon at the private clinic. He¡¯s a

    rather handsome guy in his early 40s.¡±

    That was interesting.

    Intrigued, she crossed her arms and clicked her tongue. ¡°Mm, I got it. But I wonder if a man in his 40s

    could satisfy her needs. After all, he¡¯s not as vigorous as a twenty-something.¡±

    Sean shed her a half smile and quipped, ¡°It must be hard for that poor doctor.¡±

    ¡°One of them is after money, and the other wants sex. It works out for both of them.¡±

 Chapter 809

    The doorbell rang at that moment. Sean was puzzled. ¡°Who¡¯s visiting at this hour?¡±

    ¡°Sean, answer the door. She¡¯s my guest,¡± instructed Alyssa.

    Sean remained confused, for Alyssa hadn¡¯t told him about the guest before this. Still, he put his

    thoughts aside and opened the door.

    A young and good-lookingdy in her 20s stood there. She was dressed in athleisure wear and a ck

    cap.

    ¡°You are¡­¡± Sean wondered, examining the woman before him.

    ¡°I-I am Nina-Nina Carle. I¡¯m a maid at the Beckett family who works for Ms. Lauren,¡± Nina nervously

    introduced herself while checking out the surroundings.

    Upon learning that she worked for Lauren, Sean immediately pieced the puzzle together.

    ¡°Sorry, Nina. I couldn¡¯t pick you up because of some reasons. I had to trouble you to visit me,¡± Alyssa

    greeted Nina and held her hand. Then, she led Nina into the living room.

    ¡°It must be cold outside. Your hands are frozen. Didn¡¯t I ask you to hail a cab? Don¡¯t worry about the

    fees,¡± Alyssa said.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I took the bus and changed to the train. It was pretty convenient,¡± Nina answered, her cheeks

    red from the cold.

    She trembled, feeling touched by the care that the ex-Mrs. Beckett had shown her.

    Alyssa felt bad for Nina when she recalled the walking distance from the train station to the

    neighborhood. She knew that Nina wanted to save some money.

    Sean made a cup of hot tea for Nina and gave her a hot pack. Nina sat on the living room couch for a

    while before she recovered from the cold.

    ¡°Madam-Sorry, it¡¯s Ms. Alyssa. Thank you for taking care of Lauren all this while,¡± Nina whispered

    firmly. I witnessed how you treated Ms. Lauren when you were still with the Beckett family. Look, I¡¯m

    willing to do anything for Ms. Lauren.¡±

    Alyssa observed Nina¡¯s eyes. They were as clear as Lauren¡¯s. She suddenly felt a heavy burden on

    her heart.

    She had no idea if she was making the right move, but she needed to ce a trustworthy figure by

    After looking into the household staff, she finally picked Nina to be the spy.

    Sean pressed his lips. He knew that Alyssa wanted Nina to spy on Sophia.

    Alyssa exined, ¡°Nina, I want you to gain Sophia¡¯s trust and stay by her side. If possible, I need you

    to install a bug in her bedroom.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes darkened, and she went to the point, ¡°I want to track every single detail of her life from

    now on.¡±

    Nina, stunned, gripped tightly onto the hot pack without a word.

    ¡°Nina, I know this is tough for you. After all, Sophia Kirkman is Lauren¡¯s mom and the family¡¯s

    matriarch.

    This missiones with some risks as well¡­¡±

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll do that.¡± After a brief pause, Nina slowly looked up with a steely determination and swore, ¡°I

    willplete every mission to the best of my ability. I bear witness to what Ms. Lauren went through

    over the years. Madam Sophia was only good to Ms. Betty, treating Ms. Lauren like one of the maids.

    Ms. Lauren was only treated with respect when Mr. Javier and Mr. Jasper were home.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    Alyssa and Sean teared up when they heard Nina¡¯s remark. Nina continued, ¡°I like Ms. Lauren, but I

    am clear-headed. I judge Madam Sophia and Ms. Betty by their actions, not by their rtionship with

    Ms.

    Lauren. I won¡¯t allow them to hurt Ms. Lauren just because they are her family.¡±

    Nina¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Mr. Landon, I didn¡¯t know who else could pull Ms.

    Lauren out of that hellhole. Mr. Landon is really nice to her.¡±

 Chapter 810

    Alyssa recalled how Landon and Lauren held hands and looked at each other lovingly. She was

    touched and envious of their love.

    Lauren had found her love. Alyssa wondered when it would be her turn.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you are nice to Ms. Lauren too. I will help you no matter what it takes,¡± said Nina.

    Alyssa held her hand and replied, ¡°Thank you, Nina, but please look out for your safety. Don¡¯t push

    yourself. If you run into danger, let me know right away.

    ¡°We can abort or give up on our ns-as long as you¡¯re safe. Got it?¡±

    Nina nodded with tears in her eyes. Since Nina hadn¡¯t had anything, Alyssa made her some food and

    even served L¡¯s pickles. It was a simple but satisfying meal.

    Nina wolfed down the food, clearly famished. Alyssa sat across from her, resting her chin on her palm

    and smiling.

    Alyssa asked, ¡°Is it delicious?¡±

    ¡°Yes! It¡¯s good!¡± Nina eximed after licking the te clean and wiping her mouth. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯re

    an excellent cook. Mr. Jasper is fortunate to have you.¡±

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Sean was left speechless by Nina¡¯s unexpected remark. Alyssa, still smiling, teased, ¡°Too bad he

    doesn¡¯t appreciate it. He won¡¯t get to enjoy it anymore.¡±

    After Betty was badly beaten up by Angelina on Landon¡¯s instructions, she quietly flew to Hestrya to

    recuperate and fix her face. She dared not add to Sophia¡¯s troubles, and she kept her injuries a secret

    from Javier as well.

    Angelina wouldn¡¯t have assaulted her without Landon¡¯s directives. Betty knew that if she made a fuss

    out of the issue, she¡¯d only humiliate herself and her family. Not only that, she might suffer from

    Landon¡¯s retaliation.

    She never wanted to experience the agony of sharing a room with rats and merciless beatings.

    However, she still wanted to get even, or she¡¯d never get over the humiliation

    Post-surgery, with a bandaged head, Betty returned to Sna City. While in the car, she received a call

    from Zoe.

    Zoe barked into the phone, ¡°Hey, where the fuck were you? I couldn¡¯t reach you at all.¡±

    Zoe addressed her in an authoritative tone, as usual.

    Betty, in pain, pressed against her bandaged face and retorted, ¡°Watch your tone. I¡¯m Betty Beckett,

    not your maid!*

    ¡°Poor you. I haven¡¯t gotten even with you when you humiliated me in front of Jasper. You have no right

    to be mad at me now,¡± jeered Zoe. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯ll overlook that. Someone will pick you up tomorrow. Go

    with me to my engagement dress fitting.¡±

    ¡°Engagement? Whose¡¯s engagement?¡±

    ¡°My engagement to Jasper!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Betty gasped, looking stunned. ¡°Jasper can¡¯t possibly agree to that unless he¡¯s lost his mind.¡±

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t agreed yet, but it¡¯s just a matter of time,¡± Zoe asserted. ¡°Wait and see. He¡¯ll cave in soon,

    and I¡¯ll be your sister-inw.¡±

 Chapter 811

    Betty couldn¡¯t fathom Zoe¡¯s audacity in proudly announcing her engagement. It seemed like sheer

    madness.

    As the Beckett Group president, Jasper was so powerful that Javier had no control over him. What

    could the Harpers do about Jasper?

    However, she chose not to confront Zoe directly, choosing instead to observe as Zoe unwittingly made

    a mockery of herself and turned the Harper family into theughingstock of Sna City.

    ¡°Whatever. I don¡¯t mind as long as you¡¯re happy. I wish you and Jasper a happy marriage,¡± Betty said

    to Zoe reluctantly.

    ¡°By the way, do you remember Mayor Hodgson¡¯s son? He was interested in you, but you weren¡¯t into

    him, so the blind date didn¡¯t work out,¡± Zoe suddenly changed the topic.

    Mayor Hodgson¡¯s son? Betty recalled the guy, Freddy Hodgson. Sophia had brought Betty to meet with

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Mayor Hodgson and his wife at a golf course earlier. It was a blind date masked as a meeting, as

    Sophia intended to get Betty acquainted with Freddy.

    In the end, the mayor and his wife were uninterested in Betty. Not only that, Mrs. Hodgson

    outrageously requested to meet with Lauren, which was a p in Betty¡¯s face.

    To save her face, Betty lied and boasted to Zoe that she had asked Sophia to turn down the Hodgsons¡¯

    marriage proposal because she deserved a better suitor.

    ¡°Yes. Why did you bring him up?¡± Betty said crossly.

    ¡°Oh. Nothing. He¡¯s pursuing me,¡± Zoe replied andughed gleefully.

    Shocked, Betty snickered. ¡°You¡¯re about to be Mrs. Beckett soon. You probably wouldn¡¯t even look at a

    mayor¡¯s son.¡±

    ¡°I only have eyes for Jasper, that¡¯s for sure. That¡¯s why I turned down Freddy¡¯s advances. But he said

    he was very in love with me and willing to do anything for me. And by everything, he meant everything,¡±

    Zoe remarked and cackled sinisterly.

    ¡°What do you mean? What¡¯s your n?¡± Betty pressed on as she could sense there was more to Zoe¡¯s

    words.

    ¡°I want him to marry Lauren,¡± Zoe announced.

    Betty inhaled sharply upon hearing that. Zoe could be very maniacal at times. How could she demand

    her

    Zoe barked into the phone, ¡°Hey, where the fuck were you? I couldn¡¯t reach you at all.¡±

    Zoe addressed her in an authoritative tone, as usual.

    Betty, in pain, pressed against her bandaged face and retorted, ¡°Watch your tone. I¡¯m Betty Beckett,

    not your maid!¡±

    ¡°Poor you. I haven¡¯t gotten even with you when you humiliated me in front of Jasper. You have no right

    to be mad at me now,¡± jeered Zoe. ¡°Whatever. I¡¯ll overlook that. Someone will pick you up tomorrow. Go

    with me to my engagement dress fitting.¡±

    ¡°Engagement? Whose¡¯s engagement?¡±

    ¡°My engagement to Jasper!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Betty gasped, looking stunned. ¡°Jasper can¡¯t possibly agree to that unless he¡¯s lost his mind.¡±

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t agreed yet, but it¡¯s just a matter of time,¡± Zoe asserted. ¡°Wait and see. He¡¯ll cave in soon,

    and I¡¯ll be your sister-inw.¡±

 Chapter 812

    David¡¯s driver perished at the scene, and the badly injured bodyguard seated in the front passenger

    seat battled for his life in the emergency room.

    Fortunately, as David was seated in the back, he suffered facial injuries from the ss shards after the

    front collision. Despite bleeding from the head, he survived the ident.

    However, aminuted fracture in his legs left him permanently crippled.

    Victor enlisted experts from across the country to treat David, but none could sessfully rehabilitate

    David¡¯s legs.

    One day, the Schmidts sat in their living room-a heavy feeling hung in the air. Daisy sobbed

    uncontrobly, but it was unclear if her grief was genuine.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    She wailed, ¡°Why did this happen? David used that road often, and it was a straight road. How did he

    get into an ident?¡±

    Everyone was moody. Only Jameson crossed his legs and sipped on his tea, unconcerned. He

    remarked nonchntly, ¡°The frequency of using a road doesn¡¯t reduce your chances of getting into an

    ident. They are unrted, Daisy.¡±

    Daisy dabbed away her tears with her hanky and shot him a moody re. She used, ¡°You seem

    quite happy after David¡¯s ident. Why? Has your wish finallye true?¡±

    He ced the teacup on the table and adjusted his sses. ¡°No, I¡¯m not happy. I¡¯m just emotionally

    stable, unlike you. David isn¡¯t dead, but you cry like you¡¯re at his funeral.¡±

    ¡°You-¡± she stammered, enraged by his taunt.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Can¡¯t you guys ever stop squabbling? You¡¯ve been doing that forever. Daisy, David is

    suffering. You haven¡¯t thought of a solution. You¡¯re only busy causing trouble. Do you want to see our

    family in a mess?¡± David growled and pped on the arm of his chair.

    Daisy quivered at Victor¡¯s rage and stopped crying, only glowering at Jameson. 2

    After moments of thinking, Jameson slowly suggested, ¡°Dad, I have a solution. Why don¡¯t we give it a

    try? We might save David¡¯s legs.¡±

    All eyes were on him. Victor¡¯s eyes brightened with hope. He leaned forward eagerly and urged

    Jameson, Tell me now!¡±

    ¡°Lyse has another identity-she¡¯s an excellent surgeon. Before this, she sessfully performed a

    difficult

    ¡°You¡¯re Lauren¡¯s sister, after all. So, I¡¯ll need your help to make the marriage work, especially when I¡¯m

    not in the position to act,¡± Zoe said with a sly smile.

    She added, ¡°My family runs a business empire, and we¡¯re influential. If we were an ordinary family,

    knowing Landon, he wouldn¡¯t give up on Lauren at all. The only way to crush his hope is to marry off

    Lauren to another influential family like the Hodgsons.¡±

    What a devious n!

    Betty snapped and sweated after tugging on her facial injury, ¡°I remember how you treated me after I

    helped you out. You nearly sent me to prison! Why would I help you now?¡±

    Zoe drawled, ¡°I¡¯m your future sister-inw. It¡¯s important to get on my good side. Besides, you must be

    upset at Lauren for snatching Landon from you. No one else except for me can take revenge for you.¡±

    Betty was stunned by Zoe¡¯s n. Tears of anger welled up as she clenched her fists, recalling how

    badly

    Angelina had beaten her up.

    She seethed silently, ¡°Landon Harper, I love you deeply, but you treat me like an animal. I can only give

    you a taste of your own medicine by taking away your most precious possession.¡±

    With that in mind, she told Zoe, ¡°Tell me what you n to do.¡±

    Jasper and Zoe¡¯s scandal plunged the Becketts and the Harpers into turmoil.

    The Schmidts also faced their own troubles, with David Schmidt having recently been in a car ident

    of his way home from a gathering with friends on a rainy night.

 Chapter 813

    Jameson halted in his tracks and squinted when he heard the icy voice from behind. Yawning, he

    turned around and questioned, ¡°Josh, what¡¯s the matter? It¡¯ste, and I¡¯d like to rest.¡±

    ¡°Jimmy, you put on a good show. Isn¡¯t it killing two birds with one stone?¡± Joshmented as he took

    a few steps closer, examining Jameson with a sharp gaze.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Jameson tilted his head, feigning ignorance.

    Cutting to the chase, Josh used, ¡°You set up David¡¯s car ident, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    Jameson still acted like he was confused. ¡°What?¡±

    Seeing through Jameson¡¯s act, Josh continued, ¡°You sent your men to screw up David¡¯s car, but you

    didn¡¯t want him dead, just crippled.

    ¡°Then, you offered a solution to Dad by introducing Ms. Alyssa to him, which earned you cookie points.

    You proved yourself capable of sharing his worries. Bravo, Jimmy! That was some slick move.¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses and lifted his chin. He erupted into a series ofughter that echoed in

    the corridor, sending goosebumps down Josh¡¯s skin.

    ¡°Josh, how did you even be the president of the Schmidt Group? You could have been a great

    screenwriter instead of being crushed by Jonah Taylor and Jasper Beckett in business!¡± Jameson

    jeered whileughing until he was out of breath.

    Fueled by resentment, Joshhed his jaw and hissed, ¡°Jameson Schmidt!¡±

    ¡°David¡¯s ident has nothing to do with me. If you still insist that I yed a role, I can only say that I

    have jinxed him,¡± Jameson offered, then left.

    Josh took out his phone and ended the recording with a scheming look.

    Back in the bedroom, Jameson took a shower after taking off his suit. Then, he poured himself a ss

    of red wine while sitting on the couch.

    He felt rxed, joyful, and refreshed. Sometimes, it felt better to condemn someone to hell on earth

    than to take his life.

    Carl knocked on the door and entered, locking it behind him. ¡°Mr. Schmidt, did you ask for me?¡±

    ¡°Have you taken care of the aftermath?¡± Jameson asked, taking a sip of red wine.

    ¡°Yes. The lorry driver has admitted guilt. He won¡¯t say another word.¡±

    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll visit Belbanks with Victor tomorrow to get Ms. Alyssa to treat David.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Why, though? How would Victor know about Ms. Alyssa-¡±

    ¡°I made the suggestion.¡±

    Carl, looking astonished, said, ¡°Why would you save David? What if Ms. Alyssa managed to make him

    walk again?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. She¡¯s a doctor, not God,¡± Jameson said with a sneer.

    He had orchestrated the ident that permanently crushed David¡¯s legs. No one could restore them.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°I made the suggestion to show that I will help David despite the bad blood between us. Victor will

    remember my help. Even if we fail to treat David¡¯s legs, Victor will still be grateful to me.¡±

    Carl gasped, realizing, ¡°You¡¯re smart!¡±

    ¡°Victor can¡¯t do anything about his favorite son,¡± Jameson remarked.

    Standing before the dark windows, he swirled the red wine with an ominous look in his eyes. ¡°Winston

    Taylor will never marry his daughter off to a cripple. I am Victor¡¯s only hope now.¡± 3

 Chapter 814

    Victor, worried about David, called Winston that night to make sure that Winston and Alyssa were at

    home. The following day, he went to the Taylors¡¯ residence at Belbanks with Jameson.

    Upon arrival, he immediately wailed without a care for his image, ¡°Oh, Winston! You have to save our

    poor David!¡±

    Winston and Mandy weed him at the door. Winston secretly chuckled at Victor¡¯s disheveled look.

    After a lifetime ofpetition between them, Victor had finally given up.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Victor?¡± Mandy was surprised to see Victor in such distress.

    Victor, rushing toward them, identally tripped on a rock. He fell to his knees in front of the couple,

    grimacing from the pain in his hand. Winston and Mandy were left speechless by the unexpected

    scene.

    Suppressing a snicker, Jameson helped Victor up. Then, he asked, ¡°Dad, are you hurt anywhere?¡±

    Victor truly loved David. Without even worrying about his appearance, he grabbed Winston and

    exined, ¡°Winston, David got into a serious car ident a few days ago!¡±

    Winston and Mandy eximed, ¡°What happened?¡±

    Jameson chimed in with a look of pity. ¡°A speeding lorry crashed into David¡¯s car on that rainy night

    because of the poor visibility. David¡¯s legs were crushed by the lorry, and he suffers from aminuted

    fracture. The doctor said both legs might have to be amputated.¡±

    Winston was taken aback. ¡°What? Amputation?¡±

    Eyes gleaming with hope, Victor pleaded, ¡°You watched my kid grow up. You wouldn¡¯t want him to be

    crippled, right? Jimmy mentioned Lyse is the talented surgeon ¡®Dr. White.¡¯ Can we get her to treat

    David¡¯s legs?¡±

    Alyssa emerged from the vi at that moment. ¡°Uncle Victor.¡±

    She looked dazzling under the morning light. She seemed to have just woken up, as she looked a bit

    drowsy. Her hair was wet, and her bare, rosy face looked adorable.

    Jameson gazed at her tenderly and swallowed hard. He couldn¡¯t move his eyes away from her. He had

    fallen for an angel like her at a young age, condemning him to 15 years of longing and loneliness.

    ¡®Oh, Lyse! Help me out! You must save David!¡¯ Victor implored, almost in tears, as he clutched Alyssa¡¯s

    hands. can¡¯t sit back and do nothing, especially since David is your son.¡±

    Though not well-acquainted with David, she feltpelled to help as Victor was Winston¡¯s old friend.

    Relieved, Victor said, ¡°Thank you, Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Uncle Victor, I have to make it clear that I¡¯m just an ordinary surgeon, not an omnipotent God. I¡¯ll need

    to check on David¡¯s injuries before I can make any promise,¡± Alyssa cautioned.

    ¡°Lyse, there¡¯s hope for David as long as you are willing to help! Jimmy said you performed a sessful

    head surgery on Jasper Beckett,¡± Victor said.

    Alyssa replied powerlessly, ¡°Yeah. You mean a brain surgery.¡±

    ¡°If you can crack open a head, fixing legs is a piece of cake for you!¡± Victor insisted.

    She pressed her lips and met eyes with Jameson. Jameson beamed warmly at her.

    She muttered, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll try my best.¡±

    Alyssa returned to Sna City with Victor and Jameson in the afternoon. The Schmidts orded her

    the best treatment as she was a VIP guest.

    As a doctor, her sole focus was treating David, and she swiftly went to his room.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

 Chapter 815

    David remained in aa. In reality, he was awake, but the doctor had opted to keep him sedated to

    shield him from potential emotional distress.

    An hour psed, and Alyssa emerged from the room, nked by the hospital director and two medical

    professors. She wore a somber expression.

    Victor hurried over and inquired, ¡°Lyse, how¡¯s David?¡±

    The other family members, the secretaries, and the bodyguards surrounded the medical team as well.

    Frowning, Alyssa hesitated before delivering the grim news, ¡°Uncle Victor, the situation is not optimistic.

    David has a severe fracture that¡¯s challenging to mend. The chances of sessful healing are close to

    none, and there¡¯s only a 20 percent probability of him ever walking again.¡±

    The Schmidt family seemed devastated by the revtion. If not for Josh and Daisy supporting Victor,

    he might have copsed.

    Only Jameson leaned against a corner of the wall out of everyone¡¯s vision and grinned.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, please save my brother¡¯s legs, even if there¡¯s only a one percent chance!¡± Josh pleaded

    with worry.

    ¡°Of course. I will try my best since I am here,¡± Alyssa promised. A hint of hesitation lingered in her

    eyes.

    Victor sensed that she had some unspoken thoughts and urged, ¡°Lyse, speak your mind!¡±

    She asked with a serious face, ¡°Uncle Victor, are you sure that David¡¯s leg fracture was caused by the

    ident?¡±

    The Schmidts were surprised by the question. Only Josh and Jameson looked pensive.

    Startled, Victor wondered, ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Alyssa began, ¡°I treated multiple patients with bone fractures. I can tell the causes and even the

    specific blunt force that led to the injuries.¡±

    She then paused and lowered her voice, saying, ¡°The fracture appears unnatural, almost deliberate-

    perhaps inflicted by an object like a metal rod.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s expression darkened upon hearing that. His face turned white.

    Casting a nce at Jameson, Josh spected, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, are you suggesting someone intentionally

    injured him after the ident?¡±

    Everyone gasped at the allegation

    ¡°Dad, seel I knew something was off about David¡¯s ident,¡± Daisy asserted indignantly

    Victor¡¯s face fell as he struggled to grasp the reality

    Alyssa rified, ¡°I don¡¯t know for sure. I¡¯m just highlighting my suspicions as a surgeon. I will perform a

    Surgery on David in an hour

    ¡°It will be a long surgery, so Uncle Victor, you should go home or book a room at the KS World Hotel

    nearby, I¡¯ll inform you right away when the surgery¡¯s done.¡±

    Victor refused Alyssa¡¯s thoughtful suggestion and insisted, ¡°I¡¯m not tired at all! I¡¯ll wait here.¡±

    He grew fonder of his future daughter inw and resolved to get her married to his son no matter what

    it would take,

    The surgery extended longer than expected, running from 1 pm to 9 pm.

    Finally, the lights of the operation theater turned off. Alyssa emerged from the room with the help of an

    assistant. After hours of standing, she was drenched in sweat. Multiple towels were used to wipe away

    her sweat. Even her legs were shaking.

    Fortunately, she was able to sustain the demands as she was young and hardy.

    Jameson approached her and gently held her. ¡°Lyse! It must have been tough for you. You¡¯re tired,

    aren¡¯t you?¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. The surgery matters the most. Uh-¡± Alyssa gasped as a fainting spell hit her. Her body

    trembled, and she struggled to stand.

    ¡°Lyse, look out!¡± Jameson, concerned/she might copse, held her firmly by the waist.

 Chapter 816

    The Schmidts exchanged funny looks with each other, suspecting a rtionship between Alyssa and

    Jameson, given their intimate behavior.

    However, given Jameson¡¯s standing in the family, he was not an ideal match for Alyssa.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Alyssa replied, steadying her breath before struggling to free herself from Jameson¡¯s arms.

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    She refused to cause any misunderstanding under the many watchful eyes. Jameson awkwardly froze

    and clutched his fingers stiffly.

    Victor rushed to the scene at that moment, followed by his staff. He inquired, ¡°Lyse, how¡¯s the

    situation?¡±

    She wiped away the sweat on her forehead and sighed helplessly. ¡°Uncle Victor, I tried my best, but I

    only saved his left leg because his injuries were too severe.¡±

    ¡°W-What about the other leg?¡±

    ¡°It has to be amputated,¡± she dropped a bomb that nearly caused Victor to faint.

    He mustered, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s alright. I know his legs.¡±

    you gave your best. I¡¯m grateful that you managed to save one of

    Alyssa revealed in honesty, ¡°By the way, David woke up toward the end of the surgery. He told me that

    someone had beaten him up and crushed his legs.¡±

    Shocked, Victor demanded, ¡°Who did that to him?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to ask him about that when he has calmed down.¡±

    Thanks to Alyssa¡¯s exceptional skills, the surgery sessfully concluded. News of her leg surgery

    spread through the hospital like a miracle story.

    After David was transferred to the VIP patient room, his family entered the room to keep himpany.

    Only Jameson stayed with Alyssa by the bench.

    He handed Alyssa a cup of hot coffee. ¡°Lyse, you must be thirsty. Have a drink.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± she mumbled and received the coffee.

    She looked at him sideways with an unreadable look in her eye.

    Jameson added with sincerity, ¡°I should be the one to thank you for saving one of David¡¯s legs. He

    might be crippled and need prosthetics, but it¡¯s still better than being wheelchair-bound.¡±

    His heart leaped into his throat. ¡°What?¡±

    She refrained from interrogating him. She slowly rose from the bench and announced, ¡°I¡¯m hungry. I¡¯ll

    go get some food.¡±

    Worried about her, Jameson rose from the bench and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±

    Suddenly, Alyssa pressed against her forehead. She felt dizzy, nauseous, and frail. Due to ack of

    food intake, her blood sugar was dangerously low, causing her to suffer from fainting spells.

    Thankfully, Jameson quickly held her, saving her from a fall. ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    A familiar voice echoed in the hallway. ¡°Alice?¡±

    She opened her eyes and turned slowly, only to be taken aback by what she saw.

    Not far away, Jasper, looking stoic, wheeled Newton over to her. Newton looked astonished to see her

    at the hospital.

 Chapter 817

    The air in the spacious corridor hung heavy.

    Jasper was stung by the sight of Alyssa leaning weakly in Jameson¡¯s arms. Tears welled up in his

    eyes.

    Jasper thought that Alyssa¡¯s rtionship with Jameson developed speedily during his absence. Feeling

    bitter, he stared at his feet and tightened his grip on Newton¡¯s wheelchair handle.

    Jameson did not flinch at Newton and Jasper¡¯s presence. He addressed Alyssa with affection and

    concern, ¡°Lyse, you¡¯ve justpleted a difficult surgery. You¡¯re exhausted and need rest. I¡¯ll send you

    home.¡±

    Alyssa, however, brushed aside his concern and approached Newton with a worried expression.

    Kneeling, she gently held Newton¡¯s wrinkled hand. ¡°Grandpa, why are you at the hospital? Do you feel

    unwell?¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips after he was ignored by Alyssa. She seemed only to have eyes for Jameson.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just a heart issue. It red up, so Jasper insisted on sending me to the hospital at night,¡±

    Newton exined while looking at Alyssa lovingly.

    ¡°Grandpa, you cannot ck off. You need to go for regr checkups like I asked you to,¡± Alyssa

    reminded him, feeling worried.

    ¡°Alice, is this¡­¡± Newton turned his gaze to Jameson.

    ¡°Hello, Mr. Beckett Senior. I am Jameson Schmidt,¡± Jameson introduced himself.

    ¡°Oh, I remember now. I saw you at L¡¯s birthday party. You¡¯re Victor Schmidt¡¯s youngest son, the

    talented fellow,¡± Newton politelyplimented Jameson.

    However, he felt uneasy upon seeing the intimacy between Jameson and Alyssa. He feared that the

    two were dating.

    Besides, he clearly sensed the tension between Alyssa and Jasper this time. It was worse than the

    time when they were newly divorced. He felt troubled by the situation.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Just as Newton was about to chat with Alyssa, he was interrupted by a sweet voice, ¡°Grandpa, how are

    you doing?¡±

    Alyssa looked up coldly and spotted Zoe running toward them in pajamas, trailed by two bodyguards

    who kept a distance from her.

    Newton frowned upon seeing Zoe, and he red at Jasper. Jasper furrowed his brow and cast an icy

    After a pause, she finally questioned him tly, ¡°Jimmy, was that you?¡±

    His heart leaped into his throat. ¡°What?¡±

    She refrained from interrogating him. She slowly rose from the bench and announced, ¡°I¡¯m hungry. I¡¯ll

    go get some food.¡±

    Worried about her, Jameson rose from the bench and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±

    Suddenly, Alyssa pressed against her forehead. She felt dizzy, nauseous, and frail. Due to ack of

    food intake, her blood sugar was dangerously low, causing her to suffer from fainting spells.

    Thankfully, Jameson quickly held her, saving her from a fall. ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    A familiar voice echoed in the hallway. ¡°Alice?¡±

    She opened her eyes and turned slowly, only to be taken aback by what she saw.

    Not far away, Jasper, looking stoic, wheeled Newton over to her. Newton looked astonished to see her

    at the hospital.

 Chapter 818

    Zoe enthusiastically leaned toward Newton and assured him, ¡°Jasper and I will stay by your side

    tonight. I¡¯ll be here for as long as you stay.¡±

    Hearing this, Jasper scowled. Alyssa noticed his expression. Unlike others, Jasper was unreserved in

    expressing his dislikes. With a quick temper and low emotional intelligence, he relied on capability

    rather than diplomacy for business deals.

    She remembered that he always scowled at her when they were married. Was he upset at Zoe?

    She looked away, refusing to pay him any attention. Even if he was unhappy with Zoe now, he must

    have been weing toward her when she knocked on his hotel room door on the night of the

    scandal.

    ¡°Ms. Zoe, I have undergone the checkups. It¡¯s not a huge issue at all. I can be discharged now,¡±

    Newton replied.

    He always addressed Landon by his first name, but with Zoe, he stuck to ¡°Ms. Zoe¡±, seemingly keeping

    a distance between them.

    He teased, ¡°If you stay by my side when I¡¯m at the hospital, I might never get discharged.¡± It was a joke

    that sounded jarring and humiliating to Zoe.

    Before this, Betty hadined about Newton to Zoe, iming that Newton was an old fool who

    didn¡¯t know the good from the bad.

    Betty used Newton of doting on Alyssa and ignoring her. Newton not only opposed Jasper¡¯s divorce

    but also passed on a family heirloom-a crystal bracelet-to Alyssa.

    It was a good thing that Liana had destroyed that crystal bracelet out of spite. Zoe thought that Liana

    had finally done something right for once before being kicked out.

    Panicking, she exined, ¡°No, Grandpa. That wasn¡¯t my intention.¡¯

    She then cast a pitiful look at Jasper, but he didn¡¯t even pay her attention, blocking out any

    communication with her.

    ¡°Ms. Zoe, I appreciate your concern, but I only need Jasper and Ms. Alyssa by my side. It¡¯ste now

    and rather dangerous for a youngdy to wander out here alone. I see that your bodyguards are here

    with you.

    Have them send you home,¡± Newton addressed Zoe warmly without fuss.

    Despite his kind attitude, Zoe looked ashen-faced. Newton didn¡¯t ept her goodwill and even refused

    to have Jasper send her home. It was his way of telling her to get lost.

    How despicable!

    When Newton was sent to a care facility in the future, she secretly vowed to bribe the caretakers so

    they would neglect and abuse him.

    ¡°Alice! Come here!¡± Newton changed his expression and waved at Alyssa with a smile, ignoring Zoe.

    ¡°Sure, Grandpa,¡± answered Alyssa.

    She was averse to Jasper but approached Newton nheless to appease him.

    Alyssa, a sassy and capable woman, turned into a demure youngdy when she shuffled toward

    Newton.

    Her demeanor reminded Jasper of the time when she first married him.

    The memory moved Jasper.

    Alyssa was once in love with him, but he was blind to his feelings and was terrible at expressing

    himself.

    But that meant nothing now.

    Jasper cast another hurtful look at Alyssa.

    Newton caressed Alyssa¡¯s hair and extended an invitation, ¡°Alice, would youe home with me? You

    and Jasper can stay the night at Crescent Bay.¡±

    Worried that she might feel uneasy, he quickly added, ¡°My ce is huge and has many rooms. You can

    stay in the room next to mine.¡±Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 819

    Newton added, ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll get this little punk to make all three meals for you. He¡¯ll prepare a bath

    for you tonight. Ben is on leave for the next two days, so Jasper will take over all the housework.¡±

    Jasper pressed his lips as his brows twitched in surprise. Managing household tasks was one thing, but

    entrusting him with cooking? Was Newton being a bit too callous about his health and safety?

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡­¡± Alyssa began, her voice trailing off in hesitation.

    Just as she was trying toe up with a way to excuse herself, Jameson approached them calmly and

    shed a warm and gentlemanly smile at Newton.

    Jameson said, ¡°Mr. Beckett Senior, I¡¯m afraid Lyse won¡¯t be joining you tonight.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Newton asked, his brow furrowed.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Jameson sighed deeply, casting a sympathetic nce at Alyssa¡¯s fatigued expression. ¡°Lyse has just

    performed a ten-hour surgery on my brother, David. She¡¯s utterly exhausted, almost fainting after

    completing the surgery.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Newton leaned forward in surprise.

    Simrly, Jasper was caught off guard, a mixture of emotions in his eyes, including disbelief.

    So, she had just undergone a major surgery. That exined her sickplexion.

    Jasper¡¯s jaw stiffened, and he attempted to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat.

    Jasper chided himself for his awkwardness and hesitation.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m taking Lyse home now. My vi is behind hers, so I¡¯ll give her a ride,¡± Jameson

    exined, cing a hand on Alyssa¡¯s shoulder, mindful not to cross a line.

    He behaved gentlemanly in front of the Becketts.

    He continued, ¡°Mr. Beckett Senior, know you care for Lyse. But she¡¯s divorced now. Staying at your

    c with Jasper is inappropriate. That¡¯s my opinion as an outsider. If you truly care for her, you need to

    be more mindful.¡±

    Jameson expressed his opinion calmly and humbly, but Newton was irritated. Even Jasper seethed at

    Jameson¡¯s audacity. How dared he lecture an elder?

    Frowning, Jasper was about to retort when Alyssa interjected, ¡°Jimmy, Grandpa is my family. He cares

    about me. Please don¡¯t say anything like that in the future.¡±

    ¡°Gosh! Mr. Beckett Senior! I never thought I¡¯d run into you here. What a coincidence!¡± a voice

    interrupted their conversation.

    Everyone looked in the direction to find Victor and his secretary hurrying toward them.

    Alyssa looked surprised by Victor¡¯s behavior. She was impressed by his emotional control. Despite

    previously breaking down over David¡¯s amputation, the seasoned businessman now chatted and

    laughed as if nothing had happened.

    However, Victor¡¯s behavior made sense. He wouldn¡¯t want to show vulnerability in front of the Becketts,

    his archenemies.

    Concerned, Newton asked, ¡°Victor, I heard your son David is facing health issues. Is he okay?¡±

    ¡°David had a car ident, and things looked grim, but Lyse pulled him through!¡± Victor turned to Alyssa

    with gratitude in his eyes.

    He added, ¡°Some may not appreciate Lyse, but she¡¯s a treasure to our family. We¡¯ll treat her well.

    Winston is like a brother to me, so I¡¯ll treat her as my own daughter!¡±

 Chapter 820

    Those words from Victor seemed to carry a hint of sarcasm that likely didn¡¯t escape anyone in the

    room.

    Victor had long found out about Alyssa¡¯s divorce, with Jasper being her ex-husband.

    At that time, he showed his contempt, referring to her as a ¡°gem in the rough¡± with strong disapproval.

    Entering into marriage with the Beckett family was already quite ridiculous. Marrying the illegitimate

    son, Jasper, served to diminish her social standing even more.

    He believed that his son, even if it were someone like Jameson, would be a far superior option

    compared to Jasper.

    ¡°Uncle Victor, are you thirsty? Shall I make you some tea?¡±

    Alyssa felt uneasy hearing this. She was aware of Victor¡¯s closeness to Winston, but such remarks

    about

    Newton were crossing the line.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m not thirsty! Plus, I haven¡¯t praised you enough!¡± Victor showed no restraint.

    Speechless, Alyssa couldn¡¯t find the words to respond.

    Zoe¡¯s intense dislike for Alyssa was evident in her darkened expression and gritted teeth.

    She couldn¡¯t help but wonder why all the prominent figures in Sna City were drawn to this bitch.

    Were there no other women left?

    Jasper gazed at Alyssa with a chilling stare, mirroring the difort he felt inside.

    ¡°So Lyse is like your biological daughter, huh? It seems you do have a liking for daughters, Victor.

    Having one daughter isn¡¯t enough. You even want to adopt another daughter.¡±

    Newton seized Victor¡¯s verbal slip and insisted, ¡°I¡¯m different. I want a granddaughter-inw. And I only

    want Lyse as my granddaughter-inw. Others? Hmph, no chance.¡±

    Newton¡¯s words left Alyssa in a state of shock.

    Jameson disyed a smile, yet he concealed his frustration in his clenched fist behind Alyssa.

    Zoe¡¯s mind buzzed as a tremendous sense of shame and humiliation tore her heart.

    She thought that she shouldn¡¯t havee here. She should have stayed home and waited for her

    grandfather and mother to figure out a way for her to marry into the Beckett family.

    Taking matters into her own hands only led to repeated humiliation!

    Victor¡¯s smile froze for a moment. Just as he was about to respond, Jasper spoke with a cool and

    unequivocal tone.

    ¡°Grandpa, Alyssa, and I finalized our divorce more than six months ago. Alyssa has found someone

    else. Your insistence is going to make things difficult.¡±

    The corridor suddenly fell silent.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart clenched abruptly.

    However, it was only a fleeting moment before she released a chuckle of relief.

    There wasn¡¯t much to regret. This wasn¡¯t the first time Jasper had given up on her. 3

    The pledges and assurances that men express to women prove to be deceptive.

    Who among them could genuinely pursue and love a woman for a lifetime?

    Despite Winston¡¯s steadfast dedication to justice and righteousness, he was unable to do so too.

    After all, her father¡¯s romantic history was quite the joke.

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    ¡°You brat! What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Newton fixed a stern gaze on his grandson,

    clenching his teeth while forcefully uttering each word.

    He would have pped his mouth shut if there weren¡¯t so many people around!

    Victor remarked with a lightugh, ¡°Given Mr. Jasper¡¯s statement, it appears he has already moved on.

    Considering that all parties involved have moved on, wouldn¡¯t you agree, Mr. Beckett Senior, that it¡¯s

    the best oue for Mr. Beckett and Lyse?¡±

 Chapter 821

    Chapter 821

    Victor eventually arranged for Jameson to take Alyssa home.

    Jasper pushed Newton¡¯s wheelchair toward the parking lot, with Zoe trailing behind like an annoying

    tag- along.

    ¡°How long do you n to keep following me?¡± Jasper suddenly stopped. He did not bother to look back

    while he asked.

    Zoe was taken by surprise. She almost collided with Jasper and stumbled awkwardly.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Ja-Jasper, I want to apany you in taking Grandpa home.¡±

    Zoe tried to look pitiful and said, ¡°Grandpa just got discharged from the hospital. There must be a lot to

    take care of. I want to help you¡­¡±

    ¡°Help? What can you do?¡± Jasper asked bluntly.

    Zoe couldn¡¯t find any words to respond.

    ¡°I¡¯ve watched you grow up. I¡¯ve seen how Mrs. Harper and your brother protect you. Your hands

    haven¡¯t even touched a speck of dirt. What can you do?¡± Jasper retorted without sparing her any

    dignity.

    ¡°Jasper, I ¡­¡±

    ¡°Think about what Grandpa needs. You know it in your heart.¡±

    Jasper thought of Alyssa. His heart was tightening, and he lowered his gaze.

    ¡°If you have that intention, go back and take care of Mr. Cornelius.¡±

    With that, he pushed Newton away.

    Zoe stood alone, her face turning red with frustration as the wind tousled her hair.

    The driver piloted the car home, with Benjamin as the escort, while Jasper upied the back seat

    alongside his grandfather.

    The car¡¯s interior exuded warmth, yet Newton¡¯s cold expression rendered it akin to an ice cer.

    Jasper knew his grandfather was angry. Yet, the divorce between him and Alyssa persisted as a reality,

    and their entrenched disagreements remained unsolvable-another undeniable fact.

    Despite pouring his heart into pursuing her and risking his life, he found it impossible to earn even a

    modicum of trust from her.

    While he was unafraid of making one-sided sacrifices, the absence of trust from her troubled him

    deeply.

    Upon reaching the vi in Crescent Bay, Jasper alighted from the car and aided Ben in readying the

    wheelchair. He intended to assist Newton in settling into the wheelchair.

    ¡°I won¡¯t use a wheelchair. I¡¯m not disabled. Why should I use a wheelchair?¡± Newton impatiently pulled

    Jasper aside and instructed Ben, ¡°Ben, get my cane.¡±

    Soon, Ben brought the cane over.

    Newton took the cane, tightly pressed his lips together, and swung his arm at Jasper¡¯s back without

    uttering a word!

    Newton¡¯s sudden action startled Ben so much that he was left speechless.

    A resounding thud echoed as Jasper winced, feeling a dull ache spread across his back, and he

    furrowed his brow.

    ¡°You ungrateful brat! What has gotten into you? Why are you still alive? Just die!¡±

    Newton was consumed by anger. Unable to contain his rage, he swung his cane at Jasper once more.

    ¡°She is such a good girl, and you had to ruin the marriage. Why did you say those things? Why did you

    push her away? Is your brain clogged with shit?¡±

    In the cold moonlight, Jasper¡¯s handsome face took on a particrly icy and lonely appearance. He

    gritted his teeth, enduring his grandfather¡¯s harsh reprimands.

    ¡°Are you blind? Can¡¯t you see how much the Schmidt guy cares about Alice? Can¡¯t you see they¡¯re

    growing close? Can¡¯t you see Victor wants Alice as his daughter-inw?¡±

    Newton barraged him with rhetorical questions, teetering on the brink of erupting into expletives.

    ¡°Your connection with that girl from the Harper family is ambiguous. Even if you¡¯re innocent, you should

    go all out to exin to Alice to prove your sincerity!¡±

 Chapter 822

    Chapter 822

    ¡°At times like these, you should hold on to Alice¡¯s hand! Despite the rumors or turmoil the Harper family

    stirred, you mustn¡¯t let go of her hand!¡±

    Jasper was against the idea of letting that ur, and he was also not inclined to stand by and observe

    Alyssa being with Jameson without the capacity to intervene.

    ¡°Grandpa, I did say those things, and I did do those things. You can hit me.¡±

    Jasper tightened his fists, his eyes turning red.

    ¡°Hit me and scold me as much as you want, then rest early. It¡¯s time to let go of everything between me

    and Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Let go? You want me to let go? Then what about you? Are you going to marry that improper girl from

    the Harper family?¡±

    Newton¡¯s head buzzed with anger, and only with Ben¡¯s support did he manage to stand steadily.

    ¡°Do I have to get married? I¡¯ve been married once, and that¡¯s enough. I can live without marriage. I

    have no interest in continuing the family line, nor do I like children.¡±

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    As Jasper spoke those words, an inexplicable ache gripped his heart with each utterance.

    It wasn¡¯t that he held any aversion toward children. Yet, the idea of not sharing the joy of parenthood

    with the woman he loved made the presence of children seem inconsequential to him.

    He couldn¡¯t bring himself to offerplete paternal affection to a child born out of anything other than

    genuine love for the mother. Such a situation wouldn¡¯t be fair to the child.

    ¡°Why should I let go of such a wonderful girl? She will be my granddaughter-inw as long as I¡¯m still

    breathing!¡±

    With eyes red and filled with pain, Newton mmed his cane on the ground.

    ¡°Perhaps to you, Alice is only a woman you liked. But for me, she is not only a filial child but also my

    savior! On that Christmas night two years ago, had it not been for Alice and her swift action in gettin to

    the hospital, you would have lost your grandfather by now!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened, ¡°I know, during that car ident, you were seriously injured, and if it weren¡¯t

    Alyssa ¡­¡±

    ¡°You only know that she took me to the hospital, but do you know how severe her injuries were at that

    Newton was filled with grief, his eyes welling up with tears.

    ¡°I was in aa, and none of you could rush back from abroad. The only people by my side were Alice

    and Ben! I had no idea then how badly Alice was hurt! Head injuries, blood everywhere¡­ She even

    repeatedly instructed Ben not to tell you and me, afraid that we would worry!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s pupils quivered intensely. His heart ached as he absorbed those words.

    Upon hearing this, Ben remembered a moment from the past and bowed his head in sorrow.

    The concealed truth within him felt suffocating. Yet, as a dedicated secretary, he faithfully maintained

    confidentiality, strictly following the instructions of Newton and Alyssa.

    ¡°Grandpa, is that true?¡± Jasper waspletely stunned.

    ¡°At this point, why would I make up such lies to fool you?¡±

    Overwhelmed by intense emotions, Newton was unable to stand any longer and finally sank into the

    wheelchair.

    ¡°The sacrifices and efforts Alice made for you go far beyond your imagination. It¡¯s much more than you

    realize. But in the past, you were deceived by that Gardner girl and couldn¡¯t recognize the goodness in

    Alice.

    ¡°You have a debt to Alice that you won¡¯t be able to repay in your lifetime. If she persists in being

    stubborn or disliking you forever, it¡¯s your own fault. You should bear the consequences for what you¡¯ve

    done!¡±

    Newton finished speaking and pushed the wheelchair forward without looking back.

    ¡°Mr. Newton, let me take you back to your room,¡± Ben said anxiously.

    ¡°No need! I¡¯m in a bad mood. Don¡¯t bother me any of you!¡±

    A chilling stillness gripped the atmosphere, and Jasper felt like he almost couldn¡¯t breathe.

    ¡°Ben, you¡¯ve seen it for yourself. Grandpa doesn¡¯t want to see me.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s throat rolled dryly.

    His voice was low and hoarse as he instructed Ben, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll stay in a hotel near Crescent Bay. Let

    me know if there¡¯s any issue with Grandpa, and I¡¯ll rush over. I won¡¯t stay here and cause trouble for

    the old man. I¡¯ll leave for now.¡±

 Chapter 823

    Chapter 823

    ¡°Mr. Jasper! Wait!¡± Ben called out to him.

    Jasper asked, ¡°Do you have something else to say, Ben?¡±

    ¡°Is it really impossible for you and Ms. Alyssa anymore?¡±

    Jasper felt a stab in his heart.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa has something on her that you don¡¯t know.¡± Ben clenched his fist and struggled with the

    words.

    Jasper turned back with a look of intense curiosity, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa made me promise to keep it a secret. I can¡¯t say,¡± Ben looked conflicted.

    ¡°But I hope that Ms. Alyssa can tell you herself one day.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s curiosity surged.

    Alyssa initially hid her identity as the heiress of the Taylor family, devoting herself to him and loving him

    for 13 years.

    These once-secretive matters were enough to deliver a soul-shaking impact on him.

    What other secrets was she hiding from him?

    Could they be even more shocking than those he already knew? 1

    Two days after the amputation surgery, David woke up.

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    Alyssa arrived at the hospital early that day. She didn¡¯t just finish the surgery and leave.

    After all, Victor had entrusted her. She had an obligation to follow up on the subsequent treatments.

    Alyssa examined David¡¯s newly reattached left leg in the hospital ward with two attending physicians.

    His right leg had already been reced with a prosthetic.

    ¡°My legs¡­ My legs¡­¡± David cried destely with a bleak expression, but the tears wouldn¡¯te

    anymore. ¡°I¡¯m done¡­ My life is over!¡±

    Newton was filled with grief, his eyes welling up with tears.

    ¡°I was in aa, and none of you could rush back from abroad. The only people by my side were Alice

    and Ben! I had no idea then how badly Alice was hurt! Head injuries, blood everywhere¡­ She even

    repeatedly instructed Ben not to tell you and me, afraid that we would worry!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s pupils quivered intensely. His heart ached as he absorbed those words.

    Upon hearing this, Ben remembered a moment from the past and bowed his head in sorrow.

    The concealed truth within him felt suffocating. Yet, as a dedicated secretary, he faithfully maintained

    confidentiality, strictly following the instructions of Newton and Alyssa.

    ¡°Grandpa, is that true?¡± Jasper waspletely stunned.

    ¡°At this point, why would I make up such lies to fool you?¡±

    Overwhelmed by intense emotions, Newton was unable to stand any longer and finally sank into the

    wheelchair.

    ¡°The sacrifices and efforts Alice made for you go far beyond your imagination. It¡¯s much more than you

    realize. But in the past, you were deceived by that Gardner girl and couldn¡¯t recognize the goodness in

    Alice.

    ¡°You have a debt to Alice that you won¡¯t be able to repay in your lifetime. If she persists in being

    stubborn or disliking you forever, it¡¯s your own fault. You should bear the consequences for what you¡¯ve

    done!¡±

    Newton finished speaking and pushed the wheelchair forward without looking back.

    ¡°Mr. Newton, let me take you back to your room,¡± Ben said anxiously.

    ¡°No need! I¡¯m in a bad mood. Don¡¯t bother me-any of you!¡±

    A chilling stillness gripped the atmosphere, and Jasper felt like he almost couldn¡¯t breathe.

    ¡°Ben, you¡¯ve seen it for yourself. Grandpa doesn¡¯t want to see me.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s throat rolled dryly.

    His voice was low and hoarse as he instructed Ben, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll stay in a hotel near Crescent Bay. Let

    me know if there¡¯s any issue with Grandpa, and I¡¯ll rush over. I won¡¯t stay here and cause trouble for

    the old man. I¡¯ll leave for now.¡±

 Chapter 824

    Chapter 824

    After hearing Jameson¡¯s side of the story, Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but find it unbelievable.

    Setting aside Jameson¡¯s refined and elegant appearance, she doubted whether he couldmit such

    a brutal act. 3

    Even if he wanted to deal with David, given his status, he could easily find someone else to handle it.

    Why would he personally get involved? 1

    She regained herposure and asserted firmly, ¡°Mr. David, this is a grave matter, and you need

    concrete evidence. Furthermore, you should address these concerns with Uncle Victor and the

    authorities, not with me.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you saved me. You are my benefactor! I¡¯m not so heartless as to stand by and watch you

    walk into the lion¡¯s den without knowing its inhabitants!¡±

    With anxiety and sincerity in his voice, David continued, ¡°I know Jameson is after you, and you two

    appear to be close. I fear you might be blinded by him!

    ¡°That man has been psychologically disturbed since childhood. His refinement is merely a fa?ade. In

    truth, he¡¯s a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing!

    ¡°His pursuit of you is solely to leverage the Taylor family¡¯s influence to turn his life around. He doesn¡¯t

    genuinely care about you.

    ¡°Jameson may not be entirely malevolent, but he certainly isn¡¯t virtuous. After all, he orchestrated the ¡®

    ident¡¯ at the racecourse.¡±

    David was acutely aware that Jameson was channeling his anger on Alyssa¡¯s behalf, and it was

    particrly unsettling considering Jameson¡¯s inclination to take matters into his own hands.

    A marital union with Alyssa seemed unequivocally unattainable given David¡¯s present circumstances.

    Unable to have her, he pledged to disrupt Jameson¡¯s path. His resolve was firm-he aimed to expose

    the hypocritical mask Jameson wore.

    Exiting the hospital room, Alyssa appeared lost in contemtion. Outside, the Schmidt family inquired

    about the situation, and Alyssa responded sincerely, though her distracted eyes betrayed her thoughts.

    In that moment, Alyssa caught sight of Jameson standing in the corner. She pursed her lips and walked

    straight toward him.

    ¡°Lyse, I appreciate your efforts,¡± Jameson said, standing upright and distancing himself from the wall

    with a smile.

    Alyssa, who wore a mask,forted David, saying, ¡°Please remain calm.¡±

    She added, ¡°Just saving one leg already makes you luckier than many others.¡±

    ¡°Someone intentionally harmed me. Jameson is behind it!¡±

    David¡¯s expression suddenly turned fierce as he grabbed Alyssa¡¯s hand.

    Feeling a sense of rm, Alyssa cast a quick nce at the two doctors. Luckily, they were a distance

    away, and David¡¯s indistinct words went unnoticed by them.

    Alyssa asked the doctors to leave, and she went to close the door.

    With a grave expression, she turned to David and inquired, ¡°Mr. David, during thest surgery, while

    you were under anesthesia, you mentioned that Jameson tried to kill you. Do you have any evidence?¡±

    David trembled violently, clearly recalling the night of the ident with intense fear.

    ¡°After my car flipped, the driver died on the spot, but my secretary survived. I was pinned under the car,

    unable to move, but I distinctly remember my leg was not broken. It was still functional.¡±

    Alyssa furrowed her brow. ¡°And then?¡±

    David¡¯s eyes widened with fear as he recounted, ¡°Then I saw a ck car slowly approaching. A man

    wearing a cap and a ck mask exited the car. I won¡¯t mistake his face and his eyes. It was Jameson!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart tightened.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°He walked over, holding an iron rod. Without a word, he beat my secretary to death in front of me!

    Then, he raised the rod high and struck my leg! I screamed in agony, and after that, I can¡¯t remember

    anything else.¡±

 Chapter 825

    Chapter 825

    Alyssa remarked, ¡°David lost a leg. He wouldn¡¯t frame you so tantly.¡±

    Through gritted teeth, Jameson exined, ¡°David is just a pawn for Josh. He¡¯s been involved in various

    underhanded activities orchestrated by Josh.

    ¡°David has umted numerous enemies in Sna City, and plenty of people would seize the

    opportunity to retaliate against him. Besides, what happened to him today, he brought upon himself.¡±

    Then, he disclosed everything that happened at the racecourse to Alyssa.

    ¡°If there¡¯s anyone with sinister motives, it¡¯s David!¡±

    Alyssa stared at him calmly.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ve never given much weight to the Schmidt family. If I were to take action against them, I

    wouldn¡¯t resort to such crude methods. It doesn¡¯t align with my taste.¡±

    Jameson adjusted his posture, raising the coffee cup and taking a sip, projecting confidence and

    refinement.

    Having forsaken his conscience to survive with his mother in Kontina for 15 years, he had be

    adept at putting on a performance, crafting each lie to be as convincing as possible.

    Even in the sincerity of his love for a woman, he found himself instinctively resorting to deception time

    and time again.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Lies could be virtuous or malicious, but he was confident that all the lies he told Alyssa were driven by

    good intentions-a manifestation of his love..

    Alyssa fixed her gaze on him, the sharp intensity of her eyes causing even someone as strong-willed

    and ruthless as Jameson to feel a twinge in his heart.

    ¡°Jimmy, honesty and kindness matter to me. It¡¯s not aboutcking trust in you. I simply hope that you

    maintain a sincere andpassionate heart, regardless of the future, just as you did in our childhood.

    Jameson¡¯s fingers, resting on the table, curled inwardly. His heart tightened, and a wave of shame-

    induced pain washed over him,

    He weakly lifted the corner of his lips, grabbed a fork, took a substantial bite of cake, and chewed

    forcefully.

    Jameson reflected in silence. Much like his all-epassing love for Lyse, he acknowledged that

    After parting with Jameson, Alyssa felt a mix of emotions for some reason.

    At this moment, Jonah¡¯s call came in. She snapped out of her thoughts and quickly answered the call.

    ¡°Jonah.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, Axel has managed to get what

    ¡°What is it?¡± Alyssa asked, puzzled.

    ¡°Julien Lovce.¡± you wanted.¡±

    Alyssa coughed, nearly choking on her saliva upon hearing that.

    ¡°Axel has put in a lot of effort to bring him back to Sna City. When you see him tonight, you¡¯d better

    thank him properly.¡±

    ¡°Axel will be back tonight, too? That¡¯s great! I miss him so much!¡± Alyssa rubbed her eyes, and her

    voice choked up a bit.

    Perceptive as always, Jonah quickly picked up on Alyssa¡¯s emotions and said, ¡°My bad. Axel nned

    to keep his return a surprise for you, but I got carried away and identally let it slip.¡±

    ¡°Jonah, I don¡¯t need surprises. I just want everyone to be with me.¡±

    However, she knew it was difficult.

    ¡°Lyse, are you in Sna City, at the hospital where David is?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯lle pick you up.¡±

    ¡°No need, Jonah. I can¡¯t go back for now.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just my idea. It¡¯s also Dad¡¯s.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s tone grew somber as he continued, ¡°Dad said you¡¯ve helped Mr. David with his leg, and you

    done your duty. There¡¯s no need to worry about it anymore.

    ¡°Also, their family must be in chaos because of this incident. Although we have a good rtionship,

    avoiding suspicion is better now. So Dad asked me to bring you back.¡±

    In the next moment, he was thoroughly surprised!

    In the car¡¯s back seat, a tall man over six feet was lying horizontally, hands and feet bound. His mouth

    was tightly taped shut, and the only sounds he could make were muffled protests.

    He looked both resentful and pitiful.

    Jonah wondered if that man was Julien Lovce.

    Jonah stood in surprise for a moment before he crouched down. He braced himself with his left arm on

    the seat and removed the tape from Julien¡¯s mouth with his right hand.

    Julien struggled to catch his breath.

    His captivating fox-like visage was adorned with a subtle sheen of sweat, lending him an enchanting

    androgynous allure.

    His skin resembled premium porcin, boasting a wless and fairplexion. The allure of his

    captivating appearance was entuated by his rosy, soft lips, surpassing the beauty of most women.

    Yet, what captivated Jonah the most were those doe-like eyes.

    From the depths of his ck pupils, he glimpsed a long-lost, pristine soul that never failed to stir his

    spirit and body, regardless of the passage of time.

    As their eyes locked, time appeared to freeze.

    ¡°Hey, why did you pull so hard? Do you realize you¡¯ve hurt my face?¡± Julien red at Jonah in irritation,

    yet his eyes seemed transfixed on this handsome face, unable to look away.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Jonah genuinely apologized.

    ¡°Hurry up and untie me!¡±

    Julien kicked his legs.

    ¡°The blood in my whole body can¡¯t circte! I¡¯m suffocating!¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Wait for Axel toe and release you.¡±

    Jonah locked eyes with him, and a faint smile yed on his lips.

    ¡°If you run away, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to catch you. The person who tied you up should be the one

    to untie you, right?¡±

 Chapter 826

    ?

    "Got it, Jonah. You don''t have toe pick me up. I''ll drive backter," Alyssa said.

    It was nighttime at Belbanks. A sleek ck Maserati raced through the rear entrance of Heightsnew Vi, executing a stylish drift before smoothlying to a stop in the backyard.

    After being absent for six months, Axel emerged from the car and headed straight for Jonah, who had been patiently waiting.

    "Jonah! I missed you so much!"

    "Me too."

    Jonah and Axel exchanged a high-five. Jonah then looked toward the tinted car window and asked, "Is Mr. Lovce inside the car?"

    "Exactly," Axel smirked, "He''s not very cooperative."

    "Even the most dishonest person would probably be truthful when encountering you."

    Jonah''s gentle eyes shed with a trace of worry as he asked, "But you didn''t harm him, did you?"

    "In what way? Physically, no, but does emotional harm count?"

    Jonah was rendered speechless by Axel''s reply.

    Axel suddenly looked pained. He eximed, "Damn! I need to pee! I need to use the toilet right away! Jonah, wait for me!"

    Before finishing his sentence, Axel had already sprinted away with his legs crossed.

    Jonah shook his head with a wry smile. "What has he been doing for the past few years wandering overseas? His kidneys seemed to be worse than before."

    After a while, Jonah noticed the car not far away, rocking a few times before it became still.

    Curiosity getting the better of him, he approached the car.

    As he approached the front of the car, he heard movement from inside, the sound intensifying as if someone had detected footsteps outside.

    Jonah squinted, Unable to resist his curiosity, he pulled open the car door.

    In the next moment, he was thoroughly surprised!

    In the car''s back seat, a tall man over six feet was lying horizontally, hands and feet bound. His mouth was tightly taped shut, and the only sounds he could make were muffled protests.

    He looked both resentful and pitiful.

    Jonah wondered if that man was Julien Lovce.

    Jonah stood in surprise for a moment before he crouched down. He braced himself with his left arm on the seat and removed the tape from Julien''s mouth with his right hand.

    Julien struggled to catch his breath.

    His captivating fox-like visage was adorned with a subtle sheen of sweat, lending him an enchanting androgynous allure.

    His skin resembled premium porcin, boasting a wless and fairplexion. The allure of his captivating appearance was entuated by his rosy, soft lips, surpassing the beauty of most women.

    Yet, what captivated Jonah the most were those doe-like eyes.

    From the depths of his ck pupils, he glimpsed a long-lost, pristine soul that never failed to stir his spirit and body, regardless of the passage of time.

    As their eyes locked, time appeared to freeze.

    "Hey, why did you pull so hard? Do you realize you''ve hurt my face?" Julien red at Jonah in irritation, yet his eyes seemed transfixed on this handsome face, unable to look away.

    "Sorry," Jonah genuinely apologized.

    "Hurry up and untie me!"

    Julien kicked his legs.

    "The blood in my whole body can''t circte! I''m suffocating!"

    "No, I''m afraid I can''t do that."

    "What?"

    "Wait for Axel toe and release you."

    Jonah locked eyes with him, and a faint smile yed on his lips.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    "If you run away, I''m afraid I won''t be able to catch you. The person who tied you up should be the one to untie you, right?"

 Chapter 827

    Julien¡¯s eyes were red and slightly teary as he stared at Jonah inplete astonishment.

    He found himself bewildered by Jonah¡¯s twisted mindset.

    If he didn¡¯t possess such striking looks, Julien might genuinely belleve him to be a monster!

    ¡°Are you in cahoots with the one who kidnapped me? Are you the kidnapper?¡± Julien questioned with a

    trembling voice.

    Jonah squinted, extending a gentlemanly hand toward him. ¡®Let me introduce myself. I am Jonah

    Taylor, the CEO of KS Group. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.

    ¡°KS¡­?¡± Julien was startled, ¡°My aunt. It¡¯s you! Are you¡­

    ¡°Exactly as you think.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s fingers tightened, and he awkwardly smiled, ¡°We¡¯ll shake hands after Axel unties you.¡±

    ¡°Jonah!¡±

    Axel returned in long strides, muttering. ¡°The toilet is too far. I almost peed halfway. What¡¯s the point of

    having such a big house?¡±

    Jonah frowned, feeling somewhat amused.

    No matter howrge the Taylor family¡¯s house was, it was still a cage for Axel. Just like Alyssa, he

    detested restrictions and craved freedom.

    Thinking of Alyssa, Jonah couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for her. Her three years of marriage with Jasper

    were undoubtedly a prison sentence for her.

    ¡°You!¡± Julien eximed upon seeing Axel, twisting his expression in frustration. Luckily, his good looks

    spared him from looking outright scary

    Axel arched an eyebrow, casually leaning on the car door frame with a smirk.

    ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, you twerp-there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch. You can¡¯t just touch my hands and

    sit on myp without giving something in retum.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s eyes flickered. He felt too much information was in that statement, and he needed a moment to

    digest it.

    Julien spat at Axel angrily. ¡°How shameless can you be? Selling your looks. You¡¯re despicable!*

    Axel made a disgusted expression, ¡°Do you think I enjoy this? I¡¯m a straight guy! I¡¯ve sacrificed a lot for

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    you, and all you¡¯ve given me is trauma. You¡¯re terrifying.¡±

    ¡°You!¡±

    Julien was so angry that his handsome face turned red as he roared, ¡°You¡¯re the one who should be

    called a twerp!¡±

    Axel raised his eyebrows, confused. ¡°Huh?¡±

    *All show and no substance!¡± Julien said, ncing provocatively at Axel¡¯s crotch.

    ¡°You¡¯re just a fucking bastard who is asking for a beating!¡±

    Axel was about to rush forward and give Julien a flying kick, but Jonah held him back.

    ¡°Axel, Mr. Lovce is Mandy¡¯s rtive and a guest invited by Lyse. Don¡¯t mess around.¡±

    ¡°Damn it! If it weren¡¯t for Lyse, I¡¯d definitely make him impotent!¡± Axel gritted his teeth.

    Jonah smiled wryly. He finally understood why Axel had taped this man¡¯s mouth shut all the

    He stepped forward and untied the ropes binding Julien¡¯s wrists and ankles.

    way here.

    Jonah had never seen a man with such fair skin. As the ropes grazed his skin, they imprinted vivid red

    lines on his nearly transparentplexion, oddly triggering an unexinable sense of protectiveness

    in

    Jonah.

    ¡°Ugh! That hurts.¡± Julien rubbed his wrists and furrowed his brow.

    Axel snorted in disdain. ¡°Tsk. You¡¯re just whining like a woman. Disgusting.¡±

    Jonah looked at Julien¡¯s swollen ankles and asked, ¡°Can you still stand?¡±

    Julien pursed his lips and slowly stood up. Then, he let out a cry.

    His legs had been bound for several hours, and they had long gone numb.

    There was no way he could stand.

 Chapter 828

    In the blink of an eye, Julien¡¯s body tilted forward. He swiftly clutched onto Jonah¡¯s sturdy shoulders,

    finding refuge in the firm hold.

    Responding with quick reflexes, Jonah intervened to prevent Julien from toppling over, firmly securing

    him with a grip around his waist.

    In that moment, the duo struck a pose reminiscent of a ssic romantic scene from a soap opera,

    leaving Axel, who stood nearby, in utter amazement.

    ¡°Uh, sorry about that.¡± Julien¡¯s cheeks blushed with embarrassment.

    Having harbored a lot of pent-up anger, Julien found sce in the embrace, his frustration easing.

    ¡°No need to apologize. If anything, we should be sorry,¡± Jonah asserted without hesitation, effortlessly

    lifting Julien in a princess-style embrace.

    The unexpected move by Jonah caught Julien off guard, causing his heart to pound loudly in his chest.

    Julien recognized his penchant for indulging in earthly pleasures, engaging in flirtation with handsome

    men, and sumbing to temptation after a few drinks. These tendencies were how he had ended up in

    Axel¡¯s hands.

    Yet, his sentiments toward Jonah in this particr instance took apletely different turn. Julien

    couldn¡¯t help it. He raised his arms and embraced Jonah¡¯s neck.

    ¡°What the heck? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Alyssa happened to arrive at that moment together with Ss and Sean.

    Everyone was left dumbfounded by the scene before them.

    ¡°Is the person Mr. Jonah holding a man or a woman?¡± Sean was puzzled.

    Ss was excited and eximed, ¡°Wow! Could it be our future sister-inw?¡±

    Astonished, Alyssa turned speechless as she observed the scene.

    ¡°You guys, take a closer look. It¡¯s obviously a man!¡±

    Ss and Sean were taken aback, eximing. ¡°A man?¡±

    Upon closer inspection, it was indeed quite evident. However, he had a slim figure and a face that was

    delicate and effeminate.

    ¡°Well, that excitement was short-lived. I thought a man from our Taylor family was finally getting out of

    singlehood.¡±

    Ss sighed with mock disappointment.

    ¡°Why would Jonah hug a man so passionately?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Lovce, you¡¯ve had a tough journey,¡± Alyssa greeted with a polite smile as she approached

    them.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    ¡°Axel¡¯s hospitality fell short. Allow me to make it up to you.¡±

    ¡°Are you the Alyssa my aunt often mentions? Julien spoke in a cute tone, acting like a little princess in

    Jonah¡¯s arms

    ¡°Yes, I am Alyssa,¡±

    Alyssa remainedposed, her beautiful eyes curved into a smile.

    ¡°Mr. Lovce, you must be hungry and tired after the journey. How about having a meal, showering,

    and resting for the night? We can discuss thingster.¡±

    Through gritted teeth, Julien said, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I warn you-this is kidnapping, and I can sue you for it.¡±

    Julien was still full of resentment.

    ¡°I know. It¡¯s our fault for not being good hosts. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. To make

    amends, how about having Mr. Jonah from the KS Group keep youpany for dinner tonight?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s statement left Jonah speechless.

    ¡°If Mr. Lovce isfortable with it, Jonah can also help you with bathing and changing.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s cheerful and sweet smile seemed harmless.

    Alyssa¡¯s reply took Jonah aback.

    Julien¡¯s gaze drifted, and he swallowed hard.

    Everyone was stunned as Alyssa had just offered her own brother to Julien without even batting an

    eye!

 Chapter 829

    Alyssa held Axel intimately in the living room, and Axel also embraced his sister. If they weren¡¯t

    siblings, others might think they were a newlywed couple cherishing their reunion.

    ¡°Axel, you went through a lot this time,¡± Alyssa pouted.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. I just brought someone back. It¡¯s nothing exhausting.¡± Axel replied while gently

    patting. her head. His eyes filled with longing and tenderness,

    ¡°As long as you¡¯d be happy, I¡¯d even kill him for you.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Sean was scared out of his wits, and Ss almost spat out his tea!

    At this moment, Jonah descended the stairs,

    ¡°He¡¯s asleep.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s probably exhausted. Let him rest.¡± Alyssa sighed.

    ¡°I was too impatient. This might backfire. If Julien doesn¡¯t agree to help, I can¡¯t force him by threatening

    him.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t worry.¡± Jonah sat beside her, gently encircling her shoulder with his arm.

    ¡°You have us. We¡¯re here to help you with things you can¡¯t aplish on your own.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, Lyse,¡± Ss added in tofort her.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you let us do something for you? We¡¯re starting to feel irrelevant!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s lips trembled. She was moved to the point of tears.

    She would engrave any kindness deep into her heart-even those from her siblings. She would always

    appreciate them without assuming them as a given.

    Axel¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up as he started, ¡°Oh, speaking of something interesting, Lyse, I ran into a

    woman who looked a lot like you in Mosgravia, and I mistook her for you. I couldn¡¯t resist and gave her

    a pat on

    the back.

    ¡°She turned around and red at me, and that¡¯s when I realized it wasn¡¯t you Damn, it was awkward.

    But she dared to re at me. I¡¯ve been alive for 30 years, and no woman apart from you has dared to

    give me

    such a look.¡±

    ¡°Tsk, nobody can re at you. How awesome,¡± Ss teased while sipping his tea.

    ¡°Can you stop being so ridiculous? Our Lyse is a beauty. There¡¯s no way you can find another woman

    whol

    looks like her. You¡¯re just bragging.

    ¡°Ss, you¡¯re giving up on your crotch again, huh?¡± Axel quirked an eyebrow at him.

    ¡°Axel, did the person you saw really look like me?¡± Alyssa asked with great curiosity.

    ¡°Very much so. My eyesight is usually good, I rarely mistook people. But that time, I even mistook her

    for you. You guys really look alike!¡±

    Axel pondered while rubbing his chin. ¡°Hmm¡­ Could she be one of the illegitimate children our

    unreliable.

    father had left abroad? I should¡¯ve grabbed her and asked about her father.¡±

    Alyssa and Ss were left speechless by Axel¡¯s wild story.

    ¡°The world is vast. It¡¯s not impossible for two people to look alike. Axel, you¡¯re thinking too much,¡±

    Jonah

    said, shaking his head.

    Suddenly, Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    She abruptly remembered Jasper holding her and hysterically trying to exin to her on a chilly night in

    the snow-covered park.

    He said I he was innocent. He said he went to that hotel because he was worried about her.

    He imed to have seen someone who looked exactly like her entering the hotel with a stranger. That

    was why he had recklessly chased after them.

    That was how he got caught, resulting in the scandal of an alleged rendezvous at a hotel.

    Alyssa¡¯s pupils contracted, and her heartbeat elerated.

    Did he really see a woman who looked exactly like her?

    But could such a coincidence happen in the world?

    Even if it could, why did Zoe appear in that hotel, and why did Jasper go to her room?N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

 Chapter 830

    ¡°Hey, sweetheart, what¡¯s on your mind? Your eyes are wandering.¡±

    Axel noticed Alyssa¡¯s vacant gaze and reached out and waved before her eyes.

    ¡°Axel, I¡­¡±

    Alyssa pondered the resemnce to the woman who bore a striking likeness to her, causing her to

    hesitate before uttering her thoughts.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lyse? You¡¯ve always been straightforward. Why are you hesitating now?¡± Axel asked in

    surprise.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    That woman was no han counter. Besides,

    a she was far away in Mosgravia.

    Even if she had a slight doubt in her heart, she couldn¡¯t investigate it through that woman. She could

    only

    investigate through Zoe.

    However, delving into these matters seemed futile.

    Jasper had explicitly stated in front of Newton that their rtionship was a thing of the past. Any

    possibility of rekindling their connection was long gone.

    Despite this explicit deration, she still found herself hesitating and was at a loss.

    Alyssa sneered quietly, curling her lips into a chilly smile. Then, she grabbed the chilled remnants of

    tea in

    her hand and downed it in one swift gulp.

    In the depths of her heart, she pondered the irony of her situation. She was dwelling on a man who had

    left her stranded not once but twice. She should¡¯ve been grateful that she managed to avoid falling into

    the same pitfalls again.

    Jonah, who was seated next to Alyssa, observed theplexity of her feelings but chose to remain

    silent. He opted to cradle her chilly hand within his warm grasp.

    ¡°Jonah, have you told Mandy and Winston about Julien?¡± Alyssa asked in a soft voice.

    Winston had taken L abroad to a vi for a vacation to help her cope with her feelings. Mandy and

    Colene went along, but they stayed in separate vis. With the elders away, the Taylor family mansion

    now only housed the younger generation.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already called Mandy,¡± Jonah said with a smile.

    ¡°Mandy said not to treat him like a guest, handle him however you see fit. As long as Lyse is happy,

    she

    can practically disregard the fact that he¡¯s her nephew.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help butugh. She knew her stepmothers cared deeply for her.

    *Hey, are you calling this cutting off ties with family or disowning rtives?¡± Ss couldn¡¯t help but

    exim.

    Axel¡¯s hand slid into the depths of his ck windbreaker. Retrieving a cigarette, he held it between his

    slightly raised lips, exuding an air of nonchnt defiance.

    ¡°Hmph, assisting others is almost like cutting off ties with family. But aiding that Jasper guy? Now, that¡¯s

    truly disowning your own kin.¡±

    Once again, Axel¡¯s audacious remarks rendered everyone momentarily speechless.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyshes trembled, yet she maintained a stoic silence.

    ¡°Lyse, there¡¯s something I¡¯m not sure if I should say.

    ¡°Just don¡¯t say it,¡± Alyssa interjected, already anticipating that Axel¡¯s words wouldn¡¯t be polite.

    *Jasper is now grappling with severe after-effects in his brain because of me. That incident had

    impacted

    his nervous system. I don¡¯t know what the future holds for him. He might suffer intermittent fainting or

    even potential paralysis.¡± 1

    Alyssa¡¯s throat tightened.

    Axel¡¯s brows furrowed upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s words.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything to do with him anymore, but I also don¡¯t want to owe him anything.¡±

    Alyssa looked at Axel again, her eyes clear and cold yet strangely heart-wrenching.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to save him. I just want to redeem myself.¡±

    The atmosphere in the living room grew heavier.

    Out of the blue, Ss, the witty one, dropped a question. ¡°Hey, Jonah, about that Julien¡­ Is he really a

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    man?¡±

    Jonah replied, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Ss continued in curiosity, ¡°How does it feel to hold him in your arms?¡±

    Jonah remained silent, offering no response.

    Axel ciuddert hely but ta ¡°Oh used to Mr Jonah Taylor was upright next not enterested an women. Now

    it tums out you have unique tastes as you should have mentioned your neendo estiver

    There was no need for me to go. Lyse, you should have let Ss do it. He would here loved to?

    ¡°What the hell are you thinking, you punk

 Chapter 831

    Ss widened his eyes; almost tempted to go over and kick his cheeky younger brother.

    ¡°I¡¯ve simply never encountered such a handsome man before, so I was a little curious! What if he¡¯s

    someone who enjoys cross-dressing?¡±

    Alyssa sighed while holding her forehead. Ss¡¯ imagination was indeed vivid!

    Axel chimed in, ¡°Why would any typical heterosexual guy be interested in other men?¡±

    Ss retorted, ¡°That just means I¡¯m young. Only older folks lose their curiosity!¡±

    The brothers bantered and bickered, and the night concluded.

    The following day, Julien slept until noon due to jetg.

    When he finally opened his eyes, he heard a persistent knocking on the door.

    Initially, he was reluctant to open it, but the person outside was relentless and patient. The knock

    continued without pausing..

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? You¡¯re so annoying!¡±

    Julien sprung up from the bed, marched to the door, and flung it open irritably.

    Julien was stunned to see Jonah dressed impably in a suit.

    Jonah maintainedposure, yet his gaze involuntarily traced over Julien from head to toe. He

    couldn¡¯t help but appreciate Julien¡¯s well-sculpted chest and abs, finally settling on the vibrant boxer

    briefs.

    Jonah¡¯s eyes dimmed.

    ¡°Hey Jonah, do I look good?¡±

    Julien casually leaned against the doorframe. He narrowed his eyes like a sly fox as he yawned.

    He was naturally carefree and unrestrained. Not to mention, he was only in his underwear. He wouldn¡¯t

    be shy even if he werepletely naked.

    But Julien sensed his heartbeat elerating and a subtle unease settling in when he looked at Jonah.

    In an elegant suit, Jonah exuded aposed presence that perfectly matched Julien¡¯s preferences for

    men.

    Jonah casually mentioned with his deep and alluring voice, ¡°The underwear is cute.¡±

    Julien didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°Mr. Lovce, did you sleep wellst night?¡± Jonah asked. His eyes carried a gentle smile as he spoke.

    ¡°Fine, I suppose. It got a bit lonely with no one to keep mepany in bed, Julien responded, venting

    his irritation about the kidnapping.

    ¡°Can Ie in?¡±

    Julien pursed his lips and eventually stepped aside to let him through.

    They walked into the living room outside the bedroom, and Julien casually flopped onto the sofa,

    behaving as if he were in his own house. He put his feet on the coffee table and nced at the seated

    Jonah.

    ¡°You came early in the morning to see me. What¡¯s the urgency, Jonah?¡±

    Only then did he notice a medical kit on the coffee table, that appeared out of nowhere.

    The next moment, Jonah suddenly knelt and grabbed Jullen¡¯s ankle.

    Julien¡¯s cheeks flushed, and he pulled his leg back.

    ¡°Jonah, what are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Your ankle still has a scratch that hasn¡¯t been treated. I¡¯ll apply some ointment for you.¡±

    Jonah let a subtle smile and proceeded to disinfect Julien¡¯s ankle with an alcohol pad.

    The cool sensation, tinged with a slight pain, turned out to be strangelyforting. Julien squinted his

    eyes and couldn¡¯t help but curl his toes in response.

    Being a doctor himself, Julien recognized that these minor injuries were not a big deal. He didn¡¯t have

    to

    get a tetanus shot or anything like that.

    However, he had been residing alone overseas for numerous years, distanced from his family.

    Genuine.

    friendships eluded him, and he found sce from stress and loneliness primarily in the nightlife, apart

    from his work.

    He had saved countless lives but had never been cared for like this. So when Jonah treated him in thisExclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    unexpected manner, Julien¡¯s heart fluttered, and he felt a bit at a loss.

    The room was quiet, and an indescribable atmosphere permeated the air. severe,

    Even though the injury isn¡¯t ever beer to avoid getting wet

    Jonah kept the ointment in the kit and said gently. The never seen a man with such delicate skin j

 Chapter 832

    ¡°Jonah.¡±

    Julien raised his eyebrow deviously. He suddenly leaned closer to him. ¡°Do you know that inexplicably

    nice people often have ill intentions?¡±

    Jonah looked at Julien, and thetter¡¯s glistening eyes instantly peered straight into

    his soul.

    They were extremely close. Jonah could feel his eyebrow brushing against the tip of Julien¡¯s nose.

    Jonah shuddered. He stared deeply into his eyes. ¡°What are you implying

    ¡°Did youe here to please me by Alyssa¡¯s orders? Or were you genuinely concerned about my leg

    injury?¡±

    Julien¡¯s voice was not as feminine as his face. Yet, it carried a seductive and alluring tone to it.

    ¡°You are Lyse¡¯s quest and also Mandy¡¯s nephew. It makes sense for me to do this for you.¡± Jonah

    looked

    down once again.

    ¡°Huh, no wonder you¡¯re the president. Your lips are sealed shut.¡±

    Julien didn¡¯t like the answer he received. He turned around, unwilling to face Jonah.

    ¡°You can leave now. Also, I¡¯m booking my flights now and will fly first thing in the morning.

    ¡°You¡¯re still angry, huh?¡± Jonah narrowed his eyes slightly as he sat beside Julien.

    ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°What would make you calm down?¡±

    ¡°Ask that bastard brother of yours to get on his knees and apologize to me. Then, I will think about it.¡±

    Julien recalled how embarrassing it was for him. His suave self was knocked out and brought back

    from

    overseas in a sack.

    Did they take him for a sack of potatoes?

    ¡°There has to be another way.¡±

    ¡°This is the only way.¡±

    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t do it even if I told him to. Plus, he¡¯s most likely gone, and I have no idea where he is.¡±

    Jonah continued to smile at him. ¡°There has to be another way. You name it.

    Julien had an idea, and his lips curled into a devious smile. ¡°Jonah, don¡¯t ask for what you can¡¯t deliver.

    You might eat your own words.¡±

    ¡°Tell me what you have in mind. It¡¯s on me to figure out whether I can do it,¡± Jonah said seriously.

    ¡°If I ask you to keep mepany tonight, will you do it?¡± Julien rested his head on his chin and stared

    at

    his charming face.

    ¡°How do I keep youpany?¡±

    Jonah suddenly took the upper hand and came dangerously close to him. He reached out and pulled

    the

    Windsor knot around Julien¡¯s neck down.

    Julien swallowed hard. His eyes were fixed on Jonah as his mind raced with thoughts.

    Normally, he wouldn¡¯t pass up such a fresh piece of meatid out before him like a feast on a silver

    tter.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    However, to his surprise, he found himself unexpectedly dominated by themanding presence of

    this

    man.

    Suddenly, a series of resounding knocks could be heard on the door.

    ¡°Jonah, are you in there? Is Dr. Lovce awake? I¡¯ve got lurich ready. Alyssa¡¯s sweet voice came from

    outside.

    Jonah acknowledged her and got up slowly but elegantly. He looked at Julien from his high horse.

    ¡°Your

    must be hungry. My sister is a fantastic cook. She had only cooked for a handful of people. Would you

    like

    to try her cooking?¡±

    Julien wanted to turn down the offer. However, his stomach decided to betray him just then, grumbling

    loudly.

    He gave up and resigned to his fate.

    Since he was here, he might as well fill his stomach up before figuring out how to get back.

    Alyssa escorted Julien to the dining room for lunch.

    Meanwhile, Jonah went back to his room and locked the door.

 Chapter 833

    Jonah entered his study and sat at his desk. The smile that hung on his face remained.

    He stretched his neck slightly backward and tugged on his tie. He undid the buttons around his cor.

    Finally, he could breathe.

    A silver cross fell from the opening on his shirt. It glistened faintly under the light.

    Jonah closed his eyes slowly. He took a deep breath to calm his restless heart down.

    At this moment, Julien¡¯s beautiful androgynous features weren¡¯t the ones upying his mind. It was

    another man-a man he thought he had forgotten yet still longed for-his old me.

    Jonah turned toward the bookshelf wall and picked two books.

    The bookshelf made a ¡°click¡± sound, and a secretpartment appeared to reveal an exquisite safe.

    He punched the man¡¯s birthday and his own, and the safe opened.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    There were a few framed photos, a sealed envelope, and a ck velvet jewelry box in the safe.

    Jonah opened the jewelry box. In it was a pair of diamond rings, perfect for a couple.

    He picked up one of the rings and wore it on his left ring finger. Then, he took the photos out.

    In the photo, a man was hugging him from behind. Anyone could tell who they were to each other from

    that intimate gesture and sweet smile.

    They were lovers.

    That man had a pair of eyes that looked like Julien¡¯s. They were intricate and passionate.

    When he saw that pair of eyes for the first timest night, he couldn¡¯t help but be captivated by them.

    The bittersweet memories he attempted to bury deep within his heart resurfaced with vivid rity, as

    though the events had unfolded just yesterday.

    Jonah¡¯s breath quickened. His eyes reddened as he flipped the photo over. A neat row of words

    adorned the back. It read, ¡°Jonah, I hope the world will ept us one day.¡±

    ¡°Yet, you left me before the day ever came.¡± He closed his eyes and kissed the man in the photo.

    Death wasn¡¯t as frightening as one might imagine. Yet, the aftermath brought forth an unbearable ache,

    with every moment bing a poignant testament to the absence of someone dearly departed.

    Alyssa cooked a scrumptious meal for Julien. She hadn¡¯t cooked for a long time. Yet, she still had her

    ir. Even the cook wanted to learn a few tricks from her.

    Julien worked up an appetite as he looked at the array of delicious food before him. He couldn¡¯t help

    but salivate profusely

    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind how simple the meal is, Dr. Lovce. Alyssa rested her chin on her hand as

    smiled at him. His eyes were riddled with hunger.

    However, Julien had his ego. He wouldn¡¯t resign simply for a scrumptious meal.

    He took a deep breath and looked at Alyssa coldly. ¡°Ms. Taylor, I know my aunt adores you. However,

    what you¡¯re doing now won¡¯t work on me.

    ¡°I made myself clear over the phone. I don¡¯t provide my services to tycoons. Jasper is the president of

    the Beckett Group. I¡¯m sure doctors are lining up for a chance to get on the Beckett family¡¯s good side.

    They would do what they can to treat him. You don¡¯t need me.

    ¡°I¡¯m a man of principle. I will keep to what I said I won¡¯t do. No one can persuade me otherwise. Please

    don¡¯t waste your time on me anymore.

    Alyssa found herself perplexed by the revtion. It appeared that Jonah had failed to entice Julien.

    Alyssa locked eyes with him lightly. She was as calm as a cat.

    She knew men only cared about two things-dignity and their desire to win.

    She reached for her teacup and took a sip. Then, she said lightly, ¡°Sigh, I understand. Dr. Lovce,

    you are

    an extremely professional doctor. I¡¯m sure you are very confident in your skills as a doctor.

    ¡°Plus, you have a perfect streak of practicing medicine over the years. You have never failed a single

    operation. As long as it is your patient, you have the absolute confidence you can heal them.

    ¡°This is because you won¡¯t ept patients you have no absolute confidence in. Am I right?¡±

 Chapter 834

    The atmosphere turned awkward all of a sudden. There was a subtle yet palpable hint of tension.

    Julien¡¯s eyes gradually widened, as if he had heard something that wounded his ego deeply. His face

    contorted and flushed red. After a prolonged pause, he finally eximed, ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯ve stayed too long in Mosgravia, Dr. Lovce. It must be difficult for you to understand

    Snian now. Do you want me to exin it in Grunndish for you?¡±

    A sharp glint shed in Alyssa¡¯s eyes, her smile carrying a sense of subtle pressure.

    Women hardly disyed such a smile.

    It exuded the arrogance of a person of great power and the unyielding confidence of a man. The sheer

    Intimidation of it weighed so heavily that it shackled Julien¡¯s carefree spirit like a ball and chain.

    ¡°Are you saying I didn¡¯t want to take Jasper as a patient because I can¡¯t heal him? Is that what you¡¯re

    implying?¡± Julien retorted through gritted teeth.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see any other exnation.¡± Alyssa shrugged.

    ¡°Pah! What a joke!¡±

    Julien mmed the table furiously. ¡°I think you haven¡¯t been abroad long. Ms. Taylor. You have no ideal

    bow h

    of a name I am in Mosgravia. I am more famous than Dr. White. I have solved countlessplicated

    medical cases and pulled people back from the clutches of death. Even Hades owes me a drink by

    now. How dare you question my professional skills? This is preposterous!¡±

    Alyssa

    smiled and said nothing. She quietly observed how he lost his cool.

    Then, it was as if Julien had an epiphany. He got up, leaned back, and squinted his eyes. He looked at

    her teasingly. ¡°Phew, I almost fell for your trick, Ms. Alyssa. I must give it up to you. You have some

    tricks up your sleeves, but I am not a superficial man. I will not fall for your tricks.¡±

    ¡°Sigh, I thought you were a perceptive man, Dr. Lovce. You may proudly say you don¡¯t provide

    services for tycoons. Yet, you must know how reputable Mr. Beckett is among the big businesses in the

    country. He is a household name. He went from being the president of a big corporation to doing

    phnthropy

    has helped with his charity fund. work. I¡¯m sure you are no stranger to the dozens of people he

    ¡°Yet, you still choose to stand by your so-called principles. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being too pedantic

    and not keeping up with the times?¡±

    Alyssa surprised herself with what she said. After being divorced for so long, she could still praise

    Jasper

    Putting rtionships aside, Jasper was excellent in management. If rtionships weren¡¯t the topic at

    hand, he was practically perfect.

    Otherwise, Alyssa wouldn¡¯t have loved him for so many years without burning out. After all, a woman.

    would never be able to turn away from a man she respected and was grateful for.

    Alyssa had these feelings for Jasper, so she stayed ignorant for 13 years.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, there is no point persuading me.¡±

    Her persuasion moved Julien. Yet, he was stubborn.

    ¡°No matter what you say, I will not budge. The fact that your brother kidnapped and brought me back

    here had lost you any room to talk to me about this. You didn¡¯t even have the decency to respect others

    because of your money and power.

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    ¡°I will buy my flight to head back. I will call the police if you try to stop me.

    As Julien walked away, Alyssa sipped her tea gently. Then, she said lightly, ¡°Sigh, I thought you were

    our only hope, Dr. Lovce. Even Dr. White couldn¡¯t help. Well, if that¡¯s the case..¡±

    ¡°Who? Who did you say?¡± Julien aggressively stopped in his tracks. His face was riddled with shock.

    ¡°Dr. White.¡±

    ¡°Did you say Dr. White was attending to Jasper? What was that senior doctor doing?¡± Julien couldn¡¯t

    help but sigh

    ¡°Senior doctor? Don¡¯t insult her. Dr. White is nowhere close to being old.¡± The calm and collected

    Alyssa was upset at hisment and mmed the table hard.

    ¡°I was being respectful. Dr. White is my idol.¡±

    Julien¡¯s face was filled with awe as he mentioned Dr. White. ¡°I¡¯ve not met the senior doctor, but she has

    an elegant demeanor. Even her voice and smile are perfect to me.¡±

    Alyssa was rendered speechless.

    ¡°Moreover, it would require any of us in the medical field three decades to reach the level of expertise

    Dr. White possesses and perform such high-profile surgeries. What¡¯s wrong with simply referring to her

    as a senior doctor?¡±

 Chapter 835

    Alyssa touched her chin. She didn¡¯t think it was a problem.

    Julien could never have imagined that the woman he despised, standing before him, was, in fact, Dr.

    White-the very culprit behind his ¡°kidnapping that had dragged his name through the mud.

    Otherwise, he would rather hope the ground would open up and swallow him. He would rather die than

    face this utter humiliation.

    ¡°Dr. Lovce, do you still doubt this man¡¯s character-a man Dr. White is willing to save?¡±

    Alyssa nonchntly asked with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you are questioning your idol¡¯s character?¡±

    She was guilt-tripping him. She had no choice but to use this method to deal with this conniving man.

    Julien pursed his lips. He dragged a chair and slowly sat again as he wandered into deep thought.

    ¡°Okay, I will take a look for Dr. White¡¯s sake.¡±

    Alyssa was overjoyed. She curled her lips ever so lightly. ¡°I thank you on behalf of Dr. White.¡±

    It was rare for Axel toe back to the country, so he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to leave. Yet, he couldn¡¯t sit

    around and do anything. So, like any other young man, he slept during the day and gallivanted at night.

    Ss always teased him, ¡°I know you are nocturnal. Anyone who didn¡¯t know this about you might think

    you have an odd job or something.¡±

    Axel asked Ss, Jonah, and Alyssa out for drinks. Yet, two of them declined his invitation. Ss

    couldn¡¯t

    resist Axel¡¯s pestering and finally caved in.

    Axel finally acted like a younger brother when he asked them out for drinks. However, he secretly took

    hepatica and brought some medicine to help with hangovers. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be able to take it.

    They searched for a more secluded booth to keep a low profile when they reached the bar.

    Yet, it was hard for them to keep a low profile with faces like theirs. It wasn¡¯t the dazzling lights in the

    nightclub. They would make a dramatic presence even in the entertainment industry.

    Women hit on them and asked for their numbers before they could warm their drinks.

    Ss was exceptionally annoyed. Yet, Axel found this amusing and challenged Ss. They had a drink

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    once for each woman that hit on them. In the end, they ended up in a tie.

    Eventually, Axel couldn¡¯t hold his liquor anymore. He said to the woman, ¡°I have a girlfriend.¡±

    ¡°Hmph, I don¡¯t believe you. If you had a girlfriend, you wouldn¡¯te here with him for drinks. You¡¯re

    obviously ying the field, handsome.¡±

    The woman flirtatiously leaned toward him. Unexpectedly, Axel nimbly avoided her. The woman

    disheveledly fell.

    Then, he took his phone and waved Alyssa¡¯s picture in the woman¡¯s face. ¡°Here, this is my wife. Isn¡¯t

    she beautiful?¡±

    Ss nced at it and almost spit the liquor in his mouth.

    ¡°Pfft, whatever.¡± The woman was jealous and walked off.

    ¡°Shit, Axel. You really are something. Using your sister and iming her as your wife is overstepping a

    moral boundary!¡± Ss heavily put down his ss and looked at him as he heaved.

    ¡°Why should I hide my beautiful sister away? I should put her on disy for everyone to see.¡±

    Axel downed his entire drink. Suddenly, his eyes darkened as he scoffed. ¡°Unlike the bastard masked

    behind a suit and tie. He has the world¡¯s most beautiful wife. Yet, he didn¡¯t let her meet people and

    snuck around.¡±

    ¡°Are you talking about Jasper? Ss asked as he sipped on his drink.

 Chapter 836

    Chapter 836

    Chaper 836

    Axel retorted, ¡°Otherwise, which other bastards would I be talking about?¡±

    Axel then took a cigarette and ced it between his lips. Rage was evident on his face as he

    remarked,

    I¡¯m not sure what Lyse is thinking. She is divorced already. And that bastard¡¯s name has been dragged

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    through the mud. Why is she wasting so much effort to attend to his medical condition? Let him rot and

    die.¡±

    ¡°Just think of her as rescuing a stray dog, then. Don¡¯t take this too personally, Ssforted him.

    ¡°Huh? Do you think Julien will treat this bastard?¡±

    ¡°I think he might. Lyse always gets the job done.¡±

    ¡°Okay. I hardly get toe back. Now that I am here, I can¡¯t leave empty-handed.¡±

    Axel took a long drag of his cigarette. His eyes lit up with a zing fire. He exhaled a ring of smoke.

    ¡°Why

    don¡¯t I sneak into that bastard¡¯s operating room and

    He slid his hand across his neck as he spoke.

    Caught off guard, Ss shuddered. Shocked, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare act recklessly. If you touch even

    an

    inch of Jasper¡¯s hair, Sna City will rumble. Don¡¯t make things difficult for Lyse or even Dad!¡±

    ¡°Haha, I¡¯m just messing with you.¡±

    Axel patted Ss on the shoulder and headed toward the crowded dance floor.

    He had too much to drink tonight, so he had to sober up.

    As he reached the sea of people on the dance floor, a wave of depression swept over him. The added

    difort of the smoke¡¯s stench, a shared disdain with Alyssa, Intensified his unease. Consequently,

    he

    decided to step outside for some fresh air.

    The mesmerizing lights, the enticing rhythm of the music, and the sight of attractive girls dancing

    flirtatiously collectively heightened the atmosphere on the dance floor.

    With a cigarette in his mouth, Axel danced skin-to-skin with beautifuldies he did not know.

    He was good at dancing, but his dance moves were obscene. No one could tell him and a hooligan

    apart

    if it weren¡¯t for his good looks.

    Abruptly, Axel was captivated by a scent that sent his mind into a frenzy. Even with alcohol already

    coursing through his system, the fragrance left him bewildered and stunned.

    A delicate woman fell into his embrace in the blink of an eye. He instinctively grabbed the woman¡¯s slim

    waist, and their bodies melted together instantly.

    That fragrance was to die for, and the woman felt soft.

    Under the dazzling lights, Axel opened his eyes slightly and looked at the woman in his embrace.

    What the heck?

    It was as if lightning had struck him. The fingers caressing the woman¡¯s back turned instantly numb.

    ¡°L-Lyse?¡±

    No, that didn¡¯t seem right.

    She wasn¡¯t Alyssa. Alyssa didn¡¯t have a mole above her eyebrow. Plus, Alyssa never wore sweet-

    scented

    perfume.

    Suddenly, Axel¡¯s pupils constricted as his shbacks of Mosgravia appeared in his mind. Then, he

    shouted, ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±

    It was the woman he met once when he was in a foreign country! This woman had been unforgettable.

    ¡°Hmm, do you know me, handsome? I don¡¯t think I know you.¡±

    Amber was drunk and blurry-eyed. She hooked her arms to the back of Axel¡¯s neck. Her warm breath

    <pnded on his Adam¡¯s apple. ¡°But I kind of dig the way you hit on me.¡±

 Chapter 837

    Chapter 837

    Axel¡¯s eyshes fluttered as his heart raced.

    His heart rarely beat so fast. He was reacting to the woman who couldn¡¯t keep her hands to herself.

    He wasn¡¯t moved emotionally.

    The woman in his arms looked exactly like Alyssa. So it felt like he was caressing his sister. He didn¡¯t

    know what to do as his ¡°sister¡± seduced him.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ I-I¡¯m about to puke.¡± Amber¡¯s eyes welled up in tears. Her body went limp.

    She drank a lot and had too much to dance. Her stomach was churning madly. It was unbearable.¡±

    Handsome, c-c-can you bring somewhere to puke? I can¡¯t hold it in anymore.¡±

    If it were another woman, Axel would have darted to the other side of the room-the further, the better.

    He wouldn¡¯t want to get puked on.

    However, he couldn¡¯t say no to that face of hers. He held Amber¡¯s soft waist up with one hand. He

    carried

    her with his arm effortlessly and walked toward the restroom inrge strides.

    Everyone on the dance floor was dumbfounded.

    *Shit! That handsome man is so strong! I wish I could feel how it¡¯s like to have him carry me.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe such manliness exists!¡±

    ¡°But, don¡¯t you think the woman he carried away looks like someone? She looks like someone who was

    the talk of the town online a few times. Who was it again? Ahh, doesn¡¯t she look like Alyssa Taylor?¡±

    ¡°It can¡¯t be Alyssa Taylor! When she came in earlier, I realized that was Alyssa¡¯s face!¡±

    ¡®Please, why would Ms. Taylore to such a ce? Plus, you would have seen a group of

    bodyguards around her. Her dad is Winston Taylor, for crying out loud! That woman probably loved

    Alyssa¡¯s face so much that she used her as a reference for stic surgery.¡±

    Axel couldn¡¯t enter thedies¡¯ restroom, so he brought Amber to the men¡¯s restroom.

    Regrettably, two elderly men upied the restroom. A cold glint shed in their eyes as they observed

    a formidable-looking man entering with a woman in his arms. The sight left them so shocked that they

    hesitated to proceed with their business.

    ¡°Are you done peeing? If you are, get lost,¡± Axel said as he kicked the door open.

    Both men quickly pulled their pants up and scurried away. They forgot to close the door as they exited:

    Amber held the sink with both her hands and started puking violently into it.

    Axel leaned against the wall and ced a cigarette in his mouth. He nced at her from the side of his

    vision from time to time.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    The more time he spent with her, the less she resembled his sister in his eyes.

    Her sister, Alyssa, was a goddess. She was beautiful beyond measure. No other woman was as

    beautiful

    as her.

    Amber concluded her bout of vomiting, sshed water on her face, and rinsed her mouth. As she

    stared

    at her lifeless reflection in the mirror, she noticed her face had lost its color due to the heavy drinking.

    The face she saw bore a striking resemnce to Alyssa¡¯s. It was Jameson who had meticulously

    chosen

    this appearance for her.

    A sharp pain pierced her heart, prompting her to gently rub her chest. She chuckled wryly, biting her lip

    in

    self-mockery.

    ¡°Are you done? Do you feel any better?¡±

    Amber widened her eyes in shock and let out a scream. It was only then that she became aware of

    someone standing beside her.

    ¡°What? I brought you here.¡±

    Axel crossed his arms in front of his chest, teasingly gazing at her. ¡°You sweet-talked me to bring you

    to

    the restroom to puke and even called me handsome. Now, you¡¯re acting like you don¡¯t know me at all. I

    think you were using me, miss.¡±

    ¡°W-When did I ask you to bring me here? This is the women¡¯s restroom. You should leave.¡± Amber was

    still staggering, but she was vignt.

    She was more sober now and could think clearer. Then, she finally saw Axel¡¯s sturdy body, his

    handsome

    looks, and dashing features.

    He quirked his trimmed eyebrow. The look in his eyes was teasing yet nonchnt. It wasid-back yet

    spontaneous, as calm as the cea

    Amber¡¯s face suddenly warmed up. Her heart was beating faster.

 Chapter 838

    Chapter 838

    Amber was in utter disbelief. She never expected to feel such emotions for any man other than

    Jameson.

    ¡°Thedies¡¯ restroom? Look at this urinal. Do you think this is thedies¡¯ restroom?¡±

    Axel smiled. ¡°I think you¡¯re the one that needs to leave, miss.¡±

    Amber¡¯s face turned even redder. She lowered her head and thought of a quick escape n. Axel, out

    of

    her expectation, grabbed her wrist and pulled her back hard.

    Once again, Amber mmed into the man¡¯s sturdy chest hard. Her scalp tingled from the collision. Her

    heart was racing.

    Axel looked at her, a deep glint in his eyes. His lip curled slightly. It was teasingly charming. ¡°How can

    you

    leave? You didn¡¯t even thank me yet.¡±

    ¡°T-Thank you.¡± Amber¡¯s eyes flickered. Her breathing was growing erratic.

    ¡°Has anyone told you that you looked like someone?¡± Axel¡¯s warm breathnded on the reddened tip of

    her nose. His indifferent gaze became somewhat gentler.

    Amber¡¯s heart tightened. She tried her best to escape, but Axel held her tightly, so she couldn¡¯t.

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t look lik

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t look like anyone. I¡¯m just me.¡±

    She was unsure why she felt timid and insecure. She felt like she was a terrible replica. Only Jameson

    liked this face. Everyone else in this world liked the actual owner of this face-Alyssa Taylor.

    ¡°Then, tell me. Who are you?¡±

    Axel¡¯s eyes searched her eyes. ¡°What is your name?¡±

    ¡°Am-

    Her phone rang before she could finish her reply.

    She hastily took her phone out and noticed her boss calling. Her face lost its color from the fear.

    Axel¡¯s brow twitched. The curiosity that had been growing in his heart went away instantly.

    Amber dared not walk through the front door with her head held high. She scurried away in a hurry

    through the back door.

    A bright and piercing red lightnded on her face when she walked out. She used her arm to block the

    piercing light. She couldn¡¯t open her eyes.

    At that moment, a bodyguard walked toward her.

    ¡°Ms. Altman, the boss is waiting for you. Please hurry.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Amber waspletely sober at this point. She walked toward the luxurious ck car with heavy steps.

    Her face was riddled with worry.

    The man she had thought about day and night was in the car.

    Despite being so close to the man of her dreams, her heart was filled with fear.

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    Amber opened the car door and cautiously entered.

    The car door closed, and Jameson¡¯s voice echoed in the darkness, clear but tinged with a palpable

    anger.

    ¡°What have I told you? You are not supposed toe back to Sna City without my instructions.

    Have

    you forgotten everything so quickly?¡±

    ¡°S-Sorry, Mr. Schmidt. H¡­ Hmm!¡±

    The next second, everything turned pitch ck for Amber. An unbearable pain throbbed in her neck,

    and

    she found herself unable to breathe.

    A cold glint reflected on Jameson¡¯s gold-rimmed sses. He turned around, strangled Amber¡¯s neck,

    and

    held her down in the car seat.

    ¡°Sorry? Is that it? Do you know how much trouble you have caused me with your recklessness?¡±

 Chapter 839

    Chapter 839

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Amber¡¯s face turned red, and her consciousness blurred.

    i

    ¡°I told you, with this face of yours, even in Sna City, it should only appear at The Millennium at night!

    You¡¯re my carefully crafted trump card, my possession.

    ¡°You do what I tell you to do, and you don¡¯t have the qualifications to show off, let alone to be arrogant!¡±

    Jameson¡¯s eyes were full of malice. He increased the pressure of his grip on her neck as if he wanted

    to

    strangle her to death.

    Sitting in the passenger seat, Carl saw that Amber was about to copse and hurriedly pleaded for her,

    Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Altman can¡¯t take it anymore! Please spare her this time for her loyalty and devotion

    to

    you over the years!

    ¡°Although it¡¯s her fault for viting your orders by sneaking back, isn¡¯t it to see you? Everything she

    did.

    was for you. Please spare her this time.¡±

    Jameson coldly stared at Amber¡¯s beautiful face and exhaled a breath before loosening his grip on her.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    Amber was soaked in sweat at this moment, and her face changed from red to white. Panting heavily,

    she

    tearfully stared at Jameson.

    Even after being hurt like this, she had no resentment toward him and only med herself for making

    him

    angry.

    ¡°Sorry¡­ Mr. Schmidt¡­ Sorry¡­ Amber covered her neck in pain, continuously apologizing humbly.

    Jameson took a snow-white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands leisurely without looking

    at her. Then he threw the handkerchief out of the window disdainfully.

    ¡®Take good care of this face when you go back. If it weren¡¯t for it, I would have strangled you.¡±

    In distress, Amber was trembling all over. ¡°Thank you¡­ Thank you, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    Suddenly, Jameson pushed his sses and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Did a man touch you in a bar?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ I identally bumped into him. I drank too much and made a fool of myself.¡± Feeling nervous,

    she

    quickly shifted all the me to herself.

    Jameson gave her a cold nce and said to Carl, ¡°Find out who that man is, his identity, and his

    background.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    At that moment, a bodyguard walked toward her.

    ¡°Ms. Altman, the boss is waiting for you. Please hurry.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Amber waspletely sober at this point. She walked toward the luxurious ck car with heavy steps.

    Her face was riddled with worry.

    The man she had thought about day and night was in the car.

    Despite being so close to the man of her dreams, her heart was filled with fear.

    Amber opened the car door and cautiously entered.

    The car door closed, and Jameson¡¯s voice echoed in the darkness, clear but tinged with a palpable

    anger.

    ¡°What have I told you? You are not supposed toe back to Sna City without my instructions.

    Have you forgotten everything so quickly?¡±

    ¡°S-Sorry, Mr. Schmidt. H¡­ Hmm!¡±

    The next second, everything turned pitch ck for Amber. An unbearable pain throbbed in her neck,

    and she found herself unable to breathe.

    A cold glint reflected on Jameson¡¯s gold-rimmed sses. He turned around, strangled Amber¡¯s neck,

    and held her down in the car seat.

    ¡°Sorry? Is that it? Do you know how much trouble you have caused me with your recklessness?¡±

 Chapter 840

    Chapter 840

    For a moment, Rose was both surprised and embarrassed. She tightly pressed her lips together, not

    daring to make a sound.

    One of the foreigners challenged Ss in Furancian. ¡°Who are you? Get out of the way! This has

    nothing to do with you!¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see this, then it has nothing to do with me. But since I did, I¡¯ll take things into my own hands,¡±

    Ss replied in fluent Furancian with a sly smile.

    ¡°Damn! This guy¡¯s Furancian was surprisingly good!¡± Rose was secretly surprised.

    What kind of creatures were Alyssa¡¯s brothers? Not only were they hot, but they were also so

    intelligent.

    Moreover, Ss looked somewhat sexy, speaking Furancian. Rose couldn¡¯t help but blush.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± the other one said in Vitelian, his expression gradually bing grim. ¡°Get lost!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m your father,¡± Ss answered in Vitelian as well.

    Suddenly, his face turned stern. ¡°Don¡¯t challenge my patience. Let her go!¡±

    ¡°Guards!¡± a man roared, and several men in ck suits quickly ran over from the other end of the

    corridor.

    It was evident that these two foreigners had some extraordinary status, apanied by so many

    people

    when they were out.

    However, Ss wasn¡¯t afraid. He raised his eyebrows and vigntly scanned the surroundings.

    Following his mother¡¯s suggestion, Winston had hired professionalbat teachers to teach his four

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    sons and Alyssa life-saving skills.

    After all, no matter how many bodyguards there were, they couldn¡¯t protect them every second of every

    day. In critical situations, their self-defense skills could ensure their safety.

    Ss hadn¡¯t used his skills for a long time, and he had be a bit rusty. Dealing with these people

    might not be a sure win.

    ¡°Ss¡­ Forget about me!¡±

    At this moment, Rose couldn¡¯t care less about herself. She was unexpectedly concerned about Ss¡¯

    safety and shouted to him, ¡°Leave! Quickly leave!¡±

    ¡°Even if I leave, I must take you with me!¡±

    Ss clenched his fists and charged ruthlessly toward the two foreigners holding Rose.

    At the same time, all the bodyguards rushed forward.

    ¡°No!¡±

    Seeing Ss instantly be the target of everyone, Rose was terrified. Her face turned pale, and her

    heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

    Ss was nervous. Despite that, he clenched his fists more firmly, determined to rescue Rose from the

    danger.

    In his entire life, besides Alyssa, he had never risked his everything for any woman.

    Ss moved swiftly and quickly. Before the two bodyguards in front could react, he had already

    knocked down the two foreigners holding Rose to the ground with a punch each.

    ¡°Grab my hand! Quickly!¡± Sweating profusely, he stared at Rose and reached out to her.

    ¡°Ss! Behind you!¡± Rose eximed in shock.

    She, a strong woman who almost never shed tears, was scared to the point of tears.

    Behind Ss, a bodyguard wielding an iron rod had appeared, and he swung it toward the back of

    Ss¡¯ head.

    If this blownded, he would either die or suffer severe brain trauma.

    If Alyssa lost a brother because of Rose, what could thetter use topensate? She would feel

    guilty for a lifetime!

    Upon thinking of this, Rose¡¯s evesred. She gritted her teeth and rushed forward to hug Ss¡¯ waist.

    Surprised, Ss instinctively embraced her.

 Chapter 841

    Chapter 841

    Suddenly, a loud bang echoed.

    A miserable scream came from behind as the bodyguard, who attempted to harm Ss, was hit in the

    head by a trash can that had suddenly flown over. With that, he crashed heavily to the ground.

    This scene left everyone else dumbfounded. They actually withdrew their aggressiveness, and none

    dared to approach anymore.

    ¡°Ss! Why is your reaction so slow?¡±

    Ss abruptly turned around to see Axel, hands casually in his trench coat pockets, shaking his head

    as

    he walked toward them.

    The trash can that this guy had kicked over just now had genuinely scared them.

    Still gripping Ss¡¯ suit jacket, Rose slowly opened her reddened eyes. As she raised her pale face,

    she

    locked eyes with him.

    ¡°Are you¡­.

    you¡­ okay?¡±

    Ss lowered his eyes in response to her passionate gaze. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, then

    pounded like a crazy drum.

    ¡®I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±

    ¡°Get out? You punched our boss. None of you will get out of here!¡± The bodyguards surrounded them.

    again.

    ¡°Hey, hey.¡±

    Axel casually swept a nce at them.

    ¡°Get it straight. These two foreigners molested my sister-inw. We¡¯re already letting them off easy by

    just punching them. It wouldn¡¯t be too much if we ripped their heads off and kicked them like a ser

    ball. Why are you guys still making a fuss?¡±

    Sister-inw?

    Rose¡¯s eyes widened. She shyly bit her crimson lips, and her cheeks blushed even more.

    Likewise, Ss was taken aback, but he quickly had a second thought.

    Setting aside the sister-inw part, was Axel acknowledging him as his big brother?

    He had hit the jackpot!

    ¡®Ss, leave with your lover. I¡¯ll handle things here.¡± Axel¡¯s eyes shed with a hint of fierceness. He

    twisted his neck and cracked his knuckles, ready to go all out.

    These few days in Sna City, he had been so bored. This time, he finally caught onto his favorite

    entertainment, so he was excited.

    ¡°Can you handle it?¡± Ss asked with skepticism.

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    ¡°A man can¡¯t say he can¡¯t.¡±

    Axel casually whistled, looking at Rose trembling in Ss¡¯s arms. ¡°If you don¡¯t trust me, then stay. I¡¯ll

    leave

    with her.¡±

    ¡°Byel¡±

    Without any more words, Ss picked Rose up and ran.

    ¡°What the fuck? You¡¯re discarding humanity for a woman! When I get back, I¡¯m going toin to

    Jonah and Lyse!¡±

    Axel pointed at Ss¡¯ departing figure and cursed loudly. Yet there was a smile on his face.

    Ss hailed a cab outside the bar and carried the now weakened Rose inside.

    ¡°Can your friend handle them alone? Let¡¯s call the police. She grabbed his arm. Her thin red dress was

    already soaked with sweat.

    ¡°He¡¯s not my friend. He¡¯s my younger brother, Lyse¡¯s fourth brother.¡±

    Calmly, Ss took off his suit jacket and draped it over Rose.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Those few pawns, even if there were ten more of them, wouldn¡¯t be a match for him. He

    ate too much tonight. You can consider it his way of digesting.

    ¡°Madam¡¯s¡­ fourth brother?¡± Rose stared in shock. ¡°No wonder¡­ his eyes look somewhat like

    Madam¡¯s, but why do you and him look nothing alike?¡±

 Chapter 842

    Chapter 842

    ¡°My mother¡¯s first pregnancy was quadruplets, and I¡¯m the second oldest. I resemble my eldest brother

    a

    lot. Axel looks like my third brother. They both take after my mother.¡±

    Normally, Ss would never discuss family matters with others.

    However, for some reason, he wanted to satisfy her curiosity. It happened to be a way to divert her

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    attention. She was truly anxious and nervous earlier.

    ¡°Oh¡­ so it seems Madam looks half like your mother and half like Mr. Taylor.¡±

    Rose¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration. ¡°Madam really has inherited the essence of both parents.¡±

    Hearing that, Ss couldn¡¯t help but smile. Suddenly, he noticed that Rose was very thin, even thinner

    than

    Alyssa.

    Her beautiful shoulders protruded, making her look like the perfect model for all clothes. However, there

    was no shortage in areas where there should be flesh.

    For some reason, Ss felt a twinge of tenderness. He gradually tightened his grip on her shoulders.

    ¡°Who were those two men who bullied you? Why were you with them?¡±

    At his question, Rose suddenly trembled. She leaned back, deliber

    avoiding his concerned gaze.

    ¡°People I know in the business. I haven¡¯t had much contact with them before, so I didn¡¯t know they

    were

    this type of person.

    ¡°Business? I heard from Lyse that you¡¯re a fashion designer. Don¡¯t you usually draw and use the

    sewing

    machine in the studio? Is it necessary to mingle in such ces?¡± Ss¡¯s tone became impatient.

    At his words, Rose raised an eyebrow coldly. ¡°Oh, in your eyes, designers are just seamstresses, right?

    Do

    we not need to promote our brand and expand our connections?¡±

    ¡°So, you drank with those two foreigners and got drunk? Didn¡¯t you realize their dirty intentions?¡±

    Ss became even more anxious. With red-rimmed eyes, he stared straight at her. ¡°How can you not

    have any awareness? Or are you just that daring to do anything for the sake of your brand?¡±

    ¡°Yes. After all, I have no one to rely on. I can only rely on myself.¡± Rose felt indescribably

    ufortable,

    so she turned her face away and did not look at him.

    Noticing her nonchnt attitude, Ss was furious. He forcefully pressed her onto the car seat. ¡°Rely

    on yourself? By drinking with men andughing at their stupid jokes?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± Rose gritted her teeth, feeling a little heartbroken.

    ¡°Do you know what would have happened if I had been a bitte? Aren¡¯t you afraid at all? Do you want

    me

    to solve a case one day, and the victim turns out to be you?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to know. Besides, you¡¯re here now. Even if you hadn¡¯te, I would have found a way to

    get

    a to

    away.¡±

    Biting at her lip, Rose lightly pressed her hands onto Ss¡¯ chest and ruthlessly pushed him away.

    ¡°Next

    time you see me, remember to stay far away so you won¡¯t be in trouble.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re simply unreasonable!¡± Ss was furious, staring at her with red eyes.

    ¡°Miss, you better listen. I¡¯ve been working around this nightclub for over two years. I¡¯ve seen many

    ladies who got drunk and were taken away,¡± the driver advised kindly, ¡°Your boyfriend is also looking

    out for you.

    A youngdy like you shouldn¡¯t be in a ce like this.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. Don¡¯t talk,¡± both Ss and Rose said in unison.

    ¡°Alright, alright. Young couples quarrel, I know. I¡¯ve been through this.¡±

    The driver found a way out for himself and then asked. ¡°Uh, since you¡¯re done arguing, where do you

    want

    to go?¡±

    T-

    Before Rose could speak, Ss preemptively gave an address.

    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± Rose asked.

    ¡°To my house.¡±

    ¡°Ss! This is absolutely outrageous! How can you take me to your house?¡± Rose blushed with

    embarrassment.

    If it weren¡¯t for him saving her, she would have wanted to punch him in the head.

    *Those two men just now were quite powerful. Until Axel deals with them, I won¡¯t let you go home

    alone.

    You might be followed at any time and be in danger.¡±

    Suddenly, Ss grabbed her wrist, holding it tightly like handcuffs. ¡°No matter what, don¡¯t think about

    leaving me tonight. I¡¯m in charge of you now!¡±

 Chapter 843

    Chapter 843

    On the other hand, Axel had already taken care of the two foreigners, including the group of weak

    bodyguards.

    He beat them up and locked them in the restroom of a private room, hanging a sign outside that said,

    ¡°Do

    Not Disturb¡±..

    They were all too weak for him, not even enough to warm up.

    Since Axel couldn¡¯t afford to create too muchmotion, he quickly ended the fight. After all, he was in

    Sna City and not abroad. He had to be cautious, given his status.

    After leaving the nightclub, Axel received a call from Ss.

    ¡°It¡¯s all settled, Ss. You can rx and enjoy some alone time with your girlfriend. They won¡¯t bother

    you

    again,¡± he said, yawning.

    ¡°She¡¯s not my girlfriend. Stop talking nonsense!¡± Ss sounded annoyed, with a hint of frustration.

    ¡°Tsk, tsk, do you think I¡¯m dumb or blind? The guy who cares less about everything suddenly turns into

    a

    hero tonight. The girl knows your name and even threw herself into your arms. You two are obviously

    more than friends.¡±

    Axel whistled. ¡°What¡¯s there to be embarrassed about? Being in a rtionship is not shameful. Do you

    want to stay single until you¡¯re 40? Then you¡¯ll be called an old bachelor.¡±

    ¡°Axel, do me a favor.¡±

    Ss took a deep breath. ¡°Find out the backgrounds of those two foreigners who caused trouble for

    Rose

    tonight. We didn¡¯t kill them. I¡¯m afraid they mighte after her again in a few days.¡±

    na City.

    ¡°I thought of the same thing. I¡¯ve checked, and they don¡¯t have much of a background in Sna

    They¡¯re just high-level executives from foreign constructionpanies.¡±

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    ¡°Constructionpanies?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Your girlfriend has quite a wide range of connections.¡±

    Axel smirked. ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll have some gossip to share with Lyse.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to cause trouble for Lyse, don¡¯t mention a word about tonight¡¯s events to her.¡±

    Ss¡¯ voice turned serious. ¡°Rose is Lyse¡¯s best friend. If you tell Lyse, it will only make her worry, and

    she

    won¡¯t be able to sleep well.¡±

    Hearing that, Axel was shocked. ¡°Wow! A close friend.¡±

    ¡°Close your foot! I¡¯m hanging up!¡±

    After that, Ss really hung up the phone.

    Axel sneered and then pulled out a sophisticated, palm-sized, ultra-thin notebookputer from his

    pocket.

    Such cutting-edge technology was a standard issue for high-level operatives like them, but it was

    nearly

    impossible to obtain domestically.

    With this high-tech gadget, he could investigate many things.

    So, Axel investigated the license te number of the luxury car. Soon, he had an answer.

    ¡°A car under the Schmidt Group¡¯s name? Interesting.¡±

    When Axel looked at the investigation results, he recalled the face that resembled Alyssa¡¯s. He

    narrowed

    his eyes slightly.

    ¡°Ms. Altman, who are you really working for? Josh? David? Or Jameson?¡±

    Meanwhile, Ss forcefully brought Rose back to his house in Sna City.

    Surprisingly, the second son of the Taylor family didn¡¯t have his own vi in the city. He lived in a single-

    story house with simple decorations, which was quite unexpected for Rose.

    ¡°You can stay in this room.¡±

    Ss brought Rose to the door of a spacious room. ¡°There¡¯s a bathroom inside, and my pajamas are in

    the

    wardrobe. If you don¡¯t mind, you can make do for one night.¡±

    ¡°Why are you so stubborn?¡± Rose sighed in frustration.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re Lyse¡¯s best friend. I can¡¯t just leave you outside.

    ¡°Madam-

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t mention tonight¡¯s events to Lyse. I don¡¯t want her to worry any more than you do.¡±

 Chapter 844

    Chapter 844

    When Rose heard that, her tense heart finally eased a bit.

    After years

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    ofpanionship, Alyssa was no longer just the mentor who brought her a glimmer of hope in

    adversity. She was not only a friend but also a family. Rose didn¡¯t want to make Alyssa worry or cause

    her

    trouble.

    Just then, Rose¡¯s phone rang.

    She nced at the screen, and her eyes darkened. As she clenched the phone, her knuckles turned

    white.

    Seeing her mood turn low, Ss tactfully exited the room and closed the door.

    However, he lingered nearby, eavesdropping on the conversation.

    He knew it wasn¡¯t the best thing to do, but for some reason, he felt a strong desire to care for her.

    Besides, he could tell that, from the nightclub onward, Rose hadn¡¯t told him a single truth, no matter

    how

    he asked. As a prosecutor for many years, he had developed sharp insight. So, her guarded thoughts

    were

    transparent to him.

    In the room, Rose hesitated for a while before reluctantly answering the call.

    ¡°Dad.¡±

    ¡°What happened tonight?¡±

    Rose¡¯s father, George Emerson, spoke through the phone. Itcked warmth and emotion and was filled

    only with the usual questioning tone and anger.

    ¡°Something happened, so the drinking session ended early,¡± Rose replied in a low voice.

    ¡°What thing? Don¡¯t you know what¡¯s important?¡±

    At this moment, a sarcastic voice from a woman echoed from the other end. It was George¡¯s wife, Lydia

    Carney.

    ¡°I told you so. How could she obediently help you? You¡¯re lucky if she doesn¡¯t squander everything you

    have.¡±

    Rose tightly clenched her fists, her face turning as pale as a sheet.

    There was one thing that nobody knew, not even Alyssa-Rose was the illegitimate daughter of George

    Emerson, the chairman of the Emerson Group. However, her Identity had never been acknowledged by

    Hearing that, Axel was shocked. ¡°Wow! A close friend.¡±

    ¡°Close your foot! I¡¯m hanging up!¡±

    After that, Ss really hung up the phone.

    Axel sneered and then pulled out a sophisticated, palm-sized, ultra-thin notebookputer from his

    pocket.

    Such cutting-edge technology was a standard issue for high-level operatives like them, but it was

    nearly impossible to obtain domestically.

    With this high-tech gadget, he could investigate many things

    So, Axel investigated the license te number of the luxury car. Soon, he had an answer.

    ¡°A car under the Schmidt Group¡¯s name? Interesting.¡±

    When Axel looked at the investigation results, he recalled the face that resembled Alyssa¡¯s. He

    narrowed

    his eyes slightly.

    ¡°Ms. Altman, who are you really working for? Josh? David? Or Jameson?¡±

    Meanwhile, Ss forcefully brought Rose back to his house in Sna City.

    Surprisingly, the second son of the Taylor family didn¡¯t have his own vi in the city. He lived in a single-

    story house with simple decorations, which was quite unexpected for Rose.

    ¡°You can stay in this room.¡±

    Ss brought Rose to the door of a spacious room. ¡°There¡¯s a bathroom inside, and my pajamas are in

    the

    wardrobe. If you don¡¯t mind, you can make do for one night.¡±

    ¡°Why are you so stubborn?¡± Rose sighed in frustration.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re Lyse¡¯s best friend. I can¡¯t just leave you outside.¡±

    ¡°Madam-¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t mention tonight¡¯s events to Lyse. I don¡¯t want her to worry any more than you do.¡±

 Chapter 845

    Chapter 845

    ¡°I won¡¯t go back, and I won¡¯t meet with them tomorrow either! Do you know that I was almost-¡± Rose

    choked down her sobs at this point.

    There was a sudden silence on the other end.

    After a while, there was a change in George¡¯s attitude. His tone softened, but his words were more

    cutting.

    ¡°Rose, I know you¡¯re in a difficult situation. But at the moment, our family is facing difficulties. As a

    daughter of the Emerson family, sacrificing a bit for the family is reasonable, isn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Your sister is about to be engaged to the second son of the Dalton family in Northuis. She has

    sacrificed

    a lot for our family, too.¡±

    Rose¡¯s eyes turned crimson instantly as she asked word by word. ¡°Did you know that those two men

    had

    evil intentions toward me from the beginning? Is that so?¡±

    George remained silent.

    ¡°You knew everything and still let me meet them. Is this how you put your daughter in danger?¡± Rose

    cried

    out in anger and frustration, tears streaming down her face.

    Ss didn¡¯t catch all the words outside the door, but this sentence was crystal clear.

    Combining it with the fragments he had heard earlier, he pieced together the whole story.

    Instantly, his heart wrenched. He clenched his fists, and he was filled with anger.

    What kind of devilish family was this? How could parents willingly let their daughters do such things?

    No sound came from inside for a while.

    Ss took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the door out of concern. But Rose didn¡¯t give him any

    response. Worried, he pushed the door open.

    ¡°Rose?¡± His pupils suddenly contracted, and his whole body shivered.

    He saw the fragile Rose lying unconscious on the floor.

    Ss rushed forward to check her condition, quickly realizing that she was experiencing cardiac arrest.

    Fear spread through his being

    ¡°Hold on, Rose!¡±

    He vigorouslypressed her chest for CPR, but she showed no response.

    ¡°Rose¡­ Rose¡­¡±

    Ss watched as Rose¡¯s lips, like withering rose petals, gradually lost color and turned a faint shade of

    gray. Finally, he made up his mind, leaning in and kissing her deeply.

    Their lips pressed tightly together as he continuously shared his breath with her. His heart raced in an

    unusual rhythm.

    After so some time, Rose slowly opened her eyes. Subconsciously, she reached out her arms and

    hooked them around Ss¡¯ neck.

    Ss widened his eyes in surprise. He lost his bnce and copsed toward her.

    She let a soft moan escape her lips.

    Rose, with a misty and teary gaze, looked pitiful yet incredibly affectionate.

    Inadvertently, she stirred something deep within Ss¡¯ heart.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Her lips, now restored to a rosy hue, unfolded like flower petals dampened by morning dew. Slowly, she

    traced his lips with finesse and warmth.

    Atst, the tightly stretched line of Ss¡¯ rationality snapped silently

    With red eyes, he firmly held the back of her head, his breath growing heavier.

    His warm tongue gently pried open her parted lips, capturing her sweetness, which was apanied

    by a subtle hint of alcohol. It invaded his senses, reaching deep into his soul.

    He didn¡¯t know how tonight had turned into this, but one thing was certain-he didn¡¯t want to part with

    her lips and didn¡¯t want to stop.

 Chapter 846

    Rose¡¯s sudden cardiac arrest was no small matter. Ss took her to the hospital and notified Alyssa to

    come and visit.

    He knew his little clot her brother.

    little sister¡¯s temperament. Keeping this a secret any longer would lead her to disown him as

    Early the next morning. Alyssa and Sean rushed back from Belbanks to the hospital where Rose was

    hospitalized in Sna City.

    ¡°Ss, what happened? How could Rose have a heart attack?¡± Alyssa was in distress, tears swirling in

    her eyes.

    ¡°The doctor said Rose has a weak constitution and a heart condition, but it¡¯s not too severe.¡±

    A heart condition?

    Alyssa shivered, and Sean hurriedly supported her trembling figure.

    She felt awful for Rose.

    Not only was Rose her apprentice, but she was also her best friend. Yet she didn¡¯t even know about

    her

    physical condition.

    What a disappointment she was in her role as a mentor!

    Recalling Rose and her family¡¯s phone callst night, Ss clenched his fists silently.

    His voice was hoarse as he exined, ¡®She had a sudden emotional outburst, leading to a heart attack.

    Luckily, I was there. Otherwise, the consequences could have been disastrous.¡±

    After taking Rose to the hospitalst night, he called Alyssa, briefly exining how they had met.

    However, he hadn¡¯t disclosed the conflict between Rose and her family.

    ¡°Emotional outburst? What happened?¡± Alyssa always liked to dig deep into the affairs of those around

    her.

    In her eyes, Rose was always carefree, not taking anything too seriously. Why would she-

    ¡°Lyse, let¡¯s wait for Rose to wake up and let her exin it to you herself.¡±

    When Ss recalled the prolonged kiss, his cheeks involuntarily heated up, and his thoughts were

    somewhat distracted.

    ¡°Mr. Ss, were you with Ms. Emerson all night? Did you take her to your ce?¡± Sean couldn¡¯t help

    but

    ask curiously.

    At his words, Alyssa¡¯s gossip spirit was ignited,

    After all, this was the first time Ss, who had been single for 30 years, brought a woman home.

    Wasn¡¯t he always allergic to women?

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ss admitted it honestly. ¡°Given the urgency of the situationst night, I was afraid she might

    encounter more trouble, so I took her home.¡±

    ¡°And then, and then, and then?¡±

    Alyssa shook Ss¡¯s arm eagerly, asking, ¡°What else did you guys do? Huh?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re such a curious baby. Why so many questions?¡± Ss yfully flicked her forehead, but his

    heart

    was unexpectedly beating fast.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    He wasn¡¯t sure if Rose remembered the passionate kissst night.

    When she woke up, should he or should he not-

    At this moment, the door to the ward opened, and a nurse walked out.

    ¡°The patient has awakened.¡±

    Without a second thought, Alyssa rushed in, her worry evident.

    Meanwhile, Sean stayed outside the room, watching Ss¡¯ face gradually redden. Puzzled, he asked,

    ¡°Mr.

    Ss, are you running a fever?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Ss snapped out of his daze.

    ¡°Your face is really red. Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±

    Ss¡¯ heart skipped a beat, and he chuckled nervously. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Sean cleared his throat, silently smiling.

 Chapter 847

    In the ward, Rose weakly leaned against the bedside, hooked up to an IV. The morning sunlight spilled

    onto her pallid face, creating a beauty that made others feel bad for her.

    ¡°Rose,¡± Alyssa softly called her name, her eyes reddened.

    For a moment, she couldn¡¯t believe that the frail woman before her was the same carefree and cheerful

    apprentice she knew.

    ¡°Madam?¡± Stunned, Rose quickly pulled her needled hand under the nket.

    ¡°What happened?¡±

    Alyssa sat by the bed and gently held Rose¡¯s hand, asking with concern, ¡°How did ite to this? Who

    bullied you?

    Rose bit her lip and remained silent.

    ¡°Tell me quickly. I¡¯ll stand up for you.¡±

    ¡°I was just dizzy from low blood sugar. It¡¯s nothing serious.¡±

    ¡°Even now, you won¡¯t tell the truth? Do you not know you have a heart condition? How long do you n

    on keeping it from me?¡±

    Alyssa was so frustrated that her face was flushed, and she tightened her grip on Rose¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Ss told me you received a callst night. After that call, you fainted due to an emotional outburst.

    Who

    called you? What did they say? What happened at the nightclubst night?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s questions were sharp, targeting sensitive points.

    Rose¡¯s longshes trembled, and her fingers tightened in Alyssa¡¯s palm. ¡°Madam, I didn¡¯t mean to keep

    it from you. But I hope you can give me some personal space and let me have a bit of my own secret.¡±

    ¡°No! No! No!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes turned red from anger. ¡°What nonsense secret? You¡¯re clearly being bullied, but you

    don¡¯t want me to know and let me stand up for you.

    ¡°One of my life principles is ¡®an eye for an eye. Anyone who harms those around me, I¡¯ll get back at

    them

    a thousandfold! Now that you¡¯re in such a state, as your mentor, I can¡¯t just stand idly by!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t do anything about this!¡±

    Rose¡¯s chest heaved suddenly. It was the first time she spoke to Alyssa with such intensity. ¡°I¡¯m

    begging

    you. Just leave me alone, okay? I¡¯m begging you!¡±

    Alyssa looked stunned, and the light in her eyes slowly dimmed.

    When she left the ward, herplexion was visibly grim.

    However, she was naturally stubborn. The more Rose hid, the more she wanted to uncover everything.

    No

    matter what, she had to stand up for her apprentice.

    Alyssa had Sean stay to care for Rose and went to a caf¨¦ across the street from the hospital with Ss.

    ¡°Lyse, I think there¡¯s a problem with Rose¡¯s family. I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s mentioned it to you.¡±

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Ss lowered his gaze. He knew his little sister didn¡¯t like bitter coffee, so he ced a sugar cube in her

    cup

    ¡°No, she only mentioned having a mother in her hometown who isn¡¯t in great health. Besides that, she¡¯s

    never told me anything.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath. ¡°She¡¯s my most trusted friend, so I never thought about investigating her.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not investigating. It¡¯s understanding. Only through understanding

    her.¡±

    on you know her pain and truly I

    As Ss spoke, he clicked on a document on his phone and handed it to Alyssa. ¡°Sorry, Lyse. I

    investigated Rose without telling you. Don¡¯t be mad at me.¡±

    How could Alyssa be angry? She was even secretly pleased.

    Sis, who had always been focused on his cases and her matters, was now genuinely putting in effort

    for Rose. It wasn¡¯t easy for him to do this.

    Did this mean Alyssa will have a sister-inw soon?

    ¡°Rose is the daughter of George Emerson, the chairman of Emerson Group.¡±

    ¡°Emerson Group? I¡¯ve heard of it. It¡¯s not a bigpany, just a bit famous in Sna City, mainly in real

    estate.¡±

    Since Alyssa prepared to go back and inherit her family business, she clearly understood the people in

    the domestic market, especially the bosses in Sna City.

    ¡°But if I remember correctly, George has a son and a daughter. They¡¯re both quite high-profile, so I

    remember them. How did Rose be his daughter?¡±

 Chapter 848

    Alyssa eximed, ¡°What?¡±

    Alyssa abruptly stood up from her chair, staring at Ss in disbelief. ¡°Illegitimate daughter? The

    Emerson

    family¡¯s illegitimate daughter?

    ¡°So it¡¯s understandable that she hid her background from you.¡±

    Looking at Rose¡¯s background check, Ss felt uneasy for some reason.

    Compared to those who openly expressed their sadness and misfortune, he felt more sympathetic

    toward Rose, who kept everything inside.

    ¡°Rose is such a fool.¡± Alyssa felt as though her heart was cut with a knife, making it hard for her to

    breathe.

    ¡°The two foreign men Rose drank withst night are high-level executives from a foreign construction

    ¡°Considering Rose¡¯s conversation with her fatherst night, it seems like the Emerson family arranged

    everything.¡±

    ¡°This is outrageous! Did they actually make their own daughter drink with clients for business? George,

    that heartless scum, is he out of his mind?¡±

    Alyssa mmed the table, making coffee ssh everywhere. At the same time, her eyes revealed a

    murderous intent.

    ¡°Ss, I¡¯ll handle this matter. Promise me one thing. Take good care of Rose these days until she

    recovers.

    Ss hesitated for a moment, not answering immediately.

    ¡°Can you do that?¡± Alyssa red at him.

    ¡°Okay. I can¡¯t say no, can I? Of course I can,¡± Ss agreed repeatedly.

    ¡°What? Now that you know Rose is an illegitimate daughter, do you look down on her?¡±

    ¡°Are you scolding me? Am I such a shallow person?¡± Ss blushed, a bit flustered.

    At this moment, Jonah calied Alyssa.

    ¡°Lyse, Jasper will attend a business cocktail party tonight. You can meet him there.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Alyssa replied casually.

    ¡°Lyse, you can actually arrange a private meeting with him.¡±

    After a pause, Jonah spoke earnestly, ¡°Even if you can¡¯t be husband and wife, or even friends, you

    don¡¯t

    have to avoid each other forever.¡±

    ¡°Just a meeting during the reception is enough. I don¡¯t want to meet him privately.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t know why, but she was quite afraid to see Jasper. She lowered her voice and said,

    ¡°Jonah, I

    actually want to let Julien meet Jasper.

    ¡°If possible, move up the treatment schedule. Once he fully recovers, we can cut off all tiespletely.¡±

    When Ss returned to the ward, Rose was standing by the window, talking on the phone with her back

    to

    him.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done enough for the Emerson family over the years. What more do you want from me? Do you

    want.

    me to sell my blood or my body?¡±

    Rose forcefully suppressed the trembling anger in her voice. Beads of sweat were dripping down her

    face.

    Suddenly, her palm was empty.

    Ss took advantage of her distraction and pulled out her phone, pressing it to his ear.

    Rose raised her tear-stained face in astonishment, looking at his profile. His handsome features and

    firm righteousness inexplicably gave her an unprecedented sense of security.

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    ¡°Hello.¡± Ss¡¯ gaze was cold.

    ¡°Who¡­ Who are you?¡± George asked in surprise.

    ¡°With your status, you¡¯re not even worthy to know who I am.¡±

    Ss sneered. ¡°But let me remind you of one thing. What you¡¯re doing now has crossed legal

    boundaries and vited a woman¡¯s will. I can sue you at any time.¡±

    ¡°Sue me? Haha! Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am?¡± George was both angry and

    amused.

    He thought this was some inexperienced youngster or Rose¡¯s boyfriend who got upset and tried to

    stand. up for her. So, he didn¡¯t take Ss seriously.

 Chapter 849

    George would probably have regretted it if he had known that he was talking to Winston¡¯s second son,

    Alyssa¡¯s second brother. He might even wish he were dead.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to talk so arrogantly here. If you dare to have any ideas about Rose again, you¡¯ll see

    me

    deal with you.¡± Ss tilted his jaw slightly, smirking coldly.

    In terms of arrogance, who could be more arrogant than someone from the Taylor family?

    ¡°You-¡°George was furious. He roared, ¡°Who the hell are you?¡±

    Ss swallowed and somehow had the courage to put his hand around Rose¡¯s slender shoulder, pulling

    her into his arms.

    Caught off guard, Rose didn¡¯t dare to move, and her heart was in turmoil.

    ¡°I¡¯m Rose¡¯s boyfriend.¡±

    After saying that, Ss directly hung up the phone, not giving George a chance to retort.

    The ward suddenly became very quiet.

    Both Ss and Rose remained silent.

    ¡°Uh, don¡¯t get me wrong. I was caught up in the moment just now.¡± Ss quickly tried to cover for his

    unintentional words.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t misunderstand. And no matter how I see it, I¡¯m the one who gained.¡± Rose self-deprecatingly

    smiled.

    She knew that Ss was standing up for her because of Alyssa.

    She hadn¡¯t be so arrogant to think that the second son of the Taylor family would really care about

    her.

    She wasn¡¯t delusional. Besides, her identity as the illegitimate daughter of the Emerson family was no

    longer a secret. Such a prestigious family as the Taylor family would never be interested in the

    Emerson family, let alone someone like her, an illegitimate daughter who couldn¡¯t be brought out in

    public.

    Ss licked his dry lips, looking at her deeply. After hesitating for a while, he asked in a low voice. ¡°Last

    night¡­we¡­¡±

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    ¡°Thank you forst night. If it weren¡¯t for you saving me in time, I would probably be dead by now.¡±

    Rosel

    sincerely thanked him.

    ¡°No, I mean¡­ we ¡­ um.. Do you not remember at all?¡± Ss asked tentatively, feeling a bit anxious

    inside.

    ¡°What?¡± Rose looked at him with confusion.

    At her response, he was at a loss for words.

    It seemed she really didn¡¯t remember.

    He suddenly felt that he was being taken advantage of

    ¡°Uh¡­ Can you let go of me?¡± Rose gently pressed her lips together, feeling a bit embarrassed in his

    arms.

    Ss¡¯ heart was pounding, and he quickly released his hold on her

    Rose covered her chest and walked back to the bedside to sit down.

    As he watched her slender figure, his heart tightened. He walked up to her and asked softly, ¡°Do you

    want to eat something?¡±

    ¡°I want a mac and cheese cup.¡± Rose raised her eyes, meeting his eyes.

    When she was in a bad mood, she always liked tofort herself with a hot cup of mac and cheese.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll make it for you.¡±

    Ss rolled up his sleeves, thinking that this girl was easy to please. She was mac and cheese.

    ¡°And¡­ add a poached egg.¡± Rose grabbed his hand and added a small request.

    Ss smiled tenderly at her. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll add two for you.¡±

 Chapter 850

    At exactly 7:00 pm, after the business conference, all the big shots and elite figures of Sna City

    rushed

    to Berenike Hotel to attend the cocktail party.

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    Alyssa sped in her ck Bugatti, with Julien tightly gripping the door handle on the passenger side. He

    stared straight ahead, not daring to say a word throughout the journey.

    He was afraid that saying too much would make him throw upst night¡¯s dinner.

    Finally, when they arrived at the hotel, Alyssa executed a beautiful and precise drift, smoothly parking

    in

    the designated spot.

    ¡°Get out.¡± Alyssa unbuckled her seatbelt

    Julien didn¡¯t move. His face was as pale as paper.

    Noticing no response from him, Alyssa blinked and waved her hand in front of him. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s

    wrong?

    Petrified?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ want¡­ to¡­ vomit.¡± Julien¡¯s face turned purple, and he was not doing well at all. 1

    Alyssa yelled, directly kicking him out of the car. ¡°If you need to vomit, do it outside, not in my car!¡±

    The moment the car door opened, Julien started throwing up.

    Even though he was a son from a schrly family, this was the first time he had been socking in

    manners and vomited so unceremoniously.

    Fortunately. Jonah wasn¡¯t present. Otherwise, he might have given up on life.

    After Julien finished vomiting, he weakly leaned against the car door. Panting, he red at Alyssa. ¡°You

    Taylors are all insane! Do you think the car is an airne?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re quite a big man, yet you¡¯re carsick

    Alyssa folded her arms, shaking her head. ¡°My driving skills are at a racing level. It¡¯s very stable. If you

    can¡¯t adapt, that¡¯s definitely your problern.¡±

    Saying that, she handed him a bottle of water, showing a bit of consideration.

    Julien rinsed his mouth with water. It took him quite a while to recover.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t forget what you promised me.

    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°No, I mean¡­ we.. um¡­ Do you not remember at all?¡± Ss asked tentatively, feeling a bit anxious

    inside.

    ¡°What?¡± Rose looked at him with confusion.

    At her response, he was at a loss for words.

    It seemed she really didn¡¯t remember.

    He suddenly felt that he was being taken advantage of.

    ¡°Uh¡­ Can you let go of me?¡± Rose gently pressed her lips together, feeling a bit embarrassed in his

    arms.

    Ss¡¯ heart was pounding, and he quickly released his hold on her.

    Rose covered her chest and walked back to the bedside to sit down.

    As he watched her slender figure, his heart tightened. He walked up to her and asked softly, ¡°Do you

    want to eat something?¡±

    ¡°I want a mac and cheese cup.¡± Rose raised her eyes, meeting his eyes.

    When she was in a bad mood, she always liked tofort herself with a hot cup of mac and cheese.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll make it for you.

    Ss rolled up his sleeves, thinking that this girl was easy to please. She was satisfied with just a cup

    of mac and cheese.

    ¡°And ¡­ add a poached egg.¡± Rose grabbed his hand and added a small request,

    Ss smiled tenderly at her. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll add two for you.¡±

 Chapter 851

    "Being the center of attention is not what matters. What matters is that Mr. Beckett likes it."

    Since Alyssa was not too far away, she could distinctly hear Renee''s words. She raised her eyebrows

    slightly.

    Julien looked at Renee''s pretentious look, and the nausea he had just suppressed seemed to rise

    again.

    "Renee, do your best. Be considerate to Mr. Beckett, and he''ll gradually be moved by you."

    Dominic didn''t forget to belittle Alyssa. He sneered. "You''re my daughter. No matter what, you''re better

    than that

    divorced Alyssa. Renee, be confident. You''re not inferior to Alyssa at all.

    "It''s just that you and Mr. Beckettck a bit of fate, but that''s not important. Fate can be created. Alyssa

    and Mr.

    Beckett embody the essence of apleteck of fate. Otherwise, why would they be divorced?"

    As Alyssa listened silently to the father and daughter''s big words, her cool face showed no emotion.

    Meanwhile, Julien stared at Dominic and his daughter leaving the parking lot with wide eyes.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    "Jasper ... is your ex-husband?"

    "Yeah, I should have told you earlier. Anyway, it''s not a secret." Alyssa was cool about it, not thinking

    that it was

    anything serious.

    "You''re such a model ex-wife." Julien couldn''t help teasing her.

    "Others want to strangle each other after a divorce, but you still try to cure your ex-husband? Is it that

    you can''t

    forget him, or do you have something in his hands?"

    "I just want to be ountable, that''s all. Let''s go."

    Expressionlessly, Alyssa took steps toward the hotel.

    Julien looked at her resolute and cold retreating figure. Although she was just a girl in her early 20s,

    she seemed like a sword that could cut through the storm.

    He couldn''t help but smirk. "Alyssa, you''re bing more and more interesting."

    Dominic met an acquaintance on his way to the hall and started a conversation, leaving Renee to arrive

    at the banquet hall entrance first.

    She arrogantly took out her invitation and handed it to the staff at the door.

    "This way, Ms. Renee."

    "Thank you."

    As Renee smoothed her long hair and was about to enter, the resonant click of high heels echoed from

    behind.

    She turned in surprise, and her pupils suddenly contracted.

 Chapter 852

    Renee remarked, "Look at the way you''re putting it. Lyse, aren''t you always low-key? You never attend

    such public

    events."

    "Oh? Then you''ll have to get used to it," Alyssa retorted.

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes at Renee with an intriguing expression. "From now on, I''ll frequently appear

    in public. I

    think we should meet often to catch up."

    Renee''s face showed an awkward smile, but she was exploding with anger on the inside.

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    "Miss, please show your invitation," the staff politely asked Alyssa.

    "I don''t have an invitation," Alyssa said openly.

    Renee covered her mouth andughed sardonically. She finally found a chance to turn the tables.

    "Lyse, has it been a long time since you attended such high-end events? Don''t you know you need an

    invitation to

    enter? You''re causing trouble for the staff like this."

    The staff also looked awkward. "I''m sorry, miss. You can''t enter without an invitation."

    "I''m Alyssa Taylor," Alyssa said indifferently.

    The word "Alyssa Taylor" was like a thunderbolt, stunning the two staff members.

    In the past, Alyssa might have said, "My father is Winston Taylor," to make things more convenient.

    But now, after causing several city-wide shocks in Sna City, her name alone was powerful enough.

    There was no

    need to bring out her father.

    "O-Oh, it''s Ms. Alyssa. I apologize."

    "It''s okay. I have something urgent and want to see Mr. Beckett. It''s my fault for this sudden visit

    anyway."

    Alyssa became humble, giving a slight smile. "Since I don''t have an invitation, I shouldn''t enter. My

    apologies."

    "No, no. This way, Ms. Alyssa." The staff members were extremely courteous, aplete change from

    their

    attitude toward Renee.

    "Thank you. Mr. Lovce here is my friend. Can he join me?" Alyssa asked, smiling.

    "Of course, of course. This way."

    Alyssa and Julien were led into the banquet hall with great respect.

    Meanwhile, Renee stood alone in ce, stomping her foot. Her face was flushed with anger.

    Throughout her life, no matter how hard she tried and how well she did, every time Alyssa appeared,

    thetter

    would steal all the attention.

    On the other hand, Jasper and Landon were heading toward the banquet hall together.

    "How''s Lauren doing recently?" Despite his expressionless face, Jasper was concerned about his

    sister''s well-being.

 Chapter 853

    Jasper responded, "I''m just curious."

    "I didn''t do much. I just disfigured her," Landon revealed.

    When Landon recalled the pitiful state Betty was in when she was tortured in the warehouse that day,

    he couldn''t

    help butugh.

    "Oh, no wonder. I was wondering why I hadn''t seen hertely. She''s probably too embarrassed to show

    her face in

    public anymore."

    Jasper nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly looked at Landon seriously. "During this time when you''ve

    been staying

    with Lauren, you didn''t do anything to her, did you?"

    At this question, Landon''s heart skipped a beat.

    He suddenly recalled the scene fromst night where he and Lauren were entangled in the bathroom,

    kissing as if

    they couldn''t bear to part. At once, he felt a rush of heat from his lower abdomen.

    Just as he was unsure how to answer, Xavier urgently ran over from the other end of the corridor.

    "M-Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa is here."

    Hearing that, Landon widened his eyes and looked at Jasper.

    Meanwhile, upon hearing that Alyssa was here, Jasper seemed to be in a daze and asked again,

    "Who''s here?"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Ms. Alyssa. Alyssa Taylor. She''s in the banquet hall right now." Xavier was ecstatic and couldn''t stop

    grinning.

    That was because he hadn''t seen his boss'' wife for quite some time.

    He didn''t know whether Jasper missed her, but Xavier missed her quite a bit.

    "Jasper, is Lyse here to see you? Damn, your patience paid off!" Landon excitedly patted Jasper on the

    shoulder.

    "Many elite figures in Sna City will be at the cocktail party tonight."

    Suppressing his emotions, Jasper said solemnly, "She might just be here to expand her socialwork.

    After all, she

    will inherit the Taylor family business."

    "My goodness. Why don''t you think positively for once? You''re really something else."

    Landon turned to Xavier and asked, "Did Lysee alone, or did shee with Jonah?"

    Xavier replied, "Neither. She came with a stranger."

    "Is it that bastard, Schmidt?" Landon thought of Jameson and couldn''t help but get angry.

    "No, it''s not him. It''s a guy who looks ... exceptionally beautiful, somewhat androgynous."

    Although Xavier only nced at Julien from a distance, thetter left a deep impression because of his

    extraordinary appearance.

    Upon hearing this, Jasper had a surge of emotions.

    It wasn''t one of Alyssa''s brothers, not Jameson, and not even someone that Xavier knew.

    He thought he hadpletely given up on Alyssa. However, whenever there was something rted to

    her, he couldn''t ignore it.

 Chapter 854

    There were many people around.

    But the moment when Jasper and Alyssa made eye contact, it seemed as if everything fell silent, and

    all the noise

    around them disappeared.

    Seeing her crush, Renee was so excited that her eyes lit up.

    She quickly took out her powderpact and touched up her makeup. Then she walked toward Jasper

    excitedly.

    However, she had only walked halfway when several socialites crowded around, pushing her to the

    outermost

    circle.

    Renee anxiously clutched her dress.

    Why was it so difficult to get close to Jasper?

    But Alyssa had secretly married this outstanding man. Why was God so unfair? Why did Alyssa get all

    the good

    things?

    The more Renee thought about it, the more annoyed and unfair she felt. She angrily squeezed her way

    to the front.

    Jasper was just right in front of her. After thinking briefly, she pretended to be unsteady. With a shout,

    she directly

    threw herself at Jasper.

    At once, Jasper frowned. He had wanted to dodge, but with people on all sides, there was nowhere to

    evade. As a

    result, Renee crashed into his arms.

    The sweet and nauseating scent of perfume overwhelmed him, making him dizzy. He felt the urge to

    kick her aside.

    "Mr. Beckett, I''m so sorry. I lost my bnce for a moment. I''m really sorry." Renee pressed her hands

    against his

    chest, acting coquettish, but she was overjoyed inside.

    No man could resist a woman who took the initiative to throw herself into his arms, especially such a

    beautiful

    woman.

    However, the instant Renee lifted her eyes to meet Jasper''s gaze, she shivered. At the same time, she

    had

    goosebumps all over her body.

    His incredibly charming eyes showed no emotion as they coldly stared at her. She felt as though she

    had fallen into

    an icy abyss.

    At this moment, Sophia and Betty happened to walk down the stairs, witnessing the scene.

    Betty had just fixed her face. However, she hadn''t fully recovered, so she had to conceal the scars on

    her face with

    thick makeup.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Who''s that woman who threw herself at Jasper?" Sophia yawned.

    Justst night, she had a date with the handsome young doctor while Javier was overseas. They

    yed "poker" all night, and her waist still hurt a bit.

    She felt that young people were indeed the best.

    Sophia even thought that meeting the doctor had rejuvenated her.

    "Let me see."

    Betty squinted and carefully observed before recalling, "Oh, her name is Renee. She''s from the Taylor

    family."

    "The Taylor family? Why do they keep producing these vixens?" Sophia felt annoyed as soon as she

    heard the Taylor family''s name and quickly ssified Renee.

 Chapter 855

    On second thought, Zoe could help Betty get revenge against Lauren and Landon. She found some

    sce in this

    thought.

    However, as Betty''s eyes wandered absentmindedly, they fell upon Landon sitting on a sofa in the

    corner.

    She felt traumatized. Instantly, her legs went weak, and she ended up sitting on the stairs.

    The people around all turned to look at Betty. Seeing her embarrassed look, they burst into quiet

    laughter.

    "What are you doing?"

    Sophia looked at Betty with disdain. "There are so many people watching. Get up quickly."

    However, Betty''s legs were trembling, and she found it difficult to stand up.

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    For the first time in her life, she experienced the taste of being threatened, suppressed, and tormented

    by trauma.

    As Betty contemted Landon, her thoughts swirled with anger, painting him in her mind as an

    embodiment of

    malevolence.

    Alyssa watched as Renee threw herself at Jasper, and he didn''t immediately push her away.

    Swiftly coursing through her, a chilling sensation, as if piercing her heart, transformed her expression

    into one of

    icyposure.

    Julien casually took a sip from his champagne flute and propped his elbow on the table. With a yful

    gaze, he

    looked at the lively crowd around Jasper.

    He clicked his tongue twice and said, "Alyssa, I now understand why you two divorced. He''s too

    outstanding. Living

    with him means trouble every day. You won''t feel safe at all.

    "Look, he should be feeling quite pleased right now. He has probably forgotten about you. You really

    are going out of your way for him unnecessarily."

    "Don''t you think you''re talking too much nonsense?" Alyssa coldly shot him a nce.

    "But this is not nonsense. It''s the truth. It''s also because you''re my cousin that I''m saying all this.

    Otherwise, I wouldn''t even bother talking." Julien smirked yfully.

    "Get lost," Jasper said coldly to Renee.

    "What? Ah!"

    Before Renee could react, Jasper forcefully pushed her away, sending her tumbling backward.

    With unstable footing and high heels, she tilted backward and fell.

    Seeing that, the two women behind her quickly dodged, letting Renee awkwardly fall to the ground.

    At this moment, Dominic happened to walk in from outside with other guests and witnessed his

    daughter''s embarrassment.

    "Mr. Dominic, I heard that your daughter is here tonight as well, right?" a nearby guest asked.

    Dominic wished he could dig a hole and bury himself.

    He regretted bringing Renee here. He had been humiliated before the battle had even begun.

    The scene suddenly became somewhat chaotic.

 Chapter 856

    It was as though Renee was nothing more than a pile of garbage at his feet.

    Renee waspletely disoriented, kneeling on the ground and forgetting to stand up.

    Nopare, no despair.

    Thisparison had made her experience extreme despair.

    "Ms. Alyssa, is there something you want to talk about?" Jasper approached Alyssa. His gaze was

    profound, and his

    voice was husky.

    "Yes. Can we talk privately?" Alyssa''s eyes were calm. Though she was not loud, it was enough for

    everyone around

    to hear.

    Without hesitation, Jasper replied, "Sure."

    The two left together under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

    Behind, there were only sounds of surprised sighs, one after another.

    They all felt that the two were truly a perfect couple. They were so well-matched that it drew envy.

    Alyssa and Jasper arrived at the hotel''s back garden.

    The cool night breeze scattered her luscious ck hair into the air, creating a scene as mesmerizing as

    a painting.

    The two fell into silence. It seemed like there were many things to talk about between them, yet

    everything was left

    unspoken.

    Even the silence felt heart-wrenching.

    "I didn''t expect you toe tonight with a newpanion."

    Jasper broke the silence with his usual harsh words. "I thought you woulde with Jameson."

    "Why? Are you disappointed that I didn''te with Jimmy?"

    Alyssa''s eyes narrowed slightly, and she didn''t mince her words. "I also didn''t expect you to have some

    acquaintance with my cousin. You seemed quite close just now. Did I ruin something by calling you out

    here so abruptly?"

    She truly was sharp-tongued.

    Hearing that, Jasper was so angry that he was unable to catch his breath. His face alternated between

    red and pale.

    "Is this why you called me out here? To say this?"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    He coldly smirked. "We''ve been divorced for a long time. Why are you still so concerned about whom I

    interact with?"

    Smiling, Alyssa wagged her finger. "Jasper, you think too highly of yourself. Whoever you interact with

    has nothing to do with me.

    "If you''re interested in Renee, I can even help you set things up. After all, she''s my cousin. We might

    end up as rtives."

 Chapter 857

    Even without profanities, Jasper''s words were akin to a sharp de, leaving Alyssa feeling wounded.

    "Jasper, I''ve

    never trampled on your dignity. Wasn''t it you who came to me every time after the divorce?"

    Alyssa''s eyes turned slightly red, but she defiantly wore a smirk that could infuriate anyone. She looked

    beautiful,

    yet her demeanor only made hearts ache for her.

    "Your dignity is something you didn''t want yourself. Now you me me? Do you have no shame?"

    She shouldn''t havee. She shouldn''t have cared about him.

    If only she had known this would happen.

    Alyssa thought that Jasper was a scumbag and he deserved whatever that came his way.

    Suddenly, Jasper''s breathing halted, and he felt a strong dizziness rush to his head. His figure swayed

    slightly.

    "Hey! What are you doing?"

    Before the words could settle, a stone hit Jasper right on the back of his head.

    Jasper felt a sharp pain, and his brows furrowed.

    Meanwhile, Julien had already walked over briskly, reaching out to grab the back of Jasper''s cor.

    But Jasper, with his skills, was as swift as lightning. He sidestepped in a sh, leaving Julien grasping

    at thin air.

    Julien stumbled forward. With his long limbs, he looked like a praying mantis.

    Alyssa, who was initially angry, couldn''t help but chuckle at Julien''s action.

    Frowning, Jasper touched the back of his neck. He tilted his head slightly, radiating a charming yet

    sinister

    presence.

    "A sneak attack from behind, and that''s all you''ve got?"

    "A sneak attack from behind is better than you acting rogue at night."

    Julien dusted himself and got up from the ground. He was still a bit shaken by Jasper''s reaction earlier.

    "You''re

    divorced, but you''re still touching her. Is this what the mighty Beckett Group''s president does?" "What

    rtionship

    do you have with her?" Jasper red at Julien.

    This weak man dared toy hands on him for Alyssa. It was evident that he held Alyssa in high regard.

    Julien parted his lips but was unsure of how to introduce himself. Just then, Alyssa spoke in a calm

    voice. "He''s Julien

    Lovce, a neurologist I brought from Mosgravia."

    Neurologist?

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    Jasper instantly realized something and fell silent.

 Chapter 858

    "Dr. Lovce is a renowned neurologist in Mosgravia. I specifically brought him to Sna City to treat

    the

    aftereffects for you."

    "Go back. I don''t need it," Jasper replied, looking down. He refused outright.

    "Jasper, do you think I''m negotiating with you?" Alyssa''s eyes widened.

    "Do you think I''m negotiating with you, Alyssa?"

    Jasper locked eyes with Alyssa. His gaze appeared chillingly indifferent, as if veiled by ayer of ice.

    "My affairs have

    nothing to do with you. You don''t need to care."

    "You ... !"

    "If you want to continue attending the party, move to the banquet hall. If you only came to talk to me

    about this,

    leave with your people."

    After saying that, Jasper turned and left expressionlessly without any hesitation or dy.

    He acted as if he and Alyssa had never met.

    "Asshole! Do you want to die?" Alyssa shouted at his retreating figure, but he didn''t stop.

    "Jasper! Stop right there! Jasper!"

    Jasper gradually walked away, his figure disappearing into the night.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa stood there dumbfounded, letting the cold wind hit her body. She felt the chill

    seeping through

    every pore, permeating her entire being.

    A tremendous sense of loss crawled up her calves. It was intricate and unavoidable.

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    "Someone once offered me 100 million to treat them, and I didn''t agree. Now, I''ve presented myself in

    front of this

    Mr. Beckett, and he didn''t even spare me a nce. Haha."

    Julien leaned against a tree trunk,ughing mockingly. "Should I say he''s a tough guy or a dumbass?"

    "Dumbass," Alyssa said, her eyes reddening.

    "Yeah, that''s what I thought. I just didn''t want to say it."

    Julien quietly watched her trembling figure. Suddenly, he asked, "Hey, do you still love him?"

    Alyssa''s heart felt like it had been pricked with a needle. She clenched her fingers and asked, "What

    are you talking

    about?"

    "I''m asking if you still love Jasper."

    "What is it to you?"

 Chapter 859

    Renee hid in the car, sobbing. Her eyeliner and mascara were smudged. She looked utterly pitiful.

    "Enough! What are you crying for? Look at you, so pathetic!" Dominic was furious.

    "I made such a fool of myself in front of so many people. What''s wrong with shedding a few tears?"

    Renee miserably wiped her tears. "Mr. Beckett is really too much. I fell right in front of him. Shouldn''t he

    help me?

    How could he turn a blind eye?

    "He can only see that bitch, Alyssa! His soul is with her!"

    When Dominic recalled Jasper''s intense gaze and brazen stare at Alyssa, he was infuriated.

    "Dad, Mr. Beckett still has feelings for Alyssa. What should I do?" Renee asked tearfully.

    "What feelings? They wouldn''t have gotten divorced if he truly had feelings for her. If they''re divorced, it

    means he

    couldn''t go on being married to her even for a day."

    Dominic sighed, his gaze dark. "Right now, if you want to get close to Jasper, Alyssa isn''t the only

    obstacle. There''s

    also that girl from the Harper family."

    Renee thought of Zoe and found it quite troublesome.

    Zoe and Jasper''s recent hotel rendezvous caused quite a stir. Now, rumors of an alliance between the

    Harper and

    Beckett families were rampant.

    But she felt that the immature Zoe wasn''t worth worrying about.

    It was Alyssa who felt like a looming threat, giving her a scalp-tingling sense of danger.

    "Yeah ... That girl from the Harper family ..."

    Renee sniffled. "Mr. Beckett is really something. I can understand that he likes Alyssa. But why is he

    interested in

    Zoe? Am I inferior to that girl?"

    "You''re usually quite clever, but how did you be so confused when ites to important matters?"

    Dominic disdainfully clicked his tongue. "Jasper is not interested in Zoe. The hotel meeting might be

    some scheme

    of hers, aiming to marry Jasper and be the wife of the Beckett Group''s president.

    "If Jasper really had feelings for that Harper girl, why hasn''t there been an official announcement or

    deration? I

    doubt this alliance will go through."

    Renee was enlightened by these words.

    She had always listened to her father and knew that he was full of ideas. Otherwise, in the face of

    Winston''s

    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.

    dominance, he would have had no ce to stand long ago.

    "If the Harper family can use schemes, why can''t we? Right now, it''s better to seize the opportunity

    when it''s

    avable."

    Dominic narrowed his eyes in deep thought.

    Renee hurriedly asked, "Dad, what do you mean?"

    "Renee, as the saying goes, ''No pain, no gain.'' You have to be shameless to get a wealthy husband."

 Chapter 860

    "There wasn''t much to talk about in the first ce." Jasper sat heavily on the sofa. He picked up a

    ss and downed

    the champagne in one gulp.

    Thoughts of Alyssa left him feeling irritated. He felt suffocated. Jasper''s eyes then turned red from the

    strain.

    "You really can''t say anything nice. Lyse came to see you, meaning she''s not angry anymore. Why

    didn''t you seize

    the opportunity to win back her favor?

    "Do you really want to be my brother-inw? I represent the Harper family as the first to oppose you

    marrying into

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    the family." Landon widened his eyes, acting all anxious.

    "Landon, do you think I''m the only one who has made mistakes?" Jasper''s hand clenching the ss

    revealed taut

    veins, as if he were suppressing some tormenting emotion.

    "What do you mean? Should Lyse be the one to be med?"

    "I don''t know."

    "Jasper, with all the sacrifices Lyse has made for you, you have no right to me her or be mad at her.

    If you truly

    love her, everything she does is right. Don''t try to reason with women. That''s just being stupid," Landon

    spoke

    bluntly.

    While Jasper was lost in thought, footsteps approached them.

    "Mr. Beckett, Mr. Harper, nice to meet you."

    Both men raised their eyes. Standing before them were Dominic and Renee.

    Jasper''s gaze turned instantly cold at the sight of the woman.

    He didn''t say a word but exuded an icy rejection toward the Taylor father and daughter.

    Renee, who had cried so miserably in the parking lot just moments ago, had now reapplied her

    makeup. She even

    emphasized her eye makeup with a touch of pink to look pitiful and delicate.

    Landon didn''t know Dominic and was even less familiar with Renee.

    However, being a discerning scion of a wealthy family, he knew how to maintain proper manners.

    So, he stood up, smiling. "Forgive my ignorance. May I ask who you are?"

    "I''m Dominic Taylor, the executive director of KS Group."

    Dominic added with a smile, "Oh, by the way, Mr. Beckett has a closer rtionship with our Taylor

    family. After all, he has quite a rtionship with my eldest niece."

    "Eldest ... niece?" Landon was slightly taken aback.

    "My elder brother''s daughter, Alyssa. Lyse is my niece," Dominic exined with a smile. "She''s a

    cousin to my

    daughter, Renee. The two of them grew up together, so they''re very close."

    Landon was greatly surprised.

    It turned out that Dominic was Winston''s younger brother.

    That was entirely unexpected, and it made Landon look at him with newfound respect.

    Seeing Landon''s expression soften, Renee felt a sense of aplishment.

 Chapter 861

    Jasper didn¡¯t bother to look at Renee. As he drank his champagne, he said nonchntly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I

    didn¡¯t

    mind.¡±

    ¡°Renee, you can¡¯t be so careless. You¡¯re a daughter of the Taylor family. How can you behave like

    this?¡±

    Dominic sternly criticized his daughter. ¡°You should learn from Lyse. People say she looks down on

    you.

    As your father, even I can¡¯t look at you now.¡±

    ¡°Dad, I was wrong. I¡¯ll learn from Lyse.¡±

    Renee gently bit her lip, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. The act of coquetry was just like a

    switch for her. ¡°I think¡­ as long as I work hard, Lyse will eventually recognize me, right? She won¡¯t

    look down on me like before.¡±

    ¡°Look down on you?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened, and he quirked an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯ve been married to Alyssa. I know what kind of

    person she is.

    ¡°When she was with me, she never looked down on anyone, not even a servant in my family. How

    could she look down on her own cousin?¡±

    Landon nodded beside them.

    Though Jasper spoke harshly and acted rigidly, he was quite clear-headed.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that ¡­¡± Renee was embarrassed and blushed.

    ¡°I know Alyssa, so I won¡¯t believe what you say. But let me give you a word of advice-when you¡¯re

    outside, don¡¯t say such things about her if your rtionship with her is as intimate as Mr. Dominic

    says.¡±

    There was a sharp, discerning quality to Jasper¡¯s eyes. Although he didn¡¯t explicitly threaten Renee,

    every word he uttered carried a strong sense of oppression.

    Panicking, Renee discreetly signaled her unease to Dominic.

    ¡°Renee, it seems like there was a bit of a mix-up with Mr. Beckett because of the way you expressed

    yourself.¡±

    Dominic could only try to smooth things over ¡°Renee, quickly raise your ss to Mr. Beckett and

    apologize.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, please don¡¯t harbor any ill feelings toward Renee on my ount. She tends to be imp

    unintended offense.¡±

    Dominic couldn¡¯t be more humble, but he had no choice. If he didn¡¯t lower himself, he felt that Jasper

    might leave.

    Jasper respected Winston. Furthermore, Dominic was his ex-father-inw¡¯s younger brother, and he

    couldn¡¯t ignore that connection.

    At this moment, a waiter approached with a tray holding several sses of champagne.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Renee picked up two sses, one for herself and one for Jasper.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, here¡¯s to you. I promise to be more mindful of my words and actions moving forward.¡±

    Having emptied his champagne ss and feeling frustrated, Jasper was fortunate as Renee handed

    him

    a drink. He swiftly consumed it in one gulp.

    Seeing that, Renee smiled and elegantly finished hers.

    ¡°Mr. Harper, I have some business partners from KS Group here, and they have a keen interest in

    Harper Group. How about joining us for a chat? It could open up potential coboration opportunities.¡±

    Dominic, like a gentle elder, extended an invitation to Landon.

    Upon hearing that, Landon¡¯s eyes lit up.

    He wasn¡¯t just interested in women. He was also a lover of wealth. Wherever there was a business

    opportunity, he would seize it.

    After all, if he wanted topete with his uncle, expanding hiswork in the business world was

    necessary. His main purpose ining tonight was for this.

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯ll go over there first.¡± After speaking, Landon left with Dominic, leaving Jasper alone with Re

    At this moment, Jasper¡¯s face was darker than the bottom of a pot.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, there¡¯s a danceter. Would you mind-¡± Renee fluttered her eyshes, attempting to

    invite Jasper.

    Before she could finish her sentence, a chilling gaze from Jasper prated the depth of her being.

    Terrified, her tongue twisted into knots. She didn¡¯t dare to express any more of her thoughts.

 Chapter 862

    ¡°Ms. Renee, you should know I¡¯m your cousin¡¯s ex-husband.¡± Jasper¡¯s profile was like a sharp de,

    possessing a striking and awe-inspiring beauty.

    He finally took the initiative to talk to her, but it was about Alyssa.

    ¡°Yes, I know,¡± Renee replied weakly.

    ¡°So, I think you should be mindful of your image. When Alyssa is around, it would be best if you refrain

    from appearing before me.¡±

    However, Renee seemed to be under a spell. She misunderstood the meaning of his words. Blushing,

    she

    asked hesitantly, ¡°Does that mean¡­ when she isn¡¯t around, I can-¡±

    ¡°I believe in other instances, the likelihood of our paths crossing is slim. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t bother

    mentioning it. Don¡¯t read too much into it,¡± Jasper coolly remarked, lifting his champagne and draining it

    in one go.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s words left Renee feeling humiliated, as if she had been entirely dismissed.

    Over the years, she had been quite sessful in the realm of love, with countless men pursuing her

    relentlessly. This was the first time she had taken the initiative to pursue a man by lowering herself.

    However, she didn¡¯t mind. Jasper was entirely worth it.

    By bing his woman, she believed she and her father could proudly hold their heads high before

    Winston and no longer be overshadowed.

    Jasper continued to drink heavily, one ss after another. Anyone could tell that he was in a bad mood.

    Renee sat beside him, keeping himpany as he drank while she studied him.

    A subtle smirk yed at the corners of her eyes.

    A covert scheme yed out just as Dominic ordered drinks from the waiter.

    ¡°Drink. Keep drinking. If you drink enough, Alyssa will fade away, and all you¡¯ll see is me,¡± Renee

    thought.

    After Alyssa and Julien exited the garden in the rear, they did not hurry to return.

    It wasn¡¯t because Alyssa couldn¡¯t bear to part with Jasper. Since she was already there, she of

    checking in on her ¡°old friend¡±, Sophia.

    Julien was starting to get a bit impatient.

    ¡°Hey, what are you looking for?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for someone.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± Alyssa was not interested in wasting time on him and focused on finding

    her

    arch-enemy.

    ¡°Why are you being so secretive?¡± Julien pouted.

    ¡°By the way, since Jasper won¡¯t let me treat him, does that mean I can go back?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Alyssa answered.

    ¡°Why not? I still have things to do over there. I don¡¯t have time to waste with you guys here.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go see Grandpa tomorrow and get him to convince Jasper. Even if Jasper doesn¡¯t listen to me, he¡¯ll

    definitely listen to Grandpa.¡±

    Alyssa was determined to resolve this matter. Once she had made up her mind, no one could stop or

    dissuade her.

    ¡°You¡¯re throwing yourself at him. I just don¡¯t get it.¡±

    Just as Julien was about toin, Alyssa suddenly gestured for him to be quiet.

 Chapter 863

    Two figures emerged from the lounge. They were Sophia¡¯s assistant and a maid. Alyssa hurriedly hid

    behind the pir with Julien and peeked at them.

    The maid grumbled in a hushed voice, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Madam Sophia? She¡¯s been acting weird

    lately.¡±

    ¡°Right? She was fine when she arrived. But she suddenly felt cold and asked for a jacket. When I

    handed

    it to her, she scolded me for giving her a thick jacket because she felt hot,¡± the assistant said, looking

    grumpy.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all. She¡¯s been alternating between feeling cold and hot, and her appetite has increased!¡±

    the

    maid added.

    She then checked her surroundings before cautiously whispering, ¡°Once, I found her in the kitchen by

    the

    fridge past midnight, shoving cake in her face!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s impossible! She doesn¡¯t take desserts to maintain her figure.¡±

    ¡°God knows? She kept stuffing her mouth with cake. I was so terrified to see that.¡±

    Alyssa and Julien overheard the conversation and frowned at the same time.

    The maid inched closer to the assistant and lowered her voice, ¡°Say, is Madam Sophia having an

    affair?¡±

    The assistant, looking petrified, poked the maid and warned, ¡°Hold your tongue if you want to be safe.

    We

    are childhood friends, so it¡¯s fine to tell me, but you can¡¯t let anyone else know about it! Got it?¡±

    ¡°Fine. Is she having an affair, though?¡± the maid pressed on, undeterred.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know the details, but I do know she often goes to the stic surgery clinic for touch-ups. She¡¯s

    been close to the young doctor, but you can¡¯t im she¡¯s having an affair from that.¡±

    The two women disappeared after walking through a door.

    Alyssa, who overheard the conversation, fell into deep thought. Julien rubbed his chin in frustration and

    said, ¡°Hmm¡­ Sounds weird.¡±

    ¡°You think so too?¡±

    ¡°Eating disorders, fluctuations in body temperature, and mood swings-these sound like symptoms of a

    drug addict in recovery,¡± Julien suggested.

    Snickering, Alyssa made a call with her back to Julien.

    Soon, a man picked up, sounding polite. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you finally reached out to me.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Yes, Tristan. It¡¯s been a while. How are you doing?¡± she greeted him and initiated small talk.

    ¡°Thanks to you, my clinic is doing well. I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Tristan McAllister was an excellent stic surgeon raised in a poor family. He was epted to the

    University of Sna as a top student. Due to his family¡¯s financial situation, he nearly gave up on his

    studies after his father passed away early and his mother fell ill.

    Winston created an education fund with the university and named it after Alyssa. Alyssa picked Tristan

    among the many applicants as a beneficiary.

    Their rtionship was beyond a benefactor and a beneficiary. Over the years, even if Alyssa might not

    have met him often, she kept in touch with him, keeping herself updated about his studies and life.

    Despiteing from the distinguished Taylor family, Alyssa did not look down on Tristan at all.

    Whenever he mustered up the courage to email her, she would reply within three days.

    To Tristan, Alyssa was more than a benefactor. Alyssa was a ray of light in his dark and hopeless life. If

    she needed help, he would be willing to lend a hand. He¡¯d do anything for her.

    ¡°Tristan, I have a question. Did Sophia Kirkman get her injections from your clinictely?¡± Alyssa

    inquired

    in a low voice.

    ¡°Yes. She will visit us weekly. She started off getting one injection per week, but she has increased the

    frequency to thrice per week,¡± Tristan answered with a smirk. ¡°As she increases the dosage, the side

    effects will be amplified as well. If my guess is correct, she must be suffering from eating disorders,

    feeling cold all over, insomnia, and nightmares.¡±

 Chapter 864

    ¡°Slowly, the worst side effects would show up,¡± exined Tristan.

    Alyssa came to a realization. Tristan¡¯s exnation matches the ounts of the assistant and the maid.

    Tristan continued, ¡°She deserved it. If you need me to, I can send her to the afterlife with one injection.¡±

    The way he suggested the idea was heartless, as though life and death meant nothing much.

    Alyssa was speechless at Tristan¡¯s offer.

    He added fearlessly, ¡°She is the one who abused the drugs in the first ce. Besides, she signed an

    agreement and has to be partly responsible. Look, drug-rted deaths aremonce in our

    industry.

    ¡°We will just treat it as another medical malpractice case. The worst punishment I would face is to have

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    my license revoked and serve a two-year sentence.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to risk your future for a bitch like Sophia Kirkman. That would be a waste,¡± Alyssa

    said

    with a sigh. ¡°Tristan, I assure you that I will ensure your safety when you carry out my orders. This

    incident

    will not affect your work at all.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind doing anything, Ms. Alyssa, as long as you get your revenge for your family,¡± Tristan

    replied,

    unbothered about his safety. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have stored the evidence that will ruin her reputation if

    released.¡±

    ¡°This is not the time yet,¡± Alyssa stopped him and inhaled deeply. ¡°Even if I show the evidence now, I

    don¡¯t have the confidence to obliterate her. I want her to lose everything, including Javier Beckett¡¯s

    support. I want her to be an outcast! It¡¯s go big or go home for me.¡±

    Jasper was not a lightweight, but for some reason, he felt dizzy after having a few drinks. He struggled

    to

    breathe, and his eyelids drooped.

    The dance had started. The guests had fun on the dance floor. Nobody noticed the situation that

    Jasper

    and Renee were in.

    After taking a few gasps, Jasper tugged on his tie knot and swallowed. His cheeks were flushed. Desire

    coursed through his body, challenging his nerves.

    Renee inquired with fake concern, concealing a grin, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Beckett? Do you feel unwell?¡±

    She knew the drugs had taken effect.

    desire in him.

    What did he drink? Why was the effect so unbearable?

    Or did his tolerance drop after he was disconcerted by Alyssa?

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Leave me alone,¡± Jasper insisted, showing hostility toward Renee.

    ¡°Your face is red! Are you running a fever?¡± Renee eximed.

    Then, she boldly pressed her chest against his body and attempted to touch his forehead.

    Suddenly, he pped her hand away, leaving a red mark on her skin. He glowered at her and

    bellowed, ¡±

    Don¡¯t touch me. Get lost!¡±

 Chapter 865

    Jasper fixed a resentful gaze on Renee, sending a shiver down her spine. Trembling, she held her

    breath

    and cautiously exined, ¡°Mr. Beckett, I didn¡¯t mean to do anything to you. I was worried about your

    health.¡±

    He pressed his hands on the arms of the chair to prop himself up. When he stood up, he instantly felt

    the

    world spinning around him. The burning desire had grown inside him and spread through every cell.

    Breathing heavily, he sweated all over. Renee couldn¡¯t help but swoon at his frail yet sexy look.

    Holding onto the wall, Jasper made his way out of the main hall with much difficulty. Renee wasn¡¯t

    about

    to give up and doggedly pursued him.

    Tonight was her chance, and she wouldn¡¯t let it slip away. If she sessfully spent the night with

    Jasper,

    not even Alyssa or Zoe could stop her from marrying him.

    Standing in the empty corridor, she felt emboldened and threw herself at Jasper, which only validated

    Preston¡¯s description of her-shameless.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you can¡¯t even stand straight. I¡¯ll help you get back to your room. Is that okay?¡±

    ¡°Get lost! I told you not to touch me. Don¡¯t you understand?¡± Jasper shoved her away with all his might

    as

    his eyes burned in anger.

    His disdain was as clear as day. It was as if Renee was sick and infectious.

    Feeling anxious and furious, she gritted her teeth and tried to hold Jasper back.

    They were interrupted by a stern voice. ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡±

    Renee turned pale, releasing Jasper as Landon marched angrily toward them.

    Landon seized Jasper¡¯s shoulder, pulling him away from Renee. He confronted her, ¡°Ms. Renee, what

    do

    you n to do?¡±

    ¡°I ¡­ I¡­¡± Renee struggled to remainposed but recoiled under Landon¡¯s intimidation. Feeling on the

    verge of losing control, she exined, ¡°Mr. Beckett had too much to drink. He seems to be in a bad

    mood. I just wanted to help him back to his room.¡±

    ¡°Too much to drink? I know his tolerance better than anyone else. He was sober before, but he looked

    drunk after drinking with you. Something¡¯s wrong,¡± Landon remarked while casting a skeptical look at!

    Feeling guilty, she retorted, ¡°Mr. Landon, what do you mean? I am a Taylor. My father holds a high

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to tell. Jasper is a fine man, and I¡¯ve seen lots of women throwing themselves at him over the

    years. Some of them came from better families than yours,¡± Landon remarked without fear.

    He could say anything when he was riled up, and he was not going to go easy on Alyssa¡¯s cousin.

    ¡°Jasper, how do you feel?¡± Landon inquired as he checked on Jasper.

    ¡°Go. Let¡¯s go,¡± Jasper mumbled in a daze.

    ¡°Sure. We¡¯ll leave now!¡± Landon held Jasper and hurried away.

    While walking, he grumbled, ¡°Look at you! How would you survive without me? You can live without

    women, but you¡¯ll be done for without Landon Harper by your side!¡±

    ¡°W-Wait!¡± Renee called out to them.

    Landon halted and shot her a murderous re. He warned, ¡°Ms. Renee, I hope you won¡¯t pull any

    tricks on

    Jasper. You will never win his heart.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Why-¡±

    ¡°He has set his eyes on someone else. You are no match for her,¡± Landon said with a chuckle, refusing

    to borate further.

 Chapter 866

    ¡°And who is she? Alyssa Taylor?¡± Renee demanded to know.

    Herpetitiveness reared its head. Sweating anxiously, she pressed, ¡°But I thought they were

    divorced!

    They wouldn¡¯t have divorced if they still had feelings for each other.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. What do you know?¡± Landon chuckled and looked away. ¡°They might be divorced, but they are

    still

    interested in each other. You can never imagine the depth of Jasper¡¯s feelings for Lyse.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    ¡°Even if they are divorced, and even if she marries another, no one can ever rece her in Jasper¡¯s

    heart.¡±

    Exhausted and unsteady, Renee watched them leave. After a while, she stomped indignantly and

    bellowed to the air, ¡°I don¡¯t believe you! You liar! That¡¯s nonsense!¡±

    Landon took Jasper into his car as soon as he could. On their way, he figured that Jasper wasn¡¯t drunk,

    just drugged.

    A question remained-when was he drugged?

    Recalling the waiter carrying a tray with sses of champagne, Landon noted how Renee had

    randomly

    picked two sses. How could she be sure to give Jasper the spiked drink?

    Could she have spiked all the drinks? If so, she was a crazy one.

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯ll send you to your ce. You can¡¯t go home to Seaview Manor looking like this,¡± Landon

    offered.

    Jasper¡¯s breathing grew heavy. He tugged on his shirt, causing two of his buttons toe undone and

    exposing part of his chest with flushed skin. He looked sultry.

    ¡°Damn, you¡¯re a slut, aren¡¯t you? No wonder thosedies are all over you,¡± Landon teased and quickly

    started the engine.

    Just as he was about to help Jasper buckle the seatbelt, Jasper mumbled with hazy eyes, ¡°Lyse¡­

    Lyse¡­¡±

    Landon paused upon hearing the familiar name before letting out a chuckle. Jasper might find it hard to

    express his feelings, but he had never forgotten about Lyse.

    Landon buckled Jasper¡¯s seat belt and stared witlessly at Jasper¡¯s vulnerable look. ¡°I got it, Jasper. As

    your only friend, I will help you out!¡±

    After Alyssa collected the intel she needed, she and Julien prepared to leave the hotel.

    Her phone rang when she entered the car. Seeing it was a call from Landon, she wasn¡¯t interested in

    picking up.

    However, the ringtone persisted, as annoying as Landon himself.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Alyssa finally picked up and spoke tly.

    ¡°Lyse, Jasper is in trouble!¡± Landon sounded anxious and urgent.

    Her heart sank as she questioned sternly, ¡°What happened to him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know the details, but he¡¯s not in a good state now. I¡¯ve sent him back to his private vi. Aren¡¯t

    you

    a doctor? Please check on him!¡±

    Various worst-case scenarios shed across her mind. The long-term effects of Jasper¡¯s head injury

    had

    be a constant worry for her.

 Chapter 867

    Upon hearing Landon¡¯s words, Alyssa¡¯s first guess was a PTSD episode.

    ¡°Text me Jasper¡¯s address. I¡¯ll be there soon,¡± said Alyssa with a frown before hanging up.

    Meanwhile, Julien had just finished smoking a cigarette. When he was about to get into the car, the

    engine revved, and the doors were locked.

    ¡°Hey, open the door. I need to get in,¡± Julien shouted and yanked on the handle.

    ¡°I have something to tend to. Please head home yourself,¡± Alyssa said to him, staring forward and

    gripping the steering wheel.

    ¡°Are you serious? This is Belbanks, not Sna City! Where the heck can I go?¡± Julien snapped

    helplessly.¡±

    Send me home right now!¡± 1

    ¡°Call Jonah. Get him to pick you up.¡±

    With that, Alyssa¡¯s ck sports car whizzed past Julien.

    Alyssa followed the address Landon provided and arrived at Jasper¡¯s private vi in no time. She stood

    at the entrance with mixed feelings-frustration, grievance, and bitterness.

    The private vi was one of Jasper¡¯s personal assets, the most lived-in, ording to Mrs. Rosie.

    When Alyssa was still married to Jasper, Mrs. Rosie told Alyssa that Jasper would stay the night at the

    private vi when he was down or not feeling like heading to Seaview Manor.

    She assured Alyssa that Jasper had never stayed the night at a woman¡¯s ce, all tofort the

    lonely Alyssa, who was living alone at Seaview Manor then.

    Mrs. Rosie even suggested that Alyssa meet Jasper at the private vi, but Alyssa refused. She

    believed that Jasper was moody because he couldn¡¯t meet with Liana.

    Going home to Seaview Manor meant running into his wife, whom he didn¡¯t want to see.

    She thought disturbing Jasper at the private vi was pointless and decided to stay at Seaview Manor,

    counting her blessings.

    Things changed on that fateful day when Alyssa and Newton were involved in a car crash, resulting in

    a miscarriage.

    While resting in her hospital room one night, Alyssa received a call from Liana, who jeered, ¡°Alice

    White, do you really think Jasper is yours after you married him? You¡¯ll never win his heart.

    ¡°He¡¯s been with me for the past few days. He even gave me a ne that¡¯s one of a kind in this

    world.

    Did he ever buy any gift for you?

    ¡°By the way, Jasper bought me a vi by Phoenix Lake in East Side. We used to have our dates there.

    Has

    he ever told you that?¡±

    As a result of that provocating call, Alyssa suffered another hemorrhage due to the shock and fell into a

    critical condition. Mandy, L, and Colene arrived on time and took care of her, but the bleeding hadExclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    rendered her infertile, not to mention leaving behind long-term effects. 1

    It was a death sentence to a woman who wished to have kids.

    Thankfully, the suffering was all in the past. Alyssa recovered from the wounds under the care of her

    family. Life was more than marriage and having children. She still had family who loved her and a world

    full of adventures.

    After what she had gone through in the marriage, there was no chance of getting back with Jasper.

    Taking a deep breath, she pressed the doorbell. No one answered the door after a long wait. She

    wondered if Landon was even at the vi.

 Chapter 868

    Frowning, Alyssa pushed the door open impatiently. To her surprise, the door was unlocked.

    Always skeptical and wary, Alyssa had a bad omen as she cautiously entered the living room.

    The vi, though moderately huge, was smaller than her Sna City residence. Despite the difference,

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    she felt at home and cozypared to the more opulent yet sterile Seaview Manor.

    She was filled with frustration at the thought.

    ¡°Landon Harper, you there? Landon?¡± she called out but was met with silence..

    Growing increasingly worried, she hurried upstairs, checking every room.

    Finally, she entered the final room, which was more humid than the others. She picked up on the

    masculine scent in the air and concluded that this must be Jasper¡¯s bedroom.

    It was a familiarity fostered after two years of marriage. Separated by a slightly ajar door, she

    overheard

    hisbored breathing from within. He seemed to be in pain.

    Her throat tightened when she called out to him. ¡°Jasper?¡±

    She was surprised by the response. He mumbled, ¡°Lyse¡­ Lyse¡­¡±

    She couldn¡¯t wait any longer and hurried in. In the dimly lit room, Jaspery on the bed, one leg straight

    and the other bent. His crumpled ck suit rested on the floor, and his white shirt was unbuttoned,

    exposing his flushed skin and toned physique. His body heaved.

    ¡°Lyse, I feel bad. Lyse¡­¡± Jasper opened his mouth as he struggled to breathe. Face flushed, he cast a

    hazy gaze at her.

    For a moment, he thought he was dreaming. Why would Alyssae to him if she hated him so? Even

    if

    this was a dream, he wanted her to stay.

    It was always in moments of vulnerability that a man would realize what he truly desired.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart sank. She hurried over to check on him, only to be grabbed by the wrist. She saw the

    world

    spinning around her, and soon, Jasper was on top of her.

    She sensed the lust in the air and within his gaze. He stared at her and breathed irregrly by her ear,

    causing her to blush and quiver.

    ¡°Jasper, what are you doing? Let go of me!¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I was drugged. I feel sick right now. I feel like I am going up in mes and exploding,¡± he

    exined, looking at her with desire and tension as though they would spontaneouslybust at any

    moment.

    ¡°Someone drugged you? How did that happen?¡± Alyssa gasped and red at him.

    She touched his sweaty forehead. This time, he did not shun her. His gaze softened, and he looked

    obedient.

    ¡°Gosh! Your forehead is burning!¡± she eximed and withdrew her hand, but he pinned the back of her

    hand, urging her, ¡°Touch me more¡­

    He was unable to hold back his urge and his feelings. Lost in her eyes, he muttered, ¡°Lyse, do you

    know

    how long I have waited for this moment?¡±

 Chapter 869

    When Alyssa met Jasper¡¯s eyes, her heart raced. She noticed the vulnerability and madness in his

    eyes, reminiscent of two years ago when he had made love to her all night. She found herself

    helplessly drawn

    to that look.

    ¡°Jasper, calm down! Let me g-Mmmph-¡± He silenced her with a kiss, his hot lips exploring hers

    passionately, leaving her breathless.

    She couldn¡¯t even breathe properly.

    Desperate to take her, he seemed driven to the brink of madness by his desire.

    Every day without her was pure suffering. He was just a zombie with no purpose in life.

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    Alyssa started moaning with rapid breathing and flushed skin.

    Quivering underneath him, she fought him by pushing against his chest, but it screamed seduction to

    him.

    In fact, whenever she showed up, even in his dreams, she was irresistibly seductive and charming.

    She couldn¡¯t evade his kiss. Soon, their bodies intertwined. They kissed hard and sloppily, making

    sounds

    as they went for it.

    His callused hand with bulging veins caressed her legs and traveled upward.

    Drenched in sweat, Alyssa pressed on his hand and mumbled, ¡°No¡­¡±

    He broke away from her moist lips, stretching a strand of saliva. Panting, he begged, ¡°Lyse, only you

    can

    save me now. I don¡¯t want anyone else. Only you can save me.¡±

    Two years ago, she had ¡°saved¡± him once. Two yearster, and after a divorce, she was still entangled

    with the same man.

    Jasper showered her with passionate and aggressive kisses from her lips to her chin. He kissed her on

    the neck and the corbone as well.

    Eyes glistening in tears, Alyssa stretched her neck like an elegant swan as she hugged his head and

    ran

    her fingers through his hair. He was loving and tender with her, unlike the time when he took her

    virginity.

    Once again, she fell for him. Melting into a puddle underneath him, she made love to him. All she could

    remember from the night was how she surrendered herself to him.

    Alyssa had once again satisfied his urges. After the lengthy lovemaking, she was sore all over,

    including

    on her waist. She struggled to stand up.

    Whatever drug that Jasper took must have been extremely potent. He sweated and plowed her with

    great

    strength and endurance.

    Wrapped in a nket, she slowly rose in bed and cast a look at Jasper, who was deep in sleep. Still

    hugging her, he looked breathtaking even when he was asleep.

    Biting her lower lip, she couldn¡¯t help but trace his face. Her heart was racing.

    She touched his forehead and realized that his fever was gone. The effect of the drug seemed to have

    worn off.

    Sighing, she picked up her undergarment from the ground. After some hesitation, she grabbed his shirt,

    wearing it as makeshift pajamas.

 Chapter 870

    When Alyssa was married to Jasper, she¡¯d discreetly put on his shirt at home to revel in his scent and

    warmth. Even now, she felt the same as two years ago.

    Since Jasper wouldn¡¯t wake up anytime soon, Alyssa went to get some water. She nned to leave as

    though nothing had happened after she drank and rested.

    Tiptoeing to the pantry on the second floor for iced water, she wondered if Jasper¡¯s earlier behavior in

    bed was due to prolonged abstinence. He seemed thirsty and aggressive.

    She was embarrassed at the thought. Even ice-cold water couldn¡¯t soothe her burning throat.

    As she had always been curious about the private vi, she took the chance to tour it. She checked out

    the kitchen, the garden, and the living room. They were carefully decorated and felt homey.

    Thinking back to Liana¡¯s provocation, she wondered if the vi was truly Jasper¡¯s gift to Liana. Was it

    true

    that the vi was Jasper and Liana¡¯s home?

    Upon realizing that she had made love to Jasper at a vi that belonged to Jasper and Liana, her heart

    twisted in pain as though it was being crushed.

    Feeling suffocated, she returned to Jasper¡¯s bedroom with heavy footsteps, ready to put on her clothes

    and leave.

    The lounge on the second floor was enveloped in silence. Jasper¡¯s study was located across from his

    bedroom.

    Alyssa absentmindedly wandered into the study and saw a shelf filled with photo frames. Approaching

    the shelf, she picked up one and found a gloomy, handsome boy staring at her-the young Jasper.

    Meanwhile, the woman who hugged Jasper and sat on the vintage couch shared the same alluring

    eyes

    as him. She was a stunning beauty.

    Eyes twinkling, Alyssa recognized the woman as Jasper¡¯s birth mother and herte mother-inw,

    whom

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    she did not have a chance to meet!

    A gasp escaped from her lips. ¡°How gorgeous¡­¡±

    Winston¡¯s three wives were lovely in their own ways, but none could match Anne Bartley¡¯s beauty. Only

    Alyssa¡¯s mother, Jennifer, was Anne¡¯s equal.

    This discovery further proved that men were greedy creatures who did not cherish their spouses. Javi

    who was married to a ravishing woman like Anne, still cheated on Anne with Sophia, who was nowhere

    a

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but scoff at Javier¡¯s poor taste.

    After checking out a few photos, she realized they were all photos of Jasper with Anne or Anne¡¯s

    portraits.

    She noticed a familiar face when she was about to leave the study. It was Liana Gardner.

    With trembling fingers, she picked up a frame containing a photo of Liana and Jasper in their teens.

    Dressed in simr uniforms, Liana smiled demurely and rested her head on Jasper¡¯s broad shoulder.

    They

    looked like a perfect pair of childhood sweethearts.

    Alyssa felt cold upon seeing the photo. She started shivering all over.

    She had thought that Liana was in the past, confident that she wouldn¡¯t be triggered by the mention or

    the sight of Liana.

    Yet, she fell into despair after seeing the photo, unable to save herself from falling into the abyss.

    She shouldn¡¯t have met Jasper early in her life, for she was hopelessly captivated by him.

    Unbeknownst to her, Jasper shared the same sentiments as well.

    At that moment, Alyssa heard the door creak open.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor! he hissen, feeling stung by men cermark

    He tail then a

    Catest Her Gr

 Chapter 871

    The frame slipped from Alyssa¡¯s hand, crashing onto the ground and shattering into pieces. Shards

    scattered in all directions, cutting her ankle, and a few drops of blood oozed from the tiny cut.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Jasper¡¯s low voice pierced the air, causing her to tremble.

    Without turning around, she coldly replied, ¡°Sorry to disturb you. I¡¯ll leave soon.¡±

    Jasper stared at her figure, draped in his shirt beneath the soft, warm light. Her curves were vaguely

    visible under the oversized shirt, a charming sight that tempted him to pull her into an embrace.

    He swallowed hard. His throat was dry.

    Just moments ago, he woke up drenched in sweat, reflexively reaching for Alyssa, only to find the bed

    empty. He felt relief, spotting her clothes and heels on the ground, knowing she was somewhere in the

    vi. He got out of bed to look for her.

    The memories of their kisses and the collision of bodies lingered in his mind and heart, but he was

    unsure

    how things unfolded.

    Did he force himself on her? Or did he somehow hurt her, making her defenseless against his

    advances?

    Gripped by guilt, he approached her emotionally. Suddenly, she spun around and walked past him. He

    quickly held her by the wrist, pleading, ¡°Please don¡¯t go.¡±

    ¡°You have no right to tell me what to do.¡±

    He pulled her into a hug, reminding her, ¡°We slept together.¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Staring deep into her emotionless eyes, he said firmly, ¡°Alyssa Taylor, we slept with each other. Don¡¯t

    you

    have anything to say to me?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she replied curtly and dodged his gaze.

    Word for word, she said, ¡°Let go.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa, I don¡¯t take such matters lightly. We¡¯re divorced, but I¡¯ll take responsibility forst night,¡± he

    stated sincerely, tightening his grip on her wrist.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a one-night stand between adults. You don¡¯t have to take responsibility for me. I am solely

    responsible for my decision,¡± she snickered, shaking his hand off.

    With mockery, she added, ¡°Mr. Beckett, you need to be cautious when you¡¯re out and about. Better not

    fali

    into another trap again.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor!¡± he hissed, feeling stung by her remark.

    He held her more tightly, prompting her to yell, ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! Get lost!¡±

    Curling her fists, she punched him on his bare chest in a teary and furious voice.

    He felt shocked and bad to see her cry, wondering if he was the reason behind it.

    Ignoring her tantrum, he hugged her tightly, even as Alyssa failed to notice her own tears. She couldn¡¯t

    fathom why she would cry.

    Did she cry because she slept with Jasper or because he kept mementos of Liana? Clearly, thetter

    was

    more heartbreaking.

    No matter how much she struggled, Jasper refused to let her go.

 Chapter 872

    Jasper insisted, ¡°I will take responsibility for you. I will.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to do that. Just let go of me,¡± Alyssa snapped, her warm tears drenching his

    shoulders.¡±

    Jasper Beckett, I hate you so. Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t touch any woman except for you,¡± Jasper said in a shaky voice.

    ¡°If you wanted to take responsibility for me, why did you divorce me? Why didn¡¯t you take responsibility

    for me when we did it the first time?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Jasper was taken aback and puzzled.

    ¡°You pushed me away when you should have taken responsibility for me, but you keep bugging me

    when I

    don¡¯t need you to,¡± she seethed and bit hard on his arm when he was distracted.

    She so wished she could tear him into pieces.

    Feeling the pain, Jasper finally released her. She broke free of his arms and escaped from the study,

    leaving him frozen in shock as he reyed her words just now.

    His chest tightened when he recalled the pristine bedsheet. Knowing that Alyssa was a conservative

    woman, she had not slept with him during their three years of marriage and should have remained a

    virgin

    at the time of divorce.

    Last night was their first time sleeping with each other, but there was no blood stain on the sheet.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you take responsibility for me when we did it the first time?¡±

    Her words made sense now. He looked shell-shocked as he pondered the possibility of them having

    slept

    together when they were married.

    Why did he not recall it at all?

    He stood stiffly and went nk. Finally, he mustered up some strength to press a hand on his chest. It

    was at that moment he noticed the shattered ss on the ground.

    He approached the shards and crouched. He saw the broken frame and the photo of him with Liana

    from high school.

    Gripped by a wave of dizziness, he finally understood Alyssa¡¯s reaction.

    -15 BONUS

    Alyssa rushed back to Jasper¡¯s bedroom, put on her clothes, and left the vi as soon as she could.

    On her way home, she sped down the road with messy thoughts and tears on her face.

    She was involved in a minor car crash when she entered the city area. The hood of her limited edition

    luxury sports car waspletely destroyed.

    The owner of the Mercedes-Benz felt relieved as Alyssa would pay for the damages since she was the

    one who rammed into the back of his car.

    If their roles were reversed, he bet he couldn¡¯t afford to pay for the damages to Alyssa¡¯s La Voiture

    Noire.

    Alyssa cowered in the car. In the chaos, she first thought of Jonah. She shakily dialed his number, and

    he picked up almost instantly. He was always attentive to his beloved sister.

    ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Jonah, where are you? Come to me. I need you.¡±

    20 minutester, Jonah arrived at the scene in his Rolls-Royce, even running two red lights just to get

    there soon.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Jonah called out to Alyssa as he stepped out of the car.

    His heart sank upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s sports car in ruins. Usually calm, he panicked for a while.

    Julien stepped out of the car and grew nervous at the sight of the car crash. He was ready to perform

    first- aid on Alyssa as a doctor.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 873

    Jonah swung open the car door and wedged himself into Alyssa¡¯s car, scanning for any fractures on

    her

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    arms and legs.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m fine, Jonah,¡± she mumbled, tears welling in her eyes and her face drained of color.

    Jonah stared at her in shock, knowing something grave must have happened. Knowing Alyssa, she

    wasn¡¯t

    one to cry. After all, she had worked on a battlefield. She wouldn¡¯t be fazed by a car crash.

    Whatever had happened must have been serious.

    ¡°Looks like some minor injuries on the skin, but we need to get you to the hospital for a checkup and a

    CT

    scan for any concussions,¡± Julien suggested sternly, a departure from his usual cheeky demeanor.

    Frowning, Jonah gently lifted Alyssa in his arms and settled her into his Rolls-Royce.

    Sean arrived at that moment, his expression filled with concern as he saw Alyssa in Jonah¡¯s arms. He

    gasped, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Sean, take care of the car crash. I¡¯m bringing her to the hospital,¡± Jonah instructed Sean before

    slipping

    back into his car.

    ¡°Got it, Mr. Jonah. Leave it to me,¡± Sean replied, his gaze lingering on Alyssa with sympathy.

    Holding Alyssa close, Jonah settled into the car with her.

    At that moment, Julien felt a twinge of jealousy at the bond between the siblings. More than that, he

    was

    moved.

    The Lovces were a frigid family, connected only by blood and marked by selfishness and greed. It

    was

    this coldness that prompted Julien to forge a career overseas.

    Mandy was the sole rtive who had treated him with genuine kindness. Yet, due to marrying Winston,

    she was ousted from the family and ndered as shameless and dishonorable.

    Because of that, Mandy hadn¡¯t visited her family except for that one time. Julien heard that Mandy did it

    for Alyssa-she needed to get a prescription of some sort for Alyssa, and for that, she waited three days

    in front of her father¡¯s study until he finally relented.

    Rather than looking down on Mandy, Julien gained a newfound respect for his aunt Winston and his

    family must have treated her well for her to make such a sacrifice for Alyssa.

    ¡°Julien,¡± Jonah suddenly called out to him.

    Alyssa rushed back to Jasper¡¯s bedroom, put on her clothes, and left the vi as soon as she could.

    On her way home, she sped down the road with messy thoughts and tears on her face.

    She was involved in a minor car crash when she entered the city area. The hood of her limited edition

    luxury sports car waspletely destroyed.

    The owner of the Mercedes-Benz felt relieved as Alyssa would pay for the damages since she was the

    one who rammed into the back of his car.

    If their roles were reversed, he bet he couldn¡¯t afford to pay for the damages to Alyssa¡¯s La Voiture

    Noire.

    Alyssa cowered in the car. In the chaos, she first thought of Jonah. She shakily dialed his number, and

    he picked up almost instantly. He was always attentive to his beloved sister.

    ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Jonah, where are you? Come to me. I need you.¡±

    20 minutester, Jonah arrived at the scene in his Rolls-Royce, even running two red lights just to get

    there soon.

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Jonah called out to Alyssa as he stepped out of the car.

    His heart sank upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s sports car in ruins. Usually calm, he panicked for a while.

    Julien stepped out of the car and grew nervous at the sight of the car crash. He was ready to perform

    first-

    aid on Alyssa as a doctor.

 Chapter 874

    Cornelius had roped Landon into a meeting at the Harper Group building. However, midway through

    the discussion, Landon¡¯s phone rang with urgency-it was Jasper, insisting on an immediate meetup at

    Jasper¡¯s vi by Phoenix Lake.

    Due to the urgent nature of Jasper¡¯s call, Landon left the meeting under everyone¡¯s scrutiny and raced

    to

    the vi.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± Before entering the vi, Landon observed a plume of smoke on top of the structure

    like an impending volcanic explosion. Turning pale, he hurried into the vi and found Jasper burning

    stuff in the backyard.

    Standing by a metal container, Jasper appeared pale and troubled. He bathed in the glow of the mes

    in

    the container, resembling a solitary statue amid the remnants of a war.

    rmed by the chaotic scene, Landon approached him. ¡°Jasper, what¡¯s going on? What are you

    burning?¡±

    When Landon spoke, Jasper tossed another item into the fire. Landon took a good look and realized it

    was a photo of Jasper with Liana.

    Jasper questioned, ¡°Did you bring me to this vi after I was drugged?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. This is the only ce I know. You always hang out here, don¡¯t you?¡± Landon replied.

    Still confused about the situation, he confessed, ¡°I couldn¡¯t send you back to Seaview Manor after what

    happened to you. Bringing you to my ce was out of the question. This vi seemed like the best

    option.¡±

    Jasper looked up. ¡°And did you call Alyssa toe here?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. You mentioned her name when you were barely conscious. I wanted to help you as a friend, so I

    lied to her and got her here,¡± Landon admitted.

    He scanned the surroundings and asked, ¡°Hm, where¡¯s Lyse? Has she left?¡±

    A crash ensued. Jasper angrily kicked the metal tin over, and sparksnded on Landon.

    Landon hurriedly shielded his face with his arm, but the sparks had burned holes through his expensive

    suit, even burning off a part of his bangs.

    ¡°What the fuck? Jasper Beckett, are you crazy? Do you want to set me in mes? This is not a

    sacrificial ritual!¡± Landon growled at Jasper while he angrily put out the sparks.

    Jasper, still not fully recovered from his injury, rolled his fists and panted. His shirt was soaked i

    ¡°Huh?¡± Julien was surprised at how Jonah addressed him on a first-name basis.

    ¡°Will you stay here with Sean until he sends you home, or do you want to go with me?¡± Jonah asked

    sternly.

    After a pause, Julien beamed at him. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to ask. I¡¯ll choose you, of course.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll choose you, of course.¡± Jonah felt a pang in his chest upon hearing the deration. In the past, his

    ex- lover had uttered the exact words with determination. ¡°Jonah, whatever happens in the future, I¡¯ll

    stand by you. You¡¯re the only one that I will protect with my life.¡±

    The Rolls-Royce headed toward the hospital. Jonah hugged Alyssa tightly throughout the journey and

    patientlyforted her with a soothing voice.

    ¡°Jonah, I¡¯m in pain ¡­¡± Alyssa mumbled, her face buried in his chest.

    Her heart ached as she cried.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Lyse, tell me. Where does it hurt?¡±

    She closed her eyes and pointed shakily at her heart. ¡°It hurts here.¡±

    Jonah was shocked. He breathed heavily and sped her icy hand, knowing only Jasper Beckett could

    inflict such pain on Alyssa.

 Chapter 875

    ¡°Jasper!¡± screamed Landon, who tried to help Jasper up from the ground. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you

    trembling like crazy? Is it cold for you? Jasper?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Landon, do you know that¡­¡± Jasper clenched his fists with a broken look in his teary eyes. ¡°¡­ the

    most

    hurtful thing for Alyssa is the memories of me and Liana hurting her. I knew it was over between me

    and

    Alyssa when she saw the photos of me and Liana. We¡¯re done.¡±

    ¡°Who said it was over?¡± Landon yelped, feeling sorry for Jasper, who was suffering from a heartbreak.

    He med himself, ¡°This is all my fault! You are so busy, not to mention you¡¯re still sick. You don¡¯t have

    the time to dispose of the vi at all. It¡¯s my fucking fault! I¡¯ll go to Lyse right now and clear things up!¡±

    Jasper stopped him and shook his head with a bitter smile. ¡°It all started because of me. What¡¯s the

    point

    of exining it to her? That will not change the fact that I¡¯ve hurt her in the past.¡±

    ¡°Jasper,¡± Landon gasped as he fought back tears.

    No one had suffered as much as Jasper in love.

    After Landon tucked Jasper in bed, Jasper drifted to sleep in no time.

    Jasper¡¯s PTSD was more severe than Landon had expected. Thankfully, Landon was the only one who

    witnessed it that night. He couldn¡¯t picture the consequences if Jasper rpsed in front of others. That

    might cost him everything he worked for in the past ten years.

    When Landon descended the stairs, Xavier happened to enter the vi. Having heard about Jasper¡¯s

    behavior over a call, Xavier stammered, ¡°M-Mr. Landon.¡±

    Xavier was gripped by guilt and helplessness.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Gosh, this is a problem¡­ Landon mumbled, feeling the urge to p himself.

    -¡®ll exin it to Ms. Alyssa tomorrow. I¡¯ll resign if she refuses to forgive him,¡± Xavier said with

    determination while rubbing his eyes

    ¡°Oh, quit at You have worked with Jasper for ten years. He¡¯ll be a mess without you around,¡± Landon

    semarked poweriesuly

    Vi

    the rubbed in forehead and said take care of the messi made, but Lyse has to agree to see

    that

    Xavier, you look after desper for the time being Keep his wckness a secret bom everyone, includtal

    Xavier clenched his jaw and nodded solemnly.

    After Landon had Jasper settled, he returned to the home he shared with Lauren in great exhaustion.

    On his way home, he recalled the scent in Jasper¡¯s room. As a yer, he knew Jasper had slept with

    Alyssast night.

    Alyssa must have had feelings for Jasper if she were willing to sleep with him. Landon was perplexed

    by her intense reaction toward old photos of Liana that Jasper hadn¡¯t had time to get rid of.

    Was it extreme jealousy?

 Chapter 876

    ¡°Landon!¡± Lauren threw herself into Landon¡¯s arms when he came home.

    She wrapped her limbs around him like an adorable ko.

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    ¡°It¡¯s ¡®darling,¡± Landon gently corrected her.

    Blushing, she obediently called out to him, ¡°Darling.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Darling, I¡¯ll give you a kiss,¡± he replied and gave her a loud kiss on the lips while touching

    her

    backside with a hand.

    After a cozy cuddle in the living room, Landon led Lauren to the bedroom, where he began to undress

    her

    and led her to the bath.

    She wrapped her arms around his neck and protested, ¡°I¡¯ll bathe on my own.¡±

    ¡°How tiring is that? I¡¯ll give you a hand,¡± he teased her with a cheeky grin.

    ¡°Don¡¯t. It¡¯s tiring to take a bath with you because you¡¯ll be all over me.¡±

    ¡°Hm, don¡¯t you like that?¡± Landon raised a brow yfully.

    ¡°I like it,¡± Lauren admitted, her blush deepening.

    Landon, who was so exhausted that he couldn¡¯t keep his eyes open, felt invigorated and aroused upon

    seeing his lovely partner.

    Soaking in the hot bath, he held her waist and made love to her. Lauren had be bolder since

    dating Landon. Due to their frequent intimacy, her breasts seemed to have developed as well.

    Surprisingly, they were sexuallypatible. Each time Landon made love to Lauren, he could set aside

    his worries and enjoy the moment. After all, Landon had taught Lauren precisely how to please him,

    and

    he was reaping the benefits.

    After they were done, he emerged from the bathtub with Lauren in his arms. Then, he ced a towel

    around her and gently ced her on the sink. He dried her hair and wiped her body with the bath towel.

    Lauren enjoyed being taken care of by Landon. Every time, she would close her eyes in pleasure and

    happily swing her legs.

    However, that night, she noticed Landon was unusually quiet. He didn¡¯t indulge in a dirty talk during

    their lovemaking. Something seemed to be weighing on his mind.

    Lauren called out softly, ¡°Darling?¡±

    Landon gathered himself and beamed at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, darling?¡±

    ¡°Are you in a bad mood? Did something upset you?¡± Lauren inquired.

    Unable to keep it to himself after seeing her concern, Landon blurted out, ¡°Yes. It has something to do

    with your brother and your ex-sister-inw.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa? What¡¯s wrong with her and Jasper?¡± Lauren asked worriedly.

    After giving it some thought, Landon decided to be upfront with Lauren. Although they weren¡¯t legally

    married, he treated Lauren like his wife. Besides, he believed that she deserved to learn the

    complicated

    dynamics in her family as a grown woman.

    ¡°Lauren, Jasper made Alyssa upset, but it was all my fault. I don¡¯t know how to fix their rtionship,¡±

    Landon exined.

    Then, he told her every detail, from how Jasper was drugged to how he lured Alyssa to Jasper¡¯s vi.

    Lauren listened quietly. Her eyes twinkled, and she appeared hesitant to speak.

    Landon grabbed his hair in frustration and guilt. ¡°They never slept with each other when they were

    married. How could I send Lyse into Jasper¡¯s bed after they were divorced? This is so unfair to Lyse.

    I¡¯m a fucking jerk!¡±

 Chapter 877

    Lauren suddenlymented, ¡°Alyssa slept with Jasper before.¡±

    Landon, caught by surprise, stared at her in bewilderment. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Lauren bit her lips and whispered with a frown, ¡°It happened about two years ago. One night, I

    wandered around my home because I couldn¡¯t sleep.

    ¡°I saw Alyssa entering Jasper¡¯s bedroom. At that time, Jasper didn¡¯t like her much, and they rarely

    shared a bed. Most of the time, they slept in separate rooms.

    ¡°Alyssa suffered a lot in the three years she was married to Jasper. I could tell that she loved him, but

    she

    didn¡¯t dare to get closer to him. She could only stay by his side quietly. At night, when Jasper was not

    home, she would lie in his bed, wear his shirt, and use his cologne, but he never found out about that.

    ¡°She loved him very much. She was willing to humble herself for him. I felt sorry for her.¡±

    Even Landon sympathized with poor Alyssa, who had given her heart to Jasper. A farewell wasn¡¯t the

    most painful thing in love-an unrequited love hurt the most.

    Lauren began, ¡°That night, I saw Alyssa entering Jasper¡¯s bedroom. He came home drunk, and his

    face

    was red like he had a fever.¡±

    Landon seemed to recall the events of the day as well. It was Anne¡¯s death anniversary. Landon had

    hosted a dinner event for Jasper with a few friends to cheer Jasper up.

    It was a night of chaos. Jasper had too much to drink and cked out. When Landon sent him home to

    Seaview Manor, it was the butler who helped Jasper into the house. Landon had no idea what

    happened

    next.

    He asked, ¡°What happened after?¡±

    ¡°After that, Jasper went to his bedroom. None of them left the room that night. I was worried and

    curious,

    so I opened the door, and I heard them ¡­¡±

    Lauren pressed her lips as her cheeks burned in shame. She was too bashful to describe the scene.

    Meanwhile, Landon was too shocked to speak. Did that mean Jasper and Alyssa had had sex wh

    were married?

    Did that dimwit Jasper sleep with Alyssa without knowing it because he was too drunk?

    Landon thought, ¡°Wow, he¡¯s really a fucking jerk who dumps a woman after sleeping with her!¡±

    He asked Lauren, ¡°Have you not told Jasper what you saw?¡±

    ¡°How could I possibly go about it? Alyssa clearly wanted to keep it a secret as well.¡±

    ¡°And how would you know what Alyssa wanted? If you told Jasper he had slept with Alyssa, he might

    have treated her better,¡± Landon sounded a little cross and harsh as he was anxious.

    Lauren¡¯s shoulders drooped. A look of fear shed across her eyes.

    Landon noticed the change in her eyes. He hugged her while patting her back, coaxing her, ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s

    my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have said that to you. I was a little anxious because I just wanted them to be

    together again.¡±

    ¡°At that time, Alyssa was an insignificant existence to Jasper. She knew Jasper disliked her, even

    hating her. She was worried that Jasper might think she had taken advantage of him,¡± Lauren said.

    Tearing up, she exined, ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted to keep it a secret for Alyssa. Landon, did I do wrong?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°No, Lauren. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. You were considerate toward Lyse,¡± Landon replied while

    kissing her on the ear.

    Then, he remarked with resentment, ¡°It¡¯s all Jasper¡¯s fault! How ridiculous of him to have slept with

    Lyse and not know it!¡±

    ¡°What can I do? I wish to see them together again,¡± Laurenmented.

    ¡°They will get back together one day,¡± Landon reassured her with a sigh despite his doubts. ¡°I believe

    Lyse still has a ce for Jasper in her heart. One day, they will be together again.¡±

 Chapter 878

    Alyssa was admitted to a VIP room at Taylor General Hospital. Connected to an IV, she felt utterly

    drained but far from drowsy.

    Jonah sat beside her, carefully tending to the wound on her ankle while resting her leg on his knee.

    Alyssa, finally sensing the pain, frowned in silence.

    Jonah inquired, ¡°Lyse, you weren¡¯t at your ce in Sna Cityst night. You didn¡¯te home to

    Belbanks either. Where did you go?¡±

    His hand trembled slightly as he spoke. Detecting her silence, he pondered, ¡°Were you with Jasper?¡±

    Jonah always approached the topic of Jasper cautiously, knowing it was a sensitive spot for Alyssa. He

    added, ¡°Julien mentioned you brought him to meet Jasper, but it didn¡¯t go well. He also mentioned you

    received a call and left. Did you meet Jasper afterward?¡±

    Alyssa finally cast him a hollow nce and croaked, ¡°Jonah, I hate myself. I feel so shameless¡­¡±

    ¡°Silly thing. What are you talking about? You should have self-esteem,¡± Jonah replied, his heart

    bleeding for Alyssa. ¡°Anyone who says anything of that kind to my sister will face the consequences.¡±

    He would forsake any religious faith and teachings for his family. All he desired was for Alyssa to lead a

    happy and healthy life forever.

    Alyssa sobbed in Jonah¡¯s arms. She was puzzled by her strong reaction when she saw the photo of

    Liana

    and Jasper. Her soul felt shattered.

    At that moment, a nurse entered and announced, ¡°Mr. Jonah, it¡¯s time to change the dressing on her

    wound.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Jonah replied, releasing Alyssa¡¯s arms and stepping back.

    The nurse removed Alyssa¡¯s loose patient robe, revealing a silver silk nightdress underneath. Alyssa

    looked pale and fragile in her petite frame.

    Despite having helped Alyssa change her clothes and put her to bed when they were kids, Jonah had

    to

    keep his boundaries because Alyssa was a grown woman now.

    As he was about to leave the room, he noticed multiple hickeys down Alyssa¡¯s neck and c

    the corner of his eyes. The marks extended to her chest.

    Jonah froze and swallowed hard. Then, he gripped Alyssa¡¯s shoulders, nearly digging his

    skin.

    The nurse was shocked by Jonah¡¯s grave expression. Sensing a storm, she wisely decided to leave

    him alone with Alyssa.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Jonah demanded to know, ¡°Lyse, did Jasper sleep with you? The two of you spent the night together, is

    that right?¡±

    Alyssa cast a dull stare at him and moved her dry lips. It was a silent admission.

    ¡°Did he force himself on you?¡± Jonah squeezed the words out of his lips.

    ¡°No. I consented,¡± replied Alyssa.

    Jonah felt as though his world had crumbled.

    Jonah exited the room with a somber and intimidating expression.

    Meanwhile, Ss and Cyrus, who worked in Sna City, and Tatiana, who was in school, hurried to the

    hospital. Even Axel rushed over.

 Chapter 879

    The Taylor siblings were all present out of concern for Alyssa. Liam was the only one absent, being in

    the military.

    ¡°Jonah, why did Lyse have an ident out of the blue?¡± Tatiana gasped, tears brimming in her eyes.

    Feeling bad, Sean wanted to hug Tatiana, but he knew his ce as a secretary. It would be

    inappropriate to do so in front of the other Taylor siblings.

    He brushed away his thoughts, but his passionate gaze lingered on Tatiana.

    Perhaps a man of his standing was only good enough to stand guard for Tatiana.

    ¡°Right, Jonah. Lyse is an excellent driver. Her skills are as good as mine. There¡¯s no reason she¡¯d ram

    into someone¡¯s car. By right, she would have been the one who speeds on the roads,¡± Axel said in

    confusion.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    On Axel¡¯s way to the hospital, he was gravely concerned by Alyssa¡¯s condition, which was rare for

    someone who had never flinched at the gunpoint of criminals on his missions.

    Huddled in the corridor, Ss and Cyrus cast worried nces at Jonah. The air was somber and heavy.

    Jonah, looking frosty, clenched his jaw and sank into a long silence.

    Ss elbowed him. ¡°Jonah? Say something.¡±

    ¡°It was a minor ident. Lyse suffered from some minor injuries, and she was in shock,¡± Jonah finally

    replied after pulling himself out of anger.

    He added tly, ¡°I¡¯ll need you all to take turns looking after Lyse for the next two days. Don¡¯t inform Dad

    and our moms yet. They¡¯re with L. I believe Lyse wouldn¡¯t want to burden them further. They are

    now keeping Lpany. Lyse wouldn¡¯t want to add to their worries as well.¡±

    ¡°Jonah, you make us sound like outsiders! Lyse is our sister. We will stay back and take care of her

    even without you telling us!¡± Axel grumbled indignantly with a frown.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Jonah. Lyse is our top priority,¡± Ss and Cyrus chimed in.

    After exchanging nces with Sean anding to a tacit agreement, Tatiana proposed, ¡°Ss, Cyrus,

    you are both working. Since I¡¯m free, I will take turns looking after Lyse with Sean. Please go home and

    rest.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, though. I took leave with the police department,¡± Cyrus immediately rejected he

    He let out a guilty sigh. ¡°As Lyse¡¯s brother, I have never done anything for her. I can¡¯t call my brother if I

    don¡¯t stay by her side when she needs someone.¡±

    The Taylor siblings were never as calctive and greedy as the children of other distinguished families.

    Their unity and strong bond were envied by many.

    ¡°Jonah, did you arrange for us to take over because you have something else to do?¡± Ss questioned

    with his sharp instincts as a prosecutor.

    He sensed that Jonah was acting weird and suppressing rage.

    Jonah admitted, ¡°Yes, I need to attend to something.¡±

    Then, he looked at the door and hesitated before entering. The nurse had changed Alyssa¡¯s dressing,

    and Alyssa put on the oversized patient robe. She was now resting on the bed with her eyes closed. He

    had no idea if she was asleep or not.

    He quietly approached her and bent over to give her a kiss on the forehead. He mumbled, ¡°Rest well,

    my princess. I¡¯ll be back to visit you again.¡±

    Without opening her eyes, she weakly muttered, ¡°Jonah, I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±

    Her reassurance only deepened Jonah¡¯s pain. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he fought against them.

    Jonah, wearing a grim expression, headed to the underground parking garage. At his car, he heard

    Julien¡¯s voice behind him. ¡°Jonah!¡±

    Jonah paused, took a deep breath, then slowly turned to face Julien in the dim lighting.

 Chapter 880

    Despite the dim environment, Julien noticed the anger and tears in Jonah¡¯s eyes. It was a shock to him.

    Jonah was oblivious to his allure at that moment. Julien was deeply attracted to the pain and

    vulnerability

    underneath Jonah¡¯s tough exterior.

    Jonah collected himself and fixed his gaze on Julien. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Squinting, Julien approached Jonah slowly. Their eyes met, and their breaths intermingled.

    Suddenly, Julien reached out and gently caressed the corner of Jonah¡¯s eye. Jonah¡¯s heart raced, and

    his

    breathing grew heavy.

    ¡°I know you feel bad for your sister. I understand your feeling,¡± Julien whispered into Jonah¡¯s ear. ¡°But

    promise me, don¡¯t do anything rash. You wouldn¡¯t want to worry your princess, right? I¡¯ll be worried

    about

    you, too.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s ears turned red. Some unknown emotions stirred within.

    Julien straightened his back and put on an impish smile once more. ¡°I won¡¯t ask for a ride because

    you¡¯re busy. Looks like I can¡¯t go home anytime soon. I should buy a car at the dealershipter so I can

    go

    around easier.

    ¡°Jonah, do you know anyone at the dealership? Can I get a discount?¡±

    Jonah, breathing heavily, grabbed Julien¡¯s wrist. Julien¡¯s eyes wavered, and his heart was beating like

    crazy.

    Jonah, pursing his lips, drew Julien closer to his heaving chest. He remarked, ¡°Giving you a ride

    doesn¡¯t take up much time. Pick any car you like from the underground garage when you return to

    Heightsnew

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Vi.¡±

    Jasper did not take anything for two days except for some water. He was sleeping for the rest of the

    time.

    Xavier, gravely concerned, stayed beside him to take care of him. He even prayed for Jasper¡¯s health.

    He¡¯d rather be the one suffering than see Jasper suffer.

    Ever since Jasper left Alyssa, he had been living in hell.

    Landon called Xavier, asking, ¡°Xavier, how¡¯s your boss doing? Is he awake now? I¡¯ll droj

    ¡°Mr. Landon, you don¡¯t have to. He¡¯s sleeping after taking his meds,¡± Xavier replied in frust

    ¡°Did he take the medicine for his sickness, or did he just pop some sleeping pills? He¡¯s been sleeping a

    lot

    after taking his meds. If he¡¯s not doing well, I¡¯ll secretly get him to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mr. Landon. The other doctors cannot be of help to Mr. Beckett if even Dr. White is stumped

    by his condition.¡± Xavier turned to look at Jasper with a heavy heart, musing, ¡°Sometimes, I wonder if

    there¡¯s

    a need to take the medicine.¡±

    ¡°Why so?¡±

    ¡°The side effects are severe. The medicine will cure Mr. Beckett¡¯s tremors, but he will vomit frequently

    and feel drowsy. It feels like just another form of suffering. I¡¯m worried that he¡¯ll be a mess if he keeps

    taking the medicine.¡±

    Hearing that, Landon went speechless in disbelief.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett has sacrificed a lot for Ms. Alyssa. She¡¯s the reason he¡¯s suffering today. Why can¡¯t she

    give him a chance?¡± Xavier blurted out without thinking.

    ¡°Xavier, don¡¯t say that,¡± Landon warned and, after a pause, sighed. ¡°Lyse has never done anything

    wrong to Jasper. It seems like Jasper is going through a tough time now. Just think of it as making up

    for his mistake.¡±

 Chapter 881

    ¡°You were by Jasper¡¯s side throughout their three years of marriage. You knew what he had done to

    Alyssa, and he has to make amends to her as long as he¡¯s alive,¡± Landon reminded Xavier.

    Xavier felt a stab in his heart when he recalled Alyssa¡¯s helplessness when she was living with the

    Becketts. Despite that, she remained a loyal and loving wife to Jasper.

    Tears rolled down Xavier¡¯s cheeks as hemented Jasper¡¯s suffering. However, he knew that Alyssa

    had

    suffered a lot of heartache as well.

    Xavier didn¡¯t want Jasper to wake up and have no one by his side, so he crashed on Jasper¡¯s couch

    that

    night without changing.

    He woke up the next morning without an rm and reflexively looked in Jasper¡¯s direction. He was

    shocked to find the bed empty. Where did Jasper go?

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett? Mr. Beckett?¡± Xavier shot up from the couch and panickedly looked around the room for

    Jasper.

    He found Jasper all dressed up and marching out of the bathroom. Jasper was dressed in a three-

    piece

    suit,plete with a wristwatch, a tie, and apel pin. He was decked in all the right essories.

    Gone was Jasper¡¯s sickly appearance as he stood there, intimidating and important. Xavier nearly

    forgot

    how vulnerable he lookedst night.

    ¡°Anything wrong with my face?¡± Jasper wondered as he buttoned his sleeves.

    He still sounded a little weak, but it was hard to notice.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, why are you up? You need more rest!¡± Xavier said, concerned about his health.

    ¡°There is an important strategy meeting today at the Beckett Group. I need to attend,¡± Jasper replied,

    looking calm.

    ¡°Damn! I forgot about it!¡± Xavier eximed as he smacked his forehead.

    Soon, he advised Jasper, ¡°Mr, Beckett, you are still sick. How about skipping today¡¯s meeting? Don¡¯t be

    too hard on yourself.¡±

    Jasper, looking pale and frigid, gestured at Xavier to shut up. He reassured Xavier, ¡°I¡¯

    ready.¡±

    At 10:00 am, a ck Rolls-Royce showed up on time by the entrance of the Beckett Group Tower. The

    ostentatious car te of A9999 immediately attracted much attention.

    ¡°A car te reading A9999? What a rarebination!¡± the passersby whispered to each other.

    ¡°I recalled seeing this number te on an auction. The news reported it because the winning bid was

    20 million dors!¡±

    ¡°What the fuck? Is there a car te worth 20 million dors? That is beyond the imagination of an

    ordinary man!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m curious about the car owner.¡±

    ¡°He or she must be a society elite that we will never cross paths with, without a doubt.¡±

    At the same time, Jonah was seated in the Rolls-Royce, reading a Bible that rested on his thighs. He

    sped a cross and mumbled inaudibly.

    After saying his prayers, he slowly closed the Bible and muttered, ¡°Amen.¡±

    His eyes burned in resentment as though his dormant inner devil had been unleashed.

 Chapter 882

    Sean opened the car door and stepped out from the passenger seat.

    Today, Jonah called him in for a temporary role, turning him back into the secretary of the CEO of KS

    Group.

    He dressed in a high-end, tailored gray suit, and his sharp gaze added an overwhelming charm to his

    already handsome appearance.

    Women in the vicinity admired him, but he didn¡¯t seem to care. He went to open the back door and

    gave a polite nod.

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, please.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    Jonah remainedposed. His handsome features were devoid of any emotion.

    Exiting the car, he immediately elicited astonished reactions from the women nearby.

    ¡°Oh, my God! He¡¯s so handsome! He¡¯s going to be my dream material for tonight!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so greedy! You already have Mr. Beckett in your dreams, and now you want to add another

    one?¡±

    ¡°Is he really that handsome? I think he¡¯s not as good-looking as our Mr. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°You just don¡¯t get it! This guy has a totally different vibe than Mr. Beckett. Mr. Beckett is eye-catching

    with his handsome looks, whereas this person is more reserved, and he quietly steals your heart.

    That¡¯s more alluring and fascinating, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°But, who is this gentleman? Why is he appearing at the Beckett Group¡¯s doorstep? Is he here to meet

    someone?¡±

    Jonah remained calm and silent as he walked into the Beckett Group¡¯s entrance.

    Sean followed suit. Together, their shared presence carried an intangible weight, evoking a subtle but

    commanding presence.

    The two approached the front desk, and the receptionist hurriedly stood up.

    ¡°We are here for Jasper Beckett,¡± Sean spoke first, his tone indifferent.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett?¡±

    The receptionist was puzzled.

    Jasper was a figure rarely seen by them. Clients with appointments were usually escorted

    It was unheard of for someone toe directly and demand to see Jasper.

    ¡°Do you have an appointment?¡± The receptionist asked as part of the routine.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you cannot meet Mr. Beckett without an appointment. Please contact his secretary,

    Xavier

    Hall.¡±

    ¡°Please inform Jasper or his secretary,¡± Sean said.

    After remaining silent all this time, Jonah abruptly revealed a cold smirk and stated, ¡°I¡¯m the one who

    wishes to see him. Jonah Taylor, the CEO of KS Group.¡±

    ¡°Jonah Taylor?¡±

    The receptionist was dumbfounded.

    It took her a while to regain her senses. She quickly picked up the phone and dialed Xavier¡¯s number.

    Without waiting for Xavier to greet them, Jonah and Sean took the elevator to the floor where the

    meeting,

    room was located.

    Upon entering the corridor, they encountered two security guards.

    Jonah instructed impassively, ¡°Inform Mr. Beckett that I need to see him.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett is in an important meeting and cannot see anyone. Please leave,¡± the security guard

    replied firmly.

    Who did he think he was, rushing up here demanding to see Jasper Beckett without an appointment?

    What kind of ce did he take this for?

    They would risk losing their job if they allowed him through without stopping him.

    Jonah squinted his dark eyes, showing little concern as he pressed on ahead.

    The two security guards extended their hands to stop him, but Sean suddenly stood in front of Jonah.

    Sean frowned and swiftly threw two punches. Each punch effortlessly took down one of th guards, a

    The security guards were not weak. Rather, they hadn¡¯t expected anyone to confront them a

    Struggling to rise, the two security guards called for reinforcements and attempted a counterattack

    However, they miscalcted Sean¡¯s fighting abilities. With a ck belt in Taekwondo and his years of

    training from Jonah since his youth, handling two security guards was an easy task for him.

    Sean¡¯s intense gaze remained focused. This time, he chose to use swift kicks rather than his hands,

    leaving the security guards incapacitated on the ground.

    ¡°Beckett Group¡¯s security guards are weak. Jasper might be in danger, hiring individuals like them for

    protection.¡±

    Sean smirked, dusting off his clothes and stretching his neck as if he had rxed his muscles.

    ¡°Sean, let¡¯s go,¡± Jonah said, striding forward as if nothing had happened.

    At this moment, Xavier rushed out upon hearing the news, once again trying to block their way.

 Chapter 883

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, we appreciate your presence, but using force against Beckett Group¡¯s staff is inappropriate,

    both in terms of etiquette and reason, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Ignoring his words, Jonah responded, ¡°Is Jaspering out, or should! go in?¡±

    Xavier¡¯s anger surged at Jonah¡¯s actions, and his expression darkened.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Beckett is in a meeting and cannot meet with you. Please leave!¡±

    Ignoring Xavier, Jonah lifted the corner of his lips and advanced toward him.

    Xavier felt a little uneasy as he extended his arm to block Jonah.

    The next moment, Jonah made a move.

    Xavier couldn¡¯t even see what happened. His arm was twisted behind his back, and then he was

    forcefully

    thrown.

    Xavier fell to the ground, and his arms were dislocated.

    He endured the pain. Clenching his teeth and with a sweaty forehead, he could only watch as Jonah

    and

    Sean entered through the door.

    The atmosphere inside the conference room was solemn.

    Jasper upied the head of the conference table with a kingly air.

    The high-level executives held their breath. They listened attentively to his calmly delivered ns for

    the

    uing work.

    However, the disruptive entrance of Jonah and Sean drew everyone¡¯s attention.

    Gasps and surprised nces were exchanged among the staff. No one in their midst failed to

    recognize

    these two individuals.

    Jasper was aware of their presence, but he paid them no mind. He continued to present the report in

    his

    hands.

    ¡°Jasper, we need to talk,¡± Jonah said. His expression was cold and ruthless.

    Jonah directly addressing Jasper without any formalities stirred up attention.

    Jasper paused, then lifted his eyes to meet Jonah¡¯s intense gaze.

    ¡°Today¡¯s discussion ends here. We¡¯ll continue tomorrow. The meeting is adjourned.¡±

    The high-ranking staff quickly stood up and left, leaving only the three of them in the room.

    The air grew thick, and tension hung in the atmosphere.

    ¡°Mr. Jonah, if you have something to say, now is the time,¡± Jasper said.

    He gazed at Jonah quietly, showing no emotional fluctuations.

    Jonah was already furious. Seeing Jasper¡¯s nonchnt demeanor fueled his anger even more.

    Unbeknownst to Jonah, Jasper was still recovering from his illness. He had to rely on medication to

    make it through the meeting.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Internally, Jasper grappled with his condition. Cold sweat drenched his back even now.

    ¡°Jasper, you touched my sister,¡± Jonah¡¯s voice was cold.

    Upon hearing this, Sean also experienced a rush of fury, causing his eyes to redden.

    The notion of touch lingered in his thoughts. What did it imply?

    Could it be that Jasper had truly shared an intimate moment with Alyssa?

    These questions swirled in his thoughts, leaving him in contemtion.

    ¡°How could you?¡± Sean eximed.

    He felt an unprecedented pain, as if his throat was being squeezed.

    Jasper¡¯s breath hitched. His hand on the table clenched, and his gaze burned red.

    ¡°I will take responsibility for her. As long as she is willing, she remains my wife.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s demeanor shifted suddenly, and he smiled with a mix of sadness and nervousness.

    ¡°But I doubt she wants to relive the same mistakes.¡±

    Jonah pulled his cold lips taut.

    ¡°Jasper! Do you even understand what divorce means?¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t hold back his anger any longer. ¡°Once divorced, it means you are no longer have no right

    to touch Ms. Alyssa! How could you?¡±

    ¡°Everything that should or shouldn¡¯t have happened has already urred. A

 Chapter 884

    Jonah took a few steps and stood in front of Jasper. He looked down on Jasper¡¯s pale face with

    contempt.

    ¡°Jasper, you truly deserve to die.¡±

    The next moment, Jonah suddenly leaned forward, knocking Jasper off the chair!

    The two men fell heavily, and Sean eximed in shock, ¡°Mr. Jonah! Be careful!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s back suffered a severe blow, and it felt as though his internal organs shook with it.

    Suddenly, a glint of coldness shed in his eyes.

    Jonah stared at him with a fierce gaze. He held a sharp cross-shaped dagger high, aiming at Jasper¡¯s

    pupils, as if about to deliver a cruel punishment.

    Sean panicked and shouted, ¡°Mr. Jonah! Stop!¡±

    Heprehended Jonah¡¯s feelings entirely. He, too, shared his resentment toward Jasper for robbing

    Alyssa of her innocence.

    However, Jonah would be caught up in endless trouble if he harmed Jasper, and Alyssa would be

    plunged

    into deep self-me!

    This was never the situation Alyssa wanted to see.

    Jonah should not soil his hands for such a despicable man.

    Seeing that the dagger was about to pierce his eye, Jasper showed no fear. Instead, a bitter and numb

    expression reced any sign of fear.

    ¡°Jonah! You fucking stop right there!¡±

    In the nick of time, Landon arrived,

    He rushed forward to Jonah and used all his strength to press Jonah to the ground.

    The sharp tip of the knife also changed direction together with them.

    Jasper felt a chill on his neck, followed by a sharp pain.

    The de cut a slender wound on his neck, and fresh blood oozed out.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Jasper reached up to touch his neck as hey t on the ground. His palm felt the stick

    The de would have pierced his eye if Landon had arrived a secondter.

    Jonah rarely resorted to violence. He only acted when he intended to leave asting memory of his

    wrath.

    Jonah stared at him with bloodshot eyes, and he aimed the tip of the knife at Landon¡¯s shoulder and

    neck.

    ¡°Get out of the way. Don¡¯t meddle in my business.¡±

    ¡°I have to handle this matter!¡±

    Struggling to breathe, Landon firmly directed the de toward his own heart and dered, ¡°If you¡¯re

    brave enough, end me. Plunge it right here! I orchestrated Jasper and Lyse¡¯s affair. It¡¯s my fault!

    ¡°Spare Jasper. If you seek to kill or torture, I will bear it all! But have you thought about Lyse¡¯s feelings

    in all of this? Does she want to witness her cherished elder brother get stained with blood?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s name acted as a sedative for Jonah.

    His fierce and hostile gaze gradually subsided.

    Seeing Jonah retract the dagger, Landon silently breathed a sigh of relief.

    Only he knew how nervous he was moments ago, and his heart felt like it was about to jump out.

    ¡°Mr. Jonah!¡± Sean hurried over to assist him,

    Landon also went to support Jasper. Landon¡¯s hands were still trembling, and he felt a lingering

    unease.

    He thought he was tough dealing with both sides of thew. However, Jonah, whomitted violence

    in broad daylight in someone else¡¯s conference room, was truly a devil!

    Jonah had initially wanted to say something, but the situation had escted to the point where he didn¡¯t

    want to exchange more words with Jasper.

    Jasper didn¡¯t deserve Alyssa¡¯s love. Nor did Jonah deserve to get his hands dirty.

    Jasper was more suitable to live and die on his own!

    ¡°Don¡¯t mess with my sister again. This is yourst warning.¡±

    Jonah put the cross back into his suit pocket. His eyes were red as if shedding blood.

    ¡°Sean, let¡¯s go.¡±

    Just as they turned around, Jasper hoarsely spoke.

    ¡°As long as she¡¯s willing, I will marry her.¡±

    Jonahughed scornfully with his back to him.

    ¡°You¡¯re not worthy My sister won¡¯t marry you even if you are thest man on earth

 Chapter 885

    Jonah and Sean left.

    However, the news of the CEO of KS Group¡¯s sudden visit to Beckett Group had rapidly spread

    throughout the building.

    Landon helped Jasper back to the office. Xavier also came along as he was unable to shake off his

    concerns.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    His arm was dislocated, and his clothes were covered with sweat out of pain, but he didn¡¯t utter a word.

    Landon noticed something was off and then realized Xavier was injured, too. He quickly arranged for

    someone to take Xavier to the hospital for treatment.

    ¡°Jonah normally appears gentle and refined. But when he goes berserk, damn¡­¡± Landon sighed,

    finding no words to describe the horror.

    ¡°It¡¯s all for his sister. I understand him,¡± Jasper said wearily.

    He sat on the sofa with his neck tilted back, feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

    If someone else had bullied Alyssa, he might have acted even more recklessly than Jonah.

    Thinking about Jonah¡¯s parting words, Jasper¡¯s breath hitched. He felt as though his blood froze in his

    veins.

    ¡°Fair enough. If it were Lauren, I wouldn¡¯t have stayed calm either.¡±

    Landon looked worriedly at the cut on Jasper¡¯s neck. It wasn¡¯t too deep, but blood had still stained his

    pristine shirt cor.

    ¡°Go to the hospital and get that taken care of.¡± @

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Jasper said while taking a deep breath.

    ¡°Why did Jonah turn so violent against you?¡± Landon asked with deep concern in his eyes.

    ¡°He found out about Alyssa and me being intimate, Jasper replied.

    ¡°It seems that in Jonah¡¯s eyes, Lyse is no longer just a sister. She¡¯s like his daughter. He¡¯s more of a

    fatherly brother. It¡¯s not bad. At least he didn¡¯t storm in here with a gun zing. You¡¯re luc teased

    ¡°In the end, it¡¯s my fault I really shouldn¡¯t have touched her after our divorce.¡±

    ndon

    ¡°But, Landy, I couldn¡¯t control myself. I couldn¡¯t control my thoughts and my body. She was so close

    that night, and the temptation was too deadly for me. All I could think about was possessing her. I

    wanted her.¡±

    He wanted to own her, to fill her, to make herpletely his.

    Landon thought of Lauren¡¯s words and felt sorry for Alyssa.

    ¡°Thinking it over, it¡¯s not surprising Jonah wanted to kill you. What you did to Lyse back then was truly

    horrible.¡±

    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Jasper looked at him in confusion.

    ¡°Two years ago, you took Lyse¡¯s virginity. She was already yours two years ago, and you don¡¯t

    remember a thing. Damn, you¡¯re a fucking horrible.¡±

    ¡°Landon.¡±

    Jasper looked at him in confusion. He clutched Landon¡¯s hand with trembling fingers.

    ¡°Is what you¡¯re saying true? Who told you this?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s words that day had made him doubt himself.

    But he couldn¡¯t ept this revtion, as it overturned his entire understanding.

    ¡°Lauren unintentionally saw everything that happened that night.¡±

    Landon let out a helpless sigh as he recounted, almost word for word, the secret that Lauren had

    disclosed to him.

    Jasper¡¯s mind buzzed, and the immense shock left him almost detached from reality.

    Their marital status wasn¡¯t only a formality.

    Why didn¡¯t Alyssa tell him?

 Chapter 886

    Winston told everything to his wives, and they were bbergasted. They wanted to follow him to his

    visit to Alyssa, but he stopped them. 1

    It took quite an effort to persuade them otherwise. He then instructed someone to send them back to

    Belbanks.

    Winston trailed after Neil and his bodyguard. When they exited the airport, he saw Jameson standing

    there. He stood by the luxury car, waiting for Winston.

    ¡°Hi, Uncle Winston.¡± Jameson smiled as he shook Winston¡¯s hand firmly.

    Winston thought briefly. Then, he got into Jameson¡¯s car. Neil and his bodyguard drove behind them.

    After all, Jameson had mentioned that he had something to tell him about Alyssa.

    Typically, a man like him would need to get in line to meet a big shot like Winston, even if he was

    Victor¡¯s son. However, Jameson mentioned that whatever he wanted to discuss had something to do

    with Alyssa.

    So, he couldn¡¯t possibly sit around and do nothing.

    The luxury car drove to the hospital without a hitch.

    ¡°Uncle Winston, I¡¯ve been by Alyssa¡¯s side this whole time. She is emotionally unstable and is often in

    a

    bad mood.¡±

    A hint of heartache reflected in Jameson¡¯s eyes as he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve known her for so long, and this is

    the first time I see her in so much pain. If you¡¯d seen it, your heart would have ached for her, too. And I

    know just how much you care about her.¡±)

    It was like an arrow pierced into Winston¡¯s heart. It ached terribly.

    Winston¡¯s deep affection for Alyssa was undeniable, surpassing what he held for his other children. No

    one came close to Alyssa in terms of his affections.

    If someone told him that his precious daughter had been hurt or wronged in any way, Winston¡¯s anxiety

    would shoot through the roof. It would be insufferable for him.

    Jameson knew this very clearly

    He knew Alyssa was Winston¡¯s kryptonite.

    ¡°Tell me, Jameson. What happened in the past few days that I was away?¡±

    Winston looked at Jameson anxiously. ¡°What trouble did Alyssa run into? Who did this to my precious

    daughter?¡±

    ¡°Uncle Winston, who do you think is capable of breaking someone as strong as Alyssa?¡±

    Jameson clenched his fists as his gaze turned cold. ¡°It was that guy who had hurt her and abandoned

    her. Then, he continued to pester her continuously. He stabbed a knife into her heart and cut it open

    over and over again.¡±

    ¡°Jasper?¡± Winston frowned.

    ¡°There is no one else but him.¡±

    ¡°Does that rascal have anything to do with Alyssa¡¯s ident?¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses slightly. His gaze turned gloomy.

    ¡°I know Alyssa went to see Jasper the day she got into an ident. I don¡¯t know what terrible things

    happened between them, but it must have troubled Alyssa deeply. She was distracted, and that was

    how she got into the ident. The car was totaled. Thankfully, she wasn¡¯t hurt badly.¡±

    ¡°Jasper¡­ What is he after that he won¡¯t leave my daughter alone?¡± Winston¡¯s car door bore the brunt

    of his frustration as he bellowed.

    ¡°Oh, there is one more thing, Uncle Winston. But, I¡¯m not sure if I should tell you.¡± Jameson wanted to

    say something, but he stopped himself.

    ¡°Tell me! Tell me everything you know about what that rascal did to my daughter.¡± Winston red at

    him with reddened eyes. He was livid.

    Jameson blinked briefly. He lowered his voice and told Winston how Jasper imed Alyssa as his own

    to

    Winston. Alyssa was not conscious at that time.

    Jameson was quick-witted. From the day Jasper came to apologize to Alyssa, he keenly observed

    what Jasper said and how Alyssa responded. Subsequently, he scrutinized their interactions, delving

    into the dynamics between them.

    He had a pretty good hunch about what happened back then. It didn¡¯t matter if he had a few pieces of

    missing information.

    Whatever Jasper couldn¡¯t explicitly say, Jameson filled in the gap for him.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

 Chapter 887

    Jameson¡¯s eyes betrayed a flicker of indiscernible emotions upon hearing Carl¡¯s words.

    After a moment of silence, he asked, ¡°Did you find anything about the man I asked you to investigate?

    The one that was getting close to Amber.¡±

    Carl hesitated momentarily before showing a troubled expression and admitted, ¡°I sincerely apologize,

    Mr. Schmidt. I ¡­ couldn¡¯t find anything.¡±

    ¡°Nothing?¡± Jameson raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m ineffective,¡± Carl admitted. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tapped into all my connections to gather information on that man. But his background is so

    immacte. It¡¯s like it¡¯s encrypted, leaving no trace or any leads.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Well, he sounds like an interesting person.¡±

    Jameson smirked, but his eyescked any amusement.

    ¡°I had you assign people to monitor Amber closely. Is she behaving herself?¡±

    ¡°Of course, Ms. Altman is either at The Millennium or in the vi you arranged for her. She hasn¡¯t gone

    anywhere else.¡±

    ¡°Keep an eye on her, and don¡¯t let her cause any unnecessary trouble for me.¡±

    Arriving at the hospital, Jameson hurriedly went to the floor where Alyssa¡¯s ward was, with Carl trailing

    behind.

    Upon reaching the entrance of the VIP ward corridor, they were stopped by bodyguards appointed by

    Jonah.

    ¡°Are you aware of the rtionship between Mr. Schmidt and Ms. Alyssa? Even if you aren¡¯t, you should

    recognize the rtionship between Mr. Taylor, our Mr. Victor, and the rtionship linking the Taylor

    family and Schmidt Group.¡±

    Carl expressed his dissatisfaction at his owner being denied entry.

    The bodyguards looked at each other but still didn¡¯t let Jameson pass.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Jameson pushed up his gold-rimmed sses with a slight smile.

    Winston looked at Jameson anxiously. ¡°What trouble did Alyssa run into? Who did this to my precious

    daughter?¡±

    ¡°Uncle Winston, who do you think is capable of breaking someone as strong as Alyssa?¡±

    Jameson clenched his fists as his gaze turned cold. ¡°It was that guy who had hurt her and abandoned

    her. Then, he continued to pester her continuously. He stabbed a knife into her heart and cut it open

    over and over again.¡±

    ¡°Jasper?¡± Winston frowned.

    ¡°There is no one else but him.¡±

    ¡°Does that rascal have anything to do with Alyssa¡¯s ident?¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses slightly. His gaze turned gloomy.

    ¡°I know Alyssa went to see Jasper the day she got into an ident. I don¡¯t know what terrible things

    happened between them, but it must have troubled Alyssa deeply. She was distracted, and that was

    how she got into the ident. The car was totaled. Thankfully, she wasn¡¯t hurt badly.¡±

    ¡°Jasper¡­ What is he after that he won¡¯t leave my daughter alone?¡± Winston¡¯s car door bore the brunt

    of his frustration as he bellowed.

    ¡°Oh, there is one more thing, Uncle Winston. But, I¡¯m not sure if I should tell you.¡± Jameson wanted to

    say something, but he stopped himself.

    ¡°Tell me! Tell me everything you know about what that rascal did to my daughter.¡± Winston red at

    him with reddened eyes. He was livid.

    Jameson blinked briefly. He lowered his voice and told Winston how Jasper imed Alyssa as his own

    to Winston, Alyssa was not conscious at that time.

    Jameson was quick-witted. From the day Jasper came to apologize to Alyssa, he keenly observed

    what Jasper said and how Alyssa responded. Subsequently, he scrutinized their interactions, delving

    into the dynamics between them.

    He had a pretty good hunch about what happened back then. It didn¡¯t matter if he had a few pieces of

    missing information.

    Whatever Jasper couldn¡¯t explicitly say, Jameson filled in the gap for him.

 Chapter 888

    Axel¡¯s lips curled with his usual unruly smile as he discreetly observed Jameson.

    On the night at the bar, the woman resembling Lyse left in haste and got into a car belonging to the

    Schmidt family.

    The alley was dimly lit, and the car¡¯s interior remained obscured in darkness. Axel couldn¡¯t distinctly

    identify the man who was with Amber that night.

    Still, being a top special agent, his remarkable ability to observe and remember details allowed him to

    confidently surmise that the man was likely Jameson.

    ¡°You must be Lyse¡¯s fourth brother. I have heard a lot about you and am pleased to finally meet you in

    person.¡±

    Jameson immediately put on a friendly smile and greeted Axel.

    ¡°Oh? You recognize me?¡± Axel raised an eyebrow. He felt a little surprised that Jameson recognized

    him.

    ¡°Lyse and I were childhood friends. My father and Uncle Winston were also good friends. I used to visit

    your house often as a child,¡± Jameson replied in a gentle tone, smiling.

    ¡°I know Mrs. Taylor had five children, and Lyse has four brothers, with the third and fourth brothers

    taking their mother¡¯sst name.¡±

    Axel squinted his eyes and waited for him to continue.

    ¡°Lyse¡¯s third brother goes by the name Liam, and I¡¯ve had the pleasure of meeting him. He¡¯s currently

    in a significant military role. I haven¡¯t had the chance to meet the fourth brother before. So, I don¡¯t know

    your name,¡± Jameson casually shared.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°But that¡¯s not an issue. Considering you¡¯re Lyse¡¯s brother, I¡¯ll simply address you like how Lyse

    addresses you.¡±

    ¡°You analyzed it quite well. It seems you know a lot about our family affairs.¡± Axel tilted his head and

    wore a yful expression as he responded.

    ¡°As long as it¡¯s about Lyse, I always hope to understand more. It¡¯s all out of my concern for her,¡±

    Jameson said with genuine sincerity.

    Axel had learned from Ss that Jameson was actively pursuing Lyse.

    Being a brother, Axel considered it a duty to keep an eye on any man showing interest i

    Just as he was about to say something, a voice with a yful tone approached.

    ¡°What kind of rtionships? Such a tongue twister.¡±

    Jameson raised his gaze coldly. All of a sudden, his pupils contracted.

    The individual speaking was the person Jameson assigned Carl to look into-the man who had contact

    with Amber that night.

    Curiosity stirred within him as he pondered about the identity of this person and how casually he could

    appear in such a ce.

    Axel wore a ck trench coat. He ced his hands casually in his pockets, showing a hint of boredom

    in his slightly raised eyes. However, his piercing gaze fixed on Jameson remained sharp and cold.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the rtionship between Mr. Schmidt and my sister? I¡¯m quite curious.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s brows furrowed as Axel¡¯s words fell, and he clenched his fist.

    When the word ¡°sister¡± reached Jameson¡¯s ears, he pondered whether Alyssa was the sister in

    question.

    ¡°May I ask for your surname, sir?¡± Jameson asked. He suppressed his breath and smiled faintly.

    ¡°Whitaker,¡± Axel replied, tilting his chin slightly.

    Jameson suddenly recalled that Alyssa had a third brother surnamed Whitaker. He inherited thest

    name from Winston¡¯s first wife, Vivian Whitaker.

    Knowing that Vivian had given birth to five children, Alyssa should have a fourth brother whom he had

    never met before.

    There was only one possibility left.

    A sense of dread washed over Jameson.

    As he adjusted his sses, Jameson surmised the man before him should be Alyssa¡¯s mysterious

    fourth brother.

 Chapter 889

    Tatiana gently shook her head.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°No, based on what I¡¯ve heard from Mandy and others, it appears that Dad isn¡¯t pleased with Uncle

    Victor¡¯s two sons. So, he has been avoiding this matter. But Uncle Victor seems persistent and has

    even

    regarded Lyse as his daughter-inw.¡± 15

    Axel sneered. ¡°Hmph! That old man overestimated himself! Lyse is like a celestial beauty. Pairing her

    with

    those jerks from the Schmidt family is simply a waste! Winston probably thinks the same. That¡¯s why he

    didn¡¯t agree.¡±

    ¡°Winston does have some insight sometimes,¡± Axel muttered under his breath.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m here.¡±

    Jameson entered the room, moving with a quiet and measured step.

    A deep ache seized his heart as he noticed Alyssa sitting beside the bed, appearing somewhat drowsy.

    She seemed to be worn and feeble.

    Despite being a schemer with numerous misdeeds, he demonstrated unmatched sincerity in his love

    for

    Alyssa.

    In this life, he would marry no one but Alyssa. His feelings had remained unchanged for 15 years.

    ¡°Jimmy, you¡¯re here.¡±

    Alyssa blinked, then smiled at him. ¡°Thank you foring to visit me. Have a seat.¡±

    She gestured toward the sofa, but Jameson only wanted to sit as close as possible beside her. He

    wanted to hold her, embrace her, kiss her.

    A dry lump formed in Jameson¡¯s throat as he sat by the bedside. He asked, ¡°Where are you hurt? Are

    you

    in a lot of pain? How did the ident happen?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just some minor wounds, nothing serious.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes curved with a hint of a bitter smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s just unfortunate for my limited La Voiture Noire. It¡¯s probably scrapped.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What¡¯s a carpared to your well-being? You being unharmed is more important th

    Jameson couldn¡¯t help but reach for her hand. He held it tightly in his.

    ¡°I can get whatever car you want for you, even if there¡¯s only one in the whole world.¡±

    He wanted to give everything in this world to his beloved Alyssa.

    Alyssa¡¯s pupils contracted, and she hastily withdrew her hand from Jameson¡¯s grasp.

    A trace of difort flickered in her eyes, causing a pang of pain in Jameson¡¯s heart.

    Amid the perceived improbability of a future with Jasper, Jameson was left bewildered by Alyssa¡¯s

    apparent indifference.

    Questions swirled in his mind. He wondered whether he was truly regarded as unworthy by her and if

    there lingered even the faintest glimmer of hope for him.

    ¡°Lyse, I ¡­¡±

    ¡°Jimmy, thank you for your sincerity.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes reddened, and her smile held a touch of sorrow.

    ¡°I no longer wish to be involved in romantic rtionships, Jimmy. Whether it¡¯s now or in the future, I

    cannot reciprocate your feelings. Please don¡¯t waste your time on me.¡±

    Sean had left with Jonah during the day, leaving Tatiana as the sole caretaker for Alyssa in the hospital.

    Even though Jonah had left his personal bodyguard, Axel couldn¡¯t rest easy with only the two young

    women there.

    The night grew deeper.

    Axel sat shoulder to shoulder with /Tatiana on the bench in the corridor.

    She had been looking after Alyssa the whole day, and she was gradually sumbing to fatigue. Her

    eyelids were struggling to stay open. She was truly weary..

    Despite the silliness of her struggle to keep her eyelids open, her exhaustion added a tou cuteness.

    In the end, fatigue got the better of Tatiana. She leaned to the side, her head resting on Axe

    Axel was stunned, and he gazed tenderly at his half-sister. He dared not move.

    Throughout their upbringing, Axel maintained a distant and indifferent attitude toward his half-siblings,

    never truly considered them part of the family.

 Chapter 890

    Through the passage of time and a multitude of shared experiences, Axel¡¯s mindset subtly and

    gradually shifted.

    After a while, Tatiana woke up abruptly.

    She straightened up in surprise, and her eyes stared vacantly into the distance. She used her hand to

    wipe

    away the drool from the corner of her mouth. T

    ¡°Why did you wake up already? Nap a little longer,¡± Axel chuckled. Her cute expression reminded him

    of

    Alyssa¡¯s childhood days.

    ¡°S-Sorry, Axel!¡±

    Tatiana panicked. She blushed when she realized that her drool had stained Axel¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I-I dirtied your shirt. I¡¯ll wash it clean when we get home! I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    Axel couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for his youngest sister when he observed her distress.

    The Taylor siblings often revolved around Alyssa, subconsciously considering her the youngest.

    Little did they realize that Tatiana was the one who needed more concern as she was the youngest in

    the

    family. Yet, she was often overlooked.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Axel assured her with a gentle brotherly smile while patting his thigh.

    ¡°Come on, lie down here. It¡¯sfortable.¡±

    Tatiana¡¯s face blushed even more as she hesitated, ¡°This¡­ This isn¡¯t appropriate.¡±

    ¡°Lyse alwaysy on my thigh and slept soundly in the past,¡± Axel said as he reminisced.

    Tatiana pressed her lips together, anxiously fidgeting with her hands till they turned red.

    Axel knew she couldn¡¯t and wouldn¡¯t do as he suggested

    To Tatiana, he was just a half-brother. The fact that he considered her his sister was enough to make

    her

    content

    Axel let out a sigh. He removed his overcoat and draped it over Tatiana¡¯s shoulders, envelo

    figure

    ¡°Axel, I¡¯m not cold You should wear it. Tatiane said while attempting to remove it

    Axel looked at her with a gentle gaze and pressed her shoulder over his coat.

    ¡°Be good and leave it on if you truly consider me your brother.¡±

    Tatiana no longer resisted.

    She felt a surge of warmth in her heart. There were even a few traces of tears in her eyes.

    Gratitude for Alyssa welled up in her heart. It was all thanks to Alyssa that she found herself embraced

    by

    the care of her brother.

    At that moment, distant voices reached their ears.

    ¡°Taty, wait here. I¡¯ll check it out.¡±

    Axel stood up and walked toward themotion.

    When he saw Jasper and Landon, Axel¡¯s expression instantly froze. His handsome features quickly

    turned dark and chilling.

    ¡°Fuck, it¡¯s him!¡±

    Landon recognized Axel at a nce. He recalled the scene where this guy mercilessly beat Jasper,

    and it sent shivers down his spine.

    ¡°You fucking bastard, how dare you show your face here?¡±

    Axel¡¯s muscles tightened, and his gaze became intense as he confronted Jasper.

    ¡°Leave immediately before my temper res up. Get lost!¡±

    Jasper lifted his pale and woeful face. His throat was catching as he spoke, ¡°I want to see Lyse. I have

    something to tell her.¡±

    ¡°She has nothing to talk to you about. Leave now!¡± Axel red fiercely.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. He took a deep breath and countered, ¡°No. I won¡¯t leave if I can¡¯t see

    her!¡±

    He aggressively attempted to force his way inside as he uttered those words, appearing as though he

    was driven by madness.

    Axel aimed to halt him, but Landon, who anticipated this situation, quickly used a stun baton on Axel¡¯s

    lower back.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Axel let out a groan.

 Chapter 891

    Axel¡¯s body shook intensely, and then he copsed on the ground. He was paralyzed and unable to

    stand.

    ¡°Sorry, buddy. Take a rest for now. This thing won¡¯t harm you much,¡± Landon said as he triumphantly

    raised the stun baton in his hand.

    ¡°All of you Taylors have off-the-chartbat abilities. I have no choice but to resort to dirty tricks.

    Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to prate your defenses.¡±

    ¡°Damn it! You¡¯re despicable!¡±

    Axel red at him. His eyes alone seemed capable of tearing Landon apart.

    ¡°Regrettably, I¡¯m resorting to despicable tricks for the sake of my only best friend.¡±

    Landon sighed while disying a resigned shrug.

    Jasper sprinted to the entrance of Alyssa¡¯s ward, but Tatiana blocked him.

    ¡°I want to see your sister,¡± Jasper voiced his request as he looked at the girl with a pale face.

    Sweat streamed down his weary face.

    Tatiana bit her lip and remained silent.

    ¡°Please,¡± he begged. Jasper¡¯s voice was filled with desperation as he hoarsely pleaded, ¡°Let me see

    her.¡±

    He couldn¡¯t use force against a girl, so he had no choice but to plead.

    After a deep stare, Tatiana sighed and made way for him.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he replied.

    Jasper was about to open the door when Tatiana said, ¡°You should¡¯ve done better before.¡±

    He froze for a moment. His chest began to heave violently.

    The moment Jasper entered the ward, Alyssa¡¯s beautiful face instantly turned into an icy expression.

    The sense of estrangement and resistance from Alyssa pierced through Jasper¡¯s very soul.

    Jameson cast a disdainful nce at Jasper as his lips remained pursed. The two exuded a hostility that

    created the impression of archenemies encountering each other.

    Jasper was taken aback. As their eyes met, a tense atmosphere hung between them.

    ¡°Jasper, I don¡¯t want to see you. Please leave,¡± Alyssa gave a firmmand with tears in her eyes.

    ¡°I need to talk to you,¡± Jasper¡¯s throat strained to articte the words. His voice was raspy and

    indistinct.

    ¡°Get out!¡± Alyssa suddenly sat up. She yelled at him and pounded the bed with her fists.

    ¡°Lyse! Your body hasn¡¯t fully recovered! Don¡¯t get agitated! Stay calm!¡±

    Jameson rushed to hold her quivering shoulders. His eyes were full of concern for her.

    Alyssa¡¯s hysterical demeanor seemed poised to tear Jasper¡¯s soul apart.

    He took a rigid step toward her. His movements wereden as if filled with lead, and his vision was

    blurry.

    ¡°I came here to apologize to you. I wanted to apologize for what I¡¯ve done to you two years ago. I was

    wrong. I¡¯ve hurt your feelings. Lyse, I¡¯m truly sorry.¡±

    Jameson furrowed his brow in deep thought when he heard Jasper¡¯s disjointed statement.

    They had yet to divorce then.

    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what had happened between them that Jasper needed to apologize for.

    In the next moment, Jameson felt Alyssa¡¯s body trembling more intensely. Her bloodshot eyes fixed on

    Jasper with a prating and anguished stare.

    She suddenly grabbed the cup from the bedside table and forcefully hurled the cup at Jasper.

    With Jasper¡¯s agile reflexes, he could have dodged it.

    But he didn¡¯t.

    He stood there stiffly, letting the ceramic cup smash into his forehead before it fell to the ground and

    broke into pieces.

    His forehead immediately swelled up,

    But Jasper couldn¡¯t feel the pain, His mind was nk.

    ¡°Who wants to hear your apology? Who cares about your apologies?¡±

    He gazed nkly at Alyssa, his heart aching as he observed her eyes filled with tears.

    ¡°We have ended things between us a long time ago. Stop humiliating me!¡±

 Chapter 892

    Alyssa found herself pondering the reasons behind Jasper¡¯s choice to approach her now to address

    the past.

    She had never sought his apologies, yet he remained oblivious to her true desires.

    Alyssa felt a deep sense of disappointment and shame that permeated her, causing her to quiver with

    anger.

    While she typically wasn¡¯t one to easily shed tears, her tears streamed down involuntarily now. It was

    as if her tear ducts had suddenly given way.

    Jameson had never seen Alyssa lose control of her emotions like this.

    Jasper had almost destroyed the girl who used to be lively, confident, and proud.

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t cry. Please don¡¯t cry¡­

    Ignoring the presence of others, Jameson opened his arms and gently enveloped the emotionally

    distraught Alyssa in an embrace.

    Alyssa¡¯s whole body went limp. Her thoughts were hazy, and she leaned her forehead on Jameson¡¯s

    shoulder.

    Before long, her tears had soaked his shoulder.

    Jameson¡¯s heart raced, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

    At this moment, he experienced an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and happiness. He had never

    felt so content before.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    The scene before Jasper dealt a devastating blow to his heart.

    As a freezing chill coursed through his body, he took a few steps back.

    ¡°Jasper, aren¡¯t you leaving yet?¡±

    Jameson patted Alyssa as he mocked Jasper, ¡°If you genuinely regret what happened to Lyse, you

    should heed her wishes and vanish from her life entirely.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Your sole purpose seems to be repeatedly opening Lyse¡¯s emotional wounds. She has

    managed to break free from her struggles. Why do you persist in reminding her of the time,

    loved you so desperately, and miserably?¡±

    Jasper didn¡¯t know how he had walked out of the ward.

    His bruised forehead turned crimson, entuating the paleness of his face..

    Hecked the courage to seek out Landon now. He just wanted to find a secluded ce and hide for a

    while.

    Jasper entered the stairwell with heavy and sluggish steps.

    His towering figure gradually stooped while leaning against the wall. His entire body seemed on the

    verge of copsing.

    Suddenly, the door in the stairwell swung open.

    A beam of light illuminated Jasper¡¯s sweat-covered face. He took a sharp breath, quickly regaining his

    composure, and hid the disarray surrounding him.

    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you left? Your audacity knows no bounds.¡±

    Jameson confronted him with a cold, proud, and mocking stare.

    ¡°You¡¯re not willing to let go even till now? You should have witnessed what just happened. I¡¯m the one

    Lyse needs.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Yet, I should express my gratitude to you. Without your heartless actions, Lyse might

    not have been able to give you up and ept me.¡±

    Jasper took a deep breath, refusing to say a word to him. Just seeing him made him feel disgusted.

    If it were in the past, he would have already fought this man who stole his beloved from him.

    But now, he doubted if he still held the right to do so.

    Just as Jasper was walking past Jameson with a nk expression, Jameson suddenly asked coldly.

    ¡°Why did you apologize to Lyse? What have you done to her two years ago?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heavy footsteps came to a halt, and he closed his eyes, the bitterness within them apparent.

    What came to his mind was that night when they revealed their bodies to each other.

    His lips passionately grazed her earlobe, and it turned red as if it were oozing blood. He mur repeatedly

    about how much he loved her.

    She unfolded beneath him with soft, abashed elegance Her delicate gasps, gentle moans, an

 Chapter 893

    At first, there was still a glimmer of hope for Jasper.

    However, he had consistently let Alyssa down, causing her pain and ultimately extinguishing that flicker

    of hope entirely.

    Waves of spasmodic pain gripped Jasper¡¯s heart, and at each surge, a hint of tears welled up at the

    corners of his eyes.

    He parted his dry lips and asked, ¡°Do you really want to know?¡±

    ¡°Of course. As a man who has loved Lyse for 15 years, I want to know everything about her,¡± Jameson

    said with an almost uncontroble sense of pride.

    Jasper fixed him with a prating gaze.

    After a moment, a breathtaking smile slowly formed on his pale face.

    His voice was hoarse and deep as he said, ¡°Two years ago when she was still my wife, we had already

    be one.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s pupils contracted.

    ¡°Lyse was already my woman long ago.¡±

    ¡°Bastard!¡±

    Jameson¡¯s mind echoed with a resounding roar. Overwhelming angerpelled him to clench his fists

    and throw a fist at Jasper¡¯s face!

    He couldn¡¯t anyone fathomying even a finger on his beloved Alyssa, not even in the slightest.

    He never even imagined that Jasper had the nerve to rob her of her innocence without genuine love for

    her back then!

    Jasper raised his hand to envelop Jameson¡¯s fist.

    He responded quickly, making him seem like an entirely different person from the one who had just

    stood

    there taking blows from Alyssa,

    Jameson¡¯s brows twisted fiercely, and he found himself unable to withdraw his hand.

    He had never experienced such an intense sensation of being overpowered by someone

    ¡°Lyse hitting me is only fair. That was what I owed her. Even if she were to stab me in the

    Jasper¡¯s eyes narrowed. His grip tightened gradually, intensifying Jameson¡¯s pain.

    He continued, ¡°But who are you? How dare you touch me. I stayed to hear a few words from you out of

    respect for Lyse. Don¡¯t overstep your bounds, thinking you can oppress me.¡±

    Without any warning, Jasper raised his hand and lifted Jameson off his feet.

    Jameson stumbled backward several steps, and his back collided heavily with the wall.

    Jameson realized his skills were in apletely different league than Jasper¡¯s in just that one move.

    He was no match for Jasper!

    Jameson¡¯s maliciousughter appeared out of ce against his refined and fair countenance as he

    leaned against the wall.

    ¡°So, you haven¡¯t given up on Lyse yet. Do you still want topete with me? Can you win against

    me?¡±

    ¡°Jameson, I never thought ofpeting with you. I won¡¯t stand in your way if you really love Lyse. I

    won¡¯t stop anyone from loving her.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s decision stemmed from the realization that he had never bestowed upon her the entirety of his

    love.

    He would readily let her go if someone else could provide her with that.

    ¡°But I know exactly what kind of person you are. I¡¯ll keep a close eye on you, and the moment I sense

    any

    wrongdoing, I won¡¯t spare you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes gleamed with a sharp and intimidating coldness as he warned, ¡°Jameson, you¡¯ll always

    be

    within my reach.¡±

    After saying that, he turned and left with his head held high. He mmed the door behind him.

    Jameson muttered, ¡°Jasper, your circumstances aren¡¯t any more favorable than mine. Yet you still

    intend

    to fight for Lyse with me?¡±

    Jameson pushed his sses. Out of nowhere, he unleashed a furious roar and shattered the ss

    door

    of the fire hydrant with a powerful punch!

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Jasper, the price of fighting with me for a woman is to fall into hell!¡±

    Landon lingered outside the hospital, chain-smoking while anticipating Jasper¡¯s return.

    Witnessing his friend emerge from the entrance with a pallidplexion, Landon discarded the

    cigarette. He crushed it underfoot and anxiously called out Jasper¡¯s name.

 Chapter 894

    Landon called out, ¡°Jasper!¡±

    It was as if Jasper waspletely disconnected from the world. Jasper walked past Landon absent-

    mindedly and got into the car wordlessly.

    Worry filled Landon¡¯s heart once again.

    The luxurious car headed toward Seaview Manor.

    ¡°Xavier mentioned that the manor had been put up for auction. Many are vying to bid for it.¡±

    Landon exined to him in a lowered voice, ¡°Xavier had cleared everything in the manor. He had

    collected your mother¡¯s photographs and brought them to the Seaview Manor.

    ¡°He disposed of everything else at the garbage disposal and made sure to incinerate them, leaving no

    traces behind.

    ¡°Jasper? Jasper? Are you listening to me?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back to Seaview Manor, Landon. I want to visit Grandpa. I miss him.¡±

    Jasper struggled to articte thest word of his sentence, his voice catching in his throat.

    Landon looked at him, stunned.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face as his shoulders trembled.

    He was crying.

    They had known each other for two decades. Landon had never seen Jasper shed even a single tear

    at his mother¡¯s funeral, yet he was now crying because of Alyssa.

    Jonah left Sna City and returned to Heightsnew Vi.

    He wanted to keep Alyssapany at the hospital. However, he was emotionally unstable. He didn¡¯t

    want his sister to catch onto his negative emotions.

    So, he hid in his wine cer and drank himself into a stupor.

    ¡°Mom.¡± Jonah swirled his wine ss gently. Sorrow lingered in his reddened eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sor protecting

    Alyssa. She had been mistreated.

    ¡°Mom, please tell me. How can I help Alyssa? How can I help you to find true happiness?¡±

    At this moment, the wine cer¡¯s door opened.

    Jonah narrowed his heavy eyes at the door. His heart clenched and began to thump wildly.

    Julien leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He looked at Jonah with the brightest smile.

    Jonah couldn¡¯t help but think they looked so alike. He couldn¡¯t hold himself back. He came close to

    uttering the name he had long buried in the depths of his heart.

    ¡°Drinking alone is no fun. Let me keep youpany, Jonah.¡± An inexplicable look lingered in Julien¡¯s

    eyes. He strode to Jonah and sat beside him.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Jonah stared at him for a moment. He trembled as he swallowed hard.

    ¡°Why are you drinking so much? It¡¯s bad for your liver.¡±

    Julien sighed and poured a ss of wine for himself. ¡°I know you are not in a good mood. Just drink. I

    will

    give you medication for your liverter on. Remember to take them. You¡¯re not getting any younger.

    You

    need to take care of your health. Don¡¯t ruin your health before you even marry.¡±

    ¡°You talk too much.¡± Jonah parted his lips and down his entire ss of wine. ¡°I won¡¯t get married, so

    don¡¯t. worry about me.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t n to get married? Why?¡±

    Julien rested his chin on his hand. He looked at him with a gentle yet yful gaze. ¡°You are the eldest

    among the Taylor siblings, next in line to take over KS Group. How can you not get married and

    continue

    the Taylor family legacy? Will Mr. Taylor let you do it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. Oh, another thing-¡±

    Jonah paused to pour another ss for himself. His voice was hoarse, and his eyes filled with longing

    as he continued, ¡°Whatever happens to the KS Group is for Alyssa to handle. Alyssa is the heir to the

    KS Group.¡±

 Chapter 895

    Julien was taken aback. ¡°Are you not nning to be thepany¡¯s president?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never wanted to be president. Everything I do is to help Alyssa and stand in for my father for the

    last

    time.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re an amazing man, Julien.¡±

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Julien¡¯s nose inched closer to the side of Jonah¡¯s face. His warm breathnded on his defined jawline.

    ¡°Then, why don¡¯t you want to get married? Even if you like guys, you can still get married. Same-sex

    marriage is legal in Mosgravia.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s breath quickened as a numbing sensation tingled at-his fingertips like electricity.

    The wine from his ss spilled slightly onto the wooden table top, resembling a small pool of blood.

    ¡°I¡¯ve submitted myself to God, even my romantic life. So, I will never have a partner and get married.¡±

    ¡°God is gracious. He will forgive you for your reckless behavior birthed from the care of your sister. He

    will also forgive you for using the alcohol to wash your sorrows away.¡±

    The look in Julien¡¯s eyes deepened. His hand brushed away the red spot on the back of Jonah¡¯s hand.

    ¡°If you want to love someone, God will forgive you. Or, have you forgotten how to love someone,

    Julien? It must have been a very long time. I can teach you¡­¡± 1

    ¡°I know how to love someone.¡±

    Jonah lowered his gaze. Theplicated look in his eyes fell on Julien¡¯s lush red lips.

    ¡°I¡¯ve loved before. I know what it¡¯s like to love someone. And it¡¯s because I know how it feels that I don¡¯t

    want to ever love again.¡±

    Jonah had loved someone before.

    Who did he love?

    What kind of man he was for a man like Jonah to fancy him?

    In the spur of the moment, a strong desire and fiery passion filled Julien¡¯s eyes.

    As Jonah was getting up, Julien suddenly stood up and nted a passionate kiss ory

    His heart was trembling so hard that he couldn¡¯t help himself.

    -15

    Alyssa didn¡¯t end up with a serious injury from the ident. Her heart, on the other hand, was severely

    bruised.

    Jameson stayed in the hospital to care for her for a few days. He never left her sight.

    She didn¡¯t need his care. Yet, he insisted on staying. Even if he couldn¡¯t do much for her, she wanted

    Alyssa to see him every day and night.

    Winston flew back from overseas with his wives. When hended, he received a phone call.

    ¡°It¡¯s me, Uncle Winston.¡±

    ¡°Jameson?¡±

    Winston was surprised. ¡°Why are you calling me?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa met in a car ident a few days ago and is now hospitalized. I¡¯m here at the hospital keeping

    her

    ¡°What did you say? Alyssa was in a car ident?¡±

    Winston¡¯s blood pressure skyrocketed instantly. His vision blurred as his heart raced. ¡°Why do I not

    know about this at all? Why wasn¡¯t I informed?¡±

    ¡°Alyssa insisted not to tell you. She didn¡¯t want you to worry.¡±

    ¡°What a silly girl! How could she do this? Does she even take me as her father?¡±

    Winston thought about his precious daughter alone on the hospital bed. He had no clue. He was so

    furious and anxious that his face reddened. His heart twisted in pain.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Uncle Winston. Alyssa is fine. She should be discharged by tomorrow,¡± Jameson said.

    ¡°Sigh, thank you for telling me. And thank you for taking care of Alyssa. Let¡¯s find a time. I want to buy

    you a meal to thank you. Which hospital is Alyssa at? Is she at the Taylor General Hospital? I wille

    and visit her now.¡±

    ¡°Uncle Winston, I¡¯m waiting for you outside the airport. I will bring you there.¡±

    Jameson paused and lowered his voice, adding, ¡°I also have an important matter to discuss with you

    privately.¡±

 Chapter 896

    Winston told everything to his wives, and they were bbergasted. They wanted to follow him to his

    visit

    to Alyssa, but he stopped them. 1

    It took quite an effort to persuade them otherwise. He then instructed someone to send them back to

    Belbanks.

    Winston trailed after Neil and his bodyguard. When they exited the airport, he saw Jameson standing

    there. He stood by the luxury car, waiting for Winston.

    ¡°Hi, Uncle Winston.¡± Jameson smiled as he shook Winston¡¯s hand firmly.

    Winston thought briefly. Then, he got into Jameson¡¯s car. Neil and his bodyguard drove behind them.

    After all, Jameson had mentioned that he had something to tell him about Alyssa.

    Typically, a man like him would need to get in line to meet a big shot like Winston, even if he was

    Victor¡¯s

    son. However, Jameson mentioned that whatever he wanted to discuss had something to do with

    Alyssa.

    So, he couldn¡¯t possibly sit around and do nothing.

    The luxury car drove to the hospital without a hitch.

    ¡°Uncle Winston, I¡¯ve been by Alyssa¡¯s side this whole time. She is emotionally unstable and is often in

    a bad mood.¡±

    A hint of heartache reflected in Jameson¡¯s eyes as he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve known her for so long, and this is

    the first time I see her in so much pain. If you¡¯d seen it, your heart would have ached for her, too. And I

    know just how much you care about her.¡±

    It was like an arrow pierced into Winston¡¯s heart. It ached terribly.

    Winston¡¯s deep affection for Alyssa was undeniable, surpassing what he held for his other children. No

    one came close to Alyssa in terms of his affections.

    If someone told him that his precious daughter had been hurt or wronged in any way, Winston¡¯s anxiety

    would shoot through the roof. It would be insufferable for him.

    Jameson knew this very clearly

    He knew Alyssa was Winston¡¯s kryptonite.

    ¡°Tell me, Jameson. What happened in the past few days that I was away?¡±

    Winston looked at Jameson anxiously. ¡°What trouble did Alyssa run into? Who did this to my precious

    daughter?¡±

    ¡°Uncle Winston, who do you think is capable of breaking someone as strong as Alyssa?¡±

    Jameson clenched his fists as his gaze turned cold. ¡°It was that guy who had hurt her and abandoned

    her. Then, he continued to pester her continuously. He stabbed a knife into her heart and cut it open

    over

    and over again.¡±

    ¡°Jasper?¡± Winston frowned.

    ¡°There is no one else but him.¡±

    ¡°Does that rascal have anything to do with Alyssa¡¯s ident?¡±

    Jameson adjusted his sses slightly. His gaze turned gloomy.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°I know Alyssa went to see Jasper the day she got into an ident. I don¡¯t know what terrible things

    happened between them, but it must have troubled Alyssa deeply. She was distracted, and that was

    how she got into the ident. The car was totaled. Thankfully, she wasn¡¯t hurt badly.¡±

    ¡°Jasper ¡­ What is he after that he won¡¯t leave my daughter alone?¡± Winston¡¯s car door bore the brunt

    of his frustration as he bellowed.

    ¡°Oh, there is one more thing, Uncle Winston. But, I¡¯m not sure if I should tell you.¡± Jameson wanted to

    say something, but he stopped himself.

    ¡°Tell me! Tell me everything you know about what that rascal did to my daughter.¡± Winston red at

    him with reddened eyes. He was livid.

    Jameson blinked briefly. He lowered his voice and told Winston how Jasper imed Alyssa as his own

    to Winston. Alyssa was not conscious at that time. 1

    Jameson was quick-witted. From the day Jasper came to apologize to Alyssa, he keenly observed

    what Jasper said and how Alyssa responded. Subsequently, he scrutinized their interactions, delving

    into the dynamics between them.

    He had a pretty good hunch about what happened back then. It didn¡¯t matter if he had a few pieces of

    missing information.

    Whatever Jasper couldn¡¯t explicitly say, Jameson filled in the gap for him.

 Chapter 897

    Winston listened attentively to everything Jameson said, maintaining silence throughout.

    The car was filled with the sounds of deep, resentful inhales and exhales.

    ¡°Please calm down, Uncle Winston. You need to be mindful of your health.¡± Jameson¡¯s face was filled

    with concern.

    ¡°That Beckett rascal¡­ How could he humiliate my daughter?¡± Winston held his chest in agony. It felt

    like

    his heart was bleeding.

    ¡°Lyse may have experienced tragic events. However, those are in the past. I will take care and protect

    Lyse from now on.¡±

    Jameson looked at Winston with a passionate gaze. ¡°I swear I will love Lyse only. To the best of my

    ability, I will ensure she is the happiest woman alive.

    ¡°Uncle Winston, my love for Lyse has nothing to do with you being her father, the Schmidt Group, or

    the

    Taylor Group.

    ¡°It¡¯s her unique qualities, personality, and the essence of who she is that I love. No other woman had

    ever

    been able to rece how important Lyse is to me. Not a single one.¡±

    Shock painted Winston¡¯s face. He stared at the sincere and dazzling pair of eyes, unable to move an

    inch.

    In the past, Winston didn¡¯t fancy Jameson or the Schmidts. He had never entered into marriage for

    business reasons. Consequently, he did not wish for Alyssa to marry someone she didn¡¯t love and lead

    a

    life of unhappiness.

    However, he could tell Jameson was serious about Alyssa. He had once been there before.

    Besides, there was no way Jameson could fake the passion in his eyes when he talked about Alyssa.

    Perhaps he shouldn¡¯t let Alyssa do whatever she wanted.

    She said she wanted to look for happiness. Yet, what did she find? She found a greedy scumbag who

    couldn¡¯t even keep it in his pants./

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Jimmy.¡±

    Winston rarely addressed him so affectionately. Yet, his eyes looked dead serious. ¡°You know what is

    up with my daughter. She had once loved Jasper with all her heart and soul. She gave

    ¡°She might take a very long time, and she might never heal the hurt in her heart

    bat man.

    Lyse is my daughter. I know her like the back of my hand.

    ¡°You might be able to persist for a year or two. But can you do it for ten years, even twenty? Can you

    ept her while she¡¯s like this? Are you sure you won¡¯t regret it?¡±

    ¡°I know she still thinks about Jasper, but I don¡¯t care.¡±

    Tears welled in Jameson¡¯s eyes. His gaze was resolute and sincere. It was a painful sight to see. ¡°I

    want

    to make Lyse my wife, no matter what happens to her. I don¡¯t care. I can only have Alyssa as my wife

    and

    no one else.¡±

    Winston frowned deeply. It would be a lie to say he wasn¡¯t moved.

    ¡°Uncle Winston, I want you to give me a chance. Please give me your blessing.¡±

    When Winston arrived at the hospital, Alyssa was sound asleep.

    He kept everything he wanted to say to his daughter throughout the journey. As he looked at her

    sunken cheeks and pale face, whatever he wanted to say was stuck in his throat. He couldn¡¯t utter a

    word. All he wanted to do was to keep herpany and care for her quietly.

    What else could he say?

    He couldn¡¯t turn back time to change what had happened. Saying too much would only hurt her more.

    It was still early in the morning when Jonah and Ss walked in together.

    ¡°Go back and rest, Dad. Alyssa is getting discharged tomorrow. We will send her home,¡± Jonah said

    lightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not tired.¡± Winston was indifferent. He was holding a grudge.

    ¡°It¡¯s our fault, Dad. We shouldn¡¯t have kept this from you.¡±

    Ss sighed glumly. ¡°But we were concerned about your health. Plus, you have so many sons. We¡¯re

    trained to help share your burden in a time like this. Don¡¯t worry. We will deal with Alyssa¡¯s situation.¡±

 Chapter 898

    ¡°Can you even handle it? Haha! If you had dealt with it correctly, Alyssa wouldn¡¯t be lying here suffering

    undeserving punishment,¡± Winston scoffed.

    The glint in Jonah¡¯s eyes darkened. He was rendered speechless.

    Ss pursed his lips. He always had a way with words but had nothing to say now.

    ¡°Jonah,e with me. I want to talk to you.¡± Winston straightened his stiff back as he got up. He felt a

    tingling pain after sitting too long.

    ¡°Yes, Dad.¡±

    Jonah came to help his father quickly. Then, both of them left the ward.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    They arrived at the lounge.

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Jonah was dumbfounded. He narrowed his eyes as he questioned, ¡°You want

    Lyse to be with Jameson? Why?¡±

    ¡°I think the best way to get Lyse to walk out of the trauma Jasper had caused her is to have her start a

    new rtionship. She should be with someone who cherishes her.¡±

    Winston¡¯s eyes darkened. He had made up his mind. ¡°Anyone could tell how head over heels Jameson

    is for Lyse. Plus, our families are a perfect match.

    ¡°I¡¯ve watched this kid grow up, so I know him like the back of my hand. I thought I could cut some ck

    and let them try it out. Maybe he could heal the hurt Lyse is carrying. Lyse shouldn¡¯t bask in her misery

    anymore. She should have a fresh start.¡±

    ¡°You know him like the back of your hand? Do you think you know Jameson that well?¡±

    Jonah panicked. His tone turned serious. ¡°Jameson didn¡¯t exactly have his hands clean during his time

    in Kont¨ªna. Some of his businesses were off the books. Are you sure you will be okay allowing Lyse to

    be associated with someone like him?¡±

    ¡°That was in Kontina, not here. Plus, if he truly cared for Lyse and they could seed, I don¡¯t mind

    cleaning his businesses up.¡±

    ¡°Dad, how could you¡­

    Jonah was so furious that he choked on his words. ¡°Why are you acting this way? L

    ¡°And is she happy now if I don¡¯t do it?¡±

    Winston got up abruptly. He was so consumed with anger that his eyes reddened. He snarled, ¡°I didn¡¯t

    even interfere when she joined the Doctors Without Borders. I gave her the freedom to do whatever

    she

    wanted. But was she happy?

    ¡°Her marriage has fallen apart, and she¡¯s faced both loss and physical torment. Now, Jasper¡¯s

    mistreatment adds to her pain! Is my daughter condemned to a lonely existence? Is she so undesirable

    that nobody wishes to be with her?¡±

    Jonah widened his eyes in shock.

    He could tell Winston knew everything about Alyssa and Jasper that was kept secret.

    However, he was the only one who knew other than Alyssa and Jasper. He had never let loose a word

    to his father. How did his father know about this?

    Who tattled to him?

    ¡°Jameson had no position in the Schmidt Group. Plus, he has an average rtionship with Uncle

    Victor. He may not be the best match for Lyse at the moment. But that doesn¡¯t matter. As long as he

    truly cares for Lyse and stays loyal, I don¡¯t mind giving him a hand,¡± Winston said.

    When Winston thought about the despicable things Jasper did to his daughter, he was consumed with

    hatred. He wanted to shoot Jasper dead if he could.

    ¡°Hmph! Jasper¡¯s prosperous days in Sna City are numbered.¡±

    Jonah felt inexplicably torn.

    Based on Winston¡¯s attitude, he had already regarded Jameson as his future son-inw.

    ¡°Have you asked Lyse before you made this decision? Did Lyse agree to let you handle her romantic

    life?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see a need to ask.¡±

    Winston closed his eyes and said, ¡°Lyse will gradually realize that the person she loves may not be the

    best for her. Only someone who genuinely loves her will stand by her for the rest of her life. At the very

    least, she won¡¯t experience any more pain.¡±

 Chapter 899

    It was ate night at Seaview Manor.

    After Betty showered, she applied medication to the stic surgery marks on her face. She was ready

    to

    enjoy some red wine. (1

    ¡°Nina? Nina!¡± Betty called her maid.

    Nina quickly ran over to her. ¡°I¡¯m here, Ms. Betty.¡±

    Since Alyssa made Nina a spy, she took a lot of time figuring out ways to get close to Sophia and Betty.

    She tried to gain their trust.

    She knew Sophia was often suspicious and didn¡¯t trust anyone easily. However, Betty was less

    maniptive than her mother. It was easier for Nina to get close to Betty.

    So, Nina fawned over Betty and was willing to do anything for her. Finally, she had the opportunity to

    stay by Betty¡¯s side to serve her.

    She was a lowly servant who had served under Lauren before. If she hadn¡¯t done all these to get close

    to Betty, Betty would have long kicked her out of Seaview Manor.

    There was no way she couldplete the mission Alyssa had assigned to her then.

    ¡°Go to the wine cer and get me a nice bottle of wine.¡±

    Betty applied a facial mask onto her newly augmented face. Shezily said, ¡°If you have bad taste and

    choose a bad one for me, I will dock your sry.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Betty.¡± Ninaplied and went to find a bottle of red wine for Betty.

    These days, Betty often picked a bone with her over the most minor issues.

    She knew Betty was using her as a punching bag because she had served under Lauren previously.

    However, it didn¡¯t matter. Nina was a woman on a mission. She would bite the bullet and endure the

    bullying.

    She believed that what went around woulde back around. Eventually, Alyssa would be vindicated

    and demonstrate to Sophia and Betty the true meaning of karma.

    Betty suddenly remembered she left her phone in the cinema on the third floor. She stor frustration.

    She had wanted to instruct Nina to get it.

    et in

    But she couldn¡¯t live one minute without her phone. Nina had left for the wine cer, so she had to

    retrieve it herself.

    She walked out of the room with her facial mask.

    After walking awhile, she suddenly saw a fleeting ck shadow pass by her.

    Betty screamed in shock. Her facial mask almost fell onto the floor.

    A woman with disheveled hair stood a few steps away from her. Her face was drained of color. She

    was like a ghost that had appeared out of nowhere, standing in the dimly lit corridor. It was mortifying.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Betty took a closer look. She remained shocked as she breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Mom? I-Is that you?¡±

    Sophia stood hunched over with a cashmere coat wrapped around her. She looked at Betty through her

    disheveled hair.

    Betty was mortified when she saw her elegant mother looking like a ghost.

    She had not seen Sophia since the cocktail party. But it hadn¡¯t even been that long. How did she turn

    into this?

    Sophia dashed toward Betty. She then grabbed her arm and ran toward the room.

    ¡°Mom, what is it? My arm hurts! Mom!¡±

    ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t make a sound.¡±

    Sophia red fiercely at Betty, effectively shutting her up.

    Both of them went back to the room.

    Sophia looked around furtively. She made sure no one was outside before locking the door.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you, Mom? Did something happen?¡± Betty asked anxiously.

    Sophia shuddered as she sat on the sofa. The room was quite warm. Yet, she looked rather cold. She

    held on to her coat, unwilling to take it off.

    ¡°Betty. I think I misspoke tonight.¡±

    ¡°Misspoke? What do you mean?¡± Betty was at a loss.

 Chapter 900

    ¡°I went for aesthetic cosmetology tonight. Dr. McAslister gave me a jab. He said the jab will make me

    more rxed. It should be more effective than the ones I used before.¡±

    Sophia covered her head with her hands. Her eyes were filled with worry and panic.

    She continued, ¡°After I took the jab, my body felt light and rxed. Then, I fell asleep. But, when I woke

    up, Dr. McAlister asked, ¡®Who is Anne?¡±¡±

    Betty gasped. Goosebumps filled her entire body.

    ¡°Mom ¡­ W-What did you say? Dr. McAlister is in no business to know. How could you ¡­¡±

    Betty knew the actual reason for Jasper¡¯s mother¡¯s death back then.

    On some level, Sophia was the culprit who had caused Anne to take her life.

    However, it had been executed with meticulousness. Sophia had bribed the maid who took care of

    Anne. The maid then swapped her medication for depression. She even asked Liana and Betty to

    spread rumors.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    As a result, Anne¡¯s condition worsened. She couldn¡¯t stand the physical and mental torture and leaped

    off a building.

    Her hands might not have been tainted with blood, but she singlehandedly eliminated her love rival.

    This incident was the proudest achievement in Sophia¡¯s life. Yet, she could never toot her horn about it

    to other people.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know how much I¡¯ve said. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve told him.¡±

    Sophia¡¯s eyes were losing focus. Her voice trembled as she continued, ¡°But Dr. McAlister swore he

    would keep what he heard a secret. He would not tell a single soul.¡±

    ¡°Mom, how could you be so foolish? Dr. McAlister is not your son. What if he let loose his words? What

    if he uses this against you?¡±

    Betty had gone pale from the shock. What left her mortified was the medication Sophia had taken.

    Did she take a truth serum? How could she blurt out her deepest and darkest secrets while she was

    unconscious?

    At this moment, Betty heard a faint noise.

    Her heart skipped a beat as she looked toward the direction of the bedroom. Then, s

    When she reached the door, she swung it open with much force.

    However, the room was empty, not even a shadow in sight.

    Betty let out a long sigh. Her head was wet with sweat.

    What Sophia had mentioned was something very severe. If anyone had heard them, they were

    doomed.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way. He is on my side. He won¡¯t betray me.¡± Sophia shook her head profusely. Yet, she

    needed more than that to convince herself of what she herself had said.

    What was she supposed to do? She couldn¡¯t leave Tristan McAlister.

    Her mind and body were entirely at this man¡¯s mercy.

    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m your daughter. I won¡¯t hurt you. Please listen to me.¡±

    Betty sat beside Sophia. She held her mother¡¯s icy hand tightly as she advised, ¡°You should distance

    yourself from Dr. McAlister. I think he harbors ill intentions toward you.

    ¡°Plus, everyone who knows about the secret to Jasper¡¯s mother¡¯s death has to carry it to their graves.

    As long as he stays alive, he is a death threat to you.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t happen. It had been almost 20 years since the incident. The evidence is long gone.¡±

    Sophia shuddered as she felt a cold breeze on her back. She quickly snuggled into Betty¡¯s embrace.¡±

    Unless that bitch, Anne,es back from the dead to use me. Otherwise, no one knows how that

    bitch, Anne died back then!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean no one? How about Liana?¡±

    ¡°Pfft, she¡¯s nothing! She is a chess piece that is no longer useful. If she wants toe back to Sna

    City, she had better sew her mouth shut.¡±

    Sophia had regained herposure by this point, employing reason to reim her stance. ¡°Oh, yes.

    You do have someone keeping an eye on the maid I bribed who served Anne, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she is far away in Rnda. She opened a small restaurant there. She had benefited from us. I¡¯m

    sure

    she will bury the secret with her.¡°

    The look in Betty¡¯s eyes was grim.

    She might have harbored hatred for Sophia, but she knew better than to rock the boat while she was

    still

    on it.

    Group wrapped around his finger. By then, she wouldn¡¯t even have a nket to keep warm.

    Sophia calmed down and allowed Betty to help her back to her room.

    As they left the room, a gap at the wardrobe door in the bedroom shakily opened.

    Sophie the old

    Sophie calmed down and stowwe tartogat Has OOR

 Chapter 901

    Chapter 901

    Nina trembled as she curled herself in the wardrobe with a red wine bottle in her hand.

    She was overwhelmed by shock, and her face drained of color. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she had

    cried profusely.

    What was she supposed to do?

    She was frantically trying to find an answer in her mind.

    She wondered who she should break this groundbreaking secret to¨CJasper or Alyssa?

    After Betty helped Sophia settle in, she returned to her room.

    When she helped Sophia out of her clothes, she noticed needle marks on thetter¡¯s arms. Betty

    couldn¡¯t help but shudder at the thought of it.

    Javier and Sophia no longer stayed in the same room. Since L¡¯s ident, the couple had had more

    bad blood between them.

    Had they been sleeping on the same bed and Javier had seen those needle marks, Betty had no idea

    how he would react to them.

    When she reached her room, Betty saw Nina standing outside the door nkly as she waited for her

    with a red wine bottle in her hand

    She didn¡¯t look well.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, I¡¯ve brought the wine you asked for. Would you like me to help you with it?¡± Nina asked

    carefully.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. Give it to me. You don¡¯t need to stay here anymore.¡± Betty snatched the

    wine. bottle from her. Then, she got into her room and mmed the door.

    Nina stood by the door, looking lost. Her maid¡¯s uniform was drenched in cold sweat.

    By the time Betty had returned to her room, she had lost her mood to drink.

    The more she thought about Sophia¡¯s doctor, Dr. McAlister, the more fearful she became. She needed

    to find time to get to the bottom of things with this guy.

    Betty took off the face mask that had already dried up. She cleaned her face and took off her bathrobe.

    Suddenly, she froze. Her heart tightened. atty was a careless woman

    However, she was very careful when it came to her personal belongings.

    She would notice any fine details, no matter how small they were.

    She could tell that someone had messed with her wardrobe. She could sense the stifling warmth

    cascading from it.

    Betty suddenly remembered that she heard a noise in the bedroom when she had been talking to

    Sophia.

    She took her phone immediately and opened a surveince app on it.

    It turned out that even someone as dim¨Cwitted as Betty had installed a hidden surveince camera in

    her room.

    She had installed it a long time ago. She was like her mother, who never trusted a single soul. She was

    suspicious of the maid messing with her belongings when she wasn¡¯t around.

    She gritted her teeth and reyed the surveince footage..

    She saw Nina walking into the room with the wine bottle not long after she had left the room. Nina hid

    in the bedroom. Then, as Betty approached the room, Nina hid in the wardrobe.

    Betty shrieked and threw her phone away.

    She realized Nina had eavesdropped on her entire conversation with Sophia. That meant Nina now

    knew about the treacherous secret!

    Betty¡¯s back broke out in a cold sweat. She clenched her teeth as she paced around her bedroom

    anxiously.

    She picked her phone up. Her fingertips trembled as she dialed Sophia¡¯s number.

    ¡°What¡¯s up? I¡¯m about to go to sleep,¡± Sophia askedzily.

    ¡°Mom, we¡¯re in big trouble!¡±

    Betty curled up on her bed. Panicked, she said, ¡°Nina heard everything we said. She was hiding in my

    wardrobe the entire time. I caught her on my surveince camera.¡±

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    The other end of the plouse was waceptionally quiet

    Mom Momi Und

    We need to get out of that mand Hoplita mand antstoly after a bang ti

    Pretend nothing ever happened Lofa beep it devin and get so in pomber When the time te

    Hight, we¡¯ll make this little troublemaker alleappror from this form of the southal Alyson was discharged

    from the hospital after aduc pocored

    The wiyou wentprathan women When Hey may be on this jote of the faculty had bes

    ¡°My dear child, you¡¯ve entfernal antech¡±

    L won the i

    L, l¡¯on the one who should

    Are you feeling better now/ bud bad bay your anything like bags, clothes, or poundry

    ¡°Pil, plenes don¡¯t ony that On the oller hand, I be bought a lot of premium ingredients and bal products

    in cook for you for a month She wants to replenish your body again, Unleans said, tangling as she

    hugged Monday¡¯s valst

    Hub? To not in continement or fat i don nod Hasan Algeen beckoned with her hand she was a fan

    She had to go for countless rounds of kayaking to bom everything off

    At this moment, Jesper vras on the

 Chapter 902

    Chapter 902

    She was like an ant on a hot pan, jittering with worry.

    The other end of the phone was exceptionally quiet.

    ¡°Mom? Mom! Did you hear what I said? What should we do now?¡±

    ¡°We need to get rid of that maid,¡± Sophia said sinisterly after a long time.

    ¡°Pretend nothing ever happened. Let¡¯s keep it down and get someone to spy on her. When the time is

    right, we¡¯ll make this little troublemaker disappear from the face of the earth!¡±

    Alyssa was discharged from the hospital after she recovered.

    Axel wasn¡¯t there when she was discharged because he didn¡¯t want to see Winston. Everyone else

    from the Taylor family came. Even Winston¡¯s wives rushed over from Belbanks.

    The wives were empathetic women. When they saw how scrawny the princess of the family had

    be, tears streamed down their faces. Alyssa had lost her usual radiant appearance.

    ¡°My dear child, you¡¯ve suffered so much.¡±

    L was the most sensitive of all. Her eyes were swollen after all the crying. She went to Alyssa and

    hugged her tightly. ¡°It¡¯s our fault that we didn¡¯t protect you. I¡¯m sorry, my dear.¡±

    ¡°L, I¡¯m the one who should be apologizing¡± Alyssa returned L¡¯s hug. Pain surged in her heart.

    ¡°Are you feeling better now? Did Dad buy you anything like bags, clothes, or jewelry?

    ¡°Whoa, don¡¯t tell me that he¡¯s so stingy that he didn¡¯t buy you anything!¡± please don¡¯t say that. On the

    other hand, L bought a lot of premium ingredients and local products to cook for you for a month.

    She wants to replenish your body again,¡± Colene said,ughing as she hugged Manday¡¯s waist.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Huh? I¡¯m not in confinement or hurt. I don¡¯t need these.¡± Alyssa beckoned with her hand. She was a

    fan of L¡¯s cooking, but she was worried about gaining extra weight.

    She had to go for countless rounds of kayaking to burn everything off.

    At this moment, Jasper was on the other side of the road. He stood alone in the chilly woods, staring at

    He stared deeply at her beautiful smile, unable to pull his burning gaze away from her.

    When he had heard that she was leaving the hospital today, he had pushed all his important meetings

    and rushed here.

    Yet he could only be a shadow in the dark, silently standing there as he stared longingly at the woman

    he once called his.

    She had once shared a bed with him. Now, she was a dream that was out of reach.

    Jasper looked at Alyssa¡¯s face. He hadn¡¯t seen that smile on her face for a long time. He recalled how

    she had shrieked and scowled at him. She had even tried to hurt him.

    Jasper shuddered as he clutched at his chest.

    Waves of pain tore his chest instantly. It was so painful that it felt as if someone was ripping his heart

    out with their bare hands.

    Yet he didn¡¯t know who to me for things progressing this way.

    Was he supposed to me Liana? Or Jameson?

    It seemed like he could only me himself.

    ¡°Lyse¡­ Lyse¡­¡±

    Jasper nked for a moment. His body rebelliously moved forward, wanting to be closer to her.

    At this moment, a luxurious car came to a stop before Alyssa.

    It was Winston¡¯s car, an antique Rolls¨CRoyce. It was the only one in the country. Neil got out of the car.

    Then, he opened the passenger door.

    Alyssa thought her father would get out of the car. However, the next second, she was stunned.

    A man got out of the car in a suit and tie. He was elegant and gentle. It was Jameson.

 Chapter 903

    Chapter 903

    The Taylor family members were bbergasted when they saw Jameson getting out of Winston¡¯s car.

    Alyssa frowned.

    Winston was an arrogant man who always sat on his high horse. No one from the younger generation

    except his children had ever sat in his car.

    Jasper was the most reputable, capable, and influential person in Sna City. Yet Winston had never

    thought that Jasper was worth his time.

    However, as of this moment, it seemed that Jameson had sessfully gotten close to Winston.

    Anyone would be lying if they weren¡¯t shocked.

    If Alyssa remembered correctly, Winston used to be cold to Jameson. What was with the 180¨Cdegree

    change in his attitude after merely a few days?

    ¡°Lyse, you look so much better. That¡¯s great.¡±

    A gentle smile appeared in Jameson¡¯s eyes. He walked toward Alyssa with a vibrant bouquet of pink

    roses in his hand and gave them to her. ¡°This is to celebrate your getting discharged from the hospital.¡±

    Alyssa looked at the beautiful roses before her. Her eyes fluttered slightly.

    ¡°Thank you, Jimmy.¡± She took the bouquet.

    ¡°I know these flowers are your favorite. I picked them fresh from the field this morning.¡± The sincerity in

    Jameson¡¯s eyes glistened like a shiny diamond.

    Everyone present exchanged nces. The atmosphere was subtle.

    ¡°Thank you for thinking of me, but you didn¡¯t have to do this.¡± Alyssa held the roses in her hand as her

    lips parted slightly. An inexplicable glint rested in her eyes..

    ¡°I will do anything for you.¡± Jameson looked at her deeply, unable to hide his tenderness for her.

    Alyssa pursed her lips. She didn¡¯t know what to say. The tant confession from him was a more

    intense move than the roses in her hand.

    Jasper witnessed the interaction between Alyssa and Jameson. He felt a bitter and painful prick in his

    dry throat. He could taste the smell of blood.

    The next second, his breath tightened.

    He saw Winston¡¯s tall and slender figure get out of the Rolls¨CRoyce. He walked to Jameson. They

    stood side¨Cby¨Cside like father and son.

    Jameson greeted the old man with a warm smile. He had sessfully integrated himself into the Taylor

    family.

    Winston his shoulder with a smile. Both of them exchanged a few words. Their rtionship had indeed

    taken a 180¨Cdegree turn,

    Jasper¡¯s eyes instantly became bloodshot. He punched fiercely into the tree bark

    This wasn¡¯t fair!

    Yet, what could he have done even if he had walked over? Help clean the Taylor family¡¯s eyes? And

    risk upsetting Alyssa?

    He couldn¡¯t bear to hurt her anymore. That could never happen,

    ¡°Pfft, and I was wondering if you had what it took, Mr. Beckett. You can only stay here helplessly,

    simmering in your anger.¡±

    A sharp, mocking voice came from behind him.

    Jasper slowly turned around. He was met with Axel¡¯s mocking yet dark eyes.

    ¡°The high and mighty Mr. Beckett is nothing more than a mere loser.¡± Axel hated Jasper. He didn¡¯t

    spare

    Jasper any mockery.

    Axel was protective of his sister. He only cared about rtionships and wasn¡¯t one to be reasoned with.

    It didn¡¯t matter if it was a good or bad person. Anyone who hurt his dear sister was guilty of high

    treason.

    ¡°I know I should never appear in Lyse¡¯s life again. But can¡¯t I just look at her from a distance?¡± Jasper¡¯s

    voice was hoarse, and his eyes were red.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    He hadn¡¯t had a good night¡¯s sleep the past few days. He wouldy in bed with his eyes wide open

    every night until the day broke.

    His heart felt like it had run dry.

    Axel squinted his eyes slightly. He stood beside him and looked at Alyssa. ¡°Honestly, I really hate you,

    Jasper.¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips slightly. He looked down silently.

    ¡°But I¡¯m not a fan of that Schmidt guy either. My sister is a good person. I¡¯m not sure what she did to be

    Axel stared at Jameson angrily. He scowled.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with Winston I justplimented him for having good taste not long ago,

    Now, I have to take my words back. If he gives Alyssa¡¯s hand to this Schmidt quy, I¡¯ll snatch her back

    myself¡±

    Jasper was rendered speechless.

 Chapter 904

    Chapter 904

    He had heard about a love rival snatching someone¡¯s hand in marriage. But he had never heard of a

    brother snatching his sister¡¯s hand in marriage.

    However, Axel had never been afraid of anything. It wouldn¡¯t be a surprise if he did something like that.

    ¡°Hey, bastard!¡±

    Axel looked at Jasper from beside him. ¡°If, and I mean if, Jameson asks my sister¡¯s hand in marriage,

    will you interfere?¡±

    Jasper felt as if an arrow had pierced through his heart. Pain consumed his body.

    He couldn¡¯t entertain the thought of Jameson and Alyssa getting married.

    ¡°Shit, forget it. Neither you nor Jameson should think about getting my sister. None of you is worth her

    time, Axel cursed. He thought it was a stupid question to ask.

    ¡°I only want Lyse to be happy. As long as she¡¯s happy, I¡¯m willing to do anything for her. Jasper felt as if

    something was stuck in his throat. His voice broke as he spoke.

    ¡°Then, can you help me separate Lyse and that Schmidt guy? Seeing them as a couple is a real pain,¡±

    Axel asked through gritted teeth.

    Jasper looked at him in surprise.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think too much, I¡¯m not doing it for you, but for Lyse. The onlooker sees most of the game. She¡¯s

    in the middle of this, so she might not see it. But things are crystal clear to me from where I¡¯m standing.

    ¡°Behind those sses, he¡¯s a casanova, I¡¯m notfortable leaving Lyse in the hands of someone

    with malicious intent. I¡¯m worried she will fall into a trap.¡± Axel was concerned for his sister.

    Jasper was worried for her too.

    ¡°Let¡¯s work together to keep them apart.¡± Axel sped his fingers.

    ¡°What if she wants to be with Jameson? Jasper asked, even though the thought made his heart feel

    like it was being ripped out of his chest.

    ¡°Based on how well I know Lyse, she won¡¯t for now. I know how Lyse is when she fancies someone.

    No. one knows it better than her brothers.¡±

    Axel scoffed at Jasper as he said that.

    Jasper gulped hard. His face burned with guilt and regret. He knew Alyssa was a hopeless romantic.

    She once had given her passionate heart and loyal devotion to him. He was once been loved

    unconditionally. Yet he had been blind and foregone this true love.

    ¡°That¡¯s why we have to strike while the iron is hot, Lyse doesn¡¯t have any feelings for Jameson now.

    We need to nip it in the bud before it even starts.¡±

    Axel narrowed his eyes and gnashed his teeth. ¡°If we allow their rtionship to develop further, I¡¯m

    afraid

    Lyse won¡¯t be able to withstand his fervent advances. Then, it will be toote.

    ¡°Think about it. But you don¡¯t have any reason to turn me away. We have the same goal¨Cif we can¡¯t

    have

    that person, no one should either.¡±

    He was about to leave.

    ¡°Are you helping me because we were friends in school?¡± Jasper suddenly asked, looking at Axel¡¯s

    back.

    Axel stopped in his tracks. He perked an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, how thoughtful of you to mention it. We went to

    school together, but we were never friends. Goodbye.¡±

    Jasper was left speechless.

    On the way back, Winston allowed Alyssa and Jameson to sit in his car. Even a blind person could tell

    Winston was trying to create some alone time for them.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Winston¡¯s wives didn¡¯t ride in separate cars on the way back. Instead, they sat in one car to ease

    gossip.

    ¡°What is Winston thinking? Is he trying to set Lyse and Jameson up?¡±

    Colene could barely hold it in as the car started. ¡°Pfft, this must be an opportunity for a lifetime for that

    pipsqueak. He will sleep with a wide smile on his face every night if he bes part of our family.¡±

    ¡°The Schmidts aren¡¯t as influential as the Becketts in Sna City. I don¡¯t think Mr. Schmidt¡¯s status is

    suitable for our son¨Cinw,¡± Mandy said helplessly.

    *Lyse had always had her eyes on Mr. Beckett. Has she moved on? Is she ready for a new

    rtionship?¡±

    L hit the bullseye with her question,

    ¡°The best way to forget an old me is to start a new rtionship. If Lyse doesn¡¯t date another man,

    she will never forget that Beckett guy.¡±

 Chapter 905

    Chapter 905

    Colene thought about it. Perplexed, she said, ¡°Winston¡¯s attitude seemed odd to me. He told us he

    wasn¡¯t fond of the Schmidt family¡¯s sons. Why did he suddenly change his attitude toward Jameson?¡±

    Mandy frowned slightly.

    Jameson seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve.

    Alyssa stared out the window the whole time. She was uninterested in speaking to Jameson.

    Meanwhile, Jameson sat beside her quietly. His eyes didn¡¯t leave her for a second. He thought he was

    the luckiest man in the world, even if he was watching over her silently.

    *Jimmy, thank you for keeping mepany while I was at the hospital.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t look at him, but her tone was gentle. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired. Make sure you rest well when

    you get back. Please don¡¯t look for me for now.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, d¨Cdo you not wish to see me?¡± Jameson frowned as his heart tightened.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you told my father, but if you still want to be my friend, I hope everything stops here.¡±

    Alyssa looked at him this time, but her eyes were as cold as ice. ¡°Jasper and I will never happen.

    Neither will you and I.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I think there¡¯s a misunderstanding. I didn¡¯t say anything to Uncle Winston. I¡­¡±

    Alyssa closed her eyes and shook her head. ¡°Your image of me is still stuck in the past. 15 years have

    passed. I¡¯m no longer your guiding light. I can¡¯t do anything for you anymore.

    ¡°Our childhood friendship has brought us together after all this time. I cherish our friendship dearly. I

    hope you won¡¯t destroy what we have.

    ¡°If you still choose not to listen to me, I¡¯ll have to choose not to see you again.¡±

    Alyssa had tried her best to soften the blow and reject him politely.

    Yet, each word was like a cold dagger piercing Jameson¡¯s heart, leaving a trail of blood.

    He gasped hard. His fairplexion was nowpletely drained of color. He clenched his fists.

    He loved Alyssa with all his heart. Yet she treated his heart like a target, aiming her arrows at it again

    and again. He was deeply hurt. He wondered why she was so cruel to him.

    Colene thought about it. Perplexed, she said, ¡°Winston¡¯s attitude seemed odd to me. He told us he

    wasn¡¯t fond of the

    Schmidt family¡¯s sons. Why did he suddenly change his attitude toward Jameson?¡±

    Mandy frowned slightly.

    Jameson seemed to have some tricks up his sleeve.

    Alyssa stared out the window the whole time. She was uninterested in speaking to Jameson.

    Meanwhile, Jameson sat beside her quietly. His eyes didn¡¯t leave her for a second. He thought he was

    the

    luckiest man in the world, even if he was watching over her silently.

    ¡°Jimmy, thank you for keeping mepany while I was at the hospital.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t look at him, but her tone was gentle. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired. Make sure you rest well when

    you get back. Please don¡¯t look for me for now.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, d¨Cdo you not wish to see me?¡± Jameson frowned as his heart tightened.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you told my father, but if you still want to be my friend, I hope everything stops here.¡±

    Alyssa looked at him this time, but her eyes were as cold as ice. ¡°Jasper and I will never happen.

    Neither will you and I.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I think there¡¯s a misunderstanding. I didn¡¯t say anything to Uncle Winston, I¡­¡±

    Alyssa closed her eyes and shook her head. ¡°Your image of me is still stuck in the past. 15 years have

    passed. I¡¯m no longer your guiding light. I can¡¯t do anything for you anymore.

    ¡°Our childhood friendship has brought us together after all this time. I cherish our friendship dearly. I

    hope you won¡¯t destroy what we have.

    ¡°If you still choose not to listen to me, I¡¯ll have to choose not to see you again.¡±

    Alyssa had tried her best to soften the blow and reject him politely.

    Yet, each word was like a cold dagger piercing Jameson¡¯s heart, leaving a trail of blood.

    He gasped hard. His fairplexion was nowpletely drained of color. He clenched his fists.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    He loved Alyssa with all his heart. Yet she treated his heart like a target, aiming her arrows at it again

    and again. He was deeply hurt. He wondered why she was so cruel to him.

    In the tense atmosphere, Alyssa¡¯s phone vibrated.

    She looked down at her phone screen. Nina¡¯s name appeared. Her heart shuddered as she quickly

    answered.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± She lowered her voice since she hadpany.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor, a¨Care you free tonight? I need to see you!¡±

    Nina sounded anxious. She was whispering. ¡°I have something important to tell you. But I¡¯m with the

    Beckett family now. They have eyes everywhere, so I can¡¯t tell you over the phone,¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart was caught in her throat. She looked at her watch for the time. ¡°I¡¯ll find you tonight. Let¡¯s

    talk when we meet.¡±

    Jameson didn¡¯t move an inch. He observed her silently. She spoke very softly, so he didn¡¯t hear a thing.

    ¡°No, no! Please don¡¯te to me. I wille to you.¡±

    Nina was trembling in fear. Her voice shook as she repeated, ¡°I wille to you. Let me know where to

    meet you

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll send you a location shortly.¡±

    Alyssa knew Nina was in danger, so she didn¡¯t say more than she needed to. She hastily hung up.

    Jameson noticed the inexplicable look on her face and asked, ¡°Did something happen, Lyse? Is there

    anything I can help you with?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need!¡± Alyssa rejected him with lightning speed.

    Jameson was stunned. His eyes looked glum. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t get close to her.

    An invisible block of ice stood firmly before her. He wondered if he would ever break that barrier

    between them.

    Alyssa took a deep breath as she massaged her temple. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jimmy. You don¡¯t need to take me

    back to Belbanks. I have some matters to attend to at the hotel. I¡¯ll drop you back.¡±

 Chapter 906

    Chapter 906

    Nina paced back and forth in the garden after speaking to Alyssa on the phone. She was in distress.

    This was the first time she had ever done something like this in her life. Her heart wasn¡¯t strong enough

    to take it.

    She returned to the vi anxiously.

    All of a sudden, her heart stopped for a second. Jasper, who hadn¡¯t returned for a long time, entered

    the Exvi.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett¡­ Mr. Beckett!¡±

    Nina broke into a sweat. Her face paled as she ran after Jasper. She went in front of him to block him.

    had be She had been working as a maid here for many years, but she never dared to talk to him. She

    had no idea where she got the courage to charge toward him.

    Jasper frowned slightly. ¡°What can I do for you?¡±

    ¡°I¨CI¡­ You¡­¡± Nina cursed herself for getting tongue¨Ctied now.

    ¡°You can take your time.¡± Jasper looked at her lightly.

    He had never had this level of patience before. Now, Alyssa hadpletely influenced him. He was

    more easygoing and rational now

    Nina bit her lip hard. Her face reddened. She contemted telling Jasper the truth¨Cthat Sophia had

    killed his mother.

    She doubted if Jasper would believe her.

    She took a step forward. She made sure no one was around and lowered his voice. ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯m

    meeting with Ms. Taylor in secret somewhere tonight. C¨CCan you join us?¡±

    Jasper was shocked as his eyes constricted. He leaned his body forward abruptly. ¡°What did you say?

    You are meeting-¡±

    ¡°Nina! What are you doing?¡±

    Suddenly, a shrill voice came from above them.

    Nina looked up and saw Betty¡¯s fierce expression. She was terrified.

    Jasper noticed how oddly she was behaving. He had noticed her stuttering earlier. He deduced that

    Betty

    Or was that a secret plen for help?

    Eyes zing. Jasper felt invigorated and needed. He had a strong urge to protect Alyssa.

    Xavier asked with concern, ¡°Mr. Beckett, do you want me to go with you?¡±

    Sighing, Jasper shook his head. ¡°No. Nina only wants me there, meaning they don¡¯t want the others to

    learn about their n.¡±

    Still concerned, Xavier said, ¡°Does Ms. Alyssa know you¡¯ll be there? If it¡¯s only Nina¡¯s wish for you to be

    there, will Ms. Alyssa be angry when she sees you?¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll keep an eye on her from afar,¡± Jasper replied.

    His eyes filled with affection when he thought of Alyssa. He said, ¡®She¡¯s always out creating trouble. I¡¯m

    worried about her.¡±

    At 9:00 pm, Becky left the house, all dressed up. Soon after she left, Nina, dressed in ck and

    wearing a cap, sneaked out of Seaview Manor from the back entrance

    After Nina was gone, a ck sedan silently emerged from the shadows. The driver asked, ¡°Ms. Betty,

    do we tail her?¡±

    Jeffrey Snyder was a trusted staff member who worked as a special assistant for Sophia. Since he had

    served Sophia and Betty for many years, Sophia had ordered him to assist Betty¡¯s mission that night.

    Betty replied, ¡°No, we don¡¯t have to. We¡¯ll make her suffer for selling us out. If we tail her closely, we

    mightnd in trouble if someone takes photos of us.¡±

    After years of living with and learning from Sophia, Betty had honed her skills in executing

    unscrupulous ns.

    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll wait for Madam Sophia¡¯s orders and take action when the timees,¡± said Jeffrey

    unemotionally, just like a robot.

    Betty asked, ¡°What do you n to do?¡±

    ¡°Get up here quickly. I received some clothes earlier. Come and help me organize them. Hurry up!¡±

    Yes. Ms. Betty Nina pursed her lips. Torn, she looked at Jasper.

    Jasper inched closer to her. He spoke to her voice in a voice only audible to both of them, ¡°I will ask

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Xavier to get in touch with you. Please let him know where you are meeting Ms. Taylor tonight.¡±

    Nina returned to Betty¡¯s room at lightning speed. Betty had a mountain of clothes for her to manage.

    Betty sat on her couch with her legs crossed. She drank some wine as she stared coldly at Nina, who

    was working busily

    ¡°What did you tell Jasper earlier?

    Nina felt like she had a knife at her back. She tried her best to say firmly, ¡°I bumped into Mr. Beckett, so

    I greeted him. He asked me to get him a bottle of red wine from the wine cer and take it to his study.

    ¡°Hmph, Jasper is surrounded by tons of maids to help him. He has Xavier, too. Why would he ask

    you?¡±

    Betty¡¯s eyes turned grim as she mocked, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you have other intentions. Are you trying to

    curry favor and win him over? Why don¡¯t you take a look at yourself in the mirror? Know your ce.¡±

    Nina heard the insult and let out a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Nina, you know how close I am to Jasper. If you run to him and tell him some nonsense, I will make

    sure it will be the end of you

    ¡°Okay, I understand.¡± Ninaplied,

    Bettyzily leaned on the couch. I¡¯m going out for some fun and probably won¡¯te back tonight.¡±

    Nina was secretly overjoyed when she heard that. She had been worried about how she would excuse.

    herself to see Alyssa. Now, the chance had fallen into herp.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to serve me tonight. You can bead back and rest earlier. Consider this a holiday from

    me.

    ¡°Betty gestured with her hand, portraying a generous air

    ¡°T¨CT¨CThank you, Ms. Belly¡±

    Nina organized the clothes and left the ro

    The moment the door closed, the look on Betty¡¯s face changed. She called Sophia.

    Mom, I gave that bitch, Nina, time off tonight. I want to

    Jasper privately earlier. That little bitch may be the spy Jasper ced around me.

    ¡°Take the bait?¡± Sophia¡¯s tone was harsh.

    ¡°Yeah! Why would a maid like Nina have the guts to do something like that? Someone must have her

    back. This way, I can lure the person giving her orders out. Then, we will see who we are up against.¡±

    A sinister smile appeared on Betty¡¯s face. She was proud of her scheme.

    ¡°You imbecile! How could you be so stupid?¡±

    Sophia scolded her. ¡°You¡¯reying trouble for us for the future. Did you know that? I asked you to keep

    an eye on her. Now, you¡¯re letting her loose to talk to other people?

    ¡°You don¡¯t need an extra brain cell to know who we¡¯re up against. It¡¯s either Jasper or Alyssa. What if

    she secretly meets Alyssa tonight? What are we supposed to do? If she tells anyone what she knows,

    we¡¯ll be ruined.¡±

    Betty shuddered and pped herself hard on the forehead. She was so shortsighted not to see this

    coming.

    ¡°Nina will take action tonight.¡±

    Sophia exhaled hard. Her voice was chilling and sinister. ¡°She can walk out of Seaview Manor. But if

    she walks out of here, don¡¯t expect her toe back ever again.¡±

 Chapter 907

    Chapter 907

    Jasper returned to his study and waited for Xavier. As he smoked by the window with a contemtive

    look, Nina¡¯s words echoed in his mind, making his heart race.

    Did that mean the maid had been secretly in touch with Alyssa? Why?

    He mused, ¡°Alyssa, what exactly do you n to do? Why do you always make me worry?¡±

    He answered when he heard a knock on the door. Taking another drag of his cigarette, he flicked the

    cigarette ashes with his calloused fingers.

    Xavier shuffled into the room, shut the door, and handed Jasper a note, exining, ¡°Mr. Beckett, this ist

    the address that Nina wanted to give you. She¡¯ll meet Ms. Alyssa here tonight.¡±

    Jasper felt his chest tighten, and even his fingers shook as he epted the note. He cast a quick

    nce at it, immediately memorizing the address.

    Then, he questioned, ¡°What else did Nina tell you?¡±

    Xavier shook his head. ¡°Mr. Beckett, I feel that she¡¯s spying on this family for Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°She is a spy without a doubt,¡± replied Jasper, clutching the note tightly.

    Alyssa had always concocted ns under his nose and stirred up trouble.

    Xavier wondered aloud, ¡°What¡¯s Ms. Alyssa trying to do?¡±

    His eyes lit up when a thought crossed his mind. He eximed, ¡°Did she get a maid to spy on you

    because she still has feelings for you? It looks like Ms. Alyssa still has a ce for you in her heart.

    That¡¯s good news!¡±

    Jasper shot Xavier a gloomy stare while taking another puff helplessly,

    He wasn¡¯t delusional. Alyssa hadn¡¯t ced a mole in the Beckett family because of her feelings for him.

    She was a busy and ambitious career woman who had no time for that.

    Only one possibility remained. She must have been worried about certain problems within the Beckett

    family.

    Jasper wondered if Alyssa was thinking of ways to avenge L. If that was the case, all she had to do

    was discreetly carry out the n with Nina.

    Why did Nina run to him and expose her ns with Alyssa?

    Or was that a secret plea for help?

    Eyes zing, Jasper felt invigorated and needed. He had a strong urge to protect Alyssa.

    Xavier asked with concern, ¡°Mr. Beckett, do you want me to go with you?¡±

    Sighing, Jasper shook his head. ¡°No. Nina only wants me there, meaning they don¡¯t want the others to

    learn about their n.¡±

    Still concerned, Xavier said, ¡°Does Ms. Alyssa know you¡¯ll be there? If it¡¯s only Nina¡¯s wish for you to be

    there, will Ms. Alyssa be angry when she sees you?¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll keep an eye on her from afar,¡± Jasper replied.

    His eyes filled with affection when he thought of Alyssa. He said, ¡°She¡¯s always out creating trouble. I¡¯m

    worried about her.¡±

    At 9:00 pm, Becky left the house, all dressed up. Soon after she left, Nina, dressed in ck and

    wearing a cap, sneaked out of Seaview Manor from the back entrance

    After Nina was gone, a ck sedan silently emerged from the shadows. The driver asked, ¡°Ms. Betty,

    do we tail her?¡±

    Jeffrey Snyder was a trusted staff member who worked as a special assistant for Sophia. Since he had

    served Sophia and Betty for many years, Sophia had ordered him to assist Betty¡¯s mission that night.

    Betty replied, ¡°No, we don¡¯t have to. We¡¯ll make her suffer for selling us out. If we tail her closely, we

    mightnd in trouble if someone takes photos of us.¡±

    After years of living with and learning from Sophia, Betty had honed her skills in executing

    unscrupulous ns.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll wait for Madam Sophia¡¯s orders and take action when the timees,¡± said Jeffrey

    unemotionally, just like a robot.

    Betty asked, ¡°What do you n to do?¡±

 Chapter 908

    Chapter 908

    Betty raised a brow leisurely and asked Jeffrey, ¡°Does my mom want to kick Nina out of the family or

    get rid of her for good?¡±

    ¡°Madam Sophia wants Nina gone for good to avoid any future trouble,¡± Jeffrey replied with indifference.

    Betty gasped, ¡°She¡¯s ruthless!¡±

    ¡°If Madam weren¡¯t heartless, you wouldn¡¯t be enjoying afortable and pampered life.¡±

    ¡°Hmph. Even if Mom did nothing, I would still have enjoyed the same life.¡± Betty dismissed Jeffrey¡¯s

    statement.

    Jeffrey looked at her through the rearview mirror with disdain. ¡°Are you sure, Ms. Betty?¡±

    Betty was upset at Jeffrey¡¯s contempt. In her eyes, Sophia had resorted to underhanded tactics to

    marry

    Javier out of desperation to elevate her status as a mistress.

    But Betty considered herself different. She didn¡¯t need to lift a finger to secure her position. She had

    been born into wealth and status as Javier Beckett¡¯s daughter.

    Fed up with Sophia constantly branding her as dumb, Betty was determined to prove her capabilities.

    She was determined to show Sophia that she was supe superior.

    With that goal in mind, she leaned forward and whispered to Jeffrey maliciously, ¡°Jeffrey, I have a

    brilliant idea to remove those who wish harm upon my mom and me.¡±

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    He cast her an amused nce. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we let Nina meet the mastermind behind this? Then, we¡¯ll get rid of them at once. Doesn¡¯t

    that sound exhrating?¡±

    Grinning evilly, Betty added, ¡°Besides, I¡¯m very sure that Nina¡¯s a spy working for Alyssa. It¡¯s a shoddy

    method, unlike what Jasper would normally do.

    ¡°And if Nina was working for Jasper, she wouldn¡¯t have had to take the risk of sneaking out of the

    housete at night.¡±

    Jeffrey nodded. ¡°So you want me to get rid of Alyssa Taylor?¡±

    Betty¡¯s heart raced at the idea of getting rid of Alyssa. The thought made her nervous, fearful, yet

    excited.

    It was her dream to get rid of Alyssa.

    However, if Betty got rid of Alyssa, she knew that Winston would go to lengths to avenge his daughter.

    It

    Still, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to take action against Alyssa, especially given that she

    would

    meet with Nina without much security around.

    Betty prodded cautiously with a menacing look. ¡°Do you have the guts to do it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal to me. This isn¡¯t my first stint,¡± Jeffrey answered.

    Coming from an assassin background, he was trained to be a murderer. In his eyes, Alyssa¡¯s life was

    nothing

    Betty¡¯s eyes glimmered. Sheughed loudly and said, ¡°Today shall be her death anniversary if you dare

    to take her life!¡±

    Alyssa and Sean waited for Nina at a park on the west side of Sna City. There was no one around.

    Given her current status and fame, Alyssa would attract unwanted attention if she met Nina in crowded.

    public areas, which would only bring trouble for thetter.

    Sean checked his watch a few times nervously. He muttered, ¡°Why isn¡¯t she here yet? Did she run into

    trouble?¡±

    Alyssa frowned in concern.

    Sean questioned, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, did Nina ask you to meet up because she got hold of some important

    clues against Sophia?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll know when she arrives.¡±

    Soon, they heard urgent footsteps nearing them. Nina sprinted to them, sweaty and pale. She

    eximed.¡±

    Ms. Alyssa, run! Someone has been following me, and they¡¯re here now. Run now!¡±

    Alyssa quickly held the limp and scared Nina in her arms. She fixed an intense gaze on Nina and

    comforted thetter calmly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as you¡¯re with me, I won¡¯t let anyone hurt you.

 Chapter 909

    Chapter 909

    When Nina had been speaking, Alyssa and Sean had heard heavy footsteps approaching.

    Sean warily shielded Alyssa and Nina behind him, clenching his fists as the muscles beneath his suit

    tightened.

    Nina was in shock, but Alyssa calmly fixed her gaze on the three men in ck in front of them as she

    tightened her hold on Nina.

    She swiftly examined the leader, Jeffrey, and immediately sensed that he was a tough nut based on her

    years of experience.

    Sean gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Jeffrey tilted his head and looked past Sean to stare at Alyssa. He said tly. ¡°You must be Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± she replied firmly

    ¡°You¡¯re indeed a beauty, as the rumors say,¡± Jeffrey remarked, shing her an ugly smile.

    ¡°What a pity¡±

    Alyssa clenched her jaw as she trembled in rage at his audacity. She growled, ¡°Are you working for

    Sophia

    Kirkman? Did she send you here to kill me?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you could have lived afortable life, but you had to get into trouble and poke your

    nose. into others¡® business. It¡¯s only fair that you take responsibility for your actions¡±

    ¡°Responsibility?¡± Alyssa guffawed fearlessly.

    ¡°Tryying a finger on me. You better pray you kill me today because if I survive, I¡¯ll make sure you and

    your men die a nasty death.¡±

    Jeffrey smiled, unfazed, recalling how those who had issued simr threats to him had all perished.

    Sean rolled his fists and urged Alyssa to leave. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ll hold the fort. Run with Nina!¡±

    ¡°Nina, leave,¡± Alyssa instructed, shoving her away.

    Then, she turned to Sean with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll back you up. You can¡¯t fight three men alone.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­¡± As Sean exchanged nces with Alyssa, he felt a warm current surge through his body.

    He was destined to be an important work partner for Alyssa in this life. They would never be anything

    more than that. He might marry someone and start a family one day, but no one could rece Alyssa.

    What had once been romantic love for Alyssa had transformed into unwavering loyalty.

    Meanwhile, Nina was reluctant to escape and leave them behind, but she knew her weak physique

    would only be a burden.

    Nodding tearfully at Alyssa, Nina was about to leave when two men surrounded her, cutting off her

    escape. The trio found themselves cornered

    There was danger in the air. They might not be as lucky this time.

    Jeffrey cracked his neck, never once shifting his gaze from Alyssa ¡°Let¡¯s not waste time. Get the job

    done, but leave Ms. Alyssa for me I will get rid of her with my own hands as a show of respect.¡±

    A ck Lamborghini drove over and parked by the deste road.

    Jasper emerged and cast a heavy nce at the shadowy park. He cautiously approached the park, the

    chilly wind stinging his face. An ominous feeling apanied the silence

    He and Alyssa shared a telepathic bond, perhaps due to his constant thoughts of Alyssa or the

    numerous life¨Cor¨Cdeath situations they had faced together:

 Chapter 910

    Chapter 910

    Jasper¡¯s phone rang at that moment. The caller ID was unknown. He recalled that he had asked Xavier

    to share his personal phone number with Nina just in case of an emergency.

    He rarely received any calls on his personal phone, which meant that the caller must be Nina.

    Bracing for what he sensed might be bad news, he swiftly answered, ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, save Ms. Alyssa. Save her! We¡¯re¨CAh- Nina abruptly dropped her phone as she

    screamed.

    Holding his breath, he stared at the dark screen as his heart pounded wildly.

    Alyssa¡¯s name echoed urgently in his mind. With beads of sweat forming on his forehead, he raced.

    toward the park while calling Xavier.

    He said urgently, ¡°Something¡¯s happened to Alyssa. Send backup my way right now.¡±

    The sounds of a scuffle rang through the park as Sean expended every ounce of energy to fend off the

    attackers, desperately delivering punches and kicks

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Despite his swift moves. Sean found himself overpowered by a group of men armed with knives. Soon,

    he was pinned down after ten grueling rounds of fighting.

    By this point, he had suffered deep, bloody cuts to his left arm and right legs. His clean suit was in

    tatters, and his white shirt was blood¨Cstained. He looked pitiful and disheveled.

    However, he held on and endured the pain due to his strong conviction to protect Alyssa.

    Jeffrey lost his patience with Sean. He grumbled, ¡°He¡¯s surely a difficult one.¡± With a swift motion, he

    drove a knife into Sean¡¯s left shoulder and twisted it mercilessly

    Sean grabbed Jeffrey¡¯s hand that was holding the knife as he grimaced and wailed from the

    excruciating. pain.

    He felt as though his flesh and bones were crushed, and he wondered if he would lose his left arm for

    good.

    Jeffrey whispered in his ear, ¡°It¡¯s troublesome to kill you off because we can¡¯t be bothered to dispose of

    your corpse. Otherwise, I¡¯d stab you in the stomach and cut through all your intestines.¡±

    After that, he kicked Sean, making thetternd hard on the ground.

    Seething with anger, Alyssa snapped the arm of one of the ck¨Cd attackers.

    Lying on the ground in a pool of blood, Sean stared at Alyssa through tears of guilt. He didn¡¯t fear

    death, but the thought of leaving Alyssa unprotected haunted him.

    Enraged, Alyssa seized a knife from her opponent and avenged Sean by driving it into the attacker¡¯s

    left shoulder.

    Jeffrey looked amused as he observed Alyssa¡¯s moves. Unlike other youngdies from prominent

    families, she disyed not only courage and strategy but also remarkablebat skills, just like a

    man.

    Had Alyssa note after Sophia, Jeffrey would have spared a talented beauty like her.

    After defeating an attacker, Alyssa rushed to Sean¡¯s side. Yet a bad feeling gripped her as she sensed

    someone approaching from behind.

    Sean summoned thest of his energy to warn her, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, look out!¡±

    His heart nearly stopped with fear,

    Behind her, someone had raised a dagger, ready to strike and take her life like a Grim Reaper.

 Chapter 911

    Chapter 911

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡± Turning white, Nina screamed and fear.

    Alyssa was overwhelmed by fear, and her eyes wavered as she surrendered to fate.

    At that moment, all her senses shut down. Scenes from her life shed across her eyes, and they were

    all memories of Jasper.

    She recalled their memorable first encounter 13 years ago, their days on the Luminara battlefields, their

    marriage, divorce, and holding on to each other amid andslide.

    She took a deep breath, and tears streamed down her face. People always say that one faced their

    real self before dying

    Was she still in love with Jasper, or did she hate him so much that she thought of him before dying?

    She heard a whiz, a sound that caused her eardrums to reverberate. Death didn¡¯t arrive as she had

    expected.

    Caught by surprise, Jeffrey felt a sharp pain in his wrist. Before he knew it, someone had kicked the

    dagger in his hand away, making it drop into the pond.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa turned around and saw the angry Jaspere to her rescue. The despair in her eyes vanished,

    reced by renewed hope. Her heart raced, and tears welled up in her eyes.

    He hade. He hade for her.

    Breathing heavily, Jasper stared deeply at her. He was enraged to see the cut on her arm, which was

    bleeding now. At that moment, he appeared intimidating, even to Jeffrey, who was used to killing.

    Worse, Jeffrey had failed to anticipate Jasper¡¯s arrival.

    Jasper red at Jeffrey while shielding Alyssa behind him, offering her careful protection. He

    questioned,

    ¡°I have seen you before, haven¡¯t I? Do you work for Sophia?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Sean was furious to learn that.

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t surprised that Sophia wanted to harm her. But why now? It didn¡¯t make sense. Sophia¡¯s

    rash move would only expose her wrongdoings.

    Alyssa also considered the possibility that Sophia wanted Nina dead and had only decided to get rid of

    her at the same time.

    Why would Sophia want to harm Nina? Had Nina discovered a huge secret?

    The other three attackers looked mortified when they saw Jasper. However, they had no other choice

    but to fight him to the end. They hoped that they could subdue Jasper and get out of this situation

    unharmed.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Sophia? I don¡¯t know her,¡± Jeffrey remarked while holding his wrist, which was numb from the

    pain.

    He shot Jasper an evil grin and added, ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. All I need to do is make sure none of you

    survive.¡±

    Jeffrey, who was bold enough to attempt to kill Alyssa, wouldn¡¯t flinch at the thought of killing Jasper at

    all. To him, Jasper was nothing more than Javier Beckett¡¯s bastard son.

    ¡°I only wanted you arrested, but seeing as you¡¯ve hurt my woman, I have to kill you,¡± Jasper

    threatened.

    Tightening his fists, he dashed toward Jeffrey before thetter could react.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa blushed, and her breathing became uneven upon hearing Jasper call her his

    woman.

 Chapter 912

    Chapter 912

    However, Alyssa was pulled out of her thoughts as Jasper engaged in a fierce brawl with Jeffrey. Each

    punch he delivered was forceful and rapid.

    The three other men ran toward Jasper, aiming their knives at him. They were determined to kill him.

    There was no other option.

    ¡°Jasper, look out! Behind you!¡± Alyssa shouted, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

    Since Jasper hadn¡¯t fully recovered, facing Jeffrey alone would be a daunting task for him. Now, things

    were worse with the trio of attackers closing in on him.

    Not only that, Jeffrey was a merciless man whose each move aimed to kill.

    Jasper was empowered when he heard Alyssa¡¯s warning. Without looking back, he grabbed the

    attacker¡¯s wrist and snapped it. The attacker¡¯s agonizing scream pierced through the night.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart was pounding wildly. Memories of Jasper¡¯s valor on the battlefield flooded her mind.

    In the next instant, she watched as he decisively stabbed the attacker. As a doctor, she realized that

    Jasper hadn¡¯t stabbed the attacker in any vital parts of his body. He had intentionally spared the

    attacker¡¯s life.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Despite having lived afortable life for years, he had retained his excellentbat skills, which

    were more than sufficient to take down the three attackers.

    Jasper clutched the dagger in his hand and questioned Jeffrey. ¡°Were you the one who hurt my

    woman?¡± Jeffrey ground his teeth and snickered.

    Jasper threatened, ¡°If she¡¯s hurt, I will break your leg. If she bleeds, I¡¯ll make you pay with your life.¡±

    He felt pained when he thought of the cut on Alyssa¡¯s arm. However, he dared not look her in the eye,

    fearing that she might be annoyed at him.

    Alyssa pressed her pale lips when she listened to him. Her breathing quickened as she grappled with

    her mixed emotions.

    Jeffrey cackled loudly. The situation had spiraled out of his control. Fueled by anger, he boldly

    brandished a gun and aimed it at Alyssa¡¯s shocked face.

    He hadn¡¯t used the gun earlier because he had wanted to kill Alyssa quietly. To his dismay, Jasper¡¯s

    abrupt arrival had disrupted his ns. With no other recourse, he had to speed things up.

    ¡°No! Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean paled.

    He was desperate to shield Alyssa, but he found himself unable to move.

    After a momentary shock, Jasper quickly rushed up to grab the gun from Jeffrey, but it was toote.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, say goodbye to your woman!¡±

    What followed was an ear¨Csplitting gunshot.

    Trembling from head to toe, Jasper bellowed in despair, ¡°No!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were misty. She could hear the sound of the bulleting in her direction.

    Since her days as a battlefield medic, she had developed an acute sensitivity to the sound of gunfire.

    Even after she had returned home, she had suffered from PTSD until she had sought help from a

    mental health professional and worked on her trauma for a while.

    Closing her eyes in dread, she anticipated the worst, only to be startled by a weak moan from the

    ground. beside her.

    Confused, she opened her eyes. Gaping in shock as she eximed, ¡°Ninal¡±

 Chapter 913

    Chapter 913

    Nina threw herself in front of Alyssa, protecting thetter with her feeble frame. Her opened arms fell

    limply, and her body copsed onto the floor.

    Jasper and Sean were shocked by the sight. Alyssa hugged Nina, only to feel the wetness in her

    hands. Trembling, she lifted her hand and teared up at what she saw.

    ¡°Nina! You¡®

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, listen¡­¡± Nina was losing her consciousness fast.

    She opened her mouth with difficulty as the color drained from her face.

    Alyssa hurriedly stopped her from speaking. ¡°Stop talking! You need to conserve your energy. I¡¯ll get

    your to the hospital!¡±

    Crying. Alyssa tried to lift Nina in her arms, but she failed because she was too exhausted from the

    fight. Instead, she offered, ¡°I¡¯ll stop your bleeding!¡±

    Nina shook her head, muttering. ¡°It¡¯s toote. I know Sophia¡¯s secret. She killed Madam Anne¡­ the

    evidence¡­ the phone¡­¡±

    Alyssa felt a sharp pang course through her body. A coldness enveloped her. She looked at Jasper

    through tears as he wrestled the gun from Jeffrey. She also heard the police siren nearing

    Realizing he couldn¡¯t escape, Jeffrey turned and leaped into the pond, Jasper fired two shots at him,

    after

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    which the gun clicked empty. Jeffrey vanished beneath the water.

    ¡°Nina, we¡¯re safe! Nina!¡± Alyssa cried, removing her jacket to apply pressure to Nina¡¯s nonstop

    abdominal bleeding.

    She cried, determined to save Nina¡¯s life, but as a doctor, she could tell from experience that Nina was

    dying.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Madam!¡± Xavier arrived at the scene with the Becketts¡® security force.

    Jonah, Axel, and Cyrus followed closely behind him.

    ¡°Lyse! Lyse!¡± Alyssa¡¯s brothers called out to her.

    However, she was focused on Nina, watching helplessly as Nina¡¯s face turned pale and her eyes

    closed slowly.

    Witnessing the scene, Jonah clutched a cross in sadness. Xavier, who rushed over to assist Jasper,

    ¡°No! Ms. Alyssa!¡± Sean paled.

    He was desperate to shield Alyssa, but he found himself unable to move.

    After a momentary shock, Jasper quickly rushed up to grab the gun from Jeffrey, but it was toote.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, say goodbye to your woman!¡±

    What followed was an ear¨Csplitting gunshot.

    Trembling from head to toe, Jasper bellowed in despair, ¡°No!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were misty. She could hear the sound of the bulleting in her direction.

    Since her days as a battlefield medic, she had developed an acute sensitivity to the sound of gunfire.

    Even after she had returned home, she had suffered from PTSD until she had sought help from a

    mental health professional and worked on her trauma for a while.

    Closing her eyes in dread, she anticipated the worst, only to be startled by a weak moan from the

    ground beside her.

    Confused, she opened her eyes. Gaping in shock as she eximed, ¡°Nina!¡±

    Nina threw herself in front of Alyssa, protecting thetter with her feeble frame. Her opened arms fell

    limply, and her body copsed onto the floor.

    Jasper and Sean were shocked by the sight. Alyssa hugged Nina, only to feel the wetness in her

    hands. Trembling, she lifted her hand and teared up at what she saw.

    ¡°Nina! You¡®

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, listen¡­¡± Nina was losing her consciousness fast.

    She opened her mouth with difficulty as the color drained from her face.

    Alyssa hurriedly stopped her from speaking. ¡°Stop talking! You need to conserve your energy. I¡¯ll get

    your to the hospital!¡±

    Crying. Alyssa tried to lift Nina in her arms, but she failed because she was too exhausted from the

    fight.

    Instead, she offered. ¡°I¡¯ll stop your bleeding!¡±

    Nina shook her head, muttering, ¡°It¡¯s toote. I know¡­ Sophia¡¯s secret. She¡­ killed Madam Anne¡­

    the evidence the phone¡­¡±

    ¨C

    Alyssa felt a sharp pang course through her body. A coldness enveloped her. She looked at Jasper

    through tears as he wrestled the gun from Jeffrey. She also heard the police siren nearing.

    Realizing he couldn¡¯t escape, Jeffrey turned and leaped into the pond. Jasper fired two shots at him,

    after which the gun clicked empty. Jeffrey vanished beneath the water.

    ¡°Nina, we¡¯re safe! Nina!¡± Alyssa cried, removing her jacket to apply pressure to Nina¡¯s nonstop

    abdominal bleeding.

    She cried, determined to save Nina¡¯s life, but as a doctor, she could tell from experience that Nina was

    dying.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! Madam!¡± Xavier arrived at the scene with the Becketts¡® security force..

    Jonah, Axel, and Cyrus followed closely behind him.

    ¡°Lyse! Lyse!¡± Alyssa¡¯s brothers called out to her.

    However, she was focused on Nina, watching helplessly as Nina¡¯s face turned pale and her eyes

    closed slowly

    Witnessing the scene, Jonah clutched a cross in sadness. Xavier, who rushed over to assist Jasper,

    He said, ¡°You¡¯re badly injured. The ambnce is here. You need to get treated at the hospital,¡±

    Despite his contempt for Sean, deep down, he knew that Sean was a kind man. Moreover, it was all

    thanks to Sean that Alyssa was safe. Xavier couldn¡¯t bring himself to picture the alternative scenario.

    Jasper stared at Alyssa, who was holding Nina in her arms and crying. His heart ached for her. No

    matter how hard he tried to suppress his emotions, tears welled in his own eyes as well.

    Just as he mustered up the courage to approach Alyssa, Axel showed up by her side and attempted to

    carry her.

    Axel said, ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ll take you to the hospital. This youngdy is badly injured. She¡¯ll need to be sent to

    the hospital as well.¡±

    The medical staff swiftly moved Nina onto a stretcher and into the ambnce.

    ¡°Axel, is Nina¡­ is she going to wake up? Will she be fine?¡± Alyssa questioned, eyeing Nina while

    exhaustedly resting in Axel¡¯s arms.

    Frowning, Axel lifted Alyssa into his arms andforted her. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. She will.¡±

    When he turned around, he shot a nce at Jasper. When their eyes met, Axel nodded at him glumly.

    Jasper watched them leave. Despite Axel¡¯s silence, Jasper understood the gratitude he had expressed

    with that nod.

 Chapter 914

    Chapter 914

    After Alyssa and Sean left with the Taylor siblings, the police arrested the attackers. With blood

    everywhere, the scene looked like a mess with blood.

    Still, he felt more exhausted than he had during his days on the battlefield.

    Cyrus approached him with two policemen and, after casting a look at the gun, said sternly, ¡°Please

    come to the police station with us to assist in the investigation.¡±

    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Xavier eximed, shielding Jasper from the authorities, his

    face. flushed.

    He exined, ¡°Mr. Beckett wrestled the gun away from the attacker! You can¡¯t possibly suspect him as

    the shooter, can you? If it hadn¡¯t been for Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa would have-¡±

    ¡°Enough, Xavier. Stop it.¡± Jasper cut him off and calmly faced Cyrus. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll go.¡±

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, please don¡¯t misunderstand us. I¡¯m not treating you as a suspect. The police have a

    standard operating procedure for cases like these. I trust you¡¯ll cooperate with our investigation,¡± Cyrus

    conveyed hesitantly.

    It was rare for Cyrus to address Jasper nicely. He lowered his voice and added, ¡°Even Lyse has to

    cooperate with the investigation, but she¡¯s not in the right state of mind for it right now.

    ¡°Besides, she needs medical attention. I¡¯ll take her statement tomorrow.¡±

    Jasper was heartbroken when he thought of Alyssa. ¡°Mr. Cyrus, may I visit Alyssa before that? I¡¯m

    worried.

    Cyrus would have rejected such requests under normal circumstances. However, given that Jasper had

    saved Alyssa from the shooting. Cyrus didn¡¯t have the heart to turn down the former¡¯s humble request.

    The atmosphere in the hospital weighed heavily on everyone. Sean had been sent to the operating

    theater for surgery on his stab wound.

    He suffered the worst injury to his left shoulder. If anything went wrong during surgery, there was a risk

    of permanent damage to his left arm.

    Alyssa had wanted to perform the surgery on Sean, but Jonah and Axel had held her back. She was

    too weak right now and could copse before the surgery was over.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lyse. I¡¯ve gathered the best experts in Sna City, I¡¯ll do everything in my power to

    ensure the doctors save Sean¡¯s left arm,¡± Jonahforted Alyssa, holding her in his arms.

    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. Sean wouldn¡¯t have been injured if it hadn¡¯t been for me,¡± Alyssa said tearfully,

    consumed by guilt.

    ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself, Lyse. No one could have foreseen this,¡± Axel consoled her, his eyes welling up

    with tears.

    He always felt tortured when he saw Alyssa upset.

    They heard urgent footsteps, followed by a man¡¯s voice. ¡°Lyse!¡±

    Liam, who hadn¡¯t met with his siblings for a while, rushed over with Ss from the end of the corridor.

    Except for Cyrus, all the Taylor sons were by Alyssa¡¯s side. As her brothers, they feltpelled to keep

    their sisterpany at such a critical moment.

    ¡°Liam!¡± Axel¡¯s eyes lit up with joy when he saw Liam.

    Everyone in the family knew that Liam and Axel had been closest to each other since childhood. One

    couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was because they had both taken their mother¡¯sst name.

    Ss pouted, jealous at how Axel had shown such enthusiasm toward Liam.

    Liam nodded softly at Axel before marching up to Alyssa in his military boots. He called out to her,

    ¡°Lyse? Lyse, I¡¯m here.¡±

    She looked up and squinted at him with her swollen eyes. Her lips trembled as she spoke, ¡°Liam,

    you¡¯re here. I got into trouble.¡±

    Swallowing hard, Liam felt sorry for Alyssa and sped her cold hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Lyse. There¡¯s nothing to fear. I¡¯m not scared of trouble. I¡¯m only worried that you¡¯ll

    keep your troubles from me. No matter what happens, I¡¯ve got your back.¡±

 Chapter 915

    Chapter 915

    ¡°Liam, I can never make amends for what I¡¯ve done, Alyssa mumbled as she closed her eyes in pain

    and cried in Jonah¡¯s arms.

    The Taylor brothers had seen Alyssa cry before. In fact, she was a crybaby. In public, she presented

    herself as a capable and invincible career woman.

    Only her brothers knew that she was just an ordinary youngdy who was emotionally vulnerable and

    needed attention.

    However, Alyssa seemed to be badly affected this time. They guessed that it would take her longer to

    recover from the shock.

    Ss and Liam had been briefed on the situation while they were on their way to the hospital. They had

    learned that Sean was badly injured but alive, with a chance of recovery.

    However, the youngdy named Nina had lost vital signs upon reaching the ICU. Alyssa had nearly

    knelt. on the floor there, begging the surgeons to save Nina¡¯s life.

    Everyone prayed hard that the brave and pitiful woman would survive the ordeal.

    ¡°Jonah, I heard Sean¡¯s suffered a serious injury. Have we informed his family?¡± Ss asked with

    concern,

    The light in Jonah¡¯s eyes dimmed. ¡°Before Sean underwent the surgery, he repeatedly reminded me to

    keep his injury a secret from his parents.

    ¡°His parents are old, and his mother suffers from poor health. He¡¯s worried that she might rpse due

    to the shock.¡±

    Ss mused, ¡°But it¡¯ll take Sean a few months to recover, wouldn¡¯t it? We can keep the secret for a few

    days, but we can¡¯t do that for months!¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s inform the Lynch family after Sean¡¯s condition has stabilized post¨Csurgery. It won¡¯te as a

    huge shock to them that way,¡± Axel suggested with a serious face.

    At that moment, Cyrus jogged up to them. ¡°Guys! You¡¯re all here?¡±

    Finally, all the Taylor brothers were present. Despite being sessful and talented in their respective

    fields, they were helpless in front of the inconsble Alyssa.

    How could they possiblyfort Alyssa? She had witnessed the fragile Nina take a bullet for her and

    copse in front of her eyes. Anyone with a conscience would be overwhelmed by guilt.

    ¡°Cyrus, I thought you had to take the witness statements at the police station. Why did you..¡± Liam¡¯s

    voice trailed off when he noticed Jasper quietly standing not far away from them, granting the family

    some private space to speak.

    Standing behind Jasper was Xavier, who feared for Jasper¡¯s safety upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s brothers

    gathering.

    Even if Jasper and Alyssa got back together and remarried, life at the Beckett family would never be

    the same for Alyssa anymore.

    The Taylor brothers castplicated looks at Jasper. Alyssa rubbed her reddened eyes and took

    heavy steps toward Jasper.

    Jasper watched her approach him. His heart pounded wildly. He spoke in a hoarse voice, ¡°Are you

    okay?

    Have they tended to your injury?¡±

    Ignoring his question, she looked into his worried eyes and informed him, ¡°Nina is still in the emergency

    room,¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°I know. Everything will be fine. I¡¯ll wait with you.¡± Jasperforted her, clenching his fists to fight off

    the urge to hug her.

 Chapter 916

    Chapter 916

    ¡°Why were you there tonight?¡± Alyssa whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.

    ¡°It was all because of Nina. She bumped into me at Seaview Manor this afternoon and informed me

    about the meeting tonight,¡± Jasper confessed.

    ¡°I went to the park because I was worried.¡±

    His concern was justified. Alyssa recalled the huge secret Nina had revealed before losing

    consciousness. Tensing up, she trembled harder. She hesitated to disclose the information to Jasper.

    lina¡¯s broken phone.

    Instead, she touched the front pocket of her shirt, where she had stored Nina¡¯s

    Frowning slightly, Jasper removed his jacket and draped it over her, wrapping it tightly around her.

    She stared nkly ahead without resistance. At that moment, her sole focus was on Sean and Nina¡¯s

    well- being, leaving her with no energy to spare for anything else.

    She inquired, ¡°Have the police arrested that man?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°They¡¯ve issued a warrant for him. The police and my security team have set up roadblocks across the

    city, including the roads to the airport, the train station, and the highway. He won¡¯t be able to escape,¡±

    Jasper exined, breathing heavily in rage.

    *Illegal use of a firearm,mon assault, attempted murder¡­ If he¡¯s proven guilty, he¡¯ll have to pay for

    his crimes for the rest of his life.¡±

    Images of Nina being shot shed across Alyssa¡¯s mind. The anger was evident in her eyes. Taking a

    deep breath, she closed her eyes and covered her ears.

    Jasper instantly recognized her behavior as PTSD symptoms. Feeling sorry, he gently enclosed her in

    a warm embrace.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid ¡­¡± He gently patted her trembling back as he clenched his jaw.

    He was just an ordinary man. Even when he was in front of her, he felt the pain and the urge to cry.

    The Taylor brothers looked at Jasper and Alyssa with mixed feelings. Frowning hard, Liam was about

    to stop them when Jonah and Axel held him back.

    Sighing. Axel advised, ¡°Liam, I know you dislike Jasper. I don¡¯t like him either. But I have to give credit

    where it¡¯s due. Had it not been for his help tonight, we would have lost Lyse.¡±

    Wide¨Ceyed, Liam couldn¡¯t believe what Axel had said.

    Axel put his hands in his pockets and puckered. ¡°They were married for three years. There¡¯s no such

    thing as Jasper taking advantage of Alyssa. They would have already been intimate in their three years

    together

    Ss, Cyrus, and m were rendered speechless by Axel¡¯s logic. Meanwhile, Jonah was surprised that

    Axel was siding with Jasper.

    He recalled Axel¡¯s strong opposition to the secret marriage between Alyssa and Jasper. In fact, Axel

    had nearly flown a ne to Beckett Group Tower and dropped a bomb on

    Even though Axel could be hot¨Ctempered at times, he could be principled and level headed when

    discerning right from wrong.

    At that moment, the doors of the ICU swung open. Alyssa looked up and rushed to the surgeon, Jasper

    closely followed behind her, never once looking away from her

    ¡°Doctor! How is Nina?¡± Alyssa struggled to keep her tired, bloodshot eyes open. Her eyes sparkled with

    wis hope.

    The surgeon¡¯s gown was stained with Nina¡¯s blood.

 Chapter 917

    Chapter 917

    Everyone gathered around the surgeon and stared at him nervously.

    The surgeon exhaled deeply, shaking his head somberly as he disclosed, ¡°The bullet caused significant

    damage to her organ, leading to a hemorrhage.

    ¡°Frankly, there was little hope from the moment she arrived at the hospital. I regret to inform you, Ms.

    Alyssa, that we couldn¡¯t save her. We tried our best.¡±

    As a doctor herself, Alyssa understood the weight and emotions behind the phrase ¡°we tried our best¡°.

    The Taylor family members lowered their heads defeatedly. Liam removed his military beret as a sign of

    respect to thete Nina,

    Even though they had known that Nina¡¯s chances of survival were slim when they had stepped into the

    hospital, it still hurt to hear the confirmation. Alyssa was the only person in disbelief.

    ¡°No! That can¡¯t be real. Nina is strong. How could she have died?¡± Alyssa tugged at the surgeon¡¯s arm

    and repeatedly yelled as she spiralled into hysteria.

    ¡°Lyse, calm down!¡± Jasper hugged her from behind, desperately wanting to share her pain.

    Heforted her, saying, ¡°I believe Nina didn¡¯t suffer. We can¡¯t revive the dead, but we can seek

    justice for her.¡±

    Nina wasn¡¯t Alyssa¡¯s kin or friend, yet she had willingly sacrificed her young life to protect Alyssa. The

    weight of guilt and anguish bore down on Alyssa, who believed that she had indirectly murdered Nina.

    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I was wrong. I put her in danger¡­. Tears streamed down her face.

    She jabbed her chest with her fingers, wishing that they were des that could cut through her chest.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Seeing her anguish, Jasper felt his heart shatter. He choked up, feeling bitter.

    Upon regaining consciousness, Alyssa found herself lying on a hospital bed, tethered to an IV drip.

    Only

    Ss and Axel were with her. The others were busy taking care of matters in the hospital.

    ¡°Axel,¡± Alyssa called out softly.

    Seated at her bedside, Axel sped her hand. I¡¯m here, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°Before Nina passed on, she told me there was important evidence in her phone, but I couldn¡¯t switch it

    Patting his chest, Axel reassured her, ¡°Not a problem. Leave it to me.¡±

    Although he aimed for a confident smile, his attempt failed due to the somber mood. ¡°Even if the

    phone¡± in pieces, I can retrieve the data as long as the SIM card is intact.¡±

    Relieved, Alyssa closed her eyes again.

    Ss, ever vignt, picked up on a crucial term. ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s the evidence? Did the attackerse for

    it?

    Is that why Nina died?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but I need concrete evidence before I can tell you the details,¡± she responded, her nails digging

    into her palm as a painful reminder of the fury and resentment she harbored.

    She wanted revenge.

 Chapter 918

    Chapter 918

    Alyssa vowed to take revenge for Sean, Nina, and every single one of Sophia¡¯s victims.

    Jasper lingered by the window at the end of the corridor. It was past midnight, but sleep eluded him. He

    stared out of the window, his eyes red.

    He had called Landon and asked him to meet up right away. After Landon had coaxed Lauren to sleep,

    he had instructed Angelina to watch over Lauren before rushing to meet with Jasper.

    With a cigarette between his lips, Landon suddenly remembered that he was at the hospital. He put the

    cigarette out impatiently.

    ¡°Jasper, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve reached out to the gangs, and they will do anything I ask them to. The

    attacker willy low because the authorities are after him, but he doesn¡¯t have an escape route

    anymore. My ment will secretly look for him in Sna City three times a day. His fate is sealed.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, bro.¡± Jasper ced a hand on Landon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Have you told Lauren about Nina?¡±

    A troubled expression crossed Landon¡¯s face as he rubbed his forehead and sighed.

    ¡°Damn it! I would never do that. How could I break such news to her? I had only met Nina once, but I

    could tell she was a kind soul, not to mention she was close to Lauren. I¡¯m afraid Lauren will crumble if

    she learns about Nina¡¯s death.¡±

    ¡°Right. We can¡¯t let her know,¡± Jasper replied. His chest tightened.

    ¡°Lyse is nearing a breakdown. If a strong woman like Lyse is struggling to cope with this, I can¡¯t

    imagine. how others would take the news.¡±

    Landon stared at Jasper in shock. He had learned about the tragic event on his way to the hospital.

    Even if Jasper had wanted to keep it a secret, Landon could have found out about it, given the Harper

    family¡¯s influence and capability.

    Landon inquired, ¡°What¡¯s your next move, then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of Nina¡¯s funeral arrangements. Xavier looked into her background. She was from the

    countryside, and her parents died early, leaving only a grandmother as her family.¡±

    ¡°God. Why does misfortune always befall the less fortunate?¡± Landon empathized with Nina¡¯s plight.

    ¡°Xavier will make arrangements for Nina¡¯s grandma. If she¡¯s willing toe to Sna City, I¡¯ll ce her

    in

    Just like Alyssa, he had witnessed Nina¡¯s death, and he shared Alyssa¡¯s sentiments.

    ¡°It would be a relief if Nina¡¯s grandmother agreed to relocate. It might alleviate some of Alyssa¡¯s guilt,¡±

    Landon remarked.

    Landon was no longer hostile. Perhaps it was because he had been living with Lauren. He had

    softened and be more understanding.

    He added, ¡°Jasper, keep an eye on Lyse. Don¡¯t let her wallow in her emotions. She needspany at

    this time. Stop her from ming herself, or she¡¯ll lose her mind.¡±

    ¡°I know. I understand,¡± Jasper muttered, shooting Landon a wry smile.

    ¡°I noticed you¡¯ve changed since you started dating Lauren.¡±

    ¡°How?¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°You¡¯re more humane.¡±

    ¡°What the hell? Don¡¯t you have anything good to say? What does that mean? Was I an animal before

    this?¡± Landon immediately protested as he raised an eyebrow,

    ¡°You were a devil before this, Jasper teased with a smirk.

    ¡°Get lost!¡±

 Chapter 919

    Chapter 919

    Sophia and Betty received news of the shooting incident and Nina¡¯s death. After learning that Alyssa

    and Sean were hospitalized and the police were searching for Jeffrey, they became frightened and

    anxious.

    ¡°Mom, w-what do we do? Ah- Betty was cut off when Sophia red at her and pped her across her

    sweaty face.

    Betty stumbled, colliding with the coffee table. She winced in pain. For someone who never lifted a

    finger in her daily life, Sophia sure was fierce when punishing her own daughter.

    Betty¡¯s face swelled instantly. Clutching her cheek, she sobbed vehemently, casting resentful res at

    Sophia through her messy locks.

    ¡°You good¨Cfor¨Cnothing! Did I ever tell you to meddle in this affair? I asked you and Jeff to get rid of that

    maid, but I never wanted Alyssa dead!¡± Sophia hissed.

    Despite burning in rage, Sophia had to keep her voice low

    She continued harshly reprimanding, ¡°Don¡¯t you know Alyssa is Winston Taylor¡¯s beloved daughter?

    She¡¯s also Newton¡¯s favorite and the woman of Jasper¡¯s dreams.

    ¡°Why would you make a move on her at such a time? Don¡¯t drag me into the mess!¡±

    ¡°I did this for you! All because you are my mom! Do you understand?¡± Betty wailed, rising from the

    ground.

    ¡°You said it was a rare opportunity and that Alyssa wouldn¡¯t bring along security when meeting with

    Nina.

    ¡°Jeff used to be an assassin. Killing Alyssa would have been a piece of cake for him. If we had

    seeded, you wouldn¡¯t have had to worry about that bitch anymore!¡±

    ¡°But did you sessfully kill Alyssa? No! And Jeff is now a wanted man!¡± Sophia growled.

    Her anger escted, and she felt an overwhelming urge to tear into her foolish daughter. Trembling

    with fury, she wrapped herself in a nnel nket.

    She decided to get an injection from Tristan the next day. It was too hard for her to regte her

    emotions and sleep without the help of drugs.

    ¡°I lost Ronald, and now I¡¯ve lost Jeff as well. It¡¯s all your fault that I lost two of my right¨Chand men!¡±

    ¡°How was Ronald¡¯s case my fault? You wanted him to attack L because you were pissed off at that

    bitch. That had nothing to do with me!¡± Betty retorted.

    Betty always admitted her wrongs but refused to ept unjust me.

    Sophia had to count her lucky stars that Ronald hadn¡¯t disclosed the truth about being Betty¡¯s father.

    However, she wondered if Jeffrey, who was now wanted nationwide and was being hunted down by

    Jasper¡¯s men, would buckle under the pressure and rather out.

    Just then, her phone rang, startling both women.

    Sophia picked up the phone with shaking hands. Noticing that the call was from an unknown caller, she

    hesitated before answering it. ¡°Hello?¡±

    She was greeted with silence. She cautiously inquired, ¡°Jeff, is that you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Madam. It¡¯s me,¡± Jeffrey replied in a hushed tone that was further distorted by a poor signal.

    ¡°Where are you now?¡±

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°I¡¯m safe for now. Madam, I need some money for my escape. Please get it ready within three days.¡±

    Sophia turned her back to Betty and whispered, ¡°How much do you need?¡±

    ¡°I need 200 million dors, plus a boat. I n to take the boat and illegally cross into Tsullu.¡±

    *200 million dors?¡± Sophia sharply inhaled.

    Her eyes sparked with anger as she hissed, ¡°Where the hell can I get 200 million dors for you? It¡¯s

    your fault for acting without my permission. How dare youe to me and ask for so much money?¡±

    ¡°Madam, you know how much of your trouble I have taken care of over the years,¡± Jeffrey threatened

    her tly.

    *With my assistance, you secured your position as the wife of Beckett Group¡¯s president. I believe I

    deserve some credit for that, I think I¡¯ll need 200 million dors before my retirement. It¡¯s not much.

    Just what I deserve.¡±

    ¡°You- "

 Chapter 920

    Chapter 920

    Jeffrey added, ¡°Think about it. You¡¯re married to Javier Beckett, you must be filthy rich. 200 million

    dors. to you is nothing to you.

    ¡°ording to my information, you¡¯ve umted at least 500 million dors in your offshore ount

    in

    Randend, a stash from years of corruption in Beckett Group¡¯s projects.¡±

    Sophia was reminded of the wealth she had painstakingly amassed over the years through abuse of

    power and bribery.

    Her secret fortune could lead to a world of trouble if Jasper and Alyssa were to discover it. She might

    even have to serve a sentence unless Javier helped her. However, she didn¡¯t trust Javier anymore,

    ¡°Madam, you¡¯re not even 50 years old yet. You¡¯re sitting on a fortune. Don¡¯t you want to see your two

    daughters get married someday? Have you ever dreamed of meeting your grandchildren?

    ¡°You¡¯re a pampered woman. I doubt you wouldst a day in a harsh environment in prison.¡±

    Jeffrey was clearly threatening her. Sophia gritted her teeth and came to a difficult decision

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll transfer 200 million dors to you in three days. In return, you should never show up in Sna

    City again!¡±

    ¡°Three days is too long. The police are on my tall. Jasper and Landon¡¯s men are discreetly hunting me

    down. I won¡¯t make it to see another three days,

    ¡°I need to see the money by tomorrow evening. Madam, we¡¯re partners. Let¡¯s not end up in a lose lose

    situation.¡±

    Rosie walked past Sophia¡¯s bedroom with Jasper¡¯s new tailored suit in her hand. She heard the sounds

    of things crashing behind the closed door.

    Frowning, she silently cursed, ¡°What¡¯s that crazy bitch up to again? Even if she marries the richest man

    in the world, she would still act the same!¡±

    At that moment, Rosie¡¯s phone started ringing with a call from Jasper. Hiding in a corner, she

    answered,

    Hello? Mr. Beckett, will you be home today?¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, are Sophia and Betty at Seaview Manor?¡± Jasper asked patiently.

    ¡°Yes, they are. I overheard them fighting as I passed their room. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ve wrecked everything in

    Then, she added with concern, ¡°Did something happen? You have been gone for days.¡±

    After some thinking, Jasper decided not to tell Mrs. Rosie about Nina¡¯s death for now, fearing that Mrs.

    Rosie would fall into shock. He requested, ¡°Mrs. Rosie, I need your assistance. Stay in the manor for a

    few days, closely monitor Sophia¡¯s movements, and let me know if she leaves. Don¡¯t take any other

    action.

    ¡°Got it, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°Remember, only observe. She¡¯s evil and might harm you if provoked,¡± he cautioned in a hushed tone.

    A shiver ran down Mrs. Rosie¡¯s spine. She inquired, ¡°Mr. Beckett, what¡¯s going on? By the way, Nina

    has been missing for a few days, but she didn¡¯t inform the butler about taking time off. I couldn¡¯t reach

    her on the phone either. Did something happen to her?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell I Jasper reminded her. you about Nina at another time. Please do we had wou to

    Just as he was about to hang up, Sophia emerged from the room. Dressed in ck, which was unlike

    her usual gaudy fashion, she sneaked out of the manor in the dead of the night. She resembled

    someone attending a funeral.

    Mrs. Rosie jogged along, careful not to be spotted, and watched Sophia from a window. Sophia got into

    a car and left the grounds of the manor.

    She quickly reported, ¡®Mr. Beckett, that bitch left home just now! She¡¯s dressed in ck from head to

    toe like a widow. She looks like she¡¯s up to no good¡±

    After receiving Mrs. Rosie¡¯s intel, Jasper immediately ordered Xavier to track down Sophia.

 Chapter 921

    Sophia had rushed out of Seaview Manor after a warrant had been issued for Jeffrey, and the timing

    seemed too coincidental.

    Jasper reckoned they might be able to track down Jeffrey by tailing Sophia.

    Two days had passed. Jasper remained in the hospital. He stayed in the room next to Alyssa¡¯s.

    Not once did he disturb her. He merely observed her through the ss window on her door after she

    was sedated and went to sleep, admiring her pale but still beautiful face. He would delicately trace her

    features on the ss with his finger.

    He was content to offer herpanionship. If anything, he worried that she might not want him around.

    ¡°Jasper,¡± Axel called from the doorway of the smoking room.

    Jasper¡¯s fingers trembled. He turned around.

    Axel approached him and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him. ¡°I¡¯ll have one.¡±

    Jasper handed him a cigarette. Axel put it between his l*ps and motioned at Jasper to light it for him.

    Frowning, Jasper did as asked. He had never performed this favor for anyone. Axel was the first.

    Jasper soon brushed it off because Axel was his ex-brother-inw. From experience, he knew that

    arrogance wouldn¡¯t work on the Taylor family. They would only dislike him more.

    Axel took a drag and puffed out a perfect ring of smoke. He cast a mocking look at Jasper. ¡°You exhibit

    remarkable self-control in the presence of a beautiful woman.

    ¡°I¡¯ve noticed you haven¡¯t entered her room once. If I were you, I would. have stormed in, k*ssed her

    passionately, and had hot S*x.¡±

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    He even narrowed his eyes and licked his l*ps suggestively. Jasper¡¯s hand trembled upon hearing

    Axel¡¯s bold description.

    It seemed like Axel, the crazy one, wasfortable enough around. him to make the embarrassing

    remarks.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been busy looking after Lyse,¡± Axel said with a serious face.

    ¡°I¡¯ll need your help. Keep me updated. I¡¯m going to kill that bastard with my own hands.¡± With that, he

    cracked his fingers loudly.

    After a brief silence, Jasper extinguished his cigarette and remarked, ¡± You don¡¯t have to dirty your

    hands. I can handle it for you.¡±

    ¡°No. Not you,¡± Axel abruptly stated.

    ¡°At the end of the day, we¡¯re doing this for Lyse. Why can¡¯t I be the one?¡± Jasper asked, perplexed.

    ¡°If you want to get back with her, you should listen to me and behave,¡±

    Axel muttered.

    Staring at his feet, he unfurled his fists and clenched them again with an unreadable look in his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m good at killing, but you aren¡¯t. Once you have a track record, there will be more uncertainties in the

    future. I doubt Lyse would want your to kill either.¡±

    use many as when I served in the Special Forces Lant an the

    Pastegung Forces many years ago.

    ¡°You know that¡¯s different. Anyway) hope you don¡¯t get yourself into more trouble because that will

    affect Lyse as weil

    The Avel scoffed. ¡± don¡¯t give a den about you. This is all for Lys

    know but I still want to thank you Jasper replied with a twinkle in

    He cleared his throat and said in wahed voice ¡°My ex brother-in

 Chapter 922

    Axel stared at Jasper, dumbstruck.

    What the heck? What did Jasper just call him?

    Jasper pursed his l*ps and clenched his jaw as he fought the rising feeling of shame.

    He had never done anything sycophantic before in his entire life. Jasper considered the seemingly

    ordinary remark as his cringy attempt to curry favor with Axel.

    A heavy air of awkwardness hung between them.

    All of a sudden, Axel¡¯s ringtone shattered the ufortable silence. He answered, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Axel, Jameson Schmidt wants to meet Ms. Alyssa. We¡¯ve held him off as per your instructions,¡± a

    b*dyguard reported.

    ¡°Good work! I¡¯ll bump up your bonuster!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Axel! You¡¯re incredibly generous. We¡¯ll keep watch by the door. He won¡¯t get through!¡±

    After ending the call, Axel grinned and said, ¡°Hey,e with me.¡±

    ¡°Where to?¡± Jasper asked, perplexed

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve dubbed me your ¡®ex-brother-inw¡¯, I¡¯ll have a little fun with Jameson for your

    entertainment. How does that sound?¡±

    Just outside Alyssa¡¯s room, Jameson found himself blocked by Axel¡¯s vignt guards. He had hurried

    over upon hearing the news and was astounded to be denied entry.

    Axel stared at Jasper, dumbstruck.

    What the heck? What did Jasper just call him?

    Jasper pursed his l*ps and clenched his jaw as he fought the rising feeling of shame.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    He had never done anything sycophantic before in his entire life. Jasper considered the seemingly

    ordinary remark as his cringy attempt to curry favor with Axel.

    A heavy air of awkwardness hung between them.

    All of a sudden, Axel¡¯s ringtone shattered the ufortable silence. He answered, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Axel, Jameson Schmidt wants to meet Ms. Alyssa. We¡¯ve held him off as per your instructions,¡± a

    b*dyguard reported.

    ¡°Good work! I¡¯ll bump up your bonuster!¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Axel! You¡¯re incredibly generous. We¡¯ll keep watch by the door. He won¡¯t get through!¡±

    After ending the call, Axel grinned and said, ¡°Hey,e with me.¡±

    ¡°Where to?¡± Jasper asked, perplexed.

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve dubbed me your ¡®ex-brother-inw¡¯, I¡¯ll have a little fun with Jameson for your

    entertainment. How does that sound?¡±

    Just outside Alyssa¡¯s room, Jameson found himself blocked by Axel¡¯s vignt guards. He had hurried

    over upon hearing the news and was astounded to be denied entry.

    Though Alyssa had rejected him recently, Winston had given. Jameson his approval. Since their talk,

    Winston had treated him like a godson.

    How could the Taylor family forbid him from seeing Alyssa?

    Adjusting his gold-rimmed sses with a malevolent glint, Jameson demanded, ¡°Let me through.¡±

    The guards stood firm. ¡°Sorry, Mr. Schmidt. You can¡¯t go in.¡±

    Another guard chimed in, ¡°Please don¡¯t make this hard for us. We¡¯re just following orders.¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡± Jameson fumed.

    ¡°You ought to be aware of my close ties with Mr. Winston. He will be displeased when he finds out that

    you refused me entry.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s attempting to intimidate our guards in my dad¡¯s name? That¡¯s audacious,¡± Axel mocked.

    Jameson trembled upon hearing the familiar voice. He looked at Axel and was stunned to see Jasper

    tagging along.

    Jameson¡¯s assistant, Carl, was equally shocked. ¡°M-Mr. Schmidt, why is Jasper Beckett here?¡±

    Jasper cast a sharp and intimidating look at Jameson, who squirmed under his gaze.

    ¡°Oh, look who it is,¡± Axel continued boldly. ¡°I overheard your tone just now. If people had heard you,

    they might have thought that one of my dad¡¯s sons was causing a scene here.¡±

 Chapter 923

    Axel¡¯s remark cut deep with its harsh and caustic tone. No one else in the Taylor family, apart from

    Alyssa and Axel, would speak in such a bold manner.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    The b*dyguards couldn¡¯t contain theirughter, adding to Jameson¡¯s embarrassment.

    Jasper arched his brow as he observed Jameson¡¯s calm expression. crumble. He would be lying if he

    said that he wasn¡¯t relishing this moment.

    ¡°I¡¯m just here to visit Lyse. Axel, why the verbal attacks?¡± Jameson wondered out loud, his chest

    heaving with rage.

    ¡°Fine. But why did you threaten the guards with my dad¡¯s name?¡± Axel confronted him with disdain.

    ¡°He¡¯s not your dad, and you¡¯re not a child. Don¡¯t you feel embarrassed to threaten to tell on the

    guards?¡±

    Jasper stood in stunned silence.

    Meanwhile, Jameson wore a scowl, his frozen smile betraying his difort.

    However, he quickly rebounded from the humiliation, thanks to his years of hardship in Kontina.

    Composing himself, he pleaded, ¡°Axel, I¡¯m just worried after getting the news about Lyse. I just want to

    check on her.¡±

    ¡°Our family has kept a lid on the news. I¡¯m surprised you were able to get your hands on it. I guess

    you¡¯ve been keeping a close eye on our family,¡± Axel jeered with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°Lyse is resting now. The doctor prescribed bed rest and warned against stress. She can¡¯t see you right

    now. Please leave.¡±

    Jameson looked aggrieved. ¡°But Axel-¡±

    ¡°One more thing. Even if Winstones here, you won¡¯t be allowed to visit Lyse. Stop wasting your

    time and energy.¡±

    Then, Axel shot a smile at Jasper, saying, ¡°Jasper, let¡¯s go.¡±

    Jasper was slightly taken aback by how Axel had warmly addressed him by his first name. An uneasy

    feeling gripped him.

    ¡°What are you standing there for? Come!¡± Axel pped Jasper hard on the back.

    ¡°Sure, Axel,¡± Jasper replied tly.

    Axel lifted a brow in amusement. He enjoyed the feeling more than he had expected. He liked

    addressing Jasper on a first-name basis.

    On the other hand, Jameson paled and looked stung. He had no idea what had happened in the past

    few days or what Jasper had done to receive the approval of a man as difficult as Axel Whitaker.

    Suddenly, Axel halted in his tracks and added, ¡°Jameson, you know that you can¡¯t force a rtionship.

    Some things will never belong to you, no matter how much effort you put into getting them.

    ¡°Besides, you have a lovelydy by your side. I believe she¡¯s your type, or else you wouldn¡¯t have kept

    her. Am I right?¡±

    Jameson held his breath and rolled his fists as his heart pounded. Consumed by rage, he glowered at

    Axel and Jasper until they were out of sight.

    Carl stammered, ¡°M-Mr. Schmidt¡­¡±

    He was intimidated by Jameson¡¯s angry look. Sweating, he asked

 Chapter 924

    Axel couldn¡¯t have been referring to anyone else except for Amber Altman.

    What made Jameson more worried was that Axel had learned that there was a woman who bore a

    striking resemnce to Alyssa, and that she was by his side!

    ¡°Did Axel spot me the night Amber went to the bar?¡± Jameson asked with a glint in his eyes.

    Carl replied, ¡°You said that the bar wasn¡¯t up to your standards, so you didn¡¯t search for Ms. Altman

    there. He couldn¡¯t have seen you since you never left the car.¡±

    An idea struck him. ¡°Could your car have given you away? They might have traced your license te

    back to Schmidt Group. If he found out about it, he might be trying to provoke and trick you into

    revealing the truth.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Jameson seethed and turned around.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡±

    ¡°The Millenium.¡±

    Jasper and Axel reached the door to Alyssa¡¯s room. Jasper said to him with sincerity, ¡°Thanks for that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee. It¡¯s my reply to you calling me your ex-brother-in-w. Plus, I didn¡¯t do it just for you. I

    was merely using you as a tool to piss Jameson off,¡± Axel replied. He relished the memory of

    Jameson¡¯s sullen expression.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind that.¡± Jasper grinned.

    Axel grumbled, ¡°I can¡¯t F***ing stand that dude and his arrogant attitude. How dare he bring up my dad

    to threaten the guards? Who does he take himself for? I despise sly backstabbers like him.

    ¡°He looks like a decent man, but his actions contradict his appearance. No wonder his family looks

    down on him.¡±

    Then, Axel gave Jasper a teasing look. ¡°You have to thank him for making you look good. Got it?¡±

    Jasper was rendered speechless. Had Axel just told him to thank Jameson?

    ¡°Mr. Axel.¡± A feeble voice came from behind them. They turned to see Sean.

    ¡°Sean?¡±

    With difficulty, Sean approached them. He had one arm in a cast, and the other was holding a walking

    stick. He pursed his l*ps before thanking Jasper. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a big deal. I have to thank you for protecting Alyssa,¡± Jasper replied tly, though his

    emotions betrayed him.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. Protecting Ms. Alyssa is my life¡¯s mission,¡± Sean replied, his eyes

    sparkling with enthusiasm. He would make the same choice again if given the chance.

    Having survived the ordeal, Sean seemed to have softened toward Jasper, who had saved Alyssa¡¯s

    life.

    ¡°Sean, do you want an amputation? Why the F*** did you get out of bed?¡± Axel cursed worriedly.

    ¡°Do you know you almost lost your arm? Jonah hired the best experts in the country to perform a two-

    day surgery to save your arm! Show sonic uppictiv

    ¡°No, Mr. Axel, I-¡±

    ¡°If you keep moving around, I¡¯ll call your parents and make them visit you every day!¡± threatened Axel.

    It wasn¡¯t a joke. Axel always followed through with his threats.

 Chapter 925

    Sean felt anxious upon hearing the threat. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

    He exined, ¡°I¡¯m worried about Ms. Alyssa. When I was in aa, I repeatedly dreamed of the

    incident from that night. May I visit her?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s fine now. The cut on her arm has healed. She doesn¡¯t have any other injuries, but she needs

    time to recover emotionally. She needs to be alone for a while,¡± Axel replied, sighing.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Upon being reminded of Alyssa¡¯s injury, Jasper felt overwhelmed by bitterness. In the year after their

    divorce, she had always gotten injured and never enjoyed much peace in her life.

    He med himself for being useless. Regardless of his willingness to sacrifice everything for her, he

    had repeatedly failed to protect

    ¡°I heard about Nina,¡± Sean muttered, his heart breaking at the memor of the youngdy who had taken

    a bullet for Alyssa.

    He inquired, ¡°Has anyone tracked down that bastard yet?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time. I¡¯m monitoring Sophia and Betty¡¯s movements. Sophia just left home tonight,

    and she¡¯ll likely meet Jeffrey Snyder. ¡°My men mighte back with updates soon,¡± Jasper informed

    Sean with a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

    He added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I want that guy dead more than anyone else. I¡¯ve looked into his background.

    He¡¯s imed more lives than Nina¡¯s.

    He¡¯s a devil.

    The only reason he hasn¡¯t been arrested is because Sophia helped him get a new identity.¡±

    Axel clicked his tongue and teased Jasper, ¡°Your stepmom is a

    Beckett Group seems more like a gang at this point.¡±

    Sean shook his head. ¡°Yeah. Thatpany is a lion¡¯s den-no, a nest of vipers!¡±

    Jasper was at a loss for words.

    Axel continued jeering, ¡°I¡¯ll have to thank Madam Sophia when I meet. her in person.¡±

    Jasper was perplexed. ¡°Thank her? Why?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to thank her for not killing Lyse in the three years she lived at your ce.¡±

    Once again, Axel¡¯s sharp tongue left Jasper speechless. In school, Axel had been even more reserved

    and withdrawn than him. It

    seemed Axel had hidden his true nature well.

    Alyssa¡¯s door suddenly swung open, startling the three men. She changed into a ck pantsuit and

    didn¡¯t have any makeup on. Yet s still radiated beauty.

    She stood there with a solemn expression, as if silently mourning Nina¡¯s death.

    ¡°Lyse?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart raced, and his ears reddened as he gazed at Alyssa. He had wanted to call her name

    but hesitated.

    He¡¯d had a good reason to approach her that night due to the urgency of the situation, but he didn¡¯t

    have any justification to approach her at this moment.

    ¡°Sean, are you okay?¡± Alyssa choked up when she saw Sean¡¯s left arm.

    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine, Ms. Alyssa.¡± Sean had wanted to lift his arm to show he was fine, but he failed.

    He offered an awkward smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll be back to work as usual once I¡¯ve fully recovered.¡±

    ¡°When you recover, quit working as my secretary.¡±

 Chapter 926

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­ Don¡¯t you want me anymore?¡±

    Sean¡¯s l*ps trembled as he dragged his b*dy unsteadily in front of Alyssa.

    ¡°Did I hold you back? I admit that I¡¯m not skilled, but please give me. another chance. I¡¯ll definitely hone

    mybat skills. I can protect. you.¡±

    Jasper frowned, feeling a mixture of jealousy and sadness. Alyssal nevercked protectors. What he

    had done for her was hardly worth. mentioning.

    ¡°Sean, you¡¯ve misunderstood.¡± Alyssa smiled bitterly.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll join KS Group and take over Jonah¡¯s position. Having you as my secretary by my

    side is underutilizing your talents.

    ¡°I want you to be the head of the legal department at thepany. Then, we can make the most

    use of your expertise. There, you can still help me and also assist my father. Isn¡¯t that good?¡±

    If a normal person had received such news, they would probably be ecstatic.

    However, Sean¡¯s face was mournful. He looked like a homeless dog. who had been kicked out by its

    owner. In his eyes, Alyssa simply didn¡¯t want him anymore.

    She never knew what he truly wanted. What he wanted was to stay by her side for a long time.

    But after the most recent events, Sean didn¡¯t think he could protect Alyssa anymore. The person who

    could protect her was right in front of her.

    he looked at Jasper.

    At this moment, Jasper was staring intently at Alyssa. Whenever and wherever, as long as Alyssa was

    there, Jasper¡¯s eyes only saw her.

    ¡°Whatever it is, let your injuries heal first. That¡¯s more important than. anything.¡±

    Alyssaposed herself, finally revealing a radiant smile. ¡°You must stay healthy ande back in

    one piece. KS Group doesn¡¯t keep idle. people.¡±

    Sean could tell that Alyssa had made up her mind, so he could only nod heavily.

    ¡°Axel, is Nina¡¯s b*dy in the morgue now?¡± Alyssa turned to Axel, her voice hoarse.

    ¡°Yes. We informed her grandmother yesterday, and she hase to Sna City to im the b*dy,¡±

    Axel replied with a somber expression. She begged us to seek justice for Nina.¡±

    ¡°Nina¡¯s funeral has to be grand. The follow-up work to console her family needs to be done well. Her

    grandmother won¡¯t ask for much, but we need to consider everything and fulfill all her needs.¡±

    ¡°I know, Lyse. You can rest assured.¡±

    Axel looked at her in surprise. ¡°Why are you dressed like this? Are you nning to leave the hospital?

    Jonah strictly forbade me from letting you leave. If you leave, he¡¯ll probably beat me up.¡±

    ¡°Lying here every day, watching the sunrise and sunset outside the window, and being negative is

    meaningless.¡±

    Alyssa suddenly changed the subject. ¡°Has Nina¡¯s phone been repaired?¡±

    Axel gave her a puzzled look at the sudden change in topic. ¡°What? Oh, it¡¯s been repaired, but I didn¡¯t

    do it.¡±

    ¡°Then who?¡± Alyssa frowned.

    ¡°Cyrus. Nina¡¯s phone is evidence of her death, so it needed to be sent to the forensic department for

    repairs and examination. But he told mest night that it was almost repaired, and the results should be

    out today.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze turned cold as she walked to Jasper. She lifted her eyes. to meet his gaze.

    Jasper¡¯s chest clenched under the intensity of her gaze. His fingers curled into his palm, clenching

    tightly.

    ¡°Jasper,e with me to the police station.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes exuded a heavy sense of determination, as if she could through his soul, making it

    impossible for him to resist.

    ¡°Both of us need to cooperate with the investigation. Besides, there¡¯s something important you need to

    know.¡±

 Chapter 927

    Jameson returned to The Millennium.

    Upon hearing the news, Amber waited for him in the room.

    Suddenly, the door was kicked open, making the luxurious crystal chandelier on the ceiling shake.

    Seeing Jameson enter with fury, Amber trembled in fear and almost cowered. She didn¡¯t dare have

    direct eye contact with him.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Likewise, Carl, who was standing behind her, wore a panicked expression. He didn¡¯t dare move or say

    a word.

    Having been with Jameson in Kontina, he knew what Jameson looked like when he was furious all to

    well. Someone was going to die today.

    ¡°M-Mr. Schmidt,¡± Amber stammered, her beautiful face disying panic.

    No matter how simr she looked to Alyssa, Amber could never replicate even a fraction of Alyssa¡¯s

    grace in her actions.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt¡­ Calm down. Maybe things aren¡¯t as you think. Perhaps.

    Before Amber could finish her sentence, Jameson walked to the

    coffee table and grabbed a crystal ashtray. As he red at her with crimson eyes, he hurled it in her

    direction.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Amber screamed, her arms instinctively covering her head.

    However, Jameson didn¡¯t throw it at her. The ashtray flew past her ear, hitting the wall behind her and

    crashing to the floor. It left a sizable dent in the wall.

    ¡°Everything is because of your reckless actions.¡±

    Jameson cracked his fingers while ring at Amber, his eyes red with. rage. ¡°I gave you this face. You

    should use it the way I instruct you to.

    ¡°I asked you not to do it. Why did you go against my order?¡±

    Tears welled up in Amber¡¯s eyes, falling silently down her cheeks.

    ¡°Now, Axel has guessed the rtionship between us. He might already be investigating you in secret.

    Once news of you reaches Alyssa¡¯s ears, she¡¯ll know that there¡¯s another woman in Sna City who

    looks almost identical to her.

    ¡°Given her intelligence, how could she not be suspicious that you were involved in Jasper and Zoe¡¯s

    matter?¡± Jameson had fair skin to begin with, but now he looked as pale as a sheet.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt¡­ I was wrong¡­ I really was wrong-¡±

    Amber¡¯s trembling voice was cut off by Jameson, who effo grabbed her by the throat. Frowning, he

    lifted her rigid b*dy o ground.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt! No, stop!¡± Seeing that, Carl was horrified.

    Yet Jameson paid no attention to Carl¡¯s protests and relentlessly tightened his grip around Amber¡¯s

    neck. His eyes glowed murderously.

    ¡°Jim¡­ Jimmy¡­ Jimmy¡­¡± Amber¡¯s arms hung limp at her sides. Her face was flushed with a hint of

    purple as tears welled up in her eyes. Jimmy.

    When Jameson heard that name, he saw Alyssa¡¯s smiling and gentle expression in his mind.

    He relented. Because of Alyssa, he became soft-hearted toward Amber.

    ¡°I¡¯ve already lost to Jasper. Don¡¯t make me lose again.¡±

    Jameson narrowed his hostile eyes. Coldly, he threatened, ¡°If there¡¯s a next time, I¡¯ll make you

    disappear from the face of the earth without a trace.¡±

    He suddenly released his grip, and Amber fell heavily to the ground.

    She coughed painfully, her vision dimming as if she had experienced a near-death episode.

    Jameson pulled a white handkerchief from his inner pocket and calmly wiped his hands. As if nothing

    had happened, he returned to his elegant demeanor.

    At this moment, he was no longer a thug in a suit.

    When Amber finally managed to gasp for air, her face was covered in sweat. ¡°Mr. Schmidt, I caused

    this trouble. I should be the one to solve it for you.¡±

    ¡°Solve it for me? What can you do?¡±

 Chapter 928

    Jameson sneered contemptuously. ¡°Will you kill Axel for me?¡±

    Axel¡­ So that was the hot guy¡¯s name.

    When Amber recalled that handsome face, her heart couldn¡¯t help but race.

    That night, after she had returned from the bar, she had even. dreamed of that face again. She found it

    hard to believe.

    ¡°If you want me to kill him¡­ I will do my best,¡± Amber said through gritted teeth, sweat dripping down

    her face.

    ¡°He¡¯s Alyssa¡¯s brother. Do you think he¡¯s someone you can simply kill? You¡¯re quite bold.¡± Jameson

    stared at her disdainfully.

    Amber shivered. Sweat soaked her hair. She looked both disheveled and pitiable. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr.

    Schmidt. -¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to kill him. I want you to seduce him.¡±

    ¡°W-What?¡± Amber was bewildered.

    ¡°That night, you two seemed to have gotten along well.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s eyes gradually showed disdain. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, just get him. I can see he¡¯s

    interested in you, even if it¡¯s just because you have a face so simr to his beloved little sister.¡±

    ¡°No¡­ That¡¯s not true, Mr. Schmidt.¡± Amber¡¯s heart tightened. She felt like she was undergoing an icy

    interrogation.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Jameson smirked and leaned in to forcefully grab her jaw. He caressed her rosy l*ps with his fingertips.

    Amber had never used such vibrant l*pstick before. Jameson had exclusive color.

    Amber gazed at the man before her, whom she had loved for so long. Tears welled up in her eyes and

    flowed down her face.

    ¡°With your beauty, how can Alex not be attracted to you? Go, seduce him, and make him your pawn.

    And then destroy him.¡±

    As his words fell, Jameson emitted a chilling, sinisterugh, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

    ¡°Understood, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    Though Amber was crying, she revealed a smile that resembled Alyssa¡¯s, the one that captivated

    Jameson the most.

    ¡°As long as that¡¯s what you want, even if I have to risk my life, I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper arrived at the police station where Cyrus was stationed. When they got there, Cyrus

    was already waiting for them at the entrance.

    ¡°Cyrus!¡±

    Alyssa ran to him first, and Cyrus quickly pulled her into a hug. ¡°You crazy girl. You really don¡¯t listen! I

    should have handcuffed you to the bed.¡±

    ¡°Pfft! Handcuff me to the bed? Cyrus, what kind of roley are your talking about? So kinky.¡± Alyssa

    had recovered some of her spirit. She smiled adorably.

    Hearing this, Jasper frowned, feeling jealous.

    He was too affectionate and just couldn¡¯t help it. He was even jealous of Alyssa¡¯s brother.

    Cyrus suddenly blushed like a peach. He coughed lightly and fumbled over his words. ¡°Lyse, w-what

    nonsense are you talking about? What y¡­ Don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s frown intensified. Why was Cyrus blushing?

    He remembered that Cyrus and Alyssa were half-siblings and thought. of them at home

    Jasper had to be cautious.

 Chapter 929

    Alyssa stopped teasing Cyrus and adopted a serious expression.¡± Cyrus, has the phone been

    repaired?¡±

    ¡°The repair was challenging, but my colleagues in the technical department are professionals.¡±

    Cyrus turned to Jasper. ¡°Mr. Beckett, we¡¯ll need your statementter.¡±

    ¡°Sure, I came here to cooperate with your investigation.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes softly lingered on Alyssa¡¯s profile, unable to pull away.

    Alyssa wasn¡¯t oblivious to his gaze. She pursed her rosy l*ps subtly, deliberately avoiding his intense

    stare.

    Then, the trio entered the police station. Even though it was night, the sight of Alyssa and Jasper

    walking in together drew astonished nces from the officers.

    They were an outstanding pair, and it was hard to find a couple like them. It didn¡¯t seem right that they

    weren¡¯t married.

    In the interrogation room, Cyrus brought forward the repaired phone.

    Alyssa¡¯s longshes trembled slightly as she gently picked up the

    phone with the broken screen.

    On the lit screen was a photo of Nina with her grandmother in their hometown. Nina was holding a cute

    yellow and white puppy in her arms, and they were all smiling happily.

    Suddenly, a buzzing sound echoed in Alyssa¡¯s head, and a searing. pain spread through her limbs and

    bones. It was so painful that her whole b*dy trembled. She instinctively covered her ears with her

    hands.

    She closed her eyes, but she couldn¡¯t stop the tears streaming down. her face.

    ¡°Lyse! Are you okay? Do you need to rest for a while?¡±

    Cyrus knew Alyssa hadn¡¯t fully recovered from the trauma. Seeing the phone must have made her

    recall the events of that night. It had undoubtedly affected her deeply.

    He quickly stood up, intending to go around the table tofort her.

    However, at that moment, he watched as Jasper suddenly turned and opened his arms, encircling

    Alyssa¡¯s shoulders. He firmly grasped the back of her neck and gently ced her forehead on his

    broad shoulder.

    ¡°Take a deep breath. Listen to me. Deep breath¡­¡±

    He guided her with his soft voice while gently patting her quivering back.

    Alyssa kept her eyes tightly closed and her fists clenched. In his embrace, she shook and gasped for

    breath. It was a sight that would tug at anyone¡¯s heartstrings.

    Cyrus watched their interaction without intervening. He just let out a faint sigh. Whether he liked it or

    not, if it hadn¡¯t been for Jasper, he really wouldn¡¯t know how to calm Lyse down.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    There seemed to be an inseparable bond between the two.

    But if Jasper¡¯s way could help Alyssa feel a little better, Cyrus was willing to give the bastard a chance.

    After a while, Alyssa gradually calmed down. Realizing that she was leaning on Jasper, she felt

    flustered and confused. She quickly pushed him away.

    Jasper froze for a moment and blinked.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Alyssa murmured without daring to look at him.

    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± he replied softly.

    She noticed that Jasper¡¯s suit had gotten wet from her tears. Feeling guilty, she hurriedly reached out

    and briskly wiped his shoulder a couple of times.

    Jasper didn¡¯t know how to react.

    ¡°Ahem¡­ Before you leave, give me your suit. I¡¯ll find someone to dry clean it and have it sent back to

    you.¡±

    ¡°Why do you want to clean it?¡±

    Jasper narrowed his eyes, smiling brightly. His smile pierced her heart. ¡°There¡¯s no need to wash it. It¡¯s

    fine just like this.¡±

 Chapter 930

    The atmosphere suddenly became strange.

    Alyssa stared at Jasper¡¯s face. The gentle smile on his face at this moment was something she had

    never seen before.

    She cleared her throat, hastily averting her gaze. She dared not lock eyes with his dazzling ones, afraid

    that another nce might reveal. some unspeakable secret.

    She noticed that he had indeed changed a lot.

    The previous Jasper had been cold, distant, and aloof. On the contrary, the current Jasper seemed to

    have melted and surrounded her with a reassuring sense of security.

    ¡°Ahem¡­ Um ¡­¡±

    Cyrus, who was single and allergic to romance, couldn¡¯t stand it any longer. So he chimed in, breaking

    the ambiguous atmosphere.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a suit. Why wash it? Our family has a big business. We can afford topensate for a piece of

    clothing. Lyse, just buy a new one for Mr. Beckett. I¡¯ll pay for it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Chief Cyrus,¡± Jasper said with a slight smile, appearing calm.

    ¡°Cyrus, are you sure you want topensate for it?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s emotions had eased a bit by now, and she raised a teasing eyebrow.

    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, Mr. Beckett¡¯s suit is customized from a royal- exclusive brand in Vitelia. Ordinary

    people can¡¯t even buy it with money.

    ¡°Even if they could, I¡¯m afraid your to even buy one sleeve for Mr. Beckett.¡±

    Damn! So expensive?

    Saldly

    Cyrus¡¯s face turned ugly. He disregarded his identity as the son of a prestigious family and shouted, ¡°I

    won¡¯tpensate anymore! Forget what I just said.¡±

    Since Alyssa grew up with him, he wasn¡¯t afraid of embarrassing. himself.

    Jasper smiled again, and his gentle gaze remained fixed on Alyssa. ¡± You¡¯re indeed a genius designer,

    Sharon. You have sharp eyes.

    Hearing that, Alyssa looked at him in amazement. ¡°When did you find out?¡±

    ¡°At Madam L¡¯s birthday party, when she appeared in the beautiful. ck evening gown, I had a

    guess.

    ¡°No, actually, I should have guessed when I saw you working on clothes at Ms. Emerson¡¯s studio,¡±

    Jasper said dreamily.

    Alyssa pressed her red l*ps together, blushing.

    In an instant, aplex mix of emotions surged within her, creating an indescribable feeling.

    Jasper suddenly remembered the worn-out suit that had been meticulously preserved in his closet. It

    was the suit Alyssa had crafted for him after half a month of hard work when they had been. married.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    Every stitch, every thread, represented her affection for him.

    Sadly, he might never receive such treatment again. He should have known it back then. He should

    have understood how

    However, he had been blinded at the time, unable to see any of these.

    When Jasper saw Alyssa¡¯s pitiful expression, he felt this chest ache, making his already weak heart

    soften even more.

    He owed her too much.

    Even if he spent a lifetime making amends, he wasn¡¯t sure if it would be enough.

    ¡°Lyse, is there any important evidence on Ms. Nina¡¯s phone? Is that why you¡¯re so eager to repair it?¡±

    Cyrus asked curiously.

    Alyssa nodded mncholically. ¡°She whispered something to me before she passed away, telling me

    that she had crucial evidence of Sophia¡¯s crime on her phone.¡±

 Chapter 931

    ¡°It was thest thing she said to me,

    Upon hearing that, all three of them fell into a heavy silence, lowering their heads.

    The poor woman. In herst moments, she hadn¡¯t thought about her life but about how to reveal the

    truth and let justice prevail.

    Cyrus frowned, thinking out loud, ¡°So Nina¡¯s death should also be rted to her knowledge of this

    secret.¡±

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Yes. Otherwise, the cunning and careful Madam Sophia wouldn¡¯t suddenly lose her head and send an

    assassin to kill Nina, trying to silence her.¡± Alyssa clenched her fists in anger, her eyes reddening.

    ¡°She has quite the guts. She actually dared to target you!¡±

    Recalling what happened to Alyssa that night, Cyrus couldn¡¯t contain his anger and mmed the table.

    ¡°You have five brothers and a father who¡¯s filthy rich. How dare she go after you? Even without Dad¡¯s

    help, any one of us could kill her without her knowing.¡±

    At this moment, Jasper¡¯s eyes turned cold.

    What had happened to make Sophia act so recklessly?

    Alyssa smirked, and her expression was extremely cold. ¡°Silencing Nina by killing her was Sophia¡¯s

    idea, no doubt. But sending someone after me might not necessarily be her n.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s very likely that Betty faked the order or took the opportunity to go after me. After all, given

    Sophia¡¯s cunning and calctive behavior, she wouldn¡¯t act so recklessly. This looks more That made

    sense.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t help but nod slightly

    ¡°What the F***? Isn¡¯t Betty Sophia¡¯s daughter? Well, it seems like the mother and daughter are

    colluding. They can have a family reunion in prison!¡± Cyrus cursed loudly, wishing he could twist their

    heads off.

    Alyssa took a deep breath, her heavy gaze shifting to Jasper.

    Sophia¡¯s secret. She¡­ killed Madam Anne¡­ the evidence the phone¡­

    Jasper was perplexed by her intense gaze. He didn¡¯t quite understand what it meant.

    Alyssa turned on Nina¡¯s phone, fl*pping through the entire photo album without finding anything

    unusual.

    She thought that if it was evidence, it should be a recording or something simr, so she opened the

    voice recording app.

    Sure enough, there was a voice recording.

    Alyssa lowered her eyes and tapped open the recording.

    The recording quality wasn¡¯t good. The volume was low, and the voice was muffled, as it had been

    recorded secretly in a closed. environment.

    However, the interrogation room was especially quiet at the moment, as all three of them were holding

    their breath. Even the sound of a pin dropping on the floor could be heard.

    Therefore, the conversation between Sophia and Betty was clearly audible.

    ¡°Mom! You should distance yourself from Dr. McAlister. I think the secret to Jasper¡¯s mother¡¯s death

    has to carry it to their graves. As long as he stays alive, he is a death threat to you.¡±

    At once, Jasper¡¯s pupils trembled violently.

    His mother?

    ¡°It won¡¯t happen. It had been almost 20 years since the incident. The evidence is long gone. Unless

    that bitch, Anne,es back from the dead to use me, no one will know how she died back then!¡±

    When Alyssa heard that, her heart skipped a beat. A burst of anger raged in her.

 Chapter 932

    Cyrus was also stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected this incident to be rted to Javier¡¯s former wife, Anne

    Bartley.

    Her death was a confusing case from years ago. If brought to light, it would undoubtedly lead to a grim

    fate for Sophia.

    No wonder Sophia had been so desperate to kill Nina.

    ¡°Jasper.¡± Alyssa gazed at Jasper with concern.

    At this moment, Jasper was staring at the phone with dark eyes. The tears in his eyes were more

    heartbreaking and hard to look at than the broken screen.

    ¡°What do you mean by no one? There¡¯s Liana!¡±

    This matter involved Liana too?

    Alyssa felt a chill down her spine.

    It was evident that Jasper¡¯s mother¡¯s death hadn¡¯t been an ident but a carefully orchestrated plot by

    Sophia.

    When Alyssa had been married to Jasper, she had asked Rosie about Anne¡¯s death. However, Rosie

    had always been hesitant to talk about it and had kept the details about it a secret.

    Rosie had mentioned that Jasper didn¡¯t like anyone probing into Anne¡¯s death.

    She had also said that Jasper had been a carefree and cheerful young man before Anne¡¯s passing. He

    was nothing like that now.¡±

    Anne¡¯s death had dealt a devastating blow to Jasper. It had almost destroyed the once-lively boy.

    Meanwhile, Sophia, the murderer, was living in luxury, enjoying all the wealth and glory life had to offer.

    Where was justice?

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    ¡°Pfft, she¡¯s nothing! She is a chess piece that is no longer useful. If she wants toe back to Sna

    City, she had better sew her mouth. shut. By the way, you do have someone keeping an eye on Anne¡¯s

    maid, who I bribed, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she is far away in Rnda. She opened a small restaurant there. She had benefited from us, so

    I¡¯m sure she will bury the secret with her.¡±

    ¡°Good. Very good.¡± Sophia suddenly burst into a sinisterugh. In the dim interrogation room, she

    sounded like an evil spirit.

    ¡°That bitch probably feels guilty toward her son even in death. She probably can¡¯t even forgive herself

    in hell..

    ¡°Thinking about how that bastard was yed by Liana and will never know the truth about his mother¡¯s

    death brings me great pleasure. No matter how much I suffer, as long as I think about this, I feel

    extremely satisfied.¡±

    Suddenly, there was a loud bang.

    Breathing heavily, Jasper suddenly stood up, sending his chair crashing to the ground.

    He had blood-shot eyes, and every inch of his b*dy was filled with an imminent explosive tension, as

    though he were ready to kill.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill her.¡±

    Shocked, Alyssa watched the tears stream down his red-rimmed eyes. She felt that his tears were filled

    with hatred and mixed with blood.

    She had never seen Jasper so angry and desperate.

    His pale l*ps trembled slightly. The overwhelming blow had pushed him into an abyss. The pain of

    learning the cruel truth was as excruciating as having a limb cut off and being engulfed in mes.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill Sophia. I¡¯m going to kill her.¡±

    At this moment, Jasper¡¯s mind waspletely consumed by anger and rage. He clenched his fists

    tightly, like a wild beast gone mad, crashing wildly in the cage of hatred

    ¡°I will send everyone rted to my mother¡¯s death to hell!¡±

    Before the words could settle, he had already rushed out of the door. ¡°Jasper! Calm down. Calm down,

    please.¡±

 Chapter 933

    In the urgency of the moment, Alyssa exerted all her strength and wrapped her arms around Jasper

    from behind, securing his tense waist tightly.

    ¡°Jasper! Lyse is right!¡±

    Cyrus also stepped forward, blocking Jasper¡¯s way. He looked into thetter¡¯s pale face. The sadness

    in his eyes made Cyrus feel deeply distressed.

    ¡°Taking a life demands a price. You¡¯re a good person. Why give your life for these wicked animals? If

    you really want revenge for your mother, you have to stay rational and clear-headed.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    ¡°Yes, Sophia deserves to die. But if you take action, it just means one life for another. Is it worth it for

    that bitch? If something happens to you, what about Lyse? Have you thought about her?¡±

    Cyrus had said so much, but it seemed like only thest two sentences acted like a strong and effective

    sedative for Jasper.

    Alyssa was exerting all her strength on Jasper¡¯s back. She closed her eyes, tightly holding onto his

    waist. Even though her face was soaked with cold sweat, she pressed against his back, not moving.

    She could feel his breath and racing heartbeat gradually calm down. Even so, she refused to rx a

    bit.

    She understood him. If it had been her mother, she would have probably reacted even more terrifyingly

    than he did.

    After some time, Jasper finally regained his rationality. He gently covered her red, clenched hand with

    his cold one.

    His voice was trembling and hoarse as he said, ¡°Lyse, I¡¯m sorry. I

    Alyssa¡¯s heart wrenched, and she shook her head with closed eyes.

    Jasper was sometimes so silly that it made people feel sorry for him. Even at a time like this, he was

    still apologizing to her. What was he at fault for?

    He was clearly the most miserable person in the world at this moment.

    ¡°But Lyse, what should I do?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes, numbed by pain, continuously shed tears. He stood stiffly, as if his heart had been dug

    out and thrown into a dark and boundless abyss, freezing his core.

    ¡°Why am I so stupid? The murderer who killed my mother was right in front of me and lived with me for

    20 years, but I knew nothing about it.

    ¡°Lyse, tell me. Besides killing her, what should I do? How can I get justice for my mother?¡±

    ¡°It wille. Justice will be meted out soon.¡±

    Alyssa gently stroked his trembling back. Her voice was gentle, soothing his soul, which had been torn

    apart by hatred.

    ¡°I hate Sophia and Betty just like you. I want them to pay with their lives too. I¡¯ll help you, Jasper. I¡¯ll do

    everything I can toplete this revenge with you.

    ¡°I will be with you the whole way and bear all the unknown dangers with you. We must both be fine and

    watch the evildoers go to hell.¡±

    Jasper had tears in his eyes and closed them tightly, firmly holding onto her hand.

    I will be with you.

    It was you Fefore a god turpussing countless honeyed phrases in the world

    They had finallye together, not for love but for revenge

    Evers so. Jasper was already extremely satisfied

    ¡°Mom, if you¡¯re in heaven, please bless me once,¡± he prayed.

 Chapter 934

    Too much had happened that night.

    Even Cyrus, a professional police officer, couldn¡¯t fully digest it. He had initially wanted Jasper to go

    home and rest. Yet Jasper was extremely stubborn and insisted on providing his statement.

    His current condition wasn¡¯t good at all.

    Seaview Manor was a ce that brought him unbearable grief and hatred. It was now somewhere he

    couldn¡¯t bring himself to stay.

    But if he went to Newton¡¯s ce, he feared he wouldn¡¯t be able to hold back his emotions and might

    break down in front of Newton. That would make the old man worry.

    Jasper stood at the entrance of the police station in a daze and suddenly forced a bitter smile.

    The president of Beckett Group, who was worth tens of billions, was

    now like a lost soul with nowhere to go.

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    It was pitiful, ridiculous, and truly tragic.

    ¡°You can stay at my ce tonight,¡± Alyssa said in a gentle tone, making Jasper spin around and stare

    into her eyes in disbelief.

    He even thought that he might be hearing things due to excessive grief. After all, he didn¡¯t dare to

    dream of such things.

    ¡°I¡­ can just go to a hotel for a few days.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyshes trembled slightly. ¡°You can¡¯t go back to Seaview Manor now, and I don¡¯t want you to

    go to Grandpa¡¯s ce and make him worry. If you stay in a hotel, I won¡¯t feel at ease either.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you might do something rash. If something happens to you, avenging your mom alone will

    be more difficult, and the process will be prolonged. I just simply don¡¯t like the feeling of fighting alone.¡±

    Jasper frowned, his gloomy eyes still moist.

    The feeling of fighting alone.

    He understood her. He understood her feeling of unterally pouring out her heart and soul, only to

    receive nothing in return.

    In her youth, she had passionately pursued him, but he had been. unaware of her love or even

    presence.

    She had married him three years ago, but he had never responded to

    her fervent love, not even once.

    Jasper turned his worn-out face aside, blinking back his tears. He had already lost control of himself in

    the interrogation room. He didn¡¯t want to show his vulnerability in front of Alyssa again.

    ¡°Whether you agree or not, I must stay with you tonight. If you choose a hotel, I¡¯ll stay in the hotel with

    you. If you choose to sleep on the streets, I¡¯ll sleep on the streets with you.¡±

    When Alyssa became stubborn, Jasper could never win against her.

    Jasper¡¯s pale face blushed at her words, and his heart beat fast.

    Although he didn¡¯t want to get ahead of himself, it did sound like a wife apanying her husband.

    ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll stay at your ce tonight, then.¡± His voice was low and hoarse.

    ¡°Enough of that. Haven¡¯t you gone to extreme lengths for me? Don¡¯t be so polite. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart was also inexplicably pounding hard. She quickly took

    Jasper swallowed and smiled. Just like an obedient husband, he followed behind her.

    Since Sean had been injured, Alyssa¡¯s vi had been empty, giving it an eerie feeling. Even stepping

    inside sent shivers down one¡¯s spine.

    Jasper walked in. Although he was someone who had never paid attention to unnecessary things, he

    suddenly looked like an excited child.

    His eyes were wandering and sparkling with an excited glow. He didn¡¯t want to miss any trace of

    Alyssa¡¯s life.

    This was his first time entering Alyssa¡¯s home. Before this, he had only been able to stand outside in

    the rain.

 Chapter 935

    At this moment, for the first time in his life, Jasper felt a sense of vanity. He suddenly wanted to take a

    picture and send it to Landon.

    ¡°Who said only you cane here? Look, I¡¯m here too!¡± he thought.

    ¡°Jasper, what are you looking at?¡±

    Alyssa nced at him with surprise. ¡°Do you know that the look in your eyes just now was like a

    thief¡¯s?¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Jasper quickly withdrew his gaze, feeling like he had lost control again.

    ¡°Except for thest room on the left on the second floor, you can go into any other room you like. The

    fridge in the kitchen should have some ingredients Sean left there. If you want to eat, make it yourself. I

    don¡¯t have a chef here,¡± Alyssa said calmly, turning to go upstairs.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I go into that room?¡± Jasper asked foolishly.

    ¡°Because that¡¯s my bedroom.¡±

    Alyssa suddenly stopped, looking back at him with a faint smile.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I don¡¯t have any secrets that can¡¯t be seen, nor do I have any old lovers that I can¡¯t forget.

    If you want to visit my bedroom, you can do it now.¡±

    She mischievously teased him again.

    Thinking of those old photos of certain people that he still carefully preserved in the study until now, her

    heart felt an inevitable pang again.

    Since she still cared, she couldn¡¯t help but mention it whenever she had the chance to tease him.

    After all, she was just a human, not a saint. Wasn¡¯t she allowed to show some temper?

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes became slightly red. He knew she was still upset about the vi incident.

    But at the same time, a me of hope ignited in his heart. If Alyssa truly had no feelings for him, and if,

    as she said, they were only together again for revenge, then she had no reason to bring up this matter.

    The fact that she had mentioned it meant she cared. She cared about his past and about him.

    ¡°You can do as you like. I¡¯ll go upstairs.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s voice was noticeably mncholic. ¡°I hope you adjust your mentality quickly. Our revenge is

    about to begin.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ve already sold that vi. I¡¯ve already destroyed everything inside, except for my mother¡¯s

    photos.¡±

    Jasper felt as though a heavy pressure was pressing on his chest, making it almost impossible for him

    to breathe.

    Alyssa was cold. ¡°That has nothing to do with me. Those are your personal belongings. How you want

    to deal with them is your business.¡±

    ¡°I know the existence of those things hurts you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because you want them to exist. You couldn¡¯t bear to throw them away.¡± Alyssa chuckled lightly,

    sounding as if she was relieved.

    ¡°Ipletely forgot about that. I sold the vi to Xavier a long time ago. It¡¯s just that he hasn¡¯t had time

    to deal with it.¡±

    Jasper knew his exnation was weak, but he still tried his best to exin, ¡°That night, I was drugged

    and in a haze. I have no memory of what happened.

    ¡°Landon didn¡¯t want me to stay in a hotel in that state, but he couldn¡¯t send me back to Seaview Manor.

    He only remembered that I had that vi, so he sent me there-¡±

    ¡°Jasper, I said it¡¯s your business. It has nothing to do with me.¡±

    Closing her eyes, Alyssa raised her hand to stop him from speaking further. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m tired.¡±

    ¡°Why does it have nothing to do with you? Don¡¯t you resent me for that?¡± Jasper was so anxious that

    he started sweating, and his breathing became heavy.

    ¡°I resent you for many things, not just this one.¡±

    Jasper felt a sharp pain in his chest. It made him clench his fists.

    ¡°But now I feel that there¡¯s nothing to resent anymore. It¡¯s all in the past.¡± Alyssa¡¯s tone was casual.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    She turned around slowly, but even she didn¡¯t realize that her eyes were already reddening.

    ¡°Jasper, let¡¯s look forward. Even the most painful memories aren¡¯t worth mentioning in the face of

    hatred, right? It will only affect our speed in getting vengeance.¡±

 Chapter 936

    ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs.¡±

    Suddenly, Alyssa felt a weight on her back, and her b*dy leaned forward sharply.¡±

    Jasper hugged her tightly from behind, enveloping her entirely. He wished he could meld her into his

    b*dy.

    His firm and warm chest pressed against her slender back. His. intense heartbeat pounded into her,

    making her head dizzy. A soft and tingling sensation spread from her back to her chest.

    ¡°Jasper,¡± Alyssa called hoarsely as her breathing became rapid.

    There was a clear sense of resistance in her tone, but this time, she didn¡¯t struggle.

    ¡°How could it not be worth mentioning? I won¡¯t allow you to say that.¡±

    Jasper tightened his embrace, his arms holding onto her fragile waist. Meanwhile, his hot breath

    sprayed onto her neck. ¡°20 years ago, I lost the most important person in my life.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°20 yearster, I found the only woman in my life. I don¡¯t want to lose. you again. You¡¯re everything to

    me. Lyse, after losing you, every day I live feels like hell.¡±

    Death wasn¡¯t frightening. He could die for her thousands of times. He was just afraid of losing her.

    Jasper¡¯s chin rested on her hair, gently rubbing against it. He choked up again.

    He was usually high and mighty, like a god from the heavens. He had never lowered himself like this,

    like a dog wagging its tail and begging.

    Alyssa faintly heard his suppressed sobbing. Tonight, his pride in being strong and resolute had been

    shattered and scattered on the ground. How could she bear to step on it again?

    She had seen him bravely fighting on the battlefield and knew how ruthless and fierce he could be.

    Yet at this moment, she felt that he was pitiful.

    So she didn¡¯t dwell on this matter, considering it as showing him. mercy.

    ¡°Uh¡­ It hurts¡­¡± Alyssa shrunk her shoulders in Jasper¡¯s embrace.

    ¡°Hurts? Where?¡± Jasper panicked, holding onto her shoulders.

    ¡°Ah! You¡¯re going to kill me! Right here!¡± Alyssa was in pain, gasping for breath. Her b*dy trembled in

    his arms.

    Back at the police station, she had bound him with her b*dy to keep him calm. It had caused the wound

    on her arm to split open, but she hadn¡¯t noticed.

    She had only felt it after leaving the police station, but she was good at enduring pain. She had nned

    to go upstairs and deal with it herself.

    Unexpectedly, Jasper wasn¡¯t sensible at all. He kept talking about all sorts of things and had even

    hugged her and refused to let go.

    Not letting go was one thing, but he had used so much force. Why didn¡¯t he just crush her?

    Only now did Jasper realize the situation. Shocked, he quickly. released her.

    He felt something wet and warm on his sleeve. Looking down, he couldn¡¯t help but pale.

    In fact, her wound had been bleeding for a while, but she was wearing a ck suit, so it wasn¡¯t visible.

    ¡°Why are you so silly? Why didn¡¯t you say anything earlier?¡± Jasper was both anxious and heartbroken.

    He even raised his usually deep voice.

    ¡°Why are you yelling at me like that?¡± Alyssa frowned, biting her l*p. Her pitiful appearance made him

    itch.

    Jasper was taken aback, only now realizing that his tone had been too harsh.

    Yell? How could he dare to? In front of Alyssa, he had an extremely low status.

 Chapter 937

    ¡°Alright, it¡¯s just a small injury. Don¡¯t worry-Ah!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s vision blurred for a moment as Jasper lifted her up around the waist. Instinctively, she pressed

    against his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to your room. You have a first aid kit at home, right? I¡¯ll help you bandage it.¡± Jasper stared

    intently at her as he carried her and headed upstairs.

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    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to do it. I¡¯m a professional surgeon. I can bandage it myself.¡±

    Alyssa clenched her hand into a fist as she pounded on his chest. Yet she dared not to use too much

    force, so it was more like scratching an itch.

    ¡°Besides, I hurt my arm, not my leg. What¡¯s the use of carrying me? I can walk by myself!¡±

    ¡°I know, but I want to carry you.¡± Jasper spoke his mind.

    Alyssa¡¯s fist pressed against his solid chest, her breathing erratic. She even forgot to resist. A rosy

    blush colored her cheeks.

    Jasper carried Alyssa into her bedroom.

    To his surprise, her room was unexpectedly simple. Although the decor was luxurious, with top-notch

    bedding and all, considering the room belonged to the heiress of Belbanks¡¯ wealthiest family, it was

    even more minimalistic than Lauren¡¯s.

    He remembered that, when she had been married to him, she had used to love life. There had been

    various nts in their house, and

    Although he had never slept on the big bed in their room, she had. changed its sheets and covers

    regrly.

    Even the decorations on the bedside table and the fresh flowers on the coffee table were frequently

    changed. It showed how much effort she had put into their marriage.

    ¡°You¡¯re still so young, but why is your room so in?¡±

    Jasper gently ced Alyssa on the bed.

    ¡°Grandpa has collected many famous paintings and antiques. You like them, right? If you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯ll

    ask Grandpa for them. I¡¯ll have Mrs. Rosiee over tomorrow and help you decorate.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I don¡¯t like my room to be so fancy. Simple andfortable are enough,¡± Alyssa

    replied indifferently, not epting his goodwill.

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, are you a parrot or a tape recorder? Can¡¯t you say something else besides that?¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ¡°Alright, maybe you don¡¯t need to talk so much.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s thin l*ps trembled. He felt bitter in his heart.

    He followed Alyssa¡¯s instructions and found the first aid kit. Hel helped her take off her coat, and when

    he saw her shirt soaked with sweat, he felt heartbroken.

    ¡°From now on, don¡¯t endure pain silently anymore.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice trembled, full of sorrow. took the

    opportunity to harm innocent people over and over again.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes ignited with fierce anger. She was immersed in anger and self-reproach.

    She was unaware that Jasper had silently unbuttoned the only remaining button on her shirt. When she

    finally realized it, he had unbuttoned thest one.

    Her delicatece bra was entirely exposed to his gaze without any defense, revealing her smooth skin

    beneath.

    Jasper¡¯s fiery eyes were fixated on the small white bow in the center of her bra. He couldn¡¯t help but

    swallow and blush as if he had a fever.

    He was undoubtedly a gentleman. But whenever it came to Alyssa, he couldn¡¯t help but have some

    improper thoughts.

    Suddenly, a sharp scream echoed through the room.

    With a face as red as a tomato, Alyssa lifted her hand and reflexively pped Jasper.

 Chapter 938

    It wasn¡¯t a heavy p. Compared to before, Jasper could treat this as a gentle caress from Alyssa. The

    thought made him smile.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa wondered what was wrong with the bastard. Had he no shame?

    ¡°W-Why are you taking my clothes off?¡± Alyssa asked, wrapping her arms around her chest as she

    blushed unknowingly.

    Jasper gazed tenderly at her. ¡°I¡¯m tending to your wound.¡±

    What an outrageous reason! Jasper was really getting worse by the -day!

    ¡°You¡­ you could have waited until I was dressed in something more. suitable or cut my sleeve off right

    away. Why did you have to strip my shirt off?¡± Alyssa¡¯s face was flushed red as she red at Jasper.

    Even her chest had a pink flush on it now. ¡°How shameless can you be?¡±

    ¡°We used to be married, Alyssa. We¡¯ve slept together both during marriage and after the divorce,¡±

    Jasper replied.

    Alyssa¡¯s breath hitched for a moment. Her l*ps pulled taut as she recalled how Jasper had begged her

    to satiate him that night.

    The feeling of his warm b*dy pressing against hers and how she had wrapped herself around him

    reyed in her mind.

    It was as if she had been the one who had been more enthusiastic and passionate.

    The thought upset her even more!

    Jasper¡¯s voice was raspy as he spoke, the desire tant in his eyes. It one else has ever seen.

    Wouldn¡¯t it be too insincere of me if I truly behaved like you said I should?¡±

    ¡°Jasper¡­ you¡­¡± Alyssa was about to speak when Jasper leaned closer to her, making her shut her

    eyes in fright.

    She could feel his warm hands gently undressing her further. With a soft tug, the shirt around her

    shoulders fell to the ground..

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    Alyssa mewled meekly.

    Jasper¡¯s heart pounded erratically as he stood before her. Even his breath seemed to be warm, like

    summer air.

    ¡°Rx, Lyse. How can I tend to your injury if you don¡¯t move your hands away?¡± Jasper murmured

    softly.

    His words were so silky smooth that they made Alyssa obey him uncontrobly. She shakily set her

    arms down.

    The sight of her full breasts made the blood in Jasper¡¯s veins heat up.

    His eyes were filled with burning passion as his breathing grew more erratic. They ran across her b*dy

    before stopping at her slim waist.

    Jasper had felt how soft Alyssa was there before. Even now, he still couldn¡¯t forget how he had held her

    waist as they had reached their climax that night.

    He had truly had a taste of the finest¡­

    Jasper couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. He wanted more of it, as if he were addicted.

    He wanted so much more.

    Jasper¡¯s hands were trembling as he helped bandage Alyssa¡¯s injury, using what little willpower he had

    left. sight of how well he had treated her

    er¡¯s firal technique was stis top notch as ever. He was able to execute treatment well, as what he had

    learned years ago had been etched in his DNA

    Alyssa spoke up. ¡°Thank you. Can you~¡±

    All of a sudden, Jasper caged her with his chest. ¡°You can thank me another way, Lyse

    He couldn¡¯t hold back anymore

    Jasper raised her chin with his finger, as if he were some desert traveler dying of thirst who had

    stumbled upon an oasis. He k*ssed her on the l*ps, all tongue and teeth as he deepened the k*ss

 Chapter 939

    What Jasper would give to devour Alyssa whole. That way, she would always be a part of him and

    could never escape.

    ¡°Jas-mmh-¡± Alyssa¡¯s words were muffled as Jasper ravaged her l*ps. Her eyes were moist, whether

    from grievance or from being overwhelmed by the k*ss..

    Jasper wasn¡¯t going to let her go that easily. Their night was surely going to be a sleepless one.

    He was able to skirt his hand around her injury and gently remove the final shred of clothing on her

    b*dy.

    With it, Alyssa¡¯s defenses crumpled. Her b*dy softened under his. touch in an instant.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ¡­ I¡¯ll be gentle this time, Lyse. Can you trust me, please?¡± Jasper murmured.

    Alyssa closed her eyes as she moaned softly. Jasper took that as a yes¡¯.

    The temperature in the room increased as their passion was unleashed.

    Jasper k*ssed Alyssa again, no longer restraining himself, though he was gentle.

    He had improved sincest time. Alyssa didn¡¯t feel any pain anymore. Instead, she felt pure waves of

    pleasure that made her drunk with ecstasy.

    What kind of love was this?

    She hated Jasper so much, yet when it came to this, all she wanted

    It was another tiring night that made Alyssa absolutely exhausted. Yet she was unable to rest properly,

    given how sore her b*dy was.

    Jasper had performed pretty well. Who knows, maybe Landon had taught him something new that had

    helped his skills improve.

    Jasper finally knew a little forey, unlike before. But that didn¡¯t mean Alyssa could withstand an entire

    night of soreness.

    What did he think he was? A machine?

    As Alyssa thought about all this, sheid in bed like a cat, gently. licking her swollen l*ps.

    She sat up suddenly, realizing that Jasper was no longer beside her. Her heart skipped a beat as she

    touched his side of the bed.

    The sheets were cold now. He had clearly left a while ago.

    Alyssa sat back against the head of the bed as faint disappointment filled her chest.

    She had been tormented by Jasper to the point that she had cried out.st night. Since her throat was

    dry, she went downstairs to get a drink of water, unbothered about Jasper¡¯s whereabouts anymore.

    Alyssa was halfway down the stairs when she heard sizzling sounds. from the kitchen.

    It smelled fragrant and¡­ a bit burnt?

    The smell made Alyssa jump to attention. She ran down to the kitchen.

    What she saw took her breath away like nothing else could.

    Jasper¡¯s strong back was facing her as he stood with an apron tied algple

    The more she observed Jasper, the more she noticed how muscr and attractive he was.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    His sleeves were rolled up to his biceps. His muscles pulled taut whenever he fl*pped the pan in his

    hand, exuding pure testosterone.

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes yfully as she crept up behind him.

    Her footsteps were silent because she was barefoot, so Jasper was clueless about her presence.

    A loud, sizzling sound rang out in the air suddenly.

 Chapter 940

    Hot air sted out of the pan. Jasper wiped away the sweat on his face and sighed. ¡°Dammit. Burnt

    again.¡±

    Only then did Alyssa see the countless burnt eggs in the trash bint beside the stove.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Pft. The heat is too high, silly. You¡¯d go through an entire chicken farm without seeding at this rate,¡±

    she teased.

    Jasper¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he turned around, meeting Alyssa¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Did I¡­ wake you?¡± he asked nervously.

    ¡°No, my biological clock did. I don¡¯t have a habit of sleeping in,¡± Alyssa replied.

    She then pointed at the trash bin beside him, teasing, ¡°You¡¯re lucky Sean isn¡¯t around to see this. He

    hates it when people waste food. If he had been here, he would have made you scoop everything back

    out and eat it.¡±

    ¡°I would be fine with that. I never wasted food during my time in the army,¡± Jasper replied lightly.

    It wouldn¡¯t be a first for him.

    Alyssa knew how serious Jasper could be at times and that he was indeed capable of doing something

    like that. She hurriedly waved her hands. ¡°I¡¯m kidding. Don¡¯t actually go eating that.¡±

    ¡°I really underestimated the art of cooking. I used to think it was easy whenever I watched Rosie cook.

    Now that I¡¯ve actually tried it, I can see just how difficult this technique is,¡± Jasper said.

    As he gazed at the messy kitchen countertop, guilt filled his chest. ¡°I know you must¡¯ve been so tired

    and put in so much effort to cook for me in the past.¡±

    Alyssa blinked quickly, conflicted emotions filling her heart.

    ¡°I¡­ I wanted you to have breakfast I made for you. But it looks like Sean will have to buy some for us

    this time.¡±

    Jasper smiled bitterly. ¡°Sorry, Lyse. Give me some more time to practice. I¡¯ll improve.¡±

    Alyssa immediately saw through his intentions.

    Jasper hadn¡¯t once stepped into the kitchen in their three years of marriage. Rosie had told Alyssa it

    wasn¡¯t purely because of his prejudice against her, but because he had never liked the smell of smoke

    and oil that came from the kitchen area.

    The smells reminded Jasper of the slums he had lived in with his mother. Their house had been

    surrounded by shabby eateries that constantly emanated the heavy smell of cooking.

    No matter how hard they scrubbed their clothes, that smell never left.

    Right now, Jasper was willing to cook for her and do something he had never done before. He truly

    doted on Alyssa, even crossing his own boundaries for her.

    Warmth filled Alyssa¡¯s chest. She gently nudged Jasper away. ¡°That¡¯s enough of terrorizing my house.

    Let me cook.¡±

    She coughed suddenly, her allergy acting up again after inhaling the smoke earlier.

    Didn¡¯t Jasper know to switch on the hood?

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lyse? Did you catch a cold?¡± Jasper asked worriedly.

    Alyssa covered her mouth and mumbled, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just allergic to smoke. I just need some fresh

    air.¡±

    Allergic¡­ to smoke?

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    When did she get this allergy? Or had she always had it and he just hadn¡¯t known?

    Had Alyssa spent those three years cooking for his entire family while suffering from her allergy like

    this?

    Alyssa had just taken the frying pan from him when Jasper hugged her tightly from behind.

    ¡°How am I supposed to cook with you like this?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t cook anymore.¡± Jasper buried his face in her neck, pain filling his eyes.

    ¡°Let me do it for you from now on. I¡¯ll learn to cook whatever it is your want to eat.¡±

    ¡°No need. You don¡¯t have the talent.¡± The moment Alyssa said that, she pursed her l*ps tightly. It felt

    like she had misspoken.

    For a moment, she had made it sound like they were an old married couple. It was as if she had

    acquiesced to a shared future together.

 Chapter 941

    Jasper didn¡¯t pursue the matter. All he could think about was how quilty he felt about Alyssa¡¯s allergy.

    ¡°Don¡¯t cook. I¡¯ll get Xavier to buy us breakfast or cook something for us himself. His cooking may not be

    as good as Sean¡¯s, but it¡¯ll do,¡± Jasper said.

    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    He noticed that Alyssa was barefoot and frowned before lifting her up into his arms.

    ¡°Ah! What are you doing?¡± Alyssa hurriedly clung onto his shoulders.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know to take better care of yourself? How could you walk barefoot here? The floor is so

    cold,¡± Jasper said.

    He set Alyssa down on the table and knelt down before her. He then cupped one of Alyssa¡¯s feet in his

    hands.

    Jasper¡¯s familiar warmth seeped into her skin, heating her up and making her narrow her eyes lightly in

    pleasure. She didn¡¯t want to reveal it too much, though.

    ¡°Rosie told me it¡¯s important for women to keep their feet warm, or else they get sick when they¡¯re old.

    Jasper gazed lovingly at Alyssa.

    ¡°Don¡¯t walk barefoot anymore.¡±

    ¡°I was worried, so I forgot,¡± Alyssa blurted out, feeling like she was being disciplined.

    Jasper was surprised by this admission. He smiled, amused.¡± Worried? Worried about what? That

    might¡¯ve left?¡±

    Alyssa blushed upon hearing this. Her feet even curled up in his grasp.

    ¡°I would never leave before you wake up. Never,¡± Jasper said.

    How could he?

    What he would give to be able to move in with her and sleep beside her every single night until all she

    could think about was him¡­

    Jasper gently ran his hands up her calves as he stood up. His hands. stopped at her waist as he

    leaned in to k*ss her forehead.

    But Jasper wasn¡¯t so easily satisfied. He never was when it came to Alyssa.

    Her skin seemed to grow warmer and warmer as it reddened under Jasper¡¯s touch. Though they had

    already done it all, Alyssa still found herself eager and shy when they were intimate.

    Just before Jasper k*ssed her on the l*ps, the doorbell rang.

    Jasper wanted to ignore it, but it wouldn¡¯t stop.

    That damned cockblocker!

    Alyssa cleared her throat awkwardly and pushed him away. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is someone at the

    door? Only my brothers and I know about this ce. They have the ess code to the door.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Xavier,¡± Jasper grumbled at the thought of his secretary.

    ¡°I told him toe find me here once he has information.¡±

    ¡°What information?¡±

    ¡°Information about Sophia and that killer.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes instantly brightened. She leapt off the table, but before her feetnded on the floor,

    Jasper lifted her into his arms.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let your feet touch the floor. You don¡¯t have shoes on,¡± he said.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened in surprise at how strong Jasper was. When she had been a child, Winston had

    often held her up like this in his

    What wonderful testosterone¡­

 Chapter 942

    Despite Alyssa¡¯s objections, Jasper walked to the entrance and opened the door.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett?¡±

    Jasper appeared in front of Xavier, carrying Alyssa bridal style in his arms. The two of them also looked

    unkempt, as if they had just woken up.

    Oh my god¡­ oh my god!

    Xavier¡¯s jaw dropped. He saw them in apletely different light. His imagination ran wild, and his face

    turned red.

    Did this mean that his dream couple had finally reunited? Could he finally die in peace now?

    ¡°Put me down, Jasper!¡± Alyssa cried out in his ear. She felt so awkward that she wanted to dig a hole

    for herself.

    ¡°Can hee in, Ms. Alyssa?¡± Jasper asked her in a soft, gentle voice while fixing his gaze on her.

    Alyssa waspletely subdued in front of Xavier. She stared at Jasper angrily, but could only nod.

    ¡°Ah, can Ie in too, then?¡±

    Both Jasper¡¯s and Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened at the sound of a familiar voice. To their surprise, Landon

    appeared from behind Xavier!

    He narrowed his sharp eyes as he looked them up and down gleefully. His sly smile made them want to

    punch him in the face!

    ¡°Congrattions!¡±

    ¡°What are you congratting me for?¡± Jasper red at him impatiently.

    ¡°Congrattions for finally not having to stand outside, waiting to be struck by lightning,¡± replied

    Landon as he smirked at Alyssa.

    Alyssa was speechless.

    Jasper¡¯s charming face was absolutely gloomy now. ¡°You! If you have something to say, say it.

    Otherwise, bugger off.¡±

    ¡°I do, I do! I wouldn¡¯t be here if I didn¡¯t have anything to say. Sweet couple, I¡¯m allowed toe in,

    right?¡± Landon asked with a cheeky expression on his face.

    ¡°Come in,¡± Jasper conceded.

    Alyssa yelled, ¡°We¡¯re no couple!¡±

    Landon didn¡¯t care. He dashed in shamelessly.

    Jasper put Alyssa down, then knelt down to put her shoes on for her.

    After she put her indoor sl*ppers on, she distanced herself from him quickly. Contrary to her intentions,

    her actions made her look even more guilty.

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    The four of them entered the living area. Jasper sat as closely as he could, right next to Alyssa. He

    then reached out naturally to put his arm around her waist.

    She shunned him by squirming away mercilessly.

    He couldn¡¯t help but frown and chuckle awkwardly. When she wasn¡¯t paying attention, he picked up her

    silky hair behind her back and began twirling it around his fingers.

    She was so petty.

    She wasn¡¯t the same person as the passionate womanst night.

    It was only now that Alyssa found out what Jasper had put Xavier up to. He had asked Xavier to tail

    and investigate Sophia.

    Furthermore, Landon hade here because he also had important news that he wanted to report to

    Jasper urgently.

    ¡°Did Sophia get in touch with that bastard, Jeffrey?¡± Jasper questioned with a dark look in his eyes.

    ¡°No, she didn¡¯t. With everyone watching so closely, she wouldn¡¯t have the guts to meet him.

    ¡°If she did, wouldn¡¯t she be signing her own death warrant? She would be telling the whole world about

    the both of them conspiring together,

    ¡°Xavier answered.

    He was parched, so he took a few gulps of water before continuing, ¡°I found out that she went to

    Sna Bank to meet with the bank¡¯s president.¡±

    Alyssa was quick to respond. She immediately asked, ¡°Was she making a transaction for arge sum

    of money?¡±

 Chapter 943

    Xavier gave Alyssa two thumbs-up. ¡°You¡¯re brilliant, Madam!¡± he praised.

    Jasper¡¯s l*ps curled upward. He was extremely pleased to hear that salutation.

    Alyssa was embarrassed and annoyed at the same time. But she was even more curious about what

    happened next. She pressed him on, saying, ¡°Go on!¡±

    ¡°Then, I went through hoops to find out that Sophia has a secret ount at Randend Bank. I¡¯m not

    sure how much money she has in there.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°But I was able to find out the sum that she was transferring from that ount to Sna Bank. It was

    exactly 200 million dors!¡±

    Landon raised his brows. He couldn¡¯t help but mock, ¡°200 million. dors? Wow, that bitch really stole a

    fortune for herself.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze turned cold. ¡°That must be the money that Jeffrey demanded from her. It must be the

    money for him to escape and keep silent,¡± Jasper sniggered.

    ¡°But what was more shocking to me was how Sophia could withdraw the ginormous sum of 200 million

    dors so easily. Plus, it was withdrawn from Randend Bank!¡± eximed Xavier.

    Alyssa rested her finger on her chin as she scrunched up her brows in deep thought.

    ¡°As far as I¡¯m aware, Sophia has some shares at Beckett Group. If she has been saving up her

    dividends each year, she¡¯ll have more than 200 million by now. It¡¯s not surprising that she was able to

    fork out

    Jasper looked straight at her and said, ¡°Sophia has quite a significant amount of money. However,

    every cent of hers is within Javier¡¯s purview.

    ¡°Her ount at Beckett Group ispletely transparent. In a way, this is one of the ways that Javier

    keeps her within his control.

    ¡°Hence, her savings in Randend Bank must be her secret stash. Javier is in the dark about this.

    Moreover, the source of this money is unclear.

    ¡°She made use of Betty¡¯s luxury store to cover it up. I have been keeping evidence of her bribery and

    moneyundering. No matter -how hard they try, it wouldn¡¯t be an easy feat to earn 200 million dors

    through that luxury store.¡±

    Alyssa twisted her b*dy to face him. The shape of her eyebrows showed that she was angry.

    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you finished them off if you have evidence?¡± she queried.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes turned dark. He let go of her hair, letting his hand fall naturally behind her lower back.

    His touch was very gentle, so Alyssa didn¡¯t even realize it.

    However, his two other observers in the room noticed. Their eyes widened, and their jaws dropped in

    astonishment.

    ¡°Firstly, a mere luxury store wouldn¡¯t be enough to take both Sophial and Betty down for good.

    Secondly, Javier will do everything he can to cover for them.

    ¡°If I were to strike out of the blue, I would be actually making an indirect attack at Beckett Group. If it

    affects thepany¡¯s shares, it could cost Beckett Group a loss beyond measure.¡±

    Alyssa nodded slowly. She understood where he wasing from.

    He wasn¡¯t Javier¡¯s only son. In the eyes of the world, he was an illegitimate son who hade into

    power. Javier still had another heir

    -Justin.

    She knew that it wasn¡¯t an easy feat for Jasper to rise to the president¡¯s position. She also recognized

    how he had had to walk on thin ice all these years.

    If he were to lose his power in Beckett Group, he would end up being trampled on. He needed to fight

    for the sake of his mother.

    Jasper thought of his mother¡¯s tragic death. He felt extreme pain that made his breathbored.

    ¡°At that time, I didn¡¯t know that Sophia was the culprit behind my mother¡¯s death. All things considered,

    I chose not to expose her just yet.

    ¡°Lyse, you must feel like¡­ like I¡¯m a coward and so useless, right? I think so too. I think that I¡¯m such a

    loser, and an extremely dumb one, at that.¡±

    Landon and Xavier were stunned to hear that!

    After all, they had just seen Jasper after he had learned the truth.

    Fortunately, he had been able to calm down, very much thanks to Alyssa¡¯spany. Naturally, he

    hadn¡¯t had the opportunity to share what had happened with them until now.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart ached when she saw how despondent he looked.

    Her eyes turned slightly red. She was tempted to reach out andfort him, but she was held back by

    her feeling of awkwardness.

    So she just said to him in a warm voice, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. You were still young back then. You weren¡¯t

    aware of how cunning people can

    years to do so,¡±

    Jasper lifted his eyes in surprise. His gaze met hers, which was sparkling with confidence.

    If it weren¡¯t for thepany they had, he would have embraced her, k*ssed her passionately, and

    given her all his affection¡­

    ¡°Other than that, you made a good point earlier. The evidence that you have on hand at the moment

    won¡¯t be able to make much of an impact on Sophia and Betty.

    ¡°Javier will do whatever he can to protect them. Even if Sophia were to be imprisoned, she would

    probably be sentenced for just a few years.

    ¡°If Javier hires a top-notchwyer like Simon to defend her, I¡¯m guessing that she¡¯ll be freed after a

    mere three to five years.¡±

    Xavier sprung to his feet in anger. ¡°That¡¯s why we have to m that bitch gets punished for multiple

    charges and is imprisoned long as possible!¡± he eximed furiously.

    ¡°How would that be enough?¡±

 Chapter 944

    It was as if Alyssa and Jasper had read each other¡¯s minds. They

    both cried out simultaneously, ¡°An eye for an eye. She needs to be sentenced to death!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! The death penalty!¡± Xavier nodded in agreement. His face was red with anger.

    ¡°Heck, I just can¡¯t understand why Mr. Javier fell in love with Sophia! She¡¯s got neitherpassion nor

    beauty. Mr. Beckett Senior is a wise man, yet he has such a foolish son!¡±

    Landon clenched his fists in anger. His eyes were burning with rage.

    ¡°What must we do in order for Javier to give up on that bitch.pletely?¡±

    ¡°Only if Mr. Javier found out about Sophia¡¯s affair and her bastard. child.¡±

    Xavier added smoothly, ¡°Reputation is of utmost importance to someone of a high status, just like Mr.

    Javier. If he finds out that his partner has been cheating on him, I¡¯m sure that he will no longer be on

    her side!

    ¡°How much of a sore loser would he be if he were to tolerate such a thing?¡±

    Alyssa chimed in, ¡°Yeah. She cheated on him, and it wasn¡¯t just once.¡± She narrowed her charming

    eyes.

    Jasper, Landon, and Xavier were all bbergasted. Their eyes

    widened at the revtion.

    ¡°I know of her affair with Ronald. Who else is there?¡± Jasper asked with his eyes fixed on Alyssa.

    ¡°Do you still remember the audio recording that we heard at the police station? The one where Sophia

    mentions Dr. McAlister?¡±

    Jasper caught a glimpse of a sly look in Alyssa¡¯s eyes. He responded immediately, ¡°He¡¯s the man you

    nted beside Sophia?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re smart. I expected no less of you.¡±

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Jasper¡¯s face flushed red at her suddenpliment.

    ¡°He was one of the students who received financial aid from KS Group. I met him back when I was still

    in school. He agreed to join our revenge troop as his way of repaying us for the help he received,¡± she

    exined.

    They met¡­ in school?

    Jasper was rmed. He questioned in a low voice, ¡°He¡¯s a man? And you knew him before?¡±

    ¡°Are you deaf, Jasper? Would Sophia be having an affair with a woman?¡± Landon raised his brow. He

    thought that love really Jasper sound sillier than usual.

    Jasper looked upset.

    ¡°What happened? You¡¯re not jealous, are you?¡± As a close friend of his, Landon knew Jasper all too

    well.

    He couldn¡¯t help but tease him, ¡°Hey, it¡¯s fine if you¡¯re jealous. He¡¯s a doctor and has a steady job. He

    must have been an excellent student for KS Group to sponsor him.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that he¡¯s quite talented since Sophia was attracted to him. Most cougars like to look for

    handsome and emotionally dependent young men. Dr. McAlister is most probably younger and more

    energetic than you.¡±

    Jasper exhaled heavily. His eyes red daggers at Landon¡¯s face,

    ¡°If Dr. McAlister were to pursue Lyse, she might even consider it. Wouldn¡¯t you, Lyse?¡±

    Alyssa smiled shyly as she nodded. ¡°I might.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes turned red instantly. He was hot under the cor.

    Even so, they soon diverted their focus back to the original topic.

    ¡°So Madam, was it your n to have Dr. McAlister seduce Sophia?¡± Xavier inquired in disbelief.

    ¡°That¡¯s not all.¡± Alyssa waved her slim finger.

    ¡°Sophia also has a drug addiction.¡±

    They were floored once again.

    ¡°She has been using an illegal drug that¡¯s normally used as a clinical anesthetic. In fact, many powerful

    people and celebrities also source

    simr injections for themselves.

    ¡°In the long run, they will often develop a dependency on it. If they are using it in extremely high

    dosages, they will gradually lose their rity

    of mind.

    ¡°They might even lose control over their muscles. They might even be incontinent,¡± she said with

    a faint yet dangerous glimmer in her eyes.

    She was reminded of everything that L had had to face because of the cruel woman, Sophia. She

    tightened her fists with tears in her

    eyes.

    What did she have to do in order to make Sophia feel sorry?

    Sophia needed to suffer a million times more than the people she had hurt in the past. Only then could

    she say that she had paid for her

 Chapter 945

    from

    Since Sophia¡¯s 200 million dors were deposited in Randend Bank, that indicated that the money in

    that ount was dirty money. her corrupt acts.

    Her ability to withdraw 200 million dors as she wished suggested that the sum she had embezzled

    was astronomical.

    It was probably money she reaped from various sources within Beckett Group. Other than that, she

    must have also used her status

    as the chairman¡¯s wife to receive bribes.

    ¡°Xavier, has Sophia already transferred the money to Jeffrey?¡± Jasper asked softly, with a glint in his

    eyes.

    ¡°She has.¡±

    ¡°Has he withdrawn the money?¡±

    ¡°Not yet. It¡¯s such arge sum of money. He would probably need a dump truck to fit all that money. It

    would be too obvious if he transported the cash. He still needs to make a getaway.¡±

    Jasper nodded slightly and said, ¡°Right. Then, you should call the cops right now. Have them freeze

    Jeffrey¡¯s ount.¡±

    ¡°On it, Mr. Beckett.¡± Xavier got up to get it done immediately.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Indeed, it would be easier for the police to work on something like freezing someone¡¯s bank ount.

    ¡°When that bugger is unable to get his money, I suppose he will be desperate and rebel against

    Sophia.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were sharp and bright. She said, ¡°Right now, we should have Jeffrey chased down. Once

    he¡¯s caught, we¡¯ll have him spill

    Landon was sitting with his legs crossed. He chimed in suddenly, ¡°I have news about that man.¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper both eximed, ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°If not, why would Ie knocking on your door out of the blue? Did you think that I was just dropping

    by? Even if that were so, I would have brought Lauren with me.¡±

    He ced his left arm over the edge of the couch¡¯s backrest and sat arrogantly like a thug.

    ¡°My people found a lead when they were investigating at South Pier. Two fishermen witnessed Jeffrey

    getting on a cargo ship at midnight. the day before yesterday.

    ¡°That cargo ship was set to sail to Tsulu. It looks like he¡¯s nning to smuggle himself out of the

    country.¡±

    ¡°Tsulu? Is there any possibility that he¡¯s making a detour to a different country along the way?¡± Alyssa

    asked as she furrowed her brows slightly. She had a worried expression on her face.

    ¡°That¡¯s possible. However, the two countries that they will pass by along the way are small countries in

    the middle of nowhere. How is he going to spend his 200 million dors there? Use it to light fire?¡±

    Landon continued, ¡°So I instructed my people to follow him in secret. I even asked them to keep a

    close watch on the ports of the other countries along the way.

    ¡°That said, I also warned them not to alert him. If Jeffrey jumps into the sea or changes his mode of

    transport to a yacht, a kayak, or anything of the sort, it will be even more challenging for us to capture

    him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if the cops are unable to arrest him because he¡¯s

    fonte Goumuy, my poopic

    back here.

    ruiper vroup mii de ani to uray

    Smuggling contraband was no challenge for Harper Group. After all, that was how they had built their

    company in the first ce.

    ¡°Jonah has some connections in Tsulu. I¡¯ll reach out to him shortly. Then, both of you can work together

    to capture Jeffrey.¡±

    Alyssa was pumped. She almost wished that she could be the one who caught him with her own

    hands,

    Landon grinned and replied, ¡°It would be fantastic if Jonah could lend me some help!¡±

    Jasper shot him a fierce look. He red coldly at Landon¡¯s cheeky

    face.

    When did he learn how to pull such an idiotic expression? Who was he trying to tter?

    Having received such good news from Jasper and Landon, Alyssa was beaming from ear to ear.

    Of course, she was a good host. Hence, she went to the bar to make them something to drink.

    While Alyssa was away, Landon seized the opportunity to scoot over to Jasper¡¯s side.

    ¡°Are you feeling cold?¡± Jasper asked

    ¡°Hmm? I¡¯m not,¡± Landon answered.

    ¡°Keep your distance, then. I don¡¯t like the scent of your cologne.¡±

    ¡°Tsk, why are you so demanding? Who cares if you like it or not? As long as Lauren likes it, that¡¯s all

    that matters!¡± While Landon said that, he scrutinized every single detail on Jasper¡¯s face.

    Then, he spotted a red smudge hidden on the cor of his shirt.

    Landon squinted slightly, then lowered his voice and asked, ¡°Jasper,st night, did both of you¡­ do it?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s longshes quivered, and his pupils wavered slightly. ¡°How did you know?¡±

    As much as he was trying to refrain himself, his l*ps still curled up slightly, signaling his satisfaction, as

    if he just had a gratifying meal.

    ¡°Shit, you pretty much have the word ¡®predator¡¯ written on your face! Do you know how greasy you

    looked just now? I lost my appetite just looking at you!¡± Landon couldn¡¯t help but tease him.

 Chapter 946

    Jasper looked Landon in the eye and whispered, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Can¡¯t my future wife and I

    enjoy each other¡¯spany?¡±

    ¡°We are all adults. There¡¯s nothing wrong if you¡¯re both consenting. But¡­ did you use protection?¡±

    ¡°Protection?¡± Jasper was slightly taken aback.

    It a man-to-man talk, so Landon wasn¡¯t afraid to be direct. He

    was

    §ê§Ö§Ö

    asked, ¡°Did you a condom? How about when you did it the

    previous time?¡±

    From the outside, Jasper may look like he was invincible and

    unyielding. However, his only experience at S*x was with Alyssa. Hel was pretty much a nk te.

    The previous time¡­

    Jasper answered honestly, ¡°I didn¡¯t. You know how I was thest time. How would I even remember

    that?¡±

    ¡°How about this time?¡±

    ¡°¡­ I pulled out.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no use pulling out if your sperm is very active. There is still a high chance that you could get

    her pregnant.¡¯

    Landon put his arm around Jasper¡¯s shoulders and let out a long sigh.

    ¡°It¡¯s better if you use a condom next time, Jasper. Your rtionship has just begun to progress. You

    should be careful,¡± he urged.

    ¡°If you truly care for her, don¡¯t knock her up before marriage. She¡¯s Winston¡¯s precious daughter and

    someone who is loved by many.

    You should cherish her.

    ¡°When all is said and done, if people were to hear that she became pregnant before marriage and,

    what¡¯s more, with her ex-husband, it really won¡¯t sound great. The most important thing for a woman is

    her reputation.¡±

    ¡°Landon,¡± Jasper said. He turned his sincere gaze toward him slowly. His eyes looked deep and

    soulful.

    He continued carefully, ¡°If Lyse were to be pregnant with my child, do you think that I wouldn¡¯t

    take up the responsibility?

    ¡°She¡¯s the only person I want to be with. Regardless of whether she¡¯s willing to marry me or not, she is

    mine. She¡¯s my woman.

    ¡°If I get her pregnant, I will go to the Taylors to ask for their blessing. I will have a grand wedding. I must

    fulfill all her wishes and give her everything that I wasn¡¯t able to give herst time.¡±

    ¡°Oh my, you¡¯re really getting ahead of yourself. You don¡¯t even know if Lyse is willing to marry you

    again.¡±

    Since they were on the topic of pregnancy, Landon rambled on, ¡°After Lauren and I get married in the

    future, I n to have five children. How many children do you and Lyse n on having, Jasper?

    ¡°If you both join hands, you could probably purchase an entire country. Do you n to have seven to

    eight kids to be your heirs, just like Winston did?¡±

    Jasper responded, ¡°I have no objections if that¡¯s what Lyse wants.¡± His eyes lit up with passion. He

    looked like he was full of hope for the future.

    ¡°Do you like children? As for me, I love them. I even dream about having kids.¡±

    In Landon¡¯s head, he visualized him and Lauren taking their children to the amusement park to y. He

    was so happy that he couldn¡¯t

    awp

    Jasper closed his eyes. He pictured Alyssa¡¯s shy smile, and his heart fluttered.

    ¡°Yes, I do. I¡¯d like to have kids too.¡±

    But he only wanted to have children with Alyssa.

    While both of them were chattering away excitedly, they didn¡¯t notice

    Alyssa on the other side of the wall. She was carrying a tray with trembling hands.

    She had heard every single word of their conversation.

    She liked children too¡­

    Why wouldn¡¯t she? She had even dreamt of bearing children for Jasper.

    Sadly, if he were to bet his future on her, his dream of ha

    would nevere true.

    Her eyes were swollen and red. She took a deep breath as she slumped slowly to the floor with her

    back against the wall.

    In fact, it made no difference for her whether he had used protection

    or not.

    Ever since she¡¯d had that miscarriage, she had be barren. She could never have her own children

    in the future.

    Soon enough, Jonah heard the news about Alyssa taking Jasper home to spend the night.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

 Chapter 947

    Jonah was truly worried for Alyssa on behalf of Winston. Initially, he had wanted to rush over to

    confront Jasper. He wanted to beat. Jasper up for having hurt Alyssa so badly in the past.

    To his surprise, Axel held him back from doing so..

    ¡°Forget it, Jonah. What¡¯s the use of rushing over there now? They¡¯ve already spent the night together.

    They¡¯re no longer children. Whatever is going to happen, will happen. Will you even be able to stop

    them?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jonah looked at Axel in shock. ¡°Are you in favor of them being together?¡±

    ¡°At the very least, I¡¯m not supportive of Lyse and Jameson being a

    couple,¡± Axel answered bluntly.

    Jonah shook his head and replied in a dejected voice, ¡°Even so, you are just letting Lyse choose the

    lesser evil. Neither Jasper nor Jameson are a good match for her.¡±

    ¡°But Jasper¡¯s feelings for her are sincere. It¡¯s true that he has done a lot of bad things in the past, but

    he has repented. He has also.pensated her with his life time and time again. He has been trying to

    make it up to her for all the hurt that he has caused her.

    ¡°On the other hand, I haven¡¯te in contact with Jameson much.

    But I can still tell that his feelings for Lyse aren¡¯t that simple. He must have some other ulterior motive.

    ¡°Besides, Winston used to be indifferent toward him, but his attitude. toward himpletely changed

    recently. Can you be sure that he isn¡¯t plotting anything against Winston in the dark?¡±

    Although Axel seldom intervened in family matters, he wasn¡¯t going to

    DIL DUUR WILL UN TUJ Uni ijous LIDL WYU

    happiness.

    Jonah creased his brows tightly, lost in deep thought.

    Axel usually acted like an unreliable person. But he did have some wisdom to share during key

    moments like this.

    ¡°I did have my suspicions, simr to what you mentioned. I¡¯d looked into it before.

    ¡°On the night when Dad and his wives got back to the country, he

    a arrived at the hospital with Jameson. But Dad was the only one who wwent upstairs. Jameson didn¡¯t,

    and it was seemingly to avoid

    ararousing suspicion.

    Not only that, that was the day when Dad told me that he wanted to hahave a marriage alliance with

    Schmidt Group by matchmaking Lyse a and Jameson. Ss and I objected strongly to the idea

    THIm not sure what came over Dad, but he had his mind.

    ththis.¡±

    ¡°No! I don¡¯t agree with this marriage!¡±

    ime.

    Avexel wrinkled his brows into a frown. In his anger, he squeezed his hahand so hard that he broke the

    ss in his hand.

    JoJonah blinked and flinched back, afraid of being hit by the bits of glokacs.

    WW/stston dares to have Lyse marry that Schmidt, not only will I take Jajaesson¡¯s life, I will also make

    sure that he dies childless!¡±

    Nomarahtiano100ment, the door to the study opened.

    Joitaran and Axel jumped. Julien barged in brazenly while carrying a

    travay.

    Welrereavaving onversation here, Mr. Lovce. Shouldn¡¯t you have

    ??

    Rather than being enraged, he looked more like he was helpless.

    ¡°Do I look like I¡¯ve got any hands free?¡±

    Julien red at them through narrowed eyes. He stormed over and ced the tray on the tea table.

    He argued back coldly, ¡°I even had to push the door open with my bottom. If you think that I don¡¯t have

    any manners, shall I go back out. and knock on the door, Jonah?¡±

    Axel whipped a cigarette out and put it in the corner of his mouth. He observed Julien with a yful

    gaze.

    How could he best describe that feeling?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Based on the way that Julien was squabbling with Jonah, why did it feel like a woman flirting with her

    lover?

    Also, his butt was quite perky, evenpared to most women, let

    alone men.

    ¡°Do you need anything?¡± Jonah lowered his eyes again and asked in a

    nonchnt voice.

    ¡°Aunt Mandy made this chicken soup. She asked me to bring it to both of you so that you can nourish

    your bodies,¡± Julien exined while acting submissive. He was doing so intentionally to irritate

    Jonah.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like to drink soup. Please bring me some canned beer instead.. I want chilled ones,¡± Axel

    demanded as he rested his long legs on the

    side of the coffee table.

    Then, he jiggled the cigarette between his l*ps and instructed, ¡°Do you have a light? Light it up for me.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re going overboard!¡± Julien was so enraged that his fair

    i kad gay de around tas bua

    family¡¯s gumit. Dhurit jaka

    would so tough tasty

 Chapter 948

    Axel pocketed his cigarette. He got up in one swift move and scooped up a bowl in his hand.

    He took a sip of the soup and smacked his l*ps together loudly. ¡°Pfft,

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    it¡¯s too nd.¡±

    Julien red at him. He was this close to fl*pping the coffee table.

    Winston was such a powerful man. His children were all outstanding in their own ways. But had there

    been some gic mutation with Axel? Why was he the devil incarnate?

    Axel yawned and left the study, leaving Jonah and Julien alone in the

    room.

    The atmosphere quietened down instantly. A slight tension lingered in

    the air.

    Jonah didn¡¯t lift his head to look at Julien. He paid absolutely no attention to the pretty man who was

    with him.

    Julien, who was usually a Don Juan, soon became flustered in the

    face of such callousness.

    He could read many people, but he was unable to tell what Jonah was thinking. Was Jonah ying

    hard to get? Or was he no longer

    interested in him after that night?

    In recent years, Jonah¡¯s eyesight had deteriorated due to over- exerting himself. He would put on

    contact lenses whenever he went

    out.

    But when he was at home, he wore a pair of silver-framed sses

    whenever he had to review documents or read.

    Right then, Jonah was sitting upright. He retrieved his sses from their case. His longshes drooped

    downward as he put his sses on slowly.

    He had been born with sharp facial features in the first ce. This pair of sses was befitting of his

    gentlemanly elegance.

    They made him look like a noble man from a wealthy family in the olden days who had juste home

    from studying abroad.

    Julien¡¯s breath was shallow. His heart was beating fast and hard. He gulped, feeling that his throat had

    gone dry.

    He couldn¡¯t help but walk toward Jonah.

    Jonah was concentrating on his work when he suddenly felt his chair being turned around. His eyes

    met Julien¡¯s.

    Julien¡¯s hands were pressing on the edge of the table. He bent his tall b*dy down toward Jonah, closing

    in on him with his chest.

    Jonah turned his handsome face upward. ¡°What are you trying to do, Mr. Lovce?¡± he asked while

    looking at Julien with a deep gaze.

    ¡°Jonah, has anyone ever mentioned to you that the way you look with sses is so damn

    mesmerizing?¡±

    The corner of his eyes became slightly red, and he became brazen. He lifted his left leg,nded his

    bent knee on Jonah¡¯s thigh, and gave it a gentle rub.

    Jonah¡¯s brows pulled together slightly as he took a deep breath.

    As much as he tried to hold himself back, he found his gaze traveling slowly downward. His eyes

    became fixed on the sight that was

    revealed under Julien¡¯s blue silk shirt.

    Julien had a fair chest and an alluring, protruding corbone that drew him in like a ma.

    2743

    That night, when their l*ps had interlocked, he had ripped Julien¡¯s top to pieces. He had pulled him in

    from the waist and k*ssed his l*ps. wildly, exploring from his neck to his corbone¡­

    He had beenpletely wasted, but he could recall that he had been very captivated by Julien¡¯s

    corbone.

    It was because the same spot had been a secret enjoyment that only

    he and his lover knew about.

    They had done it countless times.

    ¡°Why are you ignoring me, Jonah?¡±

    Julien wrapped his arms around Jonah¡¯s neck. The expression on his feminine and pretty face was

    coupled with an affectionate look in his

    eyes.

    He truly looked more charming and attractive than a woman.

    ¡°You wrapped your arms around me and couldn¡¯t stop k*ssing me when you¡¯d had too much to drink.

    Now that you are sober, are you just going to turn your back on me? Are all the men in the Taylor family

    so heartless?¡±

    ¡°Get off of me,¡± Jonah said, enunciating each word firmly through his moist l*ps.

    At this moment, he was feeling restless. The memory of that night made him even more agitated. He

    had also lost the patience that he

    had for Julien.

    Julien was more used to Jonah being warm. When Jonah became so frigid all of a sudden, a bout of

    anger rose within him. It made him tighten his arms around Jonah.

    ¡°You hypocrite, Jonah. You domineered over me that night. How can

    you treat me like this now?¡±

    24

    ¡°I¡¯m going to count to three.¡±

    ¡°One, two, three. And then?¡± Julien counted for him instead. His eyes turned red from anger.

    Jonah took in one deep breath as he closed his eyes. All of a sudden, he gave Julien one hard push.

    ¡°Fuck!¡±

    Fortunately, Julien had quick reflexes. He retreated from Jonah in

    time, but still ended up losing his bnce from the force.

 Chapter 949

    With a loud crash, Julien¡¯s back mmed heavily into the bookshelf. Books rained down on him.

    One of them even hit him right on the head, making his ears ring from

    the pain.

    ¡°Oof ¡­ Jonah! What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I warned you, but you didn¡¯t listen.¡±

    When Jonah noticed that Julien was hurt, he felt a slight tug on his

    heart. Yet he reverted to his cold expression immediately.

    ¡°It¡¯s one thing that Alyssa asked you for a favor, Julien. But that doesn¡¯t mean that you can do as you

    please with me.

    ¡°Everything that happened that night ended there. If you behave. yourself, we can still be rtives. If

    you insist on being this way, I don¡¯t even know what I will do to you next time.¡±

    Jonah was aware that he had never been a good-tempered person.

    Out of all the Taylor siblings, he was potentially the most hostile one.

    If this had been ten years ago and a man had been trying to get so close to him, he wouldn¡¯t have

    hesitated to break thetter¡¯s limbs in

    a few swift moves.

    Julien clenched his fists tightly. He asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Jonah.

    So you¡¯re going to just deny everything that you did to me that night?

    ¡°We embraced and k*ssed. And then? What else did we do?¡± Jonah

    responded as he swiveled his leather chair toward Julien slowly.

    He removed his sses and voiced out coldly but with restraint,

    Lveryummy cheen. Autuny, you unul de men wur

    everything that happened that night. If you hadn¡¯t taken the initiative, nothing would¡¯ve happened.¡±

    ¡°But you could have rejected me like you did just now. But you didn¡¯t, Jonah!¡± Julien glowered at him

    angrily, but he still looked stunning.

    ¡°Because of that, I know that you fancy me. You have feelings for me. too! Otherwise, based on your

    personality, you wouldn¡¯t have reciprocated even if I were to strip n*ked and throw myself at you!¡±

    ¡°I have done my research, Julien. You¡¯ve got a very interesting track record with your rtionships over

    at Mosgravia. I heard that the gaymunity in Mosgravia is within the palm of your hand. You have

    slept with countless men.¡±

    ¡°Jonah¡­¡± Julien was appalled. He felt as if he had been stripped bare

    in front of him.

    ¡°I have a question for you-did you have feelings for all those men you slept with?¡±

    Julien felt as if his heart were being wrung.

    Feelings?

    When had he ever truly fancied anyone?

    He was just a lonely individual who wanted somepany. All his one-night stands were his way of

    getting through the long nights.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure that you already have the answer in your heart.

    Coincidentally, how I feel about you is exactly the same as the answer in your heart.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s gaze was frigid. He continued, ¡°We are all grown-ups. Don¡¯t be such a bad sport, Mr.

    Lovce.¡±

    A wave of unstoppable pain surged from the bottom of his heart. He

    the door.

    Following that, they heard Mandy¡¯s voice, asking, ¡°Jonah, Julien, are you both in there? Can Ie

    in?¡±

    Jonah steadied his breath, then walked to the door and opened it.

    ¡°Hi, Mandy,¡± he greeted. In an instant, his facial expression was reced with one of warmth as he

    smiled.

    ¡°Are you both having a chat? I just heard some noises, like things falling in the study. Is everything

    okay?¡± Mandy peered into the study and observed carefully.

    ¡°All¡¯s fine, Mandy. Are you looking for me or Julien?¡± Jonah inquired without a change in his

    expression.

    ¡°I¡¯m mainly here for you.¡±

    Mandy paused, then said in a low voice, ¡°Winston and I will be attending a horse racing event in Sna

    City next week. The event is rted to a big coboration project, so it¡¯s very important.¡±

    Then, she quickly added, ¡°It isn¡¯t a must for me to attend. I¡¯ve also asked Winston to take L and

    Colene along. However, Beckett Group will be attending, and I¡¯m sure that Sophia will be there too.

    ¡°L definitely won¡¯t be willing to go. As for Colene, she would be interested in the horse race itself, but

    I¡¯m afraid that the media will

    start making up stories if all of us end up going.¡±

    ¡°I get you, Mandy. You don¡¯t have to borate further. You¡¯re the one. who apanied Dad to some

    of these major events all these years.

    ¡°It¡¯s because of your reliable and amiable personality. That¡¯s why Dad can be at ease knowing that he

    has you by his side.¡± Jonah shared in an understanding manner.

    3:4

    ¡°Winston also mentioned that other than Beckett Group, people from Harper Group and Schmidt Group

    will be there too,¡± Mandy said.

    Jonah¡¯s face turned glum. He answered, ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll ask Lyse to steer

    clear.¡±

    Mandy let out a troubled sigh. ¡°I had that thought too, and I¡¯ve told Winston the same. But he insists on

    Lyse attending. Not going isn¡¯t. an option. He said that he has something important to say then.¡±

    ¡°Something important?¡± Jonah raised his brows.

    ¡°I¡¯ve tried probing, but he wouldn¡¯t tell me.¡±

 Chapter 950

    Mandy couldn¡¯t stop worrying. She said, ¡°Jonah, you muste with us. No matter what happens, we

    have to do everything we can to protect Lyse. We can¡¯t let her be harassed by anyone!¡±

    ¡°Of course. Thank you for letting me know, Mandy.¡±

    After Jonah left the study, Mandy entered the room.

    ¡°What happened earlier, Julien? Did you and Jonah have an argument?

    Julien bent down to pick up the books that had fallen onto the floor, one by one. He had his back

    against Mandy.

    ¡°No, we didn¡¯t. It was nothing,¡± he said in a dejected voice.

    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. I could hear all themotion from outside. I just wasn¡¯t able to hear what you were

    both talking about.¡±

    Mandy looked at him angrily and criticized him. ¡°Jonah is such a well- tempered person. I have never

    seen him get mad throughout all these years.

    ¡°You have just been here for a few days, yet you¡¯ve irritated him like. that? I¡¯m certain that you¡¯re the

    one at fault!¡±

    Julien became flustered by her words. ¡°How is it my fault? Jonah¡¯s the one who has done me wrong!¡±

    he cried out.

    ¡°Julien! Stop talking nonsense! You were out roaming free for a few years, with no one to keep a rein

    on you. You¡¯re bing more and more insane!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who has to live with the Taylors in the long run. Of course, you have to build a good

    rtionship with them. But I can L¡¯any une.

    UFC Lu Juun up to mi wunun unguvu,

    He realized the severity of his words right after he said them. Yet, it was toote for him to take his

    words back.

    Mandy¡¯s expression became dark. She felt a wave of anguish wash over her.

    All of a sudden, the air around them became silent.

    Julien pressed his l*ps together in embarrassment.

    He was about to speak up to ease up the tension when Mandy said softly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Julien. I know that

    I¡¯ve embarrassed you and the Lovce family. I will forever be the ck sheep in that family.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not it, Aunt Mandy. That¡¯s not what I meant. I¡­

    ¡°I know that I¡¯m not worthy of being your aunt, let alone keeping voul in check. I¡¯m overjoyed that you

    were able toe back this tim the future, take good care of yourself.¡±

    With that, Mandy left with her head hung low and a heavy heart.

    ¡°Aunt Mandy!¡±

    The feeling of guilt in Julien¡¯s heart increased. He was about to go after her when something on the

    bookshelf caught his eye.

    To his surprise, the bookshelf that had been emptied because of the books that had fallen had a hidden

    compartment.

    If the books had been in their usual ce on the shelf, no one would have spotted it.

    Julien was taken aback. He reached in and gave it a tap. It sounded hollow!

    He pursed his l*ps as a strong sense of curiosity came over him.

    Jasper noticed that Alyssa hadn¡¯te out of the room since Landon and Xavier left. @

    When it was time to eat, she was unwilling toe out to talk to him, no matter how much he knocked

    on her door.

    She only said that she wasn¡¯t feeling well and that she didn¡¯t have any appetite.

    Jasper was perplexed. He couldn¡¯t figure out what had happened to her. She had been acting normal in

    the morning, so why was she suddenly acting like this?

    He stood at the door while he tried to recall if he had made any mistakes.

    He hadn¡¯t. He hadn¡¯t done anything at all.

    Right when he was at his wit¡¯s end, the doorbell rang.

    At the same time, Alyssa opened the door to the room.

    She walked out of the room wearing a peach nightgown. She bumped, hard into him by ident. Her

    head hurt from bumping right into his strong muscles.

    Alyssa massaged her forehead gently. ¡°Ouch¡­ Why are you standing at the door like a goalkeeper?

    It¡¯s such a rxing afternoon. Don¡¯t you want to take a nap?¡± she asked stiffly.

    Jasper caught her with both hands. His palms were sweaty, and he looked into her deep eyes.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    He exined, ¡°I was worried about you, so I¡¯ve just been waiting at the door.¡±

    Then, he lifted his hand to touch her forehead. Hemented, ¡±

    You¡¯re not having a fever. That¡¯s good. Are you feeling unwell in any other way?¡±

 Chapter 951

    Alyssa lowered her eyes and moved Jasper¡¯s hand away. ¡°We should get the door first,¡± she said as

    she brushed past him.

    It was evident to Jasper that she wasn¡¯t being herself. It felt as if she was feeling a little resentful

    toward him.

    Alyssa hurried to the entrance and opened the door.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie!¡±

    ¡°Madam!¡±

    Rosie dropped the bags that she was carrying and held Alyssa in an emotional embrace.

    ¡°Madam¡­ I¡¯ve missed you so much!¡± Rosie cried. She sobbed like a child even though she was

    already in her 50s.

    Alyssa stroked Rosie gently. She choked back her tears, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve missed you very much, too! I¡¯m

    d to see you energetic and well.

    Jasper had tagged along behind Alyssa. He was surprised to see. Rosie.

    Without a doubt, it was Alyssa who called Rosie over.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, Mr. Beckett hasn¡¯t been feeling too well recently. I¡¯m. quite busy, and I¡¯m afraid I might not

    have the time to look after him. Sorry to have to trouble you with looking after him,¡± Alyssa exined

    gently.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°It¡¯s my duty to do so! But, the fact that you¡¯re willing to look after Mr. Jasper. Truly, I¡­¡± Rosie

    responded. She was on the brink of tears again.

    Never had she imagined that she would be able to see Jasper and

    Jasper¡¯s heart gradually sank upon hearing Rosie¡¯s words.

    He knew Alyssa well. She was someone who could care for herself independently. More than that, she

    usually avoided troubling others.

    However, she had summoned Rosie over from Seaview Manor this very night. There could only be one

    purpose-she no longer wanted to spend time alone with him.

    He surmised that she no longer wished to do so, yet, at the moment, was unable to ask him to leave.

    Consequently, she opted to call someone they both knew well to circumvent any potential

    awkwardness under the same roof.

    At that thought, Jasper slowly clenched his fists by his side. Simultaneously, he felt his chest tighten.

    The night before, they had been entwined with immeasurable affection for one another. Yet today, it

    seemed as if nothing had transpired the previous night. This sensation suffocated him, tormenting him

    to the brink of despair.

    Upon Rosie¡¯s arrival, she refused to sit idly by. Despite thete hour, she industriously took on tasks

    likeundry and cleaning the living room for Alyssa. Rosie was determined to prepare meals for them

    as well.

    Despite the attempts to dissuade her, Rosie remained as busy as a bee.

    After the meal, Alyssa offered to help with the dishes, but Jasper insisted on taking care of it himself.

    ¡°Oh my, Mr. Jasper! Who are you kidding? You¡¯ve never done suchbor ever since you were young!

    Leave the dishes there. I¡¯ll do the casually remarked as he put on the gloves. Even though it was just a

    passing remark, it caught Alyssa¡¯s attention.

    Her face registered surprise for a moment. Despite their time. together, she wasrgely unaware of his

    childhood experiences.

    Nevertheless, she returned to the room alone, leaving Jasper and Rosie in the kitchen.

    Evidently, she didn¡¯t want toe into unnecessary contact with him.

    A tight knot constricted Jasper¡¯s throat, leaving him breathless. All the energy drained from his entire

    body.

    Love made him fearful. It made him afraid of gaining and losing.

    Rosie took the te from his hands. ¡°Mr. Jasper, I¡¯ll do the washing up. You don¡¯t look too good,¡± Rosie

    offered with a concerned look on her face.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, could you possibly go up to have a chat with Lyseter?¡± Jasper asked.

    ¡°What is it? You¡¯ve just reconciled with one another. Did you two bicker again?¡±

    Jasper looked worried and helpless. Rosie felt bad for him.

    ¡°I feel like I don¡¯t understand her at all, Mrs. Rosie. No matter how I try, I couldn¡¯t get her to open up to

    me.¡±

    Jasper let out a dispirited sigh. He felt terribl

    ¡°I hope you can go and talk to her. Back then, at Seaview Manor, she was the closest to you. Maybe

    she¡¯ll open up to you when you chat with her and share some things she isn¡¯t willing to tell me.¡±

 Chapter 952

    Alyssa had her bath and did her skincare. Then, she climbed into the bed and heaved a quiet sigh.

    The past version of her wouldn¡¯t have wasted energy on men. She likely would have gone out drinking

    and partying with her brothers without a care in the world.

    However, the conversation she had overheard between Jasper and Landon that morning had invoked

    many painful memories for her. She was no longer in the mood for anything else.

    She didn¡¯t even want to see Jasper¡¯s face.

    She knew that it wasn¡¯t his fault that she had lost her child.

    Regardless, she still simply couldn¡¯t get over it.

    Although she didn¡¯t bring it up or think about it, it didn¡¯t mean she had forgotten.

    A knock came on the door. Alyssa assumed Jasper was back to bother her, so she closed her eyes

    and pulled the covers over her head.

    She intended to ignore him.

    ¡°Madam, it¡¯s me, Rosie. Are you already asleep? If you aren¡¯t, do your want to have some milk? I¡¯ve

    warmed a ss of milk for you.¡±

    Rosie¡¯s sounded warmly familiar and close. Alyssa jumped out of bed and wasted no time opening the

    door for her.

    When she opened the door, Rosie stood before her with the ss of milk she had mentioned earlier,

    smiling.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Unintentionally, Alyssa¡¯s gaze darted around the surroundings.

    Rosie could see through her immediately. ¡°Mr. Jasper isn¡¯t here. It¡¯s just me.¡±

    Alyssa pressed her lips together in embarrassment. Then, she invited Rosie into the room.

    Both women chatted like a pair of mother and daughter. Rosie was sincerely concerned about how

    Alyssa had been doing recently.

    Rosie¡¯s every word was heartwarming to Alyssa.

    Seeing that Alyssa had finished her milk, Rosie let out a satisfied smile. She pulled her by the hand and

    sat her down on the sofa.

    ¡°Madam, Mr. Jasper has shared many things with me.¡±

    Alyssa was taken aback. She blurted, ¡°Including how Sophia set things up to cause Anne¡¯s death?¡±

    Rosie¡¯s eyes widened. Suddenly, her palms became mmy with cold sweat, and she tightened her

    grip on Alyssa.

    ¡°Is it true? Is it true that Sophia was the one who did that?¡±

    Alyssa could tell that Jasper was selective in his sharing. He only told her the less-significant news and

    didn¡¯t mention this important matter to her.

    She felt a little bad as her carelessness with her words seemed to have wasted his efforts.

    Rosie let out a number of consecutive sighs. Her eyes turned red.

    She uttered, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve long ago suspected her. Other than Sophia, who else would have had the

    opportunity to do something like that to Madam Anne at that time? Liana and Betty were still kids back

    then.

    How could they havemitted any murder?¡±

    The look in Alyssa¡¯s eyes gradually turned dim.

    Who was to say that children couldn¡¯t do evil?

    Although Liana and Betty didn¡¯t have the capability to set up such a

    sinister plot for Sophia in the past, they had gone out to spread

    malicious rumors about Anne.

    That caused Anne, who was already suffering from severe depression, to plunge into extreme

    humiliation and pain.

    Some kids were not innocent at all. They were just little devils.

    ¡°But, Madam, that is just my spection. I do not have any proof,¡± Rosie rified.

    Tears began to roll down Rosie¡¯s cheeks. Her heart ached. She ridden with guilt.

    ¡°Back then, I would have been put into a difficult position if I had voiced out that Sophia had something

    to do with Madam Anne¡¯s. death. Mr. Jasper was still young at the time. What would have. happened to

    him after Madam Anne¡¯s passing?

    ¡°I promised Madam Anne to take care of Mr. Jasper as if he were my own son until he grew up. If I

    could no longer stay with the Beckett family, I would just be making his plight even worse!¡±

    ¡°Now that it hase to this, Mrs. Rosie, there is something that I want to ask you.¡±

    Alyssa finally got a chance to ask the question she had kept hidden in her heart all these years.

    ¡°What did Jasper go through when he was young? Could you tell me?¡±

    Rosie hid nothing from her, disclosing everything to her one by one.

    This was because she understood that Alyssa still had her guard up against Jasper, causing her to

    treat him with a mix of coldness and warmth at times.

    Alyssa could only bepletely understanding and considerate of Jasper if she had an absolute

    understanding of him.

    She believed that this would be a boost to their rtionship, which was finally starting to progress.

    Thus, Rosie recounted how Jasper and his mother stayed in the slums when he was young. She told

    her about how they were oppressed and how he had to care for his gravely ill mother.

    Rosie also shared how Javier had brought Jasper back home and how Jasper was treated with disdain

    and neglect in the Beckett family.

    Lastly, she described how Jasper suffered from major depressive disorder for some time when he was

    young due to his mother¡¯s death. She even told her about the time when he attempted suicide by

    slitting his wrist in the bathroom.

    Alyssa felt her chest tighten when she heard that. She almost couldn¡¯t catch her breath.

    Tears of sorrow streamed from her reddened eyes down her face.

 Chapter 953

    ¡°Mr. Jasper wears his watch all year round. It¡¯s not because he likes to do so. It is so that he can cover

    up the scar on his wrist.¡±

    Alyssa was his wife. Naturally, she knew about his scar.

    However, she had thought it was a battle scar he received from the battlefield during his military days.

    She never expected there to be such a painful history hidden behind that long, terrifying scar.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you must have been curious about why Mr. Jasper insisted on staying by Liana¡¯s side back

    then, given that she was such a cunning, selfish, and materialistic woman.

    ¡°That was all because he ces too much value on his rtionships. He was also naive as he had

    nevere in contact with any other woman other than her.

    ¡°Plus, she was also the one who discovered him in time and saved him when he slit his wrist that year.

    If not for her, Mr. Jasper probably wouldn¡¯t be here.¡±

    Rosie rubbed her swollen eyes and continued, ¡°Not only that, when Mr. Jasper was young, he was

    labeled as an illegitimate child. His schoolmates ostracized him. No one was willing to get close to him

    except Liana.

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    ¡°I was quite puzzled at the time. I wondered how such a young girl could have the patience and

    maturity that superseded her peers.

    ¡°It turned out that it was all by Sophia¡¯s instruction. She had orchestrated it all! And her motive was so

    that she could control Mr. Jasper through Liana!

    ¡°It was such a misfortune for Mr. Jasper. He was still so young when yer, the enemy¡¯s niece,

    contributed to his undoing!

    ¡°Www. of all souls, did hardship choose Mr. Jasper as its canvas?¡±

    Rosie couldn¡¯t help but cry as she recounted.

    Alyssa was in disbelief, and all her thoughts had vanished. It felt as though a lightning bolt had struck

    her, leaving every nerve in her body devoid of sensation.

    The profound shock robbed her of words, rendering her speechless. Naturally, she hated Liana to the

    bone.

    Suddenly, Alyssaprehended the reason behind Jasper¡¯s unwavering determination to be with

    Liana.

    Perhaps, back then, he was innocently under the impression that she loved him. Maybe even thinking

    that Liana was sincere toward him and that she was his lifesaver and guiding light.

    No wonder he had no room in his heart for her then. In his position, she would have exhibited identical

    behavior.

    ¡°With that said, Mr. Jasper has truly repented. He has alsopletely moved on from that Gardner

    bitch.¡±

    The edges of Alyssa¡¯s eyes betrayed a reddish tint. Rosie met her gaze squarely and shared, ¡°I

    encountered Xavier that day when he returned to Seaview Manor to gather some of Mr. Jasper¡¯s

    possessions.

    ¡°He told me you¡¯ve found out what happened at the East Side Phoenix. Lake vi. I was told that you

    got very mad at Mr. Jasper because of that. You thought he kept that vi because he still cared for

    Liana.¡±

    ¡°Rosie, I¡­¡± Alyssa stuttered bitterly. The look in her eyes was hazy.

    ¡°Xavier is normally all smiles. But that day, he cried his eyes out

    The thought of how Xavier was the other day made Rosie feel powerless and distressed. ¡°He told me

    that if you and Mr. Jasper were not going to reconcile, he would remain a sinner for the rest of his life.

    ¡°He said he would be too embarrassed to stay by Mr. Jasper¡¯s side. He wanted to resign-finishing his

    work and handing everything over.¡±

    ¡°Resign? But why?¡± Alyssa asked with a look of surprise.

    ¡°He said that on the same night after Mr. Jasper and Liana separated, Mr. Jasper already ordered him

    to sell the vi. He had been instructed to burn everything rted to Liana-not to leave a single trace of

    her behind.

    ¡°It was just that the property market at Sna City wasn¡¯t great at the time. There were no interested

    buyers, and Xavier had his hands full. So, he ended up pushing this task on the back burner.

    ¡°After that, he said Mr. Landon had brought Mr. Jasper to that house to stay that particr night. You

    went over to look after him but ended up seeing what you shouldn¡¯t have seen.

    ¡°When Mr. Jasper woke up, he almost beat Mr. Landon into a pulp. Things got really awkward between

    the both of them after that. It almost cost them their brotherhood of 20 years.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened slowly, and her breathing became uneven in response.

    ¡°Xavier was shocked. He could barely sleep for the next few days. Now that he has dealt with the

    house and things, he was trying to find. a suitable opportunity to apologize to you in person.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t care if you scold him, beat him up, ormand him to do anything. He just doesn¡¯t want

    you to ignore Mr. Jasper.¡±

    ¡°To be frank, Mrs. Rosie, that incident is already past

    Alyssa held tightly onto Rosie¡¯s hand. She said in a hushed tone, ¡°It¡¯s true that I was furious. I just

    didn¡¯t want to see anything rted to Liana around him. But now that the misunderstanding has been

    resolved, I am not angry anymore. I mean it.¡±

    ¡°I understand! I truly get you! Mr. Jasper harbors no ill intentions, nor is he a deceitful man. He only has

    one shoring-he possesses poor emotional intelligence. Mr. Jasper is really dumb!

    ¡°I noticed your anger toward Mr. Jasper tonight. What did he do wrong? Tell me, and I will teach him a

    lesson.

    ¡°I¡¯ll spank him with my shoe to vent on your behalf. Then, I¡¯ll make him apologize to you in person!¡±

    Rosie eximed with a face full of righteous anger.

    The way she spoke was as if she were Alyssa¡¯s family.

    Tears brimmed in Alyssa¡¯s eyes as she enveloped Rosie in a tight embrace.

    In that fleeting moment, she almost shared with Rosie the painful truth about her infertility. However, in

    the end, she held back, tears. still present, choosing to keep the secret within.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, thank you for telling me all this. And thank you for loving me. I¡¯m doing well, really¡­¡±

    It was well into the lonesome hours of the night.

 Chapter 954

    Jasper was alone in his bedroom, sitting on the sofa and staring into space. A troubled look adorned

    his charming face.

    The thought of going to check on Alyssa came across his mind a few times the entire night..

    At the same time, he was afraid that she would be annoyed at the sight of him, so he didn¡¯t dare

    to bother her.

    When Rosie came out of the room, she didn¡¯t mention why Alyssa was mad. Instead, they had a long

    heart-to-heart talk about the matter regarding Sophia.

    Rosie cried buckets of tears. But, in the end, she expressed that she would y dumb when she got

    back to Seaview Manor. This was to avoid alerting Sophia that anything was wrong.

    Now, the ns for their revenge were beginning to take shape. The execution of their ns was in full

    swing, albeit in secret.

    At this stage, avoiding any unnecessary problems and troubles was crucial. They might fail to expose

    Sophia¡¯s heinous deeds if they weren¡¯t careful!

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, I keep having this feeling that Madam is being weighed down by something burdensome. It

    should be something rted to you, but she didn¡¯t want to let me in on it. I wasn¡¯t sure how I could ask

    her about it either.

    ¡°Although your rtionship with Madam seems to have improved, it¡¯s obvious that she has yet to open

    up to you, Mr. Jasper. I think she still has some reservations about you.

    ¡°So please, you must bepletely patient with her. Women are

    ¡°It¡¯s possible that she decides to ignore you because she was reminded of unhappy incidents rted to

    you.

    ¡°So, please hold yourself back no matter how she treats you. You were the one who wronged her in the

    first ce.¡±

    Jasper sighed quietly. He pinched his fingers between his furrowed brows, looking troubled.

    Of course, he could be patient with her.

    Even if she stayed mad at him for the rest of his life, he was ready to pamper and love her. He simply

    wanted to know why she was in such a bad mood.

    He had spent the entire night pondering over it. Despite extensive reflection, to the point where his

    mental resources felt depleted, he still couldn¡¯t unravel the puzzle.

    Right at that moment, someone knocked at the door.

    Three gentle knocks echoed, abruptly jolting his tired body as if he were suddenly awakened from a

    lucid dream.

    Rosie had retired to bed considerably earlier. Furthermore, her typical knock on the door was usually

    more forceful and urgent.

    That could only mean that it was Alyssa at the door!

    Jasper¡¯s heart began to race. He trotted over to open the door.

    When he opened the door, Alyssa was standing in front of him. Her eyes met his.

    She adorned herself in a sexy silk nightgown,plete with lingerie beneath. The sight of her fair-

    skinned shoulders peeking out from beneath the spaghetti straps kindled a fiery desire within him.

    Alyssa pursed her lips tightly. Her bare face was as delicate as silk, glowing with an alluring sheen. He

    stared at her as his entire body temperature began to rise.

    In a daze, his face flushed bright red. It was as if he was intoxicated. His face had said it all.

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep. Then, I got hungry and felt like having supper.¡±

    Alyssa lowered her eyes, avoiding his burning gaze.

    She lifted a white-colored box and said, ¡°I heard from Mrs. Rosie that you like to have desserts when

    you are feeling down. So, I bought a cake. Would you like to have some?¡±

    All of a sudden, Jasper¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. Without warning, he wrapped his arms tightly

    around her.

    ¡°Hey, do you want cake or not?¡± she asked. She almost couldn¡¯t catch her breath from his tight

    embrace.

    ¡°Lyse¡­ I was terrified,¡± he mumbled next to her ear. He sounded as he was choking on his tears.

    He was such a strong, charming, and arrogant man. However, at that moment, he was like a mouse

    aggrieved by being mistreated.

    ¡°You¡¯re okay. What were you terrified of?¡±

    ¡°I was afraid that¡­ that you would ignore me forever. Just the thought of it was piercing my heart like a

    knife.¡±

    A glimmer of light passed through Alyssa¡¯s eyes. A wave of sorrow rippled through her heart as she

    shared a sense of empathy with him.

 Chapter 955

    Alyssa was all too familiar with how Jasper was feeling.

    During the three years they were married, she had also lived in fear in that same way, day and night.

    She feared that he would ignore her or divorce her.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    And now, he was having a good taste of the bitter love story that she experienced.

    Alyssa walked into the room. She opened the cake box, and the inviting strawberry cake gave off a

    delicious scent. She gulped back her saliva.

    But to Jasper, she was far more alluring than the cake. Rather than the cake, he was more interested in

    eating her up.

    Alyssa cut two slices out of the cake in a few swift moves.

    She picked up a slice and handed it to Jasper, saying, ¡°I never knew you liked desserts. You¡¯ve never

    mentioned it to me.

    ¡°You¡¯ve never had a bite of the desserts that I made for you in the past. So, I thought that you didn¡¯t like

    them.¡±

    Jasper held his spoon with trembling hands. He took huge bites of the cake, but all he could taste was

    bitterness at the back of his throat.

    ¡°It¡¯s really sweet. Thank you.¡±

    The look of gloominess dissipated from Alyssa¡¯s eyes. She joked, ¡± Take your time. There¡¯s no one else

    here to fight for food with you. If worsees to worst, you can just have my slice of cake, too.¡±

    He loved eating desserts because life was too difficult when he was

    In those days, even a simple piece of candy was deemed a luxury, let alone a cake like the one before

    him.

    Following that period, he was called back to the Beckett family to assume the role of a cherished son.

    He now had ess to anything he desired; a mere cake was nothing inparison.

    Yet, such was human nature. When he yearned for something, it remained elusive. Once he eventually

    attained it, the desire for it faded away.

    He braved himself and asked tentatively, ¡°Will I still be able to eat desserts you make for me in the

    future?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She simply smiled back at him without saying a word.

    He understood what she meant. He forced a smile on his face and said, ¡°That¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll learn how to

    make them. I¡¯ll make them for you.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow.¡± Alyssa picked up a strawberry on top of the cake using her dessert fork. She made herself

    look totally nonchnt.

    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll make something for you tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°I meant me. I will go out with Mrs. Rosie to get some ingredients tomorrow. I¡¯ll make something for you

    to eat,¡± Alyssa rified softly as her eyshes fluttered.

    She scooped cream and stuffed it into her mouth.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened, glistening with excitement as he stared at her in disbelief. His joy surpassed

    that of a child receiving Christmas presents.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tag along with the both of you! We can make them together!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s up to you.¡± Alyssa saw how thrilled he was that she burst out inughter.

    Because of that, she identally dropped a dollop of cream that she was scooping onto herself.

    ¡°Oops!¡±

    The white, buttery cream slipped down from her chest and dirtied her peach-colored nightgown.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her half-exposed breasts. They were rounded and perky, fairer than

    cream, and so much more appealing to him.

    His breath deepened, bing heavy. The blood coursing through his veins surged, heating up his

    entire body.

    His thin lips quivered involuntarily, and his bloodshot eyes lost focus. Everything appeared a blur to

    him.

    ¡°What¡­ What are you doing, being stunned? Get me a piece of tissue, quick!¡±

    All of a sudden, Alyssa could only stare as he charged over to Following that, she felt a warm

    moistness on her chest.

    She looked down in astonishment, and her cheeks turned pink in embarrassment!

    Jasper had buried his face in her bosom. He was licking the soft, pillowy cream, which had melted on

    her fair skin, cleanly off her.

    She could feel the movement of his tongue. It was wet and hot. His breathing became heavier and

    heavier.

    His hands tightly grasped her arms, gradually wandering.

    In Alyssa¡¯s mind, it felt as if fireworks had gone off. An electrifying vjva vovanie mialy, unU she found

    herself no longer in a clear state of mind.

 Chapter 956

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but lean her neck back.

    The notion of Jasper being a cunning man shed through her mind. Indeed, he was crafty!

    It was only when not a single trace of cream remained on her skin that Jasper reluctantly lifted his face.

    He gazed at her intently and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it better if I do it this way?¡±

    ¡°Better¡­ Better my foot.¡±

    Soon enough, tiny red dots began to form like stars on the smooth skin on Alyssa¡¯s chest. They were

    the love bites he had left behind!

    She looked away shyly. The pace of her breathing quickened, and beads of sweat began to form on

    her forehead.

    He was also in a simr state. It was as if they had both just experienced some intense action.

    The only difference was that one had be soft, whereas the other had be hard.

    ¡°Jasper, I gave you an inch, and you¡¯ve really taken a mile. You¡¯ve crossed the line!¡± Alyssa pouted her.

    Jasper felt aroused by how ashamed and angry she looked. Her voice sounded sweet, and even her

    sobs sounded captivating.

    Jasper was extremely aroused, but he was more afraid of her being mad at him. He was scared that

    she would ignore him again.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lyse. Next time, I wouldn¡¯t¡­¡±

    Within the next second, a brief sh caught Jasper¡¯s attention.

    Swiftly, Alyssa embraced him, her arms encircling his neck, and she

    Gathering her courage, she nted her kiss on his, effectively shutting him up. His lips parted slightly,

    allowing her tongue to slip inside. It was an easy feat.

    In reality, it stemmed from his perpetualck of defenses around her, be it physically or emotionally.

    Jasper was utterly shocked. His heart raced wildly, and his mind wentpletely nk!

    She was his unrivaled queen, cherished with all his heart. For the very first time, she took the lead and

    initiated a kiss with her loyal and devoted servant.

    This was a prize and his crowning glory. He could now die without any regrets!

    Jasper could also no longer hold himself back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and responded

    to her with a passionate kiss.

    A bloody sweetness spread in both their mouths as they kissed like there was no tomorrow..

    Yet, they couldn¡¯t care less. They were so engrossed in their kiss that they had forgotten about

    everything else.

    A pair of shadows became one in the moonlit room.

    As their passion intensified, their fingers gradually interlocked. For the first time, it felt as if their love

    was destined to endure eternally.

    They had engaged in the same activity just the night before. If they were to repeat it today, he feared

    she might be unable to endure it.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    As much as he wanted to continue, he was more concerned for her, even if that meant he wouldn¡¯t be

    satisfied.

    Alyssa rested in his arms, feeling drowsy. It was an indescribable simultaneously weary and satisfied.

    Jasper looked at her with a gaze full of love. Finally, he said, ¡°Lyse, could we¡­

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    He stopped himself mid-sentence. After some deliberation, heughed awkwardly and said, ¡°It¡¯s alright.

    Let¡¯s keep it this way. This is pretty great. It¡¯s pretty great.

    Alyssa snuggled into the mostfortable position in his arms and closed her eyes.

    In truth, she was well aware of what he wanted to ask. Yet, at this moment, she chose not to give him

    an easy answer.

    Jasper let out a sigh and kissed her on her forehead. He mumbled softly and resignedly, ¡°Lyse, whether

    you love me or want me is yours. to make. However, for me, I will always be yours. I will love your

    forever.¡±

 Chapter 957

    In the following days, Alyssa and Jasper refrained from disying physical affection toward each other.

    They maintained a courteous demeanor.

    Nevertheless, their intense emotions, potent enough to elicit a blush, permeated every corner of the

    vi.

    Rosie prepared three meals a day for them. Alyssa couldn¡¯t bear to see her working so hard, so she

    offered to help her with everything, But both Rosie and Jasper kept stopping her from doing so.

    ¡°You¡¯re allergic to smoke. It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t enter the kitchen. I¡¯ll help Mrs. Rosie out. You can just

    wait for the food to be ready,¡± Jasper said from behind her.

    He interlocked all ten fingers, enveloping her waist with his arms. He couldn¡¯t help but give her a peck

    on her earlobe when he rested his forehead on her shoulder.

    Alyssa was embarrassed that she had turnedpletely pink in front of Rosie.

    She squirmed hard in his embrace and objected. ¡°Don¡¯t force yourself. What can a pampered man like

    you do?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can take my time to learn.

    Suddenly, the corners of his lips turned upward, and he broke into a cheeky smile beside her.

    ¡°I¡¯m a fast learner. You should be the one who knows best how I performed those two nights.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ You, shut up. I will step on your foot if you keep spewing

    Alyssa¡¯s face was red from embarrassment. She had nowhere to hide and could only remain in

    Jasper¡¯s embrace.

    Rosie watched their interaction, beaming from ear to ear with joy. It was as if she was watching the

    sweet interaction between her son and daughter-inw.

    She was delighted.

    It had only been a few days, yet their rtionship had already warmed up by a few degrees.

    They would greet each other ¡°good morning¡± in the mornings and bid each other ¡°good night¡± before

    bedtime.

    They would do house chores and go shopping together at the supermarket nearby.

    The only thing was that they would wear hats and face masks when they were out to prevent being

    recognized.

    After all, he was the president of the Beckett Group and Alyssa from the Taylor family. Yet, they were

    going on dates likemoners.

    If reporters were to capture photos of them, it would create news as sensational as two top celebrities

    announcing their marriage. Furthermore, it could potentially cause ripples in the stock market, with the

    share prices of both organizations and the projects they were involved in being significantly impacted.

    In recent days, Jasper hadn¡¯t worn his restrictive-looking four-piece suit. Instead, he donned

    comfortable and simple business casual wear by choice, which was a rare sight.

    Although he was dressed more casually, he still shone brightly and stood out from the crowd.

    That day, they both went to the supermarket to shop as usual. It was arge-scale warehouse

    supermarket. It was a weekday, so it wasn¡¯t as crowded, and they could walk around a little more

    freely.

    Alyssa spent three years preparing meals for Jasper. Thus, she was familiar with his taste buds. The

    food that she chose to purchase was all suited to his preferences.

    No matter how hard she tried to deny it verbally, her actions inevitably revealed that she cared for him.

    Jasper felt that within his 30 years of life, this was when he was the happiest, most blessed, and

    satisfied.

    He should have been able to experience this three years ago. Back then, he was already entitled to

    embrace happiness.

    Jasper followed quietly behind Alyssa. He watched as she picked products from their shelves and

    compared them individually. She was checking their contents and dates carefully and seriously.

    The way she acted was certainly unlike someone who was from a wealthy family. She looked like a

    virtuous wife who knew how to manage a household well.

    She was a wife in the first ce-his wife. She wasn¡¯t his wife now, but surely would be in the future.

    Then, a mother walked past him while pushing a shopping cart. In the cart sat a little boy about four or

    five years of age. Both mother and son were shopping happily.

    ¡°Lyse,¡± Jasper called out to her urgently with upturned eyes.

    Alyssa nced over at him. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked.

    Jasper pointed at the cart and said, ¡°Get in here. I¡¯ll push you around.¡±

    Alyssa was dumbfounded.

    ¡°It¡¯s tiring for you to walk. You can sit in the cart, and I¡¯ll push you. If there¡¯s anything that you want, just

    point your finger at it.¡±

    Alyssa stepped back and turned him down. ¡°No, that¡¯s so childish!¡±

    ¡°Come on. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m not tired.¡±

    Jasper remained insistent and utterly unapologetic. His tone took on the demeanor of amanding

    president unable to contain his emotions any longer.

    ¡°No one¡¯s worried for you! It¡¯s because I¡¯d feel embarrassed, alright? Just look around and see if you

    can find anyone over ten years old sitting in there!¡±

    Alyssa rolled her eyes at him, turned around, and continued walking straight. She wasn¡¯t going to

    entertain him further.

    The moment she turned around, she pressed her lips together as her cheeks turned red.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Jasper exhaled silently, then trotted obediently behind her.

 Chapter 958

    Jasper and Alyssa had advanced to all bases in their rtionship by now, but he could tell she hadn¡¯t

    entirely epted him.

    Without his direct initiative, they would still be unable to engage with each other closely, as typical

    couples do.

    While she might have shared her embrace, her kisses, and her body with him, she had only exposed a

    fraction of her true feelings.

    Jasper tightened his fists and rallied his spirits. Once again, resolute expression crossed his face.

    All was fine. One step at a time. Everything was moving in a positive direction, wasn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Wow! Quick,e and see! That is one eye-catching couple! The woman is beautiful, and the man is

    attractive! Are they models, or are they celebrities?¡±

    Suddenly, some passersby looked toward them and excitedly began to discuss amongst themselves.

    ¡°They¡¯ve covered up so well. How can you tell that they are attractive?¡±

    ¡°Observe their attire and the confidence they exude. That¡¯s a well- proportioned figure. I¡¯m certain they

    possess good looks as well!¡±

    ¡°You can never be sure. You wouldn¡¯t know if she has the body of an angel but the face of a witch. Or,

    what if he has a good body but a face like the back end of the bus?¡±

    Jasper and Alyssa, who both had sharp hearing, heard every word.

    Alyssa gritted her teeth, suppressing her anger. She yearned to approach those individuals, remove

    her face mask and hat, and reveal

    If only she could teach them a lesson!

    A glint shed across Jasper¡¯s eyes. ¡°What does the back end of the bus mean, Lyse?¡± he asked out of

    curiosity.

    ¡°Does the back end of a bus look nice to you?¡± Alyssa questioned him back angrily with her hands on

    her hips.

    ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°So, when they say that you look like the back end of the bus, it means you are ugly!¡± she exined.

    ¡°Oh, I see. You¡¯re such a clever woman, Lyse.¡± Jasper nodded. He was impressed that he could learn

    new things every day when he was with her.

    She never ran out of thoughts and ideas in that mind of hers. Sometimes, he wanted to get into her

    head to see what amazing things happened there.

    Then, the two bystanders started to chatter again.

    ¡°What a shame that the handsome man is already attached. She is putting his looks down the drain,¡±

    one of them eximed.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but wonder if they understood the meaning of the idiom they were using. Fueled

    by anger, she curled her fingers even tighter.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    How was her being with Jasper wasting his looks? She was obviously the better-looking one. He was

    the one who didn¡¯t match up to her looks!

    ¡°Why do you think that they are a couple? Look at them. They¡¯ve been keeping a social distance since

    the beginning. There hasn¡¯t been any intimate contact between them at all. I don¡¯t see any chemistry! If

    you alike?¡±

    they it provvy anys. you TIN ALL

    Upon hearing their remarks, Jasper tightly furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes. His blood began

    to boil.

    What did they even know? There was something called couple resemnce!

    ¡°Okay, hurry up. Mrs. Rosie is still waiting for us to get the groceries,¡± Alyssa urged him.

    Right when she was about to walk forward, she felt a tight grip on her wrist.

    Following that, her tiny frame was pulled by a strong and overbearing force. In the next moment, she

    found herself buried in his chest, which was rising and falling like the waves.

    Before she could even react, his heated hand moved down and pulled her waist tightly toward his. He

    caressed her naughtily.

    She looked toward him, startled. Before she knew it, his lips were pressed onto hers. He kissed her like

    there was nobody around them.

    ¡°Wow!¡± A loud gasp echoed from the people surrounding them.

    They were like a painting!

    Even though they had their face masks on, they shared an undeniably romantic kiss! The people

    looked at them in awe. They were a good match!

    Through the thin fabric, Alyssa could still discern the contours of his lips. His warm body temperature

    and the depth of his affection¡­ 2

    She instinctively unclenched her fists from his shoulders, slowly shifting her hands to cling to him

    instead.

    Gradually, she rxed her back, which had be tense from

 Chapter 959

    The crowd dispersed. After all, they felt a little awkward watching a couple being lovey-dovey with one

    another.

    Jasper and Alyssa pulled away from each other slowly. He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her and continued

    looking at her amorously.

    ¡°That¡­ That was overboard.¡±

    She already had her face mask on. Adding such a long kiss on top of that made her gasp hard for air.

    She looked at him resentfully and added, ¡°Who said you could kiss me?¡±

    ¡°I just felt like it. I didn¡¯t think that much,¡± Jasper remarked. A small, satisfied smile yed on his lips as

    he reached out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°What happens if someone were to recognize us?¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t. If they were to recognize us, they would have recognized us the moment we stepped in.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t a saint. By nature, he had a possessive side to him.

    Furthermore, she was the woman whom he loved to the moon and back.

    How could he not have reacted to what others werementing about them? He wanted to show them

    who was the boss!

    Alyssa was a brilliant woman. She certainly knew what his intentions. were.

    Hence, she was suddenly inspired to be yful. She wanted to poke fun at him, so she pouted and

    asked, ¡°What if people were to

    What do we do then?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes became dark, and he stared straight at her for quite a while. He then leaned in and

    whispered in her ear. Intentionally or otherwise, his lips brushed against the side of her ear in the

    process.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t kiss you to show them that you are mine. I wanted to dere to them that I am yours.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart pounded. Her cheeks had turned red behind her mask.

    She simply used her fist to give him a light punch on his chest and let the matter slide.

    Right at that moment, her cell phone rang. A mere secondter, Jasper¡¯s phone rang, too.

    They turned their backs against each other and answered their respective calls.

    ¡°Hello? Cyrus?¡±

    ¡°Hi, Lyse. Nina¡¯s autopsy has beenpleted. Everything has been settled ordingly. Her funeral will

    be held tomorrow,¡± Cyrus informed her in a low voice.

    Alyssa took a deep breath and nodded. ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Other than that, Jonah and Ss have given their kind advice. They will house her grandmother at our

    nursing home in Belbanks. She was the one who chose to go there.

    ¡°It is understandable that she doesn¡¯t want to stay at Sna City since Nina had passed away there.

    Plus, Belbanks is right by the sea. Its weather conditions should be better than Sna City¡¯s. Looking

    after her when she¡¯s on our turf would also be more convenient.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I agree it will be better for her to be at Belbanks. I appreciate it.

    She continued, ¡°I will attend Nina¡¯s funeral first thing tomorrow. But, I hope that her funeral can be held

    on the down-low. Take care not to alert the media lest we shock her grandmother.¡±

    ¡°I know. On my side, the police force haspletely sealed this case. Jonah has also considered from

    all sides and used KS Group¡¯s influence to suppress the news.

    ¡°Lyse, you don¡¯t have to worry. We will make sure that you don¡¯t have anything to worry about.¡±

    As for Jasper, his eardrums almost burst from Landon¡¯s roaring voice when he answered the call.

    Jasper! We have news on the whereabouts of that son of a bitch, Brad! He has stowed away and

    entered Tsulu justst night!¡±

    ¡°Make sure you keep your eyes on him. Don¡¯t lose sight of him!¡± Jasper reminded him.

    He felt his chest tighten. He quickly lowered his voice and asked, How about the police? Have they

    arrived at Tsulu?¡±

    ¡°Not yet. But my men are there!¡±

    ¡°Alright. Come with me to Tsulu tomorrow, then!¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot as they zed with

    the fire of rage.

    ¡°Huh? That¡¯s so sudden!¡± Landon eximed in surprise.

    ¡°If you cannot bear to leave Lauren, just connect me with someone. I will go over myself.¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. If you want to go there, I will apany you. The one thing that I regret the most in

    my life is not bearing arms with you back then! Oh, no, there¡¯s one more thing. I also regret letting that

    bimbo, Zoe, return from Yoarkley!¡±

    Landon¡¯s head throbbed at the thought of Zoe. He couldn¡¯t help but p his thigh, consumed by a

    deep-seated feeling of hatred for her.

 Chapter 960

    Jasper said, ¡°I need to get to Jeffrey before the police do.¡±

    Men werepetitive, especially when they were in love.

    Both of them answered their respective phone calls at the same time. They hung up at the same time,

    too.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go to Nina¡¯s funeral tomorrow morning.¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes were slightly red.

    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go together.¡±

    Jasper thought long and hard. Like a husband who was about to go on a business trip, Jasper wrapped

    his arms around Alyssa¡¯s waist. He pulled her into his embrace.

    ¡°Lyse, there is an important project to discuss at work. I have to sit in this meeting as the president. I

    will need to go on a business trip for a few days.

    ¡°For how many days?¡± Alyssa gasped lightly.

    ¡°Five to ten days?¡±

    Jasper felt bad. He knew it was a white lie, but he felt terrible nheless for lying to the love of his life.

    Alyssa blinked her eyes. ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    Jasper stopped and said, ¡°Yoarkley.¡± He made it up. He felt guilty as Alyssa stared at him.

    ¡°Okay, have a safe trip.¡± Alyssa was expressionless.

    Jasper hugged her. He was unwilling to part with her. ¡°Wait for me toe back, Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t answer him. She slowly raised her arms and returned his hug.

    That hug was more than any words she could say..

    A crescent moon hung coldly on the foggy night.

    It was the beginning of spring. Yet, it was rainy. The weather was still cold.

    ¡°That maid working for the Beckett family is getting buried tomorrow morning.¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    In a luxuriously decorated fall-themed room, Jameson sat on the sofa with his slender legs crossed. He

    had his back against Carl as he swirled his ss of red wine.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa will definitely be there. That maid died protecting her from a bullet. If Alyssa is there, Jasper

    must be there too.¡±

    Carl inched closer to him and asked tentatively, ¡°Will you be attending?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s only a maid. Even if she saved Lyse¡¯s life, I don¡¯t think I must be present.¡±

    Jameson drank his red wine elegantly. A cold, mocking glint appeared in the eyes behind his frame. ¡°If

    she didn¡¯t take the bullet for Lyse, then she will always be a worthless maid.

    ¡°Things are different now because of her wisdom. She had turned into Lyse¡¯s savior. Lyse is so kind

    that she will always remember her. Her family will bepensated handsomely because of her

    sacrifice. No matter how you look at it, her death was worth it.¡±

    Carl listened silently. His back broke into a cold sweat.

    Jameson, his boss, could turn any evil intention into moral reasoning.

    Jameson¡¯s cruelty was concealed.

    He consistently wore a gentle smile, making anyone feel at ease. when interacting with him. However,

    not interfering with him or his possessions was crucial in maintaining such favorable treatment.

    Coveting them was absolutely out of the question.

    Otherwise, he would be hostile, catching the person off guard and unleashing a biting attack with

    a cold, poisonous tongue. He wouldn¡¯t settle for a simple demise but would ensure a painful and

    agonizing death.

    Jameson downed the remaining wine in his ss. A deep look swirled in his eyes. Sadness welled up

    in his heart.

    He wasn¡¯t going, not because he didn¡¯t want to go. Furthermore, he had not seen Alyssa in a long time.

    He couldn¡¯t eat or sleep thinking about her. He was losing his mind.

    If he appeared suddenly uninformed tomorrow, she would resent him even more.

    He had already lost to Jasper. He couldn¡¯t afford to lose to him any further.

    At this moment, the door of the room opened slowly.

    Amber entered with her head lowered. She had an envelope in her hand.

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, the men you sent had sent something back.¡±

 Chapter 961

    Jameson had his back facing them.

    Amber pressed her lips tightly together. She handed the envelope to Carl for him to pass it to Jameson.

    She used to be the only woman who could get close to Jameson besides Alyssa. She could have sat

    on hisp and flirted with him like his lover. She could have made harmless jokes with him without

    angering him.

    Everyone who worked for Jameson would naturally assume Jameson loved and cared for her.

    Only Amber knew deep down in her heart that she was nothing. She was not worthy to even carry

    Alyssa¡¯s shoes with her.

    Jameson only took her as a cheap recement. When he was happy, he would tease her and satisfy

    his desires. If he were upset, he would mistreat her. She was putty in his hands.

    So, she no longer tried to get close to her. Even looking at him in the eye was terrifying for her.

    Carl handed Jameson the envelope with both hands..

    Jameson put his wine ss down. He took the envelope from Carl and opened it slowly.

    Suddenly, Jameson jumped up from the sofa, his presence so imposing it felt like a massive storm. It

    startled Carl and Amber, who frantically retreated, trembling.

    The next moment, a loud crash resounded.

    With reddened eyes, James roared angrily and kicked the tea set in

    A wine bottle worth tens of thousands and the antique crystal wine ss shattered on the ground. The

    entire ce was in disarray.

    ¡°That stupid bastard!¡±

    Jameson threw the photos in his hand up in the air. His bloodshot eyes resembled a ferocious beast

    that had been provoked.

    Carl and Amber picked up the photos. Both of them were shocked.

    Even with disguises, they could tell the handsome couple hugging and kissing in the photos were

    Jasper and Alyssa!

    ¡°How could this happen? How was this possible?¡±

    Trembling, Jameson clutched his chest, feeling as if an explosive bomb had detonated within his heart.

    It erupted, shaking his entire world and shattering it into pieces.

    ¡°Why Lyse used to hate him. I saw it with my own eyes. Why are they together? Why?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, please calm down.

    Carl could only do his best tofort him. ¡°Could it be someone else? Maybe we have mistaken the

    couple for them. They might n have ¡­¡±

    ¡°I-I know Lyse too well.¡±

    Jameson held his forehead, seething with anger. Helplessly, he sank. onto the sofa. ¡°If she hates

    someone, she wouldn¡¯t even let them touch her or look them in the eye. Even if they hadn¡¯t kissed,

    Jasper hugged her. They had gone shopping together, too.¡±

    As Jameson spoke, he gasped for air. Despite gritting his teeth hard, it failed to prevent tears from

    streaming down his face.

    Carl and Amber were stunned. They had been by Jameson¡¯s side for so many years. This was the first

    time they saw Jameson cry so hard over a woman.

    Alyssa had wholly smitten him.

    However, they couldn¡¯tprehend why Alyssa would choose to be with someone who had heartlessly

    abandoned her and inflicted. physical harm. Why wasn¡¯t she willing to turn her gaze in Jameson¡¯s

    direction?

    Carl shot Amber a knowing look.

    However, Amber only lowered her head and her eyes. She hesitated to approach Jameson.

    In the past, she had been a recement-a mere toy. She would go to him and try to make him happy.

    However, she knew better now.

    She was worthless to Jameson now. Jameson loved Alyssa too deeply. No one was able to rece her

    in his heart. There was nothing she could do now that would bring himfort.

    Jameson asked Carl to bring a syringe. Only a shot would calm his nerves down now.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

 Chapter 962

    Otherwise, if Jameson were to act on his rage, he would tear Jasper into shreds right before Alyssa.

    ¡°M-Mr. Schimdt, if I may ¡­¡±

    Carl kept the syringe and wiped his sweat away. ¡°I don¡¯t think you should use this anymore. This may

    bring you temporary gratification and is an effective pain reliever. However, this is still an illegal

    substance. This has not been tested through clinical trials in Mosgravia. We don¡¯t know the side effects

    of it.¡±

    ¡°I know. Just this once, and I won¡¯t use it ever again.¡±

    Jameson closed his eyes. Finally, he sighed a breath of relief. ¡°Why would a drug dealer be caught

    under the influence of drugs?¡±

    His Achilles heel was drugs. It was Alyssa.

    ¡°Send these photos to Winston anonymously.¡±

    A devilish smile suddenly appeared on Jameson¡¯s face. He looked like he was poisoned, bloodthirsty,

    and crazy. ¡°Winston loves his daughter to bits. He would never watch his precious daughter make the

    same mistake twice with his own eyes.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    As Carl was leaving, Jameson stopped him. ¡°What is the date today?¡±

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It is March 6, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    He squinted his eyes. An elusive dark glint flickered in the night.

    ¡°It is March 6.¡±

    Then, his phone rang in his hand.

    Alyssa was exceptionally understanding. After dinner with Jasper, she returned to her room to rest. She

    didn¡¯t bother him again.

    Jasper was alone in the room. He stared at the ck suit Xavier left on the sofa for tomorrow¡¯s funeral.

    He kept making calls to Landon and everyone under him to make arrangements for his trip to Tsulu

    tomorrow.

    ¡°Is Jonah sending people there too?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t received any news for now. But I¡¯m sure Jonah knows what I know. He won¡¯t take action.¡±

    Jasper frowned. Then, he nodded. ¡°Okay, I need to capture Jeffrey first.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who captures him first. Jasper, don¡¯t be sopetitive.¡± Landon was at a loss when it

    came to Jasper. Jasper had always been a sore loser growing up.

    Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have fought with Alyssa like no tomorrow back then. Landon presumed Jasper

    regretted his action as he looked at his past self. He had almost lost the love of his life!

    ¡°Lyse has everything. I don¡¯t have anything else to give her.¡±

    Jasper lowered his eyes sadly. He felt extremely insecure. It was difficult for anyone to watch. ¡°What

    she wants now is revenge. So, not matter what, I want to make sure I get it for her personally. I don¡¯t

    care how much it will cost me.¡±

    ¡°Sigh, okay. Don¡¯t worry, Jasper. Once you reach Tsulu, my men will do their best to guarantee your

    safety,¡± Landon promised.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me. I was in the army. Just take care of yourself.¡±

    Jasper paused. He said lightly, ¡°What is the matter with you? I¡¯m afraid Lauren will be sad. She had

    never been loved by someone so passionately before in her life. She never had anything that she could

    call hers. Do you have any idea how important you are to her?¡±

    Landon took a deep breath and shouted excitedly, ¡°Jasper! W-What are you saying? Are you finally

    acknowledging me as your brother-in-w?¡±

    Jasper pulled his phone away. He frowned. ¡°Are you a gori or a donkey or something? What are you

    doing screaming in the middle of the night?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re my dearest brother-inw, Jasper!¡± Landon addressed him. His tone was as coy as ever.

    Jasper was so awkward that his toe curled on the ground. ¡°Be serious.

    ¡°My dearest brother-inw, when I return, I will head over to your house and propose to your sister. You

    have to help me!¡± Landon was so excited that his voice was shaking.

    ¡°You are the one and only Mr. Harper. Your family is reputa enough. My father has no reason to turn

    down this proposa also.¡±

    Jasper sneered suddenly. ¡°Don¡¯t bother about her. As someone a to lose her power, she has no say in

    her children¡¯s marital matter

    ¡°Hmph, you are right.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right. Please prepare a gun for me.¡±

 Chapter 963

    Landon sucked in a deep breath upon hearing that. Jasper had requested for a gun so nonchntly. It

    was as if he was asking for a set of utensils.

    ¡°Tsulu has a nickname-thewless territory. Jeffrey must be familiar. with the ce to choose to escape

    there. He probably has an aplice to intercept him there. So, we can¡¯t let our guard down on this

    trip. We have to prepare for the worst.¡±

    He ended the call solemnly. Shortly after that, Jasper received a call from Javier.

    Jasper¡¯s frown deepened. He ended Landon¡¯s call and answered Javier¡¯s call.

    ¡°Jasper, the chairman of Jesselton Incorporated in Mosgravia, wants to go on a video conference with

    us tomorrow afternoon. He wanted to discuss the strategy for our partnership with them and the

    Beckett Group¡¯s future advancement in Mosgravia. Both of us need

    present for this,¡± Javier informed him coldly.

    Without a second thought, Jasper said, ¡°I have an important m attend to tomorrow. I won¡¯t be able to

    attend it.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? What is more important than this? You have do what it takes and cancel

    everything.¡± Javier was so angry that he mmed the table.

    ¡°Like I said, I can¡¯t attend tomorrow,¡± Jasper repeated indifferently. Nothing was more important than

    the things that had to do with Alyssa.

    Javier was outraged. ¡°You are the president of the Beckett Group.

    How can you be this irresponsible? What is the use of me keeping

    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Exactly. What is the use?¡± Jasperughed perfunctorily.

    He might have been on the other end of the line, yet he was intimidating. ¡°Think about it. There is no

    use. It only sped up your goal 10 be the richest man in Sna City by a decade.¡±

    ¡°How dare you!¡± It was as if something had caught in Javier¡¯s throat. he had nothing to say.

    if it weren¡¯t for Newton, who was great at recognizing talent and selected the talented Jasper as

    president, he would still be in an endless battle against the Schmidt Group. is there anything else? If

    not, I have other things to attend to. Goodbye.¡±

    JJasper it¡¯s terrible how you neglect your duties and stay passive. One day, you will have to pay for

    your actions.¡±

    Jassper stared at his ck phone screen. A bold and relieved smile appeared.it was harsh to assume

    he didn¡¯t care about the Beckett GGroup,

    Itwassis career. He worked day and night relentlessly. He w haarchhat he fell ill. He had even sacrificed

    all his time. He live mechaaitient clock down to the very second.

    Dosone chaat be didn¡¯t give it a second thought and chose Alyssa ov his career botiming was more

    important than the woman he loved.

    The nexxodayJasspen and Alyssa washed up and ate breakfast early in the rootingghneychanged imo

    their outfits for the funeral and went out tooemeer

    They stood sides beside at the Vi¡¯s entrance, ncing at each other

    Jasper stared deeply at Alyssa, and Alyssa, too, couldn¡¯t keep her eyes off him.

    Alyssa donned her usual ck suit, a creation of her own design. However, her lipscked the usual

    eye-catching red hue. An elegant and solemn white flower reced the brooch that typically adorned

    her outfit.

    She was beautiful yet solemn. Anyone could tell the grief from her countenance.

    Jasper parted his lips slightly. He had always wanted to tell her about the first time he saw her in a

    ck suit at the auction after their divorce.

    His heartstrings tugged when he saw her appearing in the ck suit and red lips before him.

    ¡°Good morning, Mr. Beckett,¡± Alyssa greeted him.

    ¡°Good morning, Lyse,¡± Jasper responded.

    ¡°Let us go now.¡±

    The word ¡°us¡± left a tear in Jasper¡¯s eyes as his blood boiled with passion.

 Chapter 964

    Sean was still in the hospital, so Xavier came to pick them up.

    Both of them sat in the back. Jasper took a deep breath. He reached out and held Alyssa¡¯s cold hand.

    She didn¡¯t avoid it and let him hold her hand. She even let him intertwine his fingers with hers, feeling

    his warmth.

    ¡°Landon said he wanted toe, but I didn¡¯t let him,¡± Jasper said softly.

    ¡°Okay, I understand why you did it. Landon is with Lauren now. He ¨C worried Lauren would feel sad if

    she saw what happened to Nina.¡±

    Alyssa sighed. ¡°After all, Nina had cared for Lauren for a long time. They were more than a servant and

    a master. They were friends.¡±

    Her voice dropped as she spoke. She choked on her words slightly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Lyse.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart ached intensely, feeling as if twitched slightly, lifting his arm to wrap it around Alyssa¡¯s

    shoulder. He held her in his arms and consoled her. ¡°Nina wouldn¡¯t want us to feel sad because of her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure she wants to see the beautiful, sassy, and tough Ms. Taylor. Don¡¯t let her down, and don¡¯t let

    the murderer see how vulnerable we are.¡±

    Alyssa nestled her head against his chest, feeling a sense of rejuvenation coursing through her body.

    She nodded firmly.

    The Taylors meticulously arranged Nina¡¯s funeral, providing the best reflecting their profound respect

    for the departed.

    The wreath by the door bore the signature of the finest florists in Sna City, not to mention the entire

    country. The Taylors, Becketts, and Harpers each made a distinctive contribution.

    Jameson was noticeably absent, yet he had sent a wreath. intentionally ced in a prominent position.

    ¡°Jameson is such a calctive man.¡±

    Ss was standing by the entrance. He mocked when he saw the Schmidt family¡¯s wreath. ¡°People

    might think that the deceased was someone from the Schmidts. The wreath is so big that you can see

    it from Mars. Get someone here to bring it to the back. The wreath is blocking ours.¡±

    Jonah patted his shoulder and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Even if it was given because of other

    intentions, it¡¯s the thought that counts. Don¡¯t make the Taylors look so petty as if we can¡¯t let others

    have their way.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Jonah, Ss, Cyrus, and Axel were present today. Sean even came in his wheelchair with Tatiana

    helping to push him.

    When Tatiana learned that Sean had gotten hurt, she went to the hospital and bawled her eyes out.

    She requested a leave of absence from the school and has never left Sean¡¯s side since. She cared for

    him, fed him food, cleaned his body, and supported him when he needed to use the toilet. She was

    practically Mrs. Lynch by now.

    Sean was recovering well under Tatjana¡¯s care. He would either walk around with a crutch or move in a

    wheelchair.

    ¡°Sean, why are you here?¡± Jonah went to him hastily. ¡°You need to 100L. Lyoc mini you anyly

    Sadness lingered in Sean¡¯s eyes. ¡°Ms. Nina saved Ms. Taylor¡¯s life. She meant a lot to me. How can I

    be absent from her funeral? I would crawl my way here if I had to.¡±

    Ss came to him, too. He looked at Tatiana angrily. ¡°Tatiana, why did you let your Mr. Lynch roam

    around like that?¡±

    Sean and Tatiana¡¯s faces reddened in embarrassment upon hearing that.

    Tatiana couldn¡¯t take such teasing. Her face was as red as a tomato. She said softly, ¡°I-I couldn¡¯t stop

    him.¡±

    ¡°Sigh, how can this do?¡±

    Axel shook his head as he walked over and joined in the teasing. ¡°You are a Taylor. It didn¡¯t matter

    whether it was the situation or a man. You need to hold them tightly and have control over them. Am I

    right, Mr. Sean?¡±

    Sean coughed dryly from embarrassment. He answered honestly, You are right, Mr. Axel.¡±

    Just then, they heard someone shouting, ¡°Ms. Alyssa is here!¡±

    Following that, someone eximed, ¡°Mr. Jasper Beckett, the president of the Beckett Group, is here!¡±

 Chapter 965

    Everyone present today was from the Taylor family.

    Jasper didn¡¯t avert his gaze. Instead, he walked confidently alongside Alyssa. The fact that he was the

    only outsider present didn¡¯t faze him; on the contrary, he felt more secure at that moment.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Jasper wanted to be Alyssa¡¯s steadfast support and pir. With him around, Alyssa could let her guard

    down and rx.

    Xavier followed behind Jasper. Seeing all of Alyssa¡¯s brothers, his head tingled, and his palms started

    sweating. He vowed to himself that he wouldn¡¯t marry a girl with so many brothers. It was too difficult.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    The crowd went toward Alyssa hastily and surrounded her.

    When the Taylors saw Jasper, their demeanors weren¡¯t exactly friendly. They would have closed the

    door on him and let the dog out if it were in the past.

    ¡°Thank you for your care and support during this time, everyone,¡± Alyssa said.

    Then, she looked tenderly at Tatiana, who was pushing Sean over. She didn¡¯t me Sean for calling

    the shots. ¡°Thank you for the sacrifice toward Sean and the time spent with him, Taty. You have been

    such a great help to me.¡±

    ¡°We are a family, Lyse. You¡¯re too kind.¡± Tatiana felt warm inside her as her sister, Alyssa, praised her.

    ¡°Sean, take good care of my sister after you get better.¡±

    Alyssa approached Sean. She held Sean¡¯s hand with her left hand and Tatiana¡¯s with her right hand.

    Then, she sped their hands together. I hope you will always do your best to protect Tatiana.¡±

    Tears filled Sean¡¯s eyes. He looked past Alyssa and toward the tall and sturdy man behind her.

    Sean thought it was time for him to step back.

    Alyssa had found someone willing to do whatever it took to protect her, and this man was significantly

    stronger and more reliable than he was.

    Jasper silently observed Alyssa. The most tender part of his heart was stirred once again. He yearned

    to go to her and envelop her in his arms, wanting to proim to the world that it was enough as long as

    she had him.

    The funeral service started a few minutes after that.

    At his moment, Axel, who was outside, came in hastily to Alyssa. His face was grim.

    ¡°Lyse, something bad had happened. I don¡¯t know who bbered, but there are suddenly many

    reporters outside.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Jonah had always been careful

    about these things. Everyone present is our people. There is no way someone leaked information

    about this.¡±

    ¡°Our sources indicated that the individuals in the bodyguard uniforms belonged to the Beckett family,¡±

    he mentioned, cautiously casting a nce at Jasper. His gaze carried a formidable intensity.

    Jasper frowned deeply. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Alyssa said, looking down and raising her hand. She exuded an intimidating presence as well.

    ¡°If I doubted you, I wouldn¡¯t have

    Jasper was moved upon hearing that.

    ¡°I think it must be those snakes, Sophia and Betty. After all, they knew exactly how Nina died. They

    were eagerly waiting for the day of the funeral.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but scoff. Her eyes were bloodshot. ¡°Sophia and Betty had always liked unting

    in front of the media to maintain a positive image. How dare they trespass into our family¡¯s turf. Those

    bitches are asking for it!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s demeanor was incredibly intimidating now. That desire to kill was so strong that Jasper and

    Axel had goosebumps.

    ¡°Ms. Taylor¡­¡±

 Chapter 966

    Nina¡¯s grandmother said tremblingly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Alyssa turned around and felt a lump in her throat when she saw the worry on the old woman¡¯s face.

    She quickly approached Nina¡¯s grandmother and held her hand, assuring her. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. You don¡¯t

    have to worry about anything except for Nina¡¯s wake. We¡¯ll be here for you. You have nothing to fear.¡±

    Reporters swarmed the funeral home and aimed their cameras at Nina¡¯s funeral hall. To them, the

    funeral was excellent news material.

    Not only were important figures from the Beckett Group and the Taylor Group in attendance, but the

    deceased, Nina Carle, was the only witness of the shooting incident.

    Would that mean Nina¡¯s death had to do with the Becketts and the Taylors? The news would certainly

    cause an uproar because it implicated the wealthy in the death of a poor, innocent, working-ss

    young woman. Besides, the murderer remained atrge.

    Alyssa saw the situationing. Sophia and Betty had leaked the news to the reporters, attracting

    them to the funeral home.

    Meanwhile, the Becketts¡¯ bodyguards emerged from luxury cars, formed a line, and pushed the

    reporters away from the funeral home to protect Sophia and Betty.

    Sophia, seated in the car, applied an excessive amount of foundation powder on her lips in an attempt

    to appear pale.

    Betty stared out of the tinted windows and shuddered at the thought of meeting Alyssa and her

    powerful brothers. She wondered, ¡°Mom, with Wysssasdar Hiss, onoidd it we stay away from

    publammy non Nin saidat recent salcet¡­

    There¡¯s moned tottyyoundfithe public eye tits point, 550mis am twintances:a Mivasa would have

    given as trouble if no had pvidence Den.deva, but the hasnt madda moves, imjer means she coos:

    not avea protagainst us!

    other she would have rousse ha ruckus in the had sand evidence

    The calctive Sophia adeod. The rodia knows bilina is ourmandy! ced to show up

    abthederspotnoma will call rng out for being g eardess. By attanomo thea enecall will score points

    and build my Boutation. By theavey have lycopepoared the rooggy for Ninas

    amilve

    fes. I did. But Mom, Joyneeed ngacem that muci roboey?ter sounded somewhat reluctann.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    We need to give up something inrezonancepre gains. orth at an eyelid at this amount of money

    even if Idostit.¡±

    lothing was more important than quarto cogir gvis secret.

    ophia and Betty immediately disyed theeiod skills when aft the car. A veteran actress.

    Sooniateessweseca.coocodile gears i

    ont of the cameres.

    areoomer shoved a microphone into her facesassining MesBeckett, was the victim your raid?¡±

    he dabbod her tears away with her silk hangtercoiue and answered! 1es, ceo. Nina was my maid.

    She was an honest and add/young ady who worked diligently when she served cuntanye were all ond

    of her¡­

    Betty cried loudly, ¡°Nina mostly took care of my sister, but frankly, Nina felt more like a sibling to me.

    We treated her well and met her needs when she was working with us.¡±

    Even at Nina¡¯s funeral, Betty couldn¡¯t resist taking a jab at Lauren.

 Chapter 967

    The reporters nodded at Betty¡¯s remark with looks of approval. ¡°Not only was Ms. Betty born to wealth,

    but she was also a kind and understanding young woman.¡±

    ¡°As Nina¡¯s employer, I should attend her funeral,¡± Sophia sobbed in front of the cameras.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    The reporters questioned, ¡°What will be the post-funeral arrangements?¡±

    ¡°Nina might have died in an ident, but the Beckett Group had a role to y because we failed to

    monitor the safety of our employees. We will offerpensation to her family. We cannot do anything

    to have Nina back, but we cherish our memories with her. So, we will do our best to assist her family.

    Hopefully, she will be at peace.¡±

    The reporters sighed with a newfound admiration for Sophia.

    Escorted by their bodyguards, Sophia and Betty entered the funeral home. The reporters followed

    closely with their cameras, hungry to get a scoop.

    Suddenly, Sophia and Betty looked petrified upon seeing the Taylor family members in ck. Gripped

    by fear, their hearts nearly stopped.

    Alyssa and Jasper stood side by side, wearing the same furious expression that could kill. Sophia

    remainedposed, but Betty froze under Alyssa¡¯s sharp gaze and held her breath.

    Sophia¡¯s eyes were swollen. With a mncholic look, she said to Alyssa, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, nothing is more

    important than the deceased today. I know you resent me, but I¡¯m only here to pay myst respects

    Alyssa glowered at her and took a step forward. Her family members. and her bodyguards followed

    suit, causing Sophia and the reporters to stumble backward in fear. Alyssa and Jasper¡¯s authority was

    intimidating.

    The Taylor siblings stood behind Alyssa, always ready to support her. Due to the sensitive nature of

    Axel¡¯s work, he hid in a corner and watched on glumly to avoid media exposure. He was ready to tackle

    anyone whoid a finger on Alyssa.

    Alyssa, filled with resentment, hissed, ¡°Anyone is wee to Nina¡¯s funeral except for you two!¡±

    Operating on herst brain cell again, Betty asked loudly, ¡°Why can¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°The audacity to ask that question! You have no right to attend her funeral.¡±

    People around them gasped at Alyssa¡¯s bold statement.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, this is bullying! You¡¯ve crossed a line!¡± Betty looked enraged and habitually raised her

    hand to p Alyssa, only to be held back by Sophia in time.

    Sophia reasoned, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, we sincerely wish to pay ourst respects to Nina. This is not the right

    time to settle the conflict between us. This will only hurt our reputation and disrespect the dead.

    Sophia sounded like she was schooling Alyssa, effectivelybeling Alyssa as an insensible person who

    made a scene at the wrong time.

    Smirking, Alyssa immediately called Sophia out. ¡°You are the ones who disrespect the dead. Even your

    presence alone is mocking the dead! Sophia, Betty, karma is real. You know what you did to Nina. I¡¯m

    Jurpacu juu uu

    Upon hearing Alyssa¡¯s usation, the crowd gasped in shock.

 Chapter 968

    What did Alyssa mean? Did Sophia and Betty y a role in Nina¡¯s death?

    Jasper¡¯s chest tightened. He looked at Alyssa¡¯s hateful face from theer of his eye and quietly

    ced a hand on her waist. Feeling her body trembling, he held her tighter. The encouraging gesture

    offered her a boost of confidence.

    Jasper kept his silence not because he was concerned about keeping his image. He understood that

    Alyssa needed to confront Sophia to release her anger.

    Sophia and Betty looked mortified, and their expressions crumbled. They sensed the reporters!

    attention on them. It felt like shooting themselves in the foot.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, what do you mean? Do you really think we¡¯re responsible for Nina¡¯s death?¡± Sophia

    wondered, meeting Alyssa¡¯s hateful nce.

    ¡°It was a suggestion. I didn¡¯t use you of anything.¡± Shrugging, Alyssa mocked them, ¡°You seem

    quite panicked even when I did not use you. Are you really behind Nina¡¯s death?¡±

    ¡±

    The reporters exchanged looks and started taking photos of Sophia and Betty. Sophia red at Alyssa

    with intense hatred, thinking, Damn it! This bitch is getting me into trouble again!¡±

    Alyssa seethed with a quiet rage, ¡°You never treat your maids as humans. In private, you abuse your

    power, beating, scolding, and torturing the housemaids. It¡¯s disgusting of you to act morally superior at

    Nina¡¯s funeral. I¡¯m just saying that karma will catch up with you. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±

    Jasper cast a look of admiration and surprise at Alyssa¡¯s wits. He

    Although they knew Sophia and Betty were the masterminds behind Nina¡¯s death, they did not have

    evidence for now. using Sophia of being the murderer would only get Alyssa sued for nder,

    which would ce her in an unfavorable position.

    That was why Alyssa had to be as vague as possible with the usation to provoke Sophia and y

    with the media¡¯s imagination. Not only that, she hit Sophia and Betty, where it hurt the most to get back

    at them and mess up their ns.

    Sophia seethed at Alyssa, but she also med herself for failing to anticipate Alyssa¡¯s move.

    Betty, who was in a panic, immediately jumped out to chastise Alyssa in a bid to save her carefully

    crafted reputation. ¡°Alyssa Taylor, you are ndering us! That¡¯s nonsense! I know you don¡¯t get along

    with Sophia and me, but that does not give you the right to nder us. I can sue you for that¡­¡±

    Her voice trailed off because she was fearful of Jasper¡¯s piercing gaze.

    Alyssa coldly stated, ¡°I am simply telling the truth. As to why I understand your true character, it¡¯s

    because we lived for three years under the same roof.¡±

    The reporters were taken aback. What did Alyssa mean by ¡°living under the same roof for three years?

    It did not make sense for a Taylor to live with the Becketts.

    Sophia, Betty, Jasper, and the Taylor siblings stared agape at Alyssa.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Jasper began, ¡°Lyse, you ¡­¡±

    She addressed Sophia and Betty sternly, ¡°I knew better than anyone. about the filthy tricks you pulled

    over the years because I was Jasper

 Chapter 969

    Everyone fell into a prolonged silence out of shock. Even Alyssa¡¯s brothers were caught off guard by

    her sudden move. ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    They had never expected Alyssa to admit to her divorce in front of the media after how secretive she

    had been with the marriage. At that moment, she was fearless and honest.

    In the past, she had difficulty addressing her failed marriage because she perceived it as a shameful

    stain on her life. Now, she had put the feelings behind her and came to terms with the fact that she had

    met the right person at the wrong time.

    In the next second, the camera shed at Alyssa and Jasper. Frowning, he shielded her from the attack

    like a fort.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, is that true? Were you married to Mr. Beckett?¡±

    ¡°Was it a secret marriage? When did you divorce? Any children?¡±

    ¡°What is the reason for the divorce? Was it because of Liana Gardner or another mistress?¡±

    The reporters flooded Alyssa with challenging questions.

    Jasper dered, ¡°Lyse was not to be med for the divorce. It was me¡­¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Grappling with heartache, he was ready to assume full responsibility for the divorce when Alyssa

    grabbed his hand. He turned around and stared into her bright and passionate eyes.

    She whispered in his ear, ¡°You do not owe them an exnation. I don¡¯t need an exnation for what¡¯s

    happened in the past, and I do not want to hear Liana¡¯s name either.¡±

    He held his breath as the pain deepened. It was more painful to be forgiven than to be hated by Alyssa.

    Alyssa calmly addressed the reporters, ¡°That is our private matter, which I will not divulge.¡± She turned

    her attention to Spohia and Betty, saying, ¡°I brought up my divorce just to prove that I did not make a

    baseless usation. I witnessed Mrs. Beckett and Ms. Betty¡¯s behavior at home. I hope that the media

    isn¡¯t misled by their fake image and focus more on the victims.¡±

    She continued firmly, ¡°I believe that every one of you entered the field of journalism because you were

    driven by the quest for truth and the pursuit of justice. There are a lot of unreported injustices in this

    world, and many are sufferfing because of it. If the media fails to -advocate for them, who else can they

    turn to?¡±

    Her enthusiastic speech touched the hearts of the reporters, who reflexively lowered their cameras.

    Indeed, they were once passionate and idealistic, but they were silenced by the corrupted industry,

    which was controlled by a few conglomerates.

    Due to the increasingly short attention span of consumers, the media increasingly reported on easily

    digestible celebrity gossip and the private lives of the wealthy for easy profits because only those topics

    stood a chance to go viral.

 Chapter 970

    People were more interested in useless celebrity gossip than actual news in this era.

    Suddenly, a reporter bravely shoved a microphone in Sophia¡¯s face and confronted her, asking, ¡°Mrs.

    Beckett, have you abused your maids like what Ms. Alyssa said? Was Nina Carle a subject of your

    abuse?¡±

    Sophia was astonished that the media she invited to the funeral had turned against her.

    Jasper held Alyssa¡¯s hand tight. Heplimented her. ¡°Lyse, you¡¯re awesome. You¡¯re way better than

    me. I can never be as good as you

    Staring at her, he smiled bitterly. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m out of your league

    Then, he tenderly whispered, ¡°You had pursued me in thest 13 years. From now on, I will be the one

    to do the pursuing.¡±

    Touched by his words, she wrapped her fingers against his.

    The other reporters flocked to question Sophia and Betty. The two women, sweating profusely, argued,

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not the truth! You shouldn¡¯t listen to Alyssa Taylor¡¯s nonsense!¡±

    ¡°Madam Sophia, you cannot get out of this,¡± a familiar voice boomed with indignation.

    Shocked, Alyssa and Jasper spun around to find Rosie storming toward them.

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie!¡± they eximed.

    Rosie greeted them, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett, sorry for showing up against your wish. I know you hid

    the truth from me because you didn¡¯t want to upset me, but I was the one who raised Nina. She was

    like a daughter to me.¡±

    Then, she choked on her tears and grieved. ¡°I can¡¯t send her off after all the time I spent with her.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jasper apologized and sighed, feeling guilty for hiding the truth from her.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa gave Rosie a hug and a pat on the back without any word.

    After the short exchange, Rosie pulled herself together and red at Sophia. ¡°Ms. Alyssa is right. Many

    maids, including Nina, have been abused by Madam Sophia. I have worked for them for 30 years and

    know more than Ms. Alyssa. I swear to God that Ms. Alyssa spoke. the truth.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, have you gone mad? Did Alyssa pay you to nder us?¡± Sophia pointed a finger at Rosie.

    ¡°You¡¯re a longtime employee. We gave you the best treatment a maid could receive in Sna City.

    How could you turn against your benefactors and spew nonsense about us just because someone paid

    you to? Where¡¯s your conscience?¡± ¡°If I did not have a conscience, I wouldn¡¯t have shown up.¡±

 Chapter 971

    Chapter 971

    Rosie chuckled. ¡°Some are here to pay theirst respects, but some, like you, are here to capitalize on

    others¡¯ death!¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie, that¡¯s too much!¡±

    Rosie added, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t take credit for my treatment in the family. I only have Mr. Javier and

    Madam Anne to thank. Besides, it is Mr. Javier who pays me, not you! I have nothing to do with you.¡±

    In the heat of the moment, Rosie spat in front of Sophia while the onlookers were still reeling from the

    shock of the drama of a maid speaking out against Sophia.

    At that moment, some level-headed reporters said, ¡°She¡¯s not wrong. A funeral for a victim of sudden

    death should be kept low-profile. Because of that, Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett have not invited the

    media to the funeral. They care about sending off the victim more than shaping their image.¡±

    ¡°True. I have never seen anyone in Sna City who¡¯s more attention- seeking than Mrs. Beckett.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Rosie is right. Mrs. Beckett is capitalizing on the victim¡¯s death.¡±

    Sophia fumed when she realized the public opinion had turned against her, but she had to keep her

    cool in front of the reporters. She decided to keep up the act, ying the victim.

    Turning white, she pressed against her chest, looking like she was about to faint. She used Alyssa,

    ¡°How could you judge me unfairly? Ms. Alyssa, we did not get along when you were married to Jasper.

    I admit that we ran into conflicts, but it¡¯s all in the past because you divorced Jasper. Why would you do

    whatever it takes to at back at me?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s expression hardened when Sophia brought up the divorce again. Simrly, Jasper¡¯s blood

    boiled at Sophia¡¯s remark.

    Eyes gleaming with malice, Sophia looked close to tears. She added, ¡± You knew Jasper was into

    Liana. They couldn¡¯t marry because his grandpa disapproved of their rtionship. Even then, you

    chose to marry Jasper.

    ¡°Alyssa, the divorce was a matter of time, especially because you insisted on getting married. How

    could you me that on me? You¡¯re a bully!¡±

    Sophia attempted to create falsehoods to divert attention from herself. What a crafty woman!

    The reporters were continuously surprised by the revtion of the Becketts¡¯ private lives. They had

    their doubts, wondering if Sophia was unfairly med because Alyssa wanted revenge.

    Ss and Cyrus could not hold back. Even Axel, who was hiding in a corner, was ready to make a

    move on Sophia.

    Ss offered, ¡°Jonah, I¡¯ll send some men to shoo the reporters. We can¡¯t let this happen. There will be

    rumors about Lyse and Jasper¡¯s divorce.¡±

    Jonah stopped him when he was about to leave. ¡°Ss, you can¡¯t.¡±

    Ss and Cyrus were puzzled. ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s toote to stop the media from reporting. I bet some of them are hosting live streams. If we

    forcefully kick them out, we will only make Lyse appear guilty of the usation and fall into Sophia¡¯s

    trap.¡±

    Jonah took a deep breath and exined sternly, ¡°Sophia is setting Lyse up. If we mishandle the

    situation, we would appear to be sitting to Sophia¡¯s usations.¡±

    Ss and Cyrus clenched their fists in a fit of anger. They were willing to risk their careers and beat up

    Sophia at that momentContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

 Chapter 972

    Chapter 972

    ¡°How shameless of you to speak about Alyssa as her ex-mother-in-w!¡± Jasper finally stepped forward

    without hesitation and mocked Sophia, ¡°You¡¯re Dad¡¯s second wife, and I¡¯m not your son. You do not

    have the right to im you were Lyse¡¯s mother-inw.

    ¡°Still, Lyse respected you and tried her best to fulfill your unreasonable demands when she was

    married to me. She endured you and Betty¡¯s bullying. Why did you skip that part?¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Alyssa felt a lump in her throat and wiggled her finger as she was reminded of the bitter past. Jasper

    did not need to look at her to empathize. He gripped her hand firmly and dered, ¡°Lyse married me

    because she loved me. Is love a sin?

    ¡°I was the one to me for the divorce. I did not see through Liana¡¯s true colors and continued flirting

    with her after I was married. I

    unknowingly hurt Alyssa, not realizing that all the while, she was the one I loved.¡±

    The cameras shed again in a frenzy to capture Jasper¡¯s act of protecting his ex-wife and his

    confession about his extramarital affair.

    Sophia¡¯s expression crumbled. Betty stared agape at Jasper¡¯s explosive statement. They never

    expected him to give up everything- his status and reputation-for Alyssa.

    They underestimated his feelings for Alyssa. He¡¯d rather sacrifice himself to protect Alyssa. He would

    rather suffer a blow in his reputation to uphold her innocence.

    Trembling, Alyssa watched as Jasper stood firmly in front of her. She choked on her tears, touched by

    his empathy, which meant more to her than his deration of ¡°I love you¡±.

    Jasper scanned Sophia and Betty¡¯s faces before turning to the crowd. ¡°I will make this clear for thest

    time-I was the one at fault in our divorce. Alyssa was not to be med. I will take legal action against

    any media who wrote a single article demeaning her. Those who start rumors will pay a huge price for

    doing so.¡±

    His words came as a huge shock. Shuddering, Sophia and Betty stumbled backward and gave up on

    confronting Alyssa.

    Cyrus, admiring Jasper¡¯s courage, pped his hands with respect.¡± That was cool.¡±

    Jonah and Ss nodded in approval. Axel, who hid in a corner, smiled with satisfaction as he ced a

    cigarette between his lips, mumbling, ¡°Not bad. You act more like my brother-inw now.¡±

    A reporter suddenly came forward and questioned loudly, ¡°Mr. Beckett, why do you frequently meet up

    with Ms. Alyssa if you¡¯re divorced? I have been following your updates. Whenever Ms. Alyssa gets into

    trouble, you will show up to help. Are you nice to her because she was your ex-wife, or do you still have

    feelings for her?¡±

    The other reporters chimed in, ¡°Mr. Beckett, what is your current rtionship with Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    Feeling helpless in the onught of questions, Alyssa heard Jasper reply, ¡°She was my ex-wife. Now,

    I¡¯m her man.¡±

    While speaking, he looked at her. They both teared up when their eyes met.

 Chapter 973

    Chapter 973

    Alyssa did not shy away from Jasper¡¯s passionate gaze this time. She melted inside, wondering how

    deep his love for her was, seeing how he was close to tears when he looked at her.

    Meanwhile, Sophia and Betty were in hot water because they had nowhere to escape. Alyssa stood in

    their way, and the reporters swarmed behind them.

    At that moment, Rosie yed a recording on her phone in front of the crowds. Amid the hushed

    silence, they were shocked to hear Sophia cursing her maids from the recording..

    The reporters gasped, ¡°Oh, my God! Quick! Get that on video!¡±

    Another questioned, ¡°Is that how a woman in her position should behave? Even the market vendor I

    know has better manners!¡±

    ¡°If we air this, we might have to censor it from the beginning till the end!¡±

    All color drained from Betty¡¯s face. She had her fair share of abusing maids at home and worried that

    Rosie would y a recording of her actions.

    Rosie lifted her phone high and yelled, ¡°Look! This is how much Mrs. Beckett cares for her maids!¡±

    ¡°How dare you do this to me, you old bitch! Stop ying it!¡± Fuming, Sophia charged at Rosie to snatch

    the phone, but the Taylor family¡¯s bodyguards stopped her from getting any closer to Rosie.

    The media recorded the scene, showing Sophiaically wing at the air when the bodyguards held

    her back.

    Rosie taunted, ¡°Oh, Mrs. Beckett, are you triggered by just one the tip of the iceberg of your abusive

    behavior over the years.¡±

    With that, Rosie yed another recording. Everyone instantly heard a sound that resembled a p in

    the face.

    In the recording, Sophia shrieked in an abrasive voice, saying, ¡°Nina Carle, are you dumb? How could

    you mess this up? We¡¯re not going to keep useless people around!¡±

    Sophia paled and started trembling when she heard the recording. In the recording, Nina replied in a

    pain-filled voice, much to the dismay of the people at the funeral. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Madam Sophia. I¡¯ll clean

    it up now. Ah-¡±

    Betty¡¯s voice emerged, and she sounded as horrible as her mother. Nina, did you not hear me? You

    need to get your ears checked!¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    ¡°Sorry, Ms. Betty. I¡¯ll be there soon¡­

    Sophia and Betty were speechless when Rosie provided the evidence. Seething, Ss nearly charged

    at the mother and daughter to scold them but was held back by Jonah and Cyrus.

    Ss snapped, ¡°Are you still living in thest century? How could you abuse your maids? Even the

    royals in history did not treat their servants that way!¡±

    Axel clicked his tongue and shook his head. ¡°Ss can be quite frightening when he¡¯s triggered.¡±

    Alyssa felt resentful when she heard the recording. Her throat went dry.

    Jasper held her by the waist, a gesture to calm her down, but he nearly lost his temper as well.

    There was amotion among the reporters after Sophia and Betty were called out. Sophia gritted her

    teeth and dragged Betty out of the

    Alyssa and Jasper felt a sudden chill. They looked up and saw Nina¡¯s expressionless grandmother

    sshing a bowl of hot soup at Sophia.

    Sophia screamed at the top of her lungs. Scalded and reeking of the soup¡¯s contents, she had never

    been in such a humiliating situation before.

 Chapter 974

    Chapter 974

    Betty, who could not step aside in time, was also drenched in soup. She nearly heaved from the

    stench.

    The onlookers gasped at the turn of events. They did not expect Nina¡¯s bedridden and ill grandmother

    to take revenge for her granddaughter with a will of steel. The old woman glowered at Sophia.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Her determination won her the respect of everyone present.

    ¡°You evil woman! Get lost! I don¡¯t want you standing in the way of Nina!¡± Despite appearing frail, the old

    woman yelled loudly with rage,¡± If you don¡¯t leave, I will break your head with the bowl!

    ¡°I don¡¯t have any purpose in life after losing Nina. I have nothing more. to lose, and I am not afraid of

    going against you!¡±

    Sophia and Betty enjoyed a high-profile arrival at the funeral but ended up escaping from the scene

    with tails between their legs.

    The reporters left after that. They would have a field day writing ne articles on Javier and Sophia.

    Although Nina¡¯s funeral started in chaos, it wrapped up smoothly.

    Unfortunately, Nina¡¯s grandmother fainted out of anger at Sophia and Betty¡¯s interruption. The Taylor

    family rushed her to the hospital, where she would receive the best care.

    Alyssa sat on the couch in the lounge, looking dejected. Although she and Jasper had the upper hand,

    she trembled with heartache and when she thought of the recording in which Sophia and Betty abused

    Nina.

    Jonah and Ss were busy dealing with the media. Jasper might have was thoroughly protected, just in

    case.

    Cyrus wanted to keep Alyssapany, but he had to leave because of some work at the police station.

    Only Sean, Tatiana, Axel, and Jasper were by Alyssa¡¯s side. She crossed her arms in front of her

    chest, looking confused. ¡°Is the air conditioning turned on? I feel cold.¡±

    ¡°No, Lyse,¡± Tatiana replied with worry. ¡°Did you fall sick? I¡¯ll get you a nket.¡±

    When Tatiana proceeded to leave, she noticed Jasper putting his jacket around Alyssa. He acted so

    tenderly as if he was holding a newborn.

    Alyssa looked up at Jasper, feeling touched. He knelt in front of her and gazed into her teary eyes,

    desperate to read her pain and emotions.

    ¡°Lyse, I know what you¡¯re thinking,¡± he remarked curtly.

    Moved by his words, she mumbled tearily, ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I feel¡­ cold

    Gripped by a crushing pain, he pulled her into a deep embrace whispered in her ear, ¡°Are you still

    cold?¡±

    She bit her lips, her body almost melting under his embrace. She shook her head gently.

    He coaxed her affectionately, saying, ¡°You won¡¯t feel cold again if I¡¯m around.¡±

    He knew that Alyssa was affected by the sad memories. She had yet to recover from Nina¡¯s death.

    It would take time to heal from trauma. He vowed to treat her with patience and care.

    Axel, Sean, and Tatiana felt reassured upon seeing Jasper and Alyssa wrapped up in a quiet hug.

    Tatiana, always the emotional one, teared up when she saw the touching scene.

    Suddenly, she felt a warm sensation in her hand. Sean had gently inteced his fingers with hers.

 Chapter 975

    Chapter 975

    Tatiana¡¯s breaths became ragged, her cheeks deepening in color. She held Sean¡¯s hand silently, both

    blushing in embarrassment but not letting go.

    When Alyssa gathered herself, she told Jasper, ¡°Mrs. Rosie can no longer work at Seaview Manor after

    what happened today. If you and Mrs. Rosie don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like her to work at Heightsnew Vi in

    Belbanks.

    ¡°If she prefers retirement, I will buy her a ce in Belbanks so she could retirefortably. I will be

    worried for her if she stays in Sna City. Sophia and Betty might give her trouble as payback.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, my sentiments exactly,¡± he replied, looking content. ¡°I¡¯d prefer Mrs. Rosie to leave Sna City

    temporarily and return only after I¡¯ve taught Sophia a lesson. But I do not mind if Mrs. Rosie settles

    down in Belbanks. That sounds good as well.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just concerned she won¡¯t want to leave because she¡¯ll miss you, she teased, squinting at him.

    Bright-eyed, Jasper rubbed her fingers and responded, ¡°She wo miss me. She once said anywhere is

    home when I¡¯m around her that doesn¡¯t happen, she¡¯ll at least need her Madam to be with

    ¡°I-I¡¯m no longer her Madam!¡± Blushing, Alyssa panicked and turned he face away, ignoring him.

    He chuckled and caressed her head. Axel could not stand watching the lovey-dovey couple and

    sneaked out of the lounge to smoke.

    At that moment, Jasper received a call. He checked the caller ID, and his eyes gleamed. ¡°Lyse, I need

    to answer the call. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    She watched as he left the lounge, and her chest tightened.

    Outside the lounge, Jasper picked up the call. Landon asked, ¡°Jasper, the arrangements are in ce.

    When do we make our move?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s leave in my private jet this evening,¡± replied Jasper with a serious look.

    ¡°Just use my jet! Don¡¯t worry about the fuel costs!¡± Landon graciously offered. ¡°You get the best

    because you¡¯re Lauren¡¯s brother!¡±

    ¡°Your jet is an older model. It¡¯s too slow,¡± Jasper exined tly.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Disheartened, Landon grumbled, ¡°Damn it! You always make me look bad.¡± Then, he questioned,

    ¡°Have you told Lyse about it?¡±

    Jasper shut his eyes, clenched his fists, and took a deep breath. ¡°I can¡¯t tell her. I know her well. She is

    a righteous person who will do anything it takes to take revenge with her own hands.

    ¡°If she learns that I¡¯m searching for Jeffrey Snyder, she will definitely want toe with me, and I won¡¯t

    be able to stop her. Bringing her to Tsulu would be reckless. It¡¯s dangerous there.¡±

    Landon sighed, ¡°You¡¯re the epitome of doting on your spouse.¡± Then, he added, ¡°I¡¯m the same.¡±

    Jasper teased him, ¡°Don¡¯t go blowing your own trumpet.¡±

    Once they took down the enemy, Jasper hoped his best friend could find happiness with his dear sister.

    At the same time, he yearned for a fresh start with Alyssa.

    After the call, Jasper smoked by the window instead of returning to the lounge. He stood there, trying to

    organize his thoughts.

    Suddenly, he heard gentle footsteps approaching him from behind.

 Chapter 976

    Chapter 976

    Jasper whirled around, drawn in by a pleasant fragrance. Alyssa leaned closer to him, her eyes shining

    brightly. She ced her arms by his side, her plump lips hovering before him.

    He swallowed hard and blushed at the fatal attraction of her moist lips.

    Alyssa purred, ¡°Have you forgotten what I said to you?¡± Her hand traveled down to his chest and traced

    its way to his abdomen.

    His heart raced as he stared intently at her rosy lips. Just when he was about to kiss her, she took the

    cigarette from between his fingers and ced it between her lips.

    She took a long drag but started coughing violently. Her face reddened.

    He pinched her flushed cheeks and teased her, ¡°Oh, you silly thing! Don¡¯t force yourself if you don¡¯t

    know how to smoke.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­ Cough¡­ What¡¯s so appealing about smoking?¡± She tossed the cigarette on the

    floor and stomped on it. ¡°You and Axel smoke all the time. What are you, a chimney? I should y the

    documentary of lung cancer on a loop to scare you out of it!¡±

    She blushed after her minor outburst.

    Jasper fixed his eyes on her and tossed his box of cigarettes into the trash can. Hugging her by the

    waist, he breathed on her face, tickling her skin. He had a look of desire in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lyse. I¡¯ll

    try my best to quit smoking. No. I WILL quit smoking.¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard for a longtime heavy smoker to quit cold turkey. I¡¯m not unreasonable. Just smoke

    less,¡± she mumbled with a smirk.

    ¡®No. I must quit smoking,¡± Jasper insisted. He was pulled back to memories of old and felt a pang of

    pain. ¡°You advised me to quit smoking many times, but I never listened to you. I¡¯ll do whatever you ask

    me to. It¡¯s just that

    She blinked. ¡°What?¡±

    Blushing, he asked a question like a naive schoolboy, ¡°Can I watch TV all day at your ce if I quit

    smoking?¡±

    In his 30s, he seemed to have just learned how to love a woman.

    Alyssa chortled and teased him, ¡°What a foolish question.¡±

    He loved seeing Alyssa smile and wouldn¡¯t mind ying a fool forever to make her smile.

    Suddenly, she asked, ¡°When are you leaving?¡±

    He checked his wristwatch and replied, ¡°It¡¯s about time now.¡±

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Shall I see you off?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You need to rest after a busy day.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett,¡± she blurted out without warning, and soon, she gave him a tender kiss on tiptoe.

    The kiss was much better than theirst awkward kiss. She intended for it to be a quick peck, but she

    underestimated his feelings for her.

    Pinching her chin, he kissed her deeply, their tongues dancing with each other.

    Finally, Alyssa pushed against his chest. As they moved away, strands of saliva lingered between their

    lips.

    He licked his lips and savored the sweet kiss,plimenting her, Lyse, you¡¯re getting better.¡±

    She initially wanted to punch his chest out of shyness, but she settled with straightening his tie and

    smoothing the wrinkles on his suit like a caring wife

    She reminded him, ¡°Come home soon. If you¡¯rete, I won¡¯t keep the door open for you¡±

 Chapter 977

    Chapter 977

    The video capturing Sophia and Betty at Nina¡¯s funeral went viral online. One wondered if Jonah

    influenced the narrative or if the reporters had ganged up against Sophia because of the absence of

    scenes featuring Alyssa and Jasper.

    Instead, the footage showcased Rosie¡¯s usations against Sophia and Nina¡¯s grandmother¡¯s soup

    attack.

    Alyssa and Jasper¡¯s divorce should have been more sensational news than maid abuse allegations

    against Sophia. Still, cowed by the pressures exerted by Jonah and Jasper, no reporter dared broach

    the subject of the divorce to protect their career.

    Despite brief online gossip regarding Alyssa and Jasper¡¯s secret marriage, the discussion soon died

    down after all the media attention on Sophia¡¯s behavior.

    Theizens turned the photo of Sophia drenched in soup into a gif and shared it online. Not only that,

    but it was also transformed into various jokes and puns. The situation spiraled beyond the control of the

    Beckett Group¡¯s PR team.

    ¡°ROFL! I can¡¯t wait for more Sophia Kirkman scandals! Living for it!¡±

    ¡°She deserves jail for exploiting someone¡¯s death and mistreating her staff.¡±

    ¡°Like mother, like daughters. Bet her two girls are no better.¡±

    ¡°Eldest daughter¡¯s a real piece of work, but the second one keeps a low profile. She might be alright.¡±

    ¡°A woman like Sophia Kirkman can¡¯t raise a decent daughter. They¡¯re all cut from the same cloth!¡±

    reputation plummeted, and Betty, who had her fair share of scandals, suffered a blow to her standing,

    all due to her mother¡¯s actions.

    However, Sophia and Betty¡¯s reputational damage failed to satisfy Alyssa and Jasper. They wanted to

    utterly ruin Sophia and Betty¡¯s lives.

    After Landon was done with work and making arrangements for Jasper, he headed home to say

    goodbye to Lauren.

    In the car, he scrolled through thements on Twitter and event created an alternative ount to

    argue with theizens who had involved Lauren in the scandal.

    It was amusing to see the arrogant Landon Harper engaging in petty arguments for the sake of his

    beloved wife.

    Trembling, the driver wiped away his sweat and tried to focus on driving. Suddenly, Landon yelped,

    ¡°Angie!¡±

    The driver paled and responded with fear, ¡°M-Mr. Landon, you made Angie look after Madam Lauren at

    the vi. She¡¯s not here.¡±

    ¡°Oh, fuck. I forgot,¡± Landon replied, rubbing his forehead and sighing.

    Those who worked for Landon had been instructed to address Lauren as ¡°Madam¡±.

    Landon had even nned to transfer half of his stock ownership and all his properties in Sna City

    under Lauren¡¯s name. It was a n he had thought about for a while but had yet to carry out.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He nned to formally propose the idea after seeking Lauren¡¯s family¡¯s blessing for their marriage,

    which he intended to do after his Teulu trip. Before proposing the marriage, he needed to lend a hand

    It was not purely out of his loyalty to Jasper; he made the decision for his benefit because he refused to

    have a bitch for a mother-inw. Why would he want a ticking time bomb in his marriage?

    Unable to contain his impatience, Landon called Angelina. ¡°Angie, monitor onlinements! Catch

    anyone speaking ill of Lauren, and I¡¯ll beat them to a pulp. I¡¯ll sue thoseizens gossiping about her,

    too!

    ¡°I have been on it without you mentioning it. Just like you, I do not wish to see Madam Lauren harmed

    by the scandal,¡± Angelina replied.

    Having worked under Landon for many years, she knew his character and thoughts well.

    ¡°Excellent work! I¡¯ll increase your bonuster.¡± Landon nodded with satisfaction.

 Chapter 978

    Chapter 978

    Angelina, burdened with guilt, sighed as she admitted, ¡°There¡¯s another problem. Madam Lauren found

    out about Nina¡¯s death through the news about the funeral.¡±

    Landon¡¯s chest tightened. His worst fear had be a reality. Angelina continued, ¡°It was my fault. I

    didn¡¯t anticipate the news reporting on the funeral so soon because there was an embargo.

    ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s not an excuse. I did not do my job well. So, instead of the bonus, you should be giving

    me a penalty,¡± Angelina willingly offered to be punished.

    ¡°That¡¯s not your fault, Angie. You are busy taking care of Lauren while handling work matters for me.

    It¡¯s tough for you,¡± Landon replied with worry. ¡°How is Lauren holding up?¡±

    ¡°Madam Lauren is not doing well. She¡¯s been crying. Pleasee home now and check on her.¡±

    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll be back soon.

    After hanging up, Landon felt increasingly agitated and concerned at the thought of Lauren alone

    crying. He kicked the back of the driver¡¯s seat and snapped, ¡°Go faster if you want to get paid this

    month.¡±

    ¡°Sure!¡± The driver stepped on the elerator urgently.

    When Landon rushed home, he immediately went to the bedroom to check on Lauren without

    changing.

    Angelina greeted him by the door. ¡°Mr. Landon.¡±

    ¡°Is she in there?¡± Landon¡¯s heart raced.

    ¡°Yes. She isn¡¯t eating or drinking, and she refuses to leave the room,¡± Angelina reported.

    She bit her lower lip with a troubled expression, saying, ¡°I dare not enter the room. You know that she

    needs you the most.¡±

    Landon gently pushed the door open. Despite the daylight outside, the curtains were drawn, and the

    lights were off. It was a depressing sight to see.

    ¡°Darling? Darling?¡± Landon searched every corner-study, bedroom, changing room, bathroom-but

    found no sign of Lauren.

    Panic set in, and he sweated profusely. ¡°Lauren? Lauren?¡±

    Hearing his distraught calls, Angelina entered the room to join the search. He eximed, ¡°She¡¯s

    missing!¡±

    ¡°How could that happen?¡± Angelina looked shocked. ¡°I was standing by the door all the time. She did

    not leave the room at all!¡±

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Her words struck Landon like lightning. His face turned white, and his heart nearly jumped out of his

    mouth. He rushed over to the window, drawing the curtains open while imagining morbid worst-case

    scenarios.

    Fighting his fear, he finally gathered his courage and looked down. He was instantly relieved to find

    nothing unusual.

    Sighing, he felt drained and sweaty. Angelina shared his fear. Lauren¡¯s psychological issues made

    them worry she might harm herself if triggered.

 Chapter 979

    Chapter 979

    ¡°Search for Lauren,¡± Landon yelled, mming a fist onto the window sill with rage. ¡°¡­ even if you have

    to turn the ce upside down!¡±

    ¡°Roger that! I¡¯ll get a few people to look for her,¡± Angelina answered and immediately went into action.

    Silence encapsted the room, which soothed Landon¡¯s nerves. After calming down, he heard a vague

    sobbing from somewhere in the room that tugged at his heartstrings.

    ¡°Lauren!¡± ted, he ran into the bedroom, where the sobbing grew louder. His heart shattered with

    each cry.

    Finally, he stopped in front of the closet. The sobbing was loud and clear, apanied by the ruffling

    of clothes.

    Slowly, he opened the doors, only to hold his breath at what he saw next.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Lauren¡¯s frail body curled in a damp corner like a stray with no home.

    She hugged her knees, her dark bangs clinging to her sweaty forehead. After hiding in the closet for a

    while, she looked a little out of breath, and her cheeks were flushed.

    ¡°L-Landon ¡­¡± She burst into tears when she saw him. ¡°Is Nina dead? Is it true?¡±

    Landon could not bear to see teardrops rolling down her cheeks. He opened his arms and lifted her out

    of the closet.

    He was surprised when he touched her skin. Her skin was hot to the touch, probably because she hid

    in the closet for too long.

    Teary-eyed, he choked when heforted her, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Lauren, I¡¯m really only.

    At loss for words, he could only repeatedly apologize to her as he tried to navigate his messy thoughts.

    ¡°Is Nina ¡­ dead? Is it real¡­¡± Lauren repeated the question.

    He patiently coaxed her, ¡°Nina went to a better ce. She¡¯ll be happier there.¡±

    Soon after, Lauren fell into a deep sleep, perhaps due to exhaustion, theck of air, and the extreme

    sadness.

    Landon quickly called the Harpers¡¯ family doctor to check on her. After confirming that she was

    suffering from grief and low blood sugar, the doctor gave her an IV drip and prescribed bed rest, much

    to Landon¡¯s relief.

    Kneeling by the bed, Landon held Lauren¡¯s hand throughout the checkup. His lips brushed against her

    arm anxiously.

    Angelina appeared and informed Landon, ¡°Mr. Landon, your car is ready. It¡¯s time to go.¡±

    After a pause, she whispered, ¡°If you don¡¯t feel like leaving Madam Lauren, I can go on your behalf.

    Looking for a criminal in Tsulu is a dangerous mission. Unlike in the past, you havemitments now.

    It¡¯s better to stay out of risky missions.¡±

    He insisted, ¡°No, I have to go.¡± He pressed Lauren¡¯s hand on his chest and spoke with affection and

    determination, ¡°I made a promise to my only friend, Jasper, and I have to keep my word.

    ¡°Besides, things wouldn¡¯t have turned out this way if that bastard had not killed Nina. Lauren wouldn¡¯t

    have fainted from crying. Once I get my hands on that motherfucker, I will make life hell for him!¡±

    Given the influence and capability of the Harpers, Jeffrey Snyder would not leave Tsulu alive. It was too

    bad that Jasper insisted on mission¡¯s difficulty had increased, and he had to tag along to help Jasper.

    Angelina reminded him, ¡°If so, please be extra careful. I prepared bulletproof vests for you and Mr.

    Beckett. Make sure to wear it¡­¡±

 Chapter 980

    Chapter 980

    ¡°Gosh, Angie, you nag me more than my mom! I hired you because you were quiet, but why are you

    getting more talkative over the years?

    Landon teased Angelina.

    Angelina pressed her lips and took a step backward with an awkward expression. Over the years,

    Landon had cycled through numerous partners, but she was the one constant presence at his side.

    She had assumed various roles for Landon in the past-secretary, bodyguard, dance partner, and

    confidant. She had even posed as his significant other to fend off persistent admirers when necessary.

    Being by Landon¡¯s side felt as natural as breathing to her. She was ustomed to being indispensable

    to him, never having been with another man.

    They weren¡¯t lovers, but they knew each other better than lovers. Now that Landon had found his true

    love, Angelina decided to stay out of his private life to avoid annoying him.

    ¡°Angie, I think the next few days might be more challenging for you.¡± After kissing Lauren, Landon

    grimly reminded Angelina. ¡°Please stay by Lauren¡¯s side. From tonight, you will share a room with her.

    Lock the doors and windows at night. Do not let down your guard.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Mr. Landon. I¡¯ll do just that,¡± Angelina nodded with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll keep a vignt eye

    on Madam Lauren. I swear on my life she¡¯ll be safe and sound when you return.¡±

    Meanwhile, the Beckett Group employees were swamped by work as they tried their best to clean the

    mess for Sophia.

    Javier had issued the orders not because he wanted to save Sophia. He did it to salvage the reputation

    of the Beckett Group, which the scandal had marred.

    Since Jasper assumed the presidency, the Beckett Group underwent sweeping changes, rapidly

    expanding its business in Sna City and across the continent of Andgalbia. This sess drew the ire

    of rivals who sought any opportunity to attack.

    As the Beckett Group aimed for a partnership with the second wealthiestpany in Mosgravia, any

    PR scandal could jeopardize their r¨¦putation, leading to stock price plummeting and the potential

    copse of the partnership negotiation. Their adversaries were poised to seize such an opportunity.

    ¡°Javier Beckett, what excuse do you have? Until when are you going to defend your wife?¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Several top leaders stood in two rows outside Javier¡¯s office, sweating profusely and remaining silent.

    The office was in disarray. Newton, who was in a wheelchair, flung all the items on the desk at Javier. A

    pencil holder hit the corner of Javier¡¯s forehead and formed a bump.

    Despite the aggression, Javier stood there in silence and stared at the floor. Throwing things in a fit of

    anger seemed to be a culture of the Beckett family.

    ¡°I was blinded by the red on the charts when the stock market opened this morning! You should also

    check out how the media portrayed our family!¡±

    Enraged, Newton pointed a finger at Javier and chastised him, ¡°They said we were a family of devils

    who would do anything for money! Because of your wife, our family¡¯s reputation suffered!¡±

    Javier clenched his jaw and his fists as he was consumed by rage. He had witnessed everything

    Newton mentioned and felt just as infuriated.

    Many times, he warned Sophia to keep a low profile, but she did not seem to listen at all. She acted as

    she pleased and caused significant trouble for the family. His indulgence over the years was the root of

    her brazen attitude.

    Despite feeling guilty, Javier could not bring himself to admit his mistake in front of Newton. He refused

    to acknowledge that he made a wrong decision in the past.

    Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and exined, ¡°Sophia has been reflecting on her actions at

    home. I grounded her in Seaview Manor. She can¡¯t leave without my permission.

    ¡°Dad, I believe she attended the funeral for our family¡¯s sake. Whether she truly intended to pay her

    respects to the maid was another matter altogether, but I assume she showed up to protect the Beckett

    Group¡¯s reputation. Things would have gone smoothly had it not been for Alyssa¡¯s interruption.¡±

 Chapter 981

    Chapter 981

    Newton¡¯s expression darkened when Javier mentioned Alyssa. He demanded, ¡°What did you say?

    What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Everyone in the family knows Alyssa and Sophia have never seen eye to eye. Think about how much

    trouble she has caused us ever since. the divorce. This time, Alyssa was present as well when the

    debacle happened. Even if she holds no regard for Sophia, she should have shown some respect to

    you and our family.¡±

    At first, Javier only attempted to dismiss his misjudgment of his wife¡¯s character, but he was

    inadvertently carried away as he vented his anger at Alyssa. ¡°Why choose a somber funeral to settle

    scores with Sophia? Couldn¡¯t she have waited until it was over?

    ¡°She clearly wants to go against the Beckett Group. Her recklessness and her vindictiveness led to this

    difficult situation.¡±

    Newton squinted dangerously. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯reying all the me on Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°She yed a part,¡± Javier retorted shamelessly, attempting to shift the responsibility.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Unable to contain himself any longer, Newton cursed at his son, hurling a phone in his direction. ¡°Oh,

    fuck you!¡±

    This time, Javier swiftly dodged the attack to avoid getting another bump on his forehead.

    ¡°How can you and Sophia treat our maid¡¯s death like nothing? You show no care after the maid¡¯s

    passing. It was Alyssa¡¯s family who organized the funeral for that poor kid to offer her a proper send-off.

    ¡°You¡¯re not only useless and heartless for not reigning in your brazen a middle-aged man, to bully a

    youngdy!¡±

    Newton could not take it easy when the matter concerned Alyssa. Eyes zing, he said through his

    pale, dry, and trembling lips, ¡°Javier Beckett, since when have you turned into a cruel and

    unreasonable man? Or is that what you¡¯ve always been like? Have I misjudged your character?¡±

    Javier was stunned at the resentful look in Newton¡¯s eyes. His blood froze as his temples throbbed. He

    questioned, ¡°So, you have never approved of me, have you? You¡¯d prefer if I went to prison instead of

    Chester.¡±

    Newton¡¯s eyes wavered, and he pped the arm of his wheelchair. You and Chester are my sons. To

    me, you are both precious. I thought of favoring one over another. It is you who overthink it and

    conclude that I favor Chester over you!

    ¡°But now, I feel regretful about my past decision. I regret not putting you in jail for a few years to teach

    you a lesson. I regretted not intervening when you insisted on marrying that sly woman! And I regret

    not protecting Anne and Jasper. Because of that, Jasper lo his mother at a young age, and you lost a

    fine woman who loved you

    ¡°She loved me? What did you say?¡± Javier¡¯s face paled as he prodded nkly.

    Newton felt bitter when he recalled the memory of Anne Bartley. ¡°That youngdy had never fallen in

    love with any man except for you. Her feelings for you never changed. I always wondered who Jasper

    took over. I thought he resembled me in his unwavering love and loyalty, but I realized he inherited his

    mother¡¯s character.¡±

    ¡°No. That¡¯s impossible¡­¡± Javier¡¯s eyes clouded over when he came to the shocking realization. ¡°If she

    loved me, why would she refuse to register our marriage? Why would she treat me coldly and avoid my

    ¡°She was in poor health. She suffered from severe depression and had to battle both physical and

    psychological pain. The first thing on her mind when she woke up was death, but she could not bring

    herself to leave her young son behind.¡±

 Chapter 982

    Chapter 982

    Javier staggered backward in shock, his heart aching. While he was aware of Anne¡¯s struggle with

    depression, she had appeared rtively normal, except for isting herself at home and speaking less.

    In the past, there was ack of mental health awareness. Individuals suffering from mental health

    issues were often dismissed by their families and even used of being overly sensitive¡±. Simrly,

    Javier failed to recognize that Anne was severely ill due to his busy schedule. as thepany¡¯s

    president.

    Newton¡¯s eyes brimmed with mncholy. ¡°Initially, I assumed she was in love with another man

    because she declined to marry you and even distanced herself from you. But, one day, she came to me

    when you were on a business trip and confessed her thoughts.¡±

    Newton was transported back in time, where Anne stood in front of him, bare-faced and dressed

    modestly but still looking stunning. It was no surprise that Javier fell head over heels for her.

    Anne told him, ¡°Mr. Beckett, I¡¯m here today to make a plea. Please allow me to leave Javier and the

    Beckett family.¡±

    Newton was disturbed by her request. ¡°You¡¯re leaving us? What about Jasper? Are you leaving with

    him as well?¡±

    She shook her head softly, saying, ¡°The main purpose of my visit is to inform you that I will leave the

    Beckett family without bringing anything with me, including Jasper.

    ¡°Jasper is my son, but he¡¯s Javier¡¯s son and your grandson as well. I can see that you care for Jasper

    very much, and I¡¯d be relieved andforted knowing he has a caring grandfather.

    ¡°Besides, I am aware of my health condition. Jasper will only suffer if day, and I don¡¯t want that to

    happen.¡±

    Anne might be a frail woman, but she was smart, knowing she could never provide what Jasper

    neededpared to the Becketts. Leaving Jasper with Javier¡¯s family would ensure the boy grew up in

    wealth and received the best education. As a mother, she was always worried for her son¡¯s welfare.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    ¡°May I ask you a question? Why do you choose to leave our family at this time?¡± Newton questioned

    with curiosity despite feeling relieved after learning that Jasper would stay.

    He added, ¡°Javier loves you very much and has tried everything possible to cheer you up. Not only

    that, he ns to marry you. Once you¡¯re married, you will be the esteemed Mrs. Beckett. In the future,

    Jasper will very likely take over the Beckett Group.

    ¡°Are you really willing to part ways with all the wealth and fame? Or have you fallen in love with another

    man? Did you date Javier because of his family background, not because you have feelings for him?¡±

    Upon voicing the question, Newton realized he hade across as rather harsh. Despite that, Anne

    remainedposed without a hint of resentment. ¡°No, Mr. Beckett. I love Javier very much, but I am

    not the ideal candidate to be his wife and lead the Beckett Group with my health condition. I don¡¯t know

    how much longer I have with him.

    ¡°He deserves a lovely and capable woman who could care for him and his children and elevate his

    career. But I cannot fulfill those duties, and I do not want to be a burden to him. I¡¯d rather he move on

    from me so I can leave without worries.¡±

    Newton teared up when he recounted the exchange.

 Chapter 983

    Chapter 983

    One could only imagine the shock Javier received upon learning about the truth behind Anne¡¯s

    decision. Standing frozen, he wore an expression of nk disbelief, grappling with the pain that

    threatened to crush him.

    He mumbled, ¡°No. How could that be? How ¡­¡± Even his cheeks were quivering.

    Javier¡¯s response reminded Newton of Jasper. Although Newton perceived Jasper to be more capable

    than Javier in every aspect, he noticed that the father and son shared a trait of obstinance-a refusal to

    admit to their foolish and absurd decisions.

    ¡°Anne requested that I keep this a secret from you because she wanted to leave in peace. She did not

    want you and Jasper to miss her.¡± Newton shook his head remorsefully. ¡°To be honest, I was blinded

    and selfish at that time. I did not care about her feelings and your rtionship with her. I was only

    concerned about keeping Jasper in the family.

    ¡°Never have I thought that Sophia would show up in your life out of nowhere. I was more surprised that

    you fell in love with her and married her. Oh, I regret it so ¡­¡±

    Javier countered, ¡°H-Had Anne not given me the cold shoulder¡­ Had she not hated me so¡­ I wouldn¡¯t

    have¡­¡±

    Deep within, Javier still held Anne in higher regard than Sophia. Even if Sophia weren¡¯t such a

    troublemaker, she would never rece Anne¡¯s ce in his heart. Unfortunately, Javier was too

    stubborn to admit to his mistake, all due to his pampered upbringing.

    Therefore, he could not get over Anne¡¯s aloof attitude and herck of feelings for him.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    The colict with Anne was why Sophia, who was cruel and had nothing to show except for her looks,

    captured his heart and married into the family, recing Anne.

    Newton sighed softly and instructed, ¡°Ben, give him the item I safeguarded for Anne.¡±

    ¡°Of course, Mr. Beckett.¡± Ben extracted a wooden box from his bag and handed it to Javier. ¡°Mr. Javier,

    this box belonged to Madam Anne. She gave it to your father before leaving because it reminded her of

    sad memories, but it was a waste to throw it out. Instead, she¡¯d like to return the items to the rightful

    owner. This box contained the gifts you bought her.¡±

    Javier stared nkly at the box. He clenched his fists and hesitated to receive it.

    Upon seeing that, Newton¡¯s eyes darkened. Hemented, ¡°Oh, well. Anne is history anyway. Besides,

    you have a new wife. There¡¯s no need for you to see what she kept in that box, but personally, I think

    it¡¯s time to hand the box to you, or you¡¯ll never discern your feelings and understand the gravity of your

    mistake.¡±

    Javier finally epted the box. His throat tightened. He was at a loss. for words.

    After Javier left the office, Newton rubbed his forehead, looking deted and exhausted.

    Ben began, ¡°Mr. Beckett, I am confused.¡± After a pause, he gently asked, ¡°Ms. Anne originally

    requested that you dispose of the box. Why did you keep it over the years instead of throwing it out as

    she wished?¡±-

    Newton replied, ¡°I decided to hold onto it until the day Javier saw through Sophia¡¯s true colors.¡±

 Chapter 984

    Chapter 984

    Ben wondered, ¡°But you saw it just now, didn¡¯t you? Mr. Javier still sided with Sophia. Maybe he

    hasn¡¯t-¡±

    ¡°Hmph. No. What he did was to protect his ego. No one knows my son better than myself.¡± Newton

    leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes. ¡°Now, it¡¯s only a matter of time before he gives up on

    Sophia. Reminding him of his love for Anne might push him in the right direction. After all, the dead

    usually carries more impact than the living. Learning about the truth will make him regret the past.¡±

    As the luxury car headed toward Seaview Manor, Javier sat in the seat, gripping the box tightly and

    bracing himself before opening it. The box had twoyers. The firstyer stored a tidy array of velvet

    pouches. With each pouch Javier opened, his heartache deepened.

    He saw the diamond ring he bought for the proposal. The diamond. might have been considered tiny by

    today¡¯s standards, but it was a big deal 30 years ago.

    The emerald bracelet was his birthday gift to Anne, which he had. carefully selected. He remembered

    her birthday and all their anniversaries. Regretfully, he was unwilling to remind himself of her death

    anniversary.

    Taking a deep breath, he checked out the second drawer in the box, only to find a stack of old and

    faded photos.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Hands shaking, he looked through the photos. When he was done, his eyes were brimming with tears,

    and his ears were ringing from the shock.

    He was reminded of Anne¡¯s love for photography. She loved taking walks in Seaview Manor and

    snapping away. He always wondered what she had captured, and he finally found the answer.

    He was the only subject under her camera lens. Behind the photos, she scribbled down heartfelt

    sentiments that she couldn¡¯t express to him.

    She wrote, ¡°I miss you in the silent hour when shadows stretch thin and long; in the startled bird¡¯s

    lonely cry, its mournful song echoed.¡± ¡°Before I knew it, I could not bear to be separated from you.

    Perhaps this is why they say that the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam.¡±

    ¡°Javier, I hope you don¡¯t mind my humble background, my problematic past, and my clumsy way of

    expressing my love. I know my love is nothing special for youpared to all the shiny things you

    possess, but it is all I can afford to give you. I love you so much.¡±

    Gripping so hard that he crumpled the photos, he sobbed, tears staining her neat handwriting. He

    mumbled, ¡°W-Why have you never said this to me ¡­ Anne, do you know that I still love you so?¡±

 Chapter 985

    Chapter 985

    Upon learning that she was being grounded, Sophia went stir-crazy at home, venting her anger on

    anyone she encountered.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Madam Sophia. This is Mr. Javier¡¯s order. We have to do as he instructed.¡±

    Javier¡¯s secretary, Rory Odom, stared at her coldly. His tone revealed a hint of sarcasm as he said, ¡°I

    suggest you go back to your room and don¡¯t make things difficult for us or yourself.

    ¡°After all, because of your actions, the entire Beckett Group is in chaos. Please don¡¯t make it worse for

    Mr. Javier.¡±

    ¡°How dare you!¡± With bloodshot eyes, Sophia pped Rory across the face. ¡°I¡¯m the matriarch of the

    Beckett family! How dare you speak to me like that? You¡¯re just Javier¡¯s secretary!¡±

    Instead of being angry, Rory chuckled. ¡°Indeed, even though I¡¯m just a secretary, Mr. Javier has been

    generous to me. But aren¡¯t you also taking advantage of your status as Mr. Javier¡¯s wife to behave

    recklessly and abuse your subordinates?¡±

    Sophia was momentarily stunned but quickly regained herposure.

    This guy was indirectly insulting her!

    Just as Sophia was about to p him again to teach him a lesson, Javier walked in, expressionless.

    ¡°J-Javier.¡± Sophia immediately withdrew her hand, tears streaming down her face as she threw herself

    in front of her husband. ¡°You¡¯re finally back¡­ I can¡¯t live without you by my side¡­ I really can¡¯t!¡±

    Her demeanor changed from a fierce woman to a weeping wife in a

    Rory sneered, filled with disdain.

    ¡°You seem to be doing just fine without me here, even finding the strength to scold my secretary,¡±

    Javier said coldly. His gaze was icy as he stared at her, sending shivers down her spine.

    ¡°Javier, I saw the negative news about me at the funeral has been suppressed. It must be you, right?¡±

    she asked.

    Tearfully, Sophia attempted to bury herself in Javier¡¯s arms. ¡°I knew it¡­ I knew it¡­ Javier, you must

    have done it for me. I knew you wouldn¡¯t sit idly by if I got into trouble.¡±

    Javier stepped back abruptly, making Sophia miss her target, stumbling forward.

    Perplexed, she looked up to see his eyes devoid of warmth.

    ¡°Who told you that I did that for you?¡± Javier sneered. ¡°I did it for the Beckett family and Beckett Group.¡±

    ¡°Javier, you.

    Sophia was dumbfounded. She couldn¡¯t believe these words were from her husband.

    ¡°Sophia, I may be your husband, but my role as the chairman of Beckett Group is more important. I

    won¡¯t clean up your mess again and again.¡±

    Javier averted his gaze, not wanting to look at her any longer. ¡°This is thest time. Next time, I¡¯ll throw

    you out to face public criticism. Even if you be a pariah or a prisoner, it has nothing to do with me

    or the Beckett Group.

    ¡°You should bear the consequences of your actions. No one has the responsibility or obligation to bear

    your mistakes.¡±

    With that, Javier walked away without looking back. Yet Sophia clung

    ¡°Javier! How can you say that? I¡¯m your wife! Your lover! How can you bear to throw me out to be

    bullied by others?¡±

    ¡°Wife? Don¡¯t insult that word.¡± Javierughed bitterly, prying her fingers from his arm. ¡°My family can¡¯t

    tolerate someone like you, who actswlessly and causes trouble. I can¡¯t afford a wife like you.¡±

    ¡°Javier! Are you ¡­ Are you going to divorce me?¡± Sophia almost shouted.

    ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t want to?¡±

    Javier finally couldn¡¯t hold back his anger. ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t want to divorce you? If it weren¡¯t for all

    the troubles around Beckett Group and the fact that you raised two daughters for me, do you think I

    would have kept you until now?¡±

    Shocked, Sophia shivered, feeling her whole body go cold.

    She had always believed she had some control over Javier, especially with the two daughters she bore

    for him. She thought that he would never mention divorce, whether it was for the sake of Beckett

    Group¡¯s interests or his own reputation.

    However, when she heard the word ¡°divorce¡± from his mouth, she felt. her world shatter.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    She had truly lost Javier.

 Chapter 986

    Chapter 986

    Sophia was in disbelief. How could this have happened?

    Sophia was nothing without her status as the Beckett Group¡¯s chairman¡¯s wife. No one would pay her

    any respect.

    It was precisely because she was Javier¡¯s wife that Jasper and Alyssa had been tiptoeing around her,

    making it impossible to target her directly.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper and Alyssa would undoubtedly tear her apart if she lost Javier¡¯s protection.

    ¡°From now on, you¡¯re not allowed to step out of Seaview Manor without my orders. If you dare to

    disobey, I¡¯ll send you abroad, and you won¡¯t set foot in Sna City again.¡±

    ¡°How can you be so unreasonable, Javier? I attended the funeral with good intentions to help clean up

    the aftermath!

    ¡°It¡¯s Alyssa, that vicious bitch, who keeps attacking me. She wants to ruin Beckett Group. It¡¯s because

    of her that things have escted to this point!¡± Sophia frantically defended herself.

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m a fool?¡±

    Javier no longer wanted to hear her nonsense. His tone was harsh and filled with hatred as he said,

    ¡°I¡¯ve investigated. You were the one who arranged those reporters!

    ¡°You know Alyssa is not easy to deal with, yet you lead people to provoke her. You asked for it. You

    wanted to be a clown. Don¡¯t me others! Get lost! Stop bothering me!¡±

    ¡°Javier! You can¡¯t treat me like this¡­ Javier!¡±

    l of their intense struggle, a loud crash echoed.

    The wooden box in Javier¡¯s hand fell to the ground, and its contents spilled out.

    Anne¡¯s belongings were scattered everywhere, and the emerald

    bracelet he had given her shattered into two pieces.

    Furious, Javier red at Sophia, his eyes almost bursting out of their sockets.

    Sophia was frightened by his fierce gaze. When she looked at the items on the ground, her face turned

    even paler.

    She recognized them. Those were Anne¡¯s belongings.

    Why would he be holding Anne¡¯s belongings?

    Why would he cherish the belongings of a deceased woman he had forgotten for 20 years?

    ¡°Get out of here now.¡±

    Javier kneeled, feeling his heart ached. He picked up each item, clenching them tightly in his hands.

    ¡°Javier, I didn¡¯t mean to. I-¡®

    ¡°Get out!¡± Javier roared, almost hysterically.

    It waste at night, and it was peaceful inside the study room. The moonlight filtered through the

    window, casting a deste glow on Javier¡¯s face.

    Rory entered, bringing him medicine to lower his blood pressure.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, it¡¯ste. You haven¡¯t been feeling welltely. You should rest early.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve suffered tonight.¡± Javier¡¯s voice was low. He repeatedly looked at Anne¡¯s photos.

    Rory was stunned for a moment. When he realized Javier was referring to Sophia pping him, he

    smiled indifferently.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been with you for many years. This is nothing. But I think if it were Ms. Bartley, she would never

    allow you to be troubled like this.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­ Anne wouldn¡¯t. She was the kindest person.¡±

    As Javier spoke, his throat constricted, and his eyes reddened.

    ¡°Do you want to start drafting a divorce agreement?¡± Rory asked tentatively.

    Javier¡¯s eyes showed an indescribable destion, and he said hoarsely, ¡°Not now. There are too many

    troubles at the moment. Beckett Group cannot afford new chaos.¡±

 Chapter 987

    Chapter 987

    ¡°Also, you know about Lauren¡¯s situation. If I divorce, I¡¯ll definitely send Sophia abroad. The farther, the

    better. I fear that Lauren will not be able to bear the separation from her mother, and it may worsen her

    condition.¡±

    Rory nodded in understanding, realizing the dilemma Javier was facing.

    ¡°I asked you to find out Jasper¡¯s whereabouts. Did you find him? Where has he gone?¡± Javier asked.

    ¡°Sorry, Mr. Javier. You know Mr. Jasper is quite skilled. If he doesn¡¯t want anyone to find him, no one

    can,¡± Rory replied helplessly.

    Javier didn¡¯t say anything and dialed Jasper¡¯s number on his phone.

    After several attempts, Jasper finally answered.

    ¡°It¡¯s sote. Do you have something important?¡±

    ¡°Jasper, I-¡±

    ¡°If this is about me returning for a project meeting, you don¡¯t need to waste your breath. I won¡¯t go.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s attitude was cold. There was no affection whatsoever in their exchange.

    Javier pressed his lips and asked in a low voice, ¡°Jasper, do you have time tomorrow? Come with me

    for a trip.¡±

    ¡°Where to?¡±

    ¡°To visit your mother.¡±

    As soon as these words were spoken, Jasper fell into a chilling silence.

    Despite the distance, Javier could sense the bone-chilling coldness emanating from his biological son.

    ¡°Are you joking with me? Did you hear what you just said?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not joking, Jasper. I¡¯m serious.¡±

    Javier took a deep breath. Being the leader of the Beckett Group, he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt

    and shame for the first time.

    ¡°I know I haven¡¯t done enough over the years. Even though your mother is no longer here, I haven¡¯t

    fulfilled the duties of a husband. I haven¡¯t paid my respects to her and haven¡¯t apanied her. I¡¯ve

    done very poorly.¡±

    ¡°Very poorly?¡±

    Jasper chuckled coldly. His voice wasced with resentment as he said, ¡°With just two words, do you

    think you can erase the 23 years of debt and pain you caused my mother?

    ¡°Mr. Javier, do you think you deserve to stand before my mother? Forget it. She had me by her side

    every year. She¡¯s doing well above. Don¡¯t you go there and annoy her.¡±

    ¡°How can you say that? I¡¯m her husband, the person she once loved the most!¡±

    Javier¡¯s cheeks burned with shame, but his pride wouldn¡¯t allow his son to trample on him like this. He

    argued like a child, saying, ¡°You have no idea how deep her feelings were for me. Why can¡¯t I go see

    her?¡±

    ¡°Even if she once loved you, the moment she leaped from Seaview Manor¡¯s balcony, she no longer

    does.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice trembled with anger, and it sounded terrifyingly hoarse.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    ¡°Sometimes, I truly believe that her choosing to leave in such an she had stayed alive, she would need

    to endure your emotional abuse every day.

    ¡°She would need to watch you share a bed with other women while still ying the role of a dutiful wife.

    That would feel even worse than death. Her love for you was her greatest source of pain.¡±

    In an instant, the haunting image of Anne¡¯s tragic death shed through Javier¡¯s mind.

    He shivered all over, the phone nearly slipping from his hand. Rory, standing by, was rmed but

    dared not interrupt their father-son conversation.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of shock prompted you to make such a request suddenly, but I just want to tell

    you that you have no right to stand before my mother. Not now, not ever.¡±

    After saying this, Jasper didn¡¯t wait for Javier to respond and promptly hung up the phone.

    Javier was covered in a cold sweat, feeling drained. The color was draining from his face.

    ¡°Mr. Javier? Mr. Javier? Are you okay?¡± Rory asked with concern.

    ¡°Get me a ss of warm water.¡± Javier had never felt so powerless and exhausted.

 Chapter 988

    Chapter 988

    Rory said, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll get it now.¡±

    Only after Rory left did Javier dare to reveal his vulnerability. He slumped down. Guilt and pain swept

    over him like a storm, tormenting him in unspeakable ways.

    At this moment, his mind was chaotic, filled with various voices.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know when it started, but I¡¯ve be someone who can¡¯t be separated from you.¡±

    ¡°Every morning, the first thing she thinks about is how she should die. But when she thinks of Jasper,

    she can¡¯t bear to leave her young son like that.¡±

    ¡°Even if my mother once loved you, the moment she leaped from Seaview Manor¡¯s balcony, she no

    longer does.¡±

    Javier opened his eyes abruptly, his heart pounding uncontrobly.

    Just then, Rory returned with a ss of warm water.

    ¡°Rory, how much do you remember about Anne¡¯s situation 20 years ago?¡±

    Rory was startled for a second, then replied, ¡°I have a good memory. Didn¡¯t you choose me as your

    secretary because of that? If you have any questions, just ask.¡±

    ¡°Back then, Anne had depression. I remember sending you to take care of her and apany her

    briefly. How was her condition at that time? Was it really severe?¡± Javier¡¯s gaze was dim.

    ¡°At that time, the doctor diagnosed Ms. Bartley with severe depression. However, with Mr. Jasper¡¯s

    company, as well as active

    ¡°How could a woman who loved me, couldn¡¯t bear to part with her son, quietly wanting to leave the

    Beckett family¡­ suddenly choose tomit suicide?¡± Javier rubbed his furrowed brows, murmuring to

    himself.

    Anne¡¯s suicide years ago had been a shock to the entire Beckett family.

    Although it was not umon for patients with depression to choose to end their lives suddenly, Anne

    had shown signs of improvement. She was more optimistic about her life.

    Everything was heading in the right direction, and she had her son¡¯spanionship every day. How

    could she¡­.

    Rory bit his lip, throwing out a heart-wrenching question. ¡°Mr. Javier, I have a question that I¡¯ve kept to

    myself for 20 years. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you today. Did you never, even for a

    moment, suspect that Ms. Bartley was murdered?¡±

    Javier¡¯s expression changed at those words. He suddenly looked Rory directly in the eyes, a buzzing

    sound ringing in his ears.

    Meanwhile, Jasper stood by the window in a presidential suite at a hotel in Tsulu.

    He had just finished the call with Javier. He pounded his fist against the window. His eyes were

    bloodshot from anger, and tears gradually streamed down his cheeks.

    He was on the verge of revealing the truth about Sophia, the culprit behind his mother¡¯s death.

    However, he held back.

    It wasn¡¯t the time yet. Jasper wanted to expose the woman in a more cruel and dramatic way. He

    wanted Javier to know how malicious the woman he had cherished for two decades was.

    Only with this way could hepletely shatter his father¡¯s arrogant pride. He wanted to mock his

    father¡¯s foolishness with the entire world and to savor his pain.

    Landon let out a long sigh, walking over and handing a cigarette to Jasper.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Have a puff. Rx.¡±

    Jasper absentmindedly took it but then snapped the cigarette in half.

    ¡°I don¡¯t smoke anymore. I quit.¡±

    ¡°What the hell? What happened? Why so down?¡± Landon stared at him in astonishment.

    Jasper had a smoking addiction that was downright terrifying. He could live without a woman, but not

    without a cigarette.

    ¡°Lyse asked me to quit, so I won¡¯t smoke anymore.¡±

    Only when thinking of his woman did a subtle warmth tinge his pale and icy lips.

 Chapter 989

    Chapter 989

    Landon was shocked. His mouth was slightly agape for a while.

    ¡°Jasper, have you realized that you actually have a masochistic tendency? You¡¯ve got the inclination to

    be a henpecked husband.

    ¡°At this rate, you¡¯ll have to surrender all your credit cards. Damn, will I be the one to foot the bill now

    every time we go out?¡±

    ¡°Had you not been the one who has been footing the bills whenever we went out before?¡± Jasper

    asked nonchntly.

    Landon was rendered speechless.

    Indeed.

    Jasper was aplete homebody with no recreational hobbies other than work, exercise, and boxing.

    From what he remembered, Landon had always been the one initiating everything.

    He often visited Seaview Manor with a driver and bodyguards to take Jasper out. Jasper rarely took the

    initiative to n anything.

    But Landon was happy with it and had noints.

    Although he lost his father at a young age, he knew he had received plenty of love from his family. On

    the contrary, Jasper seemed to have everything, yet nothing.

    So, Landon hoped to bring as much joy to Jasper as possible, even if it was fleeting. He didn¡¯t want

    Jasper to live constantly in the shadows.

    ¡°Landon, I actually enjoy the feeling of being controlled by Lyse.¡± Jasper squinted his eyes and smiled.

    It shows that Lyse cares about me. I wish she could handcuff us together 24/7 so I could stick to her

    daily. I¡¯m willing to be deprived of lifelong freedom for Lyse.¡±

    ¡°What the hell? Hold on, dude. What you¡¯re saying sounds like a

    psycho¡¯s manifesto.¡± Landon rubbed his arms, feeling goosebumps. You won¡¯t like being controlled.

    You¡¯re unruly. You don¡¯t understand this feeling.¡±

    Jasper smirked before teasing Landon, ¡°You¡¯re lucky you chose my sister. Lauren is gentle and timid.

    She wouldn¡¯t dare to control you, let alone bear to control you. If it was any other woman, could they

    even tolerate you?¡±

    ¡°Hmph! The fact is that numerous women like me. I can find ten in one year,¡± Landon grumbled

    defiantly.

    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re proud of that?¡± Jasper¡¯s dark eyes swept coldly over Landon¡¯s face.

    Landon gasped, lowering his brows. ¡°No, no¡­ I dare not.¡±

    ¡°Let me remind you-if you dare be disloyal to Lauren or mistreat hel Lyse and I won¡¯t go easy on you.¡±

    Landon immediately raised three fingers. ¡°I, Landon Harper, swear to God that I¡¯ll cherish Lauren

    forever. I¡¯ll only have her and love only her. Or may I be struck by thunder, and the Harper family go

    bankrupt, and I¡¯ll have to beg for food on the streets!¡±

    Noticing Jasper¡¯s silence, he quickly added, ¡°I¡¯ll get a vasectomy as soon as I get back!¡±

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Only then did Jasper finally speak. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll ask Lyse when I get back. She knows a lot of doctors.¡±

    Landon pouted and felt like crying.

    Turning around, Jasper sneaked a nce at him with a smile.

    The two stood quietly for a while. When Jasper¡¯s troubled expression eased a bit, Landon couldn¡¯t help

    but ask, ¡°What¡¯s going on with your father? Why does he suddenly want to visit your mom?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Who can say what kind of shock he might have experienced?¡± Jasper¡¯s anger surged

    again, his jawline tensing.

    ¡°It has been 20 years. He never mentioned my mother, not even once. It was as if she never existed in

    his life. Now, he suddenly remembers her, talking about debts. Bted affection is worthless!¡±

    Landon fell silent and took out a cigarette. Then he jokingly said, ¡± Although you¡¯re much better than

    your father, more manly and responsible, bted affection is worthless¡­ Well, like father, like son.

    Jasper¡¯s face darkened instantly.

    A true friend indeed. Landon¡¯s words pierced straight through Jasper¡¯s heart.

    ¡°Yeah, I know I was wrong in the past. I know I¡¯ve disappointed a g woman. So even now, I¡¯m making

    up for Lyse. For her, I¡¯m willing give everything, even my life.¡±

    When Jasper closed his eyes, the vivid image of his mother jumping off the balcony yed in his mind.

    A sharp pain struck his head once again.

 Chapter 990

    Chapter 990

    ¡°But can Javier do the same? He¡¯s inherently a selfish person. He has never loved my mother. He only

    loves himself. I don¡¯t even deserve Lyse¡¯s forgiveness. It¡¯s impossible for him to get my mother¡¯s.¡±

    Landon sighed softly, feeling sorry for his buddy.

    At this moment, a phone call interrupted the heavy atmosphere.

    ¡°How¡¯s the situation?¡± Landon put the call on speaker and asked eagerly.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a problem, Mr. Harper.¡± The person sent to track Jeffrey sounded anxious.

    ¡°Just as Mr. Beckett expected, Jeffrey does have a local gang supporting him in Tsulu. We found out

    that this group is notorious in the area, colluding with Tsulu¡¯s officials and merchants.

    ¡°Drug trafficking, arms smuggling, murder¡­ They¡¯re involved in almost every kind of crime. Over the

    years, they have grown dee roots, and even Tsulu¡¯s government and royal family can¡¯t do an about

    them.¡±

    Jasper and Landon exchanged serious nces. They knew the situation would be tricky but didn¡¯t

    expect it to be this difficult.

    ¡°Where¡¯s that bastard now? You didn¡¯t lose track of him, did you?¡± Landon asked, gritting his teeth.

    ¡°We followed Jeffrey to the vicinity of Tsulu¡¯s Shend Ind. Seeing him board a yacht, our two teams

    surrounded him and engaged in a fierce firefight. But soon, reinforcements for Jeffrey appeared from

    Shend Ind.

    ¡°They were well-trained, urate with their guns, and even had heavy were seriously injured. They

    couldn¡¯t be saved.¡±

    Landon was in shock, clenching his fists tightly. He was so angry that veins were bulging on his

    forehead.

    The men he sent were elite soldiers he had nurtured for many years. Although they were his

    subordinates, he wasn¡¯t a heartless capitalist. Learning that his men had fallen, he couldn¡¯t remain

    indifferent.

    ¡°Are you sure hended on Shend Ind?¡± Jasper¡¯s face was cold.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure. We couldn¡¯t give up, so we approached Shend Ind again at night. We saw Jeffrey¡¯s

    yacht docked on the shore. There were no other suitable inds nearby. He must be there.¡±

    Landon¡¯s man sounded extremely sure.

    ¡°Okay, thank you for your hard work.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s attitude was very gentle, even with a hint of guilt. ¡°When we go back, I¡¯ll thank you properly on

    behalf of Mr. Harper. Now, let me handle the rest.¡±

    ¡°Y-You¡¯reing? Those people are extremely ruthless. Killing is as easy as blinking for them! We

    have been on the edge of the knife, but we had no way to deal with them. Y-You-¡±

    ¡°Those people are not ordinary gangsters. Many of them have a background as mercenaries and are in

    cahoots with Jeffrey. Your won¡¯t be able to handle them.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, don¡¯t force yourself. Life is more important than anything else.¡±

    Landon couldn¡¯t help but feel anxious, grabbing Jasper¡¯s arm tightly. Do you know how many people

    will be heartbroken for you if something happens to you? How am I going to exin to Lyse and

    ¡°I have seen the world, dude. I survived the Luminara battlefield, and today, I¡¯ll surelye back

    unscathed.¡±

    Jasper smiled, patting Landon¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine. Lyse is waiting for me to

    come home. And my mother will also bless me from heaven.¡±

    For Sophia, the most painful thing was not being grounded but not being able to see Tristan and

    administer the medication. That was the real agony.

    It had been two days. She had tried various methods to secretly escape from Seaview Manor, but it

    was all in vain.

    This time, Javier was determined to confine her like a prisoner.

    ¡°Mom. Mom?¡±

 Chapter 991

    It waste at night. Betty carried a food container and stood outside the door. She knocked gently.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten anything all day. You can¡¯t keep going like this. I brought some food for you. They¡¯re

    all your favorites. Open the door, Mom.¡±

    However, there was no response from inside the room.

    Betty started to feel uneasy, so she turned the doorknob. To her surprise, the door was not locked.

    She felt a surge of anger.

    The servants of the Beckett family were opportunistic and snobbish.

    News of Javier wanting to divorce Sophia had spread throughout the Beckett family. Seeing Sohpia

    lose power, they started to neglect her.

    They said they delivered her food, but she didn¡¯t open the door.

    However, the door was not even locked. They were just lying down on the job.

    Betty entered cautiously. The room was pitch dark, making her shiver involuntarily.

    Suddenly, moans of pain echoed from the bedroom.

    Betty¡¯s anxiety heightened, and she ran toward the bedroom door.

    Upon opening the door, she dropped the food container in shock, nearly shouting.

    Sophia looked like a scorched caterpir, disheveled, with a deathly pale face that resembled a

    skeleton.

    ¡°It hurts¡­ It hurts so much¡­ I¡¯m in so much pain!¡± Sophia cried out in agony, trembling all over.

    Betty¡¯s scalp was tingling. She pressed her back against the door panel. ¡°Mom ¡­ W-What¡¯s wrong with

    you?¡±

    Even though that was her mother, Betty became so frightened, as if she had encountered a ghost.

    ¡°Betty¡­ I¡¯m dying¡­ I¡¯m dying.¡±

    Sophia tumbled off the bed, crawling toward Betty and clutching Betty¡¯s skirt. ¡°No one can help me

    now¡­ Only you¡­ Only you can help me.¡±

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°W-What should I do?¡± Betty asked, trembling.

    Betty¡¯s eyes widened, and fear gripped her. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Mom?¡±

    ¡°Go find Dr. McAlister. Ask him to bring the medicine to me. I can inject it myself.¡±

    At the mention of the medicine, a glint of determination shed in Sophia¡¯s dim eyes. She widened her

    bloodshot eyes. ¡°As long as I have that medicine¡­ everything will be fine. Without it¡­ I¡¯d rather die!

    ¡°Mom! You¡¯re like a drug addict now! You can¡¯t inject that stuff anymore. That Dr. McAlister is harming

    you!¡±

    Betty was both anxious and angry, almost on the verge of tears. Event if she were foolish, she knew

    what her mother¡¯s so-called ¡°medicine¡±

    If Sophia¡¯s current state were seen and word got out, that would be the end of everything.

    ¡°I asked you to go¡­ Just go!¡±

    Sophia fell into hysterical madness, tearing Betty¡¯s dress apart. ¡°If I¡¯m finished¡­ you¡¯re finished too! Do

    you think Javier will protect you? Will he continue to dote on you?

    ¡°He hates me¡­ and he will hate you too! Your sister has Landon protecting her now. What do you

    have? You only have me!¡±

    Betty¡¯s face turned pale, shocked to the core.

    With no other choice, Betty followed the address Sophia provided, sneaking out of Seaview Manor in

    the dead of night.

    She sped recklessly, partly to save time and to vent her inner frustration.

    As she recalled Sophia¡¯s words about her sister having Landon to protect her while she had nothing,

    her eyes turned red from resentment. She let out a roar and honked the horn furiously to release her

    anger.

    Why did that idiot have such a good fate? Why?

 Chapter 992

    It seemed that Sophia couldn¡¯t meet her demise so soon. Otherwise, Betty¡¯s future in the Beckett family

    would be precarious, and no one. would bother nning her future for her.

    On the other side, Tristan was packing up at the hospital, preparing to leave Sna City temporarily.

    Suddenly, his phone rang. I

    Seeing that it was Alyssa calling, Tristan smiled and immediately answered.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Dr. McAlister, are you still in Sna City?¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    ¡°Yes, I haven¡¯t left yet, but I¡¯m about to head to the airport. What do you need?¡±

    Alyssa paused for a moment and then said in a low voice, ¡°Don¡¯t leave tonight. I¡¯ll reschedule your flight

    for you.¡±

    ¡°Did something happen?¡±

    Tristan appeared concerned. ¡°Do you have other arrangements? If so, I won¡¯t leave.¡±

    In fact, he had no intention of leaving. He wasn¡¯t afraid of trouble. He was worried he couldn¡¯t help her.

    ¡°Betty will be at your hospital in a while. She must havee to see you for Sophia.¡±

    At that moment, Alyssa was in the vi in Sna City, organizing

    Her actions resembled a gentle wife¡¯s, but her words were icy cold.

    ¡°I heard that Mr. Javier has grounded Sophia. Without his orders, she can¡¯t leave Seaview Manor. She

    hasn¡¯t been able to inject the drug recently. I imagine she¡¯s in great agony now.¡±

    Tristan calcted the time and nodded slowly. ¡°Indeed. Sophial should havee for an injection the

    day before yesterday. It¡¯s been two days now, and she must be experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

    ¡°Yes, so when Bettyes, she will be asking you for the drugs.¡± ¡ü

    Alyssa hummed a tune, hanging Jasper¡¯s robe in the wardrobe. ¡°When shees, give them all to her.

    Let Sophia enjoy them.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, why is that?¡±

    Tristan was puzzled. ¡°If you want to torture Sophia, you should cut off her supply of drugs and let her

    live in pain every day. Why give them to her?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a saint. Why should I help her quit drugs?¡±

    Alyssa gently stroked Jasper¡¯s robe. There was a soft gleam in her eyes but a cold smirk on her lips.

    ¡°She wants to degrade herself, and I¡¯m more than willing to help her all the way. Besides, shouldn¡¯t the

    more you use that stuff, the better the effect?¡±

    Tristan suddenly understood.

    Indeed, if Sophia¡¯s supply of drugs were cut off now, it would indirectly help her quit. If the Beckett

    family noticed her unusual behavior, they would tighten control, possibly even sending her secretly

    abroad.

    If that happened, all the preparations made earlier would go to waste.

    Only by allowing her to continue injecting and lowering their guard could the n proceed perfectly.

    Alyssa was truly remarkable. She was beautiful, intelligent, and ruthless.

    At this moment, Betty¡¯s sports car was already parked at the hospital entrance.

 Chapter 993

    Betty sat alone in her sports car, taking a long time to gather courage before getting out and entering

    the hospital.

    She didn¡¯t dare bring anyone else with her. This matter had to be kept confidential, and every additional

    person who knew about it was an additional risk.

    Betty tried pushing the door, and it unexpectedly opened.

    The hospital was deserted, as if it had been anticipating her arrival.

    At that moment, Betty¡¯s phone rang.

    Disyed on the screen was Tristan¡¯s number that she just saved.

    ¡°Hello?¡± she answered, trying to remainposed while looking. around cautiously.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, I¡¯m waiting for you in the office on the second floor. Come on in.¡±

    After saying that, Tristan promptly ended the call without wasting any words.

    Betty clenched her teeth and went up to the second floor. She approached the office door and pushed

    it open.

    Inside, Tristan, in a white coat, was sitting on the sofa with a smile, watching her.

    When Betty saw him, her pupils constricted.

    She finally understood why Sophia was so infatuated with this. doctor. He was handsome, refined, and

    had a good appearance.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, you came quickly. I thought I¡¯d have to wait for you for a Tony un,

    ¡°Let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time, Dr. McAlister.¡±

    Betty steadied herself, speaking coldly. ¡°You should know why I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s Madam Sophiately?¡±

    Tristan didn¡¯t directly respond to her words and instead jokingly. remarked, ¡°It¡¯s been a while since Ist

    saw her. Honestly, I kinda miss her.¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    Betty red at him, pointing at his mocking face with bloodshot eyes. ¡°My mother is the matriarch of

    Sna City¡¯s top business family. She¡¯s noble! How dare you harbor any thoughts about her!¡±

    Tristan shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve never harbored any thoughts about her. From beginning to end, it was Madam

    Sophia who-¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Stop talking!¡±

    Betty took a big step backward, feeling a strong wave of disgust rising from the depths of her heart.

    ¡°Give me the stuff now!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Betty, you¡¯re the heiress of a wealthy family, raised in luxury. Even if you don¡¯t understand the

    ways of the world, you should at least know how to make a polite request. Shouldn¡¯t you say a few

    courteous words?¡± Tristan said with a half-smile.

    Betty gritted her teeth and said coldly, ¡°Dr. McAlister, since you have a close rtionship with my

    mother, please take out what she needs now.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Tristan didn¡¯t say much. He slowly took out a stainless steel medical box and shook it.

    ¡°All the medications are in here.¡±

    Betty¡¯s eyes lit up, eagerly reaching out to take it.

    However, Tristan unexpectedly pulled the box back at that moment, leaving her grasping at thin air.

    ¡°W-What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I have a rtionship with Madam Sophia, but I don¡¯t have any rtionship with you, Ms. Betty. So,

    can¡¯t just give this to you.¡± Tristan squinted his eyes, looking her up and down intriguingly.

    His gaze was too explicit, like a fire burning from head to toe. Betty felt goosebumps all over her body,

    and her heart raced.

    What did he want?

    When a man used such a look and tone, it was usually a clear sexual suggestion.

    Did he want her?

    She was Sophia¡¯s daughter! Was this man trying to have both the mother and daughter? Wasn¡¯t that

    too extreme?

 Chapter 994

    ¡°Do you ¡­ want me to-¡± Betty¡¯s voice trembled, her breath quickening.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Tristan remained calm, tilting his head. He stared at her with an

    enticing gaze that hid his desire.

    Betty understood. If she didn¡¯t make some sacrifice tonight, she probably wouldn¡¯t get the medicine

    back.

    But for her, it didn¡¯t matter. She was well-versed in dealing with men in bed. Moreover, Tristan was

    young and handsome,parable to the male models she knew. It wasn¡¯t a bad deal.

    ¡°I get it. What men want is nothing more than this.¡±

    Blushing, Betty began to unbutton her dress.

    Soon, all the buttons were undone, and her dress slid down. Standing

    in front of Tristan, she was now in sexy wine-redce underwear.

    ¡°Now we can-¡±

    ¡°Ms. Betty, what are you doing?¡±

    Tristanughed disdainfully,pletely unaffected. ¡°Is your mind always filled with thoughts about

    doing this with men daily? When did I say I wanted to sleep with you?¡±

    Betty felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her body shook all over. Her face turned as red as a

    tomato under extreme shame.

    ¡°Are you ¡­ ying with me?¡±

    Tristan shook his head. ¡°You misunderstood, Ms. Betty.

    Furious and embarrassed, Betty was about to bend down to pick up her dress when Tristan¡¯s voice

    sounded.

    ¡°I want you to kneel in front of me and beg me. Beg me to give it to

    you.¡±

    Betty was so angry at his words that she forgot to put on her clothes. Her lips quivered as she uttered,

    ¡°W-What did you say?¡±

    ¡°Which word didn¡¯t you hear clearly? I don¡¯t think I need to repeat.

    myself.¡±

    Tristan pointed down to the ground. ¡°Ms. Betty, this is your only chance. Can you bear to watch your

    mother be tormented by addiction? I think Madam Sophia won¡¯tst much longer.¡±

    Unknown to both Tristan and Betty, Alyssa was sitting in her study, wearing a y mask, watching the

    hospital¡¯s internal footage on her

    Their interactions and conversations were fully exposed to her.

    Initially, when Betty had stripped herself, Alyssa¡¯s y mask had almost cracked.

    Now, with Tristan causing more trouble, her mask was shattered.

    Alyssa frowned with a hint of deep contemtion.

    In the next moment, an extremely satisfying scene unfolded before her eyes.

    Trembling, the half-naked Betty bent down and shamefully knelt in front of Tristan.

    When did the third child of the prestigious Beckett family ever experience such humiliation?

    However, it was nothingpared to Betty being severely beaten by Landon, almost disfiguring her

    face.

    Alyssa sighed, shaking her head in helplessness. ¡°This guy has done something extra.¡±

    Betty walked out of the hospital with the stainless steel box in her hands. Her steps were heavy, as if

    weights bound her.

    She screamed and shouted as if going mad as soon as she got into the car. She forcefully tangled her

    hair into a mess with both hands, yet she couldn¡¯t contain the anger raging in her heart.

    Betty haphazardly pulled a cigarette from her designer bag, cing it between her pale lips. Her hands

    trembled as she struck the lighter multiple times before managing to ignite the cigarette.

    She smoked three cigarettes in a row before finally calming herself down.

 Chapter 995

    Betty picked up her phone and made a call.

    ¡°Help me take care of someone. Dig out his kneecaps. I want him to walk on his knees for the rest of

    his life!¡±

    After Tristan handed the medication to Betty, he drove home alone.

    As his car approached the neighborhood, a ck MPV suddenly appeared and crashed into the side of

    his car.

    His car almost spun 360 degrees, and the ss shattered. Tristan was thrown into disarray, his bones

    feeling like they were about to fall apart.

    The screeching of brakes echoed through the deserted street, and the car came to a halt.

    Before he could regain consciousness, he heard the door open, and he was forcefully pulled out

    Tristan hadn¡¯t seen who it was, but he was immediately pressed into the car and subjected to punches

    and kicks.

    ¡°What should we do? Break his legs or what?¡± one of them asked.

    ¡°Dig out his kneecaps. Hurry up!¡±

    Tristan was in intense pain, and his head was bleeding. At once, he understood what was happening.

    This was Betty seeking revenge.

    ¡°Lad, we have no grievances with you. You just happened to offend someone you shouldn¡¯t have.

    Tough luck.¡±

    As soon as the man said that, he pulled out a gleaming knife, preparing to stab Tristan¡¯s knee.

    Just as Tristan thought he was about to bid farewell to his legs, the man in front of him suddenly let out

    a scream.

    Subsequently, screams echoed. Tristan opened his eyes to a scene of surprise.

    A man wearing a ck mask and a ck trench coat, with sharp features and a fierce fighting style,

    appeared out of nowhere. Like al ck whirlwind, he swiftly took down all four thugs.

    He was incredibly cool!

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    This was the kind of scene one could only see in a high-quality action movie. How could an ordinary

    person have such astonishing and agile moves?

    The next second, Tristan watched as the man in the ck trench coat snatched the knife from the

    thug¡¯s hand.

    With swift movements, he severed the tendons in the hands and feet of all four thugs, rendering them

    powerless to fight back.

    Tristan was supported by the man in the ck trench coat and got into a ck luxury car that hadn¡¯t

    even been registered yet..

    As he settled in, he was extremely shocked.

    ¡°Ms. Al-Ms. Alyssa? Why is it you?¡±

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s me. Who else could save you?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes carried a hint of displeasure as she looked at his heavily injured face.

    ¡°Dr. McAlister, do you remember what I told you before? I said, do as I unnecessary.¡±

    ¡°Unnecessary?¡±

    Tristan¡¯s heart pounded quickly. ¡°I just followed your instructions and gave the drug to Betty.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    Alyssa crossed her arms over her chest. Her face was icy. ¡°Then why did you force Betty to kneel

    before you?¡±

    Tristan was bewildered, only now realizing that every move he made tonight was under her watch.

    ¡°I¡¯m monitoring you not because I don¡¯t trust you but because this is the only way to ensure your

    safety.¡±

    When Alyssa recalled how her abrupt actions had cost Nina her life, she felt a surge of pain, and tears

    welled up in her eyes.

 Chapter 996

    Alyssa clenched her fists in resentment, and her voice became choked. ¡°An innocent girl has already

    died because of me, Dr. McAlister. I can¡¯t let anything happen to you. I really can¡¯t bear it. anymore.¡±

    Hearing this, Tristan lowered his head in guilt. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I just wanted to do something for you for the

    last time. I just wanted to vent your grievances¡­ I didn¡¯t know it would cause you so much. trouble. I¡¯m

    really sorry.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know Sophia and Betty enough, but I do. Betty may not have Sophia¡¯s intelligence, but she

    inherited Sophia¡¯s ruthlessness. perfectly.

    ¡°Her impulsive actions make her even more ruthless than Sophia. Sophia still considers consequences,

    but relying on being Javier¡¯s daughter and having the Beckett Group backing her, Betty acts without

    regard for consequences.¡±

    ¡°My sister was cautious and had me lurking near your hospital.¡±

    The man sitting in the passenger seat took off his ck mask, revealing a face that would make

    anyone¡¯s heart skip a beat.

    ¡°As soon as you left, I followed you, afraid that Betty would find someone to harm you. Well, it turns out

    that Lyse was right. That little bitch won¡¯t hold a grudge overnight.)

    ¡°This is¡­?¡± Tristan asked.

    ¡°My fourth brother.¡± Alyssa parted her lips and sweetly smiled at Axel.

    Axel responded with a wink, and the tense atmosphere in the car instantly filled with warmth.

    Tristan was greatly surprised, then self-mockingly smiled.

    There were always capable people protecting Alyssa.

    As long as he protected himself and didn¡¯t cause trouble for her, it was the greatest help he could offer

    Alyssa sent Tristan to the hospital and then sent two bodyguards to ensure his safety. Only then did

    she feel at ease.

    At this moment, Axel walked over with a serious expression.

    ¡°Lyse, you really have a keen sense. Your ex-husband and Harper really went to Tsulu. It seems Jasper

    wanted to confront Jeffrey. behind your back.¡±

    Alyssa felt a pang in her heart.

    Although she had guessed that Jasper¡¯s so-called business trip was a lie and he was actually chasing

    Jeffrey, having the suspicion confirmed still brought an overwhelming sense of fear.

    ¡°Was it Jonah who told you?¡±

    ¡°Jonah is already on his way to Tsulu. He told you not to worry. He¡¯ll take care of everything for you.¡±

    ¡°Tsulu is different from here. We can do whatever we want there.¡±

    Alyssa frowned, pacing back and forth. ¡°We investigated Jeffrey before. He was a mercenary in Tsulu

    with his own forces. These forces are deeply rooted in Tsulu, and even the officials can¡¯t deal with

    them.

    ¡°They might even provide them with protection when needed. Jasper going there recklessly, unable to

    catch Jeffrey, is one thing. I¡¯m afraid he might get himself into trouble.¡±

    ¡°Jonah has connections in Tsulu. When he arrives, have him watch. out for your ex-husband.¡±

    Axel remained nonchnt, still wearing a wicked smile. ¡°I¡¯m looking. forward to Jasper¡¯s performance

    this time. I¡¯ve heard you talk about how fierce and formidable he was when he was in the

    Peacekeeping Forces.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard it until I¡¯m tired of hearing it. Let¡¯s see how he performs now that the opportunity hase.¡±

    ¡°Axel! Are you heartless?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes turned red from anger, and she clenched her fists, tightly. ¡°This time, he¡¯s going into a

    lion¡¯s den alone, and he doesn¡¯t even have a decent weapon. He¡¯s also bringing along Landon, who¡¯s a

    liability. Someone might die! If something happens to him, I ¡­ I¡­

    ¡°Who are you going to marry, right?¡±

    Axel put his hands in his pockets and leaned close to her face. His eyes were tinged with slyness and

    affection.

    Alyssa blushed with embarrassment, about to yfully hit him, but suddenly, a thought crossed her

    mind.

    The Taylor family had some influential people, even more powerful than Jonah.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    They could help Jasper.

 Chapter 997

    The next day, Jasper and Landon went secretly to Shend Ind, armed with weapons.

    It wasn¡¯t the smoothest trip. The day started out sunny and calm, but a thunderstorm struck after two

    hours on the boat.

    The two had opted for a yacht instead of arger vessel in order to keep a low profile. Not only would

    they be a smaller and speedier target, but they could also swiftly retreat the scene if needed.

    But the downside to this kind of ship was how vulnerable it left them to the extreme weather!

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Mr. Harper, what do we do? Is the boat going to capsize? Landon¡¯s men were doing their

    best to keep the yacht afloat. But it was tough to do so when the vessel wouldn¡¯t stop being tossed and

    turned by the harsh waves, not to mention sail onward in a straight line!

    All of a sudden, arge wave crashed toward the ship, aiming right for Landon.

    Landon stood there shocked, unable to move. All of a sudden, someone went up to shield him.

    Jasper used his body to protect Landon from the wave before it crashed!

    Jasper didn¡¯t so much as stumble as the wave hit him, unlike most others. He merely swayed slightly

    under the force.

    Jasper was so powerful that he could even make a man fawn over him.

    ¡°Are you alright, Jasper?¡± Landon asked, quickly holding onto Jasper.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine,¡± Jasper said with a smile.

    As their eyes met, Landon found himself blushing. ¡°Dammit. Can you not look at me like that? I feel like

    I might actually fall in love with you at this rate!¡±

    ¡°Thank goodness Lauren¡¯s the one you fell in love with, or else you might actually feel that way for me

    one day,¡± Jasper said. sarcastically. He then hurried over to the helm of the ship to steer it.

    ¡°Fuck me. You didn¡¯t have to y along that hard!¡± Landon scowled. He wiped away the seawater on

    his face and watched Jasper steer the ship.

    After some time, Landon sighed to himself, feeling respect and admiration toward his friend.

    Landon had foolishly taken more than he could chew when he tried pursuing Alyssa. He¡¯d even moped

    around after being rejected by her.

    Now, it seemed like Alyssa had made the right decision.

    After all, how could someone who had gotten used to the love of a fierce warrior ever turn to another?

    Landon wasn¡¯t disappointed, nor did he feel regret. In contrast, he had to thank this one-sided love for

    introducing him to Lauren, the love of his life.

    The ocean tossed the yacht around angrily, but it seemed invigorated once Jasper began to steer. It

    soon continued sailing on to Shend Ind.

    Two hourster, the thunderstorm finally stopped. The night sky peered out from behind the clouds.

    ¡°The darkness will help us. Come on, Jasper!¡± Landon eximed excitedly, strapping two guns on his

    back.

    Landon used to be renowned as a Grim Reaper, given his love for the dangerous things in life. It looked

    like that nickname wasn¡¯t given without good reason. Landon seemed to have forgotten about the

    danger they were in earlier before arriving there.

    ¡°Do you think this is a paintball game? You only have one life. If your lose it, there¡¯s no restarting,¡±

    Jasper said.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper was dressed in a ck shirt, cargo pants, and boots as he held onto a firearm. One could sense

    how powerful he was based on his outfit alone. There was even a hint of wildness.

    ¡°You¡¯re not as unattached as you used to be. You have my sister to consider now,¡± Jasper reminded

    him.

    Landon¡¯s heart clenched upon recalling his lovely wife.

    He was right. He had a family now. His once-tough demeanor had softened up ever since he fell in

    love.

    Lauren had nearly had a breakdown after hearing about Nina¡¯s death. Landon couldn¡¯t imagine how

    Lauren would react if something. happened to him.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Mr. Harper, there¡¯s a chopper flying toward us!¡±

 Chapter 998

    Jasper and Landon looked up, and sure enough, a helicopter was flying right toward them!

    Everyone immediately went on high alert. They took out their weapons and aimed right at the

    helicopter.

    ¡°At ease. I doubt they¡¯re the enemy, Jasper said calmly. He was the only one who remained unworried.

    ¡°How are you so sure?¡± Landon asked in surprise.

    ¡°If they were the enemy, they could¡¯ve started firing at us from this distance already. The only reason

    they haven¡¯t is because they don¡¯t n on killing us.¡±

    Landon nodded eagerly. ¡°Makes sense!¡±

    The helicopternded on the beach, its des sweeping up sand that blinded everyone¡¯s eyes. Only

    Jasper remained steady, weing the billowing wind as he watched a man step off the helicopter.

    When Jasper saw who it was, his eyes widened.

    ¡°Holy shit! It¡¯s Jonah!¡± Landon yelped and hid behind Jasper.

    Jonah approached them, emanating amanding presence.

    Despite having connections in legal and underworld circles, Landon should theoretically not be afraid of

    anyone. However, at this moment, he was intimidated by Jonah.

    Jasper, who had already surpassed him in terms of marital rtions, now wielded an overwhelming

    presence!

    Jasper and Jonah met one another¡¯s gazes-subtle hostility boiled between the two.

    ¡°What brings you here, Mr. Taylor? Jasper asked coldly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you know why. We have the same goal, don¡¯t we?¡± Jonah didn¡¯t have a good impression of

    his ex-brother-inw even thought Jasper had already decided to devote his love to Alyssa.

    There was something in the Taylor family bloodline that made it so that they never wanted to reveal

    their truest feelings on the surface. In other words, they held a certain pride.

    After all, Jasper had cruelly abandoned Alyssa and made her suffer for three long years. She nearly

    became crippled on the battlefield because of Jasper, too.

    No matter what, Jonah¡¯s feelings toward Jasper wouldn¡¯t change so easily. Alyssa was as bright as a

    star in the sky. Jasper would have to give up his all to have her again.

    ¡°I will handle Jeffrey Snyder. You don¡¯t have to worry, Mr. Taylor,¡± Jasper said persistently.

    ¡°I¡¯m Lyse¡¯s big brother, and this issue remains something personal to our family. I can take care of this

    without you.¡± Jonah wasn¡¯t relenting either.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Landon,¡± Jasper said, ready to move on without a second. thought.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°If I remember correctly, you told my sister you were going overseas to Yoarkley.¡± Jonah¡¯s voice rang

    out coldly.

    Jasper turned around, seeing the sneer on Jonah¡¯s face. ¡°If Lyse finds out that you were lying to her

    even though it was for her sake, don¡¯t you think she¡¯ll get furious at you? You know how she is.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell her!¡± Jasper ran over to Jonah, pleading, ¡°All I do, I do for Lyse, Mr. Taylor. I was just afraid

    she mighte here with me if she knew I wasing after Jeffrey. I can¡¯t let the woman I love be put

    at

    ¡°But what right do I have to¡­ protect her, as her man, if I can¡¯t even take care of this issue for her

    myself?¡±

    The sincerity in Jasper¡¯s deration made Jonah¡¯s eyebrows furrowed.

    Even Landon felt the urge to give his friend a boost.

    ¡°I know you must hate me for hurting Lyse, Mr. Taylor, for being so cruel to her and abandoning her¡­¡±

    Jaspermented.

 Chapter 999

    Jasper¡¯s eyes grew red-rimmed, his voice hoarse, as he begged Jonah. ¡°All I¡¯m doing now is so that I

    can make it up to Lyse. I¡¯d give up my life just to help her achieve what she wants, no matter whether

    you all forgive me or not. Just please don¡¯t put Lyse at risk. As her brother, you know just how she can

    be!¡±

    Jasper was really worried that Alyssa would be angry at him all over again. They had gotten to such a

    neutral state after months of tribtion. Jasper didn¡¯t want things to return to square one.

    But he was more worried something terrible might happen to Alyssa.

    Jonah hadn¡¯t expected Jasper to blurt all this out. He¡¯d only meant to mock thetter.

    After a moment of silence, Jonah finally said, ¡°Alright. You can proceed, but you have to stick with me.¡±

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    While Jasper was making the first move overseas, things weren¡¯t looking too good back in Sna City,

    Today marked the day of a crucial meeting between Beckett Group and Jesselton Inc. from Mosgravia.

    Javier and the higher-ups had already assembled in the conference room, but Jasper was

    conspicuously absent.

    The Beckett Group¡¯s reputation had declined due to Sophia¡¯s recent actions. News of it had even

    spread overseas. Theirpany had truly be an international embarrassment.

    Thepany¡¯s stocks had also been falling nonstop for three whole days. Just the sight of the

    statistics was enough to make one panic.

    Though Beckett Group¡¯s domestic projects might not be affected by this, the same could not be said

    about the ones from overseas.

    Right now, the Taylor family, Schmidt family, and even the Harper family might take advantage and

    seize all of Beckett Group¡¯s overseas assets! It was up to Jasper, being CEO of thepany, to hold

    the line of defense for them. Yet Jasper was nowhere to be found in this crucial moment!

    Javier was sitting at the head of the conference table, looking like he¡¯d just eaten a lemon. A steely,

    hostile air emanated from his body.

    Around him, the shareholders discussed amongst themselves.

    ¡°It¡¯s already sote. Mr. Jasper won¡¯t be a no-show, will he?¡±

    ¡°I doubt it. Mr. Jasper is famous for being diligent when ites to work. When has he ever missed a

    meeting in the past few years? As long as the Earth is still spinning, he¡¯s bound to arrive soon!¡±

    ¡°That was a year ago. Now? Hmph, things might not be the same anymore.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jasper is currently doing his best to pursue Ms. Alyssa Taylor. When would he have spare time to

    think about work? He¡¯s probably busy being intimate with her.¡±

    The shareholders snickered quietly.

    ¡°A modern-day Mark Anthony, it seems.¡±

    ¡°Still, given how in disrepute thepany is right now, wouldn¡¯t Jesselton Incorporated think we¡¯re

    dragging them down? Not even the CEO is present for the meeting today. Would this negotiation still

    end sessfully?¡±

    Javier¡¯s ears swiftly caught those words. He slowly curled his hand

    Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

    When Javier saw who it was, he was surprised.

    Justin was calling.

    With less than five minutes until the meeting¡¯smencement, Javier had no choice but to disregard

    the call.

    As the meeting began, one could tell most of the people here today had low hopes for this business

    deal¡¯s sess.

    After all, their CEO wasn¡¯t here today. Who would want to work with such an insincerepany?

    Just then, the screen at the front of the room lit up. The conference call had connected.

    Since Jasper became Beckett Group¡¯s CEO, he¡¯d always be there to steer the discussions with their

    potential partners. Javier only joined for decorum when it was needed. Being the board¡¯s chairman,

    Javier was slowly retiring from the front stage and leaving it up to the youth.

    Hence, Javier felt anxious right now. He leaned forward slightly, gazing solemnly at the screen.

    The individuals on the screen were Ezzo Jesselton, chairman of Jesselton Incorporated, and his son

    Zeke Jesselton, the CEO of theirpany. Seated beside the two was a man unfamiliar to anyone on

    Beckett Group¡¯s board.

 Chapter 1000

    ¡°Who is that? They look local.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but don¡¯t you think he looks a bit like Mr. Beckett?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t notice it before, but¡­ he does, yeah!¡±

    Javier¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he stared at the screen.

    It was Justin!

    Why was he sitting there with Mr. Jesselton?

    As if oblivious to the fact that the call had gone through, Justin was chatting merrily with the Jesselton

    father and son. They looked to have quite a friendship.

    ¡°Justin, you¡­¡± Javier was taken aback. The script he had meticulously prepared the previous night

    quickly became a jumble.

    Only then did Justin react by turning to the camera. He waved at Javier. ¡°Long time no see, Dad.¡±

    The board members were stunned.

    Was this handsome, refined young man Justin Beckett, the eldest son of the Beckett family who had

    never once revealed himself publicly in Sna City?

    Just then, Ezzo turned to greet Javier with a smile through the screen. ¡°I believe we have much to

    discuss regarding our partnership, Mr. Javier.¡±

    The moment the meeting came to an end, Ben sent word of what happened to Newton.

    ¡°Thepany has sessfully partnered up with Jesselton Incorporated, sir.¡±

    ¡°Oh? It went so well?¡± Newton was surprised to hear this. Still, it was a cause for joy. ¡°Then we¡¯ll have

    him fly to Mosgravia to sign the agreement with Mr. Jesselton right away.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s already been signed on the spot.¡±

    ¡°That was fast!¡± Newton eximed. ¡°None of us have any personal dealings with Jesselton

    Incorporated. Plus, several otherpanies in the city have also offered them favorable deals. Why

    did they decide to work with us so quickly?¡±

    There was a glint in Ben¡¯s eyes as he said in a hushed tone, ¡°It Mr. Justin Beckett who signed the

    agreement on our behalf in Mosgravia. Technically, he made this negotiation a sess, not Mr. Javier.¡±

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Newton¡¯s expression grew solemn upon hearing that.

    ¡°Mr. Justin¡¯s appearance alongside Mr. Jesselton and his son truly caught everyone present by

    surprise. I don¡¯t think even you yourself would¡¯ve guessed that Mr. Justin was on such good terms with

    the Jesselton family, sir.¡±

    Naturally, Newton was able to pick up on the underlying meaning in Ben¡¯s words.

    ¡°Do you think this eldest grandson of mine will make a sudden return to Sna City, Ben?¡± Newton

    asked.

    Ben pursed his lips, unsure how to answer that question.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Jasper? I haven¡¯t seen him around these past few days. Didn¡¯t he attend the meeting?¡±

    Newton¡¯s tone wasced with anxiety.¡± His position is nearly at risk here, yet he doesn¡¯t seem

    concerned. Does being CEO mean he doesn¡¯t have to worry about this anymore?

    ¡°Mr. Newton, Mr. Jasper is¡­ he¡¯s currently overseas.¡±

    ¡°What? Where?¡±

    Newton didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry. ¡°I¡¯m not sure where exactly, nor could I trace him. But I did

    ask Rosie. She said it was likely Mr. Jasper had gone to do something incredibly important for Ms.

    Alyssa. The kind that requires his presence and no other.¡±

    Newton was surprised by this information. He then sighed, the anger in his chest dissipating slightly.

    Alyssa¡¯s matters were always so important to Jasper.

    Newton himself knew what that felt like. Back then, he himself had doted on Jasper¡¯s grandmother to

    no end. Newton had even considered giving up his position as head of the family to spend his life with

    her.

    But¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid Jasper¡¯s path forward won¡¯t be easy anymore, Ben. powerful brooks no rivals ¡­¡±

 Chapter 1001

    After the agreement was signed, Javier heaved a long sigh. The weight in his heart had lifted greatly.

    This business deal meant that theirpany had regained their footing and gained some respect once

    again.

    Javier returned to his officer and quickly called Justin again.

    ¡°Congrattions on another sessful partnership, Dad,¡± Justin said. He was now in a car heading

    back home. There was a warmth in his eyes apanying his smile.

    When it came to looks, Justin was not as handsome as Jasper, nor was he as sharp as Landon or as

    entric as Jameson.

    Justin had a refined yet gentle vibe that made you d to befriend him and get to know more.

    Due to Justin¡¯s disability, his movements were restricted by a wheelchair. But that never made him

    down or depressed. His smile remained warm and bright as ever as if that kidnapping from years. ago

    never happened.

    ¡°It¡¯s your doing that made this partnership go through, Justin. I should be the one thanking you.¡±

    Javier¡¯s tone was thick with emotion.

    ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Dad. We¡¯re family. We don¡¯t have to go through those formalities,¡± Justin said,

    ¡°Everything I do, I do for our family and thepany. This is my responsibility as the eldest of the

    family.¡±

    Javier was all the more touched after hearing this. He asked tenderly, ¡°How have you been, my boy?

    Has your health improved in the past few years?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been well, Dad. You don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange a time to fly over and spend some time with you as soon as I clear my schedule!¡± Javier

    suggested

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°No need, Dad.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    Justin smiled and said, ¡°Who knows, we might be seeing each other again in Sna City soon.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯reing home?¡± Javier asked in disbelief.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve lived in Mosgravia for so long, but it has never been my home. I have to return to my roots,

    after all. I look forward to reuniting with all of you, especially Jasper. I wonder how he¡¯s been doing. I

    can¡¯t wait to see him again.¡±

    Though Shend Ind wasn¡¯t rtivelyrge, it still was a good size. The terrain was all dense foliage

    and winding paths. The darkness of night only served to make the ind more eerie, as if some

    unpredictable danger was lurking around the corner.

    Jasper and Jonah had some discussions before agreeing to leave Landon outside the jungle to cover

    their backs.

    ¡°Fuck this. Why me? I want to shoot some heads, too! Why do I have. to clean up after you guys?¡±

    Landon cried angrily, kicking the dirt underneath his boots. ¡°I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m going with you guys! I may

    not be as skilled, but I can still shoot a motherfucker!¡±

    Jonah kept silent.

    He used to think Landon was a pretty straightforward and amusing guy-who knew he¡¯d act so silly

    when push came to shove.

    ¡°Do you want to marry Lauren or not?¡± Jasper asked his friend tly.

 Chapter 1002

    Jasper then shared a look with Jonah before they headed deep into the jungle.

    Landon prayed for the two of them to return safely.

    In the Millennium¡¯s most extravagant suit, Jameson was discussing merrily with a Tsulu military

    representative.

    This Tsulian man, Inigo Montoye, had worked with Jameson when thetter was making a name for

    himself in Kontina. Since Inigo had benefited a lot from working with Jameson, he naturally gave the

    same to Jameson¡¯s endeavors in Tsulu and Kontina.

    Jameson had be a powerful financial magnate in Kontina, while Inigo was a lieutenant colonel in

    the Royal Tsulian Army¡¯s Ground Force.

    Virtually no outsider knew of their connection all these years.

    Amber stayed beside them the whole night, topping their drinks off and ying the perfect role as bait.

    Whenever she bent down to pour a drink, Inigo got a full view of her cleavage, making the blood in hist

    veins burn with desire. He didn¡¯t even notice when his drink spilled at the edges.

    Just then, there was a knock at the door. Carl hurried in to whisper to Jameson, ¡°Sir, Jasper Beckett,

    and Landon Harper have arrived on Tsulu. They¡¯re currently in Shend Ind, targeting Jeffrey

    Snyder.¡±

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    ¡°Oh? Just the two of them?¡± Jameson asked, sipping his red wine.

    ¡°And also¡­ Ms. Alyssa¡¯s eldest brother, Jonah Taylor.¡± Carl seemed ill at ease. ¡°Should we continue

    with the original n, sir? Mr. Taylor brother after all¡­

    ¡°So what?¡± A coldness glinted in Jameson¡¯s eyes as he sneered. ¡°I¡¯ve long seen through those Taylor

    brothers. None of them will help me get what I want. They¡¯ll only stand in the way of me getting Lyse for

    myself. Let him perish. One down is better than none.¡±

    Carl felt cold sweat trickle down his back upon hearing this.

    Beside them, Amber¡¯s hands trembled lightly. She pursed her lips, recalling Axel¡¯s handsome face.

    ¡°Why would Lyse need that many men around her? All she needs is me to love her,¡± Jameson said.

    ¡°Hahaha! There¡¯s the Jameson Schmidt I know. As ferocious as ever.

    I love it!¡± Inigo chuckled, pping proudly.

    ¡°Thank you for your praise.¡± Jameson smiled, speaking in Tsulian.

    ¡°When will I get to witness your wedding with Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Schmidt? I¡¯ll be sure to bring a great

    wedding gift!¡± Inigo said.

    ¡°Soon. But whether or not this wedding will go through depends on whether you can help me,

    Lieutenant Montoye.¡± Jameson smiled cruelly. ¡°I was hoping you could help me take care of two

    individuals.¡±

    ¡°Who are they?¡± Inigo askedzily.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett and Jonah Taylor,¡± Jameson gritted out.

    Inigo jolted in shock. ¡°Are you serious, Mr. Schmidt? I may be Tsulian, but I still know how powerful

    those two are. They¡¯re not to be trifled with, especially not Jonah Taylor!

    ¡°His father, Winston Taylor, is Belbanks¡¯ most powerful man. They even have connections with the

    royals. If I take him out and they find out I had something to do with it, I¡¯m toast!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already considered all of that, Jameson said, leaning forward slightly. His eyes were cold and

    dark. ¡°The man they intend to capture is one of your country¡¯s arms dealers¡¯ right-hand men.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Inigo was shocked by this.

    Jameson said, ¡°Those two foreigners n to provoke matters on your country¡¯s territory. I¡¯m sure your

    royals won¡¯t just sit around and do nothing about that. So, instead of waiting for the higher-ups¡¯ orders,

    why don¡¯t you make the first move and save them time?

    ¡°Culling terrorists in your country¡¯s own borders is only right for someone of your position to do.¡±

    Inigo¡¯s eyes glinted knowingly. He knew what he had to do now.

 Chapter 1003

    Jameson stated, ¡°Unlike how powerful they are in Sna City, those two are in Tsulu without any

    reinforcements. No one would notice if you killed them and disposed of their bodies, yes?¡± Jameson

    asked with eyes that hinted malice. ¡°After all, you¡¯re quite the expert at doing that.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! You really did think this through, Mr. Schmidt. But¡­ will you thank me for helping you out?¡±

    ¡°Money. Land. Whatever you want.¡±

    ¡°I have something I want right now.¡± Inigo¡¯s lustful eyes ran along Amber¡¯s body.

    In the next instant, Jameson grabbed her arm and flung her toward Inigo.

    Amber was caught unaware and immediatelynded on Inigo¡¯sp. Thetter immediately caged her in

    with his arms, running his hands all over her.

    Jameson slowly got up from his seat and left the room without looking back, saying, ¡°She¡¯s all yours

    tonight.¡±

    Inigo left The Millennium satisfied for the night after having his fill of women and wine, ready to execute

    the task Jameson had given him.

    Amber was left scarred in the suite like a broken, pretty little ragdoll. Her beloved red dress had been

    torn into shreds. The fabric nowy strewn across the floor with the terrible tools Inigo had used on her

    earlier, mocking her for how pathetic she had been tonight.

    Just then, the door opened.

    Familiar footsteps echoed in the room as Jameson stared at Amber¡¯s naked body on the bed.

    ¡°Who knew Inigo was into this sort of thing? He could truly rival that brother of mine,¡± he murmured.

    Amber gazed at the man she¡¯d loved for nearly half her life through her unkempt hair, tears slowly

    clouding her eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done well tonight. Let Carl know whatever it is you want as a reward,¡± Jameson said. There

    was nothing in his eyes but a frightening coldness.

    Jameson¡¯s eyes only fervent for Alyssa Taylor. Other women were no more than tools for him to get

    what he wanted.

    ¡°I want¡­ my red dress,¡± Amber said shakily.

    Jameson¡¯s expression remained t. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll have Carl buy it for you.¡±

    ¡°You¡­ gave me this dress two years ago, on my birthday,¡± Amber choked out, hands gripping the bed

    sheets tightly as tears fell down her cheeks.

    ¡°Really.¡± Jameson¡¯s eyes were dark, and his lips curled upward. ¡°Do you know why I gave it to you?

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s because Lyse likes the color red. So I like seeing you wearing it.

    Amber was overwhelmed by a wave of chills. Her heart seemed to be ripped open by knives-by

    Jameson himself, cruelly shattered and destroyed.

    Amber knew Jameson¡¯s answer would involve Alyssa and asking him. would only humiliate herself.

    Yet she still couldn¡¯t help but ask him again and again, as if hoping she would get a different answer

    one day.

    ¡°Rest well. You know what to do from here on out, right? You volunteered, after all,¡± Jameson said.

    He then turned around to leave.

    Amber suddenly climbed off the bed and grabbed ahold of his hand. ¡± Jameson, do you really not feel

    anything for me?¡±

    Jameson nced at her with soulless eyes.

    Tears soaked Amber¡¯s face as she asked again, ¡°Nothing at all? For all these years?¡±

 Chapter 1004

    ¡°Don¡¯t you find that question hrious?¡± Jameson chuckled and flung her hand away. ¡°If I¡¯d known you

    were this shallow, I would never have rescued you all those years ago.¡±

    With a m of the door, Jameson left the room.

    Amber crumpled into a heap, weeping painfully and feeling more. pathetic than the torn pieces of fabric

    on the floor.

    Cold ind rain fell on Jasper as he continued moving forward. Jonah walked beside him in silence,

    secretly surprised at how swift. Jasper was.

    Jasper¡¯s military years did him well. His training as a special ops soldier had neither worn down

    throughout his CEO career nor dulled his steely will.

    As long as the circumstances deemed necessary, Jasper would eagerly dive back onto the battlefield.

    Jonah couldn¡¯t help but admit that Jasper was the only other man in this world who could protect

    Alyssa besides himself.

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    ¡°Pity,¡± Jonah sighed.

    ¡°What?¡± Jasper asked, having heard Jonah even though they were moving fast.

    Jonah was about to speak when he suddenly fell sideways.

    A spray of bullets flew through the air where they were standing seconds ago, right after Jasper shoved

    Jonah to the ground. The bullets left deep pits in the dirt.

    Though Jonah had had his fill of encounters in his life, the close brush with death still made cold sweat

    bead on his forehead. One second slower, and he would¡¯ve been riddled with holes. Jasper saved him!

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Jasper asked.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine,¡± Jonah replied, heaving a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s an ambush around here somewhere. We can¡¯t keep our guard down in the slightest right now,

    or else Lyse might lose two of her loved ones tonight,¡± Jasper said. His eyes scanned their

    surroundings in wide alert.

    He couldn¡¯t really see, even with his soldiers¡¯ shlight, but his night vision and hearing were still

    phenomenal, making him able to identify the threats in their vicinity.

    ¡°Mr. Jasper, Mr. Taylor, we¡¯re being ambushed! Hurry up and-¡±

    A soldier cried, running toward them. He was quickly shot in the chest with a bullet, making him buckle

    to the ground, eyes wide.

    What followed was a relentless wave of bullets that attacked every single one of Jasper and Jonah¡¯s

    men. They swiftly scattered for safety in the pitch-ck jungle, no longer able to cover Jasper and

    Jonah.

    The two quickly ducked behind arge boulder and readied their firearms.

    They swiftly killed four enemy shooters, but the situation remained dangerous.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Did Jeffrey¡¯s men find out about us?¡± Jonah asked, switching mags as he nced

    behind the boulder. ¡°Our whereabouts were kept secret. No one would¡¯ve been told about it!¡±

    ¡°But it still seems like someone has let that information slip tonight!¡±

    Just then, another round of bullets were fired at them. They flew past Jasper¡¯s ear.

    Jonah¡¯s heart clenched at the sound. Jasper remained calm, however, and quickly fired two shots

    behind them, killing yet another enemy shooter.

    Jasper really was experienced on the battlefield, being able to hold himself steady and react calmly.

    No wonder Alyssa fell in love with him so deeply.

    ¡°Who could have done that?¡± Jonah hurriedly asked.

    ¡°There might be other people in Cyrris besides Sophia that Jeffrey is in cahoots with, and they are

    helping him right now. They might even be taking the opportunity to kill both you and me,¡± Jasper

    replied.

    For some reason, a name Jasper didn¡¯t want to think about surfaced in his mind-Jameson Schmidt.

 Chapter 1005

    Jasper¡¯s suspicion over Jameson wasn¡¯t entirely baseless. He wasn¡¯t simply taking a stab at his love

    rival.

    Ever since he reunited with Alyssa, he had been trying his best to conduct thorough investigations into

    a few things in secret.

    These included his rtionship with the Schmidt family members, his situation in Sna City, and what

    he had been up to in Kontina all these years.

    As expected, due to Jameson¡¯s keen intellect, uncovering ssified. information about him proved

    impossible.

    However, Jasper did uncover that Jameson had colluded with the evil underground forces in Kontina.

    Superficially, the corporation they established appeared to operate in the realms of real estate and

    gambling. In reality, though, it concealed a nefarious organization involved in a wide array of criminal

    activities.

    With extensive connections in Kontina, Jameson held sway even among officials and businessmen,

    ensuring that powerful parties were covering for him.

    This was the method by which he expanded his business significantly. over the course of several years.

    Simultaneously, he adeptly portrayed his background to appear increasingly legitimate.

    More importantly, he also had quite an influence in Tsulu. ording to Jasper¡¯s sources, there were

    indications that Jameson also had a hand in the military and the government.

    Hence, he had reason to believe that Jameson had the capability to send word to Tsulu in secret, then

    send his people toe and

    Even if the Beckett and Taylor families had the will to chase him down, their remains would have

    vanished by then. Their families would certainly not be able to find any clues or any evidence of their

    demise.

    Jonah noticed that something looked amiss about Jasper. He raised his brow and queried, ¡°Did you just

    get an idea of who might have done it?¡±

    Jasper took a deep breath and replied, ¡°Now isn¡¯t the time to talk about this. We need to settle the

    immediate problem first.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t yet the time for him to point fingers at Jameson right in front of Jonah.

    He thought it would make him look like he was using the opportunity to push his love rival into the

    ditches.

    Since he had no evidence, it wasn¡¯t time to voice it out. He didn¡¯t want to risk himself bing the

    immoral one.

    ¡°Well, something feels off about you. I¡¯m sure you already know who orchestrated it, don¡¯t you?¡± Jonah

    asked as he shot two people down as if he were having a covertpetition with Jasper.

    He was Alyssa¡¯s biological brother, and they had simr personalities. Both were individuals driven to

    uncover the truth and couldn¡¯t tolerate superficiality.

    Throughout all of this, despite having average firepower, every shot found its mark precisely. As a

    result, their enemies hesitated to advance toward them.

    ¡°Should they belong to Tsulu¡¯s gannd, then I can¡¯t be certain who it is.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes twinkled dimly

    in the dark.

    He held a tight grip on his gun and continued, ¡°But if they are from

    Right when Jonah was trying to figure out what he meant, to their surprise, someone shouted at them

    with a hailer, ¡°Shend Ind is an important base to our country¡¯s armed forces!

    ¡°Wemand you to put your weapons down. Stop resisting and surrender yourselves! Otherwise, we

    will not show you any mercy!¡±

    Jonah¡¯s pupils constricted. ¡°It¡¯s the military.¡±

    They were only trying to capture an insignificant criminal. He never expected that they would alert

    Tsulu¡¯s military!

    How powerful was Jeffrey?

    Jasper clenched his teeth. He mumbled, ¡°Huh, it¡¯s as I had expected.¡±

    Jasper knew all along that Jameson was the one behind this.

    ¡°Hand over your firearms and surrender, quick! I promise we will treat all of you humanely!¡± their enemy

    shouted from the other side.

    The coastal air was warm and humid in the first ce.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    In the face of danger, the falling raindrops seemed on the verge of freezing into icicles!

    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to his crap.¡±

    With nerves on edge, Jonah¡¯s eyes held the weight of years of festering resentment.

    ¡°Believe me or not, if we were to show ourselves now, all that awaits us is animalistic treatment,¡± he

    said, ¡°I used to always speak with the same kind of deceit.¡±

    Jasper was startled. His surprised gaze was focused on Jonah¡¯s icy. and expressionless face.

    He deduced that Jonah¡¯s life experiences in the past must have been

    Then, Jasper was alerted by a sound. The rustle of footsteps on the grass caught his attention.

    He spoke in a low, cautious voice, saying. They¡¯re approaching. I¡¯ll run toward the left to draw their fire

    in a moment. Then, you hurry on and lead the others in search of Jeffrey¡¯s hideout!¡±

    Jonah objected without hesitation, his voice firm, ¡°No way! How can I leave you on your own?¡±

    ¡°If all of us were to die right here, you would regret what you have just said.¡±

 Chapter 1006

    Jasper said, ¡°If anything were to happen to you here, what am I supposed to tell Lyse?¡±

    Danger was imminent. Both Jasper and Jonah couldn¡¯t dy even a second longer.

    Jasper called out to him. ¡°Jonah.¡±

    Jonah felt shaken. The way his name was called had an unusual effect on his body. He couldn¡¯t quite

    pinpoint the sensation, but it seemed to be a mix of an obscure pain and bitterness.

    Jasper looked eyes with him, delivering a clear message. ¡°No matter what, you must return to Lyse

    safe and sound. Lyse had said before that her family is the most important people in her life.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s eyes welled up in tears. He grabbed him by the arm and asked, ¡°How about you, Jasper?

    Aren¡¯t you important to her too? It took her 13 years to finally get to be with you.

    ¡°For many more years do you n to make her endure the pain you¡¯ve caused? Do you even have a

    heart?¡±

    With a bitter smile and an unwavering gaze, Jasper spoke, ¡°I know I¡¯d shattered her hope in me when

    we got divorced,¡± he said, ¡°If she has to lose me again, she¡¯ll likely find a way to adapt.¡±

    Without even waiting for a response from Jonah, he darted out at lightning speed.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Jonah shouted after him.

    Jonah couldn¡¯t stop him at all. He could only watch as Jasper bolted deep into the dark forest.

    Their enemy, watching them like a lion ready to pounce, started running after him!

    Believing that he could serve as an effective distraction for their enemy, Jasper assumed that by

    making himself the bait, he could do his utmost to disperse the danger that enveloped them all.

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    These people could quickly converge to besiege them. Now, he was 90 percent confident in asserting

    that it was somehow linked to Jameson, who had probably given his orders from Sna City.

    If this were true, it meant that he was their target.

    Once he managed to separate from Jonah, Jonah and the others. would then have an opportunity to

    escape.

    Sharp tree branches cut into his arms, neck, and face, but he paid little heed. The relentless gunfire

    from behind, with bullets raining at his feet, consumed his attention.

    Fortunately, the extensive experience he gained from warfare saved him. Otherwise, he would have

    lost his life very early on!

    ¡°If I were to survive this, Jameson, you¡¯d better watch out,¡± Jasper said out loud.

    Gritting his teeth, he sprinted like the wind. ¡°If I live, you¡¯re dead meat!¡± he eximed, veins pulsating at

    his temples.

    In the midst of the intense battle with the enemy, a bullet was discharged from behind, aimed at his

    back!

    He heard the terrifying sound slicing through the air. However, shots were also being fired from the

    front, and he couldn¡¯t turn around in time!

    Gasping in agony, he felt a sharp pain tearing through his left.

    He had been hit!

    The pain wasn¡¯t the kind of pain that just about anyone could endure. Yet, he was thankful the shot

    hadn¡¯t struck a vital point.

    Behind him, he heard a voice speaking in Tsulian. The individuals across from him lowered their guns

    upon hearing the voice.

    ¡°Hi there, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s face was covered in cold sweat. He fought to suppress the pain, and turned back slowly.

    There, he found Jeffrey holding a submachine gun. He grinned

    smugly at Jasper and remarked, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect us to reunite so soon. I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re not here on

    Shend Ind for a vacation. I¡¯m afraid that the locals here aren¡¯t that friendly.¡±

    Behind Jeffrey, his men stood armed with various handheld weapons, casting mocking looks at Jasper.

    Jasper was a ssy and arrogant man in Sna City. However, he appeared no different from a

    coward to these assassins who began their careers as mercenaries.

    A mere gesture from them could make him submit like a dog.

 Chapter 1007

    ¡°Jeffrey, surrender yourself.¡± Jasper kept it short and simple. The look on his face was cial.

    At that moment, the flow of blood from his injured left shoulder echoed in his ears. His breaths were

    shallow, and he had little energy left to spare on Jeffrey.

    The few assassins burst out inughter.

    ¡°Sure, Mr. Beckett. I¡¯m here, right in front of you. Come and arrest me,¡± Jeffrey taunted as he cocked

    his head to the side.

    His expression gradually became more sinister. ¡°But, do you still have the energy left to do so?

    Shouldn¡¯t you remove the bullet on your left shoulder?¡± he questioned.

    Jasper clenched his teeth, maintaining the same look on his face.

    ¡°If you dy it any longer, you might lose your left arm. Don¡¯t say that I didn¡¯t warn you.¡±

    Before Jeffrey could continue, Jasper raised his hand and pointed the ck nozzle at him.

    The assassins reacted swiftly by lifting their guns and aiming at Jasper!

    Both parties were ready to fire at any moment.

    The atmosphere around them was fierce and chilling. Although

    Jasper was going solo, he was calm and collected.

    The sheer level of intimidation emanating from him left the assassins reluctant to lower their guard.From N?velDrama.Org.

    Jeffrey¡¯s brows twitched in astonishment. Contrary to his capoolutivio, quoper ouni nu ne yule su pone

    mo yun atm, even under this circumstance.

    He chuckled. ¡°I guess I was the one who worried too much. What¡¯s an injury to an arm when you are

    ready to throw your life away?¡±

    ¡°I will fire the moment I take myst breath.¡±

    Jasper had gone numb from the pain, but his hand holding the gun was as steady as ever.

    He continued, ¡°I believe my shooting skills will allow me to blow your head off with this shot. If you have

    any doubts, would you like to try?¡±

    Jeffrey clenched his teeth firmly, a ferocious expression taking hold of his face.

    During his tenure working for Sophia in the Beckett family, he had conducted personal investigations on

    Jasper.

    Jasper wasn¡¯t someone who was only all talk. He had graduated from the military academy with flying

    colors. He had even received multiple awards when he was with the Peacekeeping Forces.

    Furthermore, the fact that he could hold up to this point proved that he was a sharpshooter. Essentially,

    he was able to fire with infallible. uracy!

    ¡°Hey, Mr. Beckett, are you sure that an eye for an eye will be worth it for you in this case? Your life is

    priceless, whereas mine is pretty much worthless.

    ¡°To add on to that, how devastated would Ms. Alyssa be if you were to die? You¡¯re giving your all to

    protect her, but wouldn¡¯t she be made a widow at such a young age?¡±

    At the thought of Alyssa, Jasper¡¯s heart ached to the point where he almost couldn¡¯t breathe.

    He loved Alyssa. He wished he could be with her in this life and the next. He felt that he hadn¡¯t even

    loved her enough. So, how could he bear to die right here?

    However, seeking revenge on her behalf was a separate matter altogether for him. He needed Jeffrey

    to pay with his life!

    Then, one of Jeffrey¡¯s men beside him spoke to him in their localnguage. ¡°The boss ordered us to

    take him out once we capture him!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. We clearly outnumber him with our men and weapons. It will be a piece of cake to get rid

    of him. It doesn¡¯t matter how urate his shot is. Would he be faster than us? I don¡¯t believe so!¡±

    Damn it! His target wasn¡¯t the rest of them. So, of course, it was easy for them to say so!

    Jeffrey¡¯s gaze was vicious. He challenged them, saying, ¡°The few of you, would you like to get rich and

    have an early retirement?¡±

    The men nodded eagerly.

    ¡°If so, tonight, we will capture him alive. He is the son of the richest man in Sna City. We can take

    him as hostage and demand a few billion dors from him. I¡¯m sure his father would dly pay to get

    his son back!¡±

    A few billion?

    Everyone¡¯s eyes lit up, revealing their greed.

    Even though Jasper couldn¡¯t understand their conversation, he could tell one thing based on their facial

    expressions-Jeffrey might have changed his mind about killing him for the time being.

 Chapter 1008

    Jasper¡¯s death would be sufficient for Jeffrey to exact his revenge. However, if captured alive, he would

    serve as their cash cow!

    Jasper thought this was an ideal opportunity. It was great news.

    Jeffrey¡¯s greed was a golden opportunity for him!

    Jeffrey waved his hand and shouted, ¡°Everyone, take him in alive! We¡¯ll be rich!¡±

    The assassins rushed forward and mobbed Jasper.

    By now, his left arm was incapacitated. Gritting his teeth, he took aim at their hearts with his right hand

    and, without a moment¡¯s hesitation, fired once at each person, and each of them dropped dead on the

    spot.

    Ignoring the deaths of theirrades right before them, they pushed forward with feral ferocity,

    resolutely charging to capture Jasper

    It was a few billion dors, after all. A few billion dors!

    Even if it were a billion dors, it would be enough for them to live worry-free for the rest of their lives.

    They would no longer need to dirty their hands!

    Those who died only had themselves to me for running out of luck!

    Jeffrey was cunning. While these simple-minded assassins became his human shield, blocking the

    bullets for him, he retreated toward the back.

    So what if Jasper was a sharpshooter? There would surelye a time when he ran out of bullets.

    Then, all he needed to do was to take advantage of that situation and

    Following that, he could leverage Jasper¡¯s life to ckmail Javier. At that juncture, they would be

    obliged toply with his demands!

    One by one, the assassins were defeated. As for Jasper, he had exhausted all his bullets from his two

    guns and the cartridge clips on him.

    He was no longer a threat to them once he became unarmed. Furthermore, he was injured, diminishing

    his ability to fight. There. was a significant likelihood that he would be captured alive!

    Jasper was determined not to be taken alive. Even if captured, his priority was to eliminate Jeffrey

    before anything else!

    In that pivotal moment amid the chaos, Jasper grabbed a gun from one of the assassins. Immediately

    afterward, he fired two shots at Jeffrey.

    Unexpectedly, Jeffrey was crafty enough to see through his intentions, avoiding the attack by hiding

    behind one of his colleagues.

    The unfortunate assassin inadvertently became his human shield, taking two bullets to the chest.

    ¡°Jasper! I gave you a fucking way out, but you were the one who insisted oning here to die. It¡¯s no

    one¡¯s fault but your own!¡±

    Jeffrey knew that Jasper would not be able to hold on for much. longer. So, he raised his submachine

    gun in preparation to shoot him!

    All of a sudden, there was a gust of strong wind.

    Everyone was so focused on the intense fight that almost no one realized the sound of a massive

    helicopter closing in on them.

    By the time they noticed it, the helicopter was already right in front of their eyes!

    ¡°Who said you can touch my people? Go to hell, Jeffrey!¡±

    From above, a delightful, silvery voice resonated. It was crisp and radiant yet possessed a wintry and

    fierce quality!

    Jasper¡¯s heart was pounding hard in his chest. He immediately. looked up at the pitch-ck night sky in

    shock. His face was as white as a sheet.

    He saw a white-colored helicopter hovering mid-air. Then, a hangingdder dropped from the door of

    the helicopter.

    A woman stood at the top of thedder armed with a silver Desert Eagle. Her ck hair danced in the

    wind, and her eyes sparkled with a breathtaking glimmer.

    His heart raced, and it felt like his breath was being swept away. Under the moonlit sky, she appeared

    as radiant as snow, vibrant with life.

    Only a handful of women in the world possessed such soul-stirring beauty capable of making others

    tremble like a leaf.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Jasper gazed at the figure radiating as brightly as the sun, un tear his eyes away. Tears welled up in his

    eyes, and the corners lips naturally turned upward.

    His Alyssa was here.

    Alyssa was here!

 Chapter 1009

    Simultaneously, everyone looked up toward the sky in astonishment.

    If there were any fairies in real life, this woman would be one of them.

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    If angels were to ever descend to earth, this woman was that angel!

    Just as they lowered their guards, Alyssa shot a fierce look, raising her gun and firing three consecutive

    shots at Jeffrey.

    When she realized that she missed, she fired again and again!

    At that moment, Alyssa was in the zone. She aimed her gun at him and fired it non-stop. She looked as

    if she wasn¡¯t going to give up unless she shot him down.

    The recoil from firing the Desert Eagle was too strong for a woman. However, Alyssa¡¯s grip on the gun

    was perfectly stable.

    Her movements were very professional, making it obvious that she had been trained professionally.

    However, it was a shame that her aim was not as urate. None of her shots fired were on target.

    At the same time, Jeffrey was like a badger. With quick and sly movements, he dodged the bullets

    among the trees.

    Alyssa frowned. ¡°Axel! Can you go a little lower? We¡¯re still too far away!¡± she shouted to Axel, who

    was flying the helicopter.

    ¡°We¡¯re low enough! Any lower, and we will crash to the ground!¡±

    Axel was maneuvering the helicopter as best as he could. He was already breaking out in cold sweat

    from the sounds of consecutive gunfire. His heart felt as if it was going to jump out of his chest at any

    moment.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing, Lyse? Who told you that you can show your face? Get back in, now!¡±

    ¡°No! I need to let them know the consequences ofing against me! Alyssa red. Her eyes had

    gone red from the burning hatred in her.

    Then, she fired another shot, which took an assassin down.

    Jasper squinted his eyes, his gaze tracking her every movement. He sensed every muscle in his body

    tightening as blood surged through his veins.

    He was amazed at her valiant boldness yet worried that she was putting herself in danger.

    He only wished that he was nearer to her. The distance meant that he couldn¡¯t protect her in the first

    instance.

    That heart-wrenching thought made him nervous, and his fingers went numb immediately.

    ¡°Fuck! I shouldn¡¯t have listened to you and brought you along! This is the dumbest thing that I¡¯ve done

    in my entire fucking life!¡± Axel eximed with regret. the brink of tears from his self-reproach.

    He had no choice but to turn the helicopter in the other direction to retreat along with Alyssa, even if

    she hadn¡¯t agreed. Nothing was more important to him than her safety!

    However, Alyssa was never going to allow him to do that. She simply waited for the right time to let go

    of the hangingdder, and off she leaped!

    ¡°Lyse!¡± Axel instantly turned pale, and his heart pounded like mad.

    The howling wind echoed in her ears as it carried her away.

    In reality, her mind was utterly nk the moment she leaped.

    Without consideration for anything else, she only thought of getting to Jasper¡¯s side. She yearned to

    stand by him, fighting alongside him, whether in life or death.

    That year, on the battlefield at Luminara, he confronted terrorists to provide cover for her escape, going

    to great lengths to ensure her survival.

    She wanted to do the same as he did for her back then. She was ready to give up her life in exchange

    for his safety. She was not going to abandon him!

    Suddenly, she felt breathless, her vision blurred, and she entered a state of daze.

    Actually, he never owed her anything. She was still in her youth 13 years ago, and that was also when

    they first caught sight of each other. And he had saved her life.

    The war zone at Luminara was raining with bullets, and he was the one who helped her escape her

    looming death.

    She had also tried her best to bring him back to the base cam

    She wouldn¡¯t have had even the slightest sliver of hope if it weren¡¯t for him.

    In the face of death, their three years of failed marriage seemed insignificant.

    Was there anything else that was more important than life? Was there anything more important than

    living on?

    She wouldn¡¯t have be who she is today if it weren¡¯t for him.

    As these thoughts raced through her mind, Alyssa, falling through the air, neared the point of impact

    with the ground.

 Chapter 1010

    ¡°Alyssa!¡±

    Jasper felt as if his heart was about to burst from the panic.

    He forgot about the ripping pain in his wound momentarily. He dashed across without hesitation and

    opened both arms with shocking determination.

    Fortunately, he caught Alyssa in his arms.

    The gunshot wound on his left shoulder became aggravated right at the moment when he caught her.

    His ck-colored top became Completely soaked in his fresh blood.

    But he felt no pain at all. Instead, he felt relieved that he managed to catch her and let out a sincere

    smile on his face.

    He recalled the time when he was a child. Whenever he got injured or went to the hospital for

    injections, Anne would give him candy to suck on. Having the candy made him forget all about the pain.

    And, at this very moment, Alyssa was his candy. He could get through anything as long as she was

    with him.

    While being held in his arms, Alyssa caught a whiff of a strong, metallic, bloody smell from his body.

    Her heart wrenched at the sound of hisborious breathing.

    Tears streamed down her face, soaking his chest that rose and fell with each pant.

    Choking on her tears, she delivered a light punch. ¡°You liar! Stupid

    man! Why did youe here on your own? Didn¡¯t you know that your would get yourself killed like

    this?¡± she reprimanded as her entire body trembled.

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    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lyse.¡±

    Jasper embraced her as if he had just secured a priceless treasure. He caressed her gently with one

    hand on her nape.

    His eyes gleamed with pride. Unable to suppress a smile, he said, ¡°I was afraid you¡¯d want toe

    along. I don¡¯t want you to get hurt.¡±

    Alyssa tightened her grip on his shirt. ¡°You¡¯re afraid of so many things ¡­but aren¡¯t you afraid that I

    would be dead worried for you?¡± she asked in a weepy voice.

    Jasper was stunned. He felt as if lightning had struck his heart and numbed with electricity. Tears

    welled up in his eyes.

    He had never considered that question because he knew he didn¡¯t have the right to do so.

    However, now wasn¡¯t the time to be affectionate. In the next second, Jasper spun around to shield

    Alyssa. He picked up the submachine gun that he got his hands on and gunned down all the killers in

    front of him.

    At the same time, Alyssa was not about to be outdone by him either. She stood with her back against

    his and fired, taking down all the killers that were behind, too!

    Suddenly, Jasper felt his heart shudder. A particr name, etched deep within the deepest recesses of

    his memory, shed across his mind-White Dove.

    Back in Luminara, he had fought a bloody battle with a woman dressed in white next to him. They

    broke out of the situation together.

    Even though he had never seen her again, he never forgot about her, not even for a moment. He had

    long since taken her to be a sworn friend of his.

    He had assumed that he would never have the chance to meet the White Dove again.

    Yet, why did he have this surreal feeling that there was a striking resemnce between Alyssa and his

    lifesaver, the White Dove?

    Alyssa spotted Jeffrey running into the dark, endless forest. She shouted, ¡°Jeffrey has escaped! We

    have to chase after him. Quick!¡±

    She then broke into a chase.

    ¡°Lyse! Don¡¯t run! It¡¯s dangerous!¡±

    Jasper was on the verge of running after her when his vision suddenly plunged into pitch ckness.

    His sturdy frame convulsed, and he almost copsed to the ground!

    At that moment, all four of his limbs seized up. His entire body turned ice-cold, and he had barely any

    energy left.

    Gritting his teeth, he relied on his extraordinary determination to chase after Alyssa.

    Beneath his stepsy pools of fresh blood, seeping deeply into the ground.

    Shend Ind¡¯s terrain wasplicated. On top of that, its forests

    were thick. It would not be surprising if one were to lose their way once they were distracted.

    Alyssa bled from the multiple cuts scraped against tree branches, but she didn¡¯t mind them at all. She

    was fully focused on capturing Jeffrey!

    Unexpectedly, she stumbled on something under her foot. She realized she might have triggered a

    trap.

    Her heart tightened, and she immediately reacted out of reflex. She leaped out of the way, her body

    light and agile.

    Right as her feet left the ground, a trap buried underground shot up. forming an iron cage in the air!

    Alyssa stared at the suspended cage, panting heavily. Cold sweat covered her entire face

 Chapter 1011

    Had it been a second longer, Alyssa would have been trapped in the cage like an animal waiting to be

    ughtered.

    Then, she heard a sinisterughing from the shadows.

    ¡°Jeffrey! Come out here this instant!

    Having tagged along with Jonah and Axel for training since she was young, Alyssa possessed superb

    hearing.

    In an instant, she identified the direction of the sound, gripping her gun with both hands.

    Aiming at the barely visible shadow, she pressed the trigger.

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    She was surprised to find that she had run out of ammunition. She had used up all her bullets during

    the intense gunfight earlier on.

    Before she knew it, she was drenched in sweat, and her shoulders were trembling.

    She promptly felt around her back, only to discover that her backup cartridge clip wasn¡¯t there.

    Panicking, she nced around her and saw that the cartridge clip had fallen to the ground a few steps

    away from her.

    She identally dropped it while dodging the trap a moment ago.

    Right when she was about to pick it up, two shots were fired at her. feet. She froze, not daring to make

    any abrupt movements!

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen your skills in action before, Ms. Alyssa. You are indeed an outstanding woman.¡±

    Following his evilughter, Jeffrey emerged slowly from the shadows. a faint glint.

    He pointed the arrow at Alyssa and said, ¡°From wild rabbits torge. wolves, no one has ever dodged

    this cage of ours.

    ¡°I do have to hand it to you, Ms. Alyssa. You¡¯re attractive, rich, and capable of fighting. No wonder a

    proud man like Jasper Beckett would fall head over heels for you.¡±

    ¡°Shut your trap!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s expression turned cold. She employed her fierce and frosty gaze to conceal her overwhelming

    terror.

    ¡°Jeffrey, you only have one option. Return with me to Sna City to expose Sophia¡¯s crimes and face

    thewful punishment you deserve! Otherwise, tonight, you will be dead meat!¡±

    Jeffrey erupted inughter. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, why is it that you¡¯re just like Jasper? Both of you are relentless

    as long as you believe you still have a chance. Or, do all you plutocrats possess such arrogance to

    think that I wouldn¡¯t dare to kill you?¡±

    ¡°If you dare toy even a finger on me, the rest of the Taylor family will wipe the entire Shend Ind

    out. Trust me!¡± Alyssa sneered through gritted teeth, each word delivered with powerful conviction.

    Jeffrey was speechless.

    ¡°If you were to fire a single bullet at me, my brothers will go on a shooting spree at you in the future.

    They will blow your limbs off and leave you to die. Would you like to have a taste of that?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s impactful threat truly made Jeffrey think twice.

    He figured that Alyssa was different from Jasper, an illegitimate child. She wasn¡¯t hurling empty threats.

    The other Taylor family members were not to be angered.

    Moreover, there was also Winston. He was someone that even the royalties had to show respect to.

    Just as Jeffrey was distracted, Alyssa leaped forward and picked up the cartridge clip from the ground.

    She loaded her gun speedily.

    She moved with the swiftness of the wind, leaving a remarkable impression!

    Jeffrey had a shock. Without giving any extra thought, he fired an arrow straight at Alyssa¡¯s chest!

    The arrow glided through the air.

    Alyssa became stiff on the spot, just like a rabbit ensnared by a hunter. She didn¡¯t have time to avoid

    the arrow, let alone fire her gun!

    She shut her eyes in fright, her entire body paralyzed.

    However, out of nowhere, she felt a forceful embrace around her. Someone with a burning boldness

    had shielded her from the arrow.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes shot wide open in shock. She saw Jasper¡¯s pale face dripping with sweat.

    Through his bloodshot eyes, he gazed deeply into hers. He event looked as if he was doting on her for

    a moment.

    ¡°Are you alright, Lyse?¡±

    Alyssa stared at him dumbfoundedly. Tears began streaming down her cheeks uncontrobly.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m alright¡­¡± Jasperforted her in a low voice, caressing her trembling

    back.

    In the next second, she felt the weight of his entire body on her. He had used up thest of the strength

    in him and fell unconscious. ¡°Jasper! Jasper!¡±

 Chapter 1012

    Alyssa expended all her energy to hold onto him, repeatedly calling out his name by his ear.

    Yet, Jasper, who always responded to her, could not do so now.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Jasper!¡±

    ¡°Lyse! Axel is here!¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Jasper! I¡¯m here!¡±

    Jonah, Axel, and Landon were finally there to convene with them.

    Jonah fired two consecutive shots. One of his shots smashed Jeffrey¡¯s kneecap into pieces, whereas

    the other hit him on rm. He dropped his crossbow to the ground and started howlin

    Even so, he wasn¡¯t going to give up. He crawled on the ground retrieve his weapon to fight back.

    Fortunately, Axel was alert and agile. He swiftly positioned himse front of Jeffrey. Smirking wryly, he

    ced his foot on Jeffrey¡¯s han and angrily ground it into his hand.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Jeffrey¡¯s scream tore through the eerie night. The cracking sounds as his bones broke were enough to

    make everyone¡¯s hair stand.

    Jeffrey¡¯s hand, once used for countless evil deeds, was now renderedpletely useless.

    The rest of their men soon arrived one after another, and Jeffrey was and those who were alive were all

    arrested as We were juicy,

    Their hideout in Shend Ind was essentially cleared out.

    The people from Harper Group also discovered an array of lethal weapons.

    Landon was rather tempted to take them back to Sna City for his own keeping. But he didn¡¯t have a

    ship that was big enough.

    Moreover, the paramount task at hand was swiftly transporting Jasper to the hospital for treatment. Any

    dy could further jeopardize his life.

    ¡°Jasper¡­ Wake up¡­ Please wake up!¡±

    A Alyssa was with Jasper as they moved him into the helicopter. She hheld firmly onto his hand the

    entire way.

    HHer hair was messy, and she had cried until her eyes were red. Yet, tetears continuously flowed as

    she sobbed.

    Observing her, her brothers felt a profound sense of symp

    DiOnly did Alyssa realize that Jasper had been shot in his left

    ByBy that time, he had already lost a lot of blood. However, he still chcharged toward the enemy,

    refusing to yield. He was determined toto show any weakness.

    Mororeover, he also caught her with his arms when she jumped out frorom the helicopter. Even if it

    meant losing more blood, he still prorotected her with all of his life.

    How coddld she be so stupid and stubborn?

    There was ordnly one Jasper Beckett in this world.

    Why wasit ihthat she didn¡¯t know how to appreciate him?

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡±

    Jonah and Axel stood behind her. Their heart ached at the sight of her choking on her tears in grief, but

    they were unsure of how they could console her.

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    Landon¡¯s usual expressive demeanor gave way to a worried gaze, leaving him enveloped in an air of

    anxiety. He couldn¡¯t even bring himself to smile.

    Nervously, he dug his nails into his palms, silently shuddering with panic.

    Following the moment when Jasper was lifted to the waiting

    helicopter, Landon personally escorted him. He was to fly them away from Shend Ind and head

    toward Tsulu¡¯s capital.

    There, they would search for the best hospital to save Jasper.

    Alyssa covered her face with her hands. She tried to suppress her cries as she choked back her tears,

    but her tears just wouldn¡¯t stop. They continued to flow through the gaps between her fingers.

    ¡°Lyse.¡±

    Jonah walked over to give her a hug. She snuggled in his arms, crying even harder.

    ¡°Jasper will be fine. The gods will protect those who are kind and brave and those who live for love.¡±

    ¡°Will¡­ he¡­¡± Sobbing, Alyssa¡¯s voice cracked.

    ¡°He will. I¡¯m sure he will.¡±

    Jonah closed his eyes and prayed silently for Jasper.

    He prayed for Jasper to get through this cmity. He wished that Jasper could be reunited with Alyssa

    so that they could spend the

    If needed he went willing to mvchange his life for their lives to be coretan happy and

 Chapter 1013

    Landon transported Jasper to the best hospital in Tsulu¡¯s capital city as fast as he could.

    Jasper was in a critical condition as he had suffered a severe injury and had lost a lot of blood.

    Ever since Landon was young, he barely cried. However, he couldn¡¯t help but tear up when he saw

    how pale and weak Jasper looked as the medical staff pushed him into the emergency room.

    He quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

    ¡°Mr. Harper,¡± said a cheerful voice from behind him. Landon was taken aback. He then turned around in

    confusion and noticed a man dressed in scrubs.

    ¡°You are¡­¡±

    He had a vague memory of him. It was the man whom Alyssa brought as her partner to the cocktail

    party at Berenike Hotel.

    ¡°I¡¯m Julien Lovce. You can call me Dr. Lovce.¡±

    Right after he introduced himself, he walked past Landon. As hel brushed past him, he said in a low

    voice, ¡°I will handle your friend¡¯s injury.¡±

    ¡°You? You are a doctor?¡±

    Landon stared at him with a gaze full of astonishment. ¡°Aren¡¯t you in Sna City? What are you doing

    here?¡±

    ¡°Jonah called me here.¡±

    At the mention of Jonah, the man with whom he had a love-hate rtionship, Julien¡¯s brows twitched.

    Still, his heart raced. excontinued, ¡°He didn¡¯t go into the specifics with me. Helsimplyly entioneel that

    his current task was high-risk and that he may require acodissupport. Hence, I have been waiting at

    this hospital sincece statiti¡±¡±

    thisthathildetoout a small, proud smile. ¡°I was already nning toto wwe. But by thee took of things

    now, it is good that I hadn¡¯t left. Thisis nnot beedidore without me!¡±

    lien struggbeat to ept that he had to lower himself to such

    pths. Jonatiwas afready such a big bully to him. Yet, he still came er to help him once he received his

    call.

    hile abroad, Jullen gained fame within the gaymunity,ing the desiriocice for many. Despite

    passionate pursuits mn numerous men even tite sons of affluent families could only mire hirn from afar,

    unaaced to attain his affection. nah emanated nobilitwanaosetegance, coupled with a reser and stinent

    demeanor. Howeveerim donans presence, Julien fo mself irresistibly falling foon even knowing that his

    lo is destined to be trapics

    Julien pushed the door to the energency room, Landon cried y! Can you really be trusted? Jaspers ife

    is in your hands!¡±

    thout turning his head around, Julle sneered coldly. ¡°Dr. White is

    the only miracle doctor in this world

    multaneously, the night¡¯s operation sess. fly eradicated the

    ms dealers on Shend Ind, deeply prowoking the mastermind

    chestrating the lucrative industry in Tspldu.

    ffrey had been apprehended, and news of his capture spurred

    utu¡¯s military and police into action.

    Now, all involved were captives within the country, stranded and unable to return to Sna City, much

    less apany Jeffrey back.

    No extradition treaty existed between Cyrris and Tsulu. Even if Cyrus were to plead with his superiors

    in Sna City, he wouldn¡¯t be able to secure assistance from the Cyrris police force.

    The situation had be even more intricate.

    Since they could not return to Sna City immediately, Alyssa was no longer in a rush. After leaving

    Shend Ind, she drove straight to the hospital.

    She nned to watch after Jasper day and night.

    Axel was in one vehicle, along with Jeffrey, who was tied up. Alyssa and Jonah were in the other

    vehicle.

    Alyssa clutched Jonah¡¯s hand tightly throughout their journey, and he gently ced her icy hand

    against his warm chest. His worried expression never wavered as he kept a close eye on her.

    The color had drained from Alyssa¡¯s face, a manifestation of her overwhelming anxiety.

    He could feel that her palm was damp with cold sweat. It was as if he was holding a block of ice. No

    matter how he tried, he could not warm her hand up.

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    He called out to her softly, ¡°Lyse.¡±

    She looked up, her eyes swollen and red, still brimming with tears.

    She stared at him nkly.

    She was still alive.

 Chapter 1014

    Yet, it felt as if Alyssa¡¯s soul had gone over to Jasper¡¯s side. All that was left was a beautiful outer shell.

    Jonah let out a quiet sigh. He unbuttoned one of his shirt buttons and reached into his cor. He

    retrieved a silver cross, which he wore at all times.

    ¡°Give this to Jasper when he wakes up.¡±

    He ced the chain into Alyssa¡¯s palm and closed her fingers around

    ¡°Jonah, this¡­ This is¡­¡± she stammered in surprise, her eyes reflecting a sense of astonishment.

    ¡°This chain isn¡¯t worth much, but it holds significant meaning to me. I¡¯ve been wearing it for over ten

    years. Mysterious as it may seem, it has protected me all these years. Whenever I find myself in

    danger or get into big trouble, it has helped me get out of those situations.¡±

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    Jonah smiled bitterly, but he had a burning determination in his eyes at the same time.

    He continued, ¡°Now that it hase to this, there is nothing else that I can do. It is all up to God. We

    just have to wait and see if Jasper is strong enough to get through this. As for me, I can only pray for

    him. I¡¯ll ce my hope in God. I hope you won¡¯tugh at me, Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa sniffled. Unable to hold back her tears, she started crying again, burying her head into Jonah¡¯s

    arms and sobbing like a devastated child.

    ¡°Jonah, thank you. Thanks¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯ll be angry if you don¡¯t stop thanking me,¡± Jonah

    Mixed feelings welled up in Alyssa¡¯s heart, and she bawled her eyes out.

    ¡°Lyse, once Jasper regains consciousness, you should treat him well. At the very least, stop making

    things difficult for him. Don¡¯t be mad at him anymore.¡±

    Jonah gently stroked the top of her head. He sighed, ¡°He has really tried his best for you. I don¡¯t think I

    could have done the same as he did if it were me.¡±

    Once again, the scene when Jasper rushed to her and shielded her from the arrow shed across her

    eyes.

    ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t cry¡­¡±

    She closed her eyes tight, but tears continued streaming down her face.

    The Taylor family arrived at the hospital and entered the underground parking lot.

    When they arrived, Landon was already there, waiting for them.

    The moment Alyssa got out of the car, she ran toward him with an anxious and worried look in her

    eyes. ¡°How is Jasper?¡± she asked.

    Landon exined, ¡°He¡¯s in the emergency room. His surgeon is someone you know.¡±

    ¡°Someone I know¡­ Is it Julien?¡± She was sharp and figured it out in a heartbeat.

    Then, she turned back to look at Jonah.

    Jonah looked back at her calmly. Simply from the look in his eyes,

    ¡°Yeah. He has been in surgery for about three hours.¡±

    Landon was very concerned. He feltpelled to object.

    ¡°Lyse, I heard that Dr. Lovce is a rtive of Mrs. Taylor. Is he reliable? He looked so goofy. It¡¯s like

    as if he is here to y. Why does he look so unreliable?

    ¡°Would it be better if you were to take over in person? You were the one who operated on Jasper¡¯s

    brainst time, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    Alyssa was at a loss for words.

    ¡°y? I¡¯ll show him what y is.¡±

    Axel put his hand by the car window with a cigarette between his fingers. He couldn¡¯t help but mock,

    ¡°He¡¯s a fop. Seems like the Harper family failed to teach you about that.¡±

    ¡°Good on you for knowing what it means, smarty pants,¡± Landon scoffed in response.

    Landon simply pouted and mumbled to himself because he was

    Alyssa¡¯s brother. He would¡¯veshed out a long time ago if it were. someone else.

    ¡°In Mosgravia, Dr. Lovce¡¯s medical capabilities areparable with Dr. White¡¯s.¡±

    Jonah furrowed his brows slightly. He then asked in a voice cold enough to make anyone shiver, ¡°You

    are also from a wealthy and reputable family, Mr. Landon. You should be able toprehend that there

    is always someone better than you out there, right?¡±

 Chapter 1015

    Alyssa and Axel were rendered speechless.

    Jonah¡¯s tone suggested he was upset.

    Was he standing up for Julien?

    Landon was Cornelius¡¯ eldest grandchild. He grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He never had to

    answer to anyone.

    However, even he, who wasn¡¯t sensitive to these things, could sense the trace of anger in Jonah¡¯s cold

    gaze.

    He let out an awkwardugh. ¡°I-I-I¡¯m just asking. I¡¯m sure Mr. Jonah invited a miracle doctor. I worried

    for nothing.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Landon, Dr. Lovce is a better doctor than me. Don¡¯t worry. The operation is in good hands.¡±

    Alyssa choked slightly as she said it. Her eyes reddened. ¡°Once Jasper gets over this, I still have to

    rely on Dr. Lovce for his care.

    ¡°He is an expert in neurology. He should know what to do with Jasper¡¯s physicalplications.¡±

    Upon reaching the end of her statement, her tone softened, and her eyes betrayed a sense of guilt.

    Landon¡¯s breath quickened.

    He was careless with words, so he didn¡¯t dare tofort her. He was worried he would upset her by

    saying all the wrong things, consequently making things worse.

    ¡°Damn it! That bastard, Jeffrey, is the cause of all this!¡±

    Landon, his eyes aze, rolled up his sleeves. His arms disyed elcar, right? Let me make him lose

    half of thissfucking life before inting him away.¡±

    ter, a procession of cars inundated the basernent parking tots, ivancing directly toward them. screech

    of brakes echoed through the darkness, anthaapsd table pse of oppressive intensity filled the

    surroundings.

    Le have uninvitedpany.¡± Jonah frowned and held Alyssabbyther

    Mist.

    eseve itave uninvitedpany.¡±

    ear tighean tightened. Her gaze turned piercingly cold as she ibe meni desaten disembarking from the

    car.

    police une undorm that betrayed his high rank, a man in hiss Videntified esta co as amander

    by the shoulder badge, to he

    n was a squad dresseiressed in sugu police uniforms. The

    orcement.cement.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    cied Alyssa andana anoate others, their stern gazes generating

    1g vibe.

    andon stood poised, reaged, ready for potential altercation.

    ound like a mummy with a with a cloth in his mouth, recognized ommander was with his boshitoors. He

    knew his savior had

    s right, he cried for help. reism. He squirmed like a worm within

    s movements causing the venicte renicle to shake.

    word, Axel pulled out a sharp danarg dagger out of nowhere and effrey¡¯s thigh. His face was

    expressiegressionless.

    Jeffrey winced in pain. He couldn¡¯t scream no matter how hard he tried. He could only twitch in pain. It

    was better to be dead at this point.

    ¡°You better behave yourself.¡±

    Axel kept his dagger. He narrowed his eyes dangerously. Then, he took a cigarette out and flicked it

    with his fingertips. His mouth caught the cigarette.

    Axel continued, ¡°Or else, you can trust that I have a hundred ways to handle you before you even think

    about leaving this car. Torture is my kind of game.¡±

    Jeffrey shuddered. He was so terrified that he had forgotten the pain.

    To him, Axel was the most terrifying man that ever walked the earth. He was the devil disguised as a

    man, charming and arrogant.

    Throughout the journey, he observed Axel extracting either an unidentified object or a secret weapon. It

    felt like a magic trick.

    He was curious to know if Axel was secretly a wizard.

    He was worried he might cast a deadly spell on him at this rate.

    Jeffrey was scared out of his wits.

    ¡°We received a report that you held a high-profile person from Tsulu, hostage.¡±

 Chapter 1016

    Themander cleared his throat. He spoke in fluent Grunndish,¡± I would urge you to hand the

    hostage over, surrender any weapons in your possession, and follow us back for an investigation.

    ¡°Otherwise, we will deal with you seriously. Our country is strict inw. You will be ounted for each

    vitionmitted. You will not be able to bear the consequences.¡±

    ¡°Haha, strict inw? You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Alyssaughed derisively.

    Intrigued, themander sized Alyssa up. He then sneered. ¡°Youngdy, you have a sharp tongue.

    Aren¡¯t you afraid of spending the rest of your life in jail?¡±

    Jeffrey perked his ears up to listen to the conversation outs He couldn¡¯t help but smile smugly.

    ¡°What¡¯s with the smile, you idiot?¡±

    Axel grabbed him and punched him in the face. Jeffrey¡¯s nos profusely.

    ¡°The one who should spend the rest of his life in jail should be the e ¡®hostage¡¯ you spoke of.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were filled with hatred. A cold and intimidating glint flickered in her eyes.

    ¡°Jeffrey sold firearms, trafficked drugs, and did every sinister thing in the book on yournd. Not only

    did you not bring this man to justice, you¡¯re taking his side instead. What a corrupted society this is.

    Yet, you even dare say how just and fair your country is.¡±

    Landon blinked his eyes. ¡°Goddamn! What aeback! Preach,

    ¡°You¡­¡± Themander was up in arms. His eyes widened dramatically.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care what Jeffrey had done in your country. I can¡¯t sympathize with the citizens of this country

    living in this abyss of suffering.¡±

    Alyssa clenched her fists furiously. ¡°But he murdered an innocentdy in my country. He has to follow

    me back and receive his punishment. A life for a life!

    ¡°I don¡¯t care whose bitch he is or who he has his back. By hook or by crook, I¡¯m bringing Jeffrey with

    me. I will bring him back, dead or alive.

    Themander gnashed his teeth and red at her. ¡°This man is from Tsulu. By right, the Tsulu police

    force should conduct the arrest and interrogation.

    ¡°Plus, you have shot down countless citizens residing in Shend Ind. ording to our country¡¯s

    law, all of you should be hung. Now, you have the audacity to keep someone captive? Dream on!

    Everyone, arrest them.¡±

    Under themander¡¯s order, the police officers behind him charged forward. They took the handcuffs

    dangling on their waist, ready to cuff all of them.

    Jonah and Landon reacted immediately. Without hesitation, they stood before Alyssa to block the

    police officers from her.

    One was protecting his sister, while the other was protecting his best friend¡¯s beloved.

    A cold glint flickered in Axel¡¯s eyes as he looked at Jeffrey in the car. His hand was holding a gun,

    ready to charge forward to protect his sister and brother.

    When one of the police officers reached his hand out to Jonah, Jonah sneered. Swiftly, he seized the

    policeman¡¯s wrist and deftly threw him by his arm.

    The policeman couldn¡¯t react in time. Simr to stepping on a banana peel, he was thrown off the

    ground. Upon impact, he crashed violently onto the ground, his arm dislocating and his tailbone

    breaking.

    ¡°Shit¡­ That was so cool.¡± Landon widened his eyes in astonishment.

    Once they safely returned to Sna City, he would ask Jonah where he learned that trick.

    ¡°You¡­ This is outrageous! How dare you assault a police officer!¡±

    Themander blew his top. Assaulting a police officer was a felony in any country. He was outraged

    and shouted angrily, ¡°Get them! I don¡¯t care what you do. We must lock these people up. Get them

    now!

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Everyone charged forward like a swarm of bees. The situation was about to go into utter chaos.

    Alyssa¡¯s keen eyes zed with rage, a fiery me burning within her chest as she readied herself for

    the impending situation.

    Suddenly, a sequence of sharp whistles echoed through the air, disrupting themotion in the

    parking lot. The abrupt cessation. resembled the pressing of a stop button, prompting even Alyssa and

    Jonah to halt.

    Amidst the chaos, a high-end ck luxury car adorned with a silver roof slowly approached.

 Chapter 1017

    Everyone was on edge.

    ¡°Who the hell is this?¡± Landon spat out through gnashed teeth, a deep frown etched across his face..

    He loathed himself and Jasper for leaving too hastily. They didn¡¯t bring enough reinforcements to assert

    control and intimidate these troublemakers.

    Amander seemed insignificant here, earning no more respect than anyone else. Even a major

    would have to ord him the respect he deserved if they were in Sna City.

    ¡°You¡¯re a grown man. Why are you acting like a headless chicken, losing yourposure when

    something happens?¡±

    Axel yfully teased Landon with a sidelong nce, the cigare between his lips bobbing up and down.

    Despite his outward appearance of calm andposure, he tightly gripped the gun hand.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care who the hell this is or whether he¡¯s alone or with a grou

    I will teach them a lesson.

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Landon nodded, reacting quickly. Then, he frowned with anger. ¡°Shit. What do you mean

    by a headless chicken? Take a look at yourself in the mirror.¡±

    Axel couldn¡¯t be bothered. He annoyingly whistled. ¡°I don¡¯t mind that. I am the cream of the crop. If you

    and I fight topete against each other, I will win over you by a mile.¡±

    Landon couldn¡¯t stand him, nor could he beat him. Yet, he couldn¡¯t outwit him with his mouth. He was

    outrageous.

    At this moment, Alyssa and the rest realized the entire parking lot was locked down.

    Two groups of guards wearing royal uniforms rushed in hastily. They lined up neatly on both sides. It

    was intimidating.

    Themander saw what happened and frantically hid in one corner. He saluted respectfully with a

    serious look on his face.

    ¡°Phew, it must be a big shot that came. What a dramatic entrance.¡± Axel whistled.

    ¡°From the looks of things, it seems like the person is royalty. From what I know, the royal family

    members are harboring the local arms. dealers. Tsulu¡¯s government is extremely corrupted.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s face darkened. However, his hand that rested on Alyssa¡¯s shoulder was warm and strong. It

    gave her a strong sense of security. ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, Lyse. It doesn¡¯t matter whoes at us with

    trouble. I will make sure you leave safe and sound.¡±

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    Alyssa took a deep breath. She rested her hand on Jonah¡¯s we will do this together. Jonah, I¡¯m no

    longer the princess you hold delicately in the palm of your hand anymore. I have what i to protect you,

    too.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I forgot.¡±

    Jonah smiled with a gentle look on his face. ¡°My little sister had grown up.¡±

    Only when one truly loved another would the person always be treated as a child.

    The luxury car came to a steady stop. Subsequently, the guards swiftly approached with respect,

    opening both sides of the door. Simultaneously, passengers on both the left and right sides

    disembarked from the vehicle.

    The one on the left was graceful and dignified. She wore a blue embroidered long silk dress, a beautiful

    lady decked in the finest jewelry. At one nce, anyone could tell how rich and powerful she was.

    ¡°Your Honor, Queen Magdalene.¡±

    Everyone knelt on one knee and saluted. Alyssa and the rest were instantly brought back in time to the

    days of the monarchy.

    At this time, the person on the right got out of the car slowly.

    Thedy was as beautiful as art. She was elegant and graceful. Her eyes twinkled, appearing noble

    and confident.

    She had a graceful figure. She wore a white haute couture suit with an emerald brooch embellished

    with diamonds on her chest. It was dazzling.

    Alexa designed this personally for her as a birthday gift three years ago.

    She loved it dearly. It was a treasure to her.

    Themander saw Queen Magdalene, and thedy walke hand in hand. He quickly bowed deeply.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you, M Madam President.¡±

    He never expected Queen Magdalene to know the Madam Preside of Kontina personally, let alone how

    close they were.

 Chapter 1018

    ¡°Miley! Miley!¡±

    The moment Alyssa saw Miley, she couldn¡¯t help but scream. She was so excited that her eyes

    reddened.

    Jonah and Axel were shocked.

    ¡°Miley!¡±

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    Miley was thrilled. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at her family. Her voice trembled slightly.

    ¡°Jonah, Axel!¡±

    ¡°O-Oh, my God!¡±

    Queen Magdalene covered her mouth, and she looked at them in shock.

    ¡°Miley, don¡¯t tell me they are your family. This is unbelieva wonder you told me you had to bring me

    here to meet them matter what. Wow! My dearest best friend, I¡¯m thrilled to m family in my country.¡±

    Queen Magdalene sounded excited from her tone, innocent and sweet.

    ¡°I mentioned bringing you to Belbanks to visit my ce before, but I never anticipated such a

    coincidental encounter with my siblings. I¡¯m truly at a loss for words.¡±

    Miley tried to maintain her currentposure as she elegantly walked toward her family.

    As she walked past themander, she cast a cold, disdainful gaze in his direction-a chilling,

    domineering look. Anyone who received nut ylunive moulu mounouvory nutu ne

    Themander lowered his head. His legs were about to give way.

    Even if he bet his life, he would never have expected Madam President of Kontina to be rted to

    these criminals.

    ¡°Miley, why did youe here?¡±

    Alyssa hastily walked toward her. She held her sister¡¯s hand as tears welled up in her eyes. She was

    worried.

    ¡°It¡¯s so dangerous. You and Jeremy are high-profile individuals in Kontina. You should be guarded

    heavily and have bodyguards follow you closely if you are doing anything outside your usual routine.

    Why did youe to Tsulu by yourself? How could Jeremy let you?¡±

    Earlier, she had reached out to Miley seeking her connections to notify them of their impending arrival.

    The intention was to preempt any obstacles to their mission. Nevertheless, she hadn¡¯t anticipated Miley

    showing up in person.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°I was too worried for you. When I heard the news, I canceled my schedule and came over.¡±

    Miley¡¯s eyes betrayed her anxiety. ¡°Lyse, are you okay? You didn¡¯t get hurt, did you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m okay. Jonah and Axel are okay, too. However¡­¡± Alyssa bit her lip and lowered her gaze

    ¡°Did something happen to Mr. Beckett?¡± Miley¡¯s heart tightened.

    ¡°Mandy¡¯s nephew is an astounding doctor. I purposely flew him back. from overseas. Now, he is trying

    his best to treat Jasper.¡± Jonah¡¯s jaw tightened. He was obviously nervous.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯ve heard good things about Dr. Lovce, too. I¡¯m sure Mr. Beckett will be fine in his

    hands. Don¡¯t worry, Lyse.¡±

    Miley¡¯s eyes reddened. She extended her hand and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes. ¡°Like you always say, Mr. Beckett has a body of steel. He is stronger than the average

    man. Plus, with Dr. Lovce¡¯s astounding medical skills, I¡¯m sure Mr. Beckett will be safe from danger.

    ¡°Plus, I haven¡¯t gotten an invitation to your wedding yet. Three years ago, he hid your marriage from

    the rest of the world. And three yearster, he wants to marry you. He must throw you the wedding of

    the century. He hasn¡¯t given you anything yet. He can¡¯t die.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart beat wildly. Her face was reddened from embarrassment. ¡°Wait until he wakes up before

    we talk about who will marry him.¡±

    After a brief heartwarming moment, Miley held Alyssa¡¯s hand and stared at themander coldly.

    ¡°Queen Magdalene, my siblings. came to Tsulu for a holiday to rx. I never thought the police

    commander would provide such a friendly wee. We beyond grateful.¡±

    Themander gritted his teeth hard. Cold sweat broke

    From Queen Magdalene¡¯s tone, she was obviously upset. ¡°Mr. noticed you¡¯ve brought a whole gang of

    people armed with weaj What are you trying to do to my friend¡¯s family?¡±

    ¡°Queen Magdalene, despite being Madam President¡¯s family, they have vited thews of ournd.

    The truth is, they shot and killed our people.

    ¡°As themanding chief of the police force, it¡¯s my responsibility to apprehend these individuals.¡± Up

    to this point, Miguel Brock bravely stood his ground and defended his position.

 Chapter 1019

    However, Queen Magitatene was merely part of the royal harem. She might have beamimalhigh

    position, but she did not have real power. Considering the pros and cons of the situation, she wouldn¡¯t

    protect foreigners.

    ¡°Citizens?¡± Miley scoffed. The person my sister caught is not from Tsulu. He is from our country.

    However, my country has no grounds. for extradition from youramuntry. Therefore, the cops couldn¡¯t

    bring this despicable murderer to custaty

    Based on what I know, those killed at gunpoint were no saints either. They were vicious people who

    had blood on their hands. They settled themselves in Shend Ind with the backing of arms dealers.

    They dict nothing but evil there.

    ¡°Your police force didn¡¯t capure charge them for theires. turn, you gave them immunity. Hana Mr. Brack,

    you trave You wem as far as to coilutte with the govemment, disregw of thend and failing to

    distinguish wrong from right. these happened right under Queen Mattiene¡¯s nose.

    Miquel was silenced from theeback.

    Tsui was no stranger to such dirty ticks. However, he still felt fearful as someone aired his dirtyundry

    so amely

    The cension in the atmosphere was palpable and suffocating.

    Queen Magdalene lowered her gaze and though for along while. Them, she spoke softly, ¡°Mr. Brock,

    kneel before Matham President¡¯s framillyandapologize. This is an order. Then, do what it takes to

    assium them and bring the murderer back to their county¡±

    Alyssals: ewes flickered with a certain emotion as Queem Magdalene

    ¡°Haha, Queen Magdalene is such a reliable person.¡±

    Satisfied, Landon rubbed his chin. ¡°Queen Magdalene is definitely Ms. Taylor¡¯s best friend. She did

    what she could as her friend.¡±

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t speak of my sister like she is older than she¡¯s supposed to be. She is one year younger

    than you. Do you think she is that old?¡± Axel shot him down once again.

    Axel wasn¡¯t sure why he disliked Landon. He saw Landon as nothing more than a foolish mule.

    Landon clenched his teeth so hard that they ached. ¡°Referring to her as ¡®Ms. Taylor¡¯ is my way of

    showing respect. What would you know?¡±

    Upon hearing what Queen Magdalene said, Jeffrey reacted like an ant on a hot pan, his face turning as

    red as a tomato.

    ¡°Queen Magdalene, I may be themanding chief of the police force, but I¡¯m only following orders.¡±

    Miguel¡¯s face paled from anger. He refused to kneel. ¡°Given your position, Queen Magdalene, it¡¯s best

    you don¡¯t interfere with such trivial matters. I think you should ask the secretary to bring this up to the

    king and let him decide.¡±

    ¡°Following orders? By whom?¡± Queen Magdalene quirked a brow.

    Miguel was rendered speechless.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    In this tense moment, a voice said, ¡°Queen Magdalene.¡±

    Everyone turned toward the voice. A man dressed in Tsulu¡¯s royal clothing walked over and paid

    Queen Magdalene his respects.

    ¡°And this is¡­¡± Alyssa blinked her eyes curiously.

    ¡°He is the chief secretary to Tsulu¡¯s king. Not only does he manage the king¡¯s daily schedule, he is by

    the king¡¯s side 24/7. He also rys the king¡¯s orders. He may not be the highest-ranking person, but he

    has quite a lot of power,¡± Miley whispered in Alyssa¡¯s ear.

    ¡°I got it. The eunuchs by the king¡¯s side are mid-rank.¡±

    ¡°Shush¡­¡± Miley ced her index finger on her lips. Alyssa cheekily showed her tongue.

    ¡°Are you here with a decree from the king?¡± Queen Magdaleneughed lightly as she asked.

    ¡°Yes, Queen Magdalene,¡± the chief secretary answered respectfully.¡±

    Miguel¡¯s eyes swirled as a sinister smile appeared on his face.

    He believed the king was not as ignorant as Queen Magdalene to break the bnce the Tsulu

    government had established for centuries.

    The chief secretary smiled ambiguously. Then, he said sternly. ¡°Now, let me pass the king¡¯s decree.¡±

    As he spoke, everyone from Tsulu got on one knee. They lowered their heads, ready to receive the

    decree.

    However, Alyssa and the rest remained standing. Foreigners did not need to do the same.

 Chapter 1020

    The police chief, Miguel Brock, had engaged in collusion and epted bribes. For years, he had

    leveraged his position to shield criminals, disregarding the country¡¯s welfare and its citizens¡¯ safety.

    Now, he was attempting to aid his arms-dealing aplices in evading thew and assisting a

    murderer¡¯s escape.

    ¡°After careful consideration with the parliament, I hereby decree that Miguel Brock be removed from his

    position, be apprehended immediately, and receive severe punishment.¡±

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Everyone¡¯s jaws dropped.

    The king personally decreed for Miguel to be removed from his position for the benefit of a few

    foreigners.

    There was likely more to the situation than initially apparent.

    When Queen Magdalene heard that decree, a smile appeared on her face. She was intrigued. She

    eyed Miley secretly and winked at her.

    Miley¡¯s face was as red as a tomato,

    In the car, Jeffrey¡¯s eyes darkened. He felt more hopeless than death. itself.

    ¡°I-I was following someone¡¯s orders! I had no choice!¡±

    Miguel¡¯s knee went weak as he knelt on the ground. He wanted to cry, but there were no tears. He

    begged for mercy.

    ¡°Queen Magdalene, I¡¯m only a police chief¡­ Others who have higher ranks than me were pushing me

    to a corner. I have no choice but to obey them. Please, Queen Magdelene. Help me plead for mercy, I

    beg you.¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Who is higher ranked than you that could push you to a corner?¡± Queen Magdalene asked

    lazily.

    ¡°The Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Army, Inigo Montoye.¡±

    When Queen Magdalene heard that name, her face darkened.

    However, an inexplicable look appeared on the faces of Alyssa and the rest.

    As Madam President of Kontina, Miley¡¯s arrival had put a chaotic situation to rest. Even though she

    wasn¡¯t originally from Tsulu, being a Taylor with a close connection to Queen Magdalene carried

    significance.

    Given the current international political climate, Kontina had forged strong ties with Tsulu.

    Jeremy, Miley¡¯s husband and the president of Kontina, had recentl finalized crucial partnerships. Both

    Kontina and Tsulu were in the early stages of a favorable rtionship.

    So, Miley¡¯s status held some weight within the royal family. The king and queen were obliged to listen

    to her to a certain degree.

    Dismissed on the spot, Miguel lost hismander¡¯s shoulder badge and knelt weakly. He was then

    dragged into the police car.

    The secretary was ready to escort Queen Magdalene back to the pce.

    Before she left, she hugged Miley and bade her goodbye, even though she was unwilling to part with

    her.

    ¡°Miley, when is the next time you wille and hang out with me again?¡± Queen Magdalene asked,

    teary-eyed.

    ¡°I will visit you when I am free.¡± Miley wiped her tears away, like an elder sister would for her younger

    sister.

    ¡°But you¡¯re always busy.¡±

    ¡°We will see each other again, I promise.¡±

    Miley sent Queen Magdalene off. She looked in the direction where the luxury car left and waved

    goodbye.

    ¡°Miley, I never realized you were so close to Queen Magdalene. I must admit, seeing both of you

    together makes me a bit jealous.¡± Alyssa yfully hugged her arm, nestling her face against Miley¡¯s

    shoulder.

    ¡°Oh, you jealous little bunny.¡±

    Mileyughed lovingly. Then, she pinched Alyssa¡¯s reddened nose tip. ¡°You have so many people

    loving and spoiling you. You also have loyal subordinates and reliable friends. On top of that, you have

    a man willing to risk his life again and again for you.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s heart quivered.

    Jasper¡¯s handsome face shed in her mind, and her heart stirred whenever she envisioned it.

    ¡°But I¡¯m her only friend.¡± Miley sighed helplessly.

 Chapter 1021

    The king¡¯s decree had crushed Jeffrey¡¯s dream of seeking refuge in Tsulu.

    Not only that, it appeared that the royalty had attempted to use the opportunity to wrestle power from

    the military and diminish its influence, as well as deliver a blow to the mafia.

    In fact, the entire episode was a struggle for power between the royalty and the military. Jeffrey Synder

    alone was not worth the attention otherwise.

    It was Miley who informed Alyssa about the happenings, but Alyssa had it all figured out early on. What

    concerned her the most was Inigo Montoye, the military personnel whom Miguel had ratted on.

    The more she pondered about the matter, the more doubtful she became. However, her most

    immediate worry was Jasper¡¯s condition rather than figuring out the mastermind.

    For the time being, Jeffrey was in jail, awaiting a transfer.

    Back in Sna City, Cyrus had informed his superior and rushed to Tsulu overnight to repatriate Jeffrey

    At midnight, the hospital corridor buzzed with activity, but silence hung in the air.

    Landon and Axel had been busy taking calls in the corridor.

    Axel was busy rying updates to Cyrus, who was en route to Tsulu. Landon was assuring Angelina of

    his safety while taking a glimpse of Lauren, who was fast asleep.

    Staring keenly at Lauren¡¯s face through the screen, he nearly shed a tear from missing her too much.

    Tearing up, he gently traced her face and closed his eyes as he kissed the screen.

    Suddenly, Axel inched closer and clicked his tongue. ¡°Eww! Are you kikissing the screen now? That¡¯s

    so cheesy.¡±

    Startled, Landon yelped and immediately hung up as he did not want toto wake Lauren. He retorted,

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? You seem to fifind fault with everything I do.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re an easy target.¡± Axel dug his ears and teased LLandon. ¡°I¡¯d rather stay single

    than be in love if that¡¯s how I¡¯m going to bbahave.¡±

    WWith a mouth like yours, you¡¯ll be forever alone. Any poordy who datarey you will grow sick of

    dealing with you,¡± Landon snapped angrily.

    ¡°Keep going, Axel replied with a yful lift of the brow. ¡°Smore, andidate your lovely girlfriend how you

    were once crazy beesbae won¡¯t be very pleased to hear that. Hahaha!¡±

    What theback? How petty of him!

    Landono celed his fists but kept his mouth shut, fearful that Axel might foltoto rough and upset Lauren.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand/why Jasper is even friends with you. Besides. being slow intionships, he¡¯s a

    pretty arrogant guy as well,¡± Axel mused, neartylveferaiming to Jasper as a dumbass.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Landon defended Hintself, saying, ¡°Jasper would have suffered from loneliness withoumebby his side

    over these years!¡±

    Ignoring Axel¡¯s jais, he sympathized with Landon, saying, ¡°Do you really think Jasper dislikes making

    friends? He just struggles with it.¡±

    Pausing between drags obfais cigarette, Axel inquired with genuine

    ¡°Hey, be nice,¡± Landon protested and red at him.

    ¡°If he were mentally sound, he wouldn¡¯t have abandoned Lyse and cheated on her with that Gardner

    bitch.

    However, after all they had gone through, Axel had long put down his grudge against Jasper.

 Chapter 1022

    Axel seemed to have inherited the Taylors¡¯ traits of being vindictive and bitter.

    Every time Axel thought of how Jasper treated his sister, he couldn¡¯t help but take a jab at Jasper. For a

    second, he almost forgot that Jasper was battling for his life in the operating room.

    ¡°He faced bullying in school due to his background, but he hid his wounds to avoid worrying his mom.

    He never shared his struggles with her.¡±

    Axel interjected angrily, ¡°Fuck! I hate school bullies the most! They are pure evil.¡± Crushing his cigarette

    box, he felt a fire burning within.¡± Why was Jasper so weak? He could have beaten the hell out of them.

    I couldn¡¯t believe that Jasper Beckett was bullied. He should ha rammed them with his Rolls-Royce or

    something.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s easy to go against a guy or two, but what happens when bullies you?¡± Landon questioned with

    pangs of sympathy.

    Axel¡¯s eyes wavered as he inadvertently clenched his fists.

    Landon exined, ¡°Axel, you were born to Mr. Taylor and the woma he loved the most, and you were

    raised pampered. Just like you, I grew up in a rtively simple family-the only son to loving parents.

    People like us will never understand Jasper¡¯s pain of bearing the mark of an illegitimate child. We

    probably will never understand the pressure of walking on thin ice at home.¡±

    Axel fell into deep thoughts upon hearing that. Indeed, Jasper was the child of Javier Beckett¡¯s lover,

    and he had an older half-brother. Later on, Javier married the calctive and cruel Sophia Kirkman.

    Since then, Jasper had been suffering in silence.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I said I was Jasper¡¯s only friend. He is averse to making. new friends, or in other words, he

    has sealed off his heart. Besides, he¡¯s used to loneliness and is fine being alone.¡±

    However, no one would truly enjoy solitude. Those who lived in solitude were the ones who had no

    choice.

    Axel blurted out, ¡°I take back what I said.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Looks like the Harper family raises their children well. At least you. did not blindly bully Jasper just

    because everyone ganged up against him.¡±

    Axel¡¯s remark reminded Landon of Zoe¡¯s horrible behavior and her devilish expression, which he would

    rather forget when she bullied. Lauren.

    Smiling bitterly, he secretly med himself for not guiding hi onto the right path. He felt as if he had

    failed as Zoe¡¯s father life.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    ¡°You might look like a fool, but you¡¯re a good egg,¡± Axel remarked, patting Landon on the shoulder

    when he walked past. ¡°Jasper Beck will have one more friend starting today.¡±

    Feeling touched, Landon turned around, only to find Axel disappearing

    toward the end of the corridor.

    Meanwhile, Jonah and Miley kept Alyssapany in the corridor outside the operating room, anxiously

    waiting for the surgery to end.

    ¡°Lyse, the major operation mightst until dawn. Why don¡¯t you take a rest in an empty room?¡± Miley

    hugged Alyssa and sensed theck of warmth on Alyssa¡¯s skin.

    Not only that, Alyssa was trembling. Miley worried that Alyssa¡¯s. health might suffer from pulling an all-

    nighter.

    Alyssa insisted, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll just wait here. I¡¯m too worried to fall asleep anyway when he¡¯s still in

    surgery.¡±

    ¡°Lyse.¡± Jonah sat beside her and questioned sternly, ¡°What are your thoughts on Inigo Montoye-the

    person that the police chief mentioned?¡±

    Hearing that, Miley grumbled, ¡°Gosh, Jonah. Let Lyse take a rest. Can¡¯t you discuss this another day?

    Jeremy and I will also pressure the Tsulu authorities to look into this case. We won¡¯t let this slip.¡±

    Alyssa gently patted Miley on the arm and reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s fine, Miley. I wanted to discuss it too.¡±

    She turned to Jonah with a somber look and said, ¡°Jonah, I find the attack on you and Jasper at

    Shend Ind quite suspicious.¡±

 Chapter 1023

    Alyssa began, ¡°You kept the operation under wraps. I know Jasper well-he¡¯s always been cautious, and

    he couldn¡¯t have leaked the details of his operation.

    ¡°Even if Jeffrey Snyder¡¯s men alerted him after you and Jaspernded on the ind, the enforcements

    who showed up should have been Snyder¡¯s aplices. Why would the military personnel show up.

    with heavy weapons? It¡¯s so bizarre.¡±

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°That¡¯s true. I feel that Inigo Montoye¡¯s men seemed to havee for me and Jasper instead of

    backing up Jeffrey Snyder.¡± Jonah held his breath when he recalled Jasper¡¯s words. ¡°Jasper told me

    that he was 90 percent sure of the individual who sent the military enforcements, but we did not have

    the chance to discuss further because of the urgent situation.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Did Jasper meet with Inigo M before? Why did he reach out to Tsulian

    military personnel?¡±

    Jonah shook his head. ¡°No. Jasper told me that someone in Cy was working discreetly with Inigo

    Montoye to assassinate us.¡±

    Someone in Cyrris? Alyssa gaped at Jonah as her heart raced. Who was the cruel and powerful

    mastermind behind the plot who could mobilize the Tsulian military against Jonah and Jasper?

    ¡°I¡¯ve sent my men to run an investigation on Inigo Montoye from Cyrris. My guess is that some

    prominent figures in Sna City must have been corresponding closely with the Tsulu authorities.

    Those names will be on my suspect list,¡± Jonah exined grimly.

    Alyssa mused, ¡°When Jasper awakes from the surgery, he¡¯ll give us the answer. Isn¡¯t he very sure

    about the mastermind?¡±

    At that moment, Miley frowned with concern. Simrly, Jonah noticed Alyssa¡¯s change and wondered,

    ¡°Lyse, you look pale. Are you sick?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, did you-¡±

    All of a sudden, the doors of the operating room swung open, and a nurse in blood-stained scrubs ran

    out, panting. She yelled anxiously,¡± The patient is suffering a hemorrhage. We need an emergency

    infusion because we¡¯ve run out of blood supply from the blood bank!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Alyssa shot up without hesitation, but she soon froze when she recalled that she failed to

    donate her blood to Jasper when he was severely injured on the Luminara battlefields because their

    blood types were not a match.

    Jonah stepped forward, offering, ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    Miley raised her hand. ¡°I can help too!¡±

    Axel wandered over with Landon and remarked, ¡°We can do blood, too. That¡¯s enough blood for even a

    vampire, isn¡¯t that s

    They wouldn¡¯t mind donating some blood and even donating the organs to save Jasper¡¯s life.

    The nurse seemed cross because of the urgent situation and snapped, ¡°Are you all Rh-negative?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa¡¯s heart sank, gripped by fear. The Rh- negative blood type was a rare group.

    The hospital¡¯s blood bank did. not have sufficient supply to start with, and they were running out of time

    to get the blood from other hospitals, not to mention that the other ces might not even have the

    supply.

    ¡°What? Does Jasper Beckett have a rare blood type? What is he, a giant panda? What a trouble,¡± Axel

    eximed and bbered in shock.

    Jonah chided him, ¡°Axel, watch your mouth! Jasper¡¯s life is at stake

    When everyone stood there helplessly, they heard a deep voice booming. ¡°I¡¯ll donate mine right now!

    I¡¯m Rh-negative¡±

    ¡°Jeremy?¡± Miley gasped and covered her mouth.

    She was close to tears when she saw her husband rushing toward them

    Alyssa blinked her eyes hard in disbelief. ¡°Oh, my God! Jeremy!¡±

    Jeremy was no longer the same man from the past. Now, he was the esteemed president of Kontina. It

    was rash and risky for him to show up for Miley with only a few bodyguards.

 Chapter 1024

    ¡°Miley, sorry I¡¯mte,¡± Jeremy apologized.

    The middle-aged man gazed at his wife with bright eyes like a teen. Tearing up from guilt, he pulled her

    into a hug and gently patted her trembling back while repeatedly mumbling in her ear, ¡°Darling, did you

    know how terrified I was when I heard you went to Tsulu alone? You were pretty fearless. What would I

    do if anything happened to you?¡±

    ¡°Well, if something happens to me, you¡¯ll have to get yourself a new First Lady,¡± Miley joked as she

    yfully snuggled against her husband and buried her blushed face in his chest.

    She listened to his heartbeat, which calmed her down.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Jeremy gently caressed her head, indulging in her soft and warm scent.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be where I am without you. Nothing in my life would matter if you¡¯re gone, and I¡¯d dly

    follow you.¡±

    ¡°Never say that again, or I¡¯ll be upset.¡±

    ¡°Or I can be a priest and pray for you every day.¡±

    Alyssa discreetly dabbed at her eyes upon witnessing the affectionate exchange between her sister

    and Jeremy. She was happy for them and envious, hoping that one day, she could experience the

    same.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    She silently prayed, ¡°Jasper, that¡¯s why you have to wake up. What will I do without you?¡±

    In the urgent situation, Jeremy offered a brief greeting to everyone present and entered the operating

    room to donate his blood. Alyssa sweated nervously, fixing her gaze on the doors of the operating

    Jonah asked Miley with concern, ¡°Miley, I remember Jeremy isn¡¯t in the pink of health. Will he be fine

    donating a huge amount of blood to Jasper?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. I believe he can take it,¡± Miley concealed the worry in her eyes and reassured everyone.

    Choking on tears, Alyssa hugged Miley without any words, but Miley understood Alyssa¡¯s sentiment.

    Beaming softly, Miley said, ¡°It¡¯s only right that your brother-inw saves my brother-inw¡¯s life. Family

    should help each other out.¡±

    Time agonizingly ticked by. It wasn¡¯t until dawn that the lights of the operating room sign finally turned

    off, and the doors swung open.

    Despite being sleep-deprived, everyone perked up and went u doctor. Heart racing, Alyssa watched as

    an exhausted Julien. emerged in blood-stained scrubs. He took off his surgical reveal a pale and weary

    face. His alluring eyes were bloodshe his scrubs were drenched in sweat.

    It pained Jonah to see Julien in a fatigued state. He silently grapple with inexplicable emotions.

    ¡°Dr. Lovce, how¡¯s Jasper doing?¡± Alyssa croaked as her heart pumped wildly.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett-¡± After many hours of standing, Julien temporarily lost.

    his bnce from a brief ckout.

    ¡°Dr. Lovce!¡± Everyone gasped as Julien staggered. A figure rushed over to hold Julien without

    hesitation.

    Jonah whispered, ¡°Watch out.¡±

    Julien took a breath as he teared up under Jonah¡¯s worried gaze. His heart beat wildly, touched by

    Jonah¡¯s concern.

 Chapter 1025

    Jonah blushed, his heart pounding when he met Julien¡¯s passionate eyes. He remarked, ¡°You look

    pale. You must have been overworked.¡±

    ¡°Are you worried about me?¡± A tender look crossed Julien¡¯s enchanting eyes.

    Gulping, Jonah managed to respond, ¡°Yeah.¡±

    Julien was incredibly ted at Jonah¡¯s curt reply, and he no longer held onto the resentment from

    earlier. He was easily appeased, all because he had helplessly fallen for Jonah.

    He silently leaned into Jonah¡¯s arms and exined, ¡°I extracted the bullet from Mr. Beckett¡¯s left

    shoulder and the arrow on his back. Thankfully, the arrow wasn¡¯t poisoned, or he might not have

    survived.

    ¡°Even so, he is in a critical condition. The arrow narrowly miss organ by half an inch. I¡¯m sure everyone

    here knows the consequences of organ rupture. Even if Dr. White were here, she wouldn¡¯t be able to

    save his life.¡±

    A stunned silence enveloped the group. Alyssa shivered, feeling a crushing weight on her chest. Tears

    brimmed in her eyes.

    As Dr. White herself, she was fully aware of the gravity of Jasper¡¯s situation after hearing Julien¡¯s

    ount.

    ¡°How about now? How¡¯s he holding up?¡± Landon pressed on.

    ¡°We¡¯ve extracted the bullet and arrow and performed blood infusion. He has disyed early signs of

    organ failure. He¡¯s still in critical condition.¡± Julien, as a doctor, was honest with his assessment.

    A fresh wave of concern swept over everyone present upon that evaluation. Alyssa felt drained as she

    plunged into an icy depth.

    In her moments of helplessness, Jasper would read her emotions. He¡¯d wrap her up in his jacket or

    offer her a hug to warm her up.

    Despite carrying herself as a strong and invincible woman, in Jasper¡¯s eyes, she was just an ordinary

    woman in need of protection and care. ¡°Can I ¡­ check on him?¡± she asked, turning to Julien with misty

    eyes.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be transferred to the ICU. You may visit him after he¡¯s out of critical condition,¡± whispered Julien.

    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    She nodded slowly and swallowed hard. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait.¡±

    Julien, not one to be easily moved, found himself sympathizing with Alyssa as he witnessed her

    dejected look.

    After Jeremy donated his blood to Jasper, the medical staff sent him to a patient room to rest.

 Chapter 1026

    ¡°Are you alright, Jeremy? Let me know if you feel sick. Don¡¯t keep it to yourself,¡± Miley expressed her

    concern.

    Remaining by his side, she noticed how pale he looked. He seemed to have aged overnight, which

    pained her. ¡°Remember the time you insisted on delivering a speech at a school despite having

    appendicitis? You fainted from pain as soon as you left the stage.

    ¡°The doctorter said you could have died if you hadn¡¯t been rushed to the hospital in time. You always

    make me worry. You need to take better care of yourself.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I know you¡¯ll take care of me.¡± Jeremy smilingly pinched. Miley¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°I¡¯m being serious!¡± Miley grumbled and yfully poked him on the waist.

    Jeremy nonchntly said, ¡°I felt fine except for a bit of dizziness and fatigue. I¡¯ll have my secretary buy

    two bowls of vegetable soup-one for me and one for you. You will need it.¡±

    Alyssa entered the room and joked, ¡°Jeremy, you should get something meatier with higher iron

    content. Vegetable soup won¡¯t cut it. Save the soups for when Miley gives birth.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, stop it. We don¡¯t n to have kids yet,¡± Miley protested, blushing and pursing her lips.

    ¡°Lyse isn¡¯t wrong. Now that the election¡¯s over and our careers are set, it¡¯s time to add a new family

    member.¡± Jeremy caressed Miley¡¯s fingers. ¡°I know you love kids, but you dy having one out of

    consideration for my career.

    ¡°You suffered a lot over the years, running around the nation with me. I feel sorry for that, and I promise

    you better days from now on.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Shields, what are you talking about?¡± Leaning against Jeremy, Miley gently caressed his face with

    a sweet and bashful smile. ¡°I willingly followed you around. You owe me nothing. In fact, you have

    given me more than I could ever ask for.¡±

    Touched, Jeremy sat up in bed and held Miley by the back of her neck as he kissed her. Miley, who had

    been rather reserved in Alyssa¡¯s presence, slowly submitted herself to Jeremy¡¯s advance and

    responded passionately.

    Seeing that, Alyssa turned around and went to a corner. She was close to tears, happy for Miley¡¯s

    marital bliss.

    Winston had once been against Jeremy and Miley¡¯s rtionship. Even Alyssa had her worries, knowing

    that Miley had to settle down

    abroad. As time passed, Alyssa acknowledged the couple¡¯s lo rtionship, reminiscent of old-school

    love.

    After cuddling for a while, Miley¡¯s cheeks were as red as a tomat Jeremy, however, appeared calm and

    unfazed as he spoke to Alyssa with Miley in his arms, ¡°Lyse, fret not. I called the Tsulian Kingst night.

    He assured me he had appointed a new police chief to take over the case and go after Inigo Montoye.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Once Inigo Montoye is arrested, we will interrogate him to uncover the truth behind the attack against

    Jonah and Jasper.¡±

    Despite their ten-year difference, Alyssa always felt amazed and grateful that Jeremy got along well

    with Jonah. Even after Jeremy was elected as the president of Kontina, he remained humble around

    the Taylor family.

    ¡°Thank you, Jeremy. Thanks for donating your blood to Jasper. Thank you.¡± Overwhelmed by gratitude,

    Alyssa fumbled for words.

 Chapter 1027

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. What good am I if I can¡¯t even help you with this?¡± Jeremy looked a little bashful when

    Alyssa thanked him profusely.

    At that moment, he received a call from the Tsulian king, which he immediately answered. During the

    call, his expression turned somber, worrying Alyssa.

    After Jeremy hung up, Miley quickly asked, ¡°Jeremy, is there a problem?¡±

    ¡°Inigo Montoye is no longer in Tsulu. He left the country,¡± Jeremy replied tly with a deep look.

    ¡°He left? Did he escape through the night after he received a tip-off?¡± Alyssa wondered aloud with

    furrowed brows.

    ¡°No. He has always been in Cyrris, long before the attack of

    ¡°Where in Cyrris?¡± Alyssa gasped.

    ¡°Sna City.¡±

    Hearing that, Alyssa was left dumbstruck. She rolled her fists,

    recalling what Jonah had shared with her. Before the attack, Jaspe had revealed to Jonah that forces in

    Sna City had conspired with the Tsulian authorities, and he was 90 percent sure about the identity of

    the mastermind in Sna City.

    Why was Jasper so confident about his guess? The only usible exnation was that he was

    acquainted with the suspect and knew them inside out.

    ¡°Lyse.¡± After some hesitation, Miley whispered, ¡°I did not bring this up yesterday because things were

    chaotic. Since Jeremy¡¯s here, let me ask you something. How¡¯s your rtionship with the youngest

    ¡°Jimmy and I are just friends.¡± Alyssa looked bitter. ¡°We were ymates when we were kids. He went

    to Kontina with his motherter on and lived there for ten years. It was pure coincidence that we ran

    into each other when he returned to Cyrris. He has helped me a lot this year. He saved me twice when

    I was in trouble.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t dispute his feelings for you, but Lyse¡­ you¡¯d better stay away from him. When you¡¯re back to

    Sna City, you should distance yourself from him whenever possible.¡±

    Looking troubled and concerned, Miley added, ¡°Besides, I can tell that Jasper matters to you the most.

    I believe that your rtionship with Jasper has withstood the test through this incident. Isn¡¯t it time to

    put the past behind you and start over with him?

    ¡°Jasper has made many sacrifices for you. Even if you refuse to get back with him, you need to stay

    away from that Schmidt guy. He not hold a candle to Jasper.¡±

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°Does the Schmidts have a fourth son? Who is he?¡± Jeremy as inquisitively.

    ¡°Jeremy, he¡¯s Jameson Schmidt.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Jeremy¡¯s smile froze. He said frostily, ¡°Oh, he¡¯s from the Schmidt Group. He¡¯s

    considered an ¡®old acquaintance¡¯ of ours.¡±

    He betrayed an unmistakable hatred as he spoke of Jameson.

    ¡°Do you know him very well? Did you get into any conflict with him when he was in Kontina?¡± Alyssa

    asked in shock.

    Sighing, Jeremy shook his head indignantly. ¡°Jameson Schmidt is also nicknamed ¡®The Dark Lord¡¯ and

    King of the Underground¡¯ in Kontina. He is leading a famous private equity firm in Kontina, bribing

    ¡°Not only did he establish an underground casino to bribe the officials with money and sexual services,

    but he is also suspected of drug trafficking. It¡¯s a pity we couldn¡¯t find evidence against him yet. He¡¯s

    been pulling the strings from afar, and we have no way of subjecting him to thew

 Chapter 1028

    Alyssa was appalled. She could not wrap her head around the fact that the criminal Jeremy had

    mentioned was the same gentleman who took great care of her. Jameson turned out to be a real-life

    Jekyll and Hyde. =

    ¡°Not only that, Jameson Schmidt once attempted to rig the presidential elections.¡± Miley looked

    traumatized when she recalled the incident and gripped Jermey¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°He resorted to

    underhanded tactics to manipte the narrative around Jeremy.

    ¡°Thankfully, Jeremy¡¯s opponents did not manage to find dirt on him because he had a clean record.

    Otherwise, Jeremy would be behind bars by now.¡±

    Inhaling sharply, Alyssa turned cold from head to toe. She eximed¡± Since when has Jameson turned

    into a monster? How did he ¡­¡±

    ¡°Kontina¡¯s society is prettyplex. As Jameson is not a local, had to y dirty to establish himself.

    After all, the primitive umtion of capital alwayses with violence.

    ¡°Nevertheless, he has crossed a line. If he does not observe basic societal rules, what different is he

    from an animal?¡± Jeremy seethed. when he thought about the cat-and-mouse games with Jameson

    and the few asions where he nearly fell into Jameson¡¯s trap.

    Alyssa stumbled backward, her expression nk. She struggled toprehend the extent of

    Jameson¡¯s duplicity, given how he had expertly hidden all his evil behind a smiling face.

    ¡°That¡¯s why Jameson was the first suspect that crossed my mind when Jonah told us that someone in

    Sna City was colluding with the Tsulian military.¡± Miley cast a heavy look at Alyssa. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s still

    a guess. We don¡¯t have evidence against him, but it won¡¯t hurt to

    ¡°Lyse, I know it¡¯s hard to ept the truth as a loyal friend of his. Loyalty aside, all Jeremy and I wanted

    was for you to stay safe.¡±

    ¡°I am loyal, but I want justice too.¡± Alyssa looked at the floor.

    When she looked up again, her eyes shone with determination. ¡°Sure, he might have lived a difficult life

    abroad, but that was not an excuse to hurt others for personal gain..

    ¡°Anyway, given our longtime friendship, I hope I could hear the confession straight from Jameson¡¯s

    mouth.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, you have to help a brother out!¡± Inigo begged.

    Inigo learned that the king had issued a decree to arrest him, and Miguel, the witness, had been

    subjected to tight supervision the he military could not reach him. Anxious, he rushed to The Millenn

    meet with Jameson, hoping for a solution out of the trouble.

    ¡°And how am I supposed to help you?¡± Jameson swirled the red in the ss and set his eyes on Inigo.

    ¡°The Tsulian royalty wants y arrested. I am not even a Tsulian to start with. How can I even hel you?¡±

    ¡°Things wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this if you hadn¡¯t asked me to assassinate Jasper Beckett and

    Jonah Taylor. Are you going to go. back on your word now?¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t do it to help me. All you wanted was to take credit to impress your superiors,¡± Jameson

    pointed out with a snicker.

    Burning in rage, Inigo had an urge to beat Jameson up. It was too bad. he was on Jameson¡¯s turf. He

    might not have left the club alive if heid a finger on Jameson.

    ¡°Hmph! I knew you would trick me! Did you really think I don¡¯t have a card up my sleeve?¡± Inigo gritted

    his teeth and threatened Jameson, You know what? I have a recording of our little chat. Say, what

    would your dear Ms. Alyssa think of you if she learned that you attempted to assassinate her brother?

    Your rtionship with her would be done for good!¡±

    With that, Inigo made a throat-slitting gesture at Jameson. A shocked and malicious glint shed

    across Jameson¡¯s eyes.From N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1029

    The look in Jameson¡¯s eyes was best described as sinister, like an evil spirit from hell.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stare at me like that! I wouldn¡¯t have done this to a friend. I had no choice but to do this to you

    because you¡¯re maniptive and fickle! ¡°Shuddering, Inigo clenched his jaw and added, ¡°Years of

    friendship taught me that you are a merciless man. I will have to look out for myself.¡±

    ¡°Do you really have the recording?¡± Jameson squinted and drawled.

    ¡°Hah! Scared, aren¡¯t you?¡± Inigo chuckled gleefully. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense for me to carry it around. Of

    course, I have it saved somewhere secure. Lay a finger on me, and I will make the recording public.¡±

    Jameson asked coldly, ¡°So, what are your demands?¡± He never beat around the bush in negotiations.

    ¡°Get me a private jet. Send my men and I abroad. I¡¯ll need enough money, too! Do you know how much

    trouble I went through to deal with those two guys? You shouldn¡¯t be stingy.¡±

    ¡°How much would you need?¡±

    ¡°A hundred million dors, transferred to my offshore ount. I¡¯ll send you the recording once I receive

    the money and disappear from your life forever.¡± Chuckling evilly, Inigo raised a brow. ¡°We are longtime

    partners. I believe you¡¯ve gained a fair share from working with me. A hundred million dors is nothing

    for you. Just treat it as a termination fee.¡±

    A hundred million dors? Carl gaped at Inigo¡¯s bold request.

    ¡°Deal. The money will be transferred in three days,¡± Jameson coolly

    Inigo even regretted not asking for a higher amount.

    Then, Jameson advised him, ¡°If I were you, I would stay in hiding over the next three days. I¡¯m sure the

    Becketts and the Harpers are looking for you.¡± He took a slow sip of red wine.

    Inigo snapped, ¡°You don¡¯t have to remind me! Just transfer the money, and we¡¯re good!¡±

    After they struck a deal, Carl saw Inigo to the door. After the door closed, Jameson poured the red wine

    all over the pristine white rug with a cheerless look. He muttered ominously, ¡°I raise a ss in memory

    of you, my old friend.¡±

    Soon, Carl rushed back to Jameson¡¯s side and eximed, ¡°Mr. Schmidt, are you seriously going to

    transfer a hundred million dors to that loser?¡±

    ¡°Of course I will. I can¡¯t risk having Alyssa learn about my ns,¡± Jameson repliedzily and waved his

    wine ss at Carl.

    Carl picked up the hint and poured him more wine. Jameson hinted, What¡¯s the point of getting a

    hundred million dors if he won¡¯t bel able to enjoy it?¡±

    Stunned, Carl stammered, ¡°A-Are you thinking of k-killing him off?¡±

    ¡°What else?¡± Jameson adjusted his sses and exined, ¡°This was not in my original n, but I

    couldn¡¯t risk keeping him around after he ckmailed me on my rtionship with Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°If you n to kill him, why bother transferring the money?¡± Carl looked perplexed.

    ¡°That¡¯s the only way to make him leave Sna City. I will only make al move on him after he leaves the

    city, or it will be too risky.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Monitor Inigo Montoye and his aplices closely over the next

    three days. Report any movements of the Becketts and the Harpers to me right away. Before I kill Inigo

    with my own hands, I do not want the Becketts or the Harpers to get their hands on him. Got it?¡±

    ¡°Roger that!¡±From N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1030

    After Jasper sailed through the observation period without major issues, he was finally allowed to be

    transferred out of the ICU, much to everyone¡¯s relief.

    A week had passed since he received the emergency operation. During the week, Alyssa rooted

    herself by his side, not leaving even once, as though her life relied on him.

    She woke up by his bed when dawn broke and fell asleep at the same ce at night.

    As Jasper was in a deepa, he relied on the IV drip to sustain his life. Due to his worrying condition,

    Alyssa lost weight and looked exhausted out of worry.

    Her siblings were concerned about her health, but there was ing they could do. They were well aware

    that she would continuenguishing if Jasper remained in aa, just like a flower wilting.

    One night, with Jonah and Axel¡¯s help, Alyssa proceeded to clean Jasper¡¯s body.

    From her marriage to Jasper, she remembered that he was fastidious about cleanliness, a clean freak

    who wouldn¡¯t wear a suit if the suit had even a speck of dust on it. He would tediously make sure he

    was clean from head to toe.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Little did Jasper know that Alyssa had witnessed his disheveled looks. from his time on the battlefield.

    Despite that, she remained steadfast and loyal to Jasper, regardless of whether he was the president of

    the Beckett Group or a soldier. She stuck with him through thick and thin.

    Indeed, Jasper was deemed attractive because of his esteemed social standing and his dazzling looks.

    However, Alyssa looked past his exterior and only loved him for his soul for the past 13 years.

    In the present, Alyssa removed Jasper¡¯s clothes and exposed his toned body. Only his boxers

    remained to be removed.

    Jonah appeared unbothered by the situation, but Axel stared agape at Jasper¡¯s crotch with envy,

    cursing, ¡°What the hell? Is he really in aa? I¡¯ve seen guys in aa, and none of them was ever

    aroused. Not even I could do it!¡±

    While speaking, he reached out to pinch Jasper on the thigh. ¡°No fucking way! I¡¯ll have to test him!¡±

    Alyssa grabbed his wrist, chiding him, ¡°Axel, what on earth are your doing?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll pinch him to see if he¡¯s faking thea.¡± Axel, his interest piqued was ready to fool around.

    Worried, Alyssa blurted out, ¡°Don¡¯t! He¡¯s always been well-endowed. I can vouch for him!¡±

    Jonah and Axel were taken aback, while Alyssa immediately blushed. She pressed her lips and kept

    her head low while wiping Jasper down with a towel with such tenacity as if she were washing a car.

    Awkward expressions shed across Jonah¡¯s and Axel¡¯s faces. The siblings mirrored each other at that

    moment.

    Jonah finally broke the silence and coughed. ¡°Ahem. Axel, why are you staring at Lyse like that? She

    was married to Jasper for three years. Of course she has seen and done everything with him.¡±

    ¡°Oh, right! Sigh. I forgot about it for a second. Hahaha! Having arge. package is good. It will bring

    more pleasure to Lyse-Ouch!¡± Axel yelped when Jonah elbowed him in the chest, and he inhaled

    sharply

    Embarrassed, Alyssa blushed and said to them, ¡°I¡¯m done with the front. Let¡¯s turn him over now.¡±

    Wiping down Jasper¡¯s body would be an impossible task without the help of Alyssa¡¯s brothers because

    of his bulky build. When they were done, Jonah and Axel fled the room.

    Axel massaged his chest outside the room while shooting a begrudging look at Jonah. Heined,

    ¡°Jonah, it hurts. You¡¯ve injured me.¡±

    Jonah paid no attention to him. ¡°Shut up.

 Chapter 1031

    ¡°I¡¯m your brother, for heaven¡¯s sake! How could you go physical on me? You nearly broke my ribs,¡±

    Axel grumbled and pouted.

    He¡¯d never show this side of his character to anyone but his brother.

    Jonah remarked, ¡°That was a punishment for running your mouth. Hope you learned your lesson.¡±

    ¡°Gosh. I was joking. Don¡¯t you have a sense of humor?¡± Then, Axel stole a nce at his crotch and

    scoffed unhappily.

    Like any man, he was oddlypetitive over everything.

    ¡°By the way, isn¡¯t Lyse bored out of the mind, staying by Jasper¡¯s side? She doesn¡¯t eat, drink, sleep, or

    check her phone at all,¡± Axel asked with curiosity.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°No. You¡¯ll never be bored when you stay by your lover¡¯s side.¡±

    Axel frowned at the reply. ¡°I don¡¯t get it¡­¡±

    ¡°Axel, we¡¯ve always felt you were the smartest amongst the few of us, but you¡¯re slow when ites to

    matters of the heart. I bet you still can¡¯t grasp the meaning of being deeply in love with someone,¡±

    Jonahmented.

    With that, hepsed into deep thoughts. Some vague memories resurfaced. He added, ¡°You won¡¯t be

    lonely, even if all you have is a photo of your love.¡±

    They heard footsteps approaching them. Looking up, Jonah saw Julien heading toward him, hands in

    the pockets of his white coat.

    As Julien smiled, his eyes shone brightly, like a ray of light illuminating Jonah¡¯s soul¡¯s deepest corners.

    Julien called out, ¡°Jonah.¡±

    Julien¡¯s voice echoed in Jonah¡¯s mind. Julien¡¯s figure ovepped with a certain figure from Jonah¡¯s

    memory.

    Jonah trembled, a realization striking him like lightning as pieces fell into ce.

    Jasper¡¯s room was enveloped in silence. Alyssa, as usual, murmured bits and pieces of their near-

    death experiences into his ear.

    Julien had advised her to engage with Jasper through conversations, especially about certain

    unforgettable memories, as external stimuli might help arouse the patient from aa.

    She would not give up as long as there was a sliver of hope. She whispered, ¡°Jasper, wake up. I¡¯ll tell

    you a secret if you do.¡±

    Then, she relented, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll spill everything if you wake up.¡±

    Finally, she broke. ¡°Wake up, please?¡± She teared up while mumbling. into his ear, fighting the urge to

    burst into tears.

    She wanted nothing more than for Jasper to return to her life. He was her sunshine.

    Yet, Jasper remained unresponsive. Tears glistened in her eyes. With trembling fingers, she took his

    hand and wrote the three words she was too embarrassed to say aloud.

    After she was done writing, her emotions got the better of her. She broke down and sobbed pitifully.

    Suddenly, she felt a slight movement in Jasper¡¯s thumb

 Chapter 1032

    Alyssa rubbed her eyes hard and stared at Jasper¡¯s hand. She harbored a suspicion that Jasper¡¯s

    movement was an illusion due to her fatigue.

    Still, she called out tentatively in a trembling voice, ¡°Jasper? Jasper? Can you hear me? Move your

    fingers if you can. Jasper Beckett!¡±

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± he uttered weakly.

    His feeble voice was deafening in the silent room. ted, Alyssa asked, ¡°Jasper, are you awake? Can

    you hear me? Jasper?¡±

    His pale lips trembled a little as he called out her name again like a murmur in a dream. Even in his

    dreams, Alyssa was the only thing in his mind.

    As tears rolled down her face, she responded, ¡°I¡¯m here!¡±

    Right then, he slowly unfurled his fingers and interlocked them with hers. Once a symbol of courage

    and strength, he had always offered her protection, but he now struggled with the simplest of

    movements.

    ¡°What ¡­ did you ¡­ write¡­ on my palm?¡± he questioned.

    Her face flushed instantly.

    He pressed on, eyes full of anticipation, ¡°I don¡¯t¡­ want you¡­ to write I want¡­ to hear it.¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Her heart thumped wildly as the crimson hue on her cheeks deepened. Even her neck betrayed a

    blush. She looked just like at tantalizing fresh bloom.

    Slowly, she bent over until her body pressed against his chest. She whispered, ¡°I love you.¡±

    Looking at her through tears, Jasper felt touched by every word she uttered. After a long wait, he finally

    heard her love confession once more. A disy of sincerity wasn¡¯t enough to win Alyssa¡¯s love. He had

    to put his life at stake.

    Alyssa cleared her throat and dodged his passionate gaze. She attempted to press the call button to

    summon the doctors and her brothers when she was pulled into Jasper¡¯s embrace, which elicited a

    gasp.

    Jasper, touched by her confession, hugged her tightly with his right. arm and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°I

    thought¡­ I¡¯d never hear that¡­. again¡­¡±

    ¡°I used to love you passionately. It¡¯s your fault for not appreciating it. Not my fault,¡± she grumbled as

    she leaned against him and curled up like a kitten.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s my fault.¡± Caressing her waist, he recalled the times she had begged him to stay and

    confessed her love while crying. Inhaling sharply from the piercing pain and choking on his tears, he

    mumbled, I know you¡¯ve never forgiven me, even if you confessed your love.¡±

    Love and forgiveness were two different emotions to begin with. Loving him and sacrificing for him did

    not mean she had forgiven his past deeds. He did not want to get ahead of himself, and he did not

    harbor high hopes that she¡¯d put behind her resentment.

    Closing her eyes, she shed a relieved smile. ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. Jasper, I have forgiven you.¡±

    Before Jasper realized it, tears had streamed down his face.

 Chapter 1033

    It took Jasper only half a month to wake up from hisa after receiving emergency medical

    treatment, which was remarkable. Any ordinary patient would have lost the battle in the operating room,

    and even if they survived, it might take them longer to wake up from thea.

    After Jasper was awake, Julien assessed his condition and attributed Jasper¡¯s quick recovery to his

    exceptional physique and military background.

    In the morning, Alyssa apanied Jasper toplete some medical checkups. Throughout the

    process, he behaved well, like a child who attended medical appointments with his mother. He

    cooperated well without a word ofint.

    ¡°Have you ever seen Lyse behaving so motherly and saint-like? I nearly prayed to her.¡± Axel clicked his

    tongue.

    He shot an envious look at the wheelchair-bound Jasper as Aly a draped a nket over thetter. He

    added, ¡°I guess Lyse is no one of us. Her brothers don¡¯t matter anymore now that she has a man. She

    won¡¯t take a look at us again.¡±

    Grabbing the chance to tease Axel, Landon quipped with a smile,¡± That¡¯s because Jasper is good-

    looking and pitiable. Any woman would have done the same for him. Why don¡¯t you try hurting yourself,

    for example, losing a limb? You¡¯ll be worse off than Jasper, and Lyse might actually pay you some

    attention then.¡±

    ¡°Forget it! I¡¯m Lyse¡¯s brother! We grew up sharing stuff and sleeping in the same bed. I made her toys,

    tied her shoces, and finished her leftovers! I even took responsibility for her mistakes!¡± The more

    Axel reminisced, the angrier he became.

    He snapped, ¡°Who even is Jasper? Why do we have to fight him for our dear sister¡¯s affection? We¡¯re

    the ones who raised her with love, and now, he swoops in and takes her away from us!¡± from us!¡±

    ¡°Why, you ask? Lyse loves him.¡± Landon yawned. ¡°Axel, better face the reality. After all they went

    through together, I doubt anyone could evere between them.¡±

    Jonah suddenly interjected, ¡°Axel, you¡¯re a grown man, so act like one. *He and Julien approached

    Axel and Landon. The soft, golden sunlight illuminated their silhouettes.

    ¡°Landon¡¯s right. One day, Jasper will be your brother-inw, and he¡¯ll be the only one unless Lyse

    chooses to stay single forever.¡±

    Although Jonah and Julien were of the same gender, Axel and Landon thought the two were a match

    made in heaven. Jonah was wild, alluring, and masculine, while Julien exhibited feminine beauty and

    elegance.

    Too bad Julien was a man. Axel and Landon thought he¡¯d be perfect for Jonah if he were ady.

    ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see!¡± Axel eximed. ¡°Jasper Beckett will be a matrilocal son-inw!¡±

    Landon answered on behalf of his friend, ¡°That¡¯s not a problem.

    Winston Taylor is wealthy enough to support nine children and three wives. I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t mind

    another family member.¡±

    Julien chortled at Landon¡¯s remark. ¡°Are you that eager to marry off your best friend?¡±

    Jonah turned to check out Julien. They seemed to share a telepathic

    bond because Julien looked at him at the same time.

    Heart racing, Jonah looked away. Despite trying to maintain hisposure, he swallowed hard,

    betraying a hint of nervousness.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Teen Fix When despat mandaguri no Tamly 13 malte tum fers protexelimalta Tongare skillige fan might

    want him is musenage you and wich one fat w poetit Camden yfully while yens whole lenger sur

    They were done with the checkups Shedding a quiztinal boneler anden and kool die wondered. What

    are youughing to you making behind our

 Chapter 1034

    It was a good thing that Ss was not around, or else the trio would. have made such a scene.

    Axel taunted bitterly, ¡°No, of course not. I wouldn¡¯t want to get on the wrong side of Mr. Beckett, as he¡¯s

    the family favorite now.¡±

    Jonah said, ¡°That¡¯s enough, Axel.¡±

    Alyssa sighed helplessly. ¡°Axel, I can already picture how you will treat your future wife. Are you going

    to nag her for a full day if she takes as much as a look at other men?¡±

    ¡°Not only that, I¡¯ll punish her in bed to the point that she won¡¯t be able to get out of bed for three days.¡±

    Everyone was rendered speechless by Axel¡¯s bold answer.

    Jasper smiled, cheered up by the interaction among the siblings. He would be jealous of Alyssa¡¯s

    exchange with her brothers in the past, but he had since learned to befortable with the Taylor

    siblings¡¯ ways of expressing their love for Alyssa.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    All he needed to do was to be understanding and get along with it. People always said that those who

    were deep in love would lose their sense of self, which seemed to be true for him at the moment.

    ¡°Wow, everyone¡¯s here today,¡± Jeremy spoke.

    The crowd turned around. They found Jeremy and Miley approaching them hand-in-hand, as sweet as

    newlyweds.

    Miley gushed, ¡°Everything¡¯s finally settled. It¡¯s nice to see all of you gathering here.¡± She was d to

    see Jasper¡¯s improving condition under Alyssa¡¯s care. ¡°Mr. Beckett, how are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never felt better. I¡¯ll leave the hospital with Lyse tomorrow,¡± Jasper replied.

    Alyssa quickly pinched him on the shoulder in frustration.¡± Tomorrow? Are you crazy? The doctor said

    you made a swift recovery, and your blood tests returned fine, but you¡¯re far from getting discharged.

    You need at least a week more of hospital stay.¡±

    Jasper sped her hand and caressed it, saying, ¡°Inigo Montoye is in Sna City. I need to find him as

    soon as I can. I don¡¯t want further trouble.

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s Jeffrey Snyder as well. We need to interrogate him and make him rat out Sophia. My

    health is not the priority in front of all these missions.¡±

    Although Jasper and Alyssa did not disy much physical affection, their souls seemed to be one.

    Sheined, ¡°But you can¡¯t push yourself too hard! Health is everything. Why would you care about

    all that stuff? Do you know how worri-¡±

    Did he know how worried she would be?

    Jasper, feeling bitter, held on tighter to her hand. He understood her unspoken words.

    Jeremy chimed in with concern, ¡°Jasper, you¡¯ll have ample chance to take revenge. Do focus on your

    recovery for now.¡±

    Smiling gratefully, Jasper replied, ¡°Thank you for your concern, Mr. President. And thanks for donating

    your blood. I owe you a huge favor. there, and I¡¯ll be sure to repay your kindness one day.¡±

    ¡°Just chill! We¡¯re family now. Just see me as your brother-inw,¡±

    Jeremy spoke freely, his easygoing behavior around his family a stark contrast to his demeanor in the

    Kontina political scene.

    Miley gently poked Jeremy, who was oblivious to the situation. Still, Jasper agreed with Jeremy and

    addressed him, ¡°As you say, my brother-inw

    Alysse promptly blushed as she pressed her lips Axel red at Jasper and grumbled, ¡°Don¡¯t get carded

    away¡±

    Jonah calmly suggested, Jasper you may leave the hospital if you wish, but letting the Becketts learn

    about your health is not wise I¡¯ve arranged for you to stay in a VIP room at the Taylor General Hospital.

    It¡¯s much nicer and private over there

 Chapter 1035

    ¡°Lyse, you shouldn¡¯t worry too much. The trip from Tsulu to Sna

    City is only five hours, and the private jetes with first-aid equipment. It will be fine.¡±

    Julien proudly lifted his chin. ¡°That¡¯s right! What¡¯s there to worry about with a famous doctor like me on

    board?¡±

    Landon teased, ¡°You will never beat Lyse in terms of fame.¡±

    Frowning, Julien wondered, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s Dr. White. Did you not know?¡±

    Following the revtion, Julien stared agape at Alyssa, who seemed unfazed. He turned to the others

    and realized they did not react to the news at all.

    Was he the only one oblivious to Alyssa¡¯s identity? Had he been showing off in front of the true master

    without knowing it?

    Freezing up, he stiffly turned his back to the others and held the wall, his head hung low. Landon

    scratched his head, puzzled. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡±

    Axel crossed his arms on his chest, replying, ¡°No idea. I guess he¡¯s in despair because Lyse is too

    great of a doctor.¡±

    The next day, Alyssa, Jasper, and the others took a private jet back to Sna City. Only Jeremy and

    Miley opted out because they had to return to Kontina as soon as possible.

    During Jeremy¡¯s stay in Tsulu, his secretary bombarded him with calls due to the mounting workload

    awaiting his attention. Jeremy and position of power, time was a luxury

    Alyssa was concerned for the couple because they traveled light. without much security. Therefore, she

    requested that Axel see them home for safety.

    Julien was the only one who napped on the ne because he was not used to waking up early. The

    other passengers gathered with serious looks on their faces.

    ¡°Jasper, Jonah said you had a hunch about who Inigo Montoye worked for. Who is it?¡± Alyssa finally

    blurted out after being tortured by the mystery.

    Jonah and Landon stared expectantly at Jasper.

    Jasper knitted his brows and cast a serious look at Alyssa. Hel wondered, ¡°Would you believe me if I

    told you the truth? I¡¯m worried you might refuse to ept my answer.¡±

    The look in her eyes deepened. She asked, ¡°Is it Jameson?¡±

    Jonah and Landon appeared taken aback by her wild guess. Jas eyes wavered as he gasped. ¡°How

    did you know?¡±

    ¡°Miley and Jeremy had a long talk with me when you were in a They, too, suspected that it was

    Jameson who colluded with Inigo Montoye. After all, Jameson was frequently in touch with the Tsulian

    forces when he was staying in Kontina.¡± After that, Alyssa continued telling them about Jeremy and

    Miley¡¯s struggles over the years.

    ¡°Damn it! So, it was that bastard¡¯s doing. I knew it. He has a viin-like face,¡± Landon hissed.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Alyssa, sick in the stomach, clenched her fists and questioned, ¡°I understand why Jameson would want

    to harm Jasper, but why Jonah? Jonah has never crossed him.¡±

    ¡°It appears like that on the surface, but I have a history with him,¡± Jonah answered with a smirk. ¡°I

    shed with him a few times in private, but it was mostly verbal arguments, nothing physical.¡±

    Astonishment shed across Alyssa¡¯s face. She had no idea Jonah. had a fallout with Jameson.

    Jonah exined, ¡°I found out early on that Jameson had resorted to underhanded tactics to pursue

    you. He did that out of his love for you, but I found it repulsive. That¡¯s why I strongly oppose any

    rtionship between you and him, and I warned him many times to stay away from you.¡±

 Chapter 1036

    Jasper¡¯s heart sank. After multiple exchanges with Jameson, he gained a better understanding of

    Jameson¡¯s character than Alyssa.

    Unlike Alyssa, he had no lingering sentiment for Jameson from. childhood. He knew Jameson was a

    vindictive man and a ruthless. one at that. In other words, Jameson was petty and extreme in his

    revenge.

    ¡°A rtionship devoid of integrity is inherently meaningless,¡± Jonah expressed, showing his concern for

    Alyssa. ¡°The idea of you with Jameson filled me with worry because he has no principles and would do

    anything to get his way.

    ¡°Who knows if he¡¯d do the same to you? Lyse, you¡¯re my beloved sister. I cannot risk letting you date a

    problematic man.¡±

    Alyssa teared up at Jonah¡¯s genuine brotherly love for her. ¡°Jonah.

    He gently stroked her hair and turned to address Jasper, ¡°Mr. Beckett, why didn¡¯t you tell me it was

    Jameson Schmidt¡¯s doing when we were on Shend Ind? If you had done so, we could have found

    a way to exploit his weakness.¡±

    With a long sigh, Jasper exined bitterly, ¡°I might despise Jameson, but I cannot point a finger at him

    without solid evidence. Spection remains just that-a spection.¡±

    His reply stirred up some inexplicable emotions in Jonah, who developed a newfound respect for

    Jasper¡¯s morals. This was the reason he always believed Jasper was a better man than Jameson,

    despite Jameson¡¯s best efforts to win Alyssa over.

    Jameson might appear gentlemanly and capable on the outside, but he was rotten and evil within.

    Jasper might have his faults, but he do pincipicu.

    ¡°Besides, Jameson is an important friend of Alyssa¡¯s,¡± Jasper added. without delving further.

    Feeling pained, Alyssa wondered, ¡°Did you keep your suspicions to yourself because you didn¡¯t want to

    upset me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jasper admitted with a bashful smile. ¡°I might be too much of a coward. I had nned to

    investigate him after leaving Shend Ind, but I nearly lost my life there. It¡¯s all my fault for being

    reckless.

    He acted humbly in front of Alyssa despite his esteemed status as he was scared to upset her, which

    would be a waste of his previous efforts in winning her favor.

    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re a fool, Jasper,¡± Alyssa muttered.

    Alyssa stared at her feet. Her eyes became misty, and her heart. ached. In retrospect, her arguments

    with Jasper over Jameson. seemed rather ridiculous.

    Fortunately, Jasper¡¯s love did not waver. Any other men would have. given up on her out of anger.

    The private jet traveled back to Sna City on a smooth journey. In the silent cabin, Landon had fallen

    asleep due to fatigue.

    Alyssa and Jasper sat side-by-side, leaning against each other. He pinched her soft and warm hand,

    feeling an electric charge passing through his body.

    All of a sudden, he furrowed his brows as he noticed something odd with the joint of her pinky finger.

    He asked, ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s wrong with your pinky finger? Was it injured

    She held her breath and quivered in his embrace. Confused by her response, he panicked, wondering,

    ¡°What¡¯s the problem, Lyse?¡±

    Meanwhile, Alyssa contemted if she should tell him the truth. She wondered if she should tell him

    that she was that woman who fought. off the enemies with him. Should she also let him know that she

    lost functionality in a finger because she had dragged his severely injured. body back to the barracks?

 Chapter 1037

    After a brief internal struggle, Alyssa decided to keep it a secret.

    Right now, Jasper was filled with guilt and remorse. Of course, she was d that he showed remorse

    for what he had done to her in the past, but she did not want him to risk his life once more to make

    amends.

    All she wanted was for him to light up her life. Thest thing she wanted was to burden him with more

    guilt. This was her subtle way of expressing her love.

    Jasper¡¯s chest tightened when he noticed that she had turned white. Holding her shoulders, he

    inquired, ¡°Lyse, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She beamed at him. ¡°I injured my finger climbing a tree as a kid. It¡¯s not a big deal and

    doesn¡¯t affect my life at all.¡±

    Nevertheless, Jasper felt sympathetic toward her and gently held her pinky finger. ¡°Why didn¡¯t any of

    your brothers take better care of you?¡±

    ¡°They did, but I was a troublemaker who refused to listen,¡± she replied with a pout.

    He couldn¡¯t resist giving her a peck on the lips as she was tool adorable. He promised, ¡°You don¡¯t have

    to trouble your brothers anymore now that I¡¯m with you. I¡¯ll take care of you and protect you.¡±

    She blushed. He swallowed hard at her shy response as desire stirred in him.

    ¡°Oh, by the way,¡± Alyssa extracted an exquisite box from her coat. pocket and put it in his hand. ¡°¡­ this

    is Jonah¡¯s gift for you.¡±

    ¡°Jonah¡¯s gift for me?¡± Jasper appeared shocked at the special treatment.

    Cheeks reddening, she gently nodded. ¡°Yeah. He gave it to me when. you were in aa. I decided to

    give it to you in person after your woke up.¡±

    Always meticulous about the details, she chose a ck velvet jewelry. box for the gift. Jasper grappled

    with mixed feelings, as he hadn¡¯t received a gift in a long time.

    In the past, no one except Alyssa would buy him gifts on anniversaries. It was too bad he didn¡¯t

    appreciate her love then and instead regarded her as a nuisance. All he did was attempt to get away

    from her.

    Back in the present, she urged him, ¡°Open the box and take a look.¡±

    Jasper pressed his lips and opened the box. He looked stunned when he found Jonah¡¯s cross ne

    lying quietly in it.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the ne he wears daily? Is he willing to give it to me?¡±

    ¡°Hm? How do you know he wears it? He always keeps it hidden under his outfit,¡± she questioned when

    she realized something was off.

    Jasper smiled bitterly. He first saw the ne on the day Jonah. rushed into the meeting room at

    Beckett Group to fight him. The ne slid out from under Jonah¡¯s shirt and left an impression on

    Jasper because of its excellent craftsmanship.

    Besides, Jasper remembered the fight scene with Jonah very well because it was rather exhrating.

    ¡°It¡¯s lovely and exquisite. I love it.¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s not worth much, but it¡¯s a very meaningful item to Jonah. He¡¯s expressing his approval of you when

    he gives you the ne,¡± exined Alyssa.

    She could tell that Jasper cherished the ne. After all that

    More toper had won the meat of her bers with his brothers persistance. She onca tailwind badhar

    brothers would never forgive deeper fun things named to taking a grative deaction

 Chapter 1038

    Alyssa¡¯s sole concern was her father¡¯s attitude. Winston Taylor doted on his daughter, but he could be

    merciless to anyone who was not family.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper had been on Winston¡¯s cklist for a while. Changing

    Winston¡¯s impression of him wouldn¡¯t be easy, but Alyssa decided to take it easy. No one coulde

    between them as long as their lovel held strong.

    When Alyssa helped Jasper put on the ne, her fingers identally brushed against his chest.

    She silently gushed at his -toned physique that could seduce anyone.

    ¡°How should I thank Jonah?¡± He stared at her while tightening his grip on her waist.

    He used to enjoy caressing her chubby waist, but he was pained to see Alyssa lose weight due to poor

    appetite and insufficient rest when he was in aa.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine-Mmm-¡± Suddenly, she found herself enveloped in a hug, her mouth sealed by a tongue kiss.

    His tongue explored every corner of her mouth.

    After some passionate kissing, he reluctantly pulled away but stared longingly at her moist lips. Smiling,

    heplimented her in a raspy voice, ¡°You taste sweet.¡±

    Head spinning and cheeks red from the aggressive kiss, she clung to his broad shoulders and warned

    him, ¡°We¡¯re on the ne with the others. Behave yourself.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re asleep. It¡¯s fine.¡± He suddenly grasped her waist and grazed the skin near her ear. His

    breathing quickened as he murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll be yente.

    Gentle? What was he thinking to do to her?

    rmed, she was soon caught in another kiss as he slowly pressed his body against hers.

    Julien nearly drooled in his dreams. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and recoiled as if he had woken up

    from a nightmare. Seeing that, Jonah quickly held him.

    ¡°Mmm. How long was I asleep?¡± Julien rubbed his eyes.

    ¡°About three hours?¡± Jonah examined Julien¡¯s groggy face with a squint and asked, ¡°Were you

    dreaming?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I dreamed that you were arguing with me. I woke up when you raised your voice,¡± replied Julien,

    stretching.

    ¡°Is it that difficult not to fool around?¡± Jonah sounded stern.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty serious when I¡¯m on the job. But it¡¯s hard to be serious when I¡¯m around you.¡± Julien inched

    closer to Jonah, his eyes. gleaming with desire. ¡°So, Jonah, who is to me? It¡¯s all your fa

    ¡°What nonsense.¡± Jonah scoffed and looked away with a faint smi

 Chapter 1039

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know me by now? I can be as unreasonable as a woman.¡± Julien scoffed with a twinkle in

    his eyes.

    ¡°No need to distinguish yourself from them. Everything on your screams female, except for your sex,¡±

    Jonah teased him with a rare. easygoing attitude. ¡°You¡¯d make a cute woman.¡±

    ¡°Am I not cute now?¡± Julien widened his eyes.

    ¡°Nah, you¡¯re just pathetic.¡±

    ¡°Fuck!¡± Julien cursed. ¡°Do you know how many are lining up for me?¡±

    ¡°Thanks for stepping in to help Jasper Beckett.

    Hearing that, Julien blinked his eyes, stunned.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Jonah took a deep breath and reiterated, ¡°Thank you for your great help. He couldn¡¯t have woken up

    otherwise. Saving Jasper is equal to saving Lyse. Jasper and I owe you a huge favor.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t bring her up! It makes me so mad!¡± Frowning, Julien confronted Jonah, ¡°Why did you fly me in

    for the surgery when your beloved sister is the legendary Dr. White herself? Did you n to humiliate

    me in front of the master?

    ¡°That¡¯s not all. How could you all hide her identity from me? Was it fun to see me embarrassed? Do you

    think I don¡¯t feel shame?¡±

    He grappled with embarrassment and regret when he learned that he had been living under the same

    roof as his idol all the while. Not only that, he had been bickering with her.

    Jonah watched as Julien spoke animatedly. It wasn¡¯t an exaggeration to describe Julien as the male

    counterpart to Alyssa. bnah¡¯s smile deepenenedsabs he rified, ¡°I never wanted to embarrassss bu. I

    enrolled you help penase I believe you¡¯re as skilled as Lyse, e, st in a different specializzation.¡±

    id Jonah just prarse hinttuh, bho had always been reserved and scetic, offered him a

    connimimintiululien gasped, biting his lower lip. ith a blush on his face.e.

    nyway, it¡¯s all thanks to you thithafsper survived. I will repay your in vor no matter what it takes..

    tow do you n to do it? Perbrianwth a physical gesture?¡± Julien ised a brow and cast a

    suggestiveazazeron him.

    ulien Lovce!¡± Jonah chined him yfully.

    efore he knew it, Julien had straddletoninimia a bold move. Shocked,

    nah eximed, ¡°You-¡±

    ey were inches away from each other as devesistened to each her¡¯s heartbeat, Jonah marveled at the

    cemang of Julien¡¯s ssy tes-Julien was blessed with a camivatinmeye color ke the ey Ragdoll.

    lien.cooed, ¡°You want to repay my favor, dont you then, he

    rapped his arms around Jonah¡¯s neck. His clump bosscovered trore Jonah¡¯s eyes as he suggested,

    ¡°you let me kiss you!!!

    sider it repaid.¡±

    anore Jonah could respond, Julien eagerly pressed his sis s auainst hans as his tongue made its way

    into Jonah¡¯s moinThaie Warn

    aats midled and intensified as the ne navigated thorough the

    a daze, Morininstinctively held Julien¡¯s waist and gazed omde ndow, where bursts of fireworks seemed

    to bloom amidst the e

    lowing tools

 Chapter 1040

    After more than five hours, the private jetnded safely in Sna City.

    Jonah immediately had the paramedics waiting nearbye to send Jasper straight to the hospital.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I don¡¯t need to stay in the hospital,¡± Jasper instantly refused.

    ¡°You ¡­ How could you do that?¡± Alyssa was infuriated. ¡°You promised you would go to the hospital for

    treatment, you liar!¡±

    Jasper sighed in exasperation and hugged her tightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lyse. You can hit and yell at me. Just

    please don¡¯t ignore me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to do just that ignore you! You liar!¡± Alyssa fumed, turning her face away from Jasper even

    as she softened in his arms.

    Jonah was amused. The two behaved like fifth-graders.

    Seeing how angry Alyssa was, Jasper hummed before saying seriously, ¡°Lyse, the most important thing

    right now is to take Jeffrey to court.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze darkened upon hearing Jefrrey¡¯s name.

    ¡°Sophia doesn¡¯t know we have Jeffrey yet, so she won¡¯t be in our way. for the time being. That¡¯s why

    we need to hurry up and get him to confess that it was Sophia who instructed him to kill Nina,¡± Jasper

    said.

    ¡°But would he really confess?¡± Alyssa asked worriedly. ¡°Murderes with a death sentence. He

    knows he won¡¯t be able to escape. that fate, so it would be meaningless for him toe clean. It

    wouldn¡¯t reduce his sentence in any way.

    ¡°Plus, if he wants to get on our nerves before he dies, he might even take the me for Sophia. It¡¯d be

    the perfect middle finger to both of us since we wouldn¡¯t be able to get back at Sophia.¡±

    Their expressions grew somber upon hearing this.

    Alyssa¡¯s analysis was spot on. A cruel, heartless killer like Jeffrey wouldn¡¯t have an ounce of

    conscience in him, not to mention testifying to Sophia¡¯s crime!

    ¡°What¡­ What do we do then? Are we really unable to do anything with that monster?¡± Landon asked,

    frustrated.

    Jasper appeared to be deep in thought. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then we definitely need to let Sophia know

    that we¡¯ve caught Jeffrey.¡±

    Alyssa instantly understood what Jasper intended to do, given how intelligent she was. She wrapped

    her arms around his waist excitedly, nuzzling into his chest. ¡°Dang, you are one evil man. How could

    someone be so devious? I was right to call you a bastard before, wasn¡¯t I?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s voice was raspy as passion burned in his eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so vague about

    complimenting me next time, love.¡±

    The three other men present were unable to stomach this any longer.

    What were Jasper and Alyssa doing? Showing off?

    ¡°Uh¡­ Why don¡¯t you guys deal with Jeffrey? I¡¯m going to go back. home and rest for a few days. My

    wife¡¯s still waiting for me,¡± Landon spoke as he turned and ran off. ¡°Bye for now! Don¡¯t lose hope, okay?

    Justice will triumph over evil in the end! You guys got this!¡±

    Just like that, Landon was gone.

    Everyone else was left speechless.

    ¡°Uh¡­ The Lovces¡¯ hospital has a pretty good neurologist team.

    Turper you uncok up tie oomoume; reuni give him a discount,¡± Julien said, nudging Jonah¡¯s arm.

    Jonah nced at him silently, letting him do whatever he wanted.

    Alyssa and Jasper nodded eagerly at the suggestion. ¡°Sounds like a wonderful idea!¡±

 Chapter 1041

    After saying goodbye to everyone, Landon sped home right away.

    He had been keeping up a tough, manly act in front of everyone in the past few days. When no one

    was around, he secretly swiped longingly through his photos with Lauren, missing his darling wife.

    Landon couldn¡¯t take another day without Lauren any longer. He hadn¡¯t been able to eat or rest well

    because of it. Seeing Jasper and Alyssa acting so lovey-dovey had been hisst straw.

    Night fell in Sna City.

    The temperature had been rising fast these few days without Landon¡¯s presence. All the nts in the

    garden eagerly weed the change.

    It had been five days without a word from Landon. Angelina didn¡¯t dare contact him, yet she was so

    worried it was difficult to enj meal in peace. She only did two things these past few days-ter lovely little

    Lauren and wait for Landon toe home.

    Angelina stood outside the door tonight, smartly dressed as she awaited his return.

    She had a feeling Landon would be home soon. If not tonight, then. tomorrow.

    Just then, a white luxury car broke the silence of the night. With a shrill screech of the brakes, it came

    to a stop beside Angelina.

    Tears of joy flooded Angelina¡¯s eyes as she saw Landon exit and march toward the door safely. Her

    hands trembled in gratitude.

    ¡°You¡¯re back, Mr. Harper.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing waiting out here sote at night?¡± Landon looked her up and down before he

    asked in shock, ¡°You¡­ haven¡¯t been standing here waiting for me every day, have you?¡±

    ¡°No, no. I couldn¡¯t sleep tonight, so I decided to enjoy the night breeze out here. It just so happened

    that you came back,¡± Angelina said with a smile, keeping the truth from Landon.

    Her feelings for Landon came from a deep space within her, but she never showed it externally.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Madam? Has she gone to sleep?¡± Landon asked worriedly.

    ¡°Yes, Madam Lauren has just gone to bed.¡±

    Landon¡¯s shoulders slumped over as he said in a disappointed tone, Gosh¡­ I drove so fast even the

    brakes were whining inint, but

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    I still missed it!¡±

    Landon knew just how deeply Lauren slept. She was like a mode day Sleeping Beauty.

    If it weren¡¯t for Landon getting all handsy with her back then and keeping her up, there was no way they

    could get anything done during the night. Landon always had to wait till Lauren woke up.

    Angelina smiled. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Mr. Harper. At the very least, you no longer need to suffer from longing

    and distance.¡±

    That was correct.

    But Landon was already burning up from having to hold back these

    days. Who could he possibly seek out to help quench his needs? What was he to do? Rub one out

    while taking a cold shower?

    What a pathetic life he had.

    Just as Landon was about to enter the household, he noticed a scab on Angelina¡¯s left cheek under the

    faint light, like she had been scraped by something sharp.

    Landon squinted and noticed Angelina¡¯s left cheek was significantly more swollen than her right.

    ¡°What happened to your face?¡± Landon asked, brows furrowing.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Mr. Harper,¡± Angelina replied as her eyes went downcast, hiding from Landon.

    ¡°Nothing? Do you think I¡¯m blind? You were clearly hit in the face!¡± Anger flooded Landon¡¯s eyes as he

    hissed, ¡°Who hurt you? Who dared hurt one of mine when I wasn¡¯t around? I¡¯m going to peel the skin

    off his ass!¡±

    Knowing it was futile to hide the truth any longer, Angelina said dejectedly, ¡°Ms. Zoe came by this

    afternoon demanding to see Madam Lauren.¡±

    ¡°What was Zoe doing here?¡± Landon¡¯s heart clenched.

 Chapter 1042

    ¡°Ms. Zoe said she and Madam Lauren were schoolmates from middle school and had a pretty good

    bond during those days. She said she¡¯s had time to think about her past actions and said she shouldn¡¯t

    have been so selfish and reckless.

    ¡°That¡¯s why Ms. Zoe came over wanting to talk to Madam Lauren to make up with her,¡± Angelina

    exined.

    ¡°Do you buy that shit?¡± Landon snapped.

    Angelina replied faintly, ¡°I didn¡¯t let her into the house.¡±

    ¡°So Zoe hurt you just because you wouldn¡¯t let her see Madam?¡±

    Angelina stayed silent.

    ¡°Hmph! Then all that she said about making nothing more than bullshit!¡± Landon took a deep breath to

    suppress his rage. ¡°Zoe was looking to ambush Lauren today. She¡¯s so good at putting up an act these

    days you¡¯d think Sophia adopted her!¡±

    Angelina smiled in exasperation.

    ¡°You¡¯ve suffered much from being pitted between me and my sister while taking care of Lauren,¡±

    Landon said with a sigh, feeling guilty. ¡± Why don¡¯t you take a vacation starting tomorrow? I¡¯ll stay with.

    Lauren. Don¡¯t you like traveling? You can use my card and enjoy yourself.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, sir. I was only fulfilling my responsibility as your subordinate,¡± Angelina said calmly,

    even as warmth filled her chest.

    Landon tiptoed into the bedroom.

    He didn¡¯t dare switch on the lights nor put on any slippers for fear that Lauren would be awakened. He

    slowly inched toward Lauren, who was curled up on the bed. Landon seemed like the big bad wolf

    closing in on its prey for some reason.

    Landon stood over Lauren for some time, gazing deeply at her.

    Finally, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

    ¡°Goodnight, my darling wife. Sleep well. I¡¯ll y with you in the morning,¡± he murmured.

    Landon was about to leave when a pair of arms suddenly wrapped themselves around his waist.

    ¡°Lauren¡­¡± Landon¡¯s heart leaped into his throat.

    Lauren clung onto him tearfully, croaking out, ¡°You¡¯re finally home, Landon. Why were you away for so

    long? I thought you wouldn¡¯te back anymore. I thought you didn¡¯t want me anymore¡­

    Tears fell down Lauren¡¯s cheeks andnded on Landon¡¯s back, piercing his heart painfully.

    Lauren hadn¡¯t fallen asleep yet.

    She just wasn¡¯t sure if her lover had reallye back. She thou she was dreaming at first.

    Landon turned around and hugged his wife, one hand sped around the back of her head and

    tenderly caressing her hair.

    ¡°Silly ¡­ I¡¯d rather have the world be my sworn enemy than give you up. You¡¯re my everything.¡±

    ¡°But you were away for so long¡­ You¡¯ve never left me alone for that long.¡± Lauren sobbed, feeling

    aggrieved. Her hands were wrinkling Landon¡¯s ck shirt.

    ¡°We were catching a bad guy, after all. He was cunning, so catching.

    ¡°Then¡­ did you catch him?¡±

    ¡°Of course I did! I caught him myself, too!¡± Landon was obviously going to toot his own horn in front of

    his lover.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Landon!¡± Lauren chirped.

    ¡°Hehe! I have to be in order to protect you, no?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve caught the bad guy. Does that mean Nina is avenged now?¡± Lauren asked cautiously.

    Landon took a deep breath and nodded. ¡°Mhm. That dear, kind- hearted friend of yours can finally rest

    in peace now.¡±

    Lauren put her hands together and silently prayed for Nina.

 Chapter 1043

    This was the first time in days that Lauren smiled.

    Since Lauren hadn¡¯t fallen asleep, Landon wasn¡¯t going to let her off easily.

    Without even a shower beforehand, Landon hurriedly undressed himself while kissing Lauren, pressing

    her into the bed.

    Lauren¡¯s daintyce sleeping gown was soon tossed onto the floor, leaving her naked legs shivering

    under Landon¡¯s touch.

    The sound of harsh panting and moans filled the room. The two lovers enveloped one another closely,

    both in heart and body.

    After they were finished, neither had the energy to shower despite being covered in sweat. They didn¡¯t

    mind, however, and held one another to sleep.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for making you wait, my dear,¡± Landon said softly. He often felt like he owed Lauren

    deeply. People with autism needed at lot ofpanionship, but Landon was always so busy and

    unable to provide that to Lauren.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    Lauren nuzzled against his chest and shook her head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think just because I¡¯m the eldest grandchild in my family that I¡¯m all high and mighty. I¡¯m actually

    not as high in status as you are. You¡¯re Mr. Javier¡¯s beloved youngest daughter. Plus, you have a big

    brother and sister-inw to dote on you. On the other hand, I have to build myself up,¡± Landon said.

    With a bitter smile, he continued, ¡°If I don¡¯t step into the family. business now, then I might not have any

    connections to my family in

    Landon wanted control of the Harper Group before because of his father. But now there was one more

    reason-for his wife and potential children.

    ¡°Darling¡­¡± Lauren mewled, her tender voice melting Landon¡¯s heart.¡± You¡¯ve truly given me a lot

    already. I want nothing more than to see you happy and healthy.¡±

    ¡°No. It¡¯s not enough yet.¡± Landon raised Lauren¡¯s chin so their eyes met. ¡°I don¡¯t just want you to have

    all of me. I want the entire Harper Group to be your wedding gift.¡±

    Lauren listened on dumbly, slowly falling asleep afterward.

    After having his beloved in his arms, Landon, who had been exhausted, no longer felt that way.

    Lauren was his, and he wanted to give her the best.

    He never wanted to be a merecent yboy.

    What Landon wanted was to avenge his father and make his grandfather pass the entirety of Harper

    Group to him, leaving Pre with nothing!

    After returning to Sna City, Jasper moved into Alyssa¡¯s home. Previously, it was out of Alyssa¡¯s pity,

    but now it was official.

    The two had already dozed on the flight back for a couple of hours. After returning home, Alyssa swiftly

    cleaned up and went to sleep without so much as changing her clothes.

    She was so tired!

    Jasper didn¡¯t want Alyssa to sleep in difort, so he clumsily helped her change into sleepwear. Who

    knew Alyssa would be so

    ¡°Mm¡­ tasty¡­¡± Alyssa mumbled in her sleep, licking her lips.

    Jasper smiled and tickled her nose. ¡°Hungry little minx. I¡¯ll feed your when you wake up.¡±

    Jasper suddenly recalled how Alyssa had gnawed on her lip just so she wouldn¡¯t cry out on the ne.

    The thought made desire boil in his. abdomen..

    Jasper was a gentleman. He wasn¡¯t going to take advantage of Alyssa.

    After wrestling with himself, Jasper satisfied himself with a kiss on Alyssa¡¯s lips and tucked her into

    bed. He then left the room.

    Rosie was asleep when Jasper went to stay with Alyssa. When Rosie heard about their safe return,

    she cried tears of joy.

 Chapter 1044

    Thank you for tending to the house these past few days, Rosie,¡± Jasper said to Rosie as he stood

    before her with an arm hooked around Alyssa¡¯s waist. They appeared quite like young newlyweds. who

    had just returned from their honeymoon.

    Alyssa and Jasper cleverly knew not to reveal Jasper¡¯s injuries to Rosie. Rosie was old, so it was

    better not to make her worry.

    Just then, the doorbell rang.

    Xavier entered with tworge lunch boxes. He was sweating and panting.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett! I¡¯ve finally gotten the food you had me order from the Nouveau Table!¡±

    ¡°The Nouveau Table? My goodness! The waiting list for that restaurant is terribly long. It takes at least

    three hours of waiting.¡±

    Alyssa swallowed a mouthful of saliva beforeining to Jasp Why did you have to make things

    difficult for Xavier?¡±

    ¡°Because you were craving good food.¡±

    ¡°When?¡±

    ¡°Last night in your sleep,¡± Jasper murmured in Alyssa¡¯s ear before chuckling.

    Alyssa blushed. ¡°I-It was just dream talking!¡±

    ¡°Thank you for your hard work. Why don¡¯t you set the table with Rosie. and join us for breakfast?¡±

    Jasper said with a smile.

    ¡°Join you guys?¡± Xavier was shocked by the suggestion. He hurriedly. shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t possibly

    eat with you all, sir. It just won¡¯t do!¡±

    ¡°Do as I say,¡± Jasper quipped.

    Xavier shivered lightly in fear. He was secretly overjoyed, however.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    It looked like Jasper and Alyssa¡¯s rtionship had significantly improved after their trip to Tsulu.

    Jasper¡¯s n of being with Alyssa had finallye true!

    Everyone sat around the table and enjoyed their meal, creating a merry atmosphere. There was no

    separation between employer and subordinate at this moment. They were all family.

    In truth, Jasper had always treated Rosie and Xavier as his family all these years.

    After the meal, Alyssa and Rosie cleaned up in the kitchen while Xavier and Jasper went to the living

    room for a discussion.

    ¡°Something¡¯s happened while you were away from Beckett Group,¡± Xavier said in a low tone.

    ¡°Did something bad happen with our partnership with Jesselton. Incorporated?¡±

    Jasper had been resting deeply after his injuries. Alyssa kept a close watch on him throughout. She

    didn¡¯t want him to expend too much. energy, so she confiscated his phone during his recovery. This

    made. Jasper unable to get thetest information from Xavier.

    Naturally, Jasper had no clue what happened at Beckett Group.

    ¡°Nothing bad. It went surprisingly smooth.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing?¡± Jasper¡¯s brows wrinkled. ¡°Why do you look so concerned? Did something

    happen?¡±

    ¡°The person who made the partnership happen wasn¡¯t Mr. Javier but Mr. Justin instead.¡±.

    ¡°My¡­ brother?¡± Jasper¡¯s gaze darkened as his heart clenched.

    ¡°Yes. You weren¡¯t present at the meeting, so Mr. Justin discussed with Jesselton Incorporated¡¯s

    chairman on your behalf,¡± Xavier exined.

    Xavier didn¡¯t have a pleasant expression as he thought about this matter. He was hesitant to speak

    about Justin.

    ¡°Mr. Justin has never gotten involved in thepany since he went to Mosgravia. Why would he

    suddenly appear at such a crucial time? It¡¯s too coincidental!

    ¡°I don¡¯t think Mr. Justin is doing the right thing. Isn¡¯t this taking advantage of the situation and trying to

    one-up you, sir?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Xavier.¡± Jasper grew solemn. ¡°Justin saved me. He barely escaped from those men¡¯s

    clutches all those years ago and even grew ill because of it. I wouldn¡¯t have be heir if it weren¡¯t for

    his rescue.¡±

 Chapter 1045

    No one in the Beckett family wanted to mention that harrowing kidnapping incident.

    Years ago, Justin and Jasper were kidnapped by an internationally. famous syndicate and kept hidden

    in an abandoned, filthy warehouse deep in the countryside. A huge ransom was demanded in

    exchange. for their safe return.

    Jasper couldn¡¯t remember how long they were imprisoned there. It was a dingy and dirty ce so dark

    they couldn¡¯t tell when the sun was rising or setting.

    He remembered being abused every single day they were held there. The kidnappers only gave them

    one meal daily so they wouldn¡¯t have the energy to escape. It was a living hell.

    Justin, who was older than Jasper by four years, ended up stalling one of the kidnappers guarding

    them, thus giving Jasper a chance to escape.

    Jasper stumbled on in the forest without so much as a nce backward. He finally rolled off a hill when

    his body gave out from exhaustion.

    Luckily, a kind-hearted hunter saved Jasper and brought him to the police after he woke up. Only then

    did Jasper give the police clues and safely make it home.

    Justin wasn¡¯t so lucky, however.

    The cruel kidnappers had hurt him badly out of anger, locking him in a tiny container and depriving him

    of food and water for five days. Justin survived those days by consuming his own urine.

    Three dayster, when the kidnappers finally got their ransom money, Justin was tossed outside

    Seaview Manor naked and bound. The kidnappers then left in broad daylight.

    Justin, meanwhile, had suffered greatly in the process. Due to being abused and the slow asphyxiation

    in the enclosed container space. for so long, his organs had begun failing. The medical fees needed to

    treat Justin were as high as 500 thousand dors!

    Justin¡¯s life was literally hanging by a thread during those days.

    This incident traumatized the entire Beckett family deeply until today. Because of this, Jasper felt he

    owed a great deal to his big brother.

    It was also because of those that Javier, who was habitually stern, would be biased toward Justin, not

    Jasper.

    ¡°But Mr. Justin shouldn¡¯t be stepping in now that you¡¯re the heir!¡± Xavierined. ¡°The entire board

    was already upset when you¡¯ missed the meeting. Mr. Justin¡¯s appearance on your behalf and sess

    in the partnership only made the support toward him in thepany grow. Even Mr. Javier started

    contacting him more.

    ¡°I know you value your family, Mr. Beckett, but the Beckett family isn like the Taylor family. Blood

    rtions mean nothing in the face of power! You should know that better than anyone after all these

    years!

    ¡°Even if Mr. Justin saved you all those years ago and treated you well, you two still don¡¯t share the

    same mother. He¡¯s the eldest, too. How can you guarantee that he has no motives toward Beckett

    Group after. all these years?¡±

    Xavier¡¯s spit was nearly flying out as he conveyed his heartfelt message.

    Jasper¡¯s breath seemed to hitch in his chest. His eyes were sullen.

    Xavier continued, ¡°Mr. Justin makes himself out to be someone who about thepany¡¯s partnership

    with Jesselton Incorporated.

    ¡°What does this tell us? It tells us that Mr. Justin was never sitting idly all these years. He¡¯s always

    been keeping an eye out on you and the Beckett Group!

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Besides, Mr. Justin sat beside Jesselton Inc.¡¯s chairman during the conference call the other day.

    Obviously, they had arranged for all this to happen and started working secretly!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened upon hearing this, though he didn¡¯t respond.

    ¡°Sometimes, the closest to us can hurt us the most, sir. You need to be careful so that no one can take

    you by surprise!¡±

    ¡°Xavier, what if, and I mean what if

    Xavier blinked lightly.

    ¡°What if one day Justin recovered fully, returned to Sna City, and wanted to take over the family

    business, including my position as

    CEO? What do you think I should do? Do I just hand him everything withoutint?¡±

 Chapter 1046

    ¡°What right does Mr. Justin have to just demand what he wants?¡± Xavier said, his fists balling up. ¡°The

    company wouldn¡¯t have reached its height today without you. You have shed blood, sweat, and tears.

    to make thispany great.

    ¡°You nearly lost your life in an ident while supervising the development lots yourself. You haven¡¯t

    even begun to enjoy the fruits of yourbor, so how dare Mr. Justine back and reap what your

    have sowed?

    ¡°So what if Mr. Javier is backing him up? You¡¯re doted on by Mr. Beckett Senior! A son has to listen to

    his father no matter what!¡±

    ¡°What are you going on about father and son?¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice rang out suddenly.

    Jasper quickly signaled for Xavier to be quiet. His gloomy expression switched to a warm, loving one.

    Alyssa walked toward them with some mugs of tea in her hands. What are you two going on about so

    loudly? You sound so rilea Xavier.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing important. He gets riled up just by watching stray mutts fight over a bone.¡± Jasper went and

    took the mugs from Alyssa¡¯s hands. ¡°What¡¯s with the courtesy? Do you take me as a mere

    houseguest?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just worried you two might dehydrate yourselves with how much you¡¯re chatting,¡± Alyssa said with

    augh.

    ¡°A kiss freshens me up more than tea,¡± Jasper said.

    He then kissed Alyssa on the lips as if only the two of them were proovi

    Xavier blushed and quickly turned away.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart pounded in her chest. She gently pushed Jasper away right as he was about to slip his

    tongue in. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m here to have a serious conversation with you. Can you be more serious?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re too seductive, Lyse.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes were red with desire. ¡°I can¡¯t be serious around you.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t dare meet his gaze for fear of melting under their heat.

    The two sat down on the couch together. Jasper wrapped an arm around Alyssa¡¯s shoulder while she

    instinctively leaned into his chest.

    They formed a stunning, painting-worthy view.

    Xavier nearly cried. He never expected to be able to see the two

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    reunite in this lifetime. It was all worth it now!

    ¡°Cyrus called me earlier and said they¡¯re starting the case on Jeffrey,¡± Alyssa said, her hands balling

    into fists.

    ¡°Landon and I are looking for Inigo too. We have men all over the ce, whether it¡¯s the airports,

    railways, or jetties. They have yet to find any trace of him since everything began.¡± Jasper wrapped his

    hand around Alyssa¡¯s and squeezed it lightly, warming her up.

    ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s protecting him. With what you guys are capable of, there¡¯s no way that bastard

    wouldn¡¯t have been found out by now.¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper shared a look, knowing who exactly was protecting Inigo.

    ¡°Inigo won¡¯t be able to escape so long as he¡¯s in Sna City. Being protected doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Jasper¡¯s

    gaze glinted sharply as he spoke.

    ¡°We¡¯ll need to keep a close eye on Jameson too.¡± Alyssa had thought linger in that any longer wa

    The theme ? possibiling tar jonasodhuar strendy killed inge* Jasper

 Chapter 1047

    Alyssa¡¯s heart clenched. With a purse of her lips, she said, ¡°I doubt it. I¡¯ve investigated Inigo¡¯s

    background. He used to be a mercenary and had experience personally guarding members of the royal

    family. He made it to where he is today with an iron fist. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s that easily killed.

    ¡°Plus, he wouldn¡¯t havee all the way to Sna City alone. It won¡¯t be that easy to take him out

    even if Jameson wanted to, right?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s words still made Alyssa worry.

    Jasper seemed to have picked up on this.

    He slowly intertwined their hands and consoled her, ¡°Our enemy is powerful. It¡¯s okay if we don¡¯t catch

    them all at once.

    ¡°There is still time. At the very least, we now know who to watch out for, which is a far better situation

    than before.

    ¡°What¡¯s important now is to take care of Sophia ASAP and both Nina ¡­ and my mother.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    Jasper¡¯s voice shook slightly upon mentioning his mother. His grew red with unshed tears.

    He did his best to control his emotions in front of Alyssa. He wanted to be a calm, steady sentinel to

    her, making her feel safe and at ease. whenever.

    Alyssa¡¯s heart ached as if it was filled with sharp gravel. She gently hugged Jasper.

    He immediately hugged her back as if he had been waiting for it.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything. I know. I know you care for me.¡±

    Cyrus and three of his team members for this case had been. interrogating Jeffrey for ten hours in the

    police station.

    All of them were incredibly experienced when it came to questioning suspects, yet none of their

    expertise seemed to work in front of

    Jeffrey. He was an evil, strong-willed bastard.

    No amount of threat or bait could make Jeffrey reveal who the mastermind behind his acts was.

    As things reached a stalemate, Jasper and Alyssa arrived at the station.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lyse,¡± Cyrus said sadly, scratching at his head. ¡°It¡¯s my fault for not being able to crack

    him even until now. If he¡¯s trying to stall for time, there¡¯s no way we could convict Sophia even if the

    court finds him guilty. Our one lead on her would be lost by then!¡±

    How could they get revenge for Jasper at that point in time?

    Cyrus continued, ¡°There¡¯s a more serious question right now. Jeffrey is a Tsulian. Our country¡¯sws do

    not allow foreign convicts to be sentenced to death here. At most, a murderer would get 20 years

    behind bars. Jeffrey would definitely be extradited to Tsulu in 20 years for their court to deal with him!¡±

    Cyrus ground his teeth together, grunting out, ¡°I feel like strangling something the moment I think about

    the fact that that cruel lowlife won¡¯t be getting the death penalty, Lyse!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, Cyrus. You¡¯re already doing your best. It¡¯s Jeffrey that¡¯s too cunning and heartless.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath and asked, ¡°Can you inform your higher-ups that Jasper and I want to have

    a chat with Jeffrey?¡±

    ¡°You two?¡± Cyrus was shocked.

    ¡°Yes. Let us have a chat with Jeffrey. Who knows? We might be able to contribute to the case.¡±

 Chapter 1048

    ¡°Oh my goodness, I nearly forgot!¡± Cyrus suddenly smacked his. forehead. His eyes were glowing

    excitedly. ¡°You helped us solve two murder cases before! One was by pinpointing material evidence

    that gave us a breakthrough, and the other was identifying mistakes in at suspect¡¯s statement, which

    made the criminale clean!¡±

    Jasper stared at Alyssa in sheer awe.

    How could Alyssa be so phenomenal? There was no way he could catch up to her at this rate.

    Jasper used to think he was pretty decent. But now, he felt like a piece of used tissue paper in front of

    Alyssa.

    ¡°Looks like you still remember my achievements, Cyrus,¡± Alyssa teased. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Winston,

    Mandy, and everyone else holding me back, I would¡¯ve be a gun-slinging police officer myself.

    You might even be calling me Madam right now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s only because everyone worried you would be in danger be out on the front lines every day.

    They all dote on you, after all. But they still couldn¡¯t stop you in the end, no? You ended up ¡­¡±

    Alyssa suddenly shot Cyrus a look, which made him stop talking. Her secret had nearly been revealed.

    Cyrus then led Jasper and Alyssa to see the station¡¯s captain.

    The captain, Orion Holt, naturally remembered who Alyssa was. He still recalled how her keen attention

    to detail helped them solve a previous case.

    What was more surprising was that Jasper was here.

    Jasper Beckett¡¯s name alone was enough to instill a sense of magnitude in Orion. Orion knew just how

    powerful Jasper was without needing to exchange any words.

    ¡°Thank you foring all this way, Mr. Beckett. I apologize for not weing you earlier!¡± Orion said

    hurriedly.

    His attitude toward Alyssa was kind, but he grew excited and courteous upon turning to Jasper. He

    even told Cyrus, chief of the First Criminal Investigation Division, to bring Jasper some coffee!

    Cyrus internally cursed his captain.

    Meanwhile, Jasper hurriedly stood up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll get it myself.¡±

    No way was Jasper going to let his future brother-inw make coffee for him right in front of Alyssa. He

    hadn¡¯t lost his mind yet!

    Jasper still needed to marry Alyssa!

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes narrowed fondly. She was pleased to see that Jasper knew his ce.

    ¡°Oh, my goodness! We can¡¯t let you go through all the trouble. you some myself!¡±

    Orion hurriedly got Jasper a mug of coffee, making Cyrus fume silently.

    If Orion knew that Cyrus was the seventh child of Winston Taylor, the wealthiest man from Belbanks,

    would he straight up have Cyrus move into his own office?

    Jasper was in no hurry to drink the coffee. He tapped on the mug to test its temperature before blowing

    at it gently. He then offered it to Alyssa.

    ¡°Here. It¡¯s not scalding anymore,¡± he said.

    Cyrus and Orion were left speechless.

    ¡°You have some, too.¡± Alyssa took a sip before passing it back to Jasper.

    Jasper drank from the spot where her lips had just touched.

    Their interaction wasn¡¯t too over the top. Regardless, it made the onlookers feel envious.

    ¡°Captain Holt, we¡¯re here today just for one thing-to speak with

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Jeffrey Snyder,¡± Jasper said without waiting for Alyssa or Cyrus to speak

 Chapter 1049

    ¡°Arrange for Mr. Beckett to meet the suspect right away, Cyrus!¡± Orion instructed.

    Everyone was shocked.

    Was it that easy?

    ¡°Yes, captain.¡± Cyrus was stunned by how smoothly it went.

    ¡°But Jeffrey is a dangerous man. It might not be safe to see him alone, Mr. Beckett. Let Cyrus go with

    you,¡± Orion said.

    ¡°No need,¡± Jasper replied calmly.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Captain Holt.. Mr. Beckett is far more skilled than Cyrus and Jeffreybined,¡± Alyssa said

    with a smile. ¡°You best send more officers to watch over Jeffrey if Mr. Beckett gets angry. I fear Jeffrey

    might end up losing his life in the station.¡±

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t let Jeffrey die before everything came to an end-not yet.

    Cyrus and two officers waited outside the detention center while. Alyssa and Jasper went inside to

    speak to Jeffrey.

    Some time went past before Jeffrey was lugged before them. He was cuffed and d in prisoner¡¯s garb

    behind the bars.

    ¡°Fancy seeing you here,¡± Jeffrey snickered and sat on the metal chair. He leered at Alyssa and teased,

    ¡°Did you miss me, Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s expression was frosty. Though angry, she was able to control herself.

    But Jasper¡¯s anger had reached boiling point. His jaw was clenched tight as he red at Jeffrey. He

    bristled like some caged animal, ready to lunge forth at any time.

    Just then, Alyssa held Jasper¡¯s trembling hand underneath the table.

    Her firm grip steadied Jasper¡¯s being, sending a curious calmness throughout his body. It quickly

    stabilized his emotions..

    ¡°Hurry up and get to the point. I want to get back to sleep,¡± Jeffrey continued. He was clearly not

    interested in cooperating with them.

    ¡°We¡¯vee here to talk about working with you, Jeffrey,¡± Alyssa began, using a more eptable

    term.

    ¡°Work with me? Do you think I¡¯m an idiot, Ms. Alyssa? I nearly died under both your hands. You two

    want to work with me? What nonsense!¡± Jeffrey scoffed.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t seed in killing us, though you wanted to, did you?¡± Alyssa asked with a faint smile.

    Jeffrey¡¯s brows furrowed.

    He was a mercenary, a trained hitman. Alyssa¡¯s words were insulting his expertise.

    She continued, ¡°You know very well that thews in my country only sentence criminals of the gravest

    offenses to a maximum of 20 years. in prison. Do you really want to stay behind bars for that long?

    ¡°You¡¯d be 60 by the time you return to Tsulu. Would you still have your support back there? You¡¯ll still

    have to be imprisoned in Tsulian jail when you go back at the old age of 60. You know just how terrible

    the prison conditions there are. Do you think you¡¯d survive?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s words struck every one of Jeffrey¡¯s weak points. She was a natural mediator.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    Jasper sped her hand silently as he watched her speak. His gaze was filled with admiration and

    tenderness.

    Jeffrey¡¯s smile froze momentarily on his face.

    Alyssa struck while the iron was hot.

    She said, ¡°We know Sophia was the one who instructed you to do this. Things wouldn¡¯t have ended up

    the way they did otherwise. Our number one enemy is Sophia, not you. Now that you¡¯re arrested and at

    risk of imprisonment, Sophia continues living her life freely out int the world. It¡¯s as if the consequences

    you¡¯re suffering today have nothing to do with her. Can you live with that?¡±

 Chapter 1050

    Jeffrey sneered but said nothing.

    ¡°So why don¡¯t we work together? You can testify that Sophia was the one who instructed you to kill

    Nina. In return, we¡¯ll make sure you return to Tsulu within the year. You saw how close my sister was to

    the royal family. All that¡¯s needed to get you back home safe is a kind word from my sister to the

    queen.¡±

    Alyssa then ended her words with, ¡°How about it, Mr. Snyder? Why don¡¯t you consider our offer?¡±

    Shock rippled in Jasper¡¯s eyes.

    Alyssa¡¯s attitude, consideration, and mindset were just as keen as Jasper¡¯s and the other men in the

    business world. In fact, many of the big leagues couldn¡¯t evenpare.

    Jasper was fortunate Alyssa was kind at heart and that she loved him. Who knows what kind of torment

    Jasper would suffer from her? It must be the devastating kind.

    Jeffrey chuckled. He said sarcastically, ¡°If someone else offered this deal to me today, I might actually

    take it up. But since it¡¯s you who¡¯s suggesting it, Ms. Alyssa, then I do not have a single reason to

    believe you at all.

    ¡°Put inly, I¡¯m only here today because of you, no? You¡¯re only seeking me out because you¡¯re out of

    ideas about defeating Sophia. I¡¯m nothing more than a pawn to you. Do you really think I wouldn¡¯t see

    through your ploy?¡±

    Jeffrey then stood up from the chair, its legs dragging loudly against the ground.

    ¡°Stop wasting your breath here. Why don¡¯t you spend time figuring out how to handle Sophia?

    Hahaha!¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Neither Jasper nor Alyssa were in the best mood when they left the room.

    Cyrus didn¡¯t press the matter as he could tell the mediation had failed. He could only console them by

    saying he would continue interrogating Jeffrey.

    Jasper could tell Alyssa wasn¡¯t in a good mood on the car ride back. He gathered her into his arms and

    tucked his chin on her head.

    He then said, ¡°Don¡¯t feel down, Lyse. We still have Nina¡¯s recording. It may not be direct evidence, and

    it¡¯s been 20 years since it was recorded, but it would still impact Sophia greatly upon its reveal. Her

    reputation would be ruined, and not even Javier could save her then.¡±

    ¡°Is that all you want, Jasper?¡± Alyssa suddenly asked in a cold tone.

    A heavy weight pressed on Jasper¡¯s chest, making his breathing. shallow. His heart pained as if it was

    being excavated.

    Of course not. Jasper wanted Sophia to die. He wanted to drag her straight down to hell.

    ¡°It¡¯s already been 20 years. Even if we had the voice recording, what good would it do?¡± Jasper said

    gently.

    Alyssa pressed a hand on his chest right above his heart. Only she could understand the hatred and

    rage in Jasper¡¯s heart toward Sophia.

    ¡°20 years have passed, making the statute of limitatione into ce, rendering evidence useless.

    You know there¡¯s no way Sophia can be sentenced gravely without direct evidence. How can just her

    ruined reputation and being hated by Javier be enough? How?¡± Alyssa

    ¡°Lyse¡­¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes were wet. His voice was raspy from having to suppress the emotion he felt.

    ¡°This is our only chance to make Sophia¡¯s life a living hell, to never give her a chance to redeem

    herself. We need to use Nina¡¯s death and Jeffrey¡¯s confession to establish her as a cold-blooded

    murderer!¡± Alyssa said.

    Anger flitted in her eyes as she continued, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Nina, the truth about your mother¡¯s death

    would¡¯ve been lost forever. Nina got. this chance for us at the cost of her own life, so we need to make

    use. of it. We need to make Jeffrey tell us the truth no matter what!¡±

    ¡°Do you think Jeffrey woulde clean? He was so obstinate earlier,

    Jasper asked sullenly.

    ¡°He will. Believe me. I could tell that he wavered just the slightest earlier. Why else would he just sit

    there and listen to us? He wouldn¡¯t have wanted to see us in the first ce,¡± Alyssa said, determined.

    Jasper nodded lightly in agreement.

    ¡°Jeffrey just doesn¡¯t trust me right now. Plus, his days in lock-up are still bearable, so there¡¯s no need to

    take the risk of cooperating with. me,¡± Alyssa exined.

    ¡°Bearable?¡± Jasper questioned as an rming ferocity appeared in his eyes. ¡°He¡¯ll soone to

    realize that the only chance for survival is to cooperate with us, even if his continued existence is only

    temporary.¡±

 Chapter 1051

    At this moment, Jasper¡¯s phone rang. It was Xavier calling in.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, everything is ready. Tonight at 7:00 pm, prime time, all the news stations will report the

    news of Jeffrey¡¯s arrest. I guarantee Sophia will see it.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    Jasper smiled in satisfaction. ¡°After that, keep an eye on Sophia and the situation in the prison. If

    there¡¯s any movement, contact me and Alyssa immediately.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Beckett.¡±

    Xavier hesitated for a moment, then quickly added, ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Beckett, on reconciling with

    Madam. I hope you won¡¯t make her angry again. Care for her with all you can. Make up for the three

    years you owe her.¡±

    ¡°You-¡±

    Before Jasper could respond, Xavier quickly hung up.

    Jasper raised an eyebrow. That brat Xavier had grown some guts. Hel actually dared to hang up on

    Jasper.

    Also, what was Xavier babbling about earlier? Was he lecturing Jasper on how to do things?

    Alyssa cleared her throat as she blushed in embarrassment. ¡°I didn¡¯t intentionally eavesdrop. Your

    secretary¡¯s voice is too loud.¡±

    ¡°I have no secrets from you. You can listen to anything you want.¡±

    Smiling, Jasper said in a hoarse and indulgent voice, ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll just put it on speakerphone and let

    him greet my wife.¡±

    ¡°No thanks. Let¡¯s give each other some personal space.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze shifted, and she asked with a hint of annoyance, ¡°And who¡¯s your wife? I only have a

    divorce certificate, not a marriage certificate.¡±

    ¡°Who else could it be besides you?¡±

    Jasper took her hand, lowered his eyes, and nted a kiss on the back of her hand. His gaze was

    restrained and affectionate. ¡°As long as you want to, I can hold your hand and grow old together with

    you at any time.¡±

    ¡°Tsk! Who wants that?¡±

    As he gently held her hand, Alyssa felt like he had captured her heart. Even her ears gradually turned

    red.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes deepened with desire. Unsatisfied with just holding her, he sealed her lips with a

    passionate kiss. He savored every taste emanating from her tongue.

    Alyssa was not a woman driven by lust, but every time she had intimate contact with Jasper, she

    couldn¡¯t resist the stirring emotions.

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Her eyes turned misty, and her nose carried tiny beads of sweat. Her whole body softened, and all her

    senses closed in.

    Noticing Jasper bing more and more brazen, Alyssa suddenly pressed down his hand, which was

    exploring under her dress. It felt like touching a scalding hot iron.

    ¡°Did you instruct Xavier to contact the media and release the news of Jeffrey¡¯s arrest to provoke

    Sophia?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re quite smart.¡± Squinting his eyes, Jasper rubbed her smooth skin with the palm of his hand.

    ¡°Are you so sure that Sophia will fall for your n? What if she stays una vocamu unyumy: Aiyoou

    rocico by ma Ledviny. Her hands quivered as they climbed onto his broad shoulders.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let any possibility slip by. Seize every opportunity. This is what you¡¯ve taught me, Lyse.¡± Jasper¡¯s

    voice was hoarse and charming.

    ¡°Then¡­ I think I can help you add some more hot scoop.¡± Alyssa¡¯s voice was soft.

    She hooked her fingers at his lower jaw, smiling like a cunning little fox.

    Seeing that, Jasper knew that she had another idea.

 Chapter 1052

    That night at 7:00 pm, all the news channels reported the news of the shooting incident. If it wasn¡¯t the

    first piece of news, it was still the second.

    The footage of Jeffrey¡¯s arrest was exposed. In the video provided by Jasper to the media, Jeffrey¡¯s

    face was not even blurred. It was boldly presented to the public.

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Simultaneously, the news of the innocent girl who lost her life in the shooting spread like wildfire,

    causing a public outcry.

    Citizens flooded thement sections on the TV station¡¯s official website and Twitter, condemning

    Jeffrey¡¯s heinous actions.

    ¡°Sna City is known as the safest city in the country, but a shooting incident actually happened! It¡¯s

    surreal!¡±

    ¡°This Jeffrey Snyder is heartless! Ruthless! Worse thal! I hope thew severely punishes this viin and

    brings innocent girl. Don¡¯t disappoint us.¡±

    ¡°Usually, in the news, the photos of victims are exposed, whi faces of criminals are often blurred. That¡¯s

    just weird! This tin media did a great job.

    ¡°We should all see the disgusting face of this creature, who doesn¡¯t deserve to be called a human

    being! Even if he hasn¡¯t been sentenced to death, let him experience social death first!¡±

    ¡®Poor little girl, she died at such a young age¡­ It really makes me want to cry.¡±

    ¡°Now that the murderer is brought to justice, the girl¡¯s spirit in heaven. should find sce.¡±

    Originally, public opinion was united in condemning Jeffrey.

    However, at this moment, a fewments quietly slipped into the discussion, causing some chain

    reactions.

    ¡°Do you know who this Jeffrey is?¡±

    Everyone was curious.

    ¡°ording to insiders, Jeffrey was Sophia Kirkman¡¯s bodyguard for many years, and the Beckett family

    was aware of it.¡±

    ¡°What? Sophia Kirkman¡¯s bodyguard?¡±

    ¡°I also heard that Jeffrey has aplex background. He used to be a mercenary in Tsulu, killing

    people. But when he started working for Sophia, his past was whitewashed.

    ¡°He even infiltrated the Beckett Group for so many years. Hehe! The rich are really something else.

    Even their bodyguards bring guns to work.

    ¡°Also, the deceased was a maid in the Beckett family, and Jeffrey was, a bodyguard for them, both

    serving Sophia. Don¡¯t you think there¡¯s something wrong with this?¡±

    Netizens seemed to have their dormant curiosity ignited, and various spections emerged. Sophia,

    who was already dead socially, was once again mentioned for public humiliation.

    ¡°Is Sophia the reincarnation of a witch? Why those close to her have a bad ending?¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to see the name Sophia again. Let Gode and. kill that old witch!¡±

    ¡°Could it be that the girl stumbled upon Sophia¡¯s secret affair? That witch was afraid of being kicked out

    of the Beckett family and losing her wealth and glory, so she sent Jeffrey to kill the girl and silence her.

    Opinions varied, and though the words ofizens seemed unrealistic, they were actually close to the

    correct answer.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, I¡¯ve leaked the information per your instructions.¡±

    Already meeting the discharge criteria, Sean was now recuperating in a sanatorium. Yet he was still

    contributing to Alyssa as much as he could.

    ¡°Our people have already spread the news on various social medial tforms, and public opinion has

    shifted. I believe when Sophia sees. suspicion pointing toward her, she¡¯ll likely be on edge.¡±

    ¡°Sophia is guilty. Naturally, she won¡¯t have a moment¡¯s peace.¡±

 Chapter 1053

    Alyssa was good at manipting public opinion to incite emotions amongizens. With just a little

    effort, it could have a significant impact.

    ¡°Sean, I¡¯m really sorry. I know you¡¯re still in recovery, but I had to trouble you. You¡¯ve been handling the

    PR side, so you understand the entire process the best. You work the fastest, so I can only-¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, please don¡¯t say that.¡±

    Sean was very serious yet gentle. ¡°No matter when or what happens, please remember, I have your

    back.¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sean¡­¡± Alyssa choked up.

    It might be because she had recently been too deeply immersed in love, but she seemed to be getting

    softer as she aged. She found herself on the verge of tears at the slightest emotional trig

    Bme it on Jasper for turning her iron-heartedness into t eetitions.

    ¡®Besides, I¡¯m bored to death in this sanatorium. Please find something for me to do. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll get

    early-onset dementia. beard Taty goes to take care of you when she¡¯s free. Why are you stil bored?¡±

    Alyssa teased him.

    ¡°Mystiana tries all kinds of dishes for me every day. My eight-pack abba rtnost melting into one.¡±

    Sean sighed in distress, but even his scigncored a hint of happiness.

    ¡°Taty wineversed l¡¯s excellent cooking skills. You¡¯re one lucky guy.¡± Alyssa couldidn¡¯t help sighing.

    After she pondered for a moment, her tone turned serious. ¡°When this revengees to an end, and

    your body recovers, I¡¯ll go talk to

    Winston and L about you and Taty.¡±

    ¡°A-About us?¡± Sean was so shocked that he raised his voice.

    Hearing him sound so spirited, Alyssa smiled gently. It seemed he was recovering well.

    ¡°Although you¡¯ve watched Taty grow up, you¡¯ve only been dating for less than a year. You still need to

    understand each other more and spend more time together. It¡¯s not the time to talk about marriage yet.

    ¡°But after all, Taty is the Taylor family¡¯s precious daughter and the apple of Winston and L¡¯s eyes.

    They¡¯re very cautious when ites to choosing a future son-inw.

    ¡°As far as I know, during the four years Taty studied in Sna City, Winston never stopped looking for

    talented young men in the country for her. But L used the excuse that Taty is still young and should

    prioritize her studies to decline that idea.¡±

    Sean listened quietly. His breath turned slightly heavy, and his heart tightened.

    ¡°So don¡¯t think that you¡¯re all safe just because Taty likes you. I need to quickly go to Winston and

    improve your image. You and Taty still have a long way to go.¡±

    Alyssa had only one sister, and she cherished her dearly, taking on the role of a half-mother. ¡°Make a

    good showing and be extremely good to Taty. Visit our home more often, and be attentive to your future

    father and mother-inw.

    ¡°As long as you two love each other and never leave or abandon each other, my brothers and I will help

    you ovee any obstacles at home.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡­ thank you.¡± Sean choked up. Those two words meant everything he wanted to say.

    Alyssa waved her hand casually. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t need to be so formal. You¡¯ve been working for me and

    Jonah for a long time, tirelessly year- round. As the boss, shouldn¡¯t I give you some benefits?

    ¡°Besides, it¡¯s not just for you, but it¡¯s also for Taty¡¯s lifelong

    happiness. She¡¯s delicate, soft-hearted, and timid. I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll be bullied by other men. Since I

    know you well, entrusting her to you makes me feel at ease.¡±

    ¡°Please rest assured. I really¡­ really like Ms. Tatiana. I swear that I¡¯ll never let her down.¡± Sean vowed

    word by word, his voice breaking.

    Alyssa smiled contentedly.

    After a moment of silence, Sean said softly and sincerely,¡± Congrattions to you and Mr. Beckett.

    After countless hardships, you¡¯re finally truly together. Please be happy, Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°I will. We¡¯ll both be happy.¡± Alyssa was moved, and she smiled. warmly.

 Chapter 1054

    At this moment, in Seaview Manor, all the servants of the Beckett family had learned about the ins and

    outs of the Jeffrey case through the television and their phones. They were all in a state of shock, and

    discussions were buzzing.

    ¡°Jeffrey Snyder? Madam Sophia¡¯s assistant, Jeffrey?¡±

    ¡°Yes, him! Whenever I saw that guy, I would get goosebumps. He looked sinister. It turns out he¡¯s really

    a viin.¡±

    ¡°Oh, my God. Nina

    Poor Nina! Such a good girl, gone just like that.¡±

    The servants shed tears, and sobs echoed.

    ¡°Nina¡¯s death is partially Sophia¡¯s responsibility. How could she keep such a dangerous person at

    home? She¡¯s too selfish. Don¡¯t our lives. matter?¡± someone said indignantly.

    ¡°Has the noble Madam Sophia ever considered us humans?¡±

    One maid who was close to Nina eximed, ¡°She and Betty are simply evil capitalists! They always

    bullied Nina. Sometimes, she was forced to workte at night.

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    ¡°Once, I saw bruises all over her arms when she changed clothes. I asked if she was being bullied by

    Sophia and Betty, and she just remained silent¡­¡±

    ¡°Poor Nina. Sophia and Betty are simply inhuman! They¡¯re just two bitches that bark incessantly every

    day!¡±

    Several nodded in agreement.

    They had long been fed up with Sophia and Betty, but because of the power of the Beckett Group, they

    dared not express their anger openly.

    ¡°Sigh. Back when Madam hadn¡¯t divorced Mr. Jasper, she treated all the servants at Seaview Manor

    well. She protected us without any air

    ¡°After she left, she took away thest bit of human touch from this ce¡­ If it weren¡¯t for the money,

    I¡¯d rather go out and collect junk.¡±

    ¡°Go collect junk, then! Why are you still here?¡± A sharp and piercing voice suddenly cut through,

    startling everyone.

    With a flushed face full of anger, Betty marched over with high heels.¡± What did you just say? Say it

    again!¡±

    The air froze, and the servants dared not utter a word.

    ¡°Speak, coward! Why are you not talking now?¡±

    Betty smirked, showing disdain. ¡°Hmph, lowly scum, no wonder you¡¯ll be a servant for a lifetime!

    ¡°We pay you. The least you can do is be careful of your words. If I hear you mention Alyssa again, I¡¯ll

    make your whole family pack up and leave Sna City!¡±

    ¡°What did I say wrong? Do you and your mother treat us like human. beings?¡± the young servant

    retorted.

    ¡°We signed abor contract, not a ve contract! We¡¯re not dogs. raised by the Beckett family!¡±

    ¡°How dare you-¡± Betty¡¯s eyes widened, momentarily speechless.

    ¡°Madam is kind-hearted and good. She¡¯s amazing! She¡¯s a thousand times better than you all! As a

    high-born heiress from a wealthy. family, youck manners, don¡¯t understand respect, and curse all the

    time.

    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of working for you here! I quit! Go ahead and kill me if you have the guts!¡±

    With these words, the maid tore off her name tag and threw it at Betty.

    ¡°You bitch! How dare you?¡±

    Used to being arrogant at home, Betty raised her hand and pped the maid.

    At once, all the maids rushed forward and surrounded her. Almost all of them removed their name tags,

    showing signs of a rebellion.

    Betty was frightened. Still, she put on the airs of a heiress, pointing at them and angrily scolding, ¡°W-

    What are you all doing?

    ¡°Believe it or not, I¡¯ll call the police and have you all arrested. I¡¯ll fire you! Once you leave the Beckett

    family ¡­ I¡¯ll make sure you can¡¯t survive!¡±

 Chapter 1055

    A deep and authoritative voice echoed from behind, and the chaotic scene suddenly fell silent.

    Everyone froze for a moment, then quickly bowed. ¡°Mr. Javier.¡±

    ¡°Dad?¡± Betty was momentarily flustered, standing there awkwardly.

    It was only then that she noticed that Javier and Rory had appeared behind her.

    She had thought Javier was away on a business trip. How did he suddenly return?

    ¡°What were you doing just now? Did you hit someone?¡± Javier questioned sternly, his eyes showing a

    hint of anger.

    ¡°Dad¡­ Please listen to me. It¡¯s all these servants¡¯ fault!¡±

    Betty immediately changed her expression to a pitiful one. She then ran over to hug Javier¡¯s arm like

    an innocent bunny.

    ¡°They were talking behind my back and Mom¡¯s back. They¡¯re so disrespectful and out of line! We pay

    them, but they don¡¯t even have basic professional ethics! Please, just fire them.¡±

    ¡°Is that the reason why you resorted to violence?¡±

    Javier ignored herints and continued with a serious face.¡± Just because you¡¯re the daughter of

    the Beckett family and they¡¯re servants, does that give you the right to use violence?

    ¡°Have you forgotten all the etiquette and manners I taught you since you were little? Or have you

    always been like this in private, and I¡¯m only seeing it today?¡±

    ¡°Dad¡­ W-What are you talking about?¡±

    Betty¡¯s heart pounded nervously as she stared nkly at Javier. ¡°They insulted Mom and me. Do you

    think I was wrong? How can you say that?¡±

    However, no matter how she used, Javier remained calm, seemingly unaffected.

    At this moment, the servants approached, expressing their intention to leave.

    Although Javier was the head of the Beckett Group, he treated even the most ordinary employees with

    kindness. He never trampled on the dignity of ordinary people just because he had power and

    influence.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    Despite his many ws, he still had the demeanor of a scion. This was the difference between a top

    wealthy family and nouveau riche.

    ¡°The orderly operation of Seaview Manor every day is because of all of your hard work. I¡¯m very

    grateful for your hard work over the years. I hope you¡¯ll not resign because of this. If you do, I don¡¯t

    know where to find such good employees like you.

    ¡°Today¡¯s matter is my daughter¡¯s fault. I¡¯ll have her apologize to you. Betty, apologize.¡± Javier nced

    at Betty sternly.

    ¡°Dad¡­ W-What did you say?¡±

    Betty was so angry that her scalp tingled, almost blurting out the words, ¡°Are you crazy?¡±

    ¡°Regardless of the situation, using violence is wrong. It goes against the etiquette I taught you and

    tarnishes the family¡¯s reputation. Apologize now.¡±

    Javier¡¯s expression remained stern, giving Betty no room for negotiation.

    Betty had no choice but to grit her teeth and apologize to the servants with a flushed face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I

    was wrong.¡±

    For the arrogant Betty, who had always considered herself outstanding, this was an insult akin to

    having her bones pulled out.

    At this moment, the servants bowed together. ¡°Ms. Lauren.¡±

    Javier turned in surprise, only to see Landon holding hands with Lauren as they walked side by side,

    resembling a newlywed couple. The sweet atmosphere was palpable, even to him.

    Surprisingly, he found himself thinking they looked well-matched.

    But what touched Javier even more was the way Landon looked at Lauren.

    It was so affectionate, filled with intense and passionate emotions. He was all too familiar with that look.

 Chapter 1056

    There was a time when he was infatuated with Anne, and it was with the same unwavering gaze of

    deep affection.

    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s Mr. Landon. He¡¯s with Ms. Lauren now?¡± The servants were. excited.

    ¡°This is great! Mr. Landon is hot and rich. Most importantly, he¡¯s Mr. Cornelius¡¯ eldest grandson. In the

    future, the entire Harper Group will be his. He can definitely protect Ms. Lauren.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Ms. Lauren won¡¯t be bullied by Betty anymore.¡±

    Thest sentence was deliberately whispered.

    But Javier, despite his age, still had sharp ears. He frowned slightly.

    ¡°Dad¡­ Lauren called out timidly. Her expression was enough to evoke sympathy.

    ¡°Hi, Dad,¡± Landon greeted with a bright and beautiful smile.

    He lifted the hand tightly entwined with Lauren¡¯s, intentionally showing off their affection in front of

    everyone. ¡°Lauren missed you. and wanted toe back to see you.

    Lauren¡¯s cheeks turned as red as a tomato, and she shyly leaned toward Landon.

    At this point, Betty had given up on entering the Harper family after Landon¡¯s torment. Yet Betty

    couldn¡¯t shake off her burning jealousy. when she saw Lauren and Landon¡¯s interaction and thought

    Lauren had basically married into the Harper family.

    ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re back.¡± Javier nodded repeatedly. ¡°Lauren, how have you beentely? Is your

    health okay?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. My dar-Landon takes good care of me,¡± Lauren stammered, almost identally calling

    Landon ¡°darling¡± before quickly correcting herself.

    Narrowing his eyes, Landon exerted a bit of force in their linked fingers and whispered in her ear,

    ¡°Honestly, I still like it when you call me ¡®darling.¡±¡±

    Lauren bit her lip tightly, blushing even more.

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    ¡°Landon, thank you for taking care of Lauren.¡± Javier seemed to have approved of their rtionship.

    After all, they were not only in love but also a well-matched couple from suitable backgrounds.

    If Landon were to marry Lauren, this alliance would yield benefits far beyond Javier¡¯s expectations. The

    advantages for the Beckett Group resulting from the intermarriage of the two families were evident,

    leaving him with no reason to oppose it.

    ¡°Dad, you¡¯re too kind. It¡¯s just a matter of course.¡±

    Landon fixed his gaze on the shy Lauren. His focused eyes were filled with intense desire. ¡°Taking care

    of Lauren is a responsibility I bear for the rest of my life. I n to pamper her for a lifetime.¡±

    Javier coughed awkwardly a few times, his expression stiff.

    Landon hadn¡¯t officially asked for his permission to marry yet, so he couldn¡¯t afford to show his inner

    turmoil. He couldn¡¯t let Landon see that he approved of this prospective son-inw.

    That would be too embarrassing.

    Meanwhile, the servants were all thinking, ¡°Wow, so sweet and adorable! It wouldn¡¯t be long before we

    witness Ms. Lauren getting married!¡±

    Lauren¡¯s eyes were moist. ¡°Landon¡­¡±

    ¡°Dad, did wee at the wrong time? Are we disrupting your affairs?¡±

    Landon casually smiled. ¡°I wonder what Ms. Betty did to upset you so much. I¡¯ve heard from Jasper

    that you¡¯re always busy, and hel mentioned that you don¡¯t have much time to take care of yourself.

    Please don¡¯t let some trivial matters harm your health.¡±

    Betty was trembling all over, already on the verge of an emotional explosion.

    She red at Lauren with her red-rimmed eyes. She looked as if she wanted to pounce on her sister

    and tear her apart.

 Chapter 1057

    ¡°Thank you for worrying about me, Landon.¡± Javier smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s not just me. There¡¯s also Lauren and Jasper. They all care about you.¡± Landon¡¯s words were so

    sweet.

    In fact, it wasn¡¯t just to please his future father-inw. He also wanted to gain favor for Jasper.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Lauren in a long time. Come to my study, both of you. Let¡¯s sit down and have a good

    chat.¡±

    With an affectionate smile, Javier gestured to Lauren. ¡°Come, Lauren,e to me.¡±

    Although Laurenmunicated less with Javier as she grew up, in her memory, he was the one who

    loved her the most when she was al child.

    ¡°Dad¡­¡±

    With glistening eyes, Lauren let go of Landon¡¯s hand and walked toward Javier.

    For some reason, when Landon saw this scene, his eyes reddened, and his nose prickled.

    He knew very well that, no matter how well he treated Lauren or how much he loved her, he couldn¡¯t

    rece the position of family in her heart.

    Perhaps many people could live without love, but no one could endure losing their family.

    As Lauren approached, Javier smiled and opened his arms to encircle her petite frame. He embraced

    his long-unseen daughter, gently curcoomy noi num.

    Meanwhile, she pressed her face against his chest. For some reason, her heart trembled. A surge of

    complex emotions washed over her, and she secretly shed tears, moistening Javier¡¯s neat shirt.

    At this moment, Betty¡¯s anger finally reached its peak, and she was almost crying.

    As Javier¡¯s eldest daughter, she had always been the apple of the Becketts¡¯ eyes. With her intelligence

    and beauty, she had been the focus of her parents¡¯ attention, overshadowing Lauren¡¯s existence.

    Lauren had now taken away everything that originally belonged to her, from Newton to Sophia to

    Landon.

    Even Javier¡¯s favor was taken away from her.

    She hated Lauren. She hated her to the core.

    Conversely, the grounded Sophia was terrified after seeing the news about Jeffrey and the online

    comments.

    She fumbled for the medication Tristan left for her. After injecting herself twice, she finally calmed down

    and had some capacity for rational thought.

    She never expected that Jeffrey, who had fled to Tsulu, would be arrested. Furthermore, she didn¡¯t

    anticipate that the me for Nina¡¯s death would still be associated with her.

    The police hadn¡¯t summoned her, indicating that Jeffrey hadn¡¯t ratted her out.

    However, as long as he was alive, there was a risk that he couldn¡¯t withstand the pressure and would

    spill the beans, revealing everything about hiring him to kill Nina. By then, it would be toote.

    Since Javier had grounded her, she couldn¡¯t do much.

    The only person who could do things for her was Betty.

    With swollen eyes, Betty came to see Sophia. She sat there, sobbing uncontrobly.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    However, Sophia had no time to deal with her bad mood, immediately saying, ¡°Jeffrey has been

    arrested, and there¡¯s a good chance he might reveal what we¡¯ve done. We can¡¯t keep him alive.¡±

    ¡°What we¡¯ve done? What have I done?¡±

 Chapter 1058

    Betty sniffled, a cold glint passing through her eyes. ¡°Didn¡¯t you order him to do those things? What

    does it have to do with me? Don¡¯t involve me in this!¡±

    ¡°You brat! Now that things havee to this, you want to wash your hands of it? I¡¯m in trouble, but you

    only think about hiding instead of helping? Don¡¯t think you can live a good life if something happens to

    me!

    Sophia¡¯s fierce gaze made Betty shiver.

    They weren¡¯t mother and daughter. They were clearly partners in crime.

    ¡°What do we do now? What¡¯s your n?¡± Betty asked while clenching her teeth.

    Suddenly, Sophia¡¯s expression turned cold, and herplexion became terrifyingly sinister,

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill Jeffrey.¡±

    ¡°K-Kill Jeffrey? But he¡¯s under police control now. How are we going to do it?¡±

    Betty was already well-trained by Sophia. She no longer turned pale at the mention of the word ¡°kill¡±.

    Instead, she first thought about how to do it.

    ¡°In prison, plenty of people are willing to take money to get rid of someone. Inside there, with so many

    people, finding an opportunity to do it without anyone noticing is easy.¡±

    Having said that, Sophia took out a credit card and casually tossed it onto Betty. ¡°There¡¯s enough

    money in here for you to operate. Resolve

    Betty held the card in her hand, feeling like she was holding a sharp de.

    ¡°Mom, I can do this, but I have a condition.¡±

    ¡°You brat¡­ How dare you talk about conditions with me? Do your have no conscience at all?¡± Sophia

    stood with her left hand on her hip, pointing angrily at Betty with her right finger.

    ¡°Mom, forgive my frankness, but Dad has started to dislike you. That little slut, Lauren, is with Landon

    every day and gets along well with Alyssa. She¡¯s useless. The only person you can rely on is me.¡±

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Betty revealed a cold and sly smile.

    Sophia frowned, feeling that this daughter of hers was really too. much like her.

    But precisely because she was so simr, she inexplicably felt a trace of ¡­ fear.

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°I know Landon hates me, and there¡¯s absolutely no chance for me to be with him. In that case, I can¡¯t

    let Lauren marry him either.¡± Betty gritted her teeth.

    ¡°Landon brought Lauren to see Dad, and the three of them were so harmonious. Dad has obviously

    already approved of their rtionship. You must find a way to stop her from marrying into the Harper

    family.¡±

    ¡°Find a way? Landon has all his attention on Lauren now. He¡¯s bewitched by your sister. What can I

    do?¡± Sophia snorted, not readily agreeing to her conditions.

    ¡°Well, then, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to help you get rid of Jeffrey.¡±

    Betty smirked. ¡°Mom, I think deep down, you understand. Although we¡¯re on the same boat, what can

    you do while being grounded at home? Besides me, who else can you rely on?¡±

    Sophia was so angry that her eyes turned red.

    This heartless and ungrateful daughter actually dared to counter her mother!

    Noticing that Sophia hadn¡¯t reacted for a long time, Betty continued to weigh the pros and cons for her.

    ¡°Mom, I know you want to be Landon¡¯s mother-inw, hoping to turn over a new leaf through the noble

    status of your son-inw. But have you ever thought, even if Lauren really marries into the Harper

    family, what can she do for you?

    ¡°Remember, Landon is Jasper¡¯s good buddy, and Lauren is on good terms with Alyssa. You¡¯ve seen

    how she helped that bitch.¡±

 Chapter 1059

    ¡°Since you got into trouble, I¡¯ve been helping you and caring for you. What has Lauren done for you

    besides living with Landon and spending time with him every day?

    ¡°They say after you get married, you forget your mother, but Lauren is better. She hasn¡¯t even married

    into the Harper family yet, and she haspletely forgotten about you, the one who raised her.¡±

    Sophia stood there like she¡¯d been struck by lightning, unable to speak for a while.

    Leaving aside whether Lauren marrying Landon was genuinely beneficial for her, she couldn¡¯t even

    step out the door now. She was on the brink of a personal crisis. How could she still have the energy to

    care about Lauren¡¯s marriage?

    Though Lauren was her biological daughter, she was ultimately a person on her own.

    Only by bing strong and living well could Sophia take care of herself. That was the most crucial

    thing now.

    ¡°Fine¡­ I agree.¡±

    With a pair of dark eye circles, Sophia ground her teeth together audibly. ¡°As long as you help me get

    rid of Jeffrey, I guarantee the Harper family will never ept Lauren.¡±

    Betty¡¯s eyes shot out a sinister and excited gleam at those words.

    So what if Landon only wanted to marry Lauren?

    If Lauren couldn¡¯t enter the Harper family, she would never have a legitimate status. She would forever

    be a mistress kept outside.

    In the study, the atmosphere was unusually warm and harmonious.

    Javier and Landon exchanged pleasantries. As an elder, Javier asked him about his business matters.

    Landon had already expected those questions, so he answered fluently.

    Although he had been hanging out with Jasper since childhood and appeared more frequently at

    Seaview Manor than at his own home, his identity had changed. Facing his future father-inw made

    him a little nervous.

    ¡°Mr. Landon, please have some tea. Ms. Lauren, this is the orange juice you like.¡± Rory walked over

    with a tray.

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Rory.¡± Lauren picked up the ss, smiling innocently.

    Her bright smile was just the same as when she was a child.

    Rory couldn¡¯t help but smile, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart.

    Although they were both Javier¡¯s daughters, Betty¡¯s and Lauren¡¯s personalities were totally different.

    In more blunt terms, Rory couldn¡¯t see any trace of aristocratic grac and manners in Betty. Sophia, at

    least, knew how to carry herself as ady, behaving gracefully.

    Betty, on the other hand, didn¡¯t even bother to pretend. She acted just like a wild girl brought in from

    who knew where.

    Back then, Rory used to worry about Lauren¡¯s future. He feared that, due to her autism, she would live

    a lonely life, unable to experience love, marriage, and motherhood like a normal girl.

    Now, it seemed that his concerns were unnecessary.

    With Landon doting on her and loving her, Lauren¡¯s future would be mony new, une

    Lauren happily took a sip of orange juice, wetting her lips.

    Landon chuckled and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief from his pocket. He leaned in and

    patiently wiped away the liquid stains from the corners of her mouth.

    His proficiency in this action indicated that he was quite used to doing it.

    ¡°Ahem, ahem¡­ Landon.¡± Seeing them unting affection before him, Javier cleared his throat

    solemnly.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°After so many things, I can see that you genuinely care for Lauren. I¡¯ve watched you grow up, too.

    Since you want to date her, I won¡¯t stop you.

    ¡°However, Lauren is still young, and she has been well-protected by us. since childhood. She¡¯s na?ve

    and inexperienced in worldly matters. This is her first time dating.

    ¡°It¡¯s also the first time she has stayed away from home for severa days in a row. You should know,

    Landon, that Lauren has never gone out at night before. You¡¯ve broken our family¡¯s rules.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dad. But when Lauren stays with me, I won¡¯t let her go out at night. There are so many bad

    people out there, and Lauren is so beautiful. What if she attracts the attention of some men? I¡¯ll be

    worried.¡± Landon tried to change the topic with a smile.

    Javier shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about going out or not. What I mean is that although you two are

    dating, you haven¡¯t gotten married yet. So you¡¯re not legally husband and wife.

    ¡°Living together like this wouldn¡¯t be an issue for you, Landon. But Lauren is an innocent girl. This could

    affect her reputation.¡±

 Chapter 1060

    Though Betty had called Lauren an idiot throughout her life, thetter wasn¡¯t stupid.

    Upon hearing the words ¡°living together¡±, she slightly shivered. The lingering sweetness of orange juice

    suddenly became bitter..

    Landon secretly squeezed her slightly cool hand, holding it tightly. ¡± Dad, I admit I used to have a less-

    than-exemry private life. But won¡¯t you give me a chance to turn over a new leaf and start anew?

    ¡°Besides, I might have been a yboy, but I¡¯ve never brought any woman to my home before. Lauren

    is the first and thest.¡±

    ¡°Landon, what I mean is-

    ¡°To be honest, I can¡¯t live without Lauren now.¡±

    Landon¡¯s chest was filled with a strong sense of love. He imprinta passionate kiss on the back of

    Lauren¡¯s hand, and his eyes wer with affection. ¡°If I don¡¯t see her for a day, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll go crazy

    His low and gentle voice flowed into Lauren¡¯s ear like a gentle stre She felt her heart was being teased

    by a soft feather, tingling and ticklish.

    She felt the same way. She didn¡¯t want to leave Landon either.

    Without seeing him, she couldn¡¯t focus on anything. Without hugging. him, she couldn¡¯t sleep.

    At this moment, Javier blushed. As an experienced person, he had seen all kinds of people, but he had

    never seen someone so flirtatious.

    Landon was so shameless in front of an elder.

    ¡°There¡¯s another reason why I don¡¯t want Lauren to stay at Seaview Manor.¡± Landon¡¯s expression

    suddenly became serious.

    Surprised, Javier asked, ¡°What reason?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid Lauren will be bullied.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    Javier frowned, growing more confused. ¡°Lauren is the apple of my eye. Seaview Manor is her home.

    Who would dare to bully her?¡±

    ¡°Dad, you¡¯re not often at home, and you might not understand the situation here. But you can¡¯t assume

    Lauren is happy living in this. house.¡±

    Landon didn¡¯t explicitly use Betty of bullying Lauren. After all, Betty was Javier¡¯s daughter, and

    openly reporting such matters would be like pping the face of his future father-inw.

    Besides, he believed he was sufficient to protect Lauren.

    Even if Javier knew everything, what could he do? He couldn¡¯t even figure out what his malicious wife

    was up to. How could Landon expect him to handle Betty?

    Standing on the side, Rory remained silent and cast a meaningful nce at Javier.

    Throughout Seaview Manor, everyone knew that Betty had been. suppressing and bullying Lauren for

    many years.

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    Even Sophia knew that. The only one who didn¡¯t know was Javier.

    ¡°Lauren, who¡¯s bullying you in this house?¡± Javier stared at his timid daughter, suppressing his anger

    as he asked her.

    Lauren¡¯s forehead was covered in a thinyer of sweat. She parted her lips but couldn¡¯t say a word.

    When Landon felt the moisture in her hand, he quickly used a soothing voice tofort her. ¡°Lauren,

    don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here, and your father is here too. You can tell us if you have any grievances. We¡¯ll

    support you.¡±

    Landon sincerely hoped that Lauren would speak out about Betty¡¯s cruel actions. This way, she could

    seek justice for herself.

    With that, the two men stared at her, their eyes burning with. expectation.

    After a while, Lauren finally spoke in a trembling voice. ¡°N-No one is bullying me.¡±

    ¡°Lauren ¡­¡± Landon felt a sense of disappointment deep within.

 Chapter 1061

    Chapter 1061

    When Landon touched Lauren¡¯s slender back, he realized sweat had soaked through her clothes. His

    eyes contracted, and his heart seemed to sink, making it difficult to breathe.

    He had forced her too much. He shouldn¡¯t have let her dwell on the painful past, always thinking about

    revenge.

    Landon didn¡¯t want to let her beloved Lauren do anything. He decided to handle everything.

    ¡°Is¡­ your sister bullying you?¡± Javier suddenly asked. His question pierced Lauren¡¯s trembling heart

    like a sharp arrow.

    She lowered her head and ruffled the folds of her skirt in silence.

    ¡°Is it true? Has Betty been bullying you all along? Tell me. I¡¯ll stand up for you.¡±

    ¡°Dad, you know Lauren¡¯s situation. She¡¯s not like Ms. Betty, who can sweet-talk and please you.

    Sometimes, Lauren is too kind and doesn¡¯t want to make things awkward with her family.

    ¡°So, she can only live cautiously, silently enduring all the humiliation.¡±

    Landon couldn¡¯t bear to watch any longer. With a cool gaze, he said, ¡± It has been so many years.

    Pursuing this matter is meaningless. Moreover, aren¡¯t both parties important to you?¡±

    In this speech, he didn¡¯t say anything bad about Betty, but it was just the same as calling her out.

    Javier¡¯s face turned extremely dark, and he clenched the palm on his knee tightly.

    Landon slowly helped Lauren up. His arm naturally slid down to her

    ¡°The past is in the past. I won¡¯t pursue it for your sake.

    ¡°But from now on, it¡¯s different. Since I¡¯m dating Lauren, I¡¯ll be in charge of everything for her. If anyone

    dares to touch her, no matter who they are, I¡¯ll make them pay a bloody price.¡±

    After Landon led Lauren away, the atmosphere in the study became extremely tense. Javier could feel

    the chilling atmosphere in the air, which was apanied by an overwhelming sense of oppression.

    ¡°So¡­ Landon also knows that Betty has been bullying Lauren?¡±

    Javier looked at Rory in bewilderment, his heart tightening. He found it difficult to ept for a moment.

    ¡°I identally overheard the servants at home mention it. Everyone knows about it. Everyone except

    me? As their father, I didn¡¯t know?¡±

    Rory sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself, Mr. Javier. You need to manage. such arge household and a big

    company. It¡¯s understandable that you might overlook some things.¡±

    This statement was basically an admission.

    With his elbows on the desk, Javier painfully held his head in his hands. ¡°I really feel ashamed before

    Lauren as her father. I had no idea she was so unhappy at home¡­¡±

    ¡°But everything has passed, Mr. Javier. Now, with Mr. Landon taking good care of Ms. Lauren, you can

    rest assured,¡± Rory said with at solemn tone.

    ¡°Ms. Lauren is also grown up. She¡¯s not a child anymore. You can¡¯t keep her confined at home,

    preventing her from socializing and interacting with society. This won¡¯t benefit her condition.

    ¡°And haven¡¯t you noticed? Ms. Lauren has been happier and more

    Javier nodded.

    Even he didn¡¯t know how long it had been since he had seen Lauren smile so brightly. It was evident

    that Landon was truly good to her, and she genuinely felt happiness from the bottom of her heart.

    ¡°I¡¯ve spoiled Betty too much. She¡¯s Lauren¡¯s sister. How could she do this?¡±

    Javier thought of the innocent and adorable Betty from childhood and felt heartbroken at the current

    situation.

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    ¡°Mr. Javier, you should understand the principle of ¡®one who keepspany with the wolf will learn to

    howl,¡± Rory pointed out. Javier¡¯s eyes turned deep, and his jawline tightened.

 Chapter 1062

    Chapter 1062

    Just then, someone knocked at the door. Betty¡¯s sickly, sweet voice floated through. ¡°Are you in there,

    Dad?¡±

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    Betty opened the door and walked in with a te of snacks. She was smiling widely.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for causing you trouble today. I specially prepared some of your favorite fruits and treats to

    seek your forgiveness. Please don¡¯t be angry at me anymore, okay?¡±

    Betty set the te on the table. She then went over to Javier, intending to act spoiled like she used to

    whenever Javier got angry at her for causing trouble.

    But this time, Javier stopped her with a raised hand.

    ¡°I hope this is thest time you ever misbehave in a manner unbefitting someone of your status. You¡¯re

    Ms. Betty Beckett, not some rich, disrespectful warlord. You have to behave in a ssy manner.

    Otherwise, how would you be any different from a mad woman?¡± Javier chastised.

    Betty¡¯s arms were left hanging awkwardly in mid-air. Her smile was dry and pitiful. ¡°Yes, Dad. I won¡¯t

    misbehave again.¡±

    Javier said nothing else. He didn¡¯t even eat any of the snacks Betty brought.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be attending the horse racing event in a couple of days, Dad. Didn¡¯t you say I looked good in my

    riding habit before? I had a set customized for you. The tailor just brought it over. Why don¡¯t you go

    downstairs and try it on?¡± Betty asked.

    She tried her best to appease Javier as his anger toward her hadn¡¯t.pletely dissipated.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s best you don¡¯t attend the race this time, Betty,¡± Javier said. lightly.

    ¡°What?¡± Betty gasped. She immediately stomped her feet angrily. Why not? You bring me there every

    single year!¡±

    ¡°This year is an exception.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Betty demanded, her face beginning to crumple in anger. ¡°All the rich socialites and heiresses

    will be there. How could you not bring me?¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯ll be bringing Lauren to this year¡¯s races.¡± Javier looked down, not even sparing a nce at Betty.

    ¡°How could you do that?¡± There was a loud, droning noise in Betty¡¯s head.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I? Lauren is my daughter and a member of our family too,¡± Javier responded.

    When he looked at Betty now, there was a coldness in his eyes that had never been seen before.

    ¡°Plus, you¡¯ve already been to the races. for so many years. You must be bored of it by now. Lauren has

    never attended the event, and many people in Sna City don¡¯t know her well.

    ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll give Lauren more chances to make a public appearance. It¡¯s only fair.¡±

    Fair?

    Javier had neglected Lauren for more than a decade, but here he was suddenly bringing up the issue

    of fairness?

    ¡°What is it? You don¡¯t seem very happy.¡± Javier cocked an eyebrow. noun¡¯t you Do Luminy vurunu

    snunny her, being her big sister and all?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s not that, Dad¡­ Lauren is autistic. What if she has a meltdown at the races when you bring

    her there? How could she handle it all?¡± Betty stammered.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that. Mr. Harper will be taking good care of her.¡±

    Betty flushed red and paled at the same time. She had nothing else to say now.

    ¡°You can leave now. I have some things I need to do,¡± Javier said.

    Betty¡¯s expression was stiff and pale. When she turned to leave, she ground her teeth, her eyes boiling

    with rage.

 Chapter 1063

    Chapter 1063

    Jeffrey was tossing and turning restlessly in East Sna Federal Prison. It was now midnight, and it

    had been days since Alyssa and Jasper paid him a visit. However, he had spent every night unable to

    fall asleep, continually thinking back to all that Alyssa had said to him.

    Her offer to him had been too tantalizing. It though it was likely a trick.

    But Jeffrey despised Alyssa and Jasper too much. He hated what a perfect match they were, how

    powerful and rich they were. One was a wealthy business magnate in Sna City, the other a

    multifaceted heiress.

    Just the thought of them angered Jeffrey to no end. Plus, it was still their fault that he was in jail right

    now.

    With nowhere to vent his anger, Jeffrey could only hope Sophia continued giving them the hell out in

    the world. If she could, her wanted both Alyssa and Jasper to die!

    Jeffrey¡¯s days in prison weren¡¯t the mostfortable, but he was still rtively safe.

    In recent days, however, he felt like he was being watched. It often made chills run down his spine.

    Even his meals tasted ndder than usual.

    Jeffreyy in his dingy little cot at night, fearful chills still running through his body as he tossed and

    turned.

    When exhaustion finally swept across Jeffrey, a sudden rustling noise rang out. It was only a short

    distance away from him.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    It was an incredibly soft noise. Jeffrey wouldn¡¯t have heard it if it

    Just as Jeffrey was about to get out of bed, a sharp breeze aimed right at his back struck. He tried to

    dodge it, but it was still toote.

    Jeffrey let out a grunt as an intense and terrifying pain immediately spread through Jeffrey¡¯s entire

    being in the dark cell.

    Jeffrey saw that the male prisoner he shared the cell with had. stabbed a toothbrush right into his neck.

    It had been sharpened to a deadly point. Jeffrey¡¯s eyes were wide with shock. He could even hear the

    sound of his own blood oozing out his neck.

    ¡°Go to hell,¡± the prisoner growled out, digging the toothbrush harder. into Jeffrey¡¯s neck.

    Jeffrey was stunned. He gripped the man¡¯s arms and croaked out, Who ¡­ who are ¡­ you¡­¡±

    ¡°You and I don¡¯t know one another. I was paid to take care of someone else¡¯s dirty business. That¡¯s all.¡±

    Paid to take care of dirty business?

    A person¡¯s name instantly appeared in Jeffrey¡¯s mind-Sophia!

    Jasper didn¡¯t rush back to tend to Beckett Group after his return from. Tsulu. Instead, he stayed at

    Alyssa¡¯s house to recover further.

    But when Alyssa was fast asleepte at night, Jasper would go to the study to take care of urgent

    company matters. He only snuck back. into bed near dawn and kissed Alyssa all over before settling to

    sleep.

    Alyssa brought Jasper to the Taylor family¡¯s hospital that afternoon, where Abel personally did a

    checkup for him.

    When Alyssa heard that Jasper¡¯s shoulder and spinal injuries were recovering speedily, she was

    overjoyed. She clung to him tightly,

    ¡°Wonderful. This is wonderful!¡± she cried.

    Alyssa was oblivious to how tempting her actions were to Jasper. She focused on being happy for

    Jasper and was eager to express said happiness.

    Alyssa didn¡¯t notice how Jasper¡¯s eyes were burning with desire.

    He swallowed his saliva, gazing at Alyssa¡¯s sparkling eyes, and said, ¡± Yes, it truly is, Lyse¡­¡±

    He then whispered in her ear, ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this day for so long I fear I might go mad.¡±

 Chapter 1064

    Chapter 1064

    ¡°You¡­¡± Alyssa could sense the desire in Jasper¡¯s tone. Her heart. skipped a beat as she blushed.

    ¡°Ahem¡­ Congrattions on your recovery, Mr. Beckett. I¡¯ll be leaving first. You two can rest here in my

    office in the meantime. Goodbye!¡± Abel said.

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    Abel had three kids of his own. He knew what the youth these days had on their minds. He¡¯d truly be

    dumb if he didn¡¯t leave Alyssa and Jasper alone now.

    ¡°Don¡¯t, Dr. Liverton. I-I still have something I want to ask you about. I¡¯lle with you!¡± Alyssa quickly

    tried to run away from Jasper, face still flushed.

    The moment she did, however, Jasper¡¯s hands sped her tightly against his waist, making her unable

    to pull away.

    ¡°Oh, no. You¡¯re Dr. White, after all. I¡¯m the one who has a lot t from you. Please don¡¯t put this stress on

    me!¡± Abel said as he out the door. He was right about to close it.

    ¡°Wait for me! We can learn from one another!¡± Alyssa cried, shoving Jasper away with a firm push like

    a prey running away from its predator.

    But Abel had already left the office.

    Jasper chuckled lightly as he gazed at the shut door. He was holding back with all his might right now.

    It was night by the time they returned to Alyssa¡¯s home.

    Before Alyssa could even take off her shoes, Jasper had impatiently lifted her by the waist and

    marched upstairs.

    ¡°Hey, put me¡­ put me down!¡± Alyssa yelped, arms locking around. Jasper¡¯s neck.

    Her red high heels fell off her feet and down the stairs as she iled in his arms.

    ¡°No,¡± Jasper murmured. He pecked Alyssa on the nose, hearing how. shaky her breaths were. ¡°You

    don¡¯t have any excuses any more, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°Excuses? What excuses?¡± Alyssa stammered, cheeks flushed red.

    ¡°I¡¯ve recovered fully, and you¡¯re not on your period.¡± Jasper swallowed, his eyes feverish. ¡°How else

    can you deny me now?¡±

    Alyssa recalled how they had spent the past weeks behaving like mere roommates. They hadn¡¯t had

    sex, not even a single time.

    Jasper had signaled to Alyssa about it several times, but she always used his injuries as an excuse to

    stop him. When they were on the ne, it was Jasper who satisfied Alyssa with his hands while he had

    to hold it all in. It was quite sad, really.

    Alyssa was soon pressed into the bed by Jasper.

    He was panting as he fervently kissed her on the lips. Alyssa pressed both hands on his trembling

    chest, mewling, ¡°Did ¡­ did you recover just to do this with me? Is sex all you want from me, Jasper

    Beckett? I¡¯m not some toy for you to release your desires on!¡±

    Jasper was stunned. The desire in his eyes swiftly turned to doting affection as he gently kissed her

    forehead. ¡°What are you saying, silly? I do miss doing it with you, and you¡¯re the only person I want,

    Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s throat choked up somewhat as she bit her lip.

    ¡°We finally reunited after so many obstacles. Do you have any idea how much I cherish our

    rtionship? How much I cherish you? What I would give to make the days with you go by slower. 24

    hours by your side is just not enough,¡± Jasper said earnestly.

    He sighed deeply, heart filling with bitter emotion. ¡°I want to treat your really, really well¡­ but I don¡¯t

    know what to do in order to satisfy you. and make you feel happy. That¡¯s why I hope the rest of our

    lives together can be in the honeymoon phase forever. I hope that I still have the energy to kiss and

    hug you when we¡¯re older.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes slowly watered as she gazed at him.

    ¡°You¡­ Are you crying, Lyse?¡± Jasper wasn¡¯t sure where he¡¯d misspoken. He only knew to apologize.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lyse. I won¡¯t touch you again, I won¡¯t¡­¡±

 Chapter 1065

    Chapter 1065

    Before Jasper finished speaking, Alyssa wrapped her arms around hist neck and kissed him on the

    lips.

    Jasper felt like he was on cloud nine. He was able to hold his desire. back at first, but as Alyssa

    deepened their kiss, his mind went nk. He pressed her into the bed, tearing away her ck dress.

    Alyssa had taken the initiative, but in the end, she surrendered to Jasper¡¯s fervent desire.

    She felt like she was alight in me, burning every inch of her being.

    Her waist was so sore, yet her heart felt warm and sweet.

    Alyssa and Jasper made love until the wee hours of the morning. before falling asleep together. They

    slept in until the sun was in the middle of the sky.

    Jasper was the first to awaken. When he saw that Alyssa was s asleep on his arm, he didn¡¯t dare move

    his arm, which was now fille with pines and needles. He justy there and watched his beloved sleep.

    When Jasper read stories back then, he never understood why kings. could abandon their kingdoms all

    to spend time with their queens. Now he understood.

    Jasper would dly stay put here with Alyssa even if the sky was about to fall.

    Half an hourter, Alyssa slowly stirred awake.

    Jasper cuddled with her for some time before she finally whined about going to shower. The sensation

    of sweat clinging to her body. became unbearable for her.

    Jasper ended up bathing with her. Since Alyssa couldn¡¯t escape, they ended up going another round.

    She nearly tripped while fuming about

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    Afterward, the two brushed their teeth together in front of the mirror.

    Just then, the phone rang.

    Alyssa went to answer it, toothbrush still in her mouth. ¡°How¡¯s your vacation, Dr. McAlister? Is

    everything going well?¡±

    Jasper knew who Tristan McAlister was and what he had helped. Alyssa do. He immediately paid close

    attention to their conversation.

    ¡°The scenery is wonderful, and the food delicious. Thank you for sponsoring my trip, Ms. Alyssa. I¡¯m

    back in the city now, though,¡± Tristan said warmly.

    ¡°You¡¯re back? Why is that?¡± Alyssa asked, surprised.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop worrying about you overseas.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze darkened as he sneered. ¡°Hmph.¡±

    Alyssa shot him a look before saying to Tristan, ¡°Where are you staying now? Let me arrange

    somece safe for you.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to go to the trouble, Ms. Alyssa. I¡¯m alright,¡± Tristan said. He then said in a lowered

    tone, ¡°I¡¯m actually back because Sophia should be on the tail end of her drugs by now.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Alyssa asked with a brow quirked.

    ¡°Sophia will likely contact me again once her supply runs out. I¡¯ll give her a bigger dosage. After using

    it, I¡¯m sure all her energy will be depleted. She¡¯ll be near the end of her line by then.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Dr. McAlister,¡± Alyssa said. She then said solemnly, ¡°We just have to wait a while longer.

    Victory is right around the corner.¡±

    Just then, Jasper¡¯s phone rang. It was a call from Xavier.

    He rinsed his mouth and grumpily answered the call. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Good news, sir! Jeffrey Snyder

    wants to see both you and Madam!¡±

 Chapter 1066

    Chapter 1066

    Xavier¡¯s booming voice traveled far, allowing Alyssa to overhear it.

    ¡°Dr. McAlister, I have something to attend to here. I¡¯ll contact you again after!¡±

    Alyssa hung up hurriedly. She immediately looked at Jasper with gleaming eyes.

    The corners of his lips turned up slightly. He stroked the top of her head and asked, ¡°How did he finally

    come to his senses?¡±

    ¡°Justst night, Jeffrey was attacked by his cellmate. He was stabbed in his neck with a toothbrush!

    Lucky for him, somepetent prison guards on patrol came by. Only then was he saved in time!¡±

    Jasper looked straight into Alyssa¡¯s eyes. ¡°How is his condition now, then?¡± he asked.

    ¡°He was transported to the hospital for treatment. Once he surpassed the critical period, he made a

    fuss about meeting you and Madam. My guess is that he was scared shitless!¡±

    Xavier sniggered coldly, ¡°He has just been in prison for a few days, and there¡¯s already been an

    attempt on his life. How is he going to get through the 20 long years in the future? No question, he

    wants to crawl to you both to beg for a way out!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes lit up. In her glee, she tiptoed, put her arms around Jasper¡¯s neck, and then gave him a

    loving kiss on his cheek.

    Jasper¡¯s gaze turned loving. He put his right arm around her waist. With one arm, he picked her up by

    her tush and lifted her effortlessly.

    He was bursting with his manliness, and it made her blood rush.

    With his left hand on the back of her head, he responded to her with a passionate kiss.

    The shy expression on her face reflected in his twinkling eyes as their lips touched.

    Alyssa touched the tip of her nose to Jasper¡¯s andplimented, ¡± You really calcted all the moves

    that evil Sophia has made. That¡¯s my Jasper.¡±

    She no longer held back her praises to him.

    ¡°I could think of that because I have you, Lyse, my better half. Your exceptional intelligence gave me a

    realization. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have thought of such an idea.¡±

    Jasper gave her a peck on her lips, then continued, ¡°Sophia fell intol the trap. But the main contribution

    was that you made use of thements section to push her. She had a guilty conscience. That¡¯s why

    she thought of silencing him.

    ¡°However, I really didn¡¯t expect her to act on it so quickly. She is currently grounded by Javier. Ronald

    and Jeffrey have also been arrested.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised she could still find someone to do the work for her even without stepping out of the

    house. She really does have many people who support her.¡±

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. She said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, Mr. Beckett. There¡¯s still your younger sister, Betty.

    If you want to make aparison on who the cruel one is, she definitely surpasses Sophia.¡±

    ¡°I only have one younger sister, and that is Lauren,¡± Jasper answered in a hoarse and sultry voice.

    He squinted, as if he were a lion eyeing a prey it had desired. His arrogance and sexiness made her

    heart pound extremely hard.

    ¡°You, though, seem to have a number of male best friends.¡±

    ¡°Who are you referring to? Dr. McAlister?¡±

    Alyssa let out a mischievous smile and asked, ¡°Hmm? Are you jealous?¡±

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    ¡°What do you think?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes turned red. He continued, ¡°Winston, your brothers, and myself are people who put you

    first in our lives, and we¡¯lly down our lives willingly for you. So, no one would believe he isn¡¯t hoping

    for anything more with you.¡±

    ¡°So what? I am an unattainable dream,¡± she replied with a flirtatious look in her eyes.

    She twirled her hair and harrumphed, ¡°If you can¡¯t bear to even see Dr. McAlister around me, you¡¯re

    going to have lots to suffer in the future.¡±

    Jasper knew that she was simply joking. But it made him feel sour. The bright look in his eyes became

    dim, too.

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    Alyssa decided to stop teasing him. In a warm and cheeky voi said by his ear, ¡°Anyone can give me the

    world, but there is only want.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart raced, beating heavily in his chest.

    All of a sudden, he was reminded of many things about the past.

    In the three years that passed, she lived through the long days and nightsden with suffering. Yet, she

    stayed by his side throughout.

    Today, a regr friend of hers appeared by her side, and he couldn¡¯t ept it?

    When he thought about how heartless and cold he was toward her in was being sliced by a knife over

    and over.

    He would feel bad about that forever. Even if she had forgiven him, he could never forgive himself.

    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡±

    Alyssa was taken aback by the tears in his eyes. ¡°I was just pulling your leg. Why are you tearing up?

    It¡¯s not something worth tearing up for, is it?¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. I¡¯m fine.¡± Jasper took a deep breath and put a smile on his face again.

    ¡°Get your things tidied up. We¡¯ll first go to Cyrus, then meet Jeffrey after,¡± Alyssa said as she tried to

    get down from him.

    To her surprise, he pulled her in by the waist, closing the gap between them once again.

    ¡°I¡¯m hungry, Lyse,¡± he expressed his dissatisfaction in his hoarse voice.

    He carried her and started walking toward the bedroom. ¡°Feed first so I have the energy to get things

    done.¡±

    Alyssa punched him lightly on his shoulder. She did not know whether tough or to cry..

 Chapter 1067

    Chapter 1067

    Oh, God! Alyssa might as well have been the one to be hospitalized for a few days!

    It was already dark when Jasper and Alyssa walked out of the prison entrance after meeting with

    Jeffrey.

    Even though it was already spring, the morning and evening breezes in Sna City were still quite

    cool.

    Jasper removed his coat and put it on Alyssa. Then, he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled

    her close.

    They stood in the night, listening to the sound of rustling leaves in the wind. They held calm

    expressions on their faces, but deep down, waves of restlessness surged.

    After a long time, Alyssa finally said, ¡°He admitted it.¡¯

    ¡°Yeah, he revealed everything.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s hand was still on her shoulder. His uneasiness finally simmered down, and he said,

    ¡°Everything is about toe to an end.

    ¡°No, not yet. We still don¡¯t know where Inigo is.¡±

    ¡°But, Inigo is not working for Sophia. His statement isn¡¯t going to be very helpful in Jeffrey¡¯s case.¡±

    Alyssa looked up at him with a serious look on her face. ¡°But he almost took yours and Jonah¡¯s lives!

    Even if he has nothing to do with

    Sophia, there¡¯s no way I will let him go!¡±

    There was also the one who instigated everything from behind.

    However, she had no witnesses or evidence to testify against. Jameson. Everything was mere

    spection.

    As for Inigo, he was the most important factor in the chain of evidence!

    After keeping silent for a while, Jasper slowly said, ¡°Lyse, I don¡¯t want you to be involved in the matter

    regarding Inigo. Landon and I can handle it.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been tiring yourself out with my injury and the matter. surrounding Sophia. Leave the rest to

    me.¡±

    ¡°Are you really afraid that I¡¯d tire myself out, Jasper? Or, is it because Jameson is the mastermind, so

    you¡¯re worried that I¡¯d be put in an awkward position because of my past rtionship with him, so

    you¡¯re telling me not to get involved?

    ¡°Is that why you didn¡¯t want me to participate in this? Is it because you don¡¯t want me to feel

    ufortable?¡±

    Jasper pursed his lips. His silence was her confirmation.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you overthinking it?¡±

    Alyssa frowned and poked him softly on his chest with her finger. Plus, Jameson and I were just friends

    in the past. It¡¯s not like what you¡¯re thinking. Even if it were, his actions are unforgivable. I will not be

    soft-hearted, let alone back out.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    ¡°What if all the evidence shows that Inigo had nothing to do with Jameson? What if I was the one who

    spected wrongly?¡± Jasper asked in a dry and raspy voice.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t forgive him. After all, in Kontina, he did so many ridiculous things against Miley and Jeremy.

    Jeremy almost got screwed over! Would I even be a human if I were to pretend that none of that

    happened?¡±

    The thought of the hardship that Miley and Jeremy had to go through these years enraged Alyssa. She

    clenched her fists tightly.

    Jameson was the one who poked the bear.

    And her trigger was her family, as well as Jasper.

    Jasper¡¯s stomach was twisted in knots. ¡°I¡¯ve also wronged you in so many ways. Why did you forgive

    me?¡± Jasper couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    ¡°You¡¯reparing yourself with Jameson?¡± Alyssa raised her brow angrily.

    ¡­

    Jasper sighed, then let out a bitterugh. ¡°I¡¯m notparing ¡­ I¡¯m just¡­ feeling guilty.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re different from him.¡±

    Alyssa linked her arm with his and leaned her head on his broad shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve known you since a

    long, long time ago. I understand you. In fact, I understand you more than you can imagine.¡±

    Jasper was about to probe further when her cell started vibrati her pocket.

    The screen showed that it was a call from Winston.

    Alyssa answered the call with a casual and friendly tone, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Dad?¡±

    Although Winston wasn¡¯t in front of him, Jasper started to feel nervous. Inevitably, his palms began to

    sweat.

    ¡°Where are you, Lyse?¡± Winston¡¯s tone sounded a little serious.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Are you in Sna City?¡±

    ¡°Is there any reason that you¡¯re calling?¡±

 Chapter 1068

    Chapter 1068

    Winston¡¯s tone of voice sounded increasingly firm. ¡°Not only are you and Jasper together, but he¡¯s also

    staying at your house in Sna City?¡± he questioned.

    Jasper¡¯s ears perked up at the vague sound of his name being mentioned.

    .

    Instantly, Alyssa¡¯s eyes became dark. ¡°What do you mean, Dad? Did you send someone to follow me?¡±

    ¡°Is there any issue with me being concerned for my daughter?¡± Winston answered her with a question.

    He wasn¡¯t going to humor her any longer.

    Alyssa chuckled. ¡°I was alone overseas for five, six years. You¡¯ve never sent anyone to follow me.

    During the Christmas holidays, you¡¯ve never sent me any Christmas cards or well wishes. Why are you

    suddenly being concerned now?¡±

    A fire of rage rose within Alyssa. She put her hand on her waist and continued, ¡°Are you possessed, or

    do you just have too much free. time on your hands because you¡¯re about to retire?¡±

    Jasper furrowed his brows and remained expressionless.

    Alone overseas? And it was for five to six years at that? Why so?

    The Taylor family members doted on her so much, so how could they not be worried?

    She was still very young, five or six years ago. How dangerous must it have been for her to live in a

    foreignnd all on her own!

    ¡°You¡¯d bettere home this instant! You¡¯re my precious daughter, but you¡¯re cohabiting with an idiot

    who is also your ex-husband? I feel

    Winston eximed, seemingly angry.

    Alyssa harrumphed and replied nonchntly, ¡°You¡¯re not even ashamed to marry four wives. What is

    there for me to be ashamed about?¡±

    ¡°You¡­ you¡­ you!¡± Winston almost lost his temper.

    Damn, they were truly father and daughter. Her words struck him to the core!

    After listening to their back-and-forth, Jasper gradually understood the conversation. Winston had

    found out that he was together with Alyssa, and he was furious about it.

    His heart tightened. He thought about how he had to go through so many challenges to finally receive

    approval from her siblings. And now, there was another hurdle in front of him-Winston.

    However, he didn¡¯t have a single word ofint. He was the one. who had been cruel in the past.

    Any difficulty or hurdle he faced was, all his own karma.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care. I want you toe back as soon as possible! The horse racing event is on the weekend.

    It concerns KS Group¡¯s important strategic partnership in the future. A few major groups in Sna City

    are also going to be there.

    ¡°I need you toe back and make the necessary preparations. You are attending it with me!¡±

    A few major groups?

    That meant that the Becketts and Schmidts were included. It would be bustling then.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze was deep. She answered in a low voice, ¡°I understand.¡±

    ¡°And, let me remind you once again-don¡¯t get too close to Jasper! My daughter is as precious as

    jewels, and he¡¯s definitely not at your level!¡±

    Although Winston was speaking on the phone, his dissatisfaction. toward Jasper was written all over

    his face.

    ¡°Also, don¡¯t you forget how he had treated you in the first ce. He abandoned you and shamed you!

    Even if you have forgotten the pain, he is never going to get past me! Not unless it is over my dead

    body! Goodbye!¡±

    Without waiting for Alyssa to answer, Winston hung up the call.

    Alyssa was speechless. What goodbye was he even talking about?

    She stared at her phone¡¯s screen, which had dimmed. She sighed silently and nced at Jasper, who

    was stiff as a stone beside her.

    ¡°You overheard our conversation?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jasper answered with a dejected look on his face.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do about it. Winston is getting old, more stubborn than I am. Plus, you don¡¯t

    have a good track re makes sense that he doesn¡¯t like you.¡± Alyssa pouted.

    ¡°I get it.¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s alright. Whatever hurdlese our way, we¡¯ll get over them. Things have already

    progressed to this stage. There¡¯s nothing. that we cannot ovee.¡±

    Out of the blue, Alyssa blinked and asked, ¡°If Winston doesn¡¯t approve of us being together at the end

    of the day, and if the entire world doesn¡¯t approve of us, will you give me up?¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Jasper fixed his eyes on her. Looking deep into her eyes, he asked her back, ¡°Will you give me up?¡±

    Alyssa put her finger on her chin and pretended to give it a good thought. After a while, she shook her

    head.

    ¡°No, I won¡¯t.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s breathing was deep and heavy. He opened his arms and pulled her in for an embrace.

    He put his chin on the top of her head as tears pooled in his eyes. Ant intense twinge of bittersweet

    emotions filled his heart.

    ¡°If you won¡¯t leave me, neither will I leave you.¡±

    He was determined to be with her-forever.

 Chapter 1069

    Chapter 1069

    A horse racing event was hosted in Sna City every year. It was an event that garnered the attention

    of the entire nation.

    Wealthy and reputable families would meet at the racecourse. On the surface level, they looked friendly

    with one another. In reality, they were cunning andpeting with one another in secret.

    Hence, this was a rareworking opportunity for the elites.

    Many of the major renowned projects in Sna City, and even throughout Andgalbia, were signed at

    the horse racing event.

    This was why many would do all they could to obtain a ticket to the horse race. It was so that they

    could move up the ranks and achieve great sess.

    Ever since that day when Javier forbade Betty¡¯s attendance, she became ill from her rage. Ulcers broke

    out in her mouth, and she could barely eat anything due to the pain.

    During the night, her anger would also wake her up from her sleep.

    All she did was reprimand a few helpers. She couldn¡¯t understand why Javier wanted to punish her in

    this way. Not only that, he even backed Lauren up!

    She used to be a troublemaker at home, but he had never rebuked her.

    Could it be that she was also suffering the consequences by association? Sophia lost his favor, and

    she was also suffering in tow?

    It was no surprise that men were such a heartless breed!

    Right now, she could only quietly wish for Landon to be a yer. She hoped he would take advantage

    of Lauren and discard her like trash ying

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    When that time came, she wanted to make a public deration in their circles to inform everyone that

    Lauren was a whore who Landon yed!

    She would wait and see who would still want to marry that stupid bitch! She wanted her reputation to be

    ruined.

    Just as she was relishing in her thoughts, a knock came from the door.

    ¡°Ms. Betty, Madam Sophia asked for you.¡±

    Betty went to meet Sophia with a resentful look on her face.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Mom.¡±

    She caught a whiff of a strange scent the moment she stepped through the door. It was revolting.

    ¡°What are you doing, Mom? What is that smell?¡±

    Betty walked toward the bedroom while she pinched her no furrowed her brows.

    She pushed open the door, which was unlocked, and was immedi stumped in horror.

    Sophia was wearing crumpled-up pajamas and kneeling on the floor with her hair all over her face. She

    frantically wiped a pool of yellow water stains on the floor using a towel.

    Betty¡¯s eyes widened. She stuttered, ¡°Mom¡­ You¡¯re.

    It was only then that Sophia realized that she had entered the room. Her face flushed red in surprise,

    and she shouted fiercely, ¡°Who told you that you coulde in? Don¡¯t you know how to knock?¡±

    ¡°Mom, you were the one who asked for me¡­¡±

    Retty stared at the staininted spot. Then, she had a sudden realization and covered her

    mouthlivizhtheher hands.

    ¡°Mom! You¡­ Don¡¯t tell they you have.¡± she asked dumbfoundedly.

    She was aboin to bluit dunuththe term incontinence¡± when Sophia interrupted her in her iotad varote,

    Shut up! Don¡¯t you dare mention a single word of what shouiditt he said. Do you hear me?¡±

    Betty nodded vigorouslyly

    How would she dare to say a word she did, Sophia would be theughingstock of Sna City! As

    she herself would be embarrassed as well!

    Sophia threw the dirty towel into the cacash can, then ran into the toilet and couldn¡¯t stop scrubbing her

    handss.

    She could still smell the disgusting sisrio matter how she washed her hands.

    Brattyre shed over. With an anxious gaze, she eximed sant take that medicine anymore!

    Was the difference between taking that merecication and tosakit s obvious that Tristan is trying to

    naravoould.ook a poggioon if you go on like that¡­ your body wornbbe able to fouves irad every trick in

    the book to garner Dads safavor. Moreo puvassateagized for so many years to fight againstal Jasper.

    [you were excungin your health, there wouldn¡¯t be any bople left for but All shaayyou have done in the

    past would¡¯ve been fororoothing!¡±

    Wasnt aininoit urrence to bear such sensibielwwords from etty. It was sleleathat she was really

    panicking. ophia sautheneyees and took a deep breath. She respondeted, know

    I do want to give his up, but i just can¡¯t!¡±

 Chapter 1070

    Chapter 1070

    ¡°Without it, I would rather die!¡± Sophia cried out.

    Betty hadn¡¯t had any first-hand experience with medication reliance.

    Though Sophia wore a crooked expression, she gleaned a fleeting insight into the agony of drug

    withdrawal.

    ¡°About Jeffrey¡­ Have you managed to deal with him?¡± Sophia suddenly inquired in a sly manner.

    Betty¡¯s heart dropped. She replied softly, ¡°I have arranged someone to handle it. The only thing is, that

    person hasn¡¯t gotten back to me till now. I¡¯m afraid that they haven¡¯t done it yet.¡±

    ¡°So useless! All of them are good-for-nothings!¡± Sophia opened her eyes wide in fury.

    ¡°Mom, we¡¯re talking about a prison here. It¡¯s good enough that I was able to find someone to do the

    work for you.

    ¡°His movements in there are limited. Unlike the outside, he can¡¯t just do as he wishes. So, please just

    wait a little longer. We should hear back very soon.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°Wait? How can I bear to wait? Each day that Jeffrey is still alive¡­ My heart is just like a cat on a hot

    tin roof. I can¡¯t sleep nor eat well!¡±

    In her nervousness, Sophia began to pace. She said, ¡°I¡¯m certain that Alyssa and Jasper have met with

    him. Plus, they are surely thinking of a way to make him open his mouth and testify against me!

    ¡°If I let him live¡­ It would only be a matter of time before he rats me out!¡±

    Betty also knew that the stakes were high. But she truly had no better wuy.

    So, she could say, ¡°Calm down, Mom. Iw cross her fingers and

    Jeffrey wanted to rat you out, he would have done so long ago. Why would he wait until now? I guess

    you¡¯re not the one he hates the most, but Jasper and Alyssa!

    ¡°He had taken so many lives with his hands before he came to work for you. But he was still able to

    come over safely.

    ¡°He probably never expected all his hard work to be ruined in Alyssa¡¯s and Jasper¡¯s hands. That is why

    he hasn¡¯t exposed you to this date.¡±

    Sophia nodded as she listened to Betty. She also thought that Betty sounded reasonable.

    Suddenly, a knock at the door made both of them jump!

    ¡°Who is it?¡± Sophia asked as she walked into the living room.

    ¡°Madam Sophia, it¡¯s me,¡± Rory replied emotionlessly.

    The look in Sophia¡¯s eyes dimmed. She opened the door just a and peeped callously at Rory, who was

    standing at the door.

    Rory greeted her, then said respectfully, ¡°Madam Sophia, Mr. J sent me to pass a message to you.

    Please apany him in attending the horse race this weekend.¡±

    Sophia yanked the door open. ¡°Javier asked me to go with him? I¡¯m not grounded anymore?¡± she

    asked. She was so excited that her voice was trembling.

    ¡°You are the one who has always apanied Mr. Javier to attend the annual horse racing event. This

    year will not be an exception.¡±

    ¡°Great! I will surely attend. I will be there!¡±

    She closed the door. Tears were welling up in her eyes. She was in a frenzy of delight.

    After a month of being grounded, she was finally about to be able to see the light of day again.

    Was this proof that Javier was no longer mad at her? Was the tension between them alleviated now?

    But¡­

    Her current awkward condition, the one whereby she would lose control of her dder once she

    stopped taking the medication, came to mind.

    Furthermore, this sort of situation was unpredictable, even to her. She had no control over it at all.

    She would fall into disrepute if she urinated involuntarily at the horse. race. Not only that, Javier would

    also hate her to the bone.

    However, if she didn¡¯t attend, it wouldn¡¯t be respectful toward Javier. This was even more difficult to

    handle.

    She felt like she was at her wits¡¯ end,

    Then, Betty approached her and whispered in a low voice, ¡°Mom, are you worried about your health?¡±

    ¡°Betty, what do I do? I¡¯m really in deep shit now!¡±

    Sophia sank to the ground and sat there limply. She put her head in her hands in much pain.

    ¡°If I don¡¯t have it, I will lose control of my dder. Not only that, I will be unable to fall asleep all night

    and lose sleep. My mind is a mess, and I keep hearing things. All that noise is making me go mad!¡±

    She saw and heard things, and eventually, she would start having hallucinations, too.

    She was losing control over everything. But as long as she injected me any prooviivou vy matun, uni

    It wasn¡¯t just that. She would even feel rejuvenated. Her energy would be renewed. She couldn¡¯t part

    with it. She really couldn¡¯t.

 Chapter 1071

    Chapter 1071

    ¡°Calm down, Mom. I have an idea,¡± Betty said in Sophia¡¯s ear.

    ¡°You can wear diapers on the day. Wouldn¡¯t that be foolproof?¡±

    ¡°D-Diapers?¡± Sophia flushed red from shame.

    ¡°No one other than me would know about it anyway. You can just go ahead and wear it. Dad has finally

    eased up, so you need to dress up and attend the horse race to unt your beauty. You must get

    through this and capture Dad¡¯s heart again!¡±

    That was right. Betty was right.

    It was an opportunity that was hard toe by. She had to do her best to mend her rtionship with

    Javier.

    ¡°At this moment¡­ This would be the only way.¡±

    Diapers it was!

    It wasn¡¯t as if there were no adults who wore diapers! As long as

    Betty made no mention of it, no one else would find out!

    ¡°Can you help me with something, Mom?¡± Betty seized the opportunity and made a request.

    ¡°You little brat, what deal do you want to strike with me this time?¡±

    Sophia stared at her with angry eyes as she felt that Betty was being more and more difficult.

    She had given her an inch, but she was now taking a mile.

    ¡°Mom! Just listen to me!¡±

    Betty immediately recounted the time when she went up to give a dressing-down to the helper who

    talked bad about her. She conveyed the horse race, albeit with some exaggeration.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°Mom! I can help look out for you if I can go to the horse racing event. Furthermore, many affluent heirs

    will be attending on the day, too. Don¡¯t you wish for me to marry into a wealthy family to support you in

    the future?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s expression was gloomy. She nodded slowly and replied, ¡± Alright. I will do my best to convince

    Javier to allow you to attend the event.¡±

    ¡°Oh! My dearest Mom, you¡¯re the best!¡±

    Betty flung her arms around Sophia and gave her a hug. Her eyes had a dim, sinister glow about them.

    In the end, Alyssa still ended up deciding to go back home. She prepared herself to bid goodbye to

    Jasper for a while.

    Moreover, everything was already prepared. She also needed to return home to make the necessary

    arrangements to put on a momentous show.

    After taking a steaming hot bath together at night, Alyssa sat in front of the mirror in her bathrobe.

    Jasper stood behind her with a hair dryer in his hand.

    He patiently helped her dry her soft and shiny dark hair. While he was doing so, he also weaved her

    hair between his fingers and massaged her scalp lightly, trying to relieve her tiredness.

    ¡°Ooh¡­ That¡¯s some skill right there.¡±

    Alyssa squinted in satisfaction. She felt sofortable that she curled her toes in, too.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, if you weren¡¯t the president, you could consider getting into the massage industry. I will

    definitely appoint you as my masseur when I visit.¡±

    ¡°It seems like you are very pleased with my service, Ms. Alyssa,¡± Jasper replied.

    Jasper stroked her hair with his fingers. He leaned down and gently kissed along her ear. Each spot

    where his lips touched blushed a sweet pink color.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, would you care to give me a little tip tonight?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s cheeks flushed red from his teasing. She felt soft and numb all the way to the core. She

    shuddered.

    ¡°Well¡­¡±

    She shrugged lightly. Then, in a soft and slightly pleading voice, she said, ¡°Please give me a break

    tonight. I have to be on my way early tomorrow morning.

    ¡°There are still tons of things waiting for me to do when I get back. You¡¯ll tire me out. My back is almost

    giving way.¡±

    Jasper let out a wide and charming grin. He kissed her cheek and said, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll wait. You can reward

    me when you get back.¡±

    They put their pajamas on andy down on the bed.

    Alyssa rolled nimbly into Jasper¡¯s arms. He took her into his arms immediately.

    ¡°Lyse.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°When you have some free time, could you make me another suit set?

    Jasper queried to feel her out.

 Chapter 1072

    Chapter 1072

    That suit was associated with so much hurt and had always been one of Jasper¡¯s prized possessions.

    No one was allowed to touch it.

    Nheless, he still wanted to get a new set of clothing from Alyssa for good luck. It would be a

    symbol of a brand new and sessful beginning with her.

    ¡°Do you really like the clothing that I make for you?¡±

    Alyssa blinked and tickled him under his chin.

    She said, ¡°It¡¯s not a problem to make one for you. But don¡¯t force yourself to wear it if it¡¯s not to your

    taste. I don¡¯t want you to force yourself just because of me, even if it¡¯s a set of clothing.¡±

    Suddenly, Jasper felt a lump in his throat, and his eyes welled up. He kept quiet for a while, trying to

    contain his surging emotions within himself.

    He replied in a husky voice, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve always liked it. I was just being stupid and stubborn at that

    time. I didn¡¯t want to admit it and didn¡¯t know how to express myself.

    ¡°I know I¡¯m being too greedy, Lyse. But, I still hope that I can request from you a chance to repent.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating. It¡¯s just a piece of clothing,¡± Alyssa responded in a rxed tone.

    She no longer wished to be hung up over the difficult times that she experienced in the past. She

    continued, ¡°Once we get over this busy period, I¡¯ll make it for you.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes turned red. He wanted to say something in response. but couldn¡¯t find the words to do

    so.

    He could only move in closer to her and kiss her on her soft and moist lips. Their fingers intertwined,

    and their body temperatures rose.

    The following morning, Jonah arranged for someone to fetch Alyssa and bring her back to Belbanks.

    Jasper wanted to send her back in person, but no matter what he said, she disagreed. She simply

    asked him to rest well and wait for her to return home.

    He watched on reluctantly as the Rolls-Royce drove away. He stood on the spot for a long time,

    unwilling to walk away.

    It was just a few minutes after Alyssa had left, and he was already missing her.

    Rosie walked over while dusting off her hands.

    With a mischievous look on her face, she eximed, ¡°Oh, I stepped out to take out the trash and

    caught sight of this massive, unwavering rock in the distance. Imagine my surprise when I found it

    stationed right at the door.¡±

    Jasper then snapped back to his senses and asked in a confused voice, ¡°What rock? Where is it?¡±

    ¡°Right here-an unwavering husband!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s face turned red, and he didn¡¯t know what else to say.

    When Alyssa got back to Heightsnew Vi, Winston was not in. He would only be back at night time.

    Mandy, L, and Colene weren¡¯t around either. So, she was bored and returned to her room to catch

    up on sleep.

    It was already in the afternoon by the time she woke up. Just as she woke up, Tristan called.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, as expected, Sophia contacted me,¡± Tristan reported with a hint of excitement in his voice.

    ¡°She has used up all the medication that I gave to Bettyst time. Moreover, per your instructions, I

    didn¡¯t respond to her request immediately. I am still keeping her hanging until now.¡±

    ¡°If she doesn¡¯t have the drugs to take, will she suffer from incontinence as a withdrawal symptom?¡±

    Alyssa asked as she stretchedzily.

    ¡°Yes, she will. She will have both urinary and fecal incontinence.¡±

    Tristanughed coldly and continued, ¡°Reading between the lines, it sounded like her body was already

    on the verge of copsing. Her physical symptoms seem to be quite severe.

    ¡°Plus, she mentioned that she would be attending a horse racing event in Sna City with Mr. Javier

    this weekend. She ho meet me there so that I can hand the medication to her.¡±

    Alyssa pressed her lips together. ¡°Oh? Javier has given an pardon and is letting that bitch out of her

    cage soon?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like they have divorced anyway. Moreover, a reputa like Mr. Javier wouldn¡¯t want himself to be

    embarrassed, so he believes strongly in not letting others know about the shameful t that happen at

    home. He will bring Sophia along, even if it means. putting on a show.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a good show without ups and downs?¡±

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    AAlyssa had a hopeful glimmer in her eyes as an idea inspired her.

    ¡°D¡¯Dr. McAlister, give Sophia a call shortly. Tell her you agree with her

 Chapter 1073

    Chapter 1073

    It turned out that Mandy, L, and Colene had gone to church. After church, they went on a shopping

    spree.

    They also visited a trending caf¨¦ before returning to Heightsnew Vi, feeling satisfied.

    In the eyes of the world, they were in awkward positions. People expected them to scheme against one

    another and to have a cut- throat rtionship behind closed doors.

    However, the trio were close, like three peas in a pod. At times, even Alyssa felt deep jealousy when

    she witnessed their sisterhood.

    Winston must have saved the universe in his past life for him to have Mandy¡¯s, L¡¯s, and Colene¡¯s

    loyalty toward him in this life.

    ¡°Woah! Why didn¡¯t any of you bring me along? I¡¯m sad now¡­¡± Alyssa teased.

    She was sitting on the swing in the garden. Like a young and energetic youth, she swung back and

    forth with the tip of her toes sweeping on the ground.

    ¡°Oh, dearest Alyssa, it¡¯s not that we didn¡¯t want to bring you along!¡±

    Colene approached her from behind and put her arms around her neck.

    She hugged Alyssa and said softly, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you give us a heads-up. that you made ast-minute

    decision toe home? If we knew that you wereing back, unless anything life-threatening

    happened to Winston, we would have waited for you at home no matter what!¡±

    Alyssa cringed.

    Mandy and L looked extremely awkward. They advised, ¡°Watch your words, Colene. You sound like

    you are ill-wishing Winston.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t! If anything were to happen to Winston, where else am I going to find such reliable financial

    backing?¡± Colene put her hands on her hips and bellowed.

    Alyssa, Mandy, and L looked on gloomily.

    It was a good thing that Winston wasn¡¯t around. Otherwise, he might just have a heart attack.

    ¡°L is a believer, and there was mass today, so the both of us thought of apanying her to go out

    for some fresh air,¡± Mandy gently exined while holding Alyssa¡¯s hand.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s my bad. I should make it up to Lyse by making a delicious feast tonight,¡± L said.

    She loved Alyssa more than her own daughter. When she saw that Alyssa was unhappy, she turned

    and immediately headed toward the kitchen.

    ¡°No, don¡¯t, L! I was just joking with all of you!¡±

    Alyssa got up in a hurry to stop L in her tracks. She linked arms. with L and pouted. ¡°Look at you,

    can¡¯t you take a joke?¡±

    L¡¯s introverted and humble self tugged at Alyssa¡¯s heartstrings. She figured living such a cautious

    life must be too exhausting.

    ¡°How are youtely, L? Do you feel better now?¡± Alyssa asked in a warm tone.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, Lyse. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ve felt much better since al long time ago.¡±

    L stroked Alyssa¡¯s silky, dark hair. She asked with a gaze full of concern, ¡°How about you? What

    have you been up to out theretely?

    ¡°Winston has been worried sick because you haven¡¯te back in such a long time. He¡¯s lost his

    appetite and has even lost weight.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right! He couldn¡¯t even eat L¡¯s cooking. It¡¯s obvious how much Winston misses you,¡± Colene

    chimed in.

    Although Alyssa felt rather guilty, she didn¡¯t show it on her face.

    ¡°The other day, I heard Winston on the phone with you, Lyse. He raised his voice quite loudly. Did you

    both have an argument?¡± Mandy couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    ¡°Not really¡­¡±

    ¡°Not really? Wow¡­ Ever since that day, it was like a dark cloud was looming over Winston wherever he

    went. Even when he was going out this morning, he also looked livid. He looked just like Hulk!¡± said

    Colene as she shuddered at that thought.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Lyse. What in the world happened? It¡¯s rare for Winston to be angry like that.¡± L was

    also especially concerned.

    Alyssa pursed her lips and tried to control her breathing. She exined slowly, ¡°Jasper and I are back

    together.¡±

    A hush enveloped them.

 Chapter 1074

    Chapter 1074

    After a while, Mandy, L, and Colene nodded.

    ¡°That exins it. It is already quite fortunate that Winston didn¡¯t storm into the Beckett family or skin

    Jasper alive.¡±

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    Before they could probe Alyssa further, rk hurried over and informed them, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Winston

    is back. He asked for you to go to his study.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath and prepared to leave. Behind her, Mandy, L, and Colene were worried

    that Winston would be difficult.

    So, the three of them also expressed their wish to follow along.

    In the study, Winston was drinking tea while sitting on the sofa His expression was glum.

    Whenever he met with Alyssa in the past, they were always jok around merrily with one another. The

    air around them was alwa lively and warm.

    It was extremely rare for them to have so much tension.

    ¡°I wanted to speak with Lyse in private. What are all of you taggin along for?¡±

    Winston gave a displeased, side-eyed nce at his wives. Het forcefully set his cup down on the table

    with a resounding thud.

    ¡°She is already an adult of good standing. Do you think that I would still spank her like I did when she

    was young? Even if I were to hit anyone, I should first beat up that bastard from the Beckett family!¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa¡¯s beautiful face turned glum in an instant.

    ¡°Winston.¡±

    Mandy was afraid that Alyssa would get a lecture from Winston. So, she stepped up anxiously to speak

    for her.

    ¡°It is true that Mr. Jasper did some absurd things in the past. However, he has already repented. He¡¯s

    used his life to protect Lyse multiple times. He truly cherishes her.¡±

    ¡°Used his life? What do you mean? Was Lyse in some kind of danger? ¡°Winston leaned forward

    abruptly when Mandy¡¯s words caught his attention.

    ¡°Lyse, she¡­¡±

    Alyssa immediately interrupted, ¡°I¡¯m fine. What could have happened to me? Mandy was

    exaggerating.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t want Winston to know about how well Jasper had been treating her and how

    much he doted on her.

    Instead, she was more afraid that Winston would be unable to take the news. She would indeed be

    guilt-ridden for the rest of her life if he fell ill from being panic-stricken.

    She had already lost Jennifer. She couldn¡¯t bear to lose Winston, too.

    Furthermore, she understood the entire family well. Out of all his children, Winston still loved her the

    most.

    Winston leaned back on the sofa slowly. He red at her with a gaze. that was as sharp as an eagle¡¯s.

    ¡°I am indifferent to whether Jasper has cast a spell on you or ensnared you with his cunning tactics,

    Alyssa! As long as I breathe, it matters not if he bestows the entire Beckett Group upon you or offers

    his entire career as his bride-dowry. I am not going to approve of you

    ¡°Even if he gives up his worthless life, it is still not enough to make up for all the hurt that he¡¯d caused

    you. You wasted three years of your youth for him!¡±

    Winston¡¯s anger fueled some of his exaggerated statements.

    However, within the Taylor family, it was widely understood that Alyssa held a ce of unparalleled

    importance in his life-she was his everything.

    When Alyssa just started going to elementary school, she was already as pretty as a doll. Because of

    her cute look, many boys fancied her. As a result, she became the envy of many girls.

    At that time, Alyssa had a spoiled brat as her ssmate. She didn¡¯t like Alyssa and began to alienate

    her.

    Although she didn¡¯t harm her physically, she still tormented her in many ways secretly-tearing up her

    homework, stealing her hair clips, and filling her bottle with dirty water.

    Thankfully, the young Alyssa was kind and smart. She saw through a those tricks with much ease and

    avoided all of them. She didn¡¯t hold any grudges either.

    She didn¡¯t want Winston to worry, so she never spoke about what happened at school. She was mature

    for her age.

    One particr day, her ssmate, seated behind her in ss, maliciously cut off her long braid, a

    cherished length she had been nurturing for quite some time.

    Alyssa returned home with her hair in disarray, and it was at that moment Winston discovered the

    prolonged bullying she had been facing at school.

    On that day, Winston, a formidable figure in the business world,

 Chapter 1075

    Chapter 1075

    Later on, Alyssa learned that her troublesome ssmate had dropped out of school just three days

    after the incident.

    The family¡¯s business faced bankruptcy, and her father was incarcerated. Upon realizing the wrongs

    she hadmitted against Alyssa, her mother lived in perpetual anxiety.

    In the end, she sumbed to a bout of serious illness.

    As such, it was a miracle that Winston hadn¡¯t done anything to Jasper yet.

    It was Alyssa who was the creator of this miracle.

    If it weren¡¯t for her telling him over and over not to touch Jasper, he might have already sent someone

    to assassinate him!

    He probably wouldn¡¯t need to get the job done personally. Jonah and Axel would most likely have

    already gotten rid of Jasper.

    ¡°Dad, at the end of the day, I am also hugely responsible for the failure of the marriage.¡±

    Alyssa didn¡¯t address him by his name again. She had a serious look on her face, making it obvious

    that she was very persistent and earnest about this rtionship.

    ¡°Back then, I was too desperate to be with him and to call him mine. That was why I insisted on

    marrying him even though I knew that he didn¡¯t like me.

    ¡°If the same thing happened to you, would you be able to let it go and ept a woman whom you don¡¯t

    love at all? Moreover, he was in love with another woman at that time.¡±

    ¡°Alyssa! Have you gone fucking mad? Has he brainwashed you or something? There are billions of

    men in the world. Why must you insist there is only one way to Rome?¡±

    In his rage, Winston mmed his fist against the table.

    His eyes bulged with anger as he yelled, ¡°I don¡¯t care who he was in love with at the time. If he didn¡¯t

    fancy you, he could have chosen not to marry you! Since he married you, he should have been

    responsible husband!

    ¡°But what did he do? He was an illegitimate child, unloved by his family. He also couldn¡¯t take the

    pressure from Mr. Beckett Senior. But did that mean he could abandon his old me and marry a

    woman he didn¡¯t love?

    ¡°It is exactly this sort of weak loser behavior that makes me have no respect for him! He is not good

    enough for you and has no right to be my son-inw!¡±

    Alyssa curled her fingers into tight fists on her knees. She felt like a boulder was weighing her heart

    down, and couldn¡¯t catch her breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like what you¡¯re thinking, Dad.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough! I don¡¯t want to hear another word from you! I want you to break up with him

    immediately! It must be a clean break! Don¡¯t make me do it for you!¡±

    Winston showed no sign of slowing down on his rage.

    In a cold and decisive tone, he shouted, ¡°Now, news about your marriage in secret and divorce has

    already spread. So, you shouldn¡¯t be entangled with the Becketts anymore!

    ¡°And yet, you have blurred the lines in your rtionship with Jasper. What do you think people will say

    about you?

    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t care about whether you are both in love. They will simply assume that you had no

    choice but to return to your ex-lover after your divorce. They will think that no one else wants to take

    you in. No one other than Jasper! Even if you don¡¯t feel ashamed about that, at least think about your

    family!¡±

    ¡°You know me. I have never cared what people think about me. No. one can stop me as long as it is

    something that I want to do. Neither can anyone stop me from loving the man I love,¡± Alyssa responded

    firmly but coldly.

    ¡°You!¡±

    Winston felt the blood pressure rise within him. All of a sudden, his vision became ck. He stumbled

    and quickly grabbed onto the armrests on the sofa to bnce himself.

    ¡°D-Dad!¡±

    The blood drained from Alyssa¡¯s face. She rushed forward and kneeled on one knee in front of

    Winston. She held his trembli ody and tried to support him.

    ¡°Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell, Dad?¡±

    ¡°Winston!¡± Mandy, L, and Colene jumped. Their hearts were pounding, and they also rushed over to

    check on Winston.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ Don¡¯t make such a big fuss,¡± Winston answered. He close his eyes and forced himself to

    suppress the massive headache he was getting. He could barely bnce himself.

    ¡°Dad! Lie down, quick!¡±

    Alyssa and Colene quickly helped him. Theyid him on his back on the sofa. With eyes full of tears,

    L whipped out her cell phone to call 911.

    As for Mandy, she seemed to be unusually calm. In a sh, she retrieved two bottles of medication

    from the drawer under the desk.

    She poured a few tablets onto her hand and fed them to Winston.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    ¡°Winston, take your medicine, hurry!¡±

    Winston swallowed the pills and drank some water. As hey back down, he began to rx his

    furrowed brows.

 Chapter 1076

    Chapter 1076

    Alyssa picked the medicine bottle up and took a closer look. The next moment, she covered her mouth

    in utter shock. She was on the verge of tears.

    ¡°Cerebral ischemic stroke. This medication is to treat cerebral ischemic stroke. Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals developed this and only produced a limited amount yearly. Even people loaded with

    money can¡¯t buy it.¡±

    Mandy looked at Winston painfully. Her heartache was hard to conceal. ¡®However, this year, the

    medication couldn¡¯t stabilize his condition anymore. When your father fell sick twice at the beginning of

    last year, he pulled through with this medication.¡±

    ¡°D-Did all of you know about this? Am I the only one who is clueless?¡± Tears streamed down Alyssa¡¯s

    face. Her heart was shattered.

    ¡°No. Jonah and Ss don¡¯t know either. Your father didn¡¯t want to tell all of you. He was afraid you

    would panic and worry.

    Mandy squatted down. She took a square silk handkerchief and dabbed the sweat from Winston¡¯s

    forehead. ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t be angry at your father. He loves you too much. He was afraid you would get

    hurt or be looked down upon. He cared for you too much and didn¡¯t know better.¡±

    ¡°Look down upon? Who would dare to do that?¡±

    Colene¡¯s voice was hoarse. Her eyes were red from the tears, but her gaze was fierce. ¡°Lyse is the

    eldest daughter of the Taylor family. If anyone dared to look down on her, I would scratch that person¡¯s

    eyeballs out and rip their tongue off.¡±

    Alyssa held her father¡¯s cold hand tightly. She lowered her head uceply.

    She should have known better.

    She should have been more behaved.

    She was too reckless. She went everywhere for Jasper and didn¡¯t even care to ask about how the

    family was doing. She waspletely clueless about her father¡¯s condition.

    She wondered why she behaved this way.

    At this moment, the doorbell rang.

    Mandy collected herself and went to the door. ¡°Who is it?¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Taylor, you have a guest. He is waiting outside the door,¡± rk said respectfully.

    ¡°A guest at this hour? Who is it?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jameson.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes dimmed. She slowly got up. It was as if a cold breeze had swept the ce.

    ¡°Mandy, you stay here with Dad. I will go and meet him.¡±

    Alyssa walked out of Heightsnew Vi with heavy steps.

    Under the dazzling door light, Jameson stood there alone as he waited patiently. He looked tall under

    the light. His face looked gentle, and his eyes were bright.

    From every angle, he didn¡¯t look like a malicious man who only did the worst things.

    When Jameson heard the door open, he looked up abruptly. The pair of beautiful eyes behind the gold-

    rimmed sses smiled delightfully.

    ¡°Lyse.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    He called for her longingly.

    Alyssa¡¯s gorgeous face was cold and glum as she stepped closer to the man.

    ¡°Lyse, I¡­¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Her tone was icy. She was no longer as warm and friendly as she used to be.

    Jameson felt as if a knife had pierced his heart. He clenched his fingers. He was concerned. ¡°I met

    Uncle Winston at an event I attended today. He didn¡¯t look too well when he rested in the VIP lounge.

    He was struggling toplete the event. I was worried event after I went home. So I came to check on

    him.¡±

 Chapter 1077

    Chapter 1077

    Alyssa¡¯s eyshes cast a shadow under the light as she lowered her head.

    Back then, she thought Jameson was genuinely concerned for her father. Now, she felt he had ulterior

    motives.

    He was willing to murder her sister and brother-inw. Her father was nothing, but another body count

    to him..

    Jameson was a vicious man all along.

    He desired her so badly. However, he was unwilling to mess with her before getting her and fulfilling his

    desire.

    ¡°My dad is fine. He is as vigorous as a tiger.¡±

    A cold smile hung on Alyssa¡¯s face. He doesn¡¯t say no to food, though. His stomach isn¡¯t the strongest

    and often gives him problems. He probably had a craving, ate something he shouldn¡¯t, and had a

    stomachache. You don¡¯t need to worry about it. Go home.¡±

    ¡°Really? But I saw how terrible Uncle Winston looked. His head was hurting badly. It looked serious. It

    seemed like a cerebral ischemic stroke or something like that¡­¡±

    ¡°Jameson, are you cursing my father?¡± Alyssa interrupted lowly.

    A sharp glint appeared in her gorgeous eyes as she asked, ¡°Or did you. look into the Taylor family or

    something?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, I didn¡¯t. You¡¯ve misunderstood.¡±

    Jameson saw how annoyed she was. He panicked so much that his eyes reddened. He went to her

    and grabbed her arm. ¡°I¡¯m just worried for Uncle Winston. I only wanted to see you!¡±

    As if she was stung by a scorpion¡¯s tail, Alyssa swatted him away. She staggered backward in anger,

    creating distance from the man.

    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to see you.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, what is up with you?¡±

    Jameson¡¯s pale lips trembled slightly. His anxiety was ripping him apart internally. He wanted to inch

    closer to her again, but he stopped as she stared him down, wary and distant.

    ¡°What happened? Can you tell me? I beg you, please, tell me. Don¡¯t be like that with me.¡±

    Jameson appeared so innocent.

    The innocence in Jameson¡¯s eyes felt real.

    ¡°Since you want to know, then let me ask you.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath. She gritted her teeth and enunciated each word coldly. ¡°You know Inigo,

    don¡¯t you? I¡¯m sure he is one of yourckeys?¡±

    ¡°Inigo? Who is he?¡± Jameson looked at her furious face. He was clueless.

    However, his shoulders hiding under his suit were as tight as a fully drawn bow.

    He thought he hid it well enough. Even if Alyssa were meticulous. enough to figure out he had once

    advanced in Kontina and liaised closely with the arms dealers in Tsulu, she wouldn¡¯t get to the bottom.

    of it.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    She couldn¡¯t capture Inigo, so she had no proof to confirm it was his doing.

    However, he never expected her to question him directly. He

    ¡°Your business in Kontina is booming and covers a wide range of services. You have close

    rtionships with high-ranking officials and high-profile individuals in Tsulu. You even have allies in the

    army. Inigo is a Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Army Ground Forces and was in Kontina in the early

    years. Do you really not know him?¡± Alyssa crossed her arms and observed him. She was doubtful.

    Even her disdainful expression held such beauty for him that it captivated and enchanted him

    completely.

    ¡°Lyse, I do have somework in Kontina, but you viinized me too much. I¡¯m not as powerful as you

    paint me to be.¡±

    Jameson was like an ant on a hot pan. His eyes were red. ¡°But, if that Inigo guy is causing you trouble

    and hurting you, I will do what it takes to remove him from the face of the earth.¡±

    Alyssa heard his genuine speech and scoffed. ¡°Of course, you would want to remove Inigo. You, of all

    people, would want him dead.

    ¡°You will not rest in peace if he was left free on the street. ticking time bomb. You¡¯re unsure when he

    will expose you secrets to the world.¡±

    ¡°Lyse¡­ H-How can you think of me this way?¡±

 Chapter 1078

    Chapter 1078

    Tears welled up in Jameson¡¯s eyes. He bit his lip until it turned white.

    He yed a man who felt wronged and pitiful from being misunderstood by the love of his life so well.

    He was so immersed in ying this character that he had forgotten-he was the man who brought

    Alyssa these deadly troubles.

    Alyssa stared at him. Inexplicable emotions swirled in her lifeless. eyes.

    ¡°What happened? Can you tell me, Lyse? What did I do to have caused such a misunderstanding?

    Even if I were to die, I need to die with proper closure!¡± Jameson kept asking questions. His forehead

    was dripping with cold sweat.

    The elegant and dignified Jameson Schmidt had never been so disheveled.

    Alyssa knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to get anything out of him all along. Her statements were a

    calcted warning to Jameson, intending to apply pressure. She aimed to induce panic, hoping he

    might inadvertently reveal something.

    She also wanted to use this cruel way to tell him to stop having fantasies of her. They would never be a

    couple and would no longer be friends.

    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re not admitting to knowing Inigo. Fine. How about Miley and Jeremy?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s shoulders trembled violently from her massive rage. ¡°When you were in Kontina, you wanted

    them dead for your benefit. Are your nning to let this slip?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, some of the people in the Schmidt Group did do heinous things. to your brother-inw, Jeremy.

    But when I found out that Jeremy¡¯s wife was your sister, I immediately ordered them to stop all projects.

    ¡°You have to understand I¡¯m not the only voice in the Schmidt Group. Several shareholders in the

    group have a say, too. When I stopped the projects, they were strongly against it and retaliated.

    ¡°I tried to deal with them but couldn¡¯tpletely stop them, especially when they have more secret

    tricks hidden up their sleeves.¡±

    Jameson¡¯s voice was hoarse as he continued to exin, ¡°Lyse, please believe me! I love you so much.

    I¡¯ve loved you for 15 years. Why would I risk upsetting you and hurting your family?¡±

    Alyssa only stared at him. A suffocating sense of loneliness sprouted between them.

    After a long time, she parted her lips slightly. ¡°Go home. If you don¡¯t, I will.¡±

    As she turned, Jameson suddenly hugged her from the bar He pleaded, ¡°Lyse, don¡¯t leave me.¡±

    ¡°Let go! Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    Alyssa felt a chill in her heart. She tried her best to break porcupine with its spike up.

    Jameson staggered back. His delicate face was stiff as ever. was palpable sadness in his eyes.

    ¡°Jameson, I love someone else. I have a boyfriend now. Even if I don you shouldn¡¯t take advantage of

    me!¡± Alyssa was repulsed by his touch.

    ¡°Is it Jasper?¡±

    Jameson¡¯s face fell. It was as if his soul was shattered to pieces.

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Diy wou vr you you uuuN wycier

    ¡°Why not? Jasper avenged me by risking his life to capture the bad guys. He saved me and Jonah and

    barely came back from Tsulu alive. I was almost separated from him forever because of Inigo.¡±

    Alyssa thought about how Jasper went into a bloody battle for her.. He came out tattered and bruised.

    She instantly choked. ¡°Why would ! not want a man who loves me with his life? Why shouldn¡¯t I love

    him. back?

    ¡°Leave. I¡¯ll investigate this Inigo person thoroughly. I hope you¡¯ve been honest with your words. If you

    were truly the instigator, Jameson, you know what I¡¯d do. I don¡¯t care who this person is. I will never let

    an unrighteous person run scot-free.¡±

    Jameson gasped for air as Alyssa was about to disappear from his sight. Tears welled up in his eyes.

    ¡°Lyse, my mother is seriously ill.¡±

    Alyssa suddenly stopped in her tracks, but she didn¡¯t turn around.

    ¡°She is in thete stages of Alzheimer¡¯s. She¡¯s hardly lucid, and even eating has be a challenge.

    Her limbs are paralyzed.

    ¡°Lately, I¡¯ve set aside all my work to be by her side at the hospital. I¡¯ve managed to find some time in

    the past two days to address a few crucial matters.

    A tear escaped from the corner of Jameson¡¯s eye as his voice resonated with bitter guilt. ¡°Lyse, I¡¯ve

    been tending to my mother, and in doing so, I¡¯ve neglected you. You¡¯ve gone through so much, but I

    couldn¡¯t even help you. I¡¯m sorry.

    ¡°Even if you doubt me because of this, I still want to apologize for causing you so much trouble. My

    mother usually doesn¡¯t recognize me, but she always talks about you. She even asked me when she

    ¡°I know it¡¯s shameless to ask, but she doesn¡¯t have much time left. Please visit her, I beg you. Talk to

    her. It will help with her condition.¡±

 Chapter 1079

    Chapter 1079

    Alyssa had her back facing Jameson. She didn¡¯t say a single word.

    She had trouble untangling her messy thoughts. As she was about to enter the house, the door

    opened.

    ¡°Mandy?¡± Alyssa was shocked to see Mandye out.

    Mandy smiled at her. Her face turned glum when she looked at Jameson. ¡°Mr. Jameson, my husband

    wants to see you. Please.¡±

    ¡°What did you say? Dad wants to see him?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened. She tried her best to calm herself down. ¡°He is sick. What is he trying to do?¡±

    Helplessness swirled in Mandy¡¯s eyes. ¡°Your dad asked for this, so I am merely rying the message.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for inviting me in personally, Mrs. Taylor.¡±

    Jameson subtly adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, and a dark glint flickered in his eyes. An

    unconscious smile graced his lips.

    After Jameson entered Heightsnew Vi, Mandy escorted him to the study to meet Winston.

    The Taylors usually entertained guests in the guest room or parlor. After all, to a man, the study was as

    sacred and private as their bedroom.

    Apart from Winston¡¯s partner-in-crime, Victor, no one had entered his study all these years.

    Jameson was the second person. It was clear as day how much

    Alyssa was sitting on the sofa in the living hall. Her eyes were gloomy as a storm.

    ¡°Lyse, your dad had been pretty close to Mr. Jameson these days. From what I know, this is not the first

    time he is meeting Mr. Jameson alone.¡±

    Mandy held Alyssa¡¯s freezing hand. ¡°I think your dad is serious about this.¡±

    ¡°Serious about what?¡±

    ¡°For you to marry into the Schmidt family.¡±

    ¡°Pfft! He can dream on.¡±

    Alyssa clenched her fists tightly. A violent rage surged in her heart.¡± Over my dead body. They can

    consider marrying my spirit off after I die.¡±

    ¡°Lyse, watch your mouth.¡±

    Mandy frowned deeply. Yet, she took Alyssa¡¯s words seriously. ¡°I know you will never marry Mr.

    Jameson.

    ¡°L, Colene, and I will do our best to convince your dad not to force you to do anything you¡¯re

    unwilling. You won¡¯t marry someone you. don¡¯t love and struggle in an unhappy marriage under our

    watch.¡±

    ¡°Dad never wanted this marriage to happen. I think he wants to break me and Jasper apart.¡±

    Alyssa sullenly closed her eyes and sighed. ¡°He¡¯ll go to any lengths to prevent me from being with

    Jasper. I¡¯m acutely aware of his ruthless nature, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. I¡¯ve

    absorbed this trait from himpletely.¡±This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You are right. Out of all your siblings, you resemble your father the

    Mandy was lost in her thoughts for a long while. Then, she asked worriedly, ¡°Lyse, is Jasper the only

    one you will consider?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I won¡¯t ept anyone but him,¡± Alyssa emphasized each word. without hesitation.

    Then, her phone rang.

    She looked at the name that had appeared on the screen. Her eyes were moist as her lips

    unconsciously curled into a gentle smile.

    She was smitten.

    ¡°I won¡¯t bother you, lovebirds then. I¡¯m going upstairs.¡± Mandy got up and left knowingly.

    Alyssa pursed her lips. Her heart palpitated as she answered the call.

 Chapter 1080

    Chapter 1080

    ¡°You¡¯re awake, Lyse.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was gentle and coy. She could. practically get pregnant with that

    voice in her ear.

    Yet, she felt oddly secure.

    ¡°I¡¯m not tired.¡± Alyssa got up and went to the balcony. She looked up at the moon in the warm evening

    breeze.

    ¡°Are you finding it hard to sleep after leaving me? No one is there to cuddle with you.¡± Jasper chuckled.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°Pfft, of course not! A man does not consume my everything.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s face was burning up, but she was stubborn with her words.

    ¡°But Lyse, you are my everything.¡±

    Her heart beat wildly at Jasper¡¯s sudden deration of affection. She felt her body was burning up and

    was about to reach boiling point

    She missed him so much.

    She had been fine without the call. Now that she had heard his she longed for him endlessly.

    ¡°What did you do today?¡± She switched the topic.

    ¡°Apart from breathing, every second was dedicated to thinking about you.¡±

    ¡°Jasper, it¡¯s fine to sweet talk. But too much of it is like having too much meat to eat. It gets too

    queasy.¡±

    Jasper listened to her and talked about something serious. ¡°I have something I haven¡¯t told you. The

    men I sent to Rnda came back with news today.¡±

    ¡°Rnda¡­ Are you trying to find the maid that Sophia ordered to switch your mother¡¯s medication for

    depression?¡± Alyssa was as quickwitted as a fox. She immediately connected the dots.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve always wanted to search for her. However, she¡¯s elusive and cautious. She no longer resides

    in the city area of Rnda and has adopted a new name. The restaurant she operated shut down six

    months ago. There are rumors suggesting that her husband. umted substantial gambling debts,

    and the restaurant was liquidated to settle those debts.

    ¡°My men scoured every corner of Rnda. Eventually, they located. that maid in a vige. She is

    presently living in destitution, en age, abuse from her husband. Her son, who joined a gang at a young

    age, is currently serving a two-year sentence for theft. Her life has reached rock bottom.¡±

    ¡°Hmph, serve her right! God is punishing her.¡±

    Alyssa could hardly contain her anger. With gritted her teeth and a tone filled with hatred, she said,

    ¡°Even if she lives the most wretched life, it will never absolve her of the heinous deeds shemitted.

    An innocent life was sacrificed because of her greed. She should pay with a life for a life.¡±

    ¡°But before that, I have to capture her and hold her captive.¡±

    Jasper was calm and collected. He carefully executed his n. ¡°Plus, everything has to be done in

    secret. If Sophia or Betty finds out about. my n, they might intercept and kill her.¡±

    Alyssa nodded. She naturally understood the gravity of the situation.

    ¡°Lyse, how about on your end? How is Uncle W-¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s doing well. Everything is okay. ¡°Alyssa tried her best to appear joyful.

    ¡°Are you sure? I sensed that you have something bothering you.¡±

    Jasper was emotionally connected to her. Even over the phone, he keenly perceived the subtle

    emotions she attempted to conceal in her tone.

    Alyssa took a deep breath. Her tone was gentle as she said, ¡°Your should rest as much as you can. I

    will see you when I get back.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s cheerful voice was like an earworm, resonating in her ear and stirring her heart.

    ¡°I¡¯ll always be waiting for you.¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper were talking on the phone lovingly.

    Jameson stood frozen in the corner, silent and tense. His gaze fixated on her delicate back as he

    gritted his teeth in frustration, murmuring to himself, ¡°Lyse, I don¡¯t care who you are with. Soon, you will

    be mine and mine alone¡­¡±

 Chapter 1081

    Chapter 1081

    Alyssa kept her familypany. She brought Winston for his medical checkup. While doing that, she

    secretly deployed the subsequent n.

    They couldn¡¯t neglect Winston¡¯s illness. So, Alyssa and Winston¡¯s three wives contemted long and

    hard before deciding to inform Jonah and Ss to return and see Winston. After all, Jonah and Ss

    were the eldest sons in the family. They had to take up this responsibility.

    Then, Mandy asked Julien toe over and manage Winston¡¯s medical condition.

    Alyssa was an excellent surgeon. However, Julien was an expert in neurology.

    After a series of checks, Julien held the CT scan and patiently exined it to Alyssa and the rest. The

    Taylors surrounded him and listened to him attentively.

    Jonah was the only one standing furthest from the group, up tall. He nced lightly at Julien in a white

    coat, exining wit straight face to the patient¡¯s family.

    A subtle gleam sparkled in his eyes, and a faint smile adorned hi lips, reminiscent of a beautiful quarter

    moon.

    Julien exined with fluency and with charisma. When he raised hi gaze, he looked precisely in

    Jonah¡¯s direction. The both of them exchanged nces.

    Jonah found himself struggling to breathe, so he quickly averted his gaze. His expression remained

    unchanged, but his heart was beating wildly.

    Julien chuckled secretly. Then, he turned his gaze back and said, ¡® Don¡¯t worry, everyone. Mr. Taylor¡¯s

    condition may have deteriorated in the past two years, but it is not as serious as you think it is.

    ¡°He requires regr monthly checkups, constant care to ensure he¡¯s never left alone without

    assistance, and timely medication.

    ¡°With these measures, his condition can be effectively managed. Keep his diet light, avoiding oily, salty,

    spicy, and sweet foods. Preventing blood thickening will help reduce the risk of worsening his

    condition.¡±

    When thedy chef of the house, L, heard everything, she kept nodding in agreement. She silently

    thought of a new menu as Julien spoke.

    ¡°Goddamn it. These are Dad¡¯s favorites.¡±

    Ssughed wryly. ¡°If he hears this, he will be so speechless. He had the biggest appetite.¡±

    ¡°He will need to get used to it fast. That man is already in his 60s and doesn¡¯t know how to take care of

    his health. I caught him eating cake secretly in the kitchen twice in the middle of the night. He isn¡¯t.

    behaving like someone who owns the business world at all.¡± Alyssa crossed her arms and shook her

    head angrily.

    ¡°Also, the most important thing is to keep the patient as calm as possible and make sure he doesn¡¯t get

    too worked up. Getting worked up will worsen his condition and affect his liver,¡± Julien said seriously.

    A look of understanding was evident on everyone¡¯s faces.

    However, Alyssa blended into the crowd like a shadow, She lowered her head. She unconsciously

    tightened the grip on her chest. An inexplicable feeling of pain slowly oozed from her heart.

    After Winston¡¯s checkup, the Taylors returned to Heightsnew Vi.

    In the living hall, everyone surrounded Winston like a child. They watched him as he took his

    medication. Then, they stared at him eating the oatmeal L made.

    ¡°Can you add more seasoning to this, please? It¡¯s tasteless.¡± Winston

    felt as if he was swallowing a candle as he ate the oatmeal. Hel preferred his food packed with vor.

    Everyone said it at the same time, ¡°No! You can¡¯t have too much. seasoning!¡±

    Winston felt so helpless.

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    During dinner, Winston told Mandy gently, ¡°Mandy, please go to the horse race with me over the

    weekend. I will ask Neil to bring some gowns to your room. You can take your pick. If you don¡¯t like any

    of them, I will ask someone to send more to you.¡±

    ¡°Winston, do you really want to go?¡±

    Mandy looked worried. ¡°Your condition had only stabilized not long ago. Julien said you should rest

    more. Let¡¯s forget about the race this year.¡±

    ¡°No, I have to go.¡±

    Winston was open topromising his diet but not his business. The KS Group might be the cream of

    the crop in Belbanks, but we have yet to do the same in Sna City. KS Group¡¯s standing in Snal

    City is less secure than the Beckett and the Schmidt Group.

    ¡°So, this is a rare opportunity to show up. I must take it. Plus, I¡¯ve already told Vic I¡¯ming. I can¡¯t

    back out now.¡±

    Winston could be the richest man because he was an absolute opportunist.

    Alyssa had perfectly taken after her father¡¯s strengths.

    She could have been famous for being Jasper¡¯s ex wife Yet, she swept everyone off their feet by being

    the Queen of Pseudonyms. ¡°Winston, I have something to talk to you about

 Chapter 1082

    Chapter 1082

    Alyssa casually took a sip of water and suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you attend the horse racing event with

    L?¡±

    Caught by surprise, Winston had not anticipated the request from his daughter. L immediately

    exined as she blushed in nervousness,¡± L-Lyse, I turn down these social events because they give

    me the jitters. I¡¯m not good at small talk and might make blunders. It might be better if Mandy attends.

    Colene could be an excellent choice as well.¡±

    Alyssa poked through the lie, ¡°But you seemed quite happy when your attended mass. It was crowded

    there, too.¡±

    ¡°I ¡­¡± L pressed her lips until they paled.

    ¡°Winston, bring L with you. I can¡¯t possibly attend the race with your every single year. The media

    will make an issue out of it again,¡± Mandy advised after seemingly catching onto Alyssa¡¯s n.

    Winston furrowed his brows and looked at L deeply. He inquired in a hushed voice, ¡°L, are you

    upset?¡±

    L shook her head vehemently.

    He gently took her trembling hands under the table and sped them. ¡°You have always refused to

    attend public events. I never insisted on it because I thought you disliked socializing. I didn¡¯t want to

    burden you. Just tell me what¡¯s on your mind. I¡¯ll try my best to fulfill your wishes.¡±

    ¡°Winston, I have nothing in mind,¡± L replied, tears brimming in her eves eyes.

    Winston felt sorry for L¡¯s helpless response. He thought he had traumatized by what happened

    decades ago.

    All the while, she had pretended to be fine to spare him the worry.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Finally, Winston decided to attend the horse racing event with L. For that, he instructed Neil to

    prepare a suitable outfit for her over the night.

    Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly ording to Alyssa¡¯s n.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    After everyone left the dinner table, L ran after Alyssa. After some hesitation, she asked meekly,

    ¡°Why¡­ Why do you want me to attend. the horse race this year?¡±

    ¡°L, you can¡¯t hide away forever like an invisible figure. That is utterly cruel and unfair to you. You

    used to be this lovely and dazzling beauty. Have you forgotten how the media hailed you as the n s

    bombshell?¡± Alyssa remarked, fixing her gaze on L.

    She couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of bitterness for L, who ha enjoyed great fame as a beautiful

    actress only to be reduced to a humble housewife.

    To L, Winston was her savior, and she appreciated the Taylor family for epting her as one of their

    own. As a result, she willingly sacrificed for the family without a word ofint.

    L managed a wry smile. ¡°That was in the past. My boss had crafted my image. I never thought I was

    better than anyone else. All I could do was sing and act. I was no different than any employee at work.¡±

    ¡°Regardless of the past, you shouldn¡¯t be haunted by it. It¡¯s time to be a good role model for her!¡±

    L was touched by Alyssa¡¯s advice. At the thought of Tatiana, L experienced a newfound strength

    in her body, which lifted her mood.

    She smiled with guilt. ¡°That¡¯s right. I¡¯ve been too weak. As a mother, I need to be strong.¡±

    Alyssa took her hand and chuckled by her ear. ¡°There¡¯s more toe. Just look forward to a special

    gift from me on that day.¡±

    Meanwhile, Jasper discreetly positioned his men in Sna City to monitor the movements of the maid

    who was responsible for Anne¡¯s death.

 Chapter 1083

    Chapter 1083

    On the other hand, Jasper suppressed news of Jeffrey Snyder receiving medical treatment, and the

    prisoner who had attacked. Jeffrey was under arrest as well.

    Not long after, Xavier received a call from the warden, who eximed, ¡°Mr. Beckett¡¯s foresight is

    amazing! I¡¯ve had people secretly poke around about Jeffrey Snyder these two days. I did what Mr.

    Beckett instructed and released the news of Jeffrey Snyder¡¯s death from the prisoner attack.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great. Thank you for your help. Mr. Beckett will reward you handsomely for it,¡± Xavier replied,

    after which he ryed the updates to Jasper.

    Sitting in his office, Jasper was lost in thoughts while he stared at his lock screen background, which he

    had set to a photo of a bare-faced Alyssa sunbathing on the balcony when they were living togethe

    He couldn¡¯t help but smile tenderly as he traced her profile.

    ¡°Wow! Madam is so pretty. No one would be able to resist her

    Xavier craned his neck and admired Alyssa¡¯s photo with excite in his eyes.

    ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s so pretty¡­¡± Jasper muttered before suddenly mmin his phone on the table. ¡°Did I

    permit you to look at it? Move.¡±

    ¡°He-he! Aren¡¯t we all attracted to beauty?¡± Xavier replied while straightening up and scratching his head

    awkwardly.

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    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re talking about attraction now?¡± Jasper¡¯s expression hardened as he gave Xavier a death

    re.

    ¡°Ahem, I only have admiration and respect for Madam,¡± Xavier

    Jasper finally relented. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Xavier silently groaned. It appeared that Jasper had missed everything he said from the start. He had

    no choice but to repeat himself.

    Upon hearing Xavier¡¯s report, Jasper remained unfazed because everything was under his control. He

    mused, ¡°The only way Sophia would drop her guard is when she believes Jeffrey Snyder is dead. Only

    then will she let down her guard and slip up.¡±

    Xavier nodded vehemently in agreement. After some hesitation, he wondered aloud, ¡°Mr. Beckett, why

    don¡¯t you visit Madam in Belbanks if you miss her so much? She¡¯ll see you if you show up. I believe

    she misses you as well.¡±

    Jasper had been consumed by his longing for Alyssa. He had the urge to immediately meet up with her

    at that moment, but he held it back and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s alright. She rarely has family time. I don¡¯t

    want to take away what little time she had with her family.

    ¡°Besides, Mr. Taylor will know it if I visit her in Belbanks. I think¡­ he doesn¡¯t want to see me at the

    moment.¡±

    Xavier felt sorry for Jasper but couldn¡¯t find the right words to console him. However, Jasper took a

    deep breath and, seeminglyforting himself, rolled his fists and muttered, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m sure Lyse

    and I will ovee any challenge. We have time.¡±

    Upon learning about Jeffrey¡¯s death, Betty started dancing wildly in the vi out of joy. Upon seeing

    that, the maids were shocked, wondering if Betty had also inherited her mom¡¯s craziness.

    The first thing Betty had to do was, of course, show off her sess

    bedroom and tuna of the light of the city chatted in the

    ¡°What to Jeffrey Spr

    ¡°Veel I came from the warden mojih, ne d mud be thos

    ¡°That¡¯s great news!

    bedroom and turned off the lights as they excitedly chatted in the dark like two rats in the gutter.

    ¡°What? Is Jeffrey Snyder dead?¡±

    ¡°Yes! It came from the warden¡¯s mouth, so it must be true.

    ¡°That¡¯s great news!¡±

 Chapter 1084

    Chapter 1084

    Sophia stroked Betty¡¯s hand, praising her, ¡°You¡¯re the best. You did well in this matter. I will have to

    thank you.¡±

    Betty¡¯s voice turned icy. She wondered, ¡°Mom, do you remember your promise to me?¡±

    After a pause, Sophia groped her way to the drawer by the headboard. in the dark and took out a

    leather envelope, which she tossed to Betty.

    Betty immediately picked up and held the envelope to her chest, asking, ¡°Mom, what¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Take a look after this.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer!¡± Betty shot up and left the room without another word.

    Sophia suddenly stopped her. ¡°Wait.¡±

    ¡°Anything else?¡±

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    Sophia shot her a disdainful and confused look. ¡°I do not understand why you¡¯re hell-bent on ruining

    your sister¡¯s marriage. Is it to get back at Landon because he¡¯s not into you? Even if you ruined their

    rtionship, he will not take an interest in you. Don¡¯t ever dream of marrying him.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. All I wanted was revenge.¡± Betty clutched the envelope tightly as a

    scowl crept onto her face. ¡°Isn¡¯t that what everyone strives for? To not be looked down upon? Am I

    wrong in doing so?¡±

    In her eyes, Lauren and Landon were in the wrong.

    Back in her room, Betty immediately took out the item in the envelope. A glint appeared in her eyes,

    and she cackled while staring at the document, which carried the diagnosis of Lauren¡¯s autism.

    The document was once regarded as the top secret of the Beckett. family, who wanted to keep

    Lauren¡¯s disability a secret from the public to protect their image.

    If the Harpers were to learn about the diagnosis, Lauren would never be able to marry Landon. After

    all, Landon was Cornelius¡¯ only grandson and the future heir. It was unlikely that Cornelius would allow

    Landon to marry a disabled woman.

    Hands trembling, she made a call to Zoe. Zoe picked up and, sounding like she was applying a facial

    mask, drawled, ¡°What¡¯s wrong. again?¡±

    Betty grinned and said, ¡°Are you free tomorrow? Let¡¯s meet up. I have something to show you. It will

    crush Lauren¡¯s hope of marrying Landon.¡±

    Zoe taunted her, ¡°Gosh, you¡¯re working hard to wreck your sister¡¯s happiness, aren¡¯t you? It¡¯s true that I

    hate Lauren, but I don¡¯t want you to marry Landon either. Look at you, scheming against your birth

    sister. What if you try to get me in trouble one day when you¡¯re angry at me? That¡¯s pretty scary.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re no better than me, and I¡¯d fear for my life if you were to be my sister-inw. Anyway, I¡¯ll take

    that as apliment,¡± Betty snapped and rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Putting aside Lauren and Landon¡¯s marriage, let me tell you this-I¡¯ll be your sister-inw pretty soon.¡±

    Zoe hummed a tune, seemingly in a good mood. ¡°Get ready to buy that wedding gift.¡±

    ¡°Are you really going to marry Jasper? Is he willing to marry you?¡± Betty expressed her doubt.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be at the horse racing event, won¡¯t you?¡± Zoe chuckled mysteriously. ¡°You¡¯ll know when you¡¯re

    there.¡±

 Chapter 1085

    Chapter 1085

    Finally, it was the day of the annual horse racing event. Every year, the members of esteemed families

    from across the nation would congregate at the event, which would be live-streamed on national TV

    stations. Even foreign royalty would be in attendance, further adding to the merriment.

    Each year, a selected distinguished family would host the event, and it was the Schmidt family¡¯s turn

    this year.

    The venue was set to be Eastbrooke Racecourse, built just half a year ago. Victor couldn¡¯t contain his

    excitement at the prospect of the racecourse holding its inauguralrge-scale event even before its

    public opening a good omen and brilliant marketing for the racecourse.

    On the other hand, Newton Beckett had skipped events like these due to his old age. Javier was

    attending with Sophia this year. Meanwhile, Jasper would arrive at the event separately.

    When it was time to leave, Betty hurriedly strutted out in her high heels while d in a sexy bodycon

    pink dress. Her inappropriate and attention-grabbing attire prompted a re from Javier. He shook his

    head,menting, ¡°The racecourse is an open-air venue. That mini skirt will be a problem for you with

    the wind.¡±

    With that, he entered the car without waiting for Sophia and Betty. Betty seethed but concealed her

    anger. After all, the chance to attend the event was hard toe by, and she wouldn¡¯t want to upset

    Javier further.

    Before Sophia joined Javier in the car, Betty pulled her aside and whispered, ¡°Mom, did you ¡­ put that

    thing on?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Sophia appeared flustered. It took her ages to bite the bullet.

    sanitary pad, but she was consumed by shame.

    As Javier Beckett¡¯s wife, she couldn¡¯t believe that she had to use an adult diaper at her age. It was

    such an embarrassing matter.

    ¡°Mom, did you bring more? Your leakage is getting serious. One won¡¯t be enough,¡± Betty voiced her

    concern.

    ¡°And how am I supposed to bring a few more with me? How am I

    going to carry them around? It¡¯s easy for you to say!¡± Sophia hissed, her cheeks flushed. ¡°Thedies

    are only bringing a clutch. I¡¯ll be a joke if I show up with a backpack. One is enough. Worse

    comes to worse, I¡¯ll just refrain from drinking water. Besides, I won¡¯t need to wear this stupid thing

    anymore after today.¡±

    After Sophia snapped at Betty, she entered the car. Betty took another car while reying Sophia¡¯s

    words in her mind. What did Sophia mean about not having to wear the diaper anymore after today?

    Suddenly, things clicked in her mind.

    By 10:00 am, Eastbrooke Racecourse was teeming wit The crowd was double the amount ofst

    year¡¯s, which ex host¡¯s expectations.

    The best VIP seats on the second floor were reserved for mem the four distinguished families-the

    Becketts, the Schmidts, the Harpers, and the Taylors.

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    The youngdies of esteemed families nced at the VIP seats enviously through their binocrs.

    Some had attempted to sneak into that area, but the security was tight. Those who were not from the

    four distinguished families or guests of the four families were not allowed in the area.. and client dany

    man

    Berikan agre Among at the indiv

    ¡°That¡¯s true to only do

    is Taylor Hall on a detinguished

    family, hun dhe e alles the CEO of He and dihally wat

    a a

    jewelry designer Whan alien can dry deckett and Zow Margar de

    besides showing off

    ¡°Betty Beckett and Zoe Harper lucked out in the birth lottery. Their looks and ss don¡¯t match up to

    Jameson Schmidt and Jasper Beckett.¡±

    ¡°I agree. Among all thedies, I only have respect for Alyssa Taylor.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true. Not only does Alyssa Taylor hail from a distinguished. family, but she¡¯s also the CEO of a

    hotel and a globally renowned jewelry designer. What else can Betty Beckett and Zoe Harper do

    besides showing off?¡±

 Chapter 1086

    Chapter 1086

    ¡°They¡¯re nothing without their families. They cannot hold a candle to Alyssa Taylor at all!¡±

    One marrieddy suddenly interjected sarcastically, ¡°What¡¯s the point of having multiple careers? At the

    end of the day, Alyssa Taylor is nothing more than a divorcee who¡¯s dumped by Jasper Beckett.¡±

    Two youngdies, who had been chatting with each other, rolled their eyes at the married woman. ¡°Ms.

    Alyssa is the only daughter of Winston Taylor with his first wife. She¡¯s the real princess of the Taylor

    family. I guess you¡¯re just envious of her.¡±

    ¡°What type of outdated mentality was that? A divorced woman is not worthless. I¡¯d even say that

    marriage is just a burden for rich and powerful women.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely! By the way, didn¡¯t you watch the interviewst time?

    Jasper Beckett admitted that he had cheated on Alyssa Taylor. So why would she keep a cheater

    around? She must have dumped him over the affair.¡±

    Upset, the married woman held her tongue and seethed in silence without another word.

    After going through ups and downs, Alyssa had amassed a growing group of fans in Sna City. It did

    note as a surprise, given her talents, kindness, and beauty.

    As the host, the Schmidts were the first to enter the venue, followed by the Becketts.

    It had been a while since Javier and Sophia appeared in public,

    Trailing behind her parents, Betty looked arrogant and energized. Every time there were cameras

    around, she¡¯d make a lot of expressions as though she was a celebrity on the red carpet.

    s, none of the cameras were focused on her. Instead, the reporters focused more on Javier and

    Sophia. Despite Betty¡¯s best efforts, she did note anywhere close to Sophia¡¯s infamy. Betty, neither

    known for good nor bad deeds, failed to capture the media¡¯s attention.

    ¡°What? Is Jasper Beckett absent? I¡¯ve been waiting all this while for nothing!¡± A female reporter, clearly

    a fan of Jasper, grumbled.

    ¡°He couldn¡¯t possibly skip the event. Let¡¯s wait for a bit more.¡±

    ¡°The four distinguished families will be at the event. Wow, isn¡¯t it going to be a battlefield?¡± Another

    excited reporter adjusted his camera position, preparing to capture every explosive interaction. That

    means Alyssa Taylor and Zoe Harper will both be here. just from

    ¡°What will Jasper Beckett do when his ex-wife and rumored lover confront each other? Damn, I have

    goosebumps all imagining it. So much second-hand embarrassment.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t Jasper Beckett announce in front of the media tha Taylor¡¯s man at that maid¡¯s funeral? Wasn¡¯t

    that already al confession?¡±

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    ¡°Did you take his words seriously? Is he even that trustworthy?¡±

    ¡°Men are liars. He¡¯s probably rebuilding his image after having an affair. How is he going to exin his

    meetup with Zoe Harper at t hotelte at night?

    ¡°If Alyssa Taylor makes the stupid decision to get back together with him after all that had happened,

    she¡¯d lose my respect.¡±

    After the Becketts made their entrance, the Harpers arrived at the arrival matched the high-profile

    fashion of the Harper Group.

    The bodyguards opened the car doors. Preston emerged, followed by Penelope and Zoe.

    ¡°Dad, take your time.¡±

    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ll give you a hand.¡±

    Preston and Zoe supported Cornelius as they showed up in front of the media as a harmonious family.

    Cornelius, who usually looked stern, appeared rxed and cheerful. Stopping in his tracks, he scanned

    the surroundings and asked in shock, ¡°Where¡¯s Landon? Why isn¡¯t he here yet?¡±

    ¡°Landon will never skip the event. Something¡¯s held him back. I think. he¡¯ll arrive a littleter,¡± Penelope

    quickly defended her son.

    ¡°Did something or someone hold him back?¡± Preston joked.

 Chapter 1087

    Chapter 1087

    ¡°And who might that someone be?¡± Cornelius asked, his brows furrowing with discontent.

    ¡°Who else can she be? It¡¯s Sophia Kirkman¡¯s second daughter, Lauren Beckett,¡± Zoe grabbed the

    chance to tell on Landon.

    She casually teased, ¡°Landon hasn¡¯t been hometely. He¡¯s built a love nest with Ms. Lauren out there,

    where they spend most of their time. Thest time Mom was sick, I was the one who got her to the

    hospital. I guess Landon¡¯s put his family behind even before marrying Ms. Lauren.¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Zoe, can you please stop?¡± Penelope mumbled, not because shel wanted to protect Lauren. She

    worried that Cornelius might be upset. at Landon.

    Preston grinned, remarking, ¡°Ms. Lauren must be a stunning beauty. Knowing Landon, he¡¯s never been

    so serious with any woman. From the sounds of it, Ms. Lauren has won his heart.¡±

    ¡°My grandson falling for Sophia Kirkman¡¯s daughter? Ridi Nostrils ring, Cornelius tapped his walking

    stick on t Why are they living together before marriage? Is that how ady should behave? Indeed, an

    indecent woman like Sophial will never raise her daughter right!¡±

    ¡°Dad, you need not worry too much about Landon. He¡¯s a grown and won¡¯t let himself be taken

    advantage of,¡± Preston reassured Cornelius with a yful chuckle, much to Penelope¡¯s relief.

    Meanwhile, a malicious smile yed on Zoe¡¯s lips. Landon might be head over heels for Lauren and

    intend to marry her, but the family would never ept Lauren solely because she was Sophia

    Kirkman¡¯s daughter.

    At that moment, the reporters gasped. ¡°Jasper Beckett has arrived!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s him! Jasper Beckett¡¯s here!¡±

    All attention shifted to Jasper¡¯s direction as the shutters clicked away. Hearing that, Zoe perked up and

    cast an expectant nce at the other end of the red carpet.

    There, she found Jasper d in a ck suit, wearing an aloof expression on his face. His eyes exuded

    the same arrogance, and each move exuded an imposing presence.

    His cool demeanor had captivated the interest of many females, including Zoe.

    Penelope had to tug at her daughter and whispered, ¡°Zoe, let¡¯s move. What are you standing here for?¡±

    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Ogling Jasper, Zoe nearly salivated at his handsomeness. ¡°I love Jasper so much. How I wish

    I were his woman.¡±

    She had been fortunate enough to embrace Jasper in the dimness of a hotel room that night when she

    was undressed. Through his suit, she felt his toned body and went numb at the sensation.

    Since that night, she couldn¡¯t help but fantasize about how it¡¯d feel to be underneath him as she

    pictured them making love. She was driven. crazy by her desire for him.

    ¡°You need to pull yourself together or risk bing a joke. A youngdy should behave with

    decorum,¡± Penelopeined.

    ¡°Decorum is worth nothing. I would give up anything to be with Jasper Beckett,¡± Zoe muttered under

    her breath as she eyed Jasper..

    Penelope failed to hear Zoe¡¯s words. With a frown, she questioned, Zoe, what was that? Why were you

    talking to yourself?¡±

    ¡°Mom, go ahead without me. I¡¯ll wait for Jasper and enter with him.¡±

 Chapter 1088

    Chapter 1088

    As calctive as ever, Zoe would never give up any opportunity to be seen with Jasper. If she made

    her entrance with Jasper, she would cause amotion and be the object of envy.

    More than everything, she would be mistaken as Jasper¡¯s plus-one. Jasper had never graced any

    social events with a plus-one, even in the three years he was married to Alyssa.

    If Zoe could take advantage of this opportunity and make herself appear as his plus-one, she could

    prove her special ce to the media. After all, actions mattered more than words..

    The misunderstanding would eventually turn Jasper and Alyssa against each other, thus creating an

    opportunity for Zoe to work her way into the rtionship.

    While strategizing in her head, she noticed Jasper approaching her. Heart racing, she blushed and

    purred, ¡°Jasper¡­¡±

    To her dismay, Jasper treated her with his usual indifferen expression hardened as he stared through

    her as if she wa

    Gritting her teeth, she held the hem of her dress and marche him indignantly. It was that time when

    someone yelled, ¡°The are here!¡±

    Jasper immediately perked up, and his eyes lit up with anticipati

    A Lincoln stretched limousine rolled to a stop by the center of the rec carpet. The door opened, and

    Jonah, d in a morning suit, glided out gracefully. He courteously held Alyssa¡¯s hand and guided her

    into the public¡¯s eye.

    Even though the two were siblings, the spectators couldn¡¯t help but could easily transform a candid

    shot into a timeless photograph.

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    At that moment, the world seemed to hush for Jasper. He only had eyes on Alyssa. Staring nkly at

    them, he bitterly battled his jealousy toward Jonah, longing for the day he could hold Alyssa¡¯s hand and

    show their love in public.

    Alyssa¡¯s outfit was a breath of fresh air. Departing from her usual style of bold red lips and chic

    pantsuits, she donned a cornflower blue chiffon dress and a floral fascinator for the special asion,

    exuding an elegant yet youthful air like that of an aristocrat.

    She was as bright and cheerful as the hue of her outfit. She smiled gently. Her eyes carried a friendly

    twinkle.

    ¡°Woah, how lovely! She¡¯s as graceful as a duchess!¡± The reporters sighed and eximed as Alyssa

    approached them.

    Another chimed in, ¡°Mr. Jonah and Ms. Alyssa are dressed appropriately for a horse racing event.

    That¡¯s how the Grunndish monarchy dresses for races. You could tell that the Taylor re detail-

    oriented and knowledgeable.

    ¡°On the other hand, you have Betty Beckett and Zoe Harper cumbersome floor-length dresses. They

    have clearly never a horse race before.¡±

    ¡°Now that you mentioned it, the difference is quite clear. Ms. is the winner of this round.¡±

    Zoe fumed when she overheard the gossip among the reporters. Despite spending weeks selecting the

    perfect outfit for the asion she lost out to Alyssa.

    Worse, Jasper had wandered toward Alyssa, to her disbelief.

 Chapter 1089

    Chapter 1089

    Jasper, who had given Zoe icy stares just moments ago, immediately warmed up at the sight of Alyssa.

    Zoe had known Jasper for years. He treated her kindly when they were younger but always devoid of

    passion. His reaction to Alyssa proved that Alyssa was special to him.

    Green with envy, Zoe watched as Jasper approached thedy of his dreams and the love of his life.

    Naturally, Alyssa noticed Jasper walking toward her. His towering height made him hard to overlook,

    drawing attention along the way.

    Jonah whispered into her ear, ¡°Lyse, he¡¯sing.¡± Usually stern, he seemed to be teasing her at that

    moment.

    ¡°Why pay him any attention? Just pretend he¡¯s not there.¡± Alyssa pouted, though her heart raced. ¡°I¡¯ve

    made him promise not to interact. with me at the event, as I don¡¯t want trouble.

    ¡°He promised to listen to me, but he¡¯s not keeping his w ¡°she cursed. stening?

    Filthy liar? Jonah had to stifle augh. It appeared the coupl preferred expressing their affection

    through banter.

    Meanwhile, Winston and L stepped foot on the red carpet, a arm, under the astonished gaze of the

    public.

    L was dressed in a simr cornflower blue outfit that Alyssa ha arranged for her. The outfit, a prim

    and proper power suit, was tailored to L¡¯s fit. A chiffonyered fascinator obscured her face, adding

    an otherworldly charm.

    ¡°My God, isn¡¯t that Winston Taylor? He might have aged, but observe behind.¡±

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    ¡°He must have been a super hot guy 30 years ago, maybe even better looking than Jasper Beckett.

    Besides, his genes are so powerful-his children are his carbon copies.¡±

    ¡°Indeed¡­¡±

    ¡°L Nelson is so lovely. I¡¯m mesmerized!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a reason she beat Sophia Kirkman to be the queen of TS Network back in the day!¡±

    ¡°What a pity! You youngsters have no idea how popr L Nelson was. If it weren¡¯t for that incident,

    she wouldn¡¯t have retired and given up opportunities to Sophia Kirkman. Sophia Kirkman owes her

    career sess to L!¡±

    The onlookers nodded in agreement. L, having overheard the conversations, embarrassedly clung

    to Winston¡¯s arm.

    He teased her softly, giving her a boost of courage, ¡°You have nothin to be afraid of when you¡¯re beside

    me. Look, they¡¯re all praising you Besides that, no one would dare to gossip about my wife. They¡¯ll only

    get into trouble.¡±

    L choked up as she gazed into the eyes of her husband. She muttered, ¡°I-I¡¯m just worried I¡¯d

    embarrass you, Jonah, and Lyse.¡±

    Holding his breath, Winston held her hand. ¡°That¡¯s nonsense. Don¡¯t overthink. In fact, I feel that you¡¯re

    too good for me.¡±

    L stared at her feet and shook her head. She was fully aware that she¡¯d never be Winston¡¯s only

    love or im his full attention. Despite that, she did not feel bitter about marrying him. Without Winston,

    she wouldn¡¯t have survived until today.

 Chapter 1090

    Chapter 1090

    L was grateful for her life, even though she thought that she didn¡¯t deserve her luxurious life at

    times.

    The arrival of the Taylors marked another climax of the event.

    Jasper¡¯s walk toward Alyssa became the media¡¯s focus once again as the shutters clicked in a frenzy.

    Winston, shooting daggers at his troublesome ex-son-inw, fumed. and resisted the urge to punch

    him in the face.

    Jasper gazed into Alyssa¡¯s eyes with sincerity, his heart racing. ¡°Mr. Taylor, may I have your permission

    to make my entrance with your daughter? I would love Alyssa to be my plus-one.¡±

    Hearing that, Alyssa bashfully pressed her lips. It was rare to see her flustered.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, I believe there are many who wished to be your plus-one. Why does it have to be our

    Lyse?¡± Winston cast a pier Jasper without any attempt to y nice.

    ¡°Yes. It has to be Lyse,¡± Jasper confessed.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    Taking a deep breath, he reached out a hand to Alyssa. ¡°I her by my side. I¡¯ll always keep a ce for

    her.¡±

    The onlookers gasped and marveled at his tender and sweet confession.

    Although Zoe could not make out his words due to the distance, sh fathomed it wouldn¡¯t be anything

    good, judging from the excitement on the reporters¡¯ faces..

    Winston turned to Alyssa with a glum expression. Alyssa, preferring to keep a low profile and still

    harboring some lingering grudge toward

    Midway through her speech, she was shocked when Jasper reached out to hold her hand in public. Her

    breathing intensified when he pulled her closer without giving anyone a say, as though he wanted toy

    im to her. He wanted to make it known to the world that Alyssa Taylor belonged to him..

    ¡°Lyse, let¡¯s go.¡± Jasper held her hand firmly, his eyes full of affection.

    Blushing, she protested in a hushed voice, ¡°Damn it! You¡¯re being unreasonable.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not. I¡¯m merely creating opportunities for myself,¡± he replied with a grin.

    Then, he whispered in her ear, ¡°You must have realized by now my clingy nature.¡±

    The good-looking couple vanished from the red carpet under the envious eyes of the public. Even the

    huge screen at the racecourse entrance gave them a close-up.

    ¡°Look at them, Winston. What a match made in heaven!¡± L help but exim.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t appear like that to me!¡± raged Winston. ¡°The audaci that little prick to snatch Lyse in front of

    my eyes!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not snatching your daughter from you. They¡¯re in love, and I believe Lyse willingly followed him,¡±

    L advised, ¡°Winston, you¡¯ve been through the same thing. You should know better. Nothing could

    stand in the way of two lovers.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that! All I know is that one should never repeat the same mistake!¡± Winston shook

    his head disapprovingly, ¡°If we truly love Lyse, we should point her down the right path and stop her

    from making more mistakes.

    ¡°I spoilt her too much years ago, and she ended up suffering because of that. I will never repeat the

    same mistake in the future!¡±

    L fell silent. She was at a loss for words, fearing that she might be used of not caring for Alyssa¡¯s

    welfare if she held her stance.

 Chapter 1091

    Alyssa, clinging to Jasper¡¯s arm, grumbled slightly, ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve.¡±

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    ¡°I¡¯ll need to put in the effort to win my woman,¡± Jasper rasped, casting a loving look at her.

    She warned, ¡°There are three things Winston hates the most in his life. -taking away his wife, taking

    away his daughter, and taking his wife and daughter away from him.¡±

    He stared at her, dumbfounded.

    ¡°You¡¯d better look out. He¡¯s more vindictive than me. He won¡¯t go easy on you after what happened

    today,¡± Alyssa muttered.

    Suddenly, she questioned, ¡°Are you ready, by the way?¡±

    ¡°Of course. I will always carry out your orders to the best of my abilities,¡± he replied softly, causing her

    to blush.

    Before she could speak, she noticed Zoe glowering at her from a few steps away. The sight of Zoe

    unsettled her. Although she had epted Jasper and put the past behind her, Jasper and Zoe¡¯s past

    scandal remained a thorn in her flesh.

    ¡°Jasper, I¡¯ve been waiting for you,¡± Zoe cooed with a bright smile.

    ¡°And I¡¯ve never asked you to do so,¡± Jasper responded in an icy tone. that sent shivers down her spine.

    Still, she gathered her courage and lied, ¡°We agreed to make an entrance together, didn¡¯t we? You

    were distracted and went up to Ms. Alyssa for a chat, so I waited for you. Jasper, did I upset your

    somehow?¡±

    The look in Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened. Zoe was gripped by fear, but she couldn¡¯t afford to back down.

    She vowed to drive a wedge between the two by all means.

    Alyssa recoiled a little and loosened her grip on Jasper. Just when she experienced a moment of

    doubt, Jasper held her hand firmly and walked past without casting another look at Zoe.

    When he walked past Zoe, he snapped, ¡°Get lost.¡±

    Humiliated, Zoe trembled in resentment as her cheeks reddened. The audacity to tell her to get lost in

    front of Alyssa!

    Staring hatefully at the two figures, Zoe came up with a terrible idea.

    Once they entered the racecourse, Alyssa shook off Jasper¡¯s hand and turned away from him with a

    frown.

    He called out to her, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you upset? Lyse! Where are you going?¡± He anxiously

    trailed behind her when she left without looking at him.

    After they wandered into a deserted corridor, she finally stopped in her tracks when no one was

    around. Her eyes were red, and color seemed to have drained from her lips.

    She grumbled, ¡°Why are you running after me? You should meet Zoe. She¡¯s waiting for you.¡±

    Knowing she was upset because of Zoe¡¯s action, Jasper hugged her as he grappled with indignation

    and worry. He exined, ¡°Lyse, she was talking nonsense to turn us against each other. Please do not

    trust her. I never asked her to wait for me!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s attempts to free herself were futile, and she gave up.

 Chapter 1092

    Truth be told, Alyssa didn¡¯t believe in a word that came out of Zoe¡¯s mouth, but she held a grudge

    somehow.

    ¡°I know. I get it. You¡¯re still upset at me for that hotel incident,¡± Jasper coaxed her.

    It pained him tremendously to learn that Alyssa was hurt by the hotel scandal in which he was framed.

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault for being dumb. I should have been more careful, but I got set up.

    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m to me, so punch me if it makes you feel better. Do anything you want to me, but please

    don¡¯t ignore me.¡±

    Jasper had acted so humbly to cheer up Alyssa, something he¡¯d never do for anyone else.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re smart,¡± she remarked with a sigh and turned around in his arms to look at him. ¡°Even if

    you were cheating, you wouldn¡¯t have left behind all the clues and attracted a swarm of reporters to

    take photos of the evidence.¡±

    He smiled wryly at her remark. ¡°Lyse, stop teasing me.¡±

    ¡°Remember when you said you panicked because of me?¡±

    ¡°Somebody sent me photos of a woman who looked exactly like you, entering a hotel with another

    man. I was afraid you¡¯d be taken advantage of, so I rushed to the hotel.¡±

    ¡°Fuck! Do I look like the type who¡¯d sleep around with men? Use your brain!¡± Alyssa furiously pped

    him on the head.

    ¡°Yeah. Thinking back, I was dumb. The trap itself was poorly designed, but I fell for it anyway.¡± He

    rubbed his head from the painful p.

    Alyssa added, ¡°You told me someone had wiped out the photos on your phone but was too angry to

    take your word for it. I discussed it with Axel. He tried it out, and it actually worked. We were only

    skeptical because we had never attempted it before.¡±

    One question remained. Alyssa was curious about the woman who bore a striking resemnce to

    herself. She would love to meet her.

    She exined while subtly praising herself, ¡°I¡¯ll look into that woman with Jonah and Axel¡¯s help. With

    that angelic face, why would she shy away from the public?¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Lyse. Thanks for trusting me.¡± Jasper, his breathing growing heavy, pulled her into a hug.

    Finally, he couldn¡¯t resist kissing her. Putting a hand on her waist, he pushed her against the wall.

    ¡°Mmm-That¡¯s enough-¡± Alyssa panted, her heart pounding from the sudden kiss.

    Pushing against his firm chest, sheined, ¡°My makeup¡¯s going ane to smudge. We still have an

    event to attend.¡±

    The news of Winston showing up to the event with L spread like. wildfire through the venue. Some

    bored rich attendees, who had quietly wagered on the identity of Winston¡¯s plus-one, lostrge sums.

    instantly.

    At the same time, Sophia angrily scrolled through Twitter, almost crushing her phone in hatred. Alyssa

    and L were trending, with users praising their beauty and fashion sense.

    Thepliments surged, recing any mention of L¡¯s dark past. Not only that, theizens imed

    that L had surpassed Sophia in terms of looks.

    Despite scheming against L with all means and marrying Javier

    Perhaps too agitated, she sensed the urge to urinate and had to pathetically close her legs tightly as

    she trembled.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you unwell?¡± Javier questioned in a hushed voice when he noticed Sophia¡¯s

    odd behavior.

    ¡°N-No¡­¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not feeling well, I¡¯ll have Rory send you home,¡± Javier responded coldly while looking away.

    His dismissive behavior fueled Sophia¡¯s anger, as he treated her like a disposable prop after making

    their entrance.

    Out of spite, she resolved to stay put.

 Chapter 1093

    At that moment, Sophia received another push notification from Twitter-Jasper and Alyssa had topped

    the trending topics. The discussion showed no signs of cooling down anytime soon.

    Every time Jasper and Alyssa showed up, they would effortlessly capture all media attention and be the

    talk of the town. The duo¡¯s synergy could potentially make them a formidable force if they decided to

    join forces in business.

    Javier did not look at all pleased by the attention. Sophia, staring at the trending topics on Twitter,

    taunted, ¡°How lucky is Winston Taylor to have a daughter like Alyssa? Anywhere she goes, she

    bes the center of attention. Everyone else fades into the background.

    ¡°Jasper did not even bother to cover up his rtionship with her. Javier, let¡¯s take the chance to

    propose a marriage to Winston. Alyssa made us look like bad guys when she concealed her identity to

    marry Jasper. Since we owe Winston one, why don¡¯t we make it up to him?¡±

    Just then, the Harpers settled into their seats. Penelope, situated just an aisle away from Sophia,

    frowned when she overheard Sophia¡¯s suggestion to Javier.

    Each word from Sophia was sickening. With Sophia in the role of the family matriarch, the Becketts

    ought to consider themselves. fortunate not to witness a decline in their standing.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The prospect of Zoe marrying Jasper was a headache for Penelope, for it meant dealing, with Sophia

    in the future.

    Having witnessed Jasper growing into a man, Penelope acknowledged that he was a fine young man,

    but she couldn¡¯t overlook theplexities of the Beckett family. Jasper was nothing. more than an

    illegitimate child who happened to be helming the favorite.

    More importantly, he had a half-sibling, Justin, who loomed as a potential sessor. Time was running

    out for Newton to protect Jasper¡¯s position in the family.

    Due to all the reasons above, Penelope wasn¡¯t a fan of Zoe marrying Jasper. On top of that, Jasper

    was a divorcee much older than Zoe, making him a less ideal candidate.

    ¡°Dad, Mom is right,¡± Betty chimed in. ¡°Look at Jasper and Alyssa, acting all love-dovey. I think Ms.

    Alyssa is interested in remarrying him, and Jasper is more than willing to do so. They¡¯re definitely in

    love. Dad, you should just approve of their rtionship.¡±

    After years of dealing with Javier, Betty knew her father very well. Speaking up for Jasper and Alyssa

    would only irk Javier.

    Javier repeatedly watched the photos, where Jasper appeared cautious before Alyssa. His anger

    simmered as he dered, ¡°I don¡¯t care. My son will never remarry a woman he ditched-I will not

    approve of the rtionship!

    ¡°Who cares if Alyssa is Winston¡¯s daughter? My son is not a doormat!¡±

    After Javier vocalized his disapproval, Sophia and Betty exchanged silent, smug nces.

    The Schmidts finally joined the other families in the VIP seat area. Ast the president of Schmidt Group,

    Josh was busy greeting friends and guests in the indoor hall with his wife, rissa Sparks, leaving

    Jameson and Daisy, to escort Victor to his seat,

    Victor merely waved a hand nonchntly at Cornelius, saying, ¡°Hey, Mr. Cornelius! It¡¯s been a while.¡±

    Although Victor was the family patriarch, he should have initiated a handshake out of courtesy, as he

    was considerably younger than Cornelius.

    Seeing that, Cornelius refused to rise from his seat and replied in an equally dismissive tone, ¡°That¡¯s

    right. It¡¯s been a while.¡±

    The silent rivalry between the two magnates unfurled from that moment.

 Chapter 1094

    ¡°Jimmy, I heard that Uncle Winston and his family have arrived. Go wee them. We¡¯re the hosts-we

    can¡¯t neglect our friends,¡± Victor deliberately urged Jameson to leave, raising his voice for the

    Becketts and the Harpers to hear.

    Through his gesture, he indirectly hinted that, unlike the Taylors, the other two families weren¡¯t worthy

    of the Schmidts¡¯ respect.

    Javier and Cornelius¡¯ expression crumbled at Victor¡¯s dismissive move. The air was tense with

    awkwardness.

    ¡°Will do, Dad.¡± Jameson left the seating area while adjusting his sses. His expression darkened-he

    just learned that Alyssa and Jameson had made their grand entrance, even embarrassing Zoe while

    they were at it.

    Concerned that the two might publicly announce their rtionship, he was determined to prevent any

    complications, especially at such a significant event.

    Once in a quiet corner of the corridor, Jameson stood in the shadows. and dialed Carl¡¯s number.

    Carl answered promptly, ¡°Mr. Schmidt, at your service.¡±

    ¡°Have you finalized arrangements with the media?¡± Jameson inquired.

    ¡°Everything¡¯s taken care of. The scripts are ready. Once we get your green light, national media outlets

    and social media tforms will release the news simultaneously.¡±

    ¡°Excellent.¡± Jameson grinned in satisfaction. He smirked. ¡°Release the news on the conflict between

    the Becketts and the Taylors and the possible partnership between the Taylors and the Schmidts. I

    ims.¡±

    Carl expressed his concern, ¡°Will do. But are we moving too fast?¡±

    ¡°You probably heard of what happened on the red carpet just now. If I don¡¯t make a move, it¡¯ll be too

    late. I can¡¯t watch as Alyssa falls into the hands of that awful jerk.¡± Jameson curled his trembling fists

    as he was consumed by hatred at the thought of Alyssa and Jasper holding hands.

    He added, ¡°I need to be one step ahead. Their rtionship is wretched and damned, and it should

    meet its end.¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    At the same time, Cornelius checked the time and frowned. ¡°Is something wrong? Why isn¡¯t Landon

    here yet? Give him a call.¡±

    ¡°Sure, Dad,¡± Penelope replied and picked up her phone with concern.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Zoe? Why is she missing as well? Without Bill around, these kids are getting out of hand by

    the day!¡± Cornelius looked pained and fell silent, the mention of histe son, Bill, weighing heavily on

    his mind.

    Having read Cornelius¡¯ mind, Preston forced a smile as he crushed. the cigar between his fingers.

    As Jasper had other things to work on, he merely hung around with. Alyssa for a while before going

    their separate ways.

    Alone, Alyssa headed toward the VIP seating area, the sound of her heels clicking resonated in the

    empty corridor.

    At that moment, Zoe shouted, ¡°Hey, stand there!¡± Ignoring her, Alyssa continued walking.

 Chapter 1095

    From the start, Alyssa sensed that Zoe had been following her, but she wasn¡¯t bothered by it

    Zoe, clutching her cumbersome dress, jogged up and blocked Alyssa¡¯s way. ¡°Are you deaf or what? I

    told you to stay!¡±

    As Zoe was in a rush, she identally stumbled, which was hrious to Alyssa.

    Alyssa snapped, ¡°And why should listen to you? Who do you think you are?¡±

    Zoe scowled. ¡°You-

    ¡°Spit it out or leave. I don¡¯t have time for chit-chat,¡± Alyssa spoke with a smug grin and a frosty look in

    her eyes.

    Zoe unknowingly quivered, intimidated by Alyssa. Somehow, she sensed that Alyssa was growing to

    resemble Jasper, even the looks of their eyes, like an old couple.

    ¡°It appears you have nothing important to say. Well, get lost, then,¡± Alyssa remarked.

    Just as Alyssa was about to leave, Zoe hissed, ¡°You can¡¯t possibly think Jasper is serious about you,

    right? He¡¯s just ying along because you¡¯re a Taylor!¡±

    Alyssa chuckled. ¡°I know whether he¡¯s ying along. If what you said was the truth, you would have

    watched as I made a joke out of myself. You wouldn¡¯t have confronted me shamelessly like you just

    did.¡±

    Zoe, taken aback by Alyssa¡¯s logic, was at a loss for words.

    Alyssa leaned closer with a mocking smile. ¡°By the way, Ms. Zoe, the most pathetic people in the world

    are those who lie for personal gains but end up living in their delusions.¡±

    Ashamed, Zoe trembled from head to toe. Her tricks appeared to not work on Alyssa because Alyssa

    and Jasper had talked through the misunderstanding. Still, she would not give up just yet.

    Zoe gritted her teeth and shed a malicious grin. ¡°Alyssa Taylor, do you really believe in every word

    out of Jasper¡¯s mouth? I thought you were smart, but you were just a fool who got yed by sweet

    talk.¡±

    Alyssa chuckled. ¡°Save your effort. Do you think I¡¯d believe in you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s up to you, but I have to tell you something.¡± Then, Zoe inched closer and whispered sarcastically

    into Alyssa¡¯s ear, ¡°You saw the media taking photos of Jasper when he came to my hotel room. Have

    you ever wondered what happened when we were together?

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°I just came out of the bath at that time, fully naked. He hugged me tightly. I recall his hot and heavy

    breath¡­ Hahaha¡­¡±

    Anger flickered in Alyssa¡¯s eyes. While she trusted Jasper, the mental image of him with Zoe was

    unbearable.

    ¡°He rubbed his mmy palms on my waist. Maybe he enjoyed the feel of my smooth skin. Why else

    would he keep his hands on me?¡± Zoe covered her mouth and chuckled. ¡°Haha! Just look at your face.

    Jasper didn¡¯t tell you any of that, did he?

    ¡°Of course, he¡¯d keep it a secret from you. He¡¯s just like any other man who prefers young women,

    even if he ims otherwise.¡±

    ¡°Zoe Harper,¡± Alyssa warned, her expression cold.

    ¡°Oh, are you upset? I thought you said you wouldn¡¯t believe in me. You have no choice but to trust me

    because I¡¯m telling the truth!¡±

 Chapter 1096

    Zoe betrayed a hint of insanity when she noticed Alyssa¡¯s anger. She poked her cheeks, taunting, ¡°p

    me if you dare! I bet you¡¯re dying to p me. Come on!¡±

    Alyssa dug her fingernails into her palms, knowing that taking Zoe¡¯s bait andying a finger on Zoe

    would only put her at a disadvantage.

    To her surprise, she heard a loud sound as she witnessed Zoe pping herself. Zoe did not have

    mercy on herself at all-her cheeks were swollen, and her carefully styled bun came apart.

    With that, Zoe grinned maliciously and strumbled out of the doors. Then, she held her cheek and

    dramatically copsed on the floor, drawing the attention of onlookers-media, guests, and staff alike.

    Those nearby shifted their gazes onto Zoe before noticing Alyssa by the door.

    ¡°What happened? Let¡¯s check it out!¡±

    ¡°Did Alyssa and Zoe have a brawl? And over what? That¡¯s quite crude.¡±

    ¡°What else could it be? Probably a spat over a man!¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, right? Isn¡¯t he quite the catch? Seems like a lot ofdies are vying for his attention!¡±

    ¡°It seems that Ms. Alyssa pped Ms. Zoe without mercy. Just look at Ms. Zoe¡¯s swollen cheeks.¡±

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t look good at all. Given their social standing, they shouldn¡¯t be fighting in public. That

    really changes my impression of Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    Guests engaged in gossip,rgely pointing fingers at Alyssa, painting.

    Armed with cameras, the reporters eagerly rushed over and encircled Zoe. Thriving on the attention,

    Zoe began to y the victim.

    Trembling, she pointed usingly at Alyssa, tears streaming down her face. She sobbed, alleging,

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, you¡¯ve crossed a line! I understand you may resent me for the scandal with Jasper, but

    I¡¯ve never betrayed you or badmouthed you. Why are you targeting me and pping me? Do you think

    your status as Belbanks¡¯ tycoon¡¯s daughter gives you the right to bully us?¡±

    Zoe cried her heart out, touching the hearts of the reporters. The public sentiment turned against

    Alyssa as someone remarked, ¡°So what if she¡¯s the daughter of Winston Taylor? We¡¯re in Sna City

    now! Do the Taylors still think they own the ce?¡±

    ¡°Zoe is a respectable youngdy. There¡¯s no reason she should be bullied. If I were there, I would¡¯ve

    fought back!¡±

    Alyssa scoffed at the ludicrous gossip with disdain. The smile on her lips was as icy as winter.

    Her response to Zoe¡¯s allegations left everyone stunned. Alyssa quipped, ¡°Fascinating. I¡¯ve never

    witnessed such a spectacle in my life.¡±

    Shooting a threatening look at Zoe, she continued fearlessly, ¡°I¡¯ll admit, I did entertain the thought of

    hitting you, but I was pleasantly surprised when you decided to p yourself. It saves me from getting

    my hands dirty. What a lucky day!¡±

 Chapter 1097

    A collective gasp swept through the onlookers after they learned that Zoe might have pped herself.

    Judging from her swollen cheeks, they expressed shock at the cruelty she had inflicted upon herself.

    All colors drained from Zoe¡¯s face. She stammered, ¡°A-Alyssa Taylor, w-what are you on about? I¡¯m not

    crazy. Why would I p myself?¡±

    Alyssa clicked her tongue and shrugged. ¡°I guess you¡¯re crazy. Not only that, you scared the hell out of

    me. I should have demandedpensation for emotional distress. How dare you use me of

    something you did to yourself? Do you think you can nder me just b¨¦cause you bear the Harper

    name?¡±

    In the midst of the audible gasps, camera shes illuminated Zoe¡¯s bewildered face.

    The surrounding onlookers engaged in hushed chatter. ¡°Ms. Alyssa is known to be generous and kind.

    She has been involved in charity work and even took the initiative to arrange the maid¡¯s funeral. I don¡¯t

    think she¡¯s the type to frame Zoe Harper.¡±

    ¡°Even if Ms. Alyssa hit Ms. Zoe, there must be a good reason for doing so.¡±

    ¡°She might have hit Ms. Zoe out of jealousy. That¡¯s not right. I will not. change my opinion of her.¡±

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa was through and through with the tasteless conflict among thedies, and she looked down at

    Zoe¡¯s clumsy tactics.

    She staunchly believed that the innocent had no obligation to defend themselves and didn¡¯t mind being

    misunderstood. If anything, she emerged as the victor today, given that Zoe had harmed herself.

    Just as she was about to leave the center of gossip, a concerned cry pierced through the crowd. ¡°Zoe,

    what happened? Who did this to you?

    The crowd made way for Cornelius, the other Harper family members, and their bodyguards. The

    entourage hurried over to check on Zoe. Zoe trembled in tears. ¡°Grandpa¡­ Mom¡­¡±

    Penelope immediately assumed Alyssa was the aggressor after seeing her precious daughter

    disheveled and lying on the ground with swollen cheeks. At the same time, Alyssa looked on with an

    arrogant and disdainful expression.

    ¡°Help Zoe from the floor!¡± Cornelius ordered the bodyguards, who swiftly acted and even formed a

    barrier to keep the reporters away. ¡°My darling Zoe!¡± Penelope enveloped Zoe in a protective embrace

    and fixed a stern gaze on Alyssa. ¡°Ms. Alyssa, if you have an issue, take it up with me. Why would you

    bully my daughter?¡±

    ¡°Mom, calm down. You¡¯re not in the best health. I¡¯ll be fine¡­¡± Zoe pretended tofort Penelope

    thoughtfully, earning additional sympathy from the crowds.

    Meanwhile, the Taylors had arrived at the scene, creating a stir. The situation escted after Zoe¡¯s dirty

    trick rmed the Harpers and the Taylors.

    Cornelius rested his hands on the walking stick and cast a hostile nce at Winston. He fumed, ¡°Mr.

    Winston, your daughter is pretty hot -tempered, isn¡¯t she? The guts to p Zoe in broad daylight.

    ¡°I can tell you¡¯ve spoiled your beloved daughter, Alyssa. But Zoe is precious to us as well. You and

    Alyssa need to take responsibility for what happened.¡±

    He was adamant to show the Taylors that the Harpers were not to be

 Chapter 1098

    Cornelius thought, ¡°The Taylors should count their blessings. If it were someone else who pped Zoe,

    they¡¯d be in serious trouble.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    Jonah fixed his gaze on Zoe. Despite not saying a word, he induced fear in Zoe, who promptly leaned

    closer to Penelope.

    L released Winston¡¯s arm and hurriedly reached for Alyssa¡¯s hand. ¡± Lyse, are you okay? Are you

    hurt anywhere?¡±

    Penelope and Zoe looked incredulous upon hearing L¡¯s words.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, L. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Alyssa reassured L.

    ¡°Lyse, I don¡¯t believe that you pped her. We trust your character, even if the outsiders don¡¯t,¡± L

    expressed her trust in Alyssa while shooting daggers at Zoe.

    Meanwhile, Winston pressed his lips and frowned. He looked at

    Alyssa with mixed emotions. He wasn¡¯t concerned at all about the possibility of Alyssa beating up Zoe.

    After all, Alyssa had always been cheeky and sassy from a young age.

    What bothered him was the fallout from the incident and the potential damage to Alyssa¡¯s reputation.

    For Alyssa to take over the Taylor Group, she needed to establish a positive public image or risk

    bing a target during the handover.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, Madam Penelope, did you witness anything at all? You have to back up your ims,

    you know,¡± a clear andposed voice intervened.

    The speaker¡¯s tone was calm yet carried a certain authority.

    Everyone turned to see Jameson approaching Alyssa Alyssa stood

    hand, she wished for Jasper to be her knight in shining armor.

    ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Jameson? Are you saying that Zoe lied to frame Alyssa?¡± Cornelius

    demanded,

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s something you¡¯ll have to ask her. She might ruin her future with her devious tricks.¡±

    Jameson stood before Alyssa and stared at her tenderly, eliciting excited gasps from the crowds.

    ¡°Long before this, Mr. Jameson had expressed his interest in Ms. Alyssa at the charity auction!¡±

    ¡°No shit, Sherlock. Just look at the way he stares at her. He even defended her against the Harpers.

    He¡¯s made it very clear.¡±

    ¡°I wonder Winston Taylor¡¯s thoughts about the president of Beckett Group versus the Schmidt

    princeling¡±

    ¡°I would pick Mr. Jameson. At least, he seems rtively scandal-free, unlike Jasper Beckett and his

    involvements with Liana Gardner and now Zoe Harper. Who knows if he¡¯ll be cheating on Ms. Alyssa

    with another woman in the future? If I were a parent, I¡¯d never allow my daughter to marry him!¡±,

    Zoe faltered under Jameson¡¯s gaze and grasped Penelope¡¯s arm tightly. Though she hadn¡¯t spoken to

    Jameson before, he seemed familiar.

    The overwhelming fear nearly suffocated her.

    Penelope hugged Zoe tightly and hissed in fury, ¡°Mr. Jameson, are you suggesting that Zoe framed

    Alyssa? How could you victim-me after my daughter has been roughed up? I know your family is

    close with the Taylors, but you shouldn¡¯t speak up for the bullies.¡±

    Zoe wore a pitiful expression, but underneath, she grappled with guilt and fear. She had done her

    research and knew the corridor had no

 Chapter 1099

    Zoe found herself unnerved and unsettled by Jameson¡¯s unwavering confidence. Did he witness the

    altercation? Why else would he defend Alyssa?

    Jameson inched closer to Zoe, his dark eyes unrelentingly fixed on her. She shuddered as he

    questioned, ¡°Did Lyse p you?¡±

    ¡°I-¡± Zoe choked.

    ¡°You¡¯re an adult. You should be responsible for what you said. It¡¯ll be toote to regret your actions

    when the facts are out.¡±

    -A hushed silence fell on the crowd as they anticipated Zoe¡¯s answer.

    The fleeting seconds felt like an eternity.

    Eventually, Zoe sumbed to overwhelming fear, as if she had been held hostage. Never before had

    she felt such dread, not even in the presence of Jasper or Landon. She confessed, ¡°W-When I was

    arguing with Ms. Alyssa, I lost my bnce, hit my face on the door, and fell to the floor¡­¡±

    She omitted the part about pping herself. Still, her partial confession was enough to prove Alyssa¡¯s

    innocence and cast doubt on her own credibility.

    ¡°Woah! But did Zoe actually p herself in the face? That was wicked!

    ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? She crumbled under Mr. Jameson¡¯s pressure. Pfft, and to think she yed the victim

    just now.¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk. She¡¯s just a youngdy who couldn¡¯t stand the pressure of interrogation. I would have denied

    it. Let him present the evidence!¡±

    ¡°Are you seriously defending Ms. Zoe? What she did was nder. If

    Jameson effortlessly solved the problem for Alyssa, but she showed no response, not even a hint of

    gratitude.

    On the other hand, Winston looked much relieved and gave Jameson a nod and a rare smile of

    approval.

    Jonah wrapped an arm around Alyssa¡¯s shoulders and addressed Cornelius calmly, ¡°Mr. Cornelius,

    does your granddaughter still insist on a settlement?

    ¡°If you¡¯re not ready to let this go, we can meet at the police station with our attorneys after the event.

    We¡¯ll decide whether to settle this case in private or court.¡±

    Winston squinted at Jonah while silently apuding his eldest son. He would like to express the same

    sentiment, but it would be unwise for a man of his position to go against Cornelius. As a concerned

    brother, Jonah had every right to speak against Cornelius in that manner.

    Looking bewildered, Penelope hugged Zoe tightly as Cornelius¡¯ expression hardened.

    Jonah smirked. ¡°The Taylors will take responsibility for what we have. done, but we aren¡¯t going to give

    in when we¡¯re framed, especially when it happens to my dear sister.

    ¡°I will look into this matter thoroughly. Mr. Cornelius, I believe you¡¯ll share the same sentiment, given

    your affection for Ms. Zoe.¡±

    The Harpers found themselves burdened by shame. Jonah, with a few words, forced them into a tight

    spot. What if things escted when they faced off at the police station?

    However, refusal to answer Jonah on the spot would be akin to an admission of guilt. The public would

    assume that Zoe had indeed lieu Aiyoou.

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Preston, who had observed the unfolding drama from the sidelines, finally interjected light-heartedly to

    diffuse the tense situation,¡± Hahaha! This is all a huge misunderstanding! It¡¯s nothing more than a

    banter between twodies that took an unfortunate turn. Haven¡¯t we all been through simr situations

    when we were young?

    ¡°Zoe is a good kid, albeit a tad impulsive and a bit spoiled. When emotions run high, she tends to

    speak without thinking. Sometimes, she¡¯s not even aware of what she just said! Haha!

    ¡°We sincerely apologize for the trouble. Look, we¡¯ve been family friends for many years. Winston, you

    were friends with my brother Bill. Zoe is Bill¡¯s beloved daughter. You know Bill, the apple doesn¡¯t fall far

    from the tree.¡±

    Preston alleviated Winston¡¯s anger by skillfully handling the situation.

 Chapter 1100

    Winston held Bill Harper, the father of Landon and Zoe, in high regard, and the two were best friends.

    Winston even grieved for a while after Bill lost his life in a ne crash.

    If Bill were around, the Harpers would have reached greater heights, and there wouldn¡¯t be a ce for

    the Schmidts. Besides, Landon wouldn¡¯t have been ced in a difficult spot in the Harper Group.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move on. We should be enjoying the annual horse racing event. Our family wouldn¡¯t want to

    dampen the mood or divert the attention from the event.¡± Winston stood with his hands on his back,

    looking gracious. ¡°Mr. Cornelius, just have Zoe apologize to Lyse, and we¡¯re good.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Zoe¡¯s mind went nk. It would kill her to apologize to Alyssa.

    Cornelius coldly urged her, ¡°Zoe, apologize to Alyssa!¡±

    Zoe, gritting her teeth and trembling, mustered all her energy to mutter, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s all my fault.¡±

    A captivating smile bloomed on Alyssa¡¯s lips. She replied, ¡°I¡¯m cool as long as you know your fault. I

    just hope you won¡¯t repeat the same mistake. Your reckless behavior might ruin someone¡¯s reputation.

    After all, not everyone has the clout to confront the Harpers.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s subtle jab left onlookers stunned.

    Simultaneously, two hashtags, #ZoeHarperpped Herself, and # ZoeHarperApology, quietly trended

    on Twitter. Netizens reveled in the spectacle.

    ¡°Hahaha! I almost spit out my drink! Zoe Harper pped herself?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s that, a new performance art style? Is she starting a new trend?¡±

    ¡°I think she might have some mental issues. The Harpers should get her checked and treated soon.¡±

    Zoe found herself once again subjected to humiliation, dragging down her family¡¯s reputation.

    Cornelius gave her a disappointed stare before leaving. Penelope, hugging Zoe, trailed behind

    Cornelius dejectedly as Preston supported them.

    Penelope teared up in gratitude. ¡°Preston, thanks for helping Zoe.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. We¡¯re all family. It¡¯s what I should do for her as an uncle,¡± Preston replied

    nonchntly.

    Penelope sobbed when she was reminded of herte husband. Shemented, ¡°After Bill¡¯s death,

    there¡¯s no one left to protect me and Zoe. Landon doesn¡¯te home anymore now that he¡¯s held up

    by that Beckett girl. He no longer cares about me and Zoe. What are we supposed to do?¡±

    ¡°Penny, please don¡¯t say so. Landon is a good man. He won¡¯t abandon his family for his spouse,¡±

    Preston reassured, his eyes gleaming. ¡°Besides, he needs your blessing to get married. If you refuse,

    there¡¯s no way Lauren Beckett could marry him. You have to assert your authority.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    Hearing that, Penelope clenched her jaw and nodded resolutely.

    Ignoring the surprised nces, Winston put an arm around Jameson¡¯s shoulder with an approving

    smile..

    He began, ¡°Jimmy, I owe you thanks. Lyse would have been much to protect her image and the family¡¯s

    reputation. How can I repay your favor?¡±

    Staring at the indifferent look on Alyssa¡¯s face, Jameson humbly replied, ¡°Uncle Winston, don¡¯t mention

    it. My feelings for Lyse have never wavered, and I¡¯ll always stand by your side. I must intervene when

    Lyse is mistreated. Even if she¡¯s at fault, I will staunchly support her. If you insist on repaying my favor,

    just allow me to meet with Lyse. That¡¯ll be enough for me.¡±

 Chapter 1101

    Alyssa coldly observed Jameson¡¯s fake act as she clutched her fists.

    Winston cast an affectionate gaze at Jameson and said warmly,¡± Attaboy. I know your feelings. Don¡¯t

    worry. You¡¯ll have many more opportunities to spend time with Lyse.¡±

    The onlookers gasped at Winston¡¯s response as the cameras captured the interaction. As a legendary

    businessman who was at the top of his field, Winston had never shown such affinity with men younger

    than him. He clearly approved of Jameson as his future son- inw candidate.

    Someone mumbled softly, ¡°Why do I have a feeling that¡­ Mr. Taylor intended to matchmake Mr.

    Jameson and Ms. Alyssa?¡±

    ¡°It appears like that to me as well. He¡¯s always cold to Mr. Beckett but friendly with Mr. Jameson. It¡¯s a

    clear sign, isn¡¯t it?

    ¡°Besides, everyone in business knows that Victor Schmidt and Winston Taylor are good friends. Mr.

    Taylor spoilt his stubborn daughter. He wouldn¡¯t have approved of her marriage to Mr. Beckett

    otherwise. Instead, he would have married her off to Mr. Jameson.¡±

    ¡°But Ms. Alyssa¡¯s heart seems set on Jasper Beckett. They even walked the red carpet like they¡¯re

    getting back together.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. What good is that? Women from esteemed families have no say in their choice of husband. Mr.

    Taylor might have given her freedom once, but he would never allow it again.¡±

    ¡°An arranged marriage between the Taylors and the Schmidts will be big news. That will certainly shift

    the dynamics of the business world in Sna City.

    Alyssa ¡®couldn¡¯t bear listening to the gossip around her and hurried away with a heavy expression.

    Jameson rushed after her with concern. ¡°Lyse, what¡¯s wrong? Are you still angry over what Zoe did?¡±

    She maintained her stride in silence. He persisted. ¡°Lyse, I have many ways to cheer you up if you¡¯re

    still upset. I¡¯ll do anything for you as long as it makes you happy.¡±

    Halting in her tracks, she questioned, ¡°Do you have evidence of Zoe framing me?¡±

    ¡°No. I yed tricks on her because I knew she would crumble under the guilt,¡± Jameson admitted

    openly with a chuckle.

    ¡°From my understanding of Zoe Harper, she is more resilient and shameless than Betty Beckett. Do

    you think she¡¯ll cower under your threat when she has the backing of Mr. Cornelius and Landon?¡± She

    stared at him with doubt. ¡°Or did she back off purely out of consideration of your rtionship with her?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s words were full of sarcasm, but it yed into Jameson¡¯s n. Adjusting his sses, he

    concealed the sly glint in his eyes, exining, ¡°Lyse, I have no rtionship with any woman except for

    you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, quit it. I have a lover. No matter how interested you are in me, I will not feel the same for you.¡± Her

    harsh reply was akin to a de that pierced through his heart.

    Feeling bitter, he began, ¡°Lyse, I-¡±

    ¡°I do not wish to take away your right to a healthy rtionship,¡± she said with a smirk and called him

    out. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your effort. You can suck up to my father as much as you¡¯d like, but I¡¯d never leave.

    Jasper for you.¡±

    On the other hand, Jasper had been working closely and discreetly with Xavier tounch their next

    move.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    When he heard that Zoe had nearly tainted Alyssa¡¯s reputation, he rushed to the scene at lightning

    speed, but it was toote.

    The guests and the reporters had left. He and Xavier stood nkly at the scene.

    Xavier reported, ¡°Mr. Beckett, I just checked the trending topics. Zoe apologized to Madam and is now

    being attacked by theizens. Everyone is speaking up for Madam.¡±

 Chapter 1102

    ¡°But-¡°Xavier sounded hesitant.

    Heart sinking, Jasper demanded, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Jameson Schmidt was the one who helped Madam.¡± Xavier broke into a cold sweat when he brought

    up Jameson¡¯s name.

    Rage filled Jasper¡¯s eyes. His jawline tightened as he clenched his teeth.

    ¡°Not only that, photos of Mr. Taylor and Jameson are circting online. There are-unverified rumors of

    an arranged marriage between the Taylor and Schmidt families. Madam might end up marrying

    Jameson Schmidt!¡± Even Xavier quivered as he spoke.

    Jasper was clearly more crushed and heartbroken than Xavier upon hearing the news.

    Nervous, he was about to look for Alyssa when he witnessed the Jesseltons of Mosgravia¡¯s Jesselton

    Incorporated approaching him. under heavy security protection.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, it¡¯s the Jesseltons!¡± Xavier gaped at the entourage. ¡± Damn, are the father and son both

    here? It could¡¯ve been a sudden schedule change, as we weren¡¯t notified at all.¡±

    While they were speaking, Ezzo and Zeke Jesselton came to a stop in front of Jasper.

    Ezzo addressed him with amusement, ¡°Mr. Beckett, I thought I wouldn¡¯t have a chance to see you

    again because you were absent from the meetingst time. I thought you resigned.¡±

    Zeke lifted his chin with a mix of disdain and haughtiness. ¡°Dad, is he the president of the Beckett

    Group? I thought the president was the

    Jasper pressed his lips, knowing that he must have pissed off the Jesseltons after he stood them up

    last time.

    Worse, the Beckett Group and Jesselton Incorporated would see more interaction in the future as the

    twopanies had recently signed a billion-dor project.

    The Jesseltons appeared to hold a grudge against Jasper, looking down on him and choosing instead

    to side with Justin Beckett.

    ¡°Sorry to disappoint you,¡± Jasper collected himself and replied with a nonchnt smile.

    He shrugged off the Jesseltons¡¯ attitude and graciously reached out for a handshake. ¡°Justin isn¡¯t the

    president-of the Beckett Group. Besides, I have not resigned from thepany.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we take this opportunity to introduce ourselves once again? Let¡¯s put aside petty grudges

    that stand in the way of mutual gains. There are no evesting enemies in business. Don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Ezzo and Zeke exchanged nces. Jasper¡¯s humility had thwarted them from making a scene.

    Even though the Jesseltons were friends with Justin, at the end of the day, Jasper held the power

    within the Beckett Group.

    Moreover, Jasper hit the nail on the head when he professed that there were no evesting enemies in

    business, only private interests.

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    Finally, Ezzo and Zeke backed down and shook hands with Jasper, their attitude softening. ¡°Mr.

    Beckett, let¡¯s work well together.¡±

    Jasper replied firmly, ¡°I hope so as well.¡±

    The four distinguished families settled into their seats in the VIP area.

    After the debacle, the Harpers seemed uneasy and abashed, except for Preston, who had been

    reveling in the drama.

    He relished in the trouble that ensnared Landon¡¯s family, as he was secretly a rebel and traitor at heart.

    ¡°Preston, thank you for taking care of Zoe¡¯s trouble today,¡± Cornelius expressed his gratitude toward his

    second son. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, we would have been in a difficult spot because of what she had

    done.¡±

 Chapter 1103

    Meanwhile, Zoe kept her head low in anger. She dared not utter a word after what had happened.

    Betty learned about the incident just now and secretlyughed and relished in Zoe¡¯s rare disy of

    dejection.

    Prestonughed merrily and replied, ¡°Dad, don¡¯t mention it. Of course, I¡¯d help my niece. I can¡¯t be

    helping the outsiders, can I?¡±

    His remark reminded Cornelius of Landon¡¯s recent behavior.

    Right then, Landon showed up and announced, ¡°Grandpa, Mom, we¡¯re here.¡±

    Everyone turned to look at him. He strode over, fingers intecing with Lauren, looking as sweet as

    newlyweds.

    Landon cast a loving gaze at the shy Lauren, to the envy of the onlookers. Nevertheless, there was

    tension in the air. Cornelius and Penelope treated the couple with an icy demeanor.

    ¡°Oh gosh, is Mr. Landon with Ms. Lauren now?¡± Daisy, who was oblivious to theplex dynamics,

    broke the ice. ¡°Wow, you make a lovely couple! Congrattions in advance to both of you, as well as

    your parents!¡±

    Javier and Sophia seemed unbothered by the remark, but Penelope¡¯s smile froze. Betty stared glumly

    at Lauren, only to be stunned by Lauren¡¯s outfit.

    Lauren was d in a light yellow chiffon cocktail dress adorned with ck ribbon, the work of renowned

    designer Rose Emerson. Betty burned in jealousy when she set sight on Lauren¡¯s dazzling dress,

    especially because it was tough to get one¡¯s hands on Rose

    Prior to this, Betty had attempted to make appointments a few times, only to be turned down. Never

    had she expected her younger sibling to have the honor of wearing Rose¡¯s design before herself. Betty

    worried that the others might look down on her and think that she was beneath Lauren despite being

    born into the same family.

    Betty did not have to guess. She knew Landon had bought the dress for Lauren. The thought added to

    her resentment. She clutched at her dress so tightly that she nearly ruined it.

    ¡°If I remember correctly, you¡¯re friends with Jasper, aren¡¯t you, Landon? Your friendship resembles

    mine with Winston. It¡¯s great news that you¡¯re in love with Lauren and getting hitched,¡± remarked Victor

    with a smile.

    He turned to Cornelius and remarked, ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Cornelius. When¡¯s the wedding?¡±

    Cornelius smirked without answering, a clear indication of his disapproval of Lauren, which he did not

    bother to conceal in front of Javier.

    The situation grew awkward. Cornelius¡¯ attitude did not sit well with Javier and Sophia. Despite her

    heartlessness, Sophia could not stand seeing the Harpers looking down at her daughter.

    ¡°Mr. Victor, the wedding is near. When the timees, I will send your the invitation in person. Do

    grace my big day with your presence,¡± said Landon as he held Lauren¡¯s hand with a bright smile. It was

    as if they were getting married tomorrow.

    All the while, Lauren stared at her feet shyly and stood close to her lover. The love between them was

    firm enough to withstand harsh disapproval.

    ¡°Landon, marriage is not child¡¯s y. It is a serious matter that needs. her emotions.

    Still, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to openly express her disapproval like Preston had encouraged her to

    do. Instead, she opined, ¡°You haven¡¯t known Ms. Lauren for that long. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s unwise to talk

    about marriage at this stage?¡±

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    ¡°That¡¯s right, Landon. You¡¯re notorious for dating around before you settled down with Ms. Lauren. You

    pampered your exes, giving them whatever they wanted.¡±

 Chapter 1104

    Zoe, feeling emboldened, took the chance to sneer at her brother, ¡°I¡¯d advise you to think twice lest you

    regret your choice and waste Lauren¡¯s time. I know her very well. We went to the same middle school.

    She¡¯s different from those sluts you dated before.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Javier¡¯s expression fell. At this point, he had lost any hope of marrying Lauren to

    Landon.

    ¡°Grandpa, Mom, Mr. Javier, I know what you¡¯re worried about. I was an unreliable brat in the past.¡±

    Landon took a deep breath and stared longingly at Lauren as his voice trembled emotionally. ¡°But I love

    Lauren deeply. I¡¯d do anything for her. I¡¯d give her everything.¡±

    Giving Lauren everything? What joke was that? Cornelius gritted his teeth and tapped his walking stick

    on the ground but refrained from further expressing his rage in the presence of the Becketts and the

    other guests.

    Landon swallowed hard and dered, ¡°I won¡¯t marry anyone else except Lauren.¡±

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    Turning to Penelope, he exined, ¡°Mom, you might think I was rash, but you were wrong. I thought

    about it long and hard before arriving at my decision. I would like to choose the love of my life. For that,

    I hope to get blessings from you and Grandpa.¡±

    A hush fell across the crowd. They had heard Landon¡¯s reputation for being difficult and unruly, but it

    was the first time they witnessed how he went against his family, which was unheard of in the upper

    circles. of Sna City.

    Alyssa, who hurried over to greet them, teared up at the touching. scene. All her worries about the

    rtionship vanished in the face of Landon¡¯s determination.

    With her own rtionship in mind, Alyssa said to herself, ¡°Jasper, we¡¯ll receive everyone¡¯s blessing

    when we tie the knot against all odds, won¡¯t we?¡±

    However, she realized there was no point in overthinking. Even if she had to go against the world, she

    would never leave Jasper. Only death would do them apart.

    The 21-gun salute was set off, and colorful confetti danced in the air. When the ceremony ended, the

    race kicked off with the cheers of the crowd.

    Jasper and the Jesseltons arrivedte amid the cheering. Jesselton Incorporated might sound

    unfamiliar to an ordinary person despite its influence in Mosgravia, which wasparable to the

    Becketts in Sna City and the Taylors in Belbanks. Its chairman, Ezzo Jesselton, enjoyed the

    privilege of meeting with the country¡¯s president, which attested to the power he wielded.

    The Beckett Group wouldy a solid groundwork for its expansion across Sedona if it worked with

    Jesselton Incorporated.

    Javier was taken aback by Jasper¡¯s much amicable rtionship with the Jesseltons. Although Jasper

    gave him a lot of trouble, Jasper deserved credit for his outstanding capability.

    Whenever he thought Jasper was at a disadvantage, thetter always managed to turn the tables.

    Upon entering the venue, Jasper did not once look away from Alyssa. The fact that she was seated

    next to Jameson came as a shock that unsettled him. Nevertheless, he believed that Alyssa did not

    consent to the arrangement, as she would rather keep a distance from Jameson.

    Winston Taylor must have yed a role in cing her beside Jameson.

    With that in mind, Jasper attempted to calm himself down, but he couldn¡¯t shake off the suffocating

    feeling as fear gnawed at his soul.

 Chapter 1105

    The Jesseltons¡¯ arrival introduced a subtle change to the social dynamics. Javier and the Harpers

    reacted to the new guests with enthusiasm, though they did not grovel at Ezzo Jesselton as they were

    on par in social standing. Still, they orded the Jesseltons much more interest and respect.

    Jasper was the only one who did not respond to the Jesseltons. Sitting like a statue beside Javier, he

    cast a passionate look at his lover. Alyssa, engaged in a conversation with Winston, wore a serious

    expression, oblivious to Jasper¡¯s longing gaze.

    Suddenly, Jasper felt a chill when Jameson, holding a champagne flute, leaned forward to obstruct his

    view of Alyssa.

    Next, Jameson slowly turned around to face Jasper with a smirk and raised the champagne flute at

    him.

    Jasper froze from head to toe, tightening his grip on his wine ss in rage. Jameson arched a brow

    and leisurely took a sip of the wine, a clear act of provocation.

    Jasper held his breath and unknowingly broke the ss in his hand. The ss slid to the floor, spilling

    wine all over his outfit.

    Upon seeing that, Zoe immediately focused on Jasper, running up to him and gasping, ¡°Gosh, Jasper,

    your suit is stained!¡±

    To everyone¡¯s dismay, she crouched and attempted to wipe away the wine stain on his pants with a

    handkerchief. The guests around them were appalled by her tasteless behavior, which was unbefitting

    of al Harper.

    Cornelius and Penelope fumed at Zoe¡¯s action, while Preston stifled augh as his niece became the

    butt of the joke. Preston¡¯s subtle

    Landon was too fed up with Zoe to stop her.

    Landon believed that Jasper should teach Zoe a lesson this time so that she¡¯d learn not to flirt with

    taken men.

    His thoughts were interrupted by Lauren, who tugged at his sleeve and whispered, ¡°Landon ¡­¡±

    ¡°Hm? What¡¯s wrong?¡± He lowered his gaze and replied gently.

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    ¡°I don¡¯t know why¡­ but¡­ your uncle makes me ufortable,¡± As usual, Lauren expressed her

    thoughts without reservation.

    She had lowered her voice, but Preston was ruffled when he overheard her remark.

    ¡°Look away from him, then. Better keep your eyes off filthy stuff!¡± Landon deliberately raised his voice

    when he replied to her while hugging her.

    Preston¡¯s anger uncoiled, but he dared not make a scene as he didn¡¯t want to be seen as

    eavesdropping on Landon and Lauren¡¯s private conversation.

    Lauren obediently shut her eyes, looking adorable as ever. Landon gently caressed her soft hair and

    gave her a peck on the cheek, saying, ¡°We¡¯ll make a lot of cute babies in the future. Look away from

    ugly things-they¡¯re not good for our babies.¡±

    Lauren blushed shyly while Preston choked on his wine and coughed violently.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa squinted with fury when Zoe touched Jasper. She inadvertently leaned forward, but

    she wasn¡¯t about to engage in a confrontation because she observed basic decency.

 Chapter 1106

    Alyssa leaned forward, jolted from the emotional turmoil.

    Suddenly, Winston growled sternly, ¡°Alyssa Taylor, what do you n to do?¡±

    She sensed pressure and turned to look at her father.

    Winston used, ¡°Are you going to confront Zoe Harper over a man? I hope you¡¯re not as shameless

    as that woman. Do not make me lose my respect for you, and don¡¯t bring shame to our family!¡±

    Alyssa pressed her lips tightly together. Jameson, happy at Winston¡¯s intervention, grinned as he

    downed the champagne in his flute.

    Just when Zoe was about to touch Jasper, he stood up without warning, causing her to lose her

    bnce and fall on her butt. The Harpers¡¯ bodyguards went up to help Zoe. However, it only added

    further humiliation as she attracted unwanted attention from the other guests.

    Jasper red daggers at Zoe. ¡°Ms. Zoe, please behave.¡± His warning pped like a frightening

    thunder.

    Alyssa quietly smiled when Jasper distanced himself from Zoe, her heart dripping with honey. No other

    man was as trustworthy and as loyal as Jasper.

    Zoe was further incensed when she saw the stifledughs of the guests. Simrly, Cornelius was

    enraged but had no good reason to unleash his anger on Jasper. After all, it was Zoe who had

    shamelessly attempted to gain Jasper¡¯s favor in the public eye.

    ¡°Tsk tsk. The Harper family did not raise their daughter right. If she were my daughter, I would have

    taught her a lesson for doing so,¡± from new money, Zoe Harper can¡¯t hold a candle to Lyse¡¯s

    ssiness. Lyse isdylike.¡±

    ¡°Sure, Lyse is from old money, but she¡¯s nody. Don¡¯t tter her. She¡¯s just a cheeky monkey,¡±

    Winston mocked his daughter and shot Alyssa a nce. ¡°Have you forgotten how many times she

    broke the ss at home and at your ce when she was a kid?¡±

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa pouted, unhappy at how Winston had taunted her by bringing up the past.

    ¡°How could you call your daughter a monkey? She¡¯s just energetic and lively-different from the other

    youngdies! I like her a lot.

    So what if she breaks all the ss at home? She can even destroy the entire house as she pleases.

    We¡¯ll just build a new one!¡± Victor remarked, sounding extremely pleased at his future daughter-inw,

    Xavier escorted Jasper for an outfit change. At the same time, S closed her legs and bent over as she

    quivered.

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    Things were getting bad. She battled with agonizing pain, feeling thankful for not having taken a drop of

    water that day. Otherwise, she would have peed herself right there.

    Ever since Alyssa settled in her seat, she had been silently observing Sophia. Just like what Tristan

    had said, Sophia would struggle to participate in outdoor events for long, given her current condition.

    Alyysa¡¯s eyes squinted hard as an idea shed across her mind. She rose with her champagne ss

    and addressed the audience, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gracing the event with your

    presence. I am d to have met with many respectable figures, as well as spending time with family

    and friends.

    ¡°I am pleasantly surprised and hon presence here today. As you all might know, Mr. Jesselton is the

    business legend from Mosgravia, and his son is the CEO of Jesselton Incorporated.¡±

    Beaming brightly, she toasted Ezzo and Zeke in fluent and melodious. Grunndish, ¡°I will raise my

    ss to the Jesseltons. Wee to Sna City!¡±

    With that, she tossed her head and downed the champagne with grace.

 Chapter 1107

    Alyssa stood out as the most attractive and dazzling female among the youngdies from the four

    distinguished families and possibly even across the nation.

    From the moment Zeke stepped into the venue, his gaze remained fixated on Alyssa, the charming

    Cyrrisiandy.

    ¡°You bitch! Who do you think you are-proposing a toast to the Jesseltons? Do they even know you?¡±

    Much to Betty¡¯s chagrin, Ezzo nodded approvingly and raised his ss toward Alyssa. He chirped,

    ¡°Alexa, today I learned that you are the daughter of the KS Group president. How many more surprises

    do you have in store for me? This is not our first meeting anyway. Do skip the formalities.¡±

    Everyone was taken aback by Alyssa¡¯s friendship with the Mosgravian tycoon Ezzo Jesselton,

    including Javier, who grew uneasy. When Alyssa married Jasper, she concealed her identity, including

    her multiple careers, never once leveraging her influence for Jasper or the Beckett family.

    Now that she was divorced, she seemed to enjoy going against the Beckett family. Also, she shined

    more brightly than ever and did not shy away from showing off her myriad talents.

    This made Javier perceive Alyssa as merely toying with the Beckett. family. She wasn¡¯t being serious at

    all!

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    ¡°Mr. Ezzo, I¡¯m d you still remember me. I¡¯m touched.¡± Alyssa beamed at Ezzo.

    Zeke gaped at his father. ¡°Is she the famous jewelry designer Alexa? Why didn¡¯t I know that you had

    met her before?¡±

    ¡°Two years ago, I wanted to give your mom a blue diamond as a birthday gift. After some effort, I

    managed to get in touch with Ms. Alexa, and she crafted the ne for your mom,¡± Ezzo exined

    with a smile.

    ¡°Oh! Is that the blue diamond ne that Mom always wears to important events? She loves it

    dearly!¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the one.¡± Ezzo nodded at his son and turned to address Alyssa, ¡°I owe my thanks to you,

    Alexa. Oh, I believe I should address you as Ms. Alyssa instead.¡±

    ¡°I am honored that Mrs. Jesselton loves the ne,¡± she replied humbly in a graceful manner instead

    of feeling smug.

    Winston watched the exchange with a faint and proud smile. His daughter might be unruly at times, but

    she was always up to the task when the time called for it. She was diplomatic, thoughtful, and overall a

    capable person.

    Once again, Zoe and Betty were left speechless at the attention that Alyssa garnered. There was

    nothing they could do in the face of a talented genius. As birds in a gilded cage, the youngdies were

    no match for Alyssa, who had seen her fair share of struggles in life.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, nice to meet you!¡± Zeke, unprompted, walked up to Alyssa with unbridled passion and

    admiration. ¡°The fact that we met here meant that we were fated. Shall we raise a ss to our

    encounter today?¡±

    Alyssa squinted with scorn while Jameson watched glumly. Finally, he couldn¡¯t hold back and

    attempted to drink on Alyssa¡¯s behalf, only to be interrupted by a towering figure who put himself

    between Zeke and Alyssa-Jasper Beckett!

    Jameson red at Jasper¡¯s impassive face with hostility.

    Jasper¡­¡± Alyssa stared at Jasper¡¯s back, feeling touched.

    ¡°You¡¯re not just fated to meet with Ms. Alyssa. I believe it¡¯s also fate that you and I meet here today.¡±

    With that, Jasper gestured at a waiter, who came forth with flutes of champagne.

    Jasper picked up a flute of champagne and put on a stic smile, saying, ¡°Ms. Alyssa is a youngdy.

    She can¡¯t drink too much. If you don¡¯t mind, I shall drink on her behalf. Is that fine?¡±

 Chapter 1108

    Jasper¡¯s public act of chivalry proved to the guests that Alyssa was the only love of his life. Zoe Harper

    meant nothing to him at all.

    Jameson clenched his fists, his body tensing. Why was he always a step slower than Jasper Beckett?

    Why did that scoundrel always manage to be in the ce beside Alyssa?

    Zeke looked visibly upset, but he maintained a smile. ¡°It¡¯s the Cyrrisian culture to protect thedies. Mr.

    Beckett, you¡¯re indeed a gentleman for taking care of Ms. Alyssa. Compared to you, I appear a little too

    rash. I was wrong to disregard Ms. Alyssa¡¯s feelings. For that, I¡¯ll drink as a penalty.¡±

    After that, Zeke downed a ss of champagne. Jasper studied him with a knowing gaze as he

    confidently downed his drink as well. The timely apuse from the audience alleviated the tension, but

    Javier wore a discontented expression.

    Betty couldn¡¯t help but scoff. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s Jasper thinking? Zeke Jesselton clearly has an interest in

    Alyssa, so why is heing between them? He¡¯s only going to upset Zeke. How can he prioritize a

    woman over business rtionships? This shows he¡¯s unfit to be the group president. And that Alyssa

    Taylor is nothing but trouble.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you learn from Lauren for once and keep your mouth shut? Women from your social standing

    don¡¯t bber as much as you do!¡± Javier red at Betty, silencing her.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa raised her ss with a smile and announced,¡± Ladies and gentlemen, let¡¯s all toast

    to the Jesseltons today! Cheers!¡±

    ¡°Cheers!¡±

    The atmosphere lightened under Alyssa¡¯s lead and her bright smile.

    She hid in a corner, clutching her ss but refusing to drink.

    ¡°Hm? Madam Sophia, why aren¡¯t you drinking?¡± Alyssa cast a dooming nce at the pale Sophia.

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    Then, she smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to celebrate the merry asion with our VIP guests? Or does the

    Schmidts¡¯ luxurious Grunndish Dom P¨¦rignon not suit your taste?¡±

    Sophia¡¯s heart sank. shing an awkward smile, she glowered at Alyssa as all eyes turned to her.

    Indeed, she hadn¡¯t taken a sip of the champagne.

    The Schmidts did not conceal their displeasure at all. Josh hinted at Daisy, who was always obedient to

    him. She immediately jeered, ¡°I bet Madam Sophia, as the matriarch of the Beckett Group, has enjoyed

    better luxuries. It¡¯s fine if she does not like the peasant¡¯s drink we¡¯re serving today.¡±

    Sophia sensed the sarcasm, especially after Daisy Schmidt had caused her trouble at previous social

    events. Of course, Daisy wouldn¡¯t miss the chance to take a jab at her.

    Sophia was forced to rify, ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean! Please don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m just a

    lightweight.¡±

    However, Jasper promptly called her out, ¡°Oh, Madam Sophia, you¡¯re too humble. Aren¡¯t you the one

    who drinks the most at our family¡¯s cocktail parties? Just unleash your true self at this merry event.¡±

    Madam Sophia? Jasper sounded like he was addressing one of the many maids at home. The guests

    exchangedplicated looks, wondering if Jasper still refused to acknowledge Sophia even after

    Sophia worked her way up tirelessly to be Javier¡¯s wife.

    It would be really amusing if Jasper addressed Sophia as such in private.

    Sophia trembled violently. Even her heavy makeup couldn¡¯t conceal the resentment on her face.

 Chapter 1109

    Jasper might be tacit and reserved, but he always managed to surprise at crucial moments.

    Alyssa squinted at him, and when no one was watching, she softly elbowed him. Her scent that wafted

    in his direction made him blush as he pressed his lips. She covered herugh when she saw his

    reddened cheeks. Jasper was like a na?ve schoolboy.

    His shyness was a stark contrast to his behavior in bed at night, where he devoured her like a predator.

    ¡°Sophie, just finish a drink. A few sips should be enough,¡± Javier told Sophia.

    With a glint in his eyes, he lowered his voice and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t be a party pooper.

    Sophia felt her chest tighten. She stiffly raised her ss and downed the contents. Even Betty silently

    worried for her mom, who acted as though she was drinking poison.

    Jameson keenly observed the interaction between Alyssa and Jasper, feeling as though they were onto

    something. However, he had no idea what was going on.

    Zeke took his seat beside Ezzo, clenching his jaw and looking moody. Ezzo said calmly, ¡°Son, did

    Alexa catch your eye?¡±

    ¡°Yes. It was love at first sight.¡± Zeke did not once look away from Alyssa¡¯s radiant face, just like the

    passionate and bold Mosgravian man he was.

    ¡°I think Alexa is the onlydy at the event who¡¯s worth your time. The others are simply clowns.¡±

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    Ezzo¡¯s remark reminded Zeke of that youngdy who had attempted to wipe the stain off Jasper¡¯s

    pants. He smirked.

    Ezzo patted Zeke on the shoulder and quipped with an amused smile, ¡°But you have a lot of love rivals,

    kiddo. Even I could tell that Jasper Beckett and Jameson Schmidt are in love with Alexa. Do you think.

    you can win against them, having only met her today?¡±

    ¡°The Schmidts are not our match. As for Jasper Beckett¡­ he does. not hold a candle to me.¡± Zeke

    sounded dismissive when he talked about Jasper. ¡°Sure, he¡¯s a Beckett and the president of the

    Beckett Group, but technically, he¡¯s just apdog.

    ¡°Does he really think of himself as the heir of the Beckett Group? If we back up Justin, he could rece

    Jasper as the president in no time. I don¡¯t think Jasper Beckett would choose love over power. At least,

    I¡¯ve never seen any true love of that sort in my life.¡±

    Ezzo sternly warned him, ¡°Even so, we should focus on our business interests. Our priority is to build a

    partnership with the Beckett Group. You shouldn¡¯t get yourself into trouble for the time being.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Dad. I know what to do.

    After Sophia was forced to drink, she immediately felt the rising urge to use the restroom. She excused

    herself from the VIP seat and made a beeline for the restroom.

    Once she was out of the public eye, she pathetically bent over and held her pee as she dashed to the

    restroom. Unfortunately, the cubicles were upied. She quivered as she tried her best to hold her

    pee.

    Finally, someone vacated a cubicle. Sophia entered but immediately peed herself when she was about

    to take off her panty.

    Her diaper was useless now. She waited in agony until the restroom was empty before she banged on

    the door and howled in distress.

    After the emotional release, she calmed down and dialed Tristan¡¯s number. He took a long time to pick

    up. ¡°Hi, Madam Sophia.¡±

 Chapter 1110

    ¡°Dr. McAllister, you promised to hand me the pills at the horseracing event, didn¡¯t you?¡± Eyes wide

    open, Sophia pressed on, ¡°You¡¯re not going against your word, are you? Will I see you today?¡±

    Tristan chuckled. ¡°Why? Do you miss me?¡± His question was loaded with mockery instead of flirting.

    ¡°Dr. McAllister ¡­ Tristan! I miss you. I miss you like crazy!¡± Sophia called out to him urgently.

    All she wanted was the miraculous pill in his hands. She would give up anything, including her dignity

    for that.

    ¡°After the race ends, make your way to the lounge at Racecourse No. 2 by yourself. It will be deserted

    as everyone else will be at

    Racecourse No. 1. I¡¯ll meet you there.¡±

    Nodding fervently, Sophia looked excited as she promised, ¡°Sure! I will be there!¡±

    After the fascinating opening ceremony performances, the race.

    There were two notable events at the annual horseracing event, with one being the All-Horse Parade.

    To show off their wealth, the distinguished families would spend a fortune purchasing expensive breeds

    from abroad for the parade. The sight of healthy and

    handsome rare breed horses racing across the venue was majestic to watch.

    Another anticipated event was Horse Racing Betting. Each year, the amount spent on such betting

    totaled to a jaw-dropping tens of DIVNO.

    Some guests might make a bet as a way of socializing, but some put their money down with hopes of

    hitting the jackpot. Some, however, participated in the bet as a vote of confidence on certain horses.

    The four distinguished families had transported their horses to the racecourse. The horses waited in

    the stables, ready to join the race. ¡°Winston, how much are you betting on my Big Baby?¡± Victor

    inquired. He checked out the racecourse through binocrs and elbowed Victor. Victor frowned with

    disdain and scoffed. ¡°Big Baby? Haven¡¯t you changed the name? It¡¯s a fine horse. Why would you

    name it like that? I wouldn¡¯t bet on a horse called Big Baby. From the sound of the name, it¡¯s not going

    to be a fast runner.¡±

    ¡°Tsk! I¡¯ve changed its name long ago. It¡¯s ¡®Tornado¡¯ now!¡±

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    ¡°Tornado? While the other horses raced to the front, yours would be spinning on the same spot,¡± joked

    Winston.

    Victor was rendered speechless as the other family members around them guffawed. Alyssa could not

    help but feel amazed by Winston¡¯s glib tongue.

    ¡°Winston Taylor, you¡¯re getting stingier by the day! How could youugh at me and refuse to bet on my

    horse? Do you still call yourself a friend?¡± Victor pouted like he had been bullied.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to bet on your horse. Ill be happier betting on mine, even if it loses the race. If I bet on

    other horses, and they end up losing, I¡¯ll lose sleep tonight. Sorry, I can¡¯t help it. I¡¯m petty.¡±

    Victor was annoyed by Winston¡¯s adamant decision.

    Suddenly, Jonah showed up with a gentle smile, saying, ¡°Mr. Victor, I¡¯ll make a bet on Tornado. I think it

    stands a good chance of winning, so I¡¯ll make a small bet as a token of appreciation. Hope you don¡¯t

    mind

    ¡°Oh, Jonah, how nice of you! It makes me happy to hear that you have faith in Tornado!¡± Still, Victor

    inquired out of curiosity, ¡°How much do you n to bet?¡±

    Jonah smiled and lifted a finger.

 Chapter 1111

    ¡°A million?¡± Victor guessed.

    ¡°Ten million,¡± Jonah revealed.

    Jonah, born into wealth, seemed to have an unusual definition of al small sum of money.

    Victor, cheered up by Jonah¡¯s lone support, said, ¡°Thank you for your support, Jonah!¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Careful not to lose your shirt.¡± Winston did not hold back when he addressed his son.

    Jameson asked softly, ¡°Lyse, which horse will you bet on?¡±

    Without looking at him, Alyssa said tly, ¡°I¡¯m not betting. It¡¯s best to stay away from gambling.¡±

    With Alyssa remaining hostile to him, Jameson tried to shrug it off and turned to speak to Winston

    instead. ¡°Uncle Winston, I¡¯ll join in on the fun too. I am betting on ze from KS Group. Just like Mr.

    Jonah, I¡¯m putting down ten million.¡±

    Victor nodded approvingly at his youngest son¡¯s move.

    ¡°Not bad, Jimmy. You¡¯ve got good taste. At least, you¡¯re better than my son,¡± Winston remarked with a

    smile.

    Once again, Jameson had scored points with Winston.

    ¡°Well, this is just entertainment. What matters is we¡¯re happy!¡±

    Meanwhile, Alyssa and Jonah quietly studied Jameson with chilling looks in their eyes.

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, may I join?¡±

    The guests turned around to find Jasper making his way toward Winston with a smile. Jameson

    instantly adjusted his sses with newfound wariness.

    One could tell Winston¡¯s favorite from his unenthusiastic tone. He mused, ¡°Oh? Mr. Beckett, are you

    interested in betting?¡±

    ¡°Some gambling won¡¯t do any harm. Besides, I have always loved ze. I have been a fan ever since

    it was at the Yoarkley Royal Equestrian Center.¡± Jasper shed an enchanting smile at Winston.

    Jonah lowered his face and betrayed a grin. Anyone who had a slight understanding of Jasper would

    know how much effort he had put in just to pursue Alyssa. In the past, Jasper would never openly seek.

    -favor from anyone like he just did.

    Now, Jasper was willing to set aside his ego to rehabilitate his image in Winston¡¯s eyes, even if it

    wouldn¡¯t be of much use.

    Winston appeared shocked by Jasper¡¯s depth of knowledge about his favorite horse, ze. He was

    about to speak when Alyssa went up to Jasper and yfully poked him on the chest. She grumbled,

    ¡°You¡¯re just a wealthy fool. Why would you bet on a horse just because it¡¯s Winston¡¯s?¡±

    Jasper, smiling sweetly, put a hand on his chest where she had poked him. He exined, ¡°That¡¯s not

    the only reason, though. I have been rooting for ze for a while.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because you don¡¯t know horses at all! ze is at Tornado¡¯s level! Do you want to lose your shirt

    as well?¡± Putting her hands on her hips, she shook her head disappointingly and mumbled, ¡°How did

    you stay as the president with that poormon sense of yours?¡±

    The guests, including Winston and Victor, were dumbstruck by Alyssa¡¯s unusual expression of love.

    Taken back, Jasper whispered into her ear with a twinkle in his eyes,¡± Lyse, are you worried for my

    money?¡±

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    Blushing, sheined, ¡°It¡¯s not just about losing money. It bothers me to see you losing.¡±

    His smile deepened as he resisted the urge to hug her. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if we¡¯re betting with family. I

    don¡¯t mind losing to your father.¡±

 Chapter 1112

    Jasper and Alyssa might have only exchanged nces without a word, but everyone felt the affection

    between them. No words were needed when two people were in love. The way they looked at each

    other and their actions were proof.

    Victor frowned and turned to Winston, who appeared equally troubled.

    Alyssa grumbled at Jasper, ¡°Fine! I don¡¯t care. You¡¯re an ATM yourself, so bet however much you¡¯d

    like.¡± She turned away with a faint smile.

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Meanwhile, Jameson was fuming because he had been ignored. Jasper noticed the change on

    Jameson¡¯s exquisite face, giving off a devilish feeling.

    Instead of feeling triumphant, Jasper worried that Jameson might be scheming again, and he didn¡¯t

    want to see Alyssa hurt. So, he closely followed behind her, offering her protection, as dependable as a

    rock

    The tycoons had ced their bets by now. Landon didn¡¯t bet on th Becketts¡¯ or the Taylors¡¯ horses. He

    took Lauren¡¯s suggestion and be on a shiny racehorse that didn¡¯t seem verypetitive, all because it

    was good-looking.

    For youngdies like Lauren, appearance mattered the most, even if it came to horse or car selection.

    Feeling upbeat, Landon generously bet 20 million dors on horse number 14. As he was rich, he could

    ce a bet of any amount he wished. The 20 million was nothing, as long as he could make Lauren

    happy.

    Javier stood beside the Jesseltons with a smile and questioned, ¡°Mr. Ezzo, would you be interested in

    cing a bet?¡±

    ¡°I am, but betting on horses isn¡¯t just entertainment for me. It¡¯s an investment,¡± replied Ezzo, who

    looked at the spacious racecourse through the binocrs.

    He added, ¡°I¡¯m looking for a well-bred horse. I assume the owner of a well-bred horse would be equally

    capable in business as well.¡±

    Javier frowned. From Ezzo¡¯s tone, he seemed ready to select a new business partner. This was after

    the Beckett Group had signed an agreement with Jesselton Incorporated. Next year, they would build a

    commercialplex in the biggest city of Mosgravia, and the preparations wereplete.

    Javier wondered if Ezzo was seeking a new business partner in Sna City for other business

    partnerships.

    Ezzo chuckled. ¡°As you all might know, the Mosgravian g carries the drawing of a horse. Horses hold

    significance beyond mere luck in our culture. From royalty to the working ss, our people harbor a

    collective enthusiasm for equestrian sports.

    ¡°That is why ourpany decided in a meetingst month to find at partner among the well-known

    companies in your nation. We n on building four five-star hotels in Mosgravia and Cyrris that will

    offer entertainment and equestrian facilities.¡±

    He added, ¡°We¡¯ve done some market research. We might not be the pioneer of building such hotels in

    Mosgravia, but so far, there is no such hotel in Sna City. If we could introduce these hotels torge.

    cities like Sna City, I believe it will attract considerable attraction and generate huge business

    returns.¡±

    Ezzo wrapped up his speech proudly with a smile. As he was chatting loudly with Javier, the business

    magnates around him overheard the idea.

    Victor and Cornelius looked keen and ambitious. If one of them could in Sna City, as the Becketts

    would not be monopolizing the scene. Anyone running a business would be interested in expanding

    their market share.

    Simrly, Javier rolled his fist and seemed interested in the project, though he was upset that Ezzo did

    not pitch the partnership to the Becketts. After all, the Becketts had secured a partnership with the

    Jesseltons.

    Still, he understood the reason behind Ezzo¡¯s strategy of partnership diversification.

 Chapter 1113

    Still, Javier confidently addressed Ezzo, ¡°Mr. Ezzo, the Beckett Group owns our racecourses in Sna

    City and other cities. We¡¯re

    considered the most experienced in developing racecourses.¡±

    Hearing that, Cornelius, scoffed under his breath. ¡°Pfft. That¡¯s very cocky of him.¡±

    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    Victor could no longer hold back and opined, ¡°Mr. Javier, the Beckett Group indeed owns racecourses,

    but it¡¯s an overstatement to im that you¡¯re the most experienced in building one. We¡¯re the host of

    the horseracing event this year. You do know that this is thergest racecourse in Sna City, don¡¯t

    you?¡±

    Javier calmly argued, ¡°That¡¯s because it¡¯s built new. Back in the day, the Beckett Group was unrivaled.¡±

    Equally irked, Victor countered with an example of Winston¡¯s, ¡°The KS Group built its racecourse 30

    years ago. Not only was it thergest in the country, but it is also the only racecourse in Belbanks until

    today. Quite a stretch to say that you¡¯re the most experienced in racecourse building when Winston has

    not even imed that title.¡±

    Winston was surprised when Victor dragged him into the argument. Javier, feeling humiliated, breathed

    deeply to calm himself down. He knew Victor had deliberately pitted him against the Taylors, possibly

    because the Schmidts nned to work with the Taylors against the Becketts.

    ¡°Besides, building the racecourse is not the priority. The quality of the horses and the sourcing process

    are very important. Even in those aspects, the KS Group is more experienced than the Beckett Group.

    They have ess to pure-bred horses abroad and own vast stables in Belbanks. The quality of their

    horses is assured.

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Javier, you don¡¯t seem to be in touch with thetest market developments. That¡¯s

    understandable, though. It¡¯s the era of the younger generation, after all,¡± Victor continued his verbal

    attack, showing his displeasure with the Beckett Group.

    His final remark touched the sore spot of Javier. Since it was inappropriate for Cornelius to make any

    comment, Preston took the chance to pitch the Harper Group¡¯s capabilities. ¡°Mr. Ezzo, we have our

    own stables too! The quality of our horses is top-notch. In fact, we bred and trained horse No. 8 in this

    race! Isn¡¯t eight a pretty good number?¡±

    Preston knew that he would score points with Cornelius and gain respect in thepany if he

    managed to bag this lucrative.

    coboration with Jesselton Incorporated. If he secured the win, it would be easier for him to counter

    Landon¡¯s influence. To him, Landon was a good-for-nothing who should be wasting away his life. with

    Lauren instead of meddling withpany affairs.

    Except for Winston, the other three men were at war.

    Jasper whispered in Alyssa¡¯s ear, ¡°Lyse, Uncle Winston is prettyposed, isn¡¯t he? He doesn¡¯t even

    bother topete.¡±

    With a glint in her eye, she turned to him. ¡°Do you find the Jesselton. Incorporated project attractive?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°If you think so, do you believe Winston isn¡¯t interested in it?¡± She elbowed Jasper and whispered back,

    ¡°Winston is just faking it. If he isn¡¯t greedy, why would he get himself four wives to begin with?¡±

    Jasper was rendered speechless and pretty entertained by how Alyssa took a jab at her father. She

    continued, ¡°He¡¯s too used to having the upper hand. It¡¯s been years since he initiated a partnership.

    Most of the time, his business partners woulde to him, or Jonah would be neyouquny un mis

    pertun a massive ego.¡±

    She crossed her arms and shook her head disapprovingly.

    ¡°So, what happens now?¡± As he spoke, he ced a hand on her wrist. When no one was looking, his

    hand traveled down to the small of her back before proceeding further..

    ¡°Um¡­¡±

 Chapter 1114

    To Jasper¡¯s surprise, Alyssa frowned and decisively stepped on his toes with her heels, sending pain

    across his body. It was one thing to have his expensive tailored shoes ruined; it was another to suffer

    from a crushing pain.

    ¡°Behave yourself, Mr. Beckett,¡± Alyssa chirped and flicked her hair.

    Strands of her hair brushed against his cheek, tempting him. She warned, ¡°If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll see to it that

    your toes are crushed by horse hooves.¡±

    Lowering his gaze, he croaked, ¡°When we get home, can we-¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about thatter,¡± she cut him off.

    Despite her stubbornness, she was overwhelmed by embarrassment. Hershes flickered.

    Meanwhile, Jasper felt sorry for himself. It seemed that Alyssa had the final say when it came to

    intimacy.

    ¡°I believe everyone here has a rich experience in maintaining racecourses and horse breeding. It¡¯s a

    close fight.¡± Ezzo seemed excited. An idea crossed his mind. This was a great chance to test them out.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we start a littlepetition at this event?¡±

    ¡°Apetition?¡± The guests around were astonished at the suggestion.

    ¡°I heard that all of you have brought your horses to the race. You might not have handpicked the horse,

    but you must have raised and trained the horse by yourself. Let¡¯s have a horse race of our own. My

    company will partner with the winner to develop the racecourse hotel project.¡±

    Everyone gasped at the notion, which seemed quite rash. However, Ezzo had his own reason for doing

    so.

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Firstly, the four distinguished families were simrly powerful and giants in their respective industries.

    Choosing a partner via apetition was the best way to pacify those who lost out. Secondly, Ezzo

    was rather unenthusiastic about the idea of another business venture with the Becketts, mostly

    because he was dissatisfied with Jasper.

    However, he could not make his feelings known due to the Becketts¡¯ standing in Sna City.

    Therefore, he would use thepetition as a front to introduce three strongpetitors into the game.

    When Alyssa learned about the n, she furrowed her brows. She was very enticed by the racecourse

    hotel project.

    As always, she was very ambitious and wouldn¡¯t miss any opportunities to make money. Reading her

    mind, Jasper asked gently, ¡°Lyse, didn¡¯t you mention that ze was mediocre? I noticed that my dad¡¯s

    horses and those owned by the Harpers are expensive thoroughbreds. They clearly want to show off at

    the event.

    ¡°How confident are you? If¡­ If you don¡¯t think you can win, I¡¯ll get Xavier to swap ze for another

    horse right now. How does that sound?¡±

    As Alyssa¡¯s man, he did not want her to lose out on the excellent opportunity.

    ¡°It¡¯s toote for any swapping. Besides, Winston is an arrogant man. Swapping out his horse is like an

    insult to him. You¡¯re basically telling him that you look down on him.¡±

    After some thinking, she replied, ¡°Leave it as it is. The quality of the horse matters, but one should also

    take into ount the equestrian¡¯s talent. Only a good racer could maximize the potential of a top-notch

    De question was one word champion been training with

    As the momen wall wehed my the area and went up to

    Winton forking envolve Mr Talde bad new

    Our equestrian was once a world champion. He¡¯s been training with ze for years believe he¡¯ll me to

    the asion

    At that moment, Well rushed into the VIP area and went up to

    Winston, looking nervous Mr Tay bad news

 Chapter 1115

    All eyes were on Winston. He asked sternly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Our equestrian was injured by another horse when he was on a stroll with ze.¡±

    The Taylors exchanged shocked nces. Eyes widening, Winston gasped with concern, ¡°What? How¡¯s

    he doing? He¡¯s safe, right?¡±

    Winston might be a ruthless businessman, but he was exceptionally generous to his residence staff.

    More than thepetition, he was worried about the condition of the equestrian.

    Neil wiped away his sweat. ¡°He suffered from multiple injuries and a broken elbow, but he¡¯s overall fine.

    I¡¯ve arranged for him to be sent to the hospital. Anyway, he can¡¯t participate in the race anymore.¡±

    Winston let out a long sigh. ¡°Gosh. Oh, well, I¡¯m d he¡¯s fine.¡±

    L softly reminded them, ¡°Whose horse was responsible for that? The owner must be held

    ountable.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Madam L. The Taylors will not be taken adva I¡¯ve taken care of the matter. The owner

    will assume full responsibility.¡±

    Putting aside the matter, the Taylors faced another huge probl Without an equestrian, they would have

    no choice but to exit thepetition. Were they about to miss out on such a rare opportunity

    Winston clenched his jaw. He appeared dissatisfied and indignant.

    Javiermented with a faint grin, ¡°Mr. Taylor, it¡¯s a pity that your horse is out of the race at this major

    event, but fret not. There will be another time. Try again next year. Don¡¯t feel too bad about it.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Winston¡¯s expression hardened. He was already upset at the Becketts after what

    Jasper had inflicted on Alyssa, and he was even more irked by Javier¡¯s taunting.

    The Schmidts and the Harpers were visibly relieved after learning that they had one lesspetitor.

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    ¡°Is it a pity? Mr. Javier, you¡¯ve gotten ahead of yourself,¡± Alyssa retorted excitedly.

    She marched over and dered with confidence, ¡°The Taylors will never lose. We¡¯ll have no regrets.

    Javier¡¯s expression froze. He sensed a weight on his chest. Her determination had changed the mood

    of the situation and introduced a new dynamic.

    Jasper squinted and beamed warmly at his woman, anticipating the surprise she would bring.

    ¡°Pfft. That bitch is showing off again!¡± Betty clenched her jaw indignantly.

    Zoe toyed with her wavy curls and smirked. ¡°What¡¯s good about a Hail? Mary attempt? How is she

    going to solve this before the race? Maybe she should put her name forward. Haha!¡±

    Herughter was cut short by Alyssa¡¯s proposal. Alyssa suggested, much to everyone¡¯s surprise, ¡°Dad,

    I¡¯ll represent KS Group in the race.¡±

    What did she mean? Was she qualified to participate as the substitute equestrian?

    Jasper stared adoringly at her stunning figure, his breath growing ragged from the shock.

 Chapter 1116

    Alyssa¡¯s decision blew Zoe¡¯s mind. Betty guffawed and teased her, Wow, you¡¯re great at making

    predictions, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Hmph! Let her be. She¡¯ll only overexert herself and fall on all fours!¡± Zoe¡¯s teeth ttered from rage as

    she stared hatefully at Alyssa¡¯s confident expression.

    Winston was doubtful and concerned. ¡°Lyse, can you do it?¡±

    ¡°Dad, you know me best.¡± She winked yfully at her father.

    Winston, L, and Jonah exchanged gazes. Alyssa might be adept at horse riding, but horse racing

    was an entirely different matter.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, horse racing is not a child¡¯s y. Moreover, this race. concerns an important business

    opportunity and your family¡¯s reputation. It¡¯s fine to stay out of the race. Better than falling off the horse

    in the race, don¡¯t you think? Mr. Taylor would be heartbroken if that happened,¡± Cornelius remarked.

    He was subtly warning her about losing face in the race, which was worse than losing the race itself.

    Everyone present assumed that she would lose badly.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Ms. Alyssa. There are no female equestrians in thispetition. Do you think it¡¯s

    appropriate of you to show up?¡± Zoe joined in the teasing when she saw Cornelius doing the same.

    ¡°We know you¡¯repetitive, but you have to know your limits, or you¡¯ll only suffer.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Zoe, do you believe that women have no ce in horse riding, or do you think that women are

    inferior to men?¡± Alyssa countered as she fixed a frosty gaze on Zoe.

    With a snicker, she added, ¡°From my understanding, your grandma was once a famous equestrian

    when she was young. In a time when. the country knew little about equestrian sports, Josephine

    Harper represented the country at international races and won the gold medal.

    ¡°Ms. Zoe, by the sound of it, do you think your grandma¡¯s behavior was ¡®inappropriate¡¯? I don¡¯t mind

    you looking down on me, but it isn¡¯t right to look down on your own grandma.¡±

    ¡°You-¡± Zoe was at a loss for words after she shot herself in the foot.

    Frowning, Cornelius cast a look at his reckless granddaughter and shook his head.

    ¡°Um, Landon,¡± Lauren mumbled as she faltered. She grasped his hand tightly and said weakly, ¡°H-Has

    Alyssa angered Zoe? Isn¡¯t she scared of Zoe?¡±

    ¡°Why would she be? Even Jasper is afraid of Alyssa. She probably fears no one else. Isn¡¯t that

    interesting?¡± Landon chuckled and rubbed her cold hand.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I mean¡­¡± With her head hung low, she said in an almost inaudible voice, ¡°I¡¯m

    scared. I¡¯m scared that Zoe would bully. Alyssa.¡±

    ¡°Lauren, what is it?¡± Landon missed her words.

    ¡°N-Nothing.¡± She shook her head vehemently as fragments of horrible memories shed across her

    mind overwhelmingly.

    Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and forced herself to dismiss the thoughts as cold sweat

    formed across her forehead.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have suggested myself if I was not up to the task,¡± Alyssa announced, shing a wide grin at

    Cornelius as her eyes sparkled. ¡± Mr. Cornelius, thanks for the concern, but I only participate in

    Cornelius fell into a daze and renewed his impression of Alyssa. The fearless way she carried herself

    reminded him of the young.

    Josephine.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1117

    Even as Zoe¡¯s grandfather, Cornelius admitted that Alyssa was a fine. youngdy with wits and guts. If

    only Landon had considered dating. Alyssa, Cornelius would have considered giving his blessing.

    ¡°Dad, L, Jonah, time¡¯s running out. I¡¯ll go change.¡± With that, Alyssa coolly waved at her family and

    left the seat with Neil.

    ¡°Lyse, be careful!¡± L called out to her worriedly.

    Alyssa turned around and briefly gestured ¡°okay¡± at her.

    ¡°Fine. Since she can¡¯t sit still even for a minute, she can join the race,¡± Winston grumbled.

    He was worried for Alyssa but refused to openly disy his emotions. At the same time, Jasper¡¯s

    passionate gaze followed Alyssa until she vanished from sight.

    ¡°Surprised, aren¡¯t you? You probably didn¡¯t know Lyse is good at horse. riding.¡± Jameson approached

    him with a smile, causing him to frown.

    The two good-looking stood side-by-side like something out of a painting. One wouldn¡¯t have known

    that they were archenemies.

    ¡°Lyse is God¡¯s gift to me,¡± Jasper dered. ¡°Since she¡¯s a gift, she always has surprises in store for

    me.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Quit it. Just admit that you don¡¯t know her well enough. Why would you cover it up and protect

    your ego by wording it nicely?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s chest tightened as he rolled his fist.

    Jameson added, ¡°I spent my childhood with Lyse. After all we went through, we knew each other better

    than you¡¯ll ever know her. You¡¯re wrong to think that she¡¯s yours just because she¡¯s moved by your

    Jameson lowered his voice and snickered. ¡°Dreams are just dreams. You¡¯ll suffer when reality hits.¡±

    ¡°Have you truly understood Lyse, Jameson?¡± Jasper¡¯s voice grew hoarse. His eyes were an abyss.

    ¡°Have you shown her the other side. of you the version of you that sent Inigo Montoye to assassinate

    Jonah on Shend Ind?¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett, do not provoke me.¡± Despite smiling, Jameson reeked of danger. ¡°I¡¯ll make you burn in

    hell.

    Jasper carried an imposing air as he snickered. ¡°I¡¯d like to see what would happen if I provoked a beast

    like you. I look forward to knowing.

    Zoe swigged three sses of champagne, but that did not help with her anger. Standing alone in the

    corridor outside the lounge, she started smoking when no one was around. From the way she smoked,

    one could tell she was a long-term smoker.

    ¡°Aw, look at what Alyssa has done to our poor Zoe. She¡¯s bullied your into smoking and drinking away

    the sadness!¡± Cackling, Betty approached Zoe, lifting her bulky dress while walking.

    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

    ¡°I¡¯ll never get bullied by Alyssa. I just can¡¯t be bothered,¡± Zoe replied. with a squint as she furiously took

    a drag.

    Betty was already tired of Zoe¡¯s self-aggrandizing manner and didn¡¯t. bother to counter. Instead, she

    got a cigarette from Zoe and started smoking.

    Zoe seethed with greed, ¡°No matter what game that bitch is ying, Jasper is mine and mine only. I will

    be the one and only Mrs. Beckett!¡±

 Chapter 1118

    Betty silently scoffed at Zoe, thinking, ¡°Tsk! Seriously? You¡¯re the biggest bitch here.¡±

    After a long silence, Betty sighed and fueled the fire, ¡°Even if your marry Jasper, you¡¯re in for a rough

    ride. He¡¯s infatuated with that bitch, and he might cheat on you.¡±

    Jasper cheating? Zoe rubbed out the cigarette as she imagined all sorts of humiliating scenes in her

    mind and upset herself. She vowed, ¡°I must get rid of Alyssa once and for all!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s easier said than done. The tricks you have up your sleeve are not enough to take down Alyssa.

    Don¡¯t you know how powerful the Taylors are? Do you really think you have what it takes to deal with.

    her? You would have defeated her long ago if you could,¡± Betty said. as she rubbed out her cigarette in

    the ashtray.

    She added, ¡°I prodded around. They say Alyssa¡¯s pretty good in horse riding. She was the champion of

    some regional junior championships. She was even interviewed by foreign media, unbeknownst to

    everyone. I guess that bitch is going to get all the attention again this time. I feel sorry for the two of us-

    we¡¯ll never get around.¡±

    A look of malice appeared on Zoe¡¯s face as she hatched a new n. Who said so? It¡¯s a good chance

    to take her down today. She likes. drawing attention, doesn¡¯t she? I¡¯ll make sure she won¡¯te back

    in one piece!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± Betty inquired.

    ¡°This race is not only reputational; it involves an important business opportunity. So, we need to make

    Alyssa suffer physically and make sure the KS Group loses the business. I will prevent the Jesseltons.

    Since the Harpers owned some stables, Zoe had some understanding of horses. Her eyes sparkled

    with a malicious look. ¡°To make her fall

    from the horse, we first need to trip her horse!¡±

    Betty held her breath as she connected the dots. Zoe might bet annoying, but Betty marveled at her

    ruthlessness and courage.

    Half an hourter, the race was ready to kick off. Alyssa led ze out of the stable and gently caressed

    its mane. Its coat was shining under the sunlight.

    However, the young horse seemed a little moody, grunting a few times and looking dispirited.

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with ze? Is he sick?¡± Alyssa asked with worry.

    ze¡¯s horse trainer, who took care of the animal with the injured. equestrian Mitch Macey, sighed and

    replied, ¡°Ms. Alyssa, ze is the most sentimental of them all. He¡¯s super close with Mitch, and he¡¯s

    probably upset after Mitch is hurt. If he¡¯s in a bad mood, he won¡¯t bepetitive.¡±

    ¡°What a kind little guy. You¡¯re so much better than most men out there!¡± Touched by ze¡¯s traits,

    Alyssa whispered into its ear so lovingly that Jasper would be envious, ¡°ze, ze, zey

    The horse neighed, as though it was responding to her. She began, ¡°I know you¡¯re in a low mood today,

    and it¡¯s a bit too much to ask you to race, but your good friend Mitch has prepared for the race for two.

    months. He¡¯ll be disappointed if we can¡¯t join the race. You¡¯re kind and understanding; you don¡¯t want

    to disappoint Mitch, do you?¡±

    She continued whispering to the horse. Like a miracle, ze immediately regained its vitality, and

    Alyssa quickly mounted it with a

    She looked so regal and dazzling on the horse that the horse trainer couldn¡¯t help but gape. She

    resembled a handsome general in armor, ready for the battle!

    Alyssa pulled the reins, and the horse stood on its hind legs. She yelled, ¡°Let¡¯s go! Time for the battle!¡±

 Chapter 1119

    When it was time for the race, the equestrians elegantly entered the course with their healthy horses

    amid the anticipation and cheering of the crowds.

    They stood tall and proud like warriors, showered with flowers and apuse. The emcee passionately

    introduced each equestrian and the horse.

    Everyone was focused on the race, but some of the VIP guests held their breath for Alyssa¡¯s

    appearance

    ¡°And our next equestrian is-¡± The emcee halted in shock when he stared at the list of names.

    A hush fell over the audience as well.

    The emcee continued, ¡°She¡¯s the daughter of KS Group¡¯s chairman, Alyssa Taylor!¡±

    The audience gasped at the sudden change in events. Was Alyssa going to join the race? They

    wondered if her horse riding skills were up to par.

    Alyssa was the renowned designer Alexa, an excellent hotelier, the fashion designer Sharon, and the

    miraculous Dr. White. And now, she could add the title of an equestrian to her list of aplishments.

    What more surprises did she have in store?

    However, there was some negative gossip in the audience. ¡°Can¡¯t the KS Group afford to hire a proper

    equestrian with their wealth? Why would they send their family to race? What a cheap move.¡±

    ¡°Right? The race course is freaking huge and filthy. I wouldn¡¯t have gone if I were her.¡±

    ¡°Horses are beasts too. What if they go berserk at the racecourse and trample around? Just look at the

    lengths she¡¯s willing to go to just for attention.¡±

    Alyssa emerged with ze, dressed in a smart monotone riding outfit. She looked so stunning that

    even those who badmouthed her stopped to admire her beauty.

    Not every woman could dazzle in the boring monotone riding outfit. that happened to be restrictive as

    well. However, Alyssa looked great in the outfit due to her perfect figure

    She was as brilliant as the sun, with her bright eyes, slender physique, and her majestic air.

    Jasper rushed to the forefront when Alyssa made her entrance. He gripped the railing and stared

    longingly at her, mumbling, ¡°Lyse¡­¡± He had the sudden urge to cry.

    Meanwhile, Zoe cast a piercing look at Jasper as she downed a ss of wine with a smirk. She

    thought, ¡°Sure. Go ahead. Stare at her as much as you want while you still have the chance to.¡±

    Javier¡¯s expression darkened when he noticed his typically arrogant son swooning over Alyssa, but he

    had to suppress his anger. Instead, he took it out on Betty, saying, ¡°Where¡¯s your mom? The race is

    about to start. Where has she gone at this important moment?¡±

    Looking indignant, Betty blurted out, ¡°H-How would I know? You should know your wife¡¯s whereabouts

    better than I do!¡±

    Javier knitted his brows as he fell into deep thought. Sophia had been acting rather suspiciouslytely,

    especially in this event. She¡¯d usually cling to him, but recently, she deliberately kept a distance from

    him as if she was up to no good.

    ¡°Rory.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Javier?¡± Rory immediately went up to him.

    ¡°Look for Sophia and tell her to get back right now.¡±

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Rory left to search for Sophia. Betty¡¯s heart sank when she recalled the uing pill transaction

    between Sophia and Tristan somewhere at the racecourse.

    Covered in a cold sweat, she med herself for provoking Javier. Then, she stealthily texted Sophia.

 Chapter 1120

    Betty texted, ¡°Mom, Dad sent someone to look for you. Be careful.¡±

    Landon saw Alyssa appear. She was the only woman among a group of male equestrians, like a flower

    surrounded by green leaves.

    He couldn¡¯t help but act as the cheerleader, shouting, ¡°Oh my goodness! Lyse looks so cool! Good

    luck! Oh!¡±

    Standing nearby, Lauren didn¡¯t show any displeasure. Instead, she clenched her fists and looked

    straight with eyes full of anticipation.

    The Harpers were all speechless.

    But what could they do with this troublemaker? They could only pretend not to know him.

    ¡°What are you oh-ing about? Are you a monkey?¡±

    Jasper gave a cold nce and sarcastically retorted, ¡°Be quiet. Do you think you are the only one with

    a mouth?¡±

    ¡°Oh, please. I¡¯m just expressing myself. If Lauren were on the field, I¡¯d jump down from here, stand by

    the racetrack, and run with her. I¡¯d wave a g and cheer for her, disregarding my reputation.¡±

    Jasper sneered. ¡°Do you think you have any reputation to disregard in the first ce?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just pretending to be reserved, feigning loftiness.¡±

    Landon patted Jasper¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. You¡¯re more nervous than anyone, more worried about Lyse. You should

    shout like me, then. Who would know

    ¡°I¡¯m not as showy as you. Besides, who says I don¡¯t express myself?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyshes trembled slightly as he swallowed. Then, he spoke in a low and hoarse voice,

    ¡°When we get home, I¡¯ll express myself properly.¡±

    Landon raised an eyebrow knowingly and chuckled. ¡°ying some adult games, huh? I get it.¡±

    Jasper used to be aloof, with few desires, as if he were a priest. Now, with the nourishment of love, his

    whole body was bursting with testosterone.

    There was no such thing as being unromantic. It was just a matter of not having met the right person.

    The VIPs in the stands watched their horses enter the track, poised. and ready. Their eyes sparkled

    with nervousness.

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Only Ezzo and Zeke remained calm, observing thepetition.

    Zeke picked up binocrs to look at Alyssa on the fifth track. Hist lewd gaze traveled from top to

    bottom, finally pausing on her slender legs in tight pants. He swallowed hard and licked his lips.

    He didn¡¯t expect this pampered heiress to have such a wild side. She was just his taste.

    When the horse race ended, he would definitely convince his father to propose marriage to the Taylor

    family.

    L had been observing Ezzo and Zeke for a while. Now, seeing

    Zeke¡¯s attention on Alyssa, she couldn¡¯t help but worry.

    She whispered to Jonah, ¡°Jonah, that Zeke guy¡­ seems like he¡¯s very interested in Lyse.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s face darkened at the words. ¡°You noticed, too?¡±

    Jonah had noticed it long ago. Zeke¡¯s lecherous intentions were too obvious.

    ¡°W-What should we do? I¡¯m a little scared.¡±

    L frowned, filled with concern. ¡°Ezzo and Zeke are top tycoons in Mosgravia. Winston mentioned

    them before. He said if we want to develop in Mosgravia, we can¡¯t avoid dealing with their family.¡±

    ¡°If¡­ If that Zeke tries to pursue Lyse and proposes to Winston about their marriage using coboration

    as leverage¡­ What should we do?¡±

    Jonah pondered for a moment,forting her. ¡°That won¡¯t happen. Zeke is almost 40, ten years older

    than Lyse. They¡¯re not suitable.

    ¡°Besides, they¡¯re Mosgravians. Miley has already married into a family far from home. Dad would never

    agree to Lyse doing that and being separated from us.¡±

    ¡°While that¡¯s true¡­ Winston is currently doing everything he can to break up Lyse and Jasper. What if

    he changes his mind? We can¡¯t be sure,¡± L expressed her unease.

    ¡°Dad may not like Jasper, but he would never sacrifice his daughter¡¯s lifelong happiness for personal

    gain,¡± Jonah asserted firmly, and his expression turned serious.

    At this moment, Winston was also using binocrs to admire his daughter¡¯s beautiful figure. He even

    instructed Neil to record videos and contact the official photographer to capture more pictures of

    Alyssa¡¯s beauty.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze was sharp, staring straight ahead. Her seemingly delicate body was filled with

    immeasurable explosive power.

    The male equestrians on both sides couldn¡¯t help but look at her with some contempt.

    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t cry when you fall behind in the race,¡± they thought.

    The referee shouted, and everyone leaned forward..

    ¡°We can do this, ze.¡± Alyssa¡¯s entire body tensed as she adjusted her breathing.¡±

    Then, a deafening gunshot rang out.

 Chapter 1121

    14 horses shot out like arrows, and among them, ze had the fastest start and the strongest burst of

    speed.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

    A fervor swept through the crowd, its mor growing louder and louder.

    Jasper watched as Alyssa rode ze. Her figure was as swift as the wind. His heart was pounding

    intensely, and the blood in his veins. was churning.

    He was secretly cheering for her in his mind.

    ¡°Go!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s crisp shout cut through the rushing wind. ze was as fast as lightning, and she could even

    feel the pressure and resistance in the air.

    But no one among those who could participate in thispetitio was weak.

    While ze briefly led the race, showcasing its full strength under Alyssa¡¯s control, its physical

    advantages were not remarkablepared to other excellent horses.

    Soon, a foreign equestrian surged ahead.

    ¡°Hahaha! Well done! Good!¡±

    Cornelius eximed with excitement, tapping his cane on the ground. He smiled from ear to ear. ¡°Did

    you see that? My family¡¯s Thunderbolt is in the lead!¡±

    Preston took advantage of the situation to tter, giving a thumbs-up. ¡°Back then, you chose

    Thunderbolt among many young horses. You

    Landon smirked in disdain. ¡°Kiss ass.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, it¡¯s only the firstp. It¡¯s just a warm-up. We don¡¯t know who¡¯ll win yet. It¡¯s too early for

    you to open the champagne for celebration, isn¡¯t it?¡± Jameson smirked, adjusting his sses.

    ¡°Mr. Jameson, I know you¡¯re wholeheartedly rooting for Ms. Alyssa. After all, she¡¯s your beloved.¡±

    Preston had long grown weary of this unruly junior. Seizing the opportunity, he decided to expose the

    issue and sarcastically.mented.

    ¡°But there are things in this world that can¡¯t be forced. For example, your beloved likes someone else,

    or the horse you bet on breaks its leg and is destined to lose.

    ¡°You can¡¯t ask why. It¡¯s gics. Thunderbolt clearly has a superior physical structure. In the face of

    absolute strength, everything else is just a fa?ade.¡±

    In just a few words, not only did Preston vividly expose Jameson¡¯s scar, but he also implicated the

    other three families.

    Jameson pursed his lips. His eyes gradually turned red, revealing a sinister gaze.

    Meanwhile, Jasper watched indifferently. He naturally hoped that

    Alyssa would win, but he had to admit that Preston¡¯s words were not without reason.

    ¡°My Uncle Preston is a cunning man. But what he just said is surprisingly reasonable for once.¡±

    Landon leaned against the railing, enjoying Jameson¡¯s face turning pale with satisfaction. ¡°Look at that

    bitch¡¯s face. It¡¯s truly wonderful. Indeed, evil begets its own punishment.¡±

    ¡°Bitch? Who?¡± Jasper frowned.

    ¡°Jameson. Who else? He¡¯s the bitch among the men. He¡¯s always acting innocent and pitiful in front of

    Lyse every day.

    ¡°People say that squeaky wheels get the grease. Since he¡¯s a wheel, he should just roll the hell away

    from Lyse. Cheap! Despicable!¡± Landon spat out fiercely, almost wishing to go up and give Jameson. a

    couple of punches, smashing his spectacles.

    Jasper remained silent but secretly felt that Landon¡¯s metaphor was quite apt.

    As the race entered the secondp, the gap gradually widened.

    Currently, the first ce was held by Thunderbolt from Harper Group. The second was ze, closely

    followed by Sapphire from Beckett Group, who was attempting to surpass ze at any moment.

    The equestrian from the Harper family was a strong foreigner. As he passed by Alyssa, he even

    whistled at her provocatively.

    When did Alyssa ever endure such humiliation?

    She secretly promised herself that she would never ride a horse again if she didn¡¯t win this race. After

    making a determined decision, Alyssa clenched her teeth and urged ze to chase relentlessly.

    The rest of thepetitors had already been left far behind, leaving only these three horses fiercely

    chasing each other, making the race. intense.

    In the stands, Zoe stared fixedly at Alyssa, or more urately, at ze¡¯s legs.

    A sinister smile crept up her lips.

 Chapter 1122

    An hour ago, Zoe called Cornelius¡¯ confidant, Max Horatio, to al secluded ce, and the two secretly

    conspired.

    ¡°Mr. Horatio, you¡¯ve been with our family for a long time. I¡¯ve known you since I was a child when you

    worked for my grandpa. I know your loyalty to our family,¡± Zoe said, her eyes filled with tears and

    appearing pitiful.

    ¡°Yes, Ms. Zoe. I¡¯ve watched you grow up. Your family has been kind to me. I¡¯m willing to do anything for

    you.¡± Max pledged solemnly, then worriedly asked, ¡°Ms. Zoe, is there¡­ something wrong? You look -

    terrible.¡±

    So, Zoe fabricated a story, turning the truth upside down. She portrayed herself as the victim of

    Alyssa¡¯s bullying.

    ¡°Not only that¡­ she even wants to steal my fianc¨¦.¡±

    Zoe started to sob. ¡°Jasper and I have a deep affection for each other, and we were about to get

    engaged¡­ But Alyssa stole my fianc¨¦ from me.

    ¡°If I can¡¯t get engaged to Jasper, I¡¯ll be theughingstock of the entire Sna City. How can I face

    people in the future? I might as well die!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t, please don¡¯t! You¡¯re the apple of Mr. Cornelius¡¯ eyes and Mr. Bill¡¯s only daughter. It¡¯s not worth

    hurting yourself for that Alyssa.¡±

    Max, who had no children of his own, regarded Bill and Zoe as his own. Of course, he was furious. ¡°Ms.

    Zoe, that Alyssa is too wicked. How dare she take away your man? She¡¯s really asking for death.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Horatio, do you have any way¡­ to humble her? Can you make her unable to snatch Jasper from

    me?¡± Zoe cried, but her eyes were shining with a sinister glint.

    She knew Max was smart and had a dark side. He would surely understand the meaning behind her

    words.

    But she couldn¡¯t say the conspiracies out loud. Otherwise, it would be giving someone a hold over her.

    She never trusted anyone.

    Max paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, then. suddenly said, ¡°If you want Alyssa to

    lose the race, we¡¯ll have to tamper with her horse.¡±

    ¡°How do you n to do it?¡±

    ¡°When horses are running, their explosive power is terrifying.

    Moreover, they¡¯ll keep running forward under the rider¡¯smand, even if their legs are injured-until

    they copse.

    ¡°So, I n to give her horse a bit of a ¡®boost.¡¯ If Alyssa is unlucky, she might fall off her horse during the

    race. Even if she¡¯s lucky and reaches the finish line, her horse will be ruined.¡±

    The race quickly entered the thirdp, the final round.

    The overall result was almost settled at this point, with Taylor Group, Beckett Group, and Harper Group

    competing for the top three.

    Tornado from the Schmidt Group had already fallen far behind, sadly missing the top three.

    ¡°Damn it! This horse is too disappointing!¡±

    Seeing that he had no chance of working with Jesselton Incorporated, Victor was furious. ¡°I¡¯ve been

    providing for you so well, and you¡¯re not giving me anything in return! Why is your name even Tornado?

    From

    Everyone held back theirughter.

    ¡°But Uncle Winston¡¯s ze is really amazing.¡±

    Jameson took this opportunity to praise Winston, trying to improve rtions between the two families.

    ¡°Lyse said that Tornado and ze are about the same, but they¡¯re clearly notparable. Dad, you

    should consult Uncle Winston more.

    on how to choose racehorses. Try to catch up next time.¡±

    These sounded like words from a double-crosser.

    But Victor wasn¡¯t angry. Instead, he thought Jameson¡¯s double- crossing was just in time.

    Winston smiled at Jameson.

    ¡°Jameson, your dad has never admitted defeat to me in his whole life. It would be strange if he came to

    me for advice. ze¡¯s aptitude is one thing. Lyse¡¯s excellent jockey skills are also crucial.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, Lyse is truly the most perfect girl in my heart.¡± Jameson¡¯s scorching gaze followed Alyssa¡¯s

    captivating figure on the racetrack, expressing his feelings without reservation.

    ¡°Fuck, he and his bitchy mouth! I want to punch him so bad!¡±

    Seeing Jameson being overly attentive to Winston, Landon clenched his fists, making cracking sounds.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t just stand there like this. If you keep going, your wife will be snatched by someone else!

    You better quickly go up and earn some points. Sweet talk for a bit.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not good at that,¡± Jasper replied absentmindedly as he watched Alyssa on the racetrack.

 Chapter 1123

    ¡°Learning is an endless process, Jasper. If you¡¯re not good at it, your can learn. I can be your teacher.

    Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll only teach you.¡±

    Landon nudged Jasper with a yful expression.

    ¡°Landon, I feel a bit uneasy.¡± Jasper¡¯s mood inexplicably turned heavy. He raised his hand and

    loosened his tie.

    ¡°I feel uneasy, too. I can¡¯t even look at Jamebitch without wanting to throw up my dinner fromst

    night.¡± Landon made a disgusted face.

    ¡°No, not that¡­ I just feel like something is about to happen.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze was deep. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was due to excessive concern, but he felt an

    unexinable oppression.

    He didn¡¯t mind if Alyssa didn¡¯t win first ce. He just wanted her to return safely to his side. That was

    the most important matter.

    ¡°Josh, Jimmy keeps talking to the Taylors. It seems like he¡¯s really ingratiating himself with Mr. Taylor.¡±

    Worried, Daisy whispered to Josh, ¡°Mr. Taylor wouldn¡¯t really want to marry his daughter to Jimmy,

    right? That would be a disaster! If that viper marries Mr. Taylor¡¯s most beloved daughter, the Taylor

    family will assist him in seizing control of the Schmidt Group.

    ¡°Now that I¡¯m married and David is disabled, you don¡¯t have anyone by your side. In the future, if

    Jimmy has Mr. Taylor¡¯s support, he won¡¯t even spare us a nce. It might even threaten your position

    as president-¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Josh interrupted in a low voice, a cold gleam in his eyes.

    ¡°Worrying about this now is too early. Alyssa is not an ordinary woman. She once managed to secretly

    marry Jasper against Mr.

    ¡°That¡¯s true, but-¡±

    ¡°Also, looking at it from a different perspective, I¡¯m actually looking. forward to the moment when Mr.

    Taylor forces Alyssa to marry Jameson.¡±

    Josh¡¯s eyes were inscrutable, and he smirked. ¡°It will cause quite a stir.¡±

    Alyssa was covered in sweat on the racecourse, urging ze forward at breakneck speed, startling the

    onlookers.

    ¡°ze! Go!¡±

    ze exerted all its strength, running like the wind.

    Just two seconds ago, it was neck and neck with Sapphire, but Sapphire was left far behind in the blink

    of an eye. The gap kept widening, making it impossible to catch up.

    The foreign equestrian turned around, ring fiercely at Alyssa while vigorously whipping his horse¡¯s

    hindquarters.

    Alyssa clenched her teeth, her desire for victory igniting. Her eyes turned red as if blood were about to

    drip.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Suddenly, ze staggered, and its breath became unstable.

    Alyssa¡¯s body sank suddenly, feeling that something was amiss.

    Something was wrong with ze. Having dealt with horses for many years, she quickly realized that

    there was an issue with its legs.

    ¡°ze! Stop! Don¡¯t run anymore!¡± Alyssa urgentlymanded, tightly pulling the reins.

    She could ept losing the race, but ze must not be hurt!

    Unexpectedly, the usually obedient ze kept running recklessly, its heart, too, stronger than that of its

    owner.

    ¡°ze! I asked you to stop!¡± Alyssa exerted all her strength to rein it in, but she couldn¡¯t control this

    runaway wild horse.

    The finish line was within sight.

    The VIPs in their seats held their breath. Even Ezzo and Zeke leaned forward in their chairs and stared

    intently at the imminent revtion. of the match¡¯s oue.

    ¡°No¡­ something¡¯s wrong.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes contracted sharply while. his heart was pounding wildly.

    Perhaps it was a keen intuition, or he sensed something unusual from Alyssa¡¯s excessively tense

    expression. He dropped the binocrs and sprinted away, disregarding the crowd¡¯s gazes.

    ¡°Jasper! Wait! Where are you going?¡± Landon panicked, torn between going after Jasper and leaving

    Lauren alone.

    Jameson¡¯s eyes darkened. He quietly instructed Carl, ¡°Find out what happened.¡±

 Chapter 1124

    Only about 100 feet were left, and the Harper Group¡¯s horse was leading.

    Cornelius was so excited that his hands trembled as he gripped his cane. Meanwhile, Preston had

    walked up to Ezzo and Zeke, ready to shake hands and celebrate.

    At this moment, Alyssapletely disregarded the oue of the race. She was only concerned

    about ze¡¯s safety.

    Just when the foreign equestrian thought victory belonged to him and was already waving to the

    audience, a gust of wind swept past him. It was so fast that he couldn¡¯t even see it clearly.

    Following that, thunderous apuse erupted from the crowd.

    ¡°Horse number five breaks through the finish line first! Congrattions to KS Group and Ms. Alyssa for

    winning the championship!¡±

    Led by Winston, the Taylors burst into excited cheers.

    ¡°Lyse! You¡¯re amazing! Lyse!¡± Even the usually soft-spoken L shouted joyfully.

    Jonah had a beaming smile, pping until his hands turned red.

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    On the other hand, Cornelius, who had just seen his major project slip away, stiffened and took a deep

    breath.

    Meanwhile, Preston found himself in an even more awkward situation, as his outstretched hand was

    left hanging in mid-air.

    ¡°I guess there¡¯s no need for handshakes,¡± Ezzo said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

    Preston could only force a smile and walk away, dejected.

    While some were rejoicing and others were upset, the whole arenal suddenly gasped.

    ¡°Oh no! Look, everyone! Ms. Alyssa and her horse fell to the ground!¡± Zoe immediately sprung up from

    her seat, pointing directly at the horse racing arena. Her eyes were gleaming with excitement.

    A cloud of dust rose as ze¡¯srge body abruptly dropped, sliding several feet on its knees after

    crossing the finish line. It then crashed heavily onto the ground, emitting a frightening neigh.

    Alyssa was thrown off as well, smashing into the nearby advertising boards and barriers.

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    The Taylors were frightened out of their wits. Winston¡¯s vision went ck, and he would have likely

    fallen if L hadn¡¯t supported him in time.

    At the same time, Jonah and Neil had already left their seats, rushing toward Alyssa.

    ¡°Alyssa¡­ Alyssa!¡± Lauren covered her mouth, bursting into tears on the spot.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lauren. Lyse will be fine. It¡¯s okay.¡± Landon¡¯s heart

    tightened. He hugged his wife andforted her with constant pats.

    At the same time, his sharp gaze swept toward Zoe.

    She happened to wear a triumphant smirk, a sight that grated on his eyes.

    He had harbored suspicions just a moment ago.

    Alyssa¡¯s fall happened suddenly, and no one reacted in time. But Zoe something was going to happen.

    That was too strange.

    Alyssa¡¯s back took a hit. A metal frame scraped her waist, causing her to curl up in pain.

    At this moment, her mind was nk. She closed her eyes, gasping for breath with all her might. Distant

    and blurry shouts surrounded her, like being in a terrifying nightmare.

    In her hazy thoughts, Alyssa heard footsteps rapidly approaching and anxious calls as if someone were

    shouting her name.

    Were they medical staff?

    Was it her father? Or her brothers?

    ¡°Lyse!¡±

    The next moment, Alyssa felt her weakened self enveloped in a ho embrace, holding her tightly. That

    irreceable sense of belonging instantly brought rity to her dazed consciousness.

    She slowly raised her eyes, meeting Jasper¡¯s crimson, teary eyes. She lightly smiled. ¡°Ha¡­ So it¡¯s

    you¡­¡±

 Chapter 1125

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me¡­ Lyse, it¡¯s me.¡± Jasper¡¯s mind buzzed, and his voice was hoarse.

    He tightly embraced the trembling Alyssa as if she might vanish into thin air if he loosened his grip. His

    heart felt like it was shattering into pieces. ¡°Lyse¡­ Tell me where it hurts. Quickly.¡±

    ¡°ze¡­ ze.¡±

    Regaining her ability to think, Alyssa immediately thought of the poor little creature. She struggled to

    break free from Jasper¡¯s embrace and rushed toward ze, who was lying on the ground and gasping

    for breath.

    ¡°Lyse! Come back!¡± Jasper called out to her with all his might, his heart tightening. At once, he followed

    her.

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    Just then, medical staff, Jonah, and Neil arrived. Despite their numbers, they couldn¡¯t stop the anxious

    Alyssa.

    Beneath the stage, the image of Jasper rushing onto the track, cradling the injured Alyssa, left the

    spectators both shocked and deeply moved.

    ¡°Oh, my God! Is that frightened man the Mr. Beckett I know? This is unbelievable!¡±

    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d see Jasper in such a bewildered state! Alyssa is the only one who can make him

    human.¡±

    ¡°Ah! I envy this so much! I want Mr. Beckett to hold me tightly, too.¡±

    ¡°But seriously, why did Jasper divorce if he loves Alyssa so much?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Maybe Liana and Sophia teamed up to deceive Jasper back then, misunderstanding is cleared, so

    they reunited?¡±

    There were discussions all around, but everyone could see Jasper¡¯s deep affection for Alyssa.

    ¡°Hey, was it you?¡± Betty whispered to Zoe coldly.

    Zoe¡¯s eyes were crimson as she red at Alyssa, who was being carefully cared for by Jasper. She

    replied with malice, ¡°What are your talking about? It¡¯s Alyssa¡¯s misfortune that led to her falling like this.

    What does it have to do with me?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think this scheme of yours was a futile effort?¡±

    Betty sneered. ¡°Alyssa not only didn¡¯t lose an arm or a leg, but she made everyone witness Jasper¡¯s

    irreceable affection for her. Maybe, thanks to your ¡®matchmaking,¡¯ they¡¯ll be even more

    inseparable.¡±

    ¡°Shut. The. Fuck. Up!¡±

    Zoe¡¯s sharp gaze was fixed on Betty¡¯s face. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was boiling with hatred.

    ¡°If you mock me again, I¡¯ll make your fall harder than Alyssa. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can try me.

    We Harpers can do anything.¡±

    Betty gritted her teeth against Zoe¡¯s fierce stare, feeling a sense of fear in her heart.

    After all, her position at home was no longer what it used to be. Her parents didn¡¯t dote on her

    anymore. On the contrary, Zoe was Cornelius¡¯ treasure. Provoking her might lead to more trouble.

    ¡°Lyse! Stop! Go to the hospital!¡± Jonah shouted anxiously. Both Jasper and Jonah couldn¡¯t figure out

    how to stop her.

    ¡°I¡¯m a surgeon too! I know the condition of my body better than you amateurs!¡±

    Ignoring the pain in her body, Alyssa kneeled beside the gasping

    ze. She touched his weakening body with trembling hands, tears. welling up in her eyes.

 Chapter 1126

    ¡°ze¡­ Why did you force yourself? I told you to stop. Why didn¡¯t you listen?¡±

    Jasper stood stiffly by Alyssa¡¯s side, watching the heartbreaking sight of her being deeply distressed for

    her horse. His heart ached with her as well.

    She was inherently kind. What he loved most was her pure and kind soul.

    The horse trainer quickly arrived and immediately conducted a detailed examination of ze and

    Alyssa.

    Soon, they discovered the problem.

    ze¡¯s left leg had a long and narrow knife wound!

    The wound was located on the backside of its leg, so it was well- concealed. Neither Alyssa nor the

    horse trainer noticed it due to the rush to enter the arena.

    Moreover, it was evident that this injury was intentional.

    Initially, proper treatment and bandaging could have avoided. significant harm. However, after galloping

    for miles hysterically, the wound had deteriorated dramatically.

    The pus and its dark fur merged into one, and the injury had be so severe that it was deep

    enough to expose the bone.

    The situation couldn¡¯t have been worse.

    ¡°Give me an exnation!¡± Alyssa¡¯s eyes were filled with tears, and her voice choked.

    ¡°M-Ms. Alyssa, I don¡¯t know¡­ I really don¡¯t know what happened!¡±

    Shocked and terrified, the horse trainer was on the verge of tears.¡±

    When I checked ze before the race, there was nothing wrong with him. How could this happen?¡±

    ¡°Lyse, Mr. Atkins has been with our family for a long time. He has always taken great care of the

    horses. In over ten years, there has never been any mishap.¡±

    After Jonah¡¯s initial worry, he regained his rationality, and he spoke solemnly, saying, ¡°But idents

    can happen at any time. Moreover, someone seems to have targeted ze deliberately. We were

    unprepared and couldn¡¯t have defended against it.¡±

    Alyssa took a deep breath, but her body couldn¡¯t help trembling with anger.

    Jasper kneeled behind her on one knee, lifting his arm to encircle her shoulders and drawing her into

    his embrace.

    ¡°Lyse, someone must have sneaked into the stable and cut ze¡¯s leg before the race, then quickly

    fled. Leave everything to me. I¡¯ll find the person who harmed ze for you and for him.¡±

    Alyssa was moved. She leaned against his warm chest and sniffled.

    She wouldn¡¯t have been so moved if he had only said it was for her. But he had said it for ze.

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    That moved her profoundly. This indicated that they saw all beings as equal. They were both kind and

    empathetic individuals.

    ¡°The person who did this must have some knowledge about horses.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze was deep as she calmly analyzed the situation. ¡°The wound was cleverly cut. A bit

    shallower wouldn¡¯t have caused such serious harm, but a bit deeper, and I would have noticed it before

    entering the race.¡±

    ¡°T-There are so many people in the arena who understand horses. How can we investigate this?¡± Neil

    looked anxious and helpless.

    ¡°The person who did this only has two objectives. One is to harm Lyse, in which case we investigate

    those who have grudges against Lyse. The other is to harm the Taylors¡¯ horse, intending to make them

    lose the race and their qualification topete.¡±

    Jasper gently rubbed Alyssa¡¯s waist with his palm, his eyes showing a cold glint.

    This reasoning pointed directly to the VIP section.

    Those who had a grudge against Alyssa and those who sought an opportunity to work with Jesselton

    Incorporated were all gathered there, making it a veritable ¡°disaster zone¡±.

    ¡°Of course, there might be others audacious enough to meddle. But given the suddenness of the

    incident, we can only consider these two as the most likely motives,¡± Jasper added coldly.

 Chapter 1127

    Alyssa raised her sweaty face, beaming at Jasper. Her eyes revealed a hint of admiration. But she

    wouldn¡¯t tell him that. She feared her might be too proud.

    ¡°Lyse! How are you?¡±

    At this moment, Jameson hurried over, followed by Carl and several members of Sna City¡¯s top

    surgical medical team, all wearing white coats. Jameson had dispatched them at the fastest speed.

    ¡°Mr. Atkins, Mr. Benton, please take ze in and have the tools ready. I want to perform the surgery

    myself.¡±

    Alyssa stood up with Jasper¡¯s support, calmly stating, ¡°Also, I need a steel te to fix my waist.

    Nothing else for now.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll help you after the game.¡± Jasper¡¯s voice was hoarse, and his heart ached for her once again.

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    The two of them walked past Jameson. None of them spoke to him or even nced at him. They

    treated him as if he were invisible.

    This kind of disregard was more unbearable for Jameson than having his throat shed with a knife.

    ¡°Lyse¡­ Lyse!¡±

    No matter how Jameson called, Alyssa never looked back.

    ¡°Jameson, Lyse obviously doesn¡¯t want to see you, and she doesn¡¯t need your help.¡± When Jonah

    passed by Jameson, he casually taunted, ¡°The person Lyse needs is always Jasper. She needs only

    him in this lifetime.¡±

    Jameson felt like his blood had turned cold. He closed his eyes. men ne opencu mem uyum, they

    became a cop, pivuumaly icu.

    Alyssa took off her dirty horse-riding outfit in an empty infirmary before Jasper. Her bruised body was

    exposed to him.

    She wasn¡¯t sure whether it was because of the cold air conditioning or her resentment, but she was

    trembling slightly. Alyssa had her back toward Jasper, and she remained quiet.

    Jasper took a deep breath. He, who had been through countless battles, found himself in turmoil. He

    clenched his hand into a fist, shaking.

    ¡°Hurry up. There are still many things to do.¡± Alyssa gently urged.

    Jasper fought back tears as he tightly pressed his lips. He clumsily helped her secure the steel te

    around her waist, wrapping it with bandages.

    To avoid worrying him, Alyssa gritted her teeth throughout the entire. ordeal. Though beads of sweat

    formed on her forehead, she didn¡¯t utter a single sound.

    After finishing, Jasper couldn¡¯t restrain himself any longer. He suddenly embraced her tightly from

    behind.

    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Alyssa frowned helplessly.

    The intense emotions surging from the depths of his heart choked him, stopping him from making any

    sound. Only his scalding tears. fell, their warmth causing her shoulders to tremble lightly.

    After a while, Jasper finally breathed heavily. His voice choked as he said, ¡°How dare he harm my most

    beloved woman¡­ He¡¯s as good as dead.¡±

    Alyssa chuckled lightly. Enduring the pain, she lifted her arm and getting excited.¡±

    In the VIP section, the atmosphere was tense.

    Despite KS Group¡¯s horse winning the championship, an unfortunate incident happened. Ezzo and

    Zeke obviously found it inappropriate to discuss coboration at this moment, as they would bebeled

    as cold-blooded.

 Chapter 1128

    Jonah took care of the tasks Alyssa assigned and returned with a stern face.

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    Before Winston and L could speak, Zeke rushed up, asking with concern, ¡°Mr. Jonah, how is Ms.

    Alyssa? Is she seriously injured?¡±

    ¡°Thanks for your concern, Mr. Zeke. My sister is fine for now. Apart from a few superficial injuries, the

    injury to her waist is a bit severe, but Mr. Beckett has already treated her. Right now, he¡¯s

    apanying her to rest in the infirmary,¡± Jonah replied with a smile, but his expression didn¡¯t appear

    rxed.

    When Zeke heard that Jasper was with Alyssa, his expression darkened.

    ¡°Phew¡­ Thank God, and may God bless her.¡± Ezzo showed his kindness, making the sign of the cross

    over his chest.

    Meanwhile, Winston¡¯s paleplexion eased a bit. With L¡¯s support, he slowly sat down. However,

    he remained anxious and abruptly stood up again, preparing to go see his daughter.

    Suddenly, Preston frowned and spoke, ¡°Oh, how¡¯s the horse?¡±

    Silence fell among the group.

    ¡°Mr. Preston, I just inquired. ze is not doing well. It seems like the Taylors¡¯ horse trainer neglected to

    check the horse properly. The leg injury went unnoticed.

    ¡°The horse barely made it through the race and copsed at the finish. line. Oh, the poor horse!¡±

    Preston¡¯s assistant secretary chimed in. The two of them echoed each other, clearly having arranged it

    beforehand.

    ¡°How¡¯s ze¡¯s leg?¡± Zoe asked with feigned concern.

    ¡°Its leg ispletely fractured. It might have to be euthanized!¡±

    ¡°Oh, my God! Euthanized! How terrible! How pitiful!¡± Zoe covered her mouth, her eyes shimmering with

    tears, as if genuinely heartbroken and on the verge of crying.

    But she was smiling sinisterly under her palm.

    ¡°E-Euthanized? ze doesn¡¯t have a terminal illness. Why should it be euthanized?¡± L couldn¡¯t help

    but be shocked.

    ¡°Madam L, you may not know.¡± Preston suddenly acted as though he knew everything. ¡°A horse¡¯s

    knee joint is connected internally. The injured area quickly gets infected. The best solution is

    amputation, but even if that¡¯s done, it won¡¯t live much longer.

    ¡°Sigh. ze is a racehorse. If it bes disabled, it can¡¯t gallop on the racetrack anymore. For it, it¡¯s

    better to be euthanized for a quick and humane end.¡±

    ¡°Humane? It could live, but you want to make it die. Is that what you call humane?¡± Landon gave a cold

    nce at the scheming Preston,, wishing to give him a lethal injection.

    No, this scumbag didn¡¯t deserve a painless death. He should drink deadly poison and have his

    intestines rot.

    Zoe yed her part perfectly, shedding tears as if genuinely distressed. ¡°Alyssa understands

    horsemanship, so she must know about horses. If there was a problem with the horse¡¯s leg, she should

    have noticed when she mounted, shouldn¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Ms. Alyssa is too ruthless and cruel!¡± Betty also seized the opportunity to criticize

    Alyssa.

    ¡°Is it worth sacrificing an innocent life just to win a project, just to secure the first ce? This behavior

    truly disgusts me! Mr. Ezzo, Mr. Zeke, both of you are horse lovers, Can you ept this oue?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mr. Ezzo. I hope you can reconsider your decision,¡± Preston chimed in, ying his role.

    Zeke looked at Ezzo. Ezzo frowned deeply, and his expression wasplicated.

    Javier, Cornelius, and the others, who had lost hope, now became anxious, awaiting Ezzo¡¯s decision.

    After a while, Ezzo¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°I think this coboration-¡±

    ¡°Preston, for someone who rarely rides horses, you surprisingly seem to know a lot about them. Google

    is a wonderful tool. It allows you to quickly search and learn.¡±

    As the words fell, everyone turned back in astonishment.

    They saw Alyssa walking side by side with Jasper, wearing a smile that sent shivers down everyone¡¯s

    spine.

 Chapter 1129

    Preston felt extremely embarrassed since everyone was looking. Hist face fell.

    ¡°Lyse! You¡¯re okay! Thank goodness¡± L, with tears in her eyes, was overjoyed.

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    Meanwhile, Winston was unconcerned about business matters anymore. He heaved a sigh of relief

    upon seeing that Alyssa was unharmed. The typicallyposed tycoon, who remained unfazed even

    in the face of major challenges, had his suit drenched in cold sweat at this moment.

    He looked toward Jasper, who had steadfastly stood by his daughter¡¯s side. Jasper¡¯s gentle eyes were

    filled with nothing but concern for her.

    When the ident happened, Jasper rushed to Alyssa without hesitation. That genuine care from the

    depths of his heart was definitely not an act.

    As the president of Beckett Group, Jasper¡¯s every move and action was scrutinized. It might lead to

    criticism and even ruin his reputation, but he didn¡¯t care. It was as if he could give up his crown, but not

    Alyssa.

    In a moment of reverie, Winston thought of Alyssa¡¯s biological mother. He, too, had kneeled before his

    father, willing to give up wealth, power, and fame to keep the woman he loved by his side.

    Later, he married one woman after another.

    People said Winston was a cold and heartless yboy. There were even rumors that Jennifer couldn¡¯t

    bear his constant remarriages, leading to her demise.

    His thoughts were inscrutable and unknown to everyone, even his own children. But it didn¡¯t matter. He

    knew Alyssa understood, and that was enough.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, am I not right?¡± Preston asked with a forced smile. There was a hint of maliciousness in

    his eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. But the issue is, those poor little ones didn¡¯t encounter me.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes sparkled with confidence. Despite her injuries, her radiant smile couldn¡¯t be extinguished.

    ¡°With my magical skills, even the dead can be resurrected.¡±

    The crowd exchanged nces, unable to hold back a gasp.

    Such bold ims would be dismissed as exaggerations if it were anyone else. However, Alyssa

    possessed a unique charm. Her confident and mboyant words didn¡¯t repel. Instead, they created

    anticipation for the surprises she might bring due to her bold and straightforward demeanor.

    Zeke tilted his head, eyeing Alyssa with a yful glint.

    ¡°Haha, you¡¯re really good at making exaggerated ims.¡± Cros her arms, Betty stood forward with a

    disdainful smirk. She thoug her expression looked cool, but it was distorted. ¡°You killed the hors

    yourself, afraid of public condemnation, so you made up this lie to deceive Mr. Ezzo and Mr. Zeke,

    right?¡±

    Zoe hid behind her grandfather, chuckling maliciously.

    She believed that Alyssa went through so much trouble only to end up nearly disabled, and her horse,

    worth tens of millions, was ruined.

    Alyssa would lose Taylor Group¡¯s project, and Ezzo and Zeke, even the entire Sna City, would

    despise her. What a waste of effort!

    ¡°Lyse, ze¡¯s leg has been sessfully reattached.¡±

    Jasper shot a sharp and cold gaze toward Betty, who shrank under his gaze from intimidation.

    ¡°Not only that, but Dr. Lovce also sent someone to deliver thetest anti-inmmatory medicine

    developed by Lovce Pharmaceuticals.

    ¡°This medicine is effective in humans, and its effects on animals like horses are also remarkable. So,

    the infection caused by the cut on ze¡¯s leg didn¡¯t spread. It¡¯s safe now.¡±

    Hearing that, Jonah smiled. When he recalled the tall figure in a white coat, his eyes turned gentle.

    Meanwhile, Julien sat at home, poking the screen of his phone with irritation. And the screensaver

    featured Jonah¡¯s good-looking face.

    ¡°Damn it! Scumbag! He never contacts me when everything¡¯s fine, but when there¡¯s trouble, I¡¯m the first

    one he thinks of! I want to be your beloved, not your pawn!¡±

 Chapter 1130

    The crowd was in shock. They looked at Alyssa in disbelief.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, are you saying¡­ Lyse fixed the horse¡¯s leg? Can a horse¡¯s leg really be reattached?¡±

    Victor widened his eyes in amazement.

    ¡°Of course, Mr. Victor. Don¡¯t forget, Lyse has another identity.¡± Landon hinted with a smile.

    ¡°Our Lyse is none other than the renowned and worshipped Dr. White! You should know this name

    better than anyone else.¡±

    Alyssa was speechless, feeling that Landon was exaggerating.

    ¡°Ah¡­ Right!¡±

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    Victor recalled that when David had a car ident, it was Alyssa who performed the surgery on him.

    Victor excitedly pped his forehead.

    ¡°Yes, Lyse is Dr. White! She¡¯s the benefactor of our family! How could I forget this? Dr. White can mend

    any bone. Even if it¡¯s shattered into pieces, it¡¯s as simple as building blocks for her.¡±

    Hearing that, Alyssa felt a headacheing on. Their description of her was bing more and more

    absurd.

    This was also why she liked using pseudonyms. She disliked being constantly talked about and

    bothered by others. She just wanted to do her work diligently without seeking exposure or caring about

    power and fame.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa is¡­ Dr. White?¡± Ezzo¡¯s pupils contracted in shock.

    Dr. White¡¯s reputation was well-known. How could he not know?

    ¡°Mr. Ezzo.¡±

    Alyssa walked up to Ezzo and greeted him respectfully.

    ¡°Although ze¡¯s injury existed before it entered the arena, I failed to detect it in time. Also, since it

    was forced to run, it led to the

    deterioration of its wound. I bear an undeniable responsibility. Even. though I reattached its leg,

    unfortunately¡­ as a racehorse, it can no longer run carefree.¡±

    Her voice choked, making it difficult to continue speaking.

    Jasper felt like his heart was gripped by an invisible hand. His breath became stagnant in his throat,

    and his eyes turned a faint shade of red.

    Hel

    He knew the pain Alyssa felt. Yet, he also knew that even if her body was in intense pain, it couldn¡¯t

    compare to the pain in her heart..

    ¡°What¡¯s the use of saying this now, Ms. Alyssa? ze¡¯s tragedy is still a result of your excessive

    competitiveness.¡± Betty sneered, shaking her head. ¡°For a racehorse, being unable to race is even

    more unbearable than killing it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a Beckett. You should be careful with your words,¡± Javier reprimanded her with a cold gaze.

    Betty tightly pressed her lips together, refraining from uttering thetter part of her sentence.

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you mentioned earlier that ze was injured before entering the arena. How did this

    happen?¡±

    At a crucial moment, Zeke asked the most crucial question. Everyone became intensely curious about

    the answer.

    Meanwhile, Betty looked at Zoe. Though Zoe appeared calm on the surface, she was secretly

    clenching her fists tightly, feeling nervous.

    Jasper didn¡¯t rush to answer Zeke. Instead, he ignored the attention carefully supporting her.

    Alyssa¡¯s face was pale, and the pain caused a thinyer of sweat to form on her forehead. The once

    strong and fearlessdy transformed into an adorable kitten in Jasper¡¯s arms. Her eyes were misty, and

    even her breaths were fragrant.

    Jasper¡¯s breath was hot, and his gaze was profound. The reddening tips of his ears exposed his

    current emotions.

    Seeing this, Zeke frowned with displeasure.

 Chapter 1131

    Just then, Jameson walked over slowly.

    The moment he saw how close Jasper and Alyssa were, pain shot through his heart like bullets¨Cso

    painful it was soul-crushing.

    Jameson gripped tightly onto the railing, his other hand clutching his chest right above his heart. It hurt

    so much.

    How could it hurt so badly?

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mr. Schmidt? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Carl was shocked by this.

    When he went to help support Jameson, thetter quickly shoved away.

    ¡°Scram! Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Jameson snarled.

    ¡°Y-Yes, sir.¡± Carl ducked to the side. He red at Jasper and Alyssa from a distance.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Carl would neverin about how Jameson treated him. He¡¯d only me Jasper Beckett for

    making Jameson¡¯s life a despairing one, for destroying Jameson¡¯s hard-toe-by happiness.

    ¡°The injury on ze¡¯s left leg was man-made. It¡¯s a narrow and peculiar knife wound,¡± Alyssa said.

    She exhaled deeply as anger glinted in her eyes. ¡°KS Group¡¯s horses are worth millions and are

    routinely checked every single day by experts. Our horse trainers would obviously be more meticulous

    on a race day. Yet that still couldn¡¯t stop devious persons from sneaking into the stables and hurting

    ze!¡±

    While everyone was caught up in shock, Zoe alone red hatefully at miyoou.

    The horse¡¯s injury had been a gesture too kind. It should¡¯ve been cut right on Alyssa¡¯s face!

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa¡¯s analysis makes sense. Our stables are of professional standard and staffed with our

    people whom we can ce trust in. This incident wouldn¡¯t have happened if someone hadn¡¯t

    intentionally plotted it,¡± Josh said.

    Since this incident urred on Schmidt¡¯s Racecourses, Josh had to find a way to clear things up in

    order not to affect the family business if word got out. Therefore, he had to help Alyssa in this matter.

    Josh continued, ¡°So this needs to be looked into thoroughly. The person behind this must be caught

    and punished ordingly.¡±

    ¡°My son is correct. That vile person cruelly injured the horse and nearly cost Alyssa¡¯s life in the

    process! How could we just let this go easily?¡± Victor said matter-of-factly in agreement.

    ¡°Exactly. This is no different from premeditated murder. In my view, the person should be sentenced to

    capital punishment!¡± Daisy chimed in.

    Zoe¡¯s heart stuttered upon hearing the words ¡°capital punishment¡±. She took a deep breath to calm

    herself.

    What was there to be afraid of? It wasn¡¯t like Alyssa actually died. Zoe wasn¡¯t going to be frightened so

    easily!

    ¡°Your words made me realize something, Mr. Schmidt,¡± Alyssa said, ¡± There¡¯s one thing we can confirm

    right now, though. The person who injured ze is here in the racecourses right now. That doesn¡¯t

    mean they¡¯re any of the Schmidt family¡¯s staff, but at the very least, they¡¯re right here with us right

    now.¡±

    Everyone nodded in agreement.

    Zoe¡¯s heart leaped into her throat. She was so nervous she felt like vomiting.

    ¡°All the guests gathered here today are of noble, respectful ss. They wouldn¡¯t go to the stables for

    no good reason. It¡¯d be too obvious. If we exclude the Schmidts staff, the only people who could¡¯ve

    entered the horses¡¯ stables are the horse trainers and riders

    from the respective families. It¡¯s also possible that some of their trusted aides would have ess as

    well,¡± Alyssa concluded.

    Alyssa was able to swiftly narrow down their target demographic with her keen intellect.

    ¡°In that case ¡­ Jonah!¡± Winston called out.

    ¡°Yes, Dad?¡± Jonah responded.

    ¡°Investigate ording to what Lyse said. Don¡¯t let any of the staff whose masters have horses here off

    the hook!¡± Winston instructed.

    His shoulders were trembling slightly as he spoke. It looked like Winston truly was enraged now.

 Chapter 1132

    ¡°I intended to do so as well,¡± Jonah replied, nodding solemnly.

    Winston looked at his old friend. ¡°Victor, it would help to have Josh aid in the investigation, given he¡¯s

    the CEO. You wouldn¡¯t mind if he aids Jonah, would you?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with the politeness? How could I possibly ignore something so serious that¡¯s affected Lyse?

    Help Uncle Winston as much as you can, Josh. You must investigate this thoroughly so Lyse is

    avenged!¡±

    Victor eximed.

    He was secretly grateful for Winston¡¯s decision. The police should¡¯ve been called on to look into such a

    grave matter, but Winston chose to handle this privately on ount of their decades-long friendship.

    If the police were involved, then so would the media. Since this incident urred at Schmidt¡¯s

    Racecourses and Alyssa was injured from it, the Schmidt family¡¯s reputation would surely be affected if

    known to the public.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do my best to help Mr. Taylor,¡± Josh said.

    However, Jasper¡¯s voice rang out the moment he finished speaking, ¡± There¡¯s no need to go to the

    trouble. I¡¯ve already apprehended the person who injured the horse.¡±

    Everyone gazed at him in shock and awe.

    Alyssa stared fixedly at Jasper, her eyes filled with sheer astonishment.

    ¡°Bring them in, Xavier,¡± Jasper instructed.

    What followed was a flurry of footsteps.

    Xavier and two bodyguards were dragging Max over to them. Thetter was covered in dirt and looked

    completely disheveled.

    ¡°M-Max?¡± Everyone in the Harper family, save Landon, was stunned.

    Meanwhile, Zoe had turned stark white in the face as she took a fearful step back.

    An hour ago, Landon called Jasper over to his side.

    ¡°Zoe?¡± Jasper¡¯s eyebrows pulled tight.

    ¡°I¡¯ll serve my own head on a silver tter if that damned brat wasn¡¯t involved!¡± Landon roared, fingers

    quivering angrily around the cigarette he was holding.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to do that. We have tons of food at home,¡± Jasper responded.

    He got a cigarette from Landon but didn¡¯t light it up. It remained tucked between his fingers. ¡°Zoe is

    your sister, so I¡¯ll give you one chance to deal with the matter. I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t like the methods I¡¯d

    use to deal with this.¡±

    ¡°I keep having this feeling that Zoe was involved in this or knew something about it.¡±

    Landon still had a shred of hope for his sister, so he began doubting himself. ¡°But I don¡¯t have concrete

    evidence, Jasper. I feel like Zoe must have known something. Her resentment toward the fact that you

    and Alyssa are together provides her with a motive as well. But I don¡¯t have proof to make this

    conclusion, Jasper.¡±

    ¡°Did you realize how long-winded you¡¯ve be after falling in love?¡± Jasper asked, gazing tly at his

    friend.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Landon was taken aback for a moment. He then sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been uniny ?aut ings way in untulluciicu as

    I used to be now that I have Lauren.¡±

    Jasper¡¯s fingers tightened around the cigarette. However, he stayed silent, capable of empathizing with

    Landon.

    ¡°I can help you investigate this secretly, Jasper, but¡­

    ¡°I know. Mr. Cornelius dotes very much on Zoe. You¡¯ll need his support for your rtionship with

    Lauren, too, so you can¡¯t be making rash decisions that would jeopardize yourself in the old man¡¯s

    eyes,¡± Jasper said.

    Landon nodded fervently, wearing an expression that said, ¡°You get it!¡±

    Jasper smiled lightly and patted Landon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll be the bad guy this time. I hope this doesn¡¯t

    hurt innocent bystanders but punishes those who deserve it instead.¡±

 Chapter 1133

    Meanwhile, Sophia had rushed over to one of the lounges on the racing grounds to meet Tristan after

    the race.

    ¡°Tristan¡­ I¡¯ming, Tristan!¡±

    Sophia sometimes felt like she¡¯d be much more youthful after meeting Tristan. Not only that, but

    she¡¯d be more fearless, too.

    While living with the Beckett family, Sophia had hidden her true self and constructed a fake persona for

    the past 20 years or so. She had long been fed up and tired of having to appeal to Javier every single

    day.

    Sophia had had enough of trying to appease a man she despised with every fiber of her being.

    Tristan¡¯s presence was like the life-giving rain that a parched, cracked desert yearned for,pletely

    rejuvenating Sophia. She was deeply entranced, unable to break free from him.

    With her heart pounding in excitement, Sophia shakily knocked on the lounge door. But it didn¡¯t open

    even when she knocked again and again.

    In the end, Sophia barged in and locked the door behind her.

    Unexpectedly, she was the only one in the room.

    ¡°What¡­ Why isn¡¯t he here?¡± Sophia mumbled.

    Just then, she saw a syringe on one of the empty tables in the room.

    Sophia couldn¡¯t be more familiar with what it was-her life-saving elixir!

    Her breathing quickened as she went over to grab the syringe. Before

    It was as if Tristan had a hidden camera aimed right at Sophia. His phone call came at just the

    opportune moment.

    ¡°Where are you, Tristan?¡± Sophia¡¯s tone was filled with impatience and unbearable desire.

    ¡°There are too many eyes here in the racecourse, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m afraid no amount of exnation would be

    able to rify any scandals if we were seen meeting one another,¡± Tristan exined.

    He seemed especially considerate of Sophia. ¡°It¡¯s not an issue for me, but I¡¯d be upset if your

    reputation were affected.¡±

    Tears of gratitude filled Sophia¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re the best, Tristan. You¡¯re the only one for me.¡±

    ¡°I know you¡¯ve been going through hard times after being off from the meds, so I¡¯ve decided to give it to

    you as a gift. I hope it brings you somefort,¡± Tristan said.

    They chatted for a short while before ending the call.

    Sophia couldn¡¯t wait any longer. Her bloodshot eyes were wide and starving as she uncapped the

    syringe. She then injected the entire contents of the syringe into her arm.

    ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Sophia gasped, her eyes immediately bing hazy and distant. She melted onto the floor as

    if made from butter, tears, and snot oozing out of her orifices.

    It was an ugly and twisted sight to see.

    Sophia was not some proud, respectable businessman¡¯s wife at this moment. She was a mere ve to

    drugs right now.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    After enjoying the high, Sophia slowly went over to the mirror to readjust herself.

    Sure enough, she appeared livelier with the drugs in her system. Her skin even seemed to be smoother

    than before.

    For some reason, however, Sophia felt like something was off after injecting the drugs, yet she couldn¡¯t

    pinpoint what it was.

    Suddenly, two knocks could be heard.

    The sudden knocking on the door made Sophia jerk up in fright. Her hand sped her chest as she

    hunched over, staring at the door.

    ¡°Are you in there, Madam Sophia?¡± Rory¡¯s emotionless voice floated through the door, making Sophia¡¯s

    heart leap to her throat.

    Sophia was suddenly so d Tristan hadn¡¯te to their little rendezvous. How could she have

    possibly hidden such an illicit rtionship?

 Chapter 1134

    Sophia took a deep breath and went to open the door, acting calm.¡± What is it?¡±

    ¡°What are you doing here, Madam Sophia? Mr. Javier is searching for you all over the ce.¡± As Rory

    spoke, his eyes wouldn¡¯t stop peeking behind Sophia into the lounge.

    ¡°I was tired, so I found a ce to rest. What are you looking for? You think I¡¯m hiding someone?¡±

    Sophia leaned back against the door, arms crossed in front of her chest. She sneered. ¡°Only an ugly

    and perverted mind would view the world as such. Go inside, then. Try to find a man hiding in here, or

    so help me!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant, ma¡¯am.¡±

    Rory didn¡¯t pursue the matter. He smiled politely and gestured for Sophia to exit the room. ¡°Ladies first,

    Madam Sophia. Mr. Javier requests your immediate presence in the VIP area. Everyone is present

    save for you, Madam Sophia and Mr. Javier worries abo spection.¡±

    A peculiar atmosphere had settled in the VIP area.

    Zoe hid behind Cornelius, now pale and rigid as ice.

    Max had been by Cornelius¡¯ side and helped him aplish countless unspeakable acts without

    leaving any loose ends each time. Why would Jasper have caught Max this time? It was impossible!

    The rest of the Harper family were just as shocked.

    ¡°Max ¡­ h-how could it be you?¡± Cornelius was quaking so violently

    Cornelius had personally adopted Max from the orphanage when he was a child and spent a lot of

    effort raising him. On the surface, Max was Cornelius¡¯ personal assistant, but Cornelius had long

    treated Max as his own son.

    ¡°Mr. Cornelius, I-ouch!¡±

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Before Max could finish speaking, Xavier kicked him in the waist, making him fall heavily onto the

    ground.

    Everyone was shocked.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes widened slightly as she grew tense and alert.

    She never imagined that Xavier, who usually obediently followed and did as he was told, would have

    such an unbridled side to him¡ªall just to get revenge for Alyssa himself!

    Just then, Jasper gently wrapped an arm around her waist. He asked gently, ¡°Did he frighten you?¡±

    ¡°Tsk. Frighten my ass,¡± Alyssa scoffed. Yet she couldn¡¯t help but feel warmth blossom in her chest from

    the feeling of Jasper¡¯s hand on her waist.

    ¡°It always used to be Xavier who¡¯d calm me down when I was on the edge of blowing up,¡± Jasper

    murmured. He nodded, feeling pleased. This is the first time he¡¯s been unable to hold himself back, all

    for his dear Madam Alyssa.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯sshes trembled lightly. Jasper¡¯s maic voice and warm breath on her skin seemed to make

    an electric current run up her spine. She had the urge to look down, feeling shy.

    Xavier hadshed out at lightning speed. He kicked Max again, eyes red with fury. ¡°Motherfucker! How

    dare you try to hurt Madam Alyssa!¡±

    ¡°You dare hurt one of my own?¡± Cornelius roared angrily.

    Everyone who was a Harper rose and went to stand behind Cornelius. They red furiously at Xavier,

    some even eagerly waiting for Cornelius to give them the word to end him.

    ¡°He works for me. Touch him, I dare you,¡± Jasper spoke up, his gaze icy andced with anger as it

    swept across the Harper family¡¯s faces.

    Jasper was like a powerful warlord, capable of putting an ominous pressure on everyone in the room.

    Everyone quickly fell silent.

    Xavier¡¯s fearless expression quickly turned into a grateful, blushing one. He gazed fondly at Jasper,

    suddenly bing his original, meek self again.

    ¡°Who permitted your man to injure someone in our family? Is someone as lowly as him fit to insult us?¡±

    Cornelius barked, ring at Jasper. ¡°And what do you mean by saying someone from our family

    harmed Ms. Alyssa and her horse?¡±

 Chapter 1135

    ¡°That¡¯s right, Mr. Beckett. Did you think that you are over thew and can do whatever you like just

    because you¡¯re the president of Beckett Group?

    ¡°Watch what you say. I might just sue you for defamation!¡± Preston said as he pointed at Jasper¡¯s face.

    Jasper had a callous look on his face, and Preston had absolutely no respect for him at all.

    However, Jasper thought he was more like a barking dog putting up a fierce front.

    Landon hugged Lauren close and stroked her shoulder gently. He rolled his eyes at Preston.

    As someone from the Harper Group, he was criticizing someone else for being over thew? That was

    ridiculous!

    ¡°Jasper, did you investigate thoroughly before saying these things?¡± Sophia, whom Rory brought back,

    witnessed this scene.

    She chimed in smoothly and condemned Jasper and those siding with him, ¡°Beckett Group and Harper

    Group are family friends. You and Landon are also as close as brothers. How could you raise this sort

    of suspicion? This will hurt the peace between both families. Wouldn¡¯t this make Landon feel uneasy,

    too?¡±

    Landon couldn¡¯t bear to hear the words from a cunning woman like Sophia.

    He hurriedly rified, ¡°Mrs. Beckett, I am trying to be prudent here. If needed, I can also turn my back

    on my family. Don¡¯t you try to sow discord between Jasper and I!¡±

    Sophia and the rest of the Harpers were speechless. Their faces turned glum.

    ¡°So, in your eyes, the value of life is way more precious than living in peace and one¡¯s reputation. Is

    that right?¡± Jasper sniggered. His words were as sharp as a knife.

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I said ¡­¡± Sophia coughed.

    ¡°It was all because of this man who did something to the horse that Lyse was riding. He caused Lyse to

    fall from the running horse, and it almost cost her her life.¡¯

    ¡°Do you think that I shouldn¡¯t have said those words? Are you thinking that I shouldn¡¯t take this

    revenge?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s gaze filled with deep hatred, and his eyes were red. His heart was wrenching in pain.

    He spoke through clenched teeth, and his voice became increasingly shaky. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who did

    it. I will make him die a horrible death. Don¡¯t think that I only care about honor and reputation. The only

    one I care about is ¡­¡±

    ¡­

    He turned his eyes slowly and eventually fixed them on Alyssa. He looked at her lovingly and

    continued, ¡°¡­ is only her.¡±

    In an instant, Alyssa¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. She stared at him in a daze.

    At this moment, she felt as if even her heart had been drowned by the wave of emotions that just

    overcame her.

    ¡°Fuck! He¡¯s freaking cool!¡± Landon eximed quietly. He was in awe and envious of Jasper all at once.

    ¡°Well ¡­ Jasper really loves Alyssa,¡± Laurenmented with a sigh of relief. She rested her head on

    Landon.

    She was aware of Sophia¡¯s hatred for Alyssa. She was still quite worried at first. But, with Jasper

    around, she knew that Alyssa wouldn¡¯t be bullied.

    ¡°I love you very much too, darling,¡± Landon said as he gave her a warm kiss on her cheek.

    ¡°I know. You tell me that every day. You sound like a broken record,¡± answered Lauren in her sweet

    voice with a hint of annoyance.

    Landon¡¯s eyes beamed with sincerity. In a deeply affectionate tone, he said, ¡°Believe me, Lauren. I will

    be like Jasper. Even if the sky falls, I will never leave you. I will always watch over you, by your side.¡±

    Lauren didn¡¯t reply. She simply lowered her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand.

    Rather than being watched over like a flower in an arboretum, she wished that she could be of help to

    him. Even if there was nothing she could do as the dull person that she was, she did not want to create

    trouble for the one she loved most.

    While some of them felt pleased, some others felt their heart sink.

    Jasper¡¯s behavior was decisive and merciless. Everyone there knew the kind of person he was. None

    of them could stop him.

    The hatred in Zoe made her blood rush to her eyes. She let out a little dry cough as she was about to

    blow her top.

    Alyssa obtained all that she dreamt of having. As for her, even after exhausting all means, she had only

    pushed Jasper farther away from her!

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you¡¯re insisting that Max was the one who did it. Do you have any evidence?¡± Cornelius

    questioned in a frigid tone.

    Jasper wasn¡¯t in a rush to answer him. He smirked coldly.

    Max rolled his eyes. He reckoned that Jasper didn¡¯t have any concrete proof. He figured that Jasper

    was just questioning him either because of hearsay or news that someone else had said.

    Thus, he clenched his teeth and sneered. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything! I only went to the stables to check on

    Harper Group¡¯s horses! I didn¡¯te into contact with the Taylor family¡¯s horse!

    ¡°Mr. Beckett caught me for no good reason. He even allowed his men to treat me roughly! What are

    your real intentions toward the Harper Group? Or were you trying to use cheap means as such to

    avenge your personal vendetta?¡±

 Chapter 1136

    Anger rose from within Alyssa as she clenched her fingers tight!

    She thought Max was being crafty with his words by twisting the truth. He was the one who had the

    intention to murder but was now attempting to push the me onto Jasper.

    He was trying to stir things up to drive a wedge between Jasper and the Harper Group. He was trying

    to give Cornelius the confidence to stand up for him!

    ¡°Jasper, this greatly affects the reputation of both our families. You shouldn¡¯t take this as a joke!¡±

    Sophia made herself appear like the head of the family. She pretended to be concerned for him as if

    she were doing so for the benefit of all.

    In a concerned voice, she said, ¡°We know that you have always felt like you owe it to Ms. Alyssa

    because of your divorce. When you realize that she met with an ident, it¡¯s inevitable that you want

    to take revenge on her behalf ¡­¡±

    ¡­

    ¡°Revenge? Mrs. Beckett, what made you say so?¡±

    Preston became more and more upset as he listened to her.

    He furrowed his eyebrows and questioned, ¡°When did anyone in the Harper family ever wrong Mr.

    Beckett? Why does he have to take his revenge on one of us? Are we pushovers, or are we his

    punching bag? Don¡¯t you dare cross the line!¡±

    Preston¡¯s speech made the people on the Harper Group¡¯s side feel outraged. They red at Jasper

    with vicious looks in their eyes.

    ¡°Oh, Mr. Preston, you¡¯ve misunderstood. What sort of grudge could me with Landon.¡±

    Sophia raised the corner of her lips into a grin. She looked at Alyssa with a frosty gaze.

    ¡°Alyssa is the one who has a grudge against you all. The entire

    Sna City knows that Alyssa and Zoe do not get along. They are the ones who do not see eye to eye.

    ¡°When Alyssa met with the recent ident, and with Harper Group this close to winning the

    competition, I¡¯m sure these made Alyssa unhappy. It is understandable that you, Jasper, were wanting

    to avenge her.¡±

    Everyone was startled!

    It had been obvious to them that Alyssa and Zoe were at

    loggerheads. However, had she made such a move to shift the me onto Harper Group, all in the

    name of revenge?

    Winston¡¯s expression was cold as ice. He pressed his pale lips into a straight line.

    He pondered over how despicable and shameless Sophia was. He felt that talking to or looking at a

    woman like her was him being disrespectful toward himself!

    Right when Jasper and Jonah were about to voice out, someone else spoke up first.

    ¡°Sophia, I didn¡¯t think that even after so many years, you are still as wild as before.¡±

    Despite being timid at most times, L stepped out with her eyes gleaming. ¡°20 years ago, you loved

    to cause trouble. 20 yearster, you are still so malicious. Shame on you!

    ¡°It¡¯s too bad that you¡¯ve picked the wrong target. Lyse is a person of people in her life. She is well-

    known in Belbanks. She¡¯s not someone whom you can defile and nder with mere words!

    ¡°I am also not the same L who would be trampled by you in the past. You may use that evil tongue of

    yours to insult and shame me. But don¡¯t you dare repeat your old tricks and try to harm Lyse!¡±

    Everyone¡¯s jaw dropped.

    L was as they had heard. She was a gentle person, and those were probably the angriest words she

    had ever said in her entire life.

    The reason for her stepping up wasn¡¯t because she wanted to stand up for herself. It was because she

    couldn¡¯t bear to see Alyssa being oppressed by Sophia!

    ¡°L¡­¡± Alyssa choked. She was on the brink of tears.

    Sophia chuckled. ¡°L, when did I ever cause trouble for you? I don¡¯t think that you should make false

    usations against others.¡±

    Sophia gave a little shrug and acted all innocent. Even so, every word she said was hurtful.

    ¡°Out of all that I have said, was there anything that was untrue? Back then, you were the one who

    didn¡¯t abide by the right morals. Out of a moment of greed, you consumed illegal drugs and suffered

    from incontinence. As a result, your reputation was ruined.

    ¡°Was there anyone who forced you into that? Was there anyone who harmed you?

    ¡°If you were truly innocent, why didn¡¯t you show any evidence to prove. your innocence when shit

    happened that year? Instead, you chose to disappearpletely?

    ¡°Today, do you think that times have changed because you are the high and mighty L Taylor and

    have a child with Mr. Winston Taylor?

    yourself while having the Taylor family back you up?

    ¡°You said that I was shameful. As a third wife, are you any different?¡± Sophiaughed.

    The air was tense. Everyone was silent.

    Even the Harper family members were left speechless. They felt that Sophia was too brutal with her

    words. She had truly crossed the line!

    Betty observed that Javier¡¯s expression had gotten darker. He twitched his lip and looked furious. Her

    palms were mmy from the anxiety.

    She also thought that Sophia was too much. She looked unusually excited.

    That was especially true for herst two statements. She was pretty much hurling a direct insult at her!

    ¡°Sophia Beckett!¡±

    L¡¯s eyes bulged with hatred. She was so furious that her entire body was shaking!Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1137

    Right at this moment, Winston put his arm over L¡¯s shoulders. She could feel the heat from his palm

    on her shoulder as he gave her a gentle squeeze.

    Even though he was silent, L could hear his heart pounding through his chest. Her teary eyes

    glistened.

    With Winston around, she was safe in her shelter. There was a ce for her soul to rest.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, as the head of your family, could you kindly keep a close watch on this loose-mouthed

    bitch? Winston spoke up suddenly in a cold tone.

    The way he red at Sophia was as if he was about to burn a hole through her.

    Everyone was taken aback by what they just heard.

    Loose-mouthed ¡­ bitch?

    If they hadn¡¯t seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn¡¯t have guessed that Winston, an upper-ss

    man, was the one who uttered those very words!

    Sophia was enraged with embarrassment, and her face turned redder than a tomato!

    However, when her eyes met Winston¡¯s sharp gaze, she flinched.

    Jasper waspletely floored. He had no idea what kind of expression he should show. ¡°Your father¡¯s

    words were ¡­ really shocking. Now I know where you get your character from, Lyse.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how he always surprises the outsiders. I have always known mind, even if it may sound crude.

    Get used to it.¡±

    Just as Alyssa finished speaking, her cell phone started vibrating suddenly. She looked down and took

    a peek at it quietly.

    Then, she shot a look at Sophia. Her scarlet lips turned up slightly into a cold smile.

    Javier took a deep breath andmanded, ¡°This time, Sophie, you have indeed misspoken. Apologize

    to Madam L immediately.¡±

    Sophia was so mad that she was foaming at the mouth. She clenched her jaws so tightly that they

    began to hurt.

    She had underestimated how protective Winston was toward L. The care he showed her was none

    like what she had ever seen in Javier!

    Although she started the mor with L, she didn¡¯t have the guts to displease Winston.

    In the end, she could only bite the bullet and utter softly, ¡°I was being too emotional earlier and lost

    control of my words. I¡¯m sorry, Madam L.¡±

    ¡°Hah, that¡¯s it?¡± Winston scoffed.

    The look in his eyes was extremely terrifying. Bright-eyed, he questioned, ¡°Do you think that us Taylors

    are such easy people? Are you treating my wife as a pushover?

    ¡°Also, you also hurt my daughter with your vilifying words earlier. Did you think that I was deaf and

    didn¡¯t hear you?

    ¡°A word of apology is not going to cut it. You have poked the bear, and I am not going to let you off so

    easily.¡±

    ¡°What do you want us to do then, Mr. Taylor?¡± Javier asked

    As much as he was unhappy with Sophia for causing trouble, Winston was also unequivocally upset by

    the Becketts¡¯ attitude toward them.

    ¡°I want that bitch to give herself two tight ps. One is to apologize to my wife, L, and the other to

    Alyssa. If so, I will let it go for the sake of Mr. Beckett Senior.¡±

    Winston made his demand casually, but it threw everyone in an outrage!

    He wanted Sophia to hit herself? He might as well have gotten someone to smear shit on her!

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re totally taking advantage of me! I am the wife of a plutocrat! I¡¯m Javier Beckett¡¯s wife!

    How dare you make such a request?¡± Sophia yelled while stomping her feet in anger.

    Javier looked extremely unhappy, but he hadn¡¯t agreed to Winston¡¯s demand.

    Winston couldn¡¯t wait any longer. He called out angrily, ¡°Neil!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Mr. Winston!¡±

    Who was Neil Benton? He was Winston¡¯s loyal devotee, a follower at his beck and call! With wide

    strides, he marched to the front of Sophia.

    Before they knew it, he raised his arm and gave her two consecutive ps in two left and right

    movements!

    Sophia screamed in pain. Both her cheeks turned red and swelled up in an instant.

    Back in those days, Neil was a ck belt master in karate. Sophia was really put through the wringer.

 Chapter 1138

    Having watched Sophia being hit, not a single soul came up to stop Neil. Even the Harper family

    members who spoke up for her earlier did not stand up for her now.

    The reason was simple. Inevitably, none of them dared to ruffle Winston¡¯s feathers further.

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Lauren was scared beyond her wits. Plus, Landon was hugging her tight, so she couldn¡¯t move an inch:

    As for Betty, she even held her breath and withdrew like a coward despite witnessing Sophia taking the

    hit.

    This was one simrity between Sophia and Betty. They were both dastardly bullies who relied on their

    powerful backing.

    ¡°Apologies, Mrs. Beckett. But this was also what you deserved. I hope that you will remember to be

    more mindful of your words in the future.

    Upon saying that, Neil retreated to Winston¡¯s side emotionlessly.

    ¡°Y-You!¡±

    Initially, Sophia thought of throwing her temper. However, when she noticed that shecked support

    around her, she started to act pitifully.

    She held her swollen cheeks in her hands and rushed to the front of Javier with tears running down her

    face.

    ¡°I¡¯m your wife, Javier! Are you just going to stand and watch me take the hit just like that? Our children

    are watching, too! I¡¯m so embarrassed! Javier!¡±

    She knew that Javier didn¡¯t like to be embarrassed. Even if he didn¡¯t being shamed.

    True enough, Javier reached out with both his hands to support Sophia, who was teetering. He red

    at Winston with rage in his eyes.

    He was just about to speak when the big screen, which was situated in the middle of the stands in the

    horse racing arena, suddenly lit up.

    Everyone¡¯s attention was diverted to the massive screen simultaneously. They then gathered around

    there to watch.

    ¡°Look! What the hell is that?¡±

    ¡°It looks like a snippet from a surveince video. But it¡¯s much clearer than the usual surveince clip.¡±

    ¡°Huh? That¡¯s not right. Why does the woman in the video look so familiar?¡±

    ¡°Damn! Of course, she looks freaking familiar. Isn¡¯t that Sophia?¡±

    Every move and word she uttered was captured with high rity on screen.

    Everyone was able to see, with their own eyes, Sophia picking up a syringe and sticking it into her arm.

    A few secondster, her eyes became bleary and unfocused. She startedughing uncontrobly as

    she danced around the room.

    Shey on the floor and twisted her back shamelessly. She even began to let out moans that were

    unbearable to hear.

    Then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, she began to touch herself with her hands, and she tore her clothes off of

    her!

    Soon enough, she was seen to be bare-naked on screen. Not only that, she continued exploring her

    body with her hands.

    ¡°What the hell? What is she doing? That¡¯s absolutely disgusting!¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you see? That is the hallucinogenic reaction when someone is on drugs. She must have injected

    a drug!¡±

    ¡°Record that, quickly! They¡¯re not going to show it again after the video stops!¡±

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s watching porn together. Not just any porn, but one starring Beckett Group¡¯s Mrs. Beckett,

    uncensored. I need to enjoy this properly and etch it in my memory forever!¡±

    Sophia felt as if a deafening bolt of lightning had struck her right on her head. It was like she had been

    reduced to rubble.

    Her face was pale, and her eyes darted around. She stared nkly at the image of her being naked on

    the screen, then closed her eyes and shook her head.

    When she opened her eyes again, nothing had changed. She wasn¡¯t dreaming.

    It was like the end of the world!

 Chapter 1139

    ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­ How ¡­¡± Javier¡¯s eyes trembled fiercely. His cheeks gradually turned red, and the

    vein on his neck was popping.

    He was reluctant to admit that the revolting woman on screen was Sophia, with whom he had shared a

    bed for over 20 years. At the same time, he couldn¡¯t lie to himself. That woman was clearly Sophia!

    The Taylors, Harpers, Schmidts, and even the Jesseltons all had their eyes fixed on the big screen.

    They were all dumbfounded by that impactful scene that they had forgotten where they were.

    It was as if Landon predicted that something bad was about to happen. He shielded Lauren in his arms

    immediately. Before she caught on to the situation, he picked her up and left with her as quickly as he

    could.

    ¡°Fuck, that was so freaking exciting,¡± Zoe chuckled.

    The look in her eyes was mischievous and excited. She gave Betty, who waspletely frozen stiff, a

    nudge. It was apparent that she was gloating over her misfortune.

    ¡°No wonder you really let loose and go wild in private. It turns out that it was Sophia who taught you by

    example.¡±

    It was clear to Betty that those were words of humiliation. But she had already been shocked beyond

    words.

    Her sweat dripped down the side of her pale face. She was shaking like a leaf.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened. His eyes lit up with a mixture of astonishment and surprise.

    Blood rushed through his veins, and his body temperature rose. He

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    He puffed up his chest and pulled Alyssa into his arms. He put his hand around her slender waist

    gently. He looked at her warmly and asked in a raspy voice, ¡°Babe, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±

    Alyssa lifted her chin slightly. Her eyes, as bright as the sun and captivating like no other, met with his.

    She said, ¡°It was meant to be a surprise. What fun would it have been if I told you beforehand? What

    do you think about the surprise?¡±

    She felt his warm breath on her nose. In the next second, he had his hand behind her neck as he

    nted a fiery kiss on her soft lips.

    Alyssa felt that his breath was heavy and deep. She could even feel the slight quiver in his tongue

    when their tongues intertwined.

    In a swift move, she caught a grip of his tie and wound it around her finger. She gave it a cheeky and

    seductive tug.

    She was ted. She loved this instinctive reaction of his.

    They had this opportunity to share a passionate moment thanks to Sophia¡¯s performance that drew

    everyone¡¯s attention.

    After quite a while, they pulled away from each other slowly.

    Jasper¡¯s lips were stained red by Alyssa¡¯s lipstick. The shade of red matched the color around his eyes,

    which were filled with looks of tenderness.

    ¡°It was vile, but I like it.¡±

    The featured video provoked an uproar in the horse racing arena once again.

    To their surprise, the Schmidts, as the host of the event and the owner of the racecourse, didn¡¯t order

    for the video to be stopped. They simply allowed the situation to escte.

    In short, it was absolutely over for Sophia. She might as well just be a tool to promote the Schmidt

    family¡¯s race course!

    She probably never even dreamed that this day woulde for her. She had taken advantage of

    others misfortune all her life, and now, the tables had turned, and she was on the receiving end.

    ¡°Javier ¡­ Javier ¡­ Let me exin! Let me exin!¡±

    Sophia clung to Javier¡¯s arm with her shaking hands. Her lips twitched, and she became incoherent.

    ¡°I-I was the victim! I only became like that because someone drugged me! I am the victim here! You

    have to believe me, Javier!¡±

    Then, a series of thunder-like footsteps could be heard.

    A few policemen in their uniform walked into the VIP area and straight to Sophia.

    ¡°Sophia, you have been involved in drug dealings, drug possession, and drug use. You are now under

    arrest.¡±

    With a ¡°click¡±, they cuffed the cold, shiny handcuffs on her wrist. It made her heart shudder.

    ¡°No¡­ I wasn¡¯t¡­ I wasn¡¯t!¡±

    All of a sudden, she had a sensation of something warm flowing down the side of her thigh.

    She had just urinated involuntarily, right under the public eye.

 Chapter 1140

    Everything unfolded like a well-polished, well-rehearsed script. After the hideous scene of Sophia

    abusing drugs in the lounge was exposed, the cops arrived immediately to arrest her.

    Then, the image on the screen showed the VIP area.

    Sophia had a manic and dismal look on her face. The close-up scene of her urinating on the spot and

    then being arrested by the police was also broadcast on the big screen.

    While still in the entertainment industry, she always admired L as the leadingdy. Many outlets

    featured L, which helped the audience to remember her.

    She had hoped that she would also be in a simr position one day.

    And now, she finally obtained what she wished for.

    This unforgettable disgrace had shot her into fame. The incident was one for the books, and she

    became the talk of the town.

    ¡°Oh my lord ¡­ Did Sophia just urinate in public? A high-ss plutocrat actually wet herself because of

    a few minor cops? What a loser!¡± someoneughed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly! Do you think that she was afraid of the cops? That was a side effect of taking drugs!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll say¡ªThis isn¡¯t the first time that Sophia has been arrested by the police. She has the Beckett

    Group to back her up anyway. Even if she is detained now, the Beckett Group will not just stand by and

    watch.

    What¡¯s there for her to be afraid of?

    ¡°Although, she did indeed fail to control her dder. That¡¯s too embarrassing. If it were me, I¡¯d rather

    just die!¡±

    Sophia was being escorted outside by the police. Along the way, her entire body was shivering as her

    urine continued to stream down.

    ¡°Javier ¡­ Save me¡­ I¡¯m innocent ¡­ I¡¯m being framed! Javier!¡±

    Javier stared at the dirty excrement on the ground and at Sophia¡¯s dire situation. Wide-eyed, he

    couldn¡¯t say a single word. He was so shocked that he felt like his head was exploding.

    Time and time again, Sophia challenged his limits. She always gave him new things to learn about her.

    ¡°Mr. Javier, I¡¯ve just gotten someone to turn the screen off. But I heard that someone from the Schmidt

    family is in the way. They are not letting anyone from the Beckett Group into the control room.

    ¡°It seems like ¡­ this was a setup, including the cops that came. They were in cahoots from the

    beginning,¡± Rory whispered by Javier¡¯s side.

    ¡°In cahoots with who?¡± Javier asked with a sense of urgency in his voice.

    ¡°About that¡­ I¡¯m still not sure. However, I will find out all the details soon.¡±

    Javier¡¯s head was spinning, though, amidst the chaos, he was suddenly reminded of something that

    happened 20 years ago.

    It was a memory from TS Network¡¯s Anniversary G. There was once when L, too, lost control of

    her dder in public. On top of that, it was aired live!

    At that time, both he and Winston were at the scene. They were there as special guests and had

    witnessed it all.

    That year, L ended up in a terrible position because of illegal drug use. The public bore witness to

    that at that time.

    It was said that she ended up having severe depression. She even a few allemps in Lunity no WII III

    In the end, it was Winston who stayed and cared for her by her side. He even brought her overseas for

    treatment. Only then was she able to ovee her trauma and gradually recover.

    Fast forward to today, the same nightmare from 20 years ago just happened to Sophia in public.

    Javier couldn¡¯t help but think that this looked like a well-designed revenge plot!

    Hence, with a mad and resentful look, he nced over to Alyssa naturally.

    Coincidentally, she and Jasper were looking deeply into each other¡¯s eyes and smiling sweetly at one

    another.

    Her beautiful yet crafty almond-shaped eyes and the way the corner of her lips were turned made it

    obvious. She had the satisfied smile of a victor on her face.

    To him, it was a tremendous humiliation and an eyesore!

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa narrowed her bright eyes. ¡°The people you gathered arrived so punctually,¡± Alyssa said as she

    gave Jasper a little nudge with her shoulder.

    Jasper took the nudge as a heartwarming one. He looked down at her and chuckled warmly, ¡°I had a

    good teacher.¡±

    Upon hearing his flirtatious statement, Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but bashfully.

    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t done such a great job with the initial preparations, th arrest wouldn¡¯t have had such an

    unexpectedly appalling effect.¡±

 Chapter 1141

    ¡°You have contributed the most. I was just an assistant,¡± said Jasper to Alyssa. The look in his eyes

    was gentle, and his heart was racing.

    He wasn¡¯t sure how else he could show his gratitude. Tonight, he would have to show his love to her

    with all his might. No, he had to. love her till death and cherish her forever.

    ¡°However, earlier, I heard the cops saying that they were arresting her due to drug vitions. Why

    wasn¡¯t it¡­¡± Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but feel a little surprised.

    With a deep gaze, Jasper said, ¡°I will tell you my n in detail when we get home tonight.¡±

    Other than Jasper and Alyssa, everyone else was caught off guard by Sophia¡¯s arrest.

    Even Jonah was floored. He nced over at Alyssa with astonishment. She returned his look with a

    cheeky wink.

    Winston wrapped his arms tight around L, who was shivering in her small frame. He asked softly,

    ¡°Did that shake you up?¡±

    Although it was satisfying to watch Sophia receive the consequences of her bad karma, he was worried

    that L would be reminded of her traumatic experience.

    ¡°I¡¯m not as weak as you think I am, Winston. Plus, I¡¯ve waited too long for this day.¡±

    L pulled back from Winston¡¯s arms and walked straight to the front of Alyssa. Her eyes were bright,

    and her voice was filled with gratitude.

    ¡°Thank you, Lyse.¡±

    Alyssa blinked and pretended not to understand. ¡°What do you mean, L? I didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°I know ¡­ I understand¡­¡±

    With tears in her eyes, L held Alyssa¡¯s hand tightly in hers. ¡°Lyse, I owe it to you forever. This

    favor¡­ There¡¯s no way for me to return it. But I will repay what I can for as long as I live.¡±

    ¡°That was her bad karma. Sophia ended up like this today because the heavens were punishing her.

    Don¡¯t overthink it, L. When you return, get a good night¡¯s rest, and bring Taty for a holiday overseas.

    I will send someone to keep you posted on the situation here.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that there will be yet another good show soon. Sophia¡¯s bad luck is far from over.

    Even though Alyssa denied any involvement, her response was cryptic.

    Jameson was standing in an inconspicuous corner. He had a dim look in his eyes as he pushed his

    sses up.

    ¡°What do you think about what happened?¡±

    Carl took a quick look around, then answered in a low voice, ¡°It must have been a setup conspired by

    Ms. Alyssa and Jasper. They have a deep-seated hatred against Sophia, so they will surely drive her to

    her death.¡±

    ¡°How is Inigo at the moment?¡± Jameson diverted the topic out of the blue.

    ¡°Our people have been surveilling him closely. He is still in Sna City.

    Jameson let out an evil chuckle. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. ¡°I think it

    is time for him to leave Sna City,¡± he said.

    Carl was taken aback. ¡°But, he made so many ridiculous demands from you previously. He asked for

    money, even a private ne. Didn¡¯t you say to keep it on hold for the moment? Why are you suddenly

    ¡­¡±

    ¡°Give him whatever he wants. Make him satisfied. Just so long as he leaves Sna City,¡± Jameson

    said in a determined voice. He was not going to take ¡°no¡± for an answer.

    It all became clear to Carl in a blink. Through gritted teeth, he nodded and replied, ¡°I get what you

    mean now, Mr. Schmidt.¡±

    The big screen in the middle of the racecourse turned off. Yet, the crowd¡¯s excited chatter hadn¡¯t

    stopped.

    Cornelius took advantage of the chaotic situation and shot Preston a look.

    While no one was paying attention, Preston walked to the front of Ezzo and Zeke.

    With a smile on his face, he said, ¡°You have bothe here from a long way away. As the host, we

    want to give you a good wee. Additionally, I guarantee that you will both return with full

    satisfaction. It will be a worthwhile trip.

    ¡°Moreover, now that such a darned incident happened, I suppose Mr. Victor and Mr. Javier have their

    hands full. I¡¯m afraid that they won¡¯t be able to attend to you both. How about youe with us and get

    some rest?¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1142

    While Ezzo was hesitating, Jasper interjected in a deep and fierce voice, ¡°Mr. Cornelius and Preston,

    are you both considering taking the opportunity to escape?

    ¡°The Harper Group is infamous out there. As it turns out, it seems like you are all just cowards who

    aren¡¯t willing to take responsibility.¡±

    ¡°Cowards? Who are you referring to, Jasper? Exin yourself!¡± Preston shouted. His face turned red

    with fury.

    Everyone was shocked. They were gobsmacked!

    It was one thing for Winston to tell Sophia off. For one, she did indeed deserve the scolding.

    Additionally, he was pretty much on the same level as Javier, although some would say he was a big

    shot with a worth higher than the Beckett Group

    He was getting anxious. He even rebuked Javier. Who would dare to stop him?

    But, as someone younger, Jasper didn¡¯t have the guts to do so. If he did, how would he continue being

    friendly with the Harpers? Wouldn¡¯t he be afraid that the Harpers would start plotting against him?

    Alyssa looked up and studied Jasper. Her heart rate increased, and it beat faster and faster.

    Deep down, she had made up her mind. Even if Jasper were to offend the entire Sna City, she

    would stay by his side. She would ride the waves together with him.

    With her support, who else would be so dense toy a finger on her man?

    Cornelius¡¯ eyes turned dark from his anger. He used his walking stick

    ¡°Mr. Javier! Aren¡¯t you going to pull in the reins on your son? Are you just going to allow him to spew

    nonsense and be disrespectful to his elders?¡±

    With his entire being, Jasper gave off an air of mercilessness and intimidation. He turned his thin lips

    into a smirk. ¡°You are only an elder of mine if you act like one.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t know how to distinguish between right and wrong and even try to defend a murderer, don¡¯t

    me me for not acknowledging you.¡±.

    Javier red at Jasper. ¡°Shut up, Jasper!¡±

    Jasperpletely disregarded him. He turned his dark and terrifying gaze toward Zoe and continued,

    ¡°Today, there are only two options for you-you can either sort things out by yourself, or I can get rid of

    this person on your behalf, ording to my own means.¡±

    Zoe was scared out of her mind. Her expensive dress was almost soaked in her cold sweat!

    Why was he looking at her? Was he suspicious of her?

    No ¡­ She didn¡¯t act on this matter personally at all. She hadn¡¯t even been to the stables. It was all

    Max¡¯s work and had nothing to do with her!

    ¡°Alright then¡­ Alright! I will investigate it with you if that¡¯s what you want!¡±

    Cornelius clenched his teeth. He said in an icy and threatening tone,¡± However, it¡¯d better be as you

    said! If I find out that it wasn¡¯t one of the Harpers who was behind it, don¡¯t be surprised if we break ties

    with you!¡±

    Jasper scoffed coldly.

    In actual fact, he didn¡¯t care about the Harper Group. So, why would he care about what Cornelius just

    said?

    That said, Alyssa was still concerned for him. She hadn¡¯t participated in any of the nning after all.

    Thus, she wasn¡¯t sure if he had any evidence.

    As the person in charge of the arena, Joshmanded one of his staff to pull up the CCTV footage of

    the stables as soon as possible.

    Not long after, they retrieved all the relevant footage.

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    Unfortunately, the whole stable was thousands of square feet big. Even though the resolution of the

    surveince cameras was clear enough, the corner where ze was was rather awkward.

    Coincidentally, the corner in Section D was one of the blind spots.

    They could even see a dark shadow cast on the haystack. Yet, the horse¡¯srge body obstructed the

    camera¡¯s view, and they couldn¡¯t see the person¡¯s face at all! They were at a dead end.

    Max breathed a sigh of relief quietly. As for Zoe, she let out a smug smile for the close call while hiding

    behind him.

    Preston harrumphed and burst out intoughter. In a sarcastic tone, he mocked, ¡°So, it seems like you

    didn¡¯t have any evidence at hand after all. What were you barking so loudly for then?

    ¡°You have no witness and no surveince footage. How dare you point your fingers at us, saying that it

    was one of us Harpers who did it?

    ¡°Even if you were to fly into a rage, you should first assess if the other party is someone you can afford

    to infuriate, Jasper!¡±

 Chapter 1143

    The Taylors were also enraged. They were about tosh out when someone else reacted even more

    strongly than they did.

    Jasper¡¯s muscr shoulders were tense. Blood rushed to his eyes,

    and he curled his fingers inward into fists so tightly that his veins were popping.

    He was about to rush forward to give Preston a lesson when a warm hand sped around his fist.

    ¡°Jasper, don¡¯t.¡±

    Jasper held his breath. He looked into Alyssa¡¯s eyes, which were as bright as the stars. He felt as if he

    was being immersed in clear mountain springs and found himself calming down gradually.

    Alyssa stepped forward and sniggered, ¡°Mr. Preston, there is nothing for you to worry about since

    Jasper is the one handling it. He will definitely not let any guilty persons off the hook and will not

    use anyone who is innocent.¡±

    With what she just said, it was evident that she was still iming that Harper Group was in the wrong!

    ¡°As for Mr. Horatio, he imed that Jasper was framing your family as per my instruction. That¡¯s funny.

    There are CCTV cameras everywhere.

    ¡°If I truly wanted to frame you, wouldn¡¯t there be some trace of it somewhere? Wouldn¡¯t there have

    been some clues pointing toward you? Would we just grasp at anyone from your side for no`reason

    and im that they are the murderer?

    ¡°You say that I have a grudge against Ms. Zoe. If so, why wasn¡¯t it the wenty Mum Cunyummy happen

    to 1913.

    ¡°Did you think I would put myself in a situation where I¡¯m also at a loss, even when victory isn¡¯t

    guaranteed for me?¡±

    Alyssa sounded very convincing.

    When the people around them heard her arguments, they found themselves nodding in agreement.

    Even Penelope thought that Alyssa¡¯s points made sense.

    ¡°You ¡­ How rude¡­¡± Cornelius stuttered. His eyebrows were quivering in his anger.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze was cool and sharp. She raised the corner of her lip and scoffed, ¡°Truth be told, if I really

    wanted to hurt Ms. Zoe, I wouldn¡¯t have to wait till today to do so. The thing about me is that I can be

    ruthless.

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be enough just to frame her. She would have met the same end as my horse if it were up to

    me!¡±

    Everyone was astounded! She was indeed cold-hearted!

    ¡°Alyssa! You ¡­ You¡¯re too heartless! How could you have such an evil thought?¡± Penelope¡¯s health

    wasn¡¯t great in the first ce. As her rage rose from within her, she clenched at her chest, feeling short

    of breath.

    ¡°Deep breaths, Mom. You have to watch your health¡­¡± Zoe quickly reached out to help support

    Penelope. She had a resentful look on her face and spite in her eyes as she red at Alyssa.

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Evil? Do you think that it was right for you to say so, Penelope?¡±

    L¡¯s expression was serious. Her voice, which normally sounded warm, had turned frigid.

    She said in a rxed yet resolute voice, ¡°Lyse was just making enough to act on it.

    ¡°Before the horse race started, Ms. Zoe shot herself in the foot and still attempted to nder Lyse. The

    incident is still trending as one of the top searches. Even if you have forgotten about it, we remember it.

    ¡°You should very well know who the evil one is and who is the one doing the provoking.¡±

    Penelope and Zoe¡¯s faces flushed red, then turned pale. They couldn¡¯t think of aeback.

    Winston observed L¡¯s stern expression from the side. A look of surprise came across his face, and

    he twitched his eyebrow.

    L had been with him for over 20 years. She was always gentle, introverted, and timid. This was the

    very first time that he had seen the fierce and powerful side of her.

    Yes, this was the right thing to do.

    She should let people know that the people from the Taylor family shouldn¡¯t be messed with.

    ¡°Wow! Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯re such an eristic person. You¡¯ve just got so many rebuttals against me, don¡¯t

    you? I¡¯m really impressed by the Taylor family¡¯s upbringing!¡±

    Preston acted as Cornelius¡¯ spokesperson. He had to seize all the opportunities to fight back and make

    every effort to portray himself as a loyal follower.

    ¡°But, no matter how good you are at arguing, you can¡¯t bend the truth! You have smeared our family¡¯s

    innocent reputation and ruined our reputation. We will not just forget about it!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Alyssa, you¡¯ve already won first ce in the horse racingpetition. What more do you want?¡±

    Cornelius couldn¡¯t hold back any longer, mis i e was yiui.

    In ¨¢ sarcastic tone, he asked, ¡°Must you drag the Harper Group down to make yourselves appear to be

    of a higher status? Will it only give you peace of mind when no one else gets in the way of your

    coboration with Mr. Ezzo? Is that what you¡¯re aiming for?¡±

    Alyssa maintained a calm look on her face. It was Ezzo who looked as if he was feeling conflicted.

    It was obvious that he was persuaded by what the Harpers said.

    All of a sudden, almost simultaneously, everyone¡¯s cell phones pinged.

 Chapter 1144

    ¡°Everyone, aren¡¯t you curious about what was just sent to all of you?¡± With a deep look in his eyes,

    Jasper squinted. He had a yful look on his face that made everyone¡¯s heart race.

    The people in the crowd looked at one another as they retrieved their phones to have a look.

    Alyssa, too, was dying of curiosity. She also took out her cell and opened Twitter.

    In the next second, her eyes widened, and her heart rate increased.

    The entirepetition was streamed live at such a grand horse racing event. Thus, the scene where

    she fell off her horse at the finish line was spreading like wildfire on the inte.

    Theizens were concerned about Alyssa¡¯s injury. However, they had all assumed that it was a mere

    ident. No one imagined that it- was a setup.

    Lo and behold, the video that appeared on the inte unexpectedly revealed a big surprise to

    everyone!

    ¡°What¡­ What is this?¡± Cornelius¡¯s vision was blurry, so he wasn¡¯t able to get a good view of what had

    happened in the first instance.

    On the other hand, the others in the Harper family looked as if they were in ruins after a bombshell was

    dropped on them. Their expressions were dark, and they panicked!

    Zoe, the instigator of it all, inhaled sharply. Her hand trembled, and her cell phone fell onto the floor.

    Even though the video was a little shaky, shockingly, it revealed Max looking left and right before

    creeping into the stables.

    Then, he drew a dagger. In lightning speed, he slit a cut on ze¡¯s left leg, then exited the stables

    suspiciously.

    The footage was filmed from the front of the stables, so Max¡¯s front profile could clearly be seen in the

    video.

    That was solid proof. He had no way of denying it!

    Jonah chuckled. ¡°Now that it hase to this, what else do you have to say, Mr. Cornelius and

    Preston?¡±

    His eyes had be bloodshot from the hatred he felt as he watched ze being hurt by a scum

    Earlier on, in light of the big picture, he could still keep his emotions in check. But he had just witnessed

    ze¡¯s strong and beautiful leg being cruelly cut.

    The visually and psychologically traumatic experience was a double whammy for him. It triggered the

    fiendish part of him inside.

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Jonah was even tempted to pull his own cross dagger out. He wished that he could pull Max by the hair

    and slit his throat!

    Cornelius and Preston looked terrible as if they had been caught red- handed. As much as they were

    arrogant earlier, they now felt embarrassed.

    They certainly couldn¡¯t im that the person in the video was Al- generated! People weren¡¯t that dumb!

    Xavier scoffed coldly, then focused Max¡¯s face on the screen.

    Max could see that the cameras had fully captured him in the act from beginning to end. His face

    turned pale.

    He shook his head continuously and mumbled, ¡°How could this be ¡­ I was sure that there were no

    cameras¡­ How could this be ¡­¡±

    ¡°Of course, we can only capture you with solid evidence. Mr. Beckett is brilliant and wise. He would

    never choose to fight a losing battle, nor would he let you all read his moves.¡±

    Xavier noticed that Max looked lifeless, which made him secretly pleased.

    Then, Cornelius and Preston had a realization.

    The reason that Jasper waited till now to release the video was so that he could watch them struggle

    and mor with all their might. He had let them embarrass themselves in front of him.

    Just a while ago, they were furious and fierce with their taunts. The moment when the truth was

    revealed, they were pretty much pped right in the face!

    Alyssa gazed deeply at Jasper¡¯s handsome face. Her lips turned up into a smile. Her unsettled heart

    finally simmered down.

    She should have known that Jasper was never someone who acted. recklessly. He was a bosom friend

    with whom she could share secrets and arade in arms. He was also her lover whom she could

    entrust her life with.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure everyone, including Max himself, is very curious. That was the CCTV¡¯s blind spot. Wouldn¡¯t

    you want to know how this video, which had such an incredible angle, was captured?¡±

    Jasper gave Xavier a look. He then walked away for a moment.

    Soon after, Xavier re-entered with a man who was wearing a horse riding outfit. He was also one of the

    contestants in this horse racing event. ¡°Mr. Beckett,¡± he greeted Jasper politely.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have to trouble you toe over to exin the situation understand,¡± Jasper said in a

    courteous tone.

    He didn¡¯t seem like he was the president of any organization at all.

 Chapter 1145

    The horse racing contestant was ttered and nodded hard. He looked at everyone seriously.

    "I am a horse racing contestant representing the Lanchester Corporation. Our corporation''s horses

    were ced opposite the KS Group after they entered the stable. Our boss likes to stand in the

    horse''s perspective and observe their daily lives. It is his favorite pastime.

    "So, my boss would install a small camera on the headgear of each horse. In this special

    circumstance today, our boss is afraid something will happen to his beloved horse. So, he made

    sure to switch the camera to a higher resolution so that it can monitor its surroundings better.¡±

    When everyone heard it, their eyes widened in shock as their mouth gaped.

    Even Alyssa, who was rich with experience, was dumbfounded by what she heard.

    She had seen cars that had dashboard cameras. It was the first time she heard of a camera on a

    horse. She was perplexed at how she was drawn to getting to know him. What a remarkable man.

    Max was hit hard. His ears were ringing as everything before him dimmed. He had always stayed

    unwavering in his principles. Yet, he never thought he would lose to a horse.

    "Mr. Horatio, the Taylors had never offended you in any way. Plus, I have never interacted with you

    before the race.¡±

    Alyssa''s eyes sank. "You also understand what it means to go easy on someone who confesses their

    faults and give those who refuse to admit to fault the punishment they deserve. I may have kept my

    life.

    "But if I wasn''t proficient in handling my horse and ze couldn''t support herself, I would have

    been flung off her and be dead without aplete body.

    "Then, you will be used of first-degree murder. Now, you have attempted murder. Plus, you have

    alsomitted vandalism and animal abuse. You havemitted these ounts. You should know

    your consequences.¡±

    Cold sweat broke on Max''s back. The corner of his lips twitched uncontrobly.

    "So, I hope you can think for yourself and tell us the person behind this. If you tell me the person

    who asked you to hurt me, the KS Group will plea for a reduced sentence for you."

    Logic could convince, and emotion could motivate. Alyssa had always been great at negotiation.

    Zoe tried her best to maintain herposure. However, the legs underneath her skirt were

    trembling profusely. Her heart was about to explode.

    Max became silent. He looked at Zoe''s direction with muddled vision

    Honestly, he wanted to nce at her once more.

    He had witnessed Zoe growing up into the woman she was today. In his mind, she would always be

    an innocent and happy-go-lucky girl. However, this innocent and happy-go-lucky girl was staring at

    him heartlessly. Her re felt distant and threatening.

    Maxughed wryly but silently. Then, he said through gritted teeth, "No one asked me to do it. Ms.

    Alyssa, I''m the one who wants you dead. This had nothing to do with the Harpers.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Who asked you to fight for Ms. Zoe''s man? You deserve this! I hate myself for not thinking this

    through and being so careless as to spare your life. But I never regretted doing it.

    "Don''t waste your time talking to me anymore. You can do whatever you please to me."

    He was ready to sacrifice himself and carry this to his grave.

    There was a lifeless look in Alyssa''s eyes. However, she felt a chill in her heart. She knew Zoe was the

    culprit behind this. Thetter had conspired with Max to get rid of her.

    The more she thought about it, the more she hated and was terrified of her.

    "Okay, Mr. Horatio. I appreciate your honesty in admitting to these crimes. Everything you said was

    broadcast for the entire country to hear.

    "When we meet in court, this broadcast can''t be overturned and will be presented in court.¡± A small

    smile hung on Jasper''s lips. His voice was mocking and chilling.

    Everyone was dumbfounded.

    They had no clue what Jasper meant.

    The Harpers were confused. They were like a machine that lost its signal, unable to respond to what

    happened.

    Then, Preston''s secretary screamed as if someone stepped on his tail.

    "Mr. Harper! This is bad. Everything that happened earlier was publicly broadcast.¡±

 Chapter 1146

    Alyssa was shocked! Then, she noticed a flickering green light hidden in a corner. Someone had set

    up a video camera there when no one had noticed.

    Everything from the onset until now was broadcast publicly. The Harpers¡¯ ming and arrogant

    attitude and Preston''s pompous demeanor were broadcast for all to see.

    Everything happened so discreetly that even Alyssa, as meticulous as she was, didn''t realize it in

    time.

    Netizens were entering the live broadcast room like a swarm of bees.

    The live broadcast had reached five million live viewers. Thements started flooding in.

    "Oh, my God! The Harpers are vicious. They would abuse an animal to win apetition. They even

    tried to trample Ms. Taylor to death. This is a crime! It''s murder!¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "This is downright demoralizing! They are society''s scumbags!¡±

    "The Harpers are a shame to society. Cornelius¡¯ father was abor worker who carried sandbags at

    the piers of Belbanks. Then, he became a violent gangster. He was an aggressive risk-taker.

    Eventually, he became the head of the mafia through malicious acts and coincidental luck. Then, he

    founded the Harper Group.¡±

    "Oh, so they are the descendants of lowly gangsters. No wonder they are so distasteful with their

    actions and words."

    "They are a whale of a difference from the righteous Taylor family. Zoe will never be a worthy

    comparison to Ms. Taylor. She will never live up to who Ms. Taylor is."

    "Sigh, why is Mr. Landon a Harper? He is so handsome. Such a waste of good looks!"

    "Screw moral principles! When did good looks be the benchmark in differentiating right and

    wrong? But, Landon is too handsome for his own good ..."

    Before Jasper executed the n to broadcast this incident, he had given Landon a heads-up.

    He had his concerns initially, but Landon was unbothered. Landon had agreed to it. "Do it. Don''t just

    do it. Make sure it causes a huge scene. Preston has high blood pressure. Make sure you trigger him

    so badly that he can''t get out of bed for half a month. I will appreciate you so much for that.¡±

    Jasper frowned andughed wryly. "You are such a huge betraying rascal. But, you must know the

    power of public opinion. It can either make or break the situation.¡±

    Landon pursed his lips. He flicked his cigarette toward the ground. "Previously, I thought I was part

    of the Harper family. Now, I have a ce I can call home. So, the Harpers are the Harpers. I am a

    separate person.¡±

    The live broadcast had utterly crushed the Harpers¡¯ arrogance.

    Zoe observed how her family had be a hot topic in the public eye, with their name being

    dragged through the mud. She wasn''t the least bit worried about her beloved grandfather at all.

    Nheless, she was relieved that Max didn''t rat her out.

    Moreover, she managed to maintain herposure, disying no signs of fear, panic, or

    embarrassment like Sophia did.

    Nevertheless, appearing on the broadcast was more humiliating. While the Harpers could endure

    public humiliation, she couldn''t afford to.

    Penelope, a housewife, found herself ill-equipped to handle the situation. Both physically and

    mentally exhausted, her forehead was covered in sweat, and she struggled to stand upright any

    longer.

    "Grandpa, Uncle Preston, I don''t think my mom can hold on any longer. I need to get her to the

    hospital now.¡±

    Zoe didn''t wait for a response from them. Swiftly, she took hold of Penelope and slipped away

    under the protection of the bodyguard.

    Zoe helped Penelope get into the car in the parking lot. Penelope appeared much better than

    before. She was terrified and unwilling to endure further humiliation by staying there.

 Chapter 1147

    "Max had always been careful and reliable. How can he be so reckless? He hadmitted such a

    huge crime!¡± Penelope continued to rant.

    "Mom, Max probably didn''t want to let the Taylors win, so he wanted to show them who''s boss."

    Zoe stroked Penelope''s back tofort her. Her eyes bore a grim and vicious expression. "However,

    it''s unfortunate that things turned out this way for him. Now, Grandpa and Uncle Preston need to

    distance themselves from Mr. Horatio and let him be the Taylor family''s scapegoat.

    "Additionally, we have to synchronize our story, asserting that this has nothing to do with the

    Harpers. It was all his idea. It shouldn''t be too big of a problem.¡±

    "I don''t think it will be that easy.¡±

    Despite being a housewife, Penelope hailed from a rich and influential family, affording her a clear

    perspective. She shook her head sadly. "You witnessed what unfolded earlier. The entire incident

    was broadcast live. While this may have been Max''s fault, he is still a part of the Harpers.

    "Moreover, our interactions with Jasper and Alyssa were hostile. I''m certain this has stirred public

    anger. The Harper Group''s stock prices and reputation will undoubtedly suffer from these

    unfavorable public reactions.

    "Tomorrow, our stock prices are likely to plummet. Your grandfather and Uncle Preston had been

    working tirelessly to win favor with Zeke and Ezzo. Now, it seems increasingly improbable.¡±

    Zoe wore a worried expression, but internally, she was overjoyed.

    The decline in the Harper Group''s shares had no impact on her. Her father had amassed a

    substantial amount of money for her and her mother, ensuring they wouldn''t face financial concerns

    in this lifetime.

    Additionally, her brother possessed numerous assets. Who knew how much more she would gain

    from selling the Harper Group''s shares, too?

    She would leave Cornelius and Preston to salvage whatever remained of the scraps. With a solid

    escape n in ce, she had nothing to worry about.

    Suddenly, the sound of a car door being knocked filled the air.

    Zoe jumped in shock. Swiftly turning her head, she was met with Landon¡¯s cold re.

    "Zoe, get out of the car now." Landon''s tone was aggressive.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Landon, Zoe is your sister. Can you talk to her gently?" Penelope felt angry for her daughter.

    "Get out now." Landon ignored her. His voice was as cold as an iceberg.

    Zoe pursed her lip and exited the car.

    Landon and Zoe didn''t want their mother to eavesdrop on their conversation, so they purposefully

    distanced themselves from the car to talk.

    "Aren''t you with your dumb girlfriend? You''ve never bothered to show up when something big

    happens at home. What are you doing here?"

    Zoe gave Landon a sidelong nce, casually raising her hand to admire her manicure. "Go and be

    with your dumb girlfriend. She might be terrified and cry her eyes out when she''s separated from

    you for more than three seconds.¡±

    "Zoe, watch your mouth.¡±

    Landon moved closer to her, a furious glint appearing in his eyes. "Consider yourself lucky that I still

    allow Lauren to acknowledge your existence. If you persist in behaving recklessly, you''ll be no

    different from Betty and the others to me. I''ll treat you the same way I treat them. If you don''t

    believe me, go ahead and test me.¡±

    Zoe''s heart shuddered, but she kept her chin high and asked, "Anything else you would like to say?"

    "I know you are the culprit behind everything.¡± Landon frowned, sending a chilling vibe that could

    make one''s hair stand on end.

    "I don''t know what you''re talking about, my dearest brother.¡±

    "Max operated under your order. Zoe, don''t try to deny this. I know it was you," Landon said

    through gritted teeth as he clenched his fists.

 Chapter 1148

    Zoe said, "He confessed to everything. No one instructed him. He operated alone.¡±All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    A sinister smile suddenly crept onto Zoe''s face. "Besides, even if 1 did it, do you have any proof?

    Show me your evidence.¡±

    Landon''¡¯s fist mmed into the wall next to Zoe''s head, leaving her mortified and breathless.

    "You listen to me. No one is going to be this lucky forever. No one can keep stepping on others to

    get their way either.¡±

    Landon took a deep breath and stared at her. His eyes had no trace of any brotherly love. "Mr.

    Horatio watched you grow up, treated you like his own daughter, and was loyal to the Harpers. That

    is why he was willing to take the me for you.

    "But not everyone is like Mr. Horatio. You''ve done many terrible things. Soon, you''ll pay for all your

    treacherous deeds. Everyone will turn their backs on you, and you''ll rot in hell alone.¡±

    "Hahaha! Landon, I advise you not to mess with me. You''ve lost your father, and you''ve abandoned

    your sister. Do you want to turn your back on your mother as well?

    "Mom loves me to bits, and I am her everything. If something happens to me, what do you think will

    be of our frail and sickly mother? Do you honestly believe she will survive?" Zoe shook her

    head in disdain, a proud and mocking glint dancing in her eyes.

    Landon was taken aback. The veins on his sturdy arms were about to pop.

    Preston was so red with anger that he red intensely. He thought the entire family was filled with

    cowards who desired glory but would scurry away during tough times.

    "Dad, let''s get out of here!" He couldn''t bear to stay any longer. While quick to find a solution, his

    hands were tied when it came to handling the aftermath of the broadcast incident.

    "No, we can''t leave!"

    Cornelius¡¯ haggard face was drained of color, and the hand holding his walking stick trembled

    slightly. "If we leave now, there will be no more pride left for the Harpers."

    So, he could only assert his authority as the head of the family. He pleaded for a chance to make

    things right with the millions of broadcast viewers and swiftly cut ties with Max. "Max, I brought you

    home from the orphanage. I gave you education like how I did with my sons. I have never

    mistreated you and given you food and shelter.

    "The Harpers had treated you generously. How could youmit such a terrible and malicious act?

    I''ve always treated you as my own, but what have you taken us for? Max, you''ve disappointed me.

    "Now, the evidence is clear. You are the culprit behind this. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Beckett, you can do

    whatever you want. We''llply. Not only that, the Harper Group will take full responsibility for the

    hurt he caused Ms. Alyssa.¡±

    Alyssa couldn''t help but smile coldly at what was happening.

    When Jasper presented the evidence, the Harpers had been indifferent, aiming to protect their own.

    Now, they had made a 180-degree shift in their attitude, acting pragmatically.

    Cornelius¡¯ plea sounded grandiose. It sounded as if he had covered all his bases.

    Yet, Jasper remained unsatisfied. Gently holding Alyssa''s waist, he said in a low and cold voice, "Mr.

    Cornelius, do you believe you can wash your hands clean with just this?"

    "Mr. Beckett, I''ve left Max for you to handle as you wish. We''re also taking responsibility for what

    happened. What else do you want?" Cornelius noticed how Jasper was taking advantage of them.

    He hated Jasper so much that his body was trembling.

    "Of course, we want an apology.¡±

    Then, Jameson, who had been silent for a long time, appeared with impable timing. Speaking

    slowly, he said, "Mr. Cornelius, you groomed Max since he was a child. Now, he attempted murder

    and handicapped KS Group''s million-dor racehorse. Lyse is injured, and we are unsure if this will

    pose more health problems for her in the future.

    "Taking full responsibility for this is right. However, as the head of the Harper family, shouldn''t you

    apologize to Uncle Winston and Lyse?" Jameson articted precisely what Jasper wanted to convey,

    hitting the point with every sentence.

    However, Jasper couldn''t care less. This was the oue he wanted.

 Chapter 1149

    However, Alyssa''s expression darkened, showing no signs of being affected by Jameson''s actions.

    "Wow, who is this handsome man? I feel like I''ve seen him somewhere before."

    "He is Jameson Schmidt, Ms. Alyssa''s devoted guardian angel. He has sessfully resolved

    numerous issues for her."

    "Oh, my God! What exquisite and distinctive features he has! He''s like a walking sculpture. I love it!"

    "Plus, he is a kind man. If I were Alyssa, I would choose Mr. Jameson. So what if Mr. Beckett

    repented and came back? Once you miss the chance of fate, it''s useless even if you repent.¡±

    "I agree. We''ve had enough of three years of their marriage. I want a handsome man, young and

    strong.¡±

    The atmosphere was already tense, but now it had grown colder than an iceberg.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    The vein on Cornelius¡¯ forehead bulged. A fiery rage burned in his chest. He had always been on his

    high horse throughout his life. How could he suffer such humiliation from this bunch of young

    people trampling all over him?

    "That bastard is at it again. What does this have to do with him?"

    Daisy expressed her discontent softly, "Jasper has the guts to say it. After all, he started it, so he is

    not afraid of getting on the bad side of the Harper Group. What is Jameson doing jumping in? He''s

    going to drag the Schmidts down with him.

    "Do you take him for a fool? The man is a genius and thought of a way to kill two birds with one

    stone by jumping in now. Not only will he snatch Jasper''s glory, but he can unt his existence to

    Alyssa and curry Mr. Taylor''s favor.¡±

    Josh stared at Jameson coldly. "Plus, he could also take the Harper Group down a notch. Dad always

    had a beef with the Harpers. He''s always annoyed but would never express his displeasure. Jameson

    had stood up on Dad''s behalf to express the anger he had suppressed for so long.¡±

    Daisy and Josh''s faces turned grim.

    Jameson had assessed David, curried favor with Winston, and repaired his rtionship with his

    father. What was he going to do next? At this rate, no one was safe.

    Eventually, under the public''s pressure, Cornelius had to humble himself and apologize to Alyssa.

    Preston''s eyes were filled with hatred. However, they couldn''t ignore this. If they didn''t set aside

    their pride, their stock prices would hit rock bottom when the market opened the next day.

    The horse race today had turned into an entertaining drama.

    Zoe getting pped in the face for ndering, Alyssa''s fall from her horse, Sophia''s arrest on drug

    charges, and a Harper family member''s ambush on the Taylors¡ªall these incidents rivaled the

    gossip in the entertainment industry. They provided enough material to keep everyone upied for

    years.

    The four families left unhappily. The looks on Cornelius and Preston''s faces were ghastly when they

    left, to say the least.

    Ezzo witnessed all the drama. However, he didn''t mention anything about a partnership.

    Winston didn¡¯t rush to inquire, either, having not ced much hope in the project to begin with.

    Getting the project would be a bonus; if not, he was content with the efforts put in.

    Alyssa''s desire to make her family proud was marred by the unfortunate targeting. Otherwise, it

    would have ended perfectly.

    When they left the racecourse, Winston patted Jameson''s shoulders approvingly. He said gratefully,

    "Thank you for today, Jameson.

    "Don''t worry. Let me know if the Harper Group picks a bone with you next time. You''ve been such a

    great help to Lyse. I won''t put you in an embarrassing position.¡±

    A humble andpliant smile appeared on Jameson''s face. Before he could say anything, Alyssa''s

    cold and indifferent voice came from behind, "Dad, you must be getting old. He never appeared

    throughout the incident. Now, you''re rewarding him because he showed up and said something at

    the very end. Don''t be so ridiculous.¡±

 Chapter 1150

    Jameson had his back facing Alyssa, his face turning grim as he adjusted his sses.

    Jasper stood beside Alyssa, lightly pursing his lips. He wanted to stop her, but her words beat him to

    it. Moreover, intervening now would mean falling for Jameson''s trap. He would then be his bitch, as

    Landon had disgustingly phrased it.

    "Lyse, are you okay? Does your waist hurt?"

    Winston wasn''t bothered about Alyssa''s sarcasm. He was more concerned about her injury. "You are

    so stubborn. You should have gone to the hospital the moment you fell from the horse. Jonah and

    Mr. Atkins could have taken care of ze. Why do you need to do it personally?

    "You are just like your mother. Even ten horses wouldn''t be able to pull you back when you are this

    stubborn. Jonah, get on the phone with Mr. Liverton now. Get Lyse to the hospital and gather a

    group of specialists to get her treated.¡±

    However, Jonah read the situation well and didn''tply. Jasper and Alyssa wanted time alone. It

    would be awkward if he forced his way between them.

    "It''s okay. I have Jasper to help."

    Alyssa proudlyced her fingers with Jasper''s, turning to gaze deeply into his eyes. Under that

    burning gaze, there was no room for anyone else. "Dad, let me remind you¡ªa true man doesn''t try

    to unt what he has done to gain favor.

    "Who collected evidence, apprehended the culprit, and stood up for me, ze, and the Taylor family

    under great pressure? Who was the one who quietly did everything and never spoke to you about

    it, keeping his name and hard work under wraps?

    "I hope you can be more discerning and not be swayed by an outsiders sweet talk. Don''t ce

    yourself in a bad ce and be aughingstock.¡±

    After Alyssa finished speaking, she walked past Winston and Jameson proudly with Jasper''s hand in

    hers.

    A chilling sense of abandonment grazed Jameson''s shoulders. His heart was pricked painfully, and

    his face was downcast as he clenched his fingers tightly.

    When Jasper walked past Winston, he didn''t forget to nod at Winston politely. It was hrious how

    stiff he was.

    "That brat! I''ve lost control over her now.¡±

    Winston red at their backs as they left. He didn''t stop them but pointed at his daughter''s

    retreating figure and reprimanded, "You are so sharp-tongued. The person you marry would be the

    unluckiest man in the world."

    Jonah and L couldn''t help butugh after hearing it.

    Even if men wanted to be this unlucky, they would have to wait in line.

    Jameson watched as Alyssa sat in Jasper''s passenger seat and left. Hatred and dissatisfaction hit his

    chest like a raging storm, his eyes reddening.

    However, he collected himself and looked at Winston grimly. "Uncle Winston, it was my fault for

    acting too slow toward Lyse''s ident. I didn''t get to the bottom of it in time and have caused so

    much trouble for you and Lyse."

    "Don''t say that. You have done enough. The Harpers might have devoured Lyse alive if you hadn''t

    shown up in time." Winston maintained his friendly toneText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "If I''d done better, Lyse might look my way more. Then, you wouldn''t need to worry for us that

    much, too.¡± Jameson lowered his head, riddled with guilt.

    "Jameson, I noticed everything you''ve sacrificed for Lyse."

    Winston pondered for a moment. His eyes flickered as he said earnestly, "But you have to

    understand that love cannot be forced.¡±

    Jameson''s eyes shrank; his heart stopped. He didn¡¯t understand what Winston meant.

    Previously, Winston had sworn to help him and Alyssa get together. Now, he had changed his mind.

    Jameson wondered if Winston''s impression of Jasper had shifted because thetter had helped the

    Taylor family find the culprit during the horseracing event.

    Was it that easy for Winston to overlook Jasper''s wrongdoings toward Alyssa over the years?

    Or perhaps Winston had never hated Jasper as much as he imed in the beginning.

    Jameson had tried so hard to excel in front of Winston. Just when he believed he had the happiness

    he had dreamed of within reach, Winston casually said that to him.

 Chapter 1151

    All of Jameson''s efforts proved futile as he found himself back at the same starting line as Jasper. He

    couldn''t ept that oue. He needed Alyssa. He had to marry her!

    "Yes, Mr. Jameson. Love can''t be forced,¡± L said.

    L then walked elegantly to Winston''s side and caressed his waist. Her tone was gentle and non-

    threatening, yet each word felt like a stranglehold on Jameson''s throat. "I''m sure Winston didn''t

    mean it. We know you are serious about Lyse.

    "But, it takes two hands to p for love tost. As Lyse''s family, we are thorough with everything we

    do because we want Lyse to be happy. If she eventually marries someone she didn''t love, we would

    be kissing her happiness in this lifetime goodbye.¡±

    Jonah was silent. His lips curled into a mocking smile as he stared contemptuously into Jameson''s

    eyes.

    L usually appeared gentle and harmless. However, she was an intelligent person.

    Her intelligencey in how well she knew Winston. She didn''t mention Jasper the entire time and

    yed the emotion card. Winston, a man who stood for love to be free, understood his daughter''s

    situation

    Jameson''s face turned stiff and pale. A dark glint lingered in his eyes. He could barely hold his

    chivalrous and elegant demeanor any longer.

    "Jameson, L is right. You can take a horse to the water but not make it drink.¡±

    Winston sighed thoughtfully, "Don''t be disappointed and don''t be overly stubborn. Let things be."

    Alyssa was unwilling to head to the hospital. However, Jasper eventually managed to coax her into

    receiving treatment.

    By the time they returned home after treating her wounds, it waste into the night.

    "Why are you so annoying, always going against me? I told you I don''t need to go to the hospital

    for this injury! Ouch!"

    Alyssa struggled to exit the car, her aggression causing her to injure her waist. Deep furrows formed

    on her brows, reflecting the pain as she gasped for air.

    Jasper was so anxious that he could hardly catch his breath. He quickly scooped her into his

    embrace. "You eejit! Stop being so stubborn! Do you have any idea how loud your screams were

    while you were receiving treatment at the hospital?¡±

    "I-I didn''t scream.¡± Alyssa''s delicate face turned as red as a tomato.

    "What do you mean? I thought I was standing in front of the delivery room while you were giving

    birth to our baby." Jasper lowered his head and kissed her sweaty face hard.

    His breathing was heavy, and his kiss was forceful, as if he was punishing her.

    Alyssa thought about the word "baby".

    An agonizing pain swelled in her heart as she instinctively tried to slip away.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper didn''t notice something was off with her. He thought she was acting unnaturally because of

    her wounds. Without saying a word, he carried her into the vi.

    Everything that took ce at the horse racing event shook the entire country like a nuclear bomb.

    Upon discovering the news, Rosie skipped her dinner and anxiously awaited Jasper and Alyssa''s

    return.

    "Madam Alyssa, how is your injury?" Rosie saw the ugly look on Alyssa''s face and how Jasper was

    carrying her in his arms. She was about to burst into tears as her heart ached.

    "I''m okay, Mrs. Rosie. I can walk."

    Alyssa pouted and lightly punched Jasper''s chest. "It''s his fault for making it such a big deal. I''m not

    as fragile as he thinks."

    Jasper chuckled lightly. His eyes were filled with affection. "Yes, yes. My beautiful Lyse is a warrior.

    She is the coolest and sassiest woman I''ve ever met in my life.¡±

    He didn''t like to use the word "strong" to describe a woman. No one was willing to be strong if they

    had a choice.

 Chapter 1152

    Alyssa was like a delicate flower Jasper cared for attentively. No matter how big the storm or how

    vicious the battle was, he was there to defend her.

    Alyssa was so starved that her stomach rumbled.

    Rosie hastily went to the kitchen to make dinner for both of them. However, Alyssa was restlessly

    asking for a shower.

    "I want a nice-smelling bubble bath. I smell like horse shit!"

    "No. The doctor told me specifically that your wounds can''t be in contact with water for a week.

    Otherwise, it will get infected.¡±

    Jasper carried her back to the room. "I''ll wipe you off, okay?"

    "Will I be clean from wiping?" Alyssa pouted sulkily.

    "Of course. When have I not helped you?"

    Jaspers breathnded against her ears. His voice was raspy and enticing. "I guarantee you will be

    squeaky clean inside out.¡±

    "D-Don''t you dare have any naughty ideas. I''m exhausted today, and I want to sleep.¡±

    The positions that appeared in Alyssa¡¯''s mind were enough to make her blush. Plus, with Jasper''s

    naughty words and the moon shining bright outside the window, her delicate body began to turn

    warm.

    She felt thirsty and hot, yet her heart was soft and tender.

    The look in Jasper''s eyes darkened. He sighed sadly. "Your waist can''t take the thrusts. Even if I

    wanted to, I would hold it in and wait until after you get better."

    In the bathroom, Alyssa sat in the warm white mist, her fair and silky body exposed before Jasper.

    Jasper held a damp cloth. On one hand, he helped her to wipe her body. On the other hand, he

    traced along her neck with kisses.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    He could contain his desire but not his tempestuous love for her. Even though there wasn''t sex, they

    were entangled in a passionate kiss.

    "You always speak so eloquently during meetings at the Beckett Group. Have you lost all your words

    after speaking to Winston?"

    Alyssa covered herself with a bathrobe. Her soft and delicate body rxed in his embrace as she

    drew circles on his Adam''s apple with the tip of her finger. "Can''t you tell that Jameson stole your

    thunder?

    "You were the one who found the killer and set everything up. What right did he have to be there?

    He is so shameless!"

    Jasper was afraid she would fall and quickly held her. He swallowed hard and couldn''t help but peck

    her delicate lips. "I don''t care who appears as long as it solved your problem and everything ended

    on a good note. Nothing is as important as making sure you are okay."

    Alyssa felt her nose prickle. Tears welled up in her eyes as she was at a loss for words.

    This was why she loved him. He didn''t care about anything else but her. She even thought she

    would never achieve his extent of love.

    "It''s a shame that I didn''t manage to make everyone happy."

    Jasper felt absolutely helpless. He took a deep breath and patted her trembling back. "I feel like a

    student at the bottom of his ss. No matter how hard I try now, it always seems toote."

    "I don''t think so. Jasper, you''ve done really well. It''s already pretty great.¡± Alyssa choked slightly.

    Jasper would always be her hero. However, she thought it best not to tell him for fear he would get

    cocky.

 Chapter 1153

    After wiping Alyssa''s body down, Jasper was worried she would overexert herself. So, he carried her

    to the dining room for dinner.

    His mind had been preupied all day long. The warmth, interwoven with his manly scent,

    emanated from his usually neat and clean white shirt.

    Alyssa started feeling woozy. She didn''t find the smell repulsive. On the contrary, she pressed her

    nose against his chest and sniffed it like an unsatisfied kitten.

    "What''s the matter? Do you want to eat me up?" Jasper lowered his gaze and smiled as his thin lips

    grazed her forehead.

    "Even if I wanted to, you should take a shower. What a smelly man you are.¡±

    Alyssa was so embarrassed that she turned her face away. "You always keep yourself pretty clean

    Why hadn''t you showered this time?"

    "I didn''t manage to. I will shower after eating with you.¡±

    Alyssa pursed her thin lips. Her heart felt fuzzy.

    The table was filled with a plethora of exquisite delicacies. Rosie had prepared some of the food

    beforehand. The food only required heating up, so the food preparation didn''t take long.

    "Whoa ... You''re amazing, Mrs. Rosie!" Alyssa sat at the dining table, pping her hands like a happy

    school kid.

    "Please, Madam Alyssa. Your cooking is way better than mine! Have you forgotten that you taught

    me some of Mr. Jasper''s favorites here?"

    "Did 1? I''vepletely forgotten.¡± Alyssa felt embarrassed and buried her head in her food.

    She knew Rosie wasplimenting her, but this conversation reminded her of some unhappy

    memories between them.

    Jasper knew all too well the struggles she had faced before. His eyes filled with tears as he delicately

    used a napkin to wipe her lips.

    He wanted to say something, but Alyssa quickly shoved a prawn into his mouth. "Don''t apologize.

    Didn''t we say that we won''t talk about the past anymore?¡±

    Jasper was stunned. Then, a wry smile crept across his face as he attempted to chew the prawn. He

    thought Alyssa''s cooking was better.

    Suddenly, the entrance echoed with the creaking of a door. Three men walked in, making a dramatic

    entrance. The entire vi instantly transformed into a lively scene reminiscent of a New Year''s party.

    "Wow! You''re so selfish, Lyse, having this enormous table of food all to yourself. Don''t you think

    you''ve taken it too far?"

    Ss hadn''t eaten the whole day as he was busy reading case files. He was famished. He stepped

    forward, seized a chicken wing, and promptly stuffed it into his mouth.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Cyrus followed suit, tearing into a whole duck leg with gusto, as if he had recently battled a tiger.

    "My mouth is dry from a day of interrogations. I''ll eat this meat to hydrate myself."

    The esteemed Taylor brothers devoured the food like a pack of hungry wolves, leaving Jasper and

    Xavier in shock

    "Look at them, devouring everything like a pack of wild beasts."

    Alyssa, feeling helpless, rested her chin on her palm. "If Dad and Mandy saw this, they would

    probably strangle and disown them."

    Rosie was delighted to see how the guys enjoyed their food. She quickly asked them to sit. "Come!

    There is enough for everyone! I made some pasta too. Mr. Jasper doesn''t fancy pasta very much so I

    didn''t bring it out. Would both of you like some pasta?"

    Ss and Cyrus nodded eagerly, like bobbleheads. "Yes, please! Can we have some minced beef with

    it too?"

    Alyssa sighed and buried her face in her hand. "You should be grateful that you get to eat any of

    this. I can''t believe you have personal requests too.¡±

    Xavier couldn''t bear to watch anymore. He cleared his throat and reminded them, "Please don''t be

    distracted by the food. Madam Alyssa felt from her horse. Shouldn''t both of you, as her brothers,

    ask how she''s doing?"

    Ss and Cyrus looked at each other, one with a chicken wing in his mouth and the other chewing

    duck leg meat. They said at the same time, "Don''t you see her eating now? You don''t need to panic

    for no reason.¡±

    Xavier was stunned. He wondered if he was creating unnecessary panic or if theycked the heart to

    care.

    Alyssa was in Jasper''s arms,ughing hard.

 Chapter 1154

    Jasper gently caressed Alyssa''s waist with his strong arm, smiling at her tenderly.

    Ss and Cyrus were both busy men, rarely appearing at the same time. The fact that they were

    together now hinted at something unusual.

    Cyrus burped before putting on a serious expression. "Sophia''s urine test this afternoon confirmed

    drug use. It''s important to note that drug use and drug abuse are two different things.

    "However, she denied it and imed she thought her jabs were for cosmetic purposes. Tristan

    McAlister, her cosmetic doctor, prescribed them to her. She insists she had no clue and is being

    framed.¡±

    Alyssa was stunned

    Tristan was the one who prescribed the medication to Sophia. He was well-versed in pharmacology,

    so she had never asked him about it and let him handle it.

    Alyssa never fathomed he would supply Sophia with illegal drugs in suchrge doses. He was

    practically aiming to take her life away.

    "Cyrus, this has nothing to do with Tristan. Sophia must be panicking and trying to shift me onto

    him as her scapegoat.¡± Alyssa ardently defended Tristan.

    "Lyse, I know Tristan. Dad sponsored him before, and he has a good rtionship with you."

    Cyrus, deep in thought, observed the absence of the usual sibling banter in Alyssa''s eyes. "But I''m a

    cop. I have to follow the procedures fairly. I can''t abuse my power for personal gain.

    "Sophia insisted Tristan framed her. Even if she was lying, we have to adhere to the procedures and

    bring Tristan in for questioning.¡±

    Alyssa lowered her gaze, her silence speaking of her sadness.

    Jasper lifted his gaze. He didn''t want to see the siblings fight. He gently caressed Alyssa''s hand to

    comfort her as he spoke, "This is standard procedure. We understand, Chief Cyrus. You do what you

    need to do."

    Cyrus was ttered at being addressed as "Chief Cyrus".

    However, Alyssa couldn''t shake off the difort. Although she knew Cyrus was right, guilt

    weighed heavily on her regarding Tristan. She didn''t want anyone around her to suffer because of

    her actions.

    The atmosphere was rarely this tense when the siblings gathered.

    Cyrus¡¯ heart tightened. He didn''t want to bother his sister any longer by overstaying his wee.

    So, he said, "I have some things to handle at the station. I will take my leave. Ss, you keep Alyssa

    company. You are hardly here."

    As he turned to leave, Alyssa suddenly rushed forward, gripping his waist forcefully. "Don''t go,

    Cyrus. I didn''t say you had to go."

    Cyrus quickly extended his arms to return her hug. His eyes were moist.

    As her half-brother sharing the same father, Alyssa treated him well, though not as intimately as she

    treated Jonah and Ss. Hugging Alyssa was a rare opportunity for him as he was often too shy to

    make the first move.

    "I thought you were angry,¡± Cyrus said, lowering his gaze. His voice softened as he caressed the top

    of her head.

    Alyssa raised her head to gaze at him and shook it vehemently. "Why would I be angry at you,

    Cyrus? I know it hasn''t been easy getting into the police academy, bing a detective, and now

    leading your team.

    "I shouldn''t have been so stubborn and biased. You do what you need to do. Whatever happens, I

    will support your decision.¡±

    Xavier observed the intimate interaction between Alyssa and Cyrus, stealing a nce at Jasper''s

    face. Not surprisingly, Jasper''s expression was as dark as a ck hole.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, but jealousy overcame him. His eyes reddened.

    "Haha, you''re jealous,¡± Ss remarked as he pulled a chair and sat beside Jasper.

    Taking a bite of dessert, he continued, "You can''t even handle something this small. I think you''ve

    be a crybaby after getting together with Lyse."

 Chapter 1155

    Ss added, "By then, you will no longer be a heartless bastard but a crying bastard.¡±

    Jasper felt his blood boiling in him. He bit his thin lip and held it in. "All of you may be Lyse''s

    brothers, but Lyse has a man. Besides, all of you are adults now. You should know how to respect

    boundaries.¡±

    Ss almost choked after hearing his words. He patted his chest and red at him. "If Axel heard

    what you said, he will make sure you pay with your life right here and now."

    "He won''t." Jasper perked his brow slightly. "He wouldn''t want his sister to turn into a widow."

    Ss was rendered speechless.

    Cyrus, absorbed in Sophia''s serious case, was extremely busy. Sophia wasn''t just involved in drugs;

    she had killed people. If he didn''t convict her and avenge the deceased, he couldn''t live with

    himself.

    After dinner, they went to the living hall to discuss some matters.

    Just then, Cyrus¡¯ phone rang. It was a call from his colleague at the station. As he hung up, his face

    darkened gradually.

    "What''s the matter, Cyrus?" Alyssa asked with concern.

    Cyrus looked at Jasper with a conflicted look. "Mr. Beckett, your father hired the best attorney in

    Sna City for Sophia. He is now at the police station asking for a bail for Sophia.¡±

    "Shit! Does he think we''ll let him bail her just because he asked for it? Does he take the police

    station for his home kitchen?" Xavier seethed with anger.

    Xavier continued, "Some attorneys have no morals. They''d take any case thates their way. How

    is thew fair for everyone? From where I''m standing, he is a ve for money, a degenerate of

    society!"

    "The best attorney in Sna City?"

    Jasper and Alyssa exchanged knowing nces. "Is it Simon?"

    "Do both of you know him?" Cyrus asked, surprisedBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Please, we know him better than you think. We''re ¡°old pals. Alyssa sneered.

    "Yes, he''s the seasonedckey of Beckett Group!"

    Simon was unscrupulous and conniving. He was not an easy man to handle.

    "We need to convict Sophia of her crimes as soon as possible. If it''s for drug use, the Beckett

    Group''s power and Simon''s legal prowess would likely bail her out.¡±

    Ss gazed at Jasper with seriousness. "Jasper, I''ve reviewed your mother''s case file. The incident is

    two decades old, so the statute of limitations has expired. If you''re considering suing Sophia for

    first-degree murder, the chances of winning are minimal.¡±

    Alyssa''s eyes narrowed slightly as she stared in shock at the side of Jasper''s face. She couldn''t

    believe that Jasper had asked Ss for help. He was truly doing everything in his power to avenge

    his mother.

    Moreover, Jeffrey was the one who executed Nina''s murder, while Sophia was the instigator and

    aplice. If Simon defended Sophia by shifting all the me onto Jeffrey, she would only face a

    decade in prison, not the death penalty.

    The air between them suddenly turned still. It was so tense that everyone could barely breathe.

    "Ss, we have a recording of Nina when she was alive. Can''t we convict Sophia of her crimes based

    on the conversation between her and Betty in the recording?¡±

    Ss shook his head helplessly. "That was recorded secretly. It can''t be used as evidence in court.¡±

    Alyssa''s body slumped into Jasper''s embrace. It had been a long time since she felt so furious and

    hopeless.

    Jasper scooped her into his arms, using his hand to steady her trembling back. He said calmly, "I

    understand. Even if I manage to find the aplice who assisted Sophia in my mother''s murder, I

    only have a witness. What if I have physical evidence?"

 Chapter 1156

    The jaws of all three dropped in astonishment.

    "Jasper, it was 20 years ago. Where did you get the physical evidence from?" Alyssa grabbed

    Jasper''s hand.

    Jasper turned his hand around andced his fingers with hers. His voice was low and hoarse. "Do

    you remember when I mentioned I was investigating the maid who used to serve my mother?¡±

    Alyssa nodded.

    "She might have had a premonition before disaster struck. Before something happened to Sophia,

    she had intentions to escape. Xavier sent men over and managed to capture her. That''s when I

    employed some of my tricks."

    Jasper took a deep breath and continued, "Out of massive fear and to protect her son, she said

    some things that Sophia had never mentioned in the recording¡ªthe truth.¡±

    Jasper was a kind person. Given a choice, he wouldn''t use someone''s child to threaten or force his

    way. He wouldn''t be a monster who would use malicious ways to get what he wanted.

    Alyssa believed that even if the maid''s lips were sealed, Jasper wouldn''t have done anything to her

    son.

    He couldn''t go through with it. If he did, he would be no different from Jameson

    "Sophia killed my mother. Sophia poisoned her with her own hands," Jasper dered, his eyes

    reddening. He struggled to suppress the hatred within him. His hand that held onto Alyssa turned

    as cold as an iceberg.

    "She poisoned her with her own hands?" Ss and Cyrus¡¯ faces stiffened.

    Xavier''s body swayed as if he had been struck hard by someone.

    Alyssa''s nose stung. She felt the air around her thinning. Her heart felt as if a huge rock was on top

    of it.

    If it were someone else, they would have gone ballistic. However, Jasper kept his cool. The calmer

    he was, the more her heart ached.

    "Jasper, what''s going on?" Cyrus anxiously asked.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "The maid mentioned that she followed Sophia''s orders to swap my mother''s medication for

    depression. However, she swapped the medication with supplements, so it wasn''t lethal.

    "During that time, Sophia probably realized my mother''s rtionship with Javier had improved and

    was losing sleep over it. So, she swapped the normal supplement for a poison that was taken in

    small amounts daily but can cause heart paralysis and death over time.¡±

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as her hand caressed his back lightly.

    "How did the maid know everything in such great detail?" Out of upational habit, Ss, the

    prosecutor, was eager to know more.

    "She saw it with her own eyes.¡±

    Jasper held Alyssa''s hand securely. It was as if her touch was the only thing calming him down. "She

    said she noticed something two days before my mother jumped off the building. After she swapped

    my mother''s medication, Sophia would slip in and change the medication again¡ªunnoticed. The

    maid had never brought it up or dared ask a word about it."

    "This was because if your mother died of heart paralysis, then the maid who handled her medication

    would be brought away for questioning.¡± Alyssa¡¯s heart was pounding as she analyzed the situation

    calmly.

    She continued, "Then, it didn''t matter how the maid tried to exin. She was the one responsible

    for keeping the medication. It was her who swapped it, and she had to take the fall for the crime.¡±

    "Though she mulled it over at that moment, being caught up in it left her with no option to turn

    away. She could only tread this shady path.¡± Jasper stopped briefly. His face was getting paler.

    "However, something happened on the day of the incident.

    "My mother wanted to take a walk in the garden. However, she realized she didn''t have her camera

    with her, so she returned to her room. Then, she ran into Sophia, who was swapping the

    medication.¡±

    Alyssa''s heart sank.

    Jasper looked down and nodded. "Yes. That maid hid outside the room and eavesdropped

    everything that happened inside.

    "However, her hands were not entirely clean from this. So, she was overly anxious during that time

    and kept everyone at arm''s length. She hadn''t had a good night''s sleep the entire time.¡±

    "Hmph! She can make up for her lost sleep in prison, then!" Cyrus gnashed his teeth.

    "That maid said she couldn''t see what happened inside. But she vaguely heard that my mother and

    Sophia were in a heated argument.

    "Since my mother joined the Beckett family, she had be an emotionally numb person. That was

    the first time she expressed outrage. So, the maid was shocked to hear that.¡±

    "Then?" Alyssa stared at him, barely blinking.

 Chapter 1157

    "The maid heard a silence. After that, I saw ..." Jasper''s voice trailed off, and his chest heaved. His

    eyes were bloodshot, and his nostrils red.

    His palms sweated and trembled in Alyssa¡¯s grip as he revisited the scene of his mother''s fatal fall.

    For the first time, he learned about the dull thud produced by a body hitting the ground. He swore

    he could even hear the sounds of Anne''s bones breaking.

    He had merely taken a glimpse of the scene, but the trauma that came with it would haunt him for

    the rest of his life.

    "Stop it, Jasper. Stop ..." Alyssa hugged him tightly, wanting to be one with him. Jasper did not cry,

    but she started sobbing. Her tears stained his white shirt.

    "It''s fine. I am vengeful, but I won''t be blinded by hate. I''m not going to break down," Jasper

    remarked as a newfound light entered his eyes.

    His attitude softened as he wiped away her tears with his rough dingers. "I''m strong because you''re

    by my side. Lyse, you have no idea how much you mean to me. You''ve given me the courage to

    carry on. Otherwise, I would have sumbed to despair.¡±

    Ss and Cyrus finally realized that Cyrus was right. Alyssa was the reason that kept Jasper going.

    When Alyssa and Jasper calmed down, Cyrus asked with a frown, "The silence and Madam Anne''s

    fall happened at the same time. Could that indirectly prove Sophia''s involvement? She was the only

    one present in the room."

    Ss joined Cyrus in analyzing the facts. "You mentioned that Madam Anne''s rtionship with Mr.

    Javier had improved. When she caught Sophia tampering with her medication, she appeared

    furious. That doesn''t align with typical behavior for a suicidal person.

    "While wecked solid evidence, things seem to be pointing at Sophia. Madam Anne was likely

    pushed off the building by her.¡±

    While patting Alyssa on the back, Jasper exined, "ording to the maid, she saw Sophia fleeing

    the bedroom in panic, and they collided. Sophia threatened her not to say a word and paid her a

    good amount of hush money so that she wouldn''t have to work for the family anymore.

    "The maid wasn''t even motivated by the money. She was mostly worried about Sophia''s retaliation.

    That''s why she took the money and kept her silence.¡±

    "She''s a key witness. You have to protect her well,¡± Cyrus warned Jasper sternly.

    Ss seethed with anger. "The priority now is to get Sophia charged with drug offenses and keep

    her behind bars while we gather evidence of premeditated murder.¡±

    Alyssa finally realized the reason Jasper didn''t get Sophia arrested on charges of abetting murder.

    Given that he only had one shot, he wanted to arrest Sophia with irrefutable evidenceMaterial ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "Jasper, about that evidence you mentioned?" Alyssa''s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

    Jasper''s eyes darkened. He put a hand around her waist and brushed his lips against her ear. "I''ll tell

    you all about it when we''re alone.¡±

    At the same time, things were intense at The Millennium. Carl and Amber waited outside the

    basement and listened to the agonizing screams from within. Amber appeared unfazed, while Carl

    was visibly distressed.

    Hemented, "You''re quite something, aren''t you? How do you stayposed amid those

    screams? I''ve seldom encountered a woman as tough as you, except for Ms. Alyssa," Carl remarked.

    She smirked. "Sharing her looks is pathetic enough. Can''t I even have a personality of my own?"

    "Gosh, I didn''t mean that..." Carl was interrupted as the basement door swung open.

    Jameson appeared in a blood-stained silk shirt, his upper torso covered in blood.

 Chapter 1158

    Jameson panted heavily as sweat trickled down his chiseled face. His eyes gleamed with malice, like

    a devil emerging from the depths of hell. A sense of satisfaction enveloped him after his recent

    predation.

    "Mr. Schmidt," Carl and Amber greeted him in unison.

    Jameson tossed the blood-stained whip onto the floor and took off his sses. He then wiped off

    the blood on the sses with the hem of his shirt.

    Back in Kontina, he''d go hunting whenever he was in a foul mood. Unfortunately, Sna City didn''t

    have any hunting grounds. Left with no choice, he was forced to release his frustration on human

    beings instead.

    To his surprise, he found torturing humans much more enjoyable than hunting wild animals, a

    practice he intended to continue.

    Carl and Amber silently trailed him to his room. Observing the blood on Jameson''s hand, Carl

    nudged Amber. "Ms. Altman, Mr. Schmidt is injured. Please tend to his wound.¡±

    Taken aback, Amber hesitated briefly before offering, "Mr. Schmidt, your hand is injured. I''ll¡ªAh!"

    Before she knew it, Jameson had aggressively dragged her into his bedroom and mmed the door

    shut, leaving Carl worrying for her fate at the door.

    In the room, Jameson fervently kissed her on the lips as he tore her clothes. She found herself in

    only her undergarments as they stumbled onto the bed. Protectively folding her arms across her

    chest, she trembled. "No ... Please, no ... Mr. Schmidt ..."

    "Amber Altman, how dare you refuse me?" Jameson mounted her soft body and glowered at her

    face, which bore an uncanny resemnce with Alyssa. "You''re not Alyssa. Do you think you could

    turn me down as she did?"

    With that, he pped her across the face, causing her cheeks to swell and her ears to ring.

    In her decade of service to Jameson, he had never forced himself on her despite treating her like a

    tool.

    The p shattered any illusions she held about Jameson. He was no longer the perfect and kind

    gentleman she once knew.

    Jameson paused, about to speak, but a ringing phone interrupted him. He frowned when he saw the

    caller ID. "Why are you calling me?"Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "You''ll have trouble settling your problem without my help. Isn''t that right?¡± the caller teased with a

    snicker.

    Jameson turned his back on Amber, yet she could overhear the caller''s voice¡ªa deep, distinctive,

    melodious tone.

    "I''m surprised you heard about it," Jameson replied respectfully, surprising Amber.

    "Of course. Ms. Alyssa is a well-known name. Not only is she a rare beauty, but she''s also stubborn,

    sassy, and exceptional. I admire those qualities in her."

    Jameson felt his chest tighten. He bit his lower lip nervously.

    The man continued, "Don''t worry. I observe the bro code. I would never pursue the woman you

    have your eyes on.¡±

    With a chuckle, he added, "Not only that, I''ll lend you a hand in winning Ms. Alyssa''s heart."

 Chapter 1159

    Jameson perked up upon hearing the man''s willingness to assist. "Please borate.¡±

    "Check your phone. I have a gift for you."

    Jameson immediately looked at his phone screen. There, he discovered a new email notification.

    Meanwhile, Amber observed Jameson''s tensing posture intently, her curiosity deepening regarding

    the identity of the caller who was capable of affecting Jameson.

    Pursing his pallid lips, Jameson tapped on the newly received email, which contained an attachment

    of a hospital diagnosis. Furrowing his brows, he swiftly checked the contents, which left him visibly

    shocked.

    His heart raced, and he almost lost his grip on the phone.

    The caller chuckled. "What''s wrong? Is it too shocking for you?"

    "Is that real? No, it''s not true ..." Jameson mumbled, repeatedly checking the document. He

    trembled uncontrobly as his blood ran cold. "How could Lyse have been pregnant with Jasper''s

    baby? How could they have had a child together?¡±

    "What''s the problem? Will you love her less just because she was once pregnant?¡± The caller

    snorted and added indifferently, "You should be thankful that she suffered a miscarriage. Otherwise,

    you''ll be fathering Jasper Beckett''s kid. Being a stepfather is not a walk in the park.¡±

    Crushed by the truth, Jameson''s eyes flickered with resentment as he grappled with the heartache.

    The caller disregarded his emotional turmoil and added with a smile, "Jasper Beckett himself didn''t

    know about her pregnancy and miscarriage. She kept it a secret from him. Not only that, she kept it

    from her dad and her brothers.

    "Just imagine the men of the Taylor family learning about the miscarriage and infertility of their

    precious Alyssa, all because of Jasper. Do you think they''ll still give their blessings to her and Jasper?

    That''s impossible!"

    Jameson grasped his phone tightly as pain coursed through his veins. He looked sickly.

    The caller was right. Alyssa¡¯s greatest pain in life was losing her child. Jameson believed he could

    exploit her vulnerability to drive a wedge between her and Jasper. He resolved to go to any lengths

    to ruin her rtionship with Jasper.

    Collecting himself, he responded, "Thank you for your help. If I win Alyssa''s heart, I''ll repay you in

    any way possible.¡± His eyes shed with a menacing look.

    "You''ve been of great help to me by managing my business in Kontina. This is a small favor. Don''t

    mention it." After a pause, the caller suddenly reminded him, "By the way, keep our exchange a

    secret. Leaking it will only backfire on you.¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "Got it. I''ve chosen a representative to release the news," Jameson said, adjusting his sses with an

    evil grin. "She''s the best candidate.¡±

    The incident at the horseracing event had thrust the Becketts and the Harpers into a severe PR crisis.

    Despite the Beckett Group PR department''s efforts to control and remove the videos, the discussion

    surrounding Sophia''s video remained intense.

    Regrettably, the video repeatedly resurfaced because theizens made copies and spread them

    like the gue. The Beckett Group failed to get rid of the embarrassing videos once and for all.

 Chapter 1160

    ¡°Who has the video of Sophia Kirkman? Send me a copy, please?¡±

    ¡°Sharing is caring!¡±

    ¡°I want it too!¡±

    ¡°I want it three!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve watched it once. It¡¯s so thrilling. DM me if you want it!¡±

    ¡°You disgusting people! What¡¯s so great about watching an olddy touching herself? It¡¯s revolting, but

    hey, I won¡¯t mind a copy.¡±

    While the Beckett Group was fighting the shameful scandal, the Harper Group dealt with a bigger issue

    at hand. The news of the Harpers poisoning KS Group¡¯s racehorse had spread like wildfire nationwide.

    The incident went beyond reputational damage. Due to the foul y, Alyssa was at risk of serious

    injury. Following the news, Harper

    Group¡¯s stock price plummeted, resulting in a staggering ten billion dor loss in market value.

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Some businesses promptly terminated their partnerships with Harper Group, fearing they might

    be victims of thepany¡¯s questionable ethics. Recognizing theirck of influencepared to

    KS Group, these businesses could only endure in silence if Harper Group exploited them.

    Preston spent days extinguishing fires, but those he contacted only humored him due to his social

    standing. His arrogance at the horseracing event had be the talk of social circles, tarnishing his

    reputation irreparably. No one would take him seriously anymore.

    Overnight, the Harper Group became the outcast of society and

    Cornelius, already an old man, was rushed to the hospital after suffering the blow. Penelope, Zoe, and

    Preston stayed by his side.

    Leaning weakly against the headboard, Cornelius mmed his fist on the bed with a flushed face.

    ¡°Losers! None of you could resolve thepany¡¯s crisis. What¡¯s the point of staying by my bedside? If

    we don¡¯t survive this crisis, I will rewrite my will and donate all my assets. You guys will not get a cent

    of the inheritance!¡±

    Zoe was terrified at Cornelius¡¯ threat. His inheritance was a windfall, and she¡¯d be doomed if he

    decided to give it to charity.

    Cornelius continued indignantly, ¡°God, show some mercy to the Harper family! How could you take my

    Bill away so soon? He¡¯s the only good one in the family!

    ¡°Look at what has befallen our family. Oh, Bill, this wouldn¡¯t have happened if you were still alive!¡±

    Cornelius¡¯ words triggered Penelope¡¯s memories of herte husband, and she began sobbing. Preston,

    feeling envious, clenched his jaw and advised, ¡°Dad, calm down. I¡¯ve been trying to handle the crisis.

    I¡¯ll convince our business partners who canceled their projects with us to reconsider ¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t think I¡¯m not aware of your capability. If you were nicer to Alyssa and her family, things

    wouldn¡¯t have spiraled into this state,¡± Cornelius berated his second son with disappointment.

    He continued, ¡°Have you done anything noteworthy since the incident started? Just look at the stock

    price and the failed partnerships! How will you save thepany when you¡¯re facing a reputational

    crisis yourself? No one will show you any respect now.¡±

    Preston struggled to suppress his frustration. It was humiliating for a man of his age to be publicly

    scolded by his father.

    Cornelius grunted. ¡°Just lie low for now, or you¡¯llnd us in greater trouble. Hand over your projects to

    Landon, and let him handle the PR crisis.

    ¡°Since the public is averse to you, stay away from the public eye. You wouldn¡¯t want to fuel their hatred

    for thepany, would you?¡±

    With that, Cornelius waved Preston away. He effectively offered Landon a promotion, albeit a

    temporary one. Suddenly, Landon rose to power in thepany, just second only to Cornelius.

    In that position, Landon could potentially helm thepany one day. Preston¡¯s expression turned into

    a mix of shock and hatred as color drained from his face.

    After all his years toiling away for thepany, he lost his power all because of a silly horseracing

    event. The fruits of his hard work now fell into thep of Landon¡¯s family.

 Chapter 1161

    Why? Landon and his family did not deserve it!

    Preston persistently begged, ¡°Dad, give me some time. I promise I¡¯ll take care of it! I¡¯ve been settling

    problems for thepany over the years. You should trust me!¡±

    ¡°Enough. The decision¡¯s been made.¡± Cornelius frowned, visibly irritated. ¡°I admit I have not paid much

    attention to Landon in the past. I¡¯ll consider this a test for him. As his uncle, you should guide and

    advise him.¡±

    He rendered Preston speechless. Once Zoe noticed that Cornelius had sided with her family, she took

    the opportunity and suggested, Grandpa, I have another solution to help us out of the crisis. Have you

    forgotten about it?¡±

    ¡°What solution is that?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you agree to discuss marriage with Uncle Javier?¡± Zoe blinke feigning innocence.

    Penelope¡¯s heart sank upon hearing that. ¡°Zoe! Why bring it up?¡±

    ¡°Proposing a marriage? Zoe, stop embarrassing yourself.¡± Preston snickered. ¡°Remember, your

    scandal on the horseracing event is still out there for the world to see.

    ¡°No esteemed family would want to take you as a daughter-inw, not to mention the Beckett Family;

    that would make them the enemies of the Taylors.¡±

    Zoe shot daggers at Preston as she seethed. When she was about to retort, Cornelius said sternly,

    ¡°Indeed. We need to propose a marriage.

    Preston was shocked by Cornelius¡¯ odd decision, especially when the Harpers were at the center of the

    storm.

    ¡°It will be advantageous for us to forge a marriage with the Becketts. I foresee our stock price

    rebounding, and that will quell the voice of dissent in thepany. The Becketts will equally benefit

    from the marriage because they need a boost of investor confidence after Sophia Kirkman¡¯s scandal.

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°The Beckett Group and Jesselton Incorporated remain in the honeymoon phase of their partnership. If

    the arranged marriage is sessful, we could benefit from that partnership as well.

    ¡°If that happens, we can shake off the problems from the horseracing event,¡± Cornelius analyzed, his

    eyes sparkling with excitement.

    Zoe blushed shyly, secretly ted.

    ¡°Dad, I had the same idea, but it takes two to tango. We have to get the Becketts to agree to it. Haven¡¯t

    you seen Jasper with Alyssa? He seems dead set on marrying her.

    ¡°Besides, Javier will have to rely on Jasper since Justin wants to stay out of the business. Zoe will

    never get to marry Jasper without Javier¡¯s blessing,¡± Prestonmented.

    His remark made sense. Cornelius grew serious and muttered, ¡°Right. This is a problem.¡±

    ¡°Jasper Beckett is a love fool. I bet he wouldn¡¯t consider dating anyone else unless Alyssa dies.¡±

    Preston clicked his tongue.

    As a man, he understood Jasper¡¯s feelings. He spotted the same affection in the way Landon looked at

    Lauren.

    When the Harpers were deep in thought, Zoe¡¯s phone rang. Her chest tightened when she checked the

    caller ID, and she hurried out of the room to answer the call in a quiet corner.

    A few minutester, Zoe skipped her way back to Cornelius¡¯ room. She sat by his bed and sped his

    hands with a sly and excited look. She purred, ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t lose sleep over it. I have a way of

    making Jasper and Alyssa break up. The Becketts will have no choice but to ept me.¡±

 Chapter 1162

    Sophia¡¯s scandal at the horseracing event had single-handedly thrown the Beckett Group into disarray.

    Newton, at the top of the chain ofmand, confronted Javier with an ultimatum. He wanted Sophia to

    rot in prison and had no qualms to disown Javier should thetter attempt to intervene.

    s, Javier held a different opinion. He would be dragged by theizens sooner orter if he sat back

    and watched as Sophia was canceled. They would surely criticize him for being a cold-blooded

    capitalist who treated his wife like a pawn in a game of chess.

    He was tired of beingughed at and mocked. In the past, he had an arranged marriage with the

    daughter of the Duttons, which did not work out. Later, rumors had it that he mistreated Anne Bartley,

    who killed herself due to depression. Now, his wife, Sophia, was put behind bars for drug offenses.

    He did not want the ill fates of his women to be fodder for gossip. To protect his image, he could

    not sit back as Sophia was branded a criminal.

    Never had he expected that Jasper would convene a meeting with the upper management of Beckett

    Group without his approval as the chairman. Not only that, Jasper had officially stripped Sophia of her

    role as executive director.

    Upon arriving, Javier faced a silent room of departing managers who greeted him respectfully.

    Javier thundered, ¡°Jasper, you owe me an exnation. How dare you hold a meeting with the upper

    management without my approval?¡±

    Jasper dismissed his concern, saying, ¡°That was just a routine affair- a daily meeting.¡± He leaned into

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    the chair and slowly fidgeted with the

    president to preside over daily meetings. So, why are you angry?¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have stepped over me and removed Sophia from her duties. You need to ask for my

    opinion on such a huge decision. It¡¯s the rule!¡± Javier huffed and puffed.

    ¡°It¡¯s toote.¡± The look in Jasper¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°The entire nation is awaiting our decision on

    Sophia. Yet, you didn¡¯t release any statement in three days. The discussion surrounding the scandal

    has not ended, and it¡¯s taking a huge toll on thepany¡¯s reputation.

    ¡°As the president, I need toe to this decision for thepany¡¯s sake. Don¡¯t tell me you are still

    intent on protecting Sophia Kirkman. Otherwise, there¡¯s no reason to object to her removal.¡±

    Javier glowered at Jasper. ¡°Jasper Beckett!¡±

    ¡°Sophia Kirkman is a criminal who caused us enough trouble, abused her power, and was involved in

    drug offenses. She should be ashamed of herself. Moreover, she does not deserve to act as our

    executive director. Is thepany her money tree?¡± Jasper snickered.

    ¡°But the police have not closed the case yet! There are unexined aspects in the drug allegation. She

    could have been framed!¡±

    The members of the upper management looked troubled by Javier¡¯s words.

    Jasper argued, ¡°Tell me, how was she framed when she had clearly injected the drugs into her veins?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you find it odd? Everything was too coincidental. Sophie wasn¡¯t usually that careless!¡± Javier

    blurted out and immediately regretted his words.

    He had made it sound as if Sophia hadn¡¯t been caught before this, all because she was careful to

    conceal her tracks.

    The upper management appeared even more skeptical. Some cast disdainful looks at Javier.

    Jasper¡¯s face soured as he had run out of patience. He announced, I¡¯ve released an official statement.

    The entirepany will learn about Sophia¡¯s removal. I¡¯m a man of his word-it¡¯s toote to do anything

    now.¡±

    With that, Jasper rose and straightened his tie before leaving.

    ¡®Jasper Beckett, know your ce! Don¡¯t you know that I have the final say as the chairman?¡± Javier lost

    control of his temper and overtly confronted Jasper. ¡°You think you could sleep in peace as the

    president now? I have another son. I can make Justin the president, too! If he¡¯s willing to return to the

    city, I could totally kick you out of thepany!¡±

    The onlookers held their breath.

 Chapter 1163

    It was public knowledge that Javier and Jasper did not get along, but it was the first time anyone had

    witnessed an open argument between them.

    Jasper might be a ruthless man, but his record-setting aplishments and swift business expansion

    during his tenure as president had earned recognition from his subordinates.

    However, Javier¡¯s veiled threat to oust Jasper for Sophia tainted his image, painting him as a corrupted

    figure.

    Jasper would have been enraged at Javier¡¯s threat in the past, but he felt different now. His priority was

    Alyssa¡¯s well-being, not his father¡¯s.

    He retorted, ¡°I don¡¯t care who¡¯ll be the future president, but I am in power now, and I would like to

    remove Sophia Kirkman. What can you do about that?¡±

    With that, he briskly exited the meeting room, leaving behind the astonished attendees and an

    incensed Javier.

    The night had fallen when Jasper left the office. Slouching wearily in the back of his car, he enjoyed

    some shut-eye.

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, you were so cool back there, standing up to Mr. Javier!¡± Xavier eximed, brimming with

    excitement.

    ¡°Well, ites with a cost,¡± Jasper responded, wearing a wry smile.

    ¡°Who cares as long as you look cool! Speaking of Justin, he looks too frail to be of any use. Even if

    he¡¯s back, I bet he can¡¯tst even a week on your hectic schedule.¡± Xavier appeared optimistic about

    Jasper¡¯s future. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re back on good terms with Madam. You¡¯ll have

    ¡°Think about it. Your future wife is a Taylor, and your future father-in-w chairs KS Group. Add a few

    aplished brother-inws to the mix, and Mr. Javier won¡¯t dare touch you. You¡¯re good!¡±

    ¡°Are you suggesting that I take advantage of Lyse¡¯s influence?¡±

    Jasper inquired with a cold edge.

    Xavier froze and hurriedly rified, ¡°No! You¡¯d never take advantage of her, of course!¡±

    Jasper snorted. ¡°Xavier, you¡¯ll need to get checked by Dr. Lovce one day. He¡¯s a neurologist.¡±

    Xavier put on an apologetic and fearful smile. Admittedly, Jasper¡¯s personality had improved ever since

    he dated Alyssa. In the past, Jasper would threaten to fire him or tell him off. At least now, Jasper

    seemed concerned about his mental health, or at least that was what

    Xavier believed.

    After a moment of silence, Jasper noticed the suffocating feeling in his chest. He thought of all the

    hardships he endured during his time at the Beckett Group. Yet, at the end of the day, Javier treated

    him as disposable.

    ¡°Xavier, let¡¯s go home.¡± Jasper shut his eyes and took a deep breath. He said lovingly, ¡°Gosh, I missed

    her so ¡­¡±

    Alyssa was alone at home. She hummed a tune while cing a hand on her hip and stirring the soup

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    with adle.

    Rosie had found a friend in the neighborhoodtely-a fellow maid. Alyssa granted Rosie time off to

    spend with her newfoundpanion.

    As Alyssa was injured on the waist, she suffered from pain, and her

    Jasper was out all day for work, she wanted to make a hot meal for him.

    Recalling her excellent culinary skills, she chuckled at her old self, who sought to win Jasper¡¯s heart

    through delicious meals. The notion seemed so absurd in retrospect.

 Chapter 1164

    True love had nothing to do with a wife''s culinary skills. A man who truly loved a woman would still find

    her attractive at her worst.

    Alyssa was too focused on cooking and did not notice Jasper creeping up to her.

    She gasped when he pulled her into a hug, his masculine scent enveloping her senses.

    He grumbled, "Why are you moving around when I''m not at home? You''re injured and need rest." He

    tightened his grip on her waist with desire, but she kept quiet about the difort.

    Instead, she ced her right hand on the back of his hand and patted it. She allowed him to hug her for

    as long as he wished. His heavy breath on her neck sent electric shivers through her.

    Suddenly detecting a faint tobo scent, she questioned, "Did you smoke?"

    "Sorry, Lyse. I couldn''t resist," he rasped, resting his chin on her shoulder. Rubbing his chin against her

    skin, he vowed, "I won''t do it again."

    "Anything troubling you?" she wondered, feeling worried when she sensed his low mood.

    "Nothing."

    "Did Javier give you trouble at work?" she mused wittily, as observant as ever.

    Smiling bitterly, he teased her, "I''ll need to perform a body scan. Did you put a hidden camera

    somewhere on me?"

    "Yeah. It''s here." She turned, poking his heart. "Did he confront you about Sophia?"

    "I hosted a meeting and stripped Sophia of her role in thepany. He didn''t seem pleased about it. I

    think he wanted to protect her." Jasper sounded t. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear,

    "Nah, Javier didn''t confront you to protect Sophia. At the end of the day, he was trying to protect his

    reputation. Everyone was talking about the tragic fates of the women associated with him. I bet there

    are lots of conspiracy theories out there," Alyssa bluntly expressed her thoughts in front of Jasper.

    He agreed, "I know. My dad is a selfish man." Feeling uneasy, he let out a frustrated sigh, worried that

    he had let her down again.

    He promised, "Don''t worry about it. We''ll move out of Seaview Manor when we''re married and get our

    own ce."

    The talk of marriage made Alyssa blush. Her heart raced.

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    "If you prefer more time with your family, I''ll stay in Belbanks with you. If you''re worried about Grandpa,

    we can buy a vi at Crescent Bay to stay close to him." Jasper smiled as he pictured their future

    together.

    "Grandpa called me two days ago to check on my injury. He told me that he was fed up with Sna

    City and its petty people. He would much prefer the down-to-earth nature of the Belbanks natives, and

    he thought of moving to Belbanks with me," she sweetly revealed.

    "Anything you like." Jasper, defenseless against her charm, kissed her passionately. Their breaths

    mingled as their tongues danced.

    A whileter, she pulled away, face flushed. "Living in Belbanks might be troublesome for your job.

    You''ll spend four hours on themute."

 Chapter 1165

    "Lyse, if you''re nning a future with me in it, does it mean you''re willing to marry me?" Jasper shed

    a cheeky grin and pinched Alyssa''s cheek.

    Alyssa protested, "No! I''m not marrying you. That was ..."

    She had just thought that his proposal was shabby.

    At the police station, Cyrus was facing a dilemma. The time limit for Sophia''s detention hadpsed, and

    both the Beckett family and his superiors were exerting pressure to release Sophia within the next two

    hours.

    The clock was ticking.

    Simon Lynch emerged from the interrogation room after speaking with Sophia. He strolled over to

    Cyrus'' desk, arrogantly crossing his legs. Lifting his chin, he sneered, "Chief Taylor, I understand your

    desire to seek justice for your sister, but everyone is equal under thew. No innocent citizen shall be

    treated unfairly.

    "Abusing your authority against Sophia serves no purpose. It only exposes your inadequacy as aw

    enforcement officer. You''re too young,cking the experience and vision of your seniors."

    "Are you saying that Sophia Kirkman is an innocent citizen?" Cyrus raised a skeptical brow and

    directed a piercing gaze at Simon''s smug face. "Mr. Lynch, you''re full of shit. Why else would you have

    said that?"

    "You¡ª" Simon''s face reddened with anger. As he was about to m the table, he held back at the

    thought of his social standing. He gritted his teeth. "Chief Taylor, you''d be naive to think I can''t take

    action against you because you''re Winston Taylor''s son. What you did was a personal attack. I could

    file aint against you."

    "Do it if you dare," Cyrus smirked, knowing fully that Simon was nothing more than a bully who preyed

    on the weak. Sometimes, he couldn''t help but muse about the stark contrast between Sean, the

    gentleman, and his wretched older brother Simon.

    "Chief Taylor, it''s time to give up," Simon remarked.

    He leaned against the chair and haughtily checked his wristwatch. "You have two hours. What''s the

    point of putting up a futile defense? The oue will not change. You''re just a lowly policeman who

    could change nothing. If I were you, I''d rather act in the capacity of Cyrus Taylor. That might be more

    effective in getting what you want." "Hah, what nonsense. Who do you think you are?" Cyrus stared

    squarely at Simon''s annoying face and emphasized, "Sophia Kirkman will be detained until the time is

    up, even if there are only two hours left." Simon shrugged. "I''m fine with it as long as it doesn''t stop me

    from catching up on my TV show tonight."

    Beneath Cyrus''posed demeanor, he clenched his fist in silent frustration, cursing Simon for being

    passive-aggressive.

    Was there no hope for a miracle in Sophia''s case?

    At that moment, a policewoman rushed over, eximing, "Chief Taylor, someone has turned himself

    in!"

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Which case is this?"

    "It''s Sophia Kirkman''s case. The man ims he supplied Sophia with drugs. He has evidence proving

    her drug use!"

    Upon hearing this, Cyrus''s eyes lit up, his heart racing. Meanwhile, Simon held his breath, stunned by

    the unexpected turn of events.

 Chapter 1166

    Jasper realized that he had acted brashly when Alyssa ignored him. Alyssa had suffered enough when

    she was with him.

    Although he was overwhelmed with emotions, he knew he had to make amends. How could he imagine

    their life after marriage before he even prepared a grand proposal for her?

    It was patient and kind of her to not lose her temper with him.

    Alyssa gasped, "Oh, my soup!" The soup sputted and spilled over. She hurriedly cleaned up the mess.

    Looking at the boiling soup and the food in the rising steam, he teared up but quickly wiped away the

    teardrop. Wanting to help Alyssa, he rolled up his sleeves to clean the kitchen and set the table without

    bothering to change into casual wear.

    Jasper was pushed to tears because he felt sorry and guilty for his behavior. He could have enjoyed

    such a delightful home life in his three years of marriage, but he never appreciated her effort.

    Fortunately, he was able to win her back, and he resolved not to let go of her.

    "The weather''s warming uptely. I made some desserts for you. Give them a taste." She picked up a

    piece of ice cream cake and sent it to his mouth.

    He leaned toward her and opened his mouth, but she cheekily moved away and held the slice of cake

    between her lips, winking at him to tease him.

    Aroused, he held the back of her neck and bit off half of the cake. After swallowing, he kissed her

    passionately, causing her to gasp and moan.

    After some snogging, she felt her body weakening from the arousal. Even her nightdress was stained

    by the strains of saliva. He held her waist and marveled at her perfect figure underneath the nightdress.

    His eyes traveled all across her body, taking her in. At the same time, his manhood hardened, fully

    aroused.

    "How was it? Sweet?" She ced a hand on his shoulder and wiped away the crumbs on his lips with

    her finger.

    "You''re sweeter," he replied, eyes full of desire as he sucked on her fingertip.

    "You naughty sweet-talker," she grumbled lovingly and shuddered from the electrifying sensation on her

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    fingertips.

    Then, she purred, "Alright now. Let''s eat. The food''s getting cold."

    Jasper let go of her momentarily and prepared to dig in when her phone rang. Her heart skipped a beat

    when she noticed it was a call from Cyrus. Putting Cyrus on speaker, she questioned, "Cyrus, what''s

    wrong?"

    "Lyse, I have good news and bad news for you. Which one would you like to learn first?" Cyrus

    sounded troubled.

    She looked into Jasper''s eyes. "Tell me the good news."

    "We will charge Sophia for drug possession and drug use, that''s for sure. We''ll send first offenders to

    drug rehab, but since the amount of drugs she possessed has reached the threshold, she will have to

    serve three years in prison."

    Three years was a light sentence for Sophia, but this was just the beginning. There was more to follow.

    Jasper wondered, "What''s the bad news?"

    "We''re able to officially press charges against Sophia because Tristan McAlister turned himself in."

 Chapter 1167

    Jasper and Alyssa''s faces fell. Alyssa felt her chest tighten. "Did Tristan turn himself in?"

    "Yes. He has also turned in all evidence against Sophia. Every one of them is devastating to the

    Beckett Group. Javier Beckett''s blood pressure will go through the roof if he sees it. Simon Lynch could

    try all he wants, but he''ll never be able to save Sophia."

    Despite the good news, Alyssa couldn''t muster any joy. Jasper, sensing her distress, embraced her. "I

    know you won''t feel like eating now. Let''s head to the police station. I''ll heat up the food when we get

    back."

    She leaned into his chest, nodding with a troubled expression.

    Tristan sat calmly in the interrogation room, with just a wall separating him from Sophia. Hisposure

    was the exact opposite of Sophia''s hysteria.

    "Sir, that''s all I have to report regarding the details of my drug dealing with Sophia," Tristan concluded.

    Cyrus studied his face and wondered, "Mr. McAlister, you should know that you''re in deeper trouble

    than Sophia. You''ll be charged with drug distribution and face a longer prison sentence."

    "Mr. Cyrus, I know." Tristan seemed unfazed.

    "But why?" Cyrus could not overtly ask the question because of his job, but Tristan knew what he was

    curious about.

    Tristan could have chosen silence, and the police couldn''t have done anything to him even if Sophia

    had ratted him out, as she did not have evidence of his crimes. To everyone''s surprise, he chose to

    turn himself in.

    "You must have sacrificed yourself for someone you care deeply about," Cyrus spected, Alyssa''s

    face shing in his mind.

    Tristan merely smiled. "Looks like you''ve guessed it. What a coincidence. I have the same person in

    mind."

    His joy-filled smile resembled someone infatuated with a newfound campus crush.

    Cyrus appeared stunned but eventually sighed. "Understood."

    "No, you don''t. No one would ever understand my pure andplex feelings for her," Tristan dered

    with a proud smile.

    Soon, Alyssa and Jasper arrived at the police station and were shocked to learn that Tristan had

    refused to meet with them.

    She immediately understood Tristan was nning to sacrifice himself without looking back. The more

    she ruminated about it, the more guilty she felt.

    From the start, Jasper had his arm around her shaking shoulders. He gentlyforted her. "Lyse, don''t

    panic. I''ll hire the most renowned attorney, way better than Simon Lynch, to defend Tristan. We''ll try our

    best to fight for a reduced sentence.

    "When he''s released, we''ll make sure that he has a way to make a living. Even if he can''t go back to

    the medical profession, I''ll find him another job. He will not be neglected."

    His words of sce didn''t provide much help at the moment, but his presence consoled her.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1168

    "Lyse, amidst the evidence Tristan provided, there''s this particr piece. He insists it be presented in

    court, but I''m hesitant. Sophia will be charged with or without this evidence anyway, but Javier will

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    abandon her if he learns about it," Cyrus revealed.

    He then showed them a surveince recording on hisptop. Although the recording was muted, the

    scene itself was shocking. Jasper, taking a deep breath, felt the instinct to shield Alyssa''s eyes, even

    though they were all adults.

    It turned out to be a recording of Tristan and Sophia making love. Closing her eyes in enjoyment, she

    rode him naked.

    Having been a cop for years, Cyrus remained unfazed by the evidence. He had witnessed more

    disturbing scenes, such as spilled brains and bags of dismembered human remains.

    Alyssa wasparably calm. She even teased, "That witch is pretty good at keeping her figure."

    "Dr. McAlister has made a great sacrifice here," Cyrusmented.

    Then, Alyssa shut theptop and insisted, "Let''s treat the recording as if it doesn''t exist. This evidence

    should never be leaked."

    Jasper and Cyrus immediately grasped that Alyssa was safeguarding what remained of Tristan''s

    dignity, even if Tristan had willingly be a pawn for her sake.

    In this chess game, Tristan had never regarded himself as a human being with needs. As long as

    Alyssa required his assistance, he would go to any length to help.

    "I would be disappointed in myself if I callously sacrifice a person''s dignity just for revenge. I cannot be

    blinded by hate," Alyssa said through gritted teeth, still grappling with the heartache.

    "Lyse ..."

    Standing behind her, Jasper and Cyrus stared at her disheartened figure, both speechless.

    Cyrus escorted Jasper and Alyssa out of the police station. On their way out, they ran into an

    ashenfaced Simon Lynch. Jasper reflexively gripped Alyssa''s hand and red at Simon warily.

    Simon held his breath when he sensed a piercing gaze on him. Still, he maintained hisposure and

    jeered, "Ms. Alyssa, you''re very well-connected."

    "Don''t tter me," she retorted with a haughty and unpleasant smile. "Mr. Lynch, it''s a pity your efforts

    have gone to waste.

    "I heard you prided yourself on a 100 percent win rate in your career spanning a decade. You even

    have a que by the entrance of your office to show it off, don''t you?" Jasper joined in taunting Simon.

    "I suggest you take it down tomorrow morning unless you want to be aughingstock when the trial

    begins."

    Standing behind Alyssa and Jasper, Cyrus silently chuckled, amazed by the couple''s resemnce, not

    only in appearance but also in the way theyughed at others. Perhaps they had grown to take after

    each other''s demeanor from the time they had spent with each other.

    Meanwhile, Simon clenched his jaw. Sophia''s case wasn''t high-profile; it was only a drug offense.

    However, losing the case would deliver a huge blow to Simon''s reputation in the field and tarnish

    Javier''s impression of him.

    Simon, who had never lost a case, despised the feeling of defeat. Fuming with indignation, he gritted

    his teeth and shed a malicious grin. "Ms. Alyssa, I underestimated you. I thought you were a tough

    woman backed by the Taylor family. As it turns out, you''re just a seductress who has charmed many

    men into sacrificing themselves for you."

 Chapter 1169

    Alyssa remained astonishinglyposed. She was the future heiress of the Taylor Group, and she

    should be handling the humiliation with grace.

    However, Jasper and Cyrus were visibly rattled, especially the former. As rage simmered in Jasper''s

    chest, his hand began to shake, and his expression hardened.

    Noticing Jasper''s change, Simon felt more emboldened, knowing that Jasper''s hands were tied since

    they were at the police station. "Mr. Beckett, you''re a lucky man. Just send Ms. Alyssa on the mission if

    you have trouble negotiating your deals. She''ll charm the pants off any man, and you will secure any

    business deal you want. Ouch¡ª"

    Just as Simon was enjoying the moment, he saw stars and felt sore in his nose. Then, he copsed

    onto the floor.

    Alyssa widened her eyes and shouted, "Jasper?" She stared nkly at his towering and intimidating

    figure, her heart pounding against his chest.

    Even Cyrus was momentarily thrown off guard. Simon had fallen on the ground before Cyrus even

    noticed Jasper''s attack. He was amazed by Jasper''s speed and decided to check the surveince

    footage to learn from thetter.

    "J-Jasper Beckett, how dare you assault me at a police station?" Simon pressed against his broken

    nose as tears and blood trickled down his face. He threatened, "I''ll sue you for assault! I will ... I will ..."

    "But I''m beating up an animal, not a human." Jasper cracked his joints and stared icily at Simon. "Ah, I

    shouldn''t havepared you to an animal. To me, you''re just a monster."

    That sent Simon shaking in fear and anger. Still, this was the first time he encountered such injustice,

    having lived a smooth sailing life as a renowned attorney and the son of the Lynch family.

    He started yelling to attract the attention of the other police. "Jasper Beckett is abusing his power! He''s

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    verbally humiliating and bullying a defenseless citizen in a police station, nheless!

    "Jasper Beckett, you''d be gravely wrong to think you can do anything just because you''re rich! Are you

    holding thew and the justice system in contempt, assaulting me in a police station?"

    "Listen well, Simon Lynch," Jasper growled, casting a prating gaze on Simon. "Feel free toe at

    me if you''re displeased, and I will deal with you. But speak ill of my woman again, and I''ll make you

    pay, even if I break thew. If this happens again, I''ll rip that tongue out of your filthy mouth. Try me."

    Simon stared at him in disbelief as he stiffened. Alyssa gently held Jasper''s hand and blew on his

    knuckles while softly chiding him, "How hard did you hit him? Your hand''s swollen."

    "It''s fine." He beamed at her, looking unbothered.

    She locked eyes with him before turning to Simon. "Jasper, if you end up in jail because of this guy, I''ll

    give him a good beating, too. Life without you will be boring, so I''d rather join you in jail."

    Cyrus stared at their weird flirtation in shock. Simon was equally stunned, feeling like a mere tool in the

    couple''s flirtatious exchange.

    At that moment, the sound of uneven footsteps drew near. A man''s voice boomed, "Jasper, what

    exactly are you doing?"

    Jasper looked up, his expression darkening.

 Chapter 1170

    Javier glowered at his trouble-causing son with a scowl. Following behind him closely was his secretary

    Rory Odon, some bodyguards, and Betty, who put on a sour face.

    Betty had initially been reluctant to visit Sophia at the police station. She had not stepped out of

    Seaview Manor since the horseracing event, where Sophia had brought shame to her.

    She refrained from checking social media or watching the TV. When she skimmed through her Twitter

    feed, she noticed peopleughing at Sophia. On top of that, she had muted the group chats with the

    Sna City socialites, whose members relentlesslyughed at Sophia and herself.

    One of them wrote, "How I pity Madam Sophia. I bet Mr. Javier hasn''t satisfied her in a while. Why else

    would she touch herself with such enthusiasm?"

    "I guess middle-aged women who have given birth are no use for men anymore. I couldn''t believe the

    same fate befell even the ex-celebrity Madam Sophia."

    "That has nothing to do with her age! If I were her husband, I would have been so ashamed of her for

    taking drugs and her dder control issues. She''s a stain on their family name."

    "Betty is so pitiful. Look, she''s still single. After her mom''s scandal and public arrest, I worry that no

    family would want to propose a marriage. Who''d want to embarrass themselves?"

    The socialites, who had acted friendly with Betty, were mean and harsh when it came toughing at her

    expense. She scoffed at their so-called "sisterhood".

    Still, Betty knew she had to feign concern about Sophia. Regardless of Javier''s stance about Sophia,

    Betty had to put on an image as a caring daughter to make Lauren look bad inparison.

    On her way into the police station, she witnessed Jasper hitting Simon and the words that came out of

    their mouths.

    Observing Jasper''s dramatic antics, she couldn''t suppress a silent snicker, thinking that Jasper''s

    continued theatrics would likely result in him losing thepany presidency when their father reached

    the limit of his patience.

    "Can''t you tell what I''m doing here?" Jasper retorted with an icy squint.

    "Have you thought about your social standing? You''re at a police station. You''re no different than a

    hooligan if youy a finger on him. How tactless and brash of you!" Javier growled.

    Although Javier''s attitude had softened toward Jasper after grappling with the guilt of wronging Anne,

    he now started disliking Jasper for his rash behavior over Alyssa.

    Cyrus and his colleagues shook their heads in disdain when they heard Javier''s ridiculous statement,

    which got them gossiping.

    "Is that the attitude of the Beckett Group''s chairman? How could he qualify for running the group? I''m

    speechless." "Right? An assault is certainly wrong, but he only cares about the reputational loss. He

    has a very peculiar moralpass, it seems."

    "The rich are the parasites of the society. They''re helpless!"

    Javier overheard the murmurs, which only fueled his anger and dislike of his son.

    Jasper returned to Alyssa''s side without hesitation and held her hand firmly, dering, "I know my

    ce in society."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    He turned to her and cast an affectionate gaze. "As Alyssa''s man, I could not turn a blind eye after

    Simon Lynch attacked her."

    Alyssa''s heart raced. She wiggled her hand in his grasp.

    Meanwhile, Javier stared agape at Jasper and seethed, "You¡ª"

    "Would you stay silent if someone insulted your woman publicly?" Jasper smirked. "Oh, right. You care

    about your image the most, so I wouldn''t be surprised if you do nothing about it."

    The onlookers drew a deep breath when the battle unfolded between father and son.

    Just as Javier was rendered speechless by Jasper''s pointed usations, Betty stepped in to speak up

    for her father. "Jasper, mind your attitude when speaking to Dad. Beating someone up is wrong and

    damages thepany''s reputation. Dad is right to call you out. Are you willing to risk your reputation

    for a woman?"

    Alyssa disliked Betty criticizing her man but felt it wasn''t her ce to intervene in their family matters,

    even after she and Jasper had pledged their love to each other.

 Chapter 1171

    Alyssa worried that her involvement might exacerbate the already strained rtionship between Javier

    and Jasper. She wasn''t worried about Javier''s perception of her; she just refused to make things more

    difficult for Jasper within the Beckett Group.

    "I think it''s Sophia who should worry about her reputation," Jasper dismissed Betty''s statement without

    even looking at her. "I''ll advise you to behave. If you insist on clearing your mom''s name, I will see to it

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    that you join her in jail."

    His warning was directed at both Betty and Javier, making it clear that he wouldn''t allow them to rescue

    Sophia.

    "Jasper, how could you¡ª" Betty stomped in anger and tugged at Javier''s arm, pleading tearfully, "Dad,

    how could Jasper say that? It is my mom and your wife he''s talking about! I think he wants me dead,

    too. What have I done to him? Who''s the evil one here?"

    Javier was disoriented and irritated by her tantrum as he struggled to free himself from her grasp.

    Simon seized the opportunity upon seeing the fallout. Wiping away his nosebleed, he approached

    Javier with a dejected look and appealed, "Mr. Javier, I''ve given my all to you and the Beckett Group,

    which I''m sure you know.

    "Jasper might hold a grudge against your wife, which is not my concern, but he released his frustration

    on me when I was only doing my job. This is so unfair to me, Mr. Javier!"

    Javier flinched at the sight of Simon''s bloodied face and replied tly, "Mr. Lynch, I''m sorry for that. I''ll

    take care of the matter."

    At that point, Jasper was incredibly disgusted with his family. He simply said, "Lyse, let''s go home,"

    refusing to share the same space with his father. Under everyone''s scrutiny, he took Alyssa''s hand and

    left the police station.

    Pausing briefly as he walked past Simon, he remarked, "Reach out to my secretary for the medical

    Simon trembled in anger, which tugged on his wound, almost making him yelp in pain.

    Alyssa stared straight at Jasper''s broad shoulders and his arm as she quietly followed him. It was

    anastonishing sight for Cyrus, who had always regarded Alyssa as a strong woman. He was, therefore,

    in disbelief when he saw her gentle and submissive attitude when she was with Jasper.

    Suddenly, Javier called out to her, "Ms. Alyssa."

    Jasper and Alyssa stood still. Jasper''s body tensed as he pulled her into a protective hug as if he were

    worried someone might take her away.

    "What''s the matter, Mr. Javier?" Alyssa asked calmly.

    "Can you confidently swear that you have nothing to do with Sophia''s video, her arrest, and Dr.

    McAlister''s testimony?" Javier seethed and interrogated her.

    Frowning, Jasper insisted, "Juste to me if you have any questions. Don''t make things difficult for

    Lyse."

    However, Alyssa smiled brightly and owned up to it, "Of course, I have everything to do with those

    incidents."

    This led to astonishment among the Becketts. Even Jasper was taken aback by her honesty.

    Betty immediately took the opportunity to use her, "So, Alyssa Taylor, it was you who plotted against

    my mom! I knew she was innocent. This was all your doing!

    "How can a woman be as malicious as you? After causing trouble in our family, you went on to seduce

    Jasper, using him to achieve your goals. You''re nothing but bad news!"

    Just as Cyrus was about to speak up for Alyssa, Alyssa casually replied, "Mr. Javier, Dr. McAlister

    indeed worked for me."

 Chapter 1172

    "But no one has forced your wife to meet with Dr. McAlister for drugs. She had developed an addiction

    and took the risk of dealing drugs with him at the horseracing event. The decision to step into the trap I

    set was entirely hers."

    Having stated this, Alyssa exited the police station alongside Jasper, who draped his arm around her

    shoulder.

    Seeing that, Betty anxiously yelled at Javier, "Dad, are you letting her leave just like that? She got Mom

    in trouble!"

    Rory, unable to contain himself, calmly took a jab at Betty. "You''ll need evidence to support your ims

    against Ms. Alyssa. If you can''t, you need to be careful with what you say lest she sues you for

    nder."

    Betty red at Rory while Javier turned his icy gaze to Cyrus, demanding, "Mr. Cyrus, I''d like to meet

    with Captain Holt."

    Cyrus stood with his back against the wall and crossed his arms on his chest. "He''s not around. His

    superior asked for him."

    "Could you please call him? Tell him to return immediately to meet with me."

    "I''m really sorry. As an ordinary policeman, I do not have the right to summon Captain Holt." Yawning,

    Cyrus waved dismissively, adding, "Why don''t you call him yourself?"

    Cyrus'' indifferent attitude fueled Javier''s rage. As Mandy''s son and Alyssa''s brother, Cyrus showed no

    inclination to humor Javier.

    Javier furiously thought, "As expected, the offspring of a second wife is just a good-for-nothing."

    Betty had not stopped with her sobbing."Dad, Alyssa is taking advantage of you. We can''t let that

    woman manipte us!"

    "Absolutely not," Javier gritted his teeth and dered, "I know she wants to marry Jasper, but that''s out

    of the question. I can never approve of such a calcting woman as my daughter-inw. I won''t allow

    it, even if your grandfather epts her."

    During their journey home, Alyssa leaned into Jasper''s arms, tracing circles on his chest with her

    fingers. She advised him, "You shouldn''t let your father cause trouble because of me."

    "I''m not afraid to," he replied, rasping as he kissed her forehead.

    "Mr. Javier is still thepany chairman. Regardless, he has the final say. Aren''t you concerned he

    might fire you and hand thepany to your brother?" she questioned sternly.

    "If Javier Beckett decides to give up on me and dismiss me from my role as president, you might have

    to be the breadwinner, Ms. Alyssa," he teased with a wry smile.

    "Are you thinking of bing a sugar baby? No one in the Taylor family likes parasites," she remarked

    with an arched brow.

    "I can do anything that''s within my ability. I''m pretty capable, you know." His chest tightened, and she

    sensed it.

    "What are you capable of?"

    Pinching her waist, he lifted her into his arms and stared at her with desire. Breathing heavily, he said,

    "You''ll find out when we get home."

    Blushing, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

    When the car stopped at the vi''s entrance, Xavier opened the car door for Jasper and Alyssa. It was

    at that moment he spotted the limited edition ck Rolls-Royce by the entrance, looking intimidating

    despite the dim environment.

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    The door of the Rolls-Royce opened just as Jasper emerged with Alyssa in his arms.

    The visitor called out to Alyssa, "Lyse."

    The young couple was stunned by who they saw. Eyes widened, Alyssa immediately got out of

    Jasper''s arms. She gasped, "Dad?"

 Chapter 1173

    Jasper maintained hisposure as he greeted Winston. Though he had a strained rtionship with

    Winston, who had shown him attitude and given him trouble, he treated Winston with respect due to his

    love for Alyssa and his admiration of Winston''s integrity.

    However, unlike Jameson, he refrained from excessive ttery toward Winston. He reminded Winston,

    "Mr. Taylor, it''s chilly at night. Please take care not to catch a cold."

    Jasper carried himself with humility and warmth, and Winston gradually found his presence pleasant as

    he nodded at the young man.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa grew concerned when she noticed the absence of bodyguards around her father.

    She approached him, chiding, "Dad, why didn''t you bring along your bodyguards? You shouldn''t have

    "Neil is trained inbat. Besides, I don''t want to disturb my bodyguards'' rest. I''m curious about your

    life in Sna City and your living space." Scanning the vi, he remarked, "It''s small but functional.

    There''s not much space, but at least it''s cozy."

    "Did you break in and snoop around?" Alyssa blushed, yet she still argued with Winston.

    She was embarrassed at the thought of showing her love nest with Jasper to her father. After all, the

    ce was full of their belongings now.

    "Why do you always assume the worst of me? Can''t you see me like an ordinary man?" Looking

    speechless, Winston exined, "Your maid opened the door for me and served me some tea and

    desserts. I tasted the desserts¡ªthey were pretty nice. I even made Neil pack the leftovers."

    Neil disyed the container in his hand.

    She instantly stomped in anger and tried to grab the container, only to be stopped by Jasper. She

    seethed, "Winston, you wretched old man! I made those desserts for Jasper. Don''t touch them!"

    Grumbling, she added, "Why don''t you spend your time on your three wives? Jasper only has me. How

    could you take the desserts I made for him before he even had the chance to taste it? Leave it!"

    "Lyse, it''s fine ..." Jasper held her back with an amused yet desperate look.

    "Tsk. Consider it a gift for your dad. You can make him desserts anytime in the future, but it''s not like I

    always get to try your cooking. I''d have to travel to Sna City for that." Winston yfully red at

    Alyssa, guarding his desserts.

    In the future? Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks. During this visit, Winston did not seem to treat

    Jasper any differently, but his attitude seemed to have softened.

    In the past, Winston badly wanted to separate the two. However, tonight, not only was he friendly with

    jasper, uul ne also made intriguing remarks.

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    Jasper''s heart raced, and his palms became sweaty. Still, he dared not have high hopes and was

    content with the improvement in his rtionship with Winston.

    In the end, Alyssa lost to Winston, who victoriouslyid im to the desserts. She was annoyed

    because she had spent an afternoon making the desserts for Jasper, just to be robbed by Winston.

    "Hey, you seem pretty energetic. Have you fully recovered?" Winston expressed concern about her

    injury.

    "I''m doing fine. I''m not that vulnerable." She straightened her back, lifting her chin proudly.

    "Lyse, don''t push yourself. Recovery doesn''t happen this fast. It will take months, you know?"

    Frowning with worry, Jasper called her out, "You were losing sleep over painst night, and it was

    challenging for you to turn over. Why didn''t you tell your dad the truth?"

 Chapter 1174

    "T-That''s not true! Don''t you dare tattle!" Alyssa pursed her lips and elbowed Jasper.

    Winston felt a surge of warmth when he witnessed the loving exchange between the couple. Even Neil

    beamed gently at the scene.

    "Jasper, Lyse is not in her best health. I know you keep herpany, but you can''t be with her around

    the clock because of your busy schedule. I''m worried for my daughter and n to take her home for

    recuperation," Winston proposed.

    After joking around and exchanging pleasantries, it was time to reveal his purpose for the visit.

    "I''m not going home! You''re wrong to say I have no one to look after me. Mrs. Rosie is dependable and

    looks after me well. There''s no way I''m going home!" Alyssa threw a tantrum before the two men who

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    loved her the most.

    Jasper stood beside her in silence and tightened his grip on her waist. In fact, he had considered

    sending her home to Belbanks, where she''d be taken care of and spend some quality time with her

    family.

    However, he was reluctant to part with her. He cherished every second he was around her and doted

    excessively on her.

    Even a day apart was enough to kill him. He would miss her so much that it hurt.

    Since Alyssa was stubborn, Winston turned to convince Jasper with a stern look. "Jasper, my daughter

    had once married you, but you''re not a married couple now. Besides, you must consider your social

    standing and hers. It''s inappropriate for both of you to cohabitate before marriage.

    "Jasper, if you are serious about building a future with Lyse, you should take it one step at a time

    instead of speeding things up. Do you agree?"

    Taking a deep breath, Jasper nudged the hesitant Alyssa toward Winston. "Lyse, go home with your

    dad and recover well."

    "Are you kicking me out?" She frowned at him, tearing up in a pitiful look.

    "Silly goose, what are you talking about? I''m not kicking you out. This is for your own good," Jasper

    said and choked on his tears, heartbroken at her expression.

    "W-Will you visit me in Belbanks?" she asked in a trembling voice.

    "Of course. I''ll visit you in the next few days." Despite saying so, he could not bear to be away from her

    for that long. He had even thought of meeting her the next morning, even if all he could do was stand

    guard outside Heightsview Vi to be close to her.

    Winston was gripped by guilt. However, he would rather deal with it than leave Alyssa in Sna City.

    After all, she had gotten on the bad side of the Becketts and the Harpers. The Harpers had even

    devised to harm her, and there was no guarantee what they''d do next to her.

    He''d lose sleep every time he considered the risks.

    Finally, Alyssa departed Sna City in Winston''s car. In the deep of the misty night, Jasper stood for a

    long while until the car vanished from sight. Then, he hung his head low as he clenched his fists and

    teared up.

    Feeling very sorry for Jasper, Xavierforted him, "Mr. Beckett, don''t worry about it. Madam is

    visiting her family and wille home to you soon. Distance makes the heart fonder."

    Jasper''s vision was blurred by his tears. He corked up, saying, "I know. I''m just feeling sorry for not

    taking better care of her."

    The Rolls-Royce headed toward Belbanks in the night. Alyssa leaned against Winston and sank into

    silence. He put an arm around her shoulder and coaxed her, "Lyse, do you me me?"

 Chapter 1175

    Alyssa shook her head and replied, "I know you''re doing this in my best interest."

    A momentter, Winston heard a faint sobbing and felt his sleeve growing damp. "Lyse, are you

    crying?"

    "Dad, I miss Jasper. I miss him so much ..." It had been a while since Alyssa had cried in his arms. His

    eyes grew misty at the sight.

    He hadn''t felt such intense emotions, not even when Miley married Jeremy and left for Kontina.

    However, he felt sorry to have separated the two lovers. It pained him as a father to see his daughter

    heartbroken.

    He thought, "Dear Lyse, I suppose I can''t keep you by my side anymore."

    After arriving home, Alyssa locked herself in her bedroom and chatted with Jasper under the nkets.

    She went on and on, and he listened to her patiently, asionally agreeing with her idea or adding to

    it.

    The two soulmates chatted endlessly until Alyssa fell asleep before she knew it. Upon waking up the

    next morning, she rubbed her eyes and stretched, feeling rxed.

    "Lyse, you look like you had a restful night."

    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    She inhaled sharply and grabbed her phone. "Jasper? W-Why are you still on the call?"

    In exhaustion, he exined, "You went silentst night, and I assumed you''d fallen asleep."

    "And ... You ..."

    "I didn''t hang up. It''s not often that I get to hear you snore and grind your teeth," Jasper said with a

    chuckle.

    Blushing, she buried herself underneath the nket. "You''re lying! I did not. Ady will never snore or

    grind her teeth."

    "Fine. I misheard," Jasper conceded and yawned.

    "Go sleep. You must be tired after staying up all night." She felt bad for him.

    "By the way, Lyse, we might get to meet soon. The Jesseltons are hosting a cocktail party at their vi

    in the Sna City suburbs. They have invited all four families, and I bet your dad has heard about it by

    now. We''ll meet by then."

    "The cocktail party hosted by the Jesseltons? I think they might have an important announcement," she

    replied, eyes twinkling.

    Alyssa responded, "Your dad has worked hard for this. He will not give up on the chance to coborate

    with Jesselton incorporated."

    Jasper opined, "Nah. He''s too preupied with Sophia''s scandal. He doesn''t have time for the

    Jesseltons." His voice grew somber. "But i''m unsure if Justin will make a move."

 Chapter 1176

    "Jasper, although Justin is recuperating in Mosgravia, you shouldn''t let your guard down. Yourst

    contract signing with Jesselton Incorporated was his debut. Since he took action, it means he''ll be back

    sooner orter," Alyssa expressed her concern for Jasper.

    "Lyse, are you genuinely afraid I''ll be living off you?" Jasper teased.

    "I''m being serious!"

    "I''m not afraid of Justin''s return or confronting him head-on. Under fairpetition, I have no

    Alyssa knew that the kidnapping case from years ago weighed heavily on Jasper. He still felt indebted

    to Justin.

    "But if he uses dirty tricks, I won''t go easy on him. Taylor Group won this horse racing event. Ezzo

    should choose you without hesitation. But if Justin or anyone else tries to interfere, I won''t stand idly

    by."

    Jasper''s low and charming voice lightly echoed in her ear. "With me around, you don''t have to worry."

    L didn''t go on vacation like she said she would. Instead, she stayed home, taking care of Winston

    and cooking for her family as usual.

    Her life remained unchanged despite Sophia''s fall from grace. It was still peaceful and serene.

    She was grateful to Alyssa for avenging her, but now she had a husband, family, and daughter. Hatred

    had be insignificant in her eyes.

    Alyssa drank the nourishing soup that L had made for her contentedly.

    The threedies surrounded Alyssa. Only after they found that she looked fine did they feel at ease.

    "It seems that dumbass is taking good care of you."

    Colene rested her chin on her hand and shook her head while clicking her tongue. "Right? I truly

    admire Jasper.

    A privileged heir willingly bing a homemaker for you is no small sacrifice."

    "Indeed, Winston would never do the same. He''s too proud for that," Mandy joked.

    Alyssa wore a smug expression, feeling like she had hit the jackpot.

    "Lyse, be patient and wait a little longer. I think Winston has been considering your rtionship with

    Jasper. He''s just too proud to change his tune."

    L''s words surprised the other threedies. They were delighted.

    "Really?"

    "Before this, Winston favored Jameson and has been creating opportunities for you and Jameson.

    After the recent horse racing event, I sense that Winston is not rejecting Jasper as much anymore.

    "Moreover, that day, he made it clear to Jameson that he wouldn''t intervene in your rtionship with

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper. He said he would just let things flow."

    Overjoyed, Alyssa downed anotherrge bowl of soup.

    Things were finally looking up.

    "Madam L, Ms. Tatiana, and Mr. Lynch are here. They''re in the living room downstairs," Barry

    reported.

    L''s expression stiffened slightly. "Okay, I''ll be there in a moment."

    "You don''t look good, L. Is something wrong?" Alyssa, perceptive as ever, noticed L''s unease.

    L didn''t know how to begin, but Colene jumped in, saying, "Winston knows about Sean and Taty. He

    disagrees with their marriage.

    "Besides, Sean''s brother is serving as Sophia''s defense attorney. His father, Judge Lynch, also

    supports his son in serving the Beckett Group. Winston is even more displeased now."

 Chapter 1177

    "Is Dad out of his mind? What does Simon''s matter have to do with Sean? I''m going to confront him!"

    Alyssa angrily mmed the table, but L stopped her.

    "Don''t, Lyse. This has nothing to do with you. You''d better not get yourself involved. It might anger your

    father."

    "Sean is an important friend, and Taty is my sister. How can I not care? I must get involved!" Alyssa

    had endured enough opposition to her own love and didn''t want Tatiana to experience the same thing.

    Besides, Tatiana was the most beloved daughter of the Taylor family. It was already difficult for her to

    love a man. Sean was just a secretary, and Tatiana was timid and indecisive. Their love might be like a

    boat in a storm, unable to withstand the huge waves of opposition from her family.

    "Lyse, don''t be stubborn." Mandy also tried to stop her.

    "Your dad is just starting to change his views on Jasper, and things are getting a bit better for both of

    you. Provoking your dad now won''t help. He''s petty, and he might take it out on Jasper."

    "Exactly, and Taty is L''s daughter. Lyse, it''s not suitable for you to intervene," Colene added,

    persuading Alyssa.

    Alyssa sighed in frustration and finished another bowl of soup to calm down.

    L went downstairs to meet Tatiana, and Alyssa followed suit.

    In the living room, Sean and Tatiana sat on the couch, shoulder to shoulder. They gazed at each other

    affectionately, fingers tightly entwined, exuding sweet intimacy.

    Alyssa couldn''t help but feel delighted. Her face beamed with a smile.

    "Sean, Taty, long time no see."

    The couple stood up. Tatiana shyly lowered her eyes and sweetly asked, "Lyse, how are you? Are your

    injuries better?"

    "I''m fine now. Seeing you both makes everything better."

    "Madam L, Ms. Alyssa," Sean respectfully greeted, showing his gentlemanly and courteous side.

    Even though he was now dating the Taylor family''s daughter, he never forgot his status.

    "Sean, how''s your recovery going?" Alyssa asked with concern.

    "I''ve fully recovered. Thanks for your concern, Ms. Alyssa."

    Though he was speaking to Alyssa his affectionate eyes had never left Tatiana''s blushing and beautiful

    face.

    "Since you''re here, let''s¡ª"

    "Taty, go upstairs. I want to talk privately with Mr. Sean," L said calmly, interrupting Alyssa.

    Tatiana cast a worried nce at Sean and then went upstairs.

    Sean''s passionate gaze followed his beloved as she left.

    Right after that, L''s tone turned cold. "Mr. Sean, it''s time for you to know Winston''s stance on your

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    rtionship. He doesn''t support the two of you being together. Therefore, I''m sorry, but I won''t support

    it either."

    Alyssa was stunned. She never expected the usually gentle L to be so assertive in her child''s

    marriage.

    "Madam L, I truly love Taty."

    Sean froze in ce. His eyes reflected a heartbreaking glimmer, and his slightly hoarse voice trembled.

    "Please believe me. Please give me a chance to prove my love for Taty."

    Frowning, L shook her head. "Mr. Sean, you''ve beening here since you were a teen. I''ve

    watched you grow up. I know your character very well. I''ve never doubted your feelings for Taty."

 Chapter 1178

    L continued, "But sometimes, feelings alone aren''t enough. There are many factors to consider.

    Mr.Sean, you know this well."

    Though she spoke calmly, her words sank Sean''s heart.

    After that, L walked away.

    Alyssa hurriedly caught up. Worried and puzzled, she grabbed L''s hand.

    "L, what''s wrong? You''ve praised Sean in front of me more than once. You''ve always liked him.

    Whythis sudden change?"

    "I like Sean, but that''s different from deciding if he''s the right person for my daughter to marry."

    L''s voice remained gentle, but her words were piercing. "Your father considers Sean his

    godsonbecause he appreciates Sean. However, the Lynch family''s recent actions have upset your

    father.

    "Winston is not concerned with social status, but he can''t let Taty marry into a family with such improper

    conduct. Our thoughts align on this matter."

    "L, Simon is Simon. He can''t represent the entire Lynch family." Alyssa spoke up for Sean.

    "Winston and I have made up our minds. Taty is still young. She hasn''t even finished college. It''s a bit

    early to talk about marriage now. Let''s discuss this next time."

    Alyssa looked at L''s retreating figure, feeling a sense of confusion.

    This was just too strange.

    For someone with Winston''s macho personality, going his own way was to be expected. But how could

    L change her attitude so suddenly? They appeared to have formed some kind of alliance.

    "Ms. Alyssa."

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa turned around and saw Sean standing a few steps away. His face was pale,

    and his voice was cautious.

    "Sean, did you ... hear everything?" Alyssa felt guilty.

    "Ms. Alyssa, thank you for caring about Taty and me."

    Sean forced a bitter smile. "Let''s take it slow. I believe that as long as Taty and I deeply love each other

    and never give up, someday ..."

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Someday ...

    For how long did he need his beloved to wait?

    Sean felt a lump in his throat, rendering him unable to continue speaking.

    Alyssa felt a pang in her heart. She walked over, raised her hand, and patted his shoulder. "Sean,

    expect a tough road ahead in your rtionship with Taty.

    "Taty is timid and easily convinced, and L can''t make decisions at home. Also, your brother is such a

    shady person. He has crossed Winston''s limit. Understandably, he''s angry with your family."

    "Simon isn''t my brother anymore."

    Sean gritted his teeth. "He''s no longer my brother since he stopped distinguishing right from wrong and

    associated with Sophia for power and money. When I go back home, I''ll talk to my father. If he still

    doesn''t control Simon, I''ll formally cut ties with the Lynch family. From then on, I won''t be part of them."

    Alyssa sighed, looking serious. "Don''t do this, Sean. Your extreme approach won''t solve the real

    problem. Jasper and I will deal with Simon''s matter.

    "After all, he''s your brother, your parents'' firstborn in whom they have ced great expectations. Also,

    your parents are not in good health. If you deliver such a heavy blow to them, your family might truly fall

    apart."

    "Ms. Alyssa ..." Sean was struggling internally. Tears welled up in his eyes.

    "Like me, you value your family very much. I don''t want you to be in opposition to your family. Whether

    it''s Taty''s or Simon''s problem, I''ll do my best to help you handle it."

    Alyssa looked at him with determination. "I''ll be the viin in this. It can''t be you."

 Chapter 1179

    Meanwhile, at the Lynch residence, a shout resounded.

    "Oh, my God! Simon! What happened to your nose?"

    Having been struck down by Jasper''s powerful punch, Simon was diagnosed with a broken nasal bone. There was a possibility that his sense of smell would be affected, making it challenging to distinguish scents.

    For someone like Simon, who couldn''t distinguish between right and wrong, the ability to distinguish scents didn''t seem significant.

    What bothered him more was the prospect of having his own rib used to reconstruct his nose, not to mention undergoing stic surgery. It was a nightmare!

    Witnessing their son in such a state, Spencer and Sinead were both shocked and furious. Sinead nearly had a heart attack.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "Simon, who did this to you? You''re a well-knownwyer. How could someone darey a hand on you?"

    "Mom, please don''t ask. It''s someone we can''t afford to provoke.¡± Simon felt increasingly frustrated as he thought about it. He couldn''t bring himself to talk about that incident.

    "A few days ago, you mentioned taking over Mr. Javier''s wife''s drug case. Andtely, you''ve been busy with the Beckett family.¡±

    After some thought, Spencer said with a darkened face, "Sophia and Alyssa don''t get along, so by taking on the Beckett family''s case, you''re essentially offending Alyssa. Did she hit you?"

    Hearing that, Simon felt a sense of shame. His teeth ached from gritting them too hard. "It was Jasper, but Alyssa gave the order. Hmph! They both act in unison, so it doesn''t matter who threw the punches.¡±

    "Alyssa! She''s crossed the line!"

    Sinead covered her chest, trembling with anger. "We''ve done so much for the Taylor family. Your dad was the Director of Legal Affairs at KS Group before retiring. Sean even works as a secretary for Jonah. They''ve worked for them for so long.

    "Just because of one case and personal enmity, they''ve joined forces with Jasper to trouble you and hit you? Now that your dad has retired, do they think that we''re useless and can bully us now?" "Mom, don''t get too upset. Your heart isn''t well.¡± Simon transformed into a good son,ing over tofort his mother.

    "The Taylors are just too much! Especially that Alyssa! Mr. Taylor has spoilt her!"

    Spencer couldn''t contain his anger either. "I''ve raised my children with all my heart, but they treat my son like a servant. Now, they''ve even resorted to violence. This is uneptable!

    "Sean even told me the other day that he wants to marry the Taylor family''s youngest daughter and that he''ll only marry that woman.¡±

    At his words, Simon perked up. "Sean wants to marry the mistress¡¯ daughter?¡±

    "Your brother has gone mad. The Taylor family''s daughter has bewitched him! He came home a few days ago and argued with us.¡±

    The phrase "mistress'' daughter¡± hit a nerve with Sinead. Increasingly, the idea of marrying off her son felt like a raw deal. "Our family isn''t the Taylor family''s garbage dump. We''ve cleaned up their mess for half a lifetime, and now we have to take in their least-worthy daughter? This is too much!" "That''s right. Sean is a brilliantw student. What kind of woman can''t he get? How could he choose someone who''ll bring shame to him?"

    Covering his nose, Simon sneered. "That L Nelson, now that Mr. Taylor wants her, others address her as Madam L out of respect for Mr. Taylor.

    "When he gets tired of her, he might kick her and her daughter out of the family. What will Sean do then? Support them both? Our family will be aughingstock!"

    Spencer and Sinead felt a chill down their spines, feeling worried.

    Simon appeared concerned on the surface, but internally, he gloated. He knew the truth was not as he described. If Sean did marry Tatiana, he would be the son-inw of a billionaire family. The entire Lynch family would likely depend on him for support.

    How could Simon allow that? He was the firstborn and the pride of the family. He refused to let Sean, whom he had always looked down on, be more sessful than him. That was why he was going to use any means necessary to break up the couple.

 Chapter 1180

    Moreover, both Tatiana and Sean were important to Alyssa. If this couple faced difficulties, Alyssa

    would surely feel distressed. As long as she was upset, Simon would feel satisfied.

    That night, Victor privately invited Winston to join him for dinner at his private club.

    "Neil, inform L and Tatiana that I''ll bring them to the dinner tonight.¡±

    Winston stood before a full-length mirror, letting a private tailor measure him. A shadow of concern

    lingered between his brows, indicating that he was preupied. "By the way, don''t let Lyse and my

    wives know."

    Neil seemed to understand something. He replied in a low voice, "Understood, Mr. Winston."

    Victor arrived in the luxurious private room at the club. This time, he didn''te alone. He was

    apanied by Jameson and David, who had recently recovered and had been absent for a long

    time.

    Throughout the evening, Jameson remained calm andposed. On the other hand, David red

    at him with red eyes, almost crushing the ss in his hand.

    "David, why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to drink with me?"

    Jameson leisurely picked up a ss. He pretended to suddenly recall something and blinked. "Oh,

    right, I remember now. You can finally stand on your own. The doctor told you to avoid stimting

    food, especially alcohol. I forgot. Sorry about that, David."

    David red at him, wishing that he could rush forward and twist Jameson''s neck.

    With Alyssa''s help, he had barely managed to salvage his left leg. These days, a chilling pain would

    radiate from his joints whenever the temperature dropped or rain fell. It was unbearable.

    His right pant leg was empty, with only a cold prosthetic limb. All of this was thanks to his own

    brother.

    "Enough, Jimmy. Don''t talk so much.¡± Victor reminded Jameson, and his tone was noticeably less icy

    than before.

    "Dad, I genuinely care about David, but it seems he has misunderstood my intentions."

    Jameson shrugged helplessly. "But I understand David. If I were to encounter such misfortune, I

    might not be as calm as him. I might not even be able to stand up again. His mentality is better than

    that of an average person''s.¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "Jameson Schmidt!" David couldn''t take it anymore and mmed the table.

    At the same time, the door to the private room opened.

    Victor''s secretary led Winston in. Seeing him, Victor stood up immediately, with his two sons

    following suit.

    David moved with difficulty using crutches, looking embarrassed and far from his former spirited

    self.

    Meanwhile, Jameson stared intently in the direction of the door, eagerly awaiting the appearance of

    his beloved.

    However, the next moment, his excited eyes dimmed.

    Apanying Winston was not Alyssa, the one he longed for. Instead, they were L and Tatiana.

 Chapter 1181

    "Winston, where''s Lyse?" Unwilling to give up, Victor craned his neck to look outside.

    "No need to look. Lyse is injured and can''t sit for a long time to talk to guests. I asked her to rest at

    home. She won''t being tonight," Winston replied indifferently.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    "Winston, how can you do this? You promised to bring Lysest time. How can you go back on your

    words? Besides, we''re not just guests. We''re going to be family.¡± Victor kept chattering away, but he

    was confused.

    Winston sat down. "If you truly care about Lyse, you would let her recover properly and not bother

    her."

    Before the horse racing event, Victor had a private meeting with Winston. They had a great

    conversation, and Winston really liked Jameson. He had promised to make Alyssa marry Jameson,

    making her the Schmidt family''s daughter-inw.

    At that time, Victor even considered David''s marriage. After all, David was also his son, whom he

    doted on other than his firstborn.

    So, he wanted to seize the opportunity to double the joy by matching Tatiana, Winston and L''s

    daughter, to David.

    Initially, considering Tatiana''s background, he believed she was far from suitable for David.

    However, now that David was left with just one leg, he no longer had the qualifications to be picky.

    Surprisingly, Tatiana, whom he had always looked down upon, had be more pleasing to the

    eye.

    That was why he eagerly brought David here tonight to meet Tatiana.

    However, tonight puzzled him. Winston, who had epted Jameson as his son-inw, didn''t bring

    Alyssa along. Also, his attitude seemed colder than before.

    Disappointed, Jameson''s face darkened, and he downed a ss of wine.

    Tonight, Tatiana wore an elegant whitece dress, entuating her skin. As a dance student, her

    figure was graceful, with an astonishingly beautiful posture. The exposed pair of legs were slender,

    resembling a wless piece of art.

    On ordinary days, Alyssa''s beauty and presence were too breathtaking, causing Tatiana to be easily

    overlooked.

    Now, it seemed that these sisters were both beauties, each with their own beauty.

    David had been recovering in the hospital for a long time. Apart from a few nurses, he hadn''t seen a

    woman in ages. When he saw the graceful Tatiana, his eyes couldn''t help but fixate.

    As a fellow man, Jameson easily saw through David''s thoughts, prompting a cold smirk.

    Winston showed little appetite as the delicious food and wine were being served.

    Meanwhile, Tatiana sat beside David. He was attentive to her, serving food on her te and pouring

    wine. However, she just responded politely and didn''t eat the food he served.

    In Tatiana''s mind and heart, there''s only Sean. She felt it was a sin to even nce at another man.

    "Winston, now that the horse racing event is over, about what we discussed¡ª"

    Victor''s words were cut short as Winston interrupted in a deep voice. "Victor, I know you really like

    Lyse. You''ve held her since she was a child, treating her no less than your daughter.

    "I also know that Jimmy has feelings for Lyse, and he''s dutiful and considerate. He''s the one I really

    like. But matters of the heart can''t be forced. Lyse has a man she loves, and you should know who

    that is."

    This revtion caught the Schmidts off guard.

    Jameson''s deep eyes shed with a sudden intensity, blending with a predatory crimson. His

    features turned tense like an ice sculpture. He exuded an icy chill even when he stayed still.

    Witnessing Jameson''s spectacr expression, David couldn''t help butugh.

    He knew that Jameson dreamed of marrying Alyssa and bing Winston''s son-inw to control

    the Schmidt Group and challenge Josh.

    That would never happen now.

    "Winston, what do you mean? Didn''t we agree on this?"

    The furious Victor frowned, and his face flushed with anger. "We''ve known each other for over 30

    years. How have I treated you? I''ve been a better friend to you than your brother!

    "Back then, when you were ambushed, with a sniper lying in wait on the rooftop, we didn''t even

    know where the shooter was. Yet I stood in front of you, shielding you from the bullets!"

 Chapter 1182

    As Winston listened silently, memories of a thrilling and life-threatening gunfight shed through

    his mind.

    He truly appreciated Victor for that incident. Back then, they were both young and their deep

    brotherly bond was evident in Victor risking his life to protect Winston.

    It was also during that incident that Colene, the daughter of The Ivory Gang''s boss, risked her life to

    save Winston, thus leading to their rtionship.

    "Yes, Victor. Your kindness is something I''ll never forget,¡± Winston said with a hoarse voice.

    "I think you''ve forgotten everything! Otherwise, you wouldn''t have gone back on your words and

    treated me like a fool!"

    Victor grew increasingly agitated, his face turning red with anger. As he breathed heavily, he

    mmed an expensive crystal ss on the table.

    Tatiana and L were both startled.

    Victor was usually jovial around Winston. This was their first time seeing him so angry. It showed

    how much he valued this marriage union, even at the cost of a 30-year friendship.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Dad, don''t get too worked up.¡±

    David and Jameson stood up simultaneously. However, David, with his leg issues,gged behind

    Jameson.

    Jameson had already reached Victor. He gently patted Victor''s heaving back, consoling him, "Dad,

    calm down. You and Uncle Winston have decades of friendship, a bond even we younger ones envy.

    Please don''t let my marriage ruin that. If you fall out over this, I''ll feel guilty.¡±

    "Jimmy, don''t say that. This has nothing to do with you."

    Sighing, Victor pounded his thigh. "It''s my fault for being useless. After all these years, I still couldn''t

    surpass Beckett Group and be the leading figure in Sna City. Your Uncle Winston looks

    down on our family and wants to form a strong alliance with the Beckett family. I understand him."

    "Dad, don''t say that. It''s not your fault. It''s mine.¡±

    Jameson smiled bitterly, pain evident in his eyes. "It''s because I couldn''t win Lyse over. Uncle

    Winston is right. We can''t force matters of the heart. Since that''s the case, I hope Lyse and Mr.

    Beckett can be together happily forever this time.¡±

    The phrase "this time" was casually spoken but sounded incredibly grating.

    "Alright, I understand now."

    Victor rose furiously, looking at Winston with disappointment. "Since you''ve made your choice, I

    have nothing more to say. All good things muste to an end. Mr. Taylor, when we meet again,

    we''ll be rivals. Farewell. David, Jimmy, let''s go."

    "Victor, wait."

    Frowning, Winston slowly stood up and walked toward Victor. "I have always favored Jameson

    bing my son-inw, and I''ve always hoped for a closer bond between our families.

    "But you saw Lyse''s rtionship with Jasper at the horse racing event. Everyone had seen it. It''s

    practically a public announcement. Discussing marriage now wouldn''t be good for the Schmidt

    Group''s reputation, nor your son''s.¡±

    Victor fell into contemtion.

    Meanwhile, Jameson pushed his sses and gave Winston a fleeting cold nce.

    He wondered what was wrong with Winston. He felt that Winston was secretly matching Alyssa to

    Jasper.

    What exactly happened?

    "Taty," Winston suddenly called Tatiana.

    "Yes, Dad?" Tatiana shook herself out of a daze and walked over to her father''s side.

 Chapter 1183

    Winston looked at Tatiana sharply, then turned to Victor. "Taty is L and my youngest daughter.

    She''s the apple of my eye. We''ve been selecting a suitable husband for her. Originally, I wished for

    her to marry into the Schmidt family.

    "But back then, you favored Lyse, so I had to find another man for Taty. Now that Lyse is with Jasper,

    let''s sit down and discuss the marriage between your son and Taty. After graduation, let her be your

    daughter-inw. What do you think?"

    Hearing that, Tatiana felt like she was being struck by lightning. As she trembled, her pupils shrank,

    and her face drained of color. "Dad ... I¡ª"

    Suddenly, L grabbed Tatiana''s arm, her fingers nearly embedding into Tatiana''s flesh.

    Tatiana anxiously looked at her mother, who shook her head.

    In the end, she could only lower her head in distress, tears welling up in her eyes.

    Winston''s proposal for Tatiana to marry into the Schmidt family reversed the crumbling rtionship

    between the two families.

    However, Jameson was anxious. He made up an excuse to leave and paced on the deserted balcony,

    full of resentment.

    As he heaved with rough breaths, his eyes were bloodshot. He clenched his fists and repeatedly

    pounded them against the railing, making his hands turn red and swollen. Yet the pain couldn''t

    quell the rage in his heart.

    What should he do?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    What Victor wanted was an alliance with KS Group to dominate Sna City. Even if he couldn''t

    choose Alyssa, he wouldn''t have objections if he could select Tatiana.

    But now, David was crippled.

    Winston would never marry his daughter to a cripple. So, ultimately, the responsibility for the

    alliance would fall on Jameson''s shoulders. But he could never marry anyone other than Alyssa.

    "Hahaha! Jimmy, you''ve calcted every move, but now it''s backfiring on yourself. Is this what they

    call ¡°all is in vain?"

    Leaning on his crutch, David hobbled over. When he noticed Jameson''s frustrated state, he grinned

    widely. "You did everything to marry Alyssa, but in the end, you still lost to Jasper.

    "Alyssa and Jasper have been divorced once. But she''d rather return to him than be with you. You''ve

    really failed miserably. Hahaha!"

    Jameson''s face turned sickly pale with anger as he tightened his grip on the railing.

    Suddenly, he remembered David''s attentive demeanor toward Tatiana during the dinner, and an

    idea struck him. He smiled, saying, "David, are you really in the mood to mock me? Shouldn''t you

    worry about yourself?

    "You''re now a cripple. You can''t manage most of the family''s businesses, and Dad is losing patience

    with you. Your only chance to turn things around is through a marriage alliance.

    "But now, Mr. Taylor doesn''t even want to marry his worst daughter to you. Of course, if I were him,

    I wouldn''t marry my daughter to a cripple like you, too."

    "Who are you calling a cripple? I dare you to repeat yourself!" David roared, his eyes aze

    "Even if I can''t marry Alyssa, marrying Tatiana won''t be too bad. Either way, I''ll be Mr. Taylor''s

    son-inw. It''s the same no matter who I marry.

    "But you need to think carefully. When I marry the Taylor family''s daughter, I''ll naturally gain Dad''s

    favor. By then, will there still be a ce for you in Schmidt Group?"

    With that, Jameson revealed a proud smile and strode away arrogantly.

    "Jameson! Don''t celebrate too early!" David fiercely struck his crutch on the ground. "This marriage

    is not for you to decide!¡±

    Just as Jameson left the balcony, he smirked sinisterly. He knew he had lured David into his trap. "I''ll

    happily let you be the billionaire''s son-inw."

 Chapter 1184

    The dinner ended in a strange and oppressive atmosphere.

    Upon learning about the marriage with the Schmidt family''s son, Tatiana felt as if she were sitting on

    pins and needles. Her face lost all color. It was as if all the warmth in her body had been drained,

    leaving her cold from head to toe.

    On the way home, she and L shared a car. There wasn''t even a chance for her to talk to Winston.

    "Mom ... why?"

    Tatiana''s eyes were brimming with tears. She asked with a choked voice, "You know that I love Sean.

    You know that I''ll only marry him. W-Why do you want me to marry into the Schmidt family?"

    L felt bad. Nheless, she replied with a calm voice, "Your father and I believe that this is a

    more suitable match for you. Sean is a good person. However, his family doesn''t see eye to eye with

    us.

    "ording to what I know, the Lynch couple doesn''t like us. If you forcefully marry Sean, it would

    be a marriage without their blessing. Such a marriage would be agonizing for you.

    "Look at Lyse. She''s such a resilient girl. You can probably guess how the three years in the Beckett

    family were for her. In the end, they still got divorced.¡±

    After a sigh, L continued, "Now, Simon has taken a stand against our family, disregarding the

    favor we once showed him. He chose to bite the hand that fed him by bing Sophia''s defense

    attorney.

    "I know a professionalwyer shouldn''t be picky about cases, but this is Sophia we''re talking about.

    She tried to harm you several times and even¡ª"

    When L recalled the insults and humiliations she received from Sophia during her acting career,

    her heart still ached.

    "Simon''s actions and his parents¡¯ tolerance toward him are things your father and I cannot tolerate.

    The Lynch family doesn''t hold the same values as they used to. I don''t want you to marry them."

    "But Sean is different from them!"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    Tatiana felt like her heart was being tightly squeezed. Her throat hurt as she spoke with a sob. "From

    the time Sean graduated until now, he has always been supporting Jonah and Lyse. Can''t Dad see

    how loyal he has been to our family? If he rejects Sean''s efforts just like that, it will be so unfair for

    Sean!"

    Her simple and honest nature made her first think of Sean''s grievances rather than her own future.

    "And Lyse told me that she divorced Jasper not because of pressure from the Beckett family but

    because Jasper didn''t love her at that time. He disappointed her. But Sean ... He has never

    disappointed me!"

    L''s long eyshes fluttered as she pressed her lips tightly.

    "Sean ... is good to me ... He''s really good .."

    Tatiana''s tears fell uncontrobly when she recalled the beautiful moments and happy times spent

    with Sean. "Mom, I don''t think I can ever find a man who treats me so well again. I don''t want to

    lose him.

    "I''ve loved him for so many years. I''ve liked him since I was little. And now, finally, I can be with him.

    Please talk to Dad. Don''t separate us, okay?"

    "Taty, you''re a daughter of the Taylor family. Don''t you think you should do something for the

    family? Are you going to be a pampereddy forever and have no sense of responsibility?"

    L had always been gentle and mild-mannered. Even when Tatiana secretly applied to a film

    academy to be an actress, L tried her best to persuade Winston not to send her abroad,

    hindering her pursuit of her dreams.

    However, her stern words this time truly stunned Tatiana. "Mom ..."

    "Taty, every child of the Taylor family must contribute unconditionally. Even Lyse, who traveled the

    world freely, had to return to the family and help your father manage the struggling hotel. In the

    future, she''ll need to take charge of KS Group. You can imagine how tiring that will be.¡±

    Tatiana lowered her head in self-pity. Her hands were red from her rubbing them too much.

    Alyssa was not only her sister but her idol as well. However, she had never been jealous like those

    female leads in romance novels, trying to surpass the shining Alyssa. She knew that Alyssa was

    talented and beyond her reach.

    But was this the reason she had to sacrifice her love?

    ¡°Mom ... I¡ª"

    "Also, it''s because of the Lynch family''s status. Marrying Sean would be too ambitious for them.¡±

    L no longer looked at Tatiana. She shook her head and said, "Lyse alone is already powerful

    enough. And your future brother-inw is the president of the Beckett Group.

    "What benefits will you bring to Lyse and the Taylor family by being with Sean? Taty, you always say

    you want to do something for this family. Now it''s time for you to do that."

    When they arrived at Heightsnew Vi, Tatiana''s eyes were already swollen from crying. Afraid of

    being seen, she stayed in the car for quite some time before getting out.

    Winston''s car arrived first, and he briskly walked in, with Neil following behind.

 Chapter 1185

    "Mr. Taylor."

    Winston paused in his steps, only now noticing that Sean was standing in front of him.

    "Sean, it''ste. Haven''t you left yet?" he asked with a faint smile.

    "Mr. Taylor, I ..." Sean hesitated. His throat was extremely dry.

    "I know, you''re waiting for Taty, aren''t you?"

    Sean''s thoughts wereid bare, making him feel awkward. After a moment of silence, he spoke

    guiltily. "Mr. Taylor, I''m really sorry for my brother''s actions. But please believe me. Regardless of my

    family''s choice, I''ll always stand by you and Ms. Alyssa. Mymitment remains unchanged.¡±

    Winston smiled faintly and said, ¡°This is your family matter. You don¡¯t need to exin it to me. You

    must have a lot to say to Taty, right? Go and talk to her. I won''t disturb you.¡±

    These words sent a chill down Sean''s spine.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    When he came back to his senses, Winston was already at a distance.

    After some time, Tatiana, who had tidied herself up, walked through the gate with a pale face and a

    dazed look.

    "Taty!" Sean immediately strode forward, opening his arms and pulling the woman he loved into a

    tight embrace.

    "Sean, can you please loosen up a bit? I can''t breathe.¡± Tatiana pretended to be casual, adorably

    scolding him.

    But Sean, with red-rimmed eyes, refused to heed her words. Instead, he tightened his embrace and

    pressed his hot lips onto her shoulder, leaving a red mark. "I''m sorry for putting you in a difficult

    position because of my family."

    Tatiana took a deep breath, keeping her tears at bay. "It''s nothing. Don''t think too much.¡±

    The two young souls hugged each other for a long time before reluctantly parting.

    "Sean, in the days ahead, I''ll be mapping out my future, and I will be quite upied.¡±

    Tatiana''s voice was soft and gentle, and her eyes showed a hint of mncholy. "I''ve been studying

    in Sna City for four years and rarely stay in Belbanks. Now that I have more time, I want to stay

    home and spend more time with my parents.

    "Now that you''ve recovered, Lyse mentioned that she wants you to join the KS Legal Department, so

    .. you''ll be very busy, right?"

    Sean''s breath hitched, and his heart suddenly tightened. "Taty ... what are you trying to say?"

    "Let''s not see each other during this period,¡± Tatiana said with a faint smile.

    In an instant, Sean felt like his heart was tearing apart. He held her shoulders tightly. "Taty, did Mr.

    Taylor pressure you? Did he forbid us from meeting?"

    Tatiana smiled even more bitterly. She couldn''t tell him the truth, fearing that he wouldn''t be able to

    bear it and might copse.

    "No, it''s just that so much has happened recently. I think it''s better for us to meet again when Lyse

    and Jasper have sorted out your brother and when my dad''s anger has subsided a bit.

    "You should go back now, Sean. You haven''t rested well these days because of family matters. Your

    dark circles are growing worse."

    Tatiana gently touched Sean''s red-rimmed eyes with her trembling fingertips. Countless emotions

    were rising inside her.

    Finally, unable to restrain herself any longer, she tiptoed and cupped Sean''s face, offering a tearful,

    tender kiss.

    "Sean, I love you .."

    Having taken a shower, Alyssa came out of her room and happened to encounter Tatiana, whose

    eyes were swollen. She was walking quickly toward her room.

    ¡°Taty? Taty!"

    Tatiana seemed not to hear, hastening her steps even more.

 Chapter 1186

    But Alyssa knew Tatiana had heard her. She was just pretending not to have heard her. She felt

    worried and chased after Tatiana.

    "Taty, what''s wrong?" She abruptly grabbed Tatiana''s arm.

    Tatiana slowly turned around with tear streaks on her face. "It''s nothing, Lyse."

    Alyssa was stunned. "You''re crying? Why are you crying? Did you have a fight with Sean, or ..."

    "Lyse, you and Jasper must be happy.¡±

    Leaving behind these sudden words, Tatiana shook off Alyssa''s hand and sprinted away down the

    corridor, ignoring Alyssa''s calls.

    Alyssa frowned, feeling that something was not right. She took out her phone and called Sean.

    "Ms. Alyssa." Sean''s voice sounded down,cking strength.

    "Sean, what did you say to Taty? She''s so upset. Did you bully her?" Alyssa questioned him bluntly

    with her hands on her hips.

    "Taty cried?¡± Sean''s heart ached, but he still spoke truthfully. "Ms. Alyssa, I didn¡¯t argue with Taty.

    But when she came back home, she was feeling down.

    "I asked her why, and she only said we won''t be meeting for some time. She didn''t say anything

    else.¡±

    Alyssa grew more suspicious the more she heard. She knew how inseparable Tatiana was from Sean

    Moreover, just this morning, the two of them had firmly dered that they would never leave each

    other. How could she suddenly say they wouldn''t meet anymore?

    "Taty went out alone? What did she go out to do? Did she tell you?"

    Sean pondered for a moment before answering in a low voice, "She seems to have gone out with

    Mr. Taylor and Madam L."

    At this, Alyssa''s gaze deepened.

    In the study, Winston sat on the couch after taking the medicine for his cerebral ischemic stroke

    under Neil''s service. He closed his eyes to rest.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "Neil, bring the bin. I feel like vomiting. Ugh ..."

    "Right away! Please bear with it!" Neil quickly fetched the bin, crouching by Winston''s side.

    Clutching his chest, Winston bowed down and showed a painful expression. However, after a long

    time, he couldn''t manage to vomit anything.

    "Mr. Winston, this medicine is too strong. You should reduce the dosage.¡±

    Neil saw how ufortable Winston was and couldn''t help but feel worried. ¡°I''m afraid your illness

    won''t be cured. Instead, you''ll end up ruining your body with the medicine.¡±

    "At my age, my body will copse one day, whether I take the medicine or not. Take it easy.¡±

    Winston took a deep breath, and his forced vigor gradually waned, revealing a wearyplexion.

    "Just ... don''t let the children know, especially Lyse. I''m afraid she''ll be heartbroken.¡±

    Neil''s eyes moistened. "Mr. Winston, please be more optimistic. Given the advanced state of

    medical technology, there''s no need to worry that your illness can''t be cured.¡±

    "I know. Of course, I want to live a few more years. If I kick the bucket, what will Lyse do? What

    about my three wives?"

    Winston pinched the sore spot between his brows. "But we must n ahead. Before Lyse inherits

    the family business, I must eliminate as many potential obstacles as possible.¡±

    "Though Mr. Jonah may not be interested in business, if Ms. Alyssa encounters any difficulties, he''ll

    surely sacrifice everything to assist her.¡±

    At this moment, just outside the study, Alyssa was on the verge of pushing the door open, a chill

    lingering in the air.

    Upon hearing Winston and Neil''s voices from inside, she came to a halt, held her breath, and

    pressed her ear against the door panel.

 Chapter 1187

    The conversation in the study continued.

    Winston came from a wealthy background and had sons and daughters, loved ones, and friends.

    Everyone all across the world admired him for it.

    Yet the only person he could speak his heartfelt thoughts to was Neil, who''d been by his side since

    he was in his youth.

    "Things aren''t so easy to handle right now, Neil,¡± Winston said.

    His brows were knit tight as he shook his head lightly. "Jonah had been the one dealing with the

    company when Lyse was overseas. Frankly, I could tell how difficult it was for him.

    "When Lyse came back, Jonah gave her the position right away. He must''ve known he had reached

    his limits. He most probably has found it extremely difficult to further improve himself. What''s more,

    Jonah and Ss aren''t ...

    Winston hesitated slightly as he spoke.

    Neil remained silent, though there was a shift in his eyes.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    "So after some consideration, Lyse is indeed the most suitable heir out of everyone else. I''m not

    fond of Jasper Beckett, but I can''t stop Lyse from loving him. Though Jasper isn''t in the best position

    in his family, given he still has an elder brother who might undermine him at any given moment, he

    really is sincere toward Lyse.

    "Jasper is meticulous in his thinking and takes decisive action. He reminds me of myself in my youth.

    If he really couldn''t find footing in his family in the future, having hime through the backdoor

    and be a son-inw would still be a great boon to KS Group and Lyse."

    Winston had always been the kind to think things thoroughly prior to making a decision. He''d even

    paved out Jasper''s future for him.

    Neil smiled lightly, "You overthink, Mr. Taylor. Based on Mr. Jasper''s capabilities, I don''t think he''d be

    going through the backdoor. He''s quitepetent, and given his military background, I doubt he''d

    be a kept man ..."

    "I was just phrasing it out. It''d be good if Jasper could stand strong in his family, but if he can''t, he

    can help Lyse buy out the Beckett Group. What a treat that would be!" Winston waggled his

    eyebrows. "Think of it as Alyssa''s betrothal gift."

    Neil was left speechless.

    Outside the door, Alyssa ground her teeth together, muttering, "You''re so bold, Winston. Why don''t

    you make yourself emperor of the city already!¡±

    "But that''s forter. As of now, I need to help Lyse deal with the troubles she¡¯s facing out in the

    world if she and Jasper are to be together. Victor saved my life, this I won''t deny. But if this

    engagement with Jameson is called off, the Schmidts will forever be our enemies,¡± Winston

    concluded.

    The more he thought about this issue, the stronger a headache he felt. "We''ve permanently

    antagonized the Harper family after the horseracesst time.

    "Javier Beckett has never gotten along with me. Even if we have Newton''s support, he''s old now.

    How much longer can he keep the Beckett Group under control?

    "We might end up being antagonized by both the Harper family and Beckett family when we

    advance into Sna City. If the Schmidt family sides with them, KS Group will really be in hot soup.¡±

    Neil''s furrowed brows never rxed.

    Winston was right. The Taylor family was unopposed in Belbanks. But if the three families in Sna

    City allied together to oppose them, they''d be hyenas threatening their pride of lions. Alyssa was

    still young. How could she handle such a great enemy?

    Furthermore, the families were more like savage pumas and leopards when the going got tough.

    "So having Taty marry into the Schmidt family is the best option right now," Winston said.

    A low drone began buzzing in Alyssa''s ears.

    "Jameson is quite visionary. He may not be as sharp as Jasper, but he knows to take stern action.

    After such a long time of getting to know him, I''d say he''s more capable than Josh," Winston said

    with a faint smile. "It''s still hard to tell who''ll be the one to be head of the Schmidt family in

    the future.¡±

    "Mr. Jameson really is capable. He was able to get in Mr. Victor''s good graces within a year after

    being exiled to Kontina for 15 years. Mr. Victor even wanted Mr. Jameson to marry Ms. Alyssa. One

    can see how highly Mr. Victor thinks of Mr. Jameson," Neil said.

    "So it''s not a loss to have Taty marry him. That way, our family rtions will be closer. Lyse will have

    a sister in the Schmidt family to rely on when she takes over KS Group.¡±

    "But Ms. Tatiana likes Mr. Sean ... "

    Winston immediately grew angry. "Spencer is an old fool for letting his eldest son get up to no

    good! Simon switched to kissing Javier Beckett''s ass all because he thinks he has some capabilities

    to show for it. He''s worked with the Beckett family several times now to oppose Lyse!

    "The Lynch family is not powerful. Yet, they won''t quietly stay put. I heard that Spencer''s wife was

    displeased when she heard Taty wanted to be with Sean. Our family is stronger than hers in every

    way, yet she dares to look down on Taty? Hmph!"

    "You want Taty to marry that sly hypocrite Jameson? How shameless are you?"

 Chapter 1188

    With a loud bang, Alyssa barged into the room.

    Anger had made her face flushed while her hands were clenched into fists.

    Both Winston and Neil were shocked.

    Winston then grumbled, "Don''t you know proper manners, Lyse? Or did you forget how to knock?"

    "I''ve never knocked since I knew how to walk here in Heightsnew Vi! Oho! Are you bringing up

    civility and manners now? Feeling guilty, are we?"

    Alyssa was so angry that she was trembling. "Do you think you''re some sort of a warlord, Winston?

    Having so many wives is one thing, yet now you''re trying to use your own daughter to appease the

    Schmidt family?

    "What a wonderful father you are! I thought you were just a flirt, but it looks like you''re also a cold-

    blooded, selfish man! I truly held my hopes too high!"

    Winston was furious. He wasn''t as tolerating as before, though. He coldly said, "What would you

    know? These are ad hoc strategies.¡±

    "Selling your daughter out, separating a pair of sincere lovers, and ruining Taty''s happiness for life is

    your idea of ad hoc strategy?" Alyssa sneered.

    She had never been as angry as she was right now, considering all the outrageous things Winston

    had done in the past.

    "You''re still young. You have no idea how difficult it is to have all the power in your grasp. How

    could you possibly satisfy the tens of thousands of staff in KS Group alone? I endured all sorts of

    pain and made painful sacrifices when I came into power just to get the family to where it is today!"

    Winston snapped

    "So you''re saying you want me to advance our family at the cost of everything else?" Alyssa red

    at her father. "Who else do you want to sell off after Taty? You must be so angry that Miley got

    married early and that you don''t have any more daughters to sell off!"Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Alyssa!" Winston stood up, angrily ring at his most beloved daughter.

    The father and daughter were locked in a tense confrontation.

    Neil panicked. Thest thing he wanted to see was Alyssa fighting with Winston.

    "What else can we do? Do you want to have the other three families antagonize us? Do you really

    think you can handle such powerful antagonists?" Winston asked.

    "How do you know I can''t? We haven''t even started yet! What are you looking down on me for?"

    Alyssa eximed.

    She grew furious by the second. "Jameson Schmidt is a devious, cold-blooded hypocrite! He

    antagonized Miley and Jeremy countless times in Kontina. He even tried killing Jasper and Jonah!

    "Did he drug you or something? You''re eating right out of his hands! Now, you even want to send

    your own daughter into the wolves¡¯ den. Did you really pave your way to sess all these years, or

    did you take a fucking shortcut?¡±

    Winston''s eyes widened. Beside him, Neil''s expression grew into one of sheer shock.

    Winston quickly scoffed. He scrutinized his daughter, saying, "Don¡¯t you have even an ounce of guilt

    to show for making up lies, Alyssa?¡±

    "Oh my fucking God. Are you seriously taking all that I said as lies?" Alyssa was so angry she might

    as well have high blood pressure now. "Did Jameson cast a spell on you, old man?"

    "This is no small usation, Ms. Alyssa. Do you have any evidence?" Neil was in disbelief. "Mr.

    Jameson has known you since you two were children. Mr. Winston and I can see his sincerity toward

    you. How could he have done such a thing?

    "I can understand if he tried to harm Mr. Jasper, given thetter is a rival in love. But why would he

    try to harm Mr. Jonah? It makes no sense for Mr. Jameson to do that.¡±

    "Neil is right. Do you have evidence?" Winston knew how cunning Alyssa could be. She''d do

    anything to prevent Tatiana from marrying into the Schmidt family.

    "I will get the evidence. I just need time!" Alyssa gritted out.

    Of course, she would get the evidence needed to end Jameson once and for all. But that man was

    too cunning. They couldn''t take action against him even as his tricks and schemes wereid bare for

    all to see.

 Chapter 1189

    The only way they could make a breakthrough now was to catch Jeffrey''s superior, Inigo Montoye.

    Jameson''s crimes would finally be revealed once they had Inigo to testify!

    But Alyssa couldn''t tell Winston this due to the risk of alerting unwanted parties and disturbing

    Jaspers n and hers. Hence, she could only stop her exnation here.

    "Then I''ll wait for your evidence to change my mind." Winston no longer had the energy to argue

    with Alyssa. Sweat had beaded on his brows.

    He then walked right out the door.

    Neil hurriedly followed along, seeing how ill Winston suddenly seemed.

    "You heartless, selfish, obsolete old man!" Alyssa roared at her father. "I hate you! I hate you so

    fucking much!¡±

    It felt like a dagger had prated Winston''s heart. The pain was so great he flinched.

    Thest time Alyssa yelled at him like this and told him she hated him was when Jennifer, the love of

    Winston''s life, died.

    Winston didn''t understand it. He had given all the best to Alyssa since she was a child. He could

    sacrifice every single member of their family just to pave a safe, protected, and worry-free path for

    Alyssa''s future.

    But why did Winston end up being repaid with Alyssa¡¯s hatred?

    "Didn''t you want to be with Jasper?" Winston said solemnly, back still toward his daughter. "This

    true love you seek isn''t something wished well on by countless others. They''re bound to cause

    trouble.

    "What I''m doing now can let you have the rtionship you want, stabilize KS Group, and ensure

    Tatiana marries well. What''s wrong with that?"

    Alyssa''s shoulders quivered. Disappointment filled her throat, making her breathing shallow.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "I''m not just your father. I''m also the head of the family business. I can''t ignore the business¡¯

    problems for you and your siblings¡¯ sake. What''s more, I''ve already given you a freedom no one else

    has received. I can''t please everyone at the same time. You should know when enough is enough,

    Alyssa,¡± Winston said.

    Alyssa took a shaky step back. This was the first time she found her father to be so terrifying.

    Alyssa''s sweat had soaked through her shirt when she walked back to her room. She felt as if she

    were about to pass out.

    Pain filled her chest, making her feel unbearably bitter and depressed.

    She couldn''t allow Tatiana to marry into the Schmidt family. Whether it was David Schmidt or

    Jameson Schmidt, her sister would still be treated horribly!

    Winston didn''t know how terrifying Jameson could be, but Alyssa did. That was why she had to do

    everything in her might to stop this marriage!

    Just as Alyssa was about to seek Tatiana out and console her, her phone rang.

    Jasper''s phone call was like the ray of sunshine dispelling the dark clouds overhead. A faint smile

    surfaced on Alyssa''s lips.

    Yet, when she recalled her argument with her father and realized that her rtionship with Jasper

    had prompted Winston to arrange Tatiana''s marriage to the Schmidt family, a crushing sense of

    guilt settled in her chest.

    After a moment, Alyssa answered the call. "Jasper ...

    "What is it? You seem upset. Are you missing me?" Jaspers silky, maic voice echoed, filled with

    tender adoration.

    Alyssa rubbed her eyes, feeling even more upset now. "Don''t ask if you know the answer already.¡±

    Jasper chuckled, the sound very attractive even over the call. "Then stop missing me ande

    outside to see me."

 Chapter 1190

    Alyssa ran out of the house without hanging up the call or even changing her clothes, like a bird flying

    out of its cage.

    Jasper stood outside the gates under the streemp for her, his gaze warm.

    The weather forecast had mentioned a heavy downpour tonight, but Jasper hadn¡¯t minded it. After

    finishing his work in Sna City, he drove to meet with his lover.

    It had only been a day.

    But frankly, it was a pain to bear this feeling of longing.

    ¡°Jasper!¡± Alyssa cried, pushing open the door. She then ran tearfully over to him.

    Jasper¡¯s eyes widened briefly before they narrowed. An adoring and loving smile crept onto his face.

    He had already opened his arms to try and wee Alyssa, but in the blink of an eye, she¡¯d run right

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    up to him. So he embraced her deeply.

    ¡°I hurried over as early as I could. I was worried I wouldn¡¯t be able to see you if I came by a second

    it¡¯s no big deal. I could just wait for you outside the entire night. It would¡¯ve been difficult to wait until the

    morning, though.¡±

    ¡°Jasper¡­¡± Alyssa sniffled. Her eyes were red-rimmed.

    Like a bird following its migration instincts, it seemed as if there were no other ces in the world that

    could make Alyssa feel safer than in Jasper¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Oh? Lyse, are you crying?¡± Jasper was taken aback. He gently peered at Alyssa¡¯s face, lifting her chin.

    His heart pained upon seeing Alyssa¡¯s moistened eyes. ¡°You¡¯re actually crying. Who did this to you?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s fingers were buried in Jasper¡¯s shirt front, wrinkling the fabric.

    When Alyssa recalled Winston¡¯s words on how having Tatiana marry into the Schmidt family was just

    so Alyssa could be together with Jasper, more tears gathered in her eyes..

    She croaked out, ¡°Should we not be together anymore?¡±

    Jasper¡¯s heart tensed immediately. His lips quivered as he asked, ¡± What is it, Lyse? Why are you

    bringing this up?¡±

    ¡°Are the people around us bound to suffer just because we¡¯re in a rtionship?¡± The more Alyssa

    spoke, the more she wanted to cry.

    She had always put up a tough act in front of everyone, yet she softened immediately in front of the

    man she loved. ¡°First, it was Jonah. Now, it¡¯s Taty. What sort of a match made in heaven are we,

    Jasper? We¡¯re a living jinx, that¡¯s what!¡± a

    Jasper was pale with fear. His heart throbbed with pain. His hands were quivering as he said, ¡°Don¡¯t

    scare me, Lyse. What happened? Can you please tell me?¡±

    Alyssa bit her lip, unsure of how to start.

    ¡°Lyse, you can order me to do anything you want, even if it¡¯s abandoning my family business. I don¡¯t

    care.¡± Jasper¡¯s throat tightened, causing his breathing to be shallow. ¡°Just don¡¯t leave. me. Don¡¯t

    leave me.¡±

    Having weathered numerous challenges together just to reunite, how

 Chapter 1191

    What did they have to do to change Winston''s mind, to stop the marriage between Tatiana and

    Jameson?

    Alyssa slowed her breathing and roughly ryed this night''s happening to Jasper. Naturally, she

    summarized the part about her fight with Winston.

    She downyed the serious points as she was afraid that he would worry and feel guilty.

    Jasper wrapped his muscr arms around her waist and furrowed his brows. "So, Mr. Taylor wants

    Tatiana to marry into the Schmidt family because you and I are together? Even if he prefers the

    Schmidts, this is just too sudden.¡±

    "It seems sudden, but it''s not."

    Alyssa shook her head dejectedly. Angry, she clutched his chest and said, "Actually, Winston is being

    crafty. He wasn''t happy about you and I being together previously.

    "I wouldn''t be surprised if he already had a secret discussion with Mr. Victor for me to marry into

    the Schmidt family.

    "After the horse racing event, I heard from Sean that there was news about Winston and Jameson

    bing close. It was likely part of the Schmidt Group''s preparation for the marriage.

    "They just hadn''t expected the Harpers toplicate things. Moreover, Sophia''s arrest must have

    messed up their ns.

    "Otherwise, ording to Winston''s aggressive personality, he would have made a public

    announcement about me marrying Jameson during the horse race event itself. He is definitely

    capable of doing so!"Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper¡¯s skin felt warm. It hurt a little from her wing at him, but it was a pleasurable type of pain.

    "Don¡¯t worry, Lyse. Even if Mr. Taylor were to do that, do you think I will just sit back and watch while

    you be involved with that bastard, Jameson?"

    He then lifted her hand and kissed it. He looked at her with a fiery gaze and continued, "I will surely

    fight to get you back no matter the costs and consequences.¡±

    Alyssa didn''t think he would need to fight to get her back. She would always be his.

    She batted her long eyshes and replied, "But, it was also due to Zoe causing trouble that

    changed Winston''s opinion about you. Otherwise, he might have arranged for both Taty and me to

    marry into the Schmidt family and forced you to give up.

    "Hence, I''m sure Mr. Victor had said something to Winston to pressure him. And that influenced his

    decision to let Taty be the doormat. How abhorrent!"

    Jasper felt bad watching her being so enraged. "Lyse, as much as I don''t want to admit it, Jameson

    was quite adamant about his feelings for you. So, it doesn''t seem like he would marry your sister.

    "He cannot ept this marriage arrangement if he wants to have you. And, now that David has also

    be a crippled man, Mr. Taylor will not let Tatiana get married to him. This engagement might

    not even happen.¡±

    "Even so, once Jameson is provoked, he may go berserk. There''s nothing he wouldn''t do.¡±

    Alyssa leaned her head against Jasper''s chest and sighed. "Who knows if this is actually part of his

    n? If he were to ept the marriage, he could then pressure me indirectly.

    "He could make me feel extremely guilty so that I won''t be able to continue seeing you in peace.

    Even if he can''t take someone''s life, he''d still make sure that they''d suffer.¡±

    "Don¡¯t panic, Lyse. I will face this together with you. We can think of something.¡±

    Right after he said that, thunder echoed, and lightning shed across the skies.

    A few secondster, it started to pour. Jasper promptly opened the car door, and they got into the

    back seat.

    It might have been because of the narrow space in the car that gave them a dopamine rush, leading

    to their arousal. Without having to say a word, they embraced one another and shared a passionate

    kiss¡ªone that was more intense than the storm outside the window.

    Alyssa was captivated by the sound of Jasper''s deep, heavy breathing. She felt like she was in a

    trance from his kiss and ended up tugging at his necktie.

    Desire filled Jasper''s eyes. With his hands, he hooked the straps on her shoulders and let her silk

    strap pajamas slip down to her waist. The sight of her soft, lily-white skin made his world spin.

    "lyse ..."

    He couldn''t hold himself back any longer and leaned forward, pressing himself against her.

    A pair of intertwined shadows could be seen rocking back and forth through the hazy windows.

    The car felt confined, yet Alyssa was on cloud nine. Her face flushed red. It was as if she was about

    to melt under him.

    After making love, the heavy rain had also begun to slow.

    Alyssa''s hair was drenched in sweat, disheveled as she rxed in his arms.

 Chapter 1192

    "Could you get a room next time, Mr. Beckett? My hips are killing me."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper chuckled naughtily and asked, "Your hips won''t hurt if we get a room?"

    Shy, Alyssa lightly punched his chest.

    "Lyse, about the party on the weekend, almost all of Sna City''s reputable families will be there.¡±

    Jasper had a sincere and serious look on his face. "I am thinking of making a public announcement

    then ... that I am seeing you. Would that be alright?"

    Alyssa''s dazzling eyes widened slightly. She stared into his eyes without saying a word for quite a

    while.

    He thought that she was unhappy with the idea. He held her hand tight and continued, "Actually,

    more than that, I want to propose to you. But, I''m afraid that you aren''t ready yet, and more so that

    it will be too rushed. I don''t want to make things difficult for you.¡±

    "Why are you choosing that day in particr?¡±

    "Because I can''t wait any longer.¡±

    Jasper felt a lump in his throat as a wave of emotions washed over him. "I can''t wait to announce to

    everyone that I am yours and yours alone.¡±

    Sean dragged himself back to the Lynch residence, feeling exhausted.

    He had found out from Alyssa that Tatiana cried. It made him anxious. He called her countless times,

    but she hadn''t answered his calls¡ªnot even once.

    In the end, her phone was switched off.

    They were joined at the hip during the day. When nighttime came, she suddenly said that she didn''t

    want to see him anymore. He couldn''t understand why this was so.

    What in the world happened? He felt his head was about to explode from all that thinking.

    "Oh, my dear brother. Did you have a good time on your date with Ms. Tatiana Taylor?" Simon asked

    in a yful voice.

    Sean felt his chest tighten. He turned around coldly.

    "It seems like you didn''t have that great a time. Otherwise, why do you look so mad?¡±

    Simon walked toward him. He clicked his tongue as he shook his head and said, "Why? Are you

    about to lose the treasure that you''ve obtained?"

    Sean disregarded Simon''s ridicule toward him. He scoffed coldly and replied, "I was just wondering

    who was speaking. It turns out that it''s the Beckett family''s pet dog.¡±

    "I am their pet dog, but I''m just living by the seat of my pants. I''ve got nothing to be ashamed

    about.¡±

    Simon was a thick-skinned man. He continued to mock Sean, "At least I''m better than a bootlicker

    like you who relies on your woman to get ahead.

    "I guess it''s different for you, being a secretary. You can be flexible. Since you weren''t able to seduce

    Ms. Alyssa, you''ve gone for second best and became involved with Ms. Tatiana. You''ve really racked

    your brains to marry a wealthy family. I''ve got to hand it to you!"

    Sean finally lost his patience. He tightened his fist and was about to dash forward to break Simon''s

    nose for the second time when Sinead appeared just in time.

    "Sean! Stop!"

    But Sean was at the top of his rage. He wasn''t going to listen to her. He was right before Simon

    now!

    Simon shuddered and quickly covered his nose.

    "Sean! You''re hitting your brother just because of that bitch? Are you trying to infuriate me?" Sinead

    reprimanded him in a devastated voice. Her heart began to hurt again.

    Sean red at her. His eyes were red. He shouted, "Mom, Tatiana is the woman I love the most.

    Don''t insult her with such a term!"

    Sinead was shocked, and her heart ached. Her youngest son had always been the kindest and the

    most caring of them all.

 Chapter 1193

    Over the past 28 years, Sean had never talked back to Sinead like that. This was the first time. It

    made her heart ache.

    "I want to be with Tatiana. I want to marry her."

    Sean''s blood was boiling throughout his entire body. He enunciated every word, saying, "I don''t

    want anyone other than Taty!"

    "So, are you abandoning your family? Are you abandoning me, too?" Sinead questioned while

    choking on her tears.

    "If you still want me as your son, please stop insulting Tatiana. Don''t stop me from loving her. But of

    course, even if you wanted to, you won''t be able to stop me."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Upon saying that, Sean turned and walked upstairs.

    "Stand right there, Sean!¡±

    Sinead screamed at him while he walked away, "Are you trying to drive me to my death? Let me tell

    you¡ªI will never let you marry the daughter of a mistress from the Taylor family! Not unless it''s over

    my dead body!"

    Sean stopped in his tracks.

    Sinead felt gleeful. She thought that he had changed his mind.

    At longst, he uttered, "Simon, I advise you to pull back now. Quit attempting to have Sophia

    acquitted. If not, just wait and see what I will do.¡±

    Simon was angered. "You brat! Are you threatening me?" He questioned back with a cold scoff.

    "What if I am? You were right when you said that I was a dog. But I''m not apdog like you are. I am

    a hunting dog. If you push me to a corner, I will go for your throat.¡±

    After warning him, Sean walked away without turning back.

    He left Simon where he was. Simon shuddered.

    After both families met to discuss the marriage, David dreamt of Tatiana two nights in a row.

    Perhaps it was because he was stimted somehow.

    She was just L''s daughter and couldn''t bepared to Alyssa. Even so, he couldn''t deny that she

    was a feast for his eyes.

    He was used to indulging himself in luxury. When that was suddenly reced with simplicity,

    naturally, he felt that it was a different kind of delicacy. However, these weren''t the most important

    aspects.

    The most crucial part was that he had lost his power. Today, he was very much in need of help from

    the Taylor family. He would never allow himself to be trampled on by Jameson!

    That night, he summoned Daisy to the cer.

    When they were young, he and his siblings loved to y in Victor''s cer the most. As they grew

    older, it became where they had private conversations.

    "David, are you going to marry L''s daughter? Wouldn''t you be at a loss?"

    Compared to Josh, who was authoritative, Daisy was closest to David ever since she was young.

    After listening to his thoughts, she couldn''t help but feel that it wasn''t worth it for him.

    "You are Dad''s favorite son. Who is L? She ended up being with Mr. Taylor without any status and

    had an insignificant daughter with him.

    "You can say that she is the Taylor family''s daughter, but if I were to be crude, she is an illegitimate

    daughter.

    "Jennifer had five children¡ªfour sons, along with Alyssa. As the second wife, Mandy has one son

    and one daughter. L and her daughter could never get into the Taylor family business. How does

    it benefit you to marry her?"

    "No, the Taylor family is different from the other affluent families. Even if Mr. Taylor doesn''t care

    about his wives, his children are important to him."

    David felt extremely miserable, so he gulped down some alcohol. Then, he continued, "Plus, look at

    me now. Do I have any other choice? This is pretty much it!"

    Daisy didn''t have anything much to say. She simply asked, ¡°So, what do you n to do? I''m sure

    that you''ve called me here because you want my help.¡±

    David approached her. With a dark expression on his face, he asked, "Richdies like you love to

    seek advice from Celine Romani. I''m sure she cane up with some ideas.

    "Could she help me with getting ahead to get Tatiana so that Jameson can''t contend with me

    anymore?"

 Chapter 1194

    Daisy immediately understood what David meant.

    Celine Romani was famous amongst the aristocrats in Sna City. Many plutocrats from out of town

    would evene all the way to have their fortunes read by her.

    Secretly, though, Celine was involved in a lot of dirty work. As long as she was paid enough, she would

    even be a pimp for the highly influential people.

    "I get what you mean. Dad has always been a superstitious person. He goes to the tarot readers for a

    reading every other day.

    "Since this is the case, give me a couple of days to make arrangements. I will rmend Celine to

    Dad. He will surely be willing to see her."

    Daisy was inspired and continued, "By then, I will bribe Celine and have her side with you. I''ll have her

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    say that Tatiana shes with him while you and her are made for each other. And that it will bring good

    luck to the Schmidt Group, too.

    "On the other hand, if Tatiana were to marry Jameson, it would bring misfortune to our family. As Dad is

    superstitious, he will definitely not consider Jameson. Instead, he will do all he can to push for your

    marriage with the Taylor family."

    "That would be great! Thank you so much, Daisy." David held her hand excitedly.

    "David, we''re both siblings of the same mother and grew up together. Mom died early. Dad then

    married that whore, who cheated on him and gave birth to that bastard child to fight with us for the

    family assets.

    "Of course, we''d have to be united in fighting against outsiders. Who else would I side with but you?"

    Daisy exined sincerely.

    She was already a married woman. Her husband is in politics. Life at home had been difficult in the

    past two years.

    She often had to fork out her savings for her husband''s use. At the same time, she had to maintain her

    morous outlook.

    If Jameson were to be more and more powerful, it would be difficult for her to secure her footing

    in the Schmidt Group.

    When the day came for them to divide up their family assets, Josh and David would ensure that she

    was taken care of.

    As for Jameson, she would count herself fortunate if he didn''t kill her. Thus, whatever it was, she had to

    assist David.

    "However, it is no longer a feudalistic and conservative time. Parents don''t have a say in everything

    now."

    David took out a cigar and twirled it around his fingers. With a worried gaze, he said, "I heard that

    Tatiana has been very friendly with Alyssa''s secretary, the one with thest name Lynch. Alyssa is also

    supportive of them being together.

    "You should also know who Alyssa is. Not only is she doted on by Mr. Taylor, but she also has Jasper''s

    support. She even dared to challenge the Harper family in public.

    "If she were to step up and oppose my marriage with Tatiana, I''m afraid that it would cause more

    problems."

    Daisy rolled her eyes slightly. She suddenly smirked and responded, "David, the way I see it is that this

    is simple. Let''s just go with the most straightforward and crude method."

    "What is it?"

    "We just have to make sure that they have no other way out!"

    David was bbergasted!

    Although he had done simr things before, this time, they were talking about a daughter from the

    Taylor family. It wouldn''t be easy for him to stick his nose in.

    "Even if I were to get Celine to help us, sess isn''t guaranteed. Even if Dad were to agree to the

    marriage, Mr. Taylor might not. Rather than leaving everything in uncertainty, you should just conquer

    her.

    "Make it such that Mr. Taylor has no choice but to have his daughter marry you. Alyssa, too, wouldn''t

    be able to stand in the way even if she had superpowers.

    "What I''m saying is that even if you can''t win her over, you just need to get her physically!"

    David felt enlightened. He nodded and replied through clenched teeth, "That doesn''t sound like a bad

    idea."

    Having devised the n, David and Daisy clinked sses and had a premature celebration.

    However, they weren''t aware of the dim, red light blinking under the wine table, which wasing from

    a tiny tapping device.

    Someone was listening in from The Millennium.

    Jameson crossed his legs rxedly as he sat on an extravagant, retro Eurekean sofa. He was swirling

    a ss of red wine with his slender, fair-skinned fingers.

    His gender-neutral and exquisite facial features formed a sly expression, making him look like a noble

    vampire.

    He had heard David and Daisy''s plot loud and clear. The more he listened, the more he felt like

    "Look at David and Daisy. Don''t you think that they''re a natural inedy? They''re making themselves

    look like clowns."

    By the side, Carl couldn''t help but feel surprised.

    with an indignant look on his face, he remaked, " You''re so broad-minded. They''re plotting against you.

    Yet, you''re not mad at all?"

 Chapter 1195

    Jameson responded, "Why should I be mad? They''re doing exactly what I want."

    Jameson then lifted his wine ss and stared at the liquid in it, which was as red as blood. His smile

    was cold and creepy.

    "Not only am I not mad, I also want to lend David a hand. I''ll just treat it as my gift to him and Ms.

    Tatiana."

    After Daisy''s ndestine orchestration, the meeting between Victor and Celine took ce.

    Celine had also heeded Daisy''s instruction and ryed her scripted message to Victor. She exined

    everything confidently and with much detail.

    Victor couldn''t help but be convinced.

    In fact, he really loved to have David marry someone from the Taylor family. He was his favorite son,

    after all. He was the first person he would consider whenever anything advantageous came up.

    Even if Jameson tried to be nice and obedient to him now, they were indeed missing 15 years of their

    father-son rtionship. At the end of the day, Jameson didn''t mean as much to him as David did.

    But Winston was such a prideful man. Moreover, Tatiana was the daughter of the woman he loved the

    most. How would he bear to have his precious daughter marry his handicapped son?

    Thus, he could only make a mental note of this temporarily. He nned to find a suitable opportunity to

    bite the bullet and plead with him once again. He knew that his chances were slim.

    The days flew by.

    Soon, it was the weekend that everyone looked forward to.

    The Jesseltons from Jesselton Incorporated arrived at Sna City for the very first time. The news

    about them holding a top-notch business dinner party soon spread among the wealthy and the city''s

    media outlets.

    That night, they had booked out an entire fortress resort on the outskirts of Sna City. The

    surrounding area was exceptionally bustling with luxury cars.

    On the other hand, the internal area remained in order. It was not at all affected by the media that had

    flocked there.

    It was obvious that the security and privacy of the ce was at another level.

    The four prominent families arrived one after another. Coincidentally, they had all chosen to avoid the

    reporters and entered via the VIP passageway, which had been temporarily opened up.

    This included the Harper family, who was usually boastful and high-profile. Even they hadn''t appeared

    in front of the public.

    After all, the incident at the horse race event wasn''t too long ago. They didn''t want to remind people of

    that.

    In one of the posh cars, Zoe was acting like a coy kitten with Cornelius as she leaned in his arms.

    "Grandpa, is Mr. Javier really going to announce my marriage to Jasper during the dinner party

    tonight?"

    In her nervousness, she wrinkled her brows and said, "Will he be able to convince Jasper? Jasper is as

    stubborn as a mule. I''m worried ..."

    "Convince him? Do you think that Jasper has a chance to disagree? Not unless he gives up his

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    position as the president of the Beckett Group!"

    Cornelius inhaled sharply. His beleaguered face was gloomy. "I havee to an agreement with Mr.

    Javier. He is also very pleased with this marriage. There is no way that he will not agree to the dowry I

    offered and the conditions our family can provide!"

    "But Grandpa Newton was always supportive of Alyssa. He treats her better than he treats his own

    granddaughters. If he disagrees ."

    "Until when is Newton going to have a say? Right now, it is Beckett Group''s Mr. Javier who has the final

    say."

    Cornelius couldn''t help but mock, "Mr. Javier''s stance is very clear. No matter what, he would never

    allow someone like Alyssa to be in control of his son. He will never let such a feisty woman marry into

    the Beckett family.

    "That woman from the Taylor family is really too smart for her own good!

    "You can be at ease, Zoe. There is no way that she''s going to get in the way of you marrying into the

    Beckett family."

    "It would be excellent if that''s really how it is! Thank you, Grandpa!" Zoe eximed sweetly. Her cheeks

    flushed pink from excitement.

    Initially, she was nning to deliver a fatal blow to Alyssa during this crucial moment that night. In the

    presence of the Becketts, the Taylors, and the Jesseltons, she wanted to humiliate the Taylor family.

    However, if Cornelius and Javier had alreadye to an agreement, that would simplify things for her.

 Chapter 1196

    Alyssa would still be safe that night.

    Zoe decided that she would find an opportunity on some other day to ruin Alyssa''s dignity so that no

    other man would ever want her.

    In the banquet hall, melodious music yed.

    The women dazzled in their mboyant outfits while the upper-ss guests gathered.

    Jasper hadn''t gone over together with the Beckett family. Instead, he appeared at the same time as

    Landon as if avoiding any suspicion.

    The two "pr opposites" arrived in their brilliance, capturing people''s attention wherever they went.

    Jasper didn''t have a partner by his side, but the women didn''t dare to covet him. After all, they had

    heard that he was already taken, so they didn''t want to ridicule themselves.

    Who would have the guts to steal Alyssa''s man? The issue was that they wouldn''t be able to win her!

    But those women had a different look in their eyes when they looked at Landon. Their gazes could

    essentially be described as thirsty or predatory.

    Landon and Lauren''s rtionship had only ever been disclosed once and it was on the day of the

    horse racing event. Most outsiders were still in the dark.

    With that, Landon was still the dream man of the women in Sna City.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Even so, Landon didn''t have eyes for any other woman. All these dolled-up women were still not as

    "You didn''t bring Lauren with you. Have you gone back to your old ways?"

    Jasper nced at Landon with his cold, ck eyes. "Are you thinking of spreading your wings and

    flirting with other women behind Lauren''s back?"

    Landon red at him. Angrily, he answered, "Heck, will you only change your opinion of me if I got

    castrated? Even bitches can be tamed. Can''t I be the same?"

    Jasper turned his eyes away and said, "We''ll just have to wait and see."

    "Damn it. I went to a meetingst night. Those senseless women pounced on me, requesting to be my

    partner. I lost it on the spot! If it weren''t for them being women, I would''ve punched them!"

    Landon let out a heavy, exasperated sigh. He was reminded of his lovely wife who was waiting for him

    at home.

    "Lauren doesn''t like toe to these sorts of events. She has severe social anxiety, so it will make her

    very ufortable.

    "In fact, I wasn''t nning toe either. But, I had no choice now that I had reced Preston in

    helping Grandpa with affairs at the Harper Group. That''s why I had to be here today."

    Jasper lifted the corner of his thin lips slightly. "I heard good news."

    "Oh?"

    "You have been promoted. Early congrattions to you, Mr. Harper."

    Landon froze. An unexinable joy filled his heart.

    Mr. Landon Harper, the president of Harper Group. What a beautifully titled position.

    In the past, people from the Harper Group and any outsiders only addressed him as "Mr. Landon". It

    had always been difficult for him to be the center of authority.

    He thought that it would be a long fight. Little did he expect this day to be here so soon.

    "Hey, I haven''t been promoted officially. I am just serving as an interim." Despite his words conveying a

    sense of embarrassment, Landon had a luminous glint in his eyes.

    "You are the only grandson that Mr. Cornelius has. It is only fair that he supports you. It is also

    inevitable that he does so."

    Jasper extended his arm to give him a pat on his shoulder. He advised him sincerely, "Landon, I am

    truly happy for you. Now that steps have been taken to get back into the legal business, you should rid

    yourself of any ventures in the gray area.

    "At the very least, on the surface, it should appear as if you have no involvement in it. This will impact

    your image in the Harper Group and in the public eye in the future.

    "Also, I don''t wish for Lauren to be worried for you day in and day out. You have to carry out your work

    properly. Do you understand me?"

 Chapter 1197

    Landon perceived Jasper''s advice to be heartfelt and thoughtful. At that moment, it was as if Jasper

    was no longer a mere friend to him. Instead, he was like an elder brother whose blood was thicker than

    water.

    Landon felt his throat tighten. His eyes welled up as he said, "Damn it, you''re making me tear up."

    Actually, he had already thought of it, even if Jasper hadn''t said anything. He would certainly grasp

    onto the opportunity. He definitely wanted to provide a bright future, one which would be the envy of all

    for Lauren.

    "People from the KS Group are here!" someone shouted.

    Jasper''s entire body tensed up. It was as if a current had just passed through him. He straightened his

    back as straight as a die. His heart, which was calm before, began to pound.

    He breathed deeply and lifted his hand to adjust his bow tie. He then fixed his soulful eyes on the

    entrance to the banquet hall.

    By the side, Landon covered his mouth and chuckled to himself.

    Those who didn''t know would have thought that this man was at his wedding, waiting for the arrival of

    his bride.

    A momentter, Winston and Jonah stepped into the banquet hall. Behind them were two gorgeous

    One was like a bright and beautiful red rose that captivated people''s hearts. The other was like an

    elegant and adorable white rose.

    The pair of sisters captured the attention of all the men there. The other women looked like they had

    simply gone overboard with drugstore makeup.

    "Needless to say, the most stunning of them all tonight is still Ms. Alyssa."

    "Is the one next to her Mr. Taylor''s obscure, youngest daughter? The daughter he had with Madam

    L?"

    "Should be. She looks pretty decent, too. Even when she''s standing next to Alyssa, she isn''t

    "Wow, if anyone were to marry those sisters, they''d even wake up from their dreamughing."

    "It is already a pipe dream to marry one of them, but you''re thinking of marrying both? Dream on! You

    can dream about all the women you like and work your nuts off!"

    The men''s imagination ran wild with the Taylor sisters.

    Jasper''s eyes turned dark. He curled his fingers inward as anger surged within him.

    "Hey, don''t get so stirred up, Jasper."

    Landon nudged him in the rib. He consoled him with a smile on his face. "Actually, they''re not being

    disrespectful. We''re all men, so I understand.

    "They are just voicing out their thoughts. The harsher their words, the more it underscores Alyssa''s

    beauty."

    "That''s quite broad-minded of you. Would you be able to take it if it were Lauren?" Jasper''s rage was

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    concentrated between his eyebrows.

    "Umm ..." Landon was stuck.

    Jasper regted his breathing. With a heavy heart, he started to walk over to Alyssa.

    As if she was telepathic, Alyssa also turned to look at him.

    Their zealous gaze met with one another. Her radiant red lips curved into a wide smile as she yfully

    winked at him.

    Jasper felt as if she had just lit his heart on fire. He swallowed his saliva in an attempt to refrain himself.

    At that very moment, two figures had stepped ahead of him and were already at the front of the Taylor

    family.

    They were Ezzo and Zeke.

    "Mr. Taylor, we meet again."

    Ezzo initiated a handshake with Winston. He then turned his intrigued eyes toward Alyssa and

    remarked, "And your beautiful daughter. She left a strong impression on us thest time we saw her."

 Chapter 1198

    Winston narrowed his sharp eyes slightly. He remained calm and glorious. His hands gripped Ezzo''s

    tightly.

    He held his own in all aspects.

    "I know that you were disturbed by the previous incident at the horse racing arena, Mr. Ezzo. This

    daughter of mine is rather mad. She is still inexperienced. I hope for your understanding over her

    inappropriate ways," Winston said in a raspy voice.

    He had a smile on his face as he spoke eloquently. He gave off the air of an aristocrat in every way.

    The people were amazed.

    They weren''t dreaming, were they?

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    This was a nobleman from Mosgravia and the heir to the Royal Castle. This top-tier financial leader

    actually took the initiative to reach out to Winston in such a friendly manner, even though the Taylor

    family''s riches were known to be unparalleled. However, this was only true in Belbanks.

    The Beckett Group and the Schmidt Group were the top financial groups here at Sna City. How

    could Ezzo simply disregard them like that? Winston was so thick-skinned!

    Then, Javier, Cornelius, and Victor also rushed over and stood by the side.

    While they witnessed the scene in front of them, each of them had different expressions on their faces.

    They were each thinking of their own agenda.

    The others'' expressions were still pretty decent. It was only Javier who couldn''t quite conceal his

    feelings. His jawline was so tense that it was as sharp as a de.

    Everyone in Sna City knew that Jesselton Incorporated''s first business coboration in the country

    was with the Beckett Group.

    This was supposed to be when both corporations were working closely together. However, Ezzo''s

    attitude toward Javier appeared to be cold.

    On the contrary, he seemed to be closer to Winston, whom he wasn''t partnering with.

    This made Javier feel a little embarrassed. It was like a form of oppression.

    "You''re being too humble, Mr. Taylor," Ezzo chuckled.

    He didn''t hold back and continued to sing praises about Alyssa. "Your daughter is a rare gem. Not only

    does she have the looks, but her horsemanship isparable to that of a jockey''s. Among all the

    female riders in our country, her skills are top-notch.

    "After the horse racing event that time, Zeke couldn''t stopplimenting Ms. Alyssa after we went

    back. He was also hoping that he could meet her again.

    "They are both people who love and understand horses. I''m sure that they''ll havemon

    conversation topics between them."

    Ezzo signaled to his son. Zeke adjusted his bow tie hurriedly before striding over.

    He suddenly nced over at Jasper and raised the corner of his lip into a smirk, making Jasper

    uneasy. Jasper clenched his fists as the look in his eyes turned frosty. He began to burn with anger!

    Landon noticed Zeke''s smirk, and it also made him harden his fists. "Shit. Jasper, is that blondie

    provoking you? This is Sna City, not Mosgravia. Why is he trying to show off here? What an ass!"

    "He fancies Lyse. I noticed it the first time I saw him." A curtain of gloom came over Jasper''s eyes. He

    felt green with envy.

    "Ah, Alyssa is too outstanding. Which man wouldn''t fall into a daze and go over their head when they

    catch sight of her? If they didn''t, I would doubt their sexual orientation. Or if not, maybe they aren''t able

    to get it up."

    At the same time, Landon felt fortunate that his Lauren was like a shiny, white pearl from a shell. He

    was the only one who could enjoy her beauty.

    If he had fallen for such a stunning and talented woman like Alyssa, he would have been heartbroken

    from worry.

    "d to see you again, Ms. Taylor." Zeke reached out his hand to Alyssa gentlemanly while he stared

    at her with a burning gaze.

    Jasper held his breath, his eyes red from fury.

    Even though that was just a polite gesture, he knew that Zeke wasn''t harboring good intentions!

    Right when Jasper was about to rush forward, Landon held him back just in time.

    "Hey, don''t be impulsive. That blondie is just shaking hands with Alyssa. Are you going to let envy take

    over you already? You shouldn''t lose your cool. If you do, it will only make you look petty.

    "It''s either that or it suggests you don''t trust Lyse, and you''re constantly concerned that she might be

    seduced by other men."

    "That fellow has bad intentions."

 Chapter 1199

    Jasper''s eyes glistened. He wrinkled his eyebrows and said, "I don''t want his filthy hands to touch my

    woman."

    "But, have you thought of the consequences if you were to go over now?"

    As a bystander, Landon could read the situation clearly. He wanted to help keep Jasper out of harm''s

    way.

    "The Jesseltons'' purpose of having tonight''s party is to select their business partner. Everyone wants to

    obtain that opportunity, including Mr. Taylor.

    "If you were to go up and cause a scene, you might ruin Mr. Taylor''s potential coboration. Then,

    wouldn''t Mr. Taylor hold a grudge against you?

    "Lyse has mentioned before that her father is great at holding grudges. So, you''d better not bad-mouth

    him at this time. You might end up crushing your dreams!"

    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    While he was hesitating, Alyssa smiled and replied, "Mr. Zeke, wee to Sna City. As a sign of

    respect, please allow me to greet you ording to your country''s customs."

    Upon saying that, she lowered her longshes. Then, with her fair hands, she lifted the sides of her red

    evening gown and gave a steady and elegant curtsy.

    All the men around her couldn''t help but swoon, including Zeke.

    All of a sudden, they felt as if they had traveled back in time to a pce ball during the Middle Ages.

    They were in a daze.

    But only Alyssa knew the real reason. She didn''t want to touch Zeke''s hand.

    She was well aware that Zeke was a wolf in sheep''s clothing.

    In Mosgravia, he was even more of a yboy than what Landon used to be. She guessed that the

    number of illegitimate children he had had was enough to form a ser team.

    She was germaphobic, and he was filthy.

    Jasper seemed to read her mind, and that caused the corners of his lips to curl upward into a sweet

    and gentle smile.

    Zeke still felt smug. He thought that Alyssa was interested in him, and he had a foolish arrogance in his

    eyes.

    "On one hand, this party is to announce the uing business partnership. On the other hand, my

    son was hoping that both of us could have an opportunity to understand each other better. At the same

    time, he wanted to have a chance to get to know Ms. Alyssa better."

    Ezzo couldn''t have been more obvious!

    He essentially meant that he had taken a liking to Alyssa. He had intentions for her to be a Mrs.

    Jesselton!

    When Jonah heard what he had said, his face suddenly turned glum. He gave a conflicted gaze at

    Winston, who was beside him.

    What Winston said next caught the Jesseltons off guard. "Mr. Ezzo, are you eyeing my daughter to be

    your daughter-inw?"

    Everyone was dumbfounded, including the Jesseltons.

    Alyssa was also taken aback. She hadn''t expected Winston to reveal their intentions!

    He was an adult, but he was not low-key at all!

    Jasper''s chest tightened, and his palms started sweating.

    His trust toward Alyssa was unabated, but it was Winston whom he didn''t trust.

    To benefit their corporation, Winston could allow Tatiana to marry the sly viper, Jameson. So, why

    wouldn''t he consider the olive branch the Jesseltons were extending to him?

    Furthermore, Winston had always looked down on him.

    While Ezzo struggled to answer, Zeke replied impatiently, "That''s right, Mr. Taylor. I like your daughter.

    You can say that it was love at first sight." He was not at all concealing his admiration for Alyssa.

    The crowd was in an uproar. The other socialitedies gritted their teeth in envy.

    What good luck did Alyssa have that every one of her suitors was always nobler than the ones before?

    She was a divorcee. She was only like a second-hand good. How was it that she was so sought after

    by this group of men?

    "Ms. Taylor''s dashing appearance at the horse racing arena was unforgettable. She was the most

    eyecatching woman I have ever seen. After seeing her, I no longer think of or wish to see any other

    woman.

    "So, I wish to date your daughter. Ms. Alyssa, I also hope you can give me a chance to pursue you,"

    Zeke said.

    Although his words sounded humble, his expression couldn''t hide his arrogance.

 Chapter 1200

    It was as if any woman whom Zeke initiated a pursuit of should be grateful to him.

    "Lyse ..." Tatiana held Alyssa''s hand worriedly.

    Unexpectedly, Alyssa''s gaze remained calm.

    With a cold expression, Alyssa coldly responded, "Mr. Zeke, I am a divorced woman. The entire Sna

    City probably knows about this. Please don''t tell me that you were not aware?"

    It was obvious that the Jesseltons were flustered. They turned to look at each other.

    The people around them gave a sidelong nce at Jasper.

    He had pursed his lips into a line and was looking deeply at Alyssa. Without any hesitation, he was

    prepared to walk in front of her to shield her from any gossip and hurtful words.

    Cornelius stood beside Javier. He clicked his tongue and shook his head in disdain.

    "This Alyssa Taylor is too smart for her own good. How could she be so frivolous? Is being a divorcee

    something to be proud of? I can''t believe she boasted about it at such an important event.

    "It''s up to her if she wants to be shameless, but how could she drag Jasper into it, too? Mr. Javier, this

    woman is disrespecting the Beckett Group. She''s trampling on you."

    Javier''s face tightened as a cloud of gloominess gradually settled over him.

    "To other women, being divorced may be a shameful thing. But for Ms. Alyssa, it might be something

    she can take pride in."

    Zoe had her arm linked around Cornelius'' arm.

    She mocked coldly, "Mr. Zeke showed interest in pursuing her. By uttering such words in public, not

    only can she secretly make the Becketts feel awful, but she can also prove to the people that she is

    attractive. She can also annoy Jasper. So, why not?"

    Javier''s expression had already turned extremely dark. He looked as cold as ice!

    "There are plenty more fish in the sea. Based on your worth, Mr. Zeke, I''m sure you can easily find an

    exceptional woman who is a good match for you. It is obvious that I fall short. I do not deserve such

    favor."

    Alyssa smiled at him casually and rejected him with tact.

    As much as she was being tactful, it was still a rejection! A strong wave of agitation rose from within

    Zeke. Hispetitiveness was awakened.

    As someone who had a virginplex, he was quite revolted when he first heard that Alyssa was

    divorced. However, what he hated even more was this feeling of rejection!

    With that, Zeke took a step forward, gazing at Alyssa with tenderness, as if he were about to marry her.

    "Ms. Taylor, I don''t mind if you have been married before. I like you as a person. Your experiences and

    magnanimity make me feel even more strongly that this is your unique charm. This is what''s attracting

    me to you so much.

    "Your ex-husband didn''t cherish you properly. But in my eyes, you are a star shining brightly in the

    night. You are a dazzling pearl lost in the sea. I will definitely cherish and protect you. Please give me a

    chance to pursue you!"

    Landon held onto Jasper and gagged. "I can''t watch this show that this foreigner is putting on! You can

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    say that he is being passionate, though in reality, he is just being outrageously shameless!"

    "It''s all my fault."

    Deep down, the bitterness in Jasper''s heart churned.

    He held his trembling fingers and continued, "If I had yed my part as Lyse''s husband properly in the

    first ce, and if I hadn''t been so dumb, so silly ... all these wouldn''t have happened. Everything is my

    fault."

    The crowd gaped in shock. Even Ezzo was stunned!

    His son was a prideful man. Over all these years, this was the first time he had humbled himself to win

    a woman''s favor!

    He wondered if Alyssa was an extraordinarily beautiful woman who would bring about cmity.

    Alyssa hadn''t expected Zeke to persist. Her attractive face became frosty. She was about tosh out at

    Zeke when suddenly, she felt someone''s hand on her shoulder.

    Winston had stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder. He smiled at the Jesseltons and said,

    "I''m sorry to the both of you. My daughter is already taken. She is engaged."

 Chapter 1201

    Engaged?

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened. She stared right at Winston''s charming side

    profile.

    Jasper''s eyes contained infinite nervousness and worry. His body was as tense as a taut bowstring. He

    seemed about to charge over in the next moment, pull Alyssa away, and leave with her at all costs.

    Simrly, Javier and the Harper family members all had upset looks on their faces.

    Zoe looked especially unhappy. Her heart pounded like a jackhammer as she red at Alyssa with an

    anxious yet evil look.

    She uttered in a scornful voice, "Oh? Ms. Alyssa is engaged? Who is the lucky man to have a marriage

    alliance with the Taylor family?"

    Through gritted teeth, Javier said, "It doesn''t matter who has a marriage alliance with the Taylors. All I

    know is that it will surely never be the Beckett Group!"

    Zoe turned her lips into a wide smile. Her perturbed emotions settled down.

    Zeke''s face had turned glum. He felt that Winston was making a perfunctory excuse so that he could

    help Alyssa out of an awkward situation.

    At the horse racing arena, it was apparent that Alyssa and Jasper had a strong connection.

    However, he had witnessed too many simr love affairs within the upper-ss society in Mosgravia.

    To him, they were only lovers.

    If she had a fiance, Winston would''ve announced it to the public during the horse race. Why would he

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    wait till now?

    Meanwhile, Ezzo lookedpletely undisturbed. He smiled and asked, "So, your daughter already has

    a fiance? That''s great news! Who is the fortunate man?"

    The crowd''s curiosity was piqued, too.

    Winstonughed coldly. Suddenly, his deep gaze turned casually toward Jasper!

    Zeke followed the line of his sight and looked over. He clenched his teeth hard when he realized who

    Winston was looking at!

    "Oh, my! Jasper! I''m not imagining things, am I? Is Mr. Taylor looking at you?" Landon chirped. He

    shook Landon by the arm like an excited kid.

    Jasper''s breathing quickened as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He replied in a low voice,

    "Don''t overthink it. Perhaps Mr. Taylor is using this as an excuse to reject Zeke''s friendliness."

    "If that were true, what is Mr. Taylor looking over here for? Wouldn''t it be enough for him to just lie

    through his teeth?"

    Landon still looked euphoric and optimistic. He continued, "There are only the two of us here. Mr.

    Taylor is certainly not looking at me. He is definitely looking at you!"

    Jasper was shaking like a leaf. He tried to maintain control over his breathing.

    He looked deeply at Alyssa with his piercing eyes.

    "Us Taylors have always had a low profile, including my daughter. She is not the type to seek attention

    by exposing her personal life to the public.

    "Tonight is the business dinner party that you, Mr. Ezzo, have carefully prepared. My family''s matter

    shouldn''t overshadow your event.

    "Plus, Lyse and I feel that now is not the right time to announce any marriage news. Naturally, we will

    inform the public when the time is right."

    Winston looked away from Jasper coldly. "When that timees, I will send you an invitation

    personally. If you don''t mind, Mr. Ezzo, I will invite you to Belbanks to attend the reception. How about

    that?"

    Ezzoughed. He replied politely, "That''s just nice. I have never been to Belbanks. I heard it is

    beautiful, with blue seas and white, sandy beaches. Do ensure that you inform me when that time

    Alyssa''s heart was unsettled. She only breathed a quiet sigh of relief when she saw that Winston had

    carried the conversation topic over.

    She wasn''t sure if it was due to the medications that Winston had been taking recently. Sometimes, he

    could be inhumane. At other times, he could be quite sensible. It was almost as if he was bipr.

    The crowd was not satisfied. They continued to discuss among themselves.

    "So, who is Alyssa''s fiance? Previously, I noticed that Jameson Schmidt was quite close with Mr.

    Taylor. Moreover, Mr. Victor and Mr. Taylor are sworn brothers. I''m guessing that Jameson is her

    fiance?"

    "If it were him, wouldn''t he be here tonight? My guess is that it is unrequited love between Jameson

    and Alyssa. My bet is on Mr. Beckett!"

    "I think so too. Wasn''t it obvious enough at the horse racing arena? When Ms. Alyssa was injured, who

    was the one who stayed by her side? If Jameson were her fiance, how could he not appear? He would

    bepletely heartless if it were so!"

    Tatiana fixed her eyes on Alyssa''s blushed pink face. She felt really envious. Her eyes glistened as

    tears formed in her eyes.

    Winston''s signal was obvious. Alyssa''s fiance could only be Jasper.

    It was significant to receive approval from her parents to be with the one she loved.

    Till now, Tatiana had never hated Alyssa or her parents.

    Simon sided with the wrong side. He was helping Alyssa and Jasper''s enemy get acquitted.

    Furthermore, the Lynch family''s background wasn''t of much help to them.

 Chapter 1202

    Tatiana''s eyes reddened as she lost herself in thought. No matter how much it hurt, she could only hold

    everything in.

    She was the most powerless child in her family. If only her marriage could help be a boost for her

    family. She was willing to make any sacrifice that was needed.

    The brief interlude was over, and the dinner party resumed.

    Ezzo and Zeke''s suggestion to the Taylor family for a marriage alliance had failed. This instilled

    confidence in both the Beckett Group and Harper Group. This incident even stirred Josh up.

    Alyssa had rejected Zeke. His face was dark and as long as a fiddle. While Ezzo didn''t express it

    outwardly, he was secretly disgruntled when he watched Zeke being embarrassed.

    With that, the Taylor family most likely would not have a part to y in being a partner in their

    racecourse hotel project.

    The rhythm of the music changed. It was time for the ball.

    The noblemen and noblewomen found their respective dance partners. They walked to the middle of

    the banquet hall. The atmosphere turned lively and cheerful with their dancing.

    Alyssa knew that Tatiana was a timid person. She had also never attended this sort of high-ss ball,

    so Alyssa was worried that she might have social anxiety.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Thus, both of them walked to the side hand-in-hand. They stayed there to chat as they drank juice.

    The men around them watched Tatiana with fiery gazes. All of them wanted to approach her for a

    dance.

    But Alyssa''s bearing was so powerful that they could only watch from afar. None of them had the guts

    to get close to the women.

    In front of Alyssa, Tatiana didn''t express dejectedness. She simply kept her sentences short.

    Alyssa held on to Tatiana''s cold hands. She took a deep breath and said, "Taty, I will not let you end up

    in the fiery pit. I will make sure that you''ll marry the one you love. Believe me."

    "I''m fine, Lyse."

    Tatiana''s fingers were trembling, but she forced herself to smile. "I will not turn down the marriage

    alliance. I will obey Dad and Mom''s arrangements. Don''t worry about me. You just have to be happy

    with Mr. Beckett."

    "Don''t be silly! What are you bbering about? How could I sacrifice your lifetime happiness for my

    own? What would that make me?"

    Alyssa was so troubled that her voice turned hoarse. "I''d rather stay single for the rest of my life if you

    can''t be with Sean!"

    "Lyse, don''t be stubborn. I''m doing this on my own volition. It has nothing to do with you!"

    Tatiana was extremely concerned. She was about to continue when they heard an unpleasant voice.

    "Ms.

    Alyssa, may I have a dance?"

    Both Alyssa and Tatiana looked up.

    They saw Zeke standing in front of Alyssa. He was well-dressed.

    He leaned forward slightly and extended his hand toward her in a gentlemanly manner. His eyes were

    full of expectancy.

    Alyssa looked calm. She was about to reply when Zeke spoke up first. "Ms. Alyssa, you didn''t give me

    a chance to pursue you. Are you going to turn down my invitation for a dance too?

    "Dancing is simply a social activity. Please don''t read too much into it. I am no longer pining for you. All

    I have is admiration and respect for you.

    "Please don''t tell me that you''re unwilling to give me this chance either?"

    The people around them all turned to look in their direction.

    Tatiana furrowed her eyebrows slightly. She could tell that Alyssa really hated this blonde-haired man.

    However, he had cornered her. If she were to reject him, it would make her arrogant and conceited.

    After a moment of awkward silence, Alyssa had no better idea of how to deny him. She could only lift

    her hand with a stiff look on her face.

    Out of the blue, a cold figure came by her side like the wind. In the next second, before Zeke could

    react, her soft, slender hand in front of him was pulled away!

    Alyssa''s eyes widened slightly. The figure in front of her moved with speed.

    In a few quick twirls, her small frame was already in the spotlight on the dance floor, right in the public

    eye.

 Chapter 1203

    Alyssa heard the sounds of sighs all around her.

    She lifted her longshes. Her eyes met with Jasper''s densely dark eyes. She had already been

    enveloped in his arms. She shuddered as she felt the temperature of her skin rise slowly.

    She could feel his warm breath on the tip of her nose. He looked down at her with a deep gaze.

    He interlocked his fingers with hers quite stubbornly. Gracefully, he lifted his right arm and ced his

    left arm around her waist.

    She could feel his moist palm on her slender waist, which was almost soaking the thin fabric of her

    outfit. He caressed her, getting a feel of the dainty waistline that was so attractive to him.

    Alyssa''s back was stiff while he whirled around carefreely.

    Alyssa was someone who knew how to dance. However, at that moment, her entire body was numb.

    Her breathing was shallow as she tried her best to follow his dance steps.

    Her clumsy movements made Jasper smile. His heart fluttered.

    "What ... What are you doing?"

    Jasper leaned into her ear and whispered through his thin lips, "Were you going to dance with that wolf

    if I hadn''t appeared?" His breath was deep.

    Alyssa bit her red lips shyly. Her cheeks blushed pink, and she replied, "Aren''t I dancing with a wolf

    right now?"

    "That''s true. I''m also a wolf¡ªone that would eat you up."

    Jasper lifted his chin slightly. He straightened his back and turned around, almost lifting her off the

    ground.

    In a strong yet rxed voice, he said, "Pay attention, Lyse. You should only fix your eyes on me."

    This pair of well-matched figures became a sight that made everyone in the banquet hall gasp in awe.

    They had stolen the limelight.

    Alyssa was the only one who matched up to Jasper and vice versa.

    All the women epted their defeat, with Zoe as the exception.

    Zoe was filled with so much hate that steam wasing out of her ears. Her eyes reddened with

    hatred, but all she could do was stare at them. There was nothing she could do!

    By the side, Zeke was fuming after he had been interrupted. He was also almost blowing his top.

    Then the minister whom Ezzo brought walked over He said in a low and polite tone "Mr Zeke Mr

    Ezzo said that you can choose Ms. Zoe Harper as your dance partner if you wish to.

    "With consideration of the status of everyone here, she matches up to your level. Even though she isn''t

    as good-looking as Ms. Alyssa, she will certainly not embarrass you."

    "Her? The one dolled up like a turkey with cheap makeup? I''d rather skip on the dance!"

    Zeke was also someone who had a temper. He had no interest in Zoe at all. So, he left in a huff.

    With Alyssa being dragged away by Jasper suddenly, Tatiana was left alone. She didn''t quite know

    what to do.

    The moment they spotted that Tatiana was alone, the men observed her like wolves. They were ready

    to pounce.

    Then, they saw a figure limping toward Tatiana.

    "Hey! Look, isn''t that David from the Schmidt family?"

    "It''s really him! It''s been a while since he came out. I thought that he had ..."

    "I heard that he was involved in a serious ident and almost lost his life. The Schmidts begged the

    famous Dr. White, who finally treated his injury. It''s such a pity that he is now handicapped!"

    "Last time, Mr. David was always on his high horse, looking down on everyone. Bing crippled

    must have taken a huge blow on him. He can''t have his nose in the air now, can he?"

    A week ago, David started to go crazy with his abdominal exercises. He donned an expensive suit and

    styled his hair scrupulously with a 7:3 parting ratio.

    He did all these to leave a good impression on Tatiana.

    At the same time, he wanted to prove to the world that even with one less leg, he was still the same

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    ssy David Schmidt!

    Tatiana was rmed to see him. She even took a small step back.

    "Ms. Tatiana, I ..."

    It was only after David was already in front of her that he remembered that he was crippled. He could

    no longer dance.

    Thus, heughed bitterly and said, "You look bored being here all alone. Can I sit and chat with you to

    keep youpany?"

    Tatiana''s entire body tensed up. While she was hesitating, her cell phone started to vibrate.

    She looked down at the screen. The sight of Sean''s name invoked a prickling sensation in her heart.

 Chapter 1204

    Ever since that day when Tatiana suggested that they stopped seeing each other temporarily, Sean

    never stopped looking for her every day.

    He made continuous phone calls to her like a madman. He also stood outside Heightsnew Vi to wait

    for her all night but left in disappointment every single time.

    He was in distress because of love. He had to struggle because of his feelings. This sight of him was

    Tatiana didn''t dare to leave the house. She locked herself in her room every day.

    With no appetite to eat, she became thinner by the day. Her tears soaked every one of her pillows.

    Whenever she missed Sean, she would stand at the window at the end of the corridor, draw back the

    curtain, and peek outside.

    He was always there whenever she thought of him¡ªhis upright and tall posture¡ªhis steadfast and

    warm gaze in the direction of her room.

    Each time Tatiana was even remotely reminded of him, sorrow spread throughout her entire body. The

    pain pierced through to her bones and her heart.

    She felt that she hadmitted a grave sin by letting Sean down. Was there anyone who could give

    her a win-win solution?

    Ultimately, she was also a selfish person.

    She ruminated on both options¡ªSean and her family. After much consideration, in the end, she

    decided to choose thetter.

    David noticed Tatiana was staring nkly at her phone with her head down. Out of curiosity, he craned

    his neck to take a nce.

    His expression turned glum instantly. But he still smiled callously and said, "Ms. Tatiana, if you have

    urgent matters to attend to ... I won''t be in your way. Do go ahead with what you need to do."

    He was trying to back up slightly in order to take two steps forward.

    "There''s nothing. It''s fine." Tatiana resolutely rejected the call on her phone.

    She then turned her cell phone off. She was afraid that Sean would call her again.

    She needed to be determined.

    After all, it was better for him to be devastated for some time than to give him a massive sense of hope

    before disappointing him again.

    This was far preferable to raising his hopes to the heavens only to crush his heart into a million pieces.

    David''s eyes glowed. He was so excited that his voice started shaking as he asked, "Then ... May I sit

    here?"

    Tatiana nodded slightly. She turned to her side to make way for him while keeping a distance.

    David limped two steps forward. Suddenly, he lost his bnce! He staggered and began to fall forward.

    "Hey, be careful!" Out of reflex, Tatiana reached out to hold him.

    From a young age, she had a kind heart. It was a gesture that she didn''t need to think much about.

    She would help any elderly who was crossing the road. There was no reason for her to be indifferent

    when she saw a handicapped man about to fall in front of her.

    David seized the opportunity to grip Tatiana''s skinny arms. The touch of her soft and smooth skin made

    his temperature rise. His heart raced as his blood surged through his veins.

    He exhaled sharply and looked at her with a look full of gratitude. "Thank ... Thank you, Ms. Tatiana."

    Winston was having a friendly chat with Victor a short distance away.

    "Oh! Look over there, Winston!" Victor eximed while he tapped Winston on the shoulder.

    Winston turned casually and spotted Tatiana and David sitting together. They seemed to get along

    quite well. He wrinkled his eyebrows subtly.

    "From what I can see, Tatiana and David seem to have gotten closer."

    Excitedly, Victor pounced on the opportunity to matchmake them. He continued, "Previously, Jimmy

    All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    kept trying to pursue Lyse. He was so enthusiastic that almost the entire world knew about it.

    "Now that our families are discussing a marriage alliance, I suppose letting Taty marry Jimmy would

    make them very ufortable. It would also be unfair for Taty.

    "David has mentioned to me in private that he really likes Taty. You should know that David has never

    told me to my face that he fancies any particrdy. I can tell that his feelings for Taty are true.

    "Forcing them won''t bring them happiness. I''m sure that you understand it very well, Winston. What I''m

    thinking is ... Why don''t we ..."

    Without waiting for Victor to finish his sentence, Winston interrupted him coldly, "I think that it''s not

    suitable.

    "You know what David''s condition is like. An arranged marriage isn''t built on love in the first ce. Did

    you want my daughter to marry David and be his crutches for the rest of her life?"

    Victor was at a loss for words.

 Chapter 1205

    Damn it, Winston! He just said some really nasty things!

    ¡°Plus, if you wish to talk about both parties having an interest in one another, Taty doesn¡¯t fancy either

    of your sons. Since this is so, she might as well choose someone more suited for her.¡±

    Victor initially thought of contesting. However, he could only sight helplessly and unhappily when he

    perceived Winston was adamant about ending the topic there and then.

    David loved being among thedies ever since he was young. Back when he was still able-bodied, he

    surrounded himself with women. He

    was best at coaxing them by sweet-talking.

    Seeing as Tatiana didn¡¯t push him away, he racked his brains to think of cheeky things to say. He

    wanted to make her happy.

    However, Tatiana was different from the other women he hade in contact with before. She was

    cold all the way, seemingly disinterested in the things he said.

    He tried all the tactics he had under his belt but couldn¡¯t get thr to her. His throat felt dry, and he

    became annoyed!

    She was just the third wife¡¯s daughter. If it weren¡¯t for him being disabled, he wouldn¡¯t even have

    chosen her!

    Why was she even putting herself on a pedestal?

    Daisy noticed that they weren¡¯t too happy about the progression of their rtionship. She began to feel

    anxious on behalf of David.

    As such, she figured there was no other way than to y some dirty tricks.

    Then, she spotted David¡¯s secretary walking hurriedly in David¡¯s direction. She stopped him and asked,

    ¡°Hey, where are you going? Don¡¯t you see that David is upied?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Daisy, there has been some trouble,¡± he answered incoherently.

    ¡°Just spill it. Am I an outsider to you?¡±

    ¡°I mean¡­ Ms. Alyssa¡¯s secretary fromst time¡­ He¡¯s waiting.

    outside.¡±

    A sinister look shed across Daisy¡¯s face. ¡°Sean?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right! The one who goes by thest name Lynch! Isn¡¯t he Mr. David¡¯s love rival? I believe he

    is out to ruin things for Mr. David bying here.

    ¡°So, I was thinking of quickly reporting to Mr. David and getting some idea on what we can do to him.

    He can¡¯t enter for now since he¡¯s an uninvited guest.

    ¡°But, if Ms. Alyssa were to find out, I¡¯m sure she would orchestrate something on his behalf. If that

    happens, how awkward it must be for Mr. David!¡± he eximed after weighing the pros and cons.

    David¡¯s secretary was a loyal employee.

    ¡°Got it. Thanks for the thought. Let me handle this. Don¡¯t interrupt David for now,¡± Daisy advised in a

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Alright, Ms. Daisy.¡±

    David¡¯s secretary left. In the next second, Daisy retrieved her cell and sent a WhatsApp message to

    David.

    ¡°David, your love rival is right outside. I am going to chase him away on your behalf. How are you going

    to thank me?¡±

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you been eyeing that ruby and diamond ne for a while,

    Thank you very much, David! Sending kisses to you!¡±

    ¡°But, since he came all the way, as per Schmidt family custom, we s shouldn¡¯t let him leave empty-

    handed.¡±

    D Daisy replied with an emoticon that meant ¡°Okay¡±. Then, he smirked.

    mmenacingly.

    The manor was brightly lit from the inside. The outside, however, locked deste.

    Seacar listened to the emotionless auto-response from his phone, infeformning him that the cell phone

    on the other end had been switched. off. Hisia trembling fingers were about to break the screen.

    It was ass if the brilliant view before him had transformed into swords,

    and spears that pierced his heart.

    He wasn¡¯t traininvited quest. So, he could only wait outside painstnmyly.

    In a way, he could contact Alyssa to get her help to br this was his peresmiahmatter, so he couldn¡¯t

    bring hims

    Sean lowered his eyeyes and took a few gulps, swallowing inferiorny and rereeret

    At the end of the days wens he the one who was shooting al

    station?

    Lin. But

    kher.

    f

    The woman whom he loveri was right inside the building. He mis her so much that it was divintin him

    crazy.

    However, the vast divergence eththe social positions meant he wa fated to be barred from crossing did

    offence.

    ¡°Well, well. Look who¡¯s here! You look quite familiar.¡±

 Chapter 1206

    Sean looked up instantly upon hearing the sound of a sharp, yful

    woman¡¯s voice.

    Daisy was walking out with her arms crossed in front of her.

    Following behind her were a secretary and some bodyguards. They stood a few steps above, staring

    down at him.

    ¡°I was wondering who it was. It turns out that it¡¯s Ms. Alyssa¡¯s little secretary, Tatiana¡¯s ex-boyfriend.¡±

    Sean¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Are you saying that you had no idea? I feel sorry for you¡­¡±

    Daisy clicked her tongue and shook her head. She handed her phone to the secretary and said, ¡°Take

    this. Show it to this pitiful little secretary and let him have a good look. He needs to wake himself up.

    The secretary received the phone in his hand and walked in front of

    Sean. He turned the screen toward Sean.

    It was a photo featuring Tatiana supporting David by the arm!

    Because of the photo¡¯s angle, their expressions appeared suggestive, hinting at something more

    happening between them. Their bodies were in contact with one another. They looked exceptionally

    intimate!

    Sean¡¯s world turned dark in a sh. It was as though he had been struck by lightning, splitting his entire

    being, heart and soul, blood and flesh, into two!

    ¡°No way¡­ There¡¯s no way¡­ That¡¯s impossible!¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    Daisy burst outughing at the sight of Sean looking dejected after

    U DIVI.

    AM HT

    Uncle Winston¡¯s family. My dad has alsoe to an agreement with Uncle Winston for Ms. Tatiana to

    be married to David.

    ¡°Look for yourself and see how happy they look together. Being in a rtionship also requires getting

    the blessing from both families.

    ¡°Otherwise, both parties will only end up tormenting one another, resulting in a waste of everyone¡¯s

    time.¡±

    ¡°You are¡­ You¡¯re lying!¡± Sean shouted. He was shaking all over. Hist bloodshot eyes filled with fear.

    ¡°You can ask Ms. Tatiana personally if you don¡¯t believe me.¡±

    Daisy squinted her cunning eyes. ¡°Oh, yes. I believe Ms. Tatiana no longer wants to contact you. If not,

    why would you be standing here. and have no luck in seeing her?¡±

    Daisy¡¯s words were like a bullet that shot through Sean¡¯s heaving chest. It pained him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you! Don¡¯t you think that I will believe your bullshit! Taty will never get together with

    David!¡± Sean roared.

    He rushed to the entrance. At this moment, he wasn¡¯t thinking of anything except finding Tatiana and

    getting the answers from her face. -to-face!

    No, he wasn¡¯t going to ask her anything.

    He didn¡¯t believe that Tatiana, who was deeply in love with him, would agree to the marriage alliance.

    He wanted to bring her away!

    ¡°Stop him.¡±

    Under Daisy¡¯s two-wordmand, the Schmidt bodyguards swarmed around Sean!

    Sean red at them with his reddened eyes. He shot his fists out and

    He

    possessed expertise in a martial art, holding a ck belt as a testament to his skill and proficiency.

    Fighting against these

    bodyguards was supposed to be a breeze for him.

    However, he sustained a severe injury from the time when he went head-to-head with Jeffrey on

    Alyssa¡¯s behalf. It hadn¡¯t been long. since his recovery. He didn¡¯t have as much strength as before.

    Bit by bit, he began to feel weakened after being ganged up against.

    While he was distracted, one of the bodyguards took the opportunity to whip out his baton and

    whacked him on his left shoulder. It was the exact spot where he had been injuredst time.

    He groaned in pain. Soon, his suit became drenched with his sweat!

    Following that, the bodyguard kicked him right in his gut. He took a small step back but forced himself

    to clench his teeth and regain his

    bnce.

    The look in Daisy¡¯s eyes was somber. She sniggered, ¡°Who do you think you are? What¡¯s so great

    about the Lynch family?

    ¡°You were just one of the Taylor Group¡¯s watchdogs in the past. Who are you to steal David¡¯s woman?

    ¡°Birds of the same feather flock together. How could she stoop down

    to the level of someone as small as the Lynch family? Stop trying to punch above your weight.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°It¡¯s better if you give up earlier and go back to being Alyssa¡¯s obedient puppy.¡±

    Sean was so mad that his red eyes were bulging from their sockets. He clenched his fists tight, thinking

    to strike once again.

    But the pain in his shoulder was sharp. It stopped him from lifting his

    The bodyguards were like a steel wall blocking his way in front of him.

    Daisy turned around and left while humming. She beckoned the secretary with her finger, and he

    hurried over to her.

    ¡°That chap has an old injury on him. He¡¯s not your match. Do give him

    a good wee.¡±

 Chapter 1207

    At the end of the quiet corridor, the soft moonlight cast a glow on a pair of striking figures.

    ¡°Ouch! It hurts. It hurts so bad¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lyse. I¡¯ll be gentler.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s small frame was leaning against the wall. Her fair and soft skin glistened under the moonlight.

    The fluttering of her long eyshes and how she looked biting her scarlet lips made her look

    extraordinarily lovely.

    In front of her, Jasper was kneeling on one knee.

    He removed her burgundy-colored heels and gripped her thin ankle with one hand. With the other

    hand, he held the tip of her toes while he massaged her foot carefully.

    ¡°You are really annoying. Why did you have to dance so fast? I sprained my ankle only because I was

    trying to keep up with your steps. Can¡¯t you just be more considerate of me?¡± Alyssa pouted and

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault, Lyse. You can hit me however you want when we get home if that helps you vent your

    frustration. Or¡­ you can hit me now,

    too.¡±

    Jasper felt extremely sorry and didn¡¯t quite know what to do. He poked his chest with his finger and

    suggested, ¡°You can punch me here as hard as you want.¡±

    Alyssa curled her fingers inward and lifted her fist, then she lowered it back down. ¡°I won¡¯t hit you. Your

    chest muscles are like steel. My hand would hurt from punching you.¡±

    Jasper looked up at her and turned his lips into a slight smile. He knew that she couldn¡¯t bear to hit him.

    His massage technique was quite good. Alyssa¡¯s ankle was slightly painful before, but she now felt the

    pain in her ankle dissipate. In fact, it started to feel morefortable.

    Jasper had his head lowered as he stared at her foot. His Adam¡¯s apple could be seen rolling slowly.

    What sort of an angel was she?

    Even the skin on her feet was silky smooth, and every one of her toes was round and cute. He liked

    them so much that he didn¡¯t want to let

    1.

    ¡°Lyse, you have beautiful feet.¡±

    ¡°Wow¡­ You¡¯re such a pervert. Which normal man stares at a woman¡¯s feet like that?¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s cheeks turned red. She curled her toes into his palm. Admit it, Jasper. You are a jerk!¡±

    ¡°How will a man win over a wife if he¡¯s too honest? Does it still hurt?¡±

    Narrowing her eyes, Alyssa answered, ¡°My personal masseur is quite skillful. I think he¡¯s atoned for his

    mistake.¡±

    Jasper put Alyssa¡¯s heels back on for her.

    The moment he stood back up, he ced his left arm by the side of her head and sped her waist

    suddenly with his right hand.

    He pressed his lips against hers impatiently and kissed her. passionately.

    He had been wanting to kiss her. All that holding back had made his blood boil as it rushed throughout

    his body.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    In her shyness, Alyssa¡¯s eyshes trembled. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and

    responded to his affection and passion without holding back.

    Their lips parted, and their tongues intertwined.

    Each time they shared a kiss, they always felt like they wanted all of the other person. Yet, it was still

    not enough.

    Alyssa pulled back from Jasper, catching her breath. He tilted her chin up and his moist lips caught up

    with hers once again. It was clear that he wanted to continue.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ Why don¡¯t we hold back on the announcement tonight?¡±

    Jasper froze. In a slightly nervous voice, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Lyse?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think too much into it. I just feel there is no need for us to go. high profile at tonight¡¯s asion.¡±

    Alyssa pursed her lips. She lifted her hand to fix his bow tie.

    ¡°Earlier, when Zeke expressed his interest in me, Winston turned him down directly. Winston then

    announced about me having a fianc¨¦.

    ¡°These would have already been quite embarrassing for them. It¡¯s like we were overshadowing them.

    ¡°Moreover, I know that Winston was looking at you quietly. There could have been no other fianc¨¦ other

    than you.¡±

    Those words made Jasper¡¯s heart pound.

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t have to rush it. Plus, everyone already knows that you are mine. It is enough as long as

    we share the same heart and as long as I understand you.¡±

    Alyssa rose onto the ball of her foot and gave him a light peck on his

    mp3.

    ¡°The announcement is not important. What¡¯s important to me are

    your actions. I am happy as long as we live happily. I don¡¯t care about the superficial things.¡±

    ¡°What are you thinking of this time, Lyse?¡± Jasper probed in a thick, hoarse voice.

    ¡°Nothing.¡±

    ¡°Are you worried that my announcement will provoke the Jesseltons again and consequently affect the

    partnership between Winston and Jesselton Incorporated?¡±

    Back then, Jasper couldn¡¯t see through her. But now, he knew her all too well.

    She was being avaricious. She was putting on her business mindset.

    Alyssa¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°I¡¯d be stupid not to earn money. The racecourse hotel is a first in the country.

    This is a project that can reel in big profits.

    ¡°If the Taylor family acquires this project, it will be a firm foundation. for our venture into Sna City.

    When the timees, KS Group can. then take the opportunity to take over Schmidt Group¡¯s market

    share in Sna City.

    ¡°Follow that with some pressure, and they will be exhausted and eventually lose the power to fight

    back.¡±

    Alyssa already had a n in mind. Through gritted teeth, she

    continued, ¡°By that time, Schmidt Group will no longer have an equal standing with the Beckett Group

    in Sna City. I am confident there will be a day when we can take the Schmidt Group down!¡±

 Chapter 1208

    Jasper understood what Alyssa meant.

    He felt for her and hugged her, saying, ¡°I know that it¡¯s because of Tatiana. All you are doing is to

    prevent the marriage alliance between her and the Schmidt family.¡±

    How well he understood her actually made her feel sad.

    She mumbled coyly in his arms, ¡°What I hate is¡­ is that I¡¯m still not powerful enough. This is the only

    method I could think of. Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m being so silly?¡±

    Jasper felt suffocated upon hearing that.

    He caressed her back gently and replied, ¡°No, I think it¡¯s very smart of you. This is the best method at

    this moment.

    ¡°Furthermore, I think that Ezzo wouldn¡¯t hold a grudge against Uncle Winston over this small matter. A

    true businessman will know how to weigh their pros and cons. I don¡¯t think that he will choose the KS

    Group.

    ¡°There¡¯s also nothing to be afraid of, even if you fail to partner with Jesselton Incorporated. With me in

    charge, I will not go easy on the Schmidt Group.

    Alyssa was moved. Her eyes welled up.

    She had Winston, a top-notch, powerful man, as well as her responsible brothers. Although this was

    so, she was a naturally stubborn and independent woman.

    Ever since she was young, she would solve her own problems without relying on others. She also

    didn¡¯t want her family to worry about her.

    Jasper was the first person whom she wanted to rely on. She wanted to depend on him for the rest of

    her life.

    Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by a strange sound!

    ¡°Someone¡¯s there!¡±

    In an instant, the looks in both their eyes dimmed. They both turned their heads in the direction of the

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    sound!

    Then, the figure of a man shed across in front of them!

    ¡°Jasper, we need to apprehend the man lurking in the shadows. He¡¯s likely eavesdropping!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s pupils constricted. With a cold gaze, she said, ¡°We were talking about corporate secrets

    earlier. It would be bad if the Schmidt family heard about our conversation!¡±

    Jasper nodded coolly. At lightning speed, he ran toward where the mystery person went.

    In a few agile movements and his eagle eyes, he soon caught up with

    the said man!

    ¡°Stop right there! Don¡¯t make me strike you.¡±

    The man had his back against him. He was bending forward and breathing heavily. It was obvious that

    he wasn¡¯t in optimal physical

    condition.

    Jasper raised his brow. He thought that the figure looked extremely familiar.

    ¡°You are¡­¡±

    ¡°Mr. Beckett.¡±

    The man turned around very slowly.

    Under the moonlight, Jasper caught a good nce at his badly wounded face. Jasper¡¯s eyes widened

    in shock.

    ¡°Sean?¡±

    By this time, Alyssa had also rushed over.

    They noticed that Sean¡¯s suit was torn and covered in dirt. His handsome face was covered in bruises.

    His left eye, in particr, was swollen purple-ck. They could no longer see his eye. It was just a

    discolored mess!

    ¡°Sean!¡± Alyssa ran to the front of Sean frantically. She ced her shaking hands on his shoulders, and

    her voice had turned croaky.¡± What happened? What in the world happened? Who beat you up?¡±

    Sean clenched his teeth and turned away from her, feeling humiliated.

    He didn¡¯t want her to see the bad shape that he was in, but there was

    nowhere to run to now.

    ¡°Tell me, Sean! You¡¯d better spill!¡± Alyssa shouted while she shook his already-wounded body hard.

    She was so agitated that her eyes had turned red.

    ¡°Lyse! Calm down a little!¡± Jasper clutched her around her waist from behind. He held her tight and

    said, ¡°Sean is injured. You¡¯ll hurt him even more this way!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s chest was tight and stuffy. She took a few deep breaths, yet it was still difficult to settle herself

    down.

    ¡°Sean, are you still wanting to hide things, even at this juncture?¡±

    Jasper was still hugging Alyssa tight. She was shaking like a leaf from her fury.

    In a low voice, Jasper encouraged Sean, ¡°Do you think you are being considerate of Lyse by hiding it

    from her? You are only making her

    ¡°Miss¡­ Could you¡­ stop Taty¡¯s marriage to David?¡±

    Sean couldn¡¯t hold himself back anymore. Tears began rolling down

    his cheeks. ¡°I can do anything you want

    from being wedded to David!¡±

    As long as you stop Taty

    Alyssa had an epiphany. Her eyes were bloodshot. ¡°The ones who beat you up¡­ Were they people

    from the Schmidt Group?¡±

    Subconsciously, Jasper tightened his fists. He had the same realization, too!

 Chapter 1209

    Not many people knew about the rtionship between Tatiana and Sean. But the Schmidt family was

    one of them.

    It was very bold of the Schmidt Group to do Sean dirty like that!

    ¡°How did you get in, Sean?¡± Jasper asked in a concerned voice.

    ¡°I was surrounded by people from the Schmidt Group. Nheless, I still found a way. I stole one of

    the bodyguards¡¯s ess cards and snuck in,¡± Sean exined. His face was pale and drenched in cold

    sweat.

    Jasper chuckled, ¡°What a painstaking effort the Schmidts had to go. through to stop you!¡±

    Jasper¡¯s eyes were aze with fury. However, he forced himself to remain calm in front of Alyssa.

    Jasper said in a cold and steady voice, ¡°You¡¯re quite badly hurt.

    You¡¯ve already been injured before. You shouldn¡¯t dy treatment. I¡¯ll have Xavier send you to the

    hospital right now.¡±

    ¡°No! I¡¯m not leaving! I need to see Taty! I want to take her away with me!¡± Sean screamed at the top of

    his lungs.

    ¡°Mr. Lynch, please be more reasonable.¡± Jasper raised his brows. With Alyssa helping you from behind

    the scenes in the first ce, you could have had a sliver of hope to be with Ms. Tatiana. If your

    ¡°Hope? Mr. Taylor has already agreed to the Schmidt family¡¯s

    proposal. It is a done deal! Taty is also soft-hearted and timid. She would definitely give in for the sake

    of her parents and family. If I¡¯m

    DIVL UL

    une nynung ivi 42, mat nopy uv ne

    Jasper observed Sean, who had a face full of despair. He felt a prick in his heart as he empathized with

    him.

    As the president of the Beckett Group, Jasper had power and status. He also had support from

    Newton. Even so, he had to put everything on the line in order to get to where he currently was with

    Alyssa.

    Sean was only Alyssa¡¯s subordinate. His family background didn¡¯t even match up to that of the Taylor

    family.

    Even if he and Tatiana were truly in love, the challenges before him would certainly be no less than

    Jasper¡¯s.

    ¡°Sean, who was the one who ordered them to beat you up?¡± Alyssa was at the peak of her fury. All she

    could think about was avenging

    him.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Sean shook his head. ¡°I wanted to just barge my way in initially.

    However, Daisy¡¯s men barricaded me. David¡¯s secretary was also right

    next to her.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure whether it was David or Daisy who was actually behind it

    In her extreme anger, Alyssa cracked up. Her eyes glistened dimly.

    ¡°They share the samest name, and they have the same filthy blood running through their veins. If

    you don¡¯t know which of them it was, just make it a double kill!¡±

    Meanwhile, Tatiana was still oblivious to the incident with Sean.

    Regardless, she was weighed down by many concerns. She remained indifferent no matter how David

    tried to please her. Nothing he said was reaching her.

    Her heart was filled with Sean. There was no way that she could ept anyone else.

    While she wasn¡¯t paying attention, her phone fell onto the floor.

    Just as she was bending over to pick it up, David also reached out to help her with picking it up. Their

    hands came in contact identally.

    Hastily, Tatiana tried to withdraw her fingers. To her surprise, David made a bold move and grabbed her

    hand instead!

    She shrieked as she pulled her hand away forcefully. She shot to her feet and asked agitatedly, ¡°What

    are you doing, Mr. David?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry, Ms. Tatiana. Your hand is really beautiful. I couldn¡¯t help it and¡­ It¡¯s my bad. I

    acted too abruptly. My apologies.¡±

    David put on a panicked expression on his face. His eyes turned moist. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s just that¡­ I really

    like you, Ms. Tatiana.

    ¡°The person Jameson loves is still your sister. You should be well aware of that. Your life will be ruined

    if you were to marry him. He will not treat you well! But I¡¯m different. I truly fancy you, so why don¡¯t we

    just be together? This is the best oue!¡±

    ¡°Stop talking! That¡¯s enough!¡±

    Tatiana¡¯s cheeks flushed red. She was filled with angry humiliation, and deep down, she felt ashamed.

    ¡°Even though my mother is not my father¡¯s first wife, you still shouldn¡¯t insult me like this!

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in you nor Mr. Jameson. At the very least, Mr. Jameson is still respectful of me. That

    makes him better than you! Stop wasting your energy. You will not be the one I choose!¡±

    With that, Tatiana turned and left the banquet hall.

    She had just said that Jameson was better than him.

    How could she say that bastard was better?

    David was extremely ticked off. Rage ran red through his brain! With his entire body shaking, he pulled

    out his phone and texted his

    secretary.

    ¡°Tonight, I will make this dense woman mine!¡±

 Chapter 1210

    After being insulted by David, Tatiana didn¡¯t dare to tell Winston and Jonah about it. She could only

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    swallow her tears and hurry away from the banquet hall alone.

    As she made her way through the crowd, a waitress bumped into her.

    Shortly after, she felt a prick on her arm, as if she was stung by a bee, but the pain soon vanished.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, miss.¡± The waitress apologized immediately.

    ¡°No¡­ No worries.¡± Tatiana didn¡¯t think too much about it. She turned

    and walked away briskly.

    The waitress watched from behind as Tatiana walked away. A sly

    smile came across her face.

    Tatiana¡¯s soft, ck hair blew in the night breeze as she stood on balcony alone. She stared at the

    cold, moonlit sky while she wi her tears dry silently..

    If only Sean were around, he would never allow her to be treated unjustly or be bullied.

    However, she had already decided to part with the one she loved.

    From now on, Sean was no longer a part of her life.

    If so, shouldn¡¯t she have onest phone call with him? Shouldn¡¯t they talk it out and end things

    properly?

    Tatiana contemted over and over. Finally, she switched her phone on with unsteady hands. She did

    so while trying to withstand the grueling pain in her heart.

    Her phone¡¯s signal was live again. In a brief second, endless. notifications of missed calls and text

    messages flooded in.

    Sean hadn¡¯t given up contacting her. Every second of every minute was filled with his words and

    affection.

    Tatiana lifted her fist and ced it on her tight chest. It felt like her heart had shattered into pieces. She

    bit down on her pink lips so hard that they bled. Her tears couldn¡¯t stop running.

    ¡°Sean¡­ I don¡¯t want to part with you¡­¡±

    Suddenly, the vision from her tear-filled eyes turned pitch ck. Her delicate body shook, and she felt

    like she was free-falling.

    ¡°Are you alright, Ms. Tatiana?¡±

    The voice sounded anxious. Tatiana¡¯s mind was a blur, and there was

    a ringing in her ear.

    In the next moment, she realized that someone was holding her

    tightly in their arms.

    She could even feel a misbehaving hand caressing her sher inappropriately.

    ¡°Who are you? Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    Tatiana¡¯s body was shivering. She wanted to put up a fight,

    couldn¡¯t muster up the energy to do so. She became so anxio tears filled her eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so nervous. Just rx,¡± the man sneered.

    He began kissing her on her face-the face that he had been thirsty for. ¡°I will treat you with love,¡± he

    said.

    Jonah was mingling among the rich and powerful as the president of

    While he was still talking with some guests, a bodyguard, who was meant to be following Tatiana, came

    over and called Jonah aside.

    ¡°I¡­ I have bad news, Mr. Jonah. Ms. Tatiana is nowhere to be seen!¡±

    Jonah felt his chest tighten. His charming face turned glum in an

    instant.

    ¡°How can that be? The security here is so tight, and you have all been following her all the way. How

    could she disappear?¡±

    ¡°She was still in our field of vision at first. Ms. Tatiana was sitting there and chatting with Mr. David

    Schmidt ¡­¡±

    David?

    For some odd reason, Jonah had an ufortable feeling in his gut. His eyebrow started twitching.

    In his fright, the bodyguard was speaking incoherently. He wiped his sweat and said, ¡°But¡­ But when a

    group of people walked past the dance floor, Ms. Tatiana just suddenly disappeared! Mr. Day was gone

    too!¡±

    ¡°You useless bunch!¡± Jonah reprimanded. His eyes widened, looked furious.

    The bodyguard was terrified. He went weak at the knees. ¡°Mr. Jon We will search for her now! If we

    can¡¯t find her

    The vein on Jonah¡¯s forehead was popping. In a raspy voice, he said, Search for her in secret. Keep

    this from Winston for now. I don¡¯t want him to worry.

    ¡°If you can¡¯t find Tatiana before the party ends, you¡¯d all better prepare for your end!¡±

    The Taylor family¡¯s bodyguards dispersed and began their nket

    Jonah had no mood for any other social meetings. He, too, was on the ground searching for her.

    Although Tatiana wasn¡¯t his blood sister, as the eldest brother, he

    was like a father figure. He loved and protected his younger siblings. He would never just sit back and

    watch.

    He didn¡¯t dare to inform Alyssa either. Based on her temper, she would turn the Jesseltons¡¯ ce

    upside down and cause quite a

    scene.

    Tatiana, she must be safe!

 Chapter 1211

    The echoing tap of Jonah¡¯s leather shoes reverberated nervously through the corridor. Cold sweat

    broke out on his brow as he sprinted, simultaneously attempting to reach Tatiana.

    His call went through, but nobody answered it.

    Abruptly, Jonah came to a standstill, startled by the faint ringtone he could barely discern. His heart

    raced as he traced the sound to the

    balcony.

    There, he found Tatiana¡¯s phone lying on the ground, and on the screen, Jonah¡¯s name was

    prominently disyed.

    ¡°Taty! Where are you? Taty!¡± Jonash screamed from the balcony, but

    there was no response.

    ¡°Jonah, how did Taty disappear?¡±

    Alyssa and Jasper rushed over to him hastily. Sean, who was injured, followed after them. ¡°The

    security is stringent here. They k¡ú¡ú

    records of everyoneing in and out. How could Tatian

    vanish?

    ¡°I can¡¯t fathom this. Taty has to be somewhere within the ca There¡¯s no way she would leave this

    ce.¡±

    Sean was like an ant on a hot pan. Tears streamed down his mixing with the blood from his wound, and

    he seemed on the verg copsing.

    Jonah berated himself, pounding both fists onto the railing. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I was too careless!¡±

    ¡°Nothing will happen to Ms. Tatiana. No one would dare touch Mr. Taylor¡¯s daughter, especially with him

    here for such an asion.

    Jasper held Alyssa¡¯s trembling shoulders tightly. ¡°Since we found her phone here, let¡¯s start searching

    the surveince footage based on

    this location.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s eyes reddened. ¡°I will get someone on it right away.¡±

    ¡°That will take too long; every minute counts. We could be putting Taty in grave danger,¡± Alyssa

    eximed urgently.

    Alyssa clenched her teeth, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. ¡± Jonah, get me a high-performing

    system andpletely override the security throughout the castle, not to mention the surveince

    footage.¡±

    In the midst of their anxiety, Jonah and Sean had overlooked one crucial detail-Alyssa was a skillful

    hacker. Trained by Axel, a world- ss spy, Alyssa¡¯s skills were exemry.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Jasper gazed at Alyssa in awe, his eyes filled with passionate

    admiration. To him, she was an angel from heaven.

    Nheless, he should have gotten used to the fact by now.

    Jonah swiftly arranged for the fastest high-performingptop

    avable.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes zed with determination as they remained fixed on the screen, her fingers dancing

    across the keyboard with remarkable. speed.

    The three men stood behind her, heads lowered, eyes glued to the unfolding spectacle on the screen.

    Alyssa¡¯s coding prowess was nothing short of admirable.

    With each tap on the keyboard, lines ofplex codes appeared in

    effortlessly navigated and dismantled them. Onlookers would have been awestruck by her skill.

    During his time in the military academy, Jasper was at the top of his ss for all his subjects, including

    hacking. However, it was nothing.pared to Alyssa.

    After ten intense minutes, the surveince footage materialized on the screen. However, the next

    moment left them utterly bbergasted.

    A few cameras had caught Tatiana. She was hugging a man. However, the man she was flirting with

    was David Schmidt!

    ¡°That bastard!¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes turned red with anger.

    However, what perplexed them more was Tatiana¡¯s behavior toward David. She initiated the contact,

    hugging his waist and leaning on his arm flirtatiously, her smile radiant.

    Their rtionship appeared suggestive.

    Alyssa couldn¡¯t steady her breath. She could feel her hair stand on

    end.

    ¡°Taty really¡­ is with David¡­¡±

    Sean¡¯s heart sank heavily, and he vehemently shook his head.¡± Impossible¡­ Why would Taty ept

    an animal like him?¡±

    ¡°We know how Taty is. Something¡¯s up.¡±

    Alyssa noticed Tatiana and David heading toward the guest room area on the highest floor,

    disappearing into a corner.

    ¡°This is bad! David is up to something with Taty! We have to stop this now!¡± Jonah, usually as steady

    as a rock, was now so frantic that al numbing feeling crept into his head.

    Sean felt as if his world was crumbling within seconds, a whirlwind of

    If Davidid a hand on the love of his life, Sean vowed to kill him with his bare hands. Failing that, he

    would make David¡¯s life a living hell!

 Chapter 1212

    Sean¡¯s mind drifted to the worst-case scenario.

    If Taty were no longer a virgin, he wouldn¡¯t despise her. He would still take her as his wife. No matter

    the circumstances, she would always be perfect and pure in his eyes.

    Alyssa, consumed with regret, cursed vehemently. ¡°I can¡¯t believe

    David had tarnished my good name. If I had known about his malicious intentions toward Taty, I would

    have let him die on the operating table.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for someone to discreetly handle David¡¯s men.¡±

    Jasper was resolute and wanted to act fast. ¡°David is a coward. He would never set such a sinister

    trap. His underlings must know. something.¡±

    A cold glint shed with a swish.

    No one noticed when Jonah had unsheathed his cross-dagger. Yet, the intensity in his eyes was more

    menacing than the weapon itself

    ¡°I haven¡¯t used this dagger in a long time. Since that fucker David wants to y, I will y along.¡±

    Tatiana was carried into the guest room, unconscious, and tossed

    onto the bed.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Her mind was a haze, but her body was burning up. Her soft lips. parted as she breathedboriously.

    It was alluring and seductive.

    David licked his lips as he stared at her hungrily. He couldn¡¯t wait to

    ¦¥

    ¡°Shit! What is happening?¡±

    Soon, he realized a huge problem-he couldn¡¯t get hard.

    David gasped for air. He tried every method, but his lower body. remained unresponsive.

    Once known as the infamous ¡°drill sergeant¡±, now his ¡°general¡± was retreating before engaging. How

    could he hold his head high if news of this spread?

    Tatiana would soon wake up once the drug wore off. Then, he wouldn¡¯t have the chance to make her

    his.

    David¡¯s heart brimmed with immediate hatred for Alyssa. He was convinced she had damaged one of

    his nerves during the operation, rendering him impotent. What a terrible doctor!

    However, he had to take Tatiana tonight. This was his only chance.

    Forced into a charade, David aggressively tore Tatiana¡¯s clothes. Her body, smooth as silk with a tiny

    waist and firm bosoms, failed to elic any response from him.

    ¡°Damn it! I really want to devour you!¡±

    Suddenly, a loud noise echoed from behind him. Terrified, David scrambled to hide under the sheets.

    ¡°Who is it?¡±

    ¡°Your worst nightmare.¡±

    The next second, three imposing figures burst through the door.

    Before David could react, Jasper strode to the bedside. His eyes were icy as he yanked David from

    under the sheets by his hair, effortlessly as if lifting a chicken.

    ¡°O-Ouch! It hurts! Let go, you idiot! With a loud shriek, David found himself sprawled on the ground, his

    disheveled state baring his

    unsightly left prosthetic leg and buttocks.

    A faint shift in Jasper¡¯s cheekbones preceded his action. Lifting his leg, he delivered a forceful stomp

    onto David¡¯s back, ring down with intensity. ¡°Lyse, turn away. It¡¯s not a pretty sight.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a butt. It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve not seen one before.¡±

    Alyssa spat vehemently on David, whoy whining on the floor. She swiftly turned to the bedside and,

    with trembling hands, lifted the

    covers.

    Her heart twisted with immense pain. She growled, ¡°David, I will kill you!¡±

    ¡°Taty!¡± Sean rushed over, disheveled, tears streaming down his face. His heart ached. His hands

    trembled as he gently wrapped his beloved Tatiana in the nket.

    Until now, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to look at her or touch her.

    With the nket between them, Sean hugged Tatiana tightly in hi arms. His injured hand gently patted

    her as though he was cradling a baby.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m here¡­ No one will hurt you anymore.¡±

    Gradually, Tatiana began to regain consciousness. She weakly. opened her eyes.

    ab

 Chapter 1213

    As David brought Tatiana into the room, undressing and subjecting her to molestation and humiliation,

    Tatiana was partially conscious.

    Despite being aware, her limbs felt weak, and she couldn¡¯t summon the strength to open her eyes, let

    alone retaliate.

    The situation became even more harrowing for her. She would rather pass out or perhaps even die.

    Various thoughts raced through her mind. When she finally opened her teary eyes in shock, a

    desperate moan escaped her lips as she struggled in Sean¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me ¡­ Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    ¡°Taty, look at me! Look at who I am.¡± Sean held his tears as he hugged her tightly.

    The sensation was as if a blunt knife had forcefully ripped open Sean¡¯s chest, extracting his beating

    heart from his sturdy body. He clenched his fingers so tightly that they seemed on the vf

    breaking.

    As Tatiana heard the familiar voice, a glint flickered in her

    She stared at Sean, afraid that it was all her imagination. T cautiously called for him, ¡°Sean?¡±

    Sean¡¯s throat tightened even more, rendering him speechless. A could manage were repeated nods.

    ¡°W-What happened to your eye?¡± Tatiana, shocked, gazed at his

    bloodied left eye, forgetting her own safety and expressing concern for him.

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were a fiery red, her chest heaving with anger. Why would anyone want to torment these

    lovebirds? What had they done wrong?

    At this moment, she seethed with rage against Winston.

    David was despicable. If Winston hadn¡¯t forced Tatiana to marry Jameson, David would never have

    harbored such disgusting thoughts

    for her.

    That bastard David had never shown interest in Tatiana before. However, he suddenly showed interest

    and took reckless risks.

    HHis motives were clear-to curry favor with the Taylors and vie for popower within the Schmidt Group.

    Why else would he use Tatiana as a

    pawn?

    WWinston was the instigator of this.

    I¡¯m okay. Taty, I will take you home.¡± Sean¡¯s tears fell, streaked with tracaces of blood. All he could

    think about was getting Tatiana away

    frorom this ce.

    Atvereptpting to carry her from the waist, Sean was met with

    asat Tatiana struggled and pushed him away.

    Seat, it let¡¯s break up.¡±

    It was asas if Sean had been struck by lightning. He stared at her face, utterly ly tost Taty, I won¡¯t allow

    you to say something like th will never br break up with you. Over my dead body!

    Let¡¯s weak upuputim filthy now.¡± Tatiana curled her lips slightly, her srnite causing to Sen¡¯s heart to

    ache. i don¡¯t deserve you, Sean.¡±

    That¡¯s nonsense. Yorou with never be filthy to me.¡± Sean, his face. covered in tears said blood,

    emphasized every word. ¡°You are the most perfect wovoanan th the world. I love you, no matter what.¡±

    §ä§Ö

    Tatiana shook her head slowly, certain of her decision. ¡°I will never forgive myself if I stay with you after

    this. Sean, you deserve someone better. Don¡¯t waste your time on me. It¡¯s not worth it.¡±

    Alyssa turned her back toward them, her eyes reddened. She wiped her tears forcefully with her hand,

    then quickly scanned the room,

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    spotting a vase.

    Running over, she grabbed the vase by its neck and smashed it. against the wall. The porcin

    shattered, leaving a sharp edge of the

    neck in her hand.

    ¡°David, you wretched beast! I¡¯ll make sure you suffer!¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s eyes were filled with murderous intent as she approached David, whoy on the ground like a

    toad.

 Chapter 1214

    David emitted an anxious, high-pitched shriek, sounding both piercing. and ridiculous. Subsequently, a

    puddle of water seeped from his

    body, dampening the carpet beneath.

    That pompous show-off, David, had wetted himself.

    Alyssa seethed with anger. As she raised the weapon, Jasper intercepted by grabbing her wrist.

    ¡°Why are you stopping me?¡±

    Exerting force, Alyssa attempted to free her wrist from Jasper¡¯s firm grasp. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me to fucking

    calm down! He mistreated my sister! Even Victor can¡¯t save him now!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not stopping you. I feel the same way as you do,¡± Jasper sighed, using his low and maic voice

    to coax her gently.

    Slowly, he moved his hand, carefully extracting the broken shard from her hand. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to

    dirty your hands, and I¡¯m even more afraid you¡¯ll injure yourself.¡±

    Alyssa¡¯s red lips pursed tightly. She regainedposure and ceased. her insistence.

    A cold glint shed in Jasper¡¯s eyes as his fingers curled into a fist. Then, with a distinct crunch, Alyssa

    witnessed Jasper crushing the neck of the bottle into powder.

    It was an aggressive and cool disy, but Alyssa couldn¡¯t help but wonder why his hand didn¡¯t seem to

    hurt.

    Jasper nonchntly pped his hands and blew away the remaining powder on his palm. ¡°Handling

    you doesn¡¯t need to be this

    troublesome. I can snap your neck with a move of my finger. I can

    your opinio munum my

    ¡°Jasper¡­ Alyssa¡­ Don¡¯t you darey a finger on me!¡± David warned, smacking the floor continuously.

    ¡°If anything happens to me, my father and brother will hound you down. You will be finished!¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s just great! Your family has been a sight for sore eyes to me for a long time now. I was

    worried I have no ce to unleash my anger.¡±

    Clenching her teeth, Alyssa lifted her foot, using the pointed edge of her high heel to step on David¡¯s

    palm. The sensation was akin to a nail driving through his hand, prompting David to let out a scream.

    that resembled a pig¡¯s ughter.

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Since you asked for it, I will use you to sharpen my knife. Daisy is next in line. Your den of thieves has

    howhere to run now.¡±

    David wondered if Alyssa had figured out they colluded secretly to set Tatiana up. He preferred

    enduring their torture.

    David feared more the prospect of them sabotaging his marriage and revealing his sinister deeds. So,

    he tried his best to argue. ¡°Alyssa, use your brain for once! I don¡¯t need to resort to such sleazy tactics

    to win your sister.

    ¡°My father told me in confidence that he would arrange my marriage. with Tatiana. It doesn¡¯t matter if

    she is willing. She will eventually marry me. I don¡¯t need to make things soplicated.

    ¡°Besides, I intended to get close to her tonight, but she initiated contact, too. Maybe she had too much

    to drink. She couldn¡¯t even stand straight, so I lent her a hand. Then, she hugged me tightly,

    smiling and kissing me¡­¡±

    Tatiana trembled in anger. But she had no words to exin herself.

    She couldn¡¯t control herself at that time.

    Sean erupted in fury. ¡°You liar! You forced yourself on Tatiana!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen the surveince footage to locate us. You know what happened between us.

    Tatiana was the one who made the first move. I didn¡¯t force myself on her. Even if the police were here,

    you have no evidence that I¡¯ve assaulted her.¡±

    iming theck of evidence, David smirked smugly, asserting,¡± She¡¯s supposed to be my fiancee. I

    never anticipated her being so flirtatious and making the first move. I thought she wanted to test how

    skilled I am in bed.¡±

    Jasper frowned and applied pressure to his foot, resulting in a resounding crack as David¡¯s tailbone

    broke.

    ¡°You liar!¡±

    Alyssa was tempted to break David¡¯s skull open with her high heel. Tatiana never drinks. How could

    she get drunk? You must have drugged her.¡±

    ¡°Do you have any proof, Alyssa?¡± David taunted, his sinister smile contrasting with his pained panting.

    Tormented, he mused about breaking a bottle and confronting them.

    Amid Alyssa¡¯s anger, a cold voice intervened.

 Chapter 1215

    ¡°Do you truly believe your n is foolproof, David?¡± Jonah¡¯s mesmerizing voice echoed.

    A loud noise apanied the rolling of arge object, closely followed by a harrowing scream.

    To David¡¯s astonishment, the source of the sound was none other than his loyal secretary.

    David trembled, feeling his heart about to leap out of his chest.

    ¡°Please let me go¡­ I beg you¡­¡±

    The secretary¡¯s face bore the marks of a beating, and he was tightly bound, his limbs hanging

    unnaturally. The tendons and hamstrings. were deliberately snapped, pointing unmistakably to Jonah¡¯s

    characteristic method.

    The individual who trailed behind him was a capable man with captivating and seductive eyes.

    ¡°Sigh, what will be of this household without me?¡± A rare look of worry appeared on Julien¡¯s

    handsome face.

    Lovce Pharmaceuticals also received an invitation for tonight. Given their reputation for the best

    medical standards in the country, they couldn¡¯t be excluded from such an event.

    Yet, the head of the Lovce family harbored resentment over his daughter Mandy¡¯s role as Winston¡¯s

    mistress, denying her the rightful title. Over the years, they avoided any gathering where the Taylors

    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    were present to spare themselves embarrassment.

    However, Jesselton Incorporated¡¯s personal invitation left them no choice but to attend. Learning that

    Julien had returned from

    uroracu¨®, tricy avoiyn

    The sight of his lover filled Julien with joy. His thoughts centered on him the entire time they were apart.

    To his surprise, the scene was unusually ¡°lively¡±. Having dered Alyssa as his sister-inw, he was

    prepared to defend their honor.

    Jonah casually nced at Julien, giving him a look as if he were irrelevant. Then, he fixed a cold stare

    on the object resembling a ¡°ball¡± on the floor. ¡°Speak! Or should I speak for you?¡±

    The secretary gritted his teeth. He didn¡¯t dare say a word. He couldn¡¯t afford to offend either side.

    Just as Jonah was about to deliver a threat, Julien intervened. ¡°Mr. Jonah isn¡¯t known for his even

    temper. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen that for yourself. You mentioned wanting to exin things to him directly.

    Be aware, the consequences may differ.¡±

    Then, Julien redirected his gaze. ¡°If you want to stay loyal to your boss, we will make it easy for you.

    After all, my scalpel is cleaner than Mr. Jonah¡¯s dagger. I don¡¯t think you will suffer as much.¡±

    ¡°Okay! I will talk!¡±

    The secretary couldn¡¯t handle the pressure, so he confessed. ¡°Mr. David was upset that he couldn¡¯t get

    Ms. Tatiana to like him. So, he asked me to get some party drugs. Ms. Tatiana would be putty in his

    hands after that. Plus, it wouldn¡¯t leave any traces behind.¡±

    ¡°Party drug? What is that?¡± Jasper frowned.

    ¡°Scientifically, it¡¯s called GHB, also known as ecstasy.¡±

    Julien¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Overconsumption causes loss of consciousness, extreme

    dizziness, vomiting, and aplete loss of direction. GHB takes effect quickly, reaching its peak within

    10 to 15 minutes, rendering the victim entirely vulnerable.¡±

    Jonah¡¯s heart tightened upon hearing the exnation while Alyssal and Jasper exchanged uneasy

    nces.

    ¡°You imbecile! How dare you fucking nder me! I will kill you!¡± David seethed, ring at his secretary.

    If not for Jasper restraining him, he would have lunged at the betrayer.

    ¡°Taty, did you experience any of that after consuming the drug they gave you?¡± Sean nervously

    grasped Tatiana¡¯s shoulder, concerned about potential harm.

    Tatiana¡¯s head throbbed, her tear-filled eyes vacant. ¡°I didn¡¯t. I only drank a cup of juice with Alyssa. I-I

    never touched anything else.¡±

    Davidughed maniacally, pounding the floor with his fists. ¡°Do you have any proof? I bet you don¡¯t. I

    told you, Tatiana seduced me! She¡¯s

    the one at fault!¡±

 Chapter 1216

    Sean jolted upright like a lit bomb, ready to charge forward. Despite his urge to charge forward, Tatiana

    clutched his hand so tightly that her fingers turned pale. ¡°Don¡¯t, Sean.¡±

    David remained a Schmidt, and Tatiana had the Taylor family¡¯s

    backing. What did Sean have? Tatiana couldn¡¯t let Sean get too entangled for her.

    However, before Sean could make a move, Alyssa swiftly stepped in

    and kicked David in the face.

    Alyssa¡¯s kick knocked out two of David¡¯s front teeth, leaving his mouth bleeding and a sizable hole in

    his upper gums.

    Jasper gasped silently, swallowing hard. Reflecting on his childhood memories of a movie called ¡°The

    Henpecked Husband¡±, Alyssa¡¯s beauty was on par with the female lead, though the female lead was

    never as brutal.

    As Jasper pondered this, his eyes narrowed, and a smile graced his lips. Alyssa¡¯s unpredictable and

    straightforward nature struck him as adorable.

    ¡°Hey, your sister is so scary. She gets physical the moment she hears something displeasing. Her

    temper is really something else.¡±

    Julien¡¯s hair stood on end as he witnessed how aggressive Alyssa was. He tilted his body, and his arm

    brushed against Jonah¡¯s side. Hey, shouldn¡¯t you be worried for your brother-inw? Maybe invest in a

    better life insurance policy for Mr. Beckett on their wedding day. Take good care of him.¡±

    ¡°Are you bored, Dr. Lovce? Why are you caring about something that is none of your business?¡±

    Jonah sarcastically mocked. Closing

    the space vOLYOGI

    ¡°Alyssa, you¡¯re just venting your anger recklessly.¡±

    David ground his bloody teeth, struggling to speak clearly. ¡°You have no proof¡­ You can¡¯t do

    anything¡­ But you and Jasper had beaten me up good. I will make sure you spend the rest of your life

    in jail! Your name will be tarnished!¡±

    ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve got? Do you think I will be scared? Did you think I¡¯m that timid?¡±

    Alyssa was sassy and arrogant. She curled her red lips into a cold smile as she cracked her knuckles,

    making a crisp sound. ¡°If you make a noise again, I¡¯ll pull all your teeth out. If you don¡¯t believe me, try

    me.¡±

    David didn¡¯t scare her. On the contrary, David was so terrified and immediately shut up.

    ¦°

    ¡°Alyssa¡­ Jasper ¡­ You¡¯ve done a lot for me¡­¡± Tatiana murmured weakly, leaning into Sean¡¯s arms.

    Tearfully, she shook her head. That¡¯s enough for today. I think it¡¯s enough¡­¡±

    Timid as she was, Tatiana was more concerned about not dragging her beloved family into more

    trouble

    After all, she had to marry into the Schmidt family. She had given up for the most part a long time ago.

    Even if a knife were to stab at her, she wouldn¡¯tin.

    She couldn¡¯t change her fate.

    ¡°Taty, what are you talking about? Someone had mistreated you. This is a serious matter for me and

    your brother-inw. How can we let

    this go?¡±

    Jasper was breathing heavily. He gritted his teeth and shouted angrily, ¡°Taty, over our dead body!¡±

    The mention of ¡°brother-inw¡± stirred a tumultuous emotion in his

    heart.

    He loved Alyssa dearly and treated Alyssa¡¯s sister as his own. He couldn¡¯t forgive himself if he stayed

    on the sidelines. He vowed not to rest until hisst dying breath!

    A warm feeling surged in Alyssa¡¯s heart when she heard Jasper refer to Tatiana as Taty. She and Sean

    turned to Jasper gratefully.

    The situation reached a stalemate, and as David gloated, Julien. calmly approached Tatiana. He softly

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    asked, ¡°Ms. Tatiana, I know you¡¯re not in a good state right now, but to prove your innocence, I need

    you to think hard and recall what happened.

    ¡°What happened before you lost consciousness? Is there anything that you missed out on? Don¡¯t leave

    out any detail, no matter how insignificant.¡±

    Jonah had never seen Julien so gentle before. When Julien had asked for a reward from him, he was

    like a male version of Alyssa-e coy, with a hint of anger. It was a rare and refreshing sight that a soft

    and fuzzy feeling in Jonah¡¯s chest.

 Chapter 1217

    Tatiana drew a deep breath. Momentster, she frowned when she recalled a waiter who had bumped

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    into her. ¡°When I left the hall, I

    bumped into a waiter. That was when I felt a sting on my arm like a bee sting. It hurts a little, but only

    for a few seconds.¡±

    David¡¯s secretary was taken aback. He had no idea about the waiter at all. Only David appeared

    stunned, and his eyes darted in guilt..

    Alyssa¡¯s chest tightened. She quickly checked Tatiana¡¯s slender arm and noticed a tiny, reddened

    puncture on her pale skin.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± she hissed, feeling sorry for Tatiana. ¡°What did you inject into Tatiana, you bastard?¡±

    ¡°I told you, it was she who seduced me in the first ce. I have nothing to do with this!¡± David insisted,

    even though his heart was pumping wildly.

    In the beginning, he was confident that Alyssa and everyone else no evidence against her. However,

    after the androgynous doctor showed up and dissected the facts, they seemed one step closer t

    the truth.

    Rage burned in Jasper¡¯s eyes. He grabbed David by the hair and lifted him, making David hiss in pain.

    He warned, ¡°If you injected something foul into my sister, I will do the same to you.¡±

    Frowning, Julien performed a checkup on Tatiana and examined her eyes. Soon, he sighed in relief. ¡°It

    doesn¡¯t seem serious. She has a high heart rate and warm body temperature, both signs of

    anesthetics overdose.

    ¡°When I was in Mosgravia, I learned that there was a new form of

    anesthetics with stronger effects that could be injected into the body.

    checkup regardless.

    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Lovce,¡± Sean thanked him between sobs.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Tatiana is Jonah¡¯s sister. Of course, I¡¯ll have to do my best to help her.¡± Then, Julien

    cast an affectionate and suggestive nce at Jonah, remarking, ¡°Who knows? We might be family one

    day.¡±

    Alyssa and the others were thinking hard about how best to punish. David, and they were oblivious to

    Julien¡¯s flirting. Jonah stared at hist feet and cleared his throat embarrassedly.

    Julien grinned happily and said, ¡°Now, all we need is to perform a

    blood test on Tatiana. We¡¯ll know if someone has forced themselves

    on her. Someone¡¯s wrongdoing is going to be revealed soon.¡±

    ¡°What do I have to do with Tatiana getting an aphrodisiac injection?¡± thundered David. ¡°You¡¯re

    ndering me! Alyssa, I bet you¡¯re framing me because you hate seeing your sister in an arranged

    marria ith the Schmidts. You¡¯re trying to get back at us! What an evil bi

    are.¡±

    ¡°Hm? When did I specify that Tatiana received a shot of aphrodisia Julien chuckled, feeling a little

    sympathetic toward the dumb and e David. ¡°I mentioned the side effects of anesthetics overdose, but

    have never once talked about aphrodisiacs. Besides, I never imed that someone had made an

    injection. How are you so sure about all the details?¡±

    ¡°You-¡± David nearly fainted from the anger.

    Suddenly, they were interrupted by a phone call to Jasper.

    ¡°Landon, how¡¯s everything?¡±

    ¡°Jasper, you¡¯re amazingly right!¡± Landon yelped in excitement. ¡°I

    CAILO LO LIM

    castle. My men found a suspicious waiter who attempted an escape, and we looked into his

    background. Guess what? He¡¯s a Schmidt bodyguard disguised as a waiter!¡±

    The secretary stared agape at David. He couldn¡¯t believe that David had something up his sleeve. He

    knew nothing about it, even as David¡¯s right-hand man. The Schmidts were indeed sly like they were.

    rumored to be.

    Jasper issued a casual threat, ¡°Sorry for the trouble, Landon. Please get the man under arrest and

    send him to the police after the event.¡±

    ¡°No problem! But Jasper, I think you should keep him as your personal punching bag instead of

    handing him over to the police. Your and Lyse can practice boxing when you¡¯re free. Isn¡¯t that useful?¡±

    Landon chuckled at the wretched idea.

 Chapter 1218

    Alyssa was speechless at Landon¡¯s suggestion. Simrly, Jasper replied, ¡°Mr. Harper, you¡¯re a grown

    man. Please behave like one.¡±

    After Jasper hung up, David nearly peed himself out of fear.

    Alyssa fixed a threatening re on him. ¡°Now that we have a witness and solid evidence, you should

    exin yourself to the police and my dad.¡±

    At this moment, David felt as if he was struck by lightning. He neared a breakdown, not because he

    feared the police-no one from the distinguished families had any regard for the police-but because he

    was afraid of Winston Taylor.

    The Schmidts might be family friends with the Taylors, but David had long heard from Victor about

    Winston¡¯s ruthlessness and his fierce loyalty to his family. Given that David¡¯s evil deed had been

    exposed,plete with evidence, he feared for his life when Winston learned

    about it.

    Not only that, the incident would mark the end of the rtionship between the Schmidts and the

    Taylors, and for that, David might fall out of favor with Victor for good.

    David scrambled toward Alyssa and pleaded at her in tears, ¡°M-Ms. Alyssa, it¡¯s my fault! I did

    something terrible because I wanted to win against Jimmy. It¡¯s all my fault. Please spare me for our

    fathers¡¯ sake -they¡¯re sworn brothers, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    She merely snickered, remaining unfazed by his crocodile tears.¡± Repent for your sins in prison. Before

    that, I believe my dad and my brothers would teach you a lesson.¡±

    To protect himself, David blurted out the humiliating truth, ¡°B-But I did

    ruru

    ?????

    Vivolijo ujorunouVIII

    Everyone was left in shock. Tatiana¡¯s eyes wavered, and Sean quickly held her cold hand.

    ¡°I guess it happened because I made too many medical injections to save my leg. I couldn¡¯t get hard,

    even in front of a beauty like Tatiana. Since the n didn¡¯t work, I took off her clothes to make it look

    like. we slept together.¡±

    ¡°You did that to force Mr. Taylor to marry Taty to you.¡± Jasper¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°David Schmidt, do you

    really think that¡¯s going to make you look better? Even if you did not force yourself on her, you had the

    intention to do so!¡±

    Since Alyssa was the surgeon for David, she believed he was likely speaking the truth. She burst out

    ¡°Even if you did not assault her, you¡¯ve caused her trauma. You might not have raped her, but you saw

    her naked. I¡¯ll consider sparing you if you gouge your eyes out to make up for that.¡±

    David cowered and flinched. He was already a cripple. There was no way he would go blind to atone

    for his sin.

    Jonah and Jasper¡¯s phones rang at the same time. Their fathers had called them, and they picked up

    promptly. Winston and Javier told their sons to get back to the hall as soon as possible for the most

    important event. The Jesseltons were about to announce their business partner.

    ¡°Lyse, you should go with Jasper,¡± Jonah suggested as he red at the two useless men on the floor.

    ¡°Julien and I will take care of these losers. Leave Taty and Sean in our good hands.¡±

    ¡°Jonah, I¡¯ll be back soon!¡± Alyssa prepared to leave, but Tatiana

    grabbed her arm with teary eyes. Tatiana begged, ¡°Lyse, could you

    ¡°Taty?¡±

    Tatiana trembled as she sobbed ¡°Don¡¯t tell him. He¡¯s getting old, and he¡¯s not in the best of health. I¡¯m

    worried that

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I know how to deal with it Alyssa gave her a reassuring squeeze in the hand and held

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    back tears. Tll do anything it takes to free you from the Schmidts

 Chapter 1219

    The ballroom dance had ended by then. The spotlight shifted to the center of the hall as all attention

    turned to the Jesseltons. The Becketts and the Harpers nervously stared at Ezzo.

    The Harpers hoped to resolve their current crisis by winning the project with the Jesseltons. Meanwhile,

    the Becketts wanted the project to boost their performance and as a middle finger to the Taylors after

    what Alyssa had done to them.

    Among all thepetitors, Winston appeared the most uninterested. He seemed more concerned by

    the whereabouts of his daughter. Where did Alyssa go? He wondered if she was snogging Jasper in a

    quiet corner and blushed at the indecent scenes that shed across

    his mind.

    He wasn¡¯t a narrow-minded old fart. Besides, Alyssa was once married to Jasper, and the two had

    cohabitated for quite a whi Sna City. It was a miracle she hadn¡¯t gotten pregnant by him. he would

    rather they pick a more suitable asion for intimacy.

    Soon, he realized that his obedient Tatiana was also nowhere to be seen. As he nkly scanned the

    surroundings, Alyssa and Jasper showed up before him.

    ¡°Dad.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Taylor.¡±

    Winston couldn¡¯t help but grin. He was filled with pride at the sight of the loving couple. Jasper, whom

    he wasn¡¯t fond of in the past, appeared more pleasant to the eye now.

    ¡°You cheeky child. Where did you go just now?¡± Winston grumbled and was gripped by worry when he

    noticed her pale face. ¡°What¡¯s

    BONUS

    muny: nil you reemy JION: LOL Donum un nen LUNC

    you to u

    hospital.¡±

    Looking serious, she shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Jonah? I called him, too. Why isn¡¯t he around?¡±

    ¡°He has something to deal with. He¡¯ll join us soon,¡± she replied tly.

    With a frown, Winston interrogated, ¡°How about Taty? I haven¡¯t seen. her for a while.¡±

    The look in Jasper¡¯s eyes hardened as he clenched his jaw. At the same time, Alyssa cast a hostile

    look at Victor..

    ¡°Hahaha! Winston, it must have slipped your mind. Wasn¡¯t Taty chatting enthusiastically with David at

    the start of the ball? I bet those young people find a business event boring. They must be chatting

    away in some corner right now,¡± Victor remarked with a smile. ¡°I have known Taty since she was a kid.

    She¡¯s the most quiet among all your kids. I¡¯m surprised she has a lot to talk to David. I think they¡¯re

    very interested in each other andpatible!¡±

    Alyssa snickered at the remark, causing the air to freeze. Victor¡¯s soured, but he forced a smile out of

    consideration for his friends with the Taylors. ¡°Lyse, you seem to be in a bad mood. Did someon upset

    you?¡±

    ¡°Mr. Schmidt, Taty isn¡¯t interested in your crippled son. Are you too senile to tell?¡± Alyssa squinted

    dangerously.

    The smile froze on Victor¡¯s face, and his irritation red at the brash youngdy. Perhaps Alyssa was

    spoilt rotten by Winston or too full of herself after she was pursued by both Jasper and Jameson,

    fueling her self-importance and her haughty attitude.

    ¡°Lyse, watch your attitude! That was rude,¡± Winston quietly chided his daughter, puzzled by her

    unexined hostility toward the Schmidts.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Hey, Winston, it¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t say that to your child. I¡¯ll feel bad as her godfather,¡± Victor expressed his

    magnanimity.

    Not only that, he showed his gratitude. ¡°Had it not been for Lyse¡¯s

    help, David wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance to recover. She¡¯s our benefactor, so please be nice to her.¡±

 Chapter 1220

    Alyssa was incensed after Victor brought up David. ¡°Mr. Schdmit, do you know what I regret the most? I

    regret saving David¡¯s leg.¡±

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Hearing that, Victor looked shellstruck. He gritted his teeth as his expression sank.

    ¡°Alyssa Taylor, that¡¯s enough. Victor has always treated you like his daughter. How dare you speak to

    him in that manner?¡± Winston

    berated Alyssa.

    He was very taken aback by Alyssa¡¯s odd behavior. Did she have tool

    much to drink?

    ¡°Mr. Taylor, calm down,¡± Jasper broke his silence.

    He ced a hand on Alyssa¡¯s waist, drawing her into aforting embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t mistake her as

    being unreasonable. She has her reasons for saying so, and you¡¯ll know them soon enough.¡±

    All of Alyssa¡¯s heartache and disdain melted away when she

    up into Jasper¡¯s passionate eyes.

    evas

    ¡°Mr. Beckett, this is between the Taylors and the Schmidts. It¡¯s n

    of your business,¡± Victor snapped at Jasper with a warning look. What was that anyway? Did David

    offend you or something? Watch your tone.¡±

    Jasper merely studied Victor with a grin, sending a shiver down. Victor¡¯s spine.

    At the same time, Zoe scowled upon seeing Jasper with Alyssa, envy gnawing at her soul. Where had

    they been before this? Were they having fun in a corner where no one could see them?

    She yelled in exasperation as the imagery of them being intimate

    nces from the guests around her.

    Javier furrowed his brows at Zoe¡¯s faux pas. No one would have. thought that the dumb woman was

    Landon¡¯s sister. To be honest, he admitted that Alyssa made a better partner for Jasper in terms of her

    talents and her family background. Compared to Alyssa, Zoe was a disaster.

    Still, he was concerned about Alyssa¡¯s calctive and fickle behavior. Besides, she had Jasper under

    her control and attempted to cause trouble for the Becketts. Such a capable yet ruthless woman was a

    ticking time bomb for the Becketts if she married Jasper.

    ¡°I¡¯m delighted to see our industry friends attending the first dinner we hosted in Sna City. I express

    gratitude on behalf of my dad and the Jesselton family,¡± Zeke began the speech, which was met with

    apuse.

    ¡°As you know, we¡¯ve wrapped up our first strategic cooperation with the Beckett Group. The project has

    achieved considerable sus, and the oue was delightful. Therefore, we¡¯ve decided to sti with a

    business partner from Sna City for our racecourse hote project.¡±

    Some guests turned to Javier while the rest stared at Victor. As Winston and his KS Group hailed from

    Belbanks, everyone thought it was only normal to exclude him.

    On the contrary, Cornelius appeared displeased when no one paid. attention to the Harpers. The public

    made it clear they regarded the Harpers as beneath the Becketts and the Schmidts.

    After the speech, Zeke handed the floor to his father. Standing on the stage, Ezzo calmly scanned the

    faces around him, lingering on Javier, Cornelius, and the rest.

    Finally, he looked away and announced loudly, ¡°I hereby announce that Jesselton Inc. has decided to

    work with KS Group on the

    racecourse hotel project!¡±

 Chapter 1221

    The KS Group? The Taylors?

    After a brief shocked silence, the apuse thundered across the hall as the spotlight shifted onto

    Winston, who looked surprised before. putting on a relieved smile.

    He gracefully went up the stage to shake hands with Ezzo. ¡°It¡¯s our honor to work with you.¡±

    Since Ezzo chose the Taylors as his business partner, his demeanor underwent a significant shift, and

    he began heaping praises upon Winston. ¡°You demonstrated your outstanding capability at the

    horseracing event. Besides, I promised to select the horseracing winner as my business partner. I¡¯m

    keeping my word.¡±

    No one except for the Jesseltons knew about the international call an hour ago between them and

    Justin Beckett, who resided in Mosgravia.

    ¡°Ezzo, Zeke, as a good friend of yours, I hope you¡¯ll take my advice and pick KS Group as your

    business partner,¡± Justin suggested.

    At that time, Zeke was still reeling from Alyssa¡¯s rejection. Ezzo frowned and asked, ¡°Why? Wouldn¡¯t

    you and your dad benefit from a partnership with us?¡±

    Hearing that, Justin chuckled knowingly. ¡°You and I will both benefit from a partnership with KS Group.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    If you really need to know, all I¡¯d say is I admire Ms. Alyssa¡¯s character, and I¡¯d hate to see her hard

    work go down the drain.¡±

    Alyssa, despite her silence, looked excited and d for Winston. All of a sudden, she felt a warm grip

    on her hand.

    Jasper took her hand and interlocked his fingers with hers. ¡±

    Congrattions, Lyse and Mr. Taylor. I knew you¡¯d seed.¡± His fingers gently caressed hers.

    Alyssa felt a jolt of electricity through her body. Her heart raced, and a blush crept up her ears as they

    held hands.

    While Winston was immersed in the joy of triumph, Javier and Cornelius seemed cross and

    disappointed, particrly Cornelius, who felt as though he¡¯d been fooled. He coughed in frustration,

    and Zoe hurriedly patted him on the back.

    The Schmidts, close with the Taylors, would surely benefit from the announcement. As the Jesseltons¡¯

    partner on a previous project, the Becketts had formed a camaraderie with the Jesseltons. Only the

    Harpers were at a disadvantage. Cornelius felt as if he was nothing but a joke.

    However, Javier felt simrly humiliated and framed when he

    witnessed the Taylors in their glory. Taking a deep breath, he put on an unbothered smile and marched

    up to Wiston and Ezzo. ¡°Winston Ezzo, congrattions.¡±

    ¡°Same to you, Javier,¡± Winston remarked with a light smile.

    ¡°Winston, you¡¯re spot on,¡± Javier replied with an amused raise of his brow. ¡°I do n to take this

    opportunity to announce some good news.¡±

 Chapter 1222

    At the mention of the good news, the guests cast looks of anticipation at Javier. A gleam shed across

    his eyes as he turned to his son with a smile. ¡°Jasper,e here.¡±

    Jasper felt his heart sink. He frowned at Alyssa and tightened his grip on her hand, reluctant to part

    ways with her.

    She advised him, ¡°Go. I¡¯ll be here waiting for you. I won¡¯t go anywhere.¡±

    They exchanged tender nces before she freed her hand from his grip. With no valid reason to

    refuse, Jasper made his way to his father under the watchful gaze of the onlookers.

    In a rare urrence, Javier shed a warm smile at him and patted him on the shoulder. After that,

    Javier smiled and announced to the

    guests, ¡°I will take advantage of the merry asion to announce some good news in our family.

    ¡°My son, Jasper Beckett, will be engaged to Zoe Harper, the

    granddaughter of Cornelius Harper. The engagement ceremony will take ce in this month.¡±

    The guests stared at him agape when they learned about Jasper and Zoe¡¯s engagement. Some of the

    guests turned toward Zoe, the future Mrs. Beckett.

    At that moment, Zoe trembled so violently that it seemed like she was suffering from seizures. Her eyes

    shone with greed, and she teared up thinking about the effort she had put into reaching her goal.

    God knew how long she had yearned for this moment and how much effort the Harpers had poured

    into persuading Javier to make her dreame true. This was the perfect chance to get back at Alyssa

    and make a joke of her.

    All the humiliation and frustration Zoe suffered at the hands of Alyssa seemed to have disappeared at

    that moment.

    The guests stared at Alyssa in shock. All colors drained from her face as she quivered. Her warm and

    tender moments with Jasper meant nothing to her as her blood turned cold-a sharp pain shot through

    her heart, leaving it in tatters.

    While her mind went nk, Zoe stared at her and cackled, reveling in Alyssa¡¯s dejected expression.

    The guests started gossiping. ¡°Why has no one heard about the arranged marriage between the

    Becketts and the Harpers? That¡¯s really odd.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s just how the Becketts roll. They only made public the rtionship between Alyssa and

    Jasper after they divorced. Not one word to the public in their three years of marriage! It¡¯s the same this

    time around with the Harpers.¡±

    ¡°What are Jasper Beckett¡¯s feelings for Alyssa Taylor if he¡¯s gettin married to Zoe Harper?¡±

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Maybe Javier disapproved of their rtionship. To be honest, I never thought they¡¯d end up together

    after she got Madam Sophia behind bars. She¡¯s brought humiliation to the Beckett family.

    ¡°No matter how pretty or capable she is, I wouldn¡¯t approve of a daughter-inw like that if I were Javier

    Beckett. It¡¯s not like I¡¯d gain anything from the marriage.¡±

    The gossip inflicted pain upon Alyssa. Winston, upon learning of the engagement, appeared

    incredulous and incensed.

    His beloved daughter had faced humiliation during her divorce from Jasper. Why, then, would Javier

    announce Jasper¡¯s engagement to Zoe just when Jasper and Alyssa had reconciled, proudly disying

    Winston refused to believe that Javier genuinely sought an arranged

    marriage with the Harpers. If anything, he suspected Javier was using his son to exact revenge against

    the Taylors.

    He seethed at Javier¡¯s pettiness.

 Chapter 1223

    Ezzo blinked in surprise. ¡°Gosh, that¡¯s some wonderful news! Congrattions to the both of you, Javier

    and Jasper.¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Jasper addressed Javier with clenched fists.

    Consumed by rage and panic, Jasper¡¯s eyes looked bloodshot. He acted like a beast who wanted to

    break free. ¡°Everyone knows that I¡¯m in love with Alyssa Taylor. Are you seriously asking me to marry

    Zoe

    Harper?

    ¡°I have no idea what deal you struck with the Harpers under the table, but I¡¯ll make it clear now. Even if

    you threaten me with your life, I will never marry Zoe Harper!¡±

    The guests were astonished by Jasper¡¯s outburst. Even the Jesseltons, who had seen their fair share

    of conflicts, were taken aback by Jasper¡¯s overt confrontation.

    Zeke, who had never taken Jasper seriously, admired Jaspe courage in speaking up against his father

    in front of the high guests. He muttered under his breath, ¡°That¡¯s some cool shit.¡±

    ¡°Oh, my God! What did Jasper just say? Did I mishear? That¡¯s son breaking news!¡±

    ¡°The battle between father and son is about to unfold!¡±

    ¡°If I were Javier Beckett, I would be having a stroke right now. His son just made it clear that he doesn¡¯t

    care if Javier dies. Nothing will stop him from dating Alyssa Taylor! It seems Alyssa means more to him

    than his dad.¡±

    Alyssa nced at Jasper through tears, feeling touched by the man. No one else could attract her

    other than Jasper.

    The guests began to pass judgment on the Harpers.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Jasper Beckett seems to be out of it. It feels like his dad is selling him out.¡±

    ¡°I agree. Forcing the breakup of a loving couple is just not right.¡±

    ¡°The Harpers are even more wretched. How could they force Zoe Harper upon Jasper Beckett when

    they knew he was dating Alyssa Taylor? They¡¯re only making things difficult for both families. I wouldn¡¯t

    have agreed to it if I were Zoe Harper. It¡¯s so sickening.¡±

    ¡°Zoe Harper has no shame. Why else would she have pped herself to frame Alyssa? I bet she¡¯s over

    the moon now.¡±

    Zoe¡¯s face reddened when she overheard the discussions about her. Cornelius was equally

    embarrassed, his face a shade of beetroot red.

    Before this, he was aware of the risks that woulde with an

    arranged marriage. Even if Javier agreed to it, Jasper might openly protest against it.

    However, he took the gamble, thinking Jasper wouldn¡¯t protes

    front of all the guests out of consideration for Javier¡¯s reputatio Even if Jasper opposed the marriage,

    he¡¯d wait until the event¡¯s el confront his father.

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    By then, it would be toote for Jasper to retract his words after the engagement news broke, or he¡¯d

    risk his reputation. If Jasper insisted, the Harpers would bribe the media to tarnish Jasper¡¯s image.

    No one from the Beckett family-not even Newton-would protest against the marriage, as they¡¯d have to

    protect Jasper¡¯s reputation. s, the Harpers underestimated the depths of Jasper¡¯s love. He was

    determined and courageous in defending his right to happiness.

    ¡°A marriage is no child¡¯s y!¡± Javier took a step forward, looking up

    weaken Javier¡¯s authority. He barked. ¡°You have no say in this matter!¡±

    Lowering his voice, he red at Jasper ¡°Even if you refuse to marry Zoe Harper, I¡¯ll never agree to you

    marrying Alyssa Taylor ¡±

    ¡°I will marry her and only her,¡± Jasper dered, raising his voice for all

    to hear

    A tear rolled down Alyssa¡¯s cheek. Unable to hold back, she

    approached Jasper. At that moment. Winston reached out to pull her back

 Chapter 1224

    "Lyse, what are you doing?" Winston warned her.

    "Dad, please trust Jasper," Alyssa pleaded in a coarse voice, her eyes shimmering in tears.

    As witty and calctive as she was, she couldn''t stop herself from going up to Jasper.

    Winston felt sorry for his daughter and said sternly, "I never said I distrusted him. But he''s at odds with

    Javier, and he''s involved with the Harpers. If he''s a man worth marrying, I would like to see how he''ll

    resolve the situation."

    The situation grew extremely tense and awkward. Judging from Jasper''s steely expression, he seemed

    reluctant to show any regard for the Harpers.

    Cornelius could not take it anymore. He pulled Zoe along to confront Jasper, "Jasper, you are free to

    love whoever you want, but how could you not offer an apology or an exnation six months after you

    slept with and dumped my granddaughter? What do you take her as?"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Zoe started sobbing on cue. Cornelius continued with his stinging remarks. "Are we wrong for wanting

    you to take responsibility for Zoe? Why did you even get involved with her if you imed to be in love

    with Alyssa?"

    He added, "Do you think you could be a jerk because you''re good friends with Landon? Or do you think

    Zoe can be easily bullied because no one could stand up for a poor, kind girl who lost her father at a

    young age?"

    Cornelius'' words brought up memories of the earth-shattering sex scandal involving Jasper and Zoe.

    Starting from then, the Harpers had pressured the Becketts to take action, only to be ignored by

    Jasper. He watched as Zoe made a scene until she gave up after the futile attempts.

    Jasper fixed his icy gaze on Zoe, causing her to tremble in fear. He began in an authoritative and firm

    tone, "I have neither slept with your granddaughter nor keep in touch with her in any way.

    "I was framed in that scandal, and I''m still investigating it. Zoe might not be bothered by her

    reputational loss, but I care about mine. I will not let Alyssa down."

    After his speech, he turned to look at Alyssa. The guests started casting judgmental looks at Zoe,

    whose reputation had been in tatters even before the scandal. They mused about the possibility of Zoe

    orchestrating the scandal to marry Jasper.

    "Grandpa, I wasn''t behind the scandal at all. I was the victim." Zoe grabbed Cornelius'' arm and cried,

    her tears smudging her eye makeup. Cornelius certainly preferred to have trust in Zoe''s character, and

    he assumed that Jasper was merely finding an excuse to get out of marrying Zoe.

    "Jasper Beckett, you have two choices," Javier hissed. "Pick Zoe, and I''ll appoint you as my sessor.

    I will transfer 10% of my stocks to your name, making you thergest shareholder in thepany with

    the ultimate decision-making power.

    "But if you insist on Alyssa, you will be fired from the president role. I will announce the decision next

    Monday, and you''ll have nothing to do with the Beckett Group in the future¡ª"

    When Javier was speaking, Jasper marched toward Alyssa without hesitation. She had been waiting

    silently for him in the corner.

    He would never trade the love of his life for anything.

 Chapter 1225

    Alyssa stared into Jasper''s eyes through tears. They only had each other in their eyes.

    He treaded toward her as if he had scaled mountains and sailed oceans to reach her. Standing beside

    her was Winston.

    Jasper, caught in a surreal daze, appeared deeply moved. He felt as though he was weing his

    bride. The world around him faded into silence. All he could hear was his thunderous heartbeat. The

    scene seemed too perfect to be true.

    "Jasper ..." A tear rolled down her cheek like a meteor streaking across the night sky. Jasper was ready

    to sacrifice everything for her, and she felt the same toward him.

    Whether it was surviving the Luminara battlefield with Jasper or marrying him without their families''

    blessings, they had given their all for their love.

    "Hold on a moment!" Zoe red at them, her voice shrill and trembling. Her hopes were repeatedly

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    crushed, and she couldn''t bear it any longer.

    She thought, "Alyssa, Jasper, if you stubbornly wish to be together, perhaps I should unveil a harsh

    truth that could forever scar your rtionship."

    The guests, irritated by Zoe''s dramatic yet futile attempts to disrupt the loving couple, cast annoyed

    looks her way.

    Zoe, face looking pale and lips twitching, looked rather terrifying. She taunted, "Mr. Javier, I know the

    Harpers are not as powerful as the Taylors. You must feel like you''re shortchanged for having me as a

    daughter-inw instead of Alyssa. But you might regret letting your son marry her."

    While ying the victim card, she wanted to pique the interest of everyone present, including Javier.

    "Oh, Mr. Taylor." Zoe turned around and examined Winston with a hint of worry. "I know Alyssa is your

    favorite among your children, and you would hate to see her bullied. Do you really think Jasper is up to

    your standards? Is he even a good match for Alyssa?"

    Confusion spread across the onlookers. Alyssa, anticipating Zoe''s dirty tactics, red at her

    menacingly. Before she could respond, Winston intervened, addressing Zoe sternly, "Ms. Zoe, as a

    youngdy of esteemed status, please refrain from beating around the bush."

    Winston''s authoritative tone intimidated Zoe and the other guests.

    At that moment, Jonah and Landon had arrived at the hall after dealing with David. They ran into the

    unfolding scene and came to a halt. Feeling anxious, Jonah nced at Landon.

    Landon muttered in frustration, "Damn it! That woman is causing trouble again when I''m not around to

    keep an eye on her!"

 Chapter 1226

    Landon gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw. Thankfully, Jonah held him back when he was about to

    barge into the hall.

    Jonah advised him, "Landon, calm down. You have nothing to worry about because my dad and Jasper

    are there to handle it.

    "Besides, you shouldn''t appear like you''re siding with outsiders at this critical point where you are about

    to be appointed the president of the Harper Group. You don''t want to upset your grandpa. So, do not

    act rashly for the sake of your future."

    Landon''s eyes burned in rage. "But Jasper is my bro! I can''t sit back and watch my family fuck with

    Lyse! How could I betray Jasper just for apany president role? I''d be ashamed to face them in the

    future."

    Jonah was rendered speechless by Landon''s seemingly uncultured outburst, but he shrugged it off

    because he empathized with Landon''s feelings.

    Meanwhile, Jasper again shifted his hostile gaze onto Zoe, his eyes an abyss, ready to consume the

    evil woman.

    Zoe tried to maintain herposure under the pressure of Winston and Jasper. Suddenly, she raised

    her voice, "Get that thing ready!"

    She knew that the evidence she possessed was a destructive weapon. It would be a pyrrhic victory for

    her, but she did not care. All she wanted was to utterly destroy Alyssa and Jasper''s rtionship.

    Zoe''s assistant, who had been waiting by the stage, hurried over and handed her a leather envelope.

    Zoe began, "Jasper, you had a secret marriage of three years with Alyssa, during which you cheated

    on her with Madam Sophia''s niece. Because of you, Alyssa suffered a loveless marriage."

    She did not take the envelope immediately, choosing instead to study Jasper with amusement. "You

    ignored her affection and her suffering for three years, treating her like she was invisible. You even

    forced her to get a divorce just so you could be with your mistress. Am I right?"

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    To be fair, what Zoe announced was old news. The guests at the event had more or less heard about

    the absurd history between Alyssa and Jasper. Despite the passing of time, and Jasper''s best efforts to

    make amends, Alyssa''s ordeal still felt heartbreaking to hear.

    She must have loved him so to endure the torture for three years. Anyone would have left the marriage

    right away.

    Choking on emotions, Jasper admitted, "Yes, you are right. I admit I did that to her." "Do you really think

    that''s the extent of the torture you inflict on her? Think again," Zoe said with a chuckle.

    Frowning hard, Jasper struggled to cope with the rising headache and dizziness.

    Alyssa felt her heart sink when she realized what Zoe was up to.

    Zoe, arms crossed, gestured at her assistant. "Go. Hand the envelope to Mr. Taylor. I think he will be

    the most interested in his precious daughter''s suffering."

    The assistant handed the envelope to Winston. Forehead dotted with sweat, Alyssa yelled, "No! Dad!"

    Winston furrowed his brows and extracted a document from the envelope. Soon after that, he looked

    crestfallen and greatly shocked. He pursed his colorless lips, nearly crumpling the paper in his hand.

    Alyssa sobbed. "Dad, I ..."

 Chapter 1227

    "Lyse, is this true?" Winston turned to stare at his daughter, who looked as pale as a sheet. Filled with

    pain and resentment, he tossed the paper at her. "Tell me, is everything on this paper true?"

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa almost lost her bnce. She gripped her chest and slowly crouched as she stiffly picked up the

    paper. She clutched it tightly in her fingers.

    "Lyse ..." Jasper, looking nk, approached her. She admitted, "Yes, it''s true."

    Winston felt the world copse around him. Pain shot through his head as his vision blurred. Jonah and

    Landon were surprised by his intense reaction, especially Jonah, who had never seen his dad so angry

    in the 30 years of his life.

    Even when Winston learned about Alyssa''s divorce, he was mostly angry at Jasper for his treatment of

    Alyssa. Never had he pinned the me on Alyssa.

    Perplexed by Winston''s seemingly unjustified rage at Alyssa, they watched as Winston marched up

    and dragged Alyssa out of the hall with him. "Let''s go! You''lle home to Belbanks with me!"

    Tears brimming, she uttered with heartache, "Dad ..."

    "One more thing¡ªcut all contact with Jasper Beckett, or I''ll lock you up in Heightsnew Vi!" Winston

    issued a harsh threat.

    Jasper felt as if he was struck by thunder. He struggled to breathe as his blood froze. The sweet scene

    earlier was no more. He was devastated by Winston''s ruthless remarks.

    Secretly feeling gleeful, Zoe frowned and jeered, "Mr. Taylor, it''s pointless to lock Alyssa up forever. You

    should tackle the problem instead of shying away from it. But it seems toote to do anything about it

    now.

    "The child she miscarried was eight weeks old. She became infertile because of the miscarriage. Not

    many women could withstand the pain of infertility at such a young age. I would have chosen to end my

    life. Alyssa is a woman of strength."

    Did Alyssa once carry their child? Jasper was stunned. His soul was tortured. Panting heavily, all color

    drained from his face. He was filled with remorse.

    "W-When was that Lyse?" he questioned.

    Was she pregnant after their intimacy on the night he was drugged? How did the miscarriage happen,

    and why didn''t she tell him about it? Why?

    Alyssa shut her eyes tightly as tears streamed down her ghastly pale face.

 Chapter 1228

    Alyssa was at a loss for words at that moment.

    Gasps filled the hall as the guests stared at her in disbelief. The talented daughter of the affluent Taylor

    family stood exposed as infertile. They couldn''t imagine the life she led under the Beckett family and

    the extent of torture Jasper had inflicted on her.

    Despite her social status, her infertility was akin to a death sentence. Her infertility would weigh heavily

    on her, taking away the fundamental right to reproduce that every woman possessed.

    Landon''s expression froze, momentarily paralyzed by the shock. Even then, he had to support Jonah,

    who was on the verge of copse upon learning of Alyssa''s infertility.

    As her brother, Jonah thought he was aware of all her secrets, but he was proven wrong. He chastised

    himself and his other brothers for failing to protect their sister.

    Now that Winston had turned against Jasper, Zoe shifted her attention to Javier. "Mr. Javier, your son

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    has gravely hurt Alyssa. I think it''s impossible for you to support their rtionship now, don''t you think?

    It''s very unfair to Alyssa, and I believe you wouldn''t impose such a burden on her."

    Javier interpreted her words differently. Zoe seemed to hint at him that Alyssa no longer qualified as the

    daughter-inw of the Becketts unless they were prepared to ept her infertility.

    Changing his tack, Javier shifted the me to Jasper. "Jasper, do you truly believe you''re suitable for

    Alyssa? Being with you must be a constant source of pain for her, a stark reminder of her lost child. If

    you genuinely love her, you should let her go. Go separate ways and live your best lives."

    Go separate ways and live your best lives?

    Jasper teared up and shook his head dejectedly. The sudden revtion of his deceased child was

    overwhelmingly painful, leaving him burdened with guilt and remorse.

    "Zoe Harper," a menacing voice followed as Landon approached her. He stood before her with a tense

    expression.

    "Landon, it''s toote for you to intervene," she taunted, emboldened by Cornelius'' support and

    confident that Landon wouldn''t retaliate at a public event.

    To her shock, she felt a gust of breeze when Landon delivered ps across her face. Screaming, she

    fell onto the floor, blood oozing from both her nose and her mouth.

    Onlookers beside her recoiled in disbelief. No one had anticipated Landon to hit his sister thrice in front

    of his family and the public.

    Landon''s eyes were devoid of warmth. He took out a silk napkin from the front pocket of his suit and

    casually wiped his reddened hand. He replied, "You''re right. It''s toote for me to do anything. That''s

    why I have no choice but to resort to a physical solution for what you have done.

    "Zoe Harper, I can''t believe that you''re my sister. Your actions are despicable, and you''re a disgrace to

    me. Haven''t people always spoken of karmic retribution? Well, if karma hasn''t yet delivered its due, I''ll

    take matters into my own hands!"

 Chapter 1229

    Meanwhile, Zoe experienced dizziness in the aftermath of the p. The taste of blood lingered in her

    mouth. She grimaced from the excruciating pain in her ear. Due to the pain, she abandoned her

    attempts at maintainingposure in the public eye.

    "Ouch! My ear! It hurts!" After being pped twice on the right cheek, her ears rang, causing her to

    yelp in pain.

    "Zoe! My dear Zoe!" Cornelius wailed and rushed toward his granddaughter without carrying his

    walking stick. His eyes widened in shock as he tried to help her up from the floor, but she was too weak

    to get up after Landon''s powerful ps.

    Sitting on the ground and looking frail, she sobbed. "Grandpa, my ears hurt. I can''t hear anything in my

    right ear."

    "What did you say, Zoe?" Cornelius was frightened. Despite raising his voice by her ear, she couldn''t

    hear him very well. Unfurling a trembling hand from her right ear, she gasped at the sight of blood on

    her palm.

    She cried out, "My ear! I''m going deaf!"

    All the Harpers'' bodyguards and assistants rushed up to her, calling the doctors and the ambnce in

    a frenzy. Landon, standing aside, observed the chaos emotionlessly, as if an invisible barrier separated

    him from his family.

    Once proud of being Cornelius'' grandson, he now felt nothing but shame.

    "Landon, are you insane?" Cornelius glowered at him in disbelief, momentarily disoriented by the

    shock. "Zoe is your only sister and the sole daughter of your parents! How could you hurt her?"

    Landon sneered. "Dad''s not around anymore. As her brother, don''t you think I should be the one to

    instill some morals into her?"

    The guests were surprised by Landon''s deration, which sounded pretty convincing.

    "Y-You brat!" Cornelius cussed him out, "Zoe is my granddaughter! I''m still in power in the Harper

    Group. Do you have any respect for me when you hit your sibling in front of my eyes?"

    "Of course I respect you," Landon replied with a chilling look. "That''s why I stopped after pping her.

    Otherwise, I would have done worse."

    The guests fell into a hushed silence.

    Jonah stared silently at Landon. Before this, he had regarded Landon as a yboy and a loyal friend of

    Jasper''s. However, he now saw Landon in a new light.

    He was grateful that Landon courageously went against his family to teach Zoe a lesson for Alyssa''s

    sake. At the same time, he felt guilty for having looked down on Landon in the past.

    Hearing Landon''s threat, Zoe trembled and clung tighter to her grandpa. Cornelius choked with anger,

    stammered, "Y-You¡ª"

    Javier, who reveled in the unfolding events, hated it when Landon intervened. He reluctantly assumed

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    the role of peacemaker. "Landon, Zoe is your sister, after all. You shouldn''t have said that. It reflects

    poorly on you and damages your rtionship with your family. It''s a lose-lose situation."

 Chapter 1230

    Javier veiled his warning with a touch of advice. He added, "Furthermore, this is the history between

    Jasper and Alyssa¡ªbetween the Becketts and the Taylors. It would be prudent for you to bring

    Cornelius and Zoe home for now. You should stay out of our affairs."

    "Hah! Did you hear yourself? Are you saying that Zoe is not guilty of exposing Alyssa''s medical history

    to the public and shaming Alyssa for her infertility? She did that with the intent of seeking revenge on

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Alyssa and fulfilling her own agenda," Landon called out Zoe mercilessly.

    However, Landon''s words stung Alyssa again. Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes, she struggled

    to hold back her tears.

    Each tear that slid down her cheek inflicted pain upon Jasper''s soul.

    How he wished he could hold her tight and kiss her like the intimate nights they had shared. s, he

    did not feel like he was deserving of her.

    "Landon, are you mocking me now?" Javier''s patience began to wear thin.

    "Well, you shouldn''t beat around the bush. I''m a straightforward man. I call a spade a spade. I wonder

    what the others make of all this," Landon retorted.

    Then, he put on an unbothered look and casually cleaned his ears. "By the way, I''m friends with your

    son, not you. Kindly refer to me as ''Mr. Landon.'' That sounds much more pleasant to my ears."

    Javier''s face soured as the guests admired Landon''s forthrightness. The young man had outyed

    Javier at his own game. They cast looks of disappointment and disdain at the pale Javier, gossiping

    among themselves.

    "Zoe Harper could go to any lengths to stop Alyssa from marrying Jasper!"

    "Right? The diagnosis was supposed to be confidential. She''s a wretched woman for exposing Alyssa''s

    medical history just to spite her."

    "I assume she did that because she lost all hopes of marrying Jasper. That''s why she risked her

    reputation to drag Alyssa down with her."

    "Who''d marry such a despicable woman?"

    "Don''t get me started on Javier Beckett. From the sounds of it, he was thinking of getting his son to

    marry Zoe. Is the Beckett family a trashcan? Why would he bring in such a vile woman? Perhaps he''s

    interested in Zoe himself?"

    The taunts and jeers weighed heavily on Javier, who btedly realized that forcing Jasper to marry Zoe

    and ditch Alyssa was the wrong move all along.

    "Grandpa, my ear hurts! Am I going deaf? I don''t want to lose my hearing! Get me to the hospital," Zoe

    wailed and pleaded in a panic.

    "Let''s go! Get Zoe to the hospital!" Cornelius instructed.

    However, Jonah suddenly bellowed sternly, "No one is leaving!"

    The Harpers were taken aback by Jonah''s deration.

    Zoe, feeling ashamed, wanted to hide away.

    Jonah strode to Alyssa and freed her hand from Winston''s tight grip. He began, "Dad, what''s the point

    of getting angry at Lyse? You''re only stepping into the trap of your opponent.

    "What you''re doing now is hurting Lyse as well. She''s not just your precious daughter; she''s my

    beloved sister too. She''s already in great pain. Please do not add to her suffering."

    Winston quivered upon hearing Jonah''s remark. It was then he realized that he had gripped Alyssa''s

    hand so tightly that it had turned a frightening shade of red.

 Chapter 1231

    "I''m sorry, Jonah ..." Alyssa murmured, nestled in Jonah''s embrace.

    Jonah, overwhelmed by guilt, shook his head and pulled her into a deep hug. "Nonsense, my princess.

    You''ve done nothing wrong. No need for apologies. It''s my fault for not giving you enough attention. I

    should be sorry to you."

    She gave him a wry smile. Finally, she realized her naivete. She had thought she could shoulder the

    pain on her own to protect her love and her family from guilt and worry.

    Still, all her efforts went down the drain when the truth came out.

    Jonah held her close, stealing a nce at Jasper''s pale face before turning away. "I''ve stationed our

    bodyguards around the castle. No one from the Harper family can leave until this matter has been

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    resolved."

    Jasper''sst glimmer of hope was shattered under Jonah''s gaze. Feeling like a sinner, he thought he

    had poured all his love into Alyssa, only to discover he had deeply wounded her. He did not deserve to

    be with her. He did not even deserve to hold any hope.

    The onlookers, however, were interested in staying and watching the drama. Cornelius lost his calm at

    that moment. Pointing a finger at Jonah, he growled, "Jonah Taylor, you''re uwfully detaining us! I

    can sue you for that."

    "Go ahead and sue me. Zoe Harper vited Alyssa''s privacy, illicitly obtaining and publicizing her

    private information. We Taylors could sue you for the damages caused by your malicious actions!"

    Sean had now changed into a suit and dashed into the hall, looking energized as if he was never

    injured. Worried he might cause a stir, he had covered his left eye injury with a gauze. Despite his

    injury, he hurried over upon hearing about Alyssa''s plight.

    Although he knew Jonah would protect Alyssa, he still wished to do something for her, a decision fully

    supported by Tatiana.

    "Sean ." Alyssa''s eyes shimmered, and she choked back tears.

    "Tsk tsk. I can''t believe that Ms. Zoe is ignorant of thew," another voice rang in the hall.

    Julien strolled up to Sean and snickered at Zoe. "Actually, you''re not ignorant, just a reckless fool who

    thought she had everything under control. You went about it with the stupidest method¡ªexposing

    other''s privacy. You''ve shown your fucking character for the world to see and drag yourself down with it.

    I''ve never seen something as idiotic as that."

    Jonah frowned gently, a faint smile ying on his lips. Julien hadn''t been in Sna City long. Yet, he

    appeared to have picked up the essence of cursing in the localnguage.

    "In my opinion, we can skip the court session. I bet the scene was captured on surveince footage

    and the phones of some of our guests here. Once the video gets online, Ms. Zoe''s reputation will be

    irreparable. She''d do better hiding in shame than facing the immense embarrassment."

    Winston was taken aback by Mandy''s nephew, Julien. Not only that, he was surprised that Julien sided

    with the Taylors. He couldn''t help but marvel at Julien''s sharp tongue.

    "D-Do you take us Harpers as a doormat? We''re not!" Cornelius, ame with rage, tapped his walking

    stick. Hemanded, "Summon the Harper bodyguards! We''ll fight our way out of this castle if we

    must!"

    "Gosh, Grandpa, are you senile or too angry to think straight?" Landon yawnedzily. "I''m in charge of

    the family bodyguards. They can''t make a move without my orders."

 Chapter 1232

    Cornelius suddenly recalled that Landon had been in charge of the Harpers'' bodyguards for years. At

    first, Cornelius decided to let Landon take charge of the security just to give Landon something to do

    and train his skills, as security wasn''t a core part of the Harper Group anyway.

    To his dismay, his careless decision to give out authority hade back to bite him.

    "I''ve worked with Jonah to surround the castle with security." Landon squinted dangerously. "Grandpa,

    I''m not trying to give you a tough time. As long as Zoe pays for her action and repents for her behavior,

    you can totally walk out of here safely."

    "Landon Harper, you brat!" Cornelius'' veins bulged in anger.

    "Who''s the brat here?" Suddenly, Jasper glowered at Cornelius, looking like an awakened beast, ready

    to kill. One could smell danger from him.

    He added, "Who''s the one who sided with evil? Who repeatedly tries to hurt my woman, thinking they

    had backing? It''s you and your fucking granddaughter."

    The guests were rattled by Jasper''s air of authority. Meanwhile, Alyssa looked at him through tears.

    She found herself still in love with him, and she loved it when he proimed that she was his woman.

    Jasper sensed a metallic taste in his throat from all the rage he suppressed. His face crumpled. His

    chest tensed underneath the suit, and his fists tightened. Fury and pain had charged through him,

    making him feel he could destroy anything at that moment.

    "Whoever defends Zoe will make themselves my enemy. For that, I will torture them forever, making

    their lives a living hell. Try me."

    Cornelius was a veteran in the underworld who had undergone his share of gruesome gang fights for

    turfs. Despite his experience, he cowered in front of Jasper.

    "Grandpa, bring me with you! Grandpa!" Zoe tugged and pleaded at Cornelius, who had stiffened.

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    Gripped by fear, she found herself unable to cry. She wondered if Cornelius had faltered in front of

    Jasper.

    Had Cornelius be a useless old fart who was easily intimidated?

    "Zoe Harper ..." Alyssa struggled to keep her heartache in check and maintained herposure. She

    left Jonah''s arms and took a step closer to Zoe.

    At that moment, Zoe was surrounded by threats. She might have hated Alyssa and wanted her dead,

    but she had no fight left in her. All she wanted was to escape.

    "I have just one question for you." Alyssa shut her eyes and reopened them, casting a hostile look at

    Zoe. "Where did you get my infertility diagnosis from?"

    Once again, Zoe became the center of scrutiny. Alyssa had asked the most important question.

    "Right? I''m curious about the same question as well."

 Chapter 1233

    Julien spoke and walked up to Jonah''s side. He joined the others in examining Zoe. "As a doctor, I am

    very well aware of patient confidentiality. Any self-respecting doctor would not leak their patient''s

    information to a third party.

    "So, I surmised that Ms. Zoe had paid off Alyssa''s physician. Did you, Ms. Zoe? If that''s the case, let''s

    get the doctor under arrest to secure our witness."

    Jonah nodded in agreement, acknowledging Julien''s approach with a slight frown. Julien, in turn,

    looked pleased to receive Jonah''s approval.

    "Who''s that handsome guy?" a voice inquired.

    "Is he one of Alyssa''s suitors?" another spected.

    Julien silently fumed upon hearing that. He was not Alyssa''s suitor. He was just a man capitalizing on

    Alyssa''s case to win favors with Jonah.

    "No! This has nothing to do with the doctor!" Zoe blurted out, flustered from all the talk of witness.

    "What does that mean? Are you suggesting that the information didn''te from a doctor? Who

    provided it to you, then?" Landon interrogated her.

    "I ... I ..." She clenched her fists as her eyes darted around. She stammered but offered no answer.

    "Pfft. Zoe, had Dad learned about your actions and your refusal to admit to your wrongs, he would have

    taught you a lesson from the heavens." Landon angrily undid his tie and tossed it onto the floor,

    signifying that his patience had worn thin. "Very well. You refuse to tell."

    He directed the bodyguards, "Hey, get her arrested and take her to the police. If she won''t confess to

    us, we''ll let the police handle it."

    The bodyguards promptly followed his instructions. Zoe crumbled into Cornelius'' arms, frightened and

    tear-stained. "Grandpa, how could Landon do this to me? He wants his sister dead!"

    "Landon, enough is enough. Zoe is your sister. Why would you destroy her reputation in the public? Do

    you want her to live her life in shame?" Cornelius knew he could not force anything on Landon, so he

    changed his strategy to appeal to his grandson.

    He advised, "Even if Zoe is wrong, she is still young. There could be some mastermind pulling strings

    behind her. Anyway, I do not believe my granddaughter is capable of doing this. She couldn''t have

    thought of getting the diagnosis from the doctor. Someone must have set her up and take advantage of

    her!

    "I''m afraid that mastermind could be someone near Ms. Alyssa. This wouldn''t have happened if the

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    suspect did not have enough knowledge of her."

    After a night of being unreasonable, Cornelius finally offered some useful insight.

    Alyssa and Jasper''s expressions darkened upon hearing Cornelius'' analysis. While Zoe was cunning,

    she wasn''t smart enough to dig into Alyssa''s medical history or ess the confidential diagnosis.

    Only a select few were privy to the diagnosis, with Ben, Alyssa''s physician, and Winston''s three wives

    being among them.

    Ben and Alyssa''s stepmothers would never leak the information, leaving only the doctor as the suspect.

    However, he seemed unlikely to do so given his longstanding friendship with Newton and Ben''s vignt

    oversight. Furthermore, Alyssa confirmed that the diagnosis was deleted from the system, wiping away

    any existing record of the truth.

    Someone with the ability to retrieve deleted data and had knowledge of her miscarriage was

    orchestrating the events. The nauseating realization dawned on Alyssa. It felt as if a set of eyes had

    been observing her closely for a long time.

    "Grandpa, have a rest from all the talking. You''re getting older, and you need to watch your health."

 Chapter 1234

    Landon put on a chilling smile. "Zoe might not be a mastermind, but she''s a conspirator. We don''t even

    know if the alleged mastermind exists. For now, she has to bear the responsibility. Take her down!"

    "No! I didn''t n this! I was manipted ..." Zoe argued, realizing she was on the verge of public

    condemnation. She no longer cared about bringing down Alyssa. She was more concerned about her

    imminent incrimination.

    Unable to deceive any longer, she rushed to Landon in panic, admitting, "Landon, I was wrong! I''d

    never do it again. But I''m the victim here. Someone''s manipting me, destroying me and perhaps

    even the entire Harper Group!"

    Her tears, stained ck by smudged mascara, were aical spectacle. Crying, she reached for his

    hand, but he dodged her touch, looking disgusted.

    Failing to make contact, she lost her bnce and fell to the marble floor on her knees. The impact sent

    pain shooting across her body, and she cried even harder.

    "What exactly happened? Tell us!" Landon bellowed at her.

    "I ... I received an anonymous call from an unknown man a few days ago ..."

    Jasper furrowed his brows. "An unknown man? Don''t you recognize his voice?"

    "I guess he''s scared I''d recognize him. He disguised his voice." Worried that she''d shoulder the entire

    me, she decided to confess everything, "I know nothing about him, but he knows everything about

    me and you all!

    "He manipted me, knowing that I wanted to marry Jasper. He gave me Alyssa''s confidential

    diagnosis and asked that I reveal it at the right time."

    "Hah! Seems like you''re great at picking the right time!" Jonah hissed, resisting the urge to p her.

    "Goddamit! And you did it just because he asked you to? Why? Are you going to eat shit if he tells you

    to do so?" Landon clenched his fists when he heard Zoe''s ridiculous reasoning.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa sank into deep thoughts. Zoe had sessfully driven a wedge between her and

    Jasper by exposing her medical history. Prior to this, she had faced another rtionship crisis with

    Jasper due to his scandal with Zoe at the hotel.

    Alyssa connected the two incidents, recognizing that both were orchestrated with the same

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    ruthlessness.

    Since Zoe wasn''t the sharpest tool in the shed, she must have been carrying out orders for the

    unknown man.

    Alyssa questioned, "Is he the same man as the one who created the hotel scandal by luring Jasper to

    the hotel?"

    The onlookers were left dumbstruck. Did that mean Zoe had set up the scandal to use Jasper of

    heartlessly dumping her?

    Cornelius was gripped by shock. Trembling violently, he wondered if Zoe was shameless enough to

    trade her dignity just to marry Jasper. He couldn''t believe that the precious granddaughter he raised

    had turned into a scheming woman.

    Jasper swallowed hard, tears brimming as he stared at Alyssa. She was the most badly hurt in this

    incident, but that did not stop her from clearing his name.

    He shed a wry smile and shook his head determinedly.

 Chapter 1235

    So what if Jasper had saved Alyssa multiple times? His so-called sacrifices couldn''t make up for the

    pain he inflicted on her.

    "No! No!" Zoe vehemently denied, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "That man has nothing to

    do with the hotel scandal!"

    Alyssa merely smiled, opting not to press further, as Zoe unwittingly betrayed the truth through her

    expression.

    "Lyse, anything else you''d like to ask?" Landon turned to Alyssa with a gentle gaze.

    She calmly shook her head.

    "Good. Bring her away," Landon instructed with a wave of his hand.

    Zoe''s eyes widened in fear. "W-Where to?"

    "The police station."

    Looking crushed, Zoe stumbled backward indignantly. She yelled in a shrill voice, "Landon Harper,

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    you''re fooling with me! Didn''t you say you''d let this slip if I tell the truth?"

    "Let this slip? Have I said so? Maybe you''re being delusional." Landon turned away from her with a

    determination that felt like a farewell. "Zoe Harper, I said I''d teach you a lesson, and no one could stop

    me¡ªnot even Grandpa."

    Two bodyguards immediately dragged Zoe out of the venue by her arms. Her limp legs brushed across

    the ground. Her hair was messy and tousled. She even lost one of her high heels. At that moment, she

    resembled a prisoner on her way to serving her sentence.

    "Save me, Grandpa!"

    However, Cornelius did not intervene, even after Zoe was dragged out. What else could he do after his

    useless granddaughter had tarnished the reputation he had meticulously built over decades?

    Defending her in front of the guests would mean giving up on the Harper family''s standing.

    After the earth-shattering incident, the four distinguished families left the event hosted by the

    Jesseltons, which had concluded before the scheduled time.

    Without giving Jasper a chance to exin, Winston resolutely locked Alyssa into his car and brought

    her to Belbanks.

    On the other hand, Jonah offered his car to Sean and Tatiana for the couple to enjoy some private time

    on their trip back to Belbanks. Moreover, Jonah knew Tatiana wasn''t in a great condition, and only

    Sean

    could provide her withfort.

    Alone in the parking garage, Jonah watched as the rest of his family departed in their cars. When they

    were gone, he extracted the crumpled diagnosis from his chest with shaky hands.

    Unable to hold back tears, he allowed them to fall onto the paper detailing the harsh diagnosis.

    Once again, he carefully inspected the report, feeling a stabbing pain whenever he read a line.

    He was soon interrupted by heavy footsteps approaching him. Taking a deep breath, he quickly wiped

    away his tears and turned around slowly.

    Not far away stood Jasper, wearing a mncholic expression and dull eyes.

 Chapter 1236

    "Jonah ..." Jasper''s voice was so hoarse that it was almost inaudible.

    "Jasper ... Beckett ..."

    Jonah widened his crimson eyes as a raging fury surged in his chest. Like an enraged beast, he rushed

    fiercely toward the frozen Jasper.

    Jasper saw the cold and fierce fisting toward his cheek, but he remained motionless.

    He wanted to be hit. He had deserved it. Even if Jonah beat him to death, Jasper wouldn''tin.

    "Jonah! Don''t!"

    Just as Jonah''s fist was about to reach Jasper, Julien appeared in time. He opened his arms and tightly

    embraced Jonah from behind.

    "Let go." Jonah bit his lip hard, but it was his heart that was bleeding.

    "No!" Julien''s arms trembled around Jonah''s waist. Panting heavily, he shouted, "What''s the use of

    hitting him? Can you bring back what Lyse lost by hitting him?"

    "But ... he deserves to die!"

    Jonah was so furious that his cheek muscles twitched. As he savagely struggled, the tears he barely

    held back started flowing again. "How can he stay alive? My sister ... my sister can never get pregnant

    again!

    "She''s only 25 and has forever lost the right to be a mother! All because of you! Jasper, why don''t you

    just die?"

    Yes, he deserved to die brutally.

    Jasper, like a doll without blood and soul, looked deste with dull eyes.

    Julien noticed that Jasper seemed inexplicably miserable. His hair was still dripping wet, and droplets

    fell down his bloodless, once-handsome face.

    His elegant and straight suit was soaked. Moreover, his pants and shoes were covered in mud, looking

    extremely dirty.

    Coincidentally, when Alyssa was taken away by her father, it happened to be raining outside.

    In the pouring rain, Jasper chased after the Taylor family''s car for a long time but never got to see

    Alyssa''s face.

    "I''m sorry ... It''s all my fault ... It''s all because of me ..."

    He repeatedly murmured in despair, "It''s all my fault ... All my fault ... I''m sorry ..."

    "Jasper, do you know how much Lyse likes children? Do you know how much she hoped to have a

    child with you back then?"

    That once-proud Jonah had his tears streaming down uncontrobly as if his tear ducts had burst open.

    "During the three years she was married to you, she told us countless times ... that she wanted to be a

    mother. When she recalled your in-name-only marriage and your indifference toward her, she would

    call me in the middle of the night ... crying secretly ..."

    Jasper''s heart convulsed as if being tortured by a poisoned de. The pain surged through him,

    spreading rapidly throughout his body and invading all his senses and consciousness.

    His eyes were red-rimmed, and his shoulders trembled violently.

    All he could feel was pain as if his bones were being pulled apart and his tendons were being severed.

    It was an unbearable pain.

    "I didn''t know ... I didn''t know ..."

    Tears welled up in Jasper''s eyes. He parted his pale lips and almost incoherently said, "If I had known

    ... I

    "You didn''t know?"

    In extreme anger, Jonahughed. "You didn''t know you had a one-night stand with Lyse. And you didn''t

    know Lyse was pregnant with your child. Are you joking, or are you really that stupid?

    "But no matter which one, I can never forgive you. If I handed Lyse over to such a heartless man like

    you, I wouldn''t deserve to be human!"

    Hearing this, Julien was astonished and couldn''t help but sigh helplessly.

    He had been back in the country for quite some time and had experienced many thrilling events with

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    them. Naturally, he knew how much Jasper loved Alyssa.

    But the three years of a hopeless marriage had hurt Alyssa too deeply.

 Chapter 1237

    Julien tried to put himself in Alyssa''s shoes. Even if he loved Jasper deeply, he would probably suffer

    from constant pain and self-doubt in the future because he couldn''t conceive. Such relentless

    selftorment would gradually erode the happiness of their love.

    They were truly an unfortunate pair¡ªfacing an unsolvable problem.

    However, Julien feared that things would worsen, so he could only persuade earnestly, "Jonah, no

    matter what, Mr. Beckett is Lyse''s and your lifesaver.

    "If he hadn''t sacrificed himself to save you, how could you havee back alive? If it hadn''t been for

    Jasper, I wouldn''t have been able to see you again, and so many people would suffer because of you.

    Including Lyse!"

    Jonah''s eyes remained bloodshot, but he slowly lowered his clenched fist.

    "Jasper, you did save my life, so I''ll spare you. But from now on, don''t appear in front of me, and

    certainly not in Lyse''s life.

    "I can forgive all the harm you brought to her before, but I can''t get over this one thing no matter how

    hard I try."

    After saying that, Jonah gritted his teeth and turned away.

    Julien silently looked at Jasper, who had lost all color in his face and had no choice but to follow Jonah.

    "Please give me another chance. Ast chance to make amends!"

    Jasper''s cheeks were wet with tears, just like Alyssa begged him not to divorce her back then. Perhaps

    even more pitiful than she was at that time.

    "I really love Lyse very much. I beg you to give me one more chance¡ªthest chance! Let me make

    amends!"

    "Sure." Jonah smiled coldly, cruelly shattering the hope he had just given. "Give a perfect body and a

    healthy uterus back to my sister. After that, I won''t stop you two from being together."

    Jasper couldn''t remember how he walked out of the parking lot.

    The long-lost, severe headache returned. There was a buzzing sound in his ears, as if countless

    demons were rampant, taunting his foolishness. "Jasper, you brought this upon yourself. You really

    deserve it! You deserve to die!"

    "Jasper!" Landon shouted at Jasper from behind countless times, but thetter didn''t hear anything. He

    just stood in the rain as though he were dead inside.

    Suddenly, the headache intensified, and Jasper lost his bnce.

    The raining scene in front of him kept flipping and ovepping, creating a sense of temporal disarray.

    If Landon hadn''t rushed to his side in time and supported him, he might have fallen heavily into the

    puddle right in front of him.

    "Jasper! Hold on!" Anxious, Landon tightly hugged Jasper''s trembling body.

    "You can''t give up on Lyse, let alone give up on yourself! Can''t you tell? Lyse still loves you. Since you

    also love her, you have to pull yourself together and face all the difficulties!"

    "I ruined ... her body ... What should I do, Landon?"

    Jasper''s face turned as pale as a sheet. "What should I do? How can I give back to her ... what she

    lost?"

    "There must be a way! With the advanced medical technology today, as long as you have money, you

    can treat any illness. Even if it''s a terminal illness, as long as you invest money, life can be prolonged

    for more than a decade!

    "Let''s figure out a solution together. Lyse''s body will surely recover. But if you give up on her ... then

    you''re truly harming her. It''ll be the end of you two!" Landon shouted anxiously in the rain.

    Jasper clutched his head, gasping in pain. "Back then ... I told Lyse that I liked children, and I even said

    I wanted to have children with her ...

    "If I had ... If I had known it would be like this, why did I even mention having children ... So what if we

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    can''t have children? How could I be so selfish?"

    Feeling upset, Landon shook his head in distress.

    Alyssa had to face immense pressure when she decided to let go of all her emotional baggage and

    love Jasper again. It was already quite courageous for her.

    However, even so, every time Jasper mentioned children, her heart must have still ached.

    "Jasper, I think for now, you need to find out the details of what happened when Lyse lost the child.

    Only then can wee up with a n and find the right solution."

    Jasper forcefully pulled his hair, trying hard to recall the past.

    The examination report at that time stated that Alyssa''s baby was already two months old when she

    had a miscarriage.

 Chapter 1238

    So what exactly happened two months after they had sex?

    "Mr. Beckett!" In the pouring rain, Xavier panted heavily while running over with a worried expression.

    "Mr. Beckett Senior couldn''t reach you, so Ben contacted me. Mr. Beckett Senior knows what

    happened at the party. Please go to Crescent Bay to see him now."

    Zoe''s revtion about Alyssa''s infertility at the Jesseltons'' party had spread widely that night.

    Due to the high security level, no media was present at the party. Furthermore, with the pressure from

    the Taylors and the Harpers, no one dared leak any footage to reporters or share anything online.

    If the Taylors and the Harpers found out, it would be the end of them. After all, there weren''t many

    present, so investigating wouldn''t be that difficult.

    But there were no secrets in this world. The news still spread.

    Newton was at home when this news hit him. When he found out everything that had happened at the

    party, he almost had a heart attack from anger.

    Ben was scared out of his wits and immediately had the private doctore to the house, ready for

    emergency treatment at any moment.

    "Alice! My Alice!"

    Learning that Alyssa had once carried the Beckett family''s child, Newton was both shocked and

    heartbroken. Tears flowed uncontrobly.

    "That silly woman! She was pregnant. How could she not tell anyone? Losing a child is one thing, but

    what if her body is ruined? Why is Alice''s life so hard?"

    Ben patted Newton''s violently heaving back, feeling like his heart was being roasted in an open me.

    The scene of Alyssa bleeding, pleading with him to keep it a secret, was vividly etched in Ben''s mind.

    Even now, recalling it was still so painful.

    After some thought, Ben took a deep breath and was about to speak. Yet Javier spoke first. "Dad, your

    body is weak. Don''t get overly emotional."

    "How can I not be emotional? Alice once carried Jasper''s child¡ªour bloodline! A child is lost just like

    that! How can I not be sad and not feel guilty?"

    Just as Newton was in distress, the disheveled Jasper walked in.

    "Grandpa ..."

    10:09 05/02/2024 Read Can¡¯t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 1238

    "Jasper, where''s Alice? Did Winston take her back home?" Newton asked anxiously.

    Jasper nodded heavily. His throat tightened, making him unable to speak.

    "How can you be so careless and so dumb?"

    Newton angrily pounded the coffee table, almost wanting to rush up and give this disappointing

    grandson a p. "Alice was your wife! You didn''t even know she was pregnant? Are you heartless?"

    "Dad, don''t me Jasper anymore. It''s already in the past. There''s no point talking about it now."

    Javier lowered his gaze, his expression cold and indifferent. "Besides, you knew that Jasper didn''t love

    Alyssa back then, but you still insisted on matchmaking them. You made Jasper not likeing home.

    How could he care so much?

    "Alyssa didn''t tell anyone she was pregnant, and she kept her miscarriage a secret. I think she didn''t

    know about the pregnancy back then, so we shouldn''t be at fault here. It''s herck of experience and

    carelessness that led to this embarrassing situation for both families."

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    Jasper felt a sharp pain in his chest. His eyes instantly ignited with anger. The muscles under his damp

    suit stretched, and rage quickened his blood.

    He parted his lips to speak, but before he could, Newton erupted in fury. He picked up the cup on the

    table and hurled it at Javier.

    "Ugh!"

    Javier suddenly felt a severe pain in his forehead. His vision darkened, and he stumbled backward.

    The cup urately hit his forehead, instantly causing a red and bloody bump to swell up.

    "Dad ... you ... you!"

    "I''ll smack you, you heartless animal! It''s fine if you don''t care about Alice losing her child. But you want

    to me it all on her? Are you even a man?"

    Newton was so furious that his face turned pale from anger. "Before, I thought you were misled by that

    vicious Sophia. Now ... it seems you two are truly cut from the same cloth!"

 Chapter 1239

    Javier, ustomed to a life of privilege since childhood, had never experienced such a beating or

    humiliation. And it happened in front of his son!

    He was totally embarrassed. The humiliation was unbearable.

    "I''ll smack you, heartless scum!" Newton was about to pick up a purple cup to continue his assault, but

    Ben timely stopped him. "Mr. Newton, calm down!"

    As Javier covered the injury on his forehead, his anger made him grit his teeth.

    "You don''t stand on your own grandson''s and son''s side but side with Winston''s daughter? You''re being

    a double-crosser! I think you''re so old that you''re confused.

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    "Winston and his daughter have been opposing us at every turn. This time at the party, they even

    snatched Jesselton Incorporated''s tens-of-million-dor racecourse hotel project from us! If it weren''t

    for KS Group meddling, that project should have belonged to Beckett Group!"

    He angrily used Newton of everything, then turned sharply to point usingly at Jasper.

    "And you! Not only do you not help your family''s business, but you act as a matchmaker for the Taylor

    family, facilitating coboration between KS Group and the Jesseltons!

    "Your brother is far away in Mosgravia and not in good health, but he''s contributing to the family! But

    you actually gave up our interests for the sake of a woman!"

    Javier continued, "As the president of the group, this is a serious dereliction of duty! You must take full

    responsibility for the failure of this project!"

    Jasper''s dim eyes darkened further. His voice was extremely hoarse as he responded, "That isn''t my

    only responsibility, isn''t it?"

    Javier was suddenly stunned. "What?"

    "I publicly opposed your arrangement for me to marry the Harpers. It was just yesterday. Have you

    already forgotten?"

    Jasper''s gaze was so cold that it would send chills down one''s spine. "You said that if I refused to

    marry Zoe, you''d kick me out of Beckett Group.

    "With Zoe causing havoc, the Harpers are pushed into a difficult situation as she exposes the truth

    about Lyse miscarrying my child. You know that she''s a malicious and troublesome person. You''re

    afraid of getting involved, so you just forget about the marriage, right?"

    Ben was incredibly shocked. Cold sweat soaked his back.

    How was this possible?

    Alyssa''s miscarriage was unknown to the public. How did Zoe find out about it?

    "Jasper ... you!" Javier was infuriated by Jasper''s revealing usations.

    "Marry who? Thatdy from the Harper family?"

    Newton nearly threw out the purple cup in his hands again. He was so angry that he shivered.

    "Javier! Is your brain filled with mush? You leave out such an outstandingdy like Alice and want

    Jasper to marry that scheming bitch? She exposed the miscarriage to disrupt Jasper and Alice''s

    rtionship. She''s so wicked, and you want Jasper to marry her? You should marry her yourself!"

    "Dad!"

    "You''re bad at judging people and have no shame. Fine. But don''t think about letting my grandson

    follow your footsteps!"

    Furious, Newton red. Even though he was old, his eyes were still sharp, just like in the past.

    "Also, don''t think about ming the loss of the project on Jasper or ndering Alice. Although I wasn''t

    present at this year''s horse racing event, I know exactly what happened!

    "The Harpers tampered with the Taylors'' horse. Despite that, Alice still won first ce! She earned the

    opportunity through her own efforts. It''s not something you can smear with just a few words!"

    "Grandpa ..." Jasper''s chest heaved, and his eyes turned red-rimmed.

    Newton still cared, trusted, and supported Alyssa, just as he did three years ago.

    But what about Jasper?

    Newton had told him to treat Alyssa well and not upset her countless times, saying that she was an

    excellentdy who was hard to find. But what had he done?

    He had ruined everything¡ªliterally everything.

    "No matter what, Alice is my only daughter-inw! Other than her, I won''t ept anyone!" Newton

    reiterated this matter firmly and resolutely.

    "Jasper owes Alice, and so does our family. I can''t do anything if I die. But as long as I''m alive, Javier,

    you won''t be able to make Jasper marry those filthy women!"

    The furious Javier shouted with the ridiculous red bump on his head, "Justin''s health is deteriorating,

    and the doctor says the possibility of him having children is close to zero! Now, you want Alyssa to join

    the family? Do you want to leave the Beckett family without an heir?"

    Newton trembled at his words. "What do you mean?"

 Chapter 1240

    Javier bellowed, "That miscarriage left Alyssa unable to conceive again! Do you really want to marry

    Jasper to such a woman? Jasper is now the only heir of our Beckett family.

    "If you let him marry Alyssa, who will inherit the tens-of-billion-dor family business? Betty? Lauren?

    Are they up to the task?"

    Jasper felt as if his heart were torn open.

    "How ... How can that ..." Newton waspletely dumbfounded. He felt as though he was bleeding

    inside.

    "It''s her own problem. Why should we go down with her? me her bad luck. me her horrible fate!"

    "It''s not like that!" Suddenly, Ben, his forehead covered in cold sweat, rushed forward and shouted,

    "Things are not like what you''re saying!"

    The three Becketts were all shocked.

    Ben had been with them for more than 30 years. He had a calm personality and was meticulous in his

    work. He had never been so impulsive.

    "Mr. Gorham, do you ... do you know something?"

    Jasper keenly sensed Ben''s hesitation to speak. With red eyes, he urgently asked, "You do know

    something, right?"

    Ben tightly closed his eyes, tears of guilt streaming down his face. The next second, with a thud, he

    suddenly bent both knees and knelt in front of them.

    "Mr. Gorham!"

    "Ben!"

    Both shocked and anxious, Newton repeatedly patted his thighs. "Get up now! Say what you have to

    say. What are you doing?"

    Jasper strode forward, wanting to help Ben up, but he stubbornly refused to get up.

    "It''s my fault ... It''s all my fault ... I should have spoken up earlier ... If I had spoken up, Ms. Alyssa and

    Mr. Jasper wouldn''t have reached this point ..."

    Ben choked up, speaking intermittently, "Back then ... when Ms. Alyssa had a miscarriage, I was there."

    Jasper''s pupils violently trembled. "What did you say? You were there?"

    "Ben! What are you talking about? How were you there?" Newton was on edge. "You usually talk

    fluently. Why are you stammering now? Speak quickly!"

    "The car ident ... It was because of that car ident!"

    Ben apologized to Alyssa in his mind for not being able to keep the secret for her anymore.

    "Car ... ident?"

    Jasper''s heart raced. Suddenly, he remembered the event from nearly three years ago.

    When he returned from abroad, Newton had been hospitalized due to a car ident. Alyssa wasn''t

    there to take care of him. Instead, she said something happened to her family. She then disappeared

    for a while.

    "Christmas ... Was it that Christmas?" Newton also immediately reacted.

    Ben nodded heavily. His voice was choked with tears. "Three years ago, on Christmas, Mr. Javier and

    Mr. Jasper, along with thedies, were not in Sna City ... Only Ms. Alyssa was here. She braved the

    snow to spend the holiday with you."

    Jasper''s heart tightened, feeling the air thinning around him and making it difficult to breathe.

    "You wanted to visit Madam Doris, so Ms. Alyssa drove you. Later, you went to the seaside, where you

    used to frequently date Madam Doris when you were young.

    "Everything was beautiful that day, but on the way back, you had a car ident."

    Ben shed tears and bowed his head. "Ms. Alyssa was injured, too. Yet, she did everything she could to

    get you to the hospital. After that, she experienced severe abdominal pain. Then, I saw ... blood flowing

    from under her skirt ..." "My poor Alice! Why are you so foolish?" Newton regretted deeply, shaking his

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    head with tears in his eyes.

 Chapter 1241

    Heartbroken, Jasper clutched his shirt tightly, feeling as if a knife were grinding his heart into a bloody

    pulp.

    Though Javier was unsympathetic, he lightly frowned upon hearing this.

    Ben exined, "Ms. Alyssa was afraid that you and Mr. Jasper would worry, so she begged me to keep

    this secret. Since you were severely injured at that time, I feared that you might be too traumatized.

    "And if the news of Ms. Alyssa''s inability to conceive got out, she wouldn''t have a ce in the Beckett

    family. She might be done for her whole life ..."

    "Just because of this, you chose to listen to her? Are you out of your mind? She was so young back

    then! What could she possibly understand?" Newtonmented with a heavy heart.

    "It''s all my fault, Mr. Newton, Mr. Jasper. Please punish me in any way you see fit. I''ll ept any

    punishment ..."

    Why was Alyssa so foolish?

    Before Ben could finish speaking, Jasper had already left them behind, running out of the vi.

    "Mr. Jasper!"

    Ben wanted to catch up, but Newton stopped him. "Forget it! Let him go!

    "Jasper owes Alice, and this is also my debt to her. I''m afraid I won''t be able to clear it in this lifetime.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Let Jasper repay it with the rest of his life."

    Under the rain, shlights flickered on Zoe''s pale and terrified face. They were more blinding than the

    lightning.

    "Ms. Zoe! You exposed Ms. Alyssa''s personal privacy of not being able to conceive in public. Don''t you

    think it''s too much?"

    "Did you bribe the doctor for this medical report, or did someone provide it to you privately?"

    "Did you expose Ms. Alyssa''s privacy to obstruct her and Mr. Beckett from being together just so you

    could marry into a wealthy family?"

    Countless reporters crowded outside the police station, swiftly converging on Zoe, who was being

    escorted by the police.

    All the cameras were pointing at her. Drenched and pushed around, Zoe appeared disheveled and

    sweaty, looking utterly pitiful.

    Her wrists were handcuffed. But considering her status as a member of a wealthy family, the police

    wrapped her hands in white cloth, concealing the handcuffs.

    Even so, she felt extremely ashamed.

    Just a few hours ago, she was the proud heiress of a wealthy family. Now, she had be a prisoner.

    Everything was over. Her dream of bing the president''s wife was shattered.

    Landon had given strict orders, not allowing anyone to find a public rtions team or hire awyer for

    her. He had left her to fend for herself.

    Cornelius might help her by sending people to control onlinements and block information.

    But why were there still so many reporters here?

    Why?

    "Heh, this stupid woman probably never thought that things would end up like this."

    Standing beside Jameson, Carl watched the news of Zoe''s arrest on the big screen, mocking with a

    cold smile. "From the moment you made that call, inviting her into the game, she was destined for a

    dead end.

    "But she''s really useless. Last time, she couldn''t handle Jasper at the hotel. This time, she got herself

    involved again. Landon haspletely given up on her. Only Cornelius is still protecting her.

    "But even that old man can''t outsmart you. You asked me to get those reporters to surround her. You''re

    really pushing her into an abyss."

    Jameson had a weird smile on his cold face as he swirled the wine ss elegantly.

    This smile was undoubtedly charming, but the pair of eyes hidden behind his gold-rimmed sses

    revealed a hint of bloodlust and satisfied cruelty after feeding.

    "A useless pawn should be treated like trash. The fate of trash is to be crushed into debris."

    Jameson took a sip of red wine. Watching Zoe being arrested, he smiled even brighter. "But Zoe is not

    entirely useless. If it weren''t for her, how could this matter have escted so much, achieving results

    even beyond my expectations?"

    "It was wise of you not to go tonight. In such chaos, you should indeed avoid arousing suspicion."

    "However, I can''t avoid it now."

    Jameson slowly stood up, and Carl immediately stepped forward to straighten his coat and tie. "The

    annoying fellow has been eliminated. Now it''s time for the real male lead to take the stage."

 Chapter 1242

    Lights were on at Heightsnew Vi, guaranteeing the Taylors a sleepless night.

    Winston treated his collections as treasures. But tonight, he was so furious that he had smashed

    several million-dor antique vases.

    In an instant, countless porcin piecesy scattered on the floor.

    His three wives stood stiffly before Winston. L anxiously held Mandy''s hand, and Colene was also

    feeling uneasy.

    "So ... you all knew ..." Winston trembled, letting the boiling rage surge through his veins. "You all knew

    ... but hid it from me for three whole years?"

    "Winston, we kept it from you because we didn''t want you upset."

    Mandy tried to stayposed, speaking in a low voice. "You haven''t been in good health these years.

    Such shocking news could be unbearable for you."

    "Haha ... Hahaha!" Winston''s body swayed, and he pointed at them with a scornfulugh.

    "Is your way of pleasing me to keep me in the dark for three whole years about Lyse and that

    scumbag''s marriage?

    "Her body has been ruined. Yet, you still kept it from me, her biological father? Is this what you mean

    by ''for my own good''?"

    "Winston, don''t get it wrong. Mandy didn''t mean that." With tears in her eyes, L tried to defend

    Mandy but was sternly interrupted by Winston.

    "Haha ... Indeed, you''re not her biological mother. How could you really care for Lyse? You act like a

    happy family when I''m around, but it''s all just an act, isn''t it? She wasn''t born from your womb. How

    could you truly care for her?"

    "Winston! How can you say that?"

    Colene red at Winston and wanted to stand in front of the other twodies, but Mandy stopped her

    in time.

    "I''ve been with you for almost 20 years, and Mandy and L have been part of the Taylor family for

    even longer! If it''s acting, it''s fine for a year or two. Who can act for one or two decades?

    "Lyse can''t have children anymore. Do you think we don''t feel sorry for her? When we found out about

    this, it hurt us ten thousand times more than it hurt you!"

    As Colene said that, tears streamed down her face. This shocked everyone, including Winston.

    This toughdy had almost never shed a tear. Even when she risked her life by taking two bullets for

    Winston years ago, she only bled but didn''t cry.

    Yet, at this moment, she was overwhelmed with sorrow and unable to hold back her tears. "When Lyse

    had the miscarriage ... she was scared that you and the Beckett family would find out. She hid in a

    small hospital in Sna City for a whole month to recover.

    "During that month, the three of us took turns to apany and take care of her. In order to cure her

    illness, Mandy even returned to the Lovce family. She knelt at the door, begging her grandfather to

    treat Lyse."

    Winston''s pupils suddenly contracted, and he felt his heart wrench.

    He knew Mandy well. He knew that she had severed ties with the Lovce family. She had always

    been lofty and unworldly.

    Yet, for Alyssa, she actually knelt before the Lovces. That required extraordinary courage. What she

    felt at that time must be even more unbearable than if she had been killed.

    "We knew that keeping it from you was wrong. But at that time, aside from helping Lyse hide it, we

    didn''t have a better solution."

    L couldn''t hold back her tears, too. "Winston, what''s the use of you getting angry now? Even if you

    drive us all away, what Lyse has lost can''t be recovered."

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    "Why can''t it be recovered? I don''t believe it!"

    A roar shattered the heavy atmosphere.

    Ss rushed in with red eyes full of anger and sorrow. Jonah followed closely behind, afraid that the

    usually fierce Ss might do something extreme.

    "I can resign. I''ll quit my job! I''ll take Lyse all around the world to find treatments!"

    Ss'' eyes were red and teary, filled with pain and unwillingness. "I don''t believe with today''s advanced

    medical technology, we can''t restore Lyse''s body!"

    "Ss, don''t be impulsive!"

    Jonah forcefully pressed down on Ss'' trembling shoulder. "Being a prosecutor is your lifelong dream,

    and you''ve worked so hard to get here. You can''t just give up!"

    "But Lyse ..."

    "Thedies and I will find a way for Lyse. And Miley and Jeremy, too. They''re people of status and have

    connections abroad. Maybe they can find better doctors for Lyse than we can here."

 Chapter 1243

    "Lyse will get better. She definitely will." Jonah endured the sorrow, but when he spoke thosest few

    words, he choked up.

    "What can I do ... What can I do ..."

    Ss seemed lost. In his 30 years of life, he had never felt so panicked before. He paced back and

    forth, speaking to himself.

    "Alright, then I''ll destroy Jasper now!"

    As Ss said that, he was about to run outside, but Jonah firmly blocked his way.

    "That''s enough! Enough!"

    A hoarse voice pierced everyone''s hearts.

    Everyone looked up and saw Alyssa standing stiffly halfway up the spiral staircase. The soft glow that

    used to grace her face was gone, reced by a livid and lifeless look.

    Seeing her like this, everyone felt a pang of distress.

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    "It''s been three years. It''s been three years since everything happened! I don''t care anymore! Why do

    you have to bring it up over and over again? Why do you keep talking about it?"

    Alyssa''s eyes turned a furious crimson. Almost hysterically, she shouted, "Must women give birth? Will

    I die without children?

    "I don''t like kids ... I hate them! I never wanted kids, never! I won''t allow you to cause trouble for

    Jasper. The loss of the child has nothing to do with him! It was an ident!"

    "Where''s rk? Neil, weren''t you supposed to watch her and make sure she didn''t leave the room?"

    Holding back tears, Winston roared, "Bring her back into her room!"

    "I want to go back to Sna City! I want to see Jasper!"

    "Dream the fuck on! Unless I''m dead, don''t even think about seeing that damn bastard again!"

    The previously close father-daughter duo, having shared a good rtionship for half their lives, had

    now experienced a total falling-out.

    Alyssa''s eyes were wet with tears. She stood still for a while, then suddenlyughed. "Dad, are you

    really so heartless? You married one after another, but I only want Jasper. You won''t allow it, right?"

    "Lyse ..." Jonah''s heart tightened, feeling her sister was emotionally unstable at this moment.

    "Then are you afraid of me dying ahead of you?"

    10:47 06/02/2024 Read Can¡¯t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 1243

    Everyone was shocked. The threedies even covered their mouths in fear.

    "Lyse! D-Don''t do anything rash! It''s not worth it for that scumbag!" Ss stammered in panic.

    "Who are you scaring, Alyssa Taylor?"

    Winston squinted his eyes, gritting his teeth. The pain in his chest made it hard for him to breathe. "I''m

    your father. I know you. How could you bear to die?

    "If you really wanted to die, you would''ve died on the day you lost your child or the day Jasper divorced

    you! Saying that you want to die now. Do you think I''ll relent?"

    Alyssa almost gritted her teeth into pieces.

    Jonah had hit the nail on the head. She wasn''t going to die. She just wanted to scare him.

    But Winston didn''t buy it!

    This time, Winston didn''t let things go her way.

    "Don''t be anxious. With my current condition, I''m already halfway into the grave. I might just die

    tomorrow. You want to die ahead of me? It might not happen as you wish."

    "Dad, stop it! You know Lyse didn''t mean that. Why do you have to say harsh words that hurt each

    other?" Jonah couldn''t bear seeing them hurt each other.

    Winston was heartbroken, but he maintained a cold and stern demeanor. "She''s willing to abandon her

    father for a stupid man. Why should I consider her feelings?"

    In the end, Alyssa was brought back into her room.

 Chapter 1244

    Alyssa''s door was locked. They also confiscated her phone, prohibiting her from contacting anyone.

    This incident rmed the entire Taylor family.

    If it weren''t for Alyssa''s brothers wanting to return as soon as possible and apany her, Jasper

    would probably be hunted globally.

    After a heated argument, Winston was weakened. Jonah and Ss helped him back to his room.

    "Both of you, if you want to speak up for that Beckett bastard, better shut your mouths now and get

    out!"

    Ss gritted his teeth in anger. "Speak up for him? I''m not dumb!"

    Jonah frowned. "You''re thinking too much. I didn''t mean that."

    "Hmph! Luckily, you still have a bit of conscience."

    At this moment, a thunderous boom echoed. A huge lightning bolt struck, making the night as bright as

    day.

    Winston looked out the window, hatefully saying, "Oh God, why didn''t you strike that Beckett bastard

    with lightning?"

    Jonah and Ss were speechless at his words.

    "Mr. Taylor!" Neil quickly ran over to them, sweating profusely. "Mr. Taylor, Mr. Beckett is here. He''s

    right outside the main gate."

    The Taylor father and sons were stunned!

    That night, the rain in Belbanks was even more intense than in Sna City.

    Jasper stared at the tightly closed gate of Heightsnew Vi. The raging wind filled his suit, and a

    bonechilling cold enveloped his whole body.

    With countless calls to Alyssa yielding no response due to her switched-off phone, he arrived carrying a

    heart weighed down by bitterness and regret.

    He desperately wanted to see her. Deep inside, it felt as if something inside him was missing. A

    profound sense of despair tugged at his heart, dragging it down.

    Will he not see her again?

    Jasper waited for a long time until he was soaked through, and his phone''sst bit of battery was

    exhausted.

    But he didn''t know what he was waiting for.

    Heavy footsteps reverberated through the rain-soaked air at this moment.

    Jasper instinctively looked up, and his heart contracted heavily.

    Between his brows was a ck gun.

    "Jasper, you''ve made my sister like this. You deserve to be shot."

    In front of him, Liam held the gun firmly with his right hand, pointed straight at his forehead. The water

    droplets falling from the brim of his cap in the pouring rain added a touch of cruel beauty to his fiercely

    crimson eyes.

    "Lyse is such a good girl. She''s our princess. Because of you ... Because you met her, her whole life

    has been ruined!"

    Liam roared in hatred in the rain. The military officer, known for his steady aim, found his grip on the

    gun almost faltering at this moment. "What are you going to use topensate? Maybe your life!"

    Jasper''s eyes were lifeless, without any desire to resist.

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    Death was nothing to be afraid of.

    He was just afraid that his love for Alyssa woulde to an abrupt end.

    "Liam! What are you doing?"

 Chapter 1245

    Jonah had a feeling of impending doom. He stepped forward to disarm Liam swiftly.

    Originally, disarming Liam should have been impossible since he was a colonel with outstanding skills.

    However, Jonah covered the muzzle with his hand.

    Fearing that the gun might go off identally, Liam had to let go.

    "Jonah, if you truly care about Lyse, you shouldn''t have stopped me!" With bloodshot eyes, Liam stared

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    at Jasper, who was ready to die. If his eyes were daggers, Liam would''ve killed Jasper.

    This statement was quite harsh. When it came from the usually gentle Liam, its impact was doubled.

    However, Jonah didn''t me him.

    It might be better if the anger could be vented in this way. Otherwise, he didn''t know what horrific things

    his brothers might do.

    "Liam, I care about Lyse. But I also care about you, Ss, and Axel. We grew up together. Which one of

    you do I not care about and love?

    "I just don''t want you to ruin your lives for this guy. If you guys vented your anger this way, what about

    Lyse? Can you face Mom and Dad?"

    Mentioning their mother caused both brothers to feel a surge of intense bitterness, moistening their

    eyes.

    "You finally came home for a while. We all missed you. Lyse would be very happy to see you."

    Jonah closed his eyes and took a deep breath to suppress the pain in his heart. "Lyse asked us to let

    this matter go. She doesn''t want to pursue it anymore. If we keep clinging to it, we''ll only hurt Lyse

    again, making her live in the pain of losing a child."

    The pain of losing a child ...

    It was the pain of losing a child!

    Jasper was gasping for breath as if on the verge of death¡ªthe tears in his reddened eyes were

    washed away by the cold rain.

    If their child were still alive, they would be three years old.

    What had he done? What had he done?

    "The rain is too heavy, and you''ve had a long trip. You might get sick if you stay in the rain any longer.

    Let''s go inside."

    Jonah grabbed Liam''s arm pulling him toward the gate.

    "Jonah ..." Jasper felt like he had suffered a severe injury. He lowered his broad shoulders. His

    trembling lips quivered as he said, "Please let me ... see Lyse one more time ..."

    "Dream on!" Liam erupted in anger, struggling forward with his body full of hatred.

    Seeing that, Jonah hugged him tightly.

    "Jasper! Get out of here right now! Don''t dirty our ce. And don''t let me see you again! Otherwise, I''ll

    definitely kill you! Get lost!"

    "Jonah ... Let me see Lyse."

    Jasper''s eyes were full of pain, but there was no trace of retreat. He was so obstinate. It was as if he

    wouldn''t frown even if the sky had fallen. "The things back then, our child ... There are many things I

    want her to exin to me ..."

    "Jasper, Lyse said she doesn''t care about those things anymore. They''re all in the past."

    Jonah''s eyes were deep, and his voice was hoarse. "You guys, don''t be trapped in the pain of the past

    anymore. Look forward. Go back, and don''te again."

    Just as the two brothers turned around, they suddenly froze in ce.

    "Dad?"

    Winston, who had been standing under Ss'' umbre, suddenly stepped into the pouring rain. His

    face was pale as he approached Jasper.

    The pressure was getting lower, and the chilling air emanating from Winston almost froze the raindrops

    falling from the sky into ice crystals.

    Jasper watched helplessly as Winston walked toward him with an expressionless face.

    He parted his pale lips as if wanting to say something. But in front of the father of the woman he loved

    the most, he couldn''t let a word out of his throat.

    The next second, Jasper suddenly felt a fiery pain on his cheek.

    Winston had ruthlessly punched him in the face!

 Chapter 1246

    "Dad?"

    "Dad!"

    The three Taylor brothers were all dumbfounded. For the first time in 30 years, they saw their fathery

    hands on someone other than their biological sons.

    As the eldest son of an unbeatable business magnate, Winston had always lived a life of luxury and

    never needed to use his hands to deal with anyone. He was more arrogant than a king.

    But this time, Winston was truly furious.

    His anger didn''t subside after punching Jasper once. He continued to strike Jasper''s face and body

    again and again.

    Jasper''s cheek was swollen. Blood trickled down his lips, but he couldn''t feel any pain. His whole face

    was numb.

    "Dad! You''re not in good health! Being too angry will make you rpse!"

    Jonah and Ss rushed forward to help Winston, who was standing unsteadily. However, Winston

    forcefully shook them off and grabbed Jasper''s bloodstained cor.

    "Jasper ... Do you know that ... the woman you repeatedly trampled and hurt is my life? She is the only

    remaining link to the woman I love. She''s my everything!"

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Taylor," Jasper repeated absentmindedly.

    An intense pain surged in his chest. "Give me another chance ... I want to make it up to Lyse ..."

    "If you can''t take responsibility, why did you marry her in the first ce? Since you married her, why did

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    you hurt her?"

    Winston suddenly withdrew his hand and staggered back. "Go back to Sna City. Go back to your evil

    family!

    "From now on, KS Group is Beckett Group''s nemesis! If you have the ability, protect your little territory.

    Otherwise, just wait for me to demolish your ce! Get lost!"

    The Taylors left, and the gate closed with a bang.

    Jasper stood in the rain, unmoving. It was as if his soul had been drawn out. He felt as though there

    was an insurmountable obstacle between him and the Taylors.

    He didn''t know how long he stood there in a daze. But finally, he slowly bent down and knelt in the

    puddle with one knee. His back heaved violently as he choked back sobs.

    10:47 06/02/2024 Read Can¡¯t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 1246

    At this moment, footsteps approached from behind, stopping beside him.

    Gasping for breath, Jasper slowly raised his head.

    "Do you need an umbre, Mr. Beckett?"

    The well-dressed Jameson mockingly smirked. The look in his eyes clearly showed that he regarded

    Jasper as nothing more than fodder.

    Jasper panted heavily, and his fingers soaked in rainwater trembled as they curled into tightly clenched

    fists.

    "Looks like you don''t need one."

    Jameson, towering above, wore an arrogant smirk. "You''ve done Lyse so much harm. Uncle Winston

    must hate you to the core. At this point, do you think this melodramatic y is still useful?"

    Carl, who held the umbre for Jameson, also sneered. "If you didn''t say that, I really wouldn''t have

    realized that this was Mr. Beckett''s melodramatic y. I thought he wanted to be the Taylors''

    watchdog."

    Jasper had no strength to argue with Jameson''spdog.

    Or perhaps he was punishing himself by letting others trample on him. It seemed as if only by allowing

    his body to be vited and his dignity shattered could he find some sce within.

    Only then he wouldn''t feel so guilty that it was unbearable.

    "It''ste, Mr. Beckett. Aren''t you going back yet? If you''re not, I''m going in."

    Jameson chuckled, and his gaze was cold. "I know it''s very unpleasant to be med by everyone. But

    isn''t all of this your own doing?

    "If you had treated Lyse better back then, would you have ended up like this? Kneel here and enjoy the

    taste of pain."

    As the two walked toward the gate of Heightsnew Vi, Jasper finally spoke softly. "Are you the one

    manipting Zoe?"

 Chapter 1247

    Jameson stopped in his tracks. A sharpness red in his eyes as a peculiar smile rose on his face.

    Silence was an answer of sorts, too.

    "You ... You''re the one who revealed Lyse''s condition to everyone through Zoe? Did you do all that just

    to separate us and get revenge on me? You were willing to tear open Lyse''s old wounds and torment

    her all to get back at me. Is this your so-called love for her, Jameson Schmidt?" eximed Jasper.

    "What are you talking about? I''m afraid I didn''t understand a single word you just said."

    Jameson snickered. "Aren''t you the one who ruined her for good? What does it have to do with me?

    Did your brain get waterlogged from standing in the rain for too long?

    "Don''t think I''m the only person in this world who hates you, Jasper Beckett, nor am I the only one who

    wants you dead. Someone as unlucky as you should just forget about Lyse and let her go."

    Axel stood beside the railings on top of the building, his ck windbreaker billowing in the cold night

    wind.

    He had smoked a whole pack of cigarettes but still couldn''t calm his overwhelmed emotions. His

    fingers trembled around the cigarette he was holding.

    "Are you in Belbanks yet, Axel?" Liam''s voice rang out from Axel''s phone receiver. "Did you have a

    safe flight? You flew the ne all the way here on your own."

    "I did, Liam." Axel''s grip tightened around his phone as he tried to even his breathing.

    Liam was silent for some time before saying quietly, "Do not under any circumstances take rash action,

    Axel. Even if we were to do something, I''d rather be the one who''s responsible for the crime."

    "Haha! Liam, if I really wanted to do anything rash, you wouldn''t be able to stop me."

    Axel tucked the cigarette between his lips. "Take care of Lyse. I''ll go see herter."

    Axel was in Sna City and not Belbanks firstly because he still hadn''tposed himself enough to

    see Alyssa after knowing about her body''s condition. Secondly, Alyssa had sent him a text message

    before the event ended.

    It read, "Axel, you have to hurry up and find that woman who looks exactly like me no matter what!

    Only by finding her can we find the mastermind behind all this. It''s of utmost importance to both Jasper

    and I!"

    Axel sat alone in a bustling bar, staring fixedly at a photo of him and Alyssa on his phone screen.

    10:47 06/02/2024 Read Can¡¯t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 1247

    Bitterness welled up in his chest, nearly making tears prick his eyes.

    Just then, a camera was silently turning its lens toward Axel above him.

    It was connected to the Millennium.

    Jameson had constructed arge database for collecting information here in the dens of Sna City.

    The hundreds of screens here spied on all of Sna City''s most elite and powerful people 24/7, as well

    as certain locations.

    Most of the people spied on had no idea they were kept under close watch every day of their lives.

    They were like the king dressed in new clothes, oblivious to how little privacy they had.

    "The target you were looking for has shown up, Ms. Altman!"Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Amber''s chest tightened. She immediately looked at the screen the man was pointing toward.

    Her heart quickened when she saw Axel''s face on screen. When she squinted, she found that the man

    was staring right at his phone screen.

    It was her own face staring right back at her.

    No, it was Alyssa Taylor''s, the woman everyone adored and doted on.

    Amber''s eyes darkened slowly as lethal intent colored them. "Keep your eyes on him. I''m on my way

    right now."

 Chapter 1248

    Some were distraught and lost, while others remained sprightly and kicking.

    Jameson had acted as if he''d just heard the news and hurried over to Heightsnew Vi. He was

    currently sitting anxiously in the living room.

    "Tsk. We only just sent Jasper away, yet now Jameson hase crawling all the way back here! What

    did our baby sister do to deserve this? What bad karma did she rue?"

    Jonah and Ss were looking downstairs from the second-floornding. Ss was so angry he was

    grinding his teeth together.

    Jonah coldly eyed Jameson''s face, which had had its fill of putting up a dramatic show. His hand

    around the railing was so tense his veins were bulging.

    "He didn''t show up at the event even though he''s his family''s favorite right now. Yet here he is, showing

    up first thing the moment something happens to Lyse.

    "Hmph! Based on my years of experience as a prosecutor, I know he definitely has something to do

    with what happened earlier tonight. He probably worked together with Zoe and used her as a pawn!"

    Ss hissed.

    "Your analysis isn''t too different from mine. Jameson is a very cunning man who''s very skilled in using

    others to carry out his dirty work," Jonah said.

    Jonah''s cold eyes were fixed on Jameson''s face. "He''s already nned out his escape route before

    putting his n into motion. I fear he''s already removed every trace of himself from the picture.

    "Otherwise, he wouldn''t havee all over here without fear. He probably thinks he has nothing to

    worry about anymore."

    "Damn it! We''ve let a fox into our nest now!" Ss huffed angrily. "You, me, and the other boys

    Just then, Winston and L came downstairs to meet Jameson, apanied by Neil.

    "Uncle Winston, Madam L," Jameson got up to greet them. His respectful and gentle demeanor was

    the kind elders liked to see the most in youngsters.

    "My daughter is feeling unwell, Jameson, so she won''t be able to join US," L spoke up on behalf of

    Winston, seeing how ill he looked. "Plus, I''m sure you know what happened during tonight''s event. We

    really aren''t in the mood to wee any guests, so please leave."

    Jameson''s gaze darkened slightly after L said that. His fingers clenched lightly, but he still patiently

    said, "I couldn''t rest well after hearing about Lyse''s condition, so I rushed over to see her.

    "Don''t worry, Uncle Winston. I know some very good doctors from Mosgravia, all world-renowned

    professionals. If the doctors in the country can''t do anything to help, I can ask the doctors from

    Mosgravia toe here to Belbanks to help Lyse!" "Jameson," Winston suddenly spoke up. "I

    appreciate your kind gesture. But you''re Taty''s fiance now. Even though you grew up with Lyse and

    have a close rtionship with her, you should now direct your concern to Taty. It''s time you distance

    yourself from Lyse."

    Jameson was shocked. His face even paled somewhat.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Haha! Serves him right!" Ss snickered. "He plotted out everything yet still couldn''t reach Lyse in the

    end. Now his n is going to bust because his own n is biting himself in the ass!"

    "Uncle Winston, the person I wanted to marry has always been Lyse! I''ve never wanted to marry

    anyone else!" Jameson eximed passionately, no longer hiding his true desire.

    L was stunned. Her lips pulled thin awkwardly.

    "What did you just say?" Winston asked, his brows knitting together. "Jameson, all my daughters are

    fine young women, not items for you to negotiate and purchase as you please. We agreed you''d marry

    Taty, so Taty it is. Never mention your matter with Lyse ever again!"

    "You know just how true my love for Lyse is, Uncle Winston. The heavens itself is my witness."

    Jameson might be a cunning, devious, lying cheat, but his love for Alyssa was real. The sincerity of the

    love in his eyes was unmistakable. "I never had a choice about who I was going to marry in this

    arranged marriage! I only stayed out of the way because I thought Lyse had found happiness. But do

    you still think Jasper is the best choice for Lyse right now?"

    Winston''s breath was punched out of his lungs. Pain filled his lungs when he recalled how his daughter

    could never be a mother again.

    "I wasn''t able to protect Lyse back then while she suffered endlessly. I swear to protect only her from

    now on. rd never find fault or hurt her like Jasper Beckett has done," Jameson said.

    Jameson''s eyes were reddened with emotion as he begged, "Please, Uncle Winston ... let me marry

    Lyse. I''ll never let what happened to Lyse happen again!"

    "Hmph! You should keep on dreaming!"

    When Jameson saw Jonah and Ss walking downstairs, his eyes glinted dangerously. His teeth

    locked together angrily.

    "Don''t be fooled by him, Dad! He''s not a good person whatsoever!"

 Chapter 1249

    "Who knows? Jameson might¡¯ve been in cahoots with Zoe and responsible for what happened earlier

    tonight, all just to strike while the iron''s hot!" Ss snapped. He wasn''t as reserved as his brother was.

    So, he tore off Jameson''s false mask right away.

    Winston and L were shocked and in disbelief.

    "I know none of you like me, Mr. Jonah. You all know I love Lyse deeply, too. But that doesn''t mean you

    can nder me like that," Jameson said.

    He gently touched his sses and continued, "I have no rtions with Zoe whatsoever. The only time

    was during the horse races. She wanted to cause trouble for Lyse, so I went to Lyse''s defense. That''s

    it.

    "You''re Lyse''s brothers, so I won''t take further action this time. But I hope there won''t be a next time."

    Fuck! If his father and L weren''t here right now, Ss would''ve cursed out loud already!

    He finally saw how someone could be so adept at shifting the me from themselves!

    "Don''t say things without proof, Ss," Winston reminded, his gazeplicated.

    Ss was incredibly anxious. He was about to rush forward when Jonah held him back.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "Jameson, it''s impossible for you to marry Lyse. Nor will your brother, David, ever marry Taty!"

    The moment Jonah said this, Winston and L were left stunned.

    Jameson''s brows knit tightly together, suspicion growing in his chest.

    "Mr. Taylor, Mr. Victor is here to see you!" Barry, the butler, ran over to report.

    "Victor is here? At this hour?" Winston asked incredulously, ncing at his watch.

    Victor didn''te to meet them alone. He''d brought his eldest, Josh. It was quite the party.

    "What did our son do to you, Jonah Taylor? How could you treat David this way? You''re too

    outrageous!" Victor roared, storming into the house. He was so angry even his cheeks were trembling.

    "What you did was no different than sticking a knife right between my ribs!"

    Jonah''s expression was extremely cold. A deadly glint shone in his narrowed eyes. He had already

    prepared himself for the Schmidt family''s confrontation.

    After all, Jonah was the one who sent David to the police station to help Alyssa and Sean.

    "What''s going on, Jonah? What did you do to David?" Winston was confused.

    Victor''smotion had caused Colene and Mandy toe over as well.

    "Mr. Taylor, Jonah locked my brother in jail and nned to charge him with rape!" Josh gritted out. "I

    don''t know whether this was Jonah''s idea or your beloved daughter''s! Are they picking on the weak

    now? Did they decide to mess with David because he can''t fight back now?"

    Everyone besides Jonah reeled in shock.

    Jameson had a gloomy expression on his face. He gently pushed his sses, immediately

    understanding what was going on.

    Jonah and the others had seen through David and Daisy''s schemes already. Not only did David not get

    to Tatiana, he even ended up falling on his own ass.

    What a loser.

    If Jameson had known they couldn''t even get this little thing done, he would''ve helped them from the

    start.

    Victor was so angry he couldn''t breathe properly anymore. Josh red at Jonah while holding his

    father up. "You didn''t have to use such despicable methods to mess with David if you didn''t want the

    marriage to go through! Is this the sort of tactics that the rich and powerful use?"

    Before Jonah could speak, Colene had erupted angrily, "Who are you calling despicable?"

    Winston was shocked.

    Colene truly was her father''s daughter. She was a fierce tigress for sure!

    "Your father has known Winston for 30 years, so you know exactly what our family is like! If you don''t

    find us trustworthy, why did youe all the way here just to kiss our asses?" Colene snapped.

    She was getting angrier by the second. Her hands were now tucked at her waist as she continued,

    "You think no one else wants our girls? That we have no choice but to fill up the holes in your family?

    How dare you question our family? I don''t think we even need to go through with the marriage now!

    Josh''s behavior absolutely disgusts me!"

 Chapter 1250

    "Bitch!" Josh cussed internally. But because of his vanity, he couldn''t argue with Colene outright. It''d be

    a literal cockfight.

    Victor''s blood pressure was rising furiously. He didn''t understand how one dinner couldnd his son in

    the police station as a criminal suspect!

    L''s heart filled with anxiety. Sweat began beading on her forehead.

    Rape ... Who did David rape? Was it...

    L recalled how Tatiana had shut herself up in her room. She had imed she wasn''t feeling well.

    L hadn''t been able to get her toe out of her room, no matter how much she knocked on the

    door. As a mother, her nerves were strung tight. Her breathing grew panicked as fearnced through

    her chest.

    "Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Josh, I understand that you''re worried about your son, Mandy said, dragging Colene

    back behind her.

    Her gaze was calm when she continued, "But even if it was Jonah who sent Mr. David to the police

    station, that must mean Mr. David had done something wrong. Instead of trying to discuss it with US,

    it''d be better if you hire a goodwyer for Mr. David."

    "You''re right, Mandy," Ss agreed coldly. "You could try hiring Simon Lynch from the Lynch family.

    Someone as rotten and greedy as him is perfect for handling Mr. David''s case. But Simon''s currently

    kissing Madam Sophia''s ass, so he might not even be able to book you in."

    The Schmidt father and son were enraged!

    Each of the Taylor family members had a tongue sharper than thest. They were like an imprable

    wall when united, unable to be retaliated with.

    Jameson''s pale, icy expression was shrouded in gloom.

    If things worsened, his original n might be disrupted.

    But at this point, Jameson couldn''t jump to anybody''s defense. He could only pretend to be invisible

    right now. otherwise, things would not turn out in his favor.

    "Regardless, David would never do something like this! There must be some scheme going on!" Victor

    said to Winston while ring at Jonah. "Jonah must personally get David out from the station tonight

    and call off the charge, Mr. Taylor! Or else ... our family will go head to head with yours ... to the end!"

    Winston''s brows furrowed. He gazed darkly at Jonah. "What happened with David, Jonah? I need you

    to give me an exnation!"

    "You want Jonah to release that bastard and for US to revoke our charges? Hmph! You can dream.

    We''d never do that!"

    Everyone raised their heads.

    A regal, beautiful figure slowly walked down the circr stairs, bringing with her a powerful air.

    Alyssa walked forward with Liam following behind, like a knight protecting his queen.

    Liam''s gaze was calm yet sharp. It exuded a terrible sense of overbearingness. Only when he looked

    at his sister did warmth and tenderness appear in his eyes.

    Jameson knew Liam was Alyssa''s third brother, someone with a military background and the power to

    gather hundreds to his aid.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Jameson was still envious! Lyse could have any man by her side, yet she wouldn''t choose Jameson

    himself!

    What did he have to do to stand by her side? Did he have to go on a killing spree and end the life of

    every single man in his way?

    "What are you doing out here, Lyse?" Winston was shocked. He then looked at Liam.

    Given how much he doted on her, Liam must''ve let Alyssa out!

    "Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Josh, did David only tell you that it was Jonah who locked him in and nothing more?"

    Alyssa walked down thest step.

    She smiled in a beautiful yet bone-chilling way. "Not only did I lock him up, I even shattered his

    tailbone, broke his fingers, and busted his teeth. I wanted to castrate him at first, but then I realized that

    wasn''t necessary. He won''t be able to get it up for the rest of his life even if I did castrate him."

 Chapter 1251

    Everyone was shocked.

    Victor and Josh were stunned to their cores, their mouths so wide it nearly touched the floor.

    "Lyse, how could you..." Jonah gazed worriedly at his sister, feeling troubled.

    As Alyssa''s big brother, he was responsible for dealing with any gunfire shot their way and protecting

    his siblings.

    Jonah wanted to handle this alone, but who knew his sister would make an appearance and provoke

    the Schmidt family? She had drawn enemy fire to herself now.

    "Get it up? What do you mean, Alyssa Taylor?" Josh''s elegant demeanor was nearly at its breaking

    point. He red menacingly at Alyssa and said, "And... What did you say you did? You beat up David?

    You dared beat up my own brother? How dare you!"

    "Why wouldn''t I dare?" Alyssa''s eyes narrowed as she grinned. "If David was daring enough to take

    advantage of Taty, then I''m equally daring enough to teach him a lesson!

    "Killing him would''ve been too easy. Scum like David deserves to suffer in prison with other scums like

    him. Hmph, a cripple like him is bound to be tortured and pushed around behind bars. That''s the

    consequence I want him to suffer from!"

    The hearts of everyone from the Taylor family pounded heavily in their chests. L''s vision swam as

    her knees began trembling.

    "Taty... Taty!" She clutched her sweaty forehead with one hand and her shirt with the other. It was

    nearly impossible for her to breathe now.

    "L!"

    "L!" Winston immediately held L in her arms, his own heart nearly bursting forth from his ribcage.

    "Don''t be afraid or panic. I''m right here!"

    "Winston... I''m so scared... I''m so scared something might''ve happened to Taty..." L''s tears finally fell

    from her eyes, unable to be contained any longer.

    "Lyse! How... How could you say such a thing?" It was clear Victor had no clue what had really

    happened. He was still angrily defending his son, David. "David is a good man, and I''m good friends

    with your father. How could he possibly do that to Ms. Tatiana?"

    "A good man? Are you kidding me right now, Mr. Victor?" Alyssa sneered.

    Her cold gaze swept across every single one of the Schmidt family members before stopping on

    Jameson''s. "None of your children are good people whatsoever! Your boys are all despicable, while

    your daughter is vile and stupid.

    "You''ve been friends with Winston for so long, yet not only did your family business not improve

    whatsoever, but you even failed to raise your children! It truly is a great pity!"

    Victor and Josh''s faces turned brick red with anger. "You!"

    Jameson felt like his breathing was stifled. His hands curled into fists, nails digging into his palms.

    The woman he loved the most was ridiculing and insulting him.

    This painful, soul-aching feeling was worse than Alyssa pping him in the face!

    "Lyse, Jonah, you two said that... David..." Winston, who was usually a decisive and merciless power

    yer in the business world, now dared not ask his question directly.

    Winston wasn''t afraid of anything save that, if he knew the truth, he might have an even greater

    reaction than L did!

    Jonah walked over to his father and L. He took a deep breath before saying, "David drugged Taty

    during the dinner and brought her upstairs to force himself on her."

    "What?" All the blood rushed to Winston''s head. Rage consumed him in a split second.

    "Luckily, we found out just in time and saved Taty."

    Jonah helped his father steady himself and said in the calmest tone he could muster, "Otherwise... I

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    can''t bear to imagine what would''ve happened. But Taty was still deeply traumatized by the matter. We

    can only hope she slowly recovers from it."

    "So David... failed?" Winston stammered.

    Alyssa nodded solemnly. "Yes. Good thing that scumbag David was already sexually ipetent, so

    he couldn''t really do anything to Taty."

    Her original n was to tell Winston that Jasper helped save Taty in order to gain some favor for

    Jasper. But since the timing wasn''t right, she could only opt to tell Winstonter.

 Chapter 1252

    Otherwise, Alyssa would only help Jasper gain more enemies. The Schmidt family would definitely

    target Jasper if they knew.

    "Oh, thank the heavens... thank the heavens!" Winston cried to himself, though he was still

    overwhelmed with anxiety for Tatiana.

    "Sexually ipetent? How could my son be sexually ipetent?" Victor was stunned by this news.

    His face grew beet red with rage upon hearing Winston''s words. "What did you just say, Winston

    Taylor? Are you cursing my son?"

    "Curse?" Winston sneered angrily, his eyes boiling with fury. "David deserves hell for what he did to my

    daughter! If he wasn''t your son, Victor, I would''ve made sure he didn''t live to see another day! Beating

    him up and tossing him behind bars is already the greatest mercy I can give!"

    Victor and Josh''s hearts lurched.

    They hade all this way to Belbanks just to demand an answer from the Taylor family, yet who knew

    they would end up humiliating themselves instead!

    Jameson''s eyes were burning with anger. Blood beaded on his lip as his teeth bit through.

    If this continued, David''s chance of survival would be slim. The rtionship between the families would

    be ruined, too! Consequently, it would undoubtedly be one more obstacle between Jameson and

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa!

    "Why... Why?" L finally broke down.

    She sobbed painfully in Winston''s arms before screaming at Victor in a fit of rage, "Is it all because Taty

    is my daughter? Does she deserve to be taken advantage of just because a weak little woman like me

    gave birth to her?"

    "Don''t insult yourself, L!" Mandy ran up to hug L, tears filling her eyes. "Taty is our beloved

    princess. She is no different than Lyse and Miley. Don''t think otherwise!"

    A weak and gentle voice suddenly sounded while L was crying.

    "Don''t cry, Mom..."

    Everyone looked to where the source of the voice was. They saw Tatiana standing at the top of the

    stairs, tear tracks still apparent on her cheeks. She was barefoot and draped in a quilt, quivering

    slightly.

    "Taty!" L ran toward her daughter without a care in the world and hugged her tightly. "It''s all my fault,

    Taty... I''m so useless... I couldn''t protect you..."

    "I''m fine, Mom... it''s okay..." Tatiana murmured in her mother''s ear. Though she was the one who was

    deeply scarred, she still had to help calm her mother down.

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched in pain at the sight. The path in life for a child who demonstrated early

    maturity often proved more demanding.

    If Tatiana was half as headstrong as Alyssa and maybe even acted out her own selfish desires for

    once, would none of this have happened?

    "Impossible! This is impossible! David would never do this!" Josh was outraged. He pointed angrily at

    Alyssa and Jonah. "You two must''ve set my brother up! You yed such a dirty trick because you

    wanted to stop the arranged marriage between our families! Despicable!"

    "Shut up, shitface!" It was Cyrus who snapped this time. "Things are already at this juncture, and you''re

    still lying without shame? Did you lie your way up to bing CEO?"

    Behind Cyrus stood Sean.

    "Sean..." Tatiana''s tears fell down her cheeks, yet she didn''t dare cry out loud.

    Sean gazed dearly at the woman he loved. He parted his lips, yet no sound came out of his mouth.

    Tears of pain filled his eyes¡ªso close, yet so far.

    "Hmph! What do you think you''re doing now, Mr. Taylor? Gathering all your family here just to ambush

    us?" Josh snarled. "You may be the most powerful family here in Belbanks, but that doesn''t mean we,

    in Sna City, can be pushed around that easily.

    "You''ve already pissed off the Harper family. Do you intend to sever ties with your only allies now? It

    wouldn''t be wise for you to stand in opposition to US in the business field!"

    Alyssa''s eyes burned with rage as her anger skyrocketed. Nevertheless, she was aware that a simple

    verbal exchange wouldn''t ovee Josh.

    Alyssa quietly noted this grudge down. She swore to give Josh a living hell in the future.

 Chapter 1253

    "Hmph! You''re still so young, Josh. You can ask your father how I fought my way to where I am today if

    you''re unsure." Winston''s eyes gleamed ferociously. "Ask around and see just how terrible you''ll suffer

    if you antagonize me!"

    Josh''s heart quivered fearfully, but he still put on a tough, fearless act.

    "I say this to all of you now, not as Cyrus Taylor of the Taylor family, but as the police¡ª" Cyrus then

    disyed an arrest warrant for the Schmidt family to see.

    He continued, "The police have officially arrested David Schmidt under the charge of sexual assault.

    We have ample evidence and witnesses to support our case, too. You Schmidts can prepare

    yourselves to attend David''s trial."

    Cyrus then smirked. "Or, should I say, criminal suspect David Schmidt''s trial."

    Despair overwhelmed Victor and Josh.

    This was an official warrant from the police. They had no choice but to concede to the matter now.

    Josh tried fighting back but was swiftly stopped by Victor, who said quietly, "What more can we say

    now? We need to go back and figure out how to save David!"

    Just before Victor and Josh were about to step out of the Taylor residence door, Winston roared at

    them, "Our families'' alliance marriage ends today! Don''t even think about bringing it up again! I''m going

    to look thoroughly into what your son did to my daughter!"

    Victor ground his teeth together before snapping at Jameson, "Let''s go, Jameson!"

    Jameson didn''t want to leave just yet, but he knew the Taylor family would only hate him more if he

    stayed. He gazed longingly at Alyssa before leaving the house.

    Alyssa''s stomach churned. That look made her deeply ufortable.

    She then sighed quietly in relief because things had turned out in her favor. This alliance marriage with

    the Schmidts had ended for good.

    The atmosphere in the Schmidt family''s Bentley on its way home was unbearably suffocating.

    Josh gave Victor two pills to reduce his blood pressure, but his blood pressure wouldn''t fall no matter

    what.

    "David really messed up big time! What''s so good about that Taty chick? He could''ve gotten all the

    women he wanted, yet he ended up going for her. He basically doomed himself!"

    "Yeah. He''s not the one arranged to be married. Why did he have to do this?"

    Jameson was incredibly angry. "David''s already ipetent, yet he still wanted to fool around? What a

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    waste of a sex offender." "Shut up! How could you talk about your own brother like that? And what were

    you doing at the Taylor family residence tonight?" Victor snapped angrily.

    "Why else? Jameson obviously went to kiss their asses," Josh sneered, taking advantage of the

    situation to insult Jameson. "Our dear little Jameson is trying so hard to be a son-inw to the

    Taylor family.

    "Have you ever shown that much respect to our own father, Jameson? I doubt you care even half as

    much about Dad as you do about Winston Taylor."

    "I only agreed to the arranged marriage for our family!" Jameson snapped back.

    "Enough!" Victor mmed his hand down on the armrest. "You are not to be in contact with Alyssa

    Taylor from now on, Jameson! Don''t go suck up to the Taylor family and embarrass me!"

    "What does David''s mistake have to do with me? Why can''t I contact Lyse?" Jameson was incredibly

    stubborn. "If I can marry Lyse, our families would still be allied. You would still be able to utilize the

    Taylor family''s resources. What''s wrong with that?"

    "Hahaha! You''re out of your mind, Jameson. You seriously think you can still be together with Alyssa

    now that things havee to this?" Josh cackled. "Even if Winston rejects Jasper-heck, even if Jasper

    dies, Alyssa still won''t set her sights on you."

    "Just because you can''t pull it off doesn''t mean I can''t." Jameson pushed his sses off, his gaze

    growing murderous.

    "That''s enough! David is more important right now, not this!" Victor eximed.

    He grabbed Josh''s arm and gritted out, "David may have been charged with sexual assault, but since

    nothing happened between him and that girl, his charge will only be attempted assault. We need to get

    him out of prison no matter what!"

 Chapter 1254

    A red sports car came to a stop in front of a club in the middle of the night. Amber stepped out of it

    dressed in a skin-tight ck dress, showing off her curves. Her bejeweled heels glinted in the light,

    giving her a striking appearance overall.

    "He¡¯s still inside, Ms. Altman. I¡¯ve been keeping watch all this while." Ackey walked over to Amber

    from a dark corner.

    Amber tied her hair into a bun before decorating it with a silver hair stick studded with a ruby. Her

    beauty left theckeys around her in awe.

    "Wait outside and prepare to cover me."

    Dim lights shed in the club.

    Amber gritted her teeth together as she moved amidst the people who were enjoying their night. Her

    eyes were set on Axel who sat at the edge of the bar.

    The closer she got to him, the harder her heart pounded. The pandemonium around her seemed to

    disappear as if she was in a dream.

    Amber gently touched her hair stick. If things went ording to n tonight, her beloved hair stick

    would be used to end Axel¡¯s life.

    Amber soon came to a stop behind Axel.

    Right when she was about to ce a hand on his shoulder, pain suddenly rang out from her wrist. Her

    world spun around violently.

    Amber let out a cry. Her back then mmed against a table, the pain knocking the wind out of her.

    What kind of human reacted like this? His reaction was inhuman!

    Axel¡¯s right hand wrapped around Amber''s wrist while his left pinned her neck down. His fingers were

    slowly tightening their grip.

    Axel had had his share of enemy assassins targeting him in his years as a spy overseas. His body had

    long grown highly alert and could detect the slightest shift in his surroundings.

    Amber was pinned beneath Axel right now, her face flushed as her breath was choked out of her. Tears

    filled her eyes.

    "It''s... You?" Axel eximed in surprise and instantly loosened his grip.

    Amber panted heavily, tears naturally falling down her cheeks.

    Some onlookers thought the two were a married couple who got into a fight but didn''t dare interfere.

    "Fuck me. Look at that shithead! He''s abusing his wife in public just like that!"

    "It''s better to keep our noses out of it. Sometimes, people willingly ept the punches they get, and

    you can''t do anything about it. It''s all good now..."

    Axel''s expression darkened upon hearing the chatter around them.

    "Ugh... You hurt me..." Amber coughed, trying to straighten up. The pain in her back stopped her,

    however.

    "Sorry, it''s a work habit." Axel wrapped an arm around Amber''s waist and lifted her.

    Amber naturally leaned into his embrace, arms wrapping around his waist. Their breaths mingled.

    But Axel only shot her a cold look. "No other woman deserves to wrap their arms around me save for

    my sister, Ms. Altman. Don''t you think you''re being too bold?"

    "It sounds like you love your sister a lot. I''m so jealous of her. She has such a handsome brother."

    Amber smiled a smile she had practiced countless times in front of the mirror. "Your sister must be

    really beautiful."

    Axel''s heart trembled lightly when he observed Amber''s face.

    It was too simr to Alyssa''s.

    If Amber changed into a different set of clothing and had a haircut, Axel himself might mistake her for

    Alyssa, not to mention Jasper himself!

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Axel''s eyes glinted coldly. He smirked and grabbed Amber''s chin, lifting her face. "In terms of beauty,

    you''re pretty on par with my sister."

    Amber''s heart felt like a deer in headlights upon seeing Axel''s smile. Her voice wavered, "But there

    would still be a winner, right?"

    Axel replied without hesitation, "My sister is the winner."

    Amber was left speechless. Was Axel just too blunt, or did he have some kind of obsession with his

    sister?

    Still, Amber found herself unable to hate how direct and honest Axel was

    "What are you doing here?"

 Chapter 1255

    Axel narrowed his eyes. "You''re not here specifically for me, are you?"

    Amber ran her finger in slow, circr motions along his firm chest. "You should believe that we were

    able to meet previously because of fate, mister."

    Axel raised his brow. "I see. It was fated indeed."

    "Thank you for helping me thest time."

    Amber wrapped his ck necktie around her hand. Her soft skin was brushing against his body.

    With a longing gaze, she looked at him and said, "I have been hoping to see you again. I was hoping to

    repay you."

    Axel''s eyes turned dim.

    His searching eyes made her feel nervous. Yet, she tried her best to control herself.

    He had eagle eyes. They were like lie detectors. Strangely enough, he actually felt that her words

    sounded genuine at that moment.

    "Tell me, then. How were you thinking of repaying me, hmm?" Axel broke into a sly smile as he moved

    his lips closer to her.

    Amber''s heart thundered in her chest. A light shade of pink colored her cheeks as she blushed shyly.

    "That is up to you. Tonight... I will go with whatever you say."

    Amber was gobsmacked in the next second. It was thest thing she had expected. To her surprise,

    thepensation that Axel mentioned was a game of Jenga!

    "We''ll remove one block each in turns. Whoever loses has to down three shots as a penalty. Are you up

    for the challenge, Ms. Altman?"

    With one hand supporting his chin, Axel gently ced thest block of wood on the top of the block

    tower.

    At the same time, the bartender had brought three bottles of the best xo cognac to them.

    Amber stared nkly at Axel. With the appearance of a game segment, her original n had

    undoubtedly been messed up.

    "Oh, I forgot that spirits are not good for women''s health. Let''s make it three shots for me but one for

    you."

    Axel''s eyes were as attractive and deep as the ocean. "Are you up for the challenge, Ms. Altman?"

    "Let''s do it."

    Amber took a deep breath. She stretched her fingers as she said, "I won''t go back on my words."

    The game began.

    Ever since he was young, Axel was quick-witted. Out of all the children in the Taylor family, he was the

    one who was the most skilled at all sorts of games. And the game that he often yed with Alyssa as a

    kid was Jenga.

    While serving at the Secret Intelligence Service overseas, he used to sit in the corner alone whenever

    he was free or bored. He would findfort in ying Alyssa''s favorite games when they were young.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    It was also his way of thinking of her.

    Amber lost in the first few rounds. In the blink of an eye, she had downed four shots of cognac.

    The bitter alcohol flowed down her throat, giving her a burning sensation all the way to her heart. It was

    like her insides had been ignited by a fireball.

    Beads of sweat began to form on Amber''s forehead. She felt as if her stomach was twisting in pain.

    All these years, she had been helping Jameson to seize power and carve a name for himself in his

    career. She had sacrificed her everything for him. All she had left now was her worthless life.

    All year round, she used her charms to ingratiate herself and give sexual favors. She even had multiple

    experiences of ending up in the hospital due to alcohol intoxication after escorting others.

    She might look like a morous woman externally, but in reality, she was deeply damaged.

    "You''ve lost again. Ms. Altman," Axel dered. He waved his ss, which had been empty all along, at

    her. He had a sassy look in his beautiful eyes.

    Amber clenched her teeth through her pain and filled her ss with alcohol.

    Just as she was about to lift her ss, Axel leaned in her direction. He covered the top of her ss

    with his hand and said, "Forget it if you can''t drink anymore. It''s just a game. I''ll take this one for you."

    "There''s no need. A bet is a bet. I''m not such a bad sport."

    To his surprise, Amber didn''t consider his offer at all. She pulled her ss away from him, threw her

    head back, and drank every single drop from her ss.

    Axel''s pupils constricted, and the corner of his lips curled up slightly.

    Amber''s persistent look reminded him very much of Alyssa.

    In the next three rounds, Axel lost to her on purpose.

    Once recognized for his legendary capacity to hold alcohol, he now found his vision blurring. He

    seemed a bit tipsy, likely attributed to his current sour mood.

    "Yay! I''ve won! I''ve won again!" Amber raised both her hands excitedly. Her red face was filled with a

    simple and youthful joy.

    Axel fixed his eyes on Amber, who was in front of him. He felt like his entire world had be silent.

    In the blurriness, it was as if he was looking at a young Alyssa who had just won a game against him

    after much effort and then running around the house in her triumph. She remained unaware that he

    was the one responsible for throwing the game.

    Alyssa...

    If only she could stay forever young...

    If only time could freeze during the most uplicated and carefree moments of her life...

    If only she could remain under the protective wing of her brothers indefinitely... Then, things wouldn''t

    have ended up like how it was now. She wouldn''t have experienced the viciousness of human nature

    and suffered through the pain of love.

 Chapter 1256

    "It¡¯s your turn, mister..." Amber''s heart skipped a beat. She was startled by Axel looking teary-eyed. His

    gaze was one filled with grief. His eyes looked dim, like an almost burnt-out shooting star.

    "You''ve won. Good for you..."

    Axel smiled with his eyes as he gently pinched the top of his ss with his fingers, clinking it against

    hers. He continued, "I really hope that you can keep winning."

    Upon saying that, he finished the cognac in his ss. A trickle of the liquid spilled from his mouth,

    tracing the curve of his lip and descending along his impably sculpted jawline.

    Amber''s eyes turned red. She felt like a buoy in the middle of the sea, floating beyond her control.

    She had never heard words like that said to her before, others always required, dictated ormanded

    her to do things. No one had ever uttered a hopeful sentiment to her, wishing for her triumph or a future

    free from darkness. And that she could also have...

    All of a sudden, her mind went nk. She couldn''t stop herself from wrapping her arms around Axel''s

    broad shoulders and kissing him on the lips.

    Axel held his breath, then lowered his gaze. He ced his hand on the back of her head. Amidst

    stroking her head, he quietly pulled the silver hair stick out of her hair.

    The subordinate, who had been waiting for Amber to be done, waited until it was almost sunrise. When

    Amber still hadn''te back out, he decided to go in to search for her.

    After going around the ce a few times, including the washrooms, he realized the Amber had

    vanished! Her cell phone had also been switched off!

    Half an hourter, Carl arrived, panting heavily. He hade with more men.

    Once he saw the subordinate, he kicked and reprimanded him, "How could a full-grown adult vanish

    just like that? What the fuck were you doing? Even a dog would be more useful than you!"

    Tm... I''m sorry! I wanted to follow her initially, but Ms. Altman said she wanted to handle that man by

    herself. So, I could only wait for her outside. I really have no idea what happened inside!" he exined

    as he trembled in fear.

    "Ms. Altman is very important to Mr. Schmidt. If anything were to happen to her, you would be the first

    one we feed to the sharks!"

    Carl paced frantically like a cat on a hot tin roof.

    Axel was a top special agent! Amber was petite and only had her good looks. She was basically

    walking straight to her death!

    "No. We must report this to Mr. Schmidt. Otherwise, Ms. Altman might be in grave danger!"

    After the Schmidts left, Sean insisted on staying at Heightsnew Vi to apany Tatiana. He couldn''t

    care less about his bodily injuries.

    At this point, Winston didn''t have anything else to say. With a gloomy expression on his face, he simply

    returned to his room and locked himself in there. He wouldn''t even allow Neil to approach him.

    When the next afternoon came, Winston was still unwilling toe out of his room. Inevitably,

    everyone else began to worry about him.

    "Mr. Taylor needs some time to himself."

    Neil let out a despondent sigh. "On the surface, Mr. Taylor may seem unaffected, but I know the issue

    with Ms. Tatiana has affected him quite a bit.

    "That said, it is still a blessing in disguise. I suppose, Mr. Taylor would no longer oppose the

    rtionship between her and Mr. Sean."

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "That''s great... That''s really great." Alyssa''s eyes filled with happy tears. In a shaky voice, she said to

    Neil, "Mr. Benton, if you get a chance, please help persuade Winston over the next couple of days.

    "I hope you can help put in a good word or two for Sean. If it''sing from you... I''m sure that Winston

    will at least listen to you a little."

    "I will try my best."

    After Neil left, the look in Alyssa''s eyes turned cold. She said to Jonah, who was by her side, "Following

    this, I''m sure that Victor and Josh will try to get David out by any means. We need to take precautions

    and stop them from doing so."

    "Don''t worry. I will make the necessary arrangements."

    Jonah tightened his fists. "Even over these few days when he is at the detention center, I will ensure

    that he suffers throughout his stay."

    "And Daisy, too."

    Alyssa''s gaze was wintry. She continued, "She beat Sean up and even put the de in David''s hand. It

    ispletely unjustifiable if she doesn''t suffer the consequences that she should get! If so, I might as

    well take matters into my own hands."

    Jonah held her by her shoulder and responded in a warm voice, "Don''t worry. You can leave it to me.

    You can go ahead and dictate her end, and I will be the one to realize it."

    Then, Ss barged in while shouting, "Jonah! That bastard must be out of his mind!"

    In the next moment, he stopped right in his tracks. He hadn''t expected to see Alyssa, and he

    immediately shut his mouth. However, it was already toote.

    "What do you mean, Ss?"

    Alyssa dashed to the front of Ss and stared at him. "What happened to Jasper? Tell me, what

    happened?"

    "He... He... He has been waiting at our door sincest night till now!"

 Chapter 1257

    Jasper was still waiting outside?

    Jonah was also astonished to hear that.

    Last night, it had continued to rain heavily for the better half of the night. The rain stopped, then started

    again this morning. An uing typhoon was also forecasted tonight.

    Jasper was just standing there without a drop of water to drink or a bite to eat. Was that how he wanted

    to die?

    "Jasper has been outside all along? Sincest night? What do you mean?"

    Alyssa''s captivating eyes were as wide as they could be. She grabbed Ss'' shoulders tightly and

    shook him with all her might.

    "Spill! What in the world is going on? You have all seen Jasper, haven''t you? Have you all been hiding

    it from me alone?"

    "Stop! Stop shaking me, Lyse! You''re making me feel sick!" Ss felt like his entire world was spinning,

    and he couldn''t focus his eyes.

    "Lyse! Calm down!"

    Jonah hurried forward and grabbed a hold of her wrists. He pulled her into his arms. "It''s Jasper''s own

    choice, whatever he chooses to do. If he wishes to stand there, so be it.

    "He won''t be able to stand there forever. He will have to leave, sooner orter."

    One could say that he uttered those words with a double meaning.

    "Even if he ends up standing there forever and turns into a rock, it is also simply what he deserves!"

    Upon being reminded of the hardships Alyssa had endured in the past, Ss was consumed by anger.

    "He is merely trying to torture himself to earn your pity. He is just dreaming of being a one-trick pony!

    He''s delusional if he thinks that he can make US forgive him just like that! No way! I will not forgive him

    even if he gets struck down by lightning outside!"

    "This matter is between me and him! What does it have to do with all of you?"

    Alyssa was enraged. Her eyes turned red, and she struggled to free herself from Jonah''s arms. "Did

    you all see him yesterday? Did Winston meet with him, too? Did you all gang up against him?"

    "Settle down. Lyse..." Jonah enveloped Alyssa around her waist as he patted her on the back, which

    was trembling.

    "What are you saying, Lyse? Did we gang up against him? We were just outraged by the injustice you

    went through. We were only trying to avenge you!"

    "I don''t need you to do that!"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Alyssa''s bloodshot eyes widened with anger. Her breathing had quickened and became unsteady.

    "Why do you all have to be such busybodies? Do you think that what you did was for my own good?

    You were all just oppressing Jasper as a way to relieve your own guilt!"

    Jonah and Ss felt like they had been stabbed right in the heart!

    While Jonah was distracted, Alyssa seized the opportunity to escape his embrace. She then ran toward

    the entrance to Heightsnew Vi.

    Alyssa flung her sandals aside as they were getting in her way. She''d rather run barefooted along the

    lengthy yet splendid corridor.

    She still hadn''t seen the man she loved.

    But her heart was already beating out of her burning hot chest. This mansion, which was more like a

    cage, didn''t matter to her anymore. Her sole focus was racing toward Jasper.

    Suddenly, Alyssa froze.

    Not far away, Liam was watching her with his eyes aze. He was standing his ground, just like an ice

    mountain that could not be scaled.

    Even though he was on his own, the air around him was fierce. He was unstoppable.

    "Are you on your way to see him, Lyse?"

    "Liam, get out of my way." Alyssa was panting. Beads of sweat covered her fair and smooth-skinned

    face.

    Liam furrowed his brows slightly and shook his head. "You have been the dumb one for three years. Is

    that still not enough? Wake up. He''s not worth your time."

    "If he''s not worth it... Then who is?"

    Alyssa''s chest heaved up and down. Tears welled up in her eyes from her heartache. "When I was 11,

    he saved my life! When we faced off against the terrorists at the battlefield in Luminara, we fought

    together, and he protected me with his life!

    "Last year, when I was trapped on Crater Mountain due to thendslide, and Kontina, Shend Ind...

    He diverted the shooters'' attention so that Jonah could get away. He also took the bullets for me!

    "Tell me, Liam... If he isn''t worth it, then who the hell is?"

    "I understand. Lyse. When you were 11, Jasper was the one who saved you. Because of that, you had

    always worshiped him. You''re seeing him through rose-tinted sses.

    "He''s an angel to you, and you have unmet desires. These caused you to be unable to ept anyone

    else. I can see where you areing from."

    Liam closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again, the look in his

    eyes had be resolute.

    He continued, "But, that year, he hadn''t saved you because of who you are. It also wasn''t because he

    loved you. It was only a coincidence and nothing more."

    "Liam! How... How could you say that?" Alyssa''s voice cracked. She was anxious and infuriated.

    "After that, everything he did was only to redeem himself and to make it up to you. And during those

    three years, you have shed so much sweat and tears for him. You have repaid all of his kindness a

    long time ago."

 Chapter 1258

    "There is no longer any need for you and Jasper to remain entangled with one another. He is not your

    benefactor. The more you insist, the more hurt you will get. You are just self-sabotaging."

    "Liam, listen to yourself! How could you say something like that?"

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched, and her eyes were bloodshot. "Back then, my miscarriage was an ident! I

    didn''t even know I was pregnant. So how could he have possibly known?

    "It was my own choice to keep my miscarriage a secret. It had nothing to do with Jasper! How many

    times do I have to repeat myself?"

    That being said, Liam''s expression remained unchanged. He was still as frigid as before.

    "You are still young, Lyse. There are plenty of other men out there who are better than Jasper. They

    can give you whatever Jasper had given you. Even if they can''t, we can."

    "He is the only one for me! I''m warning you again, Liam, don''t stand in my way. Don''t make me hate

    you!"

    Alyssa was like an agitated lioness. She gritted her teeth and was about to force her way past Liam.

    But her slender arms and legs were no match for her brother, who had military experience!

    Liam''s eyes turned dim. His tall frame remained steadfast in front of her. He extended his arms to block

    her way. He then wrapped his arms around her waist.

    She felt his grip tighten forcefully. Alyssa was then pulled into Liam''s embrace.

    In the next moment, Alyssa was swept off her feet and up in the air. The world around her spun.

    Liam had picked her up and put her over his shoulder with much ease. Without any change in his

    expression, he straightened his back and hooked his muscr arm around her thigh.

    No matter how she tried to hit him or scream at him, he continued striding forward.

    "Liam Whitaker! Put me down now! Do you want to die?" Alyssa screamed. She hammered her fists on

    his back, which, to Liam, simply felt like scratching an itch.

    "Be good, Lyse," Liam said as he briskly walked.

    In a warm and low voice, he uttered, "I''m doing this for your own good."

    By the time Amber awoke, it was already in the afternoon.

    Groggily, she crawled out of her nket. She massaged her temples, which felt sore and swollen. Her

    stomach was still churning and hurting.

    "Hmm... Where am I?"

    Amber was stunned. All her drowsiness vanished instantly.

    Surveying her surroundings, she discerned that she upied avish presidential suite. If she wasn''t

    mistaken, it belonged to one of the hotels affiliated with the Beckett Group.

    "Oh, shit! Axel!"

    Amber turned the nket over with shaky hands, then realized that the ck dress that she had on her

    was still intact.

    It appeared that Axel hadn''t done anything to her.

    Herst memory ofst night was like a frozen frame from a movie. It was paused at that moment when

    they shared that passionate kiss, which she couldn''t pull herself away from.

    The pace of Amber''s breathing quickened. She put her hands on her chest, which was rising and falling

    rapidly. She was utterly perplexed.

    At the same time, there was no sign of that extremely handsome man in this spacious room.

    "Axel... What sort of man are you, really..."

    Lost in her thoughts, she was startled by a knock at the door. She got out of bed slowly to open the

    door, all while resisting her gastric pains.

    It was a hotel staff that was standing outside the door. He handed a box of medication with a smile on

    his face.

    "Good day, miss. Mr. Whitaker asked me to bring you some gastric medication. He also asked me to

    pass a message."

    Amber epted the medication and held it tight. "What is it?"

    "Take it twice a day, two pills each time. And make sure you have proper meals."

    Upon delivering the message, the staff member nodded and left.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Amber was dumbfounded and couldn''t move. She reyed those words in her head. She gulped back

    her tears, and quietly, her eyes turned red.

    When was thest time anyone had cared for her?

    She could no longer remember when that was.

    She was akin to Jameson''s trophy, relying on his presence by her side. With ample funds at her

    disposal and an abundance of clothing, her sole responsibility was to serve Jameson with her own

    appearance.

 Chapter 1259

    Yet, for Amber, all those garments served only to gratify Jameson''s visual desires and subsequently

    shed for the pleasure of other men.

    Was there anyone who really cared or worried for her? Was there?

    That said, there was no turning back for her. She no longer had any right to choose.

    She and Axel were destined to be enemies. They were also fated to be people from two different

    worlds.

    Amber took a deep breath, then wiped away the tear from the corner of her eye.

    Just as she was about to shut the door, a hand suddenly appeared and held onto the side of the door.

    Through the gap, she noticed a pair of dark and familiar eyes!

    "Carl?" Amber felt her chest tighten. She immediately hid the gastric medication behind her back.

    "You are still alive, Ms. Altman. Thank heavens!"

    Carl forced the door open and stormed into the room, mming Amber to the wall in the process.

    Following behind him were two other subordinates. They entered the room and pulled out their guns

    silently. The crafty looks on their faces were like those of the special agents in spy movies.

    Amber spoke up coldly, "Axel is not here. He''s gone."

    "He''s gone? You didn''t kill him?"

    Carl looked shocked. "What were you two doingst night then? Hooking up?"

    Amber''s head was heavy and painful. She held her head as she tried to catch her breath. "I''m not

    sure...

    I had too much to drink. I can barely remember what happened afterward."

    "You even had drinks with him? Do you know who he is?"

    In his rage, the look in Carl''s eyes turned dark.

    He chided, "Ms. Altman, all these years, you have always been cautious whenever you carry out tasks

    for Mr. Schmidt. You hardly ever make any mistakes. What happened this time? This is so unlike you!"

    "What are you trying to say? Are you suspicious of me right now? If there were something between me

    and him, I wouldn''t havee to him alonest night. I was even wearing..."

    Amber weaved her fingers through her dark hair. Her heart stopped.

    The hair stick... Her hair stick!

    She rushed back into the bedroom. Even after turning over the mattress, the couch, and the drawers,

    there was no sign of her silver hair stick at all!

    Obviously, Carl didn''t have a clue about what was going on with her. He simply went on, "I''m not

    suspecting you. It''s just that Mr. Schmidt has already learned about how you and Axel went missing

    Jameson''s vicious gaze shed across Amber''s mind. Her heart sank.

    "You were not able to kill Axel. That aside, you had even spent the entire night with him? What do you

    have to say about that?

    "You said that you cked out from drinkingst night and that nothing happened between you two.

    How could you be so sure?"

    Carl let out an anxious sigh. He said, "You''d better have a good think about how you''re going to exin

    yourself to Mr. Schmidt when we get back!"

    "There''s nothing to exin."

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    Amber blinked. She crushed the medicine box and said, "I have been by Mr. Schmidt''s side for so

    many years. He should very well know what kind of a person I am. There''s nothing I can do if he

    doesn''t believe me."

    Amber and Carl left the hotel discreetly.

    Right after their car exited the parking lot. Axel came out of hiding.

    He had just installed a GPS tracking device at the bottom of that car just now. At that moment, his

    phone screen was showing a clear indicator of their current location.

    Axel followed them through some windy roads and ended up at the foot of Domere Mountain.

    It was a quiet and peaceful forest. Little did he expect that there would be a majestic-looking clubhouse

    hidden deep in there!

    Amber and Carl got out of the car. They entered the passcode at the door, and it opened. Then, they

    walked in.

    The sun had set, and there was no one else around.

    Axel stood in the forest with a glum look on his face.

    He unfurled his fingers, revealing a delicate, silver hair stick in his palm. Under the moonlight, he

    fumbled with the tip of the hair stick.

    There was a click, and the part with the ruby opened. In it, very much to his astonishment, was a

    deadly poison¡ªchloride!

    Axel scoffed. "That sneaky little thing. How dare she y tricks?"

    Axel squinted. He had a fearlessly cunning look in his eyes. He curled his lips into an amused smile

    and said, "Oh, missy. Our meeting was the beginning of your tragedy."

 Chapter 1260

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    Can''t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue Chapter 1260

    It had been 24 hours since Jasper started standing outside Heightsnew Vi.

    He was just such a stubborn person. He couldn''t rest in peace until he saw his lover and got his

    answers.

    Last night, Jasper witnessed the Schmidts'' arrival. He presumed that they were there to find fault in the

    matter regarding David.

    He concealed himself in a corner and observed them. It wasn''t because he was afraid. It was because

    he didn''t wish to create trouble.

    He would bring trouble to Winston if he aggravated Victor by giving him the impression that he was in

    cahoots with the Taylor family.

    Jasper didn''t mind cleaning up the mess after the Taylors. However, exposing himself now just wasn''t

    the smartest thing to do.

    The sky was dark, and the wind was howling like mad.

    The wind blew against his body. The weight of the wind almost felt like the beating that he had taken

    the previous night.

    Jasper''s eyes were dim and deep. Dark stubble had begun to emerge on his sharp jaw, entuating

    his gruffness and the dire situation. It was as if he had returned to the time when he was in the military.

    Then, his cell phone, which he left charging in the sports car, rang.

    The ringing phone snapped him out of his painful thoughts temporarily.

    Jasper opened the car door and picked up his phone. It was Xavier calling.

    "What''s up, Xavier?" Jasper answered the call in an extraordinarily hoarse tone. He sounded like he

    had beenpletely drained of energy.

    "Mr. Beckett! You''ve finally answered the phone!"

    Xavier was so anxious that he was about to cry. "Mr. Beckett Senior wasn''t feeling very well. He was

    just sent to the hospital! You shoulde back and visit him!"

    Jasper''s chest stiffened. His cold sweat drenched his already damp suit once again.

    Alyssa''s brothers gathered in the cer at Heightsnew Vi.

    In the past, they always had a good time there. Yet now, with frowns on all of their faces, they were

    drowning their sorrows with alcohol.

    Liam in particr was drinking ss after ss of booze like it was water Ss felt like his stomach

    was about to burn just by watching him from the side.

    "Stop drinking, Liam. It''s not good for you," Jonah advised as he snatched Liam''s ss from him.

    "That''s right. You haven''t even gotten married. Too much alcohol is harmful to your liver," Ss added.

    In his rage, Liam clenched his fist tightly and mmed it on the table.

    "You shouldn''t have treated Lyse like that earlier today. You were too harsh."

    Jonah gave Liam a pat on his shoulder. He sighed lightly, "You should know what kind of person Lyse

    is. She hates it when people force their opinions on her.

    "The more you stop her by force, the more she will resist. You also love her very much. I''m sure that

    you wouldn''t want her to hate you."

    "That''s right. Since we were young, you both have never fought with one another. You''ve gone over the

    limit this time." Ss, too, had a face full of concern.

    "What do you reckon I should have done then? I can''t allow Lyse to continue getting involved with that

    bastard!"

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Liam rubbed his face with both his hands. Feelings of dejectedness permeated through his croaky

    voice.

    "How I wish that I could be the one who was hurt instead of Lyse. Even if I had to suffer thousands of

    cuts, I wouldn''t so much as flinch.

    "I can''t bear to see her go through so much suffering, too. A miscarriage... It''s a miscarriage that we''re

    talking about!

    "She could have had children. She could have reveled in the joy of being a mother, just like other

    women! But now."

    They fell silent at the thought of their nephew, who hadn''t had a chance of entering this world. Their

    hearts ached.

    "It was all because of Jasper! It was all his fault!" Liam cried out. Even as a righteous soldier, his eyes

    flooded with tears.

    "Moving forward, let''s not bring this up in front of Lyse again."

    Jonah swallowed his saliva painfully. He pulled a piece of tissue for Liam and continued, "It''s not a bad

    thing if she can''t have children. Pregnancy is difficult, and so is raising a child. Having a child is having

    an extra person to care about.

    "Let''s let Lyse enjoy a carefree life in the future, just like a child. She will get better with us safeguarding

    her."

    All of a sudden, the cer door swung open.

    "Gentlemen! I''ve got bad news!"

    Neil was panting. Frantically, he shouted, "Ms. Alyssa. Ms. Alyssa has run away!"

    The three Taylor brothers shot up to their feet. Their eyes widened in shock. "She ran away? How can

    that be?"

    "She ran away! She really did! She jumped out of the window and escaped!"

    Everyone rushed to Alyssa''s room.

    Her window was wide open. The curtains pped about because of the howling wind and rain outside

    the window.

 Chapter 1261

    There was no sign of Alyssa!

    "Damn it! This is not good! How could a person just disappear like that?" Ss wrapped his hands

    around his head. He felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest.

    Jonah and Liam noticed that Alyssa''s bedding and closet had been turned upside down. They came to

    their senses immediately and ran toward the balcony.

    They inhaled the cold air sharply.

    There was a rope of more than ten long skirts knotted together. It was tied to the railing, dangling all the

    way to the ground floor.

    "Jonah, Alyssa has gone mad! This is the fifth floor!" Liam eximed with a tremble in his voice. He

    had gone as white as a sheet from the fright.

    "Alyssa, that mad woman! She''s causing trouble for everyone with her rebellion!"

    Jonah was swamped by terror. His heart was pounding, and the vein in his temple was popping.

    "If any part of it were to have broken, she would have fallen to her death!"

    "Stop talking, Jonah! My heart can''t take it!" Ss had his hand on his heart. He felt faint.

    Neil was also frightened out of his wits. His mind was in a muddle. "Oh, Ms. Alyssa... Please be alright!

    If not, I wouldn''t be able to make up for my mistake even if I died!"

    "Does Dad know about this?" Jonah inquired anxiously.

    "Mr. Taylor is still troubled by Ms. Tatiana''s matters. I didn''t have the guts to add to his stress."

    "Keep this from him for the time being. Dad isn''t in the best of health. We can''t add more stress onto

    him."

    Jonah clutched at his panic-stricken heart. "Don''t alert the family. We''ll gather our own manpower for

    the search!"

    "It''s storming outside. Ms. Alyssa doesn''t have her phone or any money on her. How is she going to

    survive out there?"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Neil stomped his feet, feeling troubled. "It''s all my fault! I shouldn''t have moved from my station

    outside!"

    "That''s why she shouldn''t have gone too far. We should be able to catch up with her if we go after her

    now!"

    Jonah peered out the window. "Is Jasper still outside?"

    "Mr. Beckett has left! It has been quite a while since he left!" Neil answered honestly.

    Ss couldn''t help but cuss, "Fuck it! Of all times for the bastard to leave! Lyse has definitely gone to

    look for him. Does this mean that they both didn''t meet each other?"

    Liam shuddered.

    He was infinitely regretful at this moment.

    He regretted being so demanding of Alyssa. The events were unfolding in a way that was exactly what

    he was worried about!

    "If Lyse had gone after Jasper, she must have moved in the direction of Sna City. We''ll be able to

    find her if we go along that route!"

    Jonah ran to the door while instructing Ss in a deep voice, "Give Axel a call. Get him toe back to

    search for Lyse together!"

    Ss nodded aggressively, "Oh, yes! Axel is very well-connected. He will have some ideas!"

    In the night, blinding, bluish-purple lightning shed through the skies. It was raining buckets.

    Alyssa was drenched from head to toe. The biting wind was blowing against her frail body, making her

    teeth chatter and her body shiver.

    Her phone had been confiscated, and she had no money at all. The sandals on her feet were lost

    somewhere in the course of her escape.

    Her feet were covered in mud. They even bled from too much friction with the pebbles on the ground.

    She had never been in such a dire state before.

    As much as she was going solo and facing these difficult hurdles, it was not going to deter her from

    escaping captivity.

    She was not going to stop running toward the one she loved. All she wanted was to be with the man

    she loved. Why did it remain so challenging, even up to this day?

    Alyssa knew that her family would soon discover that she had run away. ording to her brothers''

    capabilities, they would carry out a nket search along the way.

    They would leave no rocks unturned and would search until they found her.

    Thus, she wasn''t walking along any main roads or busy ces. She could only make a detour through

    some secluded paths to go to Sna City instead.

    On the journey, darkness prevailed, and not a single soul was in sight. There wasn''t even an open shop

    along the way!

    Alyssa had been walking under the cold rain for an extended period. It made her light-headed. Her

    body felt cold and hot at the same time, and she felt weak.

    All of a sudden, her blurry eyes focussed. She spotted a couple of lights lit up some distance away!

    She was overjoyed. She mustered up her energy and ran in the rain toward the light source.

    When she got nearer, she realized that the light wasing from a motor repair nt that was still

    open.

    Alyssa was almost freezing to death. She didn''t have much time to think. She simply pushed the door

    open and entered.

    Through the doors, four men were ying a merry game of poker.

 Chapter 1262

    When they realized someone had entered, the four men turned their attention toward the entrance.

    Their eyes twinkled, and their souls almost left their bodies when they saw Alyssa.

    Was tonight their lucky night?

    Despite the thunderstorm outside, a stunning woman had just walked right up to their door. Didn''t this

    mean that they were about to get lucky?

    "What brings you here, mydy?" asked one of the men as he sized her up crudely.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    The way Alyssa looked at that moment was so enticing to them that they simply wanted to eat her up!

    "Sorry to bother all of you." Alyssa panted as her body shivered from the cold. "Could I borrow one of

    your cell phones, please? I willpensate you tremendously."

    One of them chuckled. "Compensate us tremendously? How do you n topensate us, miss?"

    The four men licked their lips. They approached Alyssa with lewd smiles on their faces.

    They said with a snigger, "How about if you let us feel you, kiss you, and get it on? You can also smack

    us all you want!"

    Alyssa''s gaze was as cold as ice, and a ball of anger rose within her instantly.

    Alyssa had already suffocated enough that day, and feeling half-dead from all the walking, who would

    have expected that she would bump into four jerks like that!

    One of the men couldn''t refrain himself anymore. He reached out with his perverted hands toward her

    full bosoms.

    To his surprise, Alyssa reacted speedily. She grabbed his arm and twisted it to the back!

    Immediately after, she kicked him behind his knee, forcing him to fall to his knees in front of her. The

    man yelled in pain, "Ah! It hurts! It fucking hurts!"

    "Didn''t you want to get smacked? I''m up for it!"

    A crack sounded, and Alyssa had broken the man''s arm. Her glistening pupils narrowed as she

    shouted back, "I will make sure that you''re all done for!"

    This time, Newton ended up in the hospital because of a stroke due to his chronic illness. It was

    fortunate that Ben had found him in time. That was why he didn''t end up in a critical situation.

    Due to the matter with Alyssa, Newton had been losing sleep, and he hadn''t had much appetite these

    few days He looked haggard and downcast

    16:39 12/02/2024 Read Can¡¯t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 1262

    J _. _ ¡ö ¡ª 3/ - ¡ª -

    The incident happened so suddenly. Plus, Javier wasn''t in Sna City. So, the ones who stayed by

    Newton''s side were only Jasper and Ben.

    Jasper held a bowl in his hand. He scooped up some of the chicken soup and blew on it. Then, he held

    out the spoon to Newton''s mouth.

    Newton had no appetite at all. He noticed Jasper''s bruised face and dejectedness and already had a

    rough guess of what had gone down.

    Although his heart ached for Jasper, he maintained a frigid tone. "How the hell did you end up like this?

    You went to see Alyssa?"

    Jasper felt a lump in his throat. "Yeah."

    "Her brothers beat you up?"

    Jasper pursed his thin lips. He couldn''t bring himself to answer.

    Newton understood Jasper. At a nce, he could already tell what was on his mind. His eye twitched.

    "Don''t tell me that you were hit by your ex-father-inw?"

    Jasper stayed silent. His silence was a confirmation to Newton.

    "That serves you right! I would have broken both your legs if I were Winston! You should be grateful

    that he had shown you mercy, allowing you to return in one piece!" Newton eximed. He was not on

    Jasper''s side this time.

    "Grandpa..." Jasper looked up slowly. Through his thin lips, he mumbled bitterly, "Please tell me what I

    should do. What do I do to have Lyse back by my side?"

    Newton shook his head helplessly. "You aren''t the only one who had wronged Alyssa, my dear. Even I

    don''t know how to face her in the future.

    "She is such a good kid. If she hadn''t married into our family, she could have had a liberating and

    carefree life. We are the ones who ruined her life."

    A deafening silence fell upon the hospital ward.

    "If there''s no other way, then just stop thinking of one. You''ll just have to make it up to her slowly with

    your sincerity."

    Newton rested his wrinkly hand on Jasper''s shoulder. In a heavy tone, he continued, "From now on,

    Jasper, stop thinking about how you can get her back. What you need to think of is how you will watch

    over her."

    Jasper lowered his head in sorrow. He tried hard to hold his tears back.

    "I don''t want to let go, Grandpa. But I know that I am really not good enough for her."

    Right as he said that, his cell phone began vibrating in his chest pocket.

 Chapter 1263

    Jasper stared at the unfamiliar phone number on the screen. He was stunned for a moment. Not many

    people knew his personal number.

    Under ordinary circumstances, if unknown individuals had dialed his number by mistake, he would

    never have answered their calls.

    However, for some strange reason, his heart was racing this time. He couldn''t restrain himself.

    Jasper selected the option to answer the call and raised his phone to his ear. "Who''s this?"

    On the other end of the call, the winds and rain made it sound extremely noisy.

    "May I know who''s calling?"

    Typically, Jasper would have hung up a long time ago. But this was an exceptional time when he

    actually went along with it. He waited for a response from the other end.

    "Jasper, it''s me^"

    He heard Alyssa''s weak, soft voice choppily from the other end. The gusts of strong winds disrupted

    the sound of her voice. Yet, he felt like a sharp sword had just stabbed right through his chest!

    "Lyse?"

    Jasper''s eyes beamed with surprise. He stood up instantly. Every breath he took trembled with

    excitement. He couldn''t believe that he could still hear from her.

    "Jasper, I want to see you. I''m really tired..." Alyssa''s voice drifted away gradually until it was barely

    audible.

    Jasper''s eyes turned red in a sh. Waves of inexplicable pain tossed in his heart. "Where are you,

    Lyse? I''ll go to you now!"

    "I. I don''t know where I am."

    Alyssa couldn''t hold it in anymore. She began to weep softly. "I''ve been walking for such a long time. I

    can''t walk anymore. My head is spinning. I just want to sleep."

    "Lyse! Don''t sleep! Listen to me¡ªdon''t fall asleep!"

    Jasper''s frantic heart tightened. "Don''t hang up. I''ll get your coordinates immediately! I''ll go to you

    now!"

    Newton overheard the conversation by the side. His expression was tense, and he became extremely

    worried, too.

    "Grandpa, I''m sorry. I."

    "No need to exin, Jasper." Newton waved his hand, urging, "Go on! Nothing is more important than

    finding Alyssa right now!"

    Jasper gripped his cell phone tight and dashed out of the hospital ward.

    "You must find Alyssa! You have to protect her!" Newton shouted from behind him.

    Jasper stopped briefly and responded with a firm nod.

    Jasper drove the car in person. Along with Xavier, he sped through the rain toward Belbanks.

    At the same time, he had gathered some people promptly. More than ten ck cars followed Jasper''s

    lead. They struggled to keep up with Jasper even though they drove 180 miles per hour.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    To them, it seemed like Jasper was flying a ne rather than driving a car!

    Rainy days meant that the roads were slippery and visibility was low. Jasper was basically putting his

    life on the line by driving at this speed!

    Xavier clung onto the car''s grab handle with his life. Fear had drained all the blood from his face. He

    felt like his heart was in his mouth!

    "Mr. Beckett! Please... please calm down! I know that it''s urgent to locate Madam. Even so, you need to

    watch out for your safety too!"

    "Lyse''s circumstances aren''t great. She could be in danger at any moment!"

    Jasper''s eyes were bloodshot. His shoulders, although covered by his suit, were shaking uncontrobly

    from the terror that he was feeling.

    "Every second I''mte means that Lyse is in an even more dangerous position! How could I possibly

    calm down?"

    Xavier didn''t dare to say anything else. He simply shut his eyes tight and said a prayer.

    "Are you still getting the signal on Alyssa''s location?" Jasper''s voice was hoarse. It was as if his throat

    had been scalded. His forehead was dripping with sweat.

    "Yes, I am! We''re still about two miles away!"

    Suddenly, the location indicator vanished from Xavier''s tablet screen. Xavier was rmed, and he

    shrieked, "Shit! Mr. Beckett! We lost the signal on Madam''s location!"

    Jasper''s heart sank.

    He could only pray now, hoping it was because her cell phone battery had gone t and not because

    she had encountered any sort of frightening situation!

    "Lyse, hang in there. I will find you soon!"

    Soon enough, his sports car arrived at where her GPS signalst pinged.

 Chapter 1264

    Jasper''s men arrived right after him. Each with a shlight in hand, they spread out and began their

    search for Alyssa.

    Jasper sprinted through the heavy rain, indifferent to the fact that his pants and shoes were covered in

    dirt. His blood-red eyes were brimming with concern.

    "Slow down, Mr. Beckett! Watch your step!" Xavier stumbled along behind Jasper with much difficulty.

    He was befuddled.

    What the hell happened? Why was Alyssa at this terrible ce on her own?

    Alyssa took care of the four perverts. She beat them up till they were on their knees, begging for their

    lives.

    But it was also because of this that she had expended all her energy. She barely managed to keep

    herself together even as she forced herself to stay conscious.

    She had swiped one of the men''s cell phones and got back in the rain. She continued walking forward

    blindly.

    At the same time, she was also afraid that the men would not be satisfied that they had lost ande

    after her. So, she didn''t dare to stop for even a second. She didn''t have any energy left to fight off any

    form of danger.

    As she kept walking, her mind had gonepletely numb. Her legs were shivering, but she kept

    walking on autopilot. It felt as if her legs were no longer her own.

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    In the end, she couldn''t take a single step forward any longer. She copsed under a run-down pavilion

    halfway down the mountain. After she felt more stabilized, she rang Jasper up.

    All she was afraid of was that Jasper wouldn''t be able to find her.

    Some time had passed. Alyssa was curled up with her arms around her knees. She buried her head in

    her arms and drifted off to sleep. She continued clutching tightly at the cell phone in her hand.

    In her blurriness, she dreamt about three years ago.

    She was back at the time of the ident. Fresh blood continued to flow from her. She clung to the

    doctor''s arm and begged him.

    "Please save him... Please save my child..."

    "Lyse!"

    Suddenly, Alyssa heard Jasper''s voice calling out to her. But she didn''t have any strength left to

    respond.

    A momentter, her cold, shivering body found itself enveloped in a burning hot embrace. A tall and

    broad figure held her close.

    Alyssa mumbled softly, "Jasper, is that you?" Her beautiful eyes sparkled in a way that tugged at one''s

    heartstrings.

    Jasper hugged her close. He pulled her even closer into his chest, which was pained. His voice was so

    tense and hoarse that he almost couldn''t speak. "It''s me, Lyse. I''m here."

    Earlier, he had seen her nestled into a bundle of pitiness from afar. He choked on his tears, so much so

    that it was difficult to breathe.

    His heart hurt so much that it was like it was bleeding after it had been torn into pieces.

    At this moment, warm tears flowed down his cheeks, leaving damp marks on Alyssa''s shoulders.

    He was crying buckets.

    Alyssa''s mind was in a muddle. She cried out indistinctly, "Jasper... Our child... Our child is gone! You

    have to save him!"

    In an instant, Jasper felt like he had taken a blow deep down to his soul. Her every word was like a

    knife slicing his heart up.

    He ced his trembling hand on her forehead. The burning temperature he felt on his hand struck him

    with terror!

    "Lyse! You''re running a temperature! I''ll get you to a hospital now!" Jasper eximed as he removed

    his coat. He wrapped it tightly around her and picked her up in his arms.

    Alyssa''s fever made her cheeks rosy. She continued rambling, "The child. Our child."

    "It''s alright, Lyse. It''s not a problem if we never have children."

    Tears continued to fill in Jasper''s eyes. He lowered his head and kissed her on her warm forehead.

    "Down in my heart, you are like my child. I will care for you, love and protect you. You are the only one I

    need."

    Xavier gaped when he saw Jasper walking out of the rain in the dark with Alyssa in his arms. Xavier felt

    so moved that he burst into tears.

    Once they got into the car, Jasper flung his soaking set coat aside. He had brought a nket from the

    hospital. He bundled Alyssa up snugly with it instead.

    He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her as firmly as he could. His eyes were swollen

    red.

    "Get the car going, Xavier. Go to the hospital now."

    "Got it, Mr. Beckett!"

    "No."

 Chapter 1265

    Alyssa raised her gaze slightly as she grasped his sweaty hands weakly. "If I go to the hospital... My

    brother will find me soon and bring me back with them. Jasper, I don''t want to go back. I want to be

    with you."

    Jasper choked achingly, "But, you have a high fever. It will damage your body."

    "It''s okay. I just need to take some medication."

    Following her utterance, Alyssa closed her eyes once again and slipped into unconsciousness.

    The vi was serene during the wee hours of the morning. Lauren was sleeping soundly on her bed.

    Next door to her was Landon. He didn''t go to the study. Instead, he brought his documents to his

    bedroom. This way, he could look after his wife without dying his business.

    He had entered the core of the Harper Group and was extremely busy. Preston had handed a few

    projects to him. Landon had long stopped being a rich and free boy. He was now a very busy man.

    In the past, he didn''t understand when Jasper said he was exhausted. Sitting around thinking and

    moving his fingers seemed manageable to him.

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    Now, Landon pinched his eyebrows and sighed.

    It was a p to his face.

    Suddenly, a knock resounded at the door, followed by Angelina''s voice. "Mr. Harper, can youe out

    for a moment, please?"

    Landon put his document down, walked over, and opened the door.

    Angelina was anxiously looking at him. "Mr. Harper, Mr. Beckett is here!"

    "Who? Jasper? At this god-forsaken hour?" Landon widened his eyes in disbelief.

    "He is not alone. Ms. Alyssa is with him too!"

    Landon felt something was off. He hurriedly sprinted downstairs.

    In the living room, Jasper was hugging Alyssa, who was unconscious, tightly on the couch. His face

    was drained of color as he stared at the sleeping face of the person in his arms from time to time.

    "Jasper! What''s going on?"

    Landon ran over to him in shock. His heart tightened when he noticed Alyssa weakly lying in Jasper''s

    arms,pletely unconscious.

    "What happened to Lyse?"

    "I''m sorry for bothering you at this hour, Landon."

    Jasper''s lips trembled as he struggled to speak. "But I didn''t know where else to bring her. I didn''t know

    a ce where we won''t be found. So I had no choice but toe to you. I''m sorry."

    "What are you talking about? We''re good friends! Rain or shine, you are wee here anytime. I

    would dly lend a helping hand to the both of you."

    Landon assumed something big had happened. He was worried, but he didn''t think it was a good idea

    to pry.

    "Alyssa has a high fever. Do you have any medication for it?" Jasper said hoarsely.

    "I will get some now!" Angelina went to get the medication.

    "Alyssa doesn''t look well. Eating medication will not work!"

    Landon quickly instructed, "Angelina, get my doctor here to take a look at Ms. Alyssa."

    Angelina went to arrange for the doctor''s visit.

    "Cold... So cold..." Alyssa mumbled, feeling chills all over her body.

    Jasper gasped as he tried to fight back his tears. He wished he could give all his warmth to her.

    "Jasper, I have to say this. Alyssa hadn''t had a good day since she got together with you."

    Landon stood before them, shaking his head achingly. "The Taylor brothers must be looking for Alyssa.

    They care for her dearly and would flip the entire Sna City upside down before they would stop.

    "What happened to you before is not over yet. Now, you had taken Lyse away. It''s one extra strike for

    you."

    "Yes, it''s one more strike for me. I am already the biggest sinner, so adding one more crime wouldn''t

    make a difference." Jasper pursed his lips sadly.

    Landon gnashed his teeth angrily. "Shit, I think you should just consider eloping at this point."

 Chapter 1266

    Elope...

    Jasper stared at Alyssa''s pale and haggard countenance. His heart ached even more.

    "I want to spend the rest of my life with Lyse. But Landon, I can''t be so selfish. Lyse''s family is different

    from me. I can abandon everything for her. Do you think I can sit with the idea of her abandoning her

    family for me? Will she be happy without her family''s blessing and presence?"

    Jasper shook his head in agony. He repeated hoarsely, "I''ve taken away too much from her. I''ve almost

    ruined her in the process. Landon, I don''t want to hurt her again. She can''t lose anything else. That

    can''t happen."

    "These are all your assumptions. Have you asked what Lyse wants?"

    Landon could read the room. He frowned. "It''s raining cats and dogs tonight. Lyse must have suffered a

    lot to be with you.

    "Family is important, but Lyse cares more for you and wants to be with you. If you were to give her your

    version of happily-ever-after and force yourself to let go, something more dangerous might have

    happened tonight. Even worse, it could have been a tragedy. Don''t regret it when that happens,

    Jasper."

    Each word was like an arrow to Jasper''s heart.

    Jasper recalled how Alyssa mentioned their baby and asked him to save it.

    It might have been the fever talking, but the undeniable truth was that this was the painful scar she

    struggled to suppress and bury beneath her bright smile.

    Jasper wondered how Alyssa managed to do it.

    How did she manage to face his detestable face with a smile? How did she continue to treat him so

    well?

    Jasper couldn''t take it anymore. His tears streamed down like rain in front of his close friend. He

    pped himself hard.

    "Jasper! What are you doing?"

    Landon''s eyes widened, and he hurriedly grabbed his arm. "You have to get yourself together like a

    man! If abusing yourself works, I will take a kitchen and stab your heart right now!"

    The doctor came quickly to treat Alyssa.

    Jasper sat at the bedside and stared deeply at Alyssa''s pale face. He ced her slightly warm hand

    between his hot lips and kissed it gently.

    "Her fever is at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It''s pretty serious..."

    The doctor jabbed Alyssa to reduce her fever and ced her under an IV drip. "If we dy this any

    longer, it might affect her heart. Then, things will be trickier to manage.

    "But, Mr. Beckett, I would encourage you to take Ms. Alyssa to the hospital first thing in the morning.

    My resources are limited here, so I can''t provide Ms. Alyssa better care. I can only help to reduce her

    fever temporarily. If her fever persists by tomorrow night, she will need to go to the hospital."

    Jasper ced his trembling hand on Alyssa''s sweaty forehead.

    It was still hot. He hoped she would get better first thing in the morning.

    "Oh, Mr. Beckett, has Ms. Alyssa injured her hand before? Has she fractured it before?" the doctor

    asked out of the blue.

    Jasper was stunned. "Fracture? What do you mean?"

    "Look at her left pinky. From my experience, her finger was probably fractured before. If not, she tore

    her ligament. Even if it recovers, it wouldn''t be the same."

    Jasper''s eyes widened. Her heart was beating wildly.

    "Huh? How could that happen?" Landon was shocked.

    "It seems like an old injury. It probably did not receive the appropriate treatment when the injury

    happened for it to turn out this way."

    Landon was even more baffled. "Lyse grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. It would set the Taylors

    off to ask an ambnce if it was a minor cut, let alone a fracture. They would never disregard a

    fracture. There isn''t much use for a pinky, but wouldn''t this make Alyssa disabled?"

    Disabled?

    Jasper''s breath tightened as he grabbed Alyssa''s hand tightly.

    He remembered asking Alyssa about her pinky. However, she would always divert the topic. She

    wouldn''t answer him.

    What on earth happened for her to mince her words and avoid the topic?

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    After the doctor left, Angelina brought a clean set of sleepwear. Then, she left the room with Landon.

    Jasper singlehanded helped Alyssa change into her sleepwear. He brought a bucket of water and used

    a wet cloth to wipe the dirt off her feet on one knee.

    Her fair and delicate feet were astonishingly beautiful, and he couldn''t take his hands off them.

 Chapter 1267

    Alyssa''s feet were now adorned with wounds, streaks of blood, and dried-up residue. His heart was on

    the verge of shattering as he witnessed it.

    "Lyse, I want to make you happy, but look at what I''ve brought you."

    Closing his eyes, Jasper drew in a deep, audible breath, struggling to hide the tightness in his hoarse

    throat.

    Suddenly, his phone vibrated. It was a call from Ben.

    Jasper rubbed his eyes as he stood up and went to the window to answer it. "Mr. Gorham, how is

    Grandpa doing?"

    "Mr. Newton is doing well. He misses Ms. Alyssa a lot, so he sleeps veryte. Mr. Jasper, have you

    found Ms. Alyssa? Mr. Newton asked about her before he went to bed." Ben sounded worried.

    "I''ve found her. Tell Grandpa not to worry anymore when he wakes up. I will be by her side."

    However, he didn''t know how long he still had with her.

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Jasper..."

    Ben felt guilty. He uttered with difficulty, "It''s my fault. If I had told you earlier about Ms. Alyssa''s

    miscarriage, things wouldn''t have turned out this way."

    "This has nothing to do with you. I singlehandedly caused the tragedy today."

    Jasper fell silent. He suddenly remembered something.

    He recalled that three Christmases ago, he had embarked on a business trip to Mosgravia to oversee a

    project.

    When the car ident happened, it was daytime for him because of the time difference. There was no

    way he would have missed the phone call.

    "Mr. Gorham, I remembered you said Alyssa called previously, but I didn''t answer." Jasper became

    tense.

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Yes, you were the first person Ms. Alyssa called."

    Ben sighed. "That incident is in the past. Plus, you are fine now. You shouldn''t me yourself. Your

    position in thepany wasn''t stable at that point, so you were often away for work. You were so busy

    every day that you didn''t have time to eat. I''m sure you didn''t mean to miss the call."

    Suddenly, Jasper felt like he was struck by lightning. His shoulder shuddered.

    He suddenly remembered!

    He was working at the Beckett Group''s branch in Mosgravia. Liana heard the news and wanted to drag

    him to some party.

    He was rushing for a meeting, so he rejected Liana. She threw a tantrum and threw his phone into the

    fish tank. Jasper assumed that Alyssa must have made a distress call then.

    Instantly, Jasper''s gaze darkened.

    "Mr. Jasper? Mr. Jasper? Why did you stop talking? Are you okay?" Ben asked worriedly.

    At this moment, Jasper rested his hand on the window sill. His towering body gradually bent over inch

    by inch, his mind on the verge of copse.

    Alyssa''s high fever broke the next day. Jasper''s worried heart had finally calmed down.

    She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the love of her life before her. She was so

    excited that she nuzzled into his arms. The two lovebirds hugged each other with everything they had.

    "Jasper, I''m not dreaming, am I?"

    Alyssa looked at Jasper tearfully. Her hand reached to pinch his face until it started to redden. Most

    people would pinch themselves to determine if it was a dream, but Alyssa pinched others. It was weird.

    However, Jasper didn''t feel any pain. He thought that he was the luckiest man alive. His hand caressed

    her hair affectionately. "It''s not a dream, Lyse. It''s me. You can touch me again if you don''t believe me."

    "This is amazing!"

    Alyssa charged into his arms once again. A surge of pain and uneasiness kicked in. She, who had

    always been strong, wailed loudly.

    She pinched him hard and cried really loud. Alyssa''s body must have recovered well.

    After a warm nuzzle, Jasper ced his lips close to her ear. He murmured in self-reproach, "I''m sorry,

    Alyssa. I''m sorry. Once you''re better, you can punish me all you want."

    "Why? Why should I hit you?" Alyssa blinked. "Have you gotten yourself a mistress? Do you have

    someone else now?"

 Chapter 1268

    Jasper''s face turned pale. "Lyse..."

    "I''m joking. Look at you." Alyssa pinched his face again. Jasper appeared so gaunt. Her heart ached.

    "You''re so skinny now. Are you trying to upset me?"

    Jasper''s face still bore the remnants of mottled tears from the night before. He tightly inteced his

    fingers with hers, not speaking a single word.

    He contemted again. Then, he decided not to mention it anymore and covered Alyssa''s lips with a

    sweet, long, and deep kiss.

    He remembered the pain and suffering she went through. He promised himself that he would break a

    bone and use the rest of his life to repay her.

    Upon waking up, Lauren was informed that Jasper and Alyssa were there. An excited smile adorned

    her beautiful and elegant face.

    She wanted to see Alyssa, but Landon hugged her from behind to stop her. "Darling, let''s give Alyssa

    and Jasper some alone time. They had gone through a lot."

    "Hmm. But I miss Alyssa so much." Lauren''s eyes welled up with tears as she was filled with

    anticipation.

    "Don''t you miss me?"

    Landon turned Lauren''s body around to face him and looked at her aggrievedly. "I have been so busy

    "I do, but I can see you every day." Lauren was confused.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Landon pouted his lips. He was speechless. Landon thought his honeymoon phase was over. He was

    still pouring his affections on Lauren, but she had treated their love like an old married couple.

    Landon panicked and held Lauren by her waist, restraining her. Then, he forcefully parted her lips, and

    their tongues intertwined. Lauren instantly melted in his arms with that kiss.

    After a long time, they separated. Lauren was teary-eyed, and their lips were slightly swollen.

    "Listen to me. Wait a while before you say hi to Jasper and Alyssa, okay?" Landon caressed Lauren''s

    lips with his finger. He was satisfied with her passionate reaction.

    "O-Okay."

    Lauren felt dizzy and weak from the kiss. Sheplied. "I will bake Alyssa a cake. She likes desserts. I

    will bring it to herter."

    Lauren wanted to show off her baking skills, so Landon had to make the arrangements for her.

    Angelina quickly prepared the ingredients and appliances. Lauren rolled her sleeves up and went to

    work in the kitchen with an apron on. Landon was mesmerized by her.

    "Darling, let me have a slice." Landon sat on the countertop, leaned over to Lauren, and opened his

    mouth wide.

    Lauren felt cheeky and scooped a piece of butter with her fingertip. She caught him off guard, smeared

    it on his face, and held her stomach while she guffawed.

    "You cheeky little thing! I will lick you all over like this butter!"

    As they bantered lovingly, the doorbell rang.

    "Huh? Are we expectingpany, Landon?" Lauren was in Landon''s arms, blinking in surprise.

    Landon frowned.

    He rarely hadpany. Plus, only a handful of people knew about the home here.

    "Angelina, please check who is at the door," Landon ordered softly.

    "Okay, Mr. Harper."

    Angelina went to check it out. However, she didn''te back for a while.

    Then, both of them were startled by the thud from the entrance.

    "Lauren, wait here and don''te out. I''ll take a look!"

    Landon made his way to the living room. When he saw who it was, his eyes widened, and he gasped.

    Angelina, skilled inbat, found herself effortlessly pinned down by a striking man. Her hands were

    restrained against the wall.

    "This is a great vi. I quite like it."

    Axel squinted his eyes and scanned the ce. His sharp vision caught Landon''s surprised expression,

    and he smirked. "Maybe I should get one too. Then, we can be neighbors."

 Chapter 1269

    Landon''s hair stood on end at Axel''s arrival.

    He was known to be a living Hades. Landon thought he was a goner to encounter Axel. Plus, he was

    Alyssa''s brother, so he didn''t dare make a move.

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Harper..." Angelina heaved a heavy sigh as she looked at Landon, her eyes filled with

    selfme.

    Landon swallowed hard and said anxiously, "Stop it! For someone of your status, you shouldn''ty your

    hands on a woman. It''s distasteful."

    "So, I''m supposed to stand here and let this woman beat me up, huh?"

    Axel yawnedzily, "Am I that dumb?"

    One sentence from Axel sent Landon off the roof.

    He understood Angelina''s nature and her skill level. Once she chose to follow him, her loyalty was

    unwavering. She would fight with all her might if anyone dared to offend Landon.

    "But, you''re right. I won''ty my hands on a woman."

    Axel nonchntly let go. He arrogantly perked his eyebrow. "Babe, consider yourself a lucky woman.

    Otherwise, I would have fucked you."

    "Bastard!" Angelina was headstrong, unwilling to endure such humiliation. Her eyes gleamed with fury

    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    as she clenched her fists, eager for a fight. However, Landon shouted for her to stop. "Angelina, watch

    yourself. He is Alyssa''s brother."

    Angelina was taken aback. In a state of shock, she retracted her fists. She couldn''t fathom that he was

    Alyssa''s brother¡ªa Taylor, no less. The idea that such an unruly man could be part of Alyssa''s family

    seemed unbelievable to her.

    Axel stuck his tongue out at Angelina, who was dumbfounded. Then, he turned to meet Landon''s gaze.

    His eyes held a glum and cold demeanor. "I assume Lyse and Jasper are here."

    The room exuded a heartwarming ambiance.

    Alyssa saw the injury on Jasper''s face. She was shocked, angry, and sad at the same time. She held

    his face. "Who did this? Tell me!"

    "I fell while looking for you." Jasperughed dryly as both his hands caressed her back gently.

    "Nonsense! You''re saying your face hit the ground when you fell. Are you that dumb?"

    Alyssa''s face reddened from anger. "My father and brother saw you when you came to my house two

    days ago. Did they do this to you?"

    Jasper hurriedly exined, "No. It really wasn''t them..."

    "It must be them! You were part of the Peacekeeping Forces previously and skilled inbat. It would

    be a tie if you fought against Axel. No one could ever beat you up to this extent. Unless you purposely

    stood there for them to beat you up!"

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes. She wanted to caress the bruises on his face but was afraid of

    hurting him. "How could they give you such a hard time?"

    Jasper''s gaze was tender and affectionate. He wasn''t bothered by this at all.

    However, as he observed Alyssa''s sadness for him, he found himself engulfed in conflicting emotions¡ª

    blessed, saddened, and filled with hate. His eyes gradually reddened, and in a sudden move, he tightly

    grabbed her hand, unwilling to let go.

    "Lyse, those things aren''t important. Nothing matters as much as having you back with me." Jasper

    choked on his words as hepleted the sentence.

    Alyssa teared up as she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Jasper, I''m back. I never want

    to leave you again."

    Suddenly, an anxious knock echoed at the door.

    "Jasper, Alyssa, open the door!"

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks. "Lauren?"

    Jasper lifted her from the bed, securing his hold on her waist. He walked to the door and opened it.

    There stood Lauren. Her eyes reddened, and her flushed face had traces of butter on it. "Jasper!

    Alyssa! Something bad happened! Some bad guy is here to take you away, Alyssa."

    "Bad guy?" Both of them were dumbfounded.

    In the next moment, Axel''s tall and robust figure materialized behind Lauren like a ghost. A subtle glint

    of coldness flickered in his clear eyes. "Lyse."

    "A-Axel..." Alyssa''s face was instantly drained of color. She shrieked, "Jasper, close the door!"

    Jasper was typically calm, but his mind became hazy at the sight of Axel.

    However, Lauren reacted swiftly. Sweating from panic, she hurriedly assisted in closing the door.

 Chapter 1270

    However, no matter how hard Lauren tried, Axel was faster than her. Axel stopped the door.

    Lauren had exerted all her strength but still failed to close the gap.

    Axel used to be close with Alyssa, but now it seemed as if she regarded him as a monster. He

    observed her fear and guarded demeanor. He sighed deeply, furrowed his brow, and let out a wry

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Don''t hide from me, Lyse. I''m not here to take you back."

    Jasper''s gaze wavered. Alyssa was equally shocked. "Huh? Axel, what are you..."

    "I''ve never wanted to separate both of you."

    Axel had observed the struggles of this couple trying to stay together despite facing numerous

    hardships. He had always felt uneasy.

    "I sought you out to ensure your safety, to see that you''re healthy and unharmed. Don''t be afraid."

    Axel''s assurance hit Alyssa''s heart.

    Jasper was deeply moved, feeling a lump forming in his throat. He tightly pursed his lips. Things had

    progressed to a point he never anticipated¡ªsomeone from Alyssa''s family was on his side and had

    trusted him.

    "Axel!" Alyssa went to Axel and hugged him.

    Axel immediately returned the hug and stroked her hair. "Silly girl. You are such a silly girl. You jumped

    from the fifth floor to escape. How would we continue to live on if something happened to you? I might

    as well shave my head and be a monk."

    "Lyse. You." Jasper''s eyes widened as his body trembled.

    "I''m still up and running. It''s just five floors." Alyssa''s nose started running. Deliberately, she wiped the

    clear snot on Axel''s ck shirt.

    "I know you too well! Whatever you set your mind to, it''s unstoppable. Forget about the five-floor jump.

    Remember when you wanted to jump out of the ne in Shend Ind?"

    Axel''s eyes filled with resentment. He used his tie to wipe her snot, almost as if he wereforting a

    child. Alyssa was the only woman Axel was willing tovish all his affection upon.

    "Stop it with your nonsense!" Alyssa sniffled, her nose red. "Why would you want to be a monk when

    I''m gone? Jasper should be the one to do it. He might as well do it if he was to be a widower."

    As Landon arrived with a sense of urgency, he released a long sigh, appreciating the tranquil

    atmosphere, and then enveloped Lauren in aforting embrace.

    "Oh, Landon! Did I misunderstand this person?" With an innocent expression, Lauren looked up, her

    heart weighed down by guilt. "I thought he was a bad person."

    "You''re right. This man is not a bad person." He was the devil incarnate. All the malevolent souls

    seemed to pave the way for him.

    After Axel hadforted Alyssa, he looked coldly at Jasper before walking to him.

    "Axel, thank you for giving me a chance," Jasper said hoarsely. Suddenly, everything before him turned

    dark.

    Axel''s eyebrow twitched, and he swung his fist at Jasper, connecting squarely with his face.

    "Jasper!"

    "Axel! No!" Alyssa couldn''t stop it even when she wanted to.

    Jasper was unfazed and took the punch in.

    However, with his fist half an inch away from Jasper''s nose, Axel halted and sneered, "Don''t think I''m

    doing you a favor. I just don''t want my sister to be upset. She just had to pick you, of all people. You''re

    naive to think I''ve forgiven you for every bad thing you had done."

    It felt as if a heavy rock rested on Jasper''s heart, causing a terrible ache. "I''m sorry. I know I deserve to

    die for what I did, but thank you for not taking Lyse with you. It doesn''t matter if it''s temporary. As long

    as I can be with her, I am satisfied with every extra minute and second I have with her."

    Axel was startled. He slowly retracted his fists.

    Impatiently, Alyssa returned to Jasper''s side, intertwining her fingers with his and gripping them tightly.

    "Okay, let''s talk about something more uplifting."

    Axel felt deeply for his sister and didn''t want to be the bad guy. He softened his tone. "Lyse, I''ve found

    the hideout of the woman who looks exactly like you."

    The news Axel brought was the greatest gift for Alyssa and Jasper.

 Chapter 1271

    Landon was equally excited at the news, but he had Angelina bring Lauren back to the room as he

    wanted to protect Lauren.

    Jasper sat on the couch with an arm around Alyssa, listening intently to Axel''s story about his

    exchange with Amber.

    Axel told them everything from Amber hiding a weapon and her failed attempt at seducing him.

    However, he left out the details about the sudden kiss Amber nted on his lips.

    The kiss had sent a jolt across his body. As she went deeper into the kiss, she wept, much to his

    confusion. He wondered why an assassin would weep in front of her victim.

    "What the hell? That was pretty crazy!" Landon was intrigued by the incident and gasped, "Did that

    happen in modern society? It sounds like something from a story!"

    Axel shot him a disdainful look and muttered under his breath, "Idiot."

    Landon picked that up, but he chose to overlook it, knowing that he could never win a fight against

    Axel. Moreover, he couldn''t afford to upset Alyssa''s brother and Jasper''s brother-inw.

    "So, did you take advantage of her seduction?" Alyssa''s mood lightened. Resting in Jasper''s arms, she

    teased Axel, "You probably haven''t had sex in a while. Wasn''t that a wonderful opportunity for you? It

    must be priceless."

    "Do you take me as a clueless virgin? I won''t sumb to any woman who throws herself at me," Then,

    Axel took a jab at Landon, "unlike Landon Harper."

    "I¡ªFuck!" Landon''s cheeks reddened in anger, and he silently cussed at Axel.

    "But she looks like me. Didn''t you once say that you''d marry a woman who resembles me? I remember

    Ss calling you a pervert at that time."

    Jasper was green in envy but tried not to show it. His cheeks flushed as well, looking like two red

    tomatoes with Landon by his side.

    "I have never bought counterfeit. Why would I want a carbon copy of you? I''m not sick in my mind,

    alright?" Axel finally lost it.

    "Alright, now. I was just teasing you." Alyssa put on a straight face. Despite joking about Axel and

    Amber, she felt the fear in hindsight. "So, you mentioned that you used her as bait while you hid in a

    corner. Tell me. Did you find out who she''s working for?"

    Axel snickered and ced his phone on the coffee table. Landon, Jasper, and Alyssa inched closer to

    take a good look at the photo on the screen.

    The air in the room froze when they recognized the familiar face in the photo, who left the hotel with

    Amber. He was Carl Moses, Jameson''s secretary.

    "So, it was still Jameson''s doing after all," Alyssa hissed as she quivered in anger and disgust. "After

    Jonah and Miley, he had moved on to put you in harm''s way! What a cold-blooded psycho!"

    However, Jameson had messed with the wrong man. He might be ruthless, but Axel was worse.

    Jasper huddled closer to Alyssa and rubbed his palm against her shoulder tofort her. He wasn''t

    surprised by the revtion, for he had had a feeling.

    Landon analyzed, "The same woman lured Jasper to the hotel and into Zoe''s trap. It all makes sense

    now. It was Jameson who set everything up, taking advantage of this woman and my dumb sister Zoe

    to drive a wedge between you and Lyse. The evil, meticulously crafted n matches his modus

    operandi."

    Gritting his teeth, Landon added, "He caused a misunderstanding between you and Lyse, making you

    look like a fuckboy. Because of him, Mr. Taylor was upset with you. Jameson Schmidt nearly won the

    game. Damn it! That was vile of him."

    Alyssa was gripped by a heartache. She stared at the floor with remorse.

    Jasper kissed her on the cheek and dered, "Jameson Schmidt will never get what he wants. Lyse

    knows I''ll never lie to her. She will trust me."

    "You fool." She wiggled in embarrassment and pouted. "What if I choose not to trust you and refuse to

    give you a second chance?"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Jasper smiled and stared affectionately into her eyes. "I''ll wait for you until you do, even if it takes a

    lifetime."

 Chapter 1272

    Axel let go of hisplicated feelings about Alyssa and Jasper''s rtionship when he saw them very

    much in love.

    All he and his brothers wanted was to see Alyssa happy, and he realized that only she had the right to

    define her happiness.

    After going through ups and downs, she still chose to be with Jasper. Axel believed it''d be unfair and

    cruel to deprive her of a happy rtionship.

    "Jameson Schmidt has been manipting Zoe, but she didn''t rat him out even when we pressured her

    at the Jesseltons'' event." Looking troubled, Jasper opined, "I believe this has nothing to do with her

    loyalty to Jameson. She is truly in the dark about the mastermind''s identity."

    Alyssa nodded in agreement. Landon, fuming, rolled his fists and apologized, "Jasper, Lyse, I''m sorry. I

    take responsibility for her mistakes. My mom and I have spoiled her rotten."

    "Landon, don''t. This has nothing to do with you," Jasper consoled him.

    "How could she allow herself to be manipted by that bastard?" Landon punched the coffee table.

    The teacup jumped on the table and cracked.

    He growled, "She seems to enjoy working for Jameson Schmidt. Fine, then, I''ll grant her wish and send

    her to Jameson."

    Alyssa pressed her lips. She couldn''t think of a good way tofort Landon, who had the misfortune of

    having a shameless sister like Zoe.

    "Look, I''m not trying to be mean, but Jameson Schmidt has standards." Crossing his arms, Axel leaned

    into the couch. "Even if you send Zoe to Jameson, he wouldn''t even use her¡ªnot even as a maid."

    Landon, Jasper, and Alyssa appeared dumbfounded. Did Axel just make an obscene joke?

    "I believe that Jameson had trained and honed Amber to be his tool, especially to seduce his victims."

    Alyssa studied Amber''s face, which bore a strong resemnce to hers. Her eyes dimmed.

    Alyssa said, "I assume this woman has served Jameson for some time. He could have forced her to

    get stic surgery. You can tell they share an unusual rtionship. Perhaps, she''s privy to many of his

    secrets."

    Landon stared agape at her. "What the fuck? Did he seriously create a woman who looks like Lyse

    after he failed to win her heart? Is that how he satisfies his desire? That will make the Amber girl Lyse''s

    substitute..."

    Jasper felt an anger rising in him when he came to the same realization. He was sickened by the

    thought of Jameson keeping Alyssa''s substitute by his side. Perhaps Jameson had even released his

    ¡ö

    16:40 12/02/2024 Read Can¡¯t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue novel Chapter 1272

    carnal desires on Amber wrrnentasizing about. Alyssa.

    Utterly disgusted, he reflexively hugged Alyssa tighter.

    Alyssa pretended to barf andmented, "That''s disgusting. Anyway, he doesn''t deserve even a

    substitute."

    Axel added, "I followed them all the way to Domere Mountain and saw them entering a very private

    club. The entrance was password-protected, and it was strictly members-only. I didn''t follow them into

    the club because I didn''t want to alert them."

    "A club at the Domere Mountain?"

    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    As Jasper wasn''t a regr patron of clubs, and Alyssa wasn''t a local of Sna City, they had no clue

    about the said club. Therefore, they turned to Landon expectantly.

    "Could it be... The Millennium?" Landon asked hesitantly.

    "Bingo! Guess the yboy knows best!" Axel snapped his fingers teasingly.

 Chapter 1273

    Landon put on a bitter face. That certainly did not sound like apliment. He regretted his yboy

    ways in the past. Even after he had turned over a new leaf, it was difficult to shake off that reputation.

    "I checked the Third Eye. Jameson Schmidt is indeed the owner of The Millennium." Axel furrowed his

    brows. "He frequents the club and is very closely connected with officials in Sna City. The

    Millennium is, at best, a prostitution hub for the wealthy and powerful disguised as a club. I guess

    Jameson is the pimp."

    "The Third Eye? Are you serious? Why did you use the system of the Secret Intelligence Service?"

    Alyssa widened her eyes in disbelief. "That''s an overkill. Axel, you shouldn''t risk your career just to

    investigate Jameson."

    "It''s worth it if it''s for you." Axel squinted and held her hand. "Don''t worry. It''s fine to use the system

    once in a while. Besides, I would love to move on from Jameson Schmidt. I''ll settle him as soon as

    possible for you and Jasper."

    Jasper was touched by Axel''s sentiments. He choked on his emotions. Tearing up, Alyssa curled up

    her fingers in Axel''s palm. "Axel, thank you so much."

    "I know you''re desperate to clear Jasper''s name in our family. You wanted Dad to know it was all a

    misunderstanding. Otherwise, it''ll be really tough for you to marry Jasper." Axel snorted at Jasper.

    Frowning, she yfully chided him, "Axel!"

    "Don''t worry. Jasper is super loyal to Alyssa. He won''t marry anyone except for her. Haha!" Landon

    grinned and patted Jasper on his shoulder.

    The air froze in awkwardness. Alyssa stared at her feet and mumbled, "You must be fun at parties,

    Landon Harper. Just keep your mouth shut the next time."

    Landon hurriedly shut up.

    "Since this Amber seems important to Jameson, let''s spare her for now. It''s best if we could quietly

    keep an eye on her," Jasper suggested sternly.

    "It''s not enough to keep an eye on her." Alyssa had a better idea. "We need to get her on our side.

    Look into her background, get to know her, and win her over."

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    Jasper voiced his doubts. "Lyse, I''m afraid that''s impossible. Jameson couldn''t have built his influence

    in Kontina in 15 years without gathering some loyal subordinates.

    "That woman willingly serves him for years, even when she knows Jameson is merely using her as

    your substitute. It''ll be hard for an outsider to break that bond between them."

    "Why is it impossible?" Alyssa looked at Axel, amused. "Axel can easily win Ms. Altman over.

    "She was supposed to kill Axel on that night. Just look at all the weapons and poison she carried. She

    looked like she was ready to die with him, but in the end, she betrayed Jameson and spared Axel''s life.

    "I suspect she''s fallen for Axel. If that''s the case, getting Axel to charm her is the key to our sess."

    Jasper and Landon swallowed hard in fear. They were shocked by Alyssa''s guts and willingness to put

    her brother''s life at stake.

    They anticipated Axel''s outburst, but on the contrary, Axel lifted a brow and smirked, looking interested.

    "Sure. I''ll try my hand on her."

    Once again, Jasper and Landon were taken aback by Axel''s daring decision. Perhaps it was the

    professionalism of a secret agent.

    "Lyse, don''t you think it''s too risky?"

 Chapter 1274

    Jasper was reasonably worried. "She''s failed herst mission. She might try again. After all, she''s still

    working for Jameson. We don''t know what tricks she''ll pull next time."

    Axel snorted with a maniacal smile. "Hmph, no one could kill me."

    Excruciating screams reverberated from the damp basement of The Millennium. Even Jameson''s men

    winced as they stood guard at the door.

    Inside, a gory scene unfolded. Amber was chained by the wrists and hanging from the ceiling. Her frail

    figure was covered only by a thince nightdress, the white fabric soaked in blood.

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    Once Jameson was tired from the whipping, he turned around and rested on the couch. He tossed the

    whip to Carl and downed a ss of red wine.

    Carl held the whip with trembling hands. "M-Mr. Schmidt, I..."

    "Why? Can''t bring yourself to whip her?" Jameson snickered maliciously. Behind his blood-stained

    sses hid his eyes with a chilling gleam. "Do you want to end up like her?"

    Carl had no choice but to bite the bullet and approach Amber with the whip. "Ms. Altman, please bear

    with me. I can''t go against his orders."

    Amber panted weakly and struggled to look up. "Don''t hold back. Beat me to death. My life is worthless

    anyway."

    Jameson jumped in rage upon hearing her remark. Approaching them in huge strides, he shoved Carl

    away and grabbed Amber by the neck, hissing, "Looks like you''ve fallen for Axel Whitaker."

    Glowering at her, he rolled and unclenched his fists multiple times. "Are you passively rebelling against

    me? Hm? You would give anything to live, but now, you''re asking for death?

    "Amber Altman, I gave you this life, and only I will decide if you live or die. You don''t."

    Eyes half opened, she breathed shallowly as her face turned a purple hue.

    In the past, she would have exined herself to Jameson. Since her first encounter with him at 15, she

    had never loved anyone else except for him, even when all he wanted was to kill her.

    However, any exnation now was futile. While she might manage to justify the night with Axel and the

    box of gastric medication, there was no way she could conceal the truth about the romantic kiss she

    shared with Axel. Jameson had even burned the box of gastric medicer.

    Carl was scared stiff. "M-Mr. Schmidt, calm down! You''re going to suffocate her to death!"

    "Doesn''t she deserve to die after what she''s done to me?" Jameson bellowed.

    "But she''s helped you to subdue your opponents with her looks. I bet she was doing the same this

    time!" Carl argued.

    Having worked with Amber for years, he formed a camaraderie with her and tried to defend her.

    "Besides, we all know that Axel Whitaker is the most difficult among all the Taylors. Ms. Altman had to

    leave a good impression on him to get closer to him. After that, we''ll have a chance to get rid of him."

    Carl''s words came as a timely reminder for Jameson. His eyes dimmed, and he loosened his grip on

    Amber''s neck.

    Carl urged, "Ms. Altman, please don''t be stubborn. Apologize to Mr. Schmidt now!"

    "I''m sorry..." Suddenly, her bloodied lips curled into a smirk. She looked broken and pitiful. "But Jimmy,

    what have I done wrong? I did everything you asked me to. I know you''ve never cared about me, but

    how have I wronged you? Tell me!"

 Chapter 1275

    <strong>Chapter 1275</strong>

    Jameson spoke, "So, have you found a man who cares for you?"

    His sarcastic grin pierced through her heart.

    "Do you think Axel Whiteaker loves you just because you''ve slept with him? Do you think he cares for you just because he gave you a box of gastric medication?"

    Letting go of her neck, he jabbed her on the forehead. "I thought you were smart despite your lowly background, but now, I realize you are useless. Giving you stic surgery to look like Alyssa is an insult to her beauty."

    The man she had loved for a decade had be a total stranger to her. Tears of heartbreak streamed down her cheek, but Jameson was oblivious to her suffering. "Don''t be delusional. I know the Taylors well.

    "They''re just like me¡ªthey only have eyes for Lyse. You''re from a lowly background, not least having worked for me. Do you think Axel would fall for you? He''ll only kill you off when he learns about your identity."

    He took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket and leisurely cleaned the blood on his fingers. "Don''t be delusional, Amber Altman. You don''t deserve him."

    "What about you?" Amber, emboldened by a newfound courage, smiled. "Do you think you deserve Alyssa Taylor? No matter how hard you try, she only has eyes for JasperBeckett."

    Jameson felt as if he had been kicked in the nuts. Fueled by resentment, he cracked his knuckles. Carl sweated and urged Amber, "Ms. Altman, please stop! What good is going against Mr. Schmidt?"

    Then, he advised Jameson, "Mr. Jameson, calm down! You can''t go on anymore¡ªshe''ll die in your hands. If that happens, she''ll be of no use anymore. Don''t you think that''s a pity?"

    As expected, the menace in Jameson''s eyes melted away. Carl, having worked closely with Jameson, knew his employer too well. Jameson was a selfish prick who was only interested in others only if he could exploit them. He would not hurt Amber as long as she was still useful to him.

    Jameson was interrupted by an iing phone call. Tossing away the handkerchief, he checked the caller ID, which made him panic. He picked it up right away.

    The caller began, "Mr. Schmidt, I guess life''s been good to youtely." The male voice sounded haughty and demeaning. "Now that all the obstacles are gone, and the Taylors are hating on Jasper Beckett, dare I assume that you''re going to marry Ms. Alyssa soon?"

    Jameson recalled the humiliation he suffered at Alyssa''s hands that day and Winston''s ambiguous attitude toward him. He curled his fist indignantly and replied, "I appreciate your help, but it''s hard to say for now. Anyway, I will never give up on Lyse."

    "Sigh. You''re not cruel enough. This will only hurt yourself and benefit your rival." The man grinned. "If I were you, I would have taken her by force. I couldn''t let my efforts go to waste. If that did not work, I''d destroy her life."

    Jameson''s expression froze at the man''s heartless suggestion. He replied, "I believe I need a bit more time. I have a problem to take care of. Once I''m done, I''ll work on getting Alyssa to agree to marry me."

    "Maybe put a pause on dealing with your minor problem. There''s a bigger storming." The man''s voice grew serious, sounding like an entirely different person. "The court hearing for Sophia Kirkman''s case is around the corner. Even Javier Beckett and her attorney, Simon Lynch, failed to stop it."

    "The prosecutor for the case is Ss Taylor and the officer in charge is Cyrus Taylor. The entire prosecution is made up of the Taylors. It will be an uphill fight for Javier Beckett to protect his wife."

    "Jeffrey Snyder might have ratted on Sophia Kirkman, but without solid proof, she won''t receive heavy sentencing. But I believe Jasper and Alyssa will not let this slide, given their resentment for her. Naturally, they will not go easy on you."Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

 Chapter 1276

    The caller chuckled. "Oh, what will you do, Mr. Schmidt? Your fianc¨¦e seems intent on putting you in

    trouble."

    "It''s all worth it, even if she hates me." Jameson adjusted his sses with an unreadable expression in

    his eyes.

    "When are you going to get rid of Inigo Montiye? You''ll be done for if he falls into Alyssa and Jasper''s

    hands."

    "I bought a new private jet. It''ll be delivered next week," Jameson replied with a chilling smile. "I''ll send

    him and his sworn brothers on a trip to the afterlife with that jet."

    After a brief catchup with Alyssa, Axel excused himself early, as he had to meet with Jonah and the

    rest.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa looked a little messy after a day of traveling. Although she had changed into fresh

    pajamas, her hair was soiled. As a clean freak, she couldn''t ept it.

    "Ugh! It''s smelly!" She sniffed her hair in disgust. "I can''t. I feel like I''ve just gotten out of the mud. I

    need a shower."

    "No, you''re not smelly at all." Jasper pulled her into a hug and buried his face into her soft curls. "It

    smells great."

    "I don''t care! I need a shower!" She snuggled against his warm embrace.

    "Lyse, your fever has just gone down. Your body is at its weakest. Taking a shower will only worsen

    your condition." He caressed her head and coaxed her gently, "If you feel icky, how about I wipe down

    your body?"

    "I don''t want it! That''s different from a shower!" Hugging him by the waist, she looked up and begged,

    "Please let me shower. I''ll do a hot shower. It''ll be fine."

    He stared deeply into her eyes, melting at her stare. "Gosh, I can''t win. Fine. I''ll get the bath ready and

    turn up the heat for you."

    He was about to rise when she grabbed his hand. Staring at him, she purred, "Jasper..."

    His heart raced. He asked in a trembling voice, "Let''s head in together?"

    "Yeah."

    Jasper scooped her up by the waist. Lifting her in his arms, he headed toward the bathroom.

    Alyssa was naked in the hot bath, while Jasper remained fully clothed as he carefully cleaned her body

    like a servant. She scooped a handful of bubbles and blew it in his direction.

    "You cheeky thing." Bubbles sticking to his brows and hair, he speechlessly pinched her on the chin.

    She wondered, "What happened? Why are you so well-behaved today?" Her body surfaced from the

    water. She inched toward him until their lips nearly touched. Even her breathing was fatally seductive to

    him.

    She teased, "Aren''t you always eager for intimacy when we meet? Since when are you celibate?"

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Pain coursed through his body. In the past, he''d kill to spend every night with her. But at that moment,

    he loathed himself for being a useless loser who was too good for her. He did not have the right to

    touch her.

    Suddenly, he addressed her in a slow and raspy voice, "Lyse, may I ask you a question? Why didn''t

    you tell me about the child?"

 Chapter 1277

    Why didn''t she tell him? Why? Jasper repeatedly tortured himself with the same questions ever since

    he learned the truth.

    Had he known she was pregnant with his child and subsequently suffered a miscarriage, he might have

    acted differently.

    "Jasper, please stop ming yourself. You''re not the only one at fault for failing to protect our baby. As

    the mother, I am at fault, too." She blinked and shed a carefree smile at him, which only added to his

    heartache.

    She continued, "Even if you made it back on time on that day, there was nothing much you could do

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    about the car ident. I''m thankful that Grandpa was safe, or else I''d feel guilty about it for the rest of

    my life."

    Tears brimmed in his eyes. Staring at her through tears, he felt his throat going dry. He croaked, "You

    had many opportunities to tell me about it afterward, but why did you keep it to yourself?"

    Lowering her gaze, she retreated into the bathwater, appearing somewhat pitiable. "You were busy with

    work all the time. The frequent business travels made you exhausted and irritable. I didn''t want to add

    to your burden and troubles."

    "My troubles?"

    "You did not love me back then." She curled up into a ball and tried her best to breathe and hide her

    emotions from him. "Impregnating a woman you don''t love must be a huge trouble for you.

    "As much as I hoped for your love, knowing that you''re a pure and kind soul, I didn''t want you to love

    me out of guilt. That''s why I refused to add to your troubles."

    He couldn''t ept praise for being a kind soul when all he had done was inflict pain on her.

    Scalding tears rolled off his cheek and washed away the bubbles. He questioned, "Lyse, what do you

    see in me? You really shouldn''t have fallen for me." He mumbled repeatedly to himself like a child who

    had done wrong.

    "You silly thing. You''re the only one I love. I fell for you ever since meeting you when I was 11. You are

    the light of my life." sping his rough fingers in her wet hands, she wrapped a finger around his. "If

    you want to make it up to me, please do not let me go again."

    Following a ssh, she dragged him into the bathtub. Water and bubbles sshed around as they

    embraced each other. Blushing, she engaged in a passionate kiss with him. They sank deeper into the

    depths of pleasure.

    Night had fallen when they concluded their lovemaking in the bathroom. Alyssa felt cleaner and warmer

    at the same time.

    As usual, Landon''s physician arrived to administer a routine injection for Alyssa. After the IV drip and a

    cold towel on her forehead, she felt much relieved.

    "Look at you!" After adjusting the IV drip, Jasper bent over to kiss her on the cheek. "Didn''t I tell you not

    to take a bath? You''re sick again. Next time, you''ll have to listen to me."

    "Pfft... Don''t you know the reason behind my fever?" She was aroused by the memory of their

    lovemaking in the bathroom, causing her to blush and her fever to deepen.

    Right when Jasper was in a bind, Xavier called him.

    "Xavier, what''s up?"

    "Mr. Beckett, the Schmidts have bailed David out!"

 Chapter 1278

    "What happened?" The look in Jasper''s eyes hardened. He silently met Alyssa''s eyes.

    "Just now, Victor and Josh Schmidt bailed him out from the police station. Not only that, they brought

    along a group of reporters with them.

    "Josh shamelessly cleared David''s name in front of the media, iming that someone had framed

    David. He said it was all a misunderstanding." Xavier''s voice broke due to his rage.

    "Fuck! How did that happen?" Alyssa jumped up from the bed. Jasper went pale and hurriedly pinned

    her back onto the bed. "Lyse, be careful! You don''t want the needle toe off."

    "How is that possible? That fucking pervert couldn''t have been released from the police station." Alyssa

    grabbed the phone and yelled at Xavier in panic, "Jasper and I have made the arrangements. Winston

    knew about this as well. Knowing how much he cares for Taty, there''s no way he would allow the

    Schmidts to do so. Why didn''t he stop them?"

    "M-Madam, please calm down," Xavier croaked, his throat dry from the panic. "I''m still looking into the

    situation. Please wait for my updates."

    After the call, Alyssa couldn''t help but contact Cyrus. Before she could dial Cyrus'' number, in a sudden

    moment of telepathy, a call came in.

    Staring at the screen of Jasper''s phone, Alyssa felt her heart thumping wildly. She pressed her lips.

    "Lyse, who''s that?" Jasper hurriedly questioned upon seeing how upset she became.

    "It''s... Jonah."

    Jasper pressed his lips nervously. Soon, he coaxed her gently, "Lyse, answer his call. You shouldn''t

    keep him worried."

    Still reeling from the aversion against her brothers'' controlling streak, she answered the call with a

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    hostile attitude, "Don''t waste your time trying to get me home. Keep it short if it''s about something

    else."

    Jonah''s expression froze, engulfed by pain. Alyssa had always treated him with love, even in calls.

    She''d call his name sweetly.

    Now, their rtionship had deteriorated into a tense and distant state. The more he wanted to protect

    her, the more he pushed her away.

    He began, sounding as gentle as usual, "Lyse, Axel told us about your situation. If you''re safe and

    happy with him, I won''t stop you."

    "Jonah." Alyssa held her breath. She was surprised by the change in his attitude.

    "Lyse, you were right for being angry at me. I was overprotective because I felt guilty for not taking

    good care of you. Because of that, I took away your right to love."

    Chuckling in pain, he added, "I repeatedly asked myself in the past two days¡ªwhat is it that I''m after? I

    realize that all I want is for you to be happy. Happiness can''t be forced or measured. If pampering you

    means giving you what you want, I''ll give you freedom by letting go."

    She choked up in shock. "Jonah..."

    Jasper''s eyes brimmed with tears upon hearing Jonah''s sincere confession.

    Jonah promised, "I''ll try my best to persuade Liam. As for Dad." After a pause, he said, "One day, he''ll

    get over it when he sees that you''re living well. Jasper, you know what to do next, right?"

    "I know. Don''t worry," Jasper rasped and pulled Alyssa into a hug. "She''s my one and only. I''ll treat her

    well no matter what it takes."

 Chapter 1279

    Jasper''s brief response was enough to prove the depth of his love for Alyssa.

    By then, Jonah and Alyssa had reconciled. After all, Jonah was as important as Jasper to Alyssa. It

    pained her to be angry at Jonah. All she desired was to fight against the Taylor family''s control.

    "But Jonah, why has David Schmidt been released on bail? Why hasn''t Winston taken any action?"

    She was worried.

    "That''s the reason I called." Taking a deep breath, Jonah gritted his teeth and revealed, "L discussed

    with Dad and decided to withdraw thewsuit in consideration of Tatiana and the family''s reputation."

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    "They''re dropping thewsuit?" Alyssa and Jasper were astonished to hear that.

    "Yes. Otherwise, David wouldn''t have been released." Jonah sounded frustrated. "On top of that, the

    Schmidts had paid off the media to vindicate their son and portray him as the victim.

    "Even if we wanted to take action, we can''t do anything now that we''ve legally withdrawn thewsuit."

    "Is Winston senile? How could he sacrifice Taty''s dignity for the family''s reputation? We don''t need that

    reputation." Alyssa seethed with anger. "L is soft. This must be Winston''s idea. She must have been

    "Lyse, you''re mistaken." Jonah sighed. "L and Taty suggested it. Dad was vehemently against it. He

    wanted to teach the Schmidts a lesson. But L insisted on dropping thewsuit, leading to the worst

    argument with Dad. He had no choice but to grant her wish and swallow the humiliation."

    Alyssa, battling a fever, almost cked out upon hearing this. At that moment, she fumed at L''s

    ipetence.

    "Taty is an unmarried youngdy of the Taylor family. She mighte from an esteemed family, but the

    scandal will scar her reputation. Being at the center of gossip is surely distressing.

    "Moreover,izens are bing increasingly malicious, especially toward women. Taty will bear the

    brunt of the news, not that scoundrel." Jasper soothingly caressed Alyssa''s back and analyzed the

    situation calmly. "Lyse, don''t let L and Taty upset you. They made the decision based on these

    considerations."

    "Netizens are nothing more than a swarm of flies! As for the arrogant high-society members¡ªwhy

    should we care about their opinions of Taty? They''re just a bunch of selfish individuals.

    "L and Taty belong to the Taylor family. Even the country''s president holds the KS Group in high

    regard. No one will dare to look down on my sister!" Anger red in her eyes.

    Jonah fell silent. Knowing Alyssa,forting her when she was angry was futile.

    Jasper patiently addressed Alyssa, "Lyse, you''re not wrong, but you forgot about something. Not

    everyone is as fearless as you are. Not all of them are as resilient as you."

    Stunned, she looked down dejectedly and clenched her fists. "Yes, you''re right, but I won''t let this slide.

    David Schmidt and his family will pay for what they did."

    "If we can''t hold them ountable through thew, we''ll take matters into our own hands," suggested

    Jasper.

    He squinted with a chilling grin on his lips. "It makes things easier."

    Alyssa closed her eyes and took a breath to calm herself. "Jonah, go to my room. You''ll find a file on

    myptop with evidence of Daisy''s husband''s corruption. Hand it over to Ss, and he''ll know what to

    do."

    Jasper and Jonah were shocked by her capability. In the two days she was grounded, she managed to

    fight against the Schmidts, quarrel with her family, pine for her lover, and even find the time to

    investigate Daisy Schmidt''s husband.

    She added, "I looked into Daisy Schmidt as well. She''s equally corrupt."

 Chapter 1280

    Jasper rested his chin on Alyssa''s head and rubbed against it. "Sure. If it''s your wish to get rid of Daisy

    Schmidt, I''ll see to it."

    "Taty... Why?" Sean was astonished to learn that Tatiana had dropped thewsuit. Kneeling beside the

    bed on one knee, he gripped her sweaty hands and offered, "I can be your legal representation. I''ll

    battle the Schmidts on your behalf. We will win this court case for sure, so why are you backing down?

    We must continue the fight against the Schmidts until the very end."

    "I''m sorry, Sean..." Hugging her knees and curling up in bed, she looked at him through tears. "I

    understand your sentiments, but I''m sorry..."

    The more she apologized, the more painful and suffocating it became for him. Tatiana was not at fault.

    The mey with the Schmidts and that scoundrel David.

    "Sean, can we put an end to this case? Please stop fighting for me." Tearing up, she shook her head.

    "I''m a Taylor. The Schmidts can''t do anything to me. But what will you do if you make them your

    enemy?

    "What if they pose a threat to your family? If this scandal goes viral, your family might see me

    differently even if David did not assault me."

    "Taty..." Sean''s mind went nk as his heart broke.

    He finally understood that Tatiana wasn''t fearful of the attention and the public opinion. She was more

    worried about how she''d be perceived by his family, and she wanted to leave a good impression.

    "Sean, I have wanted to marry you since I was young. I still feel the same. I''d like to take yourst

    name." Gently caressing the face of her lover, she said, "I know your family has reservations about me.

    They won''t approve if they learn about the scandal. That would only put you in a difficult position."

    A difficult position. Little did Tatiana know that Alyssa had said something to the effectst night. The

    two Taylor sisters were equally empathetic and thoughtful. Because of that, they were willing to endure

    humiliation and suppress their needs for the people they loved.

    Thankfully, Alyssa had found her happy ending with Jasper, but what about Tatiana?

    Swallowing hard, Sean pulled his lover into a tight hug. "If you''re willing, we can register our marriage

    at any time."

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    Tightening his grip, he looked as if he wanted to be one with her. He promised, "You''re the only woman

    I''d like to marry."

    Tatiana shut her teary eyes. She had no idea what the future held, but his vow made her suffering

    wor Lhwhile.

    At that moment, they were interrupted by Colene''s urgent voice, "Sean, are you in there? Can you

    After a pause, he opened the door, eyes red from tears. "Colene, why are you looking for me?"

    Colene stole a nce at the room and pulled Sean away. She even closed the door behind them.

    Sensing her seriousness, he asked, "Colene, what happened?"

    "Go to the first floor and see for yourself," Colene said with concern, lowering her voice. "Your mom

    and your brother are here."

 Chapter 1281

    Sean''s heart sank as he scrambled to the living room.

    Winston had left home after getting the news about Alyssa''s daring escape, jumping from the second

    floor, just to meet with Jasper. Feeling enraged, he hurried to Sna City with Neil.

    However, it was said that Jonah and Axel had stopped Winston during his journey. To stop Winston

    from separating the loving couple, Axel went to great lengths by puncturing the tire of Winston''s car. No

    one knew where the two brothers had sent Winston.

    Only the women of the Taylor family were at home that night.

    "Mom, you''re not in great health. Take it slow." Simon helped Sinead Everton onto the couch and gently

    "He''s nearing his 30s, but this is his first rtionship. Understandably, he''s all excited. This is what you

    get for having a son. Once he marries a woman, well...

    "Anyway, Sean isn''t a cold-blooded man. He was the most obedient to you and Dad among all three of

    us. So, don''t be angry with him. Take care of your health."

    Simon appeared to beforting his mom, but he was silently fanning her mes of anger. Sinead''s

    expression fell. She pressed a hand on her chest and coughed. "I guess your brother is like what

    you''ve described. If I don''t intervene, he''ll forget about me and his family."

    "Gosh, Mom, you''re overthinking. It''s not that serious." Simon patted her on the back.

    "You''re right. Sean hasn''t dated girls, and he''s inexperienced in rtionships. That''s why he''s head

    over heels for that youngdy! He''s changed." Gritting her teeth, Sinead spat, "If I don''t speak up now,

    he might be fooled. As his mom, I should take responsibility for him."

    "Fooled? Who do you think will fool him?" An authoritative voice broke the silence, much to Sinead and

    Simon''s surprise.

    They found Mandy approaching them, arm-in-arm with L. She looked graceful and regal, further

    disying her high social standing.

    Sinead smiled wryly and greeted her, "Madam Mandy, how have you been?"

    She had always looked down on L and Colene because of their unrespectable backgrounds. Only

    Mandy earned her respect.

    "Mrs. Lynch, I know you''re worried about your son, but he''s a guy. Don''t you think it''s ridiculous to turn

    him into a flower in a greenhouse?" Mandy ignored the greeting and snickered. "If this goes on, your

    son will not grow into a man. Besides, you can''t control him forever.

    "Why don''t you enjoy your retired years with your husband? Better than ruining your rtionship with

    your son."

    Sinead jumped from the couch in anger. "Madam Mandy, I know my son the best. What I''m doing is to

    protect my rtionship with him. Sean is young, innocent, and inexperienced. He''s making rash

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    decisions in rtionships, and he has no idea what type of woman he''s looking for. I''m afraid he might

    go down the wrong path!"

    L teared up in anger, and her breathing intensified. Without mentioning Tatiana''s name, Sinead had

    thoroughly humiliated Tatiana. L could not bear the shame.

    However, she was too gentle to p back at Sinead. Thankfully, Mandy came to her rescue. She

    snapped, "Madam Mandy, are you talking about Taty now? Think carefully before you answer."

    Simon hurriedly held back Sinead when he noticed the esction. To his dismay, Sinead, concerned

    for Sean and enraged at Mandy, cackled and jeered, "Madam Mandy, there must be some

    misunderstanding.

    "Our sons know their ce¡ªthe Taylors are out of their league. However, a youngdy like Tatiana will

    be a perfect match for the Schmidts. Don''t you think so?"

    L turned red from the anger. Even her lips were twitching.

 Chapter 1282

    Mandy flipped, resisting the urge to grab a fistful of soil from the flower pot and shove it into Sinead''s

    mouth.

    "Mom, what did you say?" Sean rushed down the stairs to his mom with resentful eyes. He seemed to

    be burning in rage. "What did you just say? How could you?"

    The sight of Sean with gauze on his left eye and bruises on his face worried Sinead. She cried, feeling

    bad for him. "Oh, my dear son. What has happened to you? Who did this to you? I''ll kill him!"

    Then, she reached out to touch his face with a trembling hand, but he swatted it away. He threatened,

    "If you want me to see you as my mom, you need to stop being mean."

    Sean felt his blood boiling. "By the way, Taty is my woman. I won''t marry anyone except for her. Don''t

    ever associate her with that trash of the Schmidt family!"

    "Sean, you... you..." Sinead was tongue-tied after being shamed by her son in public.

    "Sean, what are you doing?" Simon went up to hold his mother, concern etched on his face. "Mom

    missed you a lot. She was worried something bad had happened to you. Did you know that the

    Schmidts had filed awsuit against you?"

    Even Mandy and L were taken aback by the update. Sean remainedposed and questioned

    coldly, "So what? That''s none of your business. I can handle it myself."

    "How are you going to handle it? You''re only going to make a mess." Simon pointed a finger at his

    brother with disappointment. "The Schmidts are suing you for aggravated assault. You can''t win against

    their tricks. It will be a David and Goliath situation.

    "And look at the injuries on you. Only you know how you got hurt."

    "Simon Lynch, shut up!" Sean grabbed his brother by the cor and lifted him off the floor. "You should

    have kept this news from Dad and Mom if you truly cared for them. I know what you''re getting at. You

    should juste to me. I will not let this slide. How dare you harass Tatiana and her family!"

    Sinead, who had pieced the puzzle, started shaking in fear. Sean had gotten on the bad side of the

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    Schmidts, one of the few distinguished families in Sna City. He was in deep trouble now.

    It didn''t matter if the Lynches had assisted the Taylors for years. The Lynches were nothing more than

    disposable pawns for the KS Group. Moreover, Winston Taylor and Victor Schmidt were old friends.

    Hence, it was unlikely that the Taylors would side with Sean.

    She believed it was Tatiana''s fault for getting Sean into trouble with the Schmidts. She thought, "What a

    jinx! Why do you have to give my son trouble?"

    Gripped by intense fear, she felt a piercing pain in her heart. Sweating profusely, she copsed weakly

    in

    Simon''s arms.

    He gasped, "Damn it! Mom''s got a heart attack!" He hurriedly found some pills from his pocket and fed

    one to Sinead while barking at Sean, "Call the ambnce!"

 Chapter 1283

    Despite wanting to keep Tatianapany, Sean had no choice but to see his mom to the hospital.

    Silence descended on the living room after the massive family argument just now. Too shocked to

    speak, L clutched her sleeve with one hand and held Mandy''s arm with another.

    "L, are you okay?" Mandy caressed L''s cold hand.

    "I''m fine," L croaked.

    "The Schmidts are rascals, but the Lynches are not better." Mandy shook her head indignantly. "I

    thought they''d at least be grateful for Winston''s favor. These ingrates! Sean is a good guy, but his

    parents and brother are unbearable. I''m worried they''d bully Taty if she marries Sean."

    "Mandy, that''s enough." L closed her eyes and shook her head remorsefully. "It''s not anyone''s fault.

    I''m the one to me. I''m too weak and useless to promise my daughter a happy marriage."

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    Unbeknownst to them, Tatiana had witnessed the scene unfold from the second floor. She overheard

    Sinead and Simon''s taunt, and she saw Sean going against his family for her sake.

    Because of that, she felt heartbroken. Holding to the wall, she slowly made her way back to a dark

    corner, where she sat down and hugged her knees. How she hoped she could hide away.

    "Taty? Taty? Are you there?" Colene searched for Tatiana. She picked up on the noise and finally found

    the poor girl sobbing in a corner.

    Colene, who was childless, felt the maternal urge tofort Tatiana. She pulled Tatiana into a hug.

    "Child, what are you crying for?"

    She was heartbroken at the sight of Tatiana''s tears. Tatiana wondered, "Colene, is there no hope

    between me and Sean? Mrs. Lynch seems to hate me. Am I that useless?"

    "Nonsense! Do not ever look down on yourself! That old hag has no taste¡ªshe couldn''t see what a

    precious child you are. Do not be hurt by their words."

    Tatiana, who had been wallowing in sadness, broke into a smile at Colene''s way of speaking.

    "Now, that''s my girl. You''re prettiest when you smile!" Colene wiped away Tatiana''s tears, but she felt

    troubled and annoyed.

    After seeing Tatiana back to the room, Colene still couldn''t get over it. She finally contacted someone

    whom she hadn''t spoken to for a while.

    The man was once part of the Ivory Gang back when she was still attached to the gang. Nathan

    Waters, an adopted son of Colene''s father, had now been promoted to the gang leader position.

    "Oh, Colene! I never thought I''d get a call from you again. Is this a dream?" Nathan sounded agitated.

    "This is not a fucking dream. I''ll keep it short. I need you to beat up this guy," Colene instructed in her

    usual direct manner.

    "Who''s that? I''m at your service?"

    Colene hissed, "Simon Lynch!"

    Nathan didn''t prod. "Sure. Are we sticking to the usual rule?"

    "Yes. Beat him up badly, but keep him alive."

 Chapter 1284

    One day, Simon was relishing thepany of escorts and good wine at a premium lounge in a

    luxurious nightclub. The air was filled with smoke and the sounds from partying.

    Sitting across from him was the heir of the Schmidt Group, Josh Schmidt. The fact that Simon was

    invited to the party that night meant he had received the seal of approval from Josh. The Schmidts

    were considered one of his connections now.

    Now acquainted with the Becketts and the Schmidts, Simon had no reason to fear the Taylors

    anymore.

    "Mr. Schmidt, it was just a small favor. You''re too nice," Simon remarked energetically with an escort in

    his arm.

    "It''s just a few drinks. Don''t mention it." Josh swirled the wine and lifted a brow in amusement. "This is

    nothingpared to your brilliant suggestion of suing your brother for aggravated assault.

    "For one, this is a revenge for David. Someone needs to pay for the suffering he had been put through.

    Besides, this is a good chance to break up Sean and Ms. Tatiana. Knowing how much your mom loves

    his son, she''d rather die than allow Sean to marry the lowly daughter of Winston''s third wife. You''ve

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    killed two birds with one stone."

    Since the Schmidts could noty a finger on Jasper and Alyssa yet, they''d make inroads by starting

    with the people around the couple.

    There was no way Josh would allow Sean to beat David by marrying Tatiana.

    "Haha! It''s all because you paid me well." Under the influence of alcohol and wealth, Simon shed his

    gentlemanly facade. His eyes twinkled with greed. "You made a great offer to me, knowing you''re

    asking me to sue my brother. I''ll have to work well with you."

    "You''re suing your brother. Don''t you feel sorry for him, having grown up together?" Josh inquired with

    a smile.

    "He''s not my brother." Simon seethed with malice. "He''s just Alyssa Taylor''spdog."

    Josh clicked his tongue and gracefully took a sip of red wine.

    "Mr. Schmidt, you know my reputation in the legal field. Just leave your brother''s case to me. I''ll help

    you to secure a perfect victory. Besides, if yourpany needs legal assistance, my door is always

    open. I''ll wee you at any time."

    Josh looked upzily at Simon''s eager expression and smiled. "Seeing how diplomatic and flexible you

    are, it''s no wonder you''re a reputable attorney. From what I learned, you are a close acquaintance of

    Mr. Javier, and you''ve helped him to take care of legal troubles more than once.

    "But you seemed to have mishandled Madam Sophia''s drug offense case. She''s still on remand, and

    her court hearing is around the corner. Due to the huge repercussions of her case, the court has

    decided on a public hearing, which the Becketts had failed to stop."

    Josh''s smile turned into a disdainful snicker. "Jasper Beckett and Alyssa Taylor have ruined your

    personal record of 100 percent wins. When the news spreads, you start receiving fewer cases. How

    could I trust your professional ability?"

    The smile on Simon''s face froze. He felt as though Josh had pped him in the face. Anger burned in

    his chest.

    He argued, "Sure, there''s a court hearing soon, but that''s where my strength lies. Even if I can''t help

    her walk away free, I can appeal for a lighter sentence." Downing a huge ss of alcohol, he dered,

    "Just wait and see."

    "Sure. I''ll wait for your good news, Attorney Lynch." With a smirk, Josh said, "Prove your ability through

    the Beckett''s court case, and we''ll have ample opportunities to work together."

    Simon headed toward the parking garage, drunk and furious. His cheerful mood at the start of the night

    had turned into deep frustration.

    Simon btedly realized that Josh had manipted him. Josh turned against him and even made

    empty promises. Simon thought, "None of the Schmidts is good."

 Chapter 1285

    After a belch, Simon grumbled, "Damn it! Do you really believe I would have willingly joined your

    ridiculous little party if I hadn''t bungled the Sophia Kirkman case?"

    He tugged on his tie and spat on the floor. "Just wait and see. I''ll secure a perfect win at Sophia

    Kirkman''s court hearing. You''ll beg for my help then, and I won''t even cast a look at you!"

    As he reached for his phone to call an Uber, a group of hooligans sporting colorful patterned shirts

    under their suits approached him. Grinning, they wielded sticks and swiftly closed in on him.

    "W-What are you doing?" Simon''s eyes widened. He instantly sobered up.

    "Can''t you tell? We''re here to rough you up." Just then, someone struck Simon''s back with a stick,

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    causing him to crumple to the ground.

    Coughing, he growled, "Do you know who I am?" His bones seemed to have cracked under the

    pressure. Huddled on the ground, he continued shouting at them out of pride, "I''m an attorney¡ªthe

    legal counsel of the Beckett Group. The president of the Schmidt Group is my good friend too! Lay a

    finger on me, and you''ll be as good as dead in Sna City. I''ll make sure you end up behind bars."

    "Hahaha! Who the fuck do you think you''re scaring? We''re veterans. The prison is like our second

    home by now. Do you think that''s going to intimidate us? We heard you''re a scoundrel¡ªan

    unscrupulous attorney who takes on any case. Well, today, we''re serving justice. Beat him up!"

    Curling into a ball, Simon shielded his head as the four hooligans started beating him up. He begged,

    "Argh! I was wrong! Please spare my life!"

    In a matter of minutes, he suffered fractures throughout his body. Bleeding from the head, he knelt and

    begged for mercy.

    Not far away, Nathan Waters leaned against the car window, observing the scene from a luxury car. He

    recorded the beating while chuckling. Then, he sent the video to Colene.

    "How''s this, Ms. Colene? Want something more? Like, say, defecating in his mouth?" He followed up

    with two cute emojis,pletely deviating from the image of the Ivory Gang leader.

    Shortly after, she responded, "That''s disgusting."

    A few secondster, she added, "Sure. Why not?"

    "Got it, Ms. Colene!"

    Nathan waited and waited, but Colene didn''t respond anymore. Reading her texts repeatedly, he smiled

    affectionately and pouted. "Hmph. Why didn''t she bother to chat with me? She''s still as petty as ever."

    Five days had passed in the blink of an eye, and many things unfolded. Winston, who went on his way

    to look for Alyssa, was ambushed by Jonah and Axel halfway.

    No matter how he questioned his sons, they refused to disclose Alyssa''s whereabouts. However, they

    insisted that Alyssa was safer with Jasper than with anyone else.

    In his six decades of life, he had presumed his children would heed him, yet they ended up opposing

    him. That did not sit well with him at all.

    At the same time, the Schmidts grappled with their own set of challenges.

 Chapter 1286

    After David was bailed out, the first thing he did was to fix his two broken front teeth. Then, he

    continued his yboy ways under the Schmidts'' protection. Despite having bruises all over his face, he

    remained unbothered and hired a couple of young models to have fun with.

    For that, he took Viagra to treat his erectile dysfunction, but he ended up overdosing. His eyes rolled

    back, and he foamed from the mouth. He had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

    Upon learning about the incident, Victor was frustrated and worried. He had no choice but to keep it to

    himself while discreetly searching for a way to treat David''s condition.

    He felt fortunate that the Taylors had withdrawn theirwsuit against David. Hence, he decided toy

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    low for a while before thinking about revenge.

    On the other hand, Simon suffered a worse fate. He was beaten up at the parking garage andter

    stuffed with excrement in the mouth, just like Nathan had promised Colene.

    In the aftermath, Simon lost his appetite for days, as he was traumatized by the scent of the excrement.

    Not only that, he vomited violently and ran a fever.

    Such humiliation was worse than death. He couldn''t help but wonder about the despicable person who

    had fed him excrement.

    One night, Simon woke up in the middle of the night, feeling weak. He suddenly recalled the glimpse of

    thepel pin on one of the hooligans. It was a motif of a red bird.

    He thought it looked like a Northern cardinal, which reminded him of thergest gang in Sna City,

    the Ivory Gang.

    At the thought, he yelled and held his head in fear, his teeth chattering and his body covered in sweat.

    One day, delegations, along with the leadership from five major metropolises, convened in Sna City

    to meet with the city mayor and congresspeople. It was clearly a very important meeting.

    As the wife of a representative, Daisy had started preparing her attire from a week ago. Her dress was

    full of intricate embroidery, reminiscent of the frivolity of Marie Antote.

    Ever since her marriage to Timothy Clemons, she had meticulously paved his path to sess. She

    After much stress and mary investment, she finally got him to where he was.

    Now that Timothy was well-connected, all that was left was the election. If elected, he''d be the new

    mayor of Sna City, which was one step closer to her dream of being the First Lady one day.

    While tying Timothy''s tie for him, she nagged at him to remind him of things to be said at the meeting

    and ways to maintain his image. Looking irritated, he snapped, "Enough! I''m tired of all that talk."

    Swatting her hand away, he sorted out his tie with a frown and grumbled, "You were quite a cool

    woman in the past. Why do you sound like my mom now?"

    "You ingrate! Are youining about me now after your career has taken off?" Daisy jabbed a

    finger at his temple and jeered, "Without me, you wouldn''t be where you are. Remember, Timothy

    Clemons, you''re nothing without me!"

    He glowered at her and entered the bathroom. After he left, his phone buzzed. Daisy, who had secretly

    gotten her hand on his passcode, unlocked his phone.

    Upon seeing his passionate chat histories with multiple women, she erupted in anger. Dashing into the

    bathroom, she tossed the phone onto him and growled, "Timothy Clemons, how dare you cheat on

    me? That''s betrayal!"

    Stunned, he mumbled, "Did you just check my phone without my permission? How could you¡ª"

 Chapter 1287

    "Why can''t I? I''m your wife!" Daisy could not be bothered to maintain her image as the congressman''s

    wife. Instead, she grabbed Timothy by the cor and shook him hysterically. "How could you do this to

    me after all I''ve done for you, you heartless bastard?"

    Just as she was about to p him, he grabbed her wrist and pinned her hands to the back. Losing her

    bnce, she knocked against the door and inhaled sharply from the pain.

    "Argh!" She widened her eyes in shock as sheined, "How dare you hit me? I''m the daughter of

    the Schmidt family. Lay a finger on me? I''ll tell my dad and Josh about this!"

    "Tell them, then! I''ve had enough of you, you filthy bitch!" Timothy lost his cool and pointed a finger at

    her stunned face. "The election is around the corner. If you make a scene, all your efforts will go down

    the drain. You and I are chained by fate. If I go down, you''ll go down with me!"

    The color drained from her face as she stared nkly at Timothy. She had never expected that all her

    hard work invested into Timothy would backfire on her.

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    "You repeatedly bullied and humiliated me with your social status over the years. I endured that in

    silence. You wanted to y a loving couple in public, which I have given my cooperation to.

    "From now on, you should stay out of my business and fulfill your duties as a congressman''s wife, or

    we''re done!"

    Timothy effectively dered that he would go solo. He smoothed out his cor, which she had tightly

    grasped. Then, he left, mming the door behind him without so much as to take another look at her.

    Daisy fell onto the floor with a look of disbelief and streaks of tears on her face. After a while, she rose

    and wiped away her tears. Standing in front of the mirror, she forced an eerie smile.

    Daisy said, "Right! Those bitches mean nothing! I''ll be the wife of the mayor soon. I''ll need to be

    gracious. When the results are out, I''ll get rid of each of them with my own hands! Just wait and see!"

    At 5:00 pm sharp, the Sna City leadership hosted the delegations at the Sna City Central City

    Hall.

    Mayor Hodgson and his wife, along with Timothy and Daisy, graced the event with other highly-ranked

    officials of Sna City and business elites. Under the attention of the media and staff, the VIPs

    marched into the city hall.

    The chairman of Schmidt Group, Victor, and the president, Josh, were invited to the event as business

    representatives. All the Schmidts were present except for David, who was in recovery, and the

    enigmatic Jameson.

    Amid the morous entrance, no one noticed a luxury van that was discreetly parked across from the

    city hall.

    Behind the tinted windows, Jasper lifted Alyssa by her waist and sat her on hisp. He kissed her

    tenderly and slowly, his eyes painted with lust.

    "Mmph... Alright. That''s enough." Panting, she pushed him away. Her swollen lips were like ripe

    cherries.

    Alyssa reminded him, "We''re on a mission!"

    "We''re executing the mission now." He grinned seductively.

    "I''m not talking about that! I''m referring to something serious!" Blushing, she punched his chest

    yfully.

    "The more I taste you, the more addicted I am." Caressing her cascading dark hair, Jasper stared at

    her deeply and bit her on the ear lobe. "I''ll never have enough of you."

 Chapter 1288

    Alyssa had dreamed of hearing such loving words from Jasper''s mouth for a long time, but they

    remained a dream. Now that Jasper clung to her and repeatedly showered her with sweet talk, she

    found it a little annoying.

    Every time he touched and kissed her, he''d set off fireworks in her mind. Sumbing to his charm, she

    allowed herself to fall deeper into him.

    Even if she did not express her love in the form of words, Jasper could tell from her reaction to him.

    Gathering herself, she wrapped his tie around her fingers. "Jasper, weren''t you a gentleman in the

    past? Why are you like a dog that''s gone into heat?"

    She suddenly covered her mouth upon realizing her wrong choice of words. He might have acted like a

    hot-blooded teenager, driven crazy by lust, but she decided to watch her mouth out of respect.

    To her surprise, he panted heavily, eyes dripping honey. He caressed her nape and pressed his

    forehead against hers, saying, "Lyse, I''m your dog."

    Her heart raced wildly as her cheeks blushed. She poked him in the chest and grumbled, "Stop it! Are

    you saying that I''m a bitch too?"

    Jasper swallowed hard and bit her on her rosy lips. He suggested, "We rarely travel in a van. There''s

    enough space in here for us..."

    "I''m here to take my revenge, not to have sex!" Cheeks flushed, she gave him a flick on the forehead

    and changed the topic, "By the way, why didn''t I see the Harpers today? As the soon-to-be president,

    shouldn''t Landon show up at an event of this scale? He wouldn''t want to give the spotlight to the

    Schmidts."

    "The Harpers are still grappling with the consequences of Zoe''s actions. They''ve been at the center of

    gossip, and their attendance would only attract criticisms."

    Alyssa scoffed. "Hmph. Not bad. At least they know their ce."

    Jasper inched closer and rubbed the tip of his nose against her cheek in a flirtatious move. "Landon

    said that he hates social events like these. He''d rather spend his time with his lovely wife than meet

    with old farts. I wholly agree with him."

    "You''ve been hugging me nonstop for days. I woke up sweaty and sticky because of you. It feels

    disgusting." She hopped off from hisp and said, "We''re sleeping in different rooms tonight!"

    Arms empty and being told to sleep alone that night, Jasper felt bad for himself. "Don''t do this to me,

    Lyse."

    At that time, they heard a knock on the car window. Alyssa rolled down the window and found Xavier

    stanuing out there.

    Xavier reported, "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, everything''s been arranged in the city hall."

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    "Got it. Thanks for your hard work." She nodded with a smile before warning sternly, "Still, keep a close

    eye. This is an important event, so I expect tight security.

    "The Becketts are not in attendance. If the Schmidts catch you in the city hall, they''ll notice something

    amiss. That will jeopardize our ns."

    "Don''t worry, Lyse." Jasper wrapped an arm around her waist with a smile. "My men have infiltrated the

    city hall."

    Eyes twinkling, she felt more relieved at the reassurance. Then, she opened herptop and coded

    away furiously.

    Jasper was no longer a stranger to the multi-talented woman, but every time he witnessed her at work,

    he''d feel amazed by her capabilities while feeling inferior.

    "Okay. Everything''s ready." She tapped on the Enter key and cracked her sore fingers. "All''s left is to sit

    back and watch the show."

    Jasper gently held her hand and caressed them. He''d let Alyssa do anything she liked, as he''d always

    be there to back her up. Even if the sky fell on her, he''d be there to protect her.

 Chapter 1289

    The atmosphere in the grand hall of the city hall was tense and serious. The audience wasprised

    of important officials and business representatives from Sna City and all across the nation.

    At that moment, Onder Hodgson was delivering a keynote speech onstage. Members of Congress

    and business representatives sat in the front rows, while family members like Daisy were arranged to

    be seated in the back.

    As the only daughter of the Schmidt family, Daisy was especially important in high society. Still, today''s

    event was mostly their husbands'' arena. As a spouse, she had no say in the event.

    An attention-seeker, she was displeased at the treatment at the event, especially knowing that she was

    the reason behind Timothy''s career sess.

    Without the support of the Schmidt Group, the guidance of Victor Schmidt, and her meticulously crafted

    public persona, Timothy would never have achieved sess smoothly.

    The more she thought over it, the happier she felt. It took her mind off the horrible feeling upon learning

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    of Timothy''s multiple affairs.

    One day, she vowed to be seated in the front row as the mayor''s wife. With that in mind, she

    straightened up in her seat with a haughty demeanor.

    The guests around her exchanged gossip. "Look at that smug expression on her face! All I could see

    was her nostrils ring."

    "Isn''t that right? The election hasn''t kicked off yet, but she seems confident in her husband''s victory.

    What gives her that confidence?"

    "Daisy Schmidt still thinks she''s important because she''s a Schmidt, but she has lost her social

    standing after marrying into the Clemons family. Rumors had it that she begged her family for money to

    finance her husband''s electoral campaign. Because of that, the Schmidts are annoyed at her, but she

    still walks around feeling good about herself."

    "I don''t have confidence in Clemons. He looks like a corrupted man. If he and his wife are in power, the

    citizens will be in trouble."

    Despite being surrounded by the meanments, Daisy did not take them seriously. To her, the

    guests were envious of her social standing and her husband''s future sess.

    Mayor Hodgson ended his speech. Thundering apuse filled the air. The emcee returned to the stage

    and announced, "Let''s wee Congressman Timothy Clemons, who will introduce the three-year

    Timothy glided onto the stage amidst the attention and apuse. Daisy nearly stood up to p for him,

    too eager to show off their rtionship to the world.

    Standing in front of the microphone, Timothy beamed radiantly and began, "Ladies and gentlemen,

    next, I will be introducing Sna City''s¡ª"

    He froze in horror when he turned to look at the screen. Concern clouded his initially cheerful face. He

    appeared as though he was struck by lightning.

    Instead of the anticipated PowerPoint slides, the screen disyed a handwritten invoice, clearly

    recording the details of the bribe he had taken, from the date and the time to the location. Bribes of

    different amounts ranging from tens of thousands to millions were listed clearly.

    He trembled in shock while Daisy''s mind went nk. Her blood froze as her face paled. She nearly

    fainted on the spot.

    Meanwhile, the audience started whispering to each other. "What are those? They don''t look like

    presentation slides to me."

    "Hmm, those look like invoices¡ªrecords of bribery!"

    "Timothy Clemons'' name is written on those invoices. He''s taken those bribes, I assume."

    Soon, the screen disyed a series of candid photos on autoy. The photos showed Timothy

    entering private clubs, receiving expensive jewelry, and even entering the lounge of the private club

    with two wavy-haired women in his arms.

    The photos caused a stir in the audience and dropped a bomb on the media representatives.

 Chapter 1290

    "Oh, my God! Who did this? This is amazing!"

    "Gathering so much evidence and revealing it at such a crucial moment? This is aimed at destroying

    Timothy!"

    "Could it be Mr. Hodgson? After all, they''re rivals in this election."

    "That''s possible. But does the Hodgson family have such means? The mastermind behind this must be

    someone stronger."

    shlights were flickering. All cameras captured the shocked Timothy, who was trembling

    uncontrobly on the stage.

    Some reporters were no longer satisfied with just taking photos. They rushed toward the podium,

    aiming their microphones and cameras at him.

    "Mr. Clemons, are the pictures real?"

    "Did you take bribes? Are you involved in illicit transactions?"

    Timothy''s lips trembled uncontrobly, and he staggered backward. "It''s not me! Someone

    photoshopped it. Someone is trying to set me up!"

    "What about the ledger? How do you exin that?"

    "It''s fake! It''s all fabricated! I never took that money! Never!"

    Timothy was drenched in sweat as he shouted in panic, "Where''s the security? Come and maintain

    order!"

    Seeing the chaotic scene where Timothy was besieged by the media and had his dirt exposed one

    after another, Victor turned furious. His face darkened at once.

    "Find out what''s going on!"

    Victor''s eyes were red, and he was struggling to breathe. "This person is targeting Timothy, but it''s

    actually an attack on our family. Who has the audacity to target us?"

    "Yes, Dad. I''ll go find out now."

    Josh realized that the situation was out of control, so he urgently said, "I''ll send someone to escort you

    out of here amid the chaos. Timothy is your son-inw, after all. If something happens to him, it might

    affect you."

    "No!" Victor adamantly refused. "If we leave now, won''t it be admitting that these scandals are true? It''ll

    make people think that Schmidt Group can''t handle a joke. We''ll be aughing stock."

    Just then, Josh''s phone vibrated.

    Sternly, he answered the phone. Daisy''s urgent voice came through. "Josh,e out for a moment. I''ll

    be waiting for you in the corridor."

    When Josh arrived, he saw a pale Daisy anxiously pacing.

    "Daisy, what''s going on?"

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Josh, you have to save Tim."

    Daisy grabbed Josh''s arm with her eyes full of panic. "If today''s events get out... Tim''s career will be

    Josh gritted his teeth angrily. "It''s a big event today. With so many officials and media present, do you

    think you can keep it a secret? The whole city already knows!"

    Shocked, Daisy staggered back. Her heartbeat seemed to stop at this moment.

    "Are those ledgers and photos real?" Josh sternly questioned her after a deep breath.

    Regretfully, Daisy closed her eyes and nodded.

    "You waste! You can''t even control your matrilocal husband, and you still call yourself a daughter of the

    Schmidt family?

    "You''ve been supporting him with our family''s money, and this is what we get? An ungrateful punk?"

    Josh was furious, feeling more annoyed the more he looked at his useless sister.

    "What''s the use of saying this now? You''re scolding me now that things have gone south. Why didn''t

    you talk about the benefits you gained from Tim?

    "Do you think I supported him to be mayor to benefit myself? If he bes mayor, it''ll benefit

    Schmidt Group!" Daisy cried hysterically, on the verge of a breakdown.

    "Enough! Keep your voice down. Do you want everyone to hear?" Josh red at her, overwhelming her

    with his oppressive presence.

    Indeed, Daisy dared not cry anymore. Trembling, she begged, "Josh... you must save Tim. Even if it''s

    for the reputation of Schmidt Group... you have to save him."

    "I know."

    Josh took a deep breath, and his eyes turned dark. "Once this matter gets out, officials wille to

    investigate Timothy. I''ll send people to seal off the scene and try to get you a chance to leave."

 Chapter 1291

    The venue was in chaos, and security personnel were deployed to maintain order.

    However, the event was grand, and numerous media outlets were invited. All the reporters swarmed

    Timothy, trapping him in the middle and making it difficult for him to move.

    That was how the media industry worked. For them, scandals were like blood in the water, and they

    were the sharks.

    Moreover, this was an epic scandal.

    Victor''s son-inw, the hottest contender in the city''s mayoral election, was actually involved in

    embezzlement and illicit affairs.

    Who wouldn''t want to be the first to report this? Every reporter was eager to devour Timothy alive.

    "Mr. Hodgson, should I contact headquarters to send more personnel? The situation is getting out of

    control." Onder''s secretary hurriedly approached Onder.

    Standing in an inconspicuous corner, Onder left the spacious stage to his rival with a smile that

    suggested he enjoyed watching the spectacle.

    "Let''s just quietly enjoy the show. You don''t need to do anything. But make sure to protect me and my

    wife, lest a bigger spectacle unfold, and we get caught upter."

    To prevent the situation from worsening, the Schmidt family increased security personnel to guard both

    the front and back doors of the venue.

    At this moment, three ck cars lined up at the entrance.

    As the doors opened, prosecutors, dressed in suits with badges disyed, quickly exited the vehicles.

    Leading the way was Ss. His eyes were bright, and he had a solemn expression. It was a far cry

    from his yful demeanor in front of his family.

    His powerful presence was so intense that it made people hold their breath and refrain from staring.

    Upon seeing the procession of prosecutors approaching, the security guard at the entrance was

    intimidated.

    "Please make way. Don''t dy our work." Ss spoke calmly, with a cold andposed expression.

    The security guard dared not obstruct, nodding in agreement as he made way for them.

    Upon entering the hall, Ss pressed the Bluetooth earpiece on his left ear and contacted Alyssa.

    "Lyse, I''m in."

    "What? How did it go so smoothly? That''s a bit unexpected," Alyssa expressed some surprise.

    "Look at who you''re talking to. In critical moments, it has to be me¡ª"

    Unexpectedly, Ss only managed to keep up the act for three seconds before Schmidt Group''s men

    swiftly arrived, forming an imprable barrier.

    "Uh-oh, someone got pped in the face."

    Alyssa''s yfulughter echoed in Ss'' ear. "It seems it''s not as smooth as you imagined."

    "Can you see me?" Ss whispered, looking around.

    "Of course. Not only can I see you, but I can also see what''s happening inside the venue."

    On the other end, Alyssa had her chin resting on her hand. From the screen, she watched Timothy

    being besieged by the crowd and a pale Victor, who was torn between leaving and staying.

    She couldn''t help but smile happily. "This is really a must-watch spectacle."

    Ss straightened his posture and tightened his tie. "Hmph! Just watch, Lyse. I''ll add the most intense

    scene to this spectacle today."

    "Don''t you need to get in first?"

    As soon as Alyssa said that, Jasper''s warm hand encircled her, gently rubbing her shoulders. "Lyse,

    don''t worry. As I said, I have people inside. Ss will surely get in."

    Alyssa''s eyes were narrowed from her smile as she leaned against Jasper''s chest.

    She had been independent all these years, whether as his wife or a doctor without borders. She was

    like a proud and blooming rose with thorns.

    But since she had Jasper, she just wanted to be an ordinary woman.

    No matter what, he always spoiled her and gave her an irreceable sense of security.

    "Sorry, there''s an important event here today. You can''t go in," said a Schmidt Group''s bodyguard.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Ss Taylor, prosecutor of Sna City Investigative Bureau."

 Chapter 1292

    Ss'' eyes were stern as he spoke. "I''m here on official orders. The Investigative Bureau has approved

    the arrest of Mr. Timothy Clemons for investigation. Please let us do our job."

    "We weren''t notified. We only know that unauthorized personnel are not allowed to step inside." The

    bodyguard''s attitude became more upromising.

    As Ss smirked, his eyes turned cold. "Do you know that you''re already breaking thew?"

    The bodyguards had a strong backing, so they didn''t take Ss seriously.

    "Looking at your attire, you''re obviously not official personnel. Given your fear of us entering to make

    an arrest, I''m suspecting you''re affiliated with Schmidt Group." Ss chuckled.

    The bodyguards suddenly panicked.

    Before they came to stop the prosecutors, Josh had explicitly ordered them not to mention a word

    about the Schmidt Group, no matter how they were pressured.

    They just had to stall the prosecutors to give more time for the Schmidt family''s operations. If Timothy

    was taken away by the prosecutors, it would be a dead end.

    So they could only grit their teeth and say, "No! We''re not from Schmidt Group. We were sent by Mr.

    Hodgson to maintain order."

    "Oh? You''re Mr. Hodgson''s people? Howe I don''t recognize any of you?"

    A calm voice, apanied by footsteps, approached. At once, everyone turned around.

    The person approaching was none other than Daniel Crosby, Onder''s chief secretary. He was

    apanied by a group of people, all working for the Hodgson family.

    Schmidt Group''s bodyguards were dumbfounded.

    "How dare you impersonate the Hodgson family''s men and frame Mr. Hodgson right under his nose?"

    Daniel sternly scolded, then turned to Ss with a polite smile. "Mr. Taylor, I think you should issue

    another arrest warrant to apprehend these people who are obstructing official duties. Get the name of

    the person behind their back to clear Mr. Hodgson''s name."

    Ss nodded. "I''ll investigate this matter thoroughly."

    "Good. By the way, Mr. Hodgson supports the officials'' decisions and will spare no effort to cooperate

    fully with the work of the prosecutors."

    Daniel took the opportunity to boost Onder''s image. He was truly smart.

    People from the Schmidt Group were utterly defeated. None dared to block the prosecutors anymore.

    "Thank you for your cooperation."

    Ss walked with determination, leading his subordinate, Finley Lawson, toward the venue.

    As they left, Daniel avoided others and went to a corner to make a phone call.

    At this moment, Jasper, who was asking for a kiss from Alyssa, received a call on his phone.

    "Stop it... I gotta answer the phone." Blushing, Alyssa put her hands on his chest. When she felt the

    perfect shape of his chest muscles through his shirt, she began to imagine things.

    Jasper''s eyes deepened. Taking advantage of her distraction, he grabbed her chin and pecked her lips

    before pressing the speakerphone button.

    Daniel''s voice came through. "Mr. Beckett, I''ve taken care of the matter you instructed. Mr. Taylor has

    already entered the venue."

    "Thank you, Daniel."

    Suddenly, Jasper leaned his tall and sturdy body toward Alyssa, pressing her against the car window.

    The next second, his upromising kiss came down forcefully, sealing her lips.

    Of course, he wasn''t satisfied with just a brief taste. His greedy nature was always revealed in front of

    her.

    Alyssa''s eyes were shining under Jasper''s passionate kiss. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around

    his neck. However, she was surprised deep down.

    She had been monitoring everything that happened in the hall through the camera.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    The person Jasper arranged was actually Onder''s chief secretary?

    Alyssa couldn''t help but be astonished.

    Smiling, Daniel said respectfully, "It''s nothing, Mr. Beckett. It''s my honor to assist in any way I can.

    Moreover, helping you is, in a way, helping Mr. Hodgson. After all, Mr. Hodgson has been looking

    forward to this spectacle today. In the future..."

 Chapter 1293

    "Feel free to ask if you need my help, Mr. Beckett." Daniel was extremely polite as if Jasper were his

    boss.

    Meanwhile, the temperature in the car gradually rose. Jasper''s and Alyssa''s lips intertwined in a deep

    and lingering kiss.

    As Jasper reluctantly ended this euphoric moment, he smiled in satisfaction.

    No one could tell whether this satisfaction was due to Daniel''s response or Alyssa''s enthusiastic

    reaction.

    When the call ended, Alyssa''s forehead was covered in a thinyer of sweat.

    "Do you have clones? You''re involved everywhere. You even have people by Onder''s side?"

    She lightly panted in Jasper''s embrace, her gaze soft and tender. "Those people in the political field are

    all cunning. They''re all snobs who favor the rich.

    "Especially those in positions like chief secretary. Being the high-ranking officials'' confidants, they''re

    the most difficult to win over. How did you buy him over?"

    Jasper gently stroked her sweat-dampened hair, raising an eyebrow. "Because I''m rich and respectable

    enough."

    "Cut it out... Such a big ego." Alyssa poked his cheek with her fingertip.

    "Daniel has been with Onder for many years. But as far as I know, Onder is hot-tempered and

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    extremely harsh on his subordinates. Working under him is like walking on thin ice.

    "Even though Daniel has had several opportunities for promotion, Onder deliberately suppressed

    him. If you were in his shoes, would you still be loyal to such a boss?"

    Alyssa nodded understandingly. "So, he found that the political path was not viable and decided to

    switch to the business field. You took the opportunity to promise him some benefits, like arranging for

    him to enter Beckett Group if he worked for you. Am I right?"

    Jasper''s eyes were full of affection as he smiled. "Lyse, you''re truly clever."

    "Train this Daniel well. He''s quite quick-witted. He could please both of his bosses while being discreet.

    He''ll surely be useful in the future." Alyssa''s bright eyes sparkled with intelligence.

    Thinking he had everything arranged, Josh was about to send someone to quickly get Daisy and

    Timothy out of the venue when Ss and a group of prosecutors approached them fiercely.

    "J-Josh, how did they get in?" Daisy trembled behind Josh. Her aristocratic demeanor waspletely

    gone.

    Josh gritted his teeth, looking at Ss with a dark expression as he walked up to him.

    "Mr. Josh, things don''t always go your way. No matter how you try to block and resist, the light of justice

    will eventually shine through."

    Ss looked at him with a half-smile, his presence exuding righteousness.

    "After all, Sna City doesn''t belong to the Schmidts. Some people dare to think they can suppress

    others with power, ying god. I think they''re just walking into hell with their own feet."

    Josh was infuriated but could only maintain a stiff smile. "Mr. Taylor, I don''t understand what you''re

    saying."

    Ss raised an eyebrow. "I''m not here as a Taylor. I''m here as a prosecutor. Step aside. Don''t block the

    way."

    With that, he forcefully bumped into Josh, leading his team into the venue.

    Josh shook off the pain from the shoulder collision and red maliciously at Ss'' retreating figure, his

    gaze cutting like a venomous dagger.

    "Josh! What do we do? Oh, what do we do? They''re going to arrest Tim! Stop them!" Daisy was frantic,

    shaking Josh''s arm wildly.

    "Shut up!" Josh couldn''t take it anymore and shouted angrily.

    Shocked, Daisy left her mouth half-opened, instantly bing mute.

    Faced with all the cameras, the articte Timothy turned pale. Even his hair was a mess. The only

    thing he wanted to do now was escape.

    Just then, brisk footsteps approached, and everyone instinctively made way.

    "Look! It''s the prosecution team!"

    When Timothy heard that, he shuddered violently.

    Meanwhile, Ss strode toward him authoritatively and presented an arrest warrant.

    The buzzing crowd suddenly fell silent.

    Only Ss'' clear and stern voice resonated.

    "Timothy Clemons, you''re suspected of corruption, abuse of power, and illicit affairs. Pleasee with

    us for investigation."

 Chapter 1294

    As Timothy saw the prosecution team approaching him, he knew that he was doomed. His legs gave

    way, and he buckled in front of everyone.

    All social media and news tforms simultaneously reced their headlines with a breaking news

    update¡ªTimothy had been arrested.

    Quick-witted reporters had already rushed to Victor.

    "Mr. Victor, do you have anything to say about the arrest of your son-inw?"

    "Are you aware of Mr. Clemons'' actions?"

    "Have you benefited during Mr. Clemons'' years in office? Did he use his power to channel benefits to

    the Schmidt Group?"

    The furious Victor gritted his teeth, his face turning ashen.

    He thought Josh would handle things well, but the prosecutors from the Investigative Bureau still

    barged in. And they were led by none other than Winston''s second son, Ss!

    Both being business tycoons, it was a great disgrace for Victor to have his son-inw arrested by

    Winston''s son. What an insult to his dignity!

    If he had known, he wouldn''t have stayed here. He would have slipped away amid the chaos. Staying

    here was a mistake.

    "Dad! Let''s get out of here!" Josh hurriedly arrived, helping his father and guiding him toward the exit.

    Yet reporters relentlessly followed. Under Josh''s protection, Victor struggled to move forward. In the

    midst of the crowded chaos, Victor''s shoe was identally stepped off.

    "Oh, no! My shoe!" Victor awkwardly lifted his left foot.

    "Dad! Why worry about a shoe at a time like this? Hurry, we need to go!" Josh was sweating from the

    urgency, only concerned with dragging Victor out.

    So, with one foot bare, Victor embarrassingly escaped the scene.

    "Look! Why is there a shoe on the ground?"

    "Is it Victor''s? Is he so panicked that he lost his shoe? Hahaha!"

    Reporters took pictures of the shoe andughed loudly.

    ...

    When Timothy was dragged out of the venue by the prosecutors, his legs were dragging on the ground.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    He was so terrified to the point of being unable to take a single step.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa and Jasper observed everything that was happening from across the street.

    Xavier had already brought over sses of prepared champagne, joy evident on his face.

    "Congrattions, Mr. Beckett, Madam. You two make a powerful alliance. You''re unstoppable!"

    Alyssa and Jasper raised their sses, smiling in satisfaction. As they shared a deep gaze, they

    clinked their sses, producing a pleasant sound.

    "Thank you for lending a helping hand, Mr. Beckett. It''s been a pleasure working with you." Alyssa''s

    eyes held a tender gaze. Her naturally tinted lips stunned his heart and captivated his soul.

    "I didn''t do much. It''s mainly thanks to you, dar¡ª"

    The word "darling" almost slipped out of Jasper''s mouth. His heart skipped a bit, and he quickly

    corrected himself.

    "Thanks to you, Lyse. You''ve thought through and strategized everything. I just cooperated with you

    and did what I could."

    God knew how much Jasper envied seeing Landon openly embrace Lauren, sweetly calling her

    darling.

    How he wished he could openly talk about his lovely wife in front of others.

    But he had nothing to me but himself for missing too many opportunities for happiness. Their

    reunion was already a miracle.

    He didn''t dare to ask for more. He would dly be by her side, even if he remained an unnamed

    guardian.

    Seeing her valiant warrior''s eyes flickering with panic over a small mistake in his words, Alyssa couldn''t

    help but feel a pang in her heart.

    She leaned in and wrapped her arms around Jasper''s neck. Lifting her face, she nted a kiss on his

    chin.

    Xavier immediately opened the car door and got out. As a qualified secretary, he should be deaf and

    blind.

    Jasper''s breathing deepened gradually. His hand, with tense veins, caressed her waist. "Lyse, stop

    tormenting me."

 Chapter 1295

    Jasper whispered, "My strong self-control crumbles before you."

    Alyssa''s eyes were slightly red. Her voice was soft and melodious as she whispered back into his ears,

    "You were very capable. Tonight... you''ll be rewarded."

    This crucial seminar for Sna City concluded in a spectacr and absurd farce.

    Timothy''s scandalous political career was exposed to the public, causing strong condemnation in

    society. It even rmed the president, who ordered a thorough investigation into the Clemons family

    and all officials associated with Timothy to eradicate the corruption.

    Everyone in the political field felt threatened and hated Timothy to the core.

    Schmidt Group also suffered. Not only was its reputation damaged, but it had also lost its credibility,

    attracting attention from higher-ups.

    Victor checked Twitter on his way back home. When he saw his abandoned shoe at the scene being

    shared online with memes like "Get the same edition as the rich now", he was so furious that he yelled

    and threw his phone, shattering the windshield of his luxury car.

    By the time he returned home, it was alreadyte at night.

    Victor couldn''t sleep, so he summoned everyone to the living room for a meeting.

    David, who was still drunk, stumbled over, muttering and cursing. Victor jolted him awake with a swift

    p.

    Meanwhile, Jameson sat on the side calmly, with his elbow resting on the armrest. He supported his

    head with his fist, watching the scene with a hint of amusement.

    "It''s obvious that someone deliberately set Timothy up. Who... Who dares to scheme against us?"

    Victor roared in anger, almost smashing the expensive coffee table.

    Victor had been a powerful figure for decades. When had he ever been in such a humiliating situation?

    He had lost his dignity and his shoe. He needed to vent, no matter what.

    "Dad, Timothy''s arrest has a significant impact on Schmidt Group."

    As Josh pondered, his gaze was extremely gloomy. "Our top priority should be to sever all ties with

    him. We should destroy any evidence of the benefits we gained from him in the past. This incident has

    rmed the president. If things continue like this, we''ll be under investigation soon."

    "What? Parasite Tim get arrested? Why?" David squinted his drunken eyes, still not grasping the

    situation.

    "Idiot! Is it not brain but shit in your head? All you do is drink and fool around with women. You''re

    nothing like your brothers!

    "How did I end up with such a useless waste like you, who can''t get hard?" Victor hadpletely lost

    patience with David. Coupled with his current anger, the words he spat out were highly insulting,

    attacking David''s very core.

    David hated being told he was inferior to Jameson and beingbeled impotent.

    Victor was wildly stomping in his danger zone.

    "I''m in this state today all because of Alyssa!" Irritated and ashamed, David breathed heavily with

    reddened eyes. "If it weren''t for that self-righteous quack doctor performing surgery on me, how the

    fuck would I end up like this? It''s all that bitch''s fault!"

    "Who did you just call a bitch?"

    Jameson parted his pale lips as he stared at David with a glint of bloodthirsty menace in his eyes. "Say

    that again. Who''s a bitch?"

    David''s heart skipped a beat. He nervously took a step back and slumped onto the couch.

    His tone weakened as he said, "Anyway, it''s all Alyssa''s fault! She performed surgery on my leg. How

    could it affect my weenie? She must have secretly harmed me!"

    In the past, he wouldn''t have feared Jameson.

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    But he was now crippled. He had also lost influence in Schmidt Group and fell out of Victor''s favor. His

    ferocity was gone, and he dared not confront Jameson head-on.

    "David, Dad said you have shit in your head. Are you so eager to prove that?"

    Jameson adjusted his sses, smiling disdainfully. "If Lyse wanted to harm you, she wouldn''t have

    saved you. She could have let you be a paraplegic.

    "So, are you saying that to harm you, she cured your legs and then made you impotent? Haha! Save

    these stupid remarks for just us. Don''t disgrace our family outside."

    "You!" David''s face turned as red as a tomato.

    "Enough! Stop buzzing around like a fly!"

 Chapter 1296

    Victor massaged his temples, looking deeply troubled. "Who collected such detailed evidence? Who

    has the capability to bypass everyone and expose the evidence on the screen? Who has this much

    influence?"

    "Who else? It must be the Hodgsons. After all, Parasite Tim is Onder''s archenemy. With the

    uing election, Onder will surely go all out and crush his rival," David grumbled angrily.

    "No, it''s not the Hodgsons," Josh decisively stated.

    "Based on what I know, they don''t have that capability. Even if they had some evidence, they wouldn''t

    expose it at such a crucial meeting. It wouldn''t benefit them, and they might face consequences from

    higher authorities."

    Suddenly, realization dawned on him, and he clenched his teeth. "Why do I feel like this cunning and

    ruthless approach is something Alyssa would do?"

    "Alyssa? Is it really that brat?" Victor was suddenly taken aback.

    "Josh, do you have any evidence?"

    Jameson''s eyes darkened with a cold glint. "Are you just throwing dirt on Lyse because you had an

    argument with her at Heightsnew Vist time? You''re the president of apany, and that''s your

    level of forgiveness?"

    Josh replied, "My guess is not baseless. Last time, because of David''s matter, wepletely fell out

    with the Taylor family. Do you remember what Alyssa said then? With her vengeful personality, she

    would definitelye after us. And here she is."

    He squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Jameson. "Jimmy, are you still dreaming of bing the son-inw

    of the Taylor family? Can''t you have a bit of self-respect? The Taylor family is running wild over us now.

    "The one leading the team to arrest Timothy is Alyssa''s second brother, Ss. Just after everything was

    exposed, Ss came with his people. How could it be so coincidental?

    Jameson was left speechless for a moment, clenching his fists in hatred.

    "If Alyssa is really behind this, why go after Parasite Tim?" As David said that, he instantly realized

    something that sent shivers down his spine.

    Back then, it was Timothy and Daisy who had conspired against Tatiana.

    Could it be that Timothy was just a distraction? Was Alyssa''s real target Daisy?

    "Dad! Josh! You have to help Tim!"

    Just then, Daisy rushed in from outside, sobbing. Her delicate makeup was already ruined. "Tim has

    served our family for so many years... You cant just stand by and watch him die!"

    "You have the nerve toe here and cry? My reputation ispletely ruined by your doomed

    husband!" Victor angrily stood up, pointing at Daisy''s face.

    "Timothy is finished. If you have a bit of brain left, quickly extricate and distance yourself from the

    Clemons family! If you keep being stubborn, I''ll disown you! You can go down, but don''t drag us along!"

    Daisy stood there in shock, suppressing all the grievances she had in her heart and not uttering a

    single word.

    "Daisy, the prosecutors will summon you in the next few days. You need to prepare."

    Josh stepped forward and firmly pressed her shoulders. "Also, I''ll arrange a press conference for you

    as soon as possible. First, you have to show your stance. Apologize to the public for Timothy''s actions

    and establish a positive image of righteousness.

    "Second, you have to use this opportunity to disassociate yourself from him. Deny any involvement in

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    his actions. Lastly, you have to speak up for Schmidt Group and try to salvage our reputation as much

    as possible."

    Daisy''s mind was a mess, and she could only listen to whatever Josh said.

    Meanwhile, Jameson remained silent, and the lenses of his sses reflected a mysterious light.

    He hated all these corrupt individuals, but he didn''t want to see the Schmidt Group in trouble.

    Otherwise, what he would inherit would be aplete mess.

    Let Josh clean up the aftermath. Jameson just wanted to reap the benefits.

 Chapter 1297

    Moonlight softly spilled into the room, and a delicate fragrance lingered in the air.

    The V-cut abs on Jasper''s waist were taut, and his eyes were filled with intense desire as he looked at

    the woman sitting on him.

    The affection in his eyes was so intense that it could shatter the quiet night.

    He wished to make the woman he loved so much a part of his body.

    "I haven''t tried this before. Don''t be disappointed if I don''t do well." Alyssa pressed her delicate hands

    against Jasper''s heaving chest, and she shyly bit her crimson lips.

    Meanwhile, Jasper held her slender thighs in both hands. He dared not reveal his excitement,

    restraining himself to the point that his fingers turned her skin slightly red.

    He hadn''t expected that the "reward" Alyssa mentioned would be trying a different position.

    Although they had been intimate many times before, he initiated each time. He always used all his

    strength to provide her with a perfect experience.

    It was always him taking the lead, and she enjoyed the pleasure.

    This time, everything was reversed. How could he not be excited?

    "I-Is it like this?" Alyssa softly asked, blushing.

    Jasper''s breath was steady, but the tremble of his waist muscles and his passionate eyes gave a

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    heated response.

    "Lyse... you don''t have to force yourself," he said in a deep and mellow voice.

    Alyssa closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. "Don''t you want to try something different?"

    "Yes, it''s just... I''m afraid of making you ufortable." Jasper''s throat tightened, and his voice

    trembled slightly.

    "Silly." Alyssa bent down and drew circles on his thin lips with her index finger. "We''re equals in bed.

    Correct me if anything iscking."

    After a passionate night, Alyssa felt like she had sacrificed half of her life.

    This was too tiring!

    Lying down was much morefortable!

    In the second half, she was already so tired that she couldn''t open her eyes. Yet Jasper wanted

    another

    round, and it seemed he even helped her wipe herself clean.

    Was he an inexhaustible machine? He was really strong and energetic.

    The next day, Alyssa slept until the sun was high. Her whole body was so sore that she rolled on the

    bed for a long time.

    "I got it. Continue to monitor." Jasper''s deep voice came.

    Alyssa turned over and looked at his broad back at the bedside.

    The next moment, her heart thumped, and she shyly buried herself in the nket.

    Jasper''s back was covered with fresh, red marks, confirming the passionate events fromst night.

    "Good morning."

    Jasper turned around and stroked her cheek affectionately. "I''ll have Rosiee over and make you

    some food. You can sleep a little longer. You must be tired fromst night."

    Alyssa blinked shyly. Her soft voice revealed a hint ofziness as she asked, "Who were you talking to

    on the phone? Xavier?"

    "Yeah."

    Jaspery down. Alyssa snuggled into his arms, and his arm tightly encircled her. "I asked him to

    continue using public opinion to attack the Schmidt Group online. Let them trend and enjoy this ''glory.''"

 Chapter 1298

    "Well done." Alyssa pecked Jasper''s cheek, and the sound was loud.

    Being rewarded again, Jasper closed his eyes contentedly. "There''s one more thing. There''s movement

    on the Schmidt family''s side."

    "Oh? What did they do?" Alyssa instantly became alert.

    "They''re nning to hold a press conference to rify what happened at the venuest time."

    "rify? I think it''s more like distancing themselves." Alyssa chuckled and drew a heart on Jasper''s

    chest.

    "Timothy has fallen. It''s not just a talent groomed by the Schmidt family that has been ruined. They''re

    all on edge, fearing repercussions from above."

    Jasper''s eyes shed with a hint of coldness. "To show sincerity, Schmidt Group will definitely hold a

    press conference as quickly as possible. It should be in the next two days."

    "Hmph! Although that corrupt Timothy is unforgivable, the Schmidts'' two-faced demeanor is truly

    hateful."

    "Don''t worry, Lyse. I said I would avenge Taty. I won''t easily give up. If they hurt you or any of your

    family even a bit, I''ll make them pay a painful price." Jasper fiercely gritted his teeth.

    As Alyssa listened to his powerful heartbeat, a smile graced her face.

    She loved Jasper''s strong sense of justice and his upright and fearless personality. They shared the

    same values, both having apassionate heart.

    Jasper held Alyssa''s delicate hand and touched her numb little finger.

    A sudden sorrow filled his chest, and he choked up. "Lyse, what happened to your little finger? Can you

    tell me?"

    "It''s nothing. I identally hurt it while climbing a tree when I was little. It''s not a big deal."

    Alyssa smiled, trying to make her smile look rxed and natural. "It''s just a little finger. It doesn''t affect

    my work or life.

    "I''m already an adult. You don''t have to be so nervous around me. Rx. Our days ahead are still long.

    Seeing you this tense, I''m going to get a heart attack sooner orter."

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    "Because it''s about you." Jasper lowered his head and kissed her forehead. Because it was about you,

    even the slightest details struck a chord with me and lingered in my mind."

    "Jasper, I know you''ve been regretful and guilty about what happened before, even feeling inferior in

    front of me. But I don''t like you being like this."

    Alyssa''s heartache was almost overwhelming as she gently stroked his face.

    "I know how ufortable it is to feel self-conscious in front of someone you love. So, I don''t want you

    to consume yourself with self-doubt and torture yourself.

    "We''ve finallye together, and I hope... we can have a healthy rtionship, just like ordinary people,

    simple and pure."

    Once upon a time, in order to please Jasper and make him fall in love with her, she did everything she

    could.

    The feeling was so bad that she would wake up crying from her dreams.

    She loved him, so she didn''t want him to go down the same path.

    Jasper understood her intentions. A pang of pain shot through his heart. He propped himself up on her

    side and sealed her lips again.

    It was another passionate encounter, sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle.

    Alyssa was a little dizzy, and she felt weak all over. It was as if she had drifted into the clouds.

    "Lyse, after dealing with Schmidt Group, let''s go to Swizo."

    Jasper whispered in her ear, "Let''s go on a nice trip. You wanted to see the snowy mountains, right? I''ll

    go with you."

    Alyssa''s eyshes trembled, and she agreed softly. "Okay."

    She was also in the medical field and knew that there was a renowned gynecology professor in Swizo.

    Although Jasper treated her very well, he was not the kind of person who soughtfort and ease. He

    surely wasn''t the romantic kind, either. His sudden proposal to go on a trip must have a purpose.

    He wanted to take her to see a doctor. Even if there was no hope, he had wanted to try.

    Alyssa understood his intentions and also understood his feelings. If this could make him feel a little

    better, she wouldn''t stop him.

 Chapter 1299

    Ss had a solid and reliable set of evidence, so from the moment Timothy stepped into the

    Investigative Bureau, he wouldn''t see the light of day again.

    Daisy always acted domineering and arrogant, so not a single person was willing to help her at this

    critical moment. Everyone avoided her like she was some kind of virus.

    Except for following Victor and Josh''s orders to hold a press conference and publicly apologize like a

    tool for Schmidt Group, she had no other options.

    But why should she, ady, do something so shameful?

    The men of the Schmidt family, being close biological rtives, actually pushed her out to be publicly

    humiliated. Each of them hid behind her. Were they really human?

    The press conference was scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

    These days felt like an eternity for Daisy. She lost her appetite, suffered from insomnia, and was easily

    irritable.

    She spent her entire afternoon in the wine cer, drowning her sorrows in alcohol. Thinking about her

    years of effort being destroyed in an instant, she wept bitterly in the deserted wine cer.

    "It''s better to think about why things turned out like this rather than crying here."

    Daisy abruptly stopped crying when she saw Jameson approaching with a sardonic smile.

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    "W-Why?"

    "Yes, why?"

    Jameson casually sat down opposite her. He took a wine ss and poured himself a ss of red wine.

    "You''ve protected Timothy so well. Over the years, he''s been embezzling money, taking bribes, and

    enjoying the beauties others throw at him, yet none have ever been exposed.

    "He has always been safe and sound. Why did everything suddenly go south? Why, of all times, is it

    happening now?"

    "Yeah... Why?" Daisy, drunk from all the wine, couldn''t think straight anymore.

    "What have you done recently? Don''t you have any idea?"

    One sentence made Daisy suddenly realize something. "I-It''s the Taylors? They did this?"

    "You''re notpletely hopeless."

    Jameson leisurely took a sip of red wine. "No matter how Timothy behaves in private, the Taylors have

    no grudge against him. Why bother going after him? It''s clear they weren''t targeting him from the

    beginning."

    "The Taylors... are after me?" Panic and confusion were written all over Daisy''s face. She staggered to

    her feet, knocking over the chair in the process.

    "Daisy, you''re in a precarious situation now. Even if you hold a press conference and clean up the

    mess for Schmidt Group, what''s the point? You''ve lost something irreparable.

    "And do you think the Taylors will easily let you off? Going after your man is just the beginning. You''ll be

    next."

    Terrified, Daisy covered her head and let out a hysterical scream that echoed through the entire wine

    cer.

    Jameson quickly covered his ears, looking at her with eyes that resembled those of someone watching

    a lunatic.

    "No... it can''t be! Tatiana''s matter has nothing to do with me. I haven''t done anything. It was all David.

    They can''t me me. They can''t treat me like this!"

    Daisy rambled on and rushed out of the room.

    Shortly afterward, Carl looked in from outside. He walked to the table and poured Jameson a drink.

    "Mr. Schmidt, where''s that crazy bitch going?"

    "If I''m not mistaken, Daisy should have gone to find the Taylors."

    "What?"

    Carl was shocked. "The Taylors just recently severed ties with us, and now that crazy bitch is going

    there to cause trouble? Won''t that make things worse between the two families?"

    "It doesn''t matter. Her actions don''t concern me. No matter how she acts, it has nothing to do with me."

    Jameson drank leisurely, his eyes flickering with a sinister glint. "Let her be. What awaits her is

    undoubtedly self-inflicted humiliation.

    "And what I want is to fill her heart with hatred. When it reaches its peak, she''ll be a time bomb,

    and certain people will be blown to pieces."

 Chapter 1300

    Agitated by Jameson''s words, Daisy rushed to Belbanks overnight in a drunken state.

    Winston was at home that night. Neil was helping him take his medicine, and Mandy was checking his

    blood pressure.

    Winston''s blood pressure had been skyrocketing due to the stress caused by Alyssa over the past few

    days. However, as the chairman of KS Group and a magnate, he still couldn''t find Alyssa.

    After a few days, he had transitioned from initial anger to a simple concern for his daughter''s safety. His

    emotions gradually stabilized.

    He kept inquiring about Alyssa''s situation from Jonah and the others, but they kept their lips sealed.

    Jonah and Axel knew that, no matter what Winston said, he was deeply concerned about Alyssa. His

    overly intense reaction and actions were also driven by his concern.

    So, as long as they kept him worried about her, his resentment and hatred toward Jasper could be

    somewhat diverted.

    "Winston, I don''t mean to scare you, but you really need to take care of your health."

    Frowning, Mandy put the blood pressure monitor aside. "You always talk about death, but I know you

    well. You want to live a long life more than anyone else.

    "You hope to see your children and grandchildren build their own happy families and enjoy multi-

    generational bliss. But if you continue to neglect your health like this, I''m afraid you might not live to

    see that day."

    Winston pressed his lips into a thin line, looking like a boy scolded by adults.

    Seeing this scene from the side, Neil couldn''t help but smile helplessly.

    Among thedies at home, only Mandy''s words could get through to Winston. Perhaps it was because

    of her dominating presence.

    "My health is getting worse day by day, all because of that brat Lyse! She''ll be happy if she manages to

    stress me to death. By then, she can be with that bastard Jasper every day, giving birth to¡ª"

    As Winston spoke in a fit of anger, his heart dropped, and his words came to an abrupt halt.

    In the quiet study, a sorrowful atmosphere lingered.

    "Winston, please don''t say that in front of Lyse."

    Mandy''s expression turned even more serious. "You''re used to giving orders and being domineering

    outside, but please don''t show this disrespectful attitude in front of your family. Otherwise, you might

    be an old man who can''t earn anyone''s respect."

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Winston pursed his lips and remained silent.

    "Lyse is... already very sad." Mandy lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. "As her family, we

    should support her no matter what, rather than expressing emotions recklessly without considering her

    feelings. That''s like stabbing a knife into her heart.

    "Winston, I''ve been with you from the beginning. I know how strong and smart Lyse is. Although she

    grew up with a silver spoon, she never asked anything from you, never stopped you, and never

    demanded anything from you, right?"

    Winston was pressing his lips so tightly that they were turning pale.

    "She has never asked you for anything. Now, she just wants Jasper. Why can''t you fulfill her wishes?"

    When Mandy said these words, her heart ached.

    "She has harmed herself for that bastard! If I continue seeing her harm herself, am I still her father?"

    Though Winston was somewhat moved, his words remained unyielding.

    "But Lyse hasn''t experienced true happiness all these years."

    Mandy''s eyes reddened. "The only time I feel she''s truly happy is when she''s with Jasper."

    "But Jasper¡ª"

    "Winston, do you remember what Jennifer told you before she passed away?"

    At those words, Winston felt as though he were shocked by lightning. The tingling sensation traveled to

    his head, causing his pupils to constrict.

    Of course, he remembered.

    Even if one day he became frail, with blurred vision, unclear speech, and his brain suffering from

    decay, he would never forget the sights, sounds, and smiles she left behind.

    As he reminisced about the moments spent with her in his final hours, his smile would retain the

    brightness of a young man deeply in love.

 Chapter 1301

    "Throughout my life, there hasn''t been a moment when I lived for myself. I hope my children, especially

    Lyse... can live freely. Don''t let her be like me. Let her have the power to pursue her own happiness."

    Her own happiness...

    Winston quietly mused, directing his thoughts to Jenny, histe wife, questioning whether Alyssa''s

    chosen path was genuinely leading her toward happiness.

    Winton was so desperate for answers that he hoped Jennifer could appear in his dreams and tell him

    the answer.

    Right at that moment, a knock sounded from outside the study.

    Before Winston could respond, Colene pushed the door open, shouting, "Winston, Mandy, that crazy

    bitch from the Schmidt family is here! She''s asking to see you and L.

    "I didn''t let her in, so she''s causing a ruckus in the front yard! I can smell alcohol on her. She''s probably

    drunk."

    "Are you talking about Victor''s daughter, Daisy? What is she doing here?"

    Winstonined angrily, "How did Victor teach his children? A youngdy actually showed up

    unannouncedte at night. Does she think our house is a marketce? Does she have no manners?"

    Colene crossed her arms in irritation. "I asked her what she wanted, and she was so drunk she couldn''t

    make any sense. She just said it had nothing to do with her and didn''t specify what ''it'' was."

    "Hah! Nothing to do with her? How does she have the nerve to say that?"

    Mandy squinted her eyes and stood up abruptly, bringing a chill with her. "She wants to see L

    because she thinks L is soft-hearted and easy to talk to. Does she think that she can pretend that

    nothing had happened just by giving some excuses?"

    Winston was shocked. "Mandy, what happened?"

    "At the party that day, David schemed against Taty. She was nearly sexually assaulted. That Ms. Daisy

    yed a significant role in this."

    Mandy''s eyes were bloodshot from hatred. "When Sean wanted to rush in and find Taty, Daisy''s men

    blocked him and seriously injured Sean! The knife wound on his left shoulder worsened, and he was

    almost blinded in his left eye."

    "Blind?" Winston and Colene widened their eyes in disbelief.

    For the past few days, they had seen Sean with his left eye covered in bandages, but they never

    imagined that his injuries were this serious.

    "Even so, Sean didn''t think about himself at that time. He prioritized saving Taty along with Lyse and

    the others.

    "After David took Taty away, Daisy immediately came out to stop Sean. Isn''t that abetting her brother''s

    crime? She definitely knew about the vile things David did. She was an aplice!"

    "Damn... That despicable bitch! She deserves to eat shit!" Colene clenched her fists tightly, making a

    cracking sound. At the same time, she thought of contacting Nathan again.

    "Evil... How evil!"

    Winston was so furious that his forehead was throbbing. He grabbed an expensive antique cup and

    fiercely threw it against the opposite wall.

    "These Schmidt family brats are all evil! How dare that shameless girl bully my godson? I''ll go and

    teach her a lesson!"

    As soon as he said that, his two wives immediately held him back.

    "Winston, she''s nothing. Besides, you have such a noble status. There''s no need to lower yourself to

    see her. She''s not worth it."

    Mandy looked at Colene with a deep gaze. "Colene, have Mr. Anderson kick her out. Don''t let that kind

    of filthy thing upset L and Taty, and don''t let her taint the air of Heightsnew Vi."

    In the yard, Daisy was relentlessly tussling with rk, behaving like a shrew. She insisted on barging in

    to see Winston and L.

    rk, who had initially been polite, gradually lost patience. He used too much force and gave her a

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    strong push.

    Daisy cried out.

 Chapter 1302

    Daisy, intoxicated and unsteady on her feet, fell into a squat, inadvertently exposing herself as her skirt

    flipped up.

    rk quickly turned his face away, afraid of catching a glimpse.

    Just then, a stream of yellowish and foul-smelling water cascaded from overhead, soaking Daisy from

    head to toe.

    Following that, a tangy and disgusting stench reached her nose. She raised her arm to sniff and almost

    vomited her dinner fromst night.

    What was this smell?

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    It was tangy and pungent, making her nauseous.

    "Who is it? Who poured this on me? Who?" Daisy howled at the sky like an angry dog.

    "Who told you to yell and disturb us?"

    Raising her chin, Colene walked briskly out of the front gate. "Look, even the heavens find you

    unpleasant. They poured a bucket of water on you to sober you up. Shut your filthy mouth and get out

    of here."

    "It''s you... You poured this on me!" Daisy red, her teeth chattering from the cold wind.

    "Why do you assume it was me? If rain can fall from the sky, who is to say that sewage can''t? You reap

    what you sow. Who knows? Maybe one day, a bolt of lightning will strike you down."

    Originally from the North, Colene maintained her Northern preferences even after marrying into the

    South¡ªher fondness for fermenting pickled vegetables in the cer remained unchanged.

    She put the unprocessed pickle juice from the previous year to good use this time.

    Initially, she thought about using actual manure, but considering this was their yard, it wasn''t worth

    making a mess for this bitch. So she restrained herself.

    "Sewage?" Daisy''s face turned pale, covering her chest as she dry-heaved.

    "You know what you did. We didn''t pursue it further, so you should find a hole to hide in instead of

    "Winston doesn''t even want to see your father, let alone you. Get lost now. Don''t embarrass yourself

    any further." Colene pinched her nose in disgust.

    Feeling utterly defeated, Daisy knew she would leave empty-handed tonight. Angry and humiliated, she

    gritted her teeth hard.

    Yet she could only leave Heightsnew Vi in a stinky and sorry state.

    "No wonder..."

    After hearing Mandy''s ount, Winston suddenly understood. "I was wondering why the Schmidt

    family has been trouble-free, and now, out of nowhere, Victor''s son-inw is implicated. So it was

    Jasper''s doing?"

    "Yes. The purpose was to avenge Taty and let the Schmidt family know that our children are not to be

    messed with."

    Winston rxed his brows, pondering in silence.

    As Mandy silently observed his expression, she sensed a slight change in his perception of Jasper.

    This was the small task Alyssa assigned her when she called two days ago. She wanted Mandy to find

    a chance to inform Winston about the plot against the Schmidt family. The goal was to give all the

    credit to Jasper and improve his image.

    Initially, she was worried about how to broach the subject. Unexpectedly, Daisy came tonight and

    provided the perfect material.

    "Wait a minute." Winston suddenly frowned again. "Something doesn''t make sense. Wasn''t it Ss who

    made the arrest? If Jasper orchestrated everything, why did Ss take action? It would make more

    sense if you said Lyse orchestrated it."

 Chapter 1303

    Winston continued, "This torturous approach doesn''t seem like Jasper''s style. It''s more like Lyse''s

    work."

    Mandy''s eyes flickered at his words. At once, she linked arms with him. "Winston, it''s gettingte. You

    should go to sleep."

    Alyssa was afraid that Winston might find her at her home in Sna City, and she didn''t want to stay at

    a hotel. So she had been with Jasper in Landon and Lauren''s home.

    Lauren was the happiest about that.

    She already had a deep fondness for Alyssa, and the infrequency of their meetings made her cling to

    her every chance she got. Given the opportunity, Lauren stayed by Alyssa''s side every day.

    This left Jasper with only nighttime for some alone time with Alyssa.

    So, every night, he would connect with her in bed, refusing to stop until she was exhausted and

    begging beneath him. It was as if he was trying topensate for any lost intimacy during the day.

    Alyssa was truly speechless. She had encountered penny pinchers but never someone so calcting

    in matters of intimacy.

    Last time, Lauren''s desire to bake a cake was ruined by Axel''s sudden arrival. Since everyone was

    home tonight, she put on a pink apron, eager to show off her skills. She nned to make a big cake for

    Alyssa and Jasper.

    Meanwhile, Alyssay on the bed. She was watching TV as she waited for the cake.

    But as the night fell and hunger gnawed at her stomach, there was still no news from Lauren. Unable to

    endure it any longer, Alyssa went downstairs to check.

    Just as she passed the living room, she was surprised to see Landon pressing Lauren''s delicate body

    against the kitchen counter.

    He held her wrists above her head with one hand and kissed her with a nearly-biting passion, entwining

    passionately.

    Lauren let him have his way while emitting a soft, whimpering sound from deep in her throat.

    At this moment, thepletely lustful Landon lifted her left leg.

    Alyssa couldn''t help but think that Landon was being such a pervert. The innocent Lauren was about to

    be devoured by the big bad wolf!

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    Alyssa opened her mouth wide in astonishment, her face flushing.

    Just as she was at a loss for what to do, a warm embrace came from behind. The strong scent of a

    man''s pheromones enveloped her.

    "Don''t be surprised, Lyse. This kind of thing happens here every day."

    Jasper''s thin lips approached her reddened earlobe. His gaze was gentle. "Let them go at their own

    pace. Let''s not disturb them, okay?"

    "B-But... Sigh!"

    Alyssa helplessly leaned into his arms, having mixed feelings. "Fine. My little girl has finally grown up

    and be a real woman. It looks like Landon is going all in today. He should feel lucky. Hmph!"

    Jasper suddenly tensed all over. His breath turned deep as he carried Alyssa in his arms. "Lyse, we

    should also make the most of every second."

    Alyssa hurriedly hugged his neck. Her heart raced, and her cheeks flushed. "T-To do what?"

    He lightly brushed his thin lips against her forehead repeatedly, saying in a low and husky voice, "Go...

    all... in."

 Chapter 1304

    In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the press conference.

    At 5:00 pm, various media outlets gathered in the hotel''srgest hall. Cameras were set up, angles

    were adjusted, and reporters had theirptops ready, waiting for Daisy''s appearance.

    "Speaking of which, I thought it would be Victor or Josh stepping forward. I didn''t expect it to be Daisy.

    She''s quite bold. Her husband is in jail, and she still has the energy to hold a press conference."

    "Those men in the Schmidt family are smart. They''re using Daisy as a shield, making her the target."

    "Tsk, tsk! The rich reallyck humanity. I pity Daisy."

    "Pity? Timothy received bribes of tens of millions, enough to keep him in prison. Do you believe that

    none of that dirty money found its way into her pocket?

    "Anyway, I don''t. They''re just abandoning each other in times of trouble."

    Soon, it was 7:00 pm.

    With a mournful expression, a bare-faced Daisy arrived, wearing a ck suit. Lowering her head, she

    walked onto the stage and toward the microphone.

    The ring shes covered her weary features. With red-rimmed eyes, she bowed deeply to numerous

    cameras.

    Reporters started to ask questions.

    "Ms. Daisy, Mr. Clemons'' sudden arrest has shocked the nation. After all, he was a hot shot in the

    uing mayoral election in Sna City. Were you aware of his actions?"

    "I didn''t know..."

    Daisy''s eyes were teary, and her face was full of grievances. She portrayed the image of an innocent

    woman wronged to the fullest.

    "I''m just an ordinary wife, tending to my family duties every day. I never asked about his work matters. I

    knew nothing about his private dealings, bribery, and such.

    "Besides, my maiden family is the Schmidt family, one of the four major families. I received a significant

    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    amount of money from my parents when I got married. I wouldn''t risk my reputation and ruin my family

    over such a trivial sum of money!"

    "Do you genuinely know nothing about Mr. Clemons'' actions?"

    Suddenly, a male reporter interjected, his loud voice attracting everyone''s attention. "Everyone in the

    industry knows that Mr. Clemons rose from an ordinary prosecutor to the position of a prospective

    mayor.

    "For him to rise this smoothly, your Schmidt Group''s support yed a significant role. Moreover, I have

    interviewed many staff members who worked around both of you. They all im that you''re the

    strategist behind Mr. Clemon.

    "You used the influence of the Schmidt Group to exert pressure on various fronts to help Mr. Clemons

    rise. Are you truly innocent?"

    Daisy red at the reporter, but her eyes were filled with tears. She shook her head and defended

    herself. "No... I didn''t... Which media are you from? Please refrain from using unfounded usations to

    attack me and my family.

    "I''ve said it. I knew nothing about my husband''s actions. But we''re husband and wife, after all. If he did

    something wrong, I hold the responsibility for not supervising him. So I called this press conference to

    apologize to the nation for my husband''s actions."

    As soon as she said that, the reporter pulled out a recording device and yed a recording.

    It was a clear recording of Timothy''s staff''s testimony. The content matched exactly what the reporter

    had mentioned earlier.

    All eyes turned skeptically toward Daisy, anticipating her exnation.

    "He''s lying! He''s purposely adding insult to my injury!"

    Daisy''s legs behind the table were shaking. Color drained from her face. Under immense pressure, she

    was on the verge of copse.

    "He''s smearing me! Now that my husband is in prison, our enemy has brought off that guy. That''s why

    he''s saying these absurd things.

    "Who''s this person anyway? He dared to say such things but didn''t dare to say his name? Tell me who

    said that! I''ll definitely sue¡ª"

    Before she could finish, an ear-piercing sound suddenly resonated from all directions.

    Following that was a clear recording yed through the public address system.

    "Madam Lindsay, thedies you''ve found for me recently are all quite good. The big shots are pleased

    with them. Their horoscopes match my clients'' too. My clients have been soaring.

    "You know, these powerful people nowadays believe a lot in this. That''s why your business is thriving."

    "Hahaha! It''s all thanks to your years of help, Mrs. Clemons. You''ve introduced me to many wealthy

    clients. They''re all very generous."

    "It''s mutually beneficial. If you have suitabledies, remember to send them to me. Money is

    negotiable."

    The recorded voices were clear, shocking everyone.

    The crowd erupted into an uproar. The gazes directed at Daisy were filled with anger, piercing her

    being.

    Who would have thought this high-profile, elegant, aristocratic woman would use feudal superstition to

    run a brothel?

 Chapter 1305

    The Schmidt family had truly raised a bunch of maggots that were rotten to the core.

    "N-No... It''s not... It''s not true."

    Daisy''s face turned crimson, as if all the blood in her body had gathered in her face. She almost

    hysterically shouted, "That recording is fake! It''s fake!

    "I don''t know any fortune teller... It''s not me speaking in there! It''s all fake! Someone is framing me!"

    "Framing you? Ms. Daisy, please take a look at this. How do you exin this?"

    The reporter held up his phone.

    At that moment, all the reporters'' phones in the room started ringing, causing a thunderous noise.

    Everyone lowered their heads to look at their screens and saw a post suggested by Twitter. It was a

    video of Daisy meeting a fortune teller privately. She was handing money to the fortune teller.

    Even though the video was clearly recorded without her knowledge, it unveiled her underhanded

    actions entirely.

    "Ms. Daisy!"

    Just then, a bodyguard rushed up, pulling the stiffened Daisy down from the stage. "Mr. Josh sent me.

    This is bad. Come with me now."

    Before his words could settle, the doors of the hall burst open.

    Cyrus led several police officers into the hall. He emitted amanding presence with a serious look,

    causing everyone to hold their breath.

    "Police!"

    Cyrus stared at Daisy with a sharp gaze and drew out his police badge. "Daisy Schmidt, you''re under

    arrest for bribery, coercion of women into prostitution, and illegal detention. You have the right to

    remain silent, but every word you say will be taken as evidence. Arrest her!"

    Two police officers behind him stepped forward and cuffed the visibly shaking Daisy. One on the left

    and one on the right, they escorted her toward the exit.

    The majority of the media outlets present were broadcasting the conference live, and the viewership on

    their livestreams exceeded tens of millions! It was bustling.

    "Oh, my God! Is it that hard to live in a wealthy family? A wealthy heiress has to resort to running a

    brothel to make money? This is too surreal!" "Could the Schmidt family be a fake wealthy family? They

    even pretended to be close to the Taylor family. How shameless!"

    "Hahaha! She deserved it! Look at Daisy''s seal-like pose. It''s exactly the same as when her husband

    was arrested! This couple looks quite alike." "Disgusting! How could she do such despicable things? I

    suggest continuing a strict investigation into Schmidt Group! There might be more shocking

    revtions!"

    "Hey, did you notice that young police officer who came in first? Wow! He''s so hot. He''s like a model."

    Cyrus pushed Daisy into the police car without covering her head or hiding the handcuffs on her wrists.

    She was exposed in front of the public, allowing everyone to see that the rich did not have special

    privileges.

    If the rich broke thew, they would be held ountable just like ordinary citizens.

    Daisy was arrested, but this grand retaliation was far from over.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    As Daisy was being taken away, the reporter, who had been passionately criticizing Daisy, went to an

    inconspicuous corner. He removed his sses, wig, and beard.

    Once the borate disguise was shed, Xavier''s face came into view. He tossed the props into the trash

    can and couldn''t wait to call Jasper. He was excitedly gesturing as he spoke.

    "Mr. Beckett, did you and Madam see my performance at the press conference? How did I do?"

    "Lyse said your acting was excellent. You''ll be rewarded with a sumptuous dinner tonight."

    Just then, Xavier clearly heard the sound of kissing through the phone. His face turned red in an

    instant.

    "T-Thank you for the dinner, Madam!"

 Chapter 1306

    Xavier continued, "What about you, Mr. Beckett? What will you reward me with?"

    "Reward you? Isn''t that your job as a secretary?" Jasper''s voice carried azy tone, like a just-fed lion.

    Xavier blushed intensely from his wild imagination. "W-Well, Madam has rewarded me. Couples should

    be on the same page, right? Aren''t you afraid that she''ll say you''re stingy?"

    "Who do you think you''re threatening?"

    "No, no! I wouldn''t dare." Sweating, Xavier immediately straightened his posture.

    "You haven''t had a break for a long time. I''ll give you an additional ten days of annual leave. Go

    wherever you want and enjoy yourself."

    "Um... Mr. Beckett, I''m a bachelor. Even if you gave me annual leave, I wouldn''t know what to do."

    Xavier grinned. "Mr. Beckett, how about... increasing my bonus? I won''t take any more annual leave in

    the future. I''ll work for you all year round, day and night, with my heart and soul. I''ll be your and

    Madam''s pet!"

    Jasper was surprised that Xavier was aiming for a bigger bonus.

    "Are you not satisfied with your million-dor sry? Apart from the shareholders in Beckett Group,

    who else has a higher sry than you?"

    Jasper sneered. "What kind of pet are you? So shameless."

    "Mr. Beckett, even though I''m single right now, I still need to save some money for my future wedding.

    I''ve been running around for you, even doing FBI work.

    "I''m so busy that I don''t even have time to date. I''ve dedicated my entire youth to Beckett Group. Can''t

    you be a little generous and considerate to this pitiful and unloved bachelor?"

    Since Jasper and Alyssa reconciled, they had been happily in love. Xavier knew that Jasper was like a

    loving father now¡ªasking for a raise at this time was perfect.

    Before Jasper could speak, Alyssa''s gentle and sweet voice suddenly came through. It seemed like the

    two of them were so close that even her breath was distinctly audible.

    "Don''t be so stingy, Jasper. Xavier rarely makes a request. Can''t you agree to it?"

    Xavier was shocked to hear that Alyssa was acting coquettishly with Jasper.

    Her adorable voice made them feel like electricity was running through them. Who could bear it?

    Sure enough, Jasper''s breath became heavy and deep. His low and charismatic voice became hoarse

    as he said, "I agree. I''ll agree to whatever my sweet Lyse says."

    Suddenly, the call ended.

    Xavier stared at the darkened screen, scratching his head in confusion. "So, are you giving me a raise

    or not?"

    In the police car transporting Daisy, Cyrus upied the front passenger seat. The vehicle swiftly

    proceeded toward the police station.

    With no cameras or media around, Daisy revealed her true nature. She stopped pretending to be pitiful

    and started yelling like a madwoman.

    "How dare you arrest me? Do you know who I am? I''m the heiress of the Schmidt family! My father is

    Victor Schmidt! Do you have any idea how much Schmidt Group contributes to the annual GDP of

    Sna City? How dare a bunch of nobodies like you arrest me? Do you think I can''t get you fired?"

    Sitting in the front, Cyrus sneered and tilted his head to clean his ear as if he wanted to clear all her

    nonsense out of his ear.

    With a firm hold on Daisy''s arm, the female police officer warned her in anger, "Behave yourself! If you

    don''t, I''ll charge you with assaulting an officer. That''ll add another charge to your file."

    "Ptui! Do you think I''m afraid of you people?"

    Since her upper body was restrained, Daisy used her lower body. She madly kicked the backrest of the

    front seat.

    "Which police station are you from? Tell me your name! How dare you arrest me? The Schmidt family

    will make you pay!"

    "Alright, you better let your dad and brotherse quickly. I can''t wait."

    As Cyrus turned around slowly, he nced at her with disdain and smiled mockingly. "Myst name is

    Taylor. Cyrus Taylor."

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Daisy stared nkly the next second, with the hair all over her body standing on end.

 Chapter 1307

    That night, inside the vi, two sweet couples sat in the living room. Their attention was directed at the

    news channel ying on the TV.

    After a few minutes, the news began. It was a highly anticipated program of the day¡ªDaisy''s arrest.

    The news report reyed theical scene of Daisy being arrested by the police. It was still hrious,

    even upon a second viewing.

    "Hmm? That hot officer looks familiar. I think I''ve seen him somewhere." Lauren poked her finger at her

    chin.

    Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Oh, I remember! He sat next to me at Madam L''s birthday party. He even

    chatted with me¡ª"

    Before she could finish her sentence, Landon''s eyes darkened. He couldn''t help but grab her chin and

    Meanwhile, Alyssa and Jasper were absorbed in watching the news. When they heard the amorous

    sound, they were momentarily stunned.

    Suddenly, Jasper moved his body, covering the explicit scene. Then he lowered his head to give Alyssa

    a deep kiss.

    "Why? It''s R-rated, so you won''t let me see?"

    Alyssa pursed her lips adorably. "I''ve seen all kinds of things in my life. It''s just a kiss."

    "No... I''m scared you''ll feel awkward." Jasper pinched her nose and smiled helplessly.

    "Hmph, what''s considered awkward differs for each individual."

    Still jealous, Landon left Lauren''s lips.

    Lauren''s eyes became watery as the events unfolded, and his kiss left her breath in disarray.

    "Darling, are you trying to provoke me by mentioning other men in front of me?"

    Landon repeatedly rubbed his fingers on her moist lips. His voice was husky as he said, "Hot guy? Is

    he hotter than me, huh?"

    "Um... You''re both hot." Lauren was blushing.

    "What? Who''s hot?" Landon tickled her sensitive spot.

    "Hahaha... You''re hot. You''re the hottest!" Lauren clung to him,ughing non-stop.

    Alyssa crossed her arms and rested her head on Jasper''s shoulder. As she nced at Landon, she

    said, "If it weren''t because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it''s tough to say which one of you is

    hot."

    Landon''s heartbeat pounded at her words.

    Anyone could see that Alyssa favored Lauren a lot. If he hadn''t taken the initiative, Alyssa might have

    yed matchmaker for Lauren and one of her brothers, making Lauren a Mrs. Taylor.

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    At this thought, he grabbed Lauren''s hand as if someone were going topete with him.

    The news then mentioned that Victor had been rushed to the hospital overnight, but the specific reason

    was unknown.

    What else could it be except that he was enraged?

    As the president of Schmidt Group, Josh was standing at the hospital entrance, facing the media''s

    relentless bombardment. His expression remained stiff, and he was visibly upset. It was as if he had

    lost his father.

    Indeed, even if he was mentally tough, he was probably under tremendous pressure now, dealing with

    both internal and external troubles.

    "This is awesome! Isn''t this more exciting than any show?" Landon embraced Lauren''s shoulder with

    his sturdy left arm and delightedly pped his thigh with the other.

    Lauren leaned into his embrace, licking the strawberry-vored popsicle. After a few licks, she fed it to

    his lips.

    Landon lowered his head and took a bite where she had licked. As he caressed her head, he looked at

    her affectionately.

    "Daisy and her husband are both in jail now¡ªone for forcing women into prostitution, the other for

    ying threesome. They seem to be a great match. It''s true that birds of a feather flock together."

    Alyssa stared coldly at Josh''s pale face on the screen. "The Schmidt family''s father and son are

    overwhelmed now. It won''t be long before the prosecution summons them."

 Chapter 1308

    Alyssa continued, "Victor''s sudden hospitalization may not be due to illness. It might just be a move to

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    avoid trouble."

    Jasper nodded in agreement. "Once the prosecutor initiates the investigation process and summons

    Victor, he can im illness to avoid interrogation."

    "Damn it! He''s really cunning," Landon cursed angrily.

    "Landon, what does ''threesome'' mean?" Lauren asked, blinking her innocent eyes.

    Lauren was really good at catching the critical point. The three of them fell into a momentary silence.

    Landon awkwardly cleared his throat, pinching Lauren''s cheek. "Uh... When we get back to the room,

    I''ll slowly exin it to you."

    After a while, the news report concluded.

    The Schmidt family''s affairs consumed a significant amount of time, catering to their mboyant and

    high-profile personalities.

    "They''re really despicable... How can they force women to do such things?" Lauren''s eyes turned red

    with anger. "The police officers must arrest them all! They must bring justice to the victims!"

    "They''ve already been arrested, darling. Don''t worry." Landon sighed, holding her waist.

    The living room fell into a sudden silence.

    Even after Daisy''s arrest, David, who bullied Tatiana, was still on the loose. And then there was

    Jameson, a real troublemaker, like a constant thorn in their hearts. So far, the progress bar for taking

    down the Schmidt family had only reached one-third.

    Jasper noticed the seriousness in Alyssa''s expression. He embraced her tense shoulders and

    "The Schmidt family is one of the four major families. They''ve been here for a long time and are hard to

    get rid of overnight. You don''t need to worry about David. I''ll help you deal with him."

    "No, none of us needs to get our hands dirty."

    Alyssa''s eyes flickered with a cold glint as she smiled cunningly. "Someone will take out the trash for

    us."

    Landon looked puzzled. "Who?"

    On the other hand, Jasper understood immediately. He raised his eyebrows. "Are you talking about

    Jameson?"

    My man is so smart." Smiling, Alyssa embraced his neck.

    "Huh? But Jamebitch is a member of the Schmidt family. How could he possibly stir up trouble with

    Schmidt Group in chaos?" Landon still hadn''t figured it out.

    After all, love could blind a person.

    "Jameson and his mother were banished to Kontina by the Schmidt family for a solid 15 years. During

    this entire time, Victor ignored them, behaving as though they were non-existent within the family.

    "Jameson is an ambitious person. His mother has terminal-stage Alzheimer''s disease. You can imagine

    how much humiliation and resentment he has umted over the years.

    "Would you still be on the Schmidt family''s side if it were you? You would definitely dream of trampling

    on them like bugs under your feet and then taking over the entire Schmidt family," Jasper exined

    calmly in his deep and husky voice.

    "Take over the Schmidt family? That four-eyes is so greedy!" Landon sneered.

    "If the Schmidts have the same goal and gather their efforts, Jameson won''t have a chance."

    Alyssa''s eyes darkened. "With the Schmidt family in turmoil, he could use the opportunity to get rid of

    the nuisances and spark internal conflicts.

    "Now that Daisy is done for, he''ll undoubtedly go after David next, followed by Josh. With no one to

    support Victor, Schmidt Group will naturally fall into Jameson''s hands."

    Jasper chuckled. "Lyse is right. This fits well with Jamiper''s cunning nature."

    "So, what we need to do now is to be adaptive," said Alyssa.

 Chapter 1309

    Alyssa held onto Jasper''s muscr arm, confidently raising her eyebrows. "As long as we don''t take

    any further actions and maintain a low profile, Jamiper will be unable to contain himself and will find a

    way to deal with David."

    The next day, when the stock market opened, Schmidt Group''s stock prices showed a decline, as

    expected. The drop was so quick that it was a heart-wrenching sight.

    As the Clemons couple''s legal battles unfolded, Schmidt Group''s reputation took a nosedive, and the

    entirepany began to disy indications of internal turmoil.

    Victor continued his hospitalization on the third day while Josh was called in by the prosecutor.

    On the fourth day, Winston was cornered by the media when attending a meeting. He was asked about

    his views on the Schmidt family.

    "Mr. Taylor, we heard that you have a close rtionship with Mr. Victor. What''s your opinion on the

    Schmidt family''s recent situation?"

    Winston''s expression was cold, and he responded indifferently, "Mr. Victor and I were only business

    partners. Don''t let the tabloids mislead you.

    "If you ask for my opinion, I can only say that when you make a mistake, you must admit it and ept

    the consequences. I hope the Schmidt family can learn from this lesson and not disappoint the public

    again."

    Victor happened to see this interview in the hospital. He was so angry that he lifted a chair and

    smashed the TV.

    Days passed, and Alyssa and Jasper took no further action.

    As Alyssa expected, the usually calm Jameson couldn''t sit idly by.

    Initially, he didn''t want to take action. But seeing that the storm was about to pass, he was afraid he

    would miss the opportunity if he remained idle.

    That night, he arrived at the detention center with Carl to meet Daisy.

    It had only been a few days since this once-pampered heiress became a prisoner. Yet she looked

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    disheveled and miserable, no longer resembling a human.

    Not only that, her face was bruised and swollen, indicating that even the female inmates couldn''t

    tolerate such a vile act of forcing women into prostitution.

    "Daisy, it''s been a while. How have you been?"

    With a contented smile, Jameson rested his chin on his hand, gazing at her through a perforated ss.

    "Put away that hypocritical and nauseating face of yours, scumbag!" Daisy gritted her teeth.

    Her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, looking like a wolf ready to break out of the cage and bite off

    his throat.

    "Don''t be too happy! Dad and Josh will get me out! When I get out, I''ll break your neck! Just wait!"

    "Daisy, even at this point, you still have hope for those men? How naive."

    Jameson smiled mockingly. "If they wanted to save you, they would have taken action long ago. Why

    haven''t they made a move when you''re almost sentenced?

    "If they don''t want to save you, fine. But you''re family. You''ve endured torment in those cells. Have they

    visited you? Have they made arrangements for someone to look after you in there? Can''t they do these

    things that are well within their capabilities for you?"

    Smirking, he leaned back and pushed up his sses. "In the end, it''s still me, your dearest little brother,

    who cares about you."

    Daisy''s whole body surged with a chill. Aplex mix of emotions¡ªconfusion, grievance, pain, and

    resentment¡ªtwisted her features.

    Jameson was right. With Victor''s and Josh''s abilities, why couldn''t they make her life a bit easier?

    They disyed no concern whatsoever. They nned to sacrifice her and abandon herpletely!

    How could they do that?

    "Damn it! They''re all scumbags! Animals!" Daisy screamed. A female police officer rushed forward,

    pressing her onto the table.

    Jameson smiled inwardly, but he wore a worried expression on his face. "Since we can''t change

    anything, why not let me be the one to channel your anger? What do you think?"

 Chapter 1310

    Daisy''s face was twisted with a hideous expression. She stared fixedly at Jameson''s delicate yet

    detestable face.

    "Help me? Haha! They''re animals! But Jameson, aren''t you one as well? Yes... You''re worse. You''re a

    damn viper. You''re even more vicious!"

    Jameson showed no signs of anger. Instead, his smile deepened. "I may not be a saint, but even

    beasts show some affection for their offspring. I have always been reluctant to be too harsh on my

    family. So, I want to help you, Daisy.

    "Also, besides me, who else cares about you? In this ce where not even a glimpse of daylight is

    visible, do you believe people regard you as a member of the Schmidt family?"

    Seeing Daisy''s strong resistance to his so-called "help", Jameson dealt a lethal blow.

    "Daisy, think carefully. Your current miserable situation is all because of whom?"

    Daisy''s anger surged. She shouted hysterically, "It''s the Taylor family! They''re retaliating against me.

    That bitch Alyssa is definitely involved!"

    Jameson smirked, shaking his head. "After all, you went after Winston''s daughter. He spared your life

    for the sake of the decades of friendship between our two families. But isn''t the root of all this caused

    by David?"

    "David..." Daisy''s mind buzzed.

    She had been thinking only about the Taylor family these days. She had forgotten that coward.

    "The Taylor family sought retaliation because you fell for David''s instigation. If he hadn''t let his dick do

    the thinking and be so arrogant, you and Timothy would have been living days of honor and glory.

    "He''s wrecked it all. Since the press conference to your arrest, did he step up to speak a word in your

    defense?

    "He went along with the flow, letting you take the fall while he continued livingfortably under the

    protection of the Schmidt family. Can you swallow this humiliation? Even I find it hard to watch, Daisy."

    Logic could convince, but only emotion could motivate.

    At this moment, Daisy quieted down, showing signs that she had begun to think. Nevertheless, the

    bitterness in her eyes became even more apparent. "What do you want to do specifically?"

    "The sess of our coboration hinges on the sincerity you bring to the table." Jameson elegantly

    crossed his legs. Now, the initiative was in his hands.

    Daisy''s eyes turned a terrifying shade of red. Between gritted teeth, she said, "I want David... to die!

    "Death is meaningless. If he dies, it''s all over. He won''t suffer."

    Jameson suddenly approached the ss with a sinister smile on his face. "You need to make him

    utterly miserable. Ensure he despises you every day he''s alive yet remains helpless. That would be

    satisfying."

    "I have... David''s dirt. It''s in the encrypted folder on myptop in the study. The password is¡ª"

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    "No need for the password."

    Satisfied with the result, Jameson stood up leisurely. He disdainfully looked at Daisy''s face, which was

    filled with hatred. "These so-called encryptions are nonexistent in my eyes."

    When Jameson came out of the detention center, Carl immediately greeted him.

    Jamesonzily stretched out his hands. Seeing that, Carl hurriedly squeezed hand sanitizer into his

    hands and sprayed air freshener all around him.

    "It''s smelly and disgusting there. Not a ce for humans."

    Frowning, Jameson kept rubbing his hands, revealing his mysophobia side again. "But it seems

    suitable for a maggot like Daisy."

    "You''ve already shown her enough respect bying to see her."

 Chapter 1311

    Carl tentatively asked, "Mr. Schmidt, will that crazy bitch... work with you?"

    "I''ve stepped in. How could it not work?" Jameson raised his eyebrows arrogantly.

    "Then let me congratte you for removing another nuisance in advance."

    Carl smiled with utmost sincerity. "Once David falls, Josh will be an easy target. By then, Victor will

    have no one to rely on other than you. The entire Schmidt family will be yours."

    "I hope so."

    Squinting his eyes, Jameson raised his hand toward the vast ck sky, and aplex emotion surged

    in his gaze. "I was given a second life. I just hope not to disappoint his expectations."

    "By the way, Mr. Schmidt, I just received news that your private ne is ready."

    "Although it took quite some time, it was worth the wait."

    Jameson lightly pushed his gold-rimmed sses, a glint of coldness crossing his eyes. "Contact Inigo

    and tell him everything is ready. He and his brothers can hit the road anytime."

    Jameson''s luxury car moved steadily in the direction of The Millennium.

    As he thought about the uing series of major events and his grand ambitions for the future, he

    couldn''t help but smile with excitement.

    Everything was under his control now¡ªexcept for Alyssa.

    At this thought, Jameson clenched his fists unwillingly and asked in a low voice, "I had you send people

    to monitor the Taylor family. Any news?"

    Carl pped his forehead and hastily reported, "We found out that Ms. Alyssa seems to have escaped

    from Heightsnew Vi. Mr. Taylor had mobilized people to find her, but so far, they haven''t found her."

    "What? Lyse ran away from home? Why didn''t you tell me earlier?" Jameson''s pupils constricted as he

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    anxiously leaned forward.

    "P-Please calm down, Mr. Schmidt. The Taylor family''s security measures have always been stringent.

    Our people had to squat there day and night without sleep to get this information." Carl''s heart

    clenched from nervousness.

    Restless, Jameson took off his sses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "This Lyse... I remember

    she used to climb walls and trees as a child. She would do anything to sneak out and y.

    "I never thought she would still be so mischievous as an adult. Winston is really strange. He knew his

    daughter was stubborn and wouldn''t yield easily. How could he confine her like this? It''s no different

    from imprisoning a bird in a cage." "I wonder how Ms. Alyssa is doing now. But she''s smart and

    resourceful. I''m sure no one would dare to bully her."

    "How could Jonah and the others allow their most beloved sister to wander outside? Even if Winston

    can''t find her, those men from the Taylor family would¡ª"

    Jameson put his sses back on. Before he finished his sentence, his eyes, which were looking out of

    the window, widened. He shouted, "Stop the car!"

    Carl mmed the brakes. His forehead was covered in sweat.

    Jameson pressed his palm against the car window. His anxious and rapid breath left a white mist on

    the ss, yet it failed to obscure the prominent figures reflected deeply in his eyes.

    Across the road, in front of a hotdog stall, an intimate couple stood shoulder-to-shoulder, eating happily.

    As they ate, they made eye contact and smiled at each other.

 Chapter 1312

    It was Alyssa and Jasper!

    It was hard to imagine the proud and noble billionaire Jasper Beckett indulging in street food at night,

    all in the name of love. His typical diet of refined carbohydrates had been reced with hearty suppers.

    His mouth even bore traces of grease from the fried foods Alyssa had given him.

    Any sane person would be astounded by this sight!

    "Does it taste good?" Alyssa was beaming widely. She gently wiped Jasper''s mouth with a napkin.

    Jasper pecked her on the lips the moment his mouth was wiped clean. "It tastes wonderful. Any meal I

    share with you is delicious."

    His voice rang out loud, making Alyssa blush shyly. Even the old woman sitting across from them

    chuckled upon hearing Jasper''s words.

    Jasper and Alyssa appeared nothing short of a match made in heaven. They were so in love with one

    another. Who wouldn''t be delighted at the sight?

    "Tsk! It looks like you only think the food is good because you''re trying to appease me." Alyssa pouted.

    "You can just be honest if you don''t like it. I won''t bring you here next time."

    Jasper blinked lightly and reached past Alyssa to grab two condiment bottles from the left end of the

    table. One was mustard, and the other was relish. He added a dash of both to the hotdog Alyssa was

    eating before mixing them.

    "Try it out," Jasper urged tenderly.

    Alyssa took a couple of bites of her hotdog. Then, her eyes widened at Jasper in surprise, hands

    iling happily in the air.

    "Oh, my God! This is delicious! The condiments you added were so simple, yet they elevated the taste

    of the food! How are you so talented?" Alyssa eximed.

    Jasper gazed at her, his smile youthful. "Lyse, you were quite mistaken when you thought I was merely

    praising the food to please you. Before the Beckett family took me in, these street food stalls offered

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    my mother and me the finest meals in the world."

    Alyssa''s heart clenched as her breath caught in her throat.

    She thought she had learned so much about Jasper''s mysterious past from Rosie. Little did she know

    that what she had learned was merely the tip of the iceberg.

    There were likely countless unimaginable things Alyssa would never have known about Jasper if he

    hadn''t personally told her about them.

    Alyssa''s asional street food switch-up was Jasper''s entire childhood.

    "I always grew hungry after helping my mother out as a child. She would then bring me to get some

    hotdogs." Jasper slowly turned the stic cup in his hands, reminiscing old memories. "My mother

    would only order one hotdog to save money. She would make sure I get the biggest sausage.

    "Because she worried the hotdog would be too in, she would add some condiments. My favorite

    became mustard and relish. I loved the spicy, tangy kick to it. When I grew older, I added the same to

    my hotdogs whenever I had the chance to eat some.

    "But I now no longer have the chance to enjoy the taste of my childhood anymore."

    The silence that followed was heartbreaking.

    Jasper then returned to his senses and shot Alyssa an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Lyse. Jeez, why did I

    bring all that up? It ruined the mood."

    The moment he finished speaking, Alyssa cupped his cheeks and kissed him tearfully.

 Chapter 1313

    Jasper''s eyes widened slightly as a jolt ran through his entire being. He wrapped a warm hand around

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    Alyssa''s nape and deepened their kiss uncontrobly.

    The stall owner turned around to clear some dishes. She didn''t want to intrude on such an intimate

    moment.

    Meanwhile, Jameson bore witness to this tender kiss between Alyssa and Jasper. His heart and body

    felt like they were being ripped to shreds. Pain and anguish filled his chest.

    Carl sullenly sighed upon seeing the same thing Jameson saw.

    One could attain anything through effort and calction, except for love.

    Jameson had given Alyssa his all and tried his best, yet Alyssa still returned to Jasper without a shred

    of care.

    What a waste of effort!

    Alyssa gently withdrew her lips from Jasper''s, a spark of desire in her eyes. Her voice was somewhat

    strained. "You''ve... suffered a lot, Jasper. It''s a good thing that the past is behind us now. From now on,

    only good times await us."

    "Every single day spent with you by my side makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world." Jasper

    hugged Alyssa tightly, hope for their future apparent in his eyes.

    Jasper wasn''t good at romance or sweet-talking. But he was willing to learn it for Lyse.

    Alyssa rested against his chest. She sniffled as she listened to Jasper''s heartbeat.

    "Are you crying, Lyse?" Jasper asked, surprised.

    "It''s all your fault," Alyssa grumbled, nuzzling into his chest.

    Jasper''s heart trembled. "What is it? Are you feeling sad for me?"

    Alyssa was too shy to respond, though the tears in her eyes sufficed as an answer.

    "What are you crying for, silly? I never fear trouble. In fact, I enjoy it¡ªwhat doesn''t kill me makes me

    stronger."

    Jasper wasn''t sure what emotion he was feeling. He felt guilty yet overjoyed at the same time for

    Alyssa''s love. "Do you know how grateful I am that I didn''t die when I was a child nor when I was in the

    military in Luminara, Lyse? How else would I have had the chance to love you?"

    The cool night wind blew against Alyssa and Jasper as a cozy atmosphere settled around them.

    Neither noticed the car waiting across the road from them nor the person inside who had been

    watching them for some time.

    "It''ste, Mr. Schmidt. Why don''t we go back?" asked Carl tentatively.

    Jameson felt empty inside. He leaned back in the car seat, closed his eyes, and took off his sses.

    What followed was a loud snap.

    "Mr. Schmidt?" Carl looked over in shock.

    Jameson had shattered his sses, his hand still balled into a fist. The ss shards had pierced into

    his skin, making blood flow out and drip down.

    Carl was shocked to his core.

    Jameson had had this pair of sses ever since Carl started working for him. Yet, Jameson broke

    them without a second thought. One could see how deeply pained he was!

    "You said Winston Taylor didn''t know Lyse''s whereabouts, right? Hmm... He''s about to get it."

    With that, Jameson slowly opened his eyes and called Winston''s number.

    The next day, Josh walked out of the Investigative Bureau, drained. He had undergone what felt like

    ages of interrogation prior.

 Chapter 1314

    But Josh didn''t even get a chance to change his clothes before Victor called him over to the hospital.

    After learning that the Schmidt Group''s assets had depreciated by two billion dors in value, Victor

    had thoroughly "refurbished" the VIP ward he was staying in. It was better demolition work than most

    people could aplish.

    Money wasn''t the most important thing right now. What was important was that the recent wave of

    negative news had impacted one of Schmidt Group''s big projects in Kontina, forcing them to stop

    operations.

    The Kontinian authorities even wanted to investigate Schmidt Group''s financial status thoroughly. This

    was the greatest blow to thepany.

    "Please calm down, Dad. Don''t overexert yourself." Josh''s voice was weak. His greasy hair and

    stubbled chin gave him a disheveled look. "We can always earn back the money, but if we don''t

    properly handle the crisis ourpany is facing now, it will surely impact the family."

    "Earn back the money? Easy for you to say!" Victor was fuming in the midst of the wrecked ward.

    "Three billion... We''ve lost at least a hundred billion dors with the addition of the halted project

    overseas! Tell me, when exactly will we make enough to cover a loss of that amount?"

    Josh''s expression stiffened. He had no solution in mind.

    "Don''t panic, Dad," A clear voice rang out, making Josh''s heart sink.

    Jameson strode into the hospital ward with no hint of worry on his delicate features. He smiled warmly

    and said, "Don''t worry about the project in Kontina. I have a n to fix the problem."

    "You have a n, Jameson?" Victor was stunned.

    Despite his neutral expression, Josh''s eyes burned with hatred as he looked at Jameson. Internally, he

    couldn''t resist grumbling, "Goddamned son of a bitch! Jameson is nothing more than a useless mutt!"

    "I''ve been up to some things myself overseas, Dad. I''ve made some connections of my own, too."

    Jameson walked over and gently patted Victor''s back. "Did you forget? I lived in Kontina for 15 years.

    With my connections there, I can aplish something as miniscule as getting our project back in

    progress."

    "Jameson, is that true? Can you get our project in Kontina up and running again?" Victor grabbed

    Jameson''s arm excitedly.

    Internally sneering, Jameson observed Victor''s hopeful eyes.

    Victor had subjected Jameson to both physical and verbal abuse since he was young, never disying

    such excitement and hopefulness toward him until now.

    Jameson would always remember how the Schmidt family treated him growing up.

    When Jameson was forced to starve on that winter night in the eighth year of his childhood, David and

    Daisy showered him in cold water and shoved ice cubes down his cor, making him catch a high fever

    for three days straight. All his mother could do was wait for him to recover while silently wiping her

    tears away.

    Being the eldest, Josh not only allowed his siblings to bully Jameson, he evenughed at the sight. He

    hadughed so loudly.

    From then on, Jameson swore that he would make each of them pay a terrible price.

    "I have no reason to lie to you when ites to this important project worth billions, Dad." Jameson

    smiled like an obedient little child, a sharp glint hidden in his eyes.

    "Oh, my wonderful, wonderful boy!" Victor eximed, overjoyed. He sped both of Jameson''s

    shoulders. "I admit I have been too harsh on you in the past, Jameson, and I haven''t shown you

    enough care. I am truly sorry for that!"

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    "Nonsense, Dad." Jameson hugged his father and patted his back. "You''re my father. Who else would I

    help but you? I understand that you were harsh on me in the past because you wanted me to toughen

    up and make a name for myself. I have never hated you for it."

    Jameson''s words were so touching that they made tears swim in Victor''s eyes.

    "Hmph! Don''t go all bark and no bite on us, Jameson." Josh red at him. "Don''t youe and stir up

    the pot even more now. If you''re truly this capable, why haven''t you shown it to us since your return?"

    "Because you''re Schmidt Group''s CEO, Josh. I''ve always trusted your problem-solving capabilities, so I

    was sure you''d be able to help thepany navigate through such a tough time. Hence, I never dared

    show you what tricks I had up my sleeve." Jameson''s praise couldn''t have been worded more sharply.

    "If your brother really was as capable as you say he is, ourpany''s progress wouldn''t have stuttered

    in the past two years. Now, we''ve even lost the position of the wealthiest family in Sna City to the

    Becketts!" Victor scowled, shooting Josh a re.

 Chapter 1315

    Josh fumed silently, his expression dark as midnight.

    Josh had been raised by his father to be heir to their family since he was a child. He had never

    been so insulted in all his years of doing whatever he pleased!

    "You scoundrel, Jameson Schmidt!" muttered Josh under his breath.

    Victor asked anxiously, "Since you have a n already, when do you intend to set it into motion,

    Jameson?"

    "I can help you clear the obstacles for the project right now. But what capacity would I be doing this in?"

    Jameson sighed. "I have no shares in thepany, which isn''t a big deal, but I don''t even have a

    position. How do I introduce myself when I go meet the Kontinian officials? Do I tell them that I''m the

    fourth son of the Schmidt family?"

    "That''s easy to settle!" Victor pped Jameson''s shoulder and said, "I''ll draft an official resolution

    tomorrow to make you managing director of thepany. You''ll be able to participate in the board

    meetings from now on! If you can get our project in Kontina up and running again, I''ll give you all of

    Daisy''s shares plus an additional five percent!"

    Josh''s eyes widened in utter shock. Yet, Victor was already putty in Jameson''s hands. Victor was

    bound to fulfill Jameson''s every request so long as Jameson could get Schmidt Group out of the crisis

    it was in!

    Jameson grinned happily. "Then you have nothing but my thanks, Dad."

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    The moment he finished speaking, Victor''s secretary ran into the ward in a hurry. He cried out, "Bad

    news, Mr. Victor! Mr. David... The police have arrested Mr. David!"

    "What?" Both Victor and Josh were stunned.

    Behind them, Jameson''s lips curled into a smile.

    David had still been in the middle of partying with some young models when he was arrested. He was

    high on both alcohol and drugs and even assaulted the police, yelling, "I''m the motherfucking king of

    the world!"

    So, another charge for assaulting the police was added to David''s charges. He really was just as crazy

    as his sister.

    David was in nothing but briefs when the police arrested him. So the police very politely let him march

    out of the Schmidt family residence in nothing but said underwear.

    "How dare you. What right do you have to arrest me? I did nothing wrong! I''m a fuckingw-abiding

    citizen!" David yelled.

    David fearlessly spouted nonsense because he was high on drugs. He couldn''t control his facial

    expressions or how much he was drooling.

    The police officer chuckled at the sight but still said in a stern tone, "David Schmidt, you''re under arrest

    formitting sexual assault and hereby further charged with assault against a police officer!"

    "Sexual... You''ve got the wrong guy! I''ve never assaulted anyone! I''m innocent!" David had regained

    some of his senses now, though his features were still ck.

    "Innocent? We have all the evidence needed to back up your crime. You''ve sexually assaulted more

    than ten women!" The police officer was so angry he felt like punching David. "There''s no way you''re

    going to be let off without at least ten decades in prison. Why don''t you save your im of innocence

    for the judge?"

    David started quivering the moment he heard the word "prison".

    Maybe it was the drugs he took that gave him the sudden burst of strength needed to shove the police

    officer away, or maybe David had just broken down.

    A startling scene unfolded next¡ªDavid gritted his teeth and pushed his underwear down to his knees

    for all to see.

    "I. I could nevermit sexual assault! I''m sexually ipetent!"

    All of a sudden, countless camera shes and clicks erupted around David. His most private parts were

    exposed just like that, and the reporters were all taking pictures of it!

    David gaped in shock as his entire body stiffened in response. He hadn''t realized there were media

    reporters around while his mind was in a haze earlier!

    He passed out secondster.

 Chapter 1316

    That night, the news about David''s arrest shook the entire country. As expected, Daisy made use of

    this more impactful news to push her ranking down from the trending searches.

    However, the most pitiful news was still none other than the ones about the Schmidts.

    Following the revtion of the incident involving the Schmidt siblings, the Schmidt Group found itself

    backed into a corner. Aside from David''s arrest, he had even exposed himself indecently for the whole

    country to see! Even his grandfather, Thomas Schmidt, would likely be turning in his grave!

    After watching the live news, Victor''s heart couldn''t endure it. His face lost color, and he staggered

    backward.

    "Dad!" Josh rushed forward to catch Victor. However, Jameson managed to get there ahead of him as

    he was nearer to Victor.

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    "Hurry up and take a seat, Dad. Deep breaths." Jameson helped Victor to the sofa to sit. He turned

    around and cast an anxious gaze at Josh.

    "What are you still standing there for, Josh? Get the doctor toe and look at Dad, quick!"

    Josh ran red with anger. He very much wished that he could shut him up. "Jimmy, you..."

    "Josh, I know that you''ve always been unhappy with me. All these years, I have never offended you. I

    have been avoidinging against you head-to-head.

    "But, just look at what happened to the family. Dad isn''t feeling well, either. I''m just concerned about

    Dad here. I''m not here to argue with you!" Jameson spoke with a worried tone.

    Jameson''s gloomy gaze toward Josh was enough to exert pressure on him.

    Josh''s face flushed red. He was about to defend himself when Victor suddenly screamed, "Josh! You''re

    so narrow-minded and useless! I want you to get out! Now!"

    Tension filled the air, creating a frigid atmosphere. Josh gnashed his teeth, and his temples thrummed.

    His anger had dissipated, leaving his face pale and drained.

    He could see that Victor was siding with Jameson. If he continued to go head-on with him, it would not

    benefit him in any way.

    Thus, he could only swallow his frustration and hatred. He left with his teeth tightly clenched.

    "Dad. You shouldn''t be so mean to Josh."

    Jameson appeared to be broad-minded. Yet, he incited Victor''s emotions through his words.

    He said, "Just think about it. Not only did Josh have to manage the corporation''s matters these past

    few years, but he also had to look after David and Daisy. It must not have been easy on him.

    "The Schmidt Group is currently grappling with numerous challenges. He has done his utmost, and he

    can''t just disregard the matters concerning David and Daisy.

    "It''s understandable that he has some bad days. Please don''t me it on him."

    "David and Daisy met with this sort of end today... It''s all because Josh failed to be a responsible

    brother! He was the one who spoiled them!" Victor pressed his hand against his chest.

    In a devastated voice, Victor eximed, "As the president, has he ever properly resolved a single

    problem? I tasked him with keeping an eye on David. And this is how he watches over him? He''s just a

    useless piece of shit!

    "Schmidt Group''s share prices can''t afford to drop any further. If they do, there''s a risk of a hostile

    takeover. When that happens, the Schmidt Group will be in peril!"

    "Dad, I''ve got your back in dealing with these corporate matters. Your main focus should be on your

    health. Don''t worry about it anymore." Jamesonforted Victor warmly.

    "Jameson, I''ve failed to treat you properly all these years. But our family truly cannot survive without

    you."

    With tears in his eyes, Victor held Jameson''s hand firmly and promised, "Don''t worry. I won''t mistreat

    you from now on!"

    The warm expression on Jameson''s face vanished on the way home, reced by a smirk.

    "There''s something I don''t understand, Mr. Schmidt," Carl couldn''t help but ask out of curiosity,

    "Considering your financial power in Kontina, it would be easy for you to seize this opportunity and

    acquire Schmidt Group''s shares inrge quantities.

    "Why did you choose to stabilize Schmidt Group''s situation instead? Wouldn''t it be more beneficial for

    you if there was more chaos?"

    "I don''t have any of the Schmidt Group''s shares at hand. No matter how much I purchase them in bulk,

    I will never own more than Victor or Josh. If I acted too aggressively at this stage, I''d be controlled by

    others instead."

    Carl understood and nodded. "That''s true. Now that you''ve earned the old man''s trust and sowed

    discord wedge between Victor and Josh, you must proceed cautiously."

 Chapter 1317

    Jameson said, "What I want is Dad''s recognition and to be promoted rightfully. I don''t want to be the

    target of people''s gossip saying that I am a usurper."

    Jameson tilted his chin up slightly. He let out a proud smile as he said, "The most important thing to

    Josh is his position as the president.

    "If I can drag him down from his position and trample all over him, it would be the most ruthless

    revenge that I can take against him."

    Carl was genuinely happy for Jameson. Heughed, "Mr. Victor has started to despise Josh. It won''t be

    very long until that dayes!"

    Jameson closed his eyes. A wave of bitterness rose in his heart.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Winston has always had his reservations about Lyse and I. Even though he didn''t mention it explicitly, I

    know that he doesn''t like that I don''t have any status or shares in the Schmidt Group. He doesn''t feel at

    peace to leave Lyse in my care.

    "That is why I must take over the Schmidt Group as soon as possible. Then, I will draw a line between

    myself and the Schmidts so that Winston can understand my sincerity. Only then will I stand a chance

    with Lyse.

    "I am willing to do anything for Lyse''s sake. When that timees, the Schmidt Group will be my

    proposal gift to her."

    Right at that moment, Carl''s cell phone started vibrating.

    He looked down to take a glimpse at it. He cried out excitedly, "Mr. Schmidt! It''s a message from our

    people. Winston has made a move to go and see Ms. Alyssa!"

    That night, Landon was summoned by Cornelius. Alyssa and Jasper had also gone out. Lauren and

    Angelina were the only ones at home.

    Lauren was drawing in the drawing studio that Landon had set up for her. Angelina was waiting silently

    by the side with her eyes fixed on Lauren.

    Lauren held her paintbrush and worked on her painting with dynamic hand movements. The beautiful

    scenery of the manor''s back garden came to life on her canvas.

    Angelina couldn''t help but gasp softly, "Madam Lauren, you''re... you''re too skilled. This painting is just

    like a photograph!"

    "You''re exaggerating. Don''t tter me, Angie." Lauren pressed her lips together shyly. Her cheeks

    blushed a light shade of pink.

    "I''m not, Madam Lauren. I have never lied to you or Mr. Landon."

    Angelina smiled warmly. She continued with sincerity, "Mr. Landon is blessed to have your

    Lauren shook her head vigorously. She looked at her and said, "I am the one who should be thanking

    Landon. He didn''t dislike me for being stupid. He was willing to have me by his side and treat me so

    well..."

    "Don''t say that, Madam Lauren."

    Angelina knelt on one knee by her side while Lauren held her paintbrush. She ced Lauren''s hand in

    hers gently. "You are the only person in this worldpatible with Mr. Landon."

    Then, the doorbell rang.

    "Oh! Is Landon back? I shall go and wee him!" Lauren skipped downstairs to the entrance like a

    happyrk.

    No external party knew about their residence, so she didn''t think twice about opening the door. She

    wrapped her arms around the man in front of her. "Landon! You''re back!"

    However, there was only an awkward silence.

    Lauren opened her eyes immediately. She lifted her pretty nose and sniffed at the man''s clothes.

    Oddly, the man didn''t strike her as Landon. Landon usually had a light smell of tobo on him. But this

    person didn''t smell like that. He only smelled like fresh soap.

    The man asked jokingly, "Ms. Lauren, what are you sniffing at?"

    Lauren screamed at the sound of the man''s voice. She leaped away, distancing herself from him. Only

    then did she realize that the person she was hugging wasn''t Landon!

    "You. You are that man from the news! You are Alyssa''s brother!" Lauren was floored. She was

    bbergasted!

    Cyrus leaned forward and beamed at her. "Oh? You remembered me? I''m the man from the news?

    When was I ever on television?" he asked with his arms crossed.

 Chapter 1318

    Lauren covered her mouth with her hand. What did she just do?

    Ever since Landon got together with her, he had never touched any other woman. So, how could she

    touch another man?

    Was she... Was she dirty now? Did she betray Landon?

    "I''m... I''m sorry." After being at a loss for words, she could only apologize. However, she wasn''t sure if

    her apology was meant for Cyrus or Landon.

    "What are you sorry for, Ms. Lauren? I should be the one to apologize to you. I have been so busy that

    I haven''t showered in three days. I''m sorry if I stink."

    Cyrus smiled. He noted that Lauren looked naively cute.

    "Madam Lauren!"

    Upon hearing somemotion, Angelina hurried over. She was also surprised to see Cyrus. "Mr.

    Cyrus?"

    Cyrus normally had a low profile. There were only a handful of people who knew of him. Angelina knew

    Cyrus only because Landon had mentioned him. Otherwise, the awkward situation when Axel visited

    might have been repeated.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Cyrus peered inside. "Are Lyse and Jasper at home?" he asked.

    He had heard about what had happened. Moreover, it had been a few days since hest saw Alyssa,

    so he was worried.

    "Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett have gone out to run some errands." Angelina hesitated for a bit before

    politely extending an invitation. "Please,e in."

    Cyrus treated the ce like his own. He walked straight to the living room and plopped himself down.

    He then ced a document regarding Sophia on the table.

    Sophia''s hearing was about to begin. There were many detailed documents that Alyssa and Jasper

    needed to look through. That was why Alyssa had called him over to their ce tonight.

    "This is a nice house. It is more stylish than ours," Cyrus remarked as he observed his surroundings.

    He thought about how Alyssa had been staying here ever since she ran away from home. Based on his

    observation, Jasper hadn''t treated Alyssa badly.

    With a half smile on her face, Angelina responded, "Someone else said the same when they came the

    "Who was it who said that?"

    "Mr. Axel."

    Cyrus was pleased to hear that. "That sounds just like Axel. He has deep pockets. With my annual

    sry,

    I could probably only afford a toilet here."

    It was then that he noticed Lauren crouched anxiously in a corner. The sight of her made her look

    pitiful.

    "Did I scare you, Ms. Lauren?" Cyrus smiled at her.

    Lauren nodded slightly before quickly shaking her head instead. In her nervousness, she was grabbing

    at her clothes so much that they had be wrinkled.

    "It was my fault. Come to think of it, I was the one who took advantage of you. I''m very sorry."

    As someone who worked at the police station, Cyrus worked efficiently. He was someone who spoke

    directly without thinking too much about it.

    When Angelina heard the phrase "took advantage", her expression became stiff. She stared at Cyrus

    anxiously and tightened her fists!

    Right at that moment, the doorbell rang once again.

    Angelina suppressed her anger and walked to the entrance. She staggered upon looking into the digital

    doorviewer.

    "Is that Lyse?" Cyrus came up quickly behind her.

    He also inhaled sharply when he saw Winston''s face appear on the screen.

 Chapter 1319

    Cyrus looked toward Angelina, and she returned his gaze.

    Angelina became even more upset. She questioned Cyrus in a low voice, "Were you the one who

    invited Mr. Taylor over?"

    Cyrus widened his eyes. With an innocent look on his face, he answered in a serious tone, "Are you

    pointing your fingers at me? I might be Winston''s son, but I am not a traitor. My loyalty lies with Lyse!"

    Angelina couldn''t help but be amused by his quick-witted response. She whispered, "What should we

    do? Should I open the door?"

    Cyrus put his hands in his pockets and scoffed. "If you don''t open the door, my Dad will kick the door

    down."

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    Angelina was speechless.

    She didn''t dare to keep their big-shot guest waiting. She took a deep breath, then opened the door.

    At that moment, the Taylor family''s bodyguards filled the entire yard of their manor in a sea of ck.

    Their presence was overbearing.

    Winston was standing at the door with a frigid look on his face. Neil was behind him.

    Before making his way here, Winston had his speech prepared mentally. He had even put up a stern

    expression on his face.

    In the end, his mind went nk when he spotted Cyrus.

    Neil was also very surprised. He eximed, "Mr. Cyrus?"

    Cyrus scratched his head. "Hi, Dad..."

    Winston looked at Cyrus, then at Angelina. Then, he took a huge step back and looked at the house

    number que.

    Neil didn''t know whether tough or cry. He exined, "Mr. Taylor, you didn''t go to the wrong house.

    This is the ce."

    "Oh, I see." Winston nodded slowly. All of a sudden, his eyes lit up. He then asked a nonsensical

    question, "Is thisdy your partner?

    "So, I see that you like morous women. You should''ve told me earlier. If so, I wouldn''t have

    introduced so many of those simple-lookingdies to you in the past."

    Angelina became wide-eyed in shock. Cyrus put his palm to his forehead and replied in a troubled

    manner, "Dad, could you just stop pushing me? I will dere celibacy if you keep pushing me like that!

    "Did you know why I wanted to be a criminal investigator at Sna City? It was because I couldn''t take

    your daily nagging, asking me to get married and have a family! I am not your breeder!"

    Angelina pursed her lips. She hadn''t expected the precious son of a wealthy family to have the same

    kind of troubles as amoner.

    "Listen. If you dare to take a vow of celibacy, I will go to whichever church you''re at and tear it down!"

    Winston spoke sternly.

    In the next moment, he said to Angelina in a friendly tone, "How old are you, miss? What''s your name?

    Where do you work? Are your parents from Belbanks or Sna City?

    "My son, Cyrus, likes to keep things on the down low. Actually, I have already prepared the wedding

    gifts for his bride. You will be a Mrs. Taylor when you marry into our family, and you will have a good

    life.

    "This is a rare opportunity toe by. Why are you still hesitating? We should set a date as soon as

    possible!"

    "Dad!" Cyrus felt helpless. Right now, what he regretted the most was opening the door for Winston!

    "There has been a misunderstanding, Mr. Taylor. I am not involved with Mr. Cyrus in any way. I am just

    Mr. Landon''s secretary," Angelina answered calmly.

    Disappointment was written clearly on Winston''s face. He looked at Cyrus with an unhappy gaze.

    Neil couldn''t help but chuckle awkwardly. He said, "Mr. Taylor, Mr. Cyrus, we should continue our

    conversation inside."

    To him, it felt like Winston''s children were both his treasures and his foes at the same time.

    Winston and Cyrus sat across from one other in the living room. The atmosphere around them was

    strange.

    "Did all of you know that Lyse has been staying here? Am I the only one kept in the dark about it?"

    Winston gritted his teeth. "Are you even my son?"

    Cyrus grabbed an apple from the fruit tter and took a bite. "Would you like to test it then?"

 Chapter 1320

    Winston inhaled sharply. Steam was almosting out of his ears!

    Angelina was not someone who was easily amused. But watching Winston and Cyrus bicker almost

    made her smile. They looked like such a loving and harmonious father-son duo.

    Then, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

    Lauren was carrying a tray. Carefully, she walked up to Winston and ced the teacups on the table.

    "Mr. Taylor, please have some tea."

    Lauren''s voice was gentle. As Winston watched her adorable face, he couldn''t help but feel like doting

    on her.

    He smiled and said in a warm tone, "Oh? Hello, Lauren. I didn''t expect to see you here. Are you here to

    keep Alyssapany?"

    "I... I... Yes." Lauren flushed red with shyness. She wasn''t dumb. She knew she couldn''t answer by

    saying she was cohabiting with Landon. So, she could only give an awkward, perfunctory reply.

    "Anyway, that''s not important!" Winston beamed with joy. He pulled Lauren closer to him and looked at

    her closely. "You aren''t attached yet, are you? What do you think about my youngest son here?

    "You''re both about the same age, and opposites attract. I''m sure that you will both get along very well."

    It was as if Cyrus was struck by lightning. He was so surprised that he spat out the tea he was drinking.

    "I. I." Lauren was frightened. She took a step back immediately and sped her hands together. She

    started rubbing her hands together until her skin turned red.

    When it came to his personal life, Cyrus was careless. However, as a Criminal Investigator, he had

    remarkable observational skills. He was able to perceive that Lauren''s reaction was unnatural.

    It was as if she was overly introverted. On top of that, she had severe social anxiety.

    She was biting down so hard on her lip that they almost bled. She looked like she was on the verge of

    crying.

    Cyrus felt terrible to see her like that. He frowned. He said in a serious voice, "Dad! Did youe all

    the way here from Belbanks to get me a wife? I have told you thousands of times that I want to focus

    on my career. I don''t want to get married or have a family!"

    Winston narrowed his eyes. "Do you think that you can choose to do whatever you want? If you had a

    choice, you wouldn''t have been born in the first ce."

    "What the." Cyrus almost swore. His face turned red from holding himself back.

    He really couldn''t understand!

    Even though Damien was no longer around, he still had four other elder brothers. Why was Winston

    only badgering a small fry like him?

    Regardless of whether or not he wanted a family, his current job required him to travel at any time. He

    worked around the clock and was always on dangerous missions.

    Which woman would be able to ept a workaholic like him? If he were to get married, he would want

    to make his future wife feel loved and happy.

    But this wasn''t something that he could achieve at this point. How could he sacrifice someone''s lifetime

    happiness just to bear him children?

    Winston wanted to continue matchmaking them, but Angelina immediately hurried to Lauren''s side.

    She wrapped her arms around Lauren''s trembling shoulders.

    She then looked Winston straight in the eye and said, "Mr. Taylor, we appreciate that you took a liking

    to Ms. Lauren. But I''m sorry, she''s already taken."

    Winston clicked his tongue. With a dissatisfied look, he asked, "Who was she taken by? Who is the one

    who has the upper hand over my son?"

    "Of course, it''s no one other than Mr. Landon."

    Angelina''s expression was cold. She smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Beckett Senior and Mr. Javier are

    aware of the rtionship between Mr. Landon and Ms. Lauren. They have never interfered with their

    rtionship.

    "Furthermore, Mr. Landon is about to be appointed as the president of Harper Group. When that time

    this personally."

    Landon reminded Lauren of his desire to marry her daily.

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    Even though those were words she heard daily, Lauren was still extremely touched to hear them once

    again. She blushed bashfully.

 Chapter 1321

    "Oh, I see. I thought it was someone else." Winston didn''t take Angelina''s words seriously at all. He

    looked toward Cyrus as if he was about to entrust him with an important task.

    "You say that Landon will be asking for Lauren''s hand in marriage. That means that he has yet to

    propose officially. Just because a goalkeeper is standing at the goalpost doesn''t mean scoring is

    impossible. You still have a chance, Cyrus."

    Cyrus held his head in his hands. He was frustrated. He really wished that he could dig a hole for

    himself and hide in it right now.

    Just as Winston finished speaking, they heard the sound of quick and urgent footsteps approaching.

    "Winston! Why did you bring a whole troop of your people to our yard? What are you trying to do? Take

    the house down?" Alyssa had one hand on her hips. She red at Winston angrily.

    Her emotional and mental state had settled down at this point in time, thanks to the power of love. She

    was no longer going to resist or fear facing off against Winston.

    Winston was an arrogant man. But it didn''t matter if he used the power of the entire KS Group to

    repress them.

    After their steamy nightst night, Alyssa turned around and pressed her fair-skinned and warm body

    against Jasper''s. She tapped his moist, thin lips and asked in a gentle voice, "What''s on your mind,

    Jasper?"

    Jasper bit down gently on her finger. He stroked her delicate back, which was wet with sweat. "I was

    thinking what our next hurdle might be."

    "Why are you thinking about that for no good reason?"

    Alyssa turned and rested her head on his chest. "There is no problem that cannot be solved. There is

    nothing that we cannot ovee as long as we go through it hand in hand. Hey, you''ve already

    chickened out once. You''re not going to be a cowardly jerk again, are you?"

    Jasper had a frown on his face. He gave her a loving tug on her waist. "I wasn''t chickening out, Lyse. I

    was just..."

    Alyssa giggled. "I know. I was just pulling your leg."

    Jasper was speechless. She was pulling his leg by calling him a cowardly jerk? Upon reflecting, Jasper

    realized that Alyssa wasn''t entirely wrong. It was true that he used to be quite a jerk. He would just

    treat it as her way of being endearing toward him.

    "All in all, only death can separate us in this life," stated Alyssa with a monotone voice,bining

    seriousness with a touch of coyness.

    "There is absolutely nothing that can separate us." Tears welled up in Jasper''s eyes. He interlocked his

    fingers with hers. "We will face the challenges in this life together. Till death do us part."

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Winston was startled to see Alyssa, whom he had not seen in days.

    This evening, Alyssa was only in regr-looking sportswear. She didn''t have any makeup on. She had

    a bag of fruits in her left hand. It was obvious that she had just gone to the supermarket.

    She was his cherished daughter¡ªsomeone extremely precious to him! From a young age, a multitude

    of staff members attended to her every need. Yet, she now had to go to the supermarket personally to

    do groceries. She no longer had a ssy air around her!

    Winston loved Alyssa with all his heart. He was about to snap when he noticed Jasper standing behind

    Alyssa. He was carrying four bags full of groceries in both his arms. His hands were full.

    Winston knitted his brows tightly. A strong sense of heartache and sorrow built up within him.

    Amidst these emotions, he even felt an inexplicable hint of admiration.

    Jasper was quick-witted. He spotted that Winston''s eyes had turned red. He thought that Winston was

    still mad, so he quickly put his bags of groceries down and greeted him.

    "I''m very sorry, Mr. Taylor."

    "What are you apologizing for? Winston should be the one who should apologize to you instead. He

    shouldn''t have taken advantage of his seniority and hit you, no matter what!" Alyssa red at Winston

    angrily.

    Winston felt a pain in his heart. He sighed deeply in frustration, then spoke coldly, "It has been so many

    days, Lyse. You have done so many ridiculous things. You have also seen the person you wanted to

    see. My patience is limited. It''s time for you toe back with me."

 Chapter 1322

    The atmosphere in the living room turned frosty in an instant.

    Cyrus recognized that he couldn''t and wouldn''t be able to persuade Alyssa. If he tried, he would only

    make the situation worse. So, he retreated discreetly.

    Angelina also brought Lauren away, leaving space for the rest to talk.

    Jasper held his breath. His hands were trembling. Subconsciously, he reached out, wanting to hold

    Alyssa''s hand. But, he stopped midway and curled his fingers in. He really didn''t want Alyssa to leave.

    He was never a coward. When he loved someone, he would love them fully. When there was someone

    he hated, he hated them to the core.

    It was just that he was indebted to Alyssa. At the same time, he felt guilt toward Winston.

    No matter if it was the three years of heart-rending marriage or Alyssa''s miscarriage... These were all

    his fault. He was the one who hurt Winston''s precious daughter. He hadmitted an unpardonable

    sin.

    He didn''t mind if Winston berated him or even beat him up again. He would allow him to vent his anger

    until he was cated.

    "What are you thinking, Winston?" Alyssa scoffed.

    With an adamant look, she continued, "I wouldn''t have risked falling and running away from home if I

    wanted to listen to you. I think it''s best for you not to focus so much on me.

    "I had spent all those years being away and wandering in a foreignnd. You didn''t turn the entire

    country inside out to find me back then. Yet now, you are scheming and using every possible means

    just so you can ruin my happiness?"

    Jasper pressed his lips tightly together and stepped forward. Alyssa still had a determined look on her

    face. He stared at her side profile with a gaze filled with concern.

    "Alyssa! You." Winston''s face turned pale, and his breathing became irregr. A fire of rage burned

    from within him. "Look at you now! Are you still my precious daughter?

    "You even went to the supermarket in person to do your own groceries. Have you had to cook your own

    meals these few days?

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    "You were no different from a housekeeper in the Beckett family, except that you worked without pay for

    three years. Haven''t you had enough of that? Is this the kind of love that you wanted? Is this the kind of

    life that you wanted to have?"

    The more Winston spoke, the more enraged he became.

    She was the only daughter he had had with the woman he loved the most. She should be loved! How

    could she suffer a lire like that?

    Didn''t Jasper know how to get the chores done?

    "Winston, this is the life that I have always wanted. A normal life."

    Alyssa was filled with a plethora of emotions. She choked on her tears as she continued, "I don''t think

    that I am suffering in any way because this is what I want. I want a life with just the two of us under one

    roof and spending our days together."

    Blood drained from Jasper''s lips, and his fingers curled up into a fist of regret.

    Spending their days together...

    Words were not enough to express Jasper''s feelings for Alyssa. That was what Alyssa had always

    wanted. But he had only managed to fulfill her wishes now.

    "You have never experienced these. Neither have you really understood me. I would go as far as to say

    that you didn''t even know what Mom wished for. So, you do not have the right to dictate my life. You

    cannot get in the way of the choice that I''ve made."

    Alyssa''s words pierced through Winston''s heart. The world in front of him gradually became a blur.

    "Also, these days, Jasper has been the one doing the cooking. He cleaned the house and did my

    Alyssa wrapped her warm hands around Jasper''s tightened fist. She intertwined her fingers with his,

    then said, "My Jasper knows how to do everything other than having kids. So, you don''t have to be

    such a busybody and worry about me.

    "Feel free to stay for a meal tonight, and you''ll get to try Jasper''s cooking. Otherwise, you may take

    your leave."

    After Cyrus retreated, he hadn''t actually left because he still had matters to speak with Alyssa about.

    He simply strolled around in the manor.

    He ended up walking along a long corridor. There, he discovered paintings that had been framed up in

    delicate-looking copper frames that were hung up on the walls.

    Some of them were paintings of scenery of the early summer. Some had lively dogs. But, more than

    that, there were portrait paintings.

    He couldn''t help but stop in front of a three-foot-tall painting.

    The painting portrayed a man in a ck shirt. He was slender and tall, with broad shoulders and a

    narrow waist. His eyes were as bright as a star. The man depicted in the painting was none other than

    Landon.

    Cyrus widened his eyes and inspected the artwork carefully. His decent upbringing refrained him from

    giving in to his urge to touch the painting.

    "What an impressive piece. It is as lifelike as a photograph."

 Chapter 1323

    "Did you mean that?"

    Cyrus jumped. He turned around immediately. He hadn''t realized that Lauren was behind him. She was

    hugging a brown fluffy teddy tightly and looking at him sheepishly.

    Lauren looked adorable to him at that moment.

    Cyrus''s gaze became slightly deeper. Heughed light-heartedly and answered in a warm tone, "Of

    course I meant it. Did you paint this?"

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    "Yeah, I did." Lauren nodded.

    "You must have put a lot of thought and emotions into it. It took quite a bit of effort, didn''t it?"

    "Mm... That''s alright. The most important thing is that Landon likes it."

    Lauren''s eyes lit up at the mention of Landon. She smiled sweetly, and her face blushed pink.

    "Landon treats me very well. There is not much I can give him, so I just did this painting as a gift. I''m

    d that he likes it."

    Cyrus'' heart skipped a beat.

    Throughout all these years of being a police officer, he was always immersed in the dark side of the

    world. Every day, he fought fiercely with countless abominable devils.

    It had been a very long time since he had seen such pure eyes.

    The woman in front of him was just like the clear moonlight. Inconspicuously, she had lit up his dull and

    gloomy heart.

    Lauren noticed that he had his gaze fixed on her. She blinked and looked at him with a confused look

    on her face. "Mr. Cyrus?"

    Cyrus snapped out of his thoughts. The corner of his lip curled upward.

    He said, "I remember the time from L''s birthday party when you addressed Lyse as Alyssa. So,

    there''s no need to bother with formalities. Call me Cyrus, just like Alyssa does."

    "Cyrus?" Lauren waspliant. She addressed him exactly how he asked her to.

    Cyrus smiled with his dashing eyes. He was about to reply when a cold voice sounded.

    "Mr. Cyrus, Ms. Lauren is Mr. Landon''s partner. It isn''t appropriate for you to be so close with her in

    private."

    Angelina watched Cyrus with a gloomy look in her eyes. She walked briskly to Lauren''s side, giving off

    an attitude of assertiveness as if she was defending Landon''s rights.

    Cyrus remained calm. He smiled slightly and responded, "What did I do that was so indecent that

    warrants such defensiveness from you?

    "Why? Does being with Landon mean that she doesn''t have the right to interact with others normally?

    Are you saying that any man who talks to her will have to die? Is he overly paranoid, or is his

    selfesteem just so low?"

    "You!" Angelina gnashed her teeth as she red at Cyrus. If he weren''t Alyssa''s elder brother, she

    would have already given him a tight p on the face!

    "Angie..." Lauren tugged at Angelina''s shirt and shook her head anxiously.

    Lauren might not be very articte and look simple-minded, but she often understood the ways of the

    world.

    Cyrus was Alyssa''s brother. It was because of this connection that he would stop to chat with her. She

    was aware of that.

    If they were to have bad blood just because of a tiny matter like this, it would put Alyssa in a tough

    position, and that would be bad.

    Cyrus caught a glimpse of Lauren''s nervous expression. In the end, he smiled nonchntly and

    strutted past Angelina.

    "No one can steal whatever that is meant to be his. So, what''s the use of being overprotective? You''re

    wasting your time being concerned. After all, us Taylors are cultured people."

    To their great surprise, Winston chose thetter after being given the option to leave or stay for dinner.

    He decided to stay despite having had an intense argument with Alyssa.

    After a recent argument, they were now sharing a meal. Only the Taylors were capable of making 180-

    degree turns like this.

    Nheless, Jasper was now scared out of his mind. He had to whip up a meal under Winston''s

    watchful eyes. He had never been so freaked out in his entire life. His heart was in his mouth!

    Winston sat in the living room, exuding regality to intimidate Jasper. Jasper felt like he was weing

    royalty.

    "Lyse, I only have a few simple dishes in my repertoire. Plus, they''re not that great." Jasper stood stiffly

    in the kitchen, feeling worried. "Would those make him throw up?"

    Alyssa snorted. "You''re exaggerating."

 Chapter 1324

    Alyssa burst outughing. She put the apron over Jasper''s neck and then tied it around his waist.

    "Well, I have to say that L has been feeding my dad well all these years. He has be an

    extremely picky gourmand."

    Jasper gulped, then took a deep breath.

    "But don''t you worry. I will be here to guide you. You just have to follow my instructions, and you won''t

    be too far off."

    Tenderness filled Jasper''s eyes. He pulled Alyssa in for an embrace and nted a loving kiss on her

    forehead. "Yes, ma''am!"

    "No! You''ve got the sequence wrong! You should''ve put the meat in first! "

    "Oh, no! That''s too much vinegar!"

    "Oh, my! It''s burning! You''ve got to flip it!"

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    Jasper and Alyssa were making a racket in the kitchen, giving the impression that they were creating

    chaos.

    Initially, Winston sat in the living room with his eyes shut and resting. When he heard themotion,

    he couldn''t help but peer at the kitchen.

    The kitchen on the ground floor of the manor had an open concept. Although it was a short distance

    from the living room, Winston could still get a look at the situation there.

    Jasper''s movements were hectic. Alyssa was giving him instructions by the side. She''d even give him a

    cheeky bump with her butt or flick his forehead from time to time.

    Jasper showed no sign of losing his patience at all. Not only that, he kept looking at Alyssa and smiling

    from ear to ear.

    He looked so much like a fool.

    Winston couldn''t understand what Alyssa saw in him.

    Even though Winston''s expression still overflowed with resentment, the look in his eyes had gradually

    be softer. He couldn''t turn his eyes away from the pair of lovers.

    All of a sudden, a phrase came to mind¡ªlife''s simple pleasures.

    This sort of rxed environment and simple joys were what he had always been chasing after.

    "Look at Ms Alyssa Mr Taylor She looks so happy It''s been a while since you''ve seen her smile like

    that, right?" Neil stood beside him. A warm smile spread across his face.

    Winston harrumphed. He mumbled angrily, "How did an outstanding man like myself end up with such

    a hopeless romantic like her? She will be miserable in the future!"

    Neil smiled and urged, "Let her be a hopeless romantic. Ms. Alyssa is stunning and intelligent. There is

    nothing that she can''t get. This is tens of billions of assets. She wouldn''t be able to spend it all even if

    she threw money off the roof of KS Group''s building.

    "Since she wants to date him, why don''t you just let her be? Moreover, who would dare to slight the

    Taylor family?

    "Other than that, Mr. Beckett is quite a decent person. After scrutinizing him for a while, I realized that

    his looks and family background matched Ms. Alyssa''s, not to mention his professional capabilities.

    "Most importantly, he is an upright and kind person. Out of all the people in his generation, he can be

    considered as one of the outstanding ones."

    Winston furrowed his thick brows. He looked up at Neil with a doubtful look in his eyes. "What''s wrong

    with you today? Did he bribe you? Why are you speaking up for him?"

    Neil chuckled helplessly. "I was just sharing my observations."

    Winston looked away unhappily. He continued sitting there, sulking.

    "Mr. Taylor, you chose to stay for a meal tonight because you missed Ms. Alyssa. Am I right?"

    Neil leaned forward and noticed a hint of loneliness in Winston''s darkened eyes. He couldn''t help but

    feel for him.

    "Ms. Alyssa has been in hiding, so you were extremely worried. You''ve finally got to see her and can''t

    bear to part with her so quickly."

    That was why such a proud man like Winston decided to get off his high horse and chose to stay for

    dinner.

    "You are as stubborn as a mule. If only you could just express your love for Ms. Alyssa more directly,

    there wouldn''t be anything that you wouldn''t be able to solve."

    Winston pursed his lips. He lowered his eyes and kept quiet.

    After a while, he suddenly asked, "Have I been that terrible, Neil?

    "Previously, I kept trying to push Lyse to be together with Jameson. That was because she was still

    young and didn''t understand the essence of marriage. Compatibility is far more important than feelings.

    "Jameson is more considerate than Jasper. He is also better than Jasper at coaxing Lyse. For now, she

    may not feel like there is anything wrong with being with that blockhead.

    "However, marriage means spending decades of her life with that person. The cruel side of marriage

    will emerge after the passion dies down.

    "Would she be able to take it when that timees? Is she certain that she will not regret it? I only

    wish for Lyse to keep her options open and consider others. Is there anything wrong with that?"

    Neil listened to him patiently. He pondered before replying earnestly, "Every parent wants what''s best

    for their child. You do have the right intentions. That being said, I do have a different perspective on

    one of the things you said.

    "You said that feelings are not as important aspatibility. But I feel that character is far more

    important thanpatibility.

    "I am not very familiar with Mr. Jameson, so it is not my ce toment. One thing I will say, though,

    is that he was the one who intentionally revealed Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett''s whereabouts to you.

    You should very well know what his motives were.

    "Since he fancies Ms. Alyssa, he shouldpete fair and square with Mr. Beckett. Instead, he used

    you to pressure Mr. Beckett. I think that that was not a very honorable thing to do."

    Winston was very taken aback upon hearing those words.

 Chapter 1325

    One agonizing hourter, Jasper served up a few fairly presentable dishes on the dining table.

    He could manage simple dishes. Once theplexity of the dishes had increased, he realized he

    wasn''t talented at cooking!

    Moreover, these were dishes he hadpleted under Alyssa''s supervision. If he had relied on himself,

    dinner would most likely be served at midnight.

    By the time Jasper was done, his forehead was covered in sweat. His white shirt was alsopletely

    soaked in his sweat.

    Alyssa noticed all these, and her heart ached for him. She picked up a piece of tissue to wipe his sweat

    for him.

    She pouted, "Winston is so troublesome. He has so many cooks at home. There is also L, who is

    such a capable cook. Why did he insist on staying when he could have all the scrumptious food at

    home? He''s just making things difficult for others!"

    "Lyse, you and Mr. Taylor haven''t seen each other in a long time. Plus, you said it yourself that he can

    stay and try my cooking."

    Jasper didn''t see it as troublesome at all. On the contrary, he enjoyed the heartwarming moment of

    cooking with the woman he loved.

    Alyssa felt terrible that her sarcastic invitation ended up tormenting Jasper. Her face flushed red with

    anger. "I was saying that out of spite! Wasn''t he able to tell?"

    "It''s alright, Lyse."

    Jasper wrapped his arm around her slender waist,forting her softly, "I''ve been thinking of doing

    something for Mr. Taylor anyway. Even if it is a simple meal."

    "You''re thinking of getting in his good books?"

    Alyssa leaned close to him until the tips of their noses almost touched.

    "I think that you should just forget about that thought. Winston is very unreasonable. You can bombard

    him with as much ttery as you would like, and he may still stay mad.

    "Plus, there''s no need for you to do that. It doesn''t matter whether he''s willing or not. As long as we are

    together, nothing else matters."

    Winston cleared his throat loudly, interrupting the pair''s private conversation.

    Alyssa rolled her eyes. Winston was such a killjoy!

    "So, I guess I made things difficult for Jasper. I thought that I had to wait till breakfast time," Winston

    scoffed as he took a seat elegantly.

    Jasper didn''t respond.

    Alyssa sniggered, "You were the one who said that you''d stay. No one forced you to."

    She narrowed her eyes and said sarcastically, "Jasper has never cooked for anyone personally. So far,

    I was the only one. You''ve lucked out today, so just stop fault-finding."

    Winston was speechless.

    Jasper couldn''t hold himself back fromughing.

    They were indeed like father, like daughter. Their manner of speech and tone of voice were the same. It

    was like they were looking into a mirror.

    Winston straightened his back. He picked up his cutleries and dug in.

    The entire time, Jasper felt like his heart wasn''t his own. He couldn''t even feel his own heartbeat

    anymore. He held his breath as he watched and waited for Winston to taste his dishes.

    It was time for him to prove himself. His emotions surged. It was as if he was receiving an appraisal.

    "Is salt free of charge for you, or do you own a salt farm? These vegetables are all overcooked. They

    don''t look fresh at all. This one''s a failure!"

    Winston gave hisments as he devoured the dishes.

    Jasper had predicted that Winston wouldn''t have greatments for him. But he hadn''t expected it to

    be this bad. He could only respond with an awkward smile.

    Besides, Winston had allowed Jasper to make a meal for him. That was already something that was

    beyond what Jasper could imagine.

    Atst, Alyssa''s patience ran out. She lost her cool.

    "That''s it, Winston! I don''t care if you can stomach these or not! Just leave! Jasper put in so much effort

    in his cooking. Even if you don''t appreciate his gesture, you shouldn''t insult him like this!

    "Moreover, didn''t you say that they don''t taste good? Why have you eaten so much? Are you trying to

    torture yourself?"

    "I rushed over to Sna City to see you. I haven''t even changed since I got off the airne. Until now, I

    didn''t even have a single drop of water to drink!

    "I was finally invited to stay for a meal, but this fellow here took his own sweet time with cooking! I was

    famished!

    "Otherwise, would I be happy to eat all these? All these dishes he made are just so... so lousy! I could

    barely eat them!"

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    Upon saying that, Winston stuffed more roasted potatoes into his mouth. He chowed down on them. It

    was as if he was grinding down Jasper''s bones.

    Alyssa was still fuming at first. But she lost it once she heard Winston''s exnation, and she burst out

    inughter.

    When Winston saw that Alyssa was amused, he ended up smiling too.

    Jasper and Neil saw that Jasper and Alyssa had finally broken the ice. They were also overjoyed.

    The atmosphere surrounding the dining table had lightened, and the earlier tension and anxiety had

    dissipated.

    At least, it was now a tad more homely and warm.

 Chapter 1326

    Surprisingly, the dinner turned out to be a peaceful meal.

    Winston and Alyssa seemed to have a tacit understanding of one another. Neither of them made any

    mention of the things that would make each other upset.

    "Woah! Are you all having a feast by yourselves? How could you!"

    Cyrus came over after being tired of strolling around the house. He was also hungry, so he sat himself

    down at the dining table too.

    "That wasn''t very hospitable of you, Lyse. Why didn''t you call me over when there''s a feast here? I

    don''t even have an appetite as big as Ss''. Were you afraid that I''d gobble everything up?"

    Winston and Alyssa looked at Cyrus. In unison, they eximed, "Oh! I forgot about you!"

    After dinner, Winston got ready to leave.

    Alyssa stood on the steps as she watched Winston and Neil depart. As for Jasper, he wasn''t just going

    to stand and watch. He walked them straight to their car.

    Before Winston got into the car, he paused. He stood up tall and looked at Jasper with a deep gaze.

    He said, "I stayed back tonight because I missed my daughter. I just wanted to spend more time with

    her. Don''t you dare feel smug about it. I have never acknowledged you nor forgiven you."

    In a neutral tone, Jasper replied, "I''m aware that I''m very inadequate. So, I''ve never expected to

    receive your forgiveness. I just hope you can give me a chance to be good to Lyse."

    Jasper''s voice was hoarse and overflowing with bitterness.

    "I am willing to give whatever it takes and sacrifice my life for her."

    Winston''s pupils constricted, and a dimness settled in his eyes. He quirked his brow and sniggered,

    "You can present yourself however you like in front of Lyse. That is up to you. However, it is not

    necessary for you to act so affectionate when you''re in front of me.

    "I am cold-hearted toward anyone who is not my family. Even if you give your life away for my

    daughter''s sake, I will still hate you. I will continue to despise you. I do not approve of your rtionship.

    I still don''t. Lastly, all of your efforts will go down the drain. It might all be toote when you regret it by

    then."

    "There is only one thing I regret in my life." Jasper''s eyes began to well up with tears. His thin lips

    trembled as he continued, "My only regret is not knowing my own heart from the start and not

    cherishing Lyse properly.

    "Even if I cannot be with her, I will watch over her forever. I will do so until I take myst breath."

    Winston stared straight at him without blinking. After a while, he got into the car without saying another

    word.

    Jasper watched as the Taylor family''s entourage of luxury cars drove into the distance. Then, he turned

    around and walked back to Alyssa''s side.

    Alyssa clung onto his arm and asked, "What did you and Winston talk about?"

    "Winston asked me to tell you to sleep early and to have your meals on time. You are not as strong as

    you might think. So, don''t overexert yourself."

    Jasper lowered his head and nted an adoring kiss on her cheek. "And he said to stop eating ice

    cream when you''re on your period."

    "I can''t be sure if Winston actually said the first few points. But you were the one who included thest

    point, right?" Alyssa squinted at him. She saw right through his sneaky little move.

    "I really can''t hide anything from you." Jasper pouted helplessly. "That''s why you should listen to me for

    once, alright?"

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    "Okay. But what in the world did Winston say to you? I''m sure it wasn''t anything nice!" Alyssa persisted.

    Jasper''s eyshes fluttered. Heughed. "No matter what he said, aren''t you still right here next to

    me?

    I am satisfied as long as he didn''t take you away."

    Neil didn''t have the guts to speak to Winston along their way back.

    The atmosphere in the car was quite heavy. However, he felt that this heaviness wasn''t because of

    Jasper.

    After quite some time, Winston eximed, "Actually, that fe''s cooking was not too bad."

    Neil widened his eyes. But he just smiled slightly and said, "That was mainly thanks to Ms. Alyssa''s

    good guidance."

    "He was also really patient. If it were me, I wouldn''t be able to handle having a woman nagging in my

    ear like a buzzing mosquito. I''d be so annoyed," Winston grumbled.

    "Mrs. Taylor was also someone who loved to chat and nag at you. I''ve never seen you lose your

    patience with her either..."

    Neil''s mention of Winston''s first wife, Jennifer Whitaker, who was also Alyssa''s birth mother, was a slip

    of the tongue. His chest tightened, and he stopped mid-sentence. He couldn''t bear to continue in case

    he reminded Winston of his grief.

    A cloud of sadness came over Winston''s sharp eyes. He felt a lump in his throat. His hands, which

    were resting on his knees, trembled. He clenched his hands into tight fists.

    Winston stayed silent for a while. He then mumbled in a raspy voice, "Neil. I miss Jenny."

    Neil opened his mouth, wanting to share a few words offort with Winston, but he couldn''t find the

    right words to say.

 Chapter 1327

    Winston said, "Everything else aside, there was one thing Lyse said that hurt me. She said that I had

    never known what her mother wished for..."

    Winston closed his eyes slowly. Tears moistened his longshes, casting a sense of loneliness under

    the street lights.

    "Who else in this shitty world, other than myself, would understand her?" asked Winston.

    "Mr. Taylor, Ms. Alyssa is young. She hasn''t experienced many of the things you''ve been through, so

    she''s still ignorant." Neil let out a long sigh. "If she gets a chance to know everything about Mrs. Taylor

    in the future, she wille to understand your good intentions."

    After Winston left, Angelina apanied Lauren upstairs to rest. Alyssa and Cyrus sat in the living

    room to chat.

    "I wasn''t the tattletale, Lyse. I swear!" Cyrus eximed with three of his fingers lifted.

    "I know. We Taylors are not such jackasses. Even Liam, who hates Jasper the most, would never use

    such a cheap method to pressure us via Winston."

    Alyssa''s gaze was steady. She trusted her family members unconditionally.

    Cyrus stroked his chin and wondered, "You have both been staying here recently. If Winston knew

    about it in the first ce, he would have turned up long ago.

    "This shows that there was someone else who harbored bad intentions. They were the whistle-blower!

    Hmm. Who could it be?"

    Alyssa didn''t hesitate as she guessed, "It must have been that sly man, Jameson.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I have been feeling so suffocated these two days, so I begged Jasper to go out for a spin with me.

    Jameson has eyes everywhere in Sna City. I wouldn''t be surprised if one of his men spotted and

    tailed us.

    "At the same time, they may have informed Winston to win some brownie points. This is very likely the

    case."

    It had be second nature to her to be suspicious of Jameson. She had already identified him as a

    viin.

    "Damn it. That Jameson Schmidt has a lot of time on his hands, doesn''t he? He really stooped so low."

    Cyrus clicked his tongue and shook his head with contempt.

    "Whatever. He can choose to y all these dirty tricks for all I care. Jasper and I won''t be affected

    anyway," said Alyssa as she smirked at Jasper.

    Jasper''s eyes filled with gentleness. He kissed her on the lips, as if they were the only ones in the

    room.

    Alyssa never had to ask for a kiss, as he was the proactive one.

    Cyrus looked like he couldn''t bear looking at the scene before him.

    He turned away andmented, "You''re both greasier than the roasted pork belly I had for dinner

    tonight! Anyway... We should get down to business. I still have to get back to the station after we''re

    done."

    They focused their attention back on the purpose of their meeting.

    Jasper opened the envelope that Cyrus brought. He leaned his head against Alyssa''s as they both

    studied the document.

    "The trial for Sophia''s case will begin soon. This is the information that Ss and I havepiled. It

    includes some questions that will be asked in court. Do look and see if there''s anything else to add."

    Cyrus''s expression turned serious. He continued, "There is only one opportunity. We must grab onto

    this chance. We certainly cannot give the Beckett Group or Sophia a second to breathe!" Jasper was

    bright-eyed. He held on tightly to the document in his hand. At that moment, the lightweight papers felt

    like a tonne of bricks to him.

    The day when they could see the light at the end of the tunnel was finallying.

    Alyssa squeezed Jasper''s hand. She fixed her eyes on Cyrus. Her eyes were full of gratitude. "Thank

    you, Cyrus. Ss, too.

    "Regarding Sophia''s case, this is where you should stop. You are already doing something illegal by

    bringing this information out for us. Plus, you''ve both helped us enough.

    "Jasper and I will follow up with the rest of the matters. You and Ss don''t have to worry about it

    anymore."

    Cyrus pressed his lips together and contemted. He then nodded and said, "All the best."

    "Thank you," answered Jasper firmly. He returned a slight smile.

    Cyrus got up and walked to the entrance to take his leave as it was gettingte. He insisted that they

    didn''t have to see him out.

    Right when he was about to open the door, the door swung open. Suddenly, a man appeared in front of

    him. It was Landon, who had just gotten home.

    Surprise crossed Landon''s face when he saw Cyrus at the door.

    What was happening? What was Cyrus doing at his house?

    Cyrus, on the other hand, looked calm. "Please excuse me."

    His impassive attitude made Landon fly into a rage.

    Landon raised his eyebrow and looked him up and down mockingly. With hostility, he remarked, "Oh,

    look who''s here. Aren''t you that person who was on television?"

    "Yes, that''s me. And you are?"

    Cyrus tilted his head to the side. He was not going to back down from his arrogance. He asked, "Are

    you the overprotective Mr. Landon?"

 Chapter 1328

    Cyrus'' casual description of Landon made the tension around them rise to the roof.

    Landon''s eyes shot wide open, and his entire body tensed up!

    How could he describe him like that?

    He hadn''t been away from his home for too long. During that time, Cyrus had alreadye to create

    chaos in his house?

    Alyssa and Jasper had heard the ruckus at the door. They walked on over.

    "Cyrus? You''re still here?" Alyssa, sharp-minded, noticed the standoff between Cyrus and Landon,

    shooting them a suspicious look.

    "Oh, I wasn''t too sure how to open this door. Mr. Landon came back just in time and opened the door

    for me. I''ll be leaving now."

    Cyrus looked back and smiled brightly at Alyssa, as if nothing had just happened. "Once this busy

    period is over, I will take you out to have some fun. You shouldn''t be stuck living with this man every

    day. How boring is that."

    Jasper stayed silent. As much as he knew that Cyrus was kidding, Jasper couldn''t help but feel jealous

    again.

    Even after Cyrus left, Landon was still unable to calm himself down. rm bells were going off in his

    head.

    He couldn''t shake off the thought that Cyrus had met Lauren while he was away from home. He also

    spected that they had a significant amount of interaction.

    "What''s wrong, Landon? You don''t look too good," Jasper asked out of concern.

    "I''m fine," replied Landon. He exhaled heavily.

    Alyssa was sharp. Instantly, she had perceived that Landon was bothered. She initiated an apology to

    him.

    "I was the one who asked Cyrus to bring some documents to me here. I''m sorry for not informing you in

    advance. You are best friends with Jasper, but I understand that this is still the home that you share

    with Lauren.

    "I am just here as a guest. It was thoughtless of me to invite an outsider into your home. I promise it

    won''t happen again."

    Jasper was startled. He put his arm around her waist and quickly exined on behalf of Landon,

    "You''re overthinking it, Lyse. Landon is not such a petty person."

    Landon widened his eyes and waved his hand. "Alyssa, don''t say that!

    "I''m d to have you here. Jasper is happy, and my wife is even more so! Lauren has been in a much

    better mood ever since you came. She has also be chattier. How I wish that you could both stay

    on until the new year! I have no objections at all!"

    Alyssa leaned into Jasper''s arms. They looked into each other''s eyes.

    Alyssa then said, "I feel bad for encroaching on your space for such a long time. I do enjoy Lauren''s

    want to be romantic with one another."

    Her words made Landon feel embarrassed. He used to be a womanizer. But his sex life took a 180-

    degree turn because of Lauren. His love life and sex life were now sacred to him.

    Thus, upon hearing Alyssa''s words, he felt quite shy. His face flushed red¡ªlike a man in love for the

    first time.

    "Moreover, my Dad came by tonight."

    "Mr. Taylor came?" Landon was shocked. How much had he missed during his time away from home?

    "Even though he brought his men with him earlier, he didn''t force me to leave with him. In fact, he even

    stayed to have dinner, which Jasper prepared personally."

    "What the... Jasper cooked for him?"

    Landon was floored. Still, he didn''t forget to tease Jasper, "Mr. Taylor is such a brave man. I can''t

    believe he dared to try your food. What happens if he gets diarrhea?"

    Jasper''s expression turned dark. Through gritted teeth, he replied, "Did you have trash for dinner? Your

    breath stinks."

    "My dad''s attitude toward Jasper wasn''t great, but he wasn''t as hostile as before. Now that he already

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    knows that we are living together, there is nothing more for us to hide. So, we''ll pack up our things in

    the next two days. We''ll go back to my ce."

    Alyssa smiled sweetly. She couldn''t wait to be able to spend time with Jasper alone.

    Jasper knew Alyssa very well. He murmured right by her ear. "You know what? Let''s move tonight."

    Alyssa yawned. "Aren''t you tired after busying yourself the entire evening? I''m beat. Let''s talk about

    this tomorrow."

    Jasper still had his arm around her waist. He caressed her naughtily and whispered, "Well then, you

    can be the passive one tonight. Let me do the work."

    Despite Jasper muttering those words under his breath, Landon heard everything!

    Landon couldn''t help but think, "That son of a bitch. When did he be so flirtatious?"

 Chapter 1329

    Landon swallowed hard as he felt a burning passion ignite within him. He had decided what position he

    wanted to make love to his delicate wife.

    "Pervert!" Biting her red lips, Alyssa forcefully jabbed Jasper in the ribs with her elbow.

    The three of them took their seats back in the living hall.

    After a while, Lauren fell asleep watching the television. Angelina came downstairs and prepared them

    tea after settling Lauren down.

    She looked at Landon, wanting to say something, but stopped herself. She figured this wasn''t the best

    time to report to him.

    "I went back home." Landon lowered his head and drank his tea. His tone was low, and he sounded

    guilty. "Jasper, Lyse, I owe you an apology. My grandfather managed to arrange for the police to

    release Zoe."

    A cold glint instantly appeared in Jasper''s eyes when he heard that name.

    "She did something terrible, but it was not enough to convict her of it. I knew she would be released

    after being detained for half a month."

    Alyssa remained unfazed. She was calm. "However, even if Zoe were released, she would be as good

    as dead in this country¡ªshe would be shunned by society.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    "Her reputation has been dragged through the mud because of the negative news surrounding her. She

    can wave her dream to be the center of attention and talk of the town goodbye.

    "Even if she has the Harper family in her pocket, officials have banned her. She will never appear in

    public events, TV stations, or livestream tforms. Being a pianist waspletely out of the question.

    "Sophia and Zoe were the nastiest women in Sna City. Their bad reputation would stand for

    generations."

    "That''s not enough. It will never be enough." A fiery me swirled in Jasper''s eyes as if they would

    devour everything. He squeezed Alyssa''s hand so tightly that it hurt. "She needs to die without a body

    to make up for the damage she did to Lyse. We''re letting her off too easily with this punishment.

    "Landon, she may be your sister, but I have to say this. Even if thew lets her go, I won''t. I will never

    let her go."

    Alyssa''s heart trembled as she rested her head on Jasper''s shoulder. She felt an inexplicable sense of

    peace.

    "Jasper, I don''t think you have your chance to do so. I''ve sent her away." Landon sighed as his frown

    deepened. "My grandfather and mother still want to protect her. I fought with them.

    "But in the end, Zoe only got kicked out. I will monitor her closely and not let her enter the country

    again. Lyse, this is as much I can do for now. I want to give her a piece of my mind too, but..." "You

    don''t need to exin anymore, Landon. I know you''re caught between a rock and a hard ce." Alyssa

    smiled lightly andforted warmly, "I''m thankful enough for how much you''ve done. It''s enough. You

    don''t need to do anything else.

    "You are at a crucial season of your career. If you go overboard with how you handle Zoe, your

    annoying uncle will use it against you and make things difficult. Your grandfather will have a bias

    toward you too. Don''t underestimate these biases. They might be the death of your victory to getting

    the Harper Group.

    "Plus, besides seeing that bitch getting the justice she deserves, I am more eager to see you and

    Lauren being happy together. I want to see her marry into the Harper family gloriously. Who cares

    about the obstacles ahead of you? You are strong enough to defend and protect her."

    Alyssa was implying that he should focus on establishing his authority in the Harper Group. His future

    with Lauren would be bright with this authority in his hands.

    "Lyse, Jasper, don''t worry. Leave Lauren to me."

    Landon looked at Alyssa gratefully and considered her a good friend for her kindness and

    understanding in wishing him and Lauren happiness.

    However, he wasn''t jealous.

    Lauren was the perfect woman in his eyes.

    Jameson was in the shooting range practicing his gun skills when Carl hastily ran to him to report to

    him.

    He was wearing a spotless white shirt and straight ck suit pants. ck leather cuffs were clipped to

    his arms, restricting his bulging biceps.

    Beneath his gold-rimmed sses, his gaze was as sharp as a knife. He held the gun with precision,

    aiming and firing three shots at the target 100 yards away.

    "Bang, bang, bang!"

    Carl covered his ears as he admired his boss.

 Chapter 1330

    Carl thought Jameson looked extremely cool. Jameson was carrying a mesmerizing and manly vibe to

    him. He was sexy. He didn''t understand why Alyssa didn''t fall for such an outstanding man like

    Jameson.

    Then, the target slowly moved over.

    When it came close enough, Carl saw Jasper''s picture on the target, and Jameson''s shots had made a

    massive hole in Jasper''s head.

    "Amazing! You are such an amazing shooter, Mr. Schmidt. You have an eagle''s eye." Carl pped as

    he kissed Jameson''s ass.

    "It''s too bad," Jameson said as he kept his gun.

    "Too bad?"

    "It''s just a picture and not the actual person."

    Jameson did not look at him. He simply took a white silk handkerchief to wipe his gun. "You were

    looking for me?"

    "Mr. Schmidt, we have news about Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor had sought out Ms. Alyssa and Jasper tonight.

    However, he did not bring Ms. Alyssa home with him." Carl''s forehead was covered in cold sweat when

    he finished.

    As he expected, Jameson''s eyes turned grim. "He didn''t bring Lyse with him. Is Lyse still staying at

    Landon''s with Jasper?"

    "Yes..." The tremor in Carl''s voice became evident.

    A grim glint flickered in Jameson''s eyes. He loaded his gun and shot at the ground multiple times.

    The bullet exploded under Carl''s feet. He was terrified to his wits, unable to utter a word.

    Jameson gasped for air violently after he finished his round of bullets. His eyes were bloodshot. "Get

    the car!"

    It was almost midnight when Winston returned to Heightsnew Vi.

    His expression was dreadful when he went there earlier, but he had since thought it through. He

    reflected on how his daughter had gained some weight under Jasper''s care, and his worried heart

    slowly settled.

    Now, Winston felt slightly regretful. If he hadn''t forcefully imprisoned Alyssa, she wouldn''t have jumped

    out of the window in the middle of the night and escaped into the violent storm.

    He felt more remorseful as he thought about it.

    Should anything happen to her, there wouldn''t be a reason to live anymore. He would be too

    embarrassed to meet her mother down under. At the end of the day, Alyssa''s safety was his priority. As

    for that Beckett boy...

    "Uncle Winston!"

    Winston and Neil turned around at the voice.

    They saw Jameson walking toward them with an exquisite white gift box, a friendly and warm glint

    flickering in his eyes.

    "Jameson, why are you here?" Winston sized him up in confusion.

    Jameson''s heart sank, but he maintained the elegant smile on his face. "I''ve been waiting here for you

    to bring Lyse back.

    "I was worried she didn''t have time to eat dinner, so I brought her some food from Sna City''s famous

    Artisan Delicacies. She mentioned this ce before and said it was her favorite restaurant. So, I."

    "I didn''t bring Lyse back with me. She is still with Jasper.''

    Winston interrupted him with an indifferent attitude. "I appreciate the kind gesture. It is already the

    middle of the night. I don''t think it''s appropriate for someone of your stature to wait here for so long. I

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    think you should head back."

    Jameson noticed how Winston brushed him off and panicked. He walked toward him. "Uncle Winston,

    do you intend to see Lyse make the same mistakes again?

    "Jasper had made Lyse miserable. She had suffered so much that her body couldn''t handle it. How can

    you stand Lyse being with such a despicable and shameless man?"

    Winston narrowed his eyes and looked at Jameson with a stered smile. "Jasper had been pestering

    my precious daughter again and again. I''ve pped him and endangered his life. Yet, he continued to

    stick around my daughter. It is shameless.

    "However, from what I see, he is upright in his ways and never stabbed anyone behind the back or use

    any malicious schemes. He has the basic moral principles. At the very least, he is head over heels for

    Lyse."

 Chapter 1331

    The look on Jameson''s face stiffened.

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Winston didn''t confront him harshly. Yet, he felt every word that came from Winston''s mouth was

    directed at him. A simmering anger in his heart caused his pale cheeks to burn.

    "Uncle Winston, everything Jasper is doing is to appease and cajole Lyse."

    Jameson clenched his fingers tightly. His nails were digging into his palm. He was extremely hostile

    toward Jasper. "If he really loved Lyse, he would have been there for her during the three years of their

    marriage. Lyse is such a beautiful and astounding woman. She could tug the heart of any man.

    "Yet, he had turned his back and abandoned Lyse. It shows that he wasn''t genuine toward Lyse. It was

    never love!"

    "It was never love?" Winston perked his eyebrow.

    "Have you ever thought about when Jasper started falling for Lyse? It was when he realized the wife he

    had abandoned for three years was the daughter of the owner of the KS Group after their divorce.

    "Everyone knows Jasper isn''t born of Mr. Javier''s first wife. His mother gained her status disgracefully,

    so he was no different from an illegitimate child. If it weren''t for Mr. Javier''s firstborn falling ill, he would

    have never let Jasper take up such a huge responsibility to manage the Beckett Group.

    "Now that he sticks to Lyse like glue, do you think his intentions are pure? Does he not harbor any

    malicious intent? Are you sure he has never thought of using the Taylor family''s money and power to

    change his awkward circumstance?"

    Anxiety was written on Jameson''s face. He earnestly persisted, feeling as if he was about to talk his

    mouth off. "He forced Lyse to divorce with him to marry someone else. What he did was despicable. He

    hasn''t been loyal the first time. How sure are you that there wouldn''t be a second or third? Are you

    willing to use the apple of your eye to bet on Jasper''s character?"

    Carl listened to everything by the side. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he carefully observed

    Jameson without a word.

    Until now, he hadn''t recognized the extent of Jameson''s persuasiveness, resembling that of a snake

    charmer. If Jameson''s eloquence was employed to distort the truth, his abilities should not be

    underestimated.

    "Jameson, what you have done for my daughter is more telling than me as her actual father."

    A smile lingered on Winston''s face, yet his tone was cold. "If Jasper is exactly like you said, a person

    after position and power, he wouldn''t have gone for my daughter, who had kept her identity hidden. He

    would have to marry a wealthy girl and get it done once and for all."

    Jameson was rendered speechless. He found himself ensnared in his own words.

    "I''m old. I can''t control Lyse for the rest of my life. She chose Jasper, and that is the decision she has to

    live with. It will be on her if that person mistreats her. I can''t possibly hang her around my pocket like a

    keychain, can I?"

    Neil couldn''t help butugh at Winston''s dark humor.

    Yet, Jameson''s heart brimmed with hatred. His dry and pale lips trembled as he uttered, "Uncle

    Winston, you..."

    "If you don''t want to give up on Lyse, you can go ahead and pursue her passionately. Fight for her fair

    and square."

    Winston averted his gaze from Jameson''s tense expression. He coldly uttered, "However, please

    refrain from seeking me out to discuss this any further. I have many children. I wouldn''t live very long if

    I worried for all of them."

    Following that, Winston and Neil passed through the entrance of Heightsnew Vi in session. The

    door sealed shut, and the frigid wind that brushed past seemed like a harsh blow to Jameson''s head.

    After speaking to Jameson, Winston''s steps were surprisingly light. "That Schmidt boy really had a way

    with words," he mocked.

    "Exactly. You will only see a person''s talent when it matters." Neilughed. He was creatively sarcastic

    with his words.

    "Pfft! That pipsqueak Jasper had been in the same business summits with him a couple of times.

    During his speech, he interchanged bilingually and spoke eloquently. Isn''t he equally good at talking

    too?

    "Now, besides making promises and offering apologies, he only knows how to assure me he''ll treat

    Lyse well whenever he sees me. He is slow with words. Anyone might have thought he was dumb,"

    Winston mocked, shaking his head with a disgusted and scornful look in his eyes.

    Neil grasped the situation and said with a smile, "Mr. Beckett may not excel in many things, but he has

    a talent. Mr. Jameson is not only childhood friends with Ms. Alyssa but also a formidable love rival.

    However, do you recall something Mr. Beckett said to Mr. Jameson?"

    Neil grasped the need to limit the conversation to this point, as being too biased toward Jasper could

    backfire. He sincerely hoped for Jasper and Alyssa to be together. At this rate, he was no different than

    a godfather to Alyssa.

 Chapter 1332

    Winston nced at him suspiciously. "You seem to admire Jasper a lot."

    Neil stayed collected. "I think you''ve misunderstood what I mean. I''m just stating the fact. I''ve watched

    Alyssa grow up. I care for her too and wish she would marry well."

    "Aren''t you indirectly praising Jasper by saying that?"

    Neil didn''t dare say anything else.

    Suddenly, Winston halted in his tracks and gazed out of the window. Neil, perplexed, followed his line

    of sight. From this vantage point, he could clearly observe the exterior of Heightsnew Vi.

    With anger consuming him, Jameson violently threw the food he had brought for Alyssa to the ground.

    Unsettled, he began stomping on it, reducing the meal to pieces.

    "Hmm... It looks like Jameson has quite a temper." Winston sneered and left.

    Neil glimpsed apletely different side of Jameson. He felt Alyssa was lucky not to have chosen to

    be with this hypocrite.

    Winston used to shoot Jasper a cold side-eye and leave him out. Jameson never expected to find

    himself in the same situation. For someone aspetitive and egotistical as he was, it was a real blow

    to the ego and the most humiliating experience!

    "M-Mr. Schmidt, please calm down."

    Carl bent over to pick up the garbage on the ground and reassured, "Don''t overthink it. Mr. Taylor has

    always liked you and wouldn''t suddenly turn away from you. No matter what happens, we are still

    better than that scumbag, Jasper!

    "Ms. Alyssa must have made him angry today, leaving him nowhere to release his frustration. You just

    happened toe at the wrong time, and he couldn''t help but project his anger onto you. Once Mr.

    Taylor has calmed down, he will remember you in a good light."

    "It''s different now."

    A fierce glint shed in Jameson''s bloodshot eyes, resembling animal ws poised to tear someone

    apart alive. "Winston had epted Lyse and Jasper. He wouldn''t meddle in it or help me anymore."

    Winston was currently the most potent wedge he could insert between them. Using Zoe to expose the

    truth about Alyssa being mistreated was another trump card of his.

    Even so, he couldn''t destroy the bond between Alyssa and Jasper. Without him realizing it, Winston

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    had gradually taken Jasper''s side.

    With a myriad of tricks up his sleeves, he found himself at the end of his rope.

    Back in his car, Jameson''s face had be as pale as an iceberg about to break. Hesitating for a

    while, he eventually pulled out his phone, his fingers shaking as he dialed the man''s number.

    After a while, the call was answered.

    "Sir, Winston has approved of Lyse''s rtionship with Jasper. He won''t help me anymore." Gone was

    Jameson''s usual elegance and confidence; he now appeared meek in front of this man.

    "Pfft! I told you before¡ªif you want Ms. Alyssa, you need a strong hand to get it done."

    The man didn''t bother to conceal his mockery. "But you were so fixated on pretending to be this good

    guy in front of her, fantasizing that one day, she would leave Jasper and be with you. I actually feel

    sorry for your stupidity.

    "If the easy way doesn''t work, then it''s time for the hard way. Since you can''t get what you want, then

    destroy it. Don''t let Jasper off so easily."

    Destroy her?

 Chapter 1333

    But Alyssa was the love of his life. How could Jameson bear to destroy her?

    "Have you thought about what your next move is?" A subtle threat was woven into the man''snguid

    voice.

    "Sir, give me onest chance!" Jameson''s face was as pale as a ghost.

    A sinister vibe emanated from Jameson like a demon struggling to escape hell. "Isn''t your research

    center working on a drug that can induce heart paralysis? Could you provide me with one of those?"

    "Hmm? What do you n to do with that?" The manughed mockingly. "Don''t tell me you n to use

    one of those on yourself.

    "Mr. Schmidt, you are overestimating yourself. Haven''t you stuck enough needles over the years? The

    drug hasn''t passed its clinical trials yet. The risk is huge."

    "I know. But this is my only shot. I want to bet everything on it." Jameson''s eyes were bloodshot. He

    was no longer thinking straight.

    The man sighed, "You still have so many years ahead of you and many other opportunities. Everything

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    you do now is merely for a woman. You don''t need to handle it with such high stakes."

    The man was serious. "Plus, you are Alyssa''s most hated person now. Wouldn''t it go in her favor if

    something happens to you?"

    "It''s not for me."

    "Oh?"

    "Pity and guilt are the most difficult for one to ovee."

    A shadow crossed Jameson''s eyes. "Lyse is a kind woman. I want her to feel indebted for the rest of

    her life. That way, I can keep her by my side."

    After the conversation, Alyssa and Jasper returned to their rooms to rest.

    Landon knew Lauren was asleep, so he walked toward the study, ready to tackle a wave of work before

    resting. He was apletely different person.

    In the past, even if the earth were to disintegrate, it wouldn''t have deterred him from sleeping. Now, he

    found it impossible to sleep without addressing work matters. All his efforts were geared toward

    securing a good future for Lauren.

    "Mr. Landon."

    Angelina''s voice came from behind him. Landon quickly turned. "Aren''t you turning in to rest? I told you

    not to bother me and keep an eye on Madam Lauren. If she wakes up feeling thirsty, no one will be

    there to attend to her."

    Angelina pursed her lips and said softly, "I have something to report from tonight. I think you should

    keep an eye on Mr. Cyrus. When he came today, he interacted with Madam Lauren when I wasn''t

    paying attention. I can''t say he likes her, but I sense that he fancies Mandam Lauren."

    She didn''t tell him about how Lauren mistook Cyrus for him and went to hug him. She feared he would

    visit Cyrus with a knife in his hand should he learn about that.

    While she may have skirted around the main point, the information acted like a spark. Landon went

    ballistic and charged toward the bedroom with reddened eyes.

    "Hey, Mr. Landon!" Angelina frantically grabbed him. "Madam Lauren is asleep. You would wake her if

    you go to her now! Besides, Madam Lauren only has eyes for you. She doesn''t like Mr. Cyrus in any

    way. Please don''t be angry at her."

    Landon looked at her anxious face. He was frustrated, yet he couldn''t help but frown and smile wryly.

    "What are you thinking, Angelina? Do you take me for someone this petty?"

    The look on Angelina''s face confirmed that was how she felt.

    "No one knows how much I love Lauren. You know it fair well. Plus, I trust Lauren. I will always trust her

    unconditionally."

    Landon took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he contemted Lauren. "I haven''t seen her the

    entire day. I just miss her a lot. I''m only going to kiss her. Nothing else."

 Chapter 1334

    Landon slowly walked into the room. He was worried about waking the love of his life from her dreams,

    so he took his shoes off and went into the room in just his socks.

    Lauren was curled under the nket on the huge and spacious bed. Only her head protruded out. Her

    long ck hair was scattered like ink dissipating on a white paper.

    Landon sat by the bedside, gazing deeply at his wife''s pretty face. He brushed away a strand of hair

    from her face with his fingers.

    He was no longer looking around for anyone else. He only had eyes for Lauren.

    "I can''t believe so much had happened while I was away for such a short time."

    Landon gently caressed Lauren''s smooth face with his coarse fingertips, continuing to trace her lips

    and beautiful neckline. "I always believed I was the only man in the world who had you on his mind.

    Your charm exceeds my wildest imagination. I won''t take you out anymore.

    "What am I supposed to do if someone fancies you? You can''t imagine how much I couldn''t stand what

    happened tonight. If that rascal wasn''t Alyssa''s brother, I would have treated him like a punching bag."

    Unconsciously, he tightened his grip.

    Lauren''s eyes fluttered slightly as she let out a soft moan. Panicking, Landon quickly released his grip,

    fearing he might disturb her peaceful sleep.

    Then, Lauren turned over. Shey t on the bed. She had kicked her nket down, revealing half of

    her body.

    She was in a spaghetti-strapped nightgown, but her nightgown became disheveled as she shifted on

    the bed. The delicate contours of her shoulders and the alluring curves of her bosom peeked out from

    beneath the confines of her nightgown, as if yearning to break free.

    Landon was so consumed by lust that his shoulders shuddered. He was about to lose it.

    "Hmm... Do you really like my painting?" Lauren murmured in her sleep.

    He could hear every word in the quiet room.

    "Do you really like my painting?" Landon was certain Lauren wasn''t asking him this question. Then,

    who was she talking to?

    "Cyrus."

    Landon felt a surge of heat as his mind went nk. The next moment, he moved atop Lauren, kissing

    her with an intensity that seemed like he was about to rip her lips off. Themotion finally roused

    Lauren from her sleep.

    She was initially mortified, but when she realized it was Landon, she rxed her entire body. Hooking

    both arms around the back of his neck, she gently eased the intensity of the kiss, melting away the

    anger between their lips and tongues.

    Her nightgown was nowhere to be found.

    Lauren had alwayspromised with Landon. It didn''t matter when or where. If he wanted it, she

    would give it to him.

    Two bodies swayed and rocked against each other for an extended period, lost in the rhythm of their

    shared passion.

    Landon released Lauren only when she couldn''t bear it any longer, whimpering and scratching his

    back. Men were often insatiable creatures. They soughtfort in intimacy when happy and craved it

    even more when upset.

    "Lauren, what did the rascal do to you? Hmm?" Landon was still on top of her¡ªa fiery possessiveness

    burned in his eyes.

    "Landon, what did I do wrong?"

    Lauren could sense he was angry, but she was clueless as to what she did wrong. Tears welled in her

    eyes, overwhelmed by a sense of injustice and panic.

    Landon couldn''t bear to see her cry. His heart felt like a knife cut it. He immediately pulled her into his

    arms and soothed her.

    "It''s okay. It''s alright. You didn''t do anything wrong, Lauren. I am the one at fault. It''s okay now. Let''s go

    to bed."

    They managed to survive until daylight.

    Lauren slept as soundly as a baby. Meanwhile, Landon was like a father who had stayed up all night to

    coax his crying child. He went downstairs with a pair of eyes shadowed and marked with exhaustion.

    Alyssa and Jasper slept well the previous night and woke up early.

    As they wrapped up their morning run and freshened up with a shower, they prepared to sit down for

    breakfast.

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    Alyssa sat leisurely at the dining table and ate bread. Jasper had an apron on as he attentively fried

    eggs in the kitchen.

    The atmosphere was warm. It felt like they had been married for many years.

    The jealousy from the previous night lingered in Landon''s eyes as he watched them, tearfully envious

    of their rtionship.

 Chapter 1335

    Alyssa saw Landon approaching them, looking weak and sickly. She teased him immediately, "Gosh,

    Mr. Harper, what''s wrong with you? Were you doing hardbor in your bedroomst night?"

    "I... Never mind. Forget about it." He sighed in frustration. Where to start?

    He couldn''t possibly speak ill of Alyssa''s brother in front of her, or he''dnd Jasper in trouble as well.

    As Jasper''s brother from another mother, he didn''t have the heart to do so.

    This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Alyssa knew he must have something on his mind, but she did not press on if he was reluctant to

    divulge.

    "Do you want food? I''ll make some for you," Jasper offered, turning around to look at Landon while

    busy with the cooking.

    "Nah. I don''t have appetite." Landon wandered to the fridge and opened the door to grab a bottle of

    water. Then, he downed the entire drink.

    Crumpling the empty bottle, he took a deep breath before announcing, "Lyse, Jasper, I will register my

    marriage with Lauren today."

    Caught by surprise, they gasped, "What? Today?"

    "Yes, today." Landon''s eyes burned with passion. His voice broke. "I''ve thought over it. The more I

    dy it, the more problems arise. I don''t care if my family approves of my marriage. I''ll get it registered

    for now.

    "After that''s done, Lauren and I will be legal spouses¡ªshe''ll be my wife and the matriarch of the

    Harper Group! Even if Grandpa is against our decision, he has no choice but to let it go. Once I''m in

    charge of the Harper Group, I''ll throw a grand wedding for Lauren. She''ll surely understand my

    decision."

    Jasper furrowed his brows, his attentionpletely diverted from the sunny-side-up eggs now burnt in

    the pan.

    Landon went on, "Jasper, I''ll go get my birth certificate from my mom soon. What about Lauren''s? Can

    you get it by today?"

    "Landon Harper, what the heck are you thinking? You''re acting weird today," Alyssa chided him with a

    stern look.

    "Why? All I want is to marry Lauren. Look at your faces. I was expecting apuse and support,"

    Landon retorted, his brows contorting in anxiety.

    "Landon, you''ve been dating Lauren for a while. You were able to keep your calm before, but why did

    you lose it today?" Jasper turned off the stove and cast a worrying nce at his best friend.

    He added, "By the way, our birth certificates are with Javier. If you demand to get it from him, he surely

    won''t hand it over to you.

    "After all, you greatly embarrassed him at the Jesseltons'' event for Lyse''s sake. You know Javier and

    his pettiness. If you ask him something, he''ll take the chance to make you jump through hoops.

    "If you upset him, he might arrange for Lauren to marry another. It''s not like he cares about the Harpers

    because you are still dealing with the fallout from Zoe''s action. To be clear, Javier does not want to be

    associated with the Harpers anymore."

    "I..." Landon curled his fist.

    "By the way, have you resolved your family conflict?" Alyssa addressed Landon with a seriousness that

    rivaled the couple''s parents. "Do your grandpa and your mom approve of your marriage?

    "If you elope with Lauren, aren''t you worried that your grandpa will retract your appointment as the

    group president? What if your Uncle Preston takes advantage of the situation to eliminate you?

    "You''re Cornelius'' only grandson, and he cherishes you like no other. How would he perceive Lauren if

    you eloped with her? Your family will only look down on her."

    "Lauren''s my wife, my lover! No one is allowed to look down on her!" Landon bellowed, unable to

    ept her words. She made it sound like he was defenseless.

    She shook her head disappointingly. "Landon, I don''t doubt your love for Lauren, but have you thought

    things through? What do you want for yourself, and what kind of life would you want Lauren to live?

    "You''re currently faced with a dilemma¡ªchoose Lauren or Harper Group. You can''t have your cake and

    eat it. If you fail to helm thepany, you''ll disappoint your father.

    "If you insist on staying with Lauren, you need to mentally prepare yourself to be removed from the

    "Why can''t I have both? I want to lead Harper Group, and I want to stay with Lauren!" His eyes twitched

    as he red at Alyssa.

    "No one''s stopping you from dating Lauren. What you need to do now is keep your calm. Victory is on

    the horizon, so please don''t mess it up," Alyssa argued with a frown, studying his face. "What

    happened between you and Laurenst night? Spit it out, and we''ll be your judge. You''re only going to

    go crazy if you keep everything to yourself."

    "We''re more worried that you''d do something rash," Jasper chimed in and served Alyssa breakfast.

    He was more skilled in the kitchen than Mrs. Rosie now and surprisingly enjoyed the chore.

    He added, "I messed up the breakfast, but eat it while it''s hot." His handsome face was a stark contrast

    to the apron he wore. He lookedical yet sexy at the same time.

    Alyssa grinned and wrapped an arm around his neck, giving him a kiss on the cheek as a reward.

    "There''s your reward." She yfully tapped his chin with her fingers.

    He responded enthusiastically to her kiss, savoring the sweetness of her breath.

    In front of the couple, Landon sat dejected, like he had been cuckolded. He confessed, "I have a love

    rival."

 Chapter 1336

    "A love rival?" Alyssa rested her cheek on her palm while feeding Jasper blueberries. She mused, "It''s

    quite unfathomable for Landon Harper to have a love rival. That''s new."

    Jasper snickered. "Lauren''s living a secluded life because you''re overprotective. She doesn''t have a

    chance to meet with anyone outside¡ªit''s just you and your secretary. She doesn''t even have a healthy

    social life, so what''s all that talk about a love rival? You must be dreaming."

    "Isn''t that right?" Landon mmed a fist on the table as his voice broke from the tension.

    He recalled the scene fromst night where Lauren mumbled the name of this guy, Cyrus, while

    sleeping in his arms. How could she call out the name of another man in her dreams?

    His heart immediately shattered into pieces.

    Alyssa shot him a piercing nce. "Do you mean my brother, Cyrus Taylor?"

    Jasper froze. He grappled with the far-fetched notion, struggling to imagine Lauren and Cyrus together.

    Landon widened his eyes, looking amazed. "Oh, Lyse, how did you know? Are you God?"

    "Hah, drop it." Feeling speechless, she told him, "You''re an open book¡ªI can tell from your face. I saw

    you standing across from Cyrus yesterday, staring at him fiercely, and I immediately knew something

    was wrong.

    "But Mr. Harper, you shouldn''t look down on the gentlemen of the Taylor family. None of them would

    ever get involved with unavable women. You shouldn''t imagine him as a love rival just because he

    spoke to Lauren."

    "Cyrus isn''t that type of man. Landon, you shouldn''t even suspect Lyse''s family to start with." Jasper

    hugged Alyssa by the waist as he pondered the absurdity of Landon''s usation.

    Landon sighed and held his tongue out of fear of sounding like a disgruntled housewife.

    "Ah! No wonder you''re in a hurry to register your marriage with Lauren. Looks like the ''love rival'' has

    plunged you into a crisis." Alyssa immediately read Landon''s mind. "Seriously? Did you lose your head

    over a non-issue? Are you a child?"

    Landon pressed his lips sheepishly.

    "Let''s have a careful discussion about the marriage in the future." Jasper put on a serious face and

    advised Landon, "Your priority should be sorting out the mess in your family. Once you''ve established

    your power in thepany, everything will fall into ce."

    Despite Jasper''s advice, Landon felt bothered. He had acknowledged Lauren as his future spouse, but

    the same might not be true for Lauren. He worried that, given her naivety, she might fall for the tricks of

    another man.

    That was his punishment for being too deep in love.

    When Jasper and Alyssa finished breakfast, Xavier returned from his mission and eximed, "Madam,

    you''re spot on! David Schmidt has been arrested!"

    Casting an admirable nce at Alyssa, Xavier professed his amazement, "The media has swarmed the

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    entrance to the police station. The police have gathered evidence of David Schmidt sexually assaulting

    multiple women, two of them minors!"

    "Fuck! He''s the scum of the earth!" Landon mmed the table indignantly.

    Simrly, Jasper was disgusted to learn about David''s reproachable behavior. Besides that, he was

    amazed by Alyssa''s capability. Holding her shoulders and carefully pulling her into a hug, he praised,

    "Lyse, Landon was right. You''re like God. You''re wittier and prettier than everyone around."

    "Pfft! You sweet talker," she yfully chided him but secretly enjoyed thepliments. "Too bad David

    was caught in action. I heard a few reporters on stakeout had live streamed himpletely naked,

    having no time to blur out the nudity!

    "s, I missed the live stream. How exciting would it be?"

    Jasper looked amused by Alyssa''s often surprisingly bold remarks, which he once found hard to

    ept. Now, he thoroughly enjoyed her snarky behavior. He''d much prefer to date a sassy woman.

    "The videos online have blurred out the nudity. If you want, I''ll get you the raw video," Landon

    suggested with sincerity and winked at her.

    Jasper and Alyssa, rendered speechless, wondered if Landon was truly out of the situation or simply

    feigning naivete.

    "Now, Daisy and David Schmidt are done for. Josh has lost two of his right-hand men." A frosty

    expression unfolded on Jasper''s face. "He must be panicking now since he has lost his support pirs.

    Next, he''ll be fighting Jameson head-on for power in the Schmidt Group.

    "Josh might be cunning, but that''s all he has going for him¡ªhecks the talent to helm apany.

    Watching him fight Jameson will be as exciting as a cage fight."

    Frowning, Alyssa did not seem pleased by the imminent victory. She cautioned, "Let''s not get ahead of

    ourselves. Josh Schmidt is way more of a threat than we think.

    "You know what? I reached out to Jonah yesterday to get him to purchase massive amounts of the

    Schmidt Group stocks at a low price to take control of thepany.

    "To our surprise, someone from the Schmidt Group had pulled the strings, injecting arge amount of

    capital to stabilize the vtile stock price. That''s why Jonah failed to purchase anything."

    Jasper knitted his brows, pondering, "Was that Jameson Schmidt''s work?"

    "He was able to sway the local election results from far in Kontina. Do you think he can''t manipte the

    stock price? After 15 years of preparation in Kontina, he must be ready for a power grab in the Schmidt

    Group." Closing her eyes, she gritted her teeth and vowed, "We can''t let him take control of the

    Schmidt Group no matter what it takes."

    "It''s fine even if we fail to stop him." Jasper gazed at Alyssa tenderly and nted a kiss on her

    forehead. "A greater humiliation would be destroying his beloved Schmidt Group from within."

    Her eyes shimmered as she nodded in agreement.

    "By the way, there''s something else I''d like to inform you," Xavier suddenly interjected.

    Feeling thirsty, he had no time to take a sip of water. He began, "I''m not sure if this is worth reporting,

    though. J-Jameson Schmidt just bought a private jet and got it delivered to Sna Cityst night.

    "Just... Wow. I checked out the photos captured on my phone. It''s such a luxurious jet, and it''s the

    Looking upset at Xavier''sparison, Jasper pouted. "If you like private jets that much, you should

    work for Jameson Schmidt instead and jet around."

 Chapter 1337

    Xavier inhaled sharply and hurriedly replied, "No! Jetting around sounds cool, but there''s no way I''m

    risking my life for that!"

    "Come on, Jasper. We all know Xavier''s loyal. Why fuss over a jet?" cooed Alyssa as she brushed her

    fingertip across Jasper''s jawline. She squinted, looking regal and haughty. "I''ll get you a better jet than

    Jameson''s for your birthday this year. How does that sound?"

    Their exchange was envy-inducing. Alyssa was indeed a Taylor, having the wealth to buy a private jet

    as a gift.

    Jasper widened his eyes and held her hand with a straight face. "Lyse, I''m yours, but I''m not a kept

    man. I should be the one who buys it for you."

    "Pfft! Don''t overthink it. Everything we own belongs to each other. Let''s not waste time on nickel-and-

    dime stuff," she remarked generously, much to the envy of Landon and Xavier.

    Their interestsy not in a potential Sugar Mommy but in their shared enthusiasm for cars, tanks, and

    jets.

    Jasper shook his head bitterly. "Lyse, you don''t have to buy me anything. You''ve given me enough. I

    even have a room to keep all the gifts you''ve bought me. Every time I get home, I''ll visit the room and

    check out the gifts repeatedly."

    During the time he lost Alyssa, he acted abnormally akin to a hoarder. He''d always stay in the room,

    even spending nights in there.

    He was known for hisposure, but his longing for Alyssa drove him crazy in private. It was a

    tumultuous period for him.

    Staring affectionately at him, she caressed his cheek with trembling fingers, which betrayed the

    calmness on her face.

    Jasper added, "Besides, I don''t need any gifts. You''re the best gift I''ve ever had." It was not his first

    time confessing to her, but every time, he said it with the same level of sincerity as the first.

    "You fool..." Alyssa''s voice trailed off. She expressed her love by sealing his lips with a kiss.

    "Ahem! I must be an incredibly senseless guy. That doesn''t sound at all romantic to me, just perverted,"

    taunted Landon.

    He had goosebumps from the thought of Jasper swooning over Alyssa''s gifts.

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    They were interrupted by a flurry of urgent footsteps. Angelina dashed down the stairs and hurried to

    Landon. "Mr. Harper, we found Inigo Montiye!"

    "What? Did he show up?" Alyssa and Jasper sat upright at the same time, resembling each other in

    their excited reaction. They finally tracked down the viin after searching high and low in Sna City.

    Landon started bbering due to the excitement, "S-So, where''s that jerk right now? Have we not

    taken him down?"

    Angelina shook her head with a heavy expression. "My apologies, Mr. Harper. Inigo Montiye was not

    alone. When we surrounded him, we got into a sh with his men and suffered injuries. Two of our

    men are still in critical condition."

    Alyssa and Jasper looked astonished by the development. Landon growled in disbelief, "We''re in

    Sna City, not Shend Ind! I can''t believe that we got defeated on our own turf. Didn''t they call for

    reinforcements?"

    "Of course they did, but it was toote!"

 Chapter 1338

    Angelina''s face was tight with anger. "We had the upper hand initially, but we never thought that Inigo

    Montiye had called for backup! They were skilled inbat and ready to kill. It was a miracle that our

    men came home alive."

    Landon punched on the table, his knuckles cracking. Not only did they fail to capture Inigo Montiye, but

    the sh nearly cost the lives of Landon''s men. Landon''s ego was badly bruised.

    "Mm. Landon... What''s wrong? Who made you upset?"

    Frozen in shock, everyone turned to the stairs and found Lauren standing there. Wearing a crumpled

    white camisole dress and hugging a bear that Alyssa bought for her, she groggily rubbed her eyes,

    looking innocent.

    While she was speaking, one of the straps slid off her shoulder, offering a glimpse of her fair

    hickeys, evidence of the passionate night she had spent with Landon.

    Xavier quickly shut his eyes in fear while Jasper shifted his gaze to Alyssa, sweat dotting his forehead.

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    Meanwhile, Landon felt his blood pressure rising as he screamed internally. Running over to his

    careless fianc¨¦e, he pulled her into a hug. She buried her face in his shoulder. Peeking at him, she

    purred, "Landon, please don''t be upset. I don''t like to see you upset."

    "I''m not upset. I''m happy. Let''s go. Back to the room!" Worried, he lifted Lauren and headed upstairs in

    huge strides.

    He whispered into her ear, "Remember, you should never expose your skin to anyone else except

    when you''re with me!"

    After the couple left, an awkward silence hung in the air of the living room. Still reeling from the shock,

    Xavier defended himself, "I-I saw nothing just now! Mr. Beckett, you know it too."

    Angelina''s face was drained of color upon witnessing the blunder. Too anxious to ry the updates to

    Landon, she momentarily took her eyes off Lauren, leading to the situation.

    "Don''t worry, Angelina," Alyssa gentlyforted her. "It must be tough on you to take care of Lauren

    alone. You know she''s just like a child most of the time, don''t you? Making mistakes is part of being

    human. If Landonshes out at you, Jasper and I will have your back."

    Jasper nodded in agreement.

    "Thank you, Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett. I''m fine, though. It''s Mr. Harper that''s having a tough time."

    Angelina pressed her dry lips together. "He''s the one who''ll love and care for Madam forever. My

    sacrifice is nothingpared to his."

 Chapter 1339

    Alyssa lowered her gaze and kept her silence. Noting her dampening mood, Jasper held and caressed

    her hand. "Lyse, I know you feel sorry for Lauren, but Landon loves her. With his abilities and family

    background, he is more than capable of protecting her."

    "Yes, I know that. In fact, I am grateful to him." Alyssa''s gratitude had nothing to do with Landon''s

    eptance of Lauren. She was thankful to God that Landon was able to see the good in Lauren and

    patiently stayed by her side.

    Shortly after, Landon returned to the living room, appearing more fatigued than ever. Jasper released a

    deep sigh. "Landon, that must''ve been tough for you."

    "She''s my partner. I''ll do anything for her." Landon did not me Angelina for the oversight and

    resumed the conversation, "Where were we? Oh, right! I thought it over¡ªInigo Montiye is a wanted

    man who has no power in Sna City. How could he possibly bribe the locals into helping him out?

    "Could this be part of Jameson''s n? Is he secretly protecting Inigo Montiye?"

    The same idea had urred to Alyssa and Jasper as well. After all, Inigo had once answered to Jeffrey

    Synder in the Shend Ind ambush against Jasper and Jonah.

    To Jameson, Inigo must be an important witness who could wreak havoc. Jameson would never allow

    Inigo to fall into Alyssa and Jasper''s hands¡ªthat would be shooting himself in the foot.

    "Since Inigo Montiye showed up, we now know he''s still alive and within Sna City. If he''s still in the

    city, there''s no way he can escape. It''s a matter of time before we get him."

    Jasper''s eyes were as deep as an abyss. He dered, filled with resentment, "Lives are more

    important than anything. I do not wish to see any innocent lives taken by bastards like Jameson

    Schmidt and Inigo Montiye¡ªit''s not worth it at all."

    Landon shared the same bitter feelings. Jasper might appear distant on the surface, but Landon knew

    he was more hot-blooded than anyone else.

    "Um... I have a question," Xavier suddenly interrupted while raising his hand.

    "What it?" Landon, Alyssa, and Jasper responded in unison.

    "I can''t figure out why Jameson Schmidt would expend all the effort on protecting Inigo Montiye. He''s

    not even in Kontina; he''s on his turf. Wouldn''t it be easier to silence Inigo Montiye by killing him?"

    "Inigo Montiye isn''t alone in this. Coming from a military background, he has a mercenary working for

    him, and each could easily take on ten men.

    "Besides, the Harper and Beckett Group have been searching the area for Inigo Montiye and his men.

    The customs, train lines, and ports are under tight surveince. If Jameson Schmidt gets into a conflict

    with Inigo Montiye and his men, the news will reach us. They would be exposing themselves."

    Angelina, who was more calctive, added, "Inigo Montiye and his men are hardcore. Jameson

    Schmidt would only invite trouble if he confronted them."

    Xavier insisted, "But Jameson Schmidt is cunning. He can surely think of a way to get rid of Inigo

    Montiye quietly. That guy''s just a ticking time bomb to him."

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    Xavier''s casual remark struck Alyssa. She connected all the dots and eximed, "Damn it! Jameson

    will make a move against Inigo Montiye!"

 Chapter 1340

    "Lyse, what''s on your mind?" Jasper questioned, visibly concerned.

    Landon and Angelina cast worried looks at her.

    "Xavier made a great point there. We all know Jameson is cunning and ruthless. He could well get rid

    of Inigo Montiye discreetly, and that''s something he has been working on, but his weapon of choice has

    just been delivered."

    When Landon and the others were trying to grasp the meaning behind her words, things clicked for

    Jasper.

    Jasper asked, "Are you referring to the private jet?"

    She nodded hard. Her eyes were filled with worry. "Jameson can''t hurt Inigo Montiye on the ground;

    dealing with his enemy in the air is easier. Besides, once he flies Inigo Montiye out of Cyrris, we can''t

    stop him anymore. He could do anything he wanted to that guy."

    That was a terrible yet brilliant move by Jameson.

    Looking agape at Alyssa and pping like a seal, Landon praised, "Lyse, you''re smart! You''re godlike!"

    "Stop ttering me. Think of a solution now," urged Alyssa, who felt a burden on her chest.

    "Xavier, from now on, get more men to keep track of the movements of Jameson''s private jet. If he

    makes a move, we''ll need to stop him," Jasper hissed with an icy demeanor.

    "Got it, Mr. Beckett!"

    Jasper Beckett was once a haughty scion with high social standing, but before Alyssa, he was just a

    strategist and right-hand man who''d willingly submit himself to her service.

    "What if we can''t stop him? What if the jet takes off? We can''t possibly shoot at it!" Landon threw out an

    absurd-sounding question with a serious face.

    "Inigo Montiye is a wanted man in both Cyrris and Tsulu. I''ll reach out to Liam and Cyrus. The military

    and the police will work on the case together." Grinning proudly, she proimed, "Even if Inigo Montiye

    takes off, I have a way to get him!"

    Landon, Jasper, and Xavier cast admiring looks at her.

    Daisy Schmidt had gone to prison, and David was under arrest. As Jasper had described, Josh lost

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    both support pirs and walked on thin ice.

    On top of that, Josh had to use up his wealth from years of illegal business deals in Kontina to stabilize

    the Schmidt Group''s stock price. Due to his efforts, he started gaining Victor''s trust, leading to a

    growing faction in thepany loyal to him. Part of the upper management and shareholders gradually

    lent their support to him.

    Life was getting tough for Josh, but he wasn''t about to give up. No matter what, he would never allow

    Jameson, the bastard child of the Schmidt Family, to ride over him.

    Therefore, he devised a n to reduce David''s sentence. David had always been Victor''s favorite, as

    he had lived with Victor the longest and was adept at ingratiating himself with their father, Victor.

    Understandably, David''s arrest dealt a massive blow to Victor.

    Josh met up with Victor and consoled Victor. "Dad, don''t worry about it. Sexual assault isn''t that big of a

    crime. All we have to do is pull a few strings, and David will be out in a few years."

    "A few years? Do you take me as a fool?" Although Victor was heavily embarrassed by David''s nudity

    on TV, he worried himself to death for his beloved second son. As a result, his hair had greyed.

    Victor snapped, "There were minors among the women he assaulted! Minors! He''ll be locked away for

    at least ten years for that. Of all the women he could sleep with, why would hey a finger on kids?

    He''s an idiot!"

    After a pause, Josh said in a grave tone, "You''re right on one thing. Our family is as important as the

    Becketts in Sna City. We''re one of the four distinguished families. Were those women whom he

    assaulted truly innocent without any ulterior motive?"

    Victor frowned. "Josh, what do you mean?"

    "Some of those women he allegedly raped were his exes, and some were escorts for hire. A few even

    initiated the contact¡ªthey were calctive women who nned to marry into wealth.

    "The police might hold part of the evidence, but they had no witness. Their so-called witnesses are

    unreliable. When the case is brought to court, they won''t have anything against David. That''ll reduce

    David''s sentence."

    Victor, a seasoned businessman himself, did not need Josh toy it out before he grasped the idea.

    Satisfied with Josh''s arrangement, he cast a serious and expectant look on his son. "Josh, I''ll leave this

    to you. Let''s go ahead with the n."

 Chapter 1341

    On the same night, Alyssa and Jasper decided to move back home. Before they left, Lauren cried her

    heart out in Alyssa''s arms, crumpling Alyssa''s ck dress in her tight grip and staining Alyssa''s outfit in

    tears.

    People would have thought the two were saying a final farewell.

    Alyssa spent some time consoling Lauren and promised to visit. Besides that, she reminded Landon to

    bring Lauren out for fresh air instead of treating her like a bird in a gilded cage.

    Landon immediately vowed to do so. Hugging his crying wife, the two stood at the entrance and

    watched as Alyssa and Jasper departed.

    On the journey, Alyssa couldn''t hold back anymore. Tears slid down her cheeks like fallen stars in the

    night sky.

    "Lyse, don''t cry." Jasper breathed heavily when he saw her crying. He wrapped an arm around her

    shoulder and offered aforting hug. He rubbed his chin on her hair, saying, "You''ll see each other

    again. If you miss Lauren, just invite her to stay at our ce.

    "Or how about I buy a bigger ce for the three of us to live together? I''ll appoint Angelina as the

    president''s secretary. That ought to keep her busy. Mrs. Rosie will take care of Lauren instead. Doesn''t

    that sound good?"

    "Hmph! Are you sure you''re Landon''s friend? That''s a rotten idea." Sniffling, she poked at his chest.

    "They haven''t spent much time together. Are you seriously trying to separate them just to make me

    happy? Jasper, you''re a heartless prick. Even if Lauren doesn''t protest, Landon will curse you every

    day for it."

    Taken aback by her reaction, he soon responded by kissing her lips. After some intimate moments, he

    smiled bitterly and admitted, "I didn''t think it through. I thought it was a good idea since Lauren looked

    reluctant to part with you."

    "It was you who told me not to interrupt them," she yfully used, her breathingbored after the

    kissing.

    Eyes brimming with tears, she added, "So, leave them alone."

    Staring at her alluring eyes, he grinned. "Lyse, are you telling me to leave them alone because you

    want some private time with me?"

    Her cheeks burned from shame. She bit her lips and mumbled, "I... I''m not telling you."

    He smiled dotingly and was about to kiss her when he was interrupted by her ringing phone. She

    struggled to leave his arms and grumbled, "Mmph... I need to take the call."

    Her chest tightened when she saw it was a call from Tatiana. Tatiana was the only sibling who rarely

    got into trouble. She''d never call unless there was an emergency.

    Alyssa immediately answered, "Taty, what''s wrong?"

    "Lyse, please! Please save Sean..." Tatiana broke down upon hearing Alyssa''s voice. Tears flowing,

    she revealed, "He. The police have arrested him!"

    Feeling her heart sinking, Alyssa rasped, "Sean''s arrested? When was that?"

    Jasper''s eyes wavered. He silently grasped her sweating palm.

    Tatiana confessed, "It. It happened a few days back."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

 Chapter 1342

    Days of worry had driven Tatiana to the brink of insanity. Shedding tears, she said, "Mom and I tried to

    "What? Why did you only tell me now?" Alyssa gasped, her heart leaping into her mouth.

    "Lyse, keep calm. You don''t want to scare Taty," reminded Jasper.

    He held his hand and gently calmed her down. "Tell Taty not to panic and share everything with you."

    Taking a deep breath, Alyssa apologized with guilt. "Sorry, Taty. I was too harsh on you earlier. Don''t

    cry. Tell me everything. I''m eager to know which idiotid a finger on my staff. I''ll make them pay for it!"

    Although they were panicking, Jasper had to stifle augh when he heard Alyssa''s adorable threat.

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    "It''s. It''s the Schmidts." Tatiana sobbed. "I think his family was upset that he got beaten up after what

    happened to me. They''re now giving Sean trouble.

    "Sean was arrested for aggravated assault. David Schmidt even underwent a health assessment and

    med all his injuries on Sean. The police concluded that Sean had severely injured David."

    Naturally, David seized the opportunity to me his impotence on Sean''s attack. With the Schmidts''

    influence, manipting the assessment results was a breeze.

    "That son of a bitch! I''ve shown him mercy by sparing his life. How dare the Schmidts hit back at us?"

    Anger rolled through her.

    Tatiana added, "The Schmidts do not n to settle in private..."

    "Yeah, there''s no way they''ll do that. They want Sean dead!" Alyssa rubbed her temples. Hatred pulsed

    through her, causing her heart to race. "Only Josh Schmidt could do something like this. Maybe

    Simon''s involved too!"

    "Simon? Simon is Sean''s brother. He couldn''t possibly do that!" Tatiana was in disbelief.

    "It''s very usible." Jasper caressed Alyssa on the back. His eyes were as deep as an abyss. "Simon

    Lynch is a top attorney in Sna City, but he hasn''t done anything since his brother was arrested.

    Doesn''t that sound odd to you?

    "Besides, after hearing you and Alyssa out, it seems that Simon and Sean have a strained rtionship.

    He might take advantage of David''s situation to get Sean into trouble, and you know why."

    "But Sean is his brother! How could he?" Tatiana growled in resentment.

    "Simon only cares about fame and power. To him, family isn''t important. That''s how heartless he is."

    Alyssa punched the car window, startling Xavier and Jasper. They were concerned about whether she

    had injured herself.

    She seethed, "I was the one who taught David a lesson, but they went for Sean. They were clearly

    bullying the weak!"

    "Lyse, I''m here for you," Jasper whispered, gently caressing her swollen hand.

    "Knowing Sean, he''ll keep everything to himself because he doesn''t want to burden me," Alyssa said,

    choking on tears. "I''ve been careless. All I cared about was revenge. I never thought that I might

    endanger the people around me. Why am I so useless?"

    Once meticulous, she had be desensitized to the world''s dangers since falling in love.

    "Lyse, don''t me yourself for what happened to Sean," Tatianaforted her.

    Jasper held Alyssa''s shaking hand and took her phone. He replied, "Taty, don''t worry. Leave the matter

    to me. I''ll make sure hees home before tomorrow evening."

 Chapter 1343

    Alyssa widened her eyes, staring nkly at Jasper''s attractive side profile. Tatiana fell silent on the

    other end of the line. She was sobbing quietly.

    "What''s wrong? One of you is staring at me. The other one went quiet." Grinning, he pinched Alyssa on

    her cheeks. "Is no one willing to trust me?"

    "No, that''s not it..." Tatiana said with gratitude, "Jasper, thank you so much for helping Sean. I''m really

    thankful."

    "We''re family. Don''t mention it." Once Jasper soothed Tatiana''s emotions, he hung up and instructed

    Xavier, "Make a turn. Let''s head to the police station."

    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Xavier immediately made a U-turn.

    "Jasper, what''s your n?" Worry was etched on Alyssa''s face. On the contrary, he appeared calm.

    "No matter what, let''s focus on saving Sean for now." Sighing, Jasper locked his fingers with her and

    tightened his grip. "Taty and Sean went through a lot just to be together. I do not wish to see them

    going through a tough time anymore. I want to protect them from harm."

    Alyssa held her breath and mused, "Are you empathizing with them now?"

    He shook his head and pulled her into a hug. "I used to be, but not anymore because I have achieved

    my happiness."

    Sean had been detained at the filthy detention center for two weeks. If the Schmidts refused to settle in

    private, he might have to stay on longer. Despite the challenges, he refused to rat on Alyssa and

    Jasper.

    Even if he were to go to prison, he would shoulder all the me and maintain his integrity.

    At that moment, Sean stood with his back against the wall. He crossed his arms and shut his eyes.

    Across from him, a few men cowered in the corner and shot cautious nces at him while chatting with

    each other.

    "You''re disturbing me." Without looking at them, Sean threatened, "Shut up, or I''ll beat you up."

    The men in detention promptly fell silent as they trembled under his threat. Seeing that, Sean let out a

    mncholic sigh. Life had been chaotic ever since his first night at the detention center.

    The Schmidts had specially arranged for his cellmates to rough him up, having no idea that Sean had a

    ck belt in martial arts. Sean ended up beating up his cellmates.

    Sean shook his head. He was surprised that the Schmidts arranged for him to stay with a few

    weaklings. They seemed to have underestimated his ability.

    Anyway, he treated it as a test run. In the worst-case scenario where he was sent to jail, at least life

    wouldn''t be as difficult.

    Little did he know that Alyssa and Jasper had arrived at the police station. Aware of Cyrus Taylor''s

    presence in the police force, the Schmidts had slickly got Sean detained at the West Division of the

    Sna City Police Department, where the police chief Gabe Barrett was a friend of theirs.

    Gabe looked wary when Alyssa and Jasper showed up. He hurriedly called up Josh, "M-Mr. Schmidt,

    Alyssa Taylor and Jasper Beckett are here in the meeting room. W-What do we do?"

    "Do what you need." Josh gritted his teeth. "Why are you scared of them when you have the backing of

    our family? Your promotion depends on your handling of the case. You must stand up against them, no

    matter how they pressure you. Do not release Sean Lynch. We need to charge him with aggravated

    assault."

    "Sure, I''ll try my best." Gabe wiped away his sweat and added, "But Mr. Schmidt, I wonder why you''re

    hung up on Alyssa Taylor''s secretary. You gain nothing from making yourself the enemy of the Taylor

    family."

    "That''s none of your business. Just do as I say," Josh hissed and hung up with a look of malice. "How

    could he say that I''ll gain nothing? Pfft. I never lose out."

    Josh had bribed the few witnesses whom the police had contacted. The female victims would "admit"

    that they had engaged in consensual sex with David in their rtionship with him.

    With the ounts from the witnesses and the injuries David sustained from Sean''s assault, Josh could

    effectively paint David as the victim.

    Not only that, Alyssa would be at the center of public criticism and perceived as abusing her power to

    right personal wrongs. Considering the toxicity of the online environment, theizens would be more

    than eager to release their frustration on the rich without caring for the truth.

    Josh popped a bottle of champagne and enjoyed it alone. He cackled. "Alyssa Taylor, are you trying to

    fight me? You were still a fledgling when I was already in the business!"

    Gabe stared at the two VIPs in his office. He forced a smile despite being drenched in sweat. Even with

    the backing of the Schmidts, he cowered under the pressure of the two dazzling and intimidating

    figures.

    Smiling, he greeted them, "So, what brings you here?"

    "We''re here for what the Schmidts have done," Alyssa offered a piercing reply with a snicker, which he

    perceived as threatening.

 Chapter 1344

    Alyssa''s formidable presence hung over Gabe like the sword of Damocles. He chuckled nervously.

    "How about some tea for now?"

    "It''s fine. That''s some truly expensive tea that I can''t possibly ept," Alyssa addressed him coldly,

    crossing her legs. "Release my secretary from detention. This is a private matter between the Taylors

    and the Schmidts. Stay out of this if you still want a promotion and want to avoid trouble."

    Alyssa had always gone straight to the point without wasting time. That nearly wiped off Gabe''s smile,

    but he persisted, "Ms. Alyssa, I understand your feelings, but based on my three decades of

    experience dealing with multiple cases in the department, those brought in are mostly guilty.

    "Sean Lynch might be one of your staff, but he hasmitted aggravated assault after beating up

    David Schmidt. Besides, I''ve turned in the assessment results to my superiors."

    Frowning deeply, Alyssa tightened her fists on the arm of the chair.

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    Gabe went on, "You might be two important figures in Sna City, but everyone is equal before the

    wish."

    "Mr. Barrett, you''re glib, aren''t you? Equality before thew?" Jasper sneered as he held Alyssa''s cold

    hand.

    He authoritatively questioned, "If so, you shouldn''t falsely use an innocent citizen. Don''t you think?"

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in shock. Suddenly, she seemed to have understood Jasper''s move, which

    added to her astonishment.

    "Mr. Beckett, what do you mean by that?" Gabe eximed.

    "Sean Lynch did not beat up David Schmidt. I did." A smirk yed on Jasper''s lips. The gleam in his

    eyes resembled that of a de. "Release Sean Lynch and arrest me instead."

    Holding her breath, Alyssa grabbed Jasper''s hand. "Jasper! You..."

    Meanwhile, Gabe stared agape at Jasper. He was at a loss for what to do next.

    "What''s wrong, Mr. Barrett? Since I''ve turned myself in, shouldn''t you do your job now?" Jasper said

    with calm, caressing Alyssa on her waist tofort her. "Why? Does your ''equality before thew'' only

    apply to the ordinary citizens but not scions?"

    "No, no. Mr. Beckett, did you hear yourself." Gabe started to stammer and stutter from the shock.

    He was in a dilemma after the Beckett Group''s president turned himself in, iming that he had beaten

    up David Schmidt. Josh''s warning rang in his ears, but he was too afraid to arrest Jasper.

    "If so, count me in," Alyssa spoke with a lift of her brow. She grinned knowingly. "Didn''t you ask David

    Schmidt the person who fractured his fingers and broke his front teeth? Oh, by the way, I''m also the

    reason behind his erectile dysfunction. Did that bastard not tell you about these details at all?"

    "M-Ms. Alyssa, aggravated assaultes with a heavy sentence. I know you''re eager to protect your

    employee, but you can''t fool around!" Gabe wiped away his sweat furiously.

    "Lyse, don''t y around," Jasper chimed in and pinched her on the waist.

    "I''m not. I''m serious." Looking deep into his alluring eyes, she smiled. "I''ll go wherever you are because

    we''re a couple."

    Her words shook him to the core. His heart raced wildly, and his breath quickened.

    Alyssa was his wife, and she''d be his only love in this life.

    "Hmph! I did not expect the two of you to resort to this dirty trick just to protect Sean Lynch." A sarcastic

    voice boomed in the office. In walked Josh Schmidt with a scowl.

 Chapter 1345

    Gabe nearly shed tears of relief when Josh showed up to the rescue. Following closely behind Josh

    was Simon Lynch, to everyone''s surprise.

    After the call just now, Josh was gued by concern and decided to drop by. He also reached out to

    Simon and updated thetter, inviting him to settle this issue concerning David.

    Initially, Simon thought of refusing as he had not gotten over Josh''s humiliation. However, when he

    learned of Alyssa and Jasper''s intervention, he immediately grabbed the chance to humiliate the

    couple.

    Alyssa gritted her teeth as rage shed across her eyes. Josh''s despicable face resembled that of a

    movie viin.

    "Mr. Schmidt, I had no idea you engaged Simon Lynch''s legal assistance." Jasper snickered. "You

    probably know his rtionship to Sean, don''t you?"

    "Of course. So what?" Josh shed a malicious smile. "Is there anything wrong with hiring Simon

    Lynch, the top attorney, to work on my brother''s case?"

    "Why doesn''t Simon Lynch support his own brother? Instead, he''s helping the intiff to put his brother

    in prison. What do we call this? Selling yourself to the enemy?" Jasper''s eyes were filled with disdain.

    Simon red at Jasper with a smug look on his face. "Gosh, I''m honored to be critized by you, Mr.

    Beckett. I''m simply doing my job here. Why would you stand at the moral high ground to criticize me?

    "You''re only making things difficult for us attorneys. Based on your logic, do attorneys who defend

    murderers deserve to be punished as well?"

    As if that wasn''t insulting enough, he blinked, feigning innocence. "Mr. Beckett, are you feeling worried

    because you didn''t hire a good enough attorney for Sean? Had I known, I would have declined Mr.

    Schmidt''s offer!"

    Alyssa''s veins were throbbing from the anger. She would have knocked out Simon''s teeth and kicked

    him in the balls, sending him to the hospital just like what she had done with David.

    "I have no need to hire an attorney for Sean because he''s innocent." Jasper, to Simon''s surprise,

    wasn''t provoked by the insults. Instead, heughed out loud. "Even if I need an attorney, I would never

    hire you.

    "Even animals care for their flesh and blood, unlike you, who have no ethics at all. It''s best if you work

    for Josh Schmidt¡ªbirds of a feather flock together."

    "Pfft! Well said, Jasper!" Alyssaughed and apuded Jasper''s speech.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Gabe, however, found no humor in the situation. Cowering in a corner, he feared the conflict might

    escte.

    "Jasper Beckett, there''s no point in arguing," Josh, blinded by rage, retorted. "Our family will make you

    pay for what you did to David. You''re delusional if you think you can save Sean by leveraging your

    influence."

    Simon patted Josh on the shoulder, cautioning him against saying more to avoid legal consequences.

    He then turned to Gabe and remarked, "Mr. Barrett, you and your colleagues need to improve your

    efficiency. We''ve been conversing with Mr. Beckett and Ms. Alyssa for a while now. Why hasn''t the

    paperwork been processed yet?"

    Gabe and Josh were simrly confused by Simon''s remark. Just then, they heard a knock on the door.

    A policeman entered with a file in his hand, which he handed to Gabe. He reported, "Chief, this is

    Sean''s admission of guilt. He''s signed it."

    Alyssa and Jasper''s faces fell upon hearing this.

 Chapter 1346

    "Sean? Why would he?" Alyssa''s mind went nk. Had Jasper not held her right in time, she would

    have lost her bnce.

    "Is this true? Has Sean Lynch admitted to all the charges?" Gabe''s eyes lit up. He repeatedly checked

    the document for confirmation.

    "It''s true, Chief. It''s in ck and white. Sean Lynch has admitted to assaulting David Schmidt, and he''s

    willing to receive the punishment."

    The turn of events was a weed change for the Schmidts. Despite sending in different policemen

    across shifts to continuously interrogate Sean, Sean did not budge at all. He''d rather be imprisoned

    indefinitely than admit to his guilt.

    But why the change of mind? What exactly happened?

    "Lyse, how are you feeling?" Jasper was concerned by Alyssa''s pale face. He hugged her tight on her

    waist and sensed her body stiffening. He felt sorry for her.

    "Sean did not do anything wrong. Why did he admit to his guilt?" Alyssa''s eyes filled with hatred. She

    shook her head indignantly. "Is he an idiot? He can''t just admit to guilt without care! Does he want to go

    to prison?"

    "Right. How could he?" Simon squinted with a knowing smile. "I''m sure he was aware of the

    consequences as a former top student inw school. Ms. Alyssa, what''s the point of poking your nose

    into his case?"

    Feeling a stabbing pain in her heart, she suddenly connected the dots.

    An hour ago, Gabe gave Simon special permission to visit Sean discreetly. There wasn''t an ounce of

    affection between the siblings when they met, only tension and hatred.

    "Tsk tsk. Look at you, Sean. What have you done to yourself?" Scrutinizing Sean, Simon shook his

    head and clicked his tongue. "If Dad and Mom know you''re going to prison for Tatiana Taylor, they''ll

    pass out from crying. You''ve given them so much trouble."

    "Didn''t your owner put you on a leash today? It''s annoying, you barking in front of me." Sean closed his

    eyes, unwilling to look at his brother.

    Simon merely scoffed. He did not seem provoked, merely saying, "We''re brothers. Let''s y nice."

    "Don''t call yourself my brother. It disgusts me."

    "Haha! Fine. Let''s talk about something that might be of interest to you." Simon slowly slid his phone to

    Sean. A video was ying. "Take a look at this."

    Frowning, Sean turned to the video. Dumbstruck by what he witnessed, he rose and punched the table,

    yelping, "Simon Lynch, what are you nning to do?"

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    The video was a recording of Alyssa and Jasper breaking into the hotel room at the Jesseltons'' event.

    What happenedter was history.

    Soon, the scene showed Jonah beating up David, who had already been badly roughed up then. The

    video clearly recorded Jonah dragging David away.

    Oddly, Sean''s presence was nowhere to be seen, even though he was at the scene that night.

    "Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett were meticulous. After beating up David, they wiped the footage of their

    crime from the hotel surveince camera, but they slipped up this time. They forgot that deleted footage

    is recoverable within a week with the help of experts."

    An evil grin yed on Simon''s lips. He added with a sigh, "To recover the footage, I went to Mosgravia

    and spent hundreds of thousands to hire the best hacker. Thankfully, it all paid off."

    "Simon, you''re falsifying evidence! Aren''t you scared of losing your license and being investigated by

    the Department of Justice?" Sean growled at his brother, his face turning white. His veins bulged.

    "Falsification of evidence? Where?" Simon opened his arms and smiled cunningly. "My dear brother,

    you were at the scene that night. You knew who roughed up David Schmidt. It''s obvious from the video

    that Alyssa and Jasper acted out, and Jonah helped them to clean up the mess. When did you even

    beat David? At least I didn''t see it."

    Sean felt a piercing pain in his chest. He bellowed, "Juste at me! Do not do anything to Ms.

    Alyssa!"

    "Oh, I need to tell you this as well." Simon''s fingers intertwined. Leaning forward, he stared coldly at

    Sean, "Ms. Alyssa is on her way to save you. If my guess is correct, she''d turn herself in and take all

    the me to secure your release."

    "Ms. Alyssa... No..." Sean repeatedly shook his head as he grappled with the heartache.

    "Either you or the Taylors would have to take the responsibility. The video evidence and David''s injuries

    won''t lie. Sean, you''re close to Ms. Alyssa. You wouldn''t want her involved, would you?"

 Chapter 1347

    To protect Alyssa, Sean turned himself in without hesitation and signed his admission of guilt. Without

    seeking Josh''s approval, Simon executed a bold maneuver to resolve the issue once and for all,

    catching Alyssa and Jasper off guard.

    Jasper hugged Alyssa tight and shot a re at Simon''s smug face. "Simon Lynch, what trick have you

    pulled on Sean to make him confess?"

    "Tricks? Mr. Beckett, I''m breaking under all your verbal assaults. You might have topensate me for

    moral damages." Simon rubbed his chest, but the glee on his face betrayed his feelings. "It''s the

    police''s job to interrogate the suspect. As an attorney, I have no ce to do so. Look, Sean willingly

    signed the admission of guilt. I did not force him at all."

    "Simon Lynch, karma will hit you one day. Besides, it''s too early to im you''ve won." Alyssa stared at

    him resentfully as she clutched Jasper''s hand tightly, the only way to keep herposure.

    "We shall see. I''m intrigued to learn how you''ll beat me. Don''t keep me waiting too long." The malicious

    smile on Simon''s face was at odds with his gentlemanly appearance.

    They had been negligent, forgetting about the threat Simon Lynch posed. Despite the marked contrast

    in integrity between the brothers, Simon knew Sean inside and out, having grown up together.

    Alyssa and Jasper had not arrived at the police station when Simon engaged Sean in the conversation.

    At that time, Simon threatened Sean with Alyssa and Tatiana''s wellbeing, knowing that Sean would

    willingly sacrifice for them.

    The look in Josh''s eyes darkened. He was amazed by Simon''s secret maneuvers that saved the day.

    Despite securing Sean''s admission of guilt, Josh did not feel thankful to Simon, who had betrayed his

    family for personal gains.

    Josh agreed with Jasper on one thing¡ªSimon was a heartless bastard. If Simon could betray his

    sibling, Josh knew it was a matter of time before Simon sold him out for personal gain. Therefore, he

    had to be wary of Simon.

    "Mr. Barrett, now that the suspect has admitted guilt, we may kickstart the legal procedure and bring

    him to court," suggested Simon.

    He couldn''t wait to indict Sean to get back at Alyssa. Gabe shared the same goal, as he wanted to

    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    ingratiate himself with the Schmidts. Therefore, he agreed with Simon, "Now that we have evidence,

    let''s kickstart the procedure¡ª"

    "Wait a minute!" To everyone''s astonishment, a loud, clear voice cut through the tension, startling

    everyone.

    Alyssa gasped, "Jonah!"

    "Lyse, you should have told me if you nned toe here." Jonah yfully red at his sister. "Am I

    nothing to you now that you have your man?"

    "Exactly! We have been worried about the two of you," Julien chimed in, standing behind Jonah.

    Despite the stern tone, Julien winked yfully at Alyssa from behind Jonah.

 Chapter 1348

    Alyssa was rendered speechless at Julien''s behavior in this tense situation. Suddenly, it urred to her

    that Jasper did not seem surprised by Jonah''s arrival. Was he in the know?

    "Jasper, did you call Jonah..." Her voice trailed off.

    She widened her eyes, staring quizzically at Jasper. His eyes twinkled as he whispered into her ear,

    "Sorry, Lyse. It wasn''t my intention to keep it a secret from you. I didn''t ask Jonah to show up. I merely

    told Xavier to give Jonah a heads-up after we left for the police station.

    "I didn''t expect him to show up at all. It shows how much he cares about Sean, but more importantly,

    he''s concerned about you. By the way, why is Dr. Lovce here as well? Why do they always show up

    together?"

    While Jasper was musing, Alyssa grinned and gestured at him toe close. He inched closer, and

    she revealed in a whisper, "I called Dr. Lovce."

    Jasper was surprised at the revtion. It seemed that Alyssa had kept a secret from him as well. The

    calcting couple seemed to operate in sync.

    "Is a secretary worth that effort?" Josh snickered at Jonah. "Anyway, it''s toote now. Sean Lynch has

    confessed. Do you remember what your dad said in an interview before? One should take

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    responsibility for one''s actions. I''d like to remind you of the same."

    As heirs of their respective family businesses, Josh and Jonah would inevitably sh as business

    rivals. Despite making all the necessary preparations, Josh had lost out to Jonah in everypetition

    for projects the KS Group was interested in.

    Frustrated by maintaining a friendly facade for the sake of family friendship, Josh relished the

    opportunity to express his animosity now that they were in direct opposition.

    Jonah faced the situation with calm. Squinting, he warned, "Sean is not just any ordinary secretary. Did

    you not know that he''s my dad''s godson? You''re his brother, but his life is worth more than yours."

    After learning that Winston Taylor had taken Sean as a godson, Simon''s face reddened in anger.

    Envious, he thought, "It seemed that all of Sean''s bootlicking has paid off."

    "Mr. Barrett, do you not care about evidence at all? Let''s say I make an outrageous im right now. Are

    you going to arrest and charge me?" Julien took a step forward, smirking.

    Gabe swiftly rified, "Our decisions are based on evidence. Sir, please refrain from making baseless

    usations." "Really? Why don''t you take a good look at this, then?" With that, Julien tossed an

    envelope onto the table.

    Gabe picked it up with astonishment and extracted the document from within. His eyes widened. "W-

    What is this?"

    "It''s David Schmidt''s previous diagnosis. God knows how much effort andworking I put in to get this

    from the hospital archives."

    Josh and Simon''s expressions dropped upon seeing the evidence. Meanwhile, Jasper gazed at Alyssa

    with admiration.

 Chapter 1349

    Jasper finally understood the reason behind Alyssa calling Julien. It was part of her n from the start.

    "No... How is this possible?"Josh seized the diagnosis from Gabe, meticulously scrutinizing its

    contents. His eyes bulged out of his head.

    At the same time, Simon turned white, and his heart drummed.

    "Mr. Schmidt, I can''t believe your family has kept the diagnosis secret. Alyssa, or Dr. White, has saved

    David''s life upon your father''s request." Julien red at Josh disdainfully. "You don''t seem grateful to

    her. Not only that, you''re also making her responsible for David''s old injuries. You hid the truth by

    manipting the diagnosis. That''s a really despicable thing to do."

    Before this, Josh and Simon had discussed pinning David''s erectile dysfunction on Sean to indict Sean

    under aggravated assault, which carried a heavier sentence.

    Therefore, Josh hid away the real diagnosis and worked with Gabe to charge Sean. To their dismay,

    their carefully crafted n had been overturned by Julien with ease.

    Alyssa cast a grateful look at Julien. He replied with a look in his eyes, telling her not to worry about it.

    The Schmidts had thought they were invincible in Sna City, but they finally had a taste of the

    Lovces'' ultimate authority in the medical field.

    "Alyssa Taylor must bear full responsibility for David''s impotence!" Josh blurted out in the heat of the

    moment.

    He used, "David wouldn''t be in this situation if she hadn''t performed that surgery on him!"

    A hush descended upon Gabe''s office. Simon''s heart sank, realizing it was toote to stop the guilty

    Josh, who had crumbled under pressure. Josh''s actions validated Julien''s im that Sean was not

    responsible for David''s erectile dysfunction.

    "What a dumbass!" Simon seethed, wondering how a loser like Josh was appointed the president of

    Schmidt Group in the first ce.

    "Gosh, Mr. Schmidt, are you illiterate or visually impaired?" Julien crossed his arms in annoyance. "It''s

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    all written down in the diagnosis. The cause of David Schmidt''s erectile dysfunction was the anesthetic

    and hormonal injections performed before and after the surgery. Lyse had nothing to do with it."

    Jonah grinned at Julien, his eyes full of affection.

    "W-Who even are you? It''s not your ce to speak!" Josh curled his fists in anger as he approached

    Julien.

    Julien''s expression hardened upon facing the threat. Jonah almost instinctively stood in front of him to

    shield him from danger.

    Before Josh knew it, Jonah had shoved him onto the floor.

    "No! Mr. Schmidt, watch out!"

    Josh stumbled backward amid the screams of Gabe and Simon. He''d have crashed hard onto the floor

    if they had not grabbed him.

    "Mr. Jonah, are you seriously nning tomit physical assault in a police station?" Simon

    confronted him through gritted teeth.

    "Of course not." Jonah tightened his fists and cracked his knuckles as he cast a menacing look at Josh.

    "However, if he raises his voice at Dr. Lovce again, I might break his nose."

 Chapter 1350

    Despite putting on a brave face, Josh had been gripped by fear. His legs went weak. Simon kept his

    silence under Jonah''s intimidating gaze.

    Alyssa found herself moved by Jonah''s protectiveness. Knowing Jonah, he was aloof and rarely

    disyed his emotions. Apart from family and Sean, he showed no care for almost anyone else.

    Hence, she was surprised by his unusual action toward Julien. At the same time, she noticed Julien

    gazing at Jonah tenderly, prompting her to muse over their seemingly intimate connection. Why did

    they look like a couple in her eyes?

    Before she could delve further into her thoughts, Simon interjected, "Mr. Jonah, Sean will face assault

    charges even if we start anew. ording to thew, confirmed assault, supported by a medical expert,

    carries a three-year sentence. Sean can''t escape his fate."

    Simon argued vehemently, disying a hostility that made it hard to believe he was Sean''s older

    brother. The materialistic and selfish world had transformed him into a heartless monster.

    "Josh Schmidt." Jonah ignored Simon, whom he perceived as the Schmidts''pdog. He began, "Sean

    did noty a finger on anyone even if he wanted to. I was the one who roughed up David Schmidt, and

    I have a video as proof."

    He turned to Julien and addressed thetter gently, "Julien, show me the video."

    After some hesitation, Julien bit his lower lip and yed a video for everyone to see. David''s agonizing

    screams echoed in the office as the video depicted Jonah beating him into a pulp.

    "Pretty solid evidence, don''t you think?" Jonah shed Josh a devilish and frosty smile.

    Gabe and Simon nearly cked out from the shock. Jonah''s evidence had shattered their hope of

    indicting Sean.

    "Jonah, how did you..." Covering her mouth in shock, Alyssa rested in Jasper''s arms.

    Jasper held her trembling shoulders while looking at Jonah withplicated feelings. He understood

    and appreciated Jonah''s foresight and effort. Jonah had seen thising and prepared ordingly.

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    "Mr. Barrett, can we have Sean released now?" Jonah looked at Gabe in amusement.

    Gabe stammered, "Uh, well." He stole a nce at Josh.

    Jonah pressed on, "I have reported your mistake to Mr. Galini, your superior. He was infuriated when

    he heard it. I''m afraid this spells the end of your career."

    Gabe''s face turned pale. Without hesitation, he rushed out of the office to process Sean''s release.

    "Josh Schmidt, I know you''re a snob. I''m not going to waste more time on you. Xavier!"

    "Yes, Mr. Jonah?" Xavier hurried over and stood by Jonah. Alyssa was surprised to learn that Jonah

    had been utilizing Jasper''s secretary.

    Still, she acknowledged Xavier''s flexibility. People would have thought he was working in the capacity

    of the secretary of the KS Group president.

    Jonah shot Xavier a look. Xavier, getting the hint, handed an envelope over to Josh. Opening it, Josh''s

    pupils dted in shock.

    "There''s a contract of a Tsulian resort project and a settlement agreement in there," Josh began icily.

    He added, "If you agree to settle in private, our family will transfer the project to the Schmidt Group to

    "If you do not agree to settle in private... That''s fine, too. I''m bored of serving as the president, and I

    don''t mind spending a year or two behind bars. My sister could officially take over my role. Striking two

    birds with one stone, isn''t it?

    "Anyway, I don''t see a reason for you to decline since you''re not exactly in a favorable position now."

    Josh chose personal gain over his family in the face of Jonah''s enticing offer. A chameleon, he signed

    the settlement without hesitation and left Gabe''s office as though nothing had happened.

    Meanwhile, Simon fumed when his efforts went down the drain. Not only did he fail to indict Sean, but

    he also failed to get back at the Taylors. In the end, he had only made a joke out of himself.

    "Simon, I was right." Alyssa fixed a piercing gaze on Simon''s disgusting face. "Evil will never prevail

    over justice. You''ll never win against us."

    "Damn it! It''s just sheer luck!" Simon, gritting his teeth, stormed out of the office.

    Before he left, Julien suddenly called out to him with a wide grin, "Attorney Lynch!"

    Simon halted and snapped, "What?"

    "Did you enjoy having your face stuffed with feces that night?"

 Chapter 1351

    Feces? What the heck?

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks while Jonah nced at Julien''s feminine and alluring face in

    astonishment.

    Simon gaped at Julien as well. His eyes lit up with fury. He trembled in panic, fear, and humiliation at

    the thought of that night.

    "You... You..." Simon covered his mouth as he heaved.

    "Attorney Lynch, you look like you''re in great pain." Julien took a step backward and stood next to

    Jonah as though Simon was infectious. Grinning wittily, he sneered, "Anyway, your mouth is as filthy as

    the toilet, so I bet you didn''t feel anything. We''ve put the feces in the right ce."

    Had Simon''s mouth been stuffed with feces? It was a revtion more shocking than David''s public

    nudity show.

    The memories of the stench haunted Simon. He covered his mouth and dashed out of the door.

    "Hahaha! That was hrious! I can''t with him!" Julien burst outughing, tears almost rolling down his

    cheek. He elbowed Jonah and questioned, "Hey, why aren''t you guysughing? I canugh at this for

    years! Hahaha!"

    Jonah observed him silently. He couldn''t help but curl his lips into a smile at Julien''s bright and carefree

    expression. The look in his eyes deepened.

    "Jul, tell us what happened!" Alyssa blinked in curiosity.

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    Hearing that, Jasper frowned as the veins on his hand bulged. Did she change her tone just to get

    some gossip out of Julien? Well, she certainly did not seem to care if Jasper was jealous.

    "So, I heard about it from Colene when I was having tea with Mandy and the rest." Julien animatedly

    told them how Colene had instructed her men to rough Simon up and stuff feces into his mouth.

    Silence immediately descended on the office. A momentter, Alyssa guffawed loudly in Jasper''s arms,

    tears glistening in her eyes.

    Jasper couldn''t refrain from smiling as he held her in his arms. Normally a reserved and serious man,

    he acted differently when he was with her.

    He didn''t smile because he was amused by Julien''s story. Rather, he smiled because she was happy.

    "Colene is the best! She is indeed the only daughter of the Ivory Gang''s leader. What a fighter she is!"

    Alyssa nearly choked whileughing. She apuded Colene''s actions.

    Jasper gasped, "Is Colene... the daughter of the Ivory Gang''s leader?

    The Ivory Gang was the most influential in Sna City, and their reputation spread far and wide.

    During the violent early years of primitive umtion of wealth, the gang had a mixed reputation.

    However, they have been whitewashing their reputationtely by doing charity and conducting legal

    activities.

    In fact, Landon regarded the gang leader Marc Waters, Colene''s father, as his idol. As a fan, he had

    repeatedly watched the fiction and TV shows that were based on Marc''s character. Little did he know

    that Colene came from such an intimidating background. Now, he had a newfound respect for Winston.

 Chapter 1352

    "Did you just learn about it? How could you date me without knowing anything about my family? Hm?"

    Alyssa yfully flicked Jasper on the forehead and remarked, "All of my stepmothers hail from pretty

    unusual families."

    Jasper shed her a wry smile. He turned numb upon learning about Alyssa''s family background.

    Never would he have associated Colene with the Ivory Gang leader.

    "Lyse, you can''t me him. Marc has never exposed Colene''s identity to anyone aside from a few

    confidantes and the gang members," Jonah interjected.

    He addressed Jasper in a much friendlier manner because he was in a great mood after dealing with

    Simon Lynch. "The underworld is dangerous. He had to do so to protect his only daughter."

    Jasper smiled, feeling touched by Jonah''s amicability. Jonah might appear cold and distant on the

    outside, but he was warm inside, just like Jasper.

    "Yeah, that''s right. Marc detested Winston for marrying her precious daughter and even threatened to

    cut ties with Colene over the marriage, but I know that, deep down, he cares for Colene a lot." Alyssa

    nodded knowingly.

    Then, she sighed with a tinge of regret. "I heard that the texture of feces is simr to that of a sweet

    potato. Too bad Simon Lynch had left, or I would have confirmed with him. I''m pretty curious about it,

    though!"

    Jasper, Jonah, and Julien were left speechless at her words.

    Although dawn had not arrived, Sean was wide awake. He had experienced a rollercoaster of feelings

    the night before.

    Before Alyssa''s arrival, he had beenbeled as a helpless suspect. But now, Gabe Barrett had

    released him with an ingratiating smile and kind words while inviting him to leave the cell.

    The change was shocking for Sean, who had no clue about the interesting confrontation that had

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    happened at the police station.

    "Mr. Lynch, we''ve gotten to the bottom of the case. The evidence shows you''re innocent." Smiling

    widely like apdog, Gabe added, "We''ve retracted your admission of guilt, and the Schmidts have

    agreed to settle in private. You may leave now."

    He gasped in disbelief, "The Schmidts agreed to a settlement?" That was impossible.

    "Well, that''s all because you are well-connected. Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett made a trip here just for

    you. It''s all thanks to you that I get to see them in person."

    Sean looked stunned. "Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett, you say? Gabe fawned, "I tried my best to help you

    out this time. I immediately reported your situation to my superior. Not only that, I made my colleagues

    look into the truth as soon as possible when the Schmidts used you, all to bring justice to you. It

    was never my intention to put you in a difficult spot.

    "So, may I humbly ask that you put in a good word with Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett when you''re home?

    I would serve them loyally if they ever need my assistance."

    With a tense jaw, Sean cast a piercing nce at Gabe''s cunning face. It boggled him to think that Gabe

    was a police chief. It seemed that the Sna City citizens were subjected to the rule of corrupt officials.

    "There''s no need for that. As her secretary, I can reply to you right away." He stared coldly at Gabe.

    "You''re a greedy prick who abuses his power. You deserve to rot together with the Schmidts. Thinking

    of ingratiating yourself with Ms. Alyssa? You''re delusional."

    Before Sean left the detention center, he freshened up in the restroom. He wanted to look presentable

    for Alyssa because he didn''t want to upset her.

 Chapter 1353

    However, Sean lost hisposure and teared up when he saw Jonah and Julien tagging along with

    Alyssa and Jasper. What had he done to deserve their concern?

    "Sean." Jonah grinned, lightening up the mood. "You must have suffered. We''re here to take you

    home."

    "Mr. Jonah¡ª" Sean choked on his tears and struggled to speak.

    All of a sudden, Alyssa dashed over to face off with Sean before Jasper could react to it. Jasper''s heart

    raced upon seeing that, and he tensed up.

    He thought Alyssa had calmed down, but she seemed incensed the moment she saw Sean.

    "Why did you admit to your guilt?" Panting heavily, she blushed in anger.

    Sean grappled with the piercing pain upon hearing her question. His dry lips parted. "Ms. Alyssa... I''m

    sorry."

    Rage colored her teary eyes. She lifted her arm, ready to punch Sean in the face.

    "Lyse, no!"

    "Lyse!"

    Sean did not move at all. His eyes grew mistier. Finally, shended the punch on his shoulder. She

    hissed, "Why did you do that? Are you crazy? We should take responsibility for beating up David

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    Schmidt. It''s not your ce to y the hero!"

    "Ms. Alyssa, I was just worried for you." Sean struggled to get his words out. "You went through a lot to

    be with Mr. Beckett again. I didn''t want to see you in trouble."

    Jasper felt a deep, searing pain that shook him to his core. Alyssa, who had been holding back, started

    sobbing even though she had not noticed it. "Sean, do you think I''ll be grateful to you? Not at all! If

    Jonah hadn''t kept a card up his sleeve, you would have been in jail now!

    "Why would you im that you are doing this for us? Do you know you''re not alone now? You have

    Taty. What would she do if you were in jail? Have you ever thought about her?"

    Tatiana. A jolt coursed through Sean''s body. His chest tightened in pain.

    "I hate you! I hate you so!" Alyssa proceeded to punch Sean, only to be stopped by Jasper from

    behind.

    Giving her a back hug, Jasper soothed her, "Lyse, calm down. Sean is free, and that''s all that matters

    now. It''s all in the past.

    "I know you''re worried sick for him, but he must have suffered for days. Why don''t we let him rest at

    home before offering you an apology? How does that sound?"

    She finally calmed down under his coaxing. Jonah and Julien exchanged looks. Jasper seemed to be

    the only person who could handle the sassy and rash Alyssa.

    A car was waiting for them at the entrance. They were about to see Sean off when he suddenly spun

    around. His heart beat wildly as he opened his mouth and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Taty... Taty!"

 Chapter 1354

    Alyssa and the others followed in the direction of Sean''s passionate gaze. They found Tatiana standing

    alone under the dim streetlight. Her hair fluttered in the night breeze, bristling against the tear stains on

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    her face.

    "Sean," she called out to Sean in a mncholic tone as tears streamed down her cheeks.

    She was nearly enveloped by the darkness. It was a pitiful sight that was heartbreaking to watch.

    Sean ran toward her without hesitation and hugged her with all his might. He maintained his

    be out alone at night."

    "Sean, I''m waiting for your release. I missed you so." She cried harder, staining his shoulders with her

    tears.

    She had been waiting before dusk, even calling Alyssa and Jasper for help at the same spot. She

    waited for Sean to be released, no matter how long it''d take.

    "Me too. I missed you like crazy." He felt sorry for her and gently wiped away her tears.

    Then, he suddenly pressed against the small of her back. He lowered his gaze and kissed her

    passionately on her lips.

    Alyssa broke into a smile upon seeing the couple reunited. She rubbed her swollen eyes and said,

    "Mm. That''s awesome."

    Jasper held her by her wrist and whispered in her ear. "Lyse, I''ll show you something more awesome

    when we''re home tonight."

    She buried herself deeper in his embrace and blushed at his flirtatious remark.

    "Lyse, Jasper, get some rest at home. We''ll head to Belbanks now. Keep in touch." Julien waved at

    them with a smile.

    "Jul!" Alyssa no longer put on airs in front of Julien and addressed him by a nickname. "I have you to

    thank for today. Tell me, how can I thank you?"

    Julien blinked and cast a knowing nce at Jonah. Instead of being called "Jul", he''d rather Alyssa

    treat him like a brother-inw.

    Still, he couldn''t bring the matter up as he didn''t want to shock Alyssa. He merely replied, "I see

    Jonah''s sister as mine as well. It''s what I should do for you. Don''t sweat about it."

    After Alyssa and Jasper headed back to their home in Sna City, Jonah and Julien returned to

    Belbanks with Sean and Tatiana.

    The first light of dawn was about to illuminate the boundless, velvety sky.

    Julien rolled down the car windows and screwed up his eyes leisurely. Resting his cheek on his palm,

    he stared into the distant sky. How carefree and cathartic this felt!

    In thest 27 years, he had spent most of his time between academia and nightlife. Relishing the

    exhration of the decadent life, he had unknowingly lived a crazy life and developed an entric

    personality.

    Despite always being surrounded by people, he felt as lonely as an old soul. The more people he came

    across, the more he hid his true self away until he met... him.

    He turned around and stared affectionately at the quiet man by his side.

    What could he do? He was too in love with Jonah to the point that he''d give up everything he had in

    Mosgravia just to stay with him forever.

    After a long silence, Jonah suddenly began, "Dr. Lovce."

 Chapter 1355

    "Why? Do you finally notice me beside you?" teased Julien while he admired Jonah''s perfect side

    profile.

    He grumbled, "You''ve been ignoring me for a good half an hour. I was thinking of ignoring you forever if

    you kept giving me the cold shoulder."

    Despite being fatally attracted to Julien''s childlike behavior, Jonah hid his feelings and asked calmly,

    "Do you often join Mandy and the others for tea?"

    "Yeah."

    "You''re a young man. Don''t you feel bored when you hang out with a bunch of middle-ageddies?"

    Jonah scrutinized Julien. "You led a carefree life in Mosgravia. There''s no need to suppress your

    wants. Just do anything you feel like doing."

    "What if you can''t handle me if I let go of myself?" Julien drawled and cast an irresistibly flirtatious look

    at Jonah.

    Jonah felt bitter, but he remained as distant as ever. "That''s none of my business."

    "Oh, right. You''re busy with your work as the president. You won''t have time to worry about me," replied

    Julien with a hint of disappointment.

    Jonah pressed his lips hesitantly.

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    "I just wanted to be closer to Mandy and the others, in case we be family one day. This is a social

    skill, Mr. Jonah."

    Be family? Jonah''s mind was messy with thoughts. Julien pressed his body against Jonah''s, his

    crisp scent lingering in the air. He purred, "Anyway, we''re kind of like family because my Aunt Mandy is

    married to your dad. Isn''t that right?"

    Jonah sat upright in the car with a hint of emotion in his eyes. He casually remarked, "L said you

    love nuts." Staring ahead, he tensed up as he added, "You ate all the dried fruits at home."

    "Yeah! I have loved that stuff since I was a kid. Hazelnuts, pistachio nuts, roasted chestnuts¡ªyou

    name it. I can''t stop once I start eating them." Although Julien was a man, he looked like a young

    woman when he was excited. "Aunt Mandy always peeled the nuts for me when I was a kid. I could

    munch on the nuts forever, but she peeled them for me withoutints until I was full."

    Jonah stared at Julien and rasped, "I''ll do that for you the next time."

    Feeling ted, Julien ced a finger under Jonah''s chin and breathed at Jonah''s lips. "Sure. I''d love to

    eat the nuts you peeled for me."

    Jonah curled his fist the moment he read Julien''s mind¡ªhe noticed Julien''s expectations and more

    importantly, Julien''s desire for him.

    Alyssa was spent when she reached home. On their way back, she hadined about feeling tired.

    She was truly tired, but at the same time, she was hinting at Jasper to go easy on her when they made

    loveter.

    Jasper lifted Alyssa in his arms and brought her into the house. Her legs dangled, and her heels fell

    onto the floor.

    Since Jasper had no free hands, Xavier had no choice but to pick up the heels for Alyssa.

    Back in the bedroom, Alyssa and Jasper took a bath. Then, he patiently waited for her toplete her

    skincare, haircare, and manicure routines. By the time she was done, dawn had broken.

    Theyy in the bed in exhaustion. He eagerly pulled her into a hug. She drifted to sleep with her head

    on his shoulder. She mumbled, "Mm... You sure behave well today."

    He kissed her forehead and smiled. "If I didn''t, you would have to take a nap instead."

    "Thankfully, you''re not an animal." In between consciousness, she gave him a peck on his lips. "Good

    morning. I''m going to sleep now."

    With that, she fell asleep. He listened to her even breathing with tenderness. "Good morning, my

    darling wife."

 Chapter 1356

    It was afternoon when Alyssa woke up the next day. She might be sleepy, but Jasper, a light sleeper,

    had woken up after a few hours of sleep.

    Even after he woke up, he did not leave the room at all. Instead, he worked remotely on the couch,

    handling the group''s affairs and guarding by her side.

    "Ah¡ª" Suddenly, Alyssa jerked awake and shot up in bed. Jasper immediately put down his work and

    went up to hug her. He asked gently, "What''s wrong, Lyse? Was it a nightmare?"

    She patted herself on the chest. Then, she grabbed his hand with a flushed face. "Jasper, guess what

    was in my dream?"

    He swallowed hard and attempted to kiss her, but she shunned him and eximed, "Jonah and Julien

    got married in my dreams!"

    "Hmm?" Jasper stared at her in surprise. She added, "Our entire family was at the wedding. And I

    caught Julien''s bouquet!"

    Jasper looked pretty speechless.

    "I woke up right as they were about to kiss. Damn it! Why do I have to wake up at the most important

    time?" She slid her fingers through her hair in regret as her heart raced.

    "Lyse, you''re adorable." He warped an arm around her shoulders and tapped her on the forehead.

    "What''s going on in that mind of yours?"

    "I was too tired and fell asleepst night after I got home. I had so much to tell you." She gulped and

    stared nervously into his eyes. "I have a feeling that Julien is interested in Jonah. And Jonah doesn''t

    seem to mind it at all.

    "When they showed up at the police stationst night, they seemed pretty close to me, even when they

    hadn''t done anything. They look like a great match!"

    Jasper took her words seriously. Not only did he not humor her, but he also gave it some thought.

    "I know Dr. Lovce is gay, but Jonah isn''t."

    "You got a point. I don''t know what happened to me. How did I dream of such a realistic dream?" She

    rubbed her forehead and sighed. "I always think of Jonah as the best. No woman would be good

    enough for him.

    "Well, it''s not that they''re bad. They justcked something. But I find his perfect match in Julien. It''s so

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    unbelievable."

    "Lyse, if it were true, would you struggle to ept them?"

    Hearing that, she shook her head. "I''m more worried that Winston might struggle with the truth. Winston

    reluctantly epted Jonah when Jonah said he wouldn''t get married or have kids because of his faith.

    But what if Jonah turned out to be gay?"

    She then added, "Gosh, what am I thinking? Even if Jonah is gay, Winston wille to terms with it

    one day. After all, didn''t hee to ept you as well?"

    Jasper wondered if he should feel sad or d at her remark.

    Mrs. Rosie interrupted them at that moment from outside the room, "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, are

    you both up? Come have lunch before you go back to sleep. You''ll sleep better when you''re full."

    An awkward expression shed across Jasper''s face. Simrly, Alyssa clutched the nket in

    embarrassment, thinking, "Oh, Mrs. Rosie, you underestimated Jasper Beckett. He''s the most

    energetic when he''s starved; he would totally devour me in bed!"

 Chapter 1357

    After washing up, Alyssa changed and went downstairs for lunch with Jasper. It had been a while since

    she enjoyed Mrs. Rosie''s cooking, and she wolfed down the food as Mrs. Rosie watched on with a

    motherly look.

    "Wow! It''s delicious!" Alyssa licked her lips and burped after finishing the food. Then, she handed Mrs.

    Rosie the te and said, "Mrs. Rosie, one more te, please! Pile as much food as you can on it!"

    "Roger that, Madam Alyssa!" Mrs. Rosie happily went to refill the te for Alyssa. Like any parent, she

    felt d to see Alyssa eating well.

    "Lyse, take your time. You don''t want to stuff yourself," Jasper reminded Alyssa dotingly.

    He picked a napkin and wiped away the grease on her lips.

    "Why aren''t you eating? Are you on a diet?" She leaned toward him and enjoyed his service.

    "I''m not too hungry."

    "You should have told me earlier! Mrs. Rosie makes wicked seafood dishes. I left some for you

    because I''m worried there wasn''t enough food for us!" She reached out for the grilled fish like a

    gluttonous kitten. "If you''re not eating, I''ll eat them all!"

    He tenderly watched as Alyssa dug in. He wanted Alyssa to be carefree in front of him. He couldn''t

    care less for a gentle and obedient partner. All he wanted was for Alyssa to be herself.

    After the meal, Alyssa slumped on the couch in satisfaction. Jasper was about to serve desserts when

    Mrs. Rosie stopped him.

    Lowering her voice, she began, "Um, Mr. Beckett... I talked to some of my friends when I was home.

    They are nannies for esteemed families, and they told me that their young madams struggle with

    conceiving.

    "So, I got some tips from them. I''ll send it to youter. Why don''t you take a look and get Xavier to buy

    some of the medicinal herbs for Madam Alyssa? Maybe."

    "Mrs. Rosie." Jasper''s expression darkened.

    Mrs. Rosie gestured a three-finger salute. Her eyes filled with worry. "Mr. Beckett, I swear to God that I

    didn''t tell them anything! I told them a kid of my rtive was sick¡ªnever had I brought up Madam

    Alyssa''s name! Besides, they''re longtime friends of mine. They''re good people!"

    He frowned and scowled. "Mrs. Rosie, this is not the first time I have told you this. I don''t care whether

    or not Alyssa bears a child for me. I''ll love her no matter what.

    "It''s not like I have a throne to pass on. Even if Javier Beckett takes away my president role because I

    can''t continue the bloodline, I don''t care.

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    "All I want is for Lyse to be happy and healthy. It''s tough enough to raise a child. What''s tougher is

    trying all imaginable ways to conceive¡ªthat''s just torture. I don''t want to put Lyse through the suffering

    even for a bit."

    "Mr. Beckett, you did reach out to the experts in Swizo, didn''t you? That''s why I thought I could be of

    help..." Mrs. Rosie choked on tears. She felt sorry for Alyssa.

    "I declined their help." Jasper stared at the ground and shook his head. "Just like you, I wanted a cure

    for Lyse. I wanted to see her healthy and to make amends.

    "But the more I tried, the more I reminded her of the sad past. She might even think that I''m hung up on

    her fertility issue."

    "I didn''t give it enough thought." Mrs. Rosie rubbed her sore eyes. "Ah, well. I will not bring up this topic

    anymore. What matters is you and Madam Alyssa lead a long and happy life together."

    After Jasper collected himself, he carried the desserts to the living room. He had been too busy

    chatting with Mrs. Rosie to notice Xavier''s arrival.

    Xavier announced, "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, I have a few things to report!"

 Chapter 1358

    Jasper took a seat by Alyssa''s side and ced the desserts in front of her.

    She greeted Xavier, "Xavier, it''s hot out there! Here, have some water and desserts before we discuss."

    She then pushed the tter of desserts to Xavier.

    "Thank you, Madam Alyssa! You care for me!" Xavier looked touched by her concern.

    Envious, Jasper shot Xavier a look and snapped, "Hurry up. Let''s get down to business soon."

    Xavier gobbled up a piece of cake and dabbed his lips with a hanky. Sitting upright, he reported, "I

    informed Mr. Galini about Sean Lynch''s arrest per your orders. I''ve even submitted a detailed report to

    him.

    "This morning, Gabe Barrett has been suspended from his duty due to abuse of power. The authorities

    have taken him away for investigation.

    "Hmph! He''s surely losing his job because of all the illegal deals he''s involved in. The Schmidts will

    lose one of theirckeys."

    "Okay." Jasper nodded calmly.

    People like Gabe, who were tasked to clean up the mess of the Schmidt Family, were everywhere.

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    Getting them arrested was a piece of cake.

    Alyssa widened her eyes in shock. "You did that? When?"

    This was not Jasper''s first brilliant maneuver. He had always made a move behind her back to ambush

    his enemy.

    "I was at work after midnight¡ªafter you went to sleep."

    Blinking, she grabbed his arm, feeling moved by his help. "You could have waited until we woke up."

    "You were stressed out because of Josh Schmidt and Gabe Barrett. I lost sleep because of it¡ªI

    couldn''t sit back any longer." He gently caressed her hand.

    Noticing his dark eye circles, she felt sorry for him. "You have headaches, remember? You need

    enough sleep for your health. Are you still going to sacrifice your health and upset me?"

    "I just wanted to do my best for you and the people around you."

    As Alyssa remained unhappy, he had to coax her. "It''s all my fault. I''ll listen to you the next time."

    Xavier interjected, "By the way, the Schmidts have taken over the project and reached out to the

    Tsulian authorities. Hah! They must be in urgent need for the project."

    "Sigh... That''s a windfall for Josh Schmidt." Alyssa rolled her fist indignantly. "He''s been on Victor''s

    wrong side and losing to Jameson because of David and Daisy''s problems. Landing a huge project

    must be a relief for him."

    Jasper grinned. "Sometimes, all that glitters is not gold. It might be a problem."

    She lifted her brow in curiosity. "Hm. What do you mean by that?"

    "Mr. Beckett spotted a fatal w in the Tsulu resort project that Mr. Jonah bagged. He had advised Mr.

    Jonah to let go of the project as soon as possible," Xavier blurted out eagerly.

    Shocked, Alyssa questioned, "Jonah isn''t a loser like Josh. He would have noticed any issues from the

    start. How did he miss that problem?"

    "Thend auction process in Tsulu is unregted, unlike in Cyrris." Jasper decided to share everything

    with her, "The resort project is strategically located, but transportation will be a major issue.

    "To reach that area, we''ll have to pass through a small vige less than a mile away. The vige is

    home to around ten families.

    "That vige will pose a huge problem for the developer if they ever decide to expand the resort. They''ll

    even run into trouble just to repair the main road.

    "All these potential issues weren''t marked out in thend use n because the local government was

    too eager to attract foreign investment."

    Alyssa fumed upon learning that. "How could they? Isn''t that a scam led by the authorities?"

 Chapter 1359

    "Madam Alyssa, thend auction process is messed up in Tsulu. Don''t you agree?" Xavier took the

    opportunity to praise Jasper to the heavens, "Fortunately, our wise Mr. Beckett brought up the issues to

    Mr. Jonah, just in time to turn things around. Mr. Jonah would suffer a greater loss if the construction

    kicked off."

    "Xavier, are you implying that Jonah isn''t as wise?" Alyssa crossed her arms and directed an imitating

    gaze at Xavier. Thetter tensed up and rified, "M-Madam, please don''t misunderstand! That wasn''t

    what I meant!"

    "Xavier, watch your mouth." Jasper cast a piercing nce in Xavier''s way. "He who talks much errs

    much. Remember, your bonus..."

    Xavier was even more intimidated by Jasper''s subtle threat on his bonus.

    To err was human nature, and the same applied to businessmen. Jasper wasn''t born with keen

    business acumen. It was the cumtion of experience from years of running the Beckett Group and

    making various mistakes along the road.

    He was slightly more knowledgeable about Tsulu than Jonah, which happened to be of help.

    "I pointed out the problem for Jonah to transfer thend to someone else, but he struggled to find a

    willing buyer," Jasper exined calmly as if he hadn''t done much to help.

    More than a willing buyer, they were looking for a victim. To their surprise, they found the perfect victim

    when they dealt with Sean''s case.

    "That''s why you thought of using the project as a peace offering to the Schmidts. Was that why you

    called up Jonah and had him hurry over with the agreement of transfer at thest minute?" She

    squinted with a gleam in her eyes.

    Jasper caressed her radiant tresses and remarked, "I can''t hide anything from you at all."

    "Tsk tsk. If you''re not a businessman, you could consider running scam operations. I''m sure you''ll be

    equally sessful."

    Beaming proudly, Jasper replied, "Well, I did not lie to Josh Schmidt. All I did was to lure him. It was

    totally up to him to take the bait or not. We had never pressured him into anything. If he truly cared for

    David, he could have declined Mr. Jonah''s request for a settlement."

    "Hah! Quit it. Just admit you''re full of tricks. I have goosebumps just looking at you." She yfully

    jabbed him in the chest. Then, she added, "Your n has a few ws. Josh Schmidt could send his

    team for an investigation before he officially took over the project.

    "At the end of the day, you knew he''d take the bait because he was in a difficult spot in the Schmidt

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Group. Plus, he''s impatient and greedy for sess. No doubt, he''d walk into the trap when you

    dangled that carrot in front of him.

    "Family does not matter to him. All he cares is to reestablish his reputation. He''s long forgotten about

    that bastard David Schmidt."

    Jasper admired the beauty and wits of the woman in front of him. "It''s all psychological warfare."

    "Hah! Josh Schmidt must have thought he won the lottery, but he''s soon going to cry in regret." Alyssa

    grinned widely. She was in such a good mood that she reckoned she could eat more.

    However, Cyrus'' call immediately dampened the cheerful atmosphere.

    He began, "Lyse, I have some bad news. Promise me to keep your calm. You must stay calm!"

    Then, Cyrus inhaled sharply and informed her, "Just now, Victor and Josh Schmidt came in and bailed

    David out."

 Chapter 1360

    "W-What? Did that bastard walk away scott-free?" bellowed Alyssa.

    She left Jasper''s arms and stood up in shock, nearly giving Mrs. Rosie a heart attack from her sudden

    yelp.

    Jasper''s expression fell after he overheard Cyrus'' update.

    "That''s impossible! Jameson will ensure that he has his enemy crushed. So, how did they manage to

    bail David out? Is there something wrong with the evidence?" She froze from head to toe and trembled

    incessantly.

    Jasper quietly stood up and ced a hand on her waist tofort her.

    "We have solid evidence against David, or we wouldn''t have issued a warrant." Cyrus sounded upset.

    "We did not expect the victims to suddenly change their stances. The girls told us that they weren''t

    sexually assaulted. They said they willingly had intercourse with that bastard. The same goes for the

    two minors."

    "How is that possible? Why didn''t they mention it until now?" Worried, Alyssa pleaded, "Cyrus,

    something''s off. The police must look into it!"

    "Of course, something''s off. We all know that. I even sent a few experienced policewomen to talk to the

    girls, but it was of no use. The victims had decided to withdraw thewsuit," Cyrus exined with a

    sigh.

    "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, it''s on the news!" Xavier waved his phone anxiously.

    Jasper instructed, "Show it to me."

    Xavier yed the video, which captured Josh at a press conference in front of the police station.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Fuck! This prick sure is busy, isn''t he?" Xavier seethed at Josh''s fakeness. "Is Josh Schmidt a mop,

    cleaning up one mess after another for the Schmidt Group?"

    Alyssa and Beckett stared squarely at the screen while holding hands tightly.

    Facing the media, Josh seemed aggrieved. "Ladies and gentlemen, if my brother were a rapist, we

    couldn''t have sessfully bailed him out. This shows that he has been framed.

    "Someone is trying to drag my family''s name through the mud! Rest assured that I will look to the

    bottom of this. I can''t have my brother unfairly used."

    "Look into the bottom of this? He''s paying lip service." Xavier was angry and snarky.

    "He has no choice but to put on an act when the world''s watching." Alyssa seethed, unknowingly

    digging her fingernails into Jasper''s palm out of rage.

    It hurt, but Jasper didn''t mind. At that moment, he was filled with sympathy for Alyssa. How he wished

    he could offer her a peaceful life, but once in a while, troubles would surface and shatter his hope.

    "But Mr. Schmidt, two of your brother''s victims are minors!" A reporter grumbled persistently. "Even if

    they retract thewsuit, it doesn''t change the fact that he engaged in immoral activities involving

    minors! He should be publicly condemned!"

    "The two minors dressed up skimpily like adults. They even lied about their age when they approached

    David and got him into legal trouble. So, who''s the immoral one now?" Josh snickered.

    He argued further, "David had no idea they were minors, or he wouldn''t have thrown away his future by

    getting involved in them.

    "The Schmidt family is prestigious and wealthy. I understand the desire of some girls to social climb.

    But when ites to minors, shouldn''t their parents be held responsible for their actions? Why do we

    have to take responsibility for parental negligence?"

    "Damn it! His argument is a red herring!" Alyssa was filled with resentment.

    Another reporter pressed on, "Mr. Schmidt, remember David''s indecent act when he was arrested? The

    video is still circting online. His behavior resembled a drug addict. What are your thoughts on that?"

    "He has never taken drugs. His response was the result of taking illegal medication." Then, Josh

    shed a troubled expression. "David got into a serious car ident before this and nearly fell into a

    vegetative state. His legs would hurt every time it rains, so he has no choice but to take potent drugs as

    painkillers.

    "We''re fortunate to engage Alyssa Taylor''s help to perform the surgery on David and save his right leg.

    At least, he could lead a rtively normal life now. The Schmidt Group is extremely grateful for Ms.

    Alyssa''s assistance. Without her, David would have been as good as dead."

    The revtion caused a stir among the crowds. They were amazed by Alyssa''s godlike expertise, but

    more importantly, they couldn''t believe that Alyssa¡ªknown as the Earth Angel and Light of Justice¡ª

    had once performed a life-saving surgery for that bastard David Schmidt!

    Hailing from an influential family, she certainly did not have money troubles. No one could pressure her

    into performing the surgery if she refused to. Therefore, the only logical conclusion was she willingly

    offered to help.

    Was her positive image just an act? Had she been faking her Good Samaritan ways while bowing

    down to the rich and powerful?

 Chapter 1361

    "I believe the public is aware of Ms. Alyssa''s upright character. She wouldn''t have performed the

    surgery on David if he were an indecent chap because that would be endorsing evil. Am I right?"

    Josh had dropped a highly suggestive and shocking statement. David was known as a good-for-

    nothing with questionable ethics. Because of that, Josh did not bother to clear David''s name, seeking

    instead to vindicate him. He couldn''t care less for David''s reputation.

    However, Alyssa was a different case altogether. Josh opted to announce Alyssa''s surgery on David at

    this critical time to establish her alliance with the Schmidts.

    He wanted the world to believe that Alyssa would ultimately side with the Schmidt family despite her

    virtuous character.

    "I hereby offer a sincere apology on behalf of David and the Schmidt Group for taking up everyone''s

    time," Josh concluded. "We will exercise greater caution in the future and humbly heed the public''s

    feedback and criticism."

    With that, the news stream ended. Alyssa''s face mirrored the coldness of a winter''s night.

    Simrly enraged, Xavier cussed in a quivering voice, "Damn it! That bastard Josh Schmidt is dragging

    Madam Alyssa down with them!"

    Surprisingly, Alyssa did not seem fazed even though Josh had tarnished her reputation. While she was

    angry at Josh''s speech, she had since calmed down.

    Only Jasper seemed agitated by the move Josh had pulled. She sensed him tensing up, and his skin

    was cold to the touch. The veins on his hand bulged threateningly.

    Jasper and Alyssa resembled each other in this aspect. Unbothered by their own problems, they were

    more concerned with the well-being of others.

    She noticed the gloom in his eyes. A storm seemed to be brewing. His puffed chest pressed against

    her back.

    His silence spoke volumes of his anger.

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    "Jasper, calm down. There''s no need to let this anger consume you." She squeezed his hand with a

    reassuring smile, coaxing him gently. "Josh Schmidt is like a wild beast. He wanted to bite me, but all

    he could do was snarl at me through the TV screen. It doesn''t bother me, so don''t let it bother you."

    "How can I not be bothered?" His breath grew uneven. His fist tensed up and trembled in her grip.

    He vowed, "I will not let this slide. I will make Josh pay and endure twice the suffering of David."

    "I share the same thought, but we must not lose ourposure because of his words." She worriedly

    pressed her fingers against his throbbing temples and massaged them. "You have a serious headache

    problem. You know it''ll worsen with emotional turmoil. Please care for your health, even if it''s for my

    sake.

    Despite herforting words, he failed to keep his calm after Alyssa fell victim to Josh. His deep love

    for Alyssa led him to lose his cool and rationality.

    "Madam Alyssa, theizens areunching online attacks against you. I suspect that 80 percent of

    them are bots hired by Josh." Xavier browsed through a barrage of insults, nearly cracking his phone''s

    screen out of anger.

    Jasper immediately instructed, "Get the PR department to monitor thements!"

 Chapter 1362

    "Whatever. We can''t control what others say, so let them be. Josh Schmidt might think he''s dealing a

    blow to me, but he has underestimated me." Alyssa dered, lifting her chin proudly and smiling. "We

    don''t have to do anything at all."

    "Lyse." Jasper''s breathing grew heavy. He held her hand tighter.

    "Fame alwayses with trouble. Theizen''s attack only proves my poprity." Waving her hand,

    Alyssa added, "Remember, exining yourself is dumb behavior. You''re not going to rip your heart out

    to prove a point when used of having an ugly heart, are you? Let''s ignore that troublemaker, Josh

    Schmidt. He''s going to shoot himself in the foot one day."

    Then, she put on a serious face and said, "I''m more concerned about the girls who suddenly changed

    their minds. I suspect the Schmidts have pressured them into it."

    "Theye from ordinary families. There''s no way they could fight against the Schmidts." Lowering his

    gaze, Jasper analyzed, "As for the two minors, they not only suffer from the Schmidts'' threats. If the

    scandal is publicized, they might risk media and public scrutiny.

    "They are victims, but society will gossip about them. There might be awfulmenters who brand

    them as loose women and a ''willing victim.''"

    "A willing victim?" The term dropped like a bomb on Alyssa. She felt a jolt of shock across her body.

    Jasper''s level-headed and cruel assessment dealt a huge blow to her. She could already imagine the

    horrible remarks.

    "It takes two to tango."

    "Things don''t happen for no reason."

    "It''s their fault for wearing miniskirts."

    "Why did it happen to them and not someone else?"

    The victims would be forced to endure nder after all they had gone through, pushing them deeper

    into the pain of beingbeled as "willing victims".

    "They have a long life ahead of them. Their parents might care more about public perception than

    seeking justice. I do not agree with their decision, but I empathize with them."

    Jasper pulled Alyssa into a hug when he noticed color draining from her face. Her shoulders trembled

    incessantly. He rested his chin against her neck and tightened his grip as if he wanted to be one with

    her.

    "Jasper, I''m fine. I just feel sorry for those girls." Choking on tears, Alyssa muttered in a feeble tone.

    "You''re overly kind, Lyse." He patted her on the back. "But I would love you to stay true to yourself¡ª

    bright, passionate, and kind."

    He would willingly take on any challenge for her as long as he could keep her happy and carefree.

    Feeling cheered up, she gathered herself and said, "Jasper, can you make the arrangements for me?

    I''d like to meet the girls one-on-one."

    "Are you nning to convince them to testify?" Jasper''s brow twitched in surprise.

    "They changed their mind not because they didn''t care for justice. They feared retaliation from the

    Schmidts." She smiled brightly and exined, "I will make it clear that I''m here to defend them against

    the Schmidts."

    After David''s release from the detention center, he was ferried back to the Schmidt Residence in all the

    pomp. On his way home, he indulged in red wine in the luxury car, scrolling through meanments

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    about Alyssa Taylor andughing out loud like a repressed maniac who was back in action.

 Chapter 1363

    Theizensmented. "Alyssa Taylor performing surgery on David Schmidt? Why did she save that

    scoundrel? Are they secretly dating or what?"

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    "I was right. The tycoons are all in it together. They benefit from each other, and Ms. Alyssa is no

    different, even if she acts all righteous. Us peasants are the ones who ultimately suffer."

    "Alyssa Taylor, I''m so disappointed in you. You''ve lost a fan! I am disgusted!"

    "Hahaha! Josh, look at thesements. They''re fucking explosive!" Crossing and swinging his leg,

    David remarked, "One of them even suggested that I was dating Alyssa Taylor! Hahaha! I bet Jasper

    Beckett would die of envy when he read it! Say, will hee at me tonight?

    "Well, it''d be fucking awesome to date Alyssa Taylor. See her body? It must feel great fucking that ass!"

    Josh, disturbed by David''s vulgar speech, cut him off sternly, "Feel great? Can you even enjoy sex

    now?"

    "Why do you always hit me where it hurts?" David looked aggrieved.

    "Alyssa is not an easy target. Do you even have the guts to mess with her? She might send you to

    hell."

    "Tsk, can''t I even dream about fucking her?" David licked his lips in a lewd fashion.

    Josh shook his head in disdain. He wouldn''t have even spoken to David if they weren''t siblings.

    Meanwhile, David couldn''t wipe off the grin from his face when he scrolled through the negative

    Josh swirled the wine in his ss and snorted. "You''re pretty optimistic, aren''t you? I''m surprised you''re

    still smiling when theizens are mocking you."

    "Why not? I don''t need them to tell me that I''m an animal." David grinned maliciously and rubbed his

    chin. "Anyway, Alyssa Taylor has been dragged through the mud. I so love ruining the reputation of a

    respectabledy.

    "She''s always acting like she''s better, steering clear of our family, but she ends up getting entangled

    with us. I bet she''s now crying under the covers. Josh, you should take advantage of this opportunity to

    deliver a blow to her reputation! Make her the next Sophia Kirkman!"

    "I will continue to control the narrative. I don''t need your reminder." Josh gave his brother a side eye

    and smirked pridefully.

    Upon seeing the return of his favorite son, Victor cried and hugged David, putting on a cheesy show of

    family reunion.

    "David, you need to thank Josh for this!" Victor said with a renewed look of trust and approval for Josh.

    "Josh, you did a great job! You met my expectations for you. What would the Schmidt Group do without

    you?"

    "Dad, you tter me." shing a humble smile, Josh remarked, "David is my brother and your precious

    son. Of course, I will always help my family and share your worries."

    "See, Dad? Josh is the only one in the family who cares! We''re goners without Josh. I wouldn''t be

    standing in front of you." Smirking in resentment, David added, "But look at Jimmy. What has he done

    for the family from the start? He''d rather see our family in chaos so that he could take advantage of the

    situation."

    "David, that''s not fair. We have Jimmy to thank for stabilizing thepany''s stock price and managing

    our projects in Kontina," Victor argued sternly.

    At that moment, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Smiling, Jameson wandered in. "David,

    I''m so d you''re home safely."

 Chapter 1364

    David stared hostilely at Jameson''s innocent and friendly expression. Raw anger shot through him.

    Just as he was about to go off, Josh shot an icy re at him, hinting at him to hold back. David''s mind

    immediately cleared up.

    When they were in the car just now, Josh had remarked that Alyssa Taylor might not be the mastermind

    behind David''s arrest.

    Memories of their conversation resurfaced. Back in the car, Josh had mused, "She would have dealt

    with you right after you assaulted Tatiana if she wanted to. She wouldn''t have waited until now to make

    a move. Besides, no one else except me knows the details of your rtionships with those girls."

    "Who''s that motherfucker that wanted me dead? I''ll tear them into pieces!"

    It''s Daisy.

    "R-Right! That filthy bitch! She must have snitched on me for a reduced sentence! I''ll send someone to

    teach her a lesson!"

    "Even if she knew about your rtionships and snitched on you, there wasn''t much she could do as a

    prisoner. The police wouldn''t have gotten their hands on the evidence. So, someone outside the prison

    must have worked with her to retaliate against you."

    "Who? Who''s that?" David raged on, repeating the same question like an idiot.

    "It can''t be anyone else but Jameson. I looked into the visitor log, and he was the only one who visited

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    Daisy at prisontely. Since he''s in Dad''s favor, we''ll gain nothing from going against him. Let''s regain

    Dad''s trust andy low until we have a chance to get rid of Jameson."

    "This is great! God has blessed the Schmidt family! My three sons are by my side now!" Holding David

    in one arm and Jameson in another, Victor was immersed in the joy of reunion. Tears filled his eyes.

    "We need to unite as a family and work hard for the Schmidt Group. Let''s not get into trouble anymore.

    "Josh, you''ve done a lot this time, but Jimmy has been a great help too. He helped us stabilize the

    stock price and advance the projects in Kontina. So, I''m thinking..."

    "Dad, I know you had your share of good news today, but I have one more to add," Josh cut him off

    arrogantly.

    Jameson''s demeanor immediately froze. He waited with bated breath.

    "Oh, do you have more good news for me, Josh? Tell me about it!" Victor didn''t mind being interrupted

    as he was in a great mood.

    Bring it in," Josh ordered.

    His secretary immediately walked in with a document and handed it to Victor. Victor epted the

    document with much confusion, but he soon realized what it was and beamed widely. "Hahaha! This is

    awesome, Josh! Isn''t this a new project you closed? What a huge surprise!"

    The smile froze on Jameson''s face. Under his crystal-adorned sleeve, his fist clenched.

    "I secretly nned to close this project for a while, but it was in limbo for a while, so I didn''t bring it up. I

    didn''t want to get you excited over nothing." Josh shed an honest smile and exined, "I am only

    announcing it to you now after signing the agreement. You know, I''m a little slow, unlike Jimmy¡ªhe''s

    pretty slick and speaks his mind to get what he wants."

    "Isn''t that right? Jimmy was the most rebellious when we were kids. After 15 years, he came home to

    Dad and turned out as the most obedient among us all," David chimed in to mock Jameson with a look

    of disdain. "Should havee home earlier if you truly cared about Dad, Jimmy. You moving home

    doesn''t feel as sincere after all these years away."

    Then, he added, "That was a joke! I can be pretty blunt. Don''t take my words to heart!"

    Jameson squinted hatefully at David and retorted, "I guess it''s hard for your brain to keep up with your

    mouth after the detention and all the drugs you took."

    David gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to lunge at Jameson and shred him to pieces.

    "Gosh, look at you guys. You''ve never stopped quarreling since childhood. You should get along well

    as a family. Can''t you behave like Winston''s kids and give me some peace?" Victor said.

    He was excited about David''s release and the new project Josh secured. Hence, he didn''t take the

    siblings'' squabble seriously.

    Josh advised, "Jimmy, you need to work hard for thepany now that you''re the executive director.

    Come to us for help if you run into any issues with the projects. We are always open to a discussion for

    the sake of thepany."

 Chapter 1365

    Then, Josh shed a generous smile and patted Jameson on the shoulder, saying, "Dad is getting old,

    and recent events have taken a toll on him. It''s time for him to rest. Come to me for work discussions

    instead of bothering Dad."

    "That''s right, Jimmy. You have a lot to learn from Josh¡ªhe''s the president after all," Victor chimed in,

    reinstating his trust and respect for his eldest.

    Jameson red at Josh, his deep eyes spelling danger, but managed a humble smile. "Josh is indeed

    capable. I have much to learn from him. Josh, best of luck with your new project."

    Leaving the study with a scowl, Jameson walked down the corridor. Josh caught up, calling out,

    "Jimmy, why the rush? Dad wants to have dinner with all of us."

    "Do you really want to have dinner with me?" Jameson spun around and fixed his piercing gaze on

    Josh.

    "Of course. Why not?" Josh broke into a smile, unable to suppress the glee from his recent victory. "I

    enjoy seeing you seething from losing out to me. More than anything, I''d like to see your disappointed

    face when you''re seated across from your victim, who is now safe and sound. That must be really

    amusing to see."

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    "I''m afraid I''ll have to let you down. I''ll never waste my energy on trashy people and events," Jameson

    snapped and adjusted his sses.

    "Tsk," Josh replied, clicking his tongue. He did not p back at Jameson because he was in a good

    mood as he had regained Victor''s approval.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl hurried over to Jameson, hushing when he noticed Josh.

    "Does everyone address you as Mr. Schmidt?" Josh taunted. "There''s only one Mr. Schmidt in this

    family ¡ªme, the president of thepany. But I''ll generously allow you to indulge in your fantasies."

    Then, he took out a hanky and absentmindedly wiped his hand that patted Jameson on the shoulder.

    "And you shall remain a sewer rat, ruling over your men in the darkness."

    Josh then tossed the hanky near Jameson''s feet and marched away.

    Jameson might not have been offended by Josh''s previous insults, but Josh''s final remark had utterly

    crushed him. His sses could no longer hide the menacing look in his eyes.

    "Fuck! Does that scoundrel think he owns thepany just because of a minor sess?" Carl spat

    and cursed on Jameson''s behalf.

    "Why would he suddenly get hold of a Tsulu resort development project? Look into thister," Jameson

    gritted his teeth furiously and ordered Carl.

    "Got it, Mr. Schmidt." Carl handed Jameson a long stainless steel sanitization box with two hands. "Sir

    wanted you to have this. It just arrived today."

    Jameson felt his chest tighten. He took the box and held it tight.

    Carl added, "Sir also has a message for you. He said to give it careful consideration before you take

    the drug. It''s potent."

    "I got it," croaked Jameson.

    "Mr. Schmidt, theizens have been attacking Ms. Alyssa online ever since Josh dragged her through

    the mud. Would you like me to handle it?" Carl asked courteously.

    A dangerous look arose in Jameson''s eyes as he squeezed the box out of shape. Momentster, he

    heaved a heavy sigh and replied, "It''s fine."

    Stunned, Carl gasped, "A-Are you really letting go?"

 Chapter 1366

    "Lyse is like a pure and innocent goddess to me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t get any nearer to

    her. You will never understand the extent of my pain." Jameson shut his eyes and grappled with the

    piercing heartache.

    His heart drummed against his ribcage, begging to be freed. Trapped in despair, it was a howling beast

    demanding to be released.

    "I had once wanted the best for her. But now, I even entertain the idea of hurting her. If she''s a

    goddess, I''d like to defile her, pulling her to my level..."

    He thought, "Alyssa Taylor, I am a cunning scorpion. A scorpion is cruel in nature. It''d sting the frog that

    helps carry it over the river.

    "But I won''t kill you. I''ll simply love you in my own way."

    It didn''t take Jasper long to get his hands on the addresses of the two young girls. The next afternoon,

    Xavier drove Alyssa and Jasper to meet with the two victims in the hope of convincing them to serve as

    witnesses in court.

    To avoid imposing pressure on the girls'' families, they deliberately showed up in an ordinary ck

    sedan. Alyssa and Jasper dressed in simple suits. Jasper did not look much different from his usual

    self, as he alwaysmanded a regal air and looked good in whatever he wore.

    On the other hand, Alyssa had transformed into a wholly different woman. She showed up barefaced,

    looking as humble and trustworthy as a public servant.

    Despite her low profile appearance, she looked dazzling because she carried herself with confidence.

    She seemed to carry a glow with her that attracted the attention of the opposite sex. It might be a crude

    description, but a man would harden uponying eyes on her.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    "Hey, can you stop staring at me in that manner?" Alyssa had goosebumps after being stared at for ten

    minutes or so and inched further away from Jasper. "It feels a little perverted."

    Jasper could not hold back anymore and pulled her into his arms. He used, "Lyse, you''re seducing

    me."

    "B-But I did nothing." Confused, she pressed a hand against his chest.

    "You look so sexy in this outfit." His eyes filled with desire. He held her chin and attempted to kiss her.

    Even when she was dressed in a monotone outfit, she still looked alluring to him.

    "No. Jasper, we''re on a serious mission. I''m not in the mood for this." She pressed a finger against his

    lips with a long face.

    "I''m sorry, Lyse." Feeling bad, he sighed. "It''s my fault for not being sensible."

    "You lived like a monk in the past, but now, you''re... horny all the time." She pouted.

    Grinning, he teased, "Do you want me to return to who I was?" "Can you?"

    "Of course not." His breath tickled her ear. He gently massaged her nape and added, "I''m living a

    secr life now. Can''t take one more day of asceticism."

    She bit her lip and blushed in embarrassment.

    At that time, Xavier stepped on the brakes, and their car rolled to a stop in front of an old apartment

    block.

 Chapter 1367

    "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, we''re here. This is Maggie Madison''s home," announced Xavier while

    scanning the environment.

    Having grown up in a highly educated family, Xavier had performed dirty work for Jasper over the

    years, but never had he witnessed such an awful living environment. Since they did not have

    bodyguards with them, he felt quite tense.

    Unlike Xavier, Jasper calmly got out of the car. As it had rained earlier, Jasper stepped right into a

    muddy puddle as soon as he disembarked. The mud sshed all over his expensive shoes, but he

    remained unbothered and seemed at home.

    "Mr. Beckett! Look out! The ground¡ª" Xavier tried to warn Jasper, but it was toote.

    Jasper said casually, "It''s fine."

    Alyssa had wanted to follow suit, only to be lifted off the seat. She gasped and panickedly wrapped her

    arms around Jasper''s neck.

    He had lifted her into his arms because he didn''t want her to walk in the mud. He grinned and said,

    "What are you panicking over? I always have a good grip on you."

    "Mm... You should have warned me. I was shocked!" Punching his chest yfully, she understood his

    concern and said, "It''s just a water puddle. I''m not that fussy. Look, I had my fair share of hard times

    abroad. I''m not a flower in a greenhouse."

    "That was the past. You have me now." He slowly ced her on the ground and held her by her waist.

    He silently vowed, "Now that you have me, Lyse, I will treat you like a princess."

    Frowning in confusion, she asked, "Xavier, why did you take a detour to Maggie Madison''s ce? The

    other girl lives closer. We could have visited her before Maggie. It''s along the way."

    "Uh, Madam. The girl and her family. They refused to see you and Mr. Beckett," Xavier hesitantly

    admitted with a sigh.

    "What''s wrong?" Jasper furrowed his brows. Alyssa took his hand with a determined look in her eyes

    and said, "There''s no need to exin. I understand their feelings. We''re not parents, and it''s hard for us

    to imagine what they''re going through. The victim must be mentally tortured right now and sensitive to

    any changes.

    "Even if we visit them with good intentions, they might feel pressured because of our social standing.

    Besides, it''s understandable that they refuse to entertain us after how the Schmidts had threatened

    them before this."

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    Looking tense and hostile, Jasper nheless nodded after careful consideration. The girls'' parents

    hailed from an ordinary family,cking power and wealth. They were vulnerable against the Schmidts,

    who could easily crush them. The victim''s parents likely did their utmost to protect their daughter.

    Alyssa and Jasper both felt sorry for the victim. The trio made their way to the top floor of the

    apartment. The sights on their walk sent shivers down Xavier''s spine. As a clean freak, he found the

    stained walls, umted trash, and unruly children unsettling.

    "Do you find this apartment intolerable?" Jasper spoke, wrapping an arm around Alyssa''s shoulders.

    He calmly exined, "The slum where I lived with my mom before returning to the Beckett family was

    far worse than this."

    "N-No, Mr. Beckett, I..." Xavier''s heart leaped into his throat as he struggled toe up with a reply.

    "The conditions of a home are less important than living with the people you love. Anywhere was home

    for me as long as I was with my mom. After she passed, I can never see Seaview Manor as home, no

    matter howfortable it is. I miss the time I lived with my mom."

    He teared up from recounting memories. Tightening his grasp on Alyssa''s waist, he rasped,

    "Thankfully, I have Lyse by my side. I. I have a home again."

    Fame, power, and wealth held no significance to him. All he ever wanted was to build a simple and

    cozy home with his lover.

 Chapter 1368

    Alyssa looked up into his eyes which burned with passion. She understood him well even without

    exchanging words.

    Alyssa, Jasper, and Xavier went to the top floor past a narrow corridor and stood in front of the door of

    the innermost unit. Before they could knock, an old woman with a walking stick slowly made her way

    down the stairs.

    Upon seeing the trio in ck suits, the old woman appeared triggered and started trembling. Tapping

    her stick hard on the ground, she hissed, "H-How dare you show up at the Madisons'' again?

    "Do you think you can easily bully the poor single mother and her daughter, thinking they don''t have

    anyone to stand up for them? They said they would retract thewsuit, so what more do you want? Do

    you want them dead?"

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged nces, knowing that the Schmidts must have shown up to threaten

    and harass the Madison family. They could imagine the snicker on the faces of those bullies from the

    Schmidt family.

    "No... Ma''am, please calm down. We''re not the same as them! We''re here to help," Xavier exined

    while approaching the old woman, but she immediately waved her stick at him without bothering to

    listen.

    "Get lost! I''ve lived long enough, and I''m not afraid of your threats! I''ll fight you!" bellowed the old

    woman. "I watched Maggie grow up. What a nice and kind girl she is. She''s like a granddaughter to me,

    and I will not let any one of you bully her. Get lost now!"

    She waved her stick again, and from the looks of it, she seemed ready for a showdown.

    Xavier did not manage to dodge the attack in time. He was hit on the arm and grimaced in pain. When

    the old woman waved her stick for the second time, Jasper hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed her

    stick to stop her.

    "Jasper! Don''t hurt her!" Alyssa worriedly warned him.

    Her heart was drumming wildly.

    "Ma''am, wee in peace." Jasper slowly dropped his arms. With an earnest gaze, he exined

    calmly, "We''re here to help Ms. Madison. We''re not the same group of people who visited her before

    this.

    Please trust us."

    The old woman scrutinized the good-looking young man and the ravishing youngdy standing beside

    him. They looked like a match made in heaven, and more importantly, they seemed much kinder than

    the group of hostile hooligans who had visited the Madisons.

    In the middle of the confrontation, the door to the Madisons'' creaked open. Alyssa, who stood closer to

    the door, turned and stared into the face of Maggie''s mom.

    "Who... Who are you?" Gina Ri stared at the visitors warily.

    "Mrs. Madison, how are you?" Alyssa greeted Gina with a gentle and polite tone. "Don''t be afraid.

    We''re not gangsters, and we''re not from the Schmidt Group. We learned about Maggie''s situation, and

    we''re here to seek justice for her."

    "You''re. You''re seeking justice for Maggie?" The expression froze on Gina''s pale face.

    "Yes. We''re ready to subject the culprit to thew. He must pay dearly for his actions," Alyssa dered

    with a burning passion.

    Gina was shocked by the sudden offer, but she found it difficult to let down her guard after days of

    intimidation and fear inflicted on them by the Schmidt Group. "Who exactly are you?"

    "My name is. Alyssa Taylor." Alyssa suddenly hesitated, not knowing how best to introduce herself.

    No matter how she went about it, she felt she would only add to the pressure on poor Gina and

    Maggie.

    "Alyssa Taylor?" Gina''s temples throbbed in anger. Her chest rose and fell. There was a gleam in her

    eyes. "Are you the daughter of that Belbanks tycoon, the youngdy who operated on David Schmidt''s

    leg?"

    Alyssa''s chest tightened in fear. "Mrs. Madison, I."R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

 Chapter 1369

    Gina eximed, "I see that you''ve got a hidden agenda. You are on the same side as David! He was

    the one who arranged for you toe over and harm Maggie. Am I right?"

    Alyssa responded, "No! I..."

    "You didn''t have good intentions either! I can''t believe that you operated on that bastard. You are just

    siding with the enemy! I want you to get out! Don''t evere and bother Maggie again!" Gina shouted

    painfully at Alyssa. Her eyes were bloodshot as she red at her.

    Alyssa was anxious. Right before Gina could m the door closed, Alyssa reacted speedily by putting

    her hand on the side of the door.

    "Mrs. Madison! I am really here to help Maggie! Please hear me out!"

    In her anger, Gina picked up a newly-opened bag ofundry powder which was sitting on the window

    sill. Without another word, she flung it at Alyssa''s face!

    Sweat formed on Alyssa''s forehead. It was toote for her to dodge it.

    All of a sudden, she felt a strong force pushing her away. Immediately after, she found herself

    enveloped by a stable and fiery presence.

    The arm that was around her waist was firm. She then heard Jasper panting heavily by her ear!

    Alyssa was flustered. Following that was a loud smack. The bag ofundry powder hit Jasper on the

    back of his head. The white powdery substance fell on his head, shoulders, and back like snow.

    In an instant, his ck suit had turned white. He looked extremely miserable.

    "Mr. Beckett, are you alright?" Xavier was as white as a sheet. Fearfully, he ran over to check on

    Jasper.

    Alyssa''s heart was racing. She was terrified. With her trembling hands, she helped to dust off the

    "I''m fine. All''s good as long as Lyse is fine."

    Jasper noticed that Alyssa was being panicky and smiled slightly. He grabbed her cold hands and held

    onto them tightly. "Were you afraid, Lyse? It seems like you''ve be more faint-hearted."

    "I was afraid that you''d be hurt, silly!"

    Alyssa was mad, and her heart ached for him at the same time. Shended a hard smack on his chest.

    "Did you think that I was thinking about myself?"

    Fortunately, what Gina had thrown was just a bag ofundry powder.

    What if she had flung steel cookware or a brick? What if it was a kitchen knife? How could she not be

    afraid?

    Jasper smiled with his eyes. Deep down, he was moved to see her care and love for him.

    Then, he heard a loud m from behind him. The door to the Madison family''s home was shut tight in

    their faces.

    Xavier was dejected. He sighed in extreme frustration, "I guess we were meant to return without

    sess today, Mr. Beckett and Madam. She didn''t even intend to speak with us. Not even a little bit. Of

    all times, it had to be now. How aggressive."R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Alyssa felt troubled. She massaged her throbbing temples and said, "We were very hopeful at first.

    Unfortunately, Josh exposed the fact that I operated on David prematurely. That had ruined my image.

    Now, I am in cahoots with the Schmidts in the eyes of the Madisons."

    Immediately after, sheughed bitterly at herself, "Well... I can''t really say that it ruined my image. I was

    indeed the one who operated on David. I have really sided with the enemy this time."

    "Don''t say that, Lyse."

    Jasper wrapped his arms around Alyssa. He looked at her with a gaze that was full of warmth and

    constion.

    "It is a doctor''s duty to save lives. At that time, you were simplying from a ce of wanting to save

    a patient. There''s also not much you can do about other people''s opinions.

    "Moreover, the rtionship between both your families hadn''t turned awkward back then. David wasn''t

    showing his true colors yet either.

    "In my opinion, there was nothing wrong with your decision at the time. It is not your fault even if

    anyone is now saying otherwise."

    Alyssa rested her forehead on his shoulder. She responded in a frustrated and disappointed voice,

    "Even so, what''s the point when we are the only ones who know what the situation was really like?

    "I don''t care about having a good reputation. However, without it, it would be a challenge to execute our

    n now."

    "It''s alright. We''ll take it one step at a time."

    Jasper caressed her back gently andforted her in a gentle voice, "Don''t be discouraged. Try to

    look on the bright side. Let''s go back for now and think whether there are any other ways that we can

    go about this."

    The trio had no other choice but to go back to the manor. It was already in the evening by the time they

    returned.

    Jasper and Alyssa got out of the car, hand in hand. As they were about to enter the manor, they heard

    a soft and timid voiceing from behind them.

    "Lyse."

 Chapter 1370

    Jasper and Alyssa spun around immediately.

    "Taty?" they eximed at the same time.

    Alyssa widened her eyes. She was overjoyed. She let go of Jasper''s hand and ran toward Tatiana, who

    was standing alone by the side. She gave Tatiana a warm hug.

    "How long have you been waiting for? Why didn''t you go in? Mrs. Rosie is in. She recognizes you, and

    she''d let you in. Why were you just waiting here?"

    "I''m sorry for just showing up like this, Lyse. Sorry for bothering you and Jasper." Tatiana''s voice

    sounded weak. Listening to her like that made Alyssa feel bad.

    "Don''t be silly. Do you know how much I missed you?"

    Alyssa stroked Tatiana''s soft cheeks and smiled. "Two days ago, your brother-inw, Jasper, was just

    suggesting for us to go on a trip after this busy period. We can even travel around the world!"

    Jasper was stunned to hear Alyssa''s words. In the next instance, his heart filled with warmth. His brows

    rxed, and he broke into a smile.

    Tatiana had long acknowledged his identity as her brother-inw. Even so, to hear iting directly

    from Alyssa signified a stamp of approval. The happiness and sense of satisfaction were indescribable.

    Alyssa raised her eyebrow yfully and said, "He will be paying for everything anyway. He''s loaded, so

    you can swipe his limitless ck card all you like. I should just take this opportunity to raise the value of

    your dowry."

    Jasper pouted. Heughed lovingly and helplessly at the same time.

    Alyssa treated others absolutely generously. On the contrary, she was calctive when it came to him.

    He did have a ck card, but Alyssa and her brothers probably had a whole stack of them. Even so,

    she still wanted to use his money.

    The saying that daughters were the apple of their parents'' eye was true. Her heart would still be with

    her family even if she were married.

    That being said, Jasper would sumb dly.

    What use would his money be if not for his wife to spend?

    "What... What dowry? Quit teasing me, Lyse." Tatiana''s face blushed as red as a tomato.

    "I wasn''t teasing you. I was serious about it."

    The expression on Alyssa''s face was serious. She blinked and continued, "Your marriage with Sean

    would need to be nned out eventually. Once you''re set on marriage, everything will progress swiftly.

    It''s not a bad thing to start preparing early."

    Upon hearing that, Tatiana pressed her lips together lightly. She furrowed her brows into an

    inconspicuous frown of worry.

    "Oh? Also, did youe alone? Where''s Sean?" Alyssa asked in a surprised tone.

    The tears in Tatiana''s eyes glistened. "He doesn''t know that I''vee to see you. I didn''t tell him..."

    she hesitated.

    Jasper could tell that she had more to say, so he probed in a warm voice, "Aftering all the way, I''m

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    sure that Taty has many things to talk to you about. Let''s head in, Lyse."

    "Ah. What was I thinking? I was overjoyed to see her. I became too focused on catching up with her."

    Alyssa linked arms with Tatiana and entered the door joyfully.

    Rosie was thrilled to see Tatiana, too. She weed their guest by preparing fruits and snacks. She

    served her happily. At the same time, she kept asking Tatiana how she was doing.

    Tatiana sat on the couch demurely. She cradled the warm cup of tea in her hands but didn''t take even a

    sip from it.

    Jasper observed her behavior and felt pity for her. She was also Winston''s daughter. But all that she

    could get and control was much less than Alyssa, who was well-loved by all.

    The marriage alliance with the Schmidts had turned to dust. Even so, it was still obvious that she was

    still restricted by her identity as one of the Taylors.

    Truth be told, Alyssa was the only one who could live freely.

    "You don''t look too good, Taty. Are you feeling unwell?" Jasper sat down next to Alyssa. He expressed

    his concern as Tatiana''s brother-inw.

    Tatiana shrugged and shook her head slightly.

    Alyssa held Tatiana''s hand in hers. "Taty, did you and Seane across any difficulty? Don''t tell me

    that the Lynch family went to look for you again. Or was it Winston who bbered again?" she asked.

    "Lyse. I. I''m worried for you."

    Tatiana''s eyes welled up as if they were filled with bitter regret. She continued, "There are so many

    reading them that I couldn''t even sleep well.

    "I''ve been replying to the nastyments all day, but there are just too many. I wouldn''t be able to

    reply to all of them even if I had more pairs of hands."

    "Oh my, I thought there was something serious!"

    It wasn''t a concern to Alyssa at all. She broke into a wide smile. She gave Tatiana''s chilly hands a light

    squeeze.

    "Don''t be silly, Taty. Just think about it from a different perspective. That just means that I''ve got a huge

    reputation. Public nder is still a type of publicity. It''s all still online traffic¡ªsomething that not

    everyone can get, even if they want to.

    "I''m considering to promote KS Group''s products. I have to seize this opportunity with all the online

    attention to advertise our product. I want to turn this crisis into my sess!"

 Chapter 1371

    Jasper''s hand was on Alyssa''s waist. He pulled her in closer to him slowly. The corner of his lips curved

    upward as he gave her a helpless look.

    Alyssa consistently brimmed with captivating ideas, and her perpetual desire ensured there would

    never be a dull moment in herpany.

    "Lyse, I know you are just trying tofort me."

    Even though Alyssa wasn''t fussed, Tatiana couldn''t help but feel an immense guilt weighing on her. Her

    eyes turned red as she said, "You wouldn''t have been dragged into this if it wasn''t because of me.

    "You wouldn''t otherwise have be the Schmidt family''s target for revenge. It''s all my fault. I was too

    weak and stupid. That''s how it came to this."

    Upon saying that, Tatiana''s tears started flowing. Her teardrops dripped onto the back of her hand. This

    tugged at their heartstrings.

    Alyssa gave Jasper a look. He was taken aback. He then quickly leaned forward toward the tea table.

    He pulled two pieces of tissue from the tissue box and handed them to Alyssa.

    Alyssa was speechless.

    She wasn''t the one crying. Why did he hand the tissues to her? He could''ve just given them to Tatiana

    directly.

    Alyssa wiped Tatiana''s tears away for her. After a moment of hesitation, she sighed heavily, "Actually,

    Taty, I should be the one who should apologize. I wasn''t able to seek justice or get revenge on your

    behalf. David still ended up being released."

    Alyssa spoke thest few words in a hoarse voice. It was obvious that she was choking on her tears.

    Her long eyshes fluttered.

    With Tatiana around, Jasper could only force himself to suppress his emotions. Yet, his blood boiled

    momentarily.

    He gave off an air of frigidity all around him. His burning hatred was fully exhibited by his tensed-up

    muscles. The veins on the back of his hand bulged.

    Tatiana stared at Alyssa. She shook her head continuously and said, "You''ve done enough, Lyse. You

    really have. Let''s just put an end to the matter here! I don''t wish to continue anymore."

    "Put an end to it here? Why so?"

    Alyssa was so abhorred that she tightened her fists. "David took advantage of you and beat Sean into

    a pulp. He''s also caused harm to so many other women. They had to live with the trauma of being

    humiliated. They daren''t speak up despite their indignation.

    "The Schmidt Group uses their power to oppress them, making them fearful of payback. In order to

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    ensure the safety of themselves and their families, they could only suffer in silence. I am their only

    hope now. Who else, other than myself, would shield and help them?

    "I will get to the bottom of this matter. I will not give up until I am satisfied with the price that David has

    to pay. I will go head-to-head with Victor and David Schmidt. Let''s see who will be the winner in the

    end!"

    Alyssa was the type of person who would never fight a losing battle. As long as she hadn''t achieved

    her goal, she would never give up either.

    Having met with such a monster, she really wished that she could skin him alive! How could she just

    cease her efforts here?

    She would rather go down fighting than live in silence!

    She would be the one to cry out!

    "Calm down, Lyse. It''s not going to do you any good to be so riled up." Jasper ced his hand on her

    back, which was rising and falling from her agitation. He tried tofort her.

    "What you just said, Lyse... What do you mean?"

    Tatiana''s face was filled with astonishment. She spoke up in a trembling voice, "The Schmidts. Did they

    threaten those women? How did you know about that?"

    Jasper was worried that he''d exacerbate the psychological pressure on her. So, he just gave her a brief

    description of the happenings the past two days.

    Tatiana''s face turned pale instantly. "So. you''re saying that those women, who were initially nning to

    testify, changed their minds because they were pressured by the Schmidt Group?"

    "Earlier today, we went to meet with one of the women. We wanted to convince her to step out and

    testify. I know that they''re fearful of the Schmidt Group. That''s why I thought of giving them my support.

    This way, the Schmidt Group would not dare to act rashly.

    "However. I was too naive. My n didn''t go well at all. Moreover, my reputation has taken a hit. The

    family members of those women were avoiding me like I was the gue. They didn''t want to meet with

    me at all."

    Alyssa gritted her teeth hard. "But, I will not give up. I wille up with other ways. When there''s a will,

    there''s a way. Eventually, I will get to David!"

    "I will help too." Although his eyes were red, Jasper steadied his breath. "We might be unable to find a

    breakthrough through David''s case. Even so, I will still use other methods to make the Schmidts suffer."

    All of a sudden, the atmosphere in the living room fell into a heavy silence.

    After some time, Tatiana lifted her head slowly. Her moist and reddened eyes twinkled with a look of

    determination and fearlessness.

    "Lyse, Jasper. I''m willing to be a witness. I will step forward to testify against David."

 Chapter 1372

    Alyssa and Jasper were shocked. They eximed in unison, "What did you say, Taty?"

    After her deliberation, Tatiana''s expression was calm and resolute. "It doesn''t matter if I have to give

    my statement at the police station or testify against David in court. I will take the witness stand. I''m

    willing to do it.

    "I just want David to be brought to justice, and to ensure that justice is served on behalf of those

    women. No matter how immense the pressure, I can handle it."

    At this moment, it was as if the air around them had frozen.

    At first, Tatiana thought that they would strongly support her idea. To her surprise, both Alyssa''s and

    Jasper''s faces turned glum. They didn''t say a word.

    "Even though David didn''t get his way with me, it was still an assault attempt. Moreover, I''m sure that I

    will be able to garner the people''s attention when I step forward to use him, especially with a status

    like mine.

    "Then, the Schmidts wouldn''t be able to shut people up even if they wanted to. When that timees,

    we must bring justice to David for the sake of the women he defiled. In the face of pressure, the

    Schmidts wouldn''t be able to cover for him even if they wanted to!"

    "But have you thought of the horrifying risks you''d have to go through if you were to do this?"

    Alyssa''s brows were knitted tightly. She spoke in a stern tone; one that was stricter than a parent''s.

    "You want to expose the incident when David tried to harm you. Contrary to what you expect, people

    with bad intentions will end up getting a hold of you. They may take the chance to distort the truth and

    make groundless usations. They might even stir things up!

    "If so, both you and L will be pushed to the edge of the cliff. Even if you were able to handle the

    colossal pressure, do you think that L would be able to?

    "Furthermore, David can only be charged with attempted assault if you were to step up and give your

    testimony. He''ll then get three to five years of jail time. He''d be released and then continue to harm

    others!

    "If we don''t get to the bottom of things, Josh will surely think of another way to denigrate you. How are

    you going to respond then? How should Sean help and protect you? Do you both really wish to spend

    the rest of your lives being entangled with the assholes from the Schmidt family?"

    Tatiana''s heart wrenched at the thought of her mother and Sean.

    That being said, her heart ached even more for the women who fell victim to David.

    She was Winston''s daughter. She also had the support of such powerful individuals as Alyssa and

    Jasper. Even so, she barely even got back at him.

    Those other women were the ones who were really at the mercy of others. They were basically in a

    living hell.

    Alyssa took a deep breath. She then spoke up with a hint of emotionless intimidation, "There''s another

    thing. Even if you were to testify against David, it wouldn''t be easy to take him down.

    "Your idea could probably be useful if we were going against someone who wants to uphold their

    reputation. For example, someone like Josh, who is a self-righteous rat.

    "But David is shameless! He has no human decency. Do you think you can inflict any real pain on him?

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    He would continue leeching onto the Schmidt family as long as they weren''t brought down.

    "The uproar you bring about will eventually be forgotten by people as time passes. As for those

    women, your courage and sacrifice might not necessarily change their minds. They may choose to

    remain silent all the way.

    "However, that''s not their fault. You have us as your way out. They''ve got no way out once they speak

    up."

    Alyssa''s words were spoken calmly and rationally. Her straightforward statements were so cold and

    straight to the point that even Jasper couldn''t help but gasp.

    He was reminded of the few times in the past when he arm wrestled with her. He had lost in

    embarrassment each time.

    He didn''t let her win on purpose. It was Alyssa who had remarkable skills. She was logical, detailed,

    and decisive. There weren''t many who could be a match for her. He admitted defeat from the bottom of

    his heart.

    The heartfelt words that she had uttered to Tatiana hit close to home. Although part of it did cross

    Jasper''s mind, he wasn''t as thorough as she was.

    "Lyse... I understand what you mean. But how can we turn things around if we don''t take a gamble?"

    Tatiana questioned. Her eyes were filled with anxiousness.

    "I am not going to let my own sister be a gambler who puts all her eggs in one basket!"

    Alyssa shot to her feet. In a strict manner, she continued, "It''s not just me. Jasper, L, and Sean are

    certainly not going to allow you to do so.

    "Speaking of Sean, no man would allow their beloved woman to be embroiled in a quagmire. He was

    just recently ambushed by the Schmidts. It''s only been a few days since. Don''t you want to get through

    your days peacefully?

    "This matter is not up for discussion. You can stay for dinner if you don''t bring this up again. Otherwise,

    I will get Xavier to send you back this instant."

    "Lyse!"

    "What you were thinking is really too risky, Taty. Lyse is afraid that you''d end up being hurt." Jasper was

    worried that Alyssa and Tatiana would get upset at one another. So, he tried to mediate between them.

    "Her tone may have been harsher than usual. However, you should know how much she cares for

    you."

    Tears welled up in Tatiana''s eyes as she watched Alyssa, who was standing tall. Her stance was

    clearly graceful, but she looked intimidating from the back. She was standing in front of her like an

    immovable mountain.

    If it were in the past, she would have agreed apprehensively.

    Yet, a wave of fearlessness came over her this time. She couldn''t stop herself and blurted, "Lyse, if... if

    I wasn''t your sister, would you still stand in my way like this?"

 Chapter 1373

    The question from Tatiana caused the tension in the room to peak.

    Alyssa widened her eyes slightly. Grievance churned within her.

    Since childhood, Tatiana and Alyssa were always joined at the hip. Yet, they were having such an

    intense argument tonight.

    "What do you mean by that, Taty? Are you saying that I am someone who only cares about the safety

    of my family? And that I am egoistic and can''t be bothered about others?"

    Jasper''s heart was pounding. As the middle person, he was stuck in an awkward position. He gave

    Alyssa a light tug by the hem of her top.

    "Taty wouldn''t think of you like that, Lyse. Don''t overthink it."

    "I''m overthinking it? She should exin to me what she meant by that, then!" Alyssa plucked the corner

    of her top back from Jasper''s grip.

    Jasper shuddered. He pressed his lips together bitterly.

    She could remain calm no matter how much the public swore at and ridiculed her. But now, it was

    obvious that she was furious.

    Jasper knew that what Alyssa hated the most was being misunderstood by her loved ones. To her, this

    hurt more than any physical pain.

    She had been under great stress for days. The mental exhaustion had finally made her snap at this

    very moment. She ended up releasing her anger at her most beloved sister.

    "You haven''t answered my question, Lyse."

    Unexpectedly, Tatiana wasn''t going to give up easily. She got up slowly and enunciated her question

    once again. "If I wasn''t your sister, would you still stop me?"

    "I will not answer you if your question is based on the assumption that I am a selfish person."

    Alyssa tried her best to suppress her anger. She then said to Jasper in a low voice, "Go and arrange

    for a car to send Taty back, Jasper."

    Alyssa and Tatiana parted ways. They were both upset.

    After Tatiana left, Alyssa went into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator and downed an entire bottle

    of cold water. She thought that it would help with cooling herself down physically.

    However, she still felt a fire burning within her. She could feel her blood pressure rising too.

    She cursed, realizing that Landon''s method of cooling down was of no use at all. Alyssa figured that

    she should try again by drinking another bottle.

    Right when she was about to reach out for another bottle of cold water, Jasper reached over the top of

    her head. He pushed the refrigerator door shut.

    Alyssa looked up at him, and her eyes met his. In an instant, she had simmered down a little.

    "Caught you having another cold drink sneakily."

    Jasper frowned helplessly. Alyssa could feel his warm breath on the tip of her nose.

    With a soft look in his eyes, Jasper continued, "When are you going to stop making me worry about

    you, hmm?"

    "Forget about the two bottles of cold water. I wish I could get on a ne to the south and dive into the

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    sea there!" Alyssa pouted angrily. She crossed her arms and leaned against Jasper''s sturdy chest.

    "You jump, I jump," Jasper replied as he looked down at her and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

    Alyssa clicked her tongue. "Oh, stop it. I''m not in the mood for jokes now."

    Alyssa turned to face him. She was just about to speak when she was met with a passionate kiss

    instead. Their tongues intertwined yfully.

    She wrapped her arms around Jasper''s neck. She waspletely drawn in. Her frustration slowly

    dissipated.

    Then, they pulled away from each other unwillingly. After all, they would have asphyxiated if they had

    continued.

 Chapter 1374

    Alyssa pouted and muttered, "Why did you do that? If Mrs. Rosie were to see us... How embarrassing

    would that be?"

    "I didn''t want you to jump into the sea in the south. So, I was just trying to calm you down."

    Jasper found it difficult to slow his breathing. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Do you feel better now?"

    "I''m okay but I still feel very wronged. I feel suffocated." Deep down, she was troubled. Her eyes

    watered and she sniffled.

    Her pitiful expression made Jasper''s heart melt.

    He cupped her reddish cheeks. He felt the warmth from her cheeks on his palms. "Look at you. Your

    cheeks are burning like you''re running a temperature.

    "You and Taty have always had a good rtionship. It''s not worth it for you both to get mad at each

    other because of that bastard from the Schmidt family. Don''t be angry, alright?"

    "How could I be angry at Taty?"

    Dispirited, Alyssa lowered her eyes. "It''s more like I''m mad at myself. I wasn''t able to take David down

    for good. He ended up having a chance to revive himself. It was all because I hadn''t defeated him

    Jasper''s heart was pained. He frowned. Heforted, "Don''t say that, Lyse. That''s got nothing to do

    with you."

    "Taty said that I was being selfish. She''s right, I was. I do want to seek justice for those innocent

    women. At the same time, I want to make sure that my family is safe too.

    "Since young, Taty was always under the shelter of Winston and L. As she got older, she only

    focused on her studies. She hadn''t experienced the darkness of this world or the viciousness of human

    nature.

    "She is one of us Taylors. Her noble status can be helpful, but it can also be detrimental to her."

    Alyssa was breathing heavily. She felt as if something was clutching her heart, making her heart ache.

    "There''s one thing that she didn''t think of. I remember her dream of bing an actress.

    "If she ends up going into the entertainment industry in the future, the assault incident would be a

    shameful mark on her. She could never ever get rid of it.

    "People will only be reminded of this whenever her name is mentioned. Her name will always be

    associated with David''s.

    "How would she survive in the entertainment industry, then? How would she be able to find her ce

    there? Sharp words are silent killers. It is over for David once he dies, but she would have to bear with

    people pointing fingers at her for the rest of her life!"

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    "I understand your concern, Lyse. But Taty is our sister. With us protecting her, who would dare to

    touch her?" Jasper consoled her in a gentle voice.

    Her eyes welled up with tears. She shook her head gloomily and said, "L had Winston''s protection.

    Yet, she had to live with her trauma until Sophia self-destructed and ruined her reputation. I don''t want

    Taty to follow in her footsteps.

    "I know that her situation is different. L was set up, but Taty is clearly a victim. It is indeed very

    courageous for a woman who met with such an incident to step forward and testify. I am proud of Taty

    for having such courage.

    "Nheless, the amount of pressure that she would have to shoulder after going all out is terrifying.

    Countless eyes will be watching the Taylor family. Taty still wants to live in the limelight in the future.

    "She was making a haste decision today. I don''t want her to regret it for the rest of her life because of

    that."

    "Lyse, as her elder sister, you really do care for her." Jasper pulled her in for a tight embrace.

    "Jasper, I know that I''m asking for too much."

    Alyssa rested her cheek on his shoulder. She choked back on her tears, saying, "I really wish I could

    those around me. Despite that, I realized that I am only human. This is all that I am able to do."

    "It''s great that you are admitting that you are human."

    Jasper sighed. In order to make her rx, he joked, "I''ve always felt like I am dating a goddess. I''m

    relieved to know that you are a human being."

    Alyssa didn''t know whether tough or cry.

    "You''ve really done your best, Lyse. What I''ve done is nothingpared to the things that you''ve

    done."

    Alyssa tutted with a slight smile on her face. "What a roundabout way topliment someone."

    Jasper replied quietly, "I have only one role to y when I''m with you¡ªyour lover."

    Alyssa was acting strong initially. In an instant, her defense broke down, and a wave of emotions

    gushed. She felt a lump in her throat, and she burst into tears.

    Frantically, Jasper wiped her tears for her. She punched him lightly on his chest and cried out, "It''s your

    fault. Why did you trigger me for no good reason? You made me cry!"

 Chapter 1375

    "It''s not a bad thing to cry. It''s better for you to let it all out than to keep everything bottled up inside,"

    Jasper responded.

    Not everyone in the world might understand her good intentions. But Jasper surely did.

    He gently pinched Alyssa''s face and said, "Let''s give time for both you and Taty to calm down.

    Tomorrow, we''ll spare some time to see Taty. Have a good chat with her. I''m sure that we cane up

    with a perfect strategy."

    Teary-eyed, Alyssa rubbed her eyes and said coquettishly, "I''m hungry. Make me something to eat."

    Jasper put his right hand on his chest and his left hand behind his back. He transformed into an elegant

    attendant and bowed respectfully.

    "On it, mydy."

    The next day, Jasper and Alyssa returned to Belbanks to see Tatiana.

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    To their surprise, they learned that Tatiana hadn''t gone home at all. Instead, she had contacted L to

    say that she had some urgent matters to attend to at school. She informed her that she would be

    staying at the dorm these two days.

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at each other, feeling perplexed.

    Tatiana had already graduated. She had moved all her belongings back home. They couldn''t fathom

    any other reason that might necessitate her staying at her school.

    "What happened to Taty, Lyse? Did something happen?" L asked with an anxious expression on her

    face.

    "Everything is fine, L. Jasper and I were just thinking of taking Taty out to get some fresh air. I just

    didn''t expect her to be busy." Alyssa didn''t want L to worry. So, she could only answer in a

    roundabout manner.

    "Lyse, it would be great if you could take her out. Thank you very much."

    Concern overwhelmed L''s face. "Ever since David was released, Taty hasn''t been able to sleep. She

    didn''t even have much appetite. She has been saying that she''s fine, but I know she feels terrible

    inside."

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa really wanted to kick herself. She really regretted speaking so harshly to

    Tatiana the previous day.

    Beneath Tatiana''s serene expression, she was enduring a level of suffering she had never experienced

    before. As a victim, she was the one who neededfort and care.

    Instead, she was the one who ended up showing concern for Alyssa''s situation. It was too thoughtful of

    her.

    "Lyse, if you meet with Taty, please convince her on my behalf. She should stop splitting hairs." L

    spoke in a warm yet helpless voice, "Let bygones be bygones. We should be forward-looking people."

    It was already the evening by the time they left Heightsnew Vi.

    There was an inexplicable heaviness in Alyssa''s heart. She dialed Tatiana''s number on her phone. Her

    call was rejected after a few rings.

    Alyssa stared at the screen of her phone, which had turned dim. She started to panic. "Taty... Why

    would she hang up on me?"

    "Maybe she''s upied," Jasperforted her.

    "That can''t be. If she was busy, she would just let the phone ring. She wouldn''t hang up on me. This

    has never happened."

    The more she thought about it, the more worried she became. She grabbed Jasper''s arm and said, "I''m

    afraid, Jasper. Could it be that something happened to her?"

    "If you''re worried, we can return to Sna City now. I''ll have Xavier head over to Taty''s school to take a

    look first."

    The moment Jasper finished his sentence, Alyssa received a call from Sean.

    "Ms. Alyssa! Could you please help me to get in touch with Taty?"

    Sean''s voice sounded anxious and hoarse. "I have called her countless times sincest night but she

    hasn''t answered a single call!"

 Chapter 1376

    In Sna City, Tatiana stood alone outside the East Sna Police Bureau. She gritted her teeth and

    walked in.

    "Are you here to make a report, miss?" asked a female officer.

    Tatiana nodded vigorously. She asked softly, "May I know if Cyrus... I mean, Chief Cyrus is around?"

    Cyrus had been busy for two days and two nights. He was sleeping soundly in the lounge room at the

    time.

    The moment he found out that Tatiana was there to see him, he leaped to his feet and went out to meet

    her.

    In the office, Tatiana and Cyrus sat facing each other. She interlocked her fingers and rubbed them

    together until her knuckles turned red.

    Cyrus studied her carefully. He asked in a concerned voice, "You showed up unannounced. Did

    something happen, Taty?"

    Tatiana was tender-hearted and timid. She had always been overshadowed by Alyssa ever since she

    was a child.

    Despite being half-siblings, Cyrus was never biased. He always treated her the same as Alyssa. Each

    time he went on a work trip and came back with presents, he would give the same to both Alyssa and

    Tatiana.

    As they grew older, they didn''t get together as often. Plus, Tatiana was shyer and more introverted.

    Unlike Alyssa, she wouldn''t initiate contact with her brothers. Thus, it might appear that they weren''t

    close.

    Even so, both Alyssa and Tatiana were his sisters. He paid equal attention to both of them.

    After being silent for a moment, Tatiana looked up slowly. She looked into Cyrus'' eyes and said,

    "Cyrus, as a victim myself, I want toe forward and testify that David assaulted me."

    Cyrus widened his eyes. "What did you say, Taty?"

    "I want to file charges against David for sexual assault." Tatiana''s heart wrenched as she spoke.

    Cyrus pursed his lips. He was a skillful criminal investigator.

    He was a strong-minded professional investigator who was able to handle psychological stress. But

    when his family member became the victim of a crime, he couldn''t be more cautious. That said, he did

    wish that he could get rid of the monster, David!

    "Taty, did you tell L that you wereing here? How about Lyse? Does she know?"

    Tatiana shook her head. In a soft voice, she replied, "If I told them, do you think I would be able to

    them, and they were strongly against it."

    Cyrus blinked. He said in a low voice, "They didn''t allow you to do this because they were afraid that

    you''d be hurt. You are also my sister. I treat you exactly the same as the way they do. Do you think that

    I would agree to this?"

    "I know that you will."

    Tatiana''s eyes glowed. Her eyes were full of determination and faith in him. She continued, "That''s

    because you are a cop. You will be impartial, and you will not take sides.

    "I know that you will do whatever you need to in order to arrest criminals. You will seek justice for the

    victims!"

    Cyrus''s heart raced, and his body temperature rose.

    Though, quickly enough, his calm rationality took over. He let out a sigh of frustration. "From the bottom

    of my heart, I feel proud of you for being brave enough to stand up against evil.

    "But it has been some time since the incident happened to you. The chain of custody may already have

    been broken. On top of that, what David did to you was only an assault attempt. He did not actually

    vite you physically. It is quite unlikely for him to be sentenced."

    Tatiana knitted her brows tightly together. She held her breath.

    "I have worked on a few sexual assault cases in the past. It is indeed quite difficult to gather evidence

    when the victim and suspect have aplicated rtionship."

    Cyrus was filled with hatred. Through clenched teeth, he continued, "Furthermore, the Schmidts

    pressured the victims. The other victims are not willing to tell the truth. This way, we have no choice but

    to be reactive!

    "I''m not trying to discourage you, Taty. But, even if you were to step forward, it would not make much

    impact on this case. If mishandled, you might even bring trouble upon yourself.

    "I''m guessing that Lyse and Jasper had the same concerns, which was why they tried to stop you. So,

    you shouldn''t me them. They were just trying to protect you the best they can."

    There was a deafening silence in the office.

    Then, Tatiana questioned with an anxious look in her eyes. "If so, what do we have to do in order to

    strike David with a heavy blow? Don''t tell me that there''s nothing that we can do!"

    "I will send some officers to go and have a chat with the victims and their families tomorrow. I will tell

    them that the police force will do all we can to ensure their safety. We will not publicize the entire

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    investigation process. But first, let me take your statement."

    Just as Cyrus was about to rise to his feet, Tatiana grabbed him by the arm. "Then... Then what would

    be our chances of sess?

    "Yesterday, Lyse and Jasper have already gone to try and meet with two of them. However, they didn''t

    have much sess. Even miracle workers like Lyse and Jasper weren''t able to convince them. Would

    you and your people really be able to?"

    Cyrus knew that Tatiana wasn''ting from a ce where she doubted the police''s capabilities. She

    was simply rambling as she was burning with anxiousness.

    He wasn''t someone who would speak empty words just to appease others. Thus, he could only answer

    her frankly, "To be honest, I''m not very confident. But I know that we won''t have a chance of sess if

    we don''t try at all.

    "Also, there''s another problem. Even though this news is about to die down, the Schmidts are still

    manipting thements and posts online. So, it hasn''t gotten the attention of the media and the

    public.

    "This would also discourage the victims from stepping forward. If we can stir up public opinion, it would

    also give the victims some encouragement. At the same time, we could put a massive pressure on the

    Schmidts."

    "Stir up public opinion?" Tatiana widened her eyes in astonishment.

    "There are many things that aren''t as simple as they seem, Taty."

    Cyrus gave her a pat on her shoulder. He looked at her with a gaze filled with heartache. "Despite you

    being Winston''s daughter, those weasels in the Schmidt family still tried to harm you. Other women are

    just at the mercy of these powerful plutocrats.

    "Go home after I take your statement. I''ll keep you posted."

 Chapter 1377

    It was still early in the night.

    Alyssa and Jasper met up with Sean. After that, the three of them made their way back to Sna City

    as quickly as they could.

    Along the way, Sean made endless attempts to call Tatiana. In the end, her phone was simply just shut

    off.

    "Taty... Why aren''t you picking up? Taty!" Sean mumbled to himself incoherently. He was a bundle of

    nerves.

    "Everything will be alright, Sean."

    Through the rearview mirror, Jasper could see that Sean''s eyes had turned red. He continued in a

    warm voice, "I have already asked Xavier to go to Taty''s school to look for her. Sna City is also just

    half an hour away. We''ll head straight to Sna Film Academy."

    In her uneasiness, Alyssa clenched her clothes tightly. Cold sweat had formed on her forehead. She

    stuttered, "Jasper, I really regret it now. I shouldn''t have blown up at Taty."

    "Don''t say that, Lyse."

    Jasper pulled her in for a loving embrace. "Taty isn''t such a wilful person. Moreover, the both of you

    grew up together. How wouldn''t she know how much you care for her? I''m sure she knows that you

    were just concerned for her."

    "But Jasper. I''m still afraid."

    "Don''t be. I''m here. We''ll look for her together," said Jasper as he gave her pats offort. Deep

    down, he was actually feeling an array of emotions.

    On one hand, he was very worried about losing touch with Tatiana all of a sudden. On the other hand,

    he was overwhelmed by the feeling of being needed and relied on by Alyssa.

    Alyssa was usually invincible. She was way more capable than a fewpetent menbined. Even

    so, he still looked forward to the times when he could asionally be the one she relied on.

    He didn''t mind hiding his identity and just being Alyssa''s man behind the scenes.

    He couldn''t care less about how others mocked him. All he hoped for was to be helpful to her. He just

    wanted to do his best to be a man worthy of her.

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    In order to avoid drawing attention, they stopped their car at the back gate of Sna Film Academy.

    Soon enough, Xavier ran out to them. He was dripping with sweat.

    "Mr. Beckett! Madam! We''vebed through the entire school. We''ve also asked the manager of the

    female dorm to go to Ms. Tatiana''s dorm to look for her personally. But we weren''t able to find her!"

    Their hearts dropped.

    "Also... I''ve checked the surveince footage near the school. There was no sign of Ms. Tatiana at all!"

    In other words, Tatiana had lied. She didn''te back to school at all. The seriousness of the matter

    escted instantly!

    Sean couldn''t hold back anymore. "Call the cops, Ms. Alyssa!" he cried out in a shaky voice.

    "But we can only make a report 48 hours after losing contact!" Xavier was also on pins and needles.

    Alyssa frowned. She made a phone call to Cyrus immediately.

    "What happened, Lyse?"

    "Cyrus! We''ve lost touch with Taty. She has always answered our calls. She has never cut contact with

    us before. Are you able to track her down?"

    Alyssa knew that it wasn''t time to make a report yet. However, she couldn''t bother about that. She was

    worried about Tatiana.

    "Lost touch with her? That''s impossible!"

    Cyrus was taken aback. He couldn''t help but crack a joke, albeit at an inappropriate timing, "Then, who

    was thedy I met with two hours ago? I haven''t seen a ghost, have I?"

    They were shocked. "You''ve seen Taty?"

    "Yeah. Taty came to the station to see me."

    Cyrus paused. In the end, he decided to fill them in," Lyse, Taty came to see me today because she

    wanted to make a report. She wanted to file charges against David for a sexual assault attempt."

    "What? Why didn''t you say so earlier?" Alyssa felt faint.

    Jasper and Sean had heard the conversation. Sean, in particr, tightened his fists nervously. He felt

    like his heart was in his throat!

    "Stay calm, Lyse!"

    "How can I stay calm? She wanted to make a report, and you just let her be? What would happen if

    news about this got out? What happens if the media makes nonsensical spections? Or, what if she

    ends up being used by ill-intentioned people?" Alyssa was fuming.

    "Don''t worry, Lyse. I was the one who attended to Taty when she came over to make her report. I only

    had a short conversation with her. I''ve sent her back after taking her statement. This was just two hours

    ago.

    "As for losing contact with her, I don''t think that is the case. It was just a short while ago. Her phone

    could''ve just run out of battery." Cyrus tried tofort her with some optimism.

 Chapter 1378

    Alyssa was frustrated. She put her palm to her forehead and eximed, "Cyrus, I can''t believe how

    thoughtless you are!"

    Jasper felt his jaw tense up. His head was spinning.

    Just as he was trying toe up with what to do next, a few chatty female students walked out of the

    school''s back gate. They were scrolling on their phones and having a discussion among themselves.

    One of them said in a mocking voice, "Oh, my God! This can''t be real! Isn''t this Tatiana from the

    Performing Arts Department at our academy? I can''t believe that she started a livestream to use

    David of assaulting her!"

    At that moment, it was as if Alyssa, Jasper, and Sean had all been struck by lightning!

    All the blood drained from Sean''s face. His body started to tremble as he staggered backward.

    "Tatiana is already famous for being a belle at our school. She has already stolen the limelight. It has

    only been a few days since graduation. Yet, she''s already feeling lonely and hungry for attention?"

    "Well, she''s the smart one here. Once she gets enough views, she will be an online sensation.

    After that, she would start getting sponsors for her live streams to earn big bucks.

    "Who knows if she would even catch the fancy of some producer? She could then be scouted and

    enter straight into the entertainment industry! Don''t you know that this is called a shortcut?"

    "A shortcut? I think she''s being too clever for her good. She''s ying with fire!"

    One of the students had wavy curls in her hair. She didn''t bother to cover up her jealousy and disdain

    toward Tatiana. She smirked.

    "She should first take a good look at herself. How dare she make fraudulent ims against the Schmidt

    Group''s Mr. David? She chose to do a live stream at this time to say that David assaulted her. Isn''t she

    just doing this to get her 15 minutes of fame?"

    "What? She''d choose to get fame in this way? That''s just too shameless of her!"

    "I agree! Tatiana must be too desperate for attention! A woman''s chastity is so important. She has no

    shame!"

    The curly-haired student then sneered. "Being infamous is still a type of fame. Plus, this is still the

    fastest way to stand out. It''s just that she just had to involve Mr. David, of all people.

    "She talked about this on her livestream. Isn''t she just bad-mouthing the Schmidt family? Wouldn''t the

    Schmidts put an end to her? That shameless bitch is just biting off more than she could chew!"

    Another female student gloatingly said, "If you ask me, even if she and David did the deed, she must''ve

    been the one who forced herself on him! I guess she didn''t get enough, so she just decided to vent her

    anger via the livestream!"

    Their mockingughter resounded. The students'' insults were revolting to hear!

    "Fuck! Those big-mouthed women are full of crap! How dare they say such things about Ms. Tatiana?"

    Xavier had his fists clenched tight.

    Jasper furrowed his brows. His eyes were dark and filled with anger. It was as if there was an

    impending storm.

    As for Sean, his eyes had turned bloodshot from his fury. His muscles tensed up, and the veins on the

    back of his hands were popping. He didn''t care if he was going against a group of female students. He

    couldn''t hold back any longer!

    At the moment when both Jasper and Sean were about to make a move, someone else reacted even

    faster than them. A female figure in her sharp heels was already storming straight toward the group of

    female students.

    The students were stillughing away when they realized that Alyssa was standing expressionless

    before them. Her overpowering presence made their hair stand. In the blink of an eye, they were

    silenced!

    "You... You are..."

    Alyssa lifted her hand. She mustered all her strength and served two consecutive ps to the student

    who used Tatiana of forcing herself on David!

    The student was stunned for a few seconds. Following that, she started bawling!

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    The other students were shocked. Everything happened so quickly that they didn''t have time to react!

    That said, the student with wavy curls snapped back to her senses. She took two steps back and was

    about to make a run for it.

    Much to her surprise, Alyssa responded by grabbing onto her hair. Alyssa pulled the student back

    toward her as if she was capturing prey!

    "Ah! Let go. Let me go!"

    She felt like her hair was about to be ripped off. She was forced to face Alyssa. Before she could even

    find her bnce, Alyssa had given her four tight ps!

    The ps made her ears ring. The world around her spun.

    The other students were huddled together and shivering in fright. The speed of Alyssa''s hands was so

    appalling that they barely saw anything that just happened.

    Although it was just a few ps, the students felt as if Alyssa was trying to beat them to death!

    Without any change in her facial expression, Alyssa released her grip on the wavy-haired student. The

    student''s body mmed into the steel door. She then embarrassingly fell on her bottom.

    "Is. Is she Alyssa Taylor?"

    "Maybe, maybe she is? She looks like her."

    "How could it be her? How?"

    Alyssa dusted her hands, which had turned red. She gave a cold sidelong nce to the female student.

    She curled her lip and said, "Nice to meet you all. I''m Alyssa Taylor. I''m the elder sister of the so-called

    ''shameless bitch,'' Tatiana Taylor."

 Chapter 1379

    Alyssa was Tatiana''s elder sister?

    The students were floored. They stood there stiffly. The bawling student stopped crying.

    The student who had fallen on the ground was shaking like a leaf. She cupped her swollen cheeks.

    Attempting to retreat, she endeavored to move backward yet found herself already pressed against the

    wall.

    Even though Tatiana was from the Taylor family, she normally kept a low profile. Her lifestyle was no

    different from the average woman. Who would have thought that she was the daughter of one of the

    richest men around?

    Jasper, Sean, and Xavier reacted to the circumstance with different expressions on their faces. Yet,

    they each admired Alyssa in their own ways.

    At first, Sean had the impulse to ditch all manners and charge forward to give those outspoken women

    a piece of his mind. To his surprise, Alyssa moved quicker than he anticipated, turning the tables and

    being the one to school them instead.

    On the other hand, Jasper rxed his tightened fists slowly. He fixed his eyes on Alyssa''s menacing

    figure. He smiled slightly.

    On the inside, though, he was still kicking himself. He was too slow to react.

    "Weren''t you all just having a goodugh earlier? Why are you all quiet now?"

    Alyssa let out a scoff, leaning in to scrutinize the student with wavy curls. "Can''t believe you''ve

    mastered the art of a sharp tongue at such a young age. Maybe focusing on your studies would''ve

    been a better choice."

    The student responded by crying out, "Quick... Record this, quick! Record it all! Ms. Alyssa actually

    beat up innocent female students!"

    She pretended as if she had the moral high ground. She acted weak and innocent as she attempted a

    counterattack on Alyssa.

    The other female students had their cell phones in their hands. However, they were panicking because

    of Alyssa''s overbearing presence. None of them dared to film the scene.

    "Hah, do you think that I''d be afraid? My reputation already stinks. I''m not afraid to have this added to

    my repertoire."

    Alyssa''s smile broke out, radiating a sense of daring defiance. "It''s just that I heard you were all afraid

    of offending the Schmidts. I doubt that you''ll have the guts to get on the Taylor family''s bad side.

    "Do you want me to crush your dreams of entering the entertainment industry even before you finish

    school?"

    The curly-haired student was dumbfounded. Her expression was stiff. The other students started to put

    their phones away.

    They were afraid! They were absolutely petrified!

    Alyssa crossed her arms. She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "I really haven''t seen such a low

    blow throughout the 25 years of my life. I can''t believe that you resorted to victim-ming. Then, you

    even sided with a sinister sexual offender.

    "The school doesn''t test for morals in their admission exams. I guess they really do take in all kinds of

    people.

    "Let''s just say that you''ve already paid the price for your bbering mouths by taking those few ps. I

    have ears and eyes all over Sna City. If I hear another disrespectful word about Tatiana from any of

    you, I won''t be serving you with just a few ps next time.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Now, get out of my sight!" Alyssa yelled.

    The group of students was frantic. They picked their friend up and got away as quickly as they could.

    Jasper walked over to Alyssa and casually draped his left arm around her shivering shoulders. With his

    right hand, he gently lifted her icy hand, giving it a careful blow. While the fiery and prickling pain in her

    hand subsided, a lingering rage still burned within her.

    "Such nasty people... How could they say those things about Taty? I should have given them more than

    just a few ps!"

    "But Lyse, you were never a merciless woman. No matter how angry you were, you wouldn''t be too

    harsh with your punishment."

    Jasper gave her shoulder a squeeze. His gaze turned dim as he continued, "But if there''s anything that

    you''re unable to execute, I can do it on your behalf. Whatever that may be."

    "They were just a bunch of foolish women. That''s not necessary."

 Chapter 1380

    Alyssa breathed heavily, feeling anxious. "The most important thing now is to find Taty. She''s really

    crazy. How could she expose this live? She''s throwing herself into the abyss!"

    Jasper''s heart clenched as well.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    No one understood better than he and Alyssa what it was like to be thrust into the spotlight. One wrong

    move, and they would be sent plummeting from the heights to their downfall.

    "Ms. Alyssa!" Sean ran up to them. His voice was hoarse from the urgency. "Taty is still livestreaming,

    and the viewer count has exceeded two million! Why... Why would she suddenly expose this? What did

    Mr. Cyrus say to her?"

    Alyssa stared at the screen, where Tatiana sat upright. Though her expression was pale, she looked

    serious. Her eyes were shining with unwavering determination.

    Seeing that, Alyssa felt like her heart was being crushed by a pair of giant hands, spasming with pain.

    Meanwhile, below the livestream, thements were flooding in at such a rapid pace that it was

    dizzying. But at a nce, it revealed a torrent of negativements.

    "People nowadays are shamelessly exploiting anything for attention. She''s actually using this for

    publicity?"

    "I know her. She''s Sna Film Academy''s campus belle. She must be trying totch onto David for

    fame."

    "Sna Film Academy''s campus belle is a Taylor? And she almost got sexually harassed by David?

    What a tacky soap opera plot! She must be making this up."

    "Girl, if what you said is true, then I hope it''s false. But if you''re lying, then I hope you get screwed by

    ten Schmidts!"

    "Yeah, you say David harassed you, but do you have evidence? Do you have a video? Can we see it

    for free?"

    Their words were extremely harsh. Even though their mockingughter remained unheard, its impact

    felt deafening.

    "What do we do, Ms. Alyssa? What do we do now?"

    Sean''s eyes were red from anger, and his heart was wrenching. "Can we make Taty stop? Can we stop

    the live stream? Taty is timid. With no one by her side supporting her, if she sees those negative

    Even at this moment, he didn''t me Tatiana in the slightest. His sole wish was to locate her as swiftly

    as possible and offer his support.

    "Sean, calm down. At the very least, we know Taty isn''t missing, and she''s safe now."

    The more critical the situation was, the more Jasper disyed the calm and steady demeanor a ruler

    would show.

    "And the live stream has been going on for this long. We can''t just cut it off abruptly. That would only

    lead to spection and rumors, which would only bring more vicious attacks on Taty."

    Alyssa''s breathing was heavy, and she felt like the air around her had be thin. Her fingers

    trembled as they curled around Jasper''s hand.

    Jasper gently rubbed her shoulder with his hand. His gaze darkened.

    "Taty going public with this indicates she''s been holding back for quite a while, with a lot on her mind.

    So, let her speak her mind. Better out than in. And even if the worst happens, she still has Lyse and me

    to support her. Those demons can''t hurt her."

    Sean pressed his lips into a line as he looked at Jasper with gratitude shining in his moist eyes.

    Just then, Tatiana''s sweet and gentle voice came through the stream.

    "Whether you believe it or not, I''m speaking out here today not just for myself but for those women who

    have suffered at the hands of David Schmidt and can''t seek justice."

 Chapter 1381

    Tatiana struggled to hold back her tears, but her voice still broke. "I''m one of the lucky ones among the

    victims, but I refuse to stand by and watch. When no one speaks up for me, I''ll speak up for myself.

    "When no one stands up, I''ll stand up for them. I may not be a hero. But even if I might be in danger, I''ll

    never stand by and watch David, that beast, trample on the innocence and dignity of thosedies while

    he roams free."

    As her words trailed off, Alyssa''s eyes were filled with tears. Her tears eventually fell onto the screen.

    She deeply regretted her narrow-mindedness during this time. At the same time, she felt immense

    pride in her sister, who fearlessly spoke out.

    Sean turned away as well. His broad shoulders trembled as he suppressed his tears. He quietly rubbed

    his eyes.

    "Lyse, Taty has really grown up. She''s no longer the little girl who needs your protection." Jasper

    sighed, feeling sorry for Tatiana and also relieved.

    Alyssa managed a smile through her tears. "Yeah. From now on, our family has gained another female

    warrior."

    Tatiana had chosen to livestream from a guest room at KS World Hotel managed by Alyssa.

    After shutting down theputer, she sat alone in the darkness, lost in thought for a long time.

    During the livestream, she had seen the maliciousments. In the past, she might have been timid

    and afraid, sinking into the abyss ofments.

    But now, she remained calm. She even felt a sense of unprecedented rxation. Her greatest trauma

    wasn''t the abuse from David. It was the thought of the viin escaping consequences under the

    Schmidt family''s protection. That would haunt her for life.

    At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

    Tatiana snapped out of her reverie and rose stiffly to answer it.

    As the door opened, her vision swayed violently.

    Before she could see who was at the door, she was pulled into a warm and vigorous embrace. The

    weight of the embrace felt as if she were being squeezed into the person''s body, merging into their

    flesh.

    "Taty, you silly woman. How could you not tell me about something so important? Do you know how

    worried I''ve been?"

    Hearing Sean''s low, affectionate murmur in her ear, Tatiana instantly broke down. Tears welled up in

    her eyes. "Sean, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have kept it from you. It''s my fault."

    "It''s not your fault. You did well, very well."

    Sean''s warm and trembling lips lightly brushed against her reddened ear. His husky voice was filled

    with admiration, even adoration.

    "You''re so cool tonight that I feel ashamed of myself. My dearest Ms. Tatiana, I''m willing to devote

    myself to you for a lifetime."

    Tatiana''s eyes widened in surprise at the romantic words, a sentiment she had never heard before. She

    blushed shyly, biting her lip as her heart raced.

    She longed to be loved, but she had never dared to hope to be admired by someone who loved her.

    Seeing the couple was nearly done with their affectionate interaction, Alyssa and Jasper finally

    approached.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 1382

    "Lyse, Jasper..." Tatiana, nestled in Sean''s embrace, lowered her voice, drooping her head guiltily.

    Alyssa pretended to be angry as she put on a stern face. "You''re all grown up now, right? Acting first

    and reportingter."

    "Ahem... Lyse, Taty didn''t report anything, though."

    Jasper blinked his eyes, stupidly adding, "It was you who cleverly discovered that theyout of the

    livestream room looked like your hotel. You called the front desk to check the guest information to find

    out Taty was here."

    "So, should I scold her?" Alyssa red at him sharply.

    The dignified Jasper shut his mouth at once.

    Well, there was nothing he could do. He was the one who made himself a henpecked husband anyway.

    "Lyse, I''m sorry. I know I was wrong." Tatiana sniffled, then steeled herself and spoke with

    determination. "But even if you''re angry at me, I have no regrets about the choice I made today.

    "Lyse, do you know? It''s been a long time since I felt so proud of myself. I feel like I''m doing something

    very important and very right. You always told me since we were kids that you wanted to be a heroine

    who''d right wrongs.

    "What I did today was like fulfilling your wish. And besides, I''m fine, aren''t I? Even if I''m in danger, Sean

    will protect me."

    As Sean met Tatiana''s eyes, the pure affection, which couldn''t be concealed, overflowed in his eyes.

    Originally, Alyssa wanted to continue her act. But after hearing Tatiana''s heartfelt words, she couldn''t

    help but smile.

    "Who said what you did was wrong?"

    Tatiana''s eyes sparkled with joy. "Lyse, y-you''re not angry at me?"

    "I''m angry at you for turning off your phone andpletely disappearing!"

    Alyssa stood with her hands on her hips, pouting angrily. "Hmph! Do you know how scared we were

    during the hours we couldn''t reach you?

    "I''ve imagined enough stories in my head to fill a whole detective series. I ran through all those

    homicide cases, dismemberment cases, psycho kidnappers in my head."

    Jasper and Sean were both rendered speechless at that.

    Frowning, Tatiana chuckled. "Lyse, you''re too much. You''re scaring yourself silly before anything

    happens to me. Don''t overthink.

    "You used to be so scared watching horror movies that you couldn''t sleep at night. You would climb into

    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    my bed and tremble with fear. Have you forgotten? With so many terrifying thoughts, you won''t be able

    to sleep at night."

    Alyssa''s face instantly turned red, and she stuttered, "W-Who trembled with fear? That wasn''t me."

    Jasper''s eyes deepened at her words, and his breath above her soft hair became heavier.

    So, she had something she was afraid of too.

    He''d have to make Xavier pick out a few more horror movies. It could add some new excitement to

    their nights together.

    Just as the atmosphere was bing harmonious, Alyssa''s phone rang.

    "Oh... it''s Dad."

 Chapter 1383

    Tatiana, who moments ago disyed the demeanor of a heroine, suddenly wilted upon knowing it was

    her father calling. She lowered her head.

    "It''s okay, Taty."

    Sean embraced her tightly, gazing at her with resolute but affectionate eyes. "I''ll be with you. I''ll go

    home with you. If Mr. Taylor wants to scold you for this, I''ll take the me for you."

    "H-How can you do that? Dad''s very scary when he''s angry," Tatiana mumbled, feeling nervous.

    Sean chuckled softly. "I''ll say... ''Dad, if you want to vent your anger, take it out on me. Don''t ruin your

    rtionship with Taty.''"

    Tatiana''s heart skipped a beat at his words. She felt a tingling sensation coursing through her body. Her

    fair face flushed, making her look so adorable that Sean couldn''t take his eyes off her.

    While this young couple discussed their ns earnestly, Alyssa was at her wits'' end.

    She wasn''t afraid of Winston. She was worried that he would me Tatiana and ground her at home.

    This would make life for this young couple even harder.

    Winston hadn''t stopped calling since the first call.

    Understanding Alyssa''s dilemma, Jasper spoke up seriously. "Lyse, if you don''t know what to do, let me

    talk to Mr. Taylor."

    "You?" Alyssa blinked. "What are you going to say?"

    After some thought, he smiled and gazed at her gently as he recited Sean''s n. "I''ll say. ''Dad,

    everything was my idea. It has nothing to do with Lyse, Taty, or Sean. If you want to scold someone,

    scold me. Don''t¡ª''"

    "Stop! Why are you making things worse?"

    Alyssa pouted in anger and poked her finger at his solid chest. "The way Sean said it was quite

    adorable, but when you say that to Dad, it''s like you''re pushing your luck. Don''t you want to be with me

    anymore?"

    Seeing Alyssa getting upset, Jasper panicked. He quickly grabbed her hand and pressed it against his

    chest. "I''m sorry, I was just joking."

    But in reality, he didn''t think it was a joke at all. His top priority now was to marry Alyssa and be

    Winston''s son-inw. Everything else could be set aside for now.

    Alyssaposed herself, prepared her lines, and answered the call.

    "Dad."

    Is Taty with you?" Winston asked directly.

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    "Yeah, she''s here." Alyssa''s heart pounded nervously.

    "Pass the phone to her." Winston''s low voice carried a hint of urgency.

    Alyssa took a deep breath. Her expression was serious as she said, "Dad, at this point, scolding Taty is

    pointless. Instead of getting angry, why don''t we think about how to deal with the situation?"

    Winston rolled his eyes in exasperation at the other end of the phone. "Are you serious, Alyssa? Do

    you see me as a weak and dumb old man?"

    Alyssa raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself that Winston really lived up to being called a top-notch big

    shot. He had quite an urate sense of self-awareness, she mused.

    Winston''s voice was loud enough for Jasper and the others to hear.

    Tatiana knew Alyssa was taking the heat for her and felt extremely guilty.

    Just as she was about to take the phone, Winston let out a heavy sigh. "Do you think stopping me will

    help? I know you''re at the KS World Hotel in Sna City.

    "With my temper, if I''m angry, Taty will already be tied up and sent back to Heightsnew Vi."

    The word "tied" was quite terrifying, causing Sean''s heart to wrench. He held Tatiana even tighter.

    Jasper silently observed in his thoughts that those two were undeniably father and daughter. The

    simrity in their temperaments, especially when angered, was striking.

    Winston''s tone softened. "I called to check in, not to me Taty. Hurry up. I''m worried sick. I want to

    hear her voice."

    Alyssa''s eyes narrowed slightly as she handed the phone to Tatiana. "Taty, Dad wants to talk to you."

 Chapter 1384

    Tatiana turned pale. She cautiously took the phone and pressed it against her reddened ear. "Dad..."

    "Taty, your livestream has caused quite a stir outside. But you''re quite smart to choose our own hotel.

    You must have learned such a cunning move from Lyse, right?" Winston mocked.

    "N-No..." Tatiana was afraid and became tongue-tied. "Dad, I''m sorry. It''s all my fault. Please don''t

    me Lyse."

    "Feeling any better after venting all that frustration?"

    Winston''s sudden question caught Tatiana off guard. "What?"

    "I know that matter has been weighing on your heart. Your mom almost cries every night in her room

    because of it.

    "If standing up tonight and exposing David''s heinous act can make you feel better, then I fully support

    your decision." Winston''s deep and gentle voice was like a soothing balm as if he were afraid of scaring

    his timid daughter.

    A strong wave of emotion surged, causing Tatiana''s eyes to turn red. "Dad... I..."

    "Good girl, don''t cry and don''t feel guilty. You were incredibly brave tonight. Your mom and I are proud

    of you."

    As a renowned business tycoon, Winston actually choked up saying that, but he quickly suppressed it.

    Heughed heartily and said, "From now on, be frank and bold. Don''t always hide your thoughts.

    You''re my daughter. I''ll crush anyone who dares to belittle you."

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    Tears flowed from Tatiana''s eyes, streaming down her delicate cheeks.

    When the call ended, Alyssa''s phone was already damp, as if it had been pulled out of the water.

    Seeing this, both Alyssa and Jasper were worried. Sean took out a handkerchief from his pocket and

    hurriedly wiped Tatiana''s tears. He felt so heartbroken that he could hardly catch his breath, yet he

    dared not ask what happened.

    "Taty, did Dad scold you?" Alyssa asked gently.

    Tatiana shook her head. With quivering lips, she said, "Dad said he''s proud of me."

    As she spoke, she turned around and buried her wet face in Sean''s chest, crying uncontrobly.

    Ever since she was a kid, although Tatiana excelled in her studies, all her siblings were outstanding

    and had the ability to take charge.

    Jonah was a president. Ss and Liam were impressive, and so was Axel, although she didn''t know

    what he was doing out there. Damien sacrificed himself, and Miley was the First Lady. Not to mention

    Alyssa, who was Tatiana''s role model.

    Compared to them, Tatiana felt insignificant and inferior. The deep-seated inferiorityplex made her

    too afraid to ask her father for anything, no matter how well she did.

    But now, thinking she had caused big trouble and fearing her father''s disappointment, she didn''t expect

    to receive praise instead.

    Tatiana was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Tears streamed down her face, but each one was a

    tear of joy.

    Upon hearing that, Jasper and Alyssa were both taken aback. Then, they smiled at each other.

    "Dad was ying tricks on me. I was so scared."

    Alyssa patted her chest but felt inexplicably relieved. "Luckily, he''s got his wits about him this time."

    Jasper also heaved a sigh of relief. He held her hand, interlocking their fingers and gently squeezing

    them.

    "Taty, keep being brave in the future. We''ll always be your strongest support."

    "Oh, please don''t. Not to rain on your parade, but I felt like I was riding a roller coaster tonight. My heart

    was beating so fast that it almost jumped out of my chest. If it happens again, I might have a heart

    attack."

    Alyssa lightly nudged Jasper with her elbow. "You''re indulging her too much. Also, let me be the only

    warrior among thedies in our family."

    Whether Miley or Tatiana, Alyssa hoped they wouldn''t have to go through any more hardships in the

    future. She only wanted them to be carefree.

 Chapter 1385

    Tatiana''s livestream stirred up a huge uproar.

    With insufficient evidence, David had been released on bail. The Schmidt family had also sessfully

    diverted public attention and suppressed the matter by exposing the scandals of two celebrities.

    However, out of everyone''s expectation, Tatiana, who should have suffered in silence, openly spoke for

    those women andunched a fierce attack on David as a victim.

    The Schmidt family was once again thrust into the spotlight overnight.

    For David, who believed he had dodged trouble, this news was anything but good. Even without

    evidence, the prospect of being under police surveince again was a nightmare.

    "Damn it! This is outrageous!"

    The furious Victor swept everything on his desk to the floor. "The daughter of a mistress dares to

    challenge us openly? Does she think she''s some kind of highborndy?"

    Josh gritted his teeth beside him, agreeing, "What''s she got to copy Alyssa''s way of doing things?

    Forget about others. I don''t think even Winston will let her off."

    David sat there, seething with anger. His prosthetic limb trembled violently.

    Now, he truly regretted it.

    He should have found a group of thugs to kidnap Tatiana and teach her a lesson! Even if he couldn''t

    enjoy her himself, he could vent his anger from her harassment.

    But now, a new problem has arisen. The Taylors would protect Tatiana tightly. He wouldn''t have a

    chance to do that anymore.

    "Josh, there''s no point in whining like a shrew here," Jameson said calmly, blowing on his coffee cup.

    "I''ve already sent my PR team to clean up the negativements about David online. At least the

    situation looks better to outsiders."

    There was no hint of gratitude on David''s face for Jameson''s actions. Even a fool could see that this

    was just his way of fawning Victor.

    On second thought, David realized that Jameson was indeed heartless.

    After all, Tatiana was still the sister of the woman he loved. He should have had somepassion.

    Though he was David''s brother, he could''ve chosen not to do anything instead of helping David.

    But the truth was, he didn''t care about Alyssa''s family at all. As long as it benefited him, he would sell

    out and use anyone.

    David smirked and thought that Jameson didn''t really love Alyssa. He only loved himself.

    "Jimmy, you''re really clever and quick-witted. You''re the youngest, but you''re much more efficient than

    your two brothers." This trick worked well on Victor. He was impressed and immediately praised

    Jameson.

    "Oh, Dad. I''m just doing my part for our family," Jameson said with a modest smile.

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    Josh''s gums were sore from gritting his teeth. He really wanted to spike this bastard''s coffee.

    "Dad, don''t get too angry. It''s not good for your health."

    Jameson continued, "Although David''s matter has been brought up again, I took a brief look, and there

    are more doubts and criticisms about Tatiana online. I think Josh just needs to buy more trolls and let

    thements develop in that direction. That should divert the focus from David."

    Josh''s gaze fixed on Jameson was intense, resembling cannons ready to unleash fire.

    This bastard Jameson actually dragged him in to tter Victor. If Jameson said that, the money for

    buying trolls would be on him.

    "Yes, yes! Jimmy''s right! Let''s do that! Let''s smear the Taylors'' little bitch." Victor immediately ordered,

    "Josh, you handle this."

    Just as Josh was about to resist, the butler came running in urgently. "Mr. Victor! We''ve got a problem!

    The police are here!"

 Chapter 1386

    "P-Police? Those lowly pawns are back again?"

    The days David spent in the detention center were hell for him. He never wanted to go back to those

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    days of eating poor food and enduring the stench. He was scared out of his wits. "Dad! Josh! You have

    to stop them!"

    Victor''s face darkened as he paced back and forth in anxiety.

    "David, don''t panic."

    Josh walked over and patted his trembling shoulder. "I''ve got people keeping a close eye on those two

    girls. So far, there''s been no contact with the police, indicating they don''t n to testify. As long as they

    stay silent, we might be able to minimize the impact on your case.

    "Tatiana''s livestream yesterday gained so much attention, so the police have to at least put on a show

    and investigate you. Or else it''d look like they''re not doing their job. Let''s go see what they want first."

    The Schmidts descended the stairs. The moment they saw the neer, they were stunned.

    In the living room stood Cyrus and two of his subordinates. His presence was imposing, exuding an air

    of authority and intimidation.

    Victor''s face turned even uglier, and he even felt a twinge of jealousy.

    Winston''s children were not only incredibly good-looking but also highly capable. Even the youngest

    son of his second wife, Cyrus, a mere police officer, had such an outstanding presence.

    Generally speaking, children would always look adorable in their parents'' eyes, but when David

    recalled the dirty deeds Daisy and David did, he felt enraged.

    In front of Cyrus, he felt utterly ashamed that he wanted to find a ce to hide.

    But inparison, Jameson was a promising son. His look, bearing, and abilities were all outstanding

    ¡ª enough to rival the Taylors.

    Yet, the most ironic thing was that Victor had forgotten that Jameson used to be the one he despised

    the most.

    When he sent Lily and Jameson to Kontina, he dered in front of the entire Schmidt family, "Consider

    them dead!"

    Later, due to the fervent pleading of the young Jameson on his knees, David reluctantly agreed to send

    them money annually for their living expenses.

    Apart from that, everything rted to the Schmidt family¡ªthe family fund, power, and shares¡ªhad

    nothing to do with them anymore.

    And all of this began because Lily "betrayed" Victor. She was dating a lowly bodyguard and was caught

    in the act.

    After facing severe punishment, that bodyguard was banished overseas. But Lily, who had no defense,

    suffered unbearable mistreatment. Her condition gradually worsened. Along with her son, she was

    despised and expelled from the Schmidt family.

    Up to this point, Victor had never envisioned that the supposedly spontaneous "caught in the act"

    scenario was entirely orchestrated by Josh, and the wife he had harbored resentment toward for years

    genuinely loved him.

    Furthermore, he never envisioned that the youngest son, whom he had started to trust, woulde

    back after all these years, not to revive their strained father-son rtionship, but to seek revenge

    against both him and Josh.

    Jameson aimed to take possession of the Schmidt Group¡ªthe thing they cared about most¡ªfrom their

    hands.

    Jameson stood behind them. His eyes were dark and cold as he stared at Cyrus with a sinister smirk.

    Although he hated everyone in the Taylor family except Alyssa, he couldn''t wait to see what surprises

    Cyrus would bring to David.

    "Mr. Cyrus, David''s case has been closed. Why are you here today? Is our coffee better than your

    station''s? Doesn''t Uncle Winston give you pocket money to buy coffee?" Josh mocked while squinting.

    Uncle Winston?

    The two police officers stared at Cyrus in astonishment.

    It couldn''t be Winston Taylor, could it?

 Chapter 1387

    "No matter how bad the coffee at the station might be, at least it won''t harm my body. I wouldn''t dare

    drink anything from your house. Who knows if they might rot my stomach or my heart? It''s not worth it,"

    Cyrus retorted to Josh''s sarcasm.

    "Cyrus, David''s case has already been closed. It was you who released him! What are you doing here

    again?"

    Victor was too annoyed to bicker with him. His eyes were red from rage. "You can''t arrest David without

    evidence. I''ll never let you do that.

    "Also, we''re not some losers you Taylors can push around. I''m paying you some respect because of

    our long-standing rtionship and because you''re Winston''s son. Don''t try to push it."

    Winston''s son?

    Their chief was the son of Belbanks'' wealthiest man? Alyssa''s brother?

    This revtion hit the two police officers like a meteorite falling to earth.

    Cyrus had been in the police force for many years. He was low-key and hardworking, never mentioning

    anything about his personal life or family background.

    Back then, when Cyrus had just be the chief of the Criminal Investigation Division, there were

    many criticisms against him due to his young age.

    Many people said he had connections and a strong background. However, within a short span of three

    years, all these criticisms vanished as Cyrus solved one major case after another.

    They could guess that Cyrus had powerful connections. But they never expected it to be this powerful.

    Cyrus knew that Victor was bringing up his father in front of his colleagues to put pressure on him, but

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    he remained unfazed. He even felt likeughing.

    "Thew will not wrong an innocent person, and it''ll not let any dickheads go free."

    The faces of the Schmidts darkened at once.

    "Cyrus! Who are you calling a dickhead?" David shouted as he pointed at Cyrus'' face, but his voice

    was trembling.

    "Mr. David Schmidt, you are now suspected of being involved in an attempted rape case. Pleasee

    with us to assist in the investigation," Cyrus said without further ado as he gazed at David''s pale face.

    "Dad! Josh!" David was so desperate that his features twisted in panic.

    "Take him away."

    Cyrus'' eyes narrowed, and the two police officers approached David.

    Before they could reach him, David''s legs gave out, and he copsed to the ground.

    Seeing that, Jameson held back hisughter. He was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

    Victor felt deeply ashamed and wished he could bury this useless son in a hole. "S-Someone,e

    help David up!"

    "Cyrus, do you think we don''t know thew? If you want to make an arrest, you should have an arrest

    warrant. Otherwise, it''s just abusing your power. I can file aint against you." Fortunately, Josh

    wasn''t intimidated by the situation.

    "When did I say I was going to arrest him?"

    Cyrus smirked, raising his eyebrows. "I said, let Davide with us to assist in the investigation, to

    give his statement. You may look respectable, but it seems you don''t understand innguage."

    Josh clenched his teeth so hard that they might shatter. "Cyrus! You...!"

    "After all, everyone saw Ms. Tatiana''s livestream yesterday. She personally used David. Although

    he failed to seed in his attempt because of his impotence, since there''s a victim''s report, we can''t

    turn a blind eye."

    "I-I won''t go... I won''t go!" David was trembling all over and shaking uncontrobly.

    "You don''t dare to even assist with the investigation? Does that mean you have something to hide? Are

    Ms. Tatiana''s words all true?"

    Cyrus'' expression remained calm, but every word he uttered dripped with hatred. "Refusing to assist

    with the investigation or trying to flee abroad at this critical moment are all suspicions of guilt. By then,

    I''ll have a legitimate reason to request your arrest, Mr. David.

    "Oh, I almost forgot. Beforeing here, I''d already applied for a travel ban from my superiors. Other

    than Sna City, you can''t go anywhere else."

 Chapter 1388

    As David was in a state of panic, his body was like mush, even with someone supporting him.

    Josh red fiercely at Cyrus. Just as he was about to speak, Jameson, who had been silent all along,

    suddenly interjected.

    "David, you''d better go with Cyrus. You have nothing to hide. It''s just to assist with the investigation

    anyway. Don''t panic. It''ll be over soon. We''lle pick you up when you''re done."

    David stared at Jameson with rage.

    This bastard had caught another opportunity to kick him while he was down!

    Suddenly, Jameson whispered to Victor, "Dad, what Cyrus said makes sense. If David doesn''t assist

    with the investigation now, it''ll make him look guilty. Cyrus will use even harsher methods against him.

    It''ll be difficult to handle then."

    Persuaded by Jameson, Victor immediately changed his tune. "Go with them, David."

    "Dad!" David''s expression was extremely ugly.

    Victor waved his hand in frustration, having nothing more to say.

    In the end, the Schmidts could only watch helplessly as the two police officers took David away.

    As Cyrus was about to leave, he cast a cold nce at Jameson.

    Jameson felt a chill from this piercing gaze. The way Cyrus looked at him was like he was interrogating

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    a criminal. It struck a blow to his arrogant pride, leaving him feeling extremely ufortable.

    "Cyrus! Stop right there!" Josh took a step forward. His face was flushed with anger.

    His mood had shifted from finding a way to help David to a strong desire to defeat Cyrus.

    Cyrus paused, staring at him expressionlessly.

    "Admit it. You''re causing trouble for us at every turn, not out of some righteous sense of justice. You

    just want revenge for Alyssa and Tatiana!"

    Narrowing his eyes, Cyrus tilted his head and mouthed, "So what?"

    Those two words, although just mouthed, enraged the Schmidts beyond measure. They wanted

    nothing more than to rush forward and beat thisd to a pulp.

    As soon as Cyrus left, Victor couldn''t hold on anymore. He sat down on the couch with the help of his

    two sons. After drinking a cup of hot tea, he felt a little better.

    "Josh, Jimmy, what do we do now?"

    "Dad, calm down."

    Josh''s gaze was menacing. "Even if Cyrus arrests David, he won''t get anything out of him. It''s been so

    long since Tatiana''s incident. There''s no evidence left. Without evidence, Cyrus can only release David

    eventually. I''ll send ourwyer over now."

    "Josh, you''re talking nonsense. Attempted rape doesn''t have any solid evidence to begin with, so

    what''s there to fear?"

    Jameson sneered, subtly provoking Josh''spetitiveness.

    "In my opinion, those two girls David touched are the real-time bombs. If either of them explodes at this

    moment, David will never be released."

    "Hmph! You don''t need to worry about that. Those two girls will never speak up."

    If even one of them did, Josh would ensure that none of them would see the light of day again.

    That night, Alyssa, Jasper, and Sean safely escorted Tatiana back to Heightsnew Vi.

    Thedies and Winston were all at home. They were aware of the livestream. Instead of ming

    Tatiana, they praised her as a brave girl with a kind heart.

    Tatiana cried easily. After returning home, she threw herself into her father''s and mother''s arms and

    cried for a while.

    As Winstonforted her, he was overwhelmed with guilt. He felt that he owed Tatiana too much.

    L had intended to scold Tatiana, but when she saw her, she couldn''t bring herself to say anything

    harsh. She just hugged her daughter and cried.

 Chapter 1389

    When Colene saw someone insulting Tatiana, she used an alias and argued with the trolls.

    Not only that, she also contacted Nathan, asking the members of his five gangs toment on the

    livestream under aliases. Nearly a hundred of them flooded thement section and eventually got

    banned.

    No matter how big the storm was outside, it seemed everything would dissipate the moment they

    entered Heightsnew Vi.

    Watching this heartwarming scene, Alyssa couldn''t help but feel tears welling up in her eyes. She even

    choked up.

    Ever since her mother left, she hadn''t considered this ce her home anymore. Even if her wandering

    days were tough, she only wanted to escape.

    But now, this ce was bing more and more like home.

    Alyssa had only two sanctuaries¡ªHeightsnew Vi and Jasper''s warm embrace.

    After the livestream incident, Winston and L seemed to have a subtle change in attitude toward

    Sean. Seeing the pitiful look of the young couple reluctant to part ways that day, Winston broke his

    usual rules and let Sean stay in the house.

    However, they had to sleep in separate rooms.

    Of course, Sean was not allowed to sneak into Tatiana''s room at night while everyone else was asleep.

    This was undoubtedly a joyous event for this couple, who had been through so much.

    Tatiana was as happy as a m, and Sean was so moved he almost burst into tears. Sean kept

    thanking Winston and promised earnestly to take good care of Tatiana and give her happiness for the

    rest of his life.

    Even Sean was forgiven and epted by Winston again.

    Watching the happy family scene from the side, Jasper felt like an outsider.

    Alyssa caught the contagious happiness radiating from Tatiana and Sean, oblivious to the fact that

    Jasper was feeling gloomy and jealous.

    After a while, Jasper forced out a bitter smile of eptance and resignation.

    Although he couldn''t stop feeling down, he epted his fate. It didn''t matter, even if Winston wouldn''t

    ept him in his lifetime. As long as he could apany Alyssa and be with her at all times, he would

    be satisfied.

    A sinner didn''t deserve forgiveness.

    Being able to stand here was already a great blessing for him.

    "It''s gettingte. Taty is exhausted. Everyone should calm down now. Let''s go in and rest," Winston

    urged with a smile.

    Everyone started heading back to the vi.

    Only Jasper remained standing in ce. This tall and good-looking man was so quiet that he was

    almost invisible.

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    Winston turned around to look at him. Frowning, he asked, "Jasper, it''ste. Aren''t you nning to go

    back to Sna City?"

    Alyssa had intended to send Tatiana back to her room before returning to find Jasper. Hearing this, she

    abruptly stopped in her tracks. She looked at Jasper with concern, feeling inexplicably anxious.

    "Sorry, Mr. Taylor, for disturbing your rest."

    Jasper swallowed hard. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. "I''ll go¡ª"

    "Stay here tonight if you don''t have anything nned tomorrow."

 Chapter 1390

    Winston''s words made everyone stop in their tracks. Suddenly, everything went quiet.

    Alyssa widened her eyes and parted her lips in disbelief as she stared at her father.

    "W-What did you just say?"

    Jasper''s chest rose and fell with tremors, and his pupils contracted as he gazed at Winston''s face. His

    heart skipped a beat as well.

    "If you go back now, you''ll probably arrive home at dawn, right? If you don''t have anything nned

    tomorrow morning, stay here tonight." After saying that, Winston lowered his eyes and cleared his

    throat.

    This time, Jasper heard it clearly. So did Alyssa and everyone else.

    This enormous surprise sent Jasper''s heart pounding with excitement. His eyes welled up with tears of

    emotion, and his throat felt heavy with gratitude as he extended his thanks to Winston.

    "Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Thank you for taking me in."

    He actually used the words "take me in".

    This indomitable man, the scion of Sna City''s toppany, was extremely humble at this moment.

    Alyssa''s heart ached. Unable to bear seeing him like this, she quickly intervened. "What are you doing?

    It''s just staying overnight. It''s not a big deal."

    "It is, Lyse." Jasper''s eyes were red-rimmed, with barely perceptible tears shimmering in his eyes. But

    the excitement in his heart surged like waves. "I''m so happy now. None of the achievements I''ve made

    in my life have made me as happy as this moment."

    For others, it was just a simple overnight stay.

    But for Jasper, it was like a ray of hope for a rebirth.

    Winston gave Jasper a meaningful look, then turned and walked into the vi.

    "Sean, has Dad forgiven Jasper? Has he epted Jasper?" Tatiana asked excitedly in Sean''s ear as

    she held his arm.

    "I hope so."

    Sean looked at Tatiana gently as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Anyway, any progress is

    good."

    Moved, Alyssa cupped Jasper''s face in her hands. She suddenly pressed her soft, red lips against his,

    kissing him as if there was no one else around.

    At first, Jasper was stiff with shyness, but then he couldn''t help but embrace her. Their lips and tongues

    entwined, reluctant to part.

    The elders of the Taylor family were too embarrassed to watch anymore. They quickly turned around

    and talked about other things as they walked away.

    Sean tightened his grip on Tatiana''s slender waist. He swallowed hard and pulled her into the house in

    a hurry.

    "Hey, Sean, slow down." Tatiana''s legs under her white dress were struggling with all their might.

    Sean''s sharp jawline tensed, and so did his Adonis belt.

    Slow down? He couldn''t slow down at all.

    He wanted her. He wanted her desperately.

    That night, happiness filled the air in Heightsnew Vi.

    Jasper had been busy with various matters in thepany recently. Not only was he searching for

    Inigo''s whereabouts with Landon, but he was also dealing with Sophia''s case.

    He squeezed every ounce of energy when working so that he could free up more time to be with

    Alyssa.

    Although he often felt exhausted and couldn''t keep his eyes open, once he got into bed, he became

    lively and passionate, pampering and satisfying his woman.

    He was afraid that Alyssa would think he was old. She was only 25, and he was already in his 30s.

    Those love rivals might not be wealthier than him, but they were all younger. He couldn''t let Alyssa feel

    any inkling of his weakness.

    Even though everyone knew they were already married, Jasper still behaved like a priest who sought

    shelter here. He obediently sat in his room, as if stepping out of the door would lead him to the chaos of

    the world.

    After all, his adorable wife was living on the same floor. It was too tempting.

    Tonight, Winston broke his usual rules and epted him. If he didn''t behave himself and took the

    advantage to climb into Alyssa''s bed, it wouldn''t be surprising if he couldn''t survive until tomorrow.

    Jasper leaned against the headboard, working on an urgent task sent by Xavier with hisptop.

    After some time, his eyelids slowly closed, and he fell asleep sitting up.

    He didn''t know how long it had passed when he suddenly felt a cool breeze on his face. It was tingling

    and refreshing.

    Initially exhausted and asleep, his years of military experience rendered him more alert and sensitive

    than the average person. Jasper instantly opened his eyes. His eyes flickered with a cold glint, like an

    awakened lion.

    In the darkness came Alyssa''s startled cry.

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    The next moment, Alyssa, who had reced theptop and was now seated on Jasper''sp, suddenly

    lost her bnce and leaned backward.

    Jasper''s drowsiness vanished instantly as his breath grew heavy. His hands swiftly supported her

    arched back, effortlessly lifting her. Thus, Alyssa''s soft and fragrant body nestled into his warm chest.

 Chapter 1391

    Jasper started, "Hey silly, h-how did you get in here? When..."

    His head was still a blur. The hand that habitually held her hand was now gently caressing the area

    between her ribs.

    Alyssa covered her chest and pursed her lips in anger. "Phew! You scared me. Do you have any idea

    how terrifying your eyes were earlier? You looked like you were about to eat me alive."

    "I''m sorry, Lyse. It''s a bad habit I have had since my days in the army. It''s an unfixable reaction to

    stress."

    When Alyssa heard it, pity simmered in her eyes as she caressed his face.

    Jasper felt extremely guilty. He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. However, he still felt unsettled.

    "Why did youe here secretly? If someone finds out."

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Secretly? This is my house. Why should Ie here secretly? I walked in here loud and proud."

    Alyssa narrowed her cunning eyes and touched the tip of his nose with her fingertip. "Hmm? Why do I

    feel like you''re nervous?"

    "This is the first time I''m here at your actual home. Lyse, I want to leave a good impression on your

    family." Jasper''s lips curled into a bright smile. His voice was muffled.

    "Oh, this is why."

    Alyssa couldn''t help butugh. Her fingers yfully undid two of the buttons on his shirt. "Our family is

    notorious for being hard to mess with, handle, and please. Otherwise, that snake, Jameson Schmidt,

    would have infiltrated the organization, no?"

    "Lyse." Jasperughed wryly.

    "They are slowly epting you, so don''t worry. You just need to be yourself."

    As she gently spoke, she had undone all of the buttons on Jasper''s shirt. "You burned the midnight oil

    working behind my back. You will injure your waist if you sleep sitting like this until the next morning.

    Change into your sleepwear and lie down."

    "Hmm, okay."

    Jasper waspliant. However, when he stretched his waist while changing into his sleepwear, it

    ached and hurt.

    He couldn''t possibly feel this way. Age must have been catching up on him.

    "Lyse, go back to the room."

    Unexpectedly, before Jasper finished his sentence, Alyssa slipped into his bed like a cute white bunny.

    "I want to sleep with you."

    "Lyse, listen to me. Once we return to Sna City..."

    "No, I want it now!" Alyssa tugged on the corner of his shirt and wouldn''t let go.

    Jasper couldn''t take his eyes off how Alyssa looked, biting her lowered lip. She looked cute and

    charming. He could sense himself being overwhelmed by his lust. His lower abdomen tightened as he

    tried his best to suppress the urge to push her down on the bed and aggressively devour her.

    Eventually, hepromised and slowlyy beside her.

    Alyssa turned around and entered his embrace. He hugged her skillfully and allowed her to use his arm

    as a pillow.

    At this moment, both of them were satisfied and sighed together.

    "Please don''t be humble once you''ve met Dad."

    Alyssa couldn''t bear to see him hurt his ego. After all, for the past 13 years, Jasper, the man she loved,

    was always a dazzling morning star, iparable to anyone else. "He may have had four wives, but

    he is not a king, nor are we in the olden days.

    "There''s no need to be excessively humble to the point of avoiding even lifting your head in front of

    him. You have to remember¡ªYou are mine."

    "I was too worked up back then, so I didn''t give it much thought." Jasperughed softly and said, "You

    have no idea. I almost said ''Thank you, Dad'' instead of ''Thank you, Mr. Taylor.''"

    Alyssa''s heart palpitated. She blushed and pecked Jasper''s lips.

    The night was quiet, and the kiss carried a sweet, tender quality.

    Jasper curled his lips as he looked at her affectionately. Alyssa''s lustful eyes illuminated enchantingly in

    the lingering night.

    With practiced ease, her hand gripped the smooth silk night trousers.

    "Lyse. This is your house." Jasper''s breath thickened as he grabbed her hand.

    Alyssa hummed, and it made him tremble. She sounded excited. "Isn''t it always at my house?"

    Jasper held it in so hard that his eyes were bloodshot. His voice was extremely hoarse. "It''s different."

    "It''s the same to me."

    Alyssa kissed his Adam''s apple. She lifted her smooth legs and hooked onto his waist. "It is home

    wherever you are."

    Thest nerve, tugging at the back of Jasper''s mind, finally snapped.

    In an instant, his breath grewbored as he positioned himself atop Alyssa, securing her beneath him.

    With a fervent touch, his hands deftly removed the nightgown.

 Chapter 1392

    The Schmidt Group tried to contain the incident with the live broadcast. However, David''s reputation

    was as good as garbage. Everyone wanted to kick him to the ground and watch the Schmidt Group

    burn.

    Plus, a lesser-known daughter of the Taylor family was the one who used him. This added spice to

    the whole spectacle, increasing the poprity of the news by a mile.

    If the news continued to garner poprity, the police would detain David until further notice.

    Even Victor, setting aside his ego, went to beg the police station captain. However, at that very

    moment, Winston, the wealthiest tycoon, had be thetest hot topic. The news was being

    broadcast on the television in the office.

    Surprisingly, Winston was being interviewed after cutting the ribbon at an opening event of a new

    project.

    The reporter asked, "Mr. Taylor, during the live broadcast two days ago, the woman who imed to be

    your daughter..."

    "imed?"

    Winston''s face darkened instantly as he retorted rudely, "Which news agency are you from? You have

    some nerve to work in media for receiving such slow and outdated information."

    Everyone was so intimidated by his authority that they didn''t dare let out a breath.

    The hand of the reporter who held the microphone started shaking.

    "That is my daughter, the youngest in the Taylor family. L, my third wife, is her mother."

    Winston''s expression was notably somber. However, when he spoke of his youngest daughter, a rare

    warmth flickered in his sharp, eagle-like eyes. "Whether it''s Lyse or Taty, they are my everything. I''ve

    kept Taty out of the limelight because she''s younger and still in school.

    "Both she and her mother prefer a low profile. I was concerned it would disturb Taty''s academic life, so

    I''ve never taken her to public events. Everything I say or do is to safeguard my youngest daughter."

    "I never thought my protection toward my daughter had given David, that imbecile, the opportunity to

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    bully my daughter!"

    Everyone was dumbfounded.

    They thought Winston was sharp with his words.

    Everyone knew how close Winston and Victor were. However, for his daughter, Winston didn''t give a

    damn about making the Schmidt family look good.

    "My daughter had been utterly humiliated. The Schmidt Group can kiss their n to cover it goodbye. I

    will get to the bottom of this!"

    Winston''s eyes were bloodshot, and he nearly lost hisposure on camera. Struggling to suppress

    his boiling anger, he stared at the camera with gritted teeth. "Victor, if you have even an ounce of

    conscience, let that individual face the consequences he deserves and apologize to my daughter!

    Otherwise, the Schmidt Group will be KS Group''s foremost adversary."

    Victor was so enraged that he was breathing heavily. He frantically took the remote and turned the

    television off.

    He understood that Winston was a bold, ruthless, and capable individual. Winston always meant what

    he said and ensured he followed through on his promises. This wasn''t a mere threat. It was a clear

    deration of war!

    "Mr. Victor, you''ve seen it for yourself. Your son''s situation had blown out of proportion, involving Mr.

    Taylor''s daughter, too. This is tricky business."

    The captain shook his head helplessly. "I could have intervened if that live broadcast did not happen.

    Now, the whole country has their eyes on this matter. Even my higher-ups are aware. If I work for you

    again...

    "Let''s not talk about putting me in an awkward position for offending Mr. Taylor. If the higher-ups knew

    about it, I might lose my position here. Why don''t you talk it out with Mr. Taylor?"

    "T-Talk my ass!"

    If the television had belonged to Victor, he would have smashed it into pieces.

    As Winston made his appearance on the news, the lovebirds, having enjoyed a passionate night at

    Heightsnew Vi, woke upte and took their showers.

    Alyssa only had a towel wrapped around her body. She sat on the chair in the bathroom and allowed

    Jasper to help her blow dry her hair.

    Her hair was as soft as silk and exceptionally thick. Jasper consistently invested a considerable amount

    of time blow-drying it, and managing it required extensive effort in terms ofbing and moisturizing.

    However, Jasper never seemed bothered by the task. He found pleasure in the process and couldn''t

    resist the joy of taking care of her hair.

    Taking care of her and treating her well was an addiction he would never get rid of.

    "Hmm. You''re amazing at this. It feels sofortable."

    Alyssa was enjoying it so much that she squinted her eyes. "I''m about to fall asleep again."

    "Then, sleep a little more, hmm?" Jasper leaned over and kissed her ear.

    "I can''t. Taty''s matter isn''t settled yet, and Dad is acting up again. I have no mood to sleep."

    Alyssa scrolled through thements on Twitter. Her lips curled into a slight smile. "Thankfully, Dad''s

    maneuvering had turned somements in her favor. Now, more people are supporting Taty and the

    Taylor Group in thements, asking the Schmidts for an exnation."

    "Taty is a gooddy. I''m not surprised that she curried favor on the inte. Plus, Mr. Taylor had

    exposed her as his daughter. This will shut down some of the badments. The situation seemed to

    have gotten better." Jasper skillfullybed her hair like a professional.

    "But let''s not get ahead of ourselves. Cyrus told me yesterday that he could try his best to detain David.

    However, if the evidence doesn''t add up, that bastard will eventually be bailed." Alyssa bit her lip with

    hatred.

    "Don''t worry, Lyse. The matter hasn''te to an end. Perhaps there is hope to turn things around."

    Alyssa''s phone rang the moment Jasper finished. She looked at the screen and saw an unknown

    number.

 Chapter 1393

    Jasper''s hand that was tidying Alyssa''s hair paused. He looked at the phone screen too.

    "Alyssa, do you know this number?"

    "No."

    "Are you going to answer it?" Jasper frowned slightly.

    Alyssa had never answered any unknown calls. She rarely received them either.

    This time, however, her heart was beating faintly with expectancy. It felt like if she didn''t answer the

    call, she would miss the opportunity of gaining millions.

    "Hello," Alyssa answered with a gentle tone.

    "H-Hello."

    A timid, soft, and gentle voice of a girl came through the phone. The voice reminded her of her sister.

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at each other. She immediately ced the call on speakerphone and

    recorded it. "M-May I know who this is?"

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    "I-Is this Ms. Alyssa Taylor?" the girl asked softly.

    "Yes, this is she."

    "It''s me, Maggie."

    Both of them felt their bodies tensed, especially Alyssa. Her heart was beating like a drum. Her fingers

    quivered, and her palms were damp with sweat.

    Jasper stared deeply at Alyssa. He held his breath, took her delicate hand, and ced it on his chest,

    giving her a sense of peace no one else could.

    "Maggie, you finally called me." Alyssa''s voice was gentle and inviting. She didn''t address Maggie as

    "Ms. Madison" to draw closer to her. "I''ve been waiting for your call every day, and it has finallye."

    Jasper narrowed his eyes as he stared at Alyssa. He couldn''t believe the unconceble excitement in

    her.

    She said she had been waiting for Maggie''s call. This would mean she had a chance to meet Maggie

    and talk to her before. Otherwise, how was that possible?

    However, when did they connect? Jasper never noticed.

    "You were waiting for me. every day?"

    Maggie paused and said weakly, "Ms. Alyssa. If I didn''t contact you...

    "I would still be willing to wait. It''s your choice whether to call. However, it''s mine whether to wait."

    Alyssa''s eyes were glistening. Every word she said wasced with determination.

    There was a long pause on the other side.

    However, Alyssa gave Maggie her absolute patience. Maggie didn''t say a word, so she was waiting

    silently.

    Sometimes, Jasper was in awe of the way Alyssa could hold herself together. To get what she wanted,

    she was willing to sacrifice herself, suffer humiliation, and act sparingly. She had never felt like she was

    above everyone else and showed her wealth off because of her prestige.

    He only had this level of perseverance with her. He could never be as patient as her with everyone

    else.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I called to tell you that I am willing to be a witness to use David of taking advantage of

    me," Maggie croaked. She spoke with a trembling voice, her wordsced with hatred, gritting her teeth

    with each utterance.

    Jasper was taken aback, his eyes quivering in shock. His heart raced even faster, and his jaw tensed

    with the intensity of the moment.

    At this moment, a strong surge of emotions overwhelmed Alyssa. She tried hard to suppress the urge

    to tear as her lips trembled. She said gently, "Great, as long as you are willing. Mr. Beckett, from the

    Beckett Group, and I... We have your back."

    Jasper''s heart suffered a significant blow, alternating between contraction and release.

    It was difficult for him to open his heart to others after his childhood spent in poverty and his family

    broken. It was hard to show the same empathy to people other than his loved ones.

    Yet, at this moment, his heart trembled violently with bitterness and ache. Was he experiencing

    empathy for Maggie?

    "My mother is keeping a strict eye on me. She will follow me wherever I go, and I have no personal

    space. However, I can slip out to find you when my mother is asleep at night."

 Chapter 1394

    "Maggie, I wille to your ce with Mr. Beckett and pick you up from downstairs. Don''t worry. No

    one will see us." Alyssa''s heart beat wildly as she promised her.

    "I''m not afraid of getting caught. I only have this window of time to head out," Maggie sighed sadly.

    "We''re picking you up to ensure you''re safe."

    Jasper''s voice was low as he said with a stern face, "Now, the Schmidt Group might be keeping an eye

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    on your every move. If the Schmidt Group finds out that you''ve left out of the blue, it might put you in

    danger."

    Maggie was stunned. "M-Ms. Alyssa, this is..."

    "Don''t be afraid, Maggie. This is Mr. Beckett. He is beside me now." Alyssa lifted her face and gently

    raised her hands.

    Jasper got up. Like a servant serving the queen, he ced his handsome face before her, their noses

    touching.

    Alyssa was slightly startled, blinking. Then, Jasper kissed the top of her lip.

    He swirled the tip of his tongue cheekily. As Alyssa felt the tease, his lips left hers.

    Alyssa cursed Jasper in her heart for being so cheeky.

    "M-Mr. Beckett? Is it really him?"

    Maggie was no longer glum. She got so worked up that she raised her voice. "Mr. Beckett! I-I really

    admire you! You are my idol!"

    Jasper frowned. After a pause, he said, "Thank you."

    "I think you look really handsome. You are better looking than some celebrities. I really like you!"

    "I have someone I love, and it is Ms. Alyssa." Jasper looked indifferent as he hugged Alyssa by her

    shoulder.

    "No, no! Please don''t take it the wrong way!"

    Maggie exined in a panic, "I admire you for your talent and looks. I don''t mean anything else! Plus. I

    am actually a big fan of you and Ms. Alyssa! I think both of you are great for each other!"

    "The inte had said terrible things about Mr. Beckett. He is just a pretty face, but he still has fans. I

    guess only looks matter in this society."

    Alyssa purposely pulled Jasper''s leg. However, she couldn''t hide the smile in her eyes.

    "No, there may be many terrible things said about Mr. Beckett, but I believe you and Mr. Beckett really

    love each other."

    Maggie opened her heart. "I really like both of you and trust you, so I decided to take this step."

    "Maggie, thank you for your vote of confidence. And thank you for your courage."

    Alyssa smiled as bright as the sun. "Please be careful. See you tonight."

    After ending the call, Jasper asked impatiently, "Alyssa, what sorcery is this? That girl is willing to stand

    in as a witness. Tell me your secret."

    "Hmm, I didn''t do much. I received a letter from her. Every now and then, I will write her a letter with my

    contact details. This is to show her that I am waiting for her." Alyssa jumped in excitement, but her tone

    seemed rxed.

    But Jasper knew she had put in a lot of effort without him knowing.

    "Jasper, you''ve acquired another shiny pseudonym!" Alyssa eximed, wrapping her arms around

    Jasper''s neck. Her body seemed to melt into his chest as she clung to him. "You''re a foreteller! What

    you predicted came true. The situation hasn''t concluded yet, so there must be a way to turn things

    around."

    Gleeful, Jasper''s eyes glistened with joy after receiving Alyssa''spliment. "Lyse, I''m not a foreteller.

    If you hadn''t secretly orchestrated the whole thing, how could things turn for the better?"

    Alyssa shook her head stubbornly. "No, you are what I say you are. My man''s mouth is very prophetic!"

    "Lyse, I used to be a pessimistic person. When I joined the force that year, I was living on the edge of

    death. I''ve never even thought about leaving the battlefield alive.

    "But you''ve transformed mepletely, turning me into a more positive person. When we faced that

    attack on Shend Ind, uncertain if the next second might be ourst, the thought of you gave me

    strength. I hoped we wouldn''t meet our end."

 Chapter 1395

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up with tears after Jasper''s sincere words. She nted a kiss on his lips.

    Jasper was delighted by it. He grabbed Alyssa''s waist, lifted her, and spun her around calmly.

    "Ah! No!"

    In an instant, a chill swept over Alyssa. The towel, previously wrapped securely around her waist and

    covering her private area, loosened and slipped off.

    Jasper''s blood boiled as he caught Alyssa on full disy.

    "I think it''s just right."

    Jasper curled his lips naughtily. He scooped Alyssa up and walked toward the bedroom, kissing her

    inch by inch.

    "W-What are you doing? I just showered!" Alyssa''s heart raced as she yfully hit his chest. A subtle

    pinkish blush spread across her smooth, silky skin.

    Jasper''s eyes reddened as he murmured hoarsely, "I''ll shower you again. Let me get my batteries

    recharged."

    After enduring an excruciating wait until nightfall, Alyssa, Jasper, and Xavier returned to Maggie''s

    house once again.

    Both of them were waiting in the car. Xavier stood by the door as he looked left and right cautiously,

    waiting for Maggie to appear.

    Shortly after, a woman d in a in T-shirt and jeans emerged from the dark wooden door.

    Alyssa and Jasper cast aside their concerns when they spotted Maggie from the car. While they wished

    to approach her personally, having three people there would have made her a conspicuous target.

    "Are you Ms. Madison?" Xavier paused as he silently sized the pleasant-looking woman.

    Xavier sighed to himself. It was no surprise that David would set his sights on a woman as fair and

    beautiful. The scoundrel had tarnished such an innocentdy!

    However, she actually looked mature and nothing like a 17-year-old.

    "Yes, I''m Maggie." Maggie blinked as she stared at the man in the suit in fear.

    He looked prim, proper, and poised. He didn''t look like he belonged in this poor area.

    She felt ashamed, so she pursed her lips and took a small step back.

    Xavier smiled warmly, and he escorted her in a chivalrous manner. "Mr. Beckett and his wife are

    waiting.

    Pleasee with me."

    "W-Wife?"

    "Yes, it is Ms. Alyssa."

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    Maggie''s eyes glistened with excitement as she thought about meeting her dream couple. She followed

    Xavier to the ck car.

    Then, Xavier noticed the white cartoon bag Maggie was carrying. It looked like a rabbit and a bear. It

    was cute.

    "Adorable."

    "Oh? T-Thank you."

    Xavier was startled. "I''m talking about your bag. It''s adorable."

    Maggie felt she was ahead of herself, and her face reddened. "T-Thank you then, Uncle."

    Xavier was in disbelief at how Maggie addressed him. Did he look that old?

    Xavier''s eyes darkened as he pouted.

    The ck car quietly left into the night.

    Suddenly, a dubious figure emerged from the corner of the old vicinity. He gazed in the direction he had

    just departed and pulled out his phone.

 Chapter 1396

    "What did you say? Alyssa and Jasper took Maggie away?"

    In the bedroom, Josh held his unwilling wife, rissa, on the bed. He aggressively ripped her

    nightgown, ready to start his weekly "routine".

    After Jameson assumed his position and gained his father''s favor, his stress levels soared. Now, as

    long as he had the energy, he would force rissa into fulfilling his lustful desires. He did all he could

    to get his wife to bear children as soon as possible to continue the family''s legacy.

    His father cherished children greatly and yearned for a growing family. Josh held the position of the

    elder child in his generation. If his own child became the first grandchild of the generation, it would

    further solidify his standing in the family, providing him with a point ofpetition against Jameson.

    However, as he was about to enter, the emergency call caused him to lose his arousal.

    "Are you sure? Double Trouble took the girl away?"

    Josh got out of the bed naked. He furiously picked his trousers up from the floor and wore them. He

    panicked as if he was caught cheating.

    "The people we sent to spy on them said that Jasper''s secretary, Xavier, came to escort Maggie. It

    couldn''t possibly be anyone else but them."

    His secretary sounded anxious. "Plus, the spy said Maggie didn''t look like she was forced to leave with

    them. She left with them willingly. M-Mr. Josh, could the girl have changed her mind and decided to

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    bear witness in court?"

    "How am I supposed to know? Do you think I know what is running through her mind?"

    Josh''s face contorted into an angry scowl, a stark contrast to the friendly demeanor he usually

    projected. rissa trembled in fear.

    "T-Then, what are we supposed to do? Please instruct us, Mr. Josh."

    Josh tightened his belt. His eyes were devilish. "It doesn''t matter if Maggie changed her mind willingly.

    She is a nuisance and needs to be removed!"

    rissa''s eyes widened in terror when she heard it. She tightened the grip of her hands on the nket.

    The secretary rified the instruction, "Are you saying to get rid of her?"

    "She is now with Double Trouble, so let''s not stir the ho''s nest. It will be difficult to make our move if

    they be suspicious."

    Josh walked to the window and lowered his voice. "Let''s wait until the girl gets back. Then, find a good

    time to get it done. The faster, the better."

    "Got it!"

    "Also, don''t use our people."

    Josh''s lips curled into a sinister smile. "Whoever is responsible for this business should settle this."

    After the call, he had lost his lustful desire. He wore his clothes and headed out hastily.

    "J-Josh..." rissa called for him fearfully.

    "What?" Josh was annoyed and barely looked at her.

    They were married for political reasons and had a weak foundation in their rtionship. Plus, after so

    many years of marriage, rissa had not bore any children for him. The Sparks family had no power,

    so he never respected his wife in any way.

    rissa''s inexplicable emotions were tugging her as she said, "Josh, I-I think let''s just forget about it."

    Josh stared at her with a frown. "Forget about it? What are you talking about?"

    "Let the girl go. She is very pitiful."

    Before rissa could finish, Josh red at her with his reddened eyes. He lifted his arm and pped

    her hard across the face.

 Chapter 1397

    "What did I tell you before? Never intrude or ask about my personal affairs! Are you challenging me

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    right now? How dare you pity that filthy little brat? Everything I do, I do for my family!" Josh roared.

    rissa''s ears buzzed as her vision swam from being hit.

    She quickly changed her tune, saying shakily, "No, I''m not pitying her. I''m just worried about you. It

    won''t bode well to be responsible for someone''s death. If the police manage to trace it back to you, it

    would affect your reputation even if they didn''t have direct evidence.

    "If that happens, I''m worried Jameson would take advantage and try to sway your position in the

    terms with David."

    Josh calmed down slightly upon hearing this. He sneered. "Do you really think I wouldn''t have set a

    way out for myself? What a stupid concern. I''m only helping David to get on Dad''s good side. Can''t you

    see this very obvious rtionship between David and me?

    "And who says I''ll be having Maggie''s blood on my hands? I''m clean as a whistle. The police will never

    trace things back to me even if they tried."

    Josh sped rissa''s chin and stared at her in a threatening way. "We''re husband and wife, rissa,

    so we''re on the same boat here. I''m sure you''d keep this a secret for your retired politician of a father

    and your brother, right?"

    rissa nodded tearfully.

    For safety''s sake, Alyssa and Jasper brought Maggie back to their ce in Sna City.

    Therge, elegant vi and quiet courtyard with its calmke shocked the young woman to her core.

    Maggie had thought rich folk would livevish, extravagant lives.

    She never imagined they''d live in such aforting, inviting ce. The setting only served to show

    how wide a disparity there was between them and Maggie.

    "Don''t be shy, Maggie. Make yourself at home." Alyssa came over with a tter of fruit, not letting

    Rosie help out.

    Maggie sat stiffly on the couch, not daring to touch a single thing or move. It was as if she''d been

    bound by a strong rope.

    "Do you want any juice? Coffee? Tea? I can get you some," Jasper said gently with a calm expression.

    Maggie nced at Alyssa, then at Jasper, before bursting into tears. The tears streamed down her

    cheeks, falling on her tightly sped hands in herp.

    "Don''t cry, Ms. M-Maggie." Panicked, Xavier quickly gave Maggie several tissues.

    Maggie was bent over, sobbing as if her life depended on it. Xavier felt pained. It had been so long

    since he''d seen anyone weep so badly.

    Though Maggie was crying, her demeanor was still really adorable.

    "Lyse, did I... Did I scare her?" Jasper froze to the spot, worriedly turning to Alyssa.

    "Of course you did. You always look like you''re going to eat people alive," Alyssa couldn''t help but

    tease.

    Jasper looked at Xavier with a furrowed brow. His gaze was one of seeking confirmation, asking

    whether his expression was that fierce.

    Xavier nodded silently. "Yes, sir. Your facial expression is enough self-defense as it is."

    Alyssa went over to Maggie''s side and wiped her tears and snot away. She was gentle with Maggie as

    if she were her own baby sister.

    "Cry it out, Maggie. You''ll feel better afterward."

 Chapter 1398

    Alyssa didn''t question why Maggie was crying nor pressured her.

    "I-I just never expected that you guys would be s-so nice to me..." Maggie choked out, her eyes swollen

    red. "I know. you guys are only doing this because I can. can testify against David Schmidt. But I''m. still

    so thankful to you all. for respecting me."

    Maggie''s tear-stained faces and stuttering words broke both Alyssa and Jasper''s hearts. Their breaths

    stuck in their throats as if caught in a vice.

    Xavier''s brows knitted together. He had to hold himself back from releasing his fury.

    At just 17 years old, Maggie had already suffered wounds of pain that seemed impossible to heal. It

    was all David Schmidt''s fault!

    If David didn''t pay for this, who else could?

    "We''re not being kind to you nor respecting you all because you''re a witness to the case, Maggie.

    Every kind-hearted young girl in this world deserves respect." Alyssa embraced Maggie into her arms,

    her own eyes reddening. "Tragedy led us to one another, but please believe me when I say I will never

    allow this tragedy to repeat itself."

    Maggie''s sobs slowly quietened while Alyssa consoled her. She slowly recovered after sipping warm

    tea proffered to her by Jasper.

    "Have you thought things through, Maggie?" Alyssa asked, an arm wrapped around Maggie''s shoulder.

    "Once you stand against David Schmidt, there''s no turning back. You''ll be going head-on against the

    Schmidt family until the very end. Mr. Jasper and I will do our best to protect you, but this will still affect

    you and your mother''s life.

    "So if you feel like this is too much for you or if you chose to do this on a whim, I''d advise you."

    "Ms. Alyssa, do you know who was the one who gave me the courage to face all this?" Maggie''s eyes

    were clear even though she was still in thest throes of crying. "It was Ms. Tatiana, your sister."

    "Taty?" Alyssa''s eyes widened in surprise. Her heart skipped a beat.

    Meanwhile, there was no change in Jasper''s expression, as if he had long expected this¡ªas if Jasper

    had expected that Tatiana''s selfless act of stepping forward wouldn''t be a meaningless sacrifice.

    Women knew women best, after all.

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    "Ms. Tatiana''s bravado moved me."

    Though Maggie wasn''t even 18 yet, she was still far more mature than her peers of her age. "A lot of

    people might think that Ms. Tatiana only had the courage to step forth because she''s from a rich family

    and isn''t afraid of being retaliated against.

    "But I know the stress she''s under is far greater than any of us ordinary people have. This incident will

    have a great impact on Ms. Tatiana throughout the rest of her life.

    "Ordinary folk like us will be forgotten in a minute, but the pain she went through will be a

    permanent mark of shame for her. It will never stop being brought up, nor will the pain that follows.

    "I watched her livestream from start to finish, crying throughout... I wept for my own misfortune but for

    my cowardice too. That''s why I want to step forward to support Ms. Tatiana and give myself what I

    deserve."

    Maggie''s speech was awe-inspiring.

    Xavier''s breathing deepened as he gazed at her. Guilt filled his chest.

 Chapter 1399

    Before meeting Maggie in person, Xavier had thought that this young girl from a poor background only

    wanted Jasper and Alyssa''s protection. But after hearing her heartfelt words, Xavier thought himself

    shallow and close-minded. He really was nothingpared to this smart, young girl.

    "It''s wonderful that you think so." Alyssa embraced Maggie with tears in her eyes. "I''ll introduce you to

    my sister if there''s an opportunity to do so in the future. I''m sure you two will be best friends."

    Maggie spent the night telling Alyssa and Jasper about her experience of being abused by David, not

    leaving a single detail out.

    Maggie''s father had passed on early and their family was poor. Maggie''s mother worked three jobs in

    order to send her to school, often working into the wee hours of morning. Even when Maggie''s mother

    fell ill from overexertion, she still didn''t want to waste any time getting a check-up at a hospital.

    When Maggie hit 17 years of age, she was able to secretly earn money to sustain their family. That

    helped her mother be able to get a better work-life routine.

    Maggie was hired into a high-end club one time as a waitress because of her beautiful features.

    Though it was tiring work, her ie was pretty impressive for a student.

    "I thought that as long as I remained there and worked hard, I could slowly improve our quality of life.

    But I was too naive." Maggie closed her eyes which brimmed with tears of hate and regret.

    Memories of that night resurfaced in her mind. She remembered how David had dragged her into the

    washroom in his private suite, pinned her against the wall, and sexually abused her.

    Even today, David''s filthy slurs and words still traumatized Maggie. She awoke from nightmares of it

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    nearly every night.

    When David found out that it was Maggie''s first time after the deed was done, he even mocked her.

    "Your first time is definitely memorable now since it was with me," David had said.

    Maggie continued, "Like all the other girls there, a price had been put on my head the moment I was

    hired into the club. I had be one of those rich people''s ythings..."

    That night, David had been "hunting" for prey on the second floor, watching the dancefloor through the

    ss windows above. He had noticed Maggie immediately. She had been opening up a bottle of wine

    for some patrons.

    "That one''s mine tonight," David had dered.

    After sharing all this, Maggie leaned weakly in Alyssa''s arms, feeling like her soul had been extracted

    from her being. Tears of despair soaked her cheeks.

    Trauma victims were already giving it their all to try and remain alive. Meanwhile, the abusers

    continued living on proudly as if nothing ever happened.

    What a sick and twisted world!

    Jasper silently listened to Maggie''s words throughout the entire process. Though he barely showed any

    expression, the murderous glint in his gaze revealed the rage in his heart.

    Meanwhile, Xavier who was usually a dense person, turned around and wiped a tear away.

    "Maggie, things won''t end like this. I swear it." The raspiness in Alyssa''s voice conveyed her hatred

    enough. "The Schmidt family may be a den of vicious, heartless beasts, but I''m going to help you y

    them all. I''ll destroy this force of darkness once and for all. You won''t be fighting alone."

 Chapter 1400

    It was already past midnight when they arranged everything.

    For the sake of Maggie''s safety, Alyssa had intended for Maggie to live in her own house starting today

    until the case against David Schmidt ended. For one, Maggie could be protected. Secondly, Alyssa

    genuinely adored this unfortunate yet strong, young girl.

    But Maggie insisted on going back home because of her mother''s heart condition. She was worried her

    mother might get a heart attack if she woke up from her sleep and did not see Maggie anywhere, not to

    mention what might happen if her mother knew that Maggie hade to speak to them.

    It was a good thing Maggie''s mother hadn''t contacted her that night. She must still be sleeping. It was

    as if the heavens itself supported this strong, young girl''s decision, too.

    Xavier escorted Maggie to the car, treating her with utmost care throughout the process as if he had

    turned a new leaf.

    Jasper walked out of the vi with Alyssa in his arms. He wiped away her tears and wrapped his hand

    around her neck before kissing her on the forehead.

    "It''ste, Lyse. You''ve already yawned countless times, and your eyes can barely keep themselves

    open. Xavier and I will send Ms. Madison home. Be good and wait for me toe back home."

    "You know exactly why I''m yawning so much." Alyssa pouted. "You exhausted me in the process of

    rejuvenating yourself. I can''t simply rest when I have the ability to fuel you with energy."

    Confidence surged in Jasper''s chest. Alyssa''s exhaustion was her body''s way of telling him how

    satisfied with him she was.

    Jasper''s skills in bed had improved greatly since that time in the kitchen. He knew just the right buttons

    to press.

    Jasper couldn''t help it even now. He kissed Alyssa on the lips before prying them open with his tongue

    to deepen their kiss.

    It made Alyssa''s heart flutter. Her breath seemed to be taken away.

    Maggie squealed excitedly in the car as she watched her favorite "ship" in the world kissing one

    another fervently. The sound even made Xavier leap up in the front passenger seat.

    "Oh gosh... Can I take a picture of them to keep as a memento? I love their rtionship so much!"

    Maggie eximed.

    "Huh?" Xavier turned around to gaze at Maggie, his jaw wide open in shock. Countless ways of

    rejecting her request were already pooling in his mind.

    But Xavier still caved in in the end. He sighed and said, "Okay, but don''t share it on social media or with

    anyone else."

    "I won''t! It''ll be for my own eyes!" Maggie shot Xavier a grateful look, her eyes wide. "You have such a

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    kind heart, sir. Thank you so much!"

    "Dammit..." Xavier sped the back of his hand, feeling his blood pressure rise by the second.

    In the end, Jasper went along with Xavier to drop Maggie back home, leaving Alyssa back at the vi.

    They didn''t want Alyssa''s upset mood to further stress Maggie out.

    Though Jasper and Maggie sat in the backseat during the ride, the distance between them was still

    pretty wide.

    Jasper realized Maggie''s mood had lightened up a lot. She kept on staring at her phone and giggling

    quietly. Jasper also noticed how Xavier kept looking at Maggie through the rearview mirror.

    A peculiar feeling suddenly surfaced within Jasper.

    Should he not havee along for the ride?

    The ck vehicle came to a stop below an old dingy t.

    Before Maggie got out of the car, Jasper reminded her kindly, "I would suggest you bring this matter up

    with your mother as soon as possible, Ms. Madison. I''m afraid she may find it harder to ept things

    once you be a key witness for this case in court."

    "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Jasper." Maggie''s eyes dimmed as she forced a smile. "Though.

    convincing my mother is difficult, I know she only wants to protect me.

    "But since I''vee to seek you and Ms. Alyssa out, that means my mind is made up. I won''t back out,

    no matter what. I would rather have tried than not try at all."

    Jasper''s gaze was filled with admiration for the young girl. He smiled lightly. "Lyse often says that too.

    I''m d you two see eye to eye."

    Jasper and Xavier escorted Maggie to her doorstep.

    Right before she entered her home, Xavier stepped forward. "Ms. Madison."

    Maggie turned around. "What is it, sir?"

    "Where did you buy your teddy bear bag? I would like to buy my sister one, too."

    "Teddy bear? Haha!" Maggie giggled. "I made this one myself. I even drew the design and everything.

    It''s the only one that exists in the world."

    Xavier''s eyes widened. "You''re so talented."

    "If you like it, I can make one for your sister, sir. But it will take some time," Maggie said. She then

    asked gently, "Can you wait a little while?"

    "Yes, of course. I can wait however long it takes," Xavier answered hurriedly.

    For some reason, his expectations suddenly soared sky-high.

    Xavier then exchanged contacts with Maggie. She bid them farewell before shutting the door behind

    her.

    "Pft." Jasper shot Xavier an amused look. "You only buy your sister designer brand items. Why would

    you set your eye on something like that?" "I-Isn''t it cute?" Xavier''s eyes were just about glowing. He

    coughed awkwardly before saying, "Isn''t a cute, handmade item just as precious as whatever Vuitton

    bag? This one''s a custom-made product,

    too.

    "I think you''re just in too deep, kid," Jasper said, eyes narrowed slightly.

    Xavier had worked for Jasper for many years. After spending so much time with Xavier, Jasper

    basically knew him like the back of his hand.

    Xavier flushed red as he scratched his head. "What?"

    "Don''t say I didn''t warn you. The girl is only 17 years old. She should be focusing on her studies right

    now." Jasper assumed a serious expression. "Don''t make her miss out on her chances. She''s already

    been through enough pain."

    "Didn''t you hear her call me sir, Mr. Jasper? How could I think that way of her? I''d be a heartless

    menace if I did!" Xavier hurriedly shook his head, feeling panicked.

 Chapter 1401

    Maggie cried some more once she returned home, having revealed so much of her painful past to

    Alyssa all at once. She ended up falling asleep and only waking up in the afternoon the next day. Her

    mother had gone to work already.

    Maggie struggled to get out of bed. She really didn''t feel like going out, so she called the shopowner of

    the tailor shop she used to work at to order some fabrics. She nned to start making a bag for Xavier.

    In all honesty, if it was someone else who''d asked Maggie to do this, she wouldn''t have actually gone

    through with it.

    But Xavier''s eyes had been so bright and his tone so earnest when he asked. Maggie couldn''t help but

    want to finish making it for him as fast as she could.

    The tailor shop owner called Maggie in the evening and informed her that he''d sent a runner to drop off

    the fabrics. The runner was about to reach her home.

    Maggie thanked the shop owner profusely and patiently waited.

    Sometimeter, someone knocked on her door.

    Maggie was eager to open it. But when she ced her hand on the doorknob, she still asked

    cautiously, "Who is it?"

    The person outside paused briefly before saying, "Delivery guy. I have something for you."

    Delivery? Wasn''t this person a runner?

    Maggie grew suspicious. "I''ve made a lot of orders recently. Where is your delivery from? Here or out of

    state?"

    "See for yourself once you open the door."

    Something was wrong.

    Something was very, very wrong!

    Maggie was on extremely high alert, possibly due to her past abuse. She had a strong feeling that the

    person outside the door was not well-intentioned at all!

    She couldn''t open this door no matter what!

    "I-I haven''t bought anything online recently. Are you sure you got the right ce? Why don''t you try

    another house?"

    Bam!

    Something heavy mmed against the door.

    Maggie jolted and trembled in fear. She sped her mouth tightly and frantically took several steps

    back.

    Bam! Bam!

    The door began shaking in its frame as if ready to shatter at any moment.

    When Maggie was about to call the police, a tall, dark figure broke into the house.

    "Help me!" Maggie screamed, bursting into tears out of sheer fright.

    The man had already pinned her to the floor before she could see his face. He tightened his hands

    around her throat.

    "Help... help..." Maggie''s face grew purple from suffocation as she tried to tear the man''s rough hands

    away. Despair flooded her being as the air was choked out of her. Her vision slowly swam. Even the

    sounds of the man''s harsh breathing grew faint.

    All of a sudden, Maggie felt the hands on her throat loosen.

    What followed was the sound of fighting. Two figures battled it out at the edge of her vision.

    Seconds before Maggie passed out, she heard someone yell, "Hold on, Maggie!"

    It sounded like Xavier.

    In the end, Maggie still closed her eyes and cked out.

    Xavier was furiously attacking the man in ck in Maggie''s living room.

    He hade over to check up on Maggie on Jasper''s orders and also to give her some cash to help

    her. Who knew Xavier would bump into someone trying to kill her?

    Xavier did his best to fight the man, but his skills weren''t like Sean''s. Pretty soon, he was beaten and

    bruised on the floor. It felt like every bone in his body had shattered.

    "Fucking busybody. I''ll kill you both then!" The killer grabbed a cleaver from the kitchen and aimed it

    right at Xavier''s chest.

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    Cling!

    "Fuck!"

    A sharp butterfly knife suddenly cut through the air, shing right across the killer''s arm. The pain

    made him release the cleaver. It fell to the floor with a loud ng.

    "Mr. Cyrus?" Xavier''s eyes widened in disbelief.

    Before the killer could react, Cyrus had executed a powerful roundhouse kick, making him crash to the

    floor.

    "Move again, and I''ll shoot!" Cyrus snapped, using his knee to press into the killer''s spine and pressing

    the butt of his gun against his head.

    The killer didn''t dare fight back. His arm wound was still bleeding, making him grind his teeth in pain.

    "Chief Taylor! Chief Taylor, are you alright?"

    Two police officers from Cyrus'' team hurried over just then to cuff the killer up.

    "Send him to the station and call an ambnce. We have an injured female here!" Cyrus instructed

    swiftly.

    "Yes, sir!"

    Cyrus'' subordinates then arrested the killer and sent him away, eradicating the danger once and for all.

    Just then, Xavier pushed himself up from the floor and used all the strength he had left to lift into his

    arms.

    "Hold on, Maggie... you must hold on!" Xavier grunted out.

    The moment he took a step forward, he nearly fell from how much pain he was in. Luckily, Cyrus

    caught him.

    "What are you doing, Xavier? Do you have any idea how badly injured you are?"

    "I. I need to send her to the hospital!" Xavier panted out, holding tightly onto Maggie. His vision was

    swimming. "I can drive faster than the ambnce can. So I need to get her there right away!"

    "Leave the rest to me now, Xavier!" Cyrus said, feeling both pitiful and touched by the scene. He gently

    squeezed Xavier''s shoulder. "As important as it is to protect a case witness, you''re an important person

    to my sister and Jasper, too. That''s why I can''t let anything happen to you!"

 Chapter 1402

    In the dingy old neighborhood, several police cars and an ambnce converged. The local residents

    looked on cautiously, having heard that there had been a break-and-entering.

    Worried, Cyrus had his men send the killer back to the station before going to the hospital in the

    ambnce with Xavier and Maggie. Cyrus also notified Alyssa and Jasper of what happened.

    The medics had strapped an oxygen mask on Maggie''s face. Her body had passed out from shock

    after being asphyxiated. Now that the blood had stopped rushing to her face, her skin appeared stark

    white.

    "You... You have to be okay, Maggie," Xavier said worriedly. He could care less about how injured he

    was right now. He kept on checking up on Maggie''s condition, holding onto her hand.

    "Her vitals have stabilized, so there''s no need to worry anymore," Cyrus consoled him. He could tell

    that Xavier''s concern for Maggie extended beyond her role as a key witness in the case against David

    Schmidt.

    "Why. Why were you guys on the scene so suddenly?" Xavier asked curiously after calming himself

    down.

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    "Lyse had mee over to check up on Maggie and her mother as well as talk some sense into her

    about letting Maggie be a witness. Maggie is still underage, after all, and this is an important matter. It''s

    only right to inform Maggie''s mother about it. Lyse also thought Maggie''s mother might find the police

    more trustworthy."

    Cyrus couldn''t imagine what would''ve happened if he hade a secondter. His expression was

    cold and stern. "Who knew this would happen? Looks like someone has grown impatient."

    Xavier was stunned.

    Jasper had sent him, whereas Alyssa had sent Cyrus. Though neither Jasper nor Alyssa had

    discussed this, their thoughts and intentions were still aligned!

    Xavier had heard about couples looking simr before but not about thinking simrly!

    "By the way, this is. here you go." Xavier reached into his pocket with a trembling hand and took out the

    butterfly knife from within. He handed it to Cyrus. "You forgot to take it."

    Cyrus felt touched seeing how Xavier was still considerate of him even in such an injured state. He

    held the knife in hand. "My memory really is shit. Thank you, Xavier. Thank you so much."

    "I remember Madam had a knife like this too."

    "Yes. It''s the same as mine. Jonah gifted them to us."

    Warmth surfaced in Cyrus'' eyes as he reminisced about his childhood. "Jonah was like a War of God to

    us. His weaponry skills are actually far better than Axel''s.

    "While other children''s brothers yed games with them, Jonah yed knives with Lyse and me. He

    loved all sorts of des and knives. In fact, there are over thousands in our family''s collection."

    Cold sweat beaded on Xavier''s back as he stayed silent.

    He would need to remind Jasper once Jasper married into the Taylor family to never fight with Alyssa.

    Jasper would need to take great caution before doing things. Otherwise, he might end up losing his

    own life.

    "When Jonah realized Lyse and I was gifted when it came to working with des, he graciously gifted

    us each a butterfly knife." Cyrus gazed at the delicately crafted de, his smile deepening.

    He continued, "Lyse is far more skilled than I am. I usually don''t use it, nor do I have the heart to. But

    the situation earlier was an emergency. Using my pistol in a neighborhood would only cause chaos, so

    I had no choice but to use this de. Luckily, my skills haven''t really deteriorated."

    Xavier gaped in shock.

 Chapter 1403

    Xavier pondered inwardly, "If ''de'' himself is admitting that his skills aren''t as good as Alyssa''s... Just

    how skilled is Alyssa?"

    Alyssa and Jasper had hurried over to Taylor General Hospital the moment they heard the news.

    Maggie was stabilized in time and transferred to a normal ward for recovery. Meanwhile, Xavier was

    arranged to stay in the next ward. He wasn''t too injured save for some bruises and a fractured left arm.

    But Xavier was in no mood to stay put and rest. The moment they secured the bones in his arm, he ran

    over to check up on Maggie.

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    The hospital staff let Jasper and Alyssa take over while Cyrus returned to the police station to deal with

    the murderous killer.

    Abel was personally checking up on Maggie right now.

    "Don''t worry, Lyse. No matter what, Maggie is fine now. That''s the best thing we could hope for," Jasper

    consoled Alyssa, who leaned in his arms as he gently held her.

    Alyssa gazed at Maggie with reddened eyes. Guilt filled her chest. "Thank goodness you thought of

    sending Xavier to her ce while I sent Cyrus to talk to her mother. What if we hadn''t? What if. What if

    Xavier and Cyrus arrived a secondter?"

    Though these were all what-ifs, both Alyssa and Jasper were still apprehensive.

    If those what-ifs had happened, they would''ve either caused the death of an innocent teen or a loyal

    friend on the battlefield.

    Regardless, the loss of either one of them would be enough to make them feel guilty for the rest of their

    lives.

    Jasper''s heart pained as he saw how frightened and sad Alyssa was. Tears threatened to fall from her

    eyes.

    He swiftly wrapped her in a hug, gently caressing her back, doing his best to offer sce. Heck, he

    didn''t even know what he was saying. All he wanted was to ease Alyssa''s distress and prevent her

    from ming herself.

    Xavier felt helpless. "M-Madam, Maggie, and I are both alive and well. Don''t cry! I''ll cry if you cry!"

    "I could''ve done better to protect her." Alyssa did her best to maintain herposure, yet a tear still fell

    down her cheek. "But our enemy still finds a way past our defenses. I''m so stupid!" "If you''re stupid,

    then I''m an idiot," Jasper teased before kissing Alyssa''s forehead. "We''re a true match made in

    heaven."

    "Tch... An idiot wouldn''t have spent so much time looking so fit." Alyssa jabbed Jasper''s abs and

    giggled. "You''re more dog-like, always following me around."

    Xavier quietly chuckled.

    Jasper''s choice of words might be peculiar, but it was fine as long as it worked.

    After Abel finished checking up on Maggie, he sighed and said, "Poor girl. She''s so incredibly thin; it''s

    obvious she''s malnourished. She''s still in the stages of puberty right now. Why aren''t her parents

    feeding her better?"

    Alyssa and Jasper stayed silent, though their hearts ached in tandem. Xavier''s eyes reddened.

    "Look at those bruises on her neck. If her attacker had used any more force, he would''ve snapped the

    bone right through!" Abel eximed before leaving, shaking his head.

    Alyssa ground her teeth together, now consumed with fury. "Who else would''ve tried to kill Maggie

    besides the Schmidts?"

 Chapter 1404

    "Throughout the execution of our ns, we were vignt, and no information slipped out." Jasper''s

    eyes darkened.

    He continued, "Looks like the Schmidt family has set up spies near the witnesses'' homes to watch their

    every move. When they found out we''d sought Maggie out, they feared she might participate in the

    case as a witness. That was why they wanted to end her life so quickly."

    "Damn them!" Alyssa and Xavier said at the same time.

    "David is still in police custody, so there''s no way he could have had any external contact. Who helped

    him then? Jamebitch?" Xavier eximed hatefully.

    Alyssa shook her head lightly. "No way it was Jamiper. He''s the one person in the entire Schmidt family

    who wants to see everyone crash and burn. He would never help David. It must''ve been either Victor or

    Josh."

    "Josh. It must be Josh," Jasper deduced, eyes sharp.

    Alyssa''s eyes glinted. She held Jasper''s hand. "Why do you think it''s him, Jasper?"

    "Victor isn''t from the underworld. He''s not the kind to get rid of someone just because he doesn''t like

    them. He''s a pretty sessful businessman, and businessmen like him know to steer clear of

    gunpoint," Jasper exined.

    "Even if David were convicted, he''d be released as early as in a decade if his family pulled some

    strings. If David got sentenced to death, Victor still wouldn''t go to the extent of killing someone to save

    his son. He''s the chairman of hispany''s board, after all. Plus, he''s notcking in sons."Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper then continued, "David isn''t his only child. With Josh and Jameson still in the picture, Victor

    can''t afford to dirty his hands. But Josh''s situation is different. You understand just howplex the

    rtions amongst the Schmidt family members are, Lyse."

    All of a sudden, Alyssa gained rity. "Josh must be furious with how much Jamiper is being doted on

    by Victor. That''s why Josh is doing all he can to regain his father''s affection, even going to such

    lengths.

    "I''m sure Josh is trying to prove himself to his father by freeing David of this situation. And I know

    Jameson went through a lot of bullying from his siblings when he was a kid.

    "David and Daisy never really stopped abusing him, even in adulthood. If Josh helped exonarate David

    from this crime, he''d secure support for himself. After all, David still has shares in Schmidt Group."

    Jasper swallowed, feeling irritated all of a sudden. "Do you pity Jameson, Lyse?"

    "Yes, I do."

    Jasper''s breathing caught as his grip around Alyssa''s waist tightened.

    "I pity the Jameson from 15 years ago, not the cunning and cruel demon he''s be today," Alyssa

    said.

    Complex emotions flooded her as she recalled her friendship with Jameson when they were children.

    Her gaze stayed firm, however. "I thought those who''ve been hurt before would grow to care for others

    more.

    "Who knew Jameson would end up hurting others even more? I don''t know what happened in Kontina

    to have made him be like this. But none of it can justify him stooping to such lows."

    Based on their pasts alone, Jameson''s experiences didn''te close to the hardships and suffering

    Jasper had endured. Yet, time and change did nothing to corrode Jasper''s kindness and righteous soul.

    That was why Alyssa loved Jasper.

    Who wouldn''t love someone righteous and kind?

    Jasper smiled upon hearing this. He then kissed Alyssa''s cheek.

    "I''ll have someone look into Josh''s actions right away, sir, ma''am!" Xavier eximed, eyes burning with

    hatred.

    "You don''t have to do anything for the time being except to let your injuries heal, Xavier," Jasper said

    seriously. "Alyssa and I will figure out a way to deal with Josh. My seventh brother-inw will deal with

    the man who hurt Maggie."

    Alyssa cocked an eyebrow upon hearing Jasper''s words.

    Seventh brother-inw, eh?

    "B-But I still can''t let this go!" Xavier panted harshly, heart aching. "Whenever I think about how that

    man had his hands on Maggie''s neck, how she pleaded desperately for help, I... I want to rip him to

    shreds!"

    "If you can''t let this go, then stay by Maggie''s side," Alyssa said gently, seeing through Xavier''s feelings

    right away. "Take good care of her and make sure she gains healthy weight. That''s your main priority

    right now."

    "Madam." Grateful tears filled Xavier''s eyes. He was about to say something when someone knocked

    on the ward door.

    "Are you in there, Ms. Alyssa?" Sean called out, having rushed over after hearing what happened.

    "Sean!"

    Alyssa and Jasper went over to open the door.

    Sean was standing outside, sweating. He said anxiously, "Ms. Alyssa, I happened to run into Maggie''s

    mother and another victim''s parents on my way here. They want to see you in person!"

 Chapter 1405

    Jasper''s heart sank. Looking at Alyssa, he announced, "Lyse, I''ll meet with them."

    He was worried about the gossip and maliciousments about Alyssa. Her reputation would further

    suffer if she got into a fight with the witnesses'' families at a hospital.

    Jasper was totally capable of managing the fallout if he were the target. However, he refused to let

    Alyssa go through the suffering.

    "Jasper, I understand your concern," sping his hand, she soothed him, "...but they wanted to see

    me. Things wouldn''t have spiraled if I hadn''t requested to meet with Maggie.

    "It''s imperative that I show up and offer my apology. You know me; I never run away from problems."

    "Well, I happen to be the same." Staring affectionately at her, Jasper held her hands with fingers

    interlocked. "So, I''ll go with you."

    Although the VIP suite, where Maggie got warded, was safe and secure, Sean had arranged for his

    men to lead the victims'' families to the open area in the VIP lounge, just in case they made a scene

    and ruined Alyssa''s reputation.

    Standing side by side with Jasper in the corridor, Alyssa calmly watched as Gina and the mother of

    another victim approached them. Despite her calmness, her heart was racing.

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    The parents of the two victims came to a stop in front of Alyssa, Jasper, and Sean. Jasper examined

    them warily. Simrly, Sean did not let his guard down, as he was afraid that they mightsh out

    against Alyssa.

    Gina''s cheeks were stained in tears, and her eyes were red from the exhaustion. She hadn''t spoken a

    word, but her resentment against Alyssa was clearly written across her face.

    Alyssa clenched her numb fingers and was about to speak, but she was interrupted by the parents of

    the other victim, Colton Tanner and Lorna Cooper, who both copsed onto the floor in front of her.

    They pleaded, "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett, please... Please save our daughter! We''re begging you!"

    "Sir, ma''am, please get up from the floor. Please don''t do this. Let''s stay calm and have a talk." Alyssa

    and Jasper hurried up to help the parents up from the ground.

    The couple, crying their hearts out, remained stubbornly glued to the floor. Had it not been for Sean''s

    timely help, Alyssa might not have been able to lift the poor Lorna from the ground.

    "Please save my child. I won''t budge if you refuse to save her!" Tears streamed down Lorna''s face.

    Anyone would feel sorry to see her in such a state.

    Heart aching, Alyssa teared up. "Please stop crying. You''ll only ruin your health. Please get up now,

    and let''s have a chat."

    "What''s the point of crying in front of Ms. Alyssa now?" Xavier stormed over, looking disgruntled by the

    parents, whose attitude had only softened after they ran into trouble. "I reached out to you on behalf of

    Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett, but remember how you treated me?

    "Ms. Alyssa had wanted to offer you help, but you declined her kindness!"

    "Xavier, that''s enough!" chided Jasper, who red at Xavier.

    "Help? How dare you im that you''re helping?" Gina blurted out and pointed a finger angrily at

    Alyssa. "They wouldn''t have harmed my daughter if you didn''t get involved. All you wanted was to get

    her to testify so that you could get rid of the thorn in your side!

    "Have you ever considered the lives of ordinary citizens like us? Maggie is only 17 years old this year.

    It was her rotten luck to have run into that bastard. All she wanted was a peaceful life. Why didn''t you

    give her a chance to do so?"

    Xavier panted and glowered out of fury, but he held back and showed some respect to Gina because

    she was Maggie''s mother. Still, he was enraged by Gina''s unfair usation.

    How could Maggie be more level-headed than Gina? Had Gina not matured emotionally over all these

    years? He couldn''t believe that Gina was qualified to be Maggie''s legal guardian.

    "The Schmidts have been keeping tabs on you. Do you wish to subject your daughter to such scrutiny

    for the rest of her life?" Jasper voiced out with a frown, boggled by Gina''s unreasonable outburst.

 Chapter 1406

    "I was aware. I knew it from the beginning. But what choice did I have?" Gina trembled violently as she

    grew hysterical. "I''d rather sweep everything under the rug than open up my daughter''s wound and put

    her in harm''s way.

    "She''s just managed to get a footing, and things were looking up, but you came along and messed it all

    up! She nearly lost her life because of you¡ªyou arrogant, wealthy pricks who judge us from the

    Alyssa felt a stinging pain in her chest. With her usual sharp wit, she could have retorted. However, the

    weight of guilt left her speechless.

    "You''re being naive." Jasper, keeping hisposure, ced his hand on Alyssa''s waist. He appeared

    as omniscient as divinity. "You''re currently enjoying a short-lived peace because the Schmidt Group is

    in hot water. The Schmidts are too preupied to pay attention to you, especially with David Schmidt

    still in detention."

    Gina''s expression froze. Her bloodshot eyes looked vacant.

    "Once they resolve David''s legal issues and release him, they''ll go back to wreaking havoc. Do you

    think David, that petty bastard, would go easy on Maggie? We need to get rid of him once and for all, or

    Maggie will be in endless trouble."

    "Mr. Beckett, everything you said is right. Gina, it''s time to wake up!" Colton carried himself with

    determination even though he was choking on tears. He cast a helpless look at Alyssa and Jasper.

    "We didn''t mean to reject your help. The Schmidts cornered us, threatening us to keep quiet or they''d

    make us vanish from Sna City. We couldn''t go against them."

    Lorna chimed in, "Before we could determine if you were helpful, we chose toy low and avoid contact

    with you. Buttely, my daughter''s been having mental breakdowns. Two days ago, she locked herself

    in her room and attempted to cut her wrist."

    The revtion made Alyssa''s blood boil. A fresh swell of rage rose in her.

    "What?" Gina was stunned.

    "My Anora is just 16 years old this year. She''s younger than Maggie and not as mentally strong..."

    Lorna cried her heart out. "That bastard should''ve been run over by a car or struck by lightning! Why

    did he have to put Anora through this suffering? What had she done to deserve that?"

    Colton hissed, "We tried to swallow the humiliation, but what good is doing so when my daughter will

    never be the same? She''s physically and mentally crushed, all because of that beast!

    "If so, what''s the point of backing down? My daughter might be alive, but she''s as good as dead."

    "Sir, ma''am, how is she doing? Is she out of critical condition now?" Alyssa, fighting back tears, was

    concerned about Anora Tanner''s condition. "If she''s still hospitalized, I can arrange to transfer her to a

    hospital under the KS Group. We''ll take care of all her expenses."

    "Ms. Alyssa..." The Tanner couple were moved by her kindness.

    "By the way, when your daughter''s back to full health, I''ll hire the best psychologist for her. I believe that

    she''ll heal from the trauma one day."

    "Thank you! Thank you, Ms. Alyssa! You''re a godsend!"

    Gina was taken aback by Alyssa''s generosity. At first, she had expected Alyssa to humiliate the

    Tanners to make up for their harsh rejections earlier. To her surprise, Alyssa earnestly offered help

    regardless of past grievances.

    She couldn''t help but wonder if she had misjudged Alyssa.

    "Mrs. Madison." Approaching Gina, Alyssa gently held her calloused hands and tightened her grip. "I''m

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    not a mother, but I feel you because I detest David Schmidt just as much.

    "Remember, my sister is a victim too. I admit that my actions stem from personal grudges. What I want

    is to work with all the victims to demand justice from the Schmidts. Can you. help me out?"

 Chapter 1407

    Maggie finally regained consciousness the next afternoon. She found Gina and Xavier waiting by her

    bed. Feeling touched, she wrapped Gina in an embrace. The mother and daughter cried and cried after

    the close brush with death yesterday.

    Xavier thought he must be feeling emotional because he was getting old. He shed a few tears but

    quickly wiped them away. As an uncle figure to Maggie, he resolved to keep a tough exterior.

    "Mom, I won''t change my mind no matter what you say." Maggie gently wiped away Gina''s tears with a

    look of determination. "I have decided to testify in court. No one could help me if I don''t fight for myself;

    not even Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett."

    Sobbing, Gina confessed, "Maggie, I... I feel so bad for you."

    "Mom, do not stop me from testifying if you feel bad for me. I''m doing this to seek justice on behalf of

    the victims of David Schmidt."

    Xavier''s eyes wavered upon hearing Maggie''s deration. His heart pounding, he found that Maggie

    seemed to have grown up overnight. He even saw Alyssa in Maggie''s staunch gaze.

    "Maggie, it''s all my fault. I was being silly." Nodding firmly, Gina hugged her daughter tightly. "I will

    respect your decision."

    When Xavier was about to sneak out of the room, Maggie suddenly put on a smile and introduced him

    to Gina, "Mom, this is Xavier Hall. He''s Mr. Beckett''s secretary. He was the one who risked his life to

    save me yesterday. He''s my savior."

    "Thank you! Thank you so much, good sir!" Gina shed tears of gratitude.

    Scratching his head sheepishly, Xavier blushed. "Gosh, just call me Xavier."

    "Mom, I''ll have to trouble you to get the fabric and my sewing kit from home." Maggie cast a shy nce

    at Xavier and pressed her lips. "I''m bored at the hospital, so. I wanted to sew a bag for Xavier like I''ve

    promised. I don''t want to keep him waiting."

    Xavier breathed ruggedly, and his heart pounded wildly. "I-It''s fine, Ms. Madison! You should focus on

    your recovery. Don''t bother!"

    Maggie chuckled and shook her head. Her bright eyes shimmered in tears. "It''s just handicraft. It won''t

    take up much energy. Xavier, I know you have everything in life. I have nothing good to offer you. So, I

    hope you don''t mind this little token of gratitude."

    In the lounge next door, Alyssa and Jasper sat side by side on the couch. Alyssa was eating while

    Jasper was busy working on theptop.

    "Mm. Jasper, take a break and eat." She handed him a piece of cut grilled chicken on a fork. "The

    lunchboxes sold around the hospital are pretty good."

    Still staring at the screen, Jasper leaned toward her but continued typing. He took a bite of the chicken

    and slowly munched on it.

    Alyssa''s eyes traveled from his moist lips to his Adam''s apple, and finally to his long and thickshes.

    How could he look so sexy just eating grilled chicken?

    "Hm. It''s greasy," Jasper remarked with a furrow of the brows.

    "Just be thankful that you have food to eat. This restaurant is highly rated, so you''re just being picky."

    She devoured the grilled chicken.

    Jasper found Alyssa adorable. Alyssa was never fussy and limated well to any type of challenging

    environment. He felt at home whenever he was with her.

    Enveloped in a warm sensation, the affection in his eyes deepened. He gave her a sudden kiss on her

    greasy lips. She blinked, feeling a jolt through her body, and grumbled, "Ah! I haven''t wiped my lips

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    clean. Don''t you find it gross?"

    "No, ''cause I love you." He inched closer until his face was right in front of hers. It was as if he''d fight

    her for the grilled chicken. "I''ll make some for you when we''re home. My grilled chicken tastes better

    than this."

    She wrapped her arms around his neck and purred, "Sure. Looking forward to tasting it. Just don''t burn

    it."

    They had their lunch while flirting with each other. A thought struck Alyssa, causing her to smile.

    "Xavier seems very concerned about Maggie. Could he be."

    "No, that''s not right." Frowning, Jasper shook his head.

    "Why? Can''t your secretary date?" She squinted at him and ced an elbow on his broad shoulder.

    "He can date alright. I''m just worried for Maggie. Isn''t she taking college entrance exams this year?

    She needs to focus on her studies." Jasper lovingly ced his fingers under her chin with a worried

    look as if he was a parent. "Besides, they first met a few days ago. They can''t possibly develop feelings

    for each other. I don''t believe in love at first sight."

    "Oh, you don''t?" Her warm breath tickled the sculpted tip of his nose. "But you fell for me at first sight."

    "Lyse, you first met me at Crater Mountain Park when you were 11, right?" He smiled at her.

    "Yeah. I fell for you when I was 11, and I pursued you." Alyssa did not conceal her feelings for him, a

    tender gaze forming in her eyes.

    Seeing that, Jasper was ovee by bitterness and guilt. He teared up.

    It didn''t matter which of them fell in love first as long as they both ended up with each other. Still, her

    words made him feel so guilty that he couldn''t raise his head.

    They were interrupted by an iing call to Alyssa''s phone. She hurriedly picked up the call from

    Cyrus. "Cyrus, how was it? Has anythinge out of the investigation?"

    "The man has admitted to guilt. We looked into his background and learned that he was once a thug

    who worked for David Schmidt."

    Alyssa and Jasper looked stunned. "Who? David Schmidt?"

 Chapter 1408

    "I had thought Josh or Victor would be the mastermind, but it was the doing of David''s man," Cyrus

    exined with doubt. "I was worried that David would pull some tricks, so I sent someone to keep an

    eye on his attorney. After all, he hasn''t met with anyone except for his attorney.

    "But we found nothing suspicious about his attorney. We dug into his call log¡ªhe did not contact the

    culprit."

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    "That''s odd. Did one of David''s men act without permission out of his loyalty to David? Was he worried

    that David''s scandal would be publicized? Does David even have ackey who''s that sharp-witted?"

    Frowning, Alyssa fell into deep thought.

    Then, she suddenly chuckled. "Maybe Josh had a card up his sleeve and pulled an act of killing with a

    borrowed knife."

    "Is he using David?" Jasper wondered in a low, icy voice.

    "As impatient as Josh, he must have wanted to silence Maggie after his men noticed we had reached

    out to her." Alyssa might be hot-tempered, but she always remained cool-headed in times of urgency.

    She analyzed carefully, "But the risk of silencing Maggie was high because he had to seed at one

    go under our noses. It was certainly a dangerous feat.

    "That''s why he thought of getting David''s man to pull it off. Even if we got hold of the weapon, we''d

    suspect David instead of him, and he''d get out of this."

    While she was speaking, Jasper fixed an admiring gaze on her. She glowed radiantly like an angel who

    had descended onto earth. He swooned after her, unable to think straight.

    "Hah! The Schmidts are indeed a loving family, aren''t they?" Cyrus sneered with resentment. "I''ll look

    into Josh Schmidt. He and his brother will not get away this time."

    "I believe Josh has gotten the news and cleared himself of suspicion. It''s hard to use him of

    anything if he did not personally reach out to the culprit. I''m afraid it''s impossible to arrest him," Alyssa

    argued with a stern face.

    "I am now obsessed with arresting him. I can''t eat well until I close the case," Cyrus thundered. "I hate

    the humiliating feeling of failing to arrest a known culprit."

    "It''s fine, Cyrus. Go with the flow. Do not get anxious or obsessed. You might stumble upon new clues

    as things unfold."

    After the call, silence descended on the lounge.

    "Lyse." Jasper hugged her and rubbed his chin on the top of her head. Her hair smelled fragrant. "This

    might sound horrible, but I quite like the idea.

    "If all pieces of evidence were against David, he wouldn''t just be arrested on sexual assault charges;

    he''d be facing charges of contract killing and attempted first-degree murder. He''d be in jail forever if he

    serves a consecutive sentence."

    "I''m speechless. Why do we always share the same thought?" Alyssa moved closer to him and

    wrapped an arm around his waist.

    His eyes were colored with lust when shey gently on his chest. She added, "But a ten-year sentence

    is too light of a punishment for a bastard like David Schmidt. I had been nning to hire the top legal

    team for Maggie and Anora to ensure the maximum penalty for David, but it turned out that Josh had

    made a move before me. What a loving brother he is."

    "The Schmidts are a bunch of heartless and immoral pricks who have no care about their family. Even

    if we do nothing, it''s a matter of time before they go down from all the infighting," Jasper remarked

    calmly as his hand slithered underneath Alyssa''s shirt.

    His fingertips rubbed against her smooth skin. With each touch, he was further aroused.

    At his touch, she melted like butter, fireworks going off in her head. He kissed her deeply on the lips.

    Jasper, on the brink of insanity, rubbed his lips against her ear and croaked, "I''ll lock the door."

    A jolt of electricity coursed through her veins. Just as her desire had overtaken her rationality, she

    suddenly pinched him on the back. "Stop! We''re at the hospital. It''s no ce for sex."

 Chapter 1409

    Josh, of course, had gotten wind of the culprit''s arrest. He had prepared himself for the oue, but

    he lost sleep when he learned that Cyrus was the police on the case. His mind whirred nonstop to

    "Mr. Schmidt, there is no need to panic," Josh''s right-hand man, Cliff McMahon, advised with a sly grin.

    "You foresaw thising and made the necessary arrangements, didn''t you?

    "Besides, you never had any direct contact with Magnus Vale. Since his wife and children are in our

    hands, he will not rat on you. He has no choice but to keep his mouth shut for his family''s sake."

    "It''s not enough to keep his mouth shut," said Josh, who rubbed his sore forehead.

    There was a threatening gleam in his eyes with dark circles. He added, "We need him to point a finger

    at David. There needs to be a mastermind responsible for the assassination, or the Taylors will not let

    this slide because they''re a crazy bunch."

    Cliff nodded furiously. "You''re right."

    Josh lifted the whiskey ss from the table and rattled the ice cubes with a snicker. "It''s David''s man

    who carried out the orders anyway, so it''s only fair for him to clean up the mess. I shall consider it

    David''s final contribution to the Schmidt Group."

    "Mr. Schmidt, we have another problem at hand. We need to think of a way to get Cyrus Taylor off the

    case for our convenience."

    Squinting dangerously, Josh replied to Cliff, "Hmph. I have a good idea."

    The next day, news about Cyrus Taylor being the son of Winston Taylor spread like wildfire across the

    inte, causing a huge stir. Theizens had a field day with it.

    "Wow, is that handsome policeman the son of Winston Taylor? He keeps a low profile, though."

    "Is he really Alyssa Taylor''s brother? They don''t look alike at all."

    "I heard he''s the son of the second wife. If this was centuries ago, he would have been a bastard son."

    "A bastard son? Winston Taylor married Mandy Lovce after the death of his first wife. She''s his legal

    spouse."

    "Yeah. Stop parading your idiocy. All of Mandy Lovce''s children are sessful in their careers. You''ll

    never hold a candle to them!"

    Although the majority ofizens held a positive opinion of Cyrus, he was taken off David''s case by his

    superiors. As Tatiana was one of the victims, Cyrus was obliged to transfer the case to other teams due

    to a conflict of interest.

    On the day of the handover, the leader of Team 2 addressed Cyrus with glee, "Chief Taylor, you''ve

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    worked hard. Anything else we need to know?"

    Cyrus tilted his head and jokingly said, "It''s time to test if you''re a corrupted cop."

    The leader frowned. "What do you mean?"

    Cyrus deliberately raised his voice and replied, "It''s no secret that the Schmidts love bribing the

    authorities. They had seeded in covering up this case until my sister fought against the pressure to

    expose David Schmidt''s evil deeds to the nation."

    Cyrus'' colleagues turned toward him.

    "So, I''m speaking to you as a victim''s family instead of a colleague. Please make sure David Schmidt

    goes to jail, and please pursue the maximum penalty on him. The Taylor family shall wait for your good

    news."

    The leader quivered with a frozen look on his face. Cyrus patted his shoulder with an amused smile

    before leaving.

 Chapter 1410

    Following the arrest of Magnus Vale, who broke into Maggie''s room to harm her, Maggie and Anora,

    apanied by their families, arrived at the police station to file a formal report against David. They

    were under the protection of private security, courtesy of Alyssa and Jasper.

    The charges against David for sexually assaulting minors were firm. There was no getting away with it.

    The media thronged the police station, and the news spread rapidly.

    Throughout the process, the police carefully maintained the confidentiality of the two victims. Although

    the media failed to capture any photos of the two girls, the news still dominated the headlines.

    The headlines read, "David Schmidt''s Sexual Assault Allegations Confirmed,"

    "Victims'' Families Allege Threats from the Schmidts."

    "David Schmidt Suspected of Orchestrating a Contract Killing."

    "David Schmidt Faces Inescapable Doom."

    The public opinion online marked a swift turn. Commentaries that had previously doubted and criticized

    Tatiana were reced withmendations and apuse.

    "Good job, Tatiana Taylor, for exposing her pain to speak up for the victims!"

    "Where are those fools who used her of seeking attention? Why are they silent now?"

    "How dare the Schmidts threaten the victims'' families? They are out of control. Without Tatiana Taylor''s

    advocacy, these cases would be buried forever!"

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    "The rich are always above thew. LMAO!"

    "If David Schmidt was handed anything other than the life sentence, it would be a dark day in the

    nation''s legal history."

    The Schmidts, who had experienced a brief respite, found themselves once again in the court of public

    opinion. Thankfully, Jameson had stabilized thepany''s stock price and kickstarted some projects in

    Kontina, which helped cushion the blow.

    After a meeting at the Schmidt Group, members of the upper management left the room. Victor

    specifically instructed Josh and Jameson to stay behind.

    Then, Victor tossed all the documents on the table in Josh''s face, but Josh agilely dodged the attack.

    "Why is there a new charge of attempted first-degree murder? Isn''t it just rape?" Victor, nearly fainting

    from anger, bellowed, "How did you handle the situation? Why is it escting? Do you no longer want

    the role of president?"

    Jameson remained stoic, but his lips betrayed a hint of a smile as he adjusted his sses.

    "Dad! I have nothing to do with this. I''ve done everything in my power to defend David," Josh argued

    with a disgruntled expression. "But he was hasty and mistrustful. How could he even think of silencing

    the victim? He has dragged us down with him, and he''se to a dead end.

    "Since the two girls have testified under Alyssa and Jasper''s protection, I believe that it''s unwise for us

    to protect David."

    "That''s odd. Under detention, David can''t do much even if he wants to," Jameson remarked as he

    toyed with a pen.

    Then, he lifted his brow and suggested, "Say, Josh, did you help David out but messed it up instead?

    You were the only person he met in jail, aside from his attorney."

    "Jameson Schmidt, do not falsely use me!" Josh felt a surge of panic. "I''m not as stupid as David!"

    "So, what do we do now?" Victor pointed a finger at Josh''s troubled face. "Come up with a solution

    before the next evening, or hand your presidency to Jimmy."

 Chapter 1411

    "Dad, David engaged in contract killing and attempted murder! Besides, it was Cyrus Taylor who

    caught him red-handed. Even if I hired all the top attorneys from across the nation, they could not save

    David''s ass!" Josh countered.

    He was banking on Victor notying a finger on him, as he had built a strong faction in the Schmidt

    Group and bagged a lucrative project in Tsulu from Jonah. So, he acted fearlessly. "Just admit that

    you''re upset at me. Why would youpare me to Jimmy?

    "Have you forgotten all I have done for you over the years and my sacrifices for thepany? I

    deserve a little credit, don''t you think? Plus, it''s David who got us into trouble. We wouldn''t be in this

    mess if he didn''t think with his dick. The entire family will be dragged down if we keep cleaning his

    mess for him."

    "Dad, calm down. I think Josh has a great point there," Jameson drawled. "You might think I am

    heartless, but I, too, agree that you''ll need to give up on David in the interest of thepany, even if it

    pains you to do so.

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    "It doesn''t matter how we get to this situation. At the end of the day, David''s man was arrested in

    action, and we''ll need someone to take the me."

    Victor pursed his lips with a long face.

    "Jimmy''s right. Dad, we''ll get into trouble if we continue defending David." For once, Josh was in

    agreement with Jameson.

    "If so, I''ll leave it to you, Josh." Victor closed his eyes in resentment. From his voice, one could discern

    the pain of losing a son. "I guess this marks the end of my rtionship with David."

    After Victor left, only Josh and Jameson remained in the meeting room, looking like two final survivors

    of a horrifically brutal game.

    "Josh, it''s just you and me in the family now. Please show me favor," Jameson spoke.

    He rose gracefully from his seat and nced at Josh from the corner of his eye. "Be gentle when you

    speak with David. You know he''s emotionally immature. He might shred you into pieces if he learns that

    he''ll be in jail forever."

    "You are just lucky. Don''t get ahead of yourself." Gritting his teeth, Josh knew how to hit Jameson

    where it hurt.

    He taunted, "You yed no role in David and Daisy''s fates at all. It was all because of Alyssa and

    Jasper''s strategies. That couple is more than capable of going up against the Schmidt Group."

    The mention of Alyssa and Jasper as a couple cut into Jameson''s heart. His expression froze, and he

    breathed heavily.

    Josh did not stop there. "You are a bastard son who benefits off the sess of others. Do you believe

    you can win against me by tattling on the others in front of Dad and driving a wedge between us?

    "You are a shameless, fake-ass traitor. No matter how meticulously you present yourself, you still reek

    of the filth. It''s no wonder Alyssa Taylor couldn''t care less for you. You are no match for Jasper Beckett,

    you ridiculous thing!"

    Hatred filled Jameson''s chest. Like a raging bull, he stormed up to Josh with clenched fists.

    Jameson snickered. "Oh, Jimmy, you''re not going to beat me up right here, are you?" He pointed at the

    ceiling, adding, "There are cameras everywhere. If youy a finger on me, you will only hurt your image

    of a dutiful son."

    Jameson squinted and tried to hold back his anger. Then, he slowly adjusted Josh''s tie for him. "Josh,

    your arrogance is pitiable yetical in my eyes."

    "What are you talking¡ªUgh¡ª"

    Without warning, Jameson tightened the tie, causing Josh to momentarily suffocate and gasp for

    breath.

    Jameson hissed, "You have walked into my trap. Can''t you tell?"

 Chapter 1412

    Jameson flexed his fist, veins bulging from his force. Feeling horrible, Josh kicked his feet and grabbed

    Jameson''s hands, which were wrapped around his neck.

    Jameson jeered, "All it takes is some taunting for you to silence the two victims. Tsk, tsk. You''re stupid

    and gullible. So, what makes you think you could take me on?"

    Josh''s eyes wavered. He was overwhelmed by humiliation. "You''re not that hopeless, though,

    considering you knew to take advantage of David to carry out the act. I thought I could take down every

    one of you this time, but I guess I''ll have to wait."

    Then, Jameson let go of Josh and left the meeting room cackling. Josh, alone in the meeting room and

    drenched in sweat, panted heavily.

    Even though Alyssa and Jasper did not show up in front of the media, they were present at the police

    station to keep guard over Maggie and Anora.

    Xavier and Sean tagged along for the statement recording. Not only that, Sean, well-versed inw,

    helped the families with the paperwork and patiently answered questions.

    "Thank you, Xavier, and you here. Are you Ms. Alyssa''s friend?" Gina thanked them with tears of

    gratitude. "Thank you for helping us!"

    "Madam, don''t mention it." Sean approached her emotionally and teared up as well. "This is not just for

    you and Alyssa. I am doing this for a personal reason."

    Stunned, Gina mused, "A personal reason?"

    "Ms. Alyssa''s sister¡ªthe youngdy who called out David on live stream¡ªis my girlfriend," he dered

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    proudly.

    "I see. The two of you are not only kind-hearted but a perfect match for each other. I am genuinely

    thankful to Ms. Tatiana and you for your righteousness."

    Sean was beyond ted upon hearing Gina''s words.

    After Maggie exited the interrogation room, she hurried into the restroom to calm herself down, as she

    refused to disy her vulnerability to her mother and Xavier.

    Xavier, worried about Maggie, surprisingly turned up at the police station. He waited patiently and

    anxiously by the entrance. The policewomen who walked past him shot him weird looks, but Xavier,

    normally sensitive, did not seem to care.

    Soon, Maggie strutted out of the restroom, eyes still red and swollen from the crying. When she looked

    up, she found a clean hanky with a blue gingham design in front of her face.

    "Ms. Madison, clean up with this." Xavier beamed at her. "You look like a mess now, but I''m sure you

    feel better after letting it all out. Am I right?"

    She epted the clean hanky, wanting to wipe away the tears but worried about dirtying it. So, she

    gently dabbed it on her cheek and said, "I feel better. Thank you, Xavier. I-I''ll return the hanky to you

    after I wash it."

    Fixing his gaze on her radiant face, he felt himself attracted to her. His heart pounded every time her

    Failing to hold back, he ced a hand on top of her head and caressed it. He croaked, "Remember,

    where I am."

    Her heart quickened when she looked up into his bright and brilliant eyes.

 Chapter 1413

    In the street from across the police station, Alyssa had waited for a while in Jasper''s arms.

    Nestling against him softly, she sweated as she reported, "I received a text from Cyrus. He said he had

    asked a few close colleagues to keep tabs on the case. As of just now, apart from David Schmidt''s

    attorney, no one from the Schmidt family has attempted to defend him. They did not make any moves

    at all."

    It so happened that Alyssa was on her second day of the period, which was usually the worst. Jasper

    had advised her to stay home, but she was stubborn. Now, suffering from period cramps, she wiggled

    in his arms like an eel.

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    She silently thought, "Guess I need to listen to Jasper for once and take a good rest."

    "Josh always ys long-term. All he wants right now is to hide away, I bet. There''s no way he would

    defend a notorious and hopeless viin. He would only turn himself the next target of public wrath."

    Holding her in his right arm, he ced a hand on her lower abdomen and caressed it in circles in a

    clockwise direction.

    "Mm. Harder. Mm. Harder, please..."

    Hearing that, he swallowed hard. A tingling sensation spread through his body from the fingertips in

    contact with her skin. He said hoarsely, "See? You''re suffering from your stubbornness. I''ll have Xavier

    buy something warm for you."

    "It''s fine. He''s busy now with Maggie''s matters. Don''t bother him for everything. He''s just your

    secretary, not your ve," Alyssa spoke up for Xavier, eliciting a bitter smile on Jasper''s lips.

    "Josh has not made a move, and the same goes for Victor. Seems like they''re ready to give up on

    David," Alyssa said sweetly with a contradictory smirk. "That''s their only choice right now."

    "This scandal is the talk of the nation. As the Schmidt Group suffers from a PR crisis, it''s only natural

    that they''ll sacrifice David to calm the anger.

    "They''d better give up on bribing the cops as well. No matter who''s assigned to this case, they will

    penalize David to protect their professional reputation and the integrity of the police force. We have

    nothing to worry about, even if Cyrus isn''t on the case. No one can save David Schmidt now."

    Jasper wed gently on her lower abdomen. He asked, "Does it still hurt?"

    "Mm. I''m feeling better. You''re an expert at this."

    At that moment, there was amotion at the police station entrance.

    "Look! Maggie Madison and the others are out!"

    The couple nced out of the window and spotted the two victims trudging into the vehicles under the

    protection of their parents and bodyguards after breaking through the crowds of media.

    Though the girls safely entered the vehicles, Alyssa remained fidgety as she was worried that

    something might happen to them.

    Maggie left the police stationst, safe in Xavier''s embrace.

    Suddenly, a male reporter emerged from the crowds and shoved a microphone into Maggie''s face,

    questioning loudly, "May we know if you are in any way coerced by the KS Group or Beckett Group into

    filing a police report against David Schmidt?"

    Xavier immediately shielded Maggie and glowered at the reporter. "What do you mean?"

    "You are Mr. Beckett''s head secretary, aren''t you? I know you!" Looking smug, the reporter added,

    "Aside from you, Ms. Alyssa''s secretary is also here to protect the victims. Is this all nned out by Ms.

    Alyssa and Mr. Beckett?"

    "We know that the Taylors and Schmidts are family friends. Ms. Alyssa is good friends with David

    Schmidt and even performed surgery on him. She might be anxious to put a distance between David

    Schmidt and herself after their rtionship is known to the public. Perhaps she is attempting to protect

    her image by helping the victims. This is a totally reasonable spection."

 Chapter 1414

    Reasonable? How was that fucking reasonable?

    Xavier clenched his fist as he fought the urge to punch the reporter.

    A hush fell across the crowds, who waited for the scene to unfold. Some reporters had wanted to ask

    the sensitive question but faltered in the face of Alyssa''s influence. Naturally, they were happy that

    someone had posed the question.

    Anger rolled through him. He nearly yanked the car door open and stormed out to confront the reporter,

    but Alyssa pulled him back. "Hey! It''s enough of a mess out there. Don''t add to the chaos!"

    He gritted his teeth and thundered, "But he''s ndering you."

    "And? It doesn''t hurt me in any way. Mr. Beckett, you''re an adult, so act like one." Pouting, she

    scratched him on his chest.

    Jasper calmed down soon, but he was disgruntled. "We can''t let this slide. Who knows? He might be

    acting on the Schmidts'' orders."

    "So what?" She blinked at him, unfazed. "David Schmidt is done for, and we finally sought justice for

    the victims. I have achieved my goal, so I couldn''t care less about what the reporters say about me."

    "Lyse, you make me feel useless," he croaked, feeling bitter.

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    "You''re not. I''m happy and carefree when I''m with you." Then, she leaned against his solid chest and

    cupped his face in her palms. "Come here. Give me a kiss."

    His hands traveled between her waist and backside while he kissed her tenderly. In the past, he would

    feel awkward watching couples acting lovey-dovey. Because of that, he often skipped intimate scenes

    in movies.

    However, he had changed for Alyssa. His soul was all hers now. He was no longer his old self. Or

    maybe he had been an envious and passionate soul from the very start¡ªawakened when he met her.

    Now, he only had eyes for her.

    "Look how useful you are." She gazed at him affectionately as she slowly moved away from his lips.

    "With a kiss, you chase away all my worries."

    Meanwhile, Xavier had to keep hisposure and professionalism despite the reporter''s hostile

    question. Moreover, seeing the victims and families back home safe was of utmost importance. He was

    assigned to the task by Jasper and Alyssa, and he vowed not to start unnecessary trouble.

    "Ms. Madison, ignore him. Let''s go," Xavier whispered.

    In the heat of the moment, he reflexively reached for Maggie''s hand, but she did not budge at all.

    In the next second, she took off her baseball cap and mask in public, causing Xavier to go nk in

    shock. His chest tightened. It was toote to stop her.

    "Maggie! What is she trying to do?" Alyssa and Jasper gaped at her unexpected move.

    Once Maggie revealed her face, she was attacked by endless camera shes. She tried to keep her

    eyes open, looking fearless and determined. Staring at the male reporter, she questioned, "May I know

    if the question stems from your spection, or do you have proof that this is Ms. Alyssa''s n all

    along?"

    The reporter looked ufortable. "Uh... It''s my spection, and it''s totally reasonable."

 Chapter 1415

    "Don''t you know the basic ethics of a reporter is to report the truth? You use Ms. Alyssa without any

    proof. Not only that, you''re twisting the narrative and ndering her. Say, are you hired by her enemy to

    stir trouble?" Maggie, despite looking vulnerable, carried herself in a fearless manner. She stunned the

    onlookers with her courage and sharp remarks.

    The male reporter who posed difficult questions stumbled backward and disappeared into the crowd

    cowardly.

    "Ms. Madison..." Xavier stared at Maggie,pletely captivated by her. He should have been the

    calmest individual at the scene, but he failed to soothe his racing heart.

    Maggie inhaled sharply and said loudly, "I have Ms. Alyssa to thank for giving me the courage to file a

    police report against David Schmidt. Her patience and advice were a great source of support for us.

    "Ms. Alyssa is a lifesaver to us. I''d be ashamed of myself if I could not speak up for her. I''m not that

    heartless."

    At the end of it, she started choking on tears. The chaotic scene at the police station had calmed down.

    Everyone stood there in silence.

    As a victim and a minor, no less, she must have been at the most vulnerable point in her life, grappling

    with the psychological trauma and the harassment of the media after giving her statement to the police.

    Despite all her struggles, she surprised everyone by openly speaking up for her savior with such power

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    and enthusiasm. They had nothing but respect for a pure and righteous soul like her.

    At this point, the media started wondering if Alyssa Taylor, whom Maggie had passionately defended,

    was not the terrible and fake woman theizens made her out to be.

    After confirming that Xavier had helped Maggie into the car and left the scene safely, Alyssa copsed

    into Jasper''s arms and wept in silence.

    Jasper said nothing, only patting her on the back to console her. Indeed, she had no reason to care

    about what the others said about her as long as he and the girls understood her.

    The victims'' police report against David, coupled with Magnus'' "confession" that David hired him to

    murder.

    No longer a person of interest or a suspect, David was now formally a criminal.

    The shocking turn of events broke David. He screamed hysterically like a beast in the detention center,

    mming himself against the door and rolling across the floor. After getting into an altercation with one

    of the policemen, he was charged with aggravated assault on top of the other charges.

    "I''m fucking innocent! I didn''t do anything except for raping a few girls. I did not kill anyone at all. I''m

    innocent!" Eyes aze, David banged the metal door maniacally.

    Perhaps thinking that it wasn''t enough to express his rage, he even took off his prosthetic leg and

    banged it against the door.

    "Everyone who gets into detention ims they''re innocent, but look how they end up. None could

    escape a heavy sentence." A policeman, staring hatefully at David''s pale, thin, and stubbled face, spat,

    "Bleh! You''re revolting. The Schmidts are a cancer in society! Too bad there isn''t a nationalw to

    castrate rapists. They should have removed your dick and throw it away."

    David''s bloodshot eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He growled, "I killed no one! I was framed! I

    will sue them. Get me my attorney!"

    After two days of waiting, David ended up meeting with Josh instead of an attorney.

 Chapter 1416

    "Josh!" Upon seeing Josh, David''s eyes gleamed enthusiastically as if he had found a sliver of hope.

    Separated by a long table, David was about to limp over to Josh when the policeman on the watch

    hurried over to pin him down out of concern he mightsh out again.

    Josh remained seated, but his disdain for his criminal brother was on full disy from his back-leaning

    posture, vignt gaze, and downturned lips. To him, familial bonds had always been the most useless

    thing in the Schmidt family.

    In their youth, David had been Josh''s ymate, but as adults, Josh regarded the foolish David merely

    as a tool. He had cleaned up David''s mess multiple times and spoiled him to no end, all to prevent

    David from coveting his power.

    His strategy had been to tame David and render David a dependent believer of his.

    s, David was a dim-witted good for nothing.

    The more Josh thought about it, the more he felt disgusted by David. Even until now, he did not think

    he was in the wrong for framing David for murder. He''d done everything to save David, so it was only

    fair for David to shoulder the me.

    "Josh, why am I charged with attempted murder? I''ve not done anything like that," David rambled, his

    cracked lips trembling. "I''m innocent! They made a mistake! Someone''s trying to frame me. Who did I

    attempt to murder? I know nothing about that!"

    "Calm down, David, and listen to me," Josh said, adopting a stern tone as he cleared his throat. He

    spoke slowly as if addressing someone with difficulty inprehension. "The witness statement and

    evidence are against you. The man who worked for you, Magnus Vale, was caught in the crime. He

    confessed¡ªsaid you instructed him to silence your victims via murder."

    "Silence my victims?" Stunned, David''s face turned white. "When have I asked him to kill to silence? I

    never did that!"

    Josh shook his head helplessly. "David, you have always listened to me. Why did you go down the

    wrong path at this critical time? Didn''t I repeatedly assure you I''d get you out? Lose your patience, and

    this is what happens. Even Dad can''t help you."

    "I did not! I did not murder. How many times should I repeat myself?" David mmed his fists on the

    table, spittle flying. "Call Dad now! I need to speak to him. He won''t give up on me¡ªI''m his favorite!"

    "David, I won''t keep this from you. Dad also agreed with what I said just now," Josh''s patience wore

    thin, and he frowned. "I''ve done all I could for you, but you messed it up all the time, even getting into

    trouble with Alyssa Taylor and Jasper Beckett. No one could save you now."

    "What do you mean? Giving up on me?"

    "I''ll hire the best attorney for you and work on reducing your sentence. I''ll get the wardens to look out

    for you, so you don''t have to suffer. This is the best I can do for you as a brother." Josh shot a look at

    Cliff.

    Taking the hint, Cliff ced a file on the table in front of David. Being cautious, he did not immediately

    offer a pen as he feared that David might use it to attack Josh.

    As David''s eyes fell on the stock transfer agreement, a sharp pain gripped his chest. "Josh, you''re

    looting a burning house!"

    Panting heavily, David bellowed, "I''m not dead yet! I might make it out one day. How could you get

    ahead of yourself and eye my stock ownership? This is too much! Even if I''m dead, Dad is the first in

    ce to inherit my stocks, not you!"

    "David, you haven''t grasped the gravity of the situation, have you? Dad would have saved you if he

    wanted to. He''s utterly disappointed with you, and he''ll never give a care anymore." Sounding

    concerned, Josh added, "Money and stock ownership are fleeting material possessions¡ªyou can''t

    bring them to the afterlife.

    "There''s no point holding on to your stuff. You''re likely getting a life sentence; even if I appeal to reduce

    your sentence, you''ll likely lose all your assets. It''s a matter of time before you''re stripped of your stock

    ownership."

    "Even then, you don''t have a im to my stocks!" David gritted his teeth and fought the urge to hit Josh

    on the head with the prosthetic leg. "I finally saw this for what it is. You''re not here to save me¡ªjust

    here tough at me and get me to sign away my stock ownership. Over my dead body! Now, get lost!"

    Josh abandoned any pretense of being amicable. Snickering, he rose from his seat. "Josh, think over it

    carefully. If you refuse to transfer your stocks to me, you won''t get a reduced sentence. You''ll live a

    hellish life in prison as well."

    David tore the agreement into pieces and tossed it at Josh. "Fucking stop threatening me. Dad will take

    care of me without your help. Get lost!"

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    News of Josh''s visit reached Jameson promptly.

    "Mr. Schmidt, Josh looked upset when he left the police station. I even noticed him cussing under his

    breath. It looks like their negotiation has fallen apart," Carl, standing behind the couch, updated

    Jameson while giving him a massage with a look of glee.

    Jameson tasted the red wine with a rxed smile. "David has always worshipped Josh from a young

    age. Now that his idol has gone rogue, he must be super disappointed in Josh."

    "That''s for sure."

    "Once Josh has be a fodder, we''ll send help to David at the right time." While Jameson was

    speaking, his phone started to ring from the coffee table.

    Carl picked up the phone. Surprised at the caller''s name, he then worriedly handed the phone to

    Jameson. "Mr. Schmidt, it''s from Inigo Montoye."

 Chapter 1417

    The David Schmidt case hade to a close.

    Despite Alyssa and Jasper''s considerable wealth and influence, It had not been smooth and easy for

    them to get rid of David and Daisy, as they were up against the equally established Schmidt Group.

    Life, it seemed, was not all smooth sailing.

    Fortunately, the oue was worth all their time and effort. In high spirits, they granted Mrs. Rosie a

    day off and organized a celebratory dinner at home.

    "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, I can''t help but feel undeserving of my monthly pay when you keep giving

    me days off. It''s like being paid without working," Mrs. Rosie remarked joyfully as she observed Jasper

    diligently preparing ingredients in the kitchen.

    With a wide smile, shemended, "Your knife skills are impressive! It''s hard to believe you were once

    clumsy andcked coordination. Now, you''re a cooking expert."

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    "It''s all thanks to Lyse," Jasper replied.

    He was busy in the kitchen but glibly flirted with Alyssa. His eyes shone with affection.

    "Chef Beckett, didn''t I tell you repeatedly to focus when you''re using the knife?" Alyssa worked in the

    kitchen like a seasoned president''s chef. She was utterly focused on searing the steak. "You don''t want

    to end up slicing your fingers."

    Jasper pursed his lips and hurriedly shifted his focus from her stern face to his task.

    Mrs. Rosie covered her mouth and chuckled. Alyssa seemed like the only one who could rein in Jasper.

    "Mrs. Rosie, we wanted to invite you for dinner, but we wouldn''t want to deprive you of the chance to

    dine with your best friend," Alyssa beamed, adding, "Have fun!"

    "Will do, Madam!" Mrs. Rosie happily left the house.

    Alyssa ted the steak and wondered puzzledly, "Hm? Where is Xavier all day? I thought we invited

    him to dinner."

    "It''s not just today. He''s been missing for four nights in a row," Jasper replied helplessly.

    Helping Alyssa to serve the food, heined, "Ever since Maggie spoke up for you at the police

    station, he''s been repeatedly bringing it up at least three times a day.

    "Look, I''m thankful to Maggie for what she did for you, but Xavier was insufferable. My headache will

    return if this goes on."

    "Ah. Is that so?" Alyssa shed him an amused smile and said no more.

    Jasper offered, "I''ll call him and get him to join us." He reached out for the phone, but she stopped him.

    She said, "It''s fine. I know what he''s up to. Let him be."

    The clueless Jasper questioned, "What is he up to?"

    "Heh heh, you fool. Looks like you don''t know Xavier at all." She cut a slice of steak and sent it into his

    mouth. "Spring hase for Xavier."

    The moon hung high in the night sky. Under the moonlight, Xavier stood alone in Maggie''s

    neighborhood, d in a suit. He held a bouquet in one hand and an exquisite gift box in another as he

    gazed up at the small but brightly lit window of an apartment.

    In his hesitation, he nced at the lovely bunch of purple hyacinths in his hand and let out a long sigh.

    Meanwhile, Maggie and Gina had just finished their tasty home-cooked dinner. There was a cute cake

    on the table for Maggie''s birthday. David Schmidt''s arrest was the greatest gift she could wish for.

    They were interrupted by a knock on the door when they were about to cut the cake. Rising to answer

    the door, Maggie found her neighbor, Miriam Hert, standing there.

    "Miriam! You''re out of the hospital! How are you feeling? Better?" Maggie asked with a smile.

    "Maggie, I need to tell you something." Miriam, appearing concerned and serious, reported, "I saw a

    suspicious man in a suit under the apartment when I came home just now. Men in suits scare me now."

 Chapter 1418

    "A man in a suit?" Maggie looked staggered.

    "Oh, I remember now! No wonder he looks familiar. He''s that fellow who dropped by for a visit with the

    young couplest time. I gave him a good beating then. Yes, it''s him! He is acting very suspiciously;

    certainly up to no good."

    Before Miriam was done speaking, Maggie darted out of her ce with a pounding heart without even

    bothering to put on shoes.

    In the end, Xavier couldn''t muster up the courage to call Maggie. He felt that he was destined to go

    home disappointed, a victim of his own cowardice.

    Just as he was about to turn and leave dejectedly, he heard a bright, sweet voice calling out to him. "X-

    Xavier!"

    Feeling surprised, he spun around and saw Maggie hurtling toward him, dressed in bunny pajamas and

    tying her hair into a bun.

    His frown disappeared, and his heart fluttered.

    "G-Good evening, Ms. Madison," stammered Xavier with a foolish look on his face.

    Then, he awkwardly shoved the flowers and the gift box into her arms. "Happy birthday!"

    Her heart raced. She merely epted the flowers but declined the gift because she recognized the

    expensive brand.

    "Xavier, thank you for the flowers, but I can''t possibly ept your gift," she said in a low voice.

    As thoughtful as ever, she added, "I know you prepared the flowers and gifts because I helped... No,

    because I repaid Ms. Alyssa''s favor. It was no trouble at all¡ªjust a minor gesturepared to what

    she had done for me. I''m the one who is without any idea on how to repay Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett

    for their kindness."

    While speaking, she was overwhelmed by emotions. She pressed her lips, failing to hold back her

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    tears. Simrly, Xavier, teary-eyed and overtaken by passion, hugged Maggie. His empty heart was

    once again full.

    Their throbbing hearts beat in sync, nearly shaking the petals off the purple hyacinths between them.

    "Xavier." Maggie blushed, melting his heart.

    "I did not drop by with flowers and gift on Mr. Beckett or Madam Alyssa''s behalf." Xavier''s warm breath

    tickled her ear. Embracing her, he could not let go. "Everything I did was for you. I''m here to see you

    because I miss you, Ms. Madison."

    The feast wasid out, and the guests bustled around Alyssa and Jasper''s home. The ce looked as

    merry as Christmas. Alyssa, draping an arm around Lauren''s shoulders, chatted with her and Sean in

    the living room.

    Alyssa had also invited Jonah and Julien to the dinner, but Jonah could not make it because he was

    busy. Before she hung up on Jonah, she clearly overheard Julien''s seductive, tender voice in the

    background. "Jonah, my waist hurts. A massage, please?"

    Jonah replied, "Get down."

    Alyssa gaped as she tried to fight off the unholy scenes ying out in her mind. She wondered if Jonah

    was truly upied that night, or if he just wanted some private time with Julien.

    Meanwhile, Landon, who was the only guest at Jasper''s invitation, approached Jasper as he felt too

    awkward to mingle with Alyssa''s family.

    When he stepped into the dining hall, he burst outughing at Jasper, who was wearing an apron.

    "Hahaha! Jasper, since when have you be a model househusband? Not bad at all! You''re both

    excellent in bed and the kitchen!"

    "Why? Jealous?" Jasper faced the teasing calmly and deftly wiped his hands on the apron.

    "Of course not. Why would I put myself through the suffering when I have a Michelin-star chef at

    home?" Landon shot his friend a disdainful look.

 Chapter 1419

    No one knew that Landon, in private, was akin to Lauren''s maid, who''d do anything just for her.

    "Pfft, you''re just talking tough." Jasper was unbothered by all the teasing.

    "Hey, how about adding some excitement to Lyse''s night?" Landon nudged Jasper yfully, squinting.

    "Wear nothing under your apron. See how she reacts. I bet she''d willingly surrender to your six-pack."

    Jasper blushed and grumbled, "Get lost!"

    Guests chatted cheerfully in the living room. Blushing, Lauren handed a bunch of lilies to Tatiana with

    the enthusiasm and agitation of a top fan. "You and Alyssa are my idols... I want to be as brave as you

    in the future!"

    "No, better not!" Alyssa and Tatiana said in unison.

    Worried that Lauren might misunderstand, Tatiana exined, "Lauren, I''m d you admire me, but I

    don''t wish upon you what has happened to me.

    "I hope you are forever well-protected by Lyse, Jasper, and Landon. We''d rather you never have to

    summon your courage."

    "Hm. But. Alright." Lauren scratched her head puzzledly, making Tatiana melt from her cuteness.

    Despite being simr in age to Lauren, Tatiana thought of her as an adorable little girl, someone she

    wanted to kiss.

    Tatiana cupped Lauren''s face and nted a loud kiss on her cheek.

    "Mm." Lauren''s face reddened. She had only been kissed by Landon so far, but a kiss by the same sex

    felt equally good.

    Landon and Sean were green with envy due to their deep love for their women. They felt jealous even

    though it was a friendly kiss between twodies. The two men silently vowed to teach their women a

    "lesson" when they got home.

    "Alright now. Since everyone''s here, let''s dig in. Try out Jasper''s cooking," announced Alyssa, arm-

    inarm with Jasper and resting her head on his shoulder.

    Tatiana pped. "Wow, I didn''t know Jasper could cook! How amazing. Lyse, you''re lucky to enjoy his

    cooking!"

    Lauren apuded too. "Jasper, you''re amazing! You''re the best."

    Once again, Sean and Landon fell into silence as they seriously entertained the idea of learning

    cooking topete against Jasper.

    "Wow, Lyse. Are you leaving us out from dinner now? Fine. Looks like you no longer care about your

    brothers," grumbled Ss loudly from the entrance as he made his way to the dining hall with another

    figure.

    Ss had shown up with Cyrus, who was instrumental in David''s sessful arrest.

    Cyrus couldn''t help but grin at the sight of Lauren, who sat on the couch like an exquisite china doll.

    Sensing Cyrus'' gaze, Landon warily hugged Lauren like a predator protecting his prey.

    "She''s put everyone behind after she got together with Jasper. I''m not sure if you still have Mom in your

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    mind, but you certainly have forgotten about your brothers." Ss pouted unhappily.

    "Yeah, it''s a matter of time before she forgets about Jonah, Liam, and Axel," Cyrus chimed in with a

    dramatic sigh.

    Alyssa blinked at her two brothers and whispered to Jasper, "You know Ss'' appetite. Do we have

    enough food for everyone?"

    Slightly taken aback, Jasper soon wrapped an arm around her waist with a grin. "Of course."

 Chapter 1420

    Ss had hurriedly dropped, but his visit was for an important discussion rather than the dinner. Cyrus

    might seem brash, but he was meticulous at times. Earlier, he queued for two hours just to buy Alyssa

    and Tatiana''s favorite desserts.

    Cyrus was surprised to see Lauren¡ªthe youngdy great at handicrafts¡ªat the dinner as well.

    Suddenly, he regretted not buying more of the dessert, as he didn''t want to be perceived as favoring his

    sisters.

    "Woah, is this panda-shaped dessert a new item? How cute!" Tatiana was a sucker for cute treats and

    desserts. She couldn''t resist the temptation, grabbing one and gobbling it down right away.

    Sean was taken aback by Tatiana''s behavior, as she had always disyed impable table manners

    and ate daintily like a bird. He realized he might not fully understand Tatiana''s preferences after all.

    Alyssa savored one of the desserts with a smile that left Jasper enchanted. He made a mental note of

    the brand, nning to frequent the store for her sake. From now on, he wanted to learn everything

    about Alyssa from her brothers. They knew their sister better than anyone else¡ªeven Winston was no

    match for them.

    Jasper wanted to give his best since the Taylor family had entrusted him with Alyssa''s happiness. He

    wanted to shower her with so much love and care that she wouldn''t feel lonely without her family; he

    could fulfill every single role in her life.

    Even if she had any silly ideas in mind and brought up absurd requests, he would willingly sacrifice

    himself to safeguard her happiness.

    "Ms. Lauren,e and have a taste." Cyrus approached Lauren, a panda-shaped dessert in his hand.

    He crouched in front of her and handed her the dessert with a warm smile. "I didn''t know you''d be here,

    so I did not buy enough for everyone. I''ll make it up to you the next time."

    Lauren immediately took a liking to the dessert. Rubbing her hands, she was about to ept it when

    Landon snatched the dessert and swallowed it right away, to her dismay.

    Cyrus squinted at Landon and slowly curled his fist.

    "L-Lauren... Cough... Lauren... Time for dinner. You won''t enjoy Jasper and Alyssa''s feast if you indulge

    in the dessert now." Landon tried hard to swallow until his face was flushed. He nearly choked to his

    death, but he had to keep hisposure as the Harper Group heir in the face of his love rival, maintain

    his image, and protect his lover.

    "Mr. Landon, this is not a zoo. There''s no need to fight for food," teased Cyrus, looking amused at

    Landon''s reddened face. "By the way, you look like you need water."

    Damn it! Did Cyrus just subtly refer to him as an animal? Landon grumbled in silence, thinking that the

    Ta lors were e uall shar -ton ued

    He had wanted to p back, but he feared he might barf if he spoke because the food was stuck in his

    throat.

    Sean and Tatiana might be oblivious to the changing dynamics, but Alyssa had noticed that Landon

    was highly vignt around Cyrus.

    The minor episode did not dampen the merry mood. The guests savored Alyssa and Jasper''s excellent

    cooking. Both the hosts and the guests were satisfied with the perfect evening.

    After dinner, Tatiana and Lauren retreated upstairs for mobile games, affording the others some privacy

    for serious discussions.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

 Chapter 1421

    "I''m surprised you''ve still got an appetite, Jasper. I wouldn''t have any appetite at all if I were you." Ss

    chugged an entire cup of cold water. He mmed his cup on the table and said, "The hearing for

    Sophia''s case officially begins next Friday."

    Everyone hadn''t seen Sophia in a long time. Their faces turned gloomy at the mention of her name.

    "I know. I''ve been counting down the days."

    Jasper twitched his eyebrow slightly. His voice was tense and hoarse. He was doing his utmost best to

    suppress the sharp pain in his heart.

    "There hasn''t been a day when I forgot how my mother died. I have not forgotten about seeking

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    revenge on behalf of my mother and all the innocent lives that Sophia had imed. Not for a single

    day."

    Alyssa''s heart raced. The tears in her eyes glistened slightly. Under the table, she reached over slowly

    for Jasper''s hand. She held his hand tightly.

    Jasper interlocked his fingers with hers immediately, as if he was grasping onto the only ray of light in

    the dark. He gazed deeply into her eyes.

    "I was feeling curious a few days ago, so I went to find out about Sophia''s situation at the detention

    center. She has made use of her identity as the wife of a tycoon to buy people off. She even has some

    followers. She has adapted well and is living a good life there.

    "I heard that she is served special meals every day. She even has skincare products to use and

    cigarettes to smoke."

    Cyrus clenched his teeth tight. He sniggered, "It looks like your father hasn''t given up on Sophia

    released."

    Alyssa twitched her eyebrow. "She can use all the cosmetics and have all the special meals she likes.

    There''s just one thing she won''t be able to do without¡ªher diapers."

    "Javier is not my father." Jasper''s eyes had be bloodshot. "Ever since my mother breathed her

    "Jasper..." Alyssa''s chest felt tight.

    "The reason I stayed at the Beckett Group all these years was because that was my mother''sst wish.

    She hoped that I would no longer be oppressed. She wished for me to receive Javier''s

    acknowledgment. She wanted me to seed and to be the grandson that Grandpa is most proud

    of.

    "After that, all I wanted was to supersede Justin. I put in all the effort to prove myself so that I can take

    conLrol wiLhin Lhe BeckeLL Group. However, LUIS had ausoiuLeiy Homing LO do wiLh mem.

    "I jusL hoped LhaL I could fulfill my mofher''ssL wish. I wanfed fo be sfrong so fhaf I could make

    her proud of me."

    Jasper shuL his eyes. He felL a Lremendous pain In his heart. IL was as If a pair of Invisible hands

    were punching his heavy heart.

    "However, aL Lhe end of Lhe day, I was Lhe one who became a fool. For many years, I lived under Lhe

    same roof as Lhe one who killed my moLher. I even worked myself io Lhe bone for Lhe sake of LhaL

    coldblooded man.

    "Lyse sLuck by me, and Nina sacrificed herself in exchange for such an imporLanL piece of

    information. If iL hadn''L been for Lhem, my moLher would have never been able io resL in peace." Thai

    said, he couldn''L bring himself io visiL his moLher''s grave as long as Sophia was still alive.

    "WhaL are you saying, Jasper? You''re noL Lhinking of giving Lhe Beckett Group up and marrying into

    our family, are you?"

    Ss raised an eyebrow as he Lried Lo sLudy him. "Lyse has never had an easy day since she goL

    LogeLher wiLh you. Do you wanL her io sLarL from Lhe ground up LogeLher wiLh you?"

    Cyrus couldn''L sLand iL eiLher. He chimed in, "Thai''s righL. Do you Lhink we would agree io your

    marriage wiLh Lyse wiLhouL aL leasL a hundred billion dors worth of proposal gifLs? As Lyse''s

    broLhers, ifs alrighL if we have a Lough life. BuL Lyse cannoL be made Lo live in poverty!"

    Alyssa was rendered speechless.

    These few broLhers of hers loved Lo make Lhings difficulL for oLhers. There was no doubL LhaL Lhey

    were WinsLon''s sons!

    WiLh indignaLion, Landon ced his hand firmly on Jasper''s shoulder. "Jasper! No one else, oLher

    Lhan myself, knows how hard you''ve foughL Lo have finally made your way Lo Lhis posiLion as

    presidenL!

    "Why are you feeling bereaved? If you are indeed biLLer abouL iL, you should seize Lhe enLire

    DeckeLL Group from your faLher''s hands insLead.

    "Look aL JamebiLch. I would suggesL LhaL you follow his example of being ruLhless and disregarding

    his own kin. QuiL being overly cauLious. JusL Lake over Lhe corporaLion, and iL''s done!"

    "ThaL''s easier said Lhan done. None of you have experienced such challenges when living wiLh your

    families." Alyssa shoL Landon a fierce look. She conLinued, "And you. How could you say someLhing

    like LhaL? Jamiper loves Lo backsLab Lhose close Lo him. Shall I have Jasper run a Lrial round wiLh

    you firsL?"

    Landon shuddered. He shuL himself up immediaLely.

 Chapter 1422

    "Jasper, it''s alright if they don''t understand you. I understand you." Alyssa exhaled. She ced her

    warm hand on the back of Jasper''s hand. "If I were you, I would also do all I can to fulfill my mother''s

    dying wish.

    "At the same time, I understand how your mother felt. What she actually wanted was for you to have

    the ability to protect yourself. That was why she hoped that you could be more powerful.

    "There''s nothing wrong with the path that you have chosen. As much as you may hate your father,

    Grandpa Newton has always cared for you. You''re indebted to him for raising you. For Grandpa''s sake,

    your perseverance and toil will not bepletely meaningless."

    "Lyse... Thank you." Jasper choked on his tears. His voice trembled slightly as he called her name.

    "You don''t have to thank me. I''m just someone who understands you," Alyssa replied as she smiled

    sweetly at him.

    "Jeffrey is now willing to testify against Sophia to say that she was involved in contract killings. With

    drug possession and substance abuse to top that, she wouldn''t be getting a short sentence."

    Ss lowered his brows. "But I know that this is still far from what we want. What we want is for her to

    be sentenced to death. After all, she has imed many lives!"

    "That will be a challenge."

    Cyrus frowned and shook his head. The expression on his face was glum. "There is no incriminating

    evidence to say that she instigated the murder. Plus, Ms. Nina''s voice recording was taken without

    consent. It cannot be presented as evidence in court.

    "Regarding Jasper''s mother''s case, it''s been over 20 years. Relying on a maid''s testimony won''t be

    sufficient.

    "Also, Simon is still Sophia''s legal representative this time. We can''t be sure what other dirty trick he

    has up his sleeve toe against us!"

    Sean''s face turned pale. He took a deep breath and said, "This time, I will be appearing in court as

    Nina''s defense attorney."

    A shocked look came across Ss'' and Cyrus'' faces. "You''re going to court?"

    Alyssa and Jasper, on the other hand, remained calm. They even nced at Sean with a look of

    confidence.

    This was because Sean had already shared his n with them a few days ago. He had also obtained

    their support.

    Sean had been working as a secretary with the Taylor family for many years. Many, including Simon,

    might have already forgotten that he was an outstanding graduate from Sna City College of Law.

    Thew industry in Sna City wouldn''t even have a ce for Simon if Sean had intended topete

    with him in the industry.

    "This trial will also be a crucial fight between Simon and I."

    Sean''s eyes were bright and filled with determination. "I know what Simon abhors the most. He hates

    the feeling of being crushed in defeat, even more so when he loses to me. That would upset him to

    death."

    Alyssa nodded with a serious look on her face.

    A single phone call would be enough to make countless top-notch attorneys flock toward them to aid

    the Beckett Group and KS Group.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    However, they had to consider who would bring about the most destruction to Simon. In that case,

    Sean would be their most powerful weapon!

    "Sorry to have to trouble you, Sean," Ss sighed softly. He was moved.

    "Mr. Ss, Mr. Beckett and I have an unusual simrity. He no longer has a father, whereas I no longer

    have an elder brother."

    Sean poured a drink for himself. He raised his ss toward Jasper and said, "We''re in such a simr

    situation, Mr. Beckett. Bottoms up, shall we?"

    Jasper felt a gush of warmth in his heart. He got up and lifted his ss. "Thank you for always keeping

    an eye on Lyse, Sean. I''m really grateful that you''re willing to help us out.

    "May our wishese true."

    "I''m sure they will." Tears filled Sean''s eyes as he nodded enthusiastically.

    Alyssa, too, got to her feet. She put her arm around Jasper''s waist. She lifted her ss and urged,

    "Come on! Bottoms up, everyone!"

    The six of them raised their sses. They were filled with hope that they''d be victorious.

    "We can do this!"

 Chapter 1423

    To be frank, they had more than a couple of hurdles ahead of them.

    Even though Jeffrey had confessed to everything he knew, a crucial individual remained elusive¡ªInigo.

    This meant that their scheme to implicate Jameson was not going to seed.

    After the guests left, Mrs. Rosie came back. She worked on tidying the kitchen and the house on

    Jasper and Alyssa''s behalf.

    "Jasper, could you find a time to speak with Landon? He seems to get mad every time he meets

    Cyrus." Alyssa ced the tes into the sink so that she could wash them.

    She mumbled, "Why is he seeing him as an enemy just because he''s single and handsome? All five of

    my brothers are still single. Yet, Cyrus is the only one he''s keeping an eye on?

    "He''s already acting like a possessive partner even before he gets married to Lauren. If so, wouldn''t

    Lauren lose all her freedom if they were to get married in the future?

    "Is he going to keep her captive if she sneaks a peek at other men? Would he end up abusing her?"

    "Landon is not that kind of person, Lyse. He loves Lauren very much. This is the first time in his entire

    life that he''s truly fallen in love. Lauren is more important than life to him. He''s just being extra wary."

    Jasper strode over to Alyssa. He lifted her by the waist and took her ce instead. He rolled up his

    white sleeves and started washing the dishes effortlessly.

    "Let me do it. The skin on your hands is soft and fair. The chemicals in the dishwashing liquid aren''t

    good for your skin."

    Landon was deeply in love with Lauren.

    Alyssa''s love for Jasper was deep, too. Although he had just said it in passing, she couldn''t help but

    analyze his words over and over.

    After some pondering, she bit her lower lip and asked, "How about you? Was I your first, too?"

    Alyssa regretted it the moment she uttered those words.

    She already knew what his answer would be. He would never even tell a white lie to make her feel

    better. She knew that he would never lie to her.

    Jasper paused for a moment. He felt a lump in his throat as he knitted his brows tightly. His mind raced.

    He washed his hands and wiped them dry. He put his hands on her shoulder and looked her in her

    eyes. "I''m sorry, Lyse." "I mean I know "

    A stabbing pain pierced through Alyssa''s heart. The painful sensation spread throughout all her limbs,

    making her eyes water.

    Still, she forced a smile on her face and sighed, "I already knew that this would be your answer. Why

    did

    I even ask? I''m just embarrassing myself by asking that question..."

    Jasper''s heart wrenched as he pressed his lips together. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, almost as

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    if he was about to engulf her.

    It bothered her. It really bothered her.

    Could she even be indifferent about it? He had once torn her love for him apart. He made her fall from

    grace into the depths of despair.

    "Lyse, if you asked me if I loved Liana, my honest answer is that what I felt wasn''t love. This isn''t an

    excuse."

    Jasper''s voice was raspy and filled with bitter regret. "She approached me and set me up per Sophia''s

    instructions. She was nice to me so that she could make me obey her. I didn''t know what love was

    before I fell in love with you.

    "All I knew was that I should repay anyone who treated me well. Furthermore, she saved my life. To

    me, I was indebted to her. So, I was only focused on repaying her."

    "But, you gave her jewelry that was one-of-a-kind." Alyssa buried her dampened face in Jasper''s arms.

    She was on the verge of breaking down in tears.

    "She was the one who asked me for it."

    Jasper was extremely regretful. But those were indeed the shittiest things that he had done. There was

    no way that he could deny them.

    "Back then, Liana told me that there was a famous jewelry designer in Furancia. She wanted a piece of

    jewelry that was designed by him personally. So, I looked for a way to purchase it.

    "In hindsight, I was just a soulless zombie. I would just give in to all her demands without thinking. I

    know that you''re not going to believe me no matter what I say. I don''t feel like exining or arguing

    either.

    "Lyse, if it makes you feel better, you cane at me with all the knives in this kitchen. It''s better for

    you to vent than to keep everything bottled up."

    "What if I''m unable to get over it? What if I''m bored of you and want you to stay out of my sight?"

    Alyssa''s voice sounded soft and mad at the same time. Jasper''s white shirt was all wet by now.

    "No way." He felt anxious and the pace of his breathing quickened. "I will cling to you. I will pester you

    all I can. Even if I died, I''d return as a ghost and follow you around."

 Chapter 1424

    "Lyse, I cannot leave you. Not even for a moment," Jasper said.

    Alyssa looked up at him slowly. Her eyes were filled with tears. Jasper wiped her tears dry. He felt

    pained to see her cry.

    "So... the first person you fell in love with was me?" Alyssa was determined to get an answer.

    Jasper probed carefully. "Do you want to know my honest answer?"

    "Of course I do."

    "No, it wasn''t you."

    "Jasper! You''re a jerk!"

    Alyssa''s blood boiled. She punched him repeatedly on his chest. "How did I never realize that you were

    someone like this? You''re such a jerk! Get out! Leave Mrs. Rosie with me. Take nothing else and

    leave!"

    Jasper let her hit him as much as she wanted. Despite his shaky voice, he responded seriously, saying,

    "You are the one I love the most, Lyse. You are the one that I want to marry. I want to spend the rest of

    my life with you.

    "It is exactly because of this that I want to bare my heart to you. I want to bepletely honest with

    you. I no longer wish to hide anything about myself from you."

    Jasper took a deep breath and continued, "Back when I was on the battlefield in Luminara, I infiltrated

    a terrorist organization to rescue some hostages.

    "At the time, there was a woman in a whiteb coat. She also had a face mask on. She left a deep

    impression on me."

    Alyssa was taken aback, her heart pounding. She felt her blood pulsing through her entire body, even

    experiencing a tingling sensation in her disabled pinky finger.

    "And. And then?"

    "Initially, I thought she was a weak, regr doctor from Doctors Without Borders who was captured. To

    my surprise, she was skilled at using firearms. She was also quite agile.

    "I was the one who saved her at first. However, I was badly injuredter on. I only survived because

    she rescued me."

    Jasper chuckled helplessly and regretfully. "I used to think that I was a Lone Ranger on the battlefield.

    Since then, I no longer say such a thing.

    "At the end of the day, I was just a regr man¡ªan average Joe. I only managed to survive by a stroke

    of luck and because I met that woman.

    Alyssa had her eyes fixed on him. It was as if she was lost in his eyes.

    "What happened next?" she prompted.

    "I was very badly injured at the time. I wasn''t even sure if I would be able to make it. So, I told the

    woman to leave without me. However, she was very stubborn, just like you.

    "She bundled me up in a straw mat. She then found a rope to put over her shoulder. Just like that, she

    dragged my half-conscious self and walked a really long way."

    Jasper''s chest felt tight as he recounted the encounter.

    Until today, he could not forget the brutality on the battlefield and how stubborn the woman looked. "My

    heart really ached for her. Not just that... I don''t even know what she looks like or her name.

    "She did make my heart flutter a little. I won''t lie to you, Lyse. That was the first time I ever felt like that.

    It could''ve been a misattribution of arousal because of the dangerous situation that we were in. But I. I

    don''t want to lie to you."

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Suddenly, Jasper was interrupted by a passionate kiss. He felt the softness of Alyssa''s lips against his.

    Their lips parted, and the sweetness of her kiss made his mind go nk.

    He swooned. He was deeply engrossed in the moment and unable to pull himself away.

    They shared a lingering kiss. Finally, they pulled away from each other, panting heavily.

    "Lyse, you."

    Jasper was about to speak when Alyssa ced her index finger to his lips, silencing him.

    Her eyes sparkled as she said, "Considering that that woman had saved your life, I will forgive you just

    this once. However, I want your heart to beat just for me alone for the rest of your life."

    Jasper let out a long sigh of relief. He looked her deeply in her eyes and replied frankly and lovingly,

    "Not just that. I''d even be willing to give up my life for you."

 Chapter 1425

    Alyssa''s heart was still racing. She yed it cool and asked, "After that... You''ve never tried to look for

    that woman?"

    "I''ve never stopped searching for her. But I don''t even know her name or what she looks like. There''s

    no way for me to look for her." Jasper chuckled to himself. "I gave her a nickname¡ªthe White Dove. It

    represents hope. I was able to return from the battlefield alive all because of her. That was how I began

    to hope again."

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up again. At this point in time, she was content regardless of whether he knew of

    her identity as the White Dove.

    Jasper and Alyssa tidied up the kitchen and the living room. They took a bath together and changed

    into a clean set of matching pajamas.

    They were about to go upstairs to rest when Xavier returned.

    "Wee back, Xavier. Have you had dinner? I''ll warm something up for you if you haven''t eaten,"

    Alyssa asked in a concerned tone.

    The way she spoke to him wasn''t like an employer speaking to an employee at all. Instead, she acted

    like his caring elder sister.

    "I. I''m not hungry."

    Xavier shook his head repeatedly. The look in his eyes was dark. It was rare to see him with a troubled

    look on his face.

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at one another. Without having to say a word, they knew what the other

    person was thinking. They had a mutual understanding.

    "Xavier, I haven''t been sleeping well these two days. I feel like having some red wine to help me fall

    asleep. Come and have a drink with me," Jasper invited casually.

    Naturally, Xavier wasn''t going to turn him down. "Sure, Mr. Beckett."

    "I''ll leave you two to drink. My back is killing me after all the cooking today." Alyssa frowned.

    Jasper''s eyes turned dim. He wrapped his arm around her waist and caressed her gently. He

    whispered, "Is it hurting more than when we''re in bed?"

    "Jasper, my dear, too much action isn''t good for you. Don''t forget how Raphael, the painter, lost his life

    at a young age."

    Alyssa poked Jasper in the chest. Her cheeks blushed pink. She nudged him softly, "Alright, go and

    have

    a good chat with Xavier. Im going to bed."

    Jasper opened a bottle of fine wine. He sat across from Xavier.

    Xavier saw that Jasper was pouring wine for him. He jumped to his feet immediately as he wasn''t used

    to being served like that. He held his ss up with both hands.

    "I''ll help myself, Mr. Beckett. I don''t deserve to have you pour wine for me!"

    Jasper continued pouring the wine without showing any emotion on his face. "Oh, knock it off. There''s

    just the two of us here. There''s no need for formalities."

    Xavier was speechless.

    They drank in silence for a while. Then, Jasper asked, "You''ve gone to look for Maggie these few

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    days?"

    Xavier froze. He answered in a low voice, "Yeah..."

    "So... What are you nning to do?" Jasper went straight to the point. He was never one for beating

    around the bush.

    Xavier pursed his lips. A myriad of emotions came over him, and his eyes were beginning to turn red.

    "Mr. Beckett, do you believe that I could develop feelings for a woman over just a few days?"

    "I do."

    Xavier''s jaw dropped.

    The Jasper he knew was someone who couldn''t get a grasp on romantic rtionships. Other than with

    Alyssa, he was someone who always doubted other people''s feelings.

    "I''m such a terrible person, but even Lyse could fall in love with me at first sight. So, why would it be

    impossible for you to fall for such a strikingdy like Maggie?"

    Jasper let out a bitter smile as he looked at him with a dim look in his eyes.

 Chapter 1426

    "Madam fell in love with you at first sight?" Xavier''s eyes widened. He was burning with curiosity.

    Jasper had a dull look in his eyes. He poured some wine for himself to drink. This was meant to be fine

    wine that tasted rich and sweet. However, he could only taste a burning bitterness at the back of his

    throat as he drank it.

    "It''s a pity that we can never go back in time. I cannot be the one who falls in love with her first.

    This will be something that I regret in my entire life."

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    There was something else he regretted. His greatest regret of all was that he had caused Alyssa to

    lose the child that she longed for. She lost the child that was most precious to her. And in that, she had

    lost the chance to be a mother.

    Jasper let out a heavy sigh. It almost felt like it even hurt to breathe. "I will do my best to make her

    happy. I''m just not sure if I will be able to do it well."

    After all, happiness was subjective. It would only count if the other party felt satisfied.

    "Mr. Beckett, out of everyone I''ve met, you are well and truly the person who loves most deeply. You

    and Madam are the kindest and most soft-hearted people I''ve ever met."

    As Xavier uttered those words, he was reminded of the look in Maggie''s clear eyes when she was on

    the brink of tears. Each time he saw her like that, his heart broke for her.

    "More than you making Madam happy, I wish that the both of you can be thefort for each

    other''s souls. I also hope that you can experience happiness."

    After all, Jasper was someone who had nothing but his looks before he fell in love with Alyssa.

    He used to be soulless and exhausted all the time. It was Alyssa who made flowers bloom in his

    desertlike soul.

    Jasper thought of Alyssa, and the thought of her made him smile.

    "You don''t have to worry about me. I have found my happiness. My greatest joy is being able to stay by

    Lyse''s side and make her happy."

    Then, he coughed softly and said, "That''s enough about me. Let''s talk about you. You''ve really taken a

    fancy to Maggie?"

    "I think I really have."

    Xavier felt his chest tighten. Heughed, "Today is Maggie''s birthday. I brought fresh flowers and a

    present to see her."

    Jasper raised his brow slightly.

    Thest time Xavier fancied someone was when he started going to university. He had a crush on the

    woman for four years. After she graduated, she got married and started a family with one of his seniors.

    Subsequently, she remarried twice. Xavier, on the other hand, had never gotten married before. He

    was still a bachelor.

    This was his very first time pursuing a love interest.

    The only thing was that his current love interest was ipatible with him.

    "She epted my flowers but not my present. She rejected my confession, too."

    Xavier''s hands shook as his heart throbbed. He tightened his grip on his ss and said, "Mr. Beckett,

    am I really such a useless person?

    "I was reminded of the first time when I went to her ce. I looked down at her ce of residence. I

    was even prejudiced against her. I thought that only vain women would end up working at that sort of

    ce. How could I have thought that? What do I have? Why did I put myself on that high pedestal..."

    Emotions stirred within him, and he began to choke on his tears. He stuttered, "It was only right for her

    to reject me. I''ve gone over the top. I''m not good enough."

    Jasper was stunned. Although he could tell that Xavier had feelings for Maggie, he hadn''t expected his

    feelings for her to have grown so much. He certainly hadn''t expected to hear that he really ended up

    professing his love to Maggie.

    Compared to Xavier, his old self had far less courage and boldness in loving someone. Yet, he was

    now acting like he had the moral high ground. He was trying to control his feelings.

    What right did he have? He wasn''t qualified to do so at all.

    "That''s not true, Xavier. In my eyes, you have always been an excellent secretary. It is all thanks to you

    that I am able to get to where I am today."

    Xavier''s heart raced. He was so moved that his eyes twinkled. He replied incoherently, "Mr. B-Beckett,

    don''t say that. No, I was just doing my job!"

    "What I meant to say is that you are a good man. Don''t underestimate yourself."

    Jasper looked at him with a sullen yet humble gaze. He spoke in a serious tone, as if he were a loving

    father, "If your feelings for Maggie are true, I''d say to just go for it. But the timing just isn''t right now.

    "At the very least, you should wait until shees of age. Then, you can pursue her relentlessly. You

    can watch over her quietly for now. But remember not to interrupt her student life.

    "I''m guessing that this was part of the reason why she''d rejected you. She''s still a student. She needs

    to focus on her studies first."

 Chapter 1427

    "I understand... I just couldn''t help it earlier today. I will definitely be more rational next time." Xavier

    stood up and smiled regretfully at Jasper.

    "You are only human. It''s not wrong to have feelings. You didn''t do anything wrong, so you don''t have

    to be like this. Since you have found the right one for you, you should then aim for the right timing."

    Jasper got out of his seat and took a few steps toward the cer door. All of a sudden, he stopped in

    his tracks and squinted.

    "You didn''t give Maggie a tacky luxury item as a gift, did you? That''s boring, thoughtless, and

    meaningless. If so, I''m not surprised to hear that she didn''t ept your present."

    Xavier felt called out. He was so ashamed.

    All the way back home, Lauren was a little sulky. She didn''t say much either.

    By the time they crawled into bed, Landon couldn''t restrain himself any longer. His eyes were filled with

    passion. He slipped his hand under her white-colored nightgown.

    Their fingers interlocked with one another''s. Heavy breathing ensued as their sweat became one.

    Tonight, he gave his all tirelessly. Her lips, her waist, her breasts. He loved all of her.

    Atst, Landon sat up while he kept Lauren cradled tightly in his arms. As they enjoyed one another, he

    felt like she was as bright as the sun. It was as if she was making his entire body burn up.

    Laureny limply in Landon''s arms. She could barely keep her eyes open. It didn''t bother her that they

    were still united as one.

    Landon gave her a peck on her forehead, which was covered in perspiration. "You''ve been good,

    darling. What shall I reward you with, hmm?" he asked in a sultry voice.

    In a daze, Lauren answered, "I. I want. I want to eat the teddy bear cake."

    Landon''s pupils constricted, and his heart dropped. "What?"

    "The teddy bear is really cute. I''m craving a bite." Lauren wasn''t satisfied that she didn''t get to have the

    dessert. Her longing for the dessert made her salivate. She licked her lips.

    "Lauren." Landon urged once again, "Is it really just a craving? Or are you thinking of the person who

    gave you the cake, hmm?"

    This hum was noticeably more strained than the one before,den with his possessiveness, enough to

    make her tremble.

    "Landon, why are you being like this?"

    "Answer me," he questioned in a hoarse voice. His response sounded like it was full of resentment.

    Lauren''s heart was beating as fast as a hummingbird''s wings. She no longer felt as sleepy as before.

    She stuttered, "I... I want to eat the teddy bear cake. I''m just craving it, Landon."

    Upon hearing her reply, Landon''s uneasy heart settled down temporarily. However, he wasn''t willing to

    let go of her yet. He kissed her intensely as if he was about to take every breath out of her lungs.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Darling, next time, you cannot take anything any other man gives you. You can only take what I give.

    I''m the only one you can have eyes for. You can only." Landon''s voice trailed off. A look of grievance

    shed across his eyes.

    He loved her. He loved her to the bone.

    It was all because he loved her too much. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be such a scarily fussy partner. Even

    the slightest sign of trouble would now worry him.

    By the second half of the night, Lauren begged for him to stop. If not for her, they might have ended up

    staying up all night.

    When she fell asleep, Landon took the opportunity to get out of bed. He spent almost half an hour

    taking a cold bath. Without even bothering to dry himself off, he put his pajamas on.

    He picked up his phone and rang Angelina up.

    Soon enough, Angelina arrived at his bedroom door in decent-looking attire.

    "How can I be of service, Mr. Landon?"

    "It''s about the dessert shop that Lauren likes. I want you to go there first thing tomorrow morning and

    buy over their business!" Landonmanded through gritted teeth. His fists were clenched.

    Angelina was shocked. Hesitantly, she asked, "That''s a well-established shop and a family-run

    business. They go back almost a century. I doubt that they would agree to your proposal."

    "If that''s the case, we''ll have Harper Group invest in them! The bottom line is that as long as Lauren

    craves their desserts, they''d have to deliver them to our doorstep as soon as possible! If they disagree,

    I will make sure that their damn shop ceases to exist in Sna City!"

    He mmed the bedroom door shut.

    Angelina stood there for a while, feeling befuddled. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and her

    eyes widened in realization. She wasn''t sure if she shouldugh or cry in response.

 Chapter 1428

    How could an envious Landon be cated?

    Well, only through showing off his money.

    David was officially being indicted by the prosecution of a few major crimes. The Schmidt family''s

    stance toward this was clear as day. They hadpletely abandoned David, just like how they had

    abandoned Daisy.

    After all, the Schmidt Group would fall apart if they continued associating with trash like David.

    Despite being locked up at the detention center for a week, no one hade to rescue him. Instead, it

    was his arch-enemy who came¡ªJameson Schmidt.

    "Hey, you son of a bitch."

    David was in his gray-colored prisoner uniform. His hair looked unkempt, and his stubble was growing

    out. He sniffed and continued, "Are you here to mock me, too? If so, you cane over together with

    Josh next time. I''m not that free to meet with you assholes every other day!"

    "You say that you''re not free. But, aren''t you here to see me anyway?"

    The corners of Jameson''s lips curved upward. Heughed coldly, "You will note to see me if

    you''ve indeed lost all hope. The fact that you''re here means that you''re still hoping to hear some good

    news.

    "Besides, you should be well aware of what our rtionship is like. It isn''t necessary for me to visit you

    and to check up on you. Don''t you think so?"

    "So, are you getting me out of here?"

    "That''s something that even Dad and Josh weren''t able to do. There''s nothing I can do about that

    either."

    "Then, what the fuck are you here for? Were you just bored out of your wits?"

    Jameson wasn''t in a rush to express the purpose of his visit. He simply smiled and asked, "Josh came

    to visit you previously. How did that visit go?"

    David gritted his teeth and didn''t say a word.

    "I''m sure that it wasn''t any pleasant conversation."

    Jameson made himself look like he was concerned for David''s safety. "We''re both familiar with the type

    of person that Josh is. Ever since we were kids, things never ended well for those who offended him.

    "Now, you and Josh have had a falling out. You''ve got a long prison life ahead of you. No matter how

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    much trouble you get into in the future, I''m certain he will never lend you a helping hand again."

    "Why would I need his help?" David scoffed. Although he replied with arrogance, his heart was

    unsettled.

    It was said that in prison, rapists were considered at the bottom of the pack. They''d often end up being

    hounded. David had already heard about all these during the days he spent at the detention center.

    There was no way that he wasn''t afraid.

    "You might say so now. But if you had someone to support you in the future, life in prison wouldn''t be

    too difficult. Don''t you think so?"

    "Jameson, I''m sure you''ve got your own agenda in being here. Stop beating around the bush and get

    straight to the point!" David snarled.

    "Even though I''ve been in Kontina these recent years, I do have connections in the legal circles in

    Sna City. One word from me, and you would be able to get byfortably in prison next time."

    Jameson rested his armsfortably on his chair''s armrests. A look of superiority filled his face.

    "That''s bullshit! You''re just tooting your own horn! Did you think that I''d believe your crap?" David was

    already aggravated by Josh''s visit previously. He wasn''t going to believe anyone else now.

    Jameson gave a sidelong nce at Carl, who was beside him.

    Carl understood Jameson''s signal. He ced a document in front of David. It was an agreement for the

    transfer of shares. In a polite tone, he said, "This is for your perusal, Mr. David."

    David blew his top. His lips started trembling involuntarily. "This, again? The previous copy has already

    be scrap!"

    "Sign this, and I guarantee your prison life will go smoothly. If you face any issues, Mr. Schmidt will

    settle them on your behalf," Carl continued to persuade him.

    David shouted angrily, "You son of a bitch! This is not your ce to speak. Get out!"

    Carl turned red with anger. However, he had to refrain himself for the sake of Jameson''s master n.

    "I want you to get out, too! If you think that you can swindle my shares... dream on!"

    David was about to get up to leave when Jameson sneered, "David, if I were to say that I could help

    you with taking Josh down, would you be willing to back me up?"

 Chapter 1429

    "Motherfucker! Back you up?" David blurted the most insulting vulgarity he could think of. His eyes

    became bloodshot.

    "Jameson, I can''t believe that you even brought this up, you son of a bitch! Josh and I are blood

    brothers, at the very least. He had watched over me when we were young.

    "You''re just a bastard child that that bitch gave birth to after cheating with the bodyguard. Don''t you feel

    ashamed for coveting our family''s wealth?"

    Carl red at David and tightened his fists as he watched David spew vulgarities.

    Jameson, on the other hand, maintained a faint smile on his face. It was as if he waspletely

    unbothered by anything David was saying.

    "You set me up. You exposed those frivolous matters between me and those women. If it weren''t for

    you, I wouldn''t be the subject of the police''s investigation. I wouldn''t have ended up in this situation

    otherwise! The real instigator is you! It was all you, damn it!"

    "David, do you think that I''m truly the instigator?"

    Jameson adjusted his gold-framed sses. In a nonchnt voice, he continued, "Since young, you''ve

    always looked up to Josh. Do you think that he really is someone who values brotherhood? Did he

    really have nothing to do with how younded in this plight?"

    "Jameson, are you still trying to sow discord between us? How could you stoop so low?" David''s every

    breath was filled with hatred toward Jameson.

    "It''s true that I''m not fond of you. But at least I have never used you. Never ever have I wished death

    upon you." Jameson looked at him helplessly. "I just want to im back what''s mine."

    "You... What do you mean?" David was alerted. He could tell that Jameson was implying something

    else through his words. He wasn''t such a thick person to not realize that.

    "David, you''ve been in the detention center for a number of days now. I''m sure that you''ve been

    pondering one question over and over. And it is the question of how you ended up being charged with

    murder-for-hire.

    "Aren''t you curious about the truth? Don''t you want to know who set you up to never see the light of

    day?"

    Even though David didn''t trust him, he still wanted to get to the bottom of things. So, he sat back down

    slowly.

    Jameson beckoned to Carl. Carl ced a stack of photographs in front of David.

    He picked them up and began flipping through them. At once, it was as if a bomb had gone off in his

    mind¡ªhis ears were ringing, his eyes were bulging, and his face flushed red.

    "You should recognize Cliff. He works under Josh. He reached out to your employee in private. I''ve

    looked into your employee''s bank ount. I then found that there was a deposit of three million dors.

    "It was too bad that the deposit came from an offshore bank ount. Thus, the cops weren''t able to

    find out the sender''s identity. That said, I think the answer is obvious from these photos here." Jameson

    nced at the photos, then smirked sinisterly.

    David was almost crumpling the photos in his hands. Redness filled his eyes. "That''s impossible... How

    could... Why would Josh."

    "Treat you like that?"

    Jameson crossed his legs and curved his lips into a mocking smile. He continued, "He may have

    solved some of your troubles for you, but he never did all that because you were his family. He only

    wanted Dad to think highly of him.

    "However, that Madison woman had already decided to swap sides. She had decided to side with

    Alyssa and Jasper to take the witness stand and use you of sexual assault. He had no other choice

    but to resort to murder.

    "There was tremendous risk involved, though. It would be fine if things worked out the way he nned.

    If things went south, he still needed someone to take the fall."

    "So. He. He used my people to get things done for me? Then, he could push the me on me if his

    n fell through?"

    David felt like he was being strangled. He could barely catch his breath now.

    "Not only that, but I''ve also found out that your employee''s family is now being restrained under Cliff''s

    instruction. Aren''t these already sufficient to exin that Josh is the reason you ended up in this

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    position?"

    Carl chimed in to stir him up, "Mr. David, I know that you despise Mr. Jameson. But no one else except

    Mr. Jameson would help you now. Josh caused your downfall. Yet, he still put up an act in front of you

    and tried to snag your shares.

    "He''s being so ridiculous. He''s ying you like a fiddle!"

    Like a fiddle?

    David treated Josh as a guiding light in his life. He was his blood brother. How could he treat him like a

    tool?

    "That''s enough, Carl."

    Jameson let out a helpless sigh, showing that he was concerned for David. "You have eyes to see the

    sort of situation that David is in. He''s already under so much pressure. You shouldn''t add on to his

    worries."

    Then, he rose to his feet slowly. "Although we''re only half-brothers, we are still Dad''s sons. Having

    grown up together, we still share a bond.

    "I''m not capable of framing you of murder, no matter what. I have no doubt that you are being

    manipted down to the bone. Then, you will be discarded like trash. That is just too cruel."

    "Hold on!" The vein on David''s forehead was popping. He was so angered that the muscles on his face

    were spasming. "I can transfer my shares to you, but under one condition. You must hand over to me

    all the evidence you possess regarding how Josh is framing me. I want to appeal. I need to get out of

    here!"

 Chapter 1430

    "Of course. I can hand them to you now." It was as if Jameson had expected David to raise a condition

    as such. He pushed a brown envelope to David.

    "This envelope contains the evidence that I''ve gathered. These may not be sufficient to prove that Josh

    contracted a killer. But it should be enough to help in your appeal.

    "You''re not allowed to bring these in with you now. You can request to meet your attorney, then give

    your attorney full authority to handle this."

    David examined the contents of the envelope. He weighed his options. Finally, he made up his mind.

    He signed his own name on the agreement for the transfer of shares. He then put his thumbprint on the

    document.

    Jameson refrained from smiling too widely. Behind his ssy gold-framed sses, he tried to hide the

    ferocious look in his eyes. He looked just like a hungry predator ready to pounce on its prey.

    "I look forward to working with you, David. I wille and pick you up in person on the day when

    you''re released. I will give you the wee that you deserve."

    Just as they were about to leave, David called out to him suddenly.

    He gritted his teeth and said, "The shares you now have on hand will be enough topete with Josh.

    You must not let him go. You have to make sure that you give him a crushing defeat!"

    "I will," Jameson answered with a sly smile.

    It wasn''t just Josh.

    One by one, he would crush each of them to death.

    Carl pped his hands excitedly as they walked out of the detention center. "Congrattions, Mr.

    Schmidt! Congrattions! You''ve obtained even more of the Schmidt Group''s shares! You''re one step

    closer to bringing Josh down!"

    Jameson was rubbing his hands frantically with the hand sanitizer. His face was overflowing with joy.

    "This was why I''ve kept him alive all this while."

    Carl was enlightened.

    "David thought that Victor was his lifesaver. He was wrong."

    Jameson then used a clean silk handkerchief to wipe his hands carefully. After that, he threw the

    handkerchief on the ground in disgust. "His life saver is his shares in the Schmidt Group. Now, he no

    longer has any value to remain alive. Get rid of him as soon as possible."

    Carl''s eyes turned dim. He nodded.

    Jameson recalled how David was counting on him to take his revenge. He was relying on those few

    pieces of scrap paper to have him released. These thoughts really made Jameson feel likeughing.

    Now, he had bought over everyone who could potentially connect with David.

    Who else did he have to count on? He should just go down to hell and beg Hades instead.

    On the way back to The Millennium, Jameson received a call from Inigo.

    "Mr. Schmidt, have you prepared all the money, cash, and the ne that I''ve requested?"This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    As Jameson had just got his hands on the shares, he was in a fairly good mood. He replied Inigo in a

    harmonious tone, "Everything is ready. I can give you the money this instant.

    "You can take your leave tomorrow but do be extra careful. The Becketts, Taylors, and Harpers are all

    searching for you. They have eyes and ears all over Sna City. If you''re careless, you might not be

    able to leave."

    "I will go to you! We''ll talk more when we meet!"

    "No, don''t. You''re free to do whatever you want now. The only thing that you cannot do is to meet me in

    person."

    Jameson was a shrewd person. How could he agree to that? Meeting him in person would be

    equivalent to jumping into the fire pit.

    "Then, how are you going to hand me the money? Surely you''ve got to send someone to liaise with

    me!" Inigo argued.

    "I will have someone leave the money at a secret location. After that, I''ll send you the address. You can

    then retrieve it at your own time."

 Chapter 1431

    "How about the ne?" Inigo asked.

    "You''ll just need to first retrieve the money. Once you''ve ascertained that you''re not being followed or

    chased, you can leave any time," Jameson chuckled. His gaze was cold.

    "Well, hurry up, then! I''m so done with this shithole!" Inigo couldn''t get used to the ce. Plus, he

    wasn''t able to go out in the open. He was already at his wits'' end.

    Jameson stepped on the white handkerchief and kneaded it with his shoe. "As long as you go along

    with my arrangements, I will make sure you have a smooth departure."

    The next morning, Alyssa and Jasper heard the shocking news¡ªDavid was found dead in the shared

    bathroom at the detention center.

    They had heard that he died in a bizarre and horrifying manner. When he was discovered, rigor mortis

    had already set in. His face was puffed up and discolored.

    His cause of death was strangtion by the stainless steel shower hose, which was still wound around

    his neck when his body was discovered.

    It looked very much like a suicide.

    However, how could that be?

    He was still an able-bodied sane man. Why would hemit suicide out of the blue?

    A death happened in the detention center without anyone knowing. This would be humiliating news.

    The police informed the Schmidts of the news. Then, they transferred David''s body to the pathologist

    for an autopsy before making any further inferences.

    Cyrus ryed the situation to Alyssa and Jasper over the phone. After the call, neither Alyssa nor

    Jasper knew how they should react.

    Evidently, this wasn''t any devastating news. It was good news that the bastard had died.

    But who was it who wanted him dead?

    Even if he didn''t die, he would''ve had to spend the rest of his life rotting in prison. Who was it who

    couldn''t wait until a verdict was reached and wanted to eliminate him immediately?

    "The officers at the detention center contacted the Schmidt family. The funny thing was that both Victor

    and Josh kepting up with excuses.

    "Neither of them was willing to reim David''s body. They werepletely indifferent. In the end, they

    simply sent a secretary to settle things.

    "What a miserable end for the second son in the Schmidt family. How pitiful," Cyrus scoffed.

    It wasn''t that he sympathized with the Schmidts. He just felt that the Schmidts were such cold-hearted

    beings.

    "David isn''t the type of person to try to kill himself, Cyrus. I''m sure that he was murdered. This needs to

    be thoroughly investigated, no matter what. I have a feeling that there is something more. There''s a

    deeper and darker side to this."

    Alyssa and Jasper were seated on the couch. She was sitting between his legs while he had his arms

    wrapped around her waist.

    Jasper rested his chin by the side of her neck.

    She could feel the warmth and hear the sound of his low breathing in her ear. It tickled her, and it made

    her ears turn red.

    She shrugged and said, "Hey... Stop it. I''m having a serious conversation with Cyrus here."

    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

    "I''m paying attention to your conversation too," he replied.

    Then, he couldn''t help it and started kissing her on her neck. Her fair skin was as soft as a baby''s skin.

    In an instant, a love bite appeared on her neck.

    Her breathing became unsteady. She let out a soft moan.

    "Hey, hey! Pay attention, the both of you! I don''t want to be hearing anything indecent." Cyrus was also

    a hot-blooded man. He couldn''t stand hearing the sounds from the other end of the call.

    Alyssa and Jasper sure could find pleasure in their intimacy, but he didn''t even have a partner. This

    was physical and mental torture to him.

    "Let''s just go with Lyse''s proposal, Cyrus." Jasper spoke into the receiver in a warm voice, "The person

    who killed David is sophisticated. This may be our chance to apprehend them, including the

    mastermind."

    "I wish that we could do so too. However, it''s not as easy as it sounds."

    Cyrus responded in a serious tone, "The culprit is very experienced. They chose to strike in the shared

    bathroom as that is the only ce in the detention center where there are no surveince cameras

    installed.

    "Also, his approach was cruel yet professional. He chose to use the tools avable on the spot and left

    nothing behind. All the water has washed any fingerprints and footprints away.

    "It''s possible that the murderer is another criminal at the detention center. He could also be one of the

    guards. I would go so far as to say that they may not have acted alone.

    "It could''ve been anyone who came in contact with David. This isn''t a small scope that we''re talking

    about. There are too many factors. It''s difficult to search for evidence and investigate."

    Alyssa lifted her hand and pressed it against Jasper''s mouth to prevent him from getting ahead of

    himself.

    She said, "Rather than identifying the perpetrator, I think that the more important thing to do now is to

    identify the motive of the murder. David was about to be sentenced. There was no escape for him.

    "Who would be willing to take such a risk to set him up and have him killed? That was a highly risky

    move. What were they hoping to achieve out of this?"

 Chapter 1432

    "It can''t be Josh." While Alyssa was caught in a daze, Jasper shared his analysis confidently once

    again. "I say that because he has achieved his goal. There are huge risks involved in sneaking into the

    detention center tomit a murder. It wouldn''t be necessary for him to do this.

    "He has already suffered a loss when he once acted on impulse. There''s no way that he''d make the

    same mistake."

    Jasper was just like a counselor to the queen.

    Alyssa couldn''t agree more. She nodded and said, "Yes, I think so too."

    "Although there isn''t any avable evidence, I have a strong feeling that it may have been Jameson.

    This seems like a method of his.

    "Moreover, he''s a powerful man in Kontina. He has also been making connections in Sna City in

    secret. Based on these, it would be a simple feat for him to buy someone off to get rid of David," Jasper

    continued with a serious look on his face.

    "Yes, that makes sense. There''s nothing Jameson can''t do!" Alyssa pressed her lips together tightly.

    She couldn''t agree more with Jasper.

    Jasper gave her a slight tickle on her chin. He looked at her with a proud and loving look in his eyes.

    "Now that you''ve mentioned it, I''m beginning to suspect him too. This morning, I looked into the list of

    visitors who came to visit David these few days. Jameson was the one who came to see himst!"

    Alyssa''s and Jasper''s eyes lit up upon hearing that piece of important information.

    "Cyrus, aren''t there CCTV cameras in the visitation room? Are you able to show us the footage?"

    Jasper asked instantly.

    "I can do that. But for privacy reasons, there wouldn''t be any audio. It will just be a video recording."

    "Then, we can hire a professional lip reader to interpret Jameson and David''s conversation," Alyssa

    suggested immediately.

    "I had that thought too. However, it''s a pity that the footage doesn''t show Jameson from the front. Only

    David can be seen. That said, we should be able to obtain some useful information. I''ll work on it now

    and keep you both posted!"

    After they ended the call, Alyssa remained silent and kept her eyes lowered.

    "What''s up, Lyse? Are you feeling down?"

    Jasper lifted her by her waist and sat her on hisp. He let her lean on her side against his chest. He

    caressed her back and said, "Initially, we hoped for David to receive a death sentence. I thought a

    significant amount of effort would still be required on our part for that to happen.

    "This saves us the trouble now. He has died a more horrifying death than being executed. This doesn''t

    seem like a bad thing no matter how I think about it."

    "It isn''t. It''s just that..."

    Alyssa frowned slightly out of helplessness. She continued, "What I really wanted was to send David to

    court. I wanted him to receivewful judgment in the public eye.

    "This would be how he could''ve been held ountable for the things he did to Maggie, Taty, and the

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    other women. He had it too easy!" she sighed.

    Jasper''s eyes turned dark. He lowered his head to give her a peck on her earlobe.

    This vicious side of Alyssa made his heart skip a beat.

    "Lyse, you''re expecting too much from yourself. That''s why you''re disappointed when things steered off

    course a little. There are many things in this world that we can be dissatisfied with. All you need to do is

    to do your best. As for the rest."

    "Just leave it to fate?" Alyssa mumbled unhappily.

    "No, leave them to me." Jasper''s low yet gentle voice sounded right by her ear. "Or, you don''t have to

    do anything. With me here, you can entrust everything to me."

    It was as if someone had lit a small fire in Alyssa''s heart. She felt warm on the inside. She burrowed

    her head into Jasper''s chest and said, "I know that I can rely on you, but you know that I''m a worrier by

    nature. I like to get things done on my own. I''ll feel terrible if I don''t do them well."

    "I know. In fact, I''m just like you too. That''s why I have been attending to all matters at the Beckett

    Group personally. If I delegated to others, I won''t feel at ease," Jasper said in an understanding

    manner.

    "Your father is nasty! It''s so rare to find such an outstanding and responsible president like you. I can''t

    believe that he makes things difficult for you and nitpicks every single day!"

    Alyssa blurted her honest thoughts. She covered her mouth with both her hands the moment she

    realized she had run her mouth.

    Jasperughed softly. He moved her hands away and kissed her on her lips. "There''s nothing wrong

    with what you just said. Why are you panicking?"

    "But he''s still your father. It''s fine for you toment. I shouldn''t have said that."

    "I''ve mentioned before, Lyse. Javier and I are just business partners now. I don''t see him as my father

    any longer. Out of everyone in the family, Grandpa is the only one I care for."

 Chapter 1433

    "How... How about Justin, your brother who had saved you?" Alyssa probed carefully.

    Jasper froze.

    The horrifying memories from his younger days reyed in his mind. It all felt so vivid to him.

    "Justin and I may be half-brothers, but it''s a fact that he''d saved my life. There''s no doubt about that. I

    will always be indebted to him."

    Alyssa knew that Jasper was a loyal man. This was a good trait to have. At the same time, it could be

    cumbersome too.

    "Imagine if Justines back and joins the fight to seed Beckett Group. Would you hand it over to

    him?"

    Jasper chuckled softly. "Are you so fearful of the possibility that I''d marry into your family instead?"

    "That''s what I''ve been thinking about."

    Alyssa blinked calmly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and continued, "I am an unrefined

    person. The only thing I''m interested in is position and wealth. I can''t stand being a typical wife. I am

    only focused on bing a leader in the business world. I want to be a radiant matriarch.

    "Since I''ve now be a part of your life, I have to be responsible toward you. I need to understand

    your thoughts in order to assist you fully."

    Jasper felt a lump rise in his throat. He felt sorrowful.

    She used to be someone who hitched her wagon to a star. However, she had held herself back for his

    sake. Instead, she stood by him in silence for three whole years.

    He had no words to describe it other than to say that he was indebted to her.

    "Based on my observation of what Justin did previously, he seemed to be the kind of person to chase

    after fame and fortune. It was just because of his physical disability that he wasn''t able toe forward

    personally.

    "But what if he were to recover one day? He''s the eldest son of the Beckett family. On top of that, he''s

    capable. He''s also acquainted with the Jesseltons in Mosgravia. He has cast his wide and paved

    the way for himself. Are you saying that he won''t fight for his ce? I don''t believe so."

    Jasper furrowed his brows. Hemented, "Justin''s physical condition doesn''t look too good. He has

    to be in a wheelchair all year round."

    "Was he paralyzed because of the kidnapping incident back then?"

    Jasper shook his head. He took a deep breath and exined, "He was still young at the time. He was

    held captive in a cramped container for too long. Theck of oxygen damaged his organs.

    "Because of that, his physical health now has taken a toll. His poor health means that he needs to be

    on medications and requires an oxygen tank all year round. Not only that, he has to rely on a

    wheelchair to move around. He''s unable to walk upright for an extended period of time."

    "He sounds extremely weak."

    Alyssa looked like she had a sudden realization. Then, she breathed a sigh of relief and continued,

    "Organ damage is an extremely serious issue. Since this is the case, I don''t think he''ll be able to

    contend with you."

    "Were you still thinking about that?" Jasper frowned and forced a smile on his face.

    "Alright, forget it."

    Alyssa smiled. She gave him a pat on his cheek." So what if he tries topete with you? Grandpa is

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    on your side. More than that, you have all my support.

    "Why is it that you are a social climber who now has the Taylors to be your powerful backer? Jasper,

    my dear, know that you have a bright future ahead of you."

    Jasper curved his lips upward into a wide smile. Suddenly, he leaned forward and pinned Alyssa down

    on the couch. His breath was warm, and his gaze was seductive.

    yfully, he said, "Please take good care of me, Your Highness."

    It was getting dark. A Rolls-Royce was parked near the East Sna Police Bureau.

    Not long after, Cyrus hurried out of the station and got into Alyssa''s car.

    Jasper and Xavier were in the car too. The trio stared straight at him, anticipating the news he had to

    share.

 Chapter 1434

    "First, you should all look at this video." Cyrus pulled out an iPad. He yed the footage, which showed

    Jameson visiting David.

    Alyssa inched nearer to take a closer look. She asked in a confused voice, "What did Jamiper have

    David sign?"

    "I''ve asked my colleagues at the Digital Forensics Department to analyze the footage. It''s an

    agreement for the transfer of shares," Cyrus answered in a deep voice.

    Alyssa, Jasper, and Xavier were shocked.

    "How... How could that be?" Xavier couldn''t hold himself back. He blurted, "To them, their shares

    represent their power and position at the Schmidt Group. It''s such an important asset!

    "There was a chance that David would end up being sentenced to be in prison for life. Even so, he

    couldn''t have transferred his shares to Jamiper even if he died. He detested Jamiper!"

    "I''ve also hired a professional lip reader to interpret David''s words. In short, Jameson probably told him

    that Josh was the reason for his downfall. He offered to help get David out if he transferred his shares

    to him. That was the gist of the conversation."

    Alyssa and Jasper eximed in unison, "That idiot!"

    "I had the same thought. Jameson invested a considerable amount of effort to eliminate a significant

    obstacle that was hindering his ascent up the ranks. Why would he get David out? David, on the other

    hand, didn''t even think it through properly." Cyrus clicked his tongue and shook his head.

    Xavier chimed in with sarcasm, "That bastard is a total airhead! He deserved to die. He was a waste of

    space on this earth!"

    "Logically speaking, Jameson should''ve been satisfied with attaining David''s shares. Did he have to

    have him killed?" Jasper fixed his eyes on Alyssa, who had a grave expression on her face. He was

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    perplexed.

    "A normal person would''ve been satisfied with it. However, Jameson is brutal and merciless. It would

    be far from enough just to get his hands on the shares."

    Alyssa clenched her fingers tightly. "What he really wanted was for David to die. In a simr way, Josh

    would surely be his next target."

    "Even so, didn''t he act too hastily?"

    Jasper had a keen intuition. He was often one of the first people to perceive anything unusual. "He

    acted as if David would end up being released if he dyed the hit any longer."

    Cyrus looked at Jasper. He raised his brow slightly and said, "Indeed, Jameson gave David some

    evidence. He imed that it could help him with an appeal. It was because of that that David ended up

    signing the agreement.

    "After all, his priority was to get himself acquitted. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have wavered regardless of

    the amount offered to him."

    Deep down, he couldn''t help but feel admiration for Jasper. He thought that he was an attentive man.

    He had the potential to be a criminal investigator.

    Cyrus wasn''t going topliment Jasper, though. He didn''t want him to be full of himself.

    Xavier had a moment of realization. "That exins why Jameson took action so quickly. On one hand,

    it was for revenge. On the other hand, he wasn''t going to allow David to be released!" "Then, how

    about the items that Jameson handed to him?" Alyssa asked.

    "They''re long gone. We were still toote!" Cyrus sighed in frustration.

    The atmosphere in the car became heavy. At that moment, Alyssa''s cell phone rang.

    To her surprise, the call wasing from Colene.

    "Hi, Colene. What''s the matter?"

    "Lyse! Are you in Sna City?" Colene sounded extremely worried on the other end of the call.

    "I am. What''s wrong?"

    "How about Jasper? Is he by your side?"

    "He is. Cyrus is here too."

    Alyssa felt even more puzzled. "Did something happen at home, Colene? What in the world happened?

    You''re scaring me."

    Jasper didn''t know what was going on, but he held Alyssa close immediately. He prepared himself for

    whatever was toe.

    "There''s this person whom you''ve mentioned to me before. His name is Inigo... He''s made an

    appearance!"

 Chapter 1435

    After several days, Inigo finally couldn''t resist. He showed up again.

    However, Alyssa never expected that the person delivering the message to her was not Jonah or

    Landon but Colene.

    Jasper also realized the reason for Colene''s question when she asked if he was around. It was

    because she knew Alyssa''s temper well.

    If Alyssa found out that Inigo had appeared, she would rush over to catch him, regardless of anything.

    How could this wild filly be left without someone to restrain her?

    "How did you find out, Colene? Who tipped you off?" Alyssa''s heart was pounding with excitement and

    astonishment.

    "It''s Nathan, my dad''s adopted son."

    Jasper looked puzzled and asked softly, "Who''s Nathan?"

    Alyssa''s eyes brightened as she enthusiastically introduced him. "He''s the one who fed Simon the

    feces. Technically, I should call him Uncle Nathan."

    Jasper''s eyes lit up. He formed the impression that Nathan was a remarkable man.

    "I asked him to gather all his men and circte Inigo''s photo so that Sna City''s underworld could

    search for him." Colene''s voice trembled with excitement. "I was just thinking of trying my luck. Who

    would have thought we''d really find him?"

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    Alyssa had discussed this matter with Mandy and Colene before at home. At the time, Colene had

    inquired in detail and even took Inigo''s photo.

    Alyssa thought Colene was just curious at the time, but she didn''t expect Colene to act on it. She

    actually mobilized people to search for Inigo and actually found him.

    "Colene, where did they meet Inigo? And where is he now? They haven''t lost track of him, have they?"

    Alyssa asked anxiously, tightly holding Jasper''s hand.

    "Inigo and his men went to an underground ck market in Sna City to buy smuggled gold watches

    and chains. Nathan didn''t have time to investigate the specifics."

    Sna City''s underground ck market?

    Alyssa was considered wellworked among the riches, but she had never heard of such a ce.

    What was more, even Jasper, a local from Sna City, had never heard of it either.

    "Right. Inigo is an internationally wanted criminal now. The Becketts, the Harpers, and the police are all

    looking for him. He''s like a rat in the gutter. Where else can he go besides such ces?"

    Cyrus couldn''t help but sigh. "The Ivory Gang is truly the number one gang in Sna City. They''re

    practically an intelligencework underground."

    Jasper pursed his lips admiringly but also felt deeply ashamed.

    He and Landon had been investigating for so many days. They had nearly caught Inigo that one time,

    but he slipped away, and they suffered heavy losses in the end.

    In the end, it was Alyssa''s family who helped her.

    Alyssa was already strong on her own, but she had the backing of a rich father, brothers with various

    talents, a sister who held the position of Madam President, and the daughter of the Ivory Gang''s leader

    to support her.

    All those undoubtedly made her more powerful. They really left him with no opportunity to help her.

    "Inigo took the risk to go to the ck market to buy these things to exchange all the money he had for

    valuable hard currency. He might be leaving the country soon."

    Alyssa suddenly turned anxious, and it showed in her voice. "Colene, you must inform Uncle Nathan¡ª"

    "Uncle Nathan? He''s not worthy to be your uncle. Just call him Nathan." Colene treated Alyssa like a

    princess. Nathan wasn''t fit to be her uncle even if he became the leader of the Ivory Gang someday.

    Alyssa ignored the details and focused on arranging the deployment. "You must tell him not to alert

    Inigo, let alone confront him, just because he has people.

    "Every one of Inigo''s men is a ruthless mercenary with heavy weapons. The Harper family suffered a

    big lossst time. You must not let your family go through the danger."

    "I know. Nathan isn''t that reckless. He knows what to do."

    Colene quickly responded, "I''ll have him closely monitor Inigo. If there''s any new information, I''ll contact

    you right away. By the way, let Jasper, Landon, and Cyrus handle this.

    "Don''t get too worked up and go there yourself. We''re old now. We have weak hearts, and your dad

    even had a stroke. If you don''t want toe back and find us dead, just stay out of it."

 Chapter 1436

    Suddenly, Colene shouted, "Do you hear me, Jasper?"

    Jasper hurriedly sat up straight. "Yes, I''m here."

    "Control your woman a little. Don''t let her act recklessly."

    Although Colene didn''t sound friendly, her words were filled with concern. "If anything happens to Lyse,

    the Ivory Gang won''t let you off."

    Alyssa felt speechless at her words. This daughter of the Ivory Gang''s leader was quite domineering.

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    Cyrus chuckled and shook his head while Xavier truly felt nervous for Jasper.

    Jasper wrapped his hand around Alyssa''s waist and exerted force, giving her a sense of security.

    "Don''t worry, Mom. I''ll protect Lyse with all my might. Please rest assured."

    Suddenly, the atmosphere in the car quieted down.

    Mom?

    Even Alyssa usually only addressed Colene by her name, but Jasper actually called her "Mom" in one

    fell swoop.

    He actually mastered seizing opportunities to act cute.

    The other end of the phone suddenly went silent, and then Colene shouted, "You brat, who do you

    think you''re calling mom? Get lost!"

    That night, Inigo had decided to leave Sna City. Before leaving, he naturally had to convert the

    money here into gold. After all, these banknotes would be useless once he crossed the border, but gold

    would always hold its value.

    Just as he was about to leave the ck market happily and ready to go to the designated location to

    pick up the money, he received a call from Jameson.

    "Don''te over here yet. I''ve changed the location of the money."

    "Damn it, Jameson! Are you tricking me? Did you really prepare the money?" Inigo cursed loudly,

    "Tricking you?" Jameson let out a chillingugh. "That little money isn''t even enough for me to have a

    meal. Do you think I''d bother to trick you?

    "You should know how much profit you have made from me over the years. It should be much more

    than this little amount, right?"

    Inigo gritted his teeth. "Then why change the location?

    "You''ve been tracked."

    "What? No way!"

    "You were already being watched when you were at the ck market. You thought no one would notice

    you among the crowds, but there are gang members everywhere in the ck market."

    Jameson continued, "Alyssa''s family is rted to the Ivory Gang, thergest gang in Sna City. Once

    their people spot you, do you think you can still hide?"

    Inigo, being a foreigner, naturally didn''t know how powerful the Ivory Gang''s influence was in Sna

    City''s underworld.

    They were literally everywhere.

    "Damn it! I don''t care about any gangs. Even the Harpers were nothing to me. If they want toe to

    me, let them be." Inigo''s face was ferocious.

    "Well, it seems like you really don''t want to leave."

    Jameson''s tone turned cold. It was as if a sharp knife was being pressed against Inigo''s neck. "You''re

    now an internationally wanted criminal. I''m sure the police have already traced you. If you don''t do as I

    say, you might regret it forever."

    Inigo had had enough of Jameson''s control over him.

    But being stranded in a foreign country, he had no choice but to rely on Jameson to get him out. Still,

    he couldn''t help but retort, "Hmph! You''d better not be ying any tricks!"

 Chapter 1437

    Inigo continued, "If I get caught, I''ll expose all the dirty things you''ve done over the years. I''ll let Ms.

    Alyssa see the ugly side of her childhood friend!"

    Jameson smiled mockingly as he knew Inigo wouldn''t have the chance to report on him.

    "How do you n to give me the money?" Inigo''s mind was all wrapped up in his funds.

    "Follow the route I tell you to take now. I''ll arrange for people to cover you and help you escape. As for

    the money, I''ll put it on the ne. After you escape, quickly board the ne. It''ll take off immediately,

    and you can sessfully leave Sna City."

    As instructed by Alyssa, Colene repeatedly reminds Nathan not to act recklessly and engage in a

    firefight with Inigo. If he didn''t listen, she would block his number.

    This sentence was extremely effective against Nathan.

    When Alyssa and Jasper received the news, they immediately contacted Landon and Jonah. The

    police also dispatched manpower to track down Inigo and his men ording to Nathan''s provided

    route.

    However, just as they were rushing toward the direction Inigo was escaping, they received a call from

    Landon, saying that he had lost the target.

    "Lost? How is that possible?"

    Alyssa widened her eyes in fury and pounded her fist fiercely against the car window. The dull thud

    sounded rming to Jasper, fearing she might hurt her hand.

    "What happened, Landon?"

    Jasper wrapped his warm andrge hand around her trembling, reddened fist. Frowning, he asked,

    "We''re almost everywhere, surrounding him tightly. How could he have escaped?"

    Landon was so anxious that his throat felt dry. His voice cracked as he replied, "We were following

    closely all the way. But our car was blocked by several other cars at a tunnel entrance."

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at each other, understanding the situation at once.

    Jameson must have received information and sent people to help Inigo.

    "Damn it! Fuck that Jamiper! He''s really well-informed!" Alyssa''s eyes turned crimson with anger as she

    cursed.

    She hated Jameson for not distinguishing between good and evil and for consorting with viins.

    Even more so, she hated that whenever there was a critical moment, he would emerge to stir up

    trouble. And, without fail, he would seed every time.

    How could a prouddy like Alyssa admit defeat?

    This was not just a battle between good and evil, but also apetition between her and Jameson.

    Alyssa secretly vowed to capture Jameson alive. She wanted to expose his crimes, tear off his

    disguise, and bring him to justice.

    "We finally broke through the blockade and followed him into the tunnel. But when we intercepted the

    car, Inigo wasn''t inside."

    "It means that someone helped Inigo in the tunnel. He switched vehicles and escaped." Alyssa''s gaze

    was icy. Her presence was intimidating as if she were a femalemander with full authority.

    "Contact Cyrus and retrieve the tunnel''s surveince footage. Track every vehicle that exited the tunnel

    during that period."

    "Lyse, although Inigo has escaped, we have people everywhere in Sna City. He only has one choice

    ¡ª to leave Sna City tonight as quickly as possible," Jasper said icily with a sharp gaze.

    "Yes, he must be heading toward the airport."

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    Alyssa squeezed Jasper''s hand until it turned red. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest. "Notify

    the police to seal off the airport now.

    "Also, investigate any vehicle that exited the tunnel and headed toward the airport. Inigo must be

    among them."

 Chapter 1438

    Late at night, Sna City International Airport seemed calm on the surface, but there was a storm

    brewing.

    Cyrus had applied for an arrest warrant and requested to work with the head of customs to hunt down

    Inigo. They were conducting a tight surveince operation without causing public panic or affecting

    normal flight operations.

    The goal was to arrest Inigo on the spot.

    inclothes police officers were present in the airport terminal. Beyond customs, both the Taylors and

    the Harpers were stationed.

    The airport tonight was like a dra, just waiting for Inigo to fall into it.

    Time was ticking away.

    Jonah, Cyrus, and Landon stood in the control room, watching multiple surveince screens. Their

    hearts were pounding. Even when their eyes were sore from staring at the screens, they dared not

    ck off.

    "Mr. Jonah, Chief Cyrus, is there a possibility..."

    Landon, feeling a bit stifled by the atmosphere, cleared his throat and asked, "Is there a possibility that

    Inigo disappeared for so long because he underwent stic surgery?

    "By now, he must have recovered. What if he appears with a brand new face right under our noses,

    and we don''t recognize him?"

    Jonah stared at the screens with a stern face. Due to his intense focus, he didn''t really hear what

    Landon said.

    Out of politeness, Cyrus nced at Landon and replied nonchntly, "Think about it. If he had stic

    surgery, how did the Ivory Gang find him?"

    Landon blinked, suddenly realizing he had asked a dumb question. "Right. that makes sense! Haha!"

    Cyrus was speechless.

    So, were friends supposed toplement each other? Or was Jasper friends with Landon to show off

    his intelligence and wit?

    "Wait. Zoom in on the center screen." Jonah stared fixedly at the monitor, suddenly gripping the edge of

    the table.

    The police officer immediately operated the controls and erged the middle screen.

    The next moment, all three of them were stunned.

    Then, an intense, icy pressure swept through the entire control room.

    To their astonishment, it was Jameson on the screen.

    He was pushing a wheelchair with his mother seated on it, followed by Carl and two bodyguards.

    "Jamebitch? How dare he show up?" Landon erupted in anger, mming his fist on the table.

    "Jameson''s private ne is here. It''s highly possible that Inigo is boarding his private ne to leave

    Sna City."

    Jonah''s expression turned icy as he fixed his gaze on the screen. "His appearance at this moment with

    his mother is likely a diversion. He wants to use his identity to cover for Inigo."

    Cyrus nodded solemnly. "I agree. It''s too coincidental. It must be a conspiracy."

    "Damn... He''s so eager to show up. He just can''t wait to die." Landon''s eyes seemed to be spewing

    fire.

    "From this moment on, we can''t overlook any corner of the airport. We must closely monitor Jameson''s

    every move as well. If necessary, we cannot let him leave the airport." Jonah''s brows furrowed, his

    eyes flickering with a cold glint.

    Meanwhile, Jameson pushed his mother in the wheelchair, along with Carl and others. When they

    sessfully passed through customs, they headed toward his private ne.

    "Jimmy, where are we going?" Lily raised her face to look at her son. Her expression was so innocent

    and naive that it didn''t match her age.

    "Mom, you''ve been cooped up at home for too long. I''m taking you out for some fresh air.

    Jameson''s deep eyes brimmed with warmth. Suddenly, he stopped and knelt before his mother,

    carefully tucking the plush nket over her knees. "I''ll go wherever you want to go."

    "Jimmy, haven''t you always been telling me that you want to go on a graduation trip with Lyse? You

    always said that your biggest wish was to be with Lyse.

    "Bringing me along is just a burden. Why don''t you go with Lyse? She hasn''te to our house for a

    long time. You should spend some time with her."

    Lily continued, "I''ll make delicious food for you both. I remember Lyse likes chocte and cake. I''ll

    make them for you. Don''t tell her that I made them. Say you made them yourself. Lyse will definitely be

    touched."

    At the mention of Alyssa, Lily''s originally dull eyes lit up with a touch of liveliness.

    "Mom, thank you for thinking of me. I''m very happy that you like Lyse so much."

    Jameson gently brushed his trembling hand against his mother''s thin cheek. Tears shimmered in his

    eyes, but he forced a smile.

    "But I couldn''t convince Lyse to go with me this time. Sorry to disappoint you."

    "What are you talking about, Jimmy?"

    Feeling her son''s low spirits, Lily anxiously gestured with her hands in the air, resembling a bewildered

    child. "Why would I be disappointed? I''m just afraid of you not being happy.

    "It''s okay. There''s plenty of time ahead. Spend more time with Lyse, and slowly, she''ll discover how

    good you are. She''ll definitely fall in love with you."

    Jameson nodded gently with a smile, but he felt ufortable inside.

    Lily was experiencing cognitive confusion, with memory and physical functions gradually deteriorating.

    The Jameson she saw now was from the old days¡ªperhaps from his high school or college days.

    Sometimes, Jamesone was even a child who was ying happily beside her.

    Unfortunately, shepletely forgot what her son looked like now.

    "Mom, since you like Lyse so much, I''ll try my best to make her fall in love with me and make her your

    daughter-inw."

    As his words fell, a cold voice pierced his heart.

    "Jameson."

    It was Alyssa''s voice.

    How could he not recognize the voice of his dream woman?

    Jameson couldn''t hide his excitement. He turned around immediately. But the next moment, his

    expression sank.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    Alyssa and Jasper stood side by side in front of him. Their expressions were frosty, and their hostility

    was evident.

 Chapter 1439

    The chilly night breeze carried a tense atmosphere as it swept through.

    Jameson''s joy at seeing his beloved was dashed as soon as he noticed Jasper.

    "Lyse, you''re here!" Lily''s eyes shimmered with gentle light. She even wanted to get up from the

    wheelchair to greet her.

    Perhaps Alyssa''s striking appearance had left asting impression on her. Sometimes, Lily couldn''t

    recognize her own son, but she could instantly identify Alyssa. It was genuine affection that couldn''t be

    concealed.

    "Hi, Mrs. Schmidt." Alyssa''s voice was gentle. She smiled at Lily.

    Jasper''s strong arm wrapped around Alyssa''s waist. His gaze was sharp and icy as he stared at

    Jameson, observing his every move.

    "Lyse, who is this?" Lily looked at Jasper''s expressionless face in confusion, instinctively tugging at

    Jameson''s sleeve.

    Alyssa gazed deeply at Jasper''s handsome profile.

    Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and said before she could reply, "Lyse, what a coincidence

    to meet you here. Are you also going on a trip?"

    Throughout the conversation, he only addressed Alyssa,pletely ignoring Jasper.

    "Jameson, do you think I have the mood for a trip?"

    Alyssa''s eyes shed with sharpness, and her voice was extremely cold. She didn''t want to pretend to

    be friendly with Jameson, even in front of Lily.

    "You know best what you''ve done and how much blood is on your hands. Inigo hasn''t been caught yet,

    and I haven''t avenged Jonah''s and Jasper''s ambush. If you don''t fall, how can I enjoy myself?"

    Jasper smiled faintly, gazing at the woman before him with eyes filled with love.

    "Jimmy, what is Lyse talking about? What blood? Why don''t I understand?" Lily asked with a

    bewildered look.

    "It''s normal that you don''t understand, Mom, because I don''t understand either."

    Jameson gently rubbed his mother''s shoulders tofort her. His exquisite features betrayed no hint

    of his true nature as a viin.

    "Lyse, who''s Inigo? I don''t know him. And what happened to Jonah and Mr. Beckett? Is there anything I

    can do to help them?"

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    A surge of rage swirled in Jasper''s chest. His eyes shed with waves of anger. The brutal scenes of

    his near-death experience with Jonah on Shend Ind, where they were trying to catch Jeffrey, were

    still vivid in his mind.

    Yet Jameson, the mastermind behind all of this, could still y innocent in front of him without batting

    an eye or showing any signs of guilt.

    And he even had the audacity to say he wanted to help? Was it to help them to their deaths?

    Alyssa felt Jasper''s hand on her waist tremble slightly. She knew he was suppressing his anger.

    She was frustrated. She wanted to vent her anger for Jasper and Jonah, as well as for Miley and

    Jeremy in Kontina.

    But it wasn''t the time yet. Just venting anger with words would be meaningless. What she wanted was

    for Jameson to pay a heavy price for his actions and for him to atone.

    "Jimmy, I''m a bit cold. Can we leave now?" Lily asked cautiously as she curled up her frail body.

    These years of being confined to home had left her weak. Although it was almost autumn, the

    temperature in Sna City was still far from cold.

    "Okay, Mom. I''ll take you to the ne now."

    Jameson was about to push his mother toward the gangway when Jasper''s voice suddenly cut in

    coldly. "Jameson, I''m sorry to tell you. But I''m afraid your ne won''t be able to take off from here

    tonight. You can''t go anywhere."

    But Jameson seemed oblivious. He continued to walk toward his private ne.

    "Jameson." Jasper''s eyes sank heavily. He exuded an oppressive vibe that seemed to freeze

    everything, even the howling wind passing by, into ice.

    "Didn''t you hear that my mom said she''s cold?" Jameson turned slightly toward Jasper.

    His sinister gaze was terrifying. "And what right do you have to dictate what I do? If the police suspect

    me of anything, they cane with an arrest warrant, and I''ll cooperate with any investigation.

    Otherwise, no one can stop me."

    "Suspect? No." Alyssa smiled mockingly. That smile hurt Jameson badly. "If it were mere suspicion, we

    wouldn''t havee to find you, much less stop you. Jameson, you''re the mastermind. I won''t believe

    whatever you say."

 Chapter 1440

    "We" was a word that created an insurmountable gap between Jameson and the couple. He could

    never cross it.

    Nevertheless, Jameson''s gaze toward Alyssa still held deep affection.

    His obsessive love had turned him into a shameless lunatic.

    "Lyse, you''re misunderstanding me. But since you suspect me, I can cooperate with you fully."

    With that, Jameson bent down and gently held his mother''s hand. "Mom, I''m sorry, but I can''t

    apany you on this trip anymore."

    "It''s okay, it''s okay."

    Lily''s worried gaze turned to Alyssa. Her eyes were filled with tears as she spoke. "Lyse, don''t be mad

    at Jimmy. If he made you angry, I apologize to you on his behalf.

    Alyssa felt her heart wrench. "Mrs. Schmidt, don''t say that."

    Although Jameson was malicious and cunning, Lily was a pitiful woman suffering from a serious illness.

    Alyssa didn''t want to engage in a fierce conflict with Jameson in front of Lily.

    After all, this woman, abandoned by her husband and exiled for 15 years, had only Jameson as her

    hope.

    Alyssa didn''t want to extinguish the flicker of hope within her.

    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    "You two were the best of friends when you were young. You used to y with Jimmy all the time.

    Jimmy liked you the most¡ª"

    "Enough, Mom." Jameson gently interrupted his mother with his eyes full of helplessness.

    As Jasper witnessed the deep affection between the mother and son, his eyes dimmed with a strong

    pain in his chest.

    Yes, he envied them.

    Jasper couldn''t understand why, despite having precious loved ones by his side and a mother who

    loved him so much, Jameson still chose the path of darkness. How could he be so malicious?

    What he recklessly squandered was something Jasper could only dream of. The more he thought

    about it, the more unforgivable he found Jameson.

    "Lyse, I''m begging you... No matter what, don''t be mad at Jimmy, and don''t ignore him, okay?" Lily''s

    speech gradually became unclear as she was having another episode.

    "Carl, medicine," Jameson immediately instructed. He felt extreme heartache.

    "Yes, Mr. Schmidt."

    "Lyse, no matter how much you suspect me or what harsh words you say to me, I won''t me you.

    Because I care about you just like I care about my mom." Jameson looked at her pleadingly, as if

    deeply aggrieved. "But if things don''t go as you wish if you wrongfully use me, how will you

    compensate me?"

    Alyssa frowned, suddenly feeling an indescribable sense of unease.

    Why could he be soposed? Was he so fearless because he was mentally strong, or did he have a

    backup n?

    Suddenly, Jonah''s and Cyrus''s anxious calls came. "Lyse!"

    Shortly after, Landon''s shout followed. "Jasper!"

    The couple turned around simultaneously. "Jonah, Cyrus!"

    It was at this moment that a sardonic smile appeared on Jameson''s lips. It was barely noticeable.

    Jonah''s gaze was sharp. He fiercely red at this treacherous man.

    Cyrus'' expression was also dark. He lowered his voice and said, "Just moments ago, a helicopter took

    off from Sna City''s Crater Mountain Park."

 Chapter 1441

    Cyrus continued, "It exploded just as it was about to fly out of Sna City, near the boundary with

    Belbanks."

    "Exploded?" Alyssa and Jasper widened their eyes.

    "Yes, residents living within the radius heard a huge explosion. That helicopter was blown up on the

    spot. I think there should be no survivors." Cyrus took a sharp breath.

    Jasper''s heart sank. His sharp gaze suddenly turned toward Jameson.

    They had just discovered Inigo''s whereabouts, and Jameson showed up to interfere. Then, the

    helicopter explosion happened.

    It seemed like everything was within Jameson''s control.

    "No survivors... Can we know who the owner of the helicopter was? Can we know how many people

    were on board and their identities?" Alyssa asked urgently, her gaze piercing.

    Cyrus whispered to Alyssa and Jasper, "I''ve sent people to investigate the specific information about

    the helicopter and have also retrieved surveince footage from along the route and nearby areas. We

    should have results soon."

    "It''s probably Inigo."

    Jasper''s face turned cold. His voice was hoarse as he said, "Jameson is ying us¡ªfirst with

    misdirection and now with diversion.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "He knew that we would find out about his purchase of a private ne and would use the ne to send

    Inigo away. So, he suddenly showed up at the airport to make himself a focal point and cover for Inigo.

    "From the beginning, he never intended for Inigo to leave Sna City on that ne."

    "Fuck! This son of a bitch... He''s really cunning!" Landon cursed loudly, as though he wanted Jameson

    to hear him.

    "No." Alyssa closed her reddened eyes, anger raging in her chest. "He never intended for Inigo to leave

    Sna City alive from the beginning.

    "If I''m not mistaken, this private ne was originally meant to be used to kill Inigo. But we discovered it,

    and Inigo''s whereabouts were exposed, so he prepared another helicopter for them to perish."

    The atmosphere fell into a suffocating silence.

    They had to admit that Jameson had the upper hand this time.

    "Chief Cyrus, if you don''t need me to cooperate with the investigation, can I leave now?

    Jameson pushed up his sses. His cold gaze carried a hint of amusement. "Rather than wasting time

    on me, you''d better hurry up and think how to handle the troubles ahead.

    "News about the ne explosion is spreading like wildfire online. Chief Cyrus, aren''t you going to

    contact the headquarters to control public opinion?"

    Hearing Jameson''s audacious words, Cyrus gritted his teeth.

    In the end, Jameson nced meaningfully at Alyssa, then turned and pushed his mother''s wheelchair

    toward the gangway.

    As soon as they boarded the ne, Cyrus received a message from his colleague.

    "We can now confirm that the people on the helicopter were Inigo and his men. Cameras along the

    route captured them. Additional manpower has been dispatched, and our people are searching for the

    wreckage near the explosion site. We may have more updatester."

    As soon as Cyrus finished speaking, Alyssa turned around.

    Jasper tried to grab her, but he was toote. "Lyse! Where are you going? Lyse! Come back!"

    However, Alyssa didn''t look back. Instead, she sprinted toward Jameson''s private ne.

 Chapter 1442

    Lily had just boarded the ne and was already feeling weak, so Jameson helped her to the bed.

    As he emerged from the inner cabin, he saw a fierce Alyssa. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her

    beautiful face was tainted with fury.

    "M-Mr. Schmidt..." Carl stood behind Alyssa, looking extremely uneasy.

    This was the woman that Jameson held dear to his heart. Even if she wanted to blow up the ne, he

    didn''t dare to intervene.

    The fierce look in Jameson''s eyes softened at once. He smiled gently.

    Just as he wanted to approach Alyssa, she moved first, striding toward him.

    She grabbed him by the cor. Turning resentment into strength, she forcefully mmed him against

    the cabin door with a loud bang.

    The gorgeous and expensive crystal sses on the table fell to the ground, creating a mess beneath

    their feet.

    "Mr. Schmidt! Ms. Alyssa! Please talk things out!" Carl was flustered, yet he dared not make a move.

    He could only shout from his ce.

    Smiling, Jameson stared at Alyssa''s crimson gaze unwaveringly. He raised his hand to signal Carl not

    toe closer.

    "It was you, wasn''t it?"

    Their eyes locked. Alyssa''s eyes burned with anger, and her hands, clenching his stiff cor, were

    trembling. "You''ve escaped and seeded again. You must be feeling extremely proud of yourself right

    now, aren''t you?"

    "Lyse, I really don''t know what you''re talking about."

    Jameson maintained hisposure as he gazed at her. His gaze was filled with an almost

    pathological, insatiable affection.

    "Regardless, I''m very happy to have this opportunity to be so close to you and to see you up close.

    Lyse, you''ve lost weight. Did Jasper not take care of you? Is he really treating you well?"

    "Jameson, what right do you have to say such things? It''s an insult to Jasper whenever you mention his

    name." The veins on Alyssa''s forehead twitched.

    A sharp pain pierced Jameson''s heart. "You really love him, just like how I love you." "Don''t talk to me

    about love. Your love is too filthy!" Alyssa interrupted with disgust.

    "Is that love? Your love is just recklessly harming my loved ones. You ruthlessly eliminate anyone who

    displeases you and stands in your way. Jameson, what turned you into a cold-blooded, monstrous

    killer? You weren''t like this before."

    Jameson suddenly stared at her intently and then burst intoughter.

    He pondered her question.

    The young Alyssa was so lovely and lively in his mind, but he couldn''t remember what kind of person

    he was in front of her back then.

    Yet he didn''t think he had done anything wrong. He felt that he was still the same person who loved her

    the most.

    "I don''t think I''ve done anything wrong. Everyone has their own way of showing love. I''m just using my

    way to love you."

    Alyssa couldn''t bear to hear the word "love"ing from Jameson''s mouth. It sent chills down her

    spine. "What will it take for you to stop your madness? What will it take for you to stop?"

    "Leave Jasper and be with me." Jameson''s voice was hoarse. His gaze at her was brimming with

    affection.

    It wasn''t a negotiation anymore. It was more like a confession to her.

    "Heh... Dream on," Alyssa said word by word. She felt as if mes were burning in her blood.

    "We''ll be together one day, Lyse, one day." Jameson chuckled softly,pletely unfazed by her cold

    attitude. He was truly stubborn and beyond redemption.

    Alyssa suddenly released her grip, stepping back two paces to put distance between them. "Jameson,

    listen carefully. You''ve provoked me. You''re now my archenemy. I''ll never let you off the hook, never.

    "You wantedpensation, didn''t you? If mypensation means sending you to hell, would you still

    want it?"

    With these resolute words, Alyssa turned around and walked away with determination.

    Carl watched the whole scene unfold on the side. Petrified, he was too scared to even breathe.

    Just then, Jameson clutched his throbbing heart, breathing heavily. He sat in the chair weakly,

    trembling as he reached out his left arm toward Carl.

    "I''ll get it now."

    Carl immediately took out a steel box, extracted a syringe, and skillfully injected a dose of medication

    into Jameson''s vein.

    Slowly, Jameson''s trembling body stabilized. The temporary numbness brought somefort, making

    the pain in his heart feel less intense.

    He was determined to have Alyssa entangled with him, as that was the only meaning of his existence.

    As the ne was about to take off, Jameson''s phone rang.

    Seeing the word "Sir", he didn''t dare dy. He answered immediately. "Sir."

    "The fireworks over Sna City tonight were quite beautiful. I really enjoyed them." The man on the

    other end spoke with a low, pleasant voice.

    "I''m d you enjoyed them," Jameson replied respectfully.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    "But it''s quite a pity."

    "It''s not a pity. Whether it''s the 100 million or the ne, they are all just sacrifices in my eyes."

    The man chuckled. "What I pity is Ms. Alyssa. She''s such a proud andpetitive person, yet in the

    end, she still lost to you."

 Chapter 1443

    On the way back from the airport, Alyssa stared at the neon lights outside the window, not saying a

    word to Jasper.

    He knew she was feeling down, so he let her be. But he never loosened his grip on her cold hand.

    His gaze remained fixed on Alyssa. Her frozen yet still beautifully captivating profile stirred his heart

    endlessly. He was very worried about her.

    They returned home under the suffocating atmosphere.

    Just as they entered, they received a call from Cyrus. "Lyse, the identities are almost confirmed. It''s

    Inigo and his men."

    Alyssa closed her eyes, biting her lip until it bled.

    Meanwhile, Jasper''s eyes were bloodshot. Seeing her torment herself like this made it almost

    unbearable for him to breathe.

    "Hundreds of officers from the search department conducted a nket search near the explosion site.

    They found their two passports and some personal items that were enough to prove their identities.

    They''re Tsulu nationals. With the surveince along the route, we can basically confirm it''s them."

    Noticing Alyssa''s silence, Cyrus quickly reassured her, "Lyse, don''t get upset. Inigo and his men are all

    bad guys. They are all criminals in Tsulu, with several lives on their hands.

    "I heard that Inigo has used his military position in his country tomit countless atrocities. He always

    manages to escape punishment by colluding with officials and bribing them. This time, he got what he

    deserved.

    "We''re still looking for the helicopter''s ck box, but there''s a possibility of foul y in this explosion.

    Fortunately, there were no additional casualties, so Lyse, don''t get worked up. Leave the rest to us."

    Alyssa parted her dry lips. "I know, but Cyrus¡ª"

    "I know you feel frustrated and helpless because we let Jameson escape again. Even though Inigo is

    dead, the puppet master behind him is still dancing under your nose. Others may not understand this

    feeling of powerlessness, but I''m a police officer. Do you think I don''t understand?"

    Cyrus spoke softly,forting his beloved sister. Despite being known for his fiery nature at the station,

    he exercised utmost patience with her.

    "But Lyse, no one can always win. If you self-deny and fall into despair because of a temporary

    setback, then you''re truly losing to your opponent, and all your previous efforts would be in vain.

    "If you want to achieve ultimate victory, you must have an indomitable spirit. Lyse, we haven''t been

    defeated yet. Capturing him is only a matter of time."

    After a pause, Cyrus continued, "In all my years as a police officer, I''ve brought a serial killer who

    escaped for 20 years to justice. I''ve never encountered a case that couldn''t be solved. Always

    remember ¡ªwhere there''s a will, there''s a way."

    The Taylors never believed in fate and never gave up.

    "Thank you forforting me, Cyrus. Don''t worry, I''m not that weak."

    After hanging up the phone, Alyssa finally burst out crying. She threw herself into Jasper''s arms, crying

    uncontrobly.

    The seemingly impregnable fortress of her heart copsed in front of the man she loved in an instant.

    Jasper held her tightly around the waist with his left arm, his right hand gently stroking her trembling

    back.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    He whispered in her ears, softly coaxing her, "Cry it out, Lyse. Let it all out. You can cry or vent

    however you want. Just don''t keep your emotions bottled up inside. It''ll only harm your body."

    "Why am I... so stupid..." Alyssa grabbed his shirt tightly, still unable to stop ming herself.

    "Silly, if you''re stupid, then I''m just a brainless animal."

    "See... You''re calling me silly too..." Alyssa cried even harder.

    Jasper''s face was filled with regret. He wished he could p himself for saying that.

    "Alright... I know you''re trying tofort me. I''ll be okay after crying."

 Chapter 1444

    Alyssa rubbed her damp face against his chest. When she lifted her head, Jasper''s sturdy chest

    muscles hidden beneath his shirt were faintly visible, seducing her.

    She felt a bit embarrassed now. After sniffing a few times, she rubbed her palms against the spot on his

    chest where her tears had dampened it.

    The adorable sight ignited a warm rush within Jasper, making his heart flutter.

    But he wouldn''t keep her awake tonight. He just wanted her to rest well in his arms so she could

    recharge herself.

    "You haven''t eaten anything all night. You should be hungry, right? I''ll make something for you." Jasper

    looked at her with concern, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

    "You haven''t eaten either. Let me do the cooking. You''re too slow in the kitchen. It''ll be toote to eat by

    then." Alyssa sniffled.

    Jasper smiled helplessly. "Then I''ll have Mrs. Rosie do it."

    "It''ste. I''ll do it."

    "Then let''s do it together."

    This warmed Alyssa''s heart. "Okay."

    With a skilled cook around, Jasper could only assist. Alyssa effortlessly made a grain bowl. To be more

    urate, it was a grain pot.

    It was a reallyrge pot.

    It seemed like she was trying to vent her anger with food.

    "Lyse... it''s sote. Will you be able to sleep at night after eating so much? Won''t you feel

    ufortable?" Jasper stared at the pot, suddenly feeling full.

    Standing by the table, Alyssa rolled up her sleeves. She then vigorously mixed the ingredients in the

    pot with arge spoon. "Don''t worry. After eating, I''ll go rowing on theke in the backyard for an hour,

    so I''ll burn it all off."

    Jasper swallowed hard, feeling speechless.

    This woman was really ruthless with herself.

    After mixing the ingredients, Alyssa scooped up arge spoonful and forcefully stuffed it into Jasper''s

    mouth.

    "Eat."

    Jasper chewed hard, almost choking.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Alyssa also scooped up a spoonful. She opened her small mouth to an astonishing size as she chewed

    vigorously. If she weren''t so pretty, her expression while eating would be downright terrifying.

    She was really angry, indeed.

    After a while, the couple actually finished eating the grain bowl.

    Jasper was originally the kind of person who rarely ate at night, and he didn''t have the habit of having

    supper. But for her, he broke those rules he had maintained for over a decade.

    "Whew... I feel much better now." Alyssa sat back on the couch with narrowed eyes. She was already

    too full to get up.

    The two of them snuggled together in the quiet living room, enjoying the rare peaceful time of the day.

    "Jasper." Alyssa raised her hand and scratched Jasper''s chin.

    "Yeah?" Jasper responded softly as he grabbed her hand and pressed it against his chest.

 Chapter 1445

    "Aren''t you curious what I told Jameson after barging into his ne?" Alyssa resisted the entire day

    and eventually decided to ask.

    Jasper smiled lightly. "Why? Are you afraid I would be jealous?"

    "Pfft! If you would get jealous of someone like him, you are basically questioning my character." Alyssa

    poked his chest hard with her fingertip.

    "Before this, I was really jealous when I saw both of you together." Jasper''s eyes reddened slightly. He

    lifted her hand and nted a warm kiss on her palm.

    "I know. It was so obvious. I''m not blind."

    Alyssa pouted as a light sense of uneasiness appeared on her face. "At that time, you and I just

    divorced, so I had umted so much anger at you. I was overjoyed when I saw you getting angry.

    "I thought I was different from other women. Divorce wasn''t a big deal. I thought I could let it go as

    easily as getting divorced. Then, I finally understood the joy I felt seeing you angry didn''t stem from the

    satisfaction of getting revenge¡ªit was the feeling that you still cared."

    It was 13 years of pursuing, crushing on, and obsessing.

    It was impossible to let it go that easily.

    Jasper''s breath slowed down. An endless sense of sadness rushed through his veins. His chest was

    churning as his mind was racing.

    The sentence "Let''s get married again" had been brewing in his heart for so long. He even dreamt of

    the day he would say it. However, at this moment, he forced it back down his throat once again.

    Was he worthy?

    Was he worthy of being her husband again?

    "I''ve... always cared for you," Jasper murmured shakily. He choked so much that he couldn''t utter the

    last word.

    Alyssa felt she had touched a sore spot, so she changed the subject. "Actually, I didn''t say much to

    Jameson. I just. vented my anger."

    "It''s good to vent it out."

    "I really don''t understand his life in Kontina for the past 15 years. What could he possibly experience, or

    who did he meet that had caused his heart to harden to this point?"

    An image of Jamesonughing maniacally appeared in Alyssa''s mind. She shook her head. "He was

    never like this. I still remember the time we snuck out to y when we were younger and saw a snake

    in the woods.

    "He was more terrified than I was but still courageously stood before the snake. He shivered all over

    and scared the snake away. There are still many instances... He was a pretty good person growing up."

    "I''ve looked into his background. I''m afraid his mother has a lot to do with his animosity toward the

    Schmidt Group."

    Jasper hugged Alyssa''s shoulders and said, "Mrs. Schmidt''s position in the Schmidt Group had never

    been favorable. Three of the children were not hers. She had to be careful, being a stepmother

    constantly walking on thin ice.

    "At that time, Jameson was young. Plus, you know how he was. He was too weak and unable to

    protect his mother.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "Mrs. Schmidt was an honest and upetitive woman, so she and Jameson were often ostracized."

    Alyssa nodded slowly.

    She was no stranger to the situation with the Schmidt Group. She heard a lot of gossip from Winston

    and his wives.

    "I also heard Victor despised Mrs. Schmidt because she had an affair with Victor''s bodyguard."

    Alyssa was unbelievably shocked. "Ah, how is that possible? I met Mrs. Schmidt when I was younger.

    She is so pleasant and gentle and is genuine toward Mr. Schmidt. How could she have an affair with a

    bodyguard?"

    "Yes, so there is something fishy about this."

    Jasper frowned slightly. "Mr. Schmidt must still kept in the dark about this. However, the three Schmidt

    siblings must have had a hand in this.

    "That bodyguard who was involved with Mrs. Schmidt is currently overseas under Josh''s surveince.

    Don''t you think this is weird?"

 Chapter 1446

    Alyssa asked, "Is this Josh''s scheme?"

    "It''s probable. This incident also damaged the rtionship between Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt. Mrs.

    Schmidt had caused Jameson, who was never favored in the family, to be shunned in Kontina.

    "He was left there for 15 years with no support. During these years, Mrs. Schmidt''s health deteriorated,

    causing Jameson to lose his only support in the Schmidt Group. He did not receive any financial

    support and lived a difficult life in Kontina."

    Alyssa was somewhat surprised. "Are you speaking for your love rival?"

    Jasperughed. "No, I''m just stating facts. What is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong. Even if he

    is my love rival, I wouldn''t preach what is wrong."

    Alyssa was moved. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pecked his lips.

    Jameson would never be as upright and open-minded as Jasper was.

    "So, he had every right to hate. If it were me, I would have done what I could toe back and take

    revenge for my mother," Jasper said with gloomy eyes.

    "However, this is not the reason for his downfall."

    Alyssa still shook her head. "Plus, if he wanted revenge, he could get back at the Schmidt family alone.

    Why is he targeting you, Jonah, and Miley? How could he not know Jeremy was my brother-inw

    when he was in Kontina?

    "He confidently said he likes me, but ruthlessly hurt the people I love behind my back. He conspired

    with Inigo to kill Jonah quietly on Shand Ind because Jonah didn''t like him. He is suffering alone.

    "Yet, he wants to drag everyone down with him. He would put anyone who didn''t follow his way to

    death, even if they were the loved ones of the person he likes!

    "How many bridges does he want to burn before he is satisfied? He is so selfish and ruthless!"

    Jasper blinked, unsure of what to say. He felt petty cursing Jameson with Alyssa.

    Alyssa was silent for a while. Then, she asked suddenly in confusion, "Back then, Jameson and his

    mother were alone in Kontina. Jameson was so young and far away from far with no one to help him.

    How did he turn things around and grow his business this big?"

    Jasper''s eyes glistened. "Good question, Alyssa. I''ve been pondering about the same question, so I''ve

    been secretly investigating it." "Even you had your grandpa''s full support to secure your position in the

    Beckett Group. There is no way Jameson didn''t have someone to support him."

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    A doubtful glint appeared in Alyssa''s gleaming eyes. "Someone of great position and power must be

    supporting him in Kontina. He must have used this person as a tool to deal with illegal and dangerous

    businesses. He might have even used him to get involved in drugs, control the elections, and remove

    everyone who stands in his way."

    Jasper stared at Alyssa deeply. His heart quickened. He couldn''t help but kiss her soft lips deeply.

    Her analysis was exactly what he thought. They were two peas in a pod.

    "Hmm." Alyssa gasped and finally pushed him away. "If we can find out who Jameson''s backer is, we

    can overturn Jameson''s hideout and get rid of him once and for all!"

    Jasper swallowed hard as he felt a sudden surge of jealousy.

    Alyssa was constantly thinking about getting rid of Jameson. He knew she was doing it for justice.

    However, she thought so much about Jameson that she had no time to think about him.

    "Alyssa, we are thinking about the same thing. I''m looking into this to find a different way to get rid of

    Jameson."

    "I will contact Miley and Jeremy when I have time to see if we can find a way." Alyssa was no longer

    depressed and was filled with determination.

    Jasperughed affectionately and pinched her waist. "It''s gettingte. Let''s head to bed."

    "Hmm... I feel fine." Alyssa pped her round belly.

    "Let''s go canoeing?"

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. "You believe everything I say, don''t you? It''s so dark outside. Let''s not

    overturn in theke." "Then, let''s head back to the room and do some ''exercises'' to ease digestion?"

    Jasper''s breath deepened. His voice was raspy and enticing.

    Alyssa''s heart shuddered and moved coyly in his arms. "L-Let''s go canoeing then."

    Jasper was speechless. He wondered if Alyssa was tired of him. It appeared as if he needed to learn

    some new tricks.

 Chapter 1447

    A helicopter exploded in the air in the countryside. It was a massive piece of news. Moreover, the

    residents nearby recorded the entire process and uploaded it online, causing a huge stir.

    This was a negative incident. However, the police issued a notice through official channels iming

    that internationally wanted criminals were trying to escape capture through the helicopter.

    All six of them were found dead. When the news was released, thements took a different turn.

    Everyone in the country was thrilled and thought they deserved it.

    David''s forensics report came out and confirmed it was mechanical asphyxia. Plus, from the direction

    of theceration and the wounds left from the struggle, he was murdered.

    However, out of hundreds of inmates and police officers, no one found out who did it.

    Perhaps someone was secretly obstructing the case investigation, hoping that the truth would never

    come to light.

    All sorts ofments were flying through the inte about David''s death.

    Onement said, "What a relief! I was thinking about how to sentence him to death. Now, justice has

    been served! This is amazing!"

    Anotherment said, "This is letting that animal off too easily. He should suffer a few years in jail, not

    being allowed to eat every day and suffer a beating every day. He deserved to be tormented to death!"

    Onement agreed, "Exactly! He died way too early. It''s a shame that he hasn''t tasted the bitterness

    of suffering!"

    "It''s a bigger shame that the victims did not witness David tried by thew. He hasn''t suffered utter

    humiliation by the public. What a shame!"

    However, it didn''t matter what was said. No one was standing on David''s side. Only a person out of his

    mind would do that.

    The Schmidt Group had never publicly expressed their stance yet. They were so quiet as if they didn''t

    know David.

    Victor''s son, whom he had spoiled for two decades died and suffered so much humiliation on the

    inte. Yet, he didn''t dare utter a word, hoping that the citizens of this country would stop hounding on

    their family affairs.

    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

    However, David''s funeral was done sloppily. No one else came to send their condolences except for his

    family.

    No one of status and power woulde and pay their respects to a terrible animal like him. They

    would be too shameless if they did that.

    Time passed, and it was finally two days before Sophia''s trial.

    In the morning, Alyssa visited Jasper''s mother, Anne, with him.

    In the quiet and solemn cemetery, destion and sadness filled their hearts.

    Alyssa ced her mother''s favorite bouquet of lilies respectfully before the tombstone. An

    overwhelming sense of sadness overtook her. Her eyes reddened as she stood behind Jasper.

    Jasper knelt on one knee and used a clean white handkerchief to delicately wipe the tombstone.

    Alyssa noticed this tombstone was the cleanest and most well-kept in the entire cemetery. It was clear

    that Jasper visited her every year. He cared for this ce day and night, ensuring his mother could rest

    in peace.

    "Mom, I''m here to see you again."

    Jasper was teary-eyed as his fingertips shakily grazed his mother''s face in the photo. "However, it''s

    different this time. I didn''te alone today. I havepany.

    "I remember you were always worried I would have no one with me when I was younger. You always

    worried I would be lonely. Mom, you don''t need to worry now. I''m doing well. Since you left, I-I found my

    happiness once again."

    He stood up, walked to Alyssa''s side, and hugged her tightly by the shoulder. His lips curled into a

    bright smile. "Look, what do you think of her? I think she is beautiful, just like you."

    "Y-You''re exaggerating..."

    Alyssa''s cheeks blushed. She was more beautiful than any other woman in the world. She knitted her

    fair and delicate hands together,pletely shy and reserved.

    It was as if Jasper''s mother was standing right in front of her.

    "Mom, let me introduce you to her. Her name is Alyssa Taylor. She is the love of my life." Jasper

    choked as he shakily said thest word. "I don''t want anything but her in this lifetime." "Jasper." Alyssa

    murmured, teary-eyed.

    "I''m sure you''re happy for me wherever you are now."

    Suddenly, a delicate breeze lifted a strand of Alyssa''s ck hair hanging next to her beautiful face. It

    blew away the tears at the corner of her eyes like an invisible hand caressing her face gently.

    Alyssa''s face started beating wildly. Her eyes widened as she stared at the warm, smiling woman in the

    monochrome picture.

    She wondered if it was Jasper''s mother, answering Jasper silently.

    She must have been watching over her son in heaven, protecting and blessing him.

    "Mom, Alyssa, and I had found out how you died. Now, Sophia is in prison, and her trial is in two days. I

    hope that will be her doomsday.

    "Alyssa and I will make sure Sophia suffers the way you did. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. We

    will make sure she pays tenfold!"

    Jasper''s eyes reddened as heced his fingers in hers. "Once we have the verdict, we wille back

    and visit you with the news of victory."

    "Auntie Anne, we will win this war. Please bless Jasper wherever you are in heaven."

    After they finished, they both paid their respects before Anne''s tombstone, hand in hand.

    Jasper''s eyes were filled with tears as he paid his respects to histe mother. His lips curled into a

    happy smile.

    He was overjoyed to have brought Alyssa to finally see his mother.

    Both of them stayed for a while. Alyssa wiped and cleaned the tombstone. Then, she was ready to

    leave peacefully.

    Suddenly, unfamiliar footsteps inched closer to them.

    "Jasper?"

    However, the familiar voice was like a sharp ice pick that stabbed Jasper''s back.

    Alyssa turned back before he did to look. Her pupils dted as Jasper''s grip, already tight, tightened

    even more.

    Javier stood tall in a ck suit a few steps away. Rory and four bodyguards were right behind him.

    The resounding presence of the Beckett Group''s chairman shattered the serenity of the cemetery.

 Chapter 1448

    Alyssa watched as the glum look on Jasper''s face set in like the moon setting into the vast sea.

    Jasper''s shoulders trembled slightly underneath his suit. His eyes were bloodshot. He turned into a

    volcano as an overwhelming wave of emotions erupted in him.

    Alyssa squeezed his hand, trying to hint for him to maintain hisposure.

    She wasn''t a goody-two-shoes who would buy into the "a harmonious family would prosper" gimmick.

    She wanted to help Jasper by giving Javier a piece of her mind.

    However, fighting in front of Jasper''s mother''s tombstone didn''t seem too respectful of her. Jasper''s

    mother would be rolling in her grave in anger if she saw it.

    "I didn''t expect you to visit your mother today. You should have told me earlier, and we could have

    come together."

    Javier carried the authority of a father, but his tone remained gentle. "I think your mother would have

    loved it."

    "My mother would have loved it?" Jasper stared at him coldly. Hatred pierced through his voice. "You''ve

    got to be kidding me, Mr. Javier."

    "What are you saying, Jasper?" Javier frowned deeply.

    "As a husband, you''ve never cared about her depression when she was alive. When she passed, you

    didn''t arrange for anyone to tidy her tombstone up even once. For the past 20 years, there have been

    more gardeners here than the number of times you''ve visited Mom. Now, you''re talking nonsense

    about her wanting to see you."

    Jasperughed and shook his head. Anger burned in his heart. "Mr. Javier, my mom had slept by your

    bedside for years and had loved you. But there has to be a limit to however shameless you want to be."

    Alyssa was shocked as she nervously pursed her lips.

    She wondered if they would start fighting physically, whether it was necessary to step in to get Jasper

    to step down.

    However, she agreed with what Jasper said. She didn''t want to step in. She wanted to scold Javier, for

    he was nothing but an obnoxious and shameless old man!

    If they fought, so be it. She would have clocked those bodyguards one by one.

    Javier was outraged. Anger reddened his stiffened face.

    Rory and the bodyguards kept their mouths shut, terrified for Jasper.

    "Rory, give me the flowers." There were outsiders around, so Javier didn''t want to look bad. He held his

    anger in and instructed Rory coldly.

    "Yes, Mr. Javier." Rory quickly brought a bouquet of white chrysanthemums to Javier respectfully.

    He took it with a lowered gaze and walked to the tombstone glumly.

    However, after a few steps, Jasper''s tall and sturdy body blocked him. He snatched the bouquet and

    threw it on the ground.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Everyone gasped in shock.

    Javier''s eyes widened as he was consumed with rage. "What the hell are you doing, Jasper?"

    "Mr. Javier, my mother and I do not wee you."

    Jasper locked his piercingly cold gaze on Javier''s shocked face. He emphasized each word, "She

    doesn''t need your pretense. You are not worthy to stand before her."

    As he said it, he went forward and stomped on the white chrysanthemums.

    "Pretense... Are you saying that I''m putting on a show?"

 Chapter 1449

    It was as if something was stuck in Javier''s throat as he pointed at his son''s face. His high and mighty

    demeanor was slowlypromised. "Jasper, you ungrateful bastard!

    "If I was putting on a show, I wouldn''t have gone against the majority and suffered the pressure to bring

    you and your mother back to the Beckett Group from the slums.

    "If it weren''t for me, both of you wouldn''t have died on the smelly and nasty streets. Have you forgotten

    how sick your mother was? She didn''t have a single dime on her to go to the hospital for treatment.

    "She had no way to support you. If it weren''t for me, she wouldn''t have recovered from her sickness.

    How on Earth would you have lived the cushy life you have now?"

    Alyssa watched as Jasper, feeling wronged, received a baseless usation. As a bystander, her heart

    burned with fire. She felt her blood boiling in her as her fists clenched.

    Until now, Javier wasn''t speaking to Jasper as a husband or a father. He was still on his high horse,

    thinking he offered charity to Jasper and his mother, a holier-than-thou capitalist.

    Everything he said sounded like it made sense. However, everything was hinted toward one thing¡ª

    Jasper and his mother were not from the world as he was.

    He was the one who had been kind and gracious enough to help them escape from the cheap, dirty,

    and smelly slum. With a move of his finger, they could enter his world.

    That ingrained sense of arrogance and superiority was more humiliating and angering than profanities

    and insults.

    "No matter what, I have raised you to who you are today. You wouldn''t be where you are today without

    me. Would you even have the privilege to be so rude and rebellious to me?" Javier ran his mouth like a

    machine gun, firing at Jasper with bloodshot eyes.

    "If I was a girl and not a boy, would you have found ways to bring me back to the Beckett family? If it

    weren''t for this, would you ever remember a pitiful woman who was carrying your baby wandering with

    no power or status to her name? Would you even remember she who didn''t have a roof over her head

    or food on the table?"

    Jasper''s lips curled into a sharp smile. He was terrifyingly cold as he continued to mock Javier, "I have

    to thank Grandpa for his nurture and care and my mother''s strong body for who I am today."

    "You rebellious bastard! You have crossed the line!"

    Javier''s noble demeanor had utterly crumbled. Outraged, he raised his hand and was about to p

    Jasper across his face.

    Jasper was unfazed. His terrifyingly glistening eyes carried an intimidating sense of hatred.

    Everyone was bbergasted.

    Javier only felt the pain on his wrist slightly after. His brows knitted tightly.

    Alyssa swiftly dodged and stood right in front of Jasper. She aggressively grabbed Javier''s wrist and

    continued to tighten her grip as if she was about to break his wrist.

    "Mr. Javier!"

    Rory and the four bodyguards were pale from terror. They were about to stop Alyssa.

    However, Alyssa''s face was icy. She didn''t even blink and had no intention of letting go.

    Alyssa was no longer as frail and meek as she always was. Like a porcupine, her quills stood up,

    protecting the man he loved.

    "I''ll get rid of whoever touches Ms. Alyssa." Jasper stood behind Alyssa like an intimidating iceberg,

    ring at everyone.

    His low growl had terrified them and glued them to their spot. No one dared to challenge the authority

    of the next chairman in line.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I''m teaching my son a lesson. Don''t meddle in our business as an outsider," Javier said

    sharply as he resisted the pain.

    A cold glint appeared in Alyssa''s eyes. "I may be an outsider to you, but I am Jasper''s wife."

    Wife?

    Jasper''s eyes dted as his heart palpitated wildly.

    Were his ears ying tricks on him?

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Did Alyssa just say she was Jasper''s wife?

 Chapter 1450

    "If you try toy your hand on Jasper, I''ll be the first to stop you. You might not care for him, but I do.

    Even if I''m not around..." Alyssa''s sad eyes looked at Jasper''s mother''s tombstone. "Don''t you think

    Auntie Anne would care? As the noble, high, and mighty chairman of the Beckett Group, don''t you think

    it''s distasteful to get physical in front of the deceased?"

    Alyssa had just uttered the deadliest and harshest words in the most nonchnt tone.

    The look in Javier''s eyes sank. He clenched his jaw so tightly that it was about to break open.

    "Mr. Javier, I think it''s not a great day for you to pay your respects to Auntie Anne today. We appreciate

    the gesture. I''m sure Auntie Anne feels the same way. I think it''s best if you leave." Rory and the

    bodyguards sighed in relief as Alyssa loosened her grip.

    Javier''s face was as pale as a ghost. Yet, he gritted his teeth and was unwilling to give up. "I''ve

    canceled everything today toe and see her.

    "I''ll leave after I see her for a while."

    "You wish!" Jasper suddenly pulled Alyssa behind him.

    Javier and Jasper fell into a tense confrontation again. "You were fooling around, and you even married

    Sophia when you already had my mother. Plus, you condoned that unscrupulous and vicious woman to

    mistreat my mother. If you didn''t do these things, none of this would have happened! My mother

    wouldn''t have died!"

    "You." Javier was consumed by anger. His expression darkened.

    "The worst five years of her life weren''t starving in poverty or getting really sick. It was her being a

    trophy by your side that couldn''t be seen by anyone. You took advantage of her and caused her to die!"

    "Nonsense!"

    Javier was breathing heavily from his anger. "Anne died of her depression! She couldn''t take the pain

    and took her life to relieve herself of it! Her death had nothing to do with me!"

    Relieve. Javier had actually thought Anne was relieving herself from the pain.

    Alyssa frowned deeply. She shook her head, angry and helpless.

    Until now, Javier had never understood the condition of Jasper''s mother''s heart, let alone everything

    Sophia had done.

    Perhaps he had loved Anne.

    However, his love for himself was far beyond his love for Anne.

    "My mother is not a victim who used death to get a sense of relief. She died because Sophia."

    "Jasper! Enough!"

    Alyssa grabbed Jasper''s arm and stopped him in time. Jasper, who was consumed by anger, regained

    his senses and shut his mouth.

    Rory was dumbfounded by what had happened.

    Jasper had never even respected Javier when his temper acted up. Alyssa managed to tame Jasper

    with just a word from her.

    There must have been something different about Alyssa.

    She had Jasper under her control.

    Javier was left hanging, sparking his curiosity. He asked angrily as he red at Jasper. "W-What does

    Sophia have to do with Anne''s death? Exin yourself, Jasper!"

    Alyssa thought it would disrupt their n if they continued this conversation, so she forcefully grabbed

    Jasper and left the cemetery hastily.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Rory tentatively said, "Mr. Javier, let me prepare a new bouquet and send it to Ms. Bartley."

    "What did Jasper mean when he said that? Is he implying that... Sophia killed Anne?"

    Javier grabbed Rory by the cor and questioned him fiercely, "Did he say it out of spite, or does he

    have proof? Why did he say that?"

 Chapter 1451

    Amidst the chaos, a profound sense of worry and fear emerged, intensifying the turmoil reflected in

    Javier''s twitching eye.

    "I-I don''t know what Mr. Jasper meant." Rory''s forehead glistened with beads of sweat. Trapped

    between the devil and the deep sea, he felt the looming threat of trouble for anything he might utter.

    "D-Didn''t you say that someone might have been behind Anne''s death? Jasper said Sophia was

    behind it. Does he even have proof? Does he?"

    "I-I think you should rify with Mr. Jasper. I don''t know anything about it..."

    Javier released his tightly clenched hand, feeling a sudden weight on his shoulders. Slouching, he

    struggled to catch his breath, his earlier confidence reced by uncertainty.

    He had epted and tolerated so much. Sophia had crossed a line.

    He was utterly disgusted by Sophia. Yet, to protect the Beckett Group and his reputation as president,

    he repeatedly swallowed his pride and looked the other way.

    However, he was unable to ept one thing¡ªSophia was behind Anne''s murder.

    He found himself resorting to self-numbing and brainwashing.

    He tried to convince himself that Jasper''s words were fueled by anger, a deliberate strategy to inflict

    suffering and guilt upon him. He believed that Jasper aimed to provoke disgust and trouble within him.

    Rory noticed how much pain Javier was in. He cautiously asked, "Mr. Javier, do you want me to."

    "No! Don''t do anything!"Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Shaking with terror, Javier firmly grabbed Rory''s arm, his eyes wide with fear. "The trial is about to

    happen. You have a lot of other things to do. Don''t get distracted!

    "There is nothing more important than to help the Beckett Group weather through the rough waters."

    Rory knew what he was implying.

    As Sophia faced an impending trial, the inte buzzed with negativements about her. Caught in

    the crossfire due to Sophia being his wife, Javier, the president of the Beckett Group, couldn''t escape

    the fallout. Thepany''s reputation and reliability took a hit from the impact of these adverse

    comments.

    "How is the press conferenceing along?" Javierposed himself, though his suit was soaked in

    sweat.

    "Everything is in order. The press conference will start at 3:00 pm sharp tomorrow."

    Javier nodded, gazing at Anne''s tombstone with an inexplicable and troubled expression. His fingers

    were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. After a prolonged silence, he grimly said,

    "Let''s go back."

    As they returned from the cemetery, Jasper''s expression remained cold and pallid, much like the wintry

    surroundings.

    Alyssa gently sped his tensed hand with both of hers, sensing an icy chill that made her heart ache.

    After a moment of hesitation, she gently said, "Jasper, I hope you understand why I stopped you

    earlier."

    "I understand your intentions, Lyse."

    Jasper hugged Alyssa and caressed her face with his calloused hand. Suppressing the pain in his

    heart, he croaked, "You''re concerned I might reveal to Javier about Sophia''s involvement in my

    mother''s murder.

    "You''re afraid that my father didn''t love my mother enough, and he might stop me from avenging my

    mother to protect the Beckett''s Group''s reputation."

    Alyssa leaned against Jasper and nodded lightly. "Yes, but not exactly."

    "What else is there?" Shocked, Jasper looked at her deeply.

    "You''ve really hooked Mr. Javier''s interest by spilling part of the story. He will be tossing and turning,

    trying to figure out the other half of what you were about to spill for the next couple of days."

    Alyssa smirked mischievously. "Let''s keep him hanging in suspense until the very end. The truth will

    only hit him hard like a brick if wey the groundwork right. Then, it will be a fatal blow to him, leaving

    him miserable in his regret."

    "Pfft! Will he even regret it?"

    Jasper''s eyes were red. "He didn''t have a hint of remorse when my mother died. It has been two

    decades. Will his heart still feel the pain?"

    Alyssa hesitated, unsure of how to console him. In that instant, she felt an overwhelming sympathy for

    Jasper''s mother. Simultaneously, a wave of gratitude swept over her. Despite Jasper being Javier''s

    son, she couldn''t help but feel lucky that he hadn''t inherited the same selfish and cruel traits as his

    father.

    Upon arriving home, Jasper changed his clothes swiftly and headed straight to the Beckett Group.

    He had no pressing tasks at hand other than meetings to attend. However, he felt burdened and chose

    to bury himself in tasks, fearing that his negativity might affect Alyssa.

    Before he realized it, it was nightfall.

    If Alyssa had not urged him toe home for dinner after multiple calls, he would have sat in the office

    until midnight.

    Xavier drove Jasper back to the vi.

    As they opened the door, both of them stood frozen in shock.

 Chapter 1452

    A thick yet warm smoke enveloped them, and the stark contrast between the lively scene behind the

    door and the destion outside took Jasper aback. His reaction was visceral.

    As he stared at the bustling living hall, his heart raced.

    Seated on the couch were Tatiana and Julien, and alongside them was Rose, who had been studying

    overseas and hadn''t crossed paths with Jasper for several years. They were joyfully chatting while

    skewering vegetables.

    The kitchen buzzed with activity as Jonah, wearing an apron, showcased his culinary skills, with Cyrus

    assisting in preparing barbecue sauce.

    Ss and Sean were focused on putting meat on the skewers, their attention fixed on Tatiana and

    Rose. Sean''s concern for his girlfriend was evident, while Ss watched in helplessness as Rose

    engaged in an animated conversation with Julien.

    Ss sighed sadly, unsure of the unease he felt witnessing their interaction.

    "Dr. Lovce, you''re nailing those skewers! Your hands are so skilled!" Tatiana eximed as she

    noticed the perfectly arranged food on Julien''s skewer, resembling a carefully crafted assembly. She

    couldn''t resist showering him with praise.

    "Really? I''m just putting the food on a stick," Julien replied nonchntly, humming a tune as he

    examined the perfectly arranged te.

    The skewers Tatiana and Rose assembled were nowhere as beautiful as Julien''s.

    "Look at the one I did. It''s all over the ce like a chicken w." Rose pouted sadly.

    Despite being an internationally renowned fashion designer, Rose had fashioned countless exquisite

    outfits with her skilled hands, but her culinary prowess wascking.

    Life, it seemed, was fair. Meanwhile, God appeared to have favored Alyssa by granting her everything.

    "It''s really simple. Let me teach you. You see, this is how you do it..."

    Julien hunched over, almost pressed against Rose, his head nearly touching Tatiana''s. Both Rose and

    Tatiana listened attentively, unaware that this proximity set off significant rm bells for Sean and Ss,

    who were not far away.

    "Jonah, why is Julien meddling where he shouldn''t?"

    Cyrus approached Jonah, gossiping as he mixed the ingredients, "Check out all the guys getting stuff

    done. Axel is out there starting the fire. Can you believe he''s flirting with thedies on the couch? How

    oblivious can he be?"

    Jonah furrowed his brow slightly as he stirred the mixture vigorously with his spoon.

    "Jonah, you should keep a closer eye on him."

    After a prolonged silence, Jonah lowered his gaze and said, "The kitchen is messy and dirty. Since he''s

    clean, I didn''t let hime in."

    Cyrus, being straightforward, didn''t grasp the subtext. Puzzled, he eximed, "Huh?"

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Julien isn''t a Taylor; he''s Lyse''s guest. It''s nice that he''s pitching in. Don''t expect too much from him."

    Jonah slipped in his words and swiftly changed the subject, his face warming up.

    Sean couldn''t ignore the closeness between Tatiana and Julien. Unable to contain himself, he snapped

    the skewer stick in his hand.

    "Ouch! It hurts!" Distracted by the situation, Ss lost his focus and identally pricked his finger with

    the skewer stick.

    "The two of you..."

    It seemed as if Jonah had eyes in the back of his head. He shot a nce at the jealous men and said,

    "If you''ve got all that energy, help Axel with the fire on the balcony. Maybe your frustration can help him

    light it up."

    Jonah thought them both idiots.

    He wasn''t even jealous. He couldn''t fathom why they were overreacting.

    Everyone was busy with their tasks and enjoying each other. No one noticed Jasper and Xavier

    standing by the entrance.

    "M-Mr. Beckett, we''re at the right house, right?" Xavier was dumbfounded. It was as if they had

    returned to how the Taylor family was in Belbanks.

    "Hey, you''re back, Mr. Jasper!"

    Mrs. Rosie stood behind him with shopping bags in her hand. She nudged him gently. "Why are you

    standing here? Don''t you recognize your home?"

    Jasper looked at Mrs. Rosie absent-mindedly. He croaked, "Mrs. Rosie, they."

    "Ah, the guests were invited by Madam Alyssa."

    Rosie said joyfully, "Madam Alyssa arranged this gathering for you, Mr. Jasper. The minute you left, she

    began making calls and went to prepare the food and the fire. She was upied the whole day. She

    thought no one woulde due to thest-minute invitations, but surprisingly, everyone showed up."

    "Lyse did this for me?" Jasper''s eyes welled up as he felt a lump in his throat.

    "Who else would this be for? Madam Alyssa mentioned Sophia''s case going to trial. Seeing you

    stressed these past few days, she arranged a barbecue for you to unwind."

    Then, Rosie winked and nudged his arm. "Remember to thank Madam Alyssa and treat her well behind

    closed doors tonight. I''m sure I don''t need to give you any advice on what to do, do I?"

    Just then, Alyssa descended the stairs with a radiant smile, and a young woman adorned in a light blue

    dress,plete with a crystal hairpiece, followed closely behind her.

    Xavier''s eyes widened, and he rubbed them vigorously. That breathtaking woman was Maggie! The

    moment that followed left Xavier standing alone at the entrance, his lips trembling, tears already spent.

 Chapter 1453

    "Wow!"

    All eyes turned to Maggie, who timidly hid behind Alyssa. They were in awe.

    Indeed, the way one dressed had a significant impact on how others perceived them.

    Upon her initial arrival, Maggie wore modest attire, appearing charming. However, her passive

    demeanor and hunched posture exposed a palpable insecurity that was difficult for onlookers to

    handle.

    Maggie underwent aplete transformation thanks to Alyssa''s efforts. A single nce and a stranger

    would easily assume she was born into wealth.

    "Wow! You''re so beautiful!"

    Tatiana pped with a radiant smile on her face. "Maggie was already beautiful. Now, she''s practically

    sparkling in that dress! She looks absolutely lovely!"

    "That dress is quite impressive!" Julien, who typically carried himself with confidence, couldn''t resist

    offering praise.

    "Hmph! I crafted that myself! It''s a one-of-a-kind creation. I dare anyone to call it ugly." Rose lifted her

    chin with pride, crossing her legs. She gazed at Maggie as if her masterpiece was showcased on an

    international catwalk for everyone to admire.

    "I was about to say it looks like one of your pieces, Rose."

    Tatiana regarded Rose with admiration. "When ites to the best designer in the country, you''re right

    up there after Sharon. Sigh, if only I were lucky enough to meet Sharon once. I believe she is the best

    in the design industry! I will definitely get her autograph and take a picture with her!"

    Rose took a sip of her tea, ncing at Alyssa with a chuckle.

    Julien''s eyes widened in surprise. With his overseas downtime often filled with watching fashion shows,

    he was well aware of Rose. Nevertheless, he never imagined that Rose would be the woman struggling

    with assembling food next to him.

    Alyssa''s friends were out of this world.

    "Ms. Emerson," Julien called her.

    "Yes, Dr. Lovce?" Having heard about Julien from her mentor, she was friendly toward him.

    Julien cleared his throat and asked, "Can you help to design an outfit?"

    Julien feigned nonchnce and briefly nced at Jonah''s back. "A suit for a man."

    "I''m booked for the next six months."

    "Oh." Julien seemed to resign to the situation, his eyes reflecting a profound disappointment.

    "However..."

    Rose rested her cheek on her hand and smiled at him. "You are a good friend of my mentor. I''ll

    definitely make an exception.

    "However, I would need to take some measurements for the suit to fit well. If you''re avable, you

    shoulde to my workshop so that I can take your measurements, Dr. Lovce. If you''re not free,

    you can provide me with your measurements. The more detailed, the better."

    Julien withdrew his intense gaze from Jonah''s back, his lips curling into a smile. "Alright, I''ll get the

    measurements for you promptly. Thank you."

    "Jasper? Xavier? When did you both get back?"

    No matter how chaotic the environment was, Alyssa instantly noticed them standing at the entrance.

    She was overjoyed.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    With Maggie''s hand in hers, Alyssa smiled and pulled her along as they approached the two standing

    at the entrance.

    As Xavier locked eyes with Maggie, a profound intensity overcame him. His body tensed, and his heart

    pounded uncontrobly, his emotions spiraling.

    Maggie shyly pursed her lips as Xavier''s intense gaze lingered on her. She felt unsure of what to do in

    response.

    "Xavier, why aren''t you saying hello to Maggie? What''s the matter? Are you shy now that she''s all

    dolled up? Alyssa smiled as she nudged Maggie toward him.

    She gave her a deliberate, slightly stronger push, causing Maggie to collide with Xavier. He swiftly

    caught her, her hands resting on his pounding chest.

 Chapter 1454

    "I-I''m sorry..." Maggie''s face was as red as a tomato.

    "Ms. Madison," Xavier''s breath sank as he spoke softly, just enough for her to hear, "you look beautiful

    today."

    Maggie''s face burned with embarrassment. Panicking, she hastily withdrew herself from his arms.

    Jasper struggled to contain the overwhelming emotions within him. He hugged Alyssa tightly and

    whispered, "Thank you for doing this, Lyse."

    Alyssa leaned into Jasper''s arms with a smile, reveling in her luck to have found Jasper as her other

    half. "It''s no big deal. I just asked everyone toe over for a meal.

    "Oh, yeah. Lauren caught a chill from leaving the window open while she slept the past two days.

    Landon is home caring for her. They won''t being. He asked me to tell you to enjoy your meal and

    eat their share."

    "Okay." Jasper looked down at her face, his heart beating wildly as his eyes turned misty.

    "Thank you, Madam Alyssa."

    Xavier was incredibly excited to see Maggie. He was so touched that he found himself at a loss for

    words, unable to stop thanking Alyssa.

    "What is there to thank me for? Maggie is my lifesaver. I''ve been wanting to treat her to a meal but

    have yet to find a good time to do so. This gathering had fulfilled my wishes."

    As she spoke, Alyssa turned to look at Maggie warmly. "On the contrary, I should thank Maggie for

    showing up."

    "M-Ms. Alyssa, don''t say that. I''m so honored to be here. enjoying a meal!" Maggie''s face blushed from

    panic as she rambled.

    She could never have dreamt of attending Alyssa''s gathering at her home. Wearing such a beautiful

    dress and surrounded by such an astounding group of people, everything felt surreal to her.

    "Jasper!" Tatiana waved at Jasper happily.

    Rose, whom he had not seen for a long time, said as she sipped her tea, "You''rete, Mr. Jasper. I

    think you owe us a few drinks."

    Despite Jasper winning back Alyssa''s heart after all that transpired, Rose couldn''t resist teasing him

    whenever the chance arose.

    Jasper said, "Okay."

    "A few drinks aren''t enough. Jasper, don''t be so conservative. Let''s do a few rounds." Julien wanted to

    pull Jasper''s leg.

    Alyssa frowned, ready to retort, but was taken aback when Jasper agreed effortlessly. "Sure, let''s do it.

    We won''t stop until we''re both drunk."

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Amidst the joyful banter, Axel came downstairs with ash on his face. He yelled at everyone at the top of

    his lungs, "Hey! Cough! Cough! Is the grill cursed? Why won''t it light up?"

    "Axel, did you go out scavenging? Why do you look like this? Don''t scare thedies," Ss couldn''t help

    but tease him.

    "Youe and get the job done for me then. Don''t just sit there and point fingers!" Axel retorted in

    frustration, running his hand over his face and revealing a ck smudge on his otherwise handsome

    Jonah said lightly, "Ss, Sean, go and help. I''m sure both of you can get it started."

    Ss and Sean were rendered speechless.

    "Let me do it, Jonah. I''m more familiar with the equipment at home," Jasper said. Without another word,

    he took off his coat, rolled his white sleeves up, and headed upstairs.

    He walked past Axel and patted him on the back. "Thank you for trying, Axel."

    Staring in astonishment, Axel couldn''t fathom how Alyssa had managed to tame Jasper, the unruly

    beast!

    Before long, the barbecue grill was aze. Alyssa and the group carried over the alcohol and food.

    They joyfully indulged in the moment, relishing the food and drink.

 Chapter 1455

    After a while, Alyssa realized Jasper had disappeared. Leaving the party on her own, she ran into Mrs.

    Rosie in the corridor. "Mrs. Rosie, have you seen Jasper?"

    "Mr. Jasper went back to his room. I knocked on his door for a long time, but he wouldn''t open it,"

    Rosie replied, shaking her head. "With everyone here tonight, enjoying such a lively asion, I don''t

    understand why he''s isting himself like a depressed teenager. It''s some of him to call it a night this

    early."

    Alyssa frowned, her smile wry. She felt concerned, aware of how downcast Jasper could be on his

    mother''s death anniversary. Moreover, the confrontation with Javier at the cemetery likely brought back

    painful memories. Returning to such a lively home must have stirred up his emotions.

    "Mrs. Rosie, could you please entertain our guests on the balcony? I''ll go check on Jasper."

    Alyssa stood before the room''s door, taking a brief pause before gently knocking. "Jasper? Are you

    there?"

    There was no response.

    "Don''t be sad. Come and enjoy the delicious food outside. Everyone is waiting for you."

    Jasper was silent.

    "I know you''re upset about what happened today. I understand that you must be missing your mother. I

    feel the same way when I visit my mother every year."

    Alyssa ced her hand on the door panel, her voice as gentle as a dove. "Don''t worry. I will make sure

    to treat you really well from now on. I know you''ve always felt lonely, but don''t forget, you have me,

    Grandpa, Mrs. Rosie...

    "You have my whole family with you. Family, friends, the love of your life. You have everyone that

    anyone could have."

    Before she could finish, the door opened.

    Alyssa was abruptly pulled into the darkness. In the next moment, the door shut quietly.

    Jasper''s sturdy form pressed her against the door in the dark. Their breaths intertwined as their bodies

    slowly warmed up.

    "Lyse." Jasper murmured seductively in her ear.

    Alyssa breathed lightly, her ample bosom pressed tightly against his sturdy chest. Her face reddened

    like a tomato.

    No one knew their bodies as intimately as they did.

    Alyssa''s heart raced in this suggestive atmosphere. She quivered slightly beneath him.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "You didn''t say all that to trick me, right?" Jasper''s eyes glistened in the dark.

    "Huh?" Alyssa''s attention wavered under his intense gaze.

    "You said that I have what others have."

    Alyssa yfully traced along his sharp jaw, saying, "Of course, when have I ever lied to you?"

    Jasper swallowed hard, his mouth dry. "I want to eat now."

    "Let''s go. The barbecue''s ready."

    "No, I want to have what is mine. I want my special menu," Jasper said as he pressed against her

    harder. His hands locked her wrists and ced them over her head.

    A glint flickered in Alyssa''s eyes. Then, she realized she had been too naive. Jasper only craved for

    her.

    Before she could even process it, Jasper''s lips crashed into hers. She let out a low gasp. It was as if he

    was extracting her soul with his passionate and wild kiss.

 Chapter 1456

    In the midst of the cheerful feast, everyone remained unaware of Jasper and Alyssa''s bted arrival.

    The couple had even changed their clothes.

    The dose of love energized Jasper, sweeping away the sadness in his heart. He was like a different

    person as he proudly stood next to Alyssa. Even amidst the remarkable gathering of Taylors, he stood

    there loud and proud,pletely stealing the show.

    "Wow, you look amazing, Mr. Jasper."

    "Wow, Jasper is absolutely unbeatable."

    Tatiana and Maggie were side by side, holding their heads as they fangirled over Jasper.

    While they had their respective partners, no one could help but admire beauty. Stealing a few more

    nces at a masterpiece was not a crime.

    However, Sean and Xavier were sitting beside them miserably. Like two shotguns, they stared fixedly at

    Jasper.

    No matter how jealous they were, they could only keep quiet. Openly attacking Alyssa''s man would

    make them dead meat.

    Everyone exchanged drinks andughter throughout the gathering.

    Somehow, it felt like Alyssa and Jasper''s appreciation dinner.

    Rose was extroverted and the life of the party. After making Jasper drink with her, she held Alyssa by

    the waist and sang into the karaoke microphones.

    Ss frowned as he continuously stuffed meat into his mouth. His burning gaze didn''t leave Rose''s

    beautifulplexion for even a second.

    "I like Rose. She has a great personality and is straightforward. She seems chill but is emotionally

    sensitive. She takes care of others well."

    Sitting next to Ss, Jonah elegantly sliced the meat with a knife and unexpectedly shared his

    thoughts.

    Ss chewed the meat hard as his eyshes fluttered slightly. "She is just a dim-witted, crazydy.

    What is there to like?"

    "If she is that bad, why can''t you stop staring at her?" Jonah chuckled.

    Jonah, having an intimate understanding of Ss, yfully called him out.

    Ss nearly choked on his food, his face turning as red as a tomato. "That''s because she''s terrible at

    singing! It has affected my appetite!"

    "That can affect your appetite? I don''t believe you."

    Taking a bite of meat on a skewer, Cyrus nced at Ss and smiled. "Nothing can affect your

    appetite. I remember when you used to work overtime, you''d eat while reading forensics reports. This

    is nothingpared to that."

    Ss'' face burned as he tried to alleviate the embarrassment with a sip of water.

    Jonah had just finished carefully slicing a te of meat. Before he could take a slice for himself, the

    meat was gone.

    Scanning the area, he locked eyes with Julien beside him. Julien was casually enjoying the meat from

    Jonah''s te. He beamed at Jonah with narrowed eyes.

    It turned out Julien was the sneaky culprit who had taken all the meat.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "I haven''t had enough yet. Slice more, please," Julien''s voice was soft as he yfully pleaded in

    Jonah''s ear.

    "Are you a child? Do I need to slice everything nicely and put it on a te for you?" Jonah retracted his

    gaze and resumed slicing more meat. "Why don''t I just feed you?"

    "Sure!" Julien''s eyes glistened as he nodded enthusiastically.

    "In your dreams," Jonah sneered, his knife never ceasing its motion.

    "Can''t it be reality? I remembered what you told me in the car thest time. Are you trying to get away

    with it, Mr. Jonah?

    "You said you would slice fruits for me, but it never happened. Now, you''re unwilling to let me take

    some meat from you?" Julienined angrily. However, underneath the table, his toes hooked onto

    Jonah''s pants, slowly sliding up.

 Chapter 1457

    "Behave," Jonah rasped out, though his expression was solemn.

    Julien cocked his head and grinned a devastatingly beautiful smile. "No, I won''t."

    Meanwhile, Jasper seemed to be in an excellent mood. He hadn''t backed down after taking on the

    challenge of downing several rounds of alcohol. After toasting everyone, Jasper began a one-on-one

    drinking duel with Axel.

    He didn''t usually drink alcohol. He was only doing so mainly because he didn''t want Alyssa''s brothers

    to think he was a coward. After all, he was Alyssa''s man.

    "Do you know what my nickname is?" Axel draped his arm over Jasper''s shoulder as he topped up the

    latter''s wine ss. "They call me the Son of Spirits, never getting drunk no matter how much I drink. I''m

    worried you''ll ruin your family''s pride if you trypeting with me."

    Jasper looked down at his full ss of wine and smiled lightly. "In my experience, Axel, the ones who

    try to make themselves look tough at the start are the ones who fall firstter on. No matter though,

    since you''re drinking in theforts of your own home. Your family will care for you no matter how

    drunk you get."

    "I don''t need no one to take care of me!" Axel red at Jasper and clinked his wine ss with the

    latter''s, making wine ssh out some. "I''m going to drink this now. You do so whenever you''re ready!"

    While more drinks were being poured at this end, Rose had caged Alyssa against a wall somewhere

    else.

    She slyly asked, "Why''s your waist so tender, Madam? Your voice is rather raspy, too. Say, what were

    you up to with Jasper earlier when you two went missing?"

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa blushed and cleared her throat. "N-Nothing much."

    That horndog!

    Jasper knew exactly where Alyssa''s erogenous spots were, yet he''d continued caressing them and

    torturing her.

    Alyssa ended up soaking her clothes and ruining her makeup because of it. In the end, Alyssa had to

    panic and leave in a hurry to tend to the guests, while Jasper behaved coolly as if nothing had

    happened.

    Alyssa was so frustrated.

    "Hey, we''re all adults here. Why are you still so shy?" Rose giggled and whispered in Alyssa''s ear, "But

    I didn''t expect you two to finish so soon. Jasper doesn''tst long, does he? Feed him some oysters

    later. They''re the best stimnt for men!"

    Alyssa hushed Rose, hurriedly defending Jasper. "Yes, he does! He''s really good at...

    The two best friends then chatted in hushed tones. "Holy shit! That''s so hot!"

    "Shh! Keep your voice down!" Alyssa quickly covered Rose''s mouth, her face flushed to the ears.

    Rose was Alyssa''s best friend, so there was nothing they couldn''t talk about. They could share

    everything, even those shy little secrets.

    "Tch, who knew someone as regal-looking as Jasper Beckett was actually so wild in bed." Rose sipped

    her drink, brow cocking in intrigue.

    "He... He wasn''t always like that." Alyssa''s voice was unbelievably soft. She caressed her flushed face

    and said, "He needed some training too."

    The two women stood in silence for some time.

    Rose then took an exquisitely crafted cigarette pack from her bag and ced a cigarette between her

    lips.

    "Gone back to smoking again?" Alyssa asked.

    "Why do you make it sound like I''m a drug addict? It''s just a cigarette." Rose chuckled.

    The warm night lights cast their glow on Alyssa''s face, highlighting her features, which were twisted

    with worry and concern.

    "Have you been doing welltely, Rose? Has your family caused any trouble for you?" Alyssa knew

    Rose was from the Emerson family and the risky situation Rose was in, which was why she worried for

    Rose.

 Chapter 1458

    "I''m doing really well." Rose''s eyes narrowed as she flicked ash off her cigarette. "The world is my

    home.

    I have no family or kin to my name."

    "What are you talking about? If you don''t have family, who am I then?" Alyssa held Rose''s arm lovingly.

    "The moment I be your mentor, you''ll always be my... you know how it goes."

    "Taking advantage of me now, aren''t you?" Rose teasingly pinched Alyssa''s chin with the hand holding

    her cigarette.

    Rose had a natural physique, taller and broader than Alyssa. Their affectionate and teasing

    movements made quite the sight. They looked like a couple of lesbian lovers.

    Meanwhile, Ss was in the crowd some distance away, watching Rose''s every move.

    He didn''t like people who smoked. Every time Axel started smoking, Ss would try and find a way to

    snatch the cigarette away.

    Yet for some reason, as Ss gazed at Rose holding the cigarette with her slender fingers, the smoke

    swirling around her face, and the rxed look in her eyes, he couldn''t help but be mesmerized by her.

    Right now, Rose was the most stunning creature to Ss, especially while doing something he hated

    the most.

    His breathing quickened. He quickly looked away and downed an entire ss of iced water from the

    table.

    It had been some time since Ss had met Rose. They hadn''t contacted one another prior, but Ss

    would look at her social media ount nearly every single day. He had followed her and constantly

    paid attention to any updates from Rose.

    Ss had thought he and Rose would naturally grow closer tonight because of what happenedst

    time.

    But Rose hadn''t spoken to him nor so much as nced at him.

    It made Ss ufortable. So he snatched a ss from the table and downed it quickly, uncaring of

    what was inside it.

    "Fuck me, Ss! Good on you, man!" Cyrus eximed, smacking Ss'' back excitedly. "That was a

    shot of El Lukadore tequ with 55 percent alcohol content. I myself needed to take a break after taking

    a sip yet you downed all of it in one shot? What ad!"

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Ss was stunned.

    Tequ? 55 percent alcohol content?

    Ss felt his internal organs and digestive tract burn in the next instant. He dashed right to the

    washroom.

    Rose nced in Ss'' direction as he ran off, her eyes twinkling slightly.

    "Your heart isn''t that strong. Why don''t you quit drinking and smoking, hm? Even my man was able to

    quit smoking, though he''s been doing it for years, so I''m sure you can do the same."

    Alyssa still duly yed her role of Rose''s caring mentor and grabbed her cigarette before extinguishing

    it. "I know you need inspiration to draw. And there are many ways to get inspiration¡ªruining your body

    for it isn''t the wisest option. Plus, your face and teeth will turn yellowish after smoking too much. You''ll

    look ugly."

    "So what? I don''t need a man. All that matters is that my designs are beautiful." Rose smiled

    nonchntly, though there was a hint of self-depreciation in her words.

    "You may not need a man, but there are some men who can''t even focus in life without you." Alyssa''s

    eyes narrowed as she nced at where Ss was sitting, only to find the spot empty. "Huh? Where''s

    Ss?"

    "He didn''t look too well earlier. I think he''s had too much to drink," Rose said faintly, though she was a

    bit concerned.

    "Oh. Then hurry over to check up on him." Alyssa nudged Rose gently. "Go on then. Ss did help you

    last time. You should go see if he''s doing okay."

 Chapter 1459

    Ss was retching by the restroom basin, heaving all the tequ he''d drunk out from his stomach.

    His alcohol tolerance was the lowest among his siblings. Usually, he could barely manage a sip of

    tequ.

    Yet even after Ss had retched everything out, his mind was still heavy and throat burning as if

    doused with acid.

    "Look at yourself, Ss... Why are you still so worked up over her? She clearly doesn''t care about you

    at all," he mumbled to himself.

    Ss sshed his face with some cold water andbed his fringe back with his hands. Even in such

    a dire state, he was still remarkably handsome.

    "I really am working myself up too much over this." Ss gently massaged his temples, unable to stop

    feeling frustrated.

    As he opened the door, he bumped right into someone else.

    "Ah!" Rose gasped.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    She had worn high heels that night, so her body rocked with the force and fell backward.

    Though Ss was still somewhat drunk, his speed was still exceptional. He swiftly wrapped an arm

    around Rose and pushed her back up to her feet.

    Their eyes met as their bodies pressed closed against one another, flushed.

    Ss'' breathing quickened. He recalled the deep kiss that he''d had with Rose, which started out as

    CPR. Ss still hadn''t gotten over that until today.

    Right now, he didn''t want to let go of Rose.

    "Can you. Let me go now?" Rose looked anxious. She instinctively pressed a hand on Ss'' chest.

    "Why. Why are you ignoring me?" Ss was usually a straightforward man. With the addition of the

    alcohol earlier, his words, which he''d been holding back tonight, were finally blurted out. "Don''t we

    know each other already? Or are you just forgetful?"

    "How could I forget?" Rose''s fingers curled slightly on Ss'' chest as she tried to calm herself as best

    as she could. "You''re the second son in the Taylor family, Lyse''s second brother."

    "Then why are you ignoring me?" Ss persisted.

    "I didn''t bother to." Rose''s eyes were dodgy.

    Ss'' brows knitted together as the irritation in his chest grew. "Didn''t. bother. to? I''m probably the

    closest person to you in my family, next to Lyse. How could you not bother to?"

    "Mr. Ss, I don''t have to say hi to every acquaintance of mine, do I? It''s not illegal not to." Rose''s heart

    clenched. She struggled in his arms. "Now let go. I need to go back out there."

    Ss grew angry, arm tightening around Rose''s waist. "Every acquaintance? Would you kiss your

    acquaintances, then? I''m afraid you have a misunderstanding about the term acquaintance, Ms.

    Emerson."

    "Kiss? When did we."

    While Rose was still stunned, Ss pressed his lips against hers while wrapping his other hand around

    the back of her head, deepening it. He kissed her deeply, as if yearning to consume her whole.

    "Oh..." Rose moaned softly, her body growing weak in his arms as she lost the strength to fight back.

    Her slender hands grabbed futilely at Ss'' chest before dropping weakly by her sides.

    All of a sudden, a memory struck her.

    Their kiss.

    "Rose. Hold on!"

    She opened her eyes, finally recalling everything.

    Just then, Ss stopped kissing her, his eyes open, too.

 Chapter 1460

    Wine was a mesmerizing thing.

    But only Ss knew whether his kiss stemmed from being drunk or liquid courage invoking his deepest

    desires to light.

    "Based on the look on your face, I take it you''ve remembered?" Ss smiled teasingly. "You were the

    one who wouldn''t let go of mest time, so now that I''m initiating things, we''re even."

    Even?

    Ss had forcefully kissed her and taken advantage of her. Yet, this was what he had to say for it?

    Rose grew angry in an instant. Alyssa''s brother or not, she was going to give Ss a tight p in the

    face, even if it meant cutting ties with Alyssa.

    But Rose wasn''t as skilled as Alyssa was. Plus, her body had long turned weak with therge amount

    of wine she''d drank. Her hand waved in the air but was swiftly caught by Ss.

    Rose''s heart raced in the next instant.

    Ss gently ced her palm against his cheek, eyes turning into fond slits. "Don''t get angry. Be careful

    with your body."

    A droplet of water fell down his temple, adding a sensual ir to Ss'' handsome face. "Keep on

    exhausting yourself if you still want me to do CPR on you."

    "You!" Rose flushed red with both embarrassment and anger.

    She couldn''t deny the fact that Ss was really hot. While bearing a resemnce to Jonah, a deeper

    acquaintance revealed their stark differences as distinct individuals.

    Jonah''s demeanor carried an inscrutable weight, whereas Ss'' eyes consistently radiated brightness,

    youthfulness, and directness.

    Roseposed herself mentally and quickly took control of the situation by cing her hands on Ss''

    shoulders. With a seductive smile, she asked, "Seems like you care a lot about me, Mr. Ss. Could it

    be that you like me?"

    Like her...

    Ss'' eyes brightened upon hearing those words. He gazed seriously at Rose. "Is that a serious

    question, Rose?"

    "Do you have the guts to answer it?" Rose guessed that Ss didn''t.

    The Taylor family was an elite one, and all its children were people who made their father incredibly

    proud. All of the Taylor family sons had important positions and tasks. Only some princesses or

    members of royalty could be on par with them.

    Rose was neither. She was only an international fashion designer. She might have a superb reputation,

    but her background would always involve her mother, a killer.

    Rose couldn''t possibly be a good match with Ss. No matter how close her rtionship with Alyssa

    was, Rose would never dare to dream of it.

    "I like you."

    Ss'' sudden confession cut off Rose''s thoughts.

    "What did you say?"

    "I like you. Would I care so much about whether or not I had your attention if I didn''t? Would I hold you

    in my arms or kiss you?"

    Ss'' gaze was passionate as his heart pounded in his chest.

    He had to admit to himself that the alcohol had given him liquid courage and not merely sparked

    feelings for Rose from nowhere.

    "Ms. Emerson, I''m in a professional line of work and am not frivolous. All these signs point to only one

    possibility, which is that I do have feelings for you. You don''t need to question it anymore. I freely admit

    to it."

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    Rose was stunned into silence.

    A tried and true prosecutor was able to confess his feelings in such a refreshing, reasonable manner.

    "Plus, I kissed you."

    Ss looked down and closed the distance between their lips. "I don''t care if it was your first kiss or not.

    But I feel responsible for you for having kissed you."

 Chapter 1461

    Rose was greatly moved by Ss'' promise to take responsibility for her. Still, she steeled her heart,

    shoved him, and left his embrace.

    She brushed it off, "Don''t worry about that. I''m not a fussy woman. That''s not my first kiss anyway. You

    don''t have to take responsibility for me like a straitced man."

    Then, she tossed her smooth hair and waved in a carefree manner. "Mr. Taylor, you''re handsome, but I

    prefer a rebel over a symbol of justice."

    A rebel? Would she prefer the likes of the devilish Axel or even Landon Harper?

    Landon was taken, but Axel was avable. Besides, tonight''s event saw the gentlemen anddies

    mingling freely like a blind dating asion. Even he was momentarily tempted by the choices around

    him.

    Could she have developed an interest in Axel?

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Feeling oddly threatened, he blurted out, "How about trying out different stuff?"

    Rose, who had maintained her calm, turned her lips downward. She nearly lost herposure when

    she heard the suggestion.

    "I don''t mind. I like my romance new and thrilling," Rose replied with a tantalizing smile like a vixen.

    "But Mr. Taylor, are you sure you can handle a celibate who might have a change of heart at any time?"

    Rose had a brief and hasty exchange with Alyssa before she excused herself, citing work matters at

    the studio. Rose''s assistant picked her up soon after.

    Alyssa, worried about Rose and curious about what ensued between her and Ss, confronted Ss.

    She found him with a long face on the living room couch, sipping on the tea that Mrs. Rosie had served

    him.

    "What''s wrong? Did you bully Rose or something?" Alyssa used him, choosing to side with her best

    friend in the first ce.

    "I kissed her," he confessed.

    There was no point in keeping it a secret at this time. Ss even hoped that Alyssa could offer him

    some ideas.

    Instead, he grunted, "Ouch!" as he felt a dull pain on his forehead. It turned out that Alyssa had plucked

    a grape from the fruit tter and hurled it at his head.

    She gasped, "No wonder... No wonder her eyes were red and swollen. She was in low spirits as well.

    You did bully her!"

    Then, she started plucking off the grapes and hurling them at him out of anger. "You''re a jerk! How

    could you flirt with my best friend? I''ll do anything to make you marry her now. I''ll make her my sisterin-

    law!"

    Ss stared at her in a daze despite the grape attack. He even stuffed a grape into his mouth as he

    questioned, "You said her eyes were red from crying when she left. Was that true?"

    "Of course! And it''s all your fault for bullying her. All I asked was that she checked in on you. How dare

    youy a finger on her? Are you a prosecutor or a pervert? Oh, the audacity!" Alyssa ced her hands

    on her hips as she continued her barrage of insults. "You need to answer Rose for what happened

    tonight, or you''ll be the secondrgest prick in this family after Winston!"

    "You think I don''t want to? I told her I loved her, but she rejected me. What could I do?" Tearing up, he

    rose from the couch. "Fine. I admit I love her, so I confessed to her. I''m clueless about rtionships

    and talentless in flirting with girls. Even then, I''d like to give it a shot.

    "But she wasn''t into me. She even told me that she was content with flirting around without

    commitment. What should I do? Are you going to point a gun at her and force her to fall for me?"

    Alyssa blinked in shock. She couldn''t believe that Ss had gone straight to confession. As for forcing a

    kiss on ady... Any woman with some reservations would have hated that.

    The squabble between the siblings attracted Jasper''s attention. He showed up looking drunk, but his

    mind was crystal clear.

    He approached Alyssa and ced a hand on her waist. Then, he whispered hoarsely, "Why did you get

    into a fight with Ss for no good reason?"

    She twisted her waist in protest and made him her punching bag instead. "All men are jerks!"

 Chapter 1462

    Jasper looked disgruntled after being unfairly med.

    Ss, who realized he shouldn''t have yelled at Alyssa, hurriedly apologized, "Lyse, I was wrong. I had

    too much to drink and made a mistake there. I''m sorry."

    "Are you going to im that you kissed Rose because you were drunk? Hmph! That''s men for you!

    Irresponsible brats who flirt and go."

    "No..." Ss closed his eyes and shook his head. "I was sober when I kissed her. I knew exactly what I

    was doing.

    "Lyse, I love Rose, but unfortunately, she doesn''t feel the same toward me. This one-sided rtionship

    is doomed from the start.

    "Besides, she doesn''t want to get married and likes to chase after the thrill. We don''t have a future

    together because we don''t share the same values. Oh well, it looks like you''ll never get a sister-inw.

    I''ve let you down."

    "Ss!"

    Ss left the vi dejectedly without another word.

    "Lyse, I''ll see him off," Jasper offered.

    It so happened that the cab had arrived. Ss was about to get in when Jasper stopped him.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper began, "Ss, stop. I have something to say."

    Looking at him in a daze, Ss asked, "What is it?"

    "Rtionships can be worked on. Even if it is a one-sided rtionship now, you can give it a try if

    you''re serious about Ms. Emerson. What if you seed in changing her heart? Give it a try so you

    have no regrets," Jasper earnestly advised.

    Squinting hard, Ss mused, "Why didn''t you fall for Lyse in your three years of marriage, then?"

    Jasper choked in surprise. Ss was indeed a professional expert who hit where it hurt.

    "Didn''t you go through a huge ordeal, even risking your life and turning our family upside down before

    you reconcile with her?" Ss argued.

    "But I won her heart in the end," replied Jasper bitterly. "If you are serious and determined."

    "I might sound like I was taking a jab at you. Well, it was a jab at you, but I have another reason for

    telling you this," Ss confessed with a heavy sigh, his bright eyes now clouded by worry. "I''m not as

    determined as you are, and I don''t want to kick up a huge fuss over love.

    "Dealing with Lyse, a carefree and romantic spirit, is troublesome enough for our family. They do not

    need another Taylor following in her footsteps."

    Ss added, "A deep and passionate love doesn''tst long. The wiser you are, the deeper you hurt.

    Jasper, you''re no doubt a lucky one. Not many could share your luck, and not everyone is willing to go

    down the same path as you.

    "All I want in this life is to live up to my principles and protect my sister, just like what myte mother

    wanted. That''s all I hope for."

    The driver leaned over the car window and grumbled irritatedly, "Are you getting in or not?"

    "Yes! Yes! Let''s leave." Ss calmly waved goodbye to Jasper and hastily hopped into the car.

    The cab soon disappeared in the deep of the night, leaving Jasper frozen on the spot with a frown.

    Although the merriment continuedte into the night, the party would have to end at some point. The

    guests, knowing their limits, left at the right time.

    Sean sent Tatiana home while Xavier dropped off Maggie. Meanwhile, Julien pestered Jonah to send

    him home.

    "It''s only 11:00 pm now. You''re a six-foot-tall gym rat who''s totally capable of getting home on your

    own," Jonah said impassively.

    He still hadn''t gotten over Julien''s impudence at dinner tonight.

    "But I had quite a lot to drink tonight. I feel dizzy. Do you have the heart to see me leave alone?

    "It''s one thing to be robbed on my way back, but what if I was sexually assaulted? It''s not safe out there

    for men too, you know. Gosh, my head is spinning..." Julien pressed his limp body against Jonah.

    Anyone would have gasped at his overly brazen and saucy behavior.

    However, Jonah kept his gaze on the floor without even giving Julien a look.

    "Jonah, you should get Julien home," Cyrus chimed in.

 Chapter 1463

    Yawning, Cyrus added without thinking, "We received three cases of sexual assault involving males

    this year. I do not want a fourth case. The Lovces are going to be devastated if Julien bes a

    victim."

    Julien agreed with Cyrus, making Jonah clench his jaw in frustration.

    Not all the guests had left. When Mrs. Rosie cleaned the venue, she found Axel passed out drunk on

    the balcony.

    Although there was a deck underneath the balcony, Axel could have fallen off it if he flipped and turned.

    The fall from two floors might not have cost him his life, but it was enough to severely injure him.

    "Good heavens! You crazy child! You''ve gone mad!" Mrs. Rosie hurried into the kitchen to inform

    Alyssa and Jasper, who were busy making tea.

    "Madam, your brother Axel is sleeping on the balcony! I dare not wake him up. I can''t take the

    responsibility if he falls off the balcony from the shock."

    Jasper''s eyes were filled with worry. Alyssa continued making her tea, unfazed. She drawled, "Don''t

    worry about it. He''ll never fall off the balcony. He''s been like this since he was a kid, sleeping on high

    and steep surfaces. Rooftops, hills, trees¡ªyou name it. I bet he was a monkey in his previous life."

    Jasper was dumbstruck by the Taylors'' carefree and daredevil attitude. Were the Taylors unconcerned

    because they had too many children to spare?

    Finally, Alyssa and Jasper caved into Mrs. Rosie''s nagging and went to the balcony for Axel.

    "Shall I bring him down from the edge?" Jasper whispered in her ear.

    "Don''t waste your energy. Your arms are only for carrying me. Why would you lift a grown man like

    him? Just put a nket on him."

    Then, she snorted and held his arm. "Congrattions on outdrinking Axel Taylor. You''re the first to do

    so. Maybe you should down another two shots to celebrate it."

    He widened his eyes in shock. "Axel isn''t drunk, is he? He''s sober. I think he fell asleep because he

    was tired."

    "Oh, you don''t know Axel. If he falls asleep after drinking, it means he''s hit his limits. Otherwise, he

    could keep going until dawn."

    Their whispers were interrupted by Axel''s ringing phone. After three rings, he shockingly answered it

    with his eyes closed. He slurredzily, "Who''s this?"

    A few momentster, he answered, "Koger that! I ll return to the base!"

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    While speaking, he sat up straight on the balcony and jumped off the railing.

    "Axel, watch out!" Jasper gaped and yelled.

    He proceeded to stop Axel, only to be held back by Alyssa. Sheforted him, "Don''t worry. He''s fine.

    Don''t believe it? Let''s check it out."

    They wandered to the edge and found Axel sprinting out of the vi grounds, looking healthy and fine.

    He left behind something like a nail hole on the balcony railing.

    "Special agents carry secret weapons from head to toe. They can even jump off the fifth floor without

    an issue," she exined, caressing Jasper''s cheek to reassure him. "He must be hurrying back to the

    organization after receiving a new mission. He didn''t bother to tell us about it because he felt ashamed

    after losing the drinking game."

    Jasper shook his head speechlessly. "Axel acts like a boy."

    Smiling, she wrapped an arm around his waist and purred, "Yeah, he''s just a schoolboy at heart. Don''t

    mind him."

 Chapter 1464

    Before leaving, Maggie changed into the outfit she arrived in and attempted to return the luxurious

    evening gown to Alyssa. Alyssa, however, declined to ept and exined that it was a bted 18th

    birthday gift for Maggie.

    Since Maggie had no good reason to return the gown, she carefully brought the gown home with tears

    of joy.

    As a driver had been assigned to send Maggie home, Xavier sat in the front passenger seat awkwardly,

    not daring to speak a word lest someone mistook him as a pervert who kidnapped a teenage girl. He

    never wanted to get wrongly used like thest time.

    Throughout the trip, Maggie cautiously kept a distance from Xavier and looked out of the window with a

    light blush on her cheeks. She touched her cheeks; they burned.

    Finally, they arrived at the lobby of her apartment. She had wanted Xavier to head back soon, but he

    insisted on sending her to the door because he was worried about her safety.

    At the door, she hesitated before whispering, "Xavier, I need to get something from my room. Wait for

    me."

    "Sure. Take your time. I''ll wait for you, no matter how long it takes," Xavier answered a little too eagerly

    and urgently.

    When in college, he was the student union''s president. Upon graduation, he worked hard alongside

    Jasper and was appointed the head secretary of thepany president, which came with a million-

    dor annual paycheck.

    However, he was awkward and clumsy in front of the woman he loved.

    Soon, she reappeared with a pink bag in her hand. She tiptoed to him and gently closed the door

    behind her as she didn''t want to wake Gina up.

    She exined, "This is the bag you requested me to make. Sorry for the dy; too many things have

    been going ontely."

    She embarrassedly handed the bag to him with both hands. "I made some improvements. Hope your

    sister likes it."

    "Yes, she will like it a lot. Thank you, Ms. Madison!" Xavier epted the bag with trembling hands.

    When their hands identally brushed, their hearts skipped a beat.

    "Ms. Madison, I... I really like you. May I pursue you?" Riding the influence of the alcohol, he gathered

    his courage and gave it a shot.

    Hearing that, she stumbled backward in a panic. "I. No, I can''t! I''ve not graduated yet. I don''t want a

    reidLiunsnip now. I need LU iocus on my studies.

    "I''ll wait for you until you graduate. I''ll wait even if you prefer to date after college." Xavier''s voice

    cracked, and nis eyes filled with a desperate eagerness.

    Blushing, she shook her head furiously. "B-But I''m not an adult yet!"

    "Didn''t your 18th birthday just pass?"

    She bit her lip abashedly.

    "Ms. Madison. Maggie, I¡ª"

    She mmed the door in his face, leaving him looking down and disappointed after the rejection.

    At 2:40 pm the next day, Javier, dressed impably in a suit, arrived at the Berenike Hotel VIP parking

    garage with Rory.

    The press conference was in preparation for Sophia''s court appearance tomorrow. Anyone could tell

    that Alyssa would buy off the media for negative coverage of Sophia''s court case. That would deal a

    huge blow to the Beckett Group.

    At this point, Javier had no hope for Jasper. He''d consider himself lucky if Jasper did not add fuel to the

    fire.

    He had to take matters into his own hands, trying his best to turn the situation around and gain some

    favor and sympathy for the Beckett Group.

    Just as he left the car, the hotel manager worriedly rushed to him. "M-Mr. Javier, I have bad news!"

    Javier shot a look at the brash manager and hissed, "What''s wrong? Calm down before you speak."

    The manager wiped away sweat and exined, "No reporters have shown up at the venue yet. I have

    no idea why."

    Javier and Rory said in unison, "No one here? How is that possible?"

    Javier turned to Rory and asked in disbelief, "Did you not send out the invitations?"

    "Mr. Javier, I informed them one-on-one on important matters as much. I have confirmed with the

    invited media multiple times. There is no room for error," Rory confirmed, sweating from nervousness.

    The event would start in 15 minutes, so there was no time to argue. Javier had no choice but to check

    out the venue for now.

    Rory and the hotel manager helped to push open the heavy doors to the banquet hall. Their jaws fell to

    the floor at the scene in front of them.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    A man stood tall in the middle of the empty hall with his back against the three men. Upon hearing the

    sound, the man slowly spun around with an icy look in his eyes.

    "Jasper?"

 Chapter 1465

    Jasper stood ten feet away, meeting Javier''s gaze with an indifferent look. The row of ck seats

    between them seemed like spiked bushes, just like their rtionship.

    The air in the banquet hall immediately froze. Rory and the hotel manager were gripped by shock and

    fear.

    "Jasper... Why are you here? What''s going on?" Javier formed a guess in mind, but he furiously

    demanded an answer from Jasper.

    "Isn''t it obvious, Mr. Javier?" Dressed in a grey four-piece suit, Jasper stood tall in confrontation with

    Javier. His frostiness and imposing air overwhelmed Javier, who was used to being treated like a king.

    Javier held his breath.

    Javier foresaw himself being outdone by Jasper very soon. Jasper''s authoritative behavior was the

    equal of Javier''s younger self, if not better. At that moment, Javier felt fortunate that there was no one

    else there to witness his humiliation.

    "I have sent the reporters away. Seems like they''d rather get on your wrong side than make themselves

    my enemy," Jasper exined with a smirk.

    "Why? Why did you do so?" Anger rose in Javier, and his ears rang. "Did that Taylor bitch ask you to do

    this? Are you seriously destroying your family''s reputation for her? She''s fooling you!"

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper''s expression hardened. A storm brewed in his eyes. "Everything I do is of my free will. Lyse has

    nothing to do with you. I won''t let you insult my future wife."

    Javier''s eyes wavered in surprise. Hearing that, Rory and the hotel manager fell silent.

    Jasper added, "Even if she was fooling me, there''s nothing wrong with wanting to keep my lover

    happy."

    "You nutcase! You''re sick in the mind!" As the leader of the Beckett Group, Javier had resorted to

    hurling tasteless insults in retaliation.

    "I''m still better than you. You do not know right from wrong; you''re defending a criminal," snapped

    Jasper, looking unfazed.

    Javier lost his cool. He furiously stomped on the ground and punched in the air. "As the chairman of the

    Beckett Group, everything I do is for the benefit of mypany and my family! You don''t understand

    why I''m doing this because you''re a selfish and hopeless lovefool!"

    Jasper wore an icy look. He''d rather have never been born before than find out that his poor mother

    had entrusted her happiness to such a heartless and sanctimonious jerk.

    "See you at 9:00 am tomorrow in court," Jasper hissed and marched past Javier. "You and Simon

    Lynch should put your best move ahead. No matter what you do, the oue will not change. You will

    witness Sophia Kirkman receiving the harshest sentence."

    In the parking garage, Alyssa once again hacked into the hotel''s surveince system and watched the

    confrontation unfold between Jasper and Javier. She appreciated Jasper for defending her without

    hesitation when Javier insulted her, but she worried that the worsening father-son rtionship might

    threaten Jasper''s power in the Beckett Group.

    Newton doted on Jasper very much, but he didn''t have much say in thepany''s affairs at his age.

    Jasper repeatedly assured her that he couldn''t care less about giving up on his influence and status,

    but she couldn''t possibly watch as he lost everything just to be with her. She would be very guilty if that

    happened.

    She heard a tap on the window. Her eyes widened as she hurriedly shut herptop before turning

    around.

    She found Jasper standing out there with two cups of coffee in his hand and a doting look in his eyes.

    She quickly opened the door for him. He joined her in the car and handed her a cup of hot coffee.

 Chapter 1466

    "Were you peeping again?" Jasper questioned.

    Alyssa pursed her lips and gripped her coffee cup. "Yeah. I didn''t want you bullied."

    "How did I do? Was I cool?" He ced a hand on her head and slid his fingers between her hair.

    She inched closer and kissed him on the cheek. "Yeah, you were incredibly cool."

    He wrapped his arm around her waist, and his hot breath tickled the tip of her nose. He said, "You

    deserve the credit for what happened today. Had you not pressured the media with KS Group''s power, I

    couldn''t have sessfully kept every single Sna City media out of the press conference.

    "Javier Beckett hated that I disrupted his ns, but he hated the humiliation more."

    After some thinking, Alyssa gently advised him, "Jasper, promise me that you won''t go against your

    dad after the Sophia Kirkman case. Alright?"

    "Why? Feeling bad for me?" He lifted her chin with a grin.

    "I''m serious."

    "Once Sophia Kirkman receives her payback, I promise not to get into trouble with Javier Beckett as

    long as he doesn''t unfairly target you and your family."

    His ringing phone interrupted their conversation. He nced at the screen. The look in his eyes

    softened, but he seemed troubled. "Lyse, it''s Grandpa. He wants to see us."

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    The two of them felt worried on their way to Crescent Bay. Knowing that Newton doted on them, they

    wondered if he had summoned them to the vi because he had learned about how Jasper messed up

    Javier''s press conference. Did Javierin to Newton? Was Newton going to hold them

    responsible?

    After all, Newton wouldn''t want to see Beckett Group¡ªhis legacy¡ªgo down.

    At the thought, Alyssa had an idea. When she entered the vi, she immediately ran toward Newton

    and hugged him. "Grandpa, I missed you!"

    "Haha! Oh, my dear granddaughter! I missed you too!" It had been a while since Newton felt such joy.

    Only Jasper raised a brow at Newton''s way of addressing Alyssa. She was technically his

    granddaughterinw.

    Newton had been calling Alyssa his granddaughter in an attempt to match her and Jasper. Now that

    the two were dating, Jasper thought it was time for Newton to change his embarrassing habit.

    "Grandpa, I''ll perform a health checkup on you. Then, I''ll make your favorite corn soup. How does that

    sound?" She went on one knee in front of Newton with a bright smile.

    "Okay, make more of that soup. Ben loves it too," replied Newton as he gently patted her on the head.

    "No problem!"

    Soon after, Newton fixed a stern re on Jasper. Upon seeing that, Alyssa''s heart raced. She had tried

    her best to cheer Newton up out of fear that he might give Jasper a hard time. However, Newton still

    seemed furious at Jasper over the press conference incident.

    "I heard you messed up the press conference. Is that true?"

    "Yes, Grandpa," Jasper admitted openly without fear.

    Frowning, Newton bent over to pick up his left home slipper. Without warning, he hurled it at Jasper.

    Jasper agilely caught the flying slipper with a frown. He said, "Grandpa, let''s have a civil discussion.

    You need to take care of your health."

 Chapter 1467

    "You clueless thing!" Newton bellowed at Jasper.

    Alyssa''s chest tightened when she witnessed Newton''s outburst. She was about to speak up for Jasper

    when Newton added, "You should have run it through me before carrying it out. How could you act

    alone? Are you addicted to angering your dad?"

    "Grandpa, I¡ª"

    "If your dad pulled the same thing on me, I would have been pissed as well. Anyway, I was about to

    teach him a lesson for not discussing the press conference with me." Sighing furiously, Newton

    remarked, "You should have given me a heads up so I could fight with him over hosting the press

    conference.

    "I could have stopped him so you didn''t have to get into an argument with him, killing two birds with one

    stone. See, you have angered him again. You know he''s petty, and he''ll keep score. Why would you do

    that?"

    "Grandpa, I know you wanted to protect me, but I''m no five-year-old. I''m an adult who could protect

    you, Lyse, and thepany." Touched by Newton''s sentiments, Jasper helped him to put on the left

    slipper. "Please do not worry about me. I can resolve all my problems by myself.

    "Now that you''re retired, you should enjoy your retirement. Stop losing sleep over my problems."

    "Sigh. That''s right. I''m a useless old thing now." Newton let out a long sigh and teared up.

    Getting emotional, Jasper advised, "Grandpa, don''t say that about yourself."

    Alyssa observed the sadness on Newton''s face as though he was saying, "I''d love to protect you, but I

    know my time is running out. I cannot protect you forever."

    She choked back her tears.

    Newton put on a grave expression and asked, "Sophia''s case will be brought to court tomorrow, right?"

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks and nodded.

    "Ben, get me the gifts I bought for Alyssa and Jasper!" Newton raised his voice.

    From his tone, he seemed in the pink of health.

    "Coming, Mr. Newton!"

    Ben appeared with two exquisitely wrapped gift boxes¡ªone for Alyssa and the other for Jasper.

    "Alice, Jasper, check your gifts out," Newton urged with a loving smile.

    Alyssa happily opened hers and was greeted by a velvety, sleeveless mermaid dress with a realistic

    embroidery of two butterflies on a flower. The pattern looked like a painting.

    "This is the work of Angelo Costa of Vittorino, isn''t it?" She ran her fingers through the meticulous

    embroidery with excitement.

    "He-he! You certainly know your stuff." Newton gave her a thumbs up and added, "I hope this dress

    brings you luck tomorrow."

    Jasper opened his box and found a matching ck vest resting in it. Speechless, he mused, "Grandpa,

    Lyse can wear her dress to court, but how am I supposed to wear this thing?"

    Newton retorted, "I never said you should wear it. You''ll only look like a theater actor in it."

    Jasper was utterly wordless.

    "Mr. Jasper, this is a good luck charm from Mr. Newton. It''s a pair with Ms. Alyssa''s dress," Ben

    exined with a warm smile.

    Of course, Alyssa and Jasper appreciated Newton''s sentiments.

    "I''m cheering for the both of you in court tomorrow. Break a leg," said Newton while sping their

    hands.

    "Thank you, Grandpa..." Alyssa, who was always slick, struggled to find the right words to convey her

    gratitude as tears welled up.

    Jasper held his tears back and forced a smile. "Grandpa, we''re at the court as the audience. We''re not

    taking the SATs. Why would you buy us these gifts? Anyway, thanks. We''ll win the case."From N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1468

    Sophia Kirkman''s case was brought to court under intense public scrutiny and anticipation.

    Early in the morning, Mrs. Rosie changed into a new and clean outfit. She went to the cemetery with a

    bunch of fresh lilies and ced the flowers in front of Anne''s headstone.

    Then, she sat cross-legged on the floor, cing an iPad in front of her and making sure it faced Anne''s

    smiling photo.

    "Madam, your darling son and daughter-inw are seeking justice for you. That evil bitch Sophia

    Kirkman will finally receive her payback."

    While polishing Anne''s photo, tears welled up in Mrs. Rosie''s eyes. She said, "Jasper and Alyssa will

    visit you after the trial. Before that, I''ll keep youpany as we watch them in court."

    Mrs. Rosie picked up a whiff of lily scent, like a silent answer.

    Although Sophia''s representation had requested a private trial, the court rejected their application due

    to insufficient grounds. The case would proceed as a public trial instead.

    Despite the influence of the Beckett Group and Sophia''s esteemed status, after careful consideration,

    the court denied the application due to the public impact of the case and the fact that it did not meet the

    criteria for a private trial. The court had decided to proceed with the trial as usual to avoid damaging the

    court''s reputation and integrity.

    The media flooded the entrance to the court in the morning. Reporters from various media live-

    streamed the proceedings due to the tremendous public interest in the case.

    At that moment, a ck sedan sped down the road and rolled to a stop by the stairs. Simon, who had

    laid low for a while, appeared in the public eye in a smart-looking suit. The reporters immediately

    swarmed him.

    "Mr. Lynch, how confident are you in winning the case for Sophia Kirkman on behalf of the Beckett

    Group?"

    Simon smiled with a hint of arrogance. "I have never lost a legal case before." In other words, he was

    confident of his victory. However, he seemed to have forgotten about the various times he had lost

    against Alyssa and Jasper.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Mr. Lynch, you were hired by the Beckett Group to bail out Sophia Kirkman when she was arrested for

    drug use, but you failed to bail her out until now. Does that mean you are at a disadvantage in this

    case?"

    The smile on Simon''s face froze, and he silently clenched his fists.

    Simon''s assistant immediately exined, "Ladies and gentlemen, we might have taken on Mrs.

    Beckett''s case per the Beckett Group''s request, but by the time we worked on it, there was already

    incriminating evidence against her. We couldn''t do anything about it, so¡ª"

    "Do you mean that Mr. Lynch could have gotten her out of trouble if she sought legal help earlier, even

    if she was guilty of drug use?" A reporter posed a pointed question at Simon out of his strong distaste

    for the attorney.

    Many of the court reporters had long disapproved of Simon, the greedy and obnoxious attorney. They

    knew he was no good under his seemingly gentlemanly facade.

    Simon snickered. "My dear friend, I am just an attorney. Please do not make me the bad guy. Both the

    intiff and the defendant have their right to legal representation under thew.

    "No matter who my client is, and no matter what the nature of the case is, I have to fulfill my

    responsibility to defend them. Besides, today''s trial is rted to another case involving Mrs. Beckett,

    which I am confident in winning."

    The reporter retorted, "So, Mr. Lynch, are you confident you can let Sophia Kirkman off scot-free from

    the contract killings?"

    Looking amused, Simon wagged his finger casually at the reporter. "To defend a client, I will need to

    give her my full trust. There is no ''letting her off scot-free'' when she''s innocent to begin with."

    Soon, another sedan halted beside his car. To everyone''s shock, Sean appeared from the second car.

    He said to someone else, "Madam, watch out."

 Chapter 1469

    Nina''s grandmother, Gemma Pell, slowly got out of the car in her walking stick with Sean''s help.

    Some reporters gasped, "It''s the intiff''s attorney and family!" They recognized Gemma due to her

    action of sshing hot soup at Sophia at Nina''s funeral, an incident still highly discussed.

    "The intiff''s attorney looks familiar... Gosh, isn''t he Ms. Alyssa''s secretary?" a reporter eximed

    while pointing a finger at Sean.

    "You''re right! I can''t believe that he''s an attorney. Ms. Alyssa''s employees are talented indeed."

    The group of reporters went up to Sean. He did not need to do anything to attract all attention away

    from Simon.

    Meanwhile, Simon''s eyes wavered in shock as his blood froze. He had repeatedly sent people to ask

    around about the identity of his opponent in court, but he failed to get any information despite his

    extensive connections.

    He was shocked to find Sean as the attorney who took on Nina''s case.

    "A-Attorney Lynch, what do we do?" Simon''s assistant, who was uninformed about Simon and Sean''s

    rtionship, gasped in surprise.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    "Hmph! He''s biting off more than he could chew!" hissed Simon through gritted teeth. "He might be a

    top student of Sna City College of Law and holds a practicing license, but so what? He''s been

    working as the Taylors''pdog forever and has never attended court. I bet he''s forgotten about the

    procedure. We don''t have to worry about him."

    Simon believed that Alyssa had made such an arrangement to spite him. He thought, "You dumb bitch.

    I''ll teach Sean a lesson in court!"

    Simon was about to leave when Sean said, "Simon, my dear brother!"

    Sean had put Gemma under the care of the bodyguard and approached Simon with a cold look. His

    action dropped a bombshell, as no one knew he and Simon were brothers. The two brothers would

    sh in the court¡ªone seeking justice for the victim while the other seeking to clear the charges for a

    tycoon''s wife.

    The reporters braced themselves for the dramatic event, one which clearly showed the difference in the

    siblings'' moral character.

    Simon clenched his jaw in resentment as his archenemy closed in. Sean had deliberately revealed their

    rtionship to mock him.

    Simon began, "I might be your brother, but everyone is equal¡ª"

    "...before thew. I''m not asking you to go easy on me because I know you very well. You show no

    mercy, not even to your family," Sean cut him off with a calm smile. "As Nina Carle''s attorney, I will do

    my best to make Sophia Kirkman, the murderer, pay for her crime."

    Gemma, covering her face, sobbed in angst and grief upon hearing Nina''s name. The reporters, moved

    by Gemma''s emotions, harbored growing resentment against Simon.

    "Oh, a murderer, you say? What makes you say so?"

 Chapter 1470

    Simon refuted with a fake smile, "Jeffrey Snyder is Nina Carle''s murderer. He was caught at the scene

    and admitted to it. Mrs. Beckett is unfairly used of the crime, and I''m here to clear her name."

    Sean merely scoffed at Simon''s remark. "So, are you saying that the authorities are wrong to arrest a

    woman who is involved in corruption, abuse of power, nder, and framing others for her crime? She''s

    also a drug user, you know."

    "That''s just a red herring. Mrs. Beckett has made some mistakes that don''t warrant a harsh

    punishment. Besides, she has not murdered anyone. She will admit to the crimes she hasmitted,

    but she will not be unfairly med. She has no reason to take the me for the murder all because

    you want to settle personal grudges."

    Frowning, Sean fell into silence. He was wary not to get into a squabble with Simon, for he''d only give

    Simon the chance to insult Alyssa.

    The reporters fixed their hateful gazes on Simon as anger simmered. They silently cheered Sean on.

    Half an hour before the trialmenced, Simon was granted one more chance to speak to Sophia.

    Sophia seemed to be in excellent condition in the meeting room despite wearing a prisoner''s outfit and

    being handcuffed. She had carefully styled her hair for the asion. Although she was behind bars,

    she never failed to adhere to her beauty regimen.

    Under the Beckett Group''s protection, she managed to live with dignity as Mrs. Beckett. Knowing that

    Javier had not fully given up on her, she dared not ck off. She even went on a strict diet and ate very

    little just to maintain her figure to appeal to him.

    She was confident she''d make aeback if she could walk free. She knew she was capable of

    winning Javier''s heart the way she stole him from Anne 25 years ago.

    Her eyes lit up at the thought as she pleaded urgently, "Mr. Lynch, you need to clear my name no

    matter what and get me out of here. I can offer you anything you want as long as I get my freedom.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    "How about you be the Beckett''s son-inw? I''ll marry my daughter to you. Once you''re part of

    our family, you no longer have to fear the Taylors. Your brother¡ªthe Taylors''pdog¡ªwill not pose a

    threat to you."

    Simon was unbothered by her suggestion. He had never taken Sean seriously anyway. Still, he found

    the status of the Becketts'' son-inw an attractive offer.

    Betty might be known as an evil dimwit, but that did not matter if marrying her could make him part of

    the high society. Betty might be vile, but he would outdo her.

    Simon cleared his throat and lowered his voice, saying, "Mrs. Beckett, this will be ourst conversation

    before the trial, so be honest and tell me everything.

    "We''re looking at the contract killing charges in this trial. Jeffrey Snyder ratted you out, but thankfully,

    he only had witness testimony going for him. There is no solid evidence. So, we stand a chance of

    turning this around.

    "Tell me the truth. How did you get Jeffrey to carry out the murder?"

    "I arranged for Betty, my daughter, to carry it out. I did not show up at any point!" Sophia snitched on

    Betty without hesitation.

    "Okay... But you tried to silence Jeffrey Snyder by sending an assassin after him, so he has a grudge

    against you. I don''t think he''ll bring up Betty''s name. He will still try to get you incriminated."

    Sophia asked, "Isn''t one of the judges your brother? Didn''t you talk to him for a lenient sentence?"

    "Oh, Steven is a puritanical man. I discussed this with him in private and tried to gain his favor, but he

    did not promise me anything. We can''t bank on him."

    Then, Simon lowered his voice and added, "I need to know something else. Are you only involved in

    Nina Carle''s murder? Any other cases that I do not know of?"

    Hearing that, Sophia felt as if she was struck by lightning. A shiver ran down her spine when she

    recalled the contorted expression on Anne''s face as thettery in a pool of blood.

 Chapter 1471

    The gory and bloody scenes from Anne''s death haunted Sophia. Suddenly, Sophia''s scream pierced

    the air. Drenched in sweat, she quivered with pale lips.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    "Mrs. Beckett, are you alright?" Sensing something was amiss, Simon inquired in shock.

    "I-I''m fine." She curled her fists under the table and forced herself to stop thinking about Anne.

    "Mrs. Beckett, you have not answered my question." Simon repeated, "You need to be frank with me on

    whether or not you''re involved in other murders. This is crucial for me to defend you in court.

    "You know very well that Alyssa and Jasper will take advantage of the death of a maid to attack you

    until you''re done for. They will try their best to look into your past and submit unfavorable evidence

    against you in court. All these are usible."

    Sophia couldn''t stop trembling. She bit her lip hard.

    "I am asking you the question for no other reason than to increase our chance at winning. You need to

    be honest with me. Give me your full trust and cooperation. I need to know everything about you so

    that I can stand undefeated in court."

    She cackled in an eerie manner. "Mr. Lynch, are you trying to help me, or are you trying to protect your

    professional record?"

    Simon hated it when people questioned his motive, but he had to coax Sophia because of her status.

    "Getting you out is more important than upholding my reputation."

    "Enough. I do not trust any one of you attorneys!" Feeling anxious, Sophia shook her legs like she was

    in a seizure. "If I tell you, you''ll use it against me one day. I''ve seen this shameless behavior many

    times in my life. Don''t you ever dream of fooling me!"

    Frowning, he pressed on, "From the sound of it, you were involved in other murders before. Is that

    right?"

    "No, I did not! Never! Don''t nder me!" she agitatedly wailed like a madwoman as she rose from her

    seat.

    "Alright. Alright. Good to know." Simon leaned backward into the chair, fearing that Sophia might attack

    him.

    The audience filled the seats in the court for Sophia''s trial. The public trial was to be live-streamed on

    the court''s official website. Still, Javier, in an attempt to prevent suspicious individuals from sneaking in,

    had hired acquaintances from the Beckett Group and the legal profession to fill the seats.

    Apart from Javier, Betty, who had been out of the public eye, was summoned to appear. Naturally, she

    was reluctant to show up at a trial. Plus, she had no feelings left for Sophia anymore.

    "Dad, why do you insist that Ie? The reporters are going to make up stories about me again!" she

    snapped in a shrill voice, her brows knitted. "I dare not even step out of the house or show up at any

    parties because I don''t want to beughed at! Having her as my mom is a great source of shame!"

    "Who''sughing at the daughter of the Beckett family? All things aside, Sophia is your mother. As a

    daughter, you should show up and offer moral support. How could you say those heartless words?"

    Javier, seated in the front row, chided Betty sternly.

    Betty asked in distress, "Why am I the only one here? How about Lauren?"

    "Don''t you know Lauren''s condition? She can''t show up to a trial because it''s triggering for her. As the

    eldest, you should be understanding of Lauren instead ofining all the time." Javier shook his

    head, looking displeased.

    Betty fell silent but secretly grumbled to herself, "You''re only defending that dumb bitch because

    Landon Harper has her back."

 Chapter 1472

    "Just wait and see. One day..." Betty''s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Javier and

    Betty spun around to look at the visitors, only for their faces to fall.

    Jasper and Alyssa had showed up at court, followed by a few members of the Taylor family¡ªJonah

    Cyrus, Tatiana, and Winston''s three wives. They expressed their support for the victim through their

    actions.

    Landon would have shown up to express his support at such a critical time, but he decided to keep

    Laurenpany at home because the case involved Lauren''s mother. He worried Lauren might suffer

    a breakdown when she learned about the details.

    Betty clenched her jaw as her eyes rested on Alyssa, but thetter did not pay any attention to her at

    all. With no way to release her anger, Betty raged on silently.

    Alyssa wore light makeup for the trial and a white pantsuit with her self-designed sapphire brooch on

    the chest. She carried herself with elegance and ss.

    Jasper stood tall beside her in a smart and tailored ck suit, entuating his figure and authority.

    They took the seats in the first row. The aisle seemed like a huge divide that set them apart from the

    Becketts.

    "Dad, look what Jasper is doing! What''s in his mind?" Betty did not miss the chance to drive a wedge

    between the father and son. "How dare he stand on our opposite and sit with the Taylors as the

    president of the Beckett Group? He''s humiliating you and making the Beckett Group aughingstock!"

    Javier gritted his teeth as he fumed with resentment.

    "L, the day has finally arrived." Colene sped L''s hand and teared up when she thought back on

    L''s suffering.

    L inhaled deeply and gave her a light nod with a nervous heart. Anne and Nina had been waiting for

    this day, just like she did.

    She had never dreamed that she would see Sophia in court for the judgment. Putting aside the

    oue, she was d to see Sophia held ountable.

    "Karma is real. Sophia will receive her punishment for the crimes shemitted," Mandyforted

    L gently as she sped L''s free hand.

    She set an icy gaze on the defendant''s seat.

    Alyssa overheard the conversation among her three stepmothers. Instead of feeling relieved, she

    grappled with a heavier heart.

    This was the final showdown, and she would not back off. She would not be satisfied with a 10-year,

    20year, or even a life sentence for Sophia. She wanted Sophia to be handed the death sentence, for

    she wanted an eye for an eye.

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    Each of her movements tugged at Jasper''s heartstrings. Soon, he picked up on her anxiety and

    hurriedly held her hand. Then, their fingers interlocked.

    Heforted her, "Lyse, don''t panic. We need to have trust in Steven and Sean. We will win this fight."

    She looked up into his alluring eyes as her racing heart gradually calmed down.

    "Jonah, don''t you have an important meeting to attend at the KS Group? Why did you show up? What

    about thepany?" Cyrus questioned with an astonished expression.

 Chapter 1473

    "It''s fine. Dad is at the meeting," Jonah replied while quietly casting a loving gaze at Alyssa. "I came

    over because I was worried about Lyse and wanted to lend a hand if any emergency arises."

    "Woah, Jonah, you''re doting on her like she''s your daughter," Cyrusplimented Jonah earnestly as

    he stared conflictedly at Alyssa and Jasper. "But we''re not going to have many opportunities to stay by

    her side. Now that she has her protector, she will not need us as much."

    "Such is life. Ever since her 18th birthday, I braced for the day she no longer needs me." Jonah was

    flooded with memories of Alyssa''s smiling face. Despite the bitterness, he only had blessings for Alyssa

    instead of envy. "Isn''t it nice that we can entrust her to Jasper? It''s also about time we ''retire'' from her

    life."

    The murmurs ceased after the intiff, the attorneys, and the prosecutor filed into the court. Sean and

    Simon took their seats on both sides, the tension between them palpable.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    "Sean, good luck!" Tatiana whispered as she stared keenly at Sean''s dashing and spirited figure.

    Sitting upright, she felt her nerves tingling.

    Ss, dressed in his uniform, marched to his seat. His sharp brows exuded an air of authority, adding to

    the pressure in the room.

    "Ah! Do you guys feel the same?" Colene swooned at Ss. "Doesn''t he look super handsome in

    court? If all the public prosecutors look like Ss, I''ll willingly get into trouble once in a while just to go

    to court!"

    Her remark left L and Tatiana speechless.

    Meanwhile, Mandy looked exasperated by Colene''s antics. She yfully reminded Colene, "Can you

    act like a married woman for once? What do you take the court as, a host club that you can visit as you

    wish?"

    Ss reflexively nced at the public gallery, where he found his family in presence. Despite being a

    veteran in court who carried himself with a heart of steel, he couldn''t help but feel touched at the sight.

    In this trial, not only was he responsible for seeking justice for the victim and representing the country

    in prosecuting the culprit, but he also bore the heavy expectations of his family.

    At thest moment, a slim figure sneaked past the gaps of the closing door. Ss'' attention was once

    again drawn to the back of the public gallery.

    Soon, he felt his chest tighten before his heart raced like crazy. He spotted Rose sitting at thest row,

    dressed inconspicuously in a khaki-colored pantsuit. As half of her face was covered behind her

    sunsses, he couldn''t make out her expression and had no idea whether or not she was looking at

    him.

    Even so, he felt an adrenaline rush. Excitement coursed through his veins, charging him with energy.

    The door to the right opened. Two policewomen emerged with Sophia, dressed in a prisoner''s uniform

    and handcuffed. Following Sophia, Jeffrey was brought to court as well.

    Sophia red sharply at Jeffrey, but her demeanor changedpletely when she turned to Javier.

    Tearing up, she put on a pitiful look in front of Javier.

 Chapter 1474

    Except for the audience members hired by Javier, every other individual in the public gallery directed

    hateful looks at Sophia. Even Betty red disdainfully at Sophia, who had always been thinking of

    ways to sell her off.

    Sophia had made the necessary preparations for her court appearance. She had asked to use the

    restroom before the trial, where she touched up her face to make herself appear like a pale, tortured

    woman. Topped with her pitiful look, she could convince almost anyone.

    As expected, when Javier met her pleading gaze, he was instantly transported back to the day of their

    first encounter. His steeled heart started to waver.

    "You evil bitch! I want you to take responsibility for killing Nina! An eye for an eye!" Gemma struggled to

    keep her emotions in check when Sophia showed up. Quivering, she growled and sobbed, touching the

    hearts of the audience.

    However, Sophia, acting like she was innocent, teared up and shook her head helplessly. Whatever

    happened in the public trial would be captured by the media. Thus, Sophia considered it a theatrical

    y, where she took the lead role.

    Before the trial, Simon had promised her with confidence that she would not be charged. All she

    needed to do was to cooperate with him and act her part.

    "Madam, calm down! Take a deep breath!" Sean rushed over to Gemma.

    Alyssa, noticing that Gemma had turned white in a seizure-like attack, stood up and yelled, "Get the

    emergency oxygen! Ms. Pell is about to go into shock. She needs oxygen!"

    The security staff followed her instructions and administered oxygen to Gemma, which helped to

    alleviate the symptoms.

    At that moment, the presiding judge, Steven Lynch, appeared in a judge''s robe and took his seat. He

    felt a little bitter at the sight of the faceoff between Simon and Sean in court.

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    "Wow, the presiding judge is Steven Lynch, the second Lynch son!" Colene shook Mandy''s shoulders.

    Mandy nearly barfed from all the shaking.

    Colene continued, "Mandy, do you think Steven Lynch would give Sean trouble? Is there anyone

    decent in the Lynch family apart from Sean? I highly doubt that!"

    Mandy patted Colene''s hand and addressed her sternly, "It should be fine. I looked into Steven''s

    history, and he''s worked his way up from the professional exams to be a judge without any help

    from his father.

    "He does not have any history of getting cozy with the tycoons. He certainly sounds much better than

    his dad! I believe he''ll uphold justice in this case."

    The highly anticipated trial finallymenced.

    "The First Circuit Court of Sna City will hold a trial today in ordance with thew on the charges

    brought against defendants Jeffrey Snyder and Sophia Kirkman for contract killing. The intiff''s

    defense will present the case next."

    As Gemma was in her 80s, she had exhausted all her energy just by showing up in court. Sean had to

    speak on her behalf.

    In court, Sean transformed from a secretary to a professional attorney and effectively summarized the

    case in his opening statement. Then, he presented the intiff''s ims, demanding justice for the

    victim.

 Chapter 1475

    The audience fell silent. Even those audience members hired by Javier to fill the seats were affected by

    Sean''s speech that exined the ordeal faced by Nina. In the end, they cast disdainful and

    acrimonious looks at Sophia.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Once again, Alyssa was brought back to the scene of Nina''s brutal death. Feeling heartbroken, she

    covered her ears with her hands and shut her eyes tightly, feeling like she was in an enclosed space.

    Sweat dotted her forehead as she struggled to breathe.

    "Lyse, don''t think about it. I''m here for you," Jasperforted her and pulled her into a hug. He guided

    her to rest her forehead on his shoulder.

    Although Nina wasn''t Alyssa''s family, Alyssa''s kind soul was irreparably scarred and traumatized after

    witnessing Nina''s death.

    "Jasper... I feel like I''m at fault," she sobbed and whispered in his ear.

    Her words nearly broke his heart. Tearing up, he consoled her, "Don''t say that. Lyse, you''re not at fault.

    The two people in the dock are the sinners."

    After Sean delivered his statement, it was the defendants'' turn to present theirs. Sophia wept and

    emotionally delivered the statement Simon had prepared for her. It turned out that her acting

    experience was surprisingly of use in court.

    "Your Honor, for what reason would I kill a maid? I gain nothing from doing that! Perhaps this all

    happened because of the personal grudge between Jeffrey Snyder and Nina Carle, as they were

    colleagues of the same rank.

    "Jeffrey must have abused his power and bullied the maids in the family because he thought he was

    above them as my special assistant. Nina very likely rubbed him wrong in private, and that''s why he

    thought of killing her."

    "Nonsense!" Jeffrey, who had turned a state witness, defended himself and snapped, "Your Honor,

    Nina Carle had dirt on Sophia Kirkman. That''s why Sophia paid me off to get rid of Nina. She''s the

    mastermind.

    "I had no choice but to listen to her because of her power and status, or my life will be in danger. Even

    when I was in the detention center, she attempted to hire assassins to take my life. Look, there is still a

    scar on my neck!"

    "That''s nder! I shouldn''t have hired you had I known you were a hooligan abroad!" Sophia screamed

    at the top of her lungs as she engaged in a vicious argument with Jeffrey.

    Jeffrey retorted, "Betty Beckett left the house at the same time as me after you gave out the orders.

    She must have known what you were up to."

    The audience gasped and directed their attention to Betty''s face, which had turned white. Even Javier

    cast an astonished and doubtful look at her.

    "N-No! I know nothing about it!" Betty shook her head in fear and anxiety, nearly crying from the stress.

    At that moment, a cruel idea shed across her mind. For once, she hoped for Sean''s victory. She

    wanted Sophia convicted to prevent more trouble down the road.

    After all, Sophia was a hopeless drug addict who had no humanity left in her. Betty worried that she

    might be implicated in Sophia''s attempt to defend herself.

    "The court is a serious ce. Keep your voice down!" Steven shot an icy look at Betty and banged his

    gavel twice.

    At the same time, Alyssa and Jasper exchangedplicated looks. Jeffrey must have dragged Betty

    into the mess out of desperation. Betty was undoubtedly involved in Nina''s death, but it was hard to

    incriminate her without evidence. Otherwise, she would have joined Sophia in the dock today.

    Anyway, they believed Betty would still be affected by Sophia''s sentencing.

 Chapter 1476

    Without Sophia''s strategies, Betty could not survive, like a parasite who had left its host.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Meanwhile, Sophia and Jeffrey were attacking each other in court, bringing Javier so much shame that

    he wanted to leave the scene.

    After the intiff and the defendant delivered their opening statements, the trial entered the most

    crucial round of witness examination and questioning.

    It was Simon''s time to spring into action. Chuckling, he stretched and stood up rxedly. "Mr. Snyder,

    you imed that the defendant paid you off to get rid of Ms. Carle, but there''s no evidence to back up

    your im. I have a reason to suspect that you''re lying and framing my client to get away from your

    crime."

    "I did not lie! I told the truth. I never had any exchange with the maid at all. Why would I kill her for no

    reason?" Jeffrey nervously defended himself.

    Sean fixed a stern gaze on Simon''s animated face and silently clenched his fist. The secret recordings

    by Nina were in Sean''s possession. She had lost her life precisely over the recordings.

    Simon must have been aware of the fact as well, but he remained unfazed because he knew that

    Nina''s stealth recordings did not qualify as evidence.

    Simon continued his attacks. "You imed that my client paid a huge sum to you. May I know the

    whereabouts of the payment?"

    Jeffrey could note up with an answer. He had requested cash from Sophia andter kept the

    money in the basement of his home in Tsulu. Therefore, there weren''t any transaction records to prove

    his im.

    At this point, Sophia''s men had probably moved the cash away from his house in Tsulu under her

    command.

    "My client''s transaction records disyed arge transfer after the incident, but it was due to a property

    purchase in Mosgravia." With that, Simon handed the judge a document and exined, "This is the

    record of the property transaction. The amount matches the outflow of funds from my client''s ount."

    Steven epted the document and examined it. Just as Simon imed, the purchase amount

    matched the figure on Sophia''s bank transfer record.

    Sophia frowned as she maintained an innocent expression, but she was secretly snickering at Simon''s

    maneuver.

    "You used my client of instructing you to kill the victim, but it did not make any sense. My client is

    Mrs. Beckett of the Beckett Group. Given her wealth, she had no motive to kill a maid who had served

    the family for five years.

    "Before Nina Carle worked for the Becketts, she had served as an HR department employee in my

    company. She had no connections to the Beckett Group at all."

    Simon confronted Jeffrey with hostility. "On the other hand, Mr. Snyder, you were involved in illegal

    activities in Tsulu before you were hired as a special assistant to my client. Not only that, you were

    involved in murders. The Tsulian police had your criminal records, which we can get our hands on at

    any time."

    "I told you I had never spoken to Nina before the murder. I wouldn''t have killed her if Sophia hadn''t

    instructed me to!" Jeffrey was nearly driven mad by Simon. As a rough hooligan, he was no match for a

    slick attorney.

    "That is your one-sided im without any evidence. Even if you were not acquainted with Nina Carle,

    you might have killed her in the heat of the moment. A man like you will not bat an eye at the loss of

    life," Simon argued, trying his best to paint Jeffrey as a vicious serial murderer.

    The judges'' negative impression of Jeffrey would y to Sophia''s advantage.

    "Your Honor," Sean interrupted, "I have a question regarding the defense attorney''s argument."

 Chapter 1477

    Sean had kept his silence during Simon''s animated cross-examination, which made him appear like he

    was at a disadvantage.

    Seated in the public gallery, Tatiana felt her heart leaping into her throat. Her eyes were sore from

    focusing on Sean throughout the proceeding.

    Worried about Sean, she hated that she couldn''t be of help to him. All she could do was to silently

    cheer him on.

    "We''ll pass the floor to the intiff''s defense," Steven announced and gave Sean a look of affirmation.

    The Lynch brothers rarely interacted with each other as adults. They were not as close as other

    siblings, and on top of that, they were active in different professional fields. Still, Steven and Sean were

    at least upright, never once acting against their principlespared to the corrupted Simon.

    Meanwhile, Simon had always looked down on Sean and repeatedly described Steven as a strait-

    laced, puritanical goody-two-shoes. Simon perceived himself as the pir of the family, staunchly

    believing that he, the eldest son who had carried his mom''s expectations, was the only source of pride

    for the family after Spencer Lynch''s retirement.

    Little did Simon know that he would pay a steep price for what he was after. In the near future, he

    would pay a dear price for hisck of morals.

    Sean brandished a document with a twinkle in his eyes. "It is public knowledge that the defendant

    Sophia Kirkman is not as innocent as her attorney has imed. Even before this arrest, she had been

    summoned by the prosecution multiple times."

    Sean took a jab at Simon''s bluff by describing the fact as public knowledge.

    "She wasn''t arrested solely on suspicion of contract killing. She has also been charged with drug use in

    public and possession of drugs, among many other offenses."

    The screen in the courtroom disyed the humiliating video of Sophia getting high after taking drugs at

    the horseracing event. The indecent scene of Sophia touching herself had been pixted, but the

    judges and the audience were disturbed by her moans.

    Simon sent a re in Sean''s direction after he figured out Sean''s strategy.

    "Turn it off! Turn it off now! Stop it," Sophia yelled as she blushed in shame.

    She finally felt shame at this moment. Sean had submitted the video as evidence to humiliate Sophia in

    court.

    Alyssa stared coldly at the screen with a smirk. "It''ll be intriguing if they y this video at Sophia''s

    funeral. Wouldn''t it be an exciting closure to her evil and sinful life?"

    "A funeral?" Jasper sped her hand with a snicker. "After this trial, Javier will never ord her a

    respectable funeral. I bet he wouldn''t even make arrangements for a service."

    Betty had sneaked to the restroom to escape from the embarrassment, leaving behind Javier, who shut

    his eyes in resentment. He would have left the public gallery without looking back if it were not for his

    status and rtionship with Sophia. His departure would destroy the morale of those he had hired to fill

    up the seats, which would be much more humiliating for the Becketts.

    Sean argued with an impassive look, "Don''t you think a drug addict who sumbs to her addiction

    regardless of time and ce will be more emotionally vtile than Jeffrey Snyder?

    "I have witnessed drug addicts who were off their heads¡ªthey would do anything just to fuel their

    addiction, even losing control of their speech and behavior. Hence, it is highly likely that Sophia

    Kirkman would think of murdering Nina Carle."

    Sophia glowered at Sean, her face turning red in anger.

    "Objection, Your Honor! The intiff''s defense argument is purely hearsay and irrelevant to the case!"

    Simon jumped up from his seat, his hand shooting into the air.

    After a pause, Steven turned to Sean. "The intiff''s defense, please raise questions pertinent to the

    case."? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

 Chapter 1478

    "Of course, Your Honor." Sean regained hisposure and cast a loaded look at Alyssa and Jasper''s

    direction.

    The couple gave him a stern nod, after which he proceeded tond a sharp gaze on Sophia, "Sophia

    Kirkman, you im that you have nevermitted murder. I will repeat my question to you. Are you

    telling the truth? This is yourst chance ating clean."

    Simon nearly burst outughing at Sean''s crude tactics. He nced disdainfully at his silly brother,

    thinking, "Sean, you are too inexperienced to take me down. How dare you think of winning against me

    in court by asking that stupid question? Only a fool would admit to murder."

    "No! I can''t even hurt a fly. I would never murder a human being," Sophia confirmed while her mind

    whirled.

    Thinking back about the past, she had always instructed others to do the dirty work for her. Given her

    stature, she would never dirty her hands. Therefore, she announced confidently, "Ask me as many

    times as you want. My answer remains the same¡ªI have never killed!"

    "Great." Sean looked away from her and addressed the judge, "Your Honor, I would like to call a new

    witness to testify in Sophia Kirkman''s contract killing case."

    The audience exchanged curious looks upon hearing Sean''s remark. Sophia''s heart raced as she

    turned to Simon in a panic.

    Simon, meanwhile, was confused by Sean''s approach. However, he kept hisposure. As a veteran

    in court, he was confident in solving any crisis that arose.

    Steven nodded with a serious face. "Bring in the new witness."

    The heavy doors groaned and creaked. A tired-looking woman with gray hair appeared in everyone''s

    vision. The middle-aged woman was dressed in a rather frumpy and even ragged outfit.

    Sophia twisted in panic when she set sight on that ordinary-looking woman. She copsed against the

    dock railing, making a loud rattling noise. Had she not held tightly to the railing, she would not be able

    to prop herself up.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    The new witness, Tessa Flores, was the maid she had discreetly dispatched to Rnda. Why would

    Tessa show up in court? Puzzled, Sophia thought she had hired people to keep tabs on the maid every

    year.

    Even when Sophia was under detention, she had entrusted the matter under Betty''s care. How did the

    intiff''s defense get their hands on Tessa and make her testify in court?

    She thought, "This must be a hoax. Sean must have hired an actress to y Tessa."

    A thought suddenly urred to Sophia. She turned her bloodshot eyes in Jasper''s direction. It so

    happened that Jasper was staring at her with a burning, unreadable gaze.

    Things finally fell into ce for Sophia. Jasper must have forced Tessa to testify against Sophia after

    quietly removing the men Sophia had hired to monitor Tessa.

    No one except Jasper would pull off such a decisive and calctive move.

 Chapter 1479

    Sophia''s mind raced as she tried toe up with a strategy.

    In the end, she came to a conclusion. It had been 20 years since the incident, and 20 years had

    already passed. So what if Tessa was here to give her statement?

    She hadn''t witnessed the entire incident with her own eyes. All the evidence was also long gone.

    The thought of that made Sophia feel more at ease. She straightened her back slowly.

    Javier stared at Tessa in surprise. For a number of years, Tessa attended closely to his beloved Anne.

    Despite that, he couldn''t recall who she was.

    Alyssa''s heart was pounding. The pace of her breathing had be uneven. Fortunately, she had

    Jasper by her side. He had his arm around her waist.

    Heforted her in silence. It helped her calm her racing heart.

    She wasn''t the type of person to lose her patience. This time, however, was different. This was

    something rted to the person she loved the most. It was a crucial fight.

    This deep-seated hatred had been building up for 20 years. Karma had to be served today.

    Tessa hurried to the witness stand. Both her legs were shaking like jelly under the table. She didn''t take

    a single nce at the public gallery. She didn''t even dare to look at Sophia either.

    Steven took a look at the witness'' information. His pupils constricted. He then asked in his usual

    manner, "Witness, please state your name."

    "Tessa... Tessa Flores," she answered fearfully.

    Steven said, "I took a look at your particrs. You worked as a helper with the Beckett family 20 years

    ago."

    Javier widened his eyes in shock.

    At this moment, he suddenly recalled that that woman was indeed one of their helpers. She was Anne''s

    personal helper!

    After Anne passed away, she had given an excuse and resigned. He hadpletely forgotten about

    this insignificant person. So, he had never expected to see her in court. Not just that, she was now

    appearing as a witness.

    Javier''s heart wrenched at the thought of Anne. Subconsciously, he clutched at hispel.

    Tessa nodded. She answered, "That''s right. I was working at the Becketts'' Seaview Manor 20 years

    ago. I was thete Mrs. Beckett, Mr. Jasper''s mother, Anne Bartley''s helper. I was responsible for

    looking after Madam Anne''s daily living."

    This name had been buried for 20 years. It was the name of someone who was no longer around. It

    was now a name that was unfamiliar to most.

    Though, Jasper was an exception. His eyes turned red, and they welled up. The tears in his eyes toned

    down the burning hatred in his eyes.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Simon scoffed. He thought that they had just gotten a nobody to take the witness stand. To him, they

    were just being desperate and were merelyplicating matters.

    "I have a question for the intiff''s attorney. How is your witness relevant to this case?"

    Everyone''s eyes were focused on Sean. Ss had a fiery look in his eyes. He was worried yet highly

    anticipating Sean''s uing performance.

    Sean disregarded Simon. He walked to Tessa''s side and stated confidently, "Judge Lynch, frankly

    speaking, my witness does not have anything to do with this case."

    Upon hearing that, Simon couldn''t hide the look of disdain on his face.

    However, his smugness didn''tst for long. What Sean said next made his and everyone else''s jaws

    drop.

    "But, she is someone who is able to testify to Sophia''s involvement with a murder that happened 20

    years ago."

    "At the Beckett family''s Seaview Manor 20 years ago, Anne Bartley fell to her death. At the time, the

    authorities concluded that it was a suicide. The Becketts wanted to minimize any impact. So, they

    chose to close the case hastily.

    "But now, I can dere with certainty that Anne Bartley didn''tmit suicide. She was murdered! And

    Sophia was the one who killed her!"

 Chapter 1480

    There was an uproar in the courtroom. This took the entire nation by surprise!

    In an instant, all the blood had drained from Javier''s face. He felt as if his seat had been set aze.

    Without a care for anything else, he shot to his feet. He looked at Sophia in disbelief.

    Anne... Didn''t shemit suicide because she had severe depression? Why had it be a

    homicide?

    How could Sophia be the murderer? She was the woman with whom he had shared the same bed for

    20 years!

    "I. I didn''t. It wasn''t me!" Sophia met Javier''s gaze. She shook her head while crying.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Jasper diverted his cold gaze toward Javier slowly. He noticed that Javier''s face was as pale as a

    sheet. Deep down, Jasper was full of bitterness and resentment. He couldn''t help but let out a

    piercingly cold sneer.

    Javier was a frigid man. Until now, Jasper had never seen him express any heartbrokenness over

    Anne. But, more than that, he felt doubtful.

    Javier wasn''t feeling disturbed because of his love for Sophia. He was merely unwilling to ept that

    he had trusted the wrong person. He couldn''t believe that he had been married to a murderer for 20

    years!

    Simon''s ears had started ringing. He felt as if he had been hit at the back of his head with a hammer.

    Without a doubt, Sean had taken him by surprise. Throughout his years of experience, he had never

    seen a situation as such. This was a trial for murder-for-hire. How did Jasper''s mother''s case be

    entangled in this?

    If Sophia had indeedmitted murder, he would also be implicated. His name would end up being

    dragged through the mud.

    So, Simon shouted in an urgent voice, "Judge Lynch! This witness has nothing to do with this case.

    She should be impeached!"

    While Steven was hesitating, Sean took the opportunity to chime in, "Judge Lynch, ording to the

    defense attorney''s im earlier, it was impossible for Sophia to murder the victim. The reason was that

    she was an educated and highly moral woman. She is also the wife of a plutocrat.

    "However, the witness I''ve summoned can testify that the defense attorney''s ims were deceiving. He

    only said that so that the defendant could be acquitted.

    "This means that this witness'' statement isn''tpletely irrelevant to the case. Her statement can

    be a reference point in this case!"

    Finally, Steven gave in. He nodded slightly and said, "Then, counsel, you may both proceed with

    questioning the witness."

    Simon was so pissed off that his expression had turned dark.

    Tessa took a peek at Jasper sitting solemnly in the gallery. She was reminded of his intimidation. She

    didn''t dare to hide anything any longer.

    She revealed everything about the hidden past. She said, "Back then... I looked after Madam Anne''s

    day-to-day life. I did this under Mr. Javier''s orders. At that time, Sophia was just Mr. Javier''s mistress.

    "She then became pregnant with his child. Because of that, she was temporarily epted into the

    Beckett family. Even so, Mr. Beckett Senior hadn''t truly acknowledged her."

    Sophia''s face flushed red at the word "mistress". It was as if her shame was written all over her face.

    She couldn''t help but roar angrily, "Who did you just call a ''mistress''? Who were you referring to?

    "I wasn''t a mistress! I am legitimately Mrs. Beckett! I am Javier Beckett''s wife! Anne was the one who

    was the mistress! She was the one who stole my man!"

    Javier''s expression was foreboding. He wished that he could order one of his men to rush forward and

    shut Sophia up!

    Why didn''t he cherish Anne when she was by his side? She was such a gentle and virtuous woman.

    Instead, he had gotten himself involved with an ungrateful woman whose desires could never be

    cated!

    "She''s mad. She''s delusional."

    Sophia had a vile look on her face. Alyssa stared at her coldly. She shook her head and mocked, "She

    was the one who stole from others. Yet, she''s insisting that he was hers.

    "I''m amazed at how shameless she is. It''s no wonder she could bow and scrape to stay on with your

    family. She was even willing to be with Javier without getting married to him."

    "Her subservience was just a guise back then. Mom wouldn''t have died such a horrible death if Sophia

    was truly willing to yield."

    Jasper''s heart was pained. The gaze in his eyes remained dark and wintry, just like a deep body of

    water that was frozen over with ice.

    "She can have all of Javier as much as she likes. He''s a hypocrite. He doesn''t deserve my mother''s

    love."

    From the side, Alyssa looked deeply at Jasper. She noticed the determination on his face, but she

    couldn''t quite put into words how she truly felt.

    Shepared her circumstances and her parents with Jasper''s. There was no question that she was

    in a way better situation than him.

    That being said, she was still unable to tell how sincere Winston was with her mother, even till now. If

    his love for her was really as deep as the sea, shouldn''t she have been the only one he loved?

    Steven hammered his gavel once again. He reminded coldly, "Please calm down, defendant. Do not

    cause such a ruckus!"

    Tessa trembled with fear. She continued, "Madam Anne and Mr. Javier''s rtionship was a bit rocky at

    that time. However, Mr. Javier still had feelings for Madam Anne. He wasn''t thinking of letting her go.

    Even though Sophia became pregnant with his child, Mr. Javier never considered marrying her. So.

    "So, she threatened me. She made me swap Madam Anne''s depression medication for regr

    vitamins. Her goal was to cause Madam Anne''s mental condition to worsen. Through this, she wanted

    to make Mr. Javier detest Madam Anne."

    "You''re lying! I''ve never instructed you to do such a thing! You''re making false usations!" Sophia

    was livid. At the same time, she felt incredibly guilty.

    "If. If I have said anything untrue, a car will knock me down when I exit this ce!" Tessa swore through

    gritted teeth. "At first, you only had me swap her medication for vitamins. You didn''t expect that her

    rtionship with Mr. Javier would make a turn for the better around that time.

    "Madam Anne also started to be more proactive in receiving treatment. Everything was going in a

    positive direction. You became anxious when you realized your chance to rise in status was gradually

    disappearing. So, you cruelly tried to get rid of Madam Anne!"

    "I didn''t. I didn''t! Shut the hell up!"

    "In order to get rid of Madam Annepletely... You were no longer satisfied with recing her

    depression medication. Instead, you instructed me to poison her!"

    At this point, Tessa was so agitated that she stood up and pointed at Sophia.

    "At that time, I was scared. I was so fearful, so I backed out. You couldn''t wait any longer, and you

    ended up killing Madam Anne on your own!

    "A long time ago, I worked at a pharmacy in a clinic. You didn''t know this, but I saw the poison that you

    prepared for Madam Anne. It was fentanyl!"

 Chapter 1481

    Jasper had heard Tessa''s testimony many times in private. Even so, the pain in his heart was just as

    piercing as when he heard it for the first time.

    "Fentanyl is a type of analgesic. Its usage is banned in the country. Even a slight overdose could cause

    death."

    Tears of hatred welled up in Alyssa''s eyes, which had already turned red. She had a mother, too. She

    couldpletely empathize with Jasper''s pain.

    Everyone present in court was staggered. The attendees in the public gallery began to chatter among

    themselves.

    Simultaneously, the live broadcast was being streamed on the court''s official website. The livestream

    page was also filled with a stream ofments.

    From themencement of the hearing until now, the court''s official website witnessed an

    unprecedented surge in viewership, reshares, andments.

    "Sophia was also involved in a homicide? Is she the wife of a plutocrat, or is she the devil?"

    "So, Jasper isn''t an illegitimate child! Sophia married into the Beckett family after Mr. Javier''s first wife

    passed away. She was the mistress who used her pregnancy as an excuse to be Mrs. Beckett!

    "This means that the illegitimate child is actually Sophia''s child! That shameless bitch! How dare she

    poison Jasper''s mother just for the sake of marrying into the family? She''s a heartless witch!"

    "Sophia has two daughters. Sophia gave birth to Ms. Lauren after she became officially married to

    Javier. Since this is the case, Betty is the illegitimate daughter! What a shameful background she has!

    How could she still act so arrogantly? I would be too ashamed to meet anyone if I were her!"

    At this moment, Betty was pacing in the courthouse''s toilet. She was anxious. She smoked while she

    scrolled through thements online.

    Her own mother had implicated her. She was being attacked by the harshments that were flooding

    in. On the other hand, Lauren waspletely unscathed despite being her blood sister.

    Her eyes were bulging from her anger. She started screaming frantically in the empty washroom. She

    had perfectly inherited Sophia''s trait¡ªbeing a crazy bitch!

    It was as if Sophia and Betty were telepathic. In the courtroom, Sophia was also screaming at Tessa,

    "Tessa! That''s nonsense! I have never poisoned Anne! Neither have I instructed you to swap out her

    medication!

    "She died from depression. She was the one who jumped because she couldn''t bear to live! I had

    nothing to do with it!

    "How much money did you ept from the other party? What benefits did they offer you? You haven''t

    appeared in Sna City in the past 20 years. They plotted to capture you and then had youe up

    here and twist the knife at this crucial moment. This is nder!"

    As Sophia said all that, she red straight at Jasper menacingly. She looked as if she was going to

    leap at him to bite his head off!

    Tessa''s fear of Jasper''s harrowing power wasn''t the sole reason she decided to side with him. It was

    also because she had been controlled and watched by Sophia in secret for 20 whole years. She had

    enough of it.

    She was now almost in a frenzy, rying her experience.

    "I would be struck by lightning if I was lying! Every word I said was true! Back then, you were afraid that

    I''d expose all of these. So, you forced me to resign and leave Seaview Manor.

    "Even though this was so, you still couldn''t rest easy. You even sent me to the remote Rnda.

    Throughout 20 years, you''ve always sent people to threaten and surveil me in secret! I lived under your

    watch every single day. It was no different from being imprisoned!

    "I was a native of Sna City. However, I ended up spending mytter days meaninglessly in Rnda.

    I had to suffer so terribly. All these were because of you!"

    She divulged her emotional journey in its entirety. Everyone found it very convincing.

    The corner of Sophia''s lip was twitching. She wanted to respond, but Tessa wasn''t going to give her

    any chances to do so. Once again, she dropped a bombshell.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    "You snuck into Madam Anne''s room to swap out her medication at that time. To your surprise, Madam

    Anne returned. She caught you red-handed!

    "I was hiding at the stairwell. I witnessed everything with my very own eyes! It was also because of this

    that you started to threaten me. You told me you would make my family disappear from Sna City if I

    said a single word!"

    Javier''s ears were ringing. His vision became blurry. His view of Sophia became distorted. He could

    barely recognize her now.

    He was appalled. Moreover, all these had happened in his own home. Yet, he had only just found out

    about all these now.

    "Then... I could clearly hear a heavy thuding from Madam Anne''s room. There was an intense fight

    between the both of you."

    Tessa ended up bawling at this point. She continued, "And then. Then, Madam had fallen. You then ran

    out of her room in panic. If it wasn''t you who killed Madam Anne, who else could it have been?"

    "That''s rubbish! Everything you said was rubbish! She was the one who jumped on her own volition!

    You im to be the witness, but I was the one who witnessed it! I saw her jump with my own eyes!"

    Sophia glowered. But she hadn''t been irritated to the point where she lost her rationality. She was still

    clearly aware that, over the years, there had been no concrete evidence.

    As long as she continued denying it, the truth of the case would never be revealed.

    After listening to the statement, Simon soon became aware of his situation. He had joined hands with

    the viin. So, he wasn''t going to let this ship sink, no matter what!

 Chapter 1482

    Tessa conveyed everything that she knew. She had just let out her anguish and frustration, which she

    had suppressed for 20 years. After that, she slumped back into the chair. She was drenched in sweat.

    At this moment, she felt guilty. She regretted it from the bottom of her heart. She hated herself for being

    20 yearste in revealing the truth.

    If only she hadn''t been so greedy at the time. If only she could''ve been brave enough to withstand

    Sophia''s threats and testify that she had murdered Anne.

    If so, Anne could''ve rested in peace. As for herself, she wouldn''t have had to be away from home and

    suffer for 20 years.

    She was really foolish back then. Sophia was just Javier''s mistress at that time. Why did she have to

    fear such a lowly woman?

    If Javier and Anne reconciled, there was no way that Sophia would''ve be Javier''s wife. She

    wouldn''t even have remained in the Beckett family.

    Sophia might have been carrying Javier''s child, but she would''ve ended up having to leave. Only her

    child would be allowed to stay.

    That being said, it was all toote.

    The Taylors were seated in the gallery. They heard the cruel truth and empathized with Jasper and

    Anne. It was as if they had just witnessed the entire process of Jasper''s mother''s death.

    Mandy, Colene, L, and Tatiana already had tears streaming down their faces. Cyrus had a glum

    expression on his face. Even Jonah, who was usually as cool as a cucumber, was also on the verge of

    tears.

    He and his brothers, along with Alyssa, lost their mother at a young age. However, they were more

    blessedpared to Jasper. It wasn''t the most painful thing to experience losing their mother to

    illness.

    The greatest pain was when one''s mother died an unjust death and couldn''t rest in peace.

    "Judge Lynch, I have a few questions for the witness regarding this case." Simon stood up. His gaze

    was dark.

    Alyssa and Jasper guessed that he was surely going to create trouble. In order to secure his own

    future, he had to do all he could to side with Sophia. This was something that they had already

    expected. Even so, they still felt their chests tighten.

    Steven nodded with a serious look on his face. "Go ahead."

    Simon walked to the front of Tessa. The way he stared at her was enough to send chills down one''s

    spine. "Ms. Flores, you used my client of being Anne Bartley''s murderer. May I ask if you have

    actually witnessed her pushing Anne Bartley down?

    "You only have to answer yes or no. There''s no need for further boration."

    Sean knitted his brows together tightly. He clenched his fists.

    Tessa could only answer with honesty, "No, I didn''t. But I clearly heard that..."

    Simon mmed the table, making Tessa jump. "There will be a sound whenever objects knock into one

    another. People outside could have heard me mming the table. Would they also assume that I am

    committing a murder?"

    Sean lifted his hand and interrupted in a deep voice, "Judge Lynch, I object! The defense just made a

    call for spection using the straw man facy!"

    Steven responded, "Defense, please refrain from spective questions.

    Simon scoffed. He then continued, "In other words, the witness never actually saw my clientmit

    any so-called murder. Her statement can only prove that my client was thest person to see the

    deceased. She may be a suspect, but she cannot assume that my client is the murderer.

    "Furthermore, you said that my client plotted to poison the deceased. You also said that the poison

    used was fentanyl. However, fentanyl isn''t poison at all. It is amon analgesic. This drug can even

    be obtained in clinics overseas. It is apletely legal drug."

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    "Even though fentanyl is an analgesic, it ismon knowledge that a slight increase in dosage would

    be sufficient to cause death."

    Sean thought that he was simply quibbling. Immediately, he argued back angrily, "This drug is highly

    dangerous as long as it can cause death. Defense, you should be speaking facts. You shouldn''t be

    twisting other people''s words!"

 Chapter 1483

    "It''s fine if you say that. The deceased fell to her death. Even though my client was at the scene, there

    is no one who can prove that my client has anything to do with the victim''s death."

    Upon saying that, Simon looked at Steven with a serious look. "Judge Lynch, the witness whom the

    intiff''s attorney summoned, is in no way a direct witness in this case.

    "Moreover, the witness vanished for 20 years beforeing out to give her statement. It has been 20

    years. Wouldn''t her memory already be fuzzy? Might she have colluded with someone else in secret?

    Her statement is unreliable!"

    There was pin-drop silence in the room. Furious, everyone looked toward Simon''s despicable-looking

    side profile.

    Sophia hung her head low. She was trying her best to control her facial expressions, so much so that

    the muscles on her face were beginning to spasm.

    She was terrified. She was worried that she''d suddenly lose control and burst outughing.

    She thought to herself, "Anne, you bitch! You couldn''t even beat me while you were alive. Did you think

    that you''d be able to win after you died? What a joke!"

    They hade to a dead end. Sean''s eyes were bloodshot with fury. He sat back down, albeit feeling

    dissatisfied. The Taylors really felt like ripping Sophia apart.

    "Damn it! Why do we have to go through all this trouble? We should''ve sent someone to the detention

    center in the first ce. Then, have them strangle her in there, just like how David was dealt with. Or,

    they should just dunk her head in the toilet bowl and make her drown!"

    Colene was up in arms. "Not only that, Simon''s breath stinks like shit! I wasn''t cruel enough. I should

    cut off his tongue so that he can no longer speak!"

    Mandy''s heart ached over what Anne went through. She shook her head and sighed, "It is too easy to

    get rid of someone. If this continues, no one in the world would ever know the truth behind Jasper''s

    mother''s death. Then, he wouldn''t be able to seek justice for his mother, who had died unjustly."

    "Not just that, Javier would also never regret his heartlessness and foolishness," L said coldly.

    Mandy raised the corner of her lip in disdain. She said frigidly, "Now that it hase to this, Jasper no

    longer cares what Javier thinks. Javier didn''t even bother to ensure that his beloved wife''s cause of

    death was properly investigated.

    "He then blindly became married to a murderer for 20 years. What do you think he''d do even if he knew

    the truth? He''s such an arrogant man. I don''t think that he''d feel much regret.

    "If I were Ms. Bartley, I couldn''t care less even if Javier came to my grave to beg for forgiveness! He''d

    just be a nuisance to me!"

    Even at this critical juncture, Jasper maintained a calm expression. He looked so calm that it was so

    nerve-racking to watch.

    Then, he turned his gaze slowly toward Ss, the prosecutor.

    The direct examination and cross-examination segments were over.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Initially, Sean thought that he had turned the tide. Contrary to his expectation, Simon had pushed back.

    "If the intiff''s attorney has no new evidence to share, the prosecution may proceed with their

    questioning." As the judge, Steven could only proceed ordingly.

    Bright-eyed, Ss rose to his feet. He gave a nod of acknowledgment to the judge and the people in

    the public gallery.

    He then sat back in his seat. Subconsciously, he directed his fiery gaze toward Rose, sitting in the

    gallery''sst row.

    Rose pursed her pink lips slightly. She was wearing a pair of sunsses, which were covering her

    eyes. Her heart raced.

    The moment Ss looked away, she mouthed, "Good luck."

    "After our investigation, I''ve prepared a few questions for the defendant, Sophia Kirkman."

 Chapter 1484

    Ss spoke with confidence. He watched Sophia with a piercingly sharp gaze. He looked as if he was

    able to see through her. His overbearance was not to be belittled.

    Sophia''s heart was pounding. She felt a lump stuck in her throat. Even Simon felt his chest tighten.

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    He had heard that Ss was the top prosecutor in Sna City. He was a stubborn man and extremely

    difficult to handle.

    The job of a prosecutor was very sensitive. They were people in a position of power. The powerful and

    wealthy often want a prosecutor or two on their side. This was so they could use the prosecutors at a

    crucial moment.

    Many prosecutors looked righteous. However, they would work for the tycoons in secret, with both

    parties reaping mutual benefits.

    As for Ss, he wasn''t just born with an overwhelming sense of justice. He was even the second

    generation of a plutocrat.

    What would happen if anyone tried to bribe him?

    Hah, his pockets were so deep that they''d be suffocated!

    Ss presented new evidence.

    An image of a stic evidence bag appeared on the screen. In the bag was a white-colored medicine

    bottle.

    Sophia nced at the screen and frowned. Surprise was written all over her face.

    "Ms. Kirkman, do you remember this medicine bottle?" Ss questioned as he looked at her with an icy

    gaze.

    Sophia shook her head nkly. She replied, "I don''t. I don''t know what that is."

    Ss couldn''t help but scoff. He asked in a pressing tone, "You don''t know what that is? This was the

    vessel that you had used tomit murder. How could you be unaware of it?"

    Simon''s heart began to race. He was a smart man. Yet, he couldn''t figure out what Ss had in his

    mind at this moment.

    "What... What vessel? I have never killed anyone. How could there be a vessel used for murder? I don''t

    know anything about that!" Sophia was breaking out in cold sweat. But she could still remember

    Simon''s words.

    It didn''t matter who questioned her or what questions were thrown at her. He reminded her to keep on

    denying everything thrown her way.

    Other than that, she was to say that she didn''t know about it. She had to make sure that she wasn''t

    being led around by the nose.

    "The witness didn''t actually witness your act of murder. But there are traces of you administering

    poison."

    Ss squinted. He cocked an eyebrow and stated, "Perhaps you think that there''s no longer any

    evidence to begin the re-investigation of this case with. After all, 20 years have already passed.

    "But I want to let you know that you are too naive. A witness''s testimony may not bepletely

    reliable. However, material evidence will always be there. So long as you don''t have them destroyed in

    time, they will always be there. Material evidence doesn''t lie.

    "Even if you had intentionally destroyed evidence at that time, investigation technology has progressed

    rapidly since then. There may have been aspects that couldn''t be examined 20 years ago. It would be

    easy for us to look into them now."

    Sophia was so frightened that she had turned pale. Her mind reyed everything that had happened in

    Anne''s room 20 years ago.

    Indeed, she had nned to poison her. Nheless, Anne had caught her in the act. So, she wasn''t

    able to go through with her n to poison Anne.

    After that, she and Anne had a heated argument. At that time, she had always felt that Anne was a

    pushover who could be trampled on. To her surprise, Anne was like apletely different person then.

    She had threatened to expose her evil deeds to the world.

    Sophia was exasperated. Thus, amidst their fight, her hand slipped. She ended up pushing Anne down.

    Coincidentally, there was no one in the back garden when Anne fell. Shey in the pool of her blood

    pitifully. Yet, she still looked as beautiful as a vibrant oil painting.

    At that moment, Sophia panicked. Immediately after, she used her own clothing to wipe off her

    fingerprints on the balcony railing. She had also wiped her footprints cleanly off the floor. She then took

    the poison she brought with her and left the crime scene.

    What other evidence could there be?

    She couldn''t have left any other evidence at the scene.

 Chapter 1485

    "I... I didn''t. I didn''t poison her!" Sophia was essentially being put on the spot.

    Ss disregarded her denial. He continued in a deep, cold voice, "At that time, you panicked. You fled

    from the crime scene. But you forgot to take this medicine bottle with you.

    "That year, the victim''s death was determined to be a suicide. This made you let your guard down. You

    never went back to the scene to double-check.

    "The Beckett family figured that it was bad luck that someone had died in that room. So, they ended up

    locking the room up. Unexpectedly, this unintentional decision has helped the police preserve the crime

    scene to this day.

    "This medicine bottle used to contain the victim''s depression medication. It was ced by her bedside.

    Its contents were swapped out. But there was some drug residue in the bottle.

    "We lifted samples for testing and found that it wasn''t fentanyl. It was cyanide."

    Cyanide?

    That was the most poisonous of all poisons! Coming into contact with it would be sufficient to cause

    death, let alone ingesting it.

    The room was in an uproar.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Sophia was vicious indeed!

    Sophia''s thoughts were scrambled. As a murderer, she was now able to understand how it felt to be

    wrongly used. She was hysterical. She tried to exin herself.

    "I didn''t! I didn''t use that to poison Anne! You''re making false usations!"

    "I''m falsely using you? Your fingerprints were on the medicine bottle. If I have made false

    usations, please exin why that was so?"

    Ss had a piercing look in his eyes. He continued to put pressure on her. "Let me recount the

    sequence of events in this crime. First, you entered Anne Bartley''s room. Then, you came up with an

    excuse to get her to take her medication. This caused her to die from poisoning.

    "As for you, you were afraid that your crime would be exposed. Hence, you threw Ms. Bartley from her

    balcony. You staged the scene as though she hadmitted suicide by leaping off the building!"

    Sophia shook her head vigorously. She was at her breaking point. "No, it wasn''t like that!"

    Ss quirked his brows. He mmed the table and rose to his feet. "Let me remind you, Ms. Kirkman,

    that Ms. Bartley is now buried at East Side Lyon Cemetery. We can exhume her body for an autopsy

    with the agreement of her family members.

    "With the advancements in technology, even with only her skeletal remains remaining, we can conduct

    tests to ascertain whether her demise resulted from a fall or poisoning."

    "No! That''s not true! I didn''t poison her!"

    Sophia grabbed onto the metal railings. Her eyes were bloodshot. Like a mad woman, she shook the

    railings.

    "She was the one who wanted to hit me. So, I fought back! I ended up pushing her down by ident! I

    didn''t poison her!"

    The cat was finally let out of the bag.

    It was true that she was falsely used. Pressuring her was also part of the strategy.

    She wouldn''t have admitted to something she never did if she was truly innocent and free of guilt. It

    wouldn''t have mattered how others used or ndered her.

    Sophia suddenly realized what had happened. She covered her mouth with her hands. She froze in

    shock.

    Nheless, it was all toote.

    Everyone had heard every single word that she had just uttered.

    The entire courtroom fell into a silence so profound that even a pin drop would have been audible.

    Everyone was staring at Sophia. Their eyes were filled with shock and rage. It was as if they were

    about to bore a hole right through her.

    Javier''splexion had paled, and his hands trembled as he tightly clenched his fists on his knees. It

    seemed as though every vessel in his body had frozen, rendering him immobile.

    A wave of sorrow surged from within. The pain spread through every nerve of his body and to his limbs.

    Suddenly, he was reminded of the day at the cemetery when he had argued with Jasper. What Jasper

    had said haunted him throughout that entire night.

    Jasper had said, "My mother is not a weakling who would seek to be liberated through death! She died

    because of Sophia..."

 Chapter 1486

    It was because Sophia pushed Anne down.

    Sophia was a hypocritical, crafty, and viinous woman. She murdered the love of Javier''s life. Yet, he

    was entirely in the dark. Not only that, he had kept the murderer by his side and protected her for 20

    whole years!

    Sophia deserved to die, but Javier wasn''t any better.

    Javier clenched his teeth, his gaze piercing straight at Sophia, who looked pale. His eyes were filled

    with hatred, and his heart ached.

    The evocation of Anne''s presence haunted him. It was like a nightmare that he couldn''t wake up from.

    Unconsciously, a tear trickled from the corner of his eye.

    Not a single tear was shed at Anne''s funeral, yet at this moment, an overwhelming sense of grief

    washed over him. Despite that, it felt toote now; shedding tears seemed meaningless.

    Simon staggered backward. He looked at Sophia in extreme shock. He felt as if someone had pulled

    the rug from under his feet.

    At this very moment, he finally understood.

    From the very beginning, Ss'' so-called evidence never existed. He imed to recount the sequence

    of events. But he only did so to put pressure on Sophia to question her. It was all fiction that he had

    come up with.

    He had been setting things up from his very first word. He led the way step by step. Eventually, he

    forced Sophia to the point of no return.

    Simon shut his eyes. He was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. He kept trying to think of a way out.

    However, he couldn''te up with any other strategy, no matter how he racked his brains.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Sophia had confessed in court. She admitted to pushing Anne down. Not even God could save her

    now.

    The Taylors were agitated to the point of tears. Colene almost screamed. Fortunately, Mandy stopped

    her just in time.

    Jonah felt as if his heart was in his throat. He suppressed his whirling emotions. He nced over at

    Cyrus, who was by his side. "You''ve all really put on an interesting show." "Ss, Lyse, and I were only

    ying supporting roles."

    Cyrus looked toward Jasper in admiration. "Our brilliant brother-inw was the one who nned all of

    these out. He followed the clues and found the witness, who was in Rnda.

    "He was also the one who thought of presenting false evidence in court. Through this, he wanted to

    aggravate Sophia into a panic. He wanted to make her lose her nerve and confess. He''s one sneaky

    chap! How sinister!"

    Jonah shuddered. Surprisingly, he felt a little fearful. "That was too risky. Indeed, it was a thrilling show.

    But Ss had to put his future as a prosecutor on the line. Even if he had cooperated with Jasper

    willingly, what if Sophia continued scheming? What if she made it to the end without confessing? What

    was your n, then?"

    Cyrus remained silent for a moment. He then chuckled helplessly. "But Jonah, we had no other choice.

    It was a do-or-die situation. We wouldn''t stand a chance if we didn''t take this risk.

    "I suppose that Jasper''s mother was watching over him from up there. That was how we managed to

    win this time."

    Upon hearing that, Jonah couldn''t help but choke on his tears. He had no words to express how

    touched he felt.

    Alyssa and Jasper upied the front row. She clutched his warm hand firmly in hers, unable to restrain

    herself as tears flowed down her face.

    "Finally... we''ve won."

    "Yes, we''ve finally won."

    Jasper tenderly brushed away the tears from the corners of her eyes. His voice quivered, overwhelmed

    by the intense emotions he was experiencing.

    "Thank you, Lyse. Thank you, Ss, Sean, and Cyrus. I''m grateful to all of you. My mother can now rest

    in peace."

 Chapter 1487

    "No... No... No!"

    Sophia shook the metal railing so much that they were rattling. She continued to protest. She looked at

    Ss with a ferocious look on her face.

    She shouted, "Ss! You used false evidence to deceive me! As a prosecutor, how could you present

    false evidence? You were misusing your power! This is malpractice! Your evidence should be made

    inadmissible!"

    Ss stared at her mockingly. He didn''t look afraid of her at all.

    It was indeed his dream to be a just prosecutor. This time, he had risked being suspended when

    he used false evidence to trick Sophia.

    That said, he didn''t regret it a single bit.

    It didn''t matter who it was who was seeking justice. It could''ve been someone other than Alyssa''s lover.

    The victim could''ve been someone other than Jasper''s mother. He would have done the same without

    any hesitation.

    His duty wasn''t merely to adhere to the procedures of a prosecutor but to ensure justice prevailed,

    even if it meant confronting the darkest truths at any cost.

    "You''re right in saying that the evidence was false. This medicine bottle is different from the one you

    had in the first ce. Your prints were not on this bottle either.

    "Nheless, you have confessed to murder. You admitted to pushing the victim downstairs. This is

    irrefutable evidence!

    "No matter what evidence I presented or how I tried to deceive you, you wouldn''t have said all these if

    you were truly innocent!

    "Youmitted murder 20 years ago, and for 20 years, you''ve been the wife of a plutocrat. You didn''t

    have tomit murder with your own hands. You could have always contracted a killer.

    "You might not necessarily be sentenced to death for your crime this time. However, justice will prevail.

    Today, you must pay for the sin youmitted 20 years ago!"

    Ss'' every word struck a chord in everyone''s hearts.

    Everyone in the gallery was silent. The reporters outside the courtroom also kept quiet. Even the

    viewers watching the livestream on the courthouse''s official website paused.

    The silence around them was deafening.

    Right at this time, an ear-piercing screech came from the sound system on both sides of the courtroom.

    Shortly after, a recording yed through the sound system. It was the recording that Nina had risked

    her life to record.

    Only a snippet¡ªthe most important part of the recording was yed. Everyone recognized Sophia''s

    voice immediately.

    The Becketts and Alyssa''s family recognized that the other voice belonged to Betty. Other than them,

    no one else could tell that the other person in the recording was Betty.

    "What... What is this? How is this recording being yed?"

    The police officers headed to the AV room to have a look. The judges were shocked, too!? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Steven was the only one with a calm expression on his face. As a judge, it was his duty to maintain

    order in the courtroom.

    However, he chose to keep silent at this moment.

    Sophia was like a zombie who had just lost her soul then. Her entire body went limp, and she crumpled

    to the floor.

    Despite her mental fortitude, even the most viinous individuals had a breaking point.

    At the same time, Betty was shaking like a leaf. She was biting her fingernails until they almost bled.

    "Lyse, this voice recording. Was it your doing?" Jasper grabbed Alyssa''s hand and asked in surprise.

    Alyssa had a confused look on her face, too. She blinked and answered, "It wasn''t me. If I had made

    any arrangements, I would''ve told you in the first instance."

    All of a sudden, her cell phone started vibrating in her purse. She pulled her phone out to check. To her

    surprise, it was a text message from Axel.

    "Lyse, did you like the surprise I prepared for you all?"

    Alyssa gasped. She typed her reply as quickly as she could. "Axel, the recording. You were the one

    who yed it?"

    "Out of all your brothers, who else but myself has the ability to hack into the courthouse''sputer

    system? Even your partner, my school''s alumnus, doesn''t know this trick of mine."

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. "Are you seeing someone, Axel?"

    Axel: "Seeing someone? I don''t have time for that. No way!"

    Alyssa: "How did you learn to be so cheeky?"

    Axel: "Hey, I was just helping all of you relieve some of the solemnness and pressure."

    Alyssa was just teasing him. Deep down, she did indeed feel more at ease.

    Hurriedly, she showed Jasper her message exchange with Axel. She leaned her head against his.

    "When is Axeling back? I need to thank him in person." Jasper''s eyes were full of gratitude.

    "Uh. You scared him off with your drinking skills thest time. I''m guessing that he wouldn''t want to see

    you again so soon." Alyssa shrugged.

    Jasper chuckled. He hadn''t even shown his full capability yet.

    The interlude in the courtroom ended. The court session resumed.

    The look on Steven''s face was frigid. He hammered his gavel loudly. "We will adjourn for now. The

    court will resume at 3:00 pm to announce the verdict!"

    Right after Steven said that, Javier stood up. The air around him was frosty. He left without turning

    back.

    After that, everyone who came with him began to rise from their seats, too. They, too, left the

    courtroom. In the blink of an eye, the gallery, which was previously filled to the brim, was now empty.

    Only the Taylors were left.

    "Javier, that wasn''t true! I''ve never murdered anyone! Javier!" Sophia was still on the floor. She wailed

    as she reached her hand out toward Javier.

    However, the only response she received was the sound of the door closing heavily.

 Chapter 1488

    The corridor was previously empty. The loud footsteps of the Beckett family broke the silence in the

    hallway.

    Javier had a frosty expression on his face. His eyes were red. He was seething with rage as he strutted

    forward. The Beckett family members behind him held their breath.

    Rory followed closely behind Javier. He kept a straight expression on his face. But this hearing gave

    him an inexplicable feeling of relief in his heart.

    His heart harbored unspoken words for far too long.

    He had been in Javier''s employ for a considerable time, witnessing Sophia''s im and enjoying

    everything that rightfully belonged to Anne. However, as a secretary, he could only go along with it. He

    had no other choice but to show respect to Sophia. This irked him. It made him feel indignant.

    Fortunately, justice prevailed.

    Even so, Rory pretended to be worried. He probed, "Mr. Javier, the verdict will be announced at 3:00

    pm. Is there anything else that you need to get done before this? I can help you out if you have

    anything in mind..."

    Javier shot him a fierce look before he could even finish his sentence. He interrupted gruffly, "Am I the

    mad one, or have you gone mad? Why do I have to save a lowly and evil murderer time and time

    again?

    "She murdered Anne! She killed the woman I loved the most! Saving her? I wish that I could kill her

    with my own hands this instant!"

    There were many people in the corridor. Everyone was taken aback. The corridor was filled with dead

    silence.

    Rory lowered his hands to his side immediately. He felt more at ease now. He said softly, "Understood."

    Javier took a few steps forward. Unexpectedly, he bumped into Betty. She was looking disconcerted.

    "Dad..."

    Betty stopped in her tracks instantly. She stood stiffly in front of Javier. Her heart was pounding, and

    her legs were shaking.

    Javier''s face was expressionless. He took a step toward her. He red at her through his bloodshot

    eyes.

    "Dad. Mom, she. "

    He raised his hand and gave her one hard p. Betty shrieked.

    She was already feeling weak from terror. She wasn''t able to withstand the p. She fell straight to the

    ground. She started seeing stars and wasn''t able to get back up.

    The p was painful. But more than that, her pride had taken a hit. She felt crushed.

    Javier was her father. He didn''t care about not embarrassing her. He had pped her in front of so

    many people on the Becketts'' side. He was essentially directing his anger at Sophia toward her.

    "You ungrateful twat! How dare you show yourself in front of me?"

    Javier''s eyes were red with anger. His hand was trembling as he pointed straight at her face. "You are

    also one of my daughters. Your younger sister is so pure and kind. You, on the other hand, are a

    complete disgrace to me!

    "You have always caused trouble since a young age. Now that you''re older, you can''t even tell right

    from wrong. You''ve simply allowed that witch to string you along!"

    The more Javier spoke, the more furious he got. He was so mad that his eyes were bulging. He worked

    hard for over 20 years. He felt like all his hard work had gone down the drain. If only he could get rid of

    the jinx before him.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "Betty! You are my eldest daughter. Your grandfather and I have loved and cared for you since you

    were young. I had high hopes for you. I''ve also paid more attention to you than your sister! However,

    you... What were you and your diabolical mother up to behind my back?"

    "Dad, I wasn''t aware. I wasn''t aware of anything." Betty cupped her swollen face in her hands. She

    tried to gain sympathy. Her eyes welled up with tears as she feigned innocence and sought pity.

 Chapter 1489

    "Everyone heard the recording yed in the courtroom just now!" Javier was so pissed off that his

    breathing had be uneven. He growled, "Others might not have recognized your voice. But of

    course I could!

    "Right from the start... you were fully aware of Sophia''s actions. You knew she hired a hitman! Not only

    did you conceal it from me, but you actively assisted her in keeping it a secret. You must be out of your

    mind!"

    Betty denied, "No. That''s not it."

    "Don''t you know that you were harboring a criminal? You are an aplice! Did you want to follow in

    Sophia''s footsteps and end up imprisoned?"

    Betty was scared shitless. She was flustered. She knelt by Javier''s feet. Tear stains marked her face as

    she gazed up at him. She pleaded, "Dad! I was wrong. I now know that what I did was wrong!

    "All those things. She made me do them! She''s my mother. Those things that she asked me to do, I

    didn''t dare to go against her! I was too mindlessly obedient. I was dumb!

    "Please, I beg you. You cannot let me end up in prison! I am your daughter. Could you bear to see me

    end up in prison?

    "Also, can our family afford to have another family member go to jail? The Schmidt family already took

    a hit because of it. You''ve worked tirelessly to manage the Beckett Group. Are you hoping the Beckett

    Group ends up in ruins just like the Schmidt Group?"

    Javier''s dark pupils constricted as he yelled, "Bugger off!"

    Betty scooted to the side hurriedly and made way for Javier. She watched as he walked past her.

    A series of footsteps sounded as others walked by her, too. Not a single person stopped to help her up.

    This made her feel even more ashamed.

    "Damn it. Goddamn it!"

    Betty punched the ground with her fists. She screamed and cursed in the empty hallway.

    "Hey, this is the courthouse, not a circus! Go outside to scream instead!" Two police officers

    approached her to throw her out. They carried hateful expressions on their faces.

    Betty''s face flushed red in embarrassment. She gathered up her strength to stand back up.

    She stumbled awkwardly. She was taken aback the moment she stood back up.

    At the opposite end of the hallway, bathed in a stream of sunlight, stood the Taylors. They had

    observed her humiliating disy.

    Betty, who once relished provoking Alyssa whenever she crossed her path, now refrained from uttering

    a word. She hastily retreated with her tail tucked between her legs.

    "What a wretched family." Colene clicked her tongue. She crossed her arms and mocked, "Was there

    some sort of gic mutation? How could Sophia end up having two daughters who are worlds apart?

    "Ms. Lauren is such a sweet and lovelydy. As for Betty... She''s like a character straight out of The

    Witcher. She''s vulgar, dumb, and evil!

    "Even her obnoxious mother would''ve been better than her when she was 20 years younger!"

    Mandy looked confused. She said, "Speaking of this, Colene, I felt strange too. There are four children

    in the Beckett family.

    "I''ve seen Justin, who''s living in Mosgravia long-term when he was younger. He, Jasper, and Lauren

    are such outstanding and morous people. Among the young people in Sna City, that is.

    "Betty, on the other hand, is like a feral child plucked from the streets. Her demeanor is less than

    favorable, and shecks any hint of refinement."

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    Upon hearing that, the gaze in Alyssa''s eyes dimmed slightly. She couldn''t help but feel a hint of

    suspicion.

    Betty didn''t bear much resemnce to Javier, whether personality-wise or even by how she looked.

    When they stood together, one wouldn''t even think they were father and daughter.

    "Lyse? Are you okay? What were you so focused on?" Jasper whispered. He gave her a slight tug on

    her waist.

    Alyssa leaned on him. She pressed her lips together slightly and replied, "It''s nothing."

 Chapter 1490

    The court session resumed at 3:00 pm sharp.

    The entire session was still being live-streamed. Everyone was now familiar with the presiding judge,

    the prosecutor, the intiff, and the defendant.

    In the morning, the public gallery was packed to the brim. Now, it was just Alyssa, Jasper, and their

    family and friends. The quietness was chilling.

    None of the other Becketts were present. Even Sophia''s daughter, Betty, was too embarrassed to

    attend the session.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Sophia and Jeffrey walked out one after another. Their hands were cuffed. Once again, they were led

    to their respective seats in humiliation.

    Metal railings separated Sophia and the rest of the courtroom. Her hair was in disarray. She was

    expressionless. She scanned the gallery with a nk look in her eyes.

    She observed that only the Taylor family remained. A twisted expression took over her face, and she

    couldn''t help herself and burst outughing.

    Steven frowned. He tapped the gavel. He coldly instructed, "Please be quiet, defendant!"

    Simultaneously, Simon struggled to maintain hisposure. His face was rigid, as if a light touch might

    shatter him.

    In essence, he was experiencing defeat.

    Sean was assisting Gemma, holding onto her arm as they proceeded to the intiff''s seat. He offered

    gentle pats on her back in an attempt to providefort.

    She was already 80 years old. It was hard enough for her to get through the tumultuous session in the

    morning. She barely had anything to eat at noon because she was too worried.

    She waited all the way until now for the court''s final verdict on both Sophia and Jeffrey.

    Sean took note of all these. His heart ached, and he felt terrible for her. He had been preparing for this

    hearing day and night. He swore to be in his best condition. He wanted to do his very best to make

    Sophia plead guilty.

    However, he knew it was insufficient to rely on his capabilities. This time, Alyssa and Jasper had

    helped to strategize. Other than that, Ss had helped to turn the tide. Sophia wouldn''t have confessed

    to her crime in court if it weren''t for them.

    They noticed that Steven now looked slightly different than when they were in the earlier session. He

    now had sses on.

    The Lynch brothers knew their brother, Steven, very well. Unbeknownst to the public, he was someone

    who paid attention to his image. He was severely short-sighted. So, he would usually have contact

    lenses on in public.

    He reserved the use of his sses for moments of gravity and significance, treating it as a personal

    ritual.

    The room was silent.

    Steven stood up. He had a stern expression on his face. He lifted the written verdict with his hands. He

    read it out in a clear and strong voice, "I hereby announce the verdict on Jeffrey Snyder for first-degree

    murder."

    Everyone held their breath. They were focused. Jeffrey, on the other hand, didn''t look as gloomy. He

    even looked slightly rxed.

    Being a foreigner in this country and with Sophia sharing the me, he anticipated receiving a 20-year

    sentence before ultimately being deported back to Tsulu.

    He wasn''t concerned about being in his fifties 20 yearster. At least, he would only be middle-aged.

    He would still have a life to live after his release.

    That thought made him smirk slightly. He was pleased.

    Steven paused. He then continued with confidence, "From the trial, we have found the defendant,

    Jeffrey Snyder, guilty of the charge of murdering the victim in his own self-interest.

    "We believe that the defendant showed no remorse aftermitting murder in exchange for money.

    Subsequently, he fled the country.

    "After escaping abroad, he vehemently resisted authorities during arrest, which are considered

    aggravating circumstances. His actions pose a significant risk to society, warranting severe

    punishment.

    "I hereby dere that the defendant, Jeffrey Snyder, will be sentenced to death for first-degree murder.

    His political rights will be permanently revoked, and all his personal assets will be confiscated in their

    entirety."

 Chapter 1491

    Sentenced to death... He was sentenced to death?

    Jeffrey''s mind felt like it had been struck by a massive explosion. He couldn''t hear what Steven was

    saying next, and he didn''t want to either.

    He grabbed onto the railing and shouted hysterically, "How could I be sentenced to death? I''m not a

    citizen of your country! Are you bullying me because I don''t understand thew?

    "Even if I''m sentenced to death, it shouldn''t be by you. I should be deported back to my country and be

    judged by my country''s court! You can''t sentence me to death!"

    Steven nced at Jeffrey''s pale and sinister face with a faint smile, then coldly raised his voice. "You''re

    talking to me about thew? Okay, I''ll give you a simple lesson inw, then.

    "ording to the Diplomatic and Consr Immunity Act, the criminal responsibility of foreigners who

    enjoy diplomatic immunity is resolved through diplomatic channels. Jeffrey, what qualifications do you

    think you have to enjoy this right?

    "Furthermore, foreigners whomit crimes within our country are subject to our country''sws, equal

    to our citizens. However, some foreigners who enjoy diplomatic immunity may be given a chance of

    survival. But Jeffrey, you''re clearly not one of them."

    Jeffrey trembled. "No, that''s not possible."

    "Also, the Tsulu Embassy contacted us after the trial this morning. They said they wouldn''t interfere in

    your case and gave us full rights over it. Since you don''t enjoy diplomatic immunity, ording to the

    principle of jurisdiction, our court has the right to judge you ording to thew.

    "Now, you''re convicted of first-degree murder, so we canwfully sentence you to death."

    "I did kill, but Sophia threatened me! I was forced!"

    Jeffrey red fiercely at Sophia. "I was just an aplice! Sophia is the mastermind! She manipted

    me. She should be the one sentenced to death!"

    Sophia stared at Jeffrey with bloodshot eyes and spat rudely at his face.

    Although the asion was inappropriate, the Taylors almost burst outughing when they saw

    Sophia''s frenzied demeanor. It starkly contrasted her former dignified and elegant persona as the wife

    of a wealthy tycoon.

    "She has quite a good mentality. Even at this point, she''s still acting arrogantly." Alyssa squinted her

    eyes.

    "If not, how could she be a viin?" Smirking, Jasper stared at the two sinners arguing with cold eyes.

    "Let her be mad. It''s probably thest time in her life."

    Sophia and Jeffrey were about to start fighting, but fortunately, the court officers subdued them in time.

    Steven''s eyes were filled with disgust. After so many years in this profession, he had seen all sorts of

    rampant, evil, and sick criminals. But these two were definitely among the worst, making him so

    annoyed that he wanted to throw the gavel at them.

    "Now, I''ll announce the trial result of the defendant Sophia Kirkman for the cases of contract killing and

    first-degree murder."

    Sophia stopped entangling with Jeffrey and instead stared fixedly at the judge. Her reddened eyeballs

    seemed to want to pop out of their sockets.

    In a daze, besides the smell of rust, she also smelled a nauseating odor of decay.

    It was like a dead animal had been buried under her feet for a long time. Ominous odors rose in waves,

    wrapping around her tightly.

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    She crinkled her nose, sniffing around like a dog, searching for the source of the smell.

    "After trial and investigation, it''s confirmed that Sophia Kirkman tried to cover up the truth of her murder

    of Anne Bartley 20 years ago by hiring Jeffrey Snyder to cruelly kill Nina Carle to silence her. Her

    methods were extremely brutal, and the nature of the case was extremely vile.

    "Therefore, the High Court of Sna City has decided to sentence the defendant Sophia Kirkman to 30

    years in prison for solicitation of murder and contract killing."

    Steven''s tone was even colder and more solemn when announcing the sentence this timepared to

    when he was dealing with Jeffrey.

    Sophia shuddered all over. Would she still be alive after 30 years?

 Chapter 1492

    Sophia believed that she would survive her 30-year sentence. But did she really have to serve a full 30

    years in prison?

    She might be released in about ten years if she kept appealing, pretended to behave well, and did

    some under-the-table operations.

    Sophia felt that she still had a chance. However, the next moment, the small me of hope that had just

    ignited in her heart was ruthlessly extinguished.

    "Furthermore, in the case of Anne Bartley''s fatal fall 20 years ago, the evidence is conclusive, and the

    defendant, Sophia Kirkman, has pleaded guilty in court.

    "However, she had an ample motive and premeditated the crime. Throughout the past 20 years, she

    has had no inclination to turn herself in. To conceal her crime, she bribed and intimidated witnesses

    and destroyed evidence. Her crimes are even more heinous than those of Jeffrey Snyder."

    As Steven spoke, his voice grew louder. A faint redness appeared in his sharp eyes behind his sses.

    "Hence, the defendant Sophia Kirkman is sentenced to death for solicitation of murder, first-degree

    murder, destruction of evidence, and witness tampering. Her voting rights are revoked for life, and all

    personal property is confiscated."

    A thunderous boom sounded in Sophia''s mind. She felt like a towering mountain had copsed and

    crushed her. At once, she copsed to the ground.

    Sentenced to death... She had received the death sentence.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    In front of her were only despair and a frightening, pitch-ck darkness. She even extended her hands

    and scratched herself a few times, as if she had truly lost her sight.

    Steven pronounced the verdict with rity, leaving everyone stunned.

    Colene was so thrilled in the public gallery that she nearly couldn''t resist shouting. Meanwhile, L and

    Tatiana embraced each other, shedding tears of joy. Even Mandy, who had always beenposed,

    discreetly wiped away tears at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

    Cyrus tightly clenched his trembling hands on his knees while Jonah heaved a sigh of relief, sporting a

    satisfied smile.

    At that moment, Jonah''s phone vibrated in his pocket.

    Jonah took it out and nced at it. When he saw that it was a message from Julien, his heart skipped a

    beat. He lightly tapped the WhatsApp conversation box.

    "The old witch has finally been sentenced! Congrattions!

    Smiling, Jonah replied briefly, "Thank you."

    Julien: "Mr. Jonah, how are you going to reward me? Hmm?

    Jonah: "Why should I reward you? You didn''t help."

    Julien: "Who said I didn''t? I''ve been watching the livestream of the court since this morning, and I''ve

    been cursing at Sophia the whole time. I cursed so much that my fingers were about to break! That''s

    an effort, too."

    A few seconds passed.

    Julien: "Why aren''t you replying?"

    Jonah: "I did. My silence is the reply."

    Julien: "Damn it! You''re really something, Jonah! Fine!"

    Jonah chuckled lightly and replied, "What reward do you want?"

    Julien: "Uh... let me think about it. I''ll tell you when youe home."

    Jonah''s Adam''s apple bobbed.

    For some reason, the words "when youe home" made him restless.

    Alyssa, who was overly happy, couldn''t help it. She threw herself into Jasper''s arms and cried silently.

    The tears of genuine emotion soaked through his shirt, melting his heart.

    "Lyse, my mom can finally rest in peace today. It''s all thanks to you," Jasper whispered while gently

    patting her back.

 Chapter 1493

    Little did Jasper know that tears were welling up in his eyes. He felt that his mother was watching this

    trial from heaven.

    "Wasn''t it 30 years? Why is it suddenly the death sentence? Why?"

    Sophia''s cheeks twitched uncontrobly, as if her nerves had died. Her face was ashen. "You''re making

    a mistake! I''m going to appeal!"

    Simon propped himself up on the table with both hands, supporting his body as if he had been drained

    of strength.

    He was an undefeated, top-notch attorney. But this time, he had lostpletely.

    What made it even more unbearable for him was that he had lost to Sean, the person he despised the

    most.

    "You have the right to appeal, but don''t scream in court. It won''t change anything." Steven coldly

    scanned Sophia. At this moment, he was furious beyond words.

    Gemma finally found peace when she heard the final verdict in the intiff''s seat. Overwhelmed with

    emotion, she sobbed in the courtroom.

    Two court officers forcefully pulled Sophia, who was slumped on the ground, up, only to be astonished

    to find a puddle of water on the floor.

    Under the heavy blow, the wicked Sophia, who hadmitted numerous crimes, didn''t even realize

    she had peed her pants again.

    Rosie sat cross-legged in a quiet cemetery before Anne''s tombstone.

    After the entire trial was over, she slowly closed herptop. She wiped away the tears of excitement

    from her cheeks and looked at the tombstone with a gentle smile.

    "Madam Anne, did you see that? Mr. Jasper and Madam Alyssa have finally avenged you. You''ve

    waited for 20 years. This day has finallye."

    Justice might be dyed but not denied.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Following the announcement of the verdict, Alyssa and Jasper found it challenging to contain their

    excitement for an extended period. Simrly, theizens tuned into the courtroom livestream couldn''t

    bring themselves to end the live feed.

    This trial had such a strong impact.

    They used to think that Jasper was no different from those born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

    Besides worrying about spending his endless money, what else could he worry about?

    But now, it seemed they werepletely wrong.

    Jasper was the legitimate son of the Beckett family, but he was suppressed and smeared by Sophia,

    the woman who had killed his biological mother. He had carried the stigma of being an illegitimate child

    for half his life.

    His endurance and resilience were unimaginable and unbearable for ordinary people.

    But fortunately, the wheel of karma turned, and he finally avenged his mother.

    The darkest hour was just before dawn.

    Simon, who had lost thewsuit, fled like a fleeing soldier. This time, the usually arrogant, top-notch

    attorney dared not even leave through the courthouse''s front door and could only escape through the

    back door in a panic.

    Unaware of what awaited him, a sudden crack resounded the moment he ventured outside, and he felt

    a sharp pain in his forehead.

    He froze in shock and widened his eyes, slowly raising his hand.

    A thick, yellowish liquid flowed down his cheek, dripping onto his trembling palm. It turned out to be a

    rotten egg.

 Chapter 1494

    Simon''s meticulously groomed hair was now messy, dripping with the rotten egg liquid. Before he could

    react, egg after egg bombarded him.

    "Unscrupulous attorney! Ackey of the tycoons! How can you defend murderers like Sophia? Do you

    have any conscience?"

    A rotten tomato was being hurled at him, sttering red juice everywhere.

    "Despicable viin! You have no humanity as an attorney. How many innocent people have you harmed

    just to wipe the asses of the rich? You''re not worthy of being an attorney! You''re simply insulting the

    profession!"

    Another rotten egg flew toward Simon, hitting him squarely in the face. The smell made it hard for him

    to even open his eyes.

    "You damn beast! Go to hell!"

    "You should die with Sophia!"

    "Rot in hell!"

    Simon''s clean suit was now unrecognizable. Trembling, he dodged left and right in a panic, trying to

    push through the crowd surrounding him.

    But the angry crowd formed a human wall around him, and some even took the opportunity to punch

    and kick him.

    Trapped in a desperate situation, the esteemed top-notch attorney, who usually fought for the rights of

    the wealthy and powerful, couldn''t even protect himself with thew this time.

    It was trulyughable.

    "I-If you keep hitting me, I''ll sue you..."

    Simon''s trembling words were cut off as a ck rock flew through the air and smashed into his head.

    The next moment, his vision turned bloody. His eyes rolled back, and he fell heavily to the ground.

    Coming out of the courtroom, Sean couldn''t contain his overwhelming emotions. He embraced Tatiana

    tightly, disregarding the elders of the Taylors around them.

    "Taty, I didn''t do well. I''ve disappointed you." Sean''s moist eyes were filled with guilt as he tightly

    wrapped his arms around Tatiana''s slender figure.

    "No, Sean. You were amazing. Don''t be so hard on yourself," Tatianaforted him softly. Knowing

    that he was a person with a strong sense of mission and responsibility, she didn''t want him to feel

    guilty.

    "L, what do you think of Sean this time?"

    As Mandy looked at the affectionate young couple, she smiled and asked, "Are you finding him more

    and more pleasing to the eye?"

    Seeing Tatiana''s happy and sweet smile, L felt a pang of heartache. She felt ashamed of herself for

    almost ruining her daughter''s happiness.

    She walked up to them and gently called out, "Sean."

    Sean immediately bowed respectfully. "Madam L."

    "Mom..." Tatiana blushed shyly, leaving Sean''s embrace. However, they didn''t let go of each other''s

    hands. They were still tightly interlocked.

    "Sean, I''ve said a lot of extreme things before. I''m sorry." Unlike a usual elder, L was very humble,

    as she sincerely expressed her apologies.

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    Tatiana was stunned. "Mom, you..."

    Sean''s eyes widened in shock, and he waved his hands frantically. He was scared out of his wits.

    "Madam L, please don''t say that. I didn''t think your words were extreme. You don''t need to apologize

    to me.

    "It''s me who should apologize. I wasn''t able to be by Ms. Tatiana''s side the first time she was in danger.

    I''m not strong enough. But please rest assured, even if I have to risk my life, I won''t let your daughter

    suffer any harm again. I swear!"

    L''s words really shocked him.

    If he dared to hold a grudge against his future mother-inw, he would have to give up on the idea of

    marrying Tatiana.

    Smiling, L nodded with relief, then turned to Tatiana. "Taty, from now on, you must get along well

    with Sean. Don''t bully him just because of your status.

    "Sean, Taty may seem gentle and obedient normally, but she''s actually quite stubborn. Please take

    good care of her."

    After a few seconds of silence, Tatiana suddenly covered her mouth, almost bursting into tears from

    excitement.

    Likewise, Sean was moved, and his heart pounded uncontrobly.

    L''s words, though subtle, carried a clear meaning¡ªshe fully supported them being together.

    On the side, Alyssa and Jasper hugged each other sweetly, enjoying the rare and rxed moment after

    the storm.

    "It''s finally over."

    "Yeah, it''s over."

    Jasper lowered his head and kissed Alyssa''s forehead. His warm lips gradually trailed to her reddened

    earlobes, and he murmured tenderly, "Let me help you bathe tonight. I''m sure you''re exhausted."

    Alyssa''s cheeks flushed. Though she was excited about it, she remained stubborn. "Even if I''m

    exhausted, I still have the strength to bathe." "Lyse, have mercy on me. Can you not be so cruel to

    me?" Jasper pleaded gently with a slight frown. He was ridiculously submissive at this moment.

    Just as Alyssa was about to speak, Xavier''s clear and bright voice suddenly came from afar. "Mr.

    Beckett! Madam! Karma has finally hit the viins! This feels great!"

 Chapter 1495

    Xavier came running over with red-rimmed eyes, looking like he had just finished a good cry.

    As Jasper''s most loyal secretary, he had witnessed Jasper carrying the resentment and oveing

    numerous obstacles to reach this day. When the verdict was announced, he burst into tears outside,

    weeping like a baby.

    "Is everything outside taken care of?" Jasper asked Xavier with a faint smile while holding Alyssa.

    Xavier nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Oh, and my phone was ringing off the hook just now. Almost all

    the famous media outlets in the country have sent interview invitations to you."

    Jasper replied, "I won''t ept any interviews."

    "I know, so I politely declined them on your behalf." Xavier hadn''t calmed down yet. His voice was still

    trembling as he asked, "By the way, do you want to hold a press conference?

    "Now that Madam Anne''s identity has been exposed, your illegitimate child status has been cleared.

    Maybe you should hold a press conference to clear the air for Madam Anne and redeem yourself."

    Alyssa gazed deeply into Jasper''s stunningly handsome face, her eyes showing herplex emotions.

    "Lyse has worked hard for me during this period, and I haven''t had much time to apany her

    properly. Now that the revenge isplete, I don''t feel like holding any press conferences. I just want

    to go out and rx with Lyse to relieve the tension."

    Jasper rested his forehead against Alyssa''s, affectionately rubbing against her. They both smiled

    sweetly.

    At that moment, their mood was so good. Everything was suddenly clear. They felt that even the air

    was sweet.

    "That''s not true. We could bring down Sophia this time mainly because of your efforts. I didn''t do

    much." Alyssa shyly pursed her lips. She didn''t want to take his credit at a moment like this.

    "Lyse, without you and your family''s help, I wouldn''t have been able to avenge my mother so smoothly,

    nor would we obtain such a perfect oue.

    "I owe you and your family forever. From now on, if any of your family members need help, I''ll do my

    best to help them without hesitation," Jasper vowed, his eyes sparkling like stars in the dark sky.

    Alyssa''s beautiful eyes formed into crescents as she tiptoed to nt a gentle kiss on his lips, eliciting a

    flutter in his heart. The desire in his eyes surged, and his hand, holding her slender waist, restlessly

    caressed her.

    "But I heard Mr. Javier is already preparing to abandon Sophiapletely. He''ll issue a statement

    using Beckett Group''s name in the next few days. I wonder if he''ll acknowledge Madam Anne''s status."

    Xavier felt his blood boil at the thought of Sophia arrogantly usurping the position of Mrs. Beckett for so

    long.

    Jasper''s expression instantly darkened. "I don''t need Javier to acknowledge my mom''s status. She''s

    just my mother, with no rtion to the Beckett family or Javier.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "I no longer want to associate my mom''s name with that man''s name. That would be an insult to my

    mom."

    Alyssa sighed softly, feeling sorry for him.

    Although the revenge waspleted, Jasper''s mother would note back to life. He had let go of his

    hatred, but the pain in his heart would never heal.

    In other words, Jasper and Javier would never reconcile.

    "Although I won''t hold any press conferences or issue any statements, I''ll establish a care foundation in

    my mom''s name to care for women and children who have suffered. This foundation belongs only to

    me and my mom and will have nothing to do with the Beckett family."

    "When the foundation is established, I want to be the first to donate." Alyssa held Jasper''s hand.

    Facing each other, she yfully swung his arms left and right, looking innocent like a young girl. "I

    won''t donate in the name of the Taylor family. I''ll donate in my name."

    "Lyse, you don''t need to spend your money. I know you mean well." Jasper loved her so much that he

    wished he could give her everything he had. How could he let her spend her savings?

    He hadn''t even married her yet, and he was already relying on her money?

    "He-he! I came to tell you two about a big piece of good news."

    Xavier''s rxed smile made him look like he had just relieved years of constipation. "Just outside the

    courthouse, Simon was beaten up by a group of people. He bled from his head and passed out. The

    court''s security personnel took him to the hospital."

    Alyssa''s gaze was cold as she shook her head. "He brought this upon himself."

    Jasper said, "Simon has done so many despicable things over the years to please powerful figures. He

    trampled on the rights of themoners and exploited legal loopholes to absolve those tycoons of

    their crimes, abetting evil. Now, he''s finally being consumed by his own demons."

    Jasper''s expression turned cold as he added, "This is the fate of coborating with the viins."

    "That''s not all."

    Xavier''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "I also heard that the heads of more than a dozenw firms in

    Sna City have jointly reported Simon''s many crimes to the Department of Justice and Lawyers

    Association. An investigation by the Department of Justice has been initiated, and the Lawyers

    Association will also revoke hiswyer''s license."

    "Hmph! That guy, who can''t keep his mouth shut even after tasting feces, is finally getting a taste of

    complete defeat and criticism from everyone."

    Alyssa and Jasper smiled at each other.

    They didn''t need to deal with someone like Simon, who had done so much evil with their own hands.

    There were plenty of people queuing up and wanting to kill him.

    "By the way, Xavier, did you see Ss?" Alyssa suddenly remembered that everyone was there except

    for the hero, Ss.

    "Oh, I didn''t run into Mr. Ss, but I did run into Ms. Emerson."

    "Rose? She''s here?" The young couple was surprised.

    At this moment, Ss held arge bouquet of brightly blooming sunflowers, symbolizing victory. He

    grabbed his colleague who delivered him the flowers and asked urgently, "Hey, where''s thedy who

    asked you to deliver the flowers to me?"

 Chapter 1496

    Actually, the flowers were prepared by Rose early on. She knew this would be a winning battle. With

    Ss around, victory was assured.

    After anonymously sending the flowers, Rose quietly walked toward the parking lot alone.

    Her long eyshes fluttered, and so did her heart.

    Ss was dressed sharply in a prosecutor''s sleek ck suit in the courtroom. He passionately debated,

    forcing the viins to show their true sides.

    When Rose recalled his heroic demeanor, her cheeks gradually flushed, and her heart pounded

    uncontrobly.

    "Since you''re here, shouldn''t you at least say hello before leaving, Ms. Emerson?" a familiar and clear

    voice came from behind.

    Rose suddenly stopped in her tracks. After taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around.

    Ss, still dressed in his prosecutor''s uniform, stood tall and straight. He then walked up to her. "Also,

    shouldn''t you tell me what the flowers you sent me mean?"

    Calming herself, Rose met his bright gaze. "Sunflowers symbolize victory."

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Oh, I thought it was because you like me," Ss said, tilting his head slightly and leaning toward her.

    Rose''s heart skipped a beat. She smiled, "You''re quite funny, Mr. Taylor."

    "Am I?"

    Ss'' breath hitched slightly as he stared into her eyes. "Are you not giving me the wrong impression

    again? Last time, it was a kiss. This time flowers. What will it be next? I''m a bit curious."

    "Well, you can be curious. There won''t be a next time anyway." Rose felt inexplicably irritable. She

    turned around to leave.

    Suddenly, Ss pinned her against the wall. His muscr arms made his suit appear slightly taut. "Ms.

    Emerson, what are you doing? Teasing me? Is this fun?"

    He had been single his whole life and hadn''t seen how people flirted, so the words that came out of his

    mouth were quite harsh.

    Rose smiled. "What''s wrong, Mr. Taylor? You can''t handle it?"

    Ss''petitive spirit suddenly red up. He smirked. "You haven''t started the game yet. How do you

    know I can''t handle it?

    "Ms. Emerson, you saidst time that you didn''t mind ying the game of love with me. I''m naturally a

    person who enjoys seeking thrills. If you don''t want to be serious, then I can y along until the end."

    Rose''s heart sank, and a bitterness spread in her chest.

    She knew Ss was a good man. After this, she might not get another chance to encounter such a

    man.

    But with her broken family and her outwardly morous yet internally rotten self, did she really deserve

    him?

    Moreover, he wasn''t just anyone. He was Alyssa''s brother, after all.

    She didn''t deserve love. She didn''t want to hold him back, but she really...

    "Mr. Taylor, since you''ve already said that, it wouldn''t be polite of me not to ept your challenge,"

    Rose replied, dispelling the darkness in her heart.

    She smiled charmingly as she hooked her little finger with his. "It''s just a game, with no real feelings

    involved. Let''s pinky promise."

    Ss lowered his eyes.

    She pursed her lips, feeling a bit resentful.

    However, at that moment, Ss took off the gold badge he had worn on his chest for nearly ten years,

    then took her hand and ced the badge in her palm.

 Chapter 1497

    "Return it to me when you''ve had enough of this game," Ss said.

    Rose''s eyes widened as she looked at the shiny badge in her palm.

    Although Alyssa and Jasper had won the battle and felt rxed, their spirits had been tense for days.

    Suddenly rxing, they felt physically and mentally exhausted. They were eager to go home and have

    a good sleep together in their bed.

    Just as they got into the car, Jasper''s phone rang.

    Alyssa nced at it and saw that it was Landon calling. Her heart skipped a beat. "Jasper, answer it. It

    might be about Lauren."

    Jasper frowned slightly and answered, "Landon, what''s wrong?"

    "Jasper, are you and Lyse together?"

    Landon''s voice sounded urgent and hoarse with worry. "Can youe to my house now? Lauren is

    crying so hard because of Sophia. I can''t do anything. I''m really afraid she''ll hurt herself if she keeps

    crying like this.

    "Can you pleasee over? She''s closest to Lyse. Maybe Lyse canfort her. Please?"

    The couple rushed to Landon''s house without dy.

    They saw Angelina standing at the door from a distance, waiting anxiously.

    "Angelina, how''s Lauren? Where''s Landon?" Alyssa and Jasper hurried over, hand in hand, with

    worried expressions.

    Angelina, usuallyposed, was now visibly distressed. "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, you''re finally here.

    Madam Lauren''s condition is very bad. It seems she''s having an episode."

    Hearing the word "episode", they both felt a sharp pain in their hearts.

    "Madam Lauren used to listen to Mr. Landon the most, but even he couldn''t calm her down. I''m really

    afraid something will happen to her."

    Angelina appeared visibly choked up, showing genuine concern for Lauren. "Mr. Landon has tried

    everything he can think of. I''ve been with him for so many years, and I''ve never seen him so panicked

    and at a loss."

    The more Alyssa listened, the more distressed she felt. She hurried toward the vi.

    "Lauren! Lauren! Please stop crying... Please!"

    Lauren was crouched down in the corner of the living room. With her hands clenched tightly, she

    trembled all over and sobbed uncontrobly. Her face was as pale as a sheet, and her eyes were now

    swollen shut.

    Landon knelt in front of her, holding her tightly in his arms. His ck shirt was wrinkled, stained with

    blood from scratches she inadvertently made in her agitation. "I can do anything for you as long as you

    stop crying. Whatever you want!"

    "Mom... I want to see Mom..." Lauren''s lips quivered, and her voice was almost hoarse.

    Landon''s reddened eyes contracted sharply. "I can''t let you do that."

    "Why? My mom is dying... Can''t I even see her onest time? Why?" Lauren cried out in anguish,

    pushing away the man she loved most in the world with all her might.

    "Sophia killed Jasper''s mother. She''s nothing but a heartless murderer! Why do you want to see her?"

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Landon''s eyes were red. He shouted at her with such a heavy tone for the first time, surprising even

    himself.

    "Has she taken care of you since you were little? Has she treated you and cared for you like a mother?

    Some people are just not fit to be mothers even after giving birth."

    "But she''s dying!"

 Chapter 1498

    "So what?" Landon shouted.

    Lauren stared at Landon in utter bewilderment. Her reddened eyes widened as if they were about to

    tear through her eye sockets.

    Knowing he had misspoken, Landon hung his numb hands helplessly in the air. He was at a loss and in

    panic. "Lauren, I didn''t mean it. I..."

    He forgot that, despite Sophia''s heinous crimes, she was still Lauren''s mother.

    He had always been ruthless and cold-hearted. Sometimes, even Angelina, who had seen all sorts of

    bloodshed and violence, was afraid of him when he got angry.

    He could decisively let go of many things that others cherish. He believed that if he could do it, others

    could too. They just needed to endure the pain.

    Suddenly, Lauren screamed. As if she didn''t recognize Landon anymore, she pushed him away

    forcefully while he was distracted and ran toward the door without looking back.

    "Lauren!" Shocked, Landon felt his blood run cold.

    "Lauren!"

    Fortunately, Alyssa and Jasper arrived in time and intercepted the out-of-control Lauren.

    "Lauren, it''s me, Jasper! Please calm down!" Jasper tightly embraced his sister, his heart aching.

    Seeing Lauren''s pale face, already showing signs of convulsions, Alyssa made a decisive decision. "Do

    you have any sedatives at home? Bring them out. I''ll give her an injection."

    Upon hearing the order, Angelina immediately went to fetch them, but Landon urgently stopped her.

    "No! Don''t give Lauren those drugs again!"

    She was the woman he loved the most. How could he bear to stick needles into her body?

    After using them once before, Landon had never given them to her again.

    Lauren was such a lovely and lively woman. But once she was injected with sedatives, she would turn

    into a fragile, delicate, and lifeless mush. He didn''t want Lauren to suffer like that again.

    "Don''t give her the sedatives! I canfort her!" Landon''s eyes were red, but he still insisted.

    "If you could, Lauren wouldn''t be like this right now!"

    Alyssa was a doctor and had lived with the Beckett family for three years. She knew exactly how to

    handle such situations. So, she took a strong stance.

    "Are you the doctor, or am I? Lauren is your girlfriend, but she''s also my sister! Listen to me, Angelina.

    Get the sedatives!"

    Yes, Ms. Alyssa!" Angelina felt that Alyssa was more reliable, so she obediently followed the order.

    After getting the sedatives, Jasper held Lauren tightly while Angelina helped to restrain her. It seemed

    like two medical staff members were controlling a mentally disturbed patient.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    Frowning, Alyssa skillfully injected the needle into Lauren''s delicate, fair skin and slowly administered

    the sedative intravenously.

    Jasper''s brows furrowed as well.

    Landon, who loved Lauren the most, was like a powerless outsider at this moment. He stood by

    helplessly, unable to do anything.

    After the sedative was administered, Lauren''s eyes gradually became unfocused. She gradually lost

    strength in Jasper''s arms, like a puppet whose soul had been drained, slowly closing her eyes.

    "Lauren..."

    Unable to hold back any longer, Landon rushed forward and snatched Lauren back from Jasper''s arms.

    With bloodshot eyes, he held her tightly in his arms and refused to let go.

    "What happened, Landon?" Jasper spoke sternly, like a parent.

    "Did you let her watch the trial? Are you out of your mind?" Alyssa was also furious, joining Jasper in

    confronting him.

    "Even if Sophia is a despicable criminal, she''s still Lauren''s mother. And you know Lauren''s condition.

    Aren''t you just provoking her? Most ordinary people would have a hard time epting that fact, yet

    you''re throwing it at her all at once. It''s no wonder she has lost her mind!"

 Chapter 1499

    Watching Landon''s anxious, bloodshot eyes, Angelina felt a pang of heartache.

    In fact, she had initially disagreed with Landon''s approach of letting Lauren face reality. She felt it was

    too cruel for someone as fragile as Lauren.

    However, the news of Sophia''s death sentence couldn''t be hidden forever. It was better to handle it

    promptly than to let it explodeter.

    Yet, she overestimated Landon''s control over Lauren and underestimated Lauren''s power during her

    episode.

    "Angelina, take Lauren back to her room to rest."

    Jasper then turned to Landon with concern. "Landon, you''re not in a good state either. Let Angelina

    look after Lauren for now."

    Angelina carefully took Lauren from Landon''s embrace and effortlessly carried her, steadily making her

    way upstairs.

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged bewildered nces.

    Angelina, whom Landon had raised since childhood, could easily rece a grown man.

    "I just wanted... I just wanted Lauren to ept the reality. I didn''t expect it would turn out like this."

    Landon dropped his arms. He gasped heavily, feeling as if his entire being were being boiled in hot oil.

    "Sophia never cared about Lauren. I thought... I thought Lauren had already epted this reality. I

    thought she wouldn''t¡ª"

    "You thought, you thought! Have you ever thought about Lauren?" Alyssa''s anger red up at his

    words.

    She took two quick steps forward and grabbed Landon''s cor. "Since you flirted with Lauren, you

    brought her to live with you, away from the Becketts.

    "And then forcibly introduced her to the Harpers, subjecting her to the scrutiny of your grandfather and

    mother. Now you''re imposing your thoughts on her, thinking she can ept and bear it!

    "Where does your confidencee from? Is this really all for Lauren? Have you ever put yourself in

    her shoes? Have you ever cared about her feelings?"

    "Lyse..." Jasper''s eyes faltered. He wanted to calm her down, but he was afraid of saying too much.

    After all, he wasn''t quite good atforting someone.

    Recalling everything that had happened, Landon felt a sharp pain in his heart, and his eyes dimmed.

    He had never asked whether Lauren liked it or wanted it.

    Her obedience, gentleness, andpliance often made him overlook her true feelings. Every time he

    suggested something, she would say, "Okay."

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    And every time he gave her something, even the passionate love that almost broke her in half every

    night, she would say, "I love you."

    "I love you. I really love you, Landon."

    But this time, he suddenly realized that he was wrong.

    He thought he was considering her and that he was selfless and great, but he never considered

    whether Lauren wanted this and could bear it.

    "Landon, although you and Lauren bothe from wealthy families, you''re twopletely different

    beings from two different families. What you ought to do is immerse yourself in her gentle world with

    ample love and patience.

    "Not disregarding her feelings and forcibly tying her to you. And certainly not isting her from the

    world, cutting off her normal social needs, and confining her!" Alyssa used him vehemently.

    When she released her grip on Landon, he actually staggered weakly.

    "I''ve told you countless times that what you''re doing is of no benefit to Lauren''s condition. You should

    let her go out more. Let her make friends and have her own life instead of keeping her like a caged

    canary!"

 Chapter 1500

    Alyssa continued, "Lauren likes art. She''s exceptionally gifted in painting and has the potential to

    be a brilliant artist. Have you ever seriously nurtured her talent? Why haven''t you hired a teacher

    to teach her painting?

    "Why haven''t you sent her to prestigious art schools for further studies? Is her talent only meant to

    entertain you and make you happy? Do you know you''re wasting her time and holding her back?"

    Landon felt like there was a massive hole in his heart that was causing him pain. "I''m not wasting

    Lauren''s time. I''m not holding her back. Lauren is the only woman I want in my life. From the beginning,

    you and Jasper have known that I want to marry her!"

    "What difference does it make if you marry her? It''ll just be repeating the same days, or even worse."

    Alyssa shook her head in disappointment. "If you''re incapable of taking care of Lauren, then you

    shouldn''t have made promises. This is not the first time she has had her episodes, but this is definitely

    the most severe. There''ll be many more times in the next few decades.

    "Can you handle it? Can you endure it? You''re not a patient person to begin with. You''ve been

    amodating and enduring just because you''re in the honeymoon phase with Lauren!

    "But 10 or 20 years from now, when your love and patience have worn thin, will you still take care of

    Lauren with the same dedication? Will you still kneel down andfort her like you did today?"

    "I can! Why wouldn''t I?" Landon''s voice was hoarse as he shouted at Alyssa. "Lyse, I know I''m not a

    good person. I know I haven''t done enough for Lauren, but you shouldn''t doubt my love for her! You

    shouldn''t insult me with these doubts!"

    "Enough, Landon!" Jasper quickly stepped forward to shield Alyssa, wrapping his arm around her

    shoulder. He fixed his deep gaze on Landon. "Lyse didn''t mean it that way. She''s just worried about

    Lauren. No one in the Beckett family has ever been truly dedicated to Lauren, including me.

    "The only person who has apanied and cared for Lauren is Lyse. Seeing Lauren in so much pain

    makes her feel worse than you. She''s being harsh because she cares."

    Alyssa pursed her lips, feeling the burning sensation in her throat from shouting at Landon too loudly

    just now.

    Her words were truly harsh, but she was just afraid that something might happen to Lauren.

    She didn''t mean to separate them, but their current way of interacting was clearly unhealthy. Lauren''s

    condition prevented her from having control of their rtionship, so she had to wake Landon up.

    Otherwise, unintentional hurt would be inflicted constantly.

    "Autism can be divided into hyper-sensitivity and hypo-sensitivity. Unfortunately, Lauren is the former.

    It''s often because her thoughts are too delicate, her empathy is stronger than ordinary people''s, that

    she''s easily stimted, and her actions be uncontroble."

    Alyssa leaned against Jasper. Now that she had calmed down, her expression was mncholy.

    "Moreover, Sophia is her mother. Although she''s a monstrous and unforgivable murderer, she has

    raised Lauren since childhood.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "With her own mother sentenced to death and her dearest brother''s mother being the victim of her

    mother, it''s natural for Lauren to copse. You should have anticipated this."

    Landon clutched his hands tightly, his gaze bing unfocused. "Lauren said she wanted to see

    Sophia. I refused her, so things turned out like this. Did I really make a mistake?"

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged nces, sighing simultaneously.

    After a moment of contemtion, Jasper stepped forward and ced a firm hand on Landon''s

    shoulder. "Landon, take Lauren to see Sophia. After all, they''re mother and daughter. It''s only right for

    Lauren to say goodbye to her."

    Landon froze, feeling conflicted. "But Sophia is your enemy..."

    "That''s a different story. And besides, we''ve already avenged ourselves. She has paid the price for it,

    and that''s enough." Jasper smiled faintly, a sense of relief evident in his eyes.

 Chapter 1501

    Jasper had not let go of his hatred for Sophia, nor had he be indifferent to the pain his mother had

    suffered. However, if he dwelled on the hatred, it would not only cause him to sink into misery but also

    make those around him unhappy.

    Alyssa nodded in agreement, sighing. "Landon, I know you and Jasper are like brothers, but you have

    Lauren now. You two are a family. Can you put her first next time? Don''t always think about my man."

    Jasper and Landon were both speechless at her words.

    "Also, don''t think that Lauren wanting to see Sophia is a betrayal to us. She just wants to see Sophia

    onest time. This actually shows her pure heart and kindness. If Lauren were as resentful as Betty,

    wishing to deny her own origins, then you should be afraid."

    Considering Lauren''s unstable condition, Alyssa decided not to return that night, even if it meant not

    sleeping to take care of her.

    Since she wasn''t leaving, Jasper naturally had to stay with her.

    Knowing Alyssa''s high requirements for sleep, Jasper called Xavier and asked him to bring over her

    pajamas, skincare products, and aromatherapy oils, even if it was just a one-night stay. He wanted to

    set up the bedroom for her to ensure she could sleep peacefully.

    At night, Alyssa went to find Angelina to inquire about Lauren''s condition.

    On the other hand, Jasper called Landon to the dining room and opened a bottle of red wine to ease

    his mood.

    However, Landon, who usually loved drinking, had a dark expression and showed no interest in

    drinking.

    "Landon, I''ve been thinking. After Lauren wakes up, how about letting her stay with Lyse for a few

    days?" Jasper looked at Landon seriously.

    Upon hearing that, Landon was taken aback. He mmed the table. "Jasper, what have I done to

    make you distrust me? You want to take Lauren away from me?"

    Jasper frowned. "I''m not taking her away. It''s just that Lauren''s condition is unstable. Staying with Lyse

    for a few days might help ease her mood."

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Are you all so worried about me being with her? Am I not worthy of your trust?"

    After a pause, Jasper replied, "To be honest, given what happened today, you really didn''t inspire much

    confidence in us."

    "Fuck!" Landon''s eyes turned red. He almost wished he could smash the bottle in frustration.

    "You''ve never been an emotionally stable person, Landon. Being with Lauren, you''ve been changing

    and trying to control yourself. But character is something that flows in your blood. You''re almost 30.

    How could you possibly change?"

    Lowering his eyes, Jasper suddenly said something almost uneptable to Landon. "Landon, I know

    you love Lauren, but if this rtionship is causing you a lot of pain, then I think it''s time for you to

    reconsider. It''s not toote."

    Landon''s temples throbbed. "What... did you say?"

    "But if after the honeymoon phase, you can''t bear it anymore and want to withdraw or even neglect

    Lauren, Lyse and I won''t let you off. I''ll turn the Harper family upside down for my only sister."

 Chapter 1502

    In an instant, Landon felt like he had been shot in the heart. The pain caused his sturdy body to

    tremble.

    "Back in the Beckett family, Lauren had no sense of self, and she wasn''t happy at all. Now that she''s

    with you, she''s be the woman you keep by your side, living life ording to your arrangements

    and preferences. I don''t think being toopliant is good for her."

    Jasper lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine. "Take a few days apart from each other to calm down.

    It''s a chance to think about the future of your rtionship and how you want to proceed."

    "Jasper... do you even hear what you''re saying?"

    Landon mmed his hands on the table, causing the wine in the ss decanter to ripple. His eyes

    were redder than the wine within.

    "When you pursued Alyssa, I never once asked you to give up! Now, when I need advice, you don''t

    help... and you even want me to give up?

    "In the end, I''m just a worthless and irresponsible bastard in your eyes! You never wanted Lauren and

    me to be together. From the beginning, you never intended to truly entrust Lauren to me! I really regret

    ever being friends with you!"

    Jasper frowned at those words. "Landon, you''re being too one-sided."

    "If it was Alyssa, and I asked you to give up on her, could you? I''m asking you, could you?"

    Landonughed bitterly. "You couldn''t, could you? Losing Alyssa would kill you, wouldn''t it? Well, it''s

    the same for me. What''s the fucking point of me living if I lose Lauren?

    "When you said I should reconsider this rtionship and take Lauren away from me... you''re killing me.

    Not only that, you''re scattering my ashes!"

    "Lyse and Lauren are different. How much can Lauren endure? Not to mention setbacks, just the

    slightest stimulus could make her world copse!"

    Jasper''s eyes darkened. His worry and anxiety at this moment were as if he were choosing a son-in-

    law for his daughter. "She can''t endure what ordinary people can, and she can''t withstand what

    ordinary people can bear.

    "To love her, you need courage, determination, and patience far beyond those of ordinary people. But

    your actions today have clearly shown that you''ve lost patience. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have handled

    the situation so forcefully."

    Landon''s heart sank, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

    This time, he had indeed been in the wrong, and he couldn''t me anyone else. Just as the tension

    reached its peak, a clear and loud voice rang out. "What''s with all the noise in the middle of the night?"

    Both men looked up and saw Alyssa standing with her hands on her hips. Her gaze was sharp as she

    looked at them from the direction of the living room.

    "Lauren''s awake, but she''s a bit weak," Alyssa said, herplex gaze falling on Landon''s gloomy face.

    "Go in and see her."

    Landon felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He rushed madly upstairs.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa walked up to Jasper. She couldn''t help but frown and sigh softly.

    Seeing her visibly tired, Jasper felt a pang of heartache. He reached out to take her hand and pulled

    her gently between his open legs. He then wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

    Remaining seated, he looked up at her, his gaze burning with affection. As he rubbed her waist

    indentation, he said softly, "Are you tired? I''ll apany you back to the room. Take a rest first. Lauren

    has me here. You don''t need to worry."

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "I''m not tired." Alyssa''s voice was light.

    "You''re not tired? You''re toozy to even say one more word."

    Jasper picked her up and ced her on hisp. Leaning down, he kissed her softly on her crimson lips.

    His Adam''s apple bobbed. "If you don''t want to go back to the room, just rest in my arms."

    "No way. Your body is so hard. It''s notfortable at all."

 Chapter 1503

    Despiteining about difort, Alyssa nestledfortably against his chest and sighed,

    "These two really worry me."

    "Lauren just had an argument with Landon. Is it appropriate to leave them alone now?" Jasper asked in

    a low voice.

    "Lauren still loves Landon. I know that. After this incident, Landon must also realize his mistake. Let

    him go in andfort Lauren. The person who caused the problem should be the one to solve it."

    Jasper nodded, smoothing the strands of hair that had fallen beside her cheek with his fingertips.

    "You''re right."

    "Angelina just told me that Cornelius will convene a shareholder meeting for the Harper Group this

    month. He''s officially appointing Landon as the president of Harper Group and letting him enter the

    board of directors. Then he''ll go to the Beckett family to propose marriage."

    Jasper''s eyes flickered, but he didn''t say anything.

    "What''s wrong? You don''t look too happy. Do you not approve of this marriage?"

    Alyssa lifted her hand to gently stroke his sharply defined face. "Don''t be fooled by my anger toward

    him. I really care about them. I just want them to be happy. I''m afraid Landon won''t take good care of

    Lauren, so I wanted to give him a warning.

    "They love each other. How could I not want them to be together? If they can get married... Lauren will

    have her own family in the future."

    "I''m happy. I just feel that as Landon''s best friend, I can''t help much with his marriage," Jasper said

    helplessly, with a hint of guilt between his brows.

    "He''ll have to go see Javier to propose, and right now, I can''t talk in front of that man. Plus,st time...

    Landon stood up for me, which made Javier very unhappy.

    "My narrow-minded father has always held grudges. If he gets the chance, he''ll definitely make Landon

    pay for it."

    "So, you think Javier will hinder your best friend''s marriage?" Alyssa blinked.

    "It''s not that I think so. It''s certain." Jasper smirked coldly. "I have no hope for Javier''s character."

    "I''ve been thinking. It''s best to settle their marriage as soon as possible."

    Alyssa, with her meticulous thinking and genuine concern for Lauren''s future, had a more thorough

    thought.

    "As you know, Javier won''t agree to this marriage easily. At the Jesseltons'' partyst time, Landon

    embarrassed Javier in front of so many Sna City elites.

    "If he agrees to marry his daughter to Landon, he''ll feel like he''s be theughingstock of the entire

    Sna City. Others will only think that the Harper family has control over him. How could the proud Mr.

    Javier bear that?

    "Now, while Grandpa is still strong, let him take the lead and push forward this marriage."

    Jasper widened his eyes at her words. As if rewarding her, he grabbed her around her waist. "Lyse,

    you''re so clever. Why didn''t I think of that?

    "Grandpa likes Landon very much and even sees him as his grandson. With Grandpa taking the lead,

    Javier won''t be able to obstruct!"

    When Landon entered the room, Lauren was weakly leaning against the headboard. Her eyes were

    dull and lifeless, while her gaze was vacant.

    A surge of heart-wrenching pain overwhelmed him, almost suffocating him. He had a hard time even

    breathing.

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Angelina stood by with a bowl of chicken soup, wanting to feed Lauren. But no matter how she

    persuaded her, Lauren refused to open her mouth.

    "Lauren..."

    Upon hearing Landon''s hoarse call, Lauren seemed to be stimted. She immediately closed her eyes

    tightly and clutched her head, curling her thin body into a trembling ball.

    Landon stood stiffly by the bedside, feeling as if a huge stone had been smashed onto his heaving

    chest. Tears of regret and heartache swirled in his eyes.

 Chapter 1504

    Landon med himself for what he had done.

    If only he could have a little more patience. If only he could consider Lauren a bit more.

    "Don''t rush it, Mr. Landon. Take it slow," Angelinaforted him softly.

    Just as she was about to leave, Lauren suddenly hugged her from behind and cried out, "Angie, don''t

    leave! Don''t leave!"

    "Madam Lauren, don''t be afraid. It''s Mr. Landon," Angelina quickly reassured her.

    "Don''t leave... Please..."

    "Alright, I won''t leave. I''ll stay with you." Angelina looked at the pale-faced Landon and felt both bitter

    and conflicted.

    With reddened eyes, Landon knelt in front of Lauren. He wanted to hold her hand, but she avoided him.

    "I know I was wrong. If I ever say anything harsh to you again... you... you can let Richie out to bite me,

    okay?"

    Lauren bit her lip tightly. Even with blood beads forming on her lips, she didn''t say a word.

    "Punish me however you want, but please don''t ignore me... Darling, please..."

    The formidable and fearsome Landon was reduced to nothing in front of his beloved.

    In this aspect, he and Jasper were quite alike.

    "You wanted to see your mom onest time, right? You can go."

    Landon choked up toward the end of his words. "Even if it''s not thest time, even if it''s two or three

    times... you can do whatever you want to do. I''ll apany you."

    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Landon... I''m sorry..."

    The weight of guilt bore down on Landon as he listened to Lauren apologizing to him in her soft voice.

    He hugged her tightly, feeling his blood heat up as if he had regained something he had lost.

    He would never demand anything from her again.

    The torment was more unbearable than killing him.

    That sudden falling stone sessfully gave Simon a concussion and required eight stitches on his

    forehead.

    Upon discovering that their highly anticipated eldest son had be a pariah, the Lynch couple was

    so frightened that they couldn''t bear it.

    Unable to withstand the shock, Sinead suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.

    When Sean received a call from his father, he was at Heightsnew Vi. Learning that his mother had

    suffered a heart attack, he was full of anxiety and prepared to go to the hospital to visit her.

    "Sean, let me apany you."

    This time, Tatiana showed no signs of hesitation. She grasped his hand tightly and refused to let go.

    "Your family has so many troubles now. You alone might have a hard time handling it. I can be of a little

    help. Your mom''s sick. I''m more meticulous than you. I can surely take better care of her."

    Sean felt grateful but hesitated. "Taty, thank you... but my family..."

    Tatiana quickly pressed her fingertips against his lips. Smiling gently, she shook her head. "As long as I

    have your heart and you love me, I can face it, no matter how difficult. I''m not afraid. I have to meet my

    parents-inw sooner orter, right?"

    Sean''s breath caught. He pulled her into his arms and said affectionately, "I love you so much, Taty."

 Chapter 1505

    Sean and Tatiana didn''t dare dy and hurried to the hospital.

    Sean held Tatiana''s hand as they arrived at the ward. At the door, they could hear Simon, the

    unrepentant bastard, shouting inside, mixed with Sinead''s sobbing.

    "Dad! Mom! I''m in this state today all because of Sean, that double-cross dickhead! He''s your son and

    my own brother, but did you see what he did in court?

    "He''s been working for Jasper and Alyssa, acting as their pawn! And it''s his own brother he''s ruining!

    I''m going to be doomed because of him!"

    Simon was in a rage, swearing profusely. No one could imagine that the one speaking behind the

    closed door was none other than Simon Lynch, thewyer who once enjoyed unparalleled prestige in

    Sna City.

    Sean''s anger red up. His sharp jawline tensed, and he clenched his fists so hard that the cracking

    was audible.

    Tatiana heard everything clearly as well. She squeezed his hand tightly and stared into his reddened

    eyes. She subtly shook her head, indicating that he should calm down.

    "Dad! You''ve worked like a dog for the Taylor family for most of your life, and now they''re starting to

    treat your precious son like a pawn! They used that lovechild from their family to seduce Sean so that

    they could manipte him and drive a wedge between us!"

    Simon''s voice was piercing. "After you retired, I worked so hard to restore our family''s reputation over

    the years... and now everything has been ruined by Jasper and Alyssa! Even now, that idiot Sean still

    can''t see the situation clearly.

    "He shamelessly sticks with the Taylor family. That bitch is just ying with him! When she''s drained

    him of his worth, she''ll kick him away! Does he not know about equal partners? How could he possibly

    be worthy of Winston''s daughter?"

    Every word was like a dagger to Tatiana''s heart. The pain tore her apart, making her bow her head in

    self-loathing.

    She was the conflict that would forever exist between Sean and his family.

    She really had messed up his once-peaceful life. At this thought, she med herself for being useless.

    "You bastard who speaks rubbish!" Sean''s eyes were aze with rage. His patience finally wore thin as

    he burst through the door.

    Although they were siblings, Simon had always been jealous of Sean''s intelligence and talents since

    childhood, constantly belittling and mocking him.

    Whatever Sean said, Simon always refuted it. Whatever Sean wanted to do, Simon always opposed

    him, always mocking and ridiculing him. And he did it all under the guise of being a brother. He thought

    he was acting in Sean''s best interests, but in reality, he was bullying him.

    For so many years, Sean had endured it for the sake of family ties and to avoid worrying his parents.

    But now, he dared insult the woman he loved. If he continued to endure, what kind of man would he

    be?

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    "Sean! Don''t..." Tatiana''s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to stop him, but it was toote.

    The door opened abruptly with a heavy thud, startling the Lynches.

    It was like a wake-up call for them, curing Simon''s headaches from the concussion and silencing

    Sinead''s crying.

    "Simon! Shut your filthy mouth!"

    Sean stared at Simon with intense hatred. Though Simon''s head wrapped in bandages lookedical,

    Sean showed no trace of amusement in his eyes, only raging fury. "If you dare to say another word

    about Taty, you won''t just have a concussion! I''ll make sure of it!"

    "D-Did I say something wrong?" Simon''s lips twitched. Trembling with fear, he subconsciously sought

    his father''s help with his eyes.

 Chapter 1506

    Simon was already in his 30s and still seeking his father''s protection when trouble arose. It was truly

    laughable.

    "Taty and I genuinely love each other. Everything you said is nothing but nonsense and nder!"

    Sean, full of indignation, spoke with unwavering righteousness. His words were resounding as if he and

    Simon were once again standing in a courtroom engaged in a heated debate. "I''ve done everything out

    of my own will. No one forced me!

    "I stand with Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett because they speak up for the weak in society. They have

    hearts set on righteousness! Unlike you, who aid and abet others, only seeking personal gain! Your

    current state is a result of your own actions. It''s your karma!"

    "Dad! Mom! Do you hear what Sean is saying?"

    Simon''s arrogant demeanor in front of Sean diminished. He began to y the victim in front of his

    parents, trying to whitewash himself and use his parents to pressure Sean.

    "I''m awyer. Awyer''s duty is to win cases for their clients! Does representing someone with

    opposing beliefs automatically make me a viin?

    "Even without me, Beckett Group would have hired someone else to represent Sophia in court. Does

    that mean everyone who defends them is evil? I think you''ve really fallen for Alyssa''s tricks! You''re just

    a puppet in the Taylors'' hands!"

    Tatiana stood outside the ward, listening to the unabashed argument. She felt as if a chill had frozen

    her entire body.

    Sinead''s face turned pale at Simon''s words. She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe. "What

    wrong have we done? Why must they harm us like this?"

    Simon, whileforting his mother, continued to sow discord. He even started pretending. "Sean, I

    know you want to please your girlfriend and gain the Taylor family''s favor. But you can''t turn against

    your own family!

    "I''m your biological brother. How can you forsake sibling affection for a woman?"

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Sean''s heart burned with anger. Just as he was about to speak up, Spencer, who had remained silent,

    suddenly spoke up.

    "Sean, Ms. Tatiana is outside, right? She''s Mr. Taylor''s daughter. That makes her a distinguished guest.

    It''s not right to leave a guest standing outside. Let her in."

    "Spencer, you..." Sinead frowned, clearly displeased.

    Sean knew his parents didn''t like Tatiana. Despite their long rtionship, his parents had never once

    mentioned meeting Tatiana.

    Yet now, his father had relented. There was no reason for him not to be happy.

    Sean immediately went outside the door and took Tatiana''s trembling hand. With a smile of happiness

    in his eyes, he pulled her inside. It was as if his dream of marrying her hade true.

    Frowning, Spencer stared at Sean.

    He could tell Sean was wholly enamored by Tatiana. As a man, how could he not see the intense love

    in Sean''s eyes?

    "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Lynch."

    Tatiana released Sean''s hand and politely bowed to the elderly couple. With her graceful and charming

    demeanor, it was evident she came from a distinguished background and had been well-educated by

    Winston and L.

    Prepared with a rebuttal, Spencer found himself at a loss for words upon seeing Tatiana. No matter

    how he framed it, it seemed cruel to confront this delicatedy.

    "How are you, Mrs. Lynch? Do you feel better now?"

 Chapter 1507

    Tatiana suppressed her grievances and forced out the brightest smile she could muster, even adding a

    hint of sweetness to her tone as she spoke, "I heard you were ill, Mrs. Lynch. Sean rushed over to see

    you. He really cared for you.

    "If you don''t mind, may I look after you these days? Just let me know whatever you want to eat.

    Whether it''s soup, stew, or snacks, I can make them for you."

    Observing this, Sean felt his heart ache again. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her

    tightly against him.

    He pitied her.

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    He pitied her for trying so hard to please his parents and for sacrificing herself just to leave a good

    impression on them.

    She was his treasure. Yet, at this moment, he felt like he was tarnishing her.

    Sinead was initially pleased to see the daughter of the Taylor family showing such concern for her.

    However, upon witnessing Sean being affectionate with Tatiana, she felt a pang of jealousy. She

    thought Tatiana was merely trying to win them over and seduce her son, not acting out of genuine

    kindness.

    The next moment, Sinead sneered. "No need to trouble you, Ms. Tatiana. My son has hired a

    specialized caregiver to take care of me. You''re a nobledy. My life might be cut short if I let you serve

    me."

    Tatiana''s breath caught in her throat. Embarrassed, she bit down on her lower lip, her fair cheeks

    blushing.

    "Mom! Taty means well. Even if you don''t appreciate it, you shouldn''t say such sarcastic words to hurt

    her feelings!" Frowning, Sean tightened his grip on Tatiana''s waist.

    "What did I say? How was I being sarcastic? Do I not even have the right to speak now?"

    Sinead''s eyes were red with anger. She mmed her fist on the bed in frustration. "They say a son

    forgets his mother when he gets married. She hasn''t even set foot in our family''s door, and you''ve

    already forgotten about me?"

    "Mom, please calm down. You''ve just emerged from the brink of death." Beside her, Simon patted

    Sinead''s back, ying the dutiful son.

    Meanwhile, Spencer watched as his wifeunched a verbal assault on Tatiana. He hesitated several

    times to intervene but ultimately remained silent.

    Sinead clutched at her chest. Her icy gaze fell upon Tatiana''s delicate, flushed skin. "Ms. Tatiana, there

    were some things I wanted to discuss with you privately, but since you''re here today, I might as well tell

    you.

    "I do not approve of you being with Sean."

    Tatiana froze in ce, feeling as if she had been struck by lightning. A tremendous sense of humiliation

    coursed through her entire being.

    "Mom!" Sean''s voice trembled with anguish.

    "Although I have three sons, Sean is undoubtedly the one I cherish the most. When choosing his wife, I

    don''t care about her background or social status. I only hope she is honest and kind-hearted.

    "If Sean is with a person like that, I can let go of all my worries. I won''t have to fear him being used as a

    pawn or being manipted. I won''t have to lower my head like a servant in front of her family just

    because his status doesn''t match his partner''s."

    "That''s enough! Stop!"

    Sean couldn''t bear to listen anymore. He grabbed Tatiana''s cold hand and attempted to leave. "Don''t

    listen to them, Taty. Let''s go."

    But no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn''t move her.

    Sinead showed no signs of stopping. She continued to speak cruel words. "In front of you, Sean is just

    a subordinate, a tool to be used. But in my eyes, he is my precious son. Just consider that your family

    is out of our league, Ms. Tatiana. Can you let my son go, please?"

 Chapter 1508

    Tatiana felt like she was being plunged into an icy abyss, with a hurricane of cold sweeping through her

    chest. The flush of embarrassment on her cheeks drained away, leaving her face pale.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    As she looked into Sinead''s tear-filled eyes, she saw through her pretense and detected the disdain in

    her heart.

    In the past, she might have turned and fled, hiding in a corner and wallowing in self-pity and tears. But

    this time, an inexplicable courage surged within her¡ªa courage to face the Lynches directly.

    She loved Sean. That was all.

    Was love wrong? Why should she bow down to them?

    If she ran away in disgrace now, wouldn''t she be tacitly agreeing that what Sinead said was true?

    "Ms. Tatiana, do you understand what I''m saying?" Sinead still appeared frail and helpless, but her tone

    was icy.

    Sean''s shoulders trembled with anger. The veins in his neck bulged as if about to burst. "You can vent

    your anger at me! How dare you speak to the woman I love like this? What has Taty done to deserve

    this treatment from you?"

    "Sean, how dare you speak to your mother like that? This is absurd!" Spencer finally couldn''t hold back

    and reprimanded him sharply.

    This marked the first time Spencer had encountered such a situation. He felt both anger and

    bewilderment¡ªbewildered by the abrupt transformation of his usually obedient and considerate

    youngest son, who now found himself in conflict with the entire family over a woman.

    His wife''s worries were not unfounded. This beautiful woman, who was capable of capturing men''s

    hearts, was too intimidating. She had diverted his son''s attention entirely. If she continued to

    manipte Sean like this, he wouldpletely break ties with the family.

    Sinead''s eyes burned with anger. Gritting her teeth, she red at Tatiana. "What did I do? I was just

    having a woman-to-woman chat with Ms. Tatiana. What''s the use of telling you? Can you even

    understand?

    "Ms. Tatiana, you''re Mr. Taylor and L''s daughter. Even though you''re not born to his first wife like

    Alyssa, you''re still his flesh and blood. You''ve received a high-level education since childhood. You''re

    understanding, considerate, and reasonable. I believe you understand my intentions.

    "If you truly love Sean, you should let him go. You shouldn''t force him to choose between love and

    family or condemn him to a life without dignity. Don''t you agree?"

    A loud buzz filled Sean''s mind. Under tremendous anger, his vision of Sinead''s face gradually blurred.

    Was this the same mother who had raised him with love and care?

    She had such possessiveness and a desire for control.

    When did this maternal love be so distorted?

    Spencer''s pupils contracted slightly.

    He also felt that his wife''s words were too much. But if she didn''t act like this, how could the Lynch

    family save their dignity? How could Sean cleanly break away from Tatiana?

    Sean''s temples throbbed with rage. Just as he was about to speak, Tatiana bravely met Sinead''s

    hostile gaze and said calmly, "Mrs. Lynch, I''m sorry, but I don''t understand what you mean."

    The Lynches'' expressions changed abruptly.

    Even Sean was stunned; the usually gentle and timid woman was standing up for herself for the first

    time.

    "W-What did you say?" Sinead''s expression stiffened, not expecting Tatiana to dare to talk back.

    "Sean and I truly love each other. You know that, yet you turn a blind eye and repeatedly try to break us

    apart. May I ask why?"

    With reddened eyes, Tatiana took a deep breath.

    These words had been pent up in her heart for too long. The swirl ofplicated emotions at this

    moment made her unable to hold back any longer. She had to speak out to relieve herself.

    "Though I deeply love Sean, I have never wanted to cling to him. Neither I nor my family would ever

    tarnish your family''s reputation or hold you back."

 Chapter 1509

    Tatiana continued, "And also, you said that Lyse has been using Sean, trampling on his dignity, and

    even imed that my family looks down on him. These are all baseless usations.

    "If it were true, my parents would never have agreed to my rtionship with Sean, and my father

    wouldn''t have acknowledged him as his godson."

    The Lynch couple was shocked. Godson? When did that happen? Howe they had never heard

    Sean mention it?

    Recalling this, Simon felt jealousy and resentment bubbling up inside him.

    All these years, he had been currying favor with everyone he could, only to have Sean be

    Winston''s godson just because he was close with the Taylors.

    If he had known things would turn out like this, he would have tried to ingratiate himself with the Taylor

    family from the beginning. Perhaps by now, he would have be a son-inw or even the Director of

    Legal Affairs at KS Group.

    Then Sean wouldn''t be in the picture at all.

    Forget being a godson. He would have happily settled for being a god-grandson. That would have put

    him above everyone else.

    "But if you look down on me because my mother is L, the thirddy of the Taylor family, then I can

    only feel regret and disappointment for your shallow, materialistic mindset."

    Tatiana''s usually gentle and delicate expression suddenly stiffened. Her tone became colder. "I cannot

    change my background, nor do I wish to. I have never been ashamed of my mother.

    "On the contrary, my mother has endured hardships and suffered in ways you can never imagine. She

    has been my pride all along. However, I won''t me you for your coldness and ridicule. After all, you

    are Sean''s mother."

    Sinead''s heart suddenly tightened. A flush of shame rose to her cheeks, as if Tatiana''s words were a

    stinging p.

    "But I hope that this is thest time I hear such words from you."

    Sean stared at Tatiana''s fearless face, his heart pounding wildly.

    Since childhood, Tatiana had always been hiding behind Alyssa. She had been gentle and soft-spoken,

    like a little white rabbit cradled in the palm of his hand.

    But at this moment, Tatiana seemed to have grown up in an instant, breaking through herself. Her

    beautiful and chic demeanor made her look a little like Alyssa.

    No. She was unlike anyone else. She was the Taty he loved.

    Spencer watched as his wife was silenced, unable to say a word.

    On one hand, he couldn''t possibly argue with a young woman like Tatiana, as it would be too

    undignified. On the other hand, his wife''s words were indeed harsh, and anyone would have retaliated.

    Sinead was taken aback. Her lips trembled, and her mind momentarily went nk. Her previously

    commanding demeanor dissipated as well.

    "Ms. Tatiana, you''re saying as if our family is blind and filled with viins."

    As an instigator, how could Simon not fuel the fire?Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    He sneered, stabbing Tatiana where it hurt the most. "My mother is still recovering from her illness,

    having juste back from the brink of death. I thought you came here to visit her, but it seems you''ve

    come to vent your frustrations.

    "Although our family may be nothingpared to your family, we''re still a reputable family. We won''t

    allow women with questionable morals into our family. Isn''t that reasonable?"

    "You... Who are you talking about?" Sean clenched his fists. He didn''t want to waste any more words.

    He just wanted to grab Simon by the neck and twist it.

    "Remember your affair with David? Don''t think that just because he''s dead, everyone has forgotten

    about it. You said you were forced into it, but who knows the truth?"

    Tatiana felt a stab in her heart, stumbling back half a step.

    Simon''s actions were despicable beyond measure. He was undoubtedly picking at her deepest wound.

 Chapter 1510

    The unbearable events of that night surged back like a flood, drowning Tatiana in almost breathless

    agony.

    "Ms. Tatiana, you''re a scion of the Taylor family. All of Belbanks knows about the decades-long

    friendship between your family and the Schmidt family. David forced you? I doubt he would have

    dared."

    Simon turned the ward into a courtroom, forgetting how he had been reduced to a pathetic state. "You

    two were alone together in the room, and when the scandal broke, you Taylors joined forces to shift the

    me onto the Schmidt family.

    "You knew you were tainted, making it difficult for you to find a partner in high society in the future. So,

    you decided to stoop down and use Sean as your lifeline, taking advantage of him.

    "Ha! Ms. Tatiana, you''re really something. I guess you''re not inferior to Ms. Alyssa."

    "You beast!" Sean lost all rationality. His eyes turned bloodshot as he struck Simon''s face with his fists.

    The punch contorted Simon''s features in an instant.

    The Lynch couple cried out in shock, "Sean! Stop it!"

    "Ugh!" Simon saw stars. His head, already diagnosed with a concussion, began to throb intensely.

    The next moment, he felt blood gushing out of his mouth. When he spat on the ground, he heard a

    click.

    A tooth had fallen out.

    It was evident how much force Sean had put into that punch, as if he wanted to kill Simon.

    Shocked, Tatiana covered her mouth with both hands. She knew that Sean had beenpletely

    consumed by anger. Although he was doing this for her, continuing like this would only lead to even

    bigger trouble.

    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Just as Sean was about to strike again, Sinead suddenly rushed forward and grabbed his arm. She

    cried out hysterically, "How dare you raise your hand against your own brother! You''ve gone insane for

    this woman!

    "Hit me! Just hit me and get it over with! You won''t need me as your mother anymore anyway!"

    Sean panted heavily, tears of anger and resentment flooding his bloodshot eyes.

    Why was it so hard for him to love someone?

    Why did they have to look down on such a good woman like Tatiana and hurt her time and time again?

    "You guys are really too much! How can you bully a young girl together? When did the Lynch family''s

    ethics decline to this point?"

    Amidst the tense atmosphere, a voice filled with anger cut through.

    Holding his face, Simon cast a cold nce over. Sinead also stopped crying.

    The sharp sound of footsteps shattered the awkward silence as Steven strode in, his face like frost.

    "Steven..." Sean murmured as he looked at Steven.

    Steven nced meaningfully at Sean, then at Tatiana, who looked pale and pitiful. He felt bad and

    guilty.

    In fact, he had been standing outside the door for a while. He was aware of everything happening in

    the ward.

    "Mom, how long are you going to remain so ignorant?"

    Steven shook his head, his eyes filled with coldness. "If your idea of doing what''s best for your child is

    to tear apart his happiness with your own hands and hurt the one he loves, then your love is truly

    disappointing!"

 Chapter 1511

    Sean and Tatiana stared in astonishment at Steven''s resolute face, deeply moved by his actions.

    Despite the couple feeling as if they had a sword hanging over their heads, someone from the Lynch

    family was actually willing to lend them a hand.

    This act of kindness amidst adversity was more precious and heartwarming than ever before.

    "Steven! How dare you speak to your mother like that?"

    Spencer finally couldn''t contain his anger. He rose abruptly and pointed usingly at Steven''s stern

    face. "Your mother has worked tirelessly all her life, raising you three brothers single-handedly. And all

    you have to say is that she''s disappointing?

    "Are you and Sean trying to drive us two old folks to death?"

    Simon took the opportunity to paint himself as the victim. Spewing blood and air, he said, "Dad! Mom!

    Look at them! They don''t even care about you two! People said to raise a child to prevent loneliness.

    But I''m the only one who truly stands by you. They''re both traitors!"

    When Simon recalled how Steven and Sean had teamed up against him in court, his anger surged

    even more. "Vent your anger at me, Steven! Both of you,e at me! Mom''s body can''t withstand your

    harsh words."

    Steven couldn''t help but sneer. He stared at Simon''s face with a mixture of disgust and contempt. "You

    think I''m noting for you? You think you can run?"

    Simon trembled violently.

    "Do you think I don''t know what you''ve been up to under my nose all these years? Do you think I can''t

    see that you''ve been suppressing and bullying Sean? Do you think I''m blind?"

    Steven took a deep breath. His heart twinged with guilt, and his eyes were filled with a hint of shame. "I

    regret not exposing your malicious facade earlier and not reporting your wrongdoings. I should''ve let

    you know there''s justice in this world!"

    "Steven! You..." Simon''s face turned as red as a tomato.

    Steven, who had always been quiet and indifferent at home, was now mercilessly exposing him. Each

    of his words was like a sharp nail pinning him to the pir of shame.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Sinead, too, was stunned by her suddenly furious son. With her mouth half-open, she stared at Simon

    in bewilderment.

    "What report? What wrongdoing?"

    Spencer took a step forward, widening his eyes. "Simon, is what Steven said true? What''s going on

    here?"

    Steven red coldly at Simon. "Ha! Even at this point, you still haven''t told Mom and Dad anything?

    What a dutiful son you are. No wonder you can stand here and spout such nonsense, deceiving them.

    "I''m afraid you don''t even know about this yourself. Just half an hour ago, you were reported by the

    lawyers of yourw firm. You''re suspected of embezzling funds, bribery, and moneyundering. Your

    law firm has been sealed off."

    "S-Sealed off? Reported? W-Who dares to do that?" Simon eximed in panic. His face contorted with

    rage, as if someone had stepped on his tail.

    Just then, his phone vibrated.

    Trembling, he took it out and looked at it. His bandaged head was throbbing again.

    Steven wasn''t exaggerating. Simon''sw firm had indeed been sealed off. In the photo sent by his

    assistant, police tape was prominently affixed to the door of Simon''sw firm.

 Chapter 1512

    Not only that, the text message Simon''s secretary had sent him disgusted him.

    The text message read, "Mr. Lynch, consider this text message as my official resignation. Everything

    has unfolded the way it has today because of your arrogance. I''ve endured enough of your torment.

    "You may think of yourself as a king, but I no longer wish to serve you. If thew didn''t protect thisnd,

    I would have ughtered you myself. I hope to never see you again! Congrattions on your closure!"

    Simon was seething with anger. His hand, gripping the phone, trembled uncontrobly. He felt

    completely out of his element and adrift.

    "I''ve not wrongly used you in any way. How you ended up here is entirely your own doing!"

    Steven was utterly devastated. He gritted his teeth and continued, "Up until now, you have shown no

    remorse. You''re jealous of Sean and exploit Mom and Dad''s obliviousness to get back at him, tearing

    down the aplishments he worked so hard for!

    "Simon, when did you be this monstrous? Or have you never regarded Sean and me as your

    family? You''ve always viewed us aspetition.

    "Whenever one of us achieved something or surpassed you, you''d do whatever it took to bring us

    down, all to feed your ego. You revel in seeing us live worse off than you, don''t you?"

    "W-What nonsense are you spouting? I''ve never thought that in my life," Simon argued with a reddened

    face.

    "You saw how Sean found such an incredible woman, Ms. Tatiana. She hails from a reputable family

    and has the support of Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jasper. Your jealousy led you to defame Ms. Tatiana to our

    parents to break them apart!"

    Then, Steven turned his burning gaze to Spencer and added, "Dad, I''ve rified with the prosecutor

    and police about David.

    "David was never close to Ms. Tatiana, as Simon imed. They were never acquainted. David was the

    one who wanted to marry into the Taylors but failed. So, his sister, Daisy, set a trap at the party.

    "They drugged Ms. Tatiana and took her by force to aplish his sinister desires and forced Mr.

    Winston into marrying his daughter to him!"

    A profound sense of humiliation stirred in Tatiana''s heart. She closed her eyes.

    David was dead, but that scar was etched in her heart forever. She had finally moved past it, but Simon

    heartlessly ripped open her wound and used it against her.

    Tatiana was shaking. Sean quickly enveloped her in his arms. Gently patting her trembling back, he,

    with red eyes, attempted to console her. His words got stuck in his throat, and he could only croak,

    unable to articte his feelings.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    The pain for her lingered in his eyes.

    "The court has epted David''s case. I was the judge responsible for his case, so I knew it like the

    back of my hand. It''s a pity that the bastard died before his case went to trial. I couldn''t pass a

    sentence on him like I did with Sophia."

    Spencer and Sinead were left gaping in shock. Steven had undeniably shaken their viewpoints.

    From a very young age, Simon always portrayed himself as a responsible sibling and always respected

    his family. To everyone else, Simon was an unbeatable and unparalleledwyer. They had always been

    immensely proud of him.

    Despite Simon defending the treacherous Sophia in court, they believed he was merely doing his job

    as awyer. They dismissed insults thrown at him as baseless, convinced that Alyssa and Jasper had

    bribed those who made such ims.

    When they heard everything Steven had to say, they stared at Simon''s guilty gaze in shock. They were

    confused.

    They wondered if they had misunderstood Tatiana and whether everything Simon did was intended to

    hurt Sean.

 Chapter 1513

    Dad! Mom! Don''t listen to him! It''s not like that!" Simon angrily defended himself, "Steven and Sean

    conspired together and caused me trouble in court.

    "Now, he is jumping at the first chance to speak for Sean and try to tarnish my reputation! I believe

    Alyssa and Jasper have bribed both of them! They areckeys for the Taylors. They are just as bad as

    them."

    Unable to endure any longer, Steven interrupted before Simon could finish. He, who had always been

    poised and proper, punched Simon!

    He was more ruthless than Sean and punched Simon right in the nose. Sean stagged backward from

    the force, and his nose bled profusely.

    "Sigh, a leopard can''t change its spots."

    Steven shook his sore fingers. Rage burned in his eyes. "If you im I conspired with Sean on this, so

    be it. Sean coborated with me to beat the crap out of the shameless, pretentious, and malicious

    person you are! What can you do about it?"

    Simon held his sore and painful nose. He pointed at Steven''s stern face and muttered, "You..."

    Steven nced at the grateful couple with an inexplicable look. Then, he bent down to pick up the

    suitcase that fell on the ground. He took a stack of envelopes from it. Then, he solemnly approached

    Spencer and passed the envelopes to him.

    "This." Hesitant, Spencer took them from him.

    "These are the reports collected from the masses during my three years as the presiding judge. This

    stackprises all the cases Simon defended. These citizens did not have the support from the rich

    and powerful and couldn''t afford awyer like Simon.

    "So, even when they were wrongly used and suffered significant losses, they could only silently

    endure it. They had no means to seek justice for themselves.

    "As such, they send letters to the court, exposing Simon for his treacherous deeds. I''ve read every

    word in every letter multiple times for countless nights. I lose sleep thinking about the contents of these

    letters."

    Steven''s eyes reddened as he spoke. His throat constricted. "As a judge, I''ve carried this guilt for three

    years. I know everything Simon did in secret. But, to protect this kinship, both of your feelings and his

    image as the eldest, I''ve locked these letters in my drawer and pretended they didn''t exist.

    "I regret it so much now and me myself for it. I''m wrong for abusing my power. I''ve lost the right to

    wear this robe. So, once everything is over, I will resign."

    Spencer''s eyes dted. His vision darkened as he struggled to steady his feet.

    "Resign? Have you lost your mind? What are you talking about?"

    Sinead''s heart ached profusely as she wailed, "You''ve gone through so much to get to where you are

    today. You are the only son who can take over the family. Do you know how proud your dad is of you?

    How can you resign?"

    Tatiana, observant, noticed something wrong with Spencer. She quickly went to help Spencer up.

    "Uncle Spencer, please sit!"

    She carefully sat Spencer down and gently instructed Sean, "Sean, please get your father a ss of

    warm water."

    "Okay, I''m on it!" Seanplied and went to get water.

    Spencer carefully nced at Tatiana from the side. Then, he heaved a loud sigh.

    He was unsure why he didn''t feel any disgust when Tatiana called her "Uncle Spencer".

    In fact, he was impressed by it.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1514

    Steven asserted, "Mom, I''ve made my decision. You don''t need to persuade me otherwise."

    Then, Steven''s burdened gaze fell on Spencer''s haggard face once again.

    Suddenly, he distanced himself from the man who had raised them. "Dad, I''ve never asked for anything

    growing up. But, I''m asking you today to think of our 30-year rtionship and agree to this. I will only

    ask this once.

    "I hope you won''t make things difficult for Ms. Tatiana and won''t prevent Sean from being together with

    her. They really love each other. If Sean loses Ms. Tatiana, I''m certain he wouldn''t find anyone as great

    as her in this lifetime."

    Sean and Tatiana stood before Spencer withced fingers. They exchanged nces, and it was

    obvious that their love was as deep as the ocean.

    What Steven said terrified Sinead. She could only wail.

    An inexplicable look appeared in Spencer''s eyes. He asked hoarsely, "Steven, are you using your

    resignation to threaten me?"

    "If you think that way, so be it," Stevenughed dryly.

    Commotion could be heard outside the ward before a subsequent knock on the door.

    Sean was closest to the door, so he went to open it.

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    Two men in suits stood by the door. Sean lowered his gaze and saw the badges on their chest. They

    were from the prosecution division.

    "Is Simon Lynch here?"

    Simon shuddered at the stern voice.

    Sean''s eyes turned grim as he stepped aside to make way for them.

    The prosecutors walked in grimly. They were slightly startled to see Spencer and acknowledged him

    respectfully.

    Every person in politics andw knew of Spencer''s illustrious career. He was a respected elder, and as

    such, they orded him the respect he rightfully deserved.

    "Mr. Simon, please follow us." They were polite for Spencer''s sake.

    Though they offered no exnation, the severity of the situation was evident.

    Simon''s legs and lips trembled. Each step felt like sinking into quicksand.

    Eventually, they supported him, escorting him out of the ward.

    Sinead covered her face and wailed profusely. Spencer''s gray eyebrows knitted together. The shock

    felt like a p, and recovery seemed impossible.

    No further boration or exnation from Simon was necessary.

    Steven was an upright man and had never lied to them before. Plus, the prosecution wouldn''t take

    someone away without evidence.

    At this point, Sean felt no attachment to the family. He grabbed Tatiana by the waist and walked out of

    the door with her.

    "Sean! Where are you going? Come back!"

    Sinead cried until she couldn''t open her eyes, reaching out desperately for Sean. "Are you abandoning

    us? Are you abandoning your family?"

    Sean suddenly stopped in his tracks.

    Sinead felt a glimmer of hope. However, what he said next, cold and heartless, was like a knife

    stabbing into both their hearts.

    "From now on, I am dead to you."

    Sean and Tatiana walked toward the hospital''s parking lot.

    Sean didn''t say a word throughout the journey. However, Tatiana could tell the suffocating pain in his

    heart from his clenched jaw and trembling hands.

 Chapter 1515

    Tatiana wanted tofort Sean, but she remembered she was the reason for everything that

    happened and didn''t think she had any right to speak. So, she guiltily lowered her head with tears

    welling up in her eyes.

    "Taty, don''t me yourself. You have nothing to do with everything turning out this way." Sean

    comforted her. His voice was extremely gentle.

    Tatiana''s eyes were puffy. Her lips trembled. "But..."

    "You are the love of my life and the future I chose. I will do everything in my ability to see our

    rtionship through. No one can stop me."

    As he finished, Steven''s voice came from behind, "Sean!"

    Both of them turned around. They saw Steven running toward them.

    "Steven, thank you for standing up for Taty. Thank you for standing on our side."

    A burning gaze simmered in Sean''s reddened eyes. "We will always remember how good you have

    been to us. We will do whatever it takes to repay you for your kindness."

    Resentment lingered in Steven''s eyes. "Sean, you are my only brother. Are you nning to abandon

    me too by saying that?"

    "No, I didn''t mean that."

    "I''m sorry, Sean."

    Tatiana and Sean were startled. Then, Sean quickly said, "What are you talking about, Steven? You

    haven''t done anything to offend me. Please don''t apologize!"

    "No, I''ve been wanting to apologize to you. Unfortunately, it came a little toote."

    Steven lowered his gaze sadly, his nose prickling. "I am not an emotional person. My heart was

    focused on learning, excelling, and achieving my goals, so I''ve never asked about anything that

    happened at home.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    "More often than not, I know Simon is bullying you. I know you have suffered a lot for this family.

    However, I''ve been too indifferent and selfish that as an elder brother, I''ve never once stood up for you

    or spoken on your behalf."

    "Steven."

    "I''ve no right to be your brother. I know I could never make up for the hurt you''ve carried because of

    this lost kinship. Now, I hope to do as much as I can within my ability. Only then can I find peace."

    Steven looked at Tatiana warmly and gave her aforting smile, "Taty, I''ll leave Sean in your hands. I

    hope everything goes well for both of you and that you will marry well. Please remember to tell me

    when that happens. I will be there to give you a big wedding gift."

    "Thank you, Steven." Tears of gratitude filled Tatiana''s eyes.

    Sean''s eyes glistened as he ced both hands on Steven''s shoulders.

    "Steven, didn''t you say you wanted to make it up to me? I''ll consider you''ve made up to me if you agree

    to this one thing."

    "What is it?"

    Sean smiled lightly. "No matter what, don''t resign. I don''t want our society to lose such a righteous and

    zealous judge."

    Steven''s heart was pounding as tears filled his eyes.

    Tatiana decided to let loose that night. She wanted to be with Sean and did not want to return to

    Heightsnew Vi.

    Sean couldn''t convince her otherwise. Besides, he couldn''t bear to see her leave. So, he drove her

    back to Sna City.

    Although he didn''t own any property in Belbanks, he acquired a spacious double-storied bungalow

    spanning over 2000 square feet. It had been a while since hest stayed there.

    After a long day, Sean knew Tatiana was exhausted. He left her to shower and went to the grocery

    store to purchase food and daily necessities. Then, he made her a ss of warm milk.

    Tatiana had taken her bath. Her slim and delicate body glistened under the soft light.

    Sean had thoughtfully ced one of his white shirts on the bed for her to wear as sleepwear for the

    night.

 Chapter 1516

    Tatiana changed into the oversized "dress" with excitement, spinning joyfully in front of the mirror. She

    found more happiness in it than in wearing any other fancy dresses.

    Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her.

    She tiptoed to the bedside, took the phone, and saw from the caller ID that it was L. Her heart raced,

    panic setting in.

    Eventually, concerned that L was worried about her, she chose to answer the call.

    "Taty, why aren''t you home? Where did you go?" L sounded very worried.

    "I-I''m fine, Mom. I''m doing alright."

    "Where are you now?"

    I am in Sna City with Sean."

    Tatiana mustered the courage and said, "I''m not going home, Mom. Sean is upset, so I want to stay

    with him."

    The conversationpsed into silence, making her feel ufortable.

    After a long while, L asked softly, "Are both of you staying at a hotel or Alyssa''s house in Sna

    City?"

    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

    "No, Sean has a house in Sna City," Tatiana became softer as she spoke. Her face blushed.

    "So, I see you''ve made a decision. Are you prepared?"

    Tatiana was dumbfounded. Her eyes fluttered. "Huh?"

    "Sean is a good person. You are 22 now, an adult. I know I can''t stop you, even if I wanted to."

    "Mom, I..."

    L let out a long sigh. Her voice was gentle and didn''t show a hint of dissatisfaction toward her. She

    only sounded concerned. "Taty, you don''t need to exin to me. I''ve been there before. How would I

    not understand?

    "If you''ve decided to give yourself to Sean, I won''t stop you. But please take the necessary

    precautions. After all, both of you are not married yet. Even if you love this man, you have to protect

    yourself and draw boundaries.

    "But I do know how much Sean loves you. I''m sure he will take good care of you."

    Tatiana was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. Her heart raced wildly, and her face blushed

    with embarrassment.

    Tatiana waited in the room for a while. But since Sean didn''te upstairs to find her, she went to look

    for him instead.

    Entering the kitchen, she heard the sound of water boiling. Sean had his tall back facing her, standing

    motionless by the stove. Despite calling him twice, there was no response.

    Barefoot, Tatiana ran to him and hugged him from behind. Softly and coyly, she asked, "Sean? What''s

    the matter? Did you zone out?"

    Sean''s body shuddered. He frantically wiped the tears at the corner of his eyes, but it was toote.

    Tatiana saw everything.

    "Sean, y-you''re crying?"

    "I''m fine." Sean lowered his head, avoiding her gaze. A teardrop slid from his jaw into the pot of milk.

    Tatiana moved to his side, cing both hands on his shoulders to make him look at her. Panicking and

    aching for him, she saw his damp face. Tenderly, she caressed his face.

    "What do you mean you''re fine? Your eyes are swollen! What''s the matter? Sean, don''t hide it from me.

    Don''t scare me!"

    Sean felt a heaviness in his chest, a pain akin to a dull knife cutting his heart. "I''m sorry, Taty. You''ve

    suffered so much today. I''m getting angry just thinking about it. The more I think about it, the more

    useless I feel."

 Chapter 1517

    Tatiana said, "No! Don''t think this way, Sean. I feel so blessed every day to be with you. I''ve never felt

    like I''ve suffered."

    Holding Sean''s damp face, Tatiana panicked, and her eyes reddened. Each tear that rolled down his

    face felt like a pit carved into her heart.

    No one would know how strong Sean was more than she did. He had partnered with Jasper and Alyssa

    for so long and fought for them, bing one of the most powerful people they had.

    Yet, that very same man hid in the kitchen to cry about what happened to her that day. The pain must

    be so great that he felt this dejected.

    Sean lowered his gaze, his voice strained with pain as he spoke, "Taty, you are a cherished member of

    the Taylor family, the darling of Mr. Winston and Madam L. Mr. Jonah and Ms. Alyssa hold you dear.

    "I''ve witnessed your growth, the carefree days of your youth¡ªlicking lollipops, yfully hiding behind

    Ms. Alyssa. It''s etched vividly in my memory. If it weren''t for me, your life would have been much

    happier. My family has robbed you of your joy."

    Tatiana shook her head, fighting back tears. She was concerned that if he kept dwelling on these

    thoughts, he might not be able to recover from the emotional turmoil.

    Sean croaked, gritting his teeth so tightly it seemed they might break. "When I saw how they humiliated

    you today, I was so tempted to..."

    Before he could finish, Tatiana tiptoed and kissed him passionately on the lips with her eyes closed.

    Sean''s breath deepened with her passion, and his eyes sparked with desire. His chest rose and fell

    against her breasts, separated only by a thin shirt. He could distinctly feel her breasts against him.

    The lustful desire coiled its way into his heart.

    The overflowing pot of milk broke their immersion.

    "Hmm. Sean, the milk will run dry if we don''t turn it off now," Tatiana coyly said in Sean''s arms, her face

    blushing.

    Sean finally regained his senses. He frantically turned down the fire and wiped the counter clean.

    After finishing, he sighed andughed helplessly. "Look at me. I can''t even do something this small

    right."

    "Not at all. You are the most perfect man to me, Sean."

    Tatiana hugged Sean''s waist tightly and clung to him like a ko. "Sean, you have to remember how

    important you are to me.

    "You are not allowed to say such negative things. I don''t want to hear you talk about how you''ve robbed

    me of my joy. I have a temper, you know, and I''m not afraid to use it. I am super scary when I get

    angry."

    Tatiana pursed her lips reddened by the kiss. Her angry look had melted some of Sean''s grievances

    away. He couldn''t help but smile.

    Tatiana became serious once more. "My family bestowed their blessings upon me. Now, the

    responsibility lies with us to create our own happiness. So, don''t feel that you''ve let me down. I don''t

    consider myself to be suffering. After all, no rtionship is without its challenges.

    "Every girl in the Taylor family is cherished by my father. None of us escaped the pain of love. Take

    Miley, the First Lady, for instance¡ªshe faced trials and tribtions before uniting with Jeremy. At that

    time, Jeremy was disliked by many for being significantly older and not in the best physical health.

    "Miley had to marry far away and apany him on his political journey. My dad and Aunty Mandy

    posed numerous challenges for them back then."

    Sean''s eyes trembled slightly. He had heard some of these things from Alyssa before.

    "Even so, that didn''t stop them from getting together. Plus, everything turned out to prove Miley was

    right. Look at how well Jeremy treats her! He spoils her like a little girl. They had a rocky start but are

    living happily ever after now."

    As she spoke, Tatiana raised her face and gazed into his eyes. "I''m sure you''ll treat me well too. I don''t

    think the happiness you bring me will be worse off than my sisters. Am I right?"

    Sean''s heart shuddered as he nted a kiss on her forehead.

    He was putty in her hands. She had his heart, life, and soul in her hands.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Taty, I swear this is thest time it''ll ever happen. I will never let you suffer like you did today ever

    again."

 Chapter 1518

    Sean tearfully embraced his beloved and said, "I may havee from the Lynch family, but the

    moment they started insulting you, I no longer had anything to do with them."

    Tatiana was both touched and concerned. "Sean..."

    "I don''t have a home anymore," Sean said with a bitter chuckle, though most of what he felt was a

    sense of release. "From now on, I''m just Sean Lynch. The third son of the Lynch family has ceased to

    exist."

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    "Who says you don''t have a home?" Tatiana''s brows furrowed as she pressed her fingers to Sean''s

    lips. "You''ll always have a family as long as I''m here. My family is your family."

    As the night continued, both Tatiana and Sean naturally slept together.

    But they only slept in the same bed, nothing more.

    Seany stiffly beside Tatiana in pajamas like a canned sardine. There was even a clear divide

    between him and Tatiana on the bed.

    He could smell the shampoo Tatiana had used for her hair. He could hear her breathing and even feel

    her warmth.

    Sean swallowed nervously, throat dry. Heat burned in his lower abdomen.

    Sean might be a proper, virtuous man, butying beside Tatiana as the night went on was still really

    difficult to bear.

    All of a sudden, a floral fragrance swept across his senses.

    Sean opened his eyes to find Tatiana straddling his waist. When she leaned into him, her oversized

    pajama shirt slipped down her shoulder to her waist.

    Sean immediately closed his eyes, as if afraid he might tarnish Tatiana just by looking at her. His heart

    pounded in his chest.

    "Open your eyes. Look at me," Tatiana murmured in Sean''s ear, making his body roil with desire.

    He slowly opened his eyes. The sweat from the palms of his hands had soaked through the sheets.

    "Sean. I want you."

    Finally, Sean snapped.

    He turned around and pressed Tatiana into the bed with a strength she couldn''t fight back against. His

    voice was raspy with desire as he said, "Are you really ready, Taty?"

    Tatiana nodded shyly.

    "I''ll take responsibility, Taty. You''ll be my wife after tonight."

    Tatiana''s cheeks were burning red amidst their passionate exchange. She was like a shy and tender

    rosebud, ready to bloom for Sean at any moment''s notice.

    "Ms. Tatiana Taylor, please take me as yours for the rest of your life." Sean''s passionate call of

    Tatiana''s name and the burning devotion in his eyes made Tatiana tremble beneath him.

    From this moment forward, Sean aspired not only to be the one Tatiana loved but also to seamlessly be

    one with her.

 Chapter 1519

    The sky was dark as rain drizzled from the heaven above. It was the perfect weather to pay respects to

    one''s loved ones at the cemetery.

    Alyssa and Jasper hade to pay respects to Anne again. They had brought flowers and hurriedly

    cleaned the gravestone up as if nning to have a meal with Jasper''s mother.

    Though Anne had long passed away, she must not be lonely now that Alyssa and Jasper tended to her

    grave and missed her so.

    "Lyse and I have gotten revenge for you, Mom. Sophia''s been sentenced to death. 20 years... it''s finally

    over." Jasper sped Alyssa''s hand tightly. "Retribution will alwayse in time. I hope you can finally

    be at peace now."

    The two then bowed respectfully to the gravestone.

    Just then, steady footsteps rang out from nearby.

    "It''s Grandpa!" Alyssa turned over excitedly.

    Jasper''s pupils dted in surprise.

    Newton was pushed over by Ben in his wheelchair, not far away. There was a bouquet of white lilies in

    Newton''sp¡ªAnne''s favorite. When Anne was alive, Seaview Manor was adorned with white lilies¡ª

    each stalk tenderly tended by her.

    Even Anne''s father-inw, Newton, knew lilies were her favorite, yet her own husband, Javier, did not.

    How ironic.

    "Let me help you up, Mr. Beckett," Ben offered.

    He was about to help Newton when thetter pushed himself up using his wheelchair armrests.

    Alyssa and Jasper were taken aback. They sighed in relief once they saw Newton standing steady on

    his feet.

    Newton walked over to them with the bouquet in his hands. He gazed kindly at Jasper and asked, "I

    hope you don''t mind me paying your mother a visit?"

    Jasper shook his head gently, his breath catching in his throat.

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    Heartfelt tears filled Alyssa''s eyes as her lips drew into a smile.

    Newton''s health was not what it used to be in the past few years. He was almost always in his

    wheelchair, even when he had to attend an important event. Yet right now, he was standing up on his

    own two feet, all to pay Anne his respects.

    Newton sighed deeply and ced the lilies by Anne''s gravestone before bowing. "Our family has

    wronged you deeply, Anne. I am truly sorry for what we''ve done, but I know it''s meaningless now since

    you''ve already passed on.

    "So please don''t worry. I''ll take care of Jasper for you for as long as I live. I will never let your only son

    and my most beloved grandchild suffer any more pain."

    Jasper''s eyes were filled with tears as he gazed at Newton.

    He had never felt like Newton owed him anything nor felt wronged in any way. In contrast, Jasper

    would''ve probably died at Sophia''s hands if it weren''t for Newton''s devoted care to him.

    "I heard Sophia''s counsel wants to appeal her case?" Newton then asked.

    "Yes, Grandpa. But it''s a futile struggle," Alyssa replied as she held Jasper''s arm.

    "Good. All that matters is that you guys are confident she''ll meet her death."

    Hate brewed in Newton''s heart as he recalled all the evil deeds Sophia had ever done. "I''ve already

    thought things through. If thew won''t execute Sophia, I''ll do it myself. I''ll make sure that vile woman

    suffers a death far worse than that Schmidt kid did!

    "If you two ever face difficulties, tell me right away, and I''ll help resolve it! I may be old, but I''m still in

    the public scene. I still have some say and authority in Beckett Group."

    "Thank you, Grandpa," Jasper said gratefully. "You''ve already done a lot for me, Grandpa. You don''t

    need to worry about me anymore."

    Newton''s tone was a peculiar one. "Oh, silly boy. How is it enough? It''s far from enough..."

    "Dad." Javier suddenly appeared. His unexpected presence disturbed the loving and harmonious

    atmosphere.

    Alyssa gazed worriedly at Jasper. His expression was as cold as ice as he ground out, "Fucking

    shameless!"

    "Don''t cause a big scene in front of Grandpa, Jasper," Alyssa said quietly, holding Jasper''s ice-cold

    hand.

    Jasper took a deep breath and held his anger back as advised.

    "What are you doing here?" Newton asked Javier crossly.

    Javier bit his lip and said in a hoarse voice, "I''m here to see Anne, Dad. I missed her."

    "Hmph! You haven''t brought her up in over two decades. What are you doing now putting up this act?"

    Newton sneered, mocking Javier without hesitation. "Even an old man like me is disgusted, not to

    mention Anne herself!"

 Chapter 1520

    Both Alyssa and Jasper were speechless.

    Newton really had a sharp tongue. But it was such good tongueshing!

    "Dad, Anne was my wife. I''m just here to pay her my respects. Why are all of you antagonizing me?"

    Javier couldn''t stand Newton''s words anymore. He immediately lostposure in front of his father.

    "Your wife? Isn''t your wife that criminal, Sophia Kirkman?" Newton snorted.

    Javier''s hands balled into fists as he burned with anger.

    Newton had never once affirmed Sophia''s position as his daughter-inw, yet now, here he was, doing

    so in such a sarcastic way. What else was Newton doing but insulting and humiliating Javier?

    "Dad, the truth about Anne''s death waste by 20 years. I''m just as devastated after finding out about

    it!"

    Javier''s eyes were bloodshot as he pointed at his own chest. "I was under so much pressure all those

    years ago because I brought Anne and Jasper home. I did it even though you opposed my decision!

    Didn''t I do that all because I loved Anne? You shouldn''t humiliate my love for her no matter what!"

    Alyssa''s brows wrinkled. Javier''s words were difficult to digest, especially when spoken in front of

    Anne''s gravestone.

    Jasper''s face was as expressionless and unmoving as his own emotions.

    Anne had passed away for so many years. Javier didn''t know to cherish her before her death, so it was

    all the more revolting that he showed his feelings for her after her death.

    "Yes, you did love Anne. I was in disbelief when you begged me to let her and Jasper live with us. I

    couldn''t believe that the young man who was sobbing in front of me was my own usually-distant son,"

    Newton said, gazing coldly at Javier.

    He continued, "I thought Anne''s appearance in your life would finally make you kinder, but I still

    overestimated you. You may have had feelings for her before, but that was only because she was

    different from all the other women you''d met.

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    "You got bored of the diversity of personalities you''d seen, so when you saw Anne, who was different

    from everyone else, you grew interested in her.

    "Plus, you''ve always beenpetitive and possessive. You would do anything to get what you want,

    be it a toy, or power, or even women themselves. After that, you won Anne over.

    "But you quickly grew impatient with her since she was so proud and kept to herself. That evil woman,

    Sophia, appeared in your life and took advantage of the situation to seduce you until you were putty in

    her hands.

    "She wreaked havoc in our family and outright bullied Anne, all for it to end up in the tragedy 20 years

    ago."

    Newton grew angrier the more he spoke. He even felt ashamed to stand straight in front of Anne''s

    grave. "I never expected you to end up choosing such a disgusting excuse for a human being to be

    your wife instead of all the other fine young women.

    "That crazy bitch in prison is yourwfully-wedded wife, Javier Beckett. You''d better fulfill your duty as

    her husband and pay her ast visit instead of putting up this act here in front of us. Don''t taint Anne''s

    space any further."

    Newton really was a hardened, experienced man, able to give such an on-point tongueshing.

    Javier''s lips parted briefly, but no sound came out.

    "Jasper, Alice, let''s go back to my house. I''ll have the newly hired chef cook a delicious meal for you

    two," Newton said lovingly to Jasper and Alyssa with a bright smile.

    "Okay, Grandpa." The two went up to support Newton as they walked.

    Javier watched with an ugly expression as the three people went past him, treating him like he was an

    outsider.

    "What are you still standing here for?" Newton turned around to ask Javier. "You cannot deny that you

    yed a part in Anne''s death. Sophia would never have joined our family if it weren''t for you, and none

    of this would''ve happened, nor would Jasper have lost his mother at such a young age.

    "If you''re here to apologize, then you better do it kneeling. A murderer''s aplice doesn''t deserve to

    stand before their victim."

 Chapter 1521

    Alyssa and Jasper shot one another a knowing look, their hearts beating in unison.

    Javier''s face had long paled as he watched them leave. It felt like all the blood in his veins had turned

    to ice.

    There were three luxury cars waiting outside the cemetery.

    Alyssa and Jasper climbed into the first car while Newton sat in the second. Soon, Javier walked out of

    the cemetery with Rory by his side, the former looking quite dejected.

    "Mr. Javier," Ben greeted respectfully. "Mr. Newton is asking for you to join his car. He would like to

    speak to you about something."

    Javier''s eyes darkened.

    The father and son sat together in the car as if an invisible wall separated them.

    "Did you want to talk to me, Dad?" Javier asked quietly.

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    Newton said calmly as he stared straight ahead, "Now that Sophia has admitted to her crime, only

    death awaits her¡ªunless you still have feelings for her and n on reducing her sentence.

    "I''m still going to make myself clear right now¡ªI will definitely make Sophia pay her life in return for

    taking Jasper''s mother''s. I have tolerated her vile acts for years. All I want to do now is to send her to

    her death. No one can stop me."

    Javier gritted his teeth, cheeks flushed. "I won''t, Dad. I''ve seen Sophia''s true colors. I won''t interfere

    anymore."

    "Good."

    Newton then said solemnly, "Jasper was originally our family''s proper heir, yet because of that evil

    woman''s doings and your neglect, you let Jasper bear the humiliation of being a bastard for 20 years.

    "Now that the truth has been revealed, you should start thinking about how to return Jasper to his

    original status."

    Javier sullenly said, "Yes, I understand. I really did wrong both Jasper and Anne in this."

    "How do you intend to make it up to Jasper?"

    "Too many things have gone on in the past two days. I''m dealing with them one by one. Once I''m done,

    I''ll think things through."

    "I know you''re busy, so I''ve already thought about it on your behalf." Newton turned to look at Javier,

    his eyes menacing and sharp. "Jasper has given his all to the Beckett Group as its CEO all these years

    but neverined even once.

    "I''ve noticed your strong opposition to preventing him from joining the board of directors, but I''ve never

    commented.

    "You know our family''s situation best. Justin is crippled, and neither Betty nor Lauren is suited to take

    over the business. The only person who could do so is Jasper.

    "That''s why I n to transfer all the shares in my name to him so he can have more authority in the

    company. That way, those old farts on the board who oppose Jasper won''t be able to say much."

    Javier reeled in shock. "Dad..."

    That meant Jasper would have 30 percent of Beckett Group''s shares, granting him veto power over all

    the important decisions in thepany. Jasper''s status would skyrocket.

    "In addition to that, I''ll give all my shares in Brighton Technology and Alcove Travels and Entertainment

    Co. to Jasper as well. From then on, Jasper won''t just be Beckett Group''s CEO, but also a key

    shareholder of Brighton Technology and Alcove Travels and Entertainment Co.''s executive director."

    Newton''s words had a profound impact on Javier and the entire Beckett Group.

 Chapter 1522

    It was public knowledge that Newton, despite retiring from his role as the Beckett Group''s chairman,

    held thepany stocks and remained the shareholder and the honorary chairman across many other

    companies.

    He remained in control of Brighton Technology and Alcove Co. Although Javier was eager to get his

    hands on the twopanies, Newton refused to give him the opportunity.

    However, Newton had breezily given Jasper power in the twopanies, which was clearly an act of

    favoritism. It was also a subtle deration that Jasper was the "chosen one" and the heir of Beckett

    Group.

    "Why are you quiet? Do you disagree with my decision?" Newton asked coldly.

    "I''m sure you have thought over it carefully," Javier replied.

    After a pause, Javier added, "But you''ve given Jasper too much stock ownership when he''s still young.

    I worry that he might feel pressured by it. It''s also a distraction that might affect his growth in the

    future."

    "I know what Jasper is capable of. Even if the sky falls, he''ll be able to handle it. You don''t have to

    worry about a thing when he''s the president of Beckett Group. He''s always managed to solve the

    problems. Isn''t that right? He''s driven by challenges. Put pressure on him, and you''ll help him release

    his potential.

    "Besides, he''s going to marry the Taylors'' daughter in the future. Winston Taylor is the wealthiest man

    in Belbanks. My grandson needs to hold some wealth to measure up to the Taylors. I can''t have them

    looking down at him. It''s not like he''s marrying up," Newton said aloud as he pictured the future

    marriage of Jasper and Alyssa as well as his great-grandchildren.

    Javier had wanted to talk back, but he held his tongue out of fear of provoking Newton into transferring

    more power to Jasper.

    Newton leaned back into the chair and waved dismissively at the glum-looking Javier. "You may leave

    the car. I''m about to have dinner with my grandson and my granddaughter-inw. I don''t want to ruin

    the mood, so I''m not inviting you."

    Jameson was abroad in Mosgravia in an artistically decorated room looking out to a maple grove. Birds

    chirped around them, which reminded Jameson of the idyllic towns of Cyrris.

    A digital chessboard was disyed on a huge screen in the room. Jameson was ying chess with a

    man who was seated behind a curtain.

    In front of Jameson was a crystal chess set. Every time he made a move, it would be reflected digitally

    on the screen.

    "Mr. Jameson, you should spend more time with your mom since you''re in Mosgravia. You don''t have

    to entertain me," the mysterious man remarked with a smile.

    Jameson replied courteously, "Sir, you have my loyalty. I''m not entertaining you."

    "You''ve done a lot during this time. However, after Sophia Kirkman''s downfall, I fear that Jasper Beckett

    and Alyssa Taylor might redirect their attention to you. You need to be prepared. You shouldn''t fall into

    their trap."

    "I will take note of that." The light in Jameson''s eyes dimmed.

    The mysterious man lifted a chess piece with slender fingers and decisively captured Jameson''s

    knight. The man opined, "Josh Schmidt is thest obstacle in your family. After getting rid of him, we

    can finally make use of the Schmidt Group''s influence to expand our business in Cyrris."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "I''ll get that done as soon as possible. I won''t keep you waiting for long."

    "Sheryl, Jameson''s tea is getting cold. Get him a new cup," the man instructed with a knowing smile.

    "Yes, sir." A lovely figure moved around. Soon, Jameson heard the tapping of heels from behind the

    curtain.

    He squinted and took off his gold-rimmed sses. He stared at a woman dressed in a white coat and

    sported shoulder-length dark hair as she glided toward him.

 Chapter 1523

    "Mr. Schmidt, here''s some Vintage Narcissus tea that was flown in this morning. Please have a taste,"

    said Sheryl Gillis.

    She deftly and elegantly prepared the tea for Jameson, which was an art form in itself.

    Soon, she served him a new cup of hot tea. The fairdy stood there amid the steam from the tea and

    the subtle tea scent wafting in the air. She radiated a captivating yet distant presence, abination of

    contradictory traits that strangelyplemented each other.

    Indeed, those who worked for the man were the cream of the crop who were carefully nurtured.

    Troublesome employees would have already been removed early on.

    "Thank you, Ms. Gillis." Jameson raised his cup, but his gaze remained fixed on her.

    She bore a resemnce to a particr someone¡ªthe woman whom he had loved for a long time.

    "Mr. Schmidt, is there something on my face?" Sheryl wondered with a gentle smile.

    From N?velDrama.Org.

    "No. Sorry. That was rude." He quickly looked away with astonishment.

    The man behind the curtainsughed. "Sheryl, you''re too beautiful. People are naturally attracted to

    beauty.

    "Mr. Schmidt, how does Sherylpare to Lyse?"

    Feeling surprised, Jameson trod carefully. "My apology, sir. Sheryl is great, but Lyse remains my only

    love in this lifetime. She''s the most beautifuldy in my eyes, which no one could ever rece."

    The man chuckled and sipped on the tea. "How loyal of you! But have you heard about this saying¡ª

    that the loyal one in love suffers the most regrets?"

    "I don''t mind having regrets. I will willingly lose to Lyse." Jameson smiled wryly. Memories of their tense

    confrontation on the flight still pained his heart.

    "Mr. Schmidt, don''t speak that way, or it mighte true. Sir would be the first to feel sorry for you if

    you''re defeated by Ms. Alyssa, while she might or might not care.

    "Without you, sir would lose a right-hand man. How is he going to run his business in Kontina? It''s

    difficult to find a decision-maker as capable as you," Sheryl said with a smile.

    With a gleam in her eyes, she added, "Not only is Ms. Alyssa a talented woman, but she''s also an

    unattainable target, relentlessly pursued by big names like you and Mr. Beckett. I have higher

    expectations for your crush now, and I can''t wait to meet her again."

    The man said to her, "Oh, don''t worry about it. You''ll have a chance to meet her."

    Jameson paused in the middle of drinking tea and shot a doubtful nce at Sheryl.

    He thought, "Did Sheryl just say ''meet her again''? Has Sheryl met Alyssa before? How is that

    possible?"

    From the moment he was acquainted with Sheryl, she had never left the side of her employer. Neither

    had she traveled to Cyrris, so she couldn''t possibly have any interaction with Alyssa.

    Sheryl returned to the side of the man and walked behind him. Then, she thoughtfully started to

    massage his shoulders. She asked, "Sir, when do you n to return to Sna City?"

 Chapter 1524

    The look in Jameson''s eyes hardened. "Sophia Kirkman is no longer of use. If you look around the

    Beckett Group, there''s no one to keep Jasper Beckett in check¡ªhe''s the only one in power.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "I''m concerned that Javier Beckett might hand Jasper more power out of guilt for his son and histe

    wife, as well as pressure from Newton Beckett. If that happens, Jasper will be invincible."

    The man said calmly, "Let''s y chess." Then, he moved his chess piece.

    Jameson pursed his lips. He was about to make his move when the man smiled and remarked, "Mr.

    Schmidt, why are you so insistent that I go back to Sna City soon?

    "Is it truly for my best, or are you doing this for yourself to gain a helping hand? Are you using me

    against Jasper Beckett to get your hands on Ms. Alyssa?"

    "No, sir. Everything I do is in your interest. That surely wasn''t my intention." Jameson broke out in cold

    sweat as he professed his loyalty.

    "I don''t mind lending a helping hand. But looking back, nothinges out of helping you. Your

    rtionship with Ms. Alyssa is stalled, and you only seem to be pushing her further away.

    "You should rely on yourself instead of others. It''s useless to depend on others'' help," the man spoke,

    sounding like a wise elder.

    "Mr. Schmidt, didn''t you ask for aphrodisiac from sir? Haven''t you used it?" Sheryl blinked at Jameson

    as though she was thinking out of consideration for him. "If it''s not much of help, we can share the

    latest drug developed by the research center with you.

    "It''s more potent. I believe the new drug will make Ms. Alyssa listen to you. There''s no shame in taking

    a shortcut in matters of the heart."

    Frowning, Jameson gripped his teacup tightly.

    The man put on a serious tone. "Enough, Sheryl. Stop teasing him. The drug DAD0044 has entered

    the trial phase, but we ran into a minor issue."

    Jameson sat up straight. "Please go on."

    "My research center has invested a significant amount of money and effort into developing this drug.

    Our goal is to be the global leader in developing a cure for Parkinson''s disease.

    "If the trial of drug DAD0044 seeds, we will make a huge contribution to the medical field, not to

    mention the astronomical profits we''ll make."

    As the breeze lifted the curtains, the manughed melodiously. "When that happens, the four esteemed

    families will be no match for me. Buying out the Beckett Group will be a cakewalk."

    Jameson''s eyes lit up with excitement. He leaned forward. "Sir, Parkinson''s disease shares a

    connection with Alzheimer''s. Could drug DAD0044 possibly... cure Alzheimer''s too?"

    The man nodded after he read Jameson''s mind. He exined, "Once drug DAD0044 is sessfully

    launched, we''ll not be far from curing your mom of Alzheimer''s."

    Jameson''s voice trembled in agitation when he found a sliver of hope for his mom, who had suffered

    from Alzheimer''s for years. "Sir, let me know if you have any issues. I''ll do anything to help you out."

    The man leisurely sipped on the tea. Sheryl spoke out for him, "We received intel that the Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals in Cyrris are developing simr drugs. Their progress is slightly ahead of us.

    "We repeatedly attempted to send our man into thepany to get their research data, but we failed.

    This will negatively impact sir''s n of developing the drug.

    "Besides, Lovce Pharmaceuticals'' research is supported by the government. If theyunch the drug

    on the market ahead of us, sir''s efforts will go down the drain. Not only that, we''ll suffer huge mary

    losses."

    Jameson furrowed his brows. "Sir, do you want me to disrupt their research? To be honest, I can''t

    possibly achieve what you''ve failed to do¡ª"

    "I would like you to speed up the research progress." The man''s voice grew colder. "No matter what it

    takes, I need to market drug DAD0044 ahead of Lovce Pharmaceuticals."

    Sheryl lifted a box from the table. She approached Jameson and ced the box in front of him.

    She began, "For a drug tounch in the market, it will have to go through multiple experiments and

    trials. That will take at least a year, or in worse cases, three to five years."

    She red at him. "Sir wants like you to test the drug on humans."

    "Test it on. humans?" Jameson looked stunned. He felt suffocated at the thought of it.

 Chapter 1525

    "Mr. Schmidt, are you scared?" Sheryl scoffed. "Even I have heard of your actions in Kontina. We''re

    only looking for some sacrifices to achieve a huge goal for mankind. Do you not have the heart to do

    it?"

    Jameson cast a menacing look at Sheryl''s mocking expression. In no way did she resemble Alyssa.

    Alyssa was the shining light in his otherwise dark and hopeless life. She was a butterfly dancing in a

    cold abyss.

    To him, Alyssa was an angel. Sheryl was nothing more than sir''s pretty, obedient, and dutiful weapon.

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    "Sheryl, that''s inappropriate. After all, lives are involved. It makes sense for Mr. Schmidt to give it a

    serious thought." The manughed amicably but betrayed a hint of authority.

    Jameson''s breathing grew heavy. He whispered, "I will carry out the mission you entrust to me, sir."

    "Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. When you start the trials, I need your men to record the trial data and

    observe the participants'' responses. Sheryl will gather the details and email them to you." The man''s

    smile deepened. He seemed satisfied with Jameson''s answer.

    "One question, sir. Does drug DAD0044e with any side effects?" Jameson adjusted his sses

    with a wary look.

    "Well, some obvious side effects are delirium and spasms. We''re still looking out for any hidden side

    effects." Sheryl ced a finger under her chin as if she was thinking. "It''s... Hmm. probably simr to

    drug withdrawal symptoms."

    Jameson curled his fingers. "Sir, I have one more question. Why don''t youplete your trials in

    Mosgravia? The industry is less regted here than in Cyrris.

    "Besides, I''m not exactly on good terms with Jasper Beckett and Alyssa. They might be keeping tabs

    on me. I would love to help you, but I''m not in a favorable situation. I''m afraid I''ll only ruin your ns."

    "As our headquarters is in Mosgravia, I do not want to start any trouble here and ruin my ns. I want

    you to carry out the trials in Cyrris as an escape n," exined the man.

    "An escape n?"

    "When needed, we can shift the me onto Lovce Pharmaceuticals."

    Given Jameson''s wits, he likely had a clear idea of what to do.

    The man added, "I found the perfect trial participant for you. Since drug DAD0044''s side effects are

    simr to drug withdrawal symptoms, we can test it on a frequent drug user and fool the authorities."

    Jameson nodded with a look of realization. "Got it. Sir, thanks for the tips."

    "Checkmate. Good game, Mr. Schmidt."

    The crystal chess piece moved on the board, sealing Jameson''s fate in the game.

    Jameson smirked with a helpless yet admiring look. That was a clear hint for him to leave. He

    respectfully rose from his seat and said, "Sir, it''s about time I leave. I won''t disturb your rest. I know

    you''re a fan of antiques, so I got you a small gift."

    With that, he pped. The doors opened to the side, and Amber, dressed in a ck bodycon dress,

    glided into the room elegantly with a rosewood box in her hand.

    Sheryl stared coldly at Amber, who resembled Alyssa.

 Chapter 1526

    "Ms. Altman, it''s been a while. You still look as lovely as before," the manplimented Amber with a

    gentle smile.

    Amber looked stoic and cold. She lowered her gaze and replied humbly, "Sir, thanks for the

    compliment."

    "You''re indeed a woman groomed by Mr. Schmidt. You''re gentle, demure, and gracious. Sometimes, I

    feel that you''re Alyssa Taylor herself. You''re the best substitute I''ve ever seen."

    Amber kept her silence, but she looked glum. By describing her as a substitute, all his prior

    compliments sounded sarcastic to her.

    Jameson did not continue on that topic. Instead, he opened the box and revealed the antique vase to

    the man. "This is a Wiktorian-era pink frosted vase I got for you from a Yoarkley auction. It''s nothing

    special. I hope you don''t mind it."

    Sheryl lifted a brow in amusement. She had been keeping an eye on the vase for her employer. In the

    end, an anonymous buyer won the bid with 50 million dors. She had not expected the buyer to be

    Jameson.

    She thought, "Mr. Schmidt is indeed a thoughtfulpdog."

    The man nodded softly. "Mr. Schmidt, that''s very thoughtful of you. I''ll need your help on drug

    DAD0044."

    Jameson nodded at him. "Don''t worry. I''ll give it my best."

    After Jameson and Amber left, silence fell on the scented room.

    "Sir, whose face do you think is prettier¡ªmy face that you sculpted or Amber''s that resembles Alyssa

    Taylor?" Sheryl gently ced her hand on the man''s shoulder and whispered into his ear.

    He smiled and patted his thigh. She obediently walked over and kneeled in front of him. Then, she

    looked up at him with a tender gaze on her radiant face.

    "Amber might be a carbon copy of Alyssa Taylor, but she''ll never be her. She''s a low-grade substitute

    that Jameson Schmidt created to satisfy his desire." The man leaned forward and ced a finger under

    her chin.

    He lifted her chin slowly. "You are just you. You''re a work of art I meticulously crafted. That boring

    substitute is no match for my art piece."

    Sheryl''s eyes glinted when she heard his words. To her, he was an omniscient deity who categorized

    the beings in the world into two¡ªthose who belonged to him and those who did not. She did not mind

    being described as an item.

    "Sir, please forgive my bluntness." Kneeling on the floor, Sheryl started massaging his leg. "I think this

    is the best opportunity for you to hit back.

    "As Jameson Schmidt had said, the best way to manipte a man is by gaining his sympathy. I''m

    worried that Javier Beckett might hand the Beckett Group to Jasper out of guilt."

    The man chuckled. "No, he won''t."

    Sheryl opined, "Now that Sophia Kirkman is done for, there''s no reason to keep Betty Beckett in the

    family. Why don''t you reveal the secret and get rid of both mother and daughter? A useless chess piece

    will only be an eyesore in the game."

    "We''ve not reached the end yet. How would you know she''s useless?"

    Sheryl was surprised by the remark.

    The man exined, "Grandpa has taught me to be frugal from a young age." He leaned hisnky body

    backward and added, "That''s why I need to make full use of all my chess pieces. That way, I can put

    his life advice into practice."

    Sheryl smirked. "Is Jameson Schmidt one of those chess pieces?"

    The man merely coughed and gracefully lifted the cup. "I hope he gives me a satisfactory reply on the

    drug trial mission. Otherwise, that will be the end of our partnership."

    Sophia had appealed against the sentence on the same day. Ten dayster, the appete court

    affirmed the sentence, which meant that she would still face the death penalty.

    From that moment onward, she felt as if she had gone blind. She spent each day curled up in a corner

    of her cell, staring nkly at the tiny window. That would go on from dawn to night. Everything around

    her appeared dark and murky.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1527

    Sophia reminisced about her life. She had lived a glorious life. However, to achieve that, she always

    had to sacrifice a person to reach a greater height.

    Anne Bartley was her first victim. Never had she thought that the woman, who was dead for two

    decades, would be the nail in her coffin.

    Sophia had long regretted killing Anne. Anne didn''t have to die. Keeping Anne around wouldn''t have

    affected anything.

    However, Sophia acted like she was under a spell at that time. She harbored a strong resentment

    against Anne. On top of that, she banked on Javier''s affection and actedwlessly, thinking that she

    could do anything she liked under his protection.

    s, Javier''s love was nothing but an illusion.

    Sophia pulled her hair out and held strands of gray hair in her hands. The pain kept her sober. She had

    finally seen through Javier''s selfishness and heartlessness.

    He had never loved her. She didn''t believe he loved Anne either. Otherwise, why would he easily

    believe that Anne had taken her own life?

    Sophia widened her bloodshot eyes. Like a madwoman, she repeatedly mumbled, "Javier Beckett...

    One day, karma will get you. You''ll pay for your heartlessness! I''ll watch that from the heavens!"

    One day, Sophia had visitors at the prison.

    "Kirkman, you have visitors."

    As Sophia was a convicted felon, she wore handcuffs and ankle cuffs when she was led into the

    visitation room.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Due to the mental pressure and the strain of the dim environment on her eyes, she suffered from a

    drastic decline in her eyesight. She couldn''t make out people or things that were ten feet away.

    She stood there like a skeleton with a nk expression. Feeling utterly dejected, she wanted to decline

    the visit now that no one cared about her.

    Still, she was curious about the identity of the visitors who would take the time to visit her.

    "Who are you?"

    Mom.

    Sophia''s dull eyes wavered. Then, she stumbled to the ss window that separated her from the

    visitors, apanied by the rattling sounds of her ankle cuffs.

    Her vision finally focused on Lauren''s fair face.

    She widened her eyes as she pressed her bony hands against the wall with might. She gaped. After a

    while, she cautiously asked, "L-Lauren? Is that you? Are you Lauren?"

    Lauren teared up when she met Sophia''s eyes. Thetter looked nothing like before.

    Lauren nodded.

    Landon stood beside her. He quickly wrapped an arm around her trembling shoulders and gently

    caressed them.

    He couldn''t believe that the disheveled woman with grey hair was once the dazzling and youthful wife

    of Javier Beckett.

    Sophia''s chest rose and fell violently. Her lips quivered as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Mr.

    Landon, you know about Lauren''s condition, don''t you? Why would you bring her to such a depressing

    ce?"

    Frowning, Landon was about to speak, but Lauren was ahead of him. She rified, "I asked Landon to

    bring me here."

    "Lauren..." Sophia sobbed uncontrobly. "I knew you were the nicest and kindest kid! I knew you

    would feel sorry to see me go."

    In the next second, Sophia''s reignited me of hope was mercilessly put out by Lauren''s pointed

    remark.

    Lauren exined, "I visit you not because I''ve forgiven you."

    Then, she inhaled sharply, tears of anger brimming in her eyes. "I just wanted to know why you''d hurt

    the innocent. Jasper has always been good to me. How could you be so cruel as to kill his mom?

    Why?"

 Chapter 1528

    Sophia''s heart quivered in the face of Lauren''s painful usations.

    She hated Jasper, but she admitted that he was good to Lauren, better than she''d ever treated Lauren.

    Thinking back, Jasper didn''t seem as despicable as he had seemed. Too bad there could only be one

    Mrs. Beckett. Javier had made Anne her rival.

    After a pause, she finally confessed, "I... I was pregnant with Betty at that time. All I wanted was a

    recognition to give her a better life and future."

    "Well, you got your recognition, didn''t you? Dad acknowledged you, so you had achieved your goal.

    Why did you have to kill Jasper''s mom?

    "Jasper never hated me or treated me badly even though I''m your daughter. He and Alyssa treat me

    like their sister. They show me love and care that I would otherwise never have the chance to

    experience. I owe them a lot. How could you be so cruel to him?"

    Lauren was no fool. She understood that Sophia was a selfish woman, and she knew how coldly

    Sophia had treated her. For that, she had grappled with self-me and low self-esteem.

    She despised herself for not being as healthy as Betty. She even med herself for not being a son,

    thinking that Newton might acknowledge Sophia if that was the case.

    Lauren thought that if she was male, Sophia might not need to tread carefully in the family and worry

    about consolidating her power or faking and scheming her way to a better life.

    She had never thought that Sophia would kill for personal gain.

    "If my life now is built on others'' death, I would rather never have been born. I''d rather not be a

    Beckett!" Lauren growled with tears in her eyes.

    She clenched her fists tightly and trembled violently in Landon''s hold.

    "Darling, calm down. No need to be angry." Landon panicked at Lauren''s emotional outburst and held

    her tight. He rested his chin on her head and gently coaxed her, "Darling, we agreed not to be angry no

    matter how the conversation went, didn''t we? It will only hurt you and affect your condition."

    Lauren gritted her teeth. She finally stabilized from a near-breakdown when she leaned in his

    comforting embrace.

    Sophia did not blink at all. She wore a dim and remorseful expression as tears rolled down her cheeks.

    "I walked down the wrong path. I was obsessed with raising my status.

    "I suffered enough from poverty when I was young. I''d been eating expired food and wearing old

    clothes. Because of that, I felt ashamed of myself. Later, I was scouted into the entertainment industry.

    There, I poured in all my effort to climb up the ranks, all because I couldn''t stand a poor life anymore."

    "Did you know how Jasper''s mom suffered?" Landon was infuriated in the face of Sophia''s whining. He

    had no sympathy for her at all. "Anne spent five years in the slums with Jasper when the Beckett family

    refused to acknowledge him.

    "She couldn''t work since she was weak. Jasper was only five when he had to support himself and Anne

    so that they wouldn''t starve to death.

    "All she wanted was a hot meal. Even if Javier took her back to the Beckett family, and even if he had

    you as a mistress, she never thought of fighting you for the title of Mrs. Beckett. You were the selfish

    and greedy one, killing an innocent woman just to achieve your goal. You nearly killed Jasper too, you

    know?

    "Sophia Kirkman, I know you''re Lauren''s mom, but I need to say this aloud¡ªyou deserve the death

    sentence!"

    Lauren watched Sophia cry as she fought the feelings of pain and resentment. She choked on her

    tears as she struggled to speak.

    "I know it''s toote for me to say anything. I''ll pay for the crimes Imitted and for Anne''s death."

    Sophia''s tear-streaked face was nearly pressing against the ss window.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She stared at Lauren with widened eyes. "Lauren, this is all my fault. You have nothing to do with it. So,

    please don''t do anything silly.

    "Live well. You''re still young. Besides, Landon loves you so much. You will have a bright, happy future

    ahead..."

    Then, Sophia cast a worried nce at Landon. "Landon, you''ll treat Lauren well, won''t you? You''ll

    marry her, right?"

    Landon tightened his grip on Lauren''s shoulder. He fixed a determined gaze on Sophia. "I will marry no

    one but Lauren Beckett."

    "Good. That''s good." Sophia smiled in relief and wiped away her tears. "Lauren, you''ll need some

    wedding gifts in the future. I have a few pieces of halcyon gemstones that I keep in my bedside safe.

    The password is 0814. Take them with you. That''s all I can give you."

    The password was the date she married into the Beckett family. She had been proud of what she had

    aplished, but now, it all meant nothing.

    "That''s fine." Lauren shook her head with tears in her eyes.

    "Indeed. Lauren doesn''t need anything when she marries me," Landon turned down Sophia''s offer with

    a frosty look.

    "Kirkman, time''s up!" the warden''s cold voice echoed in the air.

    Upon hearing that, Sophia''s heart sank. Her fingers, pressed against the ss, curled up like she was

    attempting to clutch onto something.

    "Mom, goodbye." Lauren slowly rose from her seat. Landon wrapped an arm around her waist as the

    couple wandered toward the metal gate.

    "Lauren!"

    The couple halted in their tracks when Sophia called out to Lauren.

    "Beware of your sister." Sophia wanted to say "I love you" to Lauren, but she felt that she didn''t have

    the right to say that as a convicted felon.

    Lauren did not turn around to look at her. From that moment onward, she would neither get to see

    Sophia again nor wish to do so.

    As the metal gates swung shut, Sophia cried her heart out. Sophia recalled carrying baby Lauren,

    repeatedly singing lubies, and telling stories to Lauren. That was a wonderful time in her life.

    If Sophia had a chance, she''d like to restart her life. Given the chance, she''d like to be a good mother.

 Chapter 1529

    Landon hugged Lauren as they exited the prison. Despite being enveloped in his warmth, she still

    trembled in his arms.

    "Darling, you..." He pursed his lips as he struggled to find the right words to say to her.

    What should he say tofort Lauren? He thought, "It''s not like I can tell her, ''Let''se again'' or ''I''m

    sorry for your loss.''"

    "Landon." Head hung low and eyes teary, she said, "Thank you. Thank you for letting me see my mom

    for thest time. That''s enough for me. I will not ask you for anything else."

    "Darling, what are you talking about?" Worried, he plopped onto one knee in front of her and grabbed

    her hand.

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    He cast a frantic look at her misty eyes. "What do you mean you''ll not ask me for anything else? What''s

    the point of having me around? I will lose my motivation in thepetition for power. What will I live

    for?"

    "Landon." Her voice trailed off as she stumbled back shyly.

    "Just let me know anything you want. No matter what it is, I''ll try my best to fulfill your request." His

    heart pained when he recalled the way she spiraled in front of him. He choked on emotions. "Lauren.

    you''re the one I love. I so wish I could give you the world.

    "I was wrong for taking away your right to meet your mom for thest time. I swear that won''t happen

    again."

    Feeling moved, she threw herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a

    tight hug. She mumbled, "I lost my mom."

    "Don''t worry. You still have me, Jasper, and Alyssa. Oh, you have your grandpa, too." He caressed her

    back and announced, "Darling, don''t cry. Take my hand, and I''ll make you the happiest woman in the

    world."

    He was confident in his courage and patience in their rtionship. The only thing he feared was that he

    wouldn''t be good enough for her. He feared upsetting her, as it might lead to a distance between them.

    Angelina stood by her car and watched the touching scene from afar. Her lips curled up into a

    contented smile.

    Landon finally had someone to build a family with. She hoped that his rtionship with Lauren would

    last forever.

    Later, Angelina drove Landon and Lauren back. The luxury car cruised down Sna City''s bustling

    streets.

    "Darling, why don''t we go out and have fun? Do you want to attend art exhibitions in Yoarkley, watch

    the northern lights at Archend, or pigeon-feeding at Genovia Square?" He passionately took her

    hand and kissed the back of it.

    Hearing that, Angelina stared at him through the rearview mirror and reminded him in a low voice, "Mr.

    Landon, the board meeting is around the corner. You need to make the preparations for your official

    appointment..."

    "Nothing can take away my time with Lauren," said Landon with a gleam in his eyes.

    He hugged Lauren on the waist. "Besides, what else is there to prepare for? The president is either me

    or Prepillon Preston. If Grandpa''s still clear-minded, he would know that he''ll doom thepany by

    handing it over to him. Harper Group will be mine and no one else''s."

    "That''s right." Angelina was well aware of the reasoning. Still, she had her concerns. "I''m just worried

    that Preston might make a move. He''s known to keep a high profile. Yet, he hasid low since he failed

    to win the racecourse hotel project. That worries me. Something feels off, so you better watch out for

    him."

    Landon refused to discuss businesspetition in front of Lauren. He beamed softly and croaked,

    "Darling, have you made up your mind?"

    To be honest, Lauren wasn''t in the mood for anything. However, she knew that her low spirits would

    affect Landon. So, she tried to appear cheerful and suggested casually, "I. I''m thinking of visiting

    Sna City Arts Academy sometime."

    On one hand, she had an interest in the arts. On the other hand, she had picked up the hint from

    Angelina''s remark. Knowing that Landon would be busy soon, it''d be best to stay in Sna City for the

    time being.

    "Great minds think alike, darling." He beamed brightly at her. "I''ve been following up on the Sna City

    Arts Academy matters. I''m trying to get you to audit the sses. I can even hire private tutors and rent

    you a private art studio there. If you like, you can hang out all day over there."

    Feeling grateful, she choked up and rubbed her nose against his chest. He caressed the back of her

    head as his breathing grewbored. He nearly melted from her adorableness.

    However, his expression soon frosted over. "Angelina, keep an eye on Betty from now on."

    "I have been doing that. She has never left Seaview Manor since Sophia''s trial, perhaps because she''s

    embarrassed," Angelina replied.

    She could read Landon''s thoughts very well.

    "Why are we doing that?" Lauren asked in confusion.

    "Did you forget your mom''s final warning to you?" Frowning, Landon felt anxious when he recalled

    Sophia''sst words to them. "When a person is near death, she will speak from her heart. There must

    be a good reason she wants you to beware of Betty."

 Chapter 1530

    Ever since Sophia''s sentencing and Betty''s public humiliation by Javier in the court corridor, Betty felt

    as if she had lost her status in the family. Javier had lost any remaining affection for her.

    Betty had been living her life relying on Sophia and enjoying the wealth from corruption. To her, money

    was nothing.

    However, things were different now that Sophia had met her downfall. Sophia''s private assets were

    frozen for investigation. Unfortunately, Betty had saved all her wealth under Sophia''s ount, so she

    had nothing to her name now.

    Apart from two properties given to her by Javier, two luxury cars, and three million dors in her

    personal bank ount, she had nothing left.

    Betty, used to an extravagant and debauched life, could not ept the feeling of poverty. Javier would

    notice if she sold off the cars and properties for money. What could she do with a mere three million

    dors? Even her tips to the male hosts were worth more than that!

    After two days of racking her brains, she suddenly thought of the safe by Sophia''s bedside. The

    halcyon gemstones probably had not been confiscated by the authorities. If sold, they would be worth

    at least 100 million dors.

    At that thought, Betty scrambled to Sophia''s bedroom and reached for the bedside safe. She carried

    the safe over to the table and cast a greedy look at the password lock.

    After ten or so attempts, her fingers went numb. She had tried all possiblebinations of meaningful

    numbers to the Beckett family and Sophia, but she failed to unlock the safe.

    "Fuck! Why would she set aplicated password? It''s not like she could take the gemstones to the

    grave!" She jumped in anger and rushed to get a big hammer.

    When she re-entered Sophia''s room with the hammer, she was stunned by the scene that greeted her.

    Jasper and Landon were in the room.

    "W-Why are you here?" Trembling, she took a step backward.

    She had always felt excited when she met Landon. However, she had nothing but fear for Landon now.

    Jasper sat straight on the couch with a frosty look on his face. He didn''t bother to look at Betty at all.

    "I''m here to take what belongs to Lauren." Landon leaned against the table with a mocking look in his

    eyes. He patted the safe and exined, "And what belongs to Lauren is contained in this safe."

    Betty''s eyes wavered in shock. Her voice turned shrill. "W-What nonsense is that? Nothing here

    belongs to her! Do not touch that safe. My mom left it to me!"

    Landon arched his brow in amusement. As stubborn as always, he suddenly pped hard on the safe

    three times.

    Argh! Stop mming it!" Betty stomped anxiously, worried that the gemstones might break.

    Jasper cast a speechless look at his childish friend. Sometimes, he found it hard to believe that Landon

    was the future patriarch of the Harper family. He could only hope that Landon wouldn''t lead the Harper

    Group to its demise.

    "This is my home, and this is my mom''s room! The safe contains the inheritance she left behind for me.

    D-Don''t you ever dream of taking them from me!" She glowered at the two guys and started yelling in

    frustration.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Soon, she watched in shock as Landon keyed in the four-digit password and opened the safe with

    ease. She gaped at him in disbelief. "How... How did you get the password? Even I don''t have it!"

    "I told you the things in this safe don''t belong to you. Sophia left it to Lauren." He cocked his head and

    grinned evilly at her. "If you want the stuff in the safe, maybe make a final visit to your mom and talk her

    into doing that. She might end up leaving some valuables for you.

    "Act fast, though. She''s not going to be around for long."

    Betty nearly fainted from the resentment. Did Sophia share the safe''s password with Lauren, and was

    Landon here to get the stuff on Lauren''s behalf?

    She thought, "Lauren, you dumb bitch. You''re pretty clear-minded at important moments like these,

    aren''t you?"

    Jasper spoke, "There''s a lot of stuff in the safe. Shall I tell Barry to get you a box?"

    "It''s fine. I brought one myself." Landon took out a foldable bag from his pants pocket. In a clean move,

    he swept the expensive gemstones into the bag.

    Jasper''s eyebrows twitched in surprise. Landon looked exactly like a robber.

    After the two left, Betty stood frozen in the room with a hammer in hand. She stared at the empty safe,

    feeling as though someone had hit her in the head.

    A long silenceter, she finally burst out crying.

    Her phone rang at the moment. She wiped away the tears and snot on her face and squinted her

    swollen eyes at the screen.

    The caller was someone she hadn''t heard from in a long time.

    Her chest tightened. She answered the call and carefully pressed her phone against her ear. "Hello?"

    "You sound awful. Are you crying at your mom''s funeral or what?" Zoe drawled with a hint of glee. Betty

    clenched her teeth and snapped, "Zoe Harper, you''re still as foul-mouthed as before!" "Do you miss

    me? It''s been a while since we met."

    "Hah! Quit the nonsense. Aren''t you spending the rest of your life in Yoarkley now? You''re barred from

    returning to Sna City."

    "Who said so? Landon Harper might think he could tie me up and send me away like a criminal. He''s

    abandoned his sister over a dimwit, but I will never let this slide." Zoe sounded bitter and hostile.

 Chapter 1531

    Hearing that, Betty''s mind whizzed. She scrambled up from the floor. "A-Are you able toe home?

    When will you return? Are you back to take revenge on Landon?"

    Zoe hissed through gritted teeth, "I will give him trouble if he makes my life miserable. From the

    moment he pped me in front of Alyssa, Jasper, and the high society of Sna City, I stopped seeing

    him as my brother. He''s just my enemy now!"

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    "Right! Landon has crossed a line. How could he abandon his sister even before he marries Lauren?

    Not only that, Landon is turning against his mom. Imagine if he marries Lauren. What will happen to

    you and your mom?" Betty sniffled. She then started fanning the mes and backstabbing Lauren.

    "Hmph! Stop acting like you''re thinking for me. You''re only saying that because you need me back to

    take revenge for you," Zoe called out Betty''s despicable motives.

    She added, "You lost your mom''s backing. You have no power without her. All you can do is watch your

    stupid sister marry into wealth and step all over you."

    That reminded Betty of the halcyon gemstones that were taken by Landon, which would eventually end

    up as Lauren''s assets. Quivering in hatred, she felt extremely disgruntled and dissatisfied.

    Betty thought that, as Javier''s eldest daughter, she was the one who carried her parents'' expectations

    and enjoyed their affection. How did she end up in such a sorry state? Even that fool, Lauren, had

    surpassed her in life.

    "I will never see Lauren marry Landon! That''ll never happen!" Betty scowled resentfully.

    "I share the same thought, but you know Landon. It''s impossible to make him give up on Lauren. That''s

    why we need to n this carefully so that he will utterly give up on her." Zoe chuckled maliciously.

    "Looks like we''ll be working together once more.

    "Have you learned something from your mom''s issue? It''s useless to pin all your hopes on somebody

    else. Take your revenge by yourself. It''s going to feel cathartic!"

    Betty had picked up Zoe''s undertones. Zoe wanted to work with Betty just to be safe¡ªso that she

    could have someone to me if things went wrong.

    However, Betty was consumed by hatred. She would go to any lengths, even sacrificing herself just to

    destroy Landon and Lauren. She said to Zoe, "There''s no point discussing this now. Let''s talk when

    you''re back."

    When Jasper and Landon left the Seaview Manor, their luxury cars waited for their owners by the

    entrance. The Seaview Manor was not home to Landon, but it seemed that Jasper, too, no longer

    considered the ce his home.

    "You should have told me Lauren loves this stuff. I can get my hands on as many as I can for her," said

    Jasper as he gazed at the heavy bag in Landon''s hand. "Why would you give Lauren Sophia''s

    possessions? It''s so icky."

    "If we don''t take these away, they''ll fall into Betty''s hands! I''d rather crush these stones than hand them

    to that dunce!" Landon looked smug. "It felt so good seeing her red in anger and holding a hammer!

    Hahaha! She must have been driven crazy after losing something that was nearly hers!"

    Jasper grinned as he shot a helpless look at his friend.

    The look in Landon''s eyes softened. He sighed. "Lauren doesn''t care about gemstones, to be honest.

    She has been feeling awful after visiting Sophia. She even feels remorseful toward you.

    "So, I suggest we sell Sophia''s stones and donate the money to a new charity fund named after your

    mom. It might not mean much, but it''s better than nothing. At least Lauren will feel better."

    Jasper''s chest tightened after hearing that. What he feared hade true. He worried that Lauren

    would me herself for what Sophia had done to him, potentially straining their sibling rtionship.

    He said, "The grudge between my mom and Sophia is in the past. Besides, Sophia wasn''t even

    pregnant with Lauren when she joined the Beckett family. Lauren has nothing to do with it."

 Chapter 1532

    Feeling bad, Jasper patted Landon on the shoulder. He offered, "Bring Lauren to our ce when you''re

    free. I''ll get Lyse tofort her. She listens well to Lyse. I learned a few new recipestely. You guys

    can have a chat with Lyse and taste my cooking."

    Landon''s face fell. He trembled. "Are you inviting us to dinner or poisoning us?"

    Jasper was rendered speechless.

    "Is one victim not enough for you? How could you drag Lauren into all of this? Don''t you feel guilty,

    Jasper?"

    "I''m inviting you over to show you how I take care of Lyse. Learn from me, and your rtionship with

    Lauren will improve by leaps and bounds.

    "Loving a woman doesn''t only mean keeping herpany. You need to try out new things that you''ve

    never done before for her. You need to learn new skills," advised Jasper with a warm and tender look in

    his eyes.

    He had taken revenge for his mom. Alyssa was in love with him. At this moment, he felt he had

    achieved peak happiness. Therefore, he wished the same for Landon after thetter married Lauren.

    "Of course I will. I''ll spend my life learning new things for Lauren." Landon inhaled deeply and cast a

    passionate look at his friend. "Jasper, I''m prepared to officially discuss the marriage with your dad in

    the next two days.

    "I wanted to make the move after getting appointed to the position ofpany president, but I couldn''t

    wait anymore. I wanted to make her my wife and take her home. I love her... very much." Landon''s

    voice trembled at the end as he choked up from his deep affection for Lauren.

    "That''s right. You don''t have to be president of Harper Group to marry Lauren. The business you

    worked on over the years and your savings could rival half of thepany''s wealth."

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Feeling touched, Jasper looked into Landon''s eyes. "If you''ve made the decision, just go for it. Lyse

    and I will give you our full support. All the best, my friend!"

    Alyssa heard from Ben that Newton wasn''t feeling too well. She informed Jasper about it. Later, the

    couple rushed over to Crescent Bay.

    After some prodding, Ben finally told her the truth. Newton''s health had declinedtely. He couldn''t eat

    or sleep well. The physician checked in on him daily but failed to pinpoint the issue.

    The physician merely concluded that Newton suffered from digestive issues due to advanced age and

    needed to take medicine for that.

    Newton had kept the news from the young couple as he didn''t want them to worry.

    During the trip to Crescent Bay, Alyssa looked pale and anxious.

    "Lyse, don''t worry." Jasper held her waist tightly and pulled her into a hug. "I hired a reputable

    physician for Grandpa. If he thinks Grandpa is fine, we will take his word for it.

    "Grandpa is indeed getting old. His bodily functions are regressing. It''s normal for him to suffer from

    digestive issues and lose his appetite. If you''re still worried, we''ll move into Crescent Bay to keep him

    company. Since you''re a medical expert, you can check in on him. What do you think?"

    Jasper was observant and thoughtful. Sensing his warmth around her, she questioned softly, "Are

    you... okay with it?"

 Chapter 1533

    "Of course I''m okay with it. I''m fine with anything as long as I''m with you, and if it''s for Grandpa,"

    Jasper said with a smile.

    "I feel sorry..." Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulders.

    She said in a muffled voice, "Ben told me that Grandpa hasn''t been feeling well for a while, but I

    couldn''t tell until now.

    "He even got up from his wheelchair at the cemetery. Whenever I think of that, I feel horrible. How

    could I have carelessly missed it?"

    "It''s not your fault, Lyse. You''ve done well," Jasperforted her. "Let''s pay more attention to him in

    the future. I bet he doesn''t want to stress you out. He might refuse to see you if he learns that you

    know about his condition," said Jasper.

    Then, he thought, "Did Landon and I have the honor to date the two kindest souls in the world? We''re

    two lucky guys!"

    The mood in Crescent Bay vi was gay due to Jasper and Alyssa''s presence. Alyssa performed a

    checkup on Newton, after which she prepared some healthy dishes in the kitchen. On top of that, she

    reminded the chef of the foods to avoid, given Newton''s health condition.

    All in all, she was like a perfect granddaughter-inw.

    Jasper had limited knowledge about healthy foods. Unable to offer help, he settled down beside

    Newton.

    Newton stared at Alyssa. He remarked, "There''s no one better than my granddaughter-inw! She''s

    young, talented, caring, and listens well. She''s even a good cook!"

    Then, hemented, "Sigh. I have always preferred girls over boys. Girls, if raised and nurtured well,

    could take over the family business just like boys. But your grandma gave me two sons. If it weren''t for

    her health, I would have wanted a daughter with her.

    "If I had a daughter, I would raise her well so she''d turn out like Alice. Then, I would hand thepany

    to her. As for your dad. Hmph! He should feel thankful for getting scraps."

    Jasper listened quietly to Newton with an aloof expression.

    Newton ranted, "What has your dad done in the years as chairman? If your Uncle Ryan hadn''t passed

    on early." He suddenly inhaled sharply and ended his rant.

    The look in Jasper''s eyes deepened. He always had a feeling that Newton''s dissatisfaction toward

    Javier stemmed from something bigger than Javier''s decision to marry Sophia. He never seemed to

    like Javier much and instead asionally expressed his affection for his younger son, Ryan.

    "Jasper, it''s good that you''ve returned after having lost your way. You chose Alice instead of going

    down your dad''s path. Otherwise, I will never rest in peace. I''ll roll in my grave!" joked Newton, whose

    gloomy mood suddenly disappeared.

    Jasper gulped. "Grandpa, I''m sorry to you. I''m more sorry to Lyse... I was¡ª"

    Newton waved and brushed it off. "Consider your old self dead. I can die happy as long as you treat her

    well from now on."

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    Ben, who entered to serve some snacks, felt tickled by the remark. "Oh, Mr. Newton, you shouldn''t

    keep bringing up death. It sounds ominous."

    "I''m not superstitious. We can''t change our fate anyway. Besides, I can live another 20 years with Alice

    caring for me!"

    Then, Newton ced a hand on Jasper''s shoulder, as though he was passing over a heavy

    responsibility. "My precious grandson, there''s more good things toe. Just putting it out here now.

    The Beckett Group will belong to you and Alyssa."

    Jasper felt shocked by Newton''s confession. He was about to speak when Alyssa approached them,

    looking numb.

    She announced, "Grandpa, Jasper, I just got the news that Sophia was executed ten minutes ago."

 Chapter 1534

    It was good news, but the air grew heavy. After a pause, Alyssa revealed calmly, "Cyrus told me that

    Sophia went berserk before the death sentence. She peed herself and couldn''t walk straight. They had

    to drag her to the execution chamber. It was such a cathartic scene."

    Jasper finally croaked, "Was it by lethal injection or firing?"

    "Lethal injection." She looked deep into his eyes. The corner of her lips lifted. "Firing would have been

    too merciful for her. She struggled in pain for ten minutes until her heart stopped.

    "She was strapped to a chair by the time of her death, limbs stiff and face contorted. The short ten

    minutes of torture might not be enough to make up for what she did to Anne, but at least justice was

    served."

    Jasper lowered his gaze. The news stirredplicated emotions in him.

    Sophia Kirkman was dead. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

    He should have apuded in glee, but he did not feel as excited as he thought he would be since the

    case had dragged out for too long.

    "After her death, the court informed Javier to im her body for cremation. Since they weren''t divorced,

    he was legally her husband. But he refused to show up. The court had no choice but to proceed with

    the cremation itself," added Alyssa.

    With a smirk, she taunted, "As a husband, Javier refused to send Sophia on her final journey, even

    after she had mothered his children. How sad!"

    "Hmph! If he dares to im her body, he''d better step out of the chairman role. He should go do

    something else instead." Newton''s eyes shed with emotions.

    He pped his thigh and said, "No matter what, I''m thrilled that Jasper has gotten his revenge. Ben, tell

    the chef to whip up more dishes tonight. We''ll pop a fine wine to celebrate the asion!"

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    In a good mood, Ben chuckled. "Yes. I''ll get the chef to work on it."

    "By the way, get someone to look around for some fireworks. Buy some for us to set off," Newton

    ordered.

    Jasper found the ideaical. "Grandpa, you don''t have to. Besides, how will you find fireworks in the

    middle of nowhere? Don''t give Ben trouble."

    "Ben, there''s a shop selling fireworks at Pelham Street. It''s three miles away from the vi. I frequently

    bought fireworks for Grandpa there in the past. Send someone there right now. The shop must still be

    open," Alyssa informed Ben with a smile.

    Jasper nced at her in astonishment. Did she frequently buy fireworks for Newton? Why wasn''t he

    aware of it?

    Ben gave her a thumbs-up. "Ms. Alyssa, nobody knows Mr. Newton as well as you. You''re not just a

    granddaughter-inw to him; you''re almost like his granddaughter!"

    Hearing that, Alyssa shyly sped her hands and blushed, unlike her usual rxed self.

    "Isn''t that right? Alice is good to me. No one in the family does it better than her," said Newton as he

    fixed a disgruntled look on Jasper''s face. "You little brat. I bet you have no idea about my habits and

    my likes. Alice knows everything.

    "In the three years you were married, she''d keep mepany at Crescent Bay whenever she was

    free. I loved ying with fireworks, especially during the holidays. She''d fulfill all my requests.

    "She''s kept mepany through lonely times. Too bad I couldn''t do more for her because my time is

    nearly up. You need to treat her well on my behalf."

    "Grandpa..." Jasper held his breath and choked up.

    "Grandpa, Jasper has always treated me well." Worried that Newton might overthink, Alyssa quickly

    assured him with a yful smile, "Plus, I keep youpany because it''s what I love doing. I learned so

    much from you. Every time, I show up just to learn your tricks. Hehe! I bet you''ve never noticed!"

    While she was speaking, a tall figure appeared in front of her.

 Chapter 1535

    Suddenly, Alyssa felt Jasper''s hand on the small of her back. He pressed her against his warm chest.

    "Mmm..." Her body went limp, and her breath caught. Jasper sealed her lips with a look of desire and

    guilt.

    He kissed her deeply, passionately, and freely in front of Newton.

    Newton and Ben looked delighted at the scene as their hearts raced. Given Jasper''s nature, he

    consistently exhibited reserved, undiplomatic, and challenging traits.

    When Jasper was a teen, Newton had seriously considered bringing him in for a psychiatric evaluation

    multiple times, but he worried he might injure the poor kid''s ego.

    Now, Jasper was a changed man all because of Alyssa.

    "Don''t! Grandpa is here." Alyssa shoved Jasper away awkwardly with a blush on her cheeks.

    "Grandpa is family." Jasper put a hand on her waist. He blurted out, "Besides, why can''t I kiss my lover

    in public?"

    She shyly pressed her moist lips together at his flirting.

    In the past, all he could do was carefully trod around. Every time, he hesitated to use the word "lover".

    Little did he know that all he needed to do was courageously take a step toward her. Once he took that

    one step forward, their hearts would touch.

    "Ahem! Ben, have you fed the birds in the backyard? Let''s do it now!" Newton chuckled with glee.

    "Sure, Mr. Newton!" Ben was equally happy.

    When Jasper finally moved his lips away from Alyssa''s, her lipstick was smudged. He wiped away the

    smudge and said, "Lyse, thank you. I''m d to have you by my side, whether in the past or the

    present."

    "Do you know the reason Grandpa loves fireworks?" Alyssa embarrassedly lowered her gaze and

    adjusted his tie for him.

    Tell me.

    "It''s because Grandma loved them." She sighed. "When she was young, she loved ying with

    fireworks. But Grandpa was an insensible young chap who only bought her bottle rockets and yed

    them in the garden. She was annoyed and nicknamed him Newton ''Bottle-Rocket'' Beckett."

    Jasper chuckled. "That''s a great nickname. It suits his personality."

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    "Grandma was timid. Whenever he lit a bottle rocket, he''d run up to her, and she''d hide in his arms. He

    then put his hands over her ears.

    "Grandpa often told me that those were the best years for him. He could not forget every moment he

    shared with Grandma. Any status or power could not top his longing for her," Alyssa said wistfully.

    "That''s why I''m doing this for Grandpa. This is all I can do for a loyal old man who is living in his

    memories."

    Jasper teared up after listening to her stories.

    "Eh? Are you serious? You tear up easily these days, don''t you?" She hurriedly wiped the tears from

    his eyes with his tie. "Why would you get all emotional when I''m not even talking about you? Is there

    something wrong with your eyes?"

    Jasper felt extremely guilty. Of course Newton''s stories had everything to do with him.

 Chapter 1536

    As Newton''s grandson, Jasper did not take after him much. All he took after was Javier''s cold-

    heartedness. Jasper thought he was getting better, but he finally realized that he could never measure

    up to the depth of Newton''s affection for Doris.

    "I will never hurt you again," he said in a trembling voice after a frustrating silence.

    Alyssa ced a finger on his lips and chuckled. "Yeah. You won''t."

    After the couple enjoyed a hearty dinner with Newton, Ben sent someone to get the fireworks.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Seated in the wheelchair, Newton smiled as the couple lit the fireworks. Jasper and Alyssa waved the

    sparklers around like two happy kids on Christmas Day.

    "Look at the wide smile on Mr. Jasper''s face," remarked Ben, who thoughtfully draped a nket on

    Newton''sp. "I still remember the time he first started living with you.

    "His height was around your waist level. He was dressed in oversized clothes, looking tanned,

    underweight, and tiny. Now, he''s a man with his own responsibilities."

    Ben continued saying, "He never smiled in that way before he met Ms. Alyssa. He carried a heavy

    burden on his shoulders and hatred in his heart. He was never as happy as he is now. Fortunately, Ms.

    Alyssa saved him from the darkness. It''s all in the past now."

    "Alice is not just a gift of God to me. She''s a gift to my grandson." Newton looked on gently, feeling the

    warmth from the scene in front of him.

    Jasper and Alyssa made a great couple, which reminded him of histe wife, who had passed away

    many years back.

    "Till all the seas gang dry, my dear,

    And the rocks melt with the sun;

    I will love thee still, my dear,

    While the sands of life shall run..."

    Newton recited a poem softly, but he snapped back to reality when his phone rang. His eyes wavered

    in shock when he checked the caller ID.

    Ben cast a puzzled look at the screen before gasping. "It''s... Mr. Justin?"

    "Ben, wheel me indoors."

    The duo entered the living room, where Newton answered the video call with bated breath.

    Justin''s face appeared on the screen, looking pallid. He smiled amicably at Newton. "Grandpa, it''s

    been a while. How are you?"

    Newton looked a little awkward. "I''m good, Justin. How about you? How are you doing in Mosgravia?

    You look quite weak. Have you been taking your medications on time and going for routine checkups?

    Let me and your dad know if you''re unwell. We can visit you."

    "Grandpa, don''t worry. I''m getting better by the day. As your grandson, I feel sorry that I can''t keep you

    and Dadpany. I''ll try to recover and get back to you and Dad''s side." While speaking, Justin started

    coughing in pain until he teared up.

    Newton hurriedly remarked, "Look! You''re still quite ill. Don''t force yourself. Just focus on getting better

    abroad. Your dad and I understand your situation. We won''t me you."

    During the conversation, they heard Jasper and Alyssa''sughter. The young couple seemed to be

    making their way over.

    Newton''s chest tightened in anxiety. "Justin, Grandpa is busy now. I''ll call you back two dayster."

    "Grandpa, what are you fearing?" Justin''s eyes were deep and unreadable. His tone sounded

    mncholic. "I''m your grandson, just like Jasper."

    "Don''t overthink it. I..."

    "Do you really not want to see my face? Do you hate me that much?"

 Chapter 1537

    Frowning deeply, Newton began, "Justin..."

    A troubled expression clouded Justin''s face, and he offered a bitter smile. "Sorry, Grandpa. I''m pretty useless. I can''t be of help to you and Dad. Not only do I fail to take charge of thepany, I''m perpetually sick.

    "I''ve been pondering something repeatedly. Life might have been better if I hadn''t experienced that kidnapping. If I were more selfish and escaped on my own, would things be different now?" Newton grappled withplex emotions but spoke warmly to Justin, "Justin, please don''t entertain such thoughts. I know you''ve endured a lot. It was an unfortunate incident. I genuinely feel bad for you because you''re my grandson. I love you and Jasper deeply.¡±

    "Who do you love more, me or him?" Justin threw a tricky question at Newton.

    Seeing Newton momentarily stunned, Justin smiled. "You don''t have to answer. I understand. It''s fine. I won''t be upset. As Jasper''s elder brother and the eldest of the Beckett Group, I''m willing to sacrifice everything, even my life, to fulfill my duty.

    "Despite missing you and Dad and ming myself in the past, I''ve never regretted risking my life to save Jasper from the kidnappers.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Newton pursed his lips, burdened by worries.

    "If I hadn''t helped him escape, the both of us might end up dying from torture. One of us had to live to take over the Beckett Group and take care of you and Dad. Don''t you think?" Justin mused. "Justin, I... I will always owe you one because of that incident. I hope you don''t hold grudges against Jasper. Don''t me him for it. He was just a clueless young child back then," pleaded Newton, who for once put aside his ego as the patriarch of the family.

    An inexplicable smile shed across Justin''s pale face. It was a serpentine smile that eerily yed with Newton''s psychology.

    "Grandpa, who are you talking to?" Jasper approached Newton with a hand on Alyssa''s waist. Newton''s hand froze midair while holding the phone, and he looked flustered.

    "Jasper, are you here?" Justin said with a smile.

    Alyssa picked up on Justin''s deep, mellow, and distinctive voice.

    "Justin?" Jasper eximed in astonishment.

    Justin gently asked Newton, "Grandpa, may I speak to Jasper? I haven''t seen him in a long time, and I miss him."

    "Jasper, Justin wants to speak to you," Newton said, deliberately asking for Jasper only. He wanted to keep Alyssa from meeting Justin.

    Jasper went up to Newton. His handsome face appeared in the video call as he said, "Justin, I''m here."

    "You still look as energetic and as handsome as ever, unlike me..." Justin''s speech was punctuated by intermittent coughs, which he tried hard to suppress.

    Then, he shed a contented smile at Jasper. "Sorry for that. I made a joke out of myself in front of you and Ms. Alyssa."

    Jasper looked taken aback. Alyssa, too, overheard Justin''sment.

    "Grandpa, Crescent Bay must be very lively tonight, right? Jasper, Ms. Alyssa, and Ben had dinner with you and yed fireworks. I can imagine how lovely it is.¡±

    Newton''s face stiffened. Justin had always been sensitive and shrewd from a young age. He was also equally smart as Jasper.

    However, Justin was very different from the honest and upright Jasper. Although he always wore a smile, one could not tell if he was being genuine or faking it.

    His words yed with one¡¯s mind, causing one to wonder about his undertones.

    Jasper stared at Justin gently. ¡°Justin, I''ll find time to visit you in Mosgravia with Grandpa. Let''s have a reunion.¡±

    "Will you bring Ms. Alyssa to see me?"

    Silence hung in the air. Justin, who had always been reserved, posed a direct question that caused Jasper to frown bitterly.

    Jasper grappled with hisplicated emotions, uncertain if Justin wanted to see him or Alyssa. "Gosh, no need for the trouble! Alice is right here. Let''s get it over with. You can meet her through the video call.¡± Newton then waved at Alyssa. "Alice,e and meet my eldest grandson and Jasper''s brother, Justin.¡±

    Alyssa hesitantly joined Jasper. Justin immediately saw a matching couple in front of him.

    Justin''s smile deepened as he examined Alyssa''s outstanding beauty. "Jasper, you''re lucky to have such a beauty by your side. Oh, I should call her my sister-inw now."

    Justin''s tone sounded earnest, not flirtatious. He seemed to be genuinelyplimenting Alyssa. Jasper merely pressed his lips without a word.

    "Justin, nice to meet you,¡± said Alyssa with a smile.

    She had deliberately sounded more distant in the way she addressed Justin to establish the appropriate boundaries.

    "I''ve met you before. This is not our first encounter,¡± replied Justin with a raised brow.

    Emotions flickered across Justin''s gentle face.

    Jasper felt his heart leap to his throat as he clenched his fist.

    Alyssa countered calmly, "Justin, if I''m not wrong, this is our first encounter. Isn''t it?"

    "Yes, this is the first time you met me, but it''s not my first time meeting you," Justin exined with a faint smile. "I met you a few years back. No, it was way before that. Alyssa, you''re more popr than you know.

    "I might be living in Mosgravia, but I visited your jewelry exhibition many times. I had the honor to win the bid for a few items for my collection. Just like what the young ones would say¡ªI''m a fan of yours."

 Chapter 1538

    "Justin, are you a fan of mine?" Alyssa blinked rapidly.

    The notion struck Alyssa as interesting. More peculiarly, Justin imed he had met her way earlier,

    which made her feel doubtful.

    Although her identity as Alexa got exposed, it was a well-kept secret years ago. From Justin''s words,

    he seemed to have known she was Alexa long before she was exposed.

    "I have heard great things about you. You feel familiar and real¡ªlike someone who''s by my side. I don''t

    see you as a stranger," remarked Justin earnestly.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Haha! My granddaughter-inw is pretty famous!" Joking, Newton took Alyssa and Jasper''s hands.

    Then, he put their hands on top of each other in front of Justin. "Jasper, you need to worship Alice. Just

    look at how famous and brilliant she is. She''s a lucky charm of the family!"

    Alyssa pressed her lips together as she blushed. Jasper interlocked his fingers with hers and dered,

    "Grandpa, don''t you worry about that. To her, I''m just her man. But to me, she is my entire world."

    In a ck wheelchair, Justin sat, half of his frosty face veiled in shadows after the call. The light and

    shadows seemed to have split his soul into two.

    He ced his arms on the armrests. Under his exquisite, sapphire-encrusted sleeve were his weak

    wrists. His slender fingers danced across the armrests as if he were ying a silent tune on the piano.

    "Sir, it''s time to take your medications," said Sheryl.

    She held a tray in her hand and strutted up to him. The tray contained a colorful assortment of pills and

    a crystal cup.

    He gave the pills a side-eye with a smirk. "That''s a lot of pills to take daily. I''m taking pills like they''re

    my meals. I wonder if my blood is as poisonous and bitter as the pills now."

    A look of pity shed across Sheryl''s eyes. "Sir, you''ve been through too much."

    "The same goes for you." Justin gracefully picked up the pills.

    She immediately shook her head. "My suffering is nothingpared to yours."

    "If I hadn''t made the wrong move, Jasper would be going through my suffering today." Justin shoved a

    pill into his mouth and chewed on it like candy. "If Jasper were the one who suffered, you would feel

    sorry for him. Right, Sheryl?"

    Sheryl went on one knee by his feet and carefully held his cold hand, treasuring it. "Sir, do not worry. I

    will never betray you even if the whole world is against you. I have no feelings left for Jasper but hatred

    at this point. I hate him as much as I hate Alyssayior!"

    He nced at Sheryl. She had been molded and trained to perfection. Still, her radiance paled in

    comparison to Alyssa''s dazzling beauty, as seen in the video call.

    Jasper always seemed to be the luckier one from a young age.

    "I overheard your call with Mr. Beckett Senior. He''s too much! How could he y favorites?" Sheryl was

    gripped by fury. "You''re his eldest grandson who grew up with him and Mr. Javier. You''re the legitimate

    heir, while Jasper is just an illegitimate son inferior to you."

 Chapter 1539

    "However, just take a look at the situation now. Does Mr. Beckett Senior still care for you? He has been

    keeping his guard up with you. He''s afraid of you.

    "Their little family has been enjoying each other''spany in Sna City. They''ve never shown

    concern over how you''ve survived through all those nights that were full of pain and suffering!

    "It was Jasper who snatched away all that belonged to you. Everything that he now has... Those were

    supposed to be yours!" Sheryl eximed.

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    Justin picked up another pill and put it in his mouth. He started chewing it. He closed his eyes and

    mumbled, "Grandpa, you said that he was just a child back then. But you seem to have forgotten that I

    was also a child at that time."

    Initially, Jasper and Alyssa wanted to stay back. They wanted to apany Newton. Nheless,

    Newton was adamantly against it. He insisted that they go back home.

    "Are you two out of your minds? Go on and enjoy each other''spany. Why do you always want to

    hang around an old man like me? Have you got too much time on your hands?"

    Newton pushed them outside. "It''s time to leave. I''m d that you came to see me. However, you''ll just

    be a nuisance to me if you stay for so long! See them off, Ben!"

    Alyssa pouted. "Grandpa, are you sure you want us to leave?"

    "Yes."

    Alyssa was speechless.

    Jasper frowned. He said in a worried tone, "But Grandpa, your health."

    "Don''t worry, Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa. I will keep you both closely updated about Mr. Newton," Ben

    reassured them.

    Jasper and Alyssa had no other choice. They left unwillingly.

    After seeing them off, Ben came back to Newton. Newton no longer had a smile on his face. Instead,

    he was looking glum.

    "Mr. Newton, didn''t you want them to stay back? It''s a good chance to spend some time together. Why

    did you."

    "Do you think I''d still be in the mood for that?"

    Newton pressed his hands against his chest. He breathedboriously. "I feel so uneasy, Ben. If I asked

    them to stay, they would be able to see that there was something wrong with me. I''m afraid of making

    them worry again."

    "Is it because of Mr. Justin?"

    "There are some things that I can''t exin clearly to you. I''m sure you understand."

    Newton was troubled. He felt anxious. "I''m more worried for Alyssa than Jasper right now! Or how

    about if I were to go to Belbanks in the next couple of days? I should meet with Mr. Winston to propose

    Jasper and Alyssa''s marriage! We shouldn''t keep dragging it. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be good!"

    "Please calm down, Mr. Newton."

    Ben reasoned with Newton. "Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa are now joined at the hip. Even so, their

    rtionship has just stabilized not too long ago. There have been so many ups and downs previously.

    Moreover, Ms. Alyssa can no longer be a mother because of our carelessness.

    "It wasn''t easy for Mr. Jasper to prevail over that painful past for now. He put in his own effort and

    worked really hard. The Taylor family members have now started to treat him a little more warmly.

    "This is a crucial moment. If we were to rock up to propose marriage, Mr. Winston would only think

    we''re walking all over him. He will think that we''re taking advantage of the situation. Who knows if that

    might backfire?

    "Mr. Winston... he has a unique personality. He can be very unpredictable!"

    Newton scratched his head anxiously. He sighed, "What should I do, then? I''m afraid that Alyssa will

    end up being won over by someone else!"

    "That won''t happen. Their love for one another is as steadfast as the sun. They are just stuck in

    between two families. So, they have to proceed slowly.

    "Moreover, they mentioned the marriage between Mr. Landon and Ms. Lauren over tonight''s dinner. I

    think you have to pay some attention to these two as well."

    Ben''s heart wrenched at the thought of Lauren. "Ms. Lauren is the one who is truly pitiful. It''s precious

    that Mr. Landon fell for her. And he stuck by her. It would be really regretful if Ms. Lauren missed out on

    being with him."

    Newton let out a heavy sigh. He pped his hand on the armrest. "These are all my grandchildren. I

    love all of them. I will make sure that they find their better halves, even if that means having to risk my

    life!"

 Chapter 1540

    When Jasper and Alyssa got home, Jasper received a call from Xavier. Then, he went to the study to

    get some work done.

    "Mr. Beckett, the foundation''s matters are pretty much all set. You''ll just need to pick a date for the

    official announcement."

    "Alright. Thanks." Jasper''s voice sounded low and a little weary.

    "Also, weren''t you nning to bring Madam to Swizo for a holiday? I''ve made preparations for a manor

    there. It''s right at the foot of the Alton Mountains. The scenery there is fantastic. You and Madam can

    head over there any time," Xavier said in a jolly tone.

    He had been feeling ted since they defeated Sophia. Every day, he was so happy that he''d be

    smiling in his sleep.

    However, Jasper still didn''t respond after a while. He wasn''t paying attention. He was still thinking

    about his conversation with Justin earlier that night. He was also bothered by how Justin had looked at

    Alyssa.

    Jasper felt his chest tighten. The look in his eyes was deep.

    "Mr. Beckett? Mr. Beckett? Did you doze off?"

    Jasper jolted back to his senses. "What were you saying?"

    "I was saying that I''ve made arrangements at Swizo. You can bring Madam for a vacation there any

    time."

    Concerned, Xavier asked, "What happened, Mr. Beckett? You sound weak. Are you feeling unwell?"

    "Xavier, I spoke to Justin earlier tonight. He''s also met Lyse." Jasper massaged his temples. He was

    feeling disconcerted.

    "What?" Xavier couldn''t help but exim. He simply blurted, "What the hell? What were you thinking?"

    Jasper was too distressed to reprimand him for hisnguage. He exined, "We were on a video call.

    Lyse and Grandpa were around, too. Justin said that he wanted to see her. I didn''t think too much

    about it. It wasn''t nice to reject him either."

    "You let him speak with her just because he said so? Are you going to give in to everything he says?

    Mr. Beckett! You''re usually an intelligent person. You''re as smart as a whip! Why did you be so

    senseless in the face of Mr. Justin?"

    Xavier was so anxious that he just rambled on. "That incident that happened when you were kids... It

    was an ident! An ident! What happened to Mr. Justin was terrible. But you were also a victim.

    You almost lost your life too!

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "It''s fine if you feel grateful toward him. However, you shouldn''t need to feel like you owe it to him

    forever! You don''t need to give in to his every demand!"

    Jasper furrowed his brows slightly. His heart sank.

    "I''m not trying to be a conspiracy theorist. But who knows if those kidnappers were actually targeting

    Mr. Justin? You might''ve just been coteral damage!"

    The more Xavier spoke, the more he felt indignant. "Just think about it. You were still so young back

    then. It had only been a few years since you got back to the Beckett family. Only a handful of outsiders

    knew of your existence.

    "Mr. Justin was different. Mr. Javier used to bring him out in public. He''s Mr. Javier''swful eldest son,

    born with a silver spoon in his mouth!

    "If I were a kidnapper, Mr. Justin would surely have been my number one target! He would be more

    valuable as a hostagepared to you. You were just an added benefit at the time!" Jasper was

    rendered speechless.

    Xavier spoke crudely. Nevertheless, his points were valid.

    Back then, Jasper was just an "illegitimate son". Justin was far more valued than he was.

    Yet, Jasper couldn''t deny that Justin had fought for his life too. That was how he was fortunate enough

    to escape from the grasp of those devils.

    "Madam has the beauty of an angel. Anyone would be enamored by her. You should''ve hid her well.

    But you actually let Mr. Justin meet her? Plus, he was the one who suggested it. You were really too

    compliant!"

    Would Justin, really? Would he be interested in Alyssa?

    Jasper inhaled sharply. He shook his head aggressively. He mumbled to himself, "He won''t."

    "He''s not a priest or a saint. What do you mean that he won''t? What if he bes interested in

    Madam? Are you going to give in to him too?"

    "Definitely not."

    Jasper''s eyes brightened. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins at the back of his hands started

    popping. "Lyse is my life. I will never give her up!"

    "Whatever it is, you need to have your guard up. You have to guard her with your life!"

    Xavier let out a long exhale. In a worried voice, he continued, "It''d still be okay if Mr. Justin continues to

    be a handicap for the rest of his life. If therees a day when he gets better... If he no longer needs

    the wheelchair.

    "You will be in an extremely dangerous position, Mr. Beckett! The entire Beckett Group''s structure will

    be subject to radical changes!"

 Chapter 1541

    There was a moment of silence. Then, Jasper said in a deep voice, "Thanks for your reminder, Xavier.

    But you were quite crass. Just beware of your year-end bonus if you were to do that again next time."

    Xavier couldn''t help but curse at Jasper inwardly. Jasper had gone straight for Xavier''s jugr.

    Back in the bedroom, Alyssa had just taken a bath. She smelled good. She sat in front of her vanity

    mirror in her peach-colored strap nightgown.

    She was brushing her dark, silky hair. She was spacing out as she continued brushing her hair.

    Repeatedly, she reyed her conversation with Justin in her mind. Strangely, a chill began to creep

    over her, sending shivers down her spine.

    Justin exuded gentlemanly qualities. His soft-spoken words were apanied by a gentle smile that

    radiated sincerity. However, despite his apparent warmth, an unsettling suspicion lingered within, as if

    he were stealthily encroaching on her territory. The feeling rmed Alyssa deeply.

    He had the same status of nobility as Jasper. Despite that, the level of intimidation that he carried was

    vastly different.

    Alyssa was deep in her thoughts when she suddenly felt a warmth at the back of her neck. She

    slumped her shoulders.

    She exhaled softly. Jasper already had his arms wrapped around her from behind. He gave her a peck

    on her cheek. In a sultry and hoarse voice, he asked, "What are you thinking about, Lyse?"

    "I was thinking about Justin," Alyssa blurted.

    Jasper''s eyes dimmed. A wave of emotions surged from within. His eyes turned red.

    Before Alyssa could even exin, he had already picked her up by her waist. With his muscr right

    arm holding her up by her tush, he marched straight toward the bed.

    "Jasper! What are you doing?" Alyssa''s eyes widened. The strap of her nightgown slipped off her left

    shoulder, exposing her breast.

    In the next moment, she was on the bed. She could feel the warmth and the weight of his body

    pressing down on her.

    As for her silk nightgown, it had already slipped some distance away from her.

    She noticed that his eyes were filled with passion. His gaze was fiery yet vignt all at once.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "Lyse, satisfy me^"

    "I''m really tired. How about tomorrow? Tomorrow morning?" Alyssa stared at him with a glimmer in her

    eyes. She felt a little uneasy.

    "No. I want you to satisfy me. right now."

    Jasper pressed his warm and moist lips against hers. He tilted his head and started kissing her

    intensely.

    Soon enough, she was swept up in a daze. She became immersed in waves of passion as their bodies

    rocked back and forth.

    Midway through making love, he mumbled in her ear, "Don''t think of him... You can only think of me!"

    Alyssaughed, "Why. You. Were you feeling jealous? You''re extremely jealous, aren''t you?"

    Jasper froze. He looked down at Alyssa, whose face was blushing pink. "You said that you were

    thinking about him. Shouldn''t I be jealous? I''m dying of jealousy right here."

    Alyssa stifled augh. She lifted her hands to give Jasper a pat on his sweaty cheeks. "You know that

    that wasn''t what I meant. Why did you still get so agitated? Moreover, he''s your biological brother."

    "There were times when I couldn''t even stand your own brother. So what if he''s my biological brother?"

    Jasper''s eyes were red. It was obvious that he was still mad.

    Alyssa felt helpless. At the same time, she was infinitely d.

    After a hot-blooded night.

    Alyssa rested her head on Jasper''s muscr arm. She was too drained to take another bath.

 Chapter 1542

    "I was just thinking about that conversation with Justin earlier tonight. It was really very intriguing,"

    Alyssa exined.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "That would be thest time."

    Jasper was still regretful that he had allowed them to meet. He pulled Alyssa in closer to him. "Next

    time, I will not let youe in contact with Justin again. Today was just an unexpected incident. Don''t

    think too much about it."

    "I''m not thinking too much about it. It seems to me that you''re the one who''s overthinking it."

    Alyssa lifted her head slightly. She gave him a gentle poke in the chest. "Does it still hurt right here?"

    He held her hand. He nted a kiss on her palm. "No, it''s better now."

    "There''s really no need for you to be so paranoid. Also, what you imagined was not realistic. Would

    Justin stay in Mosgravia forever? He''d have toe back eventually."

    Alyssa snuggledfortably in his arms. "He was the one who facilitated the Jesseltons'' discussion for

    a coboration with the Beckett Group. And now, he took the initiative to contact Grandpa. Did you not

    realize yet that these were forewarnings? He has always been paving the way for his return.

    "So, he will surely be back. How would it be possible for me to avoid him? On the contrary, I want to

    have a formal and proper meeting with your mysterious brother. He has seriously piqued my curiosity."

    "Justin... Could it be that his health has taken a turn for the better?" Jasper lowered his eyes.

    "You''ve struggled in the Beckett Group for so many years. How could you be so naive now?"

    Alyssa flicked him on the head gently. She continued angrily, "His health condition doesn''t matter at all.

    He could stille back to fight against you if he really wants to. He can do so as long as he''s alive.

    "Do you know what is making me feel even more anxious right now? It is the fact that we are

    completely unaware of his true intentions and capabilities. On the other hand, I keep getting the feeling

    that he''s already familiar with both of our situations here.

    "Earlier this evening, he even said that he''s a fan of mine. This shows that he has known that I was

    Alexa since a long time ago. I can''t help but feel bothered by this."

    Jasper was amazed that Alyssa had actually considered all of these. She really put a lot of deep

    thought into it.

    He gave her a kiss on her forehead. Deep down, he felt ashamed. "Lyse, you don''t have to worry about

    these. I''m here. I will handle everything. I will protect you and Grandpa."

    "Let me give you a hypothetical scenario. Imagine if Justines back and asks you to give up your

    position as president at the Beckett Group. And ne ims that Its because you owe It to mm.

    "Would you give it up to him?" Alyssa asked as shey on him. Her eyes shimmered like the morning

    star. She blinked.

    Without any hesitation, Jasper answered, "I won''t."

    Alyssa giggled. "Wow, you''ve grown up all of a sudden, haven''t you?"

    "In earlier times, the Beckett Group merely represented work, a veritable battlefield for me. However, it

    has transformed into the proposal gift that I now desire to present to you."

    Jasper massaged the back of her neck lovingly. He whispered, "How can I make you happy if that is

    gone?"

    In the dark, Alyssa''s eyes welled up with tears. She was ted. She hugged him tight.

    These few days, Landon had been swamped with work.

    As the uing president of the Harper Group, he had many important matters to attend to. There

    were many reports that he had to go through.

    During any pockets of free time, he would apany Lauren. In the midst of all these, he even

    brought her to Sna City twice. They went to visit the campus of the Sna City Arts Academy. They

    also had discussions about being a guest student.

    He basically had no time for himself.

    That said, his days were as sweet as honey. He felt blissful.

    He now experienced how it felt to have a sense of responsibility that stemmed from love. It made him

    feel really blessed.

    At the Sage Manor, Angelina prepared a table full of dishes tonight. Lauren was already seated at the

    table. She was quietly waiting for Landon toe downstairs so that they could eat together.

    They heard a series of footsteps. Both Angelina and Lauren turned their heads toward the direction of

    the staircase simultaneously.

    Landon was dressed neatly and smartly. He was walking down the stairs while buttoning his sleeve

    cket.

    "Mr. Landon, are you heading out?" Angelina was quite surprised. She wasn''t aware that Landon had

    ns this evening.

    Furthermore, he was dressed so formally. He seemed to be attending an important event.

    Landon nodded. "Yeah. I''m going out for a bit. I''ll probably be backte."

 Chapter 1543

    There was a slight tremor in Angelina''sshes. She shot a quick nce at the dinner spread. She then looked toward Lauren with a concerned gaze.

    They had agreed to gather over dinner tonight. She had been preparing their meal since the afternoon.

    Even though Lauren wasn''t too skilled at cooking, she lent a helping hand by the side, too. They were as busy as bees all afternoon.

    However, Landon now looked to be in a hurry. It appeared that he had no ns to have dinner at home.

    This was fine with her. But she was just afraid that Lauren would feel disappointed.

    "Aren''t you having dinner at home, Landon?" Lauren frowned slightly. She looked at him with an innocent look.

    A loving smile came across Landon¡¯s face. He walked to the front of Lauren. He ced his hand on her head and stroked her soft hair. "I have ns tonight. I won''t be eating at home.¡±

    "Can''t you adjust your ns a little?" Lauren''sshes fluttered as she peered at Landon cautiously. It made his heart melt. "Angie put in an afternoon''s effort to prepare this meal. These are the fruits of her hard work. Landon, can you have dinner before leaving?"

    "It''s alright with me, Madam Lauren!"

    Angelina shook her head. She felt undeserving to have Lauren side with her. Her face flushed red. "Mr. Landon, these are just a few simple dishes. It''s no problem. Your work is more important. I''ll walk you to your car.¡±

    "How can it be no problem? You spent so much time preparing them. You must be tired!"

    Lauren grabbed onto Landon¡¯s hand. Her palms were mmy. "Can you have dinner first, please? Angie put in a lot of effort.¡±

    She really liked Angelina.

    They spent their days together. The time spent with Angelina was more than she shared with Landon. She was shy when she was with Landon. But she could chat endlessly with Angelina.

    It was extremely rare for Lauren to make requests with Landon. Previously, she requested to see her mother for onest time. Other than that, this seemed to be her second time making a request. Angelina felt a lump in her throat. "Madam Lauren..."

    Landon was taken aback. He nced over at Angelina coldly.

    Then, with a smile, he pulled a chair and sat next to Lauren. After that, he grabbed her by the arm and sat her in between his legs. He crossed his legs, pinning her down to his chair.

    "Okay, I''ll listen to my darling. I''ll eat.¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    However, Landon was still not satisfied. He picked Lauren up by her waist and sat her on hisp. He smirked as he gave her a gentle peck on her cheek. Their interaction was intimate and sweet.

    "Time for dinner, Angie. Please serve up more for me."

    "Alright!" Angelina''s face lit up upon seeing that Landon had decided to stay for dinner with Lauren. Over dinner, Landon and Lauren took turns to feed one another. It was an endearing sight to behold.

    Angelina was also seated at the table. Unlike the overflowing sweetness from Lauren and Landon, she felt like her food tasted nd.

    However, it was still an enjoyable meal.

    After a hearty dinner, Landon walked out of the manor hand in hand. Angelina tagged along behind them.

    "Take good care of Lauren, Angie.¡± Landon wrapped his arm around Lauren''s waist. He kissed her on her forehead.

    "Come back soon," Lauren said softly.

    "Don''t be like this, darling. I won''t be able to leave home." Landon gave her a cheeky squeeze on her bottom. "Don''t stay up. Rest early, and don''t wait up for me."

 Chapter 1544

    Lauren watched as Landon left. She stood there until she could no longer see his car''s tail lights.

    Angelina walked to her side. "Madam Lauren."

    "Yes?" Lauren turned to look at her.

    "Thank you for speaking up for me today. Thank you." Angelina felt a surge of emotions. Tears welled

    up in her eyes.

    She started working for Landon when she was young. In her youth, she worked as his helper. She then

    became his secretary-cum-bodyguard when she got older.

    She was someone who received strict training. She also suffered through difficult times. She was frigid

    and apathetic toward everyone other than Landon.

    Unexpectedly, Lauren''s appearance allowed her to feel the warmth of a family. This was something that

    she had never experienced before. She was moved beyond words.

    Lauren was her employer. However, Angelina loved her like how she would a younger sister.

    "I know that you''ve worked hard, Angie."

    Lauren held Angelina''s calloused hand. Lauren''s hand was warm. With a twinkle in her eyes, she said,

    "You''re always thinking of Landon. Even if he doesn''t see it, I do. These are still your kind intentions.

    He shouldn''t let you down like that."

    Angelina opened her mouth to speak but couldn''t find any words to say. So, she just held her hand

    tightly to express her gratitude.

    It was a rare asion that Cornelius had called for a family dinner that night. He had invited all their

    family members to join. As he was the head of the family, the others didn''t dare to decline.

    Even if the family members didn''t get along with him, they decided to y along. Theyplied albeit

    pretentiously.

    Landon waltzed into the dining room. Cornelius, Preston, Sylvia, and Penelope were already seated.

    "Sorry, I''mte, Grandpa." Landon smiled slightly. He sat down with elegance.

    It had been a while since Penelope saw Landon. Her eyes lit up with joy when she saw him.

    Landon used to be a wild child. He lived like an ouw and was disrespectful toward his family

    members. Whenever they had family dinners, he would simply fool around.

    Cornelius held amb feast two years ago. Landon ripped off a leg ofmb and started gnawing on it.

    He behaved just like a barbarian.

    Now, he was apletely different person. He carried himself like a leader. He resembled his father in

    many ways.

    It was clear that he had be much more mature and stable.

    "At least you made it."

    Cornelius nodded toward Landon. He seemed to be in a fairly good mood. "But you should get here

    earlier next time. You don''t want your elders to be waiting for you, do you? You''re not going to work.

    You''reing over to my ce. It''s better to arrive earlier."

    Landon smiled. "Got it, Grandpa. I''ll be more mindful next time."

    "Hey, Landon is now a pir of our family. He''s a busy man."

    Preston hadn''t shown up in a while. He had lost while fighting for his position. He turned green with

    envy when he saw Landon. He smiled superficially and said, "He''s the soon-to-be president of the

    Harper Group. Things are surely different now.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "So, Dad, leave him be. Although we''re his elders, we can be understanding too. Once he''s appointed,

    I''ll need to rely on his support. Even though I''m his uncle, he''ll help to bring me honor.

    "You might not know this. I met up with some friends a few days ago. They were all asking me about

    Landon. They wanted to meet the future heir of the Harper Group.

    "The new really overthrows the old. It is nowpletely past our era."

    Cornelius was half-smiling. It was difficult to decipher what he was really feeling.

    Landon looked toward Preston. He looked menacing. Landon squinted and red coldly at him.

    "I know all of your buddies, Uncle Preston. Birds of the same feather truly flock together. What good will

    it do for you to hang out with them all the time? Have you been working on the project that Grandpa

    assigned to you?"

    Preston froze. He wanted to argue, but Landon was not going to allow him to.

    He continued, "You haven''t evenpleted your own task. Yet, you want to pull some strings and

    create opportunities for them? Is it so that they can get associated with Harper Group?

    "Forgive me for being straightforward. But even vassal states during ancient times would know how to

    present their yearly offerings to superior states.

    "Those buddies of yours would only leech onto the Harper Group. Which one of them would bring

    about any benefits to us? Not only that, you''re wanting to introduce them to me. Do I seem like a

    doormat to you?"

    Preston''s face flushed red with anger. Before he could reply, Landon''s following statements made his

    blood pressure shoot through the roof.

    Landon said, "Also, we''re rtives. You don''t have to waste your time beating around the bush. You

    don''t have to be so cryptic. You disappeared for a few months. I thought you had gone for some

    meditation camp during these few months when you were absent."

 Chapter 1545

    Landon had shamed Preston straightforwardly.

    Preston was embarrassed.

    Preston knew Landon as someone ruthless, careless, and rude. He was someone who was about to

    be president of their corporation.

    Moreover, Cornelius was present with them. Preston assumed that Landon would have practiced some

    restraint.

    In the end, he didn''t hold back at all!

    As the head of the family, Cornelius wanted to rebuke Landon. But on second thought, he figured that

    there was nothing wrong with what Landon had said. He wasn''t too fond of the useless bunch that

    Preston had befriended anyway.

    So, he simply cleared his throat in an attempt to break the tension.

    Penelope, on the other hand, couldn''t stand it anymore. She frowned and chided, "Landon, how could

    you speak to your Uncle Preston like that? Don''t be rude!"

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Preston chuckled. "Oh, don''t say that to Landon, Penny. He''s just a child in our eyes."

    Sylvia Jansen, Preston''s wife, tried to diffuse the situation quickly.

    She smiled warmly at Landon and said, "Landon, that''s how Preston usually is. Otherwise, how did he

    end up with just a few friends? His other friends left because they got mad at him. He wasn''t targeting

    you specifically. Don''t misunderstand him."

    Landon rxed his brows. He swiveled the wine ss in his hand.

    This wasn''t the first time that Preston and Landon had gotten into an argument.

    Preston was impotent. As a result, he was unable to satisfy Sylvia sexually. So, for years, they only

    seemed close on a surface level. Even so, he always provided for her materially. As such, she

    continued staying by his side.

    Rather than being husband and wife, they were more like Bonnie and Clyde. They were a couple who

    schemed to make the Harper Group their own. They were like two blood-hungry leeches.

    Landon red icily at Preston and Sylvia. He clenched his teeth. He vowed tond a powerful smack

    on these two pests and squish them to death.

    Scrumptious-looking dishes were served. Everyone started to eat. However, Landon was only tasting

    the red wine. He didn''t touch the food on his te at all.

    Who would have thought that Lauren would feed him so well? It was as if she was afraid that he''d

    starve. He was so full that his trousers could barely stay buckled when he was in the car. He felt so

    uneasy.

    All in all, the delicacies outside still could notpare with the home-cooked meals he had at Sage

    Manor.

    Everything tasted nd to him without Lauren by his side.

    "Why aren''t you eating, Landon?" Sylvia asked in a concerned manner. She smiled. "This is a top-

    grade steak, specially imported from Furancia. Cornelius chose it especially for you. This shows how

    much he really loves you."

    Landon replied coldly, "Beef is difficult to digest. I get indigestion if I have too much of it. Thank you,

    Grandpa, for thinking of me."

    "Indigestion? You''ve always been healthy. When did you start having stomach problems, Landon? Did

    Angie even care for you properly?" Penelope''s expression was full of worry. She was really concerned

    for Landon.

    "It has nothing to do with Angie, Mom."

    "You''re usually a disorganized person. You''ve been so busy every day. On top of that, you have to look

    after that woman from the Beckett family. Wouldn''t these take a toll on your health eventually?"

    Penelope deemed Lauren to be the daughter of a murderer. The thought of her own son being

    entangled with someone like that made her furious. At the same time, she knew that this wasn''t a good

    time for her to rant.

    Instead, she insinuated, "It''s not healthy to have food from elsewhere. It''ll be toote once it affects

    your health!"

    "Mom, you can address Lauren by her name. You can also call her Ms. Lauren. But please don''t refer

    to her as ''that woman.''"

    Landon became serious-looking. His voice was deep. "Lauren has never talked bad about you. When

    she mentions you, she''s never been disrespectful either. I hope that you can also be respectful toward

    the person I love."

    Penelope was silenced. Her hands that were holding her cutleries started shaking.

    If this were to continue, Lauren would end up stealing Landon!

    Preston observed as Landonshed out at Penelope, his own mother, without discrimination. The

    tension disappeared from his face. He became more at ease and sniggered to himself silently.

    Lauren was Landon''s weakness.

    He simply needed to find a suitable opportunity. He could probably make use of Lauren to get control

    over Landon. Then, he could turn the tables.

    "Landon, Preston mentioned that you brought your girlfriend to the previous horse racingpetition.

    Everyone met her there."

    Sylvia started to stir things up again. She sighed, "I was unwell that day, so I wasn''t able to attend. It''s a

    pity that I didn''t get to meet Ms. Lauren. We''re gathering to have dinner as a family here tonight. You

    should''ve brought her along."

    Landon disregarded Sylvia. He turned his gaze toward Cornelius and asked, "May I, Grandpa?"

    "May you what?" Cornelius was taken aback.

    "May I bring Lauren, your granddaughter-inw, to our family dinner next time?"

 Chapter 1546

    Preston gave Sylvia a sidelong nce. He looked annoyed. He felt that this was a crucial moment.

    What she had just said was unnecessary.

    Lauren was Sophia''s daughter. At the same time, she was also Javier''s daughter. She was his precious

    daughter. There was no doubt about that.

    He had thoughts about making use of Lauren for his own purposes. But he certainly wasn''t going to

    allow Landon to marry her.

    Should Landon choose to marry her, he would be formally establishing a marital alliance with a

    prosperous family. Plus, Javier would end up bing his father-inw.

    Wasn''t that simply allowing Landon to be even more powerful?

    What he needed to do now was to decide between two options.

    One option was to use Lauren to threaten Landon so that Landon wouldn''t be able to be

    president.

    Or he could take a step back and allow him to be the president. But he certainly had to prevent

    the marriage with the Beckett family.

    Landon''s words made the tension in the dining room rise.

    Cornelius raised his eyebrows in surprise. Neither did he look at Landon nor say anything in response.

    Penelope couldn''t hold herself back. She chimed in, "Don''t you know the rules at our family dinners,

    Landon? Only our own family members are allowed to attend family dinners. It''s inappropriate for you

    to bring an outsider!"

    "An outsider?"

    Landon felt a ball of fury rise within him. His face turned frigid instantly. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

    "No worries. Lauren will no longer be an outsider soon enough. She will be my wife. She will be

    part of our Harper family."

    Penelope felt a lump in her throat. "Why are you bringing this up again, Landon? Do you think this is

    the right time to talk about this?"

    "I decided toe tonight because of this."

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    Landon then rose from his seat slowly. He turned his body to face Cornelius. He had a fiery look in his

    eyes.

    "Grandpa, I came here today because there was something I wanted to inform you and everyone here

    about. I want to take Lauren as my wife. Please give us your blessings."

    Upon saying that, Landon looked at Cornelius and behaved in a very respectful manner.

    Cornelius stared at Landon with wide eyes. This scene was shocking and unimaginable to everyone

    present.

    Landon had been wayward since young. He was someone who loved to boast and unt. He''d never

    behaved politely to others or acted so seriously before.

    For the sake of marrying Lauren, he was willing to humble himself.

    "Landon, I don''t think Ms. Lauren is good enough for you."

    Cornelius looked at Landon with a sharp gaze. His tone was full of contempt and disdain. "I don''t care if

    it''s Ms. Betty or Ms. Lauren, whom you like. Neither of them can change the fact that they are the

    daughters of a murderer.

    "Sophia has been sentenced to death. Video clips of her trial have spread across the inte.

    Everyone is badmouthing her. What do you think it would mean for you to marry her daughter? Are you

    trying to clean up after that bitch, Sophia?"

    Penelope nodded in agreement.

    Preston and Sylvia continued eating and drinking. But they both had mocking smiles on their faces,

    albeit covertly.

    As for Landon, he felt as if he was being exposed to a blizzard. His eyes were red, and he felt chills

    spreading to his extremities.

    "You are my grandson. Your status is much more noble than Jasper''s. You can get any woman you like.

    Why must you marry a murderer''s daughter? People willugh at you if news about this gets out!"

    Cornelius looked frigid. He shook his head. "You''re notpatible with her at all. I cannot give you my

    blessings."

    "Grandpa! Sophia is the one who sinned. What does that have to do with her daughter?"

 Chapter 1547

    Landon raised his voice. The veins on his temples were popping. "Moreover, Lauren wasn''t even born

    when Sophiamitted her crime. She ispletely innocent. You can''t discriminate against her like

    that!"

    "What was done by the previous generation cannot be held against the next, yet they can significantly

    influence the subsequent generation," Cornelius spoke in a firm tone. He was not going to empathize

    any longer.

    He continued, "What kind of a daughter would Sophia be capable of raising? Just look at her eldest

    daughter. What was her name? Betty, was it? She took advantage of her mother''s position to oppress

    Zoe!

    "Penelope hid this from me for a long time before she eventually decided to disclose it. They are born

    to the same mother. How much better would her younger daughter be?"

    Penelope chimed in in agreement immediately, "You''re absolutely right, Dad! You took the words

    straight out of my mouth!"

    "Grandpa! You have only ever met Lauren briefly. You''ve never even spoken to her before. You''ve

    never tried to understand her before. How could you just pass judgment on her like that?"

    Landon gritted his teeth. His blood was boiling. He couldn''t bear to listen to all these. He couldn''t even

    bear to hear a single word.

    Lauren was now living in her own world, filled with happiness and warmth. It was also the world that

    Landon had worked hard to build for her.

    Unbeknownst to Lauren, an entirely different world existed on the other side. Stepping outside would

    subject her to sharp words and gossip.

    He wanted to shield her from all the hurt. He wanted the entire Harper family to acknowledge her. It

    wasn''t his wish to keep her hidden like a secret lover.

    It was clear that taking this step was far more challenging than he had imagined.

    "You are now in a different position, Landon. You are soon going to be the Harper Group''s president.

    You will be the face of our family. In the past, you used to enjoy yourself out there. That was fine. But

    your actions now will have a direct impact on the corporation."

    Preston leaped at this chance to strike while the iron was hot. He pretended to be considerate of

    everyone.

    "There are no outsiders here today. So, I''ll be very honest. It wasn''t a walk in the park for your

    grandfather to build our family business.

    "He has two scars of a few inches long on his back. Those were the scars from his early days when he

    started out. You should be very familiar with the beginnings of the Harper Group.

    "All these years, Grandpa and your father have worked so hard to put the Harper Group back on the

    right track. You should know this better than anyone else.

    "Our corporation isn''t very stable now, and our reputation has also taken a hit, thanks to that woman

    from the Taylor family. What would people say about us if you were to marry that murderer''s daughter

    now?

    "I know that you''re both in love. But those who don''t know would think that we are under the Beckett

    family''s control. They might assume that the Becketts have got a hold on us. Wouldn''t your

    grandfather''s and father''s efforts all go to waste then?"

    Penelope was reminded of her husband, Bill, who had died in the helicopter ident. She couldn''t

    restrain her emotions and started getting teary-eyed.

    Preston''s words resonated strongly with Cornelius. "You''re right, Preston! Landon, marriage is not a

    small matter. You can''t simply act on impulse.

    "I want you to have a clean break from Ms. Lauren as soon as possible. She is far from qualified to

    marry into our family!"

    "I''m capable of shouldering the responsibilities over the Harper Group. You don''t have to worry for me,

    Uncle Preston."

    Landon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, his eyes were filled

    with unyielding determination.

    He added, "Also, I have made up my mind. I will marry Lauren. She is the only one that I will wed!"

    "You!" Cornelius mmed his hand on the table. He red at Landon, who had a resolute expression

    on his face.

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    Landon was exactly like Bill when he was being stubborn.

    "Grandpa, I didn''te here to hear you say these things."

    Landon lowered his gaze. He sat back down on his chair with his fists clenched tightly under the table.

    "Right now, most of the projects and businesses under the Harper Group are managed by me.

    "I also have my shares, along with Dad''s. If I were to transfer them to someone else or cash them out,

    it would be a great loss to the corporation.

    Cornelius'' and Preston''s jaws dropped.

    They couldn''t believe that Landon was throwing away his future because of Lauren. He even resorted

    to threatening the Harper Group.

    "The Harper Group will have a promising future if you follow my wishes. Otherwise, I can only tackle

    the problem using my own methods."

    Landon smirked. "It''s not a big deal for me to transfer my projects to Jasper or Alyssa. We''re friends

    anyway. If I were to help them today, they''d return the favor in the future. Don''t you think so?"

 Chapter 1548

    "Landon! Are you out of your mind? What are you talking about?" Penelope was so mad that she

    started shaking.

    Cornelius stared straight at Landon. The tension between them was so thick that it could be cut with a

    knife.

    The thing he was most worried about had happened. Landon had gotten more and more powerful. He

    had achieved so much that he dominated over him.

    Landon was like Alexander the Great in his prime. However, Cornelius himself was no longer the

    powerful Philip II!

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    He was getting old. He was losing control over Landon. Moreover, he was his only grandson. While

    Preston harbored ambition, hecked thepetence to match his aspirations. The Harper Group''s

    future still had to be in Landon''s hands.

    However, Cornelius couldn''t give in just like that. As the head of the family, he was being threatened by

    his grandson! He felt humiliated.

    Right at that moment, Preston''s cell phone vibrated. He pulled it out and nced at it impatiently.

    His eyes widened suddenly. He got up to answer the call outside.

    There was no one in the corridor. Preston answered the phone call. "Hi, Zoe. To what do I owe the

    pleasure of receiving your call?"

    "I miss you, Uncle Preston," Zoe said in a forcefully honeyed voice. The sound of her voice was

    enough to give one goosebumps.

    "There''s been much lessughter at home because you''re not in Sna City. Cornelius and Penelope

    had abandoned you. I really can''t stomach that." Preston lit a cigarette. He narrowed his eyes and took

    a puff of his cigarette.

    Despite sounding cheerful earlier, Zoe now choked on her tears. "I wish I could go back home too. But

    I''m sure you also know that Landon hates me to the core.

    "I''ve been feeling so lonely at Yoarkley. Not being able to go back home makes me feel as if I''ve been

    sentenced to death! Uncle Preston, I want to go home. I miss Grandpa and Mom.

    "I know that you love me the most, Uncle Preston. Would you mind talking to Grandpa about letting me

    return to Sna City?"

    "I wish that you coulde back too. But even your grandfather doesn''t have a say now. Landon is the

    one who is in control of the Harper family."

    Preston was well aware that the rtionship between Landon and Zoe had strained beyond salvage.

    He seized the opportunity to sow discord again.

    "Furthermore, Landon just told us that he wants to marry Ms. Lauren. He said that it had to be her.

    Once they get married, even I won''t have a ce in this family. As much as I want to help you, my

    hands will also be tied!"

    Zoe was silent for a moment. Out of the blue, she lowered her voice. "I might be able to help you,

    Uncle Preston. If so, would you be able to think of a way to help me return to Sna City?"

    "You''re saying that you can help me? How are you able to do so?"

    Preston raised his brow doubtfully. He took the opportunity to share his conditions. "Are you able to

    stop Landon from marrying thatdy from the Beckett family? He has already disclosed his intentions. If

    he really ends up bing Mr. Javier''s son-inw... You will end up having challenging days ahead of

    you, Zoe."

    "I can do that, Uncle Preston. However, I''ll need to first leave Yoarkley and return home. Only then will I

    be able to help you."

    "Landon is an impatient man. I wouldn''t be surprised if he registers his marriage with Lauren tomorrow.

    It might be toote if we wait for you toe back."

    Zoe scoffed. "Uncle Preston, you cannot oppose them. Not just that, you need to show that you are

    fully supportive of them at this time. It would be best if you are able to convince Grandpa to approve

    their marriage."

    "What did you say? But why?" Preston was perplexed.

    "I have my own reasons for saying so."

    Zoe sounded cold. She even added some suspense by saying, "First, get this done properly. Wait for

    my return to Sna City for whates after. I already have some ns in mind."

 Chapter 1549

    The atmosphere in the dining room was tense. The air around the Harpers was frosty. Neither

    Cornelius nor Landon was willing to give in. The situation was not going to end well.

    "Oh well, Dad, Landon, we don''t always get to gather for a meal as a family. Ease up!"

    Prestonughed awkwardly. He walked toward Cornelius and helped him to take his seat. He then

    started to massage his shoulders.

    "Dad, Landon has been helping you to manage the vast Harper Corporation. It hasn''t been easy on him

    ¡ªworking such long hours. He has been a big contributor to our family."

    Landon stared coldly at Preston. He thought that he looked untrustworthy. He figured that he wouldn''t

    have anything nice to say.

    "Think about it. Has Landon ever requested anything from you all these years?"

    Cornelius knitted his brows tightly. He gave it a good thought.

    His eldest son, Bill, passed away at a young age. Landon was Bill''s only son. Landon started bearing

    the responsibility of caring for Penelope and Zoe from a very young age.

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    Moreover, he had been spending time away from home alone all these years. Projects that he invested

    in reaped a fair amount of earnings. His business expanded in Sna City, and he became more and

    more sessful.

    Indeed, he had never made any requests from Cornelius nor asked for any help.

    Preston noticed from Cornelius'' expression that he had loosened up a little. So, he chuckled, "Now,

    Landon just wants to take Ms. Lauren as his wife. It''s rare for him to make any requests with you. You

    should just give him your blessing."

    Cornelius lifted his head and looked at Preston in shock. He pursed his lips.

    Landon was taken aback too. Preston had just leaped at the opportunity to oppose him and trip him up

    a moment ago. He hadn''t expected Preston to speak on his behalf now.

    Did he just go out to take a piss? Did he just have his years of ridiculousness excreted? Why was he

    being reasonable all of a sudden?

    Preston then lowered his body. In a low voice, he uttered by Cornelius'' ear, "It''s true that Ms. Lauren is

    Sophia''s daughter. However, she is also Javier''s daughter at the same time. She is legitimately one of

    the Becketts.

    "Plus, the Beckett Group is one of the leading conglomerates in Sna City. It''s more than beneficial to

    have a marriage alliance with them. With this, we can forge a better rtionship between both families.

    "We don''t really work together from the business side of things. Even so, we can still get a hold of them

    through the marriage alliance.

    "In the future, the Becketts will also have to take us into consideration. As their inws, wouldn''t they

    have to help us out too?"

    Preston even put his hand by his mouth and whispered, "As for thatdy from the Beckett family... you

    don''t have to exasperate yourself over her. Don''t you already know what kind of person Landon is?

    "He was just looking for someone refreshing. Plus, she is the sister of one of his best buddies. That

    makes it even more exciting."

    Cornelius clicked his tongue. He couldn''t stand Preston''s foul words.

    "My point is, his decision to marry her doesn''t make a difference. I''ll give it two years. He''ll be

    bored of her and then cast her aside. The conclusion of their marriage may align with the point at which

    we''ve garnered significant profits from the Beckett Group.

    "These things. Well, we''re on the groom''s side of the family. We won''t be the ones suffering a loss. I''m

    sure that you understand."

    Landon was some distance away. So, he couldn''t hear a word that Preston said to Cornelius.

    He was only able to observe that Cornelius'' expression had be more rxed.

    "I see that you are being sincere, Landon. You said that she''s the one for you. Alright then, I shall give

    you my blessing."

    Cornelius finally had an out. Nheless, he maintained a reluctant expression on his face.

    "That said, there is no way that I will go to the Becketts on your behalf to propose this marriage. She is

    the woman you want. So, you should fight for her on your own. I have nothing to say as long as the

    Beckett family is in agreement!"

    Penelope and Sylvia were stunned. Penelope fixed her eyes on Cornelius. Sylvia, on the other hand,

    looked toward Preston.

    Landon almost couldn''t believe his ears. His eyes lit up with joy. A broad smile spread across his face,

    unveiling his gleaming, white teeth. He was just like a youthful man.

    "Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you for your blessing! I will bring Lauren to meet you as soon as

    possible!"

    The family dinner ended. Landon bid Penelope goodbye. He couldn''t wait to get back home.

    Penelope watched as Landon left. She was seething with resentment. She felt troubled. At the same

    time, she couldn''t bear to part with Landon.

    Zoe wasn''t by her side. Penelope was no longer her only son''s priority. He was always caring for

    Lauren. It seemed to her as if he had already be a useless man.

    She felt a sense of destion at that thought. She clung to herpel. "Why am I having such a tough

    life?"

    "Why do you say that, Penny? You are about to wee a daughter-inw with a noble status. If I

    were you, I''d go to church to thank God for that."

    Sylvia walked to her side with a smile on her face. "Just wait until Zoees back to your side. Your

    family will liven up once again. You should look for an opportunity to have Zoee back."

    "Exactly! Zoe! My Zoe shoulde back to my side!" Penelope was reminded of Zoe, who was living

    elsewhere on her own. She couldn''t help but tear up again.

    Sylvia got into the car. The smile disappeared from her face instantly. She stared coldly at Preston, who

    was ying mobile games.

    "What the hell are you doing? Weren''t you very against the marriage alliance between Landon and the

    Beckett family in the first ce? Why did you change your mind?"

    "You''re just an ignorant woman. What would you know?"

    Preston lifted the corner of his lip into a sly smile. "In other words, this is known as sycophancy. My

    intention is to let Landon take pride in his sess. I want him to have the perception that he has

    acquired his sess. The more sessful he bes, the harder he will fall!"

 Chapter 1550

    It was alreadyte into the night when Landon got back home.

    Angelina happened to being out from theundry room with a basket full of clothes. She put the

    basket down to wee Landon the moment she spotted him.

    "Where''s Lauren? Has she gone to bed?" Landon took off his suit jacket and handed it to her. He

    looked pumped up and ecstatic.

    "She has."

    Landon sighed, "I rushed all the way back..."

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    He was a little disappointed. However, he continued smiling brightly right after. "I''ll just update her

    tomorrow morning, then."

    Angelina blinked. "You have good news, Mr. Landon?"

    "Grandpa has agreed."

    Landon was bright-eyed. He was so excited that his voice was trembling. "Grandpa has agreed to me

    marrying Lauren!"

    "Really?"

    Angelina was overjoyed. Tears welled up, making her eyes glisten. "Congrattions! Your wish to

    marry Madam Lauren is finallying true! There''s nothing more joyous than this!"

    "Mom called me when I was on my way home. She said that she could agree to ept Lauren. But

    only on the condition that Zoe has to be allowed to return."

    Landon''s gaze turned cold. He scoffed, "How could that be? Mom was such a simple person. When did

    she learn to bargain with others? Does she think I will not marry Lauren so long as she disapproves?"

    Angelina nodded in concurrence.

    The impression she had of Penelope was that important matters often eluded her. Landon was always

    the one holding things together after Bill''s passing. If it hadn''t been for Landon, Preston would have

    taken over thepany long ago.

    Landon lowered his voice. "However, Grandpa only agreed because Prepillon put in a few good words

    on my behalf. He might be cooking something up. I need to keep a watch on him."

    "Preston is the type of person who only does things for his own benefit. You should still beware of him,"

    Angelina said seriously.

    Landon took a quick shower before sliding under the covers. Hey next to Lauren, feeling satisfied.

    The more he thought about it, the more excited he felt. He wasn''t able to fall asleep. Thus, he inched

    closer to Lauren quietly, closing the gap between them.

    Despite that, he wasn''t satisfied. He ced his arms around her.

    His body started burning up once he embraced her. He slipped his yful hand under her nightgown

    and started to fondle her.

    Lauren stirred. She opened her bleary eyes. Naturally, she hugged him. "You''re back..."

    "I''m sorry to wake you, darling." Landon felt a little bad. Yet, he was reluctant to retract his hand.

    "Landon. are you. wanting to do it?" Lauren had been conditioned by him. She was being too

    considerate and tuned in.

    Landon sighed. He pulled her in by the waist. "It''s alright. Otherwise, you won''t be able to get a shuteye

    again tonight."

    "You seem very happy."

    Lauren closed her eyes. She listened to his racing heart. "Your heart is beating really fast. Also, when I

    was asleep, I think I heard youughing. What made you so happy?"

    Landon took a deep breath. He kissed her on the forehead. In a loving voice, he exined, "I am finally

    going to marry you, Lauren. I can marry you with my head held up high.

    "You will be able to be the wife of the Harper Group''s president. You are going to be

    acknowledged by everyone. You will no longer be in the shadows."

    Lauren''s eyes shot open. There was a sparkle in her eyes.

    Landon continued seriously, "I n to meet your father within these two days. I will bring you along. I

    want to ask him for your hand in marriage. I want to do this officially."

    Lauren gaped. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

    Landon had been addressing her as his "darling" every day. Even so, she only ever treated it as his pet

    name for her. She had never demanded marriage from him.

    What was more was that Sophia had been sentenced to death for murder. Since then, she never dared

    to hope that she''d really be able to marry him. All she wanted was to apany him in silence.

    "Landon. You. You don''t need to force yourself."

    "Force myself? You''re saying that I''m forcing myself?"

    Landon was so worried that his voice cracked. His love and passion for her burned like a fire within

    him. He squeezed her tightly in his arms. "No, Lauren. I''m not forcing myself. My dream is to marry

    you. That''s all I wish for in my life."

    They spent a few days preparing. Landon and Lauren picked a restful day to visit Seaview Manor.

    "Mr. Landon? Ms. Lauren? You''re here!" Rory was the first toe out and greet them.

    "How have you been, Mr. Rory?" Lauren linked arms with Landon. Her smile was as bright as the sun.

    "I''m good. I feel even better after seeing you."

    Rory observed Lauren closely. Her cheeks were rosy. It appeared that Lauren had gained some weight.

    He figured that Landon had been taking good care of her. In fact, he was treating her very well. With

    that, It made Rory feel more at ease too.

    "May I know if Mr. Javier is around, Mr. Rory?"

    Landon was smiling warmly. He held on to Lauren''s hand tightly. "I wish to see him. I have something

    very important to discuss with him."

    Rory noticed that Lauren was blushing. He had a pretty good guess about what it was about. He

    couldn''t hide the glee on his face.

    "Mr. Javier is home. I will go to him right away and..."

    "Lauren, you''re back."

    Before Rory could finish his sentence, he heard Javier''s voiceing from behind him.

    Both Landon and Lauren looked up.

    Javier was walking down the stairs slowly. He was in his casual homewear. Betty was tagging along

    behind him. She was dressed more modestly now.

    Landon almost couldn''t recognize her. Didn''t she use to be very shy? At first nce, he actually

    thought that Liana had made her return from overseas.

    "Dad. Hi, Dad." Lauren tightened her grip on Landon''s hand. She was clearly more nervous than

    earlier.

    Javier acknowledged her greeting. Then, he looked over at Landon. The gaze in his eyes turned cold

    instantly.

    "You''re finally willing toe back home, Laurie." Betty forced a friendly smile on her face. "It''s been

    so long since I saw you. I really missed you."

    "Lauren." Javier had a glum expression on his face. His tone was frigid. "Now that you''re home, don''t

    leave. You''re not a wild child whom no one cares about. You are part of the Beckett family. What would

    others think if you''re always staying out?"

    "That''s right, Laurie." Betty furrowed her brows. She had a concerned look on her face. "You are only in

    your early 20s. You are still in your youth. What''s all this business about cohabiting with another man?

    "Your good reputation wille to ruins once people learn about this. Mr. Landon is a man, so it

    doesn''t really matter to him. But you are a woman. You are the one on the losing end!"

 Chapter 1551

    At that moment, Lauren''s throbbing heart began to tremble. Blood drained from her face. She was like

    a terrified kitten stuck in a tree.

    She pursed her lips. Out of reflex, she let go of Landon''s hand.

    Landon felt slightly short of breath. He grabbed her hand almost in an overbearing manner. He held her

    hand so tightly that he nearly cut off the blood cirction in her hand.

    "She was with me. So what? Is that any of your business?"

    Landon shot a sharp look at Betty. He stared at her coldly while she tried to hide the glee on her face.

    "There''s something that I''ve never realized before. I didn''t know you were such a conservative woman,

    Ms. Betty. That''s vastly different from your usual behavior."

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    Betty''s heart missed a beat. She turned pale. "You... What are you bbering about?"

    "I wasn''t bbering. Just head out of Seaview Manor and ask anyone from the upper-ss society in

    Sna City. Just ask them about your reputation and how wild your conduct is. It will all be as

    clear as day."

    Landon curled the corner of his lip into a wide smirk.

    "I have a number of friends who have messed around with you before. Have you forgotten about them?

    I can remind you if you need me to. Who knows if Mr. Javier also knows of them."

    Javier inhaled sharply. His eyes were bloodshot. He red at this useless daughter of his.

    "Dad. That''s not true. He''s ndering me! He''s being mean to me!"

    Cold sweat formed on Betty''s forehead. She almost lost her footing and fell down the stairs.

    Her life had always revolved around sex and pleasures. She partied hard and had a lot of one-night

    stands. She was famous for being a promiscuous woman in Sna City. Thanks to her own actions,

    her reputation was already down in the ditches.

    She had been pretending to be a well-behaved and pure daughter in front of Javier. This was an image

    she worked hard to portray in front of him.

    However, Landon was now exposing her on the spot. She panicked.

    Javier decided to ignore Betty for now. He focused his gaze back on Lauren.

    "Come over here, Lauren."

    Hismand was short and sweet, yet intimidating at the same time.

    "Dad. " Lauren spoke in a soft and weak voice She couldn''t bring herself to step forward.

    The look in Javier''s eyes dimmed. He repeated sternly, "Get over here."

    "Mr. Javier, I''m here today because I have something important to discuss with you," Landon exined

    in a solemn tone. He had a fiery look in his eyes.

    "We can talk about it right here."

    Javier looked down at him. He didn''t even have the patience to invite him to take a seat. "But you''d

    better keep it short. Otherwise, you''re going to dy our dinner time."

    He had ceased his arrogance and instead adopted an attitude of contempt toward him.

    Betty hid behind Javier and sniggered. She felt like Landon had just been served with his payback.

    During the Jesseltons'' party previously, Landon wanted to avenge Alyssa. In order to do so, he

    challenged Javier in public. He drew the line with the entire Beckett Group. This incident became a

    trending topic in the social circles in Sna City.

    Men hated being humiliated.

    Landon was the one who embarrassed Javier in the first ce. He was now being treated like a

    doormat. It served him right.

    "Mr. Javier, I''m here today to formally ask for Lauren''s hand in marriage."

 Chapter 1552

    Landon disregarded Javier''s ridicule. He took a few deep breaths. He was still holding on to Lauren''s

    hand. His hands were trembling due to his nerves.

    "I love Lauren. She is the only one whom I will marry. I will make her the happiest woman in this world."

    Upon saying that, he turned to look Lauren in the eyes. His loving gaze was as deep as the sea. He

    welled up with tears.

    "Please give us your approval for Lauren to marry me."

    Lauren''s cheeks flushed pink. His words warmed her heart.

    Betty gritted her teeth as she watched them being lovey-dovey in front of her. Her expression was

    sinister and cruel. It was as if she was about to show her true colors at any second. She was about to

    transform into a monster of envy.

    Javier scoffed. He responded in a cold and sarcastic voice, "Mr. Landon, you have no right to stand in

    before me. I am already doing you a favor by conversing with you right here. How dare you propose

    marriage in front of me? How dare you think of marrying my daughter?

    "Your standpoint was very clear during the partyst time. You wanted to draw the line with the

    Becketts. We have be sworn enemies.

    "I see that you''ve been very attentive to Ms. Alyssa. You should be going to the Taylor family to

    propose marriage to Mr. Taylor instead. You shouldn''t be here to see me. Though, I''m not sure what

    Jasper might think about that."

    Landon''s temples were throbbing. Javier''s words pierced through his hopeful heart. His anger and

    unwillingness were stirring him up. He was challenging his patience.

    He was fine with Javier insulting him.

    He couldn''t believe that Javier got Jasper and Alyssa involved in this. He was basicallyunching a

    personal attack on him. Landon was enraged.

    He was on the verge of losing his temper. He clenched his fists so tightly that they were as hard as

    rocks.

    At the same time, Lauren''s body had stiffened up. She felt chills throughout her body.

    "Mr. Javier, I understand if you are mad at me. You can scold me all you want. I will not talk back to

    you."

    Landon''s eyes started to turn red. "But please do not drag my best buddy and his partner into this. I will

    be responsible for my own matters. This has nothing to do with them! You shouldn''t be so disrespectful

    toward Jasper and Alyssa!"

    The atmosphere in the spacious hall turned cold in an instant.

    Rory looked at Lauren. It looked to him like Landon and Javier were about to have a falling out. He

    could almost feel his heart in his mouth.

    Landon was a good man who valued his rtionships with others. However, he may get too emotional

    at times. That could really cost him when it came to important matters.

    Javier was the kind of individual who wouldn''t yield when backed into a corner. He preferred to be

    persuaded.

    Landon might have had a chance to change the situation if he acknowledged his mistakes and

    humbled himself before Javier.

    However, Landon was also the son of a prestigious family. He grew up in a pampered environment.

    This day was probably the most terrible and hopeless in his entire life.

    Naturally, he couldn''t contain himself, as it was a challenge difficult for any man of vigor to endure.

    "You''ve made yourself very clear, Mr. Landon. So, I don''t think I have to be tactful with you either."

    Javier shot him a mocking gaze. His expression turned cold. "You want to marry Lauren? Dream on! I

    will never allow my daughter to marry someone who isn''t loyal to the Beckett Group. That would be as

    good as keeping a ticking time bomb by my side.

    "You would be my son-inw if you really married Lauren. Then, I''ll be having a son-inw whose

    loyalty lies with outsiders.

    "That means that you would side with others at crucial moments. You might even stab your own

    fatherinw in the back. How could I allow someone like this to be a part of the Beckett Group?"

    Landon was panting heavily. He was furious. He felt as if he had just been punched in the chest and

    was suffering from internal bleeding. An inexplicable pain spread throughout his entire body.

    "I know that you grew up together with Jasper. That''s why I haven''t kicked you out. I didn''t expect that

    to give you a ridiculous boost of confidence."

    Javier had a scornful look in his eyes. He tilted his chin up, making him look even more condescending.

    "I believe I have made myself very clear. I will never agree to this marriage, not even if I were to go to

    hell!

    "Lauren will stay here. I want you to leave Seaview Manor immediately. I would prefer it if you never

    show yourself here again!"N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 Chapter 1553

    Landon struggled to catch his breath, feeling overwhelmed.

    During the party previously, he wanted to protect his best friends. Thus, he chose to go against Javier.

    He did so with his friendship with Jasper and Alyssa in mind.

    However, this was an expensive price to pay. He might never be able to marry the woman he loved.

    He was able to go against the entire Harper Group. He was even able to put everything at stake. But

    how would Lauren be able to do that? She was a meek woman. She was so timid.

    Even if Lauren was willing, Landon couldn''t bear to have her do so. She would be carrying a

    magnanimous burden on her shoulders. How could he bear to see her betray her family?

    "Come home, Lauren. You are my most obedient daughter. Listen to me. Come home."

    Javier''s gaze softened when he looked at Lauren. He opened his arms.

    "You are young and clueless about love. Plus, you''re terrible at gauging people''s intentions. You can''t

    even tell if you''ve been deceived.

    "But that''s okay. I don''t me you. You are still my daughter as long as you decide toe home.

    You''re the daughter I love the most."

    Lauren felt as though all her blood had been drained from her body. She stood rigidly at the same spot.

    She had already lost her mother. She really didn''t want to lose her father, too. But, more than that, she

    didn''t want to lose Landon.

    "Lauren, Dad has been treating you so well. Do you want to make Dad angry?"

    Betty was still standing by the side. She chimed in, "You used to be cooped up at home every day. You

    don''t know how evil people can be, especially men. You shouldn''t trust a single word that they say."

    She was already enraged by Landon earlier on. She took this opportunity to snap back at him, "You

    were lecturing me earlier on, Landon. But I think that you''re just a pot calling the kettle ck!

    "Lauren, Landon may be coaxing you with flowery words each day. However, did you know that he is

    the number one yboy in Sna City? The list of his ex-lovers is probably thicker than the dictionary!

    He only chose you because he wants to add someone like you to his collection.

    "It would be toote by the time you hit a dead end. By then, Dad wouldn''t want to take you in any

    longer, even if you wanted toe home!"

    Lauren shivered uncontrobly. She became even more teary-eyed.

    Landon wrapped his arms around her immediately. He caressed her back with his hand tofort her.

    He was already at his tipping point. Even so, he remained infinitely patient with Lauren.

    "Landon... I''m sorry... I..."

    "My granddaughter is a wonderful woman. Who is that heartless idiot who doesn''t want to take her in? I

    must see him for myself!"

    They heard a powerful voiceing from outside. The facial expressions on Javier''s and Betty''s faces

    changed.

    Following that, Jasper entered the room. He was pushing Newton in his wheelchair. Walking right next

    to Jasper was a striking and stunning woman. It was Alyssa!

    There were only three of them. But, they walked in with an air of mightiness and power. Javier''s chest

    tightened. Betty was so stunned that her face looked like it was about to crack.

    "Jasper, Lyse." Landon was on the brink of tears.

    Jasper looked at him. He pressed his lips together slightly and nodded.

    They had been best buddies for 20 years. That small gesture was enough. No words were needed.

    They always understood each other''s difficulties at crucial moments like these.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "How''s Lauren, Landon?" Alyssa noticed that Lauren was looking pale. She didn''t have time to bother

    about anything else. She was only concerned for Lauren.

    "I''m here. She''s fine," Landon answered in a raspy voice.

    Newton nced around with his eagle eyes. In the end, he fixed his eyes on Landon and Lauren. His

    gaze became gentle.

    "Dad, what. what brings you here?" Javier walked down the stairs, looking extremely awkward.

    "How much meaner were you going to be to Lauren if I hadn''t shown up? What else were you going to

    spew from that foul mouth of yours?" Newton stared at him. He wished that he could stand up and give

    him a good, hard kick!

    Javier''s neck flushed red. "Dad! How could you say that? Lauren is my daughter. I''m doing all these for

    her sake!"

    "Bullshit!" Newton spat in front of him. "At the end of the day, you only want to make yourself feel good!

    So, you pressured Lauren like that. You made use of their rtionship and insulted Landon. How

    brazen of you!"

    Landon was choking on his tears. He looked at Newton through bloodshot eyes.

    "Just listen to yourself. I really need to clean my ears after hearing the things you said. You made me

    feel so disgusted!"

    Newton looked at Javier with a scornful gaze. "If you ask me, I think that you are the one who doesn''t

    know how to read people''s intentions. You didn''t even realize it when you were being tricked!

    "You married that evil bitch, Sophia. Did you think that you''ve got sound emotional intelligence? Lauren

    is a million times better than you! Don''t you dare drag her down like that!"

 Chapter 1554

    The brutality of Newton''s words certainly shouldn''t be underestimated. He dealt Javier a mighty blow.

    As Javier''s father, Newton was the only one who could give him a dressing-down.

    Betty hid behind Javier. She was as timid as a mouse. She didn''t even dare to show her face.

    Alyssa hurried over to Lauren. She was still in Landon''s arms. She said to her softly, "Don''t be afraid,

    Lauren. I''m here. Jasper and Grandpa are here too."

    Lauren looked up. Her eyes were already swollen from all the crying. Landon''s shirt was also drenched

    in her tears.

    "Alyssa..."

    Alyssa teared up at the way Lauren called her name. Her heart ached for her.

    Lauren choked back on her tears. She clung to Landon''s shirt tightly. "I do not want to be separated

    from Landon."

    At that moment, Landon''s heart wrenched. He enveloped her tightly, as if he intended to engulf her with

    his embrace.

    "We''re not going to be separated, Lauren. I will not leave you no matter what happens."

    Alyssa didn''t know what to say at that moment. It broke her heart to see them like that.

    Lauren reminded Alyssa of herself. She recalled when Winston grounded her within the confines of

    their home and how she had leaped out of the window that stormy night, running out like a mad woman

    to look for Jasper back then.

    At that time, Jasper also had her in his arms. She had also uttered the same words over and over. She,

    too, had said she didn''t want to be separated from him.

    The only difference was that she was luckier than Lauren.

    When Winston spoke harshly, his words oftencked true intent. At the end of the day, he would give in

    andpromise. He did so because of his love for his daughter, Alyssa.

    On the contrary, Javier was a different man. He was selfish. He acted in his own self-interest. Would he

    really be considerate toward Lauren?

    Nothing was more important to him than his pride and the benefits of the Beckett Group. Even family

    wasn''t as important as these.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "I don''t want to waste my time talking to you. You''ve never obeyed me! I''m here today to give Landon

    and Lauren my support!"

    Newton stared at Javier with a frigid gaze. "Didn''t you say that you would never agree to their marriage,

    even if you were to go to hell? You can surely go to hell, then!"

    "Dad! What... What are you saying?"

    Javier was fuming. His eyes became bloodshot. He blurted an absurd reply, "I am alive and well. What

    am I going to hell for?"

    "You''re right. A man like you is alive and well. Why would you go to hell? Moreover, you are the

    valuable chairman of the Beckett Group. You put in so much effort to force me into my retirement.

    Could you bear to see yourself go to hell?"

    Javier scoffed. "I see that you''re not willing to die. Then, don''t you bet your life to threaten the young

    ones!

    "Landon respects you for the sake of Lauren and Jasper. Yet, you think that you''re royalty just because

    of that. I can''t believe that you threatened them with your life. You''re embarrassing me!"

    Javier''s world started to spin. He grabbed onto the handrail. The veins on the back of his palm were

    popping. He clenched his teeth tightly.

    He received his fair share of reproaching from Newton over all these years. It wasn''t surprising for

    Newton to reprimand him with harsh words in private. Even so, he never took them to heart.

    Nheless, there were so many people around this time. His own children, Alyssa, and Landon were

    all present. Newton didn''t just embarrass him. He had pretty much humiliated him.

    All of a sudden, a thought urred to Betty¡ªhow could Newton have known about their conversation

    with Landon earlier? Didn''t he just get here?

    As a matter of fact, Newton''s car had pulled outside Seaview Manor half an hour ago.

    In the car, Jasper and Alyssa were seated across from Newton. They watched as Alyssa showed off

    her skills to Newton. She hacked into the surveince camera in the manor''s living room. Her eyes

    sparkled with glee.

    "It''s done, Grandpa." Alyssa presented theptop to Newton.

    "You''ve got it?" Newton looked at her in surprise.

 Chapter 1555

    Alyssa remarked, "Yup."

    "Wow! How are you so talented, Alyssa? You''re so unlike Jasper. Earning money is the only thing he

    knows how to do!" Newton said as he gave Alyssa a yful pinch on the nose.

    Jasper turned green with envy. He was fine with Newton dissing him. But why was he being touchy with

    Alyssa?

    The trio crowded around theptop. They focused on watching all that was happening through the

    screen.

    Alyssa saw that Landon and Lauren were being bullied. She became enraged. She rolled her fingers

    into balls of fury.

    "Grandpa, shall we go over now?" Jasper asked. His breathing was heavy.

    Newton''s face was glum. "Hold on a little while more," he urged.

    Jasper and Alyssa were stunned.

    "Landon is the one who wants to marry my granddaughter. Since this is so, this will be a challenging

    test for him. There is no doubt about that."

    Newton loved Lauren. Nheless, he was still able to maintain his rationality. "This is just the first

    step that they are taking. Yet, they''re already facing such a huge hurdle. I''m sure that more challenges

    await them in the future.

    "This time, I want to verify how much Landon loves Lauren. I need to see if he has the capability to

    protect her.

    "As far as I know, the Harpers aren''t any more powerful than the Schmidts. They are also a bunch of

    scoundrels. I need to ensure that Landon has enough capability to defend Lauren.

    "I need to make sure that he can keep her safe and secure if she is going to be with him. Only then will

    I be able to entrust him with Lauren."

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at one another. They were moved. They realized this was how an elder

    cared for the younger generation sincerely.

    As for Landon, he obtained Newton''s absolute approval through his actions.

    "As her father, you are unable to give your blessings. That''s alright. They have my blessings!"

    Newton disregarded Javierpletely. A warm, wide smile came across his face. He waved at Lauren

    and Landon and said, "Come over here, Lauren and Landon."

    Landon steadied his breathing. He put his arm around Lauren''s shoulders. They walked to the front of

    Newton together.

    "Grandpa..." Lauren''s eyes were swollen from all the tears. Yet, she was still well-behaved. It was a

    heartbreaking sight.

    Newton acknowledged her greeting. He felt a lump rise in his throat. He scooped up Lauren''s hand and

    held her hand tightly in his.

    "Lauren, my dear. You are my favorite granddaughter. You. You''ve been through a lot."

    Lauren shook her head. She had tears in her eyes. "I''m okay, Grandpa."

    Betty heard Newton saying that Lauren was his favorite granddaughter. Her heart dropped. Her face

    became twisted from all her anger.

    What Newton said was as fatal as a nuclear bomb to her. All these years, she had put on an obedient

    act to get in Newton''s good books. However, it turned out that all her efforts were for naught.

    She lost to Lauren, both in romantic and family rtionships. She was aplete failure.

    Newton looked straight into Landon''s eyes. His gaze was serious.

    "Landon, I will entrust you with my granddaughter moving forward. You must keep her safe. Love her

    well, just like how Jasper loves Alyssa. You must love her with all your life. Are you able to achieve all

    these?"

    "Grandpa Newton. I can."

    Landon lifted three fingers into a three-finger salute. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes welled up

    with tears.

    In a shaky voice, he said, "I swear to you and the heavens. I will love Lauren for as long as I live until

    death do us part. Otherwise, I."

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Before he could finish his oath, Lauren tiptoed and covered his mouth with her hand. She stopped him

    from cursing himself.

    "I know how you feel, Landon. You don''t have to say anything else. I get you."

    Silently, Alyssa wiped the tears from her eyes. Jasper took this chance to pull her in by the waist. He

    whispered in her ear.

 Chapter 1556

    "Finally," Jasper whispered.

    Alyssa smiled. "Yes, finally."

    "Landon, Jasper told me you''ve already informed Mr. Cornelius of your intention to marry Lauren. Is

    that right?" Newton questioned with a serious look on his face.

    Landon answered immediately, "I didn''t just inform my grandfather. I''ve announced it to my entire

    family. Grandpa has agreed. My mother didn''t oppose either."

    Alyssa and Jasper shot a look at each other. They understood what they were each thinking about.

    They knew that Landon was sharing only the good news. The process of convincing Cornelius must

    have been a difficult one.

    At the same time, he wouldn''t have cared about whether Penelope approved of them. She wasn''t the

    one who had the final say in their family.

    "Ah... That''s good, then."

    Newton nodded. He was pleased. He chuckled in relief, "Please arrange a time for me to meet with Mr.

    Cornelius soon. We should meet since both families have now approved of this marriage.

    "If it''s okay with you, I will consult a fortune teller to decide on an auspicious date. We can first have an

    engagement ceremony. Then, both our families shall be forging a marriage alliance formally."

    Landon was overjoyed to hear the word "engagement". Lauren leaned on him. She was blushing shyly.

    Tears of happiness filled her eyes.

    As they were happily discussing, theypletely ignored Javier, who was the head of the Beckett

    family. All of a sudden, he had a shback of a memory from 30 years ago.

    Back then, Newton and Chester were as thick as thieves. They shared endless conversation topics

    between them.

    Javier, on the other hand, was unable to fit in with them. He was like an outsider. He simply sat by the

    side on his own. It was as if he was invisible.

    Newton really doted on Chester. Unfortunately, Chester died at a young age. Had he not, the Beckett

    Group wouldn''t have ended up under Javier.

    Newton''s appearance here was timely. Without wasting any time, he had Landon and Lauren''s

    marriage almost all nned out.

    Now, Lauren was rightfully known as his fianc¨¦e. Landon was so d that he was jumping with joy like

    a yful child.

    Javier had stormed back upstairs. Even so, he didn''t forget to maintain good etiquette. He asked Betty

    to see Newton off.

    Betty didn''t dare to go against Javier''s instruction. So, she bit the bullet and followed them outdoors.

    Everyone else was walking ahead of her. She tagged along behind like a servant. She didn''t have the

    guts to join them either.

    However, she continued ring viciously at Lauren. She was like a scorpion that was ready to strike

    with its stinger.

    "Betty." Suddenly, Newton stopped in his tracks.

    "Yes, Grandpa! I''m here!"

    Betty hurried over to Newton. She ced her hands in front of her in an obedient posture.

    "Betty, Sophia used to have you by her side while she groomed you. You didn''t know how to identify

    your foes previously. I also know how much bullshit you''ve done.

    "Sophia is now dead. Plus, I understand if you went astray because you were young. So, I shall let

    bygones be bygones," Newton uttered coldly without looking at her.

    "It''s not like that, Grandpa. I..."

    "But, you should know the kind of person I am. I cannot tolerate any filthy behavior. Now, the cancer in

    our Beckett family has been eliminated. I do not wish to see any other troubles rising from Seaview

    Manor. Neither do I want to hear any more malicious gossip nor hear about anyone getting in trouble."

    Following that, Newton diverted his frigid gaze toward Betty. She was looking pale. "I will continue

    acknowledging you as my granddaughter if you behave yourself. Otherwise, don''t me me for being

    merciless. I hope all the wickedness dies along with Sophia."

    Deep down, Betty felt indignant. She couldn''t hold herself back any longer. She tried to defend herself.

    "Grandpa! What. What did I do wrong? You were the one who raised me. I was the one who spent the

    longest time with you. I obey and respect you as much as Jasper and Laurie! What is it about me that

    prompted you to say these things to me?"

    Jasper and Alyssa stared at her coldly as they watched her put up a performance.

    "Do you know what the ugliest thoughts one could have in this world?" Newton asked in a deep voice.

    Betty was taken aback by the sudden question.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "It is when one can''t bear to see others living a better life than theirs, even if that other person might be

    their own sister," Newton exined.

 Chapter 1557

    "Grandpa, what did you mean by that? I am Lauren''s sister. Why would I cause harm to my own

    sister?" Betty was frantic as she tried to exin herself.

    Cold sweat began to form on her back.

    Landon was a straightforward person. He gave Lauren a gentle squeeze and clicked his tongue.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Newton pulled a face. "I have not gone senile. It is clear to me whether things are as you im them to

    be. You should be well aware, too.

    "Lauren is going to be wed into the Harper family soon. You shouldn''t waste your efforts. Instead, you

    should stop being so arrogant. Let your father find someone decent for you to marry. He can then have

    a son-inw whom he is satisfied with, too."

    Betty was enraged. Wasn''t Newton hinting at and mocking her for not being able to get married?

    In the end, she couldn''t restrain herself any longer. She responded with defiance, "I don''t need you to

    trouble yourself with my matters. I don''t mind if I never marry. I am still my father''s daughter. I am still

    part of the Beckett family.

    "Mom has now passed away. Laurie is also getting married soon. In the future, I have to help Dad run

    Seaview Manor."

    "We have a butler at Seaview Manor. You don''t have to trouble yourself with that."

    Newton narrowed his eyes. What he said next shut Betty uppletely.

    "Moreover, Seaview Manor is my personal asset. I will be gifting it to Jasper and Alyssa as their

    wedding gift if Alyssa marries into our family in the future."

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat. She widened her eyes.

    Seaview Manor as a wedding gift? Newton was going overboard!

    Jasper, on the other hand, gave Alyssa a gentle tug by the waist. He maintained a calm expression on

    his face.

    That was because this wasn''t his first time hearing this. Newton had mentioned this to him countless

    times in private. Newton had even said that he intended for Seaview Manor to be their matrimonial

    home after they married. He would also have Javier move out and live elsewhere.

    After all, this was Newton''s property. Of course, he had the final say.

    "When that timees, my granddaughter-inw will be the one who owns Seaview Manor. She will

    be managing the people and matters here. She will be the one who has the final say."

    Newton fixed his eyes on Alyssa as he said all this. He was smiling from ear to ear. The more he

    looked at her, the more pleased he felt. "That said, that''s not for others to worry about."

    Sophia unted her influence in his territory for too long. He decided to do so as his way of rising

    against Javier. At the same time, he wanted to intimidate Betty.

    However, there was something that Newton was unaware of.

    Betty didn''t stray by chance; she was inherently troublesome. She was the bad seed that Sophia

    introduced into the Beckett family.

    Newton''s words were not going to scare her at all. On the contrary, it would aggravate the devil within

    her. Her fire of hatred toward Alyssa and Lauren would only burn brighter.

    Newton and the rest of their visitors departed from Seaview Manor.

    Betty dragged her feet as she went upstairs. Her eyes were filled with hatred. She had a bearing of

    hostility that would even make dogs crouch in fear.

    The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. In the end, she took her phone out and made a call

    to Zoe, who was overseas.

    "What''s up with you? You''re interrupting my spa session," Zoe answered the phone in an irritated voice.

    "When in the world are youing back? If you continue to be away... Lauren, that bitch, will be taking

    over your family!"

 Chapter 1558

    Betty covered the receiver with her hand. Even though she was furious, she still tried to act sneakily.

    "Just a little while ago, Landon came to my house to propose marriage. Initially, my father wasn''t in

    agreement. Then, Alyssa and Jasper showed up with Grandpa!

    "With a few words, Grandpa gave my father an earful. He even sealed the deal on Lauren''s marriage

    with Landon! They are going to be engaged soon! Surely Landon will knock that idiot up right after.

    "What use would there be for you toe back after that? Are you going to celebrate bing an

    aunt?"

    There was silence on the other end of the call.

    "Hey! Say something..."

    "Don''t you worry. I''m not the only one among the Harpers who does not wish to see Lauren marrying

    Landon. A marriage alliance between wealthy families may seem like a strong alliance, but in reality, it

    is full of weaknesses. A small misstep is enough to make everything fall through.

    "Jasper and Alyssa are hopeless romantics. How many more individuals of this sort are there in the

    world? Landon? Hah, that would be a joke," Zoe sniggered without hesitation.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    That said, there was one thing that she couldn''t deny¡ªJasper and Alyssa''s love was steadfast. The

    love they shared was unseen and unheard of in Sna City.

    Before Betty could respond, Zoe continued, "One more thing. You didn''t even get to have a funeral for

    your mother. You must be bored to death. Freddy came to Yoarkley to see me recently.

    "How about youe over and spend some time with me? I can pay for your expenses if you''re short

    on cash. You have a private ne, right? If not, I can pay for your flight, too."

    Betty was enraged with embarrassment.

    Earlier, she had been ridiculed for failing to find a husband. On the very same day, she got mocked for

    being poor. She wished that she could destroy the entire world.

    "That Freddy is yourpdog. Others might not know it, but I do. Why would I fly over to where you are?

    I''ll just end up watching you both being lovey-dovey with one another."

    "That''s up to you then."

    Betty took a moment to calm herself down. She instructed one of the helpers to brew some chamomile

    tea. Then, she brought it over to Javier in person.

    Now, they were the only two members of the Beckett family who were in Seaview Manor. Earlier,

    Landon was so brutally honest in exposing her dark secret. Naturally, she had to seize all possible

    opportunities to cajole Javier.

    She took a deep breath before knocking on the door to the study.

    Rory opened the door. He looked at her coldly. "Ms. Betty, what brings you here? Mr. Javier isn''t feeling

    too well. He needs to get some rest."

    "Uh... I noticed that he didn''t look too good. So, I went to the kitchen and made him some chamomile

    tea," Betty answered with an innocent look.

    "Let her in," Javier ordered in a low voice. Rory then stepped aside to make way for her, albeit

    unwillingly.

    "Dad."

    Betty carried the tray as she swaggered forward. In a coy tone, she said, "I made this for you."

    "Thanks. Just leave it there," Javier replied frigidly. He didn''t even look up at her.

    "Simmer down, Dad. I am always on your side no matter what anyone else says or does."

    She ced the tray down. She walked to Javier''s side cautiously.

    "I''m sure that you''ve also witnessed it today. Lauren isn''t even married yet, and her allegiance is

    elsewhere already. You''ve raised her and loved her for so many years. Yet, she abandoned you after

    she found her man. That''s too cruel of her."

    Javier knitted his brows into a tight frown. His face was extremely frosty.

 Chapter 1559

    "On top of that, you''ve been working hard every day. You toiled and moiled for the sake of the

    corporation. But Grandpa didn''t even thank you for your contributions.

    "How could he embarrass you in front of all those outsiders? That was brutal of him!" Betty wasn''t

    satisfied with maligning Lauren. She stabbed Newton in the back, too.

    Sophia was already dead. Now, Javier was the only one in the Beckett family she could rely on.

    After all, Newton no longer sided with her. Since this was the case, she figured that she should

    continue sowing discord. She wanted to drive a wedge further in between Newton and Javier.

    As she expected, the expression on Javier''s face turned even darker after hearing what she said.

    Deep down, she was gleeful. She suddenly recalled when Sophia told her about a rift between Javier

    and Chester. So, she decided to leverage this to sow more seeds of discord.

    "Dad, what do you think Grandpa meant? He can''t be thinking that Uncle Chester coulde back to

    life, right?"

    Rory looked at Betty. He was astonished.

    Javier pulled his hand away from the table abruptly. He looked up slowly. He directed his chilling gaze

    toward Betty.

    She shuddered.

    "What did you say?"

    "Dad, listen to me... Since you were young, Grandpa favored Uncle Chester. He showed little care

    toward you. He didn''t care much about you even though you are his eldest son. The eldest son should

    be the one who takes over the family business. You weren''t even like Justin, who''s always sickly.

    "Based on Grandpa''s behavior, he seems dissatisfied with you being in charge. However, what can he

    do? Could he bring Uncle Chester back from the dead?"

    Suddenly, Javier hit the ceiling. He raised his hand and pped Betty in the face.

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    Betty screamed.

    His p was forceful. Betty felt a splitting headache, and she started seeing stars.

    Javier''s eyes were bulging with anger. He pointed at her swollen face and chided, "Your grandfather

    and Uncle Chester are both your elders! Who says that you can spew rubbish right here? Get out!"

    Betty''s mind ran nk. She cupped her face in her hands and scurried out of the study.

    Javier was panting. All of a sudden, he felt weak at the knees. He slumped back into the chair. He was

    as white as a sheet. Sweat trickled down his forehead.

    Rory reacted quickly by bringing the cup of chamomile tea over to Javier. "Have a sip of this, Mr. Javier.

    Don''t get too worked up. You need to watch your health."

    Javier wanted to pick up the cup of tea. But his hands were shaking so much that he wasn''t able to do

    so even after multiple tries.

    "Rory, do you think that Dad... Has he always had his suspicions about that incident?" Rory''s pupils

    constricted.

    He knew that Javier was referring to that incident from 30 years ago. It was the incident when Newton''s

    beloved second son, Chester, passed away from a heart attack in prison.

    "I don''t think so, Mr. Javier. I don''t think he suspects you."

    Rory came over to his side. They were the only two people in the study.

    Nheless, Rory lowered himself and whispered, "If Mr. Newton suspects you, he wouldn''t have

    allowed you to seed him. This is precisely why I''m confident he didn''t suspect you were the one

    behind it."

    Javier''s hand was still trembling. He put his hand to his forehead. His gaze was dark.

    "I haven''t gained control over the business. Yet, he wants to ce it all in Jasper''s hands. Isn''t this

    sufficient proof that he has always been wary of me?

    "I don''t think he has ever intended for me to be his sessor. He merely chose me because Chester

    died. And now, Jasper is already a grown man.

    "Besides, he has the potential to surpass the previous generation. And this is why he wants Jasper to

    take charge of the Beckett Group as soon as possible. He wants him to take over!"

    "You''re overthinking it. It is true that Mr. Jasper is very capable. That''s why Mr. Newton entrusted him

    with the important tasks."

    Rory continued tofort Javier, "Moreover, you are both rted by blood. The Beckett Group will still

    end up in Mr. Jasper''s hands after your retirement. It won''t end up in the hands of an outsider."

    "Even so, because of what happened with Anne, Jasper has never been on my side! He''s now getting

    closer to Dad. Not only that, he''s joined hands with Alyssa.

    "If he gains control of the Beckett Group, his power will only increase. Eventually, I''ll bepelled to

    retire, leaving me under his control as well!"

    Javier widened his eyes. He looked overcast. "Book a flight to Mosgravia for me. I miss Justin. It''s time

    for me to visit him."

 Chapter 1560

    Alyssa and Jasper had dinner at Newton''s ce. Landon and Lauren were with them, too. They

    chatted happily and enjoyed each other''spany.

    The helpers cleared the dining table after they were done with dinner.

    Then, Landon asked Angelina to retrieve a thick stack of documents from a briefcase. Heid out the

    documents before Newton with the others as his witnesses.

    He filled the round table with his written proof of his ascendancy. It was as if he was trying to decorate

    the entire table. Yet, these were only the tip of the iceberg.

    Alyssa was someone used to extravagant spectacles. His title deeds alone were thick enough to make

    her gasp in wonder.

    "There''s nothing to be envious about." Jasper smiled. He interlocked his fingers with hers under the

    table. In a soft and low voice, he said, "I have whatever he has, too. I own no less than him."

    "Well, even with the both of youbined, what you own is still less than ten percent of Winston''s.

    There''s nothing for me to be envious about."

    Through her words, Alyssa expressed that she was unbothered. However, her soft gaze showed that

    she was thrilled. "It''s just my first time seeing someone disying everything like that. It''s as if he''s

    setting up a stall right here."

    Jasper fixed his eyes on Alyssa. He frowned and chuckled awkwardly.

    He felt like kicking himself. He just tried to act rich in front of the daughter of Belbanks''s wealthiest

    man. He was being too dense.

    "Landon, these are..." Newton blinked. He already knew what the documents were, but he asked

    anyway.

    Landon held Lauren''s hand in his. He was beaming. "Grandpa Newton, this is my proposal gift for

    Lauren. However, these are only the properties within this country.

    "I also have some assets in Mosgravia and Yoarkley. I didn''t have time to organize the documents for

    those. I will have them ready as soon as possible and present them to you after."

    Lauren''s face flushed as red as a tomato. Her hand became mmy because of the sweat on Landon''s

    palms. Her eyes twinkled with happiness.

    Newton wasn''t a ck-hearted plutocrat who would sell out his own children for money. He had already

    prepared a generous amount of dowry for Lauren. To him, all that Landon presented wasn''t necessary.

    Newton acknowledged how much effort Landon put in to prepare all these. He couldn''t stop himself

    from smiling.

    "You are someone who has the heart to cherish Lauren. That''s more important than anything else."

    "Grandpa Newton, it''s not enough to just have the heart to do so."

    Landon looked toward Lauren. His gaze was so deep that it could prate the deepest parts of her

    soul.

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    He continued, "The amount you''re willing to spend on a woman shows how much you love her. Haven''t

    you heard of this saying?"

    Alyssa and Jasper eximed, "How corny!"

    Newton, on the other hand, couldn''t agree more. He nodded. It was as if he had found someone who

    understood him.

    In fact, that was also how Newton used to dote on Doris while she was still alive.

    "I would love to give everything I have to Lauren. I want to have a grand wedding celebration. I want

    the whole world to witness this happy moment of ours."

    Landon was very eager. He wished that he could register his marriage with Lauren at this very moment.

    "No, you don''t need to splurge like that! A simple wedding will do. A wedding where our families and

    friends are present would be enough."

    Lauren didn''t want Landon to squander his money away like that. She became anxious. She felt like

    she was being put in a tight spot.

    Landon smiled and consoled her. "Lauren, the Harpers are terrible snobs. I need to have an

    extravagant wedding for us. If not, they will be gossiping about you behind your back. They will look

    down on you."

    Jasper took a sip of tea. "I see that you''re quite familiar with your family''s condition."

    Landon raised a brow. He goaded, "I''ve always been more self-aware than you."

    Jasper choked. He almost dropped the cup in his hand.

    Landon''s marriage with Lauren was now a done deal. So, did Landon now think that he no longer had

    to please him?

    How mean!

    Newton and Alyssaughed.

    "Grandpa Newton, I will be appointed to the position of the Harper Group''s president soon. Please give

    me time until the board meeting is over. I will then have my engagement ceremony with Lauren."

    Landon was a prideful man. At that moment, a look of humility shed across his face.

    "Previously, I have always been marginalized within the Harper Group. I was known as a scion of the

    Harper family. But it was all just for show. The Harper Group''s businesses were still in my grandfather''s

    and Uncle Preston''s hands.

    "Lauren was the one who motivated me. She reignited my ambition for power. Therefore, I want to wait

    until I am officially the president of the Harper Group.

    "Just like Jasper, I will then have the status that matches up to Lauren. After that, I will give her an

    official proposal. All in all, all these are already in the pipeline."

 Chapter 1561

    Newton tried hard to keep a straight face. But he was so moved that his eyes welled up in tears.

    He felt as if he had just seen a reflection of his younger self. He was d to know that Lauren was

    marrying her Mr. Right.

    On the way home, Landon couldn''t keep his delight to himself. Moreover, he also had a few drinks with

    Jasper.

    He kept Lauren in his embrace. At the same time, he sang songs and asked her for kisses endlessly.

    Angelina was in the driver''s seat. She snuck a few nces through the rearview mirror. She maintained

    her usual expression on her face. However, deep down, she was ted.

    "Oh... Landon. Give... Give me a moment." Lauren was very tickled by Landon''s touches. She ced

    her hands on his chest as she tried to push him away.

    Landon became woozy at the sight of the hickeys that had formed on her fair-skinned neck. He pulled

    her in tighter by the waist.

    "What is it? Don''t you want me to show you some love? Hmm?"

    "That''s. That''s not it. Your saliva got on my face." Lauren didn''t like the damp feeling on her cheeks.

    Angelina didn''t manage to hold herself back. She stifled augh.

    The pace of Landon''s breathing quickened. He mumbled softly in Lauren''s ear, "Lauren, why did you

    let go of my hand earlier today when your father disapproved of us being together?"

    At the same time, he sounded like he wasining.

    Lauren''s heart sank. She looked down. Bashfully, she answered, "Landon, I was afraid my dad would

    take his anger out on you. I didn''t want to make things difficult for you."

    "Darling."

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    Suddenly, Landon felt an urge to cry. His eyes welled up as he kissed her on the lips.

    "I want you to remember this. No matter when or what happens, never let go of my hand. Please love

    me forever. Please never leave me."

    With another significant issue resolved, Alyssa and Jasper returned home with their hearts full.

    The moment they stepped in, they noticed Jonah and Sean sitting in the living room.

    "Ms. Alyssa!" Sean leaped to his feet.

    Alyssa saw that they had visitors. She panicked and turned her head away from them. She wiped the

    corners of her lips. Her lipstick was in a mess after Jasper had kissed her.

    Jasper greeted their guests with a warm gaze. "Hi, Jonah. Hi, Sean."

    Jonah had a teacup in his hand. He moved steadily and elegantly. He looked at Jasper and teased,

    "Jasper, it looks like you''ve just had a delicious dinner. You didn''t even bother wiping your mouth."

    Jasper was taken aback. He lifted his hand and rubbed the edges of his lips. He looked down at his

    fingers and realized that they were stained red.

    Alyssa''s cheeks flushed red. She tiptoed to wipe Jasper''s mouth for him.

    To her surprise, Jasper grabbed her by her wrist. His gaze was alluring. He smirked and replied, "Yes, it

    was a delicious dinner. It was a sweet and delectable meal."

    Jonah was speechless.

    Alyssa wiped Jasper''s mouth frantically. She felt utterly embarrassed.

    "Madam! Mr. Jasper! Wee back!" Rosie walked out with some fruits and snacks. Alyssa breathed a

    sigh of relief.

    "What brings you here at this hour, Jonah?" Alyssa asked as she walked over.

    The look on Jonah''s face turned serious. He took a deep breath. "Dad is ill. He had a stroke. It''s more

    serious this time."

    "What?" Alyssa and Jasper eximed in unison.

    "Don''t panic, Ms. Alyssa. Mr. Winston is no longer in a critical stage. Otherwise, Mr. Jonah and I would

    have gone to get you. We wouldn''t be waiting for you here."

    Sean quickly shared some words of reassurance. "Mr. Winston is now admitted to our corporation''s

    main hospital in Belbanks. He has family and Dr. Lovce with him. Dr. Lovce is a neurologist. With

    him around, I''m sure that Mr. Winston will be able to get better."

 Chapter 1562

    Alyssa eximed, "He even went through a critical stage. How could I not panic?"

    Alyssa broke out in a cold sweat that made her back damp. She felt numb. "Why didn''t you call me at

    that time? Dad went through something like that... I''m his daughter. How could I not be by his side?"

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    Jasper saw that her eyes had filled with tears. He felt as if his heart was being crushed. Immediately,

    he took her shaking hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

    Under usual circumstances, she would yfully tease Winston, asionally disying indifference

    towards him. But in times like these, her genuine anxiety for her father was clear. Jasper fully

    understood where she wasing from.

    Jonah looked into Alyssa''s eyes. He sighed helplessly. "It was Dad who made us keep it from you."

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her heart. "Dad."

    "When Dad was having the stroke, he instructed Mr. Benton not to inform us, especially you."

    Jonah tried his best to speak in a neutral tone. "Dad knows that you''ve been busy and tired. He didn''t

    want you to go through trouble after trouble. It would only make you feel disconcerted."

    A father''s love was as steadfast as a mountain¡ªsolitary, formidable, and covert.

    He didn''t want his children to worry for him. So, it didn''t matter if the suffering was too much. He was

    determined to grit his teeth and endure the pain.

    A ball of fury rose within Alyssa. Her voice became hoarse. "Mrs. Rosie, please pack my things. I will

    make my way to Belbanks now."

    "Got it, madam," Rosie answered immediately.

    Jasper put his arm around Alyssa''s shoulder. He frowned and said, "Mrs. Rosie, pack some of my

    clothes too. I''ll be going with Lyse."

    Alyssa met his concerned gaze. With tears in her eyes, she said, "I''m sorry. I''m afraid we won''t be able

    to go to Swizo for our vacation."

    "That''s alright. Winston''s health is more important. We can always go another time." Jasper cupped her

    face.

    "Also."

    Jonah paused. His eyes turned dim. "Jameson is back."

    All of a sudden, the atmosphere in the room became tense. The sound of his name was equivalent to

    hearing words like "jinx" or "the gue".

    "His private ne justnded at Sna City International Airport this afternoon."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes was cold. "Jonah, where did Jameson return from?

    Jonah replied, "Mosgravia."

    Alyssa was shocked. She rubbed her chin with her fingers.

    "Jamiper didn''t go to Kontina or Tsulu, where he''s more familiar. What did he go to Mosgravia for? Is

    that country a suitable ce for his mother to recuperate? I''ve also never heard about him having any

    business over there."

    Jasper''s face turned glum at the mention of recuperation. He was suddenly reminded of Justin.

    An inexplicable feeling of doubt started to grow within him. He kept getting the nagging feeling that

    something was amiss.

    Jonah borated, "Mosgravia has medical standards and medical facilities that are more advanced.

    Moreover, I heard that there is a medical center that has been set up specially for Parkinson''s disease

    and Alzheimer''s. I''m guessing that Jameson went over there because of his mother''s illness."

    Alyssa jeered. "I hope that''s the case. All''s good as long as he''s not hatching another evil n."

    They headed toward Belbanks with Sean behind the wheel.

    Along the way, Alyssa was clenching her hands tightly. She was unable to feel at ease.

    "Don''t worry. You can have confidence in Julien''s medical skills. Winston will be able to regain his

    health." Jasper caressed her back gently. His heart ached for her.

    Jonah, who was seated across from them, nodded slightly. He agreed with Jasper''s words.

    "Jonah, about Dad... Why did he suddenly have a stroke?"

    Alyssa posed the question in a low voice, "Was there something that triggered him? Or did he be

    overly agitated? Otherwise, it wouldn''t have been so serious."

    Jonah pursed his lips as he tried to find the right words.

    Just then, Sean interrupted angrily, "It was all because of that fool, Mr. Dominic!"

 Chapter 1563

    "What did Dominic do this time?" Alyssa''s tone was cold, and her eyes were deep.

    Jasper felt that Dominic, as a branch of the Taylor family and Winston''s only younger brother, seemed

    to be anything but well-behaved.

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    He had always thought the Taylors were a rare example of unity and beauty in a family. He never

    expected there would be such a ck sheep among them.

    "He made umtor investments secretly to make more money. But the recent turmoil in the

    Mosgravia stock market caused him to lose a lot."

    Jonah frowned slightly and shook his head. "He could have withdrawn in time and saved himself. But

    for some reason, he thought the Mosgravia government would intervene to rescue the market, so he

    continued to purchase umtors.

    "But he didn''t have enough funds, so he thought of embezzling thepany''s funds."

    "He''s really a fool among fools! His brain is just filled with mush!" The furious Alyssa pounded her fist

    on the car window.

    Jasper squeezed her hand tightly, agreeing with her. "umtors are extremely risky. It''s like a

    gamble with no return. Half a year ago, we had an executive at Beckett Group who owed huge debts

    because of this and ended up jumping off a building."

    Sean was also furious. "A few days ago, Ruby found two suspicious entries in thepany''s ounts

    while reviewing financial statements. She immediately reported it to Mr. Jonah.

    "Only then were Dominic''s tricks exposed, and we could cut losses promptly. Otherwise, it would have

    led to a major disaster. Despite that, we still lost over 50 million dors!" Sean didn''t even bother with

    formalities, as he referred to Dominic by name.

    Ruby Harrell was the director of the finance department. Jonah had personally trained her.

    The KS Group could dominate the market and hold the position as the toppany in Belbanks for

    decades because Winston and Jonah had keen insight. They knew how to recognize and utilize

    talents. They would only appoint reliable individuals to important positions within thepany.

    "Hah! Jonah, you really saved Dominic''s life," Alyssa said through gritted teeth. "Otherwise, the next

    one to jump off a building would have been him."

    Jonah looked helpless, sighing deeply. "I initially tried to handle this matter privately, but there are just

    too many people in thepany. It eventually reached Dad''s ears. You can imagine how furious he

    was when he found out.

    "What''s even more infuriating is that Dominic dared to challenge Dad. He not only refused to repent but

    also said many disrespectful things. That''s what triggered Dad''s stroke."

    Alyssa shook with rage at those words, feeling an icy chill coursing through her entire body.

    "He said those things in front of Winston?" Jasper asked sternly.

    Jonah''s gaze turned cold. "Yes. Luckily, Neil was there. He helped get Dad to the hospital in time."

    Jasper fell into silence, his expression darkening.

    He felt that Jonah''s words contained a lot of information, but this was a family matter. He couldn''t say

    too much about it.

    Alyssa''s eyes were bloodshot. Thankfully, Jasper held her close. Otherwise, she would have found it

    difficult to remain calm.

    She was so angry that she couldn''t speak, only wanting to rush to Winston''s side immediately.

    Holding her shoulders, Jasper pondered for a moment before asking, "So, how does Winston n to

    deal with Mr. Dominic?"

    This was something Alyssa wanted to know too.

    "Just mentioning this makes me furious!"

    Sean couldn''t contain his emotions anymore. He floored the gas pedal. "Mr. Taylor used his own money

    to cover Dominic''s 50 million dor deficit! He even blocked the news to keep the matter under wraps.

    In other words, he doesn''t want to pursue it anymore."

    Jasper was surprised but immediately understood. "Mr. Dominic holds a high position in thepany

    and is rted to the Taylors. If this matter were to escte, it would affect the entirepany."

    Alyssa''s heart ached, and her brows furrowed with worry. "Not only that but because Dad values his

    family a lot. Uncle Dominic is his only brother, and they grew up together. He''s been lenient many

    times, unable to bring himself to punish Uncle Dominic."

    Jasper understood. "Yes, Winston is a devoted man. If not for that, how could the Taylor family be so

    harmonious?"

    "Uncle Dominic wasn''t always like this."

    Jonah sighed, feeling the passage of time. "Dad mentioned to me before that when he was a child, he

    was stubborn and rebellious. He often gets beaten and scolded by Grandpa. Grandpa even locked him

    in the study, making him write ''I am sorry'' a thousand times before he could eat or sleep."

 Chapter 1564

    Jonah continued, "Uncle Dominic used to be a smooth talker, always speaking up for Dad in front of

    Grandpa. He would sneak into the study at midnight to feed Dad and help him write the lines. He

    imitated Dad''s handwriting so well that Grandpa never noticed that he wrote most of them.

    "But at some point, Uncle Dominic changed. It appears that power, fame, and wealth can corrupt and

    change people''s nature."

    Alyssa''s gaze remained cold and resolute. "But even so, Dad has never mistreated or done any wrong

    to him. When he harmed KS Group for his selfish desires, did he ever think about Dad?

    "He only saw the glory and wealth of being the chairman, but he didn''t realize how difficult it is to

    maintain power. Dad might be able to let this matter go, but I can''t. I won''t just let it slide like this!"

    Jasper and Jonah exchangedplex looks. They knew that the ruthless Alyssa would never tolerate

    Dominic''s behavior.

    Warm air blew inside the car, but the atmosphere remained cold and oppressive. Trying to lighten the

    mood, Jasper racked his brain for a topic. "Jonah, your suit looks nice."

    Alyssa instinctively nced at Jonah and immediately recognized Rose''s craftsmanship.

    Jonah smiled faintly. "Julien gave it to me."

    Although he tried to sound casual, there was a hint of pleasure and even a touch of pride in his tone.

    Jasper nodded. "Oh, that''s nice."

    Jonah coughed awkwardly. "Don''t misunderstand. He gave me the suit to thank me for looking after

    him these past few months."

    He suddenly felt guilty, and a blush crept onto his cheeks.

    Jasper blinked rapidly, taken aback. "Misunderstand? Misunderstand what?"

    Sitting upright, Jonah turned his face away, and his heart raced.

    Why did he give himself away?

    It was already early in the morning when they arrived at the hospital.

    That night, Mandy was on duty to watch over Winston. After three days and nights without rest, even

    the strongest person would falter, so she, Colene, and L took turns looking after him.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Upon hearing that Alyssa and the others had arrived, Mandy hurried out to greet them.

    "Lyse, you''re back!"

    "Mandy..." The moment Alyssa saw Mandy, she couldn''t hold back her emotions. Tears welled up in her

    eyes.

    She ran over and hugged Mandy tightly, tears streaming down her face.

    "Oh, what''s wrong? Our little princess has be a crybaby?" Mandy gentlyforted her, casting a

    reproachful nce at Jonah.

    Jonah could only smile wryly in response.

    "Mandy... Thanks for taking care of Dad. How''s he doing?" Alyssa forced back her tears and sniffled.

    "He''s doing fine. He slept better tonight than the past two days."

    "Are you the only one here? Where are my brothers? How can they be so heartless? They''re not

    coming back at a time like this?"

    The moment Alyssa finished speaking, the door at the end of the corridor opened.

    "Ss! Can you please shut your mouth? I swear this is thest time I''ll ever share a room with you."

 Chapter 1565

    Axel''s eyes were dark with exhaustion. He gritted his teeth in frustration. "Your snoring sounds like

    thunder during a storm. Are you trying to st me to death?"

    Ss followed closely behind, holding a pillow and yawning. Despite being tired and barely speaking in

    coherence, he retorted, "Do you think you''re innocent? If I''m thunder, you''re the hammer used for

    construction. And you grind your teeth, too!

    "Whoever marries you will surely suffer from premature aging."

    "Ss! Axel!" Alyssa was moved to tears, feeling guilty for her thoughtless words earlier. How could she

    say such things about her brothers?

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    The Taylor family''s children had always been reliable. They were always there when needed.

    "Lyse!" Ss and Axel suddenly had no trace of sleepiness as they rushed over to Alyssa.

    "Ss came over right away, and Axel rushed back from overseas as quickly as possible. Liam is on his

    way." Jonah''s voice was gentle.

    He walked over and lightly patted Alyssa''s shoulder, giving her a sense of security. "Lyse, don''t worry.

    We''re all here."

    "Cyrus is on a mission out of town to apprehend an important criminal. He won''t be back until the day

    after tomorrow."

    Mandy continued with a hint of guilt, "I didn''t dare to let him know about Winston''s condition... I was

    afraid that he''d¡ª"

    "It''s okay, Mandy. I get it," Alyssa quickly reassured her.

    "Cyrus needs to concentrate fully during his missions. Any distraction could be life-threatening. Let''s

    not tell him for now. His safe return is more important than anything else."

    Jasper stood quietly to the side, not seeking any attention. He felt content to watch Alyssa surrounded

    by her loved ones, so he willingly became the man behind her back. As long as she was happy, he was

    happy.

    "Mr. Jonah, Ms. Alyssa!"

    Just then, Sean rushed in from outside. His expression was a mix of anger and frustration. "We''ve got

    a problem. Jameson is here."

    Alyssa''s and Jasper''s expressions both changed instantly, looking alike.

    "Hah! Does he have a death wish? I haven''t slept well for three days, so I''m full of pent-up anger." Axel

    squinted, tilting his neck to the side.

    Ss also spat out. "At this point, he still has the nerve toe over and pretend like nothing''s wrong?

    Is he mentally ill or something?"

    Alyssa''s voice turned cold as she said, "Tell him to leave."

    "But he said he has something important to give to you personally, something you''ll definitely need,"

    Sean reported as he dared not get in the way of Alyssa''s business.

    "He''s ying these tricks again. Does he think I''ll still trust him and fall for it again?" Alyssa''s eyes

    turned red with hatred, and her fists clenched tightly.

    Jasper pursed his lips and spoke seriously, "Lyse, your brothers and I are all by your side. He won''t be

    able to cause any trouble. Why not meet him and see what he''s up to this time?"

    Alyssa was somewhat surprised by Jasper''s unexpected open-mindedness. She knew that he wouldn''t

    have said something like this in the past.

    Hearing that, Axel raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Oh, so you''re being open-minded now? Jamiper is

    your number one rival, Jasper. Won''t you be jealous when you see them together?"

    Jasper smiled casually. "I''m not thinking that far ahead. I''m only afraid of missing out on something that

    Lyse really needs."

    The Taylor brothers couldn''t help but admire Jasper''s attitude. This brother-inw of theirs had quite

    the character.

    Frowning, Alyssa thought for a moment before ultimately agreeing with Jasper''s suggestion.

    "Let Jamipere in."

 Chapter 1566

    The Taylors stood there, looking cold and stern.

    Alyssa''s sharp gaze met Jameson as he walked toward her, and she suddenly felt as if she had

    traveled back in time.

    Who would have thought that her childhood friend would be her most terrifying enemy?

    What started as calling him a "little bastard" as a joke in their childhood had turned into a chilling reality

    ¡ªhe had be a heartless bastard.

    Jameson''s delicate features were solemn as he approached. As he approached Alyssa, he shed a

    heartfelt smile. "Lyse, I''m really happy to see you again."

    Jasper''s eyes darkened, and his tensed hand immediately encircled Alyssa''s waist, pulling her into his

    embrace. He became a formidable barrier for Alyssa.

    Letting this viper in was his idea, but at this moment, he was finding it hard to contain his own

    emotions.

    "But seeing you only makes me feel sick, like I want to throw up." Alyssa''s words dripped with disgust

    as she looked at Jameson.

    Jameson, seemingly oblivious, continued to gaze at her affectionately. "Lyse, no matter how you scold

    me or what you do to me, my feelings for you will not diminish."

    "I... Ugh..." Ss leaned against the wall, feeling like he was about to throw up.

    Swiftly, Axel took out a dagger. "I really want to fucking stab this lunatic in the face and see how thick

    his skin really is."

    Meanwhile, Alyssa frowned, feeling a chill run through her body.

    "Jameson, you came here as soon as you returned to the country. What are you up to?" Jasper

    clenched his jaw. His sharp eyebrows added seriousness to his handsome face.

    Ignoring Jasper, Jameson extended his pale hand behind him, toward Carl.

    Carl immediately handed him a tightly sealed medical steel box with great respect.

    "Lyse, I heard that Uncle Winston had a rpse this time, worse than before."

    Jameson looked sincere as he held out the box to Alyssa. "This is a special medicine I got from a friend

    in Mosgravia for Uncle Winston. Many stroke patients have seen improvement after using this

    medicine.

    I really hope it can help Uncle Winston¡ª"

    Before he could finish his sentence, Alyssa''s eyes turned bloodshot. She angrily pped the box out of

    his hand, sending it crashing to the ground.

    Get out, right now... Get out!" She pointed to the door.

    Her crimson lips trembled uncontrobly, as though her nerves, strained from the entire night, had

    snapped. "And don''t ever pry about my family''s affairs again. It has nothing to do with you!"

    "Lyse..." Jameson''s pupils shrank, and he stood there stiffly. He looked as if he had been grievously

    wronged. "I have never had any ill intentions toward Uncle Winston or you.

    "I only came to deliver the medicine. Even if you hate me... you should think of Uncle Winston''s

    wellbeing and not dy his treatment."

    Jasper firmly grasped Alyssa''s trembling shoulders. His cold eyes were filled with hatred as if he

    wanted to pierce Jameson''s chest with them. "Mr. Taylor''s condition is not that serious. Don''t say such

    things to scare Lyse.

    "Also, Lyse is Mr. Taylor''s daughter. She knows better than you how to take care of her father. You don''t

    need to teach her."

    The Taylor brothers and Mandy all nodded in agreement.

    Axel, always direct, stood tall against the wall and sneered at Jameson. "Besides, who knows if the

    medicine you brought is life-saving or life-threatening?

    "I''m afraid Dad will miss seeing the sun tomorrow along with his three beautiful wives after using it."

    Mandy was ustomed to Axel''s sense of humor, so she didn''t think much of it. But Jonah and Ss

    red at Axel, tempted to stuff their socks into his mouth.

    Upon understanding Jameson''s intentions foring here, Jasper spoke with a low voice, "Take your

    men and your things, and leave now. Otherwise, it won''t just be a conversation between us."

    As Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed sses with his fingertip, a hint of hidden resentment shed in

    his eyes.

    "Why did you have toe all the way here, Jameson? You know that Lyse and Jasper are deeply in

    love. They have already discussed marriage twice. Yet you persist ining over and getting a cold

    shoulder.

    "Tsk, tsk... I''m about to shed a tear just watching from the sidelines."

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    A clear and pleasant chuckle rang out.

    Everyone turned to see Julien, in his white coat, walking toward them with a smile.

    "I''ll ept your gift on their behalf."

    Alyssa and Jasper couldn''t help but be stunned.

    Jonah stared into Julien''s eyes with a probing gaze, wondering what his intentions were.

    Smiling, Julien approached Jameson and held out his hand. "Hand it over, and you can leave. It

    wouldn''t be polite if you stayed any longer."

 Chapter 1567

    Jameson''s gaze darkened, and a burning sense of shame flushed his cheeks.

    Julien was quite sharp-tongued, mastering the art of cursing without using nasty words.

    In the end, Jameson had no choice but to leave the medicine behind and depart from the hospital with

    Carl.

    "Jul, why did you take Jamiper''s stuff? We don''t want them!"

    Alyssa felt anxious, finding Julien''s actions iprehensible. "Besides, who can guarantee that what

    he brought is medicine and not poison?"

    "I can." Julien''s expression suddenly became serious.

    He was usually nonchnt, so his seriousness surprised Alyssa and Jasper.

    "I can analyze the medicine. And that Jameson can''t be such a dumbass to brazenly bring poison to

    visit his beloved woman''s father. He doesn''t have shit for brains, does he?" Julien crossed his arms,

    shaking his head.

    Jonah turned his gaze toward Julien, frowning slightly as he cleared his throat.

    Julien had truly gone bad.

    When he first returned to the country, his swear words were limited to "fuck" and "bitch", but now he

    was using other vulgar words so smoothly.

    Alyssa, still red-eyed, said stubbornly, "Even if it''s genuine medicine, I won''t ept anything from

    Jameson!"

    Julien became a bit impatient and blurted out, "We should at least give it a try. What if it works?"

    Jasper was calmer than Alyssa in this situation. He quickly asked, "Julien, what do you mean by that? I

    thought Uncle Winston was already out of danger. Is there still a problem?"

    Alyssa''s heart tightened instantly, feeling like it was about to stop beating. She held Jasper''s arm

    tightly. Despite that, the intense waves of emotion couldn''t be calmed.

    Julien was a straightforward guy. Keeping it secret these past few days had been tough for him. He had

    been on edge in front of Jonah, practically at his breaking point.

    Now that he had identally spilled the bean, he might as well spill everything out.

    "He''s temporarily out of danger, but the situation isn''t optimistic. At his age, experiencing a stroke once

    makes the next urrence even more dangerous. I learned about Uncle Winston''s condition from Aunt

    Mandy and reviewed his medical records.

    "Over the past two years, he has gradually developed residual symptoms such as limb numbness and

    motor dysfunction. Aunt Mandy has given him targeted medicine developed by Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals to suppress the condition, but it''s only controlling the symptoms. It''s not a cure."

    Mandy hung her head in sorrow, feeling an overwhelming sense of pain.

    She was a proud and strong woman who always wanted to do her best at everything. Yet she couldn''t

    take care of the man she loved, leaving him to suffer from the disease.

    She had tried everything she could, but they were all of little effect. She even wished that she was the

    one suffering from the illness instead.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Also, after this rescue, Mr. Taylor has been in aa for three whole days. This is the longest he''s

    been unconscious since his first stroke. If he doesn''t wake up in two days, the situation will be

    critical."

    Julien''s words sent everyone into a state of shock.

    The usuallyposed Jonah suddenly lost all color in his face. Meanwhile, Ss felt like he had been

    hit with a heavy blow. He weakly leaned against the wall.

    Axel, who never considered this house his home and never regarded Winston as his father, had quietly

    moved to a dim corner. He turned his back to everyone, discreetly wiping away the tears that

    threatened to fall from the corners of his eyes.

    "How could this happen? I thought he was already fine... Why?" Alyssa''s eyes widened in disbelief,

    almost on the verge of hysteria.

 Chapter 1568

    The bad news weighed on Alyssa''s chest like a boulder, rolling back and forth and causing her

    unbearable pain.

    "Lyse, don''t be upset. Medical technology is advanced nowadays. Winston will definitely recover."

    Jasper held her tightly in his arms. With hisrge hand on the back of her neck, he pressed her flushed

    face against his chest.

    Heforted her patiently and firmly, "If it''s not possible here, I''ll apany you to take Winston

    abroad¡ªall over the world to find the best doctors. He''ll be fine. Don''t worry. Everything will be alright."

    "I''m sorry, Lyse, kids..." Mandy finally couldn''t hold back anymore. She closed her eyes, letting her

    tears flow freely.

    "Don''t me Julien. It''s my fault. I made him keep silent. I was afraid that telling you would make you

    sad and scared. I thought I could keep it from you until we found a solution. It''s my fault. me me..."

    Julien''s heart ached. "Aunt Mandy, please don''t say that."

    "We get it, Mandy." Jonah forced himself to control his emotions.

    His voice was hoarse as he said, "This isn''t Julien''s fault, and it''s not yours either. If anyone is to

    me, it''s me. As the eldest son, I didn''t fulfill my duty to Dad. It''s all my fault."

    "And me... I''m useless too..." Ss sniffled.

    "Since even Ss is saying that, let me join in." Axel, usually full of pride, looked dejected.

    "What does it have to do with all of you?"

    Alyssa''s pale face showed no traces of tears, but the intense hatred burning in her eyes was chilling.

    "Wasn''t Dominic the one who caused Dad''s rpse? Shouldn''t he be the one who should take

    responsibility and repent?"

    "That''s true, but we all know what kind of person that bastard is. Even if we ask him to take

    responsibility, he might juste back and upset Dad into the hospital again." Ss sighed helplessly.

    "Lyse, if you want revenge, it''s easy. I''ll cut Dominic''s tongue off for you to vent your anger." Axel

    smirked, and the veins on his forehead throbbed. "Let''s see how he can make Dad angry in the future."

    With tears hanging on hershes, Alyssa looked down and shook her head. "No, you don''t need to do

    it. When Dad''s condition stabilizes, I''ll handle it myself. He may be able to run, but he can''t escape

    from me."

    In the hospital parking lot, Jameson sat motionless in the car. His beautiful face was as cold as snow.

    Recalling the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Jasper and the Taylor brothers, he felt a surge of

    anger rising.

    He could hardly pretend anymore.

    He had hidden his true self, pretending to be weak for so many years. He thought that he had already

    engraved hypocrisy into his DNA.

    But seeing Jasper boldly embrace Alyssa and dere sovereignty in front of him, he really couldn''t

    take it anymore. He was about to be overwhelmed by his inner demons.

    After much deliberation, Jameson finally couldn''t help but call the man.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 Chapter 1569

    As the call connected, Jameson sat upright in anticipation.

    "Sir..."

    "Mr. Schmidt, isn''t itte at night in your time zone? Haven''t you slept yet?" The person who answered

    the phone was Sheryl.

    Jameson''s heart skipped a beat. He said in surprise, "Ms. Gillis?"

    "It''s morning in Mosgravia now. Sir is visiting the Jesseltons and can''t take your call now."

    Sheryl''s tone carried a hint of contempt as she said, "If you have something to say, you can tell me,

    and I''ll convey it to him."

    Frowning, Jameson clenched his fist.

    He had been working with that man for so many years and devoted himself tirelessly, but he still felt an

    emptiness in his heart. He felt that there was an invisible barrier between them. He even doubted

    whether the man truly regarded him as a confidant.

    And yet, this Sheryl woman, who had only recently joined the man''s side, had gained such great trust

    from him, even being allowed to answer his calls.

    Could someone as wise and mighty as him have a weakness for women?

    "Mr. Schmidt, if this is nothing urgent, I must return to sir''s side." Sheryl showed no patience for

    Jameson.

    "I''ve delivered the medicine sir gave me to Lyse. She epted it."

    "Oh, that''s good. Congrattions, Mr. Schmidt. She finally epted your kindness for once." Sheryl

    chuckled sarcastically.

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    Jameson hesitated for a moment. "The medicine won''t cause any issues, right?"

    "Haha! Mr. Schmidt, are you suspecting that sir will ruin your rtionship?"

    Sheryl''s mockery became more pronounced. "Do you think he has that much time on his hands? And if

    it weren''t for him intervening several times at your request, Alyssa would have reconciled with Jasper

    long ago and perhaps even have had children by now.

    "You would have lost your chance long ago. Oh, I forgot. Alyssa''s uterus is already useless. Jasper has

    ruined her. She can''t have children anymore. Haha..."

    Jameson''s clenched fist trembled uncontrobly. "Ms. Gillis, please watch your words. Lyse is the

    woman I love, and she has never offended you."

    "How do you know she hasn''t offended me?" Sheryl''s voice suddenly turned deep.

    "What?"

    "Haha! Just kidding. The medicine is suitable for Winston''s symptoms. Even Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals'' medicines aren''t as effective as the one sir gave you. You can rest assured. Once he

    recovers, the Taylors will all thank you.

    "Alyssa is the type who responds better to kindness than force. Saving her father is a great favor. Her

    attitude toward you will surely change." Without waiting for a reply, Sheryl coldly hung up.

    Jameson''s pale face turned dark, and a bead of crimson blood seeped from his bitten lower lip.

    In the blink of an eye, it was already morning.

    Upon learning the truth, none of the Taylors dared to sleep. They all anxiously waited outside the ward.

    Their eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night, and they were all dejected.

    L, Colene, and Tatiana brought a lot of breakfast and rushed to the hospital, but no one had any

    appetite. They sat silently, waiting for news.

    Alyssa sat in a chair with Jasper''s oversized suit draped over her. She had been sitting motionless for

    hours, not even bending once.

    Jasper had messaged Xavier and Landon, asking them toe up with a solution. After all, it was a

    matter of great importance. He couldn''t entrust it to anyone he didn''t trust, fearing leaks.

    For now, all he could do was apany Alyssa. He held her ice-cold hand tightly in his.

 Chapter 1570

    The more Alyssa remained quiet and endured silently, the more Jasper felt bad for her.

    After some time, Julien hurriedly approached with the test results. "The results are out."

    The Taylors all stood up, with Alyssa being the first to rush to Julien and take the report.

    "There''s no problem?" She stared at the data on the paper in disbelief.

    Julien nodded solemnly. "Surprisingly, there are no issues with the medicine Jameson brought. Not

    only that, but it''s a targeted medicine developed in Mosgravia this year specifically for stroke patients.

    It''s even more effective than the medication Aunt Mandy had."

    Amidst their astonishment, hope ignited in their eyes.

    Despite feeling relieved, Jasper couldn''t shake off his deep sense of guilt and sorrow.

    He wished he could have been the one to help Alyssa. But it turned out that Jameson had been the

    one to offer assistance.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Oh! That''s great!" Ss eximed excitedly. "If we start giving this medicine to Dad, his illness will be

    treated, right?"

    Julien frowned, hesitating to speak.

    Seeing his expression, Jonah quickly approached. "Julien, is there a problem?"

    "This medicine can be considered a national treasure of Mosgravia. It''s not just expensive, but the

    production is also extremely limited. It''s only avable to the top elites and royal members of

    Mosgravia.

    "Moreover, this medicine is quite potent. It definitely has side effects. But I can''t say for sure what

    exactly the side effects are."

    Julien''s words rained on the Taylors'' parade.

    "There will be side effects? We can''t use it." Mandy fretted.

    "If we cure the stroke but end up with more difficult ailments, how will Winston''s body handle it?"

    The other two wives also agreed with Mandy.

    "Given Mr. Taylor''s age and the severity of his illness, the fact that he could be saved is already a

    stroke of luck. Now, the priority is to get him to wake up. Prolonged unconsciousness will cause

    irreversible damage to his central nervous system."

    Julien''s tone was stern, befitting a seasoned professional. "I''m his attending physician. In the hospital, I

    have the final say on his treatment.

    "I''ll administer this medicine to him soon. If he wakes up tomorrow, everything will be better. Don''t

    worry too much about the side effects for now. They can be gradually treated as long as they don''t

    pose a life-threatening risk. Let''s focus on saving his life first. We can''t have everything."

    Clenching her teeth, Alyssa made up her mind. "Let''s follow Julien''s instructions and give Dad the

    medicine. We can deal with future matters in the future. Besides, Dad is not an ordinary man. A little

    illness won''t defeat him."

    Though she spoke confidently, Jasper couldn''t fail to notice how much she was suffering.

    She was forcing herself to be strong.

    Meanwhile, upon learning about Winston''s serious illness, Landon was deeply concerned.

    However, since his inauguration was approaching, he was busy shuttling between the office and the

    conference room every day.

    With several major projects to handle, he couldn''t even spend time with Lauren in bed, let alone help

    find medical solutions. He had to delegate the task to Angelina for now and promise to think of a

    solutionter.

    Landon finally managed to free up some time that day. He wanted to visit Belbanks to check on

    Winston and meet with Jasper and Alyssa.

    However, as he stepped out of his office, he received an urgent call from Angelina.

    Landon''s heart skipped a beat. He promptly asked about Lauren''s condition.

    "Did something happen to Lauren?"

 Chapter 1571

    "Don''t worry, Mr. Landon. Ms. Lauren is fine," Angelina reassured.

    Landon breathed a sigh of relief. "Then what is it?"

    Angelina paused for a moment before speaking with a cold tone, "I just received news that Mr.

    Cornelius has sent his men to bring Ms. Zoe back to Sna City from Yoarkley."

    "What?"

    Landon widened his eyes, feeling a surge of anger rising within him. "Didn''t you have people watching

    her? How could you let here back?"

    Angelina felt guilty. "Our men had been keeping an eye on her all along, and everything was fine. But

    Ms. Zoe suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. Our men were afraid something would happen to her, so

    they rushed her to the hospital."

    "She''s perfectly healthy. She doesn''t have any heart problems! How could she have a cardiac arrest?"

    "I''m just as surprised as you are," Angelina said, her voice tinged with frustration and helplessness.

    "After the incident, I immediately ordered them to block the news. But as soon as Ms. Zoe got admitted

    to the hospital, Mr. Cornelius caught wind of it. It was as if everything had been pre-meditated.

    "With Mr. Cornelius'' intervention, Ms. Zoe was admitted to the emergency room, so our men couldn''t

    stop it. Later, I heard that it seemed to be caused by her own misuse of drugs."

    Misuse of drugs?

    At the mention of that, Landon immediately knew that something fishy was going on. His gaze turned

    cold. "Did she meet anyone these past few days?"

    "She only went out once for a spa treatment. Other than that, she didn''t go anywhere or meet with

    anyone."

    The more Angelina talked about it, the guiltier she felt. She felt a lump form in her throat. "I''m sorry, Mr.

    Landon. It''s my fault. I''ll ept whatever punishment you have for me."

    Landon swung his arm. "Now is not the time to talk about punishment. Where is Zoe now?"

    "She''s already left Yoarkley. She''s on Mr. Cornelius'' private ne."

    "Who''s with her?"

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Your mother and... Preston."

    When Landon heard Preston''s name, his heart sank. He clenched his fists tightly, causing his joints to

    crack audibly.

    "Despite all precautions, that bastard and that damned girl still conspired together! I''m going to see

    Grandpa now!"

    When Landon arrived at the Harper Residence, Cornelius was already waiting for him in the study.

    "Grandpa, Zoe¡ª"

    "I instructed your mother and your Uncle Preston to bring Zoe back from Yoarkley." Cornelius

    interrupted Landon directly.

    "I wanted to go too, but I figured you would catch wind of it and rush over to see me, so I waited for you

    here."

    Though Landon was filled with anger and frustration, he suppressed his rage.

    "Grandpa, have you forgotten what you promised me before? Zoe hasmitted an unforgivable

    mistake, tarnishing her reputation and nearly bringing down our entire family! How could you let her

    come back?

    "With her personality, she''ll continue to cause trouble if she doesn''t receive any heavy punishment.

    Have you thought about what to do if that happens? As the head of the family, how can you go back on

    your word?"

    Cornelius retorted, "Zoe has suffered enough during her time away from home. She has acknowledged

    her mistakes and apologized to me and her mother."

    "It''s all an act! Once she''s back in Sna City, her true colors will show!"

    "You are my only grandson, but Zoe is also my only granddaughter! I cannot bear to see my

    descendants exiled!"

    Cornelius mmed his hand on the desk, ring at Landon. "Zoe has been pampered since childhood.

    When has she ever suffered such humiliation and torture? Do you know she almost died abroad?

    "As her brother, you show no concern for her well-being. Yet you have the nerve to lecture me about

    not wanting her back. Do you still treat her as your sister? Your father must feel deeply hurt if he sees

    this from heaven!"

 Chapter 1572

    Landon was so angry that he gnashed his teeth so hard that it hurt.

    The death of his father was the greatest source of pain in his life. He would feel a pang of pain just

    hearing his father''s name. But now, Cornelius was using Bill''s death to attack him, all for the sake of

    protecting Zoe.

    It was a disgrace to Bill.

    "Do you know that your mother fainted on the spot when she heard that Zoe was admitted to the

    emergency room? Luckily, the servants were there to catch her in time. Otherwise, if she had copsed

    and hit her head, you might have lost her."

    Cornelius continued, "Landon, I know you''re close with Jasper and Alyssa, but never forget that you

    are a member of the Harper family. You''re about to be Harper Group''s president¡ªmy sessor.

    "At this crucial moment, you should focus on managing thepany''s affairs. Other matters don''t need

    your attention."

    Cornelius stared at Landon coldly. "I heard that you have already taken your girlfriend to propose to the

    Beckett family privately and have met with the Becketts."

    Landon''s heart skipped a beat.

    "You haven''t arranged for me to meet Mr. Javier because you wanted to wait until the appointment is

    official. By then, you''ll have enough confidence to formally propose to the Beckett family."

    When Cornelius noticed the change in Landon''s expression, he knew he had the upper hand. He sat

    back leisurely in his chair.

    "Mr. Javier is a man of high standards. He''s renowned for being difficult to please in the business world

    of Sna City. If you want him to fully ept you as his son-inw, you need to show sincerity. Don''t

    you think so, Landon?"

    In the hospital, Julien administered the medicine Jameson had sent to Winston right after he found out

    it was safe.

    The next morning, amidst the anxious prayers and anticipation, Winston gradually woke up and opened

    his eyes.

    "Dad!" Alyssa couldn''t contain her excitement and rushed to hug Winston tightly.

    "Oh my... You''re suffocating me. It seems that Jasper really feeds you well," Winston teased weakly as

    he patted Alyssa''s back.

    Inwardly, he was overjoyed. "I just came back from the brink of death. Are you trying to send me back?

    "Dad, don''t say such things!"

    The mix of relief and joy from their reunion made Alyssa hold Winston even tighter. Her eyes shone

    with tears of happiness. "What brink of death? You were just asleep and woke up."

    Winston sighed and smiled weakly. "Lyse, this is my body. How could I not know my condition?

    "I''m getting old... really old. Before, even if the sky fell, I thought I could bear it. But now, without

    anything happening, I''ve already fallen."

    Alyssa''s eyes stung with pain, and she felt a lump in her throat.

    "Lyse, thank you for taking care of me. I''ve frightened you, haven''t I?" Winston gently stroked her hair

    as he tearfully scanned his children.

    "Dad, you''re recovering quickly. There''s nothing serious," Jonah said with a forced smile as he walked

    to the bedside.

    Everyone nodded, pretending to be rxed.

    "Don''t try to fool me."

    Winston chuckled. "Look at your three mothers. Their eyes are swollen, as though bees have stung

    them. If you''re going to pretend, at least make it believable. Your worries are written all over your

    faces."

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Outside the ward, Jasper stood quietly at the door. He was just an outsider, after all. Beside him stood

    Axel, who exchanged awkward nces with Jasper.

    After a long silence, Jasper finally spoke. "Axel, why don''t you go in?"

    "Why should I?" Axel crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow in response.

 Chapter 1573

    Jasper said, "Your family is all inside..."

    "So? Do I have to join them? Will squeezing in get me some reward?" Axel tilted his head and

    narrowed his eyes.

    Looking at his mischievous expression, Jasper smiled faintly.

    Despite Axel''s tough demeanor, the faint redness at the corners of his eyes betrayed his concern for

    Winston.

    A voice called out urgently, "Axel!"

    Liam had rushed back from Leichtown overnight. He was still in his military uniform.

    "Liam!" Axel''s eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

    "How''s Dad?" Liam''s eyes were red from exhaustion. He was decisive on the battlefield, but now he

    appeared cautious.

    Axel''s usually sharp gaze softened as he ced his hand on Liam''s shoulder badge. "Don''t worry. He

    has woken up."

    "That''s good. I''ll go in and see Dad."

    Liam finally rxed. Just as he wanted to enter the ward, he noticed Jasper''s tall figure standing

    nearby. His expression darkened at once.

    "Why is he here?"

    Jasper''s throat tightened, his longshes trembling slightly.

    Scratching his head, Axel grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. "Who else is going to be here if not

    him? He follows where his woman goes, of course."

    "His woman?"

    Liam''s tone was icy, devoid of any warmth. "You guys are so easily swayed by him?"

    "Liam, I¡ª"

    "No matter how he tries to make amends now, it''s useless. In my eyes, the harm he caused Lyse is

    unforgivable."

    Liam''s eyes turned red. His gaze was so sharp, like a de on Jasper''s neck. "I will never forget the

    pain Lyse endured because of him. Lyse''s child died because of this jackass!"

    After saying that, he stepped inside and mmed the door shut. Jasper stood rooted to the spot, his

    mouth agape, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions that constricted his throat and brought tears to his

    eyes.

    "Hey, are you still here?"

    Axel snapped his fingers in front of Jasper, causing thetter to startle and bow his head. "Sorry."

    "Sorry my ass! Look at you, with your head hung low like a wilted nt. I really want to hit you with a

    stun gun!"

    Axel punched Jasper hard in the chest. Despite the impact, Jasper remained unmoved.

    "If I were you, the more he looks down on me, the more I''d cling to Lyse, pester her, and haunt her for

    the rest of my life. I''d never give up until he epted me. Why are you dejected after a couple of

    criticisms? Where''s that stubbornness of yours, Jasper?"

    Jasper''s Adam''s apple bobbed. "I''m pestering her, aren''t I? Don''t worry. For Lyse, I can be even more

    shameless than Jameson."

    Axel nodded approvingly, his expression saying, "You''ve got potential."

    "I just¡ª"

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "It''s all in the past." Axel''s voice interrupted him, shaking his head.

    "In Lyse''s journey to find her partner, we can only protect her, not judge her. If she''spletely at

    peace, we have no right to meddle.

    "Liam has had his own logic in everything he does since he was young. He''s the most stubborn and

    least receptive to advice. Even Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus together can''t sway him.

    "Jasper, you may have to prepare yourself for him never forgiving you. Nothing can be perfect, but as

    long as Winston and Jonah slowly ept you, you''ve done your duty."

    Jasper looked deeply into Axel''s eyes, feeling a warmth flooding his heart.

 Chapter 1574

    Jasper held a deep respect for Alyssa''s brothers, particrly Axel, whom he found to be kindred spirits.

    Their connection felt like a reunion with a friend from long ago, despite meetingter in life.

    "Oh, goodness gracious! Winston!"

    Dominic emerged from the corridor with hurried steps and a troubled countenance, urgently beckoning

    for Winston. Close on his heels came the senior shareholders of the KS Group.

    Jasper''s and Axel''s faces turned grim at the sight of this.

    Winston had just regained consciousness, yet Dominic wasted no time hurrying to his side. This could

    only mean Dominic had eyes in the hospital, ensuring he was abreast of every unfolding situation.

    He pulled out all the stops to present himself as deeply invested in Winston''s recovery. However, his

    underlying intention was to disseminate news of Winston''s dire illness, generating pressure to sow

    discord within the KS Group and capitalize on the resulting upheaval for personal gain.

    While Axelcked the business acumen to fully grasp the situation''s nuances, Jasper, with his keen

    insight, easily discerned Dominic''s ulterior motives. He could read the intricate machinations reflected

    in Dominic''s demeanor.

    Among the hurried crowd converging at the ward entrance, Axel could discern only Dominic''s familiar

    figure.

    Dominic''s astonishment was evident as he encountered Jasper''smanding stance at the entrance.

    After all, who wouldn''t know Jasper Beckett, the president of the Beckett Group?

    Recalling Jasper''s connection with Alyssa, Dominic mustered a disingenuous smile and extended his

    hand. "Ah, Mr. Beckett. It''s been quite some time. I had a feeling you''d lend your assistance during this

    critical moment for the Taylor family. After all, we''re practically family!"

    The remark was a calcted attempt to showcase his closeness to Jasper and bolster his own image.

    "Ugh!" Axel expressed his disdain with a loud spit and a roll of his eyes.

    Dominic was rendered speechless.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes, appraising him with a frosty stare. "And you are?"

    Everyone was dumbfounded.

    Dominic''s embarrassment was palpable as his expression stiffened in shock.

    Jasper''s question cut deep, a humiliating blow.

    "Shouldn''tmon courtesy dictate that you introduce yourself before extending your hand?" Jasper''s

    tone remained cool, his gaze unwaveringly icy. "Besides, it''s curious how you im we''re family. I am

    Alyssa''s partner. I hold every member of the Taylor family dear. Why, then, do I not know who you are?"

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Turning slightly to Axel, Jasper asked, "Axel, do you know him?"

    Axel blinked his eyes. "I don''t think so."

    Dominic struggled to contain his outrage, though he knew Winston''s sons were not easily swayed.

    "Axel, your sense of humor remains intact after all these years," he remarked with forced joviality.

    Then, with a shameless grin directed at Jasper, he continued, "Mr. Beckett, a man of your stature must

    find it difficult to keep track of everyone you meet. I believe we''ve met more than once, but it was my

    mistake. I should have introduced myself."

    "This is Mr. Winston''s brother, Dominic Taylor, an executive director at the KS Group," Dominic''s

    subordinate interjected, eager to support his boss.

    "Ah, Mr. Dominic, the one with the questionable investment instincts." Jasper''s smirk was evident as he

    looked down at Dominic. " Have you managed to recover the 50 million you lost?"

 Chapter 1575

    As Jasper spoke, a wave of exchanged nces rippled through the KS Group members, their

    collective surprise directed at Dominic.

    Dominic felt a chill run down his spine as he met Jasper''s cold gaze.

    As a testament to their longstanding rtionship, Winston had extended a helping hand to Dominic

    when it was found that thetter had misappropriatedpany funds.

    This ndestine act remained shrouded in secrecy within thepany''s walls. So, how had Jasper

    stumbled upon this information? Could Winston have confided in him?

    Winston''s recognition of Jasper''s status as his son-inw hinted at a level of closeness and mutual

    understanding that extended beyond mere business dealings. This rtionship could pave the way for

    a formidable alliance that might spell the end for the KS Group.

    "Haha... Mr. Beckett, you certainly have a sense of humor," Dominic forced a smile, his mind racing.

    "I''m not sure what you''re referring to regarding 50 million."

    He attempted to downy the seriousness of the situation. "And losing a bit of money isn''t a big deal.

    While I may not be of the main Taylor bloodline, I am still a Taylor. 50 million is a mere trifle. Even if it

    were 100 million, I''d ensure not a penny went missing if such an amount were indeed owed.

    "I''m not sure where you heard such a rumor, Mr. Beckett. But it''s all water under the bridge. After all,

    we''re family. I won''t take offense over such a trivial matter."

    Jasper''s fists clenched in fury. The urge to strike Dominic surged within him.

    He had heard of Dominic''s shameless demeanor from Alyssa, but experiencing it firsthand left him

    seething with rage.

    Just then, the hospital ward door swung open.

    Alyssa''s entrancemanded attention, her demeanor exuding calm authority. Her piercing gaze

    swept across the room, quelling any inclination to underestimate her.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "I was wondering who was outside causing a ruckus and disturbing my father''s peace," Alyssa

    dered, her voice cutting through the tension. "And then I saw it was you, Mr. Dominic."

    Her words hung in the air, silencing Dominic and his entourage in one fell swoop.

    Dominic''s face flushed with embarrassment as he cursed inwardly.

    He seethed with frustration at Winston''s excessive pampering of Alyssa, evident in her failure to

    address him properly as "Uncle Dominic".

    "My father is fine now. Thank you, everyone, for your concern and taking the time from your busy

    schedules to visit him," Alyssa suddenly remarked with a charming smile.

    Her demeanor exuded poise and grace, leaving everyone duly impressed as they responded

    respectfully, "It''s the least we could do, Ms. Alyssa. Mr. Winston is the cornerstone of ourpany. We

    were deeply worried when he fell ill."

    With calm assurance, Alyssa continued, "Rest assured, everyone. Even if my father is unable to lead

    the KS Group any longer, we have many capable individuals within the Taylor family who can steer the

    company forward. The KS Group''s stability is assured. I advise anyone considering trouble to think

    twice."

    Her piercing gaze lingered on Dominic''s face. "However, my father''s health remains our top priority due

    to his advanced age. We appreciate your kind intentions, but you may leave now."

    In just a few sinct sentences, Alyssamanded authority and respect.

    Jasper gazed at her with profound admiration,pletely captivated by her.

    The notion that women could only y supportive roles to men was swiftly dispelled by Alyssa''s

    formidablepetence¡ªa testament to her strength and independence.

    Jasper felt a pang of concern that he couldn''t fulfill his role as a husband adequately, necessitating

    reliance on Alyssa''s capabilities.

    "Alyssa, it''s important for me to see your father, even if others may not. I''m your uncle! Let me go in

    and see him." Dominic looked concerned.

    The prospect of being shut out by Alyssa in front of everyone filled Dominic with a sense of impending

    embarrassment.

 Chapter 1576

    Alyssa''s gaze burned with disdain as she confronted Dominic''s pretentiousness, ready to speak her

    mind. However, Jonah''s gentle touch on her shoulder interrupted her, his soft voice breaking the

    tension. "Uncle Dominic, Dad wants to see you."

    Jasper stood in shock while Alyssa nced at Jonah in surprise.

    Dominic''s lip curled into a smug smile.

    Just as Dominic moved to step into the ward, his footing gave way beneath him, propelling him forward

    with a pronounced thud.

    Dominic fell hard on his face.

    Some of the shareholders who had followed him there couldn''t help butugh.

    Meanwhile, Axel, who had been leaning against the wall, maintained his indifferent facade. He casually

    retracted his leg, which had obstructed Dominic''s path.

    Dominic, feeling the weight of his years, struggled to rise, his knee throbbing with pain. With a fierce

    re, he directed his gaze at Axel, who appeared unfazed. "You!"

    Axel let out azy yawn. "Uncle Dominic, you''re not as young as you used to be. You should watch

    where you''re walking. My foot has been here for the past 30 minutes. Why did you still manage to trip

    over it?"

    Struggling to control his breath, Dominic felt hisposure slipping as Axel''s words cut deep, mocking

    hisck of awareness.

    "And be more careful walking at night," Axel continued nonchntly. "You might have hit the ground

    this time, but who knows where you might end up next?"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa burst outughing and gave a thumbs-up to Axel. Then, she reached out and gently caressed

    Jasper''s hand. "Would you like toe inside?"

    "Can I?" Jasper''s lips pursed in bewilderment.

    Alyssa leaned into him, her eyes sparkling with shrewd charm. "We''re family. Of course, you can."

    Jasper''s breath quickened, attempting to maintain hisposure while his hand, warm against her

    waist, betrayed his true feelings.

    Upon seeing Winston, Dominic unleashed his acting skills, feigning profuse tears as if Winston were

    already gone.

    "Isn''t my father sitting here perfectly fine? Your dramatics are killing the mood," Ss interjected with a

    touch of sarcasm, his distaste for Dominic''s pretentiousness evident.

    Ss, don''t be rude to your uncle," Winston chided softly, defending Dominic.

    Dominic wiped away his tears, stealing nces at Winston. Despite his stoic appearance, Dominic

    sensed that Winston''s illness was more serious than Alyssa had let on.

    "Uncle Dominic, if you genuinely care for my dad and feel any remorse, please don''t oppose him.

    Focus on helping him in managing the business. Enough with the hypocrisy," Jonah stated with a

    serious tone, his indifferent gaze fixed on Dominic.

 Chapter 1577

    Dominic clenched his teeth, seething with resentment coursing through him.

    Despite Jonah holding the title ofpany president, his arrogance stemmed from being Winston''s

    eldest son. He showed no regard for Dominic''s seniority, speaking to him as if he were a superior

    reprimanding an underling.

    The entire family, young and old alike, treated Dominic with the same air of superiority, looking down on

    him from their lofty perches. They never took him seriously.

    How could Dominic swallow his pride in the face of such treatment?

    "Let it go, Jonah. Your uncle knows when he''s wrong," Winston interjected wearily, gesturing with a

    tired hand. He wanted to put an end to the discussion. "I''m fine now, Dominic. Your visit means a lot to

    me. You''ve shown that you still care. You can leave now."

    Winston had said all he could to salvage Dominic''s dignity.

    "Winston, what happened this time was my fault." Dominic''s tone turned grave. "But consider,

    throughout the years, how I''ve supported you. I''ve dedicated decades to expanding the KS Group,

    enduring countless hardships along the way.

    "When you were unable to act, I was the one braving the elements and navigating difficult projects in

    distant and inhospitable ces. I stood by your side every step of the way."

    Alyssa gritted her teeth, suspecting Dominic harbored some ulterior motive behind his sudden disy

    of vulnerability.

    Winston frowned and nodded. "Yes, I understand it hasn''t been easy for you all these years."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "I''ve never asked for anything in return, only hoping that you would recognize our bond as brothers and

    let me off the hook," Dominic continued, casting a venomous nce at Jasper. "But I never imagined

    you would conspire with your future son-inw to make my life difficult.

    "If you have grievances against me, confront me directly. There was no need to air our family''s dirty

    laundry in front of outsiders and resort to such tactics to pressure and humiliate me."

    Jasper''s eyebrows furrowed in surprise, and he swallowed hard, realizing that Dominic was directing

    his fury toward him as an outsider. Dominic was Winston''s brother, and any retaliation from Jasper

    would likely y into Dominic''s hands, potentially tarnishing Winston''s favorable view of him.

    Caught off guard, Winston looked at Jasper with an inexplicable gaze.

    While the others remained oblivious to the underlying tension, Jonah couldn''t bear to witness Dominic

    unfairly using Jasper. Just as he was about to speak up in Jasper''s defense, Alyssa intervened,

    swiftlying to her lover''s aid.

    "Uncle Dominic, what were you thinking when you misused public funds to cover your investment

    losses? Did you think no one would find out?"

    Alyssa''s usation left Dominic momentarily speechless.

    "No one is an outsider here, not even Jasper. He''s my partner. I won''t mince my words any longer. I''ll

    speak frankly," Alyssa dered, firmly standing by Jasper''s side.

    Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she continued, "If you don''t want your actions exposed, then don''t

    engage in them. You''ve disyed greed and ignorance, dabbling in investments without sufficient

    knowledge and resorting to deceitful tactics.

    "If my father hadn''t intervened, you would have faced legal consequences. Do you truly believe you''d

    be here discussing this nonsense if that were the case?"

    "Alyssa, how dare you!" Dominic sputtered, attempting to defend himself.

    But Alyssa was relentless. "If you were aware of the potential consequences of your actions, why did

    you engage in them? It''s clear you don''t understand the gravity of your mistakes."

    Jasper gazed at Alyssa with admiration, silently appreciating her strength and conviction.

    Dominic''s face flushed with anger. But before he could respond, Alyssa delivered her final blow. "Do

    you think Jasper wanted to uncover your wrongdoing? He knows because I confided in him. There are

    no secrets between us. Thanks to you, for the first time, I can''t stand before my partner with my head

    held high."

 Chapter 1578

    Alyssa''s biting retorts struck a chord within Dominic, igniting a surge of anger that left him feeling

    suffocated.

    While Jasper felt a swell of gratitude to see Alyssa standing up for him, he remained cautious, casting

    her a concerned nce and gently squeezing her hand to signal her to temper her words in Winston''s

    presence.

    "That''s enough, Lyse. Let''s not dwell on this." Winston''s face was grim.

    "Uncle Dominic, you''vemitted a serious offense, and yet you''ve gone so far as to gather people to

    visit Dad. I had hoped for some change in you," Alyssa remarked, her smirk dripping with sarcasm.

    "But instead, you''re deflecting me onto others for your own mistakes.

    "You''ve made a grave error, and yet you persist in your defiance, even after Dad has helped you.

    Seeing as everything has gone south, why not ept responsibility for your actions?

    "You should handle the repayment of the 50 million on your own. It shouldn''t be too burdensome for a

    member of the Taylor family."

    Alyssa had not only fended the Taylor family but also redirected the consequences of Dominic''s actions

    back to him with fervor.

    Dominic''s lips twitched with frustration, his outrage barely contained.

    "Alyssa, you¡ª"

    Winston became so agitated that a violent headache gripped his head. His hands, hidden beneath the

    nket, trembled uncontrobly.

    "Lyse, stop! Something is wrong with Uncle Winston!" Jasper urgently whispered to Alyssa, noting

    Winston''s paleplexion.

    Dominic observed the unfolding situation and let out a loud wail, paying no heed to Winston''s distress.

    "Winston, I''m devastated! I feel utterly disregarded as an elder! Perhaps it''s better if I simply cease to

    exist!"

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    L and Colene rushed to Winston''s side, their hearts pounding with fear of his condition worsening

    due to Dominic''s outburst.

    "Enough, Dominic. I''ve said I won''t pursue this further, and I mean it." Winston''s breathing grew

    labored, and his voicecked the vigor it once held.

    Alyssa frowned. "Dad, you..."

    Dominic continued, "I feel like I have no respect from the family. Even in thepany, I''m constantly

    undermined..."

    "Don''t worry. I will keep my promise and not demote you," Winston reassured, his hospital gown damp

    with sweat as he struggled to maintain his usualposure.

    Externally, Dominic appeared grateful, but internally, he sneered at Winston''s words.

    Winston''s unwaveringmitment to rtionships and loyalty was his strength, but for Dominic, it was

    a limitless advantage. He could exploit this weakness to his advantage time and time again.

    As Winston''s only brother, this was just one of the many reasons Dominic held sway over him.

    Years ago, if Dominic hadn''t rescued the injured Jennifer on the beach, Winston might never have met

    the love of his life. Their heartwarming marriage and children might never havee to fruition.

    This was the real leverage Dominic held over Winston.

    Though Winston might have forgiven him, he still owed his children an exnation. So, he spoke

    sternly, "However, this is the final time. I''m not solely responsible for the KS Group. A manager''s role is

    to manage finances, not line his own pockets.

    "If this happens again, I won''t help you. Furthermore, I''ll handle it impartially and pursue the matter

    fully. Do you hear me, Dominic?"

    Alyssa couldn''tprehend what was happening.

    Winston had always been resolute and dominant in the business world, never backing down. He

    always meant what he said and answered to no one as he towered over the businessndscape. So,

    why was he suddenly acting this way?

 Chapter 1579

    Alyssa couldn''t fathom Winston''s tolerance toward Dominic''s offense.

    "Winston, the fault was mine. I''ll ensure the same mistake isn''t repeated. Please rest well. I won''t

    bother you any longer."

    Having been reassured by Winston, Dominic prepared to leave with a satisfied smile.

    "Winston, I''ll see Dominic off," Mandy spoke gently.

    Dominic exited the ward with a smug grin.

    Not long after, Mandy''s voice cut through the silence. "Stay where you are."

    Dominic pivoted on his heels, only to find Mandy closing in on him with a frigid demeanor. In an instant,

    her hand shot forward, delivering a sharp p across his face before he could react.

    "W-Why did you hit me?" Dominic''s eyes widened, his cheek stinging and a red mark forming.

    "You know perfectly well why," Mandy retorted, her demeanor stern and intimidating. Gone was the

    gentle and kind woman from earlier.

    She continued, "I''ve waited far too long to deliver this blow. When Winston ended up in the hospital

    because of you, I should have struck you down then and there, tearing your mouth apart!"

    There was nobody else around to witness the confrontation. Dominic abandoned his facade, meeting

    Mandy''s gaze with a scornful and malicious sneer. "Haha, who do you think you are? Are you under the

    delusion that you''re Winston''s real wife?

    "You shamelessly clung to my brother, just like the other two. All of you are merely his ythings for

    when he grows bored. Now, you''re simply filling in for my deceased sister-inw.

    "You should be grateful that she passed away early, affording you this opportunity to bask in the

    spotlight. Otherwise, do you think you''d be who you are today? In days of old, you''d be no more than a

    mere concubine."

    Mandy''s eyes filled with rage. It wasn''t Dominic''s humiliation that triggered her, but his contemptuous

    and disrespectful mention of Jennifer. "You bastard!"

    With fury coursing through her veins, Mandy raised her hand, but Dominic reacted swiftly, seizing her

    wrist and pushing her forcefully, nearly causing her to stumble.

    "Hmph! You''ve overestimated yourself. Do you truly believe you hold any power here just because I''ve

    allowed you to linger out of respect for my brother?" Dominic spat out, rubbing his face before storming

    off, leaving Mandy standing in shock with her reddened wrist.

    "Mandy!"

    Alyssa and Jasper, their concern evident, hurried after Mandy. They witnessed the entire altercation

    unfold before them.

    "Madam Mandy, how could he treat you like that?" Jasper''s eyes aze with anger, his body tense with

    indignation.

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Mandy offered a wry smile and shook her head, trying to downy the situation.

    But Jasper''s fists clenched, his resolve evident. "I''ll find him and make him pay for this!"

    "Don''t, son!" Mandy interjected, grabbing Jasper''s arm. "This isn''t your fight. You have a reputation as

    the president of the Beckett Group to uphold. It''s not worth tarnishing it over a petty man like him."

    This time, she addressed him not as "Mr. Beckett" but as "son".

 Chapter 1580

    Jasper''s entire body buzzed with energy, but he now felt even more upset for Mandy. "Mandy, you''re

    Lyse''s family, which makes you my family as well. I can disregard my reputation, but I cannot bear to

    see you suffering so!"

    Jasper''s heartfelt words made tears flood Alyssa''s eyes. She hugged him tightly, her heart feeling so

    warm inside.

    Mandy was choked up with emotion. She did her best to smile and said, "Thank you."

    "Don''t worry, Mandy. I won''t let you suffer in silence." Alyssa''s eyes glinted as she spoke, "If I don''t

    teach Dominic a lesson after this... I''ll change myst name to his!"

    Jasper looked at Alyssa curiously. She must''ve gone silly with anger. If she changed herst name to

    Dominic''s, she''d still be a Taylor.

    Mandy said gently, "Lyse, your father is still ill and in an unstable state. He nearly rpsed because of

    themotion earlier, so it''s best you don''t take any rash action these days so as to not upset your

    father. You can discuss things with him once he''s all better."

    "I really don''t understand what Winston is trying to do, Mandy!" Alyssa eximed angrily. "He''s clearly

    tolerating Dominic''s vile behavior! He was never so blind in the past!

    "Is Winston going to allow Dominic to take all thepany''s profits like some leech all because he is

    his own brother? Blind loyalty is as good as supporting injustice!"

    "Winston is not foolish. He''s only doing this because of your mother!" Mandy said hurriedly, not able to

    stand Alyssa''s misunderstanding toward Winston, who loved her deeply.

    "My mother. What about my mother? What does she have to do with Dominic?" Alyssa demanded,

    grabbing Mandy''s arm.

    Mandy''s lips pulled tight.

    Alyssa was still a young child when Jennifer passed away, and with Winston intentionally keeping

    certain things about Jennifer from everyone, Alyssa knew very little about her own mother.

    So, to Alyssa, her own mother was a beautiful mystery.

    Now that she''d finally found a chance to know more about Jennifer, she was definitely going to pursue

    it!

    "Tell me, Mandy!" Alyssa was incredibly panicked. "Why. Why don''t I have the right to learn about my

    own mother? Don''t you think that''s too cruel a fate to inflict on me?"

    "Dominic Taylor saved your mother''s life."

    Both Jasper and Alyssa were stunned. "What?

    "There''s no need to be so surprised. That''s the truth of the matter. You could say it''s fated to be."

    Mandy slowly walked over to a nearby chair and sat down, reminiscing about the past.

    "What I know is limited as well, although it''s more than what Colene and L know since I spent more

    time with him earlier. As far as I know, your mother was a foreigner.

    "I knew not where she was from. Winston cherished and protected her greatly. Her background and

    identity is perhaps the Taylor family''s greatest mystery."

    "Mom was a foreigner?" Alyssa was stunned. So was Jasper.

    But neither Alyssa nor her four brothers appeared to be of mixed blood, which meant Jennifer must still

    share some local blood.

    "Dominic had a deep-sea fishing hobby. He saved your mother 30 years ago while out at the Northurian

    Sea," Mandy said, sighing softly. "I don''t know how exactly he did this. All I know is that your mother

    was found battered and bruised on shore, clothes torn, and barely breathing... like a beached mermaid.

    "Regardless of whether Dominic decided to save her on a whim or he did it out of lust, he was the one

    who brought her back home to Belbanks. It was because of Dominic''s act of saving Jennifer which led

    to her meeting Winston. Only then were you and your brothers born."N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

 Chapter 1581

    Alyssa listened to Mandy''s words, eyes slowly tearing up.

    Battered and bruised...

    Barely breathing.

    What suffering did her mother go through to have nearly lost her life in a foreign country?

    Jasper held on to Alyssa''s trembling hand, asking Mandy curiously, "During all the years Mrs. Taylor

    was here in Belbanks alone and after giving birth to so many children, did she never once thought to

    contact her own family or return to her home country?"

    Mandy shook her head, eyes downcast. "No, not once. Winston even changed Jennifer''swful

    nationality and gave her a new identity, cutting her off entirely from her past."

    Both Jasper and Alyssa were even more confused now. What did Jennifer undergo to be willing to hide

    her identity and permanently part ways with her home country?

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Alyssa was all the more curious about her mother''s identity now.

    "I don''t have answers for whatever more you might want to ask, Lyse. Your father has also privately

    reminded me on countless asions to never tell you this information about your mother," Mandy said.

    She then held Alyssa''s hand and pleaded tearfully, "I don''t know why Winston is doing this, but you

    must trust him. He truly did love Jennifer and loves you in turn.

    "All he does, he does for your well-being, nothing else. So, Lyse, just pretend I never told you about

    Jennifer today. Don''t ask Winston about it. Okay?"

    Alyssa loved her mother deeply, but she didn''t want to trouble Mandy, so she could only nod tearfully.

    Winston''s health had once again deteriorated due to Dominic''s actions, just as he had started to show

    signs of improvement.

    Fortunately, Julien arrived in time to check up on Winston and gave him some medications to stabilize

    his condition.

    When Julien returned to his office and shut the door, he slumped back in his chair, exhausted to the

    max. As Winston''s primary doctor, he was under great pressure.

    Winston was his lover''s father, after all. Who could understand the pressure of having to execute your

    job well in front of your future father-inw?

    Julien syed himself on the desk with his mouth crumpled up grumpily. Julien had helped Winston

    whenever thetter had a sudden and dangerous decline in health, saving him from death''s door

    countless times.

    It had been three whole days of no sleep and long hours spent standing on his feet, making him both

    exhausted and hungry. But Jonah, heartless as he was, only worried over Winston and never once

    checked in on Julien.

    Julien, ustomed to wine and thepany of men, had always navigated life effortlessly, winning

    over whomever he pleased. But encountering Jonah changed everything, as Julien found himself in

    uncharted territory, experiencing the difort of being outyed by another man.

    "I hate you, Jonah Taylor!" Julien growled, nearly shattering the surface of his ss desk with how hard

    he mmed his hand on it. Aggrieved tears welled in his eyes. "I swear that this is thest time I''m

    helping you! I''m not going to help you anymore, even if you beg me to¡ª"

    Someone knocked on the door just then.

    Julien quickly dried his tears and wiped his nose with some tissue before opening the door.

    Jonah''s handsome, smiling face came into view the moment Julien opened the door.

    "Julien."

    Julien''s heart raced, and his grip around the door instinctively tightened.

    Jonah''s gentle call of his name had made him instantly slip into a daze.

 Chapter 1582

    All of Julien''s anger had dissipated in an instant.

    "You must be exhausted from the past couple of days of working. You haven''t had dinner yet, have

    you?" Jonah held up a stic bag in his hand.

    He continued, "I remembered that you mentioned you don''t usually eat carbs. Instead, you have fried

    chicken to reward yourself when you''re under a lot of stress and tired. So I''ve brought you some fried

    chicken. I don''t know what vor you like, so I bought several."

    Julien swallowed hungrily.

    In the end, he still let Jonah enter the office.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    But to save his pride, Julien put on a poker face and sat back in his chair, refusing to look at Jonah.

    "There''s no need to be so polite, Mr. Jonah. Helping the sick and injured is my duty as a doctor, so I''ll

    always perform to my best."

    "Is someone angry?" Jonah asked instead, ignoring how distant Julien was being.

    Julien blinked quickly. "W-Who''s angry here? Not me."

    "If you weren''t angry, why were you crying?"

    Julien''s heart pounded wildly, and his cheeks flushed. He instinctively nced at the mirror on the wall.

    In the reflection, Julien''s lips were pulled tight and cheeks extremely flushed, looking like someone''s

    angry wife.

    Jonah chuckled silently and took out the boxes of fried chicken, arranging them in front of Julien. He

    even set the utensils and tissues down neatly by the side.

    "You''ve worked really hard these past few days," Jonah rasped, showing some self-restraint.

    Julien''s heart trembled as he met Jonah''s eyes.

    Jonah wiped his hands with a tissue and sat across from Julien. "I''ve just been unable to spend time

    with you because of my father''s illness and my family members all being here. I''m the eldest child, after

    all.

    "Naturally, I had to tend to my father and console my family. In addition, I have to make time for

    company affairs to strengthen morale. So I had no choice, Julien. I''m really sorry."

    Julien''s chest heaved greatly as the urge to cry struck him again. He quickly took a big bite of a piece

    of fried chicken. "What''s the apology for? Weirdo..."

    Jonah''s smile deepened as he gazed at Julien. "Have some more. You''ve lost a lot of weight already.

    "The taste is not bad. Remember to get ketchup next time. I prefer original vored chicken with

    ketchup," Julien said, eating his chicken. He then regarded Jonah''s outfit and smiled. "That was fast.

    Seems like you really like this suit, huh?"

    "I do." Jonah nodded seriously.

    Julien suddenly leaned toward Jonah and said, "Well, do you like your suit better or me?"

    Jonah''s eyes ran across Julien''s body, exuding a seductive air. "Is there a difference?"

    Frustrated, Julien tore into another drumstick, knowing he wouldn''t get the response he wanted from

    Jonah.

    "Seriously though, Julien. Thank you," Jonah said sincerely. "My entire family and I owe you a giant

    debt."

    "In that case, you''re not going to pay it off just with a chicken dinner, are you?" Julien huffed, even

    though he seemed to be greatly enjoying his meal.

    "Of course not. What else would you like in return? Feel free to ask."

    The moment Jonah said this, Julien suddenly grabbed his chin and kissed him right on the lips.

    Julien''s exhaustion had long dissipated. His kiss wasced with frustration, clearly not nning to go

    easy on Jonah. But though Jonah was the one being kissed, he still allowed Julien to do as he pleased.

    Time seemed to stretch as their kiss deepened, akin to a dance shared.

 Chapter 1583

    "Mr. Jonah, you''re such an intelligent man. I''m sure you must know what I want based on this kiss

    alone, no?" Julien panted out, cheeks flushed as he clung to Jonah''s neck.

    Jonah''s lips pulled tight for a moment, now stained with oil. His hands clenched slightly as he said,

    "Wipe your mouth first next time."

    Julien licked his lips and grinned sneakily. "No."

    Alyssa spent her days deep in thought after hearing about her mother''s past from Mandy. She lost her

    appetite after feeding Winston his dinner and ended up staring out the window in the hallway in a daze.

    She found herself suddenly embraced by a familiar body, feeling the man''s presence instantly surround

    her.

    Jasper hugged her tight, tucking his chin into her neck as he murmured, "Aren''t you going to eat

    anything? I had Xavier buy so many of your favorite foods."

    "I''m not hungry." Alyssa''s dim eyes grew downcast.

    "Not hungry? I still remember how you finished an entire grain bowl in the middle of the night." Even

    now, Jasper was still in awe of Alyssa''s massive appetite.

    Alyssa''s head hung low as she choked out, "Jasper, I miss my mom."

    Jasper caressed her cheek, feeling sad for her. "Don''t be sad, Lyse. Mrs. Taylor is at peace in heaven

    now. I''m sure she misses you often, too."

    Alyssa tried holding her tears back but was unable to in the end. Jasper then consoled and kissed her

    until she calmed down.

    Afterward, Jasper held her hand, a sudden ideaing to mind.

    "Come on, Lyse. There''s somece I want to show you."

    An hourter, Jasper''s car came to a stop at Northuria Sea''s shoreline.

    The couple stood on the beach hand-in-hand as they watched the sun setting on the horizon. The sun''s

    golden rays formed a magnificent sight.

    "This is where Mrs. Taylor was rescued 30 years ago." Jasper gazed at Alyssa and said warmly, "I

    know you want to learn and understand everything about your mother, Lyse. So from now on, I''ll go

    with you to wherever your mother has been and find out about her past with you, okay?"

    Tears flooded Alyssa''s eyes as she rested her head on Jasper''s chest, a warm joy slowly washing the

    sadness in her heart away.

    "Do you think my mother is one of the daughters of the king of the sea?" Alyssa suddenly asked.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    Jasper gave it some thought. "She could be a child of the sea itself."

    "Isn''t that the same thing?"

    "Yeah," Jasper agreed, chuckling awkwardly. He really had grown slower and dumber ever since he fell

    in love.

    Alyssa felt pained as she recalled Mandy''s words. "Mom must''ve swam her way here from the ocean.

    How long did she swim? The ocean is so cold. She must''ve suffered a lot all because she wanted to

    survive, huh? Did Mom escape from somewhere?

    "What do I do, Jasper? I feel like I can''t rest well without knowing everything that happened to my

    mother."

    "I''ll help you find out about her past. Mrs. Taylor has lived in Belbanks for so long. I''m sure that there

    must still be some trace of it even if Winston tried his best to hide it," Jasper said, looking out to the

    sea.

    He suddenly asked, "Lyse, could your mother have been Kontinian?"

 Chapter 1584

    Alyssa''s eyes lit up with the brilliance of a thousand suns. She immediately hugged Jasper by the

    waist. She asked, "Why did you say so?"

    He wrapped an arm around her waist. Their figures ovepped on the beach. He replied, "It was a wild

    guess."

    "Hmph..." Her mouth was downturned, visibly disappointed.

    It worried Jasper to see Alyssa upset. Panicking, he racked his brain and exined, "I remember that

    Kontina is the closest country to the Northuria Sea. Isn''t Kontina''s maritime territory connected to the

    Northuria Sea? I can''t think of any other country that fits the description.

    "That makes me wonder if your mom had illegally migrated from Kontina to escape from something

    back in Kontina. After all, Belbanks boasts the secondrgest port in Cyrris."

    Alyssa anxiously asked, "Why does it have to be Kontina? Doesn''t Tsulu border the Northuria Sea as

    well?"

    "Tsulu is a little too far. Besides, didn''t Mandy say that your mom was badly injured when Dominic

    found her? There were no ships nearby, so she must have swam a great distance. Also, we share

    more simrities in appearance with the Kontina citizens than the Tsulu people. Based on my analysis,

    I believe your mom might have hailed from Kontina."

    As Jasper presented his case, he gradually thought it was a usible guess. Alyssa shared the same

    sentiments. She happily stood on tip-toe and gave him a peck on his lips.

    The suggestive sounds made her blush. Jasper, aroused by her response, started kissing her on her

    moist, rosy lips. His tongue pried open her teeth, licking and nibbling his way in as he savored her

    sweetness.

    Her heart drummed when she heard the sexy sounds. She indulged in the long, passionate kiss as she

    gradually lost her grip on reality.

    Jasper aggressively nted hickeys on her neck.

    "Mmph... You jerk! Are you seriously thinking of." Alyssa shoved him weakly as she melted under him.

    "Do you want it?" His breathing grewbored. He teased her, "Aren''t you worried that someone would

    walk in on us?"

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "Of course I''m scared!" She punched his chest. "We''ll be done for if someone walks in on us. We might

    even make the newspaper headlines tomorrow! Our reputation will be ruined, and we''ll need to do

    community service¡ªme picking trash and you cleaning public toilets." "I am fine with picking up the

    trash and cleaning the public toilets," he replied, cing her hand over his heart.

    She rolled her eyes at him. His thought process was dubious. This was not a matter of distribution of

    tasks.

    "Don''t worry, Lyse. I get hard whenever I touch you, but I won''t disregard your feelings to satisfy my

    desire at any time or ce." With a serious look, he took off his jacket and wrapped her in it. His bulky

    muscles bulged under his tight shirt.

    "Besides, you''ll catch a cold if we stay around. I don''t want you falling sick."

    Alyssa rested her forehead against his chest. Staying in his embrace, she said in a muffled and soft

    voice, "Jasper, I think your analysis makes sense. I''ll get in touch with Miley after I get home. She and

    Jeremy are in Kontina, and they''re more familiar with the country. I can request them to look into my

    mom''s family background."

 Chapter 1585

    "That''s fine too, but you should keep it a secret from Winston. He''s still unwell, after all." Jasper looked

    concerned at the mention of Winston. He seemed to regard Alyssa''s father as his family now.

    Alyssa nodded and lowered her gaze. "I won''t ask Winston about it. I won''t force him to talk if he

    doesn''t want to. I''ll learn about Mom''s past through my own investigation.

    "There''s just one thing that boggles my mind. What exactly was it about my mom''s past that Winston

    wanted to keep it a secret? I''m fine with him keeping things from me when I was a child, but as my

    mom''s only daughter, I deserve to know everything about her now that I''m all grown up.

    "I don''t care if Mom had a spotty background. Even if she were a wanted criminal internationally, she

    would always be mommy dearest to me."

    Jasper listened to her words silently as he grappled with the heartache. He was transported back to the

    time he lived at the filthy and dingy slums, where he recalled hearing insults and curses hurled at Anne.

    Peoplebeled her a dance hall girl and a prostitute. The harassment even extended to Jasper,

    branding him a bastard child and suggesting that Anne was riddled with sexual diseases from all the

    random men she slept with.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    He refused to believe that Anne was the woman people painted her to be. Even if she were guilty as

    used, his love for her would remain unwavering.

    Upon Zoe''s return to Sna City, Penelope and Preston promptly admitted her to the VIP ward of the

    best hospital.

    "Mom, Uncle Preston, thank you for bringing me home," Zoe said weakly, herplexion pallid as she

    leaned against her mother.

    "My poor child! You''ve been through a lot." Penelope couldn''t stop her tears from falling. "It''s all my

    fault. I''ll never leave you out there alone from now on. Even if Landon holds a knife to my neck, he

    won''t make you leave me. No one can take away my precious daughter from me!"

    "Mom, I''ve missed you..." Zoe sobbed uncontrobly.

    "Zoe, I immediately told your grandpa about what happened to you. He was close to tears," Preston

    remarked while casting an amused look at his niece. "Your grandpa will never drive you out of Sna

    City. Just focus on getting better. Don''t worry about anything."

    Zoe grinned smugly when she met Preston''s eyes.

    Without warning, the door to the VIP ward flung open, sending in a chilling breeze. Landon showed up,

    his tall figure dressed in an immacte ck suit. The ck jacket draped across his shoulders fell

    onto the floor when he shrugged, and his assistant quickly caught it.

    Preston was envious of Landon''s inborn kingly qualities. Landon was no longer the yboy he had

    once been. As years passed, Landon grew to resemble thete Bill and exuded the air of apany

    leader.

    Preston gritted his teeth. Landon''s rapid transformation came as a surprise to him. Now that he had

    helped Zoe back to Sna City, he''d need to work with her to get rid of Landon next.

    "L-Landon..." The timid Zoe held onto Penelope tightly.

    Landon fixed his eyes on the panicked look on Zoe''s face, sending shivers down her spine. His hostility

    and gloominess resembled a Grim Reaper, ready to take her to the afterlife.

    "Landon, Zoe is still unwell. What are you trying to do?" Penelope shielded Zoe and cast a wary look at

    him.

 Chapter 1586

    Landon took a step forward expressionlessly but was stopped by Preston.

    Preston forced a smile. "Landon, let''s be civil here. Zoe is your sister, after all. Don''t be angry at her.

    I''ve watched you and Zoe grow up. I still remember how much you doted on her when you were still a

    kid..."

    "This is our family matter. Do you even have a say in this?" Landon replied frostily, without a care for

    Preston.

    The smile froze on Preston''s face.

    "Landon, he''s your uncle. How could you talk to him with that attitude?" Penelope''s face flushed in

    anger and embarrassment.

    Landon ignored Penelope and focused on Zoe. He said, "I need to talk to Zoe. Can the two of you step

    out for a bit?"

    Zoe shook like a leaf in Penelope''s arms.

    Of course, Penelope would never leave Zoe to face Landon alone. She immediately declined, "We''re

    all family here, including Preston. Just spit it out."

    "Fine. I wanted to be respectful, but you don''t seem to care for Preston and Zoe''s dignity. So be it; not

    like I care." Landon approached Zoe and barked, "Zoe Harper, you''re smart toe up with faking

    sickness to return and work with Uncle Preston.

    "Uncle Preston is really something, too. How did he get you drugs to stop your heart? Pretty ruthless of

    him, eh? But it makes sense. You''re not his child anyway. If his n works, you''ll owe him a favor. If

    you die in the emergency room, tough luck, but he will have nothing to do with it. He''s really covered all

    the bases."Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Landon sinctly exposed the evil n between Preston and Zoe. Their faces fell.

    Penelope''s eyes darted between Preston and Landon in disbelief. "Landon, w-what did you say?"

    Landon smirked. "Mom, you dote on Zoe the most. When she got an injection or took some medication,

    you''d lose sleep over it. But here, Uncle Preston fucking fed your daughter drugs.

    "Sure, Zoe might have made the wrong decision because she was young and naive, but what about

    Uncle Preston? He should have known better."

    Zoe turned white. Her eyes darted, and she didn''t reply to the usation. At the same time, Penelope

    nearly lost her mind. She red at Preston and questioned in a shaky voice, "Preston, is Landon telling

    the truth?" "Penny, that''s nonsense!" More resilient and shameless than Zoe, Preston refuted, "I treat

    Zoe as my daughter, and you know it. How in the world would I ever put her in harm''s way?

    "Besides, Landon''s men had monitored Zoe''s movements in Yoarkley like she was a criminal. No one

    could get anywhere near her. Even if I wanted to, I couldn''t reach out to her."

    Landonzily taunted him, "Oh, Uncle Preston, you''re being humble. If there''s anyone in the family who

    could do that, it''d be you. I know the details of the crimes youmitted over the years.

    "I''m curious as to why you''d visit our family every now and then. Do you have too much time on your

    hands? If you''re looking for an early retirement, you don''t have to go about it in a roundabout manner.

    "I can convey your wish to Grandpa. Your presence orck thereof makes no difference in Harper

    Group anyway."

    Penelope stared at Preston in astonishment and a mix of emotions. Still, she pressed her lips tightly

    and said nothing.

    Preston choked up in anger. His cheeks flushed, and his face turned white.

    He understood the depth of Penelope''s love for her children. She would risk her life for Landon and

    Zoe.

    What Landon did shattered Penelope''s trust in Preston. Preston realized it would be challenging to

    carry out his n if Penelope started suspecting him.

 Chapter 1587

    Zoe''s forehead was dotted with sweat. She clutched tightly onto the bedsheet.

    She had always taken Landon as a man of courage butcking in wits. No matter what she had done,

    all it took was some sweet talking and begging to make him turn a blind eye to her mistakes.

    Now, it seemed that she had been gravely mistaken all the while. Landon had wittily exposed her and

    Preston. The reason he had fallen for her lies in the past was due to his unconditional trust in her.

    They were no longer siblings at this point; just enemies, and Landon was a formidable one at that. No

    wonder the sly Preston had battled Landon for years to no avail!

    Preston remained glowering at Landon, who had no patience for him. Landon shoved past Preston and

    stood in front of Zoe. "Zoe Harper, my advice for you is toy low and don''t try anything funny."

    Landon''s murderous squint gave Zoe goosebumps. He added, "If you harass Lyse, Jasper, and Lauren

    again, not even Grandpa could protect you from the consequences. I, will, hurt, you."

    His words wereced with resentment and threat.

    Eyes wavering, Zoe looked into Landon''s impassive eyes as she dealt with the anger, discontentment,

    and disappointment.

    Landon once called her name with a doting smile. He loved holding her hand and was so proud of

    having a talented sister. All that seemed distant now.

    Zoe had always assumed that Landon belonged to her and only her. How did he end up pouring all his

    care and affection onto Lauren?

    Her heartache turned into resentment when she recalled how Landon had hurt her because of Lauren.

    In Landon''s eyes, she could not evenpare to Alyssa, who was divorced and infertile.

    She seethed in silence. "Landon Harper, do not me me for what unfolds. Things happen all because

    you sided with outsiders over your family. You deserved this!"

    Penelope was anxious and hurt upon seeing her son threatening her daughter. Their once-happy family

    was now filled with hatred. However, she did not know how best to mediate or discipline them.

    Before leaving, Landon suddenly remarked with passion and hope in his eyes, "Mom, Lauren, and I will

    get engaged when I''m officially appointed thepany president.

    "ording to Sna City''s marriage custom, you should pick one item from the dowry given to you by

    Grandpa. As Lauren''s future mother-inw, you will hand the item to her in person."

    Penelope bit her lips and sank into silence. She was obviously reluctant to do so.

    "I know you might not want to part with your dowry, and that''s fine. I totally understand. That''s why I''m

    only here to bring up this matter." Landon shed Penelope a careless smile and nced at his

    assistant. The said assistant immediately draped the jacket over his shoulders.

    Landon added, "If you refuse to give Lauren an item from your dowry, I''ll make that decision on your

    behalf.

    "Since I am the custodian of a few pieces of collector items before Dad''s passing, I''ll pick the best

    piece of jewelry for Lauren and tell her it''s from you. I believe you won''t have an issue with this. It''s all

    for the Harper Group''s reputation. Right?"

    Penelope seethed in anger upon hearing Landon''s words. The air in the VIP ward was heavy and

    tense after Landon''s departure.

    "Mom, just look at Landon! Since when has he be such a scary man?" Zoe shed crocodile tears.

    "Is he choosing that woman over us and the Harper family?"

    Feeling powerless, Penelope sighed. "Zoe, let it be. You know Landon''s character well. What good will

    it do to go up against him?"

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    "Mom, what do you mean?" Zoe grabbed Penelope''s arm and swung it. "Have you epted Lauren

    Beckett too? Are you really going to watch as Landon marries a woman you disapprove of? Isn''t that

    infuriating?"

    "So what? Landon is the same as your father. He will not change his mind once he sets his eyes on

    someone or something." Close to tears, Penelope grasped Zoe''s hands. "Zoe, I have thought it

    through.

    I don''t care for anything else as long as you''re by my side, safe and sound. Just let Landon be..."

    Zoe was frustrated at Penelope''s cowardice. How could she surrender before putting up a fight?

    Soon, Penelope left the ward to pick up Zoe''s health checkup report. When the door closed, only

    Preston and Zoe remained in the room.

    Zoe immediately turned menacing, a stark difference from her innocent and feeble persona from

    earlier.

    Simrly, Preston rxed and slumped on the couch. He shot her a sarcastic nce. "Zoe, I''ve helped

    you return to Sna City. Don''t you think it''s time you fulfill my wish?"

 Chapter 1588

    Zoe sneakily raised a brow. "Of course, dear Uncle Preston."

    "The board meeting is around the corner. Your grandpa will officially announce Landon''s appointment

    as the president of Harper Group. After that, he and Lauren Beckett will get engaged.

    "Hah! Your brother is sessful in his career and rtionship. I guess our show hase to an end."

    Preston shoved a cigarette between his lips and moved it up and down.

    "Who said so? The show''s about to start!" Zoe snorted.

    "My dear niece, what do you have in mind?"

    "An idea struck me. Perhaps we were working toward the wrong direction all along." Zoezily leaned

    against the headboard and suggested chillingly, "Landon Harper is a tough nut to crack. If so, why don''t

    we work on Lauren Beckett instead?

    "For one thing, she''s dumb. She''s been a loser since middle school and is easy to manipte. All I

    need to do is to appeal to her conscience, convince her with facts, and exin the consequences.

    She''ll change her mind about the engagement if she truly loves Landon."

    Preston grinned widely. "Oh, appealing to her and convincing her? What a creative way to describe

    ''threatening Lauren Beckett!''"

    "Gosh, all that matters is you understand my intention. But..." A troubled look crept up her face.

    "Landon keeps that bitch under tight protection. I don''t have her personal contact, and I can''t get near

    her in any way, even if I have a brilliant n."

    Preston thought about it and smiled. "That''s simple. I will send my men to monitor them. When she''s

    alone at home, I''ll let you know.

    "Landon is at his busiest now. I don''t think he can juggle everything. He''ll slip up at times."

    "Well, I''m happy to work with you, Uncle Preston." Zoe shed a conniving smile at him.

    Landon eagerly went home after wrapping up that day''s work. His exhaustion went away at the thought

    of Lauren awaiting him at home. He felt aroused just thinking of her adorable expression, bright eyes,

    tiny waist, and alluring body.

    It was not an overstatement to say that Lauren was the source of his energy.

    "Darling!" Landon instantly hugged Lauren and engaged in a hot and steamy kiss, even when Angelina

    was right by their side.

    Lauren responded to him, apanied by throaty moans. Her soft body pressed tightly against his.

    "Ooh... Darling, you smell so good, and you taste so sweet." Landon reluctantly moved away from her

    moist lips and kissed her on the forehead. "Tell me. Did you miss me?"

    She pursed her lips and nodded shyly.

    "You''re about to be my wife. Why are you acting shy around me?" Landon lovingly pinched the tip of

    her nose.

    "Madam Lauren is too shy to express herself. She missed you a lot." Grinning, Angelina revealed,

    "Since afternoon, she asked me when you''de home for a few times. Even I feel anxious. I nearly

    brought her to the office to look for you."

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    "A-Angie, I did not." Lauren grasped the hem of her dress and blushed hard.

    "You did, darling. I want you to miss me!" Landon acted like a teenage boy to get what he wanted. He

    ced an arm around Lauren''s waist and insisted, "After we''re married, you have to wait for me at

    home every day. Promise me that, in 10 or even 20 years, you''ll still be as clingy as you are now."

    "Okay. I''m fine with it as long as you like it." She nodded shyly.

    Lauren''s submissiveness was the wet dream of all men.

    Angelina couldn''t help but smile again. Thanks to Lauren, she had a chance to witness Landon acting

    all lovey-dovey.

    After changing into loungewear, Landon gracefully sat by the dining table. Lauren and Angelina stared

    intently at him. Sensing their eyes on him, he rubbed his face and asked, "Is there something wrong

    with my face?"

    Angelina exined, "Mr. Landon, you''ve changed. In the past, you never changed your clothes before

    dinner, and you''d never sit in a prim and proper way."

    Lauren nodded. "That''s right. Landon, you are elegant. You''re getting more like Jasper."

    "Is that so?" He sat up straight and mercilessly tore a drumstick off the grilled whole chicken. Then, he

    bit into it and started munching heartily. "Who made the grilled chicken? It''s delicious!"

    Lauren and Angelina were left speechless. Landon''s elegance was probably just an illusion. The way

    he gnawed at the chicken was more like himself¡ªperhaps even a good way to identify his imposter in

    the future.

    After eating the chicken drumstick, Landon btedly realized that Angelina had cooked up an oyster

    feast for everyone that night.

    "Mr. Landon, seafood won''t fill you up. Eat more of the oysters to boost your stamina." Angelina politely

    ced thergest oyster on Landon''s te with a knowing smile.

    He jokingly red at Angelina as he clutched his fork harder. He thought, "I have no problem with sex. I

    just don''t have the time for ittely. Does she have to whip up this feast to boost my stamina?"

    After the hearty dinner, Landon had a lot of work waiting for him, but he sat on the living room rug and

    yed the board game Lauren newly bought as though he had all the time in the world.

    Angelina was pleased to see the couple having fun. She was about to head back to the kitchen and

    prepare desserts when Lauren stopped her. Lauren offered, "Angie, you''ve been busy all night. I''ll do

    it."

    "That won''t be appropriate, Madam Lauren. I''ll do it."

    However, Lauren stubbornly sat Angelina on the couch and ran to the kitchen.

    After Lauren left, Landon''s expression immediately sank.

 Chapter 1589

    Zoe sneakily raised a brow. "Of course, dear Uncle Preston."

    "The board meeting is around the corner. Your grandpa will officially announce Landon''s appointment

    as the president of Harper Group. After that, he and Lauren Beckett will get engaged.

    "Hah! Your brother is sessful in his career and rtionship. I guess our show hase to an end."

    Preston shoved a cigarette between his lips and moved it up and down.

    "Who said so? The show''s about to start!" Zoe snorted.

    "My dear niece, what do you have in mind?"

    "An idea struck me. Perhaps we were working toward the wrong direction all along." Zoezily leaned

    against the headboard and suggested chillingly, "Landon Harper is a tough nut to crack. If so, why don''t

    we work on Lauren Beckett instead?

    "For one thing, she''s dumb. She''s been a loser since middle school and is easy to manipte. All I

    need to do is to appeal to her conscience, convince her with facts, and exin the consequences.

    She''ll change her mind about the engagement if she truly loves Landon."

    Preston grinned widely. "Oh, appealing to her and convincing her? What a creative way to describe

    ''threatening Lauren Beckett!''"

    "Gosh, all that matters is you understand my intention. But..." A troubled look crept up her face.

    "Landon keeps that bitch under tight protection. I don''t have her personal contact, and I can''t get near

    her in any way, even if I have a brilliant n."

    Preston thought about it and smiled. "That''s simple. I will send my men to monitor them. When she''s

    alone at home, I''ll let you know.

    "Landon is at his busiest now. I don''t think he can juggle everything. He''ll slip up at times."

    "Well, I''m happy to work with you, Uncle Preston." Zoe shed a conniving smile at him.

    Landon eagerly went home after wrapping up that day''s work. His exhaustion went away at the thought

    of Lauren awaiting him at home. He felt aroused just thinking of her adorable expression, bright eyes,

    tiny waist, and alluring body.

    It was not an overstatement to say that Lauren was the source of his energy.

    "Darling!" Landon instantly hugged Lauren and engaged in a hot and steamy kiss, even when Angelina

    was right by their side.

    Lauren responded to him, apanied by throaty moans. Her soft body pressed tightly against his.

    "Ooh... Darling, you smell so good, and you taste so sweet." Landon reluctantly moved away from her

    moist lips and kissed her on the forehead. "Tell me. Did you miss me?"

    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She pursed her lips and nodded shyly.

    "You''re about to be my wife. Why are you acting shy around me?" Landon lovingly pinched the tip of

    her nose.

    "Madam Lauren is too shy to express herself. She missed you a lot." Grinning, Angelina revealed,

    "Since afternoon, she asked me when you''de home for a few times. Even I feel anxious. I nearly

    brought her to the office to look for you."

    "A-Angie, I did not." Lauren grasped the hem of her dress and blushed hard.

    "You did, darling. I want you to miss me!" Landon acted like a teenage boy to get what he wanted. He

    ced an arm around Lauren''s waist and insisted, "After we''re married, you have to wait for me at

    home every day. Promise me that, in 10 or even 20 years, you''ll still be as clingy as you are now."

    "Okay. I''m fine with it as long as you like it." She nodded shyly.

    Lauren''s submissiveness was the wet dream of all men.

    Angelina couldn''t help but smile again. Thanks to Lauren, she had a chance to witness Landon acting

    all lovey-dovey.

    After changing into loungewear, Landon gracefully sat by the dining table. Lauren and Angelina stared

    intently at him. Sensing their eyes on him, he rubbed his face and asked, "Is there something wrong

    with my face?"

    Angelina exined, "Mr. Landon, you''ve changed. In the past, you never changed your clothes before

    dinner, and you''d never sit in a prim and proper way."

    Lauren nodded. "That''s right. Landon, you are elegant. You''re getting more like Jasper."

    "Is that so?" He sat up straight and mercilessly tore a drumstick off the grilled whole chicken. Then, he

    bit into it and started munching heartily. "Who made the grilled chicken? It''s delicious!"

    Lauren and Angelina were left speechless. Landon''s elegance was probably just an illusion. The way

    he gnawed at the chicken was more like himself¡ªperhaps even a good way to identify his imposter in

    the future.

    After eating the chicken drumstick, Landon btedly realized that Angelina had cooked up an oyster

    feast for everyone that night.

    "Mr. Landon, seafood won''t fill you up. Eat more of the oysters to boost your stamina." Angelina politely

    ced thergest oyster on Landon''s te with a knowing smile.

    He jokingly red at Angelina as he clutched his fork harder. He thought, "I have no problem with sex. I

    just don''t have the time for ittely. Does she have to whip up this feast to boost my stamina?"

    After the hearty dinner, Landon had a lot of work waiting for him, but he sat on the living room rug and

    yed the board game Lauren newly bought as though he had all the time in the world.

    Angelina was pleased to see the couple having fun. She was about to head back to the kitchen and

    prepare desserts when Lauren stopped her. Lauren offered, "Angie, you''ve been busy all night. I''ll do

    it."

    "That won''t be appropriate, Madam Lauren. I''ll do it."

    However, Lauren stubbornly sat Angelina on the couch and ran to the kitchen.

    After Lauren left, Landon''s expression immediately sank.

 Chapter 1590

    Landon was stunned. Bitterness arose when he realized that he had been too harsh.

    Indeed, the desserts were Lauren''s way of expressing her love. He was wrong to think of it as just any

    ordinary dessert, hurting her and disregarding her effort.

    He was mad at himself for being a lousy partner to Lauren.

    "They were already mucked up in the first ce anyway. It''s okay if they are ruined." Lauren beamed at

    him, though her smile looked forced. "I''ll make them for you again next time."

    While she was speaking, Landon surprisingly picked up the smashed desserts from the ground and

    savored them without hesitation. He praised, "Oh, it smells so good and tastes so sweet! I''m out of

    words to describe your skill. Darling, you bake so well!"

    Even when his mouth stuffed with the dessert, he managed to add, "Darling, do I have the honor to

    enjoy this every day? Oh, never mind. That''ll be too much work for you. I''m fine with tasting it once in a

    while!"

    "They''re dirty! Stop picking them off the floor and eat them," she urged him to stop.

    Panicking, she blushed, wanting to make him spit the food out.

    "Dirty? Not at all." Landon swiftly grabbed thest piece of dented panda-shape dessert and wolfed it

    down. Then, he squinted in satisfaction. "Darling, I''m craving for more. Do you have more?"

    Hershes fluttered as she looked at him. "No. That''s all I made..."

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "But I want it. What do we do?" He ced an arm around her waist and pulled her toward him. In a

    sexy voice, he flirted with her. "How about satisfying me in bed tonight?"

    Lauren leaned against his chest and nodded with pressed lips.

    After Angelina tended to Lauren''s wound, she was summoned to the study by Landon.

    "Have you noticed something amiss about Lauren?" He leaned back into the couch with a troubled look

    and lifted a ss of whiskey.

    "Yes. I guess she might have overheard our conversation, but I''m unsure to what extent." Frowning

    worriedly, she mused, "Mr. Landon, don''t you think Madam Lauren is unusually afraid of Zoe?"

    That reminded Landon of the time Zoe hade over to bully Lauren when he wasn''t home. Grinding

    his teeth, he hissed, "That incident must have been traumatic for Lauren. She is also autistic and timid.

    It must be hard for her to handle that shock.

    "Anyway, you need to be more cautious when I''m not around now that Zoe''s back. Do not give her a

    chance to meet with Lauren. Got it?"

    Angelina sensed that there was more to the rtionship between Lauren and Zoe than met the eyes,

    but she could not pinpoint the problem. It was just an overpowering sixth sense.

    Landon inhaled sharply. "It''s so hot in here. Isn''t the AC on?" His breathing grew heavy, and a blush

    spread across the skin on his neck.

    He muttered, "I''m feeling quite restless..."

    Angelina snapped back to reality and shot a nce at the clock on the wall. It was about time.

    "Angie!" Landon finally realized what had happened when the desire rose in him. He shot her a

    questioning look.

    Angelina hurriedly excused herself when she saw his passion-filled eyes. She stammered, "I-I g-guess

    you had too many oysters. Um, I have some work to do. I''ll get going now!"

    Landon breathedboriously, feeling helpless in the face of Angelina''s antic.

 Chapter 1591

    "Too many oysters? Hah! You little prick, feeding me an oyster feast and even spicing it up with

    something else!" Landon muttered to himself.

    The oysters seemed to have worked to boost Landon''s libido. He made love a few times to Lauren that

    night, his body covered in sweat as he humped her. All she could do was to beg him for mercy.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "Darling, when are we going to make a group of baby pandas?" When they inched toward the climax,

    he pressed his moist, warm lips against her reddened ears and asked flirtatiously.

    Sweaty, she wrapped her legs around his fine waist as their bodies collided, but she seemed

    preupied with thoughts.

    After Winston''s condition stabilized, he demanded to recover in Heightsnew Vi, iming he had had

    enough of the smell of disinfectant.

    Jonah spent a fortune and generously transformed a huge bedroom into a patient ward, even

    purchasing all the medical equipment Winston needed. Julien was conveniently appointed Winston''s

    doctor.

    Winston scanned the room and immediately raged. "Jonah Taylor, what''s wrong with you?"

    Jonah was taken aback by Winston''s sudden outburst. Julien, standing behind Jonah, secretly worried

    for him.

    Scratching his head, Ss blurted out without thinking, "Dad, what''s wrong with Jonah? You''re the one

    who has something wrong, isn''t it?"

    "Oh, you little motherfucker..." Winston immediately raised his hand at Ss and cussed.

    Jonah hurriedly shielded Ss with a grin. "Dad, calm down. Let''s be civil about this."

    "I asked to be discharged because I missed home, but look at you! You turned my room into a patient''s

    ward. Why do I evene home for? This is so unnecessary!" Winston was irritated after a few days

    of hospitalization, and he had yet to fully recover.

    Jonah did not look angered. He smiled calmly. "Dad, Ss is pulling your leg."

    Julien immediately chimed in, "Yeah, Dad. Ss is just joking."

    Everyone present was shocked by Julien''s way of addressing Winston, including Winston himself.

    Staring at Julien, he mumbled, "W-What did you address me as?"

    Julien was caught by surprise and looked embarrassed. His heart raced when all eyes were on him. It

    felt like stripping naked to get an X-ray. He had unknowingly said his thoughts aloud and had no idea

    how to resolve the awkward situation.

    Jonah cleared his throat. Always calm, this was his first time looking tense. He clenched his fist and

    exined, "Dr. Lovce has been in Belbanks for a while, busy helping us. I bet seeing you makes him

    homesick."

    "That''s right..." Julien quickly agreed, his heart leaping into his throat.

    Winston epted the exnation. Looking grateful, he said, "Julien, you''ve been a great help to us.

    You must have been through a lot. I owe you a huge favor. I''ll repay you in the future."

    "Mr. Winston, you''re too kind." Julien cast a tender look at Jonah''s side profile. "Aunt Mandy is your

    family. Since I''m close with Aunt Mandy, I see myself as part of your family as well. It''s my duty to help

    you out."

    The faux pas was smoothly glossed over thanks to Jonah''s shrewd exnation. No one gave it much

    thought except for Mandy, who was standing behind the matching couple. Her expression stiffened

    when she noticed their reddened cheeks and ears.

 Chapter 1592

    The Taylors merrily surrounded Winston. At the same time, two couples were helping L to make

    ravioli in the kitchen.

    L''s cooking skills were exceptional. Even if it was ravioli-making, she could produce ravioli of various

    colors, each carrying a different vor.

    "L, you''re spoiling Winston," Alyssa grumbled good-naturedly while folding the ravioli.

    Each one of her ravioli looked round and plump. "It''s just ravioli, but you''re here making them

    rainbowcolored. What more does he expect? He''s really a piece of work."

    "Your dad loves ravioli. It was my idea to make colorful ravioli, so no. He did not give me trouble at all."

    L shed a contented smile. "Since I''m making ravioli for him anyway, I''d rather make a bigger batch

    for everyone to enjoy."

    "You, Mandy, and Colene are spoiling that old man. It is usually the other way around in other families."

    Alyssa snorted. "Did my mom spoil him too when she was still around? That couldn''t have been the

    case, right?"

    "Well, ravioli were your mom''s favorite food and her best dish. She always made ravioli for your dad.

    He''d lick his te clean no matter how many she made for him; he wouldn''t tire of them," L blurted

    out with a smile.

    Alyssa''s fingers trembled as bitterness rose in her. Jasper acutely observed the change in her

    emotions. He handed her a piece of dough that he failed to shape correctly and asked earnestly, "Lyse,

    I made this. Please take a look."

    "It''s so ugly." She burst outughing at the piece of dough he showed her. "What even is this? You''ll

    have to eat it if we cook this. I won''t risk my life to eat this."

    "Fine. I''ll take it." Jasper looked visibly relieved when Alyssa smiled, but a question lingered.

    From the way the Taylors described Jennifer, it was clear that Winston loved her very much. It was true

    love, unlike whatever feelings Javier had for Anne. If so, why did Winston remarry and end up with

    three other wives? That seemed like a contradictory behavior.

    "Sean, mine look terrible. Yours are much better." Tatiana pouted, upset by her clumsiness.

    "No, not at all. Yours are perfect. Keep all your ravioli for me." Since Sean''s fingers were covered with

    flour, he dared not touch her clean outfit. Instead, he carefully ced an arm around her waist.

    His hot breath tickled her cheeks as he whispered, "I want your ravioli... and you."

    Tatiana immediately blushed at the flirting. Sean had always been a goody-two-shoes. On their first

    night, his clumsiness and trembling hands, which he tried to conceal, inadvertently revealed that she

    was his first as well.

    A gentleman who flirted was the most sexy and alluring.

    L seemed oblivious to the flirting between Sean and Tatiana as she focused on making the ravioli.

    However, the grin on her lips betrayed her feelings.

    An arranged marriage for status, business, or family honor was not important. Tatiana''s happiness

    mattered the most.

    Besides, not many families could rival the Taylors in terms of social standing. Even heirs from families

    of the same social ss might not be the best candidates for marriage.

    The look in Alyssa''s eyes darkened. The dynamics between Sean and Tatiana seemed to have

    changed.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.

    She wondered, "Could they have had¡ª"

    At that time, Jonah interrupted her thoughts, rushing into the kitchen.

 Chapter 1593

    "Lyse, Jasper, I have new updates on the Schmidt Group," Jonah announced.

    Upon hearing that, L nced at Alyssa and sensibly said, "Taty and I will leave the kitchen now."

    "It''s fine, L. We''re family. There''s nothing to be kept secret." Alyssa''s expression grew serious.

    "Jonah, go ahead."

    Sean''s ears perked up as well. Alyssa had ordered him to focus on recovery and his rtionship with

    Tatiana ever since he got severely injured by Jeffrey and nearly lost his left arm from being beaten up

    by the Schmidts'' men. She had refused to involve him in other affairs since.

    However, after years of working with Jonah in the business field andter serving Alyssa, Sean

    remained passionate and loyal. He had no interest in fancy titles or handsomepensation, only

    wishing to be of use to Alyssa and Jonah.

    Sean had not worked on anything important after Sophia''s case came to a close, which made him feel

    a little empty inside.

    "Lyse, remember that Tsulu holiday resort project that Josh took away from me? After the project

    commenced, issues immediately surfaced," Jonah said with an icy look in his eyes.

    N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.

    "I know about that. There is a vige housing ten or so families on the sole route to the holiday resort,

    no? Its existence will be a headache fornd-use nning unless the Schmidt Group is able to

    bulldoze the vige and make the vigers move away." Alyssa calmly worked on the ravioli with a

    smirk on her lips.

    She added, "But I guess things aren''t that straightforward, right? The Tsulian authorities would have

    gotten rid of the vigers instead of sneakily hiding the fact otherwise. If they disced the vigers,

    thend''s value could shoot up by another one billion dors."

    Sean nodded in agreement while Tatiana directed an admiring look at Alyssa. It was no wonder Sean

    was once in love with Alyssa so much that he''d risk his life for her. Tatiana thought that she would have

    done the same for Alyssa if she were a man.

    In contrast, she thought of herself as timid and unremarkable, believing it was her honor to have

    received Sean''s affection.

    "Lyse was right." Jasper fixed a tender gaze on Alyssa and carefully ced another oddly shaped

    ravioli on the chopping board. "I ran an investigation and found out that the vige has been around for

    two centuries.

    "It''s considered a historical and cultural heritage. Bulldozing it to build a holiday resort will lead to public

    outrage. Of course, the government dare not do it so openly."

    Jonah gave her a light nod. "That''s why someone has gotten ahead of themselves and privately

    kickstarted the process."

    The news left Alyssa and Jasper shocked. "Did Josh Schmidt go ahead with the demolition? When was

    that?" "It happenedst night. He did it at midnight. Some of the vigers were in their sleep when the

    houses copsed on them, which led to multiple injuries." Jonah''s expression hardened. "This incident

    happened abroad, and the Schmidt Group immediately silenced the media.

    "Even if the Cyrrisian media received the news, they might keep a lid on it due to the Schmidts''

    influence in the country."

    Jasper questioned sternly, "Jonah, are there any deaths?"

    Jonah replied, "None so far."

    "If so, the Schmidts can still keep the news a secret." Jasper had a chilling look in his eyes. "It will only

    be a serious problem if there are deaths. That''s the only time when the Schmidts will not be able to

    keep the news under wraps."

    "Do they think they''re so invincible that they could wreak havoc abroad without blinking an eye?"

    Alyssa mmed her fist on the table, hammering a piece of ravioli into t dough.

    She continued, "Is there really no media that would report on that? Don''t forget that the KS Group owns

    the ''3 o''Clock News.'' They shall wait for what happens at 3:00 pm tomorrow!"

    Hearing that, L shook her head and broke her silence. "The Schmidt kids are pretty unruly, aren''t

    they? I thought they would behave better after lying low for a while."

    Sean was equally furious. "Old habits die hard."

    Alyssa raised a brow in amusement. "The Schmidt kids are fighting each other, and the head of the

    family is himself corrupted. Nothing goodes out of the Schmidt family."

    After a pause, Jasper tightened his grip on her hand. He said, "I''ll send my men to monitor the activities

    in Tsulu. You''ll definitely provoke Josh after the news expose, and he''ll make a move to quell the

    scandal."

 Chapter 1594

    The atmosphere at the dinner was cheerful. Winston''s mood lifted upon seeing the ravioli dish, and he

    even invited Jasper to stay for dinner.

    The tables were full of couples who put on proper fronts while secretly flirting with each other.

    Later at night, Jonah returned to his study to pore over the piles of documents. Winston''s illness sent

    the KS Group into a frenzy. On top of that, Dominic''s misuse ofpany funds created more

    headaches for them.

    Fortunately, Jonah was capable of handling the crisis and steering the KS Group back on track. After

    working for a while, he removed his silver-rimmed sses and massaged his temple while enjoying

    some shut-eye. "Phew, that was tiring. I wonder when Alyssa will take over and let me retire."

    He then heard a knock and went up to answer the door.

    "Mr. Jonah," Julien cooed, leaning against the doorframe with a flirtatious grin. "Do you need ate-

    night private massage service?"

    Looking tired, Jonah scanned Julien from head to toe. "Dr. Lovce, since when have you offered a

    new service?"

    "I''m multi-talented, don''t you know?" Julien gave him a tender, loving look. "I can do anything for you as

    long as you want it."

    Jonah felt a lump in his throat, feeling aroused. Julien wore a doctor''s coat during the day in a

    professional capacity, but at night, the coat was a costume to fulfill sexual fantasies.

    Heart racing, Jonah turned his back to Julien. The next moment, he heard the door shut close and felt

    a weight around his waist. Julien had suddenly hugged him from behind, and their bodies pressed

    against each other.

    "Jonah, I miss you..." Julien rubbed his chin against Jonah''s back and croaked, "Your room is close to

    mine, but I miss you like you''re thousands of miles away from me."

    Jonah.

    Julien''s sudden confession made Jonah breathe heavily. In a daze, he ced his hand on Julien''s. His

    suppressed feelings simmered in his chest, threatening to spill out.

    He had no idea how long he could keep his feelings and desires under control. They might unravel

    tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or maybe. tonight.

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    At that moment, they heard a steady knock on the door. Mandy''s calm voice rang on the other side of

    the door. "Jonah, is Julien with you?"

 Chapter 1595

    Julien remained infatuated with Jonah''s sexual appeal, but Jonah felt his heart skip a beat. He

    forcefully removed Julien''s hands from him and freed himself from the hug, much to Julien''s

    disappointment. Julien''s body stiffened.

    "Yes, Mandy," Jonah replied calmly.

    Then, he marched to the door and opened it without hesitation. He was greeted by Mandy''s smile. She

    said, "I knew he was here. I could tell that the two of you share a good rtionship."

    Jonah and Julien indeed shared a "good" rtionship. Jonah flinched, merely responding with a faint

    smile.

    "Julien,e with me to my bedroom. I need to talk to you." Mandy gestured to Julien with a grin,

    causing Julien''s heart to sink.

    Julien cast a worried and loaded look at Jonah, but Jonah avoided his gaze and stared at his feet.

    Julien followed Mandy back to her bedroom. After locking the door behind her, she put on a serious

    look.

    Julien feigned sleepiness and yawned. "Aunt Mandy, why are you looking for mete at night?"

    "Please go home to your family the next morning."

    Julien''s body trembled. Eyes widened, he gasped, "What did you say? Go home? Why?"

    "You''ve been living at the Taylors'' since you got back from Mosgravia. This is not your family home or a

    hotel. I''m not the head of Heightsnew Vi as well. It''s rather inappropriate of you to stay around." Her

    attitude hardened. "So, you should leave soon. Do not create more trouble for Jonah and Lyse."

    Julien''s face reddened out of anxiety. "But Mr. Winston''s still unwell! As his doctor, I need to keep a

    close eye on him!"

    "We don''t need you here!" She raised her voice, seemingly arguing with Julien at this point. "Winston is

    almost recovered. We have enough people at home to take care of him.

    "Besides, you''re not the only doctor in the country who could treat him. Even if no one else were left to

    cure him, I''d rather consult a medical expert from abroad!"

    "What the fuck? What is this? Are you kicking me out after using me?"

    "I don''t care what you think. Anyway, pack up and leave by tomorrow!"

    Julien nearly got a stroke from the anger. He red at Mandy. "Aunt Mandy, why would you do this to

    me out of a sudden? Why are you kicking me out? I''m not leaving!"

    "You forced my hand." Gritting her teeth, she stormed over to the bedside table, took out a leather

    envelope, and tossed it onto the coffee table.

    A stack of photos fell out from the envelope and scattered all around. Julien picked up the photos. His

    face turned white, and his hands shook violently.

    He eximed, "Aunt Mandy, how could you snoop on me?"

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    Those were intimate photos of Julien with his exes from the Mosgravia gaymunity, evidence of his

    wild and debauched life.

    "Snoop? I don''t need to snoop around to learn about your past. My dearest nephew turned out to be

    famous in the Mosgravia gaymunity and a social butterfly." She burst outughing at the absurd

    situation.

    She added, "I got my hands on these photos without even having to look for them. How I wished I

    needed to put in more effort to procure them. You obviously don''t care about your reputation. So, why

    are you acting all pure and innocent now?"

    Julien clenched his jaw and crumpled the intimate photos as though he wanted to destroy his

    despicable past self.

    Mandy was right.

 Chapter 1596

    Julien had been a yboy living a promiscuous and hedonic life in the past.

    For once, he finally thought of settling down with Jonah, but here came Mandy. She had to uncover his

    shoddy past at this time. His heart ached. The photos gave him quite a jolt.

    "Aunt Mandy, I..."

    "Julien, your dad and brother might turn a blind eye to your life abroad, and I have no say in your

    decision after marrying into the Taylor family." Frowning, Mandy hissed in a low and stern voice, "But

    Jonah is the pir of the Taylor family. Your Uncle Winston has high hopes for his eldest. You cannot

    lay a finger on Jonah!"

    Feeling a stabbing pain in his heart, Julien stumbled backward in shock.

    "I watched you grow up. When you were younger, I was the one who made you study and y with you

    because your dad was too busy. I know you better than anyone else in the Lovce family." She

    slumped on the couch, simmering in anger.

    Mandy continued, "I can read your mind from your actions. To be honest, I could tell you were

    interested in Jonah from the start, but I quietly observed because I wasn''t 100 percent sure.

    "I finally confirmed my guess after getting my hands on the photos and watching your interaction with

    him today. My fear finally came true.

    "Julien, Jonah is different from the guys you had a fling with. You cannot put a im on Jonah. The

    Taylor family will be done for if you do anything to Jonah, and Uncle Winston will die of anger if he

    learns about it!"

    "Why does he have to learn about this? You can keep the truth from him!" Julien lost control of his

    temper and growled furiously.

    Stunned, Mandy gasped, "W-What did you just say?"

    "Jonah. Jonah likes me, and I feel the same about him." Julien tightened his fist. Tearing up, he

    suddenly broke into a smile. "No. In fact, I love him. Aunt Mandy, I love Jonah so much. I will not leave

    him no matter what happens!"

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    Mandy nearly fainted from the shock. She was concerned about the Taylor family''s well-being. To

    protect her family, she would kill off any budding threat, including the forbidden love between Jonah

    and Julien.

    The Taylors were a force in business and one of the most reputable families in Belbanks. The price

    they had to pay for such fame and wealth was constant threats to their status.

    As the KS Group president, Jonah was the anchor of the family. It would be disastrous if people took

    advantage of his sexual preference and made a fuss out of it, which would negatively impact the Taylor

    family and even the KS Group.

    After some serious thinking, she broke the silence and bit the bullet. "Sure, you might be in love with

    him, but does he really love you?"

    "Of course! He''s just bad at expressing his love!"

    "Is that so? From what I know, he''s not a reserved man who is no-nonsense. He''s just tolerating you

    because you''re a distant rtive. It''s hard for him to turn you down." She leaned backward with a

    chilling smirk.

    Mandy added, "Even if he has momentarily fallen for you, that doesn''t mean anything at all. You can

    give up your career for him, but he cannot do the same for you and put KS Group in a PR crisis.

    "Besides, Jonah is a devout Christian. He would be a priest if he weren''t apany president.

    Are you trying to drive him away from God and send him to hell by seducing him? If you truly love him,

    do not ruin his life."

    Julien felt cold from head to toe. Pain crashed through his body. His heart bled.

    "You and Jonah are impossible. You''re an adult, and this is not your first rtionship. You should face

    the reality." Looking cold, Mandy dealt a final blow to Julien. "Do your dad and brother know you''re

    living at Heightsnew Vi and making all these sacrifices for the Taylor family?

    "I will tell them the truth if you refuse to listen to me. You know that the Lovces hate having anything

    to do with the Taylors. You know what will happen if they learn about this."

    Julien emerged from Mandy''s room, looking spent and soulless. Breathing heavily, he leaned limply

    against the wall to regain some energy. Then, he began inching forward slowly.

    Behind Julien, Jonah stood at the turn of the staircase and hid in the shadows. He watched Julien''s

    slender and vulnerable figure moving away.

    Eyes half-closed, Jonah suppressed his feelings and clenched his fist.

 Chapter 1597

    Josh had created a massive scandal from his forced demolition of the Tsulu vige for the holiday

    resort project.

    Deep in worries, he had no time to deal with the public fallout. Victor had to suppress the news reports

    for him.

    Victor flipped in front of Josh and Jameson at the chairman''s office. "What''s wrong with you, you

    moron? It''s illegal to demolish buildings by force in Cyrris. How dare you do it abroad?

    "You do know their police and authorities wille after you, right?" Victor gritted his teeth and poked a

    finger at Josh''s temple, forcing thetter to stumble backward.

    Victor snapped, "You goon! Dumb as a doorknob! Do you want the Schmidt Group to meet an early

    demise?"

    Jameson pursed his lips silently as he adjusted his sses. Meanwhile, Josh blushed in shame, his

    ego bruised by his dad.

    Feeling indignant, he hissed, "Dad, Jonah Taylor tricked us! He transferred a problematic parcel ofnd

    to me. He set up a trap for me."

    Victor''s frown deepened.

    "Josh, this is not your first day of doing business. Did you not send a delegation for an on-site

    inspection before you sign the deal?" Jameson shook his head hopelessly. "How could you trust Jonah

    Taylor blindly? Do you hold him in such high regard?"

    Josh glowered at Jameson in hatred. He badly wanted Victor''s approval to outshine Jameson, which

    prompted him to make such a rookie mistake and fall for Jonah''s trap.

    It did not make sense for the Taylor family to breezily transfer a parcel ofnd acquired with effort in

    exchange for freeing a mere secretary. There was no free lunch in the world indeed.

    "Jimmy is right. Can''t you use your brain? Now I know why you''ve never won Jonah Taylor after years

    of serving as the president." Victor''s resentment toward Josh deepened after Jameson fanned the

    mes.

    "Josh, it''s fine if there are issues with thend that the Taylors transferred to you. You could always

    discuss it with Dad and me. I looked into that parcel ofnd before this.

    "Building a holiday resort is not the best option. We should instead develop a golf course to serve the

    top politicians and businessmen of Tsulu. That will help the Schmidt Group to build ourwork in the

    country for future expansion into the market."

    As if that wasn''t enough, Jameson sighed helplessly. "Too bad you never ce any trust in me. You

    always think that I''m out to get you. We''re family even though we''re half-siblings. Why would I hurt

    you?"

    Josh stared intently at Jameson''s innocent expression as rage pulsed through his veins. He thought,

    "Jameson, you vicious snake! You''ve taken out Daisy and David. How dare you y a good sibling

    here?"

    "Everything I did was for our family and the Schmidt Group. Josh, I hope you don''te to rash

    decisions. You should hold discussions with us so we won''t be at a disadvantage."

    "Why didn''t you tell me if you had inspected thend in private?" Humiliated, Josh barked at Jameson,

    "Do you think I have no idea what you''re ying at? You wanted me to make a joke out of myself! You

    wanted to get the Schmidt Group into trouble!

    "Jameson Schmidt, you''re fucking vile! You''re the only one who doesn''t have thepany''s best

    interest at heart!"

    Hearing that, Victor red at his eldest and pped him across the face. He growled, "You idiot! How

    dare you talk back and twist the facts? How could you shift the me onto Jimmy?"

    Josh pressed a hand on his swollen cheek with astonishment and fury in his eyes. "Dad, what has

    gotten into you? Can''t you tell who''s genuinely nice to you and cares about thepany?"

    "All I care about is the result. I acknowledge Jimmy''s help in getting thepany out of trouble ever

    since he came home from Kontina." Victor pointed a finger at Josh.

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    Victor continued, "But look at you. Not only did you fail to save David, but you also made the wrong

    judgment that put thepany into more trouble. You''re a good-for-nothing, and you''ve failed as a

    son!"

 Chapter 1598

    In the face of Victor''s usations, Josh btedly realized that he had shot himself in the foot.

    In the past, he had used a carrot-and-stick approach to mold David into a tool at his disposal, but never

    had he thought that Jameson would one day use it against him.

    Josh now unjustly carried the me for David''s death, and Victor treated him as the punching bag to

    deal with the grief and helplessness surrounding David''s death.

    "Dad, let''s cool down and discuss. Your health will only suffer if you''re emotional." Jameson hurried

    over and assisted Victor to take a seat on the couch.

    Then, he calmly exined to Josh, "Josh, you misunderstood me. I looked into the parcel ofnd but

    hesitated to inform you because I didn''t want you to think that I was stepping over your toes or trying to

    mess up your project.

    "You never had any trust in me, and I didn''t want to deepen your mistrust. Dad only has you and me

    left. I do not want our rtionship to be strained."

    Josh scoffed and thought, "Wouldn''t you listen to him? How noble!"

    In a few words, Jameson had portrayed himself as a kind, pitiful, yet thoughtful younger brother. In

    contrast, Josh appeared like a petty dunce.

    "My good son, I understand and appreciate your effort," said Victor as he patted Jameson on the

    shoulder.

    He turned around to shoot daggers at Josh and warned, "Josh, I will give you onest chance. I helped

    you to keep a lid on the news in the country. I''ll leave it to you to suppress the news reports abroad. If

    the scandal affects thepany''s operations, you''ll have to resign from your role."

    Jameson stroked Victor on the back while concealing a smug grin.

    Josh knew this was his final hope, so he bit the bullet and replied, "I tried buying the vigers'' silence.

    Besides, there are no deaths from the demolition. I promise that the situation will not worsen from now

    on."

    Suddenly, they were interrupted by an urgent knock on the door. Victor answered, "Come in!"

    Victor''s secretary hurried in and eximed, "Mr. Victor, please turn into ''3 o''Clock News''! Things are

    getting really bad."

    The Schmidts'' expression fell. They scrambled to switch to the news channel.

    At that moment, 3 o''Clock News was reporting on the scandal of the Schmidt Group''s forced demolition

    of a Tsulu cultural vige to make way for a holiday resort project, which resulted in grave injuries.

    The news not only covered the scandal but provided relevant photos as evidence, which came as a

    huge shock for the Schmidts.

    "W-What''s going on?" Victor pointed at the TV screen and jumped in anger.

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    Josh paled. Although he was experienced in dealing with challenges, his mind went nk upon seeing

    the news coverage.

    The four phones chimed from the influx of notifications. The Schmidt Group, which had finally gotten

    over its previous scandal, was once again under public scrutiny online.

    Thements read, "The Schmidt Group should have been wiped off the earth! They''re all scumbags

    doing illegal deals!"

    "That''s unfair. Jameson Schmidt seems like a decent chap..."

    "He''s the only good egg in that family. I really hope he sessfully takes power!"

    "Can we start a petition on this? I, too, support Jameson Schmidt to take power. He''s handsome and

    upright, nearly as good as Jasper Beckett from Sna City!"

    "How could they even think of carrying out forced demolitions on a foreignnd? Don''t they give a

    damn about the lives of the citizens of that country? Even the Harpers, who had criminal origins, did not

    carry out such heinous acts like the Schmidts!"

    Victor nearly cked out. He quivered in fear from head to toe.

 Chapter 1599

    Victor felt as though he was punched in the guts. "You loser... Josh Schmidt, you''re a fucking loser!"

    Josh grew anxious when he noticed the majority of public opinion in favor of Jameson. He nearly broke

    his phone out of anger. "Jameson Schmidt, is this your doing? You must have leaked the news!"

    "Josh, how can you be so clueless?" Jameson shook his head. "What do I gain from leaking the news?

    What good will it do for thepany? I do not want a pyrrhic victory. Besides, I don''t even have to

    mess with you. You''re totally capable of doing that to yourself."

    Josh, utterly provoked, bellowed, "Jameson Schmidt, you petty, evil prick!"

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    A smirk yed on Jameson''s lips as he maintained his gentlemanly image. When Victor wasn''t looking,

    Jameson showed a glimpse of his provocating and evil nature.

    Victor rubbed his forehead. He had aplicated look in his eyes. "Who. Who had the audacity to."

    "3 o''clock News is a media under the KS Group. KS Group and other foreign investors funded this

    media outlet. We can''t exert control over them, which is why they fearlessly pressured you and

    exposed the scandal," exined Jameson.

    After Jameson was free of suspicion, Victor widened his eyes in fury. "Winston Taylor, I saved your life

    before. We''re friends of 30 years. How could you destroy me over a forced demolition? You''ve crossed

    a line!"

    Jameson whispered, "Dad, from what I know, Mr. Winston has been unwell and even fell into aa

    for days. I don''t think he has the time to get involved in the scandal.

    "I guess Jonah has something to do with this. He''s the one who transferred that parcel ofnd to Josh.

    Perhaps he hasid out the trap from the very beginning." Although Jameson knew that Alyssa was

    behind the news leak, he clung to his delusion of marrying her one day, which was why he wanted her

    to leave a good impression on Victor.

    "Jonah Taylor!" Head dizzy from the rage, Victor punched the coffee table. "Just wait and see, all of you

    Taylors! I''m not going to let this slide!"

    "Dad, calm down. We need to settle the immediate problem."

    "Jimmy, how should we settle this issue?" Victor was visibly disappointed with Josh and refused to look

    at him. Instead, he took Jameson''s hand and addressed him.

    "I think. You should give Josh a chance." Jameson surprisingly spoke up for Josh. "After all, he''s the

    president of Schmidt Group. If he steps forward to settle the crisis, he will reestablish his reputation in

    thepany. So, you should trust him one more time."

    The Millennium was fun-filled at night, as usual. Seated on a maroon velvet couch, Jameson tasted a

    red wine while watching a few top politicians in Sna City indulge themselves in debauchery.

    He squinted in satisfaction.

    "Mr. Schmidt, these politicians will be of great help to you after you be the president of the

    Schmidt Group." Amber massaged Jameson''s shoulders while Carl happily groveled at his employer.

    Jameson guffawed. "Of course I''ll need to see some returns after all that I have invested in them."

    "Please forgive me for my shortsightness. I''m confused as to why you spoke up for Josh Schmidt at

    this critical moment."

 Chapter 1600

    Carl sounded perplexed by Jameson''s decision. He questioned, "You can totally get Josh out of the

    way and im the president title if you settle the scandal in Tsulu."

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Jameson shook his head. "Victor Schmidt is a skeptical man. If I show my hand, I will only raise his

    suspicion about my intentions. However, he will think of me as rational, sensible, and diplomatic if I

    leave the matter to Josh."

    Carl inquired, "What if Josh sessfully squashed the scandal?"

    "Do you think I''ll let that happen?" Jameson folded his legs and swirled the red wine in his ss. He

    exuded a dangerous air. "Since the Taylors have brought this scandal to the next level, I shall fuel the

    fire and make it spiral out of control.

    "Get in touch with our men in Tsulu right now. Tell them to visit the hospital where the injured vigers

    stay. You know what to do next, don''t you?"

    Carl got the hint. He nodded hard. "Yes. Got it."

    Amber''s hands quivered. She knew that a vicious round of killings was about to start. She felt

    suffocated at the thought of the innocent civilian lives about to be lost in the power struggle between

    capitalists. The notion made her feel sick in the stomach.

    "I will need Josh to be irrevocably defeated if I were to take his ce, or Victor will not give up on him.

    Got it?"

    Carl had a look of admiration in his eyes. "Mr. Schmidt, you''re so close to sess."

    "Yes, I''m one step away from it." Without warning, Jameson grabbed Amber''s hand and pulled her into

    his arms. He looked tipsy as he stared at her shocked face.

    As the red wine spilled from his ss, he ran his fingers through her face, sending a chill down her

    spine. She felt like he was running a de dangerously across her skin.

    He mumbled, "Lyse, do you know how much effort it took for me to reach here?"

    "Mr. Schmidt, you''re drunk." Amber hurriedly looked away.

    He slid a warm and sweaty hand under her dress, easily undoing her bra under her thin dress with his

    other free hand. "Whatever I did was all for you... I tried my best to be a man worthy of you...

    Lyse, take a look at me. Please."

    "Mr. Schmidt, wake up! I''m not Alyssa Taylor!" Tearing up, Amber mustered all her courage to free

    herself from his embrace. She hurriedly ced a hand on her chest to stop her bra from sliding off. She

    slowly backed off.

    Carl, who was about to leave, looked shell-shocked. He feared for Amber. He couldn''t believe that

    Amber, who had been trained as Alyssa Taylor''s substitute, had the guts to defy Jameson, the man

    who called the shots at The Millennium.

    The light in Jameson''s eyes dimmed. A hint of doubt surfaced, only to disappear soon.

    Since he was in a great mood that night, he brushed off Amber''s action as ying hard to get or

    throwing a tantrum. He allowed such urrences once in a while. He simply thought of it as

    introducing an element of excitement in their rtionship.

    Amber was meant to be a substitute that existed for his pleasure anyway. He''d never waste his time to

    learn about what was on her mind.

    "Carl, Mr. Taylor has probably used up the prescription we delivered to him." Leaning back, Jameson

    adjusted his tie. "It''s time to ask sir for refills."

 Chapter 1601

    While the Schmidts were deep in trouble, Jasper was busy with work. Winston''s condition had recently

    stabilized. After sorting out Winston''s matters, Jasper began working to create a charity foundation in

    Anne''s name.

    Anne had passed on for years, but Jasper resolved to make the foundation great to show his love for

    his mother.

    "Mr. Beckett, the charity dinner preparations are nearlyplete. We''ll need your decisions on certain

    details, such as the venue selection and the guest list." Xavier handed him some documents.

    Jasper carefully pored over the documents. He calmly asked, "Any updates on Javier Becketttely?"

    "Nothing suspicious, except for one issue." Xavier leaned forward. He lowered his voice into a whisper.

    "I looked into Mr. Javier''s schedule abroad.

    "He was scheduled to attend a business meeting in Furancia for a week. He should havee home

    to Sna City after that, but he took a detour to Mosgravia."

    Jasper lifted his gaze. "Mosgravia?"

    "Let''s not forget who''s residing in Mosgravia." A hint of worry crept up Xavier''s face. "Knowing Mr.

    Javier, he''s a selfish man. He wouldn''t take a detour for nothing. The only usible exnation is that

    he met with Mr. Justin."

    "Javier has rarely visited Justin in Mosgravia over the years. It''s fine to drop by once in a while to visit

    him." Jasper redirected his attention to the document in his hold. He seemed uninterested in the

    update.

    "Why did he specifically choose to visit Mr. Justin right after you and Madam won the legal case against

    Sophia Kirkman and after Mr. Newton transferred his authority to you? This is a massive red g!"

    Xavier eximed.

    Appearing more worried than Jasper, Xavier argued, "Mr. Javier must be worried that you''ll garner

    power. He''s afraid that he''ll lose control over you, so he wants to side with Mr. Justin and work with him

    against you!"

    "So? Shall I purchase a missile and shoot Javier''s private jet out of the sky?"

    Xavier mused, "Well, that''s not totally out of the question..."

    Jasper shot daggers at Xavier. Thetter immediately grew nervous and fearful.

    Jasper began, "Xavier, did you really think I haven''t thought over it?"

    Jasper shut the file and let out a frustrated sigh. "I have noints, even if Javier prefers to support

    Justin when Justin''s fully recovered. After all, I owe Justin. Besides, he''s the eldest son in the family.

    He

    should have been part of the top leadership if his health had allowed it.

    "That doesn''t mean I''ll hand my power to him unconditionally. I will engage in a fair fight."

    They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Jasper said, "Come in."

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    An assistant entered the office with two white lunch boxes in his hands. He announced, "Mr. Beckett,

    Madam''s assistant delivered lunch for you. Madam reminded you to take your meals on time, or else

    ¡ª"

    Jasper eagerly shot up from his seat. His eyes twinkled. "Or else?"

    "Or else, she won''t let you into the house tonight. There won''t be any supper either." After saying that,

    the assistant blushed deeply. Married for a few years, the assistantpletely grasped the suggestive

    undertone of Alyssa''s reminder.

    "Got it." Jasper stared at the lunchboxes. Gulping, he squinted and tugged at his tie.

    Standing at the side, Xavier observed the tender look in Jasper''s eyes. Xavier couldn''t help but think

    that Jasper was staring at the lunchboxes as if they were Alyssa herself.

    The assistant left afterying out the lunch on the table. Jasper hurriedly sat on the couch and stuffed

    his mouth with his favorite dishes.

    "Wow, that''s really good. How can they be so delicious?" While eating, he gasped andplimented

    Alyssa''s cooking.

 Chapter 1602

    Xavier gaped at Jasper, who threw his manners out of the window and gobbled up the food like a farm

    animal. For a moment, Jasper looked just like Landon.

    "See, Mr. Beckett, Madam cares about you a lot. She prepared lunch for you because she knew you''d

    skip meals when you are busy." Xavier couldn''t hold back from boasting and groveling. "You''re lucky to

    have her as your wife!"

    "Too bad she wasn''t the one who delivered lunch to me." Jasper took a sip of water to help with his

    digestion after wolfing down lunch. He appeared really hungry.

    If Alyssa delivered lunch to him, he thought he might have a chance to satisfy his other desires. The

    mere thought of it put a grin on his face.

    "Madam had always delivered food to you in the past, including desserts. You were the one who

    banned her froming in," Xavier taunted with a smirk.

    Xavier''s remark sent a stabbing pain through Jasper''s chest¡ªa lump formed in his throat.

    At that time, Xavier''s phone rang. Seeing that it was a call from Tsulu, he immediately answered it. He

    listened for a while, and his face fell.

    Turning to Jasper, he gasped, "Mr. Beckett, there is some bad news from the hospital in Tsulu! Three of

    the residents, injured in the Schmidt Group''s forced demolition, died in the hospitalst night."

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    "They died?" Frowning, Jasper looked doubtful. "I thought they were out of critical condition. Why did

    three of them pass away without warning?"

    "Since there are three deaths, the incident is now ssified as a major public safety incident. Whoever

    is in charge of the demolition might have to serve jail time in Tsulu," Xavier analyzed.

    Jasper''s phone rang at that moment. It was a call from Alyssa. She informed him, "Jasper, the Tsulu

    authority reported deaths from the forced demolition by the Schmidts."

    "Have you heard about it too?" The look in Jasper''s eyes hardened. "It''s too much of a coincidence for

    the deaths to happen at this time."

    Alyssa''s tone grew serious. "The residents were fine and out of critical condition, but three of them died

    mysteriously in the hospital. Someone must have secretly taken their lives.

    "Jameson Schmidt is the only logical suspect because he''s capable of secretly carrying out operations

    in Tsulu. Besides, he has a motive of creating trouble for the Schmidt Group to destroy Josh."

    Jasper shared the same thoughts as Alyssa. After some contemtion, it became evident that Josh

    was the primary casualty in the course of events. All Jameson needed to do was force Victor into a

    corner. Left without a choice, Victor would then appoint the former as the heir of the Schmidt Group.

    "Doing so will deal a huge blow to the Schmidt Group. Is Jameson Schmidt willing to make such a huge

    sacrifice?" Jasper questioned with a deep, inquisitive frown.

    "Don''t forget how he got rid of David and Daisy. Remember how he imed to love me but acted

    against Jonah and Miley? You can tell that Jameson is a selfish and insane man who''d do anything for

    his own gain." She let out a heavy sigh.

    Then, in a trembling voice, she added, "Jasper, I''m afraid there will be a coup in the Schmidt Group. I

    cannot foresee what Jamiper would do to us once he''s in power. We need to always be on our guard

    and ready to fight at any time."

    Jasper''s eyes sparkled passionately. He dered with affection, "Lyse, there''s nothing to fear. I''ll take

    on the challenges as theye and protect you at all costs. I will not let anyoney a finger on you."

    Xavier admired the love shared between the couple.

 Chapter 1603

    Xavier was envious of Alyssa. If only he could marry Jasper too!

    "Ahem. That''s unnecessary." Alyssa''s voice softened. "I didn''t date you to make you my human shield. I

    mean, you''ve done that a few times, but you''re only human. Don''t risk your life for me. You''ll only break

    my heart."

    Heart racing, Jasper grinned widely. At that moment, he''d die for Alyssa.

    He said to her, "Lyse, I''ve finished the lunch you delivered to me."

    Then, he embarrassedly turned away. Breathing heavily, he croaked, "Can I enjoy ''supper'' tonight?"

    Meanwhile, the Schmidt Group was in deep trouble. The Tsulu government, provoked by the deaths,

    had officially prosecuted the local employees in charge of the demolition. On top of that, the

    government requested an astronomical amount ofpensation from thepany.

    Aware that the Schmidts were one of the four esteemed families in Cyrris, the Tsulu government

    extorted a three-billion-dor payment from the Schmidt Group.

    The government couldn''t care less for the three deaths. However, they were more concerned by Josh''s

    decision to demolish a site with centuries of history and architecture. The government could make the

    company pay a dear price for every single brick and tile it destroyed.

    The Tsulu government had the audacity to make ridiculous demands for another reason. They banked

    on the Schmidt Group''s attempt to cover up the matter for its reputation and thus had to ept any

    condition.

    Clearing the site for the holiday resort had cost the Schmidt Group a good two billion dors. Now, the

    group was forced to pay three billion dors forpensation on top of the initial development cost.

    Putting aside the talk on the group''s financial ability to withstand the blow, such an incident had already

    made them theughingstock of the industry.

    The Schmidt Group found itself a debacle all because of Josh''s action.

    Victor finally had a massive outburst in an emergency board meeting in the afternoon, where he

    suspended Josh''spany presidency.

    The suspension wasn''t the harshest punishment Josh could have faced as the culprit behind the

    demolition. It paled inparison to the jail sentence he managed to evade.

    After the board members left, the father and son got into a huge fight in the meeting room. Blinded by

    rage, Victor hit Josh on the head with an ashtray, causing thetter to bleed from the head.

    Grimacing in pain, Josh pressed his tie to stop the bleeding on his head. He then scurried out of the

    meeting room with a tail between his legs. There, he happened to run into Jameson.

    Jameson examined Josh with a smile. Then, he suggested, "Josh, you look badly injured. Want me to

    call the ambnce for you?"

    Jameson''s bright smile was a stark contrast to Josh''s misery.

    "Jameson Schmidt, you evil bastard!" Josh charged at his brother. He grabbed Jameson by the cor

    with his blood-stained fingers. "Do you really think Dad would make you the president if you ousted

    me? You''re fucking delusional!"

    "We''ll soon know who''s being delusional here." Jameson adjusted his sses. A malicious gleam

    appeared in his eyes. "Josh, remember what I said to you before my mom and I left the Schmidt family

    15 years ago?"

    Josh''s expression turned nk. His eyes flickered.

    Jameson continued, "I said that I''d be back. When I''m back, I will make you pay for everything I lost."

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    Smirking, Jameson let out a bone-chilling cackle. "Don''t worry. This is just the beginning of the game."

 Chapter 1604

    Jameson no longer intended to conceal his evil intentions from Josh anymore. After all, he couldn''t

    care less for a loser like Josh.

    "So... Did youe home to exact your revenge on us? Were you behind what happened to David and

    Daisy? And now, are you out to get me? You shameless, filthy son of a bitch!" Shaking in anger, Josh

    was on the verge of a breakdown. "I''ll tell Dad all about this! I''ll tell him what you''ve done. He needs to

    see your true colors and your ugly face."

    "I have nothing to do with David''s jail sentence. Jasper and Alyssa did that to him. They were also the

    ones who exposed Daisy. How was I involved in any way?" Jamesonughed at Josh''s panicked rant.

    "Besides, do you think you have any credibility in front of Dad? He can''t even stand looking at you.

    There''s no way he''ll believe in your nonsense."

    His grin sent shivers down Josh''s spine. Josh regretted underestimating his rival. He had always

    dismissed Jameson as an abandoned son sidelined by the family; even if Jameson returned to Sna

    City, he had no power in the city or within thepany and thus did not pose a threat.

    To Josh''s dismay, Jameson had taken 15 years nning for this day to arrive. Upon Jameson''s return

    to Sna City, he started setting everything up to defeat all of his siblings.

    Since when had Jameson, the naive, innocent boy who had always been bullied, transformed into a

    beast who devoured its enemies? Whose backing did he receive exactly?

    "Son of a bitch! I''ll kill you!" ring at Jameson, Josh was about to send a punch in his brother''s face

    when the meeting room door flung open.

    Victor''s secretary gestured at Jameson. "Mr. Jameson, Mr. Victor would like to see you."

    Jameson shoved Josh away without warning. Then, he puffed his chest and marched into the room

    with a smug look.

    The moment the door mmed shut, Josh came around and realized that he hadn''t dressed his

    wound. The pain made him fall onto the floor as he pressed a hand against his head.

    Victor was taking Nitroglycerin when Jameson showed up in the room. He immediately hid the bottle in

    his hand upon seeing Jameson.

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    Jameson began, "Dad, it was all a careless mistake by Josh. The injured residents had been out of

    critical condition. No one foresaw them passing away."

    He walked around to stand behind Victor, where he patted his old man on the back as aforting

    gesture. "Such is fate. Please don''t be angry at Josh. I have sent my men to the hospital in Tsulu with

    the payment.

    "All we can do now is to satisfy the requests of the families of the dead to the best of our ability. We can

    only hope to contain the damage by doing so."

    "Jimmy!" Victortched onto Jameson''s arm like he was clutching at his final straw of hope. "You''re

    more sessful than your brothers and sister. You''re the most capable son of mine!

    "Tell me. What do we do this time? Thanks to you, we managed to resume a major project that was

    stalled in Kontina. You''re smart; you must have a solution to this situation."

    Jameson put on a faint smile. He said gently, "Dad, you''re right. I found a solution."

    "Is that true? What''s your n?"

    "If you would like me to save the Schmidt Group, just agree to one condition¡ªappoint me as the

    company president."

    Victor looked shell-shocked by the ridiculous demand. Although he had just taken Nitroglycerin, the

    heart palpitations seemed to have returned.

    Indeed, he had no better candidate in thepany except Jameson after Josh''s catastrophic failure.

    Moreover, Jameson so happened to be an extremely capable man who qualified to take over the

    company from Victor. He was one of the few who could hold a candle to Jonah Taylor and Jasper

    Beckett.

    s, Jameson was not Victor''s ideal candidate. He was only forced to make Jameson the president

    because he was at a dead-end.

    "Fine. I agree!" Victor clenched his fist and bit the bullet. "If you solve the crisis, I''ll convene a board

    meeting right away to appoint you the new president of the Schmidt Group!"

 Chapter 1605

    Jameson shook his head with an intrigued expression. He slowly took a seat across from Victor. "Dad,

    you and I are businessmen. We all know that an oral contract means nothing. If you make me the

    company president, I promise to solve all our problems."

    Victor''s expression darkened. He questioned, "Does that include Jonah Taylor too?"

    Jameson replied calmly, "Jonah Taylor must have been behind the stealthy attacks we suffered. Even if

    you said nothing, I will not allow the Taylors to step all over us."

    "Oh?" Victor looked at him warily. "But you im you want to marry Alyssa Taylor. Do you have the

    heart to take action against her brother?"

    Jameson shrugged helplessly. "Too bad for them. I''ve always been a fair and principled man."

    "Great! It''s good to be principled!" Satisfied with the reply, Victor patted him on the shoulder hard.

    "Jimmy, I''m getting older. Josh is useless. I''ll leave the future of thepany in your good hands."

    "I appreciate your trust. I will not disappoint you." After a pause, he suddenly added in a low whisper,

    "Dad, please keep our conversation today a secret from Josh. The fewer people in the know, the higher

    our chance of sess."

    Three dayster, a board meeting was convened in the Schmidt Group. In the meeting, Jameson finally

    beat Josh to be the newpany president.

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    At the same time, thepany officially published the statement on its website. The media scrambled

    to publish news stories, confirming and spreading the news on the new president.

    The Schmidt Group finally weed a new chapter, and Jameson had gotten what he wanted.

    Following thepany''s tradition, the new president would receive a huge wee in a grand

    ceremony. However, considering the tricky and scandalous situation thepany was mired in, it

    would be distasteful to host arge celebration, especially when they had blood on their hands in Tsulu.

    Therefore, they opted for a simple celebration, which Jameson did not mind at all.

    He had status and power. He was influential enough to call the shots in thepany. The more power

    he garnered, the easier it would be for him to carry out the mission that sir had entrusted him with.

    Although the Schmidt Group did not host a grand celebration for its new president, Carl had hosted a

    jaw-dropping, extravagant celebratory party at The Millennium for his employer. The scale of the event

    wasparable to the inauguration of a new king.

    "Mr. Schmidt, congrattions! You''re officially the president of the Schmidt Group!" Carl bbered in

    the excitement. "Mr. Schmidt, the president is not the final goal. I''ll only be happy when you be

    the chairman."

    Jameson squinted in glee. Suddenly, he tilted the ss in his hand, spilling the expensive red wine

    onto the floor. A man, crouching by Jameson''s feet, lifted his head to catch the dripping wine. He

    choked on the liquid but still feigned a look of enjoyment.

    Jameson was at the top of the game in terms of hurting and making a fool out of other people. He

    regarded everyone in The Millennium as lower beings than himself.

    "That old scumbag Victor Schmidt is a useless piece of shit, holding the title of chairman while letting

    you make all the decisions." Carl looked delighted. "By the way, Sir has sent you an expensive

    Regency Era antique vase from Mosgravia when he learned about your promotion."

 Chapter 1606

    "I looked into the gift. It''s more than double the price of the vase you bought him thest time. He

    clearly thinks highly of you," Carl exined.

    Looking delighted, Jameson remarked, "Sir always give the best gifts."

    "Not only that, he delivered the medication you needed. He left a message for you. ''Be it the gift or the

    medication, once it has been given to you, you''re free to do whatever you want with them, even giving

    them out.''"

    Jameson immediately grasped the hidden meaning in the message. His eyes gleamed with an

    unreadable expression.

    Carl added, "By the way, per your request, I''ve reached out to the private secretaries of the mayor of

    Mazuma City in Tsulu and two influential congressmen. I conveyed our sincere wish to meet with them.

    You may now choose a date to meet with them in Tsulu."

    "Great job." Jameson casually cast a nce at the raucous debauchery downstairs. He spotted Amber

    seated in a corner in adylike manner.

    Amber, once a flirtatious and radiant beauty, now disyed an air of loneliness. It made her appear out

    of ce, which annoyed him to no end.

    "I''m busy in the next few days. Get Amber to meet the guests on my behalf," Jameson instructed with

    an impassive look.

    Carl silently gasped. "Is she handling them alone? Are you thinking of letting her¡ª"

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    "Some politicians love money, but some prefer sex. I''ve never seen any man who isn''t tempted by lust

    after decades of doing business," said Jameson, his tone dripping with disdain and mockery. "Even

    Jasper, who branded himself a gentleman, fell for Alyssa because of her beauty."

    Carl immediately agreed, "You''re right! Jasper Beckett is a sleazy prick. What a waste of Ms. Alyssa to

    date a man like him!"

    "I''m different from Jasper in that I love Alyssa for her soul. Growing up with her, I understand her better

    than Jasper, and I''ll cherish her more." Jameson gradually shut his eyes. Alyssa''s stunning smile came

    into his mind.

    He thought, "Lyse, it doesn''t matter whether you love me, I won''t let go of you in this life."

    Alyssa lost her appetite and sleep upon learning the news that Jameson had been appointed the new

    president of the Schmidt Group. It wasn''t until 3:00 am that she drifted to sleep in frustration in Jasper''s

    embrace.

    Meanwhile, Jasper, who had been busy traveling between Sna City and Belbanks, immediately fell

    asleep upon touching the pillow. He was easily tired due to his age.

    "Ah!" He was woken up by Alyssa''s shriek.

    "Lyse, what''s wrong?" He immediately perked up and nervously pulled her into his arms.

    "I... I soiled the sheets." Pouting, she blushed and rubbed her nose against his chest dejectedly. "The

    bedsheet, nket, and my nightdress are soiled. I feel horrible. It''s so annoying!"

    "Soiled? How?" Jasper wasn''t fully awake. Failing to connect the dots, he looked astonished and said

    in all seriousness, "Did you. wet the bed?"

 Chapter 1607

    "Wet the bed? God no!" Alyssa embarrassedly pummeled Jasper''s chest. He appeared fine, even

    when her fists hurt. "How could you say that?"

    He grabbed her hand and rubbed it on his chest. "Fine, it''s my fault. My brain froze. I bet I''ll be the one

    wetting the bed when we''re old and frail."

    Alyssa, who was angrily drawing circles with her fingertip on his chest, suddenly let out a chuckle at his

    hrious remark.

    He questioned, "Anyway, what''s wrong? You scared me for a while just now." He gently caressed her

    cheek with concern.

    "I... I''m on my period." She clutched the nket tightly and pressed her lips.

    Although she and Jasper had slept together and trusted each other, she was incredibly sensitive about

    her image and strove to carry herself with elegance and discipline.

    When they first started having intimacy, she dared not moan loudly due to the embarrassment. It took

    his patient guidance to break her mental barrier and release her feelings when they were at it.

    It was his first time seeing her acting so bashful.

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    "Are you on your period now? I thought you wouldn''t be on it for another week. That''s early." With a

    serious expression, he slowly flipped the nket aside. The stained bedsheet and nket looked like a

    mess.

    "I feel lethargic. Now, I have to deal with the stains. Guess I''m not sleeping tonight." Feeling frustrated

    partly because of the period, she rested her head on his shoulder.

    "It''s fine. We have nothing much going on tomorrow. We don''t have to wake up early," Jasper softly

    comforted her and kissed her on the cheek.

    He suggested, "Let''s sleep in another bedroom. When morninges, I''ll get Mrs. Rosie to wash all

    the bedsheets and duvets."

    "No! That''s so embarrassing." She quickly shook her head. The thought of it mortified her.

    "Well, we can throw out the stained sheets and get some new ones."

    "Why are you throwing out things that are perfectly fine? Anyway, help me change out the sheets. I''ll

    wash the stains out the next morning." With that, she pressed a hand on her lower abdomen and

    shuffled to the bathroom moodily with her back hunched.

    Jasper, feeling sorry, cast a bitter look at Alyssa. Memories flooded his mind, especially fragments from

    his marriage to Alyssa years ago.

    Mrs. Rosie told him that Alyssa not only prepared meals for the family but she also insisted on doing

    her ownundry. Besides, she dressed herself in a simple style. As the Beckett Group president''s wife,

    she was friendly and humble.

    s, Jasper took her as being fake. He thought she had deliberately carried herself in that manner to

    show that she was better than everyone else. Thinking back, he was trapped in a warped mentality,

    resembling the paranoid and heartless Javier.

    He decided that Alyssa must have been a gold-digger to marry a man who did not love her back. Sadly

    for him, he did not know that she was truly in love with him.

    Smiling wryly, he clenched his fist and punched himself in the chest like dishing out a punishment. He

    felt slightly better after he coughed from the impact.

    At the same time, Alyssa washed away the blood under the shower. The warm water traveled down her

    neck, chest, and her t abdomen, offering momentary relief from the cramps.

    After she cleaned herself, she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, but her eyes widened at

    what she saw. She gasped, "Jasper, what are you¡ª"

 Chapter 1608

    "It''ll be harder to remove the stains as time passes. I''ll give them a quick wash, and Mrs. Rosie will

    throw them into the machine for a second wash. That''ll do the trick," Jasper exined.

    He somehow managed to find a huge basin and a tiny stool. At that moment, he sat on the stool, his

    long legs bent while he scrubbed away at the bedsheet and the duvet.

    His tall and slender figure lookedical on the stool.

    "Wow, Mr. Beckett, do you know how to doundry?" Alyssa''s eyes sparkled in surprise, almost like

    she had made a new discovery.

    "I always know how to doundry." It didn''t take him long to scrub the blood stains out of the fabric. He

    shed a faint grin at her. "How did you think I got myundry done when I was in military school? It

    wasn''t like I could hire Mrs. Rosie to work for me in the school."

    Admiring Jasper''s efficiency in doing theundry, she ran over and pressed her body against his back.

    Feeling touched, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

    "Don''t fool around. You''re on your period. Don''t hurt yourself." He wanted to respond to her hug, but he

    did not want to wet her clothes from the bubbles on his hand.

    "Jasper, I love you," she blurted out a love confession.

    Jasper''s heart raced when he heard her promation of love. Eyes colored with desire, he gave her a

    peck on the cheek and replied, "I love you too. I love you very much."

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    The couple''s feelings were mutual. Although they were born into wealth, all they ever wanted was a

    simple life filled with happiness.

    Alyssa groaned and grimaced in pain from the stressful incident at midnight and the period cramps.

    Jasper had to sacrifice his sleep and massage her abdomen to relieve the pain. He came up with

    different solutions just to make her feel better.

    "Will you finally stop taking copious amounts of coffee and spicy foods? They won''t help with the

    cramps." He yfully pinched her in the waist and grumbled in a low voice.

    "Mm... It''s hard to stop drinking coffee and eating spicy foods. I''d rather drink pee than drink in

    water." She stubbornly pouted.

    "Lyse, just listen and behave for once. You should change your diet to manage your cramps and

    improve your feminine health," Jasper patiently coaxed her.

    "Why should I? It''s not like I can produce a child." she blurted out her thoughts in between

    consciousness, unwittingly sending a piercing pain through his heart.

    "Lyse, I know you''re still upset over your infertility. I''lle up with a way. I''ll try everything." Gulping,

    he hugged her tight and breathed heavily. His eyes misted over. "There are many medical

    breakthroughs in modern times. There will be a solution somehow."

    Alyssa panted loudly because Jasper was nearly crushing her in his arms. "Jasper, don''t overthink it. I

    wasn''t upset or anything. Having kids is not that important to me. What matters is we''re together.

    "Didn''t you say before that I''m just like your child? Don''t you think I''m enough trouble for you? You''ll

    onlynd yourself in more trouble if we have a child together. At least, I know I''ll be very annoyed."

    The more she attempted tofort him, the more guilt he shouldered. He had a tight feeling in his

    throat.

    After resting into the afternoon, Alyssa felt slightly better. Hence, she suggested that they pay a visit to

    Winston in Belbanks.

    During their trip, Jasper ced a heating pad on her lower abdomen. Then, he offered her a warm cup

    of water. "I don''t have coffee or pee for you. Here''s some water."

    Feeling speechless, Alyssa reluctantly epted the warm drink, but she definitely felt better after

    taking it.

 Chapter 1609

    Jasper caressed Alyssa''s head with a doting look. "Jameson might appear to have seeded with

    ease, but we alone are aware of the people he sacrificed and the lengths he went to achieve his

    position."

    Alyssa gulped and squinted at him. "From the sounds of it, you seem quite understanding of Jamiper''s

    trials and tribtions."

    He smiled helplessly. "No, that''s not true. I''m merely taken aback by his ruthlessness."

    "He eliminated the three Schmidt siblings to im the presidency of the Schmidt Group he desired. I

    shudder to think of his next move," Alyssa sighed, massaging her forehead.

    "He''s insatiable. Merely being president isn''t enough for him. His end goal is to rece Victor as the

    chairman and rule over the entirepany." He ced an arm around her waist and pulled her closer

    with a brooding look in his eyes.

    Jasper continued, "That''s why Jameson Schmidt will not stop. He will be making his next move. As

    long as he''s up to no good, he will give himself away, and we will have evidence against him."

    "Still, I''m worried." She leaned against his chest as a sense of unease gnawed at her. "Jameson was

    already capable of creating trouble when he first joined the Schmidt Group. With more power now, I

    fear he maye down harder on you and my family."

    "Try me." Looking angered, Jasper gritted his teeth. "If he so much as harms Winston, you, or any of

    your brothers, I''ll make him regret it.

    "I haven''t forgotten how he targeted Jonah on Shend Ind. He should wait for his imminent

    demise."

    Alyssa let out a soft sigh and locked her fingers with his. She felt sorry for Jasper. His concern for her

    safety and her family''s well-being overshadowed his own near-fatal experience of protecting her on

    Shend Ind.

    She vowed to make Jameson pay for what he had done.

    Since Mandy and Julien''ste-night conversation, an uneasy atmosphere had settled over Heightsnew

    Vi, affecting the dynamic between Julien and Jonah.

    Julien was as stubborn as a donkey. After Mandy requested that he leave, he went against her wishes

    and silently protested by sticking around.

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    Jonah seemed busytely. He worked into the night at his office at KS Group. Julien would wait for him

    at home from morning untilte at night.

    When Jonah arrived home, he always showed up with rk or Sean by his side. On the rare asions

    when Jonah was alone, Julien attempted to engage him in conversation, only to be met with a

    mmed bedroom door.

    Feeling rejected and ignored, Julien spent many lonely nights smoking by the window until dawn. Dark

    circles formed under his eyes, and hisplexion turned pasty.

    Jonah wasn''t exactly the most passionate man in the past, but he was acting utterly cold and

    unresponsive now.

    Julien found it difficult to ept their rtionship had returned to the starting point when he had just

    finally managed to get Jonah to warm up to him.

    Jonah left his bedroom with a serious face, having dressed for the day. He immediately bumped into

    Julien.

    Julien''s voice cracked from nervousness. "Jonah!"

    Jonah stopped dead in his tracks. He red at Julien, asking, "Why are you here?"

    "I''ve been waiting at your door ever since you got homest night," Julien replied, his eyes bloodshot

    and his lips parched. "What''s going on? Why are you shutting me out?"

 Chapter 1610

    Jonah stared nkly at Julien, even though he was emotionally affected. Did Julien really spend the

    entire time waiting for him?

    Jonah pondered whether Julien had truly foregone sleep and lingered by the door solely to catch a

    glimpse of him.

    He gathered his thoughts and clenched his fist.

    Julien pleaded, "Jonah, did I do or say something wrong? Tell me. Please." He could no longer stand

    Jonah''s cold shoulder. His voice shook in nervousness as he attempted to hold Jonah''s hand.

    Jonah suddenly took a step backward to dodge Julien''s move. Julien felt a shiver down his spine. He

    called out, "Jonah..."

    "Dr. Lovce."

    Julien''s eyes wavered upon hearing that. "What did you just call me?"

    "Dr. Lovce." This time, Jonah sounded more distant than before. He seemed to have reverted into

    the once arrogant eldest son of the Taylor family. "Thank you for your service. My dad''s condition has

    stabilized.

    "You have been in Belbanks for a long time. You haven''t had a chance to visit your family, am I right?

    Why don''t you go home?"

    Julien felt like he was punched in the gut. His hand froze in the middle of the air. "What did Aunt Mandy

    say to you?"

    Jonah shook his head. "This has nothing to do with Mandy. You''re overthinking it."

    "If so, why are you kicking me out just like she did?" Julien sounded pitiful. Tears welled up in his eyes.

    "Jonah, I do not want to go home. I do not want to go abroad. All I want is to stay by your side forever

    on whatever ground and status. I will give up everything just to be with you. You''re all I want!"

    Jonah teared up, but he insisted in an icy tone, "Dr. Lovce, you may stay at Heightsnew Vi for as

    long as you like if you wish to keep Mandypany.

    "By the way, I will leave for Sna City tonight for a short stay. Moving forward, I''ll get busy as the KS

    Group kicks off its racecourse hotel project in Mosgravia. I might have to take frequent business trips.

    So, make yourself at home."

    With that, Jonah spun around swiftly with a determined and heartless attitude.

    Seeing that, Julien rushed over and hugged him with all his might. Tears rolled down his face as he

    wailed, "Jonah, are you dumping me now?"

    Jonah felt suffocated. He opened his mouth.

    "Jonah, please don''t dump me. I''ll do anything you want me to in exchange for your attention. Please..."

    Julien, once a haughty yboy, humbled himself in front of Jonah in a desperate effort to retain Jonah''s

    affection.

    "I never thought of dumping you, Dr. Lovce, because we never belonged to each other in the first

    ce." Jonah, standing with his back facing Julien, made more hurtful remarks. "You are as free as a

    bird. There''s no need to give up on that freedom for me.

    "I''m the president of KS Group and a devout Christian. I can never be with you, given my social status

    and my religious beliefs. Even if I choose to marry and have kids, my partner cannot be of the same

    sex. Please don''t waste your time on me."

    The painful words stumbled out of Jonah''s mouth effortlessly, each word hurting more than the

    previous one. He was turning the knife into Julien''s wound.

    "Jonah, Julien."

    The two men were caught by surprise when they heard Mandy''s voice.

    Jonah''s mind went nk, and his jaw tightened. He forcefully removed the hand that Julien ced on

    his waist. Holding his breath, he lifted his gaze in a panic.

    Mandy stood some distance away from them. She looked calm andposed, as though she did not

    just witness their intimate exchange.

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    "Mandy," Jonah croaked.

    Mandy pursed her lips. She turned to address Julien, "Julien, Aidan''s here to pick you up."

    Julien''s shoulders sank. He felt as though he was free-falling into a bottomless abyss.

    When Alyssa and Jasper stepped into the living room of Heightsnew Vi hand-in-hand, they saw a

    man in an expensive brown suit seated on the couch. The man, looking tall, muscr, and regal,

    seemed to be around the same age as Jasper and Jonah.

    The man''s eyes were downcast. His frequent nces at his wristwatch indicated that he was impatient.

    Jasper frowned. He failed to recognize the man right away.

    The man looked up when he heard the footsteps. He showed no surprise at Alyssa and Jasper''s arrival

    and made no effort to stand up and greet them.

    What an arrogant man!

    Alyssa calmly approached the man with a smile. She courteously extended a handshake. "Mr.

    Lovce, it''s nice to meet you."

    Jasper looked at Alyssa in shock. Then, he shifted his gaze to the stranger, whom she referred to as

    Mr. Lovce. Could he be.

    "I''m surprised that you know me, given that I never bothered to step into your home." Aidan Lovce

    examined Alyssa with disdain. He folded his arms in a defensive and averse behavior, showing no

    respect for her at all.

    Then, Aidan jeered, "Too bad the Lovce family strictly adheres to its family rules. A Lovce shall

    never make any form of contact with the Taylors. So, let''s forget about the handshake."

 Chapter 1611

    Alyssa''s hand froze midair. Her eyes reflected astonishment.

    Even though Alyssa was irked by Aidan''s taunts, she appeared more emotionallyposed than

    before, possibly due to being in love. She calmed down soon enough.

    However, Jasper was the one who couldn''t take it. He took her hand and pulled her into a tight hug.

    Holding her shoulder, he addressed Aidan sternly, "Is that your family rule? I thought it was arrogance

    and conceitedness."

    Aidan furrowed his brows. "What did you say?"

    "Am I wrong?" Jasper cast an intimidating look at him. "I don''t care about the rtionship between your

    family and hers. Lyse is a sensible and well-mannered woman. She wouldn''t slight you if you didn''t do

    it to her in the first ce.

    "You were rude to her just now. It''s clear that you''re the problem here. Mr. Lovce, you''re a senior to

    Lyse and a respectable man, but I''m appalled by your behavior."

    Alyssa lifted her gaze to stare at Jasper through tears. She fought the urge to give him a kiss there and

    then in front of everyone.

    "You¡ª" Aidan finally sprung up from the couch and red at Jasper.

    "Aidan!" Julien, looking glum, showed up right in time just as the tension was about to get out of hand.

    Mandy followed closely behind him, only stopping after she spotted Aidan, sensibly keeping a distance

    between them.

    Meanwhile, L, Colene, Tatiana, and Sean joined the scene after learning that the Lovces had

    stepped foot in Heightsnew Vi, as they feared any potential altercation. It was so rare to see a

    Lovce at the Taylors'' residence.

    As Jasper was not a Taylor, he did not understand the dynamics between the two feuding families.

    However, Alyssa''s heart had leaped into her throat upon seeing the situation.

    "Aidan, let''s talk after we leave," whispered Julien after he stopped in front of Aidan.

    Aidan, with a hand in his pocket, slowly turned around to face his younger brother. The next moment, a

    resounding p echoed in the living room, causing everyone to gasp.

    Aidan had pped Julien hard in front of everyone. The sound rang throughout the area. He spat, "You

    shameless brat! Have you forgotten about the vows made by Grandpa and Dad?"

    It seemed like Aidan deliberately wanted to go against Julien. He insisted on arguing and shaming

    Julien in the living room, even though Julien had suggested talking elsewhere.

    Aidan continued, "Do not me me for going hard on you. You''ve humiliated Grandpa and Dad. As

    your brother, I''ll need to teach you a lesson by giving you a taste of your own medicine."

    Mandy''s heart tightened when she witnessed her favorite nephew being pped by Aidan. Although

    she was the one who called Aidan to get Julien, she hadn''t expected Aidan to be so unruly as to get

    physical in Heightsnew Vi.

    She had a strong desire to protect Julien, but she recalled that she had made vows. The moment she

    decided to choose Winston over the Lovce family despite their protests, she was no longer a

    Lovce. Their fortunes were none of her business.

    Shaking violently, Julien merely clenched his fist and hung his head defeatedly. His usual vigor and

    confidence were nowhere to be found.

    "Aidan, act civil. Why would you p him in front of others? That''s not how a Lovce should behave."

    Seething, Alyssa tried to approach Aidan but was held back by Jasper.

    Jasper wasn''t against Alyssa standing up for Julien. He was just worried that Aidan might hurt her,

    given how crazy he had behaved.

    "I''m hitting a Lovce, so it has nothing to do with you." Snickering, Aidan took a subtle jab, "Unless

    Julien turns into another shameless loser and a disgrace to the family, who ditches his family for love, I

    will need to keep him in line as his brother."

    Without naming Mandy, he subtly humiliated her, calling her a shameless loser and a disgrace to the

    family. The Taylors fully grasped the underlying meaning of his remark.

    "Hey, what the fuck do you think you''re doing here? Who are you calling shameless and a disgrace?

    Grow a pair and say it out loud!" Colene furiously charged at Aidan, but L and Tatiana pulled her

    back with great difficulty as if they were holding down a stubborn donkey.

    Colene barked, "Say it out loud, and I''ll crack your head open! Try me!"

    Aidan scoffed at her in disdain. In his eyes, Colene was as lowly as Mandy¡ªWinston Taylor''s mistress

    had no business speaking to him.

    "Aidan, stop it. If you''re angry, take it out on me." Julien inhaled deeply. His eyes were bloodshot, and

    his body was shaking like a leaf. "It was all my idea. I was the one who insisted oning to the

    Taylors and treating Mr. Winston. Aunt Mandy had nothing to do with it, so keep her out of this matter!"

    "Get lost!" Aidan chastised Julien.

    Despite feeling reluctant to leave Heightsnew Vi, Julien understood that he would only cause more

    trouble for Mandy and the other members of the Taylor family if he stayed put.

    He dragged himself out of the living room. A few stepster, he couldn''t help but turn around to sweep

    his gaze across the area.

    Jonah was nowhere to be found at the most challenging time. Julien pondered whether Jonah was not

    intending to see him off, questioning whether thetter truly contemted breaking up with him.

    Just then, Aidan suddenly marched over to Mandy with a frosty expression.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

 Chapter 1612

    Aidan called out, "Aunt Mandy."

    An oppressive silence hung in the living room. Mandy gritted her teeth as sheid her eyes on Aidan.

    He wore an amused expression.

    He did not courteously address her as "Aunt Mandy" to protect her ego; it was all to uphold his image

    and reputation as the eldest grandson of the Lovce family.

    "Grandpa hasn''t been eating or drinking for two days after learning about what Julien had done. He is

    bedridden because of anger. You can imagine how furious he is now."

    Aidan''s eyes were emotionless as he continued, "Thest time Grandpa had an outburst of a simr

    extent was when you decided to be with Mr. Winston despite knowing he was a married man. You

    volunteered to be his mistress, tainting you and our family''s reputations."

    Aidan had used the insulting word "mistress" to describe one of his family members. Mandy turned

    white but did not back down. She might no longer be a Lovce, but she still carried a dignified air.

    Alyssa felt a stabbing pain in her chest. Trembling, she felt anger flooding her veins.

    Jasper furrowed his brows as he grasped her cold hand tightly. At this moment, he had finally wrapped

    his head around the situation. The Lovces had a vendetta with the Taylors due to the rtionship

    between Mandy and Winston.

    Watching Mandy getting humiliated was Julien''sst straw. He bellowed, "Aidan, enough is enough! I

    have agreed to go home with you. What more do you want?"

    Aidan''s forehead wrinkled in anger. He pointed a finger in Julien''s face. "Shut up! This is not your ce

    to speak!"

    Alyssa glowered at Aidan. With a stifling family like this, she finally understood why Julien chose to live

    abroad and struggle alone rather thane home to the Lovces for an easy career in Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals.

    "Are you dumb or just in stupid? Go fly a kite! Stop talking shit here!" Colene freed herself from L

    and Tatiana. She barged toward Aidan like an unrestrained animal.

    Thankfully, Sean stopped her halfway in her tracks. Only a six-foot man like Sean had the strength to

    hold her back.

    Aidan calmly chuckled. He turned to Mandy. "Aunt Mandy, Dad sent me here for two reasons¡ªto bring

    Julien home and to send you a message.

    "Dad said you should keep your word after breaking ties with the Lovce family. Stoping up with

    excuses to drag our family through the mud.

    "Do you recall the time Ms. Alyssa nearly had her uterus removed after she suffered a rupture from the

    miscarriage? You knelt and starved in the garden of Grandpa''s house for three days and nights,

    pressuring him into sharing the medication with Ms.

    "Alyssa. Grandpa gave in to you only because you were once his favorite daughter. Remember that?"

    Aidan''s casual remark dropped a bomb among the Taylor family members. Alyssa''s eyes brimmed with

    tears as she stiffened up, paralyzed by the excruciating heartache from the painful memories.

    Jasper widened his eyes in shock and bitterness. Hanging his head low, he closed his eyes from the

    pain that ripped through his chest.

    "It''s fine." He heard a gentle,forting whisper in his ear. Alyssa tightened her grip on his cold hand.

    She managed to utter, "It''s alright, Jasper. It''s all in the past."

    Her nonchnce only deepened the pain. Jasper btedly learned that his heartlessness had cost his

    Alyssa their only child, rendered her infertile, and nearly ruined her health.

    Winston''s three wives were among the first ones to learn about the harsh truth. The other family

    members were in the dark until Aidan exposed the truth.

    "Lyse..." Always the kindest and gentlest soul, Tatiana sobbed silently in Sean''s arms. Sean cried while

    comforting her.

    "Aidan Lovce, are you done?" Mandy finally lost her temper.

    "All I''m doing is deliver Dad''s message. Why else would I waste my time traveling here to talk to you?"

    Aidan lifted his chin in arrogance and stared down at her pale face. "You were the one who married

    Winston Taylor and made the vow to cut ties with our family.

    "Grandpa reluctantly helped you out only because you went on your knees and risked your life begging

    him. You should know when to stop instead of pushing your luck."

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    Aidan addressed his aunt with no respect at all. As the eldest grandson of Edgar Lovce, Aidan held

    himself in high regard as he was favored by the family, saying and doing anything he wished without a

    care.

    "Julien is young and gullible. Often, he can''t tell right from wrong. Aunt Mandy, if you care for him, you

    shouldn''t drag him down with you. You''ll only put him in a dilemma." Aidan scoffed and proceeded to

    leave the ce in great strides.

    "Stop right there!" Suddenly, Alyssa called out to him in an icy tone.

 Chapter 1613

    Aidan stopped dead in his tracks. The annoyed look crept up his face once more.

    Alyssa freed herself from Jasper''s grip and stormed up to Aidan. In the next moment, she raised her

    hand in the air and pped Aidan across his face twice with all her strength.

    Everyone''s jaw dropped to the ground. Even Jasper and Aidan were caught off guard by her actions.

    Aidan finally processed the p when he felt the burning sensation on his cheek, the ringing in his ear,

    and the blood trickling down from his lips.

    "Alyssa Taylor!" Humiliated and furious, Aidan pressed a hand against his cheek. He gritted his teeth,

    looking as if he was about to go off at her.

    Seeing that, Jasper hurried over and pulled Alyssa into a protective hug. He shot a threatening nce

    at Aidan, sessfully intimidating thetter.

    Aidan''s heart skipped a beat under Jasper''s re. For a moment, he forgot about the pain on his

    cheek.

    "The first p was for Julien. I don''t care about the state of your rtionship with him. He''s first and

    foremost a brother and a friend to me. pping him is no different than pping me.

    "If you think you could cause a scene at our home and walk away freely, you''re wrong. As your host, it''s

    only fair that I treat you to two ps on the face." Her authoritative voice boomed in the living room.

    "Wow! Lyse is so sassy! I love it!" Colene nearly yelped in excitement. If no one in the family had taught

    Aidan a lesson, she would have gotten Nathan to serve Aidan excrement as a warning.

    "Lyse..." Feeling touched, Julien teared up.

    He found it ironic that it was the Taylors instead of the Lovces who had offered him the love and

    support of family he had never experienced during his stay at Heightsnew Vi. Thanks to them, his

    once cold and distant heart had thawed.

    "The second p was for Mandy." Alyssa was incensed when she thought of the suffering Mandy went

    through for her. She so wanted to hit Aidan in the head. "I don''t give a damn about your shitty family

    rules. You''re on our turf now, and Mandy is my family. How dare you humiliate her in front of us

    Taylors?

    "Consider yourself lucky today. A p in the face is the lightest punishment for you. If you act like a

    little bitch again, I''ll p you every time I run into you!"

    Jasper admired Alyssa for the way she defended her family. He was a little worried that her hand would

    be in pain from pping Aidan, though.

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    "Y-You¡ª" Aidan, a highly-educated business elite, had never been affronted in such a manner, but he

    could not bring himself to cuss at Alyssa.

    In the end, he pointed a finger at her pretty face and hissed in a trembling voice, "How dare you p

    me after what our family has done to help you? You''re an ingrate! You Taylors are bullies! Every one of

    you!"

    "An ingrate?" The look in Jasper''s eyes hardened. He spoke up for Alyssa, "Just like you mentioned,

    Mandy was the one who secured the medicine for Lyse. Hence, Lyse is only indebted to her. If

    anything, Lyse owes your grandpa a favor. What has she owed you?"

    Ashen-faced, Aidan looked like he was about to explode.

    Alyssa chimed in frostily, "Since you imed that I received a favor from the Lovces, how about I get

    my uterus removed? There''s no point keeping it anyway since I don''t want kids. If my uterus is what

    you want, I''ll get it removed. You can have it."

    "Crazy bitch!" Aidan, knowing that he was no match for Alyssa in arguments or physical fights,

    scrambled out of Heightsnew Vi, face reddened and tail between his legs.

 Chapter 1614

    Julien, after casting one final, loaded look at Alyssa, walked out of Heightsnew Vi without looking

    back.

    At the same time, Jonah stood tall beside the railing of the balcony on a higher floor. His grip on the

    railing tightened, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged.

    Pain surged through his body as he watched Julien walk away.

    Right after Aidan left the Heightsnew Vi grounds, he spat on the ground. His saliva was mixed with

    blood, which showed how hard Alyssa had pped him in the face.

    He caught the fleeting, gleeful grin on Julien''s lips. Staring hatefully at Julien, he gritted his teeth and

    hissed, "Laugh as much as you want now. You''ll suffer when we get home to Grandpa and Dad."

    Heightsnew Vi felt a little lonely and quiet without Julien around.

    "Where the heck was Winston when his wife was bullied by Aidan?" Alyssa suffered rage-induced

    cramps in her abdomen. "He should have taken the responsibility and dealt personally with his enemy!"

    Colene exined, "Lyse, you shouldn''t me him. He''s back to the salt mines."

    Her interesting choice of words rendered everyone speechless. She could have just told them that

    Winston was back to work. The way she described Winston made him sound more like a miner than a

    tycoon.

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in shock. "What''s wrong with that old man? Why on earth did he get right back

    to work after his recovery? Julien made it clear that he needed a lot of rest. Is he trying to meet his

    maker?"

    She might not have worded it nicely, but one could tell she was extremely concerned for Winston.

    Everyone''s faces fell at the mention of Julien. Colene sighed helplessly as she ced an arm around

    Mandy''s waist. "Mandy, why are your family so vengeful? They''re overly orthodox and stubborn. Can''t

    they keep up with the times?"

    "I''m no longer a Lovce. I haven''t been one since a while ago." Smiling wryly, Mandymented, "I''ll

    get myst name changed when I have the time."

    "Mandy." Alyssa cast a serious look at Mandy. "What exactly happened? How did Aidan learn that

    Julien was staying with us?"

    Mandy bit her lower lip. She muttered, "I told Aidan about it."

    The Taylors looked puzzled and shocked. "But why?"

    "I had a good reason for doing so. Don''t worry. Julien will not cut off contact with you after he returns to

    his home." Mandy flinched a little. "He''s no longer a child. The Lovce family cannot hold control over

    him forever. You can visit him in Mosgravia at any time if need be."

    Alyssa stared keenly at Mandy''s eyes. She had a feeling that Mandy had kept a secret from her.

    Something felt fishy.

    Mandy would have kicked Julien out early on if she wanted to. Why did she wait until now to drive him

    out and in such an extreme manner?

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    When she was deep in thought, she heard a set of heavy footsteps approaching. Jonah trudged out of

    the house, seemingly in a hurry.

    Alyssa couldn''t help but call out to him, "Jonah, where are you going?"

    Turning around, he replied in a low voice, "I have something to attend to." With that, he left the living

    room.

    For a moment, Alyssa was taken aback and questioned her eyes. She noticed that Jonah''s eyes were

    red from crying.

 Chapter 1615

    After consoling Mandy, Alyssa and Jasper retired to their bedroom. After locking the door, she was

    about to start a discussion when he wrapped an arm around her waist and sealed her lips with a

    trembling kiss.

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    Initially taken aback, Alyssa''s surprise quickly turned into surrender as she closed her eyes,

    reciprocating the embrace and melting under his touch.

    He gently and cautiously scooped her in his arms, seemingly worried that she might turn to dust. They

    shared a fervent kiss, their bodies intertwining in the heat of the moment.

    The air grew warmer as the room filled with the sounds of Jasper''s heavy breathing and Alyssa''s soft

    moans. She could feel his presence enveloping her, sensing his skin beneath his shirt and sumbing

    to his kiss that consumed her almost entirely.

    After what seemed like an eternity, she felt her head spinning. He finally regained control of his desires

    and moved away from her.

    She whispered, "I. I''m on my period. We can''t make love."

    Sensing his hard-on, she blushed and reached out for his tie. "But if you still want. I can help you

    relieve it in other ways."

    Jasper shook his head as tears welled up. He gently kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and the

    corner of her lips, treating her with utmost care.

    "Jasper, you¡ª"

    "Does it still hurt here?" He ced a shaking hand on her smooth abdomen. The warmth from his

    fingers sent her nerves firing.

    Picking up his subtle reference to both her period cramps and her previous miscarriage, Alyssa

    managed a smile through her own sadness. "It doesn''t hurt anymore. It hasn''t hurt for a long time."

    "I''m an idiot and a jerk." Despite his best efforts to hold back his tears, they rolled down his cheeks. "I

    couldn''t get the full picture of your suffering, even until now. I should have gotten down on my knees in

    front of the Lovces in Mandy''s ce."

    "What nonsense is that? You should never get down on your knees for no good reason. There''s no

    point kneeling in front of the Lovces," she yfully chided him and tapped him on the forehead. "I

    had no idea what happened because the anesthetic hadn''t worn off after the surgery. Had I known that

    Mandy would beg for help from her family, I would rather have my uterus removed than agree to let her

    do so."

    The incident sent a pang of pain through her heart. She sounded a little harsh because she felt sorry

    for Mandy. "I know she did it because she cared about me, but I''d rather not put her through the

    humiliation."

    Jasper repeatedly caressed her cheek as he grappled with the sadness that washed over him. He had

    subjected Alyssa to humiliation when he heartlessly dumped her even after she had begged him not to

    file for divorce. All she had wanted was to stay by his side.

    "It''s odd. Everything feels off." She shifted the topic. Then, she rested her chin on her fingers, deep in

    thought. "Mandy, Julien, and Jonah are acting strangely. I can''t shake the feeling that Mandy and

    Jonah are hiding something from us."

    Jasper mused, "Perhaps the Lovce family is facing some difficulties that they can''t share with us.

    Jonah is understandably upset over Julien''s forced departure, given their close rtionship."

    "They are very close indeed," Alyssa mumbled.

    Jonah and Julien shared an inseparable bond, always by each other''s side. Julien loved whispering to

    Jonah and making himugh. The two interacted like a new couple in their honeymoon phase.

 Chapter 1616

    Alyssa was relieved that she wasn''t a fan of gay romance. Otherwise, she would have found herself

    constantly swooning over Jonah and Julien.

    "Anyway, I was shocked that Aidan Lovce would show up alone and behave in such a nasty

    manner," Jasper remarked.

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    He ced her on the couch, cradling her head in hisp and gently massaging her abdomen.

    The look in his eyes darkened when he recalled the confrontation just now. Fortunately, Alyssa hadn''t

    gotten bullied just now, or he didn''t know what he might do to Aidan.

    "He might be unruly, but I''m sure getting pped twice shook him up," Alyssa said, wrapping her arms

    around Jasper''s neck, her breath teasing his skin.

    She continued, "The Lovces'' arrogance stems from their recent sess in medical research.

    Hence, their business. They''re on the brink of a breakthrough in Parkinson''s treatment.

    "If they seed, Lovce Pharmaceuticals will dominate the market globally. The wealth they''ll

    umte is unimaginable."

    "That exins their attitude. They might start looking down not only on the Taylors but on all the

    esteemed familiesbined," Jasper remarked, shaking his head.

    "I understand them taking pride in their sess, but they shouldn''t get ahead of themselves." Jasper

    snickered. "The Beckett Group does not operate in the medical field, but it''smon knowledge that

    there are many obstacles in the road of developing a new drug.

    "Lovce Pharmaceuticals should rationally assess their capability in monopolizing the field."

    "There''s one more reason, and it''s because of Winston. Mandy stuck by Winston for years without any

    legal title. The Lovces must''ve exploited his guilt, sending Aidan to humiliate us." Alyssa pped her

    thigh in anger.

    She added, "I''m furious every time I picture Winston getting back to work before he''s fully recovered.

    We can''t do much if he refuses to take care of his health!"

    "Don''t worry, Lyse. He''s in good hands with Mr. Benton," Jasper reassured her, gently pinching her

    waist. "Why don''t you take a nap? We''ll pick up Winston from workter. How does that sound?"

    She kissed him on her lips, her eyes colored with joy and contentment.

    Back at the KS Group headquarters in Belbanks, Winston carried on with his work like usual, but he

    wasn''t fully himself. However, he had no choice but to show up to work to boost thepany''s morale.

    If the rumors weren''t squashed, his rivals would start nning a move against him.

    After performing his routine checks in the headquarters and attending a board meeting, Winston rushed

    back to rest in his office without bothering to take his lunch.

    He took off his jacket and slumped on the couch. Drenched in sweat, he felt utterly drained and

    depleted.

    "Mr. Winston, how are you feeling? Are you alright?" Neil hurried in with water and medicine for

    Winston.

    "Neil, I think my time is almost up," Winston remarked wryly.

    Neil felt sorry for him. "Stop saying so! This was your first time suffering from a stroke. If you take your

    medications on time and stick to the treatment, you''ll be back on your feet in no time.

    "People your age face health issues all the time. Just look at Cornelius Harper¡ªhe''s in and out of

    hospital all the time. From what I heard, Victor Schmidt has been suffering from heart issuestely and

    frequents the hospital.

    "Your peers might look fine and dandy on the surface, but they might not be as healthy as you. Don''t

    give up on yourself!"

    "How could youpare me with Cornelius Harper? That guy is ancient." Frowning, Winston snapped,

    "As for Victor Schmidt... Hmph! He reaps what he sows!"

    Neil shed a faint smile, offering noment on theparison.

    Winston sighed. "I''m not being paranoid. I really feel the toll on my health after waking up from this

    coma."

 Chapter 1617

    Winston''s hand trembled when he held the ss of water. "It''s time to get my will ready."

    Feeling bitter, Neil stopped him. "Mr. Winston!"

    "Nothing to worry about. All the business tycoons here and abroad do the same. They''ll prepare their

    will at this age just in case anything happens." Winston stared at Neil solemnly.

    He began, "Neil, I can''t discuss this matter with my wives. They''re too kind and gentle to ept it. I

    can''t turn to my kids, too. I might appear rich and morous on the outside, but as their dad, I gave

    them a lot of trouble. I know what I have done.

    "That''s why I can only bring up this matter with you. You''re the only one I trust."

    Neilmented, "But Mr. Winston, you said you''d like to see all your children married and settled down.

    You wanted a bunch of grandchildren."

    "Hah. I don''t have the time to wait. Jonah, Ss, Cyrus, and that brat Axel are either busy with work or

    busy serving Jesus. None of them will give me what I want." Winston sighed a few times. "Now that I

    look at it, Lyse seems to be the only promising one. Too bad she..."

    Neil''s phone rang from an iing call. He immediately picked up, and momentster, his expression

    fell. "Got it."

    Winston inquired, "What''s wrong?"

    "Mr. Winston." After a pause, Neil announced, "Mr. Jameson is here. He''s at the lobby."

    Winston ground his teeth as his expression darkened.

    Neil suggested, "If you refuse to see him, I''ll personally inform him."

    "Get him up here."

    Ben looked surprised. "But Mr. Winston, we can''t read him. Besides, you''ve just recovered. There''s no

    need to overexert yourself."

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    "I''ll need to meet him." Winston ced the ss of water on the table with a brooding look in his eyes.

    "He''s not just Jameson Schmidt; he''s the president of the Schmidt Group. Things are different now.

    He''s not someone I can brush aside without a care.

    "What''s more, he''s a calctive and scheming guy. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have immediately paid a

    visit to me at the office right after I had recovered. The visit is an attempt to snoop around. If I refuse to

    see him, that will create gossip and raise his suspicion."

    Ten minutester, Jameson marched into Winston''s office, looking dapper and confident in his tailored

    suit and holding a gift.

    "Uncle Winston, congrattions on your discharge from the hospital." Jameson beamed warmly at the

    old man, showing no hint of the beef between him and Winston.

    "Mr. Jameson, thank you for your thoughtfulness. However, I think you should address me as Mr.

    Winston when in a professional setting." Winston settled down in the leather chair behind the desk,

    looking as authoritative as before.

    The smile on Jameson''s face deepened. He insisted. "Uncle Winston."

    Winston immediately frowned at Jameson''s deliberate remark. The more he told off Jameson, the more

    Jameson wanted to go against him.

    "You might be discharged, but I could tell from your tone that you''re not at your best. Your face looks

    rather pale as well." Jameson''s eyes gleamed maliciously. He slowly approached Winston, questioning,

    "Have you not fully recovered from your stroke?"

 Chapter 1618

    In an instant, the atmosphere in the room intensified. The air was chilling to the bone.

    Winston''s expression was as frigid as the atmosphere in the room. "Mr. Schmidt, are you wishing me to

    continue being ill?"

    Jameson chuckled. "You''re overthinking it, Uncle Winston. Why would I be so narrow-minded? You are

    Lyse''s father. She is also the woman I love. I sincerely hope that you will live a long and healthy life."

    Neil stared at him. He knitted his brows together.

    Those were words of concern. Yet, they didn''t sound like kind words when Jameson uttered them.

    "Mr. Schmidt, you are a persistent man indeed."

    Winston felt his body tightening up. He spoke with a sarcastic yet sharp tone, "But an overly persistent

    person is just a stubborn person. They''d just end up getting their panties in a bunch.

    "I have told you that one''s feelings cannot be changed. Moreover, Lyse is a prideful and tenacious

    person. You can try all you want to please her. But if she doesn''t have feelings for you, there''s nothing

    that you can do about it."

    Jameson froze. He felt as if he had just been greatly humiliated.

    "Right now, the entire country knows that Lyse and Jasper are madly in love with one another. They are

    very attached to one another. They''re already discussing marriage. Not just anyone would be able to

    get in between them."

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    Winston just uttered Jasper''s name with such friendliness.

    Those who didn''t know them might even get the impression that they had a close rtionship.

    It was said that managing the rtionship between a mother-inw and a daughter-inw was

    challenging. Perhaps the rtionship between a father-inw and their son-inw was also a mystery.

    Hatred surged within Jameson. He felt bitter. He was about to reply when Winston argued back, "Mr.

    Jameson, your position is now different from before. You are no longer the same kid who used to follow

    my daughter around when you were young.

    "Lyse already has Jasper now. It''s not appropriate for you to still refer to her as the woman you love.

    That''s too indecent."

    Some might say that the past incident at the entrance of Heightsnew Vi was equivalent to Winston

    beating Jameson up. This time, though, Winston was putting out Jameson''sst glimmer of hope.

    Jameson clenched his teeth. He looked glum. His gaze was sharp and cold.

    A momentter, he smiled. "Uncle Winston, I didn''t expect you to remember my good deed. Even so, I

    am still your savior. You don''t have to be so cold and cruel toward me, do you? Moreover, I have

    always been very respectful toward you."

    Savior?

    Winston''s and Neil''s jaws dropped!

    "Remember the time when you fell into aa and almost fell into a vegetative state? Didn''t Lyse ever

    tell you that I was the one who brought the medication that saved you just in time? That was how you

    managed to get out of that life-threatening situation and be saved."

    Jameson smiled slightly. "Well, I guess it makes sense for Lyse not to tell you. She only knows to give

    all the credit to Jasper."

    Winston''s face turned red. He was ashamed and enraged.

    He was being manipted and oppressed. This feeling made him extremely frustrated. Cold sweat

    broke out on his back once again. His suit became drenched.

    "I will thank you if you were indeed the one who did that."

    "I know that your sickness isn''t easy to handle, Uncle Winston. During theter stages, you would show

    symptoms like numbness in your limbs and hemiplegia.

    "You have had such a magnificent life. I''m sure that you wouldn''t want to end up in such a pitiful

    situation. You wouldn''t want to suffer from illnesses and lose your integrity, do you?

    "While you were ill, it was so hectic for the Taylors. Lyse bawled her eyes out. It really broke my heart

    to see her like that," Jameson sighed. He had a depressed look in his eyes.

    Winston''s hands were on the armrests. His hands were trembling. The look on his face was getting

    stiffer.

    Neil was rmed at that sight.

    "So, this is for the sake of you and your family. Let''s make a deal. How about that?" Jameson pushed

    his sses up slightly. He had a sly smirk on his face.

    Winston asked in an icy tone, "What do you want?"

 Chapter 1619

    Jameson started, "I''m well aware that I can''t change how someone feels. Although I am deeply in love

    with Lyse, I''ve never forced her to be together with me. I am her sincerest suitor. I can''t stand seeing

    her together with a bastard like Jasper. He is a wolf in sheep''s clothing."

    Jameson''s gaze became deep as he ced a box on the table.

    "This box contains the miracle drug that saved you thest time. There are a total of three doses. It''s

    enough to stabilize your condition. This drug is difficult to procure even if you were to send someone to

    Mosgravia to purchase it for a high price. You would be lucky to get even one dose, let alone three

    doses.

    "I just want you to promise me that you will not let Lyse marry Jasper. Then, you''ll have my guarantee

    that you''ll be able to ess this medication all year round. This wouldn''t be something that you''d have

    to worry about."

    A vicious look shed across his eyes. "It doesn''t matter who Lyse gets together with. I will give them

    my blessings. Jasper is the only exception."

    Winston started to feel light-headed. He couldn''t control the tremor in his hands. "Jameson, are you

    threatening me right now? You''re asking me to sacrifice my daughter''s happiness in exchange for my

    own life?

    "You''re being too arrogant! So what if I had a stroke? I don''t care even if I had cancer all over my body.

    I will not break Lyse''s marriage up just for the sake of living a few extra years! I will not let her despise

    her father for her entire life!

    "Neil! See him off!"

    Neil walked over with a gloomy expression on his face. "This way, Mr. Schmidt."

    Jameson sneered and swept up the medicine box from the table. He narrowed his eyes and red at

    Winston, who was now looking pale.

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    "Uncle Winston, I was only doing that for Lyse''s sake. You will only end up harming your beloved

    daughter by pampering her."

    "Mr. Schmidt, please leave right now!" Even Neil, who was usually even-tempered, was enraged.

    "As a decent human being, you should think about yourself a bit more. What goes aroundes

    around. There wille a day when you will regret rejecting me today."

    Jameson turned around. He forced a smile on his face. "When that dayes, I might not even give

    this to you even if you beg me to."

    Upon saying that, he stormed out.

    The moment the door closed, Winston couldn''t hold it together anymore. He was quivering all over as if

    all the muscles in his body were twitching. He started seeing stars, and his speech became unclear.

    "Neil... Neil. Meds!"

    Jameson had only taken a few steps out of the office when he bumped into Alyssa and Jasper. Tension

    rose in the corridor.

    "What are you doing here, Jameson?" Alyssa was rmed. She red at him fiercely.

    "I heard that Uncle Winston has been discharged from the hospital. I brought a gift specially for him. I

    wanted to check up on him."

    Jameson wiped away the sinister look on his face. He put on a sincere expression instead. At that

    moment, he looked like a schizophrenic.

    He continued, "Furthermore, I am now the president of the Schmidt Group. I am in charge of the

    Schmidt Group moving forward. I came to see Uncle Winston so that we can n for the future."

    Jasper lowered his eyes. He spotted the medicine box that was in Jameson''s hands.

    His chest tightened. All of a sudden, he felt that something was amiss.

    "Check up on him? I''m sure that you had other motives. You only have bad intentions!"

    Alyssa shot beams of hatred with her eyes. "If you value your life, bugger off as far away as you can!

    Also, the KS Group will never coborate with the Schmidt Group!

    "If you''re capable, you''d better watch over your family''s corporation well. Otherwise, I will take your

    corporation down!"

    Upon saying that, Alyssa shoved him aside. She walked forward with Jasper in tow.

    Jameson''s back mmed into the icy wall. The impact was so strong that a pain shot through his heart.

    "Dad!"

    "Winston!"

    The moment Alyssa and Jasper walked into the room, they saw Winston lying on the couch. His face

    was scrunched up in pain. Neil was kneeling by his side. He was massaging Winston''s palms in order

    to help him relieve his pain.

 Chapter 1620

    "Mr. Benton! What''s going on? Dad was fine earlier. Why is his condition ring up?" Alyssa sat by the

    couch. She held Winston''s icy hands in hers. Her heart ached for him as a lump rose in her throat.

    "Lyse... I''m fine." Winston saw that Alyssa hade. He lifted his spirits and smiled.

    Alyssa''s eyes reddened. She was extremely worried. "You''re fine? Your face is even whiter than a

    Samoyed!"

    Jasper, Neil, and Winston were speechless.

    The tense atmosphere became a little lighter.

    Alyssa questioned angrily, "Jamiper came by earlier? Was he the one who caused this?"

    Winston and Neil stayed silent.

    "Winston, just now, I noticed that Jameson was carrying a medicine box with him. Did he use the

    medication as a means to threaten you?" Jasper asked with a twinkle in his eye.

    Neil blurted softly, "Yes, Mr. Jameson did bring the drug over. He also said that Mr. Taylor was only able

    to survive because of him. He came to strike a deal with Mr. Taylor. He promised Mr. Taylor that he

    would be able to have ess to the medication in the future, but only if Mr. Taylor agreed to his

    proposal.

    "Mr. Taylor was already feeling weak. Plus, he was provoked by someone like Mr. Jameson. He ended

    up like this because he reacted in fury. Fortunately, he took his medication on time. He has stabilized

    now."

    Alyssa probed, "What did Jameson propose?"

    Winston gave Neil a sharp re.

    Thus, Neil gave a vague answer. "It was about business coborations. The conditions he gave weren''t

    important. The important thing was that he was being imprudent. He waspletely disrespectful!"

    "That son of a bitch received a golden cor and thinks that he deserves to be so proud! What a

    shameless beast!"

    Alyssa gave Winston''s hand a squeeze. "Dad, Jasper and I bumped into him earlier. He put on an

    innocent look on his face and pretended to be nice to us.

    "Don''t be afraid. We will solve the issue with your medication. You don''t have to listen to his rubbish. If

    he could get his hands on the medication, so can we!"

    Winston fixed his eyes on Alyssa. She looked cute when she was angry. No sickness or pain could

    bother him now.

    Indeed. For Lyse''s sake, he would strive to live for a few more years.

    Jasper exhaled deeply. He uttered, "Winston, Lyse. I have to make a call. I''ll be back."

    Jameson and Carl were at the underground parking lot. Jameson was walking toward his car. He had a

    glum expression on his face.

    "Mr. Schmidt, Winston is such a hypocrite, isn''t he?"

    Carl was behind Jameson. He insulted, "He got sick and is almost knocking at death''s door. Even

    though he''s already at this stage, he''s still refusing to ept your kindness. Sooner orter, he will

    come crying and begging you on his knees!"

    "It''s fine even if he doesn''t beg me. I don''t want to be a bully to an elderly man who already has one

    foot in his grave."

    Jameson smirked and added, "Moreover, it doesn''t make any difference whether or not he uses this

    drug. He will just end up suffering in a different way."

    "Jameson."

    A deep and stern voice came from behind Jameson.

    He stopped in his tracks and turned around.

    Jasper was standing a few steps away from him. He looked elegant and proud. His eyes were burning

    with rage. He was like an extremely handsome version of Hades.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

 Chapter 1621

    Jameson''s gaze was cold and vicious. He pressed his pale lips together tightly.

    Jasper started advancing toward Jameson aggressively. Carl, the loyal subordinate that he was,

    stepped forward immediately.

    He glowered at Jasper.

    "Mr. Beckett, this is Ms. Alyssa''s territory. Must you cause a scene right here? Aren''t you afraid that

    you''d put Mr. Taylor and Ms. Alyssa in a tight spot?"

    Jasper''s gaze was frosty and sharp. He said coldly, "Fuck off."

    "Please get in the car, Mr. Schmidt. I''ll deal with this here!"

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    Before Carl could do anything else, much to his surprise, he felt his arm go numb. Following that was a

    sharp pain that spread throughout his entire body. The world before his eyes started to spin.

    "Oof!"

    Jasper looked frigid. He was standing firm. He simply grabbed Carl by the arm and twisted it.

    Carl was then thrown in the air. His backnded hard on the ground. He yelled in pain. He couldn''t get

    himself back up.

    Jasper didn''t even blink. He stepped over Carl, who had curled up into a ball on the ground and

    continued heading toward Jameson.

    Jameson felt his entire body tense up. The look on his face became overcast.

    Step by step, Jasper approached him. Just then, four of Schmidt Group''s bodyguards rushed over just

    in time. They shielded Jameson.

    Jasper had almost forgotten.

    Jameson was no longer someone who was abandoned and outcast by the Schmidts. He was now their

    group''s president. Naturally, he needed to be ostentatious.

    Through gritted teeth, Jamesonmanded, "Get him."

    The four bodyguards started throwing punches at Jasper.

    Nheless, Jasper remained emotionless. He moved like lightning. His punches and kicks were fast

    and strong.

    His opponents were four tall and muscr bodyguards. Despite that, they were like paper dolls to him.

    They were no match for him at all. It was no wonder that he was the top overall achiever at the military

    academy.

    Finally, it was time for him to go head-to-head with Jameson.

    Both of them swung their fists at each other at the same time. Their punches were swift, fierce, and

    forceful.

    Jameson''s eyes were bulging in anger. He was already using all the moves he had to go against

    Jasper. However, he couldn''t keep up with Jasper''s attacks at all. It was extremely strenuous for him.

    In a moment of vulnerability, he momentarily let his guard down. Suddenly, darkness enveloped him as

    a steel-like fist collided with his face, sending him hurtling to the ground.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl was frightened out of his wits. He crawled over to Jameson''s side.

    Jameson was wincing in pain. All he could taste was the taste of fresh blood in his mouth.

    His clean suit had been contaminated with dirt. His hair was in a mess, and a distinct streak of blood

    had stained his cheek.

    "Mr. Schmidt... Your... Your face!" Carl stared at the wound on his face. He was bbergasted.

    Jameson panted. He touched his face with his shaking hands.

    He looked at his palm. It was stained with blood. How could this injury havee from a simple

    punch?

    At this moment, Jasper was looking down at him coldly. It was as if he was looking at a filthy mutt.

    His eyes were wintry. He tilted his head from side to side and loosened his shoulders. He lifted his right

    hand as he sniggered.

    Without Jameson noticing, he had ced his metal-strapped wristwatch around his fingers. That was

    how he was able to make such a deadly swing at Jameson. The face of the watch was even stained

    with Jameson''s blood.

    Jasper felt disgusted. His watch was worth 100,000 dors. Yet, it now felt as if it had been

    contaminated by an infectious virus. He removed his watch and chucked it aside.

 Chapter 1622

    "Jasper, you''re really vile!" Jameson clenched his teeth. His bloody lips were quivering.

    "Vile? I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine."

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. "Jameson, everyone knows how to y dirty tricks and stab someone else

    from the back. I just don''t think that it''s worth my effort to attack you like that. I don''t wish to be a

    vicious viper just like you.

    "However, my condition is that you are not to touch Lyse or her loved ones. Otherwise, I will not hold

    back in the future. I will hit you 100 times harder than I did today. I will get my revenge on you."

    Jasper didn''t wait for Jameson to respond. Upon saying that, he turned around elegantly and waltzed

    away.

    "Mr. Schmidt! I... I''ll call for backup immediately! We have to avenge you!" Carl had never seen

    Jameson being humiliated like that. He was so mad that he was about to cry.

    Jameson was trembling all over. He spat on the ground.

    Something fell onto the ground¡ªa tooth! His left front tooth had fallen out! Jasper had indeed been

    ruthless with his punch.

    "Even if you were to call ten fighters here, they won''t be able to beat him."

    Jameson mustered all his energy to get back to his feet. Suddenly, he lifted the corner of his lip into a

    sly smile. He looked terrifying. It was as if he had just crawled out from the abyss.

    "There''s no rush. No matter how great one might think they are, there will always be someone better

    out there. Even if he doesn''t end up being crushed by me, someone else will bring him to his demise!"

    By the time Jasper returned to Alyssa''s side, Winston was already looking much better. She was

    feeding him some cut apples.

    Jasper walked into the room with an air of bleakness around him. His breathing was unstable.

    Alyssa smiled. She teased, "What took you so long? Did you drop your phone into the toilet bowl?"

    Jasper replied in a warm voice, "I''m sorry, Lyse. I had some urgent matters to attend to. That''s why it

    took me a while."

    "Ms. Alyssa, let me." Neil was quick-witted. He could tell that Jasper and Alyssa had something to talk

    about. So, he reached out to take the te from Alyssa''s hands.

    However, Winston turned out to be the senseless one. He gave Neil a sidelong nce.

    He mumbled, "Look at you. My daughter was being attentive to me. Couldn''t you just let me enjoy that

    moment a little longer? You don''t have to show off how hardworking you are!"

    Neilughed awkwardly. He looked at Winston as if he was a child.

    Alyssa and Jasper broke out inughter, too. The cloud of gloominess from earlier because of Jameson

    had also dispersed.

    Jasper and Alyssa entered the annex in the office.

    There was a slight emotional tension in the air.

    Alyssa moved closer to Jasper. He was still breathing heavily. She pressed her breasts against his

    chest.

    Then, she lifted her foot, pressing her knee against his slender leg.

    Her eyes glistened with assertiveness.

    Jasper''s throat felt dry. His Adam''s apple bobbed. He ced his hand on her lower back. "Lyse, your

    father is just on the other side of the wall. You''re not thinking about..."

    "What''s with you and your dirty mind?" Alyssa whispered as she flicked him on the head.

    "I was never like thisst time."

    Jasper moved his hand upward, all the way to the nape of her neck. He massaged her gently and

    continued, "But I just can''t help myself the moment we touch. It''s like I''m addicted to you."

    He now knew how to flirt shamelessly.

    Alyssa blushed as her heart raced. She punched him gently on his chest.

    "I wanted to ask you¡ªwhere were you just now?"

    Jasper bit his lower lip. He didn''t answer.

    "You''re still trying to catch your breath now. Was that phone call such a tiring one to make?"

    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. With her finger, she traced circles on the bottom of his chin. "Did you really

    go and make a phone call? Or had you actually gone to beat up an animal?"

    "You''re a smart one. I truly can''t hide anything from you." Jasper had a submissive look in his eyes. He

    nted a kiss on the corner of her lips.

    "I know that you were mad too. But we don''t have to rush into taking our revenge."

    She held his hand. His knuckles were red. She held onto his hand tightly. "I''m more fearful of you

    getting hurt because of that viper. That would not be worth it."

 Chapter 1623

    Jasper said, "Jameson isn''t going to hurt me so easily. If he did, that would just mean that I''m an

    incapable man. How would I be able to protect you and Winston, then?"

    Alyssa''s welled up with tears. "Jasper, Winston used to treat you like that... He humiliated you. He even

    beat you up. Yet, you''re still being so kind to him now. How are you able to do that? I wouldn''t be so

    forgiving if I were you."

    "Your father only punished me like that out of his love for you."

    Although Jasper had a smile on his face, deep down, he was feeling regretful. "Plus, I did deserve

    punishment like that. Not only that, I think that he was too lenient on me."

    "Jasper." Alyssa''s eyes became red.

    "Your father loves you very much. So, I have to protect him. I want you, my darling, to receive all the

    love in the world. I will do all I can to make you happy."

    To Jasper, his aim was topensate all that he owed her. He wouldpensate her tens of

    thousands of times more than that.

    Alyssa had tears in her eyes. She cupped his face in her hands. She kissed him intensely as if she

    wanted to consume him.

    They kissed deeper and deeper.

    The other day, Julien was forcefully brought back to Lovce Residence by Aidan.

    For three whole days, it was as if he was Aidan''s prisoner. His cell phone was confiscated. He was

    well- fed but wasn''t allowed to take a single step outside.

    "Aidan! What is the meaning of this? This is uwful imprisonment!"

    Julien could only watch as the bodyguards put up a grill door at the frame of his room door. It was as if

    he was being locked up in an animal cage.

    "Don''t hate me for this. Dad was the one who asked me to do this."

    Aidan stared at him coldly through the grill door. "Dad is still on his business trip overseas. He asks you

    to stay in your room obediently. Don''t you think of going anywhere else before hees back and

    teaches you a good lesson."

    "I want to return to Mosgravia! I have unfinished work! Let me out!" Julien red through his reddened

    eyes. He shook the grill door like a madman.

    "You''re not allowed to go out. Which part of this do you not understand?"

    Aidan glowered at him with a frustrated look on his face.

    "Stop putting on an act in front of me. You''ve got unfinished work to do? I think that you are the most

    useless,ziest, and unserious one out of the entire Lovce family. If I were to let you out now, you

    would simplytch onto the Taylor family!

    "Did you fall in love with Alyssa or something? I can''t believe that you stepped in to treat Winston!

    You''re essentially punching Grandpa and Dad in the face. Our aunt is Winston''s mistress. Do you think

    that this is something admirable? Are you itching to also be their son-inw?

    "Must every one of our family members go and fill in the gaps in the Taylor family? Have we got no

    pride?"

    The more Aidan spoke, the more agitated he got. He had just done a coldpress this morning. But

    his cheek was still swollen. This was all Alyssa''s handiwork! Hence, he directed all his hatred onto

    Julien.

    After all, he was the instigator. He was the one whotched onto the Taylor family. If he hadn''t done so,

    he wouldn''t have had to show up at their door to bring Julien back. Then, he wouldn''t have caused all

    this trouble for himself.

    Julien was an utter disgrace.

    Deep down, Julien was burning with anxiousness. Rage overflowed from his eyes.

    That being said, Aidan wasn''tpletely wrong.

    He stayed with the Taylors for the sake of the one he loved. However, he didn''t want to be their son-

    iw. What he wanted was to be their daughter-inw.

    If the Lovces found out about the truth, they wouldn''t just keep him locked up. They would probably

    kill him.

    "Aidan, I won''t go over to the Taylors'' again! I swear!"

    Julien figured that it wouldn''t work to respond in such a tough manner. So, he decided to take a

    different approach.

    He blinked and looked at Aidan with a gaze full of grievance. He put his hands together and pleaded,

    "Please, Aidan... Please let me out.

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    "I wasn''t thinking straight. I pitied Aunt Mandy. So, I just lent a hand to Mr. Taylor on impulse. I was

    wrong. I won''t do it again! I beg you!"

    "You brat. I would rather believe that pigs can fly than believe your bullshit."

    Aidan was his brother. They grew up together, so he could clearly see through him. "You''ve sworn over

    many things since we were young. But they were always lies!

    "Stop protesting and stay there quietly!"

 Chapter 1624

    It was deep into the autumn season at Sna City. The autumn breeze was chilling to the bone.

    Jonah hadn''t been home in three whole days. He stayed at church the whole time. He prayed and

    repented in front of God.

    What was he repenting about?

    He used to work for an underground mafia.

    Was he repenting for the sins he''dmitted back then, as he usually would? Or was he repenting for

    sumbing to temptation and falling in love with someone he shouldn''t be in love with?

    On the fourth day, it was as if Jonah was having an out-of-body experience. He felt an invisible pull that

    led him all the way to the Lovce Residence before he even realized it.

    He knew that Julien had been based in Mosgravia since he was young. He had no other properties in

    the country. Hence, there was nowhere else he could go apart from this house.

    He was deeply concerned. He tried to hold back his concerns for three days. However, he still ended

    up here.

    Jonah was well aware of his position. He knew that he could only wait here helplessly.

    All of a sudden, he found himself empathizing with Jasper. Back then, Jasper couldn''t care less about

    the winds or the storm. He insisted on waiting at the door of Heightsnew Vi just to get a glimpse of

    Alyssa. Jonah now understood how dested Jasper must have felt.

    It was as if his stomach was overproducing stomach acids. He felt the acid rising in his throat, leaving a

    bitter taste in his mouth.

    At that moment, an entourage of luxury cars drove toward the residence. The cars streamed in with

    ss. They stopped at the entrance to the Lovce Residence.

    A driver and a secretary escorted a middle-aged man from the car. The man was dressed smartly in a

    suit. He was tall and well-built.

    Jonah frowned. He recognized that this man was the person in charge of Lovce Pharmaceuticals.

    He was Mandy''s older brother, Joseph Lovce.

    "Dad! Wee back!" Aidan hurried out of the house to wee Joseph. He greeted him politely.

    Joseph nodded slightly to acknowledge Aidan''s greeting. His face was glum. "Where''s Julien?"

    "I''ve locked him up as per your instructions. He''s in his room."

    Aidan took the opportunity to diss Julien. He wanted to let out his pent-up frustrations. "Dad, Julien

    went overboard this time. He disregarded our family''s principles. Not only that, he''s also gotten so

    close

    to the Taylors.

    "If word about this were to get out, our long-time perseverance would just be a joke to others.

    People will call us hypocritical prudes.

    "On the surface, we''ve drawn the line with the Taylor family, as if we are a highly moral family. However,

    in reality, we are secretly trying to please them. They''ll say that we''re hypocrites!"

    Without warning, Joseph stopped. He smirked. "Let''s see who will be doing the pleasing moving

    forward."

    "You''re right. I heard that Winston is quite ill this time. He almost lost his life. That''s why Aunt Mandy

    ended up panicking and asking for our help.

    "Based on my observation, Winston doesn''t have long to live. KS Group will definitely go downhill once

    he''s gone. I''d like to see if they''d still be as arrogant when that timees!" Aidan eximed through

    clenched teeth.

    Joseph looked at him doubtfully. "I''ve never noticed you having so much hatred for the Taylors before

    this. What happened when you went to bring Julien back? Did you get the short end of the stick?"

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    Aidan''s heart skipped a beat. He broke out in a cold sweat. "I didn''t! They wouldn''t have the guts to

    touch us!"

    Just as they were about to enter the house, Aidan suddenly felt a chill behind his back. Naturally, he

    turned back to take a look.

    "What is it?" Joseph asked.

    Aidan shuddered. "Dad, there''s a priest who isn''t dressed like a priest. He seems to be staring in our

    direction. That''s quite terrifying to see at this hour."

    It waste into the night. So, he hadn''t managed to get a good look at Jonah''s face.

    Joseph looked back and furrowed his brows. He didn''t see anyone on the street across from them.

    Aidan looked shocked. "Oh? Where did he go? He was right there."

    "Aidan, I can see that you''ve been tired recently. Do make sure you rest well," Joseph said as he

    stepped into the house.

    Aidan was at a loss for words.

 Chapter 1625

    Julien got released from his "cell" and taken to the courtyard.

    The front yard of Lovce Residence was packed with people as everyone had gathered there.

    Julien was looking fit. He stood tall in the middle of the courtyard. Joseph was sitting on a wooden

    chair. Julien watched as his father sipped on his tea.

    Aidan was standing respectfully by the side. They had also called on an audience to watch the

    spectacle that was about to happen.

    Julien felt extremely ufortable. His stomach churned.

    Beyond the wallsy a modern civilization, yet within the confines of their home, it remained a feudal

    society.

    When he was young, he always thought that Mandy''s actions weren''t justified. She was from the

    Lovce family. This was a family that gave her such a luxurious life. However, she would rather rebel

    and escape this family. It wasn''t worth it at all.

    That said, his heart was being swayed right now. He was tempted to follow in Mandy''s footsteps.

    "Kneel," Joseph ordered in a cold voice.

    Julien straightened his back. He faked a slight smile. "Dad, what century are we in now? We don''t even

    have to kneel when we meet royalty. Isn''t it time that we move on from our feudal ways?"

    Joseph froze.

    Aidan chided, "Julien! You''re the one who was in the wrong. You were the one who put our family to

    shame. Is this how you apologize?"

    "You asked me to admit to my mistakes. I did so. I have said what I needed to say. It''s not going to

    happen again in the future."

    It was not going to happen again.

    When Julien said those words, it felt like his heart was bleeding. It was so painful, as if a part of his

    heart was being cruelly cut out.

    "I will not go to the Taylors'' home in the future. I will never meddle with the Taylor family''s affairs again.

    I''ve already given in to this extent. Why must you humiliate me like this? Why do you have to be so

    overbearing?"

    His argument made everyone go silent.

    Hierarchy held immense importance within the Lovce family. No one else other than Edgar

    Lovce, Joseph''s father, would dare to go against Joseph himself.

    "Julien, your association with the Taylor family has breached our Lovce standards. This is a grave

    error!" Aidan interjected instantly. His face was red. "Dad has to punish you severely. Otherwise, will

    you even remember what you''ve done? Can you?

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    "In the future, our family''s values will lose their significance. Who will continue to uphold them? Who

    will honor them?"

    "Ah, so you''re using me to set as an example to others," Julien scoffed, enraging Joseph.

    At this time, their butler had brought the family''s tool for discipline to Joseph. In full view of everyone,

    he said, "Mr. Joseph, here you go."

    Everyone gasped. Julien''s chest tightened.

    The butler had a whip in one hand. In his other hand was a thick, long wooden stick.

    "These are our family''s rules. You can either choose to be whipped or have your leg broken. Take your

    pick." Aidan scowled at him.

    One couldn''t even tell that they were blood brothers.

    This was what the Lovce family was like. Power, capability, and money were of the utmost

    importance. Familial rtionships were dispensable.

    Julien''s pupils quivered. Suddenly, he burst out inughter.

    "This is so interesting... It''s very intriguing! I''d like to see how your corporal punishment works."

    Julien shook his head as heughed. His eyes were red. "But, we are a family of doctors. Why does

    our family''s corporal punishment have to involve such vulgar tools like a whip and a stick?

    "I brought a set of scalpels with me when I came back from Mosgravia. You should just use those! It

    would be much neater!"

 Chapter 1626

    Julien had just finished speaking when Joseph leaped to his feet. His expression was dark. He

    snatched the stick from the butler and strode toward Julien.

    Out of nowhere, he heard a swoosh. He felt a sharp pain in his leg. Without him noticing, two

    bodyguards had rushed behind him. With a whack of the stick, he ended up kneeling on the ground.

    "You ingrate! You''ve made such a grave mistake! How dare youugh and talk back to me?"

    Joseph red at him. His eyes were bloodshot. He raised his arm and smacked Julien on the back

    with the stick. He was merciless. The smack was so loud that it made everyone shudder.

    Yet, Julien only let out a muffled cry¡ªa single muffled cry.

    Over and over again, he was being beaten on his back. It felt as if he was being hit byrge hailstones.

    Two bodyguards grabbed him by his arm, incapacitating him from fighting back.

    His body hurt so badly that he just wanted to curl up into a ball. His vision became blurry. He could

    even taste his own blood at the back of his throat.

    But he was not going to beg for forgiveness. He refused to yield.

    Aidan was frightened and rmed to see how Julien was being beaten up. He turned his face away

    and didn''t dare to continue watching.

    "A good child doesn''t need to be taught; a misbehaving child deserves a strict teacher. You are

    uneducated, ipetent, and not even working a decent job. You can''t even differentiate the good

    from the bad. You deserve a beating!"

    Upon saying that, Joseph raised his hand high. Then, he swung the stick hard onto Julien''s back.

    In the next second, a loud crack was heard.

    The stick, as thick as an arm, had broken in two!

    In an instant, the silent onlookers were in an uproar.

    All the blood drained from Julien''s charming face. He was as pale as a sheet. It was as if he was in an

    ice cave. He started shivering uncontrobly.

    He bit down on his lower lip. Fresh blood stained his lips. His eyes filled with misery.

    "Dad!"

    Then, Aidan ran over to Joseph in a panic. He lowered his voice and asked anxiously, "You got to vent

    your anger by beating Julien up. He has also received the punishment he deserves.

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    "You should think about this at length. If you continue beating him up... There are so many witnesses. It

    would be tricky if anything bad happened. You wouldn''t be able to get past Grandpa either."

    At the end of the day, Aidan wasn''t feeling bad for Julien. He only said so in order to save Joseph from

    embarrassment!

    Joseph was taken aback. He released the wooden stick from his grasp.

    He had overexerted himself. His palm was swollen red and throbbing slightly.

    "Ha... Haha..."

    Julien was on the ground. Supporting himself with tense arms, Julien lowered his head, concealing the

    storm of emotions brewing within him from prying eyes. Yet, despite the mask of stoicism he wore, a

    provocativeugh escaped his lips, betraying the intensity of his inner turmoil.

    "Is that all you''ve got? Is that it? Dad, you''ve really aged. You call that corporal punishment? I barely

    felt anything! It was just like scratching an itch!

    "Come at me again. I dare you to beat me to death!"

    "Bastard!" Joseph flew off the handle. The vein on his forehead was pulsating like crazy. He flung the

    stick at Julien.

    "How could you still be so shameless and not repent?"

    "Repent? Why do I have to repent? What do I have to repent for?"

    Julien''s body felt as if it had been shattered into countless pieces, yet with sheer determination, he

    clenched his teeth and fought through the excruciating pain. Every movement was a battle as he

    stumbled and struggled to piece together his broken form, willing his wounded body to rise once more.

    Everyone''s jaws dropped. Even Joseph''s expression changed.

    "I really don''t get it. As a doctor, what did I do that was so wrong?" Julien coughed.

    His eyes were bloodshot. Every word he said was heartfelt.

    Hemented, "Medical professionals are to do good. Our duty is to save lives and heal the wounded.

    This is what Grandpa has taught me since I was a kid. Even now, the four pirs of medical ethics still

    hang framed in Grandpa''s study. I always believed those principles to be the bedrock of our family''s

    values.

    "I can''t believe that your so-called family principles are just a way for you to vent your anger! In your

    eyes, Mr. Taylor is an enemy.

    "In my eyes, however, he is just a patient! I helped to save someone''s life. May I know what the hell is

    wrong with that?"

    Julien''s resolve was unwavering; he would sooner perish than yield. This unyielding spirit mirrored

    Mandy''s own.

    With fervor zing in his heart, he passionately argued his stance, his words ringing with conviction.

    His impassioned defense silenced all opposition, leaving them stunned and speechless.

    Joseph''s face ran red with anger. His gaze was full of hatred. "Take him back to his room! No one is to

    let him out without my permission!"

    Julien''s once crisp white shirty in shreds, his skin now marred by bruises and swelling, a stark

    transformation from its former fairness.

    Even the bodyguards guarding his door couldn''t bear to look at him.

 Chapter 1627

    "Mr. Julien, the Lovces'' private physician is already on his way. Please hang in there..."

    "Our family isn''t short of doctors."

    Julien had his back against the two bodyguards. His voice was firm and cold. "I''m a doctor myself. No

    one knows my physical condition better than I do. Get out, both of you."

    The two bodyguards felt helpless. They exited politely.

    The moment the door shut, Julien crumbled to the floor. He vomited blood that he had been holding in

    forcefully. A pool of fresh blood stained the velvety carpet on the floor.

    "It hurts. It hurts so bad."

    He curled himself into a ball as he rolled around the floor in pain. Beads of sweat mixed in with his

    tears, streaming down his cheeks continuously.

    In the midst of the assault, Julien''s rage acted as a shield, rendering him almost numb to the physical

    pain. It was as though he had detached from his own body, insted from the agony that should have

    consumed him.

    But now, left to grapple with his injuries in solitude, the full extent of the pain crashed over him like a

    relentless tide. It surged through his muscles, gnawed at his joints, and seared through his flesh,

    engulfing his entire being in a wave of torment.

    "The pain is killing me."

    He gritted his teeth as tears continued flowing down his face. He looked extremely pitiful.

    "Jonah. I miss you. I miss you so much."

    Was he crying because he had just been beaten up? Or was he crying because he missed Jonah?

    But what Julien didn''t know was that Jonah was right by the back door to the Lovce residence. He

    was standing firmly in the cold wind. Tears started to well up in his eyes without him even realizing.

    At the end of the day, he couldn''t hold back. He took out his phone and dialed Julien''s number.

    All he heard was the automated message saying that the receiver''s phone was turned off. Jonah''s

    chest tightened.

    However, he thought it was for the best. There would only be bad consequences if he were to persist

    over something that would nevere to fruition.

    Julien''s entire body was trembling as he removed his torn shirt and changed into a set of clean

    pajamas.

    He was a clean freak. Yet, he wasn''t even able to take a shower because of the injury on his back. He

    could only use a damp towel to wipe the dirt off his body while forcing himself to withstand the immense

    pain.

    At this moment, Julien was truly happy for Mandy.

    She was able to live with the Taylors. They were such a warm andpassionate family. This was

    something that he didn''t even dare to dream of.

    "In the future... Never again..." Julien stuttered through his chapped and pale lips. He swung his towel

    into the water basin, making water stter everywhere.

    "Never again, my foot!"

    He didn''t want to give up.

    So what if Jonah were to reject him? If Jonah took ten steps back, he would just need to take eleven

    steps forward. Wasn''t it that simple?

    All in all, he didn''t want to be part of the Lovce family anymore. He didn''t care about anything in

    Mosgravia any longer. He only wanted to be with Jonah.

    He had saved so many lives. He prayed to God to grant his wish this one time.

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    Julien was in so much pain that he couldn''t fall asleep. So, he ended up opening the window on his

    balcony. He felt the cool, night breeze against his body.

    The cold helped to relieve some of his pain.

    "Tonight''s moonlight is so beautiful. It''s as beautiful as Jonah."

    Julien looked at the bright moon in the sky. He had a silly smile on his face. His thoughts were filled

    with Jonah''s charming looks.

    He recalled a poem that Mandy often used to recite when he was young. He had been away from

    home for too long. As a result, he could only remember one line from it. It suited this current mood.

    "No matter how far we are."

    Jonah, who was downstairs, was also looking up at the moon. It was as if they were telepathic at that

    moment. He uttered the subsequent line, "We can always share the moon and stars."

    He let out a deep sigh. He lowered his head, turned around, and started walking toward his car.

    In that moment of solitude and pain, Julien''s gaze inadvertently drifted downward, drawn toward the

    enveloping darkness of the night.

 Chapter 1628

    Jonah''s steely figure was something Julien could recognize even from miles away.

    Julien''s heart raced. He grabbed onto the railing tightly. He kept leaning his body forward to get a better

    view. He wished that he could just jump down at this moment.

    Jonah''s posture was one of a kind. He was absolutely drawn to him. It couldn''t have been anyone else

    other than Jonah!

    "Jonah... Jonah! Jonah!" Julien yelled.

    Unfortunately, the distance between them was too great.

    Coincidentally, a strong wind started to blow.

    Julien was already heavily injured. It was already difficult for him to breathe in the first ce. His weak

    voice was simply lost in the wind. Jonah couldn''t have heard him at all.

    "Jonah! Can''t you hear me? Turn around. Turn around! I''m right behind you."

    His voice became hoarse as he yelled. He could barely be heard toward the end.

    Julien watched as Jonah got into his ck-colored sports car. In the blink of an eye, Jonah''s car

    zoomed away and disappeared into the night.

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    "What a jerk! Couldn''t you have just waited a little longer for me?"

    Julien looked as if his soul had left his body. He plopped himself on the floor angrily. He burst out in

    tears.

    "Jonah, why didn''t you wait for me? I wanna leave with you."

    It was deep into the night.

    In the study, Joseph was on the phone with Edgar. He updated him about Julien''s current situation.

    Edgar was clearly unhappy to find out that Joseph had given Julien corporal punishment. Although he

    didn''t give Joseph a roasting, it was obvious that he sounded upset.

    "Julien''s medical skills are pretty good. He is a renowned doctor in the field of neurology in Mosgravia!

    Even I know about his achievements. Don''t tell me that you haven''t heard about them?"

    Through gritted teeth, Joseph replied, "Of course I''ve heard about them too. But Dad, what Julien did

    this time was against our family''s principles.

    "He put our family to shame. That''s absolutely outrageous. If I don''t serve him a severe punishment,

    who knows what other ridiculous deeds he will be up to next time? We would be aughing

    stock."

    Edgar cleared his throat. "There are other methods that you could''ve used to punish him. It''s not

    necessary to injure him physically."

    Edgar spoke sternly, "I only have two grandchildren¡ªAidan and Julien. You have brought Aidan up to

    be a businessman. He haspletely given up on the medical profession.

    "As for you, it has been over a decade since you performed a surgery. You''ve been managing the

    pharmaceutical factory, the biomedical research center, and the hospital. You have been thriving in the

    business world.

    "Hence, Julien is the only one who can really take over my position. If you beat him up until he

    bes a disabled man, the Lovce Group will not have a sessor. If that happens, we no longer

    deserve to be known as a family of doctors!"

    "But Dad..."

    "I''m well aware of the reason why you''re targeting Julien like this."

    Edgar''s voice became deep. He spoke with a sense of warning, "So many years have passed, Jo. Are

    you still feeling resentful?"

    Joseph''s expression froze. "Dad, what is there for me to be resentful about? Even if that were so, it''s

    because my kids have grown up. They have spread their wings and are ready to fly. They''re not willing

    to be disciplined anymore. I''m just afraid that they''d cause trouble for the Lovce Group."

    "No matter how much I despise Winston, my precious daughter still ended up choosing him. They also

    ended up having children together. Their children are sessful people.

    "Also, she has been with the Taylor family for over 20 years. All this while, I have never heard anything

    about her not getting along with Winston. Thus, I know that Winston has been treating her very well."

    "Dad.

    "I know that you''ve always fancied Mandy."

    Edgar''s words pierced the deepest part of Joseph''s heart, which he had kept hidden.

    He pursed his lips. He clenched his fists by his side.

    "You are my adopted son. You are not biologically rted to Mandy. But ethically, she will always be

    your sister. Whether in the past or in the current times, things would be impossible between the both of

    you."

 Chapter 1629

    20 years ago, Joseph''s feelings for Mandy had already been "sentenced to death" once. This time,

    Edgar had just dered the same sentence over him.

    "I''m already 80. After a bout of illness, it''s all clear to me now. There may have been grudges from the

    past. But I can''t be bothered to be ensnared in all that anymore."

    Edgar coughed a few times. He continued in a strong voice, "Moving forward, stop reprimanding Julien

    because of Mandy and the Taylors. It is fine as long as our family doesn''t make it apparent that we are

    associated with the Taylor family.

    "The KS Group dominates Belbanks. Winston''s children are also starting to go ces. I heard that he

    has a precious daughter. She''s called Alyssa or something.

    "She is already discussing marriage with the president of Beckett Group in Sna City. If their families

    end up having a marriage alliance, no one will stand a chance of going against them.

    "If you provoke the Taylors, even if Winston turns a blind eye to you, his other children and Mandy

    mightunch an attack against you. I have been toiling my whole life. I do not wish to spend my

    declining years witnessing fights between families. Let''s just leave this matter as it is."

    Edgar hung up.

    "Dad, are you willing to allow Mandy to be Winston''s mistress? She doesn''t have a legitimate status.

    And people are talking behind her back. Despite all these, you''re still unwilling to fulfill my wishes?"

    Joseph''s face was pale and frigid. He looked like a block of ice that was about to crack. "Is it because I

    am an adopted child? Is that why you think I am not good enough for your daughter?"

    Suddenly, an urgent knocking sounded at the door.

    "Come in," Joseph said.

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    Aidan rushed into the room. He was frantic. "Dad! I... I have bad news! Julien jumped out of the window

    and escaped!"

    Joseph''s eyes widened.

    He rushed to Julien''s room with the butler and secretary in tow.

    The balcony window was wide open. The chilling wind was blowing into the room. It sent a chill down

    their spines.

    "Have you looked around for him?" Joseph''s voice was shaky. He was terrified.

    "Yes, I have!"

    Aidan was so fearful that his speech became incoherent. "Julien was nowhere to be seen. Downstairs,

    in the back garden. He''s not there!"

    He was nowhere to be seen.

    That meant that he hadn''t died. He had indeed escaped. What a relief!

    "This is the fifth floor. How did he jump down?" Joseph peered out at the surroundings from the

    balcony.

    The butler exined, "Mr. Joseph, I''ve got some men to look into this. Mr. Julien likely leaped over to

    the tree opposite. Then, he slid down along the tree trunk. There are quite a number of broken

    branches at the bottom of the tree."

    "That crazy man! Did he want to fall to his death?" Joseph''s fear had now turned into anger. A sharp

    pain shot through his palm as he mmed his hand on the railing.

    This son of his was a stubborn mule.

    He was locked up behind a grill door. He was being oppressed. Yet, he feared nothing.

    After that day when Jameson came to taunt them with Winston''s medication, Jasper traveled to

    Mosgravia with Xavier as hispany. He went there to purchase that elusive medication for Winston.

    Alyssa had wanted to go with him. But he didn''t want her to tire herself out from the travel. Hence, he

    convinced her to stay back at Heightsnew Vi to apany Winston.

    On his private ne en route to Mosgravia, Jasper used hisptop to look into the detailed information

    about the drug.

    Xavier brought a cup of coffee and ced it in front of him. "Mr. Beckett, you''ve kept busy since the

    moment you boarded the ne. You''ve approved documents and researched for information. It''s time

    for a rest. Your eyes are turning red."

    "Go ahead and rest if you''re tired." Jasper lowered his eyes. He picked up the cup of coffee and took a

    sip.

    Xavier sighed, "Actually, you could have just sent me to get this done. Then, you could have spent

    more time with Madam. Why do you have to take this arduous journey yourself?"

    "Jameson is as sly as a viper. He is a pack of lies. But he said that this was a drug that was researched

    and patented in Mosgravia. He also imed that it was only meant for royalty and the privileged. These

    were all true."

    Jasper leaned his tired body backward, highlighting the muscles on his neck.

    "Thus, I cannot take this matter lightly. I must tend to it personally. Perhaps that will give us a better

    chance."

 Chapter 1630

    "Even a scumbag like Jamiper can get his hands on the medicine. You can surely get it, too." Xavier

    had a lot of confidence in Jasper.

    Jasper frowned, neither confirming nor denying.

    Upon arriving in Mosgravia, Jasper wasted no time. He exhausted all his connections, even personally

    meeting with officials responsible for the pharmaceutical industry.

    However, the responses he received were all the same¡ªthey couldn''t get it.

    "Mr. Beckett, this special medicine for treating strokes is in short supply. The quantity produced each

    year is limited and must be reported urately. I''m sorry that you''vee all this way only to go back

    empty-handed, but there''s nothing I can do."

    After hanging up the phone, Jasper tightly gripped his phone, almost crushing the screen.

    "Damn it! There are restrictions everywhere abroad," Xavierined indignantly. "Mr. Beckett, even

    your handsome face doesn''t work here."

    Jasper didn''t know what to say. His face was now cold and stern.

    "What do we do now, Mr. Beckett?"

    Frowning, Xavier pondered for a moment before suddenly eximing, "Oh, I have an idea!"

    Jasper''s eyes lit up. "What is it?"

    "You''re quite close with Madam''s fourth brother, Axel, right? You two go way back, and you''re both from

    the same school. He''s still a top-notch secret agent with extraordinary skills. Why not have him infiltrate

    the pharmaceutical research facility and steal a set for you?"

    After saying that, Xavier looked smug, feeling quite pleased with himself. He thought he was really

    clever.

    "You want my woman''s brother to risk being caught and executed for stealing medicine for me?" Jasper

    stared at Xavier, his eyes radiating coldness. "Do you think he''s Batman?"

    Xavier broke out in a cold sweat. "T-That''s not what I meant."

    "I''m doing this for Lyse, and yet you want me to drag her family into danger? Do you think I''m naive or

    stupid?"

    But to be honest, Axel might really have the ability to pull it off.

    Sweating, Xavier smiled awkwardly and tried to apologize. "I''m sorry, Mr. Beckett. Just pretend I was

    talking nonsense. Forget I ever mentioned it."

    A silence fell over the cabin.

    After a moment, Jasper took a deep breath, as if making a monumental decision. "There''s only onest

    resort."

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    Xavier read his expression, then suddenly eximed in shock, "A-Are you going to ask Mr. Justin for

    help?"

    Jasper''s eyes remained calm, but his heart wrenched. "That day, when I see Mr. Taylor, his condition is

    temporarily stable but not very optimistic. If we can''t get the miracle drug soon, he''ll definitely rpse

    shortly, and that will be a time bomb waiting to explode.

    "Another rpse will be a heavy blow to both the KS Group and Lyse. Justin is familiar with everything

    here, and he has a close rtionship with the Jesseltons. Perhaps he has even more connections than

    we know of. Asking him for help is our only hope now."

    Xavier eximed indignantly, "You didn''t see through his schemes before. If you ask him for help now,

    won''t you be giving him leverage over you? Won''t he be even more arrogant?"

    Jasper shook his head. "It doesn''t matter. There''s nothing more important now than saving Lyse''s

    father."

    With that, he dialed Justin''s number.

 Chapter 1631

    After a few rings, the call connected.

    "Jasper, I''m really surprised and pleased that you''d call me." Justin''s voice was as gentle and warm as

    ever but with a hint of weakness.

    "Justin, how are you doing?"

    Jasper, who was typically straightforward, wanted to get straight to the point. But since he needed

    something from Justin, he had to start with some small talk.

    "The same as usual, hanging on to life with medication every day. It''s causing me to lose my hair,"

    Justin joked. "Jasper, do you think I''ll turn bald next time we meet?"

    "I''m in Mosgravia right now," Jasper said seriously, no longer in the mood for jokes.

    "Oh? Really? When did you arrive?"

    "The night beforest."

    Jasper took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Justin, I have something urgent to discuss with

    you. Can we meet?"

    That evening, Jasper and Xavier went to the address provided by Justin together.

    Along the way, Jasper''s jaw remained tense.

    He and Justin were blood-rted brothers and got along well in their youth. Even though they were not

    born of the same mother, Justin had taken care of him a lot as an older brother.

    However, Jasper hadn''t seen Justin for over a decade. Apart from asional holiday greetings, they

    had little contact, so Justin wasn''t particrly close to him anymore. What he felt more for him was

    respect.

    "Mr. Beckett, we''re here."

    Jasper snapped out of his thoughts and raised his head slowly.

    In front of them stood an impressive Wictorian mansion, exuding an atmosphere of seclusion and

    tranquility.

    "Wow... It''s so grand. It''s not inferior to Madam''s Heightsnew Vi," Xavier eximed in amazement.

    He couldn''t help but marvel. "It looks like Mr. Justin has been doing quite well overseas. This mansion

    probably costs billions in Mosgravia!"

    "Nonsense." Jasper pursed his lips. His childishpetitiveness rose again. "It''s nowhere near as

    good as Lyse''s home."

    Xavier felt that he had said the wrong thing and awkwardly scratched his head.

    Jasper adored Alyssa so much, to the point that he would treasure every strand of her hair. In his eyes,

    everything about Alyssa was the best.

    Xavier got out of the car first and respectfully opened the door for Jasper.

    Jasper stepped out with long strides. Just as he was fastening his suit button, a subtle fragrance wafted

    over him. It seemed to be the elegant scent of orchids.

    Strangely, the scent seemed to have a calming effect, relieving some of his stress.

    "Wee, Mr. Beckett," a cool female voice greeted them.

    Jasper looked up and saw a slender and graceful woman in a white coat walking toward them.

    "I''m Sheryl Gillis, Mr. Justin''s personal doctor."

    Smiling, Sheryl extended her hand politely. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Beckett."

    Jasper remained impassive and fixed his sharp eyes on her.

    This woman made him feel somewhat familiar. But after searching through his mind several times, he

    couldn''t remember ever meeting her before.

    "The pleasure''s mine."

    Considering she was Justin''s man, he couldn''t be rude. Thus, he quickly shook her hand, as if

    prolonging the contact for an extra second would ignite a fire.

    "Mr. Justin is already waiting for you. Please follow me."

    "Okay."

    Xavier was about to follow when Sheryl spoke up coldly. "I''m sorry, but only Mr. Justin''s rtives and

    guests may enter the residence. Your secretary will have to wait outside."

    Xavier felt dejected, looking at Jasper with concern.

    Jasper whispered, "Xavier, wait for me in the car."

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    The moment Sheryl turned around, her previously smiling eyes turned icy cold.

    As Jasper was led inside, Xavier watched the beautiful woman''s back, feeling uneasy.

    The two walked one after the other through the winding corridors.

    Jasper''s cold gaze remained fixed on Sheryl, his mind filled with doubts.

    As they walked, her coat fluttered, and the faint scent of midnight orchids lingered around his nose.

    "Ms. Gillis, your perfume smells good. What brand is it?" The usually unromantic Jasper surprisingly

    showed an interest in women''s fragrances.

    Sheryl nced back with a smile. Her eyes were slightly flirtatious. "A busy businessman like you is

    actually interested in women''s cosmetics?"

    "I wasn''t interested before, but now that I have a lover, I naturally have to pay more attention."

 Chapter 1632

    Thinking of Alyssa, Jasper smiled with joy. "Could you tell me the brand? I want to give it to her as a gift

    when I go back."

    Sheryl turned her face away, a shadow crossing her face.

    "I''m afraid you''ll return disappointed. What I use isn''t perfume, but an incense made from rare local

    spices in Mosgravia. It''s basically impossible to buy."

    "Oh, I see." Jasper''s eyes flickered briefly, and he remained silent thereafter.

    He had asked her because he suddenly remembered where he had smelled her scent before.

    It was on Jameson.

    In their numerous encounters, he had faintly detected this scent of orchids clinging to Jameson''s

    clothes.

    The scent was exactly like Sheryl''s.

    Since she said it wasn''t perfume but a rare incense from Mosgravia, she could have her hands on it,

    probably with Justin''s help.

    But who had Jameson received his help from? Did they know each other? Or was it just a coincidence?

    Lost in thought, Jasper found himself in front of a carved door.

    "Mr. Beckett, Mr. Justin is inside." Sheryl stepped aside to let him pass.

    Jasper''s breath grew heavier as he stepped through the door.

    Inside the room, light smoke filled the air, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.

    "Ahem... Jasper, you''re finally here."

    Justin maneuvered his motorized wheelchair out of the room. His face lit up with joy at the sight of his

    brother.

    "Justin." Jasper hurried to his side.

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    Justin reached out and took his hand. As he looked up at Jasper, his eyes were twinkling. "It''s been

    over ten years since west saw each other, right? I really missed you.

    "Why do you look thinner than thest time you video-called me from Grandpa''s house? Have you

    been very busytely?"

    "It''s bearable," Jasper replied warmly.

    "No matter how busy you are, you have to take care of your body. After all, you''re the president of

    Beckett Group."

    Justin coughed a few times, causing a blush to creep onto his pale cheeks. "This is me now. There''s

    really nothing I can do to help you as your brother. The future of Beckett Group will rest solely on your

    shoulders."

    "Don''t say that, Justin."

    Jasper''s throat tightened. "If you want, you cane back to Sna City to recuperate at any time. If

    you get better in the future and you want to return to Beckett Group to make a name for yourself, I''ll

    wee you back."

    Before seeing Justin, Jasper had countless spections and doubts.

    But now, seeing his disabled brother sitting in a wheelchair, he couldn''t help but feel a surge of guilt in

    his heart.

    The eldest son of the Beckett family was once so full of vitality and charm. But now, Jasper only saw a

    weak and pale patient who had been tortured by internal injuries. Justin looked so fragile.

    All the tragedies stemmed from that kidnapping case.

    But if Justin hadn''t stepped forward, then the person exiled in a foreignnd, relying on a wheelchair to

    get through the days, would have been himself.

    In the guest room, the two brothers sat facing each other.

    Sheryl disyed her tea-making skills on the side. Her hands danced elegantly as she prepared the

    tea, which was pleasing to the eye.

    Jasper kept his eyes on her hands, lost in thought.

    Justin smiled contentedly. "Jasper, my body has improved slightly in recent years, thanks to Sheryl''s

    care and treatment. She''s my personal doctor, a friend, and she''s also family."

    "Mr. Justin, please don''t say that. I''m honored to be able to take care of you."

    Sheryl''s gaze was tender as she pushed a cup of tea in front of Jasper. "Have some tea, Mr. Beckett."

    Jasper remained impassive.

    Suddenly, Justin said with a smile, "Speaking of which, there seem to be some connections between

    you and Sheryl."

    "Connections?"

    "I remember you saying that after graduating from military school, you joined Peacekeeping Forces and

    went to Luminara for international aid and counter-terrorism operations. It just so happened that Sheryl

    was also in Luminara at that time."

    Justin turned his gaze toward Sheryl.

    Jasper lowered his eyelids. "Is that so? That''s indeed a coincidence."

    "At that time, Sheryl served as a doctor without borders in Luminara. Maybe she treated some of your

    comrades."

    Doctor without borders?

    Those casually spoken words struck a nerve with Jasper.

    He looked up at Sheryl sharply. In his mind, he saw the sparkling, luminous eyes of White Dove.Q

 Chapter 1633

    "Mr. Beckett? Mr. Beckett?" Sheryl tilted her head and asked with a smile, "What''s on your mind? Or is

    there something on my face?"

    "No." Jasper abruptly returned to his senses, feeling somewhat mncholic.

    White Dove had been his savior, and they had fought side by side to survive. Without her, how could he

    have returned to Sna City alive and be the president with overwhelming support?

    How could he have fallen in love and be with Alyssa?

    Jasper would never forget White Dove''s kindness to him. He had never stopped searching for her

    whereabouts, but she seemed to have vanished into thin air.

    Justin mentioned that this woman had worked as a doctor without borders in Luminara.

    As waves of emotions surged within Jasper, his gaze toward Sheryl becameplex.

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    "Mr. Beckett, if you''re interested in my story, perhaps in the future, or when you visit Mr. Justin again in

    Mosgravia, I can gradually tell you." Sheryl smiled sweetly, and her tone was soft and alluring.

    "You''ve misunderstood, Ms. Gillis. Your experience just reminded me of an old acquaintance. I didn''t

    mean anything else." Jasper withdrew his gaze icily and elegantly lifted the teacup.

    Sheryl bit her lip.

    "Alright, Sheryl, Jasper has never been one for jokes," Justin interjected, changing the topic. "Jasper,

    you came all this way, and I know you didn''t juste to visit me."

    Jasper''s throat tightened. "Justin, I..."

    "Don''t worry. You can tell me everything. Even if you came to me for some purpose, I won''t me you.

    Seeing you again makes me happier than anything else."

    Justin''s eyes twinkled with warmth as he spoke earnestly. "Are you facing any difficulties?"

    "Justin, there''s someone very important to me who is sick. There''s a miracle drug for his symptoms

    here in Mosgravia, but no matter what I try, I can''t get my hands on it.

    "So I thought, since you''ve been in Mosgravia all these years and have connections with the

    Jesseltons, you must have made some deep connections. Could you help me inquire."

    Jasper took out his phone and ced the photo of the medicine in front of Justin. "How can I obtain this

    medicine?"

    Justin smiled knowingly. "Is the important person you''re talking about Mr. Taylor?"

    A lump formed in Jasper''s throat.

    Sheryl nced at the screen. "This is medication for treating strokes. Does Mr. Taylor have a stroke?"

    Jasper''s sharp gaze suddenly turned toward her face, like an icy de cutting through.

    Although Sheryl had gone on many important asions with Justin, she couldn''t help but feel a chill

    from his cold gaze.

    "Jasper, don''t misunderstand Sheryl."

    Justin took a sip of his tea. "Even if you didn''t say it, I know you came for the Taylors. Now, only

    someone rted to Ms. Alyssa could make you care so much ande all the way to me for help.

    "Mr. Taylor has been secretly hospitalized more than once before. But as you know, every move of a

    top tycoon is closely watched. There are no secrets in this world. Sheryl was just making a reasonable

    analysis."

    "Since you already knew, I have nothing to hide."

    Jasper put down his teacup. After a few moments of contemtion, he slowly began. "I am indeed here

    for Mr. Taylor''s illness. I want to bring the medicine back as soon as possible.

    "My beloved is getting more and more haggard every day, worrying about her father. If I stand by and

    do nothing, what kind of man am I?"

    Justin nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Your feelings for Ms. Alyssa truly move me."

 Chapter 1634

    Justin continued, "That medicine is indeed very rare. But over the years of treatment and medication,

    I''ve built some connections in the medical field. My friend has this medicine, and I can ask him to get it

    for you."

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    "Really? That''s great!" Jasper''s face lit up with joy. "How can I repay you for your help, Justin?"

    Justin''s gaze was mysterious as he smiled. "Although I''m in Mosgravia, I''ve long heard about how

    much you cherish Ms. Alyssa. Someday, when I return to Sna City, would you oppose me bing

    friends with her?"

    Jasper''s heart wrenched, and he clenched his grip on the teacup.

    "Mr. Justin, you''re really putting Mr. Beckett in a difficult position. Ms. Alyssa is the apple of his eye. He

    would even build a house to hide her if he could. Even if you''re his brother, I doubt he''d be willing,"

    Sheryl half-jokingly said, but her words concealed a hidden meaning.

    She implied that women were not the only thing Jasper might not be willing to give up for Justin. It

    could also be power or status.

    So what if Justin was Jasper''s lifesaver? If one day Justin wanted to return to the Beckett Group, would

    Jasper really give up his ce for him?

    "You can''t say that, Sheryl."

    Justin''s expression grew solemn. "Jasper is my little brother. We have grown up together since

    childhood. I know him very well."

    "Justin, I think it''s fine if you want to be friends with Lyse." Jasper''s tone was calm, but his gaze was

    slightly cold. "Butter on, when I marry Lyse, she''ll be your sister-inw. Isn''t that better than just

    being friends?"

    Justin was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. "You make a good point."

    "So the medicine..."

    "You should return to Sna City first. I think Ms. Alyssa would miss you a lot while you''re away."

    Justin showed a hint of weariness, indicating he was ready to send Jasper away. "I''ll get the medicine

    as soon as possible and have someone deliver it to you. You can rest assured."

    "Then I''ll wait for your good news."

    Since Justin had already said things to this point, Jasper couldn''t say much. He stood up and took his

    leave.

    Once Jasper left, Justin narrowed his eyes, opened a nearby box, and took out the medicine Jasper

    had

    requested.

    "Sheryl, you''ve been too talkative today."

    "Forgive me, Mr. Justin." Sheryl quickly apologized, breaking out in a cold sweat.

    "I understand that seeing an old acquaintance might make it hard to control your emotions. But what

    you need to do is leave a good impression on Jasper. Your excessive disy will only ruin your

    mystique and may even reveal ws."

    Justin nced at her pale face. "You should know how clever my brother is."

    "Please don''t misunderstand me, Mr. Justin. I no longer have any feelings for Jasper like I did in the

    past. Seeing him now... I only feel hatred."

    Especially when he shamelessly expressed his love for Alyssa in front of her. That broke her heart

    even more.

    "Hatred caused by unrequited love. I understand."

    "No! I never loved Jasper... Never!"

    Sheryl knelt in front of Justin, holding his hand tightly. "I approached him during my childhood because

    I was young and ignorant. I was influenced and manipted by Sophia."

 Chapter 1635

    Sheryl continued, "After growing up, I only further tried to win Jasper''s heart for the sake of my family''s

    interests. I''ve never had feelings for him. I''ve never loved him."

    Justin smirked, leaning down and lifting her chin with his fingertip. "Then, are you just using me too?"

    With tears in her eyes, Sheryl swore, "I truly care for you, Mr. Justin. I''m loyal to you. I would even die

    for you!"

    "Don''t say such gloomy things. Stand up and talk." Justin''s tone softened as he helped her up.

    But Sheryl still felt uneasy inside. She couldn''t read Justin''s emotions. Having worked for him for so

    long, she had never seen him angry. This only added to her unease.

    "Did you have me fabricate a new identity to rece thatdy and get close to Jasper again?"

    "Apart from asionally being foolish in matters of the heart, Jasper is the smartest person I know.

    How could you possibly rece her if you don''t even know the details of his rtionship with that

    lady?"

    Smelling the tea, Justin spoke leisurely. "Your new identity has already left a deep impression on him,

    sparking endless thoughts. But its effects will only be seen once we return to Sna City."

    Sheryl nodded, then asked in surprise, "Also, are you really going to give Jasper the medicine? Are you

    truly going to save Winston?

    "Without the medicine, Winston''s health will only deteriorate, and then both the Taylor family and the

    KS Group will be thrown into chaos. Isn''t that what we want?"

    "Will giving Mr. Taylor the medicine really improve his health?"

    Sheryl gasped. "Are you suggesting..."

    "Mr. Taylor is getting old and has such a stubborn illness. Having suffered multiple episodes, his body

    isn''t what it used to be. Will giving him the medicine make a significant difference?

    "The miraculous effects of this medication often make people overlook its side effects. Butpared to

    brain death, a little side effect is a small price to pay."

    Justin coughed, then said casually, "Besides, with this, Jasper and Ms. Alyssa will owe me one. Isn''t

    this a good deal?"

    Back at the hotel, Jasper was restless.

    Firstly, he hadn''t obtained the medicine, which left him uneasy.

    Secondly, the matter of Justin''s personal doctor, who had worked as a doctor without borders in

    Luminara, bothered him.

    But was she truly a doctor?

    Her hands didn''t look like a doctor''s hands at all. Her nails were long, and they were painted with

    translucent pink nail polish.

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    "Mr. Beckett, you seem preupied. Did Ms. Justin trouble you?

    Xavier was extremely worried. He was afraid that Jasper might be bullied. "Did he impose any

    uneptable conditions? Did he take advantage of you?"

    Jasper shook his head slightly and asked in a deep voice. "Xavier, can doctors use incense or

    perfume?"

    "Uh? Just a moment, let me check."

    Xavier quickly took out his phone and soon found the answer. "Well, theoretically, medical personnel

    shouldn''t use them. The scent can numb the sense of smell, mask the patient''s body odor, and affect

    diagnosis.

    "Respiratory doctors, in particr, shouldn''t use them, as they may make patients'' airways sensitive or

    trigger attacks."

    "I see." Jasper''s eyes narrowed.

    "What''s going on, Mr. Beckett? Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

    Jasper didn''t respond but grew increasingly curious about the identity of the woman named Sheryl

    Gillis.

 Chapter 1636

    That night, moonlight cast a silvery glow on the ground while the night breeze rustled the trees outside

    the window.

    Closing his eyes, Jonah clutched a cross in his hands, devoutly praying in front of the statue of God.

    Since the passing of his former beloved, he had day after day sought self-redemption through prayer,

    repenting for the sins he hadmitted.

    Countless times in the past, it had all been for him.

    But now, standing once again before the statue of God, Jonah found himself unable to discern his own

    feelings. He felt lost and adrift.

    He breathed out a long sigh. Just as he turned away, the doors of the church were suddenly pushed

    open.

    A chilly wind rushed in, dispersing the sorrow between his brows.

    The next moment, that slender and graceful figure with fox-like eyes tore through the destion and

    caught his gaze.

    Jonah...

    Julien''s slender figure stood alone in the center of the doorway. His eyes were brimming with tears.

    "You''vee looking for me... Why didn''t you wait for me? Would it have killed you to wait a little

    longer?"

    Jonah''s heart wrenched. His entire body froze, and the emotions in his bloodshot eyes surged

    uncontrobly.

    "Jackass... Don''t you know... how hard it was for me to find you?"

    Julien tried so hard to suppress his emotions that he was trembling all over. But he finally broke down

    in tears upon seeing his beloved.

    "I lost my phone... I was afraid to go to KS Group or Heightsnew Vi to find you... I was afraid to

    contact anyone from the Taylor family or even Aunt Mandy... I was afraid of causing trouble for you and

    each and every one of you..."

    At thest syble, he choked up, almost to the point of losing his voice. "But... what I''m afraid of even

    more is never seeing you again."

    How many times had he said "afraid" in one breath?

    Jonah suddenly remembered the carefree and easygoing second son of the Lovce family, who had

    juste to his side from Mosgravia. He had never feared anything.

    What had caused him to be like this?

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    Was it the feud between the Taylor and Lovce families?

    Was it his ambivalence toward him or the ruthlessness he showed in extinguishing the rekindled me

    of desire for the sake of the bigger picture?

    Jonah gazed steadily at Julien''s tear-streaked face. His heart throbbed painfully as if it were being torn

    apart.

    "Jonah, I''m afraid... I''m afraid that the moment I watched you walk away from my house that night

    might be thest time I see you."

    Julien cried until he was a tearful mess, seemingly wanting to shed all the tears of his life. "But I can''t

    let that happen. I want to be with you. I want to be with you forever. I love you, Jonah... I love you!"

    "Dr. Lovce." Jonah''s throat felt dry as he spoke. His words were stiff as if speaking for the first time.

    "This is a church. Please refrain from saying such words against the will of God."

    "I''ve said it! If there truly is a God, then let him punish me! Let him condemn me!"

    Julien took two staggering steps forward, poking his chest forcefully. "It''s hurting so much here... I don''t

    care about the Lovce family. I don''t care about the punishment from God. They mean nothing

    compared to you!

    "If there''s karma, let it hit me! If the heavens fall, I''ll hold it up for you. If we''re going to hell, I''ll

    apany you there. Bring it on!"

    Julien finally ran out of strength, his eyes closing as his body slumped down.

    But he didn''t feel any pain. It was reced by a warm embrace tinged with the strong scent of

    testosterone.

    It was a hug for which he had longed for so long.

    Jonah felt the intense heat of Julien''s body through the thin shirt as his hand rested on Julien''s waist.

    "You''re running a fever?" When he rested his hand on Julien''s sweaty forehead, he found it scorching

    hot.

    "I''m fine."

    Julien also wanted to hug Jonah, but he was in too much pain. He was too weak to lift his arms.

    "Seeing you... makes everything okay."

    Jonah clenched his teeth tightly. "Don''t be silly! You have a high fever. You have to go to the hospital!"

    "I can''t... My dad and my brother must be looking for me now. If I go to any hospital in the country, even

    your family''s hospital, they''ll find out immediately..."

    Julien tightly grasped Jonah''s shirt, shaking his head forcefully. "I''ll be fine... after taking some fever

    medicine."

    Then he drifted into unconsciousness.

    Jonah''s eyes welled up with tears. He gripped the back of Julien''s neck, pulling him deeply into his

    embrace.

    "Foxy, can there be anyone more foolish than you?"

    Considering Julien''s words and fearing to bring greater trouble to both families, Jonah had no choice

    but to take him to his private vi in Sna City.

    The Lovce family''s influence was concentrated in Belbanks, so being in Sna City would be safer.

    Julieny in bed with a cold towel draped over his forehead. Jonah fed him Ibuprofen and repeatedly

    wiped his neck and arms with a damp towel, but it was futile.

    Julien''s cheeks were flushed with fever, and he rambled incoherently. But every word revolved around

    Jonah.

    Jonah frowned deeply, and his heart pounded heavily. It had been a long time since he felt this lost and

    helpless.

    In the end, he picked up his phone and dialed a long-forgotten number.

    "Who is this?" a cold voice came from the other end.

    Jonah''s throat tightened, and his voice was hoarse. "It''s me."

    There was silence on the other end for a while, then came a voice trembling with disbelief. "Judas? Is

    that really you?"

 Chapter 1637

    Judas¡ªthis title remained vague in Jonah''s mind. No matter how many memories it invoked, those

    times were long gone.

    "Dr. Wooten, it''s me. Jonah."

    "Judas! I really can''t believe I''d live to see the day you''d contact me. How have you been all these

    years?"

    "I''m doing well."

    Jonah paused, then said in a low voice, "Are you free right now? I have an urgent matter and need

    your help."

    "You don''t even need to ask, Judas. I''ll do anything for you. No questions asked."

    In less than half an hour, a man carrying arge medicine box arrived at Jonah''s vi.

    This man, referred to as "Dr. Wooten" by Jonah, was named Evan Wooten.

    Unlike regr doctors, he was an underground doctor.

    During the time when Jonah was still known as "Judas", many of his men were unable to seek

    treatment at regr hospitals and had to go to underground clinics.

    Jonah had met Evan then, who had lost his medical license. Jonah recognized his talent and hired him

    as his personal doctor, giving him a carefree life.

    Even when Evan retired, Jonah helped him retire safely, ensuring that no one would attack him.

    "Judas..." Reuniting with his former boss, whom he had once shared life and death with, Evan burst

    into tears on the spot.

    "It''s been ages." Jonah''s gaze softened, and he hugged Evan. "You''re still the same, looking so

    youthful. Nothing''s changed."

    "But you have changed, Judas."

    Evan''s tearful gaze wandered repeatedly over his face. "I don''t know how to put it, but I just feel that

    you''repletely different from before."

    Jonah still looked the same, but his style, demeanor, and gaze were nothing like in the past. They were

    like two different people.

    "Of course. My identity has changed." Jonah smiled. "I have to look like a president."

    But Evan could tell how helpless Jonah felt as the president

    "I asked you toe here this time because a very important friend of mine is sick."

    Jonah pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly. "He can''t go to the hospital now. So¡ª"

    Evan shook his head. "You don''t need to say anything. I''ll do anything you ask of me."

    Jonah''sshes fluttered. "Thanks."

    The two quickly went upstairs to the room.

    Evan was shocked to see Julien lying on the bed. Then he redirected his gaze at Jonah in amazement.

    "You''re also surprised, right? He looks a lot like him."

    Jonah''s gaze softened as he picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from Julien''s cheeks. "When I first

    saw him, I was also stunned. But he''s different from him. Apart from this face, they have nothing in

    common."

    When Evan recalled that person, his expression turned mncholy. "Yes... That kind of stunning

    person is hard to find anywhere else in the world. Who couldpare to him?"

    Other things were too sad to be mentioned, so he didn''t dare say anything else.

    Jonah knew that standing here wouldn''t help, and it might even affect Evan''s performance, so he left

    the room.

    Sitting alone in the peaceful living room, all Jonah could think about was Julien''s passionate

    confession.

    His mind was in turmoil. Closing his eyes, he gripped the cross tightly and trembled violently.

    "Judas,e in and take a look!" Evan poked his head out, frowning.

    Jonah immediately got up and hurried back to the bedside.

    There, Julien''s shirt had been removed, revealing the inmed wounds on his back, which were oozing

    blood.

    Jonah''s mind buzzed, and a torrent of fury washed over him.

    "I did a preliminary diagnosis for him and found that his fever was quite strange, so I started looking for

    external injuries on his body. As expected, the problem lies here."

    Evan, wearing a face mask and medical gloves, barely touched Julien''s back. However, it elicited a

    painful low moan from him. "Ouch..."

    "Dr. Wooten, he''s in pain."

    Jonah clenched his fists tightly, feeling the pain as if it were his own. "Can you relieve his pain?"

    "A painkiller injection should do, but the wounds on his back are festering, with a high risk of infection.

    We need to debride the wounds immediately and administer tetanus shots."

    Evan quickly took out the necessary equipment from the medical box. "I can''t figure out what was used

    to cause these injuries. This attack was too brutal. Judas, which gang did your friend offend?"

    Jonah exuded a chilling vibe, his temples throbbing.

    A gang?

    How was that possible?

    These shocking wounds could only be the result of the punishment meted out by the Lovce family.

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    In his youth, Jonah had heard from Mandy about the harsh family traditions and the decadent rules of

    the Lovce family. The cold and distant affection within the family had made Mandy want to escape

    that cage countless times.

    The Lovce family was not anywhere near a noble family, but they acted like one.

    Jonah''s crimson eyes were fixed on the gruesome wound on Julien''s back. His heart ached for Julien.

    "He cares a lot about how he looks. Once these wounds heal, is there any way to prevent scarring?"

 Chapter 1638

    Evan felt quite troubled upon hearing that.

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    "Judas, among the wounds on your friend''s body, two in particr are extremely deep. Describing them

    as skin-deep wounds wouldn''t be an exaggeration. I''ll need to tend to them before I can know the

    specifics."

    As Jonah stared at the bloody wounds on Julien''s back, his heartache spread throughout his body.

    "Some of the wounds may need stitches, and it''s unlikely that there won''t be any scarring."

    When Evan noticed Jonah''s increasingly gloomy expression, he smiled wryly andforted, "It''s no

    big deal for a young man to have a few scars. It adds to his masculinity, doesn''t it? Your friend shouldn''t

    be too fussy about it, right?"

    Jonah''s brows furrowed deeply.

    Fussy?

    Julien was a man who refused to do chores and who would want to change his entire outfit from head

    to toe if he got a drop of grease on it.

    If he wasn''t fussy, there couldn''t be any fussy person in the world.

    In his mind, Jonah could already see Julien''s frantic reaction when he woke up and saw the scars

    covering his back.

    "Anyway, please do your best."

    "He''s your man. I wouldn''t dare not do my best for him," Evan said.

    The words "your man" made Jonah''s cheeks flush slightly.

    It took Evan more than two hours to treat all of Julien''s wounds and administer the best medicine he

    had.

    Seeing the man on the bed breathing peacefully in his sleep, Jonah felt a slight relief.

    "Let''s check his temperature again tomorrow morning. If his fever subsides, everything should be fine."

    Evan wiped the sweat from his forehead.

    "Dr. Wooten, I really appreciate your help," Jonah said sincerely.

    "Judas, please don''t call me Dr. Wooten. It makes me ufortable."

    Evan looked deeply into Jonah''s eyes. "Call me Evan, just like before."

    Jonah parted his pale lips, his throat choking up. "Evan."

    "Yes," Evan replied crisply, his eyes brimming with tears.

    For this one word, he would willingly go through hell and back ten thousand times for Jonah.

    Jonah didn''t dare to leave Julien''s side, but he also didn''t dare to sleep next to him for fear of

    identally touching his wounds.

    He could only lie down on the couch and make do for the night.

    Originally, he didn''t want to sleep at all. He wanted to stay by Julien''s side until dawn.

    But in the middle of the night, he became too exhausted and eventually closed his eyes, drifting off into

    sleep.

    In a groggy state, Jonah smelled the cool scent of ointment and felt something heavy on his body.

    With a surge of willpower, he abruptly opened his eyes.

    "Jonah..."

    Under the moonlight, Jonah saw Julien sitting bare-chested on top of him. His fair skin, glistening with

    sweat, was so beautiful under the soft moonlight.

    His exquisite face was still flushed, obviously still feverish. His trembling legs were tightly wrapped

    around Jonah''s, as if he were afraid the man beneath him would escape.

    Their eyes met, and the breathing of the two men gradually became hurried in the quiet room.

    The air grew hotter and hotter.

    "What are you doing?" Jonah''s gaze was full of restraint, but the veins on the back of his hand were

    throbbing.

    "I can''t... think straight from the fever..."

    Julien''s gaze grew confused. His breath was ragged as he touched his burning forehead.

    "I dreamed of you, and when I opened my eyes, I saw you. I can''t believe you''re really here with me... I

    just wanted to make sure that all of this is real..."

 Chapter 1639

    In the darkness, Jonah''s neck and earlobes flushed red.

    His breathing became heavy as he slowly raised his hand. Hended his warm palm on Julien''s

    abdomen, gently caressing the smooth skin.

    "Do you still think this is a dream?"

    Under Jonah''s touch, Julien trembled as if electrified. Finally, he leaned in and grabbed Jonah''s face,

    kissing him fiercely.

    Their silhouettes intertwined, filling the room with their kissing sounds.

    "Jonah, can you let me be with you? I don''t want anything. Just let me be with you. I don''t mind, even if

    we can never be public."

    Jonah''s dark eyes shimmered with profound affection.

    He couldn''t hide it or contain himself any longer. He knew exactly what he was doing. At this moment,

    he was more awake than ever before.

    "From now on, I''m yours. Yours alone."

    With tears in his eyes, Julien nestled into Jonah''s bare yet strong chest. He felt a happiness he had

    never felt before.

    Lately, Jameson had been busy dealing with the troubles brought to thepany by the Taylor family.

    The losses incurred by the Tsulu resort project had been somewhat mitigated, with Jameson sending

    people to visit andpensate for the injured and deceased. He also orchestrated media coverage to

    salvage the reputation of the Schmidt Group.

    In secret, the officials from Tsulu responsible for the incident had been sessfully bribed by Jameson,

    using abination of money and women''s seduction. They had agreed to minimize the negative

    impact of the incident and ensure that it wouldn''t affect the project''s construction in the future.

    Amber''s sacrifices were essential in this process.

    Though Jameson had stopped her from selling her body after the incident with Inigo, she still had to be

    around thosescivious, high-ranking officials to secure Jameson''s interests.

    This was Amber''s only remaining value by his side.

    She had no turning back now because her value as Alyssa''s substitute had been lost. If she lost this as

    well, Jameson would abandon herpletely.

    Others'' abandonment meant discarding, but Jameson''s would mean destruction.

    With a tumultuous fate, she had fought tooth and nail to survive to this day. She wanted to live well, not

    endure a life of misery, and end up with a tragic death.

    That night, Jameson returned from his business trip to Mosgravia with an extremely grim expression.

    As soon as he entered The Millennium''s gates, Amber, who greeted him, shivered and hastily took a

    few steps back.

    "Mr. Schmidt..."

    Jameson stared at her coldly, as if seeing someone he could never have through her.

    "Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Altman has done a great service for you in Tsulu."

    Sensing something was amiss, Carl quickly smiled and spoke for Amber. "Those high-ranking officials

    are willing to work for you, thanks to her. She persuaded them."

    "Persuaded? Or seduced?" Jameson sneered disdainfully.

    Amber lowered her head and stared at the tips of her red high heels. Her throat felt so constricted that

    she had difficulty breathing.

    Carl awkwardly chuckled. "Ms. Altman is The Millennium''s manager. She has managed this ce well

    for years and cultivated many connections in Sna City. You know that, right? Ms. Altman is very

    skilled in negotiation and maniption, all thanks to your guidance."

    "It''s just a brothel. If it weren''t for the bigger picture, would I care?"

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    Jameson''s gaze softened slightly as he withdrew it from Amber''s flushed face. "If she can''t even do

    this, she might as well die and not waste any air."

    Carl nced at Amber, unsure of what else to say.

    "Oh, wait. Apart from managing the ce, she might still have some use."

    Jameson suddenly turned toward Amber. With a menacing look in his eyes, he approached her. "If I

    were to give this woman who resembles Lyse to Sir, what do you think his reaction would be?"

 Chapter 1640

    Amber''s pupils trembled in fear, and her slender legs under her skirt shook violently.

    "Last time I visited him, I felt like his eyes were all over you."

    Jameson grabbed her chin forcefully, lifting it with enough force to crush her jawbone. "I can confirm

    he''s taken an interest in you.

    "It seems he isn''t as refined as I thought. Since he can''t obtain the real person, having a fake around

    for a feast of the eyes and to satisfy his desires might not be a bad choice."

    Amber''s eyes were red-rimmed, with tears glistening as they emitted a plea of helplessness. "Mr.

    Schmidt... please... please don''t send me to Mr. Justin.

    "I''ve been loyal to you for so many years... Please don''t send me away... I beg you!"

    "What value do you have?"

    Jameson, who had been holding back his anger since his return, unleashed it all on Amber. He pushed

    her forcefully in the chest.

    Amber stumbled back two steps, banging into the wall with a dull thud. Her back felt cold and painful.

    "Carl, pack her things. Send her to Mosgravia tomorrow."

    "No!"

    Amber knelt at Jameson''s feet. Tears streamed down her face as she sped her hands together. "I

    swear to serve you faithfully! I''ll never betray you! I''ll do anything you ask. Just please don''t make me

    leave!"

    Her tears and fear were genuine. But even she couldn''t discern how much of her words were true.

    Jameson had been her savior, lifting her out of a life of homelessness and destitution and giving her a

    home.

    She couldn''t forget him teaching her to ride a horse, y the piano, appreciate wine, Grunndish,

    manners, and many more.

    She was able to undergo aplete transformation, all thanks to his hands-on training and guidance.

    Before returning to Sna City, Jameson was her everything, the light she pursued throughout her life.

    But now, she finally saw through him.

    Since the day Jameson had her undergo stic surgery to resemble Alyssa, she should have realized.

    He only saw her as a tool to be used and discarded. There were other women to rece her if she

    were gone. Her salvation was just a coincidence.

    Was such a person who had brought her back to life only to trample on her body and dignity still worthy

    of her love and loyalty?

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    "Mr. Schmidt, I know you''re angry, but please, be rational. Calm down."

    In a panic, Carl pleaded, "Ms. Altman is the masterpiece you''ve cultivated yourself¡ªyour most

    satisfactory work. It''s not easy to find another woman with her talent and abilities who''ll be this devoted

    to you.

    "Also, Ms. Altman has left a favorable impression on Axel. He was even willing to be alone with her.

    We''vee a long way to get here. We''re almost there!"

    At this, Jameson''s cold gaze softened slightly.

    "When Axel returns home, let Ms. Altman find another chance to get close to him. When he lets his

    guard downpletely and falls for our trap, there will be plenty of opportunities to get rid of him."

    Amber''s heartache intensified. Tears mixed with blood rolled down her cheeks.

    Trembling, she opened her palm and saw a reflection of Axel''s wicked grin in the teardrops in her hand.

    Narrowing his eyes, Jameson seemed to take in Carl''s words. He ignored the woman kneeling on the

    ground and strode away.

    Carl sighed as he watched Jameson''s retreating figure. He then reached out to help Amber up.

    "No need... I can stand up on my own." Amber wiped away her tears fiercely, struggling to stand up.

    "Ms. Altman, Mr. Schmidt is in a bad mood these days. It''s best for you not to appear in front of him.

    Avoid him if you can," Carl said helplessly.

 Chapter 1641

    "D-Did something happen?" Amber wasn''t concerned for Jameson. She just needed to have everything

    under control to protect herself.

    "Sigh! Mr. Schmidt went to see Mr. Justin and found out that Mr. Justin sent the drug that Mr. Schmidt

    failed to deliver to the Taylors. All these while, Mr. Justin had never interfered with Mr. Schmidt and Ms.

    Alyssa''s business.

    "Now, at this juncture, he decided to show up as the good guy. Wouldn''t this paint Mr. Schmidt, the one

    who used the drug to threaten Mr. Winston, as a petty man?

    "Ms. Alyssa would hate and despise him even more. Mr. Justin is throwing Mr. Schmidt under the bus

    to make himself look good. Mr. Schmidt had every right to be outraged!"

    Comparisons are odious.

    Jameson had a well-thought-out n, but Justin''s interference had painted him like a fool.

    "Mr. Justin is not doing this for Mr. Jasper but for Ms. Alyssa."

    Carl sighed, "Mr. Schmidt had suspected Mr. Justin had feelings for Ms. Alyssa multiple times. From

    the looks of things, he is ready to cause trouble. How could he not panic?"

    Amber smiled sadly.

    Now, she realized¡ªhe was eager to send her to Justin like a token to stop Justin from having any

    ideas toward Alyssa.

    Suddenly, she respected and admired Alyssa deeply.

    Alyssa was an intelligentdy borne of riches. She was childhood friends with Jameson. Previously,

    when Jameson pursued her, she didn''t even fall for him. Instead, she exposed his true colors.

    Amber wanted to be like Alyssa, a woman with a clear consciousness and mental strength.

    If only she could be like her.

    When Carl returned to Jameson, the man had almost dismantled his entire luxurious room.

    Jameson exhausted his energy. He was panting as he slumped on the red velvet couch. He tugged his

    tie aggressively.

    "Why isn''t there any news from the people we sent to spy on the Taylors? Such a useless bunch! Aren''t

    they just asking for it?" "Mr. Schmidt, please calm down. Our men are working around the clock and

    monitoring the Taylors closely. If we dig deep enough, we will find something valuable in no time!"

    Carl''s phone rang as he finished.

    He took his phone and looked at his WhatsApp.

    Instantly, Carl''s eyes widened like his world had been shaken. He ran to Jameson and handed the

    phone to him. His hands were shaking terribly. "M-Mr. Schmidt, your chance to get back at them is

    here.

    Look!"

    Jameson frowned in annoyance andzily nced at the phone.

    The next second, he abruptly jumped up from his seat. He snatched the phone and stared at it intently.

    He kept zooming into the picture on the screen to confirm the identity of the two individuals kissing.

    "This can''t be wrong, Mr. Schmidt!"

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    Carl''s eyes widened. "If we publicized this groundbreaking information, it would cause a huge

    commotion. By then, you would have sessfully avenged yourself for all the pain you went through."

    A malicious and excited glint slowly grew in Jameson''s eyes. He suddenlyughed so manically that he

    was crying.

    After a long while, he handed the phone back to Carl. He leisurely sat on the couch again and poured

    himself a ss of red wine to celebrate.

    "What''s the rush? Even if we want to handle this, we shouldn''t get our hands dirty."

    Carl didn''t understand what he meant. "What are you saying?"

    Jameson smirked devilishly, cooking up a scheme in his mind, "Recently, we have a frustrated person

    who needs this chance to turn things around more than we do. Why don''t we give this to him?"

 Chapter 1642

    Justin kept to his word. Jasper received the drugs after one week.

    Jasper, who was hosting an important meeting in the Beckett Group, was on edge.

    When the meeting ended, he sprung up from his seat and darted out the doors like lightning.

    The management was left at their seats, exchanging nces.

    "What is wrong with Mr. Beckett?"

    "Haha! I think he had to relieve himself. The meeting was so long. I wouldn''t have held it in if I were

    him. His kidneys are such champions!"

    "Not to mention his dder too!"

    Today, the KS Group had an important board meeting that required Winston to attend.

    However, Jameson''s drugs ran out, and Julien was taken away by the Lovce family. So, Winston

    grew more helpless.

    The effects of the drugs had worn off. He started feeling his body weakening. He couldn''t stop yawning.

    His nose was runny, his head was spinning, and his vision was blurry. He didn''t even manage to eat

    dinnerst night because he had fallen into a deep slumber.

    He considered his physical condition and was afraid he couldn''t get up in the morning. So, he pushed

    this meeting to the afternoon.

    Even so, the consecutive rms were useless. Winston only forced himself to wake up after Neil,

    Alyssa, and the rest tried to call for him.

    "Mr. Winston?"

    "Dad!"

    "Winston!"

    Winston opened his eyes with difficulty and saw Alyssa, Mandy, and Neil looking at him by his bedside.

    "W-What time is it now?"

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched when she heard her father''s frail voice. She held his icy hand firmly.

    "It''s almost noon. Winston, you haven''t eaten breakfast, so you shouldn''t skip lunch either. Your body

    will not be able to take it." Mandy looked at Winston''s gaunt face painfully.

    When Winston got up, his head was suddenly spinning. He copsed to the ground.

    "Winston!"

    Sweat filled Alyssa''s head. She quickly held his father''s wrist, looking for a pulse.

    She could sense her father''s restlessness.

    However, she wasn''t Julien nor a neurologist.

    She was skilled medically, but she specialized in surgical procedures. At this point, her hands were

    tied.

    "Dad, you must go to the hospital now!" Alyssa frowned. Her voice was hoarse from the panic.

    "I''m not going," Winston declined firmly.

    "Then, cancel your board meeting!"

    "No!" Winston pulled his hand away suddenly. He gritted his teeth, unwilling to resign. "I would crawl to

    that meeting if I have to!"

    "Winston, listen to me!" Alyssa couldn''t take it anymore. She reprimanded him like a mother would to

    her son, "Sitting up isborious enough for you. Why are you still forcing yourself? Is it that important to

    show up at that crappy meeting?

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    "Is it more important than your health? Is it more important than your life?"

    That aggressive reprimand shocked Mandy and Neil.

    Alyssa was the only one in the whole of Belbanks who dared to address Winston this way.

    "You brat! What do you know?"

    Winston gathered his strength, but he broke into a sweat as he struggled. "The KS Group was in utter

    chaos when I was hospitalized thest time. The rumors were hard to take in.

    "If I get hospitalized again, the KS Group wouldn''t only be affected internally. All ourpetitors in the

    market would take this opportunity to snatch the resources that belonged to us, Taylors. It might cause

    more trouble than we can handle!"

    "So, what? Let them take the resources if they want them. You can never make enough money."

    Alyssa firmly grabbed his shoulder with her shaky hands. She looked at him with a burning gaze. "Dad,

    please take care of your health and recuperate. Enjoy your golden years. This is more important than

    anything else.

    "KS Group won''t fall. As long as I''m here, no one will ever have the chance to snatch even a strand of

    hair from us. They can dream on!"

    "You silly girl... Do you think you are that capable?" Winston was nagging, but his eyes were reddened.

    "I will never retire this early. If you''re asking me to stay at home and be useless, I would rather kick the

    bucket."

    He wasn''t obsessed with power. He wanted to work a few more years to lessen the burden on his

    children, so they were free to do whatever they wanted.

    If he copsed one day, every one of his children would need to bear the heavy responsibility of the KS

    Group, especially his eldest son, Jonah, and the sessor he had in mind, Alyssa.

    Then, they would never get back the carefree life they have now.

    Alyssa was outraged.

    Everyone said that it was a delight to have an elderly at home. However, Alyssa didn''t think so.

    It would be outrageous if she said it to Winston, too.

    Mandy had a heavy and doubtful look on her face.

    She had a hunch that Jameson''s drugs were the cause of the changes in Winston''s body.

    However, Julien tested the drugs and confirmed that the drugs weren''t poison.

    So, were Winston''s cold, headache, and lethargy side effects of the drug?

    At this moment, there was a knock at the door.

 Chapter 1643

    Neil walked over to open the door and received the shock of his life.

    "Mr. Beckett?"

    "Mr. Benton."

    Jasper stood at the entrance coldly. He was panting, indicating that he had rushed here. "Is Uncle

    Winston and Alyssa in there? I brought the drugs."

    When Alyssa heard his voice, she immediately got up and walked toward him. An uncontroble sense

    of longing surged in her heart.

    "Jasper!"

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    Alyssa rushed into Jasper''s wide embrace. The emotions she held in for so long had turned into tears

    and began streaming down.

    Jasper eagerly stretched his sturdy yet shaky arms to hug her. His eyes reddened. "I''m sorry for

    keeping you waiting for so long, Alyssa. The wait wasn''t in vain. I have the drugs."

    He quickly reached into the pocket of his overcoat and retrieved a long box. "There are six of them in

    here. It''s more than what you received thest time. This should cover Uncle Winston for a while, in

    case he needs it."

    Alyssa took the box from him. Her heart was churning as she was overwhelmed by that gesture.

    He didn''t say much, but Alyssa knew how difficult it was to get his hands on the drugs. She wasn''t

    concerned about the cost but was afraid Jasper used shameful means to get his hands on them, losing

    his dignity.

    She would never be able to reconcile with the idea of that.

    "Thank you, Jasper..." Alyssa clenched the box tightly as she felt like crying.

    "Silly, you don''t need to thank me. I would do anything for you."

    Jasper smiled gently and took her hand. "Quick, give this to Uncle Winston."

    "Wait!"

    Mandy walked hurriedly to them with a frown on her face. "Thank you for your kind gesture, Jasper.

    Lyse, I think let''s not use this on your father for now."

    "Why?" Jasper and Alyssa said at the same time.

    "Haven''t you realized how lethargic your father has been these days? He is sluggish and is no longer

    as energetic as he used to be."

    An inexplicable heavy look was on Mandy''s face. "A stroke is scary, but we know how his illness turned

    out this way. The drug may be able to elevate the symptoms temporarily, but it seems more like it is

    covering up the illness. Plus, we have no idea what the side effects would be.

    "So, I''m suggesting to stop using the medication and observe his condition for now."

    Jasper and Alyssa exchanged nces in shock.

    "N-No, we can''t stop the medication."

    When Winston heard what Mandy said, he objected strongly as he got down from the bed with his

    forehead full of sweat.

    After taking two steps, his legs couldn''t support him anymore. Luckily, Carl was swift enough to hold

    him up.

    Something was off!

    He knew the changes in his body better than anyone else.

    Winston could tell that his body recovered much faster with the medication. His vigor was better than

    before. However, once the medication wore off, he felt like he waspletely drained of energy. His

    body would give way so badly that he could hardly hold his cutleries up.

    However, he had no choice.

    He needed the medication. It might have been harmful, but it offered a quick relief. He needed it to

    solve an urgent need.

    "Lyse, something is wrong with Uncle Winston."

    Jasper pursed his lips and murmured into Alyssa''s ear, "I think Mrs. Taylor is right. Let''s stop the

    medication for now."

    "It''s okay if you don''t give me the medication. I will drag my haggard-looking body to the board meeting

    and embarrass myself." Winston''s tone had turned irritable, like a child throwing a tantrum.

 Chapter 1644

    "Dad, I''m not letting you go! You''d better stay here!" Alyssa red up and blocked her father''s way.

    "How dare you! I''m your father. You have no right to tell me what to do. You are in no ce to make

    decisions for the Taylor family."

    Winston and Alyssa found themselves at a stalemate, unable to findmon ground.

    Mandy panicked and froze where she was.

    It was the first time Jasper had experienced a situation like this after getting together with Alyssa. He

    didn''t know how tofort and how to mediate this argument.

    "Dad, you..." Alyssa felt a sense of suffocation. She clenched her fists so hard that they''d turned pale.

    "Alyssa, if you want to be a good daughter, please don''t anger me anymore. Please don''t force me into

    this yelling match with you."

    Winston had drenched his nightwear in sweat. Even panting took up a lot of his energy. The sight of his

    beloved daughter slowly turned blurry in his eyes. "Please just let me do what I want this one time. Is it

    that hard?"

    It was 1:30 pm.

    Winston arrived at the KS Group building in thepany of Neil, Alyssa, and Jasper.

    Winston had changed into a smart-looking suit as if he had donned his armor, ready to engage in war.

    His energy now was a far cry from the feeble patient who struggled to even leave his bed just hours

    ago.

    The effects of the medication were potent.

    Jasper and Alyssa were worried. They followed Winston all the way to the entrance of the meeting

    room like parents sending their children off to school.

    "Hey, Winston!"

    They were unlucky to see the undaunted Dominic walking toward them.

    A sharp glint flickered in Winston''s eyes. He showed aposed smile. "Dominic."

    "How are you feeling, Winston?" Dominic walked in front of them and sized his brother up with concern.

    In actual fact, he was prying.

    "I''ve almost recoveredpletely. Thank you for asking." Winston stayedposed.

    "Sigh, you don''t need to be this courteous with me. We''re at this age where illnesses are our best

    friends. Strokes are a tricky business. You must take good care of yourself!"

    Then, Dominic noticed Jasper, who was standing behind. He was like a cold soldier, intimidating as

    ever.

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    Dominic was scared. Then, he remembered he was in the KS Group, not the Beckett Group. It was his

    territory, and he had his brother''s support. He didn''t need to be scared of Jasper.

    So, Dominic looked at Jasper and smiled. "Are you joining us for the meeting, Mr. Beckett? Is the

    Beckett Group nning to join us as a shareholder?"

    A grim glint flickered in Dominic''s eyes. However, he had to know his ce and not act out in front of

    Winston based on seniority. "Haha... I''m joking."

    Dominic waved his hand andughed. "However, the KS Group would always wee you as a

    shareholder, Mr. Beckett. After all, everyone is saying things about you. You, as the illegitimate son of

    the Beckett family, had risen into position.

    "To secure your position in the family, you can be the Taylor family''s son-inw, use the KS

    Group''s power to cement your standing, and enjoy great benefits from thepany. It is just as how

    everyone else was saying.

    "If you be a shareholder, you could win brownie points with my brother and debunk the terrible

    rumor everyone is saying about you."

    "Haha! Uncle Dominic, I thought you just had an outdated taste. I didn''t realize how outdated the news

    you received was, too."

    Alyssa felt like ripping Dominic to shreds, but she maintained her smile and stayedposed. "Even if

    you don''t have working inte, it''s not that hard to get more updated news from the television.

    "Jasper is not an illegitimate child, but a pure blood of the Beckett family. After apprehending Sophia,

    Jasper had gotten the recognition he deserved.

    "Various media tforms have beenpeting for this headline. If you continue to talk about this

    outdated piece of rumor, people might think you are on Sophia''s side. They would assume you were

    just angry and didn''t want to let Jasper off."

    As Jasper locked eyes with Alyssa, a warmth blossomed within his heart, spreading like a gentle me.

 Chapter 1645

    Winston frowned and coughed lightly. However, he didn''t stop Alyssa.

    The smile on Dominic''s face slowly faded. He gritted his teeth hard.

    Alyssa looked down, then slowly shifted her gaze from the bottom up. Her red lips curled into a

    contemptuous smile. "Also, I can''t help but remind you, Uncle Dominic, when you attend an important

    event next time, please ask Renee to match your clothes for you. Red and green make you look like a

    walking Christmas tree."

    Winston cleared his throat, hinting at Alyssa to stop.

    Dominic, who was wearing a dark red suit with a dark green tie, froze.

    After that debacle, Winston and Dominic entered the meeting room to start the meeting.

    Alyssa and Jasper waited at Winston''s office.

    Alyssay horizontally on the couch and used Jasper''s thigh as a pillow. She stared at Jasper''s

    handsome face with thin lips and deep eyes. She wasughing hard.

    "The memory of the horrified expression on Dominic''s face when I unleashed my biting remarks fills me

    with pure delight."

    Alyssa''sughter subsided, reced by a flicker of indignation. "But I''m still seething! Dominic, that

    scheming bully believed he was untouchable with Dad by his side. He had the audacity to try and

    humiliate you. He''s in for a rude awakening!"

    "He should have picked someone his own size. Did he really think he could mess with my husband?"

    A bright glint appeared in Jasper''s dark eyes. He gripped Alyssa''s hand. "Whose husband am I?"

    Then, Alyssa finally regained her senses. Her silky smooth face had turned scarlet as she looked

    down.

    Jasper sighed when he saw how embarrassed she was. As he was about to change the topic, he heard

    her say, "Mine."

    Alyssa looked up slowly and stared into his gorgeous eyes. "You are mine."

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    Jasper''s heart was pounding. He leaned toward her blushed face and touched the tip of her nose. His

    breath intertwined with her. "You are also mine."

    However, before their lips could meet, Alyssa gently ced a finger on his mouth and nced toward

    the camera in the top left corner.

    "Don''t. There''s a camera here. Mr. Benton will check it every day. It would be embarrassing if he sees

    it.

    Jasper agreed with her.

    It was normal for couples to kiss, but they had to think twice about where they did it.

    "Jasper, it''s really difficult to procure this medication. Previously, Jonah and Julien went to inquire about

    it but returned in vain. How did you get it?" Alyssa asked after a brief hesitation.

    Jasper''s gaze wavered. However, he''d always been forthright with Alyssa. There were no secrets

    between them. "After reaching Mosgravia, I tried many ways and used my connections, but they were

    all dead ends. Eventually, I went to ask my brother for help."

    Alyssa was shocked. "You went to see Justin? Was he the one who gave you the medication?"

    "Yes. Justin has been in Mosgravia for many years for convalescence. Besides, he has closeworks

    with connections in the medical field and is also close with the Jesseltons. So, I thought he must have a

    way."

    Gratitude glimmered in Jasper''s eyes. "Luckily, it ended well. It was dyed by a few days, but I still

    managed to get the medication."

    Alyssa sat up abruptly. She stared at him doubtfully. He felt his hair stood on end by her stare.

    "What''s the matter, Lyse? D-Did I say something wrong?" Jasper revered his wife. If he did something

    wrong by Alyssa, he would immediately reflect and repent.

    "It has nothing to do with you."

    Alyssa frowned. After contemting briefly, she said, "I think something fishy is going on here."

 Chapter 1646

    "Fishy?" Jasper frowned.

    Alyssa said, "It''spletely normal for your brother to get his hands on the medication. He had been in

    Mosgravia for many years. One word from him can get Jesseltons to partner with the Beckett Group."

    A dark look rested on Alyssa''s face. "However, how did Jamiper get his hands on it?"

    Jasper was caught off guard by the question.

    "The Schmidt family abandoned him. He had built his life in Kontina since the beginning. Why would he

    have any connections in Mosgravia?"

    Alyssa felt more unsettled the more she thought about it. "I have a wild theory. I''m wondering if

    Jameson knew your brother or at least had met your brother before."

    Jasper was about to object to her theory, but he remembered that Sheryl and Jameson had the same

    fragrance.

    Drawing conclusions about Sheryl and Jameson knowing each other from this fact seemed premature.

    Nevertheless, doubts continued to nag at him.

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    Suddenly, hurried knocks echoed in the room.

    Jasper and Alyssa exchanged nces and went to open the door quickly.

    Winston''s other secretary stood outside the door. It wasn''t Neil, but this secretary was also a close

    confidant.

    "Ms. Alyssa! Something happened!" The secretary appeared visibly anxious, his forehead drenched in

    sweat.

    Alyssa''s heart dropped. "Did something happen to my father?"

    Jasper grabbed her by the waist and enveloped her in his arms tofort her.

    "Mr. Taylor is feeling unwell all of a sudden. Please follow me to the meeting room now."

    "Winston! What''s the matter with you? Winston!" Dominic, who sat closest to Winston, screamed at the

    top of his lungs, sessfully attracting everyone''s attention to Winston''s swaying body.

    Winston was steadying his shaky legs with both hands at the moment. He buried his head as his eyes

    were buzzing. His heart was pounding abnormally fast.

    He didn''t dare to lift his head. He could clearly sense that the muscles on his face were twitching

    uncontrobly. He was like a man suffering from Parkinson''s disease.

    The board members exchanged nces. They wanted to get a closer look at what was going on but

    were fearful to do so.

    "Let''s end the meeting here... for now," Winston drawled as he broke out in a cold sweat.

    As he uttered thest two words, he felt a strange sensation enveloping his tongue, causing it to grow

    numb. His ability to speak clearly was slipping away.

    "Winston, what is going on?"

    Dominic looked concerned. He tried to move closer, but an evil glint flickered in his eyes. "You don''t

    look good. Why are you shaking so violently? Is your illness acting up? Should I call you an

    ambnce?"

    "I''m fine. There''s no need." Winston''s eyes reddened. He pushed Dominic away, causing Dominic to

    stagger.

    Dominic portrayed himself arrogantly except when Winston was around. He was proud of himself for

    being the brother of the richest man in Belbanks.

    A rage surged in his heart as he received such treatment in the presence of so many people. He wasn''t

    about to let it go. "Winston, I''m concerned about your physical health. Please don''t try to act tough

    anymore. I think you should go to the hospital."

    "I wouldn''t want to trouble you, Dominic."

    Neil quickly stepped in, creating a distance with Dominic using his body and helping Winston up.

    "What is going on?" Dominic widened his eyes as he pointed at the lower part of Winston''s body.

    Everyone looked toward where he was looking at.

 Chapter 1647

    Winston suddenly felt moisture seep from between his legs. Warm liquid trickled down his pants leg

    and to the floor.

    Neil was stunned to his core. But he swiftly recovered and yelled out, "The meeting is over. All of you

    are dismissed immediately!"

    Winston slowly looked down at the small puddle of water by his feet, mind nk. He''d always lived his

    life proud and lustrous, never in such a pathetic and hideous state.

    A great wave of shame consumed Winston, washing away the fear and pain from his illness. As the

    head of his family andpany, he felt incredibly humiliated right now.

    Just then, two rows of bodyguards filed into the room and got everyone out as soon as possible before

    securing the entrance.

    Dominic sneakily pulled out his phone, wanting to record this humiliating moment. But before he could

    even start recording a video, pain shot through his wrist, making him release the phone.

    Dominic yelped in pain, stumbling backward as he sped his injured arm. Standing in front of him was

    Jasper, who was now holding his phone and shooting him a death re.

    Jasper dropped Dominic''s phone to the floor and stomped on it with his foot, breaking it.

    "You... You!" Dominic eximed angrily, face flushed.

    "Sorry. I wasn''t paying attention," Jasper said coldly before kicking the shards of the phone away. "I''ll

    have someone buy you a new er."

    "No need. It''s just a phone. I''m not so petty," Dominic ground out angrily. Still, he decided to leave

    before he suffered any more losses. Before he left, he said coldly to Winston, "Take care of yourself,

    Winston. I''m sure you don''t need my help anymore, what with all these people protecting you."

    Dominic then swiftly left.

    Jasper and Neil quickly helped Winston sit down. Thetter held onto Winston''s hand, tears falling

    down his cheeks. "Hold on, Mr. Winston. I''ve already called the medics over!"

    "No. Don''t call an ambnce." Winston was choked with shame.

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    "I understand! We need to make sure this news doesn''t leak out. as much as possible!" Neil said.

    Jasper understood why after seeing how pale Winston was, including the puddle of liquid on the floor.

    His heart pained as he saw Alyssa''s father going through so much pain.

    Jasper then took off his coat without hesitation and knelt to wipe the puddle dry.

    "Mr. Jasper! You." Neil''s eyes widened with shock.

    "It''s alright now, sir. I''ve wiped it all away." Jasper held his stained coat, not the least bit disgusted. "You

    don''t need to worry about anything with Lyse and me here."

    Winston''s throat was choked with emotion. Gratitude and guilt... all welled up within him. "Jasper...

    Thank you."

    Meanwhile.

 Chapter 1648

    Jasper and Alyssa took action separately. Jasper helped Neil take care of Winston while Alyssa

    gathered all thepany directors aside from Dominic in a separate room to talk to them.

    After all, this was something only Alyssa, the future heiress of KS Group and daughter of the Taylor

    family, was entitled to do.

    The atmosphere in the room wasn''t the best right now. The directors were continually grumbling and

    discussing amongst themselves.

    These directors were prominent figures in Belbanks'' business world who owned shares in KS Group.

    All of them had known Winston for more than two decades. They obeyed and followed Winston''s

    directions withoutint solely because he could help them earn a lot of money.

    But what about Alyssa? As much as Winston doted on her, she was still an immature young woman. If

    anyone were to rise from the Taylor family, it had to be Jonah, who was the CEO of thepany. So

    why was Alyssa rising to the asion?

    Sean had rushed over to Alyssa''s side at her beck and call the instant he got wind of what transpired at

    thepany. The two stood side by side as if returning to their old dynamic duo.

    Alyssa sat at the head of the conference table, coldly observing all the old men around the table.

    Sean angrily ground his teeth when he saw how disrespectful the directors were being toward Alyssa.

    "Ms. Alyssa, these old quacks are so annoying!"

    Alyssa''s eyes darkened before she said loudly, "Could I have a moment to speak?"

    The directors continued bickering amongst themselves, ignoring her.

    Alyssa''s patience was already thin, given how worried she was for her father''s illness. This was thest

    straw.

    She raised her hand and heavily mmed it thrice on the conference desk.

    All the directors jolted in shock at the loud noise.

    "What is the meaning of this, Ms. Alyssa? Why did you call us here?"

    "Yeah. We''re very busy men with things to do!"

    "And what happened with Mr. Taylor''s illness? Hadn''t he recovered already? It seemed like he was only

    getting worse. Is he able to manage thepany if this continues?"

    "Mr. Taylor even..."

    Wet himself.

    Fury consumed Alyssa as her heart ached.

    Still, she maintained a cold, calm expression. "You''ve all been my father''s close friends for several

    decades, helping him usher thepany through thick and thin to make it what it is today.

    "I''m sure your concerns stem from worry for my father and thepany. I can sympathize entirely with

    this, and this is also while I have gathered you all here today."

    Alyssa might be a woman, but she held an impressive and domineering presence. Her grace and

    strength surpassed even more than ten menbined.

    The directors immediately quietened down, giving Alyssa temporary control of the situation.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    "I''m sure all of you know just how important KS Group is to my father. His every movement, including

    something as small as a headache, can affect thepany''s market value and reputation. Naturally, it

    affects all your benefits as shareholders," Alyssa said.

    With a smirk, she gently veered the conversation a different way. "If I may be frank, I''m sure you''re all

    incredibly happy with just how much profit you''ve earned while supporting my father. You''re all

    reputable businessmen. I''m sure you wouldn''t disgrace yourselves by biting the hand that feeds you,

    yes?"

    The room was dead silent. Alyssa''s words could not be clearer. It was an implied warning to certain

    unsatisfied parties.

    "We understand what you''re trying to say, Ms. Alyssa. We''re concerned for both Mr. Taylor and the

    company''s benefit. There''s no way we''d do anything to harm thepany. We''d be jeopardizing

    ourselves in that case!" one of the directors piped up to ease the tension.

    Everyone else affirmed the sentiment.

    "Yes, I know none of you would ever do that," Alyssa said, leaning forward and crossing her fingers

    together. "But I am a businessman, just like my father. We judge by actions, not words."

    Alyssa then shot Sean a look.

 Chapter 1649

    Sean nodded and took out a stack of documents from his briefcase before distributing them to the

    directors.

    "A non-disclosure agreement?" The directors were shocked. Some of them felt insulted and asked,

    "What is the meaning of this, Ms. Alyssa? We''re all close friends of your fathers and helped him build

    thepany from scratch. Do you not trust us? Is this how you show your respect?"

    Alyssa responded calmly, "Please don''t misunderstand. I''m only doing this to protect my father, KS

    Group, and all your shares as much as possible. It has nothing to do with my respect for anyone. This

    NDA is just a safety precaution meant to keep those who mean harm in check.

    "Not only are you all my father''s business partners, you''re also his friends. I trust none of you would do

    something to ruin my father''s reputation. This agreement is a mere backup. Otherwise, there wouldn''t

    be a need for contracts in the business world anymore, don''t you agree?"

    Alyssa had already spoken in a gracious and respectful enough manner. There was no reason for the

    directors not to sign the NDA unless they truly were the people who "meant to harm" as Alyssa had put

    it.

    Soon, all agreements were signed.

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    Sean''s brows furrowed before he whispered in Alyssa''s ear, "Ms. Alyssa, Dominic Taylor isn''t here."

    "I know. Don''t worry, we''ll talk about him in a bit," Alyssa said, gaze sullen.

    After collecting all the NDAs, the directors got up and left, no longer having the patience to speak to

    Alyssa any further.

    "Since all of you have signed the agreement, let me remind you..." Alyssa swiveled in her chair, back

    facing the directors as she continued coldly, "...ourpany''s board of directors have policies to follow.

    The most important one is that no directors can do anything that would harm KS Group in any way.

    "The moment a director vites this rule, they will be dismissed from the board and never to rejoin. Am

    I clear?"

    A weight settled in the directors'' hearts upon hearing this. They quickly left the room without another

    word.

    Silence soon filled the room once more.

    Alyssa deted in an instant, hands cupping her face.

    She knew that her father would be alright with Jasper and Neil by his side. She''d give anything to go to

    her father''s side right now.

    But this was the first time something like this had happened¡ªa crisis of this magnitude. This is

    something the Taylors had never experienced before. Alyssa had tried her best topose herself, yet

    she was still anxious.

    "Don''t be scared, Ms. Alyssa," Sean said, crouching by her side as he consoled her. "We''re all here for

    you. Mr. Winston and KS Group will both be okay!"

    Alyssa took a deep breath and removed her hands, revealing her ashen face. "Thank you foring

    all the way, Sean."

    "Nonsense!" Sean''s eyes widened. "I''ll always follow you loyally, no matter what happens!"

    "I know, but I still feel... sorry. Sorry toward you and Taty," Alyssa said, suddenly feeling like crying. "But

    don''t worry. I''ll find someone to fill the role of my secretary soon. You won''t be troubled any longer."

    "But Ms. Alyssa, I want to be your secretary." Sean shook his head, not wanting Alyssa to say things

    like this. "I don''t want power or riches. All I hope for is to be able to help you solve your problems so

    you can rest easy.

    "If you still trust me and don''t find meckingpared to before, then please. employ me as your

    secretary again."

    Alyssa choked with gratitude.

    On their way back to the chairman''s office, Sean asked her, "Ms. Alyssa, isn''t keeping Dominic Taylor

    around a bad idea for thepany? He''s a terrible man who can''t keep his mouth shut. He didn''t sign

    the NDA either. I''m sure he''s going to start plotting something behind our backs!"

    "I know."

 Chapter 1650

    Alyssa marched fast, saying, "I purposely set up this trap for Dominic. All we have to do is for him to

    take the bait."

    Sean was surprised. "What?"

    "You don''t really think that NDA is functional, do you?"

    Alyssa''s gaze was cold as she continued, "There''s always a fly on the wall. Even if Winston doesn''t go

    to the hospital after this incident, news of it is still bound to spread. Dominic will naturally jump on this

    opportunity to strike now that he''s seen it himself.

    "If we want to get rid of him, we need to wait for him to take the first move. I can''t retaliate if he doesn''t

    strike first."

    Sean immediately understood Alyssa''s intentions. He gave her a thumbs up. "Woah. You''re really

    cunning, Ms. Alyssa. Oh, wait. I meant¡ªyou''re a genius!"

    Alyssa arrived at her father''s side just as the medics left. Winston''s condition had already stabilized.

    His mental state, however, was in shambles.

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    "Have you told my family?" Alyssa''s eyes were wet with tears as she stood in front of Jasper.

    Jasper gently shook his head and pulled her into his arms, heart aching. "Even though they have to be

    notified of this sooner orter... I still think we should keep it quiet for now. Winston needs some rest.

    He''s not in a good state right now."

    Alyssa rested her forehead on Jasper''s shoulder, fists trembling by her sides.

    She was Winston''s most loved daughter, and she was the one who knew her father best. Of course

    she knew just how much pain her father was going through.

    "Have you dealt with the directors? If you need help, don''t hesitate to ask me. Don''t take up all the

    pressure yourself," Jasper said earnestly.

    "It has all been dealt with." Alyssa leaned weakly against him, sniffling.

    "You''re such an amazing woman, baby," Jasper said, kissing Alyssa''s cheek as his heart pounded in

    his chest.

    Yes, Jasper had to admit it. Alyssa was the only woman for him now. She was basically his wife at this

    point.

    What is. going on with my father''s body?" Alyssa asked worriedly as she rubbed her eyes.

    "The medics came by just now, but they couldn''t do much else besides stabilizing Winston''s condition.

    We''ll need to get your father checked at the hospital, but... I''m afraid he doesn''t want to go."

    Alyssa grew frustrated. "Why is he still so proud? Is his pride more important than his life?"

    Jasper sped her trembling hand and said, "Honestly, given how your father has lived such a proud,

    respectable life for so long, you might be right."

    Death before dishonor!

    "We can''t have Juliene and help us now after what happened with Aidanst time," Alyssa sighed.

    "I could step in if Winston lost a limb, but I''m really not adept at neurology."

    "It''s all my fault." Guilt filled Jasper''s chest. "It must be because of that drug''s side effects. I didn''t think

    this through. I shouldn''t have let Winston try it!"

    "This is not your fault, Jasper. Don''t me yourself." Alyssa caressed his face before going over to her

    father''s side.

    Winston was lying on the couch right now covered in a nket, back toward them. He wasn''t moving in

    the slightest bit.

    Alyssa wanted to cry so badly.

    To her, her father''s back had always been a firm, indomitable figure of safety that would shield her from

    the harshest obstacles, providing her with all the support she needed.

    Yet right now, Alyssa felt like her father had grown old.

    He was silently curled into a ball like a sad old man.

    "Winston. Hey, Winston."

 Chapter 1651

    Alyssa crouched down by the couch and gently nudged Winston. She said in the softest tone she could

    muster, "What''s wrong? Feeling shy? Oh, Winston. It''s no big deal. Who in their right mind would be so

    obsessed over something like this? That''d be a terrible testament to their character.

    "Plus, our family owns KS Group. If I were to take a dump out by the entrance, the directors and staff

    would have no choice but to stay silent about it!"

    Both Jasper and Neil were at a loss for words.

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    They knew Alyssa was trying to console Winston, but there were better ways to console someone¡ª

    better analogies to be used.

    Winston remained silent with his back toward Alyssa.

    "You''ve been through so many ups and downs in life, Winston. You''re not going to let this little hurdle

    drag you down, are you?" Alyssa was getting more anxious now. "Hey, Winston! Can you pull yourself

    together? You still have so many wives and kids to look after. What do we do if you don''t toughen up?"

    "Lyse," Winston finally said. His voice was so hoarse Alyssa could barely make out what was being

    said. "I must be such a disappointment to you, huh?"

    Alyssa''s heart pained. "What are you talking about, Dad? Of course you''re not!"

    "Even I hate myself so much... I''m sure all of you must find me a handful to deal with." Winston curled

    up into a tighter ball. "Do you know what was going through my mind just now, Lyse?

    "I was feeling so d that your mother had passed on early. If she''d seen me in such a state, she''d be

    so disappointed and disgusted."

    Winston was very much aware that Jasper was present here. The fact that he was revealing his most

    vulnerable self to Jasper meant that he no longer saw thetter as an outsider.

    "Dad." Alyssa croaked out, lips trembling.

    Jasper.

    "Yes." Jasper took a step forward, standing side by side with Alyssa.

    "I despised you once; yelled at you, struck you. and even continuously tried to separate you and Lyse. I

    know I was wrong for doing all that, so now. I sincerely hope you''ll forgive me. I''m sorry, Jasper,"

    Winston said.

    Jasper was shocked to the core. He stammered, "N-No, sir. Please don''t think that way! I''ve never

    med you for what you did or thought you were in the wrong. You really don''t need to apologize to

    me!"

    "Please... Take care of my sweetest, darling daughter from now on," Winston said quietly. "I trust in

    your love for her as well as you being a respectable man. Please also manage your family business

    well. You have to be as rich as I am one day so my daughter doesn''t live in poverty with you. I

    have nothing more to say beyond that."

    Neil couldn''t believe what he was hearing. He was barely containing the joy he felt.

    Jasper''s heart pounded in his chest as he gazed lovingly at Alyssa. "Rest assured, I''ll continue working

    hard and give Alyssa all the best in the world."

    But Alyssa had already gotten all that she wanted. To her, Jasper''s love was the best thing in the world.

    Just then, her phone rang. She answered the call when she saw that it was from Jonah. "Jonah!"

    "Mr. Benton just updated me about what happened to Dad, Lyse." Jonah''s voice was sullen but still

    comforting. "Bring Dad to Taylor General Hospital right away. Julien is here with me right now. He''ll

    check up on Dad."

    "Julien is back?" Alyssa eximed with joy.

    "Mhm." Jonah took a deep breath before saying tenderly, "I don''t n to let him go now that he''s back."

 Chapter 1652

    "Hahaha! Hurry up and take out our best wine, my dear! I''m going to enjoy myself tonight!" Dominic

    chuckled, feeling immensely pleased after what happened with Winston today. The loud noise he made

    shocked the cockatiel resting nearby.

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    "Why won''t he just go to hell? Why won''t he just go to hell?" The cockatiel squawked, sounding exactly

    like Dominic.

    "Haha! Did you cast a spell or something, birdie? Winston is actually going to die soon, hahaha!"

    Dominic chuckled, ying with the cockatiel.

    "Why are you yelling, Dad? You woke me up from my nap," Renee said, yawning as she descended

    the stairs. She askedzily, "What happened to get you so excited?"

    Dominic lounged on the couch and grinned. "Winston fell sick in front of everyone during the board

    meeting today!"

    "Really?" Renee eximed in joy.

    Renee had grown up hearing Dominic''s incessantints about Winston. Hence to her, Winston''s

    family was their number one enemy.

    Dominic would often boast about his capabilities to Renee. He would say how Winston was jealous of

    his strength and used his status as the family''s heir to oppress Dominic, relegating Dominic to merely

    being involved in management and nothing more.

    So Renee was sessfully brainwashed to hate Winston. In fact, she also hated Alyssa from a young

    age.

    "Not only that, but Winston even pissed himself in front of everyone! Hahaha!"

    "Oh, my gosh! That''s disgusting!" Renee wrinkled her nose but couldn''t help but chuckle.

    Dominic then embraced Renee and kissed her on the cheek. "You have no idea how delighted I felt at

    the time. I was finally able to vent all the past decades'' worth of anger!

    "I bet Winston never expected to find himself in such a dire state in his entire life! He can''t even control

    his dder. How could he manage KS Group? He should give up his position already!"

    Hatred glinted in Dominic''s eyes. "No. I don''t just want him to step off as chairman. I want the world to

    know how humiliated Winston is! Even if he doesn''t die, I want him to lose all social dignity and have

    his reputation ruined. I want him to never be able to make aeback!"

    Dominic''s harsh words made even Renee shiver in fear.

    "Your uncle has always been arrogant and domineering in getting what he wanted, whether it was

    women or other things. He has no one else but himself to me for his circumstances today!"

    Renee was stunned. "Women, Dad?"

    Dominic ground his teeth in silence. The "woman" he meant in particr was none other than

    Winston''s first wife, Alyssa''s mother¡ªJennifer Whitaker.

    Jennifer was the most beautiful and graceful woman Dominic had ever met in his life. One look from

    her was enough to seduce his heart.

    Yet even though Dominic was her savior, she ended up choosing Winston over him.

    Dominic and Winston were both children from the Taylor family. Why did he have to live in Winston''s

    shadow and not even have the right to fight for the woman of his dreams?

    That was why Dominic hated Winston so incredibly much.

    "What do you n to do next, Dad?" Renee asked curiously.

    "Hmph. Do Winston''s family think I don''t have any tricks up my sleeves now that they''ve gotten the

    situation under control? They think too little of me."

 Chapter 1653

    Dominic sped his daughter''s hand, looking excited. "Just you wait, sweetie. Our lives are soon going

    to change for the better."

    "Dad, can you find a way to snatch Jasper Beckett from Alyssa for me once you get rid of Uncle

    Winston and take over KS Group?" Renee asked hopefully, holding onto her father''s arm.

    "Jasper Beckett? Not in the slightest chance!" Dominic flung Renee''s hand away. He felt so angry when

    he thought about how Jasper had humiliated him twice and even smashed his phone.

    "Why not? Weren''t you so supportive of me getting together with him before?" Renee pouted. "Wouldn''t

    you be proud to be the father-inw of Beckett Group''s CEO? Heck, it''d be the greatest thing in the

    world for you."

    "You can marry whichever rich heir you want amongst Belbanks'' elite families, just not Jasper Beckett!"

    Dominic rose to his feet in a fit of rage. "We can set your rtionship matters on the back burner for

    now.

    "Once I put an end to Winston and take over thepany, I''ll naturally find a suitable match for you.

    Don''t worry. Your future husband will definitely be just as powerful as Jasper Beckett is. I won''t let you

    lose to Alyssa in any way!"

    There was always a fly on the wall, just as Alyssa predicted.

    Jameson had quickly gotten word of Winston''s admittance into the hospital from the spies he installed

    around Belbanks and the Taylor family.

    "This is too much of a coincidence, Mr. Jameson," Carl said as he watched Jameson y chess. He

    continued, "Jasper Beckett has only just gotten the medicine from Mr. Justin.

    "Winston Taylor should be recovering after consuming it, even if such recovery would only be

    temporary. Why did his sickness worsen and make him end up in the hospital? What is going on?"

    Jameson picked up a ck chess piece, ready to knock an opposing white one off the table. "Drugs

    and medicine are inherently toxic in some way, even more so for drugs which take effect quickly like

    this one.

    "Winston Taylor is an old man. If he consumes the medication without thinking about the potential side

    effects, he''d basically be sentencing himself to death.

    "I gave Winston the medicinest time to save his life. If I do it again, it might take his life instead."

    Carl''s eyes widened. "Do... Do you mean that Mr. Justin never nned to help Winston Taylor in the

    first ce, but to."

    "Jasper was the one who asked for the medicine. Mr. Justin naturally gave it to him and even secured

    himself a favor from Jasper. Not only that, but it even caused the Taylor family turmoil. Why would Mr.

    Justin turn away from such an opportunity?" Jameson said, though his expression was unpleasant.

    Jameson had been very concerned with how Justin viewed Alyssa.

    "Oh. How... wise of Mr. Justin," Carl said, stopping himself from saying the word "wicked" instead.

    "Neither the Taylor family nor the Becketts have what it takes to oppose Mr. Justin. He has control over

    both family''s situations."

    Jameson knocked away another white chess piece before sighing. "I support Mr. Justin in this game he

    ys no matter what. I don''t care who he wants dead, be it Winston or Jonah Taylor. all save Lyse. As

    long as Mr. Justin doesn''t harm Lyse, I''ll be okay with whatever he chooses to do."Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    Carl thought about things for a moment before he said, "Then do you want to inform Mr. Victor of what

    happened to Winston Taylor, sir?"

    "Have you released the bait like I told you?" Jameson asked, eyes narrowing.

    "As you instructed, sir."

    "Alright. Update Victor, then. He''s bound to find out even if we don''t tell him ourselves," Jameson said.

    He sneered and continued, "I can''t wait to see that weak old man struggle in futility."

    Carl sneered. "Struggle? You think too highly of him, sir. I''d say Winston Taylor is breathing hisst

    breath."

 Chapter 1654

    As night fell, Jameson went to Schmidt Residence to have dinner with Victor. The once lively dinner

    table was now silent, with only Victor and Jameson sitting by it.

    Jameson told Victor what happened in the Taylor family while eating.

    Victor chuckled out loud. "I was wondering why that old fox Winston hasn''t been making an

    appearance recently. So he''s in the ICU? I still remember how he used to boast about his good health.

    Health my ass! I bet he''s worn himself out with all those wives of his!"

    Jameson silently drank his water.

    Victor raised his ss to Jameson. "Now that Winston Taylor has fallen, his family andpany must

    have descended into chaos. They''re only acting like everything''s fine on the surface. If something

    happens to Jonah Taylor, then KS Group really will have no one to lead them now. We''ll have a chance

    to get our revenge against them!"

    Just then, someone called out, "This is our time, Dad!"

    Josh strode into the dining room, lips twitching from excitement even as he tried his best topose

    himself. It had been a long time since he''d shown himself.

    "What are you doing here, Josh?" Victor said impatiently, having long lost his confidence in Josh

    already. "I told you to never meddle in our family''s business ever again.

    "All we need is Jameson. By the way, have you finished clearing things up? Didn''t I order you to take

    over our branch in Fandos? When do you n to go?"

    Everything Victor said was basically asking Josh to stay out of his sight.

    Josh angrily red at Jameson''s calm expression. There was no way he was going to Fandos. He

    was going to stay here and make aeback!

    "If I heard correctly, you want something to happen to Jonah Taylor, right, Dad?" Josh asked with a

    cunning smile. "I have a way to remove him from his post as CEO¡ªfast."

    "You?" Victor scoffed.

    "I know one of his secrets. The kind that will shock the entire nation and ruin his reputation for good!"

    Josh eximed.

    Jameson took another sip of his water. He wasn''t thirsty. He was only drinking the water because he

    needed to hide the smile pulling at his lips.

    "How confident of you." Victor wiped his mouth and tossed the napkin on the table. "Tell us this secret

    then. You can start joining us for dinner here if it''s really as shocking as you say it is."

    "If this secret is useful, I don''t just want to sit at this table; I want to be reinstated to my position as CEO

    of thepany!" Josh eximed, shooting Jameson another re.

    "You..." Victor''s brows knitted together.

    "It''s okay, Dad," Jameson said humbly. "This post always belonged to Josh anyway. It''s reasonable for

    him to be unhappy that I''m in it. But I don''t mind. We''re family, after all.

    "If Josh really has a way to get rid of Jonah, then let him continue being thepany''s CEO. I''m happy

    enough being part of the board and the management department."

    Victor felt all the more appreciative of Jameson after hearing all this. At the same time, his impression

    of Josh worsened.

    Josh went over to his father''s side and said excitedly, "Jonah Taylor is gay!"

    Victor was stunned. He looked at Josh in shock. "What did you say?"

    "It''s true, Dad! I have concrete evidence!" Josh''s eyes were glowing. "Not only do I know that Jonah

    Taylor is gay, I even know who his lover is! Jonah will be ruined once I leak this news to the public! He''ll

    never, ever recover from it!"

    "W-Who is his lover?" Victor asked curiously.

    "Someone you''d never expect." Josh cocked an eyebrow. "If we reveal Jonah Taylor''s sexuality, not

    only will it spell his end, it will also wreak havoc in both Sna City and Belbanks'' business world!

    "Imagine how pissed off Winston Taylor would be if he found out his eldest son was a depraved

    homosexual. Don''t you think he might die right then and there, especially now that he''s sick?"

    Victor couldn''t help but chuckle. He knew Winston too well. Of course, this news would be his killing

    blow.

    "Show me the photos first!" Victor said.

    "Leave it to me, Dad. I''ll show you all the pictures you want once this is over," Josh said. He didn''t dare

    take out the photos for fear Jameson might get any ideas.

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    Josh was prepared to im this victory solely for himself.

    "Since you''ve already readied your strategy, let me wish you the best of luck, Josh," Jameson said as

    he raised his wine ss, a kind, harmless smile on his face.

 Chapter 1655

    Winston was immediately hospitalized at the VIP ward of a Belbanks hospital owned by the Taylors.

    When Alyssa and Jasper sent Winston to the hospital, Jonah and Julien had been waiting for them.

    After a few days of separation, Alyssa noticed that Julien had lost weight and looked pallid. It was as

    though he had recently recovered from a serious illness.

    Without wasting time, the hospital staff wheeled Winston into the treatment room, and Julien followed

    suit. Before entering the room, he turned to cast onest nce at Jonah, mouthing, "Don''t worry. I got

    you."

    Everyone''s heart sank when the doors mmed shut. Jonah stared squarely at the room with bated

    breath and heartache. Winston''s ailment and Julien''s health weighed heavily on him.

    That morning, Julien hadined about a dull pain in the wounds on his back. Jonah had wanted

    him to rest, but upon learning about Winston''s health issue, Julien scrambled up with renewed vigor

    and insisted on traveling to Belbanks.

    On their way to Belbanks, Jonah held the steering wheel with one hand as Julien yed with his free

    hand, squeezing and rubbing it with much love.

    Jonah recalled how he tried to talk Julien out of the trip. "You''ve only begun to recover. You''ll only

    overexert yourself by taking on the stressful work."

    Julien retorted, "I''m a man; I''m not as fragile as you thought. Don''t worry."

    Funnily enough, Julien always emphasized the fact that he was a man, as though Jonah might confuse

    him as ady due to his lovely features. Perhaps part of Julien worried that he''d be abandoned again

    likest time, which was unbearable for him.

    "I know you''re a man." Staring forward, Jonah said in a hoarse voice, "I know what I''m doing. I have

    never been more aware than the night we''d spent together."

    Julien swooned at Jonah''s perfect side profile without bothering to conceal his passion. In the next

    moment, he reached out to kiss Jonah on the cheek.

    Jonah''s eyes filled with passion as he curled his fingers in Julien''s grasp.

    Julien promised, "I''ll take charge of Dad''s illness. Don''t ever try to hire another doctor. I''m the only

    doctor you need." Then, he lifted his chin smugly.

    This time, Julien openly referred to Winston as "Dad" without any hesitation or embarrassment. Jonah

    might appear calm and unruffled, but he quietly gulped and felt touched upon hearing that.

    "Jonah, how did you manage to get the Lovces to release Julien after that huge fallout?" Alyssa''s

    curiosity was piqued as she inquired.

    Jonah''s heart pounded. He grappled with guilt and bitterness.

    On that eventful night, he stood at the entrance of Lovce Residence for a long time. He ultimately

    left, unaware that Julien had been punished ording to his family''s rules. Little did he know that

    Julien, grounded in his room, was silently watching him from the balcony.

    After examining Julien''s injuries, Evan revealed to Jonah that Julien not only suffered wounds from

    beating, but he also suffered multiple abrasions and scrapes on the skin, looking like a soldier who had

    survived a battlefield.

    Jonah couldn''t fathom the courage it took for Julien to escape the Lovces, all to be with him.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    "If only I had waited longer..." Jonah murmured.

    "What was that, Jonah?" Alyssa queried, struggling to catch his words.

    "Lyse, I have a question for you." Jonah turned to face her, hisplexion pale and his eyes filled with

    glumness. "What if one day you discovered that I''ve done something uneptable and unimaginable?

    What if you realized I''m not the perfect brother you thought I was, but rather a man who doesn''t

    conform to conventional morals?"

 Chapter 1656

    Jonah tentatively asked, "Lyse, would you harbor resentment toward me if I ever lied to you?"

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in astonishment. "Resentment" was a weighty term to introduce into their

    conversation. She hadn''t anticipated such a question from Jonah.

    "Jonah, did something happen? Why that sudden question?" She grabbed his muscr arm and

    swung it gently. "Just tell me what''s on your mind. Don''t give me a scare, okay?"

    Jonah stared at the ground with a dispirited look on his face.

    "Jonah, no matter what you did, I''ll always see you as my brother. I won''t hate you." Alyssa choked up

    with emotions, perhaps from thepounding stress of Winston''s situation and Jonah''s moody

    remark. "Whatever happens, just know that you''re the best. You''re irreceable!"

    "You silly goose." Smiling wryly, he stroked her head softly as Jasper watched on.

    In the past, Jasper would have turned green in envy at the sight. However, he was solely concerned

    about Jonah at that moment. For some reason, he felt that Jonah was hesitant and troubled.

    Jonah had always been enigmatic to Jasper. Their shared experience at Shend Ind only

    confirmed Jasper''s guess about Jonah''s well-hidden and shocking past.

    Suddenly, they heard frenzied footsteps closing in.

    "Lyse! Jonah!"

    They looked in the direction of the sounds and appeared surprised. "Mandy? W-Why is everyone

    here?"

    Winston''s three wives showed up at the hospital. Ss, Cyrus, and Tatiana had taken leave to join

    them. Even Liam, who was stationed far away in Leichtown, turned up. The entire family had

    assembled.

    Alyssa and Jonah shot up from their seats and exchanged astonished looks, feeling confused as they

    had not revealed anything to the other family members.

    Jasper pressed his lips and stepped back to offer some privacy for the Taylors who had gathered at the

    hospital, including Liam. Thankfully, Landon wasn''t around, for he would have teased him about being

    a husband who was beneath his inws, making him feel like the bottom banana in the bunch.

    "Lyse, what happened to Dad? How did his condition worsen?" Ss'' voice was filled with worry, his

    breath heavy. "How did he wet himself in public?"

    Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

    "Ss, how did you know about that?" Alyssa was taken aback. Jasper''s chest tightened. A glint of

    suspicion flickered in his eyes as he instinctively thought of Dominic.

    "Hah! Can you believe it? As Winston Taylor''s son, I had to find out about this from the inte!

    Alyssa was stumped. "What? The inte?"

    "Jonah, I know you refuse to worry us, but you should have known better." Ss, doting on Alyssa too

    much tosh out at her, treated Jonah as his punching bag instead. It''s unfair to keep Dad''s health

    updates from the family. Do you not want us to worry, or do you have doubts about our ability to help?"

    Jonah furrowed his brows, bitterness creeping in.

    "Ss, you shouldn''t say that to Jonah. That''s uncalled for!" Liam, knowing that Ss was hot-

    tempered, hurriedly pulled thetter away.

    "Right, Ss. How could you question Jonah?"

 Chapter 1657

    Cyrus advised Ss, "Jonah has been protecting us forever. He cares for everyone in the family and

    never onceins about the suffering he has been through.

    "He doesn''t owe us anything. All he does is in the family''s best interest. I know you''re worried, but that

    was out of line. How disappointing!"

    Taken aback, Ss realized the harshness of his remark. Gritting his teeth, he turned away.

    Jasper felt uneasy to witness the Taylor siblings'' fallout. Their rtionship was what he had always

    hoped for. Hence, he wished they could remain close and friendly to uphold his ideals.

    "Someone... leaked your dad''s condition at thepany meeting on the inte." Eyes red from

    crying, Mandy said, "The entire nation probably heard about it by now.

    "Even Miley and Jeremy got the update in Kontina. They''ve just boarded a flight back to Belbanks and

    will be here in five hours. They''ll be by Winston''s side in no time."

    Alyssa felt her blood turn cold. She quickly logged into Twitter on her phone. The top trending topic was

    indeed about Winston.

    The video that went viral online showed Winston losing control of himself in a rpse, something that

    he would loathe to let anyone know. Alyssa was furious when she read the disgustingments under

    the video left by despicableizens who insulted and mocked her father.

    At that time, a reassuring hand covered her eyes, shielding her from whatever was disyed on the

    phone screen. Staring up with teary eyes, she met Jasper''s concerned gaze, which proved to be a

    huge source of encouragement.

    He reminded her, "Lyse, don''t take those ridiculous onlinements to heart. They might be written by

    bots purchased by the mastermind, aiming to fluster you and make you lose your footing. You''ll walk

    into their trap if you are emotionally affected." Then, he gently ced an arm around her waist.

    Pouting, she immediately snuggled against his arms.

    Although it was not the right asion to be envious of the couple, the Taylor brothers could not help

    but turn green in envy. In the past, Alyssa would only go to them forfort, but now, Jasper had taken

    their ce, rendering them useless.

    "Lyse, don''t panic." He caressed her back, gentlyforting her. "Public opinion might be

    stressinducing, but as long as we put on a united front, no one can bring us down.

    "Besides, your brothers are all here for you and Winston. He''ll be happy to see this when he''s released

    from the treatment room. That will help with his recovery too."

    She nodded and wiped away her tears with his tie. Jasper smiled dotingly at her, unbothered by her

    actions.

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    Tears welled up in Liam''s eyes as he silently observed the couple''s interaction and reyed Jasper''s

    remark. Suddenly, he gained a newfound fondness for Jasper, whom he had previously hated.

    "Jonah, we need to reach out to the IT Department of KS Group to immediately monitor and remove

    negativements about Dad." Having calmed down, Alyssa had a steeled look in her eyes.

    Alyssa added, "Get the PR Department to host an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures,

    and get the Legal Department to draft a public announcement as well as a legal letter to hold the user

    ountable for leaking the video."

    Jonah reassured her, "Lyse, do not worry. I will take care of these matters."

    Jasper, always thoughtful and a step ahead, informed her, "I''ve sent Xavier to work on the online

    monitoring andment removal."

    Feeling much rxed, Alyssa still carried a heavy heart. The doors of the treatment room flung open at

    that time. Julien emerged in a white coat. He removed his surgical mask to reveal a disheartened

    expression.

 Chapter 1658

    The Taylors were astonished to find Julien at the hospital. Mandy''s eyes widened in surprise as she

    dashed over to him. "Why are you here?"

    "Jonah''s dad is in trouble. I have to show up to help, no matter what it takes, Aunt Mandy." Julien

    grinned, his lovely face covered in sweat.

    Feeling horrible, Mandy stared at her feet. She was the one who chased Julien out of Heightsnew Vi,

    alerted the Lovces about it, and the reason Julien was humiliated in front of the Taylors.

    She hadn''t expected Julien to have dropped everything to help the Taylors when they were in trouble,

    which would put him at risk of getting punished by the Lovces. This showed that he was serious

    about Jonah.

    Nevertheless, if the true love between Julien and Jonah would onlynd them in hot water, she''d rather

    Julien treat Jonah as one of his many flings.

    "Julien, how''s Dad doing?" Alyssa and the rest of her family surrounded Julien, casting worried looks at

    him.

    "Please brace yourself before listening to what I have to say." Julien directed aplicated look at

    Jonah''s face before scanning the others. "Mr. Winston''s condition is not optimistic at all.

    "I suggest keeping him away from work and following me to Mosgravia for follow-up treatments. From

    now on, he needs to focus on rehabilitation. If he takes the medical advice, he''ll stand a better chance

    at recovery."

    "Not optimistic? What''s that supposed to mean?" Alyssa had a sinking feeling in her gut while the other

    family members spiraled into chaos.

    L, Tatiana, and Colene teared up when they heard the medical update.

    "We''ve diagnosed Mr. Winston''s incontinence as a side effect of drugs."

    "But Winston has just taken the drug twice. Even if there were side effects, they couldn''t be this

    serious!" Mandy was badly shaken. Cyrus had to hold her to stop her from copsing.

    After some hesitation, Julien decided to be upfront. "Every patient has a different tolerance to drugs. A

    younger man could have handled the side effects better, but given Mr. Winston''s age, his health does

    not allow him to undergo such extreme treatment.

    "What happenedst time was to save his life. After all, we don''t want him permanently paralyzed or

    brain dead, do we? But this time, things are different.

    "After he is resuscitated, we should perform conventional treatments on him. The results will take time

    to show, but at least he will be making slow and steady progress instead of experiencing the horrible

    side effects like what happened today."

    Jasper hung his head dejectedly. His arms went limp, and his fists tightened. He assumed the me

    because all this wouldn''t have happened if he hadn''t provided Winston with the medicine.

    "Julien, do you mean that Dad would sooner orter..." Alyssa''s voice trailed off. She choked up,

    feeling like she was on pins and needles.

    "This illness, in its advanced phase, will affect the patient''s cognitive functions, leading to a decrease in

    cognitive abilities and IQ. The patient''s dder muscles might work as usual, but the patient will

    experience incontinence due to losing muscle control from cognitive impairment," exined Julien.

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    He stared at the floor to conceal his emotions. "I obtained Mr. Winston''s medical records from Mr.

    Benton to get an overview of his health over the past few years.

    "He''s been suffering from a moderate stroke, which he kept a secret from his family and the public. He

    has been desperately hanging on to his work and refusing to retire early.

    "It would have been easier to treat a minor stroke. Now, all we can do is use the most advanced

    equipment and medication to alleviate his symptoms and slow down the disease''s progression."

    Alyssa never once moved her eyes from Julien''s lips. Overwhelmed by sadness, she wept, knowing

    that Winston would never recover.

    The upsetting news struck the Taylor family like thunder. Would this spell the end for the Belbanks

    tycoon and the King of KS Group?

    Jasper received a call from Landon at that time. He quickly answered the call with his back turned

    toward the others. "Landon."

    "Jasper, I saw the news. Mr. Winston''s illness is the talk of the town. It sounds serious." Landon''s voice

    was filled with concern. "Bro, tell me immediately if you need help. You and Lyse are more than friends

    to me; you''re family. I will try my best to help you no matter what happens."

    "Thank you, Landon." Jasper, in a bitter and hoarse tone, replied, "If you have the time, please look for

    experts in treating stroke in Cyrris and abroad. I''d like to help Mr. Winston and Lyse to the best of my

    ability."

    "Your problem is of utmost importance to me. I''ll utilize all resources in the Harper Group to get you the

    medical expert."

 Chapter 1659

    Jasper''snguid tone pained Landon. "Jasper, stop sounding so defeated. Chin up, won''t you?

    Sometimes, when I struggle to face the boomers in top leadership as thepany president, I mimic

    what you do.

    "You''re my role model, and you need to act like one. Who else am I going to learn from?"

    To Landon, who lost his father young, Jasper was more than a true friend; he was also an older brother

    who contributed significantly to Landon''s growth.

    Jasper managed a smile, his frosty expression softening. Still, Landon''s remark failed to lighten up his

    mood.

    Right after Jasper ended the call, everyone else''s phones buzzed with notifications in unison.

    Sean, who had been out dealing with work matters on Alyssa and Jonah''s behalf, hurried back

    frantically. "Mr. Jonah, I have bad news!"

    As the words rolled off his tongue, he turned white and froze on the spot upon noticing the other family

    members present.

    Alyssa, Jasper, and the others had checked the push notifications on their respective phones. The title

    read, "Shocker! KS Group President Caught in Gay Love Affair: Shocking Photo Proof Inside!"

    The next title read, "KS Group President Spotted in Late-Night Rendezvous with Lover!"

    Another news article wrote, "Confirmed Gay: Scandalous Snaps Exposed! KS Group President''s

    Steamy Photos Leaked!"

    Alyssa''s mind went nk as a shiver ran down her spine. Blood frozen, she tapped into the article with

    trembling fingers. Photos of Jonah and Julien kissing and hugging in the car were released.

    Such snaps wouldn''t have caused a stir if it happened between a man and woman. Unfortunately, it

    was a romance between two men, which became a shocking crisis.

    The article was written in the most sensational and racy way to provoke the imagination of the readers.

    Jasper, Ss, Cyrus, and the other family members fell into a heavy silence when they read the news.

    Even Julien, the subject of the scandal, had no words. His already pale face turned a whiter shade, as

    his ears rang from the shock. Only Jonah stood still like a mountain with a calm and determined look in

    his eyes.

    Julien, struggling to breathe, peered at his love through tears. He mouthed at Jonah, "Sorry."

    He thought, "Jonah, I''m sorry..."

    Steeped in guilt, he regretted letting his emotions get the better of him, prompting him to look for Jonah

    on that fateful night. He regretted confessing his love for Jonah.

    Just as he was grappling with all the emotions, Mandy stormed up to him, snapping, "Are you happy

    now?"

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    She fixed a prating, resentful gaze on Julien''s face. "You''ve finally gotten what you wanted. You''ve

    ruined your lover because of your selfishness. What a noble and touching love. Are you happy and

    satisfied now?"

    "Aunt Mandy, I..." Julien''s gaze lost its spark as he grappled for a response. Mandy lifted her hand to

    p him in the face.

    The resounding p echoed in the corridor, but itnded on Jonah''s cheek, not Julien''s.

 Chapter 1660

    Utterly stunned, Mandy''s hand halted mid-air, the sting of impact pulsing through her palm. She had

    landed a hard p on Jonah''s face instead.

    Julien gazed at Jonah, who had unhesitatingly shielded him, his heart pounding so hard that it was

    about to explode. "Jonah, I..."

    "Aunt Mandy, please do not hit Julien. He''s not to be med. It''s all my fault."

    A deathly silence descended on the corridor after Jonah addressed Mandy. His calmness in the face of

    unyielding pressure felt the more pitiful. "Julien has suffered through beatings for me and the Taylor

    family. I do not ever want to put him through anything like that. I will protect him to the best of my

    ability."

    Jonah''s deration caught everyone by surprise. Meanwhile, Julien''s head hung low. Though Jonah''s

    gesture touched him, he found himself weighed down by guilt and self-me.

    Since childhood, Edgar and Mandy had instilled in him the belief that he was the hope of the Lovce

    family, thus impressing upon him the expectation to be a responsible and independent man.

    Contrary to expectations, Julien had be a troublemaker, incapable of bringing any value to the

    family. Hemented, feeling like he didn''t deserve to be called a man.

    "Jonah, you said Julien was beaten. What does that mean?" Alyssa''s chest tightened.

    "Julien has been in a bad ce ever since he left the Lovce family," Jonah recalled the frightening

    red marks on Julien''s fairplexion. He clenched his fist to suppress his anger. "When Julien heard

    about Dad''s rpse, he rushed over to treat Dad despite suffering from injuries."

    Mandy grew nervous. "Did the Lovces. punish him by the family rule?"

    "Jonah, stop it." Julien tugged at Jonah''s sleeve and shook his head defeatedly. He said in a barely

    audible voice, "Just drop it. It''s all in the past. You don''t have to exin on my behalf."

    From the sounds of it, Julien had suffered beatings from the Lovce family. Feeling cold from head to

    toe, Mandy stumbled backward. As an ex-Lovce who left the family, she was privy to their scary and

    inhumane family rules applied to punish dissenters.

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    Now that Jonah and Julien''s rtionship had been exposed, Mandy genuinely worried that the

    Lovces would beat Julien to death.

    Without warning, the doors to the treatment room flung open. Winston was wheeled out by Neil, still

    looking feeble from the severe rpse. Still, he sat upright, refusing to reveal his vulnerability in front of

    his children.

    "Dad!" Winston''s children appeared worried and scared. Judging from the timing of Winston''s

    appearance, he must have learned about Jonah and Julien.

    They feared that Winston would release his wrath and disappointment on Jonah. Besides, they worried

    that the devastating news would deal another blow to his fragile health.

    "Dad." Feeling nervous, Jonah instinctively grabbed Julien by the arm and pulled him to the back, a

    move that shocked Alyssa.

    Jonah''s behavior was no different than Jasper''s protective stance. He loved Julien the same way

    Jasper loved her.

    There was nothing wrong with being gay. It did not affect anyone''s life in any way.

    So what if the rtionship subjected the Taylor family to mockery and condemnation? All that mattered

    was the family remained a safe haven for Jonah and Julien when the world turned against the couple.

    Julien stood frozen behind Jonah, too afraid to look straight at Winston. He looked oddly diminished

    and small despite being tall, good-looking, and aplished. Overwhelmed with shame, he wanted to

    dig a hole and hide in it.

 Chapter 1661

    With a meaningful look, Winston shifted his gaze from Jonah to Julien.

    Momentster, he rasped, "Jonah, let''s have a private chat."

    Winston and Jonah were alone in the room. Winston stared out the window with his back to Jonah

    without saying a word.

    Jonah had expected a barrage of questioning and scolding, but they did note. The silence,

    however, proved more agonizing than direct confrontation.

    "Dad, everything you''ve read and seen is true. I''m sorry," Jonah broke the silence and apologized

    profusely to Winston. "I''m deeply sorry for all the time and energy you invested in me, only to end up

    being a disappointment. This is entirely my fault. I only ask one thing¡ªplease don''t make things difficult

    for Julien."

    Winston remained silent. Seeing that, Jonah slowly straightened up and suggested, "I know my

    scandal hasnded KS Group in a crisis. I will turn in my resignation tomorrow and kickstart the

    handover transition. I will also step down from the board of directors."

    Hearing that, Winston finally reacted. He shot up from the wheelchair and had to grab the window sill to

    steady himself from the sudden movement.

    "Dad, watch out!" Jonah wanted to offer help when Winston spun around to re at him.

    Winston questioned, "Are you throwing the towel in over a mere scandal?"

    Jonah looked taken aback.

    "Many CEOs of major corporations abroad havee out of the closet, and they''re doing just fine. The

    society here might be slightly conservative, but ultimately, this scandal is a personal matter that does

    not concern or hurt the public." Winston mmed his hand on the wall, looking aggrieved.

    He added, "The tabloids made many headlines out of my decision to take four wives, and they were

    harsh to me. But look at me. That didn''t stop my decades-long tenure as thepany chairman for a

    few decades. In the end, those who gossiped about me had to show me respect and take my orders."

    Jonah was dumbfounded. Gaping at Winston, he stammered, "Dad, I¡ª"

    "How could my son be so spineless? You''re not resilient enough. You''re not even half as strong-willed

    as Lyse!" Winston shook his head furiously and started musing, "That''s very odd. Who did you take

    after? Certainly not after me or your mom."

    "Dad, I''m different from you." Jonah felt touched as he didn''t expect Winston''s support, but Winston''s

    response only added to his guilt.

    "How are we different? Exin!" Furious, Winston marched up to Jonah despite his sickly body. "Are

    you inferior to me or anyone else? No. In fact, you''re on par with Jasper Beckett.

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    "Love isn''t a crime, nor is having a different sexual orientation. Those who ridicule and curse you are

    narrow-minded fools. Pay no heed to them, and remember just one thing¡ª" Winston''s voice choked

    with emotions. He rested a hand on Jonah''s shoulder as he remarked, "No matter what happens, you

    are... my finest son."

    Jonah''s eyes widened. Each word from Winston filled him with warmth, reigniting his spirit.

    Winston, who had never disyed vulnerability, not even during Jennifer''s passing, unexpectedly

    teared up in Jonah''s presence.

    "Don''t lose sleep over it. Mandy, Lyse, Ss, Jasper, and I will take care of any trouble thates our

    way. Isn''t Jasper eager to marry Lyse? Consider this a test for him. I''ll make sure he understands that

    being my son-inw isn''t a walk in the park," Winston scoffed, devising yet another n.

    "Dad, thank you." Jonah had no more words except to thank his father.

    Winston''s heart ached when he recalled the cruel and vulgar insults directed at Jonah online. He

    opened his arms and hugged Jonah. "There''s no need to thank me. We''re father and son."

    Winston knew that the public reveled in gossip and making a joke out of the Taylors. They might think

    Jonah Taylor was a blemish on the family andpany legacy, but they couldn''t be more mistaken.

    As affluent and respected as Winston was, he was, above all, a father.

 Chapter 1662

    Setting aside Winston''s titles, he was first and foremost a father. He had promised Jennifer to protect

    their children as long as he was alive.

    Following the expose, Jonah and Julien''s rtionship created a huge stir online. One could only

    imagine the level of insults hurled at them by the public and KS Group''s business rivals, who wished for

    thepany''s downfall.

    Someone wrote, "What the fuck? That''s revolting. Don''t homosexuals lead a promiscuous life and are

    prone to getting AIDS?"

    "How obscene! That''s against thew of nature."

    "The homosexual circle sounds pretty messed up. They could sleep with anyone. True love doesn''t

    exist for them."

    "Jonah Taylor''s image is irreparably ruined. He was once the perfect president of KS Group, but he''s

    done for now!"

    "I''m more shocked by his lover. It''s Julien Lovce of the Lovce Group! OMG! The rich certainly

    chase after thrills."

    "What a waste of two hotties!"

    The Taylor family was in disarray after the scandal. L, Colene, Tatiana, and Cyrus joined Mandy in

    the adjacent room to offerfort. Mandy was understandably upset because the scandal involved the

    Lovce family as well.

    Besides, she was one of the first few to learn about the rtionship and keep it under wraps. Drowning

    in remorse, she wanted to punch herself in the chest. Julien was her nephew, and Jonah was like a son

    to her. Both were family, and she shared their pain.

    Standing alone at the end of the corridor, Jasper answered a call from Xavier.

    Xavier reported, "Mr. Beckett, we''ve tracked down the user who spread the photos of Mr. Jonah and Dr.

    Lovce. He''s in our hands now. That man is an infamous tabloid reporter who''d do anything for

    money.

    "He imed that he''d received the photo and tip-off from an anonymous sender and received the

    transfer via bank ount. He had not once met with the culprit, iming that he was just taking

    orders."

    "Get rid of this reporter. Teach him a really good lesson," Jasper hissed, his eyes looking frosty.

    "Roger that! You have nothing to worry about. I''ll make sure to make it hellish for him." Xavier seemed

    equally enraged.

    "Obtain any piece of information about the culprit from the reporter, no matter how small. I''ll personally

    look into it." Jasper, a graduate of a military school, had taken lessons on cybersecurity and knew a

    thing or two about hacking. It was time to refresh his knowledge.

    Xavier blurted out without thinking, "You? Forgive me for my bluntness, but wouldn''t it be faster for

    Madam to perform the hacking?"

    "Are you looking down on me now?" Jasper clenched his jaw.

    Inhaling sharply, Xavier replied, "I''m on it!!"

    Jasper immediately received another call from an unknown number right after talking to Xavier, causing

    him to frown in suspicion. He never answered calls from strangers, not to mention it was weird for

    strangers to learn about his personal number, which only a few knew, unlike his work phone number.

    Still, he picked up. "Who is this?"

    "Is this a hotline? Do I have to spam it to get through?" Axel''s unserious voice rang on the other end.

    Jasper''s eyes lit up with joy. "Axel?"

    "How''s Jonah?" Axel''s voice turned serious and filled with concern.

    "He is having a chat with Winston now. I believe he''s pretty affected by the scandal." Never good at

    words offort, Jasper only offered a frank response.

    After a short pause, Axel questioned, "How''s Winston doing? He didn''t faint or anything, did he?"

    Speechless, Jasper assured him, "No, he didn''t, but we worried that the bad news might take a toll on

    his health."

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    "He should be fine. He''s pretty tough. He didn''t even copse after learning about your three-year

    secret marriage with Lyse, where she suffered a miscarriage. There''s no reason he''d sumb to this

    scandal."

    Jasper pressed against his chest and let out a dull cough as though he was shot. Jasper feared he

    might copse before Winston even did from Axel''s caustic remarks.

 Chapter 1663

    "I''ve looked into Winston''s video that got leaked online," Axel muttered with a hint of menace.

    Jasper lifted a brow in amusement as he pressed his lips unyieldingly.

    He had wanted to quietly resolve the issue for Winston and Jonah without Alyssa knowing, but it

    seemed like Axel had beaten him to it.

    Axel had tirelessly fought him for first ce in ss during military school. They often engaged in

    battles as students, but Jasper never anticipated that thepetition would persist long after

    graduation. It appeared that Axel refused to give him a chance to prove himself.

    Thankfully, Axel wasn''t a female, or they might end up in an enemy-to-lover trope.

    Jasper''s gaze hardened. "Dominic was behind this, right?"

    "Awesome. Mr. Beckett, you seem to solve cases through guessing," mocked Axel with a grin.

    "The angle of the footage clearly proved it was a camera in the meeting room. After I sent Winston to

    the hospital, I immediately made Mr. Benton delete the footage. I believe someone had made a move

    before us by copying the footage." His voice dripped with ice.

    Jasper continued, "Lyse told me after the video leak that she had forced all thepany board

    members to sign an NDA, except for Dominic. She nned to trick him into exposing his true colors,

    but she didn''t expect him to publicize the footage. He''s risking it all."

    "Hah! Dominic is flirting with death." Axel curled his fists and cracked his fingers so loudly that Jasper

    could hear it from the other end. "I managed to track it back to him by locating the IP address from

    which the user posted the video.

    "Looks like it''s time to get rid of our family member. Dominic is about to find out the consequences of

    hurting Winston."

    Jasper frowned. "No, we can''t."

    "Jasper Beckett, how dare you dictate what I can or cannot do? I''m your brother-inw!" Axel raised his

    voice unhappily.

    "Your dad is still sick. Besides, his condition is worse than what you could imagine."

    Axel went silent upon hearing that.

    "He has received a severe blow after the video of his rpse was leaked, followed by Jonah and

    Julien''s scandal. I fear your confrontation with Dominic might be thest straw for him.

    "After some time around Winston, I could tell that he cares deeply for his family. Even after seeing

    Dominic for what he is, he dared not inflict harsh punishment on his little brother for the sake of their

    childhood memories,¡± Jasper patiently exined to Axel.

    He added, "I know you''re seeking revenge; I share the same sentiments. However, Winston''s health is

    our utmost priority at the moment."

    Axel snapped, "Ugh, don''t waste my time. Get to the point!"

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    "Leave Dominic Taylor to Lyse and me. Do not make a move against him." A glint shed across

    Jasper''s eyes. "We know what makes him tick. The best revenge is to make him lose the most

    important thing to him."

    "Haha! Jasper Beckett, you''re a real jerk, aren''t you?"

    Looking exasperated, Jasper suggested, "You could have described me with many other adjectives¡ª

    for example, smart or wise."

    "They mean the same. You get it." Axel''s voice dropped to a sinister tone. "I can leave Dominic to you,

    but I will personally get rid of the culprit who messed with Jonah."

    Jasper grinned. "Sure."

    After ending the call with Axel, Jasper received another notification on his phone. It was a text from

    Landon. Upon tapping it, he was greeted by a shocked face emoji. Landon wrote, "Bro, is the scandal

    true? Is Jonah dating Dr. Lovce?"

    "Don''t waste your time if you''re here to gossip."

    "No, no... I''m quite inexperienced and naive. This is the first time something of this sort happened. I''m

    curious how you''d address Dr. Lovce after you married Lyse. It would be so weird to call him your

    sister-inw!"

 Chapter 1664

    Jasper held back the urge to roll his eyes as he tapped out of the chat.

    Alyssa, seated in another room, repeatedly scrolled through the maliciousments online.

    Heartbroken and tearing up, she nearly crushed the phone screen. Ss and Liam kept herpany,

    not knowing what to do except to exchange looks because they''d nevere across such a situation.

    "Lyse, don''t fret about it. Jonah and Julien aren''t in the entertainment industry. The scandal will die

    down after a while," Ssforted Alyssa.

    He sighed, feeling sorry for Jonah.

    "Sure, the gossip will eventually die down, but Jonah and Julien will be scarred forever." Alyssa closed

    her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself. "Jonah is the president of KS Group. We might own the

    company, but Jonah''s reputation and public image have taken a huge hit.

    "This is what the mastermind wishes to see¡ªto tarnish Jonah''s reputation so that he couldn''t face the

    public.

    "Julien isn''t a public figure, but the Lovce family is difficult. Now that they''ve heard about the

    scandal, I''m afraid Julien can''t go back to them."

    The thought of it upset her to no end. After hanging out with Julien for a while and going through ups

    and downs together, she had already considered him family.

    Upon learning that Julien had suffered beatings by the Lovce family, Alyssa felt an overwhelming

    urge to retaliate on his behalf. She nearly stormed to their residence.

    Just like Jonah, she did not wish to see Julien suffer.

    Liam immediately knelt beside her upon seeing the tears in her eyes. Holding her hand tenderly, he

    peered into her eyes. "Lyse, don''t worry. If the Lovces are ignorant enough to abandon a fine young

    man like Julien, we''ll take him in."

    "Liam..." Alyssa softly called out to him as tears welled up again.

    Liam chuckled. "I always wondered who Jonah would end up with, given how perfect and arrogant he

    was. Now, I realize that Julien is his perfect match."

    Alyssa fell into a daze, recalling how Jonah and Julien always stayed by each other''s side¡ªhow Julian

    had always tried to fulfill all of Jonah''s requests to the best of his ability and the way they lovingly

    looked at each other like they''d found the universe in the others'' eyes.

    There were signs all along.

    "Liam was right. We should celebrate Jonah finding himself a partner." Ss grinned cheerfully after

    shedding the gloom from before. "Hehe! One of the Taylor sons finally started dating. Jonah is a role

    model to us all."

    Liam replied, "Ss, you should follow suit, then. You''re not any younger."

    "Damn it! Look, we were born a few minutes apart. You should look in the mirror. You hang out with

    guys all day, with no women in sight. I''m worried you might end up forever alone."

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    Hearing that, Liam joked in an unbothered fashion, "Whatever. If I can''t find ady, I''ll pick a

    goodlooking man from the guys around me."

    That prompted Alyssa and Ss to re at him. "No. You''d better not!"

    At that moment, they heard a dull knock on the door. Ss answered the door and looked flustered. "J-

    Julien?"

    Alyssa shot up from the couch when she learned that Julien had arrived.

    "Ss, is Lyse in the room?" Julien managed to squeeze a few words from his parched lips. "I... I would

    like a quick chat with her in private."

 Chapter 1665

    Ss and Liam exited the room and closed the door behind them to offer Alyssa and Julien some

    privacy.

    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    "Julien..." Alyssa called out to him softly.

    Suddenly, she found herself at a loss for words. It did not seem like an appropriate time tofort him

    or discuss his rtionship with Jonah.

    After what felt like a long silence, Julien hung his head low as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Lyse, I''m

    sorry."

    Shaking her head furiously, she gentlyforted him, "Julien, this is not your fault. You don''t owe

    anyone an apology. There''s nothing wrong in loving Jonah."

    "It''s my fault." Julien mumbled with his head kept low like a criminal. His confident self was nowhere to

    be seen. "Aunt Mandy was right. I ruined Jonah''s life. Things would have been different if I had listened

    to her.

    "Lyse, I am at fault. I''m being selfish. I would rather be the one to pay the price. I''m willing to sacrifice

    anything as long as Jonah isn''t hurt. I would like everything to go back to how it was, but I think it''s too

    late."

    A wave of pain rolled through her. She had a lump in her throat. Putting aside Jonah''s suffering, Julien

    seemed to be utterly destroyed.

    Julien continued, "Just now, I got in touch with a senior I''m on good terms with. He''s a renowned

    neurologist who pays attention to details and is known for his good character.

    "Please get his help to treat Mr. Winston. He''s as good as I am."

    Alyssa''s eyes wavered in shock. She croaked, "Julien, what about you? What are you going to do?"

    "I''m going home to Mosgravia." He shed her a bitter smile. "I will likely never return after this trip

    back to Mosgravia."

    "That won''t do! How is Jonah going to cope if you leave?" She worriedly grabbed his arm. "You love

    Jonah very much. You should know him well. Do you remember his reaction when the scandal first

    broke?

    "He assumed all the responsibility because he didn''t want you scolded and harassed. He''d risk his

    reputation to protect you."

    He slowly raised his eyes to meet her gaze. An agonizing pain raged within him.

    "Don''t you get it? Jonah has decided to give up on everything just to be with you." She grasped his arm

    so hard that his coat sleeve wrinkled. "What does your rtionship mean if you dump him? What about

    the sacrifices he''d made?

    "You risked being beaten by family and disowned just to return to Jonah''s side. Is this the oue you

    want after all that determination you showed? Are you happy that it hase to this?"

    "Of course I''m not!" Finally, Julien broke down and cried. "But Lyse, what good does it do? Society will

    not ept us. Your dad and your entire family will not approve of us.

    "I''m willing to give everything up for Jonah, but I don''t want him to lose everything for me. He needs to

    be the happiest man in the world, or I''d rather have never met him."

    "There''s only one way to make Jonah happy." She stared at him intensely and said, "And that is you

    staying by his side and never giving up on him."

    Never giving up on Jonah...

    Julien trembled violently at the notion.

    He slowly doubled over and went on his knees limply. He pressed against the cold floor, the veins

    bulging on the back of his hand. "I told Jonah that I couldn''t care less about my title. I am happy with

    just being his secret lover. I don''t care for titles or social status, as long as I get to stay with him."

    "So, I guess things are different now that your rtionship has been exposed." Crouching before him,

    she tilted her head to look him in the face. She smiled. "Well, now that everyone knows about your

    rtionship, you are no longer a secret lover. Shall I call you my. sister-inw? How does that sound?"

    He suddenly looked up with flushed cheeks. "B-But I''m a man!"

    "Of course you are. But I believe you''re the only lover Jonah would ever have. So, you''re the only in-

    law I will get." Hugging him, she patted him on the back. "Oh, dear Julien, just let go of all your

    worries."

    He pressed his lips hard as he battled his overwhelming emotions, but he failed to stop his tears from

    falling.

    "Lyse?" They heard Jasper''s low voice from the other side of the door.

    After consoling Julien, Alyssa rose to answer the door.

    "What''s wrong, Jasper?" She pressed her body against his and held his hand.

    Jasper quickly peered into the room before holding her waist. He whispered, "The Lovces are here.

    Their cars have entered the hospital''s underground parking garage."

 Chapter 1666

    "What?" Enraged, Alyssa snapped impatiently, "Son of a bitch! How dare they challenge me when I''m

    still pissed at them? It''s time to teach them a lesson!"

    "Jonah is with Winston. I haven''t informed them about the Lovces yet." The look in Jasper''s eyes

    hardened. He whispered, "We all know the reason the Lovces are here.

    "Jonah ought to refrain from appearing during this delicate period. The same goes for Winston.

    Otherwise, the Lovces would make a greater fuss about it. God knows what they''d resort to doing."

    "Hah! Try me." Her eyes were filled with rage when she recalled the suffering that the Lovces

    inflicted on Julien. "Julien is a kind young man who got beaten up all because he wanted to treat

    Winston.

    "The Lovces clearly treat Julien as their punching bag! How dare they call themselves his family?

    They have no right to!"

    Jasper nodded knowingly. "Well, this is a conflict between the Taylors and the Lovces. As an

    outsider, it''s not my ce to interfere in this matter.

    "Don''t worry, though. Liam and Ss have headed over to handle the Lovces, and I''ll lend a helping

    hand at the crucial moment to prevent any fight from breaking out. We don''t want them to disturb

    Winston."

    "You''re not an outsider! Y-You..." She almost blurted out her honest thoughts. Biting her lips, she

    grabbed his clean and crisply-ironed sleeve.

    "Hm?" He lowered his gaze. His hot breath tickled her cheek, causing her to blush.

    "You''re the Taylor family''s son-inw. and my husband. You''re not an outsider." Her voice was soft and

    tender. Her face reddened after making the remark, and she shyly fell into his arms.

    His heart raced as he caressed her nape. He said to her in a warm and deep voice, "I will always be

    your husband. I''m your husband forever."

    He''d waited forever to hear her address him as her husband. Any ordinary couple would exchange

    such terms of endearment easily, but he dared not request it from her after how he had traumatized

    her.

    Once again, he thought of the predicament she had been through. She was once his legal spouse but

    lived in loneliness like a widow, pining for his return. She dared not even call him "husband".

    Remorse flooded him. He swallowed hard and teared up.

    At that moment, Julien had collected himself and approached them calmly, "Lyse, Jasper, I''ll meet with

    them."

    "No way!" Looking worried, Alyssa quickly shot down the suggestion. "Your family nearly beat you to

    death thest time. Do you want to flirt with death?"

    "Julien, it''s best if youy low. If anything happens to you, Lyse and I will struggle to exin ourselves

    to Jonah," Jasper pointed out the key issue with a frown.

    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    However, Julien merely shook his head in determination. "I am attracted to men, but that doesn''t mean

    I am not a courageous man myself. I don''t deserve to call Lyse my family if I choose to run from the

    problem. I don''t deserve to be called her inw..."

    Feeling touched, she called out to him, "Julien."

    "Besides, why do I need to shun my family when I haven''t done anything wrong in the first ce?"

    Julien clenched his jaw and fist. "They are the ones who are at fault from the start!"

    A procession of ck luxury cars rolled into the Taylor General Hospital in grandeur.

    "Dad, Julien has gone mad! He''s a lunatic!"

 Chapter 1667

    Aidan followed closely behind Joseph with fury as he ranted and badmouthed Julien. If he could, he

    would crucify Julien. "That''s why we couldn''t find him for days! It turns out he went to Jonah Taylor.

    Jonah Taylor kept him hidden!

    "Just look at him! He led a promiscuous life with the foreigners abroad, but he didn''t change his ways

    aftering home. Not only that, he got involved with Jonah Taylor out of anyone else. It''s a disgrace

    to the family! If Grandpa learned about this¡ª"

    "Shut up!" Joseph''s irritation increased when he heard Aidan''s rants. If only he could seal Aidan''s lips!

    "As the oldest son, you''re outperformed by Julien in medical expertise, and you don''t have talent in

    business either.

    "How could you even fail at making Julien toe the line? That was a simple task. You are a good-for-

    nothing!"

    Anger pulsed through Aidan. He felt unfairly implicated. Meanwhile, Joseph''s eyes were colored by

    rage. "If you had told me about Julien''s ridiculous affairs early on, the scandal wouldn''t have happened.

    "Now, the entire world has heard of the monster our family produced! How can I ever hold my head

    high in public now?"

    "Dad, I wanted to keep Julien in check, but he was at Mosgravia at that time. Besides, you know how

    stubborn and unruly he is. I couldn''t keep him in line even if I wanted to!" Aidan''s expression darkened.

    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    He hissed, "Dad, now that this horrendous scandal has broken, you need to double down on

    disciplining Julien after we get home. He shall not be allowed to get in touch with the Taylors anymore,

    especially with Jonah Taylor. How disgusting it is for two grown men to hug and kiss each other!"

    Joseph shared the same sentiments on the gay couple. For a second, he wanted Julien dead.

    It didn''t take long for the Lovce entourage to run into two towering men who exuded a regal yet

    intimidating air. They had bumped into Ss and Liam.

    Despite showing up with a huge group, including secretaries and bodyguards, the Lovces were

    instantly flustered in the face of Ss and Liam. The two Taylor siblings had won the battle without a

    fight.

    "Liam." Looking stern, Ss quietly elbowed his sibling. "Look at their men. I''m kind of panicked. If

    there''s a fight, you need to protect me because I''m the worst atbat among the four of us."

    Liam shed a faint grin at his sibling. "Don''t worry. I''ll protect you like you''re my woman if we get into a

    fight with them."

    Ss developed goosebumps from the cheesy metaphor. "That was a good metaphor, but maybe don''t

    bring it up ever again."

    "What are you doing now?" Aidan confronted the Taylor brothers, emboldened by their huge group and

    eager to show off in front of Joseph.

    Ss chuckled. "Ah, you brat, you stole my lines. What are the Lovces doing, showing up at our

    hospital with thatrge group of men? You guys seem pretty normal, though. Is there perhaps

    something wrong in your head? Are you here to see the psychiatrist?"

    Joseph''s face crumpled when he heard Ss'' taunt. Aidan angrily pointed a finger at Ss. "Ss

    Taylor, who are you taunting now?"

    "That would be the person who felt offended by my remark," Ss quipped with a lift of the brow. "I''m

    surprised my sarcasm went right over your head. I guess there are some real dimwits in the world after

    all."

    "You¡ª" Aidan nearly went up to fight Ss in a fit of rage, but he worried he might lose to thetter.

    Arguing with Aidan was a piece of cake for Ss, a seasoned prosecutor who had ample practice in

    court.

    "Aidan, that''s enough." Joseph raised a hand to stop the esction. He turned to Ss with a stern

    expression. "I know Julien is with you. Tell him to show himself. I''ll take him home."

    Ss coldly retorted, "If that''s what you''re here for, please leave. Julien will note home with you."

    "Who do you think you are? You''re in no ce to say that to us! Julien is a Lovce; the Taylors have

    no right to decide for him!" Aidan growled.

 Chapter 1668

    "Do you even deserve to call yourself Julien''s family?" With a chilling expression, Liam stepped

    forward, "This is an eye-opening situation on one of my rare trips back home.

    "I''m curious as to what kind of family would physically hurt their child over a personal grudge, even

    going as far as to strip him of his human rights and keep him grounded."

    "Right! You must be an animal to do that!" Ss chimed in indignantly.

    "You know nothing. This is a Lovce family affair. Those who go against our family rule shall be

    punished. It''s something we''ve long agreed on. I bet it must be hard for a non-monogamous and

    disrespectful family like the Taylors to wrap their head around morals." Joseph snickered at Liam and

    Ss.

    In contrast to Aidan''s quick temper, Joseph was calm and calctive as he took a swipe at the Taylors.

    Frowning hard, Liam cracked his fingers. "Say whatever you want, but you shouldn''t dream of getting

    anywhere near Julien with me around, not to mention bringing him with you."

    "Aidan, lead our men upstairs and bring your brother down here." Joseph''s patience wore thin. He

    decided to break his way in.

    Ss was rmed to hear that. Meanwhile, Liam started flexing his muscles underneath his suit. It

    seemed like a full-on war was unavoidable.

    Suddenly, they were interrupted by a jarring honking sound. Four more SUVs sped over and

    surrounded everyone at the scene. After the doors slid open, a group of hooligans dressed in light-

    colored suits with patterned shirts hopped out of the vehicles. Hands in pockets, they gave off arrogant

    airs.

    Aidan immediately sweated in fear. "Dad, they look like... gangsters!"

    "Hah! Is this the way your family settles disagreements? How dare you ambush us with gangsters? Is

    there any rule ofw on thisnd?" Joseph was on the brink of losing it.

    He realized that he hadn''t brought along enough men. If they got into a physical altercation with the

    Taylors, they would be at a disadvantage.

    However, Ss and Liam exchanged surprised looks, as they did not call any gangsters for help.

    The gang members made way for a tall man in a pink shirt and white suit. The man quickly shuffled up

    to Liam and Ss. Then, he bowed to them. "Mr. Ss, Mr. Liam, it''s an honor to meet you. I''m Nathan

    Waters. Ms. Colene has requested for my presence to lend you a hand."

    Ss and Liam looked shocked. "Colene?"

    "Yes. Ms. Colene worried that you might be outpowered, so she urgently called for my presence. She

    even threatened to block my contact if anything happened to the two of you." Nathan rubbed his chest,

    still grappling with the lingering fear.

    Ss immediately recognized Nathan as the guy who fed Simon with excrement. He replied, "Thank

    you. You showed up just in time, but we''re good. My brother Liam over here could take on ten men

    alone."

    Speechless, Liam stared at Ss.

    "Haha! That won''t do. I''ll have to do what Ms. Colene asked me to. ording to her, she wouldn''t want

    you to dirty your precious hands taking on these bastards."

    Bastards? Hearing that, Joseph and Aidan turned red in anger.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Next, Nathan shot a disdainful look at Joseph''s men, an evil grin ying on his lips. "Lovce or not,

    they''re at my mercy. Guys, let''s go!"

 Chapter 1669

    Upon hearing Nathan''smands, the hooligans who had their hands in their pockets suddenly

    brandished weapons out of nowhere.

    "H-How dare you?" Aidan''s voice trembled. He seemed badly shaken. "Do you not know our family''s

    standing in Belbanks? We''re just second to the Taylors! You''re only bringing trouble to yourselves if you

    mess with us!"

    "Haha! Even a kid knows that the Taylors are the wealthiest in Belbanks. But I haven''t heard of the

    Lovce family." Nathan stretched his neck to loosen his muscles.

    Then, he snickered. "Anyway, I''ve finally met the Lovces in person. Second to the Taylors, huh? I

    guess that''s only in Belbanks. Once you step out of this city, you''re a fucking nobody! Hahaha!"

    The other gang members joined Nathan in hisughter. Ss guffawed. Even Liam, who always looked

    serious, betrayed a grin.

    "You¡ª" Aidan was at a loss for words. Joseph red at his useless son, who not only made a joke out

    of himself but also made the Lovce family into aughingstock.

    "Mr. Joseph, it''s not toote to change your mind." Ss decided to be civil. "You can''t afford to get into

    a fight at this age. If you''re beaten up, you might get bedridden for weeks!"

    "Go, all of you!" Joseph instructed his men out of anger. He could not ept being taunted by the

    Taylor scoundrels. "We will leave with Julien today!"

    "Damn it! This is the first time I''ve seen such a stubborn donkey! Guys, teach them a lesson!" Nathan

    barked.

    The men from the Ivory Gang immediately charged at the Lovces'' bodyguards. Soon, they were

    embroiled in a fight at the parking garage.

    Although Joseph and Aidan were shielded by their bodyguards, they emerged from the fight looking

    disheveled. The poor Aidan, who tried to put on an act of the good son, was kicked on the butt, pped

    in the face, and hit a few times by the stick, causing him to yelp in pain. His suit was in tatters, and so

    was his reputation.

    Ss was enjoying the fight when one of the Lovces'' bodyguards sneaked in front of him and

    attempted to punch him in the face.

    Before Ss knew it, he heard an agonizing scream. Liam quickly showed up to shield him from the

    attack and fractured the arm of the bodyguard. Then, he stepped on the bodyguard, whoy sprawled

    on the floor. It all looked easy for Liam.

    "Wow, Colonel, you truly live up to your reputation!" Gaping at the scene, Ss pped hard. "I dare

    say, only Jasper Beckett could rival your skills."

    "That scoundrel? Is he even this good?" Liam squinted doubtfully.

    Ss coughed in embarrassment upon recalling that he was the one who started calling Jasper names.

    It all felt rather awkward now. "Well, he''s not too bad. Let''s not forget, he was a military veteran."

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    At first, Ss thought that the righteous Liam might speak ill of Jasper. To his surprise, Liam fell into a

    short silence before muttering, "Looks like Jasper Beckett isn''t entirely a good-for-nothing."

    "Ss! Liam!"

    The two brothers spun around when they heard Alyssa calling out to them. They watched as Jasper

    and Alyssa hurried over with Julien by their side.

 Chapter 1670

    "I''d be damned! That chick is so hot!" A few of the Ivory Gang members, attracted by Alyssa''s beauty,

    were distracted from the fight.

    Jasper keenly picked up on the vulgar remarks. He quickly pulled Alyssa into a hug in a protective

    stance. He had to always be on his guard because Alyssa was simply too stunning.

    "What are you staring at? And be polite!" Nathan, aware of Alyssa''s status, went up to p the three

    guys on their heads.

    "Stop it! Stop fighting!" Julien bellowed at the men.

    He wasn''t angry over his family being beaten, just disappointed at how his esteemed father had

    brought security over to provoke the Taylors and even got into a fight with the gangsters. In his eyes,

    Joseph was no different than the hooligans.

    "Enough! Back off!" Nathan said and yawned. He didn''t care to continue the fighting as the Lovces

    seemed badly defeated by the Ivory Gang anyway.

    "Dad, how could you do this as the head of the Lovce family?" Julien confronted Joseph, clenching

    his fist and trembling violently.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    "Julien Lovce, how dare you question me when you were the one who got into a scandal? You''re a

    disgrace to your family!" Aidan, pressing a hand against his swollen cheek, barked at his brother.

    "A scandal?" Julien broke into augh with a bold twinkle in his eye. "All I''ve done was to go after my

    love. It''s the best decision I''ve made in my life."

    Alyssa and Jasper were shaken by Julien''s daring confession. Society''s judgment had not forced

    Jonah and Julien apart. On the contrary, the disapproval had only strengthened their rtionship. Such

    was the nature of love¡ªdetermined against all odds and evesting!

    "Julien,e home with me right now!" Joseph glowered at Julien. He clenched his jaw and adjusted

    his loose tie.

    "I won''t," Julien smirked, angering Joseph. "Dad, do you take me as a fool? I''m not going home to be

    beaten to death."

    "You rascal! Did you hear yourself?" Joseph widened his eyes in shock. He threatened, "Don''t call

    yourself a Lovce if you don''te home with me today! You will not inherit any of the family''s assets

    and stocks!"

    Aidan was delighted to hear the threat. Siblings in a wealthy family shared a familial bond yet treated

    each other as rivals. Not many families were as tight as the Taylor siblings.

    Aidan knew he''d be the only heir if Julien was disowned by the Lovce family, rendering him the sole

    candidate to inherit Edgar''s wealth and Joseph''s power. Suddenly, all the injuries he had sustained that

    day did not feel that painful anymore.

    Joseph dialed up his threats. "Not only that, you will be cklisted from practicing in the country. Our

    family will exert pressure on the hospitals, and none of them will employ you."

    "Pfft! That is some real bullshit!" Alyssa red at Joseph and snickered. "Mr. Joseph, are you drunk?

    Do you think you''re the king of thend?

    "You don''t even have the right to stop Julien from going abroad. Even if he stays in the country, he is

    always wee to join the hospitals owned by our family. What can you do about that?"

    Ss joined in the teasing. "Tsk tsk. Joseph Lovce must be really dumb."

    After being publicly humiliated, Joseph was figuring out a pback when Julien announced with

    determination, "You can''t even threaten me by disowning me. So, what makes you think I care about

    the titles and the wealth?

    "I have never thought of inheriting the family wealth. I''m utterly disappointed in my family. There''s

    nothing I miss in the family after Aunt Mandy left. Why don''t we end it once and for all?"

    "You brat! Scoundrel!"

 Chapter 1671

    Joseph finally broke when his son publicly challenged his ego as the family patriarch. Staring Julien

    down, he was about to approach thetter when a slim figure glided out of nowhere and stopped him.

    "Mandy?"

    In the next second, they heard a deafening p. Mandy, filled with resentment, had pped Joseph on

    the face. The impact of her p caused his cheek to swell and his ears to ring.

    "Mandy, did you just p me? But I''m your brother!"

    "My brother? Do I even have one?" She shed him an indifferent smile. "I thought I was kicked out of

    the Lovce family just like Julien. By the way, you''re just a son adopted by the Lovce family."

    The revtion of Joseph being an adopted son caught Aidan and Julien off guard. It was a family

    secret that had never been disclosed to the younger generation. Mandy must have been intent on

    humiliating Joseph by openly bringing up his bloodline.

    "Technically, I am the only daughter who carries the Lovce blood. You''re only benefiting from Dad''s

    dream of having a son. He promoted you to a position of power in Lovce Pharmaceuticals.

    Otherwise, you wouldn''t have had the power to assert dominance over me as a ''brother.''"

    "Mandy Lovce!" Despite nearly fainting from the anger, Joseph couldn''t retort.

    It was indeed true that he was adopted. Edgar Lovce, who failed to produce a son over many years,

    had secretly adopted Joseph from an orphanage with his wife, Agatha Borne, to continue the family

    lineage.

    Five years after adopting Joseph, Agatha got pregnant with Mandy and gave birth to the only flesh and

    blood of Edgar. s, Mandy was a female.

    Still, she quickly became Edgar and Agatha''s favorite due to her good looks and intelligence. For a

    while, Mandy''s talent had challenged Edgar''s prejudice against women in positions of power.

    It all came crashing down when Mandy met the striking and distinguished Winston Taylor at a ball. If

    she hadn''t made the shocking decision to be Winston''s second wife, she would have been sharing

    power with Joseph in Lovce Pharmaceuticals.

    "This is for Julien. You''re ridiculous for punishing him just because he wanted to treat Winston!" Mandy

    was filled with animosity. "Still, this isn''t enough to punish you. Let''s meet again as business rivals.

    "I''m warning you now¡ªLovce Pharmaceuticals will never dominate Belbanks while the KS Group

    stands. Julien,e with me!" "Sure, Aunt Mandy!" Julien, teary-eyed, immediately answered to her.

    He listened well to Mandy, totally unlike the rebellious son that Josephbeled him as.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks and let out a long sigh of relief. Their greatest fear was the

    Lovces exploiting family rtionships and using hierarchy to coerce Julien.

 Chapter 1672

    Fortunately, the firm support from Alyssa and Jasper was sufficient. Julien was also determined

    enough.

    The Lovces had done all they could. Their family member was even hit. At the same time, they had

    discovered groundbreaking news about their family.

    They had gotten more than what they had expected.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    The Taylors made their grand exit with Julien in tow. They made it look as if they were a family.

    Joseph red at Mandy from behind, feeling extremely dissatisfied. However, the Ivory Gang members

    were standing in their way. What else could he do? He could only treat this as his loss!

    On the way back, Julien put his arm around Mandy''s shoulders. He tried his utmost best to hold back

    his tears.

    He teased, "Aunt Mandy, if you''re nning to go to the local court to have yourst name changed,

    take me along with you."

    "Oh, silly. It''s just ast name. How much importance could it possibly hold?"

    Mandy smiled warmly as she held his hand tightly in hers. "Home is where your heart is."

    Julien couldn''t bring himself to reply. Tears were already flowing down his cheeks silently.

    "I''m sorry, Julien. I have said all those mean things to you before. I''ve even pressured you like that. I''m

    really sorry." Mandy was filled with regret. She felt extremely sorry.

    "That''s all in the past, Aunt Mandy."

    Julien smiled widely, "Let bygones be bygones. I only want to fix my eyes on the future now."

    It was dark before they knew it.

    The public opinion was going wild out there. However, it was peaceful and quiet in the hospital.

    After a long day, Winston had fallen asleep. His family members were by his side, creating a warm

    familial atmosphere. They hadn''t been affected by the consecutive blows dealt to them.

    In the middle of the night, Jonah invited Alyssa and Jasper to the back garden for a chat.

    "Axel has found out the identity of the person who exposed my rtionship with Julien. The money

    used to bribe the reporter who exposed us hade from an overseas bank ount under Josh''s

    name." Jonah''s eyes were filled with rage. He clenched his hands into fists by his side.

    Under normal circumstances, this was information that only the authorities would be able to find. Axel

    was an excellent hacker cum secret agent. It was only a matter of time before he found out.

    "I knew that it would''ve been that bastard!"

    Alyssa was so mad that her eyes were bulging. "I''m sure that this was Josh''s way of taking revenge on

    what happened with thend for the resort at Tsulu.

    "Jonah, you were the one who sold thend to him. After that, things didn''t go well. As a result, he also

    lost his position as the president. Of course he would be waiting for an opportunity to take his revenge

    on you!"

    Jasper thought about it for a moment. He started to feel doubtful. "The evidence is pointing at Josh,

    and he also has enough motive tomit a crime.

    "But what sort of a person is Jonah? He ispletely capable of hiding Julien in his love... capable of

    protecting him well."

    That was close. He had almost blurted the term "love nest"!

    "I''ve had years of experience dealing with Josh in the business world. Based on my understanding of

    him, he can be quite cunning. However, he doesn''t seem like the sort of person who is shrewd and

    sharp enough to find out about Jonah and Julien''s rtionship."

    Jasper''s gaze was frigid. "I believe Jonah had been cautious enough. Even so, he still ended up getting

    caught on camera. This can only mean that the person was already watching them in secret from early

    on.

    "Perhaps, they weren''t the only ones being watched. All the Taylors could already be in the

    mastermind''s purview. This has been such a crucial period with Winston being ill. This is the only

    exnation for how timely the expose of their rtionship was.

    "On one hand, they could make Jonah''s position at KS Group falter. On the other hand, they could

    provoke Winston, worsening his condition.

    "This is such a cruel scheme to kill two birds with one stone. I don''t think that Josh would''ve been able

    to think of something like this even if he had an extra brain."

 Chapter 1673

    Jonah and Alyssa stared straight at Jasper. Then, they eximed simultaneously, "Are you suggesting

    that Jameson is behind this?"

    Jameson''s name had now be synonymous with all manner of nefarious deeds.

    In a helpless tone, Jasper said, "I''m sorry. Maybe I am the one who''s being too sensitive about this

    person. No matter what happens with the Schmidts, I am always able to think of how it can be rted

    to him."

    "There''s nothing wrong with what you were thinking, Jasper."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Alyssa had a soft look in her eyes. She linked arms with him to give him her support. "Didn''t I say so

    thest time? Jamiper is the cause of everything bad that happens.

    "Moreover, I think that your analysis makes a lot of sense. The three Schmidt siblings are boneheads.

    The three of thembined would still not be more scheming than Jamiper. Otherwise, they wouldn''t

    have met such terrible ends."

    Jasper took note of how pink Alyssa''s cheeks were. He smiled at her lovingly.

    "Jasper''s analysis isn''t unreasonable." Jonah had a glum look in his eyes.

    He continued, "Actually, I have been investigating his background in secret. His businesses in Kontina

    are extremely dirty. But that''s still not the main point. The main point is that he has sufficient power and

    wealth to manipte elections. With this kind of capability, he could very well go against the tycoons.

    "Furthermore, he used to be a son whom the Schmidts had abandoned. He was not grounded with

    them, so he and his sickly mother had to depend on one another.

    "So someone is definitely pulling the strings for him. That somebody supported him every step of the

    way until where he is now. He even helped him return to Sna City to seize power.

    "Not only that, he is essentially ying dumb at the Schmidt Group. Whenever the obstacles ahead of

    him copse, he shows his true colors."

    Alyssa furrowed her brows and nodded. "That''s right. Jameson has far more power than Josh, the

    president. He has always been feigning ignorance."

    "Right now, his one and only obstacle is Josh."

    Jasper''s eyes lit up brightly. "Then, in actual fact, it is highly probable that Jameson was the one who

    obtained those photos."

    Jonah pursed his lips. He tried to hold back the anger that was surging within him.

    "After he got his hands on the photographs, he didn''t want to taint his own hands. So, he tried using

    Josh to reveal the photos instead. In this way, he wouldn''t be implicated if anyone looked into it. He

    could then just watch from the sidelines."

    Jasper scoffed. Through gritted teeth, he said, "What a way to get someone else to do his dirty work.

    Such viciousness is typical of him."

    "He has already removed Josh from his position and made him lose Victor''s trust. Josh has already

    been chased out of the Schmidt Group''s headquarters."

    Alyssa leaned on Jasper. She looked into his eyes and asked, "Couldn''t he have just gotten anyone to

    make the expose? Why did he have to give this opportunity to Josh?

    "If I were Josh, I would see this as a chance topete with my rival. I would definitely use that as a

    bargaining chip to negotiate with Victor. What good coulde out of this for Jamiper? Wouldn''t he be

    causing trouble for himself by bringing the dead back to life?"

    Jasper smiled. In a soft voice, he answered, "You''re too nice, Lyse. Perhaps it''s because you and your

    siblings love each other. Your family is a harmonious one too. So, you have been too sheltered. I''m

    saying that as a good thing."

    Jonah raised his brows. He felt tickled.

    Jasper was indeed blinded by love. Jonah couldn''t believe that he had just described Alyssa as

    someone nice.

    Maybe it was true. After all, Alyssa was like an angel when she was being kind. However, whenever

    she wanted to be savage, she would be no different than a wicked witch.

    Jasper should take his time to find out.

    "However, you should have heard of the saying that it''s a dog-eat-dog world, even in families. Business

    rivalry and familial strife are like invisible des. Cut-throat brotherly feuds aremonce."

    The expression on Jasper''s face was icy. "How could Jameson be satisfied with just removing Josh

    from his position? What he wants is to eliminate Josh in such a way that he would never have the

    chance to rise again."

    "So... You''re saying that the incident with Jonah and Jul is just bait?"

    Alyssa''s mind was racing. Everything became clear to her after Jasper''s exnation.

    Her eyes turned red. "He already knew that we would be able to link that incident with Josh. He thinks

    that we will definitely not let him go. So, he wants to make use of us to get rid of Josh. In this way, we

    would be helping to get rid of thisst thorn in his side?"

    Jasper nodded slightly. "You''re a smart one, Lyse."

    "Damn it! That son of bitch!"

    Alyssa was furious. She bent down to pick up a stone and hurled it at a tree trunk. "Does he think that

    he''s God? Does he think that everyone is within his control and that he can manipte anyone as he

    wishes?

    "Great. That''s just great. I shall show him what it''s like to be caught in the crossfire! I will make him

    burn in hell!"

    Upon hearing that, Jasper and Jonah broke into a smile. The tension in the air eased up a little.

    "Lyse, you and Jasper have to get to the bottom of the expose of Dad''s sickness. You have to avenge

    Dad."

    Jonah went silent for a few moments. A dark look shed across his face. "But about Julien and I, let''s

    just leave it as it is.

    "It''s no longer important whether I get my revenge or not. Neither do I care about power or reputation

    nor what others think about our rtionship."

 Chapter 1674

    Alyssa held her breath. "Jonah, what do you mean by that?"

    "Look at the condition of Dad''s health right now. He is unable to continue managing KS Group. On top

    of that, this sort of public controversy happened to me. It is no longer appropriate for me to continue as

    president."

    Jasper''s chest tightened. "You didn''tmit any crimes nor harmed anyone. Why do you say that it''s

    no longer appropriate?"

    "My presence will be a hazard to the corporation."

    Jonah''s eyes were vacant, betraying no hint of emotion. "As long as I remain in this position, the public

    will be reminded of those photographs whenever they see me in the future. They will not think of

    anything else. They will only be reminded of the fact that KS Group''s president is a homosexual.

    "I don''t mind putting my image aside and bing aughingstock. However, I cannot do that to KS

    Group."

    "Are you resigning, Jonah? You''re not going to remain president?" Alyssa asked with a tremor in her

    voice. She was shocked and frantic.

    Jonah smiled rxedly. "Yeah. I''ve discussed this with Dad. I''ve already made my intentions very clear

    to him.

    "Lyse, do you remember the day when you went home to see Dad? What did I say then? I said that you

    are the most suitable candidate for president and the most perfect sessor of KS Group. I don''t want

    you to feel like it''s a regretful thing. Truth be told, I''ve been waiting a long time for this day.

    "It has never been my ambition to be the president. All these years, I have been under a lot of

    pressure. I never had a chance to rx. Now that you''re finally taking over, I can live a life I want."

    "Jonah, I was just kidding. I do have ambitions. I''m someone who hungers to have a position, but..."

    The tip of Alyssa''s nose turned red. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she started choking on her tears.

    Jasper read her mind, and his heart ached for her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her in a

    secure embrace.

    "Oh, silly. You''re tearing up again."

    Jonahforted her immediately. "I am just tendering my resignation. Nothing is happening to me. You

    don''t have to react like that.

    "Moving forward, KS Group will be in your hands. Your wish to carry this responsibility is finallying

    true. I''m guessing that you''d even be smiling in your sleep, wouldn''t you?

    "The only thing is that you''d probably be very upied in the days toe. In some ways, it will affect

    the time that you and Jasper will get to spend together. That is something that I feel sorry about."

    "Don''t say that, Jonah."

    Jasper gave Alyssa a squeeze around her waist. His veins were throbbing, and his heart was

    pounding. "If spending time apart is a concern, I will marry Lyse as soon as possible.

    "After that, I will spend as much time as I can with her. I will cling to her every day. I''m just afraid that

    she''ll be sick and bored of me by then."

    Alyssa bit on her lip shyly. She leaned into his arms as she smiled sweetly.

    With a smile on his face, Jonah teased Jasper, "My sister is a strong, independent woman. What

    happens if she wishes to go out to work and for you to be the househusband?"

    "If you ask me, I''d rather cook for Lyse than work at the Beckett Group," answered Jasper without any

    hesitation.

    He looked at Alyssa with a fiery and sincere gaze. "Lyse just needs to be herself when we''re together.

    As for myself, I am happy just being by her side."

    Alyssa''s heart swelled with love. She buried her head in Jasper''s chest.

    "Lyse has garnered some experience at KS World Hotel in the past. Nevertheless, it still seems hasty

    for her to assume this position overnight. I would appreciate it if you could provide some guidance to

    her moving forward, Mr. Beckett," Jonah said in a serious tone.

    "You''re pulling my leg, Jonah, aren''t you?"

    Jasper couldn''t help butugh. "In the past, I have gone against Lyse multiple times in the business

    world. I lost to her every single time. I don''t think I''m in any position to be guiding her."

    Alyssa chimed in, "That was because you let me win."

    Jasper answered honestly, "I didn''t, really."

    Alyssa jabbed him on his side yfully. It hurt, but it also made his entire body tingle.

    "Anyway, I''m just relieved that Lyse has you by her side. Once Dad''s condition has stabilized, Julien

    and I will bring Dad to Mosgravia to get treated. We will be there for a while. I will leave the family and

    KS Group in your care."

    Jonah smiled slightly. "Feel free toe by anytime if you miss Dad, myself, or Jul."

    Alyssa and Jasper held each other''s hands. They nodded enthusiastically.

    Right at that moment, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind them.

    Jonah was able to recognize the sound of those footsteps. He knew who it was. His heart skipped a

    beat.

    "Jul is here!"

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    Quick-wittedly, Alyssa pulled Jasper by the hand and dragged him away. "Have a good chat with

    Jonah. We''ll be taking our leave!"

    The moon was shining brightly in the night sky.

 Chapter 1675

    Julien stopped a few steps away from Jonah. Their eyes met. Their outstanding figures looked good

    together.

    The bright moonlight reflected on Julien''s sweet face. It reflected a softness on his face. Jonah couldn''t

    take his eyes off him.

    "Jonah..." he started hesitantly.

    Jonah started to walk toward him. He was bright-eyed, and his breathing was shallow.

    "Jonah, I."

    In the next moment, Jonah put his arm around his waist and pulled him firmly into his arms.

    Jonah sealed his trembling lips with a deep kiss. Their alluring shadows ovepped.

    They pulled back from each other after a while. Julien''s lips were moist, and his eyes were in a daze.

    "This is your. first time initiating a kiss."

    His voice was muffled. There was a hint of submission and grievance in his voice.

    "I''m sorry that I made you wait for so long."

    Jonah lowered his eyes. Julien could feel his warm breath on his nose. He slipped his hands into his

    before slowly letting their fingers intertwine.

    "Let me be the one to draw closer to you. hundreds and thousands more times in the future."

    Winston''s illness was no longer a secret. Rumors about this prestigious and wealthiest man in

    Belbanks were spreading like wildfire on the inte.

    There were a variety of rumors. Some of them even said that he was on his deathbed. They imed

    that the Taylors chose to hide the truth in view of the public opinions and share price.

    As for KS Group''s president, Jonah, his rtionship with Lovce Group''s Julien came as a shocking

    revtion to the public. Only a night had passed. Yet, photos of the couple could no longer be found on

    the inte.

    Even if anyone posted any photos of them on social media, it would disappear within a minute.

    At first, the public thought Jonah would call for a press conference regarding the news or speak up to

    rify things.

    Nevertheless, three days had passed. All the Taylors were as quiet as a mouse. There were no

    reactions from them at all. In the end, the busybodies of the public had nothing they could gossip

    about.

    Five dayster, an announcement was posted on KS Group''s official website, subsequently reported by

    the major media outlets.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Its content was simple, yet it shook the entire business industry!

    "In order to amodate future developments and needs, KS Group''s board of directors has agreed

    for Jonah Taylor to step down from his position as Vice Chairman and be relieved of his CEO duties,

    effective today."

    Everyone assumed that Jonah resigned as a way of taking responsibility.

    After all, he was embroiled in such a scandal. His public image had taken a hit, and he was probably

    too humiliated to continue being the face of KS Group.

    Among all these people, Josh was the most excited of them all.

    The moment the news was publicized, he went straight to Victor to seek his recognition.

    Victor took into consideration the fact that Josh had made a major contribution in taking Jonah down.

    He didn''t bring up his demand to send him to Fandos again. Furthermore, he agreed to restore his

    position as executive director.

    Josh wasn''t promised to have his original position restored. Even so, he had managed to grab onto this

    life buoy. He had found his ce in the Schmidt Group once again.

    As long as he was able to stay on, he would have a chance to reim all that belonged to him.

    That bastard, Jameson, would not be happy for much longer!

    That night, Josh was in high spirits and feeling very proud. He held a party at The Millennium. He

    invited his friends to celebrate his victorious conquest.

    His fellow scion friends saw that he had regained his power. Each of them prepared generous gifts for

    him. They tried hard to butter Josh up.

    It was as if Josh''s mighty power, which he had in the past, had returned to him.

    Inside The Millennium, they indulged in extravagant luxuries.

    At the same time, a tall figure was standing in the night. The man''s ck coat was pping in the wind.

    He stared at the main entrance, where the security was tight. He clenched his hands into fists.

 Chapter 1676

    It was in the wee hours of the morning.

    The bodyguards at the entrance to the Millennium started to feel sleepy. They fought to keep

    themselves awake as they waited for their colleagues to take over their shifts.

    One of the bodyguards was in mid-yawn when some rustling noise was heard.

    Suddenly, he froze. "Hey, listen. Do you hear that?"

    His partner replied, "Hear what? I didn''t hear anything."

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "No, I heard something. It was a rustling sound... like something grazing against the wall!"

    His partner was frightened out of his wits. "I heard that thisnd used to be a mass grave decades ago.

    It''s the middle of the night. Don''t scare me like this!"

    "Wait here. I''ll go and take a look."

    The first bodyguard picked up his shlight. He went around to the back of the club warily.

    He shone the light around him. He also moved the light in an upward direction along the walls.

    Fortuitously, this ray of bright light shone past Axel, who was standing straight on the window sill with

    his arms in his pockets.

    He was on the fifth floor.

    The window sill that he was standing on was only wide enough for his feet. He would fall to his death if

    he lost his bnce.

    Nevertheless, it was as if Axel had pinned himself to the top. He stood there firmly with a calm and cold

    expression on his face as he observed all that was happening below him.

    The bodyguard didn''t notice anything amiss. So, he left while scratching his head, feeling perplexed.

    "What a blind man," Axel uttered to himself.

    His eyes gleamed with frigidity. He had a sharp and thin ss cutter in between his fingers. With a few

    swift moves thereafter, arge hole appeared in the ss window.

    He snuck in with agility. He managed to get in without a hitch.

    During that time, Josh was in a high-ss private room that cost at least five figures per night. He was

    having the time of his life with his notorious acquaintances.

    He wasn''t satisfied with having women by his side. He had a voluptuous woman sit with her legs

    spread across his thighs as she fed him his drinks mouth-to-mouth.

    "I knew it! Mr. Josh is a lucky man who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Being in the valley

    was only temporary. On the pinnacle is where you belong!" "That''s right! How could Jamesonpare

    himself to Mr. Josh? He''s a bastard who only managed to rise to his position because of idental

    luck. He gets as proud as a peacock just because he receives an asional benefit!

    "Mr. Josh, you must not forgive him easily. You need to give him a taste of his own medicine!"

    Upon hearing that, Josh was reminded of how Jameson robbed him of his position as president. A ball

    of fury rose within him.

    He shoved the women around him away.

    "Get lost! Get the fuck out, all of you!"

    The escorts scattered away in fright.

    Upon witnessing the scene, one of theckeys came up to Josh. "Mr. Josh, were you dissatisfied with

    thesedies'' service to you?"

    "You call The Millennium a top-notch club? It doesn''t seem too impressive to me!" Josh tugged at his

    necktie in frustration.

    "The most appealing woman in The Millennium is actually their owner. It is said that she is so beautiful

    that she makes others feel excited!"

    A lustful gleam shed across Josh''s eyes. "Oh?"

    "That woman is quite mysterious. She doesn''t attend to walk-in customers, only VVIP customers. Not

    only that, she doesn''t even show herself easily.

    "That said, I have a friend who is a regr here. He was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the woman

    when he was here.

    "Fuck! Her beauty was really freaking sublime. He had a hard-on instantly!"

    Josh gulped. He felt a tingle in his manhood. He tugged at his necktie again.

    "He also told me that that woman had an uncanny resemnce to the daughter of Belbanks''s richest

    man¡ªAlyssa Taylor! Imagine if you got her toe over and be of service to you. Wouldn''t that feel

    like it was Alyssa who was serving you?

    "You can also experience the same joy as Jasper. How thrilling would that be?"

    Everyone burst outughing.

    Nheless, Josh looked extremely upset. All his arousal had vanished!

    He couldn''t believe that she looked like Alyssa... That was such tough luck!

 Chapter 1677

    Suddenly, a cunning idea popped into Josh''s head.

    He wasn''t able to touch Alyssa. Instead, he could have some fun with her substitute and find an outlet

    for his hatred.

    Hence, he summoned his secretary immediately. With an evil look in his eyes, he instructed, "Get the

    owner of The Millennium toe see me. I want her to drink with me."

    Amber wasn''t seeing any clients that night. Even so, she was dolled up from head to toe. Her hair was

    silky, and she had a pair of heels on. She was dressed in a lc silk dress. The long-fitting dress

    revealed most of her fair-skinned back, giving her a ssy yet sexy look.

    This was the outlook that she had to maintain as The Millennium''s owner.

    She was swirling the ss of red wine in her hand as she walked into the surveince room that was

    filled with monitoring screens.

    Two surveince staff stood up and greeted her immediately, "Good evening, Ms. Altman!"

    "How are things going? Was there anything unusual?" Amber pressed her lips against her ss and

    sipped on her red wine.

    "Nothing unusual. The only thing is that Josh Schmidt from the Schmidt Group brought a few people

    over. They''re enjoying themselves in Room S001."

    Amber''s employee asked hesitantly, "Ms. Altman, Josh and Mr. Jameson are rivals. Do you think..."

    "We are a business establishment. Those who patronize us are our customers. Josh is in our most

    expensive private room. All we can do is to serve them well. All those grudges shouldn''t stand in the

    way of us earning money."

    Amber pursed her lips condescendingly. She ordered, "Tonight, the price of drinks ordered by S001 will

    be doubled. This is an order."

    Her subordinates chuckled.

    Josh was such a loser. Amber intended to empty his pockets that night.

    Amber continued sipping on her wine. With her hips swaying side to side, she walked to the front of the

    surveince screens in front of her. She scanned through the images with her sharp eyes.

    Jameson had trained her in various aspects since she became a young woman.

    Surveince was one of those aspects. What she got out of the training was a pair of vignt eyes that

    were as sharp as a criminal investigator''s.

    An average person would only end up feeling light-headed if they had to watch these crowded screens.

    However, she had the ability to remember the faces of all those who appeared in the surveince

    footage within a few minutes!

    If there was anything amiss, she would be able to identify them within a few seconds.

    Just as she was about to leave...

    All of a sudden, her pupils constricted. Her gaze was drawn toward a screen in the corner.

    Axel''s tall figure was hard to miss. His figure shed across the screen like lightning.

    Although he disappeared in the blink of an eye, Amber still spotted him. The image of him left an

    impression in her mind.

    He wasn''t a member of the club. How did he get in? What was he here for?

    Amber breathed deeply in order to calm her racing heart. Suddenly, she turned around.

    She smiled and said, "You''ve both been working hard tonight. I''ve prepared supper in the lounge. Go

    ahead and have a bite. I''ll keep watch here."

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    "Thank you, Ms. Altman! You''re awesome!"

    Her subordinates left gleefully.

    Amber breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Following that, she started tapping away on the keyboard with

    her deft fingers. She retrieved the footage that captured Axel.

    The surveince footage had a high resolution. Her pupils quivered as she caught sight of his dashing

    face. His wilful eyes were bright yet frigid. She couldn''t help but feel drawn deeply to him.

    Nheless, she didn''t have time to admire him. She hit the "delete" button instantly.

    Any trace of Axelpletely vanished from the surveince footage.

    Axel had the background of a secret agent and top-notch skills to avoid being tracked. Despite that, he

    had underestimated Jameson''s level of perversion. Other than that, he had also underestimated the

    surveince system at The Millennium.

    Their so-called "privacy" was only to appease their customers.

    At The Millennium, high-tech cameras were everywhere. They could be behind mirrors or inside flower

    pots. Even if he were a fly that buzzed through the ce, he would have been captured by at least one

    of their cameras.

    Moreover, Axel was a grown man and a handsome one at that.

    That said, Axel maintained a calm expression on his face. He moved swiftly, disregarding everything

    else.

    As long as he was able to get in, he would be able to leave this ce.

 Chapter 1678

    Axel not only held the belief that he could escape but also nursed a burning desire to seek retribution

    for Jonah. He was determined to rid himself of that loathsome bastard, Josh.

    He couldn''t wait any longer.

    Axel kept his hands in the pockets of his ck coat. He dashed toward the private room that Josh was

    in.

    To his surprise, a pair of fair-skinned hands grabbed his arms and pulled him into the darkness.

    Axel''s eyes widened. The muscles in his arms tensed up. He was about tosh out when...

    Axel looked into his ambusher''s eyes. It was only then that he managed to get a good look at Amber''s

    face.

    The space between the storage racks was tight,pelling them to press their bodies against each

    other.

    "You."

    "Shh!"

    Amber put her hand over his mouth in a panic. Her forehead was covered with sweat.

    Right at that moment, a team of bodyguards happened to pass by just a few feet away from them.

    Amber waited until they could no longer hear the bodyguards'' footsteps. Her wary heart finally calmed

    down, and she lowered her trembling hand.

    "What a coincidence, Ms. Altman."

    Axel raised his brows and smiled casually. She could feel his warm breath on her nose. "I didn''t expect

    to meet you in such a thrilling way this time. What a unique encounter."

    Amber gazed deeply at him. She was stunned.

    Axel was extraordinary. No matter how dangerous the situation, he was always able to be so calm and

    at ease. How was he able to achieve this?

    "Do you enjoy ying hide-and-seek, Ms. Altman?"

    Axel extended his arms against the shelves, trapping her in front of him. His smile showed that he was

    rxed. "I see that your nightlife as the owner of The Millennium is quite interesting."

    Amber''s eyshes fluttered as she realized her identity had been exposed. A sense of shame and

    annoyance washed over her, yet beneath that, a spark ofpetitiveness ignited.

    "Are you here to drink to your heart''s content or to seek a happy time, Mr. Whitaker?"

    With her slender finger, she poked him in the chest. She scoffed, "But you should know that our

    services here are pricey. Did you bring enough cash with you, Mr. Whitaker?"

    "You know myst name? How brilliant." Axel squinted at her yfully.

    Amber''s heart raced as she retracted her finger.

    Indeed, the more she said, the more she was revealing herself.

    "Since you know myst name is Whitaker, do you know my name?"

    Suddenly, Axel grabbed her hand. The corners of his lips lifted into a cynical smile. "I am Scrooge

    Whitaker. My defining trait is that I am a miser."

    Amber was speechless.

    "I came to your ce tonight with the intention of not spending any money. May I do so, Ms. Altman?"

    Axel''s voice carried an icy tone as he spoke, his features partially obscured by the shadows.

    With years of experience as a secret agent under his belt, he had flirtatious banter like this at his

    disposal. Despite that, it wasn''t something that he enjoyed.

    At this moment, he still had the patience to engage in this interaction with Amber. This was because he

    had kept Alyssa''s mission for him in mind. Otherwise, he would''ve broken Amber''s fingers the moment

    she reached out to poke him in the chest.

    In the end, Amber gave up entertaining him. Her expression turned cold, and she lowered her voice to

    say, "Mr. Whitaker, you are not one of our customers at The Millennium. Please leave this instant!"

    He smiled cheekily. "What if I refuse? You wouldn''t chase me away, would you? If you were going to do

    that, you wouldn''t have helped to hide me earlier. Am I right?"

    "What are you nning on doing? I''m being serious right now!"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Amber noticed the time on the wall clock a distance away. It was nearing the time when Jameson was

    due to be back. She became more frantic. "This ce isn''t as simple as you think. Do you know what

    awaits you if you were to be discovered?"

    "I''ll just apply for membership then. It''s no big deal."

    "Axel!"

    Amber was so anxious that her eyes became red. She blurted his name and spoke her mind, "Are you

    that eager to die in his hands?"

 Chapter 1679

    All of a sudden, Amber felt like she had lost her voice. It was as if someone had hit "pause" on her

    breathing.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Axel stared at Amber''s face, flushed red from her nervousness. A feeling of disdain rose in his heart.

    Was he going to die in Jameson''s hands or hers?

    He hadn''t forgotten that night when she had approached him with ulterior motives. He still remembered

    her poisonous hair stick that she had concealed in her hairdo.

    He found it rather intriguing that she and her boss, Jameson, were ying good cop, bad cop. They

    were most likely in cahoots.

    Tonight was probably part of their n too. Was Jameson using her to set a honeytrap and having the

    princess save the hero?

    Did they think that he was dumb or that he wouldn''t be able to resist women?

    Even if he were a pervert who was overwhelmed by his emotions, his inner devil would be an

    angel just by looking at her face.

    Axel''s superficial smile made Amber shudder. She pursed her lips and pressed her back against the

    cold shelf behind her.

    "Oh? I''m really curious about what you said, Ms. Altman. Whose hands will I die in?"

    "Anyway, you''ve got to¡ª"

    "Did you think that that evil viper who looks like a sissy would be able to get to me?"

    Axel almost said Jameson''s name out loud. He raised his eyebrows in disdain. "Well, tell him to go

    ahead then. I''d like to see what he is made of."

    Amber''s eyes widened, their glint betraying the tautness of her mind. She spoke in a shaky voice,

    "When... When did you figure it out?"

    "When you and I first met at the bar. I saw you get into that viper''s car."

    Axel smirked. He pinched her chin and continued, "But don''t be afraid. I won''t do anything to you even

    though I know that you are on Jameson''s side. The viper is the viper. You are you."

    His words caused a ripple in her despondent heart, warming it momentarily. However, what he said

    next caused her heart to plummet.

    Axel smiled and leaned closer to her ear. He said in a sultry voice, "Moreover, look at your appearance.

    I can''t bear to strike you."

    Amber felt a pain in her heart. She put her hands on his chest and pushed him away forcefully. "I know

    that I look like your sister. But Alyssa is Alyssa, and I''m myself."

    As Axel sensed her growing upset. His eyes dulled as a cold sneer crossed his lips.

    With a face like Alyssa''s, she took to the club like a duck to water. She was also highly favored by

    Jameson. She clearly was the one who benefitted the most from having this face.

    He didn''t even make a fuss about that. She, on the other hand, was sulky.

    Wasn''t she trying to have her cake and eat it too?

    Amber held back her surging emotions. She then said in a neutral tone, "Mr. Jameson will not spare

    anyone who trespasses The Millennium.

    "I don''t care what your purpose is. All I want is to tell you this¡ªyou will have another opportunity as

    long as you are alive. You can do whatever you want and strike him elsewhere, as long as it''s not at

    The Millennium!

    "The moment he sets foot in here, you will not be able to escape even if you have superpowers!"

    Axel chuckled, "Is he that powerful? I really need to see it for myself, then."

    "Axel... Even if you''re not thinking about yourself, how about Ms. Alyssa?"

    Amber was already panicking as time ticked away. She grabbed onto Axel''s cor. "I have no family.

    Even so, I know how it feels too!

    "If anything were to happen to you, wouldn''t that make your family members sad? Wouldn''t Ms. Alyssa

    be heartbroken for you? You keep trying to seek death. Is this fair to them? Didn''t Mr. Winston fall ill

    and get hospitalized recently? Aren''t you going to put him into consideration too?"

    Before she knew it, her face was so close to his that the tips of their noses were almost touching.

    Her warm breath that smelled of sweet red wine lingered around Axel''s chin. He noticed the gleam in

    her eyes from when she was being agitated. The perplexity he felt made him furrow his brows.

    She was being so considerate of him. Was this also part of her n?

    Was she just putting on this act to make her show even more convincing?

    "Josh is here, isn''t he?"

    Axel''s sinct question gave Amber a sudden realization. "You came here. because of what happened

    to Mr. Jonah? Are you here to avenge him?"

    "You''re like Sherlock, Ms. Altman. It''s such a waste of your talent for you to be managing The

    Millennium."

 Chapter 1680

    Axel smirked. "I merely mentioned Josh''s name, and you''ve already deduced that I''m here for revenge.

    Not only did you ascertain my intention to avenge someone, but you also discerned that it''s Jonah I''m

    seeking vengeance for."

    Amber felt a rush of heat to her cheeks. She might be cunning in other respects, but in the presence of

    Axel, her mind seemed to go nk. It was as if she was walking straight into a trap.

    "I am Mr. Jameson''s employee. Regarding the matters involving the Schmidt Group, I¡ª"

    Suddenly, Amber found herself silenced. This time, Axel was the one to cover her mouth.

    Simultaneously, they heard the footsteps of two ck-d bodyguards drawing near.

    "Hm? I thought I heard someone talking."

    The footsteps stopped next to the storage shelves.

    Amber''s forehead beaded with sweat, and her breaths grew shallow. She could feel her heart pounding

    in her chest.

    Yet, Axel''s gaze was calm. He moved his hand to the back of her head. He weaved his fingers in her

    hair and gently pressed her head against his chest.

    Miraculously, Amber felt her entire body rx at that moment. Her eyes fluttered close. It was as if she

    was the infiltrator who was being cornered.

    "Was there any sound? You probably misheard."

    "Hm... Maybe I did. To be frank, I''ve been quite tiredtely. Let''s go to the foyer to wee Mr.

    Jameson. He will be back soon!"

    The bodyguards then left in a hurry.

    Even after the bodyguards had left, Axel remained in the same position with Amber in his arms. Their

    breaths intertwined. Neither of them budged.

    "Josh came with a number of people today. Coupled with the staff members at The Millennium, you will

    probably be on the losing end no matter how skilled you are."

    Amber caught a whiff of tobo from the sleeve of his ck shirt. The tips of her ears blushed pink. "If

    you are here to take your revenge on Josh, I know of a safer method."

    Axel lowered his eyes to look at her. "What is it?"

    "Come with me."

    Amber deftly navigated through the area, skillfully evading all CCTV cameras. She led Axel to her own

    room.

    For now, this was the safest ce within The Millennium. She locked the door before darting into her

    own study.

    Axel followed her. Out of habit, he warily scanned every corner of the room.

    At the head of the king-sized bed was an array of cute plushies. There was a pink bunny, a yellow

    puppy, and a silly-looking ck and white penguin.

    Axel couldn''t help but feel astonished.

    She was a stunning woman, always enveloped in debauchery. He had assumed that she had piles of

    luxurious items in her room.

    That said, this aspect of hers was oddly simr to Alyssa''s, who loved martial arts since she was

    young.

    Soon after, Amber retrieved a brown envelope from the bottom-most drawer of her desk. She handed

    the envelope to Axel.

    He epted it with a doubtful expression. "What''s this?"

    "This was what Mr. Jameson ordered me to investigate. In the past few years, Josh had abused the

    charity education fund under the Schmidt Group. This envelope contains evidence of him forcing

    female recipients of the funds to engage in sex trades."

    Amber was worried that she''d run out of time. She was talking a mile a minute. "Many of the victims

    here were minors. Not only did he threaten them and make them give themselves up to those in power,

    but he himself also degraded these women.

    "I don''t have time to borate more. Take these back with you. You''ll understand once you see what''s

    in here."

    All at once, Axel felt a stab of anger in him. His eyes ran red. "Damn it! Another monster! The Schmidts

    really are a bunch of pigs! Josh¡ªthat son of a bitch. I will have him castrated and throw his nuts to the

    dogs!"

    "The Schmidt brothers are birds of the same feather. It is evident that Jameson is brutal. Josh,

    however, is more disgusting than his brother.

    "He is a downright hypocrite. He used charity and public service as a front while manipting those

    women to pave the way to his sess.

    "Take this back with you and look at the contents. You''ll be speechless when you see what''s inside.

    Each case will make you fly off the handle!"

    Amber stomped her feet furiously. She forgot that she had heels on. She lost her bnce and began to

    topple to the side.

    Axel''s reflex kicked in. Immediately, he wrapped his muscr arms around her waist to help her regain

    her bnce.

    "T-Thank you," Amber said softly. Her cheeks were flushed.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

 Chapter 1681

    "You said that the Schmidt brothers were birds of the same feather. Are you saying that Jameson is an

    animal too?" Axel questioned.

    There was a tremor in Amber''sshes. "All female escorts who provide services to their customers at

    The Millennium are all doing so on their own volition."

    "Are you also a follower of his out of your own volition?" Axel narrowed his eyes as he pulled his hand

    away from her waist.

    At this time, Amber felt like her heart was being trampled on. Her heart ached. She replied in a hoarse

    voice, "Yes, it is of my own choice."

    Axel tilted his head and sniggered coldly. The look in his eyes became dim.

    It didn''t matter what her reason for helping him was. It could be that she wasn''t in her right mind, or that

    she had other intentions toward him. He had to always keep in mind that she was on Jameson''s side.

    "Take this evidence with you and hand it to Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jasper."

    Amber''s eyes were fiery. "These are Josh''s weaknesses. I''m sure that they will be able to use these to

    take that bastard down for good. This is far better than you going head-to-head with him."

    "Aren''t you afraid that the viper finds out about you helping me? Aren''t you afraid that he''d punish you?

    Or maybe even kill you?"

    After confirming the contents, Axel tucked the envelope into his coat, ensuring that everything was

    securely stowed away.

    "I am afraid." A glum expression came across her eyes. Yet, she smiled widely and continued, "But

    more than that, I want to return the favor that I owed you."

    "Favor?"

    "It was that night when I had gastritis. Thank you for leaving the gastric medication for me the next

    day."

    However, she didn''t manage to take a single pill before they ended up in powder form under Jameson''s

    feet.

    Axel had long forgotten about it. He was only reminded of it after Amber had mentioned it. "Oh, no

    worries."

    Right at that moment, Amber''s phone rang. It was her subordinate calling.

    "Ms. Altman, Mr. Jameson is back. His car has already entered the basement parking lot."

    "Got it."

    After she hung up, she dragged Axel toward the door frantically. "Leave. Quickly! Mr. Jameson is back!"

    "Why are you panicking? I''m certain that I''ll be able to escape in one piece."

    "Where are you going to escape to? There are CCTV cameras at both the front and back doors. Don''t

    tell me that you can turn yourself invisible?" Amber was like a cat on hot bricks. Jameson could monitor

    the situation in The Millennium with his phone in real-time.

    If he discovered Axel, it would be over for him.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    "Why would I be using a door? Real men don''t walk through doors." Axel tilted his chin proudly.

    Upon hearing that, Amber couldn''t help but smile. The tense atmosphere eased up.

    Suddenly, some knocks came from the door. A female voice asked, "Ms. Altman, are you in there?"

    "What is it?" Amber concealed her nervousness with a cold voice.

    "There''s been an incident in Room S001. Mr. Josh specified to have you serve him. The supervisor

    exined that you''re not taking customers, and Mr. Josh started throwing a temper. He smashed the

    things in the room and even hit twodies. What do you think we should do about this?"

    Amber came up with an idea. She answered in a low voice, "I''ll go over to see him immediately."

    The staff left. Amber took a deep breath and looked into Axel''s eyes. "Josh and Mr. Jameson are rivals.

    I will go over to see him and create amotion. Naturally, Mr. Jameson will be drawn over. Then, it''s

    time for you to hurry off."

    Axel frowned. Amber was about to leave when he suddenly grabbed onto her arm. He tightened his

    grip on her.

    "Must you go to him?"

    They locked eyes with each other. Amber felt a jolt of electricity pass through her heart.

    "Yes, this is the only way you can escape unscathed."

 Chapter 1682

    The sharp and hasty sound of Amber''s silver heels echoed through the corridor as she made her way

    directly to Room S001.

    "Ms. Altman! You''re finally here!"

    The supervisor and a few female escorts were standing by the door. They were trembling in fright and

    feeling at a loss.

    One of thedies had wounds on her forehead where she had been hit. Blood was flowing down the

    sides of her face and dripping down to the floor. Another escort had a bruise around her eye. They

    were both badly injured.

    "That asshole! How could he be so cruel?"

    Amber''s heart broke for them. She rebuked the supervisor, "Why are you just idling around? Can''t you

    see that they''re so badly injured? Why haven''t you sent them to the hospital? What are you waiting

    for?"

    "Ms. Altman, there''s no problem arranging for them to be taken to the hospital. However, it''s crucial to

    address the crisis inside first!"

    The supervisor was perspiring in fear. "Mr. Josh is a big shot. Moreover, he is Mr. Jameson''s older

    brother. Now that it hase to this, how are we going to sort this out?"

    "Big shot?"

    Amber''s eyes were sharp and cold. She clenched her teeth and eximed, "How big of a shot is he?

    He is just a fucking pig who can''t control his urges!

    "Regardless, nothing is more important than our people''s safety. Take them to the hospital to get

    treated instantly. I''ll settle things here!"

    Gratitude filled the eyes of the twodies. They thanked Amber with tears in their eyes.

    Out of everyone in The Millennium, Amber was the only one withpassion.

    The sound of ss bottles being smashed came from the room once again. It was as if there was a

    rampage going on in there.

    Amber kicked the door open. She walked in looking fearless.

    Josh reeked of alcohol. He was wrecking the expensive decorations as he wished. It was as if he were

    a demolition squad. At the same time, his friends were cheering and egging him on from the side.

    The moment Amber appeared, the entire room became silent.

    Their attention was deeply drawn to her mesmerizing looks and her elegant figure. They stared at her

    like drooling predators.

    "Oh, my Lord... They look so alike. She fucking looks like Alyssa Taylor!"

    "You have such a beautiful woman here. It''s such a waste of resources to keep her from attending to

    customers! She is The Millennium''s ace!"

    Josh turned around, breathing heavily.

    He shuddered the moment heid eyes on Amber.

    Alyssa was an attractive yet tough-to-handle woman. After all, that cunning Alyssa had defeated David

    and Daisy. Not only that, but she almost caused his downfall too. He was shocked to see a face exactly

    like hers. Yet, his first reaction was fear!Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Mr. Josh, are you satisfied with all the smashing you''ve done?"

    Amber slowly took in her surroundings. Then, she walked to the side and picked up a crystal vase. It

    was the only item left on the shelf.

    She widened her eyes. In the next second, she grabbed the vase and hurled it at Josh''s feet. The vase

    shattered to pieces at his feet.

    He jumped and cried out in fright as he watched the broken pieces scatter everywhere. His demeanor

    as a noble and wealthy man waspletely shattered. He looked utterly ridiculous.

    "This was the most expensive thing in the room. Why didn''t you wreck this?" Amber crossed her arms

    and smirked, "I was afraid that you would tire yourself out. So, I smashed it on your behalf. You''re

    wee."

    "You!" Josh red at her and ground his teeth. His expression was exceedingly grim.

    "Oh, right, Mr. Josh. You must be aware of our policy regarding damages to our property, which require

    compensation equivalent to their original value, correct? Moreover, you''ve caused injuries to our staff

    members. It''s only fair that you cover their medical expenses."

    Amber blinked as she surveyed the mess scattered across the floor, circling her finger around it as she

    conducted a mental inventory. "Hmm... Based on my estimation, the items you destroyed are valued at

    around 40,000 dors.

    "There''s also the vase I smashed on your behalf. And let''s just say that I gave you a discount on my

    employees'' medical bills. That brings the total to 60,000 dors. Please remember to settle your bill

    when you''re leaving, Mr. Josh. I will waive tonight''s service fee for you."

 Chapter 1683

    "60,000 dors? This is daylight robbery!" Josh gritted his teeth in anger.

    "You are Mr. Josh Schmidt, the Schmidt Group''s ex-president. 60,000 dors should be a drop in the

    bucket for you. You won''t even feel the pinch, will you?" Amber jeered at him.

    Everyone present was dumbfounded.

    Amber bore a striking resemnce to Alyssa, not only in appearance but also in temperament and

    arrogance.

    The Millennium''s supervisor stared at Amber with his jaw dropped. He was so terrified that it felt like his

    heart had stopped.

    However, more than that, he felt a little strange. They had worked together for such a long time, and

    somehow, she didn''t feel like the Amber he knew.

    There were often customers at The Millennium who caused trouble after having too much to drink. As

    the owner, she had to step up to resolve the situation on multiple asions. Situations like these

    always end in a peaceful resolution. She would never provoke them like that.

    Nevertheless, with Josh, she looked as if she was having a standoff with her archenemy. It was

    obvious that she was deliberately provoking him.

    Hearing the word "ex-president"pletely stumped Josh.

    He marched straight up to Amber. The veins on his hands were popping.

    With a sudden burst of fury, he reached out and grabbed her throat, forcefully pushing her against the

    wall.

    The onlookers were stunned, but none dared to intervene.

    "Stupid bitch... Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

    Amber''s face swelled up and turned red. Her eyes filled with tears.

    However, just as Josh expected her to concede defeat, she slowly smiled. It was a smile tinged with

    pain, yet it exuded nothing but mockery toward him.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "You''re smiling? Let''s see if you can keep smiling after this!" Josh was furious.

    Just as he was poised to deliver his final blow, a sudden chill ran down his spine. In the next instant,

    someone seized his cor from behind, causing him to loosen his grip on Amber''s neck.

    Immediately after, a powerful punch struck his face, leaving his nose throbbing and numb. Blood began

    to flow from his nostrils.

    "Oof!" Josh covered his bloody nose and stumbled two steps back. He was then only able to get a

    good look at the person who had hit him. His attacker''s skin was fair, and his face was elegant yet

    frigid.

    It was Jameson.

    Amber coughed repeatedly, slumping to the floor as she gasped for air. Despite her distress, only one

    thought shed through her mind¡ªshe wondered if Axel had made it safely out of The Millennium.

    "You bastard! It was you¡ªOof!"

    Before Josh could finish his sentence, Jameson took two steps forward and grabbed him by the cor.

    He swung yet another punch at him.

    Then, a group of ck-d bodyguards entered the room. They ushered everyone out before shutting

    the door behind them.

    What was once a luxurious private room had now be a scene of carnage in order to dispose of

    Josh.

    With an utterly expressionless face, Jameson sat atop him, delivering blow after blow.

    Josh''s eyes were so swollen that he could no longer open them. His front teeth were gone too. He was

    as miserable as he could be.

    "Mr. Jameson, that''s enough! You might kill him if you continue beating him like that," Carl kindly

    reminded him.

    Only then did Jameson retract his fists. He stood up slowly from the pile of trash on the floor.

    He retrieved a snowy white handkerchief from his pocket and meticulously wiped away the blood stains

    from his hands. Then, with disdain, he tossed the soiled handkerchief at Josh''s unrecognizable face.

 Chapter 1684

    "Y-You... hit me?" Josh''s head was spinning. His mouth was full of blood, and he could barely speak

    clearly.

    "You came to my ce to cause trouble and evenid hands on my people. Josh, have I been too nice

    to you?" Jameson looked down on Josh with a cold smirk.

    "Y-Your... ce?" Josh stared at Jameson in shock.

    "Mr. Schmidt owns The Millennium. Everything here belongs to him," Carl proudly exined from the

    side.

    Josh froze and became speechless at those words.

    The Millennium was the most prestigious club in the country, as well as a money-squandering haven

    where many dreamed of bing members to show off their status. The mysterious boss behind it

    was actually Jameson?

    How could he, a discarded pawn who had just found a foothold in the Schmidt family, have such arge

    business? What kind of joke was this?

    "Since you''vee here to spend money, I wouldn''t have bothered you if you had behaved. But it

    looks like it''s too difficult for you to do that."

    After saying that, Jameson turned to face Amber. He extended his hand toward her while gazing at her

    coldly.

    It was just like when they first met, but the significance was worlds apart.

    Back then, Jameson''s outstretched hand was one of redemption, pulling her out of hell and into the

    world. It gave her hope.

    But now, the same hand pushed her into the abyss time and time again, delivering her to those devils.

    She saw through it now and was totally disheartened. She no longer wanted any of his pity and charity.

    "It''s okay, Mr. Schmidt. I can manage on my own." Amber regained herposure. Gritting her teeth,

    she struggled to stand.

    Jameson''s eyes remained indifferent as he nced at Carl.

    Carl quickly draped Jameson''s coat over Amber, saying, "Ms. Altman, Mr. Schmidt heard that you were

    in trouble and rushed over to help you. He''s so good to you."

    Amber remained silent with lowered eyes.

    "Jameson... So... you''ve been pretending all along... You''ve been acting all this while!" Trembling, Josh

    pointed at Jameson''s face, as if only now had he truly seen through his facade.

    "Have I been acting? Or were you just blind?"

    Jameson scoffed. "You''ve never faced me properly. You''ve always thought of me as the weak kid from

    15 years ago, the one you could bully and exploit at will.

    "Josh, not only are you blind, but you''re also foolish and arrogant. But I have to thank you for

    underestimating me. If not for your arrogance, how could I have won so easily? How could you have

    been defeated so thoroughly?"

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    "You won? You spoke too soon!"

    Josh was dizzy from the beating and unable to get up. "I''ve already taken Jonah down. Dad is trusting

    me again and is ready to promote me. How long do you think you can remain as the president?

    "I think running a brothel like this suits you better!"

    "Do you really believe you took Jonah down?" Jameson looked at him disdainfully.

    Josh''s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

    "Never mind. Just continue dreaming."

    Jameson reached for Amber''s trembling shoulder and headed toward the door. "You don''t have to

    compensate for what you broke. Save that money and go treat your face."

    Just as they were leaving, Josh suddenly burst into piercingughter.

    "Hahaha! Jameson! You''re truly a twisted psycho! Since you can''t have Alyssa, you keep a woman who

    looks like her by your side! How pathetic! You''re truly pitiful!

    "You can''t get the real person, so you settle for a fake! But a bastard like you, who can only earn Dad''s

    attention through trickery, only deserves a fake! You''ll never beat Jasper, and you''ll never get Alyssa.

    Never! Hahaha!"

    Jameson''s dark eyes turned murderous as he walked away.

    Amber could feel the pain in her shoulder as his grip tightened.

 Chapter 1685

    Back in his room, Jameson angrily downed a ss of strong liquor to ease his frustration.

    "Mr. Schmidt, there''s no need to be upset with that idiot," Carl hurriedly consoled him.

    "He''s already a lost cause, just struggling in his final moments. With Ms. Alyssa''s intelligence, she

    would find out that Josh leaked Jonah''s information. In fact, she might have already found out, and it''s

    only a matter of time before she takes action.

    "Please calm down. We just need to wait for the Taylor family to make their move and have them deal

    with him for you."

    "Amber, what happened?" Jameson asked, his gaze icy as he stared at Amber, who was cowering in

    the corner.

    "You''ve never appeared to drink with customers without my instructions. Why did you show up at

    Josh''s room?"

    "I¡ª"

    "Oh, Mr. Schmidt, let me exin," Carl interjected quickly.

    "I''ve looked into the situation. That scumbag Josh specifically requested Ms. Altman to drink with him.

    Our people tried to stop him, but he went crazy, smashing things and causing a scene in the private

    room.

    "He even injured two girls. Ms. Altman was afraid of things escting, so she went over to handle it."

    Amber''s heart clenched tightly as she kept her head down. She didn''t dare meet Jameson''s eyes.

    "If he wants to cause trouble, let him. It''s just breaking a few bottles. Do you think I''d be upset about

    that?"

    Jameson''s sinister gaze fell heavily on Amber''s face. "You might cause more trouble than you realize

    by stepping forward with that face. My fight with Josh is at a critical juncture now. Don''t cause me any

    more trouble.

    "And I don''t like women who don''t obey me. If it happens again, I''ll punish you severely."

    Amber took a deep breath and slowly parted her pale lips. "Mr. Schmidt, my value as Ms. Alyssa''s

    standin is gone now. Going out with this face will only cause you trouble.

    "Can you let me change back to my own face and let me be myself again?"

    Carl gasped in shock.

    What the heck? What was Amber saying? Did she have a death wish?

    Sure enough, Jameson approached her slowly and stared at her coldly. "What did you say? Say it

    again." "I... want to have my face back." Amber''s moist eyes flickered. Her fingertips were embedded in

    the flesh of her palm in her anxiety.

    Jameson grabbed her chin fiercely, his fingertips exerting enough force to make her wince in pain.

    "How dare you say that to me?

    "It''s your blessing to have a face resembling Lyse. You should be grateful. You should thank Lyse for

    giving you a value far beyond your own existence. Now you tell me you don''t want this face anymore?

    How dare you? How can you?"

    With a sudden lift of his hand, Amber winced in pain, and tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.

    At that moment, an urgent knock sounded at the door.

    Only then did Jameson angrily withdraw his hand. Amber turned her face away, where a bright red

    mark could be seen on her jawline.

    Carl went to open the door, and a security guard walked in.

    "Mr. Schmidt, there''s arge hole in the window of room A015 on the fifth floor. The hole was cut very

    neatly, possibly with a special tool. There may be intruders lurking inside."

    At once, Amber''s forehead was covered in cold sweat, and her heart pounded rapidly.

    "What? What have you all been doing? How did you just realize this now?" Carl eximed in shock.

    "Did you check the surveince footage?" Jameson asked with a cold and ruthless gaze.

    "We did, but no intruders were captured."

    Carl''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Not even one? That''s impossible!"

    After all, the number of surveince cameras at The Millennium was more than the holes in a beehive.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

 Chapter 1686

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Schmidt. I''ve been busy tonight, and I truly didn''t know that someone had infiltrated.

    Please punish me."

    Amber immediately lowered her head, fearing that Jameson might discern her thoughts and reveal her

    secrets.

    "Hah, a flying thief? Interesting."

    Jameson lounged on the couch with his long legs crossed as he casually nced at Amber standing

    stiffly. "I know someone who has that level of skill. You know him too, Amber."

    "Who?"

    "The person you''ve been thinking about helping me get rid of."

    Amber''s face turned pale. She clenched her lips tightly, and she felt as though blood was draining out

    of her body.

    "Could there be such... a coincidence?" She tried her best to suppress her trembling voice.

    "If we make a bold assumption, it''s not impossible."

    Jameson tapped a rhythm on his knee with his slender fingers. "Josh is having fun here tonight. Maybe

    someone is eager for revenge and can''t wait for Lyse to act, so they want to take care of that scumbag

    themselves. It''s not impossible.

    "Unfortunately, I''m not there tonight. Otherwise, I would definitely get rid of him."

    Winston''s condition had gradually stabilized over the past two days. He was taken back to Heightsnew

    Vi by his family to recuperate.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Alyssa stayed at Belbanks to take care of her father. Meanwhile, Jasper needed to maintain the normal

    operations of hispany, so he had to shuttle between Sna City and Belbanks. It was quite hectic

    for him.

    But no matter how tired he was, he would never utter a word to Alyssa. And he would never show any

    signs of fatigue in front of her, especially in bed.

    He never skimped on giving her any forey, passion, or tenderness. He showed her that he deeply

    cherished and loved her.

    That night, when Jasper rushed back to Sna City from Belbanks, he brought two chickens with him.

    Alyssa suddenly expressed her craving for fried chicken when they were making love the previous

    night, So, he had been thinking about fried chicken all day today. He instructed Xavier to buy the

    chicken while he sat in the office, studying the recipe for fried chicken.

    When Jasper returned to Heightsnew Vi, it was alreadyte at night.

    Jasper knew that Alyssa was waiting for him in the upstairs room, but he didn''t rush upstairs.

    Instead, he hurried to the small kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, tied on an apron, and prepared to cook

    the chicken.

    Although he had made countless meals for Alyssa by now, fried chicken was something not everyone

    could master. Even after studying the recipe and following the video instructions all day, he was still a

    mess, rushing around and flustered.

    By the time he set up the oil pan and coated the chicken pieces with batter, he was already sweating

    profusely, with flour all over his face.

    Suddenly, he heard light footsteps behind him. His first reaction was that Alyssa hade over.

    After all, this sneaky act of sneaking up behind him and scaring him was something she had done

    countless times.

    While cooking, Jasper said in a soft and indulgent voice, "Alright, I know it''s you. Did youe here

    because of the smell? Just wait a little while. Tonight, I''ll feed you to your heart''s content, in bed and

    out."

    "My goodness! Why do you talk so shamelessly?"

    Jasper''s pupils contracted, and he turned around abruptly.

    The person standing behind him was none other than Axel. When he recalled the dirty words he had

    just uttered, his face turned as red as a tomato.

    Axel crossed his arms, squinting with a teasing expression. "Feed me in bed and out? Who''s on top,

    you or me?"

 Chapter 1687

    Jasper''s face stiffened, and in his panic, the chicken pieces in his hand dropped into the oil pan with a

    thud.

    Sshes of oil flew onto his hands and arms, causing him pain. He suddenly regained his senses and

    awkwardly parted his lips. "Axel."

    "Do you always talk dirty like this?"

    Axel lightly scoffed and craned his neck to peek into the oil pan. "I don''t know if Lyse smelled it or not,

    but I dide because of the smell. It smells like something''s burned."

    Jasper was startled, and then he realized that he hadn''t taken out the chicken pieces he had put into

    the pan earlier.

    He hurriedly grabbed a slotted spoon. But by the time he retrieved them, the chicken pieces had turned

    brown.

    Jasper''s eyes drooped with frustration. Suddenly, he remembered the series of "fails" Winston had said

    when he first tasted Jasper''s cooking. That voice was still ringing in his ears.

    "Forget it. I understand your intentions. You don''t have to force yourself to do something you''re not

    good at. If you scald your hands with blisters, Lyse will be the one feeling sorry for you."

    As Axel said that, he took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and stood next to Jasper. With his bottom,

    he pushed Jasper aside. "Go rest there. Don''t get in my way."

    Jasper''s eyes widened in surprise. "You''re going to cook?"

    "Duh? If you''re cooking, Lyse will only end up eating charcoal."

    Jasper wasn''t angry at all because what Axel said was true. He had overestimated his cooking skills.

    After washing his hands, Axel skillfully put the chicken pieces into the pan. He nced at his watch,

    carefully counted the seconds, and then stirred the pot before taking out the chicken pieces.

    Jasper stood by, assisting him and earnestly learning. He waspletely fascinated.

    "Get it now?" Axel asked without lifting his eyelids.

    Jasper nodded. "Yeah."

    "Your eyes get it, but I bet your hands didn''t."

    Frowning, Jasper smiled bitterly. "Axel, I also need a little encouragement sometimes."

    Axel''s long eyshes fluttered as he nced at Jasper. "Fail a few more times, and you''ll seed. I''ve

    failed countless times before I could do it decently.

    "If it weren''t for Lyse liking it, who would want to bother making this? It''s both troublesome and smelly.

    The smell of oil lingers for days! Don''t spoil her too much. If you spoil her, she''ll be asking you to make

    this for her all the time. What will you do then?"

    Jasper''s eyes were filled with a tender glint as he smiled faintly. "It''s okay. As long as Lyse likes it, no

    matter how troublesome it is, I''m willing to make it for her."

    "Tsk, who isn''t?" Axel sneered, but he felt warm inside.

    "Wow! Fried chicken! It smells so good!"

    Both men turned around at the same time.

    It was really Alyssa who hade this time.

    With the weather turning colder and to make it easier to take care of Winston, Alyssa was no longer

    wearing an elegant silk nightgown but had changed into an off-white plush home outfit. With her

    delicate face, she looked like an adorable creature.

    "Jasper, Axel, when did you twoe back? You didn''t even let me know."

    Alyssa pattered over in her slippers and threw herself into Jasper''s arms.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    "No... Lyse, I''m covered in flour. I''ll get your clothes dirty," Jasper gently reminded her. His hands,

    which were covered in batter, froze in mid-air as he was afraid to touch her.

    "I just mentioned it casuallyst night, and you really made it for me?"

    Alyssa wiped away the flour on his cheek, feeling sorry for him. "You shouldn''t bother. You''re

    commuting between two ces every day, working, anding back to apany me. It''s already

    hard enough for you."

 Chapter 1688

    Alyssa continued, "You could have just ordered takeout. Why bother tiring yourself out?"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "It''s not tiring if it''s for you." Jasper''s sturdy arms wrapped around her slender waist. He looked at Axel

    gratefully. "Besides, I didn''t do much. It was all Axel''s work."

    "Oh, make them crispy, Axel."

    Axel clutched his chest, almost spitting blood into the pot. He didn''t expect to experience Alyssa''s favor

    for Jasper firsthand.

    With Axel''s efficient work and Jasper''s assistance, two tes of golden fried chicken were soon ced

    on the table.

    Meanwhile, Jasper''s few failed attempts remained gloomily in the corner, like mistresses who couldn''t

    be shown.

    "Quick, Lyse, try my cooking."

    Axel propped himself on the table, smiling as he watched Alyssa with anticipation. "It''s been so long

    since I made fried chicken for you. Try it. See if my skills have deteriorated."

    Alyssa grabbed a piece with her hand. She parted her crimson lips and took a big bite.

    It was crunchy and vorful.

    "This is so good! Your cooking is still amazing, Axel!" Alyssa eximed, thoroughly satisfied.

    A contented smile yed on Axel''s lips.

    Suddenly, the image of a face simr to Alyssa''s shed through his mind.

    That night, he had safely left The Millennium with Amber''s distraction.

    But what about her? Had Jameson discovered everything she had done? She went to Josh voluntarily

    to buy time for him. Did that beast make it difficult for her?

    Although Axel despised Jameson and knew about Amber''s status, afterst night, he grew curious

    about her.

    He didn''t think there were any good people around Jameson. But she didn''t seem like a bad person

    either.

    "Hey, Lyse, don''t eat that!"

    Jasper''s eyes narrowed, wanting to stop her, but it was toote.

    Alyssa joyfully opened her mouth wide and ate the pieces he had burned to a crisp, tasting them

    without any aversion.

    "Hmm... Not bad."

    "Don''t eat that, Lyse." Jasper hurriedly caught her hand. "You don''t have to force yourself to praise me.

    I know I didn''t do a good job."

    "No, you did it with your heart. How could it not be good?"

    Alyssa picked up another piece and ate it, looking very content, without a hint of coercion. "Besides,

    whether it''s burnt or golden, it all tastes the same once it''s in your stomach. Right, Axel?"

    Jasper smiled gently. Unable to resist, he ced a kiss between her oily lips.

    Once again, Axel clutched his chest, feeling utterly helpless. He regretteding back. He could have

    avoided watching the lovers'' interaction.

    "I can''t eat so much. Oh, Ss and Cyrus are at home. I''ll call them over to eat with us." With that,

    Alyssa picked up her phone.

 Chapter 1689

    "That''s perfect. I wanted to call them over too," Axel said suddenly, his gaze darkening. "I came back

    tonight for an important matter that I need to discuss with you all."

    Ss and Cyrus rushed over. The three brothers and the couple gathered around the dining table,

    turning the small kitchen into a meeting room.

    "Axel, we''re here now. Stop beating around the bush and tell us what''s so important," Ss urged as he

    gnawed on a drumstick.

    Axel retorted, "Ss, are you so impatient because you''re on your period?"

    Infuriated, Ss threw a chicken bone directly at him.

    Axel easily dodged it and then tossed a folder onto the table.

    "What''s this?" the four of them asked in unison as they looked at it.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "You all said you wanted to avenge Jonah, right?"

    Axel''s eyes turned cold as he tapped his finger on the table. "Inside here, there''s enough evidence to

    bring down Josh."

    As soon as they heard the word "evidence", both Ss and Cyrus perked up.

    Alyssa immediately picked up the folder. Eager to see its contents, she poured the documents out.

    They all took a portion and carefully examined them. They became increasingly shocked and angry as

    they read.

    "Josh was the one who managed the Bright Schrship Foundation under the Schmidt Group. In just

    two years, the charity funds raised amounted to over ten million dors. But none of this money was

    used to help impoverished students. Instead, it all went into Josh''s pocket.

    "Not only that, he often organized so-called charity events where sponsored girls were asked to

    perform. But in reality, it was an opportunity for those high-ranking officials to select their bedmates."

    At this point, Axel''s eyes were red with hatred. "Those girls just wanted an opportunity to go to school,

    but little did they know they would be subjected to such abuse and fall into an abyss."

    Alyssa mmed the table in anger, trembling. "Josh, that hypocrite! He''s just inhumane!"

    Cyrus'' eyes were also filled with fury. "Back when we were investigating David, we should have taken

    him down too! I''m regretting it now!" "It''s okay, Lyse, Cyrus. Justice may be dyed but not denied. He

    won''t be able to enjoy much longer, Ss said, squeezing Cyrus'' shoulder reassuringly.

    Frowning, Jasper looked at the documents in his hand. "As Schmidt Group''s former president, Josh is

    much more cunning and ruthlesspared to David.

    "David was openly reckless due to his background. But Josh is different. He knows how to disguise

    himself and operates through various covert transactions. On the surface, he appears to be a

    phnthropist."

    "What are you trying to say, Jasper?" Alyssa grabbed his hand tightly.

    "He has done so many evil deeds. He wouldn''t have left himself without a way out."

    Jasper turned to meet her eyes. "Although the evidence here is explosive, it''s not detailed or

    comprehensive enough. It''s not fully collected yet.

    "We might be able to intimidate him with this, but to bring him to justice, we need further investigation

    and more witnesses. Ss, as a prosecutor, you should understand this better than I do."

    Cyrus nudged Ss with his elbow. "Hey, Ss, it''s your cue."

    "Huh? Oh, right." Ss lost in thought, responded a bit slowly. "But even so, this evidence is enough for

    us to bring Josh into the station for some coffee."

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in anger. "Coffee? That bastard only deserves to drink urine!"

    Jasper made a rare joke. "We''d have to find Mr. Nathan for that."

    As they thought of the courageous gang leader, the tense atmosphere in the small kitchen eased

    slightly.

 Chapter 1690

    Cyrus tightened his grip on the photo in his hand. "Lyse, now that I know about this and since it

    concerns Jonah, I''ll definitely handle it strictly. Josh is finished for good this time."

    Ss nodded. "I''ll start preparing once I get back too. Let''s not alert the enemy. We must be sure before

    we make a move."

    After pondering for a moment, Alyssa asked curiously, "Axel, where did you get this evidence from?

    Jonah''s case only came to light two days ago. You couldn''t have collected so much information in such

    a short time."

    Axel''s gaze was deep, like an imprable primeval forest. "The night beforest, I went to The

    Millennium. Josh was there that night, so I wanted to confront him and avenge Jonah."

    Alyssa''s and Jasper''s hearts skipped a beat at his words.

    To others, The Millennium was a paradise on earth. But to Axel, once Jameson discovered him, it could

    be the ce of his death.

    If Jameson caught the chance, he would kill mercilessly, regardless of whether or not Axel was Alyssa''s

    brother.

    "But I didn''t see Josh. I saw Amber instead."

    "The Ms. Altman who resembles me?"

    "Yes."

    Axel was always open and honest in front of Alyssa. Since he had promised to help them investigate,

    he would spare no effort and hold nothing back.

    "She helped me avoid the people in The Millennium. When she heard that I wanted to find Josh for

    revenge, she was afraid I would cause big trouble and alert Jamiper. So she gave me these and asked

    me to pass them on to you two. She said that once you have them, there will be a safer way to resolve

    this."

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at each other in astonishment.

    Meanwhile, Ss stared at Axel excitedly. "And then?"

    "And then, I left."

    "Such a beautiful woman saved you. Didn''t that stir any feelings in you? Weren''t you tempted to make

    a move?"

    "I like men."

    That sentence choked Ss, and his face turned pale.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Axel smirked. "Haha, just kidding. Look at your face.

    "Congrattions, Axel." Alyssa raised her drink and smiled meaningfully. "Our n has begun. Ms.

    Altman seems to really have feelings for you."

    Axel squeezed the soda can tightly. "If she has feelings for me, it''ll be the beginning of her nightmare."

    His gaze was sharp.

    "Heroes fall for beauties, and beauties fall for Axel. You really can attract any gender, Axel. I remember

    you carried Dr. Lovce back. He fell for you, didn''t he? And now this one."

    Ss couldn''t help but joke, "Sigh, Axel, your face should really be listed as a world heritage."

    Cyrus quickly picked up a piece of chicken and stuffed it into Ss'' mouth. "You can say that in front of

    us, but don''t let Jonah hear it. Don''t you know Jonah''s rtionship with Julien? Jonah will surely be

    jealous."

    Only then did Ss realize his mistake. He wanted to p himself.

    How could he joke about his "sister-inw"?

    "If Ms. Altman is willing to help you, it means there are cracks in her rtionship with Jameson. At the

    very least, her attitude toward Jameson is no longer as firm as before."

    Alyssa clenched her fists and made a gesture, asking Axel to go for it. "Seize the opportunity, Axe. Try

    to bring her to our side."

    "Thank you, Axel." Jasper hugged Alyssa''s shoulder, feeling very guilty.

    "You guys just wait and see."

    Suddenly, Axel''s mind was filled with Amber''s clear and bright eyes, causing his heart to flutter.

    However, after a brief distraction, reason once again took over his mind. That glimmer of light was

    extinguished in his pupils at once.

    "When I have squeezed out all her worth, I''ll make her and Jameson perish together."

 Chapter 1691

    Axel''s resolute words sent shivers down Ss'' and Cyrus'' spines.

    When Axel made up his mind to be heartless, he would cut off his feelings. Though he was wandering

    outside, he still harbored resentment toward Winston. It was enough to show how stubborn he was and

    how heartless he could be.

    "Axel, there''s no need to be so ruthless." Unexpectedly, Alyssa shook her head indifferently.

    "As long as she shows remorse and is ready to break free from Jameson''s control and join us, I won''t

    make things difficult for her."

    Axel looked surprised. "Lyse, are you saying¡ª"

    "If she''s willing to switch sides and work with me, I''ll dly ept her and arrange a position for her in

    a subsidiary of KS Group. She won''t have to live like that in The Millennium, selling herself."

    This statement surprised even Jasper. "Lyse, do you really mean that?"

    Ss frowned. "Although that woman helped Axel and provided us with this evidence, there''s a chance

    this could be a trap set by Jamiper and her just to gain our trust. What if she acts as a double agent?"

    "If that were the case, when Axel sneaked into The Millennium, she would have made it a bigger

    commotion ande out to mediate when necessary, pretending to help Axel. This way, she could

    have made Axel owe her a bigger favor.

    "She wasn''t trying to gain Axel''s trust. She genuinely aimed to help him retreat safely. Providing him

    with this evidence regarding Josh was really her way of seeking the best possible way to handle the

    situation."

    With that, Alyssa''s eyes turned to Axel, her gaze bing intriguing. "What Amber gave Axel was not

    only her sincerity. It was also a trump card in Jameson''s hands. There''s no need to take such risks if it

    was just to please him."

    Axel remained expressionless, but a hint ofplex emotion shed through his eyes, imperceptible to

    the naked eye.

    Cyrus carefully reviewed the information in his hand again and asked in confusion, "Most of the

    evidence has already been collected.

    "Now that the internal power struggle within Schmidt Group is widely known, why doesn''t Jameson

    release this evidence and directly crush Josh? Holding back like this seems to invite more trouble,

    doesn''t it?"

    Just as Alyssa was about to exin, Jasper spoke coldly, "Lyse said that this is Jameson''s trump card.

    As the eldest son of the Schmidt family, Josh still holds a small share of the Schmidt Group, which is

    his only remaining value.

    "Jameson wants to keep thisst bit of leverage. At a critical moment, he''ll force Josh to transfer the

    shares to him. It''s the same tactic he used when dealing with David."

    Alyssa smiled at Jasper, and her eyes were full of affection.

    "Damn it! He always does things in the dark. No matter how high he stands with this power gained

    through underhanded methods, he''ll still be despised and scorned," Ss spat out.

    "So, we must not let Jamiper get what he wants." Alyssa smiled confidently.

    "We do need to take action against Josh, not only to avenge Jonah but also to make Jameson''s trump

    card into a useless card. We need to let him face the consequences of the trouble he caused."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Jasper gently rubbed against her waist as he gazed at her proud profile, as if enchanted. "Lyse, no

    matter what you decide, I''ll always support you unconditionally."

    Ss patted Axel''s shoulder meaningfully. "Axel, for the sake of revenge, we''ll have to rely on your

    charm."

    Axel''s sharp gaze softened slightly, and he smiled bitterly before leaving.

    After discussing important matters with Alyssa''s brothers and enjoying delicious fried chicken, the

    couple went upstairs to their room to rest.

    Jasper drew a bath in the bathroom while Alyssa lit scented candles and poured wine. At this moment,

    she received a call from Rose.

    "Madam, how... have you beentely?" Rose asked cautiously, afraid of triggering her emotions.

    "A lot is going on, but..."

    Alyssa nced at Jasper, who was carefully adjusting the water temperature beside the bathtub and

    felt a warm sensation spread across her chest. "I''m fine. With my husband by my side, I can handle

    anything."

 Chapter 1692

    When Jasper heard that, he couldn''t help but smile. He was still not used to her calling him her

    husband, but he loved it nheless.

    "Sigh... You have a husband now. I''ll have to prepare two gifts from now on. It''s going to be a big

    expense!" Rose pretended to sigh.

    "Haha! You don''t have to buy anything for him, just for me. Think of him as the free gift thates with

    your purchase." Alyssa''sughter was clear and pleasant.

    Roseughed heartily. "Alright."

    Jasper waspletely speechless.

    What? So he was just a free gift after all this time?

    After a brief joke, Rose asked with concern, "Lyse, are you really okay? Is there anything I can help

    with? Don''t hesitate to trouble me. I''ll do my best to help you. I feel really sad when you keep things

    from me."

    "Most things have been resolved now, and my father''s condition has stabilized. Jonah and Julien will

    take him to Mosgravia for further treatment soon. Thanks for your concern."

    At the mention of Julien, Rose said, "Speaking of Julien, I still have the two sets of men''s suits he had

    requested me to make. They''ve been ready for a long time, but he hasn''te to pick them up.

    "I called him twice the other day. Once, his phone was off, and the other time, he didn''t answer. I''m

    calling you this time to ask about his situation. He hasn''t changed his mind, has he?"

    "Jul asked you to make suits?" Alyssa was puzzled. Julien usually wore either casual clothes or a white

    coat. He didn''t wear a suit.

    Could it be...

    "Well, I suspect, no, I''m sure these clothes should be for Jonah."

    Rose was a top-notch tailor who had eyes like rulers. She could even estimate a person''s

    measurements just by looking at them once.

    "Several months ago, Julien came to me to make a man''s suit. At that time, I realized that the

    measurements he gave were muchrger than his own. I thought he was making it for his father.

    "I even told him that if he was making clothes for an elderly person, the style was a bit too trendy. Now,

    thinking back... I''m really an idiot."

    Alyssa couldn''t help butugh. "Now you know. My dear Jul is making clothes for his lover.

    "Yes, yes. I''m sweating on my forehead."

    Rose''s tone was cheerful and excited. "Lyse, Julien and Jonah are really a perfect match. I was so

    excited after watching the news that night that I rolled around in bed all night long!

    "By the way, I''ve already made up my mind. I''ll personally make the wedding suits for Jonah and Julien

    when they get married, and I won''t charge a penny."

    Married?

    Jasper listened intently on the side. Scenes of Jonah and Julien, hand in hand in ck and white suits,

    entering the church with happy smiles shed through his mind.

    Indeed, they were a perfect match.

    "Thank you. I also hope to see the day when Jonah and Jul marry." Alyssa smiled gently.

    "Jul might be too busy to notice his phone. I''ll go to your studio tomorrow to pick up the suits he

    ordered, and we can also catch up."

    "Okay, ma''am. I''ll prepare some delicious food for you when youe over."

    After ending the call, the bath water was also ready.

    "Lyse, you go first. I''ll go out and call Xavier to discuss some work."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 1693

    The moment Jasper turned around, Alyssa grabbed his hand and looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

    Her cheeks flushed with a tempting blush as she coquettishly asked, "Do you have to go now? Can you

    bear to have me bathe alone?"

    Jasper''s Adam''s apple bobbed, and his eyes were filled with desire. The veins on his hand bulge,

    subtly twitching.

    "I can''t bear to, but for the past two days, you haven''t been sleeping well because of me. If we do it

    again tonight, I''m afraid your waist won''t be able to handle it."

    As soon as he finished his sentence, a glint appeared in Alyssa''s eyes. With a gentle flick of her

    fingertips, the only bath towel left on her slender body slipped offpletely.

    In an instant, Jasper''s breathing became heavy. His already weak willpower shattered at once.

    He lowered his eyes and kissed Alyssa''s soft lips passionately. While doing that, he unbuttoned the

    buttons of his shirt.

    However, he only managed to unbutton one as he tore the rest open. Expensive crystal buttons fell into

    the misty bathroom like his shattered reason.

    While kissing her, he lifted her and stepped into therge bathtub.

    Alyssa hooked her arms around his neck, emitting a soft, delicate moan as she melted into his

    embrace.

    Her slender fingers grasped the edge of the bathtub as she sank down and then floated up again.

    Ripplesyered uponyers. The scene was enchanting.

    After a passionate exchange, Alyssay exhausted on the bed, deeply embraced by Jasper from

    behind.

    "Do you dare seduce me again, you little enchantress?" Jasper buried his face in the nape of her neck,

    inhaling her fragrance.

    "Are you ming me?" Alyssa felt ticklish and shrank her neck. "It''s all because you can''t control

    yourself. You should train your willpower. Hmph!"

    "You''re so cruel. How could you bear to let a lion eat grass?" Jasper chuckled helplessly.

    Alyssa turned over in his arms. When she faced him, she asked softly with a teasing tone, "Jasper, I

    said that if Amber is willing to join us, I''ll take her in. You really don''t mind?"

    "As long as it''s your decision, I don''t mind."

    "I knew it. You guys don''t understand my thoughts." Alyssa sighed softly.

    "Right, she''s Jameson''s trusted subordinate, and she once worked with Jameson to set you up with

    that face. She even sessfully caused me to develop almost irreparable misunderstandings toward

    you. That resentment is quite difficult to resolve." "But reason tells me that what you''re doing is right."

    Jasper''s hot lipsnded on her forehead. "Turning a high-ranking member of the enemy''s side is much

    more valuable than destroying her."

    Alyssa nodded repeatedly.

    "Jameson has Amber and Carl. They can be said to be his left and right-hand men. Carl is like Xavier

    to me,pletely devoted, and there''s no crack at letting us in.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    "But Amber is a woman. Being arranged by Jameson to work at a ce like The Millennium, she must

    have suffered a lot over the years and is probably at her limit. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have taken such

    a risk to help Axel escape."

    Alyssa toyed with Jasper''s Adam''s apple with her fingertips. "Do you know why I think we can get

    through Amber? It''s not because she''s fallen, and it''s not because she''s taken a liking to Axel. It''s

    because she has my face."

    Jasper was slightly taken aback. "Your... face?"

 Chapter 1694

    Alyssa said, "I believe that Amber is a pawn Jameson prepared long ago. Even if not, he might have

    forcibly deprived her of her original face and turned her into me just to satisfy his despicable desires

    because he can''t get me."

    Alyssa trembled with anger in Jasper''s embrace. "It''s understandable if she became even more

    beautiful after the surgery. But who would willingly be someone else''s substitute and lose their

    true self?

    "Does she truly ept walking in the sunlight, only to be pointed at and called Alyssa Taylor? Do you

    know what that means? It means, in this world, that girl named Amber is dead even if she''s still alive."

    Jasper felt a chill run down his spine instantly.

    "Now, she''s secretly passing evidence to us through Axel. That''s her act of rebellion. She''s no longer

    willing to submit to Jameson and be a ridiculous stand-in."

    "That makes sense. I''ve never thought of that, Lyse."

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    After pondering for a moment, Jasper suddenly asked with concern, "Do you think that Axel might

    develop feelings for Amber after their interaction?"

    "No, Axel is even more immune to love than Jonah," Alyssa replied without hesitation.

    "Jonah has been single for so many years because he likes men, while Axel is because of the nature of

    his profession.

    "He told me before that in order toplete the tasks assigned by the organization, he has seduced

    80, if not 100 women over the course of a year. He''s immune to love a long time ago."

    "80?" Jasper was dumbfounded by the astonishing number. "Is Axel''s body... okay?"

    "What are you thinking?"

    Alyssa poked his forehead with her finger. "Axel sells his talent but not his body, okay? Anyway, don''t

    worry. What you''re worried about will never happen."

    Early the next morning, Rose went out to buy groceries.

    She returned to the kitchen in her studio while humming happily as she prepared meals and snacks for

    Alyssa.

    As lunchtime approached, she was about to call Alyssa when her assistant rushed in.

    "Ms. Emerson, there''s a visitor."

    "Do we have an appointment?"

    "No."

    "Did you just start working with me yesterday? My rule is no appointments, no meetings."

    The assistant frowned helplessly. "I told her, but thisdy is very stubborn. She said she''ll stay here

    until she sees you."

    "What the hell? What kind of shrew is that?"

    With her hands on her hips, Rose decisively waved her hand. "Forget about her. Let her do whatever

    she wants. If she can stay until nighttime, I''ll prepare a sleeping bag for her."

    The assistant nodded reluctantly. Just as she was about to leave, Rose stopped her.

    "Do you know who that woman is?"

    "She said her name is rissa Sparks, the wife of the Schmidt family''s eldest son."

    At the mention of the Schmidt family, Rose''s gaze instantly darkened. She took off her apron at once.

    "Take her to my office. I''ll meet with her."

 Chapter 1695

    When Rose got to her office, she found rissa standing stiffly, waiting for her. "Are you rissa

    Sparks?"

    At the sound of her name, rissa hurriedly rose to her feet. "Ms. Emerson."

    Rose studied her with surprise. She had expected the matriarch of the Schmidt family to exude grace

    and authority, not the demeanor she encountered.

    rissa only wore a simple white suit with her hair in a neat bun. Though her makeup was impably

    applied, it couldn''t hide the exhaustion etched on her face.

    "Ms. Sparks, please take a seat," Rose said, masking her initial resentment toward a meeting with a

    member of the Schmidt family. She decided to withhold her emotions and assess the situation first.

    "Ms. Emerson, I apologize for this sudden visit, but I desperately need your help in designing an

    evening gown," rissa pleaded. "Money is no object. I can pay you double or even triple what others

    would offer. All I ask is for your expertise. Please, I implore you!"

    "Ms. Sparks, I am merely a designer. It seems excessive for you to beg," Rose remarked, noticing

    rissa''s trembling hand as she held her cup. It was evident she was not in a stable state of mind.

    Rose softened her tone. "Since establishing my workshop, I have always operated by appointment

    only. Making exceptions would disrupt our production schedule andpromise the quality of our

    work, which wouldn''t be fair to our clients or our reputation. Therefore, I hope you understand¡ª"

    Before Rose could finish, rissa sank to her knees before her.

    "What are you doing, Ms. Sparks?" Rose panicked and quickly went to pull her up.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    As she pulled rissa up, rissa''s sleeves slid up.

    Rose unintentionally caught a glimpse of a fewrge bruises and bloody marks on her arm.

    Rose''s mind reeled from the shock.

    As Rose witnessed rissa''s distress, her thoughts drifted to her own past, where her mother endured

    humiliation to provide her with a better life. The haunting image of her abusive father shed through

    her mind, a reminder of the pain her mother endured.

    "I need to ce an order for an evening gown. Only a masterpiece from you can surpass all others.

    Your designs would overshadow them all."

    rissa shuddered. She wanted to cry, but she was without tears. "I won''t get up until you agree to

    help me."

    "Please don''t do this. Get up, and we''ll talk."

    Despite the tumult of emotions within her, Roseposed herself. Her voice strained with emotion as

    she spoke, "Very well, I will help you. Please, stand up. Let me take your measurements and see if we

    have anything suitable avable."

    rissa gripped her hand tightly. Tears filled her reddened eyes. "Thank you..."

    After dismissing her staff and assistant, Rose attended to rissa personally, carefully taking her

    measurements. Once done, she presented three evening gowns that she believed would suit rissa.

    "How do you find these three options, Ms. Sparks? If none are to your liking, I can certainly offer more

    selections," Rose offered.

    But rissa didn''t deliberate long. Hastily, she grasped a dark green dress as if afraid Rose might

    retract her offer. "There''s no need to trouble you further. I''ll take this one. It''s perfect," she said, her

    voice tight with emotion.

    Rose observed rissa''s tension with a pang of sadness. "Ready-made garments may not offer the

    same fit as bespoke ones. There might be some adjustments needed. I rmend trying it on in the

    fitting room for the best result. If alterations are necessary, I''ll take care of it."

    rissa hesitated briefly before she walked into the fitting room.

 Chapter 1696

    Innumerable memories flooded Rose''s mind like relentless nightmares, leaving her heart in turmoil.

    She made her way to the fridge, retrieved a chilled bottle of water, and drank it all, hoping to quell the

    unrest within her.

    At this moment, a thud emanated from the fitting room, jolting Rose. Hastily, she approached and

    rapped on the door, concern evident in her voice. "Ms. Sparks, is everything alright? Ms. Sparks?"

    No one responded. Rose felt something was off and barged into the fitting room.

    "Ms. Sparks!"

    rissa had fainted, her upper body exposed. rissa''s back was covered with bruises and scabs

    formed by old injuries.

    Rose was stunned for two seconds before she swiftly took off her coat to cover rissa''s body. Then

    she carried her up.

    "Ms. Sparks, wake up!"

    As rissa gradually regained consciousness, Rose''s relief was palpable, yet her concern lingered.

    "How did you get these injuries, Ms. Sparks?"

    Avoiding Rose''s probing gaze, rissa turned away, tears brimming in her eyes.

    "Are you being abused? Did Josh do this to you?" Rose''s eyes zed with fury, their depths tinged with

    scarlet intensity.

    "Ms. Emerson, this is a private matter. Please don''t ask."

    rissa struggled to get up. She frantically wore her clothes. "I will transfer the money to you shortly. I

    will ask my assistant to collect the gown from you. Sorry for the trouble!"

    As rissa prepared to flee, Rose''s voice cut through the air, "Ms. Sparks, domestic abuse isn''t a

    singr event¡ªit recurs, relentlessly haunting its victims. You understand more than anyone the

    anguish and torment you''ve endured all these years.

    "Are you truly willing to spend the rest of your life with that pretentious bastard? No matter how much

    you endure, your body will inevitably falter under the strain. Are you resigned to the possibility of

    meeting your end at his hands one day?"

    "Then, what am I supposed to do? Do I have a choice?"

    rissa finally broke down, unleashing the pent-up hatred she had suppressed for so long. "I''m barely

    clinging to life as it is. If I fight back, I''ll only end up dead." "Bullshit!" The domestic violence had struck

    a nerve in Rose. She shrieked, "You will end up dead if you don''t retaliate! Ms. Sparks, it''s still not too

    late for you. As long as¡ª"

    Before she could finish, the door mmed shut, cutting her off.

    Rose''s features hardened, her body tensing with suppressed fury as an unsettling idea took root in her

    mind.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Just as rissa''s car made its way out of the studio, a sleek luxury vehicle swept in. Disregarding the

    marked parking areas, it brazenly parked sideways in front of the studio, demonstrating utter arrogance

    and a disdain for the rules.

    "Mom, what sort of dump did that awful woman pick to live in? It''s so remote, and the drive was pure

    torture!" A woman d in a pinkce dressined as she stepped out of the car, her eyes

    brimming with disdain as she stretched in difort.

    She was Jamie Emerson, Rose''s sister from another mother.

    "It''s because the housing in this area is affordable. That despicable woman is probably pinching

    pennies, maybe even saving for her dowry,"mented a stout, stern-faced middle-aged woman

    walking closely behind. She was Lydia Carney, Jamie''s mother.

    "She parades around as a designer just to boost her status and snag a wealthy husband. Otherwise,

    she''d be nothing but a shameful illegitimate daughter. If the truth were toe out, who would even

    consider marrying her? She''s nothing but a source of embarrassment and disgrace."

 Chapter 1697

    "Haha! You''ve got a point, Mom!" Jamie furrowed her well-trimmed brows. "But I still don''t get why we

    didn''t hire a top-notch designer for my wedding gown. Why settle for this woman''s help? It''s ridiculous."

    "Ah, my dear daughter, there''s more to it than meets the eye."

    Lydia held Jamie''s arm and said seriously, "Your father''s sess in business stems from his ability to

    allocate resources wisely from a young age.

    "Having Rose design your wedding dress serves several purposes. Firstly, it would be a waste not to

    utilize her skills. Secondly, it''s a subtle way for your father to assert his authority over her. She needs to

    understand her ce in the Emerson family.

    "She may be an Emerson, but she would always be beneath you. She would have to suck up to you for

    the rest of her life."

    With a meticulously crafted n in mind, Lydia and Jamie made their way through the entrance.

    "Hi, do you have an appointment?" The assistant approached them.

    "Appointment? What for? This little establishment is not that upscale. No need for formalities." Jamie

    sneered and rolled her eyes.

    The assistant frowned, her demeanor turning frosty. "Ms. Emerson doesn''t entertain unannounced

    guests. Madam rissa from the Schmidt Group was turned away earlier because she didn''t have an

    appointment."

    Lydia and Jamie exchanged surprised nces. They couldn''t believe someone from the Schmidt

    Group woulde to Rose''s shop to custom-make their clothes.

    Though the Emersons held some social sway, they paled inparison to the Schmidts, one of the

    four great families.

    "Ahem... We''re Rose''s family. Kindly inform her that her rtives are here to see her. She''ll surely

    come down to greet us." Unable to meet Rose, Lydia was forced to reveal her identity.

    "Huh? If that''s the case, I''m afraid I can''t let you in."

    The assistant regarded them icily. "I''ve worked for Ms. Emerson for many years, and I know her like the

    back of my hand. Ms. Emerson mentioned that her mother is the only living rtive she has. The rest

    of her family has passed away."

    Lydia''s expression darkened instantly.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Passed away? How could that bitch say that?" Jamie''s rage boiled over, and she hurled an insult at

    Rose.

    A sudden chill crept up their spines, apanied by the relentless echo of imposing footsteps drawing

    closer.

    Lydia and Jamie shuddered and whirled around.

    Approaching them was an imposing man in a dark uniform, his sharp gaze fixed upon them.

    Jamie stared at him nkly, momentarily transfixed. Her heart raced uncontrobly as if it might leap

    from her chest. He was so strikingly handsome that she felt an inexplicable urge to scream.

    Previously, she had always thought her fianc¨¦ was handsome. She proudly unted pictures of him

    everywhere, basking in others''pliments. Butpared to this man, her fianc¨¦ paled in

    comparison.

    s, there would always be someone more superior.

    "And who might you be?" the assistant asked, puzzled.

    Ss nced at Jamie, who had just cursed Rose, with a cold stare.

    Lydia trembled and instinctively pulled Jamie closer.

    After a brief moment, Ss retracted his gaze and smiled at the assistant. I''vee to collect two suits

    Ms. Emerson has finished for me. She informed me they were ready, so I''m here to pick them up."

    With that said, he turned and sauntered over to a nearby couch, crossing his legs as he settled in. His

    eyes lingered on Lydia and Jamie as though observing a captivating spectacle.

    Ss added, "Please take care of your business first. Once you''re finished, attend to my needs. I''m in

    no rush."

 Chapter 1698

    The assistant was taken aback by Ss'' demeanor. However, interpreting his nonchnt attitude as

    that of a typical clienting to collect his garments, she proceeded with her duties.

    "Jamie, what''s gotten into you? You''re practically ogling. Pull yourself together!" Lydia chided, tugging

    Jamie''s arm.

    "Mom! Look at that man. He is so handsome! I''ve never seen such a pretty face in my life," Jamie

    gushed, her excitement palpable.

    "Enough of that. You''re a woman of means; act like it. No matter how handsome he may be, he''s still

    just a man," Lydia scolded, though she couldn''t help but steal nces at Ss.

    Something about him seemed familiar, and his icy gaze sent shivers down her spine.

    As the assistant pondered how to handle the situation, the crisp click of high heels echoed from the

    staircase.

    "Are you two quite finished?"

    Ss turned his attention to Rose, who had just arrived. His eyes narrowed as he observed the

    aggression emanating from her demeanor.

    "Mom, that bitch is here!" Jamie eximed, her expression twisted with disgust and hostility.

    Jamie, as the legitimate daughter of the Emerson family, felt deeply unsettled by the impact Rose, the

    illegitimate daughter, had on the former''s rtionship with their father, George Emerson.

    Rose surpassed Jamie in various aspects. Not only was Rose exceptionally beautiful, but she also

    possessed remarkable talent. Excelling academically and disying exemry character from a young

    age, Rose rose to be the most esteemed fashion designer in the country.

    If Rose hadn''t been burdened by her mother''s criminal past, George wouldn''t have treated her with

    such coldness and distance. Rose might have even married into the prestigious Dalton family from

    Northuis instead of Jamie.

    As Rose approached Lydia and Jamie, each step felt as heavy as lead.

    Upon reaching the bottom, her gaze fell upon Ss, seated with an air of effortless elegance. His

    charming eyes captivated her, causing her heart to flutter uncontrobly, just as it always did in his

    presence. Yet, despite her undeniable attraction, Rose knew she could never act upon her feelings.

    The arrival of Lydia and Jamie felt like the striking of midnight, a cruel reminder for Rose to awaken

    from her Cindere dream.

    Despite her deep affection for Ss, Rose harbored a secret hope that he would find a more suitable

    partner for himself¡ªone without the burdensome background, family, and past that gued her.

    Lydia''s eyes burned with hatred as she observed Rose''s remarkable sess. Her anger simmered

    beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.

    "Lydia, I am working right now. We can talk after work," Rose uttered, her voice strained with forced

    composure.

    Ss remained a silent observer on the sidelines, rendering Rose unable to unleash her pent-up

    frustrations on Lydia and Jamie. She grappled with the thought of revealing her family''s inner turmoil,

    especially considering how it might affect her standing in Ss and Alyssa''s eyes.

    Rose had fought tooth and nail to rise from the depths of the slums to her current position, and she was

    determined never to return to square one and endure the scorn of others.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Ss noticed the grim look on Rose''s face. Yet, he remained calm.

    Lydia, however, was seething with outrage. Finallyying eyes on Rose, she spewed forth a venomous

    tirade. "Rose, you may be a renowned designer now, but your arrogance and temper have worsened

    over time.

    "You have changed. You used to try to appease us when you and your mother were still living with the

    Emersons."

    "Lydia, while it may have been my assistant''s oversight not to recognize you, we treat all clients equally

    and have no intention of causing any inconvenience," Rose retorted, her body stiffening with tension.

    "Let''s continue this discussion in my office."

    Lydia crossed her arms, her tone icy. "You may have forgotten your roots and denied your identity as

    an Emerson, but you can never erase where you came from. No matter how high you climb, remember

    that your sess today is all thanks to the Emerson family''s efforts."

    "Mom, you''re saying it in such a roundabout way. Does Rose even understand? Let me make it clear to

    her," Jamie interjected, her tone dripping with malice as she nced at Ss, igniting a sense of

    maliciouspetitiveness within her.

    She inched closer to Rose. "Rose, you have to always remember that you are an illegitimate daughter

    of the Emerson family."

    Ss, holding a cup, tightened his grip as his heart panged with ache. Sensing Rose''s difort, he

    averted his burning gaze, fearful of adding to her distress.

    "Why should we speak in your office? Are you ashamed of who you are, Rose?" Jamie taunted, seizing

    the opportunity to strike. "Wee to see you once in a blue moon, yet you find every excuse to avoid

    us. Now that we''ve raised the issue, your guard dog is ready to pounce."

    The assistant seethed with humiliation, but understanding their rtionship with Rose, she bit back her

    anger.

    Each insult pierced Rose''s heart like a knife, particrly in front of the man she loved. It was a brutal

    assault on her most vulnerable side.

 Chapter 1699

    Ss remained silent.

    Rose couldn''t bring herself to meet his gaze, her heart aching with an intensity that made her wish for it

    to cease beating altogether.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    No one would be able to ept her, even someone as understanding and perceptive as Ss.

    After an agonizing stretch of tense silence, Rose summoned the strength to ster a strained smile on

    her face.

    "Yes, I am the illegitimate daughter, the product of George''s affair. Our family is aplete mess, our

    drama both entertaining and scandalous!"

    She turned her attention to Jamie, her voice tinged with defiance. "Jamie, you''re on the verge of

    marrying into the Dalton family, aren''t you? When I meet my new brother-inw, rest assured I''ll

    enlighten him about the Emerson family''s true colors. Perhaps then, we can findmon ground."

    Lydia and Jamie were left dumbfounded by Rose''s audacity. With each forcedugh, their fury only

    intensified.

    Rose had made everything worse!

    "Tell me, what brings you to visit this illegitimate daughter you seldom acknowledge?" Rose''s tone

    dripped with sarcasm as she arrogantly checked her watch. "Hurry up, my time is valuable."

    Lydia ground her teeth, struggling to contain her anger. "Jamie is about to be engaged. Your

    father expects you to create two gowns for her."

    "I''m sorry, but my schedule is fully booked for the next few months. I simply don''t have the time."

    Lydia''s icy re bore into Rose. "Rose, are you going against your father''s orders?"

    Rose fearlessly replied, "It doesn''t matter. Even if the presidentes, I won''t do it."

    Jamie was livid. "You!"

    "Lydia, do you take me for a fool?"

    Rose, towering over Lydia, regarded her with a mixture of disdain and defiance. "You and your

    daughter humiliated me just seconds ago, and mere secondster, you dare to ask me for a favor? I

    can''t believe the extent of your shamelessness."

    "You disrespectful wretch! You''ve crossed the line!"

    Lydia was unable to contain her rage any longer. With eyes reddened with fury, she raised her arm

    intending to deliver a p across Rose''s face.

    Rose''s muscles tensed, ready to defend herself, when a sharp gust of wind suddenly sliced through the

    air. Then, a sharp, echoing smack reverberated throughout the space.

    "Ah! It hurts!" Lydia cried out in pain, her forehead glistening with sweat as she clutched her throbbing

    wrist.

    The sound of something shattering echoed through the room as a cup fell to the ground after it

    thwarted Lydia''s attempt to strike Rose.

    "Mom, are you okay?" Jamie was scared out of her wits.

    Lydia''s hand trembled in pain. "Who did this?"

    "Me."

    A voice, firm and unwavering, rang out.

    Rose looked up abruptly. Her heart felt heavy as tears swirled in her eyes.

    Ss, without a moment''s hesitation, stepped forward and approached Rose. His intense gaze, filled

    with concern andpassion, locked onto her pitiful, reddened eyes.

    There was no disgust or disdain in his eyes, only genuine concern for her well-being.

    As Jamie watched Ss'' intense gaze fixed upon Rose, whom she considered to be an eyesore, a

    pang of jealousy twisted her stomach.

    She thought they didn''t know each other. But the intensity of the man''s gaze on Rose was undeniable.

    His eyes seemed to be fixed on her with an unwavering focus, as if he couldn''t tear his gaze away from

    her for even a moment.

    "Did you just hit me? Who do you think you are?" Lydia''s voice trembled with anger and fear as she

    confronted the intimidating Ss.

    "Then, who do you think you are to strike her?"

    Ss met Lydia''s reddened face with a cold gaze and remarked, "Do you believe your facelift and Botox

    will absolve you of your actions?"

 Chapter 1700

    Rose stood behind Ss, her heart initially unsettled. Her lips were pressed thinly together.

    However, she nearly broke into a smile after hearing Ss'' remark.

    Ss possessed a formidable ability to dismantle a convict in court and ruthlessly exploit someone''s

    vulnerabilities with his words.

    "Nonsense! I''ve never had my face done!" Lydia retorted, hastily covering her stiffened face, a mix of

    shame, anger, and guilt consuming her.

    Ss shook his head. "It''s not your fault for aging, but it''s not right to run around scaring people off with

    that face either."

    Lydia seethed with outrage, feeling her blood boil at his audacity.

    "Who are you to Rose?" Jamie interjected, clinging to her mother and demanding an answer.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    "Who am I to Rose?" Ss mused, touching the inside of his cheek with his tongue before turning to

    Rose with a serious expression. "Ms. Emerson, she wants to know my role in your life."

    Rose met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.

    "If you don''t say anything, then I''ll take the liberty of calling myself your boyfriend," Ss announced

    with a wide smile, a gentle glint in his eyes.

    "What?" Lydia''s and Jamie''s jaws dropped.

    How could this sophisticated man be Rose''s boyfriend?

    Rose''s cheeks flushed instantly. She looked down shyly, afraid to look at him.

    Ss'' expression softened as he reached for her cold hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.

    "I didn''t intervene when you were bullying Rosie earlier because I wanted to witness the extent of your

    cruelty and shamelessness. I wanted to see just how low you could stoop," Ss remarked coolly, his

    demeanor exuding a chilling presence.

    "And you didn''t disappoint me. It''s truly eye-opening to see both of you devils in action," he added, his

    eyes narrowing slightly.

    Rosie?

    Rose blinked away the moisture from her eyes, feeling a warmth spreading in her chest.

    Lydia gritted her teeth. "This concerns only the Emersons. I don''t think this has anything to do with

    you."

    "Rosie is mine, so that makes her problems mine as well.." Ss rubbed his cheeks, his gaze sharp

    enough to deter anyone from meeting it directly.

    "Sir, my mother has never spoken an untruth about her."

    Jamie erupted, hurling usations at Rose once more. "She''s the illegitimate offspring of the

    Emersons. Her mother seduced my father and bore her out of wedlock. Unable to secure her position,

    she birthed this wretch behind my father''s back.

    "Then, in desperation, her mother brought her to us for protection. We embraced her as family, but

    Rose, despite our kindness, turned her back on us after gaining some fame for herself. She wouldn''t

    even deign to design a gown for me!

    "She wouldn''t even be here if not for us Emersons. If my father hadn''t taken them in, Rose and her

    mother would have perished on the streets."

    Rose''s eyes zed crimson, her breathsbored while Ss sneered with contempt.

    "What does any of this have to do with my Rosie?"

    Jamie was stunned.

    "She didn''t choose toe into this world. She couldn''t choose her parents or upbringing either. But I

    believe if she could choose, she''d want nothing to do with the Emersons."

    Ss fixed his gaze on Rose, his eyes darkened with understanding.

    "If you possess an iota of dignity, leave my presence. Otherwise, I''ll ensure you lose even that."

    Lydia realized this man was far moreplex than she had assumed. Unable to press her argument

    further, she could only tug Jamie away, hastily exiting the vi.

    As they reached the car, Jamie erupted in fury. "Mom, that man hurt you. Even if he won''t apologize,

    shouldn''t he at least foot your medical bills?"

 Chapter 1701

    Jamie eximed, "They managed to scare us off. How embarrassing and humiliating!"

    "You''re kidding, right? It''d be even more embarrassing to stick around any longer," Lydia countered as

    she suppressed the pain in her wrist.

    Lydia then retrieved her phone, opened the browser, and found a picture of Jonah Taylor, the president

    of KS Group.

    Jamie peered over her shoulder. When she saw the picture, she gasped, "Isn''t this the guy we saw

    earlier? He''s the president of KS Group!"

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    Lydia''s eyes darkened as she gazed at the picture, feeling beads of sweat forming.

    Initially, the man had seemed familiar, but she couldn''t ce him. Then, as she left through the exit, it

    clicked¡ªhe was one-half of the gay couple that had recently made headlines.

    "That can''t be right. The president of KS Group is gay. How could he also be the one iming to be

    Rose''s boyfriend? They just bear a striking resemnce."

    "You''re right. That bitch couldn''t be so lucky as to date a Taylor."

    Jamie, visibly shaken, attempted to reassure herself. She murmured, "But they look so alike. Anyone

    would have thought they were brothers."

    Rose returned to her office, clutching her chest while her other hand frantically searched her drawer for

    nitroglycerin pills. She found them, poured out a dose, and swallowed them hastily.

    Ss entered the office behind her, noticing her continued distress even after taking the pills. His heart

    went out to her, feeling a pang of sympathy.

    With her back to him, Rose''s once proud posture now slumped slightly. She slowly tightened her grip

    on her chest, the strain evident in her movements. "You... saw everything."

    Ss pursed his lips, his gaze turning somber.

    "That''s my family... I hail from a cheap and lowly background. What''s the point of a fancy designer title

    anyway? It can''t scrub away the stains of my past. You must be really let down, huh? Well, now that

    they''re gone, you don''t have to pretend for my sake anymore."

    Before Rose could finish speaking, she felt a warm, reassuring presence enveloping her from behind.

    Without knowing what came over him, Ss expressed his affection by pulling her into a firm embrace.

    Initially resistant, Rose soon found herself yielding to theforting embrace, her body craving the

    closeness.

    "Who said I was pretending?" Ss murmured, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

    His voice was hoarse as he added, "I''ve never been more sincere with you."

    A jolt ripped through Rose. It stole her breath, sending her head spinning. She felt like she was melting

    in his embrace. "No, this can''t be true. Weren''t you just watching me get humiliated earlier?"

    Ss'' eyes reddened as he spoke softly, coaxing her, "You''ve misunderstood me. Let me exin."

    "I don''t want to hear it."

    "It''s not that I didn''t want to help. I wanted to beat that bitch up when she started throwing insults at

    you."

    Ss rested his chin on her shoulder, and his heart was heavy with an indescribable pain. "But I also

    wanted to know you better. You''ve never opened up about your family or your past.

    "Every time I tried to get close, you pushed me away. I know it was underhanded of me, but it was the

    only way I could understand you. I wish to learn more about you."

 Chapter 1702

    Ss tightened his arms around her as he spoke as if fearing she might escape him.

    A warm blush crept up Rose''s chest, a pleasant tingle settling in her heart. Her voice dipped to a

    yful whisper, more of a tease than a scold. "Well, at least you know you''re being sneaky."

    "Rosie." Ss couldn''t tear his gaze away. A captivating blush painted Rose''s pale face as he

    murmured, "Well, you''re just as cunning. You''re the sneak who''s stolen my heart."

    Rose found herself at a loss for words.

    She remembered listening to Alyssa chatter about her family and Ss. He had such a handsome face.

    Yet, he was so dense and cheesy that it raised concerns for him.

    It seemed Alyssa was right.

    Ss noticed her sudden silence and fell into a surge of panic. He turned her to face him. "Are you still

    upset with me?"

    "Ss Taylor."

    Ss'' panic intensified at the sound of Rose addressing him by his full name. Unconsciously, he

    swallowed hard.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    "I am an illegitimate daughter of the Emerson family. I am a disgrace. Even the Emersons woulde

    to me and cause trouble. I have no peace. I don''t deserve you. It''ll only be harder for you if you stay by

    my side."

    It felt as though she was tearing a piece of her heart away with each word uttered. "You deserve

    better."

    Rose continued, "There are plenty of reasons why you might feel this way about me, and perhaps one

    of them is because your emotions stem from a desire to protect me¡ªa misced sense of sympathy.

    "But once the initial rush fades, you''ll see what I see¡ªlove is fleeting and nothing but trouble. You

    come from a good ce, and even if you don''t need someone of equal standing, you deserve a well-

    educated woman with a respectable family background.

    "My life... it''s forever marked. Today was just a glimpse, a mere whisper of the darkness I carry."

    Beneath the icy veneer of a renowned designer, Rose harbored a wellspring of bitterness and

    insecurity. Her extravagant creations were a carefully crafted facade, a shield to deflect from the

    vulnerability beneath.

    Despite her prestigious Emerson name, Rose felt adrift, a life without roots. She could never bring

    herself to proim her lineage.

    Though she wasn''t blind to Ss'' good qualities or the depth of his love, a relentless sense of

    unworthiness gnawed at her.

    rity, however painful, was necessary. She couldn''t bear the thought of a future where Ss'' feelings

    waned or a future where their love faced an insurmountable societal bacsh.

    To avoid the inevitable heartbreak, she would rather not start it at all.

    "I''ve known about your background for quite some time."

    Her avoidance stung, but he pressed on, "So what, Rose? It doesn''t change a thing. I see you, all of

    you. And I still want you in my life."

    A tremor ran through Rose, shattering herposure. "Ss, is this some kind of prosecutorial

    harassment? You''ve investigated me?"

    "I just wanted to know the real you!" Ss panicked and held her shoulders forcefully.

    "Rose, do you honestly think I have nothing better to do than pry into your life? It was about getting

    closer to you, truly. All of this with the hope of winning your heart and earning a ce by your side!

    "I understand your concerns, but they''re unfounded. You''re Lyse''s best friend. She''s incessantly

    badgered me about making you her sister-inw.

    "And as for my family and father, you have nothing to fear. Their eptance knows no bounds. My

    father even embraced my brother''s sexuality wholeheartedly. He even weed Jasper despite his

    past transgressions with Lyse. So why wouldn''t he extend the same warmth to you? Why couldn''t he?"

    A fresh wave of ache washed over Rose, constricting her heart. Squeezing her eyes shut, she shook

    her head. Her hands pressed against his chest, forcefully pushing him away.

    "Dr. Lovce is the second in line to helm the Lovce Group, and Jasper is the president of the

    Beckett Group. They''re royaltypared to me. There''s a world of difference. Don''t waste your time on

    me anymore."

    Rose was truly obstinate, and she was getting on Ss'' nerves.

    Frustration flickered across Ss'' face, reddening his face. He took a deep breath, trying to regain his

    composure.

    Rose averted her gaze and turned to leave as she said, "My assistant mentioned you were here to

    collect Dr. Lovce''s suit. You''re here on Lyse''s order because she is upied, right? My assistant is

    packing it now. You can head home after that. I''m exhausted and in need of some rest."

    "That''s not all. There''s one more thing." Ss'' voice, now icy, came from behind her. "You still have my

    badge, don''t you? I have an important meeting to attend, and everyone is required to wear their

    badges. Please return it to me."

 Chapter 1703

    Rose''s body stiffened, feeling as though a sharp ice de had pierced her heart, plunging her into

    agony.

    "Okay," sheplied, her trembling hand slipping into the pocket of her coat. Slowly, she extracted the

    badge, gripping it tightly in her palm, then turned around.

    At that moment, Ss gazed at her gloomily, extending his hand toward her.

    Rose pressed her lips together into a thin line as she ced the badge in his palm. Just as she

    attempted to retract her hand, Ss seized it, pulling her forcefully into his embrace.

    Caught off guard, Rose collided with Ss'' chest. He couldn''t resist holding the small of her back,

    sealing her lips fiercely with a fiery kiss. Deepening the embrace, a sense of possessiveness lingered

    between their entwined lips.

    Rose''s thoughts scattered, and her mind seemingly zapped. She responded to his passion, wrapping

    her arms around him and returning the kiss with equal fervor.

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    After what felt like an eternity of kissing, Ss reluctantly pulled away, holding her chin gently with his

    fingertips as he smiled. "You were so pale earlier. Did I frighten you? Were you afraid I was truly going

    to leave? That I truly desired it back?"

    "No," Rose croaked, tears glistening in her eyes. "When did you be so confident? Did you learn

    from Lyse to be this bold?"

    Ss sighed affectionately and helplessly, enveloping her in his embrace. "Extraordinary... who cares?

    It wouldn''t matter to me. You''re the one I want in my life. You''re the best thing a man could ever wish

    for."

    At that moment, Ss'' unwavering determination shattered all of Rose''s doubts and hesitations.

    "Rosie, be my girlfriend."

    Ss'' eyes sparkled with genuine sincerity. "Let me be the one to love you, to cherish you, to hold you

    safe. Let me help you rediscover what you deserve. Please, Rose, give me a chance."

    Ss ran out of romantic things to say. These few sentences marked the extent of his eloquence.

    Rose could no longer contain the storm of emotions within her. With tears flowing down her face, she

    gave a gentle nod.

    With that, Ss'' world lit up. He tenderly stroked her nape once more before pulling her into a deep,

    passionate kiss.

    Alyssa was stuck handling work matters with Jonah, which meant she couldn''t meet Rose in Sna

    City. So, she tasked Ss with picking up the suit.

    While retrieving the suit was important, her main motive was to create an opportunity for Ss and

    Rose to meet.

    Even if there were a spark between them, their current situation wouldn''t allow them to see each other.

    How could their rtionship possibly blossom under these circumstances?

    Alyssa spent the entire day buried in project ns, deciphering information on the group''s executives

    and their current financial situation. Jasper assisted her, but the sheer volume of work left her

    exhausted. Her head spun, and her back ached.

    "Phew, I''m beat," she sighed, copsing weakly into Jasper''s arms like a robot running low on power.

    "Why is there so much to do? No one in their right mind could handle Jonah''s workload."

    "Second thoughts already?" Jasper chuckled softly, gently massaging her temples. "Just a friendly

    warning from someone with experience. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you take over, you''ll be

    facing a mountain of issues, even more than you''re dealing with now."

    "Regret?" Alyssa scoffed, lifting her chin. "That word doesn''t exist in my vocabry. Just watch me. I''ll

    not only get the job done, but I''ll excel at it. Remember KS World Hotel? I promised to run it better than

    Berenike, and I did, didn''t I? My achievements speak for themselves."

    Jasper, clearly charmed by her confident spirit, nted a kiss on her forehead. "There''s no one quite

    like you, Lyse. You''re the best, the queen bee. Why don''t I just hand Berenike Hotel over to you? You''d

    breathe new life into it."

    "Hmm... I don''t think so," Alyssa replied thoughtfully. "I know you''re estranged from your father, but let''s

    not push it too far."

 Chapter 1704

    Alyssa waved dismissively. "If I take the hotel, it would definitely strain your rtionship with your

    father. I wouldn''t want that on my conscience."

    Jasper ran a hand over her head, torn between amusement and exasperation.

    "Any news from Ss? Did he meet Rose yet?" Alyssa''s voice bubbled with excitement. "Don''t tell me

    they sumbed to their desires and got busy with some ''adult activities.''" She squirmed yfully in his

    arms.

    Jasper, however, took her inappropriate thoughts seriously. "In broad daylight? Highly unlikely. Besides,

    it''s Ss'' first date. Doubt he''d be that... bold, would he?"

    "Oh, Ss is plenty daring," Alyssa countered. "It''s that stuffy prosecutor uniform that''s holding back his

    wild side."

    With a yful grin, she flipped them over, pinning him beneath her. Her fingertip teased his Adam''s

    apple. "Besides, who says broad daylight matters? As long as a guy knows his surroundings when he''s

    turned on, right? Can men even tell time down there?"

    Jasper swallowed hard, his gaze deepening. Deeply smitten, he interpreted Alyssa''s words as a clear

    invitation. His hand, seemingly of its own ord, began a slow ascent up her thigh.

    The burgeoning sexual tension was abruptly shattered by the shrill ring of Alyssa''s phone.

    She answered, draping her arm around his neck. "Ss, finally! Did you meet Rose?"

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    "Lyse, get Jasper ande outside. We''re right here."

    Walking out of Heightsnew Vi, hand-in-hand, their eyes widened in shock at the sight before them.

    Under the scorching sun, Ss tenderly held Rose close, their lips meeting in a fervent kiss, oblivious to

    everything around them.

    Alyssa couldn''t contain her excitement and let out a joyful shriek.

    Alyssa''s shrieks shattered the tender moment. Rose, flushed crimson, immediately pushed Ss away.

    Feeling Alyssa''s hand quiver with excitement, Jasper gave it a squeeze. "Calm down. Seems you''ve

    startled Rose a bit."

    "I can''t help it! A new sister-inw!" Alyssa squealed as she punched Jasper''s chest yfully.

    Ss was not shy at all. He strolled toward them, hand in hand with Rose.

    "Lyse, let me formally introduce her." He turned to Rose, his gaze lingering with affection. "This is your

    brand new sister-inw, Rose Emerson."

    Rose''s cheeks, already rosy, deepened to a breathtaking crimson. "I-I''m not quite sure about that," she

    mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Undeterred, Alyssa beamed. "Hi, Rose! Your official sister-inw, reporting for duty!" she dered with

    a mock salute.

    Jasper, quick to respond, said, "Hello, my dearest sister-inw, and congrattions, Ss! Lyse and I

    will be eagerly awaiting our wedding invitation."

    Ss grinned, pointing at Jasper in approval. "You''re quite the rascal," he chuckled.

    In that instant, Ss found himself growing more epting of Jasper as his brother-inw.

    Rose, feeling flustered, couldn''t lift her gaze. "Madam, please, stop teasing me," she murmured.

    Alyssa interjected with a grin, "I''ve told you, Rose, you''re bound to be my sister-inw eventually.

    Resistance is futile."

    With a happy p of her hands, Alyssa eximed, "Ah, first Jonah finds love, and now Ss too. I must

    share this news with Winston tonight; it''ll surely lift his spirits and improve his health."

    Ss tightened his grip on Rose''s hand, his tone earnest as he spoke. "I''ll personally inform Dad. It''s a

    gesture of sincerity and respect toward Rose."

    Rose felt her eyes welling up with tears at his words.

    Everyone admired her talent, but she felt her personality held her back. Despite her gifts, most people

    didn''t quite hold her in high regard.

    Apart from Alyssa, Ss was the second person who loved and respected her. She never knew

    someone like her could be loved too.

    Being loved was such a happy feeling.

    "Since you''re here, give a tour of our house to Rose, Ss," Alyssa chirped. She couldn''t wait to

    introduce Rose to everyone in her family.

    "Not today, Lyse." Ss knew he just won over Rose''s heart, so he wanted to be careful and take things

    slow. She would feel pressured if things moved too fast.

    He borated, "Rose and I came to see you because Rose has something important to tell you."

 Chapter 1705

    Dinnertime arrived, and the four of them were famished. To celebrate Ss and Rose''s newfound

    romance, they decided to visit Belbanks'' most renowned local restaurant.

    Jasper took the wheel while Alyssa sat next to him in the front passenger seat. They allowed Ss and

    Rose to im the backseat. After all, they just got together. It was understandable that they would be

    all over each other.

    Alyssa and Jasper, however, couldn''t help but avoid the rearview mirror. The only sounds reaching

    them were asional smacks.

    "Ouch, Rosie," Ss winced, rubbing his hand. "Can you be a little lighter? I am your husband, you

    know." His yful tone made it clear he wasn''t bothered by their audience.

    Despite the yful pain, his affection was evident.

    "Whose permission did you think you had to let your hands wander like that? Quite bold of you, isn''t it?"

    Ss tightened his embrace around Rose''s waist, sending a warm flush creeping up her cheeks. As

    Rose nestled against his chest, a wave of captivation washed over him, deeper than before.

    The man hugged Rose rightly by her waist. Her face was blushed. A sweet-smellingdy was glued to

    his chest; it was undeniably captivating.

    "Besides, you''re my boyfriend, not my husband."

    "Is there a difference? Are you saying there''s a chance for someone else if I don''t behave?" Ss''

    warm breath tickled her ear as he squeezed her waist.

    Rose yfully challenged him, tilting her chin up. "We''ll see about that, mister. It might not be you if you

    keep this up."

    "I dare you, Rosie."

    Ss leaned in and kissed Rose fervently, parting her lips with his tongue, and enveloping her in his

    embrace.

    Rose was taken aback and flushed with embarrassment. Though she considered pushing him away,

    Ss'' passionate kiss left her unable to resist. She averted her gaze, her fingers trembling as they

    curled around his necktie.

    With a soft tug, their tongues danced together with increasing intensity.

    Ss whispered in her ear, "You can''t think about anyone else. It''s only me in your future.

    Though meant as a jest, Ss couldn''t shake off the possessive fury burning in his eyes.

    Only God couldprehend the sting of jealousy that Ss felt as he watched the intimacy between

    Jasper and Alyssa, or the flirtatious exchanges between Jonah and Julien.

    Even in his dreams, Rose''s face haunted him, turning his desires into lustful fantasies.

    Now that he had won her heart and tasted the sweetness of their rtionship, he yearned for her

    intensely, feeling addicted to her presence. He was unwilling to be away from her for even one second.

    As Ss and Rose kissed passionately, Alyssa and Jasper remained silent, not daring to turn their

    heads or speak.

    Arriving at the restaurant''s basement parking, Jasper let out a long sigh, his forehead glistening with

    sweat.

    "You''re sweating buckets," Alyssa remarked, wiping his face with a tissue from her purse. "I told you,

    my brother looks serious on the surface, but lustful within. By day, he was a normal man. But by night,

    he was like an animal on the heat."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    "Both of you are definitely siblings, alright. Only you would dare to say this because you''re his sister."

    Jasper grabbed her hand and ced it on his chest. "However, I understand how Ss feels.

    "Back then, when you chose to ept me once again, I was overwhelmed with joy," Jasper confessed.

    "I could only think about..."

    "Hush! Stop it!"

    Alyssa tiptoed and pressed a kiss on his lips. "I know where your thoughts are headed," she teased.

    "We''ve just arrived, and you have other ns in mind, don''t you?"

    "Alright, I''ll behave," Jasper agreed with a yful smirk before returning her kiss. "We''ll pick up where

    we left off once we''re back home."

    The luxurious private room overflowed with an array of mouthwatering dishes.

    Ss, a true food enthusiast, wasted no time in diving into the culinary delights before him. With

    potatoes disappearing rapidly into his eager mouth, it was evident that no one at the table was a

    stranger to his voracious appetite. So engrossed was he in his meal that he wouldn''t even have noticed

    if someone had slipped away from the table unnoticed.

    Roseughed heartily as she filled Ss'' te as if treating him like a child.

 Chapter 1706

    Alyssa said, "Ss, you''re stuffing yourself silly! Rose hasn''t even taken a bite because she is busy

    taking care of you. Is this how you care for her?"

    Alyssa savored the prawns and fish Jasper had prepared for her. Her eyes widened. "Ss, if you

    mistreat Rose in any way, I''ll introduce her to Liam, Axel, and Cyrus. We''ll see if you can still eat like

    that then!"

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Ss choked, sputtering in terror, nearly dropping his te.

    Rose blushed and patted his back gently. Then, she offered him her water. "Madam, please stop

    teasing me."

    "R-Rose, cough. I''m sorry," Ss stammered, quickly putting some food on Rose''s te. His face

    flushed red, on the verge of tears. "It''s my first time being a boyfriend. Please don''t be mad I haven''t

    been taking care of you. Give me some time. I''ll learn, slowly... no, quickly, as fast as I can!"

    Rose, slightly embarrassed, pursed her lips. She yfully poked his chest. "There''s no rush, Ss. We

    have plenty of time."

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged a smile.

    The Taylors were arge family with many siblings. Each had their own specialty and personality.

    However, one thing united them¡ªthey were hopeless romantics.

    After dinner, Rose resolved to disclose the purpose of her visit to Alyssa.

    "Madam," Rose began seriously, "guess who came to my workshop today?"

    "Who?"

    "Josh''s wife, rissa."

    Alyssa and Jasper were both shocked to hear that. "Why was she at your workshop?" they asked in

    unison.

    "She wants me to design an evening gown for her."

    Rose frowned as fear lingered within her. "But that wasn''t the point. You won''t believe how she had

    reacted.

    "She knelt before me and wept when I informed her that I only ept appointments and don''t have

    ready-made items avable. All because she wanted an evening gown on the spot!"

    Alyssa widened her eyes in disbelief.

    Ss gazed at Rose with admiration, resting his face on his hand. "Rosie, even the matriarch of the

    Schmidt family bowed to you. You''re truly incredible. I love it."

    Ss seemed to have entirely missed the gravity of their conversation. Rose restrained the urge to roll

    her eyes at him. He was nothing like the assertive and persuasive prosecutor she knew.

    "Haha, it seems the Schmidts truly have no concern for their reputation."

    Jasper''s lips tightened, his tone dripping with disgust. "No wonder Josh rarely brought his wife to

    functions. She''d throw herself away for a mere gown. No man could tolerate a woman like that."

    Alyssa shook her head, her eyes dimming with concern. "I don''t believe it''s as straightforward as it

    seems. rissa may note from wealth, but she''s educated and from a respected family. Logically,

    she''d care about her image. There must be more to this than a gown."

    "Could someone be threatening her?"

    "Spot on, madam," Rose confirmed, taking a deep breath to tamp down the rising rage. The next words

    spilled with barely concealed fury. "rissa copsed during a fitting.

    "When I rushed into the room to check on her, I saw that her body was riddled with bruises¡ªbeatings,

    cigarette burns, even whip marks. Some of them looked new as the scabs had barely formed."

    A suffocating silence descended the room when Rose finished. Then, a deafening bang echoed

    through it as Alyssa mmed her fists on the table, her reddened eyes zing with fury. Even Jasper,

    who had weathered far worse storms in his life, felt a pang of fear tighten his heart.

    "Josh, that bastard! He doesn''t deserve to live!"

    Violence was never tolerated by Alyssa, but this level of cruelty was unforgivable.

 Chapter 1707

    Ss grew serious.

    "Calm down, Lyse. You need to watch out for your health," Jasper said, holding onto Alyssa''s trembling

    hands. "Especially after you just ate. You have a weak stomach; getting angry might make it worse."

    Alyssa sat down angrily. Jasper quickly embraced her and kissed her temple.

    Though he was calming her down, she still quivered in anger.

    Rose said through uneven breathing, "This really is Josh''s doing. I''d asked rissa before why she

    didn''t rebel against him. Times have changed, after all. She could''ve sued for divorce and made Josh

    pay at any point in time so long as she had ample evidence.

    "But... rissa was really terrified of Josh. It almost seemed like Josh had some deadly upper hand

    over her, making it so that she never dared make a move, even if it meant meeting her death at his

    hands one day. rissa ran off before I could finish talking to her."

    Ss'' gaze darkened somewhat when he gazed at Rose''s pale face. He''d noticed how she had

    reacted. It was as if she was in rissa''s shoes instead of being an outsider.

    There must be so many things Rose was hiding from Ss.

    "The Schmidts are hosting a cocktail party in two weeks and have already sent invites to all sorts of

    powerful and influential people." Jasper''s eyes glinted coldly. "Xavier informed me on our way here

    earlier that Javier had received an invite."

    "Huh? Why didn''t we receive any? Where''s the respect?" Alyssa huffed.

    Jasper sped her shoulder and said hoarsely, "I''m afraid Jameson might want to personally deliver it

    to you here in Belbanks."

    Ss held Rose''s hand under the desk and mumbled, "Will he stop being so jealous for once?"

    Alyssa''s eyes narrowed fondly. "If Jamesones over, I''ll shove the invite up his ass and tell him to

    scram!"

    Jasper chuckled and kissed her on the lips.

    "Now I understand. rissa must''vee to get a custom dress from Rose because Josh forced her

    to. All the guests are bound to dress up morously during the cocktail party. Someone as egoistic as

    Josh would definitely want his own wife to shine," Alyssa concluded and shook her head in pity. "Josh

    would probably beat rissa to near death again if she didn''t."

    Alyssa was truly concerned for that poor woman.

    Jasper''s lips pulled taut when he recalled how he''d judged rissa at first. Guilt welled up in his chest.

    "Madam, I was wondering whether you and Mr. Jasper could find a way to win rissa over to our

    side. If she can testify that Josh abused her, the odds would tip in our favor against the Schmidts!"

    Rose said.

    Alyssa sighed dully. "Things aren''t that simple, Rose. The Schmidt family is one of the four great

    families and is even on par with the Beckett family in Sna City. Jasper and I have battled against

    them for so long, yet their stronghold barely shifted an inch, even after losing two of their children and

    that project in Tsulu.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    "The Sparks family is incredibly miniscule inparison to the Schmidt family. Their patriarch has long

    retired. What power would rissa have to back her up against Josh? Even if she goes against him,

    what will happen to her family? The Schmidts are capable of destroying the Sparks in an instant if

    they''re crossed."

    Rose was at a loss for words. She really was too naive.

    There were many things in this world that couldn''t be achieved with just passion and persistence.

    Reality was always crueler than fiction.

    "Rose does have a point, Lyse," Jasper said after some consideration. "rissa has been by Josh''s

    side for years. She must know more about him than just how cruel and bloodthirsty he can be.

    "rissa might even know his deepest, darkest secrets. If she does join us, it''ll be much easier for us

    to take down Josh, with the addition of the evidence Axel provided."

    Alyssa''s brows were furrowed. "But that brings us back to square one¡ªwhy would rissa help us?

    She must really value and love her family if she''s able to suffer so much pain."

    "That''s only because rissa has a weakness." Jasper smiled. "All we have to do is make it so that

    she doesn''t, no?"

    Alyssa suddenly understood what Jasper meant. "Are you saying we should back the Sparks family

    up?"

    "That''s a great idea!" Both Ss and Rose said at the same time.

    "I''ll send someone to follow rissa starting tomorrow and get Xavier to obtain information about her

    family. We need to find a key point to strike and upturn her barriers," Jasper decided firmly. It was quite

    encouraging to hear, even as none of them were certain about the oue.

    Alyssa intertwined her fingers with Jasper''s, eyes glowing brightly. "Josh will never expect the greatest

    key to his downfall to be right beside him!"

 Chapter 1708

    Meanwhile, Lauren had finally gotten into Sna City Arts Academy after Landon pulled some strings,

    thus granting her a spot as an associate student.

    Lauren quickly began her first week of sses.

    Though she sat in thest row of each ssroom every time and even hid herself behind therge

    easel, she still caught the attention of the male students in ss.

    None of them were in the mood to pay attention anymore. They kept on arching their necks to get a

    peek at Lauren.

    But Lauren was so focused on listening in ss and drawing that she never once noticed the other

    boys. She had to pay attention as she wanted to absorb everything the art teacher was saying. After

    all, Landon had helped her secure this spot, so she didn''t want to waste it.

    When ss ended, Lauren began clearing up her station.

    Some of the male students urged one of their friends forward in Lauren''s direction. The male student

    then took a deep breath and walked over to thest row.

    "Apologies foringte, madam. I was taking a call just now." Angelina walked over to Lauren and

    helped her carry her art tools while resting a hand on her waist.

    Angelina then nced coldly at the male students. That single nce was enough to stun them all.

    She was both beautiful and terrifying at the same time!

    "What are all of you trying to do here? Mess with a young, married woman?" Angeline quipped.

    Married woman?

    The male students were stunned. Many of them cried internally at losing their new prospect.

    "Ms. Lauren is already married. If any of you ogle her again, I''ll sue you all for harassment," Angelina

    said. She was originally going to say "pluck your eyeballs out" but decided not to go the violent route,

    given these were Lauren''s ssmates.

    Lauren looked down shyly as she walked out of the ssroom. She was blushing furiously.

    "I camete today as I had to deal with some things over at thepany. From now on, I''ll wait for you

    outside ss here," Angelina said. At the thought of those male students, she couldn''t help but still feel

    concerned for Lauren''s safety.

    No wonder Landon looked at Lauren the way he did all the time and even wanted to hide her away

    from the world. Lauren would be put at the mercy of the wolves if she was left outside just like this.

    Angie, Landon and I aren''t married yet..." Lauren blinked rapidly.

    Lauren had felt really happy inside when Angelina called her a married woman earlier, but there was

    still shyness.

    "The only difference is you two don''t have a wedding certificate, madam. You two still love one another

    regardless of whether you are married, no?" Angelina smiled and patted Lauren''s head.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    She continued, "Mr. Harper is already nning the wedding in secret. He''s going to Yoarkley next

    month to attend a royal auction. There is a rare diamond he wants to acquire, and the queen of

    Yoarkley has supposedly worn it before. Mr. Harper wants to make it into a wedding ring for you."

    "Landon doesn''t need to spend that much money for me. All that matters is that he loves me." Lauren

    shook her head lightly, grabbing onto Angelina''s shirt.

    "But Mr. Harper would do anything to give you the best in the world. Heck! He''d even pluck the stars

    from the sky and craft a ring for you with them if he could. You''re worth it, madam," Angelina said.

    Angelina then snorted, "Plus, you don''t need to worry about helping him save money. Besides you,

    money is the one thing he''ll neverck. Spending it is one of his greatest pleasures. Just let him do as

    he pleases, alright?"

    Just then, Angelina received a letter from Landon. She sighed to herself after reading it.

    "Is... Landon noting home for dinner tonight?" Lauren immediately knew why Angelina reacted the

    way she did.

    "I''m sorry, madam. Mr. Harper has been really busy as the board meeting is just around the corner."

    "It''s okay, I understand. CEOs are always really busy." Lauren hugged her teddy bear tight.

    She smiled even as disappointment glinted in her eyes. "I''ll just wait for Landon toe home. Jasper

    also rarely came home in the past because he was always busy. Alyssa would always wait for him to

    come home, not even going to sleep first. Sometimes, when Jasper had too much to drink, she''d still

    look after him no matter howte it was. She never once looked tired."

 Chapter 1709

    "From now on, I need to care for Landon just like how Alyssa had cared for Jasper," Lauren promised.

    Angelina felt both endeared and sad upon hearing this. She was d that Landon and Lauren''s

    rtionship had been far less eventful than Jasper''s and Alyssa''s. Lauren would never suffer by

    Landon''s side the way Alyssa had with Jasper.

    But it was a good thing that Alyssa was patient enough and that Jasper realized how he truly felt in

    time, finally enabling both of them to reunite.

    "Angie, if Landon isn''ting home for dinner tonight, then there''s no point for me to go back either."

    Lauren held Angelina''s hand and said, "I want to practice in one of the drawing rooms. Can we have

    dinner at a restaurantter instead?"

    "W-What did you just say, madam?" Angelina was stunned.

    Lauren was both autistic and had high social anxiety. She''d never had a meal outside the house, even

    after dating Landon for so long. Lauren was always hesitant whenever Landon got them a spot at a

    restaurant and would find excuses to eat at home instead.

    Lauren had clearly changed for the better ever since being outside more. She spoke and smiled more,

    no longer as timid as she used to be. Angelina was incredibly touched by this change.

    "Well... I heard from the students in the front row that a new barbecue ce has opened on Saint

    Avenue. They said the food there was really good, so can we try it out tonight?" Lauren asked.

    She continued hopefully, "You''ve alreadye with me to ss for a week now and even have to

    prepare dinner for me in the evenings. I''m sure it must be really exhausting. So why don''t you take a

    break tonight? I have the money to buy you dinner."

    Angelina did her best to hold her tears of joy back. "Alright. Thank you, madam."

    The drawing room was devoid of people as ss was over.

    Lauren tied her long hair into a bun and took up a pencil before she began drawing.

    Angelina took a picture of her and sent it to Landon. Landon immediately replied with an angry text. It

    read, "Why is she still in ss? Is that school trying to exhaust Lauren? Do they not want the money to

    rebuild their library anymore?"

    "ss is over, Mr. Harper. Madam just wanted to stay behind and practice her art," Angelina texted

    back.

    "Oh, Lauren. Fine then. Just watch after her and make sure she doesn''t exhaust herself. I feel bad

    when she does."

    "I''d also like to update you on something, sir. Madam wanted to treat me to dinner tonight at a

    barbecue restaurant."

    Landon didn''t reply for a while after receiving this text.

    A series of furious emojis were then sent to Angelina, making her phone vibrate endlessly. They were

    then followed by a single text, reading, "FUCK!"

    Angelina didn''t respond.

    "I am SO jealous of you right now, Angelina! Just you wait till I''m back!" Landon texted.

    Angelina scoffed. Landon was always so straightforward and indiscriminate with his jealousy.

    Shortly after, Landon followed up with, "Take care of Lauren and eat my portion for me too."

    "Don''t worry, sir. I''ll take good care of madam. Please hurry home once you''re done. Don''t keep

    madam waiting."

    "Okay."

    The bitterness from that word alone was incredibly apparent.

    Was managing both one''s family and business at the same time truly a difficult task?

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Just then, Angelina received a call from the staff department''s head. Thetter was asking her to

    retrieve some documents and sign some forms.

    Angelina left to do so and didn''t return, even after a long while had passed.

    Lauren didn''t even notice when Angeline had left as she was too focused on her art.

    A shrill and terrifying scream suddenly pierced the silence.

 Chapter 1710

    Lauren''s pencils fell to the floor as she flinched in shock.

    She then saw a human body fall outside the window, followed by a loud m.

    Lauren immediately rose from her chair, her body strung tight. She sheepishly walked over to the

    window and looked downstairs.

    Her mind went nk in an instant. She sped her mouth in fright and stumbled backward, legs

    beginning to quiver.

    A woman had fallen off the building and was lying dead on the ground outside.

    Panic ensued just then as screams of terror rang out from downstairs.

    Lauren''s heart pounded heavily in her chest. She grabbed her teddy bear and promptly ran out of the

    ssroom, not even bothering to pack anything else.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "Angie... Angie, where are you?" Lauren cried as she ran through the hallways. The image of the dead

    woman had branded itself into her mind.

    After running to who-knows-where, there came frantic footsteps from behind Lauren, followed by

    panicked wails.

    "Help! Someone has been murdered! Help!"

    Murdered?

    Lauren turned around in shock. Two male students were running frantically in her direction.

    Behind them was a middle-aged man drenched in blood with a cleaver in one hand.

    Lauren was rooted to the spot in fright, hugging her teddy bear tight.

    "Bastards! I''ll kill all of you!" the man roared viciously, raising his de in the air and aiming it right at

    the male students.

    Lauren took a fearful step back.

    Just then, one of the students grabbed her arm and dragged her over to shield himself from the knife''s

    blow.

    "Ah!" Lauren mmed right into the man as her teddy bear dropped to the floor.

    The two cruel students had already run off by then.

    The man was about to shove Lauren away when police sirens red from outside the window.

    "H-Help me!" Lauren shrieked before the man grabbed her by the shoulder and pressed his knife

    against her neck.

    "Shut up and follow me if you still want to live!" he barked.

    All the students had run out of the building in fright as the killer was on the loose.

    Many onlookers crowded outside the building. The police had to stop them from going past the safety

    tape, creating quite a chaotic scene.

    There were even reporters eager to get tomorrow''s headlines right away!

    "What''s the situation right now?" Cyrus asked, going past the safety tape and heading into the building.

    "Chief Cyrus, the suspect is one Denver Whitman, age 52. He works at an assembly line!" Two officers

    reported to Cyrus as they marched behind him.

    They continued, "There''s a female casualty who fell off the building, followed by a male who was

    cleaved five times and died on the way to the hospital. Two other male students were hurt, but they

    escaped just in time. They''re already on their way to the hospital!"

    Cyrus'' brows knitted together. "Did the female studentmit suicide?"

    "She did, but after we reviewed the footage in the area, she''d only done it because Whitman forced her

    to!"

    Cyrus found this peculiar. "Do all the five students know one another?"

    "I''ve asked their teachers and ssmates. They all told me those five are pretty good friends. They''re

    always hanging out and smoking on the rooftop!"

    Cyrus narrowed his eyes. "Is that where the crime scene is?"

    "Yes, sir!"

    Cyrus immediately figured out that Denver wasn''t just mindlessly killing people.

 Chapter 1711

    It was a premeditated act of revenge.

    "Chief Taylor, we''ve got bad news!" Another policeman rushed over, covered in sweat. "The killer is at

    the rooftop with a hostage! He threatened to jump to his death with the hostage if we refused to release

    him."

    Then, he handed a phone to Cyrus. Cyrus took the phone and saw the scene of Denver bellowing at

    the policemen with a female hostage in his arms.

    His eyes widened in shock as he recognized a pale-looking and tear-stricken Lauren in Denver''s grip.

    His heart sank, and panic surged through his veins.

    How could Lauren be the hostage?

    Cyrus, who had always dealt with the toughest armed criminals with calm, found himself breathing

    unevenly. He immediately dashed toward the rooftop.

    At the same time, Angelina rushed toward him with fury in her eyes, holding Lauren''s teddy bear.

    "Is the hostage... Madam Lauren? Is that true?" She sounded teary.

    Cyrus nodded with a serious face. She looked like she was on the brink of a breakdown.

    She offered, "I''ll go with you!"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "I know you''re in a panic, but your presence will only worsen the situation. You know nothing about the

    criminal, and you don''t have the negotiation skills. If you provoke the criminal, he might take Lauren''s

    life!" Cyrus advised.

    Then, he stared into her misty eyes. His tone softened. "Have faith in the police; trust me!"

    "Mr. Cyrus, please save Madam, no matter what it takes!" Angelina had no choice but to plead with

    Cyrus and ced all her hope on him, even when she knew he was a thorn in Landon''s flesh.

    "Don''t worry. I''ll risk my life to save Lauren because it''s my duty as a policeman," Cyrus promised.

    After that, he warned Angelina, "Do not alert Landon Harper just yet. He''s a hot-tempered man. I fear

    he might show up with his men to blow up the school in a panic. Listen to my instructions if you want

    Lauren back safe and sound."

    It took Cyrus only five minutes to race up the rooftop from the first floor and memorize the background

    information of Denver Whitman.

    Within five minutes, he had to structure the negotiation and construct various scenarios to rescue the

    hostage. He even had to consider the worst-case scenario.

    In his long career, he had been involved in hostage rescue countless times. He had even faced

    criminals armed with knives and hostages with bombs nted on them.

    This time around, his face turned white from shock and his mind went nk before he opened the door

    to the rooftop, perhaps because Lauren Beckett was the hostage in a daunting crisis.

    He heard a remark from his earset. "Chief Taylor, the snipers are in position!"

    Snapping back to reality, he said coldly, "Do not fire without my orders. We need to protect the

    hostage!"

    Then, he opened the door and headed toward Denver Whitman with determination.

    "Do not take one step closer. If you do that, I''ll sh her neck!" Eyes filled with a murderous look,

    Denver pressed the de harder against Lauren''s neck.

    He made a cut on her neck, and blood started trickling from the wound.

    A couple of policemen stood not far away from Denver with guns in their hands, but none dared to

    approach him.

    Tears rolled down Lauren''s cheeks. She shut her eyes in despair. In the moment of desperation, all she

    could think of was Landon, her one and only love. She muttered his name repeatedly, "Landon...

    Landon, I''m scared."

    "Denver Whitman, calm down! Don''t make any move!" A familiar voice echoed in the area, surprising

    Lauren. She slowly opened her eyes.

    Spotting Cyrus, she called out to him, "Cyrus. Cyrus!"

 Chapter 1712

    Lauren''s voice squeezed Cyrus'' heart.

    "Cyrus, save me^" Lauren''s face was devoid of color. Tears rolled down her cheeks, which hurt to

    watch. He so wanted tofort her, but such an attempt might provoke the criminal and ce her in

    greater danger.

    He cast a deep nce at Lauren before shifting his attention to Denver''s crazy eyes. He said, "Denver

    Whitman, please calm down. That youngdy is innocent. She has no idea about your backstory and

    doesn''t even know the five students. She''s just an innocent outsider.

    "How about this? I''ll take her ce as the hostage. You''ll set her free."

    Lauren watched Cyrus approach Denver through tears, crushed by feelings of guilt. She thought, "How

    could I have been so dumb? I should''ve waited for Angie in the ssroom. If only I had run faster!"

    s, it was toote to regret.

    Denver growled when he saw Cyrus approaching, "Don''te any closer, or I''ll slit her throat and jump

    off this rooftop. We''ll meet our end together!"

    "You think I have no idea what''s up your sleeve? You asked to take her ce so that you could fight

    me. I can''t possibly overpower a policeman.

    "I''ve killed two kids, so I''m doomed. It doesn''t matter if I kill one more."

    Cyrus put on a serious face. His heart raced. "I understand your grief. I might not have a daughter, but I

    would not have it if my sister was abused this badly. I''d avenge my family, too."

    Denver''s eyes wavered. His hand that held the cold de trembled, causing Lauren to feel pain in her

    neck.

    "I heard that your daughter, Joanna, was a student of this academy. The five students had bullied

    Joanna. In other words, it was a school bullying incident."

    Upon hearing that, Lauren widened her teary eyes as her mind went nk, and her ears rang.

    Memories from her tattered past shed across her eyes.

    She heard the taunts from the past. "You idiot, retard! Why are you even in school? Do you even

    understand what we''re saying?"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "She shouldn''t be attending school like the rest of us. She should be put in a mental institution!"

    "Stay away from her. She''s a moron. Who knows if it''s contagious? Haha!"

    The harsh and cruel mockery gnawed at her like howling ghouls. Shutting her eyes in pain, she looked

    pallid. Her legs were shaking so badly that she might copse at any time.

    Cyrus picked up her unusual reaction, which agonized him. He said to Denver in a hoarse voice, "I

    really wanted to help. You''ve made a mistake. You should stop now when there is still time. Joanna is

    still in critical condition at the hospital.

    "What you should do is stay by her side and help her through the tough times instead of resorting to the

    extreme. It will only lead to your ruin.

    "How would your daughter feel if she woke up to her father branded a murderer? She''d suffer from the

    trauma of school bullying and the guilt from your actions.

    "How''s a young girl, scarred from trauma, able to face the challenges? She''s attempted to take her life

    once. Do you want her to try again?"

    Cyrus'' colleagues cast looks of admiration at their chief. Despite Cyrus'' young age, he was as skilled

    as a veteran in hostage negotiations. His words were simple yet impactful.

    Most importantly, he carried himself with sincerity, a crucial technique in negotiations. He not only

    aimed to rescue the hostage, but he also strived to understand the criminal''s pain and perspective,

    thereby dismantling their defenses.

    As expected, Denver seemed swayed by Cyrus'' earnest speech. However, the thought of his badly

    injured and unconscious daughter filled him with irrational resentment.

    He hissed, "Stop lying! All the police know is to make hollow promises when you can''t do anything

    about it. Joanna and I met the school administration and the police a few times, begging them to take

    action against those five scoundrels. But those five bullies always walked away scot-free because they

    were rich. How can I trust your words?"

    Cyrus seethed upon learning the truth. The Sna City Arts Academy fell beyond their jurisdiction.

    They were dispatched solely due to the criminal nature of the incident.

 Chapter 1713

    Such corruption would not have been allowed in the district under Cyrus'' jurisdiction.

    "Sir, I... I know your... pain..." Lauren opened her swollen eyes slowly. Her soft voice was devoid of the

    fear when she was first held hostage. Instead, she sounded heartbreakingly resilient. "I have. had

    simr experience. as your daughter."

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Looking shocked, Denver gasped, "What did you say?"

    "Please. trust that I will. stay by Joanna''s side. until she puts behind her trauma. I will avenge her."

    Lauren struggled to speak due to the debilitating fear that suffocated her.

    "What can you do, you weak woman?"

    "I''m. the daughter of Javier Beckett. You can. search me up. on your phone." Covered in sweat, she

    added, "Jasper Beckett, the president of the Beckett Group. is my brother. My sister-inw is Alyssa

    Taylor of the KS Group. Don''t you think they are powerful enough to. avenge Joanna?"

    Cyrus had a newfound respect for Lauren. Anyone else would have been crippled by fear, but Lauren

    held onto what remained of her sanity and persuaded Denver to release her.

    "Is Alyssa Taylor. your sister-inw?" Denver did not think that Lauren was bold enough to lie to him.

    After all, anyone could perform a fact-check on their phones to ascertain her im.

    This time, he was utterly swayed by Lauren. Alyssa Taylor, despite being born into wealth, had the guts

    to seek justice for ordinary female victims like Nina Carle and Maggie Madison. For that, she made

    enemies with the Becketts and the Schmidts. However, her brave acts had spread far and wide.

    Denver thought, "Oh, if only Alyssa Taylor could help my poor daughter." Still, he doubted Alyssa

    Taylor''s capability to deal with every injustice in the world, even though she might be morally upright.

    Besides, she had no good reason to help his daughter.

    "Can Ms. Taylor. really help Joanna?"

    "Yes. I''m sure." Overwhelmed by emotions, Lauren shed tears despite having already calmed down.

    Tears flowed uncontrobly down her pale cheeks. "I was once a school bullying victim too."

    Cyrus widened his eyes in disbelief. He was shocked by what he had heard.

    "But I chose to endure and avoid the bullying. Until now. my bullies haven''t been held responsible and

    punished. I''ll take this as a way of avenging myself to fulfill one of my wishes. I certainly hope I can

    help Joanna.

    "Sir, please do not. walk down the wrong path. You won''t be able to see justice served if you die here

    today."

    Lauren''s earnest persuasion finally broke Denver. He slowly let go of her arm and moved the de

    away from her neck.

    "Cyrus!" Lauren, upon realizing that she could be saved, sprinted toward Cyrus with tears in her eyes.

    "Lauren, don''t be scared!" Cyrus opened his arms to greet her.

    At that moment, the snipers on the rooftop across from them adjusted the angle of their scopes,

    identally reflecting the sunlight onto Denver''s face.

    Denver felt cheated, and he immediately snapped. He once again raised his knife and aimed it toward

    the defenseless Lauren. "You motherfuckers! How dare you work together against me? Die!"

 Chapter 1714

    Lauren felt a chilling sensation on her back, but it was toote to dodge Denver''s attack.

    However, Cyrus would not allow Denver a second opportunity to hurt Lauren. He instantly grabbed the

    gun from his waist and held Lauren by the waist, pulling her into a protective embrace. The next

    second, he pulled the trigger, shooting Denver in the right arm and the left leg.

    Cyrus moved as fast as lightning. A criminal should not have given him any chance to attack, for he

    could turn the tables in no time.

    The aggrieved Denver yelped and grimaced as he felt limply onto his knees. Upon seeing that, the

    police swarmed him and put handcuffs on him. They finally managed to arrest Denver Whitman, the

    poor father who hadmitted crimes to avenge his beloved daughter.

    After Denver copsed, the snipers left their positions because they lost sight of their target, who was

    blocked by the rooftop railing. That was the reason Cyrus needed to shoot Denver in the leg.

    The gunshot induced fear in Lauren. She covered both ears while trembling in Cyrus'' arms. She panted

    heavily and was drenched in cold sweat.

    "Hey, don''t be afraid. Everything''s fine now." Cyrus did not immediately lead her away from the rooftop.

    Instead, he hugged her tightly while seated on a concrete block. He gently and patientlyforted her,

    "Have you not yed firecrackers before? Just take the gunshots as my way of celebrating your

    rescue!

    "Do you feel better if we put it that way?"

    She buried her tear-stained face in his shirt as she continued sobbing. Feeling sorry for her, he sighed

    and tightened his grip on her shoulders.

    "I thought... I''d die..." A long pauseter, she finally spoke in a muffled voice.

    "That won''t happen. Lauren, you''re smart and brave. In fact, you''re better than me!" Cyrus felt a rush of

    adrenaline whenever he recalled the way Lauren negotiated with Denver. With a smile, he drew closer

    to her face.

    He added, "Besides, I''m here. I won''t let anything happen to you because it''s my duty as a policeman. I

    need to answer to Jasper and Lyse as well."

    Moreover, he wanted to be responsible for her. However, he did not say that final thought aloud.

    "It wasn''t empty talk. I really wanted to help that man," she mumbled between sobs and sniffles.

    "Lauren." Cyrus put on a serious expression. "You said you were a school bullying victim. Is that true?"

    Lauren widened her eyes, still disoriented from the shocking incident. She trembled endlessly in his

    arms, denying, "No. I was never bullied in school. That was nonsense. I have never been bullied."

    Cyrus was full of questions for Lauren, but he held back as he didn''t want to pressure her. Instead, he

    quietly clenched his fist, thinking, "Landon Harper, you rascal! Have you been taking proper care of

    Lauren?"

    Putting aside her autism, Cyrus clearly spotted signs of PTSD in Lauren. He wondered if Landon, who

    lived under the same roof as Lauren, failed to notice her condition.

    He seethed. "A yer should keep living that way. Landon Harper shouldn''t ever attempt to be a

    faithful partner, being the idiot he is!"

    To avoid causing amotion amid the media, Cyrus draped some clothes over Lauren when he

    carried her out of the academic building. Covered well, she was ced in the ambnce. The media

    did not have any chance to take a snap of her.

    The medical staff tended to the wound on Lauren''s neck in the ambnce. She would be taken to the

    hospital for more checkups just to be safe.

    Lauren, awash with feelings of relief, soon drifted to sleep.

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    Cyrus stared into Angelina''s eyes with the sleeping Lauren between them. The air was tense.

    He began, "You may call Landon Harper to pick up Lauren from the hospital."

    "I have called him." Angelina clutched Lauren''s teddy bear in one hand and Lauren''s hand in another.

    "Shall I go through the situation with you?" Cyrus offered in good faith.

    He had personally witnessed how much Landon cared for Lauren. As Lauren''s bodyguard, Angelina

    might be facing Landon''s wrath after what Lauren had gone through.

    Knowing Landon, he could be quite heartless when he was in a rage.

    "It''s fine. Your involvement will onlynd me in more trouble and further anger Mr. Landon," Angelina

    replied and pursed her pale lips.

    Then, she reminded Cyrus, "Mr. Cyrus, I am grateful to you for saving Madam Lauren, but I need to

    remind you that Lauren Beckett is Landon Harper''s woman and his future wife. They love each other,

    and no one is toe between them. I will not let that happen."

    Squinting, Cyrus licked the roof of his mouth.

    "You''re a policeman who delivers justice. I trust that you won''tmit a despicable act as toe

    between them." Angelina''s words were harsh. She did not n to y nice in the face of Cyrus,

    Landon''s covert love rival.

    "If Landon wants to marry Lauren, and she''s willing to do so, I shall give them my blessings. Before

    that, he needs to make sure he can take good care of Lauren and make her happy." Cyrus shed a

    terrifying smirk at Angelina.

    He added, "Otherwise, I can''t guarantee that I won''t interfere."

 Chapter 1715

    Angelina cracked her knuckles in anger. She snapped, "Mr. Landon is Mr. Beckett''s best friend, and Mr.

    Beckett is Ms. Alyssa''s... Anyway, do you think it''s right to steal Mr. Landon''s girlfriend? Aren''t you

    scared of putting Mr. Beckett in a tough spot and upsetting Ms. Alyssa?"

    "When did I say that I would steal his girlfriend? You and Mr. Landon have been paranoid all along."

    Cyrus lowered his eyes, casting a gentle nce at Lauren''s lovely face. "If you keep thinking that way,

    you might actually make me consider giving it a shot to make up for your paranoia.

    "I remember something Winston once said¡ªdoes one not shoot one''s shot just because there''s a

    goalkeeper?"

    "Mr. Cyrus, please remember that you''re a police chief!" Angelina shot up furiously, momentarily

    forgetting that she was in the car. Her head promptly hit the ceiling, causing her to frown in pain. She

    pressed against her head and returned to her seat.

    "Ms. Brands, you shouldn''t guilt-trip me with my profession." He shed a chilling smile. "By the way,

    what I hate the most is being threatened."

    Angelina''s chest tightened. The more she was in contact with Cyrus, the more panicked she became.

    Her sixth sense informed her that Cyrus would be a formidable and enigmatic love rival to Landon if he

    fell for Lauren one day.

    While Lauren was sent to the treatment room, Landon rushed to the hospital with his subordinates

    following behind. The sudden influx of people crowded the wide corridor.

    Landon''s arrival appeared more like showing up to a gangster fight than visiting his wife. One might

    think that he''d continue Cornelius'' gangster legacy.

    He had been wearing an icy and hostile expression ever since he arrived at the hospital. Earlier, he had

    boarded a private jet with Cornelius, heading to the neighboring city for a business meeting.

    On the way, he saw the incident at Sna City Arts Academy on the news. Feeling oddly disturbed,

    perhaps because of some telepathic connection, he called Angelina, but she didn''t pick up.

    In the end, he ignored Cornelius'' protests and ordered the jet to head back to Sna City, even when

    he wasn''t sure if Lauren was in danger. He could even skip Harmony Nations meetings for her.

    Because of that, Cornelius had an outburst and had to put on an oxygen mask to avoid fainting in the

    air.

    "Mr. L-Landon," Angelina greeted Landon with trepidation as he marched up to her.

    He hissed through gritted teeth, "Why didn''t you tell me?"

    "It was an emergency. I worried that you."

    "Why didn''t you tell me?" This time, his furious snarl echoed in the corridor. Even his subordinates

    cowered in silence.

    Biting her pale lips, she hung her head lower as guilt crushed her.

    "Angie, you''re fired." Landon shot a cold nce at him, feeling both angered and pained. The

    disappointment was evident in his voice. "From now on, you can head home to reflect on your actions. I

    will increase the security around Lauren. I don''t need you anymore."

    Upon hearing thest sentence, a drop of sweat rolled off Angelina''s forehead, mixing into her tears.

    She was heartbroken to learn about her impending separation from Lauren. However, she could not

    deny that she was at fault. She had been careless and neglected her duties.

    "That wasn''t Ms. Angelina''s fault. She was advised by the police''s advice not to contact you," exined

    Cyrus, who emerged from a turning of the staircase.

    Looking calm, he spoke up for Angelina, "It was an urgent situation. The criminal was holding Lauren

    hostage. Any changes might provoke the criminal and put her in greater danger.

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    "Ms. Brands wanted to contact you right away, but the police did not wish toplicate the situation.

    We were the professionals in that situation. So, Mr. Landon, please do not me her."

    "Was that the police''s advice or your personal opinion?" Landon cracked his knuckles. His tone carried

    a hint of intimidation.

 Chapter 1716

    On the way to the hospital, Landon watched a livestream showing Cyrus emerging from the academic

    building carrying a female in his arms. Although the woman was well covered, Landon could recognize

    Lauren in Cyrus'' arms just by her form.

    Landon had always suspected Cyrus of having feelings for Lauren. He perceived it as a tant act of

    stealing the love of his life, Lauren. She was his everything. Any man who so much asid a finger on

    her would be crossing a line.

    "I am in the police force too. What''s the difference?" Hearing Landon''s usations, Cyrus calmly

    smirked at him.

    Surprisingly, Cyrus did not fluster in the face of Landon and Harper Group''s men.

    Landon clenched his jaw as he approached Cyrus. "Lauren is my lover. How dare you stop me, her

    partner, froming to her rescue in that dangerous and urgent situation? Do you really think I don''t

    know what you''re plotting? Want me toy it out for you and embarrass you?"

    "Landon Harper, are you dumb or naive? You might not have experienced a hostage situation, but I bet

    you''ve watched police movies." Cyrus slipped both hands into the pockets of his jacket. He squinted

    and scoffed. "What good would it do to have you there? Could you even help?

    "Would you make your men beat that criminal up, or would you threaten him not to hurt Lauren, or

    you''d bankrupt him the next day?"

    Landon felt the anger rising in him. "Cyrus Taylor!" The Taylors seemed to share the same trait of being

    sharp-tongued, or in other words, mean.

    "Landon Harper, my decision not to contact you had nothing to do with trust. All I wanted was to

    eliminate any potential risk to rescue the hostage. I kept the information from you because Lauren was

    your girlfriend, and I''d do the same for other hostages, too.

    "I handled many shocking cases throughout my career and battled savage criminals who were not

    afraid of death because they were at the end of their rope. The criminal who held Lauren hostage was

    no different. Rescuing her from the situation was challenging."

    Landon refused to ept any exnation as he was still furious. He taunted, "So, are you saying I

    should thank you instead?"

    "There''s no need to thank me. I''m at the service of the people." Cyrus coolly waved his hand. "I don''t

    want to argue with you over this matter. I bet you''re exhausted after the journey. Save your energy for

    taking care of Lauren.

    "By the way, Ms. Brands has faithfully served you through thick and thin. me me if you want. Don''t

    make things difficult for her."

    Angelina stood at the side with her shoulders hunched. She couldn''t help but choke up when she heard

    Cyrus'' thoughtful remark. For ten years, she had gone through many sufferings with Landon. Many

    times, she nearly forgot that she was ady, too.

    For the first time, she felt wronged. However, she quickly killed off that thought. She shouldn''t have felt

    aggrieved when she had willingly decided to serve Landon.

    After Cyrus was done addressing Landon, he walked away.

    "Mr. Cyrus, I''ll call you a man if you fight for Lauren openly. Don''t you think you''re despicable for

    making your way to Lauren using your job as a cover?" Landon''s eyes gleamed with the savageness of

    a beast. He would have punched Cyrus in the face if Cyrus weren''t Alyssa''s brother.

    Landon had been saddled with guilt and self-me for not showing up at Lauren''s side when she was

    hurt. Cyrus'' remark rubbed salt into his wound.

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    "Hah. I once thought you were nice and generous for befriending Jasper Beckett." Cyrus paused in his

    tracks. He added nonchntly, "Now, looking back, it was the other way around."

    With that, Cyrus whistled a tune and left. Landon''s men stood in silence, intimidated by Cyrus'' airs.

    Meanwhile, a storm raged in Landon''s eyes.

    At that moment, the door to the treatment room creaked open dully. Landon turned around and was

    shocked to find Lauren standing there. She looked so fragile. It was as if she might be gone with the

    wind at any time.

    Frowning, she red at Landon. The resentment in her eyes pained him.

    She questioned, "Landon, how could you talk to Cyrus with that attitude? He saved my life."

 Chapter 1717

    "Lauren!" Landon''s eyes lit up in excitement. He eagerly rushed toward Lauren and gave her a tight

    hug. His voice trembled fearfully. "I''m sorry for showing upte. It was my fault that you suffered

    injuries. I am fucking useless! Hit me if you like. Hit me as hard as possible!"

    Landon''s men were taken aback by his behavior. No longer behaving like a devil, Landon was just a

    hopeless man in love. They marveled at Lauren, who had charmed Landon into his subservient ways.

    "Landon, why would you speak to Cyrus in that way? Why?" Lauren, being autistic, had a tendency to

    fixate on things. Her stubbornness might be distressing for some.

    She insisted, "Why would you say that about Cyrus? I would''ve died if not for him! He saved me. So,

    how could you be so mean to him?"

    Her endless whys and hows would have triggered anyone. However, Landon only hugged her tight and

    whispered tearfully into her ear, "Lauren, you must have been so scared and shocked. I was a loser for

    not protecting you..."

    "It''s not Cyrus'' fault. He saved me. Please don''t say that about him ever. Alright?" Lauren refused to

    move on without receiving a firm response to the previous matter.

    Watching the scene, Angelina felt sorry for Landon. The effort they poured into Lauren''s recovery had

    gone down the drain due to the hostage incident.

    Landon dared not provoke the adamant Lauren any further. Swallowing the pain, he begged her in a

    hoarse voice, "Darling, promise me you won''t look at any other man. You should only have eyes for me.

    "Lauren, I''m your one and only man."

    Cyrus hurried to the police station after leaving the hospital. He wrapped up the paperwork for the

    hostage case. After that, he sent a subordinate to retrieve records of the police reports made by

    Denver and Joanna, the background information of the five campus bullies, and all records of the

    relevant witness statements.

    There wasn''t a lot of information avable, but Cyrus felt ruffled for a long time after reading through

    the contents.

    At that time, he received a call from Alyssa. Calming down, he answered, "Lyse."

    "Cyrus, how are you doing? You''re fine, right?" Alyssa questioned worriedly. "We saw the news about

    the hostage situation at Sna City Arts Academy. We saw that you were dispatched to the scene.

    Mandy saw it, too. You didn''t pick up her calls, so she sent Jasper and me to check on you because we

    were in town."

    The murderer was arrested at the scene. I''m doing just fine," Cyrus assured her.

    "I don''t believe you. Come out and show us," Alyssa stubbornly insisted. "We''re at the entrance to the

    police station, and we want to see you walking out with our own eyes. How else are we going to

    answer to Mandy?"

    Cyrus immediately spotted the luxurious Rolls-Royce parked across the street from the police station.

    Feeling ashamed, he scanned the area to make sure that no one was watching before he sneaked into

    the car like a thief.

    "Don''t meet me in such an expensive car," Cyrus couldn''t help but grumble when he joined them in the

    car. "Some might know you as my family, but others might think you''re tycoons who bribed me."

    Jasper grinned. Cyrus was pretty imaginative, wasn''t he?

    "Cyrus, I''m so d you''re okay!" Alyssa lifted Cyrus'' arms and instructed Jasper to take photos of

    Cyrus from the front and the side. "Jasper, send them over to Mandy."

    "Sure." Jasper lowered his gaze and tapped into WhatsApp.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "Hey, hey, you guys are pretty kinky, aren''t you?" Cyrus clicked his tongue. "Should I take off my pants

    for photos? You can send them to Mom, too."

    Alyssa stammered, "Um... If that''s what you want, I can''t possibly say no. I''ll try to take a few photos."

    Jasper replied tly, "I''m a man, so it doesn''t bother me too."

    Cyrus looked speechless at theedic couple.

    "Cyrus, we saw you carrying a girl from the building in the video. Was she the victim? How is she

    doing?" Alyssa, always kind and gentle, asked with concern.

    Cyrus pursed his lips and sank into a short silence. He decided to be honest. "That''s Lauren."

    Alyssa and Jasper looked shellstruck. "Who? Lauren? Our Lauren?"

    "Yes."

    "Ah¡ªOh, my God!" Alyssa covered her mouth in shock.

    "Where''s Lauren now? Is she okay?" Jasper''s face turned white in the panic.

    "Don''t worry. Lauren is fine. She suffered from some scratches and is in shock." Cyrus checked the

    time on his wristwatch and tried to deliver the updates as calmly as possible. "Landon has probably

    taken her home by now."

    Still concerned, Jasper said, "Lyse and I will make a stop at Landon''s ce to visit Lauren."

    Cyrus blinked. At the thought of Lauren''s words when she engaged with Denver Whitman, his face

    clouded. "Lyse, Jasper, there''s something I can''t interfere in. Can you help?"

 Chapter 1718

    Alyssa and Jasper grew solemn in front of the serious-looking Cyrus. "Cyrus, go ahead."

    "You''re well known as a couple who seek justice and fight for what''s right." Cyrus sounded sarcastic.

    His remark prompted Jasper to nce at Alyssa. Jasper caressed her nape while replying, "Well, I''m

    not that great. I''m only assisting Lyse. She''s the one who''s outstanding, smart, and kind."

    "Cyrus was just teasing us! How could you make me shoulder his taunts while you act like the humble

    one?" Squinting, she yfully elbowed Jasper.

    "I didn''t tease you. I meant it." Growing serious, Cyrus exined, "The two victims killed today by the

    man who held Lauren hostage were members of a school bullying group."

    Jasper''s eyes darkened, and his face paled. Simrly, despair shed across Alyssa''s eyes. The fated

    couple had both experienced bullying before. Therefore, they hated bullying behavior more than

    anyone else.

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    "The murderer had a daughter who had been severely bullied by the five students in her two years at

    the school. She even got her nude photos taken. The five students made her their ve, and if she

    refused toply, they threatened to spread her nude photos on the school forum.

    "She and her father repeatedly lodged police reports, but they were being dismissed as there was

    insufficient evidence against the five, all because two of them came from wealthy and powerful families.

    "The father and daughter endured abuse because no one would help them. In the end, the poor girl

    chose to jump off a building because she couldn''t stand the humiliation."

    "Wealthy and powerful?" An intimidating gleam appeared in Jasper''s eyes. "Tell me their names. I''d like

    to see how wealthy and powerful they are."

    Equally indignant, Alyssa asked, "How''s that girl doing?"

    "She''s in the ER, but she''s still unconscious." Cyrus let out a frustrated sigh and curled his fist. "I read

    the reports she had filed and her medical inspection. There was sufficient evidence to sue the bullies.

    Since they are legal adults, if we follow the legal proceedings..."

    "You wouldn''t havee to me and Jasper if you were thinking of settling it legally," Alyssa pointed out

    Cyrus'' thoughts.

    Cyrus swallowed hard. He said in a hoarse voice, "One needs to pay for his crimes. I sympathize with

    that father, but I disagree with his way of taking revenge. He needs to be punished byw, but his

    daughter is innocent. Her bullies need to pay a huge price for her sufferings."

    "That was probably the only way the father could avenge his daughter, I guess," Jasper mumbled.

    "Cyrus, the police station must have received many of these reports in a year. Right?" Alyssa

    questioned curiously. "Why are you showing more interest in this case? Do you know the victim

    personally?"

    Cyrus recalled how Lauren curled up in his arms, hershes and nose wet from the tears. She looked

    disheveled but still adorable. He was attracted to her looks.

    He went on, "I had to speak up because this was a tragic case of long-term bullying. Besides, Lauren

    told me to seek justice for that girl."

    The sudden mention of Lauren caught Alyssa and Jasper off guard.

    "The hostage situation was really bad. Lauren only managed to save herself by convincing the

    murderer. She promised to stay by the girl''s side throughout this ordeal and to avenge both father and

    daughter. I don''t want to let Lauren down."

    However, Cyrus realized that his remark came out wrong, so he casually added, "Lauren is innocent

    and pure. I wish to see her stay the same and be a person who keeps her word. I want her world to be

    free of lies."

    Alyssa met Cyrus'' avoidant gaze with mixed emotions in her eyes.

    Jasper agreed, "Since that''s Lauren''s wish, that gives me more reason to make ite true."

 Chapter 1719

    Jasper did not appear doubtful. Instead, he was riddled with guilt. "I''m not the best brother to Lauren,

    and I feel sorry about it. I''ve never fulfilled my responsibility as a brother. I was oblivious to her suffering

    at home and realized it many yearster after Lyse informed me about it. I am a disappointment."

    "Don''t think of yourself that way. You''re a good brother, and I can attest to it." Alyssa gently leaned into

    Jasper''s arms and kissed him on the neck. "Let''s not forget that Lauren wouldn''t have gotten together

    with a doting boyfriend without your help. That alone makes you a good brother to her."

    Jasper was tempted by her. He looked at her affectionately as he held her by the waist and kissed her

    on the lips.

    A dejected look shed across Cyrus'' eyes. Before he entered the car, he said to them, "I''ll send the

    information to youter. You can do anything you want with the bullies as long as it''s not something

    illegal."

    As Jasper and Alyssa were concerned about Lauren, they hurried to Sage Manor but failed to find

    Lauren there. They didn''t even get to step foot in the manor because Landon stopped them at the door.

    Looking fazed, he said to them with bloodshot eyes, "Jasper, Lyse, don''t worry. Lauren is fine, though

    she''s in quite some shock. Angie has coaxed her to sleep."

    Putting aside Lauren''s condition, Landon did not look that well himself. They assumed that the hostage

    situation gave him a good scare.

    Jasper had wanted to enter the manor, but Alyssa grabbed his arm and shot him a look. Taking her

    hint, he had no choice but to ask Landon, "Is Lauren... really okay?"

    "She''s fine." Landon forced a smile and pretended to look rxed. "I wouldn''t have been here chatting

    with you if she weren''t okay. I would have ttened the earth."

    Landon''s words made sense. Alyssa agreed, "Fine. Let Lauren rest. We''ll drop by in two days when

    she''s calmed down." Then, she took Jasper''s arm, ready to say goodbye when Landon suddenly called

    out to her, "Lyse."

    "Hm? What''s wrong?"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Landon pressed his parched and pale lips. After some hesitation, he decided to sweep Cyrus'' matter

    under the rug. Instead, he asked, "How''s Mr. Winston doing? Is he better?"

    "Yes, he''s doing better. Thanks for your concern, Mr. Landon." Grinning, Alyssa left the manor with

    Jasper.

    The couple looked like a match made in heaven. Staring at them, Landon struggled against his inner

    pain as he drowned in self-doubt. He envied Alyssa and Jasper''s loyal love.

    As for him, he certainly loved Lauren to the bone, and he thought Lauren felt the same way about him.

    However, he couldn''t help but wonder if Lauren had fallen in love with him as a person or if she had

    only agreed to date him merely because he was smitten with her.

    What if she had met Cyrus before him?

    He felt his world plunging into darkness. He gripped the doorframe harder, the veins on the back of his

    hands bulging. He dared not think about the hypothetical scenario.

 Chapter 1720

    Landon trudged back to the living room while looking dispirited. Angelina happened to descend the

    stairs after having coaxed Lauren to sleep.

    When Landon lifted his gaze, he identally met her eyes, causing her to hang her head fearfully.

    "Stop lowering your head. You''re about to bury your head in the sand. What are you, an ostrich?"

    Frowning impatiently, Landon sat on the couch and put a cigarette between his lips. However, he

    hesitated to light it when he recalled Lauren hated the smell of cigarette smoke.

    Angelina did not look up. She had always carried herself with arrogance and aloofness in public, a

    stark contrast to her present self¡ªunsure, submissive, and guilty. She wanted to dig a hole and hide

    due to shame.

    "Come here."

    She strutted over to Landon. The short distance felt like it took forever.

    "Is Lauren asleep?" Landon asked in a low voice.

    "Yes." She stared at her feet. Her voice was shaky. "I''ll pack my stuff and leave immediately. I will not

    be an eyesore to you."

    "Just stay," he remarked icily.

    Despite his tone, she was overjoyed and relieved to hear that. "D-Did you just say..."

    "You''re like a sister to Lauren. I know she won''t be able to eat well if you leave her." He took out the

    cigarette and crushed it in his palm.

    At the end of the day, he did not have the heart to treat his loyal subordinate cruelly. "So, stay and take

    care of Lauren. You can be clumsy at times. You''ve even ruined a few of her dresses in theundry,

    and you aren''t exactly the best when ites to cooking. But I don''t trust anyone else to stay by

    Lauren''s side.

    "However, I do not want such an incident to happen again. Otherwise, I will not only fire you, but I will

    also rip you into pieces."

    Landon was clearly joking, but Angelina lowered her head in shame. She fought back tears as she

    replied, "I''m sorry. Mr. Landon, this will never happen again."

    Late at night, Landon sat on the couch and approved some documents under the dim and soft light of

    the standingmp while wearing matching couple pajamas with Lauren. Unlike Jasper, he was not a

    workaholic. He was simply trying to make himself sleepy as his mind was a mess.

    "Mm. No... Don''t hit me^ Don''t!" All of a sudden, Lauren kicked off the nket in her dreams and

    started contorting as though she was pinned down. She let out muffled, panicked screams, "I''m an

    idiot! I''m stupid! Please don''t hit me!"

    "Lauren!" Eyes wavering in shock, Landon hurried over and sat by the bed. Then, he scooped her into

    his arms, knowing that she had a nightmare. "Calm down. I''m here with you. There''s nothing to be

    scared of."

    "Don''t hit me! Don''t hit me."

    Hugging Lauren tightly, he repeatedly caressed her back, which was drenched in sweat. He

    questioned, "Who hit you? Lauren, tell me. Who hit you?"

    She opened her eyes and panted heavily. By that time, she was soaked in cold sweat from head to toe.

    "Lauren, who bullied you? Tell me who they are." A murderous look crept into his eyes. He sounded

    stubborn and hostile. "Whoeverys a finger on you, I''ll skin them alive!"

    Landon firmly believed that one''s thoughts would manifest in dreams. Lauren wouldn''t have had

    nightmares if not for something that had happened in the day.

    Puzzled, he thought he had protected Lauren well. Besides, Angelina stuck by Lauren''s side on

    campus. Who could have bullied Lauren?

    "N-No." She hugged him by the waist, shaking her head and closing her eyes. "Maybe. I am having

    nightmares because I was still in shock at what happened in the day. No one. ever bullied me."

    She wanted to forget the memories of school bullying that were worse than nightmares, not to mention

    that the main bully was Landon''s own sister. She refused to ce Landon in a difficult spot, choosing

    between his lover and his sibling.

    "Is that true? Lauren, is it just a nightmare?" He kissed her forehead, his lips turning cold from the panic

    just now.

    "Yeah. It''s just a nightmare." Eyes misty, she gently kissed his Adam''s apple and suggested, "Darling,

    let''s. sleep together. I''m not afraid of anything with you by my side."

    Landon had tried to exert self-control over his desire since Lauren was injured. However, her action

    aroused him, causing blood to rush to his head. He slowly pinned her onto the bed, leaving a trail of

    kisses on her corbone, chin, and lips.

    They were engulfed in mes of passion and drowned in an ocean of lust. Lauren''s youthful allure and

    her soft body drove him to madness every time they made love to each other. The curve of her tiny

    waist was crescent-like when he lifted her body higher to push himself deeper into her.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    The moon in the night sky lost its lusterpared to the steamy and hot sex in the bedroom.

    As Landon had missed the important meeting yesterday due to thest-minute return to Sna City, he

    woke up early the next morning, ready to apologize to Cornelius at the Harper residence.

    Since Lauren did not have the habit of sleeping in, she woke up at the same time as Landon. She

    helped dress him and fasten his tie, looking more like a housewife by the day.

    Landon sat on the couch, legs folded as he watched the financial news on his tablet. At the same time,

    Lauren was taking a shower in the bathroom.

    Angelina entered their bedroom with breakfast.

    "Angie," Landon said in a raspy and sleepy voice. "The bedsheet is soiled. Please change it."

 Chapter 1721

    "Sure, Mr. Landon." Angelina picked up the hint and proceeded to change the sheets. There were other

    maids in the manor as well, but Landon only trusted Angelina to enter and clean a private space like his

    bedroom.

    The heavy and luxurious velvet curtain remained drawn. The dimly lit bedroom carried a stuffy smell; it

    smelled like sex.

    Angelina stole a nce at the messy sheets, unable to hide her joyful expression. It appeared that the

    couple had had a rather exciting night. She made a mental note to massage Lauren''s waist after a

    night of being ravaged by Landon.

    Angelina quickly changed the sheets and covers. Then, she picked up the clothes scattered across the

    floor and gathered them in theundry basket.

    Ever since Landon had expressed his desire to marry Lauren to the Harper family, and after he had

    formally made the proposal to the Beckett family, Angelina couldn''t see a condom around the house.

    Clearly, Landon wished for Lauren to carry his child. Since they were having unprotected sex, it was

    only a matter of time before Landon''s wish came true.

    Looking happy, she exited the bedroom. At that time, Landon said to her in a low voice, "Angie, stay at

    home with Lauren. She needs to rest and recover. She''ll skip her sses at Sna City Arts Academy

    for the time being."

    "Mr. Landon, that''s..." While Angelina hesitated, the bathroom door flung open without warning.

    "No! I want to go to school! I don''t want to stay at home! I want to go to school!"

    Landon and Angelina were stunned by the sight of Lauren dripping wet, wrapped in the vapor from the

    bathroom. All she had was a towel wrapped around her. She ran out barefooted.

    Shocked, Landon rushed over, took off his fresh suit jacket, and wrapped her in it. The jacket worth

    thousands of dors immediately turned into a towel. Lauren looked even more fragile and petite in his

    large jacket.

    "Oh, you silly one. You''re going to catch a cold if you run out of the bathroom like this!" He hugged her

    emotionally, causing her to stand on tiptoe, and nearly lifted off the ground.

    He added, "Have you forgotten your promise to me? You said you''d behave."

    As Angelina watched on, her concern for Landon grew along with her worry for Lauren. Ever since

    Landon was officially appointed the heir, he had been attending all sorts of business events to expand

    thepany''swork.

    On top of that, he asionally made business trips abroad for project evaluations. He was no longer

    the carefree young man who had all the time to keep his lovely partnerpany.

    Besides, Lauren was back to school, leaving them only a few nights per week to enjoy each other''s

    company. Unfortunately, the hostage incident that happened yesterday had only further added to

    Landon''s stress.

    His nerves were as tight as a bowstring, and it might snap soon to release the tension.

    "Why? Why are you stopping me from going to school?" Lauren stared at him with an anxious and

    pleading look.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    He gently exined, "I never said to stop you from attending. For the time being..."

    "There will be an arts performance at the academy''s founding anniversary celebration a few dayster.

    I don''t want to miss it because I have never been to one!" She struggled in his arms. "I finally have a

    chance to go to school like anyone else, without getting weird looks from people.

    "Landon, I''m really happy to attend school, and I''d like to learn painting. Please don''t do this to me.

    Don''t take away my happiness. Please."

    Taking away her happiness? Her heavy remark sent a shooting pain through his body. He always

    thought of himself as the man who loved her the most, and he believed he could provide her with a

    happy future.

    To his dismay, his concern for her was perceived as an act of stripping her of her happiness.

    "Madam, you misunderstood Mr. Landon." Angelina grabbed a fresh towel and approached Lauren to

    help dry her hair. "That''s not what he meant. He assumed that the campus would be chaotic after the

    criminal incident yesterday. You can avoid attending school for a few days and return to sses after

    everything''s calmed down."

    Lauren shook her head stubbornly. "It''s fine. I''m not scared at all. If I don''t show up, everyone will know

    I was the hostage. If I return to schoolter, everyone will judge me differently. That will only make

    things difficult for me."

    Angelina was rendered speechless as she secretly admired Lauren''s thoughtfulness.

 Chapter 1722

    Lauren might be simplistic most of the time, but she seemed extra level-headed when she fought to go

    back to school. Landon had no choice but to cave in. He left the manor with a long face, wearing the

    damp jacket he had wrapped Lauren in earlier.

    Angelina had offered a new jacket for him, but he declined. All he said was, "Take good care of

    Lauren."

    "Of course, Mr. Landon."

    "One more thing." He paused in his tracks with an icy look. "Be vignt. Make sure other men stay

    away from her."

    "Sure." Angelina froze. Cyrus'' cheerful and handsome face shed across her mind.

    rissa had been troubled ever since she retrieved her dress from Rose. Losing sleep, she couldn''t

    shake off Rose''s harsh advice for her. Rose had warned her, "Domestic violence, once happened, will

    happen again."

    "Are you going to do nothing until he beats you to death?"

    "You''re going to die if you don''t fight back!"

    Recently, Josh had regained Victor''s trust and was weed back to the Schmidt Group after his

    sessful plot against Jonah. Therefore, rissa thought that Josh would be in a better mood and

    that he''d cease beating her up and cussing at her.

    s, Josh''s good mood didn''tst long. Not long before, he suddenly sneaked back homete at night

    with injuries all over his face and body.

    Upon storming into the bedroom, Josh grabbed rissa''s hair like a devil and tossed her onto the

    ground. Without any word, he started punching and kicking her. Her cries and pleas echoed across the

    floor for the whole night.

    The Schmidt Group''s event was just around the corner. Josh, with too much time on his hands one day,

    had shbacks of the time he had forced rissa to order a tailored dress from Rose.

    It was nothing more than his way of putting rissa into trouble. The high society of Sna City was

    well aware of Rose Emerson''s reputation for being difficult. Most prospective clients who went to Rose

    to order a dress would likely find themselves rejected, not to mention a woman as dumb and clumsy as

    rissa.

    Josh thought he would have a good reason to be mad at rissa when she failed to get Rose to make

    the dress. However, before he had a chance to go nuts on rissa, she surprised him by getting her

    hands on a dress designed by Rose Emerson. He thought, "Well, rissa might not be a trophy wife,

    but she''s not exactly a good-for-nothing."

    "It took me a lot of effort to return to the Schmidt Group. This Schmidt family cocktail party is my first

    public appearance after my return. As my wife, you need to look morous at the party. If you

    embarrass me in any way... You know what I''ll do to you," he whispered a threat in rissa''s ear while

    forcing himself on her.

    In tears, rissa agreed fearfully as she endured the humiliation.

    After Josh was done, he put on his pants and straightened his tie. Then, putting on his gentlemanly

    front, he exited the dressing room.

    "J-Josh." rissa called out to him weakly.

    He stopped and red at her. "What is it this time?"

    "My dad. His health is declining." She rose from the ground unsteadily. Then, she mustered all her

    courage to speak. "The doctor says that Dad''s kidney will fail if we can''t find a kidney transnt for

    him. There will be no hope for him if that happens."

    "And?"

    "You promised me. to find a kidney transnt for my dad."

    "Let''s discuss this after the cocktail party."

    "That won''t do! Dad can''t hold on that long!" Close to tears, rissa worriedly begged, "Please.

    Considering that our family has helped yours for years and the fact that we''ve been married for years,

    please save Dad!"

    "I said to discuss this after the cocktail party. Are you begging to be beaten? Can''t you understand my

    words?" He shot her a threatening look.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 1723

    rissa jolted in fear.

    "Besides, don''t you know how much a kidney transnt costs? Your dad still proved himself useful to

    me when he was the Attorney General years ago. I would have seen it as an investment and saved him

    back then.

    "But he''s a dying old man now. Why would I waste my money and energy on a man who''s about to

    meet his maker? I''m not doing charity." Josh looked away in disdain and snorted. "If your dad could

    wait, make him wait. If he can''t, he only has himself to me."

    After Josh left, rissa fell on her knees helplessly. She covered her face and wept.

    In the evening, rissa changed into simple clothes to visit her father, Oscar Sparks, at the hospital.

    She covered every inch of her skin from head to toe to hide her bruises and scars from Oscar.

    Oscar had weakened to a point where he struggled to speak. Still, he tried to stop rissa from

    worrying about him because he was aware of her suffering in her marriage to Josh.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Had the Schmidt family not financially assisted the Sparks family, the Sparkses would have gone

    bankrupt. It was all thanks to the Schmidt Group that rissa''s brother, Hendrix Sparks, had a job. As

    a result, Oscar dared not ask for more.

    rissa verbally promised not to worry, but she took the chance of getting water and sobbed

    inconsbly on the bench in the corridor.

    The doctor gave Oscar a month to live. A kidney transnt was their final hope, but the surgery risk

    was high.

    Oscar had repeatedly talked her out of trying, but she couldn''t bring herself to give up on him. As a

    daughter, she wanted her dad to live. Moreover, Oscar was the only reason that kept her going. If

    Oscar passed away, she would have no reason to live with the Schmidts.

    Right then, she heard the steady sounds of leather shoes and the crisp clicking of heels. Two people

    approached her.

    "Ms. Sparks."

    rissa couldn''t help but marvel at the clear and melodious voice. She slowly raised her swollen eyes,

    only to be shocked by Alyssa and Jasper''s presence. They looked like the perfect couple.

    Although rissa was in a seated position with Alyssa towering over her, Alyssa did not put on any

    airs. Instead, she shed rissa a gracious and friendly smile.

    Jasper, holding onto Alyssa''s waist, looked as handsome as ever. No man from the Schmidt family

    could hold a candle to him¡ªnot even Jameson, the popr choice in the race to power right now.

    Although Jameson was good-looking, he did not exude the same air as Jasper. Jameson wouldn''t

    appear like a leader, even if he was appointed to be one. Jasper was the embodiment of a real leader.

    No woman except for Alyssa was good enough for him. They were indeed a match made in heaven.

    "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, why are you..." rissa''s voice trailed off in surprise.

    Not in a rush to exin the purpose of the visit, Alyssa took a seat beside rissa like a friend.

    "General Sparks must have been hospitalized for quite a while."

    rissa lowered her head. It had been a while since she heard Oscar being addressed as such. "Dad

    has retired a while ago. I haven''t heard anyone calling him General since."

    Alyssa smiled patiently. "General Sparks might have retired, but his legacy in the Sna City justice

    system remains. My second brother is a prosecutor. He once took General Sparks'' ss when he

    majored in political science and prw at the University of Sna City. My brother held General

    Sparks in high regard."

    "Ms. Alyssa, Dad is not as great as you make him sound." Teary-eyed, rissa crumpled the hem of

    her shirt. "I''m sure you''re here for a reason. You must be here to discuss matters rted to the Schmidt

    Group, likely about my husband.

    "I''m sorry, but we''re standing on opposing sides. As a member of the Schmidt family, I will never betray

    the Schmidt Group. You don''t have to say anything more to me. Please leave."

    Frowning, Jasper shot a hesitant nce at Alyssa. Even as the president of the Beckett Group, he felt

    the need to ask for permission from his partner before speaking. It seemed that Alyssa was the one

    wearing the pants in the rtionship.

    Alyssa nodded in silence. Upon getting the green light, Jasper handed over the documents they

    prepared to rissa.

    "What is."

    "Ms. Sparks, we don''t need an answer from you right away. Please have a look at these documents for

    now," Alyssa suggested with a calm smile.

 Chapter 1724

    rissa looked puzzled but epted the documents regardless. She carefully checked the contents,

    and she shot up in surprise. Her heart raced in excitement. "I-Is this..."

    "Mr. Beckett found a kidney donor match for your father," Alyssa addressed rissa gently like she

    would a friend. "It''s difficult to find a matching donor. I believe you understand theplexity since

    you''ve been searching for a long time. Even wealthy patients struggle to find a matching donor. Forcing

    a kidney transnt will only result in adverse reactions that ultimately lead to kidney failure. Mr.

    Beckett, I dare say, has utilized all his resources to find this matching donor."

    "You. You." Staring at the documents containing life-saving information for Oscar, rissa sobbed.

    Her tears stained the papers and smudged the printed words.

    "Ms. Sparks, you''re a good daughter. Anyone else would have given up by now," Jasper remarked

    coolly and earnestly.

    "What. do you want me to do?" She hung her head as she clutched the papers with trembling hands.

    Alyssa''s eyes lit up with passion. She proposed firmly, "Ms. Sparks, we''d like to release you from the

    suffering."

    Knowing that Alyssa and Rose were good friends, rissa knew that Alyssa must have heard about

    the domestic violence at the Schmidts'' home. rissa''s pale face was colored with rage and

    humiliation. "You''re only using the matching donor to make a deal with me. You either want me to

    publicly expose the domestic violence or make me Josh''s spy so that you can take him down.

    "Ms. Alyssa, you''re just using me. You don''t have to make it sound altruistic."

    Jasper furrowed his brows when he realized that rissa, though seeming vulnerable, was

    opinionated.

    "Using you? I guess so." Alyssa shed a smile. "However, if we''re using each other and benefitting off

    it, that should bebeled a ''cooperation'' instead. Ms. Sparks, Mr. Beckett and I would like to work with

    you. What do you think?"

    rissa slowly raised her gaze to examine Alyssa with a racing heart. Alyssa wore a serious look on

    her lovely face.

    It had been ages since anyone orded rissa any respect. Be it the outsiders or the maids at the

    Schmidt residence, everyone might address her politely, but no one showed her any shred of respect.

    She was regarded as an outcast of the family and Josh''s ything.

    Hence, she felt her passion reignited when Alyssa addressed her as "Ms. Sparks". She was brought

    back to the good old times when she was the precious daughter of the Sparks family, doted on by her

    parents and her brother. That was the happiest time in her life.

    I. I so wish to go home. I wish to turn back time," rissa mumbled between sobs.

    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Feeling touched, Alyssa offered, "We can help you leave the Schmidt family and return to your old life if

    that''s what you want."

    Clutching the documents tightly, rissa questioned, "What do you need me to do in exchange for the

    kidney transnt?"

    Jasper''s eyes darkened. "Talking about domestic violence publicly is like airing dirtyundry. As the

    victim, you''ll be stressed and troubled if the news gets out. You may choose to use domestic violence

    as your weapon against Josh or keep your silence."

    rissa was taken aback by how considerate Jasper was in the negotiation.

    "Ms. Sparks, you must have a lot of dirt on Josh after years of marriage to him. Share some clues with

    us and provide evidence. We''ll kickstart the investigation on our own.

    "We promise to protect you and keep our cooperation a secret from Josh. To return your favor, I will

    arrange for the kidney to be transported to Sna City within three days and immediately schedule

    surgery for your father," Alyssa borated on her thoughtful n earnestly.

    Staring straight at Alyssa, rissa whispered, "Do I need to... sign some sort of agreement or

    contract? Give it to me. I''ll sign now."

    Alyssa shook her head with a smile. "There''s no need for that." Jasper, surprised by her reply, looked at

    her in confusion. He might be an intelligent man with many years of experience in doing business, but

    he couldn''t figure out the intention behind Alyssa''s move.

 Chapter 1725

    "Is there no need to sign an agreement? Ms. Alyssa, are you sure?" rissa stared at Alyssa in shock.

    "Aren''t you worried that I would change my mind after the transnt and refuse to help you out? I

    thought you businesspeople always dismissed oral agreements and emphasized the importance of

    putting everything down in ck and white."

    "I''m doing this to show you that you always have a choice, regardless of the deal we have struck."

    Alyssa shed a faint smile, looking as calming and reassuring as ever. "If you sign the agreement,

    you''ll turn this into a formal deal. If you don''t, you can think of it as a battle to avenge your family.

    "I will not me you if you choose to return to the Schmidt family under pressure after the transnt

    surgery. As a doctor, my priority is saving lives. Not only that, as General Sparks was a great mentor to

    my brother, I''ll do this to return his favor on my brother''s behalf."

    Even as an outsider, Jasper felt awestruck by Alyssa''s remarks and marveled at Alyssa''s grace and

    elegance.

    The emotional impact on rissa was understandably greater. At that moment, rissa''s pent-up

    anger, frustration, grievance, and pain transformed into tears that rolled down her cheeks. She threw

    herself into Alyssa''s arms and finally cried her heart out after fighting to hold back her emotions.

    Jasper had not let go of Alyssa''s waist on their way home from hospital. They sat in silence as they

    walked back to the car. She finally rxed when they entered the car and leaned softly on his firm and

    warm chest.

    She rested her forehead on his broad shoulder and started weeping quietly. His breathing grew heavy

    at the sounds of her quiet sobs. He gently caressed her back, feeling emotional and touched.

    "My darling," he called out dotingly.

    Then, he nibbled her ear. He said, "Why are you bing a crybaby by the day? You were once a

    strong career woman."

    "Pfft! I didn''t cry in public, okay? I only cry when I''m with you. Anything wrong with that?" She pouted

    and wiped away her tears with his tie. "It''s like how Elizabeth Bet only kicks up a fuss when she''s

    with Mr. Darcy."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Of course you can." He breathed heavily by her ear, his voice sending a thrill of excitement through

    her. "However, you must remember that you can only cry when you''re with me."

    She proudly scoffed but obediently wriggled into his embrace nevertheless. "I can''t believe I cried over

    rissa''s matters. Jasper, you must see me as weak and dumb..." "You''re not. You''re the smartest in

    the world." Jasper ran out of adjectives topliment her, so he sighed helplessly and added, "Lyse,

    you''re too kind."

    In reality, Alyssa had prepared an agreement, but she softened when she saw from afar rissa crying

    helplessly over her inability to save Oscar. The scene reminded her of Winston, who had been gravely

    ill and bedridden not long ago.

    Therefore, she decided to put aside her calctions and help out rissa. That was it.

    "Even if rissa turns against us, that''s fine. I have ways of dealing with Josh Schmidt," Jasper stated

    with a frown. "But three days is a little rushed to find a surgeon, who is both highlypetent and

    avable for surgery, to perform Oscar Sparks'' kidney transnt."

    "Hey, did you forget that I''m a brilliant surgeon, too?" She ced a hand on her waist and made a

    victory sign with another. "Dr. White on a mission!"

    Jasper was taken aback. Attracted to her adorable demeanor, he leaned forward to kiss her on the lips,

    only to be interrupted by an untimely call from Xavier.

    "What''s up, Xavier?" Jasper asked in a raspy voice.

    His fingertips were stained by Alyssa''s lipstick, which he wiped off from the corner of her lips.

 Chapter 1726

    "Mr. Beckett, we have dealt with the three students per your and Madam Alyssa''s orders. The family

    company of one student was on the brink of bankruptcy after getting embroiled in some scandals,

    including questionable product quality. The police followed the trail of evidence and uncovered criminal

    evidence against his father, who was arrested this morning.

    "Another student was found to hire prostitutes, organize group sex, and have a penchant for BDSM. I

    made someone else distribute his photos and videos online from an overseas IP. Netizens are now

    ''enjoying'' his works. I''m afraid his father''s political career has met an end because of his scandal,"

    Xavier reported with enthusiasm.

    Jasper nodded in satisfaction. "How about the remaining student?"

    "Well..." After a pause, Xavier lowered his voice, "The third student suffered the worst fate. From what I

    heard, he had been abducted. He waster found with ten or so sh wounds on his body, but none

    was fatal. He was castrated by the abductors as well.

    "He was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, but his current condition remains unknown.

    Anyway, I was told that he was basically crippled even if the hospital managed to save his life."

    With a frown, Alyssa cast a loaded look at Jasper. Jasper''s expression darkened. He questioned, "You

    didn''t do that, did you?"

    "Of course not! I could barely kill a turkey for Thanksgiving. I could never do something nasty like that."

    After some thinking, Xavier surmised, "I went investigating at the school and learned that men from the

    Harper Group went to the academy on the second day of the incident to copy the security footage.

    "The security footage was supposed to be confidential, but the chancellor couldn''t afford to upset the

    Harper Group, which had sponsored their newest library. So, the academy turned in the footage without

    a fuss. I believe that Mr. Landon probably saw something that made himy a finger on that third

    student."

    Alyssa and Jasper finally connected the dots. Indeed, it was Landon''s style to make his enemy suffer a

    worse fate than death.

    Since there was time, Alyssa and Jasper decided to visit Lauren and update her about their sessful

    revenge for Joanna.

    "Is it true? Have Joanna''s bullies been punished?" Sitting between Alyssa and Jasper like an excited

    young girl, Lauren grabbed their arms. "That''s awesome! Evil needs to be punished. Mr. Whitman will

    be at peace knowing that I kept my word to avenge Joanna." "Lauren, you''re just like me. You are a

    woman of your word. You''re a heroine!" Alyssa rubbed her head against Lauren''s.

    Jasper watched them with a gentle smile on his lips. Putting aside Lauren''s age and height, she felt

    more like a daughter to Jasper with her childlike and innocent mindset.

    "Alyssa, who took the revenge? Was it Cyrus?" Lauren blinked at Alyssa. Thetter exchanged a look

    with Jasper upon hearing Cyrus'' name. How should they answer Lauren?

    They had been entrusted by Cyrus to take revenge, but ultimately, they¡ªand Landon¡ªwere the ones

    taking action against the three bullies. They wondered if they''d disappoint Lauren by telling her the

    truth, as she seemed to hold Cyrus in high regard.

    Unfortunately, Lauren mistook their hesitation as silent admission.

    "Wow! It was Cyrus'' work, wasn''t it? Cyrus is awesome!" Smiling widely, Lauren started pping. "I

    knew Cyrus would keep his promise to me. He''s wonderful!"N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    At that moment, she heard heavy footsteps approaching. She looked up and met Landon''s eyes.

    Instead of eagerly throwing herself at him like she used to, she hung her head like a guilty child. She

    sped her hands so tightly that they reddened.

    She thought, "Landon must have heard me talking about Cyrus. I know he hates Cyrus the most, so he

    must be angry at me now."

    A moody look shed across Landon''s eyes, but it vanished in no time. He soon smiled at them.

    "Jasper, Lyse, you''re here."

 Chapter 1727

    "Landon, you''re home early today," Jasper replied to Landon''s greeting.

    "Darling, I''m home. Why don''t you give me a hug after a long day?" Landon beamed as he opened his

    arms at Lauren. The ck coat, which was loosely draped on his shoulders, fell onto the floor, but he

    did not bother to pick it up.

    Despite feeling oddly nervous, Lauren obediently went up to Landon and sneaked into his arms like an

    adorable kitten. He wrapped his tall and muscr body around her, carrying with him the warmth from

    the car heater that seeped into her skin. The warm sensation helped soothe her emotions.

    "Landon, don''t be angry," she mumbled in a voice only audible to them.

    "Hm? Why would I be angry at you for no reason?" he whispered in a raspy voice.

    "I-I..." Lauren had learned to carefully ponder her words before voicing them aloud. After some thinking,

    she chose to keep her thoughts to herself.

    "If you''ve done something to upset me, just give me a kiss, and I won''t be angry at you anymore."

    Landon rubbed his lips against her cold cheek.

    Embarrassed to kiss Landon in Alyssa and Jasper''s presence, Lauren still tiptoed and gave him a peck

    on the lips to avoid making him upset.

    However, a peck was not enough to satisfy Landon. He pressed a hand on the small of the back,

    forcing her to kiss him deeper.

    Angelina happened to serve the tea and desserts. Unfazed by the kiss, she smiled politely at the

    visitors. "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, please have some tea."

    Coughing awkwardly, Jasper handed a cup of tea to Alyssa. "Lyse, have some tea."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Oh, sure." She epted the cup and looked away from Lauren and Landon withplicated feelings.

    The kiss was supposed to be a sweet and loving scene, but Alyssa was gued by a feeling that

    something was amiss with Lauren, who seemed a little withdrawn and timid.

    Lauren had lost her mother, and her deadbeat father was of no help. Her grandfather, Newton, was in

    such bad health and could not look after her since they rarely met up. As her sister-inw, Alyssa

    decided to pay closer attention to Lauren''s well-being.

    After Landon and Lauren wrapped up their kiss, Jasper calmly remarked, "Landon, I need to have a

    private talk with you."

    "Sure. Let''s go to my study." Landon, happy to meet his friend, went upstairs with Jasper.

    "Angie, I love fresh orange juice. Could you make two sses of orange juice for me and Lauren? She

    likes it too," Alyssa requested with a warm smile.

    Sure. I''m on it." Angelina headed to the kitchen.

    Alyssa had deliberately made the request to send Angelina away. She took Lauren''s hand, sped it

    tightly, and addressed Lauren, "Lauren, I have a question. How are you doingtely?"

    "I''m fine. Landon and Angie are taking good care of me." Lauren blinked innocently at Alyssa.

    "Did Landon do anything weird to youtely?" Alyssa prodded with a skeptical squint.

    After some serious thinking, Lauren admitted with flushed cheeks. "Y-Yeah."

    Alyssa immediately questioned, "And what is it?"

    "Um... He... He''s no longer using the condom when we''re doing it..." Lauren started breathing

    nervously as she was too shy to broach the topic. Regardless, she answered Alyssa''s question with

    honesty.

 Chapter 1728

    Alyssa understood what Lauren was trying to say. She let out an awkward cough.

    It had already been a while since Alyssa was married and had a long-term partner. So, she wasn''t too

    embarrassed to talk about the matters in the bedroom.

    She asked in a serious voice, "Lauren, are you ready to be a mother?"

    "A... mother?" Lauren was taken aback. She felt as if this word was far from her grasp.

    To be frank, she wasn''t ready.

    She even felt like she was not yet an adult. Moreover, she had a condition. She wasn''t even sure if her

    children would be affected.

    That said, she knew that Landon yearned to start a family with her.

    Each time they made love, when he was at his climax, he would mumble in her ear, "Let''s start a family.

    Lauren, Let''s have a few children. Doesn''t matter if they''re boys or girls. I will love them as long as

    they''re yours."

    A conflicted look came across Lauren''s face. "I. haven''t thought about that. Do you n to bear

    children for Jasper, Alyssa?"

    This one question was like a thin, sharp sword that stabbed through Alyssa''s heart. A piercing pain

    spread through the fullness of her heart.

    "I am deeply in love with Jasper, both in the past and now."

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up. Her voice became hoarse and tense as she suppressed the pain of regret.

    "But that doesn''t mean that we must have children. It''s enough for me as long as I can grow old

    together with him."

    This was how she truly felt. Moreover, she was physically incapable of bearing her own child.

    Unexpectedly, this tugged at Lauren''s heartstrings.

    "Actually. I don''t really want to have kids," she confessed.

    Lauren hung her head down low. She sped her hands together and rubbed them against each other.

    This was a rare asion when she spoke her true thoughts. "I''m afraid that my children will inherit my

    condition. I don''t want them to be aughingstock after I give birth to them.

    "Also, I want to learn art. If we have kids, I won''t be able to focus on my art. When Mom used to raise

    Betty and me, we had so many helpers and nannies looking after us. Yet, she was still upied every

    day. I''m afraid that."

    Then, you should share your thoughts with Landon." Alyssa furrowed her brows.

    Lauren shook her head immediately. "Landon wants to have children. He loves kids. I don''t want to

    disappoint him..."

    The more Alyssa listened to her, the more heartbroken she felt. How many more heartfelt thoughts did

    this quiet woman have hidden within her?

    At the end of the day, Angelina was still Landon''s employee. There were some things that Lauren just

    couldn''t express to her no matter how much she liked her.

    However, this matter about having children was out of Alyssa''s reach.

    This was a matter between the couple. She would be overstepping if she tried to have a say in it.

    She was reminded of the day when she and Jasper came by to see Lauren and got shut out by

    Landon. She also thought about the gloomy gaze in his reddened eyes that made him seem like he

    hadn''t slept for days.

    Jasper was usually oblivious toward the people closest to him. He never suspected that there was

    someone else.

    Alyssa, on the other hand, was a sensitive person. She was extremely aware. Nothing unusual could

    escape her attention.

    "Has Landon been in a bad mood recently? I noticed that you''ve been tiptoeing around him."

    Alyssa lowered her voice. "That day when you were in danger¡ªdid anything happen after you were

    rescued and brought back home?"

    Alyssa hit the bullseye about what was bothering Lauren. She pressed her pink lips together tightly.

    She stuttered with much difficulty, "That day, at the hospital. Landon and Cyrus had an argument.

    Landon. doesn''t seem to like Cyrus that much. He gets unhappy whenever I talk about him.

    "Cyrus is a good person, Alyssa. But so is Landon. I don''t want them to be in disagreement. I want

    them to be friends."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Alyssa was taken aback. Momentarily after, a smile came across her face, and her dimples showed.

 Chapter 1729

    In the study, Landon tried to pour Jasper a drink but was rejected. "My driver''s not with me today. I

    won''t be drinking as I need to drive."

    "I didn''t expect you and Alyssa toe over tonight."

    Landon picked up the ss that Jasper turned down and drank from it instead. Then, he ced it back

    down. His tall frame leaned against the side of the table rxedly.

    He retrieved a cigarette from his cigarette box and lit it naturally.

    He inhaled so deeply that he almost looked avaricious. It was as if he wanted to fill his lungs with

    smoke.

    "Are you in a bad mood?" Jasper squinted at him.

    "I''m alright."

    "You''ve previously mentioned that Lauren doesn''t like the smell of cigarettes, so you''ve cut down on

    smoking for her sake. I can see that your ashtray is looking like a mass grave. You''ve been smoking

    double the amount fromst time, haven''t you?"

    Right after, Jasper started speaking like he was Landon''s elder.

    In an exceptionally serious tone, he questioned, "Do you want Lauren to hug a chimney to sleep every

    day? Are you still wanting to have children when you''re acting like this? Don''t you know that you''d have

    to quit smoking and drinking if you want to start a family?"

    Landon heeded his advice. He threw his cigarette butt onto the floor and stepped on it to put it out.

    "Didn''t you have something to talk to me about?"

    "The thing that happened to that man. Was it your doing?" Jasper was a straightforward man. He went

    straight to the point.

    "I do many things to many people every day. Who are you referring to?" Landon''s gaze was dark. He

    was clearly asking a question that he already knew the answer to.

    "The male student from Sna City Arts Academy. You had him kidnapped and stabbed him ten times.

    Right now, he is still in the ICU with his life hanging on a thread."

    Landon sniggered as if it was no big deal. "So that''s what you were referring to. I thought it was some

    other big deal.

    "You''re right. I was the one who did it."

    "Didn''t you go overboard with this?"

    Jasper''s frown was deep. "You are not in the same position as you were before. You are the president

    of Harper Group, not a gangster. The corporation and the world watch every single move you make.

    And they''re not only watching you but Lauren too.

    "There are thousands of ways to teach that man a lesson. Yet, of all methods, you chose the riskiest

    and the most extreme way."

    "I went overboard? I feel like I''ve been considerate enough toward him. I should have left him to die in

    the wilderness and be eaten by wolves!"

    Landon mmed his hand on the table. His eyes burned red with anger. "If that bastard hadn''t used

    Lauren as his shield and pushed her to that maniac, how would she have ended up as a hostage?

    Now, she''s having nightmares every night. It''s all that bastard''s fault!

    "He should be thankful that I even kept him alive!"

    Right at this moment, Jasper''s phone vibrated. He received a message from Xavier.

    He looked down and tapped to open his Whatsapp message. Instantly, the look in his eyes dimmed.

    "Mr. Beckett, that man couldn''t be resuscitated. He just died."

    "Xavier just sent me a message. That man has died."

    Landon paused for a moment before curling his lips into a cold smile. "That serves him right. I''m

    satisfied."

    Jasper looked glum. He shook his head angrily and helplessly. "If Lauren were to find out what you did

    to avenge her, she would continue having nightmares for the rest of her life."

    "I will never let her find out."

    Fiery passion filled Landon''s eyes. His gaze burned like a fire and overflowed with intense

    possessiveness. "Whoever bullies or touches Lauren deserves to die."

    "Landon, have you realized that you are bing increasingly paranoid? You''ve been unable to keep

    your cool when ites to things rted to Lauren," Jasper remarked in a calm voice. Deep down, he

    felt anxious.

    "Jasper, my wife almost lost her life to that maniac! I almost lost her forever, but you''re telling me to

    keep my cool?"

    Landon was trying to suppress himself. It was as if he had a wild beast in his chest that was waiting to

    pounce.

    His chest heaved as he continued, "If Alyssa was the one who was held hostage, would you be able to

    keep calm? You would be even more cruel and merciless than me!

    "Both of us are the type of lovers who would throw their lives away for the sake of their woman. Stop

    lecturing me. You have no right to do so, nor will I listen to you!"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "As much as you hate it, you must listen to me!"

    Jasper couldn''t bear to see him live in regret for the rest of his life just because of a misstep. He leaped

    up from the couch and red at him.

    "Let me remind you once again, Landon. You are the sessor of Harper Group. You are not someone

    from the underworld! You can use money and power to do anything you like, anything but murder. That

    is where you should draw the line!

    "Have you ever considered what would happen if someone with bad intentions found out what you did?

    It could be Jameson or your uncle, Preston. What would they do to you? How would they manipte

    you? When that happens, you wouldn''t even be able to protect yourself, so how would you protect

    Lauren?"

    In an instant, Jasper''s words gave Landon an epiphany.

    But only heaven knew how he felt when he saw the scene through the surveince video. He wished

    that he could get there in person and shoot that asshole in the head!

    "This is thest time. Moving forward, before you do anything, spend a few seconds to think about

    Lauren and the things that I''ve said.

    Jasper walked to the front of Landon and ced his hands on his shoulders. "You are like a brother to

    me. You are family. My only hope is for you to live happily with Lauren."

    "What do I do, Jasper? I love her so much..."

    Landon lowered his head. He tried his best to take deep breaths, but the air felt thin. It made him feel

    like he was suffocating.

    "I''m always so worried that I will lose her. I don''t know what to do. I don''t feel like myself anymore."

    At the same time, what Jasper and Landon didn''t know was that behind the closed door, Lauren was

    standing with her back against the wall. She had heard every word of their conversation.

    Subconsciously, like a river, tears started streaming down her cheeks.

 Chapter 1730

    Aftering out from Sage Manor, Alyssa and Jasper sat in silence in the car for quite a while.

    Finally, Alyssa broke the silence.

    "Jasper, I... I will make a trip home tonight. Aren''t you leaving for a long-distance trip tomorrow

    morning? You can just go back to Seaview Manor. Or you cane to my ce for the night, too."

    Jasper was still worried about Landon. So, he frowned and agreed, "Alright. I''ll drop you off at

    Heightsnew Vi then. I''ll see you again tomorrow night."

    Upon returning to Heightsnew Vi, they exchanged a farewell kiss that conveyed their reluctance to

    part ways.

    After watching Alyssa go into the house, Jasper''s gaze became glum. He took out his phone and dialed

    Xavier''s number.

    "What are the updates from the hospital?"

    "That man died from excessive bleeding. His parents are also prominent figures in Sna City. They

    are insisting on taking this to court.

    "The problem is that the police are also now involved. It would get tricky if their investigation shows that

    the perpetrator is rted to Harper Group."

    Xavier was not his usual, cheery self. He was unusually serious. "But I have followed your instructions

    to get the details from Ms. Brands in private.

    "She shared that Mr. Landon really wasn''t intending to take the man''s life. It was his subordinate who

    wasn''t professional and acted rashly. They may have tried to avoid any critical points, but who in the

    world would be able to withstand ten stabs?

    "Though, he was also someone who deserved to die. Didn''t we look into him before? He is a walking

    bastard who''s just like David! Since the cops have be involved, they will surely get to the bottom

    of things."

    Jasper stayed silent for a few seconds as he concentrated on his thoughts. Then, he started coldly,

    "Keep in close contact with Angelina. Money isn''t a problem.

    "The important thing is to make sure that the culprit from Harper Group keeps his mouth shut. Wipe off

    any traces of his connection with Harper Group and have him turn himself in immediately.

    "All in all, this matter cannot be linked back to Landon, no matter what it costs. Do you understand

    me?"

    Xavier inhaled deeply. "Understood!

    When Alyssa got home, her face still showed that she was preupied.

    Right at this time, Mandy happened to walk past the living room with a hot bowl of soup. She was on

    her way to bring the soup to Winston.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Wee home, Lyse."

    "Is Cyrus at home tonight, Mandy? I heard that he came home. Is he in?"

    Mandy nodded. "He is. I think he went to the cer by himself. Did you need to speak with him?"

    Alyssa smiled and replied, "Nah, I was just missing Cyrus and wanted to have a drink with him."

    It was peaceful and quiet in the cer.

    When Alyssa pushed the door to enter, she saw Cyrus sitting under the dazzling ssmp, enjoying a

    ss of wine. The stream of light highlighted the edges of his charming face.

    In fact, since a long time ago, Alyssa had felt like Cyrus was the son who resembled Winston the most.

    He was never like Jonah and Ss who dressed smartly and scrupulously in suits. Instead, he was

    someone who still exuded his ssiness even if he only had a gunny sack on. He would still shine

    even if he were covered in dirt.

    All of Winston''s sons were people who brought cmity and suffering to the people around them once

    they were allowed to roam free.

    "Hey, Cyrus," Alyssa called out to him softly.

    Cyrus looked as if he had just been awakened from a dream. In a sh, his eyes became clear, and his

    eyelids fluttered. "Lyse, you''re back. Want to have a drink with me?"

    Alyssa caught a glimpse of a familiar-looking teddy bear cake on the table. She gave him an intrigued

    smile. "As far as I remember, you don''t really have a sweet tooth," she remarked.

    Cyrus froze, then smiled slightly. "I do crave this asionally. The teddy bear is quite a treat."

    "Do you actually like the taste of the teddy bear cake, or is it because it reminds you of someone,

    Cyrus?" asked Alyssa as she sat down across him.

    It was obvious what she was hinting at.

    Cyrus looked deep into her eyes. After a while, he smiled brightly. "We''re siblings, Lyse. You can be

    direct with me."

    "I saw Lauren today, Cyrus."

    Just the sound of that name made Cyrus'' heart skip a beat. But he maintained a calm expression on

    his face. "How is she? Is she alright? What happened thest time must have scared her. Has she

    calmed down?"

    He might lookposed, but every word of his was filled with concern.

    "Cyrus, since you''ve asked me to be direct with you, I won''t beat around the bush then."

    Alyssa took a deep breath. In a serious manner, she asked, "You have feelings for Lauren, don''t you?"

    Cyrus tightened his grip on his wine ss until his knuckles turned white. His eyes turned slightly red.

    "Yes, I do. That said, I am a rational person. I know when I should or should not have feelings for

    someone. Lauren and Landon have feelings for one another, and they''re already at the stage of

    discussing marriage. So, I know that I shouldn''t be having feelings for her."

    "Cyrus..."

    "However, I still like her. I can''t lie to you or myself about that." Cyrus forced a rtively rxed smile

    on his face. He scooped up a piece of the cake and put it in front of Alyssa.

    All of a sudden, Alyssa''s heart was pained.

    If she had known about this earlier, she would have done all she could to match-make Cyrus and

    Lauren. She would be more than happy to be Lauren''s sister-inw.

    It was a pity that the order of arrival had too important a role to y when it came to love.

    Being one stepte could mean that one''s feelings had to be concealed.

    "Did youe here thiste to see me so that you can ask me about Lauren specifically? Also, you

    look so serious. Did something happen?"

    Cyrus was always a bold yet attentive person. Instantly, he became rmed. "Did my presence make

    things difficult for Lauren? Did she have a fight with Landon?"

    "Lauren told me that she hopes that you and Landon could be friends," Alyssa said in a low voice.

    Cyrus chuckled awkwardly. "Do you think that''s possible, Lyse?"

    Alyssa let out a dispirited sigh.

    "From the moment I had feelings for Lauren, it became impossible for Landon and I to befriend one

    another. In the future, I don''t think I will meet with her unless it''s unnned or a coincidence. I cannot

    put her in a difficult spot and have Landon overthink things.

    "But, I will give them a wedding gift when they get married. I think that''s about it."

    Upon saying that, Cyrus downed the rest of the alcohol in his ss raffishly.

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as she poured a ss for herself.

    Mandy had raised her three children exceptionally well. They were selfless, generous, righteous, and

    kind.

    "Lyse, I''ve heard you share many things about Lauren. I know it hasn''t been easy for her to get to

    where she is with her partner."

    Although Cyrus'' heart ached, he still maintained a smile on his face. "Rather than dating her, I just want

    her to live well. It doesn''t matter who she''s with as long as she is happy."

    "You''ll definitely be able to find your own happiness in the future too, Cyrus."

    Cyrusughed, "My happiness is to be of service to the people."

    Upon saying that, Cyrus and Alyssa clinked sses. After unraveling the troubles in their hearts, they

    drank to their heart''s content.

 Chapter 1731

    Under Jasper''s orchestration in secret, the subordinate under the Harper Group took the initiative to

    turn himself in. He admitted to his crime on the spot and gave his testimony by providing all the details

    of his offense. All he said matched the situation perfectly.

    There was sufficient evidence for the police to conclude the case. Although the student''s father still

    wanted to look into his son''s death further, his capabilities were limited, and he could only ept the

    oue as it was.

    At the same time, Preston was quick-witted. He had already gotten an understanding of the ins and

    outs of the incident.

    The moment he found out that Lauren was the one who was taken hostage, he knew that this incident

    had to be connected to Landon.

    The cruelty of the crime had Landon''s name written all over it!

    "What? The background of the man who turned himself in was clean?" Preston''s eyes were as wide as

    saucers.

    "That''s right. His background has been wiped clean. He does not have a single thing to do with Harper

    Group. Even the authorities weren''t able to find anything," his secretary reported while dripping in

    sweat.

    "Landon, that son of a bitch! He''s bing more and more cunning!"

    Preston took a deep inhale of his cigar. In the end, his breath wasn''t even, and he almost choked

    himself to death.

    "This incident could also be set up by Mr. Beckett. Mr. Beckett is watertight in his execution. Plus, he

    and Landon are two peas in a pod. Wouldn''t he help him out?"

    Damn it!

    Preston mmed the table hard. "I was thinking of using this opportunity to cut this president off. This

    is now a missed opportunity!

    "Don''t tell me that I can only watch as that son of a bitch climbs all over me? If so, what was the

    purpose of me destroying Bill in the first ce?"

    "Shh! Lower your voice!" His secretary had turned pale from terror.

    Preston harrumphed. "What are you afraid of? It''s been so many years. He has died, and there''s no

    evidence."

    A look of maliciousness shed across his eyes. "Did you think that Landon hadn''t suspected me? He

    has suspected me since a while ago, but what can he do about that?

    "I just fucking love to see that look on his face that''s full of hatred and helplessness as he''s not able to

    do anything about me! I will make him feel uneasy for his entire life!"

    Right at that moment, his phone rang.

    Preston saw that it was Zoe who was calling. He dismissed his secretary before answering the call with

    a dark expression.

    "Zoe, I thought you had forgotten about me."

    "Don''t say that, Uncle Preston. Of all people, I won''t forget you," Zoe replied sweetly.

    "You''re always so good with your words, Zoe."

    Preston gritted his teeth and continued, "If that''s the case, why haven''t you done anything yet? It

    seems like you are still siding with Landon. Is it because you and Penelope get to feel proud of him

    bing the president?"

    "Uncle Preston, you might not like what I''m about to say."

    Zoe smiled. "Actually, you have no chance at all going against Landon for the position of president.

    Since the beginning, Grandpa has never considered you as his sessor. You should be more well

    aware of this than me.

    "You asked me for help, yet you don''t even have a good foundation. How can I assist you then? If I am

    that capable, wouldn''t it be better if I became the president instead?"

    Preston felt humiliated by Zoe. His face flushed red with anger. "However, weren''t you the one who

    said that you can make Landon suffer?"

    "No need to feel so anxious about it. It''ll happen soon."

    Zoe''s tone became somber. "I will be visiting Grandpa tonight.

    "Landon wants to be the president and marry the love of his life at the same time? He''s such a

    greedy man. Nothing on this earth can be so perfect!"

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Later that night, at the Harper Residence, Cornelius summoned both Landon and Preston to his study

    for a three-person meeting.

    After they were done discussing the corporation and its projects, Landon stood up. He ced a pearly

    white invitation card in front of Cornelius.

    "This is..."

    "It''s the invitation to my engagement celebration with Lauren."

    Landon''s eyes were bright and hopeful. He added in a serious voice, "I want to give Lauren a grand

    wedding of the century. But that requires me to hire a professional team. So, we''ll have to start nning

    now as it will take some time.

    "Thus, before that, I''m thinking of organizing an engagement ceremony and getting our marriage

    registered first. Not only does this show prudence, but it can also reflect the importance of Lauren to

    our family. We will abide by the customs to be officially married."

    As he said that, he retrieved a notebook with a red-colored hardcover and presented it to Cornelius

    with both hands. "This is the list of wedding gifts that I have prepared for Lauren. Please have a look."

    Cornelius opened the notebook. At the same time, Preston couldn''t help but peer at it, too.

    Good lord!

    It was a crowded list. It was one that would make anyone dizzy just by looking at it!

    Cornelius took out his reading sses and put them on. He went through items on the list one by one.

    As he did so, his frown became deeper and deeper, and the look of his face became more serious.

    Was Landon trying to empty their house just to please that woman?

    Preston clicked his tongue. Hemented by the side, "Landon is truly devoted to Ms. Lauren, isn''t

    he? This is even more than the overall amount of gifts that Mr. Taylor from Belbanks prepared when he

    married his four wives, isn''t it?"

    "You''re exaggerating, Uncle Preston. It is a bit more than usual, but it''s not that much."

    Landon chuckled coldly, "Moreover, these are all things that I''ve umted over these years. Don''t

    worry, I won''t be touching a single cent from the corporation."

    Preston froze. He swore, "Fuck, you bastard. Are you showing off your wealth to me?"

    "It''s just some wedding gifts. Is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it?" Cornelius sounded a

    little unhappy.

    "Yes. Lauren deserves it."

    Landon answered without any hesitation. "I actually even feel that it''s quite rushed and that the

    preparations are quite simple. But that''s okay. I will provide for her bit by bit in the future."

    Anger rose within Cornelius, and a lump formed in his throat. In a low voice, he said, "Alright. I''ll leave it

    to you to arrange your own marriage matters."

    "Thank you for that, Grandpa." Landon''s face was filled with joy as he took a bow.

    "Landon, it will soon be your big day with Ms. Lauren. Aren''t you going to give me an invitation card

    too? I''m thinking of giving you a fair amount of congrattory money," Preston asked unctuously.

    "Save it. I don''t need your money. You can just congratte us from afar."

    Preston''s expression turned dark. He was speechless.

    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll be taking my leave, Grandpa."

    Landon and Preston exited the study one after another.

    Landon looked up at the sound of cking heels. Right after that, his gaze became glum.

    Zoe was walking toward them slowly from the right opposite him. She was carrying a tray with both

    hands.

 Chapter 1732

    "Hi, Landon. Hi, Uncle Preston."

    Zoe stopped right in front of them. A sweet smile came across her face. She was pretending to be nice.

    "Oh, hey, Zoe! Are you feeling better?" Preston asked, pretending to be concerned.

    "I''m much better. Thanks for asking, Uncle Preston."

    "That''s good to hear. You''re a precious one in the Harper family. Your Grandpa and mother would be

    sad if anything bad happened to you!" Preston uttered these words for Landon to hear.

    Following that, he shot Zoe a look before walking away while humming a tune.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "What are you doing here?" Landon red at her frigidly.

    "I made some chicken soup for Grandpa, so I''m bringing it to him while it''s still hot."

    Zoe blinked. She had an innocent look in her eyes. "Landon, you''re not going to stop me from being

    nice to Grandpa, are you?"

    Landon''s deep and icy gaze narrowed as he raised his hand, pointing dominantly at her face.

    Although he hadn''t said a word, Zoe''s heart started racing out of fear. Her hands, which were carrying

    the tray, trembled slightly.

    "I''m warning you, Zoe. Don''t try to be funny. Otherwise, I will rip off that dishonest tongue of yours and

    break your damn legs. You can try me if you don''t believe me."

    Upon saying that, Landon bumped her out of the way and left with great strides.

    Zoe red at him from behind. It was as if he was unshakable. Through gritted teeth, she muttered,

    "Let''s see then!"

    After that, she wiped off the gloomy expression from her face and put on a lovely smile before entering

    the study.

    "I''m here to see you, Grandpa!"

    The dull gaze in Cornelius'' eyes vanished temporarily at the sight of Zoe. He gave a friendly smile in

    response. "Hi, Zoe."

    "Here''s some chicken soup. I made it especially for you, Grandpa. It took me an entire day to prepare

    it."

    Zoe ced the tray on the coffee table. She served up a bowl of soup to Cornelius. "This soup is best

    eaten when you''re in a bad mood. It nourishes your body and helps soothe your heart. Try it, Grandpa."

    "How did you know that I was in a bad mood, Zoe?" Cornelius put a spoonful of soup into his mouth.

    Just like Zoe said, it made him feel less suffocated.

    "Landon just came to see you. I also noticed that you looked like you had a lot on your mind when I

    walked in. There''s also this invitation card on the table. It''s from Landon and Lauren, isn''t it?"

    Zoe smiled perfunctorily. "It seems like they have some good news?"

    "Good news? This is not good news!"

    Cornelius put his bowl down heavily. He exhaled heavily and red, "Landon is my only grandson, but

    thatdy from the Beckett family has him wrapped around her finger! He has beenpletely

    bewitched by her!

    "Landon is giving half of his assets as his wedding gift to her. Giving them to her is equivalent to giving

    them to the Becketts. Doesn''t he think about the consequences?

    "After they get married, I dare say that all the Harpers will end up changing theirst name to ''Beckett''

    within a few years!"

    "I know right, Grandpa? I knew that you were bothered by this."

    Zoe let out a helpless sigh. "Actually, there''s another thing that I haven''t told you. I was afraid that you''d

    feel even worse if you found out."

    "At this point, what else is there that I wouldn''t be able to take? Just tell me!"

    Deep down, Zoe sneered. She turned around and walked to the coffee table. She then retrieved a

    document that was hidden under the tray.

    "Take a look at this, Grandpa."

    Doubtfully, Cornelius took the document from her and started flipping through it briefly.

    In an instant, his eyes widened with anger. He stared at the diagnosis in disbelief. Lauren''s name was

    written clearly on it!

 Chapter 1733

    Cornelius asked, "Thatdy from the Beckett family has a mental condition?"

    "That''s right, Grandpa." A vicious look shed across Zoe''s gleaming eyes. She continued, "She and

    the entire Beckett family have been hiding Lauren''s condition from you all along. She actually has

    severe autism. In other words, she is mentally disabled.

    "I was in the same middle school as her. At that time, other ssmates would call her ''dumb'' and ''idiot''

    behind her back. She also quit her tertiary studies halfway because of her condition."

    "No wonder I''ve always felt that there was something strange about her every time I met her. Despite

    being 21... or is it 22? Her mind is still like a child''s. Turns out that it''s because of her mental problem!

    "As expected, Sophia''s offspring is indeed problematic! Even though she died, she still left her retarded

    daughter to wreck my precious grandson!"

    Cornelius started coughing. He was so consumed by anger that he started to feel unwell. He coughed

    continuously until his face had flushed red.

    Zoe helped to soothe his back immediately. "Deep breaths, Grandpa. Watch your health!"

    "Landon. Does he know about that woman''s condition?"

    "Landon is well aware."

    Cornelius became even more enraged. More than that, he couldn''t wrap his head around it. "He still

    wants to marry her even though he knows about it? He''s out of his mind! Isn''t he afraid that their

    children would also be mentally impaired?

    "I really don''t understand it. As my grandson, he can have any woman he likes. Why is he so fixated on

    a dumbo?"

    "Landon is being tricked by Lauren''s naivete. He has had so much fun with morous women in the

    past that he''s now unable to stop himself after getting a taste of something in," Zoe remarked in a

    scornful tone.

    Cornelius'' eyes became bloodshot from fury. He hit his palms against the couch''s armrest repeatedly.

    "The entire Beckett family is a bunch of swindlers! They think that they can shove their undesirable

    daughter into our family. In their dreams!

    "As long as I''m around, I will never let that woman marry into our family! I will go and meet Newton first

    thing tomorrow morning and break this marriage off!" "I''m afraid that won''t be a good idea, Grandpa."

    Zoe knelt down on one knee next to Cornelius. She held his trembling hands andforted him. "If

    you go to Mr. Beckett Senior in such haste, Landon will hear about it immediately.

    "You should already know what his personality is like. If he finds out, he will surely cause a ruckus. He''s

    also such good friends with Mr. Beckett. With him siding with outsiders, we will end up being the ones

    at a loss."

    "My dear granddaughter, you''re so thoughtful! How smart of you!"

    Cornelius started to calm down. He then pressed on, "How about if youe up with an idea for me?

    How should I handle this?"

    "Lauren and I used to be schoolmates. Let me find time to speak with her face to face."

    When Zoe spoke, her voice was gentle and the look on her face was kind. "I''ll tell her how I feel and

    reason with her. In that way, I hope that I can convince her not to cling to Landon any longer. They will

    not have a future together."

    Cornelius thought about Landon, who had fallen head over heels in love. He couldn''t help but feel

    worried. "What happens if you''re not able to convince thatdy?"

    "Then, I will use the second method¡ªone that is a little cruel and vicious. That said, it is a method that

    can make them have a clean break."

    Zoe smirked slyly. "You just have to wait and see."

    After a short period of recuperation, Lauren resumed her school life as usual.

    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    She had experienced such an enormous crisis at school. However, no matter how great themotion

    was, it would die down quickly when it happened in such a structured environment.

    The surveince footage had been deleted and there were no bystanders during the incident. Due to

    the pressure from the Harpers and Lauren''s identity, the school kept silent about the incident where she

    was held hostage.

    Lauren was able to live a peaceful life thanks to all that Landon had built for her.

    If possible, Landon would have loved to build a wless ivory tower so that he could keep and protect

    her within it, like a flower in a closed terrarium.

    Nheless, what he didn''t know was...

    That night, she was outside the study. She had overheard the conversation that sent chills down her

    spine. That conversation had be like a fine yet barely discernible crack along the wall of the

    closed terrarium.

    Perhaps, just like that, this would be the end.

    Maybe, eventually, the crack would spread slowly and be like an extensive web. In the end, the

    entire terrarium might be covered in cracks.

    Every day, Angelina kept Laurenpany and watched her like a hawk.

 Chapter 1734

    Lauren learned how to conceal her feelings. When she got home, she would close herself in the

    drawing studio. She focused on painting and didn''t show her emotions.

    Angelina didn''t notice anything amiss with Lauren.

    If there were anything to say about the difference in Lauren, it would be in her artwork. Their hues had

    be duller, they were darker, and they had be more bewildering to Angelina.

    Lauren heard that Landon had returned home that evening to see Cornelius. She felt anxious about it,

    so she painted in the studio while she waited for him toe home.

    Nevertheless, even after an extensive period, he had not returned home. Eventually, unable to keep

    herself awake any longer, Lauren sumbed to sleep at her desk amidst her watercolors.

    By the time Landon rushed back, it was already in the wee hours of the morning.

    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    He noticed that Lauren had fallen asleep with her head on the desk. She had gotten smears of colorful

    paint all over her face. A loving smile spread across his face.

    "What took you so long, Mr. Landon? Madam Lauren has been waiting for you."

    Angelina asked in a worried voice. "Was Mr. Cornelius unhappy about the engagement?"

    "Grandpa has given his green light. He left it to me to make my own arrangements," Landon answered

    as he stood at the door and fixed his eyes on Lauren, who was fast asleep. His gaze was filled with

    love.

    Angelina asked excitedly, "Really?"

    Landon lifted his finger vertically in front of his lips, signaling Angelina to lower her voice.

    "Yeah. After leaving the Harper Residence, I made a trip to Stellus at Belbanks. I heard that there were

    some good products made of quality materials these past couple of days.

    "I was afraid that others would get their hands on it first, so I rushed over to see if I could pick out a

    couple of things that would suit Lauren.

    "I only had some time today. I''ll be busy with other things tomorrow. So, I decided to just settle all I

    could today."

    Angelina couldn''t help but feel sad. In a hoarse voice, she said, "I''m sure you''ve put in a lot of effort."

    "It''s nothing. Things will get better."

    As he said that, he took out a rectangr box from the pocket in his suit and opened it in front of

    Angelina.

    Sitting in there was a hair clip made of clear quartz. It was exquisitely carved, and it shimmered under

    the light.

    Angelina''s eyes widened in awe. She was deeply drawn by it. A mere nce revealed the

    unmistakable value of this item; it was exceedingly precious.

    "It''s so beautiful. It really suits Madam Lauren."

    "How can my princess be using a pencil to put up her hair? A valuable hair clip like this is what suits

    her." Landon''s eyes twinkled with a soft gaze.

    Angelina nodded in agreement.

    "Oh, there''s another thing."

    Landon retrieved another box from his coat pocket and handed it to Angelina. "This is for you."

    Angelina froze. She hesitantly epted the box and opened it.

    In the box was a green pendant made of opal. Its deep color reflected an elegance and maturity that

    had been umted over time.

    "It''s a lucky charm," Landon exined casually.

    "This... This is too expensive. I can''t ept it!"

    Angelina''s hands were trembling as she frantically tried to push the box back to Landon. Nevertheless,

    he pushed it back into her hands.

    "Isn''t your birthdaying up in a few days? This is a birthday gift from Lauren and I. ept it."

    Since Landon had put it that way, Angelina couldn''t find any other reason to reject him. She choked on

    her tears and said, "Thank you and Madam Lauren."

    "I''m not sure if I''ll have time to celebrate your birthday with you. Happy birthday in advance, Angelina."

    Upon saying that, Landon walked into the room toward the woman he loved.

    Angelina''s eyes welled up with tears. She sped the pendant in her hands tightly and pressed her

    hands against her chest.

 Chapter 1735

    It was in the early hours of the morning. The hospital corridor was quiet. The operating theater light had

    been illuminated for ten consecutive hours.

    Jasper was sitting up straight on the bench. Both his body and facial expression were still. Yet, his

    gloomy gaze and the popping veins on the back of his hands that were on his knees revealed the

    nervousness within him.

    Even so, sitting opposite him was an even more nervous pair of siblings. They were rissa and

    Hendrix Sparks.

    Till now, Hendrix had no idea how much his sister suffered in the Schmidt family. More than that, he

    couldn''t believe that the Schmidts, whom they had always admired, weren''t the ones who offered to

    save their father. Instead, it was Alyssa.

    Another 30 minutes passed before the operating theater light was turned off.

    The Sparks siblings held onto each other''s hands tightly. Jasper also couldn''t help but get up to his

    feet.

    The door opened, and an exhausted Alyssa walked out from the operating room in her green scrubs.

    She had a mask over her face, and only a pair of eyes could be seen.

    All of a sudden, Jasper''s heart started to race. There was something that he hadn''t realized at normal

    times.

    Why did a mask-wearing Alyssa look so much like the White Dove, who had fought alongside him and

    saved him from the raining bullets on the battlefield back then?

    However, how was that possible?

    Alyssa was the apple of the eye in the Taylor family. How could she have appeared on the battlefield in

    Luminara? Moreover, how could she have met him so coincidentally?

    Not only that, she had never been to Luminara. Within their rtionship, he was unreserved and

    completely truthful with her. So, why would she not mention a single thing about such a significant

    experience?

    But if... Just if...

    Could Alyssa possibly be the White Dove, whom he had been searching high and low for?

    Jasper clenched his shaking hands into fists. Each breath he inhaled was like an invisible de that

    ruffled him from within.

    He didn''t dare to make such assumptions. A lump of bitterness rose in his throat.

    He felt like his soul had been captured even just by this fleeting thought. He was on the verge of

    breaking down.

    "Ms. Alyssa, how''s..."

    rissa''s lips were pale. Her heart was full of anxiousness, and yet, she couldn''t bring herself to probe

    more. She was afraid that she would end up hearing bad news.

    Alyssa removed her mask, revealing her sweaty face. She let out a relieved sigh. "The operation was

    very sessful. The new kidney is functioning well in your father''s body. You don''t have to worry."

    Upon hearing that, Jasper felt relieved, too. He went forward to Alyssa immediately and put his arms

    around her waist.

    Alyssa was also drained. She leaned on him feebly. With her surgical cap still on her head, she rubbed

    her head gently on his warm chest.

    "You must be so tired. Your back feels stiff, Lyse. I''ll give you a good massage when we get home

    tonight," Jasper whispered into her ear. She could feel the warmth of his breath.

    What Jasper said was fairly normal. But his sultry and raspy voice gave Alyssa other thoughts. Her

    moist cheeks blushed in a shy shade of pink.

    "That''s great. That''s great news!"

    Hendrix was thrilled, and he hugged rissa tightly. "ire, Dad is saved!"

    He then expressed his gratitude toward Alyssa. "Thank you, Ms. Alyssa! Our family owes you big time!"

    "That''s just my duty as a doctor."

    Alyssa looked rissa in the eye. Her eyes had reddened from her tears. She spoke warmly, "I was

    deeply touched by Ms. Sparks'' love for her father. It reminded me of my own Dad. From an emotional

    perspective and a rational one, I just hoped that I could be of help to her."

    Right after Alyssa said those words, to her surprise, rissa prostrated before her.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 1736

    Jasper and Alyssa were utterly shocked. They helped rissa up from the ground immediately.

    "Please get up, Ms. Sparks! Don''t do this!"

    As rissa''s older brother, Hendrix''s heart ached for her. He, too, tried to help her up.

    "Ms. Alyssa... Thank you... Thank you very much..."

    rissa''s voice was breaking from all that crying. She spoke incoherently. "The favor that you''ve done

    for my father. I will pay you back with my life."

    Alyssa shook her head gently. "You don''t have to pay anything back to me. I just hope that you can free

    yourself from Josh and the Schmidts. That is the oue that I wish for the most."

    Oscar was transferred to the VIP ward for observation.

    In the lounge next door, the Sparks siblings sat across from Jasper and Alyssa.

    rissa had her eyes lowered as she rolled up her sleeve with her shaking hands.

    When Hendrix saw the scars that covered her arms, he lost it. He enveloped rissa in his arms and

    started crying his eyes out.

    "It''s alright, Hendrix. It''s all over," rissa consoled him with a rxed smile on her face.

    Now that Oscar''s surgery was sessful, she had nothing else to worry about. She had decided to

    give her all. She was choosing to walk out of darkness and into the light.

    rissa took out a brown envelope and put it on the table. "This envelope contains some evidence that

    I have gathered. It includes evidence of Josh embezzling the corporation''s funds, giving and receiving

    bribes, and him using the Bright Schrship Foundation under the Schmidt Group tounder money."

    Hendrix looked serious and furious at the same time. "I can testify that during my time working at

    Schmidt Group''s legal department, Josh asked me to go through loopholes in thew to embezzle

    funds for his own profit. This happened more than once.

    "I can''t believe that he even abused rissa. I don''t care if I end up being imprisoned or losing my

    reputation. I will stand up and testify against him! I have to avenge rissa!"

    "Hendrix." rissa choked on her tears. She felt terrible.

    Nheless, she was well aware that the Sparks and the Schmidts were inws. It was inevitable that

    both parties would end up hurt through this dreadful fight.

    Jasper and Alyssa focused their attention on going through all the evidence. With serious looks on their

    faces, they looked very much like one another. They were even in sync when it came to turning pages.

    "Actually, Josh even has attempted murder."

    Jasper and Alyssa asked in surprise, "Who did he try to murder?

    "Previously, David was suspected of sexually assaulting minors. One of the victims, Maggie Madison,

    intended to step forward to testify against David.

    "At the time, Josh had a motive to protect David. So, he seized the opportunity to bribe one of David''s

    subordinates when he was being detained and tried to get rid of Maggie.

    "At that time, he wasn''t doing so to help his brother. Instead, he was just trying to win brownie points

    with Victor. He chose to use David''s subordinate because if this was revealed, he could then push the

    me to David while he leaves unscathed."

    When the incident happened, Alyssa and Jasper had considered this possibility. Yet, when they heard

    rissa''s exnation in person, they still reacted with staggered expressions. They felt perturbed.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    rissa shook her head regretfully and helplessly. She sobbed, "During that time, I was right by Josh''s

    side. I listened to him as he tantly came up with a n to murder that innocent woman. But I was

    completely incapable of stopping him.

    "Even when I asked him more about it, he would beat me up..."

    "Don''t me yourself, Ms. Sparks."

    Alyssa held her hand tightly. She didn''t me her at all. "Maggie was a victim, and so were you. You

    were living in darkness. You have given your all to protect yourself and your family. You''ve really done

    your best. If I were you, I would''ve probably crumbled long ago."

    "It was a pity that I didn''t record what he said at the time." rissa was filled with regret.

    "Even if you had recorded it, it wouldn''t be of much use."

    Jasper put down the documents in his hand. His eyes were glum as he shared his analysis calmly.

    "Firstly, a recording taken without consent cannot be presented as evidence in court.

    "Secondly, Maggie didn''t die, and she is now safe and sound. That means that Josh could even strike

    back by suing you for false usations and defamation.

    "There''s another problem, which is the evidence of his crimes. To the scion of Schmidt Group, one of

    the four wealthiest corporations, these are not impactful enough to go against him.

    "Josh is Victor''s eldest son. Although Victor''s eyes are on Jameson now, he will not give up on him that

    easily. No matter what happens, he will do all he can to cover for him.

    "Using what we have on hand can result in him being sentenced, but it''s highly probable that it would

    just be done as a formality. Once they get an A-ss team of attorneys to take his case, I reckon that

    he''ll get a maximum of two years before he ends up being released."

 Chapter 1737

    rissa furrowed her brows in anger. "Then... Then, what can we do? Does thew really have no hold

    against these financial tycoons?"

    "What Jasper means is that we need something that''s even more earth-shattering." Alyssa looked into

    Jasper''s dark eyes as if she was able to see right through him. "When going against Josh, we have to

    hit the bullseye so that he doesn''t have a chance to get back up.

    "The only way is if he gets punished both by the heavens and on the earth."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes reflected his understanding of Alyssa. He resonated with her so deeply that

    his blood pulsed through his veins. He couldn''t help but put his arm over her shoulders and hold her.

    She was the one who understood his innermost feelings the most.

    rissa looked down as she thought about it deeply. After a moment, she lifted her eyes again and

    looked at them with a determined gaze. "Josh has a kink. He likes to record sex videos in secret.

    "Not only did he use the funds from the Bright Schrship Foundation to force those women into sex

    trades, but he vited them too. On top of that, he also filmed them secretly.

    "He saved the files in his password-protectedputer and would rewatch them from time to time for

    his enjoyment. Even when we had sex. he would do it with me while ying those videos."

    Hendrix, Alyssa, and Jasper were already boiling in rage. Yet, rissa was extremely calm when she

    said all this.

    "Oh, ire. Josh is a bastard!" Hendrix felt like his heart was crushed.

    rissa was a precious family member in the Sparks family. She had to endure such inhumanity after

    marrying into the Schmidt family.

    Alyssa grasped rissa''s hand in hers firmly. "Ms. Sparks, is there any way that you can make a copy

    of those videos?"

    "I would like to do that, but theputer is in Josh''s room. Plus, it''s a hidden folder that has been

    password-protected. He doesn''t let anyone enter his study easily. Even if I managed to get in, I won''t

    be able to ess hisputer," rissa exined with a dejected expression on her face.

    "As long as you''re able to turn hisputer on, I can crack his password remotely and transfer his

    folder out!" Alyssa eximed with confidence.

    "Lyse is an expert hacker. Josh''s dirty tricks are no match for her," Jasper chimed in with praises for

    Alyssa. His eyes were filled with love and admiration.

    rissa''s and Hendrix''s jaws dropped.

    They were like a real-life version of Rachel and Ross.

    No, they were like Mr. and Mrs. Smith!

    rissa was bright-eyed. "If so, I will do my best to do that for you."

    Alyssa nodded. At the same time, she looked concerned. She urged, "But, you have to promise me

    that you will not force yourself. Only proceed on the condition that you are able to keep yourself safe."

    On the way back from the hospital, Xavier was in the driver''s seat while Jasper sat in the back seat

    with Alyssa in his arms.

    They leaned against one another. Alyssa had justpleted an important task. She had finally felt

    more cheery after suppressing her emotions for days. She wrapped her arms around Jasper''s neck,

    humming a joyful tune.

    At first, Jasper only watched her with a smile on his face.

    Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Eventually, he was lured in by how yful she looked. He couldn''t hold himself back anymore. He

    lowered his head and started kissing her on her soft lips. He couldn''t stop himself once he started.

    Xavier raised the privacy divider immediately and became a professionally oblivious secretary.

    Jasper squeezed Alyssa by the waist. He smooched her gently as he pressed his body down on hers

    slowly. He kissed her repeatedly while taking soft gasps of air in between.

    Without knowing how much time had passed, Jasper pulled away from the kiss. He was afraid that he

    would lose control over the fervent fire in his lower body. He simply kept her softened body in a tight

    embrace.

    "I have a question I''d like to ask you, Lyse. Would you be able to answer me?"

    "Hmm." Alyssa mumbled as she leaned her chin against his corbone.

    Jasper''s throat felt dry. Hesitantly, he asked, "Have you really never been to Luminara? Before we got

    married, is it true that we''ve never met?"

    Jasper counted the seconds in his heart. Some time passed. Yet, Alyssa didn''t give a single response.

    It wasn''t until he heard the sound of her even breathing in his ear that he realized...

    Alyssa had already fallen asleep out of exhaustion.

 Chapter 1738

    Landon carried Lauren back into their room. In a few swift moves, he removed her white cotton dress,

    which had been stained with colors. He picked her up and entered the bathroom with her.

    He ran a warm bath in the bathtub. Carefully, he lowered her into the tub. He was afraid that he couldn''t

    refrain himself, so he didn''t join her. Instead, he sat by the side of the bathtub, rolled up the sleeves of

    his ck shirt, and wiped her body down gently.

    He realized that Lauren had be thinner recently. She wasn''t as plump as she used to be when he

    fed her all the good food. Her tummy was t, her prominent vicle, her sharp chin...

    Landon pursed his lips. He couldn''t stop the pain in his heart.

    All of a sudden, he started to regret it.

    If he hadn''t taken over this position, he would have been able to apany Lauren every day. Their

    days would be boisterous. Wouldn''t that be lovely?

    But, if he hadn''t fought for it, Harper Group would have ended up in Preston''s hands in the end. There

    was no way he would give it up. Even if Harper Group was destroyed, he could not let that bastard get

    what he wanted!

    "Mm."

    Lauren opened her bleary eyes slowly. She jolted awake once she saw Landon''s face. She stared at

    him in surprise.

    "Oh, I woke you up in the end. It''s my bad. I was too clumsy," Landon chuckled bitterly as he med

    himself and frowned.

    Suddenly, the water sshed.

    Lauren leaped out from the bath and threw herself around Landon''s neck. She started bawling.

    With every weep, her warm tears fell onto his shoulders. Landon was terrified. He wrapped his arms

    around her naked body, wishing that he could consume her.

    "What''s wrong? What''s wrong? You''re crying your eyes out. Was there someone who bullied you?"

    Landon asked anxiously.

    Lauren, however, only kept crying.

    She was afraid. She was absolutely terrified. She feared that Landon had endangered himself for her

    sake once again.

    She was afraid of the night. She was worried that he wouldn''t be by her side when she woke up in the

    morning. She feared that he would get himself into trouble and be arrested.

    In the past, she was afraid of losing him.

    Right now, all she wished for was for him to be safe.

    "Next time... Can youe home earlier?" Lauren sobbed. Her eyes had turned red.

    "Ah, I see that you''ve missed me."

    Landon breathed a sigh of relief. He nted kisses on her wet shoulders, inch by inch. Atst, he bit

    her softly on her shoulder.

    "Bear with me for a few more days, Lauren. We can be together day and night very soon."

    That night, there was no dancing in the sheets.

    Lately, Landon had been too tired. After they climbed into bed, he soon fell asleep with Lauren in his

    arms.

    Lauren, on the other hand, was wide awake till the day was bright.

    In the morning, she pretended that nothing had happened. She knelt on the bed and tied Landon''s tie

    for him.

    Back then, Landon wasn''t as conscientious as Jasper was. He never wore ties either, as he felt that

    they were binding. If he ever wore a suit, it would be a casual one. They gave him a candid yet

    charming look when he wore them on his dashing body.

    That said, he couldn''t afford to be so frivolous now.

    Hence, Lauren had also picked up the skill of tying ties. At first, it took her a while, and its shape wasn''t

    too pleasing. Even so, Landon did not look upon her handiwork in disdain. No matter how her tie

    looked, he would still go to work in it.

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    After much practice, she had perfected the art of tying ties. Her dexterous hands were now able to tie a

    full Rindsor knot quickly.

    "All done, Landon."

    Before she had even finished her sentence, Landon tugged her in by the waist and smacked his lips

    onto hers.

    Rxedly, the tip of his tongue parted her lips. His tall nose and the tip of her pink nose brushed

    against each other. An electrifying yet soothing feeling spread through both their bodies.

    Landon could feel Lauren''s body melting in his arms, just like a tasty piece of white chocte that was

    at its melting point.

    He was being stimted so early in the morning.

 Chapter 1739

    All of a sudden, Landon was no longer motivated to go to work. As he kissed Lauren''s moist lips, he

    lifted his hand to tug at his tie.

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    "Don''t^" Lauren panted softly. She grabbed his hand and said, "It''s already tied. Don''t ruin it. Wait until

    youe home..."

    "Okay. Compensate me when Ie back tonight then," Landon whispered in her ear in a sultry voice.

    Lauren blushed. She nodded shyly.

    Angelina had prepared breakfast. It was almost time, but she only stayed standing by the door. She

    knew that it was best that she didn''t bother them.

    She could hear the sound of flirtatious remarksing from the room. She lifted the corners of her lips

    into a slight smile.

    Landon always stuck close to Lauren until the veryst moment before he left the house.

    "Here''s a small gift for you, darling."

    Landon picked Lauren up and ced her on the chair in front of the vanity table. Then, he opened the

    rectangr jewelry box.

    "Ah. It''s beautiful!" Lauren gasped as sheid her eyes on the gleam of the hair clip made of clear

    quartz.

    "I know that you don''t fancy jewelry. You''ve never worn any of the many jewelry that I''ve bought for you

    previously. But I hope that you''ll use this. Let me put it on for you."

    Landon stood behind her. He picked up her long, smooth hair. He used the method Angelina taught him

    and put her hair up rather clumsily.

    For Lauren''s sake, he had gone above and beyond, doing things he had never imagined himself doing

    before. Yet, he still felt like he was greatly indebted to her. All these were far from enough.

    A momentter, Landon was done putting her hair up. He then clipped her hair up with the quartz hair

    clip.

    The clear quartz itself was splendid, but Lauren was even more dazzling. Her skin was fair as snow,

    and her eyes twinkled. At that moment, no other treasure in the world couldpare to her.

    "Lauren, do you know what it means for a man to do up another woman''s hair?" Landon lowered his

    body and spoke tenderly. "It means that you are my wife. You are a married woman now, Lauren."

    A warm ray of light came through the window, illuminating Lauren''s glowy cheeks. Her eyshes

    fluttered, and her ears turned red.

    Landon walked out of his manor in big strides. Angelina followed behind him.

    "Angelina, did Lauren meet anyone when she was in school these two days?"

    Landon was reminded of the way Lauren hugged him and sobbedst night, as well as her dark circles

    this morning. He couldn''t help but feel bothered by it.

    "Nope. Apart from attending sses and spending time at the art studio honing her craft, she had little

    interaction with others."

    Angelina asked anxiously, "What happened to Madam Lauren, Mr. Landon?"

    "Nothing much. Perhaps Lauren was feeling down because I haven''t been allocating much time for her

    lately."

    "Madam Lauren is going to school to attend the school''s anniversary celebration in the afternoon."

    "Sure. She has been looking forward to it for a long time."

    Landon frowned. He continued in a low voice, "Just make sure that you watch over her. Don''t let any

    idents happen again."

    At 1:00 pm sharp, Lauren arrived at Sna City Arts Academy. She was apanied by Angelina and

    two other bodyguards.

    She was always an introverted and low-key type of person. She also struggled with social anxiety,

    making her highly apprehensive about the sensation of being observed. As such, she wasn''t willing to

    have the bodyguards tailing her.

    Angelina didn''t force her. Furthermore, she had faith in her remarkable skills that, at the very least, no

    one would be able toy their hands on Lauren right here.

    Soon, Lauren and Angelina arrived at the entrance to the academy''s auditorium.

    As the event''s start time approached, banners adorned the exterior of the venue while colorful gs

    fluttered joyfully in the wind. Laughter and chatter filled the air, enveloping Lauren in the ambiance of

    youthfulness.

    Her tension gradually eased away. Her eyes sparkled as a smile slowly came across her face.

    Angelina watched her. A smile of relief spread across her face.

    Indeed, one of the best decisions Landon ever made for Lauren was for her to study at this academy.

 Chapter 1740

    Lauren and Angelina arrived at the venue together, but Angelina was stopped by members of the

    student union and security guards at the entrance.

    "I''m sorry, but you can''t enter without a student ID."

    The school had tightened security due to the previous incident, especially forrge events like this one.

    After being rejected, Angelina looked embarrassed. Normally, she would have fought with anyone who

    stopped her, but she couldn''t do that at school. She didn''t want to embarrass Lauren and make her life

    difficult in school.

    "Angie, I''ll be fine," Lauren said, holding Angelina''s slightly calloused hand and gently squeezing it. "If

    you''re worried, just wait here for me. If anything happens, you can rush in to protect me, right?"

    Reluctantly, Angelina agreed. "Alright, Madam Lauren. I''ll wait here. If you feel sick, just send me a

    text."

    Lauren nodded and followed the crowd into the auditorium.

    As the event began, the doors were closed.

    The timid Lauren didn''t dare to sit in the front row, so she found a seat in a corner at the back.

    When she saw the ck piano on the stage, her heart skipped a beat. Her pale hands trembled as she

    tightly gripped them together.

    Some of the traumas buried in her mind throughout her student years resurfaced, seemingly haunting

    her once again.

    As the ceremony was about to begin, the lights on the stage came on while those in the audience

    dimmed.

    The noise around her gradually quieted down.

    Lauren lowered her eyes and hesitated to look up at the stage.

    In her eyes, the ck piano seemed more like a giant monster, ready to devour her at any moment.

    Suddenly, footsteps in high heels approached from behind. It got closer and closer until they stopped at

    Lauren''s row.

    Although Lauren had kept her head down, she felt someone sitting beside her.

    "It''s been a long time, Lauren."

    The familiar, sultry voice carried a hint of mockery and jest. It was like a sharp de scraping against

    Lauren''s throat, cutting off her breath instantly.

    A chill ran down Lauren''s spine. In panic, her shoulders couldn''t stop trembling.

    "It''s quite obvious that you''re spoiled. You''re really different now that you have my brother backing you

    up."

    Zoe, wearing sunsses, provocatively raised her brightly painted red lips with a cold sneer. "We''re

    ssmates, after all. If you really marry Landon in the future, I''ll be your sister-inw. It''s not

    appropriate for you to ignore me, is it?"

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    Lauren''s breath caught in her throat, and she firmly gripped her phone.

    She remembered Angelina''s instructions, but after much hesitation, she still didn''t send her a text.

    After all, Zoe was Landon''s sister, while Angelina was just a subordinate. Even if she did send a text,

    what good would it do? It would only cause trouble for Angelina. Lauren didn''t want to put her in a

    difficult position.

    "Is there anything you want to talk to me about?" Lauren''s voice was barely audible.

    With her legs crossed, Zoe tapped her slender fingers on her knees, ying a silent melody.

    However, it resounded in Lauren''s ears like thunder.

    A huge shadow loomed over her.

    "I want to talk to you about Landon." The sunsses hid the sinister glint in Zoe''s eyes. "You should

    know what he''s been busy withtely, right? He''s been working day and night, managing the Harper

    Group''s affairs. He''s just one step away from bing the president."

    Lauren remained silent. Of course, she knew. She knew better than anyone that Landon had put in all

    his efforts to get where he was today.

    "Although Grandpa values him highly, he''s not exactly sitting pretty at Harper Group. My Uncle Preston

    is Grandpa''s only remaining son and more qualified to be the heir than Landon due to his experience.

    "This means that even if Landon bes the president, there are still many challenges ahead. Sigh.

    I''m not sure if an idiot like you can understand what I''m saying."

    "I''m not an idiot," Lauren retorted.

    Facing such tant insult, she summoned unprecedented courage and looked at Zoe with red eyes.

    "I''m not an idiot. Please stop calling me that."

 Chapter 1741

    Upon hearing Lauren''s retort, Zoe was filled with rage. She clenched her fists so tightly that her

    meticulously adorned nails dug into the flesh of her palms.

    If it weren''t for the people around them, she would have pped Lauren already.

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    Zoe took a deep breath. Smirking maliciously, she leaned close to Lauren''s ear, speaking in a low,

    mocking tone. "You''re right. You''re not an idiot. You''re a psycho."

    A psycho.

    She was a psycho.

    Lauren''s mind buzzed loudly, and cold sweat soaked through her pure white cotton dress.

    At that moment, the piano music on stage began to y.

    The melodious notes flowed into her ears. But for her, they were like painful melodies, only intensifying

    her stress.

    "Lauren, you''ve always wanted to be Landon''s wife¡ªto be Mrs. Harper. But do you think you''re

    qualified? You know your illness best. Do you think you can give birth to a child with normal intelligence

    for Landon?"

    Zoe hit her sore spot, each word striking at her heart.

    Lauren lowered her head. Tears were welling up at the corners of her eyes, and her cotton dress was

    crumpled from her delicate fingers, much like her heart at that moment.

    "Landon is not only your lover but also the heir of Harper Group. He''ll be the head of the Harper family

    in the future."

    Zoe adopted a dignified demeanor, as if she were considering the bigger picture. Her voice was cold as

    she said, "My dad''sst wish is for our family to be a century-old aristocratic family. If you want to

    be Mrs. Harper, you''ll need to bear a descendant of the Harper family.

    "What are the chances that you can give birth to a healthy child for Landon? What if your illness is

    passed on to your child? Do you want the Harper family to have no sessors? Do you want Landon

    to be theughingstock of the entire Sna City?"

    Lauren closed her eyes, sweat beading on her delicate forehead.

    "Even if Landon doesn''t want to let you go through the hardship of giving birth, does that mean he can

    give up on Harper Group?"

    Zoe continued to stimte the vulnerable Lauren. "Harper Group is my dad''s life''s work. If Landon can''t

    inherit Harper Group, how can our dad rest in peace?

    "Do you think Grandpa can ept a woman like you as the future matriarch of the Harper family? If

    Landon insists on marrying you, he''ll drift further away from the position of heir.

    "Grandpa is very likely to change his mind and let Uncle Preston be the heir of Harper Group.

    When that dayes, you''ll be the one who has destroyed him."

    Every word Zoe uttered felt like a sharp knife cutting into Lauren''s soft heart.

    "Now that you say you''re not an idiot, you must understand my words, right? Think carefully if you

    really love Landon."

    With that, Zoe was about to get up.

    "I won''t leave Landon," Lauren spoke with her head still lowered.

    Although her voice was weak, every word was clear.

    Zoe''s pupils suddenly shrank at those words. "What did you say?"

    "I love Landon. I love him very much."

    Lauren slowly raised her eyes, meeting Zoe''s fierce gaze with all her strength. "All my life... I''ve always

    been a coward. I''ve never fought for anything for myself, nor have I ever desired anything. But now, I

    just want to be with Landon."

    Zoe gritted her teeth. "How dare you?"

    "It''s okay if Mr. Cornelius doesn''t like me and the Harper family doesn''t ept me. I don''t want any

    status. I just want to be with Landon. As long as he doesn''t drive me away, I won''t leave him."

    When Lauren spoke these words, her eyes were so bright and captivating that they outshone all the

    stars in the sky.

    Zoe gnashed her teeth loudly at Lauren''s persistence and shamelessness. Her high heels made sharp

    noises as she left under the annoyed nces of others.

    Angelina patiently waited in the corridor until the ceremony ended.

    Finally, the door opened, and the students walked out withughter.

    Angelina hurried over.

    But even after all the students had left, Lauren still hadn''te out.

    Angelina''s heart skipped a beat, and she rushed into the auditorium.

    In the vast and silent auditorium, only Lauren''s slender and delicate figure lingered, seated alone and

    still.

    "Madam Lauren!"

    Angelina rushed to her side in a panic. Instantly, she froze.

    The Lauren in front of her seemed to have had her soul sucked out. She had tears streaming down her

    face.

    "Madam Lauren, what''s wrong?" Angelina sat beside her, frantically pulling out tissues to wipe her

    tears.

    "Angie..." Unable to stop crying, Lauren''s voice choked with tears. "Did I put Landon in a difficult

    position? Would there be less trouble if he didn''t have me?"

    "Don''t think that way, Madam Lauren."

    Angelina didn''t know what had happened, but she immediately embraced Lauren,forting her

    patiently and gently, "Mr. Landon loves you more than anything else. He can''t live without you.

    "Madam Lauren, promise me not to overthink. The happiest time in Mr. Landon''s life is when he''s with

    you. Even if he gives up on the Harper family, he won''t give up on you."

 Chapter 1742

    It had been three days since Joshst returned.

    That day, rissa received news that he would be back, so she went to the mall in the afternoon and

    bought an extremely sexy set of ckce lingerie.

    Not only that, she also managed to acquire a drug that could make men insatiable.

    After being toyed with by Josh for two years, her body was covered in scars. In his eyes, she was

    nothing but a tool for his pleasure, devoid of any attractiveness.

    So, she had to do something about it.

    However, if she wanted to enter Josh''s study, she would have to make the move to seduce him.

    Time was running out, but regardless of the risks, she had to seed in one go.

    That evening, Josh returned to Schmidt Manor.

    As soon as he came back, he went straight to his study, not even sparing a nce at rissa.

    After bathing with rose water, rissa applied body lotion from head to toe and wrapped herself in a

    robe. With the "chicken soup" she had prepared in hand, she mustered up the courage to push open

    the door to the study.

    At that moment, Josh was sitting in front of theputer, smiling sinisterly.

    Upon hearing the door open, he instantly became alert. He red at rissa angrily and shouted,

    "Who gave you permission to enter? Get out!"

    Unexpectedly, rissa summoned her courage and approached him. "Josh." Her voice was soft and

    seductive.

    In his memory, this timid woman would always tremble in his presence,cking any charm. Her sudden

    change in demeanor aroused Josh''s curiosity.

    "What do you want?"

    "I made some chicken soup for you. You''ve been working too hardtely. Come and have a sip."

    rissa bent over to ce the bowl of soup on the coffee table, revealing a tantalizing cleavage.

    Josh''s gaze lingered on her chest, and his eyes darkened. He got up and walked over.

    When rissa saw him sit on the couch and finish half of the soup, her eyes dimmed. She untied the

    belt of her robe, shrugged her shoulders, and let the robe fall to the ground.

    "Josh... Do you want me tonight?"

    Josh''s pupils contracted instantly, his blood boiling with desire.

    The aphrodisiac''s effects, coupled with rissa''s ultimate seduction, made it difficult for him to resist.

    He grabbed her arm roughly, pulling her into his embrace.

    At that moment, rissa had a sudden inspiration. She pretended to be clumsy and identally spilled

    the remaining soup on Josh''s body.

    "Ah! Josh... I''m really sorry."

    "It''s okay. It doesn''t matter, darling." Josh hugged her tightly, talking dirty as he eagerly kissed her neck.

    Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Don''t rush... You should go wash up. You smell like chicken soup. It ruins the mood." Blushing,

    rissa gently pushed him away. Her coy resistance made her look even more enticing.

    Josh hadn''t had sex in three days, and he certainly wanted to relieve himself. While loosening his tie,

    he kissed her passionately to satisfy his immediate desire. Then, he eagerly rushed into the bathroom

    to clean up.

    Seeing him leave, rissa grimaced, wiping her mouth harshly. She immediately stood up and ran to

    theputer.

    She pulled out the USB drive hidden in her hair bun and quickly inserted it into theputer.

    This was given to her by Alyssa. Tonight, Alyssa would stay up all night, fighting alongside her on the

    other end.

    The next moment, a dialogue box popped up on the screen, indicating the sessful imnt of the

    Trojan virus on theputer. The progress bar began to load.

    Meanwhile, at Heightsnew Vi, Jasper sat beside Alyssa, watching as her fingers flew across the

    keyboard. The dazzling scene left him spellbound once again.

    "How long do you need?" Jasper asked anxiously.

    "Normal hackers take five minutes, but that''s too long. I have to crack it within three minutes."

    Alyssa stared at the screen filled with scrolling green code. Her blood boiled in her veins, and beads of

    sweat formed on her forehead.

    "I can''tmunicate with rissa, but I know she must have gone to great lengths to get close to

    Josh''sputer. Every extra minute I spend adds to her danger."

 Chapter 1743

    Jasper''s jaw tensed as he felt nervous for both rissa and Alyssa. But his hacking skills were at the

    five- minute level, so he couldn''t be of much help. Alyssa had to be the one to do the job.

    The sound of water running came from the bathroom.

    rissa kept her eyes fixed on the progress bar on the screen, which had reached 50 percent. Her

    heart pounded wildly, putting her on tenterhooks.

    If Josh were to discover that she had tampered with hisputer, she would surely be killed by that

    beast.

    60 percent...

    70 percent.

    80 percent...

    Just as the progress bar reached 90%, it suddenly froze.

    At the same time, the sound of running water from the bathroom stopped.

    In that instant, rissa''s heart raced. Her entire body was drenched in a cold sweat, as if a bucket of

    cold water had been poured over her.

    When she heard Josh''s footsteps approaching the bathroom door, her heart sank in despair.

    "It''s over," she thought.

    Just before the bathroom door was opened, the progress bar suddenlypleted the remaining ten

    percent, and the dialogue box disappeared from the screen.

    rissa quickly unplugged the USB drive and threw it into the deepest part of the bookshelf.

    Her suspended heart finally found its ce, and a relieved smile tugged at her lips.

    That night, Alyssa and Jasper stayed up all night watching the videos stored on Josh''sputer. The

    room was filled with helpless cries and miserable screams from the girls. It was like hell on earth.

    Among these videos were two of rissa''s.

    Josh probably intended to use these as leverage to make rissa, or even the entire Sparks family, his

    ves for life.

    After they finished watching everything, it was already dawn.

    Alyssa closed herptop. With reddened eyes, she leaned into Jasper''s broad chest, silently shedding

    tears.

    "I wonder how Ms. Sparks is doing now."

    "She''s a smart woman. She''ll be fine." Jasper gently massaged her shoulders, turning his face to nt

    a warm kiss to soothe her anxiety.

    "I should have used a more cautious approach. Even if progress was slow, I shouldn''t have let her take

    such risks."

    Consumed by self-me, Alyssa trembled in his embrace. "I''m afraid she''ll end up like Nina."

    Jasper understood that this triggered her trauma. Gently, he took her slightly cool hand and kissed her

    palm and fingertips over and over.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    He then whispered softly, "She won''t. Though the Sparks family has fallen, she''s still the heiress of the

    Sparks family and a legitimate member of the Schmidt family. Josh won''t easily harm her."

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa nuzzled her head against his chest, feeling her emotions calm down slightly.

    "So, we must take Josh down this time. It''s the best we can do for rissa and those victimized girls."

    Meanwhile, at The Millennium, Jameson was also looking at the evidence he hadpiled about Josh.

    However, he looked at them with a mocking attitude, as if watching a joke.

    At the same time, there was an agreement for the transfer of shares in front of him.

    This was the second gift he prepared to give to Josh.

    As long as he got the shares from Josh, he would have absolute control over Schmidt Group. By then,

    ousting Victor would just be a matter of his word.

    At this thought, he couldn''t help but let out a grin.

    Just then, Carl walked in with a decanted red wine. "Mr. Schmidt, there''s been some activities over at

    Harper Group recently."

 Chapter 1744

    Jameson elegantly raised his wine ss. His eyes were tinged with a hint ofziness. "What

    activities?"

    "Mr. Cornelius is getting on in years and wants to step down. He''s already decided to designate Landon

    as his sessor, appointing him as the president of Harper Group and vice chair of the board.

    "The news has spread throughout Harper Group. Once the board meeting next week concludes,

    Landon will officially take office."

    "Is that new? Everyone in the circle knows about it." Jameson sneered.

    "At this critical moment, there''s fierce infighting within Harper Group. After Mr. Bill''s death, Preston, as

    Mr. Cornelius''s only son, didn''t get to inherit the throne. He can only watch the younger generation rise

    above him. He''s probably boiling with anger right now."

    "What''s the use of being angry when he''s ipetent? If Preston was capable, he should have gotten

    his hands on the throne when Landon''s father died. He wouldn''t have to suffer being surpassed by the

    younger generation."

    Jameson suddenly narrowed his eyes and looked at Carl with suspicion. "You didn''te here to tell

    me this nonsense, did you? What else did you find out?"

    "I heard recently that Preston is very close with Landon''s sister, Zoe. The two of them have secretly

    formed an alliance and want to join forces against Landon."

    Carl''s face was grim. "It''s good timing for you to intervene and help them out to make Landon suffer. If

    it works out, you get to vent your anger. If it doesn''t, Preston and Zoe will take the me, and you won''t

    be affected."

    Jameson, being so astute, naturally understood Carl''s meaning.

    In fact, whether Harper Group was doing well or not didn''t matter much to him.

    The Harper family was only ranked fourth among the four major families. His realpetition in Sna

    City had always been with the Beckett Group. Harper Group was nothing to him.

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    But he still wanted to take action against Landon because Landon was Jasper''s only and best friend.

    Only by hurting Landon could Jasper truly feel pain. Only then could Jameson feel gratified.

    "Carl, you''re doing things more and more to my liking."

    Jameson adjusted his golden-rimmed sses, picked up his phone, and dialed Zoe''s number.

    Winston''s condition was gradually stabilizing, but the Taylors couldn''t help but worry. They took turns

    staying by his side every day, taking care of him meticulously. As a result, this handsome old man

    gained ten pounds.

    Although he was gaining weight, he could confidently say that these days were the happiest he had

    experienced in nearly 20 years since his beloved wife passed away.

    He didn''t want his children to stay by his side every day to take care of him. He just wanted to see them

    more often, especially Alyssa.

    As if to make up for years of missed father-daughter bonding, Winston, at his advanced age, began to

    throw tantrums, moring to see Alyssa every day. He was very demanding.

    That night, Alyssa and Jasper apanied Winston for dinner in the bedroom. She picked up a spare

    rib and fed it to him.

    "Here, Winston. Open up. Ah..."

    Winston smiled happily. But just as he opened his mouth, Alyssa added, "Try Jasper''s cooking."

    He immediately closed his mouth, suddenly losing his appetite.

    Feeling uneasy, Jasper pressed his lips together. His anxious expression was just like what a

    daughterinw would show in front of her future father-inw.

    "Hey!" Frowning, Alyssa pouted.

    She directly opened Winston''s mouth with her left hand, stuffing the rib in like she was force-feeding a

    duck. "Jasper made this for you. He spent over an hour making it. You can''t be ungrateful."

    "You little brat... always protecting your man! Are you trying to choke me?" Winston grumbled, chewing

    the meat in his mouth.

    Surprisingly, it tasted good. Jasper''s cooking skills had improved quite a bit.

    Jasper had never tried to please Alyssa with any ttery or perfunctory actions. He always showed

    sincere and genuine affection in everything he did for her.

 Chapter 1745

    At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Two striking figures entered. It was Jonah and Julien.

    "Dad."

    "Mr. Taylor, how are you feeling today?" Julien asked gently, walking beside his beloved man.

    Winston nced at his son, then cast his kindly gaze on Julien''s clean and handsome face. He

    teasingly asked, "Why so distant all of a sudden? Aren''t you calling me dad?"

    Alyssa and Jasper were both surprised.

    Julien, already fair-skinned, blushed all the way to his neck at this tease. He lowered his longshes in

    embarrassment.

    Seeing his shy reaction, Jonah couldn''t help but feel a warmth in his heart. He directly took Julien''s

    sweaty hand in his, interlocking their fingers tightly.

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    "Dad, Julien is shy. Don''t tease him like that."

    Grinning, Alyssa looked at the adorable couple.

    Those in love were truly different. Even the aloof, stoic man, who used to be indifferent to worldly

    affairs, was now fiercely protective.

    Winston looked at them inexplicably. His gaze gradually shifted to their tightly sped hands, and his

    brow suddenly furrowed.

    "Jonah, what''s with your fingernails? Why are they so ck?"

    Jonah was momentarily stunned. He looked down at his fingers and smiled gently. "Julien likes to eat

    dried nuts. I went out and bought some roasted chestnuts for him yesterday night. I''ve been peeling

    them for him. I guess it''s from the chestnut shells."

    Julien''s heart was pounding, and his face was blushing intensely, making him look extremely adorable.

    Originally, he was extremely nervous. The Taylor family''s eldest son was such a prestigious status.

    Jonah used to sign important contracts with those hands, but now they were being treated like a pair of

    pliers. Which parents would be happy about that?

    Unexpectedly, Winston casually said, "Oh, well. I thought you had nail fungus. I was worried that if you

    got it, you might infect Jul. How would he treat patients in the future?"

    Julien, Alyssa, and Jasper were all speechless at those words.

    Jonah squeezed Julien''s hand and couldn''t help but smile wryly. "Dad, can''t you hope for something

    nice for me?"

    But everyone could see that Winston had truly epted Julien.

    Amidst the warmughter and banter, Winston sessfully finished his meal, all thanks to Alyssa''s

    persuasion.

    "Dad, we need to get ready these next few days. We''re heading to Mosgravia soon."

    Jonah and Julien exchanged a deep nce. "I''ve already contacted the best nursing home there and

    arranged everything. Julien has also found the two most authoritative professors in the neurology field

    in Mosgravia. Once you arrive, they''ll immediately conduct a consultation with you."

    "Thank you, kids." There was gratitude in Winston''s eyes, but more of it was reluctance.

    Alyssa frowned lightly. "Dad, why do you look so down? Can''t bear to leave your business behind?

    Health is more important than making money."

    "It''s not that. I can''t bear to leave you bunch of kids, especially you, you little brat."

    Feeling the tingling at his nose, Winston sighed and gently poked Alyssa''s forehead. "I don''t know how

    long it''ll take for the treatment. After experiencing the feeling of having my buttercup by my side, how

    can I bear to leave her behind?"

    Alyssa''s heart surged with bitterness, and tears welled up in her eyes.

    Seeing this, Jasper silently walked behind her and gently caressed her back with his warm palm.

    He knew she was reluctant, too. She just didn''t like to say sentimental and melodramatic words. But in

    fact, he knew how much she loved her father.

    "Dad, I''ve already handed over all the affairs of KS Group to Lyse. She can officially take over by the

    end of the month." Jonah''s gaze was heavy as he looked at Alyssa. His eyes were filled with

    expectations.

    Winston nodded solemnly, then grasped Alyssa''s hand and squeezed it. "Buttercup, can you handle

    it?"

 Chapter 1746

    "If I can''t handle it, no one else in the world can," Alyssa huffed confidently.

    "Jonah and I can''t be by your side to protect you. Don''t act recklessly, okay? Think about the

    consequences.

    "When you encounter problems, don''t try to handle them all by yourself. Communicate with us, or ask

    your man for advice. Let him take some hits for you."

    "Dad, Jasper is my love, not a human shield. What''s with this talk about taking hits?" Alyssa pouted

    with frustration.

    However, Jasper remained unfazed. His eyes were filled with gentleness. "Don''t worry, Winston. Even

    if there''s a hail of bullets, I''ll stand in front of Lyse and ensure her safety."

    Alyssa''s eyes became teary, and she felt a warm sensation in her chest. She nestled into Jasper''s

    arms, feeling like a drifting boat had found a permanent harbor.

    "Mr. Beckett."

    Suddenly, Winston addressed Jasper with such seriousness that his whole body tensed up.

    He quickly responded, "Yes, Mr. Taylor."

    "My buttercup is still young. She''s impulsive and doesn''t think about the consequences. You''ll have to

    help her in the future. Don''t let anyone bully her." Winston''s voice sounded choked up.

    Jasper''s emotions surged at those words. He tightly gripped the delicate hand of his beloved woman,

    nodding vigorously.

    After leaving Winston''s room, the two headed toward their own room.

    But just as they took a few steps, Alyssa threw herself into Jasper''s arms. She rested her head on his

    shoulder and gently sobbed.

    Jasper''s white shirt was soon soaked with her tears. Feeling sorry for her, he hugged her tightly and

    gentlyforted her.

    These days, Alyssa would cry at the drop of a hat, but he never found it annoying.

    Instead, he wanted to cherish every drop of her tears and spoil her endlessly.

    "Are you upset about Winston?" Jasper kissed her behind her ear while using his charming voice to

    soothe her.

    "How can I not be? No one knows how long it''ll take or if he''ll get better." Alyssa brushed her crimson

    nose against his neck. Her warm breath caused his eyes to redden.

    "He''ll get better. He definitely will."

    In the dim corridor, the two embraced tightly, sharing a deep kiss.

    Alyssa''s delicate body trembled slightly in his arms. Her eyes were misty with desire as she emitted a

    faint moan.

    "Damn," she thought.

    Jasper was getting better at kissing. He knew exactly how to tease her and arouse her desires.

    Their lips and tongues entwined passionately. The overwhelming sensation temporarily dispelled her

    distress.

    "Let''s... go to the bedroom." Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck. Her eyes were watery, and her

    voice was husky.

    "Okay."

    Jasper''s eyes turned red. He lifted her and carried her forward as they kissed.

    However, just after a few steps, they collided with the hastily approaching Mandy and Colene.

    "Oh, my God! W-We didn''t mean to ruin the mood!" Mandy hurriedly covered her eyes.

    Colene also covered hers. "Ah! I didn''t see anything. I''m blind!"

    Alyssa quickly jumped down from Jasper''s arms, her cheeks flushing red.

    "Madam Mandy, Madam Colene, I''m sorry. It''s all my fault."

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    While embracing Alyssa''s waist, he spoke in a low and hoarse voice, sounding sexy, "I couldn''t help

    myself."

    Alyssa wanted to shut his mouth after hearing him say that. He was making it worse.

    "Mandy, Colene, why did youe to find us in such a hurry? Did something happen?"

    "Lyse, the devil is here." Colene gritted her teeth tightly.

 Chapter 1747

    Outside Heightsnew Vi, the night wind rustled as Jameson stood alone in the darkness, waiting for

    the person he had been thinking about incessantly to appear.

    After what seemed like an eternity, the gates opened.

    Alyssa was wearing only a thin, light blue dress. With sharp eyes, she approached him with determined

    steps.

    "Lyse." Jameson''s eyes gleamed with joy.

    Seeing Alyssa dressed so lightly, he quickly took off his suit jacket, intending to drape it over her

    shoulders.

    His eyes were filled with concern as he said, "Lyse, why didn''t you wear more? It''s cold tonight. You''ll

    catch a cold."

    "Don''t touch me!" Alyssa narrowed her eyes as she abruptly stepped back.

    It was as if the man in front of her was a venomous scorpion or a viper, ready to spit venom at her at

    any moment.

    Jameson''s arms hung awkwardly in the air. His already fairplexion turned even paler.

    "Jameson, don''t push your luck."

    Alyssa''s eyes burned with hatred. The words forced out through clenched teeth were ruthless. "I came

    out to see you just to see how despicable and shameless you can be.

    "Did you think I wouldn''t know who was behind Jonah and Jul''s rtionship exposure? Did you think

    you could hide behind Josh and get away with it? You underestimated me."

    Facing her tant usations, Jameson remained unfazed. Instead, his eyes reddened, and his voice

    turned hoarse with a slight tremor, as if he were wronged.

    "Lyse... it wasn''t me! Even if I''ve done wrong in the past, I really had nothing to do with what happened

    to Jonah this time. I only found out about everything from the news!"

    Lies flowed effortlessly from his lips. He had lied so much that he almost believed his own lies.

    "Also, what benefit would it bring me to harm Jonah? I''m already the president of Schmidt Group. I''ve

    got what I wanted. Why would I take such a risk unnecessarily?

    "Josh was the one behind it. Only he had the motive. He was desperate to bring down Jonah so that he

    could gain favor with my dad and regain his trust."

    Alyssa stared at him intently as she put on a mocking smile. "Jameson, have you really gotten what

    you wanted?"

    Jameson was momentarily stunned.

    "I know what you want. But the internal strife within your family has nothing to do with me. I don''t care

    whether you live or die."

    Alyssa''s eyes were filled with fury, as if her whole body were burning with it.

    "But if youy a finger on my family or my loved ones, I''ll remember everything. One day, I''ll make you

    pay for it in full. I''ll make you suffer. I''ll make you suffer more than death."

    "Make you suffer more than death". These cruel and heartless words were as damaging to Jameson as

    the most brutal torture.

    Her intense gaze seemed to shred apart his refined and dignified facade along with the soul that had

    long wandered in darkness into pieces.

    But after the brief pain, Jameson felt a strange sense of pleasure.

    Alyssa had given all her love to Jasper and all her hatred to Jameson.

    Jameson interpreted it as him having half of her heart. It was undeniable that he held an irreceable

    position in her heart¡ªa fact she couldn''t deny, no matter how hard she tried.

    A strange tenderness welled up in his bloodshot eyes. Suddenly, he opened his arms, wanting to

    embrace her.

    Alyssa felt a chill running down her spine. Panic rose within her as she tried to step back, but his icy

    hand had already grabbed her shoulder.

    A wave of uncontroble nausea swept over her chest at once.

    Just as Alyssa was about to resist, a resolute and powerful figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

    "Jasper." She felt warmth spreading through her heart, and all the coldness in her body was dispelled

    in an instant.

    The next moment, Jaspernded a hard punch on Jameson''s left cheek.

    The punch carried a force that seemed to have been building up for a while. Now unleashed, its

    strength was not to be underestimated.

    Jameson''s vision darkened with pain, and his head felt like it was about to explode.

    He was skilled inbat, but despite his best efforts to withstand the blow, he couldn''t hold on. He

    stumbled back a few steps before crashing heavily to the ground.

    "Jameson, how dare you touch my wife? You sure have a death wish." Jasper''s handsome face was

    icy, and his reddened eyes gleamed with killing intent as he nced at the man on the ground.

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    He had been watching them in the dark and hadn''t intended to take action.

    But seeing Jameson''s filthy hands intending to defile his beloved, he could bear it no longer. He felt as

    though a thousand beasts were unleashed within him.

    Jasper wrapped his suit jacket around Alyssa''s body and held her tightly in his arms. He then asked in

    a low, husky voice, "Are you okay?"

    Alyssa nodded, then pressed herself against his chest, seekingfort.

    Their intimacy was an eyesore to Jameson.

 Chapter 1748

    The punch he had just taken didn''t inflict as much damage on Jameson as this scene did.

    "Mr. Schmidt! Are you okay?" Carl, who was waiting in the shadows, was shocked. He rushed over to

    support his boss.

    "I''m fine."

    Jameson staggered to his feet and swallowed the blood in his mouth. His gaze fixed on Jasper with a

    fierce and menacing intensity, like that of a starving hyena deprived of meat for days.

    "If you''re not convinced, we can settle it one-on-one."

    Jasper''s gaze turned cold, and his imposing presence exerted daunting pressure on Jameson''s chest.

    "I won''t use my hands."

    Hearing that, Alyssa anxiously grabbed Jasper''s tightly tensed arm, her eyes wide with worry.

    In her mind, she was scolding him for being lenient with this viper. He should just pin Jameson down

    and beat him to a pulp.

    "Hah... No need for that."

    Jameson didn''t want to fight Jasper in front of Alyssa, so he swallowed his anger and wiped away the

    blood from his lips. "I just had a stroke of bad luck and got bitten by a dog. Forget it."

    After saying that, he took out an invitation from his suit pocket and handed it to Alyssa. "Lyse, the

    Schmidt family will be hosting a party at home this weekend. I came here to give you this invitation."

    His eyes twinkled with a smile, full of affection, as if nothing had happened just now.

    Alyssa lowered her eyes, coldly staring at the invitation.

    Unexinably, the fearless Alyssa began to feel a hint of dread toward the man in front of her who had

    professed his love.

    People without a bottom line were terrifying, just like those without dignity.

    Jasper took the invitation from Jameson''s hand. With his left arm wrapped around Alyssa''s waist, he

    handed her the envelope with the other.

    Alyssa took the letter out of the envelope and opened it in front of Jameson.

    After a cursory nce, she snorted coldly and tossed the invitation at his feet.

    "Mr. Schmidt, add my beloved''s name to the invitation and send a revised one. If I''m in a good mood, I

    might consider attending. Jasper, let''s go home."

    Jasper lowered his head, meeting her gentle gaze. "Okay.

    Ignoring Jameson''s pale face, they turned and left, disappearing through the gates of Heightsnew Vi.

    "Jasper... He''s really crossed the line! Is he out of his fucking mind?" Carl cursed vehemently, then

    looked at Jameson''s swollen cheek with concern. "Mr. Schmidt, let me take you to the hospital."

    "No need."

    Narrowing his eyes, Jameson stepped on the invitation with his shoe, crushing it forcefully. "Draft

    another one and send it to Lyse."

    "Okay."

    Carl felt deeply sorry for the treatment his boss received. "Mr. Schmidt, are you just going to swallow

    this humiliation? That''s not like you."

    "Revenge is a dish best served cold. Besides, if I were to fight Jasper in front of Lyse, she would be

    upset."

    Jameson squinted his eyes, his tongue pressing against his aching left cheek. "If Jaspernding a

    punch on me would make Lyse feel better, then that punch would be worth it."

    At that moment, his phone vibrated.

    It was a message from Zoe.

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    "Sir, I have a nuisance here that I need your help to deal with. Otherwise, my n will be difficult to

    seed."

    Sir.

    Jameson''s eyebrow raised slightly, clearly satisfied with this title.

    "Who is it?"

    Zoe sent a name.

    "I''ll arrange for someone to help you. Don''t worry."

    "Thank you, sir! Once it''s done, I''ll definitely show my gratitude and repay you."

    Jameson''s dark pupils turned cold, sending shivers down one''s spine.

    "As long as you can hurt Landon, that would be the best repayment to me."

 Chapter 1749

    Time passed in the blink of an eye. It was already the weekend.

    Tonight at Schmidt Manor, the massive fountain in the central courtyard was turned on again, and the

    hall was adorned with flowers. The whole ce looked grand and luxurious, like an opulent pce.

    Guests gathered in the main hall. Many well-dressed individuals clinked sses together, creating a

    lively atmosphere.

    Since Daisy''s heavy sentence and David''s tragic death in prison, the entire Schmidt family had been

    plunged into an unprecedented crisis. This was exacerbated by a series of business mistakes that led

    to a sharp drop in Schmidt Group''s stock prices.

    Since then, a heavy atmosphere had been lingering. It had been a long time since they had such a

    morous asion.

    Victor, apanied by Josh and rissa, mingled among the guests, enjoying the praise and ttery

    that hadn''t been heard in a long time. Victor was particrly pleased.

    "Look! The dress Madam rissa is wearing is designed by Ms. Emerson, right?"

    "It certainly is! Ms. Emerson''s design style is very distinct. It''s really beautiful."

    "It''s true that clothes make the man. That woman used to be nothing but a background figure next to

    Josh, but she''s actually shining tonight."

    Hearing the ttering praises from all directions, Josh held his head high. With his wife being praised,

    his face lit up with pride, and he felt even more gratified inside.

    "ire, you''re really making me proud tonight."

    As Josh caressed rissa''s delicate hand, he leaned close to her ear and chuckled. "You''ll get your

    reward when we get back."

    rissa forced back her disgust and put on a coquettish smile.

    "Where''s Jimmy?"

    Frowning, Victor looked around. "Why is he missing at such an important moment?"

    "I heard from Jameson''s secretary that he went to greet a distinguished guest," rissa replied beside

    him.

    "Hah, is that ''distinguished guest'' Alyssa?" Josh sneered. His face was full of disdain.

    Without a word, rissa lowered her eyes.

    Victor''s face darkened slightly, feeling disgruntled. "I''ve heard that Winston has allowed Jasper to stay

    at the Taylor family''s Heightsnew Vi. He''s been staying there for a long time now.

    "And it''s rumored that the Taylors havepletely epted him. Remarrying Alyssa is only a matter of

    time. Why can''t Jimmy just give up on that bitch? How much longer is he going to be stubborn?"

    At this moment, his secretary hurried over. "Mr. Victor, Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett have arrived."

    Victor''s and Josh''s expressions suddenly changed. They looked as if they were mirrors of each other,

    and they were equally ugly.

    They had indeed sent an invitation to the Beckett family, but it was intended for Javier.

    They didn''t expect that Javier couldn''t make it and sent this "Double Trouble" instead.

    Outside the manor, a top-ss luxury car stopped in the middle of the gate.

    Jasper, dressed in a ck suit, was the first to get out. With his strikingly handsome features and tall

    stature, he exuded a strong charm. Just standing there drew the attention of the guests.

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    And yet, this dignified scion only yed the role of an escort.

    At this moment, a slender and fair hand reached out from the car.

    Jasper smiled gently as he tenderly took Alyssa''s hand, leading her gracefully as she stepped out of

    the car.

    Tonight, Alyssa wore a simple yet elegant off-the-shoulder fishtail white dress, entuating her mature

    and enchanting figure.

    "Lyse, are you cold?" Jasper whispered low in her ear.

    His hand climbed up her slim waist, gently pinching the soft flesh that made him unable to resist.

    "I''m fine. We''ll be inside in just a few steps." Alyssa met his sparkling eyes with a smile as he held her.

    The handsome man and beautiful woman were a natural pair, drawing everyone''s attention wherever

    they went.

 Chapter 1750

    "Jasper, Lyse!"

    Upon hearing that, the Beckett couple turned back simultaneously. Their faces showed delight when

    they saw the neers. "Landon, Lauren!"

    Under the dazzling lights, Landon, dressed in a sharp suit, held hands with his petite wife as they

    approached Jasper and Alyssa with a happy smile.

    They looked every bit like sweet newlyweds.

    Lauren obediently followed him. She was wearing an elegant, light purple dress. Adorning her updo

    was the clear quartz hair clip that Landon had given her, which she loved and wore almost every day.

    Although she was still somewhat shy and nervous, she had improved significantlypared to how

    she would hide away at the sight of people.

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    Most importantly, she wasn''t holding the teddy bear tonight.

    Alyssa felt really happy for Lauren.

    In a sense, Lauren''s condition had improved. It was evident that Landon truly doted on her, loved her,

    and gave her an irreceable sense of security.

    As Landon proudly appeared with his beloved, it inevitably attracted discussions around them.

    "Who''s thedy beside Mr. Harper? She''s as beautiful as a doll."

    "That''s the fourth daughter of the Beckett family, Ms. Lauren."

    "Oh! Mr. Javier''s youngest daughter? Her mom is Sophia, right?"

    "Yeah, she and Betty are both from the same mother."

    "Tsk, tsk, although they''re sisters from the same mother, their fates couldn''t be more different. I heard

    Betty''s reputation in Sna City is worse than her deceased mother''s. Even though she''s the Beckett

    family''s heiress, no man from a respectable family dares to marry her.

    "But look at this Lauren. Not only is she beautiful, but she''s also deeply loved by Mr. Harper. Mr. Harper

    is now the designated heir of the Harper Group. That youngdy will surely have a bright future."

    Hearing their discussion, Landon smiled in satisfaction.

    Then he suddenly embraced Lauren''s waist, pressing her soft body against his chest.

    "Mmm..."

    Lauren''s soft lips were sealed by his. Her longshes fluttered as their breaths mingled.

    She felt a tingling sensation in her chest. Her eyes were misty as they met Landon''s sparkling gaze,

    like ripples in a disturbed pond.

    There were gasps around them.

    This disy might have seemed excessive, but it underscored Landon''s genuine affection for Lauren.

    Besides, it was unthinkable that someone deeply in love would conceal their feelings instead of

    expressing them.

    If he truly loved her, he should openly express his affection and let the whole world know of her

    existence.

    After all, this was a public asion, with countless pairs of eyes watching. Landon didn''t kiss too

    boldly, mainly because he was afraid he couldn''t handle it. How could he endure the long hours ahead?

    When their lips finally parted, Lauren''s face was flushed from the passionate kiss, making her even

    more charming and adorable.

    "Mr. Beckett, is there anything exciting to watch tonight?"

    Landon hugged Lauren''s shoulder, raising his eyebrows yfully. "I''m here to let my wife see the

    elephant."

    Just as Jasper was about to speak, a beam of light from a nearby spotlight shed over.

    A luxurious Bentley came to a stop.

    A well-dressed young man stepped out of the car, exuding elegance and refinement in every gesture,

    indicating his distinguished status.

    After steadying himself, he adjusted his bowtie and gantly helped a woman dressed in a dazzling

    golden dress out of the car.

    The woman was none other than Zoe.

 Chapter 1751

    "Be careful, Zoe."

    Not only was the man speaking gently to Zoe, but he was also attentively bending down to help her

    adjust her hem. He was concerned that her high heels might cause her to trip.

    "Thank you, Freddy." Zoe blinked flirtatiously at the man as she spoke softly.

    The sudden appearance of this hateful woman disrupted the rare harmonious moment.

    Landon knew that Zoe would definitely show up on such an asion. Having just experienced exile

    and escaped confinement, she was eager to regain attention from high society and reim her dignity.

    He thought that after those sordid events, the respectable people of Sna City would ignore her.

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    Yet here was a man eagerly catering to her and being so attentive. That man appeared to be a

    shameless flirt and a blind fool¡ªthey seemed like a perfect match.

    Jasper frowned in confusion, but Alyssa suddenly spoke up coldly. "I recognize him. Freddy Hodgson,

    Onder Hodgson''s only son."

    "You actually recognize him? Even I find him unfamiliar." Jasper held Alyssa''s hand tightly, looking at

    her with admiration and adoration.

    "It''s normal for you not to recognize him. He''s not part of the governmental circles. Since furthering his

    studies at Yoarkley, he''s been notably absent from the social scene in Sna City. I suspect he only

    made his return recently."

    Alyssa looked at Zoe and Freddy with deep eyes. "Back then, upon assuming responsibility for KS

    World Hotel from Winston, I held a steadfast belief in my future leadership of the entire KS Group. So, I

    quietly probed into the goings-on within Sna City''s governmental and corporate spheres."

    As she talked, she suddenly chuckled. "At that time, I was determined to crush the entire Beckett

    Group andpete with you, so I diligently gathered information. I wanted to make a big impact in

    Sna City. But, I never expected..."

    "Never expected yourself to be the wife of Beckett Group''s president?" Jasper chuckled softly. As

    he lowered his head, his warm breath flowed over her cheek.

    "It''s all your fault. My grand ambitions have all been ruined because of you." Alyssa pouted adorably.

    "Lyse, everything I have is yours."

    As he admired her adorable face, his hand moved toward her waist and gently caressed it. "It''s not

    ruined. You''ve already defeated me, winning without a fight."

    Alyssa pursed her lips and shook her head calmly. "Jasper, what''s yours is yours. You''ve earned it all

    through hard work. I just need you to be mine.

    "What truly brings me joy is not having you constantly striving to please or be subservient to me. It''s

    standing side by side with you at the peak."

    Jasper was so moved by her words that tears welled up in his eyes.

    On the other hand, Zoe was furious when she saw Landon bringing Lauren along.

    "Shall we go inside, Zoe?" Freddy''s eyes were full of affection.

    "Just a moment. I''ll take you to meet an acquaintance."

    Freddy looked puzzled. "Who?"

    Zoe kept him guessing while pulling him toward Landon.

    "Landon, Jasper, I''m so happy to see you both here."

    Zoe''s shamelessness was truly remarkable. Despite all that had urred, she could still greet them as

    if nothing had happened. She was really one of a kind.

    Frowning, Jasper clenched his fists tightly.

    Alyssa gently covered his fist with her palm and looked into his reddened eyes. Her tender gaze slowly

    calmed the anger burning in his heart.

    "Jasper, let''s go in first." Alyssa''s voice was soft, as though she were coaxing him.

    She momentarily steadied Jasper''s emotions. She knew that if he nced at Zoe a moment longer, he

    might not be able to restrain himself from punching that scheming bitch.

    Alyssa wasn''t trying to avoid conflict or shield Zoe from ountability. It was just that Landon, as the

    head of the Harper family, should be the one handling Zoe.

    Jasper shot Zoe a pointed look before guiding Alyssa away by the shoulder.

    That one nce was so intimidating that it made Zoe''s heart leap into her throat.

    Upon seeing Zoe, Lauren was reminded of Zoe''s words in the auditorium that day. After several days of

    calm, the healing scar on her heart was ripped open again, throbbing with pain.

    Suddenly, her reddened eyes paused on Freddy''s face.

    The terrifying memory, which was like a trapped beast in her mind, fiercely gnawed at her nerves,

    causing her thin frame to shiver in Landon''s arms.

    Landon didn''t notice Lauren''s unusual behavior. His attention was on Zoe.

    He wanted to see what kind of tricks Zoe would y right under his nose.

    "Landon, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Hodgson''s son, Freddy." Zoe smiled as she introduced them.

    "It''s nice to meet you, Mr. Landon." Freddy politely extended his right hand.

    Landon, who was half a head taller than Freddy, looked down at him coldly with an overbearing

    presence.

    Freddy''s throat tightened, and his hand froze awkwardly in mid-air.

    In the end, Landon silently shook his hand.

    When Freddy withdrew his hand, his fingers were swollen and red.

    "Freddy, do you recognize her?" Zoe nced at Lauren. She spoke softly, but her eyes were filled with

    provocation.

    Lauren''s heart sank, and she lowered her head deeply.

    "This is..."

    Frowning, Freddy carefully examined Lauren''s delicate and fair face for a long while.

    Upon recognition, he eximed, "Oh! Lauren! You''ve changed so much. You''ve be so beautiful

    that I almost didn''t recognize you!"

 Chapter 1752

    Lauren couldn''t bring herself to look at Freddy or respond to him. She just hunched her shoulders,

    wishing she could disappear like a wisp of smoke.

    Landon''s eyes grew even colder as he stared at Freddy''s smiling face.

    However, Freddypletely disregarded Landon''s hostility. Instead, he extended his hand to Lauren.

    "Lauren, it''s Freddy. We were in the same ss in middle school. Do you remember me?"

    Landon''s gaze darkened, and he pped away Freddy''s hand. "I think my wife doesn''t remember you."

    The atmosphere became extremely tense.

    Yet, Zoe secretly chuckled to herself. It would seem that provoking Landon and teasing Lauren was the

    source of all her happiness in life.

    Freddy gripped his throbbing fingertips, and anger shed in his eyes. Nheless, he quickly

    composed himself and fixed his gaze on Lauren. "Lauren, you got married to Mr. Landon? Howe I

    didn''t see any news about it?"

    Just as Landon was about to answer, Zoe cut in, "Freddy, you''ve only recently returned, so there''s a lot

    you don''t know about. Landon and Lauren have been living together for a long time. Even if they''re not

    officially married, they''re already like a married couple."

    She deliberately raised her voice in the second half of her statement.

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    The surrounding guests passing by heard her.

    "What? The prestigious Beckett family''s daughter is living with a man? Even if she lost her mother, isn''t

    Mr. Javier still alive? How could he allow his daughter to live with a man without being married?"

    "Oh, but this isn''t any man. It''s Mr. Landon, the future heir of Harper Group."

    "So what if it''s Mr. Landon? Isn''t he a man? Besides, he is infamous for being a yboy in Sna City.

    If they''ve been living together for a long time without getting married, doesn''t that imply that he''s not

    interested in marrying her?

    "Mr. Landon is a man with power and status. Even if he gets divorced many times, women would still

    be moring to be with him. But Ms. Lauren can''t do that.

    "When she gets older, she''ll lose her worth, with her reputation ruined. So what if she''s the daughter of

    the Beckett family? She''ll probably end up marrying a man beneath her status."

    "That youngdy is really naive and foolish."

    Rumors and gossip spread chaotically. It sounded like one thunderous explosion after another in

    Lauren''s ears. Due to immense anxiety, her forehead was covered in a thinyer of sweat.

    Landon also heard the gossip. His fierce gaze swept over, scattering the gossipers.

    Freddy suddenly understood. "Oh... I see."

    "What do you see?"

    Landon''s eyes turned cold as he red fiercely at Zoe''s smug face. "Zoe, the entire Harper family

    knows that I''m going to get engaged to Lauren. The engagement ceremony is currently being

    organized, and I''ve sent out the invitations.

    "Are you so forgetful, or has your brain turned into mush? Lauren is my fianc¨¦e, the futuredy of

    Harper Group. How many times do I have to repeat it?"

    The onlookers were shocked and murmured among themselves.

    Zoe was both ashamed and furious. Her face turned red before losing its color.

    Freddy couldn''t bear it anymore and stepped forward. "Mr. Landon, that''s quite rude of you to say that.

    After all, Zoe is your sister¡ª"

    "Who do you think you are? This is none of your damn business!" Landon''s eyes were bloodshot with

    anger.

    Since the very first nce at Freddy, Landon had been itching to deliver a punch.

    If Freddy babbled another word, Landon would punch him, regardless of his status as the mayor''s son.

    Freddy''s face darkened as he stared at the fierce and imposing-looking Landon.

    The Hodgson family was a prestigious family with a long history of officialdom. He was the child of a

    high-ranking official in Sna City. Being pampered by his family since childhood, when had he ever

    experienced this kind of humiliation?

 Chapter 1753

    However, Freddy was a man of dignity and didn''t want to argue with Landon right then and there. He

    noted this incident in his mind and vowed to make Landon pay for it.

    "Lauren, let''s go," Landon said, gripping Lauren''s tense shoulders before leading her away.

    "Lauren!" Freddy called out to Lauren''s retreating figure with a smile. "I''ve just returned from Yoarkley

    not long ago. I''m nning a ss reunion in a few days. Will you be able to attend?"

    Lauren closed her eyes tightly and took a few deep breaths, trying hard to expel those unbearable

    memories from her mind.

    Landon''s hand on her shoulder tensed visibly, and he red coldly at Freddy. "Birds of a feather flock

    together. My wife belongs to a higher circle. None of you deserve her attention."

    Zoe and Freddy stood frozen in ce with the same ugly expression on their faces.

    Alyssa and Jasper''s appearance instantly became the center of attention. They didn''t set out to steal

    the spotlight, but their sheer maism and presencemanded attention effortlessly.

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    Men were admiring Alyssa, and women were eyeing Jasper. Such outstanding individuals appearing

    together in public were like two luminaries, captivating everyone''s gazes.

    "Lyse, Xavier just messaged me, saying that a group of reporters has entered Schmidt Manor," Jasper

    whispered. His voice was low and pleasant.

    "They can enter Schmidt Manor? Then it''s not our people." Frowning, Alyssa swayed a champagne

    ss.

    "Do you want to find out who they work for?" His gaze subtly changed.

    "No need. The more reporters, the better. Isn''t this exactly what we wanted to see?" Alyssa squinted

    her eyes and elegantly sipped her champagne, leaving a faint lipstick mark on the rim of the ss.

    At that moment, Landon and Lauren entered everyone''s sight, their fingers tightly intertwined.

    Some guests who were familiar with Harper Group greeted Landon, "Mr. Landon, your girlfriend is truly

    beautiful."

    "This is my wife."

    Landon''s gaze was tender and affectionate. Ignoring the surrounding gazes, he held Lauren''s hand

    and kissed her fingertips. "In my eyes, she''s the most beautiful woman."

    Countless praises and admirations surrounded them.

    Normally, with Landon by her side, Lauren would feel extremely safe. But at this moment, all she could

    see in her mind were Zoe''s and Freddy''s faces; all she could hear was their piercingughter.

    Her face turned pale, and she felt her blood turn cold bit by bit.

    Although deeply disgusted by these unwee guests, Victor had to treat them respectfully. After all,

    one represented the Beckett family and the other the Taylor family. He couldn''t provoke them.

    Besides, outsiders were unaware of the intricacies. They might even think that the Schmidt family was

    well respected.

    "Mr. Victor, it''s about time for the family photo," the secretary reminded.

    Victor frowned more deeply when he noticed Jameson had not yet appeared.

    "Dad, Jimmy has no manners and is too full of himself. It''s one thing that he sent an invitation to Alyssa

    privately, but he''s been absent all evening on such an important day. It''s just me and ire here. Isn''t

    this ridiculous?"

    Josh seized the opportunity to criticize Jameson. He sneered. "Since taking office as president, he

    seems to have gained a sense of security. He probably thinks you''re not worth respecting anymore."

    Just then, the doors of the hall swung open.

 Chapter 1754

    All eyes turned toward the door.

    Dressed sharply in a suit, Jameson appeared in everyone''s view while pushing a frail woman in a

    wheelchair.

    "Lyse, who''s thatdy in the wheelchair?" Jasper looked puzzled.

    "It''s Victor''s wife, Jameson''s mother." Alyssa''s expression darkened as she nced at Lily.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. He vaguely recalled seeing Jameson''s mother once at L''s birthday party.

    At that time, under Jameson''s careful styling, Lily appeared elegant despite her illness. She exuded a

    remarkable presence, just like an upper-ssdy.

    However, this time, her condition was noticeably worse than before, with graying hair and sunken

    cheeks.

    Although the banquet hall wasn''t cold, she needed to wrap herself in a nket. She looked

    ufortable under the scrutiny of strangers.

    Victor and Josh paled with shock¡ªespecially Victor. He stared from a distance at his long-neglected

    wife, and his eyes gradually reddened with simmering resentment.

    He knew full well what Jameson was up to. Now that he was doing well in the Schmidt family, he would

    undoubtedly prioritize making amends to his motherpensating her for the years of suffering and

    indignity she endured.

    However, betrayal was a betrayal.

    Lily had nailed him to the pir of shame for a lifetime, and nothing could change that. And now,

    Jameson was openly parading her around. He was obviously testing Victor''s limits and rubbing salt in

    his wounds.

    It also illustrated one thing very clearly¡ªdespite Jameson''s efforts to please Victor, he was not truly

    aligned with him. He had his own agenda.

    "Dad, Jimmy is selfish and rude!"

    Josh gritted his teeth as he stared at Jameson and Lily. "Why did Jimmy bring that crazy woman here?

    Is he trying to make us aughingstock?"

    "That matter was finally put to rest, but that woman''s appearance will only bring it all back to light.

    Jimmy always talks about respecting you, but he doesn''t care about you at all! He''s just cunning!

    You''ve loved him for nothing!"

    Victor''s expression grew even darker upon hearing this.

    Meanwhile, the surrounding guests gazed at Lily in astonishment as they gossiped.

    "Is that the infamous Mrs. Schmidt? My goodness. What has be of her? She doesn''t look like an

    upper-ssdy at all. Just a weak, old woman."

    "She seems to be mentally ill."

    "I heard she was abandoned by the Schmidt family in Kontina for many years, left to fend for herself.

    Can you me her for having mental issues?"

    "They were married, after all. Mr. Victor is really ruthless."

    "J-Jimmy." Trembling, Lily tugged at Jameson''s shirt. "I don''t like these kinds of gatherings. Can we go

    home, please?"

    "Mom, I''m here with you. Don''t be afraid," Jameson whispered in her ear. "Not only do you have me,

    but Lyse is here too. Look."

    Following his intense gaze, Lily suddenly spotted Alyssa standing gracefully nearby.

    A smile of joy spread across her hollow face, and her eyes lit up. She suddenly shouted, "Lyse! Lyse!"

    All eyes instantly converged on Alyssa.

    Upon seeing Jameson pushing Lily toward her, Alyssa couldn''t help but hold her breath, yet she

    maintained a polite and graceful smile.

    "Mrs. Schmidt, it''s been a while. How have you been?"

    Jasper''s hand on Alyssa''s waist was tense. He stared fixedly at Jameson, restraining his surging anger.

    As Jameson adjusted his sses, their eyes met, and a hint of mockery shed in Jameson''s eyes.

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    "Lyse, I missed you so much."

    Lily, already emotionally unstable due to her surroundings, now saw Alyssa as a lifeline. She grabbed

    Alyssa''s hand tightly and held it in her hands.

    "Have you been busytely? Why haven''t I seen you visiting Jimmy? Are you two on bad terms? Did

    Jimmy upset you? Lyse, don''t be mad at him. You''re really important to him."

    The surrounding discussions grew even louder with her words.

    Although Lily''s words were innocent, they carried a different meaning to those who heard them.

    "Why does it sound like Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jameson have some history?"

    "Could Ms. Alyssa''s ex be Mr. Jameson? Haha! This trip is worthwhile. We get to witness a drama."

    "What about Mr. Beckett? Did he date Ms. Alyssa after or during her rtionship with Mr. Jameson?"

    "Ms. Alyssa certainly has a knack for men. The heirs in Sna City are all under her thumb. With Mr.

    Landon included, they could y a four-yer game."

    The gossip spread and became increasingly malicious.

    Alyssa remained indifferent. Being content and happy with what she had, she was immune to

    negativity, so she treated their words as mere noise.

    However, Jasper couldn''t stand it any longer. His eyes shed with hostility as his chilling gaze swept

    over those gossipers.

    Suddenly, a clear and angry voice rang out.

    "Don''t say that about Alyssa! Alyssa only loves Jasper and has only been with him! None of you know

    Alyssa. What right do you have to say such things about her?"

 Chapter 1755

    "Lauren..." Jasper and Alyssa were both stunned.

    Alyssa then smiled faintly and looked at Lauren gratefully while feeling warm inside.

    "Lauren is right. Are you spreading rumors right in front of Mr. Beckett and Ms. Alyssa? Do you think

    the legal departments of Beckett Group and KS Group are useless?"

    Landon held Lauren by the shoulder and gazed coldly at the gossipers. "If you have the guts, go ahead

    and say another word. Harper Group will y along with you."

    Those gossiping women, already embarrassed by Lauren''s scolding, were further intimidated by

    Landon''s fierce demeanor. They didn''t even dare breathe, cowering like a bunch of quails.

    "I recognize you. You''re Mr. Jameson." Lauren elegantly lifted her skirt and walked over, blocking

    Alyssa from view. It was the first time she had boldly met the gaze of a stranger. "Mr. Jameson, are you

    Alyssa''s friend?"

    Alyssa smirked at that question. The word "friend" seemed tainted when used in connection with

    Jameson. But she didn''t me Lauren. The innocent Lauren had no idea of the darkness behind it all,

    and Alyssa didn''t want her to know either.

    "What are you trying to say, Ms. Lauren?" Jameson smiled, looking gentle.

    "If you''re Alyssa''s friend, you should have stood up for her the moment you heard people gossiping

    about her instead of watching her continue to be misunderstood."

    Lauren, being straightforward, now openly expressed her frustration directly to Jameson. "A real friend

    shouldn''t be as cold-hearted as you. Your actions will only disappoint Alyssa."

    Alyssa quickly took Lauren''s hand, pulling her into an embrace to keep her away from Jameson.

    Jameson''s face darkened, and his smile awkwardly froze on his lips.

    Sincerity would always be the best weapon. With just a few words, Lauren not only extricated Alyssa

    from this murky rtionship, but her words also portrayed Jameson as heartless and unscrupulous.

    "Jasper, Lauren is bing more and more like the Harper family''s matriarch." Landon came over and

    rested his arm on Jasper''s shoulder. While staring at Lauren, he smiled like a goofball. He truly loved

    Lauren.

    "When you two get home, make sure to thank Lauren for me." Jasper''s eyes softened as a warm

    feeling flooded his heart.

    Landon swallowed hard and narrowed his eyes. "I won''t just thank her verbally. I''ll show it with my

    actions."

    Jasper looked at him speechlessly, quietly reminding him, "You''re not young anymore, and you exhaust

    yourself from working. For Lauren''s future happiness, you should take better care of yourself and not

    indulge yourself too much in lust."

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Hey! I''m as fit as a fiddle. My body is still top-notch!"

    Landon pursed his lips in frustration. "Besides, I live a monotonous life now, always at work or home.

    I''ve almost forgotten what nightlife is like. I live for these intimate moments with my wife now. Can you

    not be so cruel to me?"

    Jasper didn''t know what to say.

    Not letting Landon touch Lauren was as cruel as asking a tiger to be vegan.

    Meanwhile, on the second floor of the banquet hall, Zoe''s fingers tightened on the railing as she red

    down at Lauren. Her eyes were burning with anger.

    She believed that Lauren''s boldness came from having Landon''s support. Zoe silently promised that

    Lauren''s behavior woulde back to bite her.

    "That''s new. Lauren used to be so timid. She''s be so articte now, like a different person."

    Freddy stood next to her, sipping his wine.

    His ambiguous gaze settled on Lauren''s enticing face, deepening.

    "Hah! Why? The more you look, the more you like her?" Zoe cast him a sidelong nce, smirking

    mockingly.

    "Don''t be like that, Zoe."

    Freddy hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her close. His breath, tinged with alcohol, sprayed

    across her cheek while he caressed her exposed back.

    "All these years, my heart has always been with you. I have eyes for no one else besides you. How

    could Laurenpare to you? Zoe, you''re amazing. You''ve be my addiction."

 Chapter 1756

    Zoe knew what Freddy meant¡ªsex.

    Freddy had pursued her for years. Calling him the ultimate simp wouldn''t be an exaggeration. But back

    then, she wasn''t interested in Freddy because of her feelings for Jasper.

    Eventually, after all that had happened, Zoe gave up on Jasper and settled for Freddy.

    Freddy was serious about marrying her, but she only saw him as a means to fulfill her sexual desires.

    After they slept together, Zoe would be satisfied and could go days or even a month without seeing

    him.

    However, Zoe couldn''t ignore him anymore. He was now an essential part of her n. She needed to

    keep him around for a good reason.

    "I know, Freddy. You''re the kindest and most loving person to me in this whole world."

    Zoe wrapped her arms around Freddy''s neck, pressing her chest against his. With a pout, she said

    pitifully, "You''ll help me if I''m in trouble, right?"

    Freddy''s desire red up from her teasing, and he could barely hold onto his ss of red wine. He

    wished he could pin her against the railing and have his way with her right then and there. "Of course.

    I''m yours, Zoe. I''m happy to help with whatever you need."

    "You saw how Landon treats me, didn''t you?" Zoe whined.

    "Yes, it was outrageous!"

    "Not only did he treat me like that, but he also disrespected you. It really breaks my heart."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Zoe stroked his face. "It''s all because of Lauren. She''s the one who''s sowing discord between Landon

    and me, leaving me with no ce even within the Harper family. Freddy, please help me. I really need

    you."

    "How can I help you?" Freddy''s breathing quickened. "Tell me. I''m willing to do anything for you."

    Zoe asked coyly, "Anything? Anything at all?"

    "Yes, anything!"

    Zoe''s eyes gleamed with malice as she tiptoed to his ear and whispered something.

    Freddy''s eyes widened in shock at her words.

    Meanwhile, the atmosphere downstairs remained tense.

    Jameson didn''t bother exining. He simply adjusted his golden-rimmed sses and watched Lauren

    with a slight smirk.

    Lauren''s heart pounded. The man before her looked pale but menacing. His silence sent shivers down

    her spine.

    "Jimmy," Victor''s stern and low voice sounded, causing Jameson to turn slowly.

    "Dad."

    Only then did Lily notice Victor approaching them. Panicked, she trembled and dove into Jameson''s

    arms.

    Her Alzheimer''s was in itste stages, often rendering her unable to recognize even her own son.

    But at the sight of Victor, all the painful memories flooded back, overwhelming her mind.

    "Mom, don''t be afraid. I''m here. It''s okay," Jamesonforted Lily patiently, holding her close.

    "Jimmy,e here. It''s time for a family photo," Josh urged coldly.

    "Alright." Jameson turned to Lily and said tenderly, "Mom, let''s take a family photo together."

    Victor''s expression turned ice-cold at his words.

    "Hah! Jimmy, are you joking?" Josh sneered disdainfully. "This woman isn''t part of our family anymore.

    Who is she to stand beside Dad?"

 Chapter 1757

    Jameson''s expression was visibly cold, while his eyes were filled with simmering rage.

    Josh uncovered a part of the Schmidt family''s scandal from back then.

    Despite the disgrace it brought upon the entire Schmidt family, Josh was determined to embarrass both

    Jameson and Lily, stoking Victor''s disdain toward them. He wanted Lily to forever remain a despised

    whore.

    The crowd gasped, intrigued by the unfolding drama. After all, who wouldn''t be interested to hear

    gossip about a wealthy family?

    "What does Mr. Josh mean by that?"

    "Why does it sound like Mrs. Schmidt did something to hurt Mr. Victor?"

    "I remember now!"

    Someone recalled the scandal and said, "There was gossip back then in the magazines, iming Mrs.

    Schmidt was keeping a lover on the side. She was caught in the act by Mr. Victor. That''s why she was

    exiled overseas."

    "Caught in the act?" Everyone was shocked.

    "At that time, we didn''t have the inte. It was all newspapers and magazines. Within 24 hours of this

    scandal being exposed, all the publications with the story disappeared from the market. The magazine

    that first broke the news even went bankrupt.

    "Come to think of it now, it might be Mr. Victor''s doing because he felt humiliated."

    "Doesn''t that only imply that Mrs. Schmidt really did cheat on him?"

    Alyssa stared at Lily''s pale, terrified face, and her gaze turnedplex.

    Since Winston was close to Victor, Alyssa often visited the Schmidt family.

    She always remembered Lily as gentle and humble. Given Lily''s less privileged background and the

    fact that the Schmidt family already had three children when she married Victor, the challenges of being

    a stepmother were all too apparent.

    However, Lily was kind to all the children and especially devoted to Victor. Even Alyssa, at a young

    age, could tell how much she loved Victor. How could she have had an affair when life seemed good?

    Despite being an outsider, Alyssa was willing to trust Lily. However, when the incident urred, Victor

    didn''t listen to Lily''s exnation at all. He heartlessly drove her and Jameson out of the Schmidt family.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    It was clear that the Schmidt familycked empathy.

    Growing up in such a heartless environment led the Schmidt children to be ruthless and deceitful

    toward each other.

    "Lyse, it seems that Jameson brought his mom here tonight to demand justice from the Schmidts,"

    Jasper whispered to Alyssa.

    "Anyone would want to seek this revenge."

    Though Alyssa despised Jameson, she felt sympathy for Lily. Frowning, she shook her head. "But Mrs.

    Schmidt can''t handle this kind of stress. Jameson is really putting her in a tough spot, subjecting her to

    all sorts of criticism and stares.

    "It''s only going to make her condition worse and could even push her to a breakdown. It''s so unfair to

    her."

    Lauren, beside her, nodded in agreement. "Alyssa, Mrs. Schmidt looks so distressed. If it were my

    mom, I''d only wish for her health and happiness."

    "Darling, you''re just too kind." Landon squeezed Landon''s cheek, pulling her close. "But remember, not

    everyone in this world has a kind heart¡ªlike that bespectacled guy¡ªhe may seem nice, but he''s rotten

    inside.

    "I get that you stood up for Alyssa to vent for her, but just remember, it''s best to steer clear of that guy

    in the future. Can you remember what I said?"

    Lauren''sshes fluttered as she nodded quickly. "Yes."

    "Good girl." Landon ced a warm kiss on her smooth forehead. However, his eyes betrayed worry.

    When he recalled Jameson''s unsettling gaze toward Lauren, he felt a chill down his spine.

    "Jimmy, I want to go home... I don''t want to stay here... Can we go home?" Lily clung to Jameson and

    pleaded like a child.

    "Mom, just a little longer. We''ll leave after the family photo," Jamesonforted her gently with hands

    on her shoulders.

    "A family photo? Jimmy, are you kidding?" Josh sneered as he stared disdainfully at Lily. "Your mom is

    so sick, and yet you bring her here to embarrass herself publicly. Aren''t you just trying to gain

    sympathy?

    "No matter what you do, it''s a fact that she betrayed Dad andmitted those shameful acts. You can''t

    just erase that. Dad initially spared her some dignity by keeping things under wraps. Why did you bring

    her here today? Is it to shame Dad?"

    The crowd was stunned.

    "Josh, enough!" Victor''s face turned livid. He coldly red at Jameson. "Jimmy, take her out of here

    now!"

    "No way." Jameson was expressionless.

    Victor''s anger boiled over. "Jameson!" he spoke through gritted teeth.

    "Josh, do you dare swear?" Jameson''s intense gaze locked onto Josh''s smug face. "Do you dare

    swear that you had nothing to do with my mom''s alleged affair and Dad catching her in the act at the

    hotel?"

 Chapter 1758

    Josh finally realized that Jameson was there today to settle old scores with him.

    All eyes, including Victor''s, were fixed on Josh''s stiff face.

    "Jameson, what nonsense are you talking about?"

    Josh had seen his fair share of deceitful people and wasn''t fooled by Jameson''s words. He gritted his

    teeth and coldly retorted, "What does your mom''s infidelity have anything to do with me?"

    "I''m asking you just one thing. Do you dare swear that my mom''s alleged affair has nothing to do with

    you?"

    "Hah! Why should I swear to you? Who do you think you are?" Josh was unyielding.

    Jameson smirked with pale lips, his eyes seemingly harboring a deadly storm. "Josh, haven''t you

    always wanted to reim the position of president from me? Let''s make a bet.

    "If you dare swear that my mom''s alleged affair has nothing to do with you, I''ll hand over the position to

    you."

    The crowd was stunned.

    Alyssa and Jasper stared at Jameson in shock.

    They knew that for Jameson, the position of Schmidt Group''s president was his everything. After all, he

    only obtained it after a series of careful plots and schemes.

    But now, he was willing to make this painful sacrifice to confront Josh. Clearly, he had prepared for a

    counterattack.

    "That position was rightfully mine from the start!" Josh hated Jameson''s arrogance. He gritted his teeth

    in resentment. "You stole it from me using underhanded tactics! Don''t act so righteous!"

    "Fine, I''ll give it back to you. Not only that, I''ll also leave Schmidt Group and return to Kontina."

    Jameson''s eyes were bloodshot. "Do you dare ept the bet?"

    It was a desperate gamble.

    Alyssa pressed her red lips together as she watched Jameson with aplex expression.

    It was undeniable that Jameson showed hisst bit of conscience to stand up for his mother. He was

    willing to give up everything he had worked so hard to seek justice for her.

    It showed that Lily''s past grievances weighed heavily on him.

    Josh''s scheming, Victor''s suspicion, and their ruthless abandonment had turned Jameson, once a fine

    young man, into the person he was today.

    In a way, Josh had sown the seeds of everything that had happened.

    If Lily hadn''t been framed back then and had been able to stay with the Schmidt family to raise

    Jameson, perhaps he wouldn''t have turned out this way.

    But there were no ifs in this world. There was no fixing a rotten heart.

    The room fell silent as tension reached its breaking point.

    Lily trembled in Jameson''s arms, unaware of the impending storm.

    Meanwhile, Josh ground his teeth audibly, his mind racing. After all, the stakes were high. If this was a

    game of poker, Jameson had gone all in.

    The incident urred so long ago that all evidence had long since disappeared. At this thought, Josh

    smirked sinisterly. "Jimmy, everyone is watching. Don''t y dumbter."

    "But if my mom''s alleged affair is indeed linked to you, Josh, I want you to publicly apologize to her.

    Hold a press conference to reveal all the conspiracies and schemes you plotted against her and restore

    her honor."

    Jameson''s words were cold and deliberate. "The eldest son of the Schmidt family should have the guts

    to agree to that, right?"

    "I can agree, but things won''t go your way because I''ve never done such things." Josh''s smile was

    malicious.

    Victor''s anger surged, and his face turned red before losing its color.

    Rather than the truth behind Lily''s alleged infidelity, what really bothered him was Jameson''s decision

    to publicly expose this scandal, airing the family''s dirtyundry for all to see.

    To make matters worse, Josh had refused to cover it up, choosing to openly confront the situation,

    turning it into an uncontroble spectacle.

    Had his brain turned into mush, or had he lost his senses?

    A mischievous glint appeared in Jameson''s eyes as he hoarselymanded, "Bring him in!"

    The next second, the banquet hall doors creaked open.

    Carl led the way, with two ck-d men following closely behind. They dragged a disheveled, weary-

    looking middle-aged man dressed in shabby clothes before the crowd.

    The man shivered like he was feeling cold and constantly sniffled.

    "He''s an addict." Landon, well-versed in such matters, noticed immediately.

    Suddenly, Lily''s eyes widened in horror, her mouth gaping as she screamed hysterically.

    Everyone was shocked.

    Jameson immediately held Lily closer, shielding her face. While patting her trembling back, he nced

    at Josh.

    "Josh, remember him?"

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    Josh frowned, staring in puzzlement at the man kneeling before him. He didn''t recognize him at all.

    "Introduce yourself." Jameson''s voice was low.

    Shivering, the man sniffled, then stammered, "I-I''m Seth Crawford. I used to... work as... Mr. Victor''s

    personal bodyguard."

    When Josh heard that name, his eyes widened, and his mind went nk.

    This man was the same person he had bribed to y the role of Lily''s "lover".

    Two years ago, he didn''t look like this. Now, he was barely recognizable, having fallen on hard times.

    That was why Josh hadn''t recognized him at first nce.

    "My personal bodyguard? Why have I never seen you before?" Victor was perplexed.

    "I worked for you... over 15 years ago."

    Seth looked nervously at Jameson. His expression grew increasingly angry and remorseful as he

    shifted his gaze to Josh''s pale face.

    Josh quickly turned away, avoiding his resentful gaze.

    "Josh, you really have a terrible memory, even forgetting the pawn you used in your scheme." Jameson

    let out a mocking chuckle. "To be so ungrateful after everything he did for you... You''re truly heartless."

 Chapter 1759

    In an instant, Josh became the target of everyone''s gaze.

    Meanwhile, Lily trembled in Jameson''s arms while staring at Seth''s face. Her eyes were clouded with

    bloodshot veins, and her body was twitching, teetering on the edge of a breakdown.

    Despite her usual confusion due to illness, the sight of the man who had brought her immense

    humiliation years ago ignited a deep-seated resentment within her.

    Witnessing Lily''s distress, Alyssa felt sorry for her.

    Regardless of Jameson''s misdeeds, Lily was innocent.

    However, their differing positions prevented Alyssa fromforting Lily. She wouldn''t give Jameson

    any chance to misunderstand.

    Victor, still trying to grasp the situation, looked at Jameson in surprise. "Jimmy, why have you brought

    this man here?"

    "Josh, should I tell Dad what you did 15 years ago, or would you like to confess yourself?" Jameson''s

    icy eyes bore into Josh.

    "Jameson, you''re really going all out with this act."

    Josh''s heart pounded like a drum, but he put on a scornful face and persisted, "I don''t know this man at

    all. Besides, it''s been 15 years since the incident. Even Dad doesn''t remember him.

    "Where did you find this pathetic actor iming to be Dad''s bodyguard? Fabricating evidence should at

    least make sense, right?"

    "15 years since the incident?" Jameson smiled mockingly. "I haven''t mentioned anything specific, and

    you''re already so sure it''s been 15 years. Seems like you know what incident he''s a part of."

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    Josh''s chest tightened. He had no desire to involve himself further with Jameson. Through gritted teeth,

    he roared, "Guards! Get this suspicious man out of here!"

    As the Schmidt family''s guards moved forward to handle the situation, Seth suddenly lunged at Josh.

    He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Josh! I''m in this state today because of you!

    "You had me approach and seduce Mrs. Schmidt back then. But when she didn''t respond, you hired

    two thugs to drug her and take her to a hotel. Then you forced me to make it look like we slept together

    and sent fake photos to Mr. Victor!"

    His startling remarks shocked everyone present.

    Victor''s mind exploded with a deafening roar, and his vision went ck.

    The shameful incident that had haunted him to this day surged back like a tidal wave.

    Stop... Please stop!" Lily clutched her head in agony as she let out a piercing scream.

    "You''re spouting nonsense!" Josh didn''t care about his image anymore. His eyes zed with hatred.

    "How much did Jameson pay you to nder me?"

    Josh began to sweat profusely as he tried to exin himself to Victor. "Dad! Jimmy is spewing lies!

    Daisy''s and David''s current situation might be his doing, and now he''sing after me! Please don''t

    believe this liar!"

    The sight of the Schmidt family''s eldest son reporting on his brother to their father was truly ridiculous.

    "If it weren''t for Mr. Jameson saving my life, I would have been killed overseas long ago!"

    If not for the guards restraining him, Seth would have pounced on Josh to silence him.

    "You sent me abroad out of fear that I would expose your plot against Lily. You had people monitor me

    and force me into drug addiction to keep me under your control forever!"

    Josh had been preupied with his troubles in the past six months, leaving him no time for Seth. That

    had given Seth an opportunity to escape his control.

    Seth had made his way into Kontina, where he was spotted at a casino under Jameson''s name and

    subsequently apprehended. It was truly a stroke of luck.

    The entire room erupted into chaos.

    Inside Schmidt Manor''s hall, Jameson live-streamed everything happening in the room on arge

    screen. All reporters witnessed this grand spectacle and quickly captured it with their cameras to

    upload the story online.

    In a matter of moments, Twitter was awash with activity.

    The video reposts quickly surpassed hundreds of thousands, even millions.

    Twitter became so overloaded that people couldn''t even log in. Countless individuals flocked to the

    tform, eagerly awaiting the further story of the shocking scandal involving the prestigious Schmidt

    family.

 Chapter 1760

    "Oh my! If this is true, I truly feel sorry for Mrs. Schmidt! I feel like going in to give her a hug!"

    "Mr. Schmidt leaving the country and caring for his sick mother at such a young age is truly a tale of

    hardship! This life story is like ready-made material for a TV series!"

    "Mr. Beckett and Mr. Schmidt are both hot in their own ways, and their lives are equally tragic."

    "15 years ago, Josh was still quite young, right? Yet he coulde up with such a wicked scheme.

    He''s truly a born demon! What a scumbag! I support Mr. Schmidt in fighting back. He must reim

    what was lost!"

    Thements overwhelmingly favored Jameson.

    Tonight, he brought his seriously ill mother in front of everyone, all to gain this wave of sympathy and

    build his reputation in society. It was a stepping stone for him to be the most influential public

    figure within Schmidt Group.

    Alyssa lowered her gaze, her fingertips skimming over her phone screen as she quickly scanned the

    comments.

    That was the true nature of Jameson¡ªruthless and unscrupulous in his pursuit of goals. Even if it

    meant exploiting his own biological mother, knowing it would severely impact her mental state, he

    would still use her for his own gain.

    "You''re just spouting nonsense! Did Jameson teach you to say all this?"

    Josh red at Seth with bloodshot eyes while breathing heavily. With shaking hands, he pulled out his

    phone. "How dare you nder me publicly? I''ll call the police and have you thrown in jail!"

    "Sure... Go ahead and call them! I''ve spent enough years living worse than an animal!"

    Tormented mentally and physically for years, Seth finally broke down and vented his anger without

    restraint.

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    "Are those two thugs you paid off back then still alive? Given Mr. Jameson''s capabilities, finding them is

    just a matter of time! They can testify that you framed Mrs. Schmidt!"

    The crowd stared at Josh with skepticism and disbelief.

    "Josh is Victor''s eldest son. He gets everything he wants. Would he really stoop to attacking a

    vulnerable woman?"

    Landon nudged the stoic Jasper beside him with his finger, looking perplexed. "Jasper, I really don''t

    understand. Why did he do that? Isn''t he just setting himself up for trouble?"

    "Other than Josh, who do you think is the most capable among the Schmidt children? Who is most

    likely to seed?" Jasper countered with a question.

    Landon rubbed his chin in contemtion. "Well... it would have to be Jamiper. The other two are pretty

    much dumb and useless."

    "Even you can see that. Do you think Josh can''t?"

    Jasper nced at Landon. "By suppressing Jameson''s birth mother, he can suppress Jameson

    himself. It''s a risky move but with a high chance of sess. Once he seeds, Victor willpletely

    turn against Mrs. Schmidt.

    "Naturally, her son will be a pain in Victor''s neck and no longer be valued by the head of the

    family. This way, Josh can secure his position in the Schmidt family and have no worries."

    Landon suddenly understood. Suddenly, he frowned. "Wait... Jasper, why do I feel like you were dissing

    me earlier?"

    Jasper didn''t have time to banter with him. His thin lips tightened into a line as he sent a message to

    Xavier.

    Just then, Jameson pulled a clean handkerchief from his suit pocket, gently wiping his mother''s tears.

    At the same time, he spoke sinisterly. "Actually, there''s no need for all this trouble. I have another

    witness ready."

    With that, Carl stepped forward with a smirk and yed a recording from his phone. "Back then... the

    person who schemed to frame Lily... was Josh."

    It was Daisy''s voice.

    Victor widened his eyes gradually. They were bloodshot and filled withplex emotions as he stared

    into Josh''s pale face.

    Daisy''s confession continued, directed clearly at Jameson.

    "Three of us hated you and your mom to the core. We felt like your existence would split Dad''s

    attention. And the idea that your mom would take a piece of his wealth and business just made us

    dislike you both even more.

    "We did everything to bully and suppress you. But David and I were young then, so we only dared to

    cause you small trouble. Unlike Josh... he was bold and evil enough to harm your mom."

 Chapter 1761

    Following that, Jameson''s cold voice rang out, "It''s been over ten years. What evidence do you have to

    prove that my mom''s affair with that so-called lover was part of Josh''s scheme?"

    "Because... I was the one who made the call to lure your mom out."

    Daisy''s voice trembled violently, unsure if it was due to her resentment toward her biological brother or

    her fear of Jameson.

    "David was also there when I made the call. Unfortunately, he''s gone forever. You lost a witness. But it

    doesn''t matter. I still have an ace up my sleeve.

    "I captured the scene where your mom was taken by Josh''s men and brought into the room by the

    bodyguard while she was disoriented. It''s in my old phone at the bottom of my drawer. You can turn it

    on as long as there''s a charger."

    Daisy pleaded, "Jimmy, go after the person responsible. I was so young back then. I was just a victim

    of Josh''s maniption. Seek revenge on him. I swear everything I said is true. If there''s anything false,

    I''ll never rest in peace!"

    The recording abruptly stopped.

    The once bustling banquet hall fell silent, as if the air had frozen.

    Though a bystander, Alyssa felt as if her heart sank into weightlessness. She fixed her gaze on

    Jameson''s poker-faced expression.

    She knew that behind this calm facadey a storm capable of destroying everything.

    Daisy''s decision to reveal the entire conspiracy was likely the result of the negotiations Jameson had

    with her while visiting her in prison.

    However, Alyssa knew very well that Jameson would never honor his promises.

    This ruthless man would only gather them together and burn them all to rest the grievances his mother

    carried for 15 years.

    "T-That woman has lost her mind! She''s gone mad!"

    Josh was drenched in sweat, shivering all over. He was barely coherent. "I didn''t do it! I didn''t! Daisy is

    trying to defame me to get Jimmy to reduce her sentence!"

    "Dad, I''ve already obtained Daisy''s phone," Jameson said calmly, looking at Victor. "Do you want to see

    it now or wait until after the party?"

    As soon as he said that, there was a sharp sound of a p.

    The furious Victor had raised his arm and swung at Josh with all his might.

    Josh was stunned. His eardrums pounded like they were about to burst.

    "Get out... Get out of my house! Don''t let me see you again. Get out!" The veins on Victor''s temples

    bulged as he shouted hysterically.

    Throughout it all, he never looked at his deeply wronged wife.

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    He indeed harbored intense hatred, but it wasn''t because Josh had harmed an innocent woman who

    had been with him for many years.

    It was because Josh had deceived him and used him. Only now, at this moment, did he learn

    everything right in front of the entire upper ss of Sna City.

    Josh''s reputationy in tatters, and he wasbeled heartless and unscrupulous. After all, he actually

    used his own father in his scheme.

    Josh knew this was Victor''s final way out for him. He didn''t even care about his dignity anymore as he

    covered his swollen face and turned to run.

    "Wait!" Jameson''s eyes shed with fierce determination.

    How could he let Josh go before he apologized to Lily?

    But Josh dared not stop. He gritted his teeth and sprinted through the crowd toward the exit.

    Suddenly, he came to a halt.

    A man dressed in a ck leather jacket with sharp features blocked his path like an impassable

    mountain.

    "Mr. Josh Schmidt, where are you running off to?"

    Cyrus'' ice-cold and intimidating gaze met Josh''s eyes as he took a step forward. "It''s time to settle the

    debts you''ve incurred."

 Chapter 1762

    Josh staggered backward as Cyrus appeared, fear gripping him to his core.

    Then, four inclothes policemen filed in behind Cyrus, forming a wall.

    Jameson''s heart sank at the sight of the policemen barging in. He nced gloomily at Jasper, who

    remained asposed as a cat.

    Jasper met his despondent gaze, his dark, cold eyes narrowing.

    It felt as though two arrowheads, forged from opposing forces of ice and fire, collided explosively.

    Jameson was ready to put on a good show.

    He might have nned a controlled burn, but with Jasper around, things were bound to erupt into a full-

    blown wildfire.

    Lauren''s eyes sparkled at the sight of Cyrus, whom she hadn''t seen in a long while. She instinctively

    raised her hand to greet him. "Cy..."

    But then, she felt a weight on her shoulder. Slowly lifting her gaze, she met Landon''s cold expression.

    Her heart tightened as she withdrew her hand, too afraid to nce in Cyrus'' direction.

    "W-What''s happening?" Josh panicked, his legs trembling.

    "Josh Schmidt, you''re under arrest for bribery, embezzlement of public funds, and sexual assault. We

    have a warrant," Cyrus stated coldly, presenting a piece of paper. "This is the arrest warrant. Do you

    understand what I''m saying?"

    "I don''t understand," Josh eximed, feeling as though the sky hade crashing down upon him. His

    head spun. "What does any of this have to do with me? What proof do you have?"

    As a police officer, Cyrus had encountered his fair share of malicious and treacherous individuals.

    Cyrus remained indifferent in the face of a sneaky bastard like Josh. However, his words carried such

    authority that retaliation seemed futile.

    "I''m not here to argue. Thew exists to punish wrongdoing, uphold righteousness, and seek justice for

    the victims.

    "Josh Schmidt, you have the right to remain silent. This is thest dignity you can maintain as the

    eldest son of the Schmidt family."

    As Cyrus moved to cuff Josh, therge screen in the banquet hall suddenly lit up.

    What followed were harrowing scenes of abuse, apanied by the agonizing screams of girls. Each

    cry sent shockwaves through the audience.

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    The girls'' faces were deliberately blurred. But Josh''s face, twisted with a primal snarl, was as clear as

    day.

    Simultaneously, the events were broadcast live on various media tforms, spreading Josh''s

    treacherous deeds nationwide like wildfire. The Schmidt Group could do little to contain it.

    With a decisive click, the man responsible for demonizing countless girls was subdued by the cold

    metal of handcuffs.

    "It''s not me. The person in the video isn''t me."

    Despite his riches and past victories, Josh faced his ultimate humiliation. "The video''s a lie! That''s not

    me!" he shouted, a once-powerful man reduced to desperate denials in the face of public scrutiny.

    "If it isn''t you, then who is it?"

    rissa, who had remained silent until now, wore a steely expression as she strode into the midst of

    the crowd. A palpable sense of hatred emanated from her moist, reddened eyes as she fearlessly

    locked gazes with Josh. "These videos were extracted from yourputer in the study room. I''m

    certain the police have seized yourputer. It will serve as undeniable evidence of your crimes."

    At that moment, Josh realized he had been betrayed by his own wife. In a sh, his mind cast back to

    that unusual night. rissa, uncharacteristically forward, had seduced him in the study¡ªit was all a

    trap.

    She had never been the smartest or the bravest. Now, she suddenly had the guts to do so. Could it

    be...

 Chapter 1763

    Josh''s head began to spin as he observed rissa exchanging nces with Alyssa. He roared in a

    fury, "You bitch! How dare you conspire with someone else to frame me! I will never let you go!"

    rissa''s gaze met Josh''s unflinchingly. A subtle smirk tugged at her crimson lips, a stark contrast to

    the lone tear clinging to hershes.

    What happened next left the crowd in disbelief.

    Without hesitation, she took off her dark green evening dress, revealing her body marked with bruises

    and scars for all to witness.

    "rissa..." Alyssa gasped, stunned by rissa''s resolute actions. She felt a shiver run down her

    spine.

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    Beneath her thin white silk nightgown, ugly scars marred her limbs, a chilling sight for all.

    "Josh, I''ve endured your abuse for years. You''ve never given me a moment of peace."

    rissa''s smile was tinged with malice, her eyes zing with hatred enough to consume him. "You

    strike me when you''re displeased or frustrated. There were instances when you demanded I use my

    body to appease the partners of the Schmidt Group. When I refused, you punished me even more

    severely.

    "I''ve survived until today, not because of your mercy; I''m simply resilient. Otherwise, I would have

    perished countless times at your hands."

    The harsh truth wasid bare.

    Josh was unworthy of being called a man. He was nothing but a savage, a deceitful demon.

    Jameson finally calmed things down at the crazy Schmidt Group, but now an even bigger, more

    explosive problem showed up. This new mess seemed impossible to fix.

    The stench of scandal clung to the Schmidt Group like a bad odor.

    Despite being one of the city''s top four conglomerates, its fall from grace was irreparable.

    At this moment, Jameson''s usuallyposed expression drained of color, his face contorted with rage.

    Having just managed to salvage the Schmidt Group''s image, the Schmidt Group''s name was being

    dragged back through the mud once again.

    He was certain Jasper and Alyssa were behind this.

    As chaos ensued, Victor felt a sharp pain in his chest. After administering Nitroglycerin, he was

    ushered away from the tumult by his secretary and bodyguards.

    As Josh got escorted away by the police, he unleashed a torrent of threats toward Alyssa. His voice

    wasced with madness as he shouted, "Alyssa, I know you orchestrated this! Once I''m out, I''ll make

    sure to end you! And you, rissa, you bitch! I''ll make you pay, too! I will kill all of you!"

    A sharp glint shed in Jasper''s eyes as he enveloped Alyssa in a tight embrace, unwilling to let her

    go.

    "He''s all talk. He doesn''t have the guts toy a finger on me," Alyssa remarked, leaning against

    Jasper''s chest. Listening to his racing heartbeat, she teased, "Look how terrified you are! That''s not like

    you at all."

    "I don''t know what came over me. I was afraid I might lose control," Jasper admitted, pressing his chin

    atop her head and caressing it gently. "Lyse, Victor will bail Josh out.

    "After all, he was his pride and joy. Besides, his sentence will only be around 12 to 13 years. One day,

    he''ll be out. Don''t underestimate his threats."

    "Are you worried about his empty threats?" Alyssa affectionately studied his face.

    Jasper shook his head, cupping the back of her neck and nting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "No.

    No one will every a finger on you, not while I draw breath.

    "I just regret involving you in such a dangerous situation. I''ve put you in danger. If you want to help,

    from now on, it''ll be from the sidelines¡ªstrategizing and nning."

    Suddenly, rissa''s hoarse voice broke the moment. "That won''t happen."

    Both Jasper and Alyssa turned toward her. She approached them, tears glistening in her eyes as she

    wore the evening gown designed by Rose.

    "Ms. Sparks, thank you for everything you did tonight," Alyssa said, recalling how rissa had bared

    her deepest wounds to bring Josh to justice. Her heart swelled with gratitude, tears pooling in her eyes.

    "I should be the one thanking you and Mr. Beckett. Without you two, I wouldn''t have been able to do it."

 Chapter 1764

    rissa was so overwhelmed by her emotions that she found herself at a loss for words. "You... have

    given me a second chance at life."

    "You''re too kind, Ms. Sparks," replied Jasper with a gentle smile. "You are the one who redeemed

    yourself."

    Alyssa then asked, "Oh, yes. What did you want to say earlier, Ms. Sparks?"

    "Josh will never get out of prison." rissa handed her a USB sh drive, her eyes reddened with

    emotion. "There is a recording of a phone conversation Josh had with someone, which I secretly

    recorded that night.

    "Last week, he slept with a girl on a cruise ship. In a bid of excitement, he injected the girl with drugs,

    resulting in her death.

    "Afterward, he engaged the person on the phone to dispose of the girl''s body. I waited until he was

    asleep and then checked his phone to record the person''s number.

    "Before disclosing our findings, we can initiate a police investigation. I trust we will soon apprehend the

    aplice responsible for disposing of the body."

    They shuddered upon hearing that.

    Josh was evil. He was about to face the consequences of his actions, so it didn''t matter if he faced

    additional repercussions. However, their hearts ached for the girl who had fallen victim to his cruelty.

    "Plus, Hendrix is already at the police station, ready to confess to the years he helped Josh forge false

    ounts and transfer public funds.

    "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett, this is all that what we could do. I wish you all the best in what lies ahead,"

    rissa said, her toneced with guilt.

    Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Alyssa''s tears streamed down her face as she went to

    rissa and hugged her tightly. Before long, her tears soaked rissa''s shoulders.

    Surrounded by the shes from the media, Josh was escorted into a police car, his face contorted with

    hatred.

    As they left, Cyrus noticed Lauren in Landon''s embrace, standing nearby.

    Despite the throng of people, his gaze darted straight to her. Her face, a beacon in the sea of

    anonymity, imprinted itself on his memory. A bittersweet pang shot through him. Though a flicker of

    comfort warmed him¡ªLauren had someone who could love and cherish her.

    Cyrus tore his gaze away, the intensity of his stare threatening to reveal the truth he desperately tried

    to shield.

    It was a restless night at the Schmidt Group.

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    With the removal of the three major obstacles blocking Jameson''s path, one would expect him to feel

    content. Yet, he found himself unhappy.

    Perhaps his desires remained unfulfilled, or he harbored resentment toward what he perceived as

    divine injustice¡ªJameson didn''t get what he wanted. He longed for Alyssa, yet circumstances had

    forced him to be her enemy.

    Jameson also craved the sight of a broken Josh, whimpering apologies at his mother''s feet. However,

    the absence of this scene left a chilling emptiness in his gut.

    Jasper and Alyssa prepared to leave after achieving their revenge and garnering acim. Suddenly,

    Jameson materialized before them.

    Jameson had sprinted toward them, his voice ragged as he called out, "Lyse, I need to speak with you

    privately."

    His usually impable appearance was slightly disheveled¡ªa rare sight indeed.

    Jasper''s grip tightened around Alyssa''s waist, his dark eyes filled with concern.

    But Alyssa swiftly dismissed Jameson''s request, her tone cold. "I have nothing to say to you. If you

    have something to say, say it now."

    "Why... Why does it have to be today?" A vein throbbed in his forehead, betraying the struggle to

    maintainposure.

    "Why can''t it be today?" Alyssa was charming even when she was mocking. "Do I need to consult the

    calendar for this?"

 Chapter 1765

    Jameson choked back bitterness. His voice, strained to the point of hoarseness, threatened to give out.

    With unparalleled seriousness, he uttered, "Do you have any idea how much effort I''ve poured into this

    day just to witness justice finally served upon Josh?

    "Even if you''re avenging Jonah, couldn''t you have waited until after tonight? Why expose everything at

    the party?"

    Alyssa met his usation with a cold, indifferent stare.

    "My mother... endured immense humiliation. I remained silent for 15 years, all to ensure she received

    the justice she deserved. I wanted Josh to grovel at her feet and apologize to her!"

    Jameson''s pale lips quivered. "Lyse... I was on the verge of sess. Why deny me that chance?

    Why?"

    "Mr. Schmidt, your mother''s situation is heartbreaking, but I won''t halt my revenge for you." Alyssa''s

    gaze was cial. "Perhaps you had a personal motive for keeping that bastard alive¡ªto handle him

    later and protect the Schmidt Group''s interests.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "However, I refuse to wait any longer. I want to ensure Josh never sees the light of day. Besides, wasn''t

    this the oue you desired? To use us and get rid of Josh? You can''t always get the best of both

    worlds, Mr. Schmidt."

    Jameson''s eyes widened. "Lyse, what are you talking about? I don''t understand. When did I ever."

    "Figure it out," Alyssa interrupted, weary of his charade. Any further conversation with him would just

    be disrespecting herself. She turned and climbed into the car.

    "Lyse." Jameson''s voice caught in his throat, the pain piercing his heart.

    "Jasper, I''m hungry. Let''s grab something to eat." From the car, Alyssa''s voice held a hint of flirtation,

    another dagger twisting in Jameson''s gut.

    "Okay," Jasper replied sweetly. Before slipping into the car, he cast Jameson a cold re. Then, he

    smirked. "I know you''re not doing this to avenge your mother''s humiliation. You just can''t stand losing."

    Jameson red after the departing car, a cold fury searing through him. His eyes burned bloodshot

    red.

    Jasper''s words had struck a nerve, tearing away Jameson''s facade.

    He despised losing, despised it with every fiber of his being.

    Jameson had meticulously prepared the stage, but his show never went on. In Alyssa''s world, he would

    always be a mere observer relegated to the shadows, never considered her equal.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl ran over, sweat glistening on his brow. "News of Josh''s arrest became a high-profile

    story tonight, even interrupting the nightly news broadcast.

    "I''ve asked our public rtions department to do their best to control the narrative, but it''s barely

    working. When the markets open tomorrow, our shares will experience a significant decline."

    Jameson gritted his teeth, fists clenched in fury. "How is this possible? How did they obtain such

    urate information?

    "Josh may be a despicable criminal, but how did they uncover his human traffickingwork, using the

    Schmidt Group to peddle influence and exploit young girls? It''s what we uncovered!"

    "I''m struggling toprehend it myself," Carl admitted, bewildered. "If Ms. Alyssa and Jasper had truly

    wanted revenge for Mr. Jonah and Dr. Lovce''s exposed rtionship, they would have gone after

    Josh and exposed his crimes much earlier. Why wait all this time to act?

    "The timeline seemed imusibly short, yet the evidence they possessed was remarkably detailed¡ª

    unless it was a stroke of luck. Otherwise, how else could they obtain it?"

    Jameson mulled over Carl''s words. They had uncovered what he had uncovered. It seemed too

    coincidental to be true.

 Chapter 1766

    Jameson cracked his knuckles as he instructed through clenched teeth, "Head back to the Millennium!"

    A storm cloud hung over Jameson''s face as he entered the Millennium. Anyone could see his

    simmering rage.

    "Carl," Jameson barked, his voiceced with ice, "get Amber down here. Now."

    Carl scurried to obey, his heart hammering in his chest.

    After more than ten minutes, Amber appeared in the basement, where the ipetent and traitorous

    were often dealt with.

    A metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air as the door creaked open.

    "Mr. Schmidt." Amber bowed deeply. Despite her outwardposure, her heart was beating wildly.

    Jameson lounged on a maroon couch in the dim, oppressive light, swirling a ss of crimson wine. He

    then drank the wine to wet his throat.

    "Josh has been charged with corruption, bribery, and sexual assault. He was apprehended by the

    police at the party organized by the Schmidt Group. Are you aware of this?"

    Amber attempted to mask her fear as she replied softly, "Yes, it''s been all over the inte."

    "Alyssa and Jasper," Jameson continued, his smile devoid of warmth, "unearthed a damning amount of

    evidence in record time. They struck with ruthless efficiency, leaving the Schmidt Group reeling.

    "It''s almost as if they had inside information..." He trailed off, swirling the wine in his ss, his eyes

    locking onto Amber''s. "Tell me, Amber," he said slowly, a predatory glint in his eye, "do you think

    someone might be ying a little game in the shadows?"

    The crimson dress clung to Amber like a second skin, slick with a cold sweat. Her voice, when she

    spoke, was a hoarse whisper. "Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Jasper have always been formidable rivals.

    "Theirpany boasts exceptional talent, and they hold significant influence. They know how to sway

    people. It wouldn''t be surprising if someone was helping them."

    "They certainly know how to sway people. I''m just uncertain if they''ve managed to win over someone

    under my nose, unbeknownst to me."

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    As he finished his sentence, something shed before Amber''s eyes.

    Suddenly, Jameson raised his hand and hurled the wine ss at her. She staggered backward,

    narrowly avoiding a direct hit to her head. However, the ss shattered at the tip of her high heels,

    sshing her with wine.

    Amber''s mind went momentarily nk as the cold liquid soaked into her skin. She quickly forced a

    mask ofposure onto her face. "What''s wrong, Mr. Schmidt? Who has upset you?" she asked, her

    voice devoid of emotion.

    "You''re still pretending, huh?" Jameson approached her swiftly, seizing her chin forcefully. The pain

    brought tears to her eyes. "You''re using the resilience I instilled in you since childhood against me,

    aren''t you?"

    "I''m sorry, M-Mr. Schmidt. I-I don''t understand what I''ve done wrong..." Amber''s teary eyes turned red.

    "You and Carl were the only ones tasked with investigating Josh in the Millennium. Besides Carl, you''re

    the only one with ess to the evidence."

    Jameson''s heavy breathing exuded a palpable rage. He was on the verge of crushing her jaw. "Amber,

    tell me. Who else could be the traitor if not you? You know how much I loathe traitors, and you are

    aware of the number of traitorous bastards who have met their end in this basement."

    Amber shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, it wasn''t me."

    "If it wasn''t you, why aren''t you using Carl?" A cruel smile yed on Jameson''s lips. Chuckling, he

    continued, "Deep down, you know he''d never betray me. Even if you wanted to me him, you couldn''t

    find a reason.

    "Amber, I''m the reason you''re still alive. I''ve provided you with afortable life. Yet, you''ve bitten the

    hand that feeds you and stab me in the back! How dare you!"

 Chapter 1767

    It wasn''t me. Mr. Schmidt... I wouldn''t..." Amber''s voice trembled as she struggled to articte each

    word. Her eyes held a shaky semnce of innocence as if she were being wrongfully used.

    No one understood the consequences of betraying Jameson better than her. She didn''t fear death

    itself. On the contrary, she dreaded dying for no good reason at all.

    Thus, she fought to defend herself. "Mr. Schmidt, what would I gain from betraying you? Only Mr.

    Moses and I are privy to this information. Wouldn''t you discover the truth swiftly if I had acted against

    you? Why would I be foolish enough to wish for my own demise?

    "Besides, I''m practically under constant surveince here. How could I have possibly contacted Ms.

    Alyssa or Mr. Beckett? How could I betray you?"

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    Her words chipped away at Jameson''s rage. She''d hit the right point.

    Seeing a chance to salvage the situation, Amber continued, "Mr. Schmidt, you gave me this life.

    Without you, I have nothing. In the past, I''ve even tried to hurt Jasper myself. If you were to lose to

    them, I would be left defenseless. Would they even spare me?"

    Jameson''s grip loosened on her chin, a hint of uncertainty creeping in.

    Just then, the door burst open. Carl rushed in, his face a mask of panic. "Mr. Schmidt, there''s trouble!"

    Jameson tugged at his tie in frustration. "What happened?"

    "A-Axel is here!"

    Amber felt as though her head were about to split open, her body trembling uncontrobly.

    A dryness gripped her throat as she recalled those piercing eyes. It was as if Axel had reached out

    from the memory, squeezing the life out of her.

    "What did you say? Axel?" Jameson''s voice was taut with tension as he clenched his teeth. "Did he

    come alone?"

    "Yes, he came alone!" Carl gritted his teeth. "The audacity of that bastard to enter our territory alone!

    I''m certain he didn''te with good intentions. Mr. Schmidt, shall I teach him a lesson?"

    "You want to confront a seasoned secret agent with amateur skills?" Jameson adjusted his gold-

    rimmed sses. "He wouldn''t dare enter the Millennium without a n. Amber, change your attire.

    You''ll meet with him."

    "Mr. Schmidt, I." Amber''s heart pounded violently, sweat beading her forehead.

    "Appease him and seduce him. Then, find a way to kill him." A chillingugh escaped his lips. "After all,

    Amber," he continued, his voice a low growl, "if you''re truly as loyal as you im, this shouldn''t be a

    problem, should it? Don''t keep me waiting for too long."

    Axel lounged in the opulent confines of the most premium room, his arm concealed beneath a sleek

    ck trench coat, resting casually on the couch''s armrest. His indifferent andnguid gaze exuded an

    air of cold detachment, making him unapproachable.

    As the waiter approached with a selection of fine wines, Axel interjected, "I drove here, so I''ll pass on

    the drink."

    "But sir," the waiter stammered, "visiting the Millennium without a drink? It''s practically unheard of! We

    can find you a driver. It would be on the house, of course."

    "I''m not much of a drinker; I prefer thepany ofdies," Axel replied, raising his gaze. He retrieved a

    cigarette from the box and ced it between his lips. "Bring me your most stunning women."

    As he uttered the words, the door swung open, and a subtle fragrance wafted in as Amber''s graceful

    figure entered Axel''s line of sight.

    Both of them exchanged nces; their hearts skipped a beat.

    "Haha, perfect. This one meets my standards," Axel remarked, his gaze lingering on her slender form,

    a nonchnt smile gracing his lips. It was utterly captivating. "I''ll have her tonight."

    The waiter sensibly left, closing the door behind him.

 Chapter 1768

    Amber stared fixedly at Axel, having no choice but to force a polite smile under the re of countless

    surveince cameras. But her stiff expression failed to convince both herself and Axel.

    Meanwhile, Jameson sat in the security room, watching Amber and Axel''s every move. There were

    high- end cameras and microphones installed in the room that could even pick up the sounds of their

    breathing.

    "I didn''t expect to see you here, Ms. Altman." Axel cocked an eyebrow. "I''ve truly missed you since we

    last met. I couldn''t stop thinking about when we''d meet again. Who knew that would be tonight?"

    "I never expected to meet you here too, Mr. Whitaker." Amber smiled stiffly.

    Amber knew Axel only said those things because they were under surveince. But her heart still

    nervously trembled when Axel said he''d missed her.

    Since both Amber and Axel were very experienced in such situations, Jameson didn''t notice anything

    off about them whatsoever.

    "It seems like we are fated to meet." Axel''s eyes fondly narrowed as he made himself at home. "Come

    on now. Have a seat."

    The instant Amber took a step, Axel patted his thigh. "Right here."

    Jameson suddenly leaned in close to the monitor, eyes glinting coldly.

    Amber''s heart skipped a beat. She scrunched her hands in the hem of her dress before slowly walking

    toward Axel.

    She cried out when Axel suddenly grabbed her arm, making her fall into hisp. Her chest pushed right

    against his thigh.

    Jameson''s hands curled around the couch, leaving torn streaks in the material.

    Axel''s breaths came in harsh pants, but his gaze was still tender. "Are you scared?"

    Amber''s heart was pounding as she blushed. "Stop it, Mr. Whitaker."

    There was a double meaning to her words.

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    How could Amber not be scared? She was trembling in Axel''s grasp.

    Axel snorted and leaned in close to her neck. "The smile you had on your face when you walked in

    here was terrible."

    Amber pursed her lips and said nothing.

    Axel''s arms were so tight around her that it felt like he might snap her in two. He lowered his gaze

    slightly and saw how the soft dip of her breasts trembled beneath her dress.

    What sane man wouldn''t get riled up by such a sight?

    Amber panicked immediately. Her instinctive reaction was to maintain distance between her and Axel

    instead of seducing him. It wasn''t because she was ying coy, but because she felt that Axel was too

    good a man.

    Every single time Amber was near him, her self-hatred and low self-esteem would overwhelm her. It

    only made her feel all the more filthy and vile.

    "This isn''t a good spot. Too many eyes for me to do anything." Axel''s lips identally came into contact

    with Amber''s reddened ear. "Come with me."

    "To... Where?" Amber breathed out, her heart jolting in response.

    "We''ll find a ce. Stay the night with me." Axel then lifted Amber in his arms and marched out of the

    room.

    Everyone looked on in astonishment as Axel and Amber walked out, not bothering to hide from any of

    them.

 Chapter 1769

    There was a silent rule in The Millenium, which was that no one else could bring Amber out of the ce

    besides Jameson himself. Yet Axel was breaking that rule right now!

    He was the only man who was bold enough to do so anyway.

    Amber was terrified at first. But she then saw how determined and calm Axel was. Thus, all her worry

    disappeared, leaving her to close her eyes and lean against his chest.

    Amber just wanted to leave with Axel right now, no matter where she went.

    "Mr. J-Jameson, Axel Whitaker has taken Ms. Altman away!" Carl eximed, panicked.

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    Though Carl knew that Jameson had only ever treated Amber as a lowly substitute for Alyssa Taylor for

    all the years and even humiliated Amber again and again, no one was allowed to take Amber away

    regardless.

    Axel was basically provoking Jameson beyond his limit!

    "Go after them with the men!" Jameson ordered, panting angrily. "Bring Amber back no matter what it

    takes!"

    Axel''s Aston Martin sped through the highway while his hair blew in the wind through the open car

    window. He drovenguidly with only one hand on the wheel.

    Yet, Amber was feeling incredibly nauseous from the speed Axel was driving.

    The instant they arrived at their hotel room, Amber ran to the bathroom and threw up heavily.

    Axel chuckled, watching her with his arms around his chest. "I don''t think you''d be able to y VR

    games if this is all you can take, Ms. Altman. And here I thought I''d gained a new gaming buddy."

    "Your hobbies... are quite varied, Mr. Whitaker," Amber croaked out. She went to the sink and washed

    her mouth out before cleaning her face. She wasn''t feeling that sick anymore.

    Axel''s eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Amber''s delicate figure which shifted with her every move.

    "Jameson''s men were on our tail the instant I took you away from The Millenium. I couldn''t have gotten

    away from them if I hadn''t driven that fast."

    "Why did youe to The Millenium out of the blue?" Amber asked.

    She heaved a sigh and turned around to look at Axel. "I know you''re a very skilled superspy, but there

    are always risks. Don''t underestimate Jameson. If it''s your death he wants, he will try and achieve it

    every chance he gets."

    "I know that. Why else would he have sent you to me? To show you off?" Axel cocked an eyebrow

    before teasing, "Based on my observation though, you don''t have much to show off besides your

    beauty and figure, no?"

    Amber''s heart strung up tightly as she quickly looked down.

    So Axel had known why Jameson had sent her to him from the start.

    "Since you know the truth, why did you still go back to The Millenium?" Amber asked.

    "I wanted to see how you were doing," Axel said in that attractive voice of his.

    "How else could I be doing? Nothing changes. I still put on an act every single day." Amber''s words

    were bitter as she degraded herself. It was as if she was trying to stop herself from having any unruly

    thoughts toward Axel. "I''m nothing more than a well-dressed hooker."

    Silence rang out from behind her.

    Several secondster, Amber heard footsteps nearing her, echoing in her heart.

    "I don''t care about what you said about yourself, you know." Axel leaned into her ear and said gently,

    "I''m just worried Jameson will make things difficult for you."

 Chapter 1770

    Axel began, "I came to see you because I was worried something might happen to you."

    "What could possibly happen to me? I''ll be fine, so don''t do this again." Amber didn''t dare look up to

    meet Axel''s eyes. She was trembling slightly as goosebumps erupted on her skin. "Please seek out

    trouble elsewhere from now on, Mr. Whitaker.

    "I hope I never see you at The Millenium again. Or should I say... I hope to never see you again after

    tonight."

    Axel''s eyes darkened. "You can''t really stop me."

    Amber gnawed on her lip. She knew Axel was intelligent enough to understand her implied meaning.

    Why was he still so stubborn then?

    These Taylors were too troublesome!

    Axel slowly observed Amber''s expression with unreadable eyes. Though Amber was known to be

    deadly and beautiful, she was still behaving like a delicate, pitiful little bunny before him. Even though

    she looked very simr to Alyssa, Axel still saw a different, startling beauty from her every time they

    met.

    No wonder Jameson would spend so much time cultivating Amber. She really was quite gorgeous to

    the extent that no man would be able to hold their own before her.

    It was a shame that Amber''s skills failed when it came to Axel. After all, Axel basically flirted and

    manipted for a living.

    "Josh was only arrested so sessfully tonight because of the clues you gave us."

    Axelposed himself again and said nonchntly, "I wonder if Jameson might soon trace this back

    to you once his brother falls and wipes you out of the picture.

    "After all, Jameson did originally n to use this as leverage against Josh. Now his n has gone bust.

    Hahaha! He must be so fucking pissed right now, huh?"

    Amber stayed silent. The intimate atmosphere had been ruined by Axel''s humor.

    "Mr. Jameson still has use for me. He won''t try and do anything too serious to me unless he''s found

    credible evidence." Amber then smiled, heart aching deeply.

    "Even if he did have evidence, he wouldn''t do anything to me either. I''m sure anyone would have a

    fondness for their pet after keeping it around for so long, what more another human being? Not to

    mention someone who resembles Ms. Alyssa Taylor.

    "So don''t worry needlessly for me. What happenedst time will never happen again. Let''s never see

    one another anymore either. You won''t gain anything from me. Our cooperationes to an end here.

    Amber sounded like she was trying to break up with Axel. She was trying so hard to convince Axel to

    give up. Yet Axel''s chest tensed ufortably when she said that their coboration was toe to

    an end there.

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    It wasn''t just because Axel still remembered the task Alyssa entrusted him. Rather, he felt slightly

    upset.

    Amber might have been the one who initiated this game, but Axel had to be the one to call it quits!

    Amber felt a weight on her shoulders before Axel turned her around, forcing their eyes to meet.

    Axel''s arms caged her in against the sink as he gazed deeply at her, making her heart waver so terribly.

    He sped Amber''s chin in a tender gesture, their breaths mingling in the air.

    Amber''s eyes began growing hazy while Axel''s grew heavy with desire.

    "If you had a chance to permanently be free of Jameson Schmidt''s control and turn over a new leaf,

    would you?" Axel asked silently.

    Amber''s heart pounded in her chest. Several secondster, she smiled and hooked a finger in Axel''s

    cor. "No. If I have to rot in hell, I''d rather do it while staying by Jameson''s side."

 Chapter 1771

    "The Millennium is the only ce I''ve learned how to live in. Besides, it''s the most suitable ce for

    someone like me. I don''t need any other options," Amber said.

    She needed to distance herself from Axel before it was toote.

    "What if I wanted to take you with me? Would youe with me if I could bring you somewhere

    Jameson or his friends could never find you?" Axel gazed seriously at Amber.

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    "No," Amber said without hesitation, a pitiful smile on her face. "I live and die as Mr. Jameson''s

    puppet."

    Axel slowly straightened up, the desire in his eyes fading away. He unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt

    and said, "I understand now. In that case, let''s just get on with things."

    "What... things?" Amber hadn''t yet caught up with Axel''s pace.

    "Well, we''re alone in a hotel roomte at night. What things do you think we could do? y cards?"

    Axel''s gaze was cold, with no trace of tenderness in them anymore. "Do you want to shower first or

    should I? Or should we shower together?"

    Amber closed her eyes and shook her head. "I''ll go now and not trouble you further."

    She then turned to leave. But Axel grabbed her by the waist, pulling her back to him. "What is it? Are

    you upset? How can we sleep together if we don''t clean up?"

    "I don''t have the right to be upset," Amber said bitterly. "Do you really want to sleep with a woman like

    me, Mr. Whitaker? I''ll never be fully clean no matter how many times I bathe myself."

    Axel smiled lightly and said, "I know exactly what kind of woman you are. Haven''t I proven that I don''t

    care given I''ve taken you out of there?"

    "But I care!" Amber yelled, unable to hold back anymore.

    Axel was taken aback.

    Realizing she''d slipped up, she quicklyposed herself. "If you''re concerned about me, then please

    don''t ask this of me anymore tonight. You can think of it as repaying me for helping you and Ms. Alyssa

    last time."

    Axel was the most wonderful person Amber had ever met in her downtrodden life. She was incredibly

    fond of Axel, which was why she didn''t want him to be ruined by someone as terrible as her.

    Amber wanted their rtionship to stay clear of all this.

    Axel seemed somewhat troubled by Amber''s insistence to leave. His hand tightened around her waist

    as he said softly, "Fine, don''t shower then. Stay the night and get some rest. It''ste."

    Amber truly was exhausted. Plus, if she went back to The Millennium too soon, Jameson would get

    suspicious. If she spent the night there, she''d at least be able to give Jameson an excuse tomorrow.

    In the end, Amber and Axel slept together. Amber slept on the hotel bed while Axely on the couch.

    He hadn''t intended to have sex with Amber at all.

    They remained apart while resting. Amber''s heels were ced by the bed while shey on the

    mattress. An awkward silence filled the air.

    Amber''s n to stay awake the entire night failed when she fell asleep.

    Axel, however, stared fixedly at the ceiling, not sleepy in the slightest bit.

 Chapter 1772

    Axel tiptoed over to the bed when he heard Amber''s shallow breathing after she fell asleep. Kneeling

    on one knee by the bed, he studied her lovely sleeping face.

    Momentster, he mumbled in a low voice, "You''re not like Lyse."

    Amber probably overheard him. Hershes fluttered gently as tears crept to her eyes.

    Axel gulped upon seeing her tears and thought of wiping them away, only to withdraw his hand and

    head toward the balcony forlornly.

    When Amber woke up groggily the next morning, Axel had left. She sat up in herfortable sheets

    and paused in shock when she found Axel''s ck windbreaker draping across the nket. He had

    clearly left it behind for her.

    Thest time, he left her some gastric medication after recalling her gastric issues. This time, he knew

    that she didn''t have enough clothes on her because she left in haste, so he lent her his windbreaker.

    "Pfft. He''s still as caring as ever. Whoever gets to marry him will be the happiest woman ever."

    Chuckling, Amber ran her trembling fingertips through the fabric of the ck windbreaker.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Sitting up in bed, she had the urge to get some air and enjoy the breeze on the balcony. When she

    pulled open the floor-to-ceiling doors, she felt an electrifying jolt. The cigarette stubs that scattered

    across the floor were proof that Axel hadn''t slept at all.

    Last night, Carl and his men tailed Axel''s car. Not only did they lose Axel, but they ended up crashing

    two of their luxurious cars due to his excellent drifting techniques.

    Jameson had given orders to bring Amber back. Because of that, Carl anxiously searched high and low

    for Amber. However, his search was futile because Axel might have checked into a hotel under a fake

    identity. Therefore, he returned to Jameson empty-handed.

    That same night, Jameson had an outburst and smashed things in his room, which puzzled Carl. After

    all, Jameson had always used Amber like a tool and never had any real feelings for her. Why the

    overreaction then? It gave off the wrong impression as if he cared for Amber very much.

    Just when everyone at The Millennium was shaking in fear, Amber walked through the entrance with a

    look of calm. She went up to Jameson with a bare face, which was uncharacteristic of her, but she

    radiated an innocent beauty.

    Her bare face reminded him of the time when Amber had not yet been molded into Alyssa Taylor''s

    substitute. The look in his eyes dimmed. Soon, the ck windbreaker on her caught his eyes.

    "Axel left this for me," she admitted openly. "Do I need to take it off so you could burn it?"

    "It''s just a piece of clothing. Since it''s his gift, you can have it. I''m not that petty." Jameson leaned

    lopsidedly on the couch, resting his head on his fist and his arm on the armrest. He gave her a cynical

    look. "Did you guys fuck?"

    She shook her head, looking a little amused. "No. Axel isn''t any ordinary man. He''s not going to take

    the bait that easily."

    "Hah. Nah, he''s taken the bait." Jameson chuckled in disdain. "As a man, I could tell what''s on his

    mind. He caught feelings for you the moment he decided to leave the windbreaker with you."

    Amber''s heart raced when she heard Jameson''s remark. Her hands curled into fists in the windbreaker

    pockets.

    "Well done, Amber. Keep up the good job and make him fall head over heels for you. Then, you will kill

    him with your own hands."

 Chapter 1773

    Josh Schmidt hadmitted a long list of crimes over the years. The scandal of Josh forcing female schrship recipients into prostitution sent a shockwave through the nation. Under immense public scrutiny, the Schmidt Group''s reputation had been ruined.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Victor had assembled the best legal team for his eldest, thinking that Josh would only serve concurrent sentences that added up to at most eight years since there were no murder charges pressed against him. Besides, the legal team would work with the Schmidt Group to reduce Josh''s sentence.

    To Victor''s surprise, someone turned in new evidence to the police just five days after Josh''s arrest. On top of that, the aplice rissa mentioned¡ªthe man who had gotten rid of the body after witnessing Josh''s idental murder¡ªturned himself in at the police station, perhaps due to a guilty conscience or external pressure. He then proceeded to tell on Josh''s criminal actions.

    In the face of KS Group and Beckett Group''s threats, the Schmidt Group was the least of his concerns.

    Once the president of Schmidt Group and Victor''s favorite son, Josh was now a criminal who was denounced by the public.

    Josh had always prided himself as the smartest among his siblings. He had never expected himself to end up in a far worse ce than them.

    Jameson did not seem at all happy despite the downfall of his archenemy.

    "Mr. Schmidt, things might not have unfolded in the way you wanted, but you have avenged your mom. Now that Josh is used of second-degree murder, he will be thrown behind bars even if Mr. Victor wants to save him. You should be happy about it," said Carl, in an attempt tofort Jameson.

    "How can I be happy when I haven''t gotten my hands on what I wanted?" Jameson sat in his office, observing the barrage of criticalments toward the Schmidt Group and the free-falling stock price with a glum expression. "I had wanted to use the evidence in exchange for Josh''s stocks.

    "With Josh''s stocks, I will surpass Dad as the biggest shareholder of Schmidt Group and officially rule over thepany.

    "After that, I would expose what Dad had done to Mom, crushing his public image before kicking him out of thepany. It was never my intention to make the situation spiral into what it is today. This is just a meaningless pyrrhic victory."

    As the president of Schmidt Group, Jameson would be in charge of taking care of the aftermath. He had nned to manipte Jasper and Alyssa into getting rid of Josh for him, but it appeared that all he had done was shoot himself in the foot.

    Alyssa had taunted him and warned him not to be greedy. However, it took him and Lily a lot of effort to return to the family business. He had endured humiliation and carefully nned each of his steps to im back what had belonged to him.

    Why couldn''t he be greedy for once? He deserved the best in the world, including Alyssa Taylor! Covered in a cold sweat, Carl watched with bated breath. Josh''s scandal was by far the greatest challenge for the Schmidt Group. Putting aside the falling stock price, thepany would not have an easy time doing business andworking with local politicians.

    The era of the Schmidts on equal footing with the Becketts mighte to an end.

    Jameson suddenly asked, "By the way, did Amber do anything suspicious in the past few days?"

    Carl answered, "Ms. Altman has been at The Millennium all day. She did not do anything else except for work."

    "She''s served me for a long time. It must be difficult for her. Give her a long break.¡± Jameson tapped the table as hezily remarked, "If we keep her on a tight schedule, she won''t have the time to meet with those she wanted to see.¡±

    Carl felt his chest tighten. "Mr. Schmidt, are you suspecting Ms. Altman of betrayal?"

    Jameson gave him a side-eye. "Would you rather I suspect you?"

    Carl was rendered speechless. He hesitatingly stated, "But Ms. Altman has been loyal to you over the years. She gives her heart to you, and she has always given her best in all assignments. If you insist on suspecting her... To be honest with you, as her longtime colleague, I do not think she''s capable of doing that."

 Chapter 1774

    "Did she give her heart to me, now?" Jameson stared icily at Carl with an arched brow. "Stop bluffing me. She has no right to do that.

    "She doesn''t even deserve to fall for Axel Whitaker. That dude is Lyse''s brother and a Taylor. She should know her ce.

    "I''m just curious if Amber would kill Axel for me. Failing to do so, I can''t guarantee that I''d treat her as well as before."

    Carl was filled with shock when he realized that Jameson had only spared Amber to use her to kill Axel. Jameson was the type of man who would not change his mind after he harbored suspicions about someone.

    Carl''s phone started vibrating from an iing call. He answered the call, and his expression promptly fell.

    Jameson asked, "What''s wrong?"

    "Mr. Schmidt, I just got the news that Mr. Victor had sent the attorneys and his secretary to the detention center. They had a half-hour secret meeting with Josh!" Carl started feeling nervous. "Could Josh have transferred his stocks to¡ª"

    "Get the car ready! We''re off to Sna City Private Hospital!" Jameson stormed out of his office with a chilling look in his eyes.

    At the same time, Alyssa stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom of Heightsview Vi. She was donned in a chic ck suit, her long hair tumbling over her shoulders and her lips a hue of ming red. She carried herself with an authoritative air, a look of masculine determination etched on her face.

    Today was the day she officially presented herself as the KS Group president at the board of directors¡¯ meeting. It also heralded a new era that came with new battles.

    "My dear Ms. Alyssa, how are you feeling? Nervous?" Jasper wrapped his arms around her waist, his lips brushing asionally against her nape.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Feeling ticklish, she wiggled in his arms, breaking the image of a strong-willed businesswoman. She confessed, "How could I not be? I''ll face a room of snakes. I wonder how they''re going to teach me a lesson.¡±

    "You have nothing to be afraid of with me around." He sniffed her neck and kissed her smooth skin. Then, he rasped, "If they bully you today, do tell me about it when you''re home today. I''ll back you up."

    "Back me up? I''d count my blessings if you didn''t run me to the ground,¡± she purred shyly.

    Last night, Jasper, driven mad by his desire, repeatedly took her in various sexual positions that they had never tried before. Despite the embarrassment, she found herself indulging in their intimacy. That morning, he had to carry her to the bathroom because she was too sore to move. In the bathroom, he couldn''t stop himself from making love to her again.

    Her casual remark had aroused him again. He carried a look of lust in his eyes as his hand traveled up her body, teasing her. Then, he unfastened two buttons on her shirt.

    "N-Not now.¡± She pressed her hand against his as she trembled.

    She could sense his raging boner pressing against her body.

    "We still have a lot of time before the meeting.¡± Nibbling at her reddened ears, he persuaded her in a low voice, "I''ll be gentle. I promise not to tire you out. Lyse, I want to give you some good loving. Is that okay?"

 Chapter 1775

    By 10:00 am, Alyssa arrived at the entrance of the KS Group HQ office in her Rolls-Royce Spirit of

    Ecstasy. A few higher-ups had lined up at the entrance and waited for her with bouquets in their hands.

    Before Alyssa officially took over the KS Hotel, she was widely perceived as just Winston Taylor''s

    illegitimate daughter. After going through ups and downs, she made a name for herself in Sna City

    and the business field.

    The first-floor lobby had been carefully decorated. A red carpet wasid out on the floor.

    Alyssa was orded the most formal wee because everyone held her in great respect.

    Back in the car, Sean adjusted his tie in the driver''s seat and nced at Alyssa through the rearview

    mirror. He warmly reminded her, "Ms. Alyssa, we''ve arrived."

    She slowly opened her eyes. Sean, suddenly excited, questioned earnestly, "Ms. Alyssa, your cheek

    blush is really pretty. It''s a shade of reddish pink. Can you share the brand with me? I''ll get one for

    Taty."

    Her blush deepened when memories of Jasper plowing her shed across her mind. Jasper had

    caressed her waist lovingly while going at it.

    The "cheek blush" was merely the aftereffect of an orgasm. She wanted to me Jasper for making

    her weak.

    She hurriedly shifted the conversation. Casting a nce at his necktie, sheplimented him, "That''s

    a neat tie. It must be a gift from Taty, right?"

    "M-Ms. Alyssa, how did you know?" Sean''s face reddened.

    "That''s because you don''t have good taste in fashion."

    Sean scratched his head with a sheepish chuckle as he stroked his sleeve with a happy look. "Taty

    made the embroidery on the tie. She even embroidered my initials on the back. It''s one of a kind and

    my favorite gift.

    Nodding, Alyssa grinned. "I can tell that it''s Taty''s work. Knowing you, you would most likely have it

    framed up. Why did you choose to wear it today?"

    "I feel nervous on my first day back to work. Wearing Taty''s creation will calm my nerves. I believe it''s

    also a good luck charm."

    "That''s right. We need to be careful from now on." Squinting, she shed a faint smile. "We are

    marching into battle soon. There''s an evil beast we need to get rid of."

    With a stern look, Sean handed her the documents he had prepared. The KS Group directors had

    taken their seats in the meeting room, including Dominic, who looked upset and aggrieved. They

    engaged in noisy discussions.

    Someone opined, "If Mr. Winston is too sick to oversee thepany operations, you should be the

    next candidate in line to take over his role!"

    Although the directors answered to Winston, some of them pledged their loyalty to Dominic. They had

    started to secretly switch their allegiance after a series of events, from Winston''s illness to Jonah''s

    resignation.

    "Gosh, I''m nothing." Dominic pretended to wave powerlessly. "I might be Winston''s younger brother,

    but as you can see over the years, I have no say inpany matters.

    "Even if Winston steps down and Jonah resigns, they have other sons to take over the job. It will not be

    my turn anytime soon. Please don''t turn me into aughingstock."

    "Winston''s kids are not fit to helm thepany, or else he would have promoted them. They are no

    match for you!"

    "Even if¡ª"

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    The doors to the meeting room flung open while the men were chatting.

 Chapter 1776

    Sean strode into the meeting room with a serious face. Following that, the attendees heard the jarring

    clicks of heels as though their owner was stepping on everyone''s face. It sent a chill down everyone''s

    spine.

    "I was standing at the door for a while. I didn''t want to interrupt you because you seemed to be having

    a great time." Smiling, Alyssa walked into the room. "But the meeting has to go on. Maybe leave the

    chatting for after the meeting."

    Her presence caught everyone off guard, and the directors quietly reyed their conversations just

    now out of fear of having blurted out inappropriate remarks.

    Alyssa came to a sudden halt behind Dominic, who dared not look at her. His heart leaped into his

    throat. He thought, "That little bitch is so intimidating!"

    She said nothing to Dominic. Instead, she gracefully settled down at the head of the table with a

    composed smile.

    She began, "Gentlemen, my father departed the country yesterday for his treatment and recovery

    abroad."

    Carrying herself with an authoritative air, she announced, "I''m sure you have all received the official

    news of my appointment. I am KS Group''s new president starting from the date of announcement.

    "There are two items on our agenda today. Firstly, we need to pick a vice president."

    The directors exchanged amused looks.

    "Ms. Alyssa," Edward Bates, the director who sided with Dominic, blurted out, "you might be Winston''s

    daughter, but you are not fit to be the president yet with your current work experience. Although you

    had some sess with KS Hotel, running a hotel is vastly different from running an entirepany.

    "You need at least two more years of on-the-ground training for us to vote you in as the president."

    "He''s right. Mr. Winston has made a rash decision by forcefully promoting you," the other directors

    chimed in.

    Dominic betrayed a smirk when he heard the growing dissent. Noticing his smug look, Sean had the

    sudden urge to kick him in the teeth.

    "Well, Mr. Bates, since you think my father has acted rashly, do you mind sharing a more thoughtful

    alternative?" Alyssa casually spun her office chair.

    "We agree that Dominic Taylor is the best candidate as president because he is Mr. Winston''s brother

    who has served thepany for three decades."

    Edward was as stubborn as a donkey. He would rather lend his support to Dominic, whom he was

    friendly with than subject himself to the leadership of a young woman.

    He took the chance to put her in the spot. "The board should vote on this important matter. Mr. Winston

    might hold the final say, but he shouldn''t be autocratic!"

    "Oh!" Alyssa tapped her temples and spun her chair back to its original position. "Mr. Bates, thanks for

    reminding me of something really important about Mr. Dominic.

    "Mr. Dominic, you previously lost your money on your huge purchase of rual bonds, and you

    misappropriated 50 million inpany funds. Let''s settle the score today, shall we?"

    The directors looked astonished at her remark. Did Dominic really misuse 50 million dors? Wouldn''t

    that be an abuse of power?

    To the directors, 50 million dors might not be arge figure, but they would not let the matter slide

    after they were made aware of it.

    Dominic jumped out of his seat, looking frantic and furious. "Lyse, what are you doing?"

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    She fixed a stern re on him. "What do you mean? By the way, you should address me professionally

    at work. It''s inappropriate of you to call me by my nickname in front of everyone."

    The directors watched the scene y out with bated breaths. They were surprised at Alyssa''s courage

    to speak her mind, even if it meant offending the others.

    Dominic''s face turned a deeper shade of red. He barked, "Does my brother know about this?"

    "He doesn''t need to know. As the president of KS Group, I believe I can make decisions on this minor

    issue."

 Chapter 1777

    Alyssa leaned into her chair with a faint smile ying on her lips. "Youmented to Winston how broke

    you were, and he paid for that 50 million dors out of his pocket for his only brother.

    "Because of that, he had a stroke, which led to thepany''s situation today. The losses from the

    falling stock price and his medical expenses could amount to billions, but you''re not directly responsible

    for that, so I won''t hold you liable.

    "But you need to return the 50 million dors you misappropriated. It''s only fair to return what you stole.

    It''s not only the rule ofw but also a moral rule."

    The directors fixed astonished looks on Dominic, whose face was twitching from the shock and

    humiliation. Even Edward, who had been speaking up for Dominic, fell silent.

    "The 50 million has been taken care of. Even if Winston was the one paying, it''s considered paid at the

    end of the day!" Seething, Dominic snapped, "This was in the past, but you insisted on bringing it up.

    You''re making a private grudge public!"

    "What made you think that it was all in the past?" The look in Alyssa''s eyes hardened. She mmed

    her hand on the table, shocking everyone. "I take right and wrong seriously. You don''t get to muddle

    through!"

    Dominic turned white as a chill ran down his spine. Sean, meanwhile, watched Alyssa with admiration.

    The exchange was too cathartic for him.

    "KS Group is a publicpany, not your private bank. You don''t get to transfer money out of the

    company as you wish."

    She cast a piercing gaze at Dominic as she sat regally at the table, eliciting the respect of the directors.

    "If I don''t take action against you, it''s not only unfair toward the other directors, but you might createContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    greater trouble the next time since you did not learn your lesson this time.

    "By then, it would be toote to regret. That''s why I need you to pay up!"

    Dominic, knowing he was at a disadvantage, pulled the same trick by iming he was broke. "Even if

    you need me to pay up, I can''te up with that money right away! You won''t possibly make me sell

    my house andnds, right? Renee and I would be sleeping on the streets!"

    He nned to put off the discussion for now. After the meeting, he''d immediately call up Winston to

    comin about Alyssa. Dominic was sure that acting pitiful would earn him the sympathy and help of

    Winston, despite Winston''s affection for his daughter.

    To his dismay, Alyssa said coolly, "Sean, get the document for Mr. Dominic. He needs to take a look."

    "Sure, Ms. Alyssa." Sean walked up to Dominic with a serious face before tossing the document onto

    the table.

    Dominic looked through the pages with a shocked expression.

    Alyssa exined, "I havepiled a list of all the assets under your name. You ran two hotels in

    Sna City and owned ten chain salons in Belbanks and Sna City.

    "You also own a vi each in both Mosgravia and Yoarkley. Those are the assets you currently own.

    After you sell the two vis and the salons, you wille up with that 50 million dors."

    "Alyssa Taylor, you¡ª" Dominic nearly cked out. Was she trying to bankrupt him?

    "You have half a month to take care of this matter. If you refuse to, I''ll get court orders against you."

    Smirking, she added, "By that time, the authorities would find out about the tax evasion that has been

    going on in your hotel and salon businesses."

    The attendees were amazed by the interesting turn of events involving Dominic in their otherwise

    boring day. Trembling, Dominic felt dizzy when he stared at the writings on the document.

    Alyssa hade for him, fully prepared. She had done her homework and looked to the bottom of his

    assets, blindsiding him and badly defeating him.

    "Ms. Alyssa, didn''t you say you have two issues to discuss today?" a director blurted out curiously.

    "The next issue concerns Mr. Dominic as well." Alyssa announced in a determined and melodious

    voice, "Today, I will start the petition to dismiss Dominic Taylor from the roles of thepany chairman

    and executive director."

 Chapter 1778

    Alyssa''s booming voice delivered a great shock to the meeting attendees. Her confidence and

    imposing air reminded them of Winston Taylor.

    Dominic, whose legs were shaking uncontrobly, mustered his courage and mmed his hand on the

    table. He rose in anger to face off against Alyssa. "Alyssa Taylor, you have no right to sack me, even if

    you''re the daughter of the chairman and thepany president!

    "Are you treating the board of directors meeting as your personal yground? You''re out of control.

    You''ll need to start a vote to remove me from my roles!"

    He had taken a jab at Alyssa''s previous remark of him treating thepany as his private bank.

    Alyssa thought him petty and snorted. "Yeah, right. That''s why I convened this meeting to discuss your

    matter."

    As Edward was Dominic''s business partner¡ªhe had even been forced to invest in the two hotels¡ªhe

    could not possibly watch Dominic go down. Once again, he took Dominic''s side. He began, "Alyssa..."

    "She''s Ms. Alyssa for you." Sean shot a frosty look at Edward.

    Edward nearly choked. He quickly changed his way of address. "M-Ms. Alyssa, Dominic has made

    many sacrifices for thepany over the years, and we bore witness to that.

    "Besides, Dominic is your uncle and Winston''s brother. He''s family. To be honest, the misappropriation

    of funds isn''t that big of an issue.

    "Since Mr. Winston has settled the matter, it shows that he wants to put everything behind him. If the

    public learns about this, that will negatively impact KS Group and the Taylors."

    Alyssa put on a look of derision. "Oh, is it not that big of an issue? Fine, Mr. Bates. How about you pay

    up on Mr. Dominic''s behalf?"

    Edward looked upset when he heard the provocation.

    "Dismissing Mr. Dominic from hispany roles is me being kind because I consider him my uncle.

    Otherwise, he would be speaking to the police by now." Wiping away her smile, she warned, "I don''t

    need anyone to worry about my family''s reputation.

    "All I have done is to rid thepany of problematic employees on Dad''s behalf. Even if this gets out,

    anyone with a moralpass will agree that I''ve done the right thing.

    "They will perceive the upper management of KS Group as being fair and strict, as we are willing to

    take action against the family. If everyone here wants the best for thepany, you will have to rid the

    company of problematic individuals."

    The directors went silent. Edward looked stone-faced after Alyssa took subtle jabs at him for being evil

    and a bad judge of character.

    "You don''t have the final say in dismissing me." Dominic again tried to use Winston as his shield in a

    shameless attempt to save himself. "I''ll call Winston and meet him. Your opinion doesn''t matter!" Right

    after that, Sean interjected furiously in a low but intimidating voice, "Mr. Dominic, you cannot throw a fit

    at the board of directors meeting. Besides, Ms. Alyssa has the right to preside over meetings and make

    important decisions on Mr. Winston''s behalf while he recovers.

    "We are proceeding ording to the rules of the charter. Are you against Mr. Winston''s decision, or do

    you hold no respect for Ms. Alyssa at all?"

    "You''re just a secretary! You have no right to raise your voice at me!" Dominic pointed a finger at Sean

    with a vicious scorn on his face. At that moment, he did not behave like an esteemed director of a

    "An ungrateful traitor like you should not bother meeting with Dad. It won''t be good for him." Alyssa

    spun the office chair and showed her back to the directors.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    She did not bother to take a look at Dominic. Ignoring someone was the highest form of contempt.

    "Who are you calling ungrateful? You¡ª"

    "You were the one who leaked the video of Dad''s rpse in that meeting, weren''t you?" She went

    straight to the point, sending shockwaves across the directors, who started having mixed feelings about

    Dominic.

    Dominic''s heart sank. All colors drained from his face. "How could you suspect me? What do I have to

    do with that?"

    "The witnesses of my dad''s rpse are all here today¡ªall of them. They signed NDAs on the incident."

    Her voice took a chilling turn. "Whoever leaked the news will be required to pay arge penalty, not to

    mention being ousted from the board of directors and dismissed from their roles in thepany.

    "Everyone here is well aware of the consequences. None of them would risk losing their jobs and their

    lucrative bonuses just to make a joke out of my dad."

 Chapter 1779

    Panic gripped Dominic, who almost had a heart attack. He could tell that everyone present, including

    Edward, must have signed the NDAs, as no one told him about the agreement.

    "You were the only one at the meeting who didn''t sign an NDA. Besides, only an employee could

    ess the security control room to steal the security footage," Sean exined, disying the evidence

    he had gathered while ring at Dominic.

    Dominic looked worried and frustrated. "KS Group employs a huge number of employees. There are

    thousands of employees working in just this building, and many have ess to the control room.

    You''re just attempting to pin all the me on me!"

    Alyssa smiled in amusement and shook her head. "I wouldn''t have easily traced it back to you if you

    had uploaded the footage through the public WiFi at a train station, airport, or caf¨¦.

    "Perhaps you''re not too familiar with the technicalities ofmitting such an act because of your age.

    You decided to upload the footage with your personalptop and WiFi from theforts of your home,

    thinking that you had nothing to worry about as long as you did it using a burner ount.

    "You could have asked Renee about it. Anyway, it is characteristic of you to be stubborn."

    Alyssa practically roasted and annihted Dominic. The directors felt tickled as they cast judgmental

    looks at him.

    Shocked, furious, and fearful, Dominic''s face contorted. He nearly lost his bnce. "Y-You''re bluffing!"

    "Sean, when the meeting ends, please submit the evidence I''ve gathered to the police. They will find

    out the truth once they look into the file upload process and the IP address."

    Sweating all over, Dominic unknowingly blurted out, "D-Don''t!"

    His face darkened when he realized he had technically admitted to his guilt.

    The directors started gossiping among themselves. "Good grief. How could he hurt his sibling? That''s

    totally unbing!"

    "That''s right. We should probably stay away from Dominic Taylor. If he could harm his brother, he could

    easily do the same to us."

    The murmurs spread across the meeting room. Dominic''s reputation within KS Group was in tatters.

    "Next, we will take a hand vote." Alyssa finally spun her chair to face the directors. She scanned their

    faces while speaking in a calm yet assertive tone. "Those in favor of dismissing Dominic Taylor from his

    role of chairman and executive director, please raise your hand."

    ? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    With that, she raised her slender hand. What followed was a sea of hands. Edward, the director who

    had spoken up for Dominic, was the first to vote yes.

    Dominic propped his trembling arms on the table while staring spitefully at Alyssa. Before this, he had

    joined forces with a few directors to vote Alyssa out as thepany president in this meeting. He had

    nned to bring her down by collective forces to seize power.

    He had even promised the directors some favors if he sessfully became thepany president.

    Not only did his n go down the drain, but he also ended up being ousted. KS Group, it seemed, had

    no ce for him.

    He thought, "Alyssa Taylor, what a vile and ruthless woman you are!"

    "If so, I officially announce that Dominic Taylor will be relieved of all his duties within the KS Group. He

    shall have nothing to do with thepany from now on." Her eyes flickered with a chilling glint.

    She suggested, "Mr. Dominic since you still hold somepany shares, I suggest you stay out of

    company operations and wait for your stock bonus. To protect the welfare of other directors, I have no

    choice but to cklist a disreputable man like you."

    Ashen-faced, Dominic pressed a hand on his chest. He nearly coughed out blood from the huge blow.

    "Moving on, we shall discuss the final agenda of the meeting." Alyssa shed a smile at the attendees

    with a leisurely attitude. "We''ll vote on the vice president of the KS Group board of directors.

    "I have Winston''s vote and mine. So, I hold two votes for now. If anyone would like to rmend a

    candidate, please feel free to voice out. Sean is in charge of keeping the tally. You may vote for

    yourself too."

    Silence descended on the meeting room once more.

 Chapter 1780

    The directors stared at each other hesitantly. Finally, one of the eldest directors spoke up with a

    cautious and polite smile. "We will vote for you, Ms. Alyssa. We shall follow your orders in the future."

    The rest of the directors immediately agreed with him.

    The rest of the meeting went on smoothly after Alyssa settled Dominic. After checking off her three

    items on the agenda, she gracefully sat up in her chair and beamed at the directors. "I appreciate you

    taking the time to attend the meeting.

    "Let''s work well together for the future of KS Group. I won''t take up more of your precious time. That''s

    all for today."

    Then, she marched toward the door in great strides with Sean following closely behind. Once again,

    she came to a stop behind Dominic and turned to face him. Slowly bending over, she whispered to him

    with disdain, "Just look at you. You have nothing to defeat me with."

    Dominic shook in anger.

    She cautioned him, "Uncle Dominic, I won''t hurt you if you find a nice ce to retire in. But if you try

    anything funny, I will do more than just kick you out of thepany."

    "Ms. Alyssa, you were so cool and sassy in there! You were so awesome! Did you see Dominic''s face

    just now?" Sean''s eyes sparkled in excitement when he was on his way back to the president''s office.

    He bbered, "He looked like he had just stepped into shit! That was cathartic!"

    "Did he really think that he could stop me from taking over as president and vice president with the help

    of a few losers? He underestimated me." She walked briskly down the corridor. "I want him to pay

    double for what he has taken from our family."

    "One question, though. Since you have evidence of Dominic harming Mr. Winston, why didn''t you turn

    them over to the police? Let them deal with him. Lock him up for a few weeks."

    "Firstly, getting Dominic under detention will not solve the root issue. Bringing the issue back into the

    spotlight will only hurt Winston''s feelings for the second time." She looked pensive and worried.

    "Secondly, we need to hit him where it hurts.

    "Dominic had his Achilles'' heel in his title within the KS Group, while Winston had his own

    vulnerabilities. He had only been able to lie and scam because he was Winston''s brother and a director

    of KS Group.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Winston turned a blind eye to Dominic''s activities only because Dominic was his brother. Too bad that

    won''t work with me. I can''t tolerate any single misstep, not to mention Dominic''s bullshit!"

    Though Sean was angry at Dominic, he felt tickled by Alyssa''s cursing. They arrived at her office. She

    promptly entered the room, but Sean sensibly stayed by the door.

    "Jasper?" Her eyes widened at the sight of Jasper, and her heart pounded wildly. He stood in the

    center of her office, looking tall and hot and holding a bunch of gorgeous roses in full bloom. With one

    look, she could tell that he had bought a bouquet of 999 roses.

    "You seem to be in high spirits. The meeting must have gone well." Jasper plucked the most brilliant

    rose in the bouquet and went up to her with an affectionate look.

    He went on one knee and handed her the rose. He said in a raspy, low voice, "Darling, you''ve had a

    long day. This is a token of appreciation. Hope you like it."

    Tearing up, she touched the rose and tried to stay calm. She teased, "Is this a Pr Star Rose? You

    have good taste. It''s lovely."

    Without warning, he grabbed her wrist while he stood up. cing a hand on the small of her back, he

    gently bit her on her Cupid''s bow. The protrusion felt soft and squishy like a gummy.

    "You''re lovelier than the roses."

 Chapter 1781

    Jasper gently held Alyssa''s chin as he kissed her on the lips, smudging her lipstick. He traced her lips

    with his, as he relished in her loveliness.

    After reveling in a passionate kiss, they parted right before mes of desire further consumed them.

    Staring at her flushed cheeks and moist lips, he smiled in satisfaction. "Your lips are lovelier than the

    roses."

    "You''re such a clingy man. Every time we meet, you will ask for a kiss or more. Can you give me a

    breather? Gosh!" She slid into his arms and poked him on the chest, her favorite move when she flirted

    with him.

    Every time she was in a low mood, she''d poke or caress his chest. The physical touch almost always

    cheered her up.

    "Well, I want to kiss you and take you. Will you allow me to? Hm?" Jasper whispered affectionately, his

    lips brushing against her earlobe.

    Shuddering slightly, she offered an answer in the form of a deep blush on her cheeks.

    They cuddled on the couch and stared at the ming roses, savoring each moment of happiness.

    "Thanks for finding out Dominic''s tax evasion. We held this over his head and forced him to return the

    50 million dors he misappropriated from thepany." She yfully scratched the bottom of his chin

    with a look of admiration. "Lady Jasper, you are indeed capable of sharing my burden. I''m pleased."

    Wrapping her arms around his neck, she flirtatiously kissed his lips. "You shall be handsomely

    rewarded tonight."

    "Thank you, Your Majesty," Jasper replied gently.

    Usually reserved and serious, he looked exceptionally obedient around Alyssa. He''d y along with

    her when she was in the mood.

    "Pfft. You do look like a boy toy at this moment." She rubbed her fingertips around his lips. "You look a

    little shameless, but I like it."

    "Now that Dominic Taylor has been sacked from KS Group and saddled with 50 million worth of debt..."

    He grasped her hand softly. "...Lyse, do we stop here?"

    "Stop?" She snorted and arched her brow. "We must hit him where it hurts. As an evil bitch, I shall not

    go easy on that loser."

    He tried to hold back augh upon hearing her remark.

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    "It might appear like I spared him, but I can always stab him in the back." Snuggling against him and

    adjusting her position, she remarked, "Dominic''s two hotels are doing well this year.

    "Mr. Bates has also invested in that business. But businesses like these almost alwaysmit tax

    evasion¡ªeasily in tens of millions."

    "Do you want to deal an even greater blow at Dominic Taylor?" Jasper squinted. "That''s a walk in the

    park."

    "Yes. Only by doing so, we will send a warning to Mr. Bates. He will know which side to pick in the KS

    Group for his own good." Alyssa wagged her finger. "He won''t have a future working with Dominic

    Taylor."

    At that moment, Jasper received a call from Xavier. "Xavier, what''s up?"

    "Mr. Beckett, Victor Schmidt''s attorney visited Josh at the detention center today." Xavier delivered the

    latest news with worry. "Will there be any unweed changes? Will the Schmidt Group exploit

    loopholes to bail out that bastard?"

    "No, they won''t. There is solid evidence against Josh Schmidt, and he will never make aeback

    again." The look in Jasper''s eyes hardened. "If Victor sends his attorney to Josh, it could only mean

    he''s about to settle the score."

    Grinning knowingly, Alyssamented, "Oh, looks like the Schmidt Group will see a tilt of scales.

    Some vicious serpent hiding in the dark might start panicking because things aren''t working out for

    him."

    Victor stared at the agreement for the transfer of shares, which had been signed by Josh, in a hospital

    room in Belbanks. His expression was hard to read.

    "Mr. Victor, are you not going to visit Mr. Josh for onest time?" Corey Blunt, Victor''s secretary, asked

    hesitantly.

    Victor asked icily, "Did Josh send any message to me?" The detachment in his tone felt like he was

    talking about a stranger instead of his son.

    The Schmidts were as cold-blooded as reptiles. While they experienced a multitude of emotions just

    like anyone else, they also possessed a remarkable ability topartmentalize their feelings,

    seamlessly reverting to their power struggles as though such Machiavellian machinations were the sole

    reason that kept them going.

 Chapter 1782

    Corey gasped in shock, "Word by word?"

    Victor barked at him, "Of course! Nonsense!"

    "Uh, Mr. Josh said... marrying that bitch is the dumbest decision you made in your life."

    "Oh, fuck him!" Victor punched his bed and glowered in resentment. "The dumbest choice I made in life

    was putting unconditional trust in him, nurturing and promoting him to the role ofpany president. It

    was my error in judgment."

    At the end of the day, Victor acknowledged that he had made unwise decisions as he recalled the

    events that had happened at the cocktail party.

    Josh had schemed against him and Lily but kept it a secret for years, which led to his reputation loss

    and created a crisis for the Schmidt Group. He was suddenly gripped with the murderous urge to face

    off against Josh in the detention center.

    "Mr. Josh also imed that Mr. Jameson did note home to Sna City from Kontina to help you

    out. Mr. Jameson has always been sharpening his knife and bidding his time to avenge his mother and

    take over the Schmidt Group."

    Given the seriousness of the situation, Corey had no choice but to repeat Josh''sst message word by

    word. "Mr. Josh stated that it might appear that the Taylors had caused Mr. David and Ms. Daisy''s

    misfortune, but in fact, Mr. Jameson was behind everything.

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    "Now that Mr. Josh and his siblings are taken down, he believes you will be Mr. Jameson''s next target."

    Victor jolted in shock as his face paled. Thinking back, the scandals and troubles that gued the

    Schmidt Group started at the time of Jameson''s return.

    Victor was in the dark when his three children joined forces to hurt Lily, but he dealt Lily and Jameson

    the heaviest blow by believing in malicious and dubious ims, dumping the mother and son at the

    dangerous Kontina for 15 years without once checking on them.

    A chill traveled down his spine. Any trace of guilt he felt for Lily and Jameson was swiftly reced with

    fear and rage.

    All of a sudden, the door to Victor''s room opened. Jameson showed up with a frosty expression on his

    good-looking face. The smiling look in his eyes was rather unnerving.

    Victor flinched and instinctively tried to hide the agreement in his hand, but it was toote. Jameson

    had seen the document the moment he entered the room, which fueled his viciousness.

    "Why are you here?" Victor maintained hisposure as he handed the agreement to Corey.

    "Dad, I''m your only son left." Jameson wore a gleeful expression. "Who else is going to visit you, if not

    me?"

    He wandered over to the couch and took a seat. Shaking his legs, he appeared cocky as he had the

    upper hand. He did not ord the patriarch of the family any respect.

    Victor said, "I''m fine. It''s a minor health issue. You may go."

    "Aside from visiting you, I have another update for you." Jameson said leisurely, "Tomorrow, I''ll pick

    Mom up and move her into the Schmidt Manor."

    "No! I object!" Enraged, Victor promptly shot down the notion. "I am no longer her legal spouse. It''s not

    right for us to live under the same roof. Besides, your mom is sick in her mind. She should be housed

    at the hospital. What if she rpses?"

    "Don''t you recognize your mistakes?"

    "I should be the one who asks that question!" Though guilty, Victor experienced a moment of rity,

    perhaps due to his outrage. "What was your intention behind the revtion at the family gathering? You

    must have nned this out.

    "You plunged thepany into a crisis and showed up as a savior at the most crucial moment. Then,

    you defeated Josh, won my trust, and forced me to appoint you as thepany president.

    "It''s true that a person''s character isrgely established by the time they are very young. You jerk...

    You''ve been a cunning rascal since you were a kid, and nothing has changed. I nearly walked into your

    trap!"

    Jameson scoffed indifferently. "Dad, are you confused because you are sick or senile? I have nothing

    to gain by putting thepany in trouble. I bet it was Josh who sent you the message, wasn''t it? After

    all, you aren''t bright enough toe to that conclusion."

    Victor felt a pain in his chest from the anger. "You¡ª"

    "Since we''re caught in this situation, I suggest you listen to me. Otherwise, please find someone else to

    solve the crisis." Jameson''s suggestion sounded more like a threat.

    Smirking, he warned provocatively, "If you agree to wee Mom to Schmidt Manor and transfer

    Josh''s stocks to me, I will resolve thepany crisis for you. Not only that, I will inject a huge amount

    of capital into thepany. It all depends on your choice."

 Chapter 1783

    Jameson had openly disyed his ambitions. Victor finally saw his true colors.

    Had he not fallen for Jameson''s perfect acting, and had he trusted Josh more, he wouldn''t have met

    with the dilemma. He regretted not keeping Josh as the president, instead oppressing him and

    unknowingly offering Jameson an opportunity to take power.

    It didn''t matter if Jameson helped thepany out of the crisis. Victor knew that he would go against

    his own interest by negotiating with a sly opponent like Jameson, even if Jameson were his son.

    Trying to be rational, Victor calmed down and caved in. His tone softened. "Jimmy, I allow Lily to stay

    with us at the Schmidt Manor, but I can''t transfer the stocks to you as you wish."

    Jameson adjusted his sses. He quipped, "Well, but didn''t Josh transfer his stocks to you as you

    wish?"

    "Josh is serving concurrent sentences; I''m afraid he''ll spend the rest of his life in prison. Since rissa

    has divorced him, I will be the one to inherit hispany shares. I have the right to take his shares."

    Despite hating Jameson with all his might, he had to y along as he didn''t have anyone else to rely

    on except for Jameson. "Any major changes to the stock ownership structure will shake the power

    foundation. And that will require a vote from the board of directors.

    "The board has been upset with me for appointing you as the president. After all the crisis, I suggest

    that we don''t hurt the morale at this moment. If you perform well in your role, you will be the heir of

    Schmidt Group without having to fight for it."

    Victor''s intention was clear. He was making empty promises in the hope of keeping Jameson around to

    work for the Schmidt Group. On top of that, he was subtly reminding Jameson that thepany

    president was nothing more than a senior employee.

    As long as Victor held the majority of stocks and retained control over the board, kicking Jameson out

    of the Schmidt Group was a cakewalk.

    "Hah. Got it." Jameson''s expression was gloomy like a storm, but he said nothing. He silently rose and

    marched out of the room without saying goodbye to Victor.

    Victor, infuriated by Jameson''s attitude, had to swallow a bunch of pills as his heart was acting up

    again.

    Jameson punched the car window spitefully. Carl, clenching his jaw, hissed, "Is that old fart refusing to

    transfer Josh''s stocks to you? You''re his only hope now. Sooner orter, you''ll take over the Schmidt

    Group. Why is he stubbornly clinging to the stocks? It''s not like he could bring them to the afterlife."

    "Yeah, that might be true, but I''m afraid Sir is getting impatient." Jameson irritatedly tugged at his tie.

    He was filled with frustration. "Victor and I are publicly at war now, even if we haven''t had a fallout."

    "At the end of the day, it was Jasper Beckett''s fault for talking Ms. Alyssa into ruining your ns!" Carl

    could barely contain his anger. "Mr. Schmidt, we can''t have them leading us by the nose. We need to

    hit back at them!"

    Jameson''s eyes gleamed with malice. Then, he pulled out his phone. Just as he was about to call Zoe,

    he received a call that made his chest tighten.

    After some hesitation, he answered the call with caution and respect. "Sir."

    "Have you managed to acquire Josh''s stocks?" Justin inquired with a melodic yet impassive tone.

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    "Forgive me, Sir." Jameson sat up straight. "There are some unexpected changes. Josh was arrested

    by the police at the party. As such, the leverage I held against him..."

    "...were of no use," Justin concluded the sentence unemotionally.

    "Sir, I''m very sorry. But fret not, I will find a way as soon as possible¡ª"

    "How are you going to do that?" Justin''s voice reeked of an aristocratic disdain. "Had you gotten your

    hands on Josh''s stocks, you might have stood a chance to contend with your dad. But at present, your

    dad still holds the majority of thepany stocks. To him, you''re nothing more than a senior

    employee."

    The "senior employee" description was a source of humiliation for Jameson.

    Justin snorted at Jameson''s stunned silence. Then, he quietly inquired, "Is your dad recently

    hospitalized because of some health issues?"

    "Yes."

    "Heart problems?"

    "That''s right, but it isn''t as serious as it sounds."

    "Your father is an old man who doesn''t take good care of his health. Minor health issues might lead to

    seriousplications, even death. Don''t you agree, Mr. Schmidt?"

    The undertone in Justin''s calm remark struck Jameson like lightning. A chilling sensation spread across

    his body. He replied, "I understood."

    "The man you asked for has arrived at The Millennium. Ms. Altman is currently hosting him. I hope you

    won''t disappoint me this time." Justin hung up without waiting for Jameson''s answer.

    A deadly silence hung in the air.

    "M-Mr. Schmidt, Sir didn''t put you in a tight spot, did he?" Carl cautiously questioned.

    Jameson clutched his phone tighter with a menacing look in his eyes. "Head back to The Millennium

    now."

 Chapter 1784

    Bad news spread like wildfire. News of Dominic being kicked out of the board of directors and fired due

    to misappropriation ofpany funds spread through thepany in no time. It was certainly a

    cathartic event.

    Dominic''s abuse of power was a known secret within thepany for many years. Therefore,

    everyone was d to see Alyssa purging individuals like Dominic right after she was appointed the

    company president.

    Dominic went home in despair. Upon stepping into the house, he flung his coat at the maid in anger.

    Taken aback by his action, the maid failed to catch the coat in time. The coat fell onto the floor.

    However, such an insignificant event triggered Dominic, who went up and kicked the maid, causing her

    to wince in pain on the floor and struggle to get up.

    He growled, "Useless thing! Get lost!"

    At that moment, Renee rushed over with a worried look. "Dad, is it true that you''re sacked?"

    Even Renee, who only cared about shopping and getting beauty enhancements, had heard the news.

    This went to show the gravity of the situation. It must have traveled through the Belbanks business

    circles.

    Jumping in anger, Dominic swept everything off the coffee table. He had nned to teach Alyssa a

    lesson at the board of directors meeting since Winston and Jonah weren''t around. He had never

    expected to be humiliated and utterly defeated by Alyssa instead.

    "Of course it''s true! You heard about it, didn''t you?" His lips twitched in fury.

    "What do I do, now that you''re sacked from KS Group?" Worried sick, Renee grabbed his arm and

    swung it. "How could I show my face in the socialite circle from now on? The rich guys and girls are

    snobby.

    "They won''t want to hang out with me if they learn that you''ve been kicked out of KS Group. How am I

    supposed to find a rich husband?"

    Dominic was gued by worries at the thought of Renee''s marriage prospects. His failure was directly

    tied to her future marriage. He snapped, "Well, this is all thanks to that bitch Alyssa Taylor! She''s acting

    like the king when there''s no reigning monarch around!"

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    "Dad, will you beg Uncle Winston for mercy? You''re his only brother, and he dotes on you. Ask him for

    help, and he might¡ª" "No!" Dominic waved and shrugged her hand off his arm. "Alyssa knew it was

    me who leaked the footage of Winston''s rpse. She probably has not told Winston about it, or it will

    be chaos out there by now.

    "If I beg Winston for help, Alyssa will surely tell him the truth. Winston is a decent guy with one w¡ª

    he has a massive ego. He might cut ties with me if he learns that I was the reason for his public

    humiliation. I can''t count on Winston anymore!"

    Looking bewildered, Renee remarked, "So... Are you saying that she''s threatening you with the

    information about the footage? Did she foresee you asking Uncle Winston for help? Woah, what a

    cunning bitch!"

    Dominic sank into deep thoughts with a malicious gleam in his eyes. Deep inside, he knew that

    Winston did not protect him out of sibling affection. Winston had only spared him time after time, given

    that he had saved the life of Jennifer.

    Jennifer, Winston''s lovely wife, who had passed away 20 years ago, was the reason Winston had

    protected Dominic for 20 years.

    However, Dominic could not depend on Winston anymore now that Alyssa was in power. He needed to

    figure out another way of defending himself.

    "Ah¡ªMr. Dominic, I have bad news!" Dominic''s secretary screamed as he stumbled into the house.

    "Just now, the tax authorities have raided two hotels under your name and five salons under Ms.

    Renee''s name!"

    Dominic and Renee turned white in shock. "What?"

    "Initial estimates showed that you would have to repay 20 million dors in tax evasion for the two

    hotels. We haven''t calcted the amount in tax evasion by the five beauty salons, but if we do the

    math, we are looking at 40 to 50 million dors to be repaid for tax evasion.

    "By the way, I received a call from Mr. Bates on the way here. He said he called you a few times, but

    you didn''t pick up. He wanted me to pass a message to you¡ªhe''d like you to reimburse him for every

    single cent of his investment loss in your hotel business, or he won''t let this slide."

    Upon hearing that, Renee copsed on the couch with a vacant expression. Simrly, Dominic nearly

    fainted from the emotional turmoil, which also brought him acute chest pains.

    "Alyssa Taylor, how dare you stab me in the back? We''re sworn enemies now!"

    Jameson hurried back to The Millennium at lightning speed. After all, he couldn''t afford to keep Sir''s

    man waiting, even if the man was a mere subordinate.

    Amber greeted him upon his arrival. He asked coldly, "Is he here?"

    "Yes. He''s waiting in the lounge."

    "Is he easygoing?"

    Frowning, she replied, "He doesn''t speak much. And he''s quite weird."

    "Weird?"

    "You''ll know when you see him."

    Jameson walked over to the lounge. She held the door open for him. Before entering, he said to her,

    "Wait at the door."

    He disappeared into the lounge as Amber''s expression froze. Curling her fingers, she slowly realized

    his growing suspicion toward her.

    If she did not get rid of Axel, she would soon be kept out of Jameson''s inner circle. She could picture

    the fate that awaited her if that happened.

    Seated in the expansive lounge was a tall, striking man d in a ck leather jacketyered over a

    ck hoodie. He was drinking vodka shots alone.

    The man looked stoic and unapproachable. He effortlessly consumed one shot after another as though

    the highly concentrated vodka was water.

    Jameson collected himself and went up to the man with a smile. "You must have been tired after the

    traveling."

    The man ignored him and continued taking the shots. Jameson was irked by his insolence but

    remained patient and friendly, given that the man was sent by Sir. "May I know your name?"

    The man introduced himself in a detached and raspy voice, "I''m Remy Lexington."

    "I''m Jameson Schmidt. I oversee Sir''s businesses in Kontina and Sna City. Nice to meet you."

    Jameson reached out for a handshake just as Remy nced up.

    The dim lighting and Remy''s fringe had obstructed Jameson''s view of his face until that moment.

    When Remy looked up, Jameson finally managed to take a good look at the man. Remy Lexington had

    straight brows and chiseled features, with deep, intimidating eyes that bore a weathered look.

    Jameson was stunned at Remy''s attractive features. Remy suddenly questioned with an icy edge in his

    tone, "And who is it that you want to kill?"

 Chapter 1785

    Jameson was caught off guard by Remy''s direct question. Remy said to him, "Just send me that

    person''s full name, address, and photo. Nothing more." Then, he returned to drinking.

    Jameson stared at Remy''s face with a fake smile. "I don''t need you to kill. All you need is to get hold of

    this person to make things easy for my men. That''s it."

    "Got it. Send me the details." With that, Remy downed thest shot of vodka, rose from the seat with

    hands in pockets, and marched steadily out of the door.

    Amazingly, he managed to walk straight even after all the drinking.

    Jameson notified him, "I''ve arranged a premium suite for you. You may take a rest upstairs."

    "Sir has made lodging arrangements for me, and I shall only listen to him." Remy shut the door behind

    him, leaving Jameson standing alone in the dark.

    Jameson grabbed his phone and searched for a name. The search results returned a few news articles

    from many years ago, but the photos were clear.

    Amber happened to enter the lounge. Staring at his shaking body, she cautiously prodded, "M-Mr.

    Schmidt, are you alright?"

    Jameson suddenly let out an eerie cackle while staring at his phone, giving Amber goosebumps.

    "Sir is indeed something. There''s no one else more capable than you, Remy Lexington." Falling onto

    the couch, Jameson nearly ran out of breath from all theughing. His normally pale face was colored

    with blush. "Jasper Beckett, we shall see. This man is your true rival!"

    Amber felt a bone-chilling sensation spreading across her body as Jamesonughed like a maniac.

    She had a feeling that he might know the assassin from just now, and they seemed to share a history.

    The consecutive huge scandals created shockwaves across Sna City and Belbanks. On one hand,

    Josh Schmidt''s arrest plunged the Schmidt Group into an unsalvageable reputational crisis. The media

    created sensational headlines on Victor''s hospitalization. Many social media ounts had fakely

    announced his death many times.

    On the other hand, Alyssa had just taken over as the KS Group president, and she immediately taught

    Dominic a lesson. She had purged thepany of corrupted individuals, even taking back the 50

    million dors on Winston''s behalf.

    The 50 million dors might not be a lot to the Taylors, but Alyssa refused to let Dominic, the ingrate,

    take advantage of her family.

    However, she did not return the 50 million dors retrieved from Dominic to thepany. Instead, she

    donated the money to the charity fund Jasper had established under his mother''s name.

    Meanwhile, the Harper Group was about to host a board of directors meeting in the morning. Landon

    woke up very early. After he washed up and got dressed, Lauren remained quietly sleeping in the bed

    with her teddy bear in her arms. She breathed softly through her moist and supple lips.

    The night before, Landon couldn''t help but make love to her. When they were going at it, she sobbed

    into his shoulder while telling him that she''d wake up early to help dress him, prepare coffee, and make

    breakfast. Knowing that the board of directors meeting was an important day for Landon, she wanted to

    take it seriously as his wife.

    Landon softly agreed to her suggestion while plowing her with greater intensity, causing her body to

    ache and melt in his embrace. After they were done, she drifted to sleep out of exhaustion.

    Landon, aware of Lauren''s habits, knew that she''d sleep in the next day if they made love the night

    before.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1786

    All Landon wanted was for Lauren to lounge around. He did not expect anything from her, except to

    wait for him at home. That was the idea of a happy married life he pictured.

    While staring deeply at Lauren''s sleeping face, Landon felt aroused, but he managed to keep his desire

    under control. He leaned over to nt soft, greedy kisses over her. After caressing her face and

    professing his love for her a few times, he reluctantly left the bedroom.

    Downstairs, Angelina and a newly promoted secretary were waiting for him. Now that Angelina had

    been appointed as Lauren''s assistant and bodyguard, Landon needed someone trustworthy by his

    side. Hence, she rmended her junior, Jordan Diaz, to take her ce as Landon''s newest

    secretary.

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    "Mr. Landon!" The two of them greeted him at the same time.

    "Angie, guard the house and look after Lauren." With Jordan''s help, Landon put on his ck coat. He

    solemnly repeated the daily reminder to Angelina, "Call me if anything happens, even if I''m in the

    middle of a meeting. Call me at any time. There''s nothing more important than Lauren."

    "Of course, Mr. Landon." Angelina nodded.

    "Ms. Angie, we''re leaving now." Jordan stared at Angelina with excitement and anticipation.

    "Go. Be good to Mr. Landon." She furrowed her brows, worrying over her junior like a mother over her

    son.

    Jordan gestured "okay" at her and followed Landon out of the house. Angelina let out a relieved sigh

    and a smile after Landon''s car left thepound. Her longtime efforts finally bore fruit.

    She figured that Lauren might sleep in for a little longer. So, she went to the kitchen to make breakfast

    for Lauren.

    Soon after, she heard the doorbell ring. Thinking it was Landon who had forgotten something at home,

    she untied her apron and ran to the entrance hallway.

    To her surprise, she saw a stranger''s face in the security footage. Dressed in a ck suit, the man

    looked handsome and smart. He looked squarely at Angelina, exuding a masculine and intimidating air.

    Her chest tightened, and even her veins throbbed violently from the perceived threat. Rarely had

    anyone managed to intimidate her.

    "Who are you?" She warily stared at the man and slowly took a few steps backward, even touching the

    gun that she kept on her waist.

    "I''m from the Harper Group," the man replied with a straight face and a no-nonsense attitude. "I am

    here to pick up Ms. Lauren on Mr. Harper Senior''s orders."

    "I did not receive any instructions. Besides, no one has the right to take Madam Lauren without Mr.

    Landon''s permission." Her eyes clouded with fear and confusion as she gripped her gun. "Who exactly

    are you?

    The visitor''s patience seemed to have worn thin. He grabbed something from within his jacket and

    ced it on the security lock on the door. After a press of a button, the bomblike item made a beeping

    sound, followed by a dull explosion.

    The highly-secured smart lock was bombed open in no time.

 Chapter 1787

    Angelina red at the door with a threatening gleam in her eyes. She raised her arm, pointing her gun

    at the man who barged into the vi.

    Right as she was about to pull the trigger, the intruder swiftly kicked her weapon away. The pain in her

    hand caused her to sweat over the forehead.

    Before she had a chance to breathe, she snatched a fruit knife from the coffee table and aimed it at his

    chest. The two engaged in a hair-raising battle.

    Angelina was trained in Close Quarters Combat, a technique learned by assassins, from a young age.

    However, she gradually found herself weakening after ten rounds of fighting with the devilish intruder,

    who was a killing machine.

    She narrowly missed a few of his fatal attacks, nearly getting her throat slit.

    "Ouch¡ª" Soon, the intruder figured out the w in her technique and attacked her ordingly. He

    pinned her arm, grabbed the knife from her, and kicked her hard on the back.

    Angelina limply copsed onto the floor after the attack. As if that weren''t enough, the intruder stabbed

    her in the left leg with the knife to render herpletely defenseless.

    "You are... You''re not from the Harper Group. No one from the Harper Group acts in the way you do!"

    The excruciating pain made her see stars. Even then, she did not cry and beg for mercy. Gritting her

    teeth, she trembled in agony.

    She questioned, "Who sent you? Who are you working for?"

    Remy remained silent in the face of her interrogation. As a professional assassin, he always strove to

    speak less and work more.

    Although the vi had exceptional soundproofing qualities, Lauren stirred awake after hearing the huge

    commotion downstairs. Rubbing her eyes, she slowly sat up in bed, only for silence to return, as though

    everything that had happened was an illusion.

    She put on her jacket, hugged her teddy bear, and slowly made her way to the first floor. "Angie?

    Angie?"

    She inhaled sharply halfway through the stairs because Angelina was nowhere to be found. All she

    could see was Remy sitting carelessly on the couch and peeling an apple with the knife.

    "Who. Who are you?" Holding her breath, she felt her legs shaking.

    Remy looked up coldly and emotionlessly at the pretty youngdy. "Are you Ms. Lauren?"

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    Lauren froze at the question. She did not move or answer him, but her silence was a tacit admission.

    Remy peeled the apple skin without breaking it. Then, he sliced the apple. Before eating it, he gave it

    some thought and asked her, "Want some apple?"

    She shook her head with a frantic look in her eyes.

    Remy chewed on the apple slice. He exined, "Ms. Lauren, Mr. Harper Senior sent me here to pick

    you up."

    "Where''s Angie?" Staring squarely at him, she quietly unlocked her phone behind her back.

    "Ms. Lauren, please do not move." Remy monitored each of her moves without having to look at her.

    He warned her coldly, "Do not move if you still wish to see Angie alive."

 Chapter 1788

    Lauren''s phone was confiscated, and she was asked to get into a car. Drenched in cold sweat, her

    petite frame trembled as she stood beside Remy, desperately clutching her teddy bear.

    In the face of unknown danger, she did not cry or make a fuss. Neither did she beg Remy to spare her.

    Instead, she stood there like a lovely, vulnerable doll open to abuse, which only evoked pity.

    Before leaving the vi, Remy stole two more apples. This time, he munched on one of them while

    handing Lauren the other.

    He asked, "Do you want one?"

    She slowly raised her head. Her cheeks and lips were pallid. Strands of her hair clung onto her cheek

    from all the sweating. She replied in a soft voice, "Did the Harper Group... make you pick me up?"

    He silently withdrew the apple he had offered her.

    "Are you going to kill me?" she questioned.

    To that, he replied sinisterly, "sh sh."

    "Don''t give Angie trouble if I''m your target." Lauren felt more determined and brave at the thought of

    saving Angelina. Her courage warded off any lingering fear. "I won''t run away if you promise to keep

    Angie safe. I can give my life in exchange for hers."

    Remy merely cast a careless nce at her and pressed his lips together.

    At that moment, his phone vibrated from an iing call. After stealing a quick nce at the screen,

    he answered the call with a hint of respect, "Sir."

    "Got her?"

    Lauren perked up because the voice seemed familiar to her. When she was about to listen closely,

    Remy vigntly switched the phone to another side to stop her from eavesdropping.

    He said to the man, "Yes."

    "Did Jameson Schmidt want you to kill her off?"

    "No. He just wanted me to bring her to him."

    The man on the other end chuckled. "Well, Mr. Schmidt is the best at the game of torture."

    Remy, still looking impassive, wondered, "Since he doesn''t need me to kill, am I free to go after I

    brought the woman to him?"

    "Not yet. Assist Mr. Schmidt to the best of your ability. Take all of his orders.

    Remy replied tly, "Of course."

    To Lauren''s surprise, she was brought to the Harper Group office building. She grappled with mixed

    emotions, knowing she was in the same vicinity as Landon.

    Remy guided her through the building, but they miraculously did not run into anyone. Someone had

    clearly made arrangements to sneak her into the building without anyone noticing.

    After a long journey, Remy forced her to stop in front of a white wall. He knocked five times on the wall,

    and a crack appeared. The gap gradually widened to reveal a room within.

    The existence of the room was only known to Cornelius Harper. Back in the day, he had made many

    enemies due to his ambition to expand his business. For his safety, he secretly set up a hidden safe

    room near his office within the Harper Group building.

    In a twisted move, the mastermind behind the abduction had decided to confine Landon''s lover in the

    safe room.

    "Get in there," Remy ordered coldly.

    Lauren''s eyes wavered as she peered into the room that was engulfed in total darkness. She hesitated

    until she suddenly felt the teddy bear taken from her arms. Remy had snatched her toy from her, after

    which he shoved her into the darkness.

    "No¡ª" Her heart raced, and her eyes dripped in fear.

    Darkness enveloped Lauren after the door mmed shut.

    The safe room was insted. Even Remy, who was separated from Lauren by a wall, could not hear a

    sound from within. He frowned as he studied the teddy bear in his hand, which was drenched in

    Lauren''s sweat.

    At that moment, he heard Jameson''s satisfied voice from his earpiece. Jameson said to him, "Mr.

    Lexington, well done. You havepleted your mission, and you may leave."

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    "I don''t get it." Squishing the teddy bear, Remy questioned, "Why would you do this?"

    "That woman is Landon''s life." Jameson chuckled with a chilling derision. "Taking her life is not the

    worst punishment. It will only be a satisfying revenge if I separate them and make Landon Harper

    watch helplessly as his woman struggles in agony."

 Chapter 1789

    "Teddy bear... My teddy bear..."

    In the suffocating darkness, Lauren had her back firmly against the ice-cold wall. She curled up into a

    ball and was shivering all over.

    Remy had taken her teddy bear away from her. It was like her soul had been broken and all her energy

    was sucked away from her.

    Her mind was nk. Cold sweat dripped down the side of her cheeks like raindrops.

    "Landon. Where are you. Please save me."

    Suddenly, all the lights in the room lit up.

    A beam of cold, white light shone on Lauren''s face. The harsh light made her feel like she was being

    interrogated. Her mental state, which was already on the brink of falling apart, was being triggered

    once again.

    "Landon. I''m scared. Landon." Lauren shut her eyes. Even so, tears continued to flow from the slits of

    her eyes.

    She couldn''t recall anything.

    Even every loving moment that she spent with Landon in the past was gradually drifting away from her

    mind. The memories became distorted, and they drifted further and further away from her.

    The enormous screen on the wall suddenly lit up.

    Lauren forced her swollen eyes open. Tears filled her reddened eyes.

    The screen showed a woman whose body was covered in wounds. She was bound and her eyes were

    blindfolded with a ck cloth.

    When Lauren noticed that the woman was Angelina. It was like a bomb went off in her head.

    She lost itpletely.

    In Harper Group''s meeting room, the board meeting was held as nned.

    Cornelius, the chairman, was seated in the middle of the conference table. He was like amander

    who led a group of followers through the storm to build Harper Group. He was like royalty in the

    corporation.

    Although Cornelius had slowly transitioned responsibilities into Landon''s hands, there were still a few

    senior employees who refused to submit to Landon''s leadership. They insisted on having Cornelius as

    their leader.

    That wasn''t the only reason. More than that, they were afraid that Landon, upon being promoted, would

    rewrite the rules. The thought of their power dwindling and interfering with their financial gains filled

    them with apprehension.

    Being in support of Preston''s promotion would only bring Harper Group to ruins. Despite knowing that,

    not all of them had hopes for Harper Group to have a good future.

    Some of them only hoped that their immediate gains could be maximized.

    This also became the main reason why Preston had a chance topete against Landon although he

    wasn''t as capable.

    Cornelius remained calm. He cleared his throat and looked at the meeting attendees with an imposing

    gaze. "I''m sure everyone here knows what it is that I''m about to announce in today''s meeting."

    Landon furrowed his brows. An inexplicable feeling of uneasiness rose in his heart. The anxiousness

    was making it difficult for him to breathe.

    Since the meetingmenced, he peered at his phone every couple of minutes. He wasn''t sure why

    he was feeling anxious. Regardless, his heart just kept pounding and he was unable to calm himself

    down.

    Everyone directed their gaze toward Landon.

    Preston was sitting right across from him. With a piercing gaze, he red at him grudgingly.

    A few secondster, however, he curled his lips into a cunning yet inconspicuous smile.

    "I hereby announce that my grandson, Landon, will be stepping up as the new president of Harper

    Group. With that, he will also be an official board member!" Cornelius loudly dered.

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    The seated attendees were about to apud when Preston got to his feet slowly. He eximed, "I

    object!"

    All of a sudden, the entire room fell silent.

 Chapter 1790

    Preston looked like he was trying to conceal his ill intentions. Landon stared at him through his dark

    and ferocious eyes.

    That stare was full of threat indeed! In an instant, Preston felt like he was being choked. His chest

    tightened.

    However, on second thought, he figured that he didn''t have to fear Landon. He was his uncle and

    Cornelius'' only son. All he wanted was to fight Landon to death, no matter the cost.

    Cornelius stayed silent for a moment. Then, he said in a low voice, "Preston, all these while, Landon''s

    reputation in the outside world and his business capabilities are pristine. In other words, he is the best

    candidate to be Harper Group''s president.

    "You have to give us a reason why you''re stepping out to oppose this."

    Preston puffed up his chest and lifted his head high. He shot a quick side nce at Landon''s frigid face

    before turning to Cornelius.

    "Dad."

    "We are at a work meeting right now," Cornelius reminded. One thing that Cornelius always disliked

    about Preston was his unseriousness.

    He was poles apart with his eldest son, Landon''s father, who had passed away. They were

    iparable.

    "Mr. Cornelius." Preston changed his address unwillingly. "You pushed for Landon to be the

    president because you''ve identified him as the sessor of our family. Is that right?"

    Cornelius nodded.

    "Since this is the case, that means that Landon''s status is extremely important."

    Preston looked like he was brewing a storm in a teacup. He continued to tter Landon. "Not only is he

    Harper Group''s president, as your only grandson, he is also the hope of our entire family. This is akin to

    a prince ascending to the throne."

    "What are you trying to say?" Landon could tell that he didn''t have good intentions. The look in his eyes

    became darker as he continued staring at him.

    "What I''m trying to say is that your every move has an impact on our family''s reputation. Thus, your

    marriage will have a massive impact on our family''s future too."

    A sh of maliciousness shed across Preston''s eyes. "It is not child''s y," he punctuated, each

    word sharply enunciated to emphasize his point.

    "It is my choice who I wish to marry." Landon clenched his hands into tight fists on the table. His eyes

    became shockingly red. "It is no one else''s business."

    This tense confrontation made everyone else''s hearts skip a beat.

    "I am only your uncle. Of course it''s none of my business. But Mr. Cornelius is your grandfather and the

    head of the Harper family who has the final say. Are you saying that it is also none of his business?"

    Preston scoffed.

    Immediately after, he put on an indignant expression on his face and continued, "Mr. Cornelius,

    although our family is ranked fourth among the four most notable families, we are still a powerful and

    noble family.

    "Landon has the looks and capabilities. Even if he isn''t able to find a treasured scion like Ms. Alyssa to

    be his wife, he shouldn''t be marrying a psycho. Don''t you think so? Must our family stoop so low?"

    Everyone''s jaws dropped. The room was in an uproar.

    Psycho?

    Landon''s fianc¨¦e¡ªthe daughter from the Beckett family¡ªwas a psycho?

    Were they marrying within their ss or were they being charitable?

    "Preston."

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    Landon stayed seated in his chair. His entire body was burning with so much anger that he felt like he

    could burn the world away.

    He threatened in a hoarse voice, "Have you thought about the consequences of humiliating my fianc¨¦e

    in public?"

    The chatters in the room stopped instantly. He was a natural leader. Even if he stood still, he still had a

    powerful bearing about him.

    "Humiliate? I am just stating a fact. How is that humiliation?" Preston sniggered. Then, he threw a stack

    of documents, which he had prepared, onto the table. He gestured to everyone seated around the long

    meeting table.

    "Here. Take one each and have a look, everyone! This is Ms. Lauren Beckett''s psychological diagnosis

    report! Landon, I''d grovel at your feet if I''d uttered a single word of nonsense!"

 Chapter 1791

    There was no way that they were going to miss out on such tantalizing news. So, everyone lifted their

    bottoms off the seat and reached out for the documents on the table.

    Cornelius alone remained seated, a statue amidst the flurry of activity. He disyed neither emotion

    nor took any action.

    The reason for that was that he had seen the diagnosis report countless times in private, all thanks to

    Zoe.

    "If any one of you dares to move even an inch..." Landon''s roar shook the entire meeting room. His

    bloodshot eyes red, a ferocious glint reflecting the raw anger simmering beneath the surface.

    These people were not just the corporation''s board of directors. They were also his elders. After being

    shouted at, each of them lowered themselves onto their seats. They no longer dared to reach for the

    documents on the table.

    "What is it, Landon? Are you trying to avoid facing reality? Or are you afraid to ept reality?"

    Preston sneered slyly. He mocked him as best as he could. "Deep down, you are actually instinctively

    repelling the fact that your fianc¨¦e is a psycho, aren''t you?

    "Otherwise, why have you never brought your future wife to the corporation and introduced her to us?

    You''ve only been avoiding and keeping her sheltered. You keep saying that you would marry no one

    else but her. However, in actual fact, you''re also afraid that she''d embarrass you. Am I right?"

    In the end, Landon couldn''t hold back any longer.

    The Harpers did not have as many family rules as the Becketts and the Schmidts did. He also wasn''t a

    scion from a family with centuries of history. So, he wouldn''t be like Jasper, who could restrain himself

    for the sake of revenge and the bigger picture.

    He only knew how to resort to his own brand of resolution. Without saying another word, Landon swept

    up a ss from the table and mmed it onto Preston''s head.

    "Ouch! That hurts!"

    Preston didn''t flinch in time. His forehead took the blow and immediately started to swell. He looked

    extremely wretched with the water cascading down his face like a grotesque baptism.

    Nheless, before he could open his eyes, he heard loud gasps from around him.

    In the next moment, he felt his body sink and his back was mmed onto the floor. Right after that, a

    punchnded on his face and blood started gushing from his nose.

    He had never expected this.

    Despite being the president, Landon had the guts to ride on him like a donkey in front of Cornelius and

    the other board members. He started beating Preston up openly in front of everyone.

    Landon continued to swing punches at Preston''s despicable face. He couldn''t think about anything else

    other than Preston''s humiliating words about Lauren.

    The other board members backed up slowly in fear.

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    Nothing too surprising ever happened at the Harpers'' board meetings. That being said, it was indeed

    eye-opening for everyone to witness someone being beaten up so brutally. Moreover, it was Landon

    who was beating his own uncle up.

    "Why are you all still taking your own sweet time?" Cornelius called out while ring furiously.

    Only then did the bodyguards who were standing outside rush in. They did their best to pull Landon

    away from Preston.

    "You have no right toment about my rtionship, you son of a bitch!"

    Every single word from Landon''s mouth was full of anger and hate. He really wished that he could tear

    Preston apart.

    "Lauren is the most perfect woman in my eyes! I love her. Nothing anyone says will be able to change

    my intention to marry her. No one can try to stop me. No one will be able to stop me either!"

    The muscles in Landon''s arms were so tense that they were throbbing. He was trying to suppress his

    urge to leap forward and have another go at him.

    Preston was helped to his feet. He only managed to regain his bnce after much effort.

    He spat his bloody saliva on the floor. He looked like he was still resentful and unwilling to admit defeat.

    At the same time, his heart was pounding hard. He stole a nce at Cornelius.

    However, Cornelius showed no reaction. He also didn''t seem like he intended to side with anyone. With

    that, he knew that Cornelius was acquiescing.

    Preston decided that he had to make this show go on.

    Landon returned to his seat. He retrieved a clean handkerchief from his pocket to wipe off the blood on

    the back of his hands.

    Suddenly, he paused. His gaze stopped on the cute teddy bear design on the corner of his

    handkerchief.

    He was reminded of how Lauren had embroidered it with her own hands. He usually carried it with him,

    but he couldn''t bear to use it. At this moment, he was certainly not going to use it to wipe the bastard''s

    filthy blood.

    So, he put the handkerchief back into his pocket and used his sleeve to wipe off the blood on his hands

    carelessly. The rage in his eyes had also dissipated slightly.

    Cornelius frowned and asked, "Are you alright, Preston? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

 Chapter 1792

    Preston coughed. "I... I''m fine!" The handkerchief that he was using to cover his nose had be

    bloody. It was obvious how ruthless Landon had been.

    The meeting resumed, albeit in an awkward situation.

    Just then, Cornelius picked up the documents on the table and started flipping through them casually.

    Under Landon''s imperiousness, Cornelius was the only one who dared to make a move.

    "Is this a genuine report, Preston?" Cornelius asked with a look of disbelief on his face.

    Preston roared, his voice thick with indignation, "If it''s not real, then I''ll grovel at Landon''s feet myself! It

    has the redited testing organization''s stamp, for crying out loud! Get it verified if you don''t believe

    me!"

    Landon''s scowl deepened into a thundercloud. His eyes flicked to Cornelius, skepticism etched on his

    face. Cornelius, in Landon''s experience, wouldn''t be this cid if he had just learned about this.

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    Furthermore, this psychological analysis report was regarded as ssified information within the

    Beckett family. It was inessible to outsiders; only Beckett family members could ess it.

    Javier and Sophia were Lauren''s parents. They should be the only ones who had this report.

    Now that Sophia was dead, Javier wouldn''t resort to using Lauren''s secret to prevent their marriage

    despite how opposed he was.

    Even if Javier didn''t love Lauren, he was someone who couldn''t stand being embarrassed. Thus, he

    would certainly never do such a thing.

    So, how in the world did Preston get this report?

    "The Becketts will surely take strict precautions against something like this getting out. There''s

    probably something suspicious about the origins of this report, isn''t there?"

    With a calm expression on his face, Cornelius tossed the document onto the table. "Could you have

    been tricked into taking this fake document out? You would be at a loss if this ends up being a joke."

    Preston flung his handkerchief onto the floor. He gritted his teeth and red cunningly. "I have

    evidence to prove that Beckettdy is a crazy woman!"

    Upon saying that, the big screen suddenly lit up.

    Everyone''s attention was directed to the screen.

    Landon turned to look at the screen coldly. In an instant, he felt like the blood in his veins stopped

    flowing. It was as if his racing heart was being squeezed by a cruel pair of hands. His flesh was pained.

    On the screen, Lauren could be seen bawling and screaming uncontrobly. There was no one else in

    the room with her.

    Her piercing screams echoed throughout the meeting room.

    Everyone scrunched up their faces. They frowned as they watched the bizarreness of her going crazy.

    "Lauren... Lauren!" Landon screamed her name. His eyes had turned red.

    Despite his heartfelt cries, the thin screen kept this pair of lovers separated in two different worlds.

    "What did I tell you, Mr. Cornelius? I didn''t nder this woman at all, did I? She is a psycho indeed!"

    Preston pointed at the screen as his eyes twinkled with excitement that his scheme had seeded.

    "No one triggered or provoked her. Look at her screaming her head off. Is that what a normal person

    would do? What else could it be other than the fact that she''s sick?

    "If a woman like this became the president''s wife in the future, how is our family even able to hold our

    heads up high?"

    Everyone shook their heads.

    Whatever it was, the woman in the video who had lost control did not look like a normal person.

    "That''s enough. Turn it off. It''s too noisy." Cornelius furrowed his brows and a look of disdain shed

    across his eyes.

    "Preston. Where are you keeping my wife captive?" Landon''s gaze was full of viciousness. He looked

    as if he was about to cry tears of blood.

    "Captive? That''s too strong a word, I''m afraid."

    Preston crossed his legs rxedly. He put on a smug smile on his swollen face. "It''s your big day today.

    I know that you will be looking forward to seeing her and sharing your joy with her after you officially

    be president.

    "So, I also invited her to be our guest at Harper Group. I did it out of good intentions. To my surprise,

    she went crazy after she left you."

    Preston clicked his tongue. "Having a mental state like this is really worrying."

    Landon burned with anger from within. He disregarded the looks from everyone else, got to his feet,

    and dashed to the door.

    "Landon! The meeting isn''t over yet. Get back here!" Cornelius shouted at him from behind.

    Landon stopped in his tracks. He red piercingly at Preston.

    Preston''s smile froze on his face.

    That nce made him feel like he had fallen into the abyss.

 Chapter 1793

    Within Sna City, Harper Group stood as an economic giant, second only to the domineering Beckett

    Group.

    The skyscraper was tens of stories high and had more than a thousand rooms. Landon thought about

    how Lauren was being secretly locked in one of the rooms. He couldn''t imagine the kind of fear and

    suffering that she was going through.

    A tremor seized Landon''s hands, all ten fingers vibrating uncontrobly. A white-hot achenced

    through his entire body, twisting and searing its way to his heart, threatening to rip it from his chest.

    Preston was not going to reveal Lauren''s location to him. He wanted to hide his most cherished

    treasure from him so that he could feel the pain in his heart. He wanted to aggravate and infuriate him.

    But what he really couldn''t believe was...

    Angelina was skilled. It wouldn''t be a problem for her to go against ten or even 20 other people on her

    own. Moreover, she had a gun on her. She wouldn''t hesitate to kill Preston''s men on the spot at any

    crucial moment.

    He couldn''t understand how the weaklings under Preston were able to break into his house and get

    Lauren out, even under Angelina''s watch. They even brought her to Harper Group without Landon

    finding out.

    "Have you checked the surveince footage?" Landon sprinted through the corridor. His throat felt dry

    and painful at the same time.

    Jordan, his new secretary, followed closely behind him. Through gritted teeth, Jordan exined, "I

    have, but none of the surveince captured Madam Lauren!

    "This shows that the people who brought Madam Lauren to Harper Group are extremely familiar with

    the ce. I''m sure that it was done by an internal party."

    "I''m just afraid that it might''ve been abined effort between internal and external parties!" Landon

    eximed in a raspy and furious tone.

    As he dialed Angelina''s number, he remarked, "Otherwise, Preston wouldn''t even have such capability

    to do so."

    Contrary to his expectation, Angelina''s cell was off. Landon''s chest tightened as he broke out in a cold

    sweat. The situation might be even worse than he had imagined.

    "Jordan, gather all the manpower you can and search every single room! Whoever finds Lauren will be

    rewarded greatly!" Landon''s order erupted from his throbbing chest in a shout. His pale lips trembled,

    and his breathing grew uneven. "Also, call the cops. Angelina is in danger!"

    Jordan acknowledged immediately, "Got it, Mr. Landon!

    Carefully, Landon tried to recall theyout of the room where Lauren was being held.

    The room''syout was rather odd. The color of the walls and the furniture in the room were quite

    different from the other rooms in the building.

    Preston wanted to rile him up, so he certainly was not going to make it easy for him to find her.

    In other words, the secret room was a ce where Preston had confidence that Landon wasn''t going to

    be able to locate.

    This, however, gave Landon a clue. He suddenly remembered that the topmost floor was closed to the

    public as it was an area specifically for the chairman. It was highly likely that Lauren was being held

    captive there.

    He took the elevator up to the top-most floor speedily. He ran like a madman while he called out

    Lauren''s name at the same time.

    His voice had turned hoarse and the sound of Lauren''s name became distorted.

    All of a sudden, Landon stopped in his tracks.

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    To his surprise, there was a thin, dark gap in the bright-colored wall at the end of the quiet corridor.

    At the same time, Lauren''s favorite teddy bear plushie was neatly arranged on the ground, leaning

    against the wall. The arrangement resembled how Lauren would sit on the couch every night, eagerly

    awaiting his return home.

    Landon entered the room, bathed in ring white light.

    Lauren was lying still on the ground, just like a broken doll. The white dress that she was wearing

    looked like feathers that were about to scatter once the wind blew.

    "Lauren!"

    Landon''s entire body was shaking uncontrobly. He rushed toward Lauren and knelt by her side. He

    picked her limp body up from the ground and hugged her close to his chest.

    "Lauren... I''m here, I''m here... You''re alright. Everything is okay now..."

    He started talking incoherently through his chattering teeth. Tears flowed from his eyes as he cried,

    both inwardly and outwardly.

    Lauren''s eyes fluttered open. Her gaze was unfocused and nk.

 Chapter 1794

    Lauren''s lips were pale and her eyes were red and swollen. With much difficulty, she opened her mouth

    to speak and only managed to make a sound after a while.

    "Landon... What took you so long? What took you so long... So long..."

    Every single time she questioned him in that weak voice of hers, Landon felt like he was being shot in

    the heart. He was consumed by regret and suffering. He tried to answer her. But he was unable to get

    a single word out.

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    "Something bad happened to Angie. Angie. Will she die?"

    Lauren thought about the image that she saw on the screen. In an instant, her eyes widened in fear

    and her entire body started convulsing in Landon''s arms.

    Landon was scared out of his wits. Even every breath pained him. He answered, "No. Angelina will be

    fine. I''ll take you to the hospital immediately, Lauren!"

    Simultaneously, the board meeting was dismissed after such a big ruckus.

    Only Cornelius and Preston were left in the meeting room.

    "See, Dad? Thatdy from the Beckett family is aplete psycho."

    Despite being so beaten up that his entire face was swollen, Preston was still smearing Lauren. He

    clenched his teeth and continued, "It would be so unlucky for us if a woman like that married into our

    family!

    "In the future, all of Sna City will be saying that we are the Beckett family''spdog. They will say that

    we were willing to suck up to them just to get their sick daughter to marry into our family. How fucking

    disgusting is that?"

    Cornelius wore a serious expression, his lips downturned in a clear sign of displeasure. He agreed with

    what Preston had said.

    "Dad, today''s board meeting was such an important one. I can''t believe that Landon abandoned

    everyone here just to look for that crazy woman!

    "What does he think the board meeting is for? Did he even show you any respect? Do you think that

    he''s worthy of the position as thepany''s president?" Preston asked angrily.

    Cornelius gave him the side-eye. "If Landon isn''t worthy of the position, then you do?"

    Preston choked on his words. He didn''t know how to respond.

    "I am your father. Do you think that I''m unaware of your capabilities and what you have in your mind? I

    might be old, but I''m not senile. Rather than having the Harper Group end up in your hands, I should

    just bury myself before winteres!"

    A ball of fury rose within Preston.

    At the end of the day, Cornelius was still biased toward Bill''s son. He had put in so much effort to get rid

    of Bill, yet, his son was now in his way!

    He felt extremely regretful.

    Back then, he shouldn''t have shown any mercy. He should have gotten rid of Landon while he was still

    a child. If he had done so, he wouldn''t end up with endless troubles like these!

    Preston gathered his thoughts. Since he had no hope of getting the president position, he needed to

    tear Landon and Lauren apart, preventing their marriage from ever taking ce.

    Landon had stolen his power, so he had to take away his lover. Only then would this be fair and

    satisfying.

    "Dad, based on today''s situation, I think Landon has no intention to give up on that Beckettdy at all."

    The look in Landon''s eyes became viinous. "You should know Landon. If he is set on marrying her,

    there''s no changing his mind."

    "We might not have been able to change his mind in the past. But now, it seems like our intervention

    would be unnecessary."

    "Do you mean that..."

    "If the video of Ms. Lauren''s meltdown spreads publicly and causes an uproar, do you think that Javier

    would still agree to her marrying into our family?"

    Cornelius scoffed. "When that timees, I''m afraid that Javier and Landon''s best friend, Jasper, won''t

    be standing by his side."

    Preston pped his hands in glee, his palms turning red from the force. He shot Cornelius a thumbs-

    up, letting out a satisfied click of his tongue. "Experience does count for something, doesn''t it? Maybe I

    can pick your brain sometime in the future!"

 Chapter 1795

    Aftering out from Harper Corporation, Preston made a call to Zoe the moment he got into his car.

    "You are indeed a genius, Zoe! How did youe up with such a well-crafted n? I''m sorry that I

    raised my voice at you previously."

    "I''ve told you that I won''t disappoint you, Uncle Preston. Just listen to me next time and you''ll have

    good days ahead of you," Zoe boasted light-heartedly.

    That mastermind was amazing. Even if she had three heads, she wouldn''t have been able toe up

    with a detailed and evil scheme like this.

    "Oh, right. There''s something that I have to tell you." Preston grinned slyly. "It''s about what you said

    last time. You said that if we released the video of Lauren having a meltdown, we wouldn''t have to get

    our hands dirty."

    "Oh? Are you telling me that Grandpa intends to separate the lovebirds himself?" This time, Zoe was

    quick off the mark.

    "You''re smart." In his luxury car, Preston crossed his legs rxedly. He sipped on the tea that his

    secretary had prepared for him.

    "Dad will be the one taking action. Since this is the case, he will be the one to take the hit even if

    Landon wants to take his revenge. We won''t be implicated.

    "But Zoe, I''m just afraid that this will not curb Landon''s determination to marry Ms. Lauren. He is willing

    to do anything."

    "Well, even if he wishes to marry her, she might not feel the same." Zoe sneered. "I have a backup n

    to ensure that his dream ispletely crushed. Don''t worry."

    Lauren lost consciousness on the way to the hospital.

    Landon stayed by her side the entire time while she underwent various body checks. He stared nkly

    as Lauren''s limp body was being moved about like a soulless puppet.

    His heart broke again and again. Tears flowed down his face uncontrobly.

    After repeated testing, the doctor finally came out of the emergency room. He reported, "Mr. Harper,

    your wife doesn''t have any physical wounds on her body, nor were there any signs of assault."

    Landon''s eyes were wide and filled with surprise. "Then, why is she..."

    "It''s probably because she experienced great psychological distress which caused somatization. Other

    than that, she was too agitated, anxious, and terrified.

    "These resulted in her experiencing a tightness in her chest and shortness of breath. Hence, she

    showed signs of respiratory alkalosis. That''s why she ended up convulsing and passing out."

    The doctor had a concerned look on his face. "What you need now is to pay more attention to your

    wife''s psychological condition. I am not a psychiatrist, but I can tell that her condition doesn''t look very

    optimistic. You should transfer her to a psychiatric hospital and get her checked as soon as possible."

    There was a quiver in Landon''s pupils as his heart dropped.

    Preston didn''t hurt Lauren.

    No, from the very beginning, he never intended to harm her physically. Instead, he wanted to break her

    mentally.

    He knew about Lauren''s autism. Hence, he took an evil approach to cause her to have aplete

    breakdown.

    "Mr. Landon!" Jordan rushed to Landon''s side and wiped off the sweat on his forehead. "We found Ms.

    Angelina!"

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    "Where is she?" Landon asked in a trembling voice. His heart was racing.

    His mind was extremely tense. He was afraid that Jordan was about to tell him yet another devastating

    news.

    Jordan tried to catch his breath. He said, "It''s quiteplicated. I think... you should just wait for her to

    come over and exin to you in person."

    "So. Angie is still alive." Landon felt like he could breathe a little better now.

    In his life, Lauren surpassed everything. And, Angelina was his most trusted subordinate. She was his

    comrade and someone closer to him than family. If anything happened to Angelina.

    "Mr. Landon."

 Chapter 1796

    A voice, raspy and weak, sliced through the air behind Landon and Jordan.

    They both turned around immediately. To their surprise, they saw Angelina on crutches a distance

    away from them. She was limping toward them with much difficulty.

    Landon''s pupils constricted.

    "Ms. Angie! What happened to you?" Jordan''s face ran pale in fright. He rushed forward to support her.

    Angelina tried her best to bear with the pain. She shook her head slightly. "I''m fine..."

    "What do you mean you''re fine? Your leg is badly injured. How can you bandage it up so simply? What

    if your wound gets infected? You might be handicapped!" Jordan''s heart ached for her. He was on

    the brink of tears.

    When they were young, Jordan and Angelina met at training camp. No exnation was needed for

    how close they were.

    "That''s not important. The most important thing is that Madam Lauren. Madam." Angelina felt so terrible

    that she couldn''t string her sentences together.

    Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at Landon''s pale face.

    "Lauren is physically fine. It''s just that. she was in huge distress, so she''s still unconscious at the

    moment," Jordan exined in a low voice. He looked glum.

    In an instant, Angelina started crying her eyes out. She had been by Lauren''s side for so long. How

    could she not know what mental distress could do to Lauren?

    Landon slowly approached her. In a hoarse voice, he questioned, "What happened to your leg?"

    "It''s nothing."

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    "Tell me the truth!"

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Landon."

    Angelina refused to share more with him. She hung her head low. "I didn''t protect Madam Lauren well.

    I''m useless. It''s better if you. set up tighter security and hire an even better bodyguard for Madam

    Lauren. I''m notpetent enough for this."

    "What are you saying, Ms. Angie? Out of the entire Harper Group and all the securitypanies in the

    entire country, how many female bodyguards are there who are better than you? Even male

    bodyguards might not possess the same skills as you do!"

    With a few phrases, Jordan hit the nail on the head.

    Other than Jasper and Axel who graduated from the military academy, it was difficult to think of another

    person who had such formidable skills to cause such harm to Angelina.

    Nothing would have changed even if Landon had swapped a few different bodyguards.

    "The attacker was not someone under Mr. Cornelius or Preston. I can recognize their men. Even if I

    couldn''t recognize them, I believe that they do not possess such skill."

    Angelina broke out in a cold sweat as she gave it some careful thought. "I think the man was a hitman."

    Landon''s gaze turned frigid. He sped his hands together tightly.

    "But the weird thing is that he didn''t do anything to Madam Lauren or me. He stabbed me in the leg

    only to prevent me from stopping him from taking Madam Lauren away..."

    Angelina knitted her brows tightly. "After that, I was blindfolded. I''m not sure where I was transported to.

    Then, they abandoned me by the roadside. They did everything you can think of to me."

    Landon''s mind raced. Even though his chest hurt, his thoughts became clearer. "Even if that man

    wasn''t Preston''s subordinate, I''m sure that he still acted under Preston''s instruction.

    "Otherwise, there''s no way that he could have entered Harper Group so easily. He even brought

    Lauren into that room before leaving without anyone knowing."

    He also recalled how there was a huge screen in that room. All of a sudden, his chest tightened.

    Perhaps, through the screen, Lauren had watched the scene where Angelina was being kidnapped.

    That would exin why she lost control of her emotions and had a mental breakdown.

    However, what was Preston''s motive for putting in so much effort? Was it for the sole purpose of

    dissing him at the board meeting?

    Suddenly, Landon''s phone rang. It was Jasper calling.

    "Hey, Jasper," Landon answered in an exhausted voice as he put his palm to his head.

    "Landon, the Harper Group gave Lauren a huge present, didn''t they?"

    As he was consumed by anger, Jasper''s voice became raspy and icy. "Is that the proposal gift from the

    Harpers?"

 Chapter 1797

    Landon''s mind was muddled. He didn''t understand what Jasper was saying at that moment. "I don''t get

    you, Jasper."

    "Mr. Harper! I have bad news!"

    Jordan handed his phone to Landon in terror. His hands were shaking. "Someone... Someone exposed

    the video of Madam Lauren having a meltdown. It''s spreading like wildfire on the inte. It has already

    been reshared 200,000 times!"

    In an instant, all the blood drained from Angelina''s face. She dropped her crutches onto the floor.

    Landon stared straight at the screen. His eyes widened before they turned red in trepidation. The

    muscles in his entire body tensed up and he started trembling.

    Jasper''s angry voice sounded once again. Landon, however, only felt like Jasper''s voice wasing

    from a faraway ce.

    "Why did Lauren have a meltdown? Who filmed that video and put it up on the inte? Didn''t you say

    that you would take good care of my sister? Didn''t you assign people to protect her?

    "What''s going on with you, Landon? Have you been consumed by the power that your so-called ''most

    important woman'' is now secondary to you?"

    Landon felt like he had a lump stuck in his throat. All he could taste was bitterness at the back of his

    tongue.

    "Say something! Are you trying to feign ignorance now?" Jasper growled.

    Although Jasper was enraged that such a major incident had happened, he couldn''t bring himself to

    suggest something as cruel as separation.

    Jasper had experienced it himself. He believed that Landon was in love with Lauren. Landon loved

    Lauren just like how Jasper himself loved Alyssa.

    He knew the pain of separation all too well. Without a doubt, the feeling was like having one''s flesh cut

    over and over without giving it time to heal.

    However, Jasper was also at a loss now.

    Lauren and Alyssa were different. Alyssa was a fighter who could fight alongside him. She also had a

    strong background and a loving family. She could afford to fight the fight and was not afraid of losing.

    Lauren, on the other hand. What did she have? She was no match for them.

    Nevertheless, was the current version of Landon capable of protecting her? Being in love didn''t

    guarantee happiness!

    "I will handle this, Jasper. Please believe me. I know who it was who exposed it. I know who the

    mastermind is. I will deal with them."

    Landon''s eyes were quivering and the tears in his eyes blurred his vision. Even his breathing was

    uneven. "Whoever... Whoever harms Lauren... deserves to die!"

    "Landon, what''s the point of that?"

    Jasper''s deep voice sounded bitter. "The mastermind has achieved their goal. That video has spread

    across the inte and everyone in the country has found out that Lauren isn''t a typical woman."

    The video had been reshared a few hundred thousand times. Soon, the number of reshares would

    exceed a million, and tens of millions of people would have seen the clip.

    It was impossible to delete all the videos. This was already out of their control.

    "Not only that, Grandpa Newton and Javier have already found out about it. Grandpa Newton almost

    copsed. Lyse has gone to apany him now."

    Jasper tried his best to suppress the pain in his heart. He croaked, "Grandpa Newton wants to take

    Lauren home. I will go to you now and bring Lauren back."

    Landon turned a deaf ear to Jasper. His gaze was unfocused and bleary. "If I had known that this was

    the oue. I shouldn''t have be the president."

    "Landon, that is not the solution. Harper Group came from your father''s efforts. In order to avenge your

    father, you''re not going to allow Preston to get a hold of the corporation. So, it is just a matter of time

    before you engage in a fight for power.

    "The enemy will only attack you at your weakest point. In your case, Lauren is your only weakness."

    Jasper exhaled softly. "Landon, you can''t win over both your family and lover at the same time. Even if

    you love someone, it doesn''t mean that they will be suitable for you. It also doesn''t guarantee you

    happiness."

    Within a few short hours, the entire country had found out about one of the Becketts'' daughters being

    neuroatypical.

    No matter how the Becketts tried to moderate thements and delete the videos, the public had

    formed their opinions. There was no more turning back.

    "No wonder the Becketts never brought Ms. Lauren out in public. It was because they didn''t want her to

    bring shame upon their family!"

    "Hmph! That''s karma indeed! That bitch, Sophia,mitted too many evil deeds. Her own daughter is

    now paying the price!"

    "Why wasn''t Betty the one who went nuts? What a pity."

    "Do we still need to see Betty go crazy? She''s insane enough as she is!"

    "I''ve got to say, Mr. Landon is such a purist in love. He is willing to marry someone with a mental

    condition? I''m touched!"

    "They should just forget about it. Is there even real love in marriage alliances between the wealthy?

    Haven''t you all seen the recent news? Landon is about to be Harper Group''s president. He''s not

    marrying Lauren because of love. He''s doing so for the dough. He''s using the Beckett Group''s

    background to find his footing in the business world! Shameless!"

    Bettyy on the bed. She scrolled through thements while applying her sheet facial mask. She

    rolled around with glee.

    Her happiness didn''tst for long. Her iPad slipped from her hands and smacked onto her face. Her

    lips turned purple and her recently-reconstructed sharp nose became slightly skewed. She yelped in

    pain and sat up on the bed.

    Right at that moment, Zoe happened to call her.

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    Betty covered her nose and answered the phone. In a furious tone, she asked, "What is it!"

    "It is a time to celebrate. Why are you still so grumpy? Can''t you feel a little happier? Why are you

    being such a bummer?" Zoe questioned in her usual, casual voice.

    Betty harrumphed. "Although that bitch''s embarrassing side has been exposed, Landon is still not

    going to marry me. There''s nothing much to be happy about if you think about it."

    Even though Betty was feeling overjoyed deep down, she didn''t want to show too much of her feelings

    to Zoe.

    "You shouldn''t be too greedy. If it wasn''t for my help, you would have been oppressed by that stupid

    sister of yours. Would you still be able to dream of bing the president''s wife? Only when pigs fly."

    Through gritted teeth, Betty snarled, "Do you think that you seeded by your efforts? How would

    things have gone so smoothly if I hadn''t given you that diagnostic report?

    "That said, Landon is not someone who would give up easily. Despite us causing all thismotion, he

    would still be determined to marry Lauren."

    "So, you and I still have to go for a home run. From your side, you have to continue fanning the mes

    with Mr. Javier. As for me, I have my ns too."

    Betty could hear the faint sound of Zoe making out with someone. The slimy sounds gave her

    goosebumps.

    "What are your ns?" Zoe asked with a hint of flirtatiousness in her voice. "Come over to Middleton

    Resort in the west. We''ll talk more when we meet."

 Chapter 1798

    Despite Landon''s objections, Jasper brought an unconscious Lauren back to Crescent Bay.

    The major incident had caused an uproar.

    Newton''s first reaction wasn''t to grumble about Lauren embarrassing the Becketts. All he thought of

    was to bring his granddaughter back to his side to love and protect her. All he wanted was to shield her

    from the gossiping from the outside world.

    As Lauren had experienced a massive shock, she was injected with another shot of sedative.

    With tears in his eyes, Newton watched as she slept soundly. Lauren looked as if nothing had even

    happened.

    "Lauren... I''m the useless one. I wasn''t able to protect you." Newton choked as he reached out with his

    trembling hands to caress Lauren''s cheeks. He was filled with regret.

    "Don''t worry, Grandpa."

    Alyssa''s eyes were red and moist. "Lauren isn''t just loved by you, but also by Jasper and I. Jasper and

    I will get to the bottom of this."

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    She sped her hands together tightly and cracked her knuckles loudly. "I will find everyone who was

    involved in hurting Lauren like this. I will make sure that they pay a painful price!"

    Alyssa never went back on her words. She always walked the talk.

    "This is the Harper family''s handiwork." Newton might be an elderly with a frail body, but he had a clear

    mind. He clenched his teeth and continued, "Even if they''re not willing to have Lauren marry into their

    family. they still shouldn''t abuse her like that!

    "What''s so big about the Harper Group that they dared to bully my granddaughter? I don''t need you to

    take any action on this, Alyssa. I will handle it myself!"

    Alyssa''s chest tightened. She was worried about Lauren, but she was also worried that Newton''s rage

    would take a toll on his health.

    Ben knocked on the door and entered hurriedly. He had a concerned look in his eyes. "Mr. Newton,

    there''s a call for you."

    "I''m not avable to talk to anyone. I''m spending time with Lauren!"

    "It''s Mr. Cornelius."

    Newton''s eyes reddened. He snatched the phone from Ben and put it to his ear. "Now that it hase

    to this, what else do you have to say?"

    Cornelius sounded very friendly. "Mr. Newton, it''s so heartbreaking that something like this happened.

    The person who exposed the video is so despicable that it sends chills down my spine!"

    "You old bastard. Stop trying to pretend that you''re innocent!"

    Newton''s bloodshot eyes were bulging with anger. He gripped the armrest of his wheelchair so tightly

    that the veins on his hands were popping. "The video was leaked from within your Harper Group. I

    wouldn''t be surprised if you were the one who orchestrated all this!"

    "Why, you!" Anger surged within Cornelius that he almost couldn''t catch his breath. He coughed.

    "I know what you''re thinking of. You''re as blind as a bat, so you don''t see the good in my precious

    granddaughter. But Lauren also has other options other than marrying into your family!

    "I wouldn''t even have considered Landon if he wasn''t the one who pursued her so relentlessly! You are

    a heartless bastard. Rather than finding somece to wait for death, you misbehaved and exploited a

    20-year-old young woman!

    "Aren''t you ashamed? So what if you''re from a big and wealthy family? You''re just a damn bastard!"

    Newton babbled on without giving Cornelius a chance to argue.

    Alyssa was thrilled as she listened to Newton''s lecture. Yet, this was far from enough.

    Alyssa was now the KS Group''s president. When it came to business dealings in the future, she would

    obstruct Harper Group''s ways and take away all their projects and resources. Bit by bit, she would

    suffocate them within the confines of Sna City until they perished.

    She couldn''t care less even if Landon became Harper Group''s president in the future.

    Harper Group was of utmost importance to Cornelius and Preston. The more they were concerned

    about it, the more she would want to ruin it.

    That would be the price they had to pay for messing with Lauren!

    Cornelius regained the evenness of his breath. In the end, he was not going to pretend toply with

    Newton. He argued back with Newton, "Hah... For the sake of Landon and Lauren, I was just calling to

    check up on you. Instead, you treated my goodwill for ill intentions and gave me such a dressing-

    down?

    "You don''t think that Landon is worth it. Since your granddaughter is so sick and crazy that she has no

    clue what''s going on, she''s also not fit to marry into our family. This marriage is over! If you have so

    much time and energy to bicker with me, you might as well take Lauren to the doctor!"

    "Hey!"

    Cornelius hung up speedily.

    Newton was so enraged that his face puffed red. Ben served up some hot tea to him immediately. At

    the same time, Alyssa helped to massage Newton''s head to help relieve him of some of his emotional

    pressure.

    Alyssa''s gaze was frigid. "Grandpa, Cornelius simply called you to break off the marriage alliance

    between both families. He was just trying to provoke you.

    "Don''t be mad. Just let him bluster. Their tears wille soon enough,"forted Alyssa.

 Chapter 1799

    "I don''t need that bastard to make a sound! I will not allow Lauren to marry into that hellhole!" In an

    angry voice, Newton instructed Ben, "Ben... Make it known that the Beckett Group will not have any

    business rtions with the Harper Group moving forward!

    "If I find out that any of our business partners have any association with Harper Group, we will not

    partner with them anymore! We shall see if there''s anyone else who still doesn''t understand our

    stance!"

    Ben nodded seriously. "On it, Mr. Newton!"

    "Grandpa." Jasper frowned. He walked to Alyssa''s side with an air of frigidity around him. "Landon is

    here. He''s right outside. He wants to see you and Lauren."

    "Tell him to scram!" Newton waved.

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at each other helplessly. They were aware that Newton didn''t actually hate

    Landon.

    However, it was true that he hadn''t protected her properly. It was also a fact that he was Cornelius''

    grandson. Undeniably, he would feel some resentment.

    "I''m afraid that he will never leave if he doesn''t get to see you and Lauren," Jasper spoke up in a deep

    voice.

    Newton continued to stare at Lauren and didn''t say another word.

    It was obvious what his stance was.

    In the courtyard of the vi, the air was tense. That night, there was a sudden drop in the temperature.

    The rain continued to fall and the coldness was chilling to the bone.

    Landon stood in the rain resolutely. His pale face was whiter than snow.

    He was only wearing a thin suit. After standing there for over an hour, his hair and body were drenched.

    He felt as if countless nails were being driven into his muscles and his bones.

    He had assigned Jordan to deal with the aftermath of the incident.

    Angelina, on the other hand, had insisted oning over with Landon after she cleaned up her wound

    briefly. She didn''t mind if she wasn''t able to meet Lauren on this night. She was satisfied by just being

    able to watch over her from afar.

    After waiting in silence for a long while, Landon''s entire body had be stiff and numb. Then, he saw

    a pair of charming figures approaching them with an open umbre.

    "Mr. Landon, it''s Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa..." Angelina uttered weakly. She could barely stand behind

    Landon. Her chapped lips had already turned purple from the cold.

    Jasper carried a ck umbre and had a glum expression on his face. Two-thirds of the umbre was

    covering Alyssa while half of his own body was exposed to the rain.

    "I heard that you got hurt, Angelina. How are you?"

    Alyssa disregarded Landonpletely. She focused her concerned gaze on Angelina''s pale face. "I''ll

    take a look at your injuryter," she offered.

    "I''m fine. Thank you for offering, Ms. Alyssa," Angelina choked.

    Her ipetence had resulted in Lauren suffering mental distress. She should be thankful that she

    was still alive. She was too embarrassed to receive any grace from Alyssa.

    "It''s alright. It''s no trouble at all. Come in with me in a bit. You can stay here for the night," Alyssa said

    in a gentle voice. She didn''t sound like she med her at all.

    Angelina''s pupils constricted. "Ms. Alyssa."

    "We think that Lauren witnessed what had happened to you. That''s why she became so overwhelmed."

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Jasper put his arm around Alyssa''s waist. He continued in a warm voice, "I''m sure that Lauren will feel

    a lot better when she wakes up and sees that you''re fine. You want to be by her side too, don''t you?"

    "Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jasper. Thank you, Ms. Alyssa." Angelina bowed deeply. Tears started

    streaming down her cold cheeks silently.

    Sean walked over. Upon receiving Alyssa''s instruction, he showed Angelina the way into the vi.

    "Mr. Landon." Angelina longed to see Lauren, but she couldn''t bear to leave Landon standing right here

    either. Anxiousness shed across her eyes and she found herself in a dilemma.

    "Go ahead. It''s more important that you keep Laurenpany," Landon said. His voice was extremely

    raspy.

    Angelina followed Sean''s lead and left the courtyard.

    Right after they left, Alyssa pulled herself away from Jasper''s embrace. She ran toward Landon in the

    rain.

    She red at him through her bloodshot eyes. All of a sudden, she grabbed him by his drenched cor.

 Chapter 1800

    "Lyse!" Jasper became rmed.

    Landon was such a tall man. At this moment, his body was leaning forward feebly as Alyssa yanked at

    him. It was as if he had no backbone and was going to break into pieces at any moment.

    "Landon... You didn''t give Lauren any freedom. You said that that was to protect her... And, what was

    the end result? You ended up ruining everything anyway! You didn''t even manage to ensure her basic

    physical safety!"

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes. She was furious and saddened at the same time. "You think that you

    are a great man who''s willing to sacrifice your all for Lauren. But have you lost anything at all? All these

    while, Lauren was the only one who kept giving!"

    Jasper held his breath. He saw that Alyssa was standing in the rain, so he decided to give up on the

    umbre and join her.

    One was the love of his life. The other was his brother from another mother.

    He couldn''t bring himself to take a side, so he decided that it was best for him to remain neutral.

    "It was Lauren who sacrificed her freedom. She put her reputation at stake to be together with you

    even though she could''ve chosen to be our sister. She could have been that younger sister who never

    aged and never had to lift a finger!

    "But she chose to follow you during her prime years and give her everything for you. She chose to grow

    up quickly for your sake. For your sake. she learned how to be a good wife!"

    Without her even realizing it, Alyssa''s face was already covered in tears while she rebuked Landon.

    "She has tried her hardest to cater to you and topromise. She has already done everything she

    could to avoid causing you any trouble!

    "But ultimately. At the end of the day, why was this the oue? What did Lauren do wrong? Why did

    she deserve to be tormented in this way?"

    Alyssa''s queries pierced through Landon''s heart. In a second, Landon felt like infinite cracks had

    formed in his aching heart.

    His lips were trembling. He opened his mouth to speak but was unable to form aplete sentence

    despite trying his best. "It was my bad. It was all me."

    He apologized again and again. His tears mixed with the raindrops on his face.

    Gone was the vibrant spark that once flickered in his eyes, now hidden beneath a curtain of wet,

    tangled strands.

    Landon was someone who was uniquely exuberant in all of Sna City. At this point, he was so

    crestfallen that Jasper could barely recognize him.

    "Last time... No matter what I gave her... she would be happy. She said that she loved me. She wanted

    to be with me forever."

    "That''s because Lauren has never known how to say ''no.'' It''s because no matter what she does, she

    alwayses from a ce of wanting to make you happy!" Alyssa gave him a hard shove. She

    pushed him with so much force that he fell hard onto the ground.

    Lauren had wanted to make him happy.

    Landon had always said that he wanted to love Lauren for the rest of his life. Those few words were

    massive insults to him.

    He just realized that he was the one who was being loved.

    What he thought was affectionate love was, in fact, the loving home that Lauren had built for him. She

    had done so through grievance and suffering, and with that kind heart of hers.

    "Landon feels sorry for his mistakes now, Lyse. He also loves Lauren very much," Jasper said very

    softly. He removed his suit jacket and put it on Alyssa''s shoulders.

    "Lauren''s world is very simple and pure. She has no absolute idea about deceitful, treacherous power

    struggles. All she wants is to live a simple life."

    Alyssa rubbed her swollen eyes and sniffled. "Yet, right now. you have already gotten her involved. She

    doesn''t even have the strength to fight back.

    "Since she was young, she has never berated anyone. How would she be able to bear with the

    maliciousness of the Harpers? Right now, she hasn''t even married into your family. Even so, the

    Harpers have already schemed against her in such a cruel way.

    "If she married you in the future, she would only end up being worn down by those evil schemes again

    and again. Will you be able to live under such mental stress for your entire life?

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "As long as you hold the position of power, those assholes in your family will not stop trying to attack

    her! Sooner orter, she will lose it again!"

    The plutocrats weren''t a single, unified family. They were a flock of vultures, circling each other, their

    wealth and influence a corrupting force that only amplified their negativity. A warm and peaceful family

    like the Taylors was truly one of a kind.

    "I''ll do it." After much time had passed, Landon finally spoke up. In a shaky voice, he said, "I will handle

    the Harpers. I love Lauren, Lyse. I. cannot live without her.

    "Please don''t separate us. Can you. give me another chance. Just onest chance. Can you?"

    It was obvious that he was begging her.

    Alyssa lowered her eyes and shook her head. "That''s not my say. I''m also not the one in control."

 Chapter 1801

    "You should first get past Grandpa Newton."

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Upon saying that, Alyssa left without turning back.

    Jasper kept Landonpany in the rain. Their erect figures looked like timeless and wless

    sculptures.

    "You should go back and handle the matters in your family. Let Lauren stay here with Grandpa for a

    while. You cane over again once Grandpa has simmered down a little."

    Jasper exhaled heavily. He gave Landon a pat on his stiff shoulder.

    Landon''s voice was extremely hoarse. "Tonight... I will stay here to keep herpany."

    "You''ve got to be kidding me! The temperature is almost going below zero. You''ll surely fall sick if you

    stand here all night!"

    Jasper''s expression became grim. "Lauren will feel even more terrible if she finds out that you''re being

    like this!"

    "Then. just don''t let her find out."

    Landon forced a bitter smile with his pale lips. "Jasper, this is the only way that I can make myself feel

    better. Please don''t stop me."

    Alyssa knitted her brows tightly. She received a phone call from Cyrus the moment she went back into

    the vi.

    "Cyrus."

    "Hey, Lyse."

    Cyrus paused for a moment. Then, he asked cautiously, "About Lauren. Is she alright?"

    Cyrus'' voice sounded so warm that Alyssa was almost brought to tears. She always showed the

    weaker side of herself when she was in front of family and Jasper.

    "She''s here at Grandpa Newton''s ce. She''s asleep," Alyssa choked.

    Cyrus took a deep breath. In a raspy voice, he asked, "Is there anything that I can do for her?"

    Alyssa pursed her lips. She answered softly, "You can get a box of teddy bear cakes for Lauren when

    you''re free."

    "Sure. I''ll get them first thing tomorrow morning and bring them over to Mr. Beckett Senior''s ce."

    "Would you like to meet Lauren?"

    Cyrus replied in a tone that contained both a youthful shyness and the consideration of a mature man.

    "It''s alright. She needs good rest. There''s no need to tell her that I was the one who bought the cakes

    either."

    Cyrus'' words tugged at Alyssa''s heartstrings.

    Landon and Cyrus were two equally outstanding men. Tonight, they were each watching over the same

    woman in their own ways.

    However, where was Lauren''s true happiness?

    Angelina apanied Lauren in the room for a long time before exiting the room reluctantly.

    She gave her moist eyes a rub. When she turned around, she spotted Alyssa and Jasper walking

    toward her.

    "Angelina, you''ve got exceptional skills all these while. You''re the best bodyguard in Harper Group."

    Jasper frowned. He finally got to the crux of the matter. "How was someone from Harper Group able to

    harm you to this extent? They incapacitated you such that you didn''t even manage to contact Landon

    in time. Not only that, they managed to bring Lauren to Harper Group without anyone knowing?"

    "That was too skillful of them... and too cruel!" Alyssa''s eyes reddened with anger. She clung onto

    Jasper''s arm so tightly that his shirt sleeve became crumpled.

    At the same time, Angelina broke out in cold sweat as she recalled the incident.

    "The man whom I fought with is likely a hitman. His skills showed me that he''s merciless and perilous. I

    was not a match for him at all. Perhaps you are the only one capable enough to go against him, Mr.

    Beckett."

 Chapter 1802

    Jasper and Alyssa looked at one another in shock.

    Alyssa probed, "What did that man look like? Do you still remember his face?"

    "Of course I do."

    Angelina frowned. "He''s... very good-looking."

    Jasper and Alyssa were speechless. They never expected Angelina to utter those words.

    "I''m not kidding. He''s genuinely quite good-looking. His face is the type that leaves asting impression

    with just one nce."

    "Were there any other attributes he had?" Alyssa pressed on as she was unsatisfied with the answer.

    "He looked a bit familiar. I keep getting the nagging feeling that I''ve seen him somewhere."

    Angelina knocked on her head with her fist, attempting to jog her memory.

    Immediately, Alyssa rushed forward and grabbed Angelina by her wrist. She said to her soothingly, "It''s

    alright. It''s okay. It''s alright if you can''t recall the details. Don''t hurt yourself."

    Angelina locked eyes with Alyssa. Suddenly, her face lit up. "I remember now. He looked. somewhat

    like Mr. Cyrus!"

    Alyssa was slightly taken aback. "Oh? He must be quite handsome then," shemented.

    Jasper was at a loss for words.

    Was this the right time to mention that?

    Angelina ced her trembling hand on her injured left leg, still reeling from the shock of the incident.

    "I''m certain that the assassin has undergone rigorousbat training. His skills rival those of foreign

    mercenaries.

    "I doubt Preston has the resources to hire such an expert. But if he wasn''t the mastermind, how did the

    assant smuggle Madam Lauren into Harper Group''s highly secure building? Moreover, he locked her

    in the safe room known only to Mr. Harper Senior."

    "That''s likely because he colluded with someone from Harper Group." Jasper''s eyes were dim.

    "Preston has got to be one of them. And perhaps Mr. Harper Senior had a hand in it too."

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    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes, and a chill ran down her spine.

    With Landon as the exception, everyone else in Harper Group seemed intent on destroying Lauren.

    They were all Lauren''s enemies!

    Alyssa couldn''t discern whether their animosity toward Lauren stemmed from her neuroatypical

    condition or if they simply didn''t want Landon to be happy.

    "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa... I have only one request to ask from you." Angelina''s badly beaten body

    trembled as she spoke, choking back tears. "Please help Mr. Landon and Madam Lauren.

    "Please don''t separate them no matter what. Mr. Landon cannot be without Madam Lauren. He won''t

    be able to live without her."

    Alyssa reached out to steady Angelina, fearing she might copse.

    In truth, Alyssa had never thought of separating them. To her, Lauren was as dear as her own sister,

    Tatiana. Moreover, she was Lauren''s sister-inw. She hadshed out at Landon only because her

    heart went out to Lauren.

    If she hadn''t been so harsh with her words, would Landon evene to realize the gravity of the

    situation?

    If this happened again, Lauren might very well end up dead!

    "Angelina, we will try our best to convince Grandpa Newton from our side. As for the Harpers, Landon

    has to resolve things on his own. That is not just his responsibility toward Lauren, but also toward

    Grandpa Newton."

    Jasper exined seriously, "The only way for us to convince Grandpa is if Landon shows enough

    sincerity. Otherwise, we wouldn''t be able to do anything even if we wanted to."

    "Thank you, Mr. Beckett," Angelina uttered with a gaze full of gratitude.

    "Angelina, when you get back, perform a thorough check of the room. It would be best if you''re able to

    acquire a sample of that man''s fingerprints."

    Alyssa was determined. "I will then hand the fingerprint sample to Cyrus. He is a police officer. He will

    be able to get his forensic colleagues'' help to see if they have any information about that man.

    "If he''s indeed a hitman, this wouldn''t have been his first offense. Criminals like him would never be

    bothered to clean up their crime scene. So, his fingerprints would definitely be recorded in the

    fingerprint database. Once aparison is done, we should be able to find out his identity."

    Betty drove the car alone and arrived at Middleton Resort as agreed.

    Being a pricey and exclusive members-only resort, Middleton Hot Spring boasted only a handful of

    customers around.

    That night, the ce looked as if it had beenpletely cleared out. There was not a single soul to be

    seen in the spacious reception area.

    Betty had just stepped into the main entrance when she was approached by someone who looked like

    a secretary.

    "May I know if you are Ms. Betty?"

    "You are.?" Betty replied, unsure. The man didn''t seem like someone who would work with Zoe.

    "Ms. Zoe asked me to take you in. Pleasee with me."

    After a short walk, Betty was led to the front of a door.

    "Ms. Zoe is right inside. Please enter." Upon saying that, the secretary left.

    Betty snorted coldly. She couldn''t believe how much Zoe put herself on airs. Meeting her was like

    meeting royalty.

    Betty pushed the door open and entered. She was weed by a wave of steaming heat.

    Betty followed the sound of flowing water and walked toward it. She could vaguely hear the sounds of a

    woman moaning over and over.

    Her chest tightened. She gulped before pushing the door open.

    Amidst the clouds of steam, she spotted a naked Zoe with her back pressed against a rock. A man was

    holding her by the waist and mming his hips on her.

    Betty let out a scream in shock.

    That man was startled. He froze mid-action and looked behind him quickly.

    Betty got a good look at Freddy''s face. Her jaws dropped!

    Zoe was still panting softly. She smiled at Freddy enticingly and wrapped her arms around his neck

    casually. "Don''t stop... Keep going."

 Chapter 1803

    Betty covered her mouth, utterly shaken. Despite being promiscuous herself, she would at least make

    sure to maintain her modesty in public.

    Meanwhile, Zoe disyed no shame whatsoever. Not only was she openly enjoying herself with a man

    before her, but the sheer ecstasy on her face bordered on smugness!

    How could a bitch like Zoe even dare to entertain thoughts of marrying Jasper and bing the wife

    of Beckett Group''s president? She was far from qualified!

    Freddy was someone from a notable family. As such, he retained a sense of decorum despite his

    burning lust. The realization that they were being observed dampened his ardor.

    "Zoe, I can''t.."

    Zoe harrumphed. "Useless piece of shit!"

    In disdain, Zoe shoved Freddy into the water. She emerged from the waterpletely naked and

    retrieved a towel from a nearby chair. Then, she wrapped it around herself, covering only the essential

    parts, leaving little to the imagination.

    Freddy was panicking in the water. As Zoe''s ultimatepdog, his first instinct was to immediately

    appease her.

    However, Betty''s presence made him reluctant to get out of the water.

    "What''s with all the screaming? Everyone in Sna City knows you''re the most promiscuous, Ms.

    Betty. No need to act innocent and pure in front of me," Zoe remarked casually, retrieving a cigarette

    from her box and cing it between her lips. She lit it, taking a deep drag.

    Despite her anger, Betty couldn''t help but admire Zoe.

    Back in their school days, Freddy had been Zoe''s loyal follower. Betty couldn''t believe he was still

    fixated on her even after nearly a decade had passed.

    Although Harper Group was wealthy, it didn''t have a clean background. Hence, officials weren''t too

    keen on associating with them.

    If Zoe could establish a connection with the Hodgsons, the Harpers would gain a powerful political ally.

    This could open doors for them to expand into new sectors, and who knew how far their business

    empire could reach then?

    Betty clicked her tongue. "Don''t tell me you summoned me here in the dead of the night just to watch

    you two go at it." She couldn''t be bothered to put on a courteous front. She walked over angrily and sat

    down.

    Zoe blew a cloud of smoke in her direction, causing Betty to cough. "Has that idiotic sister of yours

    returned to Seaview Manor?"

    "Nope. Grandpa took her back with him."

    "What''s Mr. Beckett Senior''s take on this?"

    "I heard that he''s pissed off. I''m guessing that Landon marrying Lauren will be a tall order," Betty

    remarked with a coldugh, finding amusement in their predicament.

    "Lauren''s condition has been exposed, and her actions are being widely mocked online. None of the

    prominent families in Sna City would want such a woman in their midst.

    "Lauren''s a lost cause, and my father can''t bear the shame of having his daughter marry beneath her

    station and be aughingstock. Since she doesn''t meet the expectations of the rich, he will be

    stuck looking after that useless daughter of his for the rest of his life!"

    Bettyughed so hard that she teared up. She couldn''t help but be reminded of how Sophia had ced

    all her hopes on Lauren when she was alive.

    Would Sophia rest in peace if she knew Lauren could never have a happy marriage? Or perhaps

    enraged enough to be a vengeful spirit to haunt them?

    Betty dismissed the idea with a scoff. Sophia was never fit to be a mother; Betty and Lauren were just

    tools in the Beckett family.

    "Who says no one wants her? I''ve arranged a marriage for her," Zoe dered, shooting a pointed look

    at Freddy. "Be quick with it and make that wedding happen, Freddy."

    Betty''s eyes widened in astonishment. What did that mean? Freddy was going to marry Lauren?

    Freddy was a man with a sturdy family background. He even fancied Zoe that much. Even so, Zoe was

    willing to give him up to Lauren instead. It seemed like Zoe had lost her mind.

    "Zoe... I can''t bear to leave you," Freddy whined, approaching Zoe by the pool.

    Annoyed, Zoe kicked him on the shoulder. "Didn''t I tell you to discuss this with your parents? What did

    they say?"

    "They didn''t like that Lauren is a dumbo. They''re not keen about the marriage."

    "In that case, you need to convince them even more that she''s the one you must marry. Show them

    that a marriage alliance with the Becketts has more advantages than disadvantages."

    Regardless, Zoe was from a plutocrat family. Ever the strategist, she continued, "If you were to be

    Javier''s son-inw, things like securing campaign funds would be a breeze for Mr. Onder when he

    wants to advance his career.

    "And epting Lauren, despite her shorings, will demonstrate your family''s charity and open-

    mindedness, which will enhance both your and Mr. Onder''s image in the political world."

    "You''re truly brilliant, Zoe," Freddy said,pletely enamored with her. But then, he added reluctantly,

    "But... it''s you whom I truly love."

    "She''s just an idiot. You can leave her at home as a showpiece after you marry her. How could she

    ever get in your way?"

    Zoe then stooped to his level, pinching his chin yfully as she jeered, "In the future, you and I can do

    whatever we want and be together whenever we like."

    Freddy waspletely mesmerized by her. He no longer cared that he was still naked. He got to his

    feet and got out of the pool. He caught Zoe in an embrace, nting a wet kiss on her lips.

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    Betty felt uneasy as she watched the scene unfold before her.

    Nheless, understanding finally dawned on Betty¡ªmarrying Lauren off was the key to breaking

    Landon''s spirit. But not just any marriage¡ªit had to be a prestigious one, a family like the Hodgsons

    that even the Harpers treated with deference.

    The cruelty of it all! No wonder Sophia always warned her about Zoe. She was nothing short of

    diabolical!

    Zoe, nestledfortably in Freddy''s arms, cast a knowing nce at Betty''s stricken face. "Betty, you

    also need to put in some effort with Mr. Javier when you get back. Remember, we''re in this together.

    Here''s to a fruitful partnership."

    The veiled threat hung heavy in the air. Betty bristled. "I don''t need you to remind me. I know what to

    do!"

    By orchestrating Lauren''s marriage to Freddy, she could exact revenge on Landon and thwart the

    Harper Group''s ambitions simultaneously. And she could prevent Zoe from bing even more

    insufferably smug.

    It was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. So, why not take it?

 Chapter 1804

    Amidst her mental distress, Lauren had also been injected with a high dose of sedative. Hence, she still

    hadn''t stirred when morning came.

    Meanwhile, Landon stood resolutely in the freezing courtyard like a lone sentinel. His entire body had

    gone numb from the freezing cold.

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    Though his face had paled considerably, he dared not budge. He was close to his limit, yet the hope of

    Lauren seeing him upon waking kept him rooted to the spot.

    Why this cruel twist of fate? Once inseparable, they were now denied even a glimpse of each other.

    Lost in thought, Landon was startled by the sound of approaching footsteps¡ªhurried yet firm.

    "I''ll take you home, Landon," Jasper''s voice was low and strained, filled with frustration and deep

    concern for his friend. "You''re being absurd! There''s no point in you torturing yourself like this!"

    Landon groaned as he lowered his frigid gaze. His face was so stiff he could barely form an

    expression.

    "You once waited outside Heightsnew Vi to beg for Lyse''s family''s forgiveness. Why can''t I do the

    same?"

    A lump formed in Jasper''s throat. "Our circumstances are different."

    "How are they different? I, too, seek Grandpa Newton''s forgiveness... I, too, yearn to see my wife. How

    is this any different?" Landon''s agitation intensified, his frail body swaying precariously forward.

    "Landon!"

    Jasper''s reflexes were lightning-fast. He extended both arms and caught Landon before he could fall.

    Thankfully, Jasper''s superior height and build were crucial in that moment. If he were an average man,

    he might not have been able to break Landon''s fall.

    "Jasper. I miss my wife," Landon choked out, his voice thick with emotion. Tears welled up in his red-

    rimmed eyes. He leaned his forehead against Jasper''s broad shoulder, struggling to regain his

    composure.

    In a raspy whisper, he confessed, "Not seeing Lauren feels like someone ripped my heart out."

    His fists pounded his chest in a disy of raw pain. "It hurts so bad, Jasper. Like. it could kill me."

    "Listen to me. Let''s go to the hospital first. You need to get checked out."

    Landon shivered. Jasper offered aforting pat on his back in the face of his pain. "After that,e

    back to Lyse and my ce. Mrs. Rosie will take good care of you. You can rest, and when you wake

    up, I''ll arrange for you to see Lauren."

    After much persuasion, Jasper and Jordan helped Landon into the car and rushed him to the hospital.

    At the hospital, Landony in his ward, an IV drip delivering fluids. asional coughs wracked his

    weakened body. The harsh cold had taken its toll; he''d fallen ill.

    "Mr. Landon, I''ve removed all the videos about Madam Lauren online and stopped the negative

    comments," Jordan reported, his bloodshot eyes betraying hisck of sleep.

    Jordan added, "I know it might seem insignificant now, but with time and your unwavering support by

    her side, things will improve for Madam Lauren."

    Landon stared at the ceiling. "Thank you," he murmured.

    "Don''t thank me. It is my duty to serve you and Madam Lauren!" Jordan insisted, shaking his head

    vigorously.

    Atst, Jasper spoke up with a glum expression on his face. "Landon, why did the Harpers suddenly

    target Lauren? And why focus on her condition? I find this quite bizarre."

    "At yesterday''s board meeting, Preston presented Lauren''s psychological diagnosis report to the board

    members," Landon exined, his grip tightening on the nket until his veins were showing.

    "What did you just say?" Jasper''s frown deepened. The news struck him like a physical blow. This

    situation was far more serious,plex, and brutal than he initially thought.

    "Now that I think about it... something has been off from the very beginning."

    Landon pushed himself upright. He spoke through pale lips, "When Preston presented the diagnosis

    report, there wasn''t a flicker of surprise on Grandpa''s face. He didn''t even touch the documents. It''s

    clear he knew about Lauren''s condition beforehand and yed along with Preston''s scheme.

    "But this information is top secret within the Becketts. How did Preston get it? Grandpa Newton and Mr.

    Javier would never reveal it, and Sophia''s dead."

    "Who else could it be besides Betty?" Jasper''s eyes shed with anger. "While Sophia was alive, they

    were thick as thieves. Sophia wouldn''t hesitate to betray anyone for her own gain.

    "Even though Betty is a Beckett, she wouldn''t have normal ess to such confidential documents.

    Sophia must have given it to her."

    "Betty and Preston are working together?" Landon''s eyes widened in surprise.

    "Don''t forget your troublemaking sister," Jasper added with a chilling sneer. "Zoe has always been

    close to Betty. She''s probably the middleman in this."

    If Jameson was the one responsible for the misfortunes in the Schmidt family, then Zoe yed the

    same role for the Harpers.

    What a perfect pair!

    Just then, Xavier''s call came in. Jasper answered, putting it on loudspeaker. "Go ahead, Xavier."

    "Mr. Beckett, I have news from our bodyguards who were keeping watch at Seaview Manor. Last night,

    Betty drove out on her own to Middleton Resort in the West."

    Jasper exchanged a grim look with Landon. "Who did she meet?"

    "Our men waited in hiding. Shortly after Betty left, Zoe and Mr. Hodgson''s son came out. However, they

    didn''t leave together. They went in separate ways in separate cars."

 Chapter 1805

    "Got it," Jasper muttered, ending the call. His expression was so grim it seemed like a storm cloud

    loomed over him.

    "This timing is suspicious! Betty sneaks out to meet Zoe in the middle of the night? It practically

    screams conspiracy. They''re clearly in cahoots over the leaked report." Landon''s eyes widened with

    anger. He clenched his fists, mming them onto the bed with such force it felt like he might break it.

    "I fear your sister, Zoe, has allied with Preston in secret. She may have also informed Mr. Harper

    Senior privately. Otherwise, their n wouldn''t have gone so smoothly. They''ve likely been nning

    this for some time."

    A memory flickered in Landon''s mind. It was the night he delivered the engagement invitation to

    Cornelius and bumped into Zoe bringing him chicken soup. She had never been so caring before. In

    hindsight, her sudden kindness was obviously a calcted move.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "She''s not my sister!" Landon repeated, his eyes aze with hatred. With each repetition, he cursed

    Zoe in his heart.

    "But she''s your grandfather and mother''s favorite, and ording to family records, she''s Bill''s biological

    daughter," Jasper reminded him, his hands firmly on Landon''s trembling shoulders.

    Jasper continued, "Even if our suspicions are correct, we can''t act without concrete evidence.

    Otherwise, they''ll have leverage over you in the future."

    It was advice Alyssa often gave him, and now Jasper was echoing it to his best friend.

    Jasper solemnly cautioned, "Don''t think that bing president will make you immune. They''ll still find

    ways to undermine you, and they could even prevent you from managing Harper Group''s affairs. You

    can''t give them that chance.

    "Revenge isn''t something achieved overnight. Besides, what Zoe did this time pleased Mr. Harper

    Senior. If you retaliate against her, you''ll likely only bring trouble upon yourself."

    "As for Betty, I will handle her," Jasper continued, his voice determined.

    "But what''s the difference between Betty and Zoe?" Landon gripped Jasper''s arm, anxiety etching his

    features. "Mr. Javier might see removing Betty as a slight on the Becketts, giving him leverage to make

    things difficult for you!"

    "Don''t worry. I have a n." Jasper pressed his lips together slightly. "And I believe my wife will have

    an even better one."

    It was already nighttime by the time Jasper returned to Crescent Bay.

    Ben and Alyssa went up to him the moment he entered, updating him that Lauren had stirred.

    "Is Lauren alright?" Jasper put his arms around Alyssa''s waist. He had a concerned look in his eyes.

    Alyssa sighed and shook her head. She caressed his icy hands. "She''s not doing great. Grandpa kept

    herpany for a while. He wasn''t feeling too well, so he went back to his room to rest. Angelina is

    with Lauren right now. How about Landon? How is he?"

    "I sent him to the hospital. He ended up getting a fever after being out in the cold. Fortunately, he''s

    quite fit, so he''s hanging in there."

    Alyssa lowered her head.

    Jasper and Landon were both hopeless romantics.

    "Come with me, Lyse."

 Chapter 1806

    Jasper squeezed Alyssa''s hand, his gaze holding a somber weight. "There''s something I need to

    discuss with you."

    In the room, Lauren clung tightly to Angelina, her warm tears soaking Angelina''s ck suit.

    "Look, Madam Lauren. I''m right here with you. I''mpletely fine," Angelina reassured her, returning

    the embrace. Though her voice was steady, tears welled in her eyes. "Those people only wanted to

    scare you. You''re alright now. It''s all over...

    "Such a thing won''t happen again. Nothing but happiness awaits you and Mr. Landon."

    "Landon and I. do we even have a future?" Lauren''s voice was barely a whisper.

    Angelina''s chest clenched at that question. She promptly answered, "Don''t think like that, Madam

    Lauren. What happened wasn''t as big a deal as it seems. Mr. Landon, Mr. Jasper, and Ms. Alyssa will

    handle everything. Things will return to normal!"

    "Angie. I''m not stupid. I know why this happened. It''s because of the Harpers. They don''t want us

    together." Lauren''sshes fluttered with tears.

    It was a heartbreaking sight.

    "This time, they were merely trying to scare you¡ªonly hurting your left leg and kidnapping you. But

    next time, they might take your life. The Harpers won''t ept me, and if Landon insists on being with

    me, it will only endanger him."

    "No, Madam Lauren! Don''t think that way!" Angelina panicked, shaking her head frantically. Tears

    welled up in her reddened eyes. "You''re Mr. Landon''s reason for living! He wouldn''t survive without you.

    Fighting for power and position would mean nothing to him without you by his side."

    "But I''ll only be a burden," Lauren insisted, her voice filled with despair. "He''ll have to use all his energy

    to take care of me. He''s already stretched thin."

    At that moment, Lauren appeared different from her usual childlike and naive self. Instead, she seemed

    clear-headed and rational, as if this incident had forced her to mature.

    "I''m not like Alyssa, who can be Jasper''s partner in every way," Lauren said. "I can''t offer Landon that

    kind of support. I''ll only be a burden.

    "And I''ll also cause you to face even greater dangers, Angie. You''re not just a subordinate or a

    bodyguard to me. You''re like a sister. You''re incredibly important to me.

    "I''ve always felt this way. I don''t deserve his love. Landon is more suited to be with someone better."

    "Madam Lauren, please don''t give up on Mr. Landon. I beg of you..." Angelina pleaded, her voice

    trembling with anxiety, on the verge of tears.

    Perhaps Lauren had long understood the Harper family''s stance. She might have been aware of how

    difficult it was for Landon to protect her from all the dangers. Perhaps the crisis that day was the final

    straw for her.

    "I know all that Landon has done for me. If we continue like this, there wille a day when he''ll lose

    control," Lauren said, her eyes swollen.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    She slowly closed her eyes as she recalled the time at Newton''s birthday party¡ªher first time alone

    with Landon; it was in the garden, under the moonlit sky. His eyes had twinkled like stars then, filled

    with joy. Now, a veil of sadness seemed to cloud those once-bright eyes.

    A bittersweet smile touched her lips as she relived the memory. Tears welled up again. "I want Landon

    to be himself again. I want him to move forward bravely, without any worries."

 Chapter 1807

    Back in their room, Jasper confided in Alyssa about Zoe and Betty.

    He could have kept it secret, but respecting Alyssa''s wishes for transparency, he opted for honesty.

    Keeping secrets wouldnd him in trouble, and the thought of facing Alyssa''s wrath was enough to

    deter him.

    After all, appeasing an angry Alyssa wouldn''t be an easy feat. She might not even let him touch her for

    days or even weeks, and no words could describe this sort of misery.

    Alyssa listened intently, her eyes narrowing dangerously. The look in her eyes was so intense that it

    would make anyone''s heart race.

    "Lauren has endured so much unfair treatment, and it''s all because of her sister, Betty."

    In the next second, Alyssa snatched up her teacup in a fit of anger and flung it across the room,

    shattering it into pieces.

    Jasper''s chest tightened. He took Alyssa''s hand and examined it carefully. He then cradled it gently

    between his palms andforted her. "Getting so worked up like this isn''t good for your health. And

    hurting yourself over a piece of trash isn''t worth it at all."

    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I understand that every child is different, but it''s as if Betty has some sort of gic mutation. She''s an

    abomination."

    In her anger, Alyssa''s sweet voice began to crack. "They share the same mother. How could siblings

    be so different? When Sophia forced her way into the family with her pregnancy, I''m sure Mr. Javier

    had a paternity test done. Is Betty really his daughter?"

    Jasper''s eyes clouded over. He replied softly, "Grandpa did order a paternity test that year. The results

    showed that Betty is indeed Javier''s child."

    "Haven''t you seen it on TV shows? Paternity test results can be tampered with, and doctors can be

    bribed. Sophia getting away with murder for 20 years proves she''s capable of hiding secrets about a

    paternity test."

    Once Alyssa''s mind started racing, it was hard to stop. Each thought seemed more horrifying than the

    last.

    Maintaining a serious expression, Jasper slipped his fingers between Alyssa''s cor and the back of

    her neck, massaging her gently.

    It helped him to calm down.

    He wasn''t impatient or dismissive of her theory. In fact, he harbored a simr suspicion himself. He''d

    just been too busy with other issues to address it.

    "Right now," he began, "we need to focus on how Betty teamed up with Harper Group to hurt Lauren."

    He wrapped his arm around her waist, caressing her gently. "What do you think, darling?"

    "Taking care of Betty shouldn''t be difficult, especially now that she doesn''t have Sophia backing her up

    anymore," Alyssa said confidently. "The more trouble she makes, the quicker she''ll meet her demise."

    A small, menacing smile yed on Alyssa''s lips as she nestled closer to Jasper. "But we need a n

    that safeguards us while we deal her a fatal blow."

    "Just go ahead and execute your n, Lyse. You don''t have to take us Becketts into consideration. I''ll

    deal with them." Jasper fixed his fiery gaze on her.

    Alyssa shook her head slowly. "If Betty''s dirt is revealed, the same thing that happened to the Schmidts

    will happen to your family.

    "Even if I don''t take you into consideration, I would still need to consider Grandpa Newton''s feelings.

    After all, she is his granddaughter. Despite his disappointment, she''s still family."

    Family meant everything to Newton. Furthermore, he was of advanced age, and after witnessing

    Lauren''s ordeal, he wouldn''t be able to handle another blow.

    "The ideal scenario is if she confesses on her own. But that won''t happen without bait." Alyssa

    chuckled softly, a cold gleam in her eyes. "Right now, she thinks she''s won. She''s probably reveling in

    her victory. Let''s give her a little surprise."

 Chapter 1808

    The more one knew their enemy, the higher their chances of victory.

    Just like Alyssa predicted Jameson''s rash move against David, she also knew Betty would be brimming

    with pride right now.

    While the rest of the Becketts reeled from Lauren''s ordeal, Betty reveled in worldly pleasures. She

    barhopped and indulged in excessive drinking.

    Fueled by alcohol, she even gossiped about her autistic sister with her unsavory friends. She exploited

    her family''s pain for entertainment, releasing years of pent-up hatred.

    Since Sophia''s death, Betty had kept a low profile. She didn''t dare to make any rash moves either.

    However, after joining forces with Zoe, a realization dawned on her¡ªeven without Sophia, she could

    still hold her own against those people. She could manipte them as she pleased.

    That night, chaos reigned in the private room. Betty was engaged in frenzied dancing with a charming

    male model, egged on by the surrounding crowd. Intoxicated by alcohol, she shamelessly struck

    various embarrassing poses with the man she barely knew.

    In the chaos, the male model dragged her into the washroom within the private room. A violent kiss

    escted as he ripped at her clothes.

    Initially resistant, she used her arms to shield her chest¡ªher half-cup bra could be seen. Then, her

    eyes widened in shock.

    The model, with practiced ease, used his tongue to slip a pill into her mouth. Before she could react,

    she swallowed it.

    "What... What did you just give me?" Betty shoved him away, her breathing in heavy pants.

    "Something to make you feel good."

    The man smiled at her with an unfocused gaze. He licked her earlobe and murmured, "It''s not your first

    time trying this anyway, isn''t it?"

    Soon, Betty was enveloped in waves of desire. Her thoughts became hazy, but her body soared on

    cloud nine.

    An unknown amount of time passed. Everyone else had left the private room. The man pulled up his

    pants and pushed open the washroom door.

    Betty, a woman of noble status, slumped over the filthy toilet bowl. Her clothes were disheveled, and a

    single strand of drool escaped her ck jaw. But the worst part was her smile. Wide and vacant, it

    stretched across her face like a simpleton''s glee.

    A man in a crisp, clean suit pushed open the private room door. Disgust contorted his face, yet his

    posture remained controlled as he settled onto the couch, an air of elegance clinging to him.

    The male model approached Sean respectfully. "Mr. Lynch, the job''s done."

    "Thanks for your hard work. Sorry that you had to touch such a filthy thing." Sean looked up and smiled

    slightly.

    "Not at all... It was a simple task."

    "I''ve received the photographs and video clip."

    Sean slowly pushed a bank card toward him. "Here''s the one million dors we agreed upon, plus an

    additional 500,000. I wish you a speedy recovery."Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    The man hesitated, then pocketed the card with a chuckle. "It would be a miracle if I could be cured of

    my illness. Don''t worry. I will be leaving Sna City on an early flight tomorrow. I won''t being

    back."

 Chapter 1809

    Landon spent a single, sleepless night at the hospital. He worked tirelessly, making phone calls to

    arrange a press conference and contacting renowned psychiatrists and psychologists worldwide, all to

    secure the best treatment for Lauren.

    Cornelius, however, seemed determined to overwhelm Landon. He disregarded Landon''s well-being

    and dumped nearly all thepany''s affairs on him. Jordan could only watch helplessly, on the verge

    of tears.

    The next morning, while receiving an IV drip, Landon received a call from Angelina. Upon hearing that

    Lauren was more stable, he yanked the needle out immediately. Then, he got up and headed out the

    door as he threw on his ck coat.

    "Jordan, get the car!"

    "Mr. Landon, waiting for the medication to finish wouldn''t dy your visit!" Jordan eximed.

    Landon''s suffering was evident. He''d lost a significant amount of weight in just two or three days, and it

    pained Jordan to see him like that.

    "I''ll be fine," Landon replied tersely, already stepping out the door. His demeanor was resolute yet

    deste. In a hoarse and desperate voice, he added, "Nothing is more important than seeing my wife."

    Landon''s luxury car once again pulled into the Crescent Bay courtyard. However, following Newton''s

    instructions, he was denied entry.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Ben, polite and gentle, emerged to greet him. "Mr. Landon, Ms. Lauren is much better. She even

    enjoyed her breakfast."

    Ben''s tone was gentle. There wasn''t a single hint of resentment in his voice.

    Joy radiated from Landon''s eyes, hisshes fluttering with emotion. A brief reminder of the past was

    enough to immerse him in fond memories. "Really? My wife... Lauren enjoyed her breakfast? That''s

    wonderful.

    "Lauren isn''t much of a breakfast person. I have to coax her out of bed to have breakfast. I''d keep her

    company until she finished before heading out."

    "That''s very thoughtful of you, Mr. Landon. Thank you for looking after Ms. Lauren all this time," Ben

    expressed his gratitude.

    A sharp pang of fear suddenly struck Landon. Ben''s words felt like a farewell.

    "Ms. Lauren has Mr. Beckett and Ms. Angelina by her side, looking after her. She''s doing very well now,

    so you needn''t worry. The weather has turned coldertely. Do remember to keep warm. You may

    leave

    now.

    "Mr. Gorham!" Landon grabbed Ben''s arm and looked at him anxiously. His lips were dry. He opened

    his mouth to speak, but in his anxiousness, he couldn''t make a sound.

    After some hesitation, he said in a hoarse voice, "May I see Lauren? I just for a moment. I miss her

    terribly..."

    "Mr. Landon, Mr. Newton has forbidden Ms. Lauren from receiving any guests while she recuperates.

    Please leave," Ben repeated monotonously.

    "Guests?" The word felt foreign to Landon, causing him to shudder. He coughed deeply. "Lauren is my

    fianc¨¦e. I''m her partner, her family! What do you mean by ''guest''?"

    "I understand your frustration," Ben, who had witnessed Landon''s growth, softened his tone¡ªno longer

    able to keep up with his cold act, he advised, "But you must know Mr. Newton is upset after what

    happened. And Mr. Cornelius¡ª"

    "What has he done now?" Landon interjected, his distress evident.

    "On the night of the incident, he called and had a heated argument with Mr. Newton. Ms. Alyssa was

    there at the time, too."

    Ben sighed helplessly. "Both Mr. Newton and Mr. Cornelius made their feelings clear. I''m afraid your

    marriage with Ms. Lauren might be off the table."

    Landon was stunned, feeling as if the world was copsing around him. He felt the weight of it all

    crushing him, a bitter lump forming in his throat.

 Chapter 1810

    Landon spent a single, sleepless night at the hospital. He worked tirelessly, making phone calls to

    arrange a press conference and contacting renowned psychiatrists and psychologists worldwide, all to

    secure the best treatment for Lauren.

    Cornelius, however, seemed determined to overwhelm Landon. He disregarded Landon''s well-being

    and dumped nearly all thepany''s affairs on him. Jordan could only watch helplessly, on the verge

    of tears.

    The next morning, while receiving an IV drip, Landon received a call from Angelina. Upon hearing that

    Lauren was more stable, he yanked the needle out immediately. Then, he got up and headed out the

    door as he threw on his ck coat.

    "Jordan, get the car!"

    "Mr. Landon, waiting for the medication to finish wouldn''t dy your visit!" Jordan eximed.

    Landon''s suffering was evident. He''d lost a significant amount of weight in just two or three days, and it

    pained Jordan to see him like that.

    "I''ll be fine," Landon replied tersely, already stepping out the door. His demeanor was resolute yet

    deste. In a hoarse and desperate voice, he added, "Nothing is more important than seeing my wife."

    Landon''s luxury car once again pulled into the Crescent Bay courtyard. However, following Newton''s

    instructions, he was denied entry.

    Ben, polite and gentle, emerged to greet him. "Mr. Landon, Ms. Lauren is much better. She even

    enjoyed her breakfast."

    Ben''s tone was gentle. There wasn''t a single hint of resentment in his voice.

    Joy radiated from Landon''s eyes, hisshes fluttering with emotion. A brief reminder of the past was

    enough to immerse him in fond memories. "Really? My wife... Lauren enjoyed her breakfast? That''s

    wonderful.

    "Lauren isn''t much of a breakfast person. I have to coax her out of bed to have breakfast. I''d keep her

    company until she finished before heading out."

    "That''s very thoughtful of you, Mr. Landon. Thank you for looking after Ms. Lauren all this time," Ben

    expressed his gratitude.

    A sharp pang of fear suddenly struck Landon. Ben''s words felt like a farewell.

    "Ms. Lauren has Mr. Beckett and Ms. Angelina by her side, looking after her. She''s doing very well now,

    so you needn''t worry. The weather has turned coldertely. Do remember to keep warm. You may

    leave

    now.

    "Mr. Gorham!" Landon grabbed Ben''s arm and looked at him anxiously. His lips were dry. He opened

    his mouth to speak, but in his anxiousness, he couldn''t make a sound.

    After some hesitation, he said in a hoarse voice, "May I see Lauren? I just for a moment. I miss her

    terribly..."

    "Mr. Landon, Mr. Newton has forbidden Ms. Lauren from receiving any guests while she recuperates.

    Please leave," Ben repeated monotonously.

    "Guests?" The word felt foreign to Landon, causing him to shudder. He coughed deeply. "Lauren is my

    fianc¨¦e. I''m her partner, her family! What do you mean by ''guest''?"

    "I understand your frustration," Ben, who had witnessed Landon''s growth, softened his tone¡ªno longer

    able to keep up with his cold act, he advised, "But you must know Mr. Newton is upset after what

    happened. And Mr. Cornelius¡ª"

    "What has he done now?" Landon interjected, his distress evident.

    "On the night of the incident, he called and had a heated argument with Mr. Newton. Ms. Alyssa was

    there at the time, too."

    Ben sighed helplessly. "Both Mr. Newton and Mr. Cornelius made their feelings clear. I''m afraid your

    marriage with Ms. Lauren might be off the table."

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Landon was stunned, feeling as if the world was copsing around him. He felt the weight of it all

    crushing him, a bitter lump forming in his throat.

 Chapter 1811

    After a night of excessive partying, Betty was woken up by a waitress in the washroom. She didn''t even

    have time to clean up the filth from the lower part of her body before she slipped out through the back

    door.

    By the time she stumbled out, the sun was high in the sky. It was already the next afternoon.

    In no condition to return to Seaview Manor looking like a mess, Betty returned to her exclusive suite at

    the Berenike Hotel to scrub away the remnants of the previous night. Vivid memories of her encounter

    with the muscr model kept reying in her mind.

    "Damn," she thought, "size really does matter."

    It was a shame she hadn''t exchanged contact information with him. She would have enjoyed a repeat

    performance.

    Once cleaned up and dressed in fresh clothes provided by a staff member, Betty was once again the

    picture of a refineddy. She instructed her driver to take her back to Seaview Manor.

    Upon entering, she heard voicesing from the living room.

    "Do we have visitors, Barry?" she inquired.

    "Yes, Ms. Betty. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson are here with Mr. Freddy. Mr. Javier is currently speaking with

    them."

    Surprise flickered across Betty''s face. Freddy was indeed Zoe''s loyalpdog. He truly wasted no time.

    Smoothing her hair and forcing a smile, she entered the room.

    "Guests, Dad?" she interjected with feigned surprise. "Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson! And Freddy, what a

    pleasant surprise. Lovely to see you all."

    Javier couldn''t ignore the faint scent of alcohol clinging to Betty. He frowned in disapproval but

    maintained a calm exterior in front of their guests.

    Onder and Minnie looked down upon Betty. So, they simply returned her greeting with perfunctory

    smiles. They picked up their tea cups and sipped on their tea.

    Meanwhile, Freddy avoided making eye contact with Betty, maintaining a respectful demeanor in front

    of his future father-inw. It was as if he wasn''t the same naked man who had been with Zoe that night.

    "It''s a shame that we''re unable to meet with Lauren today, Mr. Javier. Freddy has prepared some gifts

    for her. He wanted to give them to her personally," Minnie remarked with a smile.

    "Our Freddy," Onder chuckled, pping a hand on Freddy''s shoulder, "never had a girlfriend! He

    gets flustered around women. But for Lauren, he''s going all out!"

    To everyone''s surprise, Betty burst outughing, shattering the pleasant atmosphere. Smiles froze on

    Onder''s and Minnie''s faces. Freddy, fearing exposure, broke into a cold sweat.

    "I can vouch for that, Dad. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson aren''t exaggerating. What they said is true. Freddy

    and I were schoolmates. He is indeed an honest, hardworking man," Betty interjected, a pregnant

    pause following her words as she nced at Freddy, whose face had drained of color.

    She continued, "Freddy and Lauren are a perfect match. There is no one more suitable than him to

    marry her. He knows her well, and they''ll be marrying within their ss."

    Javier''s expression soured visibly.

    "We should leave now. We''ve taken up enough of your time," Onder said, rising from his seat.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "Mr. Javier, let''s arrange another meeting when Lauren is back. Our families and the children should

    meet again," Minnie suggested eagerly.

    Javier coughed softly, his expression troubled. "I''m sure both of you have seen the recent news. My

    daughter''s current mental state..."

    "We came here in person, Mr. Javier. This should demonstrate that Lauren''s condition doesn''t bother

    us in the slightest. We don''t mind it at all."

 Chapter 1812

    Onder boomed withughter, his voice radiating warmth and generosity. "My son has been smitten

    with Lauren since school! After seeing her again at the Schmidt''s cocktail party, he couldn''t get her out

    of his mind. Freddy genuinely cares for Lauren. Your concerns are unfounded!"

    Minnie chimed in, "Exactly! You could say Freddy and Lauren are childhood sweethearts!"

    Betty scoffed inwardly. Childhood sweethearts indeed, except Lauren wasn''t Freddy''s sweetheart.

    Javier''s frown eased upon hearing their words.

    The Hodgsons then left Seaview Manor in their luxury car. Onder and Minnie sat together, with

    Freddy facing them.

    "It seems Mr. Javier has a favorable impression of you."

    Onder sat with his legs crossed. He had nowe round.

    In a more rxed tone, he remarked, "While Lauren may not be your social equal, you''re right¡ª

    marrying her would boost my chances in future elections. Moreover, your career prospects would

    certainly improve as Javier''s son-inw."

    Though Freddy''s expression remained stoic, his eyes betrayed his discontent.

    Onder, noticing his downcast demeanor, scoffed. "I know Lauren has mental health issues. But look

    at it another way¡ªit''s not all bad. Once she''s part of the Hodgson family, she won''t wield power or

    cause trouble.

    "And when her condition worsens, you''ll be her primary caretaker. Wouldn''t that give you

    complete control over her Beckett family fortune?"

    "Freddy, the future of your father''s career lies in your hands," Minnie added eagerly, her eyes gleaming

    with anticipation for the marriage alliance.

    Freddy stared out the window, a wave of gloom washing over him as he remembered Zoe''s

    instructions.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Exhausted from her previous night''s activities, Betty was about to retreat upstairs after the Hodgsons''

    departure when Javier stopped her.

    "How did you know that Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson were here to discuss a marriage alliance?"

    Betty was momentarily taken aback by the question. Her mind raced as she struggled toe up with

    a response.

    Finally, she managed an awkwardugh and stammered, "I, uh... just picked up on their eagerness.

    They brought Freddy and gifts for Lauren, so I assumed they were proposing. Dad, are you seriously

    considering marrying Lauren to Freddy?"

    Javier narrowed his eyes, a cold glint shing within them. "Lauren''s marriage to Landon is definitely

    not happening. He is not her only option."

    A wide smile stretched across Betty''s face, fueled by Lauren''s misfortune.

    "I''m just not sure who it was who colluded with the Harpers to hurt Lauren." Javier gritted his teeth.

    "The thing I hate most is when people attack me from behind. When I find out who it was, they''ll pay

    dearly for what they did."

    Betty''s smugness was short-lived as her heart leaped into her throat.

    Suddenly, firm footsteps echoed from outside the living room. Momentster, Newton, in his

    wheelchair, nked by Jasper and Ben, entered.

    Jasper observed the tension in Betty''s demeanor and remarked to Javier, "It''s rare for us to be on the

    same page."

 Chapter 1813

    Betty''s breath hitched. The sight of Jasper was like a predator spotting its prey, sending a primal jolt of

    fear through her. She longed to disappear, to vanish into some dark, forgotten corner.

    Javier shot Jasper a cold nce before rising and approaching them. "Dad, why didn''t you tell me that

    you wereing? I could have weed you properly."

    "I''m not a guest here; I''m returning to my own home. I don''t need a grand wee," Newton replied

    sarcastically, his toneced with disdain for Javier. Their strained rtionship was palpable.

    Javier''s expression darkened at his father''s sharp retort. It was a clear reminder that Seaview Manor

    belonged to Newton, not him¡ªjust because he lived there, it didn''t mean that he owned the ce.

    "Grandpa, I heard that Lauren has been recuperating at your ce. How is she? Is she feeling better?"

    Betty hurried over and stood behind Javier. She immediately made herself look like she was showing

    concern for her sister.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "Lauren is doing much better. She''s been eating well at my ce."

    Newton then turned to Jasper with a hint of suspicion. "Jasper, you brought us here. Did you have

    something to discuss?"

    Jasper knelt to adjust the wool nket covering Newton''s legs, his gaze piercing and cold.

    "Haven''t you both been desperate to find the one who conspired with the Harpers, the one who leaked

    Lauren''s diagnosis and attacked the Becketts from the shadows? The culprit is closer than you think,"

    he said, his voice low and menacing.

    With those words, Jasper fixed his gaze on Betty, whose face contorted in fear.

    "Why... Why are you looking at me?" Betty stammered, panic evident in her voice as cold sweat formed

    on her forehead. She began to retreat slowly, almost knocking over the expensive tea set on the

    nearby table in her haste.

    "What are you implying? Don''t tell me you think I leaked that information! Don''t scapegoat me just

    because you can''t find anyone else to me!"

    Newton and Javier stared at Betty in shock.

    Newton widened his eyes, his grip tightening on the armrests of his wheelchair. "Jasper. Are you saying

    that Betty conspired with the Harpers to hurt Lauren?"

    Javier red at Jasper sternly. "Jasper, this isn''t a small matter! Lauren is your sister, but so is Betty.

    Even if you have grievances with her because of Alyssa, you can''t throw baseless usations. You

    need evidence for such usations!"

    Betty seized the opportunity to deflect me. "Exactly! You''re just trying to pin this on me to appease

    Alyssa''s grudge!"

    Meanwhile, Alyssa,pletely unrted to the conversation, sneezed, wondering who was talking

    about her.

    Jasper continued staring at Betty without saying a word. Betty felt extremely uneasy.

    Howughable was that? The individual harboring nefarious intentions could no longer restrain the

    anxiety brewing within herself.

    "There are only four people who could ess Lauren''s report¡ªGrandpa, Dad, myself, and Sophia,

    who''s dead.

    "I''m certain that Grandpa and Dad wouldn''t have done that. Sophia might have made a deal with you

    and disclosed Lauren''s diagnosis report to you," Jasper reasoned calmly but assertively, his demeanor

    unwavering.

    Betty felt like she was suffocating, as if Jasper''s presence was wrapping around her throat, depriving

    her of air.

    Unable to use Newton and Javier, Betty could only use Jasper to deflect me. "Then it

    could''ve been you! During the Jesseltons'' dinner party, Zoe exposed Alyssa''s inability to conceive, and

    at the horse racing event, the Harpers and the Taylors shed!

    "Maybe you orchestrated this drama to get revenge on the Harpers, even if it meant ruthlessly

    sacrificing your own sister! And your cutthroat maneuvers againstpetitors are well-known

    throughout Sna City. Your reputation precedes you!"

    "Betty! Don''t speak to your brother that way!" Newton reprimanded sharply. "Jasper has worked

    tirelessly for the family and Beckett Group. Don''t insult him! If Jasper is truly as awful as you say, then

    perhaps there''s not a single decent person in the whole family!"

    Those words ignited a storm within Javier. His expression darkened with each passing moment.

    "Grandpa! There has to be a limit to your unconditional defense of him!" Betty stomped her foot, her

    mind a whirlwind as she desperately searched for a way to defend herself. "Last time... I did make two

    mistakes. But they were all because Sophia instigated them! She ordered me to do those things! She''d

    tricked me!"

 Chapter 1814

    Betty continued, "Jasper can''t just pin everything on me because of what happened before! I won''t take

    the me!

    "Jasper, even if you want to confront someone about what happened to Lauren, you should start with

    the Harpers! Are you trying to stir up more trouble at home?" Javier red at Jasper angrily, clearly

    siding with Betty.

    In truth, he wasn''t particrly fond of Betty.

    What angered him was the fact that Jasper and Newton were singing the same tune. They looked like

    they were trying to sideline him as the head of the family. He couldn''t stand it.

    "Landon will handle the Harpers. As for our side, there''s no need for you two to worry. I''ll take care of

    it."

    Jasper''s icy gaze returned to Betty''s face. "Betty, I''ll ask you onest time. Did you give Lauren''s

    diagnosis report to the Harpers?"

    "No! It has nothing to do with me!" Betty red with crimson eyes, adamantly denying her involvement.

    "Very well."

    Jasper raised his voice. "Xavier."

    Xavier, who had been waiting outside, strode in and respectfully greeted, "Mr. Jasper, Mr. Javier, Mr.

    Newton."

    "Bring out the gift I prepared for Betty," Jasper ordered calmly. His good-looking face looked so

    chillingly cold that it was bloodcurdling.

    "Yes, Mr. Jasper."

    After a re at Betty, Xavier picked up the remote from the coffee table and turned on the massive

    television in the living room.

    Not only that, he cranked up the volume to maximum, ensuring not only Newton and Javier could hear

    but also the helpers lurking around the edges of the room.

    "Faster... Faster... This is thrilling... Fuck me hard!"

    The obscene scene, coupled with lewdnguage, bombarded everyone present.

    In the cramped bathroom, apletely naked Betty posed in various scandalous positions with a male

    model. Their limbs entwined as she excitedly gyrated and screamed wildly.

    Xavier quickly averted his gaze. He had reluctantly watched it once in private and dared not look again.

    It was too disgusting.

    If this footage made it overseas, Betty would likely be a top-tier adult film star. She was slutty

    enough, but her figure wascking.

    Newton and Javier couldn''t believe their eyes. That woman in the video who was more promiscuous

    than a prostitute was actually Betty!

    Just then, a ttering noise sounded.

    Betty''splexion drained of all color as she stumbled backward, crashing onto the coffee table and

    sending drinks cascading onto her skirt. Tremors racked her body as she copsed onto the floor,

    overwhelmed by the ordeal.

    The man she had been intimate withst night had not only filmed her but had also passed the video to

    Jasper.

    Was that male model Jasper''s doing? Did he orchestrate that model''s appearance to tempt her into

    taking the bait?

    "Enough! Turn it off now!" Forced to witness his daughter''s sex tape, Javier was utterly embarrassed.

    Newton and Ben dared not look at the video for another second.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Driven by embarrassment and anger, Newton trembled as he struggled to rise from his wheelchair. He

    staggered to Betty, raised his arm, and gave her a hard p across the face.

    "You shameless thing! You''ve disgraced our family''s reputation!"

    Betty cried out as a searing pain shot through her cheek. The world spun around her, leaving her

    disoriented and buzzing.

    The p resounded loudly enough for all the helpers outside to hear.

    The extent of Newton''s rage was palpable.

    Jasper raised his hand expressionlessly. Xavier, understanding the signal, promptly turned off the

    television.

    "Betty, I trust you wouldn''t want to share the fate of your executed mom and to have the whole country

    reveling in the scandalous private life of the Beckett family''s daughter, would you?"

    Jasper met Betty''s gaze with chilling indifference. A slow, predatory smile spread across his lips, the

    kind that didn''t reach his eyes. "Did you give the diagnosis report to the Harpers?"

    Betty was gripped with such fear that beads of sweat trickled down her forehead.

    It was the most chilling smile she had ever witnessed. It was as if Jasper himself were the deviling

    from the depths of hell.

 Chapter 1815

    Finally, Bettypletely broke down. She slumped to the ground, sobbing uncontrobly. "Yes... It was

    me..."

    Everyone was stunned.

    Javier was dumbfounded. "What did you say? Say that again."

    "Mom gave me that report. I handed it over to Zoe. That''s how it got out."

    Betty wept tragically. With the truth exposed, she had no choice but toe clean to protect herself.

    Compared to the video spreading nationwide and bing a spectacle, admitting fault seemed like

    the better option.

    In the end, she was still a member of the Beckett family. So what if she schemed against Lauren?

    Her father, who ced utmost importance on both his own reputation and that of the family, would

    undoubtedlye forward to shield her.

    "Why would Sophia give you the diagnosis report?" Newton was so furious that he had difficulty

    breathing.

    "I-I don''t know... Maybe she''d gone crazy from all the drugs she took."

    "You used Sophia''s notorious behavior as leverage, threatening her to give you something that could

    ruin Lauren''s marriage, didn''t you?" Jasper''s eyes darkened. mes of anger were brewing within.

    "I... I..." Under immense pressure, Betty''s mind went nk.

    Jasper''s spections rang true, and she couldn''t evene up with a rebuttal.

    "You despicable creature! You''re worse than an animal!"

    Newton pped his thigh in fury, barely managing to stand with Ben''s support. "Lauren is your sister!

    You grew up together. She''s been so good to you and trusted you as her elder sister. How could you do

    this to her?"

    "You''re unbelievable! You''re just like your dead mother!" Javier was utterly disappointed in Betty.

    "All of you pushed me to do this! Is it all my fault?"

    Bettypletely lost it, screaming like a mad woman, "Grandpa, you always im to love me, but you

    secretly favor Lauren in everything!

    "I was the one who liked Landon first, but you matched him with Lauren! Why does she get all the good

    things? I''m not inferior to her!"

    Newton was stunned to hear that.

    But in the blink of an eye, his expression darkened again. With tears welling up in his eyes, he stepped

    forward and pped Betty even harder than before.

    Jasper and Javier were both shocked.

    Betty''s eardrums throbbed painfully, causing her face to glisten with cold sweat.

    "What I hate most is when women fight over men, even resorting to desperate measures like harming

    their own family!" Newton roared with bloodshot eyes. His heart was aching so much.

    "Back then... just because I loved your grandma and wanted to marry her... her evil sister viciously

    assaulted her, leaving her deaf in her left ear."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Jasper and Javier gaped, speechless. Even Ben, who thought he knew Newton well, was astounded.

    No wonder Newton always spoke louder to Doris, often embracing her and whispering tenderly when

    alone. It all made sense now¡ªwhy she could never quite hit the right notes despite her love for music.

    Yet Newton continued to delight in Doris'' singing, listening to her melodies repeatedly without ever

    growing weary of them.

    Doris, who had lost hearing in her left ear, never uttered a word ofint. Her smile was always

    warm and radiant, making it hard to believe she had a disability.

    Newton had used his love to meticulously mend her ws.

    "What you''ve done today is no different from that evil woman! You''re even more malicious! You used a

    third party to harm your sister!"

    A furious Newton pointed usingly at Betty''s pale face. "I don''t have a granddaughter like you! Don''t

    ever im to be my granddaughter out there! You''re not worthy!"

    "Grandpa..."

    At this moment, Betty was truly panicking. Javier didn''t like her, Newtonpletely loathed her, and

    Jasper was her archenemy.

    Was there still a ce for her in this family?

    "Betty, since you''ve admitted it, there''s nothing more to say."

    Jasper looked coldly at Javier. "Dad, how do you n to handle this?"

    Javier was filled with rage, not just because Betty had schemed against Lauren but also because she

    had colluded with the Harpers, stabbing her own family in the back.

    Betty was an ungrateful double-crosser. However, he didn''t want Jasper to handle this matter.

    If the punishment was too severe, it would tarnish his reputation. Besides, he was the head of the

    Beckett family, so dealing with internal affairs was not Jasper''s ce.

    "Confine her to the vi. Seaview Manor''s backyard will be the extent of her permitted movement. I''ll

    handle her from here."

    Jasper shook his head. "That''s too good for her."

    Javier frowned. "Then how do you suggest we handle this?"

    "Cut off all her financial resources, exile her abroad, and never let her return to Sna City."

    Jasper''s words were cutting, and his tone was unyielding. "And that''s not all. Betty will get on her knees

    and apologize to Lauren."

 Chapter 1816

    Betty''s face at this moment was even paler than a sheet.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Asking her to apologize to that dumbo on her knees was a fate worse than death.

    She immediately looked toward Newton, but his face was full of anger. He didn''t even bother to make

    eye contact with her. It seemed he was determined to abandon her.

    Seeing Newton ignore herpletely, she then kneeled before Javier. She clung to his legs, pleading

    desperately with tears streaming down her face, "Dad! I know I was wrong... I''ll never do it again.

    "Exiling me from Sna City and not allowing me to be by your side is already cruel punishment! I''m

    your daughter too. Don''t I deserve any respect? Will he only be satisfied when he drives me to my

    death? Dad!"

    Her desperate cry sounded like she was the one being bullied.

    Frowning, Javier wanted to pull her up. After all, it was quite undignified to have so many helpers

    watching this scene. But Betty clung to his legs like a parasite. He probably couldn''t kick her off, even if

    he tried.

    "Jasper, the punishment you proposed is already severe enough. Let''s skip the apology," Javier said.

    Even though his words sounded like a negotiation, his tone wasmanding.

    Jasper''s dark eyes glinted with a piercing coldness as he pressed his lips into a thin line.

    A spark flickered in Betty''s tear-filled eyes, a sudden rekindling of hope in the depths of her despair.

    Perhaps Javier still saw her as his daughter, offering a sliver of mercy.

    After the storm passed and Newton''s anger subsided, she would still have a chance to return to Sna

    City and live her carefree days.

    Just as Betty was secretly delighted, Jasper''s cold voice rang out, "She handed Lauren''s report over to

    treacherous people, exposing her condition to everyone and hurting her so deeply. And you want to

    resolve this matter quietly? No way."

    "Jasper, just because you''re the CEO doesn''t mean you can do whatever you want!"

    Javier''s eyes were red. He was clearly angry. "I''m your father. You have to listen to me!"

    "Betty is your daughter, but isn''t Lauren as well? You''re biased, letting the innocent Lauren suffer

    mentally while constantly forgiving Betty, whomitted such a crime."

    Jasper''s words were sharp. Smirking, he continued, "By doing this, aren''t you disregarding Grandpa''s

    anger? How is this any different from pping him in the face?"

    If Javier wanted to use his father''s status to suppress him, then Jasper would use Newton''s revered

    status to counter¡ªeverything could be countered, after all.

    "You...!" Javier was so enraged by the counterattack that his breathing turned erratic.

    Although Newton remained silent, the firm look in his eyes when he gazed at Jasper clearly indicated

    his strong support for him.

    "You''re right. Both Betty and Lauren are my daughters! As a father, I can''t stand to see my two

    daughters fighting each other. We''re family. This cycle of retaliation must end!"

    Javier''s eyes were full of disdain as he continued, "Moreover, I don''t want to see my daughters fighting

    over Landon, that womanizer!

    "My daughters may not be perfect, but they''re Sna City''s most noble heiresses. What is Landon?

    He''s nothing but an ignorant, spoiled brat! He''s not fit to be my son-inw!"

    Jasper''s eyes narrowed, and his hands clenched into fists beneath his exquisite sleeves.

    If this man weren''t his father, he would have hit him so hard.

    Javier continued, shifting the me onto Landon, "I raised my daughters with the utmost care. Yet

    Lauren lived with that brat for so long without any proper status. And on top of that, those Harpers had

    the audacity to hurt her! I haven''t even settled that score, and now this family turmoil!"

 Chapter 1817

    Javier continued, "Betty is indeed at fault in this matter, but isn''t the main responsibility on the

    Harpers?"

    He was quite good at sophistry as he attempted to regain control of the narrative. "Who knows, maybe

    it was Zoe who instigated, tempted, or even threatened Betty into doing what she did.

    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Even if not, ultimately, it was the Harpers who publicized Lauren''s condition! Jasper, instead of

    confronting the Harpers, are you now turning against your own family? How can you do this?"

    Betty immediately began to weep, mimicking the pitiful demeanor of herte mother.

    "In any case, sending her abroad should settle this matter. I don''t want any more turmoil in the family."

    Javier''s tone was resolute, leaving no room for disagreement.

    Jasper''s eyes darkened, and he gritted his teeth to suppress his anger.

    He was not a reckless man. He knew that further confrontation would only fuel Javier''spetitive

    spirit, causing him to defend Betty even more.

    "Fine, skip the apology." With these words, Jasper strode over to Betty and actually extended his arms

    to help her up.

    Betty stood there dumbfounded. Looking at him in confusion, she barely managed to stand upright.

    Unbeknownst to her, as soon as she steadied herself, she heard a rush of wind by her ear.

    Without a word, Jasper raised his robust arm and delivered a resounding p to Betty''s already

    swollen face.

    Betty was caught off guard by the blow. The pain left her unable to even cry out. Blood trickled from her

    mouth, and there was a ringing in her ear.

    Jasper was no ordinary man. He had a military background. His strength was formidable, enough to

    disorient even a grown man, let alone a woman.

    The helpers outside were all frozen in shock.

    They marveled at how particr Jasper was. He had to get Betty''s face in the right position before

    pping her.

    "This p is for Lauren. You''re heartless, even going as far as scheming against your own sister. You

    don''t deserve to be called human."

    Before the words could settle, Jasper delivered another p. It sent Betty crashing to the ground once

    more, unable to get up.

    "This p is for Landon. Your actions have caused my best friend to suffer. You deserve to face the

    consequences.

    "Betty, if you dare plot against anyone close to me again, I won''t spare you, even if you escape to the

    ends of the earth. When the timees, not even God can protect you."

    With this final warning delivered calmly, Jasper walked over to push the wheelchair, leaving with

    Newton and Ben.

    Meanwhile, Javier stood motionless in ce.

    When he regained hisposure, he gritted his teeth in frustration and couldn''t help butsh out at the

    bewildered Betty.

    "You conniving, treacherous thing! Get up and pack your things. Get out of the country and stay there!"

    "Dad... Dad..."

    Betty covered her throbbing ear, shouting in distress and panic, "I can''t hear you... Jasper has made

    me deaf... I can''t hear anything!"

    Javier''s pupils dted, and a chilling sensation gripped his heart.

 Chapter 1818

    := Categories (Q Search... X Login / / Chapter 1818

    Can''t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue Chapter 1818

    After what had happened, it was absolutely impossible for Betty to stay in Sna City any longer.

    However, Jasper was still wearing a frown.

    He called Landon as soon as he left Seaview Manor, but there was no answer.

    This situation was rare in their nearly 20 years of friendship, so it made him feel uneasy.

    That evening, Alyssa brought out the teddy bear cake that Cyrus had sent to share with Lauren.

    In the warmly lit room, Alyssa brought the cake to Lauren. Her eyes were filled with affection as she

    said, "Lauren, try this cake. It arrived in the morning, and I''ve been craving it but couldn''t bear to eat it.

    I''ve been waiting to share it with you."

    Lauren''s slender body leaned against the head of the bed. Her fair and tender face appeared pale and

    gaunt. It was a heartbreaking sight.

    "Alyssa, eat if you want to. You don''t have to wait for me."

    Alyssa blinked. "No way. This was bought for you."

    "Who bought it for me?"

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Alyssa hesitated slightly.

    Sensing that hesitation, Lauren gently asked, "Was it... Cyrus?"

    "Yes, Cyrus bought it for you." Now that it had been revealed, she had no need to conceal it anymore.

    Otherwise, it would seem pretentious.

    "Has Cyrus visited?"

    Lauren was pure-hearted. At the thought of Cyrus, her moist eyes brightened a little. "He came all this

    way. Why didn''t you let hime in and sit for a while?"

    "He''s a busy man. He still has to go back to the police station to handle cases."

    "Then... Alyssa, could you call Cyruster and thank him for me?" Lauren''s beautiful eyes showed

    sincerity.

    Alyssa smiled and nodded. Suddenly, a hint of bitterness welled up in her chest.

    She could tell that Lauren had no appetite. She barely ate dinner just now, let alone dessert.

    But she still tried hard to take each bite, swallowing them down. The corners of her eyes, which were

    tinged with a faint pink, exuded a subtle sense of contentment.

    "It''s really nice. Alyssa, you should try some too."

    "Okay."

    Alyssa couldn''t help but choke up. She had squeezed the teddy bear cake so hard that its expression

    looked miserable.

    Lauren had learned to take care of others'' emotions and not let her loved ones worry. During the day

    when Newton was around, she always ate heartily just to avoid worrying Newton.

    But the more Lauren did this, the more Alyssa felt uneasy and distressed.

    Lauren had grown up. She no longer had a carefree and innocent life.

    At that moment, Alyssa noticed Lauren''s hair was let down. She asked in surprise, "Lauren, where''s

    your favorite clear quartz hair clip? I don''t see it."

    Lauren''s hand, holding the cake, suddenly stiffened. Her longshes fluttered as she answered, "I...

    gave it to Angie. I asked her to return it to Landon."

    Alyssa''s heart clenched, and she quickly grabbed Lauren''s cold hand. "Lauren! You''ve returned the hair

    clip to Landon? Are you... okay with that? Do you know what that means?"

    "I know."

    Lauren''s voice was almost inaudible, and her bright eyes seemed like shattered crystals. "It means...

    I''m breaking up with Landon."

 Chapter 1819

    "Lauren, look at me." Alyssa firmly grasped Lauren''s slender shoulders and stared into her dim eyes.

    "Are you really going to do this? Are you willing to part with him?

    "Don''t do something you''ll regret. Once you lose some people, you may never find someone like them

    again."

    "Alyssa, I''ve thought this through. It''s not a rash decision."

    Smiling contentedly, Lauren slowly closed her eyes. "Separating is the best oue for Landon and

    me. Having been together and sharing unforgettable memories is already enough for me.

    "I love the lively Landon from before, so I want him to return to being himself. Being with me would only

    hold him back and burden him."

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched as if it were being crushed.

    When Alyssa returned to her room with tears, Jasper was already waiting for her.

    "Lyse, why are your eyes so red? Did you cry?"

    He hurried over and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. After pulling Alyssa into his embrace,

    he said tenderly, "Who upset you? I''ll help you vent."

    "With you protecting me, who would dare to upset me?"

    Alyssa rested her forehead against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body gradually calm her

    mind. "It''s Lauren."

    Jasper immediately became concerned. "What happened to Lauren?"

    "Lauren wants to break up with Landon."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Why?" Jasper''s breathing became rapid.

    "The recent events have been too much for her. She''s scared and tired, and she feels like she''s holding

    Landon back."

    Alyssa raised her face and hooked her arms around his neck. She sighed with frustration. "I

    understand how she feels. When you love someone too much, you start to be cautious. You won''t be

    able to fully immerse yourself and enjoy the rtionship without reservations like before."

    "No wonder... I tried to call Landon all day today, but he didn''t answer. Looks like he knows." Jasper''s

    jaw tightened slightly as he couldn''t help but be worried about Landon''s situation.

    With all the troubles happening and now facing a breakup with his beloved, that day might possibly be

    the darkest moment of his life.

    "Even if Landon can sort out the issues with his family, what about Lauren? Grandpa and your dad are

    likely to hate the Harpers. How could they allow Lauren to marry him?"

    Alyssa looked frustrated and helpless. "Remember how my family reacted back then? Lauren''s

    situation is even more serious than mine. It''s aplete conspiracy by the entire Harper family against

    her. They''re bullying and manipting her like she''s a fool.

    "Any parents with a conscience wouldn''t send their child into a lion''s den. And did you see Landon

    protect her? He didn''t. Something even more terrifying might happen next time. Who would dare

    gamble with the safety of their child?

    "Landon is capable of protecting Lauren. I feel like someone is directing the Harpers from behind or

    perhaps acting behind the scenes."

    Jasper''s brows furrowed. "Otherwise, I don''t think Zoe and Preston have the ability to do this."

    "I think the same. Let''s wait for news from Cyrus."

    As soon as Alyssa finished speaking, Jasper''s phone vibrated.

    He pressed the speakerphone to answer. "Xavier, what''s up?"

    Xavier''s voice was filled with excitement. "Mr. Beckett, I just received news from our people that after

    you pped Betty today, Mr. Javier immediately sent her to the hospital for treatment. Guess what?

    "She''s deaf!"

 Chapter 1820

    Jasper''s face remained indifferent, but Alyssa''s eyes widened. She even shouted in excitement,

    "Deaf?"

    "Yes! It''s real. I''ve already gotten the diagnosis report. I''ll send it to you right now. Betty is still in the

    hospital. I heard she''spletely deaf in her left ear, with hearing loss in her right ear. She''s already

    using a hearing aid."

    Xavier''s ecstatic voice echoed in the room. "Mr. Beckett, you''re incredible! That wasn''t just a p. That

    was one hell of a p!"

    "Don''t exaggerate it, Xavier," Jasper reprimanded with a frown.

    Alyssa burst intoughter, pping her hands joyfully until they turned red. "Haha! That''s great! It''s

    perfect karma! Who asked her to mock Lauren all the time? I want to see how arrogant she''ll be now."

    When she met Jasper''s unwavering gaze, her smile froze, reced by a blush spreading across her

    cheeks. "Um, am I too¡ª"

    Before she could finish her sentence, Jasper seized her in a fierce, aggressive kiss, swallowing her

    words.

    He held her closely against him and ran his hand up her spine to the spot he favored while savoring the

    warmth of her lips.

    As the woman in his arms trembled slightly, Jasper mischievously spared her at this moment. He

    rubbed his thumb over her rosy lower lip and chuckled softly. "Are you wondering if you''re too evil?"

    Alyssa was captivated by the tender depths of his eyes. Her eyes glistened with emotion, and she

    found herself slightly breathless.

    "I think you should be even more evil..." Jasper''s palm returned to her waist, kneading it gently. "Your

    evil side drives me crazy."

    A flush spread across Alyssa''s cheeks, and she yfully tapped his chest a couple of times.

    Noticing his heavy breathing and reddened eyes, Alyssa knew that his desire was stirred. He wanted

    her again.

    "Madam, it''s a pity that you missed it. Mr. Beckett was so cool today!" Xavier''s loud and clear voice

    broke through the romantic atmosphere. "He took Mr. Newton with him today and confronted Betty in

    front of Mr. Javier and everyone at the Seaview Manor.

    "Mr. Newton pped Betty and left her with no dignity. Mr. Javier wanted to protect her to save the

    family''s reputation, but Mr. Beckett wasn''t lenient. Not only did he kick her out of Sna City, but he

    also pped her twice. We just didn''t expect to have an unexpected gain."

    Blinking, Alyssa gazed at Jasper with a hint of doubt.

    "Betty''s crimes are too numerous to list, but she shouldn''t have been so foolish as to seek Jasper''s

    protection in front of me."

    Jasper''s expression was cold, but his hand on Alyssa''s waistline was burning. "She can''t me me for

    her being deaf. If she wants to me anyone, me Javier for not agreeing to my request to have her

    apologize to Lauren on her knees. I wouldn''t have needed to p her twice if he had agreed."

    "When did you start talking nonsense so seriously?" Alyssa saw through his thoughts in an instant.

    As she talked, she loosened the knot on his tie. "You''re not a reckless brute. You deliberately pped

    her hard, intending to disable her."

    After pecking her lips, he came clear. "So, I''m evil too. We''re a perfect match."

    "Not necessarily." Alyssa''s eyes shed with a hint of darkness. "Xavier, how many days will Betty be

    staying in the hospital?"

    "Probably two or three days."

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    "Can you arrange for someone to get close to her?"

    "Except for the attending physician, no one can get close at all. Mr. Javier''s people are guarding Betty''s

    ward." Xavier was frustrated.

    Betty became another fuse in the intensifying rtionship between Javier and Jasper.

 Chapter 1821

    Javier''s tight security was clearly a silentpetition with Jasper. They were more like archenemies

    than father and son.

    "What do you want to do, Lyse?" Jasper asked softly.

    "I want to draw Betty''s blood for DNA testing."

    Both Jasper and Xavier were taken aback.

    "Betty''s malice seems like a gic mutation in your family. I''m curious to see if she truly belongs in

    your family."

    Recently, Alyssa had be increasingly suspicious. When shepared photos of Javier and Betty,

    she saw no resemnce between them. Lauren''s features at least shared some simrities with Javier.

    What was more perplexing was that Betty didn''t even resemble Sophia. This didn''t make sense.

    "It doesn''t matter if we can''t get close to her right now," Alyssa said with a cold smile.

    "She''ll have to go to the hospital for a checkup sooner orter. When she''s abroad, obtaining a blood

    sample from her will be easy."

    "Lyse, you seem very confident." Jasper sensed from her cunning and sly gaze that things weren''t as

    simple as they seemed.

    "AIDS has an 80 percent transmission rate during high-risk sexual behavior. We''ll see if Betty is one of

    the lucky 20 percent."

    Crossing her arms, Alyssa said coldly, "Besides, I''ve seen the medical report of the man she had sex

    with. He has more than one illness. Betty will have to go to the hospital."

    Suddenly, silence filled the air.

    Jasper''s eyes widened, and his lips slightly parted in shock. He remained speechless for a moment.

    His woman was an angel when she was kind, but when she turned evil, even the devil would surrender.

    Even Xavier, at the end of the phone, fell silent. He pondered the idea of writing a note to slip into

    Jasper''s wallet, a reminder that read, "Never provoke Madam."

    Alyssa had already eaten, but Jasper was still hungry after a busy day. So she personally cooked a

    vorful meatloaf for him. To bnce the meal, she also served some pickles, showing great

    consideration.

    Jasper put a big piece of meatloaf in his mouth and asionally munched on the pickles, savoring the

    delicious vors.

    "These pickles are so refreshing and crunchy. Where did you buy them?" After finishing his meal, he

    suddenly remembered his gentlemanly manners and quickly straightened up, using his hands to

    elegantly wipe his lips with a napkin.

    "I made them myself," Alyssa replied, bringing a ss of warm water to him.

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    Jasper''s eyes widened as he captured her hand. "You made them?"

    "Yeah, when I was at Grandpa''s house to keep Laurenpany. Since I had nothing to do, I asked Mr.

    Gorham to buy ingredients and pickled a lot. They''re all stored in the fridge."

    Alyssa pressed her lips together. "Don''t think I made them for you. They''re for Grandpa. He loves

    pickles. He can''t enjoy his meals without them."

    Jasper''s heart warmed. He squeezed her waist with his hands and lifted her onto his thigh. His Adam''s

    apple bobbed. "Who''s got such a considerate and sensible wife?"

    "I wonder." Alyssa pretended to be dumb. She lightly traced her fingertips along his jawline, admiring

    her reflection in his captivating eyes.

    "Mine, mine. You''re mine."

    Jasper''s soft murmurs struck a chord with her. He brushed his warm lips against her neck, sending

    shivers down her spine. Her delicate skin responded with a blush of cute allure, looking endearing and

    enticing.

    "Do you have something on your mind?" Alyssa gently stroked his brow.

 Chapter 1822

    "If Grandpa hadn''t revealed it in a fit of anger, I wouldn''t have known that Grandma was deaf in her left

    ear."

    Feeling guilty, Jasper chuckled bitterly. "Isn''t it ridiculous? As the grandson of this family, I spent the

    most time with Grandpa and Grandma, yet I never noticed her abnormality. What kind of grandson am

    I?"

    "I knew about that. Grandpa told me about it during that Christmas when I went to visit Grandma with

    him..."

    Alyssa stopped abruptly when she inadvertently mentioned Christmas. She dared not continue.

    It would be Christmas in less than two months.

    The Taylors loved festivities. Every year, they would set up a grand and magnificent Christmas tree in

    the living room. Jonah would personally prepare gifts for all family members and give the helpers in the

    house bonuses out of his own pocket.

    But because of the child she lost, Alyssa no longer dared to celebrate Christmas. She wouldn''t even

    return home on Christmas Day.

    However, that was in the past.

    Now, she avoided mentioning it because she feared it would bring up unhappy memories for Jasper.

    She was afraid of upsetting him.

    Sure enough, his eyes reddened instantly. He hugged her tightly and hesitated for a long while before

    finally speaking, "Thank you, Lyse. Thank you for everything you''ve done for Grandpa and me over the

    years..."

    He couldn''t continue his words anymore.

    "Since you know how much I''ve done, you''ll have to treat me well for the rest of our lives," Alyssa said

    with a bright and cheerful smile as she patted his trembling back.

    "Can I stay at your house for Christmas this year?" Jasper''s gaze was intense. His longshes were

    trembling as though they were restraining his surging emotions. "I heard the Taylors have a big

    Christmas tree. I''d like to see it."

    Alyssa nestled against his heaving chest. "Going there means you''ll have to help out."

    "Sure," Jasper replied warmly.

    They tacitly avoided delving into their heartaches, yet they still understood the deep affection and

    remorse in each other''s eyes, showcasing their profound love to the fullest.

    No words were necessary after years of love.

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    "Mr. Jasper, Madam."

    Ben hurried in. Seeing the affectionate scene, he quickly covered his eyes to avoid intruding.

    Jasper remained calm, but Alyssa felt embarrassed. Blushing, she jumped down from him.

    "Ahem... Mr. Cyrus is here. He''s in the living room."

    The couple walked out hand in hand to wee Cyrus.

    "Cyrus!" Alyssa greeted her brother with a radiant smile.

    "Lyse." Cyrus sat on the couch, smiling.

    He was dressed in a sharply tailored ck coat over a ck shirt with the cor casually unbuttoned.

    Despite his rxed style, his naturally noble presence still shone through.

    "Cyrus," Jasper greeted him as well.

    "Hi," Cyrus responded briefly. Yet his gaze unintentionally wandered elsewhere, as if searching for

    something.

    Alyssa noticed and smiled faintly. "Hungry? If you haven''t eaten, stay and have a meal. I''ll cook for

    you."

    "No, thanks. Let me get straight to the point."

    Cyrus frowned, his expression serious. "Lyse, I went all the way to headquarters to investigate the

    person you mentioned, but there''s no background information on him. There are no DNA or fingerprint

    samples in the system.

    "This means two possibilities¡ªeither he''s nevermitted any crimes in the country, or he''s not a

    citizen here."

 Chapter 1823

    Alyssa''s and Jasper''s expressions turned solemn after listening.

    "If not, it could be that he cleans up the scene thoroughly every time hemits a crime, leaving no

    trace behind. But that doesn''t quite fit the modus operandi of an ouw or top-tier assassin."

    Cyrus traced his jawline with his finger as he calmly analyzed the situation. "So, I''m inclined to believe

    he''s a hired assassin from abroad."

    "If that''s the case, it''ll be even more difficult to investigate him. Once this job is done, he''ll disappear

    immediately. He''d probably use a false identity to flee the country." Jasper''s gaze darkened gradually.

    "Didn''t Ms. Angelina see his face? She cane to our station tomorrow and describe his face based

    on her memory. I can arrange for a top-notch profiler from our city toe and draw a portrait of that

    assassin."

    Cyrus'' eyes shed with determination. "Having a sketch might provide more clues. We can''t dy too

    long. People''s memories fade, and the likeness of the portrait can be distorted. The most

    urate portrait will be drawn while the memory is fresh."

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks. Just as they were about to speak, a sweet andposed voice

    spoke from behind.

    "I remember his face."

    Cyrus swiftly lifted his gaze.

    Seeing Lauren descend the stairs gracefully, he felt his heart throb in his chest. He hurriedly stood up

    from the couch.

    The hot blood that once flowed calmly through his veins now seemed to stir restlessly.

    Jasper suddenly remembered. "Right, Lauren had contact with that man too."

    Pressing her lips together, Alyssa walked over to Lauren and gently wrapped her arm around her

    shoulder. "Lauren, we''ll contact Angelina tomorrow and have her assist with this. You don''t need to do

    anything or think about it. The most important thing is to focus on getting well."

    She knew that although Lauren seemed fine on the outside, her soul was suffering from the trauma of

    her episodes and the torment of her breakup with Landon.

    Alyssa wished she could find the time to arrange modified electroconvulsive therapy for Lauren, hoping

    it would help herpletely forget that painful day.

    She couldn''t bear to see Lauren forced to relive that trauma, especially during such a critical time,

    which would onlypound her suffering.

    "Lauren, don''t force yourself," Cyrus said as he looked at her deeply. His voice was slightly hoarse.

    "Your health and well-being are more important than anything else."

    "Alyssa, Cyrus, it''s okay." Lauren gently shook her head, and her eyes showed determination.

    "I''m fine now. I just want to help you all as much as I can. And I also want to catch that person to

    uncover the terrifying conspiracy behind it. I want to know who is manipting the Harpers, using me,

    and hurting Landon."

    Alyssa''s and Jasper''s hearts clenched with a bitter ache.

    In the past few days, they hadn''t told her much. Yet Lauren, clever as she was, had pieced together the

    sequence of events from their scattered words.

    Staring into Lauren''s reddened eyes, he sensed her deep affection when she mentioned Landon.

    She loved him deeply, and he could see that. She loved him so deeply that there was no room for

    another person in her heart.

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    Jasper looked surprised. "Lauren, you still love¡ª"

    "I just want to do something more for him." Lauren interrupted him immediately with a smile.

    "He''s always taken care of me, amodated me, and sacrificed for me. I want to do everything I can

    before officially leaving him."

    Leaving?

    Cyrus stared at her wide-eyed, and his heart pounded intensely.

    But he didn''t have the intention to take advantage of the situation, nor did he feel any joy in this

    opportunity. He was only worried about whether she could handle it.

    Alyssa lowered her gaze to hide her red-rimmed eyes.

    Sensing her emotional fluctuations, Jasper took her hand and pressed it against his chest, silently

    comforting her.

    At this moment, Cyrus approached Lauren. His tall and robust figure, leaning toward her, exuded

    strength and authority, yet his gaze toward her was filled with gentleness.

 Chapter 1824

    "Cyrus." Lauren lifted her pretty face.

    "Lauren, thank you for agreeing to help. I''ll wait for you at the station tomorrow. Jasper and Lyse will

    take you there." Cyrus'' heart melted. His hand itched to reach out and gently pat her head.

    But ultimately, he restrained himself by clenching his hands tightly.

    Just then, Lauren parted her lips and said, "There''s no need for that. I can draw it."

    "What? You can draw it?" The three of them were shocked.

    "That man left a deep impression on me. I won''t forget his face, no matter how much time has passed."

    Lauren took a deep breath to steady herself. "I''m quite good at drawing portraits. I think instead of

    describing his features, I can draw him myself for a more urate representation."

    To focus without external distractions, Lauren went upstairs alone to work on her drawing while the

    other three patiently waited in the living room.

    After some hesitation, Cyrus finally couldn''t help but ask, "Lyse, did Lauren and Mr. Landon break up?"

    "It was Lauren''s decision." Alyssa sighed, and her beautiful eyes were clouded with concern. "But I

    think Landon won''t let go. He loves Lauren deeply."

    Cyrus tightened his grip on his cup. His voice carried a hint of mncholy as he said, "And Lauren

    loves him deeply too."

    "With Landon''s personality, it''s inevitable that there will be another heart-wrenching entanglement,"

    Jasper expressed his concern.

    Losing Lauren, Landon might spiral into a hysterical frenzy. He wouldn''t let any Harpers who harmed

    Lauren off the hook. He wouldn''t spare himself either.

    Alyssa could tell Cyrus'' feelings for Lauren. After thinking for a moment, she spoke calmly, as if she

    had reached a decision.

    "Cyrus, if you''re not too busy, why not take a few days off and join us to spend time with Lauren? With

    an extra person around to liven things up, she might feel better."

    Jasper nced at her discreetly, knowing her intentions.

    "I''ll definitely be there if Lauren needs me." Cyrus''shes fluttered as he tried to restrain himself. "But

    right now, she needs you and Landon more than she needs me."

    Alyssa fell silent.

    She wasn''t deliberately trying to matchmake Cyrus and Lauren. She just wanted everyone around her

    to be happy. She couldn''t bear to see her brother suppress his emotions and suffer from lovesickness.

    Time ticked by.

    After what seemed like an eternity, Lauren returned to the living room with a sheet of paper. She

    handed over her portrait to the three of them.

    They gathered eagerly and flipped the paper over.

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    On the pristine white paper, the man''s gaze was as cold as a de, his eyebrows sharp, and his facial

    contours strikingly handsome.

    The drawing was extremely vivid.

    Jasper stared at the portrait and couldn''t help but marvel inwardly that it was indeed an impressively

    striking face.

    Just as he raised his gaze, he noticed Alyssa and Cyrus staring at the portrait in astonishment. Their

    expressions mirrored each other''s.

    There was shock, surprise, and disbelief on their faces.

    "Lyse, Cyrus, what''s wrong?" Jasper couldn''t help but worry.

    Alyssa''s hand trembled uncontrobly as she held the portrait. Her eyes suddenly reddened. "Lauren,

    are you sure this is what he looks like? Are you sure?"

 Chapter 1825

    "I''m sure." Lauren nodded firmly.

    In an unusual departure from his usualposure, Cyrus fixated on the portrait, his usually steady

    demeanor giving way to a tense stillness, his eyes tinged with red.

    Concerned, Lauren approached him, noting the uncharacteristic reaction. "Cyrus, are you alright?"

    Cyrus responded hoarsely, "I''m sorry. I need to go to the restroom. Where is it?"

    Jasper raised his hand, indicating the direction. Cyrus immediately left with purposeful strides.

    "Lyse, do you recognize him?" Jasper hugged Alyssa by the waist and asked with anxious urgency.

    Alyssa took a deep breath, striving to quell her tumultuous emotions. "He bears a striking resemnce

    to myte brother, Damien, who perished in a ne crash."

    Jasper and Lauren widened their eyes in disbelief.

    Damien''s untimely demise had left an enduring wound in the Taylor family''s collective heart. Tears

    welled in Alyssa''s eyes as she reflected on the painful memory.

    "Our family refrained from discussing Damien ever since his passing, especially in the presence of

    Mandy and Cyrus. Not out of forgetfulness, but because his memory was too painful to confront."

    Alyssa closed her eyes, inundated by memories. The ache of loss resurfaced, threatening to

    overwhelm her. "I can still vividly recall the day of Damien''s passing. d in his pilot uniform and a

    piece of luggage in hand, he stood in the sunlit courtyard, waving goodbye with such vitality.

    "We never imagined it would be our final farewell.

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    A fleeting goodbye transformed into an eternal parting.

    Jasper''s grip on Alyssa tightened, a heavy sadness settling upon him like an oppressive weight,

    suffocating in its intensity.

    He wanted to offer sce, yet any words seemed feeble in the shadow of such profound loss.

    Lauren''s sudden realization jolted her, her gaze following Cyrus'' departure with concern etched on her

    features.

    "The person in the portrait doesn''t only look like Damien; he is the spitting image of him!"

    Alyssa''s trembling fingertips tightened around the paper. "But the authorities confirmed there were no

    survivors from Damien''s flight. It''s inconceivable..."

    "This is unbelievable."

    Jasper gently caressed Alyssa''s shoulder. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said, "Even if you didn''t

    see his body, the chances of surviving such a ne crash are nearly zero.

    "Plus, if Damien miraculously survived the crash, why didn''t he reach out to the family?"

    "Could it just be a coincidence?"

    As Cyrus returned, his attempt to conceal his emotions faltered, his reddened eyes betraying his inner

    turmoil. "Could this person be Damien''s double? How else could they resemble each other so

    strikingly?"

    "It''s a possibility," Jasper murmured.

    "After the ne crash, Winston and Mandy never lost hope. They tirelessly searched for Damien,

    leveraging every connection they had.

    "Mandy''s refusal to ept his loss, fueled by the absence of definitive proof, kept her clinging to the

    belief that her son might still be out there.

    "Damien''s supposed death anniversary was never recognized by her; instead, she celebrated his

    birthdays, holding onto the hope that he''d return from what seemed like an extended journey."

    Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "I can''t fathom how Mandy would react if she encountered this

    person. She''d be driven to find him, even if just to catch a glimpse."

    Cyrus studied the man''s face intently. "He bears resemnce to Damien, yet his eyesck Damien''s

    warmth. Damien''s gaze was like a tranquil waterfall, but this man''s eyes seemed devoid of emotion,

    like a cold de."

    A heavy silence descended, thick with unspoken thoughts.

    Jasper''s jaw tightened as a realization dawned on him.

    "Speak your mind, Jasper. It''s alright," Alyssa urged, sensing his turmoil.

    "Lyse, remember the woman who looked exactly like you? The one that Jameson kept by his side."

    "You mean Amber? I remember."

    "Jameson used her to deceive me, making me believe she was you. It was a trap."

    Jasper''s expression darkened with doubt. "This man''s resemnce to Damien seems too convenient.

    It''s intertwined with Landon and Lauren''s situation. Could Jameson have a hand in Preston and Zoe''s

    affairs?"

 Chapter 1826

    Jasper''s words snapped Alyssa out of her somber reverie.

    Their minds couldn''t help but gravitate toward that possibility, and the more they considered it, the more

    usible and concerning it seemed.

    "We''ve discussed this before. Preston and Zoeck the capability to find such a skilled aplice on

    their own. There must be someone behind the scenes aiding them."

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    Jasper''s eyes gleamed with insight as he methodically analyzed, "What if it''s Jameson seeking

    revenge? It''s conceivable. Moreover, Cyrus mentioned earlier that the killer is likely a foreigner.

    Jameson has been in Kontina for years; it wouldn''t be difficult for him to recruit assistance for Harper

    and Zoe."

    "Revenge? If Jamiper wanted revenge, it should be directed at us. What does it have to do with Landon

    and Lauren?" Alyssa''s frustration bubbled to the surface. "Does he have nothing better to do than

    meddle in the Harper Group''s affairs?"

    "Lauren is my sister, and Landon is like a brother to me," Jasper replied, his voice tinged with

    suppressed anger and loathing. "Now, do you understand, Lyse?"

    Aware of Lauren''s presence, he tempered his words, though his emotions simmered beneath the

    surface.

    Jameson was a deceitful maniptor, a predator masquerading as a friend, and a malevolent force

    lurking in the shadows. It seemed usible that he would seek revenge on those close to Jasper, since

    he couldn''t directly target him.

    Jameson was acutely aware that Lauren held the highest ce in Landon''s heart. Deliberately, he

    entrusted the knife to the Harpers, intending to wield it as a weapon to shatter the bond between

    Landon and Lauren. He wanted Jasper''s loved ones to experience the pain of losing someone dear.

    This pain undoubtedly felt like using a blunt knife on Jasper''s heart.

    Alyssa''s breath slowed as she pondered deeply. "Your analysis holds merit, Jasper, but these are

    distinct circumstances. Does Jamiper need to employ the same tactic twice?

    "He orchestrated the maniption of a woman resembling me to undermine you, clouding your

    judgment. Why dispatch an assassin resembling Damien? It seems superfluous.

    "Moreover, Jameson was known for his meticulous nature. Wouldn''t we connect the dots and discern

    his involvement if he repeated the same scheme? Would he be so careless as to leave a trail for us?"

    "Jasper''s analysis holds some merit," Cyrus said, his eyes serious and piercing. He had returned to his

    former glory as a man of the force. "Jameson has a motive to use the Harper Group and Landon, but

    Lyse is right too. He doesn''t need a Damien lookalike. If this man appears, it could cause more trouble

    than necessary."

    Lauren, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Her nervous gaze flickered to Cyrus'' serious face.

    "Cyrus, are you saying the Schmidt guy might not be the one who hurt Landon? There could be

    someone else?"

    Alyssa and Jasper were taken aback.

    In the past, Lauren was a cautious and unassuming person. She seemed naive and innocent. Landon

    treated her like a delicate flower. However, she was perceptive and knew more than she let on.

    "Yes, Lauren. You''re smart," Cyrus said, meeting her gaze with a gentle smile, though his heart ached.

    "It has something to do with Jameson, but the killer might not be connected to him. Someone else

    could be aiding him."

    Lauren''s concern and vignce stemmed from the impact on her beloved.

    "Someone else lurks behind Jameson," Jasper and Alyssa concurred simultaneously.

    The web of connections grew more intricate, suggesting the imminent emergence of a new yer. Was

    this a harbinger of the enigmatic figure''s appearance?

    Was it mere coincidence that Damien''s doppelganger entangled himself with their circle?

    Jameson posed a formidable adversary. Who else wielded such terrifying influence over him?

    After a serious discussion, Cyrus prepared to take his leave.

    Jasper and Alyssa bid him farewell, but suddenly, Lauren dashed over, her coat forgotten. "C-Cyrus,

    wait!"

    Cyrus turned to see Lauren rushing toward him, a pang of concern gripping his heart. "What if you

    catch a cold? Go back inside!"

    I''m not cold. Don''t worry."

    Lauren''s cheeks flushed as she spoke earnestly. "Cyrus, I finished the teddy bear cake you gave me

    last time. It smelled delightful."

    "Oh, it''s no trouble. I''m d you enjoyed it." Cyrus''s smile was warm.

    Lauren bit her lip and handed him a rolled-up piece of paper. "T-This is for you. Thank you for getting

    me the cake."

    Cyrus was taken aback as he epted the gift and carefully unrolled it. It was a portrait of him¡ªa

    charming caricature capturing his essence. It was lively and endearing, and he cherished it.

    "Wow... It''s uncanny, Cyrus!" Alyssa eximed, peering at it in wonder.

    Jasper nodded. "It does look like you."

 Chapter 1827

    "I made this artwork too hastily. It''s rather rough. It could have been more intricate." Lauren felt

    embarrassed, thinking her art was too ugly to be given.

    "No way! It''s really good." Cyrus tried to maintain hisposure, but he was so excited that his voice

    wavered slightly. "Thank you, Lauren. I love it... Oh, by the way..."

    He reached into the car and retrieved a neatly packaged candy apple, his ears turning red with

    embarrassment. "I saw a candy apple stand on the way here and couldn''t resist. I haven''t eaten it. Let

    me give it to you."

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes in confusion.

    Knowing Cyrus'' love for food, it seemed unlikely that he would still have the candy apple if he''d been

    craving it so much. It was clear he had bought it for Lauren but was too shy to admit it.

    "A candy apple?" A spark lit up Lauren''s eyes.

    It was hard to believe that a wealthy girl like her had never experienced thismon street snack.

    Javier and Sophia had kept her sheltered at home due to her illness. She had a driver for school, rarely

    venturing out with friends like other girls would.

    Moreover, Javier had a disdain for street food, so while she had seen candy apples before, she had

    never tasted one.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Cyrus opened the packaging and handed the candy apple to Lauren. He asked lightly, "Want to give it

    a try?"

    Initially shy, Lauren couldn''t resist the temptation. She stuck her tongue out like a curious kitten and

    took a lick. "Oh, it''s sweet!"

    Cyrus felt a surge of joy welling up within him. A genuine smile, born from the depths of his heart, crept

    into the corners of his eyes. Lauren''s innocent expression was like the candy apple on a stick, slowly

    melting away under his intense gaze.

    A genuine smile, born from the depths of his heart, crept into the corners of his eyes. Lauren''s innocent

    expression was like the candy apple on a stick, slowly melting away under his intense gaze.

    If he could, he would buy her candy apples all the time from now on.

    Cyrus repeated his silent confession a thousand times in his heart. Yet, bit by bit, he pushed the

    thought aside¡ªhis confession dissipated into the breeze with his gentle smile.

    As night descended, Jasper and Alyssa shared a shower together. Alyssa sat before the mirror, a towel

    enveloping her body, while Jasper assisted in blow-drying her thick, dark hair.

    Her hair was thick, so it was hard to dry. Yet, Jasper disyed unwavering patience, meticulously

    tending to it with each session.

    Once her hair was tended to, Jasper encircled her shoulders with both hands. He ced gentle kisses

    on her shoulder, marking her as his own.

    Alyssa felt a lustful desire and couldn''t help but raise her head to search for his lips.

    Their kiss ignited a ze of passion.

    After their lovemaking, Jasper carried Alyssa to the bathroom. He settled her into the bathtub using the

    shower head to rinse her off.

    "Jasper," Alyssa called out to him softly.

    "Hmm?" Jasper continued rinsing her body, leaning in for a kiss.

    "Do you think... Landon or Cyrus would be better for Lauren?"

    Alyssa traced his lips with her fingertips. "I want your unbiased opinion."

    Jasper''s gaze darkened. "Lyse, are you trying to get Lauren and Cyrus together?"

    "Not really." Alyssa shook her head. "I just want Lauren to be happy."

    "Landon is passionate, while Cyrus isid-back. They''re equally matched in looks, ability, and

    background. Either could be a good fit for Lauren."

    Jasper held her waist, drawing closer until their lips met in a charged atmosphere. "But I think my sister

    has a romantic spirit. She should choose whomever she''s drawn to. That''s what matters most."

    Alyssa pursed her lips, nodding in agreement.

    No matter how fitting the match might seem, Lauren''s feelings were paramount. Yet, Alyssa couldn''t

    shake her fear that the Harpers might once again cause harm to the innocent Lauren.

    As they returned to the room, Jasper''s phone buzzed just as they prepared to rest.

    "Who is it?" Alyssa yawned.

    Jasper''s eyes widened. "It''s Landon!"

 chapter-1828

    Jasper tightened the grip on his phone. "Lyse, I need to answer Landon''s call.¡±

    "Go ahead,¡± Alyssa gently said.

    Jasper had always been transparent with his calls in front of her; there were no secrets between them. But Alyssa understood that this call was important for both Landon and Jasper.

    Jasper rose and made his way to the living room. Standing by the window, he answered with concern, "Landon, how are you holding up? Are you okay?"

    ¡°Jasper.¡± After a prolonged pause, Landon¡¯s voice came through, strained as if he hadn''t had water in days. "I miss Lauren so much..."Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Jasper felt a pang in his chest. "Don¡¯t worry. Lauren is with Grandpa. We''re taking care of her. She''s safe."

    "Jasper, can I still be with Lauren? Can I still marry her?" Landon¡¯s question held a desperate tone. Jasper''s throat constricted; he was momentarily speechless. While he knew Landon was deeply in love with Lauren, he couldn''t predict if Lauren would choose him.

    "If I can resolve things with the Harper Group, will you let me be with Lauren?¡± Landon''s tone turned grim. "Jasper, please help me."

    A steely resolve settled in Jasper''s eyes. "You''re like a brother to me. Of course, I''ll help you.¡±

    "In theing days, let''s work together to gather evidence against the Harper Group. We need everything we can get, especially anything incriminating about Cornelius.¡±

    Jaspers heart clenched. "Landon, Cornelius is your grandfather. And he''s the one truly running the Harper Group. Don''t do anything reckless!¡±

    "Javier is your father too. I doubt you let him off lightly when it came to Alyssa,¡± Landon retorted. Jasper was rendered speechless. Landon¡¯s words hit home. He had been the one to turn his back on his family, setting a negative example for his closest friend.

    "I''ve made my decision. Anyone who''s tried to harm Lauren or stand in the way of our marriage has no ce in my life." Landon''s voice, firm and cold, hung heavy in the night air. "Cornelius is the foundation of the Harper Group. We can''t dismantle Preston without targeting him. We have to teach that bastard a lesson.¡±

    ¡°Landon, I''m worried you''ll only bring trouble upon yourself," Jasper expressed genuine concern. "Just hold off a bit longer. We''ll find a better solution.¡±

    "I can''t wait any longer! Every minute away from Lauren feels like a dagger in my heart. It''s unbearable!" Landon''s emotions began to spiral out of control, his words interspersed with heavy gasps. "If... If you had to part with Lyse, could you handle it? Could you?"

    Jasper felt a pang in his chest. "Landon..."

    "Even if it means the downfall of the Harper Group, I don''t care, as long as it''s for Lauren!"

    Before Jasper could respond, Landon abruptly ended the call.

    Jasper sighed, lifting his gaze to the silver moon casting its cold light upon him, knowing sleep would evade him tonight.

    With Lauren''s condition stabilizing, Jasper and Alyssa felt a temporary sense of relief as they left Newton''s ce to return to work.

    Jasper had no time to freshen himself up; he rushed straight to the Beckett Group.

    In the morning, he chaired apany meeting. After attending to important guests in the afternoon, he finally found a moment to call Alyssa.

 chapter-1829

    Just then, Ben called.

    Jasper promptly answered, "What''s the matter, Mr. Gorham?"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Mr. Jasper, is it a good time to speak?¡± Ben said.

    "Go ahead, Mr. Gorham. What is it?"

    "Mr. Javier arrived this morning and took Ms. Lauren back to Seaview Manor.¡±

    A shadow crossed Jasper''s face. "I thought Grandpa wanted Lauren''spany a little while more. Why was her time with him cut short?"

    "Mr. Javier went to the study room with Mr. Newton. I''m not sure what they talked about, but they ended up fighting.¡±

    Ben sounded worried. "Ms. Lauren heard everything. She had always been the most obedient in the family, so she agreed to follow Mr. Javier back.

    "As a secretary, I can''t intervene, but I hope you''ll give Ms. Lauren some extra attention when you return tonight.¡±

    Jasper sensed Ben''s implication. "Did you catch what Dad and Grandpa were arguing about?¡±

    "I... I think it was about Ms. Lauren''s wedding. Mr. Newton and Mr. Javier shed over it, leading to the confrontation. But I don¡¯t know the details.¡±

    Jasper rose from his chair, his expression serious. "I got it. Don''t you and Grandpa worry. I will protect Lauren."

    Lauren returned to Seaview Manor, finding herself surrounded by emptiness. Her mother was gone, and she learned from the maids that Betty was also ted to be sent overseas. Jasper seemed to spend all his time with Alyssa, leaving the mansion feeling like avish yet deste prison Clutching her teddy bear, Lauren sank onto the couch in the living room, exhaustion weighing heavily on her. The brief happiness she had experienced with Landon now felt like a distant dream, and she knew she should return to her designated ce within the family.

    Being alone wasn''t unbearable, but every time she thought of Landon¡ªhis name, his captivating eyes, the warmth of his kiss¡ªtears threatened to spill.

    Suddenly, the sound of stumbling footsteps broke the silence.

    Lauren opened her eyes to see Betty, disheveled and carrying a heavy suitcase. It was a sight she''d never witnessed before; Betty was d in a set of sports attire that she would rather be dead than be caught wearing them. Her hair was unkempt; she had never looked this haggard.

    As the eldest daughter, Betty had enjoyed more love and attention from their parents and grandfather. The love she''d received was far more than what Lauren had received.

    However, the tables had turned.

    Betty was being exiled from the Beckett family, and she didn''t even have someone to help her with her luggage. It was a pitiable sight.

    Lauren knew the truth about Betty''s actions, thanks to Jasper and Alyssa. She couldn''t find it in herself to forgive her sister, nor did she want anything to do with her. Closing her eyes, she hugged her teddy bear, pretending not to see her.

    "Stop right there!" Betty''s sudden shout sliced through the air, her voice strained and piercing, echoing with intensity.

    Lauren stopped in her tracks. However, this time, Lauren refused to cower. Confronting the sister who had tormented her for years, she held her ground.

    "Pfft... Do you think you can ignore me just because I''m deaf?" Betty''s words spat out like venom, her anger palpable as she gasped for breath. "Idiot! Bitch!

    "You''re the reason Grandpa and Dad turned their backs on me! I''ve been kicked out of the house.. Jasper had destroyed my ears. It''s all thanks to you, bitch! I hate you!"

 chapter-1830

    Betty''s rage surged like a rabid animal as she barked at Lauren, her fury palpable.

    But as Lauren nced up, she noticed something she hadn''t before¡ªthe hearing aids tucked behind Betty''s hair, previously concealed from view.

    "Bitch... I''m deaf now. You won''t get away with this before I''m gone. I''ll make sure you suffer the same fate!" Betty''s words dripped with venom as sheshed out, her arm poised to strike at Lauren''s face.

    Yet, to Betty''s surprise, Lauren, once her victim, deftly evaded her attack, delivering a crisp p in retaliation¡ªthe first time thetter had ever raised a hand against the former.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    The passing maid, initially startled, couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction¡ªLauren had finally asserted herself.

    Betty scowled as she held her face

    It was the first time Lauren had everid a hand on someone. It didn''t hurt, but it shattered Betty''s ego.

    "You are not my sister, Betty." Lauren clenched her fists and shook her head lightly. "You never were from the moment you hurt me. But I won''t hate you because you''re not worth my time. We''ll call it even with this p.¡±

    "Call it even? Hah! My hatred for you will never cease. I''ll destroy you!" Betty seethed, her face flushed with fury as she lunged at Lauren.

    This time, Lauren couldn''t dodge, shrinking back in fear¡ªuntil a towering figure stepped between them, pushing Betty to the ground with force. Her butt hurt so badly that she couldn''t get up. ")-Jasper!"

    Lauren''s eyes shimmered with relief as she beheld Jasper''s protective stance. Her once-turbulent heart now found sce in his presence.

    Betty cowered before Jasper''s stern gaze, inching away slightly.

    "An old dog never learns new tricks,¡± he muttered coldly, shielding Lauren from Betty''s reach "Jasper! If you have the nerve, go show off at the Harper Group! Why pick on a weakling like me? What kind of hero are you?" Betty''s teeth chattered in terror, yet she still hurled words back at him, her voice surprisingly defiant. She was unable to swallow her humiliation.

    "I never aspired to be a hero. I only sought to safeguard my sister," Jasper''s tone remained indifferent, yet his gaze softened as it met Lauren''s.

    Despite the irony gnawing at her, Betty couldn''t deny the well of anger, sadness, and bitterness that rose within.

    She had never regarded Jasper as her brother, yet she and Lauren had once lived in the same womb. Betty couldn''tprehend how Jasper could acknowledge Lauren, the dim-witted one, as his sister while disregarding her.

    Yet, she had always respected him as her brother.

    "I''ve frozen all your bank ounts. You''ll receive a monthly allowance of 10,000 dors while abroad. Don''t bother asking Dad for more; he won''t oblige.

    "Furthermore, I''ll monitor your ount for any suspicious activity. Any indiscretions, and I''ll freeze it," Jaspers icy gaze crushed any hope Betty held onto

    Enraged, Betty pounded the ground. "Jasper... You might as well end me now!"

    10,000 dors seemed a pittance. How could she maintain her lifestyle, let alone indulge in her beauty treatments andvish expenses?

    Jasper ced aforting hand on Lauren''s shoulder as they prepared to depart. "Adjusting to a simpler lifestyle can be challenging when you''re ustomed to luxury. But you''ll adapt in time.¡± "Haha! I may have failed, but you don''t have it any better.¡± A manicugh, sharp and piercing, erupted from Betty. A fierce glint entered her eyes.

    "Lauren may still be a virgin," she spat, "but Landon¡¯s fooling around has damaged her! She''s not ¡°clean¡¯ anymore, and Sna City will feast on her ruined reputation. The Harper Group saw right through her¡ªa dumbo. Her dreams of marrying Landon are shattered! All that effort, wasted!" Jaspers brow furrowed, his grip on Lauren''s quivering shoulders tightening.

    "She''s nowbeled damaged goods, and your best friend, Landon, isn''t faring any better."

    Betty had lost most of her hearing, so she was shouting. Her tirade managed to attract a curious crowd of maids. "He did everything so that he could marry Lauren, but in the end, it was for nothing.

    ¡°Landon must be furious. He deserves to know what it feels like to desire someone he can never have. And I couldn''t be happier. If I can''t have it, neither can he."

    Each word pierced Lauren''s heart like a dagger, leaving her in agonizing pain.

    Jasper ground his teeth. "This storm will pass. If their love is true, nothing will break them."

    Betty scoffed. "I highly doubt it."

    Struggling to her feet, Betty revealed hertest revtion. "I saw with my own eyes, Mr. and Mrs Hodgson bringing their son, Freddy, to meet Dad. They asked for Lauren''s hand in marriage.¡± Jasper''s gaze snapped to her. "What did you say?"

    Lauren clung to her teddy bear, her heart pounding fiercely against her chest.

    "Oh, it seems you''re not as informed as you thought, Mr. Beckett," Betty taunted. "The Hodgsons admire Lauren and don''t judge her for her disability.

    "They want Dad to agree to marry Lauren into their family. If he consents, and Lauren weds Freddy, your ¡°brother from another mother¡¯ will be out of the picture.

    "Lauren, I never realized how captivating you truly are. I thought Landon must have been out of his mind to pursue you. But now, Freddy too? You''re quite the seductress!¡±

    "Lauren, I never realized how captivating you truly are. I thought Landon must have been out of his mind to pursue you. But now, Freddy too? You''re quite the seductress!"

 chapter-1831

    Betty''s relentless mocking made Lauren pale considerably. Her delicate frame shuddered even more. Lauren shut her eyes tightly, wringing her teddy bear until it was twisted out of shape. Only by doing this could she force herself not to think about those haunting memories.

    "You couldn''t be Mrs. Harper, but soon you will be Mrs. Hodgson, the mayor''s daughter-in-w. It seems like congrattions are in order.¡±

    Betty flipped her hair, acting disgustingly pretentious like Sophia. "However, I''m not getting any wedding gifts for you."

    "If you don''t shut your mouth right now, I''m going to make your right earpletely deaf.¡± Jasper''s rage was evident from his scowl.

    "But it''s the truth, isn''t it? She''s going to marry into the Hodgson family. There''s no point yelling at me like this."

    Jasper stalked toward her menacingly like a prowling lion.

    "Ah! Help! Dad, save me! Jasper is going to kill me!" Betty threw away all decorum and screamed at the top of her lungs.

    "That''s enough! What''s all this fuss about?"C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Javier was halfway down the stairs, ring at the two of them. His expression was thunderous. "Dad! Jasper was going to hit me... He keeps hitting women!"

    Betty wailed, "I should just let him kill me!"

    "Alright, alright!" Javier''s brows were furrowed tightly. Her screams were hurting his ears. "Rory, send her to the airport right now!"

    "Yes, Mr. Javier." Rory nced at Betty coldly and said, "Let''s go.¡±

    Betty gnashed her teeth and dragged her heavy luggage toward the door.

    Javier''s heart softened a little, and he ordered Rory gruffly, "Help Betty carry the luggage.¡±

    "Yes." Rory could only follow orders, so he took over Betty''s luggage and went out.

    "Thanks Dad... Goodbye Dad..." Betty put on a pitiful face and bade farewell to Javier, but she felt a hint of glee and satisfaction.

    Her father would always have a soft spot for her.

    She would have her revenge someday!

    After Betty left, Jasper held back his anger and walked calmly toward Javier.

    "Just now, Betty said that the Hodgson already asked for Lauren''s hand on marriage. Is that true?¡± Javier looked down at him arrogantly and said, "Of course.¡±

    Jaspers eyebrows furrowed even deeper. "The mayor''s son wants to marry Lauren? Did you agree to this?"

    "We are families of equal standing, which makes this a perfect match. What''s more, the Hodgsons are influential in politics. I''ve also met Freddy. He''s a handsomed with a good personality. Hah! He''s a much better choice than Landon."

    Javier smirked as if he was taunting Jasper. "At the very least, Freddy is not a yboy who changes partners like he changes clothes. The Hodgsons also don''t mind Lauren''s illness and are willing to ept her as their daughter-inw.

    "Pray tell, why would I reject such good future inws?"

    Lauren hid behind Jasper, her pale face sweating as her eyes reddened with tears

    When she was in school, it was true that Freddy didn''t hit her or scold her as Zoe did. But the emotional trauma he gave her was far more traumatizing than her physical suffering.

    She still remembered when Zoe and her gang bullied her. Freddy was always on standby as a lookout, smiling unsettlingly at her.

    That summer when she was 14, she''d just received new summer uniforms from the school.

    Zoe was jealous that Lauren looked prettier than her in the school uniform, so she dragged Lauren into the sports equipment store. She poured a pail of dirty water all over her.

    After ruining Lauren''s brand-new uniform, Zoe happily strutted away.

 chapter-1832

    Lauren curled up in a dust-filled corner. It was the height of summer, but she was so cold that she shivered.

    At this time, Freddy, who had been standing aside, quietly walked up to her. He took off his jacket and knelt to cover her shoulders with it.

    She was about to say "thank you" when she realized that he was tantly staring at her chest.

    Her small, developing breasts could be seen through her soaked shirt, and even her white bra was visible!

    In her panic, she screamed weakly and hugged her chest with her shuddering arms.

    "Lauren, let me touch them for a bit, alright? Just a bit, no one will know."

    Freddy said those disgusting words with such sincerity, like a devil''s maniptive persuasion. When she recalled those memories, it still plunged Lauren into a deep pit of depression and fear.

    "I know why you want to marry off Lauren so desperately.¡±

    Jasper''s fists clenched tightly, and his knuckles turned white. "If you were angry, you could have taken it out on me. As a parent, you cannot leverage your daughter''s happiness for your instant gratification!¡±

    "Jasper, did you learn how to be passive-aggressive from that girl from the White family? You are misinterpreting my good intentions!"

    Javier pointed at Jasper furiously. "Lauren is my daughter. Would I harm her? All my choices are for her benefit!"

    Jasperughed coldly. "More like it''s for your future''s benefit. Arranging a marriage between us and the Hodgsons would bring great returns for Beckett Group and you."

    The atmosphere turned stiff and cold.

    Javier''splexion turned from flushed red to pale white. His own son had uncovered his shameful intentions right in his face. With that, more fuel had been added to the fire.

    He roared, "It''s still better than the match you found for Lauren!"

    Lauren shut her teary eyes tightly.

    "Right now, everyone in Sna City knows of the scandal between Lauren and Landon. My daughter has been harassed enough, and now she has to be gossip fodder. When she goes out, people will look at her differently.

    "This is all because of the match you tried to arrange for Lauren, all because of the meddling from you and your idiot friends!"

    Jasper''s expression was icy. He knew that Javier would use this point to attack him viciously. Landon and Lauren were deeply in love. He wasn''t in the wrong. He was innocent.

    But what the Harpers did was unforgivable! There was no way to plead their case!

    "You sent my daughter, your most gentle sister right into the tiger''s den, the Harpers! Before she even married into the family, she suffered so much humiliation from the scheming! Is your sister so worthless? What''s wrong with marrying into the Hodgson family? This is no disservice to her!

    "At the very least, the Hodgsons are an influential, wealthy family. Not like the Harpers. Bastards, the lot of them! Cornelius came from a lowly, messy background. What kind of children can he raise? I''m pretty sure that Landon is a useless man, just like his grandfather!¡±

    Javier was so incensed that he couldn''t stop throwing insults.

    "Dad! That''s enough... Stop talking about Landon!" Lauren couldn''t help it anymore. Her tears started falling. "Landon has always been kind to me, and he''s never wronged me!

    "We''ve already broken up. We''re not together anymore, so stop saying these things about him!" "Lauren..." Jasper''s heart twinged with pain.

    Lauren and Landon went through so many obstacles before getting together. They were about to see their rtionship bear fruit, but now everything was back to square one.

    Why did fate have to be so cruel and mess with this tragic couple? What did they do to deserve this?

    Upon hearing his usually obedient daughter talk back against him, Javier''s face paled.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    When he heard that they had broken up, his expression softened a bit as he said patiently, "It''s good that you two broke up. That yboy''s so-called love for you was just an act. He can''t keep it up forever.

    "It''s not a big deal. There''s no need to be so hung up on him. Follow my ns from now on, and you will have true happiness in life.¡±

    "I will not allow Lauren to marry Freddy Hodgson!" Jasper''s eyes zed with anger. "His rtionship with Zoe is unclear, and he''s probably no saint.

    "You keep saying that the Harpers are a tiger''s den, but are the Hodgsons a paradise? You''re just using Lauren as your money-making machine!"

 Chapter 1833

    "You don''t agree?" Javier''s expression darkened coldly. His menacing re was devoid of any warmth

    or affection a father would have for his son. "Jasper, I am not dead yet, but are you already thinking of

    taking over my duties?

    "If I didn''t give you the chance, would you even be able to be the president of Beckett Group? It

    seems like you''ve be arrogant. Do you really think that you achieved everything by your own

    merit?"

    Facing his father''s insults, Jasper was more worried for Lauren than angry at his father.

    If Lauren really married into the Hodgson family, he couldn''t imagine what kind of crazy things Landon

    would do after he found out.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Perhaps he would spiral into depression. Perhaps he would be so crushed that he would never recover

    from his heartbreak.

    Lauren was not strong and brave like Alyssa, who would stand up for herself. She was the most

    obedient child among the siblings. She was gentle and weak, epting whatever obstacles life threw

    at her without protest.

    Besides, she was the one who initiated the breakup.

    "Your brother is just ill; he''s not dead yet. Don''t think that just because you''re the president and Newton

    favors you, you can do whatever you want without a care in the world! You insolent brat, how dare you

    defy your own father and rebel against my decisions again and again!"

    Javier''s thinly veiled threats continued, "A few days ago, I went to Mosgravia to visit Justin. He looks

    much better than before."

    Jasper''s eyes narrowed as a glint appeared in his dark gaze.

    "Justin told me that when he gets better, he''ll return and reunite with our family again."

    Javier looked down at Jasper, his words dripping with menace. "Your grandfather and I always

    prioritized the eldest son. Justin has just been away for too long and has be distant from us,

    which is why you had the chance to showcase your abilities to Newton.

    "When he''s back, Newton will surelypensate him out of guilt. By that time, who knows whether

    you''ll still have a ce in Beckett Group? You''d better think about that carefully!"

    In the middle of the night, Xavier brought his investigations on Harper Group to meet Jasper.

    Smoke curledzily around them in the study. Jasper''s slender, calloused fingers held a cigarette while

    he studied the documents intently. His gaze was mysterious and dark, concealing his emotions.

    Seeing that the ashtray was almost full, Xavier couldn''t help but sigh. "Mr. Beckett, I know you''re

    feeling upset, but to smoke so much like this... it might reduce your sperm count..."

    Jasper arched an eyebrow, and his icy gaze bore into Xavier''s eyes. "Are you a sex therapist? Or are

    you a nosy know-it-all?"

    Xavier pretended to cough. "No, no, I''m just a dumb idiot."

    He sighed again. "Madam Alyssa hates the smell of smoke; you know this as well. I was just worried

    that when you return home, she''ll get angry if she smells smoke on you."

    "These two days, I''ll be at Seaview Manor apanying Lauren. I''ve already told Lyse."

    The mental image of Alyssa with her hands on her hips, pouting and nagging him made his heart beat

    faster and his blood run wild.

    How he wished he could pull her into his arms and dominate her, entangling their limbs the whole night.

    "Mr. Beckett, you must be in a terrible mood. If it weren''t so bad, you wouldn''t have resorted to smoking

    behind her back."

    Xavier asked out of concern, "What''s going on?"

    "Xavier, there are no issues with these documents. Send them to Mr. Harperter." Jasper''s tone was

    neutral.

    "Yes." Since Jasper wasn''t willing to share, Xavier refrained from probing.

    "Also, hand over your duties to others for the time being. Focus on your investigations on the Hodgson

    family."

    Xavier asked, "The Hodgsons?"

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. "Onder Hodgson."

    Xavier''s eyes widened. "The mayor?"

    "Start from Onder, then his wife and his son Freddy. Investigate as much as you can, gather every

    piece of information."

    When he finished talking, a light knock sounded on the door.

    "Jasper, are you there?"

    "It''s Lauren."

    Jasper stood up and hurriedly went over to open the door.

    Lauren stood awkwardly outside the door in the dark, wringing her fingers.

    "Lauren, it''s sote. Why aren''t you asleep yet?" Jasper asked gently.

    She pursed her lips. "Jasper, can I tell you something?"

    "Of course,e in."

    Jasper invited her in as Xavier left the room to give them privacy.

    "Lauren, don''t take what Dad said to heart. No matter what, I will not let you marry into the Hodgsons.

    Alyssa will not agree either."

    "Jasper."

    Before he finished his words, Lauren lowered her head and spoke up, "You and Alyssa have done a lot

    for me. It''s enough.

    "About my matters, you guys don''t need to worry about me anymore."

    Jasper''s heart sank. "Lauren, what do you mean?"

    Lauren felt tears prickling her eyes. She blinked hard, forcing her tears back. "I''ll listen to Dad. I''ll marry

    into the Hodgson family."

 Chapter 1834

    "Lauren, what in the world are you saying?" Jasper, who was usually calm andposed, reacted in

    shock. He ced his hands heavily on her shoulders. "Marriage is not child''s y. This is a matter of

    your lifelong happiness!

    "Do you not know what kind of person Freddy is? Did you not see how he was acting intimately with

    Zoe? Aren''t you worried that this might be a plot from Zoe to mess with you and Landon?"

    Lauren let him shake her shoulders as tears rolled in her eyes along with the shaking.

    "Did you really fall out of love with Landon? Look into my eyes and tell me. do you really not love

    Landon anymore?" Jasper''s brows knitted together tightly as he bombarded her with questions.

    "Jasper, I''m a grown woman. I''m no longer the child who locked herself in her room all day, not daring

    to speak to anyone. I''m no longer the girl whose onlypanions were drawing blocks and dolls."

    Lauren''s voice was soft, but her resolve was firm. "I know what I''m doing; I know what I want."

    Jasper''s voice trembled. "Is marrying Freddy what you want?"

    "Since I can''t be with Landon anymore, who I marry doesn''t matter."

    "Who said that you can''t be together with him? He loves you so much that he can give up everything!

    As long as you don''t give up..."

    "Jasper, I''m tired."

    Lauren''s face sank as she shook her head lifelessly. "If Landon betrayed his family and gave up his

    inheritance for me. I would never be able to live with this guilt. Even if I stayed with him, I would not feel

    happy.

    "But if I don''t marry into the Hodgson family, I fear I will not have a day of peace. I''m scared. I''m even

    more scared that I''ll bring trouble to Landon and hurt Angelina.

    "Breaking up. is the best oue for us."

    Jasper slowly let her go. He couldn''t swallow the bitterness in his throat, just as he couldn''t find any

    words to say.

    That day, when Angelina returned the pearl hair clip to Landon, he became seriously ill. The

    combination of heartbreak and shock made him throw up blood.

    After a checkup at the hospital, they found that he had severe gastritis. It was a result of his irregr

    schedule and frequent consumption of alcohol during business gatherings.

    This time, his gastritis worsened, so he had to be hospitalized.

    However, aside from Angelina and Jordan, no one knew about it.

    Landon was officially the chairman of Harper Group. However, he didn''t even arrive on time for the very

    first board meeting.

    In the meeting room, Cornelius sat at the main seat and nced at the empty seat beside him with

    annoyance.

    "This is the first meeting, but Mr. Landon isn''t even here. The audacity..."

    "See, "The Tyrant" isn''t an empty title. Now that he''d sessfully gained power, eventually, he won''t

    even give a shit about Mr. Cornelius."

    "It''s too early to joke about this. Mr. Preston was just defeated; he''s not dead yet. If Mr. Landon

    continues like this, when Mr. Cornelius finally has enough, the position of chairman might belong to Mr.

    Preston again."

    As Preston listened to the surrounding gossip about Landon, he couldn''t help but grin.

    Underneath the table, he was texting Zoe.

    "Zoe, I really need to thank you properly about this matter once I have time."

    "You''re too kind, Uncle Preston."

    "It''s just such a shame that I couldn''t kick that little brat from the chairman''s position. The old man still

    favors him. Truly, what a shame."

    "Uncle Preston, a watched pot never boils. You lose to Landon because you''re too impatient."

    She continued texting, "I heard that Lauren and Landon have broken up. Landon was so upset that he

    got hospitalized, but I don''t know what is the cause of his hospitalization. The Beckett family released a

    statement that they will never let Lauren marry into our family.

    "Not only that, Mayor Hodgson and his wife brought Freddy along to the Beckett''s house to ask for

    Lauren''s hand in marriage. They''ve been quite cozy with each other.

    "When Lauren and Freddy have confirmed their wedding date, Landon will be so crushed that he will

    never recover. He won''t be able to retaliate. By then, it will be your time to take revenge!"

    Preston''s eyes shone with excitement. He was about to reply to Zoe when suddenly a loud bang rang

    through the room, nearly startling him out of his seat.

    Landon''s wide shoulders were covered with a sable fur coat. His hands were in the pockets of his ck

    patterned zer. His domineering yet ssy demeanor made everyone hold their breath.

    With one kick, the door swung open. Landon bore an expression of indifference and arrogance.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    His intimidating presence made Preston look like a pitiful bug that could get squished with just a finger.

    "Sorry, I woke upte." Landon yawned.

    Preston saw that he looked alert and healthy. Aside from looking a little pale, he was fine. Preston felt

    disappointed and chuckled.

    "Haha... Mr. Landon, you are really quite impressive. You just took over, and you''re already shaking

    things up."

    Cornelius frowned. Although the Harper Group was never the most uptight, Landon was too unruly!

    "Let''s cancel today''s meeting. Grandpa and Preston can stay. The rest can leave."

    Landon stared at everyone coldly, and his gaze stared daggers at Preston''s enraged, ruddy

    complexion.

    "Landon, this is outrageous. How can you call your uncle by his first name?" Cornelius red at him

    and pped the table with his palm.

    Landon snickered, "Then what should I call him? Prepillon?"

    Preston almost choked in anger.

    "Landon!" Cornelius banged the table again.

    "If you don''t make everyone leave, can you bear to watch what I''ll doter?"

    Landon leaned on the table with both arms, flexing his muscles as a wicked smile lifted his lips. "If you

    insist on protecting Prepillon, then I won''t hold back in front of everyone."

    No one said a word in the huge meeting room.

    There wasn''t a person who wanted to miss out on this juicy gossip, but they didn''t dare to stay as well

    in case they got into the line of fire.

    Cornelius couldn''t ignore Landon''s threats, and he knew Landon''s temper very well. If Landon was

    threatened, he wouldn''t hesitate to light Harper Group on fire. Hence, he could only order the board to

    leave.

    Soon, only the three Harpers were left in the room.

    "Landon, why did you make such a big ruckus?" Preston asked angrily.

    Landon pulled out a chair and sat leisurely. He tapped his finger against the table without a rhythm, and

    his smile was sharp and malicious.

    "I want Preston to get the fuck out of Harper Group."

 Chapter 1835

    Landon''s words dropped a bomb in the meeting room. Face reddened, Preston mmed his hand on

    the table and bellowed, "Landon Harper, are you kicking me out? Are you fucking asleep? You were a

    baby when I was working alongside your grandpa!"

    The uncle and nephew finally had a fallout as there were no outsiders around.

    "Landon, don''t cross the line!" Cornelius chastised his grandson, whom he deemed insane. "I know

    what''s in your mind. You''re just trying to avenge Lauren!

    "At the end of the day, you''re a Harper and the president of the Harper Group. Your dad had

    contributed to thepany''s sess too. How can you answer Bill if you make a mess in the

    company?

    "Besides, your Uncle Preston did not do anything wrong. Lauren has mental issues. Are you sure you

    can take care of her forever after you married her? You don''t have that patience; you can never do it!

    You should end your rtionship now rather than regretting it in the future."

    "Grandpa, I have just one question for you." Landon stubbornly went off-tangent, ignoring Cornelius''

    remark. "Do you agree with my decision to kick Preston Harper out of thepany?"

    "How could you demand a director to leave the board without undergoing due process? You''re not

    serious. Do you take thepany as a clubhouse, thinking that you can get anything you want with an

    order?" Cornelius barked at him.

    "Fine." Landon leaned into his chair and raised his voice. "Jordan,e in!"

    Jordan, seemingly appearing from thin air, shuffled to his side. "Yes, Mr. Landon."

    "Grandpa, your birthday is in a few months, isn''t that right? Well, it''s not your 80th birthday, but I have a

    big gift for you." Taking a leather envelope from Jordan''s hand, he tossed it in front of Cornelius.

    Cornelius picked up the envelope with a frown. He took out a stack of photos from within. Every single

    photo was him holding and hugging hotdies on a luxury cruise. If any one of them leaked, he would

    be publicly humiliated.

    Preston had wandered over to take a peek, only to be yelled at by Cornelius. "Back off!"

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Then, Cornelius turned to Landon, his cheeks twitching in anger. "W-What do you want to do?"

    "Grandpa, you''re really something. You''re still a casanova at this age, just as charming as you used to

    be." Landon took a cigarette out of the box and shoved it between his lips. Jordan immediately helped

    light the cigarette.

    Landon added, "Too bad that greed is endless. At your age, you should focus on taking care of your

    health."

    Preston instantly formed a guess about the photos, which sent a shiver down his spine. The cruise

    meeting was tightly protected with armed security. How did Landon manage to shoot photos of the

    event?

    "If you refuse to agree to my demands, I will have no choice but to distribute the photos. The public can

    have a good look at my charming grandpa." Squinting, Landon took a long drag of the cigarette before

    putting it out.

    Trembling violently, Cornelius seethed. "You¡ª"

    "These are not all. Oh, trust me, I have a lot of dirt on you." Landonzily puffed a smoke ring, eyes

    half closed. "Every single one of the evidence mightnd you in jail for life."

    "Landon Harper, are you fucking mad? Grandpa raised you from when you were a kid. How could you

    stab him in the back over a woman? You''re an ingrate; you''re worse than an animal!" Preston could not

    believe the lengths that Landon had gone to.

    "Lauren isn''t just any woman. She''s... my wife, and she''ll be my only wife in this life." Landon held back

    his tears. "I''m just fulfilling my duty as a husband. Whoever bullies my wife will pay a price."

    Even if Lauren dumped him one day, he''d still love her as much as before. Even if they had to be

    separated, he''d always see her as his wife.

    At the same time, Cornelius pressed a hand on his chest after being threatened by Landon. Landon

    had gone mad. How could he turn the Harper Group upside down for a woman?

 Chapter 1836

    "Grandpa, I know you are an expert at weighing pros and cons. I haveid out my cards. Please take

    your time to consider your choice." After that, Landon slowly rose from his seat and rubbed out the

    cigarette on the tabletop.

    "Stop!" Cornelius called out to Landon. In a shaking voice, he obliged, "I agree... I agree to your

    conditions!"

    "Dad, I sacrificed so much for the Harper Group. How could you do this to me to protect yourself?"

    Preston''s eyes bulged from surprise.

    "That''s enough. Don''t tter yourself." Shameful and enraged, Cornelius growled, "You and I know

    who''s the one who made real sacrifices for Harper Group. It was Bill¡ªLandon''s dad¡ªyour brother!

    "Even without these scandalous photos, I have ns to kick you out anyway. Did you really think I was

    clueless about your crimes behind my back? I was merely turning a blind eye because I couldn''t be

    bothered.

    "I''ll take the chance today to get rid of a thorn in my side. You do not have to report to work at Harper

    Group anymore. From now on, you have nothing to do with the board of directors and the annual

    shareholders'' meeting."

    Cornelius was great at giving himself an out.

    "You''re turning your back on me?" Preston stomped in anger. Despite his age, he reverted to a child

    whenever he threw a fit in front of his father. He seemed truly agitated and worried this time.

    Cornelius barked at him, "Get lost right now!"

    Preston knew that no amount of argument would turn his situation around. He had no choice but to

    re at Cornelius before leaving in defeat. He mmed the door behind him as he left.

    Landon asked tly, "When are we issuing the official notice of Preston''s termination?"

    "Within this week."

    Landon cast a dangerous squint at Cornelius, who immediately changed his mind. "It''ll be done

    tomorrow morning!"

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Great. I shall wait for the good news." Landon left the meeting room in great strides as Jordan followed

    closely behind him.

    "Landon, I watched you grow up. Even your mom does not know you as well as I do in this family!''

    Cornelius rasped from behind. "You''re not a good match with Lauren, be it in family status or your

    personality.

    "Lauren is too timid. She cannot take charge of the family, not to mention reigning you in. Without a

    capable woman to support you and take care of thepany, you will suffer in your career. Sooner or

    later, your useless feelings of love will wear out under the test of reality."

    Landon paused in his tracks but did not turn around. He stated, "I choose the woman I love. Save your

    worries. I am capable enough to shoulder everything. All Lauren needs is to stay by me."

    Alyssa had been approving documents for the entire afternoon in her office at the KS Group

    headquarters.

    When she was done, she sighed and stretched.

    At that moment, she received a call from Ss.

    "Hey, Ss, I thought you forgot about me ever since you''re with Rose. What makes you call me?"

    Rose lounged on the couch.

    "Lyse, I have a question." After a pause, Ss whispered, "Have Landon and Lauren broken up?"

    The look in her eyes grew vacant. "Why the sudden question? And how did you learn about it?"

    "Wait. Is it true?" Shocked, Ss mused, "Seems that the incident dealt a huge blow to them."

    "Stop going around in circles, Ss. Get to the point."

    "I attended the wedding of a fellow prosecutor''s son. The wedding was grand; even Mayor Hodgson

    and his wife were in attendance. I overheard the mayor stating that his son is soon to be engaged with

    Lauren."

    "What?" Alyssa sat up on the couch. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Who? Who''s getting engaged with

    Lauren? Is it Mayor Hodgson''s son?"

    At the same time, Sean knocked on her door and entered the office with a stern expression. "Ms.

    Alyssa, I have something to report to you."

 Chapter 1837

    Alyssa felt her chest tighten. She motioned at Sean toe over before pressing Ss, "Are you

    sure?" "Mayor Hodgson has always been prudent. He won''t make things public unless it''s been

    confirmed. That''s how he managed to enjoy a smooth political career." Ss'' tone took a turn. "That''s

    why I believe the news is true. Lyse, is this an arranged marriage? Is Lauren willing to marry a man she

    doesn''t love? Will she be happy?"

    The idea of Lauren agreeing to it was preposterous. Something was fishy.

    "Grandpa and Javier aren''t satisfied with Landon, but they hate Harper Group even more. Even so,

    Lauren shouldn''t marry Freddy Hodgson!"

    "Lyse, do you know Mayor Hodgson''s son?"

    Lyse cracked her fingers angrily. "You can tell he''s not a good egg just by looking at that bastard''s

    face."

    Ss and Sean grew speechless.

    "Anyway, thanks for giving me the huge update. I''ll make your favorite beef Wellington when I''m back

    home."

    After the call, Alyssa took a few deep breaths to gather herself. She turned to Sean. "Sean, what''s up?"

    "Ms. Alyssa, you wanted me to keep tabs on Betty Beckett. Our men tailed her until she arrived at the

    international airport in Zinfonia. She was picked up from the airport and is now in Mosgravia."

    Sean continued with a stern look in his eyes. "Zinfonia is a poor and chaotic country, while Mosgravia is

    a developed country with plenty of entertainment. I bet someone couldn''t bear to see Betty suffer and

    secretly had her transported to Mosgravia."

    "It can only be Javier''s action. He probably felt bad for Betty and, at the same time, wanted to create

    trouble for Jasper." Alyssa seemed rather distracted because of Lauren, who was currently in trouble.

    "Ms. Alyssa, you remember who''s in Mosgravia, don''t you?" Sean reminded her with a serious look.

    A cold gleam appeared in her eyes. "You mean Justin Beckett?"

    "As he has never shown up, we are absolutely in the dark about his standing in the Beckett family, his

    character, and his rtionship with the other family members. I worry that Justin will ord Betty the

    best treatment in Mosgravia. If that happens, Mr. Beckett''s efforts would go down the drain." Sean''s

    face was clouded with worries.

    Pursing her lips, she replied, "I don''t think that''ll happen. It''s been years since Justin Beckett was in

    touch with the other family members. It wasn''t until thest two years that he began to get in touch with

    Jasper.

    "Over the years, he did not maintain contact with Betty, his half-sister. He would have lent her a hand if

    he had wanted to. What''s the point of helping her in secret?"

    Deep in thought, Sean nodded in agreement.

    "Besides, whether or not Justin helps Betty is the least of my concerns. I am more interested in her

    health condition." Alyssa snickered.

    "Ms. Alyssa, no worries. Our men have arrived in Mosgravia, and they''ll keep an eye on her."

    Growing anxious, Alyssa checked the time on her wristwatch. "Sean, get the car ready."

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "Where are you headed to?"

    The thought of Jasper sent a warm current across her body. With tears brimming in her eyes, she

    replied, "I''m picking up Jasper from work."

    As night fell, the city came alive amidst the twinkling lights.

 Chapter 1838

    After the meeting, Javier and Jasper headed toward the entrance of the Beckett Group building with

    their secretaries under the protection of their security guards.

    A father and son were supposed to be close, but the two of them behaved like strangers, not speaking

    to each other on the trip.

    "Come with me to Southsmire on my private jetter. I''ve invited Darren Daneman for golf tomorrow

    morning, and I have a business cocktail party in the afternoon. These events will y a huge role in our

    future expansion and projectunches in Southsmire."

    Jasper was about to reply, but he was interrupted by a jarring honking. A Rolls Royce with the Spirit of

    Ecstasy mascot on its bo came to a stop in front of Jasper and Javier.

    Jasper squinted at the car as his heart raced.

    When the car door opened, Javier heard a melodious voice from within, even though he couldn''t make

    out the figure seated in it. "Mr. Javier, you don''t mind me picking up Jasper from work, do you?"

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Javier''s breathing grew heavy upon recognizing Alyssa''s voice. Before he could say a thing, Jasper

    had eagerly hopped into the car without even saying goodbye to him.

    After Jasper joined Alyssa in the car, he held her hand and gently kissed her on the back of her hand.

    His lips rubbed and caressed her smooth skin with much affection.

    Javier''s expression fell. He thought, "How shameless and brash of him to do so!"

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Javier." Jasper held Alyssa by her waist and stated, "I''m afraid I can''t travel with you to

    Southsmire to golf with Mr. Daneman."

    "Jasper Beckett, do not forget your role!" Javier''s expression hardened. Gritting his teeth, he hissed,

    "The partnership with Southsmire will be crucial to thepany''s expansion in the southern cities by

    the sea!

    "You can date anytime you like, but how could you prioritize romance over thepany''s interest? This

    project is very important. You''re showing yourself unfit as thepany president."

    "It took me nearly five years to lead the Beckett Group to be the toppany in Sna City and

    make myself the top tycoon. This is all to boost our stature in business negotiation. I''m not going to

    y boring golf and attend boring parties just to ink deals," Jasper dered.

    Staring lovingly at Alyssa and kissing her on the temple, he said softly, "I''d rather spend time with my

    love than waste my time in Southsmire."

    Upon hearing that, Javier clutched his fists spitefully as rage pulsed through his veins.

    Alyssa gracefully craned to peer at Javier through the car window. She remarked, "Mr. Javier, you may

    cancel the trip if it is to discuss thete-night districtmercial project with Darren Daneman of

    Oceanic Inc."

    Frowning, Javier questioned, "What do you mean?"

    "Three days ago, Mr. Daneman had agreed to jointlyunch the project with the KS Group." Beaming

    brightly, she quipped, "There, I saved you from taking a trip."

    "What did you say... How is that possible?" Javier looked shell-shocked.

    Unlike Javier, Jasper looked calm. "Mr. Daneman is a close acquaintance of Mr. Winston. Oceanic Inc.

    has worked with the KS Group on more than one asion. I researched these facts before, but you

    never believe in my words."

    After Jasper closed the car door, the Rolls Royce sped away, leaving Javier freezing on the spot.

 Chapter 1839

    Right after the Rolls Royce departed, Alyssa''s expression hardened as she punched Jasper in the

    chest.

    "Lyse, be gentle. I don''t want you to hurt yourself," Jasper cautioned her, his voice trembling from her

    strength.

    Sean, who was in the driver''s seat, stole a nce at them from the rearview mirror and stifled augh.

    "Jasper, I have a question for you." She poked his chest and asked angrily, "Did you know about the

    arranged marriage between Lauren and the Hodgson son?"

    His eyes wavered. Grasping her hand, he wondered, "Lyse, how did you hear about it?"

    "How could you ask that question? I think half of the city has heard about it by now!" Alyssa then

    proceeded to ry Ss'' update to Jasper.

    "Damn it!" Enraged, he punched the car window. "By publicly announcing the news, the Hodgson

    family is pressuring Javier into finalizing the marriage."

    "They''re being delusional. What era are we in now? They can''t possibly force Lauren to marry Freddy!"

    Clenching her jaw, she said, "If Lauren refuses to marry, not even the president can make her!"

    "But Lauren agreed to the marriage."

    "What? But why?" Alyssa and Sean gasped in unison.

    "Lauren said that being with Landon was too burdensome."

    Alyssa remarked, "That''s a lie!"

    "Lauren thought that she''d only attract trouble for Landon and Angie if she kept dating him. She refused

    to be a burden to her lover."

    "Well, if so, she can leave Landon. Why does she have to marry Freddy?" Looking skeptical, Alyssa

    surmised, "Has Mr. Javier pressured her? What did he say to her?"

    After some thinking, Jasper rasped, "I got into a fight with Javier in front of Lauren over the arranged

    marriage with the Hodgsons. I might have given her a scare."

    This time, it was Alyssa''s turn to punch the car window. Fortunately, the solid build of the Rolls Royce

    was able to withstand their tantrums.

    Tearing up, Alyssa struggled to breathe from the heartache. Shemented, "Oh, Lauren. That was to

    protect you!"

    She then exined, "Lauren must be worried that Mr. Javier would hold a grudge against you and hit

    back at you in the future, taking away the sess you had fought for.

    "As she was defenseless and vulnerable, she couldn''t support you in any way other than to risk her

    happiness. That was the only way she could protect her beloved brother."

    "Oh, Lauren, you silly girl." Jasper, tormented by pain, shook his head. "We can''t have her marry

    Freddy. Never!"

    Infuriated, Alyssa cussed, "Son of a bitch! I''d rather Lauren marry Cyrus than that good-for-nothing

    Freddy Hodgson! I''d rather keep a nice youngdy like Lauren for my family."

    Jasper pursed his lips. He wondered, "Lyse, do you think Landon stands a chance to get back with

    Lauren?"

    "I... have no idea. A rtionship is always the hardest to grasp and make sense of." Resting in Jasper''s

    arms, Alyssa sighed softly. "Lauren and Landon might encounter more obstacles than us. Let''s settle

    the immediate issue before discussing any further."

    The day after Cornelius and Landon struck a deal, Preston''s termination notice was immediately

    emailed to the inboxes of allpany employees. The notice stated that Preston was relieved of all his

    roles in thepany and removed as a director.

    From then on, he had be an unemployed bum who had nothing to do with the Harper Group

    except when it came to receiving his annualpany stock bonus.

    Feeling depressed, Preston gathered his friends at night to have fun and release his frustration at The

    Millennium, a famous luxurious entertainment establishment in Sna City.

    Preston started tipsily cursing Cornelius in his lounge after taking a few beers that tasted like wet

    cardboard. He used Cornelius of being a wolf in sheep''s clothing who''d sell out anyone to protect

    his interest. His friends had no choice but tofort him, assuring him that he would one day make a

    comeback.

    As one of the bigger shareholders, it was only a matter of time before Preston made his return to the

    Harper Group and kicked out Landon.

    "I heard¡ªburp¡ªthere''s a hot chick named Amber Altman at The Millennium. Rumors had it that she

    was fucking gorgeous. Get her here to drink with me!" Preston,pletely smashed, ordered the shift

    manager.

    "Sorry, Mr. Preston. Ms. Altman only serves the VIPs. I''m afraid you can''t meet her," the shift manager

    exined with a polite smile.

    Preston glowered at the shift manager. "What the fuck is that nonsense? Am I not a VIP?"

    "Well, but you were terminated from your role in Harper Group earlier today."

    "You¡ª" Feeling shameful, Preston couldn''t believe that The Millennium was so up to date.

    "Ourst customer who made a scene like you ended up in bad shape. The Millennium covered his

    medical costs, but physical injuries are nothingpared to the humiliation. Don''t you agree?"

    "Who was that customer?"

    "Josh Schmidt."

    Preston instantly went silent. He thought, "Fuck! I guess a man is fair game after he''s lost his power."

    Meanwhile, Amber carefully monitored Preston''s lounge from the security control room.

    At that moment, one of her subordinates rushed over. "Ms. Altman, another customer has arrived. His

    car is entering the underground parking now."

    She asked absentmindedly, "And who is that?"

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Landon Harper, the president of Harper Group."

 Chapter 1840

    A look of shock shed across Amber''s eyes. She stated, "ording to the rules, The Millennium does

    not take in customers without a reservation."

    "But Mr. Moses just called. He would like us to host Mr. Landon." The subordinate lowered his voice.

    "Not only that, Mr. Moses would want you to monitor Mr. Landon''s movements tonight. Make a copy of

    the security footage as evidence if anything unusual urs."

    Amber, who had served Jameson for many years, instantly understood his intentions. She coldly

    replied, "Got it."

    She shifted her attention back to the screen after the subordinate left. She watched as Landon''s car

    entered the underground parking, followed by his entourage of luxury cars.

    Oddly, the cars came to a stop in the darkness without taking further action. Despite that, Amber had a

    feeling that their inactivity was merely the calm before the storm.

    At the same time, Preston''s bodyguards assisted him into the underground parking because he was

    too drunk to walk straight. Legs limp and slurring, he did not once stop cursing out the Harper lineage,

    including Cornelius and Landon. He seemed to have momentarily forgotten that he was a Harper too.

    A strong beam of light blinded Preston and his men when they shuffled through the middle of the

    parking lot. He instinctively raised his arm to shield his eyes. Following that, a deafening screeching

    sound of car tires echoed in the empty area.

    "M-Mr. Preston, look out!"

    When the drunk Preston btedly came to the realization, a ck Bentley had barrelled in his

    direction, showing no intention of slowing down. The car seemed intent on running over him.

    In the face of impending danger, everyone else scampered away; none was willing to shield Preston.

    "Argh¡ªStop! Stop! Don''te at me! Argh!" A chilling scream pierced through the silence.

    The Bentley braked when it was about one foot away from Preston. The car hood collided against his

    round belly, full from dinner.

    Though the impact did not send Preston flying through the air, he staggered backward for a few feet

    before falling hard to the ground.

    An excruciating pain shot through Preston''s body. The delicacies that he enjoyed for dinner came up

    his throat as he vomited on himself.

    Despite the pain, he scrambled up from the ground. While vomiting, he retreated. He then yelled at his

    men, "What are you doing there? Fucking charge at them!"

    While he was speaking, ten fighters, d in ck and armed with knives, surrounded Preston and his

    men. Angelina, lovely but murderous, stepped out of the darkness and showed herself in front of

    Preston.

    Preston seemed to have understood something. He dug out his phone while screaming frantically,

    "What are you guys standing there for? Fight them!"

    Preston''s bodyguards, knowing they had no way out, bit the bullet and charged at Angelina and her

    men.

    In the deep of the night, the sounds of painful screams and bone cracking echoed through the parking

    lot. The spacious area seemed like hell on earth at that moment.

    After the fighting, a deadly silence enveloped the people in the parking lot. Pools of blood had formed

    across the ground.

    Preston was bruised and bleeding from his mouth from being beaten up by Angelina. His expensive

    suit had been torn to tatters by the knife attacks.

    Angelina stepped on his back, forcing him to kneel on the ground. He begged for mercy, pleading that

    she spare him from the pain.

    At that moment, Jordan courteously opened the car door for Landon. Landon emerged and stepped

    over the pools of blood with great strides. He arrived in front of Landon and stood still. Despite his

    silence, he emanated an intimidating air.

    "Uncle Preston," Landon said in a frosty tone.

    Preston felt sick in his stomach. He trembled uncontrobly.

    In the past, he was resentful of Landon for disrespecting the elders in the family. However, the way

    Landon addressed him as "Uncle Preston" gave him goosebumps.

    "L-Landon... We''re a family. I watched you grow up!" Preston shed his arrogance and started pleading

    for dear life. "L-Let''s be civil about this. There''s always room for discussion!"N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

 Chapter 1841

    "Fine. Let''s have a discussion, then." With a t expression, Landon instructed, "Jordan, get the

    document."

    "Sure, Mr. Landon." Jordan grabbed the share transfer agreement from his bag and handed it to

    Preston. "Mr. Preston, please sign the agreement."

    ring at the writing, Preston could no longer humble himself. Punching the ground, he growled,

    "Landon Harper, you''re looting a burning house! This is daylight robbery!"

    "Yes. So what?" A grin yed on Landon''s lips, but his eyes remained impassive. The duality of him

    sent a chill down Preston''s spine.

    Landon added, "This is nothingpared to what you''ve done to Lauren. Anyway, I''ll try my best to

    catch up to you. The younger generation has to do better, don''t you think?"

    Preston scowled, and the corners of his lips twitched. He could not possibly sign the agreement, as that

    would mean aplete separation from the Harper Group. Without any shares to his name, he would

    not stand a chance of making aeback. It was a fate worse than death!

    "Landon Harper, you''re not a gang leader anymore. You''re the president of Harper Group, yet you

    break thew. Do you want to lose your preside¡ª"

    When Preston was speaking, he noticed the glimmer of a de in his face. Landon grabbed the knife

    from Angelina and cut off Preston''s right arm without hesitation.

    Preston''s agonizing scream filled the air, but Angelina, Jordan, and the rest of Landon''s subordinates

    merely watched on without shock.

    This version of Landon was the one they knew better¡ªa man of action who did not speak much.

    Falling in love with Lauren transformed him into a human being with feelings and emotions. However,

    Preston had brought out the devil in Landon once more.

    Landon signed the agreement using Preston''s blood. Then, he tossed the severed arm away with

    disdain. "I got your signature now. Uncle Preston, thanks for your generosity. I will soon be one of the

    largest shareholders of Harper Group, just second to Grandpa.

    "I spared your left hand for wiping your ass when you use the bathroom."

    With that, Landon gracefully entered his Bentley. Angelina and the others retreated, leaving silently like

    how they had arrived.

    They left Preston struggling for life on the ground. He gripped his severed arm tightly and hissed,

    "Landon Harper, just wait and see... I''ll make you pay double for what you put me through today!1 After

    Preston was taken to the hospital, two men showed up at the underground parking of The Millennium

    with buckets and mops to clean up the mess. They did their work speedily, and soon, there was no

    trace of a fight ever happening there.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Back in the security control room, Amber''s fingers trembled as she watched the security footage she

    had edited. She had edited Landon out of the footage.

    Suddenly, she heard a rhythmic knock on the door. She hurriedly shut herptop and answered the

    door.

    "Ms. Altman, I''ve cleaned the scene per your orders." A good-looking security guard stood at the door.

    He addressed her with much respect.

    After checking the surroundings, Amber quickly pulled him into the room and locked the door behind

    her.

    She began, "Thank you. You''ve been through a lot. I know this is risky, but do not worry. If anything

    happens, I''ll take the me. I guarantee that you will not be implicated."

    The security guard furrowed his brows. "Don''t mention it. I would have died two years ago being beaten

    by Mr. Schmidt had you not put in a good word to save me. I owe you one¡ªI can do anything for you!"

    Feeling touched, she beamed at him. "Still, thank you. Loyalty andradeship are hard toe by at

    The Millennium."

    Blushing, the man suddenly looked worried. "But Ms. Altman, why would you take the huge risk to lend

    Landon Harper a hand? Is it worth the risk?"

    "Good question. I have no idea. All I know is that I''m listening to my heart." A wry expression crossed

    her face.

    He carefully prodded, "Do you... have a crush on Mr. Landon?"

    "Pfft. You have great imagination." She snorted, yet her cheeks reddened. Casting a casual nce at

    the ck windbreaker on the coatstand, she remarked, "Perhaps I''ve lived too long in the dark. It

    makes me yearn for light."

 Chapter 1842

    On their way back, Jordan was in charge of driving while Angelina sat in the front passenger seat. Keeping Landonpany,

    she said to him, "Mr. Landon, we need to keep our guard up for the time being.

    "Jameson Schmidt is the owner of The Millennium, and he''ll definitely catch wind of what happened tonight at his clubhouse. I''m

    worried he might use your action against Preston tonight to stab you in the back."

    "Whatever. He''s just a paper tiger." His tone was sharp and arrogant as ever. He rasped, "I''ve gotten what | wanted anyway.

    Preston''s man hurt you in the leg, so | took his arm. We''re even now. As for the rest, | don''t fucking care."

    "Mr. Landon, thank you for getting back at him on my behalf." Angelina''s eyes grew misty. Choking, it took her a while to speak.

    ¡°But | hope this will be thest time. | will avenge myself in the future. | do not want you to get into trouble over someone like

    me.

    He pursed his lips and fell silent.

    "Mr. Landon, would you like to head home?" Jordan saw Landon having a shut-eye in the back through the rearview mirror.

    ¡°Home? Do | still have a home?" Coughing, Landon felt the bitterness spread across him. "The moment Lauren left, | no longer

    have a home. | cannot bring myself to return to Sage Manor."

    These days, he called the hotel presidential suite his home, as he had nowhere else to go. With his wealth, he could have

    bought ten more vis, but he was scared of being alone in an empty house.

    Any building that resembled a home would evoke his deep yearning for Lauren. Each corner would reignite the happy memories

    he''d shared with her.

    His longing for her was worse than death. One day, he might be crushed under the pain.

    ¡°Angie, | need a cigarette," he said in a hoarse voice.

    Feeling sorry for him, she declined, "No, Mr. Landon. You''ve been smoking too muchtely. The doctor made it clear that

    cigarettes and alcohol are bad for your health. You have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders, and you can''t afford to

    crumble! Please don''t self-sabotage anymore."

    While she was speaking, Jordan stepped on the brakes, causing them to jolt.

    "What''s wrong?" Landon narrowed his eyes.

    Sweat formed on Jordan''s forehead. He honked repeatedly. "M-Mr. Landon, a car is in our way, but it refuses to give way."

    Angelina noticed that the car, though not as expensive as the Harpers¡¯, carried a unique monotone carte. In Sna City, only

    the powerful or the politicians possessed cartes like that.

    She decided not to invite trouble. She said to Jordan in exasperation, "Let''s back up."

    Landon held the opposite view. "Let''s go ahead."

    Angelina looked troubled. "But Mr. Landon, that car is..."

    "They are the ones against traffic. If anything, they should have backed up and yielded to us. If they aren''t going to follow the

    rules, we don''t have to show them any respect. Drive into them."

    Jordan dared not defy Landon. He elerated and collided with the car ahead, causing the hood of the other car to spring up.

    The driver of the opposite car angrily came over to argue with them, but Jordan was ready to teach him a lesson.

    ¡°Are you blind? How can you run into us? Didn''t you notice our special carte at all? My goodness!" The driver yelled at them

    insolently, "Are you going to take responsibility if anything happens to the people in my car?"

    Under the high beam, Angelina finally made out the face of the man seated in the opposite car.

    Stunned, she gasped, "Mr. Landon, that''s Mayor Hodgson¡¯''s son, Freddy!"

    Landon''s eyes widened in shock. He cast a threatening look at Freddy and got out of the car. Angelina followed suit.

    Seeing that, Freddyzily got out of his car under the protection of his bodyguard. The air between the two men was tense; the

    look in their eyes showed they were ready for war.

    Freddy snickered. He carried a

    mocking attitude, a vast shift from

    his formalities at tht Schmidt Group

    eVertt. : ¡®Sunted, "Mr. Landon, it''s

    time to switch your driver. He''s not

    that good, eh?" The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

    Angelina silently curled her fists. She couldn''t believe that a man of Freddy''s stature would behave like a hooligan.

    ¡°Are you blind? Can''t you see thene divider?¡± Landon immediately went straight to openly insulting the hypocritical Freddy.

    Freddy''s expression froze.

    Landon smirked, looking like a handsome devil in the night. "Your driver behaves worse than a beast. Does he take after you?"

    "You¡ª" Freddy so wanted to punch Landon, but he feared he might not be Landon''s match.

    Taking a deep breath, he grinned maliciously in a manner that did not match his social standing. "Hah! | won''t take your outburst

    to heart. I''m big-hearted, unlike someone.¡±

    "Who are you insinuating?" Angelina red at him and took a step forward. Seeing that, Freddy''s bodyguard did the same thing

    to protect his employer.

    Freddy continued smiling. "Not only

    am | not angry, but as a man, | also

    feel for you. A breaker hurts badly,

    especialy qwhen you can do nothing

    but watch as your woman marries

    another man. That must hurt like

    hell." The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Heart sinking, Landon hissed at him, "Who''s getting married?"

    "Haha! Mr. Landon, you didn''t know,

    did you? Since we ran into each

    other, let me keep ucapdated ¡ì\|

    ¡®ihaveco''sdnd Ou an invitation."

    Taking a step forward, Freddy

    whispered into Landon''s ear, "I''m

    getting engaged to Lauren soon.

    She''s mine now." The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

 Chapter 1843

    "What did you just say? Repeat it." Landon''s breathing grew uneven. His eyes were shooting fire.

    Landon looked provoked and tethered on the brink of sanity, much to Freddy''s pleasure. Freddy lifted

    his chin and cackled manically like a victor. "Mr. Landon, I need to thank you for my marriage to

    Lauren.

    "I wouldn''t have gotten her hand in marriage if the Harpers had treated her better. Instead, you tortured

    her endlessly, triggering her despite knowing about her condition, which was totally despicable. You

    could have married her if it weren''t for your family."

    Just now, Angelina and Jordan couldn''t make out the content of Freddy''s whisper. However, they heard

    his second remark loud and clear, and they looked pained.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "You''re lying!" Landon grabbed Freddy by the cor, nearly lifting him off the ground. He then

    proceeded to toss Freddy against the car door.

    His swift action caught Freddy''s bodyguards by surprise. The bodyguards attempted to stop Landon,

    but Angelina and Jordan immediately kept them away from him.

    Meanwhile, Freddy grimaced in pain as he felt his body falling apart. Having been raised sheltered, he

    had never been abused in such a manner. He said in a shaky voice, "W-Why would you vent your

    anger on me? You should me yourself for failing to keep Lauren by your side. You''re angry at your

    ipetence, but you''re letting it out on me."

    The color drained from Landon''s face. He could taste blood in his throat.

    Freddy continued, "Even if I weren''t in the equation, the Becketts would never allow their daughter to

    marry you! Did you think the Hodgsons forced her into marriage? She agreed to marry me because she

    was disappointed in you!"

    "Shut up!" bellowed Landon.

    He hurled another punch at Freddy''s face, causing thetter to shut his eyes in fear.

    "Mr. Landon!" Angelina interfered in time. She held Landon''s fist with her calloused hand. "Please, don''t

    do this! I beg of you!"

    However, Landon''s anger did not dissipate. He gritted his teeth.

    "Haha! Why aren''t you punching me?" Freddy was emboldened after knowing that Landon was

    hesitant. "That''s because you don''t have the guts. Your family has already crossed the Becketts. Mr.

    Newton and Mr. Javier shared the same sentiment¡ªthey would like the Harpers cklisted in Sna

    City!

    "Lay a finger on me, and I promise that none of the Harper Group''s projects will ever materialize in

    Sna City. I want to witness the Harpers'' downfall!"

    The weather at midnight was relentlessly chilly.

    Lauren hadn''t gone to bed. d infortable, fluffy loungewear, she focused on sketching. The

    ruffling of pencils on the paper was the only sound in the quiet room.

    Despite only sketching the outline of a man, anyone could tell that she was drawing someone whom

    she longed for. He was the only person who tortured her with heartache whenever she thought of him.

    Pausing, she traced the lovely eyes of the man on the paper with trembling fingertips. Her mind was

    flooded with beautiful memories she''d shared with Landon.

    Feeling a dull pain in her chest, she hurriedly closed her eyes. She thought, "It''ll get better soon, won''t

    it?" Sooner orter, she''d adjust to a life without Landon, and he''d put her behind as he dated someone

    who was a better match for him.

    She heard a soft, hesitant knock on the door at that time.

    "Ms. Lauren, are you asleep?"

    "Not yet. Come in." Lauren flipped to a new page, concealing her sketch of Landon.

 Chapter 1844

    The maid who entered was Holly Lockstein, the best friend of thete Nina when they were working at

    Seaview Manor. Now that Lauren had moved home, Holly volunteered to attend to her.

    "Why aren''t you resting yet? It''ste," Lauren addressed Holly gently.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Ms. Lauren..." Eyes flickering, Holly finally said after some hesitation, "Mr. Landon has stood at the

    Seaview Manor entrance for more than two hours. I learned about this when I heard Mr. Durham talking

    about it with the others."

    Lauren''s pupils wavered. She felt as if someone had stabbed her in the chest and twisted the de.

    "Mr. Durham and the others kept it a secret because they didn''t want to wake Mr. Javier. Even if Mr.

    Javier is asleep, it''ll be trouble if Rory learns about it." Holly looked worried.

    Lauren turned her back to Holly and switched on her phone. The phone vibrated nonstop as a barrage

    of notifications of iing calls flooded her screen. Landon had called her many times, but he only

    texted her once, writing, "Darling, I miss you."

    Her tears fell onto the screen. His affectionate text had opened her wounds again. She thought she''d

    gotten used to losing him. Even if she hadn''t, she thought she''d at least be calm at the mention of him.

    All her efforts to numb herself had gone down the drain because of Landon''s text.

    "Ms. Lauren, just sneak out to meet with him." Holly felt sorry when she saw Lauren crying.

    Lauren hung her head low and hunched her back.

    Holly insisted, "You''ll regret it if you don''t."

    "I can''t change anything even if I meet with him."

    "You should meet him if you cherish your rtionship with him. I think it''s cruel to break up with Mr.

    Landon without giving him closure," Holly persuaded Lauren. "Even if you have to bid goodbye to him,

    you should wrap up the rtionship nicely. Do it with the grace of a Beckett."

    Landon stood tall in the chilly winds, not once looking away from Seaview Manor.

    He asionally let out a cough, and his stomach hurt, but none of it mattered as his soul had already

    separated from his body.

    "Mr. Landon, take your medicine." Angelina fetched him some pills and a thermal mug.

    He lowered his eyes and stared at the pills in his palm. Then, he slowly curled his fingers. When he

    unfurled his fists, the pills had been crushed into powder, scattering into the winds.

    "What''s the point of living?" He smirked.

    "Mr. Landon, stop messing around!" Feeling angry and bitter, Angelina croaked, "Life is not just about

    romantic love. You have much to live for¡ªyou have a loyal friend like Mr. Beckett, and you''ll take over

    the family business that Mr. Harper Senior had worked hard to build!

    "Madam Lauren would feel bad if she learned that you were neglecting your health over a heartbreak.

    You imed that you loved her, and you didn''t want her to suffer, but isn''t the worst suffering¡ª"

    She caught herself at the right time and pressed her lips.

    "Are you trying to say that I was the person who inflicted the greatest harm and suffering on Lauren?"

    Landon threw his head back fromughing. "You''re right, though. She wouldn''t have suffered this much

    if it hadn''t been for me."

    "Mr. Landon, look!" Jordan suddenly yelled in excitement.

    Landon looked up with vacant eyes, but his heart immediately raced.

    A shuttle bus drove in their direction in the middle of the night. Landon immediately recognized Lauren

    demurely sitting in the back of the vehicle.

 Chapter 1845

    Lauren approached Landon, still d in the white loungewear that she always wore when she was at

    Sage Manor. Her adorable appearance put a smile on Landon''s face.

    As he smiled, a drop of tear rolled down his cheek. When their eyes met, emotions washed over them,

    and their hearts pounded wildly.

    She nearly could not recognize Landon as he''d lost many pounds. Suppressing her heartache, she

    pursed her lips and said nothing, fearing that she might cry if she opened her mouth.

    If she cried in front of Landon, the resolution that she had shown would all mean nothing.

    Landon went up to his lover with heavy footsteps and hugged her in tears. She wept in silence,

    suppressing any sound and refraining from returning his hug.

    Despite that, her uneven breathing and her racing heart were proof of her emotions.

    There were three things that couldn''t be hidden¡ªcoughing, poverty, and love.

    During his journey, Landon had many thoughts and questions for Lauren. He wanted to ask Lauren

    about the reason she agreed to marry Freddy. Just why?

    However, when they finally met, he could only manage to say, "You should''ve put on a jacket. What if

    you catch a cold?"

    She rested her forehead against his chest and shook her head softly. Angelina and Jordan looked

    away, feeling sorry for the ill-fated couple.

    After hugging in silence, Landon touched his lips against Lauren''s ear, which was red from the cold. He

    pleaded, "Lauren, don''t marry another man. I''m begging you. Pleasee home with me."

    She did not reply, but her tears stained his chest. After some silence, she clenched her teeth and

    pushed him away with trembling hands. "Landon, take good care of yourself. Don''t ever meet me

    anymore."

    It had been a while since he heard his name leaving her mouth, but it sounded distant. She no longer

    called his name sweetly.

    Just as Lauren was about to leave, Landon lost hisposure. He grabbed her arm with such great

    strength that he might crush her bones. "Lauren, how could you do this to me? This is too cruel. You

    might as well kill me!"

    "Mr. Landon, calm down!" Angelina and Jordan frantically stopped him, worried that he might hurt

    Lauren.

    Looking tearful and shattered, Landon questioned, "Didn''t you say that you love me? You said you''d be

    my woman and only mine. How could you go back on your word?"

    He was acting unreasonable and hysterical. His disgruntlement was peppered with threats.

    "A marriage that isn''t blessed by family will never be a happy one," she gently lied to him and herself as

    she fought the pain. "I''m timid and easily scared. I''m worried that people around me might get hurt or

    put in a difficult spot because of me.

    "I''m just an ordinary woman. I can''t handle a life with adventures and challenges. All I want is to live a

    simple life, even if it''s loveless. All I ask is peace and safety.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Landon, breakups hurt at first, but it''ll get better. I''ve gotten over it, and you will too."

    Angelina gaped at Lauren. For the first time, she witnessed someone making a cruel remark in a gentle

    tone.

    After teaching Preston a lesson earlier that day, Angelina started to hesitate. Preston would certainly

    get his revenge as long as he was alive and kicking. If Landon and Lauren got back together, that

    would instantly make Lauren Preston''s target. No one could imagine how Preston would hurt the poor,

    innocent Lauren.

    The best solution for the time being was to put a distance between Landon and Lauren. After getting rid

    of all his enemies and threats, he could then marry Lauren without any worries.

    s, no one had expected Freddy to get involved in the mess out of nowhere. What would happen if

    Landon''s n took longer than expected, to the point that Lauren went ahead to marry Freddy?

 Chapter 1846

    Landon''s suit was drenched in sweat. The color drained from his face when he heard Lauren''s cruel

    words. How could she advise him to let go of the unforgettable memories with such ease?

    At that moment, they heard a jarring honking sound. Heart sinking, Lauren turned around and found a

    vehicle''s high beam in her face.

    Rory got out of the car and politely opened the car door for Javier, who was d in leisure wear. Javier

    got out of the car as well, seemingly woken up from his sleep.

    "Lauren, what did you promise me?" Standing in the lights, Javier said sternly, "Didn''t you promise me

    never to meet anyone from the Harper family? Why are you giving me trouble? Are you going to follow

    in Jasper''s footsteps as well? Is Jasper a bad influence on you?"

    Jasper was Lauren''s Achilles'' heel. She was instantly reminded of Javier''s conversation with him that

    night.

    "Dad, please don''t me this on Jasper. Life''s been difficult for him over the years. He''s sacrificed too

    much for his work, so please do not me him."

    "I dislike people who don''t listen to me, and Jasper is the prime example. I have been keeping it to

    myself because I needed him to manage thepany for me. That''s how I turned him into an arrogant

    and disrespectful brat!

    "Now that Justin is recovering, he will return to Sna City once his health markers have stabilized. I

    could rece Jasper with Justin in managing thepany. Without Jasper around to anger me, I might

    even live a few years longer."

    "Dad, don''t rece Jasper. Please!"

    "I will reconsider keeping Jasper around if you listen to me and agree to the marriage with Freddy

    Hodgson."

    "Lauren,e to Dad." Javier extended an arm to his daughter with a t expression. Lauren lowered

    her gaze and dragged herself toward him.

    "Lauren Beckett,e back!" Eyes aze with anger, Landon yelled at her, but she did not turn

    around at all.

    "Mr. Landon, don''t you find it degrading and shameful to travel all the way here and y the victim in

    the middle of the night?" Javier hugged Lauren with a disdainful look toward Landon. "Lauren is now

    the fianc¨¦e of another man. Your short-lived secret rtionship hase to an end.

    "If you truly care about Lauren, do not show up in front of her again. She''s been ruined by your family.

    Are you trying to make her suffer more by pestering her?"

    Trembling, Landon stumbled a few steps backward. He watched as the entourage marched away, each

    step weighing on his heart.

    Filled with helplessness, he had never once felt so close to losing Lauren than at that moment.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Jasper apanied Alyssa to spend a night at Heightsnew Vi. During intimacy that night, Alyssa

    looked distracted because her mind was on Lauren''s marriage to Freddy.

    Fortunately, Jasper knew what would turn her on. He nibbled and kissed her while sending jolts of

    electricity through her body by caressing her skin with his calloused hands. Over and over, he forcefully

    thrust into her, sending her climaxing and spiraling into desire.

    When they were done, Alyssa curled up in Jasper''s arms and drifted to sleep. Jasper always seemed

    to have endless energy in bed. They were sexuallypatible, and she was hopelessly addicted to

    him like a drug.

    It was the weekend the next day. By afternoon, Alyssa finally tidied up and went to the living room with

    Jasper. There, she spotted Cyrus'' familiar jacket draped on the couch.

    rk, the butler, happened to pass them. She stopped him, asking, "Is Cyrus home?"

    "Yes, Ms. Alyssa. Mr. Cyrus is home. He''s chatting with Madam Mandy in the guest room."

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks. Then, they held hands and wandered toward the guest room.

    Right after they stepped into the room, they overheard Cyrus'' voiceing from behind the partition

    screen. Cyrus, sounding indignant,mented, "I shouldn''t have given up had I known this. I''d rather be

    the one marrying her than watch her marry someone like Freddy Hodgson!"

 Chapter 1847

    Jasper and Alyssa exchanged astonished looks. Cyrus, no doubt, must have been referring to Lauren.

    After that, they heard Mandy''s shocked gasp. "Cyrus, what are you talking about? Marrying Lauren?

    Since when have you caught feelings for her?

    "Tell me, what role did you y in the breakup between Lauren and Landon? For heaven''s sake,

    please don''t tell me you came between them. You''re only going to humiliate me. A Taylor son can be

    gay, but he shouldn''t break up rtionships!"

    Cyrus, Jasper, and Alyssa stared at Mandy speechlessly.

    After some silence, Cyrus exined bitterly, "I gave up on Lauren because I saw how much she and

    Landon were in love. Landon seemed to care for her very much, and I did not want to stir trouble. All I

    wanted for Lauren was a smooth sailing rtionship."

    Alyssa lowered her gaze and let out a quiet sigh. Cyrus and Lauren shared a simrity¡ªin that they

    always prioritize the needs of others before themselves. They were both empathetic and sensitive.

    Frankly, Alyssa had thought over the scenario many times¡ªwould Lauren be happier with Cyrus? s,

    hypothetical questions were useless in rtionships.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "But she''s going to marry a man she doesn''t love!" Cyrus said, gripped by a pressing and intense worry

    from suppressing his desire for too long. "If so, Mom, I want to satisfy myself for once. I''d like to pursue

    Lauren. I''d like to¡ª"

    "Since the news is out, it means that Lauren''s marriage to Freddy Hogdson is a done deal. What are

    you doing,ing between them at this time?" Mandy sighed. "Besides, as you said, Lauren and

    Landon were in love. Even if they have broken up... Son, you might not win Lauren''s heart.

    "To be honest, Landon will forever be her first love. Are you confident in spending your life with a

    woman whose heart belongs to another man? Are you sure you''ll never feel regretful or disgruntled?

    It''s a tougher path than you think."

    "Mom, you knew Dad loved someone else when you married him. But have you once regretted

    choosing him?" Cyrus directed a pointed question at Mandy.

    Jasper felt Alyssa tightening her grip on his arm. He quickly turned to look at her and noticed her pale

    face.

    Mandy replied in a low mumble, "My situation was different from yours."

    "Mom, there is something we share inmon. I will choose what I want. As for the rest, I do not care."

    Cyrus let out a deep, bitter chuckle. "My principle is to keep my loved ones happy. If I can''t do that,

    what principles are left for me to hold on to?"

    You brat¡ª

    "Mandy, Cyrus." Alyssa entered the room with Jasper at that moment.

    Mandy''s expression froze upon seeing them. Cyrus sprung from his seat. "Lyse, did you overhear¡ª"

    Alyssa smiled. "I overheard your conversation just now. But I didn''t do it on purpose."

    Jasper pressed his lips softly at her remark. She certainly didn''t do it on purpose, huh? He knew she

    had a habit of eavesdropping; she was like a walking bug.

    Cyrus held his breath and stared at Alyssa earnestly. "Lyse, since you heard what we just said, I have

    nothing more to hide from you. I''d like to take my shot with Lauren. Do you mind?"

    Mandy''s face remained clouded by troubles. "Cyrus, you''re my only son, not to mention you haven''t

    dated before. Do you truly understand love?

    "All you do is investigate cases in the police force. I bet you''ve seen more dead women than the ones

    alive. How can you be sure Lauren is who you want when you''ve only met her four times so far? What

    if you run into someone more suitable and capable than her? What would you do then?"

    "My dad''s various ws did not stop you from falling in love with him at first sight," Cyrus retorted.

    One could only wonder what Winston would think of his son''sment. Meanwhile, Mandy was

    annoyed and speechless at her son''s remark. What a good son Cyrus was!

    "Or... does Lauren''s condition bother you?"

    "Cyrus!" Alyssa had to jump in. "Mandy will never think of Lauren in that way. You shouldn''t have asked

    the question in the first ce."

    Cyrus, realizing that he had overstepped, looked downcast. "Mom, I''m sorry."

    "Well, I could tell you really love Lauren," remarked Mandy.

 Chapter 1848

    Feeling bitter, Mandy nheless smiled with understanding. "You wouldn''t have talked back to me

    otherwise.

    "I will not stop you from pursuing the woman you love, but with one condition¡ªLauren and Landon

    must have a clean break. If they remained entangled with each other, I do not want you involved in it."

    Mandy''s tone grew serious. "I do not mind your partner''s background or life experience as long as

    she''s a decent youngdy. However, I will not ept a daughter-inw whom you stole from another

    man."

    Jasper had a newfound respect for Mandy. It was no surprise she had raised three wonderful children.

    "Lauren will have the final say." Cyrus'' eyes shone with determination. "If she chooses me, I will not

    disappoint her. But if she chooses to be with Landon, I will help them to ovee the challenges, no

    matter what it takes."

    An idea came to Alyssa. Eyes twinkling, she asked, "Cyrus, are you really willing to help?"

    "Have I ever walked back on my word?" Cyrus seemed to have made up his mind.

    "Since Mandy is here as well, I will openly state my idea." After a pause, Alyssa inquired firmly, "Cyrus,

    may I make use of you?"

    Jasper and Mandy exchanged confused looks. Cyrus fixed a solemn gaze on Alyssa. "Lyse, what is it

    that you want me to do?"

    She shed a clever smile at him. "I want you to wreck their marriage."

    Her daring idea made him speechless. Smiling wryly, hemented, "Lyse, my mom has just warned

    me not to steal a woman from another man. You''ve got a bold idea there."

    She wagged her fingers at him. "No, no. By wrecking their marriage, what I mean is I''d like you to ruin

    the uing marriage between Lauren and Freddy, so he won''t get toy his hand on her."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes deepened. He wrapped an arm around her waist. Last night, he made love to

    her in an attempt to distract her and make her fall asleep.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    However, he couldn''t get any shut-eye at all, as he thought through solutions for Landon and Lauren

    and made preparations for the future. To his surprise, Alyssa was more clear-headed than him.

    Looking back, none of the Taylor sons could escape their fates of being used by Alyssa in one way or

    another.

    "Do you want me to pose as a love rival and fight with Freddy over Lauren?" Cyrus rested his chin on

    his fingers. Deep in thought, he said, "Well, it''s no different than stealing, but I don''t mindpeting

    against Freddy. I''m a Taylor¡ªI don''t shy away from conflicts, and I can handle the fallout."

    Frowning, Jasper opined, "Lyse, Javier has agreed to the marriage. He''s very happy with the

    Hodgsons. Even if we make Cyrus openlypete against Freddy, it''ll be hard for Cyrus to win Javier''s

    approval." "Indeed. Lyse, Javier Beckett holds a deep grudge against our family because of your

    actions at the horseracingpetition. That old bastard can''t possibly approve of Cyrus," Mandy

    taunted Javier without a care in front of Jasper, much to Cyrus'' dismay.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa stifled augh at Mandy''s antics. Colene was a bad influence on Mandy, teaching

    thetter how to cuss.

    "Javier''s opinion doesn''t matter. It takes two to tango, doesn''t it?" Smiling confidently, she exined, "If

    the Hodgsons refuse to take Lauren as their daughter-inw, Javier can''t force the marriage. He can''t

    afford to lose face anymore."

    Jasper fixed a gentle and passionate look on Alyssa. "Lyse, you''re smart."

    "Lyse, do you need my help?" Mandy offered with a faint smile, "If my son ns to steal a girl, he''ll

    need my help as a parent to pressure the Hodgsons into giving up on Lauren."

    "Mom." Cyrus choked on emotions. He felt guilty and bitter for questioning her opinion of Lauren before

    this.

    Simrly, Alyssa felt helpless and heavy-hearted. "Mandy, sorry to trouble you over our matters."

    "Don''t mention it. We''re family, after all. Besides..." Mandy teared up from the sadness that inundated

    her. "I neglected Cyrus and Miley because I couldn''t get over Damien''s death for a long time. As a

    mom, I didn''t even know that Cyrus was in love.

    "It makes me even guiltier when you thank me for a minor effort."

    The mention of thete Damien reminded Alyssa of that portrait. After some hesitation, she decided to

    hold her tongue.

 Chapter 1849

    After making the arrangements, Jasper and Alyssa traveled home to Sna City. During the journey,

    he pulled her into a hug, kissing her on the ear. "Lyse, thank you. How can I ever thank you enough?"

    "Why so formal?" Alyssa wrapped her arm behind his neck while tapping the tip of his nose, sending

    his heart fluttering. "In return, how about you take Mrs. Rosie''s ce and cook for me for a month?"

    "A month? You''re underestimating me." He squinted at her with an affectionate look. "I can cook for you

    forever."

    She shook her head. "Oh, never mind then. I appreciate the thought. Eating your cooking forever will

    only be torture."

    She rendered Jasper speechless with that remark. Pouting, she added, "To be honest, I feel sorry for

    putting this burden on Cyrus, but it''s the only way to pressure the Hodgsons into calling off the

    marriage.

    "Only when the Hodgsons give up on Lauren will Landon have the luxury of time to focus on his family

    matters. He''ll stand a chance to get back with Lauren once he sorts out his family issues."

    "Lyse, I have other ways to deal with the Hodgsons," Jasper began.

    She shook her head. "I know you''re prepared, but you shouldn''t get into trouble with the politicians in

    Sna City."

    He said coldly, "I don''t mind crossing anyone for Lauren and Landon''s sake."

    "But you can''t get onto Javier''s wrong side for now. You can''t give him ammunition against you. If he

    thinks you''re a liability to the Beckett Group, he has more reason to get rid of you." She sat up in his

    embrace andforted him, "Don''t worry. Mandy is a capable woman.

    "She''s been managing part of Winston''s business and assets for years. I''m sure she will make the

    Hodgsons give up on their social-climbing n."

    Jasper couldn''t hold back a grin. He was about to kiss her again when her phone rang. She answered

    the call from Sean, "Hey, Sean."

    "Ms. Alyssa, we have new updates on Betty Beckett," Sean reported urgently, "We got news that Betty

    went for a health checkup at the hospital, and she looked quite sick."

    "Oh, great news, then." She spoke in a low voice, her eyes shining with a chilling look, "Get someone

    to monitor her. After she leaves the hospital, get her blood sample by any means."

    "Got it, Ms. Alyssa!"

    At the same time, Betty struggled with continuous low fever for a week at Mosgravia. The fever did not

    subside even though she took medications.

    She had not nned to visit the hospital due to the expensive consultation fees in Mosgravia. Her

    allowance was a pittance that wasn''t enough to sustain hervish lifestyle, not to mention pay for

    medical expenses.

    She recalled the times in the past when she had people tending to her for something as minor as a

    prick in the finger. The difference in treatment saddened her.

    However, she decided to visit the hospitalte at night, as new symptoms such as lethargy and

    persistent cough emerged.

    After going through multiple checkups and tests, she wrapped herself in a dirty jacket and drifted to

    sleep on the bench in the hospital corridor.

    In the middle of her sleep, a nurse woke her up and reminded her to get the test results from the

    doctor.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    The doctor hesitated as he nced at Betty''s test results. Finally, he said in a low voice, "Madam, I''m

    sorry to let you know that you have caught HIV. We came to this conclusion from all the tests we ran on

    you."

    "HIV?" Betty''s face paled. She fixed a nk stare on the doctor''s serious face.

    Back in school, she was a bad student who couldn''t properly grasp Grunndish. Still, she understood

    the doctor''s diagnosis upon hearing the term "HIV". Her slow response was merely out of disbelief.

    The doctor attributed her response to thenguage barrier. So, he repeated the diagnosis in his broken

    Cyrrisian, "In other words, it''s AIDS."

    This time, Bettypletely understood the diagnosis. Following that, she copsed to the ground and

    trembled uncontrobly. The doctor tried to help her up from the ground, but her legs were jelly.

    Her mind went nk, and she couldn''t take in a word the doctor said. It wasn''t like she could actually

    hear him anyway.

    Betty stumbled listlessly down the corridor, trying hard to figure out where she got AIDS from. Finally,

    she thought of that day when she enjoyed a one-night stand with a male model in the bathroom of a

    nightclub lounge.

    The model did not use protection and came twice¡ªonce inside her and once on her breasts. Was he

    the one who spread AIDS to her?

    Before that exhrating night, she had only been staying at home. There could be no one else but him.

    "Argh!" She tore the test result into shreds in a dark alleyway. Then, she curled up in a corner, held her

    head, and wailed. "Why? Why did it turn out this way? Just why?"

    She had been kicked out of the Beckett family and lost ess to a privileged life. Not only did she lose

    her hearing in both ears, but she was also diagnosed with AIDS.

    She couldn''t see a reason to live, and she wanted death.

    In the depths of her despair, she heard footsteps approaching her. A man in leather shoes stopped in

    front of her.

 Chapter 1850

    "Are you Betty Beckett?" The man spoke in Cyrrisian. When Betty heard her mother tongue, she slowly

    stopped crying and lifted her face.

    A stranger in a suit stood in front of her.

    "How... How did you know me?" Betty immediately put aside her ego and begged him in tears and snot,

    "Y-You must be sent by my dad, right? Please, bring me home to Sna City. I do not wish to stay a

    day longer in this godforsaken ce!

    "I am really sick right now. It''s a serious illness. I might die if I don''t receive treatment. Dad won''t leave

    his daughter to die."

    The man replied tly, "I''m sorry, Ms. Betty. Your dad did not send me."

    Betty copsed onto the ground again with a look of disappointment and despair.

    The man added, "However, someone would like to meet with you."

    Betty had no capacity to think. Hopeless and embattled, she scrambled up from the ground and

    followed him to a luxury car.

    When the car door opened, the first thing that came into her vision was a pair of luxury silver satin

    stilettos. The ankles of the woman were bony and pristine.

    Betty hurriedly flinched when she recalled the shabby outfit she was wearing. The stilettos on that

    woman were once Betty''s favorite brand, but all Betty could do now was admire them.

    "Ms. Betty, please enter the car," the man casually said to her.

    Betty bit the bullet and entered the car. The graceful woman in the car was surprisingly dressed in a

    whiteb coat. Smiling, she radiated warmth and friendliness. Betty instantly took a liking to her.

    "Hi, Ms. Betty. Nice to meet you." The woman politely reached out for a handshake.

    Tears streamed down Betty''s cheeks when she shook the woman''s hand. After being bullied by her

    landlord and neighbors, as well as dealing with the drop in quality of life and the sudden AIDS

    diagnosis, she felt extremely emotional when orded respect in the car.

    Seeing that, the woman quickly handed her some napkins in a thoughtful move.

    "T-Thanks..." Sniffling, Betty asked, "May I know your name? And how did you hear of me?"

    The woman beamed. "Myst name is Gardner. I''m also from Sna City."

    Gardner?

    Betty stared at the smiling face in front of her and sniffled again. She exined, "I. I once knew this

    annoying bitch who was a Gardner too. But you are way prettier and kinder than she was."

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "Is that so? Well, we''re destined to meet, it seems." The woman''s smile broadened. "I had heard of you

    when I was in Sna City. You were living a glorious life as the daughter of Javier Beckett then.

    "I ran into you when I was at the hospital. Your current state piqued my interest, so I wanted to check

    on you. Since we''re both from Sna City, I want to help you if I can."

    The earnest remark sent Betty crying again. After she tired herself out, she clutched the napkin tightly

    and hissed in spite, "It''s all because of that fool... and Jasper Beckett!

    "Everyone sided with my dimwit sister and joined hands to bully me! They beat me up and robbed me

    of my hearing. Not only that, I caught AIDS because of them. They wanted me dead!"

    The woman frowned. "What about the AIDS?"

    Betty cast aside her pride when she finally ran into someone who offered a listening ear. Crying, she

    vented about the unfortunate events that had befallen her.

    The woman patiently heard her out and sighed indignantly. "Gosh, they did you dirty. They made you

    suffer. How could they be so heartless toward their flesh and blood?

    "If I were you, I wouldn''t let this slide. I would do anything to drag that sister to the afterlife with me."

    The woman''s smile grew creepier. "Since your brother did everything for your sister, you may take

    revenge against him by making her life hellish."

    The woman''s remarks reignited Betty''s desire for revenge. A murderous look appeared in Betty''s eyes

    as she huffed and puffed.

 Chapter 1851

    The woman grinned when Betty turned into a bull in the ring.

    "But how do I take my revenge? My family has abandoned me. I can''t even afford a ne ticket back to

    Sna City. Even if I get home... I bet Jasper will find out about it by the time I step foot in the airport. I

    can''t imagine the horrible measure he''d take against me."

    "Ms. Betty, I sympathize with your situation. Hence, I wish to help." The woman grasped Betty''s hand

    and gently caressed it. "Don''t worry about the ne ticket. I can sponsor that. As for your return to

    Sna City, as long as you follow my orders, I can guarantee that your brother won''t get hold of you."

    "I-Is that true?" Betty''s eyes widened in excitement.

    In fact, she was skeptical about the entire deal. However, she couldn''t afford to consider the offer, given

    that she was alone, helpless, and sick with AIDS. She did not mind using any method to get home.

    "Ms. Gardner, thank you so much! How can I ever repay your kindness?"

    The woman shook her head calmly. She stated, "I hate seeing the innocent bullied and abused. Take

    your revenge. That''s the best thing you can do to repay my favor."

    A white Bentley rolled to a stop at the entrance to an idyllic residence. With disgust, Sheryl disinfected

    her hands, which had been in contact with Betty''s skin. After that, she got out of the Bentley and was

    immediately approached by a shrewd and aloof man.

    Remy cast an emotionless look at her. "Dr. Gillis, sir would like to see you."

    Looking tense, she went to meet with Justin. d in a dark, modern suit, he sat in front of the long

    table, working on andscape painting.

    "Sir, it''s time for you to take your meds. I''ll get them ready." Sheryl was about to prepare the pills for

    Justin when he calmly addressed her, "Sheryl, you made a move without my approval. You broke the

    rules."

    Sweating profusely, she immediately apologized, "I''m sorry, sir. I-I just."

    "I know you hold a grudge, but what you have done will only hurt the innocent." Justin''s brush danced

    skilfully on the paper. Looking serene, he added, "You''re too impatient. Those who are unable to keep

    their calm will make mistakes. Besides, you will hurt Lauren with your actions. She is not only Jasper''s

    sibling; she''s my sister too."

    Her legs started trembling uncontrobly. Clenching her jaw, she admitted, "I didn''t think it through as I

    was blinded by my desire to take revenge against Jasper Beckett. I shall not get involved in Betty

    Beckett''s life anymore."

    A faint smile appeared on Justin''s pallid face. "What else can you do? You promised to buy her a ne

    ticket, didn''t you? It''ll look bad to go back on your words."

    Her chest tightened. She realized that she couldn''t keep any secret from Justin. He was aware of what

    she did, who she met, and what she discussed with the others.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Justin''s expression was unreadable. He warned, "This is yourst chance. I do not need unruly people

    working for me."

    "I will never do this again, sir." Sheryl hung her head in fear and shame.

    At that moment, a documentnded by her feet. Justin had tossed it to her. She picked it up and slowly

    flipped the pages.

    Her jaw fell in shock after she skimmed the content. She had to reread it in disbelief.

    "Betty is a ticking time bomb. If we use her at the right time, she will cause a huge destruction.

    However, we only have one shot at it." Justin ced his brush on the table and signed the painting in

    the corner. "Things will go smoothly if she has the courage andpetence to do the job. If the n

    goes awry, she will be a useless pawn to us. She will then be discarded ordingly."

 Chapter 1852

    Onder''s act of leaking the news about Freddy and Lauren''s marriage had sent shockwaves through

    the high society of Sna City. Everyone congratted the Hodgsons, but they were secretly taunting

    the family, who had settled for a mentally ill future daughter-inw just to social climb.

    Newton caught wind of the gossip, which added to his opposition to the marriage. When he voiced out

    his disapproval, Javier would counter him with the way the Harpers had bullied Lauren.

    "I vehemently opposed Lauren dating that brat, but you insisted on blessing the wrong match. You sent

    my beloved daughter to that loser and made her theughingstock of the city!

    "On top of that, you scolded me in front of Jasper and Landon, ignoring my concerns and humiliating

    me. Look where your love for your granddaughter led to. You made her suffer."

    Newton frowned deeply and let out a frustrated sigh. "Do you think that, as your father, I can''t read your

    mind? You never really cared for Lauren. All you care about is your ego. You couldn''t get over being

    insulted."

    Javier clenched his jaw.

    "Do you know Freddy Hodgson well? I picked Landon because firstly, Lauren loves him. Secondly, he''s

    Jasper''s best friend from childhood, and we know him better.

    "The Harpers might be a dumpster fire, but Landon is an excellent young man. You''ve been secretly

    adding pressure on the Harper Group and messing with their projects.

    "Despite that, Landon was able to solve the challenges and keep thepany morale high as the

    president. I believe he ispetent enough to carry out a purge in the Harper Group."

    The light in Javier''s eyes dimmed. He had known that Newton, despite being upset about Lauren''s

    treatment, remained fond of Landon. Newton seemed to want Lauren and Landon back together after

    his anger subsided.

    Now that Jasper had taken control of nearly half of the Beckett Group''s projects, Javier knew it was a

    matter of time before the transfer of power urred.

    Javier would only suffer another round of humiliation if he couldn''t have a say in Lauren''s marriage.

    "Most importantly, Lauren is unlike the others!" Tears welled up in Newton''s eyes when he recalled

    Lauren''s sufferings. "As her dad, you know how much she loves Landon.

    "How could you force her to marry a stranger right after she broke up with Landon? Do you even care

    for your daughter? Are you out of your mind?"

    Gritting his teeth, Javier exined, "Lauren and Freddy attended the same high school for three years.

    They knew each other well. Besides, she has agreed to the marriage."

    Shell-struck, Newton gasped, "What did you say? Lauren... Did you force her to agree to it?

    "Hah. Do I even need to force it on her?" Arching a brow, Javier snapped, "Lauren is all grown up now.

    She knows the importance of weighing the pros and cons. She is aware thatpatibility trumps

    affection.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "You''re the only one who treats her like a child. Stop iming that I don''t care about my daughter when

    you''re so out of tune with your granddaughter."

    "Shut the fuck up!" Glowering, Newton grabbed the teapot from the coffee table and hurled it toward

    Javier.

    This time, Javier learned his lesson. He quickly moved away. The teapot missed him and crashed onto

    the ground, where it shattered into pieces.

    That night, Javier epted the invitation of the Hodgsons to the Hodgson family party. He nned to

    bring Lauren along.

    A maid delivered the expensive evening dresses that Javier had specially selected for Lauren. Despite

    their opulence, Lauren didn''t think they suited her.

    She said, "I won''t wear any one of these dresses. Pick one of my usual dresses from my wardrobe."

    Then, she calmly took a seat in front of the canvas and continued working on the realistic portrait.

    She poured her love and longing for Landon into the portrait painting, which seemed to help with the

    pain of separation.

    "Ms. Lauren, it''s time to leave. Mr. Javier is waiting for you on the first floor," Barry, the butler, said to

    Lauren from the bedroom door.

    Feeling frustrated, Lauren changed into a dress and nced at her reflection in the mirror. She was

    transported back to the time at Sage Manor, her home with Landon.

    She was reminded of the night before she and Landon left for the Schmidt Group event. Naked, she

    was lifted into his arms as she moaned and sobbed into his shoulder.

    Scared of falling off him, she firmly clung to his tanned and toned body. Their bodies collided, bing

    one. She recalled him carrying her in the same position, walking to every corner of the room while

    making love to her.

 Chapter 1853

    Lauren remembered being aroused by the bumpy ride on Landon''s erection. She scratched Landon on

    his back in the heat of the moment, leaving behind red marks.

    "Which dress should we pick?" Landon, carrying Lauren in his arms, stood in front of the massive

    wardrobe. He nted moist kisses on her flushed cheeks.

    "Mm. Anything is fine..." Lauren leaned against his sweaty chest and panted. She struggled to keep her

    eyes open.

    "Is it difficult to make a pick?"

    Soon, she gasped from the dizziness as she was plunged into the wardrobe filled with expensive

    evening dresses. Landon quipped, "I''ll help you out."

    Surrounded by soft fabric, they continued making love and inching toward the climax.

    "Ms. Lauren, here''s your teddy bear," said the maid, who jolted Lauren out of her daze.

    Face burning in embarrassment, Lauren turned her back to the maid and covered her cheeks. She

    replied, "I won''t carry it with me tonight."

    The maid looked worried, knowing that the bear was Lauren''s emotional support stuffed toy. Lauren

    would lose sleep without the teddy bear with her.

    Lauren pressed her lips. "I''m meeting some guests with Dad tonight. They''ll onlyugh at me if I bring

    the teddy bear along."

    The Hodgsons hosted a private cocktail party at their residence that night. Out of consideration of the

    ongoing gossip about Lauren, they thoughtfully invited only family and close friends to the event. In

    other words, it could be described as a low-profile pre-wedding event for Freddy and Lauren.

    Onder and Minnie led Freddy to socialize with the guests, enjoying the limelight.

    Joseph Lovce, holding a champagne ss, approached them with Aidan. Smiling, he said, "Freddy

    will soon be engaged to Lauren. I will definitely be there at their engagement with a huge gift for him."

    Onder merrily clinked sses with Joseph. "You''re Freddy''s godfather. I''ll be sure to send you the

    first invitation!"

    Freddy smiled at Joseph. "Thanks, Joseph."

    When they were chatting away happily, Lauren showed up at the event holding Javier''s arm. She

    remained ufortable at social events. In the past, she had only been able to keep herposure

    thanks to thepany of Jasper, Alyssa, and Landon.

    Her heart pumped wildly when she felt the judgmental looks cast by the guests.

    "Mr. Javier! Lauren!" Freddy''s eyes lit up when he saw them. Putting down his wine ss, he

    approached them in great strides. "Wee! It''s our honor to have you here tonight."

    "Freddy, you''re so polite." Javier patted Freddy on the shoulder with a smile. "It''s Javier from now on.

    We''re going to be family soon, aren''t we?"

    "Indeed, Javier." Freddy immediately switched to a first-name basis with Javier. Then, he fixed an

    intense look on Lauren''s pale face.

    She kept her head low and squirmed under his gaze. She felt uneasy.

    Freddy''s parents joined them at that moment. Onder''s wife, Minnie, took Lauren''s hand, caressing it

    while showering Lauren withpliments. She appeared very satisfied with her future daughter-inw.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Only Lauren felt like a fish out of water at the event, as though all the blood had drained from her body.

    A shiver ran down her spine.

    Suddenly, the door swung open, and two majestic figures presented themselves. Their imposing air

    was hard to ignore.

    Looking up, Lauren instantly grew emotional when she recognized the man.

 Chapter 1854

    "Cyrus..." Lauren stared at Cyrus. His surprise appearance instantly soothed her nervousness.

    The woman who showed up with Cyrus was no stranger to Lauren¡ªshe was Cyrus'' mom, Mandy

    Lovce.

    The next moment, Lauren''s heart leaped into her throat. Onder was a diplomatic and shrewd

    politician, ording to Sophia''s description of him.

    Onder wouldn''t have invited the Taylors if he had already invited the Becketts, as he was smart

    enough not to make the two archenemies meet.

    As expected, the Hodgsons looked shocked. Javier''s expression clouded as well.

    Onder exined in awkwardness, "Mr. Javier, this is certainly surprising. We did not invite the

    Taylors. What do you¡ª"

    Javier waved at Onder with a faint smile. "It''s fine. You''re the host, anyway. You don''t have to exin

    every minor detail of your event to me."

    Despite Javier''s assurance, Onder and Minnie felt fearful. Anyone could tell that Javier was upset at

    the Taylors'' arrival.

    At the same time, the guests started gossiping among themselves.

    "Gosh! Who''s that young man standing beside Mandy Lovce? He''s so handsome."

    "What a lively and proud young man. I would have offered him my daughter''s hand in marriage¡ªif only

    I had one!"

    "Don''t be delusional. I know that guy, even if you don''t. He''s Cyrus Taylor, but he rarely shows up in the

    public eye. He''s Mandy Lovce''s only living son after Damien Taylor lost his life in a ne crash. I bet

    she would be very discerning when ites to his marriage because she dotes on him a lot."

    "Cyrus Taylor?" The guests gasped.

    The knowledge of his family background made him appear more attractive than before.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Comparison is really the thief of joy. I thought Freddy Hodgson was great until I saw Cyrus Taylor. He

    beat Freddy in every aspect!"

    "Of course! He''s the son of Winston Taylor and Mandy Lovce. The Hodgsons are a family of local

    politicians. They are no match for the family of a business tycoon."

    Freddy''s smile froze when he overheard parts of the gossip. He silently clenched his fist.

    On the other hand, Cyrus felt restricted because he had put on a formal suit¡ªwhich he rarely wore¡ª

    upon Mandy''s request. Feeling ufortable, he couldn''t stop himself from adjusting his tie

    asionally.

    "Can you please stop wriggling around like a monkey?" Mandy, while maintaining herposure,

    quietly pinched Cyrus in the waist. "Is there a bug in your cor or what?"

    Cyrus furrowed his brows from the pain. At the same time, he casually directed a nce in Lauren''s

    direction.

    When their eyes met, Lauren happily beamed and waved at him as a greeting. His world immediately lit

    up as his heart fluttered.

    "Mandy, what brings you here?" Joseph walked over to Mandy and Cyrus.

    Cyrus, instead of greeting his Uncle Joseph, merely red at thetter. Knowing that the Lovces

    had denied any support to Mandy after disowning her, he refused to acknowledge Joseph as his uncle.

    Mandy maintained a calm and gracious smile. "And how is that your business? I show up because I

    feel like it."

    Joseph''s expression immediately froze. Meanwhile, the other guests were secretly specting on the

    Lovce siblings'' rtionship.

    Aidan wandered over to Joseph. As usual, he couldn''t keep his mouth shut. "Mayor Hodgson invited

    Dad and I to the event. As far as I know, the mayor and his wife did not invite you."

 Chapter 1855

    Just as Cyrus was about to speak with an icy gaze in his eyes, Mandy went ahead with a smile.

    "Really? I shall ask Mayor Hodgson about this. Does he not see me as a Lovce, or do you not take

    me as a Lovce?"

    Onder, who was mentioned without warning, coughed after choking on his wine.

    "Anyway, it doesn''t matter whether or not I''m a Lovce." Mandy cast an unreadable look at Onder.

    "After all, I''m here with my son, representing the Taylor family. Mayor Hodgson, Minnie, you''ll wee

    us, won''t you?"

    "Ah! It''s our mistake." Minnie hurriedly approached them with an apologetic smile to break the tension.

    "We thought you''d attend the event with Joseph since you are family. We did not think it through. We''ll

    be more careful next time!"

    Mandy replied coldly, "I''m no longer a Lovce after I married Winston Taylor. If you are sending out

    invitations, please address them to the Taylor family of Belbanks."

    "Mandy, that''s enough." Joseph took a step toward her. He lowered his voice. "Are you trying to argue

    with me in front of everyone here?"

    "You don''t deserve my time." Looking away, she snickered. "I wouldn''t have wasted time talking to you

    or even taking a look at you had you note up to irk me.

    "Joseph Lovce, do you understand that the person I hate the most in the family isn''t Dad, who

    kicked me out? I hate you the most because you keep badmouthing Winston in front of Dad!"

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Lips twitching, Joseph struggled to catch a breath. His face seemed to sting in pain from the memory of

    being pped by Mandy thest time.

    Under his leadership, the Lovces'' business had grown and expanded. Despite his efforts and his

    attempt at perfecting his image, Mandy refused to take one more look at him. All she cared about was

    Winston Taylor, who had never treated her wrong.

    After the minor hup, the social dancing kicked off in the Hodgson''s living room. The dance was an

    opportunity Onder and Minnie had created for Freddy and Lauren to mingle.

    When the music filled the air, the guests found their dance partners and started waltzing in the middle

    of the spacious dance floor.

    As Onder and Javier chatted away, Mandy approached them in steady footsteps. She smiled and

    asked, "Mayor Hodgson, sorry to interrupt. I need to have a private talk with you. Are you free now?"

    Javier tightened his grasp on the wine ss after Mandypletely disregarded him.

    Knowing how difficult Mandy could be, Onder immediately rose from his seat as he couldn''t afford to

    snub her. "Sure. Mrs. Taylor, pleasee with me to the guest lounge."

    As Mandy was leaving, she turned around and smirked at Javier. The act was akin to a p to his face.

    Sitting in the guest lounge, Onder made his maid serve some high-grade tea. Smiling warmly at

    Mandy, he wondered, "Mrs. Taylor, may I know what brought you here?"

    She sipped on the tea gracefully. "I heard that Freddy is about to get engaged to Lauren."

    Onder perked up at the mention of the topic. "That''s right! Both our families have picked out the date

    for it. It''ll be on the 15th of next month!"

    "Yeah. That sounds like a good date. Sadly, your son is not destined to be with Lauren."

    Onder was caught off guard. "Mrs. Taylor, what do you mean?"

 Chapter 1856

    "My son has his eyes on Lauren. For that, he''s argued with me many times. He even swears that he

    won''t marry anyone else except for Lauren. He wants to make her his woman no matter what it takes."

    Letting out a soft sigh, Lauren added, "Cyrus takes after his dad in his stubbornness. Since he''s my

    only son now, whatever he wants, I''ll make it happen at any cost.

    "So, Mayor Hodgson, do you think you could show some grace and kindness? Can you give Cyrus and

    Lauren your blessing?"

    Mayor Hodgson''s jaw fell. He was confounded by Mandy''s proposal, which was no different than

    daylight robbery.

    "A-Are you kidding me? The news of the marriage has spread through Sna City. We''ve started

    ironing out the details. Ms. Lauren is our family now. Why would you meddle in their marriage at this

    time?"

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Mandy lowered her gaze as she blew away the loose leaf on the surface of the tea. Looking

    nonchnt, she quipped, "But they aren''t engaged yet, are they? You aren''t hosting a grand ceremony

    for them anyway. Even if they are engaged, they aren''t legally married as long as they haven''t

    registered their marriage. Cyrus would still stand a chance.

    "To be honest with you, Winston approves of Lauren as well. He would have been the one talking to

    you if he were in Sna City."

    "No! This won''t do!" Onder tried to hold his temper. Cheeks flushed, he growled, "If I call off the

    engagement, I will upset Mr. Javier and turn our family into aughingstock!

    "Mrs. Taylor, Freddy must marry Lauren. Too bad you are one step slower. Cyrus and Lauren are not

    meant to be."

    Mandy remarked casually, "The uing election falls in spring next year."

    Onder''s body jolted in shock when he heard thement.

    She continued. "Your approval rate has dipped another five percent. If the trend continues, your rival,

    Marco Santiago, will overtake you."

    She gently ced the teacup on the table. "Let''s strike a deal. If you agree to call off the engagement,

    the KS Group shall lend you our full support in next year''s election.

    "Otherwise, we have no choice but to support Mr. Santiago. If that happens, your victory might not be

    guaranteed."

    The social dance carried on in the living room. Lauren hid in a corner, fiddling with her fingers

    nervously.

    Lauren." Freddy''s voice boomed, causing her heart to sink.

    She clutched the hem of her dress and dodged his gaze. He extended a hand to her eye level. "May I

    invite you to a dance?"

    Staring at his hand, she felt sick in the stomach and flinched. He looked upset at her overt disy of

    aversion.

    At that moment, a slender arm reached out for Lauren. Cyrus'' low and tender voice echoed in her ear,

    which soothed her.

    He said to her, "Lauren, let''s dance."

    She looked up slowly into his twinkling eyes. In the next moment, she grabbed his hand as though

    clutching at straws and stood up.

    Holding her small, slender hand that was as white as snow, Cyrus felt his heart racing wildly.

    Meanwhile, Freddy wore a scowl as he watched the perfect couple stepping onto the dance floor under

    the stares of the guests.

 Chapter 1857

    The guests blinked in disbelief. Those invited to the party understood that the event was set up for

    Freddy and Lauren. To be frank, the guests were merely there as supporting characters.

    They could not believe their eyes when Cyrus openly invited Freddy''s fianc¨¦e to a dance. More

    surprisingly, she chose Cyrus over Freddy without hesitation.

    It made sense that a woman would prefer Cyrus, given his wealth, family background, and good looks.

    However, the Hodgsons and the Becketts were in the stage of discussing marriage. Lauren''s action

    had only humiliated the Hodgsons in public.

    Under the lights from the opulent crystal chandelier, Cyrus stared right into Lauren''s eyes. The people

    around them danced around with ease. They were the only couple who stood stiffly like two logs. If this

    went on, Cyrus knew he''d soon be a standing joke.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Um, Cyrus, aren''t we going to dance?" Lauren asked him softly as she blinked.

    Cyrus, the police chief, sweated profusely. Gulping, he admitted, "I... I don''t know how to dance."

    He had been running on love and passion, giving no thought to anything else except to keep Freddy

    away from Lauren. s, he had forgotten that he sucked at dancing, no matter how well he performed

    in his job.

    Taken aback, Lauren soon grinned. "It''s fine. I can teach you."

    "Let''s just muddle through."

    "We can''t. We need to dance well." Lauren straightened her face, looking like a stern instructor. "I. I

    don''t want you to beughed at."

    Unbothered, he smiled. "I''m not active in business or politics anyway. I might never even meet these

    people again after leaving this ce. I don''t care if theyugh at me."

    She stared at her feet and shook her head. Misty-eyed, she said, "Cyrus, I know you''re here to lend me

    a hand. I''ve caused you enough trouble, and I don''t want to do that anymore."

    "Well, if you''re the type of trouble I encounter daily, I will smile even in my dreams," Cyrus blurted out

    his real thoughts with a passionate look.

    Lauren held her breath upon hearing his confession. Pressing her lips, she said to him, "Cyrus, let''s

    dance. P-Put your right hand on my back."

    "Okay." He obediently carried out hermand. When he touched her soft and thin shoulder, his mind

    went nk, and his heart pumped wildly.

    At that moment, she ced her left hand on his muscr right arm. Something clicked in him. He took

    her hand, opened his hand, and wrapped his calloused thumb around her fingers.

    She looked surprised. "Cyrus, you said you didn''t know how to dance."

    "I''ve watched people dance, though." With that, he started dancing and guiding her into making twirls.

    Their posture was far from proper, and they danced off-beat. Cyrus nearly stepped on Lauren''s feet a

    few times. Despite their ws, the natural dynamic between them attracted the attention of the guests.

    They looked good together. Therefore, their subpar dancing skills did not seem to matter as much.

    Nheless, Javier was infuriated at the sight of Lauren dancing with Cyrus. His eyes nearly popped

    out of their sockets, and he was so close to crushing the ss in his hand.

    "Mr. Javier!" Freddy had lost it. He simmered in rage as he marched up to Javier with reddened

    cheeks. Nearing the brink of a meltdown, he snapped, "Lauren is my fianc¨¦e! We''re getting officially

    engaged next month."

 Chapter 1858

    "How could she dance with another man in public? What does she take me as?" Freddy grumbled.

    Javier frowned in displeasure. "Stop spewing nonsense. It was Cyrus who forced her to dance. How

    could you me it on her?

    "You should me yourself instead for dawdling. By not iming your ce by her side from the start,

    you gave a chance to the other guys."

    "What are you saying? I was the first to approach her!" Feeling anxious and furious, Freddy shook from

    head to toe. "Your daughter took Cyrus'' hand right before me! You might not have seen it, but I saw it

    clearly with my own two eyes!"

    Freddy attracted the attention of the guests around him after he raised his voice at Javier. Fortunately,

    the ring music drowned out his speech.

    After being confronted, Javier''s expression crumpled. He fixed a piercing gaze at Freddy, whose heart

    sank.

    At that moment, Freddy finally came to understand how frightening and intimidating the chairman of the

    Beckett Group could be. Even Jasper was intimidating enough, not to mention his father.

    When Freddy froze on the spot, Onder hurried over to intervene. "Freddy, Mr. Javier is a VIP and

    your elder. You shouldn''t have spoken to him with that attitude!"

    "Dad, I..." Freddy was about to defend himself when something struck him. After their families agreed

    on the marriage, Onder had been privately referring to Javier as his "inw" to foster a closer bond.

    However, this time, Onder had oddly asked him to refer to Javier as his "elder", which sounded like

    an attempt to distance himself from the Becketts.

    "Mayor Hodgson, your son has opened my eyes today." Javier looked away from the pale Freddy and

    slowly rose from his seat. "This is the first time I''vee across a young man who spoke to his future

    father-inw in a rude tone. I should perhaps thank Cyrus one day for revealing this side of Freddy."

    "M-Mr. Javier, it was a misunderstanding! Freddy didn''t mean it. Mr. Javier!"

    Javier left in the middle of Onder speaking, showing no respect to the Hodgsons.

    "Just wait and see!" ring at Freddy, Onder ran after Javier without thinking. Freddy was left frozen

    on the spot, his expression contorting in resentment.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    After the cocktail party ended, the guests gradually left the Hodgsons'' residence. Simrly, Lauren

    headed to the Becketts'' luxury car with Rory.

    Rory gently addressed Lauren, "Ms. Lauren, Mr. Javier had to head home early as something came up.

    I''m here to pick you up."

    Is Dad angry because... I danced with Cyrus?" Lauren seemed troubled and hesitant.

    Rory, who had witnessed the events that evening, merelyforted her, "Absolutely not. Please don''t

    worry about it."

    "Lauren." Someone called out to her. Turning around, she found Mandy and Cyrus approaching her.

    She quickly greeted Mandy, "Hi, Mrs. Taylor!"

    "What a fine youngdy. I''m growing fonder of you by the minute." Mandy took Lauren''s hand with a

    wide smile and caressed it.

    The observant Rory realized that Mandy wasn''t being courteous; she was truly fond of Lauren, unlike

    Minnie''s shallow and fake act.

    The contempt in Minnie''s eyes was evident. She epted Lauren purely out of greed for the Becketts''

    wealth.

 Chapter 1859

    "Thank you for thepliment, Mrs. Taylor." Lauren shyly blushed.

    Cyrus stood in silence behind Mandy. He fixed an intense gaze on Lauren without once looking away.

    Meanwhile, Mandy, with a friendly smile, removed the emerald bracelet from her wrist and put it on

    Lauren''s without warning. She remarked, "I showed up in haste and didn''t have time to prepare a gift

    for you. I hope you don''t mind this gift."

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Rory gasped in shock at Mandy''s generosity. Did she just casually gift Lauren the emerald bracelet

    worth tens of millions?

    Rory was moved by Mandy''s magnanimity.

    "No, Mrs. Taylor. I can''t ept the gift. It''s too expensive." Lauren proceeded to remove the bracelet,

    but Mandy stopped her. "Hey, do not decline gifts from your elders.

    "Besides, the Taylors never take back what we gifted. I''ll be upset if you refuse to ept my gift."

    "Well... Thank you, then." Lauren blushed again as she carefully held the bracelet. Mandy was tickled

    by her adorable action. At that moment, she understood the reason Cyrus fell for Lauren.

    Lauren was a simple, genuine, and cute youngdy.

    Before leaving, Cyrus blurted out in a raspy voice, "Lauren."

    She stared at him quietly with sparkling eyes.

    "I didn''t show up tonight to lend you a hand." Cyrus'' heart raced. Speaking at a fast speed, he

    confessed to her, "I just wanted to see you."

    Before she could wrap her head around his words, he sneaked into his car and fled the scene.

    Normally serious-faced, Rory couldn''t help but chuckle.

    "Mr. Rory, what''s wrong?" Lauren looked confused.

    Stifling hisugh, he mused, "Cyrus Taylor is an interesting young man."

    On Mandy and Cyrus'' way home, Cyrus remained blushing.

    "Son, you have great taste." Sighing gently, Mandy patted him on the shoulder. "Too bad Landon was a

    step ahead of you." "Landon had loved her a long time ago. He made a lot of sacrifices for her. I can

    never measure up to that," Cyrus croaked with a frown on his face.

    "But they''ve broken up. You aren''t doing anything wrong if you pursue Lauren." Although Mandy had

    mixed feelings about the circumstances, she felt sorry for her beloved son. "Cyrus, you''ve always put

    others before you. Why don''t you be a little selfish this time and pursue the woman you love?"

    Cyrus struggled toe up with a reply. Instead, he quietly texted Alyssa, "Lyse, I think I''m not just

    interested in Lauren."

    Taking a deep breath, he wrote another text, "Would you believe me if I say that I''m in love with

    Lauren?"

    "Of course I do," she texted back without hesitation. "Back when I was hopelessly pursuing Jasper, I fell

    in love with him a bit more than the day before. Cyrus, Lauren has her freedom of choice, and so do

    you. Live your life without regrets."

 Chapter 1860

    Late at night, Onder summoned Freddy to the study, where Minnie was present as well.

    "What? Calling off the engagement?" Minnie eximed in dismay. "Onder Hodgson, are you joking? The engagement news is

    made public now. The wives of the local officials have been buttering me up and showering me with gifts when they learned

    about the engagement!

    "We''re so close to the marriage, and now you''re telling me the engagement is canceled? How could | show my face in front of

    my friends?"

    "Dad, what happened? Why are we calling off the engagement?" The memory of the humiliating night made Freddy seethe.

    ¡°Lauren humiliated me enough by taking Cyrus'' hand to my face and dancing with him. Now, they''re calling off the engagement?

    It''s a disgrace!"

    Didn''t Zoe im that Lauren was a fool? Lauren was anything but that¡ªshe had flirted with another man under her fiance''s

    watch.

    Freddy thought, "| should have married that slut and tortured her daily for cheating on me!"

    "Your feelings are not as important as my career," Onder suddenly blurted out an outrageous remark with a look of impatience.

    Shocked, Minnie and Freddy gasped, "What the heck did you just say?"

    "Couldn''t you tell from tonight that Cyrus was crushing on that idiot?" Onder sipped his tea slowly. He was giddy with pride for

    making the strategic decision. "Mrs. Taylor had a private talk with me. She requested that | give up on the engagement.

    "She pledged her support to my electoral campaign next year if | ceded Lauren. Mr. Winston is aware of this matter as well. If |

    declined, the KS Group would support my political rival instead. If you were me, you''d agree to her conditions too."

    Freddy clenched his jaw indignantly while Minnie was at a loss for words.

    "Minnie, Freddy, this is the best arrangement for us!" Onder slumped on the couch and dangled his legs leisurely. It didn''t take

    the elected official long to turn into a thug. "For one, my son doesn''t need to settle for a dimwit.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "| can get what | want without being subjected to Javier Beckett''s whims since I''m not asking any favor from him. Secondly, |

    have secured my campaign funding by agreeing to the deal. Am | not killing two birds with one stone?"

    Freddy worriedly warned, "Dad, aren''t you oversimplifying things? The Taylors are uber-rich. In my opinion, Winston Taylor is

    more difficult than Javier Beckett!" "Everyone knows that Winston Taylor is sick. He''s living abroad for his medical treatment. | bet

    he won''tst more than two years. | have nothing to fear," Onder said in an unbothered tone.

    "But his daughter, Alyssa Taylor, is the president of KS Group! That woman is bad news¡ªworse than her dad!" Freddy, under

    Zoe''s influence, saw red whenever Alyssa was mentioned. "You might be able to handle Javier Beckett, but what about Alyssa

    Taylor, the de facto leader of the KS Group? Also, don''t forget she has the support of Jasper Beckett."

    Enraged, Onder jumped up from the couch and pointed a finger at Freddy. "Do you really think your marriage is a done deal,

    even if Mrs. Taylor did not meet me today?

    "Just look at your impatient behavior tonight. Did you forget what | taught you? You have to fake it till you make it. But you lost

    your temper in front of Javier. Your dad isn¡¯t powerful enough to go up against Javier Beckett, you know?"

    "|..." Freddy struggled to articte his

    thoughts. At first, he had agreed {9

    marry Lauren justto(pledst Zoe

    Having feelings for Lauren, he

    merely wanted to manipte and

    take advantage of her. The content is

    on ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

    Oddly, he felt terribly upset at the sight of Lauren dancing with Cyrus, like a husband who was publicly humiliated by his wife''s

    infidelity.

    "Guess what? You''ve ruined Javier''s

    impression of you. Knowing how

    petty he is, he won'' gree to the\\

    rge\aven iC \ n''t bring up the

    topic." Onder shook his head in

    disappointment. "Freddy, you''re not

    fated to marry into wealth. Just give

    up on that idea." The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

    Javier, on his way home from an event the next day, asked Rory for updates fromst night.

    "Mr. Javier, Mrs. Taylor is pretty

    generous toward Ms. Lauren. She

    gifted Ms. Lauren a bracelet worth

    tens of millions on eiryfirgt om

    ating Ro ao ¨¦€ up for the

    Taylors. "What a jarring contrast

    between the Taylors and the

    Hodgsons. Ms. Lauren is about to get

    engaged to Freddy Hodgson, yet his

    family has not offered her any gifts.

    They can''t bepared with the

    Taylors." The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

    Frowning, Javier argued, "Did the Taylors win you over with just a bracelet? It is worth nothing to them. | bet Winston Taylor has

    a cart of those jewelry.¡±

 Chapter 1861

    "That''s true. But Cyrus Taylor is way better than Freddy Hodgson." Rory scoffed. "How dare Freddy

    Hodgsonin to you in your face? I wonder if he''s lost his mind."

    The scowl on Javier''s face deepened when Rory breached the topic.

    Rory added, "Mr. Javier, I think Cyrus is serious about Ms. Lauren. Why don''t you call off the

    engagement to Freddy Hodgson? Marrying Ms. Lauren off to the Taylors is more advantageous for

    you. I''m sure Mr. Newton would be d¡ª"

    "Firstly, my son wanted to marry Alyssa; now, my daughter wants to marry Cyrus. Are there no other

    suitors for my children other than the Taylors?" Javier furiously mmed his hand on the armrest.

    Rory quickly shut up.

    Javier looked out of the window indignantly. Objectively speaking, Mandy''s son was much better

    than Freddy or even Landon. Javier was aware of Freddy''sck of affection for Lauren¡ªthe young

    man merely went along with his family''s arrangements.

    Inparison, Javier could tell that Cyrus genuinely loved Lauren from the way he stared at her.

    s, if only Cyrus wasn''t a Taylor...

    A call from Newton interrupted his train of thought. Frustrated, he deliberately dyed answering

    the call.

    Momentster, he finally picked up the call. "Dad, why did you call?"

    "Are you free to talk?"

    "Go ahead."

    "The Hodgsons would like to call off the engagement.¡±

    Shell-shocked, Javier raised his voice. "What did you just say?"

    "Hah. I bet that Onder Hodgson is too ashamed to meet with you. Early this morning, he

    contacted Ben and talked to me in person. I was reluctant to entertain him at first, but I was

    interested in talking to him after I learned about his intention.¡± Newton couldn''t help but chuckle.

    "Thank God the Hodgsons backed down. They know they''re not good enough for my beloved

    granddaughter. Javier, you don''t really have good taste, you know that?"

    Javier turned stone-faced when he heard Newton''s remarks. Something did not feel right. Last

    night, Mandy and Cyrus forced their way into the Hodgsons'' family party. Later, Freddy had an

    outburst after Cyrus danced with Lauren. Cyrus then proceeded to flirt with Lauren.

    Following that, the Hodgsons decided to call off the marriage.

    Why did everything feel like part of the Taylors¡¯ grand scheme? Javier felt as though he was being

    led by the nose.

    At night, at the same hot springs hotel, Freddy drove Zoe crazy when he made love to her.

    "Oh! Don''t be so rough! Just kill me!" Amid her screams, she was pinned down by Freddy and

    forced into various sexual positions that she never dared to try.

    Despite all the cussing, she went along with him and indulged in the sex. After three rounds of

    lovemaking, both Zoe and Freddy were spent. They slumped on the bed from exhaustion.

    "Damn it. You almost fucked my brains out. What''s wrong with you?" Zoe, too tired to clean up,

    gave him a shove. "What was with you? Did something happen?"C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Staring at the ceiling with a t expression, Freddy paused before reluctantly confessing, "My

    engagement to Lauren is not happening.¡±

    "W-What? Why?" Zoe''s jaw fell in shock.

    "Everything went smoothly until Mrs. Taylor showed up with Cyrus. She forced my dad to give up on

    the marriage so that Cyrus could have Lauren.¡± Freddy clutched the bedsheet in rage. "I''ve

    underestimated Lauren Beckett. How could she cheat on me behind my back?"

 Chapter 1862

    Upon hearing that, Zoe red at Freddy. She examined his face which was colored with anger, all

    because of Lauren.

    She had a feeling that Freddy''s feelings for Lauren had changed. In the past, he disyed nothing but

    scorn toward Lauren. However, he seemed to be green in envy over Lauren now.

    "No way... I can''t let this slide!" His temples throbbed in fury. "Our families agreed on the marriage.

    Lauren Beckett shall be mine, and no one can take her from me!"

    As he was speaking, Zoe straddled him naked without warning and pped him twice in the face. He

    looked confounded. "Zoe, w-what are you doing?"

    "Freddy Hodgson, that''s too much! Didn''t you vow only to love me in this life? You said you only have

    me in your heart!" She glowered at him as she tightened her grip on his neck as if she wanted to

    suffocate him to death. "All your reactions show that you''re catching feelings for that idiot. Tell me.

    Have you fallen for Lauren Beckett?"

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    "N-No, Zoe, I didn''t! I''m marrying her to avenge you. Everything I did was for you!" He held her waist

    and gasped for breath. The suffocation gradually set in, but it aroused him as well.

    "I''m warning you now, Freddy." She leaned over and pped his cheek before threatening him through

    gritted teeth. "The Harpers were originally gangsters. It''s a piece of cake for us to kill someone

    discreetly. Betray me, and I''ll make sure you die a horrible death. Got it?"

    Freddy shuddered at her intimidation, but he couldn''t shake off the sight of Lauren in Cyrus'' arms. She

    had danced so gracefully that night.

    The thought of it made him clench his fist indignantly.

    At that moment, Zoe received a call from an unknown number. Putting on her bathrobe, she answered

    impatiently, "Who''s this?"

    She was greeted by silence. She snapped, "Speak up! Are you a mute?"

    "Zoe Harper, it sounds like you''re having a great time," Betty rasped in a low, heavy voice that sent a

    shiver down Zoe''s spine.

    Zoe muttered, "B-Betty Beckett? I thought you had¡ª"

    "You think I''ll never be back after Jasper sent me abroad?" Betty cackled evilly. "Too bad! Betty Beckett

    is a tough one. I''m back!"

    Zoe clutched her bathrobe with trembling fingers.

    "I was the one who gave you the health report that ruined Landon and Lauren''s marriage. When we

    were busted, you got out of it unscathed, yet I was unfairly banished. Do you really think I''ll resign to

    my fate?"

    Zoe''s expression hardened. Knowing Jasper and Alyssa''s capabilities, they might be the ones

    orchestrating Betty''seback. Betty wouldn''t have been able toe home without external help

    otherwise.

    However, Zoe had no time to mull. She questioned coldly, "So, what is it that you want?"

    Bettyughed maniacally. "This is a dog-eat-dog world. I was too kind and soft; I should have hired a

    bunch of thugs to rape Lauren Beckett before killing and dismembering her corpse into tiny pieces.

    Only then, Landon, Jasper, and that Taylor bitch would live in grief and remorse forever!"

    Zoe felt sick in the stomach when she listened to Betty''s gory description. Betty seemed to have lost

    her mind.

    Zoe advised, "That''s not a bad idea, but you need to pay the price for murder. What''s the point of

    coming home if it''s just to kill Lauren? Do you enjoy being thrown behind bars in Sna City?"

    "You were right. I was just saying that for fun. I have other ns." Betty stoppedughing and said icily,

    "This time, I''ming home to take revenge. I want to ruin Lauren and put her through the suffering I

    went through.

    "So, old friend, we''ll need to work together one more time. Though, it''ll be thest."

    Zoe furrowed her brows at Betty''s request. Her n had fallen apart after the Hodgsons called off

    Freddy''s engagement to Lauren. Despite that, she was hesitant to work with Betty out of fear that Betty,

    driven by insanity, might go off a deep end and end up hurting her.

    Just as she was considering Betty''s proposal, she received a call from Penelope.

 Chapter 1863

    Zoe calmed down and said to Betty, "I have an important call to take. Wait for me. I''ll make the

    arrangements and call you back."

    Then, she hung up on Betty and picked up Penelope''s call with a sweet tone, "Hello, Mom."

    Penelope sighed. She began hesitantly, "Zoe,e with me to visit Uncle Preston in the hospital. Your

    grandpa will be there as well."

    "Is Uncle Preston... hospitalized?"

    "Landon beat him up badly. He suffered from serious injuries¡ªhe lost his arm, to be exact, and he''s

    forever crippled. He drifts in and out of sleep all day. I hesitated to tell you about it because I''m worried

    that his bad condition would give you a scare."

    "What? Did Landon." Stunned, Zoe cared less about Preston''s misfortune than her own fate. She

    feared for herself now that Landon had dealt with Preston.

    Landon seemed to be getting serious. Based on Zoe''s understanding of his character, she knew that

    this was just the start. He wouldn''t go easy on Preston, and that was the price one had to pay for

    hurting Lauren.

    "Zoe, your brother has changed. He''s a ruthless man who turns against his family!" Worried for Zoe,

    Penelope advised her, "I know you''ve been through a lot. Landon is unfair to you. But nothing good

    comes from fighting against him now that he''s in power in the Harper Group.

    "Listen to me. Stop giving Lauren trouble. I''ll emigrate to Yoarkley with you soon. Let''s never return to

    Sna City anymore. Okay?"

    Alyssa and Jasper uncorked an expensive red wine to celebrate the canceled engagement. Alyssa was

    dressed in Jasper''s oversized white shirt. Sitting on the table of the wine cer, she dangled her legs

    and clinked her ss with Jasper.

    Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes carried a seductive look. "Mr. Beckett, we secured our first

    victory. We can finally enjoy a good night''s sleep."

    He trapped her underneath him by cing an arm on the table. His eyes were filled with desire. When

    he couldn''t hold back anymore, he kissed her hard on the lips.

    After some forey, Alyssa identally tilted her ss as Jasper held her by the waist. The red wine

    stained the shirt that she was wearing and trickled down her fair legs.

    "Are you sure you can have a good sleep?" he said in a raspy voice while rubbing his fingers against

    her rosy lips.

    "You are quite busy at worktely, aren''t you? You''re not that young either. Can you handle it?" Alyssa

    teased him with a blush on her cheeks.

    "I think I''ll perform better than my peers on average, even when I am 80 years old." Smiling, he ran his

    lips over her cheeks.

    However, Alyssa put on a serious look instead of fooling around with him. "Let''s talk about something

    serious. Mandy told Winston about Cyrus'' crush on Lauren.

    "Jonah called me today, telling me that Winston was too excited to sleepst night. Early this morning,

    he got Ben to prepare the gifts for Lauren. He even said he''d meet with your grandpa to discuss the

    marriage between Cyrus and Lauren."

    Jasper''s eyes wavered in shock, knowing that they had to go along with Cyrus and Lauren''s

    "rtionship" if Winston learned about it. He had once heard Alyssa describe Winston as a man who''d

    go to great lengths to make his sons'' marriages happen.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    That did note as a surprise, as Winston had married four wives himself.

    "Heh. I don''t mind having Lauren as my sister-inw. I just don''t know how you feel about it," Alyssa

    taunted Jasper with a squint.

    "I''m fine with anything as long as Lauren is happy. But..." His eyes clouded with gloom. "I still wish we

    could give Landon a second chance. He once dated Lauren and went through many ups and downs

    because of it."

    "I know. That''s why I told Jonah to stop Winston." Alyssa shared his sentiments. He beamed at her in

    satisfaction. They were about to share another kiss when they heard a knock on the door.

    Sean said through the door, "Ms. Alyssa, is this a good time to talk to you and Mr. Beckett? I got news

    from Mosgravia."

    Alyssa was dressed sexily since she did not expect Sean toe to her with updates at this hour.

    Jasper hurriedly draped a jacket over her before answering the door.

    "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett, I hope I didn''t interrupt anything." Sean started having fantasies when he saw

    their flushed faces.

    "That''s fine. Let''s talk." Jasper went on one knee in front of Alyssa and slowly buttoned her shirt to

    avoid idental exposure.

    "Ms. Alyssa, just like you predicted, Betty went for a health checkup at the hospital. We got our hands

    on her blood sample and ran DNA tests on it twice¡ªonce in Mosgravia and once in Sna City just to

    be sure." Taking a deep breath, Sean handed them the report with a loaded look. "The DNA result

    shows that Betty Beckett is unrted to Javier Beckett."

 Chapter 1864

    "What?"

    "Is that true?"

    Jasper and Alyssa eximed at the same time¡ªone looking astonished, and the other agitated.

    Sean gulped. He was parched from rushing all the way here. "It''s true! To prevent anyone from

    tampering with the result, I made Dr. Lovce perform the DNA test in Mosgravia. The DNA test in

    Sna City was carried out in one of the Taylor family''s hospitals. I even monitored the entire process!"

    Jasper''sshes cast a shadow under his eyes. He repeatedly read the outrageous and wicked results

    printed on the report. It clearly said that Betty was not rted to Javier.

    Alyssa soon calmed down after all the agitation. The report had confirmed her longtime skepticism. She

    had started questioning Betty''s bloodline from Betty''s personality, character, and looks. Now, the truth

    had finally been revealed.

    "Sean, did Julien say anything to you when you requested the DNA test?"

    "Oh, he did." Sean looked amused. "He asked me if any one of Mr. Winston''s wives was pregnant and

    if Winston was the one requesting the DNA test out of skepticism. He even vowed to carry the secret to

    his grave!"

    Alyssa was dumbfounded at Julien''s hrious response. There was no way Julien would carry the

    secret to his grave. He was simply craving for some juicy gossip.

    "Sean, don''t let anyone else hear about this."

    Sean scratched his head with a troubled look. "Uh... Mr. Jonah knew about Betty''s DNA result because

    Dr. Lovce immediately updated him."

    Feeling exasperated, Alyssa relented. "Fine. They''re a couple anyway, so it''s fine. Do not let anyone

    apart from Jonah and Julien learn about the results. Got it?"

    Sean quickly nodded.

    At that moment, she sensed a threatening air. When she looked up, she found a scarily furious look in

    Jasper''s eyes.

    She questioned him in a softer tone, "Jasper, are you alright?"

    Jasper gently tossed the crumpled report onto the table with vacant eyes. "I''m fine. Just thought the

    entire situationughable.

    "Lyse, for a moment, I thought of my mom. I remembered the day when a heavily pregnant Sophia

    Kirkman showed up at our home. All the memories shed across my mind."

    Feeling sorry for Jasper, she clutched his cold hand firmly. "I know how you feel. I understand you.

    "My dad asked for a DNA test the day after Sophia gave birth to Betty. The test confirmed that she was

    his daughter. Looking back, I believe that Sophia had made the necessary preparations. It was way

    easier to forge a DNA report back in the daypared to today."

    Sean shared Jasper''s heartache. He, too, hated Sophia to the bone, even when she was dead.

    "That''s true. The move wasn''t that surprising,ing from an evil woman who was determined to

    marry into wealth and get out of poverty.

    "I''m just surprised that Javier had never suspected Sophia and Betty once, after years of living with a

    daughter who did not resemble him at all." Her expression was clouded with disbelief. "I asionally

    heard Winston and Jonah mentioning your dad when I was younger. Javier was a very capable man,

    and his business strategies were nothing short of epic.

    "Sophia was nothing more than a vixen, pulling shoddy tricks to take advantage of him. How could he

    have never suspected her of anything?"

    "When Sophia showed up, Dad and Grandpa were at the height of a war in thepany. The more

    Grandpa disapproved of Sophia, the more Dad wanted to marry her. Not to mention he and my mom

    were having rtionship troubles at that time. Sophia took her chance to ruin their marriage.

    "Besides, Dad was extremely arrogant. It helped that Sophia was meek and subservient around him.

    He truly believed that a woman of Sophia''s humble origins would never have the courage to harm a

    man of his superior social standing."

    Jasper lowered his gaze. His deep, maic voice was tinged with sarcasm. "There''s another

    possibility ¡ªmy dad might have been deeply in love with Sophia. If he was even oblivious to the fact

    that Sophia killed my mom, how would he ever think of running a paternity test?"

    An oppressive silence descended on the wine cer.

    "Hah. To be honest..." Alyssa smirked. "...I''d rather Javier loved Sophia. Only then would his world be

    crushed when he learned the truth. He''d lose everything that he believed in."

    "I always wished for my dad to be in love with Mom, even if just a little. I couldn''t stand the thought of

    my mom giving all her love to a man who didn''t care for her." Jasper put on a relieved smile. "But now,

    I''d rather he never loved her. He doesn''t deserve the privilege of loving her."

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Alyssa stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the corner of his lips. She purred, "Your love is all that

    matters to me."

    He ced a hand on the small of his waist and returned the kiss. He''d respond to her at any time,

    anywhere.

    "How do you n to use this crucial information?" Sean inquired.

    At the same time, Jasper''s phone buzzed.

    "Hello, Xavier."

    "I have bad news, Mr. Beckett! Our men lost track of Betty!"

 Chapter 1865

    "Why can''t you even handle a minor task? Do you not want your bonus?" Jasper scowled.

    Alyssa kept herposure. "Xavier, calm down. Take your time."

    "After Betty left the hospital, my men had been tailing her. They saw her dragged into a white Bentley,

    and she stayed in that car for quite a while."

    Alyssa felt her heart sank at that information. She was gued by unease.

    Jasper demanded. "Where did she go in that car?"

    "She didn''t go anywhere. After a while, they sent her back to her rental. She did not step out of the

    house for three days after that¡ªnot even taking out the trash.

    "By then, our men realized something was off. They broke into her ce and found her missing. She

    didn''t even pack her bags."

    Alyssa questioned, "How about her passport and identity card?"

    "She didn''t take them with her at all. She literally vanished into thin air!" Xavier grew emotional and

    worried. "I had people stationed at the airport to monitor her movements. She had no money and no

    identification. Where on earth could she have gone? She couldn''t have illegally crossed borders, could

    she?"

    "Xavier, you must have jotted down the carte information of the white Bentley. Please send it to me.

    I''ll get Jonah to run that te in Mosgravia." Holding Jasper''s hand firmly, she surmised, "Things might

    be moreplicated than they seem. Someone''s telling Betty what to do and help her escape.

    "Jasper, we need to be vignt in Sna City in the next few days. I worry that she might return!"

    He tightened his grip on her fingers. "She''ll onlynd herself in trouble if shees home!"

    "Maybe not this time." She analyzed with trepidation, "The person backing her must be powerful. They

    had sent her back to Sna City without needing a passport and without anyone knowing.

    "Think carefully. Who else in Mosgravia would have the power and willingness to help Betty?"

    Jasper furrowed his brows. A gleam shed across his eyes. When he looked at Alyssa, she had

    blurted out, "Could it be Justin?"

    He squeezed her hand. He, too, shared the same opinion.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Ms. Alyssa, could it be Jamiper''s doing? He''s totally capable of doing so," Sean suggested another

    suspect.

    Alyssa shook her head softly. "Sean, think carefully. Jamiper is smart enough to know we''re monitoring

    Betty 24/7 in Mosgravia. We''ve seen through his tricks. Even if he wanted to help Betty, he wouldn''t

    have done it openly.

    "I believe whoever''s helping Betty was confident that we wouldn''t get anything on them because we

    were unfamiliar with them. Jameson is not likely a suspect precisely because of this.

    "That''s why I suspect Justin''s involvement. I don''t know his ulterior motive, but I can''t think of anyone

    else with his capabilities."

    "If I were Justin, I wouldn''t have helped Betty. Firstly, I do not have any sibling rtionship with her.

    There''s no point in inviting trouble. Besides, Justin benefitted from Sophia and Betty falling out of favor.

    "Fewer family members means lesspetition for power." Jasper closed his eyes and took a deep

    breath to calm down. "But I think your analysis makes sense too.

    "Anyway, if this is Justin''s doing, we can''t do much about it. All we can do is stop Betty and interrogate

    her before we take our next step."

    Alyssa pressed her lips in frustration. Simr to Jasper, she refused to think of Justin as the vile

    Jameson ¡ªespecially when Justin was Jasper''s brother and savior.

    Jasper''s life had been fraught with pain and disappointment thus far. Alyssa could only hope that Justin

    wouldn''t betray Jasper''s trust.

    Penelope and Zoe showed up at the hospital the next day with expensive gifts. The atmosphere in

    Preston''s room was frigid and tense. Prestony against the headboard and red at the mother and

    daughter with resentment.

    Zoe stared at his empty right sleeve. The horrific sight made her sweat all over.

    "Penny, did you raise a son or a beast? He''s a ruthless, ungrateful scoundrel!" Crying, Sylvia threw

    herself at Penelope and grabbed thetter''s cor as if starting a fight. "Preston is Landon''s uncle! Why

    would Landon badly injure him over a minor conflict? He might as well as kill him!"

    Zoe was too stunned to defend her mother from Sylvia''s attack. Penelope, who hailed from a

    distinguished family, had never faced such chaos. Looking disheveled, she cried frantically, "I... I...

    Landon..."

    "I don''t care! Landon needs to exin himself, or we''ll be sure to make his presidency difficult!" Sylvia

    was great at kicking up a fuss. She cried, wailed, and used Penelope and Zoe as though she was a

    concerned wife when all the while, she and Preston had a lukewarm marriage.

    "Enough! Shut up!" Cornelius finally broke his silence and bellowed at Sylvia, which effectively shut her

    up.

    She wiped away her tears and stood at the side.

    Teary-eyed, Penelope repeatedly apologized to Preston and Sylvia. She said to Cornelius, "Dad, I

    really have no idea what Landon was up to out there. Preston, Sylvia, I''m really, really sorry. I''ll take

    care of Preston''s medical expenses¡ª"

    "What good is an apology?" Preston held his empty sleeve with a contorted expression. "An arm for an

    arm, or I will not let this slide!"

    "Dad, Landon has crippled Preston and even usurped all hispany stocks! Why haven''t you taken

    action against Landon? Do you not see Preston as your son?" Sylvia, in pain, confronted Cornelius.

    To her dismay, Cornelius seethed, "Well, serves him right! I warned him not to go overboard with

    Lauren Beckett, but he never heeded my advice. He went ahead to insult Landon. Preston only had

    himself to me. What do you want me to do? It''s not like I could kill Landon or make Preston''s arm

    grow back."

 Chapter 1866

    Preston quivered in anger. His face turned white.

    "Dad, how could you say so? Preston is your son too! I don''t know how he''ll live out the rest of his life

    after what Landon did to him!

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "You didn''t offer him words offort or even hold Landon responsible. Instead, you''re pinning the

    me on him. Do you want him dead?" Sylvia widened her eyes in disbelief and raged.

    "How am I supposed to hold Landon responsible? He''s the secondrgest stockholder of Harper Group

    and thepany president. All the directors on the board pledged their loyalty to him. Laying a finger

    on him would mean hurting thepany.

    "As the family patriarch, shouldn''t I look at the big picture?"

    Preston clutched his bedsheet tightly. Anger festered in him. What Cornelius did wasn''t "looking at the

    big picture", but sacrificing his second son.

    Cornelius knitted his brows and sank into a short silence. Then, he said resolutely, "Preston, I bought

    the flight tickets for you. Take a few days'' rest before you emigrate abroad with Sylvia to recuperate."

    "Emigrate? What do you mean?" Preston was thrown a curve.

    "You had a fallout with Landon. After you transferred your stocks to him and were removed from your

    duties in thepany, you have no business staying in Sna City. You''ll only make the Harpers a

    laughingstock." Cornelius marched out of the room without hesitation, seemingly worried that he might

    be attacked by Preston at any time.

    He added, "You have nothing left to fight with Landon. If you keep living in denial, you might lose more

    than an arm the next time you go up against him."

    Penelope and Zoe took the opportunity to leave with Cornelius. After the three of them departed,

    silence returned to Preston''s room.

    Sylvia, knowing that the tide had turned against them, brazenly pointed a finger at Preston andughed

    at him. "Hahaha! Seems like your dad haspletely given up on you. You are of no use to him

    anymore. This is the Harper family¡ªa den of heartless wolves!

    "Well, that''s not technically true. Your brother, Bill, was the only good egg in this family. He''s kind and

    passionate. He always took good care of you. Too bad he died an untimely death, no thanks to a

    certain somebody." "Shut the fuck up!" Preston grew belligerent when she touched his sore spot.

    Sylvia, who had been by his side for years, was privy to a lot of his secrets.

    Scoffing, she retrieved the papers she had prepared from her luxury bag and tossed them onto his bed.

    "Sign the divorce papers as soon as you can. You need to fulfill all the conditions I listed in the

    document, or your secret of ten years might get out."

    With that, Sylvia left the room with a look of disgust.

    Preston, alone in his empty room, went hysteric after Cornelius abandoned him and Sylvia demanding

    a divorce. Growling, he smashed everything in sight before he dialed Zoe''s number with shaking

    fingers.

    After Zoe declined Preston''s call, she received a sarcastic text from him.

    Knowing she couldn''t avoid him, she made up an excuse to leave the car and return to the hospital.

    With a stiff smile, she asked, "Uncle Preston, w-why are you looking for me?"

    "Zoe, you''re really mentally tough. How could you still smile at the sight of my terrible state?"

 Chapter 1867

    Preston stared at her with a fake smile and a spiteful stare. "I''m now disabled thanks to your genius

    idea! It''s pretty unfair that I''m struggling while you get away with it."

    "Uncle Preston, what else can you do now?" Zoe immediately distanced herself from the situation. "You

    were the one who released Lauren''s mental health diagnosis on the board of directors'' meeting. You

    arranged for Lauren to be put away. I wasn''t part of it at all.

    "No one would believe in empty usations anyway. Do you have evidence to prove that I gave you

    the diagnosis? I''m afraid you can''t drag me down with you."

    "Is that so?" Preston let out a loud cackle, which gave her the goosebumps. "Dear Zoe, do you really

    think that your actions were secret? Do you remember ganging up and bullying Lauren when you were

    in school?"

    Her heart felt like a jackhammer in her chest. Turning pale, she stammered, "W-What are you talking

    about? No one bullied her!"

    "Well, I''m 30 years your senior. I''m more shrewd and experienced than you could imagine." Chuckling

    thuggishly, he stated, "I have witnesses and video evidence to prove the horrific bullying on Lauren. I

    think you might have yed a role in shaping her condition today. Don''t you think?"

    Zoe''s heart drummed wildly. Sweat formed on her forehead.

    Back in school, Zoe was part of a gang of six bullies, including Freddy. There were two girls and four

    guys in total. One of them might have secretly filmed her bullying Lauren and kept the footage. Perhaps

    the bully had submitted the footage after being pressured by Preston, which he ckmailed Zoe with.

    "If I passed this footage to Landon... Zoe, what surprise will be in store for you if he learns about it?"

    Looking threatening, he hissed, "Will he cut off your left or right hand? Tsk tsk. Too bad my poor niece

    will have to say goodbye to piano ying soon."

    "Enough! What do you want?" Zoe growled in anger and spite.

    "I want you to avenge me." With a crazed look in his eyes, Preston snarled, "I want Landon to suffer!"

    Zoe emerged from the hospital with a pale face. The nail on her thumb nearly came off from all her

    nervous biting.

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    She could not forget the sight of Preston''s empty sleeve. She feared that Landon might learn about her

    participation in school bullying and tear her to pieces.

    Suddenly, an idea struck her. She immediately called up another person as mad as Preston¡ªBetty

    Beckett.

    "Hey, where are you? Let''s meet!" Zoe said with an arched brow and a sly expression. Things would be

    easier if she took advantage of Betty''s help.

 Chapter 1868

    With help from a woman named "Ms. Gardner", Betty returned to Sna City sessfully. After that,

    she hid in a single-story house in a small vige on the outskirts of town, just like a wanted criminal.

    She only dared to roam around nearby and only left the house to purchase necessities. Other than that,

    she didn''t dare to journey too far.

    She had no guts to stay at any hotel or inn. She feared that she would be captured by Jasper''s men the

    moment she showed her face in the city.

    Her living condition was akin to a rat living in the sewers. This ignited the fire of hatred within her even

    more. She couldn''t wait to get her revenge so that she could get out of her current situation.

    At nightfall, Betty and Zoe agreed to meet at a quiet caf¨¦ in the suburbs.

    When her coffee was served, Zoe caught a whiff of it and pushed it away in disgust.

    "What''s this? Horse shit? Is this even drinkable?"

    Betty, on the other hand, drank her coffee calmly. "It''s coffee from civet poop."

    "Poop my ass. Just one sniff was enough for me to tell that it was animal poop. This is just like shit!"

    Despite thatment, Zoe still didn''t forget to tease Betty. "It seems like you''ve really turned over a

    new leaf, Betty. You''re even able to stomach such a disgusting drink. You''re quite adaptable, aren''t

    you?"

    "It''s quite meaningful to be able to experience country life," Bettymented. She then took another

    sip of the coffee expressionlessly.

    At that moment, Zoe''s phone rang. She got up and went outside to answer the call.

    Betty''s eyes went dim instantly. She bit down hard on her finger until it bled. Then, she dripped a few

    drops of her HIV-infected blood into Zoe''s coffee.

    She smiled slyly as she stirred the coffee with the spoon.

    By the time she was done, Zoe had returned to her seat.

    "We''re close friends, Zoe. I know that you deserve more than this drink."

    Betty put on a pitiful look on her face. She pleaded, "I know that you''re reluctant, but could you just

    have a sip? Could you just ept my good intentions?"

    Betty was as humble as amb even though she used to be from a wealthy family. Zoe was pleased to

    see Betty''s current demeanor in front of her.

    She was feeling thirsty anyway. Unsuspectingly, she picked up the cup and took a big gulp of coffee.

    Betty suppressed her urge to smile. Deep down, though, she was roaring withughter.

    Zoe put down her cup gracefully. She went straight to the point. "Let''s keep things short. I am in

    agreement with the partnership that you mentionedst time.

    "But what ns do you have? After what happenedst time, they would surely enforce tighter

    protection over that idiot. Will you have a chance to take any action?"

    "I heard that Cyrus Taylor is pursuing Lauren."

    Zoe jeered. "With Alyssa to matchmake them, I''m afraid your grandfather will be all for this marriage.

    Even if Javier were to step in, he might not be able to stop them at all.

    "Since Cyrus is pursuing her, I''m sure that they will have to go on dates. They''ll definitely be out on

    their own, right? We don''t have to worry about not having any opportunities to strike."

    "I think you''re being too simple-minded. The Taylors are talented people. None of Alyssa''s brothers are

    easy to deal with."

    N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    Right now, Betty was sharper and more conniving than before. "Cyrus Taylor is a cop from the Criminal

    Investigation Division! You will be kidnapping someone from an officer''s side. Aren''t you being too

    unrealistic?"

    "You don''t have to concern yourself about that. I have an expert who can help me." Zoe raised her

    eyebrows proudly.

    Betty frowned. "An expert? Who is it?"

    Zoe beckoned to Betty toe closer. Then, she uttered a mysterious word, "Sir."

    Jasper couldn''t stop worrying about Landon. So, he found time to pay him a visit.

    Landon was in the president''s office at Harper Group.

    He put down the documents in his hands. Jordan had brought his medication to him. He stuffed the

    pills into his mouth and swallowed them.

    "Why are you taking so much medicine, Landon? Is your gastritis acting up again?" Jasper furrowed his

    brows.

    "I''m fine. I''ll be better after taking these pills and getting more rest."

    As Landon was feeling exhausted, his replies to Jasper becameconic.

    Worry filled Jasper''s eyes. "Rest? Did you even rest? Jordan has told me that you barely slept every

    day. You stay up all night to work. Are you trying to work yourself to death?"

    Landon gave Jordan a sidelong nce coldly.

    Jordan lowered his head immediately. He became aware that he had spoken out of ce.

    "I want to beat you, Jasper." Landon curled his lips up into a rare smile.

    "Stop making yourself suffer, Landon. Your health is your most important asset. You will have nothing

    without good health!"

    "I''m not making myself suffer. I just... am unable to fall asleep."

    Landon was gripping his pen with his shaking hand. His eyes were gloomy. "Jasper, get me some

    medication. I have insomnia. I think that I should be able to fall asleep if I take some medication. I get

    what you mean. I''d love to sleep if I could."

    Jasper clenched his hands into fists. His heart broke for Landon.

    He couldn''t allow Landon to start taking medication. Once he started taking them, he would be

    reliant on them. It wouldn''t be easy to quit after that.

    Then, a knock came from the door. Angelina hurried into the office.

    "Mr. Landon, Sylvia officially brought up divorce to Preston yesterday. I''ve gone ahead and found the

    divorcewyer whom Sylvia hired. I used some small tricks and managed to obtain the divorce

    agreement that she drafted. Here, have a look."

    Angelina handed a copy of the divorce agreement to Landon. Jasper stood up and came round to look

    at it together with Landon.

    "Wow, Sylvia is asking for the lion''s share. She''s basically having Prepillon leave their marriage with

    nothing." Landon pressed his lips into a slight smile.

    Jasper studied the document closely. Suddenly, he remarked, "Isn''t she going overboard? Preston is

    someone who''s greedy for money. How could he possibly agree to these demands?

    "Not unless Sylvia has something fatal on him. This could exin why she dared to suggest divorce

    and make such bold requests."

    "She has something on him?"

    Landon was silent for a moment. He widened his eyes and grabbed onto Jasper''s arm suddenly.

    "Unless... she found out that my father''s death that year had something to do with Preston?"

 Chapter 1869

    Jasper patted the back of Landon''s hand to calm him down. The veins were bulging from the back of

    his hand.

    "I know that you have been investigating Bill''s cause of death all these years. Moreover, you''ve always

    had your suspicions about Preston, who has the strongest motive. It''s just that you haven''t found any

    evidence.

    "Sylvia is now bringing up divorce with Preston out of the blue. She even drafted this divorce

    agreement with such exorbitant demands. I''m certain that she has something on Preston¡ªsomething

    that is fatally threatening to him.

    "Even if it''s unrted to Bill''s death, it has to be something that will cause him to suffer the

    consequences of his own actions and spend the rest of his life in prison."

    "It must have been Preston! Who else could it have been?"

    Landon was reminded of Bill''s death once again. An immense pain filled his heart, and his eyes

    became bloodshot.

    "Back then, both he and my father went to Southsmire for an inspection. The helicopter that they were

    on was flying over the sea when the main gearbox malfunctioned. It caused the aircraft to plunge right

    into the sea. The craft sank in no time.

    "My father did put on a life jacket at the time. However, the craft was sinking too fast. Furthermore, the

    cabin was a confined space. He had no chance to escape at all. In the end, my father, alongside three

    other high-level executives from the corporation, as well as the pilot, lost their lives!

    "Preston... Preston was the only one who survived!"

    Jasper pursed his lips tightly.

    "How could it have been so coincidental? How was he the only one who got lucky?"

    Landon was devastated. He mmed his palms on his desk. "My father spent his entire life working

    hard for Harper Group. He contributed to charities enthusiastically. Step by step, he tried to wipe off the

    corporation''s dark side and bring the entire family back on the right track.

    "He was such an outstanding, hardworking, kind man. Why did the heavens have to take his life? I

    don''t believe that God would be so unfair!"

    Jasper had a serious look on his face. "Everyone else died while Preston was the only one who

    survived.

    That is indeed quite strange."

    "Exactly! Prepillon doesn''t even have nine lives!"

    "Back then, Preston could escape from the craft''s cabin because he had a small ss breaker with

    him. He smashed the window and swam to the surface."

    In a raspy and resentful voice, Angelina exined, "After that, he exined that he had the habit of

    carrying such a tool. He also defended himself by saying he wasn''t a good swimmer, so he couldn''t

    rescue Mr. Bill. He imed that if he had tried to save him, both of them would have ended up

    drowning.

    "That was such poor defense. Who would believe him? He was just banking on the fact that he had

    power at Harper Group back then. He then oppressed Mr. Landon as he was still young; there was no

    one to back him and his mother up!"

    Jasper stayed silent for a moment. Then, he took a deep breath and said, "Even if Preston advertised

    that he was the one who murdered Bill, it would still be difficult to prosecute him. So many years have

    passed. Furthermore, there has been no concrete evidence.

    "Just take my mother''s case as an example. Nina hid herself and recorded Sophia''s confession. Tessa,

    who served my mother back then, was found and testified in court. If not for them, it would''ve been a

    much bigger challenge to avenge my mother."

    Landon gritted his teeth. His eyes were filled with fury.

    "That said, perhaps we can try our luck with Sylvia."

    Jasper knitted his brows together suddenly. "As Preston''s partner, she must know a lot of his secrets."

    "I heard Mr. Cornelius has handled all the procedures for Preston to migrate overseas. He won''t allow

    him to return to Sna City. It''s clear that he wants to give up on himpletely."

    Angelina muttered, "Preston is being chased out of the family without any power. He has also been

    incapacitated. He is no longer a threat. It is no wonder Sylvia dared to suggest divorce at this crucial

    timing despite not having a strong family background."

    "The divorce is indeed a good opportunity."

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. His stern gaze was chilling. "She will be free of the Harpers. She''ll also no

    longer have Preston to rely on. It would be a piece of cake to get hold of Sylvia."

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Landon understood what Jasper meant. He nodded in agreement.

    Jordan, who was standing by the side, was deeply admiring Jasper. At the same time, he was shaking

    in his boots. Jasper was thorough with his thoughts. His considerations were deep, too.

    Other than Alyssa, there were probably only a handful of people who could beat him.

    Immediately, Landon ordered in a cold voice, "Jordan, go and keep your eyes on Sylvia these few

    days. Once her divorce with Preston has been finalized, inform me stat."

    "Got it, Mr. Landon!" Jordan rushed off to see to his task.

    Jasper reminded, "You need to also be prepared for the possibility that she''d refuse to admit to

    anything."

    "I have ways to deal with stubborn people. Even if she couldn''t spill anything about this, I can make her

    spill about other things."

    Then, Landon smiled brightly, just like he used to. "It''s gettingte. We haven''t spent time together in a

    while. Shall we go for a meal?"

    Jasper returned a slight smile. "Sounds good."

 Chapter 1870

    In actual fact, Jasper had told Alyssa that he would go home earlier that night so that he could whip up

    some of his new dishes for her to try.

    However, Landon was the one who suggested for him to stay. It was also a time when he was in need

    ofpany. Jasper just couldn''t turn him down.

    Jasper and Landon arrived at the restaurant they frequented.

    Delicious-looking dishes were served up to their table in the private room. Yet, it was obvious that

    Landon didn''t have much appetite. He hadn''t touched his cutleries at all. All he did was down sses

    of wine one after another.

    "You have to watch your gastritis. You should stop drinking if you can''t take alcohol anymore." Jasper

    covered the top of Landon''s ss with his palm.

    "You are the only one left in this world who still cares for me." Landon leaned back and smiled

    awkwardly.

    In an anxious tone, Jasper responded, "Are you saying that not being together means that she doesn''t

    care about you anymore? You''re hurting those who care for you when you act so irresponsibly toward

    yourself."

    Landon felt a sharp pain in his heart. His fingers started trembling so much that he almost couldn''t get

    a grip on his ss.

    "Lauren... How is she?"

    "I came out with you today because I had something to tell you. Lauren will not marry Freddy. The

    Hodgsons'' wishful thinking will note to pass."

    "Are you serious? Lauren is not marrying him. She''s not marrying him?"

    Landon''s eyes lit up instantly. A fiery gaze filled his eyes. "I knew it! I knew that Lauren wouldn''t

    abandon me. She has feelings for me, so why would she marry someone else?"

    Jasper looked deep into his eyes. He shook his head slightly. "Javier was the one who arranged that

    marriage personally. He pressured Lauren into it. Lauren is submissive, and she always takes others

    into consideration. She couldn''t and didn''t know how to say no.

    "Mandy and Cyrus were the ones who actually made this marriage fall through."

    "Cyrus?" Landon''s chest tightened. He almost crushed the ss in his hand.

    "You are my best buddy. I''m not going to hide the truth from you. The reason why Lauren was able to

    get out of the Hodgsons'' quagmire was because Lyse put a spoke in their wheel. And, that spoke was

    Cyrus."

    Following that, Jasper ryed everything that happened at the Hodgsons'' cocktail party that night to

    Landon.

    "But... But you said that these were Lyse''s ideas to help Lauren get rid of the troublesome Hodgsons!

    So, Mandy and Cyrus were just putting on an act in front of the Hodgson family!"

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Landon''s eyes glimmered with hope as he stared at Jasper. "Lyse has seen how Lauren and I

    journeyed together. She still supports us being together, right?"

    "Lyse came up with this idea so that you and Lauren could have a chance."

    Jasper lowered his eyes and swirled the wine ss in his hand. "But the problem now is that Mandy

    and Cyrus are very serious about this marriage. After the party ended that night, Mandy passed down

    her emerald bracelet to Lauren. It was a bracelet that she had worn for years. That just shows how

    much she likes Lauren.

    "Not just that, Winston has also found out about this. He even said that he would rush back from

    Mosgravia to discuss his son''s marriage."

    "Fuck! Did they think that I am an orphan?" Landon shot to his feet with urgency. His eyes had turned

    red.

    Jasper was slightly taken aback.

    Landon put his hand to his warm forehead. "No. I do have a mother. What I mean is that they''re taking

    advantage of the fact that I didn''t have parents who went to propose marriage! They''re seizing this

    opportunity to steal my woman away from me! That''s uneptable!

    "After the Hodgsons, it''s now the Taylors? No way. If this goes on, Lauren is going to be your

    sister-inw!"

    Upon saying that, he dashed out of the room.

    "Where are you going?" Jasper called out after him.

    "I''m going to see Madam Mandy. If not, I will go to Mosgravia to see Mr. Winston!"

    The rise and fall of Landon''s chest made it look as if he had a wild beast going berserk within him.

    "You''ve both done so much to get me this opportunity. I''m not going to lose Lauren again!"

    "But Lauren has broken up with you. It is not unreasonable for Madam Mandy to matchmake Cyrus

    with Lauren."

    Jasper had a deep frown on his face. He uttered those absolutely realistic words, "Landon, the current

    problem doesn''t lie between Cyrus and Lauren. Instead, it lies between you and Lauren."

 Chapter 1871

    "Lyse has helped you chase Freddy out of the picture. But there''s still Cyrus, who is in love with

    Lauren. Even if Cyrus isn''t in the picture, there will be other men. What are you going to do if Lauren

    insists that she doesn''t want to be with you? Are you going to cut off all her potential marriages?

    "Are you going to forbid her from interacting with other men and getting married? Are you going to

    make her hold onto those illusory memories she had with you?"

    Landon stood there with a nk look in his eyes. His heart was being crushed. He felt like he could

    almost cough up blood.

    "You have to understand where the problem lies between you and Lauren."

    Jasper stood up slowly. His eyes were bright. "What you need to do isn''t to get her back and keep her

    shackled by your side again and again. You shouldn''t treat her like your possession. What you have to

    do is to change yourself for her sake. Be like a warm ray of sunlight that shines upon her.

    "You don''t have to be together in order to find happiness. If you really love Lauren, you would feel

    happy when you see her being happy."

    Landon was stunned by those words.

    It was in the wee hours of the morning. The lights in the police station were lit as usual.

    Cyrus was holding onto a bowl of instant mac and cheese. He was eating it while discussing cases with

    his colleagues.

    Then, a female officer with blushing cheeks walked in. "Chief Cyrus, someone''s here for you. He wants

    to lodge a report."

    "Someone''s here for me? What''s the case?"

    "He mentioned that it''s a significant case."

    "In that case, he should still follow the procedures. Go and get his statement first."

    The female officer exined, "He... He is Mr. Harper. He said that if you don''t meet him, he will keep

    waiting until you do."

    At the reception area, Cyrus and Landon faced off against one another.

    "Didn''t you say that you were here to make a report, Mr. Landon? I''m here to see you. Tell me, how

    were you wronged?" Cyrus looked at him with a half-smile.

    Landon replied in a hoarse voice, "I''m here to see you because of Lauren."

    Cyrus tensed up. "What happened to Lauren?"

    "There''s something that I''d like to talk to you in private about."

    In the quiet and dimly lit car, the dominant bearings of both Lauren''s ex-lover and new lover shed

    with one another. The atmosphere was extremely awkward.

    "Shoot. My colleagues are still waiting for me."

    Cyrus had his hands in his pockets as he stared out the window. It was as if he had set up an invisible

    cordon between himself and Landon.

    Landon tightened the fists on his knees, then released them. After that, he clenched his fists again.

    "I admit that I have been quite mean to you in the past. I would like to apologize for my attitude."

    A look of astonishment came across Cyrus'' face. He stared at Landon in shock. "Mr. Landon, was that

    apology meant for me? Did you hit your head or something in the middle of the night?"

    Landon was speechless.

    "That''s unexpected. I''m sure there''s something else. You don''t have to beat around the bush. Just get

    straight to the point."

    Landon took a few deep breaths. He was holding back the waves of emotions surging within him.

    Slowly, he said, "I love Lauren very much. I can give up everything for her sake, including my life.

    "I''m here today to ask you to give me an opportunity, Chief Cyrus¡ªan opportunity for me to reconcile

    with Lauren."

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Cyrus knitted his brows tightly. He fixed his eyes on Landon''s face, which had run pale.

    As there was no reply from Cyrus, Landon put his pride downpletely. In a low yet miserable voice,

    he asked, "I beg you... Could you give me a chance?"

 Chapter 1872

    The frown on Cyrus'' forehead became deeper. At the same time, his gaze got colder and colder.

    Cyrus asked, "In other words, you''re asking me to back out?"

    Landon''s throat was dry. He was about to answer when Cyrus continued, "Since the time I found out

    that you were both in love, I positioned myself as a bystander. I was afraid that you''d overthink things,

    so I even tried to avoid causing trouble. As much as I liked Lauren, I didn''t dare to meet with her.

    "The chance has always been in your hands, Landon. I don''t care if you both parted ways because of

    yourself or because of your family. Why can''t you just give me a chance?"

    Cyrus'' question was extremely critical, and it hit Landon like a ton of bricks. He gaped in shock.

    "You''re both not in a rtionship anymore. It''spletely fine with me as I am pursuing her in a normal

    way. If you still have feelings for her, you can go ahead and profess to her. We can fight for her fair and

    square. Feel free to do your best to win her back. I will not interfere.

    "But you''reing to me now, asking me to back out and give you the chance? Mr. Landon, that''s too

    demanding of you, isn''t it?"

    There was a hint of icy unfriendliness in Cyrus'' voice. He added, "Your feelings for Lauren are sincere.

    So are mine. You''re willing to give up your life for her. What makes you think that I can''t do the same?

    "You''re saying all these to your love rival just to make yourself feel better. Other than that, those words

    are all meaningless."

    Remorse, self-reproach, discontent¡ªa plethora of emotions tore at Landon''s weary soul.

    That time, on the top-most floor of the art academy, Cyrus used his polished negotiation skills and

    deftness to save Lauren from her hostage taker. If not for him, he probably would have lost the love of

    his life.

    "May I meet with Lauren for a bit?" Landon''s eyes were red. It was as if he was grasping at straws now.

    His words were sincere yet humble. "I swear that I won''t get in your way. I won''t fight with you or snatch

    her away. Just let me meet with her. Can you?"

    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll be getting back to work."

    Cyrus didn''t look back at him. He opened the car door with a nk look on his face.

    Landon sat there stiffly. His lonely figure looked like his soul had been taken away from him.

    Then, while Cyrus was halfway getting out of the car, he paused.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    He made a purposeful decision and said coldly, "Yesterday, I made ns with Lauren to bring her to the

    amusement park this weekend to rx. We''ll be going to see the fireworks."

    After saying that, he got out of the car.

    Landon was dumbfounded for quite a while. He only snapped back to his senses after Cyrus'' tall figure

    had disappeared through the entrance of the police station.

    Through his pale lips, he muttered, "Thank you."

    Friday came in a sh.

    Preston was discharged from the hospital. As Cornelius was forcing him to head overseas to

    "recuperate", he knew that he couldn''t stay longer even if he wanted to.

    The moment he entered the manor, he found the entire ce in disarray.

    His butler and helpers came up to him. They pointed fingers at Sylvia, saying that she came in the

    morning with a bunch of men in tow.

    She had taken away all the valuable things in the manor. If there was anything that she wasn''t able to

    take, she smashed them all. They estimated that he had lost more than ten million dors worth of

    items.

 Chapter 1873

    Sylvia wasn''t asking for a divorce. It was more like she had dered war against Preston.

    Preston was a money-grubber. His employees thought that he would hit the roof and go on a rampage.

    To their surprise, he simply gave a cold reply. "Got it," he said before leaving everyone and heading

    upstairs.

    This level of calmness was unusual. This peculiar response made them shudder and sent chills down

    their spine.

    Preston had just got into his empty room when he received a call from Sylvia.

    "Mr. Preston, you''ve been discharged from the hospital, and you''re about to emigrate overseas to enjoy

    yourter years. Isn''t it about time to put the pedal to the metal and get the divorce settled?"

    Sylvia spoke with sarcasm. Every word of hers was choking him. "There''s no meaning in dragging it on.

    The longer you put it off, the more likely I am to blurt something out of my mouth. If I ended up spewing

    some nonsense, wouldn''t that just add to your predicament?"

    Preston picked up a fruit knife from the tea table. He had no expression on his face. He started carving

    on the expensive rosewood table slowly.

    "Syl, we were husband and wife after all. I''ve never ill-treated you all these years after you married into

    the Harper family. I didn''t intend for us to get to where we are today.

    "I still have feelings for you. Could we rethink the divorce agreement? You''re taking away almost every

    single thing I have. At the end of the day, I''m still a Harper. You need to help retain some of my dignity."

    "Hah, dignity? You''re now handicapped. You''ve lost your shares and your power. You''re just a useless

    man. You''re lucky that you still have air in your lungs. Dignity is a luxury. Would you still need it?"

    Sylvia spoke in a voice full of disdain and resentment. "All these years, I was your wife by name. But

    you have never looked me in the eye. You''ve only treated me like a piece of furniture while you lived a

    life of debauchery out there!

    "Not just that, you even hid the fact that you have azoospermia and pinned it on me for being unable to

    conceive. Cornelius looked down on me, and the plutocratdies in Sna City saw me as a joke.

    They said that I was like a barrennd!

    "I''ll be frank with you, Preston. If it wasn''t because you are a Harper, I wouldn''t have married you!

    Without the Harper family as your crowning glory, you''d be even worse off than a beggar by the

    roadside.

    "I''ve waited for this day for too long! You have until tomorrow morning. If you still refuse to sign the

    papers, I will go to Cornelius and reason with him. Don''t make me say nasty things about you!"

    The call ended.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The room was as silent as a cemetery.

    Preston put the knife down calmly. He dialed the number of his trusted secretary, Frank Carsen.

    "Gather some men tonight. We''re going to see Cornelius before we leave. This will be the veryst

    time."

    Upon saying that, he got up and exited the room; only an ugly and crooked word was left on the tea

    table¡ª"Death".

    It was deep into the night. At the Harper residence, Cornelius and his secretary, Caspian Gray, were in

    his study. They were organizing the businesses and shares that Cornelius had in hand.

    "Mr. Cornelius, have you really decided to transfer all these to Mr. Landon?"

    Caspian couldn''t believe his eyes. He wanted to double-confirm Cornelius'' intention. "Once Mr. Landon

    takes over these, you are essentially handing the entire Harper Group to him."

    Cornelius picked up his pen. "Of course I know that. Otherwise, why would I have asked you to get all

    these done?"

    "Mr. Cornelius, Harper Group is what you''ve worked hard for all your life. Without you, there wouldn''t

    be Harper Group. Are you sure that you can bear to let go of all your power?"

    "I am already on my deathbed. The family business, no matter how big it gets, isn''t something that I

    can bring with me when I die."

    Cornelius let out a bitterugh. He shook his head. "Landon threatened me without thinking of the

    consequences. He even beat up Preston so severely. Ever since then, I havee to a realization. If I

    continue to hold onto my power and make things difficult for Landon, Harper Group will only end up in

    an even messier situation. That will only push Landon to do something even more terrifying."

 Chapter 1874

    "In fact, I have long known that Landon inherited Bill''s fine genes. He''s fearless yet clear-headed.

    Moreover, he became good friends with Jasper, who is an outstanding elite in the business world. His

    future will only get brighter.

    "I was the one who was too harsh in his upbringing. I always made use of Preston to put pressure on

    him. Not only that, I kept splitting hairs just to prevent his marriage with Ms. Lauren from happening.

    That was how everything spiraled out of control.

    "If I had known that it woulde to this, I should have handed the power to Landon and retired long

    ago. He has always been my ideal sessor! It''s all my fault. As I aged, my suspicions grew, and so

    did my hesitation. The decisiveness that I had when I was young is nowhere in sight now..."

    Caspian consoled him immediately. "Please don''t say that. Without your guidance all these years, how

    could Mr. Landon have lived such a smooth life? Your strict standards toward Mr. Landon were just

    your way of training him up."

    Cornelius let out a long sigh. He put his signature down on a few of the transfer documents. Cornelius

    then called for his attorney, who had been working for him for years. He handed the documents to him

    and instructed him to hand them over to Landon after the crisis was over.

    Right after that, his cell phone rang.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Cornelius saw that the caller was Preston. Initially, he wasn''t nning to answer the call. But he

    thought about how he was leaving Sna City soon. Every beginning should have an end. So, he

    answered his phone.

    "You haven''t left the country yet, Preston?"

    "Dad, you really can''t wait for me to bugger off, huh?" Preston chuckled casually.

    Cornelius'' face turned solemn. "It''ste. Why did you call?"

    "I heard that you have been packing your things these few days. Are you getting ready to leave Sna

    City?"

    "Yes, I''m nning to leave. The corporation is slowly being transitioned over to Landon. The chaotic

    situation has also been contained. It''s time for me to retire."

    "You''re leaving, and so am I. We probably won''t have another chance to meet after we part ways this

    time. I''m guessing you wouldn''t want to see this useless son of yours again." Preston belittled himself

    and sighed.

    Cornelius furrowed his brows. "I''m not holding any grudges against you. Don''t overthink it."

    "Dad, I''m now at the manor you bought for Mom."

    Preston''s tone suddenly became tender and full of sadness. "Your achievements in business today are

    also thanks to Mom being a good helper to you. The both of you were also very much in love. Now that

    you''re about to leave, aren''t you going to take some of Mom''s things with you for remembrance? "I''m

    also thinking of using this opportunity to see you onest time. If you still see me as your son, you

    shoulde and bid me farewell."

    Cornelius pondered over Preston''s suggestion. He then replied in a low voice, "Alright. I''ll head over

    shortly."

    "I''ll be waiting here for you then."

    Cornelius left with Caspian. Not long after, Sylvia arrived at the Harper residence.

    Today, she had waited for Preston for an entire day. Neither did he show up nor did he answer her

    calls. She became mad and decided to make a surprise visit to Cornelius. She wanted to vent more

    about Preston to Cornelius.

    "What? Mr. Cornelius has gone out? Where did he go?" Sylvia probed the butler anxiously.

    "I think... he is headed for Primrose Manor."

    Upon hearing the answer, Sylvia turned to leave.

    Cornelius wouldn''t head over to Primrose Manor for no reason. Sylvia was certain that Preston was

    there.

    She fully intended to make Preston sign the divorce agreement that night, no matter what. Even if she

    could wait, her lover couldn''t!

 Chapter 1875

    It was a dark and windy night. The moon was casting a dim and cold glow on everything beneath it.

    As agreed, Cornelius arrived at the study on the second floor of Primrose Manor. Preston was already

    waiting there, as expected. His lonely shadow on the floor was like a ghostly figure that had returned

    from hell to seek revenge.

    "Dad, I am your son, after all. I really never thought that you''d be so cruel toward me."

    Preston satnguidly on the couch. He grinned sinisterly. "I have always been respectful toward you. I

    have toiled hard for the corporation too. Yet, you''re kicking me out because I have be

    handicapped? Aren''t you being too heartless?"

    Cornelius suddenly sensed that something was wrong. He turned around to open the door but found

    that he couldn''t pull it open!

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Stop wasting your energy. Without my permission, you''re not taking a single step out of Primrose

    Manor." Preston put a cigarette between his lips. However, he remembered that he no longer had a

    hand to light his cigarette. So, he clenched his teeth and stuffed the cigarette back into its case.

    "Caspian... Caspian!" Cornelius shouted for his secretary. His back was covered in sweat.

    Then, the door opened.

    "Mr. Cornelius, Caspian is here."

    Frank''s face was covered in blood. He shot Cornelius a sinister smile. Then, he flung Caspian''s body in

    front of him as if he were a piece of rubbish. "It''s a pity he could no longer serve you, though."

    Cornelius was overwhelmed with fear and started to shiver all over. He felt faint. He roared at Preston,

    "How dare you murder someone? Are you insane? What are you nning to do?"

    "I know very well what I''m doing. Even if I''ve gone insane, it''s all because you and Landon drove me

    mad."

    Preston shrugged nonchntly. "Furthermore, it''s just killing someone. What''s all that fuss about? I''m

    sure that you''ve gotten lots of blood on your hands to expand Harper Group in your early days too.

    "Have you been ying the role of a dog for too long? Now that you''re old, have you forgotten that you

    used to be a bloodthirsty wolf?"

    "Preston Harper!"

    Preston retrieved the documents that he had prepared and tossed them onto the tea table. "Sign these.

    I''m no longer interested in your shares. Harper Group has turned to ruins. Landon can clean it up if he

    wishes to.

    "All you need to do is to agree to transfer all your assets to me. If so, I will take our 50 years of father-

    son rtionship into consideration and spare you."

    Upon hearing that, all the blood drained from Cornelius'' face. He gritted his teeth.

    It was true that he had aged. But all this while, he was never afraid of anything. He never yielded to

    anyone for the sake of his own survival. He had never allowed himself to be humiliated by his

    competitors just so he could stay alive.

    If he had done so, how could he have been able to build such an extensive family business in this

    chaotic world? How could he have be one of the four most notable families?

    Moreover, the one threatening him right now was his own son, whom he had raised. It waspletely

    unreasonable for a father to bow down to his son.

    Cornelius bellowed. He pointed at Preston. "You acted like a good son in front of me and stooped low

    for so many years. You''re finally showing your true colors!

    "However, I''m still one step ahead of you. Before you contacted me, I had already transferred all my

    assets and shares to Landon! He is now the head of the Harper family. He is the final decision maker in

    all of Harper Group!

    "As for you... You have absolutely no part in it!"

    Preston sat up straight. His eyes were bulging with anger. "You old fool! You''re about to die. How dare

    you continue to lie to me?"

    "Lie to you? Do I need to do that? Now that it hase to this, I''m not afraid to be frank with you."

    Cornelius hit the ground hard with his walking stick. He red fiercely at Preston. "Although Bill is no

    longer around, never have I considered having you seed Harper Group! I have always had my eyes

    set on Landon. He has also always been the one I''ve been bringing up¡ª"

    Before he could even finish his sentence, Preston leaped across the tea table and dashed right to the

    front of Cornelius. He then stabbed him right in his abdomen.

    Fresh blood gushed out from the wound and dripped onto his feet.

    Cornelius started convulsing. He covered the wound on his abdomen and crumpled to the floor in pain.

    His vision gradually became unfocused and blurry.

    He had not raised a son. Instead, he had raised a pest, and this pest had finally evolved into a

    heartless monster that didn''t hesitate to take a life just to fight for power.

    "Dad, you said that Harper Group wouldn''t have been mine even if Bill wasn''t around?"

 Chapter 1876

    Preston kicked Cornelius to the ground. Then, he got down on one knee, lifted his foot, and stepped on

    Cornelius'' bleeding wound.

    Cornelius howled in extreme pain.

    "I''m not afraid to be frank with you too. It''s about Bill''s aircraft ident. I was the one who nned it

    all."

    "Why, you... You...!" Cornelius widened his eyes in disbelief. He stared straight at Preston''s sinister

    face. However, he was in so much pain that he couldn''t bring himself to say a word.

    "That year, I hired someone to destroy the helicopter''s main gearbox in advance. That caused the

    aircraft to plunge into the sea. I did have a chance to save Bill. But I chose to leave him to die.

    "Poor Bill. Even as he died, he wouldn''t have thought that it was his own younger brother who caused

    his death! Did you know? He watched as I swam up to the surface of the sea. His gaze was even filled

    with relief. There was not a hint of hatred in his eyes at all.

    "Such a perfect and good-hearted man should just be reunited with God. He''ll just get in my way if he

    stays in the Harper family. All I can say is that he was born into the wrong family!"

    "Asshole! You bastard!"

    Cornelius'' eyes were bloodshot. He yelled out, wanting to retaliate with all he had. However, Preston

    didn''t give his father a chance to bite back at him.

    One stab, another stab, and another.

    Corneliusy in a pool of his blood. He died with his mouth and eyes wide open.

    Even Frank was floored to see such cruelty before his eyes. Those who didn''t know them might have

    even thought that they were archenemies!

    "Don''t me me, Dad. You can only me yourself for being too ruthless toward me."

    Preston sighed. His face was nk. He swept his hand across Cornelius'' eyes. "Bill was such a kind

    and merciful man. It didn''t suit him to be in the bloody world of business. I am the only and most

    suitable candidate. It''s a pity that you were blinded."

    Sylvia arrived at the front of Primrose Manor. As expected, she found Cornelius'' car parked outside.

    Initially, she wanted to make her way right in. But she felt that it would''ve been too abrupt. After all, she

    still had to show respect to the head of the Harper family. Thus, she waited patiently outside.

    After a long wait, the door finally opened.

    Sylvia was wary, so she hid among the trees and observed the situation in secret.

    In the next moment, she spotted Frank lugging a long, ck nylon sack out of the manor.

    Sylvia was aghast to see that following behind him was a single-armed Preston, who was also dragging

    an identical sack!

    "Has the room been cleaned up?" Preston asked.

    "It''s all cleaned up."

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Find a ce to bury the bodies. Get the Harper family''s car settled as soon as possible. There''s a dirt

    road nearby going toward the West. There are no surveince cameras there. Even if the police were

    to investigate, they wouldn''t be able to find the bodies so soon." Preston''s tone was calm. He even

    yawned.

    "I understand. Will you be taking your leave tonight, then?"

    "I''m not done with my revenge. How could I leave?"

    Sylvia covered her mouth in terror. She was scared out of her wits. She turned around and made a run

    for it.

    Preston might have lost an arm, but his hearing was still sharp.

    "There''s someone among the trees! Go after them! Don''t let them get away!"

    Frank set off in pursuit. But Sylvia was running for her life. She hopped into her own sports car and

    dashed off.

    "Mr.P-Preston! I didn''t manage to catch up with the person, but I''m certain it was Ms. Sylvia! That car

    was Ms. Sylvia''s!" Frank panted as he reported back.

    "Sylvia... That bitch!"

    Preston''s gaze was fierce. Through clenched teeth, hemanded, "Send some men to look for her.

    There''s no difference between killing one and killing three. Get rid of her when you find her!"

 Chapter 1877

    This night, there were some who were feeling uneasy and some who were confident.

    At the Millennium, Amber was leading Remy through the grand-looking corridors. Remy was like a bat

    that was lying in wait in the dark. Amber, who was walking in front of him, couldn''t help but get chills

    down her spine.

    Jameson had been waiting for a while in the highly-secretive room.

    "I didn''t think that we''d meet again so soon, Mr. Lexington."

    Jameson weed him with a wide smile. He brought a ss of red wine over and handed it to him.

    "It must have been a long journey. This is a world-ss red wine that I''ve prepared specially for you."

    The look on Remy''s face was frigid. He pushed the wine ss away from him without a second

    thought. He showed no respect to this man, who had Sna City in his hands.

    "Ms. Altman has briefed me on the way here."

    Jameson saw that Remy rejected his drink, so he drank it instead. He was someone who could be

    flexible too. "Oh, has she? That saves me some time then," he remarked.

    "You keep making things difficult for a youngdy, Jameson. Do I look like I have a lot of time on my

    hands?" Remy stared at him with a dark gaze.

    Jameson clicked his tongue. "Why? Are you feeling soft-hearted toward her now, Mr. Lexington?"

    Jameson gave him a sidelong nce as he twirled the ss of red wine in his hand. "It seems like you

    aren''t as brutal as I thought, Mr. Lexington. You have a human side to you."

    "I just don''t think it''s worth my time. What you''ve asked me to do is below my pay grade."

    Remy frowned. He spoke sarcastically, "Mr. Justin promoted you to be the person in charge of Sna

    City. Are you only capable of kidnapping your enemy''s wife and kids as your way to fight back against

    them?

    "You even had to call for external help. As for The Millennium, you should just give up on it while you

    still can."

    Amber''sshes fluttered. Deep down, she felt glee.

    At The Millennium, no one dared to be so impolite toward Jameson. However, Remy didn''t give a shit.

    He was Justin''s subordinate, so Justin was the only one he had to obey.

    The feigned expression on Jameson''s face was starting to disappear. The knuckles on his hand

    gripping the wine ss had also whitened.

    Even so, Jameson refrained from doing anything untoward. He smiled and replied casually, "Mr.

    Lexington, the reason we can meet again tonight is because Mr. Justin is in agreement with my ns.

    All you need to do is to cooperate with me. Plus, I never said that that youngdy was my target. She is

    just a decoy.

    "I''m aware that the previous task was too simple. It was not a challenge for you. Apologies for wasting

    your talent.

    "I will get you a new target this time. You will not be disappointed, I promise."

    Upon saying that, he picked up the document from the tea table and handed it to Remy.

    Remy received it in his hands and looked through it.

    Hisplex and dark gaze finally settled on the man with a police uniform. After a while, he asked in a

    raspy voice, "He''s a cop?"

    "Yes." Jameson sipped on his red wine slowly. "Despite his young age, he was tasked as the chief of

    the Criminal Investigation Division. He has many outstanding merits and achievements under his belt."

    Amber''s pupils quivered. She gave herself a hard pinch on her arm and wiped off the surprise from her

    face.

    Remy chuckled, "I hope he''ll be a contender for me." He tore the man''s photo off the document and

    stuffed it in his pocket. He then tossed the document aside.

    "Does this mean you''re taking the job, Mr. Lexington?"

    "I will not touch that woman." Remy''s eyes were cold and determined. "I may be a killer, but I will not go

    after the young and the weak."

    "I understand." Jameson smiled slightly.

    Remy couldn''t be bothered to waste his time on empty chatter. He turned around to leave.

    "Hold on."

    Jameson narrowed his eyes. "I will give you a helper for this mission, just in case."

    Jameson turned to Amber. "Amber, you''ll be going with Mr. Lexington this time."

    "Me?" Amber''s chest tightened. She refused immediately. "Mr. Schmidt, my skills are rather ordinary. I

    will just weigh Mr. Lexington down if I go."

    "It''s better to have a helping hand." Jameson nced at her with a half-smile. "You have never turned

    down the missions I''ve given you, Amber."

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    At this point, Amber had no choice but to agree to it.

    Remy and Amber then left the room. After that, Carl, who had stayed quiet throughout, walked to

    Jameson''s side. He lowered himself andmented in a low voice, "Mr. Schmidt, you''re really good at

    getting others to do what you want."

    "Remy is indeed Mr. Justin''s follower who has character. If I don''t get him a worthy opponent, he won''t

    be able to focus on working for me."

 Chapter 1878

    Jameson rested the side of his head on his palm. In azy tone, he said, "I''m just excited to watch the

    exciting brotherly feud that''s about to happen."

    "Mr. Schmidt, do you think... that Remy looks almost like Damien Taylor, that Taylor family member who

    died in a ne crash? Could they be the same person?" Carl was puzzled.

    "What if they''re the same person? Or what if they''re not the same person? It will just make my game

    even more fun."

    Jameson couldn''t help butugh. "To die in the hands of one''s own ''older brother''... He could very well

    die without any regrets."

    "Cyrus always ruins our ns time and time again. He''s also an officer. It would really make things

    easier once and for all if we can get rid of him in one hit."

    Carl hesitated but continued, "It''s just that. you''re sending Ms. Altman to go with him this time. Are you.

    still suspicious of her? Are you still wanting to test her?"

    Behind his gold-framed sses, Jameson narrowed his dark eyes.

    Ever since the Hodgsons broke off the engagement, Newton''s quality of sleep improved. His appetite

    grew too. So, he had enough reason to bring Lauren back to Crescent Bay to keep himpany.

    When the weekend came, Alyssa and Jasper made their way to visit Newton excitedly. They had

    busied themselves throughout the week to prepare the gifts.

    While they were on their way, Alyssa received a call from Jonah.

    "Hey, Jonah!" Alyssa answered the phone in a sweet voice as she put it on loudspeaker.

    "You sound cheery. Did something good happen?" Jonah chuckled, "Are you and Jasper going to sign

    the papers soon?"

    Were they?

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Alyssa stared at Jasper''s extremely charming face.

    Jasper was by her side. He was holding her close by the waist. He smiled and said, "I carry the

    necessary documents with me every day. As long as Lyse is willing, we can get remarried anytime."

    Jasper''sst five words brushed across her ears gently. They made her ears go red. Her breathing

    quickened, and her heart raced.

    "I will have a different status once we get married. There''s also more to be worried about. Rather than

    being Mrs. Beckett, there''s more freedom in being Mr. Beckett''s girlfriend." Alyssa''s eyes glistened.

    She had no intention of going along with him despite knowing how long he had desired, hoped, waited

    for,

    and wanted that to happen.

    Upon hearing that, Jasper''s heart sank. A wave of sadness spread within him.

    Yet, he had no choice. The Taylors were brave and decisive in the face of injustice. However, when it

    came to romance, they were all difficult to deal with.

    Alyssa might have said those words mindlessly, but Jasper took them seriously. He understood that to

    be her stress response after those three years of painful marriage.

    His heart ached for her.

    So, he intertwined his trembling fingers with hers and ced their hands in front of his heart. Through

    deep breaths, he tried to restrain the surging emotions within him.

    "That''s alright. It''s up to you. You''ve married me before. It doesn''t matter if we have a marriage

    certificate. I will be with you for the rest of our lives."

    Alyssa''s cheeks flushed red. Her misty eyes looked left and right; she dared not meet his passionate

    gaze.

    "It''s quite good to enjoy dating life too." Jonah''s voice was low and tender. "There''s no rush anyway,

    Jasper. Lyse has experienced married life. But other than with you, she was never in a gratifying

    rtionship with any other man.

    "You should just fulfill her wishes this time. At the end of the day, it feels different being lovers and

    being husband and wife."

    Alyssa felt called out on the spot. She sat up straight immediately. "Jonah! Who... Who says that I''ve

    never been in a rtionship? I had a lot of suitors when I was in school. Each of them was better than

    thest!"

    Jonah chuckled. "Better than thest? That doesn''t sound right. It was more like you battered each of

    them as they came along."

    Alyssa was speechless.

    Jonah had been spending too much time with Julien. He was bing sharper with his words!

    Jasper couldn''t stop himself from smiling. His heart was filled with joy. He pulled Alyssa into an

    embrace.

    He rubbed her shoulders gently and coaxed her softly. "From now on, I will immerse you in my love. I

    will be so sweet to you that you''ll get diabetes from dating me."

    "Hmm. You''re already extremely sweet now. You have to give me some space from time to time,

    okay?" Alyssa asked bashfully. Jasper''s bear hug was making it a little difficult for her to breathe.

    In a hoarse voice, Jasper replied, "That''s not okay."

    Alyssa was at a loss for words. Her face had turned red. She gave up and just snuggled in his arms.

    "Anyway, let''s get back to the main point, Lyse. I called because of that car te number you asked me

    to checkst time. I have the owner''s information."

    Alyssa queried immediately, "Who is it?"

    "Rather than asking ''who,'' you should ask ''where.''"

    Jonah coldly answered, "The vehicle is apany car. It belongs to RC Biotechnology Research

    Institute in Mosgravia."

 Chapter 1879

    "Biotechnology... Research Institute?" Jasper furrowed his brows tightly. He looked into Alyssa''s eyes.

    They couldn''t figure out how Betty could have connections with such an organization.

    "It''s sote, Jonah. Why aren''t you asleep yet. hmm?"

    Julien''s sluggish voice could be heard from over the phone. His voice was so captivating that it gave

    Alyssa goosebumps all over her body.

    A lifelike image of his alluring and beautiful eyes shed across her mind.

    "I''m on the phone with Lyse and Jasper. Did I wake you?" Jonah''s tender voice was as clear as a bell.

    Then, they started hearing the sound of something rustling.

    "With Lyse? Alright then. Go ahead and. Ooh."

    Then, the shameless sound of smooching and wet kisses sounded within the car.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Jasper gulped. His hands that were around Alyssa''s waist started sweating. He could only turn his

    head to look out the window in an attempt to calm his restlessness.

    "Hey, hey. Jonah, hold it right there! Can you wait till you''re done with our conversation before you get

    all lovey-dovey with Julien? Are you in that much of a rush?" Alyssa grumbled awkwardly.

    "Sorry, Lyse. I couldn''t help myself," Julienughed.

    "What kind of an organization is RC Biotechnology Research Institute? Is it a pharmaceutical

    company?" Alyssa pressed on.

    Jonah exined in a warm voice, "I think Julien will be able to tell you more about this."

    "RC was established five years ago. It specializes in developing and producing drugs for the medical

    industry. At the moment, their research focus includes Alzheimer''s, Parkinson''s disease, and autism

    medications.

    "These two years, even the government has been pumpingrge amounts of money to fund their

    research. You can also say that it is a rising star in the world of biotechnology."

    Julien yawned. "Why are you asking about this?"

    Jasper questioned in a low voice, "Who is the founder of this research institute?"

    "It''s someone called Dr. K. He is a Caneese professor who spearheaded the establishment of this

    research institute. Previously, he has published a few medical journals and is quite famous in the field

    of medicine in Mosgravia. But, hey. why in the world are you all asking about this?"

    Julien was in a daze after Jonah''s kiss. His tone was dreamy.

    Alyssa probed, "Other than these, do you know anything else about the organization?

    "That''s about all that I know. Oh, right, the research institute is currently researching a type of drug that

    can cure Alzheimer''s. They announced that they made a new development just a few days ago.

    "They, along with Lovce Pharmaceuticals, are in a race against the clock. The one whopletes

    the research sessfully will hold the secret to wealth in their hands."

    Julien added angrily, "I wish that RC seeds in their research first. That will teach Joseph to be more

    humble!"

    The more they listened to it, the moreplicated it sounded.

    "Thank you, Julien. Jasper and I will fly over to visit you when we''re free. We''ll bring the local delicacies

    from your hometown for you."

    The call ended. Jasper clenched his jaw tightly. His mind was racing.

    "It''s odd, isn''t it?"

    Alyssa frowned and shook her head. "It''s been just a few days since Betty arrived at Mosgravia. Soon

    after, she became acquainted with someone from the biotechnology research institute. Plus, they''ve

    never interacted with each other before that."

    Sean, who was driving, chimed in, "It can''t be that Betty is trying to sell her organs to them for research

    purposes just because she''s at a dead end, right? But she''s already tainted. She''s probably not worth

    much."

    "Jasper, could it be that Justin knows people in this research institute?"

    Alyssa''s expression became grim. "Remember the time when you flew over to Mosgravia after Winston

    had a stroke? You went there specially to ask Justin for medication for Winston. Although those drugs

    were so difficult to procure, he was able to hand them to you so effortlessly. That suggests to me that

    he has connections in the medical field.

    "Is it possible that he sent someone to help Betty because it wasn''t convenient for him to show up in

    person?"

    "I was having the exact same thoughts, Lyse."

    Jasper lowered his eyes, and he shook his head. "However, there''s something that I still don''t

    understand. If it was really Justin, what was his reason for helping Betty? In my mind, he''s not the kind

    of person who would stick his nose into something like this."

    Alyssa leaned back. She smiled slightly and made a thought-provoking remark.

    "You said that Justin rescued you back then, even if it might have cost him his life. If he is really as

    righteous as you im, I will respectfully say that he is a man who values rtionships. So, I wouldn''t

    be surprised if he lent a helping hand because he couldn''t bear to see his half-sister being down in the

    dumps.

    "But he had to suffer through repeated treatments for more than ten years. So, if there was something

    else behind that year''s kidnapping, he might have changed his perspective of you. More than that, he

    might not be the same person that you knew back then.

    "Then, he might have helped Betty to vex you."

    Jasper clenched his fists in silence. His shoulders were shaking.

    That memory came drifting back to him, dragging him back into that hell-like cage.

    He could never forget that scene where the kidnappers had abandoned Justin at the entrance to

    Seaview Manor. His body was covered in wounds, and he was on the verge of death.

    Justin was the one who saved his life. Could that have been a lie?

    How could it have been a lie?

 Chapter 1880

    Justin saved Jasper at the cost of destroying his almost perfectly healthy body. If he had done so just to

    put on a show in front of him, what was his purpose for doing so?

    Meanwhile, at Crescent Bay, today marked the day Cyrus and Lauren had nned to visit the

    amusement park for some fun. Cyrus got ready and came over to Crescent Bay early so that he could

    pick Lauren up.

    Much to his surprise, Mandy insisted oning along with him. She wanted toe and dote on her

    future daughter-inw.

    It was rare for Mandy and Cyrus to visit Crescent Bay. Thus, Newton came out in person to wee

    them. It was his way of showing them his respect.

    "Are you Cyrus? You are one fine-looking man!"

    Newton couldn''t stop beaming when he saw Cyrus. Heughed, "Mrs. Taylor, your son looked exactly

    like Winston when he was young! I would''ve recognized him as Winston''s son even if you didn''t say a

    word!"

    "Jonah, Ss, and Lyse bear even more resemnce to Winston." Mandy smiled warmly.

    "My Dad''s genes are too strong," Cyrus joked.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Nice one! I like this chap! He''s not reserved at all, just like Winston. "

    Newton patted Cyrus on the shoulder. He then looked at Ben. "Ben, let Lauren know that Cyrus is

    here."

    "I''m here, Grandpa."

    Lauren trudged down the stairs with her teddy bear in her arms. She greeted Mandy and Cyrus politely,

    "Hi, Mrs. Taylor. Hi, Cyrus."

    She was well-mannered, reflecting the good upbringing that she had as a daughter of a plutocrat.

    Mandy rushed forward to hold Lauren''s hand. She looked at her adoringly.

    No matter how humiliating the rumors were and how much they hurt her, she was unaffected by them.

    She had the mental rity to distinguish and the eyes to see that she was a rare treasure. It was the

    other people who were blind.

    Suddenly, Mandy froze. She noticed that Lauren had nothing on her wrists. She hadn''t worn the

    bracelet that she''d given her.

    Mandy couldn''t help but feel slightly disappointed.

    Lauren was observant. She quickly exined, "Uh... I wanted to wear it initially. But it was too

    expensive. I was afraid that I''d break it." "No worries, my dear."

    Deep down, Mandy panicked for a moment. Then, she caressed Lauren''s hand gently, "Since I''ve

    already gifted it to you, it''s yours. It''s up to you if you want to wear it or otherwise. It''s alright with me."

    Lauren nodded shyly.

    Cyrus had remained standing behind Mandy. His eyes were fixed on Lauren. His breathing quickened,

    and his heart started beating faster.

    He saw that she had smiled. He unwittingly mirrored her and smiled too.

    "Look at Cyrus'' expression, Ben. Does he look more like a human now?" Newton nudged Ben, who

    was standing beside him.

    "Mr. Beckett Senior, of course Cyrus looks like a human." Ben was amused.

    Newton clicked his tongue. "Hey! Looking for trouble, aren''t you?"

    He rolled his eyes at him. Then, he chuckled, "He looks exactly like Jasper when he gawks at Lauren!

    Jasper has that exact same foolish look on his face when he stares at Lyse. How adorable!"

    Ben coughed softly. He couldn''t help but grin. "It''s Ms. Lauren who''s outstanding enough. That was

    how she caught his attention."

    "Mr. Beckett Senior, Cyrus came over to bring Lauren out for some fun today."

    Mandy smiled. "Cyrus has never taken a woman out on a date on his own. He felt shy and decided to

    bring me along as his confidence boost."

    "Mom, when did I ever. Oof!"

    Cyrus was defending himself when Mandy stepped on his foot mid-sentence. He swallowed back his

    words.

    Lauren watched all these happen. She smiled slightly. There was a glimmer in her eyes.

    Newtonughed. "That''s great! It''s good to go out and have some fun. She''ll be bored staying with me

    all the time.

    "Go ahead, Lauren. Have a fun day with Cyrus. You don''t have to rush back home."

    As this was something that they had nned in advance, Lauren didn''t hesitate. She simply

    responded, "I''ll get going then, Grandpa. Take care, and remember to take your medications."

    "Don''t worry about me. Off you go, now!" Newton waved them off.

    Right at that moment, a roaring voice interrupted the light-hearted atmosphere.

    "Don''t leave! Stay right here!"

 Chapter 1881

    Javier stormed in with a stern expression, exuding deep resentment. He was closely followed by Rory.

    "The weather is so good today. Why do you look so gloomy? Don''t ruin my day."

    Clicking his tongue, Newton shifted his gaze away from Javier''s solemn face, showing clear annoyance

    toward him. "Seeing you makes my chest feel tight. It''s like I''ve lost another two years of life."

    Javier paid no mind to banter with Newton. He went straight for Lauren,pletely disregarding the

    presence of the Taylors. "Lauren! Come back with me now!"

    Lauren looked visibly frightened, her face turning pale. Instinctively, she clutched her teddy bear and

    stepped back.

    Just as Javier''s hand was about to touch her, another hand with taut veins suddenly grabbed his wrist

    firmly, like a pair of handcuffs.

    Lauren''s eyes widened abruptly as she looked at the tall figure standing in front of her. "Cyrus..."

    Cyrus met Javier''s reddened eyes and smiled coldly. "Mr. Javier, please talk things out. You''re scaring

    Lauren."

    Javier took a deep breath but still couldn''t pull his hand out from under Cyrus'' restraint. Embarrassment

    and anger showed in his gritted teeth. "Let go!"

    Cyrus'' sharp eyes narrowed slightly, and he calmly released his grip.

    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.

    Javier immediately stepped back to create distance between them. He lowered his head to steal a

    nce at his wrist, only to see that it had turned purple.

    Cyrus had gripped his wrist so firmly. It was as if he were treating Javier like a criminal.

    "Grandpa Newton, Mom, it''s about time. I''ll take Lauren out." Cyrus suppressed the chill in his eyes and

    bid farewell to Newton.

    Unable to contain his anger, Javier let out a furious roar. "Didn''t you hear what I just said, Mr. Cyrus?

    Lauren muste back with me. She''s not going anywhere!"

    Newton''s anger surged. "Lauren had ns to go out with Cyrus first. Mrs. Taylor even visited us with

    thoughtful gifts. What''s with all this shouting in front of our guests?"

    "You don''t understand the situation. If you did, you wouldn''t be treating them this way!" Javier

    impatiently waved his hand. "Regardless, my daughter cannot associate with the son of the Taylor

    family. I can''t exin the reason now, but I willter."

    Wait." Mandy''s cold and imposing voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

    She raised her eyes andnded her intimidating gaze on Javier''s face. "Why are you keeping us in

    suspense? Mr. Javier, if you have something to say, speak openly. Why can''t your daughter associate

    with my son?"

    Her powerful presence clearly demonstrated that the matriarch of the Taylor family was not to be trifled

    with.

    Seeing that, Newton secretly envied Winston. If Javier could marry such an outstanding and capable

    wife, maybe he wouldn''t be so obstinate.

    Javier, burning with anger, sneered. "Mrs. Taylor, can you swear that you didn''t bring your son to

    approach Lauren under Alyssa''s instruction?"

    Mandy''s brows furrowed slightly.

    "You pressured Onder, using campaign funds as leverage to force the Hodgson family to break off

    Lauren''s engagement. Wasn''t it to prevent Lauren from marrying Freddy?

    "You alone can''t stage this drama, so Alyssa involved your son to publicly humiliate Freddy at the

    Hodgson family banquet. Wasn''t it to emphasize that the Taylors are interested in Lauren?"

    Newton and Ben were both dumbfounded.

    Lauren dared not look at Javier, let alone at Cyrus. She closed her eyes, her eyshes trembling, as

    she clutched her teddy bear tightly.

    "I found it strange from the beginning. Mrs. Taylor, you''ve been tending to family affairs in the Taylor

    family for so many years, never meddling in business or politics. Your son had little interaction with my

    daughter before this.

    "But right at the crucial moment when Lauren was about to be engaged to Freddy, you suddenly

    appeared to obstruct it. Who would believe that you acted without someone''s instruction?"

    Javier had been active in the business world for over 30 years, so he could see through everything. He

    couldn''t help but reveal a knowing smirk.

    "Lauren and Landon broke up because they weren''t meant to be together. Isn''t it too much for Ms.

    Alyssa to use this as a way to hinder my daughter''s marriage?"

    "Let me make it clear. Even without the Hodgson family, I wouldn''t agree to Lauren being with Landon

    again. And Mrs. Taylor, you approached Lauren with a purpose. I will never let her have any contact

    with your son. Who knows what ulterior motive you have in mind?"

    Cyrus'' eyes were cold and stern, and his fists were clenched, but with Mandy and Newton present, he

    had to consider both families'' dignity.

    Frowning, Newton was about to speak.

 Chapter 1882

    Mandy, however, led with a statement that was not quite in line with her identity but perfectly reflected

    her current sentiment. "I''m truly disgusted."

    Javier''s eyebrow twitched fiercely. "What did you say?"

    "Mr. Javier, I must admit you''re indeed favored by God. You''re a true lucky one."

    Mandy gracefully took her seat and took a sip of her coffee. "Otherwise, with just your intellect, it would

    be impossible to grow your business this big."

    "You..." Javier red at her indifferent face, his throat tightening with anger.

    But he was a person of high status. If he were to retaliate, it would make him look like a shrew.

    "Our family is more open-minded. As parents, we don''t interfere too much in our children''s marriages. I

    didn''t have much contact with Lauren before, but my son likes her. As a mother, isn''t it natural for me to

    support my son?"

    Mandy continued, "Plus, the family you picked for Lauren is really disappointing. I just pressured them

    a little, and they immediately backed out of the engagement.

    "It shows that the Hodgsons are all about chasing after fame and money. Wouldn''t the Beckett family,

    being the richest in Sna City, be embarrassed to have them as inws?"

    These words struck a chord with Newton, who nodded vigorously.

    "If what you said is true, that I did this at Lyse''s arrangement, then I wouldn''t have bothereding

    again when I heard that both families had called off the engagement."

    Mandy calmly continued, "I came to visit again because I also really like Lauren. My desire to see

    Lauren is just as strong as Cyrus''."

    "Mom..." Cyrus felt a warm rush in his chest, and a blush crept up to his ears.

    Lauren slowly opened her eyes. Her sparkling gaze was filled with gratitude as she looked at Mandy.

    "Javier, what you said earlier was too much. Quickly apologize to Mrs. Taylor!" Newton stared coldly at

    Javier, clearly displeased.

    Javier pursed his lips, clenching his teeth with resentment. He couldn''t bring himself to apologize.

    For him to apologize to the Taylors would be a disgrace.

    "It''s okay, Mr. Beckett Senior. Mr. Javier is just concerned about his daughter. As a mother, I can

    rte."

    Mandy lowered her eyes, gently cing her cup down. "However, Mr. Javier, you''re not young

    anymore. If you don''t have much to do at work, you should take care of your health like Winston does.

    Is it fun to constantly throw obstacles in the way of your children''s marriages?"

    Every word Mandy spoke pierced into Javier''s sore spots.

    Cyrus stepped forward, gazing at Javier intensely. "Mr. Javier, you can doubt anything. But there''s one

    thing you shouldn''t doubt. I swear on my police uniform and my faith that my feelings for Lauren are

    genuine.

    "Even if you don''t like me, I still want to tell you that I''m interested in dating Lauren with the intention of

    marrying her."

    Everyone was stunned.

    Mandy had never seen Cyrus like this before and was momentarily moved to the point of wanting to

    cry.

    "If you still can''t ept it, think of it this way. There''s one more person in this world who''s willing to

    protect your daughter with his life. You won''t lose out with one more person." Cyrus smiled faintly, but

    his bright eyes carried apelling strength.

    The hostility on Javier''s face dissipated, and he was rendered speechless.

    "Let''s go, Lauren." This time, Cyrus didn''t give Lauren a chance to choose. He decisively took her hand

    and walked forward confidently.

    He took long strides, so Lauren had to hurry to keep up with him.

    Lately, whenever she saw Javier, she felt stifled and suffocated. Even if Cyrus didn''t speak up, she

    would leave with him without any hesitation.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    In the blink of an eye, the two figures disappeared from outside the gate.

    After a deep sigh, Newton praised, "Mrs. Taylor, you''ve raised your son very well. Compared to you, I

    feel truly ashamed as a father."

    "Dad! What are you talking about?" Javier was infuriated. These two were teaming up to mock him.

    After Mandy left, Javier was scolded again by Newton.

 Chapter 1883

    "I know you still have prejudices against Alyssa, but I''m certain of one thing. Everything she does is for

    the good of this family and the people she cares about!" Newton angrily pointed at Javier. "If you dare

    speak ill of Alyssa again, you won''t be wee at Crescent Bay anymore!"

    Javier was about to retort when Jasper and Alyssa walked in, hand in hand.

    They must have heard the conversation.

    ustomed to such situations, Alyssa remainedposed, but Jasper''s chilling gaze fixed silently on

    Javier''s face. It was obvious that he was furious.

    Javier gritted his teeth. Realizing it was best to leave, he grunted coldly and left with Rory.

    "Grandpa, what happened?" Jasper hurried over to Newton, his gaze dark. "What''s he up to now?"

    "It''s nothing. I''ve scolded him anyway." Newton waved it off.

    Alyssa smiled brightly, unconcerned by these matters.

    "Alyssa, Mrs. Taylor and Cyrus visited earlier, and they just left. Cyrus took Lauren out."

    Mentioning Cyrus, Newton couldn''t stop praising him. "Cyrus is really something. I really like him. I feel

    like taking him as my god-grandson so that he can be Jasper''s brother."

    "You don''t need to do that, Grandpa. Cyrus and Jasper already get along well." Alyssa smiled, realizing

    instantly where Javier''s resentment came from.

    "Grandpa, Cyrus is Lyse''s elder brother. If you take him as a god-grandson since I''m older than him,

    he''d be my younger brother," Jasper chuckled. "I don''t think that''s quite appropriate."

    "You punk. Ever since you''ve been with Alyssa, you''ve be more clever. You''re quite sensible

    now." Newton chuckled, teasing him.

    Suddenly, he sighed wistfully. "Looking at the backs of those two, I''m reminded of your grandma and all

    the things we did when we were young."

    "Grandpa, do you... like the idea of Cyrus and Lauren being together?" Alyssa asked tentatively.

    "Cyrus'' feelings for Lauren are genuine. I can see that clearly," Newton said, his gaze deep. "However,

    when Lauren is with Cyrus, I notice a certain emptiness in her eyes. Alyssa, true love can''t be bought

    with money. Lauren has grown up. Let her make her own decisions about whom she loves."

    It was the weekend, so the amusement park was naturally bustling with visitors.

    On the way, Lauren had been fidgeting with the teddy bear in her hands to ease the awkwardness.

    While driving, Cyrus asionally stole nces at her, being very attentive to her mood.

    It wasn''t until they entered the park that Lauren gently broke the silence. "Thank you, Cyrus. And your

    mom too."

    Cyrus dreaded her thanking him, so he awkwardly scratched his head and pointed to a nearby shop.

    "Wanna go in and look around? I see everyone wearing headbands. Let''s buy some too."

    Lauren nodded, and the two walked into the shop side by side.

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    When they came out, Lauren had a brown teddy bear hair clip on her head, with its two small ears

    sticking up cutely.

    As for Cyrus, he had an alligator headband on, making it look like the alligator was biting his head from

    afar.

    "Cyrus, you look so funny!" Lauren covered her mouth and couldn''t stopughing. It was a rare

    moment.

    "As long as you''re happy." Cyrus'' smile gradually stiffened.

    Some passingdies took out their phones to secretly take pictures of him. No one would want to miss

    out on a hot and funny guy.

    Only Cyrus was dying on the inside. He just hoped he wouldn''t run into any colleagues.

    Suddenly, his eyes sharpened as he scanned the surroundings.

    As a seasoned police officer, his intuition told him that someone was secretly watching them.

 Chapter 1884

    "Cyrus, what''s wrong?" Lauren asked with concern when she noticed his expression.

    "Nothing. Let''s keep going," Cyrus replied with a forced smile.

    He draped his arm over Lauren''s shoulder without fully touching her as they moved forward with the

    crowd, all the while discreetly scanning their surroundings like radar.

    At that moment, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

    Cyrus took it out and looked at the screen, only to see a text message containing just four words.

    "Don''t panic. It''s me."

    His sharp eyes slightly narrowed, and his tense heart rxed.

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the crowd, Landon stood in a corner. Despite keeping a low profile, his

    tall and handsome figure still caught the attention of those around him.

    Amidst the lively atmosphere filled with joy andughter, Landon appeared lonely and deste, like an

    elderly man in his twilight years.

    His gaze followed Cyrus and Lauren closely, never leaving their backs.

    The sun was lovely that day. Under the warm and radiant light, Lauren, under Cyrus'' care, had a bright

    smile. Seeing this, Landon felt as if a flower was blooming in his heart.

    Landon gazed intently as Lauren''s figure gradually blurred, fading even the hint of tenderness that

    lingered at the corner of his eye.

    Hearing footsteps, he knew it was Angelina approaching. He suppressed his strong emotions and

    chuckled self-deprecatingly.

    "Lauren always told me she wanted a normal life. I never understood what a normal life was, but I

    think... I understand now. But it''s toote."

    Angelina felt a pang in her heart and quickly reassured him, "It''s not toote, Mr. Landon. It''s never too

    late to win back Madam Lauren."

    "I never took her out for a good time¡ªlike Cyrus is doing now."

    Tears glistened in Landon''s reddened eyes, and his voice became hoarse like a whisper. "I thought I

    was giving her what she wanted, but I never once asked her..."

    What she wanted.

    Well, he did ask before, but amidst her repeated answers of "I want to be with you", he gradually forgot

    to pursue her true desires.

    "Mr. Landon, let''s get a bit closer," Angelina suddenly suggested.

    Landon pursed his lips and ultimately shook his head. "She rarelyes out. Seeing me would ruin

    her mood."

    Angelina''s eyes shimmered. Suddenly struck by an idea, she smiled and said, "If you''re willing to set

    aside your pride and status, leave the rest to me."

    Cyrus hadn''t been to an amusement park for around four years. Thest time he went to one was to

    apprehend a fugitive.

    Fortunately, he had done his homework in advance. He knew which rides were fun and which food was

    good.

    What surprised him was that Lauren, who appeared delicate and gentle, opted specifically for thrilling

    rides like roller coasters and turbo drops.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    After a series of rides, Cyrus felt a bit dizzy, yet she seemedpletely unfazed, showing no signs of

    exhaustion.

    The age difference was quite significant. Cyrus had to acknowledge that he was getting older.

    "Lauren, aren''t you afraid of all these high-altitude rides?" Cyrus handed her a strawberry-vored ice

    cream with a smile.

    "Nope. I like standing in high ces and the feeling of flying. It makes me feel free¡ªunrestrained."

    Lauren licked her ice cream and revealed a satisfied smile. "It''s so sweet. Thank you, Cyrus."

    Cyrus suddenly felt sorry for her.

 Chapter 1885

    For Lauren, who seemed to have boundless wealth and privilege, the idea of going on a roller coaster

    had been a luxury she couldn''t afford for the past 20 years.

    She was born to be a bird soaring in the sky, but her wings were clipped by others, and she was

    confined in a cage.

    Was it because of her illness? Was it just to prevent her from bringing shame upon the family?

    Cyrus'' breath became heavier, and he couldn''t help but reach out and gently stroke her soft hair.

    Lauren''s heart skipped a beat, and she moved back instinctively.

    Such intimate gestures used to happen every day between her and Landon.

    But when someone else, even Cyrus, whom she trusted deeply, touched her, she couldn''t help but feel

    flustered and ufortable, which inadvertently showed in her eyes.

    Cyrus suddenly froze, then forced a bitter smile.

    She still wasn''t ready to ept another person''s affection.

    Maybe it would take a very long time. Or perhaps it would never happen.

    Seeing that it was almost time, the two headed toward the dolphin exhibit, preparing to watch the

    dolphin show.

    As they arrived at the entrance, someone in the crowd pointed at Lauren and whispered, "Look, isn''t

    that the mental daughter from the Beckett family?"

    "Hey... I think so. She looks a hundred times better in person than in the photos."

    "What''s the use of being pretty if she''s mental?"

    "Is that true? She seems pretty normal to me. Who''s that hot guy next to her? Her boyfriend? He''s so

    hot!"

    As the murmurs reached Lauren''s ears, her heart raced. She hugged her teddy bear tightly, her eyes

    widening in helplessness.

    The next moment, her trembling body was instantly enveloped in a warm and strong embrace, with

    sturdy arms securely protecting her.

    "It''s okay, Lauren. I''m here." Cyrus'' voice was low, giving her a sense of security.

    Lauren''s mind went nk. "Cyrus, I don''t want to watch the show anymore. Let''s go."

    "Okay." Following her wishes, Cyrus quickly led her away from the dolphin exhibit.

    Only when they were away from the gossiping crowd did Lauren''s paleplexion ease slightly.

    However, her mood was far from as cheerful and happy as when they had arrived.

    "Cyrus, let''s go back," she said with her loweredshes trembling slightly. "It''s enough. I''ve had a lot of

    fun, and I''m very happy."

    "Lauren, don''t pay attention to what they say."

    Cyrus got down on one knee in front of her, raising his handsome face to meet her gaze. "Always

    remember, people live for themselves, not to cater to others'' opinions.

    "No matter how good or outstanding you are, there will always be people who dislike you and those

    who will mock you. What you need to do is walk proudly under the sun. The more they try to suppress

    you, the more fearless you should be. Living confidently is the most powerful way to fight back."

    At his words, Lauren lifted her gaze, showing her sparkling eyes.

    "Look at Lyse. She''s perfect, isn''t she? But throughout her journey, she has faced countless

    controversies, usations, and nders. Yet she didn''t care at all.

    "She said that she wants those who look down on her to be unable to provoke or defeat her. Seeing

    them grimacing and gnashing their teeth with no way to retaliate is the greatest kind of revenge."

    Lauren bowed her head in self-doubt. "But I''m not as brave as Alyssa."

    C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "Lauren, you''re very brave," Cyrus replied with emphasis, his gaze unwavering. "Not everyone has the

    courage to make the choices you''ve made. You''re much braver than you imagined."

    His sincere and empowering words warmed Lauren''s heart, dispelling the tension that had clouded her

    expression.

    At that moment, the amusement park''s mascot team began their performance.

 Chapter 1886

    Two adorable giant costumed characters holding balloons approached Cyrus and Lauren and stood

    side by side in front of them. Their silly and adorable look caused Lauren to smile again.

    Cyrus looked at the chubby dog character and the pink rabbit character in front of him, feeling like

    these two were on their first day of work. Their actions seemed stiff and awkward. He almost felt

    embarrassed for them.

    "Can I have a balloon?" Smiling, Lauren reached out her hand toward them.

    The dog character waspletely stunned, but the pink rabbit immediately reacted, spinning in ce

    and handing the balloon to her.

    "Thank you." Lauren smiled, her face looking rosy.

    The pink rabbit hopped around, gesturing enthusiastically for them to take a picture together.

    Smiling faintly, Cyrus took out his phone. The pink rabbit led the shy Lauren over and gently ced her

    in the arms of the dog character.

    Wrapped in the warm fur, Lauren couldn''t help but squint her eyes, leaningfortably against it.

    The dog character lifted its heavy arms and embraced her waist, gently pulling her closer.

    In that instant, Lauren''s heart skipped a beat. A familiar sensation suddenly overwhelmed her,

    momentarily leaving her in a daze.

    At this moment, on the stage not far away, a singer was singing a bad song.

    The dog character suddenly turned toward Lauren. It extended its hand toward her like a prince,

    inviting her to dance.

    Lauren stared at it nkly and eventually ced her slender hand in its palm.

    Following the soft melody, they danced gracefully under the sunlight, ignoring the gaze of others.

    Step back, step forward, spin, and spin again.

    These familiar dance steps stirred up waves of longing for Landon in Lauren''s heart.

    It was as if she had returned to the happy white-green vi, where he taught her to dance under the

    moonlight. His dance steps were skillful and elegant; meanwhile, she was always awkward. Each time

    she stepped on his foot, he would gently lift her chin and kiss her deeply before letting go.

    "If you master it, we''ll be dance partners for life. Don''t dance for anyone else but me."

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Lauren held her breath, her eyes turning red. Tears welled up, blurring her vision, yet she resisted

    letting them fall.

    Meanwhile, Cyrus, who was recording everything on his phone, felt his heart pounding heavily. He

    pressed his lips into a straight line, restraining aplex emotion.

    At this moment, the lively pink rabbit jumped to his side and draped its hand on his shoulder. It rapidly

    whispered in his ear, "Mr. Cyrus, I''m Angelina. Remember to send the photos to Mr. Landonter.

    Thank you."

    "I knew it." Cyrus smiled helplessly. "You two are quite creative."

    "You knew? When? Was it that obvious?" The pink rabbit covered its mouth with its chubby hands.

    Smiling faintly, Cyrus looked at them with eyes revealing an indescribable envy and longing.

    At the end of the song, the dog character bent down, gently touching Lauren''s forehead with its head.

    Instantly, she could no longer restrain herself. All her hidden emotions burst forth, tears streaming

    down.

    The dog character seemed flustered. It embraced her once again and gently patted her, silently

    comforting her.

    He really wanted to speak but was afraid of scaring her away.

    Yet he wanted to hold her tightly like before and express his passionate love, telling her, "It''s okay. Your

    Landon is here."

 Chapter 1887

    Watching Landon embrace Lauren, Cyrus felt a sting in his eyes and couldn''t help but capture this

    scene on camera.

    "I''m really curious, Mr. Cyrus. When did you find out?" Angelina, ying the pink rabbit, couldn''t

    contain her curiosity for the first time.

    "Perhaps it was my detective''s intuition."

    Cyrus didn''t tell her that feelings like love were something that couldn''t be hidden, no matter how hard

    the person tried.

    The moment the dog character held Lauren in its arms as if she were a treasure, Cyrus knew that it

    was Landon.

    "Please let Mr. Landon and Ms. Lauren stay like this a little longer. We promise not to disturb you

    anymore," Angelina pleaded.

    "Don''t worry about me. Lauren''s happiness is all that matters." Cyrus was unaware that his voice was

    slightly choked when he spoke these words.

    Even though he felt reluctant, Landon still sent Lauren back to Cyrus. He was afraid of exposing

    himself if he continued.

    "Why are you crying?" Cyrus handed Lauren a tissue, gently asking.

    "Nothing, really..." Lauren replied in a muffled voice while wiping her swollen eyes.

    Cyrus knew the reason she cried. Though he was upset, he still showed her a bright smile. "You should

    be hungry, right? Let''s go. I''ll take you to eat something delicious."

    The dog character gazed fixedly at the two figures growing further away before lowering itsrge head

    and stiffly walking in the opposite direction.

    Angelina followed him to an empty ce and took off the heavy headpiece of the costume. Sweat had

    caused her hair to cling to her cheeks, and she took deep breaths of fresh air to recover.

    "Mr. Landon, you should take yours off too. It''s too suffocating. Mr. Landon?" Angelina called him twice,

    but he remained facing the wall, unresponsive.

    Startled, she quickly approached to remove his headpiece.

    "Mr. Landon, you..." The next moment, Angelina''s eyes widened in dismay.

    Landon''s handsome face was soaked in sweat, with hair stered to his forehead. His chest rose and

    fell heavily beneath the oversized costume, and his eyes were red and swollen, struggling to stay open.

    Even the headpiece had be damp, almost soaked through with sweat and tears.

    "Mr. Landon..." Angelina''s heart ached, and she felt a lump in her throat. She wanted tofort him

    but didn''t know what to say.

    Landon pressed both hands against the wall, supporting his body as if it were about to copse from

    exhaustion.

    Once, his beloved was within reach, but now, even approaching her seemed so difficult.

    Although he had mentally prepared himself, the huge contrast made it almost unbearable for him to

    bear this heartache of loss.

    After a while, Landon spoke, his voice hoarse, "Why did she cry..."

    Angelina''s breath caught. Just as she was about to speak, he answered his own question. "Did that

    dance remind her of our past? Does Lauren still love me?"

    In the end, it turned into a question.

    The once confident Landon had now lost that initial unshakable self-assurance in this rtionship,

    which brought him both love and pain.

    "I believe Madam Lauren still loves you deep down. No one can rece you," Angelina replied with a

    determined gaze.

    With love, one can ovee all obstacles.

    Landon wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. Turning his back to Angelina, he took a

    deep breath before saying, "Let me spend more time with her."

    After dinner, Cyrus and Lauren watched the parade.

    Eventually, night fell. The eagerly anticipated fireworks show was about to begin.

    Cyrus had booked the best viewing spot in advance. The two stood side by side, eagerly looking at the

    dark, starry sky.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Not far away, Landon and Angelina blended into the crowd. He watched Lauren''s graceful figure and

    her thin shoulders, which he had once loved so dearly.

    In Landon''s eyes, she was more beautiful than all the dazzling fireworks.

    Just then, the amusement park was filled with joyful music, and a beautiful arc soared into the sky like

    a shooting star. It unfolded into a brilliant burst of flowers against the night sky.

    "Wow... Cyrus! Look!" Lauren eximed in surprise with widened eyes as she pointed at the sky. "It''s

    beautiful! That one looks so nice!"

    "Yes, it''s beautiful." With his crush by his side, Cyrus had no interest in watching fireworks. He focused

    intently on her beautiful profile.

    He didn''t have many chances to be with her like this.

    Once he had the chance, he would steal moments to gaze at her a little longer.

    As the grand fireworks filled the night sky and the crowd erupted in joyful cheers, Cyrus finally couldn''t

    contain his emotions any longer. He summoned the courage to profess to Lauren. "Lauren, I really like

    you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

    Though his words were clear and his voice level, they were drowned out by the cheers.

    The fireworks dancing in the sky were mirrored in Lauren''s eyes, seemingly holding her in rapture. She

    remained silent for what felt like an eternity.

    Cyrus'' heart raced before he finally smiled resignedly.

    She probably didn''t hear. That was probably better.

    "Cyrus, thank you for everything you''ve done for me, and thank you for liking me."

    Lauren slowly shifted her gaze onto his stunned face and said gently, "I hope you find someone who

    cherishes you above all else. You''ll surely find one."

    Cyrus stared at her for a moment, closing his eyes briefly to suppress the sting behind them. His voice

    trembled as he asked, "Do you still love him?"

    Lauren smiled faintly. "Yes, I still love him."

    Cyrus lowered his gaze, finally revealing a relieved smile. He then looked up to catch the fireworks he

    had missed.

    In fact, he had known all along.

    After holding it in and torturing herself for so long, she finally said it. Cyrus genuinely felt happy for her.

    Landon''s phone incessantly vibrated as the finale of the fireworks show approached.

    While staring intently at Lauren, he raised his hand to press the phone against his ear. "Hello?"

    "Landon! Landon! It''s me!" a woman''s voice came through, filled with fear and panic.

    Landon frowned. "Sylvia?"

    "I''m being chased by Preston''s men, and I can''t leave Sna City! I''m at my wits'' end! Please, do me a

    favor... Find me a way out!"

 Chapter 1888

    Landon''s eyes darkened at those words. "You dialed the wrong number. If it''s an emergency, call the

    police. I don''t deal with that."

    Call the police? Sylvia couldn''t possibly do that.

    After all these years of being with Preston, she wasn''t totally innocent either. If she called the police,

    they would dig up her secrets, and she would inevitably end up in prison.

    "Landon! Preston has gone mad! H-He killed your grandfather!" Sylvia hoarsely shouted.

    Landon was stunned, abruptly turning around. Every inch of his face tensed up tightly, his heart

    pounding fiercely against his chest.

    "What did you say? Say it again!"

    "Justst night... Preston arranged to meet Cornelius at Primrose Manor. When I found out, I followed

    him there to discuss my divorce with Cornelius.

    "But I saw with my own eyes Preston and Frank dragging out two body bags from the vi. I even

    heard Preston tell Frank to clean up the bodies of Cornelius and his secretary!"

    Sylvia recounted anxiously as the terrifying scene reyed in her mind. "I was so scared. I turned

    around and ran, but they saw me! They must have seen my car and recognized it was me, so sincest

    night, I''ve been hiding in a motel. I don''t even dare step outside!

    "Preston''s men must be desperately searching for me. Once I get out of here, he''ll definitely kill me! If

    he dares to kill his own father, there''s no reason for him not to kill me!"

    "The bodies... Did he say how he''d dispose of the bodies?" Landon''s mind was in turmoil. Even his

    voice was shaking.

    "To the West... He told Frank to take the bodies West, but I don''t know exactly where..."

    "Angie, stay here," Landon quickly said. Without exining further, he turned and swiftly disappeared

    into the crowd.

    Sylvia was still talking and crying on the phone, but he couldn''t hear anything. Hepletely relied on

    his body''s instincts to stride forward.

    In his crimson eyes, scenes of happy families and smiling faces shed.

    It felt as if he was the only one in this world copsing into darkness.

    Countless memories flickered in Landon''s mind like lightning.

    He recalled how Cornelius used to y with him outdoors when he was young, often because Bill was

    busy with work.

    He remembered that Cornelius was the one who had given him Richie.

    He recalled how Cornelius had bought him his first cotton candy because his parents were strict.

    Even his name was given by Cornelius.

    "I''ve been killing for most of my life. My hands are either red or ck. I''m tired of it. From now on, I

    hope the Harper family can take the right path. I hope my grandson will have a bright future."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Without Cornelius, there would be no Landon.

    In an instant, hepletely let go of all hatred.

    He even silently prayed, hoping that Sylvia was mistaken and that Cornelius was still feeding the

    horses he raised at Harper Manor.

    Noticing Landon''s prolonged silence, Sylvia finally yed herst card.

    "Haven''t you been investigating who killed your dad? Let me tell you. Your guess is right. It''s Preston.

    As long as you ensure my safety and let me leave the country, I can give you evidence that Preston

    murdered your dad."

    Landon closed his dark and cold eyes, feeling the pain in his body as if struck by thunder. "Where are

    you?"

    After the fireworks show ended, Cyrus and Lauren walked side by side with the massive crowd toward

    the exit.

    Although his profession had been rejected, Cyrus was not so fragile. He talked and smiled as if nothing

    had happened.

    If they couldn''t be lovers, they could still be friends.

 Chapter 1889

    Being Lauren''s most trusted friend and protecting her by his side would also bring Cyrus happiness.

    Angelina had also been quietly following not far behind them.

    Recalling Landon''s pale face when he left, she knew that something bad must have happened, and it

    left her feeling extremely anxious.

    Just then, Cyrus remembered how Lauren had stopped in front of a shop window full of dolls when they

    first entered. He thought she might find them inconvenient during the outing, so he thought of buying

    one for her before they left.

    Right now, they happened to be at the entrance of the store, and the dolls were still there.

    Cyrus'' eyes lit up. "Lauren, wait for me. I''ll be right back."

    "Okay." Lauren nodded obediently.

    Cyrus turned around and quickly walked toward the store.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    As he took a few steps, he thought about Lauren''s social anxiety and how ufortable she would be

    without anyone by her side. Therefore, he gave up the idea of surprising her with the doll and decided

    to take her inside with him instead.

    He wanted to see if there was anything else she might like. They seldom came here, so he wanted to

    buy more for her.

    However, just as Cyrus turned around, Lauren was nowhere to be found.

    "Lauren!" he shouted several times, but there was no response.

    He was gone just for a few seconds.

    A 22-year-old, able-bodied person who could talk and smile disappeared at the crowded store entrance

    just like that.

    There wasn''t even a shout or a struggle.

    Cyrus'' face instantly drained of color. He plunged into the crowd, his eyes burning red as he searched

    again and again for that fragile figure among the sea of people.

    However, there was no trace of her. All were unfamiliar faces that made him feel scared.

    Just as Cyrus was anxiously pulling out his phone, a call came in.

    "Mr. Cyrus, Angelina here. I''ve been following behind you. I saw two men in ck drugged Ms. Lauren

    and took her away. They acted very quickly and looked like professionals.

    "I''m now following them toward the north side of the park. There''s an abandoned gate over there. They

    must be trying to take Ms. Lauren out from there. You need to hurry up."

    Got it." Cyrus'' temples bulged, and he ran north.

    The north of the amusement park was a forested area still in the nning and construction phase.

    There wasn''t even a streetmp along the way.

    Cyrus caught up with Angelina at the fastest speed. With his background as a police officer, his

    investigative skills were outstanding. He followed the trail and caught a glimpse of the two men carrying

    Lauren toward the north gate.

    "Police! Stop right there! Put her down!" Cyrus roared, echoing throughout the forest.

    The word "police" definitely had an impact. The two men paused briefly, then bolted away even faster.

    "Fuck!" Cyrus cursed. At once, he reached for the stiff handle of the gun at his waist. "Run again, and

    I''ll shoot!"

    But even so, it didn''t deter the two kidnappers. It was clear that they had strong backing.

    "You''re a policeman. It''ll be troublesome if you shoot. We can catch up."

    As soon as Angelina finished speaking, a ck figure blurred past, exuding a chilling presence. Where

    it was now stood a solitary figure, an unyielding wall of ice blocking their way.

 Chapter 1890

    "It''s you?" Cyrus and Angelina were both shocked.

    The man before them was the same assassin who had severely injured Angelina during theirst

    encounter and abducted Lauren.

    Now, he was here again. Though he remained unmoved, his presence still sent chills down Angelina''s

    spine.

    Meanwhile, Cyrus stared incredulously at Remy''s familiar yet unfamiliar face. He looked a lot like

    Damien.

    "If you had fired and killed any of them, you might have had a chance to catch up. Unfortunately, you

    didn''t."

    Remy''s eyes were cold, and his hands were tucked into the pockets of his ck leather jacket. His

    tone dripped with disdain toward Cyrus as he said, "That''s why I''ve always looked down on you police

    officers.

    "Even with the power to punish evil, you still hesitate just to look out for yourselves. Now, you won''t

    catch up."

    "Who... are you?" Cyrus asked sternly. His forehead was covered in sweat.

    "You''re about to die. There''s no point in knowing." As Remy said that, a glint of coldness shed in his

    eyes. He then suddenly moved, charging straight toward Cyrus.

    "Angelina! Quickly go after them! Inform Lyse and Jasper that Lauren is in danger!" Cyrus shouted at

    Angelina, narrowly avoiding a fierce punch from Remy.

    Angelina nodded anxiously. Although she was worried about Cyrus'' safety, she wouldn''t catch the

    kidnappers if she joined the fight. Also, she couldn''t defeat this terrifying man. She would only be a

    hindrance.

    So, splitting up was the only way they might have a chance.

    However, as Angelina ran a few steps, another person wearing a ck outfit and mask blocked her

    path.

    Judging by the figure, it was a woman.

    "Go to hell!" Angelina, desperate to save Lauren, felt a surge of anger.

    While Cyrus and Remy were fighting intensely, she fought with the female assassin, who appeared out

    of nowhere.

    Despite Angelina''s old injuries, she fought with all her might, attacking fiercely and swiftly. However, the

    assassin was very cunning, skillfully evading and using soft techniques to restrain Angelina''s ferocity.

    Angelina''s eyes turned bloodshot. She pulled out a folding knife from her waist and stabbed the woman

    before her without hesitation.

    To her surprise, the woman didn''t dodge. Instead, she took the blow head-on.

    "Ugh!" She let out a painful whimper. The knife struck just below her corbone.

    Since it was dark, Angelina couldn''t see clearly. Otherwise, it could have been a fatal blow, possibly

    killing the woman on the spot.

    Angelina''s pupils contracted sharply. "Why..."

    She couldn''t believe that the woman couldn''t dodge it. And even if she couldn''t dodge, she wouldn''t be

    injured this severely.

    "Hurry... to the abandoned old factory in the western suburbs... The person you''re looking for should

    have been taken there..."

    The woman gasped for breath but pushed Angelina forcefully. "Hurry!"

    Angelina stared at her weak yet determined eyes. After a nod, she got up and sprinted away.

    Meanwhile, Cyrus was showing signs of fatigue in his fierce fight with Remy.

    In all his years as a police officer, he had never encountered anyone who could fight like this man. He

    was like a killing machine with unmatchedbat skills.

    While others grew tired from fighting, this man seemed to be more energized, as if he were on

    drugs.

    "Ugh!"

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Remy delivered a spinning kick in mid-air, knocking Cyrus heavily to the ground.

    Suddenly, he took out a gleaming military knife, which shed a chilling light in the dark and gloomy

    night.

    As he leaped to his feet, Cyrus quickly drew his gun, gripping it tightly with both hands and aiming

    directly at Remy''s head.

    "Don''t move!"

    At that moment, Cyrus was on the ground, and Remy knelt over him with the sharp knife raised in his

    right hand, aiming for Cyrus'' heart.

    "I''ll give you another chance. Go ahead, shoot."

    Remy showed no fear. Instead, he was smiling. "As long as you shoot, all the troubles will be gone.

    Come on."

    Cyrus was soaked in a cold sweat and was breathing heavily. Even his hands, which never shook,

    were trembling slightly.

    It was fine when this man didn''t smile. When he smiled, Damien''s face appeared vividly before Cyrus''

    eyes.

    "You''ve missed this chance too. Goodbye, officer."

    Before Remy''s smile even faded, the sharp knife was already thrust toward Cyrus'' heart.

 Chapter 1891

    "Damien!" Cyrus cried out, unable to contain his tears as they streamed down his face.

    The tip of the de had pierced his coat, sending a jolt of sharp, cold pain through him.

    Everything screeched to a halt, as if someone had hit a pause button.

    Cyrus'' sorrowful visage held Remy''s gaze captive. A detachment crept in, a chilling sensation like his

    spirit was untethering itself. Then, a wave of dizziness washed over him, unlike anything he''d ever

    experienced.

    As Remy lost his focus, Cyrus pulled the trigger.

    He shot Remy''s hand, the one holding the knife. Painnced through Remy, yet he didn''t make a

    sound. A deep frown creased his face as he let the weapon tter to the ground.

    Cyrus wanted to apprehend Remy, but the beating had left him battered. He struggled to rise, clutching

    the gun tightly, prepared to defend himself if Remy attacked again.

    However, Remy made no move toward him. Instead, he walked over to his aplice lying on the

    ground, and together, they disappeared quickly into the woods.

    An eerie silence settled over the scene, as if nothing had ever happened.

    "Damien... is it you? Is it really you?" Cyrus murmured. He pushed through the intense pain, forcing

    himself upright, and called out to his police team. "We have a kidnapping situation at the Sna City

    amusement park. Requesting immediate backup."

    Remy and Amber, both severely injured, sat in the car in a tense silence that stretched for the entire

    journey.

    Remy drove with one hand,pletely ignoring the bullet in his right hand. He lightly said to Amber,

    "You need to go to the hospital."

    "The Millennium has a specialized doctor who could handle it." Amber, weak from blood loss, was on

    the verge of losing consciousness.

    Remy red at her. "You let them off easy."

    "What." Amber''s eyshes fluttered. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

    "You know what I''m saying."

    "I''ve told you before. I''m no match for them. I''m already severely injured. Do I need to deal with your

    suspicions on top of everything else?"

    Indignation colored her tone as she added, "If he doesn''t trust me, then he shouldn''t use me. I''ve had

    enough..."

    "The more he doubts you, the more he''ll exploit you. And the more he exploits you, the more exposed

    you be. Mr. Jameson is a vicious man," Remy said, perhaps attempting to distract himself from

    the pain of the gunshot wound.

    Suddenly panicked, Amber tried to deflect the me. "Don''t lecture me! You didn''t exactly finish the job

    either. You had the chance to take out Cyrus, so why didn''t you?"

    "He''d fired the first shot. There''s no guarantee he wouldn''t keep shooting. Jameson expects me to fight

    for him, but he doesn''t deserve my loyalty. The only person who can dictate whether I live or die is Mr.

    Justin," Remy responded lightly, though he couldn''t shake the voice that had called out "Damien"

    earlier. It filled him with a deep sadness.

    "True, you work for Mr. Justin. You don''t need to bend over backward for Mr. Jameson..." Amber smiled

    wryly, closing her eyes from fatigue.

    After a long while, Amber heard Remy murmur, "I''m only concerned withpleting my mission. I don''t

    care about anything else as long as it gets done."

    Amber finally let her guard down and said softly, "Thank you."

    Landon tasked Jordan to keep an eye on Sylvia, a key witness, after leaving the amusement park.

    Then, he called Harper Manor and received news that his grandfather and his secretary had been out

    of contact sincest night. The situation was serious. They couldn''t report him missing for another 48

    hours, leaving everything in chaos, awaiting his instructions.

    Landon squeezed his eyes shut, clinging to a sliver of hope that was swiftly extinguished by harsh

    reality. The possibility of his grandfather being dead mmed into him.

    T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Consumed by vengeful rage, Landon''s sole focus became capturing the deranged murderer, Preston.

    He yearned to avenge both his father and grandfather.

    Landon, despite the potential consequences, had chosen to break his pact with Sylvia. Even if it meant

    facing her wrath and losing her testimony regarding his father''s murder, securing Sylvia as the key

    witness to Preston''s crime¡ªhis grandfather''s murder¡ªwas above anything else.

    As Landon reached for the phone to call the police, Jasper''s urgent call came through. "Landon,

    Lauren has been kidnapped!"

    The news struck Landon like a physical blow. His heart, already shattered, plummeted further into the

    depths of despair.

    "Angie and Cyrus have tracked the kidnappers down to an abandoned factory in the western suburbs.

    Lyse and I are already on our way!"

 Chapter 1892

    A cold, damp chill and the acrid bite of dust and stale tobo filled Lauren''s senses as she struggled

    to open her eyelids. Reality blurred with the remnants of a nightmare.

    Blurry and disoriented, she felt a pair of icy hands stroking her skin.

    "Who''s there?"

    Lauren''s eyes snapped open, bulging wide like a startled deer. As she shifted her focus, a horrifying

    scene unfolded before her.

    Freddy sat by her bedside, his cold hands creeping along her slender waist, inching their way up,

    touching every inch of her skin.

    "D-Don''t touch me!" she rasped, the wordsced with raw fear. A surge of adrenaline fueled a frantic

    struggle, but her limbs met only unyielding resistance. Only then did she realize that her hands and feet

    were bound.

    Helpless and trapped, she could only watch as Freddy''s hands roamed over her body, feeling the

    burning humiliation coursing through her veins.

    "Don''t touch?" Freddy smirked, his lips close to her ear as his hand continued to roam over her body.

    His voice dropped to a husky murmur, thick with desire. "Telling your precious fianc¨¦ to back off?

    ying coy, are we? You''ve been with a man for so long. What haven''t you done? Come, let''s have

    some fun, as husband and wife."

    "You''re not my fianc¨¦... You''re not!" Tears welled in Lauren''s eyes as she shook her head vigorously,

    desperate to escape the clutches of this vile man.

    "Don''t fight me when I''m being nice!" Freddy''s patience wore thin, his demeanor shifting as his darker

    impulses took hold. His eyes widened, his arm rose, and he pped her. "You''re a lunatic despised by

    the Harpers. The Hodgsons graciously epted you, yet you''re ungrateful, seducing other men behind

    my back!

    "Do you really think Cyrus Taylor would even consider you, you idiot? He just enjoys the thrill of

    competition! It''s like how I despise Landon to the core, so I wanted to marry you¡ªjust to let him taste

    the bitterness of seeing the love of his life with another man."

    With a rough shove, Freddy forced Lauren onto the bed. Reaching for his clothes, his eyes glinted with

    a dark possessiveness. "You''re no innocent child anymore, Lauren. Landon''s had his fill of you. You

    won''t be losing anything if I have my turn with you too. Consider tonight our official night together,

    Lauren."

    Lauren''s body trembled uncontrobly. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed in defiance, a

    desperate struggle against her restraints. "Get lost! Get off of me! Don''t touch me!"

    But her resistance only seemed to fuel Freddy''s twisted desire. A dark urge consumed him, his gaze

    fixated on her tearful state. He yearned to punish her, a twisted fulfillment of a depraved fantasy.

    As Freddy reached for his belt, the door swung open with a bang.

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    Two figures¡ªa man and a woman¡ªstood framed in the doorway, their expensive clothes marking their

    affluent status.

 Chapter 1893

    "Yet, here you are, barging in, knowing full well I''m upied. What a party pooper," Freddy grumbled,

    slowly re-fastening his belt, his displeasure evident on his face.

    The man in the blue suit flicked the cigarette butt to the ground. "You can indulgeter. Zoe wants us to

    bring Lauren to her."

    Lauren''s eyes darkened at the mention of Zoe''s name, plunging her further into a pit of despair.

    Jasper and Alyssa led Sean, Xavier, and the others to the western suburbs.

    Despite severe injuries, Cyrus insisted on leading a police team to the abandoned factory where both

    parties were expected to converge.

    They made efforts to keep Lauren''s kidnapping under wraps, fearing it could negatively impact both the

    Beckett Group and the Harper Group, especially Newton. They knew he wouldn''t take it well, and the

    risk of angering the kidnappers and endangering Lauren was too great.

    During the journey, Jasper learned from Landon that Cornelius might havee to harm, prompting

    him to call the police.

    Alyssa, on the verge of hysteria, fought back tears. Her mind raced, trying toprehend how a

    seemingly innocent date had turned into a nightmare. Who dared to kidnap Lauren right under Cyrus''

    watch?

    "Landon said Sylvia went to Primrose Manor to discuss her divorce with Preston, only to stumble upon

    Preston and his secretary handling Mr. Harper Senior''s body," Jasper exined, holding Alyssa''s hand.

    His gaze was grave.

    "I can''t fathom how someone could murder their own father for money. Preston doesn''t even deserve a

    ce in hell!" Alyssa seethed with anger.

    "Sylvia was being pursued by Preston''s men and had no choice but to seek out Landon. She even

    offered the evidence of Preston killing Bill as a bargaining chip for Landon''s protection. They were all

    looking out for their own interests. None of them deserves our sympathy!"

    Alyssa gripped Jasper''s hand tightly, shaking her head in anguish. "I always thought Landon had it all,

    being the eldest grandson in the Harper family¡ªmust have been more blessed than anyone, with love

    from his mother and grandfather. But it seems I was mistaken. Every family has its struggles. He just

    never shared his with us."

    Jasper''s voice was heavy with pain as he spoke, "Landon told me more than once... Since his father

    passed away, his happiest days were the ones he spent with Lauren. She taught him that he could love

    like any normal man. Lauren taught him how to love."

    Tears streamed down Alyssa''s face as the weight of his words settled in. A choked sob escaped her

    lips. "Lauren will be alright. They''ll be together."

    Jasper held her tightly, his expression grim. "Yes, they will."

    "Sean, how much farther to the western suburbs?" Alyssa asked, her voice tinged with anxiety as she

    regained herposure.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    "The navigation app says there''s road construction ahead, so we''ll need to take a detour. Even driving

    at full speed, it''ll still take us about 20 minutes," Sean replied, his fingers white-knuckled on the steering

    wheel, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead.

 Chapter 1894

    "Lauren isn''t there?"

    Jasper and Alyssa''s hearts sank at Angelina''s words.

    "She''s not here! I''vebed the ce, but there''s no sign of her," Angelina choked out, her voice thick

    with emotion.

    Alyssa maintained herposure, speaking gently to Angelina. "Angelina, it''s okay. You did your best

    in a difficult situation. Now, tell me everything from the beginning. Who informed you about Lauren''s

    kidnapping and directed you to the abandoned factory in the western suburbs?"

    "Mr. Cyrus and I were hot on the kidnappers'' trail, but we were intercepted by the man who previously

    abducted Lauren!" Angelina recounted.

    "It''s him again!" Alyssa''s heart hammered against her ribs. Lauren''s enigmatic portrait, a doppelganger

    for Damien, taunted her memory.

    "I was outmatched, so Cyrus decided to stall the man while I went to rescue Lauren," Angelina

    continued, her tone filled with frustration. "But the man had a female aplice.

    "She fought me and deliberately let me stab her, severely injuring herself. After that, she provided me

    with Madam Lauren''s location and urged me to save her. I thought she was on our side, but it was a

    trap.

    "She diverted my attention so that she could have a clear shot at Mr. Cyrus. I feel so foolish, Ms.

    Alyssa. I''m so useless!"

    "Angelina, Cyrus is fine. He is leading his team over to you as we speak. Don''t worry, and don''t me

    yourself," Jasper reassured her, his voice calm and steady.

    Alyssa''s heart pounded. A new thought struck her, prompting her to ask, "How did this woman look

    like?"

    "She wore a mask, but her eyes left a deep impression on me." Angelina said firmly, "They looked like

    yours."

    "I understand," Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief, her body finally rxing. "Angelina, she''s a friend of

    ours, but for her safety, I can''t reveal her identity to you. However, I trust that what she told you is

    reliable."

    Jasper, piecing together the conversation, understood who the mystery woman was. A deep frown

    creased his forehead, a shadow of concern clouding his features.

    Why couldn''t I find Madam Lauren then?" Angelina''s voice crackled with panic over the phone.

    Renewed determination ignited in Alyssa''s eyes. They narrowed, sharp as a hawk''s as she clenched

    her fists. "Perhaps she didn''t hear everything, but I''m confident Lauren is nearby. The abandoned

    factory is isted. There aren''t any houses or buildings for miles. A thorough search should reveal

    something."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Alright, I''ll look again!" Angelina replied urgently.

    The call ended, and both Alyssa and Jasper spoke at the same time. "Jameson!"

    Jameson was the mastermind behind both incidents. It made sense how Preston had such a powerful

    aplice¡ªthe killer was working for Jamiper!

    Jameson was pulling the strings. He used Preston to pressure Cornelius into surrendering his assets,

    destroying Landon, and bringing down the Harper Group, all for his own gain.

    But what sent shivers down Alyssa''s spine was the realization that Jameson knew about Damien''s

    appearance, having grown up with the Taylors. Yet, he still used the resemnce to hurt her and

    Jasper''s loved ones. It was a level of diabolical cunning that left Alyssa speechless.

    Alyssa was deep in thought. Meanwhile, Jasper''s gaze burned with a fierce determination. "He hurt my

    sister and my best friend. Jameson won''t get away with this. I''ll destroy him!"

 Chapter 1895

    "No, Jameson can''t get wind of this!" Alyssa frowned, her grip tightening on Jasper''s shoulder. "Think

    about it¡ªif he finds out we''re onto him, who''s in the crosshairs?"

    Jasper met her gaze, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Amber."

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    "Amber helped Axel escape the Millennium and provided intel that brought Josh down. This time, she''d

    risked everything to tell us about Lauren. She''s clearly switched sides and be our ally.

    "Confronting Jameson would put Amber in the line of fire. He''s ruthless, and wouldn''t hesitate to kill

    Amber just to vent!"

    Jasper''s jaw clenched, a heavy weight settling in his chest. He pulled Alyssa close, his voice a low

    murmur against her hair. "You''re toopassionate, Lyse. Unwilling to hurt anyone who''s helped us,

    even a little."

    "Anyone with a conscience wouldn''t stand by while Jameson does what he does," Alyssa countered, a

    bitter edge to her voice. "There must be a reason she follows him." Despite the bitterness, her gaze

    remained resolute. "As long as there''s a spark of goodness in her, I''m determined to nurture it."

    Lauren remained woozy from being drugged, her face swollen from Freddy''s brutal assault.

    Freddy and the man in the blue suit callously dragged her out of the room, tossing her onto the ground

    without a shred of mercy. She hit the hard floor with a thud, her frail body curling into a ball as tears

    streamed down her cheeks.

    Disheveled and battered, shey there in tattered clothes, yet there was a fragile beauty in her

    brokenness, like a cracked piece of ss reflecting a deste elegance.

    Two other men, mere spectators, watched with rapt attention, their lust evident in their hungry stares.

    The woman in the red dress sneered in disdain and jealousy. "You all used to despise her so much in

    school. What''s changed? Have you suddenly acquired a taste for her?"

    "She wasn''t a woman back then. Who would have thought she''d blossom into such a beauty now? Any

    man would be captivated by her," one of the men in a white casual attire smirked wickedly.

    "Landon has good taste. No wonder he lost interest in other women once rumors spread that he found

    her. If I had a woman like her, I wouldn''t bother looking elsewhere. And she''s so dumb. A woman

    should be dumb for easy maniption," another man added with a sigh.

    The woman in the red dress coldly red at him. "Oh, do you n on marrying her, Mr. Wood, since

    you seem so enamored with her?"

    Mason Wood recoiled. "Absolutely not! My father would kill me if he knew I married someone crazy.

    Lauren struggled to open her swollen eyelids. Her face was white as a sheet. She felt as though her

    body was on the verge of copse.

    Suddenly, she noticed two figures approaching her.

    A mockingugh echoed above her. "Look who is here to see you, Lauren."

    It was Zoe''s voice.

    With a Herculean effort, Lauren forced her eyelids open, a sliver of recognition piercing through the

    haze of pain. Her throat felt constricted. She managed to rasp out, "B-Betty Beckett."

    "How rude of you to use my full name," Betty snapped, ring at her before delivering a kick. "Do you

    have any idea how hard it was for me toe back to Sna City? Do you know how miserable I was

    overseas? Tonight''s a rare chance for us to meet. We should catch up and set the record straight."

 Chapter 1896

    Lauren''s gaze locked onto Betty''s hideous face, her eyes now aze with defiance. The lifelessness

    that had marred her eyes after the torture was reced with a fierce emotion that only fueled Betty''s

    anger further.

    "Don''t you dare look at me like that, you stupid bitch!" Betty spat, her eyes shing with fury, eager to

    deliver another kick to Lauren before Zoe intervened.

    "That''s enough. Save your anger forter," Zoe admonished Betty, halting her aggression.

    Mason let out azy yawn, breaking the tension. "Zoe, what''s the point of dragging us all the way to

    this godforsaken ce from different corners of the world? Couldn''t you have chosen a more decent

    venue for our reunion?"

    Freddy shot him a cold nce. "Could you have witnessed this anywhere else? After all these years,

    you still sound like a spoiled brat."

    "Damn it, you little piece of¡ª"

    Mason wanted to cuss Freddy out, but the woman in the red dress stopped him with a shake of her

    head.

    While the Hodgsons had gained power in the political scene in Sna City, these wealthy individuals

    lacked any semnce of moral integrity; all they knew was to ingratiate.

    "Zoe, enough with the games. Why did you bring us here?" the man in the blue suit queried impatiently.

    Zoe ignored him, her movements deliberate as she approached a dusty piano in the corner. Lifting the

    lid, she revealed keys that looked as pristine as the day they were made. She then ran her fingers

    across the keys, eliciting an eerie melody that echoed through the empty room.

    Lauren, her body wracked with tremors, curled into a fetal position. Tears streamed down her face, a

    mask of terror and despair contorting her features. She bit down on her lip so hard it bled, but the

    horrific memories flooded back with a vengeance.

    Lauren was often bullied by the group in the abandoned music room in the past, and Zoe would y

    the piano to apany the cruel act with music. The physical and mental abuse had deeply

    traumatized Lauren, exacerbating her psychological condition and even causing her to feel an

    inexplicable fear whenever she heard a piano piece.

    "I gathered you all here because it''s been too long since we''ve seen each other. I''ve missed you guys,"

    Zoe dered, flicking her tidy brown curls and offering a fake smile as she charmingly addressed the

    group. "But I also have another reason for bringing you here¡ªto find out which one of you made the

    mistake of betraying me."

    Her words sent a ripple of confusion through the group.

    The woman in the red dressughed incredulously. "Zoe, where on earth did you hear such

    nonsense?"

    With a scoff, Zoe retrieved her phone and yed a video from ten years ago, showing her cornering

    Lauren and pping her continuously whileughing; this was the video Preston used to threaten her.

    "I remember all of you being there, so I suggest you''d bettere clean now." However, silence filled

    the room.

    Zoe''s lips curled into a smile, though her eyes gleamed with malice as she swept her gaze across the

    group. "Well, if you don''t want to confess, that''s fine. But I expect the woman to p the dumbo while

    the men take their turn with her.

    "I''ll record it all on my phone. This way, we both have something on each other. We''ll call it even, and

    I''ll drop the issue."

    Lauren''s head spun with dread, feeling as though she was being dragged further into an abyss of

    despair.

    The two men present were dumbfounded, even Freddy. Previously promised Lauren as his sole prize,

    why was he now expected to share her with the others?

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    "Zoe, have you lost your fucking mind? We''ll all end up in jail for this!" Mason eximed, his malicious

    intent overridden by fear.

    Turning to leave, Mason said, "I''m not doing it! I have women lined up! No need to risk jail time. Find

    whoever wronged you and deal with them! I''m leaving!"

    "You''re not going anywhere." Zoe''s eyes darkened. "I''ve had the vi sealed shut. Anyone who tries to

    leave will meet their end.

    "It''s easy to handle a dead body in such a deste ce like here. I''ll just find a lonely grave, a quiet

    corner of nowhere, and tuck you neatly away. Imagine your parents'' grief and despair."

    Panic seized the group, their bodies drenched in sweat.

 Chapter 1897

    Someone sneakily took out a phone to call for help, but there was no phone signal at all!

    The Harpers were one of the big four, and they weren''t averse to using shady methods. As such, they

    had connections on both sides of thew.

    Once childhood ymates, they had grown into cunning and self-serving individuals. How could they

    not be afraid?

    "I know what you are afraid of. But fear not, Lauren won''t walk out of here alive tonight." Betty smirked

    haughtily and stared at Lauren with a crazed glint in her eyes. "We''re all in this together. No one will

    ever know what happens to her tonight."

    Although Betty''s words held a twisted truth, the men remained hesitant.

    The first person who walked toward Lauren was fired up.

    "Hah! You''re all so high and mighty in your own domain, but when you''re needed the most, you can''t

    even get your limp dick to stand up!" Zoe sneered as her provoking gazended on Freddy.

    After being continuously humiliated by the Taylors, the Becketts, and his own father, he was on the

    verge of exploding. Besides, as the two families tried to bring him and Lauren together, he began to

    harbor secret feelings for Lauren.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    At the Schmidt family''s banquet, his heartstrings were stirred after seeing Lauren being protected and

    cherished so dearly by Landon.

    After bing her fianc¨¦, his feelings of possessiveness grew and grew. A twisted excitement

    coursed through Freddy as he stalked toward the motionless Lauren. Reaching her, he roughly

    unbound her ankles, a cruel prelude to his intended vition.

    The men in the blue suit and white sports attire couldn''t tear their eyes away, their lust burning hot as

    unspeakable thoughts filled their minds.

    But Lauren remained expressionless. Her eyes were vacant, devoid of any spark.

    Freddy ran his fingers through her hair and yanked it suddenly, forcing her to arch her neck toward him

    and look straight into his eyes.

    "Lauren, we''re finally spending our first night together. Don''t worry. I will make sure you feel good..."

    As he sumbed to his desires, Freddy pressed his bruised lips against Lauren''s torn, bloodied ones,

    barely encountering any resistance as he forced her mouth open.

    The sweetness and softness overwhelmed him¡ªhe could no longer restrain himself.

    That damned Landon had been keeping such a delectable treat hidden all this while!

    His other hand fumbled at his pants, frantically unzipping it to release his straining member. Zoe was

    initially prepared to watch her lover being intimate with the woman she hated the most, but at that point,

    she couldn''t hold back her jealousy.

    Gnashing her teeth, she held up Lauren''s beloved teddy bear. Her brow quirked as she waved the

    teddy bear at Lauren. The next second, she ripped off its head and stomped mercilessly on it.

    "Haha! Good job! I''ve always hated looking at that ugly thing!" Betty pped and cheered.

    Lauren''s eyes widened as hateful tears rolled down her cheeks.

    Freddy''s blood-curdling scream pierced the air as he recoiled in agony, his hand mping over his

    mouth as he scrambled to his feet.

    Rivulets of sweat dripped from his head as he moaned inaudibly, bright, red blood seeping between his

    fingers.

    Lauren''s chest heaved as she stared at Zoe like a ferocious beast. She spat onto the ground viciously.

    When they saw the red lump on the ground, everyone took a step back in horror.

    It was half of Freddy''s tongue!

    Zoe and Betty stood frozen in shock, unable toprehend how their destruction of a mere toy had

    awakened such a ferocious reaction from Lauren.

    With trembling legs, Lauren rose to her feet, her lips smeared with blood as she lunged toward Zoe.

    "Ah! My ear!"

    Zoe was mmed into the wall as Lauren bit hard on her ear. The excruciating pain made her screech

    like a pig being led to the ughter.

 Chapter 1898

    Jasper and Alyssa arrived at the abandoned factory just as Landon did.

    Landon stepped out of the car, hisplexion pallid, his eyes emanating a chilling intensity. In the glow

    of the car''s headlights, a menacing glint flickered in his gaze.

    "Where''s Lauren? Does anyone have any updates?" Landon''s eyes widened in desperation as he

    spoke, his voice cracking from the strain on his dry, cracked lips. His throat felt hoarse, each word a

    struggle to utter.

    Jasper noticed everything, feeling an unspeakable pain gripping his heart. Witnessing Landon''s

    sessive blows, he understood that despite his outward appearance, Landon was likely on the verge

    of an emotional copse.

    "Angelina has already arrived. She''s tracking them, but I can''t reach her when I tried calling her just

    now!"

    Alyssa whipped out her phone and gritted her teeth. "Phone signals are jammed here. The kidnappers

    chose this ce on purpose! Motherfucking bastards!"

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    "Alyssa, stay calm. I anticipated this. Xavier has reached out to the telmunicationspany

    under the Beckett Group.

    "We''ve put in an urgent request to get a portable emergencymunications system and some new

    equipment. This will recover our phone signals to a certain degree." Jasper pulled her in by the waist

    and hugged her tightly.

    The reason why he was so well-prepared for a kidnapping was because he had gone through whatever

    Lauren was experiencing right now.

    "Angelina is a sharp investigator. It''ll be alright. She''ll find her. She''ll find her..." Landon''s voice trembled

    as he repeated those words, almost like he was trying to convince himself rather than reassure the

    others.

    Ignoring the others, he started toward the back of the mountain. Jasper intercepted him, blocking his

    path. "Landon, where are you going?"

    "I''m going to find Lauren." Landon''s gaze was unfocused. It was as if he was in a daze.

    "By yourself? You''d never find them even if youbed the whole ce!"

    Jasper''s eyes were steely. "Don''t panic. The men Alyssa and I brought are searching for her right now,

    and Cyrus will be here soon!"

    "Don''t worry? Jasper, the one who got kidnapped is Lauren, my lifeline!"

    Landon suddenly howled, and his gaze took on a crazed sheen. "I don''t have anything left except for

    Lauren. If anything happened to Lauren. If anything happened to Lauren."

    He couldn''t continue his words.

    He was still alive, but right now, he felt no difference from being dead.

    Just then, Cyrus and the police came. There were enough men to surround the entire factory area.

    They released drones to search the ce.

    "Squad One, search the back of the mountain! Squad Two,e with me!"

    "Yes, Chief Cyrus!"

    Cyrus felt pain in his chest every time he took a breath, thanks to the blow Remynded on him.

    His colleagues urged him to go for a hospital checkup. If his internal organs were damaged, he could

    be in critical danger. But in that moment, how could he focus on his own well-being? His concerns were

    solely for Lauren''s safety.

    "Cyrus!" Alyssa noticed that Cyrus wasn''t looking great, so she quickly went forward and held him.

    "I''m fine. Don''t you worry."

    Cyrus sighed deeply. When he looked at Landon, he suddenly felt a rush of emotion. "Mr. Landon, I''m

    sorry. I..."

    "I don''t me you," Landon interrupted him. His voice sounded disoriented while the wind whistled

    around them. "You''ve always done your best to protect Lauren, I know that. The people who kidnapped

    Lauren were most likely targeting me. I''m the one who hurt her."

    When Cyrus heard that, his guilt only intensified.

    He even wished that Landon would grab him by the cor and give him a few blows, insulting him with

    the worst sort of profanities.

    Lauren''s hands were still bound, but she was like a roaring lion in a cage, using all her might to break

    free. With an aggression that was never seen before, she attacked her enemies with uninhibited rage.

    However, her weak body couldn''t keep it up, and soon she was subdued.

 Chapter 1899

    "Beat her! I want you to fuck her up!" Zoe held her bloody ear as she snarled at the others, "If you don''t

    beat her, are you going to wait for her to bite you?"

    The other four people were scared. They didn''t want to be the next Freddy, so they immediately

    started beating her up.

    Someone kicked Lauren in her belly. A sharp pain ensued before she tasted a sweet, metallic tang in

    her mouth, and blood flowed from her nose.

    Her body could barely withstand the cruel torture.

    Yet, Lauren smiled. She had never been so rxed.

    This was the first time she used all her might to defend her pride. Even if she died, she would have no

    regrets.

    Betty, who was watching from the sidelines, held her sides andughed hysterically.

    "I asked you toe, but are you only here to watch the show?"

    Zoe walked toward Betty and shoved her. "She''s half dead now. Get up there and give her the final

    blow!"

    Betty pointed at herself. "Me? Why don''t you go instead?"

    "I''m giving you the chance to end your enemy! Do you expect me to sully my precious hands with this

    dirty work?"

    "Haha... Zoe, do you think I''m an idiot? If I did, wouldn''t I be a murderer?"

    Betty crossed her arms across her chest. "Whether you want to slit her throat or chop her up, you''ll

    have to do it herself. Why should I be the one to bear this risk? I didn''t even help my own mother. What

    makes you think I''d help you?"

    "Betty Beckett!" Zoe shouted in rage, "You deaf fucker! You have no one to me except yourself for

    getting your just desserts!"

    This degrading insult made Betty''s throat tighten. Suddenly, she let out a wicked grin. "Not only am I a

    deaf fucker, but I also have AIDS."

    "What?" Zoe staggered back in horror. She felt nauseous. "You bitch! How did you even get this filthy

    disease? Stay away from me! Don''te any closer!"

    "Stay away from you? Haha... There''s no point in doing that. After all, we''re both in the same boat."

    Betty''s manic gaze struck terror into Zoe''s heart. "Wee to the AIDS club, Zoe."

    "What are you saying?"

    "Remember when I asked you out for coffee? To show my appreciation, I added a little something to

    the coffee. It''s... my... blood!"

    Zoe felt her world shatter, and her head started spinning.

    Suddenly, she recalled that fateful day. That cup of coffee had an odd stench, so it was.

    Zoe''s torso lurched forward as she held her chest and threw up her meal from yesterday.

    At the same time, the sound of banging and metal shing came from downstairs. Heavy footsteps

    dashed toward the door.

    And then, with a huge bang, the entire door was kicked off its frame.

    Angelina leaped in like a fieryet with a gleaming knife in her hand.

    The pampered, highborn scoundrels were no match for a prestigious bodyguard. In the blink of an eye,

    she felled all five people. Her knifework was precise and swift, shing across their limbs so deep that

    one could see the white of their bones.

    She didn''t spare anyone, neither male nor female.

    Their tendons were cut cleanly, leaving not a single limb unharmed.

    Their haunting cries echoed one after another. This ce was now a bloody ughterhouse!

    When it was Freddy¡ªthe half-mute''s turn¡ªAngelina added two stabs to his thighs. It was payback to

    this shameless bastard for stealing her master''s lover!

    "Run. Run now!"

    Zoe and Betty scurried away, but there was no way Angelina would let these two rats escape!Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

 Chapter 1900

    Angelina lunged forward, seizing their hair in her grip. With a swift and forceful tug, she pulled back as

    though intent on ripping their hair from their scalps.

    "Ouch!"

    Silent but lethal, Angelina exerted all her strength, yanking on the heads of these two individuals,

    consumed by nothing but malevolent intentions. With a resounding crack, she brought their skulls

    together.

    Zoe and Betty were instantly knocked out. They slumped to the floor in a heap.

    Angelina''s chest rose and fell as she breathed heavily. Her chest was filled with hatred and pain.

    It wasn''t that Angelinacked the desire to end their lives, but for these two despicable scoundrels, she

    believed they deserved to face justice at the hands of Landon and Jasper themselves. That would be

    the only fitting conclusion for them.

    "Madam Lauren!"

    Angeline knelt beside Lauren''s bruised and battered body. Her bloodied hands lifted Lauren''s limp

    torso into her shaky embrace.

    "Angelina... Angie..." Lauren tried to muster up a smile, but her mouth merely twitched. She tried to

    comfort Angelina. "I''m. fine. I covered my head. I fought back. I will never. let myself be bullied. by

    anyone again."

    "Good for you, Madam Lauren! I''m proud of you!"

    Angelina wiped her tears furiously, her heart heavy with anguish. Gently, she cradled Lauren''s battered

    body in her arms, feeling the faint pulse of life still within her. "Come, let me take you home... Let''s go

    home."

    She barely took a step out of the door before she froze.

    The cold metal of two pistols was pressed against her forehead in the dark.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Cyrus, have you found Mr. Harper Senior''s body?" Alyssa was diligently following up on the case.

    Cyrus'' expression was grave. "We found it. It was discovered so quickly that even the Search

    Department thought it was strange."

    The three turned to stare at him. "What do you mean?"

    "The eyewitness, Sylvia Jansen, testified that she overheard the suspect, Preston Harper, talking to his

    secretary while they were handling the body. Harper instructed his secretary to move the body to the

    west side, believing there was minimal surveince there.

    "Ironically, the chosen location is a government development zone, heavily monitored by security

    cameras. Furthermore, the body wasn''t buried but carelessly discarded on the highway shoulder. It was

    as if they didn''t care whether it would be found."

    A glint appeared in Jasper''s eyes. "Cornelius was murdered on the same night that Lauren got

    kidnapped. The mastermind behind these two cases must be Preston!"

    "No... That can''t be right!" Alyssa was shellshocked, and her face turned pale. An uneasy feeling rose

    in her chest.

    "Ms. Alyssa! Mr. Jasper! You have to see this!"

    They nced at the phone screen, which disyed a mysterious livestream already attracting 20 to 30

    thousand viewers.

    Upon closer inspection, it showed Lauren being bullied by a group of people, led by Zoe and Betty¡ª

    from Freddy''s attempted rape to Lauren fighting back, and finally to getting beaten up by five people¡ª

    the entire harrowing process was recorded by a hidden camera and streamed online.

    The livestream was even titled, "The Beckett family''s youngest daughter is actually a victim of bullying!

    After being tortured by Zoe Harper for years, she will publicly execute her enemies tonight!"

    "Lauren!" Tears fell heavily from Landon''s eyes.

    His true love, the woman he prized above even his own life, was getting trampled and humiliated by

    those monsters.

    The livestream was publicly executing those monsters, but it was also ripping his heart to shreds.

    "Lauren!" Jasper and Cyrus also called out in pain.

    Alyssa suddenly thought of something even more horrifying. She yelled, "It''s Preston! Preston must

    have set up this livestream! He did this on purpose! From the very beginning, he''s been setting us up.

    Lauren''s life is in danger!"

 Chapter 1901

    The police found the kidnappers'' base while the livestream was still in progress.

    Numerous police cars surrounded the old manor. Red and blue lights shed in the ominous darkness

    while the piercing sirens broke the stillness of the night.

    Zoe, who was as resilient as a cockroach, roused herself before Betty, who remained unconscious on

    the ground.

    Zoe was scared out of her wits when she heard the police sirens. She was about to escape when a few

    familiar figures barged into her line of sight.

    "Lauren!"

    Landon was the first to rush forward. In the midst of his anguish, a ray of hope appeared within his

    crimson, tear-filled eyes.

    Landon had always been fearless. Despite knowing full well that there were cold-blooded mercenaries

    on Shend Ind who would not hesitate to kill, he apanied Jasper there without hesitation.

    But right now, his face was as white as a sheet. With shaky steps, he stumbled his way through the

    room.

    The living room offered a grim tableau¡ªBetty and her gang of bulliesy sprawled and unconscious

    across the room. The room was not very big, yet Lauren was nowhere to be found.

    Jasper and Alyssa tore through the remaining rooms, their shouts of Lauren''s name swallowed by

    echoing silence¡ªno answer.

    At this point, Cyrus rushed into the room with two other colleagues.

    "We''ve searched the entire manor and surrounding areas. Lauren is not here!"

    "What about Angelina?" Alyssa''s beautiful face was beaded with sweat.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "We can''t reach her! But the Technical Department is tracking her phone!"

    Jasper''s heart sank. "Lyse, you said that Preston set up this trap. Were Zoe and those rats just a

    distraction so that he could take Lauren and Angelina somewhere?"

    Alyssa''s throat tightened as stifling fear gripped her.

    Zoe realized that there was no escaping. Her legs turned to jelly, and she trembled like a leaf.

    Zoe remained oblivious to the consequences that awaited her, unaware that her earlier actions had

    come to light. She put on a scared and pitiful face before crawling to Landon''s side, crying out in fake

    anguish.

    "Landon! You''re here! Are you here to save me? Preston kidnapped me, and he even tried toy his

    hands on me¡ªah!"

    A bloodcurdling scream tore from Zoe''s throat before she could finish her words. Murderous fury

    zed in Landon''s eyes. With a powerful kick, heunched Zoe flying, like a ragdoll.

    The others barely registered the blur that zipped past them before a heavy thud echoed through the

    room. Zoe mmed into the wall, then crumpled to the ground in a heap.

    A groan escaped her lips as her body spasmed, and a spray of crimson sttered the floor as she spat

    out a mouthful of blood.

    Landon ignored her whimpers. He stalked toward her with menacing strides and began kicking her

    stomach with all his might.

    He held back no mercy. His intent was clear¡ªhe wanted her dead.

    Pain seared through Zoe. Robbed of any sound, she writhed on the floor, her worst self on full disy

    for her former ssmates and lover.

    Usually, Jasper would intervene to stop Landon, but this time, he stood to the side, his cold gaze fixed

    on the scene unfolding before him. He wanted to do everything Landon was doing now. However, if he

    were Landon, Zoe would be dead.

    Though Jasper harbored the same desire for vengeance, he refused to let hatred override his

    rationality. He wouldn''t be a murderer, nor would he allow Landon to cross that line.

    "Landon, stop! You''ll be charged if she dies!" Cyrus, acting as the voice of reason, intervened. "Think

    about Lauren. Do you want to live apart from her forever?"

    Landon''s eyes burned with a terrifying madness. He shoved Cyrus aside, grabbed Zoe''s hair, and

    yanked her limp form off the ground. "Where''s Lauren? Tell me!"

    Blood filled her mouth, choking her words. Still clinging to her lies, she rasped, "I... don''t... know...

    Landon... it. wasn''t me."

    "Why are you still lying, Zoe?"

 Chapter 1902

    Alyssa trembled with anger and tears in her eyes as she roared, "From the moment you stepped into

    this manor, every move you made was being recorded by hidden cameras and live streamed. The

    entire country has witnessed your crimes. Preston has tricked you from the start, yet you continue to

    hide the truth! Will you wait until it is toote to face reality?"

    Zoe was stunned, her mouth agape, blood staining her lips.

    "I-I know! I know!"

    Mason, the most cowardly among them, realized he was less powerfulpared to the others.

    Crawling to Jasper''s feet with his incapacitated limbs like a wounded sea lion, he said, "Two men came

    and took Lauren and the other woman away! Zoe even addressed one of the men as ''Mr. Carsen,'' but

    he ignored herpletely!

    "Mr. Jasper, Mr. Landon! Zoe tricked us intoing here! She threatened us¡ªif we didn''t beat Lauren

    up, she would kill us all! We were coerced into this¡ªah!"

    Jasper''s cold re bore into Mason as he kicked him in the face. "How dare you call Lauren by her first

    name?"

    Mason wept, his front teeth shattered.

    "Zoe has been bullying Lauren since high school! She manipted us all!" The man in the blue suit

    cried along as well.

    "Zoe! Weren''t you wondering who had betrayed you? It was me!"

    The woman in the red dress abandoned all pretenses and revealed herself. "I have been hating your

    arrogant, bossy attitude for a long time! You always used us to bully Lauren, but you never treated us

    as equals!"

    People would turn against the mighty when they lost their power.

    Freddy, who was lying in the corner, also wanted to speak up. But his tongue had been severed, so he

    couldn''t speak.

    However, Jasper would never let Freddy, who had tried to rape Lauren, go unpunished. He walked over

    to Freddy and delivered a powerful kick at thetter''sher regions.

    A choked "Uh!" was all Freddy''s severed tongue could manage before his body stiffened. He fainted

    from the pain.

    The kick most likely also neutered him.

    Alyssa''s gaze was brimming with hatred. "It was Preston''s men. Cyrus, we must quickly capture

    Preston!

    "We''ve already issued orders to arrest him. All ports, train stations, and airports have been locked

    down. He won''t escape us!" Cyrus tightened his fist, his knuckles cracking under the pressure. As the

    chief police officer, he had no choice but to rein in his anger.

    "Haha... Hahaha!"

    Nobody noticed when Betty woke up with a significant bump on her head. Laughing hysterically like a

    maniac, she pointed at Zoe. "Zoe, you yed me for so long and even messed up my life. Now,

    karma''s serving you!"

    Alyssa walked over and pped her twice. "Who sent you back here? Speak!"

    "Haha... I wouldn''t tell you even on my deathbed, bitch!" Betty chuckled.

    "Do you think you could escape bying back here? Returning here will only make your situation

    even worse!"

    "It''s no big deal. What do I have to be afraid of now that I have been infected with a variety of

    diseases? Zoe drank my blood, so she will be infected as well! Lauren bit Zoe, which means she will be

    next.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "Hahaha! They all have AIDS! Jasper, all of your plotting and scheming have dragged your dearest

    sister down! It''s all your fault! Hahaha!"

    Alyssa looked coldly at Betty and scoffed. It was almost impossible to transmit AIDS using this method

    because the virus would struggle to survive in the digestive tract. Nevertheless, she wouldn''t correct

    Betty. It was better to let her live in her delusions of sess and let Zoe live in fear of her mortality.

    This was payback for their crimes!

    "Zoe, for every kick younded on my wife, I will return to you in full!"

    Landon mmed Zoe back to the ground, his scorching hatred burning him from the inside out and

    torturing his heart. "Even if you died a million times, it wouldn''t be enough to repay Lauren!"

    Suddenly, his phone rang. Landon stared at the name on the screen, his eyes widening. It was

    Preston.

    Shakily, he pressed the phone to his ear; a voiceced with chilling amusement slithered from the

    speaker. "Landon, as your uncle, I never really doted on you. This is myst gift to you, my nephew. Do

    you like it?"

    Everyone held their breath. The cops are already tracing the call.

    "This is between us. Don''t even think about hurting Lauren and Angelina," Landon''s voice cracked.

    "I''ve sent you the address. Come find me."

    Preston chuckled sinisterly. "We need to end things¡ªas uncle and nephew."

 Chapter 1903

    Prestonid out two demands in his ransom call¡ªno guns and Landon had toe alone.

    "Jasper, Lyse, and Cyrus," Landon said. "You guys handle the situation here. I''ll go meet Preston."

    Without a second thought, Landon turned and headed for the door.

    "Landon!" Jasper cried out, his heart hammering in his chest. He lunged forward and grabbed Landon''s

    arm. "This is Preston''s trap! He might kill you; you cannot go alone!"

    "I know he wants to kill me," Landon said with a humorless smile that quickly twisted into a grimace. It

    was a sight that tugged at the others'' hearts.

    "Landon, we''ll go with you!" Alyssa dered with determination in her gaze. "We can stay hidden and

    wait for an opening. That way, we can save Lauren and Angelina for sure!"

    Landon shook his head. "Lyse, thank you, but I can''t take that risk. If giving up my life means Lauren

    and Angelina cane back safely, then that''s a price I''m willing to pay."

    Alyssa''s eyes welled with tears, and Jasper''s heart sank further.

    "Landon," Cyrus said, approaching him with a determined glint in his eyes. He opened his hand,

    revealing a tiny camera. "Take this. It''ll allow you to stay in contact with the police. I''ll handle things

    here."

    Landon''s lips trembled slightly as he took the camera. "Thank you," he rasped.

    "Whether it''s you, Lauren, or Angelina, you must alle back safe and alive." Cyrus took a deep

    breath, his small smile offering a warmth that felt like a hug. "Lyse and Jasper aren''t the only ones

    worrying and waiting for you. Count me in, my friend!"

    Landon was slightly taken aback. Then, he smiled and patted Cyrus'' shoulders heavily.

    It was nearly dawn, and a sliver of the moon cast a faint, silvery glow across the starless night sky,

    deepening the chill and loneliness.

    Tires screeched against the asphalt as the sports car drifted steadily into the parking lot,ing to a

    stop in the middle.

    Landon''s eyes fell on a half-builtmercial building that belonged to one of Harper Group''s

    businesses.

    This project was originally under Preston''s responsibility. However, since Cornelius kicked him out of

    Harper Group, it naturally fell into Landon''s hands.

    Landon walked toward the entrance with purpose and conviction, his steps steady and strong. No

    matter the cost, he was determined to bring Lauren back to his side. Without her, life held little

    meaning. He pushed the heavy door and strode in, his expression gloomy and cold.

    There was no one in the hall. Just then, Preston''s message came through. It read, "Come to the fifth

    floor, the swimming pool. You can choose to climb the stairs or take the elevator."

    Landon found thest sentence suspicious. In a split-second decision, he opted to take the stairs for

    safety. Quickening his pace, he sprinted upward.

    But he barely reached the second floor when the sound of multiple footsteps echoed from behind.

    Whipping around, Landon''s eyes widened as he twisted his body, narrowly dodging two knives aimed

    at him with deadly intent.

    More attackers followed, lunging at him with knives drawn.

    Engaged in a ferocious fight, Landon''s instincts kicked in. Seizing a long knife from one of the

    assants, he wielded it skillfully, slicing through the crowd as if they were mere vegetables.

    One by one, the attackers fell, blood pooling on the floor and limbs scattered around.

    However, Landon wasn''t unscathed. His arm was wounded, and his ck coat was torn to shreds. He

    tore off a piece of cloth to tightly wrap around his wrist, securing his grip on the weapon.

    But the fight was far from over. Another wave of attackers surged forward, relentless in their assault.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

 Chapter 1904

    Aware that this was an added challenge by Preston, Landon abandoned the fight and sprinted for the

    elevator a dozen feet away.

    He frantically hammered the elevator button. A few secondster, the door creaked open slowly.

    To his dismay, inside the elevator stood five attackers, each wielding sharp des.

    Preston was rxing in a pool lounger, smoking his favorite cigar brand. He yed his favorite

    clubbing music from his phone, which was already out of style.

    Every few minutes, he would look at his watch. Then he would smack his lips with satisfaction and

    continue to rest his eyes.

    After 20 minutes, the elevator facing the entrance to the pool slid open with a ding.

    Preston''s eyelids fluttered open a fraction before a jolt of awareness sent them springing wide.

    He watched as Landon stepped over the bodies beneath him with heavy but determined footsteps. He

    slowly made his way to the pool, as if he were the God of War, returning triumphantly after a bloody

    battle.

    Landon''s icy, handsome features were smeared with blood. His white button-up shirt was stained a

    vivid red.

    "Huh... You''re quite something, you little brat," Preston muttered, taking a heavy puff of his cigar, a

    growing sense of respect for Landon evident in his eyes.

    He hadn''t expected Landon to emerge from the elevator alive.

    In his younger days, Cornelius had been a formidable figure, striking terror into the hearts of many. And

    now, Landon disyed traces of that same awe-inspiring presence.

    Despite appearing pale and feeling cold, Landon''s re at Preston was intense as the former entered

    the pool area. Multiple cuts adorned his body, and the wound on his arm was still bleeding.

    He came close to dying in the elevator. Only because of his love for Lauren and concern for Angelina

    was he able to stand up to the deadly des.

    "My dearest nephew, you''ve done well." Preston gave him a thumbs up.

    "Lauren and Angelina, where are they?" Landon breathed heavily as the sweat dripping down his face

    washed away the blood.

    "Now that you''re here, what''s the rush? Let''s have a heart-to-heart as uncle and nephew," Preston

    said, turning off his music with a mysterious smile. "Especially since we''ll never have this chance

    again."

    "Did you kill my father and grandfather?"

    "Of course," Preston replied, his smile unchanged.

    "Why¡ª"

    "Because they stood in the way of what I wanted."

    "What you wanted? Preston, you''re shameless and delusional." Landon''s words were sharp, his gaze

    piercing. "Harper Group was never yours. My grandfather worked hard to build it, and Harper Group

    earned the prestigious title of being one of the Big Four thanks to my father''s tireless efforts. Our

    achievements today have nothing to do with you!"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "No, no, no." Preston wagged his finger. "What is mine simply refers to what I want. As long as I want

    something, it belongs to me."

    He was a true psychopath!

    "Landon, when you were young, I quite liked you. You were a sweet, chubby little thing. I even held you

    in my arms," Preston reminisced. "It''s such a shame that you are my brother''s son. If you were mine, I

    would give you the world."

    "You want to be my father? Not in your wildest dreams!" Landon scoffed bitterly. "It is not strange

    that you have these thoughts. After all, you''re infertile. God is truly fair; your infertility is a fitting

    punishment from a just world. It''s just nature''s way of sparing your offspring from your cruelty."

    Preston''s smile faded, reced by a darker gaze.

    "If you want my life, I am right here. Let Lauren and Angelina go, and I''ll y with you for a while."

    Landon''s gaze was cold.

    "You really are my brother''s son. You''ve got balls!"

    Preston then hollered, "Frank, let the twodiese out!"

 Chapter 1905

    "Mr. Landon!" Angelina shrieked in pain from above him.

    Landon looked up in dread, and his pupils dted in shock. Angelina, hands tied, stood dangerously

    near the edge of the 32-foot-tall diving tform at the swimming pool, with Frank pointing a gun at her

    head.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    The height of the springboard was rming, as the pool was dry.

    "Angie!" Landon''s blood-stained white shirt was drenched in sweat. He took two steps forward but was

    forced back when Frank pointed the gun at him.

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Landon..." Tears brimming, Angelina choked on her emotions.

    Landon cast a deep look at her. "No. You''ve never wronged me or owed anyone anything. Angie, it was

    my fault that you got into this situation. I should be apologizing to you instead."

    His words sent a sharp pain through her chest. She had experienced highs and lows over her years of

    working for Landon. Nothing fazed her, except for his apology.

    "Where''s Lauren?" Landon''s desperate tone echoed throughout the pool area.

    Upon hearing that, Prestonzily picked up a remote control and pressed a button. A deafening sound

    rumbled to the left side, which was currently inplete darkness.

    Landon vigntly looked in that direction. He saw a trolley slowlying into sight, carrying a massive

    ss tank.

    With a nking sound, the trolley''s wheels tucked away, and the carefully designed tanknded in the

    designated location.

    Through the ss, one could see an unconscious Lauren chained vertically in the tank. Her white

    dress was filthy and bloodied, making her appear like a ragged doll on disy after being carelessly

    toyed with.

    "Madam!" Angelina''s tears streamed down her cheeks.

    "Lauren!" Landon growled in resentment, nearly losing his mind. He dashed to the tank and pummeled

    his fists against the thick ss. No matter how he kicked and elbowed the surface, the solid ss

    showed no signs of cracking. Lauren remained unconscious inside the tank.

    "Stop screaming. The ss has great soundproofing qualities. She can''t hear a thing in there."

    Preston, fiddling with the remote control in his hand, added, "She''s fainted for a bit. I think it''ll take her a

    while toe around after all the beating and torment she suffered. Tsk tsk. They really didn''t go easy

    on her.

    "Landon Harper, you should have thanked me. Without me, you wouldn''t have learned the truth about

    what your sister had done behind your back. You wouldn''t have known that your pretty wife had been

    bullied mercilessly by Zoe since middle school.

    "You also wouldn''t have known that Freddy decided to marry Lauren under Zoe''s instructions. That brat

    had been eyeing Lauren from a young age, hoping to defile her. They all contributed to her worsening

    condition.

    "The sister you doted on for years was revealed to be the mastermind behind the suffering of your

    lover. Hahaha! Landon, I bet you''re deep in regret now. Do you find your actionughable? You

    probably want to kill yourself over it."

    Landon nearly died from the excruciating mental pain. At that moment, everything finally fell into ce.

    He finally understood why Lauren recoiled in Zoe''s presence and the truth behind her long absence

    from school. He also wrapped his mind around her odd mumbling when she had nightmares.

    He had prided himself on being the man who loved Lauren the most, but he had never seemed to

    grasp her inner world, which was falling apart. He had never truly saved her from her nightmare.

    A regretful teardrop escaped from the corner of his eye. Still, he tried his best to keep his emotions in

    check in order to negotiate with Preston, the devil.

    "Preston Harper, all you want is to get back at me. Let go of Lauren and Angie, and you can do

    anything you want to me."

    Preston chuckled wildly when he heard the suggestion. "Landon Harper, you''re not worth as much as

    you like to believe. As a businessman, I do not engage in loss-making deals.

    "Choose one between the two. You can only exchange one life with yours. Whoever gets to live, it all

    depends on your choice."

 Chapter 1906

    Without hesitation, Landon yelled in a hoarse voice, "I''ll never make a pick! I want to save both of

    them!"

    "Landon Harper, are you trying to get your hands on both of them?" Cackling manically, Preston turned

    to face Angelina, who was held on the springboard. "Angelina, your hard work and loyalty are worth it.

    Look! He''s keen to make you his mistress!"

    "You bastard! Vile son of a bitch! You''d better shut your fucking mouth!" Angelina bellowed at Preston.

    "If you want revenge, take my life! Release Madam!"

    "Stay still!" Frank jabbed the back of her head with the muzzle of the gun.

    "Tsk tsk. She''s a feisty bitch." Preston shook his head.

    Even as pain seeped through every part of Angelina''s body, she remained fueled by rage. She yelled at

    Landon, "Mr. Landon, don''t mind me! Save Madam¡ªyou must save her!"

    "I want both!" His eyes took on a murderous look as he reiterated his stance with determination.

    "Landon, you own a lot. Stop being greedy. You can''t have your cake and eat it," Preston said tly with

    a ruthless look in his eyes. "If I can''t have my two arms, you don''t get to enjoy twodies. It''s unfair to

    me, don''t you think?"

    "Let go of Lauren and Angie, and I''ll agree to whatever conditions you set." Landon refused to back off.

    "I can offer you anything¡ªmoney, stocks, or even thepany!"

    "Look at you! You should havee around earlier. s, it''s toote." Preston stopped smiling. "Since

    you cannote to a decision, I shall help you make a pick."

    Then, he pressed another button on the remote control. A hole opened up in the bottom of the tank,

    and water started bubbling out of it.

    Since Lauren was chained up in a kneeling position, it wasn''t long before the water reached her calves.

    Landon felt as if someone had stabbed him in the chest. Growling, he tried to throw himself against the

    ss, even cutting it with a de, but nothing worked.

    "Stop wasting your energy. I specifically had this tank made for Ms. Lauren. It''s made of bulletproof

    ss, and it''s pretty airtight too." Preston looked gleeful at Landon''s wretched state.

    "Preston, I''m going to kill you!" Landon charged at Preston without a care about his life. Preston

    immediately grabbed his gun and shot the ground near Landon three times.

    "Mr. Landon, don''t go over!" Angelina''s heart leaped into her throat.

    Panting heavily, Landon turned toward the ss tank, and his heart pounded wildly when he found the

    water had reached Lauren''s thigh.

    "It takes only 10 minutes to fill the tank with water. A human can only survive three minutes underwater.

    I assume it will take less than that for Ms. Lauren because she''s unconscious and does not exhibit

    survival instinct." Pointing the gun at Landon, Prestonughed so hard that he trembled.

    Preston continued, "To be honest, I hope you''ll pick Angelina because I dream of seeing Ms. Lauren

    drowning in the tank I specially designed for her. That will be such a tragic but beautiful sight, don''t you

    think?"

    The water kept bubbling from the hole, and it had filled the tank up to Lauren''s chest. Time ticked by.

    Landon stood in front of the tank, pounding against the ss in agony as he called out to Lauren. Even

    at this moment, he refused to make his pick. He would have dly died if he could save both Lauren

    and Angelina, but he couldn''t possibly choose to save one of the two.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    All of a sudden, they heard a dull noise that shook the building. One of Preston''s men rushed in in

    panic. "M-Mr. Preston, the police have surrounded the area! They''reing in!"

    "What are you afraid of? We have enough ammunition and hand grenades. It will take the police a

    while to get to us."

 Chapter 1907

    Surprisingly, Preston had the time tough at the situation. He quipped, "I''m afraid time is running out

    for someone here, though. My dearest nephew, haven''t you made your choice?"

    The water in the ss tank had reached Lauren''s chest.

    "Mr. Landon!" Angelina urged him in a quivering voice. Their worried eyes met, and time and space

    seemed toe to a stop.

    He remembered saying to her, "Angie,e work for me."

    She had once said to him, "Mr. Landon, I will stay loyal to you no matter the circumstance."

    At that moment, she smiled at Landon through tears as she recalled their first encounter. The mirage of

    the teenage boy who made her heart flutter ovepped with Landon''s handsome figure.

    "I do not want you to hesitate. No matter what happens, always choose Madam," she gently muttered a

    heartfelt remark to Landon that sounded like a grand and touching farewell.

    She added, "You and Madam must live happily forever after."

    "No¡ª"

    In a split second, Landon seemed to have understood something. His heart nearly stopped.

    Angelina had turned around without warning and shoved Frank onto the ground. Three gunshots rang

    in the air, followed by his blood-curdling scream.

    The two of them leaped into the air and wrestled with each other. After a few flips in the air, theynded

    hard in the empty pool.

    "Angie!"

    The water stopped flowing into the ss tank at the same time.

    Landon, dragging his limp and trembling body to the pool, jumped into it. In a trance, he scooped

    Angelina''s body out of the pool of blood and hugged her tightly.

    "Angie... Angie..." He sobbed uncontrobly as he repeatedly called her name.

    "Mr. Landon, I''m here." Unfortunately, he would never get to hear her reply again.

    "Aw, what a touching moment between master and servant. I''m so moved." Preston faked a bitter sigh.

    "See, my nephew? I''m a man of my word. I told you to pick one out of two and¡ª"

    Halfway through Preston''s gloating, he saw the grieving Landon grabbing Frank''s gun from the ground

    and repeatedly firing shots at him.

    Preston was shot in his thigh. The second shot knocked the gun out of his hand.

    Kneeling on the floor, he grimaced and tried to pick up his gun. However, Landon had jumped onto the

    tform and rode on him before shooting him in the left shoulder.

    At this point, Landon had one bullet left. He pointed the muzzle at Preston''s forehead.

    Landon was mortified when he saw the water in the tank rising and reaching Lauren''s neck.

    "Stop it! Make it stop!" he yelled, nearly losing his mind.

    "I-It won''t stop! It was never my n to stop the water from filling the tank. It was just to fool you."

    Huffing and puffing, Preston shed an evil grin at Landon. "I never nned to live anyway. All I

    wanted was for you and the people you love to die.

    "Anyway, your little servant did not die in vain. Had she not bought some time, Ms. Lauren would have

    died minutes ago."

    The tank was filled with water at that moment. Lauren, still unconscious, bobbed in the water with a

    pallidplexion. Her dark hair floated and moved like seaweed in the water, creating a hauntingly

    beautiful scene.

    Landon picked up the gun and yelled as he shot at the ss. He had run out of bullets, yet the ss

    remained intact.

    It was at that precise moment that Preston haltingly scrambled up from the ground and pointed a gun at

    the back of Landon''s head. He sneered. "Time to reunite with your dad in the afterlife, you bastard!"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 1908

    A gunshot echoed in the pool area. However, it was Preston who fell lifelessly onto the ground after

    being shot.

    The special forces flooded the pool area, firing two shots from theirser guns at the bulletproof ss.

    The tank instantly shattered into pieces as water gushed out.

    Two members of the police sacrificed their lives in the rescue operation.

    It turned out that Preston had been colluding with underground forces to smuggle military artillery using

    his power as the executive director of Harper Group. Since he possessed heavy artillery, it made the

    rescue operation more challenging.

    Thankfully, the micro camera that Landon carried with him recorded the gory and ruthless battle.

    Thanks to him, Cyrus managed to equip his men with advanced weapons to break the tank and save

    the hostage.

    However, Lauren was on the brink of death when she was sent to the ICU. Her pulse was weak, and

    she was in critical condition after drowning and suffering organ injuries from the beatings.

    Nearly everyone from the Taylor and Beckett families showed up at the hospital, crowding the corridor

    outside the ER.

    Newton, deep in grief, wept at the hospital. He would have copsed if not for Javier''s and Ben''s

    support.

    Mandy, L, Ss, Tatiana, and Sean were present too. Only Colene, who had been keeping Winston

    company abroad all year, was absent. Mandy sobbed uncontrobly as though it was her daughter who

    got shot.

    Landon should have been recuperating at the hospital due to the severe injuries he had sustained.

    However, instead of doing so, he went to the police station with Cyrus to cooperate with the

    investigation and to identify the bodies.

    Lauren''s abduction and Cornelius'' and Angelina''s deaths rocked the Harper Group. He did not have

    the luxury to take a breather because thepany would fall apart for real.

    Alyssa and Jasper did not go to the hospital. Instead, they waited at the police station the entire day

    without eating or drinking.

    During the wait, Jasper helped Landon deal with the aftermath of the abduction. He helped to share the

    burden of warding off external attacks and controlling the public discourse. Thanks to his help, the

    situation soon stabilized.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa was busy calling up Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus to take action against the scoundrel,

    Freddy Hodgson, and those who backed him.

    "Lyse, Dad heard about Lauren," Jonah revealed with pain in his voice. "Dad wanted Landon to ask for

    help whenever he needed it. Dad will provide support if the Harper Group is struggling in any way.

    "By the way, Dad is concerned about his future daughter-inw. How''s Lauren? Is she awake?"

    "Pfft. Winston is as hrious as usual." Rubbing her eyes that were red from crying, Alyssa replied, "Tell

    him not to worry. Lauren isn''t his daughter-inw; she''s Landon''s wife. It''s time he looked for another

    candidate.

    "Lauren is unconscious, but I''m sure she''ll pull through."

    Jonah remarked, "Julien and I have bought the flight tickets to Sna City. We''ll be boarding in two

    hours. ording to Julien, a drowning event might increase the risk of anoxic brain damage. As a

    neurosurgeon, he would like to check on Lauren."

    "Say thanks to Julien for me."

    "Lyse, cheer up. Everything will be alright."

    After Jasper was done with his work, he returned to Alyssa''s side and pulled her into aforting hug.

    "Did you talk to Jonah?" he inquired softly, his sleeve dampened by her tears.

    "Yeah," she replied weakly.

    "It''s all over now. It''s all over." He sounded emotional but forced himself not to think about the

    heartbreaking details.

    Just then, they heard heavy footsteps approaching them. When they looked up, their hearts nearly

    stopped from the shock.

    Landon showed up, looking broken and forlorn. His healthy hair had grayed considerably.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "Landon..." Jasper teared up as his chest filled with pain. It really seemed that stress could age

    someone overnight.

 Chapter 1909

    The chill that permeated the morgue was a constant reminder of the chasm between the world of the

    living and the dead.

    Standing in the shadows of the entrance, Alyssa and Jasper allowed Landon to say his final farewell to

    Angelina.

    Angelina''s lifeless face looked as pretty as ever. Covered with a white cloth, she seemed to be sleeping

    peacefully with a smile. It was as if she was in the middle of a lovely dream she would never wake up

    from.

    Hanging his head, Landon grappled with waves of fury that threatened to crush and suffocate him.

    Gulping, he gently traced her lovely profile with trembling fingers. One thing bothered him¡ªwhy was

    she smiling when she died?

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She took a shot to the stomach and fell from a high ce. Her bones were crushed upon impact, which

    felt painful just from the sound of it.

    Was she not afraid of the pain, like any ordinary young woman?

    "You look pretty when you smile. Why didn''t you smile more when you were still around?" Landon

    mumbled in all seriousness. It was as if he was demanding an answer from the lifeless body before

    him.

    "Angie, please smile for me once more."

    "Angie, please wait for me at the door when Ie home."

    "Angie, I want to hear you calling me ''Mr. Landon.''"

    Alyssa covered her face because she could not hold back her emotions. She cried silently in Jasper''s

    arms.

    He held her trembling shoulders and rested his chin on top of her head. He opened his mouth to speak,

    but he couldn''t muster anything.

    At that time, they heard footsteps approaching. Cyrus entered the morgue with a small box.

    The couple got the hint and made way for him.

    "Landon, my condolences." Standing behind Landon''s grieving figure, Cyrus whispered, "I''ve gathered

    Angelina''s personal belongings. Bring them with you when you leave."

    Landon turned around, and his blood froze when he saw the box. Most young women would bring

    makeup items when they went out, but Angelina brought nothing of that sort, only keeping a phone and

    a dagger on her to protect Landon and Lauren.

    Lowering his gaze, Landon took out the blood-stained lucky charm from the box as his lips quivered.

    The cold touch seeped into his palm, through his chest, and across his rigid body.

    He had gifted Angelina that lucky charm as protection. It wasn''t until this moment that he realized that

    Angelina herself was the lucky charm who''d sacrificed herself to protect him and Lauren.

    Cornelius'' and Angelina''s deaths, the vtile stock price of Harper Group, and the action to be taken

    against Zoe weighed heavily on Landon.

    Thankfully, he had the help of Alyssa and Jasper to resolve the challenges on time.

    Under Xavier''s and Sean''s leadership, the PR departments of the KS Group and Harper Group

    managed to remove all videos rted to the tragedy overnight.

    Alyssa and Jasper had made the decision out of consideration for Lauren. Thest thing they wanted

    was for Lauren to be triggered by the videos when she regained consciousness.

    Nheless, they did not keep the public discourse under control, as they wanted to take advantage of

    the public''s wrath to hold the perpetrators culpable.

    Aizen confessed, "I am an alumnus of Lauren Beckett''s middle school. The group of bullies led by

    Zoe Harper had bullied Lauren throughout middle school.

    "I was too much of a coward to report the bullying. Today, however, I wish to speak up for Lauren

    Beckett. If needed, I can provide my testimony against Zoe and that bastard Freddy Hodgson. They

    totally deserve it!"

    "I am an alumnus too! I can testify!"

    "Zoe Harper was a big bully in high school too! I once witnessed her p a girl multiple times, all

    because her victim identally stepped on her new shoes!"

    "Is no one talking about Freddy Hodgson, that pervert? He should be arrested for sexual assault and

    abduction-aggravated assault. Throw him behind bars!"

    "How dare Onder Hodgson think of running for mayor after what his son has done? He should be

    d that he didn''t suffer anything worse because of the scandal."

 Chapter 1910

    "I heard that a few hundred citizens went protesting at the city hall today, demanding Mayor Hodgson''s

    resignation!"

    A total of seven people had been arrested, including Zoe, Betty, and Freddy. They were under

    detention until they were formally indicted.

    Meanwhile, the Hodgson couple was devastated to learn that their only son lost his tongue and injured

    his balls. Minnie took ibuprofen multiple times a day to soothe herself, fainting frequently from all the

    crying. All her time awake was spent crying and begging her husband to bail Freddy out.

    "What else could you do aside from crying? It''s all your fault that he ended up in this situation! You

    spoilt him!" Onder pointed a finger at Minnie while he chided her. "He attempted to rape Lauren

    Beckett, the daughter of Javier Beckett! He certainly has great taste in women, doesn''t he? He''s not

    only ruining his future but also dragging me down with him.

    "The entire nation has probably watched him take off his pants eagerly and top her! My political career

    ended because of him!"

    At the same time, Minnie was crying her heart out. She retorted, "How could you only care for your

    career at this time? Nothing is more important than your son!"

    Onder cussed, feeling his blood pressure rise from dealing with Minnie. Still, he called his attorney to

    help Freddy. Unfortunately, the attorney only had bad news for him.

    Due to the scale of the scandal, the police rejected the Hodgsons'' request for bail on medical grounds.

    "Go ask Mandy Lovce for help!" Still stubborn, Minnie grabbed Onder''s arm and pleaded, "Didn''t

    you have a good chat with her? She and Winston Taylor professed their support for you, didn''t they?

    "Get her to speak up for you, and Freddy will be saved. Once we survive this ordeal, you can pledge to

    repay their favors whatever it takes."

    Onder''s hope was revived. He was about to reach for his phone when he heard a frosty voice

    addressing him. "Why the trouble? Just talk to me. As a Taylor, I''ll be sure to pass the message to

    Mandy Lovce."

    Ss, dressed in the prosecutor''s uniform, showed up with his colleague with intimidating airs.

    Onder paled. "W-Who let you in? You''re trespassing!"

    "Onder Hodgson, you are under arrest for your crimes as the mayor of Sna City. We have solid

    evidence against you."

    Looking serious, Ss waved at his men. "Search the vi and take away all the documents!

    "Yes, Mr. Taylor!"

    "W-What evidence do you have against me? Show them to me!" Onder was secretly trembling from

    a guilty conscience despite raising his voice.

    "I am the witness!"

    Onder spun around and was dismayed to see his loyal secretary of many years stepping out with a

    look of determination. "As the secretary to the mayor, I hold all the evidence of the mayor''s misdeeds

    from the time of his appointment. I am formally turning myself in, and I shall reveal the corruption and

    abuse of power by Onder Hodgson and his wife over the years!"

    Upon hearing that, Minnie fainted from fear again.

    "You traitor... You¡ª" Onder didn''t have a chance to snap back at the secretary, as two members of

    the prosecution had dragged him away.

    At the same time, Jasper sent Jonah and Julien to the hospital after their arrival. Then, he received a

    call from Ss.

    Ss reported to him, "Jasper, I''ve arrested Onder Hodgson and his wife. They''re currently under

    interrogation at the prosecutor''s office."

    "As expected of Ss Taylor. You''re efficient. You must have gone through a lot of trouble. Thanks!"

    "Tsk. Stop with all the groveling."

    Jasper grinned at Ss'' remark.

    "Well, I have to thank you for your help in securing the search and arrest warrants in no time," Ss

    remarked, sounding both amazed and jealous. "You certainly have a lot of connections, don''t you? I

    can''t believe that you''re friends with the mayor''s secretary. When did you get acquainted with him?"

    "It''s been a while. Ss, he''s just an unwilling aplice who takes orders on a sry basis. I hope

    you cut him some ck, considering that he turned himself in."

    "Don''t worry. I will."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    After ending the call with Ss, Jasper received a call from Xavier.

    Xavier eximed, "I have bad news, Mr. Beckett! Your dad has hired legal representation for Ms. Betty,

    hoping to bail her out on medical grounds!"

 Chapter 1911

    Jasper clenched his fist so hard that his veins bulged when he received the update. He jeered. "Javier

    is a great father, isn''t he? He wouldn''t give up on his terrible daughter no matter what."

    "This isn''t about Betty. He is trying to save his face as the family patriarch." Xavier was furious. "I saw

    him busy taking care of Mr. Newton at the hospital while keeping tabs on Ms. Lauren''s condition. I

    thought he had finallye around, but I was being naive!

    "From the very beginning, he has been an egoistic person who only cares about himself. You can''t

    expect him to self-reflect and change."

    Jasper turned around to stare at the gray sky. "Well, since he''s all about saving face, I''ll make him lose

    face."

    As public opinion continued to brew, there were increasing calls to prosecute the six bullies. Betty was

    implicated as well, especially because she was a Beckett and Lauren''s sister. In some way, her

    behavior was more despicable than that of Zoe and the rest.

    "Betty Beckett harms even her own sister; she is a vicious animal! She should be heavily punished!"

    "How brazen of her to bully her autistic sister!"

    "Betty Beckett, don''t you ever dream of escaping the legal consequences with your dad''s support! You

    have no way out!"

    Javier would never allow the Beckett Group to suffer a reputational crisis. Therefore, he would protect

    Betty despite knowing her evil ways. To resolve the problem, he immediately ordered Neil to host an

    emergency press conference at one of the halls of the Berenike Hotel.

    The cameras'' lights at the press conference blinded Javier. The harsh lights illuminated his pale face.

    He began with anger and sadness in his tone. "Three days ago, my daughter, Lauren Beckett,

    experienced a horrific abduction and torture. Until today, she remained unconscious in the ICU.

    "As her father, I was tormented and in pain. I have not slept in three days, battling the pain at every

    waking moment."

    The usually sharp-tongued reporters sank into silence out of consideration for the gut-wrenching

    circumstances that Lauren was in.

    "I decided on ast-minute press conference because firstly, I understood the public concern over

    Lauren''s wellbeing and would like to keep everyone updated here. Secondly, as Lauren''s father, I will

    not give up on holding the culprits ountable."

    "Mr. Javier, your oldest daughter, Betty Beckett, was present at Ms. Lauren''s abduction," one of the

    reporters finally blurted out. "Besides, we heard from the bullies that Betty was one of the bullies in

    middle school, subjecting her autistic sister to long-term physical and emotional torture.

    "Since you vow to hold the culprits ountable, what about Betty Beckett? How do you n to deal

    with her? She kicked Ms. Lauren during the abduction¡ªit was captured on livestream.

    "Don''t you think it''s unfair to Ms. Lauren if you go easy on Betty because she''s your daughter?"

    The chatter grew louder. The reporters gossiped about the situation disgruntledly. This had evolved

    beyond airing the dirtyundry of an esteemed family. Everyone could tell by now that Betty was Zoe''s

    aplice. It would be unfair for Betty to walk away unscathed while the others were punished.

    Ashen-faced, Javier gritted his teeth and admitted, "Betty is wrong for hanging out with the wrong

    crowd, but she''s my daughter at the end of the day. She grew up before my eyes. Yes, she made a

    mistake, but she wasn''t a bad character. Zoe and the others have been a bad influence on her, leading

    her onto the wrong path."

    The reportersmented Javier''s tant favoritism. In an effort to protect the image of the Beckett

    family, he tried to whitewash the actions of the morally depraved Betty.

    All of a sudden, the doors to the hall flung open. A tall and strong figure marched into the venue,

    instantly bing the center of attention.

    "It''s Jasper Beckett!"

    Looking intimidating and focused, Jasper proceeded toward Javier. Javier''s expression hardened when

    he saw Jasper.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    The rivalry between the father and son was captured by the cameras around them.

    "I have no words for the absurdity of Mr. Javier''s statement." Jasper chuckled dangerously. "Betty, Zoe,

    and the gang are responsible for abducting, imprisoning, and beating my sister, Lauren, to the point

    she suffered severe injuries. Lauren has yet to be discharged from the ICU, but you can''t wait to speak

    up for the perpetrator."

    Jasper''s remark was earth-shattering. Javier tried to keep calm while tightening his grip on the table.

    "If you don''t hold Betty ountable for beating up Lauren, what will you do if shemits murder the

    next time? Are you going to give her a p on the wrist as well?"

    "That was a hypothetical situation. Betty did notmit murder, did she? She has just been taken

    advantage of by those with ulterior motives!" Once again, Javier tried to hint at Jasper in front of the

    media that he''d much prefer to de-escte the criminal case, turning it into a private family affair. "Betty

    and Lauren are your sisters and my daughters. I am merely being rational here. There is no favoritism

    at y, and I''m not trying to get anyone off the hook."

    The light in Jasper''s eyes dimmed. He started reaching for something in the pocket of his jacket¡ª

    something that would deal a blow to Javier.

    To his surprise, the screen in the hall suddenly lit up.

    "Look! What is that?" All eyes were on the screen, including Javier and Jasper.

    It was the result of a paternity test by an redited institution. The writing couldn''t have been more

    clear and devastating. "Based on the avable data and the oue of the DNA test, Javier Beckett is

    excluded as the biological father of Betty Beckett."

 Chapter 1912

    The press conference descended into chaos. The air was filled with the attendees'' gasps and

    discussions about the surprise reveal.

    "Is that the paternity test result for Javier and Betty Beckett? Is she not his daughter? This is straight

    out of a telenov! I didn''t see thising."

    "Not long ago, Javier Beckett was defending Betty. Now, it''s revealed that she is not his daughter. It

    feels so surreal!"

    "Look at his face. He looks like he has just eaten poop. I bet he has just found out about the truth."

    "I would have killed myself if I found out the daughter I raised for 20 years was not mine."

    "He was in the dark when Sophia Kirkman killed his beloved wife. He remained clueless when he was

    cuckolded for years. What''s wrong with him?"

    "Probably blinded by love, eh? I''m surprised he could keep that crazy woman, Sophia Kirkman, around

    for years. He most certainly has... unusual patience."

    The mocking and disdainful remarks attacked Javier. He stared vacantly at the result on the screen as

    all color drained from his previously smug face.

    He rubbed his eyes hard, but the writing remained the same. The fact that he was excluded as Betty''s

    biological father gued him. He reyed it over and over in his mind.

    "Mr. Javier!" Neil ran over in panic. "I tried turning off the screen, but it wouldn''t work! I''m sure someone

    is behind this. We need to stop the conference as soon as possible. From what I''ve heard, the entrance

    and exit of the hotel were swarmed by other media who caught wind of the news.

    "I''ve dispatched security to handle the media. You must leave now!"

    "Is Betty not my daughter? Is the paternity test result genuine?" Javier fixed his bloodshot eyes on the

    screen. No matter how Neil tugged at him, he would not move, as he was numbed and in shock.

    "The authenticity doesn''t matter. You cannot publicly admit that Ms. Betty isn''t your daughter, or the

    statement will leave a stain on your name. You need to keep this to yourself, even if it''s unptable. It''s

    still better than bing aughingstock forever!"

    Javier acknowledged Neil''s solution as his best option for the time being. Feigning indignation, Javier

    turned around to address the media. "Someone is trying to nder the Beckett family. The paternity

    test result is fake. I urge everyone not to fall for it!" "Is that so?" Jasper squinted at his dad. "Javier, how

    could you choose to defend Betty at this moment? She is not even rted to us. Are you really going to

    tolerate being cheated on by Sophia, just to protect your pride?"

    With that, Jasper raised the test result in the air, disying it to the watching eyes. He stated, "So, the

    paternity test result on the screen is fake, huh? Well, the result in my hand is authentic! Betty is

    definitely not your daughter. She is not a Beckett!"

    In the next moment, he tossed the papers onto Javier''s pale face. What Jasper had done was parade

    him naked in front of the world, turning him into a joke.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    In the middle of his messy thoughts, he recalled the moment from years ago, when Sophia showed up

    at his ce heavily pregnant and crying pitifully as she confessed how much she had missed him. She

    alsomented all the difficulties she had faced during the pregnancy.

    "Javier, I''m pregnant with your child. You can dump me if you want, but how could you abandon your

    flesh and blood?"

 Chapter 1913

    "Javier, listen! Your child is kicking my belly. She took after your strength!"

    "Javier, look! Betty''s eyes and mouth resembled yours. She''s a carbon copy of you!"

    A carbon copy of his? Javier''s lips twitched uncontrobly in an ugly manner.

    Javier had always prided himself on his wits and the elite education he had received. He couldn''t

    believe that he had been fooled by Sophia, an actress who had hailed from the slums.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    However, there was nothing he could do about it¡ªSophia was long dead.

    Surrounded by the merciless media, the forlorn Javier escaped the press conference with the help of

    Neil and the other bodyguards.

    At first, he had nned to save the situation as the family patriarch, but he hadn''t expected it to

    backfire. The Beckett family, riddled with scandals, now had one more stain on its history.

    He had be a clown.

    He finally got into the car, looking disheveled in his wrinkled suit and messy hair. The reporters pressed

    their lenses against the car window to take photos of his stiff and pale expression. They continued

    directing pointed questions on Betty''s paternity to him.

    "What are you doing? Go!" Javier angrily kicked the driver''s seat as he neared a meltdown.

    The fearful driver immediately elerated and sped away from the Berenike Hotel''s parking lot.

    At the same time, Neil continued scrolling through Twitter. Upon seeing Betty''s paternity scandal top

    the trending topics, outshining Zoe, he felt worried. However, he dared not tell Javier about it. He

    feared that the news might deal a final blow to thetter.

    "Why did this happen? Why?"

    "Mr. Javier, I''ve inspected the paternity test result from Mr. Jasper." Taking a deep breath, Neil

    confessed, "It''s genuine."

    "Sophia Kirkman, how dare you lie to me?" Javier punched the car window and growled in madness.

    "Mr. Javier, do not do this to yourself. If you look at it differently, this revtion might be good for you."

    Neil advised in a low voice, "Anything that has to do with pride ultimately does not matter. You might

    feel humiliated now, but it''s better than never learning the truth and being forever fooled by them.

    "Over the years, Ms. Betty... Sophia''s daughter acted brazenly and stirred up a lot of trouble for you.

    You know better than anyone how often you had to clean up her mess. She deserved what happened

    to her. You lent her a helping hand out of fatherly love and exposed yourself to risk.

    "Now that the cat is out of the bag¡ªshe''s not your daughter¡ªyou can finally be freed from this burden.

    There is no reason to worry about her anymore."

    Javier closed his eyes and breathed heavily as he struggled to contain his anger.

    Neil added, "This still beats Betty getting you into bigger trouble in the future¡ªone that you might not

    recover from."

    Neil''s remark hit the spot. Javier slowly opened his eyes and shook like a leaf. "How dare they fool me!

    Go and look into the matter now. Track down the doctor who performed the paternity test for Betty two

    decades ago, whatever it takes."

 Chapter 1914

    Jasper and Xavier returned to the hospital after aplishing their mission. He was eager to share the

    exciting news with Alyssa, but he did not summon her when he learned that she was in discussion with

    Julien in the hospital''s director''s office regarding Lauren''s treatment n.

    Instead, he quietly waited for Alyssa in the guest room next to the office.

    After some waiting, he finally saw Alyssa approaching him in light, bouncy steps. "Jasper!"

    Smiling, he did not have a chance to rise because Alyssa had settled on the space between his spread

    legs, cupping his face and kissing him passionately. Her rosy lips brushed against his, and she made

    out with him with an intense hunger.

    His breathing grew heavy. Feeling aroused, he pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss.

    He finally let go of her when she struggled to catch a breath and moaned softly. Between heavy

    breaths, he caressed her round and firm rump. He remarked, "Darling, you''re acting weird."

    "What''s wrong?" She lifted his chin and looked at him with dewy eyes.

    "You''re so active suddenly. I have a feeling that you''re sucking up to me." He gently drew circles on her

    backside. Such a move might look perverse if done by someone else, but Jasper appeared sexy doing

    it, thanks to his alluring looks.

    "It''s not sucking up. It''s called a reward." She adjusted his rather loose tie with flushed cheeks. "I saw

    your actions at the press conference today. It was great¡ªvery effective. You did the right thing by

    throwing that test result in Javier''s face to shame him."

    "Too bad the news topped the trending topics and overshadowed the buzz around Zoe Harper." A

    dissatisfied gleam shed across his eyes.

    She snickered. "There are plenty of ways to punish Zoe, but what you did was the only best

    punishment for Javier and Betty."

    "The credit goes to you, not me." Looking up at her, he spoke in a husky voice," Lyse, had you not

    yed the test result on the screen, it wouldn''t be half as shocking and effective."

    She furrowed her brows in confusion. "Me? The screen? Jasper, what are you talking about? I did not

    y the result on any screen."

    He frowned as well. "Was that not you?"

    "Was that not you?" She redirected the question at him.

    He shook his head. "That wasn''t me."

    They exchanged looks as the passion in the air cooled down. They might have achieved the desirable

    result, but it was at the hands of a mysterious figure who offered help in secret.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Is that a friend or foe?" The tip of her nose touched his. She threw out a question in a whisper.

    Looking troubled, he gently rubbed her waist. "I''ll look into it. We shall know soon."

 Chapter 1915

    The news of Betty''s bloodline broke out and spread like wildfire beyond the Beckett Group''s control.

    Newton, who remained hospitalized, was shocked and infuriated upon learning the news. He

    demanded to meet Javier during the night.

    He began berating Javier in front of Jasper and Alyssa, not caring about their presence.

    "What did I say to you? You shouldy low at this rocky moment. Besides, you should stay by Lauren''s

    side as her dad because she remains unconscious. You shouldn''t have done anything unnecessary!

    "Does public perception matter that much? My granddaughter is more important than any bullshit

    reputation!

    "As the head of the family, why did you bother exining yourself in a hurry to people who don''t

    matter? You seem more confused and unwise the older you get, and your decisions are undignified!"

    Newton turned pale and breathed heavily after scolding Javier. Seeing that, Alyssa hurriedly patted him

    on the back while Jasper handed him a ss of water.

    "The situation would not have spiraled out of control had you note to a rash decision. You might

    care about your image, but in reality, no one looks up to you anymore. Your reputation is in tatters."

    Javier bit his lips as he grappled with feelings of remorse and humiliation. His heart ached in regret,

    and his cheeks burned.

    Although Newton had shamed Javier many times with harsher insults before, this time, Javier felt the

    full impact of it. He was ashamed of himself. He, too, admitted that he was a fucking fool after falling for

    Sophia''s lie for two decades.

    Gritting his teeth, he turned to Jasper with a spiteful stare. "Even if I were wrong, do you think your

    precious grandson had no fault?"

    Jasper stared back at his father without any expression.

    Alyssa couldn''t help but roll her eyes at Javier, dumbstruck by Javier''s behavior of shifting the me to

    his son, unlike ordinary fathers who would take the me for their sons.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    She felt sorry for Jasper''s overly kind and gentle mother. Had she been in a romantic rtionship with

    Javier, she would have adamantly rejected him.

    "All along, he knew Betty wasn''t my daughter, but he waited until the press conference to reveal the

    truth. It was his n to humiliate me. Has he ever cared for the Beckett family''s honor and reputation?"

    "Jasper isn''t an unreasonable man like you described him. You forced his hand!" Newton pointed a

    trembling finger at Javier''s face. He snapped angrily, "Betty might not be your biological daughter, but

    she should have treated Lauren like a sister, growing up under the same roof! But she hurt Lauren over

    and over, even taking part in Zoe Harper''s wretched abduction!

    "How could you speak up for her and help her escape prosecution, given all that had happened? Of

    course Jasper will resent you! Even if he didn''t put you in your ce, I would!''

    Javier was speechless after Newton yelled at him.

    "A devil! You were born a devil! A lost cause!" Newton took a sip of water to soothe himself. Then, he

    cast a puzzled look at Jasper. "Jasper, how did you find out about Betty''s bloodline?"

    "Grandpa, it wasn''t me. It was Alyssa." Jasper wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

    "Alice, was it you?" Newton and Javier stared at her in disbelief.

 Chapter 1916

    "At first, Lyse started having suspicion of Betty''sck of resemnce to Dad, but she kept it to herself

    without digging deeper into it.

    "It wasn''t until Betty showed her true color and hurt Lauren that Lyse started questioning the difference

    in character between the two sisters. She then decided to run a paternity test, and the result proved her

    right." Jasper looked at Alyssa affectionately.

    He added tly, "Lyse understood it was a huge deal. She repeatedly reminded me to deal with the

    matter prudently without making it public.

    "It was me who decided to reveal the news at the press conference. She had nothing to do with it.

    Grandpa, please don''t me her."

    Newton''s heart swelled when he learned the truth. He nced at Alyssa with gratitude. "Alice, you''ve

    been a great help to our family. I can''t possibly me her for anything. In fact, I need topliment

    her. Don''t mistake me for your fool of a father."

    Javier clenched his fists. Feelings of shame bubbled in his chest. He couldn''t believe that he had been

    blind to an obvious fact that even outsiders could discern.

    At that moment, Rory knocked on the door and entered. "Mr. Javier, we found the doctor who

    performed the paternity test for Sophia Kirkman years ago. He''s waiting outside."

    Javier was about to leave the room with gritted teeth when Newton said sternly, "Get that son of the

    bitch in here! I want to meet him."

    Javier was reluctant to address the matter in front of Jasper and Alyssa, not after all the humiliation he

    had endured. Still, he had no choice but to respect Newton''s request and make Rory get the doctor.

    An old and frail man was forced into the room under the intimidation of the bodyguards. Before Newton

    could even utter a word, the old doctor fearfully blurted out the truth about the falsification of the

    paternity test result he had performed for Sophia. He did so in exchange for money to settle his

    gambling debts.

    Unfortunately, the doctor''s frustrating and abominable confession did not feel cathartic for the victims,

    as Sophia was already dead.

    "Whose child was Betty Beckett? Who''s Sophia''s lover?" ring at the doctor, Javier grabbed him by

    the cor.

    "I... I have no idea!" Fearing that Javier might hurt him, the old doctor tried his best to recall his

    memories. Under the pressure, he managed to think of something. His eyes twinkled. "I remember

    something! Sophia came to me with a man by her side.

    "I don''t know if the child was his, but I identally ran into the man kissing her. I heard her calling him.

    Ron? Yes! She called him Ron. Other than that, I knew nothing."

    "I know who that is." Looking stern, Alyssa offered, "The man is called Ronald Branson, an ex-

    colleague of Sophia''s at the same TVwork, where he was the action director in the filming crew."

    "Where is he now?" Anger rolled through Javier, who looked murderous.

    "He''s serving a jail sentence." Alyssa held Jasper''s calloused hand, feeling a heartache when she

    recalled the painful events from the past. "He had once attempted to murder L under Sophia''s

    orders.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "Thankfully, Jasper arrived in time to save L''s life, but Ronald Branson hit him on the head with a

    stick, which led to grave injuries. I had to perform a craniotomy on him."

 Chapter 1917

    Jasper clearly felt the warmth seeping out of Alyssa''s hand. Her breathing grew heavier. He

    immediately knew that the unpleasant memories had triggered her and left her heartbroken.

    He held the back of her head and gently kissed her on the forehead. Then, he offered her some

    comforting remarks, "Lyse, forget the unhappy memories. Look at me. I''m perfectly fine and healthy

    now, thanks to my talented wife, who fixed my broken skull!"

    Alyssa shook her head in frustration because she knew that Jasper had never made a full recovery. His

    old injury lingered, but his condition improved only because of the love and care she showered him

    after they got back together.

    His stress levels decreased, which led to improvements in his neurological health, and coupled with

    medical treatments, he finally stopped rpsing.

    However, she was well aware of how he endured the pain when he was stressed out during the day.

    After putting her to sleep at night, he would secretly take painkillers for relief.

    He might think he hid his condition well, but she was attentive to every single detail about him. It was

    impossible to keep any secret from her.

    Javier''s pupils dted in shock. His stiffened expression was filled with resentment.

    "M-Mr. Javier, I did not have a choice! I know Sophia Kirkman was your wife, but the man who showed

    up with her waved a knife in my face and threatened me to falsify the result. I dared not go against their

    order! Ah¡ª"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Javier angrily kicked the doctor to the ground. "Do not ever refer to Sophia as my wife again, or I''ll cut

    your tongue off! You''re being naive if you think I''d let this matter slide because it happened 20 years

    ago. One of you has to pay the price for messing with the Beckett family and humiliating us. Since

    Sophia Kirkman is dead, you shall be punished on her behalf!"

    Javier couldn''t believe that Ronald had been keeping in touch with Sophia. Not only that, the bastard

    willingly allowed her to take advantage of him and attempted murder on her behalf.

    Sophia yed a role in the death of Javier''s beloved first wife, Anne, and took her ce. On top of that,

    she and her illegitimate child enjoyed a life of luxury in the Beckett family. Had they not shot

    themselves in the foot, Javier feared that he might be kept in the dark forever as they piged the

    stocks and assets of Beckett Group.

    "That cheating couple!" Newton felt suffocated from the fury inside him and felt sorry for Jasper. "That

    evil bitch was the reason Jasper lost his mom. Not only that, her lover tried to take Jasper''s life! Had it

    not been for the surgery by Alice... Javier, you would have lost your son to that cheating couple!"

    All color drained from Javier''s face when a realization dawned on him. He took in the calm on Jasper''s

    face, the amalgamation of his and Anne''s best features. Jasper, despite going against Javier all the

    time and making trouble, remained Javier''s flesh and blood at the end of the day.

    At that thought, Javier started feeling remorseful.

    "Javier Beckett, if you still regard me as your father, you need to tie up the loose ends of Sophia''s sins."

    Newton finally regained normal breathing thanks to Alyssa''s massage.

    Fixing a stern re on Javier, he issued an ultimatum, "It''s only fair for you to take responsibility for the

    misdeeds of your family! You have let me down countless times. If you can''t get it right this time, I will

    no longer see you as my son."

 Chapter 1918

    "That goes without saying." Javier left the room with a firm resolve. "I will not repeat my mistake!"

    Betty had been spending her days locked up with the most vicious and filthy of female criminals in the

    detention center, where she slept on rock-hard beds and had nasty food for meals. Her life was worse

    than her time in Mosgravia.

    After the news of the abduction broke out, Javier sent an attorney to visit Betty. The attorney had

    promised to bail her out on medical grounds and get her to the hospital in three days. She would be

    staying at a VIP patient suite, far away from the crummy detention center.

    Betty, who had been acting timid and reserved in detention, immediately felt more spirited after learning

    about the iing help. She did not learn her lesson and reverted to her arrogant self while still being

    detained.

    However, the prisoners did not take it well. Enraged, they beat her and cursed at her the entire day,

    forcing her to clean the restrooms. They handed her a basin of water that had been contaminated with

    excretions to wash her face.

    "How dare you put on airs at the detention center, you shameless bitch? Do you want a good beating?"

    Two female prisoners held her by the arms and forced her to kneel on the floor. The leader of the

    prisoners kicked Betty in the head, leaving a filthy shoe mark on her forehead.

    "How dare you? Do you know who I am?" Struggling to break free, Betty shook her head and yelled, "I

    am Betty Beckett! Javier Beckett is my father! Bully me, and I''ll teach you a painful lesson when I''m

    out!"

    "If you are Javier Beckett''s daughter, I''m his mom!" The leader kicked Betty once more, eliciting a

    cacophony ofughter from the other prisoners.

    Betty bared her teeth at the leader like a rabid dog.

    At that moment, the door to the prison cell swung open. A member of the police announced, "Betty

    Beckett, you have a visitor!"

    Betty scrambled up from the floor, her eyes shining with hope. "Hahaha! I''ll be out soon! Just wait and

    see, you bitches! I''ll settle the score with every one of you!"

    d in the inmate uniform, Betty was led into the visiting room.

    "Dad! Dad, you''re finally here!" Betty cried when she saw Javier sitting on the other side of the ss

    panel. He wore a sour expression. "Dad, look how badly they beat me up!

    "They beat me all day, made me clean the toilets, and even forced me to drink pee! By the way, did you

    know they insulted you behind your back?

    "Dad, how could you have the heart to make me suffer? Get me out right now!"

    Javier continued ring at her without a word. Finally, Rory slowly began, "You shouldn''t have

    committed a crime if you didn''t want this treatment. You deserve this life for hurting your sister."

    "What does that have to do with me?" Betty argued without a hint of remorse. "It was Zoe''s idea from

    the very start! She started the trouble and tried to drag me down with her. I was forced into it!"

    Rory chuckled emotionlessly. "Didn''t you turn in Ms. Lauren''s diagnosis to the Harpers and bully her

    with the others? Did Zoe force you to do that too?"Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

 Chapter 1919

    Betty barked, "Shut up! You''re just my dad''spdog. This is not your ce to speak!"

    "Enough! You should be the one shutting up." Javier mmed his fist on the table, which sent Betty

    reeling from the shock. She stammered, "D-Dad..."

    "You repeatedly hurt my daughter. Sending you to jail is being merciful to you." Leaning forward, Javier

    clenched his jaw and seethed, "You deserve to go to hell with that evil mom of yours!"

    Shaking from head to toe, Betty pressed her hands against the ss. "Dad! Dad, what are you talking

    about? I''m as much your daughter as Lauren is! I was Zoe''s victim¡ªshe threatened me! You can''t

    watch me suffer!"

    "Why would I save you?" Javier slowly rose from his seat. Then, he cast an arrogant and heartless look

    at Betty as if she were an enemy. "I''m here today to let you know that your problems are none of my

    business from now on. I will not visit you again. The sight of you disgusts me."

    "Dad."

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Stop calling me Dad. You''re not my daughter¡ªonly Lauren is!"

    With that, Javier turned around and left without another look at Betty.

    "Dad, I''m your daughter! Dad!" she yelled at the top of her lungs while mming her fists against the

    ss.

    Rory pped the paternity test result on the ss, covering her face behind it. He revealed, "I''m sorry,

    but you are not rted to Mr. Javier at all."

    Betty''s eyes nearly popped out when she read the writing on the paper.

    Rory smirked. "You''re just a bastard child¡ªa product of lust and infidelity between Sophia Kirkman and

    a vile man."

    "No! That''s impossible. You''re lying! That''s nonsense!" She wed at the ss with a vacant look and

    shrieked, "I''m a Beckett! I''m Javier Beckett''s daughter. Jasper must have made you lie to my face.

    "Get Dad here. I need to hear it from his mouth!"

    Rory tossed the paternity test result onto the table before leaving. At the door, he paused and tly

    dispensed a bit of advice. "Oh, right. You need to make some friends in jail. Get along well with your

    cellmates, or you''ll have a rough time."

    Betty stood there, frozen for a long time until the police came to drag her away. At that moment, she

    finally made a scene by screaming and flipping the chair with a scowl. Crying andughing, she waved

    and wed at the air like a sinister spirit.

    "I''m Betty Beckett! I''m ady of a distinguished family! Mess with me, and I''ll teach you a lesson!

    Hahaha!"

 Chapter 1920

    In Mosgravia, Justin was seated behind a sculpted wooden screen in a tea room filled with incense

    smoke. Dressed in white, he looked elegant, divine, and otherworldly, like he had walked out of a

    painting. He was in the middle of a chess game with Sheryl.

    "Sir, we got news from Sna City. Javier Beckett haspletely given up on Betty," Sheryl muttered

    quietly. "The paternity test result you dropped at the press conference was a huge blow to Mr. Javier."

    "That was expected." Justin lowered his gaze. He said indifferently, "Sophia Kirkman was useless. You

    can''t expect much from her daughter.

    "I knew Betty wasn''t a Beckett many years ago. I was aware of Sophia Kirkman''s secrets as well."

    "Were you? Why didn''t you call them out?" Sheryl looked taken aback. "Sophia Kirkman abused her

    position as the family matriarch to misappropriatepany funds. Weren''t you worried about her

    actions? What if she got her hands on thepany stocks or made Javier Beckett her puppet as she

    took control of thepany? Were you not worried that she would be a threat?"

    "I was not worried at all." Picking up a crystal chess piece, he calmly captured her knight. "Sophia

    Kirkman was greedy, but she overestimated her might. Besides, my grandpa was keeping an eye on

    company affairs. She''d be delusional to think that she could gain control.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Since I was absent from Sna City, I needed someone to keep Jasper in check. Otherwise, life

    would be too smooth sailing, or in other words, boring for my dear brother. Too bad, Sophia Kirkman let

    me down."

    Sheryl finally came to understand Justin''s strategy of killing with a borrowed knife. Although Sophia

    suffered a total defeat in the end, her presence ensured that Jasper failed to gain a foothold in the

    company and contributed to his deteriorating rtionship with Javier.

    "Call Mr. Schmidt when you''re free." Justin gracefully took a sip of tea. "This is the start of a new round

    of the game. I''ve offered him enough help. Now, the ball is in his court."

    Preston, who had been shot three times,y in the hospital teetering, on the brink of death.

    Miraculously, he survived the ordeal and was receiving treatment at a hospital of the police''s choice.

    Although his wretched actions were unforgivable, he still enjoyed the rights of a citizen after he was

    arrested at the crime scene. Even if he were to be sentenced to death, for now, the priority was to save

    his life.

    Late at night, a medical staff shuffled down the empty corridor, dressed in a doctor''s coat and wearing a

    mask. He pushed open the door to the patient''s room and wheeled in a cart. After that, he locked the

    door behind him.

    Preston remained awake in bed. Intubated, he stared at the ceiling. He was immobile due to being

    handcuffed to the bed railing.

    For a moment, he appeared pitiful and vulnerable, even looking like a victim. One could never tell that

    he was a psycho who murdered his own dad.

    "Preston Harper, it''s time to take your meds."

    Upon hearing that, he turned to look at the staff who had just entered. Suddenly, he felt his heart

    racing. His eyes were filled with fear. Preston was about to scream when the man taped his mouth.

    Eyes bulging from the panic, he trembled so violently that the bed rattled.

    The mysterious figure took off his mask, revealing himself to be Jordan. Jordan had a vicious look on

    his face. He scoffed at Preston. "Are you scared? I''m surprised that a vile creature like you would be

    afraid of death."

    Preston let out muffled screams. Shaking in fear, he was too weak to even fight back.

    "Didn''t you set off your n with the determination to die with Mr. Landon? I thought you wanted death.

    Why? Did a short stay at the hospital remind you of the beauty of life? Are you feeling cowardly now?"

    Jordan took a syringe from the stainless steel tray on the cart. The needle was thick.

    Chuckling softly with a murderous look, Jordan teared up. "Preston Harper, you killed my senior. She

    was to me a sister, and she was family to Mr. Landon.

    "I cannot possibly let you live in cowardice or die infort. I have five injections prepared for you¡ªall

    of them highly poisonous. You will experience a unique type of suffering from each injection. Now,

    enjoy."

 Chapter 1921

    Preston quivered in fear and sweated profusely. The five injections represented revenge for five

    different victims.

    Oddly, even when Preston had his arm severed by Landon, or when he was shot three times at the

    swimming pool, he had never felt closer to death than this moment.

    Perhaps Jordan was right. Preston''s courage to die seemed to fade away after being given a second

    shot at life.

    Jordan, with a steely look in his eyes, injected the first poison into Preston''s chest. The cold needle

    pierced through the skin, causing Preston to writhe as though he was being electrocuted. His eyes

    popped out in agony as he moaned.

    "The first injection is for Landon''ste father, who is dead because of you. After this shot, your limbs

    will go numb, and you will experience convulsions." Jordan picked up the second syringe and plunged

    it into Preston''s left rib. "This shot is for Mr. Cornelius. You will feel a sharp pain in your stomach, as

    well as a headache and nausea."

    Preston cast a pleading look at Jordan. His tears and snot gushed out humiliatingly. The slow torture

    hurt more than being shot.

    "The third injection is for Mr. Landon. You will start to foam by the mouth and struggle to breathe."

    Jordan poked the needle into Preston''s right rib.

    A few secondster, Preston indeed started to heave, but vomit umted and was forced back into

    his throat due to the tape over his mouth. His face turned red before gradually transitioning into a

    deathly shade of purple.

    "The fourth injection is for Madam. After this shot, you will lose your eyesight while the pain in your

    stomach intensifies." Jordan poked the thick needle into Preston''s stomach this time with a heartless

    chuckle.

    Slowly, Preston''s vision blurred. The poison got to his organs, leading to a seizure. His facial muscles

    stiffened, and his heart pounded against his chest. His bloodshot eyes carried a vacant and despairing

    look.

    "The final injection is for my senior... Angelina." Jordan held the fifth syringe with trembling fingers.

    Tears brimmed in his eyes. He struggled to speak. "She lived her whole life in danger and suffering.

    She did not enjoy a day to herself before leaving the world. How could life be this unfair to her? That

    was too cruel.

    "She would never have the chance to see Mr. Landon married. She had not found the love of her life.

    How could she leave us?

    "If I were given a second chance, I would take her ce and die. How I wish I could fall into that empty

    pool in her ce.

    "Preston Harper, go to hell. Repent your sins in front of the devil and be punished forever!"

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Soon, Jordan raised his arms and plunged the needle into Preston''s heart. Preston''s body stiffened

    while his fingers spread. With a low growl, he drew hisst breath and passed away with his eyes

    open.

    Jordan left the cart at the scene and sneaked out. A policeman on duty suddenly confronted him from

    behind when he reached the stairs. "Hey, stop there! I need to see your ID!"

    Jordan''s chest tightened. Panicking, he shoved the doors open and barged out. With two policemen

    hard on his heels, he sprinted all the way to the underground parking lot.

    Right as the policemen were about to catch up to him, and just when he was prepared to surrender in

    despair, a ck sedan drove in the direction of the two policemen, which scared them out of the way.

    Another car followed closely behind and came to a stop in front of Jordan.

    The door of the second car flung open, followed by a familiar voiceing from the shadows in the car.

    "Hop in!"

    Jordan''s heart thundered. Without hesitation, he climbed into the car.

 Chapter 1922

    Jordan was able to get away without a hitch thanks to the other car that stopped the police at the

    hospital.

    A ck vehicle zoomed through the brightly lit Sna Highway.

    Landon was staring out the window. His eyes were empty and dark. Under the flickering lights, his face

    was alluring as usual but inexplicably deste.

    It was as if he was apletely different person.

    Jordan observed him closely, searching for any trace of his presidential demeanor, but found none

    whatsoever. Landon waspletely broken.

    "I didn''t issue any orders. You shouldn''t have done more than what I''ve instructed you to."

    After a long silence, Landon spoke up softly, "There are numerous opportunities to kill Preston. Yet, you

    chose the one time when it was the riskiest."

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Landon."

    Jordan lowered his head. He clenched his fists tightly. "It''s just that... I really wanted him to die. He''s

    considered lucky to even be able to live another day!

    "I''m sorry. I know that I''ve made things very difficult for you. I''m willing to bear all the punishment. If the

    police approach you, tell them that I was the one who did it. I have taken my revenge, so I no longer

    have any regrets. I''m willing to plead guilty and¡ª"

    Landon closed his eyes and lifted his hand, interrupting Jordan. "I didn''t ask you to take action because

    I was afraid that you''d be involved."

    Jordan''s heart raced, caught off guard by Landon''s words. "Mr. Landon."

    "You are the only one I have left by my side." Landon was anguished. He choked, "You were Angelina''s

    best friend when she was still alive. I wouldn''t be able to live with myself if anything happened to you."

    "Thank you." Jordan couldn''t hold himself back anymore. Tears of regret started flowing down his face.

    "He''s dead?"

    "Yes. I watched him catch hisst breath. Don''t worry, Mr. Landon. I wouldn''t have made it easy for

    him. He died a painful death."

    Landon lifted the corners of his lips briefly.

    Aplex ball of emotions rolled within him. He felt a lump in his throat and didn''t utter another word

    for quite a while.

    "I got a call from the police station today. They said that Mr. Cornelius'' autopsy had beenpleted.

    You can go ahead and make arrangements for his funeral," Jordan exined mournfully.

    "Okay."

    Just then, Landon''s phone vibrated. It was Penelope calling.

    Landon lowered his eyes and stared at his phone for a while. Despite hanging up on her multiple times,

    he eventually answered her call.

    "Landon! What''s going on with you? Do you still have a heart?" Penelope was yelling on the other end

    of the line. She loudly berated him, "You kept protecting Lauren Beckett! Now, this is the oue! Our

    family is broken. It''spletely ruined!

    "Your grandfather died, and you''ve wounded your sister so severely. She''s coughing up blood every

    day! Are you happy now? Are you satisfied now?"

    Landon listened calmly to Penelope''s unrestrained lecture. He wasn''t feeling disturbed. He even

    laughed out loud.

    "All of these happened because of that idiot! Everything happened because of her. She is the root of all

    evil. She is a soul eater who came to harm our family!"

    Penelope screamed like a mad woman. Her attitude was not at all ssy, and it was unbing for a

    woman her stature.

    "Listen to me! Even though your grandfather is no longer with us, I will never ept her! She can

    forget about marrying you! She shouldn''t even entertain the thought! Never!"

    "Are you done?" Landon asked coldly.

    Penelope was stunned by hisck of emotion. All she could do was catch her breath.

    "It seems like the recent events in our family have had a significant impact on you. Your mental

    wellbeing doesn''t appear to be in good shape."

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    Then, Landon calmly instructed Jordan, "Jordan, contact the hospital overseas that''s most reputable for

    treating mental conditions within the next couple of days. Send Penelope over and make sure she

    receives good treatment."

 Chapter 1923

    Jordan was initially taken aback. Then, he answered, "Alright. I''ll look into it tomorrow."

    Landon was about to hang up when Penelope continued with her tirade on the phone.

    "Landon Harper! I am your mother! I can''t believe that you want to keep me locked up in an asylum.

    You''re a madman! Let me tell you this... Even if the entire Harper Group ends up in your hands... even

    if you are now the head of the family, I am not afraid! I will give my all and use all of my connections to

    rescue Zoe!

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    "Come and take my life if you''re that capable! You''re disowning me anyway. Well, I will not have such

    an ungrateful and ruthless man as my son! You are no longer my son!"

    "Okay."

    Without any hesitation, Landon hung up the call.

    His world was now quiet.

    Jordan stared at Landon in shock. After a while, he queried, "M-Mr. Landon, are you really cutting off

    ties with Madam Penelope? You have just taken over the entire Harper Group. I''m worried that the

    media wille up with nonsense if they hear a word about this. It will affect your reputation."

    "That''s not important."

    There was a slight smile on Landon''s face. His eyes were filled with tenderness. "All I need is Lauren."

    Jordan nodded. All of a sudden, he had the urge to cry again.

    Landon had indeed sacrificed way too much, all for the sake of getting his happiness.

    "Dear God, let them be together. Please," Jordan pleaded in his heart.

    "Oh, right. Mr. Harper, Madam Penelope said that she wanted to rescue Zoe. The best way to do this is

    to get her on medical parole. Her current condition also meets the criteria. Do we want to stop¡ª"

    "There is no need for that. She wants to try giving her all for her daughter. Just let her be."

    The look in Landon''s eyes was calm. In a sharp and icy voice, he continued, "It''s her responsibility as

    her mother."

    It was in the wee hours of the morning. Landon hadn''t gone home to rest. Instead, he rushed to the

    hospital to visit Lauren.

    In the quiet corridor, Jasper and Julien were discussing Lauren''s condition. Jasper pulled Landon aside

    the moment he spotted him.

    "I heard the news from Cyrus. Preston was murdered in the hospital. Was it your doing?"

    "Yes," Landon answered bluntly in the face of his best friend.

    "That was too risky. This is murder. Although Preston deserves to die, you would only be

    embroiled in bigger troubles by doing this!"

    Jasper ced his hands down on Landon''s shoulders and gave them a squeeze. "What use would it

    be if the revenge would cost you your own life? Even if you''re not putting yourself into consideration,

    you should also keep Lauren in mind.

    "Angelina has lost her life. How is Lauren going to live on if something bad happens to you too?"

    Landon''s throat felt dry. Tears welled up in his eyes.

    "Preston is now dead. The authorities will surely see you as the primary suspect because you have

    enough motive."

    Jasper took a deep breath. Decisively, he said, "I wille up with a way for you to resolve it with the

    police. All you need to do is to deny it all the way. I will handle the rest."

    "I''m sorry, Jasper. It was me. I was the one who hurt Lauren..."

    Landon slumped forward and rested his forehead on Jasper''s shoulder. He had been putting up a

    strong front. He was finally taking off his armor in front of Jasper and revealing the fragile side of

    himself.

    Landon bawled his eyes out like a young child. Drops of his tears made Jasper''s suit wet.

    Jasper''s heart was pained. He gently patted Landon. "I don''t me you, Landon. I have never med

    you. Stay strong. You have Lyse and me. There''s also Jonah and Julien. We are all standing by you."

    "I. I want to visit Lauren."

    In the hospital ward, Lauren''s frail bodyy on the white hospital bed, an oxygen mask covering her

    face. She was hooked up to a heart monitor, which disyed her weak heartbeat.

 Chapter 1924

    Landon sat by the bedside, lifting Lauren''s bruised hand and gently pressing it to his cheek. He rubbed

    her hand tenderly against his cheek before cing a delicate kiss on her palm.

    This was also how he typically showed her affection. He treated her like an incredibly fragile and

    precious object, guarding her with unwavering devotion.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    He had cared for her diligently, yet those monsters had mercilessly ravaged his beloved, dragging her

    through the mire and shattering her.

    "Lauren, I''m right here. Open your eyes and look at me, will you?" he implored, tears welling in his

    eyes, his lips quivering with emotion. "Wake up... Don''t leave me alone."

    In the end, he remained seated like that until daybreak.

    Early the next day, Javier, apanied by Rory, arrived to visit Lauren.

    Jasper was sitting outside the hospital ward. He hadn''t slept all night. A conflicted look came across his

    eyes when he saw Javier, but he stood up anyway.

    "Have you been sitting here all night without sleeping?" Javier was surprised to see the dark circles

    beneath Jasper''s eyes.

    Jasper replied coldly, "Yeah. I wasn''t sleepy."

    Javier frowned. "How is that possible? It has been four days, hasn''t it? The longest someone can go

    without sleep is seven days. You could end up dying a sudden death!" he blurted.

    Javier''s and Jasper''s eyes met. The atmosphere was awkward between them.

    Jasper''s eyes widened slightly. He couldn''t believe that Javier was expressing concern for him, and it

    sounded genuine.

    Jasper wasn''t used to that.

    Javier blinked and cleared his throat. "I had Rory buy some breakfast. You haven''t eaten, have you?

    Here, have something to eat."

    Rory was carrying two boxes of takeout. He ced them on the chair immediately.

    "I''ve included a portion for Cornelius. Bring it over to himter. He''s a picky eater, and he said that the

    hospital food tastes nd. He specified that he wanted pancakes and such. I don''t understand what''s

    so tasty about pancakes that he never gets enough of it."

    Javier paused. Then, he added in a casual tone, "I heard that Alyssa was also here all night. I got

    breakfast for her too. Let''s eat together."

    Jasper thought that he had misheard. He stared at Javier and asked, "What did you say?"

    Javier coughed before exining, "She has been helping out a lot since that incident with Lauren. She

    even hired a doctor from Mosgravia to check up on Lauren."

    Javier pressed his lips together. The look on his face was as prideful as usual. "Although I don''t really

    like her, she did help my daughter. So, I should show her my gratitude."

    Jasper was stunned. He had mixed feelings about what Javier had said and didn''t know how to

    respond.

    Rory noticed all these and smiled slightly.

    It was probably a blessing in disguise. It was as if Javier and Jasper were starting to get along better

    than before.

    Javier looked through the ss window and noticed the figure of a man. "Who''s inside?" he asked in

    curiosity.

    "That''s Landon."

    "That''s Landon?" Javier was shocked. "Why does his hair look so different?"

    Rory looked in the same direction too. Although Landon was young, his hair had turned grayish-white.

    It broke his heart to see him like that.

    "Many things have been happening in his family. Lauren is also badly hurt. His hair started turning

    white after all the anguish he had to go through." A lump rose in Jasper''s throat; he couldn''t bear to

    take another look at Landon.

    Javier was shocked. He couldn''t believe what he was seeing, yet he couldn''t deny the evidence before

    him.

    Just then, Landon trudged out of the room. He felt remorseful and out of ce when he noticed that

    Javier was there. He kept his head down and didn''t dare to look him in the eye. "Sorry for intruding, Mr.

    Javier. I''ll be leaving now."

    But before he could walk away, Javier grabbed his arm. "Rory, go and get Mr. Landon some breakfast

    and bring it over here immediately."

 Chapter 1925

    Landon felt touched. He gazed at Javier, gratitude evident in his eyes. Though he opened his mouth to

    speak, words eluded him, leaving him in a momentary silence.

    Jasper, standing nearby, watched with surprise, his expression softening into a relieved smile.

    "Got it, Mr. Javier. I''ll see to it right away!" Rory answered with a smile.

    Rory was about to leave when Landon stopped him. "There is no need to trouble yourselves. I still have

    a lot of work to do. Thank you for your kind thought, Mr. Javier."

    Upon hearing that, Javier decided not to impose. He nodded slightly and offered a quiet piece of

    advice. "Much has happened in your family recently. It must be an immense burden to bear alone. But

    don''t forget to take care of yourself too. Lauren is my only daughter. If you crumble, so will her world."

    Days of exhaustion and helplessness weighed heavily on Landon. His body bore the scars of reality''s

    harshness. At this moment, he was filled with a sense of warmth that he hadn''t felt in a while.

    His chest tightened with emotion as he met Javier''s gaze. In a voice roughened by fatigue but filled

    with determination, he affirmed, "For Lauren''s sake, I will endure, no matter how arduous the path. You

    have my word."

    Jasper had his hand around Landon''s shoulders as they made their way to the parking lot.

    "Congrattions, Landon." Jasper beamed; his smile was akin to the bright sun emerging after a

    storm. "It seems like Dad is more epting of you now. After this dangerous encounter, I think he has

    come around and is not as repulsed by you."

    Although barely discernible, an awkward smile briefly flitted across Landon''s face. "Thanks for trying to

    comfort me, Jasper. But I know where I stand."

    Jasper observed the dim spark in his eyes and felt a pang of guilt. Landon, once vibrant and

    mboyant, now seemed weighed down by regret and inferiority, particrly regarding his rtionship

    with Lauren. It was as if he could no longer love someone with the same arrogance and passion as

    before.

    The current version of Landon reminded Jasper of the time when he had desperately pursued the

    opportunity to watch over Alyssa. Having weathered his own storms, Jasper was determined to shield

    Landon from further hardship.

    "Have some confidence, Landon. You''ve done nothing wrong," Jasper reassured, firmly patting him on

    the shoulder. "Javier may no longer have a say in your rtionship with Lauren, despite him being

    Lauren''s father. Even so, Lauren would be happier if Javier were to give his blessings to the both of

    you.

    "Plus, in the future, he will likely support Harper Group for the sake of his only daughter, making your

    journey as the family head smoother.

    "However, in Lyse''s words, Javier is a prick. No matter how much recognition he may have for

    someone deep down, he would never admit it. But the way he interacted with you today was

    unprecedented.

    "Don''t worry. You and Lauren have been through fire; nothing and no one can separate the both of you

    again."

    Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Both Landon and Jasper

    whipped their heads around, stunned.

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    "Mr. Axel?"

    "Axel?"

    A breeze swept through the parking lot as Axel approached, his ck coat billowing in the wind. His

    clear eyes held a steely resolve. "Sorry for beingte. I was held up by work."

    Jasper shook his head. "No worries."

    Axel observed the changes in Landon, hisshes fluttering slightly. He was brief with his words. "Is

    there anything else that I can help you with?"

    A warmth spread in Landon''s heart as he shook his head. "Thank you. I can manage on my own."

    "Remember that time when Jasper hurt his head so badly that he ended up in the hospital? Do you

    remember what I said back then?" There was a gleam in Axel''s eyes. He smiled and continued, "I said

    that from that day on, you are no longer Jasper''s only friend. Simrly, Jasper isn''t your only friend.

    "Feel free to mobilize your resources when necessary, myself included."

    "Mr. Axel, thank you," Landon said softly, his eyes brimming with gratitude.

    Axel couldn''t stay serious for long. With a yful grin, he teased, "Hey, if you''re really grateful, just call

    me Axel."

    In a sheepish tone, Landon replied, "Okay, Axel."

    Axel clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. "You''re no fun. You took my advice too seriously."

    Just then, Jordan hurried over nervously. "Mr. Landon, Mrs. Harper has started to take action! She

    bribed a prison medic to tamper with Zoe''s health report. The police have approved their attorney''s

    request to put her on medical parole. She will be brought out of the detention center this afternoon!"

    Landon remained eerily calm despite the troubling news. "Gather all those who are still willing to work

    for me. I won''t force them if they''re afraid of taking the risk."

    Jasper sensed Landon''s intention to engage in risky business. He furrowed his brows. And as if Axel

    had seen through his thoughts, Axel intervened with a yfulugh, "Hey, no need for all that trouble.

    You have me, and that''s enough."

 Chapter 1926

    Landon had beaten up Zoe quite badly. Two of her ribs were broken, so her treatment at the detention

    center was marginally better than Betty''s. At least, Zoe was ced in a single cell, spared from the

    torments of other inmates.

    Zoe coughed up blood every day. She didn''t even have the energy to cause a racket. Every day, she

    lay stiffly in bed and cried. "Help me. I''m going to die... I drank the blood of someone with HIV. I''m

    going to be infected. Save me, please!"

    Strangely enough, Betty''s ruse had an effect. Zoe was gued by constant fear, her days filled with

    bouts of vomiting triggered by the vile words she had heard.

    It was a shame that no one bothered about her.

    Despite her suffering, Zoe endured until the news of her impending medical parole revitalized her. In a

    sudden surge of energy, she sat up,ughing and crying hysterically in front of the prison guard and her

    attorney, Horace Finch, appearing unhinged.

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    "I knew it! I knew that Grandpa and Mom wouldn''t abandon me! I just knew it!" Zoe eximed, her

    laughter bordering on madness. "Landon tried to end my life... but only in his dreams!"

    Her response was foolish and unrepentant. Even the prison guard frowned in disapproval as he

    watched her.

    Fearing Zoe''s reaction, Horace chose not to inform her of Cornelius'' death. He anticipated her vtile

    response, worrying she might attack him like a rabid animal, necessitating a rabies vine. Instead, he

    calmly informed her, "Ms. Zoe, the police have arranged transportation to the hospital. They''re waiting

    outside. It''s time to go."

    "The police? Didn''t my mom arrange a car for me? Why do I have to ride with the police?" Zoe''s tone

    was disdainful as she red and wrinkled her nose.

    Horace was left speechless. "Ms. Zoe, you are being ced on medical parole. You''re not being

    acquitted. Right now, you are still a criminal suspect. The prosecution will proceed with the case

    against you while you receive treatment at the hospital."

    "You useless piece of shit!" Zoe pointed at his nose, unleashing her frustration. "You can''t even get this

    little bit right. What is our family paying you for?"

    Horace clenched his teeth in anger, silently cursing her.

    Zoe emerged from the detention center, her wrists restrained by handcuffs, nked by two policemen.

    The weather was dreary, with dark clouds dominating the sky, casting a somber mood. Despite the

    dismal atmosphere, Zoe looked up at the sky with anticipation, inhaling the fresh air eagerly; she

    thought that freedom was finally within reach.

    Since she was able to walk out of the detention center, she was convinced that she would escape legal

    consequences unscathed, and it was all because she was Cornelius'' and Penelope''s most beloved

    family member.

    Seated in the police van, escorted by two officers en route to the specified hospital, Zoe felt a sense of

    satisfaction. She reclined in the back seat, closing her eyes and indulging in thoughts of the carefree

    days ahead.

    Did Landon truly believe he could exact revenge so easily? Love had evidently clouded his judgment.

    Not only had he failed to do anything against her, but Cornelius would also never forgive him for his

    ruthlessness. Landon could just forget about being president!

    With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Zoe drifted off to sleep.

    The vehicle drove away from the city and toward the ring road. As the van entered a dark tunnel, an

    osciting surveince camera on the highway abruptly ceased its movement.

    The journey had been uneventful until an ear-piercing screech came from the tires.

 Chapter 1927

    The van experienced simultaneous punctures in both of its front tires. The driver lost control, causing

    the vehicle to crash into the left wall with a jarring impact, leaving the door dented and the front end

    mangled. It was a horrible sight.

    Fortunately, the officers had fastened their seatbelts, so they sustained only minor bruises. But Zoe,

    seated in the back row, was in a dire state. Wailing in agony, she suffered a head injury and had her left

    arm pinned by the door, with a metal te slicing her flesh, causing profuse bleeding.

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    Amidst the chaos, confusion arose.

    "Why did the tires go t all of a sudden?"

    "It''s too strange. Let''s go and take a look!"

    Both officers got out of the van. The moment they bent down to inspect the tires, they both felt a sharp

    pain at the back of their necks. They lost consciousness and copsed to the ground.

    When Zoe witnessed that, she wasn''t afraid. Instead, she looked at the man in front of her with a gaze

    full of gratitude. Hopefully, she asked, "Did Grandpa send you to save me? He did, didn''t he?"

    "To save a monster like you?" The man, d in a ck coat and mask, narrowed his eyes and

    chuckled derisively. "I''m not so low as to do that."

    Zoe''s hope turned to terror as she stared at him, trembling.

    "Who... Who are you?" she stammered.

    "Me?" Leaning closer with an overbearing gaze, the man identified himself, "Me? I am Ares, the son of

    Zeus and Hera. I am here to serve justice."

    When Zoe regained consciousness, she found herself bound by iron chains hanging from the ceiling in

    an unfamiliar room. Stripped of her prison uniform, she was left only in filthy undergarments.

    The room had no windows at all. Zoe figured that she was in a basement. The air was so chilly that it

    made her teeth chatter. She started to get goosebumps all over her body.

    "Is anyone there? Help! Save me!" Zoe struggled to free herself as she cried out continuously,

    "Grandpa. Mom. Save me!"

    Suddenly, the basement door opened, and three burly men entered without a word, stripping away the

    last shreds of Zoe''s dignity. In a harrowing ordeal, they subjected her to unspeakable acts of violence,

    her screams reverberating through the confines of the room.

    Zoe bawled until her vision became blurry. She stared at the dimmp that was swinging above her.

    Her eyes were filled with despair.

    Her face swelled up from the beatings she took. Yet, she was powerless and could only endure the

    brutality that was being forced upon her.

    The pain was agonizing. It was as if she had kept crawling toward the prison exit but was being pulled

    back into the abyss time and time again.

    After an indefinite amount of time had passed, the three men decided that they were done with her.

    They flung a jacket on her to cover her lower body, which was bleeding. Then, they left the basement.

    Zoe was in so much pain that it felt like her body had been split open. She wrapped the clothing around

    her and crawled forward slowly. Her crying was extremely pitiful.

    Right at that moment, she heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.

    A pair of clean leather shoes showed up in front of her. Her eyes were so swollen that she could only

    see through slits. She mustered up her strength and looked up.

    "Why... you..." Zoe breathed heavily. Her eyes were aze with anger.

    "How does it feel to be abused by other people, Ms. Zoe?" Landon red at her frigidly. He lifted the

    corners of his lips into a cruel smirk. "You''ve tormented Lauren for three years. So, I got three men to

    torment you. An eye for an eye. Fair and square."

 Chapter 1928

    "Landon... Landon..."

    With dirt-stained hands, Zoe clutched onto the leg of Landon''s pants, her eyes burning with fury and

    hatred. "Just because of that bitch. Just because of that bitch. How could you do this to me?

    "Who does Lauren think she is? I am your biological sister! How could you do this to me? You should

    just go to hell!"

    "That''s right, you are my biological sister," Landon rasped. Tears welled in his eyes, casting an icy

    re. "I''ve cherished you since childhood. But you repeatedly hurt me with your actions. You''ve torn

    apart my happiness to satisfy your selfish desires.

    "If your actions stemmed from hatred toward me, perhaps I could have found it in my heart to forgive

    you, considering our familial bond. But instead, you''ve harmed an innocent woman. And not just

    anyone¡ªshe is the love of my life.

    "I''ve given you countless chances, Zoe. Each time, I held onto hope that you would change and repent.

    Yet, each time, you proved me wrong. Instead of remorse, I was met with further cruelty toward

    Lauren."

    He closed his eyes, the image of Lauren fighting against her bullies haunting his mind.

    If she hadn''t had the energy to resist. If she hadn''t given her life to fight back.

    The same tragedy that had befallen Zoe could have easily happened to Lauren. Landon knew he could

    have lost Lauren forever.

    "Landon, stop making excuses for your ingratitude and your infatuation!" Zoe panted heavily; her re

    was fierce. "That stupid woman has consumed your soul! You''re a madman, a pawn manipted by

    her!

    "The greatest regret of my life is being your sister and not ridding you of that bitch earlier. condemning

    you to a lifetime of sorrow and regret!"

    Landon''s expression remained cold as he watched Zoe''s outburst. Her rage contorted her face into that

    of a ferocious beast.

    Zoe continued, "By locking me in here. Did you think you could avenge that bitch this way? You

    abducted me from the police. They will find me soon! And Grandpa. Mom. They will all find me. You''re

    finished, Landon! You''re fucking finished!"

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    "Grandpa is already dead." Landon, who had been calm all along, choked on his tears as he informed

    Zoe of this news.

    Instantly, Zoe became as white as a sheet, her gaze vacant. "What did you say? Grandpa. is dead?"

    Following that, she erupted intoughter, disbelief painting her features. "Landon, you''re lying to me,

    aren''t you? You would even go as far asing up with such a lie just to get me?"

    Landon''s response was filled with bitterness. "Would I need to lie about something like this? Grandpa''s

    funeral is in two days. But you won''t be there to bid him goodbye."

    Zoe''s pupils were constricted. She panicked. "How could that¡ª"

    "Preston killed him. He stabbed Grandpa three times."

    Zoe''s world crumbled around her. "No... No..."

    "You chose to side with the enemy. You wanted to use Preston toe against me and Lauren. But in

    the end, Preston killed the one in this family who loved you the most. And Dad''s death was also

    because of him. His helicopter crashed into the sea because Preston hired someone to tamper with it."

    Zoe was utterly stupefied.

    "In the past, I have given you multiple warnings to stay away from Preston. I said he might have

    caused Dad''s death. But you sided with him. You''re his aplice."

    Landon tried his best to suppress the despair of losing his loved one. He rasped, "He was cruel enough

    to even murder his own father. Did you think you could survive under him?

    "He instigated you to kidnap Lauren. Yet, you were oblivious to the fact that he was also out to get you.

    He prepared a camera and live-streamed your evil deeds, exposing you on the Inte. You were just

    a tool he discarded after using. That''s all you are."

    Upon hearing that, Zoe guffawed. The look in her eyes took on a more manic edge. "I was tricked by

    Preston? What a joke! I''m not a tool. He is!

    "Landon, I can''t believe you''d stoop to anything just to guilt-trip me. Did you think that I would fall for

    that? You think I''ll feel sorry for what I''ve done to you? You can''t im the moral high ground to punish

    me. I won''t fall for it!"

    Landon maintained a calm expression on his face. "I will give you onest chance. Apologize to Lauren

    now. I''ll be merciful."

    Zoe spat back defiantly. "Dream on! You want me to yield to that bitch? Over my dead body!"

    "Jordan."

    Jordan, who had been waiting outside, walked over to Landon''s side. "I''m here, Mr. Landon."

    "See Ms. Zoe off for thest time," instructed Landon coldly.

    With that, he left without another word, his resolve unshaken.

 Chapter 1929

    Zoe eximed, "Landon! Where are you taking me? What else are you going to do to me?"

    Just moments ago, Zoe was still causing a racket. Now, she waspletely terrified. Yet, she

    remained stubborn and refused to beg for forgiveness. She shouted from behind Landon, "Have you

    forgotten the oath you pledged before Dad''s grave?

    "You said you would love and protect me all your life! Is this how you keep your promise to our dead

    father?"

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Upon hearing that, Landon stopped in his tracks.

    A million thoughts bombarded his mind. He felt like his heart was sinking in quicksand; exhaustion

    gnawed at him from all the struggling he''d been forced to do.

    Slowly, with trembling hands, he unfurled his palms. These were the hands that once wove through his

    younger sister''s silky hair, hands that fed her, cradled her, and hoisted her high in the air. Hands that, in

    happier times, grasped hers as they raced through the park,ughter echoing in their wake.

    He was her older brother. Yet, he had taken on the role of a father from an early age. He did all he

    could to fill the void left behind by theirte father during her formative years.

    Yet, these same hands also harbored a simmering hatred for the family member who had shattered

    him. Now, with these very hands, he was severing the familial bond.

    A tear escaped and dropped onto his palm.

    "I vowed to love my younger sister. You, on the other hand, have been taken over by jealousy and

    desire. You''re nothing but a parasitic monster."

    With those final words, Landon walked away.

    Zoe''s heart plummeted to her stomach. Her expression was nk. It was as if her soul had left her

    body. Regret washed over her in a tidal wave. However, there was no turning back.

    Night had fallen by the time Landon walked out of the abandoned manor.

    Axel was leaning against the sports car''s hood and smoking a cigarette. Spotting Landon, he threw the

    cigarette at his feet and stomped it out.

    "Hey, Axel. You''re still here." Landon approached Axel. The former''s face was pale.

    "I didn''t dare leave, in case you did something rash. Jasper wanted me to keep an eye on you." Axel

    feigned relief. "Fortunately, you didn''t go overboard." "Were you worried that I''d kill her?" Landon shook

    his head and continued, "I won''t take her life. Jasper doesn''t want blood on my hands. I don''t want to

    disappoint him."

    Axel fixed his eyes on Landon, hesitant to speak.

    "Do you think it''s unreasonable how I treat my sister?" Landon''s voice wavered, his emotions barely

    contained.

    Axel crossed his arms and briefly pondered before responding, "Let me think about this from a different

    perspective. If Lyse were the victim, I would have been even more brutal than you. I''d kill her, and no

    one would be able to stop me."

    Landon lowered his head. He felt really tired. "Axel, I''m not sure why, but my heart still hurts, but I don''t

    regret it."

    Following Zoe''s abduction, the police conducted an exhaustive search throughout the night, but she

    remained elusive.

    The surveince camera at the scene had been hacked, and both officers on duty didn''t manage to get

    a good look at the abductor''s face before they were each injected with a tranquilizer.

    Zoe had vanished in in sight.

    The next day, an emergency board meeting was held at Harper Group. Unanimously, all board

    members voted for Landon to be officially promoted.

    He hadn''t even turned 30 and had already taken over the Harper Group and be the head of the

    Harper family. He was now the chairman of both thepany and its board of directors.

    Dressed impably in a ck suit, Landon upied the head of the conference table, receiving

    apuse and well wishes from the attendees. Though now perched atop the pinnacle of power, his

    expression remained neutral.

    Despite being the leader, Landon didn''t appear particrly ted. After all, he had never wanted any of

    this.

    Right at that moment, the meeting room door flung open.

    "I object!" Penelope burst in, her eyes aze with fury. She red and shouted angrily in front of all the

    board members. "Landon, you are such a cold-blooded and ruthless creature!

    "I am a major shareholder at Harper Group. I have shares on hand too! I disagree with you being the

    head of the family! You''re someone who even dared to harm your own sister! You''re immoral and

    selfseeking. What gives you the right to be in charge of Harper Group?"

 Chapter 1930

    Landon was looking down as he twirled his pen between his fingers.

    Everyone else in the room shook their heads as they nced scornfully at Penelope, who was causing

    a scene.

    "Zoe was en route to the hospital for treatment when she vanished without a trace, and they have yet

    to locate her. I know it was you who took her!" Penelope''s voice reverberated as she advanced toward

    Landon, pounding the table with both hands. Ignoring the presence of the board members, she

    continued, "Landon! Give me back my daughter!

    "If you don''t return her to me, I will hold a shareholder meeting and have you ousted from Harper

    Group! Return Zoe to me!"

    Landon stopped twirling his pen. However, he still didn''t look up at Penelope.

    "What are you doing, Penelope?" one of the board members interjected. "Perhaps Ms. Zoe left of her

    own volition while the police weren''t looking. If you wish to pursue this matter further, it''s best

    addressed withw enforcement."

    "Indeed," another chimed in. "This is a board meeting; personal family matters shouldn''t be aired here.

    It reflects poorly on Harper Group."

    "Personal family matter?" Penelope''s eyes widened incredulously. "Are you dense? If it were your child,

    would you spout such callous remarks?"

    The board members fell silent. In their minds, they acknowledged that Penelope hadn''t exhibited such

    behavior when Bill was alive. Her widowhood seemed to have taken a toll on her sanity.

    Landon, despite being the focal point of the conflict, had remained passive. Finally, he spoke in a

    composed tone, "That concludes today''s meeting. You are all dismissed."

    "Alright, Mr. Landon!"

    Everyone got up and left the room, fleeing the tense situation like startled rabbits.

    The unison of "Mr. Landon" echoing in their wake mmed into Penelope. The realization that her

    outburst had made her look like a buffoon was a punch to the gut. It had been nothing more than a

    childish tantrum.

    Silence descended upon the empty meeting room. "Landon," she spat, her voiceced with barely

    contained fury, "did you take Zoe? Where is she?"

    Landon''s response was a cial stare. His eyes, devoid of warmth, held a darkness. "Trash deserves

    to be discarded." "Return Zoe to me! She is my flesh and blood!" Penelope screamed, "You''ve already

    refused to acknowledge me as your mother. Zoe is the only one I have left. Give her back to me!"

    Landon silently watched as Penelope went into a frenzy.

    Penelope, a woman who showered her daughter Zoe with indulgence butcked any true parenting

    skills, was now a cornered tigress. For most of her life, Penelope had coasted by, sheltered and

    carefree. This was the first time Landon had seen such fierce protectiveness in her, and tragically, it

    was directed at a monster.

    She emphasized how Zoe was her flesh and blood. She appeared to have forgotten that Landon was

    her flesh and blood too.

    Penelope appeared to have overlooked the fact that it was Landon who had shouldered the family

    burden at a tender age since Bill''s passing. Thanks to Landon, they were able to live afortable life

    within the Harper family.

    Penelope revealed her true colors upon seeing Landon remain impassive. Through gritted teeth, she

    threatened, "You''re not going to give in, are you? Fine. Then the police will hear about this! The media

    too!

    "I''ll tell them everything¡ªhow you brutalized and kidnapped your own sister! They''ll condemn you,

    Landon! Your reputation will be shattered!"

    A harsh tter cut through her tirade. Landon had tossed his phone onto the table. A video was

    ying; pitiful cries filled the air.

    Penelope stared at the phone, her face draining of color. She watched Zoe being vited by three

    men. The men took their turns with Zoe.

    Penelope''s heart was crushed. She buried her head in her hands and pulled at her own hair. She

    stomped her feet and wailed, "Zoe... My baby!"

    "She''s not your daughter. She''s just a monster that you nurtured and spoiled."

    Landon turned off the video. His lips were a pale line, pressed thin with repressed fury. and cold. "You

    failed to raise her. So, I can only use this method to teach her.

    "Penelope, I know that you must be in despair now. She''s your biological daughter after all. Go ahead

    and let those tears out. You''ll never be able to see her again anyway."

    Penelope copsed, her emotions spiraling out of control. Sheughed through tears, spewing curses

    between clenched teeth. Jordan summoned two bodyguards to escort her out.

    Frustrated by Penelope''s antics, Jordan turned to Landon. "Mr. Landon, I''ll have Madam Penelope

    escorted to the VIP parking lot via your private elevator. She won''t encounter anyone along the way."

    Landon, facing the window with a cold demeanor, responded, "No need for that. Let her leave the way

    she entered¡ªthrough the main entrance. Let the public see her in this state."

    Understanding Landon''s intention, Jordanplied silently. He knew Landon wanted everyone to

    witness Penelope''s breakdown, discrediting any ims she might make.

    "Did you record the scene in the meeting room earlier?" Landon asked with a nk look in his eyes.

    Jordan nodded. "Yes, it was all recorded."

    "Contact a reputable psychiatric hospital and have them issue a medical report. Tell them to send some

    people over as soon as possible to take Penelope away."

    "Will do, Mr. Landon." Jordan smiled coldly.

    With a medical report to prove that Penelope was mentally ill, Landon, as her son, would obtain the

    rights to all the assets under her name, including the corporation''s shares.

    "Also, I received an update just now. Zoe has been ced on a stowaway boat headed for Tsulu. She

    will arrive at Tsulu in five days. Do you think¡ª"

    "Just leave her to fend for herself."

    Landon closed his eyes, feeling exhausted. He took a deep breath. "I don''t want to waste my energy on

    garbage."

    Jordan sighed, "Right. It''s not worth it."

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    "Jordan, do you feel like I have be terrifying?"

    Landon''s frame was now all skin and bones. It made Jordan''s heart wrench to see him like that. He

    responded, "No, you are a warrior serving justice. You are just making the evil ones pay for their evil

    deeds."

    "There is only a fine line between good and evil."

    Landon''s phone rang as he said that. He took a deep breath, steeling himself when he realized that it

    was Jasper calling. He answered, "Hey, Jasper."

    "Landon,e to the hospital quickly. Lauren is awake!"

 Chapter 1931

    Landon raced to the hospital in his sports car, the engine''s roar piercing through the air like lightning.

    He burst out of the vehicle and sprinted toward the VIP ward. Jasper, Alyssa, Jonah, and Julien waited

    outside.

    "How''s Lauren?" Landon asked, breathless and sweaty.

    "Grandpa Newton and Javier are with her inside," Alyssa replied, her joy tempered by worry. "But she

    still needs time to recover from her internal injuries. Her body is weak, and there''s a risk of rpse."

    Julien added, "She protected her head during the assault. However, her prolonged submersion led to a

    lung infection. She also had severe cerebral hypoxia, which caused her to be in aa."

    Frowning, Julien continued, "Tomorrow, I''ll conduct a detailed brain examination to assess any potential

    cranial nerve damage and n her treatment ordingly."

    Jonah observed Julien''s fatigued appearance, expressing his gratitude with a loving touch. "Thank you

    for your hard work these past few days."

    "It''s nothing when I have you by my side."

    Julien then tugged at the corner of Jonah''s suit and leaned so closely near thetter''s ear that Jonah

    could feel the warmth of his breath. Julien whispered, "Though... if you do think that I''ve worked hard,

    reward me when we get back."

    Jonah''s gaze intensified, though he maintained aposed demeanor. Julien''s touch ignited warmth

    within him, despite his apparent stoicism.

    Observing Jonah''s reaction, Julien couldn''t help but find his partner''s modesty endearing. It was one of

    the many qualities he cherished in him.

    "I." Landon''s voice faltered, his lips dry with regret before he fell silent.

    Jasper could tell what he was thinking. He said reassuringly, "You can go in to see Lauren after

    Grandpa and Dade out. I believe you''re the one she most longs to see."

    Landon''s heart clenched with pain, his breathsing heavier.

    "Doctor! Where''s the doctor?" Javier''s urgent voice interrupted, bursting through the doors, his cheeks

    flushed with anxiety. "Why isn''t my daughter speaking? What happened?"

    As a doctor, Julien reacted quickly. He rushed into the ward immediately.

    Jasper and Alyssa followed closely behind. Landon''s chest tightened. He was about to enter when the

    door closed in front of him.

    There was a twitch in his eye. He pressed his palms on the door. His head hung low as his heart

    pounded. He dared not enter.

    Landon was deeply worried about Lauren. He was eager to see her. However, his ankles felt as if they

    had been chained down; he wasn''t able to take even another step forward.

    Then, a warm hand rested on his shoulder, and Landon turned to see Jonah, tears welling in his eyes.

    "Don''t be afraid, and don''t doubt yourself. You are the right person for Lauren. No one can rece

    you," Jonah reassured him.

    "Jonah..." Landon struggled to speak, overwhelmed with emotion.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    "No one can define your rtionship. It''s up to both of you," Jonah affirmed with a warm smile. "Go in

    and see her. I believe she''s been waiting for you, even while unconscious."

 Chapter 1932

    Laureny on the hospital bed, her heartbeat steady, and the oxygen mask removed. Despite this, every breath seemed

    laborious for her, her face drained of color. The delicate flutter of hershes resembled a butterfly''s wings.

    ¡°Lauren, don''t be afraid. You''re alright now. Grandpa is here. Your dad, Jasper, and Alyssa are here too. No one else can hurt

    you anymore." Newton held onto Lauren''s hand tightly. Tears filled his eyes.

    Jasper held his breath, his arms around Alyssa''s waist, and he could feel her tensing up. Despite his own heartbreak, he stifled

    his emotions, refusing to break down in front of Lauren and their elders.

    Lauren''s eyes glistened with unshed tears. Just then, a single droplet slid down her pale cheek. She parted her chapped lips, but

    no sound emerged. She tried very hard to express herself but couldn''t make a single sound.

    "Dr. Lovce, why can''t Lauren speak all of a sudden?" Javier looked at Julien anxiously.

    Julien furrowed his brows, considering the situation. "It appears to be functional aphasia."

    ¡°Aphasia?" The Becketts eximed in shock.

    "Some victims experience this after a traumatic event, caused by extreme anxiety and mental distress," Alyssa exined softly,

    her heart aching.

    "Is there a way to help my granddaughter, Dr. Lovce?" Newton asked, his voice strained.

    Julien sighed. "This is tricky. If it''s serious, she may need to undergo surgery.¡±

    Newton and Javier felt faint. Newton wiped the tears from his eyes. "Oh, dear Lord... Why does my granddaughter have to suffer

    through all these?"

    Unable to speak, Lauren squeezed Newton''s hand tightly, offering silentfort. Her gesture only deepened the sorrow felt by

    everyone present.

    ¡°But if Lauren can maintain optimism, it could significantly ease her mental state and potentially lead to a drastic improvement in

    her condition," Julien remarked, his brow furrowing in thought as he rubbed his chin.

    Alyssa''s eyes sparkled with understanding, a knowing smile ying on her lips. She grasped Julien''s implication with a single

    nce.

    "If all goes well."

    Newton''s eyes lit up. Immediately, he asked, "I heard the few of you talking outside just now. Is Landon here?"

    "Yes, he is, Grandpa," Jasper responded immediately.

    "Quick... Get him in here! Your dad

    and | are just getting in the wey

    sure that Laure want$to see

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    Javier''s expression darkened. Was Newton truly his father? The same man who had belittled and betrayed him?

    As the door opened, Landon entered the room, his heart pounding with trepidation. Hesitant, he lingered at the edge, unable to

    approach Lauren.

    Jasper''s eyes radiated encouragement as he gently pushed Landon forward. "Lauren, look who''s here?"

    Through tear-filled eyes, Lauren

    glimpsed the forlorn fi ure Of, mM

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    tears streamed down his face,

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 Chapter 1933

    Landon''s back bowed lower and lower as waves of emotions flooded over him¡ªemotions he had

    suppressed for so long now released all at once.

    Lauren''s eyes welled with tears as she reached out, her trembling hand finding its way to Landon''s

    haggard face. With a gentle touch, she traced his features, pausing at his graying sideburns.

    "I... I''ve be uglier, haven''t I?" Landon ced his calloused hand on the back of her hand. He

    gently nuzzled against her hand and tried his best to smile. "I''m not as handsome as before. Lauren,

    does that make you hate me?"

    Lauren''s heart ached, her attempts at speech nearly faltering. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears,

    her gaze flickering with emotion.

    Alyssa, her heart tender, could no longer contain her emotions. Tears streamed silently down her

    cheeks.

    Newton couldn''t bear to watch any longer. He dragged Javier out of the room with him. Jasper and

    Alyssa followed them out of the room, giving Landon and Lauren some space to be together.

    The lovers, reunited after a brush with death, had so much they wanted to share, even if Lauren

    couldn''t express herself verbally.

    Landon held onto Lauren''s hands tightly. His breathing was heavy, and his tears continued to fall onto

    the back of her hands.

    Their eyes met, and no words were needed to express how deeply in love they were with one another.

    Lauren''sshes fluttered, and with her finger, she began to trace letters on Landon''s hand¡ªAngie.

    After the final letter was formed, Landon''s fists clenched tightly, trembling with the pain of losing

    someone dear to him. His lips turned downward as he struggled to suppress his grief. "You should rest,

    Lauren. When you''ve recovered, I''ll take you to see Angelina."

    Lauren was a simple woman. She didn''t see through his white lie. She nodded earnestly and weakly

    shed a smile.

    Lauren had regained consciousness and Newton was on the mend, preparing to be discharged from

    the hospital. As Ben tidied up the ward, Newton took the opportunity to speak with Javier.

    "I won''t beat around the bush," Newton began, his expression serious as he took a sip of tea.

    "Cornelius has passed away, Preston and Zoe have faced consequences for their actions, and

    Penelope is receiving treatment for her mental health overseas. Landon has kept his promise and

    resolved all the family''s issues. Is there anything else that worries you?"

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Javier looked down, clearly burdened by thoughts he struggled to articte.

    "For Lauren''s sake, Landon has really sacrificed too much. Jasper and Alice told me about the

    personal bodyguard who grew up with Landon. She sacrificed her life to save Lauren, bringing down

    one of the perpetrators with her."

    Javier nodded, his expression grave. "That woman was Angelina. I know she worked for Landon from a

    young age."

    "Javier, are you still holding on to your bias against Landon? Are you still unwilling to ept him? As a

    parent, don''t you want your children to find happiness?

    "Consider your own past. Despite the disapproval, you married Anne. Can you bear to separate these

    star-crossed lovers? Both Landon and Lauren have suffered because of your objections. Can you

    continue to turn a blind eye to their pain?"

    In that moment, Javier recalled the younger version of himself, and just like Landon, he had once loved

    a woman relentlessly. However, he had to admit that he wasn''t as deeply in love as Landon was.

    Back then, he was blinded by the fairytale that Sophia had created for him. As such, he was forever

    separated from the love of his life. He even misunderstood her for over 20 years.

    Yet, no matter how much regret he felt, it was all toote.

 Chapter 1934

    However, Lauren and Landon still held each other''s hands. Everything could still start anew.

    "Dad, I don''t have any objections to Lauren and Landon''s marriage anymore."

    Sitting upright, Javier continued seriously, "In the next few days, I''ll have Rory draw up a list of wedding

    gifts. Although the Harper family has few members left, I want a splendid wedding for my daughter.

    "Now that Landon is the chairman of Harper Group, Lauren will be the rightful chairwoman when she

    marries him. If the gifts are not generous enough, those snobbish people of Harper Group might talk

    behind her back."

    Newton remained indifferent. "Let the young people decide for themselves. You just need to ept it.

    Don''t worry about the rest.

    "Lauren has suffered severe trauma. That''s not something that can be easily ovee. Just let them

    discuss the wedding on their own. Or they can register their marriage first to avoid indefinite

    postponement and further trouble."

    As Javier reflected on how his love, originally intended solely for Lauren, had been divided over the

    years toward Sophia''s illegitimate child, he felt anger, hatred, and guilt twisting in his heart. He didn''t

    want his only daughter to suffer anymore.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Alright, let''s do as you say."

    Feeling relieved after leaving Newton''s ward, Javier noticed Jasper waiting for him outside the door.

    "Do you need something?"

    Jasper pressed his lips into a fine line before saying, "I just received news that Ronald had a sudden

    heart attackst night and died in prison."

    Though frowning, Javier replied casually, "Well, it''s good that that scum has finally met his end. He can

    reunite with Sophia in the underworld." He gritted his teeth, feeling intense hatred surging within him.

    Jasper''s expression was obscure. "Did you have a hand in this?"

    Javier stiffened as he looked into Jasper''s dark and deep eyes.

    "Actually, there was no need for you to do that."

    Being his son, Jasper could easily glean the answer from Javier''s expression. He spoke calmly,

    "Sophia has already paid the price. Her daughter has severed ties with our family, and she''ll be

    punished by thew.

    "I know you hate Sophia for deceiving you, but resorting to murder to vent your anger could bring

    trouble. I hope that you can think twice before acting next time."

    Javier widened his eyes.

    It had been many years since he had heard Jasper speak to him so calmly and considerately. This was

    something he never dared to hope for before that day.

    Just as Jasper was about to leave, Javier suddenly spoke, "I do hate her, but it''s not solely because

    she deceived me."

    Jasper froze in ce, his gaze deepening.

    After all, they were father and son. Many things only needed to be hinted at to be understood by each

    other.

    "When Lauren is discharged from the hospital, tell Landon to spend more time with her at Seaview

    Manor."

    Javier added nonchntly, "I know you and Alyssa have a ce outside, but Seaview Manor is still

    your home. You cane back asionally and stay for a few days if Alyssa is willing toe back

    here."

    Jasper was moved, but the words "Thank you, Dad" got stuck in his throat. He couldn''t say them, no

    matter what.

    Just as the father and son were enjoying a rare moment of peace, Rory hurried over, interrupting them.

    "Mr. Javier! You would never guess who''s back!"

    Rory''s eyes lit up with joy. "It''s Mr. Justin. Mr. Justin is back!"

 Chapter 1935

    Jasper suddenly stiffened, as if held in ce by an invisible force.

    "What did you say? Justin is back?" Javier''s eyes sparkled with joy. His delight was evident. "Where is

    he now?"

    "He''s in the basement parking lot. I ran into him when I came back from running errands," Rory replied.

    "Why didn''t he tell us that he wasing back?" Javierined with a smile on his face.

    "I''ve exchanged a few words with him. He knew that if he informed you in advance, you would prepare

    extensively. He didn''t want to cause you any trouble, so he kept it a secret."

    "He''s really considerate."

    Javier quickly instructed Jasper, "Jasper, go inform your grandpa. I''ll go down to see Justin first."

    As Jasper watched their retreating figures, his hand clenched into a fist.

    When the Becketts arrived at the parking lot, Justin was sitting calmly in a wheelchair, wearing a gentle

    smile.

    "Justin!" Javier called out joyfully and hurried over to him.

    Not far behind him, Jasper and Alyssa were supporting Newton. So, they were walking rather slowly.

    "Grandpa, Dad, Jasper, you''re all here."

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Justin gently smiled, and his tender gaze finally rested on Alyssa''s calm face. "And Ms. Alyssa too. You

    didn''t have toe all the way here."

    "It''s nothing. You''re Jasper''s brother, so you''re my brother too. I should show you respect, of course,"

    Alyssa responded with a polite smile but was secretly scrutinizing Justin.

    She had thought about this day before; she just hadn''t expected it to arrive so soon.

    Before meeting him, she had always demonized him, considering him a hidden enemy who could

    return at any time to challenge Jasper.

    But upon meeting Justin today, she couldn''t find a trace of hostility in him. His clear and gentle eyes

    were devoid of any contention. Even his friendly smile seemed to effortlessly bridge the gap between

    him and others, emanating an air of humility and elegance that befitted a true gentleman.

    "Wee back, Justin," Jasper said warmly. However, there was an indiscernible frown, hinting at his

    conflicted emotions; he didn''t know what was wrong with him.

    Justin was merely greeting Alyssa, yet Jasper''s chest suddenly tightened, and he felt an inexplicable

    sense of unease.

    Supporting Newton, Alyssa felt a scalding heat on the back of her hand.

    Alyssa nced down. Jasper had secretly slipped his hand into hers, his fingerscing with hers as

    they both supported Newton.

    Their fingers were tightly pressed together, causing her to feel numb.

    Alyssa cast a surprised nce at Jasper. But Jasper''s gaze remained fixed ahead; his expression

    appeared serene, yet the tense set of his jaw hinted at the emotions he was holding back.

    "Justin, why didn''t you tell me and your dad in advance that you''reing back? We could have

    prepared something to wee you. This is too abrupt." Newton smiled kindly.

    "We''re all family, Grandpa. There''s no need for any preparation. Or do you see me as an outsider

    because I''ve been away for so long?" Justin''s smile deepened gradually.

 Chapter 1936

    Newton''s expression stiffened slightly. "What are you talking about? Both you and Jasper are my

    grandsons. I cherish you both."

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Justin quipped, "I''m just joking, Grandpa. I know you care about me."

    At this moment, the door of a luxurious MPV opened, and a graceful figure stepped out.

    "Mr. Justin, the parking lot is chilly. You shouldn''t stay out here for too long." With her words, Sheryl

    bent down and gently ced a nket over Justin''s knees.

    Javier looked at the unfamiliar woman. "Who is this?"

    "This is Sheryl Gillis, my personal assistant. She''s the one diligently taking care of me in Mosgravia. As

    you can see, I''m basically useless." Justin''s fist pressed lightly against his pale lips as he coughed.

    "Justin, you''re my cherished son. How can you call yourself useless? Don''t belittle yourself. Your body

    has improved a lotpared to before. You''ll definitely get better with treatment." Javier showed rare

    patience.

    He then looked at Sheryl with gratitude. "Thank you for taking care of Justin, Ms. Gillis."

    "You''re too kind, Mr. Javier. Taking care of Mr. Justin is my duty." Sheryl smiled sweetly.

    As Jasper gazed at her beautiful face, his expression darkened.

    Even from six feet away, his keen senses could detect the faint scent of orchids emanating from her.

    Noticing his gaze, Sheryl smiled gently.

    Alyssa caught that and couldn''t help but bite her lip, feeling a pang of jealousy.

    "Dad, can I go see Lauren?" Justin''s brow furrowed, showing concern. "I''m also her brother. I''m really

    worried about her."

    Sheryl sighed at his words. "Ever since Ms. Lauren''s ident, Mr. Justin hasn''t been sleeping well. He

    wanted to return earlier, but he thought all of you might be extremely busy, and he was worried about

    causing any inconvenience bying over. That''s why he decided to return only today."

    "You don''t need to mention that, Sheryl," Justin reproached.

    "You''re really thoughtful, Justin." Javier was deeply moved. "You''vee at the right time. Lauren just

    woke up. She''ll be very happy to see you."

    As the Becketts returned to the VIP ward area, the usually proud Javier personally pushed Justin''s

    wheelchair.

    The eldest son was valued in most of the prestigious families. If it weren''t for the kidnapping case that

    had ruined Justin''s healthy body, Jasper¡ªthe illegitimate child¡ªwouldn''t have been able to rise to

    such prominence and enter the core within just a few years.

    Just as Alyssa was about to follow them into the ward, Jasper suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled

    her into the dimly lit emergency exit without a word.

    The door mmed shut, and his deep eyes surged with emotions. He pressed her against the wall

    before kissing her passionately.

    Alyssa''s shoulders were sandwiched between his hand and the wall, so she didn''t feel any pain from

    his aggressive approach. Their lips intertwined, and she felt herself surrendering to the sweet spell of

    the moment.

    They finally parted after a long while, strands of glistening saliva lingering between their moistened lips.

    "What''s wrong? Why are you suddenly so... aggressive?" Alyssa gasped as Jasper continued to press

    against her body.

    "Don''t smile at him, Lyse." Jasper''s intense affection and possessiveness were about to erupt from his

    chest, his eyes moist and deep. "Even if he''s my brother."

 Chapter 1937

    Alyssa looked into Jasper''s eyes, which were aze with desire. She pressed her moistened lips

    together.

    Suddenly, she remembered Sheryl''s considerably charming face and the smile she had deliberately

    shown Jasper. Inexplicably, she felt ufortable.

    She wasn''t trying to make a fuss about it. As the daughter of the Taylor family and the president of KS

    Group, she didn''t want to be like those jealous women who couldn''t live without men.

    But this time, she couldn''t control it. She felt a little annoyed.

    "Justin is your brother, and he has greeted me politely. If you don''t want me to smile at him, then do I

    cry instead?" Alyssa turned her face away to avoid Jasper''s intense gaze. Her nose was tinged with a

    faint blush.

    Jasper''s gaze dimmed. Pinching her chin, he slowly turned her head to face him, forcing her to meet

    his gaze. "I''m afraid, Lyse."

    Alyssa blinked her moistened eyes.

    "You''re too pretty when you smile. I''m afraid he''ll be captivated." His voice was hoarse. When he said

    that, his lips lingered near the corner of her mouth.

    "I''m just naturally perfect. My charm radiates autonomously all the time. What can I do?" Alyssa

    murmured with a hint of annoyance. "But even with all my charm, I can''tpare to Ms. Gillis."

    Jasper frowned. "What do you mean?"

    "I thought you were only interested in me. It turns out... you just haven''t found someone who fits your

    taste." Alyssa pouted, her jealousy evident.

    Though Jasper was a low-EQ man, he realized her jealousy at this moment. He couldn''t help butugh,

    feeling ecstatic inside. "Lyse, are you jealous?"

    "I''m not. I can''t control your eyes anyway. You can look at whoever you¡ª"

    Once again, Jasper imed Alyssa''s lips, this time with even more fervor and passion than before,

    leaving her body weak and her mind adrift.

    With their bodies pressed tightly together, she felt the change in his crotch. She shyly pushed against

    his chest but was unable to resist.

    Although Jasper had a hard-on, he wasn''t a randy male dog on the prowl. He restrained himself, even

    though it was tough.

    He caressed her smooth nape and said softly, "I was wrong. If that happens again, I''ll gouge my eyes

    out for you."

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    You want it to happen again? You jerk!" Alyssa''s eyes widened as she pounded her fist on his shoulder.

    "But Lyse, you misunderstood." Hugging her, he lowered his head to look at her face. "I looked at

    Sheryl because I had some doubts."

    "What do you mean?"

    "When I visited Mosgravia previously to see Justin, she was the one who weed me. She has a

    particrly pleasant scent on her body, simr to the scent of orchids, which I vaguely remember

    Jameson having."

    Frowning, Jasper continued in a low voice, "So I used buying perfume for you as an excuse to ask her

    what scent it was. She said it was a custom blend that''s hard to find on the market.

    "Today, when I saw her, I smelled that scent again, so I couldn''t help but observe her a bit more. I''m

    sorry for upsetting you. It''s all my fault."

    Alyssa wrapped her hands around his neck, focusing on his gaze. "Jameson does always smell nice,

    but I haven''t noticed the scent of orchids you mentioned."

 Chapter 1938

    Alyssa asked, "Do you think that there''s some connection between Jameson and Sheryl?"

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "My sense of smell won''t go wrong, but relying solely on this is not convincing enough. Maybe it''s just a

    coincidence." Jasper was rational.

    But he always believed that Justin was aloof, so how could he associate with someone like Jameson?

    After a moment of contemtion, Alyssa said coldly, "I wonder how long Justin will stay in Sna City

    this time. If he''s going back after visiting Lauren, then it''s fine. But if he stays longer, you need to have

    someone monitor his movements at all times.

    "If Sheryl does have a connection with Jameson, Justin must know him as well. He''ll surely contact

    Jameson if he prolongs his stay in Sna City. But I really hope they''re not acquainted. You really look

    up to him, after all."

    "I''m d you see Justin that way, Lyse." Jasper breathed a sigh of relief, but his arms tightened around

    her waist even more. "I''m not afraid of anything. I''m only afraid of losing you."

    Alyssa pursed her lips and poked his chest. "Mr. Beckett, can you stop thinking about romance all the

    time? We''re under siege here."

    She was afraid he''d lose everything he had built. Unfortunately, Jasper only had the mind of a love-

    struck teenager.

    Lauren had just woken up, so she was still weak. After gathering her strength to share a moment with

    Landon, she drifted off into a deep sleep.

    While she slept, Justin visited her and earnestly inquired about her current condition. Even in his short

    visit, he showed his deep affection for his younger sister, embodying the care of an elder brother.

    That day was a joyous day for Javier, who had been in distress for days; his daughter had woken up,

    and his eldest son had returned from abroad. Consequently, he immediately had Rory prepare a

    sumptuous dinner at Seaview Manor to wee Justin back.

    Justin went back to Seaview Manor with Newton and Javier first, while Jasper sent Alyssa, who hadn''t

    had a good rest for several days, back to the vi before hurrying back to Seaview Manor.

    As soon as he entered, he saw Barry and the helpers bustling about, moving things around. The coffee

    table was piled high withrge and small gift boxes.

    "What are these?" Jasper asked Barry.

    "Mr. Jasper, these are the souvenirs Mr. Justin prepared for Mr. Newton, Mr. Javier, you, and Ms.

    Lauren," Barry said happily.

    "Mr. Newton and Mr. Javier have already seen them. They''re quite pleased, especially Mr. Javier. Each

    gift suits his taste. I haven''t seen him smile so happily in a long time."

    Jasper narrowed his eyes and casually opened one of the gift boxes.

    Inside was an antique vase that was seemingly worth over eight million dors.

    This item alone was worth a fortune. Considering everythingbined, Justin''s gifts this time were

    indeed extravagant.

    Jasper''s thin lips tightened into a straight line.

    It had been a long time since Seaview Manor''s dining room had seen such liveliness.

    That night, to amodate Justin''s health, the dishes on the table were mostly light in vor.

 Chapter 1939

    Justin abstained from alcohol, drinking only the finest tea as he chatted with Javier and Jasper. They

    discussed everything from Mosgravia''s climate to its cultural customs.

    Newton only asionally interjected, maintaining a calm demeanor. He was neither overly affectionate

    nor distant toward Justin.

    "Lauren is blessed. Once this ordeal is over, it will be smooth sailing from here on out."

    Justin asked with concern, "Mr. Landon seems deeply attached to Lauren. From what I saw today, are

    they about to get married?"

    "Once Lauren recovers, I n to arrange their marriage," Javier replied. The thought of marrying off his

    daughter filled him with both relief and a hint of reluctance.

    "That''s wonderful. Lauren and Mr. Landon make a perfect couple. I''ll be sure to prepare a generous gift

    for their wedding day."

    "Justin, the gift you brought for Lauren this time is already quite valuable. It''s more than enough as a

    dowry. There''s no need to spend more." Javier chuckled.

    "That''s not enough." Justin smiled gently. "She''s your only daughter and my only sister. We must

    cherish her twice as much.

    "I''ve been living alone in Mosgravia these past years and haven''t fulfilled my duties as a brother. Now

    that my physical condition has improved, I want to do everything I can for my siblings; that way, I can

    find some peace of mind."

    Touched, Javier''s eyes welled up. "I''m really happy for you to say that, Justin."

    "Justin, the gifts you brought today truly opened my eyes," Newton chimed in with a smile, changing

    the subject. "It seems you''ve been living quitefortably in Mosgravia. Just the gifts you brought

    today alone probably exceed your annual dividends from Beckett Group, right?"

    Jasper secretly nced at Newton and silently gave him a thumbs-up in his mind.

    "I''ve put the annual dividends from Beckett Group into starting a few small businesses in Mosgravia

    and making some investments. I''ve had some lucky breaks and made a bit of money," Justin replied

    modestly.

    "What small businesses could possibly earn you hundreds of millions of dors? I''m genuinely curious,

    Justin. I''d like to learn some business tips from you," Newton half-jokingly asked.

    Justin replied, "Pharmaceuticals."

    Jasper pretended to be indifferent as he looked at him, but his gaze was intriguing.

    "Oh! Pharmaceuticals can indeed be quite lucrative. Justin, you have a knack for business!" Javier

    praised.

    He then continued on the topic, "Mr. Lovce of Lovce Group in Belbanks has abandoned medicine

    for business in recent years, relying on the biomedical industry to amass great wealth. Hispany is

    now one of the top pharmaceutical groups in the country."

    "I''m finally here to reunite with all of you after being so long apart. Discussing business matters seems

    dull. It all boils down to making money anyway," Justin remarked casually.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    He then suddenly focused his gaze on Jasper''s face, his eyes calm and deep. "Jasper, I''m sincerely

    happy for you and Ms. Alyssa for reconciling."

    Jasper smiled faintly. "Thank you, Justin."

    "Last month, I came across an item that caught my eye at an auction in Mosgravia. I thought it would

    be perfect for Ms. Alyssa, so I bought it."

    As Justin said that, he reached into his suit and pulled out an exquisite, slender satin-lined box. He

    then pushed toward the center of the table. "When you go back, please give it to Ms. Alyssa as a token

    of my congrattions to you both."

    Jasper hesitated for a moment before rising to take the box.

    The moment he opened it, his eyes widened, and his handsome face suddenly darkened.

    Inside the boxy an exquisitely crafted crystal hair clip.

 Chapter 1940

    "When I saw this hair clip, I really liked it and thought it would suit Ms. Alyssa," Justin said with a warm

    and sincere smile. "Jasper, it''s just a small token of my congrattions. I hope you''ll like it."

    With a snap, Jasper closed the satin-lined box and pushed it back to the center of the table. His eyes

    darkened with an inscrutable depth. "This gift is too valuable. I can''t ept it, but I''ll thank you on

    behalf of Lyse."

    Justin showed no sign of embarrassment. He still maintained his gentle smile as he met Jasper''s gaze.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "What are you doing, Jasper?" Javier intervened, his displeasure evident.

    "Justin hase back after so long and generously prepared gifts for the family, even considering your

    girlfriend. Are your standards so high that you can''t even appreciate what he has given?

    "Think about how Justin has treated you since childhood. Even if you don''t like it, you shouldn''t refuse.

    It''s so rude!"

    "Don''t get worked up, Dad." Justin coughed lightly before saying gently, "It''s nothing serious. We''re

    finally all together as a family. Let''s not let a small matter spoil the atmosphere."

    "Jasper, just ept Justin''s gift. He was just being thoughtful," Newton added, giving Jasper a

    meaningful nce.

    He was on Jasper''s side, but from his perspective, he couldn''t see what was inside the box. He just

    wanted to smooth things over.

    After all, Jasper''s rtionship with Javier had only recently begun to improve. There was no need to

    create more tension over such a trivial matter.

    Jasper clenched his fists under the table, his emotions churning in his eyes.

    "Justin, if you had given something else, I would have dly epted it. But you gave a hair clip. I

    cannot ept this."

    Justin raised an eyebrow imperceptibly at those words.

    "Men giving women hair clips as a symbol of love is a tradition in our country." Jasper''s voice was low

    and tinged with a hint of coldness. "Lyse is your sister-inw, Justin. The gift you''ve chosen doesn''t

    seem appropriate to me."

    Newton suddenly realized what had happened.

    No wonder Jasper''s expression had changed so drastically earlier. If it were him, he would have

    exploded by now.

    Javier frowned. "Jasper, are you being too sensitive? Justin is a man. How could he possibly

    understand women''s essories? You''re being too picky."

    "I''m sorry." Justin smiled with some embarrassment. "I''ve been living abroad for so long that I''ve

    forgotten about these customs and traditions. Please forgive me, Jasper."

    Jasper''s gaze deepened. "It''s okay."

    Feeling stifled, Jasper made an excuse and left the table to get some fresh air in the backyard.

    Although he had said it was fine, how could he truly feel that way?

    Most of the gifts Justin brought were expensive antiques. While abroad, his living environment exuded

    ssical elegance, with artistic ir evident everywhere.

    How could he not understand the significance of giving a hair clip to a woman?

    Jasper tugged at his tie but still felt suffocated. Had Justin really forgotten about that tradition, or was

    he testing his boundaries?

    Just then, voices from the garden interrupted his thoughts.

    Jasper walked over to see Barry and the helpers gathered in the pavilion by the pond, observing

    something with great interest.

    The two helpers greeted respectfully, "Mr. Jasper."

    "What''s going on in there?" Jasper asked casually.

    "It''s Ms. Gillis who came back with Mr. Justin. She''s treating a leg injury for the doe in our yard," one of

    the helpers eximed with admiration.

    "We don''t know how the doe hurt its leg, but it was writhing in pain on the ground. Barry was going to

    call a vet, but Ms. Gillis bandaged the doe''s leg herself. She''s really skilled."

    Jasper''s indifferent gaze fell on Sheryl.

    Her beautiful face was serene as she kneeled on one knee. Her clean, white pants were stained with

    dirt, but she paid no attention to it. She focused only on bandaging the injured doe''s leg.

    Her movements were deft and skilled, indicating her professionalism.

    The scene before Jasper caused his eyes to narrow slightly.

    "You''re alright now," Sheryl said softly, gently patting the doe''s hindquarters. "Go y."

    The doe stood up unsteadily and tested its injured front leg before darting out of the pavilion with a

    bleat. It brushed past Jasper as it went.

 Chapter 1941

    "Mr. Jasper." Sheryl stood up and walked over to Jasper with a smile.

    "Ms. Gillis."

    "The doe was injured, and I bandaged it without permission. I hope I didn''t vite any of your family

    rules," Sheryl said softly, her eyes filled with affection.

    Jasper remained indifferent, maintaining his distant demeanor toward her. "No, Ms. Gillis. That was

    really kind of you. We should thank you."

    "When I was working as a doctor without borders in Luminara, I used to treat injured soldiers and

    civilians. I never thought my skills woulde in handy for animals too." Sheryl sighed, shaking her

    head.

    Jasper''s dark eyes churned with hidden emotions.

    In an instant, distant and elusive memories flooded his mind.

    Back then, in Luminara, he infiltrated the terrorist organization and fought desperately. His arm was

    shed, and his leg was hit by a bullet. He was basically on the brink of death.

    It was White Dove who stopped his bleeding, treated his wounds, and fought to bring him back to the

    base camp, saving his leg.

    "Oh... My head... I''m feeling dizzy." Sheryl suddenly frowned, and her body swayed.

    The next moment, she unexpectedly fell toward Jasper.

    Jasper snapped out of his thoughts at once, but it was toote.

    "Hey! Watch out, Ms. Gillis!" Fortunately, Xavier dashed out like a ferret and swiftly stabilized Sheryl.

    Jasper immediately stepped back, keeping a safe distance from her.

    "Thank you." Sheryl clenched her fists discreetly, with a hint of coldness shing in her eyes.

    "Ms. Gillis, you''ve traveled a long way with Justin and have been looking after him. You must be tired.

    You should rest," Jasper said coldly before turning away and striding off.

    "Shall I walk you to your room, Ms. Gillis?" Xavier offered, ying the role of the helpful gentleman.

    "No thanks. I''m not that weak," Sheryl replied, pushing him away with annoyance.

    Xavier scratched his head.

    Just a moment ago, she seemed weak and unable to care for herself, but now she pushed him with

    considerable strength.

    After the family dinner, Jasper escorted Newton back to Crescent Bay while Justin stayed at Seaview

    Manor with Sheryl.

    Even though he had been gone for over a decade, Justin''s room at Seaview Manor remained

    untouched, and it was cleaned weekly.

    "Mr. Justin, it seems that Mr. Javier still values you. You can rest assured," Sheryl said as she brought

    water and medicine to Justin.

    Justin sifted through the colorful pills with his long fingers, his face partially concealed in shadow.

    "But Grandpa still has suspicions about me."

    "He''s just an old man on hisst legs. Even if he has doubts, he can''t do anything. Besides, you''re his

    oldest grandson. How could he hurt you?" Sheryl''s tone dripped with disdain.

    "Recent events with Sophia''s two daughters have made Javier reassess his rtionship with Jasper."

    Justin picked up a pill and swallowed it. "If I hadn''t returned at this time, Javier might have forgotten

    about me entirely. The situation might have slipped out of my control."

    Sheryl kneeled before him and looked at him in admiration. "You''re so wise, Mr. Justin."

    Smiling, Justin patted her cheek as if she were a pet.

    "By the way, Jameson heard about your return and contacted me, saying he wants to meet you."

    "That fool." Justin leaned back, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes. "Countless eyes are watching

    us in secret. He can''t act rashly. By the way, how was his attitude toward you when you tested him

    earlier?"

    Sheryl hesitated for a moment, then shook her head in frustration. "Jasper is very loyal. I know him

    well. His heart only has a ce for the person he''s fallen in love with. It doesn''t have room for anyone

    else."

    "That''s okay. That''s what makes it interesting."

    Justin opened the satin-lined box once again. He took out the hair clip and yed with it under the

    moonlight.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and he broke the hair clip in half.

    "One day, you won''t be able to refuse me anymore."

 Chapter 1942

    On the way back to Crescent Bay, Xavier was driving with Ben in the passenger seat while Newton and

    Jasper sat in the back.

    Typically, they would chat endlessly, but they seemed unusually silent tonight.

    As they neared their destination, Newton sighed and ced his weathered hand on Jasper''s shoulder.

    "Jasper, I know Justin went too far tonight and upset you."

    "I''m fine, Grandpa," Jasper replied with a faint smile. Under the dim light, his face was indescribably

    handsome yet cold.

    "Don''t take it to heart, Jasper," Newton continued tofort him.

    "He''s my brother and my life savior. I can let it go this time."

    Jasper''s words implied that if there was a next time, he wouldn''t tolerate it again.

    He was Alyssa''s husband, not a doormat. He couldn''t tolerate any man harboring intentions toward

    Lyse under any pretext.

    "I think Justin won''t stay too long. He''ll probably return to Mosgravia in a few days. In ces where he''s

    present, try not to let Alyssa show up."

    Newton continued, "Alyssa is such an outstanding girl. She''s so captivating and radiant that men can''t

    help but be drawn to her. No matter howposed and aloof a man may appear, his true nature will

    reveal itself when he encounters a woman he''s interested in.

    "This is especially true for men from our family. When they find someone they''re attracted to, they

    throw conventional ethics out the window. Your clueless dad is a perfect example." Newton shook his

    head incessantly.

    Javier was probably sneezing continuously by now, wondering who the heck was talking behind his

    back.

    "Grandpa, love isn''t about constraints and control. Love is about understanding andpanionship."

    Jasper''s voice was low and firm, but his longshes hid a certain emotion. "Lyse just needs to be

    herself.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    I can protect her. And I have confidence that no one can separate us."

    "Oh, silly, the world isplex. Just because you two have a good rtionship doesn''t mean you can

    rest easy. Look at Lauren and Landon. Don''t they have a good rtionship? But they still endured so

    much torment. Landon almost lost his life just to have a chance to stay with Lauren." "Grandpa, you

    seem to be quite emotional tonight. What''s wrong?" Jasper couldn''t help but frown in confusion.

    Newton took a deep breath and said solemnly, "In any case, you and Alyssa should try to avoid

    interacting with Justin as much as possible. And if one day Justin returns to Sna City, no matter

    what he does, try to avoid direct conflicts with him."

    Jasper''s expression turned cold and serious as he said, "Grandpa, you know I''m not someone who''s

    afraid to take a stand or shy away from challenges. It''s true that Justin saved me, but that doesn''t mean

    I''ll let him suppress me forever and give in to everything without limits.

    "If one day he does something I can''t tolerate, even if Dad supports him, I won''t let it slide."

    "You must endure what others cannot to achieve great things!" Newton''s face reddened, clearly getting

    agitated.

    "What if Justin asks me to give up the position of president?" Jasper''s eyes darkened as he posed a

    key question.

    The atmosphere in the car became even more oppressive.

    Sensing the deadlock between Newton and Jasper, Ben and Xavier sat upright, not daring to make a

    sound.

    Newton slowly clenched his fist and spoke each word seriously. "Just don''t confront him head-on. As

    long as I''m around, he won''t be able to take the position of heir. The heir I favor has always been you."

    "Grandpa..." Jasper''s expression showed his surprise as waves of emotion surged within him.

    "If Justin really has designs on the position of heir, I''ll deal with him. You won''t need to intervene. I don''t

    want to see my most beloved grandson caught in the crossfire."

    Newton firmly held Jasper''s hand, letting his warmth pass onto Jasper. "Listen to me. A wise man

    keeps his abilities hidden and strikes at the right moment."

    After dropping off Newton, Jasper''s car headed toward Alyssa''s vi.

 Chapter 1943

    Jasper gazed out the window with a gloomy expression, pondering Newton''s earnest teachings. The

    more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt.

    Somehow, he couldn''t shake the feeling that Newton was afraid of Justin.

    Newton''s advice and determination to protect him at all costs made Jasper wonder if Justin was more

    than just a person in Newton''s eyes. He seemed more like a bloodthirsty beast lurking in the shadows.

    "Ahem... It was such a close call tonight, Mr. Beckett." Noticing that Jasper was down, Xavier tried to

    ease the mood.

    "What?"

    "You almost lost your innocence!"

    "Lost what?" Jasper frowned.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Earlier in the garden, Ms. Gillis almost threw herself at you. Luckily, my swift reflexes kicked in, and I

    arrived just in time to protect your virtue," Xavier boasted, sporting a self-satisfied grin.

    Virtue?

    Upon seeing his smug look, Jasper wanted to knock some sense into him.

    "Even if you hadn''t appeared, I wouldn''t have any contact with any woman other than Lyse," Jasper

    stated with closed eyes. "Am I that unreliable?"

    "That may be so, but even a whoremaster can''t stop a shameless bitch."

    Jasper''s face darkened at those words.

    "No matter how vignt you are, those annoying bugs will seize any opportunity tond on you."

    Without noticing the invisible wrath enveloping him, Xavier continued to ramble on, "Seaview Manor

    isn''t like your private residence with Madam. It''s crowded with people of all sorts.

    "If there were any physical contact between you and Ms. Gillis, and someone with ill intentions spread

    rumors, Madam might not allow you into bed if she hears about it."

    Anger shed in Jasper''s eyes as he kicked the back of Xavier''s seat. "Tell me. Who''s the

    whoremaster?"

    Xavier''s throat went dry, and he didn''t know what to reply.

    "If you can''t exin, say goodbye to your bonus for this month."

    Xavier immediately surrendered for the money. "I was wrong, Mr. Beckett! My brain short-circuited, and

    I used the wrong metaphor. I won''t do that again!"

    Jasper smirked, but the emotions in his eyes remained inscrutable. "Your task for the next few days is

    to find out Ms. Gillis'' background. Focus on her work history. I want to know whether she really worked

    as a doctor without borders in Luminara."

    It waste at night, and Alyssa still hadn''t fallen asleep; she was thinking about Jasper.

    While on the living room couch, she took out several pieces of her high-priced jewelry, carefully wiping

    and cleaning them under the light.

    Some were her own designs, priceless and unattainable regardless of one''s willingness to pay. There

    were also items she had acquired at auctions¡ªfrom emerald bracelets to top-quality rubies, each piece

    was an envy-inducing treasure.

    Alyssa carefully ced her treasures back in their boxes with a contented smile.

    Those were all for Lauren. She had been saving them up, eagerly anticipating Lauren''s wedding day,

    so she could personally give her the wedding gift.

    Recalling the moment when Lauren woke up holding hands with Landon and sharing a deep gaze,

    Alyssa couldn''t contain her emotions. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears, and a lump formed in her

    throat.

    Everything was finally settled this time, right? No one would torment this loving couple anymore, would

    they?

    As she finished tidying up, the door to the room was gently pushed open.

    "Jasper!" The mncholy in Alyssa''s eyes dissipated and was reced by a bright gleam as she saw

    the tall figure of the man entering.

    "Lyse, why are you still awake at this hour?"

    Jasper was somewhat surprised. He had entered quietly to avoid waking her up, but he hadn''t

    expected her to still be awake.

    "You have to attend Mr. Cornelius'' funeral early tomorrow morning. Are you sure you can wake up in

    time, you sleepyhead?"

 Chapter 1944

    "I couldn''t sleep without you." Alyssa hurried over to Jasper and assisted him in removing his suit and

    loosening his tie. As she leaned in, she sniffed at his shirt cor. "You didn''t drink tonight?"

    "Justin''s body can''t take alcohol, so we didn''t drink. We had tea tonight."

    Jasper hooked his left arm around her waist while using his right hand to unbutton his shirt. His

    pleasant voice wasced with tenderness and guilt. "I had a chat with Grandpa, so I came backte.

    Sorry for making you wait."

    "What''s wrong? You seem so down tonight, like a pitiful puppy." Alyssa brushed her fingertip against

    his charming double eyelids while looking at him gently. "Did Justin do something to you? Did he bully

    you?"

    Suddenly, she pouted angrily. "If he dares to mess with you, I''ll overturn his wheelchair! If anyone

    bullies my man, I''ll make sure they won''t end well!"

    Jasper, who had been trying to hide his emotions, finally couldn''t restrain himself. He stared at her

    intensely, his eyes slightly reddened. Suddenly, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.

    Alyssa was gently pressed against the bed. The silk robe adorning her body gradually slipped off as

    they intertwined in passion.

    Jasper''s breath gradually became heavy. His eyes, zing with desire, captivated her, causing her to

    lose herself in the moment.

    His lips left delicate marks on her fair neck. He knew her sensitive spots well. With his touch, she felt

    herself melting.

    Under the moonlight, the rising tide of pleasure momentarily swept away Jasper''s troubles.

    After several rounds of passionate lovemaking, Alyssay spent on the bed, her body too weak to even

    turn over.

    "What''s wrong with you tonight? You were so wild," she murmured, on the verge of falling asleep.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    They remained entwined. Jasper took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. Hended

    scorching kisses on her shoulder des, leaving behind his fervent obsession.

    "I''ll protect you, Lyse. I''ll definitely protect you. No one can touch you."

    Rosie knew that Jasper and Alyssa were attending a funeral that day, so she got up early to prepare a

    hearty breakfast.

    In order to let Alyssaze in bed a little longer, Jasper brought the food into the room and fed her bite

    by bite, spoiling her.

    "Alright, alright. It''ll take a much longer time if you feed me. Let me do it myself." Alyssa took the cup

    and gulped down the entire ss of milk in one go.

    The white liquid remained at the corner of her lips. Jasper''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he asked in a low,

    husky voice, "Was it good?"

    "It was okay..."

    Alyssa''s voice trailed off as he captured her lips and licked away the remaining milk on her lips.

    "What about whenpared tost night?" Jasper''s voice tinged with a low chuckle.

    "Hey! You pervert!" The memory ofst night''s thrill flooded Alyssa''s mind, making her both bashful and

    annoyed. She yfully pounded his chest as her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

    Jasper couldn''t bear to tease her anymore. He regretted having her relieve him like thatst night.

    It didn''t matter if he felt good or not. In their intimacy, his only goal was to make sure she felt good and

    happy.

    "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something," Jasper said as he took a napkin to wipe her lips.

    "The diagnosis came out. Betty has gonepletely insane. She was sent to the hospital yesterday for

    shock due to excessive bleeding."

 Chapter 1945

    "I can understand if Betty has lost her mind. She wasn''t a normal person in the first ce. But how did

    she lose so much blood?" Alyssa grazed her lips against Jasper''s palm.

    "I heard she wasughing and cursing at the detention center. She''d grab anyone she saw and im to

    be a Beckett, saying that her father is the president of the Beckett Group. The inmates beat her up. The

    more they beat, the more agitated she became."

    Jasper''s heart melted at Alyssa''s submissive demeanor. He couldn''t resist trailing his fingertips over

    her milk-stained lips.

    "What an ambitious lunatic." Alyssa sneered.

    "Last night, something must have snapped in Betty''s head. She cut her hand and smeared blood on

    her cellmate and the wall, hence the blood loss."

    "Perhaps she was already teetering on the edge of sanity then. She still remembered that she had

    contracted AIDS. She probably used her disease as a means to retaliate against the inmates."

    Alyssa''s eyes hardened as a cruel glint flickered within them. "But honestly, it''s better this way. I was at

    a loss about what to do with her."

    Legally, Betty would face three to five years for assault. However, if deemed mentally unstable, she''d

    bemitted to a mental institution. There, she could continue to cling to her delusion of being a

    Beckett and live out her days.

    That day marked Cornelius'' funeral.

    A shocking tragedy had struck the Harper household, leaving a family shattered by internal strife.

    Landon bore the weight of great misfortune. Yet, despite the turmoil, the funeral proceeded smoothly

    thanks to his efforts.

    Cornelius had been a legend and a powerful figure in his time. To face such a tragedy at the end of his

    life was devastating.

    Yet, more often than not, once an influential person lost their position of power, others ceased to care.

    The attendees were mostly acquaintances from the business world or old friends. Loyal to a fault, these

    "people of the trade" ensured a respectable ceremony even amidst the Harper Group''s controversies.

    Landon, Cornelius'' eldest grandson, wore a simple ck suit and carried his grandfather''s photo as

    they made their way to the burial site. His heavy steps mirrored the weight of his grief while his

    emotionless eyes, a stoic mask concealing utter devastation.

    Malicious online articles from media vultures questioned Landon''s yboy past, casting doubt on his

    ability to seed Cornelius. Thankfully, the Becketts and Taylors stood by him. Jasper and Alyssa,

    representing their families, offered unwavering support, nking Landon¡ªthe new head of the house.

    Landon was the only one present from the Harper family at the funeral. Yet, he remained unfazed by

    the criticism, standing tall and resolute, his gaze unwavering andmanding. Those who sought to

    stir trouble didn''t dare in his presence.

    The mourning hall was somber, filled with loved ones offering flowers and tearful farewells to the man

    who had built the Harper Group from scratch.

    Alyssa and Jasper stood by, their hearts seething with anger at the destion before them.

    Alyssa remembered attending funerals of the wealthy in her youth. The turnout was often disappointing

    for families of such stature.

    The sycophants looked down on Landon, assuming he would lead the Harper Group to ruin.

    A new wave of tension filled the air as footsteps echoed through the hall. "The chairman of the Schmidt

    Group, Victor Schmidt, and president, Jameson Schmidt, have arrived," the announcement boomed.

    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Landon''s reddened eyes locked on theirs, his gaze cold and sharp while Jasper''s and Alyssa''s

    expressions darkened.

 Chapter 1946

    From the moment Jameson entered, his gaze was fixated on Alyssa with desire. She found herself unable to escape it, no matter how hard she tried. Disgust curdled in her stomach, and she ripped her eyes away, muttering a scathing curse under her breath.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Jasper regarded Jameson with seriousness. He suppressed his anger and held Alyssa''s hand tightly in his.

    Jameson''s gaze, lingering on their intertwined fingers, darkened. A teasing smile, out of ce in the somber atmosphere, stretched across his lips.

    Landon saw it too. His fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. He yearned for a peaceful farewell for his grandfather. If this weren''t a mourning hall, he wouldn''t hesitate to wipe that infuriating smirk off Jameson''s face.

    "My condolences, Mr. Landon," Victor offered, stepping forward with a hand extended. "Although considering your new position, perhaps Mr. Harper would be more fitting."

    Landon met Victor''s gesture with a cold stare. "I don''t recall inviting you to the funeral."

    Victor''s face was flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and outrage. But as the head of the Schmidts, he couldn''t afford to stoop to the level of a dead man. "As one of the Big Four, I shared a long association with Mr. Cornelius. Even without an invitation, it''s only proper to offer my condolences."

    "My grandfather had no need for your acquaintance," Landon replied tersely, his lips pressed into a thin line. "And he wouldn''t have wanted to see you here."

    A collective gasp rippled through the room, all eyes fixed on the stunned Victor and Jameson. The sharp, unexpected insult left Victor speechless. Reddened with fury, he opened his mouth to p back, but Jameson cut him off.

    "Mr. Harper, I''m not interested in the past feuds between our families. This is Mr. Cornelius'' funeral, and we''vee to pay our respects. Why the need for hostility?"

    As Jameson spoke, his gaze swept across the empty mourning hall, his smile appearing forced and insincere. "It seems Mr. Cornelius didn''t cultivate many friendships in the business world during his lifetime. Looking around, I see a gathering of individuals who couldn''t make much of an impact.

    "The Schmidts, however, came to offer our condolences. If you chase away the few allies you have left, Mr. Harper, who will do business with you once word gets out?"

    Alyssa clenched her teeth, the urge to confront Jameson boiling within her. She longed to silence his infuriating pronouncements with a well-ced p. But Jasper''s firm grip on her waist restrained her, preventing her from acting on her impulse.

    Landon''s expression turned exceedingly hostile. The outrage simmered within him, churning his stomach. He''d never backed down from a fight, but this was his grandfather''s funeral, the first major event since he assumed leadership of the Harper family.

    If he allowed Jameson to provoke him, he risked being perceived as nothing more than an ill-tempered rich heir, bing aughingstock in the eyes of others. No matter the provocation, he couldn''t afford to cause a scene that day.

    Just as Victor basked in the perceived triumph of his son''s defense, a voice,ced with icy authority, sliced through the tense silence. "Mr. Cornelius had no friends in the business world? What utter nonsense! What a preposterous im!"

    Jameson''s eyes turned cial. He turned slowly, adjusting his gold-rimmed sses with a deliberate show ofposure.

    Everyone in the room swiveled their heads toward the entrance, a collective gasp escaping their lips.

 Chapter 1947

    Alyssa''s breath hitched as a familiar voice echoed through the tense silence. Squeezing Jasper''s hand

    until his knuckles turned white, her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

    "I-It''s Winston!"

    "Winston?" Jasper echoed, his surprise evident.

    Then, a procession of men d in ck suits strode into the mourning hall with authority. Winston, a

    commanding presence that turned heads, stood proudly at the forefront.

    But Winston wasn''t alone. Apanying him were Mandy, L, Colene, Jonah, and Ss,

    representing the Taylor family.

    Rarely did the Taylors assemble in such unity, indicating the significance of Cornelius'' funeral to them.

    "Dad!" Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as sheunched herself toward Winston, engulfing him in a

    fierce hug.

    Jasper watched the reunion, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He remained rooted in his

    spot, refraining from seeking favor and silently observing the scene.

    "What''s all this fuss about? I''m barely in my 70s. I''m as sturdy as a rock!" Winston remarked, his heart

    warmed by Alyssa''s affection yet feigning annoyance. "You hugged me as if I had one foot in the grave.

    People might get the wrong idea."

    Alyssa clicked her tongue yfully, reluctantly releasing her hold on Winston''s arm. "Why didn''t you let

    me know you wereing? I thought you wouldn''t show up."

    "I worried for nothing, it seems," Mandy chimed in, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "I thought it

    would be sufficient if Jonah, Ss, and the three of us came to pay our respects. I didn''t think it''sN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    necessary for Winston to make the trip all the way from Mosgravia, but he insisted on bidding Mr.

    Cornelius farewell in person."

    "Don''t say that you worried for nothing, Mandy. Your concern for Dad is evident," Alyssa reassured,

    noticing the renewed vigor in Winston''s demeanor, a weight lifted from her heart.

    Moved by the presence of such esteemed guests, Landon approached them, his eyes brimming with

    tears. As Landon spoke, his voice was achingly hoarse. "T-Thank you foring, Mr. Winston. I-It

    means a lot."

    "Silly boy, call me Uncle Winston. ''Mr. Winston'' sounds too distant," Winston replied warmly, patting

    Landon''s shoulder affectionately. "You''ve just taken over the Harper Group. If you need any help,

    please don''t hesitate to let me know. The KS Group would be d to assist you without hesitation."

    Landon pursed his lips tightly and nodded earnestly, gratitude evident in his expression.

    Observing the genuine affection Landon received from Winston, Jameson''s heart burned with rage. His

    fists clenched tightly, trembling under the weight of his crystal cuffs. He used to be the one who

    enjoyed such afortable rtionship with Alyssa''s father, the only one who could address him as

    "Uncle Winston" and bask in the warmth of the Taylor family''s eptance.

    Back then, Landon was a nobody, barely a blip on Winston''s radar.

    "Mr. Schmidt, were you the one spouting that nonsense?" Winston''s gaze bore into Jameson, his tone

    intimidating.

    Jameson bit the inside of his mouth hard and said nothing.

    "Hmm, you boasted about it so proudly earlier. Why the sudden silence?" Winston''s sneer dripped with

    disdain. "Mr. Schmidt, I''m undecided whether to call you ignorant or short-sighted. How could you make

    such an absurd im that the Harper family had no allies in the business world?"

 Chapter 1948

    Winston''s voice boomed through the hall. "Even if youck business acumen, Mr. Schmidt, a little

    observation goes a long way at your age. Can''t you tell my daughter and Mr. Jasper are ride-or-die with

    Landon?"

    Jameson was caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events. He remained silent, his face pale with

    embarrassment.

    Winston''s recovery and return from overseas to stand by the Harper family spoke volumes. No one

    would dare to look down on Landon anymore.

    "Let''s go, Jimmy," Victor said tersely, realizing it wasn''t wise to prolong the confrontation with his former

    ally. With a darkened expression, he strode out of the hall.

    Jameson adjusted his sses and trailed after Victor.

    As they departed, Winston called out without looking back, his voice carrying a tone of admonishment.

    "Even if you wished to appear sincere, you should have ensured you did it properly and spared yourself

    the embarrassment. Instead, you chose to create a scene at someone else''s funeral, deceiving

    everyone with your falsehoods. Who will want to befriend you or do business with you after this?"

    An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

    Victor gritted his teeth in silent fury before exiting with an indignant huff.

    Victor and Jameson returned to the car in silence, their efforts at the funeral havinge to naught.

    Once inside, Victor unleashed his frustration on Jameson.

    "You''re so ill-tempered! Cornelius is dead, for heaven''s sake. What was the point of saying those

    things? Look at what you''ve done. You''ve invited trouble and embarrassed us!"

    "Hmm, have you conveniently forgotten, Dad?" Jameson''s tone was icy as he suppressed his anger.

    "You were the one who insisted on attending the funeral. If you had listened to me and stayed away, we

    wouldn''t have faced humiliation at Winston''s hands. From where I''m standing, you''re the one who

    brought this upon us. If I hadn''t intervened, Landon could have easily bested you."

    "Jameson! How could you be so reckless?"

    Victor trembled with anger, meeting Jameson''s cold gaze with his own. He managed to quell his

    outburst, only gnashing his teeth in rage.

    "No matter how many times we have this conversation," Victor spat, "you remain a disappointment! You

    can''t even handle a woman! If you''d secured Alyssa, none of this would be happening! The Schmidt

    Group has now outshined the Beckett Group. If you had be Winston''s son-inw, we might have

    even acquired the Harper Group. Landon would have been left with nowhere to stand!"

    Like father, like son. Victor and Jameson, though having different personalities, shared a talent for

    inflicting emotional wounds.

    "I couldn''t care less about a small outfit like the Harper Group. Even without Alyssa, I''ve managed to

    elevate the Schmidt Group to one of the Big Four," Jameson retorted, a sharp glint flickering in his

    eyes, hinting at a boundless ambition and greed. "But I''ve never been one to settle. I want it all¡ªpower,

    status, and the most beautiful woman in the world."

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Victor snorted. "Haven''t you noticed, son? The Taylor girl loathes you. Her revulsion is practically

    painted on her face. Your desires are nothing but a childish fantasy."

    "When there''s a will, there''s a way," Jameson countered, closing his eyes. A twisted smile yed

    across his lips, a hint of something monstrous lurking beneath the surface.

    He no longer harbored any illusions about winning Alyssa''s heart. As long as he could possess her

    physically one day, he would consider it a victory.

 Chapter 1949

    The funeral proceeded smoothly after the unwanted guests departed.

    Members of the Taylor family offered their condolences to Landon with genuine warmth. Winston, his

    face etched with concern, approached Landon.

    "Landon," Winston began gently, "I''m sorry for what happened. Also, Mr. Beckett Senior calledst

    night, expressing how unwell he''s been feeling, so he won''t be attending. However, he assures me he''ll

    find time to meet with you and pay his respects at Mr. Cornelius'' grave."

    A wave of emotions washed over Jasper. Concern for his grandfather''s health battled with a flicker of

    warmth at Newton''s consideration for Landon.

    "Thank you, Uncle Winston. I appreciate Mr. Beckett Senior''s kind gesture." Landon expressed his

    heartfelt gratitude, addressing Winston as he desired.

    Landon understood that Newton had likely used his health as an excuse. After all, the Harpers hurt

    Lauren multiple times and almost cost her life.

    Even if Newton had forgiven them, appearing at the funeral would stir up gossip.

    Jonah and Ss offered their condolences as well. In that moment, Landon felt a newfound sense of

    belonging with the Taylors. He realized he had gained a new family and resolved to leave behind

    thoughts of vengeance and solitude.

    "Let me take you back, Dad," Alyssa said softly, gently caressing Winston''s arm.

    "I''ll be fine. With everyone here, I''m well taken care of," Winston reassured Alyssa, patting her hand.

    "With no one left in the Harper family, it''s important for us to stick together and lend our support. You

    and Jasper are Landon''s closest friends. Stay by his side till the end."

    Alyssa, deeply moved, nodded through her tears.

    "Winston, allow me to escort you to your car," Jasper offered, approaching Winston with care and

    consideration befitting a son-inw.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    Winston nodded. "Okay, follow me."

    This was Winston''s first public appearance since recovering from his illness, and he made sure to

    make a grand entrance to support Landon. As a result, numerous media reporters surrounded the

    ce.

    To divert attention from themotion, Winston''s wives, with the assistance of their bodyguards, got

    into the car and left. Winston, however, remainedposed and entertained the media with the help of

    his two sons and daughter.

    "Thank you all for your concern regarding my health. I''m now fully recovered and feeling well. Today,

    we gather to bid farewell to Mr. Cornelius, and I''m sure he would be pleased to see so many of you

    here to pay your respects," Winston addressed the reporters bluntly yet tactfully, effectively silencing

    anyone who sought to stir up trouble.

    "The Harper Group has faced its share of tribtions," Winston continued, "and Mr. Landon''s sudden

    ascension undoubtedly raises questions. However, I have watched him grow up, and I know him well."

    "Therefore," he dered, his chin rising a notch as his eyes burned with conviction, "I say this with

    absolute certainty¡ªthe sun will rise again on the Harper Group. Under Landon''s leadership, it will rise

    to even greater heights!"

    Winston''s words brought a hush over the crowd. Meanwhile, Jasper stared in awe at the noble

    presence Winston exuded. Despite his age and stature, Winstonmanded respect and radiated

    strength and integrity.

    Feeling a sense of security in Winston''s presence, Jasper resolved to learn from the venerable man.

    "Jasper, there''s someone here," Jonah''s voice interrupted their thoughts, drawing their attention to a

    luxurious sedan parked nearby.

    The arrival of the sedan caught the interest of some media personnel, and as its doors opened, two

    bodyguards emerged, followed by a woman in a white suit¡ªSheryl Gillis.

    Jasper''s heart clenched as he observed the scene, his jaw tightening in anticipation.

    Justin was lifted into the wheelchair with the help of the two bodyguards. Sheryl then wheeled him

    toward Winston and Jasper.

    "Who is that?"

    "I''m not sure. I''ve never seen him before. But he doesn''t seem like a regr folk."

    He looks upper-ss, judging by his appearance, manners, and demeanor. It''s a pity about his legs,

    though. No one''s perfect."

    "Who says there''s no perfect person? Just look at Mr. Jasper. He''s practically wless¡ªhe has a

    beautiful wife and support from Mr. Winston. He''s a winner!"

    As the discussion buzzed, Justin made his way through the crowd until he stood before the Taylors.

    "Hello, Mr. Winston. It''s a pleasure to finally meet you," Justin greeted politely, his hand raised despite

    his immobility. A gentle and humble smile graced his lips as he continued, "I''m Jasper''s brother and the

    eldest son of the Beckett family, Justin Beckett."

 Chapter 1950

    Justin Beckett?

    A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

    Justin''s name was synonymous with the immense suffering he had endured. He had survived a brutal

    kidnapping that resulted in severe muttion. To receive proper treatment in Mosgravia, he had to

    relinquish his right to seed.

    He was finally back!

    Jonah and Ss exchanged wide-eyed nces.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    The hushed atmosphere shattered as cameras shed, a cacophony of questions drowning out

    Justin''s polite greeting.

    "Oh, it''s you, Mr. Justin. The pleasure is mine," Winston greeted, his eyes narrowing imperceptibly.

    Despite any internal turmoil, he remainedposed, extending his hand to shake with the legendary

    figure of Justin Beckett.

    Justin''s hand felt cold as ice, its smooth and clean appearance contrasting starkly with the roughness

    of Jasper''s hands. Winston couldn''t help but note the difference.

    Jasper''s hands were so calloused that Winston wouldn''t have been surprised if Jasper had done hard

    labor in his spare time. Winston didn''t think Alyssa was particrly difficult to look after.

    "I heard you''ve been undergoing treatment overseas. How is your health?" After all, Justin was

    Jasper''s brother. Thus, Winston feltpelled to express some concern.

    "It''s good. Thank you for asking." Justin''s gentle gaze shifted to Jasper''s uneasy demeanor. "Jasper,

    make sure Mr. Winston is taken care of. I''ll head inside."

    "Okay, Justin," Jasper responded softly, his heart pounding against his ribs. He wasn''t a man easily

    shaken, yet his brother''s unexpected return had thrown him into turmoil.

    He couldn''t shake the sense that there was more to Justin''s demeanor than met the eye.

    Jasper, Jonah, and Ss escorted Winston to his car.

    "Take care, Winston."

    "Jasper,e with me. I have something to ask you."

    Jasper hesitated for a moment beforeplying, sliding into the backseat with Winston.

    "Your brother''s timing is... curious," Winston began, his voiceced with concern. "Choosing the Harper

    family''s funeral for his public return seems calcted. It garnered a significant amount of attention,

    something both your grandfather and father likely wanted to avoid, hence their absence. And your

    presence as Landon''s best friend makes perfect sense."

    "However," Winston continued, his brow furrowing, "Justin has been absent from Sna City for over a

    decade. Hisck of connection to the Harpers makes his appearance here. unsettling, to say the least."

    Jasper remained silent, uncertain of how to respond. He didn''t wish to specte on his brother''s

    motives without knowing the full story.

    "You''re too kind for your own good," Winston remarked with a helpless nce, recognizing Jasper''s

    reluctance to engage in gossip. Sensing Jasper''s difort, he shifted the conversation. "How would

    you describe your rtionship with your brother?"

    Jasper''s gaze softened as he delved into memories from long ago. "I returned to the Beckett family with

    my mother when I was five years old. While we''re not blood-rted, Justin always showed care and

    concern for me. He never held any resentment toward me, even after Dad brought me home years

    later. He was everything a good brother should be."

    "How about now?"

 Chapter 1951

    Winston''s gaze drifted into the distance. "His life took this turn because of you. He ended up confined

    to a wheelchair for the rest of his days, enduring years of solitude abroad.

    "Now that he has returned, he saw firsthand how you''ve captivated the Beckett Group, achieving

    remarkable sess. He''s watched as you''ve imed what rightfully belongs to him as the eldest son

    of the Beckett family.

    "Can he truly find peace, surrender everything to you, and live a life of luxury and leisure?"

    "Justin has been undergoing treatment in Mosgravia all this time. We''ve kept in touch through emails

    and calls. He used to go out of his way to support me whenever I needed it.

    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!

    "Your words make sense, but I just can''t imagine my brother holding any animosity toward me." Jasper

    laid out everything he knew for Winston, fully aware of the implications.

    Winston clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You''re a divorced CEO. How can you be so naive?"

    Jasper couldn''t help but feel chastised, though a part of him felt a strange exhration. It was no

    wonder Landon hinted that Jasper had a streak of masochism.

    "He''s a grown man in his 30s. Unless there''s something wrong with his brain, why would he wear his

    heart on his sleeve like that?"

    Winston spoke bluntly, "Don''t let your guard down. In wealthy families, even siblings from the same

    mother fight for power and personal gain, let alone a half-brother from a different mother."

    "Mr. Winston, there''s no need to put so much pressure on Mr. Jasper. Not all wealthy families are like

    that," Carl interjected from the passenger seat. "Look at your family, for example. Your wives and

    children, even though they''re not all blood-rted, get along well and live in harmony."

    "That''s because theyck any semnce of intelligence. They either pretend to be virtuous or strive to

    be the golden child in public," Winston retorted angrily, shaking his head in disbelief.

    "Lyse is the only one who''s shown any ambition. The rest are utterly worthless. Most families would

    fight tooth and nail for their inheritance, but ours is a rare exception. Even if you handed them the

    inheritance on a silver tter, they''d likely turn their noses up and walk away."

    Neil didn''t know how to respond to Winston.

    Jasper''s smile faltered, a mix of envy and admiration flickering in his eyes. They were truly exceptional

    ¡ª intelligent and talented. They hadn''t shied away from the family''s responsibilities; rather, they had

    chosen to pursue other paths, indulging Alyssa''s desires. They had collectively decided to let their most

    beloved sister, Alyssa, take center stage.

    After absorbing Winston''s words of wisdom, Jasper stepped out of the car and watched as the Taylor

    family vehicle drove away.

    "Jasper."

    Jasper turned and noticed Alyssa hastily walking toward him. They naturallyced their fingers

    together.

    "Why are you here?" he whispered into her ear, his warm breath brushing against her face as he kissed

    her cheek.

    "Your brother, Justin, is here to make his presence known," Alyssa replied, her eyes shimmering as she

    leaned into his embrace. "I didn''t want to face him alone, so I came to find you. But I think he''s already

    left."

    A subtle pang of hurt flickered in Jasper''s heart as he recalled the gift Justin had given Alyssa¡ªthe

    hairpin. It wasn''t a grand gesture, but its significance wasn''t lost on him. It felt more like an insult.

    "I saw the buzz on Twitter earlier," Alyssa remarked with a cold curl of her lips. "As expected, your

    brother''s return has set tongues wagging. He''s made quite the ssh; we should tread carefully."

    Jasper remained nonchnt. "Let hime. I''m not afraid."

    "But I do," Alyssa countered, her gaze piercing into his somber eyes. "His public reappearance after

    years of silence will have repercussions for you. How do you think people will perceive you? What

    consequences will this bring?

    "Back then, you withdrew after the kidnapping while he almost died protecting you. Now, he''s confined

    to a wheelchair. How will the public perceive you? Won''t they whisper that your sess came at the

    cost of your brother''s sacrifice?"

 Chapter 1952

    Jasper''s heart raced, his lips quivering slightly as he continued to gaze at her, unable to find his voice.

    Who was he, for the likes of extraordinary figures such as Winston and Alyssa, to worry about?

    "Your brother''s reappearance will elicit sympathy from the public, including your father," Alyssa said,

    her eyes filled with concern. "If he has any intentions of seizing your position, public opinion will be his

    most potent weapon. Jasper, you need to understand this. A person''s words can be as lethal as any

    weapon..."

    Without a word, Jasper cupped her face and drew her into a passionate kiss. It began with a

    tenderness that quickly deepened, both fueled by a potent mix of desire and unspoken anxieties.

    Alyssa clung to him, her breath catching in her throat.

    When they finally broke apart, Jasper''s eyes held a new tenderness. He wrapped her in a protective

    embrace, as if afraid to lose her.

    "I promised to be your guardian angel," he murmured. "Why has it turned out the other way around?"

    Alyssa nestled her head against his broad shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Remember,

    the only person who can truly protect you is me."

    Jasper chuckled, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "You still remember that?"

    Her eyelids fluttered shut as she tightened her hold around him. "I remember everything you''ve said."

    In the depths of their passionate love, Alyssa remembered every detail of their journey since they met

    at age 11. Her mind was like a meticulously urate recorder, preserving each event by its day and

    time.

    However, Jasper might not recall some of those moments. It wasn''t that he forgot¡ªrather, he had

    never realized that she had been there during every life-threatening situation they faced.

    Regardless, she hadn''t nned to reveal her presence. Her intention was simply to protect him silently.

    After offering his condolences, Justin declined any interviews and swiftly departed through the back

    door of the funeral parlor, avoiding the crowd.

    The luxurious car whisked him away toward Seaview Manor. The silence inside was thick, as the driver

    and Sheryl were afraid to even breathe too loudly.

    Suddenly, Justin chuckled.

    Startled, Sheryl asked cautiously, "What are you thinking, Mr. Justin?"

    Some things are worth witnessing firsthand," Justin replied with a faint smile. "When I saw Jasper

    standing with the Taylors today, I realized they were as close as family. Judging by Winston''s

    demeanor, he seems to have already epted him as his son-inw."

    Sheryl''s eyes were filled with disdain and a vicious hint of hatred. "He''s finally be the million-dor

    son-inw, reaping the rewards of his ttery toward Alyssa and Winston. It seems that fortune favors

    those who ingratiate themselves."

    Justin kept his eyes closed as his smile widened. "My brother grew up in poverty and had a difficult life.

    Now, through hard work, he''s found the happiness he deserves. I''m genuinely happy for him."

    "Mr. Justin, why do you say such things to upset yourself? If you hadn''t sacrificed yourself to help

    Jasper escape, everything he has now would''ve been yours," Sheryl said, feeling a pang of injustice for

    her boss.

    Justin opened his eyes slightly, a dark glint flickering within. "Yes, everything would''ve been mine. But

    would Alyssa have been mine too?"

    Sheryl''s heart tightened. After a moment of hesitation, she asked softly, "Mr. Justin, d-do you fancy

    Alyssa?"

    "Didn''t you say everything he has should have been mine?" Justin countered, a dangerous glint in his

    eyes and a hint of hidden desire ying on his lips.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Shocked, Sheryl furrowed her brows tightly. "It''s natural to desire everything, but please forgive my

    bluntness. Alyssa and Jasper share a deep bond. There''s no room for anyone else. Otherwise,

    Jameson would have seeded. They''ve been childhood sweethearts, after all."

    Justin let out a humorless chuckle. "Not to mention my condition. No woman would want to be with me

    like this."

    "Don''t say that, Mr. Justin," Sheryl countered, her voice filled with unexpected warmth. Her gaze locked

    onto his, and she reached out to sp his cold hand in hers. "If you''ll allow me... I''m willing to be by

    your side for the rest of my life."

    Justin held her gaze for a long moment, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes before they settled back

    into their dark depths. Sheryl''s heart pounded in her chest, momentarily thrown off bnce.

    Despite their different mothers, the resemnce between Justin and Jasper was striking, especially in

    their eyes.

    Until now, she had always considered Jasper to have the most captivating eyes in Sna City. But

    Justin''s dark gaze held a depth and intensity that rivaled his brother''s.

    A pang of regret washed over Sheryl. Back then, if Sophia hadn''t manipted her into focusing all her

    attention on Jasper, she might have chosen to stand by Justin when he was injured. Perhaps she could

    have even convinced him to take her with him to Mosgravia.

    The Beckett Group could have been theirs.

    Interrupting Sheryl''s thoughts, Justin swiftly retracted his hand. "Find out which hospital Winston was

    treated at in Mosgravia. Obtain his medical records and history as quickly as possible."

    Sheryl clenched her empty hand and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Justin."

 Chapter 1953

    Cornelius'' funeral was grandly organized with the assistance of both the Becketts and Taylors.

    As the day came to a close, everyone from the Harper Group departed, leaving Landon alone, kneeling

    before his grandfather''s photo for an extended period.

    Alyssa returned home to keep Winstonpany while Jasper remained with his best friend until the

    end.

    "Landon, you''re exhausted. You should go home and get some rest," Jasper urged, attempting to help

    him up, but Landon''s resolve was unyielding; he couldn''t even budge him.

    "I can''t rest. I need to arrange Angelina''s funeral too," he responded almost mechanically.

    Jasper''s heart ached at the sight of Landon''s exhaustion.

    Angelina''s name had been a taboo topic in the past few days, a reminder of a wound that would never

    heal in Landon''s heart.

    "I''ll help you. You''re not alone; you have me." Jasper''s voice was strained and raspy. But no words

    could bring Angelina back.

    "I remember Angeline telling me she wanted a simple and peaceful life. I''m sure she''d want a funeral to

    reflect that, to quietly depart from this world like a raindrop fading into the rain," Landon said, struggling

    to catch his breath.

    Any semnce of a smile quickly vanished. "But she chose to follow me into a life filled with violence.

    There was never a day of peace or freedom. Jasper, I''ve destroyed Angelina''s life. I''ve killed her. How

    can I ever make it right?"

    Jasper knelt beside him, gently patting Landon''s back. "Don''t me yourself like this, Landon. Angelina

    wouldn''t want to see you suffer. You need to stay strong to protect the Harper Group and Lauren. That

    way, her sacrifice won''t be in vain."

    They left only after nightfall.

    "Jasper," Landon said, his voice regaining a semnce of control. "Take me to Sage Manor."

    His face, pale in the dim light, held a flicker of resolve. I want to gather some of Angeline''s belongings,

    things she used when she was alive. I want to keep them here at Sage Manor forever."

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Jasper nodded in understanding. Sage Manor had once been a haven for Landon, Lauren, and

    Angeline ¡ªa ce filled with warmth and love. Now, it served as a painful reminder of their loss.

    The car journey was shrouded in silence. Jordan kept his eyes fixed on the road while Jasper sat in the

    back, lost in thought. Leaning against the window, Landon drifted into a deep sleep within minutes.

    "We''re here, Landon."

    Jasper woke Landon up an hourter.

    Landon''s face appeared worn, and he anxiously rubbed his eyes before stepping out of the car. Jasper

    and Jordan, concerned for his well-being, stayed close behind him.

    "Mr. Jasper, Mr. Landon isn''t in a stable condition. He might seem like he''s holding it together, but his

    body is exhausted," Jordan whispered softly, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

    "I know," Jasper replied, his heart heavy with concern. He didn''t know how to alleviate his best friend''s

    suffering.

    With shaking fingers, Landon entered the familiar password and opened the door.

 Chapter 1954

    As Landon entered the living hall, his eyes reddened from the emotions swelling within him. Everything

    appeared unchanged, as if nothing had urred.

    A gentle voice, once a source offort, broke the silence. "Mr. Landon, you''re back."

    "I''m back," he choked out. His smile, though warm, faded as he realized there would be no reply to

    follow.

    With a heavy thud, Landon''s knees buckled beneath him. He crumpled onto the floor, his once sturdy

    frame folding inward. Silent sobs wracked his body as he curled into a ball.

    "Landon!"

    "Mr. Landon!"

    Jasper and Jordan rushed to his side; concern etched on their faces. But the only response was the

    quiet sound of wet tears hitting the ground.

    Landon buried his head in his arms, his body wracked with silent cries.

    "Landon, Jordan and I will help you gather Angelina''s belongings. You don''t have to force yourself to do

    it," Jasper said, holding Landon''s trembling shoulders, his own eyes red with emotion.

    "I-I''m fine," Landon insisted, wiping away his tears forcefully as he struggled to rise, using his arms for

    support as he made his way upstairs.

    Watching his friend''s stubborn yet fragile form ascend the staircase, Jasper''s heart constricted with

    anguish.

    He recalled a time when mentioning Angelina would always bring a mboyant grin to Landon''s face.

    She wasn''t just an employee; she was family¡ªa loyalpanion through thick and thin.

    They reached the room where Angelina had stayed.

    The room was pristine, with only a bed, a wardrobe, and a table. Its simplicity belied the fact that it had

    once been upied by a young woman.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Jasper and Jordan, hesitant to disturb the sanctity of the space, remained by the door as Landon gently

    brushed his fingertips across the desk''s surface, sensing the lingering scent of Angelina on the

    unwrinkled bedsheet.

    Opening her wardrobe, Landon beheld each luxurious evening gown, carefully preserved in stic as if

    untouched by time. Tears welled in his eyes as memories flooded his mind.

    "Angelina used to apany me to every business party I needed a date for," Landon said, his voice

    tinged with emotion as he lifted out a chili-red evening gown. "I''ll never forget how stunning she looked

    in these gowns.

    "Those creeps wouldn''t stop staring at her. Every time I brought her out, I''de home seething with

    anger. I didn''t love her romantically; I just couldn''t stand the thought of other men ogling someone I

    considered my sister."

    His voice cracked with self-derision. "A good-for-nothing like me didn''t deserve a sister like her."

    Jasper''s heart twisted in anguish while Jordan silently shed tears.

    As Landon prepared to close the wardrobe, his gaze fell upon a brown leather box nestled at the

    bottom of the clothes. Intrigued, he retrieved the box and ced it on the bed.

    Slowly opening it, he revealed a pink diary adorned with a bunny hugging a carrot, its pages secured

    by a stic lock requiring a password.

    Although the lock could have been easily broken, Landon hesitated, pondering for a moment before

    impulsively entering his birthday.

    The lock clicked open.

 Chapter 1955

    In that moment, the room seemed to fall into a hushed stillness, with only the sound of Landon''s

    heartbeat echoing in his ears.

    The pages of this diary had turned yellow; Angelina must have used it for years.

    With fingers wracked by tremors, Landon carefully opened the diary. Angelina''sck of formal

    education was evident, yet her handwriting surprised him. It was neat and firm, almost masculine,

    mirroring his own.

    A pang of bittersweet understanding shot through him. His father had taught him to write, and Angelina,

    ever-present by his side, had absorbed it all. More urately, her life revolved around him, and this

    unconscious mimicry was a testament to that devotion.

    The diary wasn''t a daily record but a collection of moments Angelina deemed precious. One entry read,

    "Went to Mr. Bill''s funeral today with Mr. Landon. Now that he''s gone, the burden of the family falls on

    Mr. Landon''s shoulders. The road ahead won''t be easy, but he doesn''t have to face it alone. I''m here.

    Mr. Bill, rest easy. Even if the sky falls, I''ll always protect Mr. Landon."

    Another entry spoke in a lighter mood. "Mr. Landon''s been acting strangelytely. Uncharacteristically

    cheerful during meals. Could he be seeing someone special? I wonder who unlocked the door to his

    guarded heart. I''d love to meet her."

    One entry gushed about Lauren. "Ms. Lauren is such a charmingdy. Mr. Landon has impable

    taste!"

    Another entry read, "Mr. Landon, this marks our 14th New Year together. I''ve never experienced a

    family reunion, but now that you have Madam Lauren, this asion must hold special significance for

    you. For me, it remains the same."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Mr. Landon, the moon is particrly beautiful tonight. It reflects the love that I''ll never confess to you."

    Landon''s hands trembled as he held the diary, tears welling in his eyes, one eventually slipping

    between the lines of writing, staining the page with his pain.

    An old newspaper clipping, dated ten years prior, caught his attention, the image blurred by tears. It

    depicted the Harper family visiting Bill''s grave.

    In the photograph, Landon exuded confidence, handsomeness, and charm as he followed behind

    Cornelius, bearing the air of the head of the household. Close behind him trailed Angelina, dressed in a

    ck bodyguard uniform, her high ponytail and youthful features contrasting with Landon''s mature

    demeanor.

    Though the photo was slightly blurred, Angelina''s gaze fixed on Landon''s back shone with brightness

    and warmth.

    She had watched over him day and night, a silent guardian, even though her feelings remained

    unreciprocated.

    "Today, you casually asked if I liked anyone. You said to let you know so you could check him out. Only

    God knows how my heart raced at that moment."

    "You were always worried I''d be an old spinster if I kept following you around. You asked if I ever

    thought about getting married. Truthfully, I have¡ªI''ve been married to you in my heart all along."

    "Mr. Landon, I have only one wish in this life¡ªto see you truly happy. Please don''t let me down."

    Clutching the diary tightly, Landon sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face. What began as

    sobs soon escted into heart-wrenching wails. Angelina had loved him for years, and he, a blind fool,

    had never noticed.

    He loved Lauren deeply, so he understood the pain of unrequited love.

    And yet, Angelina had endured this pain silently, standing by his side as he loved another. How could

    she not have felt hurt? Why would she continue to offer her unwavering loyalty despite the constant

    ache in her heart?

    Landon couldn''t believe how stubborn Angelina was. What did he do to deserve someone so selfless?

    "If there is another life..." he choked out between sobs.

    If there was an afterlife, he desperately wished Angelina could be reborn as his sister, someone he

    could protect and cherish.

    He swore to his beloved Angelina, his voice thick with emotion, that they would meet again, somehow,

    some way, in a different life.

    Landon managed to gather Angelina''s things with Jasper and Jordan''s help.

    Only two boxes were filled with simple belongings, a testament to her unassuming life. Like Angelina

    herself, these boxes could easily disappear from his life, leaving a gaping hole in their wake.

    The pink diary was the only item Landon held close, a precious link to the woman he had failed to see.

    "Mr. Landon, this is Ms. Angie''s phone." Jordan''s voice trembled as he handed it over. "It was broken

    initially and wouldn''t start. Mr. Cyrus arranged for the technical team from the police force to repair it,

    even recing the screen. Please keep it."

    Landon''s damp eyes fluttered as he epted the phone. He hesitantly opened the photo album, a

    fresh wave of grief threatening to engulf him. He clenched his jaw, forcing back a sob.

    Thest photo in the album was a photo of Lauren taking a picture with him in a dog suit and Angelina

    in a rabbit suit.

    They had no proper picture together.

    What a shame.

    Then, Jasper''s phone rang. It was Rory. "Mr. Jasper, is Mr. Landon with you?" Rory sounded anxious.

    "Yes, I''m with Landon. What the matter?"

    "Mr. Javier came to the hospital to visit Ms. Lauren. He spoke too hastily and informed her about

    Angelina''s passing."

    "What?" Jasper''s eyes zed with anger. "I''ve warned him countless times. How could he be so

    careless?"

    Silence enveloped the car as Landon vaguely registered Rory''s voice on the phone, his heart twisting

    with sorrow.

    "There''s no use in getting angry at Mr. Javier," Rory continued. "You and Mr. Landon shoulde to

    the hospital. He''s the only one who canfort Ms. Lauren."

 Chapter 1956

    Jasper and Landon rushed to the hospital with urgency.

    Upon reaching Lauren''s ward, they were met by a group of medical professionals exiting her ward.

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    "How is Lauren?" Landon''s voice quavered with worry as he grabbed hold of the doctor-in-charge.

    "Her body''s weak," the doctor replied, wiping sweat from his brow with a worried grimace. "The news

    was a heavy blow. She went into shock earlier, but oxygen stabilized her. It''s her mental state that''s

    concerning."

    Landon''s heart ached as he entered the ward.

    A heart-wrenching scream pierced the air. Javier and Rory struggled to restrain Lauren on the bed. Her

    frail form, adorned with medical tubes, writhed against their hold.

    Her eyes, bloodshot and unfocused, darted wildly as panicked shrieks escaped her lips. Her hands

    iled, wing at the air as if trying to ward off unseen demons.

    "Ms. Lauren, calm down! Please!" Rory pleaded, his voiceced with a desperate gentleness as he

    gently restrained her.

    "Lauren, don''t do this! Don''t you scare me!" Javier''s face flushed crimson, his voice cracking with a

    mixture of fear and helplessness.

    Landon rushed to the bedside, his breathing in ragged gasps. He reached out, intending to offer

    comfort, but only a sharp crack filled the air.

    Lauren, in a moment of uncontroble frenzy, hadshed out. A stinging pain erupted on Landon''s

    cheek, a red handprint blooming against his pale skin.

    Jasper and Jordan froze, their initial shock giving way to concern. "Are you alright?" they chorused.

    Javier flinched, but his focus remained solely on Lauren''s deteriorating state.

    "I''m fine," Landon rasped, his voice thick with emotion. Ignoring the throbbing pain on his face, he sat

    beside Lauren on the bed. With a resolute gentleness, he scooped her trembling form into his arms, his

    embrace a firm and unwavering anchor in the storm of her despair.

    Lauren''s voice was hoarse, her face drained of color as she continued to cry out, her lips cracked from

    the strain.

    "Don''t worry, Lauren. I''m here. Everything is going to be okay," Landon whispered, his voice trembling

    with emotion as he tried tofort her.

    He didn''t know what else to say.

    "A-Angelina..." Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke the name, her voice a fragile child''s attempt at

    communication.

    Landon''s breath hitched. "Lauren," he said softly, "Angelina''s gone, but I believe she''s never truly left

    us. She''ll always be a part of us, here in our hearts."

    Alyssa received Jasper''s call on her way back to Sna City. She quickly mmed her foot down on

    the elerator and raced to the hospital.

    She hurried into the hospital, visibly distressed.

    "Ms. Alyssa!"

    A gentle voice called out from behind, causing her to spin around. There, at the bottom of a steep

    wheelchair ramp leading into the hospital, stood Justin. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his face etched

    with determination as he attempted to propel himself up the incline.

    He looked like he was in a hurry to get to her.

    But then, something went wrong. The wheelchair seemed to catch on something, causing it to roll

    backward uncontrobly.

    For a horrifying moment, Justin''s eyes widened as he lost control, his chair tilting precariously

    backward.

 Chapter 1957

    In the nick of time, the world stopped whirling as a warm strength instantly supported his back while

    another hand grabbed his arm.

    "Be careful."

    Justin looked up in surprise. His eyes met a clear, sparkling gaze. He felt an unfamiliar rush of

    emotions like a drop of water plopped into the stillke of his heart and sent ripples across it.

    Alyssa used all her strength to push Justin and his wheelchair onto t ground.

    As her body swayed, a few strands of hair inadvertently brushed his face.

    Justin''s gaze darkened before he smiled wanly, his brows furrowed. "It''s all thanks to you just now. If

    not for you, I would be staying here overnight."

    "It was no trouble at all."

    Alyssa looked down and kicked away a rock beside the wheelchair. "The wheels must have gotten

    stuck with rocks. That''s quite dangerous. Why isn''t Ms. Gillis with you?"

    "I''m returning to Mosgravia soon, so I wanted to see Lauren before I left. Initially, I was at the caf¨¦ next

    to the hospital because I wanted to buy coffee for my dad and the medical personnel in charge of

    Lauren. Sheryl wanted to buy some things from the grocery store, so I waited alone in the caf¨¦.

    "But suddenly, I received a call from Rory. I couldn''t help but worry about Lauren, so I just came over by

    myself."

    It was obvious that Justin came over as fast as he could. His face was still sweaty, and he was trying to

    catch his breath.

    Alyssa only saw him twice, but her image of him as the eldest son of the Beckett family remained the

    same. He was always elegant and well-groomed. Even when he was sitting in a wheelchair, he still sat

    with his head held high, like a swan. He never looked like he was caught off guard.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "As the eldest brother, your concern for Lauren is understandable. But judging from your condition, you

    shouldn''t havee alone. It''s too risky." Alyssa''s expression was neutral, as always.

    Justin''s gaze was gentle as he smiled at her helplessly. "It''s at these times that I can''t help but wonder,

    if I were healthy and whole, I wouldn''t be troubling others all the time."

    Upon hearing that, a mixture ofplex emotions shed across her face, but they quickly vanished.

    "Are you going to wait for Ms. Gillis? I''ll go and see Lauren first."

    "If you don''t mind, may I go with you?" Justin''s gaze was pleading. "I''m really worried about Lauren."

    "You are Lauren''s brother. Of course I don''t mind," she said, then quickly turned away.

    Suddenly, a hacking cough sounded from behind her. His wheezing breaths made her feel like he was

    about to drop dead at any moment.

    "Ms. Taylor, I''m afraid my condition is... not helping me here."

    Justin''s face was ashen, and his lips were pale. It didn''t look like he was acting. "I don''t have enough

    energy. can you. push me there?"

    Although Alyssa wanted to avoid as much contact with him as possible, she was also a doctor. She

    couldn''t be so unkind to a patient, especially since Justin had saved Jasper. No matter what, she

    couldn''t disregard his sufferings.

    "Alright." Alyssa walked behind him and pushed his wheelchair along.

    "Thank you." Justin ced a hand on his chest and tried to steady his breathing. He looked up to peer

    at that electrifying gaze that moved his heart.

    The sudden intrusion of a deep and cold voice shattered the momentary calm. Its icy tone cut through

    the air, sending a chill down their spines.

    "Lyse."

 Chapter 1958

    Alyssa jolted, and her gaze met Jasper''s dark gaze. Her heart thumped heavily against her chest.

    Right now, Jasper''s ssy suit was stretched tightly against his muscles. Even if he didn''t take off his

    clothes, she could visualize it.

    "Jasper." Justin coughed, his face pale. Unexpectedly, he was the one who spoke up and tried to

    exin on Alyssa''s behalf, as if they were hiding something from him.

    "Nothing happened just now. I just met Ms. Alyssa at the entrance of the hospital. I wasn''t feeling well

    so... I asked her to push me upstairs."

    "Justin, did I even ask?"

    Jasper smiled lightly, although it turned into a slight grimace. Nevertheless, he still tried. "You''re my

    brother, and Lyse is your sister-inw. We''re a family. She''s helping you as a sister would."

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    As he spoke, he strode to stand beside Alyssa. His gaze was gentle as he took over the wheelchair

    handles. "Let me do it."

    "Sorry for the inconvenience, Jasper." Justin smiled as well while his gaze darkened.

    Jasper bent down and whispered in Justin''s ear, holding back his rippling emotions. "You are my

    brother; it''s just my duty."

    Outside the patient''s room, Javier anxiously discussed Lauren''s condition with the main physician.

    "Dad!" Justin called out worriedly. He was wheelchair-bound, but he desperately wished that he could

    walk for himself.

    "Justin! Your body still needs rest, so why are you here?" Seeing Justin''s sickly face, Javier worried for

    him.

    "I''m worried about Lauren, so I came to check on her condition. Coincidentally, I met Jasper and Ms.

    Alyssa downstairs, so we came up together."

    Justin asked grimly, "Dad, how is Lauren?"

    Alyssa was also pale with anxiety; Jasper gripped her cold hands tightly.

    "Landon is inside, keeping herpany. It''s a good thing that Landon is here, or else."

    Javier sighed and lowered his head, feeling a weight in his heart. "But we can''t go on like this. Lauren

    was already depressed in the first ce, and now she''s experienced such a traumatic event. I''m

    worried that her mental state will crumble!"

    Jasper''s heart twinged in pain. After thinking for a while, he said hesitantly, "If we really have no choice,

    we can only use modified electroconvulsive therapy."

    Javier and Rory looked at each other and repeated, "Modified electroconvulsive therapy?"

    "It''s a treatment method using a safe amount of electricity to treat mental disorders. When I was in the

    Peacekeeping Forces, a lot of soldiers suffered from the horrors of watching death happen on the

    battlefield, and they got PTSD. After they left the military, the trauma prevented them from living a

    normal life, so they could only use this treatment."

    Alyssa felt as if her heart was stabbed. She couldn''t help but gaze at Jasper''s strong profile, feeling

    complicated.

    Javier asked, "Then, are there any side effects?"

    Jasper said truthfully, "In the beginning, the patient will be prone to dizziness and nausea. Later, they

    may lose some memories. In the future, there will be difficulties in recalling things to some extent."

    "No, I don''t suggest this treatment." Justin shook his head. "Is the only treatment option to forget your

    memories? Must we kill off our past selves?"

    Alyssa stared at him in shock. She never thought that he would be so empathetic.

    The atmosphere became awkward. The two brothers red at each other with invisible gunfire

    shing between them.

    "Back then, I also received this kind of treatment. Again and again, nobody will understand how it feels.

    It''s as if your soul is getting sucked out. That''s just using another form of pain to distract yourself from

    the suffering."

    Justin''s expression darkened. "Then again, this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause.

    That woman, Angelina, she''s an important person to Lauren.

    "Even if Lauren forgets her temporarily, in the future, when something reminds her of that woman, her

    memories wille flooding back. If that happens, then what? Do we electrocute her again and force

    her to forget?"

    His heartfelt words made Javier tear up. "Son... I had no idea you suffered so much."

    Jasper pressed his lips together, feeling as if a needle pierced through his throat.

    That year, the kidnapping gave Justin a lot of trauma. He had no choice but to choose this method to

    get through those dark days.

    "Dad, it''s all in the past. It''s alright."

    Justin''s lips pursed, and he sighed. "I said all this only because I don''t want Lauren to go through this

    suffering."

    Alyssa asked seriously, "Justin, do you have any other suggestions?"

    Justin raised his head to meet her eyes. His eyes were gentle and earnest. "Drugs."

    Jasper noticed his gaze.

 Chapter 1959

    Instantly, Justin could taste the stench of blood in the back of his throat. His organs felt like they were

    immersed in a vat of medicinal concoction. He felt so bitter that he couldn''t say a word.

    "As per my knowledge, there is no drug that can heal mental disorders. At most, it can only be

    controlled. If the patient takes too much medicine, they would be lethargic and lose the will to do

    anything."

    Alyssa shook her head in disbelief. "If drugs were useful, Lauren would have healed from her

    depression."

    "Ms. Alyssa is right, but that only applies to this country." Justin exined patiently and gently, "In the

    past two years, Mosgravia has been researching a drug to control the symptoms of mental disorders.

    Although it''s still a supplementary drug, its effects are much better than our local drugs.

    "Afterward, let Mr. Landon spend more time to apany Lauren. Let her feelpletely supported

    with love and care. I believe that Lauren''s condition will improve vastly, which would work better than

    electroconvulsive therapy.

    "To sum it up, patients with mental disorders need to feel loved. The more, the better."

    Javier nodded. "Justin, this makes a lot of sense!"

    Despite Alyssa being very rational, her gaze was chilly.

    "Justin, forgive me for being blunt, but I''m doubtful about using drugs, especially drugs from foreign

    countries. After all, it will be consumed by the patient, and if there are any issues, it might bring

    irreversible harm to their body.

    "Previously, my father suffered from cerebral infarction. If he continued with the approved treatment, he

    would have recovered. But to let himself heal faster, he consumed drugs given by someone who

    wanted to harm him. Then, there were serious side effects that even made him lose control of his

    urination.

    "I do not wish for the same awful fate to befall Lauren. Lauren is like a sister to me. I cannot take this

    risk."

    "Ms. Alyssa, I understand your worries."

    Justin pursed his lips lightly. The gentleness in his gaze did not lessen. "Hence, I will take the drug with

    Lauren. Whatever her dosage is, I will take the same. Would that be eptable?"

    The other four were stunned!

    "Justin, you, what are you doing?"

    Javier felt extremely worried, and he immediately rejected this idea. "Are you out of your mind? You

    aren''t even suffering from the same disorder. How can you simply take the same drugs? No, that''s out

    of the question!"

    Alyssa was confused. She never thought that Justin would be so foolhardy as to test the drugs himself!

    Moreover, his only reason was to ease her worries!

    "All these years, the types of drugs I''ve taken must number up to a thousand or at least a few hundred.

    What does it matter if I take one more drug?"

    Justin had no trace of displeasure on his face; instead, he looked rxed about it. "Ipletely

    understand where Ms. Alyssa ising from. After all, your father went through such suffering before,

    so your worries are valid.

    "Alright, it''s settled. In three days, I will get Sheryl to send over the drugs. As the eldest brother, I wish

    for nothing other than Lauren''s recovery."

    After their conversation, Justin opted not to intrude further on the couple''s moment. With Sheryl''s

    arrival, they swiftly departed from the hospital, leaving the couple to their privacy.

    On the way back to Seaview Manor, Justin calmly recounted to Sheryl what happened at the hospital.

    Sheryl was shocked, and she nearly shrieked, "Mr. Justin! How can you do this? How could you harm

    your body like that?"

    "You''re so noisy." Justin''s defined eyebrows furrowed slightly.

    Truly, it wasn''t fair topare one person with another.

    In his mind, he recalled Alyssa''s breathtaking, beautiful eyes and her elegant and mature charm. She

    exuded a unique, mesmerizing allure that made men submit to her willingly.

    Inparison, Sheryl, whom he painstakingly molded, looked increasingly like a y doll that a child

    clumsily kneaded.

    Sheryl shrank back and lowered her gaze in submission. "I... I was just worried about your health. The

    drug you mentioned hasn''t passed the final clinical trial in our research center. Although it is effective,

    we cannot predict what side effects it may have. If you take this drug, I''m afraid."

    "If I didn''t suggest to do so, they would never ept my offer. But if I did, then they are doubly indebted

    to me."

    "But still. it''s too risky."

    "There is always a price to pay for sess. Did I not tell you this from the beginning?"

    Justin smiled mysteriously and looked out the window. "This time, we''ll be theb rats. We''ll get

    through this safely if my sister and I are lucky. If not, then I, her brother, will apany her. Is that not

    so?"

    Sheryl bit her bottom lip, still feeling nervous about it.

    "Ms. Alyssa is different from our past opponents."

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Justin closed his eyes, his smile still as mysterious as ever. "She is smart, tough, brave, and cautious.

    Every plot has its risks. Hence, to conquer her, the best weapon is sincerity."

 Chapter 1960

    The moon slowly rose in the inky night sky.

    When they were back at the manor, Jasper went to his study to do some work. Alyssa bathed alone

    and did some simple skincare. Without even blow-drying her hair, she stood on the balcony and let the

    breeze apany her as she was lost in her thoughts.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    In her mind, Justin''s words kept reying, and she sifted through his words carefully as if she were

    using a fine-toothb.

    Justin was too much of a mystery.

    In her opinion, she felt that she was adept at reading others. When Jameson was love-bombing her, no

    matter how attractive his personality or features were, she still saw through everything and tore his

    mask to shreds.

    But from Justin, she couldn''t sense a hint of animosity. Instead, he was gentle and charming, like a light

    spring breeze.

    What truly caught her off guard was his willingness to try out the new drugs for Lauren''s sake. Even if

    his intentions were not entirely noble, this gamble was a bit too risky.

    Alyssa''s brows were deeply furrowed as a million thoughts ran through her mind. "Justin, who are

    you?"

    Suddenly, a passionate and tender embrace enveloped her from behind, his arms tightly circling her

    waist.

    "My love, why didn''t you blow dry your hair when I''m not around?"

    Jasper suddenly appeared behind her. His sharp chiny on her shoulder as his warm breath spread

    over her neck, reddening her skin. "What would I do if you caught a cold? If you''re not feeling well, I

    would feel so sad."

    "When did youe over? You scared me." Alyssa whispered. His teasing made her feel ticklish, and

    she squirmed in his arms like a kitten.

    "A penny for your thoughts? You looked so preupied." Jasper kissed her earlobe.

    "I was thinking of your brother." Alyssa was still absorbed in her thoughts, and carelessly, she blurted

    that out.

    Jasper''s heart plummeted from cloud nine to a thorny ravine. His gaze darkened, and his kissing

    turned to biting as if he was punishing her.

    "Ah, it hurts... Ouch!"

    Alyssa was roughly flipped around, and her chin was cupped in a strong grip. Her eyes were forced to

    meet his deep, inky ones. Her heart skipped a beat.

    His gaze alone made her knees go weak, and she started shivering.

    "Lyse, who did you say you were thinking of?" Jasper''s chest heaved, and his hoarse voice made her

    shudder.

    "Y-You know I didn''t mean it that way... Ah!"

    His fiery kiss attacked her lips, and his tongue wrested control over her.

    Alyssa''s tongue waspletely subdued by Jasper, aching and numb. Tears squeezed out of the

    corner of her eyes as her back was propped against the balcony railing, unable to move at all.

    She realized that Jasper was a little unhinged today, and she couldn''t help but feel unnerved.

    However, before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, his ravaging kiss addled her mind, making

    her head feel heavy. Her only piece of clothing, the rose-pink silk robe, slid down her smooth

    shoulders. It stopped at their waists, which were almost melded together.

    Under the silvery moonlight, her pale, wless body was like a tender flower bud blossoming in his

    passionate embrace.

    Jasper''s final thread of sanity snapped.

    His calloused hands kneaded her left side while he took the right side into his mouth.

    "No. I. I just bathed." Alyssa couldn''t help but arch her neck as ecstasy and pain swirled inside her.

    "Then bathe again, I''ll help you."

    Jasper held her waist. His white button-up was still neat and unwrinkled, but his pants already dropped

    to the floor.

    Without another word, he eagerly merged his body with hers, bucking wildly and without restraint.

    Alyssa''s eyes were teary as her arms hooked around his neck. Her body convulsed again and again.

    The cold night breeze skimmed across her exposed back, starkly contrasting the fiery heat of their

    lovemaking. It was exhrating and torturing at the same time.

    "Jas. Jasper. I''m cold."

    Alyssa''s body was damp with sweat, but her lips were quivering. She looked into his unbridled gaze

    with pleading eyes. "Let''s go to the bed. To the bed, alright?"

    "Are you still thinking about him? Are you going to think more about him? Hmm?" Jasper''s eyes

    glowered at her, not even answering her.

    He felt like he was going mad.

 Chapter 1961

    It was a difficult night for Jasper, whose soul was tormented the moment he saw Alyssa with Justin.

    When he was chatting with Justin, he forced a smile and made remarks that went against his true

    feelings.

    Only God knew how much he wanted to snatch Alyssa and hide her far away from Justin. He didn''t

    want Justin to take another look at the woman who belonged to him and only to him.

    "Stop it... Stop thinking about it..." Alyssa sounded tearful as she managed to let out fragments of

    words. After years of dating, this was the first time he had forced himself on her in such a ruthless

    manner that drove her to tears.

    "Lyse, you''re mine. Never look at him again. You shall only have eyes for me!" he growled as they

    inched toward climax.

    After that, he carried the limp Alyssa to the bedroom. He ced her in the bed and attempted to make

    love to her again, but she wept and gently pped him on the cheek. "I hate you! That''s enough. You''re

    bullying me. You''re being super annoying tonight, you know?"

    The p did not hurt at all, but it woke him up. Snapping out of his delirium, he felt his heart racing. "I''m

    sorry, Lyse. It''s my fault. I swear I will not do this to you again." He pulled her into a remorseful hug and

    repeatedly apologized.

    "I know your worst fear." She closed her eyes and gently scratched him on the back as if calming him.

    "Jasper, don''t be afraid. I''m yours. I''ll forever be yours."

    Alyssa enjoyed a good night''s sleep, but Jasper drifted in and out of sleep. By dawn, he did not wake

    Alyssa up because she was still deep in sleep. He tiptoed to the bathroom to freshen up and change

    his clothes in preparation for a video conference.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    The three-hour-long meeting kicked off at 9:00 am. Despite Jasper''s best efforts to focus on the

    discussion, his mind kept wandering.

    Finally, he survived the meeting and returned to the bedroom, where Alyssa was still asleep.

    Given her self-discipline, she''d always wake up early for a workout session, followed by washing up

    and doing her makeup, even if they made love tillte at night.

    Feeling puzzled, Jasper sat by the bed and touched her shoulder, but he flinched at the hot touch and

    immediately withdrew his hand.

    "Lyse? Lyse?" He flipped her over and saw her cheeks red from the fever. He touched her forehead

    again. She seemed to be running a scarily high fever.

    He couldn''t believe he was oblivious to her fever throughout the night.

    "Mm. It''s cold... So cold..." she moaned feebly.

    Feeling nervous, he frantically grabbed a nket and wrapped her up. Then, he pulled her into an

    embrace, but she wouldn''t stopining about feeling cold.

    She must have developed a fever from their lovemaking on the balconyst night. Jasper, saddled with

    guilt and regret, nearly pped himself as a punishment for his rashness.

    He decided against it, opting to be punished by Alyssa instead when she regained consciousness.

    Meanwhile, Rosie was making lunch in the kitchen. She heard the doorbell and wiped her hands before

    answering the door.

    She found herself staring at a charming and confident man d in a ck windbreaker. Stunned, she

    mumbled, "You are.?"

 Chapter 1962

    Axel ced his hand in his pockets in a callous manner. Cocking his head, he asked, "Is Lyse here?"

    Rosie examined him. "Are you a friend of Madam''s?"

    "No."

    A realization set in. Rosie widened her eyes and stared at him vigntly, "You''re not an admirer, are

    you? Are you Mr. Beckett''s love rival?"

    Rosie was acquainted with most of Alyssa''s visitors to the vi, especially men. As Axel was a stranger

    to her, she did not trust him at all.

    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    "Pfft." Smirking, he arched a brow yfully. "If I were her admirer, Jasper wouldn''t have stood a

    chance! He would''ve been out of the game ages ago!"

    What a wild, arrogant man!

    Rosie was about to snap at Axel when she heard Jasper''s worried tone. "Mrs. Rosie, do we have

    aspirin or ibuprofen at home?"

    At the same time, his eyes lit up when he found Axel at the door. "Axel, my dearest brother-inw! It''s

    you!"

    "Oh, you sweet talker." Grinning, Axel marched in boldly. Rosie''s jaw fell when she realized Axel was

    one of Alyssa''s brothers. She couldn''t help but feel sorry for Jasper, whom she had raised with all her

    attention and love but was now at the lowest rung of the Taylor family hierarchy ever since dating

    Alyssa.

    "Are you feeling sick? I''ll get you some meds."

    Jasper looked worried. "No, not me. It''s Lyse."

    "What? She''s down with a fever?" Axel''s chest tightened. He approached Jasper and barked, "Why did

    she fall sick? Where''s she now?"

    Lashes fluttering, Jasper found it difficult to tell Axel the truth behind Alyssa''s fever. He led Axel to the

    bedroom, where Axel removed his windbreaker and tossed it aside.

    Axel sat by the bed and gently called out to Alyssa, "Lyse? Lyse, it''s Axel. How are you feeling? Lyse?"

    Unattentive to her visitor, she opened her parched lips and moaned softly, "J-Jasper..."

    Heartbroken, Axel glowered at the helpless Axel. He growled, "Lyse is calling for you! Come tend to her

    now!"

    Jasper hurried over and went down on one knee by the bed. He worriedly caressed her feverish

    forehead and assured her, "Lyse, I''m here. Mrs. Rosie is looking for meds. Please hang in for a bit

    more. Do you want some water? Does it hurt anywhere? Let''s go to the hospital."

    "Mm..." She red her nostrils and shook her head.

    "Oh, quit that nonsense. She''s delirious, can''t you tell?" Feeling sorry for his sister, he lost his temper

    with Jasper. "Jasper Beckett, how are you taking care of Lyse? She''s pretty toughpared to other

    girls because she trained with her brothers at a young age. How did you get her into this state?"

    "I¡ª" Jasper choked on guilt.

    At that moment, Alyssa frowned in pain. She wiggled and turned around, revealing an area of her fair

    skin under the nket.

    The sight of the crazy red marks across her neck, corbone, and shoulders shocked Axel.

    His mind went nk. He finally pieced the puzzle and glowered at Jasper while cracking his knuckles.

    "Fuck you, Jasper Beckett!"

 Chapter 1963

    Jasper grappled with heartache. The contrast between his tall figure and his helpless demeanor made

    him the more pitiful.

    Axel shot up from the bed and grabbed Jasper''s cor. Fixing a piercing gaze on Jasper, he bellowed,

    "What have you done to my sister? Did you force her into BDSM?"

    "No..."

    "Why is she bruised all over? Fuck! You should''ve been the sub even in BDSM!" Axel''s grip

    inadvertently tore one of Jasper''s buttons loose. Their faces were mere inches apart.

    Axel continued, "We raised Lyse like she was our daughter. She is precious to us. Nothing good has

    happened to her ever since she dated you. How dare you mistreat her in such a way?

    "You may appear a gentleman on the surface, but your behavior in the bedroom is nothing short of

    savage. You should consider her feelings in the bedroom! How could you hurt her to satisfy your

    needs?

    "Stay there. I''m getting that housekeeper of yours to check the injuries on Lyse''s body, and I''ll double

    that on yours."

    Axel was visibly furious this time. His concern for Alyssa manifested in an outpouring of emotion, panic,

    and profanity.

    "Axel." Alyssa struggled to open her eyes.

    "I''m here!" Axel shoved Jasper aside, crouching by the bed to feel her forehead. His own brow was

    dotted with sweat from all the worrying.

    He remarked, "Your forehead is too hot to the touch. I could fry an egg on it!"

    "You''re being annoying," she managed to say weakly, mustering the energy to flick him on the head.

    "I''m a patient in need of rest. Are you. deliberately trying. to disturb me?"

    At that moment, Rosie jogged into the bedroom with an aspirin and a ss of water. Then, she took

    Alyssa''s body temperature.

    She gasped when she found that Alyssa was running a high fever of over 100¡ãF. "Good heavens! You

    can kill cancerous cells at that temperature! How are you still breathing?"

    Feeling sorry for Alyssa and resentful of Jasper, she gave him a hard shove, causing him to stumble.

    "Mr. Beckett, you''re an idiot! At this temperature, we should be getting her to a hospital, not an aspirin,

    or her health will suffer!"

    Jasper was deeply remorseful for hurting his beloved over his ridiculous possessiveness. He and Rosie

    hurriedly changed her clothes while Axel turned his back to them out of respect. Axel''s shoulders

    trembled violently from the anger.

    At that moment, Alyssa resembled a young, defenseless child. Rosie helped her put on a jacket, and

    Jasper helped her put on shoes.

    Right as Jasper was about to carry her in his arms, Axel pushed him away, unwilling to allow him

    contact with Alyssa.

    Axel crouched, his back facing Alyssa. "Lyse, I''ll carry you on my back."

    "Axel, I can manage," Jasper offered without hidden intentions.

    He merely wished to spare Axel any inconvenience.

    Axel snapped, "Get lost." Jasper pursed his parched lips in bitterness.

    "When young Lyse was sick, her brothers took turns carrying her to the hospital. If she fell ill at night,

    each of us took our turn tofort her and make her sleep." Axel effortlessly hoisted Alyssa onto his

    back, his eyes smoldering with anger. "She even rode on my shoulders when she was younger and

    upset!

    "Jasper Beckett, you might think you love and dote on her, but you pale inparison to what we''ve

    done for her. Now, I have reservations about entrusting her to your care."

    Though Axel''s words might have seemed exaggerated, they came from a ce of genuine concern

    from an older brother who cherished his sister deeply.

    "I''m sorry..." Looking pale, Jasper clenched his fist when Axel carried Alyssa out of the bedroom.

    In the car, Alyssa weakly mumbled and insisted on sitting with Jasper. "Axel, do not me him. He''s

    always been clumsy and struggles to assert himself in front of you and others. He just panics." She

    tugged at Axel''s shirt, pleading, "Don''t be too hard on him. I know he didn''t mean to."

    "Lyse, you''re too forgiving of him. You can''t afford to be overly kind to men, or they''ll take advantage!"

    Despite his simmering anger, Axel refrained from harsher words toward Jasper after Alyssa''s attempt

    at defending Jasper.

    "He''s my husband. Of course I''ll be nice to him. It''s fine." She pressed her dry lips, which had started

    cracking from the fever. "Jasper has been struggling in his life. He''s only clueless because he tasted

    happiness for the first time with me. Stop ming him, okay?"

    Consumed by guilt, Jasper battled his emotions, feeling overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy.

    Alyssa''s understanding only intensified his feelings of inferiority, leading him to believe he wasn''t

    worthy of her.

    With Xavier driving and Axel in the front passenger seat, the luxury car sped toward the hospital. In the

    back, Jasper hugged Alyssa tightly. She was cocooned in a wool nket.

    He croaked, "Do you still feel cold?"

    She snuggled against his chest, her words punctuated by the rhythm of his anxious breaths, "It''s just a

    fever, darling. No need to fret. Just a gentle reminder to be more mindful next time."

    That went without saying, as Jasper would never allow the same thing to happen to her.

    Suddenly, the car came to a sudden brake. Frowning, Axel questioned, "Why aren''t we moving?"

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Xavier replied tly, "Well, the lights turned red."

    Axel raised a skeptical brow. "Lyse''s fever is soaring above 100¡ãF. The color of the light doesn''t matter!

    She''ll only suffer from all the dys! Just run the lights!"

    "Axel, that''s enough." She looked dumbstruck by Axel''s overreaction. "I''m running a fever, not inbor.

    Can you please calm down¡ª"

    Her words weighed heavily on Jasper''s heart, his shirt clinging damply with cold sweat.

    Axel began, "Lyse, you''re being too¡ª" He was cut off by a dull, resounding thud¡ªa man colliding

    forcefully with their windshield, his pale features twisted in a grimace.

 Chapter 1964

    Axel''s pupils dted from the shock, but he gathered himself in no time due to his professional training.

    The same cannot be said for Xavier, who was freaked out and screamed, "Oh, my God!"

    With steeled eyes, Jasper hugged Alyssa tightly and turned her face into his chest. "Lyse, don''t look at

    it."

    He was concerned that the scene would only spook her out and exacerbate her fever symptoms. Little

    did he know that Lyse was undaunted after witnessing much worse horrors on the battlefield years ago.

    Far from feeling scared, she examined the scene with curiosity. At the same time, Axel grew excited at

    the situation. He opened the car door with a twinkle in his eye. "Damn it! Are people getting so

    professional now? Did he put on makeup? That was pretty frightening. I''ll go check it out. If he''s fine, I''ll

    make sure he isn''t!"

    Before Axel left the car, the victim got out of the car and ran away while dancing like a madman.

    Despite not being in the bustling downtown, the man''s odd behavior received much attention from the

    passersby, who stayed away from him fearfully.

    "Hahaha... Hahaha!" After letting out a series of cackles, the man suddenly suffered a seizure. His

    bodyter stiffened as he fell face-first onto the ground. A dull thud was heard when the back of his

    head hit the corner of the road divider. Blood instantly started pooling under his head and colored the

    tar road.

    A few brave passersby went up to check on the man with mortified expressions, debating whether or

    not to call the ambnce. Alyssa, despite being deep in delirium, immediately entered her role as a

    doctor at the sight of an injured patient.

    When the three men in the car weren''t paying attention, she sneaked out of the car. Jasper nervously

    ran after her in great strides, calling out to her, "Lyse!"

    Wrapped in the nket, Alyssa squeezed her way to the front of the crowd and crouched. Then, she

    checked on the man''s vitals in a professional manner. Her sweat dripped profusely, yet it was the least

    of her concerns.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Jasper and Axel pushed their way through the crowd to stay guard by her side. It was then Jasper

    noticed something on the cor of the victim''s shirt, a sight that concerned him.

    "Call the ambnce now!" a passerby yelled worriedly.

    "No need for the ambnce. Just call the police." Alyssa let out a heavy sigh and pronounced sternly,

    "He''s dead."

    Terrified, the onlookers stumbled backward.

    Ten minutester, the police arrived and sealed off the scene. Then, they lifted the man''s stiff corpse

    onto the stretcher and draped a white cloth over it.

    Alyssa went back to the car, drenched in sweat, but herplexion seemed to have improved. cing

    an arm around her shoulder, Jasper asked worriedly, "Lyse, how are you feeling? Are you alright?"

    "I''m feeling better, even a little... stuffy." She wiggled with a pensive look.

    "Wrap the nket well. Be good. You''ll feel worse if the chill seeps in." Holding her tight, he worried she

    might take off the nket.

 Chapter 1965

    "Lyse is like Dr. House. She gets excited at the sight of corpses," Axel couldn''t help but tease his sister.

    "Did that guy drop dead just like that? By hitting his head against the divider?" Xavier grappled with the

    lingering fear when he recalled the horrifying expression on that man.

    Alyssa, having spent a mere few minutes with the corpse, suspected there was more to the man''s

    death. She analyzed, "That might not be the case. Before he fainted, he exhibited symptoms of a

    seizure.

    "Besides, the muscles across his body contracted rhythmically while he lost consciousness. Epilepsy is

    a usible cause of death, but we''ll need to wait for the post-mortem report."

    "Epilepsy? People might think he overdosed." Axel pushed his tongue against his cheek, still indulging

    in the scene out of a horror movie just now. "I had experience dealing with some drug addicts when I

    was abroad. They looked exactly like the man just now when they were high or experienced withdrawal

    symptoms¡ªzombie-like."

    Alyssa panted gently in Jasper''s embrace. Jasper lowered his gaze and wiped off the sweat on the tip

    of her nose. He remarked, "Lyse, the man was from The Ivory Gang."

    "The Ivory Gang?" Astonished, she gasped, "How did you know about it?" The Ivory Gang was run by

    Colene''s family.

    "I noticed the gang logo of The Ivory Gang on his shirt just now," Jasper revealed.

    Axel snorted. "Oh, so he was one of the gang members, eh? An overdose sounds possible. Serves him

    right."

    "That''s impossible. Colene told me that doing drugs is banned in the gang. If any of their members are

    found to be on drugs, they will be punished hard-handedly," Alyssa refuted Axel''s spection firmly.

    "But that was the past. Marc Waters is now a dying man; he can no longer keep everyone in check. I

    bet he can''t do much if one of his members wanted to break the rules behind his back." Squinting, Axel

    let out a contemptuous chuckle.

    "Axel, stop it. You''re talking about Colene''s dad. Show him some respect even if you disagree with his

    actions."

    "Not only is Marc Waters a gang leader, but his daughter willingly became the youngest wife of a

    tycoon. Sorry, I might be too conservative, but I can''t show them any respect at all." Axel nced out of

    the window, his tight jaw reflected on the ss.

    It was evident to Jasper that Axel struggled to get over Winston''s subsequent marriages. Every time

    the topic was breached, Axel would react with mockery and sarcasm.

    "Colene is nice to Winston and me," Alyssa lowered her gaze and said in a feeble, glum voice, "She''s

    had her uterus removed anyway, so she can''t have a child with Winston."

    The mind-shattering revtion made Jasper''s eyes pop out. Even Xavier, shocked by the grave family

    secret, stole asional nces through the rearview mirror.

    "Hah. I guess my little sister is Mother Teresa, but unlike you, Ick empathy. I''m heartless. I can never

    approve of a woman whopetes against my mom over a man.

    "To me, she''s no different than Mandy Lovce and L Nelson." With that, Axel folded his arms on

    his chest and shut his eyes, a sign to end the conversation.

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged nces before letting out helpless and bitter sighs.

    Upon arriving at a private hospital with top-notch facilities, Alyssa went through the health checkups in

    no time, as no queuing was needed. After the blood test, she rested in a room while hooked to an IV

    drip.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    After Alyssa drifted to sleep, Jasper sneaked out of the room, dodging Axel and Xavier''s notice. He

    quietly arrived at the first floor and booked a consultation with a men''s health specialist.

 Chapter 1966

    Jasper''s family name and his good looks added to the pressure of the doctor who received him. The

    doctor asked cautiously, "Um. Mr. Beckett, what brings you here?"

    His shaky tone betrayed his nervousness, but he immediately assured Jasper with confidence, "Don''t

    worry, Mr. Beckett. Our hospital prides itself on tight patient confidentiality. I will not say a word about

    your visit to me today."

    Jasper wasn''t too concerned about the gossip surrounding his visit to the men''s health specialist. After

    all, his loyalty and love for Alyssa was a widely-known fact.

    Although the spections might sting his ego, it did not bother him very much. Given how subservient

    he acted around Alyssa, he could handle the rumors of his alleged "erectile dysfunction" if it happened.

    "Doctor, I have a question." A look of trouble crept up his face after a pause. "Can a vasectomy

    potentially lower one''s libido?"

    "The primary purpose of a vasectomy is to prevent sperm from being ejacted for fertilization. It

    doesn''t impact libido," the doctor rified.

    Following a brief pause, Jasper hesitantly whispered, "Is there any way to lower my libido?"

    The doctor, who had rarelye across a difficult male patient like Jasper, hesitated. "The only

    solution... is to take medication. Still, Mr. Beckett, I would caution against this measure to prevent any

    negative effects on your health.

    "Besides, your problem is not an issue at all. Cold showers will offer a simr effect."

    Jasper had tried taking cold showers in a futile attempt to rein in his uncontroble desire for Alyssa,

    which had scared even himself. He had spiraled out of control, leading to the incidentst night.

    In the heat of the moment, all he had in mind was to dominate a woman as prideful as Alyssa, reducing

    her to crying and begging for mercy under him. He was too out of it and hot-blooded to process her

    pleas.

    Every time he touched her, he couldn''t hold back his feelings. Considering the mental pressure Justin

    had exerted on him, he feared that he might snap again soon. Yet, he could not afford to hurt Alyssa

    anymore.

    "I''ll take the medication. Which one would you rmend?" Jasper was resolved with his decision.

    "How about I prescribe you some medication with sedative effects? That will reduce the negative

    impact on your health. I believe that the sedative effects might calm your nerves from high libido," the

    doctor proposed.

    "Very well," Jasper agreed. Pursing his lips, he added, "Please schedule a vasectomy for me as well."

    The doctor''s jaw fell when he heard Jasper''s request, particrly knowing his rtionship with Alyssa

    Taylor, the heiress of Belbanks'' most elite family. Why did Jasper decide on a vasectomy when the

    couple was young and childless?

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "I know what you''re thinking." Jasper, feeling a stabbing pain in his chest, said glumly, "We lost a child

    to miscarriage due to my neglect. Because of that incident, she is now infertile. If so, I would like to join

    her. If she can''t have kids, I will get my vasectomy as well. I shall never dream of having children."

    The doctor''s eyes widened in shock at the depth of Jasper''s affection for Alyssa. Jasper slowly rose

    from his seat and repeated, "Please arrange for the vasectomy. I want it done as soon as possible."

    After leaving the men''s health specialist, Jasper inhaled deeply before making his way to Alyssa''s

    room. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and spun around.

    "Seems like you''ve forgotten everything you learned from military school." Axel, leaning against a pir

    with folded arms, studied Jasper carefully not far away.

    Jasper''s eyes widened in surprise. Either he was too focused on thoughts about Alyssa to notice Axel

    tailing him, or Axel¡ªan elite special agent¡ªwas exceptionally brilliant at covertly tracking the others.

 Chapter 1967

    "Why are you seeing a men''s health specialist? Something wrong down there?" Axel walked up to

    Jasper, a yful gaze traveling from Jasper''s eyes to his crotch. "I''ve seen that thing of yours. You had

    an erection even when you were unconscious. It certainly doesn''t seem useless."

    Jasper''s expression froze in awkwardness. Was he supposed to thank Axel for that remark?

    Right then, a nurse approached Jasper and handed him a form. "Mr. Beckett, please keep this form

    safe. Doe to the hospital at 9:00 am tomorrow for the surgery."

    Jasper epted the form with a nod. After the nurse left, Axel grabbed the form from Jasper. Upon

    taking a better look, he screamed, "Are you getting a vasectomy?"

    Jasper felt flustered at Axel''s loud disclosure of his medical information in public. Axel, realizing he had

    been too loud, stopped himself and dragged Jasper to a quiet corner for a talk. He questioned, "Dude,

    what''s going on?"

    "You''re aware of Lyse''s condition. If I get a vasectomy, she won''t feel as guilty about her inability to

    conceive. Plus, it''ll serve as a personal reminder to respect her boundaries," Jasper stated tly, trying

    to sound nonchnt about it.

    However, Axel shrewdly saw through Jasper''s thoughts. Gripping Jasper''s forearm firmly, he almost

    dug his fingers in. "Jasper, seriously? You''re not that petty, are you? I was a bit harsh to you before this

    because I was worried for Lyse. Considering what you did to her, can''t I express my concerns as her

    brother? But you don''t have to castrate yourself over it!"

    Jasper couldn''t hold back hisugh. "A vasectomy has nothing to do with impotence. You''re

    overworrying. I admit I went overboardst night. That''s why I felt the need to take proactive steps for

    Lyse''s sake."

    Axel finally dropped his cheekiness and adopted a serious look. "Jasper Beckett, do you not want to

    have kids with Lyse?"

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Let''s drop the topic." Jasper avoided the topic that remained a painful memory. His heart missed a

    beat.

    "Since learning about her infertility, I''ve been tirelessly searching for treatments abroad. I haven''t found

    one yet, but I haven''t given up," Axelmented. "How can you see her as barren when I''m still fighting

    for it? Do you truly believe she''s destined to be childless in this life?"

    Jasper drew a deep breath. The pain ripped through his chest. Of course he wanted to be a father. He

    dreamed of being Alyssa''s husband and the father to their child. But his past mistakes, grave and

    inhumane, had robbed her of the chance to be a mother¡ªit was God''s punishment for his past

    naivety and reckless behavior.

    "I''m not alone in doing this. I''ve heard that Jonah and Julien are exploring treatment options in

    Mosgravia," said Axel.

    cing a hand firmly on Jasper''s shoulder, Axel fixed a burning gaze on thetter. "Even if you can''t

    figure out something at the moment, you should never give up. A miracle is another word for effort.

    "If you get a vasectomy, you won''t stand any chance of bing a father! You can''t take my words to

    heart, or you''ll find it tough to fit into our family once you''re married to Lyse! My brothers are no less

    blunt than I am."

    "I got it. Thank you, Axel." Jasper exchanged a smile with him. Feeling relieved, Axel tore the form in

    half.

    Alyssa fell asleep after receiving the IV infusion. Jasper waited until she woke up before sending her

    home.

    Axel showed up in Sna City unannounced for two reasons¡ªto visit Alyssa and to attend Angelina''s

    funeral, having received an invitation from Landon.

 Chapter 1968

    Axel slept in the guest bedroom that night while Alyssa and Jasper cuddled in their bed.

    Jasper let Alyssa rest her head on his arm while asionally kissing her on her forehead, which was

    no longer hot to touch. Fortunately, her fever seemed to have reduced in intensity.

    Languid and flushed, she purred as she nestledfortably in his arms. Her vulnerable state and misty

    eyes stirred a desire within him to conquer her, but he firmly refused to act upon it. The deeper his love,

    the more he needed to exert self-control.

    "Did Axel... tell you any nonsense?" Alyssa couldn''t help but worry, knowing that Axel took after

    Winston''s foul mouth.

    He shook his head and tucked her in. "Rest early and get well soon. We need to get up early the day

    after."

    "Right. We need to attend Angelina''s funeral." A pang of sorrow pierced through her. Her tears started

    to well. "The recent events are tragic. I really hope nothing of that sort repeats. I want happiness for

    everyone."

    "Of course, Lyse. We''ll all be happy," he mumbled, kissing her soft lips.

    "Seeing Axel''s aversion today, I think he''ll never get over the grudge." She pouted in frustration.

    Jasper weighed his words before inquiring, "Lyse, did Madam Colene... really."

    "Yes. Colene willingly removed her uterus." However, Alyssa had shbacks of the time she

    vehemently opposed Colene from joining the family. Looking forlorn, she confessed, "No. Actually, I

    forced her to.

    "I insulted her badly to stop her from marrying into our family. I, too, looked down on her origins. Not

    only that, I used her of social climbing, of manipting Winston''s power to whitewash her family''s

    connections to the gang, and of splitting up KS Group''s assets.

    "To prove that she wasn''t after Winston''s wealth, she removed her uterus and cut ties with her father.

    She hasn''t visited home since."

    Jasper quietly listened to Colene''s story with a heavy heart. At the same time, he gently stroked

    Alyssa''s hair to offer sce.

    "Even now, I can''t say if her decision was right. But I can''t me or resent her because, just like Mandy

    and L, she was good to Winston, my brothers, and me." Tears brimmed in her eyes. "That''s why I

    feel that I''m the guilty one. My youthful brazenness might have denied Colene her chance at

    motherhood. And karma has caught up with me now."

    Jasper hurriedly silenced her. Breathing heavily, he felt like he had been stabbed various times in the

    chest. "Lyse, please don''t say so. You''re not at fault. If there''s karmic retribution, it should fall on me

    instead."

    She gave him a moist peck on the palm of his hand. "Your ''karma'' has caught up with you¡ªyou''re

    stuck with me forever, and I can be a difficult woman."

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    The hedonist party at Millennium continued past midnight. Meanwhile, Jameson was negotiating a

    significant deal with a Tsulu buyer.

    Should Jameson seed in exporting his new drugs to Tsulu and cornering the market, it would mark

    a significant breakthrough. His business stood to double, if not triple, in no time.

    Once the demand steadily grew, so would his supply. The projected profits would be nothing short of

    astronomical.

    Jameson engaged in a drinking session with the Tsulu buyer, switching seamlessly between

    Grunndish and Tsulian with an air of grace. One wondered if he was born a refined man or if it was a

    skill honed by years of serving sir.

    Despite being a gentleman on the surface, Jameson hadmitted atrocious crimes in the shadows.

    Their drinking session was interrupted by a knock on the door. Carl shuffled into the lounge and

    whispered into Jameson''s ear, "Mr. Schmidt, a member of the Lovce family has arrived."

 Chapter 1969

    The light in Jameson''s eyes dimmed when he learned about it. "Make him wait for me in another

    lounge."

    After settling the other client, Jameson took some time off to join Aidan at the lounge next door.

    Right after he opened the door, Aidan, who was drinking alcohol to calm his nerves, shot up and

    rushed up to him.

    Aidan red at him. "What went wrong? Why did people die from it?"

    "Mr. Aidan, I''m afraid I have no clue what you''re talking about," Jameson wondered with a calm smile, a

    stark contrast to Aidan''s panic.

    Although no one else was in the lounge, Aidan made sure to speak in a whisper, "Are there quality

    issues with thetest delivery you provided for me? I distributed it just twice, and people had been

    overdosing and dying on it."

    Still smiling, Jameson brushed off Aidan''s worries. "Drugs are poison. Isn''t it normal for addicts to die

    from overdosing?"

    "But I have not seen a man who went crazy and dropped dead after taking it twice!"

    "Well, now you have."

    Aidan turned white. He grabbed Jameson by the cor and snarled, "Jameson Schmidt, you''d better

    not mess with me! You''ll not get off the hook if something happens to me! You and I are in the same

    boat.

    If I go down, I''ll make sure to take you with me!"

    "Look at you. You''re too impatient. It''s rather ominous to casually throw around the mentions of death."

    The smile on Jameson''s face froze. He shoved Aidan away without warning before smoothing the

    creases on his shirt.

    He exined, "That drug is a new product locally and abroad. It''s very normal for users to feel sick

    after taking it for the first time."

    "What do we do now? I heard that a man who took this drug went crazy, copsed, and died on the

    streets. It was like epilepsy!" Gravely concerned, Aidan fretted, "The police will definitely perform an

    autopsy on him and trace it back to Lovce Pharmaceuticals. What are we going to do, then?"

    "I asked you to sell the drugs to the underground gangs in Sna City and other cities, didn''t I?"

    Jameson settled gracefully on the couch and poured himself a ss of whiskey. He calmly added, "The

    man who died was from The Ivory Gang. He was a menace before his death. God knows what he''d

    taken before he took your drugs. The police won''t bat an eye about people like him." "H-How could you

    be so sure?" Still skeptical, Aidan argued, "It''s still a death, and it happened on the street! How could

    the police turn a blind eye to the case?"

    Jameson shook his head with a contemptuous smile. Joseph Lovce proved his brains by expanding

    thepany business just on pharmaceutical sales. Inparison, his eldest son, Aidan, seemed like

    a total dunce.

    "First of all, he suffered from a heart attack. No matter what he took before his death, it was not a case

    of homicide.

    "Secondly, I admit that the drug has a side effect¡ªit triggers the dormant illness in a human. The dead

    man might have had epilepsy without knowing it," Jameson calmly downed the alcohol while making up

    half-truths to muddle through.

    Upon hearing that, Aidan''s expression rxed a little.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    "Anyway, don''t worry about it. The drugs are fine; the problem lies in the addicts themselves."

    After that, Jameson enjoyed a short drinking session with Aidan before making Carl send him home.

    Upon Carl''s return, he looked rather gloomy. "Mr. Schmidt, things are gettingplicated. If the police

    trace it back to Aidan, and if he rats you out..."

    "Fret not. It''s not that easy. Besides, I''ll never give Aidan Lovce a chance to implicate me." Jameson

    offered reassurance as his smile disappeared. The look in his eyes hardened. "But one thing is for sure

    ¡ª the second trial has failed."

    Carl sighed in frustration. "Yes. I have organized the data into reports and sent them to Ms. Gillis. She''ll

    pass them to the researchb in Mosgravia."

    Jameson clenched his teeth unwillingly, simmering in anger from all the failed trials.

 Chapter 1970

    Lily''s Alzheimer''s had progressed into theter stages, making Jameson desperate for the new drug to

    work in order to save her.

    "Reach out to Chief Novak. Tell him to get someone dependable to clean up the mess."

    "Got it."

    At the same time, Jameson''s phone buzzed. He immediately sat upright when he saw the caller ID.

    Taking a deep breath, he answered the phone, "Sir."

    "Did your experiment fail again?" Justin''s resonant voice weighed on Jameson''s heart.

    Jameson, though knowing that the me fell on the research team, not him, still felt nervous when

    confronted. "Yes."

    "Oh, well. We have lots of ground-breaking work to be done." Justin''s tone softened as if he was

    consoling himself. "But great idea there. I didn''t expect us to get the Lovces involved in this scheme

    in no time. Jimmy, I was right about you. Looking back, I made the right decision to support and nurture

    you."

    Precious and distant memories flooded Jameson''s mind at the mention of his nickname.

    The young and adorable Alyssa stood on top of a steep hill. Basked in sunlight, she stared at him with

    eyes resembling a sky full of stars.

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Extending a hand to him, she encouraged him, "Don''t be afraid! I''ll hoist you up!"

    The young Jameson, though fearful, managed to cast aside his feelings with her by his side. He only

    had one thought, which was to join her.

    Struggling, he grasped her hand firmly, and the two of them made it to the top of the hill.

    Thanks to Alyssa, he caught a glimpse of the breathtaking view that he could never forget. The wild

    roses bloomed gorgeously across the hills. He only had eyes for one rose¡ªthe girl beside him.

    Blinking away the bitterness, he burst the bubble of his childhood memories, leaving him behind with

    nothing. There were no roses or Alyssa in reality. His world right now was made of blood and desire as

    he descended freely into the endless abyss.

    "I have you to thank for my sess today. I would never stand a chance of returning to Sna City

    and rejoining the Schmidt Group if not for you and my mom."

    Justin remarked tly, "But you need to put your guard up. The Lovces are a force to be reckoned

    with, especially their youngest heir, who''s exceptionally close with Jonah Taylor and the rest of the

    Taylor family.

    "Take a wrong step, and you risk getting hit back at. Your gains will not make up for your losses if that

    happens."

    "I''m fully prepared for the possibility you suggested," Jameson hurriedly assured Justin.

    "The Lovces are a distinguished family. They have been running a pharmaceutical business with an

    estimated worth of tens of billions. How did they end up in this state?" Justin''s maic voice echoed

    in Jameson''s ear. "Theirpany is developing a new drug. Look for any problems with the new

    product. You might be able to weaponize that against them."

    The look in Jameson''s eyes hardened. "Got it."

 Chapter 1971

    The sky that had been overcast for days finally cleared up on the day of Angelina''s funeral.

    Standing in front of her headstone in the silent cemetery, Landon ced a bunch of white daisies on

    her grave with a look of despair. Beside the bouquet rested the broken lucky charm.

    Following that, Alyssa and Jasper offered their bouquet. The rest of the Taylor siblings were also

    present, alongside Julien, Rose, and Jordan. They offered Angelina flowers and prayers.

    The women at the site wept while the men tried their best to hide their grief, offeringfort to their

    partners.

    Only Cyrus, the policeman who had experienced his fair share of life and death, teared up ever since

    he arrived at the scene. He did not share many encounters with Angelina, but every time they met, she

    left a deep impression on him, especially the time at the amusement park.

    When he first met Angelina, she gave the impression of being arrogant and uptight. After their first

    exchange, he found her a jolly and humorous woman.

    Memories of Angelina dressed in a pink bunny costume flooded Cyrus'' mind. She had asked him for a

    photo with her hand gently ced on his shoulder.

    All of a sudden, he lost it. He hung his head low and swiftly wiped away a tear from the corner of his

    eye with a trembling finger.

    He hadn''t sent her the photos from that day, and it pained him that he''d never get a chance to.

    "Angie, rest in peace." Landon stared at Angelina''s smiling face in the ck and white photo on the

    headstone. His heart shattered into pieces, carried away by the wind that swept past the cemetery.

    "I hope we meet again in the next life. Then, it''ll be my turn to protect you."

    A neat line was carved into her headstone. It read, "Here lies Angelina Harper, the best in the world."

    Angelina was an orphan who had adopted the Harper family''s surname after being taken in. Bill had

    named her "Angelina", carrying the meaning of "messenger" or "archangel".

    He had remarked to Landon, "The girl who followed you around is more than just a pretty face. She has

    a tenacity and fierce loyalty within. She is like a guardian angel. I shall name her ''Angelina.''"

    Angelina proved Bill right. She was a guardian angel of Landon''s throughout her short yet meaningful

    life. Everything seemed to be destined.

    At that moment, they heard the echo of footsteps approaching. Everyone looked up and was shocked

    at the sight of the new visitor.

    Lauren?

    Not far away, Lauren sat in a wheelchair, wrapped in a woolen nket, her petite figure entuated by

    her oversized blue and white striped patient uniform. Her appearance evoked pity. Ben stood by her

    side, quietly watching over her.

    "Lauren!" A spark finally appeared in Landon''s lifeless eyes. He hurried over to Lauren with concern,

    going on one knee before her and firmly clutching her bony hand, but it kept slipping away from his

    grasp.

    He said, "You''re still feeble. How could you leave the hospital?"

    Jasper and Alyssa approached her with nervous looks as well. They nced at Ben in surprise when

    they noticed Lauren''s increased emotional stabilitypared to the night before.

    "Last night, Mr. Justin''s men delivered some meds to Ms. Lauren. She took the meds, and they were

    indeed effective." Ben, who saw through their worries, added warmly, "Mr. Jasper, Madam Alyssa, Mr.

    Landon, don''t worry. Mr. Justin and Mr. Javier were notified of Ms. Lauren''s wish to attend the funeral.

    "Not only am I around, but there are bodyguards, maids, and doctors at the entrance to the cemetery.

    They could render assistance if Ms. Lauren feels unwell."

    Jasper and Alyssa put on funny looks upon learning the information, especially Jasper, whose

    expression dimmed as he held her hand tighter.

    "Ah... Ah... I..." Lauren''s hand wiggled in Landon''s palm. She gaped, but only simple sounds escaped

    her mouth.

    "Lauren, you''d like to meet Angie. Right?" Landon said softly.

    She nodded at him with tears in her eyes.

    Inhaling sharply, Landon led his love to Angelina''s gravesite. He closed his eyes in pain when they

    passed Jasper and Alyssa.

    Even now, his love for Lauren remained as deep as ever, unwavering and steadfast. Yet, he felt

    unworthy of a woman like her.

    Would the tragic sequence of events not have unfolded if he had stayed by her side at the amusement

    park instead of his momentarypse in attention? Would she have escaped abduction, and would

    Angelina still be alive?

    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Axel stood away from the crowd, his face etched with bitterness. Suddenly, he halted, catching sight of

    a graceful figure in ck amidst the forest''s shadows.

 Chapter 1972

    Axel fixed his gaze in the direction of the forest. Thedy, who seemed to sense his eyes on her,

    nimbly hid behind a tree.

    Meanwhile, Lauren wept in the wheelchair, staring deeply at Angelina''s photo. She cried silently in

    deep grief, tears staining her cheeks.

    Worried about Lauren''s health, Alyssa walked up behind her and ced both hands on her shoulders

    to offerfort.

    Eyes swollen and twitching, Lauren gently revealed a new teddy bear from under her nket, much to

    Alyssa''s surprise. The teddy bear was simr to the one Alyssa had gifted Lauren.

    Ben, who was affected by the somber mood, said in a raspy voice, "This bear is no longer on sale in

    the country. I had someone purchase it from overseas, per Ms. Lauren''s request."

    Lauren tried to get up from the wheelchair, but her legs gave away, perhaps from being bedridden for

    some time. Seeing that, Cyrus approached her to render assistance, but Landon was a step ahead of

    him.

    Landon carried Lauren in his arms and ced her on the ground. He then rested a hand on the small

    of her back to support her.

    Sniffling, she ced the bear in front of Angelina''s headstone, thinking, "Angie, take this bear as my

    recement. It will keep youpany and from loneliness in your resting ce."

    After the funeral ended, the attendees slowly filed out of the cemetery.

    "Julien, may I ask you for a favor?" whispered Alyssa, who had run after Jonah and Julien.

    "We''re family. Let''s not count favors. Lyse, tell me if you need anything," replied Julien with a warm and

    gentle look.

    He discreetly toyed with Jonah''s fingers while thetter looked ahead as if nothing was happening and

    quietly epted Julien''s mischief.

    Alyssa put on a straight face. "When you''re back home, please run some tests on the drugs that Justin

    provided. I want to know if they''re safe. I can''t trust the drugs given by strangers."

    "Not a problem. Count on me," Julien agreed, patting his chest.

    At that moment, Ss approached them while holding hands with Rose. "Lyse, did you see Axel? He

    was there initially but gone in the blink of an eye."

    "He won''t lose his way," Jonah replied coolly, interlocking his fingers with Julien''s.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Right. I guess he might be taking a nap on one of the many trees there," Alyssa casually remarked.

    Rose blinked in surprise. "Sleeping in a cemetery? Isn''t Mr. Axel scared of ghosts?" Dumbfounded and

    entertained, Ss pulled her into a hug. "You should be asking whether or not the ghosts are scared of

    Axel."

    Landon carried Lauren into the car. He was about to join her in the car when he heard a series of heavy

    footsteps behind him. He turned around and found Cyrus standing behind him.

    "Landon, I..."

    "I don''t me you," Landon cut him off gently without needing him to borate further. "Besides, I

    haven''t thanked you yet. You have given Lauren what I failed to provide. You taught me the definition of

    love and how to love."

    Cyrus stared at him nkly while tears brimmed in his eyes. Crushed by guilt and shame, he felt his

    heart gradually calming down after he freed himself from the self-getion.

    Though he could not forgive himself, Landon¡ªthe man who should have hated him¡ªhad offered him

    forgiveness, helping him toe to terms with himself.

    "Just let me know if you or Lauren needs help," Cyrus croaked.

    Cyrus, not one for sweet-talking, always spoke from the bottom of his heart.

    "Can we really ask for your help on anything?" Grinning, Landon said earnestly.

    Smiling, Cyrus promised, "I''ll buy you a huge gift for your wedding. But I''m worried I might not be

    invited."

    "Cyrus, you''re important to Lauren. We will surely invite you to the wedding."

 Chapter 1973

    Landon lowered his head with a bashful look. He confessed, "I''m the one who''s worried that you might

    not want to attend."

    Choking on emotions, Cyrus went up and offered him a hearty hug.

    When Landon entered the car, he saw Lauren leaning her head against the car window and wrapped in

    the nket while getting some shut-eye. In her feeble condition, she had pushed her limits by

    embarking on this outing even with the help of a wheelchair.

    "The window is chilly. Come rest your head here." He opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace.

    Then, he rubbed his chin on top of her head.

    The car cruised toward the hospital.

    Leaning against Landon''s chest, Lauren suddenly cast a puzzled look at him upon feeling something

    solid in his suit.

    "Does it bother you?" After some hesitation, he retrieved Angelina''s diary from within his jacket.

    Lauren''s eyes, red from crying, widened in surprise. She recognized the notebook as Angelina''s diary.

    One night, she couldn''t fall asleep as Landon was on a business trip, and she wandered to Angelina''s

    room, only to identally run into Angelina writing in the pink notebook. Upon seeing Lauren, Angelina

    hurriedly put the notebook away with a blush.

    "Lauren, this is Angelina''s diary." He held his breath and handed her the notebook solemnly. "I do not

    want to hide her feelings for me from you."

    Lauren lowered her gaze but did not ept the notebook. After some wiggling underneath her nket,

    she reached for her phone and typed in the notes app. "I know. Angie has always loved you."

    His pupils wavered in shock. Feeling his throat mming up, he demanded. "Lauren, how did you

    know? Did she tell you?"

    Shaking her head softly, she typed, "I had the chance to know her better after spending time with her

    every day. She took care of me. Landon, you were with her every day. Couldn''t you tell? You can''t

    conceal feelings of love. I knew about her feelings long ago."

    Gaping speechlessly, Landon agreed that feelings of love were hard to be concealed. He wondered if

    he had ever been attentive to Angelina because he had failed to pick up her feelings.

    Lauren quickly wiped away a teardrop that fell on her phone screen. "Angie had been confessing her

    love to you all the years simply through staying by your side."

    A silentpanionship spoke volumes.

    Amber had been silently waiting at the cemetery since early morning. She watched the funeral and

    participated in the entire procession from afar.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Finally, sheid a bouquet of white daisies by the tree. When she rose, her cheeks were stained with

    tears.

    Amber shared Angelina''s fate, but Angelina was luckier, having served a man worthy of sacrifice.

    Meanwhile, Amber realized she had been resigned to a tragic fate the moment she decided to follow

    Jameson. She had no way of getting away from him.

    Just as she was about to leave, she sensed her cold hand engulfed in warmth. The next moment,

    someone pulled hard, causing her to stumble backward. Her back collided with a solid chest.

    Panicking, she struggled in vain to break free, like a captive butterfly fluttering its wings.

    "Trying to get away?" Axel whispered hoarsely into her reddened ears.

    "Of course..." Their bodies pressed together, and she felt his warmth against her waist. "I wasn''t

    supposed to be here in the first ce."

    Her words amused him. He callously arched a brow, as if toying with his captive butterfly. "It took me a

    while to catch you. I won''t let you go until we''ve had some fun."

 Chapter 1974

    Toying? Amber felt her racing heart skip a beat. Surrounded by Axel''s scent, she quickly lost her

    passion. From Jameson to the tycoons she was forced to entertain, all men treated her like a ything,

    and Axel was no different.

    She was delusional to think he''d be special, but he disappointed her.

    Suppressing the heartache, she shed a bitter smile with tears in her eyes. "Mr. Axel, you seem to be

    in high spirits today. What do you wish to engage in? SM? 69?"

    Her voice was reeking with sexual appeal, and so was her body. However, the look in Axel''s eyes

    hardened. Holding her shoulders, he pressed her back against the tree bark.

    He fixed his deep gaze on her face before staring at her chest, as though he was looking for a way to

    her heart. "You look pretty lovely in the windbreaker."

    Although his tone still had a yful edge, she blushed in embarrassment while attempting to remove

    the windbreaker. Pressing against her hand, he stopped her and put the windbreaker back on. "Keep it.

    It''s chilly today. You don''t want to catch a cold."

    The warmth from his dry, calloused hand gave her a sense of security, causing a lump to form in her

    throat. A teardrop escaped the corner of her eye.

    Just as she was about to wipe the teardrop away, he suddenly grabbed her chin and lowered his head

    to kiss the lone teardrop away.

    A jolt of electricity surged across her body. Misty-eyed, she nearly lost her bnce from the electrifying

    sensation. Her back started sliding down the tree bark, only for him to scoop her up and steady her

    body.

    His warm breath tickled her as he stroked her waist. "Tell me. What are you crying for?"

    Panting gently. Then, she replied in a soft, monotonous voice, "That''s none of your business."

    "Are you crying because I touched your heart with my kindness?" Tilting his head, he stared at her

    while his breathing grew heavier.

    From afar, their figures ovepped with each other as though they were one. It was a rather suggestive

    scene. They did not cross a line, yet it felt like they had hit a home run.

    "You''re not kind at all. You''re a jerk!" Without warning, she shoved him away and fled into the deep of

    the forest without looking back. She sprinted like she was escaping.

    She did not hear the sounds of footsteps behind her. It appeared that he did not run after her, and she

    would much prefer that.

    The delight and fear gripped her when he kissed away her tears. She thought, "Axel Taylor, please

    don''t be too nice to me. You''ll regret it, I promise!"

    Axel froze on the spot. Momentster, he slowly turned around and stared in another direction with a

    chilling gaze. Alone in the silent woods, he thought, "When will you surrender your heart to me?" Lifting

    a finger to rub his lips, he sensed the lingering warmth of her tears. "I can''t wait to close my. Not

    only do I want to capture Jameson Schmidt, I''d like to capture you too."

    Carl brought Amber to Jameson when she returned to the Millennium in the evening.

    "Mr. Schmidt, are you looking for me?" she inquired.

    On the balcony, Jameson was toying with a colorful parrot trapped in a golden cage. Amber dared not

    say another word in his silence.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    He began, "On the day of Lauren Beckett''s abduction..."

    His words set off an rm in her mind. "... Angelina Brands, the woman who worked for Landon

    Harper, tracked down Lauren in no time.

    "Were you the one who leaked the intel?"

    Though she kept herposure, she felt like she was plummeting into an endless abyss.

    "On that day, you and Remy ambushed Cyrus and Angelina and got into a fight." Squinting, Jameson

    plucked a crimson feather off the parrot, eliciting an agonizing squawk and fluttering of wings from the

    distressed bird. "I trust Remy¡ªhe''s my trusted confidant. So, I have no choice but to suspect you."

 Chapter 1975

    Amber''s heart pounded against her ribcage as her organs contorted in fear. Despite the panic, she did

    not betray a hint of emotion. She owed her exceptional mental fortitude to the training administered by

    Jameson, which she now employed against him.

    In her silence, he grinned maliciously and advanced slowly toward her. All of a sudden, he produced a

    gun from his waist and pressed the muzzle against her sweaty forehead.

    "M-Mr. Schmidt!" Carl turned pale at the sight as his heart leaped into his throat.

    "Amber Altman, were you the traitor? Answer me," he confronted her word-by-word with a murderous

    look in his eyes.

    She stared into his eyes but remained silent.

    "Answer me!" he roared, the veins in his hands bulging in anger.

    "Yes," Amber admitted, knowing there was no escape. The moment Jameson aimed the gun, he had

    known about her betrayal. This was no interrogation.

    Driven by his ruthless nature, he wanted the woman¡ªwhom he had raised and molded into Alyssa''s

    doppelganger¡ªto beg for mercy before him. Resentment aside, he enjoyed the adrenaline rush from

    torturing her.

    He was aplete psycho¡ªa despicable maniac!

    Fear turned to courage in her eyes. Meeting his gaze, she confessed, "I informed Angelina of Lauren''s

    whereabouts. There''s no point in justifying my action. Do as you will."

    She had had enough. Death would liberate her, yet it also meant she would never have another chance

    to stare into Axel''s smiling and passionate eyes.

    Jameson''s expression further copsed as he tightened his grip on the gun. His chest rose and fell

    violently.

    As he unlocked the safety, Amber closed her eyes in despair. Her heart nearly stopped. Then, she

    heard the click of the trigger, followed by a deadly silence.

    But the gunshot never came. Opening her eyes slowly, she found Jamesonughing uproariously, even

    pulling the trigger a few times at her. "Pfft... I was fooling with you! Look how scared you were."

    Carl''s tense nerves gave way to a wave of relief, nearly sending him crashing onto the floor.

    Meanwhile, Amber stared coldly at Jameson with an empty feeling in her chest.

    "Tell me the truth, Amber. Why did you leak the news? Hm?" Grabbing her sweat-drenched chin, he

    rubbed the tip of his thumb against her lips in a suggestive move, causing her to feel sick in the

    stomach.

    Realizing this was her chance to exin her way out of the situation, she calmly responded, "I wanted

    to win the trust of Alyssa Taylor and Jasper Beckett. Once I turned in secrets, they would surely change

    their mind about me. The same applies to Axel Whitaker.

    "If I y the role of a double agent, I might be able to extract vital information from them for you."

    Jameson squinted at her, seemingly satisfied with her reply.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

 Chapter 1976

    In the next moment, Jameson wrapped the arm holding the gun around her waist and pulled her closer

    until their bodies pressed. "Good job. Not only do I not me you, I need to praise you. You revealing

    the information to Angelina messed up her ns, forcing her into solo action. She fell into Preston

    Harper''s trap and lost her life because of it.

    "Her death put Landon Harper into agony. His hair greyed overnight."

    She remained stoic. Every wording from his mouth ripped a piece of her heart out, the bloody and

    shameful mess scattering across the ground.

    "Keep up with your n and go big. I know you won''t disappoint me." He released her and examined

    her figure. "Axel Whitaker''s clothes look good on you. Remember to wear the same windbreaker at his

    funeral."

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    When Amber returned to her bedroom, the shades of sunset illuminated her lifeless face.

    Stumbling to the full-length mirror, she slowly removed the ck windbreaker. Fully naked, she

    revealed the shameful marks on her frail frame, proof of Jameson''s action on her over the afternoon.

    The beastly gentleman did not sexually assault her, choosing instead to torture her with multiple

    methods. Throughout the ordeal, shey there like a corpse, making no noise at all. After all, she was

    already dead on the inside. The moment he pulled the trigger on the unloaded gun, he had killed her

    off.

    She lifted her head slightly as tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrobly. She did not have much

    time left. The next time he pulled the trigger at her, he would be holding a loaded gun.

    At that moment, she heard a familiar knock on the door. She hurriedly dried her tears and put on some

    clothes before answering the door.

    "Ms. Altman!" The man at the door was a bodyguard who got along well with Amber. Wesley Lock fixed

    a concerned look on her. "Are you... okay?"

    "Come in now." She motioned at him to get into her room. There, he offered her a tube of medicated

    cream. He exined, "We always use this cream. It''s very effective. Apply it on your wounds."

    As one of Jameson''s staff members, Wesley had surely heard of the incident in the afternoon. She

    epted the cream with trembling fingers and said in a tearful voice, "Thank you."

    "Ms. Altman, you''ve lived a difficult life. Have you not thought of¡ª" His voice trailed off. His eyes were

    red from crying.

    "I thought about it before, Wesley." She took a deep breath. Tears lingered on hershes. "I have been

    thinking about it for a while, even in my dreams. But I have no other choice."

    "Why? There must be a way out!" Wesley leaned closer, eyes wide with concern and worry. "You can

    always seek refuge under Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett! Jameson Schmidt might run arge-scale

    business operation abroad, but he is no match for the Taylors and Becketts in Cyrris!

    "I''ll keep an eye on Jameson''s movements. If we join forces, we can certainly get some dirt on him and

    destroy him once and for all!"

    "You''re too naive..." Shaking her head with a wry smile, she exined, "I know Mr. Schmidt and his

    tactics too well, having served him from a young age. I could not ess all his information even when I

    was his trusted confidant.

    "You''re just his bodyguard, who doesn''t even get to see him every day. You cannot possibly find any

    damning evidence against him. If he finds out, you might lose your life.

    "Look, I don''t mind dying because my life isn''t worth much. But I don''t want more innocent lives lost

    because of me. That will be worse than death for me."

    Moreover, a mysterious man was behind Jameson. Amber had made many trips to Mosgravia with

    Jameson, but she never had the opportunity to meet that man in person. Despite that, she was well

    aware of that man''s capability, which made him a tough rival to Alyssa and Jasper.

 Chapter 1977

    The two of them sat in silence, feeling helpless as if they had been stranded on a deserted ind

    during a storm.

    "I have something that might or might not be of help to you." A thought urred to Wesley. Wesley

    began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Aidan Lovce of Lovce Pharmaceuticals met with

    Jameson Schmidt two nights ago and had a private chat in a lounge."

    The revtion introduced a frown to Amber''s face.

    Wesley recounted, "That guy showed up like he was ready to take down anyone, but he seemed

    calmer after the talk. I was stationed outside the lounge with another colleague but couldn''t hear

    anything because of the excellent soundproofing." He let out a frustrated sigh.

    Still, the information provided Amber with a lead. Lovce Pharmaceuticals was the top

    pharmaceuticalpany in the nation. From what she heard, Jameson had been running the

    pharmaceutical business on Sir''s behalf in Cyrris. Therefore, Jameson''s priority must be to beat the

    Lovces, his business rival!

    A man as ruthless as Jameson would never consider a business partnership with the Lovces.

    Hence, she assumed that Jameson must have lured Aidan into a trap from the private talk they had

    shared.

    "Wesley, keep an eye on Carl from now on. Jameson Schmidt never dirties his hands¡ªhe''d make Carl

    take his ce instead. You will surely discover clues of the trap that Jameson set up for Lovce

    Pharmaceuticals."

    Wesley nodded hard. "Sure! I will keep an eye on Carl."

    Amber could not care less for the fate of Lovce Pharmaceuticals, but she saw a chance there and

    took it. Once she gathered enough evidence against Jameson, she''d get Axel to hand them over to

    Alyssa, putting an end to the criminal activities behind The Millennium!

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Carl immediately understood what had ensued when he saw the mess in the room while delivering a

    decanted red wine to Jameson.

    Setting down the tray, he hesitantly submitted a photo to Jameson. "The detective that you sent after

    Ms. Altman took this photo."

    Jameson lounged on the couch with a whip in his left hand. He epted the photo with his free hand,

    sandwiching it between his fingers.

    The photo showed Amber pinned against a tree while Axel tenderly kissed her cheek.

    "Look. She is so enamored by him." He mocked. "She would only put on this expression when she was

    with me. Seems like she''s smitten with Axel Whitaker."

    Carl knitted his brows. "Mr. Schmidt, what do you n to...

    "I have kept her around for years, but I have no use for a woman who has fallen for another man." Eyes

    half-closed, Jameson added, "Still, I''ll keep her around for a little longer until I squeeze every drop out

    of her. After all, she makes the perfect bait for Axel Whitaker, don''t you agree?"

    "That''s true..." Carl had grown fond of Amber after years of working together. He took care of her in

    daily life. However, his hands were tied if Jameson wanted Amber dead.

    His phone vibrated from an iing call. He picked up the call and soon hung up. Then, he ryed

    the information to Jameson, "Mr. Schmidt, we have some updates from Tsulu. Thanks to your

    arrangement, Landon Harper''s sister, Zoe, was sent into prostitution, serving the Tsulu elites. She

    served multiple customers daily, most of them prominent figures, and there was no way out for her.

    "Within a month, she contracted various STDs. I heard she was too ill to take any customers. Now,

    she''s locked up in a basement and starved for three days. From the sounds of it, she appears to be

    dying."

    "Show her some mercy, considering she once worked for me," Jameson replied coolly.

    Carl got the hint. "Got it." Jameson apparently wanted a quick death for Zoe.

    "See? This is what you call a revenge. Landon Harper''s softness and sentimentality make him an

    ineffectual man." Sighing, Jamesonmented, "Everything I did was for Alyssa. Too bad she still

    doesn''t recognize my devotion to her."

 Chapter 1978

    Upon Alyssa''s request, Julien ran tests on the drug from Justin right after he returned.

    The results were beyond his expectations. To his surprise, the drug was exceptionally effective. Other

    than the side effect of making patients drowsy, it would not negatively affect the body.

    Alyssa studied the data on theb report in the guest room. She had a conflicted look on her face.

    "What is this drug called?"

    "I have no idea." Julien shook his head.

    Alyssa was dumbfounded.

    "I don''t know what this drug is called. However, itsponents are essentially the same as the

    components of the medication that RC Biotechnology Research Institute in Mosgravia developed to

    target Alzheimer''s a year ago.

    "That being said, that drug was only revealed to the public via a series of announcements. It has not

    yet been officially put on the market. I''m not sure if this is the same drug."

    Julien let out a long sigh. "Fortunately, there isn''t much problem with this drug. It should be helpful for

    Lauren''s condition. Otherwise, giving a patient a drug that has not been made avable on the market

    will only look like an hical human experimentation."

    Right at this moment, a steady knock sounded at the door.

    Alyssa walked over and opened the door. Her eyes widened suddenly.

    "Justin?"

    Justin was sitting in his wheelchair. He was alone. He smiled cheerily as he looked up at Alyssa.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I will be returning to Mosgravia tomorrow afternoon. Can I have a few moments with you

    in private?"

    On the balcony at the end of the corridor, Alyssa stood next to Justin. The golden rays of sunlight made

    her face look bright as if she were an untouchable goddess of beauty.

    Justin turned his face and looked at her deeply.

    "What did you want to talk to me about, Justin?" Alyssa avoided his gaze intentionally.

    "I will be going back to Mosgravia at night," he said in a soft and elegant tone.

    "Have a safe journey."

    "I want to fulfill my promise to you before I leave."

    Alyssa was feeling doubtful when she saw Justin opening his palm in front of her. There were three pills

    in his palm. They looked identical to the drugs that Lauren took.

    "You..."

    Before Alyssa could recover from her surprise, he had already popped all three pills into his mouth and

    swallowed them. "I said that I would take the same drug as Lauren so that you can be relieved that

    there is no issue with the drug that I provided."

    Alyssa furrowed her brows. "I didn''t say that I don''t trust you. You didn''t have to do this."

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    "I want to keep the promise that I made to you."

    Justin''s voice sounded a little hoarse. His eyes were as deep as the sea. It was as if he could make

    one lost in his eyes if they weren''t careful.

    "Moreover, this is Lauren''s health we''re talking about. It is not something that I can take lightly. Don''t

    forget¡ªI am her older brother."

    "Thank you for the medication that you brought. Lauren''s condition has improved a lot."

    Alyssa paused. She tried to study Justin''s gaze. "Did you get the drug from RC Biotechnology

    Research Institute at Mosgravia, Justin?"

    "Yes, I did," Justin admitted openly.

 Chapter 1979

    Justin''s honesty took Alyssa by surprise.

    Initially, what she thought was that if Justin denied the fact that the drug was from RC, it would mean

    that he had something to hide about all this.

    The likelihood of him being suspicious or there being something wrong with the drug that RC

    developed would be high. Even if the problem weren''t with the drug that Lauren took, it would be

    enough to show that there was something fishy going on.

    However, she really had no idea what to say right now.

    "To be exact, I have dealings with RC and various pharmaceutical researchpanies in Mosgravia."

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Justin coughed softly. He let out a helpless smile. "All these years, my broken body has been a testing

    ground. I have taken countless types of medications. I would have given them a shot as long as they

    could improve my health.

    "It''s also exactly because of this that I came to know RC better. I also got a better understanding of the

    drugs that they are developing."

    "There have been many advances in the medical field to date. I''m sure you will improve if you hang in

    there, Justin." Alyssa was kind-hearted. She was merely giving the most basic constion to someone

    who was being tormented by pain all year round.

    At this moment, neither of them had noticed that Jasper was standing in the shadows outside the

    balcony. His eyes were dark as he observed them.

    "Ms. Alyssa, do you truly hope for my recovery?"

    Justin smiled. "After all, I am the eldest son in the Beckett family. If I be well again, I would very

    likely go against Jasper and fight to be the heir apparent. Do you really wish to see that happen?"

    Alyssa smiled slightly. Her eyes were bright. "If Jasper''s position as heir apparent was attained at the

    cost of your health, truth be told, I would rather have him give up the position as president.

    "First and foremost, I love Jasper as the person that he is. I don''t care about his past or his

    background. I will not have anyints, even if he were to cut ties with the Beckett Group one day.

    Neither will my love for him diminish just because of that."

    Justin frowned.

    Jasper, who was still in the dark, widened his eyes.

    His heart started to race.

    "I want to see both of you living harmoniously with your family and journeying through highs and lows

    together. I don''t want a situation where one party is always plotting against another. I do not wish to see

    you both having a miserable end like the Schmidts after their internal strife.

    "If your health is one day restored, Jasper and I will be happy for you from the bottom of our hearts. If

    you wish to be the heir apparent, please fight it out fair and square with Jasper."

    Alyssa spoke her mind openly and honestly. She was broad-minded, exuding the characteristics of a

    leader.

    "Your feelings for Jasper are so sincere, Ms. Alyssa. That''s very admirable." Justin fixed his tender and

    gentle gaze on her. His eyes were filled with fervent yearning.

    Alyssa smiled, "Sincerity will touch hearts, Justin. If you''re sincere, you can have your own happiness

    one day."

    "I sure hope so."

    The look in Justin''s eyes was profound. He turned his wheelchair around, signaling that he was

    intending to leave.

    Jasper squinted. In a sh, he darted behind a wall.

    His heart pounded.

    "Oh, right, Ms. Alyssa."

    Justin paused. He turned around again. In a concerned tone, he said, "I also heard about you when I

    was in Mosgravia. Since then, I have been looking for a cure for you.

    "I''ve had some progress to date. Not only did I find an effective drug, but I also found a prestigious

    medical professor who''s well-known in gynecology. She has been a private doctor to royalty and the

    president''s wife. She has encountered simr cases more than once. Under her care, you will have

    more than a 60% chance of recovery.

    "You''re so young and outstanding. It would be too much of a pity if you lost the chance to be a mother

    just like that."

    Upon hearing that, Jasper''s heart tightened. It was as if his heart was being squeezed tighter and

    tighter. It felt like his heart could stop at any moment.

    Tears welled up in his eyes. With his shaking hands, he clenched the cor of his shirt...

 Chapter 1980

    The look on Alyssa''s face suddenly turned dark.

    "Justin, whether or not I can or want to conceive, these are all my personal matters.

    These are not for you to worry about." " As Jasper''s brother, I am one of the people who understand

    him.

    I know that he loves children.

    The way he cared for young Lauren when he was young already showed what a fatherly figure he was.

    Even if he doesn''t say it, I''m certain he would love to start a family with you." Alyssa felt suffocated as a

    sharp pain shot through her heart.

    "I might have overstepped.

    But I am only wishing the both of you all the happiness in the world in everything I do." Justin''s tone

    was serious and warm.

    "If you ept the treatment willingly and be well, Jasper will be happy, and you will not have any

    regrets.

    Don''t you think so? I will arrange everything after I get back.

    You maye over for the treatment any time." Upon saying that, he turned around and headed

    outside.

    "T will not go." Without any hesitation, Alyssa spoke in a cold voice.

    "I get to be together with Jasper.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    I have no other regrets.

    Furthermore, not every woman in this world desires to be a mother.

    I''m one such example.

    Motherhood is not something I desire.

    "I''m still a child at heart.

    I''ve also inherited KS Group.

    I havea whole bunch of shit to clean up every day.

    I don''t have the time to bear a child.

    You don''t have to worry about anything like this moving forward, Justin." Justin smiled slightly as he

    wheeled himself away from the balcony.

    After a short while, he slowed down.

    He squinted as he nced toward the shadows behind him.

    After Justin left, Alyssa stood alone on the balcony.

    She felt the cold breeze blowing against her.

    Yet, she couldn''t feel the cold.

    At this moment, her heart felt colder than the breeze.

    If possible, she would want to have a child with the love of her life.

    There was no doubt about that.

    If a different person had said those things to her, she might have considered trying it.

    However, of all people, Justin offered her his help.

    Thest time she had a brief interaction with Justin, Jasper was already freaking out so much.

    If she epted his kind offer, Jasper would be dejected.

    Alyssa crossed her arms.

    She looked at the bleak scenery a distance away from her and spaced out.

    All of a sudden, she felt a warmth around her body.

    She turned her head around in surprise.

    "Jasper?" Jasper had put his coat around her and hugged her from the back.

    He rested his chin on her shoulder and had their cheeks touch.

    In the sunset glow, they looked like a beautiful painting of a romantic scene.

    "Lyse..." The hoarseness in Jasper''s voice tugged at her heartstrings.

    "What''s up?" She put her hands on his hands, which were on her hips.

    "I don''t want to have children, Lyse...

    1 do not." Alyssa''s eyes widened slightly.

    Her heart throbbed.

    "Just now...

    Were you..." "Don''t trust what he said.

    It''s never bothered me whether you could get pregnant or not.

    It''s been the same back then and now." Pain rippled through his heart.

    In an indifferent tone, he continued, "All I want is you.

    You are all I need." "I know.

    You''ve said that many times," Alyssa answered in a rxed voice.

    "But, if therees a day when you do want a child, you have to tell me.

    I will be willing to try anything for you.

    Even if it is to ask Justin for a favor..." "Those are my exact same thoughts." Alyssa''s smile was tender

    and understanding.

    "If therees a day when you want children, you have to be honest with me.

    I''ll be open to trying anything." Days passed.

    Throughout this period of time, Landon had been stabilizing the situation at Harper Group.

    Other than that, he had been staying at the hospital.

    He did all he could to keep Laurenpany and care for her personally.

    Companionship and love were indeed the best medicine. Although the hurt was still there, Lauren was

    slowly oveing her trauma.

    She cooperated with her treatment as best as she could.

    At this point in time, she no longer had to be bound to a wheelchair.

    She could take walks in the hospital''s garden ande out to get some sun.

    The only thing was that she was still unable to speak.

    During this time, Julien had performed a few checks on her.

    Even so, he was still unable to help her recover her ability to speak.

    On this day, Landon had just helped Lauren wipe down her body.

    He was carrying a water basin out of the ward when he bumped into Julien.

    "Hi, Julien." Julien chuckled.

    He narrowed his eyes and let out a relieved smile.

    "I see that you''re getting more skilled at looking after someone else.

    You seem to be even more skilled than the nurses, Landon." "I''m stillcking in many ways.

    I''m still picking up many of the skills needed to look after her for the rest other life. Landon had a silly

    smile on his face.

    He looked absolutely smitten.

    Julien pursed his lips.

    "It''s been so long, but I still haven''t been able to help Lauren speak again.

    I''m sorry." "It''s alright." "As much as I hate to say this, I must be frank with you.

    You must be mentally prepared for the possibility that Lauren may never doctor, Julien Speak again!"

    Asta donor couldn''t hide his feelings of self-reproach.

    "That said, recovery is still possible for her in the future.

    I just cannot pinpoint a specific time." "No worries.

    I know that you''ve tried your best, Julien." Landon smiled rxedly.

    He continued, "1 will always stay by her side.

    I will never leave her no matter what happens to her." "Mr.Landon!" Jordan hurried over from the other

    end of the corridor.

    "I have something to report to you." Julien knew they had w they had something elsee to discuss, so he

    excused himself.

    Jordan''s eyes were dark.

    He lowered his voice and said, "Tsulu''s police authorities just contacted me.

    Zoe''s body was found in the mountains the morning before yesterday.

    She has been dead for five days."

 Chapter 1981

    Landon''s pupils constricted. All of a sudden, his vision started to blur. "She''s dead?"

    "Yes. She died a horrific death. They almost couldn''t identify her when her body was discovered."

    Jordan knitted his brows together tightly. Then, he continued in a low voice, "When the authorities

    performed an autopsy on her, they discovered that she had been sexually assaulted. She had severe

    STDs festering in her lower body."

    Landon shut his reddened eyes. He tightened his grip on the water basin, and his hands trembled

    slightly. "Who was she assaulted by?"

    "Many."

    Jordan hesitated before continuing, "Not long after arriving at Tsulu, Zoe was sent to an underground

    club. That ce is actually a high-end brothel. The women there provide sex services specifically to the

    big shots at Tsulu.

    "I heard that all the women there end up in the same way. They would all bepletely fucked up.

    Even if Zoe wasn''t murdered, that''s just how things would have ended up for her."

    Landon lowered his eyes.

    Deep down, he was disturbed by a plethora of intense and bitter emotions. He couldn''t utter a single

    word.

    There was no doubt that he hated Zoe.

    When he sent her off on that stowaway boat to leave her to fend for herself in a foreignnd, his heart

    was burning with hatred.

    Though, to his surprise, he couldn''t find it in himself to hate her once he found out about her tragic

    death. It was as if someone had ripped a hole through him.

    His love and hate for her for over two decades had just disappeared through a deep abyss, never to be

    found again.

    "Pardon me for saying this, Mr. Landon. I think that it''spletely unnecessary for you to feel sad for

    her even though she was your biological sister."

    Jordan''s gaze was frigid. There was a look of deep hatred in his eyes. "Madam wouldn''t have ended up

    like this if it wasn''t for her. Ms. Angie and the entire Harper Group wouldn''t have ended this way either.

    An eye for an eye. She deserved it."

    "Go to Tsulu tonight and bring Zoe''s ashes back." Landon''s eyes were dark as he spoke. "Then,

    investigate what she experienced during her time in Tsulu."

    "Mr. Landon!"

    "I''m not saying this to seek revenge for Zoe, Jordan. The past is the past. She''s already dead. All the

    hate is now ashes to ashes; dust to dust."

    Landon held back the surging emotions within him. His eyes were clear. "I have heard about the

    underground club at Tsulu. The person who was able to send Zoe there is surely someone who

    understands Harper Group.

    "That person took action against Zoe in secret. There are only two possibilities¡ªthey wanted to release

    their anger or to silence her."

    Jordan gaped in sudden realization.

    "If that person schemed anything with Zoe in the past, it''s all over now. That said, I cannot let my guard

    down. I cannot let him do anything against Harper Group again."

    Jordan gave a firm nod in response. "I understand!"

    Just as both Landon and Jordan came to a mutual understanding, they spotted the Becketts walking

    toward them.

    "Landon!" Newton called out as he waved. He had a kind smile on his face.

    Landon handed the basin to Jordan. Frantically, he wiped his wet hands on his pants and went up to

    Newton.

    "Hi, Grandpa Newton and Mr. Javier," he greeted them politely.

    "Look at this polite young man. Even though he''s seated highly as Harper Group''s chairman, he still

    humbles himself. You don''t see people like this every day." Newton beamed.

    Javier used to see Landon as a useless yboy. After all the hardships they had been through, he was

    starting to grow fond of him.

    Newton, Javier, and Landon walked into the hospital ward to see Lauren. She was lying in bed with her

    eyes closed. Her eyes fluttered open slowly when she heard noises in her room.

    "Ahh..."

    "Lauren, my dear... I''m here to see you."

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Newton sat by her bed. He picked up her hand and caressed her palm. Even though his eyes were

    glistening with tears, he tried his best to put a smile on his face.

    He chuckled, "I see that you''ve gotten plumper. It seems like Landon has been taking good care of you.

    You have to make sure she eats well, Landon. Or, even better still, make her as plump as a little piglet!"

    "Dad, no woman would want to be as fat as a pig!" Javier protested.

    He then blurted, "Moreover, she wouldn''t look good in her wedding dress like that."

    Landon stayed put with a reserved posture. His body stiffened up, and his heart started pounding.

    "Ah. Ahh." Lauren''s pale cheeks blushed pink.

    She propped herself up. As Landon approached her to help her up, she leaned her flushed cheeks

    against his chest.

 Chapter 1982

    Newton clicked his tongue. "Look at Javier. He''s such a bbermouth. He can''t even keep his thoughts

    to himself."

    Newton decided to be frank with Landon. He grinned, "Truth be told, Landon, Javier and I are here to

    officially propose your marriage to Lauren."

    "Grandpa Newton..."

    Landon''s breathing became heavier as he became overly emotional. He stuttered, "Grandpa Newton.

    I.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    All of a sudden, he burst into tears. Tears of joy streamed down his face like a waterfall.

    Lauren mustered up all her strength to give Landon a tight hug with her frail body. She lifted her

    reddened face to look at him as drops of his tears fell onto her face.

    Although she could not speak, her gaze was full of tenderness and happiness. The look in her eyes

    gave him greatfort.

    "You don''t have to say anything, Lauren. I get you."

    Tears welled up in Newton''s eyes. He put Lauren''s and Landon''s hands together. "I am getting old, and

    so will Javier. You are the only one who can journey with Lauren till the end. You are the only one who

    can love and pamper her for the rest of her life.

    "All that awaits the both of you in the future will only be happy days."

    "Grandpa Newton, Mr. Javier. I will surely make Lauren happy." Landon intertwined his fingers with

    Lauren''s as he uttered this significant promise.

    "Ah." Lauren knelt on the bed as she lifted her hand to wipe away his tears gently.

    "''Mr. Javier''? Isn''t it about time for you to address me differently?"

    Upon saying that, Javier himself ended up feeling embarrassed. He coughed awkwardly.

    "Well, we can wait till after the both of you register your marriage and have your wedding before."

    "Dad!" Landon''s voice was crisp and urgent.

    Javier was taken aback. His heart skipped a beat, and he didn''t know how to respond at that moment.

    Newton clicked his tongue. "Look at you. He''s talking to you. Didn''t you hear him?" Newton gave him a

    nudge.

    Javier came back to his senses. He took a deep breath and let out a smile of relief. "Landon.

    Lauren''s birthday was early next month.

    Landon decided to register his marriage with Lauren on that day. Initially, he wanted to organize a

    grand and romantic proposal. However, Lauren saw through him and objected to the idea.

    She even refused to have a wedding ceremony.

    She had severe social anxiety. In the past, she was able to open up little by little because she had

    Angelina by her side.

    However, Angelina was no longer around.

    Thus, she had retreated back to her little corner. Other than meeting her own family, any other human

    contact would make her fearful and restless.

    With consideration of Lauren''s mental state, a wedding of the century was most likely not going to

    happen.

    Landon desired to give Lauren the whole world. Undoubtedly, this was an immense letdown to him.

    That night, Landon called Alyssa and Jasper to share his sorrows.

    ¡°Formalities are really not that important for the both of you."

    Alyssa was seated at her vanity table. She narrowed her eyes as she enjoyed Jasper''s hair-brushing

    service.

    She ced her phone on the table and put it on loudspeaker. "You and Lauren have been to hell and

    back. The entire world is witness to your love.

    "No grand wedding could ever beat that. More importantly, you have to make Lauren feelfortable.

    You don''t have to care about what other people think or any of those superficial things."

    Jasper was distracted by the mention of a wedding. His heart wrenched.

    How could he stand here so shamelessly and give Landon ideas? He himself owed Alyssa a wedding

    of the century.

    Even if hey down his life for her, he could never make up for all that he had owed her.

    "Argh... Gentle... Be more gentle..." Alyssa grunted softly. Jasper had brushed her hair too hard

    unintentionally.

    "Sorry. Did I hurt you?" Jasper''s mind was elsewhere, and his breathing was heavy.

    "Mm. It''s been a little dry recently. I''ll try applying some moisturizer."

    "Okay," Alyssa answered in a soft voice.

    "That''s enough, both of you. Are you mocking me for having to be abstinent while Lauren is unwell?"

    On the other end of the phone, Landon''s voice sounded tense. His fingers went numb. "You may be

    relishing in a happy time as husband and wife. But shouldn''t you also consider the feelings of a normal

    man like me?"

 Chapter 1983

    Alyssa burst outughing. "I can tell that you''ve really been trying to curb your urges, Mr. Landon.

    Jasper is just brushing my hair. I can''t believe that your mind wandered elsewhere."

    Alyssa stroked her soft hair, which Jasper had helped with maintaining.

    "Landon, you don''t have to rush the wedding. Just have your marriage with Lauren registered first. It''s

    more important to make the rtionship between the both of you as husband and wife official."

    Upon hearing that, Jasper was suddenly filled with regret. He observed the expression on Alyssa''s

    face.

    Fortunately, she wasn''t bothered at all. With a smile on her face, she was engaging in her skincare

    routine. Her face looked moist, drawing him closer and closer.

    "Don''t worry. I will definitely be getting that marriage certificate." Landon''s voice was full of affection. "In

    the future, Lauren will be the wife of Harper Group''s chairman."

    "In the future, Javier will be your father-inw. You will be able to strut throughout Sna City," Alyssa

    teased him in a rxed tone.

    "I will not rely on Beckett Group''s resources. I will rely on myself to look after Lauren and run Harper

    Group."

    "All you have to do is holler if you need help. Don''t try to bear all the burden on your shoulders."

    Jasper''s eyes became deep. "Never ever forget that we are here for you."

    Alyssa sat in deep thought for a while. All of a sudden, her eyes lit up. "Since Lauren doesn''t want to

    have a grand wedding, let''s organize a simple ceremony¡ªone that is warm and only attended by

    family members. What do you think?

    "I remember seeing northern lights in Lauren''s painting. She also told me she''d love to see the northern

    lights. We can have the wedding at Bernadia. I heard it is one of the countries where the aurora is most

    beautiful.

    "It can be a family-only wedding ceremony. That way, Lauren doesn''t have to be troubled by her social

    anxiety. You can both also spend your honeymoon there right away. It''s killing two birds with one

    stone!"

    "The northern lights..." Landon''s heart dropped.

    He was deeply in love with Lauren. Yet, he had only just found out that she liked the northern lights.

    Affectionate love wasn''t enough. As a soon-to-be husband, he still had lots to learn. There was much

    for him to work on in the future.

    "I know that it has been quite a trying time recently. Your main job is to manage Harper Group well.

    You''ve had to appease the shareholders, stabilize share prices, and prevent conspirers from going

    through loopholes."

    Alyssa lifted her eyes and gazed at Jasper tenderly. She held his hand in hers. "Jasper and I will do all

    we can to help you with your wedding."

    "Thanks for being concerned for Lauren and me, Lyse. When is your wedding with Jasper happening?"

    Landon asked in a concerned voice.

    At this point, Jasper and Alyssa''s rtionship was as solid as a rock. They did not deem it necessary to

    have a marriage certificate to prove their love for one another.

    However, as a best friend who watched them go through such an arduous journey, Landon sincerely

    hoped that they would make their rtionship as a married couple official. He wanted to see them

    make up for the things that they had missed out in the past.

    At the end of it all, he wanted his best friend to be given an official status!

    Even if Alyssa were to abandon him in the far future, whether due to his age or her wanting to find

    someone younger, Jasper would still be her official husband, his position wouldn''t be swayed easily.

    He was just nning ahead!

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Jasper gulped. He tightened his grip on the brush.

    "We''ll marry Lauren off first. There''s no rush with the matters between Jasper and me."

    After the call with Landon ended, Alyssa realized that Jasper had not made a single sound behind her.

    She crossed her legs and tapped her foot in the air. Her pink, soft slipper dangled from the tips of her

    toes.

    There was a gleam in her eyes. She squinted and asked, "Why did you stop, Jasper? What are you

    thinking about?"

    "I was thinking about why your hair is so silky." Jasper picked up Alyssa''s hair with his hand and

    brushed it absent-mindedly.

    His voice was raspy and low. He did not even realize how alluring the restraint in his voice was.

    Alyssa clicked her tongue. "You''re lying, Jasper."

    She kicked him lightly on the leg of his pants. She smiled. "Did you hear what Landon said earlier?"

    "I did."

    "Don''t you want to make it official for yourself?" Through his white shirt, Alyssa gave him a poke on his

    firm abs.

    At that moment, Jasper''s heart was like a headless chicken that was being chased by a hunter. His

    heartbeat was fast, rushed, and chaotic.

    After a moment, he spoke up in a hoarse voice, "I do..."

    "Hm? What did you say? I couldn''t hear you." Alyssa turned her head slightly and put her hand behind

    her ear. She blinked at him.

    "I do, Lyse. I do."

    At the same time, a loud crack sounded.

    In his nervousness, he actually broke the brush in two!

    Alyssa was stunned. Jasper then got down on one knee in front of her. He lifted his sculpted face and

    looked at her with his sharp eyes.

    He said, "Please make it official with me, Ms. Alyssa.

    The look in Alyssa''s eyes became deep. She showed no change in her expression.

    She maintained her cool even in front of Jasper.

    He panicked. His Adam''s apple bobbed. Then, he added, "I don''t mind even if you prefer polyandry."

 Chapter 1984

    If Landon were to hear what Jasper just said, he would probablyugh at him.

    "Good-for-nothing!"

    "Useless president!"

    "Polyandry?"

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes at him. She tickled him on his chin with her fingers and tilted his chin up.

    "Would you be happy with that, Mr. Jasper?"

    "No, I won''t."

    Jasper looked her in the eyes with his fiery gaze. He then gulped. The bob in his Adam''s apple was

    exceptionally sexy. "But I know that I don''t deserve it."

    If he didn''t deserve it, who did?

    That said, The Taylors always maintained a level of conservativeness. Although Alyssa''s heart was

    racing, she uttered in a neutral tone, "Also, what are you doing? Is this a proposal?"

    Jasper pursed his lips and didn''t reply.

    "Others would usually have a romantic proposal and an expensive ring. I''ve never seen anyone hold a

    brush and a broken one at that." Alyssa put her hand on her hip, making herself look as if she was mad

    at him.

    Jasper clenched his hands into fists. The brush''s bristles dug into his palm.

    He recalled the time when Alyssa married him in the past. There was no proposal and no wedding

    ceremony. All she had with her was her luggage when she moved into Seaview Manor quietly.

    Even the three-carat wedding ring was just a tool for formality''s sake. He didn''t put any heart into

    choosing that ring. Yet, she wore it every day and treated it like a treasure.

    He was indebted to her. Time and time again, he was covered by all the debt he owed her.

    It was his dream to marry her. However, till today, he couldn''t bring himself to say those few words

    openly¡ª"Alyssa, marry me."

    Right at this moment, Alyssa''s phone buzzed.

    The secret group chat hadn''t pinged in quite a long while. Surprisingly, the quietest member, Jonah,

    broke the silence.

    Jonah: "Lyse, I heard that Landon is getting married. Feel free to let us know if there''s anything that we

    can help with."

    Alyssa smiled. She typed her reply speedily.

    "Looking for three groomsmen. Limited spots avable! One chance only!"

    Ss: "Why three? Shouldn''t it be four? There are exactly four of us. We can fill up four spots."

    Axel: "Are you dumb, Ss? That spot is obviously allocated for Jasper. Fill up? I''d like to see if you can

    fill up four spots yourself."

    Ss: "Oh, right, right... I forgot about Jasper. But wait, who are you calling dumb?"

    Axel: "Are there any games or trivia for the groomsmen during the wedding, Lyse? With Ss'' brain,

    he''d better not be a groomsman."

    Ss: "Just wait and see. Damn it!"

    Axel then sent a GIF of a dog sitting on a cat and wagging its tail. It really annoyed him.

    Alyssa noticed that Liam hadn''t said anything. She tagged him and asked, "Liam, can you attend the

    wedding?"

    Liam: "Of course. I can help out if any help is needed. It''s just that I''m not that close with Landon. About

    being one of his groomsmen, it''s a bit."

    Liam held a high position in the military. He also had a huge responsibility on his shoulders. His every

    move was being watched by countless people in secret.

    He also barely had any interaction with Landon. Even with Jasper, they had very minimal interaction.

    It was indeed too demanding to have him be a groomsman.

    Jonah: "Don''t forget Julien, Lyse."

    Ss: "That''s right! Your lover! Fortunately, he''s a man. Otherwise, we wouldn''t have enough people."

    Jonah: "They would probably need a priest if they are having a traditional wedding, right? I can''t be a

    groomsman if I were to be the officiant."

    Alyssa bit her lip and thought about it. She then added Cyrus to the group.

    "Cyrus, urgent help is needed! Can you be a groomsman?"

    Jasper saw that Alyssa was engrossed in her chat with her brothers. So, he excused himself and left

    the room. He went downstairs to cut some fruit for her. At the same time, he made a call.

    In the kitchen, he ted the fruits skillfully while he spoke on the phone with Xavier.

    "Keep an eye on uing famous auctions within the country and overseas. Remember to inform me

    if there are any high-end diamonds."

    "Wow! Mr. Jasper, are you being influenced by Mr. Landon? Are you nning to propose formally to

    Madam?" Xavier cheered from the other end of the call.

    "Maybe, if there''s a suitable timing. Just making some preparations first." Jasper lowered his eyes. His

    heart was filled with an array of conflicted emotions. He was worried but also filled with anticipation.

    "Ho, ho. You''re finally getting it right!"

    Xavier was about to burst into happy tears. "I''m so happy to know that I will be able to see you get

    married again. I can rest in peace even if I were to die tomorrow!"

    Jasper was speechless.

    He was marrying his first wife again, not getting remarried to someone else!

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Oh, right. You asked me to investigate The Ivory Gang, right? It took me much effort to finally find out

    some things."

    Jasper froze. "Go on."

    "Multiple gang members are involved with drugs. The police already have them on their watch."

    "Marc despises drugs. His subordinates never involved themselves with drugs throughout these

    decades. Those who did would only end up dead. Yet, some people took that risk?" Jasper lowered his

    darkened eyes.

    "It''s a different era now. Mr. Marc has advanced in age. There have been multiple internal strifes in the

    recent two years. It is said that the gang would be in a worse condition if it weren''t for Mr. Nathan

    holding everything together.

    "Their underlings have started to be disloyal. They tried to umte wealth behind Mr. Marc''s

    back however they could. Ultimately, they would seize power or start their own gang. This is the fate of

    those who dwell in the underworld."

    Jasper was a sessful businessman who came from a wealthy family. His and Marc''s positions were

    like apples and oranges. In actual fact, he didn''t have to bother about the things going on within The

    Ivory Gang.

    Despite that, Marc was Colene''s father, while Colene was Alyssa''s precious family member.

    Inevitably, he paid more attention to them.

    Moreover, there was also the death of The Ivory Gang member who died a tragic death on the street.

    He kept getting the feeling that there was something more behind his death.

    "No matter which drug, the symptoms of addiction are pretty much the same. But did the man we saw

    last time really die from an overdose?"

    Jasper''s eyes were deep. He frowned. "Why did it look more like he was ill or poisoned?"

    Xavier gasped. "It was strange indeed!"

    Jasper gave it some thought. Out of the blue, he asked in a deep voice, "Where can I buy it?"

    Xavier was stunned. "What do you mean?"

    "The drug. Find a way to buy me some."

 Chapter 1985

    Early November saw the first romantic snowfall of the year at Sna City.

    It was also Lauren''s 24th birthday.

    Early in the morning, Alyssa led her "team of stylists" to the hospital with great joy. She prepared to

    give Lauren a glow-up.

    Though, rather than a team, it was her and two other people¡ªRose and Tatiana.

    But they were more than capable. Rose''s styling and Tatiana''s makeup skills wereparable to

    celebrities'' team of stylists.

    The trio entered the hospital room with much hustle and bustle. To their surprise, Landon had dark

    circles under his eyes. He was sitting by the side of the bed and feeding Lauren some chowder.

    Lauren smiled widely when she saw Alyssa. She couldn''t say anything, so she waved at them as her

    warm gesture of wee.

    Lauren''s sunken face was now plumper thanks to Landon''s care over the past two months. The

    paleness on her face was also reced by rosiness on her cheeks. She looked even sweeter than

    before.

    Love was indeed the best medicine.

    Tatiana also felt that she wasn''t needed today. Lauren was just like her sister. They were natural

    beauties who didn''t need any makeup.

    "Hang on a moment, Lyse. Let me feed Lauren first." Landon smiled bashfully.

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Alyssa waved her hand. "No rush at all. Take your time. We have plenty of time."

    Landon carried the delicate bowl and scooped the topmostyer with the spoon. He would then blow

    on it in case it burnt her tongue.

    For her second bite, he put some vegetables on the spoon before feeding it to her. He feared the

    chowder would be too nd and not suit her pte.

    Landon took such great care of Lauren. Alyssa, Tatiana, and Rose were satisfied to see them being so

    lovey-dovey in front of them.

    Fortunately, the three of them had already found their own happiness. Otherwise, they would have felt

    envious watching the scene in front of them!

    Rose wiggled her nose and sniffed. "Wow... It smells good. What is it?"

    "Fish chowder?" Alyssa''s nose was sharper. She figured out what the dish was just by its smell.

    "Oh! That''s my favorite!" Tatiana blinked. Her appetite was being whetted.

    Landon gave Lauren another scoop. "I made quite a lot. There''s more in the thermal sk. Help

    yourselves if you''re hungry.

    "You made it yourself?" The trio were shocked.

    Right at this moment, Jordan walked in with the custom suit that Landon was meant to change into. He

    was over the moon.

    "Mr. Landon went to the market yesterday afternoon to pick out the best and freshest live fish. He took

    great care of it for a day before ughtering it this morning for Madam''s fish chowder. These side

    dishes were also prepared by Mr. Landon.

    "You have no idea, Ms. Alyssa. Mr. Landon''s fish ughtering skill is even better than a fishmonger''s!

    He''s swift!"

    Landon shot Jordan a cold look. Although he shut himself up immediately, he still had a face full of

    admiration.

    "You made all of these yourself?"

    Alyssa widened her eyes in disbelief. "Oh my, what time did you have to get out of bed?"

    "Just a little earlier than usual. It wasn''t my first time making these." The look in Landon''s eyes became

    gentler. He used a tissue and wiped Lauren''s mouth gently.

    Rose and Tatiana were bbergasted.

    They had both met Landon more than once before. But they couldn''t believe that the caring man in

    front of them was the same person who used to be infamously untamed in Sna City.

    He had changed. His gaze, mannerisms, and bearing hadpletely changed.

    The only thing that remained unchanged was his unwavering love for Lauren.

    Lauren heard Landon''s every word. A lump rose in her throat, and her eyes turned red. Her tears

    started flowing uncontrobly.

    The sudden outburst of emotion frightened Rose and Tatiana. They started to panic.

    Alyssa was the only one who felt pained. She directed herplex gaze toward Landon.

    "It''s a crying spell."

    Landon wrapped Lauren in his arms. He put his palm on the back of her head and soothed her gently.

    "It seems like Lauren is still struggling with her autism. But that''s alright. I will stay with her, and she will

    get better eventually."

    Alyssa let out a soft sigh.

    How could Lauren get better? She had to face such harsh blows consecutively. It was already very

    strong-willed of her to not have aplete mental breakdown.

    If it were her, she might not even have made it through.

    After finishing her food, Landon left the ward to make space for the trio to unleash their talents.

    He went into another room and got changed into a full suit set.

 Chapter 1986

    Landon looked at his reflection in the mirror. His face was well-defined, his eyes were deep, and his

    short hair was graying.

    He was like a cypress tree that was covered in snow after withstanding the vicissitudes of life. The only

    thing was that he no longer looked as majestic as he used to.

    Then, someone knocked on the door.

    Landon walked over and opened the door. He smiled. "Hey, Jasper."

    Jasper raised his brows slightly. He lifted a stic bag in his hand and said, "I''m here by my wife''s

    orders to dye your hair."

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Landon''sshes fluttered. The smile on his face became wider, and he let out a grin that hadn''t been

    seen in a while.

    "I''m not sure if I should trust your skills, Jasper."

    "Just give it a try then. I won''t charge you if it turns out bad."

    Jasper and Landon looked at one another and smiled. It felt as if they hadn''t felt so rxed in a long

    time.

    Landon sat in front of the mirror with a hairdressing apron around him. Jasper stood behind him and

    applied the hair dye on his head patiently.

    Landon watched as his gray hair was being dyed ck. He couldn''t help but crack a joke. "I said that I

    would grow old with Lauren until our hairs turned gray, but here I am, dyeing my hair ck in secret..."

    "Make sure you dye it regrly in the future. Don''t think that you can ck off just because you''re

    married. Otherwise, Lauren might not like you anymore," Jasper uttered as he looked at Landon''s

    graying hair.

    "Lauren will not dislike me. You might be envious of me instead."

    Jasper was perplexed.

    "Envious that I look older and more mature than you. Ouch!"

    Jasper narrowed his eyes. Theb caught in Landon''s tangled hair, making him wince in pain. "Have

    mercy on me, Your Highness! I''m sorry!"

    After Landon''s hair was dyed, he stood in front of the mirror next to Jasper.

    It was as if they had returned to when they were newbies in the business world. At that time, they were

    full of grit as they appeared confidently in the eyes of the public.

    "Landon." Jasper felt touched. Waves of emotions surged within him. "I feel like a father giving his

    child''s hand in marriage."

    Landonughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder. "Well, nothing wrong with that. You are like

    my father anyway!"

    In the other room, Lauren changed into a light pink dress that Rose had customized for her. It was a

    maxi dress with long sleeves and a high cor, suitable for the fall season. It was retro and elegant at

    the same time.

    Alyssa helped Lauren to the front of the mirror.

    Lauren looked at her beautiful self. Her eyes glistened as they welled up with tears.

    "I could''ve made the dress lift her breasts up more. I overlooked that." Rose was a perfectionist. She

    was able to pick out even the smallest w.

    Lauren had been eating poorly, so her body was exceptionally thin.

    "This color matches Lauren''s fair skin very well. The high cor is also beautiful and it makes her neck

    look slender." Alyssa reminded her of the other positives about the dress in case Rose decided to take

    it back for alteration.

    There was not enough time for that!

    Tatiana nodded enthusiastically. "She''s right. She looks like a swan!"

    Alyssa giggled. "As for her breasts, her lover will tend to them after they get married. They''ll grow

    bigger."

    Lauren was confused, but Rose understood what she meant. Rose and Alyssa shot cheeky looks at

    one another like two yful women.

    Even though Tatiana was naive, she was already attached to Sean. So, she understood the meaning of

    those words immediately. Her face and her neck flushed red in an instant.

    Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

    Alyssa dashed over and opened the door. She saw Landon dressed in his smart suit, looking

    handsome. His dark hair was also styled carefully.

    She nodded satisfactorily. "Looks like my man has got some skill."

    Jasper, who was standing behind Landon, pursed his lips in embarrassment.

    Jasper and Alyssa pulled the man of the hour into the ward.

    He caught sight of Lauren in an elegant pink gown. She had a light makeup look on her face. At that

    moment, he felt like his entire world had lit up.

    "Are you my Lauren?" he asked in a careful and hoarse voice.

    Lauren blushed as her heart pounded. She nodded slightly.

    "My Lauren... You''re beautiful."

    Landon gulped. His heart was filled with immense happiness. He walked up to her slowly, picked up

    her hands, and held them tightly in his.

 Chapter 1987

    Evening time came.

    The courthouse took Lauren''s health condition into consideration. They reserved a private room

    specially for the couple to get their marriage registered.

    Lauren beamed like the sun the moment they received their marriage certificate. She was so touched

    that she ran her fingers across the document repeatedly. She treated it like a piece of treasure and was

    unwilling to let it go.

    "Wishing you both a happy and fulfilling marriage!" A staff member shared his sincere blessings.

    Everyone knew about the heartfelt story between Landon and Lauren.

    Their story had just begun.

    "Ah! Ah!" Lauren smiled as she waved the certificate in front of Landon.

    "I''m yours for the rest of your life, Mrs. Harper." Landon said.

    The newlyweds looked deeply into each other''s eyes.

    "Ah..." Lauren''s cheeks blushed pink as she fixed her eyes on him.

    She couldn''t express herself verbally. Even if she could, Landon wouldn''t give her the chance to speak.

    He reached out his arm and wrapped it around her neck. He closed his eyes and kissed her deeply.

    The couple took some wedding photos at the courthouse and had them printed on the spot. They also

    received fresh flowers that the courthouse''s staff members had prepared.

    Lauren dazzled as the center of attention for the day.

    The staff members at the courthouse gasped in awe as they watched them.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    The newlyweds walked out of the courthouse hand in hand. Alyssa and Jasper had been waiting

    outside. When they saw the newlyweds, they approached them immediately and presented the gift they

    had prepared.

    "This is a pair of brooches that I designed myself. They''re for both of you."

    Alyssa ced one box each on Lauren and Landon''s hands as if she were giving away candy to little

    children. "These were designed by Alexa. Not just anyone can get their hands on them. They''re

    precious gems!"

    Lauren opened the box and saw that it was a bird-shaped brooch that was made out of pink tourmaline

    and diamonds. She loved it very much.

    She threw her arms around Alyssa.

    As for Landon''s brooch, it had a blue tourmaline instead. It was a matching couple design with

    Lauren''s.

    Feeling touched, heughed. "I have once offered two hundred million and still failed to get my hands

    on Alexa''s work. Thanks to my wife, my wish hase true now."

    "It''s good that you know that."

    Alyssa gave Lauren a hug. "Oh, right. Grandpa Newton called me earlier and asked US to go to his

    ce for dinner. He had Ben prepare a feast. He wants to celebrate Lauren''s birthday."

    Landon hesitated. "Lyse, Jasper, I... Can I have the celebration with Lauren alone tonight?"

    Jasper and Alyssa shot a look at each other. In a kind voice, they said," Have fun then. We will let

    Grandpa Newton know."

    In the car on the way back, Lauren was still feeling weak. She was wearing only her gorgeous gown for

    a short period of time before she needed the warmth of the thick nket again.

    She snuggled in Landon''s arms and clung tightly to their marriage certificate. She still had a sweet

    smile as she closed her eyes.

    After some time, Landon kissed her on her earlobe. He called out to her softly, "Darling? Darling?"

    Lauren opened her eyes drowsily. She lifted her head, looking confused.

    "Look out the window."

    She rubbed her eyes and took a side nce out the car window. Suddenly, her eyes widened.

    Every single LED screen on both sides of the major road at Sna City was now disying the same

    video.

    The eye-catching words were apanied by raining rose petals, transforming the snowy urban

    jungle into a romantic sea of roses.

    "At 5:00 pm sharp today, the chairman of Harper Group, Landon Harper, officially wedded Beckett

    Group''s, Lauren Beckett.

    To have and to hold from this day forward.

    For better, for worse, in sickness and in health.

    To love and to cherish, till death do US part.

    This is my solemn vow."

    Passersby on both sides of the road whipped out their phones to record this breathtaking scene.

    At the same time, they became the trending topic on Twitter and the talk of the town.

    There was a twinkle in Lauren''s teary eyes. She lifted her hand slowly and ced her fingers on the

    window to touch the roses that belonged to her.

    Night befell. They were driven up to the top of Sna City''s Domere Mountain.

    Landon held Lauren tightly in his arms. They looked up into the night sky and watched the grand and

    beautiful fireworks that were lit only for her.

    He had made up for his first regret.

    "Lauren, about that day at the amusement park... I was the dog character that danced with you," he

    whispered in her ear.

    "Ah..."

    Lauren took out her phone. Her eyes turned red, and her fingers trembled as she typed in her notes

    app.

    "I thought so... But I didn''t dare to say that I recognized you. I was afraid that it wasn''t you. I feared that

    I would be disappointed. Landon, I have never stopped loving you, not even for a single moment."

    "You know what? Me neither."

    Under the starry night sky, they shared a passionate kiss.

    The romance of roses was meant only for her.

    Fireworks were only beautiful when they watched them together.

 Chapter 1988

    The joyous news about Landon and Lauren''s marriage caused a buzz in Sna City. Soon enough,

    the news also spread to the entire country.

    The heartfelt vows and the fireworks lit only for Lauren were the envy of all.

    Countless people had recorded and spread the story about this exceptional union.

    Even when the time passed and it was no longer trending, those who entered "wedding" as a keyword

    would still find photos of the romantic moment from that time.

    Amber had her ck coat on as she looked up at the fireworks in the starlit sky.

    Her eyes gleamed. The cool night breeze blew on her wavy hair. She curled her lips up into a smile.

    How wonderful.

    That woman named Lauren could finally be with the man she loved. She finally had her happy ending.

    Amber, on the other hand, was raised in darkness and cruelty. Neither did she deserve to, nor could

    she have such a pure love story. She could not even walk in the light.

    The fireworks of love ended at midnight. The entire world became quiet.

    Amber¡¯s heart felt empty. She was about to turn around to return to her room when her phone buzzed.

    Wesley had sent a photo. She tapped on it immediately. She zoomed in on it, and her eyes widened.

    The timestamp showed that it was taken during night time. It showed Carl and a familiar-looking

    middle-aged man walking out of a manor, looking friendly with one another.

    Amber: "One of them is Carl. The other man... is Nichs?"

    Wesley: "Yes. The current policemissioner of Sna City!"

    Amber''s chest tightened.

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Amber: "He''s never been to The Millennium. But he''s also Jameson''s VIP?"

    Wesley: "If I hadn''t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn''t have expected the righteous-looking Chief

    Novak to be under Mr. Schmidt! I took this photo half a month ago when I was following Carl. He would

    never bring US along when he goes to meet Nichs. That shows that they have much to hide!

    "This is an important clue, Ms. Altman! As long as we continue looking into Mr. Novak, we should be

    able to find Jameson''s fatal w!"

    Amber was agitated and disturbed at the same time.

    When Jameson was at Kontina, he would already collude with officials. Half the officials at Kontina had

    received bribes from him. They were either bought over or threatened by him, which eventually resulted

    in them submitting to him.

    Thanks to Justin, Jameson now had a different battleground. He had also started bribing officials at

    Sna City as if he was a contagious disease.

    With time, his pawns would be all over the entire game board-Sna City. Then, Jasper and Landon

    might not be able to get rid of himpletely even if they joined hands!

    Amber: "Stop following Carl, Wesley. You have to stop before Carl finds out! Also, do not look into

    Nichs in secret. He''s someone who was able to rise to the position as policemissioner, so he''s

    definitely not someone simple. Listen to me. Don''t do anything rash, alright?"

    Wesley: "But... We''ve only just found such a big clue...¡±

    Amber: "There are only two most important people in my life, Wesley. You are one of them. You must

    be safe! I will investigate the rest. Do not act on your own. Got it?"

    After a moment, Wesley replied, "Okay, I got it. But Ms. Altman, may I ask who the other important

    person in your life is?" 1

    Amber tugged thepel of her coat tightly together and closed her eyes.

    She could almost feel him hugging her from behind. She could also hear his warm breath and his light-

    heartedugh in her ear.

    All the iciness she felt within her dissipated.

    At this same moment, Axel had been standing silently in the woods outside the Millennium since the

    fireworks started.

    The fireworks lit up the night sky for all of Sna City to see.

    Surely, she was also able to see it.

 Chapter 1989

    Axel had lived a dangerous life. He never had time or energy to date properly, let alone orchestrate

    anything so romantic.

    The fireworks tonight were beautiful.

    He thanked Landon for that.

    However, no matter how bright and long the fireworks were, it would still be dull if he didn''t have

    anyone to watch it with.

    As such, he couldn''t help but think of her. Somehow, he took a huge risk and ended up outside The

    Millennium.

    "You see it too, don''t you?"

    Axel looked up at the brightly lit nightclub. He mumbled to himself, "Does it make you feel lonely to

    watch the fireworks alone? I feel very alone."

    News outlets gave Lauren and Landon''s wedding great publicity. Newton was ecstatic as he swiped on

    his phone. He even had two extra servings of dinner that night. As such, he couldn''t even buckle his

    belt after dinner.

    He was well aware that Lauren hadn''t recovered from her trauma and that she wasn''t in the best

    condition. Even so, as a grandfather who doted on her, he wished she could marry into the Harper

    family with her head held high.

    After all, their families were reputable and wealthy. Extravagance was important to them.

    After having dinner with Newton, Jasper and Alyssa chatted with him and kept himpany. They

    talked about the happy marriage that awaited Landon and Lauren in the future.

    "Hey! Ben! Bring me the thing that I prepared!" Newton smiled from ear to ear as he rubbed his hands

    together.

    Soon enough, Ben walked over with a document and put it in Newton''s hands. He was smiling.

    Newton ced the document in front of Jasper and Alyssa. "May I trouble both of you to take a look at

    this for me? Let me know what you think about this dowry that I prepared for Lauren."

    Jasper picked the document up. Alyssa, who was right next to him, peered over. They leaned their

    heads against one another.

    The document was a list of all the properties,nd, shops, cars, and private nes that Newton

    intended to give to Lauren.

    To their surprise, a small portion of the Beckett Group''s shares was included too!

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The most valuable thing on this list was the shares. Beckett Group''s current business performance was

    unbeatable. Just by owning the shares, Lauren would receive a considerable annual dividend!

    "Wow... Lauren is going to be rich!"

    Alyssa licked her lips in admiration. "I know who to go to if I ever be poor in the future!"

    "You have me. Would I make you live in poverty?"

    Jasper smiled lovingly. He gave her a peck on her forehead. "I would make sure that you have a good

    life even if it means that I have to be a street beggar."

    Alyssa thought he sounded silly. Even so, she still blushed. She leaned on his shoulder and acted coy.

    "I didn''t say that I want you to be a street beggar... You''re making me look so mean."

    Newton smiled from ear to ear as he watched the couple being lovey- dovey with one another. He

    laughed, "Well, even if he became a street beggar, he would be the leader of all beggars. Then, that''ll

    make you the leader''s wife. You should be equally proud!"

    Jasper burst outughing. "You think too highly of me, Grandpa."

    "You don''t have to be envious of Lauren, Alice. Just wait till you see the list of wedding gifts I prepared

    for Jasper. You will be the envy of all the women in Sna City!" Newton winked at Jasper.

    Jasper understood the hint and straightened his back. His heart started racing, and his cheeks turned

    red.

    "Grandpa Newton..."

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat. Her face blushed pink. As she was trying toe up with something to

    say, her phone rang.

    It was Cyrus calling.

    "Please excuse me, Grandpa Newton."

    Alyssa got up and left the living room. She walked into the quiet corridor." What''s up, Cyrus?"

    "I saw Xavier at the station, Lyse. What in the world is happening?" Cyrus eximed in an urgent tone.

    "The station? What happened?" A shocked expression came across her face.

    "He was involved in dealing drugs and was caught red-handed by our officers!"

 Chapter 1990

    Jasper and Alyssa hastily bid farewell to Newton, then sped off to the police station with Sean at the

    wheel.

    "Jasper, did you do something stupid?"

    Alyssa, being extremely astute, hit the nail on the head. She red at Jasper''s darkened face. "I know

    Xavier. He wouldn''t dare do anything against your wishes. How could he possibly touch that stuff? Did

    you ask him to buy it?"

    Feeling anxious, Jasper gripped her delicate fingers tightly while gazing intensely at her. "Lyse, I did tell

    him to buy it, but I didn''t expect him to do it himself."

    "That fool!" Sean, who was driving, was both anxious and angry. He mmed the steering wheel hard.

    "Even those unpopr celebrities who want drugs would have their managers handle it, going through

    layers of middlemen. One slip-up could tank their whole career, after all.

    "But Xavier really is brave. He actually went to buy it himself so openly. Does he think Sna City''s

    police force is useless? Doesn''t he know that they have been cracking down on drugs recently?"

    Alyssa''s palms were sweaty, and her heartbeat quickened. "And that''s not even the scariest part. The

    whole of Sna City knows that Xavier is your secretary.

    "If this matter gets out, regardless of whether Xavier takes all the me, people will think that you

    instructed him to buy drugs. They''ll even suspect that you''re a hypocritical drug addict."

    Jasper frowned deeply. His eyes were red-rimmed.

    He wasn''t afraid of verbal attacks or malicious plots against him. He was only afraid that Xavier would

    really, as Alyssa said, take all the me.

    "This is such a big mess. Jamiper must beughing in his dreams. He didn''t even need to lift a finger to

    cause US trouble. Our own stupidity yed right into his hands."

    Alyssa was burning with anxiety. "Jasper, if you needed that stuff, you could have told me. I could have

    asked Colene. She has connections with the Ivory Gang, after all. Or you could have told Landon. He

    has connections on both sides of thew. 1

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    "You shouldn''t have hidden it from me, and you definitely shouldn''t have involved Xavier in this mess. If

    he makes a slight mistake, even you will take a big fall!"

    "It''s my fault. I didn''t think it through." Jasper tightly gripped Alyssa''s hand. His palm was cold. "You can

    hit me and scold me however you wantter. But now, we must first get Xavier out."

    "Obviously!"

    Alyssa shot Jasper a resentful nce. She tried hard to pull her hand out of his damp palm, but she

    couldn''t. 6

    At the police station, Xavier and the man who sold him drugs were held in two separate interrogation

    rooms for questioning.

    No matter how much pressure the police put on him, Xavier just sat there expressionless and kept

    repeating one sentence. "I won''t say anything until my attorney arrives."

    "I don''t think you have much to say.¡¯ The officer interrogating Xavier chuckled coldly.

    "You were caught with drugs on you, and with the dealer''s confession, the evidence against you is

    solid. Even if Mr. Beckett steps in to bail you out, you won''t be walking out of here. Confess, and you

    might get a lighter sentence, stubbornly denying it won¡¯t benefit you."

    Another officer pressured Xavier coldly from the side. "We handle cases differently now. It''s all about

    solid evidence and less about confessions. Don''t think that staying silent will make everything okay. We

    can still prosecute you as long as the evidence isplete."

    Xavier''s heart pounded like a drum, but he maintained a poker face and refused to give in. "I''m being

    framed. I want to see my attorney!"

    The two police officers gritted their teeth. Just as they were ready to pressure Xavier again, the door to

    the interrogation room suddenly swung open.

    Sean, in a suit and tie, walked in with a stern expression and dered, "I''m Mr. Xavier Hall''s attorney,

    Sean Lynch. From this moment on, you can ask me any questions, but my client has the right to remain

    silent."

    Xavier and Sean exchanged a nce, and Xavier''s dark eyes were instantly filled with hope.

    However, the atmosphere in Cyrus'' office was heavy. "This Xavier situation is going to be tough." 1

 Chapter 1991

    Chapter 1991

    Cyrus sat at the edge of his desk with his arms crossed while looking at Jasper and Alyssa with a grave expression.

    "Firstly, we found drugs on him, and the member of the Ivory Gang named Harvey Palmer, who sold him the drugs, is also

    stubbornly using Xavier. The evidence against him is solid.

    "Secondly, with the recent crackdown on drugs, Xavier happened to fall right into the crosshairs. Chief Novak specifically

    instructed not to let any ck sheep off the hook, regardless of their background or identity." 1

    "Xavier''s case must bepletely sealed off from the public." Alyssa''s gaze was sharp.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Cyrus shook his head in frustration. "Before you two arrived, several reporters came to snoop around, but | had my people chase

    them away. But | think the news got out somehow. How else would those reporters know toe poking around?

    "What''s even trickier is that higher-ups found out Xavier is connected to Jasper. Considering my rtionship with Jasper, I¡¯m not

    allowed to intervene in this case. Even the officers questioning him in the interrogation room are not under mymand. If |

    want to intervene, | don''t know where to start."

    At this, both Jasper''s and Alyssa''s expressions darkened. Both of them felt that there was a hint of conspiracy in this whole affair.

    4

    "We must find a way to clear Xavier''s name now. At the very least, we must get him released on bail. Otherwise, Jasper will soon

    get dragged into it." Cyrus truly regarded Jasper as family, so he was filled with worry.

    "Sean''s appearance as Xavier''s attorney can only buy US time. It won''t solve the fundamental problem."

    The usually omnipotent daughter of the Taylor family frowned in distress.

    Actually, this matter was quite simple.

    If Xavier confessed and denied any connection with Jasper, the matter would end there. But Xavier wasn''t just any ordinary

    secretary. He was an extremely important person to Jasper, arade-in-arms akin to family.

    Jasper would rather take all the me himself and give up his position as the president of Beckett Group than sacrifice Xavier

    and let him go to jail.

    "Xavier can be released on bail if someone provides false testimony or if the evidence is iplete, right?" Jasper, who had

    remained silent, suddenly spoke in a chilling tone.

    Cyrus nodded. "In theory, yes."

    "Then let''s start with the lvory Gang member." Jasper''s face turned terrifyingly grim. "I''ll have someone intercept his attorney and

    find a way tomunicate with him." 1

    Alyssa stared at the man next to her in shock. She parted her lips but didn''t know what to say for a moment. 1

    ¡°Jasper, do you even know where you are right now? Do you know what | do?"

    Cyrus was both frustrated and furious. His lips twitched in agitation. "I''m a police officer! You''re attempting to collude with a

    witness to provide false testimony in front of me! Do you know that | can charge you with perverting the course of justice? | can''t

    let you do that!"

    Just then, there was a knock on the door.

    Cyrus quicklyposed himself and responded to the knock.

    A police officer walked in. "Chief Taylor, Harvey Palmer''s attorney has arrived."

    At the same time, Alyssa¡¯s phone rang. It was a call from Colene. She quickly answered with a low voice. "Colene?"

    ¡°Lyse, are you with Jasper?" Colene asked seriously.

    Alyssa nced at the man beside her. "Yes."

    ¡°Let him take the call. | have something to say to him."

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa pressed

    her lips together and (ane Hen

    phone Jasper Ad''s leaned close

    tale ear, she whispered, "Jasper, it''s

    Colene." The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

    Jasper''s eyes widened. He took the

    phone and held it t ispacwdthial

    ote "Ves, Madam

    Colene." The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

    "I''m afraid things aren''t going too well on your end, are they?" Colene''s tone was intriguing.

    Jasper''s throat tightened. "You know about it?"

    "I''m guessing the news has spread throughout Sna City by now."

    Colene let out a coldugh, but her

    tone gave a sense of security. "That

    Ivory Gang punk dees trouble

    f youn\oertaily On''t stand by and

    atch. I''ve already asked Nathan to

    handle this matter. From now on, you

    don''t need to do anything. Just

    watch." 2 The content is on

    ! Read thetest

    chapter there!

 Chapter 1992

    Inside the interrogation room, Xavier sat silently beside Sean. He watched as Sean transformed into a

    cold and resolute fortress, shielding him from the officers'' attack.

    His eyes shone brightly. He was almost shedding tears.

    If it weren''t for his crush, he would fall for Sean. 1

    While Sean appeared calm on the surface, he felt uneasy inside.

    He felt that something about the whole situation was fishy. The attitude of the police seemed as if they

    were eager to pin the me on Xavier immediately, fearing that he might turn the tables. 2

    Involvement in drug transactions as a buyer, even for small quantities, could result in a minimum six-

    month sentence.

    Once convicted, even if the sentence weren''t severe, it would still be a huge blow to Xavier as the head

    secretary of Beckett Group''s president. His future would be ruined.

    In another room, Harvey Palmer, the member of the Ivory Gang who sold drugs to Xavier, was having a

    private conversation with his attorney, Jabari Chapman.

    "The Ivory Gang strictly prohibits its members from dealing drugs. You know that very well. Your actions

    have made Mr. Nathan extremely angry." Jabari stared at him with a dark expression.

    Thinking of the ruthless Nathan, Harvey paled, and his chair squeaked as he trembled.

    "Mr. Nathan is giving you two options. One, you take all the me and tell the police that you sold

    drugs to Xavier voluntarily. You got angry when Xavier didn''t ept your offer, so you secretly nted

    the drugs in his suit pocket. Everything was your doing, and Xavier has nothing to do with this."

    Harvey¡¯s eyes reddened with anger. He gritted his teeth but dared not speak out.

    Jabari had already prepared the testimony for him. The Ivory Gang''swyer was really something.

    "If you don''t agree, whether youe out of prison alive is a question. Don''t forget about your 60-year-

    old mother and your younger brother who still hasn''t married in the countryside.

    "If you obey, Mr. Nathan will take care of your family. If you don''t, he''ll make sure your whole family

    joins you in hell.¡±

    Upon hearing that, Harvey widened his eyes, and he immediately nodded vigorously. "I-I agree! I''ll

    confess! Please ask Mr. Nathan to spare my mother and my brother! I''ll admit to any crime!"

    Satisfied, Jabari nodded and continued coldly, Mr. Nathan also wants me to ask you if you were

    instigated by someone to frame Xavier. Who''s behind this? If you confess, I can try to help you reduce

    your sentence."

    "N-No one instigated me.¡±

    Harvey confessed, spilling everything. "That Xavier guy showed up at my ce three days straight, but

    he wasn¡¯t interested in partying with girls. I figured he wanted to buy some meds, so I approached him.

    "At first, he was cautious, asking about the meds. I observed him for a while before finally agreeing to

    the deal. No one instigated me. It was just my bad luck that the cops showed up on the day of the

    deal!"

    Jabari frowned. "Meds? Is that the name of the drug?"

    Harvey grabbed Jabari¡¯s hand as if grasping a lifeline. He pleaded, "Please help me exin to Mr.

    Nathan! I-I did use this stuff to make money

    privately. But it''s just medicine! It''s not a drug!" 1

    The police handling the case never expected Harvey topletely overturn all his previous testimony

    in just half an hour. He insisted that the incident had nothing to do with Xavier and that it was all his

    doing.

    Even a fool could guess what his attorney had told him to make him take all the me.

    However, the police couldn''t obtain the surveince footage from the nightclub that night. With issues

    arising with witness testimony, Xavier was eventually sessfully released on bail. However, for the

    next month, he couldn''t leave Sna City and had to be avable for police questioning at anytime.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 1993

    Xavier sessfully navigated this hurdle. When he emerged from the interrogation room, he

    maintained a calm demeanor, but his legs trembled inside his trousers.

    Jasper had once again taken away his first time. He needed an increase in sry.

    To avoid suspicion, Alyssa left through the back door of the police station. Meanwhile, Jasper and

    Xavier, apanied by Sean, walked out of the police station gates.

    They expected to be swarmed by reporters outside, but strangely, there was no one there.

    Scratching his head, Sean remarked, "There''s no one here? I had my press release ready." "Perhaps

    someone already got wind of Xavier being released, so there was no need to pay off reporters to

    spruce up his image for free," Jasper said coldly.

    "Such a jackass," Sean couldn''t help but curse.

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    "I''ve already notified Beckett Group''s PR Department to work overttonight to withdraw the trending

    hashtags and control public opinion. We''ll try to minimize the impact." Jasper continued calmly,

    "Tomorrow morning, Beckett Group''s Legal Department will send out awyer''s letter. Those media

    outlets reporting on this matter tonight can expect to receive court subpoenas." Feeling guilty, Xavier

    hung his head tearfully. "Mr. Beckett, I''m sorry. It''s all my fault. I couldn''t get the stuff, and I almost got

    myself into trouble." Jasper''s gaze softened, and he said in a low voice, "We''ll talk about itter." At that

    moment, a honk sounded.

    The three men turned to look, only to see two ck Mercedes-Benz cars speeding toward them, one

    behind the other, beforeing to a halt in front of them.

    The lead car''s window was wound down to reveal Alyssa''s delicate and beautiful face. "Jasper." Jasper

    couldn''t help but be surprised. "Lyse?" Chapter 1993 1 By the tXavier was released, dawn had already

    broken.

    As Jasper and Alyssa followed Nathan to the Ivory Gang''s branch, the sky began to brighten.

    However, their eagerness to understand the whole situation left them with no interest in sleeping.

    Two Mercedes-Benz cars pulled into a discreet, luxury clubhouse.

    Nathan entered the password, and they stepped inside, where they were greeted with a surprising

    scene.

    The clubhouse was extravagantly luxurious and bustling with activity.

    Several gambling tables were lively with action. Men and women were seen everywhere, dressed in

    shy attire and indulging in debauchery and decadence.

    Alyssa and Jasper remainedposed, but Sean and Xavier were left with dropped jaws.

    Xavier eximed in amazement, you must have invested "Mr. Nillions of dors in your tens of

    clubhouse. You sure make good money in your line of work S "Mine? Wow, you''re really ttering me.

    These are all my dad''s. And my dad''s, in the end, will all be my sister''s." Nathan''s eyes were full of

    affection when he mentioned Colene. "Thank you for what you''ve done today, Mr. Nathan." Jasper

    looked at Nathan, feeling moved. "I owe you one. I''ll surely repay it."

 Chapter 1994

    Nathan waved his hand dismissively. "Please don''t say that, Mr. Beckett. I was simply following

    Colene''s instructions. It''s just a small favor. Besides, Harvey is one of our guys. As the Ivory Gang''s

    leader, it''s my duty to handle this trouble. If you want to repay the favor, just repay Colene." The group

    entered Nathan''s luxurious office, which was quietpared to the bustling activity outside.

    Jabari immediately recounted Harvey''s words to them.

    "Meds?" Jasper and Alyssa looked surprised.

    Xavier''s eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, when he was dealing with me, he asked if I was buying meds. Is that

    their codenguage?" Jabari exined, "Strangely enough, Harvey insists that what he was selling

    was not drugs but a type of medicine. It''s a banned medicine popr overseas that has not been

    approved by the Food and Drug Administration here.

    "It''s said that taking this medicine can produce the ssensation as drugs, and it can''t be detected even

    in urine tests. So, it has becparticrly popr in the underground world of Sna City recently.

    "It''s rumored that smembers of the Ivory Gang are already addicted to it. Not just the Ivory Gang, but

    other gangs too." "Did the Ivory Gang member who died on the street use this medicine too?" Jasper''s

    eyes shed with sharp coldness.

    Nathan''s expression turned grave. "Yes, not only did he use it himself, but he also sold it privately to

    other members of the gang." "Something''s wrong with that medicine." When Alyssa recalled the

    horrifying and abnormal manner of the man''s death, her heart sank. "Regardless of whether it''s

    considered a drug, we can now be sure that people who take it are at risk of life-threatening danger."

    "It''s such a pity! I got caught right when I got hold of that medicine. I couldn''tplete the task Mr.

    Beckett entrustedwith..." Xavier sighed with regret.

    Jasperforted him, "It''s alright. Your safety is more important than anything else." Xavier was on the

    verge of tears again.

    Pursing his lips, Nathan reached into his suit pocket. He pulled out a small stic bag and ced it on

    the coffee table.

    "This is the medicine we''re talking about. I went to great lengths to get hold of it. This bag is even more

    expensive than drugs." Alyssa immediately picked it up and examined it closely under the light.

    The deep blue pills had the letter "D" on them.

    When we get back, I''ll have et someone analyze it to see what ngredients it contains. Uncle Nathan,

    you must make it clear ''our people that no one should ouch this thing, or their lives will be danger."

    Alyssa''s expression was xtremely serious.  o english"Oh, please. Don''t calluncle."

    Nathan waved his hands in panic, hardly resembling a gang leader.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Just callNathan, Ms. Alyssa. If Colene finds out, she''ll think I''m taking advantage of you and probably

    block my contact again." Jasper lowered his head in contemtion. "The person who brought this into

    Sna City must have initially promoted it as a type of medicine. Even if caught by the police, they

    could use this as an excuse to escape legal sanctions. That''s why it spread so quickly and becmore

    and more rampant." "There''s something particrly strange."Nathan was pondering as well. "When this

    medicine surfaced in Sna City, I had my people ask around everywhere. None of the high-end clubs,

    celebrities, or even sof the big nightclubs we oversee have seen this stuff.

    "It seems it''s not widely circted on the market, but many members of the Ivory Gang have cacross

    it... Damn it. Did our gang monopolize it?" Drugs, sudden deaths, specific groups...

    Alyssa''s mind raced. Suddenly, she grabbed Jasper''s hand.

    Jasper felt the coldness of her hand and quickly covered her hand with his other hand. "What''s wrong,

    Lyse?" "Could it be... that someone is secretly using people... for drug experiments?" Alyssa''s throat

    was dry as she spoke each word.

 Chapter 1995

    At the Millennium, upon learning that Xavier was safely released, Jameson was engulfed in rage. He

    smashed several antique crystal sses into pieces.

    "Please calm down, Mr. Schmidt." Nichs'' voice on the phone sounded cautious and respectful.

    "Everything was nned perfectly. Jasper''s secretary was supposed to be doomed. Who would have

    thought that the scum from the Ivory Gang would change his statement at thest minute and shoulder

    all the me himself? It was too unexpected. I couldn''t do anything." "The Ivory Gang pressured him?"

    Jameson widened his crimson eyes. He then slowly bent down to pick up a piece of broken ss and

    clenched it tightly in his palm.

    The blood seeped through his fingers, staining his pale hand with its vibrant hue.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    However, he felt no pain. Instead, the suffocating feeling in his chest eased a bit.

    "Marc is already old. Years of fighting have left his body riddled with ailments. He''s already retired to

    the background. Now, the Ivory Gang is under Nathan''s control."

    Nichs'' voice was sinister. "Nathan has a close rtionship with the Taylor family''s Colene. Alyssa

    asked Colene to intervene and get Nathan to lend a hand. There''s no reason for Nathan to refuse.

    "Also, Aidan''s promotion of the new medicine has been going smoothly all along. But when it came to

    the Ivory Gang, it was constantly hindered."

    Jameson slowly opened his palm. As he looked at the bloody mess, a cruel smile tugged at his lips.

    "Find a way to stop Nathan from ruining my ns." "Should we get rid of him?" Nichs asked

    cautiously. 3 "Killing him would cause trouble. He''s the Ivory Gang''s leader, after all. Just find a way to

    make him lose control of the Ivory Gang."

    Jameson dropped the shard and walked to the window.

    When he saw the Damask rose he had carefully nurtured, his dark and gloomy face revealed a

    strangely gentle expression. He brushed his bloody fingers against the crimson petals, as if caressing a

    lover''s face.

    "That kind of scum isn''t worthy of me using my brain, let alone dirtying my hands." "You''re right. I''ll take

    care of those lowly thugs for you."

    Nichs paused before speaking in a tone that was cautious yet filled with anticipation. "By the way,

    Mr. Schmidt, can the new medicine be sessfully developed?" "Yes, definitely. As long as we have

    enough experimental samples and urate data, we''re one step closer to sess." "That''s great! If

    you encounter any difficulties, just let me know. I''m willing to do anything for you, as long as the new

    medicine can be sessfully developed."

    As the call ended, Carl walked in.

    Seeing the mess on the floor and blood dripping everywhere, he was terrified and hurried over. "Mr.

    Schmidt! Are you injured? I''ll go get a doctor to bandage you up!¡± "Medicine... Give me the medicine..."

    Jameson''s injured hand trembled uncontrobly, and even the muscles in his cheeks twitched.

    Carl immediately realized what was happening. He took out a syringe from the safe and injected the

    medicine into Jameson''s veins with practiced ease.

    "Mr. Schmidt, I feel that your episodes have be more frequent ever since you finished thest

    batch of medicine."

    Carl looked at Jameson, who was gradually calming down on the couch, full of worry. "You can''t use

    this medicine anymore. Although it controls your physical tremors, your body has developed a strong

    dependency on it, and the side effects are bing more and more obvious." "You think... I haven''t

    tried to quit?" Jameson looked up at the exquisitely luxurious crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

    He felt like he was spinning, but this sensation of weightlessness unexpectedly made him feel

    comfortable. "But I can''t... If I don''t inject it for some time, my withdrawal symptoms... are more

    terrifying than drug withdrawal."

 Chapter 1996

    Carl parted his lips anxiously but didn''t know what to say.

    "Carl, did Mr. Justin... lie to me?" Jameson suddenly asked hoarsely. "Is the medicine he gave me

    poison? Will I be dependent on it for life?" 2

    Before Carl could reply, heforted himself with a smile, "But it doesn''t matter. After all, Mr. Justin

    gave me this life... I have noints, even if he wants to take it away one day.

    "I just... can''t bear to leave Lyse. If I can''t love her and be with her... I hope, at the very least, I can be

    the person who apanies her to the end of

    her life." 4

    At the same time, there was a waterproof, delicate miniature tapping device silently capturing every

    sound in the room. It was hidden under the pot of red roses carefully tended by Jameson.

    Jameson checked and dismantled every nook and cranny in the private room, but he held the pot of

    roses dear, untouched. Any damage to its petals was met with severe consequences.

    He never imagined someone would hide a tapping device there. 2

    The scandal of Xavier''s involvement in drugs briefly appeared on the inte but was quickly

    suppressed by Jasper.

    The following morning, Xavier arrived punctually at the entrance of the Beckett Group Tower. He strode

    in with his head held high, effectively dispelling the scandal with his presence.

    The day after receiving the medicine, Alyssa got up early to dress and prepare to return to Belbanks to

    find Julien.

    Jasper had been busy recently, and Alyssa was worried he was exhausted. She got up with extra

    caution, afraid of disturbing his sleep.

    After getting dressed, Alyssa rose from the dressing table and returned to the bed. She couldn''t bear to

    leave Jasper''s side.

    His strong and sturdy chest was exposed, with small red marks standing out. There was a distinct bite

    mark on his corbone from their passionate encounter the previous night. 1

    Alyssa pursed her lips, feeling a flush creep up her cheeks.

    Her eyes drifted to his face. His thickshes rested gently, giving him a serene look. His curved lips

    hinted at contentment.

    "I''ll satisfy you again when Ie back." Alyssa leaned down to kiss him with a flushed face.

    In an instant, she felt a firm pressure on her head.

    Jasper had woken up at some point but still had his eyes closed. He guided her head down with his

    large hand, and their two hot lips met.

    Alyssa yielded to the intensity, and her breathing gradually became rapid.

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    With his other arm around her waist, he sucked and bit her lips. His tongue connected with hers,

    stirring her mind.

    Only when her breath became heavier did Jasper finally let her go. While panting heavily, he ran his

    finger over her slightly faded lips.

    "Your lipstick tastes really good." "Hey... I just put it on, and you''ve ruined it." Alyssa lightly pounded his

    chest as she pressed her whole body against him.

    His morning erection was so obvious, even through the duvet. It was pressing against her belly.

    Jasper pinched her waist and suddenly rolled over, pressing her under him.

    "Since you''ve already let me have a taste, how about... letting me have my fill?"

 Chapter 1997

    Before noon, Alyssa hurried back to Heightsnew Vi.

    Upon hearing her return, Colene immediately rushed down from upstairs. "Lyse!"

    "Colene!" Alyssa hurried to greet her, and the two women hugged tightly. "Thank you for your help this

    time."

    "Don''t say that. I''m already grateful that you and Jasper don''t blme. You don''t know how scared | was."

    Colene''s eyes were red. She kept patting her chest with her hand, still feeling scared. "Thank goodness

    Nathan sorted it out. If

    Xavier hadnded in prison and Jasper got into trouble because of that jerk from the Ivory Gang, |

    would''ve been in tears. How

    could | still face you both?"

    "Please don''t say that. Even if you hadn''t intervened, we would have found a way to get Xavier out."

    Alyssa''s eyes softened as she gently patted Colene''s back. "The Ivory Gang is such a big organization

    in Sna City with so many

    members. How could you possibly manage it?"

    "The members are different now. They don''t listen to their boss anymore."

    Colene''s eyes shed with anger. She shook her head indignantly. "Mr. Waters is losing his edge as he

    gets older. Without Nathan''s

    support, the Ivory Gang would''ve fallen apart long ago.

    "But Nathan''s hands are tied. He''s been trying to clean up the Ivory Gang''s business and lead them

    down the right path. But the

    senior members have other ideas. They don''t listen to him, making his efforts an uphill battle."

    Alyssa fell silent for a moment before gently asking, "Colene, do you want to go back and see Mr.

    Waters? If | remember correctly,

    you haven''t been back for a long time."

    Colene just blinked at her words.

    "Now that Mr. Waters can''t manage the Ivory Gang, do you want to go back and help him?"

    "Although I''m Marc''s only daughter, from the moment | chose Winston, | have had nothing to do with

    the Ivory Gang. | don''t care

    whether they thrive or decline." Colene''s gaze turned cold once again, clearly showing her resistance.

    Years ago, during that terrifying gunfight, Colene was shot twice while protecting Winston. She had

    almost lost her life.

    This incident had made Marc so angry that he almost had a heart attack. However, he couldn''t say

    anything since Colene had

    volunteered to sacrifice herself.

    But as soon as she recovered, she insisted on marrying Winston. Sacrificing herself was one thing, but

    being infatuated with that

    old man and even removing her uterus to marry him was both shameless and reckless.

    As a result, Marcpletely severed ties with Colene. Despite the passing years, there was no sign of

    reconciliation.

    Winston tried to persuade Colene many times but to no avail.

    Feeling guilty, he had been secretly taking care of the Ivory Gang''s businesses under the guise of an

    external investor.

    Otherwise, under internal and external pressures, they would have crumbled long ago.

    Alyssa knew this was a historical issue, so she didn''t want to force it. She changed the subject. "By the

    way, are Jonah and Jul

    here?"

    "They''re still sleeping."

    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Colene shed a mischievous grin as she leaned in to gossip. "I''ve never seen Jonahzing in bed

    before. Looks like Julien''s got

    sserious charm. It remindsof that study about couples and sleep."

    "The one about how couples who sleep together sleep better?" Alyssa guessed.

    "Exactly!" Colene eximed, pping her hands.

    "You better not say that in front of Jonah and Jul. They won''t be able to handle your teasing."

    Colene chuckled. "Jonah''s a bit shy, but | bet Julien would secretly love it."

    Alyssa knocked on the door for a while but got no response. Knowing that the couple must be sleeping

    in the bedroom inside, she

    boldly pushed the door open and entered.

    The Taylors'' rooms in Heightsnew Vi were surprisinglyrge. Upon pushing open the door, visitors

    would be greeted by a living

    room, followed by separate master and guest bedrooms, as well as a study.

    The Taylor brothers had always spoiled Alyssa and never set up defenses against her.

    As soon as Alyssa entered, her body stiffened, and she stood still in embarrassment.

    The living room floor was covered with men''s suits, ties, shirts, and belts, extending all the way to the

    bedroom.

    It seemed like Jonah and Julien had a really intense night, with their first "battlefield" being the living

    room.

    Alyssa turned into a maid, helping them pick up and tidy their clothes. Bored, she went to Jonah''s study

    to read.

    When she was a child, she often spent whole afternoons in Jonah''s study. When she got tired, she

    would just lie down by the

    window and take a nap.

    Each time, Jonah was worried that she might be ufortable sleeping there, so he would carefully lift

    her up and carry her back

    to her room.

    Alyssa stood beside the huge bookshelf and idly scanned the rows of books.

    At that moment, her gaze was caught by a book in the corner with no words on the spine in the second-

    tost row.

    She bent down to take it out, humming a little tune as she flipped through the pages.

    It turned out to be a yellowed Bible.

    Suddenly, something fell to the ground. It seemed like a photograph.

    Alyssa blinked in confusion. She squatted down to pick up the photo on the ground.

    As she turned it over, she showed a gentle smile. "Oh, why did Jonah put a photo of him and Jul here?"

    The next moment, her eyes suddenly widened.

    In the photo, the man resting on Jonah''s shoulder had handsome, refined features and bright eyes. He

    bore a striking resemnce

    to Julien.

    However, upon closer examination, it was evident that while the man in the photo resembled Julien, he

    wasn''t him.

 Chapter 1998

    As Alyssa stared at the man in the photo, her heart clenched with each beat, then raced erratically.

    The yellowing border indicated the photo''s age.

    In the image, Jonah and the man appeared intimately affectionate.

    Even though the photo couldn''t speak, Alyssa could tell that Jonah and he were lovers. Their affection

    for each other was evident in

    the depth of their eyes.

    Jonah''s smile in the photo was so bright and warm. Even Alyssa, who had been raised by Jonah since

    childhood, had never seen

    N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    such a smile on his face, not even when he was with Julien.

    Somehow, a murky and inexplicable emotion lodged in Alyssa''s chest, causing her difort.

    Suddenly, she heard steady footsteps outside the study.

    Alyssa quickly put the Bible back in its ce and slipped the photo into her pocket.

    The door to the study clicked open.

    Jonah, wearing dark blue silk pajamas, entered leisurely. When he saw Alyssa, a smile crept on his

    face. "When did youe, Lyse?

    Did you wait for long?"

    "Not too long."

    Alyssa''s face stiffened slightly as she nced outside. "Is Jul awake?"

    "Not yet. He loves to sleep in. We had a good st night, so | doubt he''ll be up before afternoon."

    Jonah''s dark eyes rippled

    with affection as he spoke.

    Alyssa bit her lip and took a deep breath before saying, "Jonah, could you close the door? | want to talk

    to you privately."

    Jonah didn''t think much of it. He turned to close the door and then returned to stand in front of her.

    "Lyse, you don''t look too good.

    What happened?¡±

    Alyssa lowered her eyshes and slowly retrieved the photo from her pocket before handing it to

    Jonah. "Who is this person,

    Jonah?"

    As Jonah looked at the photo, his face instantly drained of color. His heart clenched painfully before

    plunging into uncontroble

    palpitations.

    So many years had passed, but his heart still pounded violently when he saw him as if it were his first

    tmeeting him.

    "Your... ex?" Alyssa got the affirmative answer from his stunned expression.

    Jonah''s fingertips trembled as he took the photo. His voice was hoarse. "You found that Bible?"

    "I stumbled upon it. You know how | like to snoop around. | often like to go ''treasure hunting¡¯ in your

    study."

    Jonah smiled, but his eyes were tinged with sadness, and he felt stifled. "When | was still Judas,¡¯ he

    was one of Cloudtop''s heads.

    He sacrificed himself formore than once. He used to be one of the most trusted and cherished people

    in my life."

    Of course, Alyssa knew about Cloudtop.

    It used to be thergest gang in the country, with influence all over Andgalbia. Even during the heyday

    of the Ivory Gang, it

    couldn''tpare to Cloudtop back then.

    Butter, Cloudtop disbanded, and its members scattered to various corners of the world.

    Sof the core members from back then were said to have established their own gangs, but no one could

    recreate Cloudtop''s

    glory.

    To be precise, the glory of the era when "Judas" was in charge.

    Alyssa lowered her voice and asked, "So where is he now?"

    "Dead."

    Jonah''s chest felt empty, as if the heart that died with the man back then had been brutally dug out

    again at the mention of him.

    "Six years ago, he was exposed as a spy from Kontina''s underground organization called Khaos. His

    job was to infiltrate Cloudtop,

    gather intel, and undermine its influence from the inside."

 Chapter 1999

    Jonah continued, "After his identity was exposed, Khaos abandoned him, and Cloudtop hunted him

    down. Traitors always meet the

    sfate¡ªdeath."

    "So... back then, you executed him as Judas?" Alyssa''s voice trembled as a chill ran through her body.

    Jonah closed his eyes and shook his head in pain.

    "When | becthe leader, | swore that | would never kill. It was my bottom line. But back then... everyone

    was pressuring me

    and forcingto execute him myself."

    Listening to this, Alyssa felt suffocated. Her heart pounded in fear.

    "He didn''t want to putin a difficult position, so he grabbed the gun from my hand and shot himself."

    Jonah''s tone was calm and low as he recounted the event again. If it weren''t for the crimson in his

    eyes, Alyssa would have thought

    he was telling someone else''s story.

    Would anyone in the world be able to bear such a devastating blow as watching their beloved take their

    own life before their eyes?

    If Jasper had done that, Alyssa might have picked up the gun without hesitation and followed him into

    the afterlife.

    "Enough about that. It''s all in the past now. It''s all in the past..." Jonah murmured as if trying to heal his

    bloody wound with those

    words.

    "Jonah, I''m sorry about the person''s death, but | have to ask you."

    Alyssa looked at him intently and continued word by word, "Did you choose to be with Jul because he

    looks like that person?"

    While clenching the photo in his hand, Jonah bowed his head and grazed his teeth with his tongue.

    "From the moment you saw Jul, you were attracted to him because he resembled that person. When

    you approached him and

    showed him kindness, it wasn''t just to helpwin him over, was it?

    "You wanted to see him and couldn''t resist being near him. He simply reminded you of that person,

    didn''t he?"

    After a long silence, Jonah slowly parted his lips. "Yes."

    "Jonah!" Alyssa widened her eyes in shock.

    Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Lyse, perhaps I''m always perfect in your eyes. To you, I''m a good brother who''s emotionally stable,

    has strong moral principles,

    respects elders, and cares for younger siblings."

    Jonah smiled bitterly while shaking his head. "But I''m far from as good as you think. In fact, I''m not

    even as good as many ordinary

    people."

    "Jonah... how could you... how could you use Jul as a substitute?"

    Alyssa anxiously grabbed his arm. Her fingers were almost embedded into his skin. "Jul gave up

    everything to be with you! All this

    time, he''s been helping you, our family, Jasper, and Lauren wholeheartedly! How could you do this to

    him?"

    "Lyse, | admit that | was attracted to Julien initially because he resembled that person."

    Jonah''s eyes turned red-rimmed. He clenched his fists until the pain pierced his palms before slowly

    releasing them. "But now... I''ve

    truly fallen in love with him. It has nothing to do with his face. | love him for who he is."

    "Do you love Jul, or do you love that person more?" Alyssa persisted.

    "They cannot bepared, Lyse. It''s a different kind of love."

    "Love is love! Love only varies in depth! How can there be a difference?"

    Alyssa was both anxious and angry. Her chest heaved violently. "Jonah, have you ever considered the

    consequences if Jul were to

    find out? How would he feel knowing he''s just a recement for someone from your past?

    "How devastated, angry, and desperate would he be? How could you do this? How could you mistreat

    someone who loves you so

    deeply?"

    Jonah parted his pale lips but couldn''t utter a word, as if a sharp thorn had pierced his throat.

    "Burn this photo in front ofnow and forget about this personpletely." Alyssa''s eyes zed with fury.

    "If you really want to

    grow old with Jul, if you truly love him, then burn it!"

 Chapter 2000

    Jonah''s pupils contracted sharply. His eyes rimmed with red from anguish.

    He had thought that those painful memories had gradually been buried with his self-restraint and the

    passage of time. Even after

    he officially got together with Julien, he hadn''t touched any of the items he had treasured about that

    person.

    But when Alyssa angrily used him and demanded that he burn the photo to show loyalty to Julien,

    his heart was wracked with

    pain, as if she were asking him to burn his own body.

    Alyssa stared at Jonah with frustration. His sorrowful and pained expression said it all. He couldn''t bear

    to do it. He still had

    lingering affection for his ex.

    Even though that person had been dead for many years, he still held a significant ce in Jonah''s

    heart. It was profound enough to

    stir Jonah, who was typically calm andposed.

    "Lyse... | haven''t touched these things since Julien and | got together. I''ve let go of him. | really have."

    Jonah''s eyes were bloodshot. He was almost pleading as he said, "Please, don''t makedo this. He was

    my savior..."

    "But you love him. The so-called savior is just an excuse for you to keep him in your heart."Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Alyssa shook her head in disbelief. "If Jasper and | were together because | resembled his ex, |

    wouldn''t be able to ept it even if

    he fell in love witter. | can handle his indifference when he doesn''t love me, but | can''t tolerate

    having someone else''s

    shadow loom over our rtionship.

    "That''s not pure love and too unfair for the person being treated as a substitute. It feels like fake love,

    and | can''t ept it. | only

    asked you to burn the photo, yet you''re in so much pain. But Jonah, have you ever considered how

    much it would hurt Jul if he

    knew you were still in pain over your ex?

    "He''s well and alive in front of you, yet he can''t rece someone who''s been gone for so many years.

    How can he, such a proud

    person, endure such a blow?"

    Each of her words was like a dagger, piercing Jonah''s already faltering soul.

    "Fine... I''ll do it." Jonah lowered his eyelids and looked deeply at the man in the photo. "I''ll burn it, and |

    won''t think of him again."

    Alyssa sighed.

    Actually, it was better that the problem was discovered earlier.

    There must be more things Jonah had collected about that person besides this photo. Since she could

    find it, Julien, who was

    always by Jonah''s side, would sooner orter discover them too.

    When that happened, it would beca serious matter. She couldn''t even begin to imagine the turmoil it

    would cause.

    "Jonah, are you in the study?" Julien''szy voice cfrom outside, causing the siblings to panic.

    "Hide it," Alyssa urged in a low voice. She then rushed to the door and took a deep breath before

    opening it.

    "Jul!" She smiled sweetly while standing in the doorway to block Julien''s view.

    "Oh... Lyse, it''s you."

    Julien was wearing matching pajamas with Jonah and rubbing his sleepy eyes. His open cor

    revealed a pair of beautiful

    corbones, marked with faint traces of hickeys. "I thought it was someone else."

    Alyssa quickly averted her gaze from his neck, but her cheeks were already burning. "Uh... Jonah is

    inside. | cover without

    notice and didn''t know you guys were still asleep. Jonah got up first, so he cto chat with me."

    Julien chuckled. "Why are you so nervous, like you''ve done something wrong?"

    Alyssa''s cheeks flushed even more, and her heart raced.

    "Julien." Jonah walked out at this moment. His voice was incredibly gentle, but hisplexion was

    pale.

    Narrowing his eyes, Julien eagerly stepped forward to wrap his arms around Jonah''s waist and seal

    Jonah''s slightly cool lips in a

    passionate kiss without a care in the world.

    Julien had fully immersed himself in Mosgravia''s uninhibited atmosphere after living there for so long.

    And with his profound

    affection for Jonah, he would seize every moment they had in the morning to be passionately entwined,

    wishing to merge with

    Jonah''s body.

    Jonah''s longshes trembled as he responded to his embrace and kiss.

    Alyssa dared not look at them. They were too affectionate, surpassing even her and Jasper.

    "What''s wrong?" Julien asked, slightly breathless, after parting from Jonah''s lips.

    "What?" Jonah''s gaze seemed distant for a moment.

 Chapter 2001

    Julien blinked. Being observant and having dated Jonah for a while, he immediately noticed his lover spacing out. "You''re not attentive. Are you feeling unwell?" Jonah''s heart sank. He denied in a raspy voice, "No. I''m fine."

    "Julien, I have a favor to ask of you!" Alyssa quickly distracted Julien, whisking him away to the living room. She said to Jonah, "Jonah, what are you doing? You should throw together some food for Julien!"

    "Sure." Jonah left without a word.

    Meanwhile, Julien kept turning around to check on Jonah. Something felt amiss, but he couldn''t quite put a finger on it.

    Back in the living room, Alyssaid out the pills she brought with her on the coffee table. "Julien, please run some tests on theponents of this drug. You''re the domain expert, not to mention you have the right equipment for it."

    "What''s this?" Frowning, he scrutinized the blue pills.

    "There were a few consecutive cases of drug addicts dying of heart attack in Sna City, but in the post-mortem, the examiner could not find evidence of the victims taking drugs.

    "Not only that, the victims showed symptoms of seizure and mad behavior before their deaths, like they were mentally unstable. Their deaths were horrific.

    "From our research, we found out that the victims had taken this type of drug before their deaths. This is a serious matter that involves Colene''s family and The Ivory Gang. Julien, please figure out if the drug carries any harmfulponents as soon as you can."

    Julien immediately put on a serious face when he learned that the case involved The Ivory Gang. He promised, "Nathan Waters once helped me, and Colene has always fussed over me. I will definitely see to this matter."

    Alyssa teared up. She pressed her lips, thinking, "Julien is really a nice guy. Jonah should never hurt him, or I''ll never forgive him!"

    Julien replied, "Don''t worry about that. I''ll get back to you as soon as I can."

    Nodding, Alyssa rose from the couch. "Alright then. I won''t be thirdwheeling any longer. I''ll head home now."

    "Lyse, what''s wrong with Jonah just now? He seemed upset," Julien called out to her with a worried look.

    He cared too much for Jonah and only had eyes for him, just like how Jasper felt toward Alyssa. She could never conceal her emotions from him because he could read her mind from her expression. Alyssa stared at Julien in heartache. Their Foxy appeared to be helplessly in love with Jonah.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Julien deserved the best rtionship in the world, yet...

    She lied, "Oh, he''s fine. I guess he''s still recovering from exhaustion. He''s not getting any younger."

    "Oh. That makes sense." Julien pressed his lips remorsefully. "It was my fault for stubbornly keeping him upst night. I''ll be good the next time. I''ll behave."

    "Julien, I''m envious of your rtionship with Jonah," she said without betraying her emotions, but her breathing grewbored. "If you discover his ws and issues down the road, after decades of living together, will you think differently of him? He might not be who you envisioned him to be, and some of his issues might make you look at him in a different light."

    "Haha! Of course I will not think differently of him. If anything, I fear it might be the other way around." Squinting, he grabbed an apple from the basket and took a bite. "We ran into my ex when we were in Mosgravia. That dude was still in love with me, and he said a lot of nasty stuff, even pouncing at Jonah.

    "He ended up losing two front teeth after Jonah beat him into a pulp! Haha! That was cathartic to watch. Jonah is the pride of your nation for sure!"

    Alyssa was rendered speechless.

    "When we got home, I was scared he might be upset at me. But..." Julien''s voice trailed off as a blush crept onto his face.

    He could not borate further, as it would all be adult content.

    "Jonah was epting of my past self, even when I was at my worst. Who am I to judge him? Lyse, Jonah embraced me. He gave me love, something that I had been searching tirelessly."

    His eyes burned with passion. "I won''t abandon Jonah, not until myst breath."

    On the other side of the wall in the empty corridor, Jonah held the tray of breakfast with trembling hands, having overheard Julien''s heartfelt confession.

 Chapter 2002

    It was business as usual for Amber at The Millennium. Not only that, she worked harder than before to gain Jameson''s favor.

    At the same time, she had not given up on gathering criminal evidence against Jameson. The road might be difficult, and she might even risk everything in the process, but she was determined to see it through.

    It was the day of the month when Amber volunteered at the orphanage. She woke up early in the morning, put on her volunteer uniform, and brought the gifts for the kids before driving out in haste. "Ms. Altman, you''re here early!"

    "Good morning, Ms. Altman!"

    "How have you been, Ms. Altman?"

    The teachers and volunteers went up to greet her. She was popr among the people at the orphanage.

    She greeted everyone and distributed her handmade snacks.

    "Wow! Ms. Altman, you''re back with your apple pies! We love it!" Some younger volunteers could not help but take a bite of the pies in front of her. They beamed in satisfaction. "Ms. Altman, too bad you''re only here once a month. If only you coulde by every day! We''ll be so lucky to eat your food!"

    Amber gently smiled at the remarks, but bitterness washed over her. If she could, she would have dropped by daily. Besides, there woulde a time when she had to bid goodbye to them. She had no idea when her tumultuous life woulde to an end.

    At least, those at the orphanage wouldn''t be too attached to her if she only visited them monthly, and they would grieve less when she stopped showing up.

    "Ms. Altman, it''s about time. The kids are waiting for you," a volunteer teacher came up to inform Amber.

    "Alright. I''ll be right there."

    The ssroom that Amber taught was quieter than the others. She meticulously left her neat handwriting on the ckboard. She was as lovely as her handwriting.

    The kids focused on writing. The sounds of their pencils scribbling on paper had a calming effect.

    At that moment, a tall figure quietly appeared at the back of the ssroom.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Axel leaned against the doorframe and squinted at Amber. His silhouette was clean and smart, like the smooth lines of a ssical painting.

    Amber turned to the students, gesturing something in the air. It turned out that she wasmunicating with them in signnguage.

    Axel''s eyes wavered, and his heart raced when he learned that the children in Amber''s ss were deaf-mutes.

    The children responded in signnguage,municating seamlessly with Amber.

    He couldn''t shift his eyes from Amber, who was dressed in a simple uniform and wore her hair in a ponytail. She looked special that day without her usual exquisite makeup and ming red lips. Her bare face exuded a natural beauty.

    Her resemnce to Alyssa had lessened without makeup.

    Amber was too focused on teaching to notice Axel outside the ssroom. Another teacher hurried over with a look of surprise while gasping, "Huh? Sir, how did you get in?"

    "Huh?" Axel blinked at Gillian Reimer. "I... walked in."

    "Who are you looking for? We do not allow strangers in thepound. Please leave!"

    The loud conversation ultimately attracted Amber''s attention. She rushed out of the ssroom when she recognized the familiar figure that made her heart throb.

    "Ms. Reimer! H-He''s a friend of mine!"

    Axel, hands in his pockets, turned around to find Amber gently panting with flushed cheeks, exuding a youthful air like a teenage girl. The affection in his eyes deepened.

    "Oh, is he your friend, Ms. Altman? Hahaha! Alright then. Have fun!" Gillian left them alone with the intrigued smile of a woman with good gossip to share.

    Amber and Axel stared at each other in the quiet corridor under the warm sunlight. She watched as he walked over to her. The fragments of sunlight illuminated his face, and a gentle breeze caressed his bangs. She found herself too shy to look at his brilliant presence.

    Finally, he stood right in front of her. With an alluring grin, he said, "Ms. Altman, thanks for helping me out."

    "W-Why are you here?" She rested both hands against the wall as her heart thumped wildly. She tried to get her heartbeat under control as though fearing he might hear it.

    "Guess." He trapped her between him and the wall and closed in. She was instantly overwhelmed by his heavy, passionate breaths.

    "Stop fooling around. I need to teach the kids. Let go of me." She quivered and blushed under his intense gaze, which made her heart flutter.

    Arching a brow, he grinned and whispered into her reddened ear, "Give me a kiss, then. Kiss me, and I''ll release you."

 Chapter 2003

    "You-" Amber red at him in embarrassment. Her eyes were dewy and sparkling.

    Axel tilted his head with a roguish smile. He tapped his lips to remind her.

    Suddenly, he frowned and spun around. A group of smiling kids had gathered by the backdoor of the ssroom to watch the drama unfold. Their cute heads peeked out of the door, one on top of another, which was rather hrious to see.

    They would have made a fuss if they could speak.

    "You rascal!" Amber''s face reddened. She shoved him away before fleeing and herding the kids back into the ssroom.

    Her scolding sounded flirtatious to Axel. His smile deepened when he relished her remark.

    Amber returned to the podium after soothing the children. When she looked up, she found Axel shamelessly sitting in a chair by an unupied table in thest row. He folded his arms and rested them on the table, blinking obediently like he, too, was a student.

    She flustered under his watch. It wasn''t until she took a few deep breaths that she collected herself andpleted the lecture.

    After ss, the kids happily filed out of the ssroom, each holding a gift from Amber. Axel was the only one remaining in his seat. Resting his cheek in his palm, he beamed at her.

    Amber went up to him, holding her breath and pressing her lips.

    Before she could go off at him, he extended an arm and unfurled his palms. Then, he said pleadingly, "Ms. Altman, where''s my gift?"

    "I don''t have one for you," she replied, hershes fluttering.

    "Oh? Ms. Altman, that''s unfair." He looked so disappointed.

    Once again, her heart raced. Biting her lower lip, she finally retrieved a bunny keychain from her shirt pocket. "Count yourself lucky. This is thest one."

    His eyes shifted between the bunny keychain and Amber-she resembled the bunny.

    Amber bashfully withdrew her hand when he did not ept the keychain immediately. She mumbled, "Right. I''m sure you have enjoyed your fair share of good stuff. You wouldn''t want something like a bunny keychain..."

    All of a sudden, he grabbed her hand and held it tightly. She sweated from her fingertips, and her ears turned red. She watched as he slowly pried the bunny keychain out of her grasp.

    He remarked, "Don''t be silly. Of course I love it because you left one for me." He held the bunny keychain to his chest and stroked it like a treasure. "Thank you, Ms. Altman!"

    "I have work to doter. I have no time to fool around with you. Go home." With that, she lowered her gaze and attempted to leave.

    Smiling, he called out to her, "Ms. Altman, you''re good at signnguage. Mind teaching me? Teach me just one sentence."

    After calming her breath, she turned around to meet his starry eyes. Her expression grew serious.

    Axel watched as she pointed at her chest. Next, she raised her left thumb, curled her right fingers, and stroked the back of her left thumb. Finally, she pointed a finger at him.

    The simple gesture nheless fascinated him. To him, it was the loveliestnguage in the world despite theck of sound.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    She ced her arms by her side. "I''m done teaching you."

    "Really? That was short."

    "Well, it''s not like you could remember advanced words. Take it one step at a time."

    Surprised, he inquired, "And what did that mean?"

    "I''m not telling you." Then, she hurried toward the teacher''s office.

    "Hey, was that a curse word?" When his voice trailed off, she was nowhere to be seen.

    He stood there alone for a moment before carefully caressing the bunny keychain with a look of delight.

 Chapter 2004

    Though Amber tried to kick Axel out, he shamelessly stuck around. However, he merely observed her from a distance without disrupting her work.

    He watched as she joined the cooks to prepare food. Despite her petite frame, she stirred the food in the industrial cooking pots with ease. She harvested, washed, and cut the vegetables expertly, as if it were second nature.

    With his arms folded across his chest, Axel became engrossed in her actions. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and a few strands of hair clung to her cheek. Despite her disheveled appearance while working, he found her beauty captivating.

    Every time they crossed paths, she carried herself like a wless masterpiece, catching the attention of the opposite sex. However, Axel found her prettier in her current state-more vibrant and real.

    As Amber''s "friend", Axel was invited to lunch with the other kids when food was served. Amber stood in a line with two other teachers to serve food.

    "Thank you, Ms. Altman!" The kids chirped with wide smiles. She warmly greeted them as she busied herself serving food.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    After a while, her hand suddenly froze midair as she looked up in surprise. Axel stood up straight, holding a tray. He looked into her eyes with passion. Smiling, he said, "Ms. Altman, I have a huge appetite. More food for me, please."

    Amber''s heart raced wildly. She bit her lower lip shyly, feeling helpless. Meanwhile, the two teachers grinned knowingly at her blushed face.

    "Please leave after you''re done with lunch." Lowering her head, she whispered in a voice that was only audible between the two of them.

    Still, she served him a generous portion as he had requested.

    "Oh, that''s a lot of food. Might take me a while to finish. Let''s see." Leaning in with a twinkle in his eyes, he teased, "I don''t always get to see you. I won''t leave until I''ve had my fill."

    Once again, he dropped another flirtatious line without warning. Whenever her heart fluttered, she would instantly force herself to stay grounded. She cautioned herself not to long for what could never be hers and not to fall deeper for him, knowing they had no future together. Besides, she wasn''t worthy of him.

    She was merely an orphan raised by Jameson andter defiled by various men. Her face, despite its beauty, was the reason behind her low self-esteem.

    She refused to believe that Axel would catch feelings for a worthless ything that bore a resemnce to his sister.

    ...

    The kids were either in ss or taking naps in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Amber sat on a stool in theundry room to handwash the children''s clothes with lukewarm water. "Why don''t you use the washing machine? This must be tiring," Axel suggested.

    Amber looked up at him before going back to work. She exined, "Kids'' clothes are very dirty. You can''t just toss them into the washing machine. Some clean freaks would prefer to handwash these clothes. "The orphans don''t have a family to take care of them, but the teachers are busy with too many children. So, I thought I could lend a hand. You will never get this because you grew up sheltered."

    "Tsk. How could you assume that? I handwashed my sister''s shirts and pants when she was a kid!" He grabbed a stool and sat from across her. Removing and tossing aside his windbreaker, he rolled up the sleeves of his ck shirt to reveal his muscr forearms with bulging veins.

    "Did you handwash her clothes? I thought you had plenty of servants at home..." Amber widened her eyes in shock.

    "Of course, I looked after my own sister. I wouldn''t have anyone else take care of her!" Axel wore a proud look before skilfully joining her in washing the clothes.

    He might be a spy, but he looked like a good househusband when doing chores.

 Chapter 2005

    Amber remarked tly, "That sounded so pervy."

    Axel''s expression copsed. He argued, "I was a brother who doted on his sister! You just don''t get it!"

    He took care of Alyssa for another reason. Before their mother passed away, she called the four siblings to her bed and reminded the brothers to take care of Alyssa to the best of their ability.

    He recalled Jenniferforting them, "Don''t cry. Please don''t think that Mommy is not around anymore. Mommy will be in the sky, looking after you and protecting you."

    He teared up at the thoughts-a lump formed in his throat.

    "That was really sweet." Amber stared at her reflection on the water, which resembled Alyssa. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight, and she hurriedly hid the reflection with clothes. She added, "Ms. Alyssa certainly grew up in happiness."

    Despite taking on Alyssa''s face, Amber knew her fate was the opposite of Alyssa''s. Alyssa was the daughter of a wealthy family who was raised in love and great care, unlike herself¡ªa lookalike and a puppet. How could Jameson even think of using her as a recement for Alyssa? What a delusional maniac!

    "What about you, Ms. Altman? Where are your rtives?" Axel pretended to drop a casual question while washing the clothes. "Hasn''t your family asked about your life over the years you worked for Jameson Schmidt?"

    "I was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage. I don''t have parents. Jameson was the one who named me," she revealed in an emotionless tone.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Axel put on a pensive expression. "Guess that exins why you volunteer here. Is it to reminisce about your childhood?"

    "There''s nothing to reminisce." She chuckled dismissively. "Why would I think back on how I was beaten, yelled at, and starved for three days in a row?"

    Her words made his heart stop in shock. He shot a deep look at her.

    "Not all orphanages in the world are safe havens for kids. Some are hell on earth." Her hands were red from washing the clothes by now. She remarked in a soft voice, "In some way, I have Jameson Schmidt to thank. Without his help, I would have died of starvation on the streets on that cold night. I only survived until this day because he took me in."

    What she did not reveal was the hell that Jameson put her through. Rather than salvation, she met a fate more brutal and despairing than the beatings, scoldings, and starvings that she had experienced. Axel tried his best to look nonchnt as he wrung the clothes dry. "You''re considered mentally tough for women. If I were you, I might never step foot in an orphanage after all the childhood trauma." "Well, I wanted to help because I was in the same shoes. I suffered in an orphanage, and I didn''t want the kids here to go through the same thing. It makes me happy to see their smiles." She beamed and spoke from the bottom of her heart.

    Axel pressed his lips. He was extremely moved by her noble intentions, knowing that she wasn''t just helping the orphans but also making up for her traumatic childhood.

    "Ms. Altman,e here for a minute." A teacher showed up at the door of theundry room to look for Amber.

    "Coming." Amber quickly rose from the stool and wiped her hands dry on her jacket. Then, she left in a hurry.

    At that moment, Axel heard a soft patter of an item falling onto the ground. A silver object sparkled on the ground under the afternoon sunlight.

    He approached the object that Amber had dropped-a locket. He slowly crouched to pick it up. Squinting under the sunlight, he carefully checked it out.

    With a click, he opened the locket and found a photo of a stranger¡ªa young girl. The sight of her youthful and lovely face tugged at his heartstrings.

 Chapter 2006

    Amber returned to theundry room after helping the teacher.

    Upon her return, she was forced up against the wall by Axel, who pressed his body against her and stared into her eyes.

    Her heart was beating uncontrobly. Drawn into his bright and sharp gaze, she found herself falling helplessly for him.

    She longed for a ray of light to shine through the cracks and illuminate her dark life. His eyes turned out to be the source of light she had been searching high and low for. "Ms. Altman, did you leave something behind just now?" he teased her in a low chuckle that ended with a seductive lilt.

    "What..." Her voice trailed off. She grabbed the edge of the wall firmly as her heart pounded like a drum.

    Grinning, he casually brushed his nose tip against hers. The gentle and cheeky move resembled the touch of a lover. Suddenly, he rasped, "You left my heart behind." Amber, whose heart had been racing, broke intoughter. Axel raised a quizzical brow at her. "Tsk! What are youughing at?"Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "Mr. Axel, I assume you haven''t dated before, right? Not every girl could take your cheesy jokes." Amber, covering her mouth,ughed uncontrobly in front of him. The affection in his eyes deepened. He clicked his tongue and retorted, "That was a pickup line!"

    "A funny pickup line is a joke in itself." She was halfway through teasing him when her eyes wavered in shock. Her silver locket dangled and swayed gently in front of her.

    "My ne!" She frantically fumbled around her neck as all color drained from her face. She had no idea when she had dropped it!

    "Give it back!" She reached out to snatch the locket from him, but he yfully raised his arms to keep it out of her reach. She stood on her tiptoe but failed to reach it. He questioned, "Who''s that pretty girl in the photo?"

    "She''s my friend!" Her cheeks flushed before turning white again. This time, she jumped to reach it, but her efforts were futile.

    "Do you even have friends? Even if you want to make friends, Jameson Schmidt wouldn''t allow it," Axel questioned in disbelief.

    "She''s... my younger sister!" She spoke in a higher pitch from the embarrassment.

    "You literally told me you were an orphan. Why is there a sister in the picture?" His expression soured. Then, he swung the locket and grabbed it. "Ms. Altman, if you refuse to tell me the truth, I''ll have to confiscate this and return it to you next time."

    Close to tears, she blurted out, "That was me!"

    He fixed a deep, emotional gaze on her.

    "I was the girl in the photo. It was taken when I was 20. The photo was the only profile photo I have of myself before I was molded into Alyssa Taylor." Her lips quivered. She was ovee with bitterness. "Jameson destroyed all my old photos after I got my stic surgery, but I managed to save a photo without him knowing. This is the only photo I have of myself.

    "Without it, I''m scared that one day I might forget how I look like. If that happened, no one would remember that Amber Altman once existed. I would be no different than an empty shell."

    Though she obediently yed the role of Alyssa Taylor by Jameson''s side, she desperately wished that she could be herself again one day.

    "So, please return it to me." Tears streamed down her cheeks when she started speaking. The tears sent a pang of pain through his heart, scarring him.

    He silently took her hand and ced the locket, still warm from his touch, on her palm.

    Axel and Amber left the orphanage when night fell. Axel hadn''t expected her to spend an entire day there, and she was surprised he''d keep herpany the whole day.

    She said to him, "I''m heading back. Bye."

    "Amber Altman!"

    Her body stiffened when Axel called out to her. She slowly turned around and gaped at what she saw. Axel stood there holding some lit sparklers. The tiny sparks shimmered like clusters of flowers or ethereal fairies dancing at night.

    Smiling, he waved the sparklers around, putting on a delightful fireworks disy under the starlit sky.

 Chapter 2007

    Amber stared at the sparklers vacantly as tears welled up in her eyes. She clutched her fists, holding back her emotions.

    "Come join me! Let''s have some fun." Axel bounced up to her and handed her a sparkler with eyes that shone bright like the sun.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    She epted the sparkler with trembling fingers, knowing that he must havee prepared with them. It was impossible to get this stuff at the remote location of the orphanage.

    The light from her sparklers danced on her face. A smile appeared on her face. She took on a resemnce to the girl in the locket when she smiled.

    "Do you like that massive fireworks show I put on for you thest time?" He nced at her before asking.

    Staring at the sparkler in her hand, she replied softly, "Yeah."

    "Well, that doesn''t mean anything. I''m not as rich as Landon Harper. Can''t afford a showy performance worth tens of millions," Axel blurted out.

    She shed a faint smile at him, having been used to his blunt and outspoken manner-probably the reason he was single.

    "No, this is good." She smiled gently, satisfied. "Anything that belongs to me is the best in the world."

    As she had never enjoyed anything to her name, she treasured every single moment of happiness that belonged to her.

    When thest sparkler was about to go out, Axel tilted his head and whispered into her ear, "Now, you''re not the only one who remembers how you looked like before."

    Trembling, she suddenly turned around to face him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and put a hand at the back of her head, pressing their foreheads together. He added, "I''ll remember how you looked like."

    The moment their eyes met, she felt all her blood rush to her head. She blushed, and her heart pumped wildly.

    The sparkler might have gone out, but the passion in their eyes remained.

    The romantic moment was interrupted by a jarring ringtone from her phone. She coughed awkwardly before drawing away from She checked her phone and saw Carl''s name on the screen-a sight that hurt her eyes and burst her dreamy bubble.

    "Hello?" she croaked.

    "Ms. Altman, Mr. Schmidt would like you to host two guests from Tsulu," Carl informed her in a business-like manner.

    Feeling cold from head to toe, she hurried toward her sportscar, fearing that Axel might overhear. "What guests? Are they politicians? Or business partners?"

    "Mr. Schmidt wants you to keep them happy. You don''t need to know anything else."

    Amber felt her chest tighten. Jameson appeared to have grown vignt of her, refusing to even reveal the identity of his guests.

    Carl, who picked up on Amber''s

    emotions, fell silent before offering, "They are Mr. Schmidt''s business partners. This deal is important to him, as he wants to gain entry to the Tsufu market. Ms. Altman, you''ll have to put in more effort,

    "Before this, you have crossed Mr. Schmidt a few times. Why don''t you take this opportunity to regain his favor? That will make your life easier." Thest remark sounded genuine.

    She replied icily, "Fine. I''ll return to The Millennium and get ready."

    "The guests are not at The Millennium."

    Her pupils shook in surprise. Over the years, she had always entertained Jameson''s guests at The Millennium and never anywhere else. Besides, he would never allow her to leave the clubhouse

    This time, the rules had changed. In her confusion, she heard Carl saying, "I''ll text you the addresster."

    After the call, she stared vacantly at the dark screen as dizziness overcame her. An invisible hand seemed to have shoved her into an abyss once more.

    She heard Axel''s approaching footsteps, but she dared not turn around to look at him. Instead, she scrambled into her sportscar and sped away in the night.

 Chapter 2008

    At midnight, Amber arrived at a countryside vi in her sportscar. She had changed into a ming red slit dress and styled her long, dark hair into a bun that was held together by a golden hairpin. Her style, ssic and alluring, was to Jameson''s taste. However, she was dressed to the nines for a nasty deal.

    She ran her cold fingertips through the hem of her dress and chuckled bitterly. What a waste of high-grade silk and top-notch tailoring! Her perfect attire and her dignity would end up being trampled by the beasts she would host.

    She received a video call from Wesley when she was about to leave her car. The video call was their preferred way ofmunication as it was impossible to be tapped. "Wesley," she began with a forced smile.

    "Ms. Altman, are you about to..." Wesley choked up emotionally at the sight of her beauty. As an employee at The Millennium, he knew what that would signify.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "What''s the matter? Is everything alright?" Amber hurriedly shifted the topic of conversation.

    "I''m fine, Ms. Altman. The two guests you''re meeting are not just any ordinary men, though." Wesley put on a worried look. "Based on my recent investigation, these two men might have bought the same batch of drugs as Aidan Lovce from Jameson!

    "We might get more information about the drugs if you get to them. If we get our hands on the drugs, we''ll be one step closer to defeating Jameson."

    Her worry gave way to the determination for justice. "I will try my best to pry some crucial information out of them. Wesley, thanks for letting me know!"

    "Ms. Altman, be careful." Worry clouded his eyes. He had a bad feeling. "Something feels off when Jameson made youe out here to host the guests without Carl following you. I''m scared that..."

    "No. That won''t happen." Amber''s eyes were emotionless. "Jameson Schmidt hasn''t hurt me yet, and that goes to show I''m still of use to him.

    "I know him too well. He won''t let go of a person until he''s extracted every drop out of them. He''ll protect me if needed."

    Apart from Amber, four other women working for The Millennium were sent to host the Tsulu guests.

    Two bodyguards armed with guns stood in the dark corners of a luxurious suite. The women had no choice but to entertain the two male foreign guests sporting beer bellies.

    Amber perched on the edge of the couch, silently taking in the debauchery unfolding in front of her eyes. Her chest rose and fell heavily from the anger.

    s, she was powerless to put a stop to the situation. If the significant deal fell apart due to her interference, a worse fate would befall the fourdies. The two foreign men hugged thedies as they openly conversed in Tsulian.

    "The stuff Mr. Schmidt gave us this time is really something! He said we could sell them as we wish. He didn''t seem too worried about the authorities." "Oh? Why so?"

    Amber quietly perked up and listened to the conversation. The two rascals were unaware of the presence of a Tsulian speaker among the five women in the suite.

    "He said this drug is like amon

    drug, and we can sell it as such," one of the men gloated. "We can self the drug to both Tsulu authorities and gangs to control them without the help of distributors!

    to

    "From what I heard, that drug is not only extremely addictive but effective on certain illnesses. How amazing is that?"

    Amber widened her eyes in disbelief. Should a drug that could treat illness be considered a medicine or an addictive substance?

    All of a sudden, she came to a realization and understood the reason Aidan would sacrifice his family''s honor and even his own conscience, taking the risk to work with Jameson.

    If the drug in question was indeed

    an addictive substance, it made sense that Jameson would want to use Lovce Pharmaceuticals to whitewash the nature of the drug before mass marketing it in Sna City and monopolizing the market.

    The thought was terrifying. What a despicable move!

    "Hahaha... Shall we put this amazing stuff to the test tonight?" The other man tossed a bag of pills on the coffee table-the sight of the blue pills sent Amber''s heart drumming.

    "Ah! N-No!" the women screamed when the men grabbed them by their hair and force-fed the blue pills to them. Terrified, they twisted and struggled to break free. "Motherfucker! Take the pills!" One of the men pped a woman twice before his counterpart forced her mouth wide open.

    At that moment, Amber grabbed the man''s arm. The two men looked over to her.

    She shed them an icy smile. "Gentlemen, don''t give a timid young girl a hard time. Aren''t these just pills? I''ll take them on her behalf."

 Chapter 2009

    The women gaped in shock at Amber''s calmness in the face of the two devils. Just like them, Amber was petite and vulnerable. However, she appeared towering and invincible in their eyes due to her courage. The two men exchanged gazes. One man, examining her with ascivious look, suggested, "You''ll take two pills, then! Tell us how you feel after that!"

    Knowing Amber''s importance to Jameson, the two guests dared not force her to take too many pills to avoid getting into trouble.

    Amber shook two blue pills onto her palms and stared squarely at them. Then, she took the pills without water. The other women teared up from concern and fear for Amber.

    Within a minute, her ears started ringing, and her heart rate increased. Her body went into an uncontroble seizure.

    "Ms. Altman! Ms. Altman!" The worried screams of the women were thest thing she heard before the dizziness overwhelmed her. She fell face-first onto the floor and passed out.

    Amber opened her eyes and found herself in a room with opulent decorations. She could tell from the decor in the room that she was still in the vi, meaning she wasn''t out of danger yet. She propped herself up in bed and was relieved to find her dress intact. They had not sullied her.

    She covered her left chest with trembling hands. Her heart raced like crazy, and her mind was fuzzy. The potent drug, instead of giving her ecstasy, only put her through mental and physical torture.

    She thought she''d die when she fell onto the floor, her consciousness fading away. What kind of terrible creation was that?

    Then, she heard the sounds of water from the bathroom. She knew very well what would happen next. She was destined to be a ytoy that night.

    Even so, she wanted to be of some use. She believed that the men must still carry some of the blue pills around. Hence, she deftly got out of bed and tiptoed toward the couch to go through the man''s clothes. Soon, she found the leftover blue pills in his jacket pocket. Her eyes lit up at the discovery, and she clutched the pills firmly in her hand.

    "Hey! What are you doing?" A stern, vicious voice echoed in the air. Heart racing, Amber turned around stiffly.

    She saw the Tsulu man with a beer belly ring at her. He only had a towel around hisrge waist girth.

    Since he didn''t turn off the water in the bathroom, she momentarily put her guard down, not realizing that he hade out.

    "You fucking bitch! How dare you go through my stuff?" He closed in with gritted teeth. Meanwhile, her alluring dress was drenched in cold sweat. She clutched her fists and backed off.

    She had been thoroughly searched before entering the vi. Therefore, she had no phone or weapon on her, but a brilliant idea shed across her mind.

    Without warning, she removed the hairpin from her hair. Her cascading locks tumbled down to her waist in a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

    "Don''te any closer!" She pointed the sharp edge of the hairpin at him. "You''re wrong if you think I am subjected to your will. I can kill you with this thing in my hand!"

    The man cackled madly before

    reaching for a gun at his waist. Then,

    he aimed the muzzle at Amber''s

    pale face. As a vicious drug dealer who had a high body count, he did not femove the gun even when he was taking a shower.

    "You bitch! What did you steal? Give it back to me!" He glowered at Amber, but she stubbornly refused to speak. She had a wild look of determination in her eyes, ready to sacrifice it all. Finally, she said, "Don''t ask me. I will not tell you."

    n

    "You think I can''ty a finger on you because you''ve Jameson Schmidt''s woman? You''re nothing more than a ything that he gives me. He wouldn''t have made you sleep with other men if he truly cared for you," he taunted her with a malicious smirk.

    To Amber, who had lost all hope in Jameson, the man''s words did not faze her at all. In fact, she felt thankful that Jameson had never caught feelings for her. That way, she would not double-guess her decision to betray him. S

    The man was enraged when Amber refused to cave in. Losing his patience, he unlocked the gun safe and pulled on the trigger.

    A shot was heard. The gun fell out of the man''s grip as he yelped in agony. A bullet had hit him on his hand with precision despite the dim lighting in the room.

    Amber''s eyes widened in shock. Her chest rose and fell. A rustling sound echoed in the air, chasing away the fear that lingered in the night.

    Next, she saw a familiar figure breaking in through the window. The shattered ss reflected his handsome, roguish face.

    "W-Who are you?" The Tsulu man quivered violently when the devilish intruder approached him.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Axel''s smiling face was reflected in Amber''s eyes. The night breeze swept past his windbreaker, making some swishing sounds. He reached out to sweep away some of the ss shards on the ground. Then, he began, "Me?"

    He turned to Amber with a passionate look and a cheeky grin. "I''m her man."

 Chapter 2010

    Amber stared in shock at Axel''s confident expression. Her heart was racing, and she thought she had misheard. In her 25 years of life, she was nothing but an essory to Jameson-a disposable tool in his business dealings.

    She had never owned anything to her name. To her surprise, Axel made the wild im that he was her man. She reyed his words in her mind.

    The Tsulu man cussed loudly and attempted to snatch the gun from the ground, only to be shot twice-one in the left shoulder and the other in his right leg. He howled in pain and fell onto his knees. Seeing that, Amber snatched the man''s gun and held it firmly before aiming it at him. The man finally faltered and begged for mercy. It seemed that men, when naked, were in their most vulnerable state. He pleaded, "Don''t! Don''t shoot me!"

    "Spit it out! What are the drugs that Jameson Schmidt gave to you? Are theymon drugs or narcotics?" Shedding off her usual coyness, Amber looked furious, like a beast that had been crouching in the dark. "What other nasty deals have you cut with him? Be honest!"

    Axel raised an amused brow at her move. Given his social standing, he could easily court the daughters of esteemed families or even the royal princess. However, none of them caught his eye, as he wasn''t interested in a woman''s background. Living with cynicism, he never had much interest in romance.

    All he wanted was an untethered, thrilling life.

    At first, the challenge Amber posed to him gave him an adrenaline rush. As time passed, he found himself addicted to the sensation and thus had the urge to see her.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    That night, his feelings reached a new level. In the past, he wasn''t too bothered by Amber flirting and entertaining men. However, he could no longer tolerate it, which was why he showed up at the vi. Despite being well aware of the dangers and troubles, he showed up for her.

    "H-He imed it was amon drug-an imported, illegal drug!"

    Axel questioned the man, "Where was the drug imported from?"

    The man stammered, "I-I have no idea! Trust me!"

    Amber glowered at the man and jabbed his forehead with the muzzle. She growled, "You really won''t open up unless you''re about to die. Right?"

    "I really have no idea. How could Mr. Schmidt tell us distributors about the source of the drugs? He will take the lion''s share of the profits while we take the scraps. "But... I remember him taking a call when we were at the Millennium. I was too drunk to tune into the details, but I overheard him talking about some drugs or experiments..." "Experiments?" Both Axel and Amber furrowed their brows.

    "That''s all I know. I''m clueless about the rest!"

    "Drugs? Experiments?" Axel''s mind whirled. He recalled the horrifying scene of the man throwing himself at the car when Alyssa was sent to the hospital. Piecing the puzzle, he let out a chillingugh. "Looks like Jameson Schmidt is running someplicated operations here. The drugs are just a cover."

    Amber, a smart woman, quickly put together and processed the clues that she and Wesley had gathered. Soon, Jameson''s scheme started to take shape in her mind. They were interrupted by a series of footsteps echoing in the corridor. They must have been the Tsulu man''s guards who came to help after hearing the gunshots. The man shrewdly yelled at the top of his lungs, "Guys, help me! There''s an intruder! Help!"

    Axel might appear calm, but a storm was brewing in his eyes. He loaded his gun and was ready to shoot the man, but Amber was ahead of him. She shot him in the head without hesitation.

    Her dead victim, mouth open in a scowl, copsed face-first onto the floor.

    Axel felt his heart drumming as he stared at Amber''s sweaty face. She said to him, "This guy won''t offer us any more useful information. There''s no point keeping him around."

    Her hands trembled violently,

    perhaps from the side effects of the

    drugs or because it was her first

    time taking a life. Even her voice was shaking. "There will be serious consequences if Jameson Schmidt learns about the murder."

    "You''re right. Jameson Schmidt will not spare you," Axel replied tly.

    Taking a deep breath, Amber shook her head. "I''m not afraid of dying. I''m more worried that Jameson might destroy the evidence and wash his hands of it when he learns that news about his covert operations has been leaked.

    "It wasn''t easy to get dirt on him. We can''t attract his suspicion."

    Axel marched up to her with a burning gaze. Seeing that, she frantically shoved him in the chest. "Go! Leave right now! I''ll take care of the mess. Just go!"

    "We''ll leave together," he said between heavy breaths and a fearless look, grasping her hands.

    She shook her head and stared at her feet. "If I leave right now, my life will be meaningless. I want a life worth living. Axel Whitaker, you''ll never get it."

    How could he not get it? He believed he understood her better than anyone in the world.

    He was about to reply with a loaded gaze when two men broke down the door and barged in.

    Axel and Amber aimed their guns at the same time, as if they could read each other''s minds.

 Chapter 2011

    With steely gazes, they opened fire at the two men at the same time, gunning down both.

    "Axel Whitaker, I''ll say this one more time-go!" she yelled at him hoarsely, feeling worried for him.

    The look in his eyes darkened. Still pointing the gun in his right hand toward the door, he grabbed her waist with his free hand and pulled her into a tight hug.

    Sparks flew when their eyes met, as though they meant the most to each other.

    Two other subordinates of the Tsulu man rushed into the room at that time. They were promptly shot down by Axel and Amber, who fired at the same time without needing to look at the door. "Axel Whitaker, what are you doing?" Raging, she felt her chest rise and fall while pressed against his, making his heart flutter. She snapped, "Are you trying to die with me at the same time?" "See it in a more romantic light." He grinned with unbridled emotions in his eyes. "Till death do us part?"

    Her heart skipped a bit at his flirtatious remark. Blush colored her cheeks. No matter how hard she tried, tears kept welling up in her eyes.

    She made a self-deprecatingment between sobs. "Don''t fool around. Dying with a woman like me will only bring shame to you."

    Frustrated, he tightened his grip on her waist to the point he nearly crushed her.

    "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett, and the rest of your family will be devastated if you die. But my death will be a drop of water in the ocean. It will not cause even a ripple. No one will grieve for me, and no one will remember me. So, Axel Whitaker, please live."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "Who said so?" The look in his eyes grew intense, and his breathing becamebored. "Amber Altman, do you not take me as a human? Do you think I''m heartless?"

    "You might grieve for me, but it''s fine. I''m just a passerby in your life. The sadness is temporary, and time shall heal you." She was tired and hurt after all these years. No one spared her a word offort or tended to her wounds. Time was her only panacea.

    "Cut the bullshit! I wouldn''t havee for you if I wanted to escape on my own!" He frowned irritably and grabbed her hand. "You will be safe with me around you. We''ll both be fine!"

    Carl rushed to meet with Jameson at The Millennium. He gasped, "Mr. Schmidt, you were spot on! Axel Whitaker walked into our trap. He came looking for Ms. Altman alone!"

    Jameson was lounging on the couch, enjoying the feelings of ecstasy from the drugs he had just injected. His usually ironed shirt was wrinkled, and his legs were spread. The wine ss in his hand faced the floor, its contents spilling on the floor.

    Carl felt sorry for Jameson, who had been using drugs a lot more

    frequentlytely. It was not a good sign. Abusing drugs and alcohol. would slowly take a toll on his health. If his health went downhill, what was the point of all the sess he fought for?

    "The Taylors are all lovefools." Jameson shut his eyes and snorted. "I thought Axel Whitaker would surprise me, but he''s no different than the others. He''s such an idiot for putting himself through all the trouble for a woman."

    "Many men would die for women," Carl chimed in with a mocking smile. "Since he''s taken the bait, I''ll give the orders to get rid of him tonight."

    "Sure." Jameson gave his green light.

    "Ms. Altman is still in the vi, though. I''ll figure out a way to get her out of there..."

    "There''s no need for that." Jameson said with his eyes half-opened, "I shall grant the wish of this sweet, loving couple to die together since that''s what they''re after."

    Bewildered, Carl argued, "M-Mr. Schmidt, are you going to give up on Ms. Altman? She''s served you for years!"

    "Why? Are you reluctant to let her go?"

    "No... That''s not the case..." Carl hesitantly added, "Ms. Altman has been of great help to youtely. Without her oversight, The Millennium can''t go on. Besides..."

    "She''s just a recement. I can easily train any woman to do the same tasks and take her ce. Her only value to me is to bait Axel Whitaker. Now that we''ve reached our goal, there''s no reason for her to exist."

    Carl felt a chill up his spine. Heart drumming, he said, "But Mr. Schmidt-"

    Jameson suddenly sat up on the couch and looked at the pot of red roses on the coffee table that he so cherished. Without warning, he.

    reached out for the nt''s step.ne

    eliciting Carl''s gasp. "Mr. Schmidt, don''t prick your fingers!"

    Jameson was oblivious to Carl''s worries and proceeded to pull the entire nt out of the pot. A gentle thud was heard, and a tiny tapping device tumbled from the soil.

 Chapter 2012

    Axel clutched Amber''s hands as they fled down the luxurious corridor with dangers lurking at every corner. Running with a woman in tow did not affect his efficacy at all. He gunned down each man who ran after them with precision.

    A man suddenly jumped them from the left before Axel had the time to turn around. Amber, in his defense, aimed her hairpin at the man''s throat and slit it. Blood sttered around, tainting her dress. Axel stared squarely at her, his heart hammering against his ribs. The affection in his gaze intensified.

    "Phew. That was close." She wiped away the sweat on her cheek, only to paint it with blood. She looked exceptionally gorgeous despite the mess.

    The killers skulked and scrambled across the vi, hunting relentlessly for Axel and Amber. Having no way of escaping, Amber hid in a warehouse filled with misceneous items that she stumbled upon. They locked the door behind them and fortified it with some racks.

    "Axel, I''m afraid I can''t leave with you." Amber had to go against her heart ande to a decision. "I''ll stay here to distract them. I''m sure escaping from here is a cakewalk for you with your skills. If we stay together, Jameson Schmidt''s men will only act more ruthlessly. We''ll lose our lives here."

    "Are you that reluctant to die with me?" he questioned with an arched brow, refusing to let go of her hand.

    "Yeah, I don''t want to." Without hesitation, she turned her blood-stained face away from him. "I have unfinished business. No way I''m dying today!"

    Eyes colored with affection, Axel swallowed hard and pressed her against the wall. He kissed her on the lips, making her heart flutter. She hurriedly covered his mouth, yet the desire lingered in his eyes. "Don''t. I''m filthy," she protested through tears.

    Her shoulders trembled softly. She loved him too much and wanted the best for him. She hoped that he would date a perfect woman instead of a sullied and damaged woman like her. Ovee with heartache, Axel teared up and forcefully removed her hand that covered his mouth. He rasped, "I''ll kill anyone who dares call you dirty."

    He showered her with passionate and possessive kisses, their breaths mingling as their tongues danced together.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    She stared into his tender eyes and fell for him again. She regarded this kiss as her first. Now, she could die without regrets.

    After some kissing, they parted, gasping for breath. Glistening threads of saliva hung from their swollen lips.

    Blushing, she slipped something into his hand.

    "Hm? Is this some keepsake for me?" He lifted a brow and opened his palm. He appeared surprised at the sight of the blue pills. "What are these?"

    "These are the drugs that the man was talking about-themon drugs that he exported for Jameson Schmidt." She cast a zing gaze on him., found these pills on him You must get out alive and hand these pills to Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett. Get them to look into these pills-best if they could locate the source of origin. You also need to tell them about Jameson''s secret experiments on the drug addicts!"

    "Amber..." His breath caught. He tightened his grip on her waist.

    "I''ve been gathering intelligence by Jameson''s side. There are two more things-" She sensed his desire to interject, but the urgency of the situation outweighed the romance. with

    "Firstly, Jameson is in cat

    Aidan Lovce. Secondly, look out for Nichs Novak the police chief. He''s Jameson''s pawn!"

    She spoke hurriedly as if this was thest time they would see each other. Suddenly, they detected the acrid scent of burning.

    "Damn it! The vi is on fire!" She widened her eyes in shock as she peered out the window. The mes licked the sky menacingly, dancing like a devil and threatening to swallow them all.

    "Hah. Seems your ideals were too

    lofty." The rising heat did not faze Axel. Heforted Amber by stroking her nape. He exined, "You were Jameson''s bait for me from the start. He never intended to rescue you. All he wanted was for us to die together!"

 Chapter 2013

    Amber felt like she was struck by lightning. Each breath she took weighed heavily on her chest as she gazed out the window. The mes outside reflected in her eyes.

    She knew it was only a matter of time before Jameson disposed of her. After all, he had already harbored suspicion toward her. Yet, she refused to let that beast use her against Axel, the man she loved. "Amber, will you be scared if I invite you to jump down with me from here?" Axel grabbed her firmly on the waist with a smile.

    Staring into his eyes with a look of determination, she answered, "I''m not scared."

    "Tsk. Can''t you make me feel like a man, just once?" He yfully red at her and pinched her on the waist. "You could at least pretend to huddle in my arms and tremble like the typical damsel in distress." "I''m scared, to be honest." She gazed at him longingly. "But I''m fearless when I''m with you."

    Axel''s heart of steel melted from her sweet words. Giving her another kiss, he urged, "Let''s go!" Next, he wrapped her body under his ck windbreaker before firing a few shots at the windows.

    They held their breath as smoke filled the room. Then, they sprinted toward the window with all their might. Axel rammed his body into the ss, shattering it, and he jumped off the fifth floor while holding Amber tightly.

    The mes licked the sky while ss shards and sparks rained on them.

    Amber''s heart nearly came to a stop. She shut her eyes in fear.

    In the frenzy, she overheard Axel''sbored breathing, which only added to her anxiety.

    A swishing sound was heard when an extremely thin metal rope whizzed out from his sleeve and attached itself to the wall.

    Holding Amber in one arm, Axel scaled down the wall using the metal rope. Theynded safely within 10 seconds-a short but memorable time for her.

    Having no time to take a breather, they held onto each other as they escaped into the woods. Suddenly, Amber came to a pause and tremblingly shook off his hands.

    Axel spun around with a look of shock. "Amber-"

    "I''m sorry, but I can only make it up to here with you." Tears brimming in her eyes, she took a resolute step away from him. "I will only be a burden to you if we stick together. Leave while they haven''t reached

    us.

    "Also, please do not look for me again. This thing between us shall end here."

    "Are you asking me to give up on you? At this dangerous time? Amber Altman, what do you take me as?" Gripped by worry, he gritted his teeth and approached her, but she stumbled backward.

    He argued, "Even if you refuse to leave with me, you cannot possibly return to Jameson''s side. He wanted you dead alongside me. Don''t you get it?"

    "That''s true. Jameson Schmidt wanted us dead, but you''re still alive. Isn''t that right?" She shed an impassive, heartless smile, yet her heart was torn apart. "I can only live knowing that you''re alive. If we stick together, Jameson will never let you go, and we''ll never enjoy a day of peace.

    "Axel, I have important business here. I don''t have the luxury to be in love. That''s not what I want. But I will always remember the romance we once shared."

    With that, she ran into the hellish ocean of mes, leaving him shouting futilely behind her. "Amber Altman! Come back!"

    Her tears scattered in the chilly breeze.

    The fire turned the entire vi into a ruin. Not a living being escaped the tragedy.

    Ten men, dressed in ck and holding shlights,unched a search in the scorched building.

    Meanwhile, Carl stood outside the scene with a pale face and teary eyes. "Search carefully! I need to see her, alive or dead!" "Yes, sir!"

    At that moment, he heard a series of heavy and familiar footsteps approaching him from behind.

    "Amber... Altman?" He turned around, his features contorting in a mix of shock and delight when he saw Amber, covered in dirt and blood.

    "Call off the search. Axel Whitaker is gone." Amber cast an icy nce at Carl. With a smirk, she added, "I''m sorry for letting down Mr. Schmidt again."

    Startled, Carl rushed up to her and interrogated her in a repressed voice, "Did you let him go?"

    "Do you think I''m all-powerful? Of course I didn''t."

    "Amber, this is a final warning. Got it?" Carl grasped her shoulders firmly and panted heavily. "The next time you run into Axel Whitaker, you must kill him!"

    She shed him a fearless smile. "What if I don''t?"

    "We''re longtime colleagues. I don''t

    want you

    dead!" Carl was ten years

    older than Amber. Indeed, she had grown up in front of his eyes. He had formed a bond with her because

    he''d been by her side ever since she

    enrolled in special training in her teens.

    "Amber, just be patient! Let''s all be patient. Once Mr. Schmidtpletes the drug experiment for Sir, he''ll gain power over the Schmidt Group and monopolize the country''s pharmaceutical industry! He''ll crush the likes of KS Group and Beckett Group!

    "When the timees, you''ll reap your rewards. We''ll live a good life. Serving Mr Schmidt is your only way out!" A greedy look shed across her eyes. He did not mind sharing the secret n with Amber inhis desperate attempt to convince her.

    Her eyes wavered. Carl''s words matched Axel''s spection. However, she was more surprised by the new clue. The enigmatic "sir" appeared to be the mastermind of Jameson''s scheme.

    Carl, getting emotional from his heartfelt speech, suddenly pulled Amber into a hug. Despite feeling disgusted by him, she did not shove him away.

    She needed to coax Carl, Jameson''s right-hand man and a key to Jameson''s secrets. Only then would she get closer to the crux of Jameson''s evil business operations.

    "Amber, listen to me. You must kill Axel Whitaker the next time!" Inhaling deeply, Carl promised her in a tender tone, "I''ll talk to Mr. Schmidt about this. Just listen to me. Stay alive, no matter what it takes!" "Got it," she replied softly with disgust and indifference in her eyes.

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 2014

    In the deep of the night, Alyssa was soundly asleep by Jasper''s side while he pored through the financial reports and project proposals. All of a sudden, he heard a knock on the door, followed by Rosie''s worried voice. "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, are you asleep?" Jasper tiptoed to answer the door to avoid waking up Alyssa. "Mrs. Rosie, it''ste. Why aren''t you sleeping yet?"

    "Mr. Beckett, Mr. Axel is here!"

    "Mr. Axel? Lyse''s brother?" He was taken aback.

    "Yes! He looks quite upset. He''s in the living room. Please check on him!" Mrs. Rosie reported.

    At that time, Alyssa rubbed her eyes groggily and shuffled up to Jasper in her fuzzy slippers. "Jasper, did you just say that Axel was here?"

    "Sorry for waking you up." He gently held her by the waist with a tender look.

    She leaned against him, their bodies separated only through ayer of silk fabric. "I''m fine, but I''m worried about Axel. He won''t show upte at night for no good reason. Jasper, let''s meet with him now."

    ...

    Jasper''s and Alyssa''s jaws dropped when they saw Axel standing in the living room with torn clothes and a blood-stained face. Alyssa had never seen Axel in such a disheveled state in her life. He had always appeared invincible.

    Of course, Axel would never reveal to Alyssa the times he flirted with death during his missions.

    "Axel, what''s wrong? Are you injured?" Alyssa hurried up to him and ran her fingers across his shoulders. Her face turned white from the shock.

    "Lyse, I''m fine," Axel replied.

    He was an empty shell of his self. His eyes were vacant, and his voice low. Worried sick, she asked, "How could you im you''re fine? What happened to your face and your clothes?"

    Momentster, Axel looked up with restrained feelings that threatened to inundate him. Breathing slowly, he began, "Lyse, I''ve not asked you for any favors these years. This time, I need a favor from you. Please."N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Jasper widened his eyes in shock at Axel''s sorry state. He had seen Axel''s many sides. Axel was cynical, yful, and sometimes ruthless, but he had never revealed such desperation.

    Alyssa shook Axel by the shoulders and croaked, "Axel, what''s with the formalities? Just ask away!"

    "Can you save her?"

    "Who?"

    He choked on his emotions. "Amber Altman."

    Jasper and Alyssa were caught off guard. This was the first time they heard Axel mentioning a woman''s name.

    Axel lowered his gaze and grabbed the pack of blue pills from his jacket. He ced them in Alyssa''s palm.

    She put on a look of disbelief. "Axel, where did you get your hands on these pills?"

    "It was Amber." Pressing his lips, he gathered himself and recounted the eventful night. Jasper and Alyssa listened intently, holding their breaths. The heart-stopping story gave them goosebumps, making their hair stand.

    "Jameson Schmidt is still the

    mastermind in the end. Right?" Jasper clenched his fists resentfully. "He falsely presented these mysterious pills asmon drugs and made Aidan Lovce market them. At the same time, he exports these pills overseas by buying out the drug dealers.

    "This might appear like a typical drug smuggling operation, but Jameson was in fact running experiments on the drug users. It was never his intention to make money from these pills!"

    Alyssa chimed in, "Drug trials are a

    notoriouslyplicated and lengthy

    process, spanning from initial

    research to clinical trials and

    regtory approval. This could take anywhere from five to ten years. Besides, animal testing cannot beat

    human experimentation in terms of precision."

    The deeply hical nature of the scheme incensed Alyssa further. "By amassing sufficient test subjects, they could gatherprehensive clinical data and elerate the R&D timeline from a decade to a mere two or three years!

    "We could only assume that the drug was pretty potent from Jameson''s bold decision to undertake such risks. If his efforts paid off, he could monopolize the market!

    "On another note, Nichs Novak might have been behind Xavier''s arrest thest time. Colluding with authorities had always been a tactic out of the Schmidt Group''s ybook. I''m sure he has been helping out the Schmidts in the drug experiments as well!"

    With exceptional logical thinking, Alyssa immediately pieced the puzzle using the clues provided by Amber.

    "I wanted to leave with Amber, but

    she refused. She wanted to stay by Jameson''s side to spy on him." A

    elhet

    piercing pain shot through Axel''s et

    chest when he recalled the

    determined final look from Amber. "Lyse, I need Amber to be safe. I don''t want anything happening to her!"

    Alyssa clutched his cold hands and questioned, "Axel, are you..."

    He choked up while staring at Alyssa''s lovely face. Though Amber once resembled Alyssa, she was now unmistakably her own person instead of a substitute.

    Amber was unique; she belonged to him and only him.

    Overwhelmed by a flood of emotions, Axel dered with unwavering resolve, "Alyssa, I''ve fallen for her. I love Amber Altman."

 Chapter 2015

    Alyssa and Jasper found themselves speechless at Axel''s newfound feelings. They had always perceived Axel as a carefree yer who never knew how to love, a man who cherished his freedom more than anything else.

    The truth came as a shock to the couple, especially to Alyssa, who knew Axel better than anyone else.

    When she first requested Axel to get closer to Amber, he grinned evilly and promised to carry out the mission wlessly. He might lose an organ in the process, but never his heart.

    He hadpleted his mission. Though Alyssa had no idea if he had sacrificed his organs at any point, one thing was for sure he gave his heart to Amber.

    "Are you being serious, Axel?" she asked him for confirmation, gaping at him.

    Axel returned her gaze with seriousness. "Lyse, I never understood your obsession with Jasper, but I think I know now."

    He did not address her question, but his reply was more touching than a mere confirmation.

    Jasper, standing behind them, closed his eyes bitterly. He stated, "Axel, you and Amber have my full support if you''re truly in love with each other."

    "Me too, Axel." Alyssa inhaled sharply. Her eyes sparkled with determination.

    Their encouragement moved Axel. He said in a shaking voice, "Lyse, does it bother you that Amber once worked for Jameson? Do you mind her looking like you "

    "Not at all." Her bright, warm smile dispelled all his doubts. "I''m worried that might bother you, but on second thought, I believe you''re in love with her soul, not her looks. Only those with a pure soul would capture your heart and win your love.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Axel, tell Ms. Altman the next time you meet that I admire and respect her."

    While speaking, she teared up. "We desperately need her to provide intel on Jameson, but I''d rather not put her through it if she''ll be hurt. Jasper and I cane up with other ways to take down Jameson. "Axel, I would like to protect your rtionship-whatever it takes-now that you finally found your true love."

    "Thank you, Lyse. You too, Jasper." Axel teared up as pain ripped through his chest. "But I don''t know when I will see Amber again. Even if we meet, she will not leave with him.

    "Anyway, I can''t approach her again.

    If Jameson Schmidt went as far as to get us killed this time, I have no idea how crazy he might act the next time. I''m not scared of him, just worried for Amber."

    to

    Alyssa felt for him. Jameson was a beast who could easily crush and trample on a vulnerable woman like Amber.

    Every life was equally valuable, including Amber''s. No life should have been sacrificed.

    "Since you haven''t hurt Jameson''s

    interest and are home safe, I believe he will noty a finger on Ms. Altman for the time being." Jasper had a bitter took in his eyes. "But I''m afraid he might use her as bait for you. He wants you dead, it seems.Content. belongs to

    "Try me. He might be the one who ends up dead. No matter what it takes, I''ll save Amber from his ws!" Axel''s breathing grew heavy as he rolled his fist. She was the only one for him, he had decided.

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged looks and sighed. They never expected a steel-hearted man like Axel to fall in love.

    ...

    Jasper and Alyssa returned to their room after making sure Axel was settled in.

    They had a long conversation in bed, analyzing Jameson''s situation and chatting about Axel and Amber''s rtionship. Finally, Alyssa''s eyelids

    grew heavy, and she drifted to sleep.

    Right as Jasper was about to fall asleep, he jolted up when his phone buzzed. Axel had texted him, "Come to my room, please."

    Jasper immediately got out of bed and tiptoed out of his bedroom.

    He checked his surroundings before knocking on Axel''s door, acting like he was keeping a tryst.

    Soon, the door creaked open. Axel appeared with a vacant expression, his face pallid and his nose dotted with sweat.

 Chapter 2016

    "Lyse doesn''t know you''re meeting me, right?" Axel lowered his voice with ragged breathing.

    "She''s asleep." Jasper nced at him deeply. Frowning, he questioned, "Axel, you look unwell. Are you feeling sick? I''ll get my grandpa''s physician to check on you."

    Axel ushered Jasper into his room and shut the door. Letting out a sigh, he walked to the couch, where he gritted his teeth and took off his torn ck shirt under the dim light.

    Jasper''s pupils dted in shock. He gasped at the horrific wounds across Axel''s muscr body, some with scabs and some still bleeding.

    What shocked Jasper was the palm-sized burnt injury on Axel''s back. Axel''s honeyed skin turned a shade of red. Bloodied fluids oozed out of the burst blister.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "How did it get this bad?" Jasper''s heart nearly stopped. He hurried over and helped Axel to take a seat.

    "Jameson Schmidt sent assassins after me and Amber. Later, they set a fire around the vi to burn us alive." Axel clenched his jaw when he recalled the painful sensation of the burns.

    As a hardy man, he rarelyined or groaned when injured. In fact, he nearly couldn''t make it when he arrived at Alyssa''s door, yet he kept his injuries to himself to avoid worrying her. "Jameson Schmidt, you fucking maniac!'' Gripped by anger, Jasper helped disinfect the wound.

    With his back facing Jasper, Axel took a breath and chuckled. "Now, I''m really thankful that Lyse has always been into you, even when Jameson tried to woo her. Thank God she didn''t fall for his lies, or her life would be ruined."

    Jasper''s fingers started to tremble as he choked on emotions.

    "In some way, I have you to thank," said Jasper while secretly grimacing at the pain.

    "It''s truly an honor to be chosen by Lyse," Jasper confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "I''ve never felt like I''ve done much for her. She''s always been the one looking out for herself, relying on her intelligence."

    "Pfft. Looking out for herself?" Sweating from the pain, Axel grinned. "She''s never looked out for herself in the sense of the word. Winston protected her when she was a kid. And us brothers, we''ve been there for her as adults. No one truly wants to be overly independent when they have people who care and love them."

    While speaking, Axel thought of the gorgeous Amber who had fought alongside him. He could tell from herbat skills that she had been put through grueling training-her attacks more lethal than defensive. Blinking back bitter tears, he silently pondered, "When did she capture my heart?" By the time he btedly realized the depths of his feelings, she had already taken root in his heart.

    "Jasper, is this how it feels to finally fall for someone in a life of solitude?"

    Jasper listened attentively to Axel''s musings.

    Axel mumbled, "Romantic love is on a whole different level from familial love. I''ve been putting on a front for as long as I know, I almost forgot how to love as a human being. Still, I''d like to give it my all, just like you. I want to give it a try."

    Amber returned to The Millennium with Carl on that eventful night. Everything seemed normal and calm at the clubhouse.

    Jameson did not show up in the next three days or summon her. Not only that, he didn''t assign any new tasks to her.

    She spent most of her time sleeping during the three days, perhaps from the side effects of the drugs. The sensation of drifting between reality and dreams could be addictive.

    In her dreams, she snuggled and

    shared passionate kisses with Axel. The racy scenes starkly contrasted with the cold reality, which only deepened her desire for him. If she had a choice, she wouldn''t mind taking two more of the blue pills and drifting to sleep. Only then would she stand a chance of meeting Axel.

    That wasn''t too much to ask for, was it?

    On the fourth night, Amber mustered her energy to take a bath and changed into a simple, pure azure dress. She emerged from her bedroom and wandered into the corridor. There, she found a

    ovel

    bodyguard walking in her direction,

    holding a pot of flowers.

    When they neared each other, she widened her eyes in fear, her heart leaping into her throat.

    The bodyguard was carrying a pot of red roses that Jameson kept in his living room!

    The guard came to a halt and greeted her, "Hi, Ms. Altman."

    "A-Aren''t these flowers from Mr. Schmidt''s room? Why did you remove them?" Amber tried to appear nonchnt despite her drumming heart.

    "Oh. Mr. Moses made me remove them. He said Mr. Schmidt did not need the flowers anymore." With that, the bodyguard passed her by.

    The color drained from her face. At the same time, she heard Carl''s deep voice echoing behind her, "Amber, Mr. Schmidt would like to see you. Pleasee with me."

 Chapter 2017

    Amber followed Carl to the venue with a stoic demeanor, even though she was drenched in a cold sweat and dragged her feet.

    She recalled the pot of roses thrown out by Jameson, and she went through all possible worst-case scenarios.

    Jameson had always cherished the red roses. His sudden decision to throw them out and his act of summoning her suggested that he had found out about the tapping device.

    When she snapped back to reality, she shut her eyes and inhaled deeply. When she opened her eyes again, they shone with a determined look as if she was ready to face her execution. Death was inevitable anyway. Having mentally braced herself for the worst, she found herself unshaken by fear.

    Amber was led to the ghoulish basement, where countless people lost their lives in executions.

    A few guards stood in the corners of the basement. d in an impable grey suit, Jameson lounged on the red velvet couch in the middle of the space. Legs folded, he enjoyed a ss of red wine. His rxed presence was a stark contrast to the eerie environment.

    "Amber, I heard you were in your room for four days. How are you feeling? Better?" Jameson swirled the red wine with an unreadable smile.

    Amber bit her lower lip, offering no reply.

    He squinted and adjusted his sses. Then, he beckoned at her. "Amber,e to me."

    A nauseous feeling rose within her. However, she had no choice but to walk up to Jameson.

    She let out a gasp when Jameson yanked her forward, causing her to fall into his arms.

    "Weren''t you into sexy clothes in the past? I don''t recall ever seeing you wearing such a modest and simple dress." He held her by the waist, forcing her to sit on his lower abdomen. His alcoholic breath brushed against her pale cheeks.

    vefn

    Jameson''s overt act of flirting only sickened her. He questioned, "Why? Does Axel prefer this?"

    Feeling the chills, she looked away. "No..."

    "I like you in modest dresses too. You should start wearing these dresses." He elicited a snarky chuckle as his hand traveled down her back.

    She trembled under his touch. Hispliment was an affront to her dress.

    Holding her breath, she rasped, "Mr. Schmidt, why do you want to see me?"

    "I''m inviting you to watch a show with me." Smiling, Jameson shot a look at Carl.

    Carl got the hint and pped his hands with a t expression. Then, they heard a nking sound,

    velsThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    followed by the rattling sounds of metal chains.

    Amber watched helplessly as a severely injured man hung from a metal chain and slowly descended She finally recognized the victim badly bruised and barely recognizable face when his feet touched the ground. S

    Her mind went nk at the sight. Tears brimming in her eyes, she found herself grappling with intense fear and unbridled resentment. The man was no other than Wesley.

    One of the bodyguards unchained Wesley. After that, Carl approached Wesley and kicked him over, causing him to sputter a mouthful of blood.

 Chapter 2018

    Wesley was severely injured, his life hanging by a thread.

    Amber gritted her teeth. A torrent of rage flooded her heart, threatening to spill over.

    Jameson held her waist so tightly that she was unable to move. Even if she could move, how on earth was she supposed to get there?

    "I can''t believe I trusted and nurtured you. Yet, you chose to betray Mr. Schmidt! You good-for-nothing traitor!"

    Carl, already violent, was incensed. His outrage burned hotter than ever. He yearned to torture Wesley relentlessly, a disy of his unwavering loyalty. "Do you have any idea what you''ve done by selling us out?"

    "What... if... I did?" Wesley rasped weakly, slumped sideways. "It... didn''t... change... my decision..."

    Wesley''s words piqued James'' interest. He raised an eyebrow, taking a deliberate sip of wine.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Amber''s lips trembled as she stared at Wesley, who was on the brink of death. She counted down in her heart, barely breathing!

    "Why did you betray Mr. Schmidt? Speak!" Carl red at him angrily and kicked him.

    Wesley scoffed, a weak chuckle escaping his lips before his eyes fluttered shut.

    Carl lost his temper and was about to kick his head.

    Then, Jameson suddenly said, "Carl, wait."

    Carl instantly retracted his leg.

    "If I recall correctly," Jameson continued calmly, "you''re the bodyguard I punished for a mistake a few years back, aren''t you?"

    Wesley didn''t say a word, effectively admitting it.

    Amber''s face drained of color. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.

    She''d witnessed countless acts of treachery throughout her life. Her heart, hardened by experience, was usually unfazed. But it was different this time.

    Wesley was her partner-in-crime, the one glimmer of warmth she had found in the treacherous world of the Millennium. But that warmth was about to vanish before her very eyes.

    "Have you been holding this grudge

    all these years? Even so, you have held it in for so long. Why did you choose now to go behind my back? Who is your aplice? And who instructed you to bug my room?" Jameson''s lips curled into

    mocking smile.

    Jameson continued, "I like how ballsy you are, so I''m going to give

    you onest chance. If you tell me who your aplice is, I will spare your life. Not only will I spare

    §¤§²§¿§­§°

    life, but I will let you join the

    management of the and

    work alongside Carl. What do you think?"

    Amber was about to lose it. As she was about to part her pale lips, Wesleyughed. "Jameson... Do you take me for a fool? Nothing thates from your mouth... can be trusted... you heartless animal believe that justice will be served. Even if I fail... you will soon bite the dust!"

    "You worthless pig! How dare you curse Mr. Schmidt!" Carl was outraged and kicked him.

    "Dozens of people want me dead across Sna City and Kontina. Even if these are yourst words, you really should have been more creative with it."

    Jameson wasn''t angry; instead, heughed. He then shook his head. "I won''t force you since you don''t appreciate this chance. Amber..."

    He suddenly called her name.

    Amber''s heart tightened. She looked at his sinister eyes nkly.

    "Previously, I had my doubts about you. Now, I''m giving you a chance to redeem yourself."

    As he spoke, Jameson patted the small of her back. A cold and murderous glint flickered in his eyes. "Kill him, and I''ll consider us even. You''ll remain my most trusted confidante, second only to Carl."

 Chapter 2019

    Amber heard Jameson clearly but felt torn between her mind and body. She couldn''t utter a response.

    "Go. Now," Jameson urged, his gaze turning icy.

    A shiver wracked Amber as she rose, her dress clinging ufortably to her cold sweat. She was alive, but she felt as if she had died over and over again. She walked toward Wesley; a few steps felt like a lifetime.

    Wesley''s hands were bound, so he used his head to prop himself up. He swayed as he kneeled before her.

    He had known he would die the moment he was captured. However, he wasn''t resigned to a meaningless death; he wanted to die with dignity.

    Carl approached and took Amber''s cold hand, cing a gun in it and forcing her fingers to grip the handle.

    Despite the blood covering his face, Wesley offered her a wan smile, a gesture meant tofort Amber. Tears welled in Amber''s eyes as she squeezed them shut. The dank basement was a ughterhouse. She opened her eyes again.

    Wesley''s left eye was swollen and bloodshot; he could only see through his right eye. No one else would have noticed, but Amber saw his right eye blinking in a specific pattern.

    A jolt of understanding shot through Amber-Wesley was sending her a Morse code.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    She tapped her trembling fingertips against her side, matching the rhythm of Wesley''s blinks,mitting hisst words to memory.

    "Amber, act fast. Don''t keep Mr. Schmidt waiting." Carl looked at her with an inexplicable expression.

    Amber slowly raised her arm and aimed the gun at Wesley. She panted heavily, on the verge of tears, unable to pull the trigger. In that moment, she wanted to kill herself.

    While everyone''s attention was on Amber, Wesley suddenly got up from the ground and pushed Amber aside with all his strength. Amber staggered backward, but Carl reflexively caught her.

    "Jameson Schmidt, you bastard! Rot in hell!" With tears and blood in his eyes, Wesley lunged at Jameson like an angered lion.

    Wesley acted so fast that none of Jameson''s underlings could react in time. However, these underlings were professionally trained. They shouldn''t have been this slow to react-including Carl. They had been careless!

    They never expected someone so tortured to have such power!

    Jameson didn''t react in time, and the wine ss in his hand fell. In the next instant, he shrieked.

    Wesley''s eyes were bloodshot as he fiercely bit Jameson''s left ear.

    "Mr. Schmidt!"

    Everyone panicked and was unsure what to do.

    Carl was outraged. He shouted as he aimed his gun at Wesley''s back and fired three shots.

    No!

    Amber couldn''t hold it in anymore. Tears streamed down her face.

    The basement fell silent.

    Wesley, who was on Jameson, eventually slumped and fell backward.

    Carl''s forehead was beaded with sweat of fear. He ran to Jameson. "M-Mr. Schmidt, are you okay?"

    The next second, he noticed the blood on Jameson''s left ear. The tip of his ear was gone. It was a horrifying sight, to say the least.

    "C-Call the doctor now!"

    Jameson winced in pain, bellowing ferociously, "Dismember him and feed him to the dogs!"

    Jameson was rushed to the hospital for stitches. Meanwhile, Carl stayed behind to handle Wesley''s body.

    "Carl, tell them to leave. I have something to say to you," Amber said, her gaze fixed on Wesley. She didn''t even blink.

    Carl noticed her haggard face and, with a heavy heart, ordered everyone to leave.

    "Carlton," Amber choked out, her voice trembling.

    Carl''s heart shuddered. His grim gaze softened. "Amber, you''ve not called me that in years."

    "Carlton, can you please keep Wesley''s body in one piece?" Amber begged.

    "You are so stubborn!" Carl anxiously held her shoulders. "This punk was your aplice, right? Do you know that Mr. Schmidt is suspicious of you? Luckily, this punk went ballistic and didn''t rat you out. I took my shot

    chen''t

    and killed him. If he had said

    anything against you, you''d have suffered the same fate!"

    Amber stared nkly at the man who showed care to her. Yet, hatred continued to burn in her heart.

    Jameson was the devil, and Carl was the devil''s vicious minion.

    The man, who shot Wesley three times, had the audacity to act like he cared about her. It was revolting!

    "And now you want to keep this punk''s body in one piece. If Mr. Schmidt finds out..."

    "Then, don''t let him find out."

    Amber looked at him firmly, but her

    voice surprisingly gentle. "Wesley had always treated me well, like I was his sister. Now, he''s dead because of me. Carlton, I''ve never

    asked you for anything, but I''m

    asking now. Please, I beg you. I

    know you have your ways.

    Carl had her in his heart. He instantly gave in as he looked at the teary-eyed woman before him. He sighed helplessly. "Okay, I''ll do it."

    "Thank you..." Amber looked grateful.

    "However, you must promise me not to scheme against Mr. Schmidt anymore. Don''t do anything stupid."

    Carl enveloped her in his embrace.

    His heart beat faster. "I know you''ve suffered a lot. Once Mr. Schmidt has full control over the Schmidt Group and sessfully develops the new drug, you can finally leave this dreadful ce. We''ll have better days ahead of us!"

    to

    Amber''s heart was about to explode as she thought about Wesley''s death. "When is this new drug expected to bepleted?"

    "Soon," Carl murmured in her ear.

 Chapter 2020

    The next day, Julien arrived alone at Alyssa and Jasper''s vi.

    "Jul, where''s Jonah?"

    Alyssa and Julien sat in the living room while Jasper, ever the considerate host, brought out a tter of cut fruits for their guest. "Jonah is at home taking care of Dad and managing some household errands. We''re leaving for Mosgravia in two days."

    A sweet sentiment welled up in Julien''s eyes as he addressed Winston as "Dad" so naturally.

    Alyssa looked at him, feeling uneasy. She wondered if Jonah had destroyed the photos of his ex.

    "Lyse, I''m here because the medication test results are out," Julien announced, his voice firm as he handed them the document.

    Alyssa tore open the brown envelope while Jasper quickly sat beside her.

    "The breakdown seemsplex," Alyssa said. She was a surgeon, so she knew very little about pharmaceuticals.

    Jasper, however, perused the document with ease. "Is this considered medication, not a drug?"

    "It is a type of medication. I''ve checked the contents. It''s basically an antidepressant and antipsychotic meant to stabilize mental conditions," Julien said sternly. Jasper''s expression darkened. "If it''s medication, Jameson could use it as an excuse, even if we catch him. Selling medication is a far cry from illegal drugs."

    Alyssa, outraged, clenched her fists until her knuckles cracked. "How vicious of him to conductb tests on humans!"

    "There''s an unexpected twist, though," Julien interrupted, taking the report back and scrutinizing it further. His brow furrowed. "Theponents of this medication are remarkably simr to those of a medication recently developed by Lovce Pharmaceuticals for Alzheimer''s disease. Honestly, based solely on these results, I''d mistake it for a generic medication produced by Lovce Pharmaceuticals."

    "Alzheimer''s disease?" Shock appeared on Jasper''s face. "I thought this was an incurable disease. There is no medication for it."

    Julien nodded. "That''s right.

    However, the Lovce Group is determined to develop a drug for it My father had formed the country''s best drug research and development tear for this purpose. They poured all their resources into it.

    "I hear there have been recent developments, but I suspect it''s not that simple. Releasing such news might be a ploy to attract further investment. The research could even be fabricated." Alyssa''s eyes suddenly lit up. "Jameson''s mother has Alzheimer''s disease."

    "He might have developed this medication through despicable means, potentially for his mother," Jasper said as he read Alyssa''s mind.

    "However, there''s something odd. The Schmidt Group never imed to have a pharmaceutical division or manage any pharmaceuticalpanies."

    Alyssa sensed something was

    amiss. "Jameson suddenly

    developed this medication and even

    secretly can experiments on it. He

    might be malicious, but he isn''t capable of plotting such a deliberate scheme. After all, this isn''t his area of expertise.

    Jasper held Alyssa''s waist and gently caressed it. "Lyse, do you think someone is manipting him? Maybe Jameson isn''t the mastermind behind this medication but merely a pawn?"

    "I can''t help but think so. He grew up in the shadows in Kontina for years. Who knows what kind ofpany he kept?"

    "However, we have no proof," Julien

    said, frustration evident in his voice.

    "We can''t prove that the so-called ''drug addicts'' are actually subjects

    of a human trial or that Jameson isC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    involved. What should we do?"

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged thoughtful nces, both lost in contemtion.

    Just then, Alyssa''s phone rang.

    It was Cyrus calling.

    She quickly answered, "What''s the matter, Cyrus?"

    "Something terrible happened, Lyse!" Cyrus eximed. "Nathan Waters was arrested for murder!"

 Chapter 2021

    They hadn''t finished their conversation about the medication when another problem emerged.

    Xavier drove Jasper''s Rolls-Royce as they sped to the police station, a heavy atmosphere settling in the car.

    Cyrus was waiting at the police station, his expression intense.

    "Everything was fine. How did Uncle Nathan end up involved in a murder?" Alyssa asked eagerly.

    "We received a reportst night that a male body was found in an obscure alley on South Harmony Street in the West City District. He was severely beaten, with many signs ofcerations and heavy impact. "The victim had a Northern Cardinal badge on his chest. After confirming his identity, it turned out he was a member of The Ivory Gang," Cyrus exined calmly.

    Cyrus continued, "The alley is near a high-end membership club. It''s usually empty during the day, and guests drive directly into the basement car park at night. No one walks in that alley.

    "It was an olddy who was collecting recybles that found the body due to the stench two days after his death. By then, the body had shown signs of decay, withrge rats crawling on it-" "Cyrus, stop!" Alyssa interrupted, her face pale. "A summary will do. We just had lunch!"

    Jasper, however, looked intrigued.

    "In short, after several rounds of interrogation, Nathan admits to beating the man out of frustration. He denied the allegation of murder. He imed that the victim was still alive when he left him." Jasper asked seriously, "Cyrus, did the police retrieve Nathan''s DNA from the body?"

    Cyrus furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. "Not only did we find his DNA, but we also have surveince footage of the alley. It shows Nathan dragging the victim into the alley, beating him up, and then leaving."

    Alyssa asked further. "Was the violence caught on camera?"

    "No," Cyrus replied, "but the footage shows only Nathan and the olddy. No one else entered the alley. This isn''t my case, but my colleague from the technical department confirmed that the footage hasn''t been edited. So, Nathan is the prime suspect now." This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Cyrus sighed deeply. "The physical evidence is there, even though we have no witnesses. If Nathan were charged with manughter, he would likely spend the rest of his life in prison."

    Alyssa leaned back in her seat, a heavy silence settling in her heart. She didn''t believe Nathan was inherently violent, but the evidence was undeniable. He''d beaten the man, leaving him in the alley. "Nathan manhandled the guy, then left like nothing happened right under the security camera! It doesn''t add up." Jasper squinted, his brow furrowing in doubt.

    Alyssa and Cyrus looked at him. "What do you mean?"

    "First, I know Nathan Waters as street-smart man. He''s not a violent thug who acts without thinking about the consequences. As Marc Waters right-hand man, he always had the future of The Ivory Gang in mind. He would never do something so reckless."

    A sharp glint appeared in Jasper''s eyes. "Even if he acted rashly and beat someone to death, Nathan is an experienced man. Why wouldn''t he arrange for someone to clean up the crime scene? It doesn''t make sense."

    Cyrus nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly, Jasper. It felt off to me too. That''s why I called you both."

    "Jasper, are you saying..." Alyssa blinked and anxiously grabbed his hand resting on his thigh. "Uncle Nathan was framed? Someone entered the alley after him and killed the man?"

    Jasper looked at her tenderly, taking her hand in his. "Only you know what I''m thinking, Lyse."

    Cyrus coughed gently, feeling awkward. The couple''s affection for each other often made him feel out of ce.

    "Who would be so ruthless to frame Nathan?" Cyrus furrowed his eyebrows tightly. "Could it be an enemy of the Ivory Gang?"

    "It''s possible, but I don''t think their enemies would attack in secret. They''re usually blunt and confrontational." Alyssa leaned into Jasper''s embrace, her eyes logical and cold. "Plus, the person framing Uncle Nathan knew how to avoid the cameras and didn''t leave any traces on the body. This person is a

    professional with excellent observational skills."

 Chapter 2022

    "I don''t think this is something a street thug would do," Jasper knowingly said as he caressed Alyssa''s neck.

    "Cyrus, I think we should investigate the crime scene. Any clues could exonerate Uncle Nathan!" Alyssa''s phone buzzed the moment she finished speaking. It was Colene.

    "Colene."

    "Lyse, Nathan would never kill anyone! Someone must have framed him!" Colene''s voice trembled with anxiety.

    "Colene, don''t panic. We''ll get to the bottom of this." Alyssa''s heart tightened, but she continued tofort her gently.

    Colene took a deep breath, her voice hoarse from distress. "Nothing can happen to Nathan. Otherwise, the den of thieves he has been holding off would rebel. The Ivory Gang will fall apart if he''s gone!" Alyssa understood the gravity of the matter. The gang members were not interested in business politics; they woulde with guns zing if provoked.

    The call was on speaker, so Jasper heard everything Colene said. His gaze was fierce as he gently reassured her, "Fear not, Madam Colene. The Ivory Gang won''t descend into chaos. Landon has powerful allies. It would be their end if anyone dared to touch a strand of your father''s hair."

    "This is a family matter. I can''t possibly trouble Mr. Landon to help. Plus, he is finally enjoying life with Ms. Lauren. It would be rude of me to add such trouble to his te."

    Colene''s voice wasced with pain as she continued, "When my father heard Nathan had been arrested, he copsed. He''s currently hospitalized and still not out of the woods yet. Lyse, I need to be there for him and stabilize The Ivory Gang if necessary.

    "I made a promise to Winston years ago that I would focus on being his wife and not meddle in The Ivory Gang''s business. I''m afraid that I have to break that promise now."

    Wesley''s bite had severely injured Jameson, requiring him to go to the hospital and get a dozen stitches in his ear.

    He was a man who paid great attention to his appearance. Jameson had a handsome and delicate face. Unfortunately, he now had an ugly scar on his left ear, and it was wrapped awkwardly too.

    This was the first time he had ever been so humiliated. With a fit of rage, he smashed everything in the VIP ward.

    "Have you fed that traitor to the dogs yet?" Jameson stood amidst the chaos, panting and overwhelmed by hatred.

    "Yes." Carl felt guilty and respectfully added, "You can trust that I always do a good job."

    "Carl, do you think Amber has anything to do with this incident?" Jameson suddenly changed the topic, looking at him coldly.

    Carl''s heart tightened, but he kept his face calm. "Mr. Schmidt, I know you''ve always been doubtful of Ms. Altman, and she has let you down before. I''ve looked into it, and this incident has nothing to do with her."

    Then, a phone rang.

    Jameson gritted his teeth and saw "Nichs Novak" on his screen. He steadied his breath and returned to his usualposed self, though a dark glint appeared in his eyes as he answered.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    "Mr. Schmidt, it is done," Nicholes''

    voice sounded on the other end. It''s

    settled I''ve used my time off to follow Nathan and finally found my chance. Now, he has been arrested for suspected murder."

 Chapter 2023

    Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, a sinister smirk ying on his lips as he heard Nichs'' confirmation. "Did you leave any traces?"

    "As long as a crime ismitted, there will always be traces. However, as long as there are no witnesses, there are no traces." Nichs smiled gently. "Do you not trust me, Mr. Schimdt? I''m a professional." A crimemitted by a seasoned criminal was terrifying. Even more so when the perpetrator was a veteran policeman with years of experience and professionalism in managing cases.

    "Thank you for your hard work." Jameson had temporarily forgotten the grievance his wound had brought him. He smiled deeply. "You''re so reliable, Chief Novak. Once I seed, I assure you, you''ll be handsomely rewarded."

    "You''re too kind. I''m willing to do anything as long as it guarantees the sess of the new drug''s development." Nichs sounded sincere.

    "Of course. Believe me, there''s nothing I can''t achieve."

    After the call ended, Jameson stared at the ck screen with a darkened expression. He silently scoffed.

    "Unbelievable." Carl''s eyes were filled with admiration. "A powerful policemissioner bowing to your will, willing to do your dirty work. You truly are a charismatic leader!"

    "It''s not my charisma. It''s the allure of this new drug." He looked at the cloudy weather outside the window, aplex expression on his face. "He''s not the only one. I''m also patiently waiting for the day toe."

    A me of hope ignited in his heart as he recalled the times he had sent the data to Mosgravia. "I can feel iting soon. It''s near..."

    Then, he received another call.

    It was Victor''s head secretary.

    The look in Jameson''s eyes turned grim. He tugged on his tie and slowly answered, "What''s the matter?"

    "Mr. Jameson, Mr. Victor wants you to meet him at thepany this afternoon."

    "Does it have to be today?" Jameson''s frustration was palpable.

    "It has to be today. This is Mr. Victor''s order."

    The secretary didn''t wait for him to respond before hanging up coldly.

    "How dare he use his position to push you around! That''s rude!" Carl was furious, his fists clenched in anger.

    "It''s alright. He''s all bark and no bite," Jameson replied coldly, a dark glint flickering in his eyes. "Looks like my father has a special present prepared for me."

    Nathan was in trouble, so Marc, the leader of The Ivory Gang, spared no expense and hired the best attorney in the country to defend his godson, even though things were not in their favor. Despite their efforts, the media boldly reported the news, vilifying Nathan and painting him as an evil and murderous monster.

    His tarnished reputation was one thing, but now it impacted The Ivory Gang significantly. Marc had spent years focusing on running legitimate businesses, and now all his hard work seemed to be in vain overnight.

    After speaking with Nathan, the attorney looked worried when he met Jasper and Alyssa.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    "The autopsy indicates the victim died from severe blunt force trauma to the head, but Mr. Nathan maintains he never touched the head, only punching the victim''s face and kicking his stomach. He ims he wasn''t aggressive.

    "However, the reality greatly

    contradicts Mr. Nathan''s statement.

    Additionally the alley only has

    surveince on one end and no witnesses. The evidence is heavily stacked against him, and the media portrayal is nothing short of brutal. Even a manughter charge could carry a harsh sentence, especially considering Mr. Nathan''s past."

    Alyssa''s face hardened. "Did Mr. Nathan say why he beat the man?"

    "His underlings were selling drugs. Mr. Nathan said you would understand if I mentioned drugs."

    Drugs again the root of all evil! Sna City would be in utter chaos if they didn''t eliminate the root cause.

    "Drugs had pervasively infiltrated The Ivory Gang. If Nathan goes down, no one can stabilize the situation. Eventually, the drug will take control over The Ivory Gang."

    Jasper''s eyes were as dark as ink. "I suspect the person who targeted Nathan wants to take over The Ivory Gang and gain a foothold of Ivory Group. Nathan''s existence was a roadblock, so they framed him using such malicious methods."

    Alyssa gasped, her breath catching. "If that''s the case, Mr. Marc is in danger! With Uncle Nathan arrested, Mr. Marc is left with Colene. The Ivory Gang''s a mess. Colene had no choice but to show up and stabilize the situation."

    "I would advise against Madam

    Colene stepping in to help," Jasper

    said, his voice deep. "Anyone

    stepping n bes a target. I tasked Xavier to look into the senior members of The Ivory Gang two days ago, and none of them turned out to be kind.

    "Madam Colene may be Mr. Marc''s daughter, but she has cut ties with The Ivory Gang a long time ago. She knows nothing about them. If she were to step in and help, it would only end badly for her." "Who would even think of doing that to Colene?" Alyssa''s eyes widened with a fierce intensity. "Colene''s got the KS Group and the Taylors behind her. Let them tryying a finger on her! I''ll tear them limb from limb!"

    The attorney was dumbfounded and trembled at Alyssa''s outburst. He hadn''t expected the elegant daughter of a rich man to have the spirit of a street fighter.

    Jasper gently pulled her into his arms, love softening his gaze. "Lyse, I know your loved one is involved in this, so it''s hard to remain calm. But think about it.

    "With The Ivory Gang trending on public forums, Madam Colene showing up now would be a disaster. Malicious forces could use the online frenzy to their advantage and target the Taylors.

    Alyssa bit her lip, her eyes zing with determination. "We''re a family. We have to go through this together, no matter how hard it is. We can''t stand aside and do nothing!"

    "Have you considered Madam

    Colene''s feelings?" Jasper asked, stroking her hair. "Why did she cut ties with her father to follow Winston? She was worried that The Ivory Gang would negatively affect the Taylors. If the Taylors are affected, guilt and pain will follow S her for the rest of her life."

    Alyssa, feeling uncertain, was interrupted by a knock on the door, and Sean entered.

 Chapter 2024

    "Ms. Alyssa, I''ve got the information you requested," Sean said, casting a quick nce at the attorney.

    The attorney understood and stood up instantly. "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa, since Mr. Marc appointed me, I will do my absolute best for Mr. Nathan''s case. I''ll have to take my leave now; my apologies." Sean sent off the attorney while Alyssa and Jasper quickly flipped through the documents.

    Alyssa said, "This is the information that I asked Sean to investigate and gather on Nichs."

    Jasper arched his eyebrows in surprise. "Lyse, we''re thinking the same thing. I was thinking after investigating The Ivory Gang, I''d continue the investigation on this Novak guy. You''re so smart." After he finished, he couldn''t help but peck her lips. It wasn''t enough for him, so he kissed her again.

    "Hah! How could I follow in your footsteps if I weren''t smart enough?"

    Alyssa pouted with some arrogance, then nuzzled against Jasper''s cheek. "This is a difficult battle, so I can''t let you handle everything. I want to shoulder as much of the burden as I can." Instantly, Jasper''s eyes became watery as he felt a rush of emotions.

    He would rather his lover be innocent and live a leisurely life. It would be enough for him to pamper and indulge her.

    Alyssa was driven by righteousness and would strive to bring justice. He felt guilty about not being able to provide a peaceful life for her.

    Alyssa studied the documents and suddenly squinted her eyes. "Mrs. Novak has Alzheimer''s?"

    Sean nodded solemnly. "Yes. After I got to know this, I secretly paid a visit to her nursing home and I even found out more information.

    "The caretakers at the nursing home say that Chief Novak and his wife have a very strong rtionship. Although she was ill for many years and couldn''t even take care of herself, he remained steadfast and loyal. No matter how dirty or tiring it can be to take care of her, he will do it himself. They are moved by his love, yet they also feel pity for the couple."

    This piece of information was a surprise to Jasper and Alyssa.

    Nichs was a man of great stature, and his looks were stunning. As a man in his 40s, he was in the prime of his life and had great potential. Publicly and privately, he had countless women throwing themselves at him, wanting to raise their status by gaining the revered title of being the chief''s wife.

    Who could have expected that he was such a devoted romantic? He was dedicated to his wife. He had neither private scandals nor traces of wrongdoing in his political life.

    No matter how they looked at it, Nichs was a meless and upstanding man and husband.

    "How is Mrs. Novak doing?" As Alyssa read the document, she asked.

    "Not good." Sean''s brows were knitted tightly. "Her Alzheimer''s is in thete stages. Chief Novak spent almost his entire fortune treating her and visited every famous physician in the world. s, his efforts were for nothing.

    "The caretakers said that Mrs. Novak cannot recognize him anymore. Some of them even saw Chief Novak secretly wiping his tears in the hallway."

    Although this had nothing to do with her, Alyssa still felt very ufortable hearing all this.

    "So he''s in cahoots with Jameson for that elusive new drug."

    Jasper would only be empathetic toward his lover and coldly rational toward others. "Even if he wanted to save his wife, this isn''t a good enough reason to take part in Jameson''s dirty business."

    Alyssa sighed helplessly and her gaze

    hised sorrowful. "If I were

    would I also take the risk

    and try my luck? Maybe... I would as well."

    "Lyse, you wouldn''t."

    Jasper intertwined his fingers with hers tightly. "You are not a selfish person, and you wouldn''t be so ruthless. You are the kindest person in the entire world."

    to

    "Ah... If that''s the case, then Nichs might really go all out to achieve his purposes."

    Sean also caught on. He widened his eyes and eximed, "Then anyone who stops the drug from being manufactured will have to die!"

    Jasper''s eyes narrowed. "It''s quite likely that this issue with Nathan is also rted to him."

    Alyssa met Jasper''s gaze as she muttered, "It seems that we need to find a time to visit Mrs. Novak."

    Victor instructed Jameson to meet him. Jameson was very prideful, so he dyed until the evening before meeting Victor.

    The secretary led him into the chairman''s office while Carl waited outside.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    In the office, the atmosphere felt stiff and oppressive. Victor sat on the couch and red at Jameson. "Why are you sote?"

    "Can''t you see? I''m hurt, so I had to go to the hospital." Jameson put on an insincere smile and pointed at his ear.

    To meet Victor, he purposely rebandaged his wound. He couldn''t afford to be aughingstock.

    Victor scoffed at him. "Aren''t you always the one who bites? I never thought I''d see the day you get bitten by a dog."

    The smile on Jameson''s lips grew cold. Undoubtedly, Victor was calling him a dog.

    "What have you done recently? Should I tell you, or will you tell me on your own ord?" Victor held back his rage and stared at him icily.

 Chapter 2025

    The air froze, and the silence was so profound that one could hear a pin drop.

    Jameson''s re at Victor was as vicious as a wolf. Yet, a carefree smile remained on his lips. "Dad, there''s only you and I left in Schmidt Group. Why should we beat around the bush? We might as well put things out in the open and speak frankly."

    Victor chuckled coldly as he picked up a document on the desk. Then, he smacked Jameson with it. They watched as the papers scattered to the ground.

    "Jameson, what achievements you have. So this is your first incredible gift for me embezzling thepany''s funds and lining your own pockets."

    Victor''s gaze was sinister, and his jaw clenched. "Did you think you''d be the only one profiting if you bribed the finance department director and used him to transfer thepany funds into his offshore ount to build your secret stash?This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "That old dog also secretly transferred a portion of the funds for himself! Because he was greedy, I was able to trace it back to your dirty deeds! Not only did that fucker return me the money, but he also confessed everything that you ordered him to do!

    "He''s been with me for decades. You just came here for a few days, but you''re already thinking of using my men to do your bidding. You are not only ballsy but also delusional!"

    Jameson didn''t bend down to pick up the papers. Instead, he nted his foot on it and scrunched it into scrap paper with a twist of his foot.

    He already knew what the finance department director did, but he didn''t care at all. He would only use greedy people and wouldn''t dare to use those who were not.

    Like a rat from the gutter, it only wanted a sip of its master''s champagne. Unfortunately, he was unsessful and even got caught red-handed by Victor.

    "So? What do you want?" Jameson adjusted his sses and chuckled.

    Victor felt his rage surge. Jameson was being insolent! The situation was critical, yet he still had the nerve tough.

    "Jameson, you are my son. As your father, I do not want to make matters worse, so I will give you two choices."

    Finally, Victor calmly revealed his objective. "Number one, you will resign on your own. I will not tell anyone about your secret stash. Otherwise, don''t me me for not being merciful as a father. If the authorities investigate this, your situation will be even worse.

    "Previously, you offended the Taylor family badly, and now they have a chance to get back at you. That Winston, if he hears of this, he''ll be sprinting over to catch you."

    When Jameson heard this, his expression remained neutral, but his fingers twitched.

    "Number two, you''ll hand over all your shares in Schmidt Group, and I''ll let you remain as a chairman. Here are the two options. Make your choice!"

    Without his shares, he''d be a puppet chairman without substantial power! No matter which option he chose, it was a dead end. What wondrous love his father had for him.

    A steely glint shed across Jameson''s gold-framed sses. He cast a cold gaze toward his father, who did everything in his power to make him miserable. Suddenly, Jameson''s smile deepened. "So, Dad, have you shown all your cards?"

    Victor frowned. "What do you mean?"

    "It''s my turn now."

    Jameson walked to the settee table and picked up a remote. He switched on the television.

    The dark screen lit up. Instantly, a video of scandalous debauchery filled their sight, and Victor was struck dumb.

    He sprang up from the couch and stared in shock at himself on screen-stark naked and embracing women left and right. He was stunned, angry, and scared.

    His heart beat wildly, and he trembled all over. His sight faded in and out.

    "Dad, you and your friends have such a good friendship. No matter if it''s going drinking or engaging with prostitutes, all of you are always together."

    Jameson wasn''t looking at the screen. He felt disgusted by the video, and he was only interested in admiring Victor''s various expressions. "You y ''golf'' so well. Truly, the sword remains sharp." "Y-You!" Victor''s heart pumped wildly as his world spun.

    "Actually, if you didn''t backstab me like this, I might have never brought out this video. After all, we''re father and son. I don''t want to see us turning on each other."

    Jameson sighed helplessly and shook his head. "Don''t me me. You can only me yourself for backing me into a corner. I didn''t want things to end up like this."

    Victor red at him with bloodshot

    eyes and tried to grab the remote. However, his heart felt like it was going to burst, and the pain made him sweat bullets. He was

    struggling to even stand, much less do anything else.

    "Now, I''ll only give you one option."

    Jameson held the remote in his right

    hand and began tapping his left

    palm with it: "You will draft an

    official statement that you are

    retiring because of your health And

    then, you will name me as the

    chairman of Schmidt Group."

    "You... insolent son of a bitch... in your dreams!" Victor clutched his chest while he swayed unsteadily.

    "If you disagree, I will y this video on the big screen outside of Schmidt Group''s building. Not only that, all tens of thousands of employees of Schmidt Group will receive this video by tomorrow morning." Victor''splexion was deathly pale as he reached a trembling hand into his pocket and took out his heart attack medication.

    However, because his hands were too shaky, the medicine bottle dropped and rolled to Jameson''s feet.

    "The... medicine..."

    Jameson bent down and picked up the bottle. At this moment, the doctor''s words shed across his mind.

    He stared at the medicine in his hands and became lost in thought. Then, Victor yelled at him in between sputtering breaths. "Little bastard... give... the medicine... to me!"

    Little bastard.

    Little bastard.

    Jameson''s eyes widened, and they became bloodshot as rage clouded his mind.

    Aside from his dearest Lyse, anyone who called him that nickname was going to get into deep trouble.

    "Dad, you''re too unfair to me."

    Jameson''s pale lips curved into a

    haunting site as he slipped the medicine into his pocket. "If only you begged me or even said something nice tome, you would never have set yourself on this path toward certain death."

 Chapter 2026

    "Bastard... give... me the medicine..."

    As his hand clenched over his chest, Victor finally couldn''t hold on anymore. With a resounding thump, he fell to the ground and knocked against the settee.

    "Dad, I''ll give you one more chance."

    Jameson bent toward Victor slightly, but he still looked down at him as if he were watching a panting, old dog that was on itsst legs. "Now, if you kneel and beg me, I will give you the medicine. One should act ording to different situations. Isn''t that what you taught us when we were young?"

    "Bastard... in... your... dreams!"

    Victor''s eyes were almost popping out of their sockets as he red at him and gnashed his teeth. He slowly crawled toward Jameson, but he couldn''t stand it, no matter how hard he tried.

    Jameson stepped back as if a foul-smelling, dirty object was at his feet.

    Victor''s pale face became ashen gray. His suffering made Jameson feel a trace of satisfaction, and he couldn''t help butugh while tears came to his eyes.

    "I''ve already sent off your favorite son. I wouldn''t mind sending you off, either. Go to hell, be reunited with your dearest David."

    "David... my... my... David."

    Victor''s bloodshot eyes bulged wildly, and his chapped lips opened wide. He reached out for Jameson''s pants.

    Suddenly, his expression of pain stopped shifting. His wizened and stiff hand was just an inch away from Jameson, but it finally went limp.

    The entire room felt hollow and cold, like a graveyard.

    Jameson stood rooted to the spot. He lowered his head to look at the man at his feet who died without closure.

    "Dad, if only I weren''t your son. Then, I would be able to let go of everything you did to my mother and me and resolve things between us."

    He clenched his fist, and his fingernails dug painfully into his palm. He muttered to himself, "I am your most outstanding child, and I could have gained sess through righteous means. I could have been in Jasper''s ce, standing beside Lyse as her rightful partner.

    "What a shame that you single-handedly destroyed the kind, tender-hearted Jimmy. It''s not my fault. From the beginning till the end, you were the only one to me."

    Carl and Victor''s secretary, Corey, were waiting outside. The sound instion for the chairman''s office was so good that they had no idea what was happening inside. Suddenly, the door flung open, and Jameson stumbled out, looking panicked.

    "Quickly... call an ambnce! My dad had a heart attack! Call an ambnce!"

    Carl was shocked at first, and he saw Jameson''s stricken expression, but he also caught on to his indifferent, cold gaze.

    Instantly, he understood everything, and his lips curved into a fraction of a smile.

    Corey was panicking all over the ce, making calls while sprinting away to call for help. In a dozen minutes, emergency services were there, and the entire office was locked down as they tried too administer first aid to Victor.

    s, it was all in vain.

    "Mr. Schmidt, before we arrived, Mr. Victor had already lost signs of life."

    The medical officer sighed sorrowfully. "My deepest condolences."This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    In front of the others, Jameson''s gaze dimmed, and his body slumped. Tears flowed from his eyes. He perfectly yed the part of a filial son who had just lost a loved one. His performance moved everyone present.

    As Victor died in his own office, and medical officers were going in and out of the building along with an ambnce parked there, the news spread quickly throughout thepany.

    At the same time, the news of

    Schmidt Group''s chairman dying of

    a heart attack also spread online.

    Outside the office building''s entrance, Jameson was herded by Carl and his bodyguards to his car after painstakingly pushing their way through the crowd of reporters.

    The ck Bentley sped toward the hospital.

    Jameson sat in the back seat. His eyes were rimmed with redness, and his lips twitched. Suddenly, heughed uncontrobly! Even Carl, who was driving the car, shivered in fright. "Carl... I won, I finally won."

    Jamesonughed until he was out of breath as he gripped the heart attack medicine bottle tightly. "From now on, I will have tens of thousands of people under my feet. This day has finallye." Suddenly, the phone rang. Seeing that it was Justin, Jameson quickly steadied his breathing and answered the call in a respectful tone.

    "Sir."

    "Did you do it?" Justin''s voice drawled.

    Jameson''s gaze darkened. "No, it was all him. I couldn''t get over myself to do it."

    "Haha... It doesn''t matter. The process isn''t important. I only care about the oue."

    Justin''s clear faughter rang through

    the speaker Mr. Schmidt, no, I should call you Chairman Schmidt Congrattions. After lying in wait for so many years, you are finally standing at the height of power. You got what you wanted."

 Chapter 2027

    As a business tycoon who once stood shoulder to shoulder with Winston, the news of Victor''s death should have been locked down. Only when the situation was more stable would they make a public announcement.

    Unexpectedly, various media outlets fought to release the news, and it spread across the city like wildfire.

    Jameson was the one who released the news. As of now, he was the only one left from the Schmidt family, so naturally, he would inherit thepany.

    He finally got his wish. He climbed over mountains of corpses to reach the height of Schmidt Group''s power.

    Victor''s body was temporarily ced in the hospital morgue. As his rtive, Jameson refused to do an autopsy. Since the police did not find traces of foul y, the case was closed as an idental death.

    In the hospital''s rest area, Jameson sat up straight on a ck leather couch. His arms rested on the armrest naturally and with an air of authority. He closed his eyes and started imagining himself sitting on a throne.

    "Dad, in my 30 over years of life, this is the best present you''ve given me. Thank you for this. Rest in peace."

    Knocks sounded at the door, and Jameson answered. Carl entered, followed by another man dressed in a suit and leather shoes, carrying a briefcase.

    Then, Carl locked the door.

    "Mr. Derullere, please sit." Jameson smiled gently.

    Jason Derullere was Victor''s close friend. Not only was he Schmidt Group''s legal advisor, but he was also a privatewyer for the entire Schmidt family. He had been working with his father for more than three decades.

    "Mr. Jameson," Jason politely greeted.

    Jameson didn''t react, but it was clear that he was displeased with the title.

    Nevertheless, the course of events was more or less settled. They were just waiting for the next board meeting to announce officially that Schmidt Group was under his control, so he wasn''t too fussed right

    now.

    Jameson smiled and said steadily, "Now, you can read his will to me. After all, I''m the only living rtive left in the Schmidt family."

    Jason sighed with helplessness and sorrow. He retrieved the will, which had been edited countless times, from his briefcase.

    The documents had barely seen the light when Jameson sprang up from his seat and grabbed the papers, eagerly flipping through them.

    His eyes zed over line after line; the words reflected in his dark and unsettling eyes. He stood still for long time. Even Jason, who was experienced in difficult situations, felt on edge. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

    Finally, Jameson finished the whole will. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he tossed the document to Jason''s feet with a smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes.

    "He even remembered to leave aN?velDrama.Org ? content.

    portion for Josh and Daisy, who are

    in jail. Yet, he didn''t mention me

    even once. Lovely. So this is what my biological father is capable of doing."

    Not only that, Victor also abolished the hereditary session system in Schmidt Group, overturning a decades-old method of passing on thepany. After he died, the sessor would be voted in based onpetency.

    Jamesonughed. Hisughter rang out.

    Even if he was the president now, from the very beginning, he was a mere toot that Victor used to

    stabilize the situation. After his usefulness was gone, he would be tossed aside-even if he was the only one left.

    That heartless man would not leave even a scrap for him.

    As Jason watched Jameson descend into madness, he shuddered.

    Victor''s death was unexpected. Jason had ess to the will, and he was the only witness. He knew that he was in deep water because Jameson was a ruthless, power-hungry man.

    It was just that he didn''t think this day woulde so soon.

    "Jason, you are my father''s right-hand man. Now that he is gone, I hope that you can support me and manage thepany together."

 Chapter 2028

    Jameson sat back down gracefully. His arrogant tone of voice carried a sense of intimidation at the same time.

    Jason stood there in fear. In his hesitation, Carl went up to him and offered him a lighter.

    "You are a smart man, Mr. Derullere. I''m sure you understand that a new management often brings in a new batch of personnel. That said, Mr. Schmidt is a generous and kind man. He recognizes your talents. He hopes that you will be able to continue with your role as Schmidt Group''s legal advisor.

    "Once Mr. Schmidt is officially promoted, your family will also benefit from your loyalty. This is a win-win approach. Don''t you wish to see this happen too, Mr. Derullere?"

    Jason was terrified. Deep down, he was immensely conflicted. But, it was obvious that Jameson''s patience was running thin.

    A few minutester, he flicked the lighter and set the will ame.

    Jameson''s final hurdle was cleared. He announced his decision to call for an emergency board meeting the next day.

    He couldn''t even wait until Victor''s funeral affairs were all dealt with.

    He walked out of the lounge with Carl and Jason tagging along behind him.

    All of a sudden, he stopped in his tracks. His dark eyes lit up, and his heart started racing uncontrobly.

    The Taylors were walking slowly toward him from the other end of the hallway. They were dressed in formal, ck attires.

    Winston''s eyes were filled with bleakness and sadness. Mandy was by his side, helping to support him as he walked. Following behind them were Jonah, Ss, Julien, and Alyssa. "Lyse..." Jameson mumbled in a low voice as he gawked at Alyssa.

    Alyssa could feel Jameson''s fiery gaze. Nheless, the look in her eyes remained frigid and distant.

    The passionate gaze that was directed toward her made her feel ufortable and gave her goosebumps. She felt as if a viper had bitten her.

    "Do you see that, Jonah? That conniving son of a bitch started getting so excited the moment he set eyes on Lyse again."

    Ss lowered his voice and gritted his teeth. "If only I could w his eyes out!"

    "Why would you want to dirty your fingers?" Julien teased with a grin on his face.

    He was reminded of all the evil deeds that Jameson had engaged in secret. Right now, the root of all evil was right in front of them, albeit looking gentlemanly and miserable.

    A chill went down his spine, and he shuddered.

    "Feeling cold, Julien?" Jonah asked in a deep voice.

    "Nah, I''m..."

    Before Julien could finish his sentence, Jonah had removed his zer and put it on his shoulders. Then, he held onto his hand tightly yet tenderly.

    They did not care about what others thought about them. All they focused on was their love for one another.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Julien could feel the warmth from Jonah''s body as he pulled his zer tight. He ran his fingers between Jonah''s and held his hand tightly.

    Jonah had been really good to him ever since they became official, and even more so recently. Jonah was so caring to the point where he was sometimes at a loss for what to do. "Uncle Winston." Jameson waltzed up before Winston. His bloodshot eyes were filled with exhaustion.

    "My condolences, Mr. Schmidt." Winston looked at him. He was perplexed.

    He did have a falling out with his best friend of many years, Victor, who was now gone. There was no meaning in holding on to any grudges any longer.

    "I will be the only one left at Schmidt Group moving forward. Others have been avoiding me at this crucial time."

    Jameson''s eyes glistened with

    sadness. In a shaky voice, he

    continued, You are willing toe

    over to bid my father a final

    vel.ne

    goodbye... For this, I am truly grateful. I have indeed acted inappropriately in the pastend my sincerest apologies to you today."

    Upon saying that, he lowered his head.

    Winston frowned slightly and pursed his lips.

    Jameson looked back up and straightened his back. He fixed his eyes on Alyssa. The look in his eyes became deeper, and his voice became raspy as he said, "Even if you might not believe me, I''d like to share my confession with you once again. To Lyse, to you... I have never had any evil intentions toward either of you. All along, I was being sincere. Please believe me."

 Chapter 2029

    Jameson''s confession made the entire atmosphere in the hallway turn frigid. It felt as if they had already arrived at the morgue. Not only was Alyssa unmoved by Jameson''s shameless and straightforward confession, but she was actually utterly disgusted.

    She observed the iciness and hatred in Jameson''s eyes. It was as if she was looking at a terrifying monster.

    "I can''t believe you had the guts to say those things, Mr. Schmidt. I feel ashamed just hearing it."

    Ss was the type of person who spoke his mind. He couldn''t stand Jameson''s nastiness. "Previously, you attacked Jasper repeatedly just to try and win Lyse over. Have you forgotten how much you hurt my brother-inw?"

    Ss'' reference to Jasper as his "brother-inw" made Jameson''s face drop.

    "Fine. You can say that you acted up out of jealousy because you were still young. Jasper isn''t the type of person who would hold onto grudges, so there''s not much we need to say about that. But don''t you think that we''ve forgotten about what you''ve done to my father in the past!"

    The more Ss thought about it, the more enraged he became. His eyes widened, and the veins on his neck began to bulge.

    "When my father was sick, you pretended to be kind and sent medication to us. But what the hell did you give us? Dad''s condition worsened after he took it. Do you dare say that you didn''t intend to hurt him? "Just because Dad didn''t approve of you being with Lyse, you became discontented. Were you trying to take that opportunity to take your revenge? Did you think that us Taylors were all such na?ve people?"

    Ss had held it within him for too long. He couldn''t hold it in anymore. Seeing Jameson today made him explode.

    Mandy and Jonah were also ring at Jameson angrily. They shared the same feeling of hatred toward him.

    In the past, Jonah would surely speak up and intervene whenever his younger brothers made a scene. This time, he chose to keep silent.

    "Let''s not talk about these things on a day like this, Ss." Winston furrowed his brows slightly and reminded Ss in a low voice.

    "I really didn''t know that there would be such severe side effects from that medication. If I had known..."

    "Mr. Schmidt, have been friends

    with your father for decades. Back

    then, he even risked his life to

    save

    me. Although we grew distant after that, I will never forget the kindness that he showed me. Thus, I will not harp on the matter with the medication," Winston interrupted.

    Jameson had innocence and misery written all over his face as Winston stared coldly at him.

    Jameson held his breath. He clenched his hands into tight fists.

    What Winston implied was that he only bothered to speak with him because of Victor.

    In other words, he was worth even less than a dead man!

    "Where''s your father? I''d like to say my final goodbye." Winston''s words hinted at his intention to cut ties with him.

    Everyone arrived outside the morgue. They stopped at the entrance.

    "Uncle Winston, my father..... is inside." Jameson''s eyes were filled with grief and his eyes were red. He put up a convincing act of a grieving son who had just lost his beloved father.

    Winston had been mentally preparing himself since hearing the news yesterday until his arrival here. Even so, he couldn''t stop himself from trembling. His heart was filled with a plethora of emotions that weighed him down.

    to

    They were friends for over 30 years. They had experienced so many highs and lows together.

    "He lived a life of splendor andpeted with me his entire life. I can''t believe that he''s gone just like that," Winston mumbled, his face grim.

    Jonah and Mandy gave him firm support as they stepped into the morgue slowly.

    Just as Jameson was about to follow behind them, Alyssa called out to him from behind in a cold voice. "Jameson."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Jameson''s heart pounded. He spun around. "Lyse, you..."

    Alyssa red at him frostily. She cut him off immediately.

 Chapter 2030

    "Let''s have a chat," Alyssa suggested.

    The sensor lights in the hospital stairwell didn''t light up. Only a green glow from the emergency exit sign illuminated the stairwell.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    Alyssa and Jameson faced one another in the dim stairwell. The atmosphere around them was extremely icy.

    "It''s been a long time since west met at the Harper family''s funeral, Lyse. How have you been?" Jameson was bright-eyed. He took a step closer to her.

    Alyssa took a step back. She gave him a cold smile. "Did you think that everything you did was wless, Jameson? Do you feel like you are the smartest person in the world and that you can get a grasp over everyone else?

    "Did you think I ampletely oblivious to your collusion with Lovce Group''s Aidan Lovce and the things you''ve done to The Ivory Gang members?"

    She only mentioned Aidan and not Nichs because she wanted to save him for the future when he could be a breakthrough for Amber.

    Moreover, Jameson was a vicious man. If he found out that Nichs had been exposed, he would likely get rid of him in the first instance. That was equivalent to destroying important evidence!

    "I know that you don''t like me, Lyse. But you''ve really misunderstood me."

    Jameson gazed deeply at Alyssa. He had seen her face a million times. Yet, he was still moved by her appearance. He curled the corners of his lips slightly.

    In a warm voice, he continued, "All interactions I have with the Lovce family are for legal business reasons. I''ve now taken over Schmidt Group entirely. I, too, hope to expand into the medical world and build hospitals and pharmaceutical factories.

    "I was in contact with Mr. Lovce only for business negotiations. As for The Ivory Gang you mentioned, their leader, Mr. Nathan, got in trouble and was locked up. There is chaos within the gang right now. These are all that I know."

    "Yes, you and Aidan are doing business together. The business that you''re doing together is to use live humans as test subjects for drug experiments!"

    Alyssa was burning with rage. She took out the bag of blue pills from her shirt pocket and hurled it at Jameson''s face. "The Ivory Gang''s members are yourb rats.

    "The reason you chose them was because you packaged the medication into drugs and sold them to people of the underworld. Even if the authorities were to find them, you would be able to push the me onto The Ivory Gang and remove yourself from the picturepletely!"

    Jameson lowered his eyes. He bent down slowly and picked up the bag of pills from the ground.

    He looked back up at Alyssa. His eyes showed no sign of rage, only his deep, affection for her. He couldn''t control how he was head over heels in love with her. He only had eyes for her.

    She deserved to be the woman whom he loved all his life. She was brilliant.

    Despite that, he knew that he had to be careful. Alyssa could be crafty. What if she carried a recording pen with her?

    "I really don''t know what you''re talking about, Lyse."

    While maintaining the smile on his face, he stuffed the bag of pills into his suit pocket.

    This action had given Alyssa a clear answer.

    Alyssa took a deep breath. She decided to start negotiating with him. "What will it take to make you stop, Jameson?"

    She knew that he had lost control

    and gone beyond all moral

    boundaries. Even so, she wanted to

    see for herself and find out how

    for

    cruel a person could be. It would be

    an eye-opener for her.

    There was a loud wham.

    Jameson''s left arm was tensed up. He had mmed his left hand on the wall right next to Alyssa''s head and trapped her between himself and the wall behind her. His chest rose and fell as he breathed heavily.

    Alyssa''s pupils constricted. Her gaze was frigid, yet fearless.

    Although they were so close to one another, she wasn''t afraid of Jameson doing anything to her.

    If he dared to touch her, she would whip her butterfly knife out and cut off his limbs!

    "You need to be part of the solution."

    Even though no one else was

    around them Jameson spoke in a

    voice so low that it was audible only to them. He said in a hoarse and gentle voice, "Leave Jasper and be with me, Lyse. I promise to be the same Jimmy whom you remember."

 Chapter 2031

    The look in Alyssa''s clear eyes became even more distant.

    Jimmy-the nickname seemed distant, almost forgotten, tucked away in the recesses of her mind. Yet now, it echoed in her ears once again.

    The youth with an innocent and tender smile from her past appeared again in her mind.

    Unfortunately, life''s hardships and the cruelty of humanity had transformed the said youth into a despicable devil.

    There was no other way than for her to ensure that justice was served by getting rid of this devil. She had to do this for the sake of her loved ones and those who were controlled and harmed by him. Jameson noticed Alyssa''s absent-mindedness. He thought that his words moved her.

    Waves of passion crashed within him, and his breathing became heavier. He lowered his eyes. He couldn''t help himself and leaned in for a kiss that he had been yearning for.

    A sharp crack sounded in the dark stairwell.

    The next moment, Jameson froze.

    He felt a sharp coldness on his neck, and his lips went pale. He narrowed his eyes and smirked.

    "You''re still as agile as before, Lyse. Is it because Jasper can''t give you a sense of security? Is that why you have to force yourself to be on guard to protect yourself?"

    Alyssa looked at him with a piercing gaze. She held her butterfly knife firmly against his throat.

    "Jasper and I are man and wife. We are partners andrades in arms. No one else can rece the sense of security he gives me. I was never a woman who sought out protection from another man anyway. I am capable of protecting myself. When necessary, I can also give my all to protect Jasper."

    Jameson''s eyes were bloodshot. He looked like he was about to devour her.

    He groveled through the thorny darkness all his life. Although all he had achieved hade with Justin''s support, it was still a grueling and bloody journey for him.

    No one had ever shielded him from harm. He even had to protect his poor mother with his frail body.

    At this very moment, his most beloved woman was dering to his face that she wanted to protect the person he hated.

    Undeniably, she was cruelly shing his heart into pieces and stomping on them!

    "Jameson, don''t you think that it''s funny that you''re making yourself a pawn?" Alyssa scoffed. She tilted her butterfly knife to an angle. "With all the evil deeds that you''ve done so far, do you even have any humanity left within you? Do you deserve to be negotiating with me? What right do you have to ask me to give up on Jasper?

    "It doesn''t matter if it''s in this life or the next. I will never choose you.

    "Also, put a stop to your evil deeds if you still have any hint of conscience within you. Otherwise, I will not care about the cost or the consequences. I will destroy you and the person hiding behind youpletely, even if it means that I have to give up my life!"

    Upon saying that, Alyssa made a swift, long cut along the cor of Jameson''s expensive suit. She pushed him away and strutted off. With a loud wham, the door to the stairwell mmed shut.

    The sensor light above Jameson lit up. He bit down hard on his lip as he lifted his hand and touched the part of his neck where it hurt. He looked down and was shocked to see blood staining his fingers. He burst outughing, and a mad look shed across his eyes. Then, Carl''s voice came from the other side of the door. "Are you in there, Mr. Schmidt?"

    "Come in."

    Carl entered immediately and softly closed the door behind him. Jameson had his back toward him. Carl asked, "Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Taylor and the others are about to leave. Do you want to see them off?" "What difference does it make? No matter how hard I try to please Winston, he won''t change his attitude toward me."

    Jameson continued staring at the

    blood on his fingertips. All that filled his mind was the image of Alyssa''s luscious lips, making his heart. flutter. He continued, "His current son-inw is Jasper, who''s able to lower himself to the point where he sucks up to Winston and theThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Taylors. That''s something I can''t do.

    "The only one I care about is Lyse."

    Carl harrumphed. "Other than bootlicking, what does Jasper know? Of all things, Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Taylor ept that side of him!"

    Carl had a look of disdain on his face. Angrily, he remarked, "I don''t understand why she has a soft spot for him."

    "Lyse has found out about my dealings with Aidan in secret."

    Jameson''s eyes were wintry. He tightened his fists. "She''s even found out that have been instructing Aidan to sell the so-called ''drugs'' and using The Ivory Gang members to perform drug experiments."

    Carl was astonished. "What? How did she find out so quickly?" Alyssa was remarkable!

    She might be a woman, but she was a force to be reckoned with!

    "Julien is now half a family member of theirs. Nathan is the leader of The Ivory Gang and is close to her. Plus her brother, Cyrus, is the leader of the Criminal Investigation Unit.at''s just a matter of time before Lyse gets answers to her questions."

    Even at this point in time, Jameson''s eyes were still filled with admiration for Alyssa.

    "Was Aidan the only person whom Ms. Alyssa found out about? How about Chief Novak?" Carl couldn''t help but feel worried.

    "I don''t think she''s found out about him. He''s such a significant witness. If she did, the emotional Lyse that I know would have called the cops on me."

    Jameson pushed his golden-framed sses back. He smiled slightly. "Though Lyse did remind me this time. We do need to be more careful.

    "I understand Lyse and Jasper''s approach. Since they''ve found out about Aidan, he is now a ticking time bomb to us. So, I have to be one step ahead of them and wipe him out."

    "The drug has now been distributed to half of Sna City through the underground market. Aidan isn''t worth much to us anymore."

    With a sinister look on his face, Carlmented, "It''s also a risk to keep him."

    "I am someone who likes to make the most out of something. We must ensure that his sacrifice is worth it."

    Jameson observed his own menacing reflection on the ss of the cab where the fire hydrant was stored.

    He looked like a man and a monster at the same time.

    "As the saying goes, clothes make the man. But, I would still need to rely on Joseph, Aidan, and all the other Lovces to wash the dirt off me."

    "Don''t worry. They will definitely be the ones to take the me. Isn''t this what you''ve already agreed upon with Mr. Justin?"

    Carl added, "I will notify Chief Novak to make the preparations ordingly over the next few days."

    "It''s about time to make our move with The Ivory too," Jameson remarked coldly before turning around and brushing past Carl.

 Chapter 2032

    The next day, a piece of groundbreaking news spread across Sna City and throughout the entire country.

    Jameson was officially promoted to Schmidt Group''s chairman and chairman of the board. He also inherited all of Victor''s inheritance.

    Victor''s funeral happened five dayster.

    Jameson arranged a grand funeral for his father. It wasparable to the Harper family''s funeral. One could say that it was even more showy than that.

    Harper Group was previously in a state of danger and devastation. Inparison to that, there was an endless stream of people who came to pay their final respects to Victor. It truly portrayed how extensive his connections were and how deep-rooted the Schmidt family was in Sna City.

    More importantly, over the past two years, the inconspicuous Jameson had saved Schmidt Group from the verge of copse multiple times, demonstrating his strength as a leader.

    Naturally, many businessmen flocked toward him. They wanted to be in Jameson''s good books so that they could hitch a ride on Schmidt Group''s ship to sess. What they didn''t know was that this ship would only end up hitting an iceberg. When that happened, they would bepletely wiped out!

    At the KS Group''s headquarters, Alyssa was seated in the president''s office with a frown on her face. She was looking at the news about Jameson on her tablet.

    Just then, Cyrus called. "Lyse, I''ve gone back to the crime scene twice over thest few days to look it over. I still haven''t found any clues. The person who finished him off was too meticulous. I can''t help but wonder if it might have been an inside job!"

    Alyssa leaned forward and pressed her arms against the table. She buried her forehead in her palms and pondered.

    An inside job?

    For some reason, all her suspicion was directed toward Nichs.

    She wasn''t relying on her sixth sense or anything of that sort. Instead, she considered all the evidence they had gathered up until now and all the people around Jameson who could benefit from this. Nichs was the only one who had such capability and sufficient motive.

    He was like an inconspicuous puzzle piece. He was a puzzle piece that filled in the gap perfectly.

    "It isn''t good to keep dragging this

    1

    on, Lyse. If Nathan is still unable to provide evidence to prove his innocence, he will be officially prosecuted by the prosecution Cyrus eximed in a concerned votee.

    "There''s no other choice. We have to drag this on no matter what."

    Alyssa took a deep breath. She was enraged. In a raspy voice, she said, "Cyrus, look into Aidan over the next few days and Lovce Group as well.

    "Aidan is one of the distributors of Jameson''s drugs. If we get a hold of any evidence of his ''drug dealings,'' we can then have him in our control. We will then be able to find out more about Jameson''s crimes from him!"

    "Lyse, I am an experienced criminal investigator. I have sent people to look into this before you even mentioned it."

    "Thank you, Cyrus."

    The look in Alyssa''s eyes turned

    e

    deep. "Also, you have to monitor Aidan''s movements closely. He might have bodyguards with him 24/7 Still, make sure that all of you look out for his safety too.

    It was a risky move for her to have mentioned Aidan intentionally in front of Jameson at that time.

    Aidan''s exposure would surely make Jameson uneasy. Based on how vicious he was, he would definitely find a suitable opportunity to get rid of Aidan. Mad dogs would also have a normal appearance.

    Only when they were disturbed and angered they would show their true selves. They would only bare their teeth, attack, and tear at their targets then. This was also the best way to lure the viper out.

    It was not simply a game of wits between her and Jameson. It was also a race against time.

    Right after Alyssa hung up her call with Cyrus, Sean knocked on the door and walked in. "Ms. Alyssa, your ride is ready. You can make your way to The Ivory Group at any time." "Okay."

    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 2033

    Alyssa lifted her wrist and checked the time. "I''ll eat before we go. I need to recharge. Who knows if there might be a war to fight?"

    Sean frowned. "Are you sure you want to head there alone, Ms. Alyssa? Aren''t you at least going to inform Mr. Beckett so he can keep a lookout for you?"

    The Ivory might be an organization, but it was actually an organization of ouws!

    "Who says that I''ll be alone? Colene will be there, won''t she?" Alyssa responded casually.

    "But..."

    "Plus, Jasper is upied. He has other things to attend to."

    Alyssa''s gaze was fiery, and she had a bearing of a sharp-wittedmander. "We have to make our moves separately so that The Ivory will not end up in chaos."

    In the afternoon, Marc was in the VIP ward at the hospital. His sideburns had started to go gray.

    He was seated in his bed with his back against the headboard while being hooked onto an IV drip. He had just thrown up the lunch that he had just eaten.

    Ever since Nathan was arrested, Marc''s aging body took a turn for the worse.

    Two days ago, Colene came back to visit him. They hadn''t seen each other in years and weren''t the kinds of people who knew how to express their feelings. Both of them sat there quietly. Neither of them spoke up even after around an hour. It was as if they werepeting with each other, creating a childish yet bitter atmosphere.

    Finally, Colene broke the silence when Matilda Osborne brought food over. She helped Marc up and fed him.

    Colene thought about how Marc used to be high and mighty. Yet, he hade to a point where he was almost losing his ability to feed himself. Colene could no longer hold it in and burst out in tears.

    Matilda sat by Marc''s bed and held his dry hands. She choked on her tears. "Mr. Waters, Ms. Colene still cares for you."

    She was a woman who stayed by Marc''s side for half his life. She wasn''t his first, but she was hisst.

    She wasn''t given an official status. People from The Ivory addressed her as "Ms. Osborne" whereas Colene would address her politely as "Aunt Tilda".

    "That brat... She''s been having a good life with Winston." Marc had the usual intimidating expression on his face. However, his eyes became moist, and his heart was moved.

    "What does it matter? Power and reputation cannot be taken with us to the afterlife. So, we don''t have to be bothered by other people''s opinions of us."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Matilda was bright-eyed, and her

    smile was tender. "The most important thing is that we live a

    comfortable and happy life. You

    might think that they''re not a

    match for one another, but Ms. Colene has been living a happy life.

    "Plus, despite his age, Winston managed to maintain his youthful look-like a man in his 40s. He''s good-looking, rich, and probably thest of his kind. Ms. Colene is the one who scored herself a good catch."

    Marc clicked his tongue. "You''re singing praises about another man even though I''m still right here. Aren''t you afraid that I''d lose it?" He made an angry face. "Look at you. You''re already a grown man..."

    Matilda lifted his rough hand and put

    it against her cheek. She rubbed his hand on her cheek gently and continued, "Plus, no matter how kind Winston is, he''s not my type. I still

    love this fearless and man stili

    mine."

    "Let''s get married, Matsy," Marc blurted.

    man of

    His eyes were filled with a level of tenderness that was rarely seen. "If... If you don''t mind the way I am right now."

    Matilda was floored. She welled up with tears of surprise and joy.

    "Forget it... It''s toote."

    Marc shook his head and smiled bitterly. In a voiceced with remorse and regret, he added, "I don''t have long to live. You''re still young... You have a whole life ahead of you. "Just forget that I ever said that."

    Matilda was so touched that her eyes were filled with tears. Just as she was about to give him her response, a knock sounded at the door.

    "Mr. Waters, Schmidt Group''s chairman, Mr. Jameson Schmidt, is here."

    "Who?" Marc''s eyes darkened.

    After he asked that question, Jameson waltzed into the room with Carl trailing behind him. An iprehensible hint of glee could be seen in Jameson''s dark eyes.

 Chapter 2034

    The Ivory Group was facing troubles both internally and externally. They were like a cat on a hot tin roof. Marc''s right hand, Nathan, had been arrested, and Colene had gone to take charge of the gang. Matilda was the only person he had left by his side.

    Marc took a deep breath. His gaze was gloomy. He studied Jameson''s arrogant face and the mysterious intention in those eyes behind his gold-framed sses.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Matilda had seen all kinds of crafty people after being by Marc''s side for so many years. Jameson was giving off an air of wild ambition and murderous intent. She had a feeling that Jameson wasn''t here for a friendly visit.

    "You don''t look too good, Mr. Waters. I can see that you are very sick."

    Carl had already moved a chair over for Jameson without waiting for Marc''s prompt. Jameson then helped himself and sat down elegantly.

    His attitude was arrogant and condescending. He wasn''t here to pay a hospital visit. He was here to challenge him!

    Matilda was enraged. She was about to speak up when Marc said, "Mr. Schmidt, if you came here to visit me, you''ve seen me. Can you leave now?" His gaze was frigid. "Don''t be impatient, Mr. Waters."

    Jameson leaned back and crossed his legs. In a calm tone, he exined, "Coming to visit you is just one part of it. My main purpose foring is to talk business with you." "You and I... We have nothing to talk about!"

    Marc was starting to feel weak. "Show him the way out, Matsy!"

    "I want to acquire The Ivory Group." With a cold smirk on his face, Jameson went straight to the point and revealed his ambition.

    He was highly conceited!

    "What... What did you say?" Marc burned with anger, and his pale face flushed red.

    The Ivory was built on his blood, sweat, and tears!

    And he didn''t do it on his own. Winston had given him endless help from behind the scenes all these years. He had pumped in a total of over 300 million dors to helpnd them projects in and out of Sna City. He did all these to help the organization get back on the right track.

    Colene, Alyssa, and the rest of the Taylors were oblivious to this. Winston had forked out his own money to help the Waters family. Furthermore, he never intended for them to pay him back!

    Right now, Jameson was here to covet The Ivory? How could he put up with this?

    If he did, it was equivalent to having this son of a bitch trample all over him!

    Marc chuckled. "It isn''t time for bed yet, but you''re already in dreand, Mr. Schmidt?"

    Marc''s eyes were filled with fury, and his body trembled. "The Ivory is not a listedpany. So, you cannot simply acquire Ivory Group as you wish. I disagree with this, so just forget about it!" "That''s true. That''s why I visited, especially to discuss this matter with you."

    Jameson pushed back his sses lightly. He maintained hisposure. Casually, he lifted his pointer finger and pointed upward.

    "The entire country knows I have officially taken over Schmidt Group. Half of Sna City belongs to me, and the other half to Beckett Group.

    "If you intend for The Ivory to

    be established in Sna City, you should be mindful of whose side you''re on Otherwise, I willpete with you on the business side of things and have the authorities visit your territories every other day. Do you think that the business dealings at The Ivory would be able tost?"

    Matilda could clearly feel the blood draining from Marc''s hands. In his anxiousness and rage, he started shaking uncontrobly.

    "No matter what, it will be a dead end for The Ivory. Since this is the case, you might as well sell it to me. For the price I''m offering, there wouldn''t be many who could turn me down."

    Jameson opened his palms, and

    Carl respectfully presented him with a stack of checks. Jameson smiled and said "With this amount of money you will have enough for your treatments. Not only that, they will be enough for you and your wife t¨¦divefortably for the rest of your life.

    "If you miss out on this opportunity, no one will want The Ivory when it falls apart in the future. No one would take it even if you gave it to them for free."

    Jameson wrote down a string of numbers that an average person could only dream of. He tore out the check and handed it to Carl.

    Then, Carl walked over and gave it to Marc.

    Marc''s breathing wasbored as he received the check in his hands.

    Jameson''s smile became even wider. But his delight didn''tst for long. Marc tore his check worth hundreds of millions into shreds! Jameson''s face dropped, and the look in his eyes became frigid.

    "Even if The Ivory ends up getting sold off to someone else, it will never be sold to you!"

    Marc''s eyes bulged with anger. He flung the shreds of paper at Jameson, and they fell to the ground. "Take your filthy money and scram!"

    Carl red at him. He was about to charge at him when Jameson lifted his hand calmly and stopped him. "If this is your response, I shall use a different approach with you."

    He narrowed his eyes and gave him a half-smile. "If you agree to sell The Ivory to me, I can guarantee that your adopted son, Mr. Nathan, gets through this hurdle.

    "He is about to be prosecuted for murder. If he''s lucky, he''d get a death sentence. If he''s not, he would be sentenced for life.

    "If you sell The Ivory to me, I will make sure he''s returned to you. Once you sign the transfer agreement, I promise Mr. Nathan will return to your side in one piece within a week." Marc was aghast. His chest tightened.

    On the surface, Nathan was his subordinate. But deep down, he had been treating him like his own son.

    How could he bear to see him die?

    While Marc was feeling conflicted and troubled, Carl ced the pen and transfer agreement before him. Though it was only a few thin sheets of paper, they felt like a tonne of bricks weighing on his thighs. Marc picked up the pen with his shaky hands. He hovered the tip of his pen over the signature area but was reluctant to put his name down.

    "Mr. Waters..." Matilda''s heart wrenched. Tears streamed down her face uncontrobly.

    Jameson lifted his wrist to look at

    his watch. His impatience was

    written on his face. "I''m a busy man.

    I don''t have time to hesitate with you

    like this. Hurry up and make your decision. You might be able to wait, but Mr. Nathan can''t."

    Marc was devastated. Atst, he made his decision.

    He was about to put his signature down when he heard a fierce and deep voice that shouted, "Hold up!"

    That voice resounded like a church bell ringing in a quiet cathedral, giving him a wake-up call.

 Chapter 2035

    Marc paused. He looked up and toward the door in shock.

    That strong, dissuasive voice was familiar. It was like a sharp knife that stabbed through Jameson''s heart. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. Slowly, he turned around. Jasper''s cold gaze nced over him. He stormed into the ward, with Xavier following behind him gantly.

    "Mr. B-Beckett!" In a sh, Marc''s defeated eyes lit up.

    Even though he had never met this exceptional man, oddly enough, Jasper gave him a sense of peace. After all, everyone knew that Jasper was Winston''s future son-inw. Winston wouldn''t misjudge a person. He was willing to hand his beloved daughter, Alyssa, into Jasper''s hands. Clearly, Jasper was an outstanding young man and a hidden gem. He was unlike the son of a bitch before him, who only looked kind on the outside, but was a cunning viper on the inside.

    "What are you doing here, Jasper?" Jameson questioned with a horrified look on his face.

    "I''m here for the same purpose as you." Jasper''s tone was neutral. He did not sound like he was showing off his power or challenging him.

    Even so, he had an air of nobility around him, which inevitably intimidated the people around him.

    Inparison, Jameson''s sly smile looked overly forced. It was repulsive to look at.

    Carl had his fists clenched as he red at Jasper. Xavier tightened his fists too. He readied himself to have a go at him.

    "I heard most of your conversation with Mr. Waters when I was outside earlier."

    Jasper lifted the corners of his lips into a smile. A tender and loving gaze shed across his eyes. "I''m sorry. I was influenced by my wife to eavesdrop. Hope you don''t mind, Mr. Waters." Jameson was enraged. Anger thrummed to his veins, and he became suffocated with rage.

    "Of course not! It is my privilege to meet you, Mr. Beckett!" Marc was old enough to be Jasper''s father. Yet, he maintained a humble attitude before him.

    "Mr. Waters, The Ivory is what you''ve worked hard your entire life for. You cannot sell it."

    Jasper gave Jameson a quick, cold nce. "Even if you wanted to put it up for sale, you can never sell it to someone like Mr. Schmidt. Moreover, not a single word of his can be trusted." Jameson shot to his feet, and his chair toppled behind him.

    "He ims that he will help you with rescuing Mr. Nathan. You will suffer a double whammy if he changes his mind and goes back on his word after you''ve signed the contract.

    "He has used this strategy multiple times. If you do not believe me, you can very well pay a visit to Mr. Josh Schmidt and Ms. Daisy Schmidt in prison. Then, you will get to learn about Jameson''s ways." Marc widened his eyes. He had a sudden revtion. His desperation to save Nathan earlier almost made him fall into Jameson''s trap.

    He could very well have spoken empty words to deceive him. The probability of him going back on his words was high.

    "Please leave, Mr. Schmidt."

    Jasper''s appearance made his fear of Jameson vanishpletely. The sharpness in his eyes returned. "Even if I had to burn Ivory Group to the ground, I will never let you get your hands on it! "As for Nathan, I believe there is justice in this world. No one can ever be above thew!"

    Jameson''s n was so close to sess. Thanks to Jasper''s interference, he fell at thest hurdle.

    "Since this is the case, I can only say that I''m really sorry to hear that."

    Jameson''s eyes turned red with anger. Amidst his refusal to admit defeat, he let out a coldugh. He gave Jasper a vicious re before storming out with Carl.

    The tense atmosphere in the ward eased up slowly.

    Matilda''s face ran white. Marc held onto her hand tightly. Heforted her by caressing her hand gently.

    She had been by Marc''s side for more than ten years. She was used to seeing violence happening in front of her. But what Jameson brought with him earlier was a battle without any violence. It scared the living daylights out of her.

    "Mr. Beckett, thank you for earlier."

    Marc exhaled. He looked at him with sincere eyes. "If you want to lead The Ivory... I am willing to step down and hand the entire organization over to you. I will not ask for a single cent from you."

    "Mr. Waters, I have never thought of acquiring The Ivory. Ivory Group will always belong to you and Madam Colene."

    Jasper smiled slightly. "I came tofort you. You have been

    concerned and troubled over what happened to Mr. Nathan. Jameson''s appearance at this time was only to ambush your psychological defense and trick you into handing The Ivory to him.

    "Fortunately, all could be turned around. From now on, I will assign bodyguards to watch over you. I will not allow anyone from the Schmidt Group to bother you."

    "Mr. Beckett, thank you very much," Marc choked. From the bottom of his heart, he was touched.

    "About Mr. Nathan, I hope that you remain optimistic." Jasper was bright-eyed and confident. "Alyssa and I will find a way to prove his innocence!"

    At the same time, The Ivory Gang was up in a frenzy. Colene was shivering in anger in the smoky conference room.

    More than ten of The Ivory''s higher-ups were seated around the table. They had cigars and whiskeys on the table in front of them.

    Brazenly, they gobbled down their bowls of dog meat stew in Colene''s face.

    The slurping noises were neverending, making her blood boil.

    ????

    These senior members of The Ivory took pride in their seniority in the group. Furthermore, Marc was always unwell. So, they had long made ns to tear down The Ivory. Even when they were before Colene Waters herself, they did not show any respect to her at all.

    Wide-eyed, Colene chided, "Everyone, dogs are my father''s favorite animal. Also, we''ve always had a rule that it is forbidden to consume dog meat at The Ivory. Yet, you are all acting out collectively like this. What is the meaning of this?"

    "We didn''t even have time to eat

    because we had to rush here for this damn meeting. There aren''t many restaurants nearby either. There was only one dog meat stew restaurant that had decent food. Are you saying that we should starve ourselves, Ms. Colene?"

    "Plus, it''s our freedom to eat whatever we want! Women are such troublemakers, poking their noses into everything!"

    It was indeed their freedom to eat anything they wanted.

    However, they were treating the conference room as their canteen. They were clearly challenging the Waters family''s boundaries!

    Colene was fuming. Her breathing quickened, and her temples throbbed.

    She couldn''t leave them be. But if she stopped them and they retaliated, today''s meeting would not happen again!

    As she contemted what to do, she heard crisp sounds of cking heels walking closer to them.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa was dressed in a smart, ck suit. She carried a strong bearing with her as she strutted into the conference room, much to everyone''s surprise.

 Chapter 2036

    "Lyse...?" Colene was floored to see Alyssa''s sudden appearance.

    Colene was a strong woman who would not even shed a tear even if she was shot three times. At this moment, she was moved to tears to see her savior descending from heaven. The senior gang members only felt that Alyssa looked somewhat familiar.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Most of them were boorish men who mingled in the underworld. They wouldn''t have had a chance toe in contact with a daughter of a wealthy family like Alyssa. Even if they met her, they would only presume that she was an immature woman with her looks.

    Some of them even startedughing as if she were a joke.

    Colene clenched her hands into angry fists. She hit the roof!

    She didn''t mind if othersughed at her. But if they looked down upon Alyssa, she would show them who the boss was!

    That said, Alyssa didn''t give Colene a chance to react. With a frigid look in her eyes, she walked calmly toward the man who called Colene a troublemaker.

    She had one hand in her pants pocket, seemingly rxed; with her other hand, she lifted the casserole that contained the hot stew.

    In the next second, everyone gasped in shock. Following that was a loud cry.

    Alyssa had flipped the entire casserole over the man''s head!

    "Ah!" He leapt to his feet. He looked like a mess, and his scalp felt like it was burning!

    "You were the one who said that women were troublemakers, weren''t you?"

    Alyssa crossed her arms in front of her chest. She curled her lips and gave off an air of arrogance. "Not only are women troublemakers, we are also merciless when we''re triggered. So, this is a reminder to you. Remember-never anger a woman ever again."

    The senior members in the room had known each other for decades. They had already conspired with one another in secret for their mutual benefit.

    They couldn''t stand the fact that

    their fellow gang member had been assaulted by a woman. Each of them mmed on the table and stood to their feet. They red fiercely at Alyssa, who still had a calm expression on her face.

    "You bitch! How dare you hit me! Where the fuck did youe from?" The man removed the casserole on his head and smashed it on the floor.

    Without waiting for Alyssa to introduce herself, Colene waltzed over and shielded Alyssa behind her. She stared back at the members angrily.

    "This is Ms. Alyssa Taylor, the

    daughter of Mr. Winston Taylor, KS Group''s chairman! If any of you dare to so much as touch her, I wille after you even before Mr. Winston does!"

    Everyone was astonished. Instantly, the rowdy conference room fell into silence.

    The man, who was covered in stew, shuddered. He stopped himself from cussing.

    The greasy stew was spilled all over the table and the floor. Naturally, it sshed all over Alyssa too.

    She removed the zer of her expensive suit, which had been stained. She flung it at the man and said, "Wipe it down. Let''s get on with the meeting." Although sinct, her words were full of intimidation!

    After such an upheaval, the senior members lost their appetite. They assumed their seats in an annoyed and unserious manner.

    Colene sat at one end of the conference table. With the same cool expression on her face, Alyssa sat down next to her, giving her a great sense of security. "We''re having The Ivory''s internal meeting today, Ms. Colene. Yet, you invited an outsider to sit in with us. This isn''t in ordance with our rules, is it?" This question came from Harry Mendez, a member whom everyone addressed as "Haz". He was one of the respected members of the group. Alyssa lowered her eyes and remained silent.

    Colene scoffed. "All of you treated

    our Ivory Group''s conference room as your canteen. You even consumed dog meat right here. Were you following our rules?" Colene looked at the room coldly.

    Her response shut everyone up temporarily.

 Chapter 2037

    "Today, I have two items I''d like to announce..."

    Colene paused. She had a fiery gaze in her eyes. "The first announcement is that I will officially take over Nathan''s position. I will be managing Ivory Group and Ivory Gang''s 13 divisions in Sna City.

    "The second announcement is that from this moment onward, drugs will bepletely banned within The Ivory Gang!"

    Right at that moment, the conference room was in an uproar as aplete ban on drugs was a massive blow to them.

    Within less than six months, almost all of The Ivory was under the drug''s control. All 13 divisions, from the lowest of ranks to the highest, were involved with the drug.

    Furthermore, the hefty profits from the drug were splendid. Colene''s announcement was messing with their slices of the pie!

    "I disagree!"

    "Me too!"

    The meeting attendees started shouting their disagreement.

    Colene clenched her hands into fists on the table. Her eyes became reddened.

    On the other hand, Alyssa looked overly calm as she remained seated confidently next to her.

    "This directive is absurd, Ms. Colene! The Ivory''s rule is that we are not to have drug dealings. But what we''re selling is a type of medication, not a drug! Why can''t we sell it?"

    Harry was someone who sold significant amounts of the medication. He protested the moment he heard that drugs were going to be banned.

    "You dered that drugs would be banned for no good reason. This is equivalent to cutting off our members'' ess to making money! Business hasn''t been good in the first ce. The 13 divisions were only able to get by thanks to the sales of the drugs. How will everyone make a living if you call for a ban like this?"

    "That''s right! It''s immoral to sever our avenue for making a living!"

    The members were all in agreement with one another.

    "Although that product isn''t a narcotic, it is an illegal medication. Because of this product, a few lives have been lost within Sna City. Some of the deaths have even been linked to The Ivory!"

    Trying to get through to them was exhausting. In a clear voice, Colene continued, "The person who developed the medication did it with ulterior motives. They might have an even more harmful purpose behind doing so. If we do not ban the medication now, it will be toote

    when the entire organization keels

    over!

    "The police are already on high alert because of this. They also already have their eyes on The Ivory. If we don''t put a stop to this, our members will really end up not being able to make a living!" "That would just be their luck. It''s not the drug''s fault!"

    Harry refused to yield to Colene''s instructions. With a wave of his hand and a gleam of greed in his eyes, he added, "Even other gangs in the other areas are short of supply for this medication right now. There is an intion in the price per pill. It is the perfect time to earn big bucks.

    "You say that the coppers are on high alert? That sounds like a good thing to me! As the saying goes, high risk, high returns!"

    Colene was burning with so much rage that her stomach started cramping.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    She was already losing her cool even though it had barely been an hour since she sat down in this seat. At this moment, she finally understood why Marc''s health had been deteriorating all these years. "Ms. Colene, since you want to ban the medication, we have nothing else to discuss with you!"

    Harry got up. He had a gloomy expression on his face. The others followed suit, demonstrating their rebellious attitude.

    "From now on, I am officially leaving The Ivory''s management!

    "I will be in charge of my own earnings. The Ivory does not have to bother about me. Myrades and I will no longer work for the Waters family!" Harry dered.

    Colene rolled her eyes.

    "The same goes for us!"

    Seven or eight division heads had risen to their feet in the blink of an eye. "I''d be an idiot not to take the profitable route now! Since the Waters family wishes for us to be

    out of a job, there''s no poinoal

    in us

    pursuing this matter!"

    More than half of the senior members went against Colene. It looked as if they had conspired to do so beforehand.

    Their attendance today wasn''t to participate in the meeting but to pressure Colene into leaving.

    Just as they were about to leave the conference room, Alyssa, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up.

 Chapter 2038

    "Everyone, please make sure that you''ve made a well-thought-out decision. You will no longer be part of The Ivory the moment you step out this door.

    "From today onward, you cannot seek profit under the name of The Ivory. And you will no longer be under the organization''s protection the moment you leave this ce."

    Alyssa squinted. She rested her arms on the armrest gracefully. With a tap of her foot, she spun her chair around and faced them. "Gang life was never about violence. It''s about knowing the ways of the world. I hope none of you assumed that your safety all these years was because people feared your names."

    Everyone in the group looked at one another.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    A look of diffidence shed across the eyes of a few division heads, whose divisions were not as big as Harry''s.

    "What are you trying to say, Ms. Alyssa? Are you threatening us?" Harry gave her a fierce stare.

    "The Ivory is able to have business dealings and survive till today because my father has been supporting your organization behind the scenes. Yet, your naivety was telling you that all of you were the ones who built The Ivory''s sess. That''s ridiculous, don''t you think?"

    Everyone was dumbfounded.

    The Taylor family invested in The Ivory Gang from behind the scenes? They had never known about this.

    "Each of your 13 divisions uses ten million from the Taylor family to maintain your businesses annually. These are all recorded in your ounts. I''m not making this up."

    Alyssa rested the side of her head on her palm. She smiled. "Those of you who no longer wish to stay in The Ivory will also lose this support from the Taylor family. As for the drug that you rely on... Too bad." Alyssa''s cold chuckle made the senior gang members go numb!

    "My brother, Cyrus, is chief of the Criminal Investigation Unit. Those of you who have been in the underworld would have heard of him.

    "What if I were to ask him to check on all of you every other day and get him to force all of you to suspend your businesses half the time because of your distribution of illegal drugs? How are you going to continue running your businesses then?

    "He is a perfectionist. The moment he locks his eyes on his targets, he will keep pursuing them until he captures them."

    Upon saying that, two or three others, who weren''t as shameless as Harry, sat back down quietly.

    Harry continued ring at Alyssa, as if he was trying to tear her into pieces with his piercing gaze.

    He had made such a big fuss up until now. He would be embarrassing himself if he were to back down now.

    Others might not have cared about their pride as much when they returned to their seats. But he was not going to be humiliated like that.

    "Ms. Alyssa, you can''t scare me. I have been working under Mr. Marc for decades. You can say that I

    contributed to half of The Ivory''

    sess today. I am well-respected in the underworld and also by Mr. Marc himself!

    "All these years, we have contributed more than enough to the Waters family. You im that you spend ten million dors a year to keep us afloat. But what we''ve given to the Waters family amounts to more than that! Not only are we being oppressed, we''re not even allowed to consume dog meat. We''ve had enough of such miserable days!"

    Harry was a man who was well-versed in stirring people up.

    After all, he knew that mentioning the ban on dog meat would rile the others up.

    "Comrades! Let''s go!"

    Even though three members had returned to their seats, five others followed behind Harry.

    Right at this moment, Sean barged

    ove

    in the door. He walked in with a frigid look in his eyes. Shadowing behind him were two rows of bodyguards dressed in ck. They surrounded everyone in the conference room.

    The Ivory''s senior members were taken aback.

    Alyssa and Colene also had surprised looks on their faces.

    Then, Sean turned to his side and gestured politely for someone to enter.

    A tall man in a ck coat marched confidently into the room as he watched everyone with his sharp and vicious eyes.

 Chapter 2039

    "Landon?"

    Alyssa''s eyes widened. She stared at Landon''s handsome face in shock. In an instant, her eyes lit up!

    "Mr. Landon?" Colene, who was standing beside her, was also astonished.

    She was aware that Landon had only been staying by Lauren''s side ever since she was hurt. He had no time for the business world or the underworld. He had been keeping a low profile. Other than at Cornelius'' funeral, he hadn''t reappeared in public. This was the second public appearance since then.

    The rebelling division heads, including Harry, were staggered to witness Landon''s entrance. Some of them were so shocked that they stumbled backward.

    Landon was no longer just a Harper family member. He had now taken over as their head!

    "Hello, Ms. Colene. Hi, Lyse."

    Landon narrowed his eyes slightly. He slipped his ck coat off his broad shoulders. Jordan, who was behind him, caught it in his hands.

    "Jasper told me that there would be a big upheaval at The Ivory today and asked me toe over. I love to be part of the excitement. I can see that he really didn''t lie to me," Landon chuckled. Looking into Landon''s bright eyes, Alyssa pressed her trembling lips together. She welled up with tears.

    She tried her best to control her emotions so that she wouldn''t actually cry.

    How long had it been since thest time she saw a smile like that on Landon''s face? It was a long, long time ago....

    He was a man who used to roam freely and proudly throughout Sna City. After such an arduous journey, this man had finally returned.

    "Everyone, I''m sure that I am no stranger to any of you."

    Landon looked at everyone in the room with a perfunctory smile. Then, he fixed his cold eyes on Harry. "Although my grandfather is no longer around, the Harper family has started to engage in legitimate businesses. As the saying goes, ''Every cloud has a silver lining."

    He looked down and fiddled with the tinum wedding ring on his ring finger. "To those of you who walk out from this ce today-Not only will The Ivory disown you, but you will also not be recognized by the Harper family.

    "The world can be a dark and cruel ce. I wish you all the best."

    These words were, without a doubt, words of threat!

    However, a threating from Landon was ten times more powerful than Alyssa''s.

    They knew that thete Cornelius used to be a powerful and mighty leader. Even Marc, who had once shot to fame, could not bepared to him.

    Subsequently, the Harper family entered into the business world. Eventually, Bill directed their family business toward the legal route.

    Even so, many people in the underworld still admired Cornelius. They might not have voiced their thoughts, but they relied on the Harper family because of their reputation.

    If they got on The Ivory''s bad side, they might still be able to catch a breather if they held out.

    If they got on Harper Group''s bad side, they would lose their Sna City position.

    Moreover, Preston died a mysterious death in the hospital even though he was under the close watch of the police. Word was going around that Landon was the one behind it.

    "I will count to three. If you return to your seats within three counts, The Ivory and myself will turn the page on today''s incident."

    Landon raised his brows. He curled the corners of his lips up. "Three..."

    With the first count, the rebels, besides Harry, dashed back to their seats. They sat back down casually. They acted like nothing had happened. It was an amusing scene to look at. "Out of everyone in The Ivory, you are the one who worked with my father for the longest time, Harry. You''ve even carried me when I was young."

    Colene watched Harry''s stiff and slightly trembling body from the back. She let out a long sigh. In a solemn voice, she said, "The Ivory does not belong to my fatheDalone. It is the fruit of everyone''sbor.

    "As long as you''re willing to turn back and never touch that drug again, my father and I will close an eye on all that happened today."

    After a few seconds of silence, Harry still ended up walking out of the conference room under everyone''s watchful eyes.

    Harry chose to leave The Ivory. But the other division heads had chosen to stay. The organization''s foundation was safe.

    As for the subordinates who were

    feeling unsettled, they had both Alyssa and Landon there to reassure them. Even if they intended to leave, they no longer dared to make rash decisions.

    Colene''s blouse

    was drenched in

    sweat by the time the meeting

    ended. She looked absolutely drained Damn it... I can say that understand Nathan now. He has

    really been having it difficult all these years."

    After saying that, a sharp pain pierced through her heart; her eyes were filled with tears.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Don''t worry, Colene. Jasper and I will think of a way to get Mr. Nathan out."

 Chapter 2040

    Alyssaforted Colene before turning her gaze toward Landon. "Landon, why did you suddenlye here?"

    "Jasper notified me, of course," Landon replied with a gentle smile.

    "He couldn''te himself and was worried about you and Madam Colene, so he asked me toe over. After all, people in the underworld still have a little respect for the Harper family." Colene, being her optimistic self, couldn''t resist teasing, "Oh, Mr. Landon, don''t be modest. Compared to your influence, I''m really nothing."

    "What influence do I have? It''s all my grandpa''s lingering influence." Landon chuckled wryly.

    Alyssa asked with concern, "How is Lauren? Is she okay?"

    Landon''s eyes turned gentle at once. "She''s gained some weight from my feeding, but she''s doing well."

    "Has she... started speaking?"

    Landon''s longshes fluttered as he shook his head. "After we finish the wedding, I n to take her on a trip around the world. We''ll see a doctor along the way."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "That sounds good." Alyssa smiled. "Maybe during one of her trips, she''ll be deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery and start speaking."

    "I hope so." Landon''s eyes sparkled with hope.

    As the group entered Ivory Group''s underground parking lot, a familiar Maybach pulled up not far away and stopped in front of them.

    "Lyse!"

    Even before Xavier opened the door, Jasper had swiftly gotten out of the car and embraced Alyssa. "Sorry for beingte."

    "You''re just in time. We just came out." Alyssa stood on tiptoe as she rubbed her cheek against Jasper''s jawline intimately. "How was it? Is Mr. Waters alright?"

    "As you expected, Jameson went to see Mr. Waters. He wanted to acquire the Ivory. I stopped him." Jasper''s tone was casual, showing no sense of pride in what he had done. "Thank you so much, Jasper." Colene was moved to the point of choking up.

    Jasper smiled. "We''re a family. It''s what I should do."

    "Now that the crisis is resolved, I''ll go back to apany Lauren."

    Landon was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and looked at Colene. "Madam Colene, should I send someone to handle that troublemaker''s business?" Colene shook her head. "Forget it. Let him be. He''s all bark and no bite. He can''t stir up any trouble."

    Then Landon and Colene each got into their cars and left.

    As soon as Alyssa got into the car, Jasper pulled her onto hisp and embraced her tightly. Their lips met in a passionate kiss as they eagerly entwined with each other. S

    Only when they kissed with such fervor that Jasper''s eyes turned red with passion and Alyssa''s head spun did they reluctantly separate.

    "We''ve won the first battle. Want to celebrate?" Jasper''s gentle and hoarse voice teased her ears.

    "Um... I''m a little hungry."

    Alyssa sat in his arms with her arms around his neck. She effortlessly transitioned from amanding presence to a soft, tender woman.

    "Is that olddy''s hotdog store still open? We haven''t been there in a long time. I''m craving it."

    Jasper smiled and pecked her lip gently. "Alright, let''s go."

    With that, the Maybach sped away.

    Not far away, Jonah and Julien stood there, witnessing everything.

    "I told you you were nervous for nothing." Julien squinted his eyes and poked Jonah''s cheek with his fingertip. "With Mr. Beckett protecting her, who dares to bully her? Who can bully her?"

    "Yes, you''re right about everything, darling."

    Jonah wrapped his arms around Julien''s waist and touched his nose with his. "From now on, I''ll focus on protecting you. It''s time for me to step down from being Lyse''s brother."

 Chapter 2041

    Nathan''s case made no progress despite the Ivory being saved.

    Cyrus followed Alyssa''s orders and had people secretly keep an eye on Aidan''s movements.

    After taking care of Victor''s funeral, Jameson visited Lily at Sna City''s top nursing home.

    Thin as a stick, Lily sat in a wheelchair with her back to Jameson. A nurse attended to her as she basked in the sunlight in the courtyard.

    But seeing that, Jameson felt endless heartache. Her frail body seemed like it could turn to ashes at any moment under the sun, scattering in the wind.

    "Mr. Schmidt, your mother''s condition... is very poor," the doctor said worriedly while shaking his head.

    "She''s in thete stages of Alzheimer''s. Not only is her memory fading, but hernguage abilities are also declining gradually. And with her heart condition, it''s even more dangerous in thiste stage of the disease."

    Jameson took a deep breath and pressed his pale lips tightly together.

    "There''s no miracle drug to cure Alzheimer''s. My advice now is... spend more time with her and make her asfortable as possible in her final days."

    "Who said there''s no cure..." Jameson suddenly murmured in a hoarse voice.

    "What? What did you say?" The doctor was taken aback.

    "Who told you there''s no miracle drug for my mom''s illness? Who told you she''s dying?" Jameson shouted as he red at the doctor with fiery eyes. His emotions were getting out of control.

    "There''s a drug. There will be a drug soon... This isn''t cancer. It should be curable! Jameson grabbed the doctor''s cor. His strength almost lifted the man off the ground.

    The doctor was scared out of his wits, but fortunately, Carl arrived in time to pull Jameson away. "Mr.. Schmidt, calm down. He''s just an ignorant fool. He doesn''t know anything!"

    With fury burning inside him, Jameson approached Lily''s side.

    He dismissed the nurse and kneeled down beside Lily, tending to her gently. "Mom... I''vee to see you. It''s Jimmy."

    After a while, Lily slowly opened her confused eyes and stared at Jameson as if frozen in time.

    "Mom..."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "Victor... What do I need to do... for you to believe me?" Lily''s eyes held a glimmer, but it was a pained one. She spoke slowly, "I never... had anyone else... I... only have

    you..."

    Jameson was stunned. He gripped her thin hand tightly, identally leaving nail marks on her skin. "Mom! Look at me! I''m your son, Jimmy! Mom!"

    "Victor... take me... back..." Lily''s eyes filled with tears as she gently stroked Jameson''s cheek.

    Jameson''s blood turned cold as he ground his teeth.

    She mistook him for Victor.

    In the twilight of her life, she had forgotten her own son, remembering only the man who had hurt her so deeply.

    No one could understand this heartbreak.

    "Mom... Victor''s dead." Jameson''s once gentle gaze gradually turned cold. "I killed him. I avenged you. You only have me from now on, and that''s more than enough."

 Chapter 2042

    "W-Who are you... Who are you?" Lily''s bloodshot eyes widened, and she scratched wildly in the air, leaving two bloody marks on Jameson''s face. "You''re not my son... Jimmy is not as wicked as you! He''s not!"

    Jameson remained kneeling. Without moving, he watched Lily go mad with a cold and resolute expression.

    He felt like he was going mad too-just that his madness was quiet.

    Upon hearing themotion, two nurses hurried over to restrain Lily, who was trembling and struggling.

    "Call the police... Call the police... He''s a murderer... A murderer!"

    But who would believe the words of ate-stage Alzheimer''s patient?

    Lily shouted incoherently and was eventually pushed away by the nurses.

    "Mr. Schmidt... don''t be too upset. Madam Lily is not in her right mind now. Don''t take her words to heart," Carl keptforting Jameson.

    Witnessing the scene, even he felt extremely ufortable, let alone Jameson.

    "How much longer... How much longer will it take?" Jameson closed his eyes. His chest heaved restlessly. "Mr. Justin can wait, but my mom can''t wait any longer!"

    Carl clenched his teeth and said softly, "Mr. Schmidt, why don''t... why don''t you try giving this medicine to Madam Lily? What if it works?"

    "No!" Jameson firmly rejected his dangerous idea. "This medicine has only been tested for less than half a year and has already killed several healthy people. It shows how potent and unstable it is! I can''t... I can''t let my mom take this risk!"

    "But now you have no choice but to try anything!"

    Carl couldn''t hold back any longer.

    He blurted out the diagnosis he heard from the doctor, "The doctor

    said, if you continue with

    conservative treatment,

    Lily

    will only have... at most half a year left. Or even shorter!"

    Jameson had anticipated it, but hearing it with his own ears felt like a heavy blow to the back of his head, leaving him unsteady on his feet.

    "If that''s the case, why don''t you give it a try? You might extend her life!"

    Just then, Carl''s phone chimed with a notification. As he checked it, his pupils shrank. "Mr. Schmidt! Something''s happened!"C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Jameson''s eyes darkened. He took out his phone and opened Twitter.

    A trending topic was raging like wildfire. #Human Drug Experimentation.

    A Twitter post with over a million shares originated from the official ount of Sna Daily. And everyone in Sna City knew that Beckett Group was one of the major shareholders behind it. S

    The statement was blunt, indicating that a deep blue pill in the

    underground market was being sold as a recreational drug. However, behind this fa?ade, it was being used for human drug experiments.

    Not only that, the Twitter post also included a video showing a member of the Ivory Gang overdosing on the drug. The scene was shockingly intense. Twitter was aze with public opinion, so much so that the tform experiencedgging.

    It was evident how severe the impact was.

    "Sna Daily really has guts! How dare they openly publish such news? Are they crazy?" Carl panicked. His phone in his hand seemed like a hot potato.

 Chapter 2043

    "They''re backed by the Beckett Group. The only person who dares to do this is Jasper."

    Jameson slowly lifted his gaze, revealing the depth of darkness behind his golden-rimmed sses. "Well, well, he''s starting a social media war." "What''s most annoying is that we can''t remove this hashtag from the trending list! That would be like walking into his trap." Carl was quite smart. At that moment, a phone call came in.

    Jameson lowered his eyes and saw "Ms. Gillis" on the screen. He clenched his teeth and answered.

    "Mr. Schmidt, why is there so much going on on your end? It''s reached Mr. Justin''s ears now. What''s going on?" Sheryl''s tone was stern, clearly demanding answers.

    "It''s Jasper''s doing. He wants to make it chaotic and use public opinion to suppress me so that I can''t act freely."

    Jameson was already simmering with rage, and with Sheryl''s attitude, he was on the brink of exploding. "I''ll call Mr. Justin to exinter."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "Hmph! Save it. Mr. Justin is furious right now. He''s not in the mood to listen to your nonsense!"

    Jameson''s handsome face gradually twisted. He wished he could fly to Mosgravia and tear this bitch''s foul mouth to shreds on the spot.

    "Please handle the trouble on your end as soon as possible!"

    Sheryl''s tone was dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Schmidt, have you gotten carried away after bing the chairman? How could you make such a low-level mistake?"

    Lately, Jameson had been overwhelmed with Victor''s funeral and internal adjustments within thepany. Part of his attention was diverted by the Ivory as well. This allowed Jasper to seize the opportunity to attack him.

    "You don''t need to say that. I''ll handle it. Even if this fire burns me to ashes, I won''t let it disrupt Mr. Justin''s grand n!"

    "Mr. Schmidt, I know you''re on top of the world with your new position. But be careful. Too much joy leads to sorrow."

    The sun was warm in the afternoon, and the atmosphere was peaceful.

    Jasper and Alyssa visited the olddy''s hotdog store again.

    The couple sat side by side on a bench, enjoying their food.

    Though Jasper had a humble upbringing, he was raised as a gentleman under Newton''s careful guidance after joining the Beckett family. So, he had always ced great importance on table manners.

    But Alyssa was not as reserved.

    Outside, she was a refined and elegant youngdy. But in front of Jasper, she let herself loose. She ate the hotdog with big bites, even letting the sauce dirty her lips.

    "Lyse... eat slowly." Jasper gently stroked her soft back. He wanted to remind her to mind her manners, but he didn''t dare.

    Well, to him, her gluttony was adorable, no matter how she behaved. He just needed to spoil her without caring about what other people thought.

    "I''m eating slow enough!" Alyssa put down the wrapper contentedly and narrowed her eyes. "How many retweets andments are there now?"

    "Comments have exceeded a million,

    and retweets have surpassed ter million Jasper wiped her lips with a napkin in his left hand while scrolling through his phone screen with his right.

    "Hmm... This fire isn''t big enough yet. Let''s stoke it some more."

    Alyssa gazed at the olddy''s back as thetter earnestly chopped vegetables. Suddenly, she felt emotional.

    "Jameson thinks that he can control

    everything by standing at the

    pinnacle of the Schmidt Group, He

    may try to silence and obstruct, but he can''t blind millions of citizens searching for the truth."

    Upon hearing this, Jasper was influenced by her emotions as well. He affectionately pulled her into his embrace.

    Just as they embraced quietly, enjoying this rare moment of calm, Xavier sent a text.

    "Mr. Beckett, we''ve got a problem! The director of Sna Daily just called me, saying he can''t withstand the pressure from above and wants to delete the post and remove the hashtag!"

 Chapter 2044

    Jasper''s eyes turned cold. Just as he was about to call the director of Sna Daily, Javier''s call came in. He sensed trouble and wanted to avoid Alyssa while answering. Yet he feared she''d think he was hiding something, so he reluctantly turned and picked up the phone. His voice was barely above a whisper.

    "Yes, Dad?"

    "Did you order the release of that news about the human drug experimentation on Sna Daily''s official Twitter?" Javier''s tone was stern.

    "Yes."

    "I''ve already issued orders to take it down. As for the hashtag, even if we don''t remove it, someone else will!"

    Jasper frowned, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. "No, it can''t be removed."

    Alyssa nced at him with a poker face.

    "It''s not that I want to remove it; it''s an order from above. First of all, this news is suspected to be fake news. It wasn''t confirmed by the official source before being released.

    "This has already caused a lot of pressure on the higher-ups. People are scared! If we don''t handle it, trouble will find its way to Beckett Group!"

    Compared to his usual outbursts at Jasper, Javier seemed much calmer this time as he analyzed the pros and cons with Jasper.

    "Firstly, this isn''t unverified news. The video is real, and using living people for experiments is a fact. The police have been secretly investigating the source of this banned drug. If the media remains silent at this time, when else should they speak out?"

    Jasper''s voice, seared by indignation, became hoarse. "If the media chooses silence, it will only lead to more people being harmed and led astray! Covering up the truth is the most foolish choice!" Alyssa''s longshes fluttered. Her chest moved with her breathing rhythm.

    There was silence on the other end of the line for a while.

    After some time, Javier spoke earnestly, "Jasper, I''m not a heartless man. When I was young, I had the passion to charge forward for my career. I''m also enthusiastic about charity work and want to do something for society.

    "But the premise is that I must first protect the Beckett Group and my family. Before I am a phnthropist, or a social activist, I must first be a

    businessman who seeks ind

    avoids harm. I must prioritize the interests of my family." S

    Jasper''s lips tightened into a line. His eyes shed with a hint of obscurity.

    "This news has stirred up social

    unrest, and it will also stir up the Beckett Group. We cannot afford to be at odds with higher authorities. It''s not wise. In such sensitive times, we should understand the principle of going with the flow."

    "Dad, is this something you wanted to say to me personally, or did someone else say something to you?" Jasper was keenly aware of Javier''s unusual tone.

    He knew Javier too well. He wasn''t that broad-minded.

    Having been in the world of fame and fortune his whole life, how could he have such a detached and indifferent temperament?

    Javier paused for a moment, then sighed. "Justin called me after the incident. Jasper, he didn''t mean anything else. He just hopes that the Beckett Group won''t fall into chaos."

    "So it was Justin." Jasper felt suffocated. His gaze shifted to the woman beside him.

    Alyssa''s eyes darkened. She pressed a paper cup against her crimson lips as if drinking water but didn''t take a sip.

    She seemed lost in thought.

    "Anyway, this matter is settled. Higher-ups will take care of the trending hashtag today. You don''t need to worry about it anymore Even if there''s shady stuff going on in Sna City, it''s got nothing to do with you or Beckett Group." C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    These were the kind of words Javier would say.

    Jasper naturally wanted to argue and insist, but Alyssa gently pressed his arm and shook her head.

    After ending the call, Jasper squeezed her hand and smiled bitterly.

 Chapter 2045

    "Look, Lyse. It''s always like this," Jasper said.

    Alyssa looked at him, feeling sorry for him. She didn''t me him or reproach Javier.

    Even though they had to go against Jameson, the bond Jasper and Javier forged during Lauren''s incident was precious. Alyssa hoped they wouldn''t create further divisions.

    "But don''t worry. Even if Sna Daily doesn''t publish it, I''ll make sure other media outlets continue to report on it. It''s just that their influence may not be as strong as Sna Daily''s." Jasper''s eyes burned red with frustration.

    The spark had just ignited. He couldn''t let it be extinguished like this.

    "This isn''t your dad''s fault. It''s pressure from above." Alyssa''s voice was gentle as she soothingly calmed his emotions.

    "But what surprised me is that Justin called to intervene in this matter at this critical moment. I''ve been with your family for three years. Beckett Group has faced numerousmercial crises in the past, but he''s always been unmoved.

    "This time, it''s just a news story from Sna Daily causing public opinion to stir. Most people don''t even think it has anything to do with the Beckett Group. Yet he appeared first to advise your dad." As the Taylor family''s daughter, Alyssa was smart and quick-witted.

    While others were just beginning, she had already taken leaps ahead in the same matter.

    Unfortunately, the Taylors got along well, so she had nowhere to unleash her full array of strategies and could only use them with the Beckett family.

    "He''s a bit too proactive. It doesn''t fit his image." Alyssa skewered a cheese ball with a toothpick and brought it to Jasper''s lips.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Jasper was already full andcked appetite. But since Alyssa was feeding him, he took a bite anyway. His eyes brimmed with satisfaction and happiness.

    "So, Lyse, what are you thinking? Do you think there''s something wrong with Justin?"

    A bold but terrifying idea struck Alyssa as she chewed on the cheese ball.

    Could Justin also be involved in this drug? He mentioned that he knew many pharmaceuticalpany

    people over in Mosgravia. He also e

    e

    had ess to rare drugs that ordinary people couldn''t obtain. Could there be some intricate,

    hidden connection?

    But he wasn''tcking in money. Why would he do this?

    Or perhaps she was overthinking it. Maybe he simply intervened to please Javier andy the groundwork for his return to power in the future.

    However, no matter the reason, his

    I

    actions only meant one thing in Alyssa''s eyes-the Beckett brothers wouldn''t join forces. They would only diverge.

    Justin had saved Jasper''s life, but gratitude was one thing, and stance was another.

    Just then, Alyssa''s phone rang. It was Sean calling.

    "Ms. Alyssa, everything''s arranged. Please tune in to 3 o''clock News now."

    "Thank you."

    After hanging up, Alyssa immediately opened the app. She turned the screen horizontally and leaned her head against Jasper''s.

    At that moment, 3 o''Clock News began broadcasting. The first news was about the banned drug and human experimentation.

    "Lyse, w-when did you arrange this?" Jasper''s eyes sparkled with astonishment.

    "Actually, I thought that Sna Daily alone wasn''t enough."

    Alyssa nestled in Jasper''s arms and

    rubbed her head against his sturdy chest. "So, I had to give you some

    extra help and prepare a back 13

    n. Don''t worry. I''ll always be

    behind you."

    Although Sna Daily had taken down the post from their official Twitter ount, the trending hashtag couldn''t be removed no matter what.

 Chapter 2046

    Even though the keyword "human experimentation" had been blocked, the public still managed to bring the hashtag back to the top of the trending list in another way. They refused to let it quietly fade away. The hashtag continued to trend, causing one of the participants, Aidan, to panic and immediately contact Jameson.

    "Jameson! What the hell is going on? Didn''t you say it was just a popr soft drug from abroad? How did it suddenly be an untested banned drug?"

    Having faced humiliation from Sheryl and being unable to reach Justin, Jameson now had to deal with Aidan''s frantic inquiries. He had the urge to take out a machine gun and randomly kill people on the

    streets.

    But he had to endure it.

    He rose from being a forsaken outcast of the Schmidt family to forging his own path in Kontina. Now, thousands bowed before him. His sess stemmed from his boldness, astuteness, and ability to remainposed under pressure.

    Jameson downed an entire ss of whisky and gasped for breath before finally managing a smirk. "Why the panic? It''s just baseless rumors from the media. Didn''t Sna Daily take down its post?" "But it''s still trending! People are still going crazy discussing it online. We can''t delete the posts fast enough!"

    Aidan was losing it. "Jameson! Tell me! Are you really using me for drug experiments? Are you trying to screw me and Lovce Group over? We''re a top pharmaceuticalpany in the country!

    "If the authorities can''t handle the public pressure and intensify their investigation, they''ll soon trace it back to me! When the truthes out, my family will be the ones taking the me! And you''ll walk away unscathed!"

    Without replying, Jameson narrowed his eyes and smirked.

    This time, Aidan hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, he was already deep in the game and had to see it through. There was no turning back now.

    "Jameson... If the police reallye after me, I''ll definitely expose you! Don''t think about shifting the me onto me!"

    "Oh, please, the chances of your worst fearsing true are slim to none. Mywork has infiltrated every corner of Sna City''s official circles. This matter will be buried. By the way, how''s Lovce Group''s financial situation?"

    His words left Aidan dumbfounded. "W-What are you talking about?"

    Jameson''s eyes shed with a cold gleam. His every gesture oozed confidence in his imminent victory.

    "Lovce Group has poured all its resources into developing a new drug tobat Alzheimer''s,

    ????

    neglecting all other projects. But progress has been far from smooth in recent years. The government is now reluctant to provide further funding.

    "With your dad''s investments facing setback after setback and hundreds of millions of dors in losses still unounted for, Lovce Group''s new drug project could be halted at any moment.

    "You don''t want years of hard work to go to waste, do you? That''s why you thought about partnering with me to sell this drug, so you can earn some quick cash and support

    Lovce Group."

    There was a saying, "In life, every favores with a cost." Ill-gotten gains would have a way of turning against their owner.

    "Mr. Aidan, making money isn''t something to be ashamed of. In this day and age, moneyes first."

    Jameson''s eyes were unnervingly deep. "You''ve boarded this ship already. There''s no turning back now. You might as well y along for the sake of your dad and family."

    Jameson''s persuasive words temporarily calmed Aidan''s nerves.

    "Come to Schmidt Group''s new resort this weekend to rx, and we can discuss what''s next."

    Aidan, gued by anxiety over the drug experiment, agreed to Jameson''s invitation without much thought.

    After Jameson hung up the phone, Carl immediately approached. "It''s time to get ready, Mr. Schmidt."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "I must not get caught in this fire. Otherwise..."

    Jameson''s broad shoulders trembled slightly, as if he could feel the icy chill of impending doom. "I have a feeling that if this fails again, Mr. Justin willpletely abandon me."

 Chapter 2047

    In the following days, Alyssa and Jasper split up to attend to their own tasks.

    Although Jasper didn''t openly defy Javier anymore, he continued to fan the mes behind the scenes. He was determined to use the spotlight of public attention to flush Jameson out of his dark hideout. This day, as Jasper was preparing to attend a meeting, he received an unexpected call from Colene.

    "Madam Colene." His voice was calm and polite.

    Unlike her usual sharp-tongued self, Colene was surprisingly gentle in her treatment of Jasper. She even showed a hint of remorse.

    "Jasper, I haven''t properly thanked you forst time. If it weren''t for you showing up on time, the Ivory would have been swindled by that dickhead Jameson.

    "I still shudder at the thought. If we really lose the Ivory... I don''t know how my dad could go on living. I''ll be too embarrassed to face Winston."

    "Don''t say that, Madam Colene. Everything I did was only right," Jasper replied humbly. "The trust that you, Winston, and all the Taylors have ced in me, allowing me to reconcile with Lyse, is enough for me to spend my whole life repaying you."

    Xavier, standing nearby, couldn''t help but marvel inwardly.

    Jasper used to stumble over sweet talk and ttery, but now, he was effortlessly smooth with it, as if it came naturally to him.

    "Jasper, please don''t say that. It''ll only make me feel even more guilty."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    After a deep breath, Colene said resolutely, "I called to thank you and to pass on a message from my dad. He''s going to hold a press conference tonight and reveal everything about The Ivory''s recent ordeal with the illegal drugs."

    Jasper was taken aback. "This is a serious matter. You need to think it over carefully."

    "My dad knew you would say that. Exposing The Ivory''s secrets could attract police and prosecutorial investigations. But my dad is really tired.

    "He''s ready to face whateveres, even if it means risking jail time, just to show how dangerous this drug really is. And with The Ivory in such a mess, we need to tear it down and start fresh for a brighter tomorrow."

    Jasper nodded solemnly. "In that case, Lyse and I will respect Mr. Waters'' decision. I''ll also deploy more security personnel tonight to ensure Mr. Waters'' safety at the press conference."

    That afternoon, Nichs canceled important meetings and rushed alone to a nursing home in Sna City. He ran two red lights in his haste. By the time he arrived, he was sweating profusely. "What happened? How could my wife suddenly attempt to take her own life?" Nichs grabbed the arm of Natalie''s caregiver, Phoebe Silva, while his face dripped with sweat.

    "A-After lunch, Mrs. Novak suddenly said she wanted to see her son..."

    Nichs'' chest tightened with a sudden icy dread at the words.

    Natalie was in her early 40s now. She had suffered a miscarriage at the age of 29 during her fourth month of pregnancy.

    Now, over a decadeter, she was

    ''n''

    suddenly consumed with hysteria over their son to the extent that she was contemting self-harm. It suggested that her illness had progressed to the point where her memory and rity were severely impaired.

    "A young nurse came in and told Mrs. Novak that she didn''t have a son at all. Mrs. Novak had a menta breakdown on the spot. She pushed the nurse aside, rushed out of the ward, and knocked down several elderly people in the hallway... Then she went to the rooftop.

    Nichs'' pupils dted. His heart ached so much. It was as if it might shatter.

    "But... I never expected Ms. Alyssa to swoop in like a guardian angel. Just in the nick of time, she pulled Mrs. Novak away from the rooftop''s edge and brought her back down. We were all on edge as we watched."

    Phoebe''s recount of Alyssa''s heroism shifted the tense atmosphere to one of excitement.

    Nichs widened his eyes, thinking he must have misheard. "Who did you say? Ms. Alyssa?"

    "Yeah, Ms. Alyssa Taylor, the girlfriend of the Beckett Group''s CEO and the daughter of Winston Taylor, the wealthiest man in Belbanks."

    Phoebe couldn''t stop praising

    Alyssa. "Ms. Alyssa is incredible. She''s so strong and agile! I doubt could even lift Mrs. Novak, but she did it effortlessly with her slender arms and legs. She must work out regrly."

 Chapter 2048

    Nichs stood frozen in ce. His mind was buzzing.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    It wasn''t until the nurse called out to him that he took slow, heavy steps toward the ward.

    Natalie appeared frail and gaunt as she leaned against the bed. Her eyes widened with panic, mirroring a startled deer, as she tightly held Alyssa''s hand.

    Standing by the window, Alyssa gently stroked Natalie''s back. She whispered soothing words to help calm her emotions.

    Nichs watched dumbfoundedly at the door.

    Phoebe, who had been tending to Natalie for almost a decade, sometimes struggled to manage Natalie due to the torment of her illness. Alyssa had just met her, so how could they already get along so well? And under Alyssa''sfort, Natalie''s emotions stabilized entirely without the use of tranquillizers. It was simply unbelievable.

    "Nat!" Nichs walked over with a pale face. He pulled Natalie into his arms and held her tightly.

    "Mrs. Novak, you kept asking me where your husband was just now, right? He''s here now." Alyssa''s voice was extremely soothing.

    Natalie stared nkly at Nichs'' face for a moment before parting her lips sluggishly. "Nic... you''re here. Have you eaten?"

    Nichs'' eyes brimmed with profound love as he gazed deeply at Natalie. He then nced in amazement at Alyssa, who was smiling. "My wife, she..."

    "The caregiver said your wife hasn''t recognized you for a long time."

    Alyssa sped her hands behind her back as she gazed gently at Natalie. "But you see, despite the illness taking its toll, as long as there''s love between you two, she''ll never forget you."

    These simple words deeply moved Nichs. His voice turned hoarse with emotion. "Thank you for saving my wife, Ms. Alyssa."

    "It was nothing."

    Alyssa smiled faintly, but her gaze grew deeper. "Chief Novak, could I have a word with you privately?"

    The touch of gratitude Nichs felt moments ago was instantly buried beneath a coldyer of ice.

    As the two walked out of the room, Sean, looking concerned, immediately approached.

    "Ms. Alyssa..."

    "I need to talk to Chief Novak alone. Sean, you stay by the door and

    novel.ne

    watch over Mrs. Novak. If anything happens, tell us at once," Alyssa instructed seriously. S

    Nichs was taken aback by the use of "us", which inadvertently closed the gap between them.

    On the sun-drenched rooftop, the early winter wind felt particrly biting.

    Facing the wind, Alyssa stood tall and graceful, allowing her long hair to sway in the breeze. She squinted her eyes and tilted her face upward to feel the sun''s warmth on her cheeks.

    Despite the cold weather, she didn''t feel cold at all because her heart was heated with passion.

    "Ms. Alyssa, if you have something

    to say, please do so quickly. I need

    to go back to take care of my wife," Nichs coldly said while staring at her figure with a dark expression.

    "I believe someone with your track record of achievements,ing from a background in drug enforcement, must be a person of integrity and a seeker of truth."

    Alyssa opened her eyes and turned around to face him slowly. "You must hate drugs more than anyone else, right?"

 Chapter 2049

    The wind whistling past on the rooftop seemed to transform into invisible des.

    "Of course," Nichs replied in a low voice, without any unnecessary words.

    Having been in office for many years, he understood the principle of speaking ording to the situation well.

    He knew that speaking too much often led to mistakes, especially when facing the woman before him, whom he recognized as no ordinary person. Alyssa was courageous and possessed the intelligence of a shrewd strategist.

    After all, she was the woman Jameson deeply loved.

    "In that case, we share the same goals. We shouldn''t be enemies butrades fighting side by side." Alyssa smiled faintly.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I don''t feel I need to fight side by side with you."

    Nichs'' eyes turned cold. "You''re a magnate, and I''m a public servant. Our paths should diverge. But regardless, thank you for saving my wife. I''ll repay this kindness in the future. If not, perhaps in the next life."

    Alyssa frowned.

    "I need to go back to take care of my wife. You can stay here if you want to," Nichs said expressionlessly before turning to leave.

    But at this moment, Alyssa''s voice cut through the air like a sudden chill.

    "Chief Novak, you im to be a public servant, but why do your actions go against the interests of the people?"

    Nichs stopped in his tracks but didn''t turn around.

    "I know Jameson is behind you." Alyssa''s eyes were sharp. She let her hair dance freely in the wind.

    Nichs'' pupils contracted sharply. "Ms. Alyssa, I don''t understand what you''re talking about."

    "I have no intention of threatening you. It''s not my ce to judge the right and wrong of your actions. That''s for the people and thew to decide."

    Since the conversation hade to this, Alyssa spoke openly, "I''m here to tell you that you''re digging your own grave by aligning yourself with Jameson. Even if you''re willing to sacrifice yourself, don''t you care about Mrs. Novak?

    "Everything you''ve done has been forC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    her. Jameson is capable of killing and framing even his own family. You, who have no ties to him, are just a pawn he could dispose of at any moment. If you lose your usefulness to him, he might even eliminate you to silence you.

    "None of his promises will be kept, and your family won''t be treated well. My family has been friends with the Schmidt family for generations. I''ve faced him countless times. No one knows his cunning and methods better than I do."

    Despite Alyssa''s earnest persuasion, Nichs remained unmoved.

    Alyssa suddenly felt that Nichs was even sicker than Natalie. He had almost beenpletely brainwashed by Jameson.

    As Nichs was about to reach the door, Alyssa''s clear and sharp voice rang out from behind him once again.

    "Everything you''ve done is for the sessful development of a new drug to cure your wife''s illness. But have you ever considered that the so-called new drug is nothing but aplete scam? It''s simply impossible to develop such a drug.

    "If it were possible, why has

    Lovce Pharmaceuticals been researching for years with no progresszeven with government,

    support? Do theyck sufficient

    experimental data? Do they not have enough samples? This project has been a pipe dream from the start! At least, that''s how it seems now."

    Though Nichs didn''t turn around, his rigid back betrayed his tension.

    Alyssa''s gaze darkened. Finally, she revealed herst card.

    She retrieved a prepared drug analysis report from her pocket and unfolded it before him.

    "Here is the drug analysis report. This so-called new drug has no clear therapeutic effect on Alzheimer''s. At best, it''s just a mental suppressant, and it''s highly addictive.

    "Do you think Lovce Group

    couldn''t develop it? If it were

    possible, this drug would have been on the market long ago. From the start, Jameson was just using you to clear obstacles. Even if this drug is sessfully developed one day, can Mrs. Novak wait for that day?"

    "Ms. Alyssa, are you cursing my wife?" Nichs'' voice was hoarse and tinged with a hint of killing intent.

    "I just want you to see Jameson for who he really is and to see the truth!"

    Alyssa''s voice grew hoarse. She stared at him unwaveringly. "You did all that before because Jameson tricked you, but if you still stick with that devil even after I''ve told you all this, then you''re just fooling yourself!"

    She knew that the lofty words spoken in the name of the people were no longer effective.

 Chapter 2050

    Only by appealing to his interests could Nichs possibly be moved.

    Alyssa stepped closer to Nichs and slipped the report into his pocket before walking away without looking back.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    In the chilly wind, Nichs trembled as he retrieved the paper. After reading it, he tore it up slowly and let the shreds scatter in the wind.

    Suddenly, his phone vibrated. Nichs pressed it to his ear. "Yes, Carl."

    "Chief Novak, Mr. Schmidt asks you to act tonight."

    Nichs took a deep breath. His gaze was dark. "Okay."

    At 7:00 pm, Marc, apanied by Colene and Matilda, arrived at KS World Hotel and held the press conference as scheduled despite his deteriorating health.

    He disclosed all the recent events of the Ivory members being manipted by drugs and urged everyone to stay away from such dangerous substances, warning of the risks to life.

    "I''ll fully cooperate with the police investigation. And I support the police in thoroughly searching all Ivory members for any hidden drugs and punishing them severely! As the chairman of Ivory Group, I bear full responsibility and am ready to face all legal consequences!"

    With that, Marc, supported by Matilda, stood up tremblingly and bowed deeply in front of the cameras.

    The shlights lit up the room like daylight. Both those present and viewers online were deeply moved by his actions.

    After the press conference, public opinion surged to its peak.

    The entire inte was denouncing the mastermind behind this human experimentation and petitioning for a thorough investigation. It was a time when turning a blind eye was not an option for truth''s sake.

    While the storm raged outside,

    Aidan was indulging himself in the debauchery arranged by Jameson. Using alcohol and women to numb his senses, he enjoyed the revelry before doomsday.

    §Ö

    In the presidential suite, Aidan drank one ss after another, fed to him by the women around him. He became more and more intoxicated until he lost consciousness. S

    Under the urging of someone, he found himself on top of a woman and injecting drugs into her veins with a syringe.

    What happened next was a blur to him.

    In the early morning hours, he awoke to a splitting headache. He found himself lying naked in bed with an unclothed woman beside him.

    At first, he didn''t think much of it.

    Over the years, while apanying Joseph to socialize and discuss business, he had grown ustomed to women being sent to his bed in attempts to please him. He never declined.

    Aidan kicked the woman while rubbing his throbbing temples. "Hey... Wake up. Go back if you want to sleep."

    But the woman didn''t move.

    Frowning, Aidan reached out to shake her awake.

    As soon as he touched her skin, his expression froze. The woman''s body was cold to the touch.

    Aidan immediately turned on the bedsidemp to check on her.

    Although he had long since given up practicing medicine for business,ing from a family with a medical background, he still had some knowledge.

    Two minutester, he suddenly screamed. Forgetting about his own nakedness, he leaped out of bed and curled up in the corner.

    The woman on the bed had purple spots on her body, which were signs of hypostasis.

    She was dead!

 Chapter 2051

    Terrified, Aidan felt his hair stand on its ends. He hurriedly covered the woman''s corpse with a nket.

    Trembling at the foot of the bed, he debated whether to call the police when there was a knock on the door.

    It was 4:00 am. Who could it be? It was certainly not room service.

    Aidan walked to the door. "W-Who''s there?" His voice quivered uncontrobly.

    "Mr. Aidan," came a calm and steady voice from outside. "I''m here on Mr. Schmidt''s orders to help you."

    Aidan remained stubborn. "I-I don''t need any help."

    "The woman you pickedst night should still be in your room, right? How is she doing now?"

    Aidan''s heart pounded in rm as he rushed to open the door.

    A man stood outside, dressed in a ck sports outfit with a cap pulled low and a ck mask obscuring his features. Only his cold and sharp eyes were visible.

    "H-How do you know?" Aidan was shocked.

    Without a word, the man yed a video on his phone right in front of Aidan.

    The footage showed the entire scene fromst night-Aidan''s brutal assault on the woman and injecting her with drugs. The hidden camera in the room had captured everything. When he was done ying with her, he fell into a deep sleep.

    As he slept, the woman beside him suddenly began to convulse, foam at the mouth, and eventually wentpletely still. Aidan turned pale, and his back was drenched in cold sweat. He yanked the man into the room and locked the door. "There''s a hidden camera in the room? Did you do this? Was it Jameson?" Aidan asked while grabbing the man''s cor. Exhausted from the night''s excesses, he barely had the strength to be angry. His voice was weak and breathless. The man squinted his eyes. "Should Imend you for your insight, or is the answer too obvious?"

    "Jameson Schmidt! You jerk! How dare you set me up?" Aidan roared and swung a punch at the man''s face.

    The man easily caught Aidan''s wrist.

    He flipped him over his shoulder and mmed him onto the couch. Aidan''s back throbbed in pain and his vision blurred.

    "Mr. Aidan, now is not the time for impotent rage."

    The man pped his hands and scoffed. "You should think carefully about what would happen if this videonded in the hands of the police."

    Aidan''s heart was in his throat, and his legs turned jelly. "W-What do you want?"

    "Don''t panic. I''m here to clean up your mess."

    With that, the man stepped into the room and pulled a ck nylon bag from his backpack. He ced the woman''s body inside, zipped it u and secured it. Then, he

    e

    meticulously cleaned up all traces from the scene.

    Aidan watched, stunned. The man''s efficiency in handling the body was as casual as having a meal.

    "W-Who are you?" Aidan asked, trembling.

    "The body is taken care of." The man didn''t answer. His voice was calm as he dragged the bag out of the room.

    "Also, Mr. Schmidt has a message for you. Since you''ve chosen his side, you should understand that your fortunes are tied together. If you ever say anything you shouldn''t, Mr. Schmidt won''t cover for your murder tonight."

    Aidan watched the man leave. His soul seemingly left his body in terror.

    Before dawn, a ck car pulled into The Millennium.

    As the man stepped out, two of Carl''s men approached and took the body from the car.

    Returning to his car, the man removed his mask. It revealed Nichs'' pale face, filled with fatigue and sorrow.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    After a long while, he took out his phone and dialed Jameson''s number.

    When Jameson picked up, Nichs said respectfully, "Mr. Schmidt, everything has been dealt with."

    "Carl has informed me. Well done."

 Chapter 2052

    Jameson chuckled. "There will be a sum transferred to your offshore ount tomorrow. Please make sure to check it."

    "Mr. Schmidt, I''m not doing this for the money..."

    "I know. But everyone who works for me will be dulypensated. This is your due."

    Jameson''s words were clear, but his tone carried an inherent arrogance. "Besides, your wife''s hospital bills must be considerable. Your savings likely aren''t enough."

    "Thank you," Nichs murmured.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    He then hesitated before asking, "Mr. Schmidt, several subjects have had severe adverse reactions, and some have even died. The new drug seems highly unstable. Can it really be sessfully developed?"

    A silence followed on the other end.

    Nichs, despite his vast experience, felt a surge of anxiety.

    "Chief Novak, have you seen anyone recently?" Jameson''s tone remained casual, even slightly amused.

    Nichs''s heart skipped a beat, but he forced himself to lie. "No. I''m just worried because my wife''s condition worsens daily." His voice remained steady, not giving anything away.

    "A few problematic test samples don''t prove anything. After all, no experiment is without issues." Jameson''s tone softened. "Patience is key. We must trust Mr. Justin. The experiment will seed for sure."

    After Marc''s press conference, the police detained him. Due to his health, all interrogations took ce in the hospital.

    Meanwhile, the high-ranking members of the Ivory involved in drug trafficking, including Harry, were also arrested. All their stored drugs were confiscated as well.

    Under public pressure, an anti-drug task force led by Cyrus was established in Sna City.

    Over the next month, the city saw no further deaths from drug use. The illicit drug trade was temporarily suppressed.

    One evening, Alyssa was in her study, surrounded by piles of paperwork from work. Exhausted, she fell asleep on the couch.

    Half-asleep, she felt a warm sensation enveloping her and a soft kiss teasing her lips. The sensation was so pleasant it made her dizzy.

    Alyssa woke up with a soft moan.

    Her eyes were filled with desire. She eagerly wrapped her arms around the man''s neck, responding passionately to his kiss. S

    Jasper''s eyes mirrored her desire as he gently caressed her. It caused her delicate silk robe to rumple. Her straps even slipped off her

    shoulders.

    "Stop..." Blushing, she pulled away from his moist lips. When she realized she was now naked beneath him, she was consumed by embarrassment.

    Jasper pressed his chest against her and said in a hoarse voice, "Who could resist you being so proactive?"

    "We''re not newlyweds anymore. I didn''t think you''d still..." Alyssa trailed off as her hand wandered down his chest and hooked onto his belt. "Save thete-night snack forter."

    Jasper''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he restrained himself. He gently lifted her off the couch. "Let''s go downstairs and eat the dinner I made."

    "You''ve gotten faster at cooking." Alyssa put on her robe and pecked his lips with a smile.

    "Dinner needs to be quick, butte-night snacks should be savored." Jasper kissed her back with a sexy chuckle.

    Alyssa yfully pushed him. Just as she was about to say something, her phone rang.

    Jasper picked it up from the coffee table and handed it to her.

    "It''s Cyrus."

    "Oh?" Alyssa answered quickly. "Cyrus, what''s up?"

    "Big news, Lyse!" Cyrus, usually

    calm, sounded unusually exet

    "Aidan has been arrested for

    hoardingrge quantities of that illegal drug!"

 Chapter 2053

    Alyssa and Jasper exchanged a look of astonishment.

    They had always thought Aidan''s arrogance and boasting would lead to his downfall eventually, but they hadn''t expected it to happen so soon.

    "Cyrus, did your people follow Aidan to find this out?" Alyssa asked curiously.

    "No, we received an anonymous tip that led us to Aidan''s stash of illegal drugs in a warehouse. But that''s not all. We also found two bodies of the Ivory Gang members on a Lovce Group''s cargo ship near that warehouse."

    The couple''s eyes widened in shock.

    "The bodies were frozen, so they were well-preserved and hadn''t dposed. They were likely trying to use the ship to smuggle the bodies out of the country. After all, Sna City is filled with our surveince. It''s hard to dispose of two bodies here."

    Cyrus''s voice dropped, sounding more serious. "We performed autopsies immediately. As expected, both bodies died from drug overdoses."

    Jasper frowned. His eyes deepened with thought.

    "Cyrus, your team has been tailing Aidan for over a month, and there''s been no sign of activity from him. But someone suddenly pops up with critical information about his drug stash."

    Alyssa had the same thought. She added, "And right after, you find bodies on a Lovce Group''s ship nearby? This all feels too coincidental. It seems like someone is setting this up." "Lyse, the coincidences are hard to ignore. But one thing is certain."

    Cyrus took a deep breath. His voice turned somber. "Lovce Group is currently the biggest illegal drug supplier we''ve found in Sna City. We''ve not only busted their operation, but the warehouse staff and Aidan''s secretary have also confessed to drug trafficking.

    "However, they all denied any involvement in the murders or hiding the bodies. They said that they knew nothing about the bodies. We''re still investigating that part."

    "Cyrus, are you okay?" Alyssa sensed something off in his tone and couldn''t help but worry.

    After all, Mandy was a part of the Lovce family.

    Though she had cut ties with them after marrying Winston, people still saw her as connected to them by blood. It was impossible to fully separate those ties. Moreover, Joseph was Cyrus'' uncle, and Aidan was his cousin. This connection might force him to step down from the task force.

    "Lyse, I know what you''re concerned about. I''m fine."

    Cyrus sighed, I''m just worried about my mom. She acts indifferent to her family, but deep down, she doesn''t want to see them in such a

    swneyN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    disgraceful situation. Despite leaving the Lovces, she still wishes them well."

    "Yeah, Mandy is kind-hearted. After all, the Lovces raised her, and she was once Edgar''s favorite." Alyssa suddenly felt her nose tingle.

    "The media has already caught wind

    of this. By tomorrow, the news will be everywhere. Even if they don''t report it, the police will release official statement soon. The higher-ups are very serious about cracking down on illegal drugs. This is really bad news for Aidan.

    11

    Cyrus brushed off the earlier gloom and spoke with his usual conviction. "Now, we have all the evidence. Aidan''srge-scale drug trafficking, leading to multiple deaths, is undeniable. Even if he didn''t kill those two, he''ll still face severe

    el.R

    charges. He''s looking at a long

    prison sentence."

    to

    "Aidan''s downfall will prompt Edgar and Joseph to take action to protect him."

    Alyssa gripped Jasper''s hand tightly. Her eyes were filled with concern. "Jasper, stay in Sna City to get more information. I need to go home and be with Mandy."

    Jasper squeezed her hand back and nodded slightly. "Alright. Call me if anything happens."

 Chapter 2054

    After Aidan''s arrest, the Lovce family plunged into unprecedented chaos.

    Edgar fainted in a fit of rage and was rushed to the hospital. The police immediately questioned Joseph, who aged a decade during his interrogation at the station.

    At the same time, he was pped with a travel ban. He couldn''t leave Sna City until the case was resolved.

    As Joseph prepared to enter his car with his entourage, an egg came flying out of nowhere and smashed on his head.

    "How dare you experiment on live humans? You''re insane! Don''t call yourself a human!"

    "You killed so many innocent people for drug development! Have you no conscience?" "No more Lovce Pharmaceuticals for me! Boycott Lovce Group!"

    Joseph''s face flushed red as he hurried into the car, and the luxury vehicle sped away.

    The smell of rotten eggs filled the car interior, making even the driver feel nauseous.

    "Mr. Joseph, should we head home first to shower and change before visiting Mr. Edgar at the hospital?" Joseph''s secretary, Ernest Brown, asked cautiously.

    Joseph finally shed his civilized fa?ade and erupted in fury. Hended a p on Ernest''s face, venting his shame and anger over the egg incident.

    "Are you out of your mind? Shower and change at a time like this? Go to the hospital to see Dad first!"

    Then he asked, "Has thewyer seen Aidan? What did he say?"N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Blood trickled from Ernest''s mouth as he responded, "M-Mr. Owen said Mr. Aidan confessed to hoarding illegal drugs and selling them in bulk to gangs like the Ivory Gang." Joseph''s head rang with a buzz as he angrily asked, "Why didn''t he reveal his suppliers? Is he stupid or insane?"

    "That''s the tricky part."

    §Ö

    Ernest didn''t understand either. "Mr Aidan isn''t the type to handle things

    like this calmly. Besides, at this

    point, if he doesn''t shift the me, he could face a lengthy sentence.

    "Although he didn''t personally kill anyone or self drugs, Mr. Owen mentioned that the previous human drug experimentation hashtag caused widespread panic among the public and resulted in several deaths.

    ton

    "This is no different from indirect manughter. Even if we hire the best legal team in the world to defend Mr. Aidan, he might still-"

    "Shut your mouth!" Joseph silenced Ernest with another p.

    Despite his anxiety, a glimmer of hope flickered in Joseph''s heart.

    Aidan''s illicit dealings were with his approval and support. If Aidan cracked under pressure and

    revealed his involvement, Lovce Group would bepletely doomed.

    As long as he held firm, there might still be a chance.

    Joseph arrived at the hospital. After hastily cleaning himself up in the restroom, he rushed to Edgar''s VIP room. "Dad, I''m-"

    But as Joseph stepped into the room, he froze in astonishment.

    There was Mandy, tenderly feeding Edgar soup by his bedside.

 Chapter 2055

    "M-Mandy? Why..." Joseph''s chest tightened. His expression changed in an instant.

    Despite their past animosity and Mandy pping his face, seeing her still stirred something in him. His heated gaze lingered on her captivating face.

    "With everything that''s happened, you must be overwhelmed and haven''t had time for Dad."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Mandy set down the bowl and picked up a napkin to wipe Edgar''s mouth. Without ncing at Joseph, she continued, "Even though I''ve married Winston, and you may not readily ept him, I am still a Lovce. It would be heartless of me not to return at this time."

    Joseph frowned, feeling suspicious.

    "Mandy... Thank you foring to see me..."

    Edgar''s eyes glistened with tears as he tightly squeezed Mandy''s hand. "I''ve been too harsh on you before and caused us to misunderstand each other for so many years. We were at odds for so long. I don''t know if I''ll ever have a chance to make up for my mistakes..."

    "Dad, it doesn''t matter anymore. Everything''s in the past," Mandy reassured him gently. "Besides, blood is thicker than water. You''ll always be my dad, and we''ll always be family."

    "Blood is thicker than water." Those words sounded unbearably harsh to Joseph.

    In this family, ultimately, only Mandy was Edgar''s biological child. Their sudden reconciliation during this critical moment made him feel even more like an outsider.

    "Mandy, you''ve had a long day. You should go home now. I need to talk to Jo," Edgar said softly.

    Obediently, Mandy got up. She shot Joseph a cold re as she passed by. Her gaze was piercing and unsettling.

    Once the door closed, the fleeting peace in the room vanished.

    "What are you going to do about Aidan?" Edgar asked in a trembling voice.

    Joseph gritted his teeth and

    answered seriously, "Dad, with Aidan

    caught and all the evidence agains

    him, there''s nothing we can do. Lovce Group must immediately sever ties with him. We must deny any involvement in hoarding illegal drugs."

    Edgar paled in disbelief. "W-What did you say? You want topletely abandon Aidan? He''s your son!"

    "He''s my son, but his actions have

    ??

    severely harmed Lovce Group''s interests. He''s a ticking time bomb! If we don''t cut him off, the entire Lovce Group will go down with him," Joseph''s tone was resolute, as if he were talking about a m¨¨re pawn instead of his own son facing prison time.

    Utterly shocked, Edgar stared wide-eyed at Joseph, who had a grim expression.

    This child, whom he had nurtured for 40 years, looked like a stranger to him at this moment.

    "Jo... I have one question for you. If you still consider me your dad, you''ll answer me truthfully." Edgar

    strained to maintain hisposure. "Do you know about Aidan hoarding drugs? Were you involved? S

    Joseph remained unfazed. Without hesitation, he replied, "No, it was all Aidan''s doing. He made greedy decisions and went down the wrong path. I had no knowledge of his illicit activities."

    "How dare you still lie to me?" With hisst ounce of strength, Edgar grabbed the bowl from the bedside table and chucked it at Joseph. Unable to dodge, Joseph''s suit got drenched in soup. First, he was pelted with rotten eggs and then soup. This day couldn''t get any worse for Joseph.

    Joseph erupted in anger. His face flushed with fury. "Dad! What are you doing?"

    "For the past six months, Aidan has been transferring money to your ount every month. Shortly after, the same amount appears in thepany''s ount!

    "And Aidan has only been in the business for a few years. How would he know about that warehouse where the drugs were hidden? Isn''t it because you approve of him doing this?"

    Since his actions were exposed, Joseph dropped all pretense and emitted a sardonicugh.

 Chapter 2056

    "Even if I did consent, so what?" Joseph admitted.

    "Joseph Lovce! Do you even realize what you did? You''re trafficking drugs. You''re leading Lovce Group to doom!" Edgar was so angry that his view darkened, and his body trembled. "Wrong! What I did was to save Lovce Group!"

    Joseph stood tall. His eyes were devoid of any remorse or guilt. "Do you think thepany''s doing well now? Our drug sales have been declining year after year, with losses amounting to hundreds of millions annually. What you see is just what I wanted to show you!

    "Also, the Alzheimer''s drug research project ran out of funds long ago! If Aidan hadn''te up with this idea and infused some cash, ourpany''s financial chain would''ve snapped six months ago! So, in a way, you should thank me. Without me, Lovce Group wouldn''t have made it this far."

    "You jerk... You''re spouting nonsense!"

    Edgar clutched his chest as he rebuked, "Even if our family falls into bankruptcy... and we have to beg on the streets, we mustn''t resort to such despicable deeds!"

    "Hypocrite," Joseph sneered.

    Edgar pounded the bed in frustration. "You jerk! You''ve ruined Lovce Group, and you''ve ruined your own son! Aidan used to be such a good kid, but you corrupted him! Julien has severed ties with you as well! Joseph, you''ve disappointed me beyond words! You''re not fit to be the heir of Lovce Group!"

    "I''m not fit? Who else is? Julien, who''s dating the Taylor family''s son? Or Mandy, who has tarnished the family''s reputation by being Winston''s mistress?"

    Joseph coldly eyed Edgar, who was on the brink of death. He didn''t bother to waste more words as he turned to leave.

    "Dad, you didn''t have a choice long ago. The heir to Lovce Group can only be me."

    Back at Lovce Residence, Joseph, d in a bathrobe, slumped onto the couch. He poured himself a ss of whiskey.

    He had yed the dutiful son for decades. But now that he had shed with Edgar, he felt an unprecedented, subtle sense of relief.

    He summoned Ernest and

    commanded Issue an official statement from Lovce Group''s official social media ounts tomorrow. State that everything was Aidan''s doing and had nothing to do with Lovce Group. We''re a pharmaceuticalpany. Any association with human experimentation would ruin us."

    Ernest felt a chill run down his spine.

    Joseph was truly ruthless. He was willing to sacrifice even his own son for the family''s interests.

    "Also, erase all the transaction records from these past few months. We can''t afford to let the police trace anything back to me through Aidan."

    Joseph red at Ernest to ensure thetter didn''t ck off. "If there''s any slip-up, not only me, but you''ll also go down with Lovce Group." Ernest hurriedlyplied.

    "Did you obtain the surveince footage from the ward?" Joseph asked grimly.

    "Yes." Ernest handed him a USB drive.

    Joseph inserted the drive into theputer and yed the video.

    Mandy and Edgar''s conversation was crystal clear.

    "Dad, you have to stop Joseph now, or Lovce Group will be doomed."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "I''ve been blind... How did I not see through his ambitions sooner? But it''s toote to have regrets now..I''ve stepped down, and he''s ready to take over. How will Lovce Group survive without him?"

    "Dad, if we''re talking about heirs, there''s no one more suitable than Julien. Julien is a skilled doctor, and he''s highly respected in Mosgravia. He could easily manage the hospital. Also, Jonah is experienced in business. Julien can learn from him. He''ll surely excel with time."

    "Mandy... I want to change my will. I want you to take over Lovce Group."

 Chapter 2057

    Joseph''s face turned ghostly pale. His hand shook with rage as he gripped the mouse.

    With a loud bang, he mmed theptop shut. His fury reddened his face.

    Panicked, Ernest asked, "Mr. Joseph, what do we do now?"

    "So... that old man never truly saw me as his son! Even after all these years of loyalty, he only treated me as a tool! All he cares about is Mandy!" Joseph smashed theptop in his anger.

    Though he had feelings for Mandy, thatughable affection vanished in the face of his self-interest.

    Joseph trembled with rage and gritted his teeth. "You brought this on yourself, Dad."

    That night, Alyssa hurried back to Heightsnew Vi.

    She went straight to see Mandy, who had just finished giving Winston his medication and was stepping out of the room.

    "Mandy, did you visit Mr. Edgar? How is he?" Alyssa asked with concern after pulling her into a corner.

    "Not good."

    As Mandy held Alyssa''s hand, her eyes were red-rimmed. "Lyse, there''s something I need to tell you. I''ve already discussed it with Winston. Since you''re here, I wanted to let you know too. Lovce Group is in serious trouble. I might need to go back and help my dad manage it."

    "Mandy... you... reconciled with him?" Alyssa''s eyes widened in surprise.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "Yeah. Pathetic, right?" Mandy forced a bitter smile.

    "Not at all! I''m so d you''ve reconciled!" Alyssa said, her eyes shining with happiness.

    "I was worried you''d never get over the past. You''ve taken a big step forward. Winston and I fully support you. We''re your family and support system, not a hindrance. Whatever you decide to do, go for it. Even if Winston doesn''t back you, Jasper, Jul, and I will always be on your side."

    "Lyse... thank you." Mandy hugged Alyssa as tears streamed down her cheeks.

    "By the way, Mandy, what position

    will

    Alyssa take at Lovce Group?"

    Alyssa asked curiously. "Joseph is the chairman now, right? Are you taking Aidan''s spot? Remember, we Taylors don''t settle for anything less than the top. Make sure to negotiate well with Mr. Edgar."

    Mandy pressed her lips together, and her eyes gleamed with determination. "My dad wants me to take over Lovce Grouppletely. He wants me to rece Joseph as the heir." Alyssa was stunned.

    Although Edgar doted on Mandy, he wasn''t as open-minded as Winston. He wouldn''t disinherit Joseph unless it was absolutely necessary.

    Had Joseph done something unforgivable? Was he involved in Aidan''s shady dealings?

    "If it were before, I''d be eager to manage things. But now, I just want to take care of Winston and live a peacefullife with my family. I suggested Julien to my dad, but since hecks management skills, I''ll need to help Lovce Group get through this tough period first."

    Alyssa''s mind raced. "Did Mr. Edgar discuss this with Joseph?"

    Mandy shook her head. "When I visited him this afternoon, Joseph was there. Dad talked to him privately. I don''t know if they discussed it."

    "Mandy, I have a bad feeling about this. We need to increase security at the hospital to ensure Mr. Edgar''s safety."

    Mandy froze for a moment, then realized the gravity of the situation. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

    "But we can''t alert them. We need to do everything discreetly," Alyssa said, her eyes glinting with resolve as she formted a n to catch them all in one fell swoop.

 Chapter 2058

    Aidan''s arrest caused an uproar, and Lovce Group became the target of condemnation.

    Although no concrete evidence yet linked the human drug experimentation to Lovce Pharmaceuticals, suspicion was a powerful force. Once doubt crept in, innocence became a distant memory. "Mr. Schmidt, you''re incredible! It''s like you can see the future!"

    In the chairman''s office, Carl excitedly showed Jameson thements on his iPad. "Aidan has be our scapegoat. The public is now attacking Lovce Group, thinking they''re the culprits behind the human experimentation. Everything is under your control!"

    Jameson smoothly swung his golf club, making a perfect shot. "Anyone who works for me must be under my control. I won''t use those who aren''t. I promised Mr. Justin that everything in Sna City would be handled perfectly, and I always keep my word."

    Carl looked smug. "Aidan is in deep trouble now. If he dares to mention your name to the police, we''ll release the video of him drugging the woman, leading to her death from cardiac paralysis.

    "Drug trafficking might get him ten years with a goodwyer, but murder? Even if it''s idental, he''s looking at either the death penalty or life imprisonment since he tried to cover it up. As long as we hold this evidence, he''ll take the secret to his grave."

    "You''re right. He should take the secret to his grave," Jameson said calmly while swinging the club again.

    Carl was startled. "D-Do you mean..."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Jameson smiled faintly. "Find an opportunity and get rid of him."

    "But Mr. Schmidt, we''re in the spotlight right now. Isn''t that unnecessary?" Carl took the club Jameson handed him. "With this evidence, Aidan won''t dare to breathe a word. You can rest assured."

    "Firstly, I don''t trust anyone except the dead." Jameson moved to the couch and elegantly swirled a ss of red wine. "Secondly, if Aidan dies at this critical moment, what do you think the public will assume?" Carl''s eyes widened as he realized. "They''ll think... he couldn''t bear the pressure and killed himself out of guilt!"

    "I told you. I like to squeeze out everyst bit of value. Aidan''s final value lies in his death." Jameson savored the wine with a smile. "Do it ASAP and make it look natural." "Yes, Mr. Schmidt!"

    "Also, has Nichs been up to anythingtely?" Jameson''s eyes shed with a cold glint behind his gold-rimmed sses.

    "I''ve had people watching him. Since helping Aidan dispose of the body, he''s either been at work or at the nursing home with his wife. He hasn''t gone anywhere or seen anyone." "Inform me immediately if there''s any unusual activity."

    "Mr. Schmidt, if-just hypothetically-Chief Novak does something out of line, what will you do?" Carl asked hesitantly.

    Jameson shot him a look. "You know perfectly well."

    Carl bowed, feeling a chill down his spine.

    To Jameson, everything in the world was insignificant except for Alyssa. She was like a unique and precious moon in his dark world.

    When Nichs left the nursing home, it was alreadyte.

    He wasn''t going home tonight. He nned to stay with Natalie in her ward. After a long day of care, he was mentally and physically exhausted. He stepped out for a walk to clear his mind.

    Passing by an electronics store, he noticed the TV in the window ying a news segment about Aidan''s arrest and the illegal drugs. Several pedestrians had stopped to watch and discuss the scandal. S

    Nichs walked by with weary eyes and an expressionless face as if the news had nothing to do with him.

    He entered a quiet caf¨¦ and ordered the cheapest coffee before sitting in a corner, lost in thought.

    As he recalled Natalie''stest diagnosis, tears welled up in his eyes, and his heart ached.

    "Nat..." Nichs closed his eyes in a

    dry lips and searched his pockets for a lighter but couldn''t find any.

    dre put a cigarette his

    Suddenly, with a sharp flick, a cluster of orange mes ignited before him.

    Nichs looked up in a daze. His heart skipped a beat at the sight.

    The man standing before him was tall and imposing, with longshes and a slight, arrogant smile on his thin lips.

    "What a coincidence, Chief Novak," Jasper said with a faint smile in his eyes. Seeing Nichs in a daze, he lit his cigarette for him.

    This act stunned Nichs. It wasn''t every day that someone as distinguished as Jasper would light a cigarette for someone.

 Chapter 2059

    "Can I join you?" Jasper asked, his demeanor warm and friendly. Nichs replied simply, "Sure."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Jasper gracefully sat opposite him, arriving alone with no backup.

    A palpable tension hung in the air even before a word was spoken.

    "Mr. Beckett," Nichs began, "a man of your stature wouldn''t be drinking coffee in a ce like this."

    Nichs then took a deep drag of his cigarette. His eyes were grim. "So, this isn''t a coincidence. You''ve been following me."

    "It''s not what you think," Jasper countered. A slight twitch of Jasper''s lips apanied his sincere gaze. "My wife told me everything that happened at the nursing home. She knew you''d be here if I couldn''t find you at home. After all, both of us prioritize our wives. We might take detours, but we always end up in the same ce, don''t we?"

    An intelligent man would never directlymunicate what he meant.

    Nichs continued to smoke. "Are you and Ms. Alyssa married?"

    Jasper blinked and said, "Not yet."

    "Then, addressing Ms. Alyssa as your wife is merely a term of endearment; it''s for fun. Our situations are different. You can''t understand mine."

    Jasper''s jaw clenched subtly, but his voice remained calm and low. "Don''t you think it''s odd that Aidan Lovce was suddenly arrested, Chief Novak?"

    Nichs'' eyes were listless. "The Sna City police force don''t just do nothing. Justice will always prevail. This is what he deserves."

    Jasper held his gaze unflinchingly. "Then, who do you think is next?"

    The air suddenly turned stale.

    "How would I know?" Nichs dismissed him coldly, but a tremor ran through the hand holding his cigarette.

    "Aidan and Jameson worked extremely closely. Aidan, the president of Lovce Group and a Belbanks bigwig, helped Jameson distribute illegal drugs, amassing a fortune in the process. Yet, Jameson cast him aside like a disposable tool. As you can see, Jameson trusts no one."

    Jasper squinted his eyes and continued, "Jameson was merely getting rid of Aidan after he outlived his usefulness. Chief Novak, are you certain you''re any different?"

    Nichs felt a slight stirring in his heart. However, he knew Jameson had eyes all over Sna City. He had no idea how to exin himself if Jameson found out that he had secretly met up with Jasper. S

    Jameson was cold-blooded, sinister,

    and distrusting. No matter what,

    Nichs had to survive; only then,

    could protect his wife. Besides, was already entangled with

    Jameson-there was no turning

    back.

    he

    As Nichs rose to leave, Jasper lunged forward and pressed a silver lighter into Nichs'' palm.

    "You didn''t bring a lighter, right? If you don''t mind, you can have it."

    Nichs'' eyes constricted as an inexplicable pain surged in his chest. He then epted the lighter, lowered his head and hastily left the caf¨¦.

    Jasper remained in his seat, observing the hustle and bustle of the night. Nichs hadpletely disappeared from his sight.

    Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Alyssa on WhatsApp. "Did you meet with him?"

    He smiled faintly, his calloused fingers dancing across the keyboard. "Yes, we talked."

    Alyssa replied, "Was the chat aplete bust? While your IQ is amazing, your EQ leaves much to be desired."

    "Even you can''t reason with him, Lyse. What else can I do?" Jasper paused as his eyes darkened. Then he added, "But turning him wasn''t my goal from the outset."

    A beat of silence followed. Then, a

    flurry of emojis filled the screen, followed by a text. "So you met with him to make Jameson suspicious? You want to sow discord between them!"

    "You''re so smart!" Jasper replied.

    "You''re so cunning!" Alyssa was stunned by the audacity of the n.

    Meanwhile, Jasper appeared unsure how to respond after that. However, his gaze remained loving.

    "There''s a 30 percent chance this gambit works, even if it puts us in the crosshairs."

    Just then, a camera retracted discreetly into the darkness of a parked ck car.

 Chapter 2060

    The corridors along the VIP ward were quiet and deserted. There was no one in sight.

    A female nurse came to check on Edgar after doing her rounds. As she left, a figure dressed as a nurse silently slipped into the ward. The ward was silent; Edgar was sound asleep.

    The man quickly took a syringe and plunged it into Edgar''s withered arm.

    Surprisingly a light sleeper, Edgar bolted awake, his eyes wide with rm. "W-Who are you?"

    It was the first time the man had done something like this. He panicked and stammered, "I-I am a new nurse. I''m here to do my rounds." "Nonsense! My daughter personally selected a nurse for me. Who the hell are you?"Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    This man set off rm bells in Edgar''s head. He reached for the call button, but the man reacted swiftly, mping a hand around his neck. "I''m sorry, Mr. Edgar. At this point, I have no choice!"

    A sinister glint flickered in the man''s eyes as he tightened his grip. Edgar''s mouth gaped open, his paleplexion turning a sickly purple.

    Through gritted teeth, the man hissed, "I''ve experienced nothing but warmth and appreciation from you during my time serving the Lovces, so the least I could do for you is offer you the truth before you go. Mr. Edgar, remember, even your own blood can turn against you, let alone anyone who isn''t your own."

    A jolt of shock ran through Edgar as he listened. His lips trembled, barely forming a whisper.

    "Don''t me me. me that son of yours. He''s be much too vicious for his own good!"

    Edgar slowly closed his eyes as tears of anger streamed down.

    Then, with a deafening bang, the ward door burst open.

    "Don''t move. Put your hands up!" Cyrus roared as he charged into the room. Both hands held his gun steady, aimed squarely at the man who was being caught in the act.

    The man panicked and released his grip. Seeing no escape, he dashed toward the window and forced it open. He peered down, his eyes darkening. It was ten floors high!

    Cyrus swiftly executed a roundhouse kick, sending the man crashing to the ground. Cyrus promptly pinned him down and pped on a pair of handcuffs.

    "You''re under arrest for attempted murder! You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you in court!"

    Cyrus removed the man''s mask, only to find it was Joseph''s trusted secretary, Ernest Brown.

    "I-I confess. I-I''ll tell you everything!"

    Ernest was not a professional assassin, so he easily crumbled under pressure. The threat overwhelmed him, causing him to break k. He cried as he pleaded, "Sir, will it reduce my sentence if be a witness? I didn''t want to Kill Mr. Edgar. Mr. Joseph forced me to.

    "Not only did he instigate murder, but he was also involved in Mr. Aidan''s illegal drug business. He was the one who provided the storage to hide the drugs. I have proof I can testify against him in court!"

    Cyrus'' eyebrows shot up. With a stern voice, he barked orders to his subordinates, "Go back to the

    station immediately and secure an arrest warrant for Joseph Lovce, president of the Lovce Group! Locate him at once!"

    In less than an hour, the police apprehended Joseph at the airport, where he was attempting to flee to Mosgravia.

 Chapter 2061

    On the way out through the airport halls, the police carefully covered Joseph''s handcuffed hands with clothes to avoid creating unnecessarymotion.

    Despite that, whispers and curious nces followed them. The travelers even took pictures and posted them online.

    In the interrogation room, Joseph, who always cultivated an image of elegance and reason, now pounded the table with his cuffed hands, screaming in frustration, "Didn''t Aidan confess to everything? I don''t know anything about his illegal drug business, and it has nothing to do with me. Who put you up to this? Why target me and the Lovce Group?"

    Cyrus stared coldly at the man he once called Uncle Joseph. His lips formed a thin, impassive line. "Mr. Joseph, is that foresight you''re disying, or perhaps a guilty conscience? I haven''t even mentioned drugs, yet you''re already incriminating yourself."

    Joseph broke out in a cold sweat under Cyrus'' unyielding gaze. He attempted to leverage their rtionship to his advantage. "Mr. Cy... I mean, Cyrus! After all, I''m still your uncle!"

    "In this room," Cyrus countered, his voice devoid of emotion, "we are officer and suspect."

    Cyrus continued, "And besides, you are Edgar Lovce''s adopted son, not his biological son. You have no blood ties to him or my mother. So, ''uncle'' seems rather far-fetched. Joseph flushed a deep crimson, the sting of humiliation burning across his face.

    "We''re not just arresting you for illegal drug storage and distribution but also for inciting your secretary, Ernest Brown, to murder Edgar Lovce. He was caught in the act.

    Cyrus'' gaze was sharp. "We have a witness statement, and your secretary recorded your instructions to protect yourself. The evidence is solid. Even though it was attempted murder, you''ll be spending the rest of your life behind bars."

    Joseph''s bloodshot eyes widened in disbelief. "W-Wait! W-What did you say?"

    "Attempted murder," Cyrus repeated slowly, enunciating each word.

    Cyrus, typically stoic in the interrogation room, cracked a smile. "My team intervened in time. Mr. Edgar was saved. He''s still in the hospital but stable."

    Joseph slumped in his chair

    dishearteningly, as if all his energy

    had drained away. Suddenly, he burst into uncontrobleughter. "That useless son of a bitch. He can''t even do anything right!"

    Cyrus frowned. "So, you''re admitting to it?"

    "Don''t you have all the evidence? Where can I go if I don''t confess?"

    "Why did you do it?"

    only to ever sayN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    n

    "Edgar Lovce had been unkind to me and me as his son. He me as a tool to help him him build his empire and secure his family Why should I pretend to be a good son when he is so heartless to me? I''ve pretended for more than 30 years, and I''ve had enough!"

    Joseph''s true natureid bare. "So, what if you prosecute me? Edgarz isn''t dead, and I''m not the one who did it. And I''ve already told you had nothing to do with the illegal drugs. Aidan operated alone!"

    Then, the door of the interrogation room opened. A policeman rushed in and whispered into Cyrus'' ear.

    Cyrus'' expression shifted drastically. After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice, "Your son, Aidan, was afraid of facing conviction. He jumped from a building and took his own life an hour ago."

    Joseph''s head spun, and it felt as if the ceiling itself was crumbling down on him.

    His vision blurred as if blood were seeping from his skull.

 Chapter 2062

    The news of Aidan''s suicide sent shockwaves through Sna City.

    Upon receiving the news, Alyssa hurried to Sna City with Mandy. Jasper followed them, fearing someone would hurt Mandy during this sensitive period.

    "Cyrus told me the police found what seems to be a suicide note from Aidan in his coat jacket. It mentioned remorse for his actions and letting his grandfather and father down," Alyssa shared in her vi. Meanwhile, Jasper took it upon himself to warm two sses of milk. He handed one to Mandy and the other to Alyssa.

    "This all happened so suddenly. Why... How..." Mandy trailed off, her voice thick with disbelief.

    It was one bad blow after another, and it all happened within a night. Mandy, a woman known for herposure, was starting to unravel.

    "I watched Aidan grow up. He was always sopetitive. They raised and groomed him to be the sessor. This must have been a crushing weight on him-the biggest sin he''d evermitted. Aidan must have feltpletely cornered and saw no alternative but to take his own life," Mandy choked out.

    Regardless of their rtionship, Aidan was someone she''d watched grow up. He''d always called her "Aunt Mandy" and leaned on her for support.

    However, Alyssa sensed something amiss. She looked up at Jasper. "The police will analyze the handwriting, right? There might be something off about the note."

    "Yes, I believe they will. Anyhow, the police are convinced it was suicide."

    Jasper''s eyes darkened as he continued, "The police interrogated Aidan again earlier, grilling him relentlessly. Then, he excused himself to use the restroom and jumped from a window along the hallway. It happened so fast that the officer guarding him failed to react in time. That officer has resigned from his position."

    Mandy covered her mouth, despair etched on her face. Alyssa''s expression remained grave.

    Jasper pulled Alyssa close, gently stroking her arm. "Something feels wrong, doesn''t it?"

    "Yes." Alyssa took a deep breath and tightly held Jasper''s hand. "Now, the entire country believes Aidan took his own life out of guilt. Consequently, Lovce Group has been conveniently framed as the mastermind behind the human drug tests.

    "On top of that, the public is vehemently condemning them. With Aidan gone, there''s no one to testify against that. Jasper, do you think the true mastermind can finally rest easy now?" "Justice will prevail. Whoever is responsible for this will never escape this," Jasper dered firmly.

    Suddenly, a pang of unease shot through Jasper''s heart as Alyssa''s words made him realize something. "Aidan''s death leaves another person in grave danger. After all, this person holds the key to the most secrets after Aidan.

    Cyrus called, interrupting their

    conversation Lyse, Jasper, Joseph

    had confessed to the police. However there is a huge

    discrepancy between his statement and Aidan''s. Joseph ims someone used Lovce Group, and they were merely doing the person''s dirty work.

    "He swears someone provided Aidan with the drugs and that he had been manipted and blindsighted. He also said no one knew his son better than he did. He insisted that Aidan wouldn''t have thework or the guts for such a crime."

    Confused, Mandy shook her hand. "Actually, I''ve always doubted that Aidan could pull off such a crime by himself. Joseph wouldn''t have the brains for it either, and there''s no need for us to risk using humans for drug testing. The government supports the Lovce Group, and we don''t have directpetitors in the country. So, there was never a

    need to take such a huge risk to

    rush drug development."

    A silent exchange passed between Alyssa and Jasper. Their eyes locked in understanding-Aidan hadn''tmitted suicide; he''d been silenced by murder.

    Someone had gotten leverage over him, ckmailing him to the point of desperation.

    The usual cacophony of revelry was absent from The Millennium that night. However, the deserted atmosphere suited Jameson just fine.

    His prioritiesy elsewhere. The Millennium merely served as a front for him towork and pave the way for Justin. Once Justin seeded, this ce would outlive its usefulness.

    "Is Amber behaving these days?" Jameson rasped, his voice rough, as he admired the parrots on the balcony.

    "She has been behaving! I''ve had

    someone keeping an eye on her. She hasn''t seen any clientstely; she

    just wanders The Millenium or staysN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    holed up in her room. I''ve even tapped her phone, and she hasn''t contacted anyone. You can rest easy," Carl reported, putti

    in a

    good word for Amber.

    "She seems obedient," Jameson remarked, his eyes narrowing as he fiddled with the birdcage. "But the same can''t be said for everyone, can it?"

 Chapter 2063

    Carl''s blood ran cold at Jameson''s words. He couldn''t bring himself to speak.

    "I told you to keep Nichs under close watch, and as I expected, he''s beenmunicating with someone." A cruel, mockingugh escaped Jameson''s lips. "Didn''t I tell you? In this world, only the dead can be truly trusted."

    "You''re a genius, Mr. Schmidt!" Admiration and shock warred on Carl''s face. "But, how did you realize something was off with Chief Novak?"

    "He asked me about the drug development progress the other day,pletely out of the blue. Never before has he bothered himself with such minor details."

    Jameson circled the table, picking up a photo from a stack. He studied it with chilling coldness. The picture captured Jasper cing a lighter in Nichs'' hand during their meeting at a caf¨¦.

    A long moment passed before Jameson crumpled the photo into a tight ball, his eyes hardening with repressed fury.

    "Are you nning to..." Carl ventured cautiously. "Forgive my bluntness, but Chief Novak has been invaluable. He has handled much of your dirty work wlessly, yet the police have never managed to pin anything on him. They were like headless chickens, hitting walls at every turn.

    "Despite his average position in Sna City, he wields considerable power-manipting police investigations and ridding you of problems.

    "We have no idea what transpired during his meeting with Mr. Beckett. For all we know, it could be a setup to sow discord between you and Chief Novak.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "I don''t think he is bold enough to betray you. He has blood on his hands that we can use against him. Besides, his wife''s life hangs by a thread. I don''t think he would act this recklessly."

    "I don''t need him anymore," Jameson said calmly.

    "W-What did you say?"

    "I received a call from Sirst night." A smile yed on Jameson''s pale lips, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "Sir told me that there is a breakthrough in the drug experiment in Mosgravia, so we can stop the experiments in Sna City.

    "Since we don''t need to run the experiments anymore, I have no use for our cleaner, Nichs. Honestly, I never intended to keep him around from the start."

    Carl felt his breath hitch in his throat, a cold dread slithering down his spine.

    yel

    "He knows too many of our secrets. No matter his past contributions or determination, I will never keep him around."Jameson paused, turning to Carl with an unexpected tenderness. "However, you are the exception. You''re not just my subordinate; you''re family,

    1

    "I owe my sess not just to Sir''s guidance but your support as well. Once things settle, I''ll make you a shareholder and put you on the Schmidt Group board of directors. You have proven your loyalty to me. I

    will treat you well."

    to

    Gratitude washed over Carl''s face. His lips trembled as he said, "Don''t worry, Mr. Schmidt! I swear that I''ll never betray you. Otherwise, let me die a tragic death and have my body be fed to the dogs!"

    The Lovce Group was reeling. Though Edgar had survived the attack, a cerebral hemorrhage from the shock left him paralyzed.

    Meanwhile, Joseph was charged with abetting murder, illegal drug storage, moneyundering, bribery, and a slew of other crimes.

    Conversely, the policecked evidence to dere the Lovce Group responsible for human drug testing. As a result, they did not publicly announce it.

    However, the public was convinced of a cover-up. Consequently, Lovce Group''s stock price plummeted for five days straight, losing over two billion dors overnight.

    Their reputation was dragged through the mud, tarnished by public scorn. Graffiti stered thepany entrance with obscenities while a swarm of reporters camped outside, capturing images for their sensationalized narratives.

    Mandy and Julien were the only ones left in the Lovce family. One was estranged upon marriage, while the other was ostracized for years. Yet, despite his nominal stake, Julien had never interfered in thepany''s affairs.

    The Lovce Group, once a titan of industry, now teetered on the brink of copse-a victim of malicious intentions.

    That day, Mandy, assuming the

    mantle of acting president, called an

    emergency meeting with the board of directors. She eschewed her usual opulent attire as a rich man''s wife, opting for a tailored white suit and a foxtail lily brooch crafted by

    Alyssa with white and pin

    diamonds.

    A palpable hostility hung in the air as she entered the meeting room. But Mandy wouldn''t back down. No matter the odds, she refused to let the Lovce family crumble.

 Chapter 2064

    Mandy began, "Everyone, I''m sure you''ve all heard about what happened recently at the Lovce Group. This is an emergency, so I will keep it brief."

    Mandy took the center seat at the meeting table, exuding power and fearlessness.

    "Effective immediately, I will be taking over from my brother, Joseph and assume the position of Lovce Group''s chairman."

    The room erupted in an uproar.

    "Ms. Lovce... No, I mean, Mrs. Taylor. You''ve married into the Taylor family. You can''t be making decisions for the Lovces now."

    Someone mocked, "Furthermore, you had a falling out with Mr. Edgar to be with Mr. Winston. Don''t think we''ve forgotten how you cut ties with the Lovce family.

    "For the past 20 years, you never cared about Lovce Group. Now that it''s in trouble, you''re the first to step in and im it. Don''t you think trying to get a slice of the pie makes you look bad?" The others joined in criticizing Mandy.

    "It has been half a month since Lovce Group got into trouble. I injected my own money to stabilize the corporation''s financial situation. I contacted the project managers to ensure work continued as usual.

    "I also reached out to the media to manage public opinion, followed up on Joseph''s case, and oversaw Aidan''s funeral. I handled all of this." Mandy''s voice was calm but confident as she spoke from her heart. "May I ask all of you seated here what have you all done for Lovce Group?"

    Everyone was silent.

    "Someone you all call an ''outsider'' achieved all this. You were either groomed by my father and Joseph or were their partner for many years. From then until now, has any of you stepped forward to do anything for the corporation? I don''t think so."

    They were all old coots who only knew how to yap like dogs! Mandy was close to cussing at them but restrained herself. This was the Lovce Group, not the Taylor family. She still felt ufortable with her identity within the corporation.

    The person who challenged her earlier was still dissatisfied. He protested, "Mr. Joseph and Mr. Aidan''s cases happened because of their own mistakes.

    "Sufficient evidence was found, and the authorities have announced their findings too. What else could we do? Ultimately, this is still a Lovce family matter."

    Mandy narrowed her eyes. Her gaze was cool and calm. She smiled. "Ha! So, you''re acknowledging me as a Lovce family member."

    That man was silenced. He looked extremely upset.

    "Now, please raise your hands if you agree to have me take up the position as Lovce Group''s chairman."

    Mandy raised her hand. "I am casting this vote on behalf of my father."

    Only one other person raised their hand in support of her. The rest stayed silent, disregarding her.

    Then, someone else objected, "You want to be the chairman, but do you have enough shares on hand? After Mr. Aidan''s passing, his shares were inherited by Mr. Joseph.

    "Mr. Joseph has been arrested, and his case is still being tried. He has not been stripped of his possessions and still owns his shares. Even if you wanted to be the chairman, shouldn''t you wait until his case is concluded?"

    Mandy clenched her fists under the table, her face pale.

    Indeed, she didn''t have Lovce Group''s shares on hand. Even if she acquired Edgar''s shares and Julien''s bit, they would still be far from enough.

    That being said, she was well aware that this was the board members'' tactic to drag things out.

    If she waited until Joseph''s case

    was concluded, it wouldn''t make any

    difference even if she obtained his shares. By then, Lovce Group would already bepletely consumed by them!

    "The majority is in disagreement, and you do not have enough shares on hand, Mrs. Taylor. Since this is the case, sorry to say, but we''ll take our leave!"N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Everyone started getting out of their seats. They were prepared to leave Mandy hanging on her own.

    This was their chance to give Winston''s mistress a taste of their power. The thought of it was thrilling enough!

    "You''re all leaving when the meeting hasn''t ended yet? How rude of all of you!"

    A crisp and stern voice sounded. Everyone directed their gazes toward the door.

    Mandy widened her eyes. An elegant figure with broad shoulders and a slender waist walked in. It was Julien, dressed in a smart suit!

    He gave off apletely different

    impression after having donned a formal suit instead of his doctor''s coat He gave off the air of someone in control of the entire situation.

    He was bing more and more like his partner, Jonah!

    "You''re just a bunch of oldies who are already turning into fossils. How bold of you all to gang up against a respectable woman."

    Julien narrowed his eyes dangerously and scoffed, "Are all the men in the Lovce family dead to you? Is there not a single person willing to back Aunt Mandy up?"

 Chapter 2065

    "Julien..." Upon witnessing Julien''s entrance, Mandy was moved to tears.

    Everyone else in the room was shocked to see Julien at first. Their shocked faces were subsequently reced by looks of disdain shortly after. Everyone knew that Julien had been outcasted by the Lovce family long ago. He wasn''t allowed to participate in the corporation''s operations. To them, he was simply a doctor who only studied CT scans in his doctor''s office. They believed Julien knew nothing about the business world.

    Not just that, he was previously embroiled in a scandal. The photos of him being intimate with Jonah were exposed to the whole wide world, bringing humiliation to the Lovce family.

    "This is a board meeting, Mr. Julien. It''s not like those bars and nightclubs that you frequent. You''re being a little too tactless!" The arrogant board member from before mocked Julien. His insult made everyone else chuckle.

    "The ce you''re upying belongs to the Lovce family. I am also part of the Lovce family. I can let it go if you refuse toply with us, but you''re not even showing us basic courtesy. Are you that thick?"

    Julien narrowed his eyes, and a frigid look shed across. "Would you dare to act so rashly if you were standing before Mr. Edgar and Mr. Joseph?" The board member was silenced. He gritted his teeth.

    Then, someone else cried out angrily, "Mr. Julien, board meetings are where serious conversations ur. Irrelevant individuals should not be here!" "Oh? So, you are all aware that this is where serious conversations are meant to take ce?"

    Julien was amused. "When I first walked in, I thought I was walking into a doghouse. I heard some old dogs barking away just to protect their share of the bone.

    "If I hadn''t shown up, I wouldn''t be surprised if those dogs jumped on Aunt Mandy and bit her. Who knows if she might even have to get a rabies vine after that." Mandy burst outughing. She then shook her head slightly.

    Julien was capable of reasoning in such a ridiculous manner. He never skimped on using harsh words. He was also a protective person.

    Was it a blessing to Jonah, or did he have days of suffering awaiting him in the future?

    The barking "dogs" from earlier burned with anger, so much so that their faces turned as red as tomatoes!

    Nevertheless, Julien hadn''t called them out individually. So, they couldn''t admit that they were the ones that he was talking about.

    "I know that I''m not wee here. Well, guess what? I''m not interested in this ce either. I guess we do have a mutual understanding here."

    Julien chuckled coldly. Then, he mmed the documents in his hand onto the meeting table.

    "I''m not familiar with the corporation''s matters. But I do know that the one who has the most shares on hand will be the one who has the final say!

    "This is my father''s shares transfer agreement. It indicated that he would transfer his shares to Aunt Mandy. As for my share, I will also be handing them to Aunt Mandy."

    Suddenly, he smiled. The thought of a particr person made his eyes glimmer. He added, "Oh, that''s not the only thing.

    "Over those few days when Lovce

    Group''s share price took a plunge, a mysterious man swept up a massive amount of our shares. He now owns ten percent of Lovce Group''s stock and has be one of the corporation''s shareholders. S

    "He called me up earlier. He said that if needed, he would be willing to give up all of his shares to Aunt Mandy with zero conditions. Also, he will fully support Aunt Mandy taking over my father''s position to be Lovce Group''s chairman.

    "Are there any other objections from the room?"

    The board members passed the shares transfer agreement around the room. As each of them scrutinized it, their faces turned dark.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    They could no longer act up in arrogance. Their devised ns had also gone up in smokes.

    After that, each of their attitudes changed. They raised their hands to express their support for Mandy''s ascension to the position of chairman.

    Julien breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had a calm expression on his face, he was panicking on the inside. Fortunately, though, he had achieved his goal.

    Just as he was about to retreat and leave quietly, Mandy called out to him suddenly. "Hold on, Julien."

    With a suspicious gaze, he looked around at the determined look on Mandy''s face.

    "As the corporation''s chairman, I have something else to announce to everyone here."

    Mandy''s gaze was fiery. She

    announced confidently, "Due to Aidan''s passing, the position of Lovce Group''s president is left vacant From today onward, Julien will fill this position. Are there any objections from the floor?"

    This question was iterated a second time. This time, it wasing from Mandy. The level of intimidation that she was exuding was not to be taken lightly.

    Was it because of all those years she spent with Winston that his qualities rubbed off on her? Not only was she high and mighty, but she also carried an overbearing air. Even though she was a woman, she was not a woman who could be underestimated or disregarded.

    "Aunt... Aunt Mandy..." Julien was frozen with shock. He didn''t know what to do.

    Even if there were any board members who were unhappy about the announcement, there was nothing they could do about it.

    Not only did Julien have arge number of shares, but he also had voting rights. Moreover, he was backed up by a powerful person who had control over the entire situation.

 Chapter 2066

    Once the board meeting ended, the announcement about Mandy''s and Julien''s appointment was released to all Lovce Group employees.

    Julien exited the meeting room. The moment he entered the chairman''s office, he plunged into Jonah''s arms. He nuzzled his sweaty face against Jonah''s shoulder.

    He could finally feel at ease, knowing that he was finally back in his lover''s presence. He also let go of the confident persona he was putting up and melted into Jonah''s embrace. "Congrattions, Mr. Julien. You''ve seeded in taking over."

    Jonah lifted his hand and stroked Julien''s hair gently. In a gentle and raspy voice, he said, "You are someone with status and a title now. You are the second-inmand in the Lovce family. I''ll have to rely on your support in the future, Mr. Julien."

    Julien clicked his tongue. "Forget it."

    Julien let out a long sigh. He said in a coy voice, "If you hadn''t bulk purchased Lovce Group''s shares in secret to stabilize our share price, our corporation would have simply ended up in the wrong hands. As the president, I don''t even have as many shares as you do. I''m just an employee. It''s nothing to be proud of."

    "Don''t say that, Julien." Jonah held him close and said to him lovingly, "I am yours. Those assets and shares... What about them? "Plus, the shares that I acquired belong to your family in the first ce. I am just returning them to their rightful owner. It''s no big deal." Julien''s eyes welled up with tears. He was moved beyond words.

    He lifted his head and felt Jonah''s breath on his face. Jonah ced his palm on the back of his head and kissed his lips.

    They managed to share the kiss for only a short moment before the office door opened, and an unsuspecting Mandy walked into the room. "Oh! I didn''t see anything, I didn''t see anything. Carry on! Carry on!"

    Mandy was embarrassed and had nowhere to hide. She covered her face and was about to leave when Jonah called out to her.

    "No worries, Mandy. I''ll go. I''m sure you have a lot to talk about with Julien."

    "Don''t go, Jonah." Julien clung to his hand, unwilling to let him go.

    Jonah smiled tenderly. He lovingly stroked the tip of Julien''s nose.

    "I knew it. From the start, I guessed that you were the person Julien talked about. You were the one who supported us from behind the scenes. It could''ve been none other than you, Jonah."

    Mandy looked at him with a grateful look. "I''m sorry you had to spend so much money investing in us. When Lovce Group''s projects start picking up, we will ensure you''re paid your share of the dividend." "You''re too kind, Mandy. My money is also the Taylor family''s money. You are also part of the Taylor family. I am just simply helping a family member."

    Jonah shook his head. "If you really want to give back, you can just give it to Julien. It''s the same thing."

    "Jonah, you have experience in

    business. In the future... I''m afraid I''ll

    have to trouble you to guide Julien along the way. He may treat patients well, but I fear others will take

    advantage of him when he''s rel.

    president." Mandy was half joking and half-worried.

    elN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Jonah wrapped his arms around Julien''s waist. He lowered his eyes and fixed his gaze on him. "Don''t worry. You have Julien and I to watch over the Lovce Group together. Lovce Group will be able to ovee this hurdle."

    Right after he said that, their phones buzzed simultaneously.

    "Oh? It''s an invite."

    Julien was the first to open the message. It was a photo of Landon and Lauren sitting on a swing and leaning on each other sweetly. Their smiley eyes twinkled like the stars in the night sky. "Ah! Landon and Lauren are having their wedding!"

    "I heard from Lyse previously that Mr. Landon and Ms. Lauren are having their wedding ceremony at Bernardia Lyse told me that they only invite close friends and family members. The entire wedding will be a private one. No outsiders or media can take even a single photo."

    Mandy sighed. "It''s a pity, though. Ms. Lauren is a gorgeous woman, and Mr. Landon is an outstanding man. If only they''re able to have a grand, public wedding."

    "Aunt Mandy, Landon loves Lauren to the moon and back. Forget about the wedding. Even if Lauren asked for a star, I wouldn''t be surprised if he were to fly to outer space to pick a star for her." Mandy looked at Jonah with a concerned look on her face. She noticed how unmoved he looked.

    "Ah... That makes me so envious," Julien couldn''t help but exim in admiration.

    "Julien," Jonah whispered right by his ear.

    "Yes?" He lifted his eyes and looked deeply into Jonah''s.

    "Never mind."

    Jonah gave Julien''s shoulder a squeeze. He thought to himself, "You, too, will get to have what others have."

 Chapter 2067

    Landon was finally done preparing for his wedding with Lauren at Bernardia. He had made arrangements ording to Lauren''s preferences.

    Over the past month or so, Landon wished that he could split himself into multiples of himself. He had to look after Lauren, manage Harper Group, and manage the decorations at the wedding venue-from personnel assignments, their wedding photo shoot, and the positioning of even a small pot of flowers-everything had to be vetted by him. He made sure that he was all hands-on.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    His private ne flew between Bernardia and Sna City multiple times, so much so that he used up a considerable amount of fuel.

    Jordan was worried that it would all be too tiring for Landon. He offered to go to Bernardia on his behalf to keep watch over the preparations there, but Landon refused adamantly. He would rather see to it himself.

    He didn''t care if he was jetgged or that he was losing sleep. He made sure that he went there in person to have a hand in the decorating work.

    "Why do you have to tire yourself out like that, Mr. Landon?"

    Jordan''s heart ached for Landon. Landon looked like a shadow of his former self-gaunt, eyes bloodshot and rimmed with exhaustion.

    "You can just leave these trivial matters to me. I know I''m not the brightest person, so you can''t feel at ease. But it''s too exhausting for you to go back and forth like that. How will your body cope?"

    "It''s not that I don''t trust you, Jordan. It''s also not because I don''t think you''re not doing a good enough job."

    Landon took out a new, pink-colored bunny plushie that he''d just bought. He ced it at the head of the hospital bed.

    In a gentle tone, he exined, "This is my wedding with Lauren. It is also the day that I have been dreaming of. So, I want to focus all my efforts on it and do my best to make it the perfect day. "Lauren doesn''t want to publicize the wedding or make it a grand celebration. Although this was her request, I still feel like... like I owe it to her."

    Jordan choked on his tears. "Mr. Landon..."

    Landon fixed his eyes on the pink bunny plushie. Angelina''s smile and voice suddenly came to mind, making his heart wrench.

    He shut his eyes immediately. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths to calm the waves of pain and feelings of wistfulness that surged within him.

    "I have too many regrets in this life, Jordan. From this day on, I do not wish for there to be any other regrets in my life with Lauren."

    Landon and Jordan were the only two people in the hospital ward.

    Lauren''s primary physician and

    nurse had brought her out for a body checkup. Landon took this opportunity to disy the plushies he scoured worldwide in every corner of the hospital room.

    The horrific and cruel abduction had caused severe internal injuries within Lauren''s body. ording to the doctor, she could potentially have to be hospitalized for an extended period for treatment. She would also have to be on long-term medication.

    The hospital ward was in. The white walls surrounding it were empty. The room''s conditions were so in that it might make a patient feel suffocated when living there long term. As such, Landon took it upon himself to give the room a makeover, decorating it to feel even more homey than a home.

    He even prepared canvases and drawing tools for Lauren if she ever got bored.

    However, Lauren hadn''t picked up her drawing tools or painted anything since Angelina left. On the other hand, Landon locked up Sage Manor in its entirety.

    Landon and Lauren were, in fact, mourning the loss of their loved one in their very own ways.

    Just then, the hospital room door opened. Lauren''s attending physician and nurse were bringing her back to the room.

    "Darling, you''re back!"

    There was a soft gleam in Landon''s eyes. He went up to Lauren, lowered his body, and wrapped his arms tightly around his sweetheart.

    He had his right arm around her waist and his left hand on the back of her head. An embrace of such a posture was evidence of their passion, giving them a sense of security.

    He was just like a sturdy oyster shell protecting the precious pearl within it.

    "Ahh..." Lauren snuggled in his arms. Her soft voice tugged at his heartstrings.

    They had been apart for only four days. Yet, their deep yearning for one another made those few days extremely difficult.

    Lauren''s primary physician, Robbie Hill, looked at Landon conflictedly. "Mr. Harper, could you please step out for a moment? I''d like to have a chat with you."

    They moved to the hospital''s lounge.

 Chapter 2068

    "Thank you for caring for my wife over this period. I''ve prepared a gift for you. My secretary has brought it to your office."

    Landon poured a cup of tea for Robbie. He was no longer the prideful man that he used to be. His speech and mannerisms were much friendlier now.

    The changes in Landon were indeed drastic. In order to be a brilliant leader like Jasper and for Lauren''s sake, he was willing to let go of the man he used to be.

    "No worries at all, Mr. Harper. It''s my job to be responsible for my patients. A gift isn''t necessary. I am just doing my job."

    Robbie paused before continuing in a low voice, "Mr. Harper, we have performed a thorough body check for Mrs. Harper this morning. We found that she has endometriosis."

    Landon, while carrying a teacup in his hand, froze. His chest tightened. "What''s that?"

    "It''s not a major condition or anything. There can be many reasons why one develops this disease. In Mrs. Harper''s case, it''s a little more serious.

    "She told me that she experiences severe pain during every menstrual cycle. She isn''t able to bear the pain without the help of medication. Also, this symptom has been ongoing for many years." Landon''s face ran white, and his breathing became uneven.

    He recalled back to the time when he first started cohabiting with Lauren. Angelina had told him that Lauren always felt ufortable when she had her periods. At times, she would even curl up in bed in pain

    To be honest, he didn''t understand it. He thought that every woman experienced something simr for a few days each month and that they would be fine after those few days. He never imagined that it was because Lauren had developed such a condition.

    "Dr. Hill, I don''t care how much it costs or what you do. You have to treat my wife, please!" In Landon''s anxiousness, his voice was hoarse and shaky.

    "It''s possible to cure her endometriosis, but the possibility of her getting pregnant will only decrease."

    "Are you saying it is highly unlikely for Lauren to be a mother?" Landon''s eyes turned red. His breathing was heavy. "Even if she is fully cured?"

    "Having endometriosis is just one of

    the reasons. Another reason is that Mrs. Harper''s internal injuries were too severe. Previously, I''ve advised you to be mentally prepared for Mrs. Harper to be on medication in the long term."

    Robbie sighed, "In a situation like this, we would normally discourage

    the patients from getting P

    Not only is the likelihood of

    pregnancy very low, but even ifa

    child is conceived, the fetus will be affected by the various medications.

    "There would then be a very high chance of the child developing congenital defects and even deformities.

    "Mr. Harper, I know you and your wife are very much in love and hope to have children of your own. But, as humans, we have to be realistic.

    "If your child can''t be born healthy, the both of you will end up suffering for the rest of your life. It''s also not too fair for your child, isn''t it?"

    As Landon exited the lounge and walked back toward Lauren''s hospital ward, he felt like he was trudging through a desert for a really long time. Everything looked bleak before him.

    His mouth was dry, and he felt like he had swallowed shards of ss. The pain was so immense that he couldn''t even take deep breaths.

    He took a detour to the washroom and spent some time washing his face with cold water. It took a long time to suppress his emotions

    before he had enough courage to return to see Lauren. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Lauren was sitting up against the headboard of her hospital bed. The afternoon sun rays illuminated her fair-skinned face.

    "What are you so engrossed in, darling? Hmm?" Landon scooted up right next to Lauren and wrapped his arms around her. She was watching a variety show on a tablet. "Ah..." Lauren pointed at a little girl on the screen. There was a twinkle in her eyes.

    She was watching a parent-child variety program that had be popr recently. It was a show that featured celebrities bringing up their children.

    The child on the screen had an innocent smile on her face. However, seeing that child made Landon''s heart wrench. It tore at his insides.

    Lauren hadn''t realized the changes in Landon. Her cheeks were flushed. She picked up her stylus pen and wrote, "Let''s have a child together, Landon."

 Chapter 2069

    As Lauren wrote, a soft and motherly glow came across her face.

    Landon, on the other hand, hid behind her. His face was downcast, and his pale lips trembled uncontrobly.

    He hugged her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. He nuzzled against her longingly. His eyes filled with tears that were so close to streaming down his face. "Darling, didn''t you say... that you didn''t want to have children?"

    Landon''s voice was unusually low and gravelly. With his lips right next to her ear, he asked, "Didn''t you want to study art and be my only woman forever?"

    Lauren''sshes fluttered shyly. She focused her attention on writing, "That was in the past. That''s not what''s on my mind now."

    A lump rose in her throat. "Landon, I know that my physical condition isn''t great. I have to take medications and get injections every day. I don''t even know when I can be discharged.

    "It doesn''t matter if it''s a boy or a girl. I want to have a child whom we can raise together. This way, even if I were to one day leave this world before you, our child will still be here to keep youpany. You won''t feel lonely then."

    Landon couldn''t stand seeing those words. With his finger, he pressed down hard on the screen and erased all that Lauren wrote. His heart ached, and the tears in his eyes blurred his vision. "Don''t say things like that, Lauren! We will be alright... I''m sure we can grow old together! As for children, I''m okay without them! All I need is you. I don''t like children and I don''t want any!" "Ah... Ahh..."

    Landon''s sudden outburst of emotions made Lauren panic. Immediately, she grabbed his hand tightly and ced his shaking hand on her chest.

    With tears of pain in his eyes, Landon pressed his lips onto hers and kissed her deeply yet tenderly.

    Lauren melted into his arms slowly. She parted her lips, allowing him to slip in with his tongue. The gentle biting on his lips made his breathing heavier. He started to feel aroused.

    Landon was someone with great needs in that particr aspect. However, ever since Lauren''s hospitalization, they had not been intimate with one another.

    Sometimes, when he slept with Lauren in his arms, he really could not suppress his urges. Whenever that happened, he would not even touch her. He would rather fly solo while watching her sleep.

    In the past, he used to seek it from

    her all the time. Now, he had learned how to suppress his urges and be abstinent. He didn''t mind the agony he had to go through. Whatever it was, he definitely could not let Lauren suffer a single bit.

    After a long while, they pulled away from one another. Landon used his finger to wipe away the glistening saliva on her lips. Then, he nted pecks of passionate kisses on her cheeks.

    Lauren could feel the changes within him. Perceptively, she turned around and knelt on the bed. She started to unbuckle his belt.

    Landon held her hand to stop her.

    "Lauren, don''t." He shook his head.

    "Ah..." Lauren frowned.

    Although she couldn''t speak, it was as if she wasmunicating with her gaze.

    They hadn''t done it in a very long time. She was afraid that he was enduring it alone, so she wanted to relieve him.

    "I can wait until you''re better. We have a whole life ahead of us. We have time."

    Landon hugged her tightly once again. He blinked to stop himself from bursting into tears.

    It was in the wee hours of the morning.

    Alyssa had gone to bed a while ago. Jasper had just returned to their room after reviewing his corporation''s documents in the study.

    When he was about to get into bed, he received a call from Landon.

    "Landon?" he answered immediately.

    "Mr. Beckett, it''s me, Jordan!"

    Jordan sounded anxious and worried. "Sorry to call you at this hour! Mr. Landon had a lot to drink He was crying and he even threw up, but he''s unwilling to leave no matter what say. I''ve never seen him like this!" Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

 Chapter 2070

    "Can youe and speak to Mr. Landon? He looks like he''s having a breakdown. I''m quite terrified!" Jordan eximed.

    Jasper''s chest tightened when he heard that. He turned around and walked toward the door. "Give me the address. I''ll head over right now!"

    When Jasper arrived, Landon was the only patron in the dimly lit pub. He was sitting by the bar and taking a ss of vodka from the bartender. Jasper asked Jordan to wait outside. Then, he walked over to Landon and sat down by his side. He ced his hand on Landon''s shoulder. "That''s enough, Landon. These strong alcohols are not good for your health. You''re about to have your wedding. You need to look after yourself." Landon lifted his head slowly. His drawn and pale face was covered in tears. His eyes were bloodshot. It made Jasper''s heart wrench to see him like that. "Why are you crying?"Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Jasper was astonished. He looked at him intently. "What in the world happened? Don''t be like this. Tell me what''s wrong, and we''ll figure this out together!"

    "Lauren... Lauren, she..."

    Jasper widened his eyes. He became flustered. "What happened to Lauren?"

    "She... can no longer be a mother... The doctor said that she won''t be able to have children of her own..."

    The tall, muscr frame that was Landon''s trademark seemed to shrink as he cried, his body wracked with sobs before his friend.

    Seeing as how Landon was on the verge of breaking down, Jasper felt like his heart was being torn into pieces. He couldn''t bring himself to say anything for a long while.

    Frankly speaking, Alyssa had looked through Lauren''s medical records and checkup results. She had given Jasper a heads-up. She told him that pregnancy was indeed very risky for Lauren. Even if she did conceive, she couldn''t be sure if the baby would be able to grow up healthy.

    However, hearing it from Landon''s mouth still made him feel terrible.

    "Landon, I know that you''ve been wanting to have children with Lauren. But there are many different ways to be happy."

    "No... That''s not it... I was just running my mouthst time. I don''t fucking care if Lauren is or isn''t able to bear a child! I love her no matter how she is!"

    Landon pressed his forehead against Jasper''s chest. His voice became choppy as he sobbed, "But wasn''t I the one who caused all these? I was the one who made her end up like this!

    "She could have... could have been healthy... It was me. I was the one who ruined her!"

    A wave of sorrow crashed over Jasper and billowed within him.

    No one else could rte to Landon better than he did. It was as if Landon and Lauren were going through the same things that he and Alyssa did in the past.

    He had the same thoughts when he first discovered that Alyssa could no longer bear children. He, too, felt like he had destroyed his most beloved woman. Even now, he was still haunted by that feeling of

    self-me, guilt and remorse.

    He could never forgive himself.

    "Landon, if that''s truly what you feel, you should make it up to Lauren then."

    Jasper consoled him as if he were his elder. He patted his trembling back gently. "To be able to dote on her forever, love her such that she can live without worries... Isn''t that also a good thing?"

    "If... If Lauren found out... she would be so devastated."

    In his grief, Landon punched himself in the chest with his fists. "Today, she even said that she wants to have a child with me... At that moment, I really wanted to die, Jasper." "Other than having trust, the most important thing between husband and wife is being honest with one another."

    Jasper was reminded of Alyssa, and

    it added to the pain in his heart. His eyes turned red. "Landon, Lauren chose to be with you because she loves you. It''s not so that she can carry your child for you. S

    "Always remember the most important thing is that both of you are happy together. Anything else other than that is just the icing on the cake."

 Chapter 2071

    A white winter day with fluttering snow was the perfect symbol of purity and romance.

    It was Christmas Eve. The time hade for Landon and Lauren''s fairytale wedding at faraway Bernardia.

    The Becketts'' and the Taylors'' private nes set off. Both familiesnded at Bernardia Airport one after the other. Then, via Landon''s arrangements, they were transported to a fortress where they would stay. Landon had booked the entire historic estate for a whole month. The fortress in front was to be used for their wedding reception, whereas the block behind was the amodation for friends and family. In other words, if they wanted to stay on to enjoy Bernardia''s beautiful scenery after the wedding, they could continue staying there temporarily while they toured around and soaked in the beauty of a foreignnd.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    This estate was a historic site. Over thest century, it had never been rented out for anyone''s private use. This was the first time in history and might also be thest.

    To secure the ce, Landon had looked up the estate''s owner. He humbled himself while offering a price that even his father-inw, Javier, who was born with a golden spoon, would be astounded to hear! The night before the wedding, Landon and Javier were taking a walk within the estate.

    Landon introduced the buildings'' history patiently and seriously to Javier. He knew every inch of the ce like the back of his hand, as if this were his family''s treasure.

    It was as if this estate was his home, and he was an honorable duke born into nobility.

    "You''re good, Landon! How is it that you know about this ce so well?" Javier stared at Landon''s charming face in surprise.

    "It wasn''t easy to rent out this ce. Also, this is the one and only time. So, in order to leave this ce with good memories, I learned all about it."

    Landon''s smile was genuine and gentle. His eyes twinkled with a gleam of happiness. "I was thinking that when Lauren and I be old, we can sit together at home and flip through our photo album. I will be able to tell her lots of stories. Wouldn''t that be great?"

    A lump rose in Javier''s throat. He was extremely touched. He remarked, "Thank you, Landon.

    "But there''s something that I''m really curious about. How did you convince that elderly duke to rent this ce to you?"

    Landon pursed his lips slightly. "I told him our love story, from when we started dating and how we journeyed until now. He was very touched. It also reminded him of histe wife, who had passed away many years ago. In the end, he decided to allow us to have our wedding here.

    "I showed him Lauren''s artwork too. He loved it very much and offered to buy it at a high price on the spot. But I didn''t want him to pay for it. Instead, I sought Lauren''s permission and gifted the painting to him. Not only was Javier touched to hear that, but the look in his eyes filled with a plethora ofplex emotions.

    Back in his time, he was also as passionate as Landon was. Back then, he used to be so in love with Jasper''s mother, Anne.

    If only he hadn''t misunderstood her.

    If only he wasn''t lied to, enchanted, and manipted by Sophia.

    They were supposed to be the

    epitome of the ideal couple with a lifetime of stories from their marriage to share. In the end, it was all a pipe dream. His feelings, his love and his woman had vanished in the midst of bloodthirsty fights and schemes.

    "Thank you, Dad," Landon spoke up suddenly.

    Javier quickly concealed the sadness in his eyes. He asked in a surprised tone, "Why are you thanking me?"

    "Thank you for giving your permission for Lauren to marry me."

    Their wedding was tomorrow, and there was nothing else in the way. Everyone had given their blessings to them. Even so, Landon''s eyes were red, and he choked on his tears as he uttered those words.

    "You''re making me too ashamed to even look at you."

    With a sad smile on his face, Javier shook his head. His heart was throbbing with pain. "You don''t have to thank me. If you want to thank someone, you should thank Newton and Jasper. They are the ones who have been supporting you all along.

    "As for me, I have tried to separate the both of you time and time again. I even pushed her right before that monster from the Hodgson family... I am not a good father at all. "Moving forward, you have to treat Lauren well. I will not interfere with your lives for no reason. Don''t worry."

    "Don''t say that, Dad. I have never med you."

    Landonforted him in a tender and low voice. "Back then, I hadn''t avenged my father or gotten rid of those crooks in my family. Even if I got together with Lauren, I wouldn''t have been able to give her a secure life. s?novel

    "Right now is when it is most timely."

    Javier chuckled to himself. Then, he retrieved an item from his suit pocket. He pulled Landon''s hand toward him and ced the item on his palm.

 Chapter 2072

    Landon lowered his eyes and stared at the item in his hand. It was a gold pocket watch that was mounted with ruby and sapphire.

    He widened his eyes.

    "Dad, this is..."

    "This is a pocket watch that Jasper''s great-great-grandfather passed down to his grandfather, Newton. It was then passed down to me."

    Landon felt like he had just heard a tongue twister, but he understood what was implied.

    Basically, it was a very precious item!

    "Now, I am giving it to you."

    A kind smile came across Javier''s face. "This is an antique. It''s an item that people at auctions will bid astronomical prices for. Don''t underestimate its value." "Dad, this... This is too valuable. I can''t ept it."

    Landon couldn''t believe the amount of favor he was receiving. He declined immediately, "This is your family heirloom. You should be passing it down to Jasper. I don''t deserve-"

    "You''re not an outsider. You are my son-inw, and someone who''s like a son to me. Why do you say that you don''t deserve it?"

    Javier grabbed his hand and insisted, "Moreover, Jasper is doted on by Newton. He''s already leaving so much for him! Is he wanting to get his hands on my possessions even though I don''t have much? That''ll just make him a spoiled brat!

    "Son, if you treat me like your father, you have to ept it."

    Landon knew that this had got to be a joke.

    Jasper was Javier''s biological son, the child whom he had with the love of his life. He might not have verbalized it, but deep down, there was no way that he didn''t care.

    "Thank you then. I will cherish it for the rest of my life."

    When night fell,ughter and joy filled the vast living room in the fortress.

    Thedies sipped on their teas and chatted amongst themselves.

    Alyssa and Rose were in a room, preparing the wedding dress that Lauren was going to be in for tomorrow''s wedding ceremony. On the other hand, Tatiana was working on a makeup and styling trial for Lauren. They were up to their necks in wedding preparations

    As Alyssa was upied, Jasper could only wait for her quietly in their room. He was bored to death as he stood out on the balcony and admired the night view at the estate. Suddenly, his cell phone started vibrating.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    He whipped it out and looked down at the screen. His chest tightened.

    After a few seconds of hesitation, he answered the call. "Hi, Justin."

    "Jasper, are all of you already at Bernardia, preparing to attend Mr. Landon and Lauren''s wedding?" Justin''s voice was deep, calm, and friendly all at once.

    "Yes, Justin. Their wedding is tomorrow."

    "That''s great. Their dream is finallying to fruition. It''s a pity that I won''t be able to attend their celebration."

    "That''s alright. We understand your difficulties," Jasper answered gently and understandingly.

    "I''ve transferred some

    congrattory money to your ount, You should be receiving it soon. It''s just a small congrattory gesture from me. Please hand it to the newlyweds on my behalf."

    Jasper''s phone pinged, notifying him of a new text message.

    Jasper swiped on his phone screen and studied the message that informed him of a new transfer. The long string of numbers made him feel conflicted. He furrowed his brows slightly.

    Those who knew would see this as a wedding gift. Those who didn''t know what this amount was for would''ve thought it was a sum for investment.

    Justin coughed. "It''s gettingte at Bernardia, isn''t it? I shall not bother you and Ms. Alyssa. Good night."

    "Hey, Justin."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes was deep. His raspy voice sounded in the night. "It''s about the drug experimentation issue previously. I did my best to expose it while you blocked it off. I just wanted to know if it was really for the benefit of Beckett Group that you did so?"

 Chapter 2073

    There was silence.

    Jasper felt the chilly night breeze at Bernardia blowing across his face. He had an intense look in his eyes, and he could feel his heart pounding.

    Until today, he still had a glimmer of hope for Justin, who had once saved his life.

    With his own eyes, he had witnessed how the Schmidt brothers tore at one another and fought to their deaths. He didn''t want the same cruelty to rey within the Becketts.

    "Jasper, I know that I''m unable to take care of myself because of my physical condition. Even so, I have always cared about Beckett Group. I think about Grandpa, Dad, you, and Lauren too."

    Justin''s tone of voice was full of sincerity. "Firstly, I didn''t know you were blowing the issue up from behind the scenes. All I did was look at it from Beckett Group''s perspective. My intention was simply to protec our family''s interests.

    "Secondly, even if I knew that you were the one behind all that, I don''t think I would''ve done anything differently because everything I did was for Beckett Group''s sake.

    "Jasper..." Justin coughed. "I hope that you''ll be able to understand where I''ming from."

    Upon hearing Justin''s exnation, Jasper clenched his hands into fists. Deep down, he had mixed feelings.

    After dinner, Jonah, Ss, and Liam chatted with Winston in the room. Liam had managed to squeeze time out of his busy schedule to make it for the wedding.

    "Where''s Axel?"

    Winston paid attention to his sons'' attendance, as if he was doing a roll call. He even teased, "Why is he trying to sulk at me even when we''re at Mr. Landon and Ms. Lauren''s wedding? He''s not so petty and stubborn, is he?"

    "Dad, Axel arrived some time ago. He even helped Landon with the decorations two days ago."

    It was rare to see Ss siding with his foe. "But he went out first thing this morning. I asked him where he was going, but he didn''t tell me."

    "How about Cyrus? Why isn''t he here either?" Winston frowned. "He''s not chickening out because he can''t bear to see the woman he likes getting married, is he? It''s not like my son to be such a coward." "You''re underestimating Cyrus, Dad. He''s already reconciled with Landon. He''s let it go and moved on."

    Jonah smiled slightly. "He''s just swamped with work. He finally managed to apply for leave and is now on the ne. He''ll be arriving tomorrow morning."

    "Ah, good to know that he''s gotten over her. There are plenty of other fish in the sea."

    Winston nodded contentedly. "If it''s a challenge for my son to find a partner, I''m afraid that all the men in the world will end up being bachelors for life." Everything else aside, Winston had absolute confidence in his sons getting girlfriends.

    That was mainly because they had good gic inheritance.

    "Dad, I just heard from Mandy that Lyse also invited Miley. She''s already on her way here from Kontina."

    Liam poured and handed Winston a

    cup of locally produced ck tea With a warm smile, he continued, "Actually, Miley''s not justing for the wedding. Her main purpose is to see you and Mandy."

    Winston sighed, "How kind of her."

    Winston''s heart felt warm. At the same time, he couldn''t help but worry. "But I''ve seen the recent news. The political situation at Kontina has been quite unstable.

    "Ever since Jeremy was elected, he''s encountered a number of issues. He even got into an ident when he visited a foreign country. It''s fortunate that he was alright."

    He sighed again. "Back then, I wasn''t thinking straight. I really regret allowing Miley to marry to such a faraway ce."

    "Why are you regretting that, Dad? Your daughter is the First Lady, and your son-inw is the president of a country. I would beughing in my sleep if I were you," Ss couldn''t help but chime in.

    "That''s because you''re not yet a father. You don''t know what a father''s love toward his daughter feels like."

    Winston shot a nce of annoyance

    at Ss. Plus, what else do you know other than to fill that stomach of yours? You''re probably just like that sausage roll on the inside!"

    Ss was rendered speechless.

    It was a rare opportunity for Winston and his sons to gather together as a happy family. So, Julien was tactful about not interrupting them.

    Although all of the Taylors had acknowledged him, he still felt like an outsider at a time like this. He was very self-aware and quick-witted.

    Julien changed into a new outfit in his room. He put on the brown wool coat that Jonah had gifted him. Then, he trotted down the stairs with his hands in his pockets.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

 Chapter 2074

    Julien beamed from ear to ear. "Hi, Aunt Mandy, Madam L and Madam Colene. Hey, Taty."

    "Where are you going, Jul?" Tatiana''s eyes were wide with curiosity.

    "There''s a famous brand of desserts at Bernardia. I wanted to buy some back for everyone to have a taste."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "Yay! We get to have desserts, thanks to Jonah." Tatiana pped her hands in joy.

    She really didn''t treat him like an outsider. She simply spoke her thoughts.

    A sheepish smile shed across Julien''s face. He waved and headed off while humming a tune.

    When he brushed past Mandy, her sharp senses detected that peculiar scent from Julien.

    As she lifted her eyes, she caught a nce of his chest underneath his V-necked T-shirt. The faint, red marks on his chest made her blush!

    Mandy exhaled and remarked, "Young men are physically fitter indeed." She picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. She let out a cryptic smile.

    "What did you say, Mandy?" L looked at Mandy with a confused look on her face. She didn''t catch Mandy''sment.

    Mandy waved her hand awkwardly. She chuckled, "It''s nothing. Have some tea, have some tea!"

    Beforeing to Bernardia, Jonah mentioned that there was a local, award-winning dessert shop with delicious desserts. Although he had only said it in passing, Julien had made a mental note of it.

    He wanted to buy their desserts tonight so that he could give Jonah a small surprise when they got up tomorrow morning.

    The dessert shop was a small one. On top of that, Julien was in a foreignnd. He had to brave the chilling wind for a long while before he managed to locate the shop.

    By the time he entered the shop, his ears had turned red from the cold, and his fingers were stiff.

    He selected a fair amount of desserts to his heart''s content and settled the bill. Then, with tworge bags of desserts in his hands, he walked toward the door with glee.

    "Ah!"

    Unexpectedly, he bumped right into

    a man who just walked through the door. The paper bags fell from bis hands, and his purchased desserts were scattered across the floor.

    "I''m sorry, so sorry..."

    The man apologized continuously while he knelt to help Julien pick up his things.

    They both happened to look up

    simultaneously, and their eyes met.

    It was a

    as if that man was struck by

    lightning. He widened his eyes in

    shock and stared at Julien''s face.

    Julien didn''t think too much about it. After all, he was publicly recognized as the ideal type amongst the gays back in Mosgravia.

    Those who set eyes on him would be caught in a daze. It was the same even in Bernardia.

    So, he picked up his paper bags and

    stood back up. He curled the

    corners of his lips upward and spoke in sweet-sounding Grunndish, "Please stop staring at me. I already have a boyfriend. Please excuse

    me." ?

    Just as Julien was about to brush past him, the man suddenly grabbed his arm. In a trembling voice, he asked, "ke Hond...?"

    Julien frowned. "Excuse me?"

    "ke... You... You''re still alive?" His face was full of disbelief!

    Julien was perplexed. The man grabbed his arm so tightly that it started to hurt. He pulled his arm forcefully away from the man''s grasp. "You''ve got the wrong person."

    Upon saying that, he rushed out of the door and walked, in the cold winds, toward his car.

    Much to his surprise, that man had run after him and blocked his way.

    Instantly, Julien''s eyes turned dark. "Hey, what are you doing? I''m going to call the cops if you''re going to keep pestering me."

    That man studied his face intently. He paid special attention to Julien''s naturally mesmerizing eyes.

    After scanning Julien''s face with his surprised gaze, he let out a helpless and bitter sigh.

    "I''m sorry. I''m really sorry. It''s just that... you look so much like ate friend of mine."

 Chapter 2075

    Julien squinted. Looking at the man''s face, he didn''t seem like he was lying. He didn''t look like he was insulting him, either. Thus, Julien decided to let his guard down.

    Since he was a naturally curious person, he couldn''t help but probe, "Do I really look like your friend?"

    "Very much so, especially your eyes. They''re mesmerizing, like a fox''s. My friend also had a simr, unforgettable gaze."

    The man nodded confidently. His gaze was still fixed on Julien, as he could not take his eyes off of him. "But at a closer look, you only look like him in appearance. Other than that, your expressions and mannerisms aren''t alike.

    "Sorry... for thinking that you were someone else. I''m really sorry."

    "That''s alright."

    Julien shrugged nonchntly. "You can tell your friend about this when you get back. After all, it''s quite a miraculous thing to know that there is a doppelg?nger living in another part of the world."

    The man shook his head dejectedly. "I wish I could, but it''s not possible anymore.

    "He passed away many years ago."

    Julien was startled. "I''m sorry to hear that..."

    "It''s okay."

    As Julien was about to get into his car, the man asked, "It''s not everyday that we get to meet our fellow countrymen at Bernardia. I was really just wondering... Where are you from?" "I''m from Belbanks."

    After answering, Julien got into his sports car and disappeared into the night.

    "Belbanks... That person is also at Belbanks."

    The glimmer in that man''s eyes dimmed as he recalled the elegant face that he saw.

    On the drive back, Julien looked at the road that was covered in snow. He recalled the words uttered by that man he had met by chance. A variety of emotions started brewing within him.

    He was an attentive person. At the first instance, he was able to remember the name-ke Hond.

    For some reason, his curiosity was piqued. He wondered how much alike he and ke looked that a man mistook him for someone else that way.

    Before he even drove up to the

    entrance of the estate, Julien spotted Jonah under the ring light. He Was standing straight and tall in a wool coat that matched his. His broad shoulders were already covered with a thinyer of snow.

    "Jonah!"

    Julien got out of the car quickly and bolted over. Like a swallow returning to its nest, he ran straight into Jonah''s arms.

    Jonah wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him into a warm embrace. He chuckled softly, "Did you sneak out for some fun, Foxy?"

    "I had no time for fun. I went to get something yummy for you."

    Julien pouted and said in a disappointed voice, "I went out to buy desserts from that famous shop. I wanted to give you a sma surprise at breakfast tomorrow morning. But, I guess it''s no longer a surprise now."

    "My bad."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Jonah ced his hand on Julien''s neck and gently massaged him. His eyes filled with affection as he continued, "With you by my side, it''s a surprise every day. I''m content enough." Julien narrowed his eyes. "As far as I remember, you were never such a smooth talker. Have you turned bad?"

    "It all clicked after I met the love of my life." Jonah looked at him with a gaze full of passion.

    Their moist breaths intertwined tenderly with one another''s.

    Their happiness was a tangible thing that night. Two souls perfectly matched, reveling in a dreamlike state under the soft snowfall.

    Their sports car drove steadily through the gates to the estate.

    A momentter, a car, with its headlights off, drove out from the darkness quietly. It stopped at the front of the entrance, where Jonah and Julien stood a moment ago.

 Chapter 2076

    The man in the car looked in the direction of where Jonah and Julien had gone. Then, he took out his phone and examined the couple''s intimate photo that he had secretly snapped.

    If he hadn''t verified it previously, he would have been certain that they were Jonah and ke, whom he knew.

    He gritted his teeth and floored it.

    When they arrived at the door to the fortress, Julien thought of sharing his encounter at the dessert shop with Jonah. But he noticed the three luxurious cars that were stopped in the courtyard. He didn''t recognize those vehicles.

    There were also bodyguards dressed in suits and standing guard outside. In a sh, he was distracted.

    "Oh? Didn''t Landon say that only the Taylors'' and Becketts'' friends and family were invited for the wedding? Who else is here?"

    "It''s Miley. She brought someone else with her too. Or to be more specific, it''s someone who insisted oning along with her."

    Jonah had his arms around Julien. He had a secretive look on his face. "She''s someone with quite an impressive background." Thoughtlessly, Julien asked, "How impressive could it be? More impressive than the First Lady in our family?"

    "She''s a princess."

    "Is she that proud? Back in Mosgravia, people used to call me the ''Prince of Neurology," Julien boasted as he tilted his chin upward.

    Jonah burst outughing. "She''s a real princess. The only princess in Kontina''s royal family."

    Julien''s jaw dropped. He was floored.

    At the same time, almost everyone had gathered in the living room. A distinguished woman in an aqua-colored, long silk dress and a white coat over her shoulders was standing next to Miley. Everyone surrounded her with shocked expressions on their faces.

    "Please allow me to introduce our guest."

    Awkwardly, Miley put her hands on top of one another and posed them before her. A stiff but courteous smile came across her face. "This is the king of Kontina''s only daughter, Princess Yuliana Stewart." Everyone was bbergasted. Not a sound could be heard.

    Alyssa and Jasper looked at one another. Even Alyssa, who had witnessed many major aspects of life, gaped in surprise.

    "What the... a princess? Royalty?"

    Landon eximed in amazement, "All my life, I''ve only heard of princesses from fairy tales. I''ve never met one in real life!"

    Upon saying that, he turned around to leave. Jasper grabbed him.

    "Where are you going?"

    "I''m going to get Lauren toe and meet the princess. This is an asion not to be missed!" Landon was a curious person by nature, and now he wanted his wife to join in his curiosity. "You''re already the chairman of apany. Why are you still being so untamed?"

    Jasper shook his head helplessly. "It

    has been a tiring journey for Lauren, traveling here from Sna City. She''s physically weak in the first ce and she''s even jegged now. Don''t bother her and just let her have a good rest."

    "So... Why is this princess suddenly here together with Miley?"

    Alyssa linked arms with Jasper. She raised her brow slightly and whispered to him, "Out of all the

    Becketts and Taylors, not to mention

    the Harpers, Miley is the only one who is acquainted with her

    "There''s no way that she came all the way to attend a stranger''s wedding. How fascinating."

    "I''ve seen from the news that royal princesses'' movements are always the focus of people''s attention. They''re also always escorted wherever they go."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa could feel Jasper''s warm

    breath by her ear. He continued, "But

    look at this princess. She''s traveling light... Even the bodyguards are Miley''s It just seems too... casual. Isn''t the royal family worried about her traveling out alone?"

    Just as everyone was trying to wrap their heads around the situation, Yuliana stepped forward gracefully.

    She smiled elegantly and greeted everyone, "I am a friend of Madam President. Please pardon me for showing up uninvited."

    As she spoke, she looked around at everyone with a twinkle of hope in her bright eyes.

    Amidst the awkward atmosphere, Winston walked into the room with Liam.

 Chapter 2077

    Winston and Liam had smart and striking appearances. Their bearings were no less noble than that of royalty.

    "Dad! Liam!" Alyssa rushed over to them immediately.

    Winston forced a smile. Then, he directed a conflicted gaze toward Yuliana.

    Liam stared at Yuliana. There was a flicker in his eyes as he tightened his fists subconsciously.

    The moment Yuliana spotted Liam, her glistening eyes lit up and filled with eagerness. However, due to her noble identity, she could only restrain her emotions as she approached Liam step by step. Women were best at understanding other women. Alyssa could clearly sense that...

    The rtionship between Yuliana and Liam wasn''t that simple.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    They had a story.

    "Colonel." Yuliana looked up smugly and gazed at Liam with a deep look in her eyes. "Aren''t you going to greet me?"

    Everyone''s gazes were focused on this eye-catching pair in front of them.

    Liam gulped before taking a step forward.

    He lowered himself slowly and knelt on one knee. Then, he picked her hand up and kissed the back of her fair hand.

    "Greetings, Your Highness."

    Everyone was bbergasted.

    Upon seeing that, Colene was the first one to get annoyed. She nudged Mandy with her elbow.

    "A man should have dignity and not grovel. I understand if he bows down to God, his parents, or his wife. But how could he kneel before a youngdy? When were any of the men in the Taylor family so humble?"

    L tugged at the hem of her shirt. "Lower your voice, Colene. She''s a princess. Liam is just doing that out of formality..." "What formality? Which century are we living in now? So what if she''s a princess?

    Colene was still dissatisfied. "This is not Kontina, and Liam isn''t Kontinian. Is it necessary for him to abide by their rules?" Mandy seized an opportunity to pull Miley aside. In a low voice, she asked, "Miley, how did Liam and this princess meet?"

    "There were two asions when Liam escorted our country''s political leaders to visit Kontina. He ended up

    staying with the royal family for a few days."

    Mileyughed awkwardly. "I guess that was when they met."

    "So, this princess came along with you so she could see Liam?" Mandy widened her eyes.

    Looking at the proposal-like scene in front of her, Miley put her forehead to her palm out of helplessness.

    The moment Liam got back up to his feet, Yuliana leaned forward without warning. She rested her hands on his shoulders and tiptoed.

    The white coat over her shoulders fell to the floor as she gave him a peck on his lips.

    Liam''s heart pounded. He felt a surge of electricity run through his entire body, and his palms started sweating.

    The people in the room eximed, "Wow!"

    The Taylor family members were shocked. Ss was so excited that he grabbed Rose''s hands. He cried out, "Liam likes women! That''s great... That''s a relief!" S

    Rose pinched him on his waist. She was speechless.

    While everyone''s focus was drawn toward the romantic scene in front of them, Winston pursed his lips tightly. Quietly, he turned around and walked away, looking dejected.

    Alyssa noticed Winston leaving and went after him immediately.

    "You don''t look too good, Dad. Are you feeling unwell in any way?" She held onto Winston. Her gaze was full of concern. "I''m feeling tired. Just wanted to go back to my room to rest."

    Winston closed his eyes for a moment. "Lyse, ask Liam toe and see me in my room in a bit. I have something to say to him."

 Chapter 2078

    Yuliana, the princess of Kontina, risked getting reprimanded by her father when she returned home. That one kiss revealed her purpose for traveling all the way here. She hade only to meet with Liam.

    She was a princess who ran away from the royal family in order to meet her lover. This was such a romantic long-distance rtionship and a fairy tale about true love. However, to the Taylors, they were burdened by immense pressure!

    "You abducted the princess, Miley. Is that okay?"

    Back in the room, Mandy held onto Miley''s hand and asked anxiously, "You won''t be in trouble with the royal family when you get back, will you? Will they make things difficult for you and Jeremy?" "It''s fine, Mom. You don''t have to worry. We are close to the royal family."

    Miley''s voice was gentle andforting. "Also, I''m not that dumb to abduct the princess. Yuliana thinks that she has run away from the royal family. But, in actual fact, I informed Her Royal Highness the moment Yuliana boarded my private ne.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "Her Royal Highness was relieved to know that the princess is with me. Though, she has also dispatched a team of guards from their family toe over and protect the princess in secret. They will certainly not leave her to her own devices."

    "Don''t worry, Mandy."

    Alyssa was happily munching on some famous desserts that Miley had flown over from Kontina. Sheforted Mandy, saying, "Kontina''s royal family handed all their ruling authority over to the presidential office 20 years ago.

    "Right now, the royal family doesn''t exactly have power. They are just a symbol of their country. In other words, they have to abide by Jeremy and the parliament. How could they even dare to make things difficult for Miley and Jeremy?

    "Though, in the past, the royal family in Kontina used to be known as the most terrifying royal family in the world. They were cunning and scheming. Back then, they had a lot of guards and special agents unde them. They were the ones who dealt with all those who broke pce rules and their country''sws.

    "At that time, Kontina was a cruel and corrupt ce. Their political scene was insidious, and the royal family was way more ruthless. It was scary indeed.

    "That was before. They havepletely changed now, thanks to the efforts of the past few generations."

    Miley smiled warmly. She poured a cup of tea for Alyssa in case she was getting thirsty after having those desserts.

    Mandy was stunned. "Wow, Lyse, did you be Kontinian? How do you know so much?"

    "I often look up gossip about Kontina''s royal family while I munch on snacks. It''s much more interesting than your regr TV soap opera!"

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes. "Just their gossip alone would make your heart race. The reality of the royal family back then was much more cruel and horrifying.

    "Though, Miley, I have to ask... Does

    the royal family know about the rtionship between Liam and the princessShe came all the way to someone else''s wedding just to see him. There''s no way that the royal family is in the dark about this, right?"

    The expression on Miley''s face became conflicted the moment she heard Alyssa''s question. "How could they not know? Her Royal Highness even talked to me in private. She asked me to... matchmake them.'' Alyssa spit out the tea she was drinking while the dessert in Mandy''s hands fell to the ground!

    "You... Do you mean... that Liam is going to be a prince consort?"

    "Is Liam going to be a prince? Good lord... Is our family going to be inws with royalty? Doesn''t that mean that Winston is going to be inws with the king?"

    "The queen isn''t a mother who spoils her child. She took a liking to the fact that Liam is a colonel in the military and that hees from the wealthiest family in Belbanks, which is a strong background. "On top of that, Liam''s looks are one in a million. The queen thinks there''s nothing to nitpick from his military background or character. So, she''s not against Yuliana and Liam being together. "Otherwise, Princess Yuliana would have been grounded a long time ago. How would she be able to fly all the way here to meet Liam? Kontina''s royal family is infamous for how strict they are." "In that case, what does Liam think?" Mandy asked in a concerned tone.

    "He''s definitely interested in Her Highness."

    Alyssa''s sharp eyes twinkled brightly. "Otherwise, such an aloof man like him wouldn''t have stood there like a piece of wood and

    allowed a woman he didn''t like

    kiss him. There is only one possibility, which is that they both have feelings for one another."

    "It''s Liam''s freedom to like whoever he likes."

    Miley pressed her lips together slightly. "But he really wants to build a future with Princess Yuliana... he will have to marry into her family in Kontina and live in their pce forever. The princess is surely not going to marry into the Taylor

    family."

    In unison, Alyssa and Mandy eximed, "That can''t do! He can''t marry into their family!"

    Miley chuckled helplessly, "That makes this difficult then. The royal family is never going to give in on this."

    The trio fell into silence.

    It felt like Liam and Yuliana''s journey in love would be challenging.

    "Tonight, I noticed that Dad suddenly looked upset when he saw Yuliana. I''m not sure if it''s because he''s not fond of Liam being entangled with someone from the royal family." Alyssa was perceptive and sensitive, especially toward her own family.

 Chapter 2079

    Lyse, Jennifer was from Kontina," Mandymented. A sad look shed across her eyes.

    Alyssa mumbled softly, "Mom..." Her heart ached.

    Mandy sat down by her side, opened her arms, and pulled her into a warm embrace.

    "Ever since your mother''s passing, Winston has never set foot in Kontina. Even when he happened to see any news about Kontina on TV, he would switch channels as quickly as possible. Perhaps he was reminded of your mother when he saw someone who hade from Kontina.

    "Lyse, I''ll suggest that you go and keep himpany. If not, he might get caught up in his thoughts when he''s alone, and get so down that he has trouble sleeping again."

    With some desserts in her hands, Alyssa walked toward Winston''s room. Right after she turned the corner, she bumped into Axel, who had just returned from the frosty winter night. "Axel, you''re back!"

    "Hi, Lyse." Axel strutted up to her with his hands in his pockets.

    "I haven''t seen you all day. Everyone has been asking where you were. Where did you go?"

    Axel''sshes fluttered. Hesitantly, he pulled out an exquisite-looking, red-colored velvet box from his pocket. He presented it to Alyssa.

    "I chose this, Lyse. What do you think?"

    Alyssa was taken aback slightly. She received the box in her hands and opened it, and in it was a handmade, teardrop-shaped sapphire ne decorated with diamonds around it. Even in the dim corridor, the ne sparkled brightly.

    "Axel, is this... what you''re giving to Amber? It''s beautiful!" Alyssa asked excitedly.

    "Yeah. Amber already has a ne, but it''s already really old. So, I was thinking of giving her a new one. Took me a long time to choose this, but I still feel like it''s a bitcking."

    Axel scratched his head. Then, he sighed and consoled himself, "Actually, forget it. I don''t really have an eye for aesthetics. I''ve tried my best."

    "The reason why it''s a bitcking is because you didn''t ask me to make it for you!"

    Alyssa pouted and said querulously, "Have you forgotten that I am Alexa, a top jewelry designer? I can design something better than this!" "Lyse... I..."

    "Is it because it''s a present for Ms. Altman, so you felt bad about asking me?"

    Alyssa put her hands on his

    shoulders and squeezed his

    muscles hard. She shook him so vigorously that he was almost

    seeing stars. "Am Ian ol

    I

    you, or is Ms. Altman an outsider to you?

    "Since you''ve set your sights on her, that makes her my future sister-inw. Never mind a ne, I can even design pieces of jewelry for her from head to toe! Why are you being so meek?" S

    "My bad, Lyse. I was overthinking it."

    Axel''s heart thumped. A look of gloominess came across his eyes. "Although I''ve set my eyes on Amber, I was afraid that it wasn''t the case for all of you.

    "I''m afraid to trouble you all over her matters. You might not say it out loud, but you might feel resentful on the inside."

    "Of course not, Axel."

    Alyssa shook her head. With a tender gaze, she added, "No matter when or what happens, you have to believe in your loved ones. We will always give you our support. "We will also love the person whom you choose to love. Don''t overthink the other things."

    Axel''s heart was overwhelmed with warmth. He gave Alyssa a big bear hug.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    After Axel got his hands on a few pieces of dessert, Alyssa pushed open the door to Winston''s room and walked in.

    The living room was empty, and so was the bedroom.

    Instead, she heard Winston''s agitated voiceing from the adjoined study. She could hear him clearly from behind the door.

    "It can''t be that woman! So what if

    she is the king''s daughter? My son is

    equally noble. He''s rich and

    good-looking. The title of prince consort is just a useless title that I can''t be bothered about!"

 Chapter 2080

    Alyssa held her breath. She tapped into one of her skills eavesdropping. She pressed her ear close to the door, straining to catch every word of the conversation inside.

    "What''s with you, Dad? You''ve been pestering us to get a girlfriend all these years. Now that I''ve taken a liking to Yules and want to be with her, you''re opposing us so strongly. Why is that?"

    Out of all of Winston''s children, Liam was the one with the gentlest personality. Even when he wasn''t seeing eye-to-eye with Winston, he sought to find out Winston''s reasoning patiently. "Miley likes Yules very much too. They interact often in Kontina, and they get along very well.

    "Yules is the only princess in the Kontinian royal family. If you''re talking about family backgrounds, I''m the one who reached above my station. Why are you so displeased?"

    "Your girlfriend can be the princess of a country. She can be a goddess or a homeless woman. I don''t care!"

    Winston took a deep breath. His eyes were reddened. With a tremble in his voice, he dered vehemently, "But... she cannot be Kontina''s royalty. I will never approve of her!"

    "Dad! But, why?" Liam''s voice was clear. He was extremely puzzled.

    Even Alyssa, who was eavesdropping from the other side of the door, was also full of questions.

    She could still understand Winston if he had gotten upset because Yuliana was Kontinian and reminded him of Jennifer. However, he was now so adamant about Liam and Yuliana''s rtionship. That made him seem ridiculously merciless.

    His reaction was as if Liam was going to marry his enemy''s daughter.

    This, though, piqued Alyssa''s innate curiosity even further.

    "No reason."

    Winston shivered. He shut his eyes tight and put his palm on his burning forehead. "Kontina''s royal family is infamous for being wicked and scandalous. They are a pile of filth!

    "I do not want my son to get his hands dirty. I don''t want any of you to be corrupted by that filthy environment. Plus, you have set your mind on joining the military since you were young. You''ve finally achieved your current position after all that hard work. Are you going to give up on everything you achieved just because of a woman?"

    Liam was sharp-witted. With a deep gaze, he looked at Winston and remarked, "You''re not being truthful with me, Dad."

    Winston''s chest tightened. Instinctively, he avoided Liam''s analytical gaze.

    "Ever since we were young, you have never requested much from us. You would never interfere with the choices we made or the paths we chose."

    Anxiety made Liam''s breathing quicken. In a hoarse voice, he continued, "Even when Jonah got together with Dr. Lovce, you shielded them. You supported them fully. Why can''t you do the same regarding Yules and me?

    "Please tell me. Is it because you have some sort of grudge or dispute with the Kontinian royal family?"

    On the other side of the door, Alyssa pursed her lips together tightly. She was so nervous that even the veins on the back of her hands started to pop as she pressed her hands against the door.

    "It has nothing to do with the younger generation. You don''t have to probe further." Winston dismissed him and refused to share further.

    Liam, however, pressed on. "Mom was Kontinian. After that, with your help, she became a citizen of our country, You are so repelled by the royal family. I can even say that you''re against them. Is it because Mom is somehow connected to the Kontinian royal family?"

    Alyssa''s heart pounded.

    She recalled the time when she talked to Mandy about Jennifer''s background. Jasper had also theorized that Jennifer hade from the coastal waters around Kontina. Everything was pointing toward one possibility...N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Jennifer was connected with the Kontinian royal family!

    That said, information about

    Kontina''s royal family members was searchable on the inte. Their king and queen had a son and a daughter. Their son was frail and sickly, so he was often hospitalized for treatment. The king''s younger

    brother only had two princesses. He

    did not have any sons.

    In Kontina, the throne was passed down only to male members of the family. Thus, regardless of how useless a prince was, he could be the only one to inherit the throne in the future.

    The issue was that there was no ce for Jennifer among the royal family members at all!

    If Jennifer was indeed connected to the Kontinian royal family, what role did she have in the family?

    And how did she end up fleeing to Belbanks?

    "No, no..."

    Winston''s sharp eyes had now gone dull. He slumped on the couch, suddenly feeling like all the energy had been drained from him. "It has nothing to do with you. Your mother has nothing to do with the royal family either. Stop asking me about it!"

    Alyssa clenched her teeth together tightly.

    Winston''s repeated denial was an affirmation.

    Although Liam had a softer personality, he was more stubborn than anyone else once he set his mind on something. "Dad, if that''s true, then there''s all the more no reason for me to cut ties with Yules!

    "She is a member of the royal family,

    and the only way for me toe in contact with the Kontinian royal family. Only by getting close to her and being with her will I get a chance to understand Mom''s background. Only then will be able t¨¦ find out what happened to Mom back then!"

 Chapter 2081

    "Nonsense!" Winston''s pupils quivered. He mmed his hands on the couch''s armrest in anger. "How could you find out about the royal family just as you wish? Moreover, if your feelings for that young woman are true, you shouldn''t get close to her with an ulterior motive!

    "In order to see you, she stepped out of her pce and came all the way to another part of the world. You are clearly very important to her. She''s fallen in love with you!

    "If you intend to use her, how is this fair for her? Do you think that the royal family will forgive you for ying with their princess''s heart? Did you think that the special agents under the Kontinian royal family are just for show?"

    Liam''s heart was pained. He was standing with his hands by his side. His hands started trembling uncontrobly. He curled his fingers into tight fists.

    Of course, he understood Winston''s point. He wasn''t a heartless person.

    However, without rity on Jennifer''s past, Winston''s anxieties would fester, poisoning any chance of a happy future with Yuliana. Only byying those ghosts to rest could he proudly stand beside Yuliana and dare to dream of a future with her.

    "You and that princess... have to break it off immediately. You cannot be together."

    "Dad, since I was young, you have always praised me. You said that I was your most obedient son.''

    Liam couldn''t hold back the waves of despair within him. His eyes were swollen as he blinked hard. He choked, "I have never rebelled against you. But this time, I want to ask that you give Yuliana and me a chance to be together. Can you?"

    "No!"

    Winston blew his top. His entire body started shaking involuntarily, and his speech became unclear. "It''s either her... or me... You choose!"

    Immediately after, Winston''s world went ck. His limb stiffened, indicating somatization!

    "Dad!"

    The shock drained the color from Liam''s face instantly. He stepped forward to check on Winston.

    "Dad!"

    Alyssa, who was eavesdropping outside, barged into the room too. She got in touch with Julien while she performed first aid on Winston in aposed manner.

    "Dad... I didn''t mean to make you mad... I''m sorry!" Liam, a grown man, knelt helplessly by Winston''s side. His eyes filled with tears.

    Alyssa and Jonah did not inform the other Taylor family members about Winston''s episode. They only enlisted the help of Jasper and Julien.

    After all, Landon and Lauren''s wedding ceremony would take ce the next day. No one wanted to cause trouble for the couple during such a happy asion.

    After taking his medication and receiving basic treatment from Julien, Winston''s condition stabilized. Hey in bed and dozed off.

    "He was still okay before this. What happened?" Julien questioned in a worried tone as he stood right next to Jonah.

    "It was my fault... It was all my fault! It was all because of me. I disobeyed him, so Dad..."

    Liam hung his head low in self-reproach. The strong feeling of guilt was like a thorny vine that encircled his beating heart.

    Jasper wrapped his arm around Alyssa''s waist. Noticing how downcast she looked, his sixth sense told him that something upsetting must have happened.

    "If it were someone else who said

    that, I''d believe him. But I will never believe that you would do something like that, Liam." Jonah shook his

    head. He looked utterly confused.

    "Jonah, Jul, and Jasper." Alyssa took a deep breath. In a soft voice, she said, "Could the three of you go out for a bit? I''d like to have a chat with Liam privately."

    The trio looked surprised. Even so, they picked up on Alyssa''s cue and left the room.

    "Lyse, are you... okay?" Jasper lowered his eyes to look at her. He looked extremely concerned.

    "I''m alright. Wait for me outside." Alyssa gave him a squeeze on his hand. She shot him a gentle smile to reassure him.

    Soon enough, only Liam and Alyssa were left standing by Winston''s bed.

    "Lyse, I..."

    "Liam, I want to talk to you about Mom."

    Initially, Alyssa had prepared herself mentally to talk about Jennifer. Even so, she still welled up with tears instantly.

    "Based on Dad''s reaction tonightC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    and my investigations and

    spections from before, there is no

    doubt that Mom is a Kontinian who

    ended up in Belbanks after O encountering some adversity.

    "Also, there''s another thing that I can be almost certain about.

    "Mom is closely connected with the Kontinian royal family. Not only that, this is a connection that Mom and Dad never ever wanted to revisit. It''s also a secret that they don''t want us to find out."

 Chapter 2082

    In his deep sleep, Winston furrowed his brows tightly, and his fingers twitched reflexively. Perhaps he was dreaming, or perhaps it was a telepathic connection with his daughter, Alyssa. "Was Mom... a member of the royal family?" Liam held his breath.

    Alyssa shook her head. "I don''t know. Even if she were and got chased out for some reason, there wouldn''t be absolutely no record of her.

    "So, I''m guessing that she might have been someone from the pce or someone connected to the royal family. However, I''m not sure about the specifics. After all, we aren''t familiar with the situation in Kontina at all.

    "There''s one thing I''m sure of, though." Her eyes gleamed with a cold intensity as she sped her hands together. "There was probably some kind of grudge between Mom and the Kontinian royal family that forced her into exile.

    "By some miraculous chance, she ended up in Belbanks, and of all people, Dominic saved her."

    The word "grudge" hit Liam like a sharp, invisible knife. "Dad has always showered us with love, and he let us make our own choices in life. Even though we''re from a wealthy family, he never pressured us into marriage alliances. He wanted us to find happiness on our own terms."

    Tears welled up in Liam''s eyes as he knelt beside Winston''s bed, holding his father''s wrinkled hands. "Yet, he''s so against Yules and me. Maybe your theory is worth exploring, Lyse. Maybe there''s something dark in Mom''s past with the Kontinan royals. That could exin Dad''s strong reaction."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa plunged into deep thought.

    Indeed, Winston had been exceptionally lenient with his and Jennifer''s five children, indulging them to a fault. In contrast, he was stricter with Mandy''s and L''s children.

    He fiercely opposed Miley''s marriage to someone from Kontina, tried to arrange a marriage alliance for Tatiana with the Schmidt family, and constantly nagged Cyrus about settling down.

    However, he treated his five children with Jennifer differently. For Alyssa, he only put up a strict front. Whether it was her stint with Doctors Without Borders or other rebellious moments, he always ended up giving in.

    Jennifer was indeed the one Winston loved the most, and he extended that love to their children. However, if he was so in love with her, why did he have to marry time and time again?

    If Jennifer reciprocated Winston''s love and their life was blissful, why did she allow him to marry again and again? Why didn''t she stop him and even be close to his other wives?

    Alyssa was also a woman, yet she couldn''t understand Jennifer''s perspective.

    All humans have always had emotions. How could Jennifer not be jealous? She wouldn''t have been able to live through those days of polygamy unless there was no ove between her and Winston. So, how did she end up having children with a man like him?

    "If there really was bad blood between Mom and the Kontinian royal family, I... I will have a clean break with Yules. I won''t have any contact with her anymore."

    Liam''s breathing hitched as he fought back a surge of emotions. In a raspy and trembling voice, he continued, "Before it''s all toote."

    "Liam, at this point, everything is merely my spection. It wouldn''t be fair to sacrifice your happiness based on what-ifs." Alyssa''s heart ached for him.

    "I''ve lost Mom very early on. I cannot lose Dad too. I won''t risk his health."

    Liam hung his head low. Waves of regret and sorrow washed over him. "I''m not a high-achiever, Lyse. I''m not courageous enough to give everything up for the sake of love. All I want is for Dad and everyone else to be happy. This will be the reason for me to live."

    Liam and Alyssa fell into silence. After spending more time with Winston, Liam left the room dejectedly.

    "Dad, what in the world happened to Mom? When... When will you be able to open up to me about it? I really want to know," Alyssa sighed as she sat beside him, troubled.

    She nced at Winston''s face. A flicker of surprise crossed her features as she noticed tears tracing silent paths down his cheeks, dampening his pillow.

    Winston cried in his sleep.

 Chapter 2083

    It waste into the night. Liam retrieved his military uniform from his luggage andid it beside his bed. Then, he used a nnel to polish his insignia.

    Although he found time to attend Landon and Lauren''s wedding, he had to return to the military immediately. So, he brought his military uniform, which was his utmost pride, along with him. He still didn''t feel sleepy after all that he busied himself with. He tossed and turned in bed for a long time before he started to feel drowsy.

    Amidst his drowsiness, he felt a sudden rise in his body temperature. A faint, sweet-smelling breeze blew across his face, and he jolted awake and stared in surprise at the sight before him.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Under the dim lighting, Yuliana''s pale skin was barely concealed by a delicate nightgown as she straddled him. As she leaned forward, he couldn''t help but notice her ample and enticing breasts, a sight that seemed almost too irresistible.

    "Liam... Hold me. I miss you."

    Yuliana''s eyes shimmered with affection as she gazed at him dreamily. Passion burned brightly in her gaze.

    The moment Liam saw her, a jolt of desire shot through him. Hisshes fluttered as he tried to restrain himself. The dim light hid the blush creeping up his neck and ears. He was a gentleman but also a man with desires.

    Another second of looking at her would be disastrous. Breathing heavily, Liam grabbed his military uniform from beside the bed. He draped it over Yuliana''s shoulders and wrapped it tightly around her youthful body, refusing to let go no matter how hard she struggled.

    Her intense squirming wrinkled his neatly ironed military uniform.

    Liam''s military uniform was like a piece of treasure to him. At normal times, he would iron it personally. Even his personal secretary was cautious when handling his uniform. Yet, in that moment, wrinkled fabric didn''t bother him at all.

    "Liam, you''re not epting me even though I''vee right on to you... Is it because you don''t have feelings for me? Or do you have problems in that aspect?" Yuliana pouted. Her cheeks flushed red with anger.

    "Cut it out." With a deep and dark gaze, Liam pressed his hands on her shoulders.

    Yuliana harrumphed. "I just need to test it to see if you have any issues!"

    Yuliana was a stubborn person who persevered to achieve what she set her sights on. With all her might, she tried to free herself from his restraint.

    "In the past," she exined, her voiceced with frustration, "princesses would have a servant assess their prince consort''s capabilities in that aspect. I''m not going to trouble anyone with that. I''ll test it out myself!"

    "Your Highness, I said, cut it out!" Liam''s tone of voice was even more icy. The frigidity in his eyes made Yuliana''s heart wrench. "I need to rest. Please leave this instant." Yuliana froze in shock. "What... did you just call me?"

    "Your Highness."

    "Say it again. I dare you to repeat it!"

    "Your Highness." Liam''s eyes appearedpletely void of emotions. "You will get the same response even if you asked me a thousand times."

    "Why aren''t you calling me ''Yules'' anymore? You''ve never addressed me as ''Your Highness'' in private!"

    Yuliana became frantic. Her coquettish, willful and reckless behavior vanishedpletely.

    All she had left was the pitiful look in

    her eyes. She stared at him

    anxiously. Her voice was as gentle as it could be. "Liam... are you angry? Did I make you mad? Tell me... Talk tome..."

    "You should return to Kontina tomorrow."

    Liam''s gaze was cold and distant. "From now on, I will go on with my life as a soldier, and you will go on with your life as a princess. Let''s not have anything to do with one another anymore."

 Chapter 2084

    The Taylors, when deeply in love, loved with all their heart. But when they wanted to appear heartless, they could act the part wlessly.

    When Liam frostily uttered those words, it felt like a piece of flesh was being cut away from him. Not only that, it also felt like his wounded heart was being wrenched unsparingly.

    "Liam..." Yuliana, wrapped in his military uniform, shivered uncontrobly. Her shocked stares could burn holes into him. "Are you leaving me?"

    She seemed like a talented supporting actress, perfectly embodying her role in his charade. Tears streamed down her face when she asked that question, dripping onto the bedsheets. Liam''s chest tightened. He couldn''t bear to look at her anymore.

    If only her feelings weren''t genuine. If only she were there merely to seduce him.

    But no. Here she was, pouring out her heart, raw and genuine. Every tear, every word, spoke the truth.

    "Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten everything we did in the pce? You risked your life by climbing over a wall to see me in my chambers. Have you forgotten how you held me in your "

    "Your Highness, it''s true that I''ve kissed you and held you in my arms. But that doesn''t prove anything."

    Liam scoffed. His face twisted into a mocking sneer. "It just proves I was physically attracted. Nothing more."

    It was merely a physical attraction.

    Yuliana was only 20 years old. Ever since she was young, she grew up surrounded by her parents'' love. Although she was na?ve and simple-minded, she understood what he meant.

    He was referring to the most primitive urge men had toward women. Nevertheless, it was the cheapest and most transient form of fancying someone.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "Those long nights were less lonely because you were there as apany. I did like you for this one thing."

    "No matter what... it still means that you liked me!"

    Yuliana welled up with tears. She twisted her body, struggling to hug him. All she wanted was him.

    However, her shoulders were firmly

    in his grasp. She couldn''t touch him

    el.

    at all. She got so distressed that her tears couldn''t stop flowing. "Liam love you... Can you give us a chance? We haven''t even got together officially. How are you so sure that you like me only in that

    way?

    "I don''t care even if you like me because of my body! I want to be with you! No matter what, I just want to be with you."

    She cried as she pleaded with him for his love.

    She no longer cared about her noble status or her image as royalty.

    "Your Highness, you mentioned that I was your first." Liam curled his lip slightly and narrowed his eyes. "The reason why you chose me wasn''t because of the person I am. It''s because you met too few men.

    We''re not suited to be together. Just

    let it go."

    "No... No, I won''t!" Yuliana widened her swollen eyes. In exasperation, she gritted her teeth andmanded, "Imand you to be together with me! Otherwise, the royal family will not let you go! "If you''re not going to marry me... don''t you dare dream of ever marrying another woman!"

    "Long ago, I decided to dedicate my

    life to my country. Romantic rtionships have never been part of my consideration. I have also never nned to get married. So, at least you''ll get to save some effort on this part. Also, don''t forget that I''m not Kontinian. Your country doesn''t have power over me."

    Liam rolled out of bed, his broad stature towering over her. Emotionlessly, he instructed, "Leave my room. Right now."

    "No!" Yuliana pouted, her face covered in tears.

    "Alright. You can stay here, then. I''ll leave."

    He turned with no change of expression.

    Suddenly, a soft pair of hands grabbed his hand tightly, tugging not just his fingers but at his heartstrings.

    "Don''t go... I''ll leave, okay? I''ll go."

    Yuliana dropped his military uniform on his bed and immediately disappeared out of his room.

    "We can''t be together, Yules. I''m sorry."

 Chapter 2085

    Liam lowered his eyes, slowly clenching his fists as if trying to grasp the warmth that was gradually slipping away. "I hope you can find someone who can prioritize and love you with his life. It''s not worth it for you to love someone like me."

    Yuliana cried as she ran through the hallway in the fortress. When exhaustion finally imed her, she slumped against a wall, her breathsing in ragged gasps.

    She looked like a child who the entire world had just abandoned.

    Some time passed before a figure stood before her and then lowered itself until meeting Yuliana''s eyes.

    "Oh, someone''s crying. I thought a ghost might be haunting the fortress," Alyssa said gently with a twinkle in her eye.

    Yuliana lifted her swollen eyes, choked on a sob, and eximed, "Yes... I''m a ghost... but I''m also the prettiest ghost you''ll ever find!"

    "You''re right! You''re absolutely right. You''re the prettiest princess in the whole world."

    Alyssa coaxed her tenderly. To distract Yuliana from her sadness, she even tried to scare her. She asked, "Why are you crying here in the dead of the night instead of sleeping in your bed? Aren''t you afraid of actually attracting ghosts? I heard that centuries-old fortresses like this one can be quite haunted..."

    Yuliana was timid. She screamed and leaped into Alyssa''s arms in fright. Her petite frame was soft and warm, making her very snuggly.

    Liam, ever the modest one, had surprised Alyssa. After two trips to Kontina, he had managed to conquer the princess'' heart. He had actually robbed the cradle!

    Alyssa understood Yuliana''s tearful breakdown. As a child of privilege, Yuliana was used to having her every whim fulfilled. Yet, here she was, facing her first rejection. Moreover, it was from Liam.

    Alyssa''s thoughts raced. She couldn''t help but pull a crying Yuliana tighter into her arms. All of a sudden, she was reminded of her past self.

    Winston, her father, was the wealthiest man in Belbanks. He was an uncrowned king who helped to increase Belbanks'' GDP and provide many residents of Belbanks with job opportunities. Whenever she went out with Winston when she was young, everyone called her "princess".

    She was the princess within the Taylor family and someone who grew up very well-loved. Yet, the greatest turmoil she had ever been through was granted to her by the love of her life.

    Fortunately, she persevered and ended up getting the happiness that she desired.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Yuliana seemed to be walking the same path.

    As a family member, Alyssa wished Liam could have his own happiness. She could also tell that Yuliana really fancied him a lot.

    However, the weight of Jennifer''s mysterious past and Winston''s adamant objection forced Liam to make the most brutal decision there was. "There, there. Don''t cry. Let me take you back to your room." Alyssa let out a long sigh. She felt terrible.

    "I... I''m afraid to go back..."

    Yuliana rubbed her eyes. She grumbled softly, "It''s all your fault... You said that there are ghosts. I''m scared now. I''m most afraid of ghosts."

    Alyssa patted Yuliana''s trembling back gently. "If you don''t mind, would you like toe and sleep with me tonight, Your Highness?" "Okay... I will allow that." Yuliana sniffled. The tip of her nose was red.

    Due to pce rules, she had to sleep independently since she was young. Honestly, she was a little afraid of sharing a bed with someone else But with Alyssa, she felt a sense of security, as if she were her own family. Within the royal family''s strict pce rules, this was a precious feeling to have.

    A soft chuckle escaped Alyssa''s lips. She wrapped her arms around Yuliana''s shoulders and began walking slowly. Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her coat pocket. She took it out for a quick look and saw that it was a message from Liam, The message read, "Please look after Yules tonight, Lyse."

    Alyssa whipped her head around, catching a glimpse of a tall figure standing alone at the end of the dark hallway.

    It was Liam. It seemed like he had been standing there for a long while.

    Alyssa turned around. Without Yuliana noticing, she raised her hand in the air and gestured, "Okay."

 Chapter 2086

    It was finally the day of the long-anticipated wedding. They were blessed with sunny and clear skies that morning.

    The interior of the fortress was filled with colorful decorations. Both sides of the staircases were adorned with blooming red roses that exuded a sweet scent. This disy of roses extended all the way out of the fortress and toward the chapel behind it.

    The dreamlike setting was just like a scene from a fairytale.

    Family and friends from both sides were in attendance. Dressed in formal attires and with beaming faces, everyone stood outside the door, waiting for the bride''s arrival.

    "The bride is here!"

    Alyssa''s sweet and crisp voice echoed through the main hall of the fortress. Looking like a pure angel dressed in white, Lauren walked out slowly, apanied by Rose, Tatiana and Alyssa.

    At this moment, female family members from both sides were in the room. Jasper, Sean, and Liam, who had no other duties, were also present. The rest of the men were standing by the chapel.

    Lauren looked graceful and demure. The wedding dress, designed by Rose, wasn''t too showy. Instead, it entuated her simple yet elegant beauty.

    Her beautiful eyes gleamed as she smiled shyly.

    All the roses around the entire fortress seemed dull inparison to her. She was the only one whose beauty overshadowed everything else.

    Lauren had been eating well, taking her medications, and resting. With Landon''spany, she worked hard to nurse herself back to health. However, it was now winter in Bernardia. Despite her efforts and the thick, warm coat over her shoulders, she still staggered like a delicate flower whenever the wind blew.

    "Careful, Lauren." Thanks to Alyssa''s quick reactions, she helped Lauren regain her footing.

    Behind them, Tatiana and Rose wore worried expressions.

    "Ahh..." Lauren lifted her face toward Alyssa. She frowned slightly, expressing her guilt. She felt like she was too weak.

    Those who saw her felt bad for her.

    She had been tormented by psychological conditions previously, dealing with cold nces and living in suffering. She had fought so hard for her happiness. Now, as she was about to get married to the love of her life, the heavens cruelly robbed her of her health.

    In an instant, Alyssa''s eyes filled with tears. Even so, she held Lauren''s hands tightly and smiled. In a soft voice, she reassured her, "You''re fine. You''re doing great. This is just pre-wedding jitters." "We''re here with you, Lauren. Don''t be nervous!" Rose eximed from beside her, beaming as she teared up a little.

    Outside the main door was a retro and morous carriage, waiting to pick up the princess of the day for her wedding. Lauren blinked as she scanned her surroundings.

    "I''m sorry! Sorry for beingte!" Cyrus ran over, a head full of sweat, trying to catch his breath.

    "Hey, what took you so long? Everyone''s here except for you!"

    Mandy rushed forward to straighten Cyrus'' crooked tie and button up his cor. She grumbled, "Even Miley, the First Lady, managed toe from Kentina the night beforest. How busy with work did you have to be toe thiste? It''s so embarrassing to have everyone wait for you!"

    "I''m sorry, Mom. My flight was dyed a little. It was all my fault," Cyrus apologized, feeling regretful. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

    "Stop ming Cyrus, Mom. Because of his cases, he usually doesn''t get much sleep despite being tired. You should show him some love instead." Miley smiled warmly. It was her expertise to mediate betweer parties.

    Cyrus took this opportunity and said, "Exactly, Mom. You should show me some love."

    "Love you? You''ve got to be kidding

    me!" Mandy didn''t know whether tough or cry. She jabbed him in his musc chest. "Damien and Miley indulged you too much when you'' were a kid. You''re so disrespectful. Where are your manners? Kshould teach you a lesson!" N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Cyrus and Miley fell silent at the mention of Damien''s name. Their chests tightened.

    Mandy''s eyes reddened too. She quickly diverted the topic. "Look, Cyrus. What do you think of the bride?"

    Cyrus turned around and looked in Lauren''s direction.

 Chapter 2087

    Coincidentally, Lauren was also looking in Cyrus'' direction gleefully. Their eyes met. Their gazes showed no romantic feelings, only pure and innocent affection.

    "Ah..." Lauren smiled even wider. She waved the roses in her hand at him.

    Cyrus smiled back.

    As he smiled, he started to well up with tears. His vision of the lovely woman before him began to blur. It would be a lie to say he didn''t feel any regret. However, he had no qualms about it and no desire to make up for his regret. All he wanted was for her to be happy.

    Jasper stood by the carriage in a ck suit. He was dressed in a ssic best man outfit as he didn''t want to steal the spotlight. Even so, his looks were as charming and captivating as ever. As Lauren''s older brother, he was in charge of taking his beloved sister to the wedding hall.

    Jasper sniffled as he watched Lauren approach him step by step. Silently, tears filled his eyes. Even so, he lifted the corners of his lips into a relieved and joyful smile to send Lauren off.

    Lauren blushed. She was wearing a pair of silk gloves. She ced her hand in Jasper''s.

    Standing quietly behind them, Alyssa felt her chest tighten as she witnessed the scene before her. Her heart was filled with a mix of emotions.

    From the moment she fell in love with Jasper, she had looked forward to the day she could walk down the aisle with him. Like any other typical person, she desired a grand and public wedding for the whole world to see that she was the one by Jasper''s side.

    Life didn''t have to be mboyant, but loving someone should be done passionately, and Alyssa''s heart was the most passionate of them all.

    Yet, reality wasplicated and cruel.

    That said, she had confidence in Jasper. She believed she would be able to have it all.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "Hold... Hold up!"

    Just as Jasper was about to help Lauren into the carriage, they heard an urgent,dylike voice.

    Everyone turned around to see Yuliana scuttling toward Lauren while holding the hem of her dress with her right hand. In her left hand was a delicate ck velvet box.

    As a princess, her every move was graceful and not frantic. Her elegant mannerisms were like a piece of art for everyone to admire.

    The most out-of-control, hectic, and embarrassing sides of her had all been offered up to Liam. Her first kiss was one such example. Two gorgeous women, Lauren and Yuliana, looked at one another. Lauren blinked in astonishment.

    Yuliana pursed her lips and opened the box.

    Everyone was shocked to see that the box contained a silvery white crown with over ten

    teardrop-shaped diamonds mounted on it. It reflected a striking radiance on Lauren''s face, which was filled with amazement.

    It was a touching and mesmerizing sight to behold.

    This was not just a piece of jewelry. It was an item with an eye-catching brilliance, representative of the royal family''s splendor!

    Liam stood behind, his eyes widening in surprise. His heart skipped a beat.

    Every female born into the Kontinian royal family would receive a unique, custom-made crown. They carried this crown with them for the rest of

    their lives as a precious famil Stof

    heirloom, wearing it only during specified and important asions.

    To everyone''s surprise, Yuliana had brought out such a valuable item. She was bold indeed!

    "Oh my... Is that the royal family''s royal crown? It''s stunning!" Tatiana couldn''t help but exim with her mouth covered.

    "I reckon people would offer astronomical prices for this at auctions!" Despite having witnessed many significant asions, Rose was also gaping in shock.

    "This is the Kontinian royal family''s

    crown. It is the symbol of their

    status and power. It will only be

    passed down from generation to et

    generation. It would never be put up

    for auction. If it were, wouldn''t that be devaluing the royal family''s status?"

    Alyssa fixed her eyes on the crown. Even she, as a leading jewelry designer, was bowled over by its beauty.

    Yuliana smiled and chirped, "This is my gift to you, Ms. Lauren. Wishing you a happy marriage."

 Chapter 2088

    Everyone''s jaws dropped in astonishment. Everyone except Liam was seeing Yuliana''s crown for the first time.

    Even if they were already well-acquainted, it remained a fact that the crown was a symbol of royal lineage. How could it be gifted to someone else just like that?

    "Ah! Ah!" Lauren''s cheeks burned crimson. She waved her hands repeatedly to decline. ttered as she was, the thought of even touching the crown terrified her. "This is far too valuable a gift, Your Highness."

    Jasper stepped forward and gently turned Yuliana down. "Lauren is incredibly grateful for your kindness, but perhaps you should-"

    "It''s none of your business to whom I want to give it!" Yuliana interrupted, her chin jutting out defiantly.

    She then cast him a haughty sidelong nce. "Besides, this is a reward from me. Who would dare to turn me down?"

    Jasper was speechless. He wondered if he was bing more advanced in years that he was making others annoyed with his words.

    Colene clicked her tongue, muttering, "Why is the princess putting on a show here? It''s the modern era. Plus, she''s not a princess from the Regency era. Why is she giving a reward?"

    "Don''t say that, Colene." Miley tugged at Colene''s arm. With a gentle gaze, she smiled and said, "Princess Yuliana is the only daughter to His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness. It''s no surprise that they brought her up with lots of love and care.

    "So, it''s normal for her to be a little more demanding. But Princess Yuliana is a good person. She''s innocent and kind. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be friends with me, nor would she have..." Miley trailed off, her gaze flitting toward Liam, who stood tall and silent at the back.

    Liam appeared to be looking past the crowd and in Lauren''s direction. However, his gaze was fixed on Yuliana''s face the entire time. A flicker of concern flickered in their depths, gradually morphing into a burning intensity.

    Yuliana pouted stubbornly. Although she might have looked arrogant, others didn''t view her as despicable. "It''s too embarrassing to take back something I''ve already given. It''s a disgrace to the royal family!" Rose and Tatiana couldn''t hold back theirughter. Alyssa was the only one helplessly shaking her head at the situation.

    Yulialy gifted her royal crown during their first encounter. If they got to know one another better, would she end up giving her entire pce away?

    Lauren, a woman who favoredContent protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    simplicity, wore only a white veil on

    her wedding day. But a closer look revealed delicate, embroidered roses a testament to Tatiana''s month-longbor of love and her wedding gift to Lauren.

    With a solemn expression, Yuliana lifted the crown, cing it gently upon Lauren''s head like a coronation. The glistening diamonds, juxtaposed against the soft veil, entuated Lauren''s beauty, making her glow.

    Lauren''s lips trembled as she tried to speak.

    "Do you want to say thank you? No worries, I understand."

    Yuliana held Lauren''s hands in hers. Choking back on her tears, she said, "I''ve heard about your story even when I was in Kontina. I know it wasn''t easy for you both to reach this point. Your love for each other persevered through hardship, making your happiness all the more precious and worth beholding for the rest of your life. Don''t you think

    so?"

    Her eyes welled up. "As a princess, I have everything within my reach. Yet, your rtionship with Mr. Harper has shown me, for the first time, what true awe feels like."

    Emotions surged within Yuliana''s chest. She couldn''t stop herself from looking in Liam''s direction.

    He was just standing there a moment ago. However, the spot was now empty.

    The anticipation, the need for

    courage, shattered into a million

    pieces. A wave of loneliness washed over Yuliana. She''d finally found her happiness, and the thought of living with regret-of letting him slip away, was unbearable.

    With Jasper by her side, Lauren climbed into the carriage and started toward the chapel. The rest of their families followed in a procession of luxurious cars.

    Alyssa chose to ride with Yuliana. They sat right next to each other in the back seat.

    "Your Highness, please take your crown back after Lauren''s wedding ceremony," Alyssa uttered seriously and respectfully.

    Yuliana was a stubborn and pampered princess who didn''t care who she went up against. Yet, she couldn''t bring herself to defy Alyssa, so she obeyed thetter as if thetter were her older sister. Perhaps even the most stubborn can be tamed.

 Chapter 2089

    "But why?" Yuliana was extremely reluctant.

    "Why, you ask?" With a look of reproach, Alyssa answered, "I''m afraid of the diplomatic repercussions after your parents learned that you had given away your crown as a wedding gift. It might even lead to misunderstandings between our nations.

    "You''re a beloved princess, free to pursue most whims. While you may not face consequences, your actions can impact others. Do you still think that this would be a good idea?

    Upon hearing that, Yuliana lowered her head regretfully and dejectedly. She fiddled with the fabric of her dress. "Actually," she mumbled, "I had another motive."

    Alyssa turned, her gentle eyes meeting Yuliana''s glistening ones; Yuliana had finally revealed her intentions.

    "You were aware that Lauren is like a younger sister to me. So, you decided to dig deep to please me. With that, you want me to matchmake you with Liam. Am I right?"

    A blush stained Yuliana''s cheeks, and she bashfully stammered, "Y-You saw through it all. That was maniptive of me, wasn''t it? That was awful of me. I''m sorry."

    Alyssa''s heart melted to see Yuliana like that. Alyssa gently caressed Yuliana''s back. "Don''t be so harsh on yourself. Using a little ingenuity to get close to someone you like isn''t a crime. As long as there''s no harm done."

    Yuliana''s nose had turned red. She sniffled. In a miserable voice, she said, "I like Liam... I like him very much. I''m willing to give up my title as a princess to be together with him. My aunt married amoner whose background isn''t even half as good as Liam''s. Liam is wealthy enough to take care of me."

    Alyssa was at a loss for words. While the Taylor family''s fortune rivaled the Kontinian treasury, Yuliana''s bluntness could be misconstrued as gold-digging.

    "Please help me, Lyse," Yuliana pleaded, burying her face in Alyssa''s arm. "Remember our sleepover? And you''re Liam''s favorite sister. With you on my side, maybe Liam will treat me like he used to. This distant version of him... it''s unbearable."

    Yuliana cried as she said all that.

    "Don''t cry, Yules..." Alyssa coaxed her. Deep down, she felt terrible. How ruthless was Liam with his words that night? What had Liam said to reduce a princess to such a state?

    "Lyse, am I really not good enough?" Yuliana''s cries got louder and louder.

    Immediately, Alyssa hugged her tightly.

    "Not at all! Don''t you ever think that. It''s Liam who has climbed over his station. He''s the one who isn''t good enough. How could he make you cry?"N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Alyssa hated seeing women women

    lose their self-worth for love. She also hated seeing theirplete absorption in the agony of self-me and fear of losing their beloved, trapped in a cycle of despair. This was because she''d

    spent three years trapped in that very spiral. Her days and nights were filled with pain and suffering.

    Liam and Cyrus were riding in the car behind Alyssa and Yuliana''s.

    Liam stared intently at the vehicle ahead, desperately trying to see through it.

    "Why are your eyes so red, Liam? Is it because you didn''t get enough rest?" Cryus asked, leaning closer. Then, he eximed, "Liam, are you... are you crying? Are you that deeply moved to see Lauren getting married?"

    "Yeah."

    Liam squeezed his eyes shut briefly before quickly diverting his gaze out the window. "I wish them a lifetime of happiness."

 Chapter 2090

    The luxurious carriage rolled to a stop by the red carpet outside the chapel.

    The Taylor brothers, along with Julien, Sean, and Xavier, had been waiting there. Their faces were filled with joy as they threw red rose petals into the air. They looked like knights guarding a princess, a sight remarkable enough to make anyone swoon.

    Birds flew across the sky as the flower petals fluttered down.

    With a royal crown on her head, Lauren looked every bit like a princess. Meanwhile, the handsome men ahead of her looked like knights responsible for protecting her.

    "The bride... She''s beautiful." Ss couldn''t help but sigh.

    "She is. Landon is a lucky man." Julien watched on from the side. His eyes were glistening with admiration.

    "I should attend more weddings when I''m free so that I''ll have more points of reference when it''s my turn. That way, I won''t panic and have absolutely no idea what to do."

    Ss made a mental note of everything he was seeing and experiencing. Subconsciously, he smiled as he thought about his ns.

    "Ss, does that mean... that you''ll get married soon too?" Julien asked with a look of exhration on his face.

    "Yeah. I''m thinking about it."

    Immediately, Ss leaned in and whispered in Julien''s ear, "Keep it to yourself, Jules. I want to give my Rosie a surprise."

    "I''m not a bbermouth. Don''t worry! I won''t be Julien Lovce if I say a peep!"

    "Of course you''re not Julien Lovce. You''re already Julien Taylor now," Ss teased.

    Julien''s heart raced. In the next second, his face had turned as red as the flower petals scattered on the ground.

    At that exact moment, Javier, Lauren''s father, stood in a smart-looking suit at the center of the red carpet. He was waiting for Lauren so that he could walk her down the aisle.

    Despite almost turning 60, he worked out and went on a vegetarian diet for two months to prepare for this momentous asion. He took good care of himself, even dying his hair and trimming his eyebrows for this day. He did all this to avoid embarrassing his precious daughter.

    Lauren might look physically well, but in actual fact, she was still quite weak. Her legs trembled slightly as she held the hem of her dress while getting off the carriage. In the end, Jasper carried her out of the carriage.

    Witnessing that, Javier was overwhelmed with emotions. His heart ached, and his eyes turned red. With Jasper''s help, Lauren walked to Javier''s side and linked arms with him. The father and daughter duo walked into the wedding hall together.

    After taking a few steps, Lauren couldn''t help but look back at Jasper with tears in her eyes. Jasper stood with his back straight a short distance away, like a tree firmly rooted in the ground, unafraid of any winds and storms. Seeing him gave her a great sense of security.

    "I''m right here. Go on." Jasper smiled as he waved at Lauren with a twinkle in his eyes. He was already so emotional on his younger sister''s wedding day. If it were his daughter''s... Jasper''s chest tightened. He shook his head to stop his thoughts from wandering. Any thoughts he had about children felt like a great disrespect to Alyssa.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Javier and Lauren slowly entered the chapel with the apaniment of a graceful tune on this important day. Their friends and family were all seated, their eyes filled with keen anticipation. Newton was seated in the front row, with Ben by his side. Seeing that Lauren was about to get married, he was filled with emotions, and tears were streaming down his cheeks.

    At the very front of the chapel, the charming groom, Landon, stood on the steps with a bearing of nobility He fixed his eyes on the bride, who was slowly making her way toward him. He had butterflies in his stomach, and his breathing was shallow.

    Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. He blinked hard to get a clear view of his lover once again.

    As if on cue, tears spilled over, mixing with a broad, joyous smile. With his face full of tears, Landon approached the father-and-daughter duo and took Lauren''s hand from Javier''s.

    "As much as I know I don''t have to say it, I will say it anyway." Javier had a kind smile on his face as he ced Lauren''s hand in Landon''s palm. "Be good to my daughter, son. Cherish her with all you have."

    "I will, Dad. I will." Landon gave his affirmation with a passionate, deep, and determined look in his eyes.

    The couple looked lovingly into each other''s eyes and slowly walked toward Jonah. He was the celebrant for this ceremony.

    Jonah was in his priest outfit, and the backlight behind him gave his entire figure a holy glow. He read the wedding vows in a rich, gruff voice.

    "Landon Harper." Jonah looked

    toward Landon and asked

    confidently Do you, in the name of God, take Lauren Beckett to be yourwfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and to stay loyal to her, as

    long as you both shall live?"

    "I do!" Landon responded eagerly. His eyes twinkled as brightly as a diamond. His voice was loud and clear, almost booming.

    "Lauren Beckett." Jonah then looked

    at Lauren, whose cheeks were pink and glowing. "Do you ept Landon Harper t be yourwfully-wedded husband, for better for worse, in good times and bad, to love and to cherish, and to stay loyal to him, as long as you both shall live?"

    Lauren''s heart pounded, and the muscles in her neck tensed up. She couldn''t speak.

    With tears in her eyes, she could only give an enthusiastic nod.

    Albeit silent, her response was exceptionally moving. It meant more than a thousand words.

    The newlyweds exchanged their rings and lit the unity candle together.

    Landon opened his arms wide and enveloped Lauren in a tight embrace. They shared a sweet kiss with God, their family, and friends as witnesses.

    "I love you, Lauren. Until my veryst breath," Landon repeated in her ear over and over.

    Their love for one another was mutually strong and passionate. As vast as the world might be, that which was meant to be would alwayse to be.

 Chapter 2091

    Landon organized a heartwarming and sumptuous dinner party at the fortress that evening.

    Lauren loved plushies, so cute stuffed toys were disyed around the fortress. Every table had a pair of teddy bears.

    One was a silly-looking brown bear in a ck suit, representing Landon. The other, representing Lauren, was a light pink bear in a white wedding dress leaning against the brown teddy.

    Due to Lauren''s health condition, she couldn''t consume overly greasy foods. Thus, most of the dishes served at the dinner reception were dishes catered to her pte. Every dish was made using top-grade ingredients that were flown in. They might be in, but everyone was satisfied with them.

    Lauren couldn''t consume alcohol either. Thus, there was not a single ss of alcohol at the tables that evening. Instead, the drinks were reced with various juices and teas.

    During the newlyweds'' toast, Landon prepared a ss of his handmade sweet tea for Lauren. After being in the hospital for an extended period, she hadn''t felt so free in so long. She had three cups of sweet tea at once, making her smile from ear to ear.

    When it was time for performances, Landon stood on stage with his arm around Lauren''s waist. They watched as Jasper, Ss, Cyrus, and Julien dedicated a song to them. The audience, too, watched with great anticipation.

    A melodic tune started.

    They presented a song they had practiced in advance-"Nothing''s Gonna Change My Love For You".

    Its title was self-exnatory.

    This was the song that Angelina had chosen for them. She had written in her diary that she wanted to dedicate this song to Landon and Lauren during their wedding.

    This wish had now be her final wish.

    Nheless, Landon believed that Angelina, even from the heavens, was surely able to witness all that he had done. He was confident that she would be sending them her blessings.

    Alyssa had her eyes fixed on Jasper. She watched him with a deeply affectionate gaze as she listened to the touching love song. She became teary-eyed.

    "Lyse, didn''t you tell me that Jasper couldn''t sing?"

    With a twinkle in her eye, Rose nudged Alyssa with her elbow, interrupting her blissful moment. "His singing is pretty good. At least he''s singing in tune." "Although he''s been acting confident and nonchnt in front of me, he''s actually been waking up an hour earlier every morning to learn this song." Alyssa cupped her cheeks in her hands. She stared at Jasper longingly. "I''m very well aware of what time he gets out of bed every day.

    "He''s the type of person who ims that he doesn''t study but gets perfect exam scores every time. But, in actual fact, he''s been keeping his head down day and night." Rose clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Woah... There were people like this in my ss back in school. I hated them. That''s too pretentious of him," she teased.

    "That''s a little sneaky of Jasper, Lyse," Tatiana couldn''t help but chime in too.

    Alyssa put her hands on her hips grumpily. "Don''t criticize Jasper. I''m very protective of him!

    "Plus, so what if Jasper put in a little more effort? He''s not like some people who don''t put their heart into it and end up sounding like a screeching mouse singing out of tune half the time." "Hey, hey, hey! Ss might not be talented in singing, but that''s just too nasty of you to say that!"

    Rose got

    annoyed and started

    pinching the ticklish areas of Alyssa''s body. She started cackling and retreating. "Look at you! I didn''t say that I was talking about Ss. Why are you jumping to

    conclusions?

    "You haven''t even married into our family, but it seems like your heart is already on his side?" Alyssaughed.

    Tatiana stood by the side and watched Rose and Alyssa messing around with one another, feeling amused.

    All of a sudden, Tatiana turned pale. She covered her mouth and zoomed out of the banquet hall.

    At this moment, Sean was performing his duty as a secretary and entertaining guests at their seats. He didn''t realize that Tatiana had run out of the hall.

    "What''s wrong with Taty?" With a surprised look in her eyes, Alyssa looked in the direction where Tatiana had run off to.

    "You know I''ve been spending time with Taty these past few days while we prepare for Lauren''s wedding, right?"

    A concerned look came across

    Rose''s face. She has been lookingN?velDrama.Org owns this.

    rather pate these few days. She

    doesn''t seem to have much appetite either ''m not sure if she''s unwell or

    if she''s just having difficultyve

    adapting to a foreign ce.

    "Really? I''d better go and check on her!" Alyssa was concerned for Tatiana. She got up immediately and left her seat.

    At the same time, the happy

    newlyweds were on stage with joyful smiles on their faces, watching their loved ones dedicate a song to them with ath their hearts. Landon couldn''t refrain from putting his arms around Lauren.

    He held her shoulders firmly as he kissed her forehead, cheeks, and the corners of her lips.

    He couldn''t shower her with enough kisses and love over this lifetime.

 Chapter 2092

    All of a sudden, a glimmer shed across Lauren''s clear eyes. She stared straight at the audience. Hershes fluttered, and her pink lips started quivering.

    Her eyes turned red. They glistened as she welled up with tears.

    "Darling. Darling? Are you okay?" Landon started panicking when he noticed that Lauren was crying.

    "A-An-Angie..." Lauren stuttered.

    Her lips trembled, and her voice was extremely raspy, as if she had been parched for a long time.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    Though her voice barely rose above a murmur, Landon caught every word. He heard her loud and clear!

    "Lauren! You... You can speak?"

    Landon was so agitated that tears filled his eyes. He lost it. "Lauren! You really can speak?"

    "Lan-don..."

    Lauren lifted a finger and pointed to the spot below the stage nearest to them. She had a wide smile on her face, yet tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I... see... Angie..." Landon looked in the direction that Lauren was pointing at.

    There was no one there.

    Without Angelina, he wouldn''t have anything. So, he put on a pleased smile on his face, as if he were greeting an old-time friend who had traveled far and wide to attend their wedding. "You''re right. Angie is back."

    He whispered into her ear, "I see her too. She''s smiling at us."

    After asking a few helpers, Alyssa finally found Tatiana in the washroom at the end of the corridor. She was leaning over a sink and throwing up. The expression on her face showed that she was having a really difficult time.

    "Taty! You..."

    Alyssa stood behind Tatiana. She noticed her pale face and the tears in the corners of her eyes.

    Suddenly, she widened her eyes. She grabbed Tatiana''s icy hands and eximed, "Taty! It can''t be, can it? Are you..."

    "Lyse..." Tatiana''s petite frame started trembling. She welled up with tears.

    Atst, she couldn''t hold herself back and started crying before Alyssa. "I''m pregnant... I''m pregnant with Sean''s child..."

    Alyssa gasped and covered her mouth in shock. She was moved beyond tears.

    Their family could finally expect the birth of a new generation!

    Winston and L would be great-grandparents, while she and Jasper would soon be an aunt and uncle!

    Alyssa wiped the tears off Tatiana''s

    cheeks. Overjoyed, she pulled her in

    for

    ran embrace. In a shaky voi

    she

    asked, "Since when?" ent

    "I don''t know... I haven''t been to a hospital for a checkup..."

    Tatiana''s

    crying. She sniffled pitifully. "Sean

    ones were swollen from

    and

    But

    early this month,

    have always used pro...

    "Did you both stop using protection?"

    Alyssa became a little upset. "Sean loves you very much and only wants to marry you. But, at the end of the day, you are both not yet married He has not officially proposed. It''s really too much of him to only care about his own pleasure and not think about you!"

    "No, no! That''s not it!"

    In an instant, Tatiana''s cheeks flushed even redder. She rified, "Sean... He uses it.

    "It was just that time... After seeing him off to work, I returned to tidy up the room. I found... I found..." "What did you find?" Alyssa''s curiosity was killing her.

    Tatiana shut her eyes and lowered her head shyly. "The rubber he used the previous night... had ripped."

 Chapter 2093

    Alyssa put her palm to her forehead. She was speechless.

    Sean, that brat... How hard did he go? He did it on purpose, didn''t he?

    "Taty, how did you find out, then?"

    "After that time, I haven''t been feeling very well. I''ve been feeling sluggish... I thought I was tired because of insufficient rest, so I didn''t think too much about it.

    "It wasn''t until recently, when I started feeling nauseous, that I felt that something was wrong. I went out secretly the night beforest to buy a pregnancy test kit. I tested yesterday morning and..." Even though this was good news, Alyssa''s hair stood on end as she listened to Tatiana. She even felt really guilty.

    She had been focusing on looking after Lauren and helping her out all she could. Sean, as her subordinate, was also in the thick of things. They all failed to care for Tatiana, who looked pale but was still trying to keep her spirits up.

    Tatiana was pregnant at such a young age. She felt stressed both physically and mentally. She was not prepared to be a mother at all.

    Alyssa''s heart ached at just the thought of her precious sister living in anxiety and fear each day.

    "Taty... I''m sorry. I should have realized. I didn''t pay enough attention to you. It was my fault!"

    Alyssa wrapped Tatiana in an embrace. Her heart raced. "You said that you just found out yesterday. So, does that mean that Sean and L don''t know about it yet?"

    "Lyse... I''m scared..."

    Tatiana''s shoulders trembled as she cried silently. "Sean hasn''t proposed or married me, and I''m already pregnant with his child. I''m afraid that Mom and Dad will be upset. I''m afraid that they''d make things difficult for Sean."C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

    "Oh, silly! You''re letting your thoughts run wild! You''re pregnant with Winston''s first grandchild. He would be jumping with joy. Why would he be mad?

    "He has been unwell. If he finds out about this piece of news, who knows? Being in a good mood might actually be helpful toward his condition!" "R-Really?" Tatiana sniffled.

    "Yeah."

    With tears in her eyes, Alyssa caressed Tatiana''s belly with her trembling hands. She said, "This is great. Our beloved Taty is going to be a mom.

    "You and baby have to take good care of yourselves. Your baby has to be born into this world safe and sound."

    In her mind, a vivid image

    flickered-Tatiana and Sean, their faces alight with joy as they cradled a child, a living testament to their love. It would be a family, a dream built from the pieces of her own unspoken longing.

    Perhaps, Alyssa thought, witnessing their happiness would bring a semnce of peace, a way to assuage the regret that would forever be her burden.

    Axel avoided the hustle and bustle and came to a quiet balcony alone. He had a dull expression on his face as he puffed on his cigarette.

    He had always been a lone ranger. He couldn''t rte to the joys and sorrows of socializing with other people.

    But tonight, he was incredibly touched to see the newlyweds on the receiving end of their families'' and friends'' blessings. He couldn''t help but think about Amber.

    His face was grim as he leaned

    against the railing and exhaled puffs

    of smoke. He leaned farther and farther back, inch by inch, out of the balcony. He looked as if he would fall over if he weren''t carefuldt was a reckless and heart-stopping sight.

    Axel took out his phone. He gulped, but his mouth still felt dry.

    Atst, he couldn''t refrain himself and dialed Amber''s number.

    He was well aware that she was being confined and watched at all times. Thus, he never dared to reach out to her ever since they parted at the scene of the fire.

    Axel, who was usually fearless, was actually afraid of contacting the woman he loved.

    The feeling was as if his heart was being roasted in a pit. The pain he suffered was unbearable. Every single second was torture to him.

    As a secret agent, he always acted

    ????

    carefully. So, his caller ID was encrypted whenever he made outgoing calls. Even if Amber''s cell might be monitored, they would not be able to identify him.

 Chapter 2094

    Nheless, Axel was the one who thought too much into it.

    Amber''s phone was switched off.

    His glimmer of hope died down once again. He left the balcony dejectedly.

    He had only taken a few steps when he saw...

    At the other end of the corridor, Yuliana was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. She had a bottle of wine in her hand and waspletely wasted.

    The expensive dress she was wearing had stains of red wine on it. Her hair was in a mess, and strands of hair were stuck on her cheeks. She was like a drunkard slumped on the ground. At the same time, there was a tall man with broad shoulders standing in front of her. Axel was surprised to see that that man was Liam.

    Axel toyed with an unlit cigarette between his lips. He cocked his head and observed them curiously.

    Yuliana was kicking her legs around like a child throwing a tantrum. Even so, Liam showed no sign of being annoyed. He simply watched her quietly with a tender, loving smile on his face. In the end, Yuliana stopped making a fuss. Just as her body was about to slump over, Liam lowered himself and picked her up.

    Then, he shouldered a door open and carried her in.

    After some time, Liam left the bedroom reluctantly and closed the door.

    "Hey, Liam," Axel called out in a neutral tone from the dark.

    Liam lifted his eyes in shock. His gaze met with Axel''s glistening eyes.

    "When did you get here, Axel?" Liam''s heart pounded.

    "When you first came in." Axel stared straight at Liam with an infinitely deep gaze. "You were in there for so long, Liam. Did you go all the way with the princess?"

    Liam held his breath. The dim lighting in the corridor concealed the blush on his cheeks perfectly. "All I did was help to wipe down her mouth and put her to bed. I didn''t touch her."

    "As expected, you are a gentleman,

    Liam. You are such a saint. If I were you, I''m not sure if I could have held myself back in the face of such temptation." Axel puffed out a cloud of smoke. The lit end of his cigarette turned bright red before it dimmed.

    Liam curled his hands into fists in the dark. "She''s still a young woman. Plus, she''s a royal princess. I cannot touch her."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "But I''d rather you did it with her tonight."

    Liam''s heart wrenched. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "What are you talking about, Axel?"

    "If you didn''t, it just proves that you have developed feelings for this princess."

    Axel flicked his cigarette lightly. With

    a sharp gaze, he continued, "You can be with any woman you want, Liam. Any woman but her. Dad isn''t the only one against your rtionship

    with her. I''m against it too.

    Liam felt suffocated. He studied the frigid expression on Axel''s face with a conflicted gaze.

    "All these years of working out there,

    I''ve always traveled between our homnd and Kontina to carry out secret assignments for the Kontinian government and royal family. I have never given upon investigating Mom''s back story.

    "All of you might think that ignorance is bliss, but I don''t want to live that way. I want to get a clear understanding of it all. So, I have been looking into clues about Mom these three years." Upon hearing that, Liam''s chest tightened. "Did you find something, Axel?"

    "I still can''t be entirely sure for now. Moreover, this is a top secret. This is the fundamental professional ethic I must uphold as a special agent."

    Axel got up from the couch and stood to his feet slowly. With steady steps, he walked before Liam with a grim look on his face. "But there is one thing that I can tell you.

    "The Kontinian royal family was the culprit behind Mom''s exile. There is a lot of bad blood between Mom and the royal family. You can''t be marrying someone from our enemy''s side, can you?"

 Chapter 2095

    The atmosphere was heavy and tense.

    The theory Liam had formed through Winston was now confirmed by Axel.

    Massive waves of emotions surged within him.

    He felt like someone had pulled the rug from under him. Every ounce of energy drained from his otherwise unrelenting body, and he slumped forward.

    "Liam, Dad has been able to force himself to hold on because of Jonah and Julien, as well as Lyse and Jasper''s efforts. It wasn''t easy for them to journey with Dad and get through all that. He won''t be able to take another blow or suffer again.

    "If you''re unable to end it properly with that princess of yours, your rtionship with her will surely be a threat to our family in the future."

    Axel narrowed his eyes. The look on his face was cold. "If you can''t bring yourself to do it, I can do it on your behalf. I''m not afraid of embarrassing myself, and I''m not afraid of being mean either." "No. I don''t need your help."

    Liam lowered his eyes and tried to hide away his pain. In a husky voice, he continued, "I''ve exined it clearly to her. I''ve also told her that we will have a clean break. I will not have anything to do with her life moving forward.

    "I carried her back tonight solely because I didn''t want her to pass out drunk in the corridor. She''s a woman after all. That''s all there is to it."

    Axel noticed the dimmed look in Liam''s eyes. He stepped forward and gave him a firm pat on his shoulder. He sighed helplessly, "Let''s go, Liam. Lyse must be wondering where we are." Liam and Axel left the room.

    The moment the door shut behind them, a creak came from the bedroom door, which was being pushed open slowly.

    Yuliana''s frail and lonely figure appeared. Her face had gone pale, and she looked as fragile as ever.

    "How could this be..." She shook her head in disbelief as a sharp pain spread throughout her body.

    In fact, she had been pretending to be drunk the whole time. She did so in order to test how Liam felt about her.

    Much to her surprise, their royal family had something to do with the misfortune that befell Liam''s mother. They had be star-crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet.

    Yuliana held onto the door frame for support. She sank down to the ground slowly, with tears streaming down her face.

    There was another joyful news tonight¡ªLauren finally spoke again.

    Her speech was like that of a child learning to speak. She couldn''t utter long sentences, and her speech ability was still in recovery. Even so, this was a miracle in itself.

    Newton held Lauren in his arms and cried tears of joy. Alyssa, Jasper, and the others were moved to tears too.

    As for the good news about Tatiana''s pregnancy, Alyssa didn''t disclose it to the rest. Instead, she decided to wait until everyone went out to see the aurora before first informing L and Sean. Then, she would go with L to have a proper chat with Winston.

    At the very least, they could help Winston prepare himself mentally to be a grandfather.

    She wanted to avoid a situation whereby he''d get so emotional from a sudden announcement that he''d end up passing out.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Jasper stood in front of a dressing mirror. He put on the suit that Alyssa had made for him personally back when she was Alice White.

    The dark gray material made him look sleek. The outfit suited his bearing of nobility and stability.

    "Is the mended part of the suit noticeable, Xavier?" Jasper observed his smart-looking reflection in the mirror and couldn''t help but feel uneasy.

    Xavier widened his eyes. He walked

    around Jasper a few times to

    examine him. He rubbed his chin

    and said, "Hm... It can still be seen if someonees up close to you. But it''s not obvious at a normal social distance. It looks perfect as it is!"

    "Perfect?"

    Jasper felt suffocated by the pain within him. "It''s no longer perfect. Even if I had the most talented seamstress mend it, the mark is still there. It can never be the same. "It was all my bad. I ruined Lyse''s hard work."

    "Don''t say that, Mr. Beckett! The one who''d ruined madam''s hard work was none other than..." Xavier paused.

    It was such a joyous day. He didn''t want to mention that revolting person''s name, which would ruin the mood.

    Jasper reached into his chest pocket and retrieved an exquisite-looking box. He opened it.

    In it was a ten-carat, teardrop-shaped pink diamond. Its base was decorated with tiny white diamonds. The gems twinkled as brightly as the stars and moon in the sky.

    A size and top-grade cut like this were unrivaled.

    Not only that, Jasper had poured all of his heart into this piece of jewelry. He was involved in everything from seeking out and selecting the unpolished gemstones to designing and crafting them.

    He had done all these without Alyssa''s knowledge. Despite her smarts, she didn''t catch on at all. This showed how well Jasper had kept this under wraps.

    "Will Lyse... say yes?" Jasper felt an electrifying buzz through his heart. His breathing became heavier.

    "Of course she will!"

    Xavier welled up with tears when he noticed how anxious and innocent Jasper looked. "Madam is deeply in love with you... Perhaps she has always been waiting for you to ask." He knew that Alyssa loved him.

    No matter how well-aware one might be, self-doubt would oftene into y at crucial moments. Jasper no longer felt confident.

    "Don''t worry, and just go for it, Mr. Beckett. I''ve gotten everything prepared for you!"

    Xavier smiled warmly as he

    comforted him confidently. "I''ve

    verified that now is the best time to view the aurora at Bernardia. Even if the weather isn''t on our side today, we can put up a man-made disy. Whatever it is, I''ll make sure that you don''t drop the ball.

    "You just have to put aside all your worries and walk to madam''s side boldly!"

    "Thank you, Xavier." Jasper straightened his back and smiled slightly.

    Right at that moment, his phone rang. He answered Jonah''s call immediately.

    "Hey, Jasper," Jonah''s deep voice trembled slightly in the wind.

    "What''s up, Jonah?"

    After a moment, Jonah took a deep breath. He enunciated every word, "I''m going to propose to Julien tonight." Jasper''s eyes lit up.

    "I want to lock it down and make him mine. I''m not going to let him go anymore."

 Chapter 2096

    Jasper''s chest tightened as he listened silently.

    "If he says ''yes'' tonight, we will register our marriage first thing tomorrow morning."

    Jonah was always the calm and restrained type of person. At this moment, however, there was a sense of happiness in his voice. A slight tremble apanied his every word, as if he was forcing himself to hold his excitement back.

    "Same-sex marriage is legal in Bernardia. There can be no better opportunity than this."

    "Congrattions, Jonah," Jasper said in a low voice, which carried a hint of envy.

    "I have been keeping this thought to myself for a really long time. I didn''t know who to tell. It didn''t feel right to tell Lyse either."

    Jonah chuckled awkwardly. "After thinking about it, I figured you are the only one I can tell."

    "It is my privilege to be the first to find out about your good news."

    Jasper smiled. He gave them his blessings from the bottom of his heart. "I give my sincerest blessings to the both of you. You and Julien must be happy together, Jonah." "Thank you. We will. The same goes for you and Lyse." In a warm voice, Jonah urged, "Even Landon has settled down. When are you going to marry Lyse, Jasper?"

    Jasper hid the jewelry box in his chest pocket. With feelings of anxiousness, he walked toward Winston''s room.

    "That''s great... Taty... That''s great!"

    Jasper stopped in his tracks. He dashed to hide behind a potted nt.

    Through the window, the bright moonlight shone on a pair of lovers embracing one another, highlighting the beautiful and meaningful moment that they shared.

    Sean had his arms around Tatiana''s waist. He nted kisses all over her face, from her forehead to her cheeks and her lips. He was extremely gentle with her, as if all he wanted was to make her his. Tatiana was madly in love with him in the first ce. She couldn''t hold up against him being all over her like that. Soon enough, she melted into his arms, moaning softly.

    "Sean..." Her eyes were reddened. The look in her moistened eyes was heart-fluttering.

    "I''m going to be a dad, Taty... I''m going to be a dad!"

    In his excitement, Sean pulled Tatiana in for a tight hug. With a tremor in his voice, he added, "Don''t be afraid, Taty. I will protect you and our child. I will do all I can to give you both a happy life! "It''s toote now, but I will speak with Winston first thing tomorrow morning. I''ll ask for your hand in marriage officially!"

    "There''s no rush."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Tatiana lifted her face toward him. Her face was slightly pale. "Mom and Lyse are talking to Dad about this in the room. They will first give him the heads-up and calm him down, to avoid him getting overly emotional and affecting his health."

    "It''s okay even if Winston disapproves. I will marry you no matter what."

    Sean''s heart pounded. He welled up with tears. "If I don''t, my life... will be meaningless."

    "After all we''ve been through, Dad understands how you feel about me. I don''t think that he will grumble about you cutting ties with your family or your family members noting over in person to discuss our marriage."

    Tatiana pursed her lips slightly. She caressed her belly with a look of worry in her eyes. "It''s just... we''re not married yet, and I''m not prepared to be a mother.

    "I''m afraid that I won''t be able to handle things well. I''m worried about not being able to care for you and our child in the end."

    "Don''t be afraid. I can do it."

    Sean thought about how he had been so upiedtely that he hadn''t even prepared for a proposal. His heart filled with regret, and his voice became hoarse. "I''ll care for both you and our child." "How would you? You''re a busy-"

    "No worries at all. I am a capable man!"

    The expression on Sean''s face was sincere. He did not look like he was merely cajoling her. "If you don''t want to breastfeed the baby, we can go for form next time. Whether it''s changing diapers, preparing the baby''s milk, or putting the baby to sleep... leave them all to me. You don''t have to worry about those at

    all!

    "Then, we can hire a nanny when the baby is older. The nanny will watch over the baby, and you can watch over the nanny. It''ll save you so much worry." "How can I do that?" Tatiana shook her head.

    "My mom said that giving birth to a child is like going through hell. After bing a mother, a woman will lose themselvespletely."

    Sean caressed her hair lovingly. "It will be an arduous journey for you from the moment of conception until you give birth to this baby.

    "It makes me feel terrible to think that I can''t take the load off you. So, I will make it up to you manifold after the baby is born.

    "I know it''ll be tough on you this year, my love. But I will look after the both of you for the rest of my life."

    Sean''s deeply affectionate words finally relieved Tatiana of all her worries. Her eyes glistened brightly with her anticipation of a blissful life in the future. Jasper smiled, feeling d. He didn''t interrupt them but simply left quietly.

    Just as he got to Winston''s door, L happened to being out of the room. She looked at him in surprise. "Jasper? What brings you here?"

    "Is Lyse in there, Madam L?" Jasper asked in a low voice.

    "She is. She''s talking with her father. Are you looking for her?"

    "No, I was just asking. I... also just wanted to see Winston at the same time." After going through so much, Jasper''s voice still trembled out of nervousness. "Go ahead, then. Otherwise, Winston will be going to bed soon."

    L kept having the feeling that something about Jasper was different tonight. She took a closer look, and she smiled. "Oh! This is an exquisite piece of clothing. It''s been a long time since I''ve seen such amazing handiwork."

    "Lyse made this for me. It''s my favorite suit," Jasper dered proudly with his head held high.

    "Oh, no wonder. Lyse''s craftsmanship is one of a kind."

    L sighed softly. In a tender voice,

    she said, "I''ve made clothes for Winston before. It''s quite straining on the eyes and draining at the

    same

    n¨§t

    e time. Lyse hasn''t even made any for her brothers. I can see how much she loves you. She really put her effort into it."

    "Yeah..." Jasper choked on his tears.

    L left the door slightly ajar. Jasper pushed the door open slowly and entered. He could hear the muffled chattering from Winston and Alyssa in the room.

    He followed their voices and walked over. Just as he was about to knock on the bedroom door, he heard Winston speaking in a tender voice.

    "Lauren is married. Taty is now pregnant with Sean''s child and they''d be getting married soon. How about you, Lyse? When do you n to get married to Jasper?" Jasper''s heart raced. He held his breath and listened intently.

    After a moment of silence, Alyssa spoke up in a gentle yet firm voice, "Dad, I''m not looking to get married for now."

 Chapter 2097

    Jasper''s heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drum solo threatening to burst through his chest. He clenched his hand into a fist against the door.

    "Why not?" Winston was perplexed. "Jasper treats you the best. The rtionship between both of you has already stabilized, and you''ve lived together for so long. Why don''t you just register your marriage? That way, things will get a lot easier once your rtionship is legally recognized."

    Alyssa pressed her lips together lightly. "A marriage certificate makes no difference for Jasper and I."

    "How is there no difference? If you ask me, the most realistic way to express one''s love is to give their lover a status that no one else can rece!"

    Winston''s gaze was fiery, and he started getting a little emotional. "The only person I have married legally was your mother. She is the only one who has a special ce in my heart. She was the only wife I had legally. Although it has been many years since she passed, her ce in my heart has never changed. She is still my wife!

    "Right now, people out there will only address you as Ms. Taylor or refer to you as Mr. Beckett''s girlfriend. I know that you''re very much in love with Jasper. So, don''t you want to be known as Mrs. Beckett officially? Isn''t that what you have been pursuing so hard for?"

    Alyssa lowered her eyes and remained silent.

    "My dear, is it... because you''re still bothered by the fact that you were once divorced from him? Is that still a thorn in your side?" Winston asked in a concerned voice.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Jasper felt his heart wrenching in his chest. He wasn''t sure if Alyssa had gotten over the past hurt, but he knew that he hadn''t.

    He was insecure, depressed, regretful, and remorseful. He had once hurt the woman he loved the most. He could never forgive himself for that.

    It was something that had cut him to the bone.

    Naturally, he would never dare to console himself by assuming that Alyssa had forgotten about it. Even though she appeared like she didn''t care and didn''t mention it, it didn''t mean that she had forgotten. "No, Dad. I''ve let go of it a long time ago. Plus, you know me. I''m the type who doesn''t care how much physical pain I go through, but I will not allow myself to feel miserable. So, please don''t overthink it. "The main reason I''m not thinking about getting married yet is because there''s one major issue that still bothers me... And that''s Jameson."

    A look of frigidity came across her eyes. "I won''t be in the mood for anything as long as he is still a problem. I can''t eat or sleep with a peace of mind.

    "Moreover, I know that he isn''t taking any action right now because there hasn''t been any development in my rtionship with Jasper. However, I know him very well. Jasper and I getting married will be the straw that breaks the camel''s back.

    "Just wait and see. When that timees, he will definitely strike Beckett Group and KS Group one after another. He will not show mercy to my friends and family just because he ims that he likes me. "Jameson is like a viper lying in wait in the dark. Once the timing is right, or once he is provoked, he will pounce and deliver a fatal blow on his prey.

    "Landon and Lauren have just been through so much suffering before they finally ended up together. I don''t want anyone from either side of our families or people around us to be hurt again for now." Upon hearing all these from the other side of the door, Jasper was an emotional roller coaster. Once again, he fell in awe of his lover. He was far from her level of broad-mindedness, intelligence, and far- sightedness.

    With his intense love for her, all he thought of was to take the next step in their rtionship. He only thought of giving her a status and making things up to her.

    But he had never considered the possibility of Jameson pouncing and tearing them apart mercilessly if he created such a stir at a time like this.

    Even if they kept their marriage a secret, there was no doubt that Jameson would have his way of finding things out.

    Furthermore, he wanted to have a grand wedding this time. He wanted it to be a loud deration that he was marrying Alyssa.

    Getting married in secret was miserable and disrespectful. He did not want her to suffer through that.

    "Lyse... I never thought that you''d put so much consideration and deep thought into this. I''m really getting on with age. You''ve be more far-sighted than me."

    Winston let out a long sigh. "Since this is the case, just go ahead and make your long-term ns with Jasper. Though, it seems like he''spletely in your control. He won''t be able to run away even if you never ever register your marriage."

    Alyssa giggled. "He wouldn''t dare."

    She sat by Winston''s feet as she gently massaged his legs. "If he runs away, I''ll capture him back and break his legs!"

    Winston remarked, "Why does this sound like what I used to always say to Axel?"

    "What''s the difference? Men need to be disciplined. Otherwise, they''ll misbehave."

    The father and daughter duo burst outughing.

    Jasperughed along silently. He retreated out of the room without making a sound, giving Winston and Alyssa space to continue their conversation. Without a doubt, he understood where Alyssa wasing from. Even so, he felt a sense of disappointment in his heart.

    He really, really wanted to marry her.

    He loved her very much.

    Alyssa fell into a moment of silence after Jasper left. Suddenly, she asked softly, "Can I ask you a question, Dad?"

    "Of course." Winston narrowed his eyesfortably. "When were our father-daughter chats ever so formal? What is it?"

    "Dad, do you love Mom?" Alyssa asked in a serious voice.

    "I do. Very much. I love her the most," Winston answered in an even more serious tone.

    "If you love Mom so much, why

    couldn''t you let her be the only

    woman in your life?" she inquired. At

    the same time, she looked intently at

    Winston with a face filled with

    curiosity.

    At that moment, Winston felt suffocated. His muscles tensed up. The veins on the back of his hand, which he was resting on the armrest of his rocking chair, started to pop.

    "Of course, Mandy, L, and Colene are all great people. I have no qualms about the way they treated Mom, myself, and the rest of us siblings.

    "But I''m just feeling greedy. Out of selfishness, I wish Mom didn''t have to share her husband with other women. I wish that she didn''t have to share the love, which was meant for her alone, with others."

    Upon saying that, Alyssa welled up with tears.

    She felt sad, and her heart felt heavy on Jennifer''s behalf.

 Chapter 2098

    "I''m sorry, Lyse." Winston shut his eyes, which were now welled up with tears. "I can''t tell you the reason. But please trust me on one thing-what your mother and I had was eternal. She''s the only one I love, even till today."

    "Dad..."

    "Truth be told, during those days when I was really ill, there was one thing I thought about every day. I thought about giving up on treatment and just letting it all go. That way, I would be able to be reunited with your mother in heaven sooner."

    Alyssa rested her head on Winston''s knees and let out a long sigh.

    The ambiguity of Winston''s response made her feel even more troubled.

    It gave her an even stronger desire to pursue the truth about Jennifer''s life story.

    Xavier was startled to see Jasper returning to his room. "That was a quick proposal, Mr. Beckett! Did madam say ''yes''?"

    Jasper shook his head dejectedly. "I didn''t propose."

    "What? Why not? This is such a great opportunity!"

    "I''ll wait for another chance in the future."

    Jasper wasn''t keen to go into too much detail. He simply came up with an excuse and said, "I have to be ready with my own preparations in order to propose. Using Landon and Lauren''s wedding as a stepping stone doesn''t seem like a good idea. It also appears insincere."

    Xavier pondered for a moment. Then, he sighed, "I suppose so."

    Jasper looked at his reflection in the full-length mirror. He was reminded of L''spliments on his suit and cheered up. A blissful smile spread across his face.

    "We have plenty of time. She''s the only one for me in this life. She''s not going anywhere no matter what."

    The night before, Jonah told Julien that he wanted him toe along to a wine-tasting gathering held locally the following day. It would be participated by people in the upper-ss societies and they would be able to taste quality wines that would not be avable elsewhere.

    Julien was a wine lover. He went to bed early happily once he heard that he would be able to taste wines the next day.

    The next morning, he was woken up by the sound of an rm. However, Jonah was not by his side.

    "Jonah? Jonah?" Julien rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

    It was a WhatsApp message from Jonah. "Dad called me over to see

    him. I''ve packed everything w

    Breakfast is in the living hall. made it myself."

    Julien pressed his lips together. With a sweet smile on his face, he replied, "Is there anything I can help Dad with?"

    "No worries. He''s doing well. By the

    way, the dress code for the

    gathering is formal. I''ve prepared an outfit for you to wear to the

    gathering. It''s in the living roo Enjoy your breakfast and change into that outfit. I''ll pick you up shortly."

    Julien narrowed his eyes. He sent a kissy face emoji in reply before getting out of bed and going to the living room.

    There was a scrumptious spread of breakfast on the table. But Julien was more surprised by the outfit that Jonah had prepared for him.

    It was a pure white formal suit. Even its bow tie,pel pin, and leather shoes were carefully chosen to match his outfit.

    That was simply too attentive of Jonah, he thought.

    To avoid dirtying his outfit, Julien first had breakfast after washing up. After that, he changed into the outfit piece by piece.

    He looked at his striking reflection in the mirror. For some reason, he had this feeling of wonder.

    This outfit didn''t seem like an outfit for attending an event. Instead, it looked more suited for a groom.

    Right at this moment, he received a text from Jonah. "Are you ready, Julien? I''m up front."

    Not seeing Jonah in the morning made Julien miss him all the more. He rushed out of the door in anticipation.

    Jonah was standing tall outside the door. He looked into his eyes with a gentle smile on his face.

    He wasn''t in any formal wear.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Instead, he had a thick, ck woo

    coat on. His outfit ent go t

    his

    stable and tall frame, giving off an

    air of self-restraint.

    Nevertheless, only Julien knew. He was the only one who knew how passionate and fiery the reserved and self-restrained Jonah could be. "What''s this?" Julien pouted. He walked over and held Jonah''s hand. "I''m the only one dressed like this? It looks odd."

    "It''s not. I like it."

    Jonah gazed at him deeply. He couldn''t take his eyes off of him. He bent his arm, inviting Julien to link arms with him. "Let''s go, my Foxy." Julien smiled. He linked arms with Jonah, and they departed together.

 Chapter 2099

    The cloudless sky was a brilliant blue.

    After a long drive, the luxury car came to a stop outside a private manor.

    "We''re here," Jonah announced.

    Jonah''s broad frame dwarfed Julien''s as he reached across to unbuckle Julien''s seatbelt.

    All he felt was that the atmosphere around him was warm. It felt even warmer than sunshine.

    "Why isn''t there anyone around? We''re not in the wrong ce, are we?" Julien blinked, a flicker of unease crossing his features.

    Julien was intelligent, but around his lover, his mind seemed to cloud over. Jonah easily manipted him, taking advantage of Julien''s lovestruck state. "We''re not. Maybe we''re just early. Let''s go."

    Jonah exited the car first, then circled around to open the door for Julien. This grand gesture left Julien speechless. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why are you acting so attentive, Mr. Taylor? People aren''t usually this nice without an ulterior motive."

    Jonah took Julien''s hand and helped him out. He then gave Julien a tug, and their tall forms pressed together as if trying to be one.

    "Do you find it so hard to trust me?" Jonah''s warm breath tickled Julien''s ear. "I guess calling you ''Foxy'' is apt. Your head is full of tangled thoughts."

    Julien couldn''t stand it; he flushed, his fair skin turning crimson. He mumbled into Jonah''s chest, "It''s not that... I''ve just been yed by so many people in the past. It''s wonderful to have someone treat me so well. But sometimes... it also feels a little surreal."

    Jonah''s grip tightened around Julien''s waist.

    The truth was, before getting together with Julien, Jonah had sent people to Mosgravia to investigate Julien''s background. However, it wasn''t out of suspicion or apprehension but a desire to understand him better.

    Then, to his surprise, this seemingly flirtatious man was the one who was always hurt in rtionships. He was either cheated out of money, tricked into intimacy, or betrayed.

    Julien yearned for true love. Despite

    repeated heartbreak, he kept

    opening his heart, each time giving his all. Yet, wanting to appear strong and dignified, he masked his vulnerability with a fa?ade of disinterest. As time passed, he

    became a yer.

    Deep down, Jonah kept asking himself. Was he really drawn in by his face, which looked so much like that person''s? Was this what captivated him?

    No, it wasn''t. What truly touched him was Julien''s unrelenting perseverance and his desire to love passionately.

    Julien wasn''t afraid that Jonah''s heart was a barrennd. He was confident that he could have him open up to him and him only.

    "You''re too good to me, Jonah."

    Julien lifted his striking face. A cautious look shed across his eyes as if he were afraid of losing him. "Can you refrain yourself a little? You''re going to spoil me." "I can obey your everymand."

    Tenderness filled Jonah''s eyes. His breathing was low. He continued, "Except this. I can''t do that."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    Other than his ears, Julien''s face turned red too. He couldn''t help but press his lips against his. He bit his lip gently and they shared a kiss. Their Adam''s apples bobbed.

    "Alright, it''s about time. Let''s continue when we get back."

    Jonah took Julien by the hand and strode into the manor.

    They walked through the massive, ssic manor. Then, two attendants in tailcoats pushed open a quaint, heavy, oversized door for them.

    Bright white light streamed into

    Julien''s eyes. His heart skipped a

    beat. Blood rushed through his veins. Excitement surged through him. He found himself unable to calm down.

    Before him stretched a seemingly endless sea of white roses, the petals cascading like waves.

    He covered his mouth. He was absolutely bbergasted. In his awe, he didn''t realize Jonah was no longer by his side.

    He stepped into the sea of flowers, his heart pounding in his chest.

 Chapter 2100

    "Julien."

    A familiar voice gently called out his name, prompting Julien to turn around. His eyes were red.

    Just a few steps away, Jonah stood in a smart, ck formal outfit that matched Julien''s. He had an outstanding air about him.

    Jonah had been wearing that outfit all along, concealed under his coat to keep it a surprise from Julien.

    In that moment, even Julien, often dense to subtleties, grasped what was happening. Overjoyed, he let out a shriek.

    Simultaneously, a bright streak shot up into the sky, blossoming into the words-Marry me!

    "Among a thousand roses, you are the only one in my heart."

    Jonah walked forward confidently, then knelt down, presenting a bouquet of the only bright red roses in the entire manor.

    "I love you, Julien. Will you marry me?"

    The passion within him made his voice husky and extremely sexy.

    Fireworks burst in the blue sky, adding the final touch to this romantic proposal.

    Julien''s eyes welled up. In the end, he cried before the love of his life. Tears streamed down his face as he responded, "Yes."

    He took the flowers with trembling hands. He couldn''t stop crying.

    "Yes" was all he could manage, but to Jonah, it was more than enough. Overwhelmed, Jonah pulled Julien into an embrace, tears in his own eyes.

    "I was right, wasn''t I? You deserve what everyone else has."

    Julien asked in a shaky voice, "Why are they all white roses?"

    "Landon used red roses for his wedding. I didn''t want you to think I got them from him out of convenience."

    Jonah pulled out the silk handkerchief from his chest pocket and gently wiped Julien''s tears.

    Julien burst outughing.

    "But most importantly, white roses remind me of you in your whiteb coat."

    Jonah kissed Julien''s reddened earlobe and whispered flirtatiously, "But you''re more lovable than any flower. I know that best."

    Jonah might look noble and

    respected when he was being serious. But when he flirted, he was

    utterly seductive. He didn''t b

    care for anything else! S

    a

    At that moment, both their phones started vibrating incessantly with WhatsApp messages and phone calls from their loved ones.

    "Are you picking up?" Julien asked softly.

    Jonah switched his phone off, smiling. "Nope.

    "I booked a presidential suite at a six-star hotel. We''re not staying at the fortress tonight."

    Julien blushed, realizing he wanted the same thing.

    After a sumptuous lunch, Jonah walked out of the manor with his arm around Julien''s waist, heading toward the car.

    Jonah nned to drive Julien

    around for a tour this afternoon. He

    had spent so many days just

    preparing for the proposal that he hadn''t explored the ce with him.

    Love often made one feel indebted to the other.

    Jonah first escorted Julien into the car. He was about to open the car door when he felt a chill down his spine. He spun around.

    No one was there, just bushes and trees.

    "What''s wrong, Jonah?" Julien leaned out of the window, looking concerned.

    "It''s nothing." Jonah smiled slightly and got into the car.

    The sports car''s engine roared to life, and they drove off.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Sometimeter, a figure strolled out of the forest, ring coldly in the direction where Jonah and Julien had gone. The person stomped on a white rose that had fallen to the ground.

 Chapter 2101

    News of Jonah and Julien secretly registering their marriage in Bernardia without their families'' knowledge spread like wildfire. Within a day, their entire family knew.

    Although everyone had epted Julien as Jonah''s partner, they were still shocked to hear about the marriage between the two men.

    The next evening, Jonah and Julien, hand in hand, went to see Winston and Mandy.

    Alyssa and the other Taylor family members hurried over, fearing the couple would get a dressing down.

    "This is a major event. Why didn''t the both of you inform Mandy and me?"

    As expected, Winston''s displeasure was evident in his stern expression.

    Julien, towering beside Jonah, shrank back, not daring to breathe. He clung tightly to Jonah''s hand, appearing entirely submissive.

    "Dad, Mandy, this was all my idea," Jonah said firmly, intertwining his fingers with Julien''s. His protectiveness was evident. "I nned everything behind Julien''s back. He had no clue about the proposal until the veryst moment."

    "me me if you need to me someone," he continued. "Don''t me Julien. But one thing remains unchanged."

    Jonah turned, gazing deeply into Julien''s blushing face. "Julien and I have registered our marriage. He is my husband-my only partner for the rest of my life."

    Afraid of further criticism from Winston, Alyssa tried to lighten the mood. "Congrattions, Jonah! Congrattions!" she eximed, pping loudly.N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    She nudged Jasper with her hip and winked as she pped, silently urging him to join in.

    Jasper, initially stunned, joined in.

    Winston pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn''t hide the gloominess on his face. "Is it because you don''t trust me, Jonah? Don''t you believe that I''ve already epted Julien wholeheartedly?"

    The room fell silent. Jonah and Julien were taken aback.

    "You kept it a secret and made yesterday such a big asion without even bringing Julien back. Doesn''t that suggest you think I''m still against your rtionship?" Winston''s voice grew more agitated, his eyes reddening.

    Jonah was at a loss for words. "Dad, I... That''s not what I meant..."

    "This is an important life event. Not just for you, but also for Julien!" Winston hit the couch''s armrest, his face reddening. "Yet, you just went on with it so sloppily? You didn''t even give him a proper wedding before signing the papers?

    "Don''t men deserve something decent too? I thought you were the most caring, understanding, and mature of all my sons, but you''re no better than Ss!"

    Shocked to be dragged into the argument, Ss ced a hand on his forehead. Winston still managed to scold him even while reprimanding Jonah!

    Jonah and Julien were floored while everyone else was speechless.

    Mandy smiled helplessly. She spoke up in a warm and kind voice, "You''ve misunderstood your father, Jonah. Deep down, he''s happy for both of you when he found out that you proposed to Julien and registered your marriage."

    Jonah''s chest tightened as he looked at Winston with regret.

    "He''s afraid that Julien didn''t get the treatment he deserves. It''s rare that everyone in the family is around. He''d hoped that we could all help you out. We didn''t think you''d decide everything on your own, hide everything even from your father,

    and go ahead without telling anyone.

    "I think Winston has a right to be mad at you. I''m angry too. You didn''t even say a peep before whisking away my nephew!" Mandy pretended to grumble when, in fact, she was feeling gleeful. "Dad, Aunt Mandy... I''m sorry," Julien choked. He lowered his head in embarrassment.

    Alyssa leaned on Jasper''s shoulder

    and watched them. She was moved to tears. Jonah had always been a man of few words, achieving great things quietly. His hard work and dedication were why KS Group thrived under his leadership before Alyssa pursued her career. He was a natural leader and the ideal heir,

    though it might not have been his true passion.

    The only time Jonah felt truly content was when he married Julien.

    Winston sighed. "Seeing as Julien called me ''Dad,'' I''ll forgive you. But you must keep me informed about your ns next time!"

 Chapter 2102

    "I''m sorry, Dad," Jonah furrowed his eyebrows and smiled awkwardly.

    "Jonah, Julien, when are you having your wedding?" Everyone grew excited upon hearing Ss'' question.

    The atmosphere became lively again.

    "I don''t need a wedding. Jonah has given me the perfect proposal."

    Julien''s eyes twinkled like the stars. He gazed deeply into Jonah''s eyes. "I feel very happy. This is all I need."

    Jonah Taylor and Julien Lovce, a match made in heaven.

    They were now married.

    ...

    Happy times always flew by.

    Landon and Lauren remained at the estate to begin their long honeymoon together. One by one, the others returned to Sna City and Belbanks.

    As for Yuliana, she was quick-witted. She bid everyone goodbye and followed Miley back to Kontina. She never even nced back at Liam as she left the estate.

    What she heard that night blew her mind. It made her feel like she was struck by lightning.

    When she thought about the possibility that their royal family had something to do with the misfortune that befell Jennifer, she no longer had the courage to face the man she loved. She left looking dejected, like a withered flower.

    Alyssa observed all these quietly. Then, she nced toward Liam, who left in low spirits. She felt terrible.

    Love was enchanting but also heartbreaking.

    Despite only spending a few short days together, Alyssa had acknowledged Yuliana as a sweet younger sister. She even considered going to Kontina with Jasper once the troubles in Sna City were resolved.

    With Miley and Jeremy''s help, she might be able to see Yuliana again. More importantly, she wanted to visit her mother''s homnd and try her best to find clues about her.

    ...Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Alyssa and Jasper rested for two days after returning to Sna City. Then, they threw themselves back into work, preparing for theing battle.

    Even while in Bernardia, they had people closely monitoring the situation back home. They hadn''t cked off for a moment.

    Alyssa spent the entire day leading meetings with the corporation''s higher-ups. In the evening, she was reviewing and signing documents in her office when Sean knocked and entered.

    "How are things going?" she asked immediately.

    "Your prediction was right, Ms. Alyssa. After Mr. Beckett met with Chief Novak privately the previous time, his lifestyle changed drastically!" Sean spoke a mile a minute. His gaze was fiery.

    Alyssa let out a soft sigh. She lifted her eyes and nced at him as if she were looking at a fool. "I wasn''t asking about you. I was asking about Taty and the baby. How are they?"

    Sean was stunned. Immediately after, his face turned red.

    He sputtered, "Ah, yes. Y-Yesterday, I apanied Taty to the hospital for a checkup. The baby just reached eight weeks old. It''s very healthy."

    "You''re really daft. I can''t believe you just found out when Taty has already been pregnant for two months."

    Alyssa couldn''t help but roll her eyes at him. "Good thing I noticed Taty throwing up secretly and discovered she was pregnant. Otherwise, as her belly grows, you might think you''ve just been feeding her well."

    "It was all my fault. I deserve to be punished." Sean felt horrible. He really wished that he could p himself. In hindsight, he thought he would let Tatiana punish him when he got home.

    "Even though the baby is already eight weeks old, you cannot take it lightly. You have to pay attention to the finest of details. Don''t let Taty bump into things or fall down. You have to pay attention, especially to her nutrition. Okay?" Alyssa reminded him.

    "Definitely, definitely. Please don''t worry, Ms. Alyssa. Taty and the baby are my everything!" Sean promised with a joyous glow on his face.

    Alyssa''sshes fluttered slightly. She lowered her eyes and spaced out for a moment.

    Two months...

    When she lost her child back then, she had also carried it for two months before it left her forever.

    The thought brought a painful cramp to her stomach.

    Then, she perked herself up. With a firm look in her eyes, she said, "You mentioned Chief Novak earlier. Tell me more."

 Chapter 2103

    Sean pushed thoughts of Tatiana aside temporarily, refocusing on work.

    "Since our trip to Bernardia until now, Chief Novak hadn''t gone home at all. He has been at the station the whole time. Even if he had things to buy, he''d get his subordinates to go out and buy them for him. He seems to be almost cutting himself off from the world."

    The look in Alyssa''s eyes deepened. "Didn''t he visit his wife?"

    "No, he didn''t. Not even once."

    Sean frowned in disbelief. "The more I think about it, the stranger it feels."

    Alyssa spun her pen nimbly, her eyes dark. "It''s not strange. Chief Novak is an exceptionally alert man. I''m sure he has realized the danger he''s in. Acting rashly could be fatal."

    Sean was dumbfounded. "Ms. Alyssa, do you mean "

    "I wouldn''t be surprised if Jamiper is prepared to take him down," Alyssa interrupted, her grip tightening on the pen until her knuckles whitened. "There''s also a chance Chief Novak dodged an attempt already, prompting his extra precautions and staying shut in.

    "The police station is the safest ce for him. No matter how vicious Jameson is, he wouldn''t dare send people to strike him there. It would be like walking right into a trap."

    Sean''s heart sank. "That means Jameson is trying to silence him for good! We can''t let anything happen to Chief Novak, Ms. Alyssa. He''s our only hope of taking Jameson down!"

    "But if he keeps hiding like that, Jamiper can''t get to him, and we won''t achieve a breakthrough through either."

    She formed her fingers into a triangle under her chin, her gaze dull. "We need to get Chief Novak out of the station."

    Sean scratched his head in confusion. "But Ms. Alyssa, won''t we be creating an opportunity for Jamiper by doing that?"

    "He and I have the same starting point. He may see an opportunity, but so will I." The look in Alyssa''s eyes turned from cold to fiery. She smiled warmly, "Moreover, I trust Jasper. No matter how tiny a chance, he will grab onto it firmly."

    Just then, Jasper called.

    "How are you, Jasper? Have you arrived in Leichtown?" she asked in a soft and chirpy voice.

    "I''ve arrived, Lyse. I''m on my way to the meeting now," Jasper spoke hastily. "Mr. Gorham called me earlier. He said that Grandpa hasn''t been feeling well since he returned from Bernardia. He didn''t have anything to eat all day today.

    "Would it be convenient for you to take Grandpa to the hospital for a checkup?"

    "Why are you speaking to me like this, Jasper?"

    Alyssa widened her eyes. In a coquettish voice, she continued, "Your grandfather is also my Grandpa Newton. It''s only reasonable for me to look after him. Why are you being so courteous about it?"

    "I know you''ve been tired for days,

    Lyse. You still have to oversee things at KS Group. I''m just afraid that it''d be too much for you."

    per chuckled helplessly. H

    would never throw a temper before Alyssa. He''d simply listen as she told him off.

    "I''m not tired. have inexhaustible energy for my loved ones." Alyssa sighed softly. In a gentle and flowy voice, she said, "Alright, I''ll pick.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Grandpa Newton up to go to that ne

    hospital, stat. Focus on your work and leave your family to me."

    Sean got the car ready to drive Alyssa to Sna City as quickly as possible.

    They picked Newton and Ben up from Crescent Bay and headed for the hospital.

    At the hospital''s VIP clinic, Newton leaned against the headboard while hooked up to an IV drip. His face was pale. Alyssa sat by the side of the bed and helped to give him some water to drink.

    "Alyssa... I''m really sorry for the trouble. I know you rushed back from Belbanks just to take me to the hospital," Newton said, his eyes moist with emotion.

    "It''s no trouble at all, Grandpa Newton. I was nning toe and visit you anyway."

    Alyssa''s eyes glistened as she

    comforted him. "I''ve spoken with the

    doctor. You haven''t been resting well

    and you''re still jetgged. You also haven''t been eating well, so you''re having a bit of an upset stomach. It''s not a big issue. Don''t worry."

 Chapter 2104

    "Age is catching up with me. I''m getting weak." Newton pouted despondently like a child. "All I did was go and attend my precious granddaughter''s wedding, and my body is breaking down. How embarrassing is this?"

    "Not at all, Grandpa Newton. You''re still a tough man. I''m sure that you''ll live a long life." Alyssa held Newton''s hand and gave him a gentle squeeze. Her eyes welled up with tears as she felt sorry for him. She understood that as people aged, their bodies couldn''t handle as much. If it weren''t for Lauren''s wedding, she couldn''t have borne to see Newton travel so much.

    "Alyssa, this past year, I''ve felt like my physical body isn''t as strong as before. Sometimes, when I fall asleep at night, I can''t even be sure if I''ll be able to wake up the next morning." Newton''s sincere anticipation filled his eyes. His voice sounded nasally. "I don''t have any particr wishes before I die... I just hope that I can attend your wedding ceremony with Jasper." "Grandpa Newton..." Tears filled Alyssa''s eyes.

    "Back then, I decided you should be with Jasper. We didn''t even have a proper wedding ceremony. It was so unfair to you. Now that your rtionship is stable, I hope that I can do my best to make it up to you. I don''t want you to have any regrets."

    "We will have a wedding, Grandpa Newton." Alyssa smiled and consoled him. "It''s just that our family is still going through quite a messy situation. I have just be KS Group''s president a short while ago, and my father is still ill. We''ll prepare for our wedding once this busy period is over."

    "Is it because that dumb brat Jasper hasn''t proposed to you even until now?" Newton hammered his fists on the bed angrily. "He''s such a dunderhead! What does he think about every day? Why isn''t he getting down to business? I will give him a good smack when hees back!"

    "Grandpa Newton, Jasper... He has already proposed to me." Alyssa was afraid that Newton would be enraged, so she told a white lie.

    "Really? When?" Newton''s eyes lit up.

    "When we were in Bernardia."

    "I didn''t hear anything about it..."

    Alyssa giggled. "Why do we have to make it high profile? We can''t steal Landon and Lauren''s limelight."

    "Well, it seemed to me that Jonah''s proposal was quite the spectacle. He was more innovative than Lauren''s wedding," Newtonined. Alyssa almost lost it.

    After Newton fell asleep, Alyssa left his ward quietly and had Ben take over watching him.

    She was hungry. Just as she was about to go to the cafeteria downstairs, Sean ran toward her with a serious expression on his face.

    "Who? It can''t be Jamiper, can it? It can''t be that coincidental," Alyssa replied before gulping down mouthfuls of water.

    "Ms. Alyssa, guess who I just saw?"

    Sean''s expression darkened. "You''re actually right."

    A mouthful of water sprayed out of Alyssa''s mouth. She coughed until her face turned red.

    Sean really wanted to pat her back, but he couldn''t. He had to be a virtuous man. So, he could only hand her a tissue.

    "I didn''t see Jameson himself, though. I only happened to see his secretary walking toward the VIP ward."

    "Carl Moses?" Alyssa wiped her mouth. She had a deep look in her eyes.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "Yes, that son of a bitch."

    Through clenched teeth, Sean added, "He''s like Jameson''s shadow. If he''s here, it means that Jameson is surely around too.

    total

    "I just went to take a peek. I''m not

    sure if Jamiper has AIDS, syphilis, or something that he wants to keep it a secret from others. The south wing ispletely guarded by the Schmidts'' bodyguards. Not a single sout is allowed to enter."

    ver

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa thrust the water bottle into Sean''s arms. Amicy glint shone in her eyes. "Is that so? As adong-time ''friend,'' I should pay the patient a visit, then."

 Chapter 2105

    Apanied by Sean, Alyssa reached the hospital''s south wing. Heavily guarded, it resembled an impregnable fortress.

    Alyssa shot Sean a nce, and he took her hint. The moment he went forward, two of the Schmidts'' bodyguards blocked him off coldly. "You''re not allowed to enter here!"

    "I am the secretary of KS Group''s president, Ms. Alyssa Taylor. She heard that Mr. Schmidt fell sick and was hospitalized. So, she came here specially to pay him a visit and see how he''s doing," Sean exined in a cold voice. Heaven knew how revolted he felt when he uttered this nonsense.

    He really wished that Jameson would just die in the hospital today!

    The two bodyguards exchanged nces.

    Of course they knew who Alyssa was. However, Jameson''s orders were decrees that they had to obey. Those who didn''t would lose their lives. Thus, they rejected politely. "We''re sorry, Ms. Alyssa. We''re just following orders..."

    Despite feeling doubtful, Alyssa smiled in response. "If this is the case, I shall not interrupt Mr. Schmidt''s rest."

    "Ms. Alyssa!" Carl jogged over toward her. The moment he saw her, he put up a courteous and warm smile on his face. "Are you here to see Mr. Schmidt? This way, please!"

    "Let''s just forget about it." Alyssa smiled. She had a cold look in her eyes. "It looks like Mr. Schmidt wishes to rest quietly. I don''t think he wants to see anyone. I shall not intrude. Goodbye."Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "No, no! You are Ms. Alyssa, the Ms. Alyssa whom Mr. Schmidt cares most about. How could youpare with others?"

    Carl panicked. He tried his best to hold Alyssa back. "I''m sure Mr. Schmidt will be ted to know that you came to see him. He''d be able to recover sooner too!"

    Noticing Alyssa''s hesitation, Carl became anxious. He gave the two bodyguards one tight p each. He red at them and chided, "Useless shits! Don''t you know about the rtionship between Mr. Schmidt and Ms. Alyssa? How dare you stop her? Are you both that thick?"

    Sean felt disgusted to hear that.

    At the same time, a white-colored medicine box fell out of Carl''s suit pocket.

    Alyssa reacted quickly. She was the first to pick it up from the floor. In an instant, her eyes turned dark-diazepam pills.

    Suddenly, there was a slight change in the look on Carl''s face. Yet, he didn''t dare to take back the medicine box from her.

    "Carl, what''s Mr. Schmidt''s down with? What''s with all this manpower?" Alyssa asked coldly as she handed the medicine box back to him.

    "Uh, it''s just acute appendicitis."

    Hurriedly, Carkkept the medicine

    box. He let out a fake sigh. "Ever since getting promoted, Mr. Schmidt has been upied by so many things every day. He had so much work to do that he ended up falling ill makes me feel terrible to see him like that."

    Alyssa''s eyes turned frigid. "Acute appendicitis... But he''s taking diazepam for it?"

    "Oh, this isn''t Mr. Schmidt''s medication. I bought it for my mom." Carl smiled as he stood aside. "This way, Ms. Alyssa."

    Alyssa lifted the corners of her lips slightly and strode ahead.

    Sean was about to follow her in

    vel

    when Cart stood in his way. "Mr. Schmidt doesn''t want to see anyone else other than Ms. Alyssa. Please stay here."

    Sean gnashed his teeth angrily. He looked at Alyssa with a concerned look in his eyes.

    "Wait for me here, Sean. I won''t be long." Alyssa walked forward calmly.

    When Alyssa stepped into his ward, Jameson, in a blue and white striped patient gown, was leaning against the headboard and approving documents.

    He smiled from ear to ear when heid eyes on Alyssa. "Lyse, you''re here!"

    The look on Alyssa''s face was frosty. She kept her distance from him.

    Breathing in the same air as

    Jameson made her feel disgusted, let alone getting close to him. Yet, she had no choice but to walk

    toward this dangerous man.

    She would only be able to get a clear picture of the truth by getting closer to him.

    The gentle sunlight shone on Jameson''s fair-skinned face. He looked like a captivating work of art that was full of appeal and color.

    He was always a man who had the looks.

 Chapter 2106

    Those who didn''t know Jameson well would never associate him with viinous words like "viper", "monster", or "devil".

    Step by step, Alyssa walked to the side of his bed. Her gaze was calm as she examined him.

    "I''m not feeling well, Lyse..." Jameson''s eyes turned red from holding himself back. Finally, he couldn''t help himself. He gulped and reached for her hand.

    But she offered him no opportunity. A frown creased her face as she stepped back to avoid him.

    "It''s such a shame," she smirked mockingly, "that you''re merely ill. Not dead."

    The air in the room grew thick with tension.

    After a moment, Jameson leaned back against the headboard, his eyes still filled with tender affection.

    "I won''t kick the bucket so easily, Lyse. I wouldn''t be able to see you again if I died."

    Alyssa scoffed, clenching her fists.

    "I''ve toiled through so much toe back from Kontina to see you. All these years, you''ve been the reason I persevered. So, for your sake, I have to live a long life."

    Alyssa continued to stare at him coldly, like a judge sentencing a criminal.

    "If you truly care for me, you''ll listen. Repent and turn yourself in immediately."

    Jameson''s lips stretched into a wide smile.

    "So, from the very beginning, you weren''t living for my sake at all. It was all for yourself. You wed your way out of the trenches to where you are now, fueled by your ever-growing and insatiable greed." Alyssa''s words were as sharp as a de, stripping away his fa?ade.

    Jameson cocked his head. He looked at her, feeling intrigued.

    The affection and adoration in his eyes mirrored how one might admire a beautiful flower or a stunning painting.

    "Truth be told, Jameson, sometimes, I fear something happening to you. Because then, I wouldn''t be able to have you arrested and face legal punishment. I wouldn''t be able to avenge all the innocent lives you''ve so mercilessly taken!"

    Before she finished, a sudden coldness gripped her wrist; it was Jameson. He had grabbed her with his chilly hand.

    Startled and frantic, she struggled against him, but the so-called "patient" was far stronger.

    "Let go!"

    During the struggle, Jameson''s sleeve pulled back, revealing rows of tiny, bruised track marks on his arm.

    Alyssa''s eyes widened. While she was distracted, Jameson retrieved a fruit knife from beside his bed and pressed it into her palm.

    "No one can punish me, Lyse. Not even thew. You''re the only one who can."

    Jameson smiled, his eyes fixed on her with a passionate gaze. His lips trembled slightly as he continued, know it''s your dream to get rid me. I''ll give you the opportunity now. Do it, don''t care where you stab me astong as it makes you happy and satisfied."

    "You... You are a madman!"

    Alyssa felt suffocated by his gaze. She flung his hand away ruthlessly and hurled the knife far away from her. Without a backward nce, she stormed out.

    Jameson''s eyes darkened. Still, the maniacal smile on his face revealed a hint of affection.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl rushed in. He asked in a concerned voice, "You... You and Ms. Alyssa... Is everything okay?"

    "Why was Lyse here?" The smile

    disappeared from Jameson''s face, and his voice turned frigid. It was as if he were apletely different person from the one who appeared gentle in front of Alyssa.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "I went to find out earlier. It was because Mr. Beckett Senior wasn''t feeling well. Ms. Alyssa apanied him for a checkup."

    Carl tried tofort him immediately. "Don''t worry. We''re keeping the primary physician''s mouth tightly sealed. No one will say a word!"

    "Okay." Jameson rxed. He closed his eyes to rest as he rubbed his fingers together. He was still reminiscing that soft touch on his fingers and the warmth that he couldn''t seem to let go of.

    "There''s one more thing, Mr.

    Schmidt." Cart lowered his voice.

    With a sinister look in his eyes, he said, "Chief Novak has been staying at the station the whole time. We have no way of getting to him. What do you think we should do?

    "Think of a way to lure him out, then." Jameson sniggered softly. "We know better than anyone what his weakness is."

 Chapter 2107

    Newton''s condition stabilized after getting his fluids replenished. He had a sound afternoon nap at the hospital before Alyssa escorted him home in the evening.

    Right as Alyssa and Sean exited the vi, they ran into Jasper, who had just rushed home.

    "Lyse!" Jasper wrapped his arms tightly around Alyssa, hisbored breathing betraying his urgency. "Thank you. Even after rushing here, it seems I couldn''t be of any help."

    "Don''t say that. It''s also my responsibility to look after Grandpa Newton." Alyssa smiled tenderly. She put her arm over his broad shoulders and gently squeezed.

    "I''ll go see Grandpa."

    Jasper was just about to walk away when Alyssa held him back. "It took him a while to fall asleep. Don''t disturb him. He''s getting old. Having to attend Lauren''s wedding took a toll on him. He''s physically and mentally exhausted, so just let him rest."

    "Okay," Jasper sighed, feeling remorseful.

    "Hey, Jasper." Alyssa paused. She had a serious look on her face. "Let''s talk in the car."

    The couple got into the backseat of Alyssa''s Rolls-Royce while Sean took the driver''s seat. They convened.

    "When I went to the hospital with Grandpa Newton today, I saw Jameson. He''s hospitalized there," Alyssa shared.

    Jasper''s eyes widened. He held her hand tightly, his palm warm and mmy, expressing his silent concern.

    "Don''t worry. I just paid him a courtesy visit. He didn''t do anything. After all, we can''t achieve anything without taking calcted risks."

    Alyssa frowned and continued, "His secretary said he only had appendicitis. But if that was true, why the tight security? He clearly doesn''t want anyone to know he''s sick.

    "There was also another thing. The diazepam pills. Carl ims that they''re for his mother."

    Sean chuckled coldly, "But Ms. Alyssa had previously looked into his background. He''s an orphan! Just look at that attitude of his. He doesn''t deserve to have a mother!"N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    "Diazepam pills. I know what those are." Jasper pressed his lips tightly together. "Diazepam is also known as Valium. It''s a type of inhibitor for the central nervous system. Not only can it relieve anxiety, it can also help with sleep. It is also useful for controlling epilepsy and convulsions.

    "When I was in the military, some soldiers would take this medication as a treatment for PTSD."

    "Could Jameson have epilepsy?"

    Sean''s eyes filled with doubt. "So what if he''s ill? He killed his entire family. There''s no one else to threaten his position. What is there for him to be afraid of?"

    "Those were my thoughts exactly. Hence, what he has isn''t any illness." Alyssa narrowed her eyes. "I saw track marks on his arm.

    "Considering all points of suspicion, I believe he''s been injecting drugs long-term, causing side effects that forced him into the hospital."

    Jasper and Sean were bbergasted.

    "This is the only exnation for all the irregrities." Alyssa scoffed, "Jameson runs a drug business in Kontina. After returning, he got involved with illegal drugs. Do you think a drug king like him would stay clean after all these years?

    "If we find evidence of his drug abuse, we can strike a strong blow and disrupt the Schmidt Group."

    Jasper pondered briefly before saying, "But there''s a problem. He''s heavily guarded in the hospital. How do we get evidence?"

    "Exactly. Ms. Alyssa, he''s likely very careful about his tracks. Other than Carl, he probably trusts no one else. Even if we wanted to report him, weck proof," Sean added, feeling the tight spot.

    "It''s because he''s in the hospital that

    we have a chance. If he were at his hideout, we''d have no shot." A sly smile spread across Alyssa''s face "We can''t get close to him, but We can approach the medical staff attending to him. No secret is

    absolute, and I believe justice will

    stand on our side."

    Everything was as Alyssa predicted. Jameson had a severe reaction to the drugs he injected, forcing him into the hospital for treatment.

    It had happened before, but he

    managed with sedatives or by treatment from his private physician. This time, however, his reaction was worse. He had convulsions, rashes, and signs of respiratory failure, only stabilizing after a day and night of emergency treatment.

    To avoid trouble, he decided to keep everything under wraps. If this got out, he would face significant problems.

    The drug experimentation had halted. He couldn''t risk being seen as a burden to Justin, who would surely discard him.

    That night, Jameson and Carl chatted in his hospital room.

    Jameson''s face was as pale as a vampire''s. The look in his eyes was utterly vicious. "The hospital smell is so nauseating. When in the world can I be discharged?"

    "I consulted with the doctor, Mr. Schmidt. Your situation this time was quite dangerous. It took them an entire day of emergency treatment to get you past the critical period."

    Out of worry, Carl advised, "The

    doctor said that you have to stay in

    the hospital for observations for at least another week. You can only be discharged after your condition haspletely stabilized. Your important, so you should listen to stealth is the doctor this time. After all, you are

    the Schmidt Group''s pir!"

    "Schmidt Group isn''t the problem here. I don''t want Mr. Justin to know I''m useless." Jameson massaged his temple.

    "Others won''t think that even if you''re hospitalized. You can rest assured!"

    All of a sudden, the muscles on Jameson''s jaw became taut. His entire body went numb, and his arm shook uncontrobly.

    "Carl... The drug... Inject it for me!" His voice trembled, his eyes bloodshot from the unbearable feeling.

    "Mr. Schmidt! You mustn''t!" Carl turned pale with fright. "You became like this because you injected this thing. You must quit immediately!" Jameson roared, "Give it to me! Quickly!"

    "Mr. Schmidt! Refrain yourself for the sake of your health! I beg you!"

    Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

    "Who is it?" Carl asked fiercely.

    "It''s time for Mr. Schmidt''s medications," a female nurse announced gently from outside.

    Jameson ground his teeth, quickly hiding his trembling arm under the covers. He shot a look at Carl, signaling him to get the door.

 Chapter 2108

    Carl opened the hospital room door with a gloomy expression.

    A female nurse with an unfamiliar face stood at the door, holding a tray. She smiled, "Good day. It''s time for Mr. Schmidt to take his medications. It wouldn''t be good for his condition if he missed his dose." "You''re not the usual nurse," Carl observed, his eyes narrowing.

    "I was just transferred here yesterday. Myst name is Thompson. You can just call me Ms. Thompson. The previous staff member met with an ident, and there isn''t enough manpower."

    Briar Thompson reassured them confidently, "Please don''t worry. I''ve signed a non-disclosure agreement. I won''t reveal anything I''m not supposed to."

    "Come in," Carl said, still keeping a cold look on his face as he made way for her.

    Briar walked in and ced the tray by the side of Jameson''s bed. As she was about to touch Jameson, he spoke frigidly, "You''re not needed here anymore. My secretary can help me with the injection. You may leave."

    Briar was taken aback but obediently left the room.

    Jameson couldn''t hold himself back anymore. With his shaking left hand, he held his right arm, which was also trembling. He had also lost control of his facial muscles. "Carl... I can''t stand it anymore!"

    Carl was like an overindulging father who couldn''t bear to see his child in any sort of pain. Even though he knew that it would only be a temporary relief, he still retrieved the drug. Feeling conflicted, he injected the needle into Jameson''s arm, already marred by countless puncture marks.

    After a moment, the tremors stopped, and color gradually returned to his pale face.

    Carl sighed in helplessness and dismay. He was conflicted, unsure whether Justin had fulfilled Jameson''s wishes or ruined himpletely.

    "Carl, take this medicine to Dr. Skye Parris for testing. Also, go and find out about the background of that new nurse." Jameson eyed the syringe on the tray with a treacherous gaze.

    Carl nodded in understanding. "Got it, Mr. Schmidt. I''ll take care of it now."

    Carl returned to the hospital room a momentter, looking much more at ease. He reported, "Mr. Schmidt, there are no problems with the medication. Ms. Thompson is clean. Plus, that previous nurse did have an ident and suffered a broken leg."

    "Okay. Good that there aren''t any problems. You may be excused. I''d like to rest."

    Jameson closed his eyes. His Adam''s apple bobbed. He thought back to the day when Alyssa came to visit him. He could still feel her warm and sweet scent lingering in the room.

    The drug made his heart race and

    gave him hallucinations. This was why he couldn''t quit-he felt as if he were in Alyssa''s tender embrace, with her watching over him, booking after him, smiling at him.

    "Lyse... I really, really love you. You''ve always been in my heart. You''ve always been with me. You''ve never left."

    Even if she hated him, he was still deeply satisfied.

    Deep into the silent night, Briar clocked off her night shift and exited from the hospital''s back entrance. She got into a in, ck vehicle and left.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    Over ten minutester, the car stopped at the entrance to a pitch-dark alley.

    Briar hurried out of the car. She scanned her surroundings before entering an MPV that was parked in the alley.

    "Ms. Alyssa!"

    Briar was extremely excited that she met with Alyssa sessfully. She looked as if she were a huge fan meeting a celebrity. "Wow... You''re more stunning in person than on TV! You''re like an angel! The cameras didn''t do you justice!"

    Sean, who was seated in the driver''s seat, burst outughing. He agreed with her.

    "You''re too kind, Ms. Thompson."

    Alyssa shed a friendly and gentle smile toward her. She handed Briar a cup of freshly brewed coffee. "Here, have some coffee and take a breather."

 Chapter 2109

    "It''s alright, Ms. Alyssa. I''m not tired!" Briar''s voice was shaky because of how overjoyed she was. "I''m really over the moon that I get to meet you! I feel as energetic as ever!"

    "I''m d to see that you''re fine too." Alyssa took a deep breath. Her eyes were filled with worry. "After all, you are approaching a vicious and dangerous person this time. Your life might be in danger if you lose focus."

    Briar shook her head slightly. With a determined look in her eyes, she said, "I''m not afraid. If I was afraid, I wouldn''t have epted your request when you came to me.

    "My brother and I... We grew up relying on one another. Ever since he went to The Millennium to be Jameson''s bodyguard, he was beaten and reprimanded by Jameson every day. After that, Jameson beat him up and made him permanently disabled. His right leg ispletely crippled!

    "Jameson is a wolf in sheep''s clothing! He doesn''t treat them as humans at all. They''re merely tools for him to let his anger out on!"

    Alyssa stared at Briar''s face, which had gone red with fury. She sympathized deeply with her misfortune.

    "Now that you''vee to me, I will be able to contribute to taking Jamonster down. I am all up for it, even if I have to sacrifice my life!" Briar''s eyes welled up with tears.

    "I don''t want you to sacrifice your life. While you take your revenge, I want you to be able to get out of it unscathed and go on living. Otherwise, what will your older brother do?"

    A pain shot through Alyssa''s heart. She shut her moistened eyes for a moment. "There was once a woman who lost her life just to protect me. This pain is something I can never heal from.

    "Even though I was the one who approached you, I''ll never force you. During this period, you can choose to back out anytime. I will still pay you generously. Not just that, I''ll cure your brother''s leg."

    In an instant, a proud expression came across Sean''s face. "Ms. Alyssa is a top surgeon. She''s Dr. White! With her, a recovery is guaranteed!"Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Briar''s eyes glistened. They lit up with hope once again.

    "Well, it''s not guaranteed. I will just try my best. I will do my best to help your brother''s leg recover to its best possible condition."

    Then, Alyssa quickly added, "Please don''t feel pressured because of this, Ms. Thompson. It doesn''t matter whether you seed or not. I will still try my best to treat your brother."

    "Thank you, Ms. Alyssa. However, let me assure you. Since I''ve joined you, I will help you out all the way to the end!" Briar had no intention of retreating at all.

    Alyssa nodded in gratitude. "You approached Jameson to bring him his medications today. You didn''t get caught, did you?"

    "Not for now. But, Jamonster is highly alert!"

    Briar knitted her brows together tightly. "He noticed I was new and didn''t allow me to administer his medicines. He chased me out and instructed his secretary to check on my background. He even checked whether the medicines were safe. He''s really damn crafty!"

    Alyssa sneered, "Of course. He wouldn''t have survived until now if he wasn''t cautious."

    "But I saw that he took the medications I brought to him. Plus, he didn''te after me. So, I don''t think he''s discovered who I am."

    "I''ve made a fake identity for you. Moreover, you are not biologically rted to your brother. Even so, Jameson is an extremely dangerous person He''s sharp-witted, insidious and paranoid. So, we still cannot let our guard down."

    Briar and her brother met at the orphanage and grew up together. Furthermore, over those few years when he worked for Schmidt Group, she was studying and interning overseas. As such, Carlpletely didn''t realize that they had such a deep connection.

    Simrly, this was why Alyssa chose her.

    She was indeed a Godsent!

    "What do you n for me to do next, Ms. Alyssa? Am I to poison him or to remove his tubes?" Briar asked with an eager look on her face.

    "Just sit tight for now."

    Alyssa leaned back calmly. "From now on, don''t do anything but bring him his regr medications on time every day."

    Briar was perplexed. "This is such a good opportunity to get close to him. Aren''t you going to deal with him urgently?"

    "Haste makes waste. Jamiper is highly suspicious. All our efforts will highly likely be wasted if we act rashly."

    With a twinkle in her eyes, Alyssa continued, "Right now, the most important thing is to gain his trust and make him lower his guard. As for the rest of it, I have my own ns."

 Chapter 2110

    It had been half a month since Jameson was hospitalized for treatment.

    Carl helped him with handling the matters at Schmidt Group. However, he was too busy to keep an eye on the matters at The Millennium. No matter how much he distrusted Amber, the business was back in her hands. She managed thepany on his behalf for some time.

    Even so, Jameson had never stopped monitoring her, not even for a single moment. Other than when she went to the toilet, to shower, or when she was asleep, her every move was being watched. Furthermore, she couldn''t even take a single step out of The Millennium.

    As long as she couldn''t leave, she wouldn''t be able to get her hands on the important evidence that Wesley had hidden.

    If she couldn''t retrieve it, Wesley would have sacrificed himself for nothing!

    This was the period when Jameson was absent. It could also be her only chance. Even if she might end up sacrificing herself, she needed to get that evidence!

    Hence, tonight, Amber wore an inconspicuous outfit. She was prepared to seize this opportunity to leave The Millennium.

    Unfortunately, it wasn''t her lucky day. She ran into Carl, who had returned to retrieve some items for Jameson.

    They ran into each other in a dark corridor. The tension in the air was so intense that it made Amber feel suffocated.

    "Where are you off to, Amber?" Carl stared at her with a grim look in his eyes. It sent shivers down her spine, as if a dangerous predator lurked behind them, poised to strike.

    "I want to go out." Amber''s clothes were drenched in cold sweat. Yet, she looked calm andposed.

    Her honesty startled Carl. He couldn''t bring himself to say what he had wanted to say.

    "I know that I don''t have Mr. Schmidt''s trust or yours."

    Amber''s longshes fluttered pitifully. She bit her lip, portraying her innocence perfectly. "I wanted to go out tonight only because Mr. Schmidt''s birthday ising up soon. I don''t have any other motives. "I want to... give him a present as a token of my appreciation."

    Carl was stunned.

    He had been drowning in work recently. If it weren''t for Amber''s reminder, he had almost forgotten about Jameson''s birthday. This was an important asion!

    "I''ve given it a lot of thought while I''ve been confined here. Mr. Schmidt found me on the side of the road back then. If he hadn''t pulled me out of that living hell, I would have been long gone from this world. "And you, Carlton... You''ve watched me grow from a young child into a woman. You''ve been of great help to me, and you''ve always treated me like a younger sister."

    Amber slowly approached Carl. The

    tip of her nose was red, and tears welled up in her eyes, evoking a strong sense of protectiveness within Carl. "If I betrayed both of you would really be an idiot. I won''t deserve even to live.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    "Plus, I can only survive if Mr. Schmidt is doing well. Otherwise, other than being an escort, a woman like me isn''t worth anything. I don''t have the ability to survive... I won''t be able to live on at all."

    She reasoned with him while tugging at his heartstrings. Tears flowed down her cheeks, making him pity her. His heart ached for her.

    The tender and fragile side of her moved Carl. Blood rushed through his veins. He even started to develop a desire for this woman, whose growth he had witnessed since she was young.

    He gulped. He held her by her shoulders and pulled her in for an embrace. In a gentle voice, heforted her, "I''m d that you''vee to your senses, Amber... You don''t know how happy I am to hear you say these."

    Amber''s eyes were cold. She held

    back the shivers in her heart and said softly, "So, I''m thinking of using Mr. Schmidt''s birthday this time as an opportunity. I want to apologize properly and clean up my act, .... hope that Mr. Schmidt will be able to forgive me."

    "I will put in a good word for you with Mr. Schmidt, Amber."

    Carl inhaled deeply, relishing in the fragrance of her hair lustfully. His heart melted. "You just have to remain obedient by Mr. Schmidt''s side moving forward. I will do my best to protect you and make sure that you are safe."

    Even though Amber had gained Carl''s trust for now, he was not that foolish to let her go free.

    Moreover, he couldn''t go against Jameson''s orders. So, he headed out together with Amber to buy a present.

    "Tonight, I want to drive that red sports car Mr. Schmidt gifted me, Carlton."

    Amber requested in a warm and soft voice, "I haven''t driven in a long time. I must''ve be rusty. I want to take the car for a spin at the same time. Can I?"

 Chapter 2111

    Without waiting for Carl to respond, Amber lowered her head timidly. "If it''s a no, then... forget about it."

    "It''s just driving a car. No problem."

    Carl didn''t know how he should react. He lifted his hand and caressed the top of her head.

    "I may not havemand over the major things, but I can still make decisions over small matters like this. If no one drives that high-end Ferrari Mr. Schmidt gifted you, it will eventually be scrapped. That was also Mr. Schmidt''s kind gesture toward you. Don''t waste it. Drive it."

    Amber beamed. Yet, that alluring smile of hers was not reflected in her eyes.

    She drove her red sports car toward Sna City''srgest antique jewelry gallery. They nned to get a birthday gift for Jameson from there.

    A crystal oil burner caught Amber''s eye. The shop owner sang praises of her for having a good eye.

    She smiled sweetly. Just as she was about to swipe her card, Carl jumped ahead and paid seven million dors without batting an eyelid.

    "We''ve agreed that this will be my gift to Mr. Schmidt..."Amber furrowed her brows uneasily.

    "It doesn''t matter who pays for it. It''s the sameing from either of us."

    Carl smiled at her as he returned his ck card to his wallet. "I''m d that you are being considerate of Mr. Schmidt. Even if it''s 70 million dors instead of seven million, I''m more than happy to pay for it. Plus, it''s difficult for you to save up that bit of money. Just keep it."

    They left the gallery. Amber drove herself and Carl in her bright red sports car back to The Millennium.

    Carl seemed to be transfixed by her the entire way. His eyes were fixed on her the whole time. She didn''t dare to make any suspicious moves.

    She maintained her usual expression. However, she gripped the steering wheel so tightly that she might almost crush it.

    Tonight was her final and only chance!

    If she still didn''t get it, Jameson would surely continue keeping her captive once he was discharged from the hospital. He might even make her disappear from Sna City without a trace! A drop of cold sweat trickled down Amber''s face.

    Just then, a white car was driving toward her in the oppositene.

    Amber gritted her teeth and braced herself. When Carl was distracted she seized this opportunity to turn the steering wheel and step on the elerator.

    "Amber, be careful!"

    Carl''s eyes widened in shock. He wanted to grab the steering wheel, but it was toote.

    An earth-shattering boom sounded. Amber''s Ferrari smashed into the white car!

    Her luxurious car was crushed. Even the car''s airbag was deployed. Fortunately, she wasn''t seriously injured.

    "Amber! How are you? Are you alright?" Carl was drenched in sweat. He checked up on her worriedly. "Mm... I''m fine..."

    Amber panted heavily. Her face was

    as pale as a sheet. Her fragile

    appearance tugged at his heartstrings. "Carlton, are you

    alright? I''m sorry... It''s been too long since Ist drove..."

    "It''s alright. All''s good as long as you are fine!"

    "Hurry on out to take a look... I''m not sure if the other driver is alright. We still have to handle this as a traffic ident."

    "Okay! Wait for me. I''ll take you to the hospital shortly!"N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Upon saying that, Carl dashed out of the car.

    Immediately after that, Amber unbuckled her seat belt. While enduring the throbbing pains in her body, she got out of the car quietly when Carl was interacting with the owner of the white car. She knelt on the ground, reached under the car with shaky hands, and scrabbled around for something.

    Suddenly, her hands froze. She touched a USB that was attached to the chassis of her car.

    Amber welled up with tears of excitement. Her eyes turned red as she clenched tightly onto the USB in her palm.

 Chapter 2112

    The days passed by without any turbulence.

    Twice each day-once in the morning and once at night-Briar and another nurse rotated shifts to take Jameson''s medications to him and give him his shots.

    Each time, Jameson would have his primary physician conduct routine checks on his medication. Even so, the results were identical each time.

    There were no problems with the medications.

    Before they realized it, it was the day before Jameson''s birthday.

    That night, determined to ease the tension between Jameson and Amber, Carl set off for the gallery to retrieve Amber''s surprise birthday gift for him.

    Jameson''s hospital room was heavily guarded from the outside.

    He only had a bedsidemp on in his room as he read under the soft lighting.

    Briar knocked on the door and walked in. In a gentle voice, she said, "Mr. Schmidt, it''s time for your medications."

    "Okay."

    Jameson seemed to be in a good mood today. There was a faint glee in his eyes.

    Briar had an earnest smile on her face. However, the look in her eyes was as sharp as a de.

    Jameson''s face was elegant and refined. He was very attractive. If her brother hadn''t suffered such brutal treatment, she might have ended up being captivated by him.

    "I see that you''re smiling today, Mr. Schmidt. Did something good happen?" Briar asked while smiling.

    "I''m getting discharged tomorrow."

    Jameson looked up as the corners of his lips curled upward in joy. He continued, "Because it''s my birthday tomorrow."

    "Oh! Really? Happy birthday to you in advance, then!"

    "Thank you, Ms. Thompson. I appreciate your efforts during this time."

    "No worries. It''s my privilege to be able to care for you, Mr. Schmidt."

    Briar ced her tray at the side of his bed. She picked up one of the syringes and asked, "Shall I help you with your shot today? Do you need Dr. Parris toe over for a quick check?"

    "No need. Just leave it here. My secretary will handle it when he gets back." Jameson directed his attention back to his book. "Okay. I shall excuse myself, then."Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    When Briar turned around, her face dropped immediately. Then, she exited his hospital room.

    Over ten minutester, Carl rushed back to Jameson''s side. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Schmidt!"

    "It looks like something good has happened?" Jameson asked with a slight smile on his face.

    "Um..." Carl scratched his head awkwardly and cagily.

    "Forget it. You don''t have to tell me about it if you don''t want to. The ns for each year are simr anyway."

    Jameson rolled up his sleeve and extended his toned and fair-skinned arm toward him. "No matter how much I think about it, you

    person that I can trust the still the

    Carl

    and piped forward respectfully dup a syringe from the et intkillfully, he injected the needle

    tray

    Jameson''s vein.

    In an instant, Jameson felt a cold sensation run through his arm. He slowly leaned back on his headboard and closed his eyes.

    All of a sudden, his hospital room door opened. A bodyguard stumbled in with terror written all over his face.

    "M-Mr. Schmidt! This is not good! The cops... The cops are here!"

 Chapter 2113

    Both Jameson''s and Carl''s jaws dropped.

    "What are the cops doing here? I don''t care what you do. Just stop them from entering!" Carlmanded while he red.

    Jameson''s bodyguard was drenched in sweat. "But... But they''ve already..."

    Jameson lowered his head. He asked gloomily, "What''s their team leader''s name?"

    "Hisst name is... Taylor."

    Carl widened his eyes immediately. He looked nervously toward Jameson, who was looking emotionless.

    Right at this moment, the hospital room door burst open, and Jameson watched Cyrus march in. He was casually dressed, and he had a frigid air about him.

    "Hello, Mr. Schmidt. I believe I won''t need to introduce myself again," Cyrus smirked coldly. That said, he still shed his badge per his usual practice.

    "It''s been a while, Cyrus." The smile on Jameson''s face was friendly and warm. There was not a single hint of wickedness in his smile.

    "You don''t have to address me in such a friendly manner."

    Cyrus was an experienced criminal investigator. He was usually unfazed by all the diabolical criminals that he faced. It was only when he was before Jameson that he wouldn''t be able to conceal the hatred in his eyes. He couldn''t suppress the rage that was surging within him.

    "It brings me joy to hear Jasper calling my name. As for you, it only puts me on tenterhooks. It makes me feel ufortable and uneasy.

    A barely noticeable gleam of viciousness shed across Jameson''s eyes.

    The Taylors were people who knew how to hit a raw nerve and provoke him.

    "I don''t care what you''re here for today, Chief Taylor. But Mr. Schmidt is currently unwell. His health will be affected by you people barging in like this. We can actually lodge aint about you for this!" Carl scowled. He couldn''t stand others being so disrespectful toward his employer.

    "Chief Taylor, whatever the reason you''re here to see me, I''m willing to cooperate with you. However, I''m not feeling well at the moment. At the very least, do allow me to take my medications." Jameson looked sickly as he said that.

    "Hold up!"

    With an icy look in his eyes, Cyrus waved his hand. Two officers rushed forward from behind him. They stood on Carl''s left and right and held him back. Then, they snatched the syringe from his hands. "What are you people doing?" Carl shouted as he struggled the best he could.

    "Stop struggling! Otherwise, we will sue you for assaulting an officer!" one of the officers yelled angrily.

    The look in Jameson''s eyes turned dim. "What is the meaning of this, Chief Taylor?"

    "We received a tip-off from a member of the public. You are being suspected of substance abuse and possession. We will be detaining you ording to thew!" Cyrus fixed his eyes ahead of him and marched forward.

    With a click, he pped a handcuff around Jameson''s wrists.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl continued to struggle. "There needs to be evidence in order to make an arrest! We will sue you for defamation if there''s no evidence!"

    A dense frostiness came across Jameson''s eyes. Even so, he remained quiet.

    "Do you think that we would''ve taken action rashly without any evidence? The fact that I can arrest him means that we have concrete proof."

    Cyrus nced down at the heinous man before him. He clenched his hands into tight fists. "Come with us, Mr. Schmidt!"

    Jameson was arrested. As Jameson''s trusted henchman, Carl was also summoned by the police to have his statement taken.

    Even so, he remained loyal and protected his employer. Adamantly, he denied that Jameson was using drugs and kept his mouth shut.

    In the wee hours of the morning the

    next day, Car walked out from the police station looking haggard. Coincidentally, he bumped into Jason, thewyer whom Jameson had recruited a while back. He had been waiting in the foyer for a long time.

    "Carl, news about Mr. Schmidt''s arrest for substance abuse is now widespread! Once the market opens tomorrow morning, the shares will definitely plunge!" Jason eximed with a troubled look on his face.

    "This is not the right time to be concerned about that. What''s so important about something as material as shares? What we have to do right now is to think of a way to get Mr. Schmidt out!"

    Carl was like a cat on a hot tin roof. His voice had gone hoarse. "What did the cops say?"Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "The medication that you were

    injecting for Mr. Schmidt wasn''t any medication for treatment. It was an extract of the illegal drug that was used for human experiments previously. It''s the drug that has serious side effects on the body!"

    Carl was staggered. He gasped. "What are you talking about?"

    "Previously, that drug affected Sna City horribly. The authorities have identified it as a new type of drug that was disguised as medication. The police have

    sufficient reason to believe that Mr. Schmidt has actually been taking this type of drug while he was hospitalized!"

    The anxiety made Jason''s mouth feel dry. "That means that there''s a very high possibility that Mr. Schmidt won''t be free from the usations of drug possession and drug use." "That''s nonsense! Mr. Schmidt has been taking..."

    Carl almost let slip. He broke out in a cold sweat. "Those were medications for his treatment. How did they be drugs? Something is off! Someone is joining forces with the police to frame Mr. Schmidt!"

 Chapter 2114

    "There''s no use talking about this now! He was arrested on the spot with evidence right before everyone''s eyes. The cops are going to take a urine sample from Mr. Schmidt in a bit. If the results turn out to be positive, there''s no way that he''ll be able to clear his name!"

    "It would be best if they could run a test because Mr. Schmidt has never touched that thing at all!" Carl eximed confidently.

    He was Jameson''s most trusted assistant. No one else might dare to guarantee that, but he dared to.

    After that, doubt filled his heart again.

    How did Jameson''s medication get reced with a drug out of nowhere?

    He checked on his medications personally every day. Today was the only day when...

    In an instant, Carl''s face went pale. He took out his phone with trembling hands and immediately called one of his subordinates.

    Through gritted teeth, he ordered, "Bring that nurse, Ms. Thompson, who has been attending to Mr. Schmidt these past few days, to see me... right now!"

    "I was just about to update you about this, Carl!"

    The subordinate was shaking in his boots. "Ms. Thompson has left the hospital after Mr. Schmidt got arrested. She has vanished!"

    Upon hearing that, the look in Carl''s eyes darkened.

    At this moment, he realized that they had fallen into a trap.

    After Jameson''s arrest, Briar was personally escorted by Jasper and Xavier away from the hospital as soon as possible.

    Jameson might be a vicious man who deserved to die. However, switching medications in secret would be considered a crime of falsifying evidence if they were found out. Moreover, people from the Schmidt Group would be able to make the connection with her soon enough.

    Alyssa wasn''t going to allow the same tragedy that had befallen Nina to repeat itself. Hence, she hid Briar at her own home-Heightsnew Vi. It didn''t matter if a ruler or the devil himself came. No one would be able to hurt Briar.

    "Has Ms. Thompson arrived safely?" Alyssa asked Jasper over the phone. She had stayed back at Sna City with Sean to keep watch.

    "Don''t worry. She''s doing well. She''s been chattering away excitedly the entire way after she found out that Jameson was arrested," Jasper chuckled helplessly.

    "Keep her safe. Don''t let anyone hurt her!"

    "You can rest assured with me around."

    Jasper''s voice was deep and soothing. "I''m really worried about you being at Sna City on your own, Lyse."

    Alyssaughed, "I should be the least of your worries right now."

    She crossed her legs in the car. She

    She sweetly and continued,

    smiled

    l.ne

    "Jameson will never do anything to me. Have you forgotten that bam the woman of his dreams?"

    "Don''t provoke me, Lyse."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Jasper''s breathing becamebored. There was a hint of jealousy in his voice. "You know that I can''t stand hearing this."

    Alyssa''s cheeks flushed red. At the same time, her gaze was dark and cold. "Well, he can dream on. Anything is possible only when it''s a dream." Right at this moment, Cyrus called.

    "Jasper, Cyrus is calling. Talk to youter!"

    After ending her call with Jasper, she promptly answered Cyrus'' phone call. "How is it going, Cyrus?"

    "Lyse, did Jameson really take drugs? This time, I''ve really put my future in the police force on the line to go out on a limb for you!" Alyssa bit her lip.

    "If the urinalysis results show that he

    didn''t take any drugs, we can only lock him up for 24 hours at most. After that, we''ll have to let him go Not only that, but I will also be questioned and put under lots of pressure!"

    "I don''t know if he took drugs or not. I''m also taking a gamble."

    Cyrus'' heart dropped. Hemented, "Lyse... You''re setting me up!"

    "Don''t say that Even though it''s a gamble, I feel like the odds of winning are really high." Alyssa''s gaze was fiery. "There''s no way that someone who sells that thing will not touch it at all. Since he chose to

    waste himself away, I''m betting that he will end uppletely wasted!"

 Chapter 2115

    It had been almost 24 hours since Jameson was detained in the police station''s interrogation room.

    When he was at Kontina, countless people curried favor with him, sang praises about him, and sought favors from him. The amount of people who kissed up to him was outrageous. When he returned to his country, he ruled The Millennium at night. Currently, he was inplete control of Schmidt Group. He was an unparalleled leader whom many looked up to. He was surrounded by endless power, money, and pride. These ced him high up on a pedestal. It had been a long time since he wasst put in captivity and treated disrespectfully like this. Every passing second and minute felt like ages. It was excruciating.

    More than that, it was humiliating.

    "We''re almost at the 24-hour mark. When will I be able to leave?" Jameson sat on the cold and ufortable chair in the interrogation room with his legs crossed. There was a chilling harshness behind his gold-framed sses.

    "What''s with the rush, Mr. Schmidt? We have lots of time."

    Cyrus sat across from him casually. His upright bearing was not intimidated by the person opposite him at all. This was perhaps an example of the saying that evil was powerless if the good was unafraid. "Plus, there are 15 more minutes before the 24 hours is up.

    "How could I let the distinguished Mr. Schmidt walk out from here before the final second? I put in so much effort to get you toe in here."

    Heaven knew how panicked Cyrus felt at this moment. His heart was pounding.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    The results of Jameson''s urinalysis would only be ready in ten minutes. If the final results showed that he wasn''t taking drugs, he would have to release him and shoulder massive responsibility for this. Not only that but capturing him next time might also be a long shot!

    "I get it now, Cyrus. You''re just wanting to spend more time chatting with me. Am I right?"

    Jameson leaned back rxedly. A look of frigidity came across his pale face. He nced at his watch with a piercingly cold gaze. "Let''s have a chat, then. Let''s talk about how you and Lyse worked together to set me up."

    Cyrus'' chest tightened. Word by word, he uttered, "Jameson, don''t hurl usations without any proof."

    "Didn''t you also capture me here for a visit without any evidence?"

    Any look of glee disappeared from Jameson''s face. A deep rage burned within his eyes. He crushed the paper cup on the table. "I''ve got to say, though, the coffee at your station tastes fucking terrible. If you''re tight on budget, Schmidt Group can fund the coffee beans for you people here."

    "Jameson Schmidt!" Cyrus'' eyes turned red as he shot to his feet.

    "Why are you so anxious? I''m not even anxious. Unless... Are you trying to beat me up to force me to confess?"

    Jameson crushed the paper cup into a ball. The veins on the back of his hand popped. "Listen. I''ve never done drugs. Never.

    "You should take these 15 minutes to have a think about how you''re going to exin this to your captain, Cyrus."

    Upon saying that, he closed his eyes leisurely to rest.

    Cyrus hit the roof. If he wasn''t in his police uniform, he would have pounced on him and ripped him to pieces!

    Time continued ticking away.

    There were five minutes left.

    Jameson watched the second hand

    move on the clock and lifted the corners of his lips into a scornful smile.

    Right at this moment, the door to the interrogation room opened. An officer hurried into the room with an analysis report in his hand.

    "Chief Taylor, the urine test results are out!"

    Cyrus'' heart raced while the smile on Jameson''s face widened.

    "It''s positive!"

    The smile froze on Jameson''s face. This time, he was the one who became perturbed. He mmed the table and stood up. His eyes reddened.

 Chapter 2116

    "That''s impossible! I didn''t take drugs!" Jameson yelled.

    Cyrus took over the analysis report from his colleague. He flipped through it and reconfirmed the presented results. He got so excited that the corners of his lips started twitching.

    He walked over and mmed the document down before Jameson. There was a glimmer in his eyes.

    "Thew will not use any innocent person falsely. In the same way, it will not spare any evil-doers.

    "These days, handling cases is more about the evidence than verbal statements. Although you insist that you''ve never taken drugs, there is hard evidence showing otherwise. You cannot deny this!" Jameson looked at the results written in ck and white. His ears started ringing.

    When he was in Kontina, it was true that his business involved drugs. After all, it was a field that could reap the most fortune in the shortest time.

    That said, he was well aware that it was something that would bring about eternal destruction if he touched it. Thus, no matter how well his business was doing, he never touched it at all. He truly abstained from it all these years!

    So, how... How could he be positive?

    All the blood drained from Jameson''s face. His forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his heart raced.

    Suddenly, he came to a realization. His world started spinning, and he almost couldn''t find his bnce.

    It was the medications!

    The medications that Justin gave him for his use all year round were problematic!

    Perhaps it was because he was getting too emotional; Jameson''s hands started trembling uncontrobly once again. He couldn''t control himself, no matter how much he tried. "Hah! Are you still going to deny it?"

    Cyrus stared at him with a frosty gaze.

    abno he also noticed the

    abnormality. in the way that he was presenting. "Jameson, it looks like you are already severely addicted. You''ve developed a strong

    ov

    dependence on that thing, haven''t

    you? Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "We''ve only detained you for 24 hours, and you''re already showing withdrawal symptoms. It''s obvious that you are a drug addict through and through. Why are you still quibbling?" "You... don''t know... anything!" Jameson held onto his shivering arms hard as he red at him furiously.

    "I''m sorry, Mr. Schmidt. It seems like you''ve got to continue your stay here with us."

    Cyrus narrowed his eyes slightly. The smile on his face infuriated him. "Though, this time, we won''t have any coffee for you to drink."

    Today was Jameson''s 28th birthday.

    However, he ended up spending it at the detention center.

    Reporters who had caught wind of the news had gathered outside the police station. Carl and Jason werepletely surrounded by them. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn''t provide clear exnations. They were in a difficult position.

    Alyssa sat in a luxurious car on the opposite side of the street. She lowered the car window and looked toward the hustle and bustle across the road. A confident look on her face showed that she had the situation in control.

    "Ms. Alyssa! Schmidt Group''s shares reached limit down today. There''s news bashing Jameson all over the inte. This feels so satisfying!" Sean remarked while he swiped through thements on Twitter. He smiled from ear to ear.

    "It''s not my style to have premature celebrations. This nasty battle is far from finished."

    The expression on Alyssa''s face was

    calm. However, steam wasing

    out of her ears. "It doesn''t matter

    whether the Schmidt family is destroyed or the Schmidt Group is in turmoil These are not important at all. From the very beginning, Jameson has only treated Schmidt Group as a front for his filthy

    business. He doesn''t care about the corporation''s survival at all.

    "His final objective is to serve that mastermind behind him. He wants to use the so-called ''new drug'' to gain control over the entire Sna City!"

    Chills went down Sean''s spine when he heard that.

    "But, since he has been detained, we have enough time to tackle Chief Novak. He will be the breakthrough for us to take Jameson down!"

 Chapter 2117

    Jasper helped Briar settle down and ascertained that she wouldn''t be in danger. After that, he traveled overnight to rush back to Sna City.

    Worriedly, he returned to his home with Alyssa. The moment he entered the door, he heard the sound of Alyssa''s melodiousughtering from the living room. She and Rosie were watching a television series together.

    Jasper felt relieved. A smile spread across his face slightly. He draped his suit over his forearm and walked over quietly.

    "Madam, you haven''t rested at all after such a busy day. Yet, you even made dessert for Mr. Jasper. It must be so tiring for you."

    Rosie plucked an icy cold grape and put it on Alyssa''s palm. Her eyes filled with concern. "You can leave these things to me. You should take the opportunity to rest."

    "It''s alright. I''m not tired. Plus, I get to focus on doing one thing and declutter my mind when I''m making desserts. It helps me to feel more rxed."

    Alyssa smiled and ate the grape. She even fed a grape to Rosie. "It''s been a while since Jasper had a good rest too. When hees back, I''ll have him eat all of it, take a shower, and have a good night''s rest."

    Rosie sighed, "You were the one who took care of his daily living at Seaview Manor. You didn''t rest a single day throughout those three whole years. I didn''t think that you''d still be the same now."

    Rosie couldn''t help but feel gloomy. "You should love yourself more too, madam. Don''t be so good to him. You''re going to spoil him!"

    Jasper stayed standing in the shadows. He pursed his lips, and his heart skipped a beat.

    "He''s my man. Who else would dote on him if not me?"

    The image of Jasper''s captivating eyes shed across Alyssa''s mind. They have already been together for such a long time. She couldn''t believe she would still have butterflies in her stomach. It was as if they had just started dating. "Moreover, he''s worth it."

    Jasper''s eyes welled up with tears. A lump rose in his throat; he had never felt that he was worth it. He simply thought that he was fortunate.

    Alyssa screamed in fright to see Jasper standing there. The grape she was chewing almost fell out of her mouth. "Jasper? When did you get back? Why are you standing there silently like a ghost? You scared me!"

    "I''m sorry. I wasn''t eavesdropping on your heart-to-heart talk on purpose."

    The couple walked toward one another.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    They embraced one another tightly, just like two opposite poles of a ma.

    "Did you miss me?" Jasper ced

    his warm hand on the back of Alyssa''s neck. He lowered his head and touched the tip of his nose with hers.

    "You took the words out of my mouth..." Alyssa winked and grumbled softly.

    "I missed you."

    His breath became deep. Without waiting for Alyssa to finish her sentence, he said, "I missed

    much, Lyse. Very, very mul

    Alyssa noticed the dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, making him look worn. She knew that he wasn''t lying.

    With her fuzzy flippers on her feet, she tiptoed and wrapped her arms around his neck. She then nted a kiss on his lips.

    Jasper wasn''t going to be satisfied

    with just a peck. Immediately, he pulled her into his arms. He caressed her waist as he parted her lips and found his way in until he had taken overpletely. Even her breaths had be his and his alone.

    Soon enough, Alyssa had melted in his arms. Her entire face flushed red.

    As for Rosie, she had retreated to the kitchen a while ago to check on the desserts in the oven.

    Just as their passionate tension was rising, Alyssa''s phone rang.

    In a muffled voice, she said, "Hold on. Let me take this call."

    She felt for her phone in her pajama pocket. It was Cyrus. She stabilized her breathing quickly and answered the call.

    "We have a problem, Lyse."

    "What happened?" Alyssa and Jasper held their breaths.

    "It''s Jameson. He wants to see you."

 Chapter 2118

    Cyrus clenched his teeth tightly. He became enraged. "No matter how we interrogate him, he simply feigned ignorance. After that, hiswyer told me that he will only start talking if he sees you." "Don''t go, Lyse."

    Jasper''s eyes turned red. He shook his head slightly. "This could be Jameson''s scheme. I cannot allow you to meet with him!"

    "Why? Is my man being jealous?" Alyssa smiled. She moved her finger in a circr motion on his chest flirtatiously.

    "Don''t go, Lyse. I''m being serious," Jasper insisted in a deep and husky voice.

    "I have to go. I''m being serious too."

    Alyssa fixed her fiery gaze on him. "I have to take the bull by the horns. This is a practice that''s passed down in the Taylor family. I can''t allow this practice to end with me."

    Cyrus came out to the foyer at the station to meet Alyssa. With heavy footsteps, Jasper apanied her. He only stopped when he was no longer able to advance further. Jameson upied a single room at the detention center. There was only a hard bed in the room.

    Even though he was dispirited and being locked up, he still sat upright. His suit was neat, and his hair was tidy.

    His face, however, was pale and grim. A dark stubble was starting to grow on his chin. This usually elegant man was now looking deste and defeated.

    He opened his eyes when he heard the familiar sound of heels cking.

    He looked out the cell door with a passionate gaze. Standing on the other side of the cell door was Alyssa, who was always in a world opposite his.

    He waited and anticipated meeting his most beloved woman. "Hello, Lyse."

    An endless tenderness came across his eyes. In a raspy voice, hemented, "That was really quick."

    Alyssa''s gaze was cold. She peeked at the surveince camera in the upper left corner. Knowing that Cyrus and Jasper were watching her made her feel at peace.

    "Didn''t you say that you''d talk if I came? I''m here now, so speak up. Don''t waste everyone''s time."

    Jameson''s dark eyes were as gentle as the night. He gazed deeply at her. "You are still just as cold as ever toward me."

    "Anyone with a slight bit of

    conscience will be even colder than I am if they found out about your evil deeds." The look in Alyssa''s eyes remained unperturbed. She had put up an invisible wall of iciness between them.

    "It''s my birthday today, Lyse."

    Jameson''s eyes were filled with desire. He stood up stiffly and walked toward her step by step. "Can you wish me a happy birthday?"

    A metal cell door separated the both of them. Alyssa looked into his eyes and remained silent.

    At the same time, Jasper was watching this scene from the surveince room. He curled his fingers inward into fists, and the veins on his forehead were popping. "Don''t worry, Jasper. This viper is locked up. He can''t hurt Lyse."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Cyrus gave him a pat on his shoulder. "Even if he gets released, I don''t think that he will hurt her."

    "How can you be so sure, Cyrus?" Jasper asked in a rough voice. Rage was surging within him.

    "They used to be really close when they were young."

    As Cyrus watched the surveince video, he recalled the days of the past. Regretfully, he continued, "When Jameson was young, he was the child who was most unweed and neglected in the Schmidt family. Every child in the Schmidt family had their own birthday parties. He was the only

    one who didn''t. Mr. Victor didn''t even

    know when his birthday was.

    "Jameson spent his birthdays with our family for three years in a row Every year, Lyse will make a cake for him. She would also use the allowance she saved up to buy him presents. Lyse was his only friend.

    "It''s a pity that the child who used to be so innocent turned out to be a vicious viper that has killed so many. It''s really infuriating and regretful at the same time."

    Upon hearing that, another bout of pain spread through Jasper''s chest. His red-rimmed eyes looked like they were about to pop as he watched them.

 Chapter 2119

    Jameson stared at Alyssa deeply. There was a gleam in his eyes that was so full of yearning.

    "If you are the innocent and kind Jimmy that I once knew, I will send my sincerest wishes even without you telling me to do so."

    The expression on Alyssa''s face was frigid. She remained unwavering. "But right now, I cannot fulfill your request. Even if I forced myself to say it, it would not be sincere. It won''t mean anything." Jameson smiled slightly. He wasn''t angered because of this.

    "Do you remember the birthday present you gave me when we were young? When my father chased me out of Sna City, I didn''t bring anything with me. All I brought to Kontina was the gift that you gave me Do you remember what you gave me, Lyse?"

    Alyssa clenched her hands into tight fists by her sides. She didn''t reply.

    Of course she still remembered.

    "There was one year when the kids at school were into toy car racing. Everyone had them except for me. At that time, I was ostracized and became theirughing stock."

    Jameson''s voice was gentle and pleasing to the ear. There was a twinkle in his deep eyes as he reminisced about the joys of his past. "Coincidentally, the toy car you gave me for my birthday that year was the one that I had always wanted. It was red in color. Do you remember it?"

    Alyssa''s chest tightened. An inexplicable feeling of sadness spread through her chest.

    She had never given him gifts for superficial purposes.

    She attentively cared for and protected a soft-hearted child whose self-esteem was easily hurt.

    "But, I know that it wasn''t actually a coincidence. You were just pitying me and showing mepassion."

    The fondness that filled Jameson''s eyes was a feeling that only belonged to Alyssa alone. "Even so, it still made me really happy. And the reason was you."

    "How I treated you wasn''t out of pity orpassion. I just hoped for all my friends to be happy." Alyssa''s voice was strained as she tried hard to suppress the emotions within her.

    "I really wish we could turn back time. It''s a pity that that''s not possible."

    Jameson shook his head. He looked as if a dark cloud had cast a shadow over his pale face.

    "That''s enough for our catch up. Let''s get to the main point." Alyssa''s voice was still firm and cold as ice.

    "You were the one who set me up, weren''t you, Lyse?"

    Jameson''s smile was still very loving. "That day, it was by chance that you saw me hospitalized. When you used visitation as an excuse to approach me, you have already started to make ns.

    "You observed my every move in secret. You also bribed that nurse, Ms. Thompson. You gave her a clean background and nted her by my side.

    "Knowing my cautious and suspicious nature, you didn''t rush to act. Instead, you had that female nurse bring me my medications on time and dispelled my doubts slowly. Then, yesterday, you switched out my medication and joined hands with Cyrus to arrest me red-handed.

    "It''s no wonder that you''re my beloved, Lyse. Your secret n was wless. I really admire you for that."

    "What do you mean ''joined hands with Cyrus''? Cyrus is a police officer. It is the right procedure for a police officer to arrest suspects."

    Alyssa shot him a cold smile. "Also, ndering KS Group''s president is an offense too. Our Legal Department is set up for a reason.

    "Thew will not frame an innocent person. The test results have shown that you have indeed taken drugs. How are you going to continue denying that? How are you going to clear your name?"

    "I didn''t take drugs," Jameson argued firmly.

    "Hah! Tell that to the police and see if they''ll believe you."

    Alyssa was filled with contempt. "Jameson, I thought that you were just nasty and evil. Now, it seems like you''re also a coward who doesn''t dare to admit what he has done."

    "Lyse, what I consumed was a type of medication imported from Mosgravia, which has not yet passed clinical trials. It really isn''t a drug. I swear."

    "That''s enough! No one wants to listen to your nonsense!"

    Alyssa lost her patiencepletely. Her eyes reddened. "You tricked me intoing here. There''s not a single bit of sincerity in you, Jameson! From the very beginning, you''ve never intended to give yourself up!"

    "Give myself up? I am innocent, Lyse. Why would I give myself up?"

    Jameson narrowed his eyes and smiled. "It''s just that I missed you and wanted to see you."

    "Jameson!" Alyssa roared.

    Before she could finish her sentence, a series of footsteps came toward them.

    "Mr. Schmidt!"

    Alyssa looked behind her immediately. She was shocked.

    Carl and Jason walked over with an officer leading the way. When Carl saw her, he nodded toward her politely. He couldn''t hide the pleased smile on his face.

    "Ms. Alyssa, thank you for your willingness toe and visit Mr. Schmidt. As expected, both of you are such close friends."

    In the surveince room, both Jasper and Cyrus were staggered.

    "What''s happening, Cyrus?" Jasper asked, wide-eyed.

    "Jameson took drugs, and we found illegal medication in his hospital room. These are concrete proofs. Don''t tell me that they managed to find a way to bail him out?" Cyrus'' temple throbbed, and the air of frigidity around him grew.

    At the same time, Carl brought out a diagnosis issued by a reputable hospital and presented it before Alyssa.

    "Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Schmidt did not take drugs. He has indeed fallen sick. In fact, he''s been sick for many years."

    Alyssa gritted her teeth. She snatched the report from his hands. Written on the paper in ck and white was "essential tremor disorder".

    "Mr. Schmidt developed this

    condition. There isn''t a treatment that can cure itpletely at the moment When Mr. Schmidt was Kontina, he had to rely on

    medications to maintain his hea

    each time he red up. He has been living in much pain all these years. Other people might not know this, but I am well aware of it."

    Carl put up a devastated expression on his face. He continued, "When he returned to Sna City, he could only rely on this type of medication because he would be in a lot of pain when his condition res up!

    "We didn''t know that this medicationN?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    contained addictiveponents

    that resulted in the positive results in his urinalysis. That said, this doesn''t

    prove that Mr. Schmidt is a drug addict. You''ve really misunderstood him, Ms. Alyssa!"

    Jason chimed in, "Moreover, the police have investigated Mr.

    Schmidt thoroughly. There is no record of him engaging in any drug trades. They didn''t find any drugs in his home either. It isn''t justified to use him of drug use at all."

    "I''ve mentioned to you that I''m unwell, Lyse. But, you didn''t believe me." Jameson''s voice was deep. The look in his eyes overflowed with sincerity. "I could weave a web of lies for everyone, but I would never lie to you."

 Chapter 2120

    Alyssa stared at Jameson in disbelief. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage.

    Indeed, her scheme was wless. Not only did she get Jameson arrested, but she had removed herself from the situationpletely. She also managed to protect those involved in this so that their lives weren''t in danger.

    Even so, she had still fallen short.

    She never ounted for the possibility that Jameson was ill and that he was really taking medications to cover up his illness!

    "Mr. Schmidt, even though you''re on bail, you will need to wear an ankle monitor and keep us updated on your movements 24/7."

    The officer opened the door to Jameson''s cell. With a calm expression, he walked out of the room.

    He stopped in his tracks when he brushed past Alyssa. In a gentle voice, he said by her ear, "Whatever it is, thank you foring to see me, Lyse. This is the most unforgettable birthday of all these years." Following that, everyone from Schmidt Group stormed out.

    Alyssa was left standing stiffly at the same spot. She had gone pale, and her hands were clenched into tight fists.

    Jameson was bailed out sessfully. Not only that, he stood at the entrance to the station with a haggard look on his face while he answered questions from the reporters.

    "Due to my sickness, I need to take medications to keep my condition under control. Thus, the medications caused my body to suffer from side effects, and my urinalysis came back positive for drugs.

    "I would like to sincerely apologize for troubling the authorities and overusing the public''s resources. Sorry for worrying everyone."

    After saying that, he gave a firm nod toward the cameras with a bleak look on his face. He was a leader of a corporation with a position of superiority. Even so, he swallowed his pride to admit to a mistake, which, strictly speaking, wasn''t his.

    Who wouldn''t be moved to witness his attitude and broad-mindedness in such a circumstance?

    Furthermore, Jameson had a

    graceful and elegant appearance. He

    was born with a perfect and unique disguise. His outstanding acting

    skills allowed him to give a convincing performance as an innocent man who had been framed and set up.

    "Mr. Schmidt! Previously, there was news about what they found in your hospital room. It was the new kind of illegal drug that took Sna City by storm previously. What do you have to say about that?" Carl looked irate. He spoke up on Jameson''s behalf on the spot.

    "Someone had secretly fabricated the evidence framed Mr. Schmidt, and delivered a blow to Schmidt Group! We have also made a report to the police about this. The authorities have officially opened a case to start their investigation. They will definitely find the person

    behind this and clear Mr. Schmidt''s

    name!"

    The media had initially rushed over here to see Jameson make a joke out of himself. At this moment, they were swayed and filled with injustice.

    The public''s sentiments had taken aplete turn overnight!

    Jason stayed back to settle the remaining business. Under Carl''s protection, Jameson got into the top-end Bentley model.

    "Where would you like to go, Mr. Schmidt?" Carl asked in a concerned voice.

    "Go to The Millennium. I''ll rest there for a night." Jameson tilted his head back in extreme physical exhaustion. He removed his gold-framed sses and massaged his throbbing forehead.

    After all that interrogation, his charming face looked even manlier than before. "I''ll go to Schmidt Group tomorrow morning. I''m calling for an emergency board meeting.

    "Schmidt Group has been turned upside down these past couple of days. The people won''t be assured if I don''t show up."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "But that''s too tiring for you, Mr. Schmidt! You haven''t even fully recovered yet. Overexertion is no small matter!" Carl felt extremely troubled and anguished.

    "I don''t have a choice. I always have to clean up whenever Lyse causes small troubles like this." Jameson smiled tenderly.

    Surprisingly, there wasn''t a single bit of resentment in him. There was even a hint of sweetness in his smile.

    "Mr. Schmidt, I shall say this even if you tell me off or punish me. Ms. Alyssa... She went really overboard with her setup this time!"

    In an indignant tone, Carl continued,

    "You could very likely end up

    convicted if this matter isn''t handled properly. What happens to Schmidt Group if its leader''s behind bars? Also, how would you exin it to Mr. Justin?"

 Chapter 2121

    Jameson pursed his lips at the sound of Justin''s name. A cold gleam shed across his eyes.

    "It''s alright. Lyse is cheeky and headstrong. I don''t want to pursue it further." Jameson closed his eyes once again to take a rest.

    Carl was floored.

    Alyssa had caused so much trouble. She had almost turned Schmidt Group upside down and ruined Jameson''s reputation.

    Jameson, however, merely described her as "cheeky" and "headstrong" and was going to let it go? It was so obvious that he was head over heels in love!

    "Not wanting to implicate Lyse is only one side of the story. Another thing would be that if the police were to investigate this further, it would not be beneficial to us either."

    Upon hearing that, Carl breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

    This was the Jameson Schmidt whom he knew. He was a cold and rational person who would put his interests first.

    "Now that things havee to this, we need to handle Nichs as soon as possible. Otherwise, I''m sure that it wouldn''t take long for Lyse and Jasper to find out about his connection to me."

    The tinge of gentleness vanished from Jameson''s eyes. Gradually, his gaze became sinister. "When that happens, I won''t be as lucky as I was today."

    "Got it!"

    Carl observed Jameson. Hesitantly, he said in a low voice, "Oh, right. Also, isn''t it your birthday today, Mr. Schmidt?

    "A few days ago, Ms. Altman carefully chose a birthday present specially for you. It''s at The Millennium. She hoped that she could present it to you in person."

    Jameson raised his brows. In an icy voice, he asked, "You allowed her to go out?"

    "Please don''t worry! I was with her the whole way and watched her the entire time. She returned to The Millennium once she bought your gift. Nothing unusual happened along the way!" Carl quickly exined. "I''d say that she''s a smart woman if she has trulye to her senses," Jamesonmented rxedly.

    At the same time, Jasper, Alyssa and Cyrus were feeling troubled.

    "I can''t believe that evil prevailed over good. He managed to strut out in less than two days. It''s disgusting!"

    Alyssa''s eyes reddened with anger.

    She was about to m her fist on the coffee table when Jasper wrapped his hands around her fist.

    He held her hand tightly and put it on his chest.

    "You can be angry, but don''t hurt yourself, Lyse. You can hit me if you need somewhere to vent your anger."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "Wouldn''t that make my heart break and angry at the same time? I''ll feel even worse!"

    Alyssa threw herself into Jasper''s arms. She nuzzled her head against his chest like an angry kitten while grasping at his shirt''s hem. Jasper''s eyes were full of affection. He put his hands around her waist and allowed her to release her anger all she wanted.

    "Enough with the PDA! We should think about what to do next!" Cyrus shook his head continuously. He couldn''t bear to watch them. He was no longer in the mood to entertain their affection for one another in public.

    "I''m afraid that we won''t be able to do anything to Jameson for now."

    Jasper pinched the nape of Alyssa''s neck gently. In a deep voice, he added, "We''ll need to try again with a different approach."

    "We have alerted the enemy now.

    Jamiper will surelyy down arms for the moment and not take any

    action." Cyrus sighed, "It''s really

    such a pity that we didnt

    deliver a heavy blow to him time!" .

    "It''s true that we have alerted the enemy, but he might noty down armspletely!"

    Alyssa gritted her teeth. Her gaze burned withpetitiveness. "This incident has set off rm bells for him. A conservative approach won''t cut it. He''s bound to strike again to tie up these loose ends!"

 Chapter 2122

    Late at night, the police station office was illuminated only by the eerie glow of aputer screen. It disyed Jameson''s interview after his bail.

    Nichs, haggard-looking, stared at the screen. An overflowing ashtray sat beside him.

    He pursed his lips, his trembling fingers dialing Jameson''s number. To his surprise, it was engaged. Despair clenched his heart as he gripped the phone tighter.

    Nichs slumped on the couch, his eyes squeezed shut. Throughout his lifetime, he had faced horrors untold, his hands stained with the blood of many. Yet, none of it prepared him for the soul-crushing despair that threatened to consume him now. This was the darkest night of his life.

    Four agonizing days passed in this state. Then, one night, his phone rang. It was Natalie''s doctor.

    "Mr. Novak, your wife had a sudden episode! She''s unstable. Pleasee to the hospital immediately!"

    "Is she okay?" Nichs shot up, grabbing his coat and rushing toward the door.

    "Mrs. Novak is in the ER. We''ll discuss details when you arrive!"

    Nichs reached for the doorknob as the call ended. He hesitated, feeling the weight of a loaded gun in his pocket. It was a tempting deterrent, a promise of defense. But using it meant wading into a deeper swamp. Every shot, every bullet casing left behind, would be another clue for the police to follow, a neon sign pointing straight back to him and his tangled web of secrets with Jameson.

    Cyrus, a rising star in the force, reminded Nichs of his younger self. Given time, Cyrus would surely uncover their shady business.

    More importantly, hecked the stomach to defy Jameson; even if he had the courage, he couldn''t afford to do so.

    Jameson was a devil who wouldn''t blink at taking a life, and Nichs had known this partnership was a dance with the reaper from the outset.

    He was aware that his future was bleak. But he had no choice. His wife, his love, needed saving.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    He turned back, retrieved a screwdriver from his desk, and hid it behind his back before hurrying out.

    Nichs sped toward the hospital in his ck SUV but screeched to a halt in a deserted alley. At the other end, a ck vehicle blocked his path.

    Four masked figures in ck emerged from the car. Twoid a spiked chain across the ground.

    Escape by car was clearly not an option; a single wrong move would leave him stranded with a chorus of popping tires.

    Nichs'' eyes zed with fury. He gritted his teeth, threw the car into reverse, and mmed on the elerator.

    A deafening crash echoed as his car rammed the vehicle behind him, blocking his escape. The narrow alley had be a cage, and he was the trapped prey. Realizing that escape was futile, Nichs stepped out, scowling at the approaching assassins. He reached behind his back, gripping the screwdriver tightly. "Chief Novak?" the leader rasped, his toneced with hostility.

    "Mr. Schmidt sent all of you, didn''t he?" Nichs'' temples throbbed. The question hung heavy in the air, a mere formality.

    The situation was dire. Though bailed out, Jameson was now a marked man and Jasper and Alyssa were determined to bring him down.

    Jameson was trapped, a fly caught in a web of enemies. Confronted by imminent danger, his primal survival instinct urged him to eliminate the threat-Nichs. Nichs understood Jameson''s ruthlessness, but tonight wasn''t the time for him to meet his end.

    "Who we work for is irrelevant," the leader smirked. "We''re aware of your capabilities. That''s why we came to you. We wouldn''t be here unless we have the guts and muscles to back it up. Cooperate, and your end will be swift."

    "We''ll settle this, but not now," Nichs pleaded, his voiceced with urgency. "My wife''s critically ill. I need to be at the hospital."

    "Such devotion, Chief Novak. It''s a pity our employer wants you dead regardless. Take him down!"

    The assassins charged at Nichs.

    This dark, windy, and silent night would be the night of his death. They shed at Nichs with their des, one after another, but they missed. Amidst the howling wind, the terrifying sounds of punches and kicks echoed.

    Nichs, a seasoned officer, fought with the desperation of a cornered animal. Age, however, was a cruel mistress slowing his reflexes just enough for a de to find its mark. A searing pain erupted in his left arm as a knife sliced deep, bone glinting in the pale light.

    Another glint, this time of a de, hurled right at his face. There was no time to dodge.

    But the de never connected; it hung suspended, inches from his eyes. A scream then tore through the night as the de ttered to the ground, followed by a sickening snap of a broken wrist.

    There, bathed in the cold moonlight, stood Jasper. He was a mountain of a man, his stance radiating an unshakeable resolve.

    Their eyes met, Jasper''s dark and fiery. He extended a hand to help Nichs up. "Are you alright?"

    Nichs held his breath in awe, his pain momentarily forgotten. At that moment, Jasper resembled an angel who had descended from the heavens. He exuded an atmosphere of sheer power and intimidation. "That''s... Jasper Beckett! The Beckett Group''s president!" one of the assassins stammered, his voiceced with shock.

    Panic flickered in their eyes. This wasn''t part of the n.

    "We won''t get paid if we don''t finish this!" the leader snarled. "It doesn''t matter who he is. Kill them both! No one leaves here alive!"

    The assassins, their initial surprise reced by grim determination, closed the distance.

    "Run!" Nichs roared at Jasper.

    But Jasper remained calm, a steely glint in his eyes as he surveyed the scene.

    "You''re a cop, and I''m an ex-soldier. It appears we both have a duty tonight. Let''s prove we don''t back down from evil, officer."

 Chapter 2123

    Nichs felt his heart racing as Jasper''s words hit him like a shockwave.

    Back when Jameson was still in Kontina, he had already ensnared Nichs in his schemes. After years of working for him, Nichs had forgotten the man he once was-a conscientious, passionate individual Just then, a blur of motion caught their eyes-a de was aimed at Jasper from the side.

    "Watch out!" Nichs shouted, his eyes widening in fear.

    But Jasper reacted swiftly, seizing the attacker''s wrist and with a snap, breaking it. After disarming the attacker, he delivered a kick that sent thetter crashing into a nearby wall, bones audibly breaking. With each calcted move Jasper made, Nichs realized his initial impression was far off the mark. The polished, presumptuous president revealed surprising fighting prowess and a sharp mind. Nichs understood he barely knew Jasper. If a powerful patron hadn''t backed Jameson, he wouldn''t even be a blip on Jasper''s radar.

    The dark alley had be a brutal battleground.

    Jasper, a charming fa?ade masking a ruthless efficiency, moved with a deadly grace. Even though an individual''s strength was limited, their danger seemed insignificant before him. One by one, they fell beneath his relentless assault.

    Nichs and Jasper stood back-to-back, bloodied but resolute as they readied themselves for the onught.

    Jasper''s face was streaked with blood, a chilling contrast to his fine features and bespoke suit.

    "As I''ve said, Chief Novak," Jasper''s voice cut through the chaos like ice. "Jameson never intended for you to be an ally, merely a pawn. He''s been plotting your demise from the very beginning, nning to crush you like a spent cartridge once you''re of no use."

    Nichs gritted his teeth, his voiceced with raw frustration. "You''ll never get it! You can''t understand what this means to me!" He clutched his throbbing arm, sweat beading his forehead despite the chills coursing through him.

    "Joining forces with us is your only way out," Jasper insisted, his gaze unwavering.

    "Way out?" Nichs let out a humorlessugh. "Is there even a way out for me anymore? Maybe I can cheat death today, but can I outrun it forever?"

    Jasper frowned and said nothing. Even if they took down Jameson together, Nichs would likely face legal repercussions for his actions.

    Intent on killing them, the assassins charged at them once again.

    The leader of the assassins, ever the opportunist, saw a chance to im credit. Amidst the chaos surrounding Jasper, he made a treacherous move. With a swift, ruthless motion, he targeted the weakened Nichs, his de shing in the air as it aimed for the vulnerable man''s head.

    But in a surprising disy of strength, Nichs mmed the leader to the ground and stepped on his chest.

    In pain, the leader cried out and spat out a mouthful of blood.

    Despite his weakened state, Nichs had proven himself a tough fighter. His eyes zed with a feral intensity as he raised his screwdriver high in the air, poised to strike a fatal blow.

    In that moment, with bloodlust in his eyes, Nichs resembled the very assassins he fought against.

    "No! Stop!" Jasper roared, lunging forward to grab Nichs'' hand. "We don''t kill! That''s the line we don''t cross!"N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "What other choice do we have? Let them finish us off?" Nichs rasped, his voice hoarse with strain.

    "If it were self-defense, I wouldn''t

    have stopped you. But that wasn''t what happened!" Jasper''s eyes were sharp, cutting through his words. "You were afraid he''d say something incriminating if he got caught. You wanted to silence him!"

    Nichs was stunned. Yet, he still fought to drive the screwdriver in his hand into the leader''s chest. If it weren''t for Jasper''s firm grip, he would have already finished him. Just then, the wail of approaching sirens filled the air.

    The remaining assassinsy broken on the ground, their bodies testament to the brutal fight. Two, in a desperate bid for escape, attempted to flee, only to be tackled and subdued by the police upon their quick arrival.

    "Jasper!"

    "Mr. Beckett!"

    Cyrus and Xavier raced toward Jasper, their eyes widening in horror at the sight of fresh blood smeared across him. Panic surged through them.

    "Mr. Beckett! A-Are you hurt?" Xavier stammered, his voice trembling. He hovered helplessly, on the verge of tears.

    "I called the ambnce. They''ll be here soon. Hold on, Jasper!" Despite his experience with chaotic situations, Cyrus couldn''t help but turn pale. Jasper wiped the blood on his cheek with the back of his hand. "I''m okay. This isn''t mine."

    Relief washed over Xavier. "Oh my goodness, thank heavens! Thank God!" He sped his hands together, muttering prayers repeatedly. Cyrus exhaled deeply. "I don''t know what I''d tell Alyssa if something happened to you!"

    "That won''t happen," Jasper assured them, his voice firm despite the situation. "I promised Lyse I''d protect her forever. Nothing will happen to me."

    The apprehended assassins were loaded into police cars. The weapons at the scene were confiscated as well.

    Cyrus led a pair of officers to Nichs. "Chief Novak," he began respectfully. "Once the ambnce arrives, please see to your injuries first."

    "The hospital can wait. I need to be with my wife right now," Nichs insisted, his voice weak but his eyes burning with determination. "She''s in the emergency room, and her condition is critical. I have to get to

    her!" ?

    "There''s no need," Jasper interjected calmly, approaching Nichs. "Your wife is safe. They said she was in the emergency room, but it was a ruse."

    Nichs was stunned. "What? But how? The one who called "

    "You know exactly who has that kind of power and why this happened," Jasper said pointedly.

    It was a setup by Jameson.

    Nichs had no children, and his

    parents had died early. His only weakness was his wife. Jameson, aware of this, had manipted Natalie''s doctor. Fabricating a story about Natalie''s critical condition, he lured Nichs away from the police station, intending to eliminate him discreetly. It was a sinister and

    cunning move.

    Thankfully, Jasper intervened in time. He also had Xavier call Cyrus for backup. Otherwise, Nichs wouldn''t be standing here.

    "My wound is minor. I can manage. I have something else to take care of, so I''ll take my leave."

    Nichs, his head hung low, turned to leave. Cyrus stopped him, his gaze somber. "Since you''re refusing the hospital, Chief Novak,e back to the station with me. We have medics who can stitch you up."

 Chapter 2124

    "Do you hear yourself, Cyrus Taylor?" Nichs'' heart sank. He sternly rebuked Cyrus, "I am your superior. Besides, I was the one whose life was in danger tonight. I was the one being attacked! "Are you trying to arrest me right now? What are you thinking? Will you be able to handle it if news of this gets out?"

    Jasper watched Cyrus with a worried look in his eyes.

    Although he wasn''t part of the police force, he understood that those in positions of authority had the power to crush those beneath them.

    "I''ve assigned officers to seal off this entire area. No one will find out about what happened here tonight. It''s not just for your reputation, but also to avoid causing panic among the citizens. I don''t want the residents here to feel unsafe leaving their homes at night."

    Cyrus lightly smirked. Fearlessness was written all over his face. In a firm tone, he continued, "Furthermore, you yourself said those thugs came after you. You''re a victim. If that''s the case, ording to our procedures, you should alsoe back with us so that we can take your statement and ensure your safety.

    "After all, you are my superior. You''re not just some ordinary person. Don''t you agree?"

    Nichs was rendered speechless.

    Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly. Deep down, his admiration for Cyrus grew.

    Who was it who said Cyrus was a reckless man?

    True enough, Alyssa was her brother''s greatest critic.

    It was the wee hours of the morning, and a heavy atmosphere filled the interrogation room.

    Nichs sat in a chair, his eyes downcast. He refused to speak about anything other than the night''s incident.

    "There''s nothing we can do, Chief Taylor. Chief Novak refuses to speak no matter how we question him."

    Cyrus'' colleagues were worried. "The captain has found out about this. He instructed us to interrogate him ording to protocol. Then, we have to let Chief Novak go. Otherwise, he will definitely hold you ountable and you might get suspended!"

    Cyrus clenched his teeth and pressed his palm to his forehead. "How much time do we have left?"

    "Two hours, maybe less. The captain was on a work trip in Belbanks. He cut his trip short upon receiving this news. He is on his way back to Sna City as we speak."

    Cyrus'' chest clenched. He paced the hallway, anxiety gnawing at him. Suspension wasn''t the worry. It was the immense effort they''d invested in finally reining Nichs in. If they couldn''t get him to talk now, capturing himter would be a long shot.

    Disappointment for Alyssa and Jasper was a bitter pill to swallow but letting Jameson win was unthinkable.

    Cyrus steeled himself. He took a deep breath before going back into the interrogation room to confront Nichs.

    Nichs lounged back, eyes closed, the picture of rxation. "I''m sure your station captain is en route. Just a heads-up, Chief Taylor-if you keep me here, I can''t guarantee you''ll still have your jobe morning.

    "I''ve said all I know. I don''t know those thugs, and I have no idea why they attacked me. My actions were purely in self-defense. Any other questions, I simply can''t answer."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Cyrus'' tongue darted to the roof of his mouth. In a cold,manding tone, he said, "The leader of the thugs has confessed, Chief Novak. They weren''t after your money; they were trying to silence you." Nichs'' expression remained impassive.

    "He also said they''re affiliated with the Schmidt Group." Cyrus approached deliberately, tapping anguid rhythm on the table. "So, can I conclude that Jameson Schmidt is the one who wanted you dead? After all, the other Schmidt family members are either dead or imprisoned. He''s the only Schmidt left."

    He almost let slip "viper" instead of "only Schmidt left".

    A sudden, sharpugh erupted from Nichs. "ying the prisoner''s dilemma, are we, Chief Taylor? Do you think that''ll work on a fellow officer''ll give you credit for your imagination, though. It''s such a waste of your talent here. Screenwriting suit you better."

 Chapter 2125

    Anxiety gnawed at Cyrus as time ticked away. His colleagues had yet to extract any useful information from the leader of the assassins they were interrogating.

    Firstly, the assassins weren''t locals, exining their audacity in attacking the policemissioner. Secondly, the transaction with their client was recorded offshore, making investigation impossible. Even torture wouldn''t make them talk.

    The station chief arrived at Sna City Police Bureau over an hourter and made a stern request for Cyrus to release Nichs.

    While Cyrus wrestled with the immense pressure, Alyssa was at the hospital, personally tending to a minor scratch on Jasper''s knuckles. Her heart ached at the sight.

    "Didn''t you promise to take care of yourself?" she chided gently.

    "Five years younger, and that wouldn''t have been a scratch," Jasper replied with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He wrapped his left arm around her and pulled her close. He held her hand with his bandaged right hand. "Seems like age is catching up to me."

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat when she felt him squeezing her bottom. "Who says you''re old? You''re full of life," she mumbled.

    "Is that so?" Jasper''s eyes narrowed yfully. Though his right hand was limited, his left hand was free. Maintaining hisposure, he gave her bottom another squeeze. "Only you darling, would know for sure my true vigor."

    A blush crept up Alyssa''s cheeks. "Hey! Can''t you be serious for once?"Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.

    Despite their long rtionship, his flirtatiousness still flustered her. Snuggling closer, she voiced her concerns, "Saving Nichs doesn''t solve everything. Cyrus hasn''t updated us, likely because they''re at a standstill.

    "This could drag on until dawn. If

    they can''t get information, have to release him, and that

    mean bigger problems for hel

    Jasper held her tightly, his gaze darkening. "He''s a tough one. Earlier, he wanted to kill the leader. It looks like he''s determined to stay on his dark path."

    "He''s in too deep with Jameson now to turn back," Alyssa agreed, frowning. "Our only option is to get him convicted."

    But that was easier said than done.

    Just then, Alyssa''s phone rang, breaking the tension.

    "It''s Axel," she said, surprised, and nced at Jasper before answering.

    Without a preamble, Axel''s voice

    with urgency. "Lyse, I

    cracmportant video to your enta belongs to  Colet

    You

    need to see it now!"

    Axel''s agitation was unusual. Alyssa immediately opened her email, Jasper leaning in to watch with her.

    The video was short, less than a minute long.

    Yet, by the end of it, both Alyssa and Jasper were left in utter shock, their blood boiling with a fury they hadn''t felt before.

    "Where did you get this, Axel?" Alyssa''s voice trembled with emotion.

    "Amber... It was from Amber!" Axel choked out, his breathing heavy.

 Chapter 2126

    Alyssa and Jasper''s hearts lurched at the mention of Amber''s name. A flurry of emotions-excitement, unease, and most potently, worry-washed over them.

    "Did you meet with Amber, Axel?" Alyssa asked, her voiceced with anxiety.

    "No," Axel replied, his voice croaking with a barely concealed hurt. "She sent this video to me on my phone. I''m scared, Lyse. I''m terribly afraid something bad will happen to Amber!"

    Jasper spoke up reassuringly, "If she sent the video, she''s likely still safe for now, Axel. Try not to worry too much."

    "For now..." Axel gritted his teeth. "But how long will thatst? I need to get her out of there!"

    "Don''t act recklessly, Axel!" Alyssa warned, her gaze fierce. "You could expose Amber and put her in even greater danger. Remember, she''s still in Jameson''s clutches!"

    "If this video leaks," Alyssa continued, "there''s no evidence linking her as the source. But if you make a reckless move, it''ll be as good as telling Jameson Amber''s a traitor. He could eliminate her anytime, and even your connections wouldn''t be enough to stop him."

    Axel exhaled, his anger giving way to a forced calmness.

    "Don''t worry, Axel," Jasper said. "When the time is right, Lyse and I will do everything in our power to help you save Ms. Altman." Coming from Jasper, these weren''t just empty words; they were a promise. With that, Axel feltpletely at ease. "Thank you, Jasper. That means a lot."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    The station captain, who was away on a business trip in Belbanks when he received the news, rushed back to the station that very night. He immediately ordered Cyrus to release Nichs and even demanded a public apology.

    "Forget the apology," Nichs said magnanimously, pretending to be above it all. "Chief Taylor was just looking out for my safety."

    Nichs strutted out of the interrogation room, the station captain by his side. "Let''s just move on. I''m fine anyway. I hope you won''t punish Chief Taylor for this."

    "Absolutely not!" The captain

    boomed. He caused you undue trouble and even uwfully detained you for hours. I can''t just overlook that. He deserves a severe reprimand!"

    Nichs brushed it off, not wanting to push the issue.

    There was obviously no animosity between him and Cyrus. However, Cyrus was Alyssa''s biological brother and close to Jasper. If Nich''s could get Cyrus

    suspended, it would eliminato e

    someone prying into his affairs and potentially expose his connection to Jameson. Sacrificing a subordinate seemed like the only option.

    Unfortunately for them, before they could walk any further, they saw Cyrus approaching with two other officers from the Criminal Investigation Unit.

    Cyrus marched right up to Nichs, effectively blocking his path.

    "Cyrus Taylor! What now?" the captain bellowed.

    Cyrus met Nichs'' gaze head-on, his expression frosty and severe T apologize, Chief Novak, but you cannot leave tonight. We''ve acquired new evidence that implicates you in a premeditated murder."

    The captain''s jaw dropped in disbelief. "Murder? Cyrus, what are you talking about? How could Chief Novak possibly be involved in a murder?"

    "We don''t arrest without evidence," Cyrus retorted, handcuffing Nichs.

    Nichs'' face immediately drained of color; his hands clenched into fists.

    He found himself back in the interrogation room, this time under a much heavier atmosphere, thick with tension and foreboding.

    "I didn''t kill anyone," Nichs asserted calmly.

    "We''ll see about that," Cyrus replied coolly. "Let''s jog your memory with a little video clip, shall we?"

 Chapter 2127

    Nichs'' emotionless eyes widened as he watched the video. It depicted a dimly lit alley behind a nightclub, where Nathan, the leader of the Ivory Gang, pinned his subordinate to the ground, raining blows upon him.

    Shortly after, Nathan left the scene.

    The subordinate was still alive. He was attempting to get up when a dark figure suddenly leaped down from a wall.

    Cyrus fixed Nichs with an intense stare, his eyes betraying tension in the muscles around them.

    The unexpected assant didn''t hesitate. He stomped on the Ivory Gang member, grabbed a rock, and smashed it on the man''s head thrice.

    The subordinate crumpled, his head a sickening mess of blood. A pool of crimson bloomed around him, a horrifying final image as life ebbed away.

    The initial lighting was dim, shrouding the killer''s face in darkness.

    However, as if by fate''s intervention, the lighting on the nightclub''s shy signage flickered to life momentarily, revealing the killer''s face-Nichs, his features spattered with blood.

    "After obtaining the video," Cyrus began, his voiceced with unwavering certainty, "we sent it directly to forensics for a thorough analysis. The results are in, and they''re conclusive-the video is entirely authentic, with no signs of tampering."

    Cyrus dered confidently, his words were like nails hammering into Nichs, pinning him down with the weight of his crime.

    "Furthermore, physical evidence links you to the crime scene with a 98% match. We have irrefutable proof of your involvement in this murder, Chief Novak. The video and physical evidence are enough to convict you of first-degree murder, even without a confession."

    A heavy silence descended upon the interrogation room.

    After a long moment, Nichs erupted into a chilling, manicughter. The metallic ng of his handcuffs against the table echoed through the room.

    "Yes, it was me," he dered. "I killed him after Nathan left. Then, I framed him for the murder. Anyway, you''ve already arrested me. Prosecute me, convict me. I won''t fight it.

    "You are the policemissioner," Cyrus pressed. "You never had any dealings with the victim, no prior animosity Why were you at the

    crime scene? Why resort to su ne

    brutality and then try to pin the

    me on someone else? Were you acting under someone''s orders?"

    Nichs shut his eyes, a picture of defiance. No matter how many questions they threw at him, his lips remained sealed.

    The next morning, Jameson, stillN?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    recovering from his injuries, made his way to Schmidt Group headquarters. Swallowing a handful of pills, he forced himself onward. Hospitalization wasn''t an option, so medication was his only soface.

    Jameson and Carl was on their way to the meeting room when Carl''s phone vibrated.

    Carl answered it immediately, his eyes widening in panic as he listened. A tremor ran through him when he ended the call.

    "What''s wrong?" Jameson inquired, noticing Carl''s growing panic.

    "Mr. Schmidt, terrible news! The police arrested Chief Novakst night. They''re charging him with first-degree murder!"

    Jameson''s heart lurched. "First-degree murder? What are you talking about?"

    "Apparently, someone provided the police with a video. It shows Chief Novak killing the victim after Nathan left. The entire murder is on tape! He has no defense." Jameson''s vision swam. A metallic tang filled his mouth as he lurched forward. A crimson spray erupted from his mouth, painting his pale lips a grotesque red.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl cried out in rm.

 Chapter 2128

    Carl was petrified. He immediately ced a call to cancel the meeting before helping Jameson back to his office and onto his couch.

    Jameson gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. The pain felt like his insides were burning. His hands trembled as he pressed them to his burning forehead. His vision swam in and out of darkness.

    "Here, drink some water, Mr. Schmidt!" Carl knelt beside him, his eyes red with worry. He held the ss to Jameson''s lips, which were stained with blood.

    "I''ve called your private doctor. He''s on his way as fast as he can. Just hang in there..."

    Jameson raised a hand and pped the ss away. In a gruff voice, he rasped, "All these years... Nichs has done a lot of dirty work for me. He has always been meticulous, handling everything cleanly. How could he leave evidence, let alone a video?"

    "Anyone who ys with fire gets burned eventually," Carl said through gritted teeth. "Even Chief Novak, with all his skills, isn''t infallible. Since he''s in police custody, we can''t let him live. I''ll get rid of him, no matter what it takes. I won''t let this implicate you!"

    "That''s easier said than done," Jameson coughed. "Nichs is a policemissioner, not some nobody. Even if he''s a criminal, he''ll be in a special cell with heavy surveince. Our people won''t be able to get to him."

    Carl''s face contorted in worry. He paced like a caged animal.

    Jameson''s private doctor arrived soon after and performed a basic checkup.

    "How''s Mr. Schmidt doing?" Carl asked. His eyes were filled with worry.

    "Has Mr. Schmidt been taking various medications all these years? And I don''t mean just any medication, but strong ones?" the doctor asked hesitantly.

    A pit formed in Carl''s stomach. "Well, yes, some... But how is he really?"

    "The long-term use of medication, especially strong ones, has taken a toll on Mr. Schmidt''s organs. The recent increase in dosage to manage his condition in the recent hospitalization has made things worse. Thebination is overwhelming his system."

    "So... why did Mr. Schmidt throw up blood?" Carl stammered.

    "The emotional stress and damaged organs caused his stomach to an overproduction of gastric enzymes. These enzymes damaged his blood vessels, leading to acute bleeding. A more detailed examination at a hospital is necessary for a definitive diagnosis."

    Carl felt a wave of despair wash over him. He dismissed the doctor with a wave of his hand. "Thank you for your help. You may leave now."

    After the doctor left, Jameson took some medication. His breathing soon stabilized.

    "Something''s not right," Jameson rasped, sitting up with Carl''s help. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "The video of Nichs'' crime was recorded at the scene. If the person had this evidence, why wait two whole months to report him? Why now of all times?"

    Carl couldn''t answer Jameson''s questions.

    "Nathan took the me, and Ivory Group suffered greatly because of it. If they had revealed this evidence earlier, none of this would have happened."

    A cold glint appeared in Jameson''s eyes. "The only exnation is that the whistleblower had just obtained this evidence. Previously, you mentioned Amber leaving The Millennium for a while, didn''t you?"

    Carl''s face stiffened abruptly, and

    goosebumps erupted on his skin. He

    asserted confidently, "Mr. Schmidt! Amber was with me the entire time, I swear! She never touched her phone or left my sight. Even if she intended something, she wouldn''t have had the opportunity!

    "Besides, I''ve been monitoring her phone 24/7. There are no outgoing calls. I''m positive she''s not involved!"

    "Are you absolutely certain she was never out of your sight, not even for a second?" Jameson inquired slyly.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Suddenly, a memory shed in Carl''s mind-the car ident. He had stepped away briefly to handle it, leaving Amber alone in the car for just a few minutes. But she hadn''t met anyone. So how could she have gotten the video evidence?

 Chapter 2129

    "It''s true. She met with no one. I swear!" Carl asserted calmly, though his heart raced within.

    Jameson leaned back, a slight smile ying on his lips. "It seems like you''ve taken quite a fancy to her."

    "I..." Carl stammered, his face flushing in panic.

    "If that''s the case, I shall decide on your behalf this time. You should marry Amber."

    Carl''s eyes widened in shock. "You... You want me to marry Amber?"

    "I know you''ve always had feelings for her," Jameson replied, closing his eyes casually. "It''s been too long since we celebrated anything in the Schmidt family. You''ve served me faithfully without asking for anything in return.

    "I''m not heartless. I recognize your true desires. Consider Amber a token of my gratitude, if you will."

    "Thank you, Mr. Schmidt! I''m honored to marry Amber. She''s a gift from you. Why would I ever mind? I''d be ecstatic!" Carl eximed gratefully, moved.

    "Start nning the wedding soon. I''ll be generous with my congrattions," Jameson said with forced cheer. "Hold it in Kontina, and let Amber stay there. You''ll travel between the two cities."

    "I understand, Mr. Schmidt," Carl replied, a flicker ofprehension crossing his features. His chest tightened. "But what about Chief Novak? How do you n to deal with the situation?"

    "He''s been corrupt for years. He''ll understand his position," Jameson replied coolly, eyes narrowing with a hint of coldness. "Besides, I still hold leverage over his weakness. If he''s wise, he won''t betray me."

    News of Police Commissioner

    Nichs Novak''s arrest for premeditated murder sent

    shockwaves throughout the nation. The revtion of the true culprit brought relief, as Nathan, the wrongly used, was finally cleared of murder charges.

    However, the prosecution continued to pursue an assault charge against him, though with a significantly lighter sentence. It was practically a fresh start. Considering his good behavior in detention, Nathan was granted a suspended sentence and released on bail thanks to the Waters family.

    On the day of his release, Alyssa and Colene arrived together to pick him up.

    "Ms. Colene, I''m so sorry for the trouble," Nathan said, his voice thick with emotion. Despite his past as a fearless gang leader, he was on the verge of tears. "What are you talking about, Nathan? We''re family," Colene replied, tears welling up in her eyes. She pulled him into a hug. "I know it''s been incredibly difficult."

    "It was nothing. But I do owe my release to Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett," Nathan said, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Alyssa.

    "My contribution to clearing your

    name was minimal, Mr. Nathan,"

    Alyssa said brightly. "The credit goes

    to a remarkable woman. She bravely provided the key evidence. I can''t hold a candle to her strength and wisdom."

    Colene and Nathan asked in unison, "Who is she?"

    Alyssa smiled. "My sister-inw."

    Just then, her phone rang. It was Jasper.

    "How are things going, Jasper?"

    "Lyse, Chief Novak has confessed to murder, but he refuses to speak on anything else," Jasper said. "Getting him to implicate Jameson will be a tough challenge, I''m afraid."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 2130

    Alyssa excused herself from Colene and Nathan to continue her phone call with Jasper under a tree.

    "Every criminal leaves a trace. Cyrus is adept at cracking cases. Once the task force starts digging into Nichs, I''m sure they''ll find clues that lead to Jameson," Alyssa exined.

    "It''s not that easy, Lyse," Jasper said, his voice dull. "Cyrus checked Chief Novak''s ounts and phone records. No unusual profits in years, not even offshore.

    "As for his phone records, there were a few highly-suspicious unknown number. But those numbers were unregistered burner phones. There''s no way to trace them. Chief Novak is essentially a cop. He''d be more professional than most criminals, and his countersurveince skills would be top-notch."

    "Itplicates things without financial motives," Alyssa admitted, pacing thoughtfully. "Chief Novak clearly isn''t driven by money. Everything he''s done has been to develop a new drug to save his wife. That''s why he''s given his all for Jameson. His conviction is undeniably strong."

    Jasper clenched his teeth. "In that case, getting him to turn on Jameson would be incredibly difficult."

    Alyssa''s eyes narrowed in contemtion. "That might not be the case."

    "Have you got a n, Lyse?"

    "Not really. I''ll just have to take another gamble."

    "A gamble on...?"

    There was a twinkle in Alyssa''s eyes. "On humanity."

    Jasper fell silent, processing her strategy. "You''re banking on Jameson being exposed as the viin, shattering Chief Novak''s trust," Jasper concluded after a moment.

    "Yes."

    A warmth spread through Alyssa. She enjoyed this feeling of being telepathic with Jasper. "Their partnership is strong, and his desire for the drug is unwavering. He wouldn''t betray Jameson even if it cost him his life.

    "The only way this unravels is if Chief Novak''s trust in Jameson shatterspletely. He needs to witness the truth firsthand, to open his eyes and see the man he entrusted with his wife''s life for what he truly is -a self-serving monster at his core.

    "On top of that, he''s been arrested. No one is looking after his wife. It''s highly likely Jameson will use her as leverage to keep Chief Novak silent."

    "You''re perceptive, Lyse, always ahead of the game," Jasperplimented generously. "But realistically, Jameson has a good chance of getting away with it if he does nothing."

    Alyssa scoffed, a cold glint in her eyesl. "Hah! Pigs will fly if Jamiper isn''t up to anything nasty. He''s a despicable excuse for a human and doesn''t deserve someone as capable as Chief Novak working for him. "Jameson''s been able to get away with so much for so long because he holds dirt on countless people. He preys on the weak. He thinks the world revolves around him, but he''s overlooking something crucial." "His own arrogance will be his downfall," Jasper chimed in.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    "Spoken like a true sage," Alyssa said yfully, making a kissing sound into the phone.

    "Where are you, darling?" Jasper''s voice was husky with restrained desire. "It''s been a while. Can I expect some reward tonight?"

    Alyssa''s eyshes fluttered. "Just once?"

    "No, thrice." Jasper breathed heavily, longing to hold her close.

    "Alright, alright," Alyssa said, putting a hand on her flushed cheeks. "Back to business, Jasper. We need a solid n to rescue Amber as soon as possible.

    "With Chief Novak arrested, even if Jameson doesn''t know the video came from Amber, she''ll be the first person he looks at if he suspects an inside job. She''ll be in grave danger. I won''t let Axel lose her, and I certainly won''t let another innocent person die!"

    "Don''t worry, Lyse," Jasper reassured her. "Axel and I will figure something out for Amber."

    The meeting with Schmidt Group''s executives was canceled. Jameson, needing rest for his recovery, retreated home for the night.

    The city shimmered with its usual opulence as life at The Millennium continued.

    In her room, Amber sat before her vanity, brushing her long waves with a relieved smile. News of Nichs'' arrest had spread, and when it finally reached her, sleep had eluded her for days.

    The house of cards Jameson built was copsing with the loss of its most crucial piece. How long before his kingdom crumbled entirely?

    Suddenly, the door burst open. Amber jumped to her feet, startled, to see Carl approaching with a fixed stare and flushed face.

    She could tell that he had some drinks in a single nce. Though, he was only tipsy, notpletely intoxicated.

    As Jameson''s secretary and trusted

    aide, Cark prided himself on his unwavering vignce. He had always maintained a clear head and avoided alcohol. But tonight, he was

    This was unusual

    "You drank?" Amber asked, surprised.

    "I''m really d, Amber." Carl smiled, though his eyes betrayed a hint of weariness. In a sudden motion, he seized Amber by her waist and drew her close, the woman he had long desired. Amber''s body was pressed flush against his. She could sense a rising excitement in him, a vibe that sent a wave of unease crashing through her. Nausea churned in her stomach. "What... What are you doing? Let go of me!"

    She tried her best to free herself, but her struggles seemed to fuel his excitement. He cupped her chin roughly, forcing her to meet his gaze.

    "I have news, Amber. Wonderful news."

    Fear prickled at Amber''s skin. Her voice trembled. "What is it?"

    "We''re getting married," Carl dered, his breathsing in ragged gasps. He leaned in close, the reek of alcohol overwhelming His lips hovered dangerously close to hers. "Mr. Schmidt has gifted you to me. From now on, you''ll be my wife... my woman!"

 Chapter 2131

    "What did you say? That''s impossible!"

    Amber''s eyes widened in panic. She struggled fiercely against Carl''s grip, pummeling his chest with her fists, but it was futile. "That''s nonsense! You''re lying!" "Amber... Amber..."

    Unfazed by her resistance, Carl stared at her with unfocused eyes, breathing heavily. "Why would I lie? My feelings for you are genuine. I''ve never lied to you." "Look at me! I have Alyssa Taylor''s face! Why would Mr. Schmidt allow me to marry you?" Amber was on the verge of hysteria. "I don''t want to marry you! I don''t!" Carl''s re intensified as he roared, "Who then? Axel Whitaker?" His eyes were bloodshot.

    Amber''s body stiffened in his arms, a sharp pang shooting through her heart.

    Carl grabbed her chin forcefully, squeezing so hard it felt like it would break. "Mr. Schmidt has had his fun with you. You''re also a woman who looks exactly like Axel''s sister. Do you think he truly desires you? Can he?

    "He''s Mr. Taylor''s son, a man of high standing and influence. I''m sure he''s seen his fair share of beautiful women. Women who would pay to be in his bed, to be his wife. He wouldn''t even need to spend a dime!"

    Carl''s words were a knife twisting in Amber''s gut. "He was momentarily interested. Perhaps he pitied your beauty and despair. As someone of high status, he merely sympathized with a lowly person like you! "I''m the one who truly loves you! If I hadn''t vouched for you to Mr. Schmidt and secretly protected you, he would''ve gotten rid of you a long time ago. Don''t you know that?"

    An image of Axel''s watchful, captivating eyes shed in Amber''s mind.

    A lump formed in her throat, choking back any words. Tears streamed down her sunken cheeks, a picture of utter despair.

    "Chief Novak was arrested out of the blue. You were the one who provided the evidence, weren''t you?"

    With a menacing re, Carl''s voice dropped as he continued to interrogate her. "Wesley was the one who gathered the evidence against Chief Novak, correct?" Amber shuddered, her face draining of color.

    "Due to his monitoring of Chief Novak and me, I was able to catch him in the act. That''s how he ended up like that.

    "After he died, had people scour hisputer, phone, hard drives, and his room. But they found nothing. He was cleverer than I thought. He must have hidden the evidence somewhere I wouldn''t look. b underestimated him."

    Carl fumed, his anger fueled by his own carelessness that led to their current situation. He almost wished he could bring Wesley back just to kill him again. "Tell me, how did he get the evidence to you? Tell me! Speak!"

    Suddenly, Amber burst intoughter, a chilling sound against the backdrop of her tear-streaked face. "What''s the point of me answering these questions?This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    "Chief Novak deserves pity too. Jameson manipted him and used him like a pawn. His bright future was sacrificed. Does he regret it now?

    "But evil deeds are evil deeds nheless. Neither he nor Jameson will escape what they deserve. If he wants to kill or punish me, then so be it!" The dam broke. Years of pent-up anger and hatred spilled forth. "Even in death, I''ll watch from above as you all fall

    Upon hearing her raw honesty, Carl was ovee with a conflicting mix of emotions. He loved and hated her simultaneously-however, his desire to possess her overpowered

    everything else.

    He leaned in to kiss her, but she fought him with all her remaining strength, refusing to be touched.

    "Don''t worry, Amber. This will be our secret. I won''t let you die. I''ll marry you, love you, and take care of you..."

 Chapter 2132

    The deeply affectionate look on Carl''s face was extremely touching. Yet, it failed to reach Amber''s anguished heart. "Your past doesn''t matter to me. Whether you betrayed Mr. Schmidt... It doesn''t matter because it''s you I care about."

    "It doesn''t matter?" Amber scoffed. "You''re loyal to Jameson, yet you say it doesn''t matter?"

    This sounded like a cruel joke to Amber. Sheughed bitterly until her eyes welled up.

    "As I''ve said, it doesn''t matter because it''s you! Besides, even if Mr. Schmidt wanted you dead, I have ways to keep you safe!"

    In his haste, Carl blurted out, "You''ll be perfectly safe if you marry me. I swear, Mr. Schmidt wouldn''t dare do anything to you!"

    Amber''s pupils constricted. Her sharp mind caught the implication of his words.

    He hadn''t just assured her that Jameson wouldn''t take action; he had boldly stated that Jameson wouldn''t have the audacity to do so.

    Carl''s loyalty to Jameson was evident, but self-preservation was a primal instinct shared by both animals and humans. With Jameson''s erratic and ruthless behavior, the former likely navigated cautiously around thetter.

    Carl probably had hidden vital evidence against Jameson to protect himself.

    Amber forced herself to calm down and regain herposure. She bit her lower lip until it bled, the metallic taste filling her mouth. Then, she rxed in Carl''s arm, leaning her sweaty forehead on his shoulder as if resigned to her fate.

    Carl''s heart pounded with emotion as he held her tightly. "Amber," he said lovingly, "let''s go back to Kontina. It''s beautiful, with mountains and scenery. We can get married there.

    "I love you deeply, and I promise to always keep you safe. I''m the one who can bring you true happiness. Axel could never give you that."

    A sharp, crushing ache tore through Amber''s heart, leaving it in shattered pieces.

    A weekter, the police formed a task force to investigate Nichs'' case.

    Cyrus led a team to search his

    house. They found not only arge amount of illegal drugs but also various guns and weapons. They even discovered photos and detailed information on several victims. Clearly, the gang member from The Ivory wasn''t Nichs'' first.

    Cyrus submitted the evidence. The entire police force prioritized solving Nichs'' case. They needed to uncover the truth and bring closure to the victims'' families.

    However, no matter how much Cyrus and his team interrogated Nichs, they couldn''t get him to talk. They had exhausted all methods.

    Despite the evidence against him, Nichs refused to speak about his motives or a possible mastermind. He remained determined to take all the me.

    The case was at a standstill.

    One day, Alyssa and Jasper arrived at the station.

    "This man is unshakeable. We have no way of getting him to talk!" Cyrus mmed his fist against the wall in frustration. "I''ve interrogated

    brainwashed cult members had ne

    but he''s even tougher. This is maddening!"

    "Calm down, Cyrus," Alyssa said, her arm linked with Jasper''s. Her gaze was steady as she asked, "Would it be possible to speak to your supervisor and request permission for me to talk to Chief Novak?"

    Jasper looked at her deeply. "Lyse, you think you can get through to him?"Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa chuckled nervously, "Just trying anything at this point. Desperate times call for desperate measures."

 Chapter 2133

    The station captain was under pressure from his superiors because the police officers still couldn''t get Nichs to talk.

    When he learned that Alyssa wanted to try negotiating with Nichs, he decided solving the case was more important than following protocol. Although Alyssa wasn''t a professional negotiator, he made an exception and allowed her to meet with Nichs for a chat.

    Jasper and Cyrus watched Alyssa''s confrontation with Nichs through a one-way mirror in the observation room next to the interrogation room. Their faces were grim and filled with concern.

    In the interrogation room, Nichs stared emotionlessly at Alyssa. "Ms. Alyssa, I''ve confessed everything I need to confess. I don''t think we have anything left to discuss."

    "Chief Novak," Alyssa began.

    "Please don''t call me that. Here, I''m just a cold-blooded murder suspect," Nichs mocked.

    Even as a prisoner, he retained his elegance-decades as an official had imbued him with an air of calmness that wouldn''t disappear overnight.

    "Alright, Mr. Novak, then," Alyssa conceded. Her gaze held warmth and respect. "I know you didn''t end up here because you''re evil. It was because you had no other choice."

    "You''re wrong. All my decisions were my own," Nichs insisted. A corner of his lip twitched. "Ms. Alyssa, I only agreed to this meeting because you once saved my wife. I''ve confessed to my crimes and won''t borate further. Please leave."

    On the other side of the mirror, Jasper gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

    Sensing Jasper''s nervousness, Cyrus patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don''t worry, Jasper. I''m sure Lyse knows what she''s doing."

    Alyssa took a deep breath topose herself. She ced a report in front of Nichs.

    "What''s this?" Nichs asked, lowering his eyes.

    "This is an analysis report from a reputable institution on the new medication you consider your lifesaver," Alyssa exined coldly. Nichs'' eyes flickered, and his cold fa?ade wavered slightly.

    "You were so protective of the mastermind, evenmitting crimes for him. You did it all to save your wife, who has Alzheimer''s.

    "But you never stopped to think that this so-called ''research'' for a new medication was a sham from the start," Alyssa continued, her voice calm yet her eyes sharp. Her words pierced through Nichs'' defenses.

    "What do you mean? What scam?" Nichs demanded, his jaws clenching.

    "The report clearly states that the new medication is nothing more than a sedative," Alyssa continued in a low voice. "Not only is it entirely ineffective for Alzheimer''s, but it also has dangerous side effects. An overdose could even be fatal.

    "Since the medication entered the market, many people who took it have suffered seizures and even died. Compared to other sedatives, it''s moreplex. It even contains bannedponents and is highly addictive. This is essentially a new type of drug, not a medication!"

    The word "drug" struck Nichs like a blow. As a policeman, drugs were his sworn enemy. He never imagined being associated with

    them This revtion sheThis content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    his

    swn!

    morals and everything he believed in

    "Impossible! You''re lying!" Nichs roared. "This report is fake! You''re trying to trick me to talk! It''s a bluff!"

    In the observation room, Cyrus frowned. "He''s falling for it. He''s close to revealing the murders are connected to the medication research."

    Jasper nodded grimly. "Nichs is a pawn, clearing obstacles for the mastermind so the ''experiment'' can proceed smoothly."

    "It''s a shame a decorated policemissioner like him would join forces with the enemy," Cyrus said.

    Jasper fixed his gaze on Alyssa. "That wasn''t his intention. He was just desperate to save his wife."

    Cyrus sighed in frustration. "While that''s pitiful, it remains utterly disgusting and infuriating!"

    took

    "I have no reason to deceive you. You''re already deeply implicated with this mastermind. Surely, you''ve had your doubts. All those who the medication suffered immensely. Haven''t you ever questioned it?" Alyssa pressed, seizing the moment. en.s

    Her words struck a chord with Nichs. He leaned back abruptly, his eyes reddening.

    Deep down, he had always doubted. Yet, he had never found the courage to question Jameson. Besides, his ignorance offered a fragile hope that Natalie could be cured.

    After Jameson took his medication, he continued approving documents in the chairman''s office at Schmidt Group.

    Despite his entricities, he exhibited a strong work ethic and dedication. Among Sna City''s workaholics, he ranked second only to Jasper.

    His phone on the table buzzed, pulling his attention. A nce at the screen drained the color from Jameson''s face.

    "Hello, Ms. Gillis," he answered, his voice barely a whisper.

    "Mr. Schmidt," Sheryl''s voice dripped with sarcasm, "your trusted underling is now in police custody, a considerable thorn in your side. Mr. Justin is understandably concerned about your situation." Jameson''s grip on his pen tightened until his knuckles turned white. "Please assure him I''ll handle everything appropriately."

    "Such confidence," Sheryl chuckled, a hint of coldness in her amusement. "But Mr. Justin''s patience is wearing thin."

    "Mosgravia''s climate simply doesn''t

    compare to Sna City, or even

    Cyrris," she said. "It hinders Mr. Justin''s recovery. He''s grown increasingly homesick these past two years. He yearns to return to Sofana City soon."

    to en.s

    Her voice lowered. "However, your current situation makes his safe return difficult. Mr. Schmidt, you''ve deeply disappointed us."

 Chapter 2134

    Jameson felt like he was being burned at the stake. Every inch of his body was on fire, throbbing in pain.

    "My apologies," he rasped. "That said, please tell Mr. Justin not to worry. I will make sure to settle all the troubles here in Sna City!"

    "That''s easy for you to say!" Sheryl jeered. "Since you took over as Schmidt Group''s chairman, you haven''t achieved a single sess. Instead, Jasper and Alyssa have consistently outmaneuvered you." Jameson closed his reddened eyes. Hatred and dissatisfaction gnawed at him. He gritted his teeth.

    "Don''t say that I didn''t warn you, Mr. Schmidt. Nichs Novak is a threat. You''d better get rid of him. This is thest chance Mr. Justin is giving you. I''m sure you know what oue awaits you if you fail again, she added with a chilling voice.

    She abruptly terminated the call before Jameson could utter a word.

    He stared at the dark screen, a sense of frigid entrapment washing over him.

    A knock at the door startled him back to his senses. He called out, "Enter."

    Carl strutted in, beaming in a brand-new suit. "Mr. Schmidt, I proposed to Amber. She said yes!"

    Carl''s joy was evident.

    Jameson, however, looked pale and unreadable. "Oh, congrattions then."

    Carl presented his wedding invitation respectfully. "I have chosen the date, time and location. I truly hope you can attend our wedding."

    Jameson picked up the invitation, his eyes lingering on the date. "I''m afraid I won''t be able to attend your wedding, Carl."

    Carl''s chest tightened. Sensing something amiss, he asked with concern, "Is there something wrong, Mr. Schmidt? You can tell me anything. I''ll help you through it, even if it means canceling the wedding!"

    "I appreciate your loyalty. You''ve been with me for ten years. There''s no one I trust more." A rare gentleness flickered in Jameson''s eyes. "These are just difficult times. I can''t focus on anything until the issue with Nichs is resolved."

    Carl''s expression darkened. "Just tell me what you need, Mr. Schmidt."

    "I''ll have Mr. Derullere arrange a meeting with Nichs within the next few days."

    He got up and walked slowly to the window, his silhouette radiating coldness. "We just need to keep his wife in our clutches and use her as leverage. Then, he''ll take everything to his grave."

    Carl nodded in understanding. After all, Nichs was fiercely protective of his wife.

    While sinister, kidnapping a person''s family was a time-tested tactic. It was their trump card.

    "The police have already

    investigated Nichs for several deaths. He''s finished." Carl paused then lowered his voice. "But Mr Schmidt, what about his wife after he''s gone? I thought you promised to keep her safe..."

    Jameson scoffed, a dark glint in his eyes. "Have Lever been one to keep promises? Besides, he contacted Jasper privately. He''s disobedient and disloyal. Why should I make arrangements for a traitor after he''s dead? He can dream on."

    "You''re right," Carl agreed.

    Jameson reached into his pocket and retrieved a delicate stainless steel box. Inside was a filled syringe.

    Carl scrutinized it. "Mr. Schmidt, isn''t that... the medication Mr. Justin gave you?"

    "Like I said, it can be useful at a critical time," Jameson exined with a sly glint in his eyes.

    The moment Alyssa exited the interrogation room, Jasper and Cyrus rushed to her side.

    "How did it go, Lyse?" Cyrus, ever the impatient one, blurted out.

    Jasper, however, remained calm. He silently offered his support by gently wrapping his arm around Alyssa''s tense shoulders.

    Alyssa pursed her lips. "While Chief Novak hasn''t revealed anything, I can tell he''s starting to waver. We just need the right opportunity to push him in the right direction." Jasper met her gaze. "What do we do now, Lyse?"

    After a moment, Alyssa replied with two words. "We wait."

    Cyrus was perplexed. "Wait for what?"

    "We wait for a certain viper to make a mistake," Alyssa exined, her voice firm like a ruler devising a strategy. "He''ll present us with the opportunity on a silver tter." "But will waiting work? Jameson''s a cunning man. He''s always been one step ahead of us. Will he really slip up this time?" Cyrus remained unconvinced.

    "It''s different this time," Alyssa said, her voice firm as she inteced her fingers with Jasper''s. "This time, we have the upper hand.

    "As long as we have Nichs under our control and protection, Jameson wouldn''t be able to do anything even if he asked the gods for help."

    "I get what you mean, Lyse."

    Jasper''s eyes locked onto Alyssa''s

    with deepening passion. "So much in

    this world is predictable. It''s theN?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    human heart that remains truly unpredictable."

 Chapter 2135

    Days passed. Everything looked calm on the surface.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Beneath the surface, however, something was brewing.

    On the fourth day, a ck car pulled up to the police station entrance, Jason emerged, his face etched with a dark scowl. He took a deep breath before entering the building.

    An officer stood guard outside a visitation room where Nichs and Jason met.

    "Mr. Novak-Jason began, but Nichs cut him off.

    "You don''t have to say anything, Mr. Derullere. I understand. I''ve told the police repeatedly that I acted alone. No one else is involved. Regardless of the sentence, I won''t appeal."

    Jason clenched his jaw. As he hesitated, Nichs continued, his voice weak, "That being said, before everything is finalized, I''d like to see Mr. Schmidt onest time. There are things I need to ask him in person."

    "Mr. Novak, Mr. Schmidt is an important figure. He won''t be meeting with you again," Jason said in a low voice. The mere mention of Jameson''s name sent shivers down his spine.

    Nichs pressed his lips together, his fingers curling into fists.

    "I''m here today with a message from Mr. Schmidt himself." Jason closed the distance between himself and Nichs, and his tone was measured. Mr. Schmidt is aware of your numerous crimes, and he believes that you will never get to see the light again.

    "In light of this, you may go in peace. He will see to the necessary arrangements for your funeral. As for your wife..."

    He left the sentence unfinished. Nichs''s heart plummeted.

    Jason continued, "If you ept full responsibility for your crimes and face the consequences, Mr. Schmidt will ensure your wife''s well-being. Otherwise, he cannot guarantee her safety from unforeseen circumstances."

    With that, Jason rose to his feet. He offered Nichs a curt nod before exiting the visitation room.

    Nichs was left alone, his body rigid, eyes burning red. A suffocating rage threatened to consume him as his faith crumbled around him.

    Jason exited the police station, his expression grim. As he approached his car, his phone pinged with a message.

    The message read, "Mr. Derullere, Mr. Beckett is aware of your predicament and understands your helplessness. Could he perhaps meet you in private?"

    Those words were without emotion. Yet they made this 50-year-old man well up with tears.

    A momentter, he received a message containing a geolocation. It was somewhere near the station.

    Jason felt his heart pounding. Keeping hisposure, he instructed the driver, who Carl had sent, "You can head back. Mr. Novak is an acquaintance, and seeing him like this makes me feel helpless. I need to clear my head, so I''m taking a walk.

    The driver, who was tasked with monitoring Jason, simply replied, "Alright. Take care, then."

    The driver took a pensive nce at Jason before driving off.

    Ten minutester, Jason arrived at the designated location.

    Just then, an inconspicuous ck MPV pulled up slowly and stopped right before him.

    Xavier emerged from the vehicle, the back door opening silently.

    Jason couldn''t see Jasper. Only his gray suit pants, ck leather shoes, and a posture that exuded nobility and reverence were visible.

    "Mr. Derullere, Mr. Beckett has always wanted to meet with you. Please get in." Xavier smiled and politely extended the invite.

    Jason held his breath, a lump forming in his throat.

    After Victor''s passing, he was forced to serve Jameson.

    He had yet to experience courtesy since that day.

 Chapter 2136

    Jasper smiled slightly at Jason as he got into the car. He extended his hand first.

    "Nice to meet you, Mr. Derullere."

    "Nice to meet you too, Mr. Beckett."

    Jason shook Jasper''s hand. Jasper''s strength andposure eased Jason''s nervousness.

    "Please forgive my bluntness, Mr. Beckett. I am awyer for Schmidt Group. Meeting me privately like this... Isn''t it inappropriate?" Jason was both stating a fact and testing him at the same time.

    "While we may be on opposing sides," Jasper exined seriously, "I share your deep grudge against Jameson. However, I''ve always believed the guilty should be held ountable. I''m a fair man and won''t target the innocent."

    "Moreover," Jasper continued, his posture unwavering, "I have a feeling we''re not enemies, but rather friends on opposite sides."

    "Friends..." Jason''s eyes welled up. He couldn''t believe his ears.

    "Since you risked meeting me," Jasper''s gentle voice resonated with Jason, "I believe you acknowledge me as an ally. Am I right, Mr. Derullere?"

    Upon hearing that, Jason, a distinguishedwyer in his 50s, burst into tears in front of Jasper.

    "I can''t take it anymore, Mr. Beckett!" he cried out. "Working for Jameson another day is unbearable. We''re not even human to him, just expendable pawns!

    "Mr. Victor, though wed, cared for me and my family. But since his passing, Jameson has my partner and son under constant surveince. He knows my loyalty to Mr. Victor and uses their safety to control me. Betrayal would mean their lives are in danger. It''s a despicable strategy!"

    Jasper frowned when he heard Jason''sments. Xavier, on the other hand, sighed in exasperation.

    "Schmidt Group is a fa?ade for Jameson''s illegal activities," Jason continued. "He''s involved in smuggling, drug trafficking, and various criminal enterprises. He''swless! He even asked me to tamper with Mr. Victor''s will."

    Jasper''s gaze darkened. "What about the will?"

    "Anticipating his health decline, Mr. Victor had me witness him writing his will. He left nothing to Jameson, neither control of Schmidt Group nor any family assets." Jason''s anger was evident. "Jameson seized everything by force!"

    Jasper''s gaze sharpened. "Can I ask you a question, Mr. Derullere?"

    "Of course, if I can answer."

    "Did Jameson have anything to do with Mr. Victor''s death?"

    Jason faltered. "Though I didn''t witness it... I''m sure he was involved. Mr. Victor had a heart condition, but with timely medication, he wouldn''t require emergency measures.

    "Mr. Jameson was with him that day when his condition red up. Mr. Victor always carried Nitroglycerin. But that day, of all days, he skipped his medication.

    "Later, I confirmed that the medication wasn''t on him. Who else but Jameson could have watched Mr. Victor suffer and do nothing?"

    "That''s a logical conclusion," Xavier said, "but weck evidence."

    Jason shook his head, defeated and angry.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "Jameson hasmitted countless crimes. While Mr. Victor''s death was unfortunate, we can still find other ways to persecute Jameson." Jasper fixated on Jason with a

    serious expression. "Mr. Derullere, would you be willing toe forward and testify about Jameson tampering with the will and his illegal takeover?"

    "I would, but I fear for my family..."

    "Don''t worry. My wife and I will do all we can to protect you and your family. I can send your wife and son overseas on my private jet. Even Jameson wouldn''t be able to track them, and if he''s that capable he

    can scour the entire world for them.

    "Once things settle here, I''ll reunite you. Does that sound agreeable?" Jasper offered sincerely.

    Gratitude filled Jason''s eyes as he wiped away his tears. He nodded. "Alright. I''ll do everything in my power to get rid of that scum!"

    Inside the car, the three solidified their n. Afterward, Jason left.

    "Xavier," Jasper instructed, influenced by Alyssa''s caution, "take some men and discreetly follow Jason. I''m worried about his safety." "On it!" Xavier immediately exited the car.

    Jasper then headed toward Beckett Group in his ck MPV. During the drive, his phone rang. It was Alyssa, her voiceced with urgency. "Jasper,e to the station@ight away. Nichs wants to see us!"

 Chapter 2137

    Once Jasper heard the news, he became energized. He headed straight for the police station.

    Alyssa and Cyrus were already waiting outside the interrogation room when he arrived.

    "Sorry I''mte, Lyse," Jasper apologized breathlessly as soon as he arrived. He truly was the epitome of a gentleman.

    "Don''t worry," Alyssa said,ing closer. "I was afraid something might happen to you if you rushed over." She gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with her sleeve.

    Jasper grabbed her by her wrist, his gaze intense. "I met with someone just now, Lyse. I have good news!"

    Alyssa''s eyes lit up. "What is it?"

    "Let''s get down to business first," Jasper said, tapping the tip of her nose yfully. Affection gleamed in his eyes.

    "Nichs will be here any minute. I''ll handle the interrogation myself," Cyrus announced, beaming. The case had dragged out for far too long. Finally, there was a breakthrough.

    "Cyrus, be mindful of your approach," Alyssa cautioned gently. "Nichs has held a high position. He was your superior. Even though he''s a criminal now, arrogance is likely ingrained in him. Be polite and ask leading questions without being overbearing or putting too much pressure on him."

    "Jeez! Of course I know all these. I haven''t been a criminal investigator all these years for nothing." Cyrus gave Alyssa a few firm pats on her shoulder. "Don''t worry. Leave it to me."

    With that, he entered the interrogation room.

    Alone, Jasper and Alyssa locked eyes. A flicker of worry crossed Jasper''s face. "What made Nichs decide to talk?"

    As usual, Alyssa fiddled with

    Jasperused hand, as if it were her favorite ything. "The Schmidt

    Group''s Director of Legal Affairs Mr.

    Derullere, visited him today.

    Jasper yfully hooked her fingers back. "I know."

    "Oh?" Surprise flickered in Alyssa''s eyes. Then, she had a sudden

    revtion. "So you met with

    Deruflere privately? Is the good news you have for me rted to him?"

    en.swhovels

    Jasper briefly frowned before he chuckled, shaking his head. "Do you have to be so intelligent, Lyse? You see right through me. I feel naked when I''m before you."

    "Well, I''ve already seen all of you anyway." Alyssa giggled, her gaze flickering to his white shirt. Her finger traced a circle over his abdomen. "Your moles, your sensitive spots, your abs... I know them all."

    They were at a police station, yet Alyssa was flirting openly!

    "Lyse, we''re at the station," Jasper reminded her in a low voice, pulling her close by the waist.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Alyssa pouted, feigning offense. "What''s wrong? We''re practically an old married couple. Why act so proper?" "Proper?"

 Chapter 2138

    Jasper couldn''t help but let out a soft chuckle. He leaned into Alyssa, gently nibbling her earlobe. "I just wish I could do that with you right now."

    Alyssa''s cheeks flushed a rosy red as she met his gaze, her beauty captivating.

    Cyrus and Nichs sat alone in the interrogation room, a camera recording their every move.

    "You may begin," Cyrus said gently, gesturing for Nichs to speak.

    Nichs, handcuffed and weary, leaned back with a deste expression. "I''ve disappointed you, haven''t I?"

    "Would you like to hear the truth? Yes," Cyrus replied honestly.

    Nichs closed his eyes, a cold smile twisting his lips in a mix of relief and regret. "I appreciate your honesty. It''s refreshing."

    "Back then, you personally awarded me my First and Second Order of Merit badges. I remember your words clearly. You told me always to uphold justice and eliminate evil while clinging to my virtues. You also told me to be a good officer and always to serve the people."

    Cyrus took a deep breath, his emotions churning as he watched Nichs. "Since joining the force, you''ve been a role model to us all. Finding out about your actions shattered my faith. The man I looked up to became the devil''s aplice. When I arrested you, did you think I felt satisfaction?"

    A shiver ran down Nichs'' spine. He slumped forward, burying his face in his hands. After a long silence, his wracked sobs echoed in the cold room, tears of regret dripping onto the table.

    Cyrus felt a suffocating mix of emotions swirling within him. He didn''t know where to begin.

    "Actually... you''re on the right track," Nichs finally croaked, wiping his tears. "The one pulling the strings is Jameson Schmidt, the current chairman of Schmidt Group."

    Cyrus'' heart pounded. He held his breath, waiting for Nichs to continue.

    "As you all know, my wife has severe Alzheimer''s. She is already atte-stage now. Three years ago, her condition worsened. I scoured the globe for help, draining my savings, but nothing worked. On the brink of despair, Jameson approached me."

    Nichs shut his eyes, reliving the bitter memory, "He imed his superior had a biomedical research organization developing a

    medication targeting my wife''s

    symptoms. Mosgravia''s medical technology is far more advanced. What takes 10 to 20 years here only takes five there!"

    Cyrus immediately probed, "What''s the name of this organization?"

    "I think it''s called... RC."

    "And who is Jameson''s superior?"

    Nichs shook his head weakly. "I don''t know. That person is even more secretive than Jameson. But could feel his extreme loyalty toward

    that person. He worships that person like an idol. I wouldn''t be surprised if he''d give his life for them.

    "Now that I think about it... Jameson seems brainwashed. But what right do I have toment on that? I myself have been manipted."

    Cyrus'' gaze remained steady as he urged Nichs. "Go on."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    "Jameson brought the medicine back to Cyrris. To elerate data collection, he disguised it as soft drugs and distributed them through gray markets.

    "I became his fixer, eliminating any obstacles to the research. I agreed to work for him, hoping to expedite the process and save my wife. But looking back, it was all a terrible mistake."

    Cyrus exposed Jameson''s sinister n. "Jameson didn''t approach you out of mutual aid. He lured you into a trap. It wasn''t luck that he chose you. It was because you were a useful tool he happened upon.

    "Your desperation for a cure made you easily manipted. Once he achieves his goals, you''ll be discarded. The assassins who attacked you are proof of that."

 Chapter 2139

    Nichs burst outughing and shook his head repeatedly.

    He wasn''t disagreeing with what Cyrus said. Rather, he was feeling remorse over how much he had sacrificed over three years. He felt like it was not worth it at all. At this very moment, he was extremely regretful and sorry.

    He wasn''t regretful about going down the wrong path and losing the reputation he had worked so hard for.

    He regretted that his righteous and upright self had be a ve to the devil.

    "Other than the evidence of your crimes that we found at your home, is there anything else you''d like to tell us?" Cyrus questioned with a serious look on his face.

    "Yes."

    Nichs lowered his eyes. "I was involved in Aidan''s case too. Jameson instructed me from behind the scenes."

    Cyrus was shocked. "You killed Aidan? Didn''t he die by suicide?"

    "He did, but Jameson forced him to his death. Jameson wrote and forged a suicide note for him in advance and then asked thewyer to give it to Aidan so that he''d have it with him all the time. After he died, I pressured the police to close the case quickly and dere his death a suicide."

    Cyrus scowled and shook his head. He was still perplexed.

    "Aidan was the heir to Lovce Group. He was the eldest son of the Lovce family and a prideful man. How could he have allowed you to manipte him so easily?"

    "Because Jameson has something on him that could easily end him."

    Nichs felt his eyelid twitch. "Aidan was one of Jameson''s important business partners in Sna City. Jameson tricked him into believing that he was selling a new type of soft drug that would bring him huge profits. At least, that was what Jameson did to bring him into his ploy.

    "But what Aidan didn''t expect was that he was merely helping Jameson with human drug experimentation. From the very beginning, Jameson wasn''t nning to make a profit from it. In order to reach his goal, he made an extremely tempting offer. That was why Aidan took the risk to partner with him."

    Regardless of what happened, Cyrus'' mother, Mandy, was part of the Lovce family. She had now also takenplete charge of Lovce Group.

    Since this involved his family, Cyrus couldn''t help but show more concern. "Lovce Group is owned by a noble family in Belbanks.

    They''re a reputable family with

    a

    sessful business and assets worth tens of billions. Why would they join the dark side and get

    involved with drug trades?"

    "Joseph and Aidan have been expanding their business blindly these past few years. On top of that, there was barely any progress with the medications they were developing. The higher-ups no longer wished to invest in them.

    "This caused Lovce Group''s cash flow to be problematic, and they needed a huge sum of funds urgently. Because of that, Aidan fell for Jameson''s trap."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    All of a sudden, it clicked for Cyrus. He asked, "What did Jameson have on him, then?"

    "The experimentation on the new drug caused frequent deaths in Sna City. Aidan went to Jameson and said that he wanted out. He also threatened Jameson that he would drag him down if anything happened to him.

    "You and I both know the kind of person Jameson is. Those who go against his will are destined to die. Even if it was a slip of the tongue, he definitely wasn''t going to tolerate Aidan anymore."

    Nichs'' eyes were dark and dull. "One night, Jameson used a get-together as an excuse to invite Aidan to a resort hotel nearby. That night was one of debauchery. Aidan got carried away and got a room with a woman.

    "That woman was found dead on his bed. She died a sudden death in the wee hours of the morning. Jameson had instructed someone to inject a high dose of hallucinogen into her, causing her to die of an overdose.

    "While Aidan was in a drunken and muddled state, Jameson took the opportunity to pin the me for the murder on him. Then, he ordered me to get rid of the body before daybreak."

    Suddenly, Cyrus widened his eyes in anger. "What did you do with that woman''s body?"

    "There''s an active construction site in the eastern district. There was a cement foundation that was halfpleted. I threw her body in there."

    As Nichs finished speaking, he

    hung his head low. The soft sound

    of his tears falling was magnified in

    empty

    there tearserrogation room. They

    were tears of regret, self-reproach,

    and pain, umting into a giant wave that was about to drown and consume him.

    Cyrus felt a lump in his throat. He looked at Nichs with an extremely conflicted gaze. No matter what, he couldn''t forgive him. He would not be spared by thew either.

    "So, Aidan''s unwarranted arrest was also Jameson''s handiwork? Then, he forced Aidan to his death. This way, he would be able to escapepletely unscathed and free from troubles. Is that right?"

    Jameson was insidious and merciless. It would be considered a light punishment even if he were sent to hell.

    "I know that I havemitted unforgivable crimes. I ept all my punishments. I will not protest or appeal."

    Nichs didn''t dare to look up at

    Cyrus. He choked and continued in a

    hoarse voice, "I only have one

    request. hope that you can protect

    my wife and treat her with kindness. She doesn''t know anything. She has even lost her physical abilities. I hope that you can protect her from Jameson''s viciousness!"

 Chapter 2140

    "Mr. Beckett and Ms. Alyssa share your concerns. They''ve already nted people to surveil the hospital area and even among the nurses caring for your wife. But these are all done in secret. You should know why." A sharp glint shed in Cyrus'' eyes.

    Nichs was overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you... Thank you, Ms. Alyssa. Thank you, Mr. Beckett." He couldn''t stop the tears from flowing down his face.

    Later that afternoon, after the interrogation, Cyrus led his colleagues from the Criminal Investigation Unit and the search team to that construction site in the eastern district.

    With the help of the police search dogs, they were soon able to retrieve the woman''s dposing body from the cement foundation. The body was taken back to the station for autopsy.

    Cyrus then ordered another group of officers to the resort where the crime happened. They were to examine the surveince footage for more leads. However, the chances of finding anything useful were slim. Even so, Cyrus wasn''t about to give up on any opportunity to convict Jameson.

    That night, Cyrus went to Jasper and Alyssa''s ce to update them on Nichs'' statement and the day''s events. A heavy silence descended upon the study.

    There was no doubt that Nichs was both pitiful and despicable. But Jameson, the mastermind behind it all, was far worse.

    "Jameson''s motive for using Aidan in drug trafficking wasn''t likely as simple as money," Cyrus said. "There had to be more to it."

    Alyssa, sitting beside Jasper on the couch, barely had any appetite. Out of politeness, she took a bite of the pear Jasper offered. "He was probably aiming to destroy Lovce Group," she said.

    A shiver ran down Cyrus'' spine as he remembered Mandy, the new chairwoman of Lovce Group.

    "But don''t worry, Cyrus," Alyssa soothed in a gentle voice. "Mandy has KS Group backing her up, and with my discreet support, Lovce Group won''t fall."

    "Thank you, Lyse," Cyrus replied, still

    puzzled. "Lovce Group isn''t even based in Sna City. It''s the leading medical corporation in Belbanks. Their business doesn''tpete with Schmidt Group. Why would

    Jameson target them?"

    Jasper and Alyssa exchanged a knowing look before answering in unison, "Because Lovce Group is the leading medical corporation!"

    Cyrus raised an eyebrow, surprised by their undeniable chemistry.

    "I''m afraid Jamiper isn''t actually the one who wanted to mess with Lovce Group. Instead, it''s the mysterious man behind him."

    Alyssa took a slice of pear and fed it

    to Jasper Lovce Group is

    second to none in the nation''s

    medical field. Coincidentally,

    Jameson is helping his backer with experiments on a new medication.

    "So, I have reasons to believe that this person wants to enter and monopolize our country''s medical field, and to do that, he must eliminate thepetition."N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "Brilliant deduction, Lyse," Jasper said, taking a bite of the pear and gazing into her eyes with admiration. He never missed an opportunity to praise Alyssa. "ording to Nichs," Cyrus added, "the research center developing this new medication is located in Mosgravia. They call it... RC."

    Alyssa''s eyes gleamed with determination. "It seems we need a way to properly investigate this RC," she said. Just then, her phone rang. It was Sean. "Hey, Sean."

    "I have news from the hospital, Ms. Alyssa!" Sean''s voice was urgent and tense. "You were right. Jamiper is really about to take action against Nichs'' wife!"

 Chapter 2141

    The hospital corridor was eerily silent in the dead of the night. The lone nurse on duty drowsed at the nurses'' station, oblivious to the shing red light from the malfunctioning surveince camera down the hall A figure d in a white doctor''s robe and mask darted past the station, his movements purposeful. He carefully scanned his surroundings before pushing open the door to Natalie''s ward and slipping inside. The patienty curled up in bed, seemingly fast asleep. The intruder crept closer, a glint of steel catching the dim light as he drew a dagger from his sleeve. He raised the weapon high and stabbed the person on the bed.

    All of a sudden, his vision went dark.

    Unexpectedly, the person on the bed leaped up and threw the nket over his head! Panic surged through the assassin. He iled wildly with the dagger, ripping the nket free. But before he could react further, the cold muzzle of a gun pressed against his forehead froze him in ce.

    "Don''t move. Not unless you want your head to be blown off." Under the dim light, Axel''s eyes glinted with a dangerous glint. A cynical smile yed on his lips, sending shivers down the assassin''s spine. The ward door burst open, revealing Sean and Xavier leading a team of men who quickly surrounded the intruder.

    "Are you alright, Mr. Axel?" Sean inquired, his voiceced with concern.

    Axel clicked his tongue. "I didn''t even attack him. All it took was a nket to take this fool down."

    With a practiced ease, Axel disarmed the assassin. He sneered. "Sir, you can barely fight, yet you''re trying to be an assassin? Try harder next time."

    The assassin''s face was drained of color. His knees buckled, and he crumpled to the floor in a heap.

    "Talk," Axel growled, nudging the man''s head with the gun. "Who hired you? Reveal his name, and you''ll face attempted murder charges at worst. After a decade or two in prison, you can walk free and live a normal life. I can''t guarantee that you''ll be able to walk out of this ward with all your limbs intact otherwise."

    "I... I only spoke to him over the phone! I''ve never met him in person!" the man stammered, sweat drenching his clothes. "But... I have his number and our message history! He wired a million to my ount two days ago and promised another after the job! We even spoke just 30 minutes ago!"

    Burning with fury, Xavier went up to him. He searched the assassin for his phone. He tossed it to Axel after finding it.

    "Take him to the station. I''ll find a way to unlock this phone."

    Sean nodded firmly in response. "Thank you, Mr. Axel."

    The man was escorted away, the silence returning to the ward as if themotion had never happened.

    Even though they had helped Alyssa out, a sense of unease lingered in Axel''s gut as an oppressive premonition weighed heavily on him.

    Just then, his phone vibrated, making his heart skip a beat. He opened the message, his pupils constricting as he read the words on the screen.

    It was a text from Amber. Her words were a gut punch, sharp and final. They hurt him so much that his vision blurred, and he nearly lost his grip on his phone.

    She wrote, "Goodbye, Axel. I''m leaving Sna City. Don''t try to find me. Even if you hear news about me or you manage to find out where I am, I won''t see you."

    A wrenching pain tore through him. His fingers trembled as he typed and retyped a frantic response. "Where are you, Amber? Tell me."

    A long time passed. Yet, there was no reply.

    He wasn''t satisfied. Eyes stinging with unshed tears, Axel bombarded Amber with messages. It was as if he had gone mad. "Amber, answer me! I know you''re there!"

    "Who do you think I am? Can you avoid seeing me just because you don''t want to? Do you think you can control me?" "You''re the only one I want in my life, Amber!"

    "I love you, Amber... Do you love me? Say something. Anything!"

    A reply buzzed back almost immediately, its words a cold and sharp knife that sliced through his heart and made it bleed.

    She replied, "I don''t think that''s love.

    You were just a ray of light that happened to appear in my world of darkness. You showed me what the light looked like. You simply gave me a feeling that I''ve never had before.

    "Love will never disappear, but feelings will don''t feel anything for you anymore, Axel. This is all that I''m able to do. If you really love me, don''t approach me anymore. I just want to live peacefully in a quiet part of this world."

    The Millennium, once vibrant, was not open for business tonight. The entire ce was dead quiet.

    There was a chilling sense of foreboding that surrounded all of those at Schmidt Group.

    "Everything''s prepared, Mr. Schmidt," Carl said, his voice heavy with worry as he watched Jameson y with his pet cockatiel on the balcony. "You can leave Sna City whenever you''re ready." "The shell corporation in Kontina holds enough Schmidt Group shares for control," he continued. "You''ll maintain power even if you''re not in Sna City.

    "And even if you lose everything, you can establish a new holdingpany in Sna City and run it from behind the scenes. You''ll be back on top in no time. It''s just a pity that everything you worked so hard for-"

    Jameson''s face, a mask of practiced indifference that hid a storm of emotions, remained unreadable. "Thank you for your hard work, Carl," he interjected.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    He unlocked the chain that was tied to the cockatiel''s leg. As much as he knew that it wasn''t able to fly far, he released the cockatiel into the air and watched as it spread its wings and flew into the night.

    "But apany without the Schmidt Group name... what meaning does it hold?" he mused, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice.

    Just then, Carl''s phone rang. His face darkened as he answered.

    "Mr. Schmidt," he said, voice tight with frustration, "our mission failed. The assassin was captured."

    Jameson adjusted his sses, his gaze turning cold and calcting.

    "Also... the person we nted to go undercover in the police force has suddenly been suspended and put under investigation," Carl reported through gritted teeth. "Nichs was the only one who knew about him. It seems he''s turned on you, Mr. Schmidt. Aplete betrayal."

 Chapter 2142

    Thunder rumbled, and lightning shed across the vast night sky. It felt as if the heavens themselves were about to crack open. "Has this day finally arrived?"

    Jameson stood with his back to Carl, hands sped behind him, projecting an image of strength and resolve. His posture did not hint at defeat, despair, or emptiness. Yet, a profound loneliness emanated from him, tugging at the heartstrings.

    He had been a high achiever, a man of sess and ambition. He had thrived like a firework that rocketed into the sky, exploding in a ze of color that illuminated Sna City''s night. He had been magnificent passionate, and impossible to ignore.

    But in the end, all he was left with was a wastnd of ash.

    "Once, I craved everything. I yearned to return to Sna City and make the Schmidts pay for what they''d done. I wanted to reim everything that was rightfully mine, and I dreamed of aiding Mr. Justin in seizing control of Sna City.

    "But ultimately, I realized that none of it held any meaning. From the very beginning, all I ever desired was to be with Lyse."

    Carl squeezed his eyes shut, a wave of sorrow washing over him. He longed to offer words offort, but nothing felt adequate in that moment.

    "If I could rewrite the past, I''d dly trade everything I have just to hear Lyse call me ''Jimmy'' once more."

    Jameson closed his eyes slowly, conjuring an image of his beloved. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled as she stood amidst a sea of roses, beckoning him with joyful abandon.

    "Jimmy,e over here and y!"

    "Don''t be afraid, Jimmy. I''m here."

    "Jimmy, it''s alright even if everyone ignores you. You have me as your friend, and that''s enough. We''ll be friends forever. Pinky promise!"

    "Pinky... promise."

    Jameson''s left hand tightened around the railing, and his right hand reached up to rub his stinging eyes. His tall, imposing figure slumped forward bit by bit, defeated. "I never changed, Lyse. But you... you''ve changed."

    Carl shuffled forward hesitantly, unsure of how close to tread. He had never witnessed such vulnerability in Jameson.

    However, hecked the courage to reveal that even if given another chance, Alyssa would undoubtedly choose Jasper. It wasn''t simply fate''s cruel hand; love was an uncontroble, enigmatic force.

    More importantly, Alyssa and Jasper were perfectly attuned. They shared amon vision, aspired toward the same goals, andplemented each other beautifully.

    Their souls intertwined like two perfectly matched puzzle pieces. They were destined to be together. No matter how extraordinary anyone else might be, they wouldn''t be a suitable match.

    "Given the current circumstances, Mr. Schmidt, it would be best for you to leave Sna City tonight. Return to Kontina to avoid suspicion."

    Carl''s eyes betrayed a flicker of

    intense anxiety. "The police will soonText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    be investigating The Millennium. Even though it isn''t officially under your name, the connection is undeniable. We can''t afford their scrutiny. You must leave

    immediately!"

    "For two years, The Millennium catered to the city''s elite. Countless Sna City officials have made

    deals here, exchanging money fore pleasure. Wealthy scions have squandered their fortunes on drugs, prostitutes, and gambling. We''ve ensured their

    swiths, orig

    transgressions-abuse, Violence,

    even murder-went unpunished.

    "An investigation into The Millennium would be tantamount to shaking the foundations of Sna City''s bureaucracy. They wouldn''t dare conduct a thorough investigation. The most they''d do is shut us down and revoke our license."

    Jameson rubbed his face hard. His

    voice, hoarse and deep, rasped,

    "Don''t fret. Even if they turn their

    vel

    sights on you, you possess meticulous records of those officials'' expenditures. Every transaction has been meticulously documented in the ounts, and they will be your safeguard. You''ve been by my side for a long time. I won''t let you be implicated."

    "It''s not my safety I fear, but yours!" It was true that he had meticulously documented everything for his own protection. But at that moment, his concern for Jameson was genuine. Human nature, after all, was aplex tapestry.

 Chapter 2143

    Jameson said, "What''s there to be afraid of? I''ve faced and done far more terrifying, darker, and more evil things over the years." Trembling slightly, Jameson lowered his eyes. His face was pale. He reached out a hand as if to catch a butterfly but grasped at nothing.

    A momentter, he let his arms hang by his side. He curled his fingers into tight fists but still seemed powerless.

    "Right now, all I want is to see Lyse onest time before I die."

    The hired assassin was apprehended, and Natalie was transferred to a hospital under KS Group''s care.

    After returning, Axel, with his superior hacking skills, identified the cellphone number''s owner and the outgoing message''s origin within a few hours.

    He was demonstrably more efficient than the police''s Digital Forensics Department. After all, he was a seasoned professional.

    The hush of night nketed the manor.

    Jasper and Alyssa''s bedroom was a scene of post-coital bliss. Their clothesy scattered on the floor, and the air hung heavy with a musky scent.

    Curled together on the bed, Jasper held a sleeping Alyssa close. His chest was pressed right up against her back. They had that post-coital glow on their cheeks as they slept soundly. Despite being exhausted from days of strategizing, they didn''t neglect their physical needs. Jasper''s insistence that night left Alyssa so worn out that she fell asleep without showering. The phone on the bedside table rang continuously.

    Jasper, always a light sleeper, woke up. This was a habit he developed from his days on the battlefield. He could only get better quality sleep when he held Alyssa in his arms. Alyssa mumbled and snuggled closer, oblivious to the interruption.

    He watched her, his heart overflowing with love. He could spend eternity gazing at her, never tiring.

    Worried about an emergency yet unwilling to wake her, he stretched across and grabbed her phone His eyes narrowed as he saw the caller Axel.

    He tiptoed to the living room and answered the call.

    "Axel," he greeted.

    "I''m sorry. Did I wake you both?" Axel''s voice was hoarse,ced with suppressed emotion.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "No worries. Lyse is still asleep."

    Jasper settled onto the couch. His navy blue silk robe parted to reveal his sculpted physique. "What''s the matter, Axel? You can be

    straightforward with me."

    "I found the one who hired the assassin. He made a cross-border transfer under a fake name, but I tracked him down."

    Jasper frowned. "Who was it?"

    "It was Jameson''s secretary, Carl Moses. That son of a bitch! The phone call was made from The Millennium!"

    "That''s concrete evidence against

    Carl. We need to get this to the

    authorities immediately. With the

    assassin in custody, we can get a warrant to arrest Carl."

    Jasper leaned forward, a pulse throbbing in his temple. "Arresting Carl will cripple Jameson. It''s a huge step toward bringing him down."

    "Let''s do this tonight. I can''t wait any longer. If you hesitate, I''ll go myself."

    Axel''s voice vibrated with urgency, and Jasper sensed a disturbing edge to it.

    Axel added, "I have to rescue Amber tonight!"

 Chapter 2144

    Jasper worried about Axel facing danger alone. He threw on clothes as quickly as possible and contacted Cyrus and Xavier, prepping them for a trip to The Millennium.

    He was determined to help Axel save Amber, their secret ally and Alyssa''s future sister-inw. No matter what, he wouldn''t stand idly by.

    A pang of longing struck Jasper before he even left. He tiptoed back to their room, kneeling by the sleeping Alyssa. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, he leaned in, kissing her forehead, nose, and finally, her lips.

    "Mmph... Jasper... Don''t go..." Alyssa mumbled in her sleep, her eyshes fluttering.

    Jasper''s breath hitched. He fought the urge to stay, cing a gentle hand on her cheek. His chest rose and fell rapidly with each difficult breath. He knew he shouldn''t linger. The longer he watched, the harder it would be to leave.

    "Sleep tight, baby. I promise I''ll be here when you wake up."

    Meanwhile, Cyrus received the evidence from Axel. Armed with an arrest warrant, he led a team straight to The Millennium.

    A crescent moon hung in the cold night sky, casting an eerie glow over the unusually quiet area surrounding the club. Jasper and Axel, the first to arrive, expected a fight to take down Jameson''s hideout.

    To their surprise, The Millennium, usually bustling with activity, was shrouded in darkness. Not only was it closed, but there wasn''t a single bouncer in sight.

    Axel attached a password decoder

    to the door. After a short whirring sound, the heavy metal door clicked open, revealing a dark, ominous passage that seemed to lead

    straight to hell.

    Axel clenched his jaw, ready to enter, but Jasper moved ahead. Looking at Jasper''s broad back, Axel felt a wave of emotion. He saw the fierce love and protectiveness Jasper had for Alyssa, extending to her family. Just like at Shelling Ind, Jasper was willing to face any danger first.

    Gripping his gun tightly, Axel followed Jasper deeper into The Millennium. With each step, a sense of unease grew.

    "What''s going on? Even if they aren''t open for business today, why isn''t there a single soul around?"

    rm bells rang in Axel''s head. He scanned their surroundings with a frigid gaze. "Unless... Have we given our game away? Has Jameson made a run for it?" Suddenly, a rustling sound echoed from the darkness.

    "Who''s there? Show yourselves!" Axel barked, his eyes hardening as he raised his gun toward the source of the noise.

    "Hold your fire, Axel." Jasper

    immediately raised his hand and

    ced it on Axel''s wrist to calm him

    down. "I see two women. I''mText ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    guessing that they''re the female

    escorts here."

    Surprise washed over Axel''s face. He lowered his gun slowly.

    "Please... Please don''t kill us..."

    Two young, attractive women emerged from the shadows, trembling and clutching their belongings as if fleeing.

 Chapter 2145

    "We... We are just escorts at The Millennium. We don''t know anything... Please don''t kill us!" Despite being in the face of two remarkably charming men, the two female escorts were on the brink of tears in fright.

    In a deep voice, Jasper questioned, "Why is The Millennium closed? Why are you two the only ones left? Where''d everyone go?"

    "We don''t know the details," stammered the bolder of the two, pushing the other woman behind her for protection. "It''s an internal matter. We''re just lowly escorts."

    The woman in back added in a meek voice, "C-Carl dismissed everyone overnight. He gave us severance pay and told us to leave. The Millennium is no more. As for the rest, we have no idea..."

    Jasper''s pupils constricted. A cold sweat slicked his skin. They hadn''t given their game away; Jameson had abandoned everything in Sna City. He had fled the city, likely to escape punishment for his crimes "What about Amber? Where is she?" Axel shouted, ring at them.

    The two women panicked. They held on to one another. "We don''t know. Amber left yesterday."

    Axel roared, "Where did she go?"

    "We truly have no idea where she went! But that night, I overheard Carl telling his subordinate that he had proposed to Amber, and she agreed to marry him. Maybe they went overseas to get married." Jasper''s eyes widened in shock. "They''re getting married?"

    A wave of dizziness washed over Axel. Blood pounded in his chest, making him feel feverish and chilled at the same time. A storm of emotions raged within him.

    He couldn''t believe Amber''s farewell was because she was going to marry someone else. "That''s impossible... It''s impossible! Why would Amber marry that scum?"

    Axel mmed his fist against the wall repeatedly until his knuckles were swollen and bloodied.

    "Don''t do that, Axel!" Jasper rushed forward to restrain him, his own heart heavy with sorrow.

    Just then, Cyrus arrived with his colleagues.

    Axel, usually unppable even in dire situations, was on the verge of breaking down. Cyrus exchanged a helpless look with Jasper, his concern evident.

    "Cyrus, these two women are escorts who worked for Carl at The Millennium. Take them in for questioning. We might get some valuable information," Jasper instructed. "However," he added, cing aforting hand on Axel''s shoulder, "I believe they''re victims too. Please handle them with discretion, Cyrus."

    Cyrus nodded firmly. "Of course."

    "We also need to monitor all major trafficThis content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    James in the city immediately.

    The moment we find any trace of Jameson, we need to contain him. We can''t let him leave Sna City!"

    "It''s toote, Jasper," Cyrus sighed, his anger evident as he mmed his fist against the wall. "I already thought of that. Beforeing here, I had my men investigate. They discovered Jameson had boarded his private ne and left Sna City three hours ago. He''s probably out of the country by now."

    "Jasper''s chest tightened. "Were you able to track where he went?"

    "I''m just a police officer. That''s beyond my authority. Besides, even if I could, it wouldn''t be legal. We only have evidence against Carl so far. Not enough to arrest Jameson. Nichs'' statement alone isn''t enough!"

    They were back to square one. Just as they thought they''d checkmated their opponent, a new obstacle emerged, blocking their path.

    Lost in thought, Jasper didn''t notice his phone ringing.

 Chapter 2146

    ?

    The call was from Jason.

    Jasper''s face lit up. He answered the call immediately. "Hello, Mr. Derullere."

    "Mr. Beckett, there''s been a major upheaval at Schmidt Group!"

    Jasper had sent Jason''s wife and son overseas and hired professional bodyguards to ensure their safety. Jason no longer had anything to fear and could now openly join forces with his savior.

    Right now, Schmidt Group has been taken over by the acting vice president. Moreover, it has been secretly acquired by a holdingpany in Kontina. Apany I''ve never heard of before," Jason exined.

    A cold gleam flickered in Jasper''s eyes. As an experienced businessman, he understood Jameson''s intentions. He was certain Jameson was the owner of that holdingpany. It was a ssic business tactic-repackaging oneself like old wine in a new bottle.

    "Jameson is getting desperate as his dirty deeds areing to light," Jasper said, his voice calm and deep. His mind raced. "Schmidt Group has be a risk to him. He cleaned up the mess his father and brother left behind. He was well aware of the tactics he used. He can''t afford an investigation.

    The fact that his aide hired a killer has been exposed. Even if Carl admits to his crime, the police will investigate Jameson thoroughly. He''ll still lose. So, the only option is to abandon Schmidt Group and escape.

    ''That said, he''s only separating himself superficially. He set up a holdingpany in secret to acquire and secretly own Schmidt Group."

    Jason let out a frustrated sigh. "That makes perfect sense, Mr. Beckett. Actually, I had this suspicion too!"

    "Mr. Derullere, do you know where Jameson has gone?"

    "I''ve tried asking around, but no one knows." Jason felt extremely helpless. Jameson only treated me as a tool to clean up his troubles. Why would he tell me something so important?"

    Jasper responded warmly, "No worries. I know you''ve done your best."

    "But while I worked for him, I did gather some evidence of his corruption and secret transfers ofpany funds. Moreover, I have a voice recording of him instructing me to negotiate with Nichs. Revealing this could be a heavy blow to him. He wouldn''t be able to clear his name!"

    "A voice recording wouldn''t work, Jasper rejected adamantly. "They can''t be presented as court evidence. Besides, your career as an attorney would be ruined if it came to light. I don''t want this to be a lose-lose situation."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Jason was deeply moved. "Mr. Beckett...

    "But like you said, that matter about him transferring the corporation''s funds is crucial," Jasper''s voice was low and powerful. "As long as a thorough investigation is conducted on

    Schmidt Group, Jameson''s dirty work will be revealed.

    Jasper''s voice was as low as the sound of rolling thunder. "As long as a thorough

    investigation is held against Schmidt Group, Jameson''s dirty work will be revealed. Then, we can arrest and convict him!"

    The two female escorts were taken to the police station. The other officers locked down The Millennium and began a rigorous search.

    Cyrus apanied Axel as he searched frantically for any traces of Amber. He even looked through all the cupboards.

    He couldn''t believe Amber would just leave to marry Carl. Yet, the cruel reality was right before him. He couldn''t deny it any longer.

    There, there, Axel. Even though Ms. Altman has left, at least... she''s safe.'' Despite his best efforts, this was the mostforting thing Cyrus could think of saying.

    Suddenly, Axel froze. His broad figure slumped forward.

    "Axel.." Cyrus looked on at his destion, feeling horrible and helpless. More than that, it pained him.

    Among the Taylor brothers, Axel was the one who had the most striking and engaging presence. He was courageous, attentive and optimistic. He was someone who would take it in stride even if the world was ending.

    Yet, this man before Cyrus was a shell of his former self. He was a lone ranger lost in the darkness, almost invisible.

    "Is this all?" Axel choked out.

    With his back against Cyrus, Axel asked in a hoarse voice, "Is this all that Amber and I can be?

 Chapter 2147

    ?

    Axel muttered, "I''ve saved countless lives. Countless people have survived hardships because of me. But with my woman, all I can do is keep her alive? Is that all I am good for?"

    Dejected, Cyrus pressed his lips together tightly as he shook his head.

    He wondered what each member of the Taylor family had done in their past lives. Neither the Taylor brothers nor Alyssa had an easy love life. They all faced heartbreaking trials.

    Finally, Axel entered Amber''s room. Out of all the ces in The Millennium, this was the only one that felt like home. A lingering fragrance hung in the air, tugging at his heartstrings. Everything in the room remained untouched. The books on the shelves, the clothes in the wardrobe, the cute plushies by the bed it was as if Amber would return any moment.

    Suddenly, Axel''s gaze fell on the neatly folded sheets. A sharp pang of pain shot through his heart.

    He moved toward the bed, his steps slow and heavy like a wounded warrior dragging himself across the battlefield. Each step seemed to drain him of all his energy.

    Lying beside the bed was a neatly folded ck jacket-the one he had given Amber.

    Axel squeezed his eyes shut, tears welling up. He knelt beside the bed and picked up the jacket with trembling hands.

    "Amber," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. Why wouldn''t you even take this with you? How could you be so cruel?"

    He curled up, clutching the jacket to him as if it were Amber herself.

    After a long time, Cyrus, unable to bear watching any longer, turned and left the room quietly. Though he couldn''t see Axel''s face, he knew he must be crying. After all, there was no shame in tears of love.

    The next morning, the sun rose as usual, its rays illuminating Alyssa''s beautiful face. Like azy kitten, she stretchednguidly as she woke.

    "Mm... Jasper.." she mumbled, reaching out instinctively for the empty space beside her.

    The drowsiness vanished instantly. She bolted upright.

    "Jasper? Where are you?"

    "I''m here, Lyse."

    The door opened, and Jasper entered, still d in his navy blue robe from the night before. He strode to the bed and pulled a flustered Alyssa into his arms before kissing her on the head.

    "Did it scare you to see that your husband wasn''t around first thing in the morning, hmm?" "Where were you?" Alyssa demanded, clinging to him and nuzzling his chest as she sniffed him out.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    There was a twinkle in Jasper''s eyes. "I got up and went to the toilet."

    Alyssa harrumphed, "You liar!"

    She punched him and grumbled, "The bed is cold, and your body feels chilly. You also smell sweaty. Did you go outst night and juste back this morning? Don''t tell me that you''ve got a mistress out there!"

 Chapter 2148

    ?Chapter 2148This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Alyssa was simply teasing Jasper by ying coy. After all, she trusted himpletely. However, her yful joke backfired. Jasper panicked, dropping to one knee with a serious expression.

    "Lyse," he dered solemnly, ''I, Jasper Beckett, swear my loyalty to you. You are the only woman I love, the only one I desire, in this life, the next, and the one after. If I ever break this vow, may lightning strike me down!"

    "Alright, alright, Jasper, I was just kidding!" Alyssa couldn''t bear to see him like this. She tried to cover his mouth, but he grabbed her hand tightly.

    "It''s true that I went outst night. I went to The Millennium with Axel and Cyrus."

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in rm. Her voice trembled as she cupped his cheek. "Oh my word, why didn''t you tell me? Did something bad happen?"

    "Don''t worry, everything''s fine," Jasper reassured her, taking her hand and stroking it gently." Axel found the person who hired the hitman to kill Mrs. Novak. It was Jameson''s secretary, Carl Moses.

    "You were still asleep when he called. I couldn''t wake you, but I was worried about Axel''s safety. So, I rushed over. I wouldn''t have let you go anyway."

    Alyssa''s heart melted. She cupped his face and kissed his forehead.

    "Unfortunately, Jameson had taken precautions. He terminated operations at The

    Millennium and dismissed everyone. He, along with Carl, left Sna City overnight. In fact, they''re already out of the country."

    Jasper gritted his teeth in contrition. "It was my fault. We were toote."

    Alyssa''s heart sank. "How... How about Amber?"

    "She left yesterday. ording to the female escorts there, she is getting married to Carl." "What? In that case, Axel''

    "Axel isn''t doing very well at the moment." Worry clouded Jasper''s eyes. The only one who can help him is Ms. Altman, and the only way for Axel to get back on his feet would be to find her.

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up. She felt terrible. "Amber... I''m sure it''s not easy on her. It''s really not easy on her... I''m really worried for her..."

    Alyssa had long acknowledged Amber as her friend and her future sister-inw. It didn''t matter to her how horrid her past might''ve been. She didn''t care about that at all. All she hoped for was that she could have a smooth and bright future with Axel.

    "Don''t cry, Lyse," Jasper soothed, wiping away her tears. "We won''t give up on finding Ms. Altman or helping Axel. Our priority right now is locating Jameson."

    Since he fled in such a hurry, he likely wasn''t well-prepared," Alyssa said, pulling him to sit beside her on the bed. She leaned into him and stroked his jaw. "Jasper, if you were in his

    shoes, where would you run?"

    Jasper looked down at her, a loving smile gracing his lips. He felt captivated by her, like a king bewitched by his queen.

    At the same time, he gave her question careful thought.

    "If I were him, I''d go somewhere familiar, with people who could help me. I''m not a wanted criminal, so I wouldn''t need to hide. Even if I am, there are many countries without extradition treaties with ours. As long as I have money and local connections, I could still livefortably,"

    "That''s a good analysis," Alyssa agreed, resting her head on his arm. "I wouldn''t be surprised if Jameson escaped back to Kontina."

    Jasper furrowed his brows tightly. "If so, that makes things more difficult. It means that he is going back to his roots."

    Ultimately, Jameson first gained his sess in Kontina. Kontina was thend that made him prosper, and more than that, it was his originalir.

    "Even if it''s a long shot, we have to try," Alyssa insisted through gritted teeth. "We can''t let him get away this time! I''ll contact Miley and Jeremy to see if they can help track him down."

    The situation at Schmidt Group changed dramatically overnight, causing widespread unease. News of their chairman''s sudden disappearance spread rapidly in Sna City, making it the city''s hottest topic.

    Three dayster, Ss led a team from the Investigative Bureau Into Schmidt Group''s headquarters.

    Soon, news about the Investigative Bureau''s visit circted everywhere.

    This wasn''t just an upturn. It was a catastrophe!

    Scott Baird, now acting head of Schmidt Group, rushed to stop the investigative team. However, the team hade prepared and couldn''t be stopped.

    "Everyone put everything down and don''t move!" Ss barked as he kicked open the door.

    Employees were frantically trying to destroy incriminating documents. Their faces paled as the investigators entered. One bolder employee shoved papers into a shredder. Ss rushed over and snatched them away.

    Seize all theputers, hard drives, and documents!"

    With Ssmand, his subordinates acted swiftly and swept everything up.

    "Mr. Baird," Ss called out coldly, hands in his pockets.

    "Yes?'' Scott was stunned beyond words.

    We''re here to investigate Mr. Schmidt''s involvement in a serious embezzlement, corruption, and bribery case. Please cooperate with our investigation."

    Scott wiped his sweat away. "F-For sure..."

    ''Where is Jameson''s office?" Ss had an icy look in his eyes. He gave off an air of an impending storm. "Take us there, stat."

 Chapter 2149

    ?

    Unexpectedly, Jameson''s office wasn''t locked. The team from the Investigative Bureau entered with ease.

    Ss stood in the middle and scanned the room with a cold, appraising gaze. His chest tightened with a sense of dread. The open office meant Jameson had likely destroyed any incriminating documents, making it a hollow shell.

    "Mr. Schmidt cleared this ce out a long time ago, sir. Are we... Are you still going to search it, Mr. Taylor?" Scott stammered from behind Ss, already slick with sweat.

    Ss eyes zed with determination. "Proceed with the search, team!" he boomed in a powerful voice.

    His team descended upon the office, taking it apart meticulously.

    Years of experience dealing with bizarre cases, especially corruption, had instilled a relentless tenacity in Ss. Hiding a trail of dirty money was no different from hiding drugs; there were always creative methods.

    Ss wouldn''t be surprised if this seemingly ordinary office harbored hiddenpartments or even secret tunnels. After all, a high roller like Victor wouldn''t leave himself without an escape route, a doubleyer of security.

    Utterly dissatisfied, Sis snatched books from the shelf, flipping through them rapidly. searching for anything hidden between the pages. He meticulously examined each book on the entire shelf, sweat beading on his forehead, but his persistence remained unwavering. He wouldn''t be deterred.

    There''s nothing. Mr. Taylor."

    "Nothing here too!"

    "Same here!''

    His subordinates were very frustrated. "They must have cleaned up this office beforehand. We''re one step behind."

    Ss scowled, frustration tightening his chest with eachbored breath. Just as he reached for another book, his hand stilled.

    A ck hardcover copy of "That''s Capital'' caught his eye.

    At first nce, it appeared unremarkable. But upon closer inspection, a tiny pinhole camera was discreetly embedded in the spine, perfectly positioned to capture the entire office. The battery-powered camera had long since died.

    Ss'' heart pounded. He tucked the book under his arm and marched toward a stunned Scott.

    Mr. Baird, Jameson put you fully in charge of managing Schmidt Group. So, I''m sure that you know the corporation''s businesses like the back of your hand. Come with us and cooperate with our investigation."

    Over the next few days, Sna City was in a state of vtility. Yet, the atmosphere at Heightsnew Vi was full of warmth.

    When Briar sought cover at home, she made sure that she did not live there as a freeloader. She put her skills from her time working as a nurse at a department of gynecology and obstetrics to good use. She helped L prepare nutritious meals for Tatiana to ensure that she got all the nutrients a pregnant woman needed.

    Indeed, it made a difference to be cared for by a professional.

    L didn''t have to worry as much. She felt like Alyssa had brought home a precious talent who also happened to be a cheerful person.

    Each day, she wondered how she could keep Briar with the Taylors. Perhaps she could offer her a high sry as Tatiana''s personal pregnancy nutritionist.

    Tatiana was less than three months along, so her bump was not quite showing yet. Even so, Tatiana had grown a little plumper from the care she was receiving. She was more beautiful than when she was skinny, and she even looked a little more mature.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    In the room, Alyssa and Tatiana were talking chummily.

    Alyssa knew about the slight changes in Tatiana''s body, so she bought a number of clothes that suited her figure. Every piece of clothing was a limited edition, so she wouldn''t end up dressing the same as others when she went out.

    Her brothers doted on her, and she gave all her love to Tatiana, her only younger sister.

    "Oh dear... Why did I gain so much weight? I feel like a pig." Tatiana grumbled.

 Chapter 2150

    ?

    Tatiana stared at her reflection in the mirror, her face round and full. Discontent gnawed at her. "I.. I should stop eating. I''m not having dinner tonight. If Sean sees me like this when he gets home, he won''t like me anymore!"

    "You don''t look like a pig. Look at your slim legs and arms. You''re pregnant, so it''s perfectly normal for your hips to widen a bit.

    Alyssa squeezed Tatiana''s arm, her eyes shining with the anticipation of their growing family. She chuckled yfully. "If you go on a diet now, it''ll be bad for you and the baby. Besides, even if you lose weight, your belly will just keep growing. What will you look like then?"

    Tatiana was confused. "What?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    "You''ll have thin limbs and a round bump, just like a beetle!

    Tatiana''s face flushed red with embarrassment. "Lyse, you..."

    "Alright, alright. I won''t tease you anymore." Alyssa gave her a warm hug. "I know looks are important to women, especially for someone in performing arts like you. You''ve always dreamned of being an actress. I know theseing days will be tough.

    "But don''t worry. After you give birth, Ms. Thompson and I will help you lose the baby weight. You weren''t prone to gaining weight easily before, so I''m sure it''lle off quickly.

    "And forget about Sean! He''s been swamped in Sna Citytely and hasn''t had time to see you. But the other day, I saw him looking at the pictures you sent him. He waspletely smitten."

    "Lyse..." Tatiana felt so embarrassed that she turned as red as a tomato.

    "Theard from L that Sean has officially asked Winston for permission to marry you." Alyssa smiled delightedly. "Sean is giving all his possessions to you as your wedding gift. He even gave Winston his payslip. Do you know what Winston said?

    "He said nothinges for free. After he marries you, Winston still has to promote him and give him a raise. At the same time, Winston has to pay your marital expenses too. Winston says that he''ll just be losing money on all fronts!"

    Alyssa burst outughing, and so did Tatiana. After that, Tatiana became worried again. " Then.. Dad wasn''t displeased with Sean in any way, was he?"

    "Oh, he''s over the moon. After Sean left, Winston couldn''t stop giggling to himself. He was just restraining himself on purpose."

    Alyssa let out a soft sigh. With a twinkle in her eyes, she remarked, "Dad isn''t as fit as he used to be. Even though he has never pressured us, I know that he really longs to have grandchildren.

    "So, Taly, you don''t have to worry about anything. You are our treasure. You and Sean will definitely have a blissful family. We will make sure of that."

    "Lyse..." Tatiana pursed her lips. A wave of sorrow rose within her. There was something she

    wanted to say, but she feared upsetting Alyssa.

    "I know what you''re thinking, Taty. Don''t worry about me. I''m fine. Alyssa lifted her hand and caressed Tatiana''s belly gently. Her gaze was warm and gentle. She choked out, "I have Jasper. He''s all I need."

    Right at that moment, her phone rang.

    Picking up the phone, she found Ss'' name staring back at her.

    Alyssa knew about Ss'' team visiting Schmidt Group today. But honestly, she wasn''t hopeful

    Wouldn''t Jameson have already taken care of any evidence by now? If that were the case, it wouldn''t be of much use to go to hispany-Schmidt Group would be a dead end, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake but offering no answers.

    The only result of the prosecution''s investigation into Schmidt Group would be the negative impact on them.

    "Hey, Ss," Alyssa answered the call, her voice cold. "What''s the emergency? Are you going to tell me that you''ve found evidence of Jamiper''s corruption?"

    "No, we haven''t found any evidence of corruption yet." Ss took a deep breath. In a chilling tone, he said, "But we did find a piece of murder evidence."

 Chapter 2151

    ?

    Alyssa sped away from Heightsnew Vi toward Sna City Investigative Bureau after hearing the news. Her striking Lamborghini came to a graceful stop at the bureau''s entrance.

    As Alyssa stepped out of the car, she paused. "Jasper?"

    Jasper stood tall and imposing, wrapped in a ck coat, beside a modest Maybach parked under a tree. The biting wind did nothing to diminish his statue-like presence. He had clearly been waiting for her.

    Without hesitation, Jasper hurried toward Alyssa. "Are you cold, Lyse?" He quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around her. Still, he thought it was insufficient, pulling her into a tight embrace.

    "The car''s heating was strong. I''m not cold," Alyssa replied. Concerned, she cupped his icy face with her warm hands. ''Silly, I should be asking you. Why wait outside in this cold? You could''ve waited in the car. The wind is freezing. Did you think it was funny?"

    "I wanted to see you as soon as you arrived," Jasper said, his eyes filled with longing as he kissed her palm. ''Besides, have you forgotten my military past? I''ve endured temperatures below 20 degrees. This is nothingpared to that."

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up with tears as she recalled when they fought alongside one another. Her paralyzed pinky finger twitched subtly.

    Shortly after, Ss arrived breathlessly, looking dashing in his court attire. "You look really cool, Ss!" Alyssa eximed.

    Jasper agreed with a smile. "Indeed."

    Alyssa gave Jasper''s hand a squeeze as she yfully narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh? You''re not jealous?''

    She teased, "You used to have such apetitive streak, always needing to outshine everyone, regardless of whether they were close friends or acquaintances. You''d get uneasy whenever Iplimented someone else and quickly make yourself noticed. Now that we''ve been together for so long, are you feeling less of a need topete?"

    Jasper turned his head and kissed her cheek. "I''ve realized it''s not aboutpetition anymore. Back then, I acted out of insecurity.

    ''You were?''ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "I worried I wasn''t worthy of being with you and that someone else might take my ce. My insecurity was so overwhelming it often robbed me of sleep."

    Alyssa pouted. "So now that you''ve won me over, you''recent? Does it not bother you anymore?"

    "No," Jasper said, his gaze filled with deep affection. He slipped his hand into his coat, giving her rear a light squeeze, causing her to shudder.

    He continued, "I''vee to realize it doesn''t matter how many people are drawn to you or if you ever change your mind about us. I''ll always love and protect you. My heart will always be

    with you, even if we ever part ways. Once I understood that, everything fell into ce."

    True love wasn''t about possession or fear of loss. It was about allowing the other person to experience the world freely and innocently, like a child.

    Alyssa leaned on his shoulder, feeling safe and warm. But a new fear crept into her heart. She knew Jasper would always love her, but what if she lost him when their love was at its peak?

    Ss interrupted their moment. "Sorry for the wait. Have you been waiting long?"

    "We just arrived," Jasper replied. He opened the car door, keeping an arm around Alyssa. Let''s talk in the car, Ss."

    The trio settled into the car, where the warmth of the interior contrasted with the tension lingering in the air.

 Chapter 2152

    ''Ss, you said that Jamesonmitted murder? What''s that about?" Alyssa couldn''t wait to find out.

    This afternoon, I went and conducted a search at Schmidt Group, which included a search of Jarneson''s office. I found a pinhole camera in one of the books on a bookshelf." Ss couldn''t hide the tremble in his voice. He was still stirred up, even until now.

    Jasper and Alyssa exchanged shocked nces.

    "Was Jameson the one who set it up?* Alyssa asked, her eyes zing. "He''s a wicked man with many evil schemes. He might have been surveilling himself while monitoring his office. ''That way, if he got dirt on a corporation''s executive, he could ckmail them. It''s his usual tactic, she continued.

    "That might not be the case," Ss said, steadying his breath. With a stern look, he exined, ''I brought the camera back and reviewed the footage immediately. Guess what I found?"

    Alyssa was like a cat on hot bricks. "C''mon, Ss. Quit building the suspense. Tell us!

    "The footage shows the entire sequence from Mr. Victor''s heart attack to his death in the office!" Ss revealed.

    Jasper and Alyssa eximed in unison, "What?"

    Ss pulled out his phone, yed the video, and showed it to them.

    The video captured everything-Victor and Jameson''s interaction, confrontation, and Jameson watching as his father copsed in front of him. He even took away Victor''s medication and simply watched him die.

    The camera had recorded Jameson''s incriminating words, providing concrete evidence against him.

    ''I''ll only give you one option. You will draft an official statement that you are retiring because of your health. And then, you will name me as the chairman of Schmidt Group.

    "If you disagree, I will broadcast this video outside of Schmidt Group''s building and ensure every one of its tens of thousands of employees sees it by tomorrow moming."

    Finally, the footage showed Victor''s limbs going stiff, and his face went pale as he died right before Jameson.

    Alyssa''s eyes widened. She was overwhelmed. Not because she hadn''t seen a dead man but because Victor was once Winston''s close friend and an elder with whom she used to have a close rtionship. Watching him die so helplessly made her feel terrible.

    Jasper embraced Alyssa, his voice deep. With this evidence, can we prosecute Jameson for murder?

    "We can''t charge him with leaving someone to die. But the video recorded his threatening conversation with Mr. Victor before he died. That''s a crime of omission. We can prosecute Jameson and prevent him from roaming free," Ss exined.

    ''That''s great! Let''s get an arrest warrant," Alyssa said, hope reignited.

    This pinhole camera was likely installed by Mr. Victor himself. Jameson probably didn''t know about it."

    Jasper sighed deeply. "Mr. Victor was aware of his declining health and probably installed the camera as a precaution, not expecting it to capture evidence of his own murder. It''s tragic that he died this way."

    Ss, conflicted, added, "At least Mr. Victor can rest knowing his murderer won''t escape justice. It''s better than seeing Jameson profit from his death without facing any consequences."

    Alyssa lowered her eyes, shaking her head. Despite the increased chance of legal action against Jameson, she felt no joy. She wondered how different things might have been if Jameson and Lily hadn''t faced such unfair treatment in the Schmidt family. Would all these tragic events still happen?N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Would things have turned out differently if Jameson had grown up in a loving family?

    Perhaps he would have remained the gentle Jimmy of his youth.

    Just then, Alyssa''s phone vibrated in her pocket. She took it out and saw that it was Miley calling.

    Her heart raced as she answered, putting the call on speaker. "Miley, do you have any news for us?"

    "Lyse, I''ve had my agents check all the ports and airports in Kontina. They found Jameson''s private ne at Newant Airport in the capital!"

 Chapter 2153

    ?

    ''Damn, Miley, you''re amazing!" Ss eximed before Alyssa could say a word. "The women in our family are truly amazing!"

    "S-Ss? I didn''t realize you were here too, Miley said, surprised.

    "I think it''s a waste of your talent as First Lady to be looking into someone like Jamiper," Ss remarked.

    "Don''t say that, Ss," Miley replied with a softugh. "Honestly, I didn''t do much. It was mostly thanks to the clues Lyse provided. I just followed up on them. It wasn''t a big deal.

    I''ve been overseas with Jeremy for years dealing with the country''s affairs, and I rarely get to see you all. It''s nice to be able to help from here and feel connected to you again."

    Her words brought tears to the Taylor siblings eyes.

    Thank you very much, Miley." Jasper''s voice, gentle as a soft breeze, brushed against Alyssa''s ears, bringing a flush to her cheeks. "Once this is resolved, Lyse and I will visit you and Jeremy in Kontina."

    "Oh, hello, Jasper. For some reason, having you there makes me feel more at ease," Miley said, relieved.

    Ss pouted. Despite being the older sibling, he felt he wasn''t as reliable as his younger sister''s boyfriend. "What do you mean, Miley? Does Jasper make you feel more at ease than me?"

    "I used to feel at ease with you, but things are different now. You''ve found the love of your life," Miley said with a tone of elder wisdom. Years in politics by her husband''s side had made her behave more independently than most. Because of this, people tend to forget that she was only in her 20s.

    "I met Ms. Emerson in Bernardia. You two seem very much in love. I assume she''ll be joining our family soon?" Miley guessed.

    Ss choked on his saliva when he heard that his face flushed with a blissful red. "Indeed, Rose is my beloved."

    "You love Lyse, but you can''t juggle two loves simultaneously. It''s only natural for you to focus on Ms. Emerson now, meaning you won''t be as concerned toward Lyse as you used to, Miley spoke seriously.

    Miley continued, "Although we are siblings, we can''t be with Lyse forever. Jasper is the one who can stay by her side for the rest of their lives."

    "Miley..." Alyssa was deeply moved, intertwining her fingers with Jasper''s.

    ''Don''t worry about Lyse. I''ll protect her," Jasper promised, pressing his forehead against Alyssa''s.

    "Thope you both marry and find happiness after this is over. Don''t get yourselves involved in such dangerous matters again," Miley said sternly.

    "Jameson has a tight grip here. He''s bribed former presidents and is capable of anything," Miley continued. "Jeremy and I have always fought against his authority. If not for Jeremy''s powerful position, he might have been killed without anyone knowing."

    Alyssa''s deep-seated hatred for Jameson was invoked once again. "That is why we must fight him until the end. No matter where he escapes, even to the moon, we must make him pay the price!"

    "Even though we''ve ascertained that he''s in Kontina right now, it won''t be easy to arrest him. His connections at Kontina are far and wide. He has numerous subordinates following and protecting him, making it difficult for all of you to get close to him.

    ''Moreover, our country doesn''t have any extraditionws with Kontina. Even if Cyrus sends his men to arrest him, or if Jeremy makes a way for all of you, I wouldn''t be surprised if you all end up being hindered on all fronts."

    ''We''re at the final stage of our fight against him. There''s no other choice, Miley," Alyssa said with a determined gaze. "Even if it takes everything I have, Jameson must face the death penalty for his past crimes!"

    The cold night was silent and menacing.

    Jameson had reached his hideout in Kontina but soon realized he was in even greater danger -a trap he had set for himself.

    Perhaps it was because of this stressful ordeal, on top of the extreme exhaustion and worry that Jameson ended up being admitted to a hospital not long after his return to Kontina. In addition to the tremors, he also threw up blood, indicating his condition had worsened since his hospitalization in Sna City.

    In the dead of night, hey in bed, sweating and struggling to sleep. The medications he took were causing severe stomach pain.

    It hit Jameson that he''d witnessed Justin on numerous asions taking aparable amount of medication.

    Jameson''s body was crumbling under the strain of the drugs, while Justin had withstood years of this ordeal. How had he endured such prolonged suffering?

    He would rather die himself.

    The hospital room door opened quietly, causing Jameson to be alert. He slowly reached under his pillow, sensing danger.

    Whoever it was wasn''t Carl. Carl would knock and ask for permission before entering, but this person was acting suspiciously.

    A possibility dawned upon Jameson. This person was likely someone who wanted him dead!

    The intruder moved stealthily, pulling out a silenced gun and aiming it at Jameson.

    Two shots rang out, followed by a pained cry that shattered the night''s silence.

    The assassin''s gun wielding arm and right leg were struck. He crumpled to his knees with a thud. Jameson, already standing on his bed, red down at him, his imposing figure casting a menacing shadow.

    "Mr. Schmidt!" Carl, drenched in sweat, burst in with his subordinates. Relief washed over him upon seeing Jameson unharmed.

    The assassin had been taken down on the spot. He knelt before Jameson.

    ''Who sent you? Tell me, and I will let you live," Jameson demanded.

    The assassin stammered a name, revealing a key decision-maker Jameson had been supporting in Kontina after the former''s return to Sna City.

    "Okay, got it.''

    In the next second, Jameson pulled the trigger. The assassin was shot right in his forehead and died instantly.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    "Dispose of the body and clean this up before dawn," Jameson ordered, donning his gold- framed sses with a rxed air. "I''ve been back only a few days, and already, some are eager to take my ce."

 Chapter 2154

    ?Chapter 2154N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Carl stared at the body lying in a pool of blood. Cold sweat drenched him, and fear shook his frame. "You''re already under attack after just a few days back. What should our next move be?

    ''Don''t worry," Jameson replied. "Before I die, I''ll drag these foolish, greedy idiots to hell with me."

    As the words left his lips, Jameson was startled. His eyes held an infinitely dark and cold intensity. He''d uttered "hell" without conscious thought, as if prophesying his own fate. Did he believe his hands were so stained with blood and evil that hell was his only destination?

    In the silence, Jameson''s phone rang. He turned away from Carl and his subordinates, facing the deste moon outside the window and answered the call. "Go ahead."

    "Mr. Schmidt, things look bad for you here," his informant said, his voice heavy with gloom. It was as if Jameson''s reign had ended, and there was no chance of recovery.

    "It is what it is. How bad can it get? Just get to the point." Jameson let out a few dry coughs, his pale face etched with loneliness.

    ''The prosecution has searched the entire Schmidt Group. Mr. Baird and the head of the Finance Department have been taken in for further interrogation.

    They''re a bunch of opportunists and aren''t trustworthy at all. Now that you''ve lost your power, it won''t be long before they spill everything they know."

    ''Like you said, they aren''t trustworthy. Besides, they''re just puppets. They''ve never been truly involved with the core of Schmidt Group. They won''t be able to spill anything."

    Jameson''s coughing worsened. Carl hurried over with a handkerchief.

    Jameson covered his mouth, coughing violently. Returning the handkerchief, Carl nced at it, and his pupils constricted in shock-fresh blood stained the creamy white fabric.

    Carl dared not say a thing. He forced himself to hold back his emotions, stuffing the handkerchief into his pocket with shaky hands.

    ''There''s more," the informant continued. "Sna City police force has issued a nationwide warrant for your arrest."

    "What did you say?" Jameson held his breath. There was a metallic taste at the back of his throat.

    "I don''t know why, but they linked you to Mr. Victor''s death. They must have found crucial evidence to get an arrest warrant."

    The informant paused, then probed, "Mr. Schmidt, did Mr. Victor''s death really have something to do with you?"

    Jameson closed his eyes, tears welling up. The memory of Victor''s heart attack and subsequent death shed before him. He chuckled bitterly. "What if I was? Countless people have died by my hand. One more doesn''t matter."

    With Carl''s help, Jameson sat back on the bed. "Our country has no extradition treaty with Kontina. This is my territory. They can''t arrest me.''

    "But don''t forget, two powerful people in Sna City want you dead. If they join forces with Kontina''s police, you''ll be in serious trouble.

    The mention of Alyssa caused a sharp pain in Jameson''s heart. "I know. Thanks for the warning. Your services are no longer needed. Stop monitoring Sna City. Unless something unexpected happens, I won''t return."

    "Mr. Schmidt...

    ''You''ve been loyal to me, so I''ll make it worth your while. I''ll have Carl transfer arge sum to your mother. It''s enough to livefortably for the rest of your life."

    As Jameson prepared to hang up, the informant said, "Mr. Schmidt! Everyone says you''re evil, that you killed your brothers and father. Even your childhood friend, Ms. Alyssa, turned against you. But I know you''re not truly wicked. People will understand your actions if they know what you''ve been through."

    "You''re wrong," Jameson replied, tears glistening in his eyes. He forced augh. "I am evil, sinister, and egotistical. I killed my brothers and father. I''m a gutter rat, a viper in the dark. I''ve always been alone and don''t need anyone''s understanding. Goodbye."

    With that, Jameson ended the call and turned off his phone.

    "Mr. Schmidt, Carl said, "Kontina''s president is Alyssa''s brother-inw. If they cooperate to apprehend you, you''ll be in a dire situation.

    "Don''t forget how we struck Jeremy in the past. He almost died in our hands. He''s been waiting for revenge. Now that you''re vulnerable, the president and First Lady will seize this chance to strike."

    Carl looked at Jameson, still sitting tall despite his serious illness. His heart was filled with a mix of emotions. "You should perhaps leave Kontina as soon as possible."

 Chapter 2155

    ?Chapter 2155

    "It doesn''t matter where I go. I''d rather die than run and hide like a coward," Jameson dered. He didn''t need anyone to understand him.

    Jameson no longer sought Alyssa''s forgiveness. Since she couldn''t forgive him, he might as well be a viin she''d never forget.

    After everything, Amber returned to Kontina, where she and Jameson had met. She was back in the manor where she used to live. Nothing had changed except her.

    Battered, bruised, and emotionally numb, she felt like she was living in a dream.

    Amber was confined to the manor for over a week. But she didn''t idle her time away. Instead, she secretly searched the manor for the evidence Carl had hidden of Jameson''s crimes.

    Carl didn''t have his guard up against her. With no restrictions on her ess to the study, she explored everyer, even searching Carl''sputer. Yet, she found nothing.

    One evening, after showering, Amber sat at her vanity,bing her dark, silky hair, when a helper called from outside. "Ms. Altman?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    With a cold gaze, Amber asked, "What is it?

    Mr. Moses is back. He wants you in the study."

    Amber looked at her pale, gaunt reflection, tightening her grip on theb until the teeth left red marks on her fingers. She then wrapped her robe around her tightly and slowly got to her feet.

    As Amber reached the study door, she heard ttering inside. Her heart pounded as she pushed the door open slightly and peered in.

    Carl was there, his white shirt and cheeks stained with blood. With a furious expression, he filled arge box with valuables. It looked like he was about to flee.

    "Carlton, what happened? Why are you covered in blood?" Amber pushed open the door, feigning concern. She couldn''t care less, but she had to act.

    Carl rxed slightly at the sight of her but couldn''t hide his panic. "I helped Mr. Schmidt deal with some people tonight.''

    "Who?"

    Carl coldly named a few people.

    Amber''s eyes widened. She knew them. They were Jameson''s trusted subordinates in Kontina. After he returned to Sna City, they handled his business. These men were used to acting like tyrants, and now that their boss had returned, they probably had thoughts of retaliation.

    Everything should be fine since it''s been dealt with, right? But what are you doing?"

    *Kontina is no longer safe, Amber. We need to leave immediately," Carl dered. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a cross ne.

    Amber recognized the cross. However, she never imagined it hid a USB sh drive,

    Carl plugged the USB into hisputer and started working quickly, seemingly transferring or organizing something.

    Amber stared at him, her heart racing. She finally understood why her search was fruitless. Carl had carried the evidence with him all along. He was incredibly cautious.

    "The authorities in Cyrris are working with Kontina''s police to apprehend Mr. Schmidt. We can''t hide after tonight''s events; the police will be onto us soon," Carl said, his eyes fixed on Amber. "We need to leave here as soon as possible. Mr. Schmidt won''t be able to hold out much longer!"

 Chapter 2156

    ?Chapter 2156

    "Where will we go?" Amber looked back at Carl with a numb expression.

    After ending things with Axel, she felt like a wanderer. It didn''t matter who she was with or where she went; nothing seemed to matter anymore.

    However, she sensed that something significant must have happened in Cyrris. Jameson''s foundations were shaken, which left Carl, who idolized him, thinking of fleeing.

    "We can go anywhere. I''ve saved enough money over the years working for Mr. Schmidt to livefortably for the rest of our lives, Carl said, removing a USB sh drive from hisputer and hiding it under his clothing.

    Amber''s gaze lingered on his chest, her eyes dull. "Didn''t Mr. Schmidt say he wanted us to get married in Kontina?"

    "We can talk about that after we leave this ce." Though Carl was Jameson''s ruthless weapon, his feelings for Amber were genuine, evident in the way he looked at her.

    "Getting married isn''t the most important thing. What''s important is that we can be together, always!"

    Despite his words, Amber remained unmoved, her gaze cold.

    Just then, Carl''s phone rang.

    Though it was just a regr ringtone, it startled him. Seeing it was Jameson calling, he couldn''t ignore it. He tried to sound calm as he answered, "How can I assist you, Mr. Schmidt?

    Whatever Jameson said shocked Carl. He began pacing anxiously but still replied, "Thank you for thinking of us during these troubled times, Mr. Schmidt. I appreciate it. So... We''ll follow your ns."

    After hanging up, Carl slumped into a leather chair, staring at the ceiling before closing his eyes in distress.

    Amber frowned slightly. What happened, Carlton?

    She wasn''t concerned for him; she was curious about Jameson''s ns.

    ''Mr. Schmidt wants us to get married and have the ceremony in Kontina. Afterward, he''s letting us go wherever we want. He will not interfere."

    Amber had resigned herself to marrying Carl. In a cold voice, she asked, "Isn''t that a good thing? Isn''t this what you''ve always wanted?"

    ''But I can''t shake the feeling that something''s wrong," Carl muttered, deeply troubled. "But it''s Mr. Schmidt''s order. I can''t disobey him."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    While lost in thought, he caught a faint scent. He opened his eyes to find Amber standing before him, her white silk robe slipping off her shoulders, leaving her in a thin, strapped dress.

    Her long, dark hair cascaded over her chest, contrasting with her pale skin, stirring his senses.

    Carl stared at her, focusing only on her face, afraid to look elsewhere.

    He had been with other women but had never loved any of them. They were just to satisfy his physical needs; his heart had always belonged to Amber.

    His only grievance with Jameson was when he''d changed Amber''s face to resemble Alyssa''s. Amber didn''t have any rtives or friends. She didn''t even know where her

    hometown was.

    Only her looks could prove who she was. Yet, Jameson had taken it away from her so cruelly. Jameson had stolen Amber''s identity, causing her to lose herself altogether.

    ''Carlton..."

    That night, Amber was more forward than ever. She wrapped her arms around his neck and perched provocatively on hisp.

    Her eyes fluttered slowly, a captivating intery of innocence and seduction that drew in any man, especially Carl, whose heart had long been hers.

 Chapter 2157

    ?

    ''Let''s not sleep in separate rooms tonight. Sleep with me," Amber said, her voiceced with forced flirtation. She suppressed a wave of disgust, pain, and self-loathing as she invited Carl into her bed.

    Her gaze, supposedly amorous, held a chilling undercurrent. Her eyes darted toward Carl''s chest, where his cross ne hung. She yearned to rip open his shirt with her eyes.

    "Amber, what''s wrong? Are you sick? Did you drink?" Carl asked, his voice hoarse and strained. He swallowed hard, his hand touching her forehead with practiced restraint.

    "No, I''m sober. I know what I''m doing." Amber replied. Leaning in, she adopted a tender expression. "Marriage doesn''t change us. We''re already like husband and wife, aren''t we? Sharing a bed seems natural."

    She was desperate to find the evidence Carl had hidden. She didn''t care about the cost, even if it meant sacrificing her battered body.

    A sense of impending doom loomed over her, she feared neither she nor Carl would leave Kontina alive. She urgently needed evidence that could destroy Jameson in one fell swoop.

    "You''re my woman, Amber. We have all the time in the world, Carl said, his eyes filled with desire. Yet, he took deep breaths, restraining himself.

    Carlton, you think I''m filthy, don''t you? Amber''s heart sank as tears welled up in her eyes. You''re with me not because you love me but because you pity me after all these years..."

    ''No, that''s not it!" Carl gripped her shoulders, panic in his eyes. "I love you, Amber. I''m so in love with you that I can''t bear to touch you. No one knows your hardships in getting here like I do. I will never force you to be intimate with me. And I''m only marrying you to protect you."

    Amber was stunned, staring at him as if he were a stranger.

    She knew if Carl hadn''t pleaded with Jameson to marry her, she might have ended up in a mass grave long ago.

    A small part of her was touched, but it wasn''t enough to absolve him of the crimes he''dmitted over the years. It couldn''t make up for Wesley''s brutal death.

    ''Since we arrived in Kontina, I haven''t felt a moment of peace. I haven''t been able to sleep well." Amber rested her head lightly on Carl''s shoulder. "Stay with me tonight, please?"

    They shared a bed but nothing more. Perhaps exhaustion from the night''s killing spree imed Carl quickly. Within 15 minutes, he was asleep.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Amber''s eyes snapped open. Her gaze was fixed on him, devoid of emotion. With trembling hands, she began to unbutton his shirt. Her grip tightened around the cross as her eyes reddened.

    Kontina was a country that was filled with dense, multiyered forests. It was a picturesque country with a tropical monsoon climate.

 Chapter 2158

    ?Chapter 2158

    Jameson had witnessed brutal fights and seen the darkest aspects of humanity right here in Kontina. Without these experiences, he might never have realized that the country''s picturesquendscapes masked the dangers of a ruthless, dog-eat-dog world.

    Had things been different, he might have considered this ce his true home, where he could have run a regr business and lived peacefully with his mother, Lily.

    Today was a rainy day. Holding a ck umbre, Jameson arrived alone at Rose Nursing Home to visit Lily.

    Across Kontina, every ce he had invested in or had financial influence bore the name ''rose "It was his way of reassuring himself and keeping the memory of his distant love alive.

    "How are you feeling today, Mom?"

    Lily sat under the awning, staring nkly at the falling rain. Jameson gently held her hand as he sat beside her.

    Her hands were just skin and bones, devoid of vitality.

    With her mouth slightly agape, Lily''s expression appeared nk. She didn''t seem to have heard what Jameson said.

    "I''m Jimmy, Morn. Do you still recognize me?" Jameson reminded her of who he was tirelessly.

    *J-J-Jimmy... Jimmy!"

    There were brief moments each day when Lily seemed more energetic, though her mind remained clouded.

    ''Jimmy, where''s Lyse? It''s been a while since she came over to y. Why is that? You two mustn''t quarrel. You don''t make friends easily, and it wasn''t easy to befriend someone as nice as Lyse. You need to appreciate her.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "You are a man, so you should alwayspromise and give in to her... You must stay together for a long time!"

    ''Soon, Lyse will no longer be my friend, Mom. Jameson gently adjusted Lily''s nket. With concem in her voice, Lily asked, "Why is that?"

    "She will soon be your daughter-inw."

    A blissful expression crossed Jameson''s face, so sincere that he nearly believed his own lie. She has agreed to marry me."

    *Really? Lyse is going to be my daughter-inw?"

    Lily was moved to tears. "That''s great... That''s wonderful! I have a pair of emerald bracelets in my box. Your father gave them to me when we got married. I couldn''t bear to wear them all this while. Bring them here. You can give them to Lyse.

    "As her future mother-inw, it''s embarrassing that I don''t have much to offer her. Jimmy,

    you must prepare generous wedding gifts for Lyse. You have to do right by her!

    ''You should give them to her personally when shees." Jameson''s eyes reflected a steely determination. Choking up, he added, "I''ll have here meet you soon enough."

    After lunch with Lily, the gloomy skies unexpectedly cleared.

    While Lily slept in her room, Jameson stepped out onto the balcony. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and held it between his fingers.

    He didn''t smoke it. He simply watched the cigarette burn down to its end. Then, he dialed a number.

    A momentter, the call was answered. A crisp, charming voice came through the line." Who''s this?"

    ''It''s an incredible feeling to be on the phone with you, Mr. Axel," Jameson remarked, his posture straightening as his eyes narrowed in a rxed manner.

    Suddenly, there was silence on the other end of the line, as if time and space had reached a standstill.

    "Why aren''t you saying anything?" Jameson scoffed softly, "You fell in love with the woman crafted and groomed. I was the one who brought you two together. Shouldn''t you be thanking me for that?

    ''It''s just that you fell in love with a woman who looks like your younger sister. Should I call you perverted or inhuman?"

 Chapter 2159

    ?Chapter 2159

    Axel was standing on a balcony at Heightsnew Vi when he answered Jameson''s call, his ck coat billowing in the wind. The chilling wind stung his cheeks.

    Jameson''s mocking voice was like a devil''s whisper. A lump formed in Axel''s throat, making it hard to breathe. His eyes burned red.

    "Jameson, you must have a fucking death wish!"

    "I''ve heard that countless times in thest 15 years. But talk is cheap. No one''s touched me yet," Jameson replied with a chuckle. "Care to be the one to walk into the lion''s den, Mr. Axel?

    ''You think you''re a lion? Ha!" Axel scoffed, his chest heaving. "You''re just a hyena feeding on carrion."

    *Amber and my secretary, Carl, will be having their grand wedding in Kontina next Saturday. She''s the woman you''re deeply in love with. Will it be a lifetime of regret for you if you missed her wedding?

    A seasoned secret agent, Axel''s instincts were razor-sharp, yet Jameson''s words chilled him to the bone.

    ''Jameson, if you hurt Amber, I''ll hunt you down. To the ends of the earth, or hell itself!"

    "I n to give the newlyweds a grand gift on their big day." Jameson sniggered, his voice filled with twisted excitement. "I hope you''ll join us in Kontina. If not, you''ll regret it for the

    rest of your life."

    "Jameson Schmidt!" Axel roared with hatred in his eyes.

    But Jameson had already hung up, leaving Axel''s rage and hatred to consume him.

    "Amber, wait for me. I''ll save you, even if it kills me,'' he vowed.

    As Axel inhaled deeply, the frigid air felt like knives in his lungs. His muscles tensed as he stepped away from the balcony.

    Startled, he froze. "Dad?"

    As a top agent, Axel was quick and sharp. But his emotions had clouded his senses, and he hadn''t noticed Winston''s arrival.

    ''Were you talking to that Schmidt bastard, Axel? Winston''s gaze was concerned. "Why did he call you? What does he want?"

    ''Nothing," Axel replied, hisshes fluttering, his face pale.

    Years of solitude and the nature of his job had made him a lone wolf. Due to this, he had always found it hard to confide in anyone. Besides, he and Winston had always been distant. So naturally, he kept to himself.

    "Nothing? How could it have been nothing?" Anxious, Winston went right up to Axel. You are my son. No matter how annoyed you are by me or how much you try to avoid me, you are still my son!

    ''You''re not like Ss or Liam, who share their feelings. Or Jonah, who makes friends everywhere. You seem strong and independent, but I know you worry the most. You are the one with the most fragile of hearts. You are my son. How could I not be worried?"

    Axel met Winston''s gaze, a crushing pain in his heart.

    *Jameson is a ruthless man with many evil deeds under his belt. He even dared to set me up so he could have Lyse. As for you... he wouldn''t even bat an eye even if he killed you." Winston grabbed Axel''s shoulders, desperation in his voice. "Ax, don''t go. No matter what Jameson says, don''t go."

    Axel let out a haughtyugh, feigning indifference. "Have you forgotten that I''m a secret agent, Dad? You would''ve seen my obituary long ago if Jameson''s little trick was enough to stumble me."

    ''Damn it. I wasn''t joking with you!" Winston was furious, hitting Axel''s head. ''As your father, I ar forbidding you from going!"

    Despite the pain, Axel felt a warmth in his heart. This rare moment of connection made him regret their distant past.

    "I have to go, Dad," Axel said, his gaze determined. "I must see Jameson. My beloved woman is in his hands."

    What woman? What woman can be more important than you?"

    ''She is as important to me as I am to you." Waves of sorrow surged within Axel. He choked,"

    I want to marry her, Dad. I want to be together with her."

    Winston was astounded. His heart wrenched. The Taylors were passionate lovers.

    ''Don''t worry, Dad. I''ll retum safely with your daughter-inw," Axel promised, hugging

    Winston.

    Winston was near tears. Knowing he couldn''t stop his son, he said, "Juste back safely. I''ll wait for you."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Axel chuckled. "I will. You''ll be crying tears of joy when I retum."

    Winston scoffed and smacked Axel''s head again. "What''s this talk about tears? Don''t talk about crying! It''s bad luck!"

    Axel escorted Winston back into his room. Just as he came back out, he saw Jasper, Alyssa and Jonah standing in a line. They looked ready for battle.

    "What are you guys doing?" Axel blinked. Even then, he joked, "Is this the night before a war? Have you been reading too much military fiction?"

    ''Axel, we''re going with you to save Ms. Altman," Jasper said, holding tightly onto Alyssa''s hand. His gaze was intense and determined.

 Chapter 2160

    ?

    "What are you saying, Jasper?" Axel''s lips curled into his usual, careless smile. His nonchnce was as if the world''s end held no consequence for him.

    "Who said I''m going for a final battle? I''m just returning to work. I''ve been absent for days. The organization might fire me if I don''t go back. Then I''ll lose my pension."

    *Stop pretending. I''ve overheard your conversation with Dad." Alyssa pouted, pinching her earlobe. "Don''t forget my awesome eavesdropping skills!"

    Axel was left speechless. Alyssa truly had a knack for eavesdropping on everything.

    ''I''m determined to get Amber back, no matter what.'' Axel took a deep breath. A dull pain spread throughout his heart. "Jameson''s bold enough to reveal his location and even invited me to Kontina. This just shows that it will be one hell of a fierce battle. Honestly, I''m terrified."

    "Axel..." Jonah''s eyes welled up as he stepped forward, cing his hands firmly on Axel''s shoulders.

    Axel!" Jasper and Alyssa struggled to hold back their emotions too.

    ''I''m not afraid of dying. I''m just afraid of noting back alive to all of you," Axel''s casual smile weighed heavily on everyone''s hearts.

    "That''s rubbish, Axel!" Jonah wrapped his arms around Axel. "I will be with you. I will protect you and make sure that nothing happens to you!"

    "Don''t be silly, Jonah. Julien would cry his eyes out if anything were to happen to you,'' Axel teased.

    With tears in his eyes, Jonah replied in a choked voice, "We''ll alle back alive. We''ll be reunited with the ones we love and live out our lives together...

    Alyssa couldn''t bear the scene. As a sensitive person, her tears started to fall.

    "Let me go with you, Axel," Jasper said, his arm around Alyssa''s waist, his tense jaw emphasizing his sharp features. "We''re academy alumni. I may have left the military for business, but a soldier''s blood still runs in me. Who better to be on the front line if not me?"

    "That''s right. We''re alumni, Axel said, touched. His eyes twinkled. "I didn''t expect us to fight alongside each other like this."

    "Jasper..." Alyssa looked deeply at him with flushed cheeks. Intense pride surged through her, but worry

    consumed her. Still, she didn''t want to add to Jasper''s burden. Besides, if she kept him from going, he''d regret not taking Jameson down.

    With tears held back, she forced a calm expression. "Ss and Cyrus have been working on this case. On top of that, Nichs is a state witness. Additionally, Jameson''s hideout in Sna City ispromised, Schmidt Group''s shares have plummeted, and those responsible have either been arrested or dismissed from their roles.

    "He''s at his wits'' end in Kontina. Cyrus managed to get a Red Notice issued, so the police are already searching for him.

    *Previously, Jeremy had not built a strong enough case against Jameson. But now that he has, with the

    president''s authority, Jeremy has ensured that Kontina''s authorities are also on the hunt for Jameson. Escape is impossible this time."

    Axel''s heart pounded. ''It''s only five days until Amber and Carl''s wedding."

    Alyssa''s eyes gleamed with determination. "I''ll go with you all."

    All three men widened their eyes. In unison, they eximed, "No way!"

    *No one knows Jameson better than I do," Alyssa said calmly, predicting their response. "Him calling Axel means he''s prepared to die with him. Otherwise, with his power, even Axel would struggle to find him. There was no

    reason for him to expose himself. His purpose wasn''t to lure Axel for Amber but to see me."

    Jonah and Axel were stunned. Yet, they said nothing in response. Deep down, they knew that Alyssa was right. Still, they couldn''t have their beloved sister risk her life.

    ''Don''t go, Lyse!" Jasper threw his arms around Alyssa without warning. He could almost feel his heart leaping out of his chest.

    His embrace was tight, almost suffocating. Alyssa could barely breathe.

    Even so, she remained firm in her decision. "I want to go, Jasper. No matter what happens, I want to be with you. We''ll be together forever."

    "No, Lyse..." Jasper''s voice was rough, filled with fear. They had endured many trials to be together, but this time, Jasper felt an ominous premonition of something terrible awaiting them.

    "It''s time to end things with Jameson and me." Alyssa smiled softly, soothing Jasper''s back. "Do you think Jameson will give up if I stay hidden? He''ll just find more ways to force me out. The longer I refuse, the more harm he''ll cause to those around me. You know me, Jasper. I won''t back down now."

    Late at night, the moon shone on lovers making love. Alyssa was especially proactive, and Jasper burned with passion. It was as if this was theirst chance to be one.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper was drenched in sweat, his muscles quivering beneath Alyssa''s touch.

    Alyssa''s body rose and fell like the waves, their shadows dancing in the crystal light.

    ''Lyse... I have to keep you safe. I have to keep you safe," Jasper whispered over and over again.

    "I trust you." Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply as her hips gyrated in a slow, sensual rhythm.

    They spent the night this way, whispering and holding each other until dawn.

 Chapter 2161

    ?Chapter 2161

    The next four days were ordinary but fulfilling. Alyssa apanied Jasper to visit Newton and spent the night there. They even had a video call with Landon and Lauren.

    The couple had already honeymooned in three countries and were about to embark on their next adventure.

    *Jasper, Lyse, Jameson has now be a wanted man. He''s escaped to Kontina, hasn''t he?" Landon asked, taking advantage of a moment alone with the couple while Lauren was with Jordan for her medications. Knowing you two, I''m sure you n to head to Kontina to capture that bastard yourselves."

    He continued, "I''m worried. I want to be there to fight alongside you all!"

    "If you truly care about us, there''s only one thing you need to do-stay with Lauren," Alyssa responded, leaning into Jasper''s arms. Her expression turned serious. "Remember, Landon, no matter what happens, you must stay by Lauren''s side. Don''t falter."

    She emphasized, "Don''t forget what you went through to marry her. No one is more important than Lauren. Not even Jasper."

    Landon looked at Jasper, rifying quickly, "Jasper, I wasn''t the one who said that, okay?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    "No worries. Lyse is right, though." Jasper lowered his eyes and chuckled softly. He then yfully nibbled Alyssa''s earlobe. "If I were to choose between you and my wife, I''d choose my wife. My wife is more important."

    Alyssa was giggled, feeling shy.

    Landon groaned dramatically over the video call. "Jasper, that hurts."

    "My sister and brother-inw are in Kontina. They will mobilize enough police officers to ensure our safety. You don''t have to worry about us," Alyssa reassured Landon.

    There was not a single hint of fear or nervousness that could be seen in Alyssa''s smile. "You and Lauren have been to so many ces. Don''t forget to bring souvenirs back for Jasper and me."

    "Of course," Landon replied. After a pause, he added solemnly, "Lauren and I will wait for you both to return safely." Jasper and Alyssa assured him they would.

    After ending the call, Alyssa felt an inexplicable emptiness in her heart. Her mind was in a daze.

    "It''s time, Lyse," Jasper said, putting his arm around her and kissing her forehead. "We should go."

    "Okay," Alyssa answered him softly. She pressed her forehead against his.

    "I have only one request after we arrive-be good," Jasper said, pulling her close and holding her tightly to show his determination to protect her.

    Jasper continued, "I don''t know what will happen at Amber''s wedding. Jameson might try to take us all down. We''ve prepared more than ten predictive scenarios to apprehend him, but I''m still concerned about unforeseen issues. So, don''t leave your safe zone even if I''m not with you. Stay there and wait for me."

    Alyssa clutched the hem of his shirt. "He''ll try to take us down with him? He won''t. Not as long as I''m there. He won''t seed."

    Jasper felt a pang of pain in his heart. He ced his hand at the nape of her neck and brought their noses together.

    His possessiveness was evident in his increasinglybored breaths. "He cares about you. He really loves you."

    "I know that. So what?" Alyssa retorted, kissing him. Her gaze turned cold. "As the one involved, I must be there to end this. Let me extinguish this evil me of love with my own hands."

    In the wee hours of the morning, KS Group''s private ne arrived at the airport in Kontina''s capital city.

    That night, Jonah, Jasper and Alyssa didn''t check into any hotels. They were escorted by the president''s private guards to the presidential office.

    "Miley! Jeremy!"

    Having been away from home for many years, Miley had be adaptable. Despite being in the grand and solemn presidential office, she seemed very at home. She and Alyssa embraced each other warmly.

    "You had me on pins and needles, Lyse!"

 Chapter 2162

    ?Chapter 2162

    Miley kissed Alyssa''s cheek. Her eyes were moist as she grumbled, "When will you stop making Jeremy and me worry? Stop getting yourself involved in all these risky businesses!''

    ''This is thest time. It won''t happen again," Alyssa said, sticking her tongue out yfully.

    "Miley won''t feel at ease if all of you stayed at a hotel, so she asked me to host you here. In all of Kontina, the security at the presidential office is second to the royal pce." Jeremy smiled warmly. He still had the same air of elegance and nobility as before.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    The only difference was that his sideburns had started turning gray. Clearly, leading a country was taxing and taking a toll on him.

    *Jeremy was the one who suggested it. Though, he had the same thought as me."

    Miley looked at her husband, Jeremy, with a gaze full of affection. "He might not express it normally, but he thinks about all of you all the time."

    Alyssa sniffled, feeling moved. "Thank you, Jeremy."

    Jasper was also touched. "Sorry for the trouble, Jeremy."

    "We''re a family. Of course our hearts and efforts have to be united at such a crucial time." Jeremy walked over and put his arm around Miley''s waist. They gazed into each other''s eyes silently.

    Although they had been married for years, their eyes still contained the same fervor as when they first fell in love and the sweet affection they had during their honeymoon phase.

    "Miley, you''re making the people around you envious of how loving you both still are."

    Jonah was sipping on tea elegantly by the side. His smile brightened. "Dad and Mandy have always been worried about you since you married to Kontina. Now that I''ve seen you, I can report back to them when I return and put them at ease."

    ''Miley is the love of my life."

    Even though Jeremy was a man of position and power, he was neither arrogant nor impatient. He maintained the same attitude when he appeared before the Taylors.

    He said humbly, "I will always remember how my heart skipped a beat when I saw her for the first time. I also remember all the challenges we''ve been through from the time we met until we got to know each other and fell in love.

    "More than that, I remember how much effort I invested just to marry her. I keep all these in mind all the time, Jonah. Of course I will treasure Miley."

    Regardless of her status as the First Lady, Miley was now leaning in Jeremy''s arms, blushing shyly.

    No matter how high their position as officials were, Jonah would always be their eldest brother.

    Jasper pursed his lips slightly. As a soon-to-be son-inw in the Taylor family, he began to feel pressured.

    *Jonah, when all of you return to Belbanks safely and meet Mom and Dad, please remember to say a few good words on my behalf. Thank you in advance."

    An embarrassed smile came across Jeremy''s face. Despite being 40, he was still clueless when it came to rtionships.

    Jonah nodded, feeling relieved and thankful. He teased, "Of course. This is something you, Mr. President, have entrusted me with. Of course I will get it done well."

    Jeremy didn''t know how to react. "Oh, Jonah. Stop teasing me."

    With the presence of family, the stringent presidential office was filled with a warmth that it had been devoid of for a long time.

    Even so, everyone knew this warmth was just the calm before the storm.

    Jeremy summoned the presidential office''s head of security and the police chief to the meeting room to discuss tomorrow''s operation with Jasper and Jonah.

    Although Axel had arrived in Kontina, he had yet to show himself.

    Alyssa was well aware that Axel was under immense psychological pressure.

    The closer he was to a battle of life and death, the more quietness he needed. He needed to settle himself down, so he didn''t want anyone to bother him.

    Along the way, Alyssa pretended to be rxed. But, in actual fact, she was on pins and needles and feeling very distracted.

    Subconsciously, she had walked to Jeremy''s study, and the door was slightly ajar. Through the gap in the door, she spotted Miley in the room, tidying up the piles of documents on the table.

    "Miley!"

    Alyssa was used to being casual before her family members. She forgot that she was at the closely guarded presidential office and not at Heightsnew Vi.

    She pushed the door open and entered straight away. "What are you up to?"

    "Hey, Lyse. I''m helping Jeremy with some tidying." Miley continued what she was doing like a gentle and virtuous woman.

    If it were any outsiders, she would definitely be guarded against them. But Alyssa wasn''t an outsider. She was someone she trustedpletely and didn''t have to be on guard with.

    "Let me help you." Alyssa rolled up her sleeves as she walked over to the coffee table to tidy up the books that were lying everywhere.

    "Thank you."

    Miley chuckled bitterly. "Jeremy is good in every way except his life skills. He ruins clothes when he does theundry and almost burns the kitchen down when he cooks. Even nowadays, if I don''t attend to him when he attends events, he''d even button his shirt up wrongly. He makes me worried to death."

    "I''m sure he has a lot on his mind, busy with the country''s matters. He has to worry about the nation and the people. Perhaps he doesn''t have the capacity to pay attention to all these trivial matters in his daily life.'' Suddenly, Alyssa froze. Unintentionally, she spotted a stack of documents hidden at the bottom of those books. Thanks to her curiosity, she couldn''t help but pull those documents out from the bottom of the pile.

 Chapter 2163

    ?Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa flipped through the documents and studied them carefully.

    She spotted a red-colored heading. Suddenly, she realized that these were ssified documents.

    Compromising ssified information from a foreign state was undeniably hical and reckless. Regrettably, the damage was done. She had already opened it.

    Soon enough, Alyssa realized that the documents were likely submitted by the National Security Agency. They contained information on some of the top spies who had harmed Kontina''s national interests over the years. These spies seemed to be on the run and had not yet been captured.

    They came from well-to-do families, were industry elites, or held significant positions. Yet, the crimes they hadmitted were terrifying, warranting sentences of death multiple times over if they were caught.

    With her exceptional speed-reading ability and memory, Alyssa was a natural fit for a special agent role. Her talents allowed her to remember every detail after reading a document just once.

    When she reached the 11th document, her eyes dimmed. This document was different from the others; itcked a photograph where one should have been.

    "Name: Felicity Whitaker

    "Age: 25 years

    *Former head of the royal family''s Special Services and member of the Kontina Secret Intelligence Service. Stole confidential information, colluded with the enemy, and mutually benefited from it. Sentenced to death for betraying the organization, subsequently fled from justice."

    Alyssa stared at the words on the document, feeling a tightness in her chest that made it hard to breathe.

    "It has been over 30 years since this traitor of the nation fled by sea. Despite multiple parties'' investigation efforts, there has been no oue. Furthermore, the statute of limitations has passed.

    *Post-discussion, the royal cab has decided not to pursue the criminal''s liability. Pending approval from Mr. President.''

    The document bore the signature of Kontina''s king, Anthony Stewart, along with the royal family''s official stamp. However, Jeremy had not signed it, perhaps too upied to do so.

    "Lyse? Hey, Lyse?"

    Miley noticed Alyssa looking stunned and unresponsive. Despite calling out to her twice, Alyssa didn''t react. She kept staring at the name on the document, feeling an inexplicable sense of closeness.

    A Kontinian with thest name Whitaker, who escaped by sea at 25 and had been atrge for 30 years... The details matched her own mother''s story.

    Could this just be a miraculous coincidence?

    What was even stranger was that the other ten documents didn''t have King Anthony''s signature. Only the document on Felicity did. It seemed to signal that this was an extremely important person and that Jeremy needed to sign his approval.

    A relentless rush of blood pounded in Alyssa''s ears, drowning out all else. Her heart hammered in her chest, a frantic drumbeat of terror.

    The world was full of unexpected twists. But when they started aligning, something bigger might be at y. "Oh dear! Oh no!"

    When Miley walked over, she was shocked to see Alyssa looking at a confidential document that belonged to Jeremy. Frantically, she pulled the document out of Alyssa''s hands.

    "Lyse, we''re not allowed to look at this. Even I must stay away whenever I see Jeremy approving these documents!

    "I''m sorry, Miley.." Alyssa was in a daze, her once sparkling eyes now as dark as a ck hole.

    "It''s alright. I don''t me you."

    Miley felt terrible as she seemed to have overreacted. She went up and hugged Alyssa. "You weren''t doing it on purpose. It''s Jeremy''s fault for having such bad habits. How could he leave important documents lying about just anywhere?"

    Alyssa saw that Miley had put the document away. Suddenly, in a croaky voice, she said, "Miley, I..."

    "What''s the matter?"

    Miley studied Alyssa''s pale face with a confused look in her eyes. In a concerned voice, she inquired, "You don''t look too good, Lyse. Is it because you''re not used to this ce? Shall I get a doctor to take a look at you?" ''Miley... H..."

    Suddenly, a thought came to mind. Ultimately, she lowered her head defeatedly, as if she had lost all hope. "I''m fine. Don''t worry."

    The gravity of the situation dawned on her. Discussing it with Miley under these circumstances was out of the question.

    Firstly, Miley was the First Lady. She would risk being suspected of leaking the country''s secret, which would harm Jeremy''s reputation if word got out.

    Secondly, if the woman mentioned in the document was her mother, she couldn''t begin looking into it so rashly. She was unprepared and on someone else''s territory.

    If she wasn''t careful, she could cause a crisis or even be manipted by Jameson or other parties with bad intentions.

    Although Jennifer had passed many years ago, Winston was still alive and well. Capturing Jameson was their most important mission right now. She couldn''t riskplicating the situation by introducing a new issue.

 Chapter 2164

    ?Chapter 2164

    Moreover, Alyssa still couldn''t be sure if Felicity was her mother. Acting on impulse would just bring even greater trouble.

    ''I''m sure you''ve been exhausted from the past few days. You get some rest," Miley urged with tears in her eyes. Her heart ached for Alyssa.

    All of the Taylor family looked like rather solemn people. But, in actual fact, they were all romanticists who loved being free. They were willing to do and give anything to pursue a life and happiness of their own.

    There was a kind of pompous selfishness about them.

    Alyssa was the only one who shouldered the responsibility of an heir. She gave herself willingly in treacherous battles in order to preserve KS Group for the Taylor family, which was also the business that Winston had built.

    Alyssa had the gentleness, intelligence, and beauty of a woman, as well as the strength, decisiveness, and bravery of a man.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    She was the chosen heir.

    But that heavy crown was not something just anyone dared to put on; it was also something not just anyone deserved to wear.

    At this moment, the door to the study opened, and Jeremy walked in.

    "Hey, Jeremy." Miley went up to him with a smile on her face. Even though they had been married for years, she still felt the same bashfulness as when she was a young woman.

    Jeremy scanned his tidy study. He let out a sigh of regret. With a tug, he pulled Miley into his arms.

    "I''m sorry that my meeting went overtime. We agreed to tidy this up together, but I made you do it alone. It won''t happen again next time."

    ''It''s just a small matter. No worries." Miley''s cheeks blushed pink. After all, being lovey-dovey in front of her younger sister made her feel shy.

    *Jeremy, have all of you talked through your ns?" Alyssa gathered herself and put on the same expression she had before.

    "Tomorrow, the presidential office''s security team and Special Forces will be at the scene to assist all of you with taking Jameson and his men down."

    The look in Jeremy''s eyes was deep and full of concern. "I told Jonah and Jasper not to show up at the scene unannounced in case any unforeseen situations happen. But they refused to listen no matter what I said. They insisted on going to the scene to takemand."

    *Jasper won''t just takemand. He will surely be the one who''s the first to charge forward." Alyssa was also filled with worry. No one knew Jasper better than she did.

    "When that timees, even though they will be going in with bulletproof vests on, the situation will still be dangerous. But don''t worry, Lyse. I will do everything I can to make sure that they''re safe," Jeremy reassured with a solemn expression.

    Alyssa smiled slightly. "Thank you, Jeremy."

    "Jeremy, with such a huge operation happening tomorrow, are you still going to attend the opening ceremony of that museum?" Miley asked anxiously.

    "Definitely," Jeremy answered firmly. "You know me. If there are no exceptional circumstances, I will not change the ns that I''ve set."

    Miley said, "I''ll go along with you, then."

    "Stay at the presidential office and watch over Lyse.'' Jeremy declined in a warm voice. "Even though I''m leaving guards here, all the men are going out on that operation tomorrow. I won''t be at ease knowing Alyssa is here alone."

    Miley sighed softly. She nodded. "Alright. I''ll stay and keep watch over Lyse. You be careful, then."

    Alyssa returned to her room, feeling perturbed. When she got back, Jasper was walking out of the bathroom. "I''ve run a bath for you, Lyse."

    A thinyer of sweat formed on Jasper''s forehead. He had the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up above his forearm, giving him a desirable look.

    "Okay.." Alyssa answered without paying much attention as she walked toward the bathroom in a daze.

    Suddenly, she was caught in a gentle yet firm embrace from behind.

    Jasper crossed his arms to tighten his hold over Alyssa''s supple body. She felt his warm breath on her neck, sending numbing tingles through her skin.

    *Shall we... take a bath together?" Jasper had a calm look in his eyes as he slipped his hands under her top to unhook her bra.

    He did so with such ease that it was obviously a part of their sweet life together.

    ''Jasper." If it had been any other time, Alyssa would''ve already been stimted by Jasper''s teases and would have been quivering in his arms by now.

    That night, her unusual calmness made Jasper feel ill at ease.

    "Hm?" Jasper held his breath. He turned her around to face him. "Is there something on your mind, Lyse?"

    *Jasper, do you think..." Alyssa''sshes fluttered slightly as she asked in a raspy voice, "My mother, who had fled to Belbanks back then, could she be a wanted criminal who was fleeing from Kontina?"

 Chapter 2165

    ?Chapter 2165

    Jasper widened his eyes.

    Truthfully, from the moment Alyssa entered the room, he had noticed that something was bothering her.

    Hearing her question at this moment rmed him. He wrapped his muscr arms around her waist as he puffed his chest out. He stroked her waist gently and asked, "What happened, Lyse? What''s with that question out of the blue?"

    "Jasper, H..." A troubled look filled Alyssa''s face.

    "It''s alright if you don''t want to tell me about it. We''re lovers, partners, but you don''t have to force yourself."

    Jasper seemed to have a realization. He pulled her in even tighter and rested his chin on her shoulder. He nuzzled her longingly. "My dear Lyse, you''ll always have the highest degree of freedom and liberty.

    "Even though we''re lovers and partners, you still have the right to keep secrets. I will not interfere or cross the line."

    Such consideration from Jasper made Alyssa well up with tears. She buried her face in his chest and started sobbing.

    Distrust gnawed at her, making it hard to confide in others. But he was her unwavering anchor. If she couldn''t even tell Jasper her innermost thoughts and feelings, she would be extremely frustrated from having to keep it all in. She might even get to the point of wanting to seek death.

    "Lyse, don''t cry..." Jasper gently consoled her. His voice had turned hoarse with worry.

    He didn''t know what to do except to pat her on her back. At the same time, he didn''t dare to probe.

    *Jasper, I came across a document with a red heading in Jeremy''s study by ident... It mentioned a female special agent named Felicity Whitaker. She has been atrge for over 30 years. No matter her age or her experiences, they all reminded me of my mother."

    Alyssa buried her tear-filled face in Jasper''s chest. His white shirt was moist, along with his heart. "I''m afraid... I''m afraid that the woman named Felicity is my mother."

    Jasper''s eyes widened. His hands on her waist tensed up slightly.

    Alyssa''s entire body was trembling. Her soft voice invoked pity as she sobbed, "Dad has always been secretive about Mom''s identity. Mandy has also said that Dominic found Mom by the beach. Everything seems to be interconnected with Mom in some way. Could it be... She''s really...

    "Lyse, what would you do if that Ms. Whitaker turned out to be your mother?" Jasper uttered in a warm and gruff voice by her ear.

    "I will get to the bottom of the truth!"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Alyssa lifted her face. Her face was glistening from the tears that flowed down her cheeks. She looked into Jasper''s deep eyes with her fiery gaze.

    Without any hesitation, she continued with that same determination, "I will look into how the royal family''s head of security turned traitor tomit such an unthinkable act of treason."

    Jasper''s heart raced. He gave her another squeeze. Firmly, he concurred, ''Alright. After we settle our grudge with Jameson, I will look into the truth together with you."

    "Also, there''s another thing."Original from N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    With a confused look in Jasper''s eyes, he asked, "What is it?"

    *Once this issue is resolved, shouldn''t you... be like Jul and change the way you address me?" Alyssa pursed her lips. Suddenly, her cheeks blushed pink.

    A wave of warmth and passion surged within Jasper. His eyes gleamed with agitation as his lips quivered slightly. After a while, he intertwined his fingers with Alyssa''s, and his eyes filled with tears. Awkwardly, he responded in a hoarse voice, "Thank you for waiting for me, Lyse... Thank you for giving me another chance."

    In the end, they ended up sharing that tub of warm bath water.

    Perhaps it was due to the entire day of rushing around or the tension from the uing ns, but even after a romantic moment together in the bathtub, Alyssa fell asleep on Jasper''s chest from exhaustion before he could even try to please her. She hadn''t even realized when she drifted off

 Chapter 2166

    ?

    It was a beautiful night.

    Jasper gently dried Alyssa off and dressed her in a soft silk nightgown. He lifted her in a princess carry, ced her gently on the bed, and tucked her in.

    At this moment, he had finally qualified to be every bit of a caring and attentive husband, tending to his partner with utmost care.

    His hands, roughened bybat and hardened by the business world, were unexpectedly tender toward Alyssa. He did not wake her at all throughout the entire process.

    Alyssa slept peacefully, asionally letting out a contented sigh.

    She looked tempting.

    Jasper swallowed hard. He caressed her dark hair as he leaned down and kissed her forehead, and then her lips. Then, he left the room and stepped out onto the balcony.

    It was already the end of December. Sna City was already in its midwinter season, while Kontina was in its most enjoyable season. An evening breeze blew through the warm and moist atmosphere.

    Jasper pondered Alyssa''s words with a gloomy look in his eyes. Afterward, he picked up his phone and called a number he hadn''t called in a long time.

    "Oh, my word! I''m not dreaming, am I?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    The receiver, Dexter McGrath, picked up his call, and a man''s surprised and agitated voice sounded over the call." Jasper, I thought you''d forgotten all about me!"

    Jasper took a deep breath. In a voice full of helplessness and remorse, he said, "I''m sorry it took me so many years to reach out to you. Apologies for the sudden call."

    ''Don''t mention it. We''re not strangers. I''ve never deleted your number. I have been waiting for the day when you will contact me again. I was hoping that you didn''t forget me.''

    Dexter calmed down, his voice choked with emotions. "Back then, as soldiers in the Peacekeeping Forces from different countries, we broke all barriers of nationalities and ages, forging tight friendships on the battlefield.

    "Whenever I think about those days, my blood still burns with passion. It''s a memory that has been etched within me, and I will never forget it.''

    "Me neither. I''ve never forgotten about it." Jasper gripped tightly onto the railing, and his knuckles turned white. Hisshes quivered slightly.

    "But that tragic battle caused us to lose our best friends within the troop."

    Dexter sounded dejected. In a hoarse voice, he continued, "Not only that, we ended up with severe PTSD, especially myself. It took me a really long time to be able to live like a normal person."

    Jasper lowered his eyes. His chest felt tight, and his breaths were heavy.

    No one could ever get used to death.

    When those people whom he knew and was well acquainted with fell before his eyes one by one, it brought him extreme pain and trauma. He, too, took three whole years to starting out from that traumatic experience little by little.

    During this period, they had never contacted one another. One lived in Sna City, while the other lived in Kontina. It wasn''t because Jasper didn''t wish to contact him. Rather, he was afraid that he would interfere with Dexter''s recovery. He worried that his appearance would remind Dexter of those unbearable memories.

    "Whatever it is, the past is the past." Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Jasper curled theers of his lips upward into a gratified smile. "Your voice sounds the same as before. Hearing that tells me you''ve sessfully put the past behind you."

    "We''re not just anyone. We''re honorable soldiers!" Dexter eximed proudly.

    "I haven''t been a soldier for quite a while. I''m just a regr businessman and a husband." Jasper welled up.

    "My, my! You got married? That''s big news! Why didn''t you tell me?"

    Jasper beamed. With a blissful look on his face, he exined, "Not yet, but I''ll be getting married soon. If I invited you to my reception, would youe?"

    "Of course. I''ll be there even if I must swim across the seas from Kontina!"

    Suddenly, Dexter asked out of curiosity, "Is your future wife the White Dove you''ve been yearning for?"

 Chapter 2167

    ?

    The smile on Jasper''s face froze. A dull pain rose within him.

    The White Dove was that woman who carried him out of that bloody scene all on her own. She was the woman who ended up covered in injuries because of him. Yet, she was now missing.

    He had never forgotten about her, not even for a moment. He also wanted to do all he could to search for her.

    He wanted to express his gratitude toward her in person and to repay her for saving his life.

    However, after they parted at Luminara, the White Dove was like a drop of water that fell into the deep sea. She vanishedpletely. He even once wondered if she had actually died.

    "Nope, it''s not her."

    Jasper gazed at the night sky in the distance as his eyes swelled. But, soon enough, heposed himself once again. He answered calmly. "But she''s a woman who is as brave and determined as the White Dove.

    "We''ve been through countless trials and tribtions together. She''s the one for me in this life and the next. I love her very, very much."

    "I know you, Jasper. You may seem rational and calm on the surface, but once you fall in love, you will put your lover on the highest pedestal. You will give her your everything without any hesitation."

    Dexter exhaled, "Your wife is really blessed!"

    "No, I''m blessed that she''s willing to ept me."

    With his eyes lowered, Jasper blushed. "I wronged her at first. Plus, she''s better than me in every aspect."

    "Oh my, you used to be in first ce in our country''s military academy back then. You were the one with the best overall results in our team. And you''re saying that she''s better than you? In that case, I need to meet your wife. I need to have a look at who this woman is for myself!*

    At the same time, Dexter still felt like it was a pity for him. He sighed, "After that brief moment back then, I never imagined you wouldn''t see her again. I''m really sorry about you and the White Dove, Jasper.

    ''It''s not a regret. There''s a time and ce for everything."

    Jasper pursed his lips slightly. Nonchntly, he added, "We''ll surely meet again if it''s meant to be."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "You''re right. What''s meant to be will be."

    Suddenly, Dexter changed the topic. "By the way, what''s with the sudden call in the middle of the night? I''m sure you''re not calling just to catch up."

    The muscles in Jasper''s jaw tensed up. He pressed his lips together as he struggled to find words. "Although we haven''t been in touch for many years, our friendship still stands. You took a bullet for me on the battlefield back then, so that makes us friends who have been through life and death. I am willing to go through trials and tribtions for you. Just tell me what''s up."

    ''After you were discharged from the Peacekeeping Forces, you spent some time being treated at a nursing home. After your condition stabilized, you started working with the royal family''s security team. Am I right?"

    "That''s right."

    "Are you still working for the royal family now?"Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "This is myst year working for them. Next year, I will be posted with the National Security Agency."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes dimmed. His mind raced-Kontina, the royal family, and the National Security Agency. This connection of his turned out to be such a crucial one.

    "During your time with the royal family''s security team, have you heard of a woman named Felicity Whitaker? She was a female security team member and once the head of the security team."

    "Oh my goodness... How did you know about her?" Jasper''s friend eximed in shock.

    Jasper''s heart skipped a beat. He grabbed onto the railing. "You know her?"

    "Tell me this first-how are you rted to her? How did you know about her?"

    Jasper thought about it for a moment before answering in a deep voice, "She was a friend of my mother''s who had done a favor for us in the past. To be honest, this has been weighing on me for many years. I want to find her so that I can finally meet that person who had shown us such kindness. In a way, I''m also trying to fulfill my mother''sst wish."

    Jasper did not need to lie. Perhaps due to Alyssa''s influence, he was now a natural at making things up.

    He understood that Alyssa''s mother''s identity was not something to be taken lightly. If word got out because they were careless, it could very likely bring about unforeseen troubles for Alyssa and the Taylors.

    So, he exined it in such a way that he became the only one who was connected to Alyssa''s mother. He needed to be extremely careful, and he couldn''t be reckless about taking risks.

    ''I see..."

    The man paused. Feeling conflicted, he exhaled. "Felicity Whitaker was quite well known within the royal family. But outsiders don''t know about her. Even people within the royal family keep her hush-hush. They don''t really talk about her."

    Jasper frowned. He pressed on, "And why is that?"

    "I''m still within my handover period, so I can still reveal some information to you. However, once I enter the National Security Agency, there will be many things that I won''t be able to talk about."

 Chapter 2168

    ?Chapter 2168

    Jasper said, ''I get it. I understand."

    ''So, everything I tell you tonight must be kept to yourself. For one, I''m telling you because I trust you. Secondly, you''re not Kontinian, so it''s no harm telling you either," said Dexter.

    Dexter lowered his tone. "Felicity used to be His Royal Highness'' personal bodyguard. But there was a rumor that she was actually his lover!"

    Jasper was gobsmacked. "His lover?"

    ''I''m not sure about the details. After all, I was still young when that woman was sentenced for her crime. This was the royal family''s secret, and I found it through various sources during these years of working in the pce."

    He continued, "I heard that back then, His Royal Highness was deeply in love with this woman. They had also been living together. I''ve also heard that she became pregnant with a royal heir!

    "After that, she was somehow sentenced to death because of treason. After she fled, she was even put on the wanted list worldwide. There has been no news about her for 30 whole years. Who knows if she has actually passed on in a foreignnd."

    Jasper''s face was stiff and pale. The veins of his hand were popping as he grabbed onto the railing. This news was shocking. It was way more than he couldprehend, and he didn''t know what to think.

    *Since she was in love with the king, she should''ve abided by thew. Why did she end up as a spy?"

    ''This is the most puzzling thing. That''s why word has been going around saying that Felicity was set up by Her Royal Highness. I''m sure you''ve seen those television series about feuds in pces. Feuds within the royal families are always cut-throat, even now.

    "Moreover, it hadn''t been too long since the queen married His Royal Highness at the time. She was his second marriage. When a female guard conceived a royal heir ahead of her, it was a form of humiliation to her as the queen. So, how could she tolerate that woman? It wouldn''t be surprising if she did the unthinkable."

    All of a sudden, a chilling sensation came over Jasper, making his insides churn.

    If what Dexter said were not rumors but the truth, and if Felicity was truly Alyssa''s mother, the truth about Felicity''s life was troubled waters.

    f they weren''t careful, they could end up so deep in it that they wouldn''t be able to get out!

    *Jasper, I''d urge you not to get involved in the Kontinian royal family''s affairs. The farther away you stay, the better.''

    Dexter advised him out of good intentions. In a serious tone, he added, "I can only tell you that all these rumors about the Kontinian royal family you hear about might not all be untrue. There is truth in it."Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "Thank you, my friend. But, since I''ve taken this step, I don''t want to give up."

    Jasper took a deep breath as he clenched his fingers into fists. "If youe across any other information about Felicity in the future, please let me know.

    ''I''m not afraid of getting in trouble or danger. I just want to find out the truth."

    At 4:00 am the next day, Alyssa jolted awake after being tormented by convoluted dreams the entire night. Her nightgown was soaked in cold sweat.

    ''J-Jasper!"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    ''I''m here, Lyse."

    Upon hearing Alyssa''s raspy and anxious call to him, Jasper pushed the bedroom door open and strode in hurriedly.

    He sat by the side of the bed and helped Alyssa up by her waist. His strong arms enveloped her like a tidal wave as he held his beloved tightly.

    "Were you having a nightmare?" he asked in a gentle, husky voice as he nuzzled her cheek.

    "Yeah... It scared me."

    Alyssa pressed her forehead against his chin. She sniffled and said, "I dreamed that... you could no longer recognize me. No matter how much I cried or yelled, you weren''t willing to turn back to look at me. You just kept walking further and further..."

    "Oh, silly. Don''t scare yourself."

    Jasper stroked her hair. "I should be the one saying this because I will never do such a thing."

    "You... You''ve been up all night?"

    "Yeah. With such an important matter to attend to, I couldn''t fall asleep."

    To be frank, he spent the entire night mulling over Dexter''s words. He had also gone online to research information about the royal family in Kontina, but he didn''t find any useful information.

    Alyssa wrapped her arms around Jasper''s neck. She pressed her soft lips against his and kissed him.

    Gradually, his breaths became heavy. He ventured in between her teeth, prompting a passionate response from her.

    "Has there been news from Axel?" Alyssa panted. Her cheeks had turned pink out of shyness.

    "Yeah. Don''t worry. We''ll be there to handle everything."

    Jaspery her down. When he propped himself up over her, he couldn''t help but lower himself to give her another kiss.

    "It''s still early. Go back to bed and wait for me to call you with good news.

 Chapter 2169

    ?

    With Jasper''sfort andpany, Alyssa soon fell back asleep in his arms.

    When she woke up a second time, the sky was already bright. The curtains swayed in the light breeze, and the warm rays of sunlight shone on her.

    The room was filled with amorous air and the fresh scent of nts unique to Kontina.

    It was such a beautiful day, yet she could not admire this refreshing and quiet scene with her beloved.

    Alyssa sighed softly. A feeling of sorrow filled her heart.

    After she got up and washed up, she sat on the balcony, lost in thought as she basked in the sunlight.

    "What are you thinking about, Lyse?" Miley came up to check on Alyssa. She smiled as she brought out the breakfast she had prepared herself.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Miley!"

    Alyssa scanned through the scrumptious-looking food on the table. However, a food lover like her had no appetite that day. Even so, she forced a smile and eximed, "Wow... It smells great. With just one nce, I can tell that you made all of this.

    "You are such a good cook. Your cooking skills areparable to L''s. I haven''t been able to eat the food you make since you got married and moved to Kontina. It''s been long since I had your BBQ wings and steamed fish."

    *I''ll make them for all of you when Jasper, Jonah, Axel, and Jeremy return. I''ve asked the kitchen staff to prepare the ingredients. The live fish will be ughtered fresh." Miley rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

    As the First Lady, she presented herself as a mature,posed, and elegant woman before the nation''s people. She would only reveal her chirpy and lively self in front of her family.

    "You''re talented and intelligent. Jeremy is really blessed to have you."

    Alyssa picked up a sandwich, opened her mouth, and forced herself to take a small bite. "If I were a man, I would certainly marry you. I will fight off everyone else."

    "Even if you were a man, you would be my younger brother. It would be incestuous for you to marry me!"

    Miley and Alyssa joked around for a moment, but the sandwich in Alyssa''s hands remained as it was.

    "Are you having not much of an appetite, Lyse?"Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Miley saw through Alyssa''s worry from the frown on her face. She stood behind her and put her arms over her shoulders.

    "Don''t worry. They''veid out a detailed n. The entire police force has headed to the wedding venue. Jeremy was worried about a shootout. If that happened, innocent citizens might be hurt, so they blocked off the roads there and evacuated the people.

    ''The wedding venue?"

    Alyssa knitted her brows together tightly and held onto Miley''s hand. "Jameson is in such a perilous state, but he''s holding such an attention-grabbing wedding for his subordinate?"

    Her heart raced. For some reason, she kept feeling that something was not right.

    Miley held onto Alyssa''s hand tightly. With a bright gleam in her eyes, she, too, felt a little heavy-hearted. "Such high-profile, tant, and insane behavior is actually very befitting of Jameson."

    ''But that''s different from the Jameson I know."

    Alyssa blinked in surprise. "In Sna City, he was very introverted and kept a low profile. Not only did he hide

    himself, but he didn''t even dirty his own hands when he got rid of his siblings and Mr. Victor. And he was able to get away unscathed every time.

    "He''s a sinister man. He would never put himself in such a noticeable position. Moreover, he presents himself as a gentle, elegant, and kind man in front of others. It really isn''t his style to be so showy."

    "But he''s someone whomits all sorts of evil when he''s in Kontina." Miley had a frigid look in her eyes. Still feeling terrified, she continued, "The underworld in Kontina is a breeding ground for his crimes. After he escaped from this ce and returned to Cyrris, he became an innocent descendant of the Schmidts.

    "Naturally, he had to have a low profile whenever he took any action. He had to hide his light under a bushel and secretly evolve himself. Only then could he expand his power and devour the entire Schmidt Group."

    As much as Alyssa felt Miley''s reasoning made sense, she was still panic-stricken.

    ''Don''t be afraid, Lyse. I''m here with you." Miley gave her a pinch on her cheek. "Fill your stomach up, and then I''ll take you to look at the garden here at the presidential office, okay?"

    ''I''m not a child, Miley. You don''t have to coax me the way you would a child," Alyssa pouted, looking utterly adorable.

    Miley threw her arms around her and rocked her left and right. "Oh, you. You''ll always be a child in my eyes!"

    Carl heeded Jameson''smand and held his wedding at a rtively famous church in the capital city of Kontina.

 Chapter 2170

    ?Chapter 2170

    The church had been cleared out three days ago. No one was allowed to enter, not even the outdoor venue and courtyard.

    Carl was a groom-to-be. Yet, he felt like his heart was being roasted on a fire pit as he struggled with an indescribable feeling of suffering and agony.

    He didn''t want to have a wedding ceremony. He only wanted to leave Kontina and head to a farawaynd with Amber as quickly as possible.

    Today, the sun shone brightly in the sky.

    Even so, there seemed to be an invisible fog that surrounded the church.

    Jameson''s subordinates filled the church seats. They were expressionless, like puppets lined up in a production factory. They were simply here on their superior''s orders to put up a front for the betrothed couple.

    Amber and Carl were both orphans. They didn''t have any rtives or friends.

    Somehow, it felt like an omen that this couple was destined not to be blessed.

    Amber wore a pure white floor-length wedding dress. The elegant makeup on her face was beautiful, but it could not conceal the pale and drawn look on her face and the apathy in her heart.

    Carl stood next to her in a smart suit. He fixed his eyes on the woman he loved with a relieved gaze. Finally, a blissful smile came across his face.

    It didn''t matter if everything was fake, devoid of emotions, or marred by violence. This was a woman he had loved for many years. The fact that she was finally bing his bride was a profound reality.

    "To the groom, do you take this lovely woman by your side to be your wife, to spend the rest of your life with her, in sickness and in health, in riches or poverty, for as long as you both shall live?" the priest directed his question at Carl.

    Carl''s excitement made his voice tremble. He tightly grasped Amber''s chilly hands and answered with unwavering confidence, "I do!"

    This short phrase carried his sincere and intense love for Amber.

    Amber, however, looked emotionless. Her eyes were as still as a dried-up well. She wasn''t even in the mood to y along with Carl just to appease him during this final act.

    The priest then looked toward the doleful bride.

    "To the bride, do you take this handsome chap by your side to be your husband, to spend the rest of your life with him, in sickness and health, in riches or poverty, for as long as you both shall live?"Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Carl gazed at her. His eyes were filled with anticipation.

    Seconds and minutes passed.

    Still, Amber had that same nk look in her eyes. She stood there stiffly and remained silent.

    The audience exchanged nces with one another.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Carl furrowed his brows. He squeezed her fingers and prompted her in a low voice, ''Say something, Amber."

    Amber''s eyes quivered. With her lips trembling, she spoke hesitantly, "..."

    Suddenly, a loudmotion came from the other side of the heavy door.

    The next second, the doors fell heavily to the ground with a deafening boom.

    Amber''s heart jolted as if struck by an electric current. She spun around, her breath catching in her throat. There, bathed in the spotlight and subject to countless eyes, Axel stood. His face, usually a mask of charming arrogance, now wore an odd blend of irritation and a flush of color that heightened the intensity of his gaze.

    The wind whipped at his ck coat as he stood there, a menacing figure. His posture was that of a lion on the hunt, and his overall demeanor was that of an untamed tiger.

    Yet, the moment he spotted the woman he loved, all that fierceness transformed into a heartfelt tenderness.

    Axel looked into Amber''s moistened eyes and smiled slightly. He answered on her behalf, ''She''s not willing to!"

 Chapter 2171

    ?Chapter 2171

    In an instant, the entire church hall fell into a chilling silence.

    Jameson''s subordinates, dressed in ck, rose to their feet, their sharp gazes fixed intently on the proudly standing Axel.

    "Axel...''This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Amber''s pale face was initially as lifeless as a marite''s. However, Axel''s determined smile rekindled life within her. Tears streamed down her face, washing away her exquisite makeup. Despite her makeup running, she looked even more radiant and genuine.

    Carl, standing beside her, felt a tightening in his chest. Anger boiled within him, his eyes turning red.

    His fury stemmed not only from Axel''s interruption of the wedding but also from Amber''s tears for Axel. It became clear that she hadn''t moved on; she was still in love with Axel, while Carl had failed to win her heart.

    "Don''t be afraid, Amber. I''m here."

    Beneath his ck coat, Axel trembled uncontrobly, his blood rushing to his head. He cried out with every fiber of his being, "Nothing and no one else can ever separate us again. Will you marry me and be Mrs. Whitaker?"

    Carl was floored, and the audience was bbergasted. This was a life-or-death situation, yet this arrogant man, who had risked everything on his own, was contemting a proposal? Was he even human? Did he truly fear nothing, not even death?

    Amber''s waterworks didn''t stop. She bit on her bottom lip so hard that it bled, and all she could taste in her mouth was blood. Deep down, she cried out, "Yes, Axel!" repeatedly, but the words remained trapped in her heart.

    "Axel Whitaker!" Carl snarled through clenched teeth. His bloodshot eyes seemed to want to crush the name that held such significance for Amber.

    Axel''s fiery gaze was fixed on Amber as he moved forward step by step. He wasn''t afraid of unknown danger. He wasn''t afraid of anything. All he wanted was to get to her side quicker.

    He wanted to pull her into his arms and bring her home. He envisioned a future with her, a family, and a lifetime of shared happiness. Despite the tears welling up in his eyes, he forced them back.

    *Stay there, Axel!" Amber suddenly shouted. "Don''t worry about me! Leave now!

    Simultaneously, Carl, his eyes burning with rage, drew a gun from his suit. Without hesitation, he pointed it at Axel''s chest and pulled the trigger.

    A deafening bang echoed through the sacred church, a sound of murderous intent before God''s eyes. As for that bullet, it struck straight at Axel''s heart. His pupils constricted as he stumbled.

    "No!" Amber screamed in despair, lunging forward but held back by Carl. Her soul felt shattered, her vision blurring as the world crumbled around her.

    Carl''s eyes were now blood red. A maniacal smile spread across his face. He had eliminated his love rival before the woman he desired. Could there be anything more thrilling?Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    However, contrary to his expectations, Axel smiled. Not only that, he straightened his back and stood tall, defying gravity.

    "What the..." Carl stammered, staring at Axel''s chest where he had fired. Axel was wearing a bulletproof vest!

    Relief washed over Amber, and she erupted in uncontrobleughter and tears. Her body shook violently as if on the verge of copse.

    "I gave you one chance, and you missed," Axel said, patting the bullet hole in his chest. A wide grin spread across his charming face. "I guess God is on my side. As for you, you and your boss belong in hell!"

    With a mocking tone, he drew a gun from behind his back and aimed it at Carl''s head.

 Chapter 2172

    ?Chapter 2172Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    ''Don''t move!" Carl roared and yanked Amber into his arms. His arm draped protectively across her front as he pressed the gun against her temple. "Take a chance if you want to see your beloved die before your eyes!"

    Carl knew Axel was one of the top secret agents. Facing all of them alone, taking Axel''s life would be effortless.

    Carl had nowhere to run-Amber was hisst shot at staying alive.

    The woman he professed to love was now his hostage, a tragic twist of fate that seemed almost too absurd to bear.

    *Axel... Leave me... Go!" Amber''s voice was resolute despite the tears brimming in her eyes.

    ''Don''t you dare touch her. If you do, I will ensure you die a torturous death!" Axel''s eyes burned with fury and ice, radiating a palpable menace.

    "Amber has registered her marriage with me. She is legally mine!"

    The look in Carl''s eyes was feral. He was choking Amber so hard that her face had puffed red. He continued, "We were supposed to have our wedding ceremony, escape to a distantnd, and live happily ever after. You ruined everything. You wanted to destroy Amber. All this is your fault!"

    "Carl... Come back to your senses... Amber''s forehead was covered in cold sweat as she tried to catch her next breath. "Haven''t... Haven''t you realized? This is all... part of Jameson''s n.

    "He had you marry me and forced you to have this eye-catching wedding ceremony... It was only... so that... the armed forces will be attracted to you. As for him, he will escape Kontina in one piece.

    "He wanted to use... both our deaths... to trade for his freedom. Did you think that you were his trusted subordinate and support? From the beginning until the end, you have just been a pawn he''s abandoning after he''s done with you!"

    ''That''s enough! Did you think that I didn''t know these? I don''t need you to spell it out for me."

    Atst, Carl lost control and went berserk. He bellowed, "What are you all standing there for? Kill him!"

    These were Jameson''s subordinates. Logically speaking, they would heed Jameson''s instructions, not Carl''s.

    However, with Axel''s appearance, they perceived the seriousness of the situation. They each whipped out their weapons and prepared to eliminate him.

    Right at this moment, two menacing figures dashed in from outside.

    It was Jasper and Jonah!Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    They had donned ck outfits and bulletproof vests. Their expressions were steely, their eyes sharp. They swiftly neutralized Jameson''s men, who were poised to attack Axel. Their shots were urate and lethal.

    Jasper and Jonah''spetitive spirit was evident as they matched each other''s bravery, agility, and marksmanship.

    They were like typical men. No matter the situation, they were full of vigor and eager topete with not only their enemies but also with one another.

    It was a pity that Alyssa and Julien weren''t around. If they were, who knew how much harder Jasper and Jonah would be fighting?

    Amid the chaos, Carl slipped out the church''s back door, still holding Amber as his hostage.

    "Amber!" Axel threw caution to the wind and chased after them.

    Police officers streamed in, surrounding the rest of Jameson''s men and subduing all of them.

    "Axel went after them on his own!" Jasper knitted his brows together tightly.

    ''The police havepletely surrounded the church. Carl can''t escape." With a stern expression on his face, Jonah gripped tightly onto his gun. ''I''m just not sure if Carl would be so nefarious as to kill Amber. Based on my experience, we should get the snipers ready."

    Jasper tilted his chin up slightly. He narrowed his eyes and responded, "I''m ready anytime."

    Meanwhile, under the bright sun at the presidential office building, Miley donned boots and an apron. She picked fresh flowers from the garden and ced them in a basket to arrangeter.

    Alyssa stood outside, soaking up the warm sunlight to ease her troubled mind.

    Suddenly, her phone started vibrating in her pocket. She took it out and looked at the screen. Her heart sank. It was an unfamiliar Kontinian number.

    She had a bad feeling about this. It felt as if a cold-blooded snake were slithering up her leg.

    Seeing that Miley wasn''t paying any attention to her, she turned around and answered the call.

    "Hi, Lyse."

    A warm voice uttered her name in the same way it always did. Yet, it felt like an icy gust had enveloped her. She instinctively hugged herself tighter.

    "I know you''re listening, Lyse," Jameson chuckled softly. He was calm, and he didn''t sound rushed.

    Alyssa''s jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing with icy resolve.

    "I miss you very much, Lyse." Jameson''s voice was slightly hoarse, hisughter soft and intimate, as if he were whispering in her ear. "I believe you''re thinking about me too."

 Chapter 2173

    ?Chapter 2173

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up, turning red. She felt as if her insides were being crushed into smithereens.

    After a while, she replied in a shaky voice, "You''re actually right, Jameson. I have been thinking about you every second of the day. I''m thinking about how you''re going to die."

    Jamesonughed. "You''re so adorable, Lyse."

    Jameson''s voice overflowed with affection. If they weren''t on the phone, he''d wish he could let everything go and give her a kiss. "Even if you despise the person I am, I am still deeply in love with you. So deeply in love that can''t escape it."

    "Would a sinister and cold-blooded person like you even know what love is?"

    Alyssa''s re was sharp, a feeling of disgust surging within her. She enunciated, "Don''t you taint such a holy feeling. You don''t even deserve to mention anything about love!"

    "I know how to love, Lyse. I will never feel like I''ve made any mistakes, even till I die.'' Jameson''s croaky voice contained the pain that he had been holding back. "My love for you is the purest and most sincere of all in this world. From beginning till the end, you are the only one I love and the only one I want."

    Alyssa closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. She almost threw up.

    "Since the beginning, you weren''t the one Jasper loved. He loved another woman. You sacrificed three years of your youth to marry him. You gave him all you had and cared attentively for him, but he had always cared for another woman. He gave her all his affection and even chased you, his so-called ''wife,'' away.

    "You returned to the Taylors with your heart all battered and bruised. You put your talents to good use time and time again and restore your identity as Alyssa Taylor. For him, he only developed feelings for you after he witnessed these.

    "What would''ve happened if you were still that obedient, quiet, and timid woman that stayed by his side? Would he have set his eyes on you? Would he have fallen in love with you? Not at all.

    "How is this different from being fickle-minded, just desiring something he had lost?"

    Alyssa''sshes fluttered. She forced herself to remain calm. Yet, these ill-intentioned words felt like a sharp de, cutting at her heart slowly but deeply.

    "As for me, I''ve known you since I was ten. I have never loved any other woman from then till now. I have only loved you and you alone, Lyse."

    Jameson''s husky and passionate voice reached Alyssa''s ear. She could almost hear his hysteria over being unable to get what he wanted. "For your sake, I can be a madman and take the fall. I can destroy the entire world for you.

    "My life has been filled with darkness. You are the only one who came into my heart, the only one who''s alive, and the one I''ve always longed for.

    *Jasper''s love is shallow, casual, and bted... How is that cheap love of hisparable to mine? How is he qualified to love you?"

    *Jameson, at this point, are you still trying to use such a lowly tactic to sow discord between Jasper and me? Just save it."

    A bright smile crossed Alyssa''s face, and a fervent feeling of love dispersed all haziness around her. "Indeed, Jasper has had feelings for someone else, and he''s hurt me before. Even so, I still want to love him and be with him.

    "You, on the other hand, do all you can to take advantage of others and spew nonsense endlessly. You''re like a rat from the sewers to me."

    Eventually, shepletely disregarded his fervent heart. She mocked cruelly, "Jameson, don''t you think you''re living such a pathetic life?"

    Jameson fell into a suffocating silence. After a moment, he spoke gently, ''Since this is the case, let me see you onest time, Lyse. Will you?"

    Through gritted teeth, Alyssa replied, "In your dreams."

    "Who are you on the phone with, Lyse?"

    With a basket full of fresh flowers in her arms, Miley stood in the garden, looking toward Alyssa from behind. "Did something happen?''

    "Everything is fine, Miley!" Alyssa replied, beaming.

    A secondter, her phone vibrated. She received a text.

    "Don''t be in a rush to answer me, Lyse. Look at what I just sent you before you decide," Jameson uttered in an alluring voice.

    Alyssa bit on her lip and opened the text, only to see a high-resolution photograph.

    The photo was taken from a bottom-up angle. The person in the photo was giving a speech on stage in front of the public. It was Jeremy, her brother-inw!

    *Jameson, what in the world are you trying to do?"

    All the blood drained from Alyssa''s face, making her bloodshot eyes seem even redder. "I''m warning you. Do not do anything to my family members. Otherwise, I will kill you with my own hands!"

    "Sure. I will be able to rest in peace if I could die by my beloved woman''s hands."

    Jameson chuckled fearlessly. In a chilling and sinister voice, he added, "But, before you get rid of me personally, I will have Mr. President wait for me in hell.

    "I have installed and hidden four time bombs at the venue where he''s giving his speech. Even if the cops were to go over and search the ce, they wouldn''t be able to find them so soon.Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    ''Plus, I can trigger any of them whenever I like. Are you curious about how destructive each of them will be? Would you like to see it for yourself?"

    A chill ran down Alyssa''s stiff spine. Under immense fear, her head buzzed, and the pain in her chest made it difficult to breathe.

    Today, Jeremy had mobilized part of the police force to assist Jasper and Jonah and tasked another part with watching over her and Miley. This meant there was a massiveck of police manpower avable at the event venue.

    If Jameson were to do anything to Jeremy now, taking his life would be as easy as pie.

    "Mr. President and your sister are very much in love. If he died today, do you think your sister would be able to handle such a huge blow? Would she have hope to continue living?"

    Jameson''s nonchnt tone emphasized the dark and threatening side of him.

    Alyssa turned around slowly and looked toward Miley, who waspletely oblivious. In a ragingly hoarse voice, she said, ''Don''t do anything to Jeremy. I will meet with you."

    "Excellent, Lyse." Jameson smiled rxedly. "I''ll wait for you at Rose Nursing Home on the east side of the West City District."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    His voice became deeper suddenly. "Do not tell anyone, especially Jasper. I don''t want anyone to disrupt our date. You know me. I won''t even know what I''m capable of doing when I''m mad."

    With that, Alyssa''s phone screen went dark. The call had ended.

 Chapter 2174

    ?Chapter 2174

    Amber was being held hostage by Carl as he retreated toward the back of the church in an attempt to escape. However, there was nowhere for him to run.

    The church was surrounded by the police on all sides. Carl was already at the end of his rope. He was at a dead end!

    ''Stop resisting!" Carl snarled, tightening his grip on Amber. Her face paled as she struggled for breath, her lips turning purple.

    Amber rasped, "You can''t escape. It''s over for both you and Jameson."

    "Shut up!" Carl roared, his eyes bloodshot and body trembling violently.

    Unexpectedly, Amber burst intoughter, her eyes filled with delight and relief.

    With no other option, Carl dragged her up the ten-story old tower at the church''s back. All exits were blocked, leaving them trapped. The only option was to call for backup. If a helicopter arrived, they might still escape with their lives.

    Carl called his trusted aides and subordinates, but none answered. It was as if they had all agreed upon this. ''Fuck! They''re just a bunch of ungrateful bastards!" he raged.

    Amberughed. "Did you really think you''re still the exalted secretary of the chairman at Schmidt Group? Do you honestly think these mongrels at Kontina would obey your orders?"N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Amber''s eyes twinkled with glee, not hiding her disgust and mockery toward him. "You befriended them for mutual benefit and power. Now that those are lost, they''ve turned their backs on you."

    Amber added, "You and Jameson are finished. All that awaits both of you is just death!"

    "Did you think that I did so for my own sake? I did it for us!" Carl insisted, tightening his grip on Amber. Despite her numbness, he longed to merge with her. Mentally, he was on the verge of breaking down.

    "Do you know how hard I''ve worked to be together with you? Did you know that for more than a decade, I''ve been dreaming of bing one with you? I wanted to marry you even in my dreams!

    ''Amber... Why can''t you see my feelings for you? Why did you have to curse me? Didn''t I treat you well enough? Didn''t I?"

    "All these years, I''ve been manipted, trampled on, and ravaged by Jameson... He sent me to the beds of various men to reap profits and satisfy his personal desires."Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Amber''s heart burned with spite. She closed her eyes in agony as the lewd men''sughter rang in her ears, and those repulsive images shed before her. "You... You''ve been a bystander for so many years. Has there ever been an asion when you''ve helped me?"

    Staggering, Carl''s grip on his gun shook.

    "You were scared of Jameson-terrified. But it''s more than just fear. You worship him, admire him, and willingly submit to him. As for me, I was merely a reward you asked for after biding your time. You waited until I was of no use to him.

    "After all, you''ve been his loyal dog for years. There was no reason for Jameson to refuse you.

    "Carl, keep your words as lies to yourself. If you think you can lie to me with them... think again." Amber ruthlessly shattered his affectionate fa?ade.

    *Amber..." Carl was agitated, furious, and hurt. In the end, he was rendered speechless.

    Every word Amber said hit the nail on the head.

    This time, he couldn''t even lie to himself anymore.

    "Amber!" Axel was the first to reach the top of the tower. His veins bulged as he gripped his gun tightly, aiming it at Carl''s head. "Let her go. Don''t make me repeat myself!"

    Amber''s wedding dress was soaked in cold sweat. Tears filled her eyes as she watched her beloved approach. She felt like she had swallowed a bloody nail. She couldn''t speak, only shaking her head. She knew the word " retreat'' never existed in Axel''s vocabry.

    "Damn it! Shoot me if you dare!" Carlughed out loud like a maniac as he taunted Axel. "If you fire, she dies too!"

    A bead of sweat formed on the side of Axel''s head, rolling down his rugged, handsome face. His heart thundered so intensely that he felt it might leap out of his chest.

    He couldn''t let himself think about what mighte next, or his hands would tremble, and his aim would bepromised.

    Amber wasn''t just anyone. She was his, and Amber was someone irreceable. He couldn''t bear the thought of losing her.

    "What do you want?" A slight tremor in Axel''s pale lips betrayed his inner turmoil.

    *Prepare 200 million dors for me within half an hour, along with a ne for Amber and me to leave this ce!" Axel gritted his teeth hard.

    Hiding just a short distance behind him, Jonah and Cyrusy in wait for the perfect opportunity.

    Cyrus swore under his breath. "200 million dors within half an hour? That''s an amount we won''t be able to get even if we withdraw all the money from all the banks in this city!''

    "It''s possible."

    Jonah''s striking face hid within the shadows. In a cold voice, he said, "I have that amount. Just take it from me."

    Cyrus was floored. "What the hell? Can we be friends, Mr. Moneybag?"

    "We''re already biological brothers in this life. You can be friends with me in your next life."

    Although this wasn''t a time for jokes, Jonah still yed along with his younger brother''s sudden change in attitude. The immensely tense atmosphere eased up a little. "But we might not need that money. Axel would never allow Carl to leave this ce alive."

 Chapter 2175

    ?Chapter 2175

    ''But Carl is holding Ms. Altman hostage, and he has a gun in his hand. If his viciousness leads him to hurt her, things might not end well for Ms. Altman even if Axel shoots him dead on the spot!" Cyrus said as he watched the confrontation anxiously, his heart in his throat. "I''ve never seen Axel this frantic. He''s always been fearless, confident, and carefree. I can tell he''s truly in love with Ms. Altman."

    "Yeah," Jonah replied. He, too, had someone he loved. He could totally empathize with Axel. ''Passionate love andposure are rarelypatible. The more you love, the more afraid of losing you be, and the less you know what to do."

    "So, what should we do now?" Cyrus asked, worry etched on his face.

    Jonah looked at the church balcony across the street. His eyes narrowed. "I believe justice will prevail, and he''ll seed."

    After gathering flowers, Alyssa and Miley returned to the living room, arms linked. They began arranging the flowers in a vase.

    "What''s up with you, Lyse? Why does it feel like you have a lot on your mind?'' Miley noticed that Alyssa didn''t look too good, which worried her.

    "Maybe it''s just the heat getting to me after standing under the sun for too long." Alyssa smiled as she fanned herself with her hands. "It''s really hot here in Kontina. It''s only been a while, but I''ve started perspiring already."

    ''I''ll have the kitchen staff make some pudding for you."

    Miley wiped the sweat off of Alyssa''s forehead gently. She let out a helpless chuckle. "That''s how it is here. It''s summer all year round. The climate can''tpare with our home country''s. It also took me a while to get used to it."

    Unbeknownst to Miley, Alyssa wasn''t sweating from the heat. That was actually cold sweat that had formed on her forehead!

    "Miley, I want to have pudding that you make.'' Alyssa clung onto Miley''s arm and swung it back and forth, acting coy. "When I go home, who knows when I can taste something you make? Please make it for me!"

    "It''s just pudding. Do you have to be so dramatic?'' Miley teased, but she doted on Alyssa very much. She pinched her nose and said, "I''ll go make it for you, then. Wait for me. When I return, we can arrange the flowers and put them in Jeremy''s study. He likes fresh flowers, so he''ll cheer up after hees back and sees them."Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "Sure thing! Alright then, I''ll wait for you."

    The unsuspecting Miley left smiling ear to ear.

    The moment she turned around, Alyssa''s smile froze. She curled her fingers into balls of fists.

    Half an hourter, Miley carried the pudding she had made and gleefully returned to the living room. She was afraid that having just the pudding would be too boring, so she also made some salted caramel on the side to satiate Alyssa''s taste buds.

    However, she found the living roompletely empty. There was only a basket of fresh flowers on the tea table. "Lyse? Lyse?"

    Miley spent a long time searching inside and outside the building. She also inquired with the helpers, who said they hadn''t seen Alyssa.

    Miley panicked and immediately summoned the head of the security team. "Where''s my younger sister?"

    *Ms. Alyssa drove out half an hour ago, Madam President." The head of security looked shocked. He asked, "You didn''t know that?"

    "What did you say?"

    Miley was usually kind, friendly, and forgiving toward others. At this moment, though, she couldn''t hold back her anger. "What did I tell all of you? I said that you must keep an eye on Alyssa. Is this how you and your team work?" *Please calm down, Madam President."

    The head of security realized something bad had happened and broke out in a cold sweat. ''Before Mr. President left, he asked us to ensure both of your safety here. But he didn''t say we had to put Ms. Alyssa under house arrest and forbid her from leaving. Moreover, when Ms. Alyssa left, she even said that she had gotten your approval..." "You fools!" Miley was so pissed that her forehead felt hot. Her eyes turned red. "Go and look into it immediately. Check the car te number and the surveince footage. Locate Alyssa this instant! You will all be responsible if we''re unable to find her."

    "On it, Madam President!" Then, the head of security asked, "D-Do we need to inform Mr. President...

    Miley paced anxiously. Her mind was in a muddle.

    Jeremy was currently attending an important event. Jonah, Jasper, and the rest faced an even more daunting situation. She couldn''t distract them.

    "Don''t inform anyone else for now. Go and track my sister down immediately. Activate the Third Eye!"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    *Activating the Third Eye requires Mr. President''s written approval...

    "I am the First Lady. I have the right to exercise my authority."

    With a ferocious re and an air ofmand, she did not take no for an answer. "I will bear the consequences. All you need to do is to do as I say!"

 Chapter 2176

    ?

    Alyssa, with a fiery gaze, stared straight at the seemingly endless road ahead of her. She followed the GPS route and drove herself in the ck car toward Rose Nursing Home. She had also switched her phone off per Jameson''s instruction.

    She knew Miley would soon realize her absence from the presidential office and would undoubtedlyunch a city- wide search. She would also track the location of her phone.

    Green shes blurred past the window as she sped along. The steering wheel was gripped tightly in her hands, her brow furrowed in concentration.

    An hourter, her car glided to a stop in the flower-filled courtyard of the nursing home.

    Cautiously, Alyssa stepped out and surveyed her surroundings. To her surprise, the home seemed to operate normally. Cars belonging to visitors filled the courtyard, and people moved about with ease.

    Despite the appearance, Alyssa remained vignt as she entered the building.

    The brightly lit hall was adorned with colorful paintings and vibrant nts. Caregivers tended to the elderly with care, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

    "Hi, miss. Are you Ms. Alyssa?" A caregiver approached her politely.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Alyssa furrowed her brows. "How do you know me?"

    "Mr. Schmidt, one of ourrgest investors, showed me a photo of you. He asked me to wait for your arrival and bring you to someone," the caregiver exined honestly.

    "Who am I supposed to meet?''

    "Mr. Schmidt''s mother."

    Alyssa''s pupils contracted.

    "Mr. Schmidt said you haven''t seen Mrs. Schmidt in a long time. She misses you very much and has lots to tell you. Pleasee with me."

    The caregiver led Alyssa to the back garden, where two graceful white swans glided across the mirror-likeke, creating a picturesque scene.

    Alyssa saw an elegant yet delicate figure in a wheelchair by theke, with their back turned to her.

    It was Lily. Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Alyssa took a deep breath. With an inexplicably heavy feeling in her heart, she treaded lightly toward Lily.

    Even though she despised Jameson, she did not hate Lily, not even when her son had be a despicable devil.

    Ultimately, Lily was a victim of her husband''s misunderstanding and hatred. She was also suffering from illness. Her life had been undeniably difficult and tragic.

    "Hi, Mrs. Schmidt, Alyssa greeted Lily softly as she got to her side. Her eyes brightened.

    Today, Lily was wearing an elegant and expensive long dress. Her makeup was wless, and her graying hair, though undyed, was tidily arranged with an emerald hair clip.

    Though thin, she still carried the remnants of the once-splendid woman who had been Victor''s wife.

 Chapter 2177

    ?

    A flicker of emotion passed through Lily''s vacant eyes as she heard Alyssa''s soft voice. The instant their eyes locked, her rity of mind seemed to return. Her gaze brightened and sparkled with life once more.

    ''Lyse... Lyse, you''ve finallye to see me! Jimmy said you would, and he was right. He wasn''t lying."

    Alyssa''s longshes fluttered as she clenched her hands into fists. "Hi, Mrs. Schmidt. How have you been? How''s your health?"

    "I''m good... I''m good. Seeing you makes me feel better."

    As Lily spoke, her body trembled slightly, as if she was a little cold.

    Alyssa removed her suit jacket and draped it over Lily''s shoulders.

    "Come, Lyse. I have something for you."

    Lily eagerly grasped Alyssa''s wrist. Without a word, she slipped an emerald bracelet onto Alyssa''s hand.

    "I can''t ept this, Mrs. Schmidt!"

    The cool sensation on Alyssa''s wrist made her ufortable. She wanted to remove the bracelet immediately, but Lily held her hand tightly.

    "Lyse, Jimmy loves you dearly, and I like you too. I don''t have much to give, so please ept this. If you don''t like it, I understand, but there''s nothing else I can do."

    A look of reluctance filled Alyssa''s face. ''Mrs. Schmidt, I''

    ''I asked Jimmy to get someone to dress me up a little for today. I just hope I don''t look too unpresentable or too scruffy when I meet my future daughter-inw." Lily''s lips quivered, her eyes full of joy at meeting the woman who was about to be her daughter-inw.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    It had been years since she''d smiled so genuinely; this might also be herst chance to feel such happiness.

    "What are you talking about, Mrs. Schmidt?" Alyssa was stunned, a chill spreading through her body. Her palms felt colder than the emerald bracelet. "Your future daughter-inw? What do you mean?"Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    *Jimmy said that he has registered his marriage with you and that the wedding will be held at Kontina soon."

    Lily''s face was filled with anticipation and excitement. Her eyes welled up with tears. "Lyse... Do you know how happy I am? I thought I''d never see my son married before I breathed myst. I never expected my wish toe true, that you''re actually Jimmy''s wife.

    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued, "Lyse, I''ve had a tough life. I''ve lived my days like a living dead. All I think about in my every waking hour is to leave this world. But I couldn''t bear to part with Jimmy. He''s such a kind, gentle, and dutiful son. He''s my only son, my every hope!

    "His father didn''t acknowledge him, and his siblings bullied him. If I left, Jimmy would no longer have any family."

    Lily held onto Alyssa''s chilly hands tightly. With tears in her eyes, she stared at her sorrowfully. "But now, I can finally be at ease because he has you! Jimmy won''t be alone if I die someday because he has you to keep himpany.

    Alyssa was appalled. Her mind went nk.

    "Lyse, promise me you''ll be happy with Jimmy, okay?" Lily pleaded. She could not have lowered herself any more than this.

    ''I''m sorry, Mrs. Schmidt." Alyssa gently pulled her hand away. "I don''t love your son. I''ll never be with him. Besides, I have a husband now. We''re very much in love and remain as such until our dying breath."

 Chapter 2178

    ?

    The swans extended their wings, abruptly sending ripples across theke''s surface.

    Lily''s gaunt face tightened. Her reddened eyes widened as she stared at Alyssa''s unwavering expression. "You''re already married? You have a husband? When was this? How could this be?"

    ''There''s no need for me to lie to you, Mrs. Schmidt. It''s true," Alyssa replied, trying to maintain a warm tone without faltering. "My husband and I have known each other for over ten years. I''ve loved him since I was young. I was simply waiting for the day I could be his wife.

    "We''ve faced countless challenges together. My dream has finallye true-we''re finally together. I''ll never love another man. I''m sorry to disappoint you."

    ''That''s impossible... It''s impossible!" Lily''s emotions surged. Her grip on Alyssa''s hand tightened until it turned red. "You grew up with my Jimmy. You''re so kind to him, and he loves you. He only wants to marry you.

    *Jimmy has told me about you both but never mentioned you were married!"

    Alyssa''s heart pounded with a chilling realization. Jameson had been weaving a fantasy for Lily. A casual mention might have sufficed tofort her, especially considering her Alzheimer''s and fluctuating mental state. Often, she didn''t even recognize Jameson-her own son. Yet, he''d constructed a colossal lie.

    Jameson was cunning and maniptive. Everything he did served a purpose. What was his intention to weave such a lie?

    "Lyse, you''re the only one my son loves and cares for. He treats you so well. How could you do this to him?" Lily''s eyes were bloodshot, her body trembling. "What does Jimmy mean to you? No, you cannot be with someone else! You are my daughter-inw. You are Jimmy''s. You cannot be together with another man!"

    Critically ill, Lily was stubborn, unreasonable, and emotionally vtile. She could lose control at any moment.

    Yet, Alyssa refused to participate in Jameson''s lie to appease Lily. Even a white lie was uneptable. She would never betray her love through words, actions, or heart.Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    ''I''m sorry, Mrs. Schmidt. I won''t choose Jameson, no matter what you say. It''s not just because I don''t have feelings for him; wee from entirely different worlds," Alyssa said, her eyes dimming with a sense of detachment. "Your son has hurt my family and the man I love."

    Lily froze, looking as if her soul had been shattered.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Alyssa continued, "He has done many unforgivable things. More than that, I cannot ept how he uses his love for me as an excuse to hurt those around me."

    Images of Jameson''s victims shed through Alyssa''s mind. Pain surged as she clenched her fists. "So how can I be with a man like that? I live in the light and will never sink into darkness.

    ''Mrs. Schmidt, if you truly favor me and want to do right by your son, please convince him to surrender to the police and confess his crimes. Tell him not to delve deeper into evil. Otherwise, a horrible death awaits him."

    "No! Jimmy is a good son and a kind man. He''s not like you say... He''s not!" Lily screamed, her wail piercing the air as she red through bloodshot eyes.

    Lily crumbled. Despair, fury, and sorrow twisted her face. Even Alyssa, who had witnessed all sorts of difficult times, felt a chill in her heart.

    Suddenly, Lily, still in her wheelchair, seemed to convulse like she had an electric shock. Gasping for air, she opened her mouth wide.

    "Mrs. Schmidt!" Alyssa turned pale with fright, rushing to hold down Lily''s convulsing body. "Mrs. Schmidt... What''s happening to you? Where does it hurt?"

 Chapter 2179

    ?Chapter 2179

    Lily let out a muffled cry. Her eyes rolled back in her head, her fingers twitched, and foam began to form at her mouth.

    Alyssa held her breath. It looked like an epileptic seizure or a stroke.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Overwhelmed with remorse, Alyssa realized her sharp words had triggered Lily''s breakdown and subsequent illness. If anything happened to Lily because of her, the weight of regret and self-me would be unbearable. It would haunt her forever.

    Alyssa immediately called for a caregiver. However, the doctor in the nursing home''s infirmarycked expertise. All they could do was call for an ambnce.

    "Oh, dear heavens... What should we do? Watching Lily have such a painful episode pushed the caregiver to tears. "Even with an ambnce, the nursing home is too far from the hospital. She won''t make it in time!"

    *Call for an air ambnce." Sweat formed on Alyssa''s forehead. Determinedly, she dered, "I''ll do my best to buy time, so she can get to the hospital in time."

    The caregiver tasked someone with calling for an air ambnce immediately. He worked with Alyssa to move Lily''s stiff body from the wheelchair andy her on the ground.Update first atN?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Alyssa lifted Lily''s eyelids, gave her basic medical attention, and conducted a preliminary evaluation. Her heart pounded with growing suspicion.

    Lily''s symptoms suggested an acute episode, but the dark purple tinge on her tongue and faint red spots on her arms were unusual. Without testing equipment, Alyssa could only focus on easing Lily''s pain.

    15 minutester, a helicopternded in the nursing home''s backyard, its strong winds startling the swans into flight.

    "Mrs. Schmidt, hang in there!" Alyssa pleaded, her anxiety mounting. She and the medics lifted Lily onto a stretcher and into the helicopter.

    "Ahh-" Lily clung to Alyssa''s hand, as if it were herst lifeline.

    Tears streamed down Lily''s face. She tried to speak, but the words wouldn''te.

    "Don''t be afraid. I''ll stay with you. I''ll keep youpany!" Alyssa was overwhelmed with remorse. Seeing Lily in such pain was tormenting her.

    She apanied Lily and the medics in the helicopter. As it lifted off the ground, a sinister whisper reached her ear. "Hello, Lyse."

    Her chest tightened as she turned to face a pair of smiling yet chilling eyes.

    The next second, she felt a sharp pain in her neck, followed by a cool sensation.

    Immediately after that, her vision became a blur. She lost consciousness and slumped into the man''s arms.

 Chapter 2180

    ?Chapter 2180

    The rooftop air was so thick it felt stagnant. Overwhelming pressure and fear made Carl tremble. Even his gun- holding hand shook uncontrobly.

    He hesitated to disengage the safety, fearing a panicked misfire.

    Even now, with no way out, he had never thought of taking Amber''s life. As long as there was a sliver of hope, he wanted to take Amber away with him.

    Tragedy was imminent, and he knew it was now every man for himself. Jameson no longer cared about him. At a crucial juncture, Jameson would even sell him out.

    Thus, he had prepared himself beforehand. He was confident in his wits and ability to escape unpunished to a farawaynd.

    Amber had brought him to this state. He wanted to give the woman he loved a wedding-a beautiful beginning. Even a rat in the sewers craves the sun for a moment.

    So, he wanted Amber to live. He had to keep her alive. Otherwise, all he had invested would turn to dust!

    Suddenly, Amber burst outughing. Her reddened eyes were alluring.

    In a shaky voice, Carl asked, "Why are youughing, Amber?"

    ''I''mughing at you. You y the brilliant strategist before Jameson. You make yourself look like you''re brilliant and capable. But, in actual fact, you are just a hory fool who didn''t even know that I''ve used you and sold you out.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Amber''s eyes glistened brightly, her gaze piercing Carl''s heart. "I hate you, Carl. I hate you to the bone. You thought you saved me?

    "Did you think that I agreed to marry you because I cared for you and was grateful toward you? No, you''re wrong. I just wanted you to join Jameson in hell. Every moment with you was torture, a constant source of disgust.

    Carl''s blood ran cold, then surged to his head, making his head throb. "That''s impossible. Why?"

    He knew she didn''t love him and likely didn''t even harbor the slightest feelings for him. But her willingness to marry him and leave with him suggested at least neutrality. Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "The video of Nichs stabbing and murdering the victim was taken thanks to Wesley, who followed him secretly for over two months. Not only was he myrade, but he was also my only hope within The Millennium to continue living on. He was my only friend."

    Amber recalled Wesley''s horrible death in the basement. As she remembered his silentst words, she couldn''t help but tear up again.

    Fury filled her heart. "Wesley gave his own life for that piece of evidence. Right before his death, hemunicated with me via Morse code to tell me that the evidence was in the garage, underneath the chassis of my red sports car.

    "I tricked you into going out with me that day. It wasn''t to prepare any damn birthday present for Jameson. Rather, it was so that I could get my hands on the evidence of Nichs'' crime!"

    Axel stood a few steps away, fixing his fiery gaze on Amber. His heart was racing, and he had to force back his tears.

    At this moment, he suddenly felt that his so-called love was just a fantasy, a pie in the sky. It was so shallow, weak and ridiculous.

    The woman he loved had been suffering daily in a hell on earth. Time and time again, she sacrificed herself and endured humiliation as she fought battles of wits and courage with this bunch of devils.

    As for him, he did all he could, as if he was capable of doing anything. Yet, he was unable to rescue the woman

    he loved out of her suffering or to pull her out of the abyss.

    He was useless. He was just a useless piece of trash!

    "I have never wanted to be with you." Amber''s bloodshot eyes were full of hatred. Her every word pierced through Carl''s heart. ''I came to Kontina to get married to you only to win your trust so that you would let down your guardpletely with me.

    "You''ve kept evidence of Jameson''s heinous crimes throughout the years in that cross around your neck. You hid it right in in sight.

    "That night, when I seduced you and invited you to bed with me, it was only so that I could steal that piece of evidence.

    ''Amber... You... You''re a heartless woman!" The veins on Carl''s temples were popping. At this very moment, his lighthouse of hope and trust, which he had toiled to build, copsed.

    ''Amber... Amber... Axel broke downpletely. His vision was blurry as tears fell from his eyes like rain.

    Only those who knew Axel well would understand how precious his tears were.

    Over 30 years, this bruised and battered woman, who was outcasted by the rest of the world, was the sole recipient of his heart and tears.

    "Carl, in my eyes, you are in no way different from Jameson. Moreover, you''vemitted many evil deeds and bloodied your hands. How dare you fantasize about me having any feelings for you? Don''t you think that it''s very absurd of you?"

    Amber''sughter echoed boisterously through the air. She decided to burn her bridges like this because she had already given up on living.

    As much as she knew Axel was waiting for her, she didn''t want to live on. He deserved someone better, and she could not hold him back like this.

    She was simply a flower of evil cultivated from the soils of darkness. After leaving the greenhouse of wickedness, her only wish before she wilted was to drag Carl down to hell with her.

    "Amber... I''ve been so good to you... How dare you betray me? I can''t believe that you''ve been lying to me the whole time!"

 Chapter 2181

    ?Chapter 2181

    Carl''s eyes zed with feral intensity. A monstrous grin twisted his face as heughed and cried simultaneously, lost in a manic frenzy. "Very well then.... Let''s die together," he dered.

    ''All you''ve done is because you want to be with Axel as an uwful couple." Carl chuckled. "But don''t you ever dare dream of having your wishe true!"

    Carl held Amber in a chokehold as he retreated toward the edge of the roof step by step.

    Atst, he nted a cold and moist kiss on Amber''s cheek, apanied by a drop of bitter tear. "Amber, if we can''t be together when we''re alive, let''s be husband and wife when we get to the afterlife."

    In the next second, Amber''s heart dropped as she fell backward weightlessly.

    "Amber!" Axel cried out. At lightning speed, he charged toward Amber.

    Simultaneously, a whoosh sounded from the church rooftop. A sharp crack followed a piercing sound that tore through the air from over 300 feet away.

    As Amber was dragged toward the roof''s edge with the vicious Carl, she heard a sharp crack above her head, like an egg against a rock. Terror-stricken, she gasped for breath.

    Then, the air seemed to freeze. Axel saw a gunshot wound blossoming on Carl''s forehead. Carl red fixedly at Axel, mouth wide open. Looking as if he were in extreme pain, he leaned backward.

    Amber shut her eyes in fear as she waited for death.

    But what awaited her was a deep and warm embrace.

    When Carl fell off the building, Axel grabbed Amber''s arm in time. With a roar, Axel pulled her into his arms.

    His broad back curved, shielding herpletely beneath his heaving chest. He longed to hold her deep within him.

    "Amber, you''re alright now. You''re okay," Axelforted her in a shaky voice.

    Axel''s body shook uncontrobly, his tears, pounding heart, andbored breaths betraying his turmoil. Only his grip on Amber remained steady.

    Amber, in her white wedding dress, slumped in his arms. She mustered all her energy to hug him back, but her arms felt as heavy as lead. She couldn''t lift them up at all. Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    ''Oh, dear Lord... Thank God!"

    Cyrus let out a long exhale. He had been scared shitless. "I swear that this is the most terrifying crime scene that I''ve handled within these three years. If this happens every other day, all that fear is going to leave me with an upational injury!"

    ''Jasper is a sharpshooter. I can''t imagine the oue if he hadn''t assisted us in secret." Jonah peered at the church opposite them. With relief in his eyes, he remarked, "None of the men in the Taylor family canpare to him.''

    Carl, who had fallen off the building, died a horrendous death.

    The authorities covered his body with a white cloth and moved him to the police station for further examination and processes that followed.

    Jasper, the sniper who had been lying in wait on the church rooftop,pleted his arduous task sessfully. He packed his gun away. With a deep look in his eyes, he left calmly.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    He wasposed, steady, and quiet. Yet, it was through hisposure that he made the most pivotal attack.

    Due to the immense shock, Amber''s body showed signs of somatization.

    In the ambnce, Axel enveloped her in his arms, holding her close.

    His eyes were swollen red, and his breathing was deep and heavy. Like a fine sculpture, he maintained the still posture of an embrace.

    The sound of both racing hearts pounding against one another created a resonance.

    It was as if they wereposing a duet that would y for the rest of their lives.

    A momentter, Amber slowly lifted her pale face and asked gently, "Are you feeling alright?"

    Axel lowered his head and looked into her eyes as he held her in his arms. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn''t make a sound.

    Like an elderly man, he lifted his hands slowly.

    Firstly, he pointed at his heart with his right hand. Then, he made fists with both hands and crossed his forearms over his chest.

    Finally, he pointed his trembling finger at Amber.

    Amber''s heart was warmed. The corners of her lips curled upward. With her soft hands, she caressed Axel''s rough ones. She welled up with tears and smiled at him.

    "I love you too."

 Chapter 2182

    ?Chapter 2182

    The intense confrontation had finally ended. Despite the grave danger, everyone escaped unharmed.

    The sole exception was Carl, a key member of Jameson''s team, who was fatally shot. His death marked theplete downfall of Jameson''s reign of terror, which hadsted nearly a decade.

    Now, the only task remaining was to bring that viper, Jameson, to justice.

    Axel apanied Amber to the hospital. Police secured the crime scene, keeping reporters at bay.

    Jasper exited the church and reconvened with Jonah and Cyrus.

    "That was such a dangerous situation. Thank goodness you were here this time, Jasper!" Cyrus approached him immediately. Feeling extremely moved, he gave Jasper a bear hug.

    ''Thank you, Jasper." Jonah, too, shot him a smile of admiration and gratitude.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Jasper lifted his hand and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

    "I didn''t do much. If it wasn''t for Axel''s agility in going up and grabbing onto Amber in time, she might''ve ended up falling to her death." His gaze was fiery.

    A surge of emotions coursed through him. After years of ordinary life, pulling the trigger had rekindled the fierce spirit he''d felt fighting terrorists at Luminara. A familiar image of a slender figure fighting beside him shed through his mind.

    Strange as it was, his being was greatly encouraged, allowing him to fire with deadly uracy.

    "Don''t worry, Jasper." Cyrus chuckled as he stepped forward and gave Jasper a pat on his broad shoulder. "When we return, we''ll brag to Lyse about your heroic deed nonstop, so much so that she would even be able to dream about how cool you looked when you fired that headshot!"

    Jonah furrowed his brows, unsure how to react. Them Taylors were capable of going against a powerful army if they were serious about it. On the flip side, they could get pretty crazy when they were out of their minds.

    ''That''s not necessary, Cyrus. I just did my job." Jasper smiled slightly. Yet, his eyes held a spark of joy. He couldn''t wait to share this thrilling experience with Alyssa.

    ''Let''s get back to the presidential office. Miley and Lyse must be worried sick," Jonah said.

    "Let me first give Lyse a call to tell her that we''re all safe."

    Jasper couldn''t conceal the look of anticipation on his handsome face. He took his phone out and called Alyssa, only to hear a cold, automated message. "The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off. Please try againter."

    Stunned, Jasper frowned and tried again, but the result was the same.

    For some reason, he felt short of air. A series of painful pricks surged deep in his heart, as if a virus were spreading rapidly through his insides, reaching the ends of every nerve in his body. The hand holding his phone began to tremble uncontrobly.

    Jonah noticed something amiss in Jasper''s expression. Immediately, he asked, in a concerned voice, "What''s wrong, Jasper?

    *Jonah, Lyse''s phone is switched off," Jasper answered in a hoarse voice, his heart pounding.

    "It''s switched off?" Cyrus blinked. "Perhaps it ran out of battery?"Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    *Lyse and I live together. I know her habits well," Jasper said, his heart racing. He had a bad feeling a bout this. A chill ran up his spine.

    He added, "She never turns her phone off, even when sleeping. It''s on vibrate. She would never put her phone in silent mode. And now, we''re overseas on a dangerous mission. There''s no way she would turn it off when she and Miley are waiting for us at the presidential office."

    Jonah and Cyrus looked at one another. All of a sudden, they became rmed too.

    "I don''t feel good about this, Jonah. I need to get back to the presidential office now!" Jasper''s voice tensed, and his eyes reddened with agitation.

    "Don''t panic, Jasper. We''ll make our way back right now. In the meantime, let''s call Miley to get confirmation on Lyse''s status."

 Chapter 2183

    ?

    Jonah ced his hand firmly on Jasper''s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "The presidential office and royal pce are the safest ces in all of Kontina. Plus, Lyse is together with Miley. If anything happened to Lyse, Miley would''ve already called us. Don''t worry too much."

    Despite his words, Jonah felt a growing unease. As Alyssa''s eldest brother, he cared deeply for her.

    Cyrus immediately called Miley. His expression hardened. "This isn''t good. Miley isn''t answering," he said grimly.

    In an instant, the faces of all three men turned grim.

    Jasper, Jonah and Cyrus raced back to the presidential office.

    The moment they entered the courtyard, they sensed something was off. The guards who were supposed to be standing outside the doors had disappeared.

    "Miley!" "Lyse!"

    They called out as they ran into the living room. Their jaws dropped at the sight before them.

    Miley was curled up on the couch, her hands covering her face. She looked like she was in pain, her shoulders slightly shivering. She seemed to be sobbing.

    "Miley!" Jasper''s heart tightened. He rushed to her. "What happened? Where''s Lyse?"

    Miley''s body trembled. She slowly lifted her face from her hands. Herplexion was pale and streaked with tears, and her eyes were swollen and red. "Lyse is..."

    "What happened to her? Tell us!" Jasper demanded, his voice rough with emotion.

    He had always been steady as a mountain, firm as a rock, and deep as the sea. The more dangerous the circumstances, the calmer he grew. But this was only true if Lyse was unharmed. Any threat to Lyse, no matter how minor, would shake his world and make him lose hisposure.

    *Jasper, please calm down!" Jonah''s chest tightened, but he still went forward and put his arms around Jasper''s trembling shoulders. "The most important thing right now is to figure out what happened and where Lyse went."

    All the blood had drained from Cyrus'' face. He was visibly panicking. In an unsteady voice, he cried out, "Stop crying, Miley! Tell us. Where''s Lyse?"

    Just then, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching them.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "Miley!" Jeremy rushed in with his secretary and head of security. He was so full of worry that his face was covered in sweat. "You said that Lyse went missing? When did that happen? How could that have possibly happened?"

    With tears streaming down her cheeks, Miley finally raised her eyes to the man who was slowly losing control before her.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Jasper, I''m sorry. I didn''t protect Lyse well. She left the presidential office on her own. I''ve activated the Third Eye to track her down, but there''s still no news on her whereabouts even until now..."

    *She left the presidential office?'' Jeremy and the Taylor brothers were utterly shocked.

    Jasper''s heart ached as his vision began to blur. Everything grew hazy and disoriented.

    Soon, the old injury on his head throbbed with intense pain. The world seemed to spin around him, and he nearly lost his bnce.

 Chapter 2184

    ?Chapter 2184

    The heavy atmosphere in the living could almost crush everyone to death. Even the air felt as cold as ice.

    "Calm down, Jasper!" Jonah was extremely panicked over losing contact with Alyssa. However, as the oldest of the Taylor siblings, he could only force himself to remainposed. He went up to Jasper and helped to support him physically.

    Jonah quickly added, "Don''t lose your head. None of us should. We need to figure out where Lyse might have gone and find her quickly."

    Cyrus''s chest tightened, but he managed a reassuring tone. "Jonah''s right, Jasper. Don''t panic. We''re all here-

    "You all have your loved ones safe and sound, but my Lyse has vanished!" Jasper''s eyes were a terrifying shade of bloodshot as he roared in anguish, "Lyse is my heart, as precious to me as my own life."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    "If anything happens to her... If anything happens to her..." Jasper''s voice faltered, and he was cut off by a sudden, searing pain that struck his head. The world darkened before him, and his powerful frame felt as though it could crumble under the strain.

    Alyssa''s desperate cries echoed in his mind, her image reaching out to him from the icy void. "Jasper... Jasper! Help me... Please save me!*

    "Lyse..." Jasper reached out with a trembling hand, his body wracked with pain and overwhelmed by the boiling blood coursing through him. Just as he was about to grasp Alyssa, she was pulled away into a dark abyss, her screams fading into silence.

    "Lyse... Lyse!" Jasper yelled out hysterically. He was in so much pain that he couldn''t focus his gaze. Despite their shared history of facing countless dangers, he had never lost control like this before. Their deep connection intensified his fear of losing her forever.

    He had a strong feeling that something terrible was about to happen.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Miley had never seen Jasper like this. She was dumbfounded. With her hair looking unkempt and her face looking pale, all she could do was cry.

    Not only her, but everyone else in the Taylor family had never seen Jasper like this.

    Jonah, aware of Jasper''s past brain surgery performed by Alyssa, realized this emotional upheaval had triggered a physical reaction. He hadn''t had any issues in a long time. The Taylor brothers gentlyid Jasper on the couch, and Jeremy summoned a private physician.

    ''Mr. President, Mr. Beckett appears to be in shock due to extreme stress," the doctor reported, his voiceced with concern. "It would be better to take him to the hospital to get checked out. After all, as Mr. Jonah Taylor mentioned earlier, Mr. Beckett has had an open brain surgery in the past. So, this is not something to be taken lightly."

    "Miley, don''t cry... Don''t cry...". Jeremyforted Miley, wrapping her in a hug. "You need to tell us everything that happened. We need all the details to find Lyse."

    "Lyse... She... She..." Miley''s voice was choked with tears as she recounted the story.

    Jonah and Cyrus didn''t me her.

    For one, she was already falling apart from her self-reproach. Second, Alyssa left the presidential office building on her own ord. Not only did she intentionally send Miley away, but she also lied to the guard on duty.

    Alyssa was a master of artful escapes. If she truly wanted to leave, the presidential office would be no match for her determination.

    "The Third Eye tracked Alyssa''s car up to the east side of the West City district, but then it lost her trail...". Miley''s voice was barely audible through her tears.

    "Why didn''t you contact me sooner, Miley?" Jeremy''s voice had be hoarse from all his anxiousness.

    "You were attending an important event at the time. Jasper, Jonah and the others were on a challenging mission to wipe out criminals and rescue a hostage.."

    Miley lowered her head in remorse once again. "I didn''t want to shake any of you up. I was thinking that with the Third Eye... I would be able to locate Lyse. But..."

    Everyone fell into silence.

    "Lyse... Why did she.... leave the presidential office building alone?" Jasper stammered. His face had gone pale. However, he regained some rity of mind and was now slightly calmer.

    "I''m not sure... Oh, right!"

    Miley, still in Jeremy''s arms, straightened her back suddenly. She wiped away her tears. "When I brought Lyse to the flower garden to pick flowers, she answered a phone call!

    "She spoke with that person for quite a while with her back against me. I felt that it was strange at that time, so asked her about it. But she still smiled at me and assured me that it was fine. Now that I think about it... I was too dumb and too oblivious!"

    A phone call?

    All four men in the room were stunned. Jasper''s back broke out in a cold sweat.

 Chapter 2185

    ?Chapter 2185

    "By the looks of it, Lyse left because of that phone call," Cyrus deduced, his investigative instincts kicking in. He frowned thoughtfully. "But it''s unusual for Lyse to act so impulsively. Even if she had to leave the presidential office, she would at least consult with Miley before making such a decision."

    "So, the person on the other end must have had significant influence over her. They must have said something sopelling that she felt she had no choice but toply," he reasoned.

    "That''s odd." The more Jonah thought about it, the more astonished and flustered he felt. "Jameson and his team are all in Kontina, and all the major threats are here. We were at the church, Miley was at the presidential office, and Jeremy returned safely from his event. Besides ensuring the safety of a loved one, what else could have driven Lyse to risk so much and ept that person''s invitation?"

    "It was... Jameson!" Jasper eximed, his face ashen. "With Carl dead and Amber saved by Axel, Jameson has no more cards to y. His only option was to approach Lyse, trying to control her.

    *He wants her desperately. Even if he had to abandon everything else, he would go to great lengths to take her with him.''ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Jasper closed his eyes in agony, his pain evident as he took deep breaths, unable to suppress it.

    The group exchanged anxious nces, finding Jasper''s exnation troublingly usible. They held their breaths, hoping his worst fears wouldn''te true.

    Just then, Jeremy''s secretary burst in, drenched in sweat. "Mr. President, I have terrible news!"

    Jeremy tightened his grip around Miley''s trembling waist. In a deep voice, he asked, "What is it?"

    The secretary swallowed hard and stammered, "Four hidden bombs detonated at the museum you visited earlier today. The ce is in ruins. The estimated damage is in the billions."

    Everyone was astonished. "What? A bombing?"

    Not only that, four bombs were detonated?Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Miley, who had already be weak at the knees, slumped in Jeremy''s arms. She grabbed onto the hem of his shirt tightly, shaking like a leaf.

    Jeremy, you were attending an event there. You were so close... so close to getting hurt. I almost lost you forever!" ''That''s absolutely terrifying..." Cyrus pressed his hands against his chest. "You are really blessed, Jeremy. The museum was bombed shortly after you left. God was really on your side!

    Jeremy wasn''t in the mood to consider whether he was lucky or not. He immediately asked his secretary, "Were there any casualties at the scene?"

    "Yes. Five security guards died in the explosion. Thankfully, you''re safe. Also, the bombs only detonated after the museum was closed. So, there were not as many casualties as there could''ve been.

    "I suspect that the terrorists were only aiming to destroy andmark at Kontina. It doesn''t seem like they were targeting you...

    "Nope, they were actually targeting Mr. President!" Jasper jumped to his feet from the couch. The veins on his temples throbbed. "I get it now... I know how Jameson lured Lyse away.

    ''He nted the bombs where Jeremy was supposed to be, then forced Lyse to leave with him by threatening to kill Jeremy and others, and subsequently causing Miley to live in pain for the rest of her life."

    Everyone''s hearts dropped.

    "Lyse was trying to save me?" Jeremy''s heart wrenched. He was filled with regret and self-me. He hit his fists on his chest. "I was too ipetent. I fell into Jameson''s scheme. That was why he had an opportunity to strike."

    Miley cried her eyes out. "Lyse... My Lyse. I have wronged you!"

    ''East side of West City district." Jasper''s eyes reddened. He clenched his hands into fists as he imprinted this location deep in his heart. "Let''s begin a thorough search from that location.

    "I will find Lyse and bring her home even if it means I must sacrifice my meals and sleep!"

    Kontina''s coastal waters included tens of inds of all sizes.

    One was an ind nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz", located farthest from the maind. This ind looked like a piece of deep emerald lying on the surface of a glittery, blue sea. It looked phantasmal, mysterious, and romantic at the same time.

    Jameson purchased this ind anonymouslyst year. It was one of his personal assets, and he changed its name to ''Rose Ind".

    Initially, this was a gift for Alyssa. Yet, this had be a "rose enclosure" where he was keeping his beloved woman confined.

    Even so, he still felt satisfied. In his eyes, he had simply presented the gift to his most beloved woman through a different and more passionate means.

    Nighttime befell. Reflections of the twinkling stars could be seen on the surface of the endless sea.

    In a spacious and luxurious room with a retro design, light and shadows interweaved on the silk-bedded bed. Alyssa''s body was slightly curled on the bed, and her dark hair was strewn over a pillow as she slept soundly.

    Jameson sat on the side of the bed, watching her glowy cheeks with eyes that were filled with affection and tenderness. He couldn''t help but run his trembling fingers through her soft hair, stroking it longingly.

    His heart raced. Atst, he leaned forward and nted a kiss on her forehead.

    The moment his cold and trembling lips touched her, tears started streaming down both sides of his paled cheeks.

    He could taste the moistness and bitterness from the tip of his tongue. Nheless, he felt that this was the taste of happiness.

    He had lost everything, but he managed to acquire her in return.

    At this moment, being able to watch over his most beloved Alyssa made everything feel extremely worth it. It no longer mattered, even if he''d burned the entire world to the ground.

    Jameson stared at Alyssa''s sleeping face in silence for a really, really long time. Then he picked up his phone and dialed that familiar number.

    After just a few rings, the receiver answered his call.

    Although vaguely, Jameson could hear the melodious sound of someone ying a gittern. However, the person on the other end of the call didn''t seem to have any intention of speaking up.

    "Mr. Justin..." Ultimately, Jameson ran out of patience and greeted the other person first.

 Chapter 2186

    ?

    A terrifying silence hung over the other end of the call. Sweat beaded on Jameson''s temples as his heart pounded anxiously.

    *Congrattions, Mr. Schmidt. Your wish came true, and you''ve finally gotten your woman, Justin''s

    unmistakable voice came through, crisp andced with amusement.

    "I need to thank you foring up with this n for me and making all of this happen. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have Lysee to me so easily."

    Jameson''s deep eyes burned with passion. His voice, however, was rough and full of regret as he continued, "But I''m afraid I can never return to Sna City.

    ''I''m sorry, Mr. Justin. I couldn''t clear the path for you or eliminate your opponent. Even the experiment on the new drug had to be halted, I deserve to die.

    "Indeed, you do deserve to die." Justin''s voice dropped, deep and cold.

    The words wrapped around Jameson like a chokehold. Suffocation crept in, cold sweat running down his stiffened back.

    ''But you''ve managed to take the love of my brother''s life away. It''s as good as killing him." With a broad smile, Justin continued, "I''d say you''ve made amends."This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Relief washed over Jameson. "Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for making our wishe true,'' he breathed, a single bead of sweat tracing his cheek.

    *For Ms. Alyssa, you even used your own mother in your scheme. You watched her die right in front of you." Justin''s tone was yful; whether impressed or mocking was unclear. "It''s truly impressive how merciless you can be.''

    Jameson''s heart clenched. His eyes blurred with tears as he gazed at the woman before him. Because of her, the excruciating loss of his only family crashed down on him, splintering him inside, his entire being consumed by the pain.

    This version of him-could no longer be called human.

    People should keep their distance from the wicked, and he was nothing more than a soulless bastard willing to bleed for love.

    ''Since you had the guts to drug your own mother, it shouldn''t be a problem for you to administer some to Ms. Alyssa."

    Jameson''s pupils constricted immediately. To him, this suggestion was equivalent to taking a knife and piercing it through his heart.

    "Go to the living room now. There is a box on the tea table. That''s my gift to you."

    Justin''s voice was smooth, almost seductive. "A wedding gift, if you will."

    The word "wedding" dripped with sarcasm. Jameson couldn''t feel any joy from his blessing.

    "Will do, Mr. Justin."Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Jameson got to his feet stiffly, left the room, and went to the living room. His heart sank when he saw a beautiful mahogany box on the table.

    This box wasn''t here this afternoon.

    Did Justin have people on Rose Ind as well?

    A shiver crawled down his spine.

    Step by step, Jameson approached the table, opened the box with one hand, and found three pills inside-white, gray, and ck. They gave off a faint, unsettling scent.

    Dazed, Jameson picked up the ck pill, holding it between his fingers, studying it in the light.

    "Mr. Justin, this pill is...

    "Ms. Alyssa and my brother are deeply in love. Nothing can separate them, Justin said, chuckling. ''She''s a bird meant to soar. Can you truly keep her caged on Rose Ind forever?"

    Jameson pressed his lips together tightly.

    "Even if you did," Justin continued, "she''s not one to bend easily. Even if you have her body, you''ll never have her heart. Worse, you might lose her entirely."

    Jameson shuddered, closing his eyes. He''d considered these possibilities-Alyssa would likely threaten him with her life once she awoke. The thought of losing her, after everything, was a fate worse than death.

    "If Lyse takes these pills... What would happen to her?" Jameson''s voice trembled. "Will she be in a vegetative state? Or will she lose all her memories?''

    "Neither. But there will be a time when her body will be under tremendous suffering."

    Justin smiled again as if he were exining something fun. "But I assure you, if she survives the ordeal, you''ll have a brand-new start together. Would you like to try?" @

    <ddict-div></ddict-div>

 Chapter 2187

    ?Chapter 2187

    It had been 15 hours since Alyssa vanished after leaving the presidential office.

    Jeremy mobilized multiple teams for the search using every bit of his authority. Joined by Jasper, Cyrus, and Jonah, he stormed Rose Nursing Home, Alyssa''sst known location.

    Their arrival broke the silence of the nursing home.

    Miley, despite her insistence, was stopped by Jonah from joining them, given the high profiles of both her and Jeremy.

    Meanwhile, Axel had finally reunited with Amber after countless trials. He stayed by her side at the hospital,

    where she remained hospitalized. Jonah and Cyrus choose to keep him in the dark about Alyssa, unwilling to rob him of the bliss he had fought so hard to achieve.

    Outside the nursing home, the head of security and the Criminal Investigation Unit had sealed the building. No one could enter or leave.

    Alerted by themotion, the on-duty security guard and the nursing home''s administrator arrived, stunned by the sight before them.

    Cyrus, using his technical expertise, essed the entrance surveince footage. When Alyssa''s slender figure appeared on the screen, tension gripped everyone.

    "Lyse!" Jasper''s bloodshot eyes widened as he shouted, unable to control his emotions. It was as if he believed his voice could reach her through the video.

    "Where''s the caregiver who attended to this woman? Bring him here, now!" Cyrus'' sharp eyes locked on the administrator.

    Indeed, the seasoned criminal investigator''s intimidation was a force to be reckoned with. Within five minutes, the male caregiver who had weed Alyssa approached them, his eyes cast down.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Cyrus scrutinized him closely. Suspicion gnawed at him.

    Years of dealing with criminals had honed his instincts. He could usually read guilt at a nce. But this man? He seemed like nothing more than a timid, unassuming caregiver. His face bore every emotion he felt, far from someone capable of harm.

    "How is it," Jasper''s voice trembled with barely suppressed fury, "that you, out of all the caregivers here, happened to meet my wife when she arrived? Why you?"

    The veins on Jasper''s temples throbbed; his hand shot out, grabbing the caregiver by his cor and lifting him off the ground. "Talk! Are you one of Jameson Schmidt''s men? Did you help him? Where did you take my wife? Tell us!"

    Jasper''s roar was a primal eruption, a thunderous bellow that shattered the oppressive silence of the hall and echoed through the inky ckness beyond.

    "I didn''t... It wasn''t me!" the male caregiver stuttered, his legs trembling as he stared wide-eyed at Jasper. He felt like he couldn''t exin himself.

    The head of the Criminal Investigation Unit barked, "Take this person back to the station. Give him a rigorous interrogation. That will surely make him confess!"

    "Yes, sir!"

    Two officers were about to carry out the order when the administrator hurried forward. "It''s a misunderstanding. This has got to be a misunderstanding! Is the Jameson Schmidt you''re all talking about the owner of our nursing home? Is it the phnthropist, Mr. Schmidt?"

    "The phnthropist?" Cyrus burst outughing when he heard that. "Some damn phnthropist he is. He''s just a

    heartless capitalist through and through and an extremely evil wolf in sheep''s clothing."

    "T-That''s not true!"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

 Chapter 2188

    ?Chapter 2188

    The security guard spoke up anxiously, "Mr. Schmidt didn''t only purchase this nursing home when it was about to close. He spent a fortune rebuilding it, took in elderly people abandoned by their children, gave them shelter, and provided free medical care. He''s also incredibly kind to us staff, even buying us insurance!

    "Mr. Schmidt is a true phnthropist with a heart of gold. How can you call him a heartless monster? Don''t run your mouths like that!"

    Jonah and Cyrus were extremely shocked. The Jameson these people described waspletely different from the one they knew. It was as if he had a split personality.

    But Jasper knew better. Being respectable and kind was just part of the well-crafted fa?ade Jameson hid his dark soul behind.

    "When that woman came by this afternoon, what did you talk about?" Jonah asked coldly.

    "Mr. Schmidt warned us before," the caregiver stammered. "He told all of us that if that pretty woman showed up, we were to take her to see his mother."

    The male caregiver trembled. "Everyone was busy at the time. I just happened to-to see her walk in. I don''t know about any schemes. I don''t know anything about it!"Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    With a serious look on his face, Cyrus leaned in to whisper to Jasper. "Jasper, he doesn''t seem to be lying."

    ''Is Jameson''s mother still here? Take us to her." Jasper''s bloodshot eyes were like knives against the man''s throat.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    ''Mrs. Schmidt... She''s left the nursing home."

    Everyone was astonished.

    In a raspy voice, Jasper questioned, "Where is my wife, then?''

    ''After that woman saw Mrs. Schmidt, something happened. I don''t know what they spoke of, but Mrs. Schmidt, who was stable, suddenly had a seizure. She was foaming at the mouth and convulsing. I called for an air ambnce.

    "The woman was worried and got on the helicopter with Mrs. Schmidt. They left together from the back garden..." The color drained from Jasper''s face as he sprinted toward the garden.

    The police rounded up everyone involved, while Jonah and Cyrus followed Jasper.

    At this very moment, as beautiful as the scenery was, the atmosphere around them felt extremely deste, heavy, and chilling.

    "Jasper!"

    Jonah and Cyrus ran to him, shocked to find him kneeling. In his handy a red diamond rose brooch-one Alyssa had made and always wore.

    They couldn''t imagine what had happened. Even thinking about it hurt.

    ''Jonah, Jasper, I''ve looked into it. I think the caregiver was telling the truth," Cyrus said, kneeling beside him, trying to remain calm despite his own anxiousness. "There''s no sign of a struggle, no messy footprints. Another caregiver saw Lyse get into the helicopter with medics. She got in willingly to apany Mrs. Schmidt. No one forced her."

    "But that''s the strangest part."

    Jasper''s eyes burned as he clenched the brooch, its sharp edges piercing his hand. "Jameson manipted everyone in the nursing home, even his mother. They were tools to lure Lyse onto that helicopter."

    ''Jasper is right." Jonah couldn''t agree more. "The only way to get Lyse to leave willingly was to exploit her kindness. Mrs. Schmidt was just bait. Jameson''s real goal was to use the helicopter to kidnap Lyse."

    "Oh, God,'' Cyrus muttered, his nerves shot. "If that''s true, then Lyse has already left Kontina. It''s been more than ten hours!"

 Chapter 2189

    ?Chapter 2189

    *Jeremy and Miley have considered that possibility and blocked off Kontina''s customs. Jameson is also a wanted criminal who is jointly pursued by two countries. There''s no way he can leave Kontina."

    Jasper ced the brooch on his chest. He forced himself to hold back the immense hurt and make a rational judgment.

    "He''s definitely hiding in Kontina. He''s ustomed to luxury and power, and his pride won''t let him live like a fugitive. He''ll stay where he''s familiar and where resources are useful."

    Cyrus was impressed. He almost wanted to apud Jasper but knew it wasn''t the right time.

    Despite his acute headaches, Jasper remained sharp, making sound judgments. Those around him couldn''t help but feel for him.

    *Jasper''s analysis is spot-on but presents a huge problem.

    The look on Jonah''s face was grim and drawn. "At the end of it all, all Jameson wants is Lyse. Now that he''s achieved his goal, he might devise a heinous strategy to constrain Lyse physically and hide her away for good. He could force her to submit, even if she''d rather die. With them together now, he has all the time to make her his..." A low groan echoed as Jasper clutched his head. He fell to his knees as pain wracked his body.

    *Jonah, now is not the time to get him worked up!" Cyrus'' heart ached as he put his arms around Jasper.

    "I''m just stating what''s likely. We have to be prepared for the worst." Jonah, usually gentle, was emotionless in the face of harsh truths. "Kontina is vast, with forests and almost 100 inds. If Jameson hides, it could take a long time to find him. Anything could happen by then. It''s unavoidable.

    "But the good news is that Lyse will most certainly be safe. Jameson only wants her. He will not harm her. I truly believe in this."

    Jasper''s body trembled. "I''m afraid... I''m afraid that with Lyse''s strong personality, she won''t submit to him. She might take it too hard.."

    "Absolutely not!" Jonah and Cyrus eximed in unison.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    ''Jasper, we''ve grown up with Lyse. She''d never give up on herself," Cyrus said firmly, his eyes unwavering. "No matter how bad things get, as long as she''s breathing, she''ll hold on. We will find her, Jasper!"

    ''But Jasper, if... and I''m just saying if, if Jameson ends up..." Jonah turned his face away in extreme pain. His own cruel imagination hurt him.

    "I''ll still want her." Jasper, pale and tear-streaked, lifted his face. "No matter what happens or what she''s been through, Lyse will always be my wife. I''ll stay by her side until I die. I will never give up on her.

    The sea breeze stirred silver waves around Rose Ind, quiet and deste.

    An uncertain amount of time had passed before the effects of the tranquilizer had worn off a little. Only then did Alyssa lift her heavy eyelids ande to slowly.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    Even so, her body still felt weak. She couldn''t exert any energy at all. She could onlyy in bed, curl her fingers, and wiggle her nose slightly.

    "Lyse, you''re awake?"

    The familiar, tender voice made her heart skip. Cold sweat broke out across her skin.

    "Ja-''Alyssa tried to sit up but couldn''t even do so despite mustering up all her strength.

    All of a sudden, her body was lifted-Jameson wrapped his muscr arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest.

 Chapter 2190

    ?Chapter 2190

    Jameson held Alyssa in his arms, the woman he had sacrificed everything for, as if she was the most precious thing in the world. His mmy hands pressed her tightly against his chest, as though he wished their souls could merge.

    ''Jameson... You bastard... Let go of me..." Alyssa choked out, her bloodshot eyes brimming with tears.

    Despite her rage, a vulnerable air clung to her, evoking pity. Her fragile beauty only heightened Jameson''s desire.

    *Lyse, when you look like this.... it only makes me want you more." Sweat slid down his temple, his back quivering as he fought to control himself.

    Alyssa could feel his fiery, heavy breaths near her ear, filled with lust.

    *Asshole..." Without any strength in her, Alyssa could only allow him to hold her in his arms as tears of hatred welled up in her eyes.

    Once so proud, Alyssa Taylor was now entirely at the mercy of her most despised enemy. The helplessness and despair were worse than death.

    "''Don''t be afraid," Jameson whispered, running his fingers through her dark hair. "I only gave you a tranquilizer. Once it wears off, you''ll feel better. I won''t harm your health.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

    He caressed her tenderly. "But you''ll need to listen to me."

    *Jameson... You bastard... You''ve seeded in the end."

    Alyssa''s body was highly strained. She red at Jameson angrily.

    Despite being immobile, her entire being radiated a profound and visceral aversion. "Do you really think you''ve won? The Schmidt Group has fallen, the drug experiment is over, Carl and Nichs... All those trusted allies of yours are either dead or have betrayed you. You''re already at a dead end!"

    Jameson listened silently, his eyes glinting with amusement.

    "Now that you''ve kidnapped me, you n to use me as a hostage for your escape," sheughed bitterly, her eyes reddened with rage. "But forget it. I won''t be reduced to a mere captive... not even in death!"

    "You''ve misunderstood me, Lyse. I''ve never thought of hurting you. All I wanted was to be with you."

    His gaze was intense, filled with longing and possession. ''Plus, I know you very well. You''ve always been so stubborn, like a mule. The more you''re held back, the harder you''ll fight to be free.

    *So, I''m sure you''re not thinking about dying right now. Instead, you''re thinking about how you can escape this ind or perhaps about how you can kill me.

    "Moreover, your family members are looking forward to your return. Also, there''s Jasper. Could you bear to die? If you died, they''d be so heartbroken."

    Tears welled in Alyssa''s eyes as she thought of Winston, her brothers, Mandy and the others, andst but not least, Jasper.

    Her chest heaved, her heart pounding like a small boat adrift in a violent storm, threatened by towering waves. "Lyse, this Rose Ind is something I prepared specially for you. It''s my wedding gift to you."

    Alyssa''s entire body tensed up. Through gritted teeth, she growled, "Son of a bitch!"

    With his icy lips, Jameson pecked her on her forehead, on the tip of her nose, and her earlobe. In a husky voice full of passion, he said, "I''ve filled this ce with your favorite roses. There are white roses, red roses... I''ve also cultivated ck roses for you. I''ll carry you there to have a look shortly, alright?"

    What little energy Alyssa had left was focused on her neck as she shook her head vigorously to resist his kisses,

    which were starting to get out of hand. His touch slithered over her skin, cold and repulsive like a serpent. There was no love, only revulsion.

    "Lyse, you and Jasper are not yet married."

    Alyssa''s pupils constricted as she held her breath.

 Chapter 2191

    ?Chapter 2191

    *Neither has Jasper proposed to you nor have you both had your wedding. It didn''t happen three years ago and still hasn''t happened. He didn''t even put a decent-enough diamond ring on you.

    "Everything is just as it is. Doesn''t he feel ashamed to call himself your husband? How ridiculous.

    Jameson gently lifted Alyssa''s hand, lowered his gaze, and kissed its back before slipping a brilliant pear-shaped pink diamond onto her finger.

    Alyssa wished she could tear it off and throw it into the sea. But she couldn''t move. Jameson handled her as he pleased.

    "Jasper is weak, always second-guessing. He had you, but he was afraid of everything. He doesn''t deserve you." He pressed the hand wearing the ring against his chest, his eyes burning with passion. "I''ll give you everything he couldn''t. We''ll have a romantic ind wedding here on Rose Ind. The creatures and the birds will be our witnesses.

    "I have a huge field of roses here. I will pick the freshest and most beautiful at dawn for you. Aren''t these part of the life that you longed for?"

    "I do long for these... But only if it''s with Jasper." Alyssa stared at Jameson fiercely. She rified, "With you, all these are meaningless!

    ''Jameson, so what if you scheme and go to any lengths to do all these? Your heart is just a barrennd where nothing grows. It''s where roses will never grow. Never ever!"Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    The smile froze on Jameson''s face. Apanied by his usually-paled face, he looked especially frigid, sinister, and sly at this very moment.

    That said, he regained hisposure soon enough. He ced a hand behind her neck and lowered his eyes, ready to taste the lips he''d longed for.

    "Mrs. Schmidt... Where is she?" Fearing that Jameson would have his dream realized, Alyssa blurted a question. Jameson''s chest tightened. He froze.

    Alyssa sensed the sorrow surging in those dark eyes behind his gold-framed sses. Immediately, she realized, so she pressed on anxiously, "What in the world happened to Mrs. Schmidt?"

    Feeling like his heart was being pierced by des, Jameson''s words filled with pain. "My mother has passed away."

    Alyssa''s head started buzzing. "When did that happen?"N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "That day, after getting on the helicopter, she passed away on the way to Rose Ind." The warmth dissipated from Jameson''s palms, perhaps out of guilt. At this moment, he dared not look into Alyssa''s sharp, bright eyes.

    However, Lyse was a sharp witted and attentive person.

    Being in such close proximity, Alyssa took notice of all the microexpressions on his face. Suddenly, it clicked. Her chest rose and fell as she red at Jameson. ''That''s not right! Mrs. Schmidt didn''t have an episode because she became too agitated from what I said. It was you... You did something in secret!"

    Jameson pretended to be surprised. "How could it be me, Lyse? You know the condition my mother was in. Her body was already on the brink of breaking down. The doctor had said that she might not live till next year.

    "At a time like this, of course I''d have to spend the rest of her time together with her... How could I hurt her? She was my mother, my only family member."

    In an instant, Alyssa could make the connections between those minute details. "If so, you should''ve flown to the hospital and done your best to save her. But, as you said earlier, you flew straight to Rose Ind after picking your mother up. This shows that you''ve never even thought of saving her in the first ce!"

 Chapter 2192

    ?Chapter 2192

    A cold glint flickered in Jameson''s eyes, masking the savage fury unleashed by the pain and desperation as his wound was torn open.

    *Lyse... I know you despise me, but you can''t nder me like this..."

    "I ndered you? Jameson, you''ve really gone off the deep end. You dared to do such a thing but don''t have the guts to admit to it?"

    Alyssa stared straight at his pale and gloomy face. There wasn''t any fear within her, only a heart-wrenching resentment. "Mrs. Schmidt looked like she was having an episode because of what I said, but I already felt something was off when she was seizing and foaming at the mouth.

    "In the past, you''ve said that your mother''s heart was weak. But when I checked on her eyes and pulse at the time, she wasn''t presenting with symptoms of a heart attack, let alone a seizure.

    ''Subsequently, red spots started to form on her skin. Pairing all that with the way you''re reacting right now, I have reason to believe that you injected Mrs. Schmidt with some poisonous substance beforehand. She was poisoned to death!"

    Jameson''s hand on her waist started to tense up. The veins on his hands popped, and a menacing gleam presented itself in his eyes.

    ''Jameson... hasn''t it been enough that you''ve hurt and killed so many? You even used and murdered your own mother? How could you do that.."

    "Lyse, do you know that your smarts are both your strength and weakness?" Jameson smiled despite having reddened eyes, making his face look even more twisted and despondent than if he were to cry.

    "How could I have done that? Others may not understand me, but you do, don''t you?"

    Jameson grabbed Alyssa by the chin, squeezing her so hard that it seemed like he wanted to crush her bones. "It was all because of you... All because of you!" Jameson''s voice, ragged and raw, erupted from him, a mutted sound filled with anguish.

    To outsiders, he was inhumane and evil. But to Alyssa, he had never raised his voice-not once in all the years they''d known each other. Yet now, love and hate, despair and rage, melded into a twisted knot inside him.

    Suppressed for too long, it festered, rotted, devoured him like maggots feasting on decayed flesh. He had be a breeding ground for sin, and when he finally wanted to turn back, it was already toote. He was a monster-his humanity lost.

    He had lost all control, and it was toote for any regrets.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "My mother... Even if I hadn''t done it, she didn''t have long to live. She would''ve suffered horribly. I just helped her avoid that pain."

    His burning gaze softened, and Jameson leaned close to Alyssa''s ear, brushing his trembling lips against her skin. "Would you have gotten into the helicopter so willingly if I hadn''t? It would''ve been harder to bring you here. I only had one shot; I couldn''t fail.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "So, I had my mother help me. Although she''s gone, I think... Even if she knew about my motives, she would definitely, without a doubt, forgive me for the things I did to her because she loved me, her only son."

    Agony surged within.

    Even though Alyssa wasn''t expressing her sadness on her face, tears streamed down her cheeks.

    "What exactly in the world... made you like this? You weren''t like this 15 years ago..."

    The Jimmy from 15 years ago has died a long time ago."

    With a twisted smile on his face, Jameson wrapped his arms tightly around Alyssa. Without him even realizing it,

    his face was also covered in tears. "But the Jimmy who loves you will never die."

    The news about Jameson abducting Alyssa was hidden sessfully from her rtives in Cyrris. Even so, they didn''t manage to hide it from Axel.

    Along with Amber, Axel rushed to get to the presidential office from the hospital overnight.

    Amber didn''t dare to say a word along the way. She simply held Axel gently in her arms as she soothed his trembling back patiently tofort him.

 Chapter 2193

    ?Chapter 2193

    Even though Axel barely showed any emotion on his face, Amber knew he was on the verge of breaking down. One word from her-a futile attempt atfort-and his carefully held emotions would explode.

    *Jonah... Jasper...

    The moment Axelid eyes on his family, his body trembled. His strong, unyielding fa?ade crumbled as tears finally broke free.

    ''Don''t cry, Axel.''

    Jonah went up and embraced Axel. He patted his back lightly. "Crying wouldn''t solve any of our problems. The most important thing now is to rescue Lyse."

    "It was all my fault... It was all my fucking fault!" Axel gave himself a hard p. "I was the one who neglected Lyse ...I was the one who lost her. I deserve to die."

    "Axel, it had nothing to do with you." Jasper walked over slowly, his footsteps heavy, eyes bloodshot and sunken." I''m the one to me.

    "I''m Lyse''s partner, and I''ve swom to all of you that I''d protect her... Yet, I''ve messed everything up. I''m sorry."

    He had messed it all up. He''d spoken simr ones before-after Alyssa lost their child-but now, the pain was unbearable, tearing him apart from the inside.

    "Lyse?" Miley cried out when she saw Amber, who looked very much like Alyssa. She ran up to her and held her in a tight embrace.

    ''Miley, this isn''t Lyse. She''s Axel''s girlfriend."

    Jeremy studied Amber''s face in shock. He was also caught in a daze momentarily. Even so, he put his arm over Miley''s shoulders andforted her in a gentle voice, ''We can handle it here. You''re exhausted. Why don''t you go upstairs for a nap?"

    Seeing that Miley was refusing adamantly, Amber spoke up softly. "Miley..."

    Upon hearing that voice, Miley covered her mouth and burst out crying.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "How about if I apanied you to go upstairs and take a rest?" Amber negotiated with her while imitating Alyssa.

    To her surprise, it actually worked.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Because of her appearance, Miley, who was in a muddled state, heeded Amber''s suggestion. With Amber holding onto her, they made their way upstairs slowly.

    The atmosphere in the living room was heavy and silent.

    As Axel watched Amber from behind, tears welled up in his eyes, and his heart was pained.

    The thing Amber hated the most in her life was being Alyssa''s substitute. This was a humiliation that Jameson had engraved deep within her.

    Yet now, she had no choice but to be Alyssa tofort Miley, who was on the brink of copsing.

    *Axel, we''ve looked into the helicopter that took Lyse away, and found that it flew toward the coastal area in the south."

    Cyrus waited until everyone''s emotions had settled down a little before speaking up in a low voice. "If I were Jameson, I would surely take Lyse away fromnd. I wouldn''t live in the woods either, as it would be difficult to escape, and resources would be limited.

    "That said, even if the helicopter flew toward the south, it doesn''t eliminate the possibility that they''d change

    directions along the way. But whatever it is, it''s still a lead. We can start by looking into all of Kontina''s inds."

 Chapter 2194

    ?Chapter 2194

    ''Let''s look into them, then. We''ll find her. We''ll search the inds one by one!"

    Axel wiped his tears away. His eyes had be bloodshot. ''Let me inform Liam to deploy more manpower to Kontina as soon as possible."

    *I''ve informed Liam, even though I really didn''t want to."

    Jonah had an extremely bitter smile on his face as he took a deep breath. "Now, as we try to keep our family stable, we must also mobilize all the resources we have to track Lyse down. Liam is already rushing to Kontina. I''m sure he has the authority to mobilize some manpower."

    Jasper looked at Jonah with a firm and fiery gaze. In a concerned voice, he remarked, "With Liam''s high status and power, I''m afraid that he''d be criticized for acting on his own ord. I don''t want it to affect his future."

    *Future, status, and all that don''t mean anything!"

    Axel couldn''t bear the agony in his heart. With tears in his eyes, he eximed, "Nothing is more important than Lyse.

    "We''ll set out tomorrow... No, let''s set out shortly!"

    *Calm down, Axel," Cyrus said, gripping Axel''s arm. Though he knew Axel''s impulsive nature, this was extreme.'' Look at the sky. It''s already dark. Searching now would be even harder, maybe pointless. Amber''s still around too. She''s weak, and she''s been through so much just to be with you. If you go, at least spend the night with her."

    At the mention of Amber, Axel fell silent, his regret clear.

    "We''ll split up tomorrow morning and search the southern coasts and inds."

    The muscles in Jasper''s jaw tensed up. He looked at Jeremy. "Jeremy, please mobilize all your resources to track Lyse down in the other areas. It''d be best if you could monitor Kantina''s airspace for any suspicious crafts. This is extremely important."

    "Lyse only walked into Jameson''s trap of her own volition for my safety."

    Jeremy welled up with tears of devastation, and remorse filled his lungs. "Don''t worry, Jasper. I will ensure Lyse returns to your side, even if it means I''d have to risk everything."

    In the wee hours of the morning, the air in the presidential office was serious, solemn, and quiet.

    With much effort, Amber finally managed tofort Miley. After giving her some sleeping pills at the advice of the private physician, Miley finally drifted off to sleep after crying her eyes out.

    Amber returned to her room, buried her head under the covers, and sobbed quietly. Seeing Axel wallowing in self- reproach, she fully empathized with his emotions.

    While Jameson took Alyssa away, she and Carl, both of whom deserved to die because of their sins, were merely distractions that Jameson had ced at the church. He used them as bait to draw the attention of the authorities so that he could execute his actual n.

    She was the one who should be shouldering the responsibility. Amber Altman was just a cheap imitation of Alyssa. To save her, the precious Alyssa had gone missing.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Amber shut her eyes tight and wept silently under the covers.

    After crying for some time, she felt a corner of the nket being lifted. A strong, masculine scent drew near her, and she found her entire body sinking into a warm embrace.

    Amber''s trembling back was pressed right up against his muscr chest.

    She was in Axel''s arms.

    She could hear his deep breathing and feel the strength of his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. He held onto her so tightly. It felt almost as if her back could snap.

    He was suppressing the anguish within him, and so was she.

    Amber knew how much he needed to beforted at this moment. Yet, she didn''t even dare to turn around and face him.

    It was Axel who finally turned her around, locking his arms around her tightly.

    Her white pajamas starkly contrasted with his ck shirt and trousers, an alluring sight.

    If it weren''t for Alyssa''s disappearance, Axel wouldn''t have been able to suppress his burning desire on a night such as this one. He would''ve made Amber, the woman he dreamed of y and night, wholly his.

    Nevertheless, he had no such intention right now. His mind was upied, thinking of ways to find Alyssa. His emotions were in a frenzy. His thoughts were muddled. Everything was in a mess.

    Even so, he forced himself to keep his spirits up. "Why are you crying, hmm?" Axel asked as he kissed the tears off Amber''s cheeks.

    "I''m sorry.." Amber muttered as she buried her face in his chest.

    ''Don''t say that. It''s not your fault, my love," Axelforted her gently.

    He put his palm on her neck and gently massaged her. "It was us brothers who were too careless. It was our fault.

    Amber said, "If it wasn''t... because of me...

    "It had nothing to do with you. Don''t think such thoughts anymore," Axel insisted, his tone firm.

    His greatest fear was Amber ming herself, letting guilt consume her until it led to something even he couldn''t control.

    He loved both Alyssa and Amber. He loved them differently, but his love for them was equally fervent and irreceable.

    They held each other in silence, sharing a deep kiss in the quiet of the night.

    "Axel," Amber whispered, resting her head on his arm, her fingers tracing the lines of his face.

    "Yes?" Axel answered in a raspy voice, which was both gentle and sexy at the same time.

    "After Ms. Alyssaes back safely, there''s something that I''d like to do."? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Although Axel wanted to tell her that she could do whatever she wanted, he still asked out of curiosity, "What is it?

    ''I''d like to get stic surgery done." Amber''s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she closed them. "I''d like to get my old face back. I want to be me again..."

    Axel''s chest tightened. He couldn''t help but tear up as he tightened his hold around her. "Sure, I''ll be with you, every step of the way as you find yourself again."

 Chapter 2195

    ?Chapter 2195

    Alyssa''s cell phone was long gone. There was no television orputer in the room either. She had no idea how many days had passed since arriving on this ind.

    Having been injected with a high dose of tranquilizer, although she was awake, she was almost paralyzed from the neck down. In this state, she was like a hopeless yet appealing live mannequin.

    The silence in the luxurious and chilly room was suffocating. Even the wind and waves couldn''t be heard. Clearly, this room was quite some distance away from the sea.

    It was a gilded cage that Jameson had crafted for her.

    Alyssa''s limp bodyy on the light yellow bedding. She was no longer wearing the outfit she had on when she came. Instead, she was forced to change into a thin, red-coloredce nightgown.

    Like a delicate rose, she seemed to wither, inch by inch, losing all signs of life.

    A female helper on the ind had dressed her in that nightgown.

    Despite Jameson''s cruelty toward everyone else, he had never forced himself on Alyssa. He truly loved her to the core. At the same time, he truly couldn''t bear to see her cry.

    Alyssa looked out the window, lyingpletely still. The deep orange skies of dusk dimmed gradually as the sun set. The beautiful colors eventually disappeared entirely and were reced by a heart-wrenching darkness.

    Her swollen eyes glistened with unshed tears. She bit down hard, willing them back.

    After a while, a knock came at the door, followed by familiar footsteps.

    ''Lyse, it''s time to eat."

    Jameson entered, carrying a tray to the side of the bed. His voice was unusually gentle. "I made your favorites," he said.

    Alyssa turned her pale face away. Even though she was paralyzed, every nerve in her body was filled with hate and resistance against Jameson.

    He stood over her.

    The smooth silk fabric highlighted Alyssa''s graceful figure. Her dark hair was spread out on the pillow, contrasting her frail and pallid face.

    Yet, this sight made him feel all the more to possess her.

    "You haven''t eaten or drank anything since you got here. Your body won''t be able to take it if you go on like this."

    Jameson ced the tray down on the bedside table. He turned to his side and sat down next to her. With his chilly hands, he held her ankles. Inch by inch, his trembling hands traveled upward.

    The hoarseness of his voice revealed his level of restraint. "There''s no use being mad at me. Why would you torment yourself like that?

    "Since you''ve never considered ending your life, and you''re constantly thinking about escaping me, all the more you should be eating your meals well and making sure you''re in good health. Don''t you think so?"

    "Hah..." Alyssa''s eyes were bloodshot. Her chapped lips curled into a smirk of disgust. "I''m no different from a dead person. I can''t move at all. Is there a difference between eating and not eating?"N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    "Lyse, you''re being sneaky again."

    Jameson smiled, his eyes overflowing with tenderness. "We grew up together. No one knows you better than I do. You''re trying to use reverse psychology on me so that I will stop using any tranquilizers on you. Then, you''ll find a chance to fight back and escape from me.

    "If possible, I really wouldn''t want to drug you, Lyse. But you''re too intelligent. You will think of a way to escape if I''m slightly distracted. I put everything on the table to get you. No matter what, I am not going to lose you. Never." Jameson''s breathing was heavy. As his warm hand reached beneath her gown, he could feel her trembling in fear. He was stunned. As much as he yearned to have her, he clenched his teeth and retracted his hand. "In my eyes, everything that you do is trash."

    Alyssa''s nostrils red in rage. She continued without even looking at him, "I won''t be going anywhere. Fuck off. I don''t want to see you."

    Right after Alyssa said that, she suddenly felt the world spun before her eyes.

    Jameson scooped her limp body up by the waist, and she found herself in his arms once again. She was being confined in a firm hold, with her body pressed right up against his.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "Have some chowder, will you?"

    With a smile on his face, Jameson lowered his eyes, pressed his forehead against her forehead, and touched his nose against her nose.

    If he disregarded the burning hatred within Alyssa''s eyes, they were just like a pair of intimate lovers.

    ''It''s fish chowder, made from fish I caught from the sea this morning. The fish was ughtered live, so it''s really fresh.

    ''Do you remember the time when you took me fishing by theke at Heightsnew Vi when we were kids? You looked so adorable when you went into the water in your red rain boots to catch fish. From that time on, you have been impressed on my heart... I will never forget it."

    Such loving words, but all they did was make Alyssa''s stomach church.

    Jameson''s heart broke for her as he brushed his fingers against her cracked lips. "You must be parched. Here, have some water first."

    He picked up the ss and put the rim against her lips, tilting some water into her mouth.

 Chapter 2196

    ?Chapter 2196

    Jameson failed to get even a drop of water into Alyssa''s mouth. The water flowed from the ss and downward along Alyssa''s chin to her neck.

    "You''re being really bad, Lyse. But this is who you are."? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Jameson narrowed his eyes a little. He filled his mouth with water, then grabbed her chin to force her mouth open.

    "Mmph!"

    Suddenly, he pressed his lips onto hers, releasing the warm water, little by little, into her mouth.

    Yet, this was not enough. He lingered, refusing to pull away as he carefully tasted this sweetness. At the same time, the look in his eyes gradually became dazed as his eyes filled with gratification.

    Alyssa''s eyes, on the other hand, turned red with anger. She clenched her fists tight and couldn''t stop shaking in his arms. She wanted to bite down on his misbehaving tongue, but as if anticipating her move, he pinched her jaw, preventing her from closing her mouth. She was powerless against him.

    Jameson heaved, finally pulling away from her lips reluctantly.

    In the next instant, Alyssa spat the water out, spraying every drop onto his face.

    "Lyse." Jameson''s face was wet, dripping with water. The look on his face finally fell.

    "You must be fuming. You''re going nuts, aren''t you? Kill me, then. Kill me if you can!" Alyssa roared. Tears filled her reddened eyes.

    Jameson''s gaze deepened. He slowly wiped the water from his chin. "Lyse, you know I''ll never let that happen. But if you wish, you can spend the rest of your life in torment."

    "Jameson... You''ve actually gotten it wrong." Alyssaughed bitterly. The sharp gaze in her eyes was like a sharpened de. "I''ve never thought of running away. What I was thinking about was how I can kill you."

    "In that case, all the more you should be eating well and resting up. Otherwise, how will you be able to make your wishe true?"

    Jameson curled the corners of his lips upward again and took the bowl of chowder over. "Eat, thene and kill me after. But if you fail to kill me, all you can do is to marry me."Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "What are you talking about..." Alyssa was bbergasted. She felt a sharp pain in her heart.

    "I have been preparing for our wedding in the past few days. The setup is almost done."

    Jameson gave her a gentle peck on the corner of her lips again. His eyes filled with pleasure. "Soon, we will be husband and wife, and I won''t touch you until then. I hope to make it a special asion for you. I want our first night to be our wedding night...

    Terrified and furious at the same time, Alyssa''s heart wrenched, and her body quivered all over. "Who says that I will marry a murderous devil like you? If that''s the case, I will surely choose to die. I''ll give you my word!"

    Jameson beamed. He bragged, "In the Old Testament, God killed more people than the devil did. So, I believe that my actions aren''t exactly unforgivable. God will forgive me, and after all those people I killed go to heaven, so will they."

    In the end, Alyssa didn''t have anything to eat. She simply had a few mouthfuls of water, enduring until the middle of the night with much difficulty.

    Extreme hunger drained all the energy from within her. Her head was spinning, and the hopeless feeling that death was near started to grow. Despite the physical agony, the prospect of marrying Jameson eclipsed her current suffering.

    With her body curled up, she felt as if her soul was floating in the air. Her senses were fuzzy.

    While she was in a state of confusion, she heard Jameson talking on the phone with someone. Her eyshes fluttered, and she forced herself to open her eyes.

    Jameson stood by the window with his back against her as he held his phone right by his ear.

    "So? Have you decided?"

    It was Justin on the other end of the call.

    However, Alyssa didn''t know this as she could only hear Jameson''s voice.

    "Sir, that medication is too strong. I''m afraid it will be too strong for Lyse''s body." Jameson spoke with a respectful, cautious, and concerned tone. "Though, I''d have to admit that the medication is, to a certain extent, a perfect strategy since it can wipe out her memory of Jasper.

    "But... I love her. I still can''t bear to see her suffer."

 Chapter 2197

    ?Chapter 2197

    A medication that could make herse her memory?

    Alyssa heard that part about losing her memory. In an instant, she broke out in a cold sweat. Her heart throbbed painfully.

    What medication was that? Why would there be memory loss involved?

    What in the world was Jameson going to do to her?N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Ms. Alyssa is a stubborn woman straight down to her core. If you''re not going to have her take the medication but instead try to move her with your sincerity, making her feel touched or making her loyal to you will just be a pipe dream.

    "If that were possible, Jasper would''ve lost a long time ago. Would this have dragged on till today?"

    "But Lyse had a miscarriage in the past. Her physical condition hasn''t been the same since she recovered from it." Bitterness filled Jameson''s eyes. The pain in his chest made him inhale sharply, as if it was his child whom Alyssa had lost. "It''s still okay if all that medication does is wipe out Lyse''s memories.

    "However, there are many prohibitedponents in it. RC Research Institute''s clinical trial report clearly states its effects are vtile. It might even cause serious side effects!Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "At the end of the day, Lyse is just a feeble woman. What if the medication harms her body? I love her... I can''t bear to see her suffering and being in misery when she''s by my side.

    Alyssa widened her bloodshot eyes. She felt as if her heart was being tugged at on both ends, each by Jameson and the person he was on the phone with.

    She fought hard to keep her breathing stable while she perked up her ears and tried her best to listen.

    She knew the person who called Jameson had to be the mastermind manipting the entire situation secretly. However, due to the distance, she still couldn''t hear the other person''s voice no matter how hard she tried to focus.

    ''Please, Sir... Please let me make my own choice this time!" Jameson begged.

    In a frigid voice, Justin''s every word was like a nail to Jameson''s heart. "If I allow you to make your own decision, you will only regret it because of your own foolish decision.

    "You must make Alyssa take the medication. This is an order from me to you."

    Suddenly, Justin sniggered. "Unless you feel like you''ve gotten what you wanted and will no longer obey me, you may forget what I said."

    Jameson''s heart dropped. He curled his fingers inward tightly, his fists trembling. "You were the one who gave me this life that I have. I will never ever betray you, Sir."

    He knew his glory days were over. Justin held all the power, and crossing him meant danger-not just for him but for Alyssa too. So, he remained obedient. The wheel of fate had started turning 15 years ago when he was exiled from Sna City. Now, there was no way out.

    ''Sir, please..." Jameson pressed his hand against the window, leaning heavily on it to keep himself from copsing. "If Lyse and I get married... could you spare her from the medication? I beg you..."

    It wasplete silence on the other end of the call.

    Alyssa watched Jameson from behind, terror swelling in her chest. Could such a medication really exist? One that would erase all memories, even of the person she loved most?

    She clutched the nket, tears soaking her hair and pillow. How could she forget Jasper? They met when she was 11. She had admired him ever since, enduring 13 years of hardship to return to him. How could she forget?

    Alyssa squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her hands to her aching heart. The emptiness within her chest throbbed painfully-she missed him so much.

    "Seeing as you''re so keen on winning her over, I shall give you this chance."

    Whether it was because of extreme sorrow or the effects of the tranquilizer, Alyssa was in a deep sleep for a long time.

    When she lifted her heavy eyelids, Jameson was still the person before her eyes.

 Chapter 2198

    ?Chapter 2198

    "Lyse, you''re finally awake!"

    Jameson held Alyssa''s soft hands tightly as he caressed and kissed them longingly. He had been so anxious that he was on the brink of tears. "You''ve been sleeping for 24 hours. You really scared me to death. I was afraid that you were unwell!

    "I got a doctor toe over while you were asleep and got you injected with glucose. You can''t keep going on without food. No matter how much you hate me, you shouldn''t torture yourself. Is it even worth it this way?"

    As a doctor, Alyssa knew she couldn''t hold up much longer.

    This bastard, Jameson, was right. Even if she wanted to kill him, she needed to gather enough strength to do so.

    "I''m craving meat," Alyssa uttered without looking at him.

    After five days, Jameson finally invoked a normal response from her. The quiver in his eyes reflected the joy within him. "Sure... I''ll have the kitchen staff prepare something for you now. It''ll be ready soon. Hold on, Lyse!" Less than an hourter, the kitchen staff prepared an entire spread of delectable dishes.

    While Alyssa sat in a wheelchair, two female helpers pushed her into the bathroom and attended to her. They washed her up, groomed her, and changed her clothes.

    A little color returned to her face when she emerged from the bathroom. Even so, her cheeks were still sunken, and she looked frail.

    Jameson''s gaze was deep and zealous. He strade forward, leaned down, and put his arms around her waist to pick her up in a princess carry.

    As he held her tightly in his arms, a look of hatred shed across Alyssa''s eyes. Nevertheless, her limbs were devoid of any strength to resist him.

    Jameson carried her carefully to the dining room.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    When they sat at the dining table, he sat her on hisp and continued to hold her in his arms. He didn''t even care that his straightened suit was all crumpled up.

    "Lyse, your mobility is limited. I''ll feed you."

    Looking at her tenderly and affectionately, Jameson cut the steak into small pieces and fed them to her patiently. Everyone on Rose Ind knew Jameson''s patience was reserved for Alyssa alone.

    Alyssa lowered her moistenedshes. Piece by piece, she finished the entire steak.

    The light in her eyes had faded, reced by an emptiness, a darkness that mirrored still water.

    "Be good," Jameson whispered, his fingers grazing her cheek, his eyes misting. "Eat well so that you''ll look good your wedding dress when you''re a bit plumper. Though, of course, you''re also very beautiful now."

    Alyssa shuddered when she thought about that drug that could wipe memories away. She no longer dared to be overly resistant against Jameson''s idea of wanting to marry her. At the same time, she wasn''t going toply. All she could do was to remain silent.

    She had always been proud and strong, but even she had limits, and they were being tested.

    "Go rest. I''ll take you to the rose garden I cultivatedter. I n to have our wedding there." Jameson picked up a napkin and gently wiped the food residue from the corner of her mouth.

    Alyssa remained expressionless and silent.

    Nevertheless, this was already enough for Jameson to jump for joy inside.

    To him, she had finally given in after five days and five nights of torment. As much as she still hated him, she couldn''t bear the torment any longer.

    Even so, he still didn''t have the guts to take her off the tranquilizerpletely. At most, he could only reduce its dosage a little.

    At this moment, a helper hurried over. "Mr. Schmidt."

    "What''s the matter?" Jameson asked coldly as he fed Alyssa some fruit juice.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "We have a visitor on the ind."

 Chapter 2199

    ?Chapter 2199

    Alyssa trembled uncontrobly in Jameson''s arms. A twinkle of hope lit up in her eyes.

    Could it be her brothers? Was it Jasper? They found her, didn''t they?

    Emotions surged fiercely within her, and tears of anguish filled her eyes. She was this close to bursting out in tears. However, after being drugged by Jameson, her limbs were limp and devoid of energy. Escaping his grasp was impossible.

    "A visitor?"

    Jameson''s elegant face paled instantly. "Just one?"

    "''Yeah. A man."

    Upon hearing this, Jameson didn''t let his guard down. Instead, he felt as if his heart were being constricted by a thorny vine. The pain made his heart cramp.

    In the next second, before he could respond, a series of heavy, chilling footsteps echoed through the dining room as the man strode in confidently.

    "Mr. Schmidt."

    The man''s voice was deep and hoarse, like golden sand under the bright sun.

    Alyssa''s heart raced with anticipation as she looked up.

    That nce was a seismic event for her. Her moist pupils constricted. Staring at the familiar-looking man, whose face was deeply etched into her heart, blood rushed through her throbbing veins, and her chest heaved.

    "Damien... Damien!" Alyssa yelled out with all her might. Her eyes had turned red.

    Her immense heartache, longing, the fear she had been suppressing for so long, and all her emotions erupted instantly.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    She came undone and cried her eyes out.

    She copsed into a state of utter disarray, losing herposure as a graceful scion.

    Before her eyes stood a man who looked exactly like her fifth brother, Damien. He was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He seemed like a cold, icy Al robot.

    Remy nced coldly at the crying Alyssa. Then, with an indifferent gaze, he turned to Jameson, saying, "Sir had mee over to assist you."

    "Have you reallye to help me?" Jameson''s voice was tense as he stared at the man whose face was revealed to Alyssa.

    "Why bother? You are no longer the Mr. Schmidt revered by many." Remy raised an eyebrow slightly. His tone was frigid, and his truth more piercing than any sarcasticment. "Having an extra hand is beneficial for you, isn''t it?

    Jameson felt a stab of pain in his heart. He knew better than anyone what this face meant to Alyssa. Justin had observed and strategized well. He wouldn''t make a wrong move. Therefore, there was only one possibility-Justin intended for Remy to reveal himself to Alyssa!

    As Alyssa stared deeply at Remy, she could taste the bitterness of the tears that had flowed into her mouth.

    He worked for "Sir", which meant that he was the subordinate of the mastermind behind Jameson.

    If Remy was truly Damien, why was everything about him different except his face? Even his voice, his tone, and the look in his eyes were all different. But she was certain she didn''t misrecognize him.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Amber had undergone stic surgery to look like her. Even so, she still looked slightly different under careful scrutiny. After all, stic surgery was not the same as copying and pasting. Everyone had their natural skin tone. It was impossible to transform one person into another.

    So, why did this man look exactly like Damien?

    If he wasn''t Damien, who else could he be?

    "It''s been a long journey. I''m hungry."

    Remy couldn''t be bothered to take another look at Jameson. He casually pulled out a chair by the dining table and plopped down on it.

    "Mr. Schmidt, I''m a guest here. You should prepare a fresh spread of food for me, don''t you think? I''m not eating someone else''s leftovers."

    With a gloomy gaze in his eyes, Jamesonmanded a helper in a frosty voice," Go prepare a table of fresh dishes.''

    Remy chimed in, "I hate the sea. I don''t eat fish or any seafood."

 Chapter 2200

    ?Chapter 2200

    Alyssa''s heart pounded fiercely. Damien had never liked the sea. He found its vastness and mystery unsettling, always leaving him feeling inexplicably depressed. He preferred towering mountains, enjoying the thrill of climbing to their peaks and their majestic view.

    Ironically, he lost his life to the sea, dying in a manner he had always dreaded. Additionally, Damien disliked

    eating fish, finding the process of removing bones tedious. Yet, whenever Alyssa had fish, he would patiently and carefully remove all the bones for her.

    He had got to be Damien.

    He must be.

    "Damien! I''m Lyse. Don''t you recognize me? Damien!" With tears in her eyes, Alyssa called out to him repeatedly to jog his memory.

    "You''ve got the wrong person, Ms. Alyssa." Remy couldn''t care less. He even felt that she was being noisy. "I am an orphan. I am on my own, so I don''t even have siblings.

    "Mr. Schmidt, one tends to hallucinate after facing the sea for a long time. You should get Ms. Alyssa''s head checked."

    Jameson tasked his people to take Alyssa back to her room.

    In the dining room, the two men, with vastly different dispositions, faced each other. Remy devoured his meal with gusto while Jameson, sitting across from him, looked pale and sinister. They seemed toe from different worlds.

    "How long are you staying here for?"

    "Until you get married." When Remy finished his meal, he straightened his back and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth. He briefly exuded the air of a nobleman before returning to his cool demeanor. "If you and Ms. Alyssa can marry, I will leave this ce."

    With a gloomy gaze, Jameson asked, "And if we can''t?"

    Remy lowered his eyes, remaining silent as he took a leisurely sip of water.

    "You''ll take my fianc¨¦e away from me and bring her to Mr. Justin, won''t you?'' Jameson''s shoulders shook slightly beneath his suit.

    "If you truly love Ms. Alyssa, as you im, this is probably the best course of action," Remy replied.

    Remy stood up abruptly. "If you and Ms. Alyssa be husband and wife, you can forget what I said. Mr. Justin will give his blessings to both of you."

    With that, he turned and left without hesitation. Jameson watched his tall, proud figure, still carrying the remnants of his dashing demeanor as a flight captain.

    Jameson was stunned. All of a sudden, it all became clear to him.

    Justin was a cunning man, skilled at manipting people based on their personalities. He sent Remy here as a backup n and to stabilize Alyssa''s emotions. Would she still contemte running away with a ''Damien'' like this by her side? Would she still want to escape?

    Jasper and the Taylors searched tirelessly throughout Kontina for five days,bing through inds, coastal areas, and cities. Liam had also mobilized his resources to support their efforts. During the day, they surveyed the inds,rge and small, searching for any sign of Alyssa.

    But when night fell, darkness engulfed them. They couldn''t see thendscape, let alone search for people, and wild animals posed a constant threat. The situation was perilous.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Despite this, Jasper refused to retreat. He relentlessly searched for any trace of Alyssa. Time was of the essence. The thought of Alyssa being held captive by a monster like Jameson filled him with a sickening dread. He couldn''t allow himself to slow down, even for a moment.

    Cyrus and Liam were on the brink of copse, but Jasper kept pushing on. The others feared he''d copse before they even found Alyssa.

    On the sixth day, everyone, including Jasper, was utterly exhausted.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "If we continue like this, we might even take a year to find her. We don''t have enough manpower. This isn''t enough to cover every corner of the country!" Liam mmed his fist on the map on the table in anger. Rage and hatred interweaved within him, and his eyes had turned red.

    After toiling for a few consecutive days, even Cyrus, a tough criminal investigator, developed a high fever. He relied on ibuprofen to keep going.

    It was too much. The search area was too vast, and they needed far more support. But this was Kontina, not Cyrris. Their resources were limited. Even as president, Jeremy needed the royal family''s approval to mobilize military troops.

    Just as they were at their wits'' end, Miley led a dainty, familiar, and beautiful woman into the room.

 Chapter 2201

    ?Chapter 2201

    "Your Highness?" Liam''s eyes brightened as he caught sight of the slightly na?ve yet endearing face that had suddenly appeared before everyone. His heart raced, and he blinked hard, realizing that what he saw was real.

    Yuliana bit her lip lightly, quickly ncing at Liam before looking away as if it had never happened. Liam had been the one who insisted they return to their previous rtionship. Yet now, seeing Yuliana genuinely moving on, seemingly indifferent to him, he felt as though his heart was being pierced, the pain unbearable.

    "Miley, why did you bring Her Highness here?" Jonah went up to them immediately.

    Miley''s eyes twinkled. "Her Highness came over to help us out."

    At that, everyone gathered around her.

    Breathing heavily, Jasper urgently queried, "Your Highness, can you help us?"

    "I heard that Lyse has gone missing after being abducted by Kontina''s master of all evil, Jameson."

    Yuliana''s eyes were still swollen, and her gentle voice choked with emotion-she had clearly been crying. "I was so worried... So, I asked my father to use the royal family''s resources to help search for Lyse within our borders."

    Liam''s heart skipped a beat. "Yules..."

    Jasper, Jonah, and the others were deeply moved. They weren''t closely acquainted with Yuliana, having only interacted with her briefly during Landon and Lauren''s wedding. Yet, here she was, willing to help. Regardless of the oue, they were incredibly grateful for her kindness.

    Yuliana sniffled, her nose reddened, and she secretly nced at Liam. "My father has agreed to assist with the search for Lyse!

    Everyone gasped in tion. They had been worried about securing the royal family''s approval to mobilize military forces. In an instant, the most challenging obstacle was removed.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "But my father has a condition, Yuliana uttered hesitantly.

    With a fiery gaze in his eyes, Jasper unhesitantly responded, "I will agree to whatever condition he has, even at the cost of my life.

    Yuliana paused before stepping closer to Jonah, lifting her gaze to meet his dark eyes. "My father wants to see you at the pce, Mr. Jonah."

    Everyone was stunned, their eyes shifting to Jonah.

    Jonah frowned. "He wants to see me? Why?"

    Yuliana shook her head. "I don''t know. He wants you at the pce first thing tomorrow morning. If you agree to meet him, he''ll authorize the military search for Lyse. That''s his only condition."

    With a serious expression, Jonah pushed all concerns aside. "Okay. I''ll go to the pce tomorrow."

    On Rose Ind, the zing afternoon sun was finally setting. A helper changed Alyssa into a fiery red, backless dress. As she sat in a wheelchair, Jameson pushed her to view their wedding venue regardless of her wishes.

    More than ten helpers were still busy refurbishing the rose garden, working tirelessly toplete the decorations so that Jameson and Alyssa could have their wedding there.

    From that moment on, a beautiful woman would be thedy of this secluded ind.

    Alyssa silently surveyed the dazzling rose garden. Fragrant, brightly-colored roses surrounded the fountain with a goddess statue, glowing under the fiery sunset.

    She loved red and roses, but the fairytale-like scene before her brought no joy. Instead, it felt like she was staring at a chilling, gloomy gravesite.

    Jameson stepped into the middle of the rose garden, carefully selecting the brightest roses. With joy in his eyes, he ran back to her side. His charm, elegance, and the bright look on his face made him appear youthful and innocent, with no trace of wickedness. Just by looking at him, one could never associate him with murder, abuse, or any of the bloodiest crimes.

    "Lyse." Jameson was sweating, his breathing uneven. He got down on one knee and presented the bouquet of red roses to Alyssa. She lowered her gaze to his hands, dirtied and bloodied by the thoms.

    The darkness in her eyes was like a dried-up well-lifeless and unmoving.

    Tears welled up in Jameson''s eyes, his voice hoarse from the emotions surging within him. "Will you marry me?"

    Alyssa forced herself to suppress the nausea rising in her stomach. She stared at him coldly, saying nothing. Silence was all she could manage. If she spoke, she would hurl insults at him, each one a knife stabbing his heart. But she had to hold back.

    Of course, she didn''t want to marry this madman. But more than that, she feared forgetting Jasper entirely. "If you don''t say anything, I''ll take your silence as eptance."

    Jameson smiled, his eyes brimming with the bliss of a groom-to-be. He was like a madman, deceiving everyone, including himself.

    He set the roses down and pulled a red velvet box from his breast pocket. Inside was a pear-shaped, red diamond wedding ring, at least ten carats. With trembling hands, he slipped the ring slowly onto Alyssa''s limp left hand.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Alyssa choked back tears, a lump forming in her throat. A proposal, a diamond ring, a wedding... She had wanted to save all these firsts for Jasper. But now, Jameson was stealing them, iming them bit by bit.

    At this moment, she was consumed by regret. She regretted not marrying Jasper sooner, even if it had been a simple wedding with a small diamond ring. If she had experienced that, she would have had no regrets in life.

    She had always believed that she and Jasper had all the time in the world. But fate was unpredictable. One could never know what the next day would bring or when disaster would strike.

    Jameson stood and pulled a trembling Alyssa into an embrace. Just as he was about to kiss her, a pebble rolled to his feet, disrupting the romantic atmosphere. Jameson''s gaze turned cold.

    Unbeknownst to him, Remy had appeared, leaning against a stone pir a short distance away, watching them expressionlessly.

 chapter-2202

    ?Chapter 2202

    Jameson''s expression gradually hardened, the warmth of the orange sunset in the rose garden unable to pierce the chill that now surrounded him.

    Alyssa, hershes dampened by tears, nced at the pebble at her feet before turning to Remy.

    He observed Alyssa''s reddened, swollen eyes with a detached expression and took a loud, deliberate bite from his apple.

    Suddenly, a powerful urge surged within her. She trembled, gathering every ounce of strength to push herself upright, intending to walk toward Remy.

    With a loud crash, her wheelchair toppled over, sending her sprawling onto the soil.

    "Lyse! Are you okay?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

    Jameson panicked, reaching out to lift her, but she shoved him away and screamed, "I don''t need your help. I can manage on my own!"

    Gritting her teeth, Alyssa dug her hands into the earth, struggling to her feet. Though disheveled, she stood with fierce determination.

    Jameson watched in disbelief. He had injected her with a tranquilizerst night. Even though it was now the next day, it should have kept her paralyzed. Logically, she shouldn''t have been able to move.

    Perhaps Remy''s presence had granted her weakened body extraordinary willpower, allowing her to ovee the drug''s effects in a miraculous disy of strength.

    Remy paused mid-bite, his cold gaze deepening as he watched Alyssa rise from the ground. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of something stirred within his eyes.

    Alyssa stared at Remy, her eyes sparkling. He was Damien; she was sure of it. He didn''t like the sea, and apples were his favorite.

    "What are you doing here?'' Jameson questioned. He could feel Alyssa''s surging emotions toward Remy. He red at Remy with icy hostility.

    "I was taking a walk and happened to pass by,'' Remy replied, shifting his gaze away from Alyssa''s pale face, surveying the beautiful rose garden. "The ce is lovely, but it feels... dull."Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    Jameson''s face fell. "What do you mean by that?"

    "It''s obvious that Ms. Alyssa isn''t willing to marry you. So, if you ask me, this rose garden might as well be a field of weeds."

    Remy finished the apple, tossing the core into the roses. "It''s not sweet enough yet."

    Jameson''s eyes reddened with anger. He clenched his hands into tight fists. "Mr. Lexington, aren''t you someone who usually obeys Sir''smands to a tee? You wouldn''t say things you weren''t supposed to say. What''s up with you today, being all so chatty?"

    Remy smiled. He probably rarely smiled because it seemed rather stiff. "That''s true, typically. But when I see someone I despise, I can''t help but speak my mind."

    Alyssa''s heart pounded. Although Damien wasn''t as cold or blunt as Remy, he was also straightforward and uplicated. These simrities were striking.

    Jameson''s frustration was palpable. He sneered, "If what you see bothers you, that''s your problem. Lyse and I will be married. She will be my wife.

    Remy remarked, "Not necessarily."

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa''s eyes lit up. Her heart swelled with hope.

    But Remy''s next words were like a dousing of cold water. "Who knows if Sir will get the chance?''

    Jameson''s chest tightened with dread, horror creeping into his eyes. He wasn''t afraid of Jasper or Alyssa''s brothers. He was terrified of Justin. Justin was ruthless and capable of anything.

    He knew Justin''s methods. If Justin wanted something, he would stop at nothing to get it.

    "But Sir isn''t as shameless, despicable, and evil as you are," Remy argued.

 Chapter 2203

    ?Chapter 2203

    Remy, tall and imposing, bent down to pluck a random rose. He tore off a petal, ced it in his mouth, and chewed thoughtfully. "Sir wouldn''t take her like some wild animal," he mused. "He''d make Ms. Alyssa fall for him willingly, bit by bit."

    Jameson shuddered.

    Alyssa, on the other hand, didn''t feel overly terrified. More than that, she felt curious and suspicious. She even considered that being abducted by this so-called Sir might be better than remaining Jameson''s prisoner. At least with Sir, she could get closer to the heart of evil and consequently have the chance to unmask the mastermind and bring them to justice.

    By contrast, staying with Jameson left her feeling powerless. Despite his dignified, aplished fa?ade, he was nothing more than Sir''s loyal watchdog.

    And with Remy''s arrival, Alyssa sensed something big wasing. Whether they acted or not, Jameson''s usefulness was at its end.

    Night fell, and the sea''s waves rose and fell with it.

    After years of living as an assassin, Remy had be almost insomniac. Lying on the red velvet couch in the living room, he stared at the dazzling chandelier hanging from the ceiling and lost himself in thought.

    Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching slowly.

    But he didn''t stir. He knew those footsteps belonged to Alyssa, the woman who had fallen to the ground earlier and was always on the verge of tears.

    The footsteps stopped beside him.

    Suddenly, a red object appeared before his eyes.

    Alyssa leaned in slightly, holding a fresh red apple before him. Her slender hand trembled, whether from frailty or emotion, it was hard to tell.

    "This is for you," Alyssa said in a gentle and youthful voice.

    Remy''sshes flickered as he raised his hand and took the apple from her. With a crisp crunch, he took a bite.

    Alyssa asked in a scratchy voice, "Mr. Lexington, do you like eating apples too?"

    "Yup," Remy answered coldly.Content belong to N?velDr¨¢ma. Org.

    "H had an older brother who loved apples since he was young."

    Her eyes filled with tears as she stared deeply at Remy. "There are two apple trees in the back garden of my home. When I was young, I always climbed the trees to pick apples for Damien."

    Remy didn''t say a word but simply continued munching on the apple.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    "He was an outstanding pilot who possessed 99% professional capabilities. Unfortunately, he stillcked that 1%."

    A look of curiosity, something he hadn''t shown before, shed across Remy''s eyes. "What''s that 1%?"

    "Luck."

    Alyssa couldn''t hold back the tears of pain that streamed down her sunken face. "During an ident, the ne he was flying crashed into the sea. All crew and passengers on board perished."

    Remy paused his chewing for a moment, then continued. As if Alyssa''s words had no bearing on him, he remarked, "In that case, it was truly bad luck for him. He should strive to be a lucky person in his next life."

    Muffled sobs echoed in the quiet living room, tugging at heartstrings.

    "Ms. Alyssa, save your tears for those who are worthy of them," Remy said coldly, looking askance at Alyssa''s tear -streaked face. "You should go cry at your brother''s grave. Don''t waste your emotions on me."

    As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. Alyssa had leaped onto him, grabbing the cor of his ck T-shirt. With all her might, she tore at it, creating arge rip.

 Chapter 2204

    ?Chapter 2204

    Due to Alyssa''s ambush, Remy was caught off guard. His cor was ripped apart, revealing his broad, muscr shoulder.

    A birthmark!

    Damien had a light pink birthmark, about the size of a quarter, on the back of his left shoulder.

    But just as a spark of hope ignited in Alyssa''s eyes, it was quickly extinguished. Remy had no birthmark on his left shoulder. Instead, through her tear-blurred vision, she saw a long, terrifying scar as wide as two fingers. The scar snaked down from his shoulder like a cruel serpent.

    As a surgeon who had served on battlefield rescue missions with Doctors Without Borders, the sight of such a severe scar made her blood run cold.

    With one look, she knew this wasn''t just any ordinary knife wound. It looked more like a wound from an explosion, with skin stitched back together after devastating injuries.

    Could it be...

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her wrists, and her world spun. When she regained consciousness, Remy had pinned her to the couch, her wrists held firmly. She couldn''t move.

    "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

    Remy''s jaw clenched, and he red down at her with bloodshot eyes filled with a fury so intense it seemed ready to spill into her tear-filled gaze.

    "What on earth did you go through?" Staring up at him, Alyssa no longer felt any fear. All she felt was an overwhelming heartache that spread through her trembling body. "Why do you have such a severe wound? Was it because of the ne crash? Was it? Damien... Did it hurt?"

    Did it hurt?

    The gentle question struck a chord with Remy. The pain made his eyes go unfocused.

    "Damien!"

    From the farthest, most unreachable corners of his mind, he heard a sweet, clear voice. It echoed faintly, almost unreal, before fading away.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Looking at the absent-minded Remy, Alyssa wept softly, her tears falling like rain.

    She was just about to caress his well-sculpted face when he let go of her without warning and stood up straight.

    "If this happens again, even Jameson won''t be able to save you."

    Remy left her there with cold detachment and stormed out of the living room.

    Remy returned to his room and mmed the door shut. He leaned heavily against it, his back pressing hard against the wood.

    He closed his eyes briefly, shaking his head as if to clear it, but Alyssa''s voice calling out to "Damien" echoed relentlessly in his ears.

    "I am on my own. I have no parents, siblings, or friends... I have always been alone. Mr. Justin gave me a new life.

    "It was Mr. Justin..." Remy repeated, almost like a mantra, trying to silence the inner demons that threatened his resolve.

    Yet Alyssa''s concerned questions pierced through his defenses, striking at the heart he thought was made of steel.

    All these years, through every bruise and wound, no one had ever asked him if it hurt. He never felt he needed anyone''s concern, nor did he care for such trivial emotions.

    But to his surprise, for the first time in his life, he knew what it felt like to have someone care for him. It felt like a small dent in his heart, a warmth that touched him.

    Steadying his breath, Remy walked to the window. As he gazed up at the distant moon, he pulled out a ne that hung around his neck.

 Chapter 2205

    ?Chapter 2205

    With a soft click, Remy opened a hiddenpartment in the ne. In it was a ck-colored pill.

    He took it out, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it.

    Alyssa''s voice in his head gradually faded away.

    For over a year, he hadn''t needed any medication to ease his headaches. He thought he''d never have to take it again.

    Meanwhile, Jameson clutched a medical report in his study room. His handsome face was ashen, his sharp eyes bloodshot.

    "Mr. Schmidt, your current health isn''t looking good," his private physician hesitated, standing by his side. "The medical facilities on this ind are limited. They might not be enough if your condition suddenly worsens. I suggest you go to a proper hospital soon, within this month. Treatment there might help ease your condition."

    Jameson''s pale, chapped lips uttered, ''Can vigorous treatment cure me?"

    The doctor looked down, hesitating.

    "My disease is incurable, and I don''t have long to live, do I?" Jameson forced a smile. A mix of emptiness and the fear of death formed an invisible around him, trapping him in despair.

    "Don''t be so pessimistic. If you were to be subject to vigorous treatment-

    "Just tell me how much longer do I have?"

    The doctor choked, "At most... half a year."

    Jameson closed his eyes and guffawed.

    "The medications you were taking before didn''t heal you. They only masked your symptoms. They''ve even damaged your organs," the doctor sighed. "In other words, what you consumed was a slow poison, highly addictive, creating a dependency. It''s like pancreatic cancer-by the time you notice it, it''s already toote."

    Jameson lowered his gaze, crumpling the report into a ball, squeezing it tightly as if he could crush the dreadful reality in his grip. "So, my life is ending like this?"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    He slowly lifted his eyes toward the windowsill. The ck rose he had nurtured so carefully for Alyssa reflected a dim, faint glow.

    "Everything I gained came at a steep price. The fame and admiration I''ve enjoyed these past ten years were bought with my life."

    When Justin helped him, he saw it as a gesture of kindness and recognition. But in truth, he had sold his soul to the devil.

    "I''ve never feared death. I just can''t bear to..." Thoughts of Alyssa filled his mind, and he broke down, tears streaming as his heart shattered once more.

    She despised him for what he had be-for his cruelty, for the blood on his hands. But how could he have ever returned to her side if he had remained the weak, kind, and innocent Jimmy of the past?

    How could he be a good man...

    As Jameson cried,ughter bubbled up from within him, twisting his anguished face.

    The Jameson of the past had already drained himself in trying to live as a good person. Why was he still thinking of that now?

    Alyssa had always had everything. Loving parents and siblings, loyal friends who stood by her.

    But what about Jameson?

    She could never be him. She could never understand him.

    But before Jameson could sink deeper into his sorrow, a voice cried out urgently from the other side of the door," Mr. Schmidt, I have bad news! Ms. Alyssa started up the helicopter. She''s escaping from the ind!"

 Chapter 2206

    ?Chapter 2206

    As night fell, fierce winds swept over the pitch-ck skies, pressing down heavily on the endless sea. The surging waves hinted at an impending storm, with all life rising and falling as though it could be consumed, crushed, and destroyed at any moment.

    Waves crashed against the beach on Rose Ind.

    Alyssa didn''t have time to change out of her fiery red dress before scrambling into the helicopter parked on the shore. Though she had regained some energy, her body remained weak. But she knew she couldn''t afford to hesitate.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Jameson hadn''te with her next tranquilizer shot tonight. This was her one chance to escape!

    The memory of flying a helicopter was faint, buried in the past, but she had to try. She had to fight with everything she had, even if it meant death.

    Alyssa slipped into the cockpit, her breath caught in her throat. The red dress she wore was soaked in cold sweat. She checked the fuel gauge, started the ignition, and the helicopter''s des began to rotate.

    "Alyssa Taylor, you will leave this ce. Hang in there... You can do it!" she muttered, clenching her teeth as she gripped the control stick, her knuckles turning white.

    "Lyse!"

    Jameson, pale-faced, screamed her name as he sprinted toward the helicopter.

    Alyssa''s gaze locked onto him, cold and unyielding. Her reddened eyes burned with a hatred deeper than the stormy seas.

    "Goodbye, Jameson!"

    As the helicopter lifted off the ground, three shots rang out behind her. The sound of the waves and the roar of the helicopter drowned out the gunfire, but a bullet whizzed past Alyssa''s head, shattering the windshield.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    Jameson''s eyes widened in terror. "No! Stop!" he yelled.

    Staring at the bullet hole, memories of that brutal shootout on the Luminara battlefield flooded back, sending her heart racing and her body trembling. But she tightened her grip on the control stick, her desperation to escape oveing all fear.

    Another three shots followed, cold and ruthless, as if they intended to end her life right there.

    But the bullets missed Alyssa. Instead, they struck the helicopter''s engine. Fuel began to leak, and error lights blinked furiously on the cockpit screens.

    "Damn it! Asshole!" Alyssa cursed, pounding on the windows in frustration.

    The propellers slowed to a stop, and everything fell silent.

    Only the sound of waves continued. It was as if the waves were mocking her at her failed escape attempt.

    Jameson slumped over, drained of energy. Despite this, he red furiously at Remy, who approached with an emotionless expression.

    He knew Remy had fired to stop the helicopter, but had he considered that Alyssa could have died if his aim had been off?

    Remy walked to the cockpit door and opened it forcefully. Inside, Alyssa sat like a fragile doll, her eyes staring vacantly ahead, tears streaming down her face.

    Remy''s dark eyes met hers. "Come out."

    Alyssa''s gaze shifted to him. She heaved, struggling to catch her breath, her face pale as death. Traumatized, she was catatonic and unable to move.

    She stared nkly at Remy, her lips parted slightly, tears streaming down her face.

    Remy frowned deeply. He leaned into the cockpit and, with his strong arms, lifted Alyssa''s limp body in a princess carry.

    "Put me down..." she muttered, her fingers curling into weak fists as she tried to push against his chest.

    Remy''s gaze remained indifferent. Then, suddenly, he loosened his grip.

    Alyssa''s heart seized in panic. She squeezed her eyes shut and curled up in his arms.

    Remy''s hold tightened once again, securing her in his arms. Only then did Alyssa realize he had just been trying to scare her.

    "I want to go home," she whispered.

 Chapter 2207

    ?Chapter 2207

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as she clung desperately to Remy''s shirt, wrinkling it in her grip. "I miss Dad and my brothers. I miss Jasper... Please let me go home... Okay? Please...

    Remy listened in silence, his steps firm and unyielding, offering no response.

    "Return Lyse to me!" Jameson, unaware of how he looked, chased after them frantically and blocked Remy''s path, his eyes bloodshot with desperation.

    "You haven''t married Ms. Alyssa yet. Technically, she''s not yours." Remy stared at Jameson''s pale face, his gaze calm and unbothered. "And if I handed her to you, do you think you could carry her?

    Jameson trembled, his weak body betraying him as he withdrew his shaking hands.

    Though Alyssa was physically and mentally drained, her mind was unusually clear after the recent shock. Remy''s words hinted at something deeper. Was Jameson''s body deteriorating to the point of copse?

    The sea breeze was growing stronger, howling through the night.

    Remy continued walking, holding Alyssa securely in his arms.

    After a while, noticing that she had stopped crying, he spoke coldly, "There''s going to be a hurricane at midnight." Alyssa opened her bleary eyes, looking up at Remy''s chiseled jawline.

    "If you had left earlier by the chopper, you would''ve found yourself dead at sea tonight." The look in Remy''s eyes dimmed, and he continued walking forward.

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat, a mix of surprise and fear washing over her. Without a phone orputer, she had no way of checking the weather forecast for the coastal areas.

    "If there wasn''t going to be a hurricane, would you have let me go?" she asked with a gentle quiver in her voice. "I don''t mind sharing this with you."

    Alyssa blinked, her puffy eyes filled with anticipation. She couldn''t shake the feeling that the man before her was Damien. Deep down, she might have already started seeing him that way.

    She held onto a sliver of hope that, even after being wounded and possibly losing his memory, the kind, cheerful, and upright character she once knew still existed somewhere within him, never fully extinguished.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    "My purpose ining here was to stop you from being with Jameson." Remy''s gaze was as deep as the sea as he looked down at her. "That was Sir''s order."

    "So... even if the winds were calm tonight, you would''ve stopped me anyway?"

    "Yes," he answered without any hesitation.

    Alyssa''s heart sank, feeling like it was being pulled deeper and deeper, the pain almost unbearable.

    "Sir gave Jameson everything he has. Now that he''s no longer useful, Sir will take it all back." Remy''s tone was matter-of-fact. "Sir never makes losing deals.

    "Who is this ''Sir'' you all speak of?" Alyssa''s voice was rough as she asked the crucial question. "Is he someone Jasper and I know?

    "He has been able to make his every move so strategically. He plotted against Jameson and me and controlled everything within his hands. Could he be someone who''s seen me or even understands me?

    "Also, Damien... how did you end up getting acquainted with this Sir?"

    In hindsight, Alyssa would realize this was the closest she ever came to the truth.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "I am not your brother," Remy said in a deep voice. He paused, uncertain how to lie but knowing he could choose

    to withhold certain facts. "My advice to you is to stay away from the truth. Getting too close to it will only bring you ruin."

    The next morning, the presidential office arranged for Jonah to discreetly enter the pce to meet with King Anthony of Kontina.

    Everyone waited extremely anxiously for his return.

    Jonah returned to the presidential office in the afternoon, handing Jeremy an official document with Anthony''s signature.

    "We can mobilize the troops now."

    Everyone was filled with hope and immediately set out to make the necessary preparations.

    Only Jasper noticed the gloom in Jonah''s eyes since his return from the pce.

 Chapter 2208

    ?Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "What''s wrong, Jonah? Is something on your mind?" Seeing that they were alone, Jasper seized the chance to approach Jonah. His gaze was firm as he pressed on, "Did something happen when you were in the pce?

    "Everyone''s overwhelmed by Lyse''s situation. The psychological pressure on you must be just as intense, maybe even more than the rest of us."

    Jonah met Jasper''s concerned gaze, feeling moved. "Jasper, I really appreciate you noticing how I''m feeling, even at a time like this.

    "Don''t say that, Jonah. We''re family. To me, you and Lyse are equally important."

    Since losing contact with Alyssa, Jasper had been restless, gued by sleepless nights and a constant state of anxiety. Every shift in the moods of those around him only magnified his own stress, making him hypersensitive and on edge. "What really happened?"

    "To be honest, not much." Jonah pursed his lips. "After entering the pce, I met the king. He was kind and friendly, giving me a personal tour. We even dined together and talked about my health and work.

    "He felt like a warm-hearted elder, not a king. Even though I''m not from Kontinia, it made me feel unworthy of all that attention."

    Jasper understood how Jonah felt. He would have been just as nervous in Jonah''s shoes. "Isn''t that a good thing?

    "It is, but it''s too good. So much so that I couldn''t refuse. It even felt strange to me." Jonah looked into Jasper''s dark eyes with a conflicted expression. "It was my first time meeting him. We''re not rted, and he''s the leader of a country. Why was he so kind to me?"

    Upon hearing that, Jasper frowned.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    "Also, he gave me this." Jonah retrieved a quaint-looking emerald ornament from his breast pocket. Its intrinsic carving was of a noble and mysterious-looking dragon. One nce was enough to tell that this wasn''t something from an ordinary family.

    "This is an antique belonging to the Kontinian royal family."

    A gleam shed in Jasper''s eyes. Thanks to his upbringing under Javier and Newton, Jasper had a keen eye for antiques and emerald items. He carefully took the ornament from Jonah''s hands and examined it closely.

    I''ve seen this in a museum''s promotional booklet before. This emerald ornament is an antique, a personal artifact of the Kontinian kings. It''s been passed down through generations for about 300-400 years.

    "Also, I remember that it''s only passed down to the heirs to the throne. In other words, it''s meant for crown princes."

    "Say what?" Jonah stared at the ornament, wide-eyed. "He should have given such a significant item to his only son. Why did he give it to me?"

    Jasper pressed his lips together. ''Maybe he just felt a strong connection with you. Who can understand a king''s intentions?"

    "No, I can''t ept this. I''ll give it to Mileyter and have her return it to Yuliana so she can bring it back to His Royal Highness.

    Jasper looked down at the cold emerald omament in his palm, pondering Jonah''s words.

    After a moment of silence, his chest tightened. Suddenly, he remembered the missing special agent, Felicity Whitaker, whom Alyssa had mentioned. He also recalled the royal family''s secret about the king''s lover that his Kontinian friend Dexter had shared with him.

    Jasper felt his heart race, his breath catching in his throat. He looked at Jonah with a fiery, intense gaze.

    "What''s wrong, Jasper?" Jonah asked, noticing that something was off with Jasper.

    Could it be? Could there really be such an uncanny coincidence?

    The pictureless document raised significant doubts about Felicity''s true identity in Alyssa and Jasper. Based on such limited evidence, it was a leap of faith to assume that Felicity was Winston''s wife and the mother of Alyssa and her quintuplet brothers.

    However, Dexter had worked with the royal family for years, and his information was usually reliable.

    Felicity was Anthony''s lover.

    Later, she was framed by the queen and imprisoned. After breaking out, she was hunted down.

    She eventually jumped into the sea, and after enduring numerous hardships, she ended up in Belbanks, where the Taylors lived. All of these details matched up.

 Chapter 2209

    ?Chapter 2209

    What terrified Jasper even more was that the timeline of the hunt for Felicity perfectly aligned with the ages of Jonah and his four brothers.

    When too many coincidences ur, they might not be coincidences at all.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Adding to the unease, Anthony had summoned Jonah-whom he had never met before-into the pce out of nowhere. He treated Jonah with unusual warmth, even gifting him a personal artifact.

    "Jonah, when you met His Royal Highness at the pce, was Her Royal Highness there as well?" Jasper suddenly inquired.

    Jonah shook his head. "Nope. Her Royal Highness never showed up."

    "How about the prince?"

    "I heard the prince''s health isn''t good. A few years back, he could still attend meetings with political leaders, state visits, and charity events with His Royal Highness. Butst year, he became bedridden. He had turned down all his duties to focus on recovery. I didn''t get the chance to meet him.''

    What kind of illness had kept him bedridden for two whole years? It had to be something incurable.

    Seeing Jasper''s grave expression, Jonah''s curiosity grew. "Why are you asking this all of a sudden, Jasper?"

    Jasper''s thoughts were in disarray. He tightened his grip on the emerald ornament in his hand. An overwhelming surge of emotions welled up in his chest. What he was about to uncover felt like a truth that could shatter the entire Taylor family-a revtion as grave as any state secret.

    The pieces of the puzzle fit together too perfectly.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    He wanted to believe these were just coincidences. But he stuttered, unable to convince himself to ept something so imusible. "It''s nothing, Jonah. I must be a little slow fromck of sleep these past few days."

    After careful consideration, Jasper decided to keep everything to himself.

    This was no trivial matter. Without concrete DNA evidence to prove Felicity was Alyssa and her brothers'' mother, he couldn''t im Jonah and his four brothers were royalty-let alone that they were the sons of Kontina''s king, Anthony Stewart.

    "That''s true. You''re exhausted."

    Jonah couldn''t see through Jasper''s deep thoughts. He sighed, feeling sorry for him, and patted his shoulder." We''ll find Lyse soon and bring her back."

    Meanwhile, in the opulent yet suffocating study of Kontina''s royal pce, a middle-aged man of striking looks stood against the light, his hands sped behind his back. Hismanding presence made it hard for anyone to meet his gaze.

    "Your Royal Highness, I''ve taken the cup Mr. Jonah used and sent it for a secret DNA test. The results will be out tomorrow," reported Anthony''s secretary in a hushed tone. The secretary, who had been Anthony''s trusted aide for nearly 40 years, stood behind him.

    "This matter is of utmost importance. Ensure it remains confidential, especially from the Queen."

    Anthony lowered his gaze, staring intently at the photo of him and Jonah on his phone screen. Outwardly, he appeared calm. But inside, he was burning with hope.

    *Rest assured."

    The secretary hesitated, then stepped forward and spoke softly. "He does resemble you, especially when you''re side by side."

    Brimming with a plethora of emotions, Anthony blinked. His eyes were reddened. With a warm smile, he said, "I think so too."

 Chapter 2210

    ?Chapter 2210

    With the royal family''s approval, a massive search operation wasunched.

    In the blink of an eye, another five days passed. The search parties scoured 20 inds of varying sizes, yet Alyssa remained elusive.

    Logically, if Jameson had intended to settle on an ind, he would have brought ample manpower and supplies. The search shouldn''t have been this difficult. But the reality was that the search and rescue mission proved far more challenging than anyone had anticipated.

    Adding to the difficulties, the recent weather at Kontina had been terrible. Stormy seas severely hampered the operation.

    On the fifth night, Miley brought some dishes into the room. Seeing Jasper''s tired and bloodshot eyes, her heart wrenched. She urged, ''Jasper, you can''t keep exhausting yourself like this. Your body won''t hold up! Please, have something to eat, even if it''s just a small bite."

    "Thank you, Miley. Just leave it here. I''ll eat in a bit," Jasper answered in a hoarse voice. Even so, he remained standing at the table, his eyes fixed on a map.

    Multiple red crosses marked the locations that had already been searched.

    At that moment, Jasper raised his hand again and drew another cross. It felt as if the pain in his heart deepened with each stroke.

    "No, you need to eat now." Miley stepped forward and snatched the marker from his hand. Speaking to him as if he were a child, she insisted, ''Have some stew, even if it''s just a little. I''m not leaving until you eat it!"

    Jasper''s back stiffened. His calloused hand froze in the air before he finally lowered it, resigned. "Alright then." His hands trembled slightly when he took the bowl of stew from Miley.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    Seeing this, Miley''s eyes filled with tears. She could see that he was physically and emotionally drained, teetering on the edge of copse. If he continued to push himself, he might break at any moment.

    "Where are Jonah, Axel, and the others?" Jasper asked in a raspy voice.

    "They''re all on their way back to the presidential office. Don''t worry. Everyone''s safe." Miley''s eyes had turned red. She continued softly, "Lyse... She''ll be fine too."

    Jasper felt a pang of despair. A bitter taste filled his mouth as he forced himself to take a spoonful of seafood stew.

    Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He quickly took several more spoonfuls, a warmth spreading through him.

    "Lyse... Lyse''s seafood stew tastes just like this!"

    "Yeah... Ms. Altman made this." In a gentle voice, Miley exined, "Ms. Altman has been preparing all the meals for everyone these past few days. She''s spent almost the entire day in the kitchen, isting herself. Even when people get hungry at night, she''s been the one making supper for them.

    "I never imagined such a pampered, delicate-lookingdy could cook so well. Even the presidential chef was impressed by her knife skills and how quickly she could prepare food for over ten people. Axel is truly blessed."

    Jasper was taken aback. "Amber? How could her seafood stew be...

    ''Axel mentioned that he was craving seafood stew. I guess Ms. Altman figured out how to make it based on the taste Axel described to her."

    As Miley spoke, her eyes welled up again. She choked out, "But the truth is, Axel was the one who taught Lyse how to make her seafood stew. He wasn''t craving seafood stew... he was missing Lyse."

    A fresh wave of sorrow crashed over Jasper. He almost dropped the bowl in his hands.

    Despite having no appetite, he finished every drop of the stew.

    Feeling somewhat revitalized, Jasper noticed the shadow of someone standing by the door.

    ''Miley, has Ms. Altman been waiting outside all this time?" he asked.

    Miley nodded. "She didn''t want to be a bother. I understand what she''s thinking. She''s afraid you''d get upset seeing her, but at the same time, she hopes she can help you. She''s a very kind woman."

    Not only that, but Amber also feared that her resemnce to Alyssa might cause Jasper pain and difort.

    As such, since arriving at the presidential office, she had quietly helped out, keeping her presence as unnoticeable as possible.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

 Chapter 2211

    ?Chapter 2211

    "Invite her in to have a seat." Jasper''s icy expression softened slightly.

    After some time and Miley''s gentle persuasion, Amber entered with her head lowered.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "Thank you, Mr. Beckett," she said, offering a deep bow. Since being rescued, she hadn''t found the right moment to properly express her gratitude to Jasper.

    Jasper''s eyes held a faint, dull gleam. ''No need to thank me. I didn''t do much. Axel was the one who saved you."

    "I spent a significant amount of time in Kontina when I worked for Jameson," Amber said, her expression serious. *So, I have a certain level of understanding about this country. I hope that I''ll be able to be of some help," Amber offered with a serious expression on her face.

    Jasper was taken aback. Only now did he recall that Amber had once worked under Jameson, making her knowledge invaluable. No one knew him better.

    Standing by the table, Amber scanned the map, its surface dotted with red crosses. She gently shook her head. Searching like this isn''t the right approach. We should focus on unregistered or privately owned inds in Kontina.

    ''These well-known inds are owned by the government. Residents cannot easily conceal their identities, making it easy for the police to conduct searches. If I were Jameson, I wouldn''t hide in these ces."

    Jasper furrowed his brow. "So, you think he might be hiding on one of these unnamed inds?"

    "Yes, but not just unnamed inds. Consider private inds as well. Jameson could have used a different identity or alias to purchase one. These inds are secluded, rarely visited, and often not subject to strict regtion by Kontinian authorities."

    Jasper''s eyes gleamed with admiration for Amber. He was impressed by her intelligence.

    ''I''ll have a teampile information on those privately purchased inds and their buyers immediately!" Miley perked up, ready to spring into action.

    Anxiously, Jasper asked, "How long will it take?"

    "Even if the inds have been purchased and privatized, there will be official transaction records. We''ll contact the Bureau of Land Management to gather the details. It shouldn''t take long."

    Two hourster, the Taylors returned one by one.

    They all gathered in the study, pouring over the mountain of buyer and ind registration information piled on the table. The task was daunting.

    Axel wrapped his arm around Amber''s shoulders. "Investigating each of these buyers is a massive undertaking and a waste of time. We can''t afford to dy finding Lyse any longer."C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    Jasper scanned through the ind registrations with his sharp observation and speed-reading skills. Although his memory wasn''t as extraordinary as Alyssa''s, it was still far above average.

    Suddenly, something caught his eye.

    Rose.

    He spotted an ind named Rose.

    ''Rose... Rose..." he muttered, fingers trembling as he clutched the document tightly.

    Everyone exchanged puzzled nces.

    "The private nursing home where Jameson''s mother was... Was it also called Rose?" he asked.

    Amber''s eyes lit up. She nodded confidently and said, "That''s right. Jameson loved roses. He alwayspared Ms. Alyssa to roses. So, his assets in Kontina, from clubs to manors, even the nursing home, were all named Rose."

    If longing could be carried by the wind, his love was hidden in the name of roses.

    At that moment, a powerful intuition surged through Jasper, almost overwhelming him. "Let''s go to Rose Ind!"

    Jonah''s eyes widened. "When?"

    "Right now!"

 Chapter 2212

    ?Chapter 2212

    Everyone in the room was astounded by Jasper''s sudden proposition.

    "Mr. Beckett''s hunch is spot on. Ms. Alyssa could very well be on Rose Ind!" Amber''s eyes sparkled with hope. She chimed in, I remember overhearing Carl mention that Jameson

    bought an ind. He was obsessed with it, always vacationing and rxing there.

    "I didn''t think much of it back then, Jameson owns so many properties that an ind seemed trivial. But now that I think of it, it feels suspicious.

    "If it was just another ind, why would he care so much about it, checking on it personally so often? This isn''t like him at all. He''s probably been nning this for a while. That ind must be hisst hideout!"

    If someone else had said that, others might have doubted it. But, as Jameson''s former trusted subordinate, Amber''s theory was usible.

    ''We''ll leave now. I''ll pilot the helicopter myself to get us to the ind! Jasper''s heart pounded like stormy waves crashing against his chest.

    His eyes were bloodshot as he holstered his gun, grabbed his phone and gear, and headed for the door. But Cyrus and Liam blocked his way.

    "No, you can''t go!" Liam extended his arms. "A typhoon has reached Kontina''s coastal areas. Port operations and flights will be suspended for three days starting tonight. If you fly the helicopter now, you''ll be flying to your death!"

    The redness in Jasper''s eyes didn''t subside. In that case, I''ll take a boat out to sea!"

    Cyrus became so anxious that he swore. "Isn''t that the fucking same thing? Don''t you lose yourself before we even find Lyse.

    "We know that you''re distressed, but stay calm for now. So many days have passed. If anything were to have happened to Lyse, it would''ve happened a long time ago. These three days won''t make a difference.

    "But if you go out now, there''s a 99% chance you''ll end up in an ident. We can''t afford to lose any more family members!"

    Cyrus voice trembled, and by the end, his eyes were red, his words barely making it out.

    *You said 99%. That leaves 1%." Jasper was on the edge, the pain in his chest making his throat bum. "As long as there''s a chance, I''ll take it, even if it means risking my life!*

    He was naturally stubborn, and no one could convince him otherwise. The only person who could wasn''t there, and he was teetering on the brink.

    Jonah, eyes filled with worry, said, ''Jasper, listen to us. Just wait a little longer.

    "Wait? Almost half a month has passed. Now that we''ve finally gotten a lead on Lyse''s whereabouts, you''re actually asking me to wait?"

    Jasper''s broad shoulders shook. He roared, "What if we wait three days and Jameson suddenly snaps and hurts Lyse? What if he catches wind of our ns and moves her? The

    world is vast. Where would I find her then?

    Everyone fell silent. They understood his reasoning, but they were powerless against a force of nature.

    "I''ll go with you." Axel stepped forward, fixing his eyes on Jasper''s pale face. He smiled that familiar, striking smile. We''re fellow alumni. Who else would go with you if not me? Count me in!"

    Jasper''s eyes welled up. "Axel...

    Amber looked at Axel from behind, her eyes filled with admiration, awe, and deep affection. But she was worried too.

    She had lived in Kontina for years. The typhoons there were deadly. One wrong move, and they could all be dead.

    "Damn it... What sort of logic is that? I''m a police officer. If there are any dangers, I should be the one leading the charge. Count me in tool" Cyrus stepped forward, patting his chest.

    When the younger siblings weren''t being rational, the older brothers shouldn''t follow suit. Jonah and Liam were still strongly against them going out to sea tonight.

    "Jasper, Axel." Jeremy walked over with a grave look on his face. His voice was calm as he advised, "We know we can''t stop you from going.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    ''I''ve checked with the Meteorological Bureau. The typhoon''s eye will be at 2:00 am and willst for two hours. The weather will improve during that time, and the sea will be calmer. If the few of you still insist, you should all head out in the early morning.

    ''It''s a four-hour boat ride to Rose Ind. Flying would be risky. For one, it could attract too much attention when you arrive. Secondly, Jameson might notice, putting you all in even more danger. We don''t know if he has heavy weaponry with him.

    "As for the rest, I advise againsting along. We only have two hours. If the weather changes, you could be stranded at sea, stuck in a deadly situation.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    ''Jasper, Axel, when you get to the ind, don''t act rashly. Observe the area first, see if Lyse is really there. Stay in constant contact with us. We''ll send reinforcements as quickly as possible."

    It was no surprise Jeremy was the country''s president. He was calm, rational, and thorough- qualities not many possess.

    Truthfully, Jasper had considered everything Jeremy said. That was why he wanted to quietly infiltrate the ind and find Alyssa.

    If too many people were mobilized, they might rm Jameson. He was terrified of that madman going into a frenzy and harming Alyssa.

    *Jasper, Axel, get ready to go out to sea." Jonah swallowed hard. He approached them, hugging Axel and Jasper. "But promise us you''ll bothe back safe!"

 Chapter 2213

    ?Chapter 2213

    To Alyssa, these five days felt like hell on earth.

    She couldn''t bring herself to eat or drink, and within two weeks, she had be as thin as a wisp. Shey limply on the bed, her delicate shoulder des trembling.

    She looked pitiful, yet her appearance stirred a desire to conquer and spoil her, never having to worry that she would leave.

    During these five days, Alyssa was constantly on edge. Though she was so exhausted she could have slept for days, she only dared to take brief naps, never allowing herself to fall into a deep sleep.

    She was afraid-afraid that Jameson would eventuallyy his hands on her.

    So far, he had only held her and kissed her, but she couldn''t trust that the madman wouldn''t decide to take things further on a whim.

    In the wee hours of the morning, the night sky turned dark and ominous as strong winds began to howl.

    Jameson injected himself with adrenaline in the study. Emerging from the room, he dragged his weary body through the dimly lit corridor, where he froze upon spotting Remy leaning against a wall. He forced himself to suppress the rising lump in his throat and asked, "What''s up?"

    ''Your wedding isn''t happening, Remy replied, his eyes cold as they met Jameson''s pallid face. "Someone shared the news that your location on Rose Ind has been exposed. Ms. Alyssa''s family and Jasper are probablying here right now. Mr. Justin has ordered me to take Alyssa away from here."

    In truth, Jameson had never intended to keep Alyssa captive on the ind forever. He had hoped they could at least spend the time he had left together. But Jasper and the others had found them much sooner than he expected.

    Grinding his teeth, he swallowed the blood rising in his mouth. "When

    "As soon as possible."

    ''Just... Lyse?"

    ''Did you think you''d be included?" Remy asked, a stiff smirk tugging at theers of his lips. ''Look at yourself. Can you protect Alyssa? You don''t have many days left. Can you even still serve Mr. Justin? Besides, this ind''s scenery is beautiful, the weather perfect for both weddings and funerals."

    In other words, was he to die here?

    That would be cruel.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    But Jameson had no objections. He was just a burden to Justin now. So, he should just meet his end quietly.

    ''There''s a typhoon at sea now. You can''t leave yet," Jameson said, forcing himself to stay

    alert. His eyes gleamed with a cold light as he continued, "Even if you''re ready to die, don''t drag Lyse down with you."

    ''Don''t worry. If it''s what Mr. Justin wants, I''ll get her to him, even if it costs me my life." Remy nced at his wristwatch. "When day breaks, I''ll leave with Alyssa."

    ''That''s enough..."

    "What?"

    That''s enough time for our wedding. Jameson pressed a hand to his chest, using the wall for support as he slowly made his way toward the bedroom.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    A moment of inexplicable astonishment shed in Remy''s eyes as he watched Jameson''s dying form walking away.

    Alyssay alone in the dark, unable to tell how much time had passed as she listened to the wind howling outside.

    Finally, unable to fight off sleep, her head grew heavy and muddled. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a raspy voice call her name.

    ''Lyse.''

    That was Jameson''s voice.

    Alyssa jerked awake in surprise, her silk nightgown clinging to her slender body, soaked in cold sweat.

    She had just propped herself up to move away when Jameson''s icy hands grabbed her ankles and pulled her toward him. Then he lifted her by the waist, holding her tightly in his arms.

    "You don''t need to doll yourself up, my dear Lyse. You''re a natural beauty. You''ve always been a stunner," Jameson whispered, kissing her ear. His hoarse voice sent shivers down her spine.

    "What are you going to do?" Alyssa shook like a leaf against his chest.

    ''Marry you." Jameson brushed his pale lips against her neck, his bloodshot eyes boring into her. Each word seemed to tear at her heart. "Marry me, Lyse. Let''s have our wedding."

 Chapter 2214

    ?Chapter 2214

    What did you say? Wedding... right now?" Alyssa trembled, pressing her hands against his chest. She nced at the trees swaying wildly in the storm outside the window, wondering if she''d heard him wrong.

    "Yes, right now." Jameson''s gaze was deep, gentle, and full of affection.

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in shock.

    Jameson suddenly wanted to marry her in the dead of night under such terrible weather conditions.

    Could it be that he knew his hideout had been exposed? Had Jasper and her brothers discovered her location? Was that why Jameson was rushing his ns?

    Jameson sat on the bed, wrapping his arms around her. He leaned down, picked up a pair of red heels he had prepared, and carefully slipped them onto her feet, one by one.

    "When I was young, my mother told me that a bride who gets married on a rainy day is someone with a temper."

    He stared intently at her pale face, his gaze calm and deep. His cold lips brushed light kisses against her cheeks. "Look at the storm outside. It just shows how incredible my wife will be in the future.

    "Lyse, after we marry, you must control me as fiercely as you can. I love it when you scold me and lose your temper with me. It''s the only way I''ll know you care."

    As Jameson continued to speak, his voice faltered, and his eyes reddened further.

    What a madman!

    Alyssa screamed internally as she allowed Jameson to caress her. Her muscles and nerves were stiff with tension.

    But she had to bite her tongue and stay silent. She had held back for so long-if sheshed out at this viper now, all her efforts would be wasted!C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    Jasper would find her. He had to!

    Jameson removed his suit jacket, wrapping it around her trembling body. He lifted her in a princess carry and walked toward the rose garden.

    There was no wedding gown, no family present, and no proper witness. The wedding Jameson offered Alyssa was just like his short, dim life-full of ws and regret.

    But marrying her, having her, bing her husband-this was his lifelong dream.

    He would make this wedding happen, even if the heavens were against him,

    A massive ss shed stood in the rose garden. Amid the tempest, the entire structure seemed to tremble as if it could copse at any moment.

    There was no joy, none of the happiness one should feel at a wedding.

    Jameson''s helpers and subordinates filled the area outside the garden.

    Remy was also among them. He stood at the very front with an expressionless look on his face. He watched as Alyssa walked into the blood-red field of roses, unwilling and constrained in Jameson''s arms. He saw the suffering, hatred, and misery etched on her pallid face.

    So dazzling, yet so broken.

    For some reason, a tightness built in his chest. The unfamiliar difort made him furrow his brows.

    A witness, arranged by Jameson, approached in a priest''s outfit.

    Suddenly, Jameson tightened his grip on Alyssa, forcing her to turn and face Remy, who stood a short distance away. "Mr. Lexington, please step forward."

    Surprise flickered across Remy''s cold face, but he walked over anyway.

    "I heard Lyse call you Damien. It seems you resemble that family member of hers who died in a ne crash.''

    Jameson pulled Alyssa in by her trembling waist. With a sincere smile on his face, he said, It''s been a long time since Lyse left home. I''m sure she misses home and her family very much. So, I''d like you to be our witness. Seeing you here will make her feel more at ease- like she''s home.''

    Alyssa''s bloodshot eyes widened in shock as she stared at him in disbelief.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

 Chapter 2215

    ?Chapter 2215

    By doing this, Jameson made it seem as if he was considerate of Alyssa''s feelings, showing how much he cared for her. But all Alyssa felt was a wrenching pain in her heart, and it sickened her.

    He was killing her from the inside.

    "Are you joking, Mr. Schmidt?'' Remy nced at a pale Alyssa, then looked at Jameson with

    disdain. He scoffed, "I''m not Ms. Alyssa''s family, nor am I your friend. Why should I be a witness to your marriage?

    "It already makes me feel sick to be standing here. Yet, you want me to participate? You disgust me.''

    Alyssa''s reddened eyes glistened with tears. She stared at Remy pitifully.

    Remy''sshes quivered slightly before he looked away and turned around. He wasn''t sure if he simply didn''t want to watch or couldn''t bear to

    Even though Remy refused to do the honors, Jameson wasn''t peeved. He stared lovingly at the stiff woman in his arms.

    In a tone overflowing with the joy of a groom-to-be, Jameson remarked, "Oh well, it doesn''t matter. It makes no difference as long as the heavens bear witness for us."

    A lump formed in his throat, and his eyes filled with tears as he looked up at the tall and exquisite goddess statue.

    The female goddess'' eyes were half-closed, looking majestic, dignified, and sacred. The statue bore a striking resemnce to Alyssa, as Jameson had it carved to mirror her appearance.

    Outside the ss shed, violently swaying trees cast vicious shadows on the ground beneath thern, making this wedding eerie, chilling, and dismal.C¨®ntent belongs to Nov¨¦lDr¨¢ma. Org

    "With the heavens as my witness, I, Jameson Schmidt, take Ms. Alyssa Taylor as my wife today."

    Jameson pried Alyssa''s clenched fist open, forcing her to intece her fingers with his. In a croaky voice, he swore, "From this day forward, whether blissfully sweet or in and boring, I will love and protect her for the rest of my life. To have and to hold, to love and to cherish.

    "I will love her forever, until I breathe myst breath. Till death do us part."

    With tears streaming down her ghostly pale face, Alyssa struggled to free her hand from his hold, but her efforts were in vain.

    This wasn''t a wedding.

    This was torture, one that was akin to being burned alive.

    When the wedding ended, the storm subsided a little.

    Thanks to the coastal winds, Alyssa waspletely soaked. Her entire body shook from the cold as Jameson carried her back into the room.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Lyse, I''ll take you to bathe." Jameson lowered her onto the bed and leaned in to kiss her.

    Alyssa red at him, rolling over angrily. "I''m not taking a bath. I don''t want to!"

    Jameson''s eyes lingered on her trembling shoulder des. He chuckled tenderly. "Are you feeling shy? We''re married now..."

    "We... are married?" Alyssa gritted her teeth, each word dripping with the hatred she wished to unleash upon him.

    "Jameson, it''s about time your nonsensical, disgusting, and unrealistic game of ying house ends."

    "It''s not unrealistic, Lyse. We just had our wedding. You are my wife now."

    Jameson''s sharp eyes filled with his brewing desire to consume her. Suddenly, he turned her supple body around and pressed himself on her.

    "Jameson! Don''t touch me!''

    Looking up at the man whose eyes were filled with lust, Alyssa was overwhelmed by terror as she struggled with all her might.

    "There''s enough time."

    Jameson breathed heavily as he unbuttoned his shirt, one button at a time. "There''s still enough time for us to consummate our marriage and enjoy each other until morning."

 Chapter 2216

    ?Chapter 2216

    At first, Jameson had no intention of touching her. His love for her was so profound that he couldn''t bring himself to do it.

    He was well aware that this wedding was far from perfect, decent, or presentable. In fact, it was almost absurd. But the fact that she refused to even pretend or put on a show during his final days was unbearable.

    Alyssa watched as Jameson''s chest was gradually exposed, a bead of sweat trailing down his sculpted abs, his skin flushed with a pink hue of arousal.

    Her eyes widened in terror, her face burning with embarrassment.

    It hurt. It hurt all over.

    Pain spread throughout her insides and to every nerve ending.

    Just as his hands reached to tear her nightgown, he caught a glint of cold steel in his peripheral vision. He held his breath.

    Somehow, Alyssa had gotten her hands on a sharp knife. She had positioned it right at his chest in the blink of an eye.

    She would be airing at his heart if she moved it a little to the side.

    Where did you get that from, Lyse?'' After a moment of shock, Jameson smiled gently. He didn''t even bat an eyelid.

    "If you dare to touch me.. I will kill you!" Alyssa screamed. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her hand trembled as she gripped the knife.

    When she visited Remy that day, he hurriedly left, forgetting to put away the knife he had used to cut apples. She took the opportunity to snatch it and tuck it away under her pillow.

    Despite being able to move, the tranquilizer rendered her incapable of using any energy. At this point, she was draining everyst bit of strength she possessed.

    If he tried to touch her again, she would kill him. She certainly would!

    Jameson''s lips curled into a slight smile, tenderness in his eyes as he leaned closer.

    The tip of the knife slowly pressed into his chest.

    "You.." Alyssa was nearly overwhelmed, struggling to keep a firm grip on the knife.

    "Lyse, I don''t have much longer to live." Jameson''s body shook with pain, his blood trickling down the knife. "I''ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness. My days are numbered. Will you stay with me during my final days?"

    You''vemitted countless evils... You''ve killed so many innocent people. This is the retribution you deserve!"

    Tears streaming down her face, Alyssa roared with fury, "Jameson, do you think you deserve a peaceful end? That''s impossible!

    "You pushed for the wedding quickly because you received word that the ind had beenpromised. You''re well aware you can''t stay hidden much longer.

    "Listen... I want you arrested alive! I want you to stand trial, make a public apology, and be judged fairly so that the souls of the dead can find peace!"

    Initially, she had not wanted to fight him so aggressively. But she realized he wanted her to surrenderpletely during his final days.

    She belonged to Jasper and Jasper alone. She would rather die than let him touch her.

    "Yes, you''re right." Jamesonughed harshly, his gaunt, chiseled face twisting in a grimace." Lyse, you know I''m wicked, a devil. If I can''t get what I want, neither will Jasper."

    As he spoke, he wrenched the knife from her grasp, ignoring the cut it made on his chest.

    The next second, he had her wrists pinned above her head, his lips crashing onto hers with a forceful intensity. The deep, overpowering kiss made her feel like he was trying to devour her, to keep her locked inside him forever.

    The chilly night gave way to dawn, and a speedboat cut through the turbulent waters, approaching Rose Ind.

    Jasper and Axel disembarked, their ck outfits drenched from the sea.

    Axel, with his military academy training, was usually in peak form, but after spending the entire night on the icy sea, he was thoroughly spent. His lips had begun to turn purple, and he shivered silently from the cold, gritting his teeth as he looked at Jasper.

    Looking pallid, charming, and determined, Jasper stood tall like a drawn sword. There was not a single hint of tiredness or uncertainty within him. C¨®ntent from N¨®velDr¨¢m¨¢!!

    Axel sighed quietly. In his life, he had never met anyone he considered better than himself- until today-Jasper proved to be the exception.

    This ind is quite sizable. I''m afraid that it''ll be difficult for both of us to perform a search. How about if we sneak in quietly and see what we can find?"

    "No need for that. We''ll march right in, Jasper said in a raspy voice. At the same time, he had a frigid and confident gaze.

    Axel was shocked. "Say what?"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "I saw a shadow darting through the woods just now. Whoever it was will be reporting our arrival to Jameson soon."

    Jasper''s keen eyes swept the area as he drew his gun from his waistband, gripping it firmly." With just the two of us, a thorough search is impossible. We might as well dive in headfirst and use ourselves as bait to lure the viper out!"

 Chapter 2217

    ?

    The warm, early morning sun bathed Rose Ind in golden light. The fine, white sand on the beach shimmered with a dazzling radiance.

    The bedroom Alyssa was in was as dark as night. Heavy, luxurious velvet curtains blocked out the sunlightpletely.

    In such an atmosphere, someone exhausted from a night of struggle could easily sleep through the day. But Jameson woke up early.

    After a night of relentless nightmares, he was drenched in cold sweat, his face ashen. The moment he opened his eyes, he reached out frantically, his hands trembling.

    He exhaled in relief when he felt the warmth of Alyssa''s body beside him. Then, he sat up in bed.

    The bed was a mess, not from lovemaking but from Alyssa''s frenzied struggles the night before.

    At the veryst moment, Jameson forced himself to suppress his urge to dominate her.

    He leaned weakly against the headboard, watching Alyssa''s delicate face as she slept. His chapped, pale lips curled into a relieved and blissful smile.

    Slowly, he lifted his hand and gently stroked the face he loved so deeply. His touch lingered; he was reluctant to pull away.

    You''re just too good to be true, I can''t take my eyes off of you; you''d be like Heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much..."

    Jameson softly sang one of his favorite love songs, his voice low and husky as he traced Alyssa''s nose with the tip of his finger.

    The emotions choking him made his voice crack, go off-key, and unbearable to hear.

    Alyssa couldn''t hear him either. Still, he knew that if he didn''t sing to her now, he might never have the chance again.

    "Good morning, Lyse." Jameson leaned forward and nted a kiss on her forehead.

    He was really tempted to address her as "Mrs. Schmidt". Yet, he couldn''t bring himself to say it for some reason.

    Deep down, he was well aware that even if they had a wedding and shared the same bed, Alyssa would never actually be his-not for even a moment.C¨®ntent from N¨®velDr¨¢m¨¢!!

    In this final moment, he refused to lie to himself any longer.

    A knock sounded, and a helper entered with a tray. "Mr. Schmidt, it''s time for your medications."

    As the helper approached, she noticed the raw, hideous wound on his chest. Her eyes widened in shock, and she nearly dropped the tray. "Mr. Schmidt, you''re hurt! I''ll get the doctor to bandage it right away!"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "No need for that. It''s nothing."

    The wound exposed his flesh and could easily be infected. Even so, Jameson lowered his eyes, picked up the gold framed sses from the bedside table, and put them on. His bloodshot eyes looked tired and wom

    He picked up a small saucer of painkillers, tipped them into his mouth, and swallowed them. Then, he took a syringe of adrenaline and injected it into his vein with practiced ease.

    The truth was, the pain had woken him up this morning. His insides felt like they were being sliced by a knife a constant reminder that his days were numbered.

    "Jarneson."

    A frigid and deep voice sounded.

    Jameson narrowed his eyes and looked up to see Remy approaching, tall and urgent.

    "It''s time for you to wake up from your dream. Jasper and that secret agent from the Taylor family, Mr. Axel, have arrived at the ind. I need to take Ms. Alyssa away now. These are Sir''s orders.

 Chapter 2218

    ?Chapter 2218

    Jameson looked exceptionally calm. He stared at Alyssa''s sleeping face with a fiery gaze. "You can take Lyse away, but not right now."

    Remy''s gaze turned cold. "How dare you go against Sir''s orders?"

    ''As I said-not right now." Jameson covered his mouth and let out a few deep coughs.

    As he lowered his hand, he quickly curled his fingers inward to hide the blood on his palm. "Love, hate, and all these grudges-Jasper and I have been at odds for so long. Today is the day to settle our scores. This is such a critical moment. How could Lyse not be by my side?"

    Remy furrowed his brows, his expression one of bewilderment as if he were facing a mad doomsayer.

    "What in the world are you going to co?"

    *I know that Sir has always had some feelings for Lyse. It was just that he wasn''t willing to show it."

    Jameson stopped coughing. Slowly and elegantly, he buttoned up his shirt as if this were a regr morning. "But, even if Sir were to have Lyse, he''d just be like me-unable to win her heart. It would be a mere pipe dream. Her heart will always belong to Jasper. Unless..

    With a frigid gaze, Remy asked in a deep voice, "Unless what?"

    "Remy, if you are truly devoted to Sir, you need to do as I say."Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Jameson held Alyssa''s hand. He lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand. While caressing her hand lovingly with his fingers, he said, "This will be thest time. Let this count as me repaying Sir for saving my life back then."

    The terrains on Rose Ind were not asplex or rugged as the other undeveloped inds.

    Jasper and Axel moved swiftly through the woods, their speed and agility reminiscent of cheetahs and tigers. Both were top performers from the military academy, with Jasper particrly skilled in wilderness battles. Comtent from N¨®velDrama!!

    As long as Alyssa hadn''t been secretly moved, finding her would be a matter of time.

    Before venturing deep into the woods, they had contacted Jonah. Using the Third Eye, they pinpointed the ind''s location and scanned its surroundings. No ships, speedboats, or any vessels were spotted along the shore.

    Even if Jameson tried to escape by boat with Alyssa, he wouldn''t make it out of Kontina''s waters without being detected immediately.

    In other words, he could only escape using an aircraft. However, this ind was notrge, and the noise from an aircraft would betray his ns.

    ''Jasper, there''s a huge manor up front!''

    Through a pair of binocrs, Axel spotted a white building covered in vines hidden between theyers of trees in the woods.

    Jasper took the binocrs from him and looked through them. His heart pounded so hard that it felt like it was beating out of his heaving chest.

    *Could Lyse and Jameson be in there?"

    Axel''s eyes lit up with hope. Even his voice started to tremble from his nervousness. "After all, we''ve been running for so long, and we haven''t seen a decent-looking house. This has to be it!"

    With his ck tactical gloves still on, Jasper tightened his fists. His chest felt constricted as hemanded, Transmit the exact location to Jonah and the others. Let''s head out and check it ourselves!"

    Just then, Jasper and Axel froze, their eyes widening in shock. The sudden sound of cracking branches echoed through the quiet woods.

    Remy, d in a ck T-shirt, overalls, and Dr. Martens boots, emerged casually from the depths of the forest, exuding an intimidating presence.

    Despite being calm, he was ready to kill.

    Just like this, he revealed himself openly, indifferent to whether Jasper and Axel recognized him.

 Chapter 2219

    ?Chapter 2219

    Remy''s face was an immense shock to Axel and Jasper, a staggering sight that hit them with the force of a bombshell. Axel, in particr, stared in disbelief, a quiver in his voice as he cried out, "Damien! Damien, is that really you?"

    Remy, however, stared back with a cold, emotionless gaze, his eyes as still as a tranquil pond.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    *Axel, calm down. Have a good look!"

    Jasper, though internally stunned, managed to steady himself. Having never met Damien alive and only seeing him in the Taylors'' family photos, he was able to quickly calm down.

    With a tense jaw, he remarked, "Damien was reported dead in a ne crash. It''s been years, and they never recovered his body. How could he still be alive?

    *This could be someone who merely resembles Damien, a ploy by Jameson to throw us off. Axel, keep your wits about you. Don''t let yourself be fooled!"

    When Remy heard Jasper''s words, he couldn''t help but frown.

    Here was another one. No, there were two of them.

    That man named Damien truly had so many friends and rtives. He had been dead for over four years. Yet, there were still so many people who missed him and remembered him.

    In actual fact, after Alyssa pestered Remy the other day, he had looked up information on Damien with his phone after he went back to his room.

    As far as he could remember, this was his first time bing curious about another person.

    Something stirred within him when he saw the photo of Damien in his captain''s uniform. Remy felt a sense of distant familiarity. But how could that be?

    His name was Remy Lexington. He was an orphan. He had always been by Justin''s side, and was apetent assassin.

    Other than their appearance, he didn''t share any other simrities with Damien.

    The world was a ginormous ce, and they weren''t the only two people who looked alike.

    *Jasper, us brothers grew up together. Damien was the brother I was closest to."

    Axel stared fixedly at the man before his eyes. He was so riled up that he couldn''t even conceal his emotions on his face. "No one knows Damien better than I do. He is Damien. He definitely is!"

    ''I''m not.'' Remy stared at them expressionlessly. He said in a distant and cold voice, "I''m not the person you''re both talking about. But I don''t suppose you''ll have any other regrets in life if both of you get to die in the presence of your loved one."

    Before he finished speaking, he charged right at Axel with lightning speed, like a beast on a hunt.

    "Axel, watch out!'' Jasper shouted, sweat beading on his forehead as he drew his gun.

    He cocked the gun and aimed it at Remy.Comtent from N¨®velDrama!!

    Back at the military academy, he was first in the academy at target training. Plus, his dynamic visual acuity was outstanding. Even though Remy was moving about speedily, Jasper was 90% confident that he could hit his target.

    "Jasper, do not fire!" Axel yelled.

    Suddenly, he felt a murderous airing at him, and a cold glint of steel shed. A sharp de swept across in front of his eyes, missing him by just a hair''s breadth!

    Fortunately, his exceptional skills allowed him to dodge in time. Otherwise, the de would have certainly blinded him.

    "Axel!" Jasper widened his eyes in shock. How could this man be Damien?

    He was such a ruthless, cruel, and cold-blooded killer. How could he be Damien?

    Remy had swung his de at 80% of his regr speed. To his surprise, Axel was able to dodge it so casually. He truly hadn''t expected this.

    Remy realized that he had met his match. He curled his lips into a smirk, and a look of excitement shed across his eyes. He swung that sharp de at Axe once again.

    This time, he aimed for his neck.

    *Jasper, hurry up and go!"

    Thanks to Axel''s agility, he dodged Remy''s attack once again. He shouted at Jasper, ''This person is trying to dy us so Jameson can move Lyse. Jasper, I''ll stay here to hold him off. Hurry up and save Lyse!"

    As he spoke, he swiftly tilted his head to the side, evading another lethal swipe of the de by mere inches. The man, eerily simr to Damien, was relentless in his intent to kill. In Axel''s extensive career as a secret agent, he had onlye across a few individuals with such lethal proficiency.

    They were truly killing machines, each swing of their knife and each gunshot calcted for efficiency and a desire for blood, with no room for showiness. Their goal was always a single, decisive kill.

    That said, Axel could sense that despite the man''s ruthless attacks, he was still holding back. It didn''t seem like he was truly intent on taking Axel''s life.

    If he genuinely wanted to kill, why would he use a knife?

    This ind was their territory. He could very well just bring a machine gun out to shoot at them. Even if Axel were a creature with multiple arms, it would be a real challenge for him.

    Fighting back tears, Jasper responded with determination, "Axel, Jonah and the others are on their way. Hang in there!"

    Axel evaded another strike. He even had the time to gesture "okay" to Jasper.

    It was clear that the situation was still manageable for him.

    Jasper''s heart, which was in his throat, settled down a little. He started running toward the manor.

 Chapter 2220

    ?Chapter 2220

    Jasper''s jaw was clenched tight as he sprinted forward, the sharp branches of the path leaving angry scratches on his face. The pain barely registered as he pushed on. His legs were numb from the relentless pace, but he continued, sustained only by his determination to rescue Alyssa.

    His legs trembled under him when he finally reached the manor, and he stumbled slightly against the biting cold wind.

    Had it been someone else, they would have crumbled and been unable to stand up again.

    No one was keeping watch outside the manor. It was eerily quiet.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Jasper took a steadying breath, his grip tightening on his gun. Each step on the white rock tiles felt heavy as he approached the door. With a calm yet wary demeanor, he pushed it open and entered.

    The luxurious living room was empty. Even so, Jasper''s heart raced, sensing an unseen danger. He was as focused and tense as a volcano poised to erupt.

    His intuition, honed by experience and training, told him something was amiss. A glint caught his eye-a telescopic sight.

    Before the hidden assassin could fire, Jasper acted swiftly, firing a single shot that dropped the attacker from the second-floor railing-he had to save his ammunition.

    Just then, two more shots rang out, and Jasper dove for cover, narrowly avoiding the bullets that hit near his feet. Using the table, walls, and furniture for protection, he moved swiftly, taking out the remaining assassins lying in wait. Within moments, the once-empty space was littered with over ten bodies.

    Drenched in sweat, Jasper reloaded his gun in two seconds. Suddenly, Alyssa''s voice pierced the silence, filled with desperation.

    ''Jasper! Help me!''

    "Lyse!" Jasper''s heart sank, his eyes widening with rm. A cold wave of fear swept through him.

    *Jasper... Save me... You have to save me!"

    Each of Alyssa''s broken, sorrowful cries stabbed at his heart, slicing through him and ripping at his very being. Jasper''s chest heaved heavily as the crushing heartache and anxiety caused a sharp headache and made his vision go fuzzy.

    Jasper''s mind was thrown into disarray by that voice. At that precise moment, a shot rang out, piercing his left shoulder.

    Blood flowed freely from the wound, and the intense pain made his face go pale. He almost stumbled.

    He had a severe old injury on his left shoulder from rescuing Alyssa on Shend Ind, and this shot hit him exactly where he was already wounded, intensifying the agony.

    But Jasper had no time to dwell on the pain. Instead, he fired three quick shots in the direction of the attacker.

    The final hidden assassin was struck down on the spot.

    In the quiet, Alyssa''s cries vanished, giving way to Jameson''s recognizable, malevolentughter. It was unrestrained and frenzied. "Just as I suspected, Lyse is your weak spot.

    "She''s the only one who can make you hesitate and falter. I should have used this tactic long ago. If I had, my followers wouldn''t have died at your hands."

    The voice Jasper had heard earlier was not Alyssa''s but a synthetic imitation created by Jameson to lead him into making a critical error.

    As anticipated, he fell for it.

    *Jameson, why are you so evasive, as if you''ve done something wrong? What are you hiding for?"

    Despite the severe injury to his left shoulder, blood seeping from the wound, Jasper stood tall. With a resolute expression, he added, "You''ve spent your whole life in the shadows. Are you going to keep stumbling in the dark even now? Come on out! Let''s find out who lives or dies!

    "I was with Lyse earlier, so I didn''t have time to deal with you," Jameson''s voice taunted again, dripping with malevolence. "But I sent my people to wee you. Did you enjoy it?"

    Jasper''s heart twisted at the mention of being with Alyssa. His anger red, veins throbbing in his temples as he roared, ''Jameson, return Lyse to me!"

 Chapter 2221

    ?

    Jameson erupted intoughter, the sound sharp and cruel. "Return her to you?" he jeered. "Jasper, Lyse was meant to be mine from the start. You took her from me, seized her so shamelessly.

    "Not only did you fail to appreciate her, but you also subjected her to pain and loss-made her lose her child and denied her the chance to be a mother forever."N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    Jasper breathed heavily, as if strangled, his heart plummeting. It felt as if the bullet had created an irreparable void in his chest, with fresh blood pouring from the wound.

    He knew Jameson was trying to unsettle him, using psychological tactics to break him down. Jasper tried to steady himself, but the truth in Jameson''s words stung.

    There was no refuge. The searing pain caused him to tremble, and the weight of regret in his heart only grew heavier.

    "You nearly destroyed my most cherished rose," Jameson continued, his voice dripping with venom. "She was on the brink of withering because of you. Jasper, you don''t deserve to be with Lyse. Your love, which you only realized toote, is pathetic.

    "If she hadn''t been deceived and misled by you, she would have been mine long ago. We would have been married by now.

    "I will care for, love, and dote on her. I''m prepared to obliterate everything just for a moment of happiness with her. She has always been my only concern.

    *Jasper, can you offer her that? You''re weak, indecisive, and uncertain of your own feelings. You are so tainted that I can barely stand to look at you. What right do you have to spend your life with Lyse?"

    Jameson''sughter returned, wild and derisive, echoing through this extravagant yet bizarre cage.

    ''Fortunately, after all the detours, I am the one who has be Lyse''s husband," Jameson said, his voice trembling with a twisted satisfaction. "Lyse and I are officially married. We celebrated our wedding on Rose dour Ind and shared a romantic night together.

    "She ispletely mine now. From hereon, she is Mrs. Schmidt."

    "You... Shut up!" Jasper gasped for air as if suffocating. Overwhelmed by both physical and emotional agony, his grip on rationality was slipping.

    The agony was so overwhelming that his vision grew unfocused. He aimed his gun and shot recklessly in the direction of Jameson''s voice, firing until his weapon was empty.

    With bloodshot eyes, he blinked furiously. When he attempted to reload, his hands trembled so violently that he couldn''t insert the magazine.

    Jameson clicked his tongue. "Look at you now."

    Jameson''s voice was filled with brazen mockery. "Youbel me a madman, but your state is far worse.

    *Jasper, all you crave is a woman who''s exclusively yours. You''re enraged because I''ve imed Lyse and sullied what you thought was rightfully yours.

    "Your love isn''t as grand as you think. Everything you do may seem selfless, but it''s just a cover for the narrow- mindedness and pettiness in your heart. You''re merely performing for Lyse. You might deceive others, but not me." Lies, facies, and absurdities.

    No matter what happened to Alyssa, Jasper wanted her!

    The only thing Jasper loathed himself was arriving toote and failing to protect Alyssa. Consequently, she had to endure so much pain.

    He deserved to die over and over again.

    ''Jameson, it''s not for you to judge my love for Lyse."

    Jasper bit on the inside of his mouth until it bled, tasting the iron tang in his mouth. With unwavering determination, he dered, "I swear I will take Lyse away from here today. I will sacrifice my life to ensure her return if I cannot!

    Tears welled in his eyes as he made his vow.

    The thought of Alyssa suffering beside Jameson for two weeks was unbearable. Just the idea of it felt like the sky was falling on him. It was torture.

    Jameson fell silent for a long moment.

    "Very well, Jasper. If you''re sincere, I look forward to seeing it," Jameson said finally, his voice chillingly cold." Lyse and I are at the rose garden behind the hills. Come and prove your love for her."

    In the woods, Axel and Remy were locked in a fierce battle, theirbat intense and evenly matched. They exuded an air of deadly intent with each swift strike.

    Despite the risks of closebat, Axel had more chances to scrutinize the man who bore an uncanny resemnce to Damien.

    During the lulls in their battle, he took the chance to ask him questions. "What''s your name? How old are you this year?"

 Chapter 2222

    ?

    Axel pressed on, "Do you have family? Do you know how to fly a ne?"

    Remy furrowed his brows, his fists tightening with each passing second as Axel''s questions gnawed at his patience. This was a life-or-death situation, yet Axel still had time for all these pointless questions.

    He really was quite a sick man!

    Remy had initially intended to restrain Axel, but his frustration grew to the point where he felt he had to take out his anger physically. Thus, he escted his attack with more ferocity,nding heavy blows with his fists and feet.

    Axel decided to test Remy, realizing there was no point in prolonging the confrontation. Even if someone lost their memory in an ident, their ingrained habits and instincts might remain intact.

    Suddenly, Axel''s eyes darted to Remy''s feet. "There''s a snake! Watch out!"

    Remy''s face drained of color, and he stumbled backward in shock. His icy demeanor shattered as fear overtook him.

    ''Damien... You are Damien. I''m sure you are!" Axel''s eyes welled up with tears of joy.

    Damien, their fifth brother, was particrly fond of apples, often enjoying them while reading beneath the apple trees.

    As a child, he experienced an incident in which a small snake dropped from an apple tree andnded on his head. The snake''s hissing and flicking tongue terrified him. The scare was so great that he didn''t dare to read under the apple trees for a long time.

    Ever since, he had been especially afraid of snakes, even shivering at the sight of wriggling earthworms.

    This was something only the Taylors knew.

    As for Remy, as an experienced and ruthless assassin, how could he be afraid of a mere snake?

    "Damien! I''m Axel... Your fourth brother!" Axel''s eyes welled up, and he fought to hold back the wave of emotion." How did you end up losing your memory? Why don''t you remember me?"

    Realizing there was no snake and that Axel had tricked him, Remy''s face darkened. Just as he moved to strike Axel, an urgentmand came through his earpiece.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    "Damien!"

    Axel, frantic, took a step forward, but Remy abruptly retreated, throwing a ck object to the ground. A hissing sound filled the air, and thick white smoke engulfed the woods, obscuring Axel''s vision.

    It was tear gas.

    The gas made Axel cough uncontrobly, his eyes streaming with tears. By the time he made it through the smoke, Remy was long gone.

    Clutching his bloody wound, Jasper hurried toward the rose garden. The path was clear, with no assassins in sight. He could only assume he had dealt with Jameson''s remaining forces during the earlier battle in the living room or that Jameson had a more insidious n in store.

    The rose garden gleamed like a vibrant red gem in the sunlight. Jasper''s gaze fixed on the towering statue of a goddess in the distance, her face unmistakably resembling Alyssa''s.

    His heart wrenched. He quickened his pace, entering the rose garden. He made his way toward the ss shed, each step heavy with urgency.

    Amidst the vibrant and fragrant roses, Alyssa, dressed in a whitece wedding gown, slumped on a vintage red

    velvet couch.

    "Lyse!"

    Jasper''s blood surged with fury as he sprinted toward Alyssa, calling her name desperately, but she remained unresponsive.

    Alyssa, with her shoulders half-exposed, seemed like a delicate rose in a sea of red, resting in peaceful slumber. Just as Jasper reached the ss shed, Jameson appeared from behind the statue, d in a pure ck formal suit and approached Alyssa.

 Chapter 2223

    ?Chapter 2223

    The two figures before Jasper''s reddened eyes resembled a matching pair of bride and groom.

    This was the first time Jasper had ever seen Alyssa in a wedding dress. Though he had dreamed of this moment countless times, he never imagined he would see her like this.

    Her beauty was stunning, her paleplexion sharply contrasting with Jameson''s elegant ck attire. The scene felt hauntingly bleak, poignant, and fragile.

    With every step Jasper took toward them, the pain in his heart intensified. Fresh blood seeped from his wound, leaving a trail in his wake.

    At this moment, Alyssa looked like a porcin doll, meticulously dressed and ced in a ss disy for her beloved to admire.

    Jasper could see her, but he couldn''t touch her.

    This should have been a joyous scene, but the atmosphere was cold, cruel, and bizarre.

    "Lyse! I''m here!" Jasper''s voice cracked as he called out to her, tears blurring his vision. "Wake up, Lyse! Wake up ... Look at me!"

    "Shh..."

    Jameson stood tall and imposing behind Alyssa, shushing Jasper. He ced one hand on her bare shoulder while raising the other, lifting a finger to his colorless lips. "Keep your voice down. My wife is sleeping. ''Jasper, you had Lyse for three whole years. Did you ever let her experience wearing a wedding gown? Did you ever give her a wedding? She was your wife, but was she ever a bride?

    "These were moments of bliss she dreamed of. You couldn''t give them to her, but I did."

    Jameson leaned forward, tracing the outline of Alyssa''s sharp jaw with his finger. His gaze was filled with

    affection as he studied her exquisite face. "We were truly very happyst night.

    ''Maybe Lyse hasn''t yet given all of her heart to me. But with me treating her this well, and with time, I believe she will eventually move on from you and fall in love with me."

    Jameson''s words shattered Jasper''s heart and pierced his soul. He hadn''t given Alyssa a grand wedding or the chance to be a bride. He hadn''t given her a moment of bliss she could remember for life.

    He had even... rid her of her right to be a mother.

    Regrets. They were all regrets.

    And the one responsible for these regrets was Jasper, the man who imed to love Alyssa.

    Jameson gazed deeply at Alyssa. Even though she wasn''t responding, he was somehow thrilled.

    He couldn''t hold back any longer and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her incessantly.

    It was as if this was theirst kiss.

    Jasper''s eyes zed red with fury. Like a wounded beast, he roared and fired round after round at the ss shed.

    Seeing Jameson kiss Alyssa was a torment far worse than being torn apart or devoured alive. Yet, the bullets merely bounced off the ss.

    To his shock, the shed was made of bulletproof ss. A simple handgun wouldn''t break through. Out of bullets, Jasper panted as he scrambled to reload.

    Just as he was about to do so, Jameson pulled away from Alyssa''s lips. In a frigid voice, he said, "Don''t waste your energy. The firearm won''t break this ce down."

    Jasper''s tall frame trembled. "Jameson, stop the nonsense! You''re doing this to take revenge on me! Lyse is innocent. Let her go, and I''ll stay here. If you want to settle this with me once and for all, I''llply!"

    *Jasper, I''m not interested in your worthless life."

    Jameson sneered. "I''ve told you, I want to see how deep your love for Alyssa goes. Prove it to me."N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    As he spoke, the goddess statue behind him started moving, revealing a secret passage underground. A female attendant emerged, carrying a tray. She approached Jameson with respect.

    Jasper could see a red mahogany box on the tray. His heart pounded uncontrobly. A feeling of suffocation, one that felt worse than death, spread through his stiffened limbs.

    Jameson picked up the mahogany box and opened it. Inside were three pills-one white, one gray, one ck.

    The three pills were disyed openly before Jasper''s eyes.

    *I have three pills here. They were the first and only wedding gift I received after bringing Lyse to Rose Ind."

    Jameson picked up one of the pills, holding it between his fingers. He narrowed his eyes as he examined it. ''The person who gave me these pills told me that if Lyse takes all three, she will be mine forever. She will belong to me.

    Jasper''s bloodshot eyes widened in shock. He clenched his fist and smashed it against the ss pane.

    "But I couldn''t bear to." Jameson held the pill in his palm, exhaling slowly. "Because the person who gave me the pills also said that whoever takes them will endure excruciating pain. I can''t bear to let Lyse suffer.

    *I feel conflicted. I don''t know what happens when someone consumes these. But I''m really curious. So, I came up with an idea..."

    As he spoke, he approached Jasper with the mahogany box.

    Their eyes met through the ss pane, one man a vile criminal, the other a man driven to desperation by his agony.

    *Swallow these three pills." Jameson''s lips curled into a merciless, cruel smirk. "Prove your love for Lyse."

 Chapter 2224

    ?

    Jasper stared at those three pills in shock. The coldness of the unknown surged and stirred within his chest.

    Jameson was a schemer, a man who thrived on maniption. Every word he spoke could be part of an borate ploy. Maybe these pills were poison, a way to kill him without the mess of bloodshed.

    "If I take all of them, will you let Lyse go?" Jasper''s voice cracked, hoarse with pain.

    Jameson chuckled nonchntly. "Of course."

    ''Did you think that I would believe you? Show yourself or get thosepdogs of yours toe at me if you want me dead. Let''s fight face-to-face. If not, you might as well just shoot me."

    Jasper then mmed his fist into the ss and added, "Don''t use such a vicious tactic. I won''t fall for it!"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "Choose between the two," Jameson said, his grin widening. "If it''s not you, it''ll be her. The decision is yours, Jasper."

    Jasper''s heart was wrenched. "Jameson, don''t you dare touch Lyse!"

    ''It looks like you''ve made your choice. Jameson picked up the ck pill and pocketed the others, just in case Jasper had any other tricks up his sleeve. "Just this one then. Besides, I don''t want to force you into doing something you''re not willing to anyway."

    "Give me all of them!" Jasper demanded, seeing through the deception. He had no hesitation. "I''ll do what you want. Just let Lyse go."

    He knew from the start that he had no choice. Resistance might push Jameson to hurt Alyssa-or worse, force her to take something lethal. The longer heplied, the more time he bought for Jonah and the others to save her. They were already on their way.

    Even if the pills were poison, he would just have to hold out against them.

    He must!

    Momentster, almost elusively, that female helper showed up before Jasper with the medicine box in her hands. "Alright, prove it to me," Jameson demanded, excitement flickering behind his gold-rimmed sses.

    Jasper looked down, the pills cold in his palm. Seconds ticked by.

    Just as Jameson opened his mouth to mock him, Jasper threw back his head and swallowed all three pills.

    As if they were connected, Alyssa''s fingers twitched at that moment, hershes fluttering though she remained unconscious.

    Jameson''s pupils dted. No one could anticipate the reaction or oue of the medication Justin provided. Yet, Jasper had consumed the pills with reckless abandon, swallowing them all at once instead of taking them individually. Was he truly fearless?

    The man before him was fearless, strong, and unrestrained-qualities that set him apart from every other man. Even those who admired Jasper were unworthy byparison.

    Jameson could only stare. He then cried out in anguish, tears streaming down.

    Until now, he had never thought his love was any lesser than Jasper''s. But now he saw the truth-he could never measure up to Jasper.

    Even if he were to spend his entire life loving Alyssa, or if everything went back to square one, he was still far from Jasper''s standards.

    Soon, the pills started taking effect in Jasper''s body; his pupils constricted and then dted all of a sudden.

    His eyes felt like they were about to burst from their sockets, his heart pounded, and his nerves screamed in agony.

    Jasper groaned in pain. He eventually sumbed to the pills and fell onto his knees heavily.

 Chapter 2225

    ?Chapter 2225

    Jasper felt a pain unlike any he had ever known. It wasn''t a physical agony like having flesh torn away, but a slow, excruciating torture akin to being slowly sliced by a blunt de. It was a hundred times worse than dying instantly.

    His mind raced through a chaotic sequence of images, like a ck-and-white movie ying backward. He saw people retreating and leaving-Javier, Anne, Newton, Landon, Lauren, Jonah, Axel...

    He reached out desperately, trying to grasp any of them, but they were slipping away, one by one.

    Finally, the image settled on Alyssa''s radiant face. "Lyse... Don''t go..."

    Tears streaming down his face, he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her. But she dissolved into golden dust, vanishing into the frigid air.

    "No!"

    A beep sounded in his ear as if everything had been reset. Darkness enveloped him, and he fell unconscious. Now, there was just silence.

    Jameson stood motionless, staring at the fallen man. He wasn''t sure if he was dead, but deep down, he was devastated.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Jameson then heard footsteps approaching from behind. He turned to see Remy emerging from the underground tunnel.

    With an emotionless look on his face, Remy picked Alyssa up in a princess carry.

    *The Taylors have arrived on the ind." Without even a nce at Jameson, Remy''s voice dripped with barely concealed hatred. "Sir is leaving you to clean up. I''m sure you have no objections, right, Mr. Schmidt?"

    Jameson stood motionless, his face pale. Though impably dressed, he looked like a man who had been thoroughly used and discarded.

    He had been drained of all his worth-now thrown away like trash.

    The opening in the statue of the goddess closed back up slowly.

    Jameson scoffed,ughing at himself bitterly. "Jameson Schmidt, your life has been a big mistake. If reincamation exists..."

    Before he could finish, the deafening roar of a helicopter overhead drowned out his words. It hovered above, casting its shadow over the ss shed.

    Then, there was a thunderous crash, and with that, the seemingly indestructible ss shed was destroyed. ss shards rained down, cutting Jameson''s neck, cheeks, and arms. Yet he remained unmoving.

    "Bastard! Go to hell!" Axel, eyes zing with fury, charged at Jameson, kicking him to the ground.

    "I will kill you... I will kill you!" Axel stomped down on his back, pulling out his gun and pressing it against the back of Jameson''s head.

    "Axel, don''t!" Jonah shouted, pushing Axel aside.

    A gunshot rang out.

    Jonah had been quick enough to deflect Axel''s aim, but the bullet still struck Jameson''s left shoulder, only missing his head by inches.

    ''I''ve lost, Lyse." Jameson fell limply to the ground. With his head pressed against the ground, he turned his head to look at the unconscious Jasper nearby. He let out a hollow, bitterugh. "I''ve lost to him...pletely."

 Chapter 2226

    ?Chapter 2226

    A mysterious manor sat at the top of a mountain in Kontina. The green scenery around it was enchanting.

    In a dimly lit bedroom, a calm and soothing incense burned quietly in an antique burner. White smoke drifted through the air, dispelling all traces of unease, restlessness, and noise from the room.

    Alyssay still on the soft, spacious bed, a peaceful expression on her face as she slept. She was still dressed in her pure and elegant wedding gown, looking so delicate and ethereal that she seemed untouchable-more enchanting than even Sleeping Beauty herself.

    In the shadows, a tall man sat in a wheelchair, his back to the light, silently watching Alyssa.

    "Sir, I''ve examined her thoroughly and confirmed that she has no external injuries," Sheryl reported. Despite her limited surgical training, she had the skill to conduct basic examinations. "Her blood test is alsoplete. There are traces of tranquilizers and sedatives, but nothing harmful to her health."

    A hint of sarcasm crept into her voice as she smiled. "I knew it-Jameson cares too much about her to resort to poison."

    *Caution is never a bad thing," Justin replied, his voice warm and melodic like the sound of bells. His face held a charming yet thoughtful expression. "It seems Ms. Alyssa has endured a lot on Rose Indtely.

    "Thest time I saw her, she was vibrant and full of life, thanks to my younger brother''s care. Now, she appears much thinner. But even that cannot take away her breathtaking beauty."

    "Sir, I''ve been with you for a long time, and it''s rare to hear you speak so highly of anyone," Sheryl remarked, her eyes twitching as she fought to conceal her jealousy. "You truly care about Ms. Alyssa."

    A slight smile came across Justin''s face. "Are you being jealous?"

    Sheryl bit her lip. "I''m not-"

    "Is it that you''re not jealous, or that you don''t dare to be?"

    Sheryl lowered her head, feeling utterly vulnerable. "Neither am I jealous nor do I dare to be."

    "Sheryl, you''re notckingpared to anyone else. If there''s one w, it''s that youck restraint. You''re not calcting orposed enough."

    Justin looked askance at her with a slight smirk on his face. ''Don''t forget what I''ve told you to remember-never be tempted or moved, and never look back."N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    Clenching her teeth, Sheryl echoed his words. "Without you, I wouldn''t have had a second chance at life. I''ll never forget what you''ve taught me, even when I''m dead."

    "You don''t need to invest emotions when you''re with me. They''ll only get in the way." Justin''s smile was cold, his eyes deep and unreadable. "What I need is your unwavering loyalty."

    After that, he had Sheryl summon Remy, who was waiting outside, into the room.

    "Well done. You carried out the mission perfectly," Justin said with a warm smile, acknowledging Remy''s sess.

    Remy''s expression remained as cold as ever, devoid of emotion. He bowed deeply and respectfully at Justin. Still, he couldn''t help but steal a nce at Alyssa.

    Justin moved his electric wheelchair out of the shadows, stopping beside the bed. He gazed down at Alyssa''s serene face, his voice steady as he asked, "How was Jasper when you took Ms. Alyssa away?"

    *Jameson gave Jasper the three pills you provided," Remy replied, his tone robotic. "Jasper took them right in front of Jameson."

    "What?" Sheryl''s eyes widened in shock, turning immediately to Justin.

    The look on Justin''s face, however, remained calm andposed. She couldn''t tell what he was feeling.

    After a moment, a rxed smile spread across his face. "I guessed as much. Jameson is deeply in love with Ms. Alyssa, so he wouldn''t bear to."

    Right at this moment, Remy asked out of the blue, "Sir, what would happen to Jasper now that he''s taken those pills?" His voice was deep.

    Sheryl was taken aback once again. In all her time knowing Remy after Justin had tamed him, she had never heard him express concern or ask questions-he had be an emotionless "cleaner'', rarely speaking at all.

    "If it were anyone else, I could answer that easily. But with my brother...I''m not sure."

    Justin fixed his eyes on Remy''s cold face. He smiled brightly. "Jasper has exceptional physical health. His willpower is stronger than an average person''s. He''s stronger and more determined.

    *Plus, his love for Ms. Alyssa is far more than Jameson''s. So, who knows what will happen to him in the end? Though, I do hope that Ms. Alyssa can have a fresh start in life."

    Sheryl couldn''t help but ask, "Sir, what do you n on doing next, then?"

    Justin leaned forward and gently touched the tip of Alyssa''s nose as though afraid she might break.

    ''Send Ms. Alyssa back."

    "What? Send her back?"

    Sheryl''s eyes widened in disbelief. She was perplexed. "I-If you haven''t thought of keeping her by your side, why did you have to go through all that trouble to get her here?"

    "That''s right. Why did I have to do that?"

    Justin pondered for a moment before smiling. "Maybe it was because I missed her and wanted to see her."

    Both Sheryl and Remy stayed silent.

    No one could predict Justin''s true thoughts. He had never opened up to anyone, so he didn''t reveal any of his weaknesses.

    "Sheryl, let''s get ready." Justin turned around and nonchntly turned the ring around his pointer finger. Sophia had left behind the ring, which had a carving of a phoenix. The phoenix was the symbol of Sophia''s family. "It''s time for me to go home."

 Chapter 2227

    ?Chapter 2227

    Jameson was arrested on the spot by the Kontinian authorities. They also found massive amounts of drugs and firearms on Rose Ind.

    At the same time, that beautiful rose garden was proven by the relevant authorities to have been used for nting poppies in the past.

    The news of Jameson''s arrest spread like wildfire throughout Kontina. Cyrris also caught wind of this news, which made headlines and became a trending topic.

    The media was flooded withments from Kontinian citizens, all echoing the same sentiment-overjoyed and relieved. It was as if Christmas hade early.

    The evil influence of the Schmidt Group had once seemed like an imprable web, shadowing all of Kontina''s skies.

    Jameson had maintained the guise of a charitable businessman, but countless people had suffered under his power, oppression, and vitions.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    It was just that no one had dared speak out before, harboring their resentment in silence.

    Now, with this cancerous blight finally being cut out, the people''s long-held wishes hade true. The dark clouds over Kontina began to clear, revealing bright skies once more.

    Though Jameson had long been a Kontinian citizen and should have faced justice there, Jeremy, as president of Kontina, made an exceptional decision, allowing him to be extradited to his home country, where he would face prosecution and sentencing.

    The fight against such evil was bloody and fraught with danger, but Jameson''s empire had finally fallen, and justice had prevailed.

    However, a heavy fog still hung over the Taylors. There was no sense of victory in their faces. Despitebing Rose Ind, Alyssa remained missing. Meanwhile, Jasper, gravely injured, had been lying unconscious in the ICU for 48 hours.

    As the men of the Taylor family continued the search for Alyssa, Jonah, Jeremy, Miley, and Amber kept vigil outside the hospital ward. Even Landon, who had been abroad, rushed back to watch over Jasper.

    Worried that Lauren might be overwhelmed with the news of Jasper''s condition, Landon had kept her in the dark. He apanied her back to Cyrris and left Jordan to stay with her, only then returning to Kontina.

    ''Jameson''s been arrested, and I had to find out from the news!" Landon fumed, his shoulders trembling with anger, eyes bloodshot. "Do none of you see me as your friend? How could you keep this from me at such a crucial time? Just because I got married doesn''t mean I''m dead! You''re all treating me unfairly!"

    Everyone looked at him, speechless. If this had been good news, maybe they could understand his frustration. But with Jasper''s life hanging in the bnce, they hadn''t told Landon out of concern for him and Lauren.

    Landon, however, seemed to feel left out, as if he had missed out on something significant.

    His thoughts were bizarre indeed.

    "Sorry, Landon," Jonah said, stepping forward. The dark circles under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights. "But everything happened so fast. We didn''t have the time to inform you. Jasper is unconscious, Lyse is missing, and

    we-

    "You don''t need to exin, Jonah. I get it." Landon''s voice cracked, his eyes filling with tears. "I just feel terrible for not being here to help when you all needed me most."

    "We understand," Jonah said, pulling Landon, who was like a brother to him, into a hug.

    At that moment, the clinical professors attending to Jasper stepped out of the ward, and everyone rushed toward

    them. Jonah spoke anxiously, "How is he?"

    The lead professor hesitated. "Rather than saying the situation looks bad, it''s... strange."

    Everyone was bbergasted. "Strange?"

    "We conducted a full body check. His organs show signs of reacting to stimnts, but there''s no evidence of poisoning. We examined his brain and found that the issue is there."

    Landon, impatient, snapped, "Could you just get to the point?"

    "We suspect Mr. Beckett''s brain has suffered a severe blow, but we can''t figure out why he''s still unconscious."

    Their hopes were dashed. Furious, Landon punched the wall in frustration.

    "We''re not neurology experts," the professor continued. "You''ll need to bring in a neurologist to treat Mr. Beckett. We''re sorry, Mr. and Madam President."

    The other clinical professors bowed deeply to express their regrets.

    Jeremy, holding Miley close, reassured her. "At least we know where the problem lies. That''s a step forward." "Julien!" Jonah was immediately reminded of his lover at the mention of a neurologist. His eyes lit up with hope." I''ll get Julien toe to Kontina immediately to treat Jasper. He''s a specialist in this field!"

    Just then, Jonah''s phone rang. It was Axel calling. He answered, putting the call on speaker so everyone could hear.

    "How did it go, Axel?"

    "Jonah, we found her!"

    Axel was so agitated that his voice quivered so much. He choked back on his tears and said, "Lyse.... We found Lyse!"

 Chapter 2228

    ?

    Alyssa was unaware that three days had passed since that day she resisted Jameson on the bed with all her might. After being unconscious for three days and nights, she finally woke up, weak and disoriented, in a hospital bed.

    "Lyse is awake... Lyse is awake!"

    Having not slept or eaten properly for three days, Miley was so excited that she burst out in tears. Alyssa''s family members, who had been waiting outside, flooded the room instantly and surrounded her.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    *Jonah... Axel... Miley..."

    Alyssa''s half-open eyes struggled to focus. She forced herself to look at the familiar faces surrounding her.

    ''That''s great... That''s great. Lyse remembers us!" Miley held tightly onto Alyssa''s cold hands. In the end, she still couldn''t stop herself from crying tears of joy.

    Even though Jeremy had brought in the country''s top specialist to examine Alyssa, the doctors had worried about the long-term effects of her extended unconsciousness. Thankfully, she had woken up, allowing everyone''s tense emotions to finally ease.

    "Lyse... I''m sorry..." Axel stepped forward and knelt by her bedside, his gaze filled with sorrow. Tears streamed down his face. "I failed to protect you... I let that monster, Jameson, hurt you like this. It''s all my fault... I deserve to die!"

    As he spoke, he took Alyssa''s hand and pped his own face with it. "Lyse, hit me! Hit me hard! If you don''t, I''ll never be able to forgive myself!"

    *Axel, it''s not your fault... I don''t me any of you... It was my bad," Alyssa whispered, her voice barely a flutter. She could barely move, only managing to curl her fingers slightly. "How... How did I get back here?"

    The room grew still as everyone exchanged uneasy nces. There was something dark, strange, and unspoken hanging in the air.

    Axel and Cyrus had received a call from the hospital while they were out searching for Alyssa. The staff had told them that a man had brought her in and left a contact number. That was how they were able to find her.

    But when they checked the surveince footageter, it had been erased.

    Even without the footage, they had a feeling it was Remy who had left her there. But why? He had taken her from Rose Ind just before they could arrive, risking everything.

    His intention was likely to escape the ind with her or to take her back to the true mastermind of this devious game. They had even seeded in doing so. Why then go through all that trouble only to leave her behind?

    The mastermind had to have other ns.

    "Lyse, the important thing is that you''re back, safe," Cyrus said gently, leaning in to stroke her forehead. "Don''t worry about anything else for now. Focus on getting better."

    But Alyssa wasn''t one to simply obey. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Jameson... has he been arrested?"

    "He has." Jonah''s eyes were dark, and his emotions were clearly held in check. "He''s in detention at Kontina and will be transferred back to Sna City tonight."

    "That''s good..." Alyssa sighed, closing her eyes, exhausted. Her mind swirled with the memories of the horrific days she had spent on Rose Ind with Jameson. Every cruel and hopeless moment shed before her like a nightmare she couldn''t escape.

    No matter what, Jameson had seeded. He had left a scar on her life that she could never erase.

    "How about Jasper... Why isn''t he here?" Alyssa''s eyes darted around the room, growing more frantic as she realized that the one person who made her feel safe wasn''t there.

    ''Did something happen to Jasper... because he tried to save me?" Her face drained of color, and her body began to tremble uncontrobly as her breaths quickened.

 Chapter 2229

    ?Chapter 2229

    ''Lyse, calm down. Listen to me!"

    Jonah felt a sharp pain in his chest, emotions swirling inside him. He knew he couldn''t keep the truth from Alyssa but had to exin it in a way that didn''t make things seem worse than they were.

    *Jasper got hurt fighting Jameson on Rose Ind. He''s been unconscious since then. But don''t worry, aside from being shot in the left shoulder, he has no other external injuries, and his internal organs are fine."

    "Left shoulder... again?" Alyssa''s eyes brimmed with tears. Her heart ached for him. "Back on Shend Ind, Jasper hurt his left shoulder saving me. Now, he''s been shot there again? His left shoulder will be ruined for life!" A tear rolled down her cheek as if the bullet had pierced her heart too.

    "Don''t worry, Lyse," Miley said quickly. "Jeremy and I found the best surgeon in Kontina to remove the bullet and operate. Jasper''s arm will be fine. He might have some pain, but it won''t stop him from living normally."

    "If it''s just an external injury, why is he still unconscious?" Alyssa''s voice trembled with anxiety.

    The room felt suffocating, as if invisible hands were choking her, spreading a deep unease throughout her body. "I need to see Jasper! I have to be with him!"

    Ignoring her brothers'' protests, Alyssa rolled out of bed. Her eyes were reddened. She yanked the IV needle from her hand and stumbled out of the ward.

    "Lyse! Your body''s too weak. You shouldn''t move!"

    Jonah and Axel rushed to help her, but before they could, her legs buckled, and she copsed onto her knees.

    Still, she didn''t give up. She was determined to reach Jasper, even if she had to crawl to him.

    In the end, Jonah scooped her up and carried her to see Jasper. He was still unconscious.

    *Jasper... What in the world happened to you? Why are you unconscious for so long?"

    Alyssa''s hospital gown was drenched in her cold sweat. Tears trickled down her pale cheeks and onto Jasper''s calloused hands. "Wake up.... Wake up and look at me, okay?

    "I won''t go about my own way again. I will listen to you in the future... I won''t be so headstrong anymore... I won''t have you worry about me anymore. Don''t scare me... Jasper, wake up!"

    But only silence greeted her.

    Jasper''s palm was filled with callouses and scars.

    She held Jasper''s scarred hands in hers. She remembered how those hands had softened after leaving the military for the business world. But for her, he picked up his weapons again and again, braving the storms to protect her.

    He paid the price, with injuries that wrecked his body and stole years from his life.

    She imed to love him most in this world, yet here he was, suffering because of her.

    Was this what she called love?

    Jasper had endured so much pain because of her. Was this really the love she gave him?

    How ridiculous!

    Alyssa buried her face into Jasper''s chest, weeping uncontrobly. Jonah stood behind her, lost, unsure of how tofort her.

    They were a couple cursed with bitter fate. They had only known a fleeting taste of happiness before life cruelly intervened once more.

    Just then, the door to Jasper''s hospital room swung open. Julien entered in his doctor''s coat. His expression was grim as he held a CT scan.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

 Chapter 2230

    ?Chapter 2230

    "Julien, what did you find?"

    Jonah approached Julien quickly, wrapping an arm around his waist and gently caressing him. With his other hand, he pulled the CT scan from Julien''s grasp.

    Julien narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you know how to read it?"

    Jonah was honest. He answered in a deep voice, "I don''t. Please enlighten me, darling.""

    Julien pouted, giving Jonah a yful jab in his firm abdomen with his finger.

    He knew Jonah''s heart was heavy, and he wasn''t in the mood to flirt. Regardless, Julien just wanted to lift his spirits after all the exhaustion.

    Julien had been tirelessly thinking of ways to help Jasper since the moment he stepped onto Kontinian soil. *Jul..." Alyssa turned her head to look at Julien. With her eyes filled with tears, she looked extremely pitiful. "Lyse, I''m here with you too."

    Julien''s chest tightened. He smiled. With a gleam in his eyes, he said warmly, "Don''t be afraid. With me here, Jasper will definitely wake up."

    Alyssa nodded firmly. Even so, she couldn''t stop crying.

    ''Jasper didn''t suffer from any external trauma to his head. Plus, I found traces of medications in his blood. So, I can basically determine that his cranial nerves are being repressed by some sort of medication, resulting in him being in aa.''

    Julien let out a frustrated sigh. "But, I have not yet discovered what specific medication it is. Based on the analysis report of his blood sample, itsponents are extraordinarilyplex. At one nce, I could tell that it wasn''t some drug that could be purchased through legal channels. Some time is needed to perform aparison with the sizable database.

    "Naturally, it doesn''t rule out the possibility of drugs. After all, Jameson was the king of drugs in Kontina. He had all sorts of drugs in his hands. It''s not impossible for him to release his anger by forcing Jasper to consume any of those.

    "If that''s truly the case, it makes things even more difficult."

    A serious look filled Julien''s face. "I say that because drugs will cause serious harm to a patient''s cranial nervous system. I''ve just taken a look at the scans. There has been a slight change in a small area in Jasper''s hypothmus and brainstem. Even though it''s not fatal, I''m unable to predict its consequences,

    Jonah looked into Julien''s eyes and pursed his lips.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Alyssa had cried so much that she could barely open her eyes. "Will Jasper continue being unconscious like this? Will he ever regain consciousness?"

    Full of confidence, Julien answered, "With me here to help with his treatment, I am 90% certain that he will wake

    up."

    *Jul... Thank you."

    "That said, I cannot guarantee what he will be like after he wakes up." Julien lowered his eyes. He appeared to have something to say, but he remained hesitant.

    Right now, Alyssa no longer cared wish for anything. All she wanted was for him to regain consciousness and be safe. "It''s alright... It''s okay. No matter how different he may be, I will love him. I will love him forever. I''m willing to bear with it no matter the costs!"

    Despite feeling weak herself, Alyssa stayed by Jasper''s side the entire time.

    Jonah and Julien couldn''t talk her out of it, so they could only retreat from the hospital ward.

    When they were in the corridor, Jonah suddenly held Julien back. He squeezed his hand tight. In a concerned voice, he asked, "Julien, you didn''t tell Lyse the truth, did you?"

    Their eyes met. Julien''s clear pupils constricted.

    ''There''s no one else here now. You have to be honest with me."

    Jonah leaned into him, breathing into his space. "What''s Jasper''s condition really like? Will he... lose his memory?

    His voice was raspy and slightly shaky.

    In actual fact, he had a subtle feeling that a brain injury would affect his memory.

    But he didn''t have the guts to say it out loud. The term ''memory loss" was too cruel for Alyssa to hear.

    It had almost cost them their lives before they could get back together again. How could she bear it if the man she loved the most forgot her?

    "I can''t be sure if he will lose his memory either. It''s possible, but it''s also not definite." Julien mumbled, "The hypothmus is closely rted to human emotions, while the brainstem ys a crucial role in activating emotions.

    ''Jasper''s hypothmus and brainstem are damaged to a certain extent. It might affect his memory, but there''s also another possibility..."

    Jonah''s chest tightened. "What possibility?"

    "That he will be someone else a stranger who simply upies Jasper''s shell."

 Chapter 2231

    ?Chapter 2231

    Ever since Alyssa woke, she had hardly left Jasper''s side, forsaking sleep and rest with no regard for her own health.

    Three more days dragged by, though for her, it felt like months-years-decades.

    The time that passed was agonizing.

    This wasn''t the first time Jasper had been hurt because of her. She had been through the fear and panic before, when his life hung by a thread or when hey in a deepa. Yet, this time was different. For reasons she couldn''t understand, the calm and rationality she once had had vanished.

    She gripped his hand tightly, her fingers woven with his. Fear surged through her like an avnche, threatening to drown her from the inside.

    This was a fear that she had never felt.

    That intense helplessness tormented her mentally every second of the day.

    In just one week, Alyssa, once proud and radiant, had withered like a pale white rose. She was gaunt, fragile, and exhausted.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Her hospital gown looked so big on her emaciated frame that it looked like it was swallowing her.

    Each day, from morning until night, she spoke to Jasper about their past. She shared stories from when she was 11 to 18, of their marriage, their divorce, and their eventual reconciliation. She remembered every heart-stopping moment with perfect rity. There were happy times, sad times, tears of joy.

    And now, all those memories, once too painful to revisit, seemed insignificant inparison,

    As long as she remembered him, everything was well. She had no right to ask for more.

    *Jasper... Jul said that there is some issue with your brain. I''m really scared. I''m afraid that you will forget me when you wake up."

    Alyssa picked up Jasper''s calloused hand and inteced her fingers with his. With tears streaming down her face, she nted kisses all over his fingertips, the back of his hand, and his palm.

    During their most intimate moments, Jasper had often said she was like a tender piece of meat, tempting him with every bite. He would shower her skin with kisses, leaving her trembling in ecstasy before bringing her to an even higher peak.

    In public, their affection was more restrained. He would kiss her fingers, her palms-just like this.

    He loved her too deeply. His constant kisses were simply his way of showing his love, of not knowing how to express it any other way.

    He didn''t know what to do with himself physically and emotionally.

    Now, it was her turn to be vulnerable, her turn to taste the fear of losing him.

    Indeed, God was just. Those who failed to appreciate what they had would eventually be punished.

    "Okay, it''s alright... It''s alright even if you forget me.''

    Alyssa''s tears fell continuously onto his palm. "If you have to forget me to get through this safely... I''m okay with my disappearing from your memories. I will have no regrets. As long as I can watch over you for the rest of my life, I will be satisfied..

    Jasper had uttered the same words countless times.

    This time, it was Alyssa''s turn to say it. Every word was like a jagged stone cutting across her heart repeatedly.

    Would she really be satisfied?

    Wasn''t this just a moment of self-constion after she had exhausted all her efforts andpromised, only to find that she waspletely helpless?

    "Don''t forget me... please... Don''t forget me..."

    In the end, Alyssa couldn''t lie to herself anymore. She leaned against his chest, her shoulders shaking as silent sobs wracked her body.

    "Lyse, don''t cry."

 Chapter 2232

    ?Chapter 2232

    "Wake up andfort me again," Alyssa thought, her mind pleading.

    Please.

    As she was sobbing, the door to the hospital ward was pushed open slowly.

    Landon walked in carrying a bowl of soup. When he saw the scene before his eyes, he froze on the spot and fell into a daze. His hands started trembling uncontrobly while he carried the bowl of soup.

    As a tall and strong man, his heart had long been filled with Lauren''s love. A scene like this moved him, and he felt a sudden urge to cry.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    He waited until Alyssa''s sobs died down. Then, he calmed himself down and walked to her side slowly. "Lyse, have something to eat. I brought some fish chowder. I remember that you like this, so I made some for you myself."

    Alyssa was silent for a long time.

    Landon peered to the side and noticed that her breakfast was still on the bedside table, untouched. He couldn''t exin the heaviness and misery he felt in his heart.

    ''Landon... I''m sure you really hate me, don''t you?"

    Alyssa sat there with a nk look on her face. After some time had passed, she spoke up in a soft voice. "I''m the reason Jasper is like this. He''s your very best buddy, and I didn''t take good care of him. He nearly his life because of me and has been in aa since."

    Alyssa added, "Landon, I know that you hate and resent me. Just let all your anger out. I feel even worse to see you this calm."

    "But, I don''t hate you." Landon pressed his lips together. He walked over and sat down by the side of the bed.

    Looking at Jasper''s pallid face, he said in a deep voice, "Lyse, I respect every decision that Jasper makes. No matter what the oue is, I will not resent anyone. Whatever happens, I''ll face the consequences with him."

    Alyssa''s heart ached even more. She shut her tear-filled eyes.

    "I shall say something that''s inhumane and controversial." Landon let out a bitter chuckle. "It was fortunate that he was the one who got hurt instead of you."

    Alyssa was dumbfounded. She stared at him.

    "Lyse, Jasper is far weaker than you might think."

    Landon''s eyes turned red. "You grew up in a loving environment. You have parents, stepmothers, and brothers who love you. Since you were young, you''ve never been through much suffering. That''s why you can be optimistic, positive, and cheerful as you ovee all sorts of obstacles.

    "However, that wasn''t the case for Jasper. He once had nothing. His mother went through so much difficulty in reiming his identity as a Beckett. Even so, people plotted and schemed against him time and time again. He stumbled all the way to where he is today and ended up all bruised and battered.

    *Other than Grandpa Newton, you are the only one he has. So, he''s more fragile than you think. He cannot afford to lose.

    "If anything were to happen to you, believe it or not, he would lose his motivation and courage to continue living. You should know that he used to have depression when he was young. Those knife scars on his left wrist are proof of that.

    "So, Lyse, you have to live well as you wait for him to wake up. Otherwise, it will really be a letdown toward Jasper''s sincerity in going through all those challenges and his willingness to risk his life for you."

    Atst, Alyssa was convinced. With her shaky hands, she epted Landon''s bowl of chowder. She scooped up a spoonful of chowder and stuffed it in her mouth.

    ''It''s tasty." As she took a bite, a drop of tear fell into the bowl.

    "Of course. My cooking skills have been approved by my wife. It''s the bomb!" Landon beamed.

    "I want to see Jameson."

    Alyssa lifted her hand and wiped her tears away. She forced herself to be strong. "He was the one who gave Jasper the medication. He knows what Jasper took!"

 Chapter 2233

    ?Chapter 2233

    In the blink of an eye, Jasper had been gone for an entire month.

    As the president of Beckett Group and someone with such status and power, he disappeared just like that. Only Xavier was left to assist him with attending to urgent matters at the corporation. Even so, there were still a number of documents that had to be approved by Jasper personally.

    "The troops" were in a mess while the documents for "the king" had piled up as high as a mountain.

    In the end, the truth could not be hidden. Newton and Javier were finally alerted.

    Jasper had a close call with death and ended up severely injured in Kontina. He ended up in a deepa for an entire week. As his grandfather and father, they couldn''t believe that they had only just found out about this news.

    Their anger over being kept in the dark came like a bolt of lightning. Even as someone who used to be a powerful business leader, they almost couldn''t take the news.

    After Newton found out about it, he was sent to a hospital that same night.

    Javier, on the other hand, rushed to Kontina overnight. Forcefully, he took his unconscious son away via a top- ss private ne. Under the protection of Sna City''s most outstanding medical team, he brought Jasper back to Sna City for treatment.

    It was said that Javier and the Taylors had a huge and messy fight at the hospital.

    The rtionship between both families became strained, and they almost couldn''t reconcile.

    Jonah spoke with Javier one-on-one for half an hour in the room. Without his extremely strong bearing as a poised leader and oppressor, they wouldn''t have been able to ovee this crisis.

    Otherwise, they couldn''t even imagine how far Javier would actually go.

    Indeed, he did have criticisms against Jasper in the past, and their father son rtionship was exceptionally tense.

    But at the end of the day, Jasper was still his son. He was his own flesh and blood!

    Even though he had gradually epted the fact that Jasper and Alyssa were together, he couldn''t ept the fact that his son had risked his life for a woman time and time again and ended up bruised and battered.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    His eldest son, whom he once tried so hard to groom and teach, was now a disabled man.

    Jasper was his remaining hope. He had longe to terms with the fact that he would get old eventually and that Beckett Group would have to be passed down to Jasper sooner orter.

    The Taylors didn''t see Jasper as important. They allowed him to get hurt and put himself at risk again and again. How could he tolerate that?

    There should also be a limit to oppressing and bullying someone!

    However, Alyssa wasn''t aware of all these because the Taylors also hid this from her.

    That was because she was already on the ne back to Cyrris when Javier was rushing to the hospital at Kontina.

    Alyssa''s private ne arrived at Sna City in the afternoon.

    After washing herself up briefly on the ne, she changed into a in, ck suit. With a thinyer of foundation, she covered up her sapped look and restored the elegant and dazzling side of her that she used to have.

    Yet, her pale lips and bloodshot eyes exposed the terrible condition and extreme sorrow she was in.

    That said, she had to hold on as best as she could.

    Landon was right. Jasper''s efforts would be wasted if she became dispirited and crumbled.

    It was yet another chilling winter day.

    ''Ms. Alyssa."

    Sean stood at the bottom of the airstairs, the bitingly cold wind blowing against him. He watched as Alyssa descended step by step. Looking at her slender and lonely frame, he was suddenly overwhelmed by an urge to cry. *Sean, thank you for all you''ve been doing at home during this time." Alyssa forced a slight smile at him. "Don''t mention it."

    Sean quickly draped the coat that he had prepared over Alyssa''s shoulders. Initially, he had wanted to add, Nothing is as important as you being safe.

    But he didn''t utter those words out loud in the end because Alyssa''s most beloved person was still unconscious. The future was still unknown, so he couldn''t remind her of her pain.

    "Would you like to go home to get some rest first?"

    "No need for that."

    Alyssa inhaled the cold air deeply into her lungs to wake herself up. "I returned so urgently so that I could go to the detention center and meet with Jameson as soon as possible. I have something I''d like to ask him."

    At Sna City''s detention center, an electrical barbed wire fence was installed above their tall, heavy, and foreboding walls.

    As bright as the sun was that day, the skies above this ce were gloomy. It was as if a suffocatingyer of fog had weighed down on it.

    "This will be all the scenery that Jameson is able to see moving forward, Sean remarked through gritted teeth as he followed behind Alyssa.

    "I don''t suppose he has much longer to enjoy a view like this, either," Alyssa said in a frigid and emotionless voice as she continued walking forward.

    In the visitation room, Alyssa sat in front of the ss divider on her own without any expression on her face. As for Sean, he stood in a corner of the room, keeping a close watch.

    A short momentter, the metal door squeaked as it was opened.

    Alyssa widened her eyes slightly when Jameson appeared before her.

    At that moment, she couldn''t recognize him as the person she had known since she was young. He didn''t look like the boy who had clung to her andpeted with her for half his life.

 Chapter 2234

    ?Chapter 2234

    It had only been a few days since Alyssast saw Jameson, yet he was no longer the refined, wealthy, and confident man she once knew. The air of leadership that used to radiate from him was gone.

    Now, the Jameson sitting across from her looked pale and worn out. His usually immacte hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp eyes were now bloodshot.

    The once proud fourth son of the Schmidt family had fallen-reduced to a mere, lowly prisoner.

    Still, when he heard Alyssa was visiting, he made an excuse to go to the washroom. Sshing water on his face, he quicklybed his disheveled hair. His pride had been shattered years ago when he first went to Kontina, but he still wanted to appear somewhat presentable for her.

    Jameson''s pride had vanished in that first year. From then on, the fourth son of the Schmidt family ceased to exist. All that remained was a man consumed by hatred and evil, stepping over the dead to w his way to the top.

    He cleaned himself up only for Alyssa. Yes, he still loved her. But he had long epted that he was never worthy of her from the start. Forcing things had only caused pain.

    Their eyes met through the thick ss. Jameson studied her silently, saying nothing for a long time. In the end, it was Alyssa who broke the silence, her voice t as she noticed the bruise on his lip and the cut on his forehead.

    "You got beaten up?" she asked indifferently.

    Jameson blinked, his puffy eyes tired. He curled his pale lips into a faint smile. "I''m not exactly liked here. I''m vicious, merciless.... the worst of the worst. I expected this."

    "You''re a good fighter. I didn''t think you''d end up being beaten up."

    "Don''t you think I deserve it?'' His grin was twisted, but there was a painful honesty in his words. "Lyse, you might not believe me, but thesest few days have been the most peaceful I''ve had in over a decade.

    "I used to have everything, or at least it seemed that way. But every night, I was haunted by nightmares. And every morning, all I thought about was how to fight, how to get revenge for my mother. Now, I''m finally at the end."

    He ced his gold-framed sses, which had been a part of him for years, on the table. "Honestly, I don''t even need these. My vision''s not that bad. I wore them because they made me feel like I had a mask on. But now, I don''t need it anymore."

    Alyssa looked down slightly. "Someone like you, I thought you would have taken your own life before getting arrested.''

    "But isn''t it your wish for me to plead guilty and be punished?" Jameson smiled. "I wanted to make your wishe true."

    His tone was gentle, as though he was still trying to woo her. But no matter how deep his feelings ran, they couldn''t erase Alyssa''s pain or the hatred she felt.

    "You''ve lost weight, Lyse." Jameson''s eyes were filled with tears as he gazed at her,mitting her face to memory. He wanted this moment to stay with him forever, even in death.

    ''I''m here to ask what you gave Jasper." Alyssa took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "I know it''s pointless to ask. You hate him. I don''t expect you to feel guilt, but if you refuse to answer, then this will be ourst meeting.

    "I don''t know," Jameson replied, meeting her gaze with an unusual honesty. "Lyse, I really don''t know. It was Sir who gave me the medication. I have no idea what''s in it or what its effects are.

    Sir. It was always Sir!

    Alyssa leaned forward, her voice strained with desperation. "This "Sir'' you talk about is the mastermind backing you up from behind the scenes, isn''t it? He is the one using you to conduct the human drug experiments in Sna City, right?"

    Jameson widened his eyes. Slowly, he nodded.

    "Sir... Who in the world is he? Have you met him before?"N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    *Lyse, I don''t care if you hate me or what else you might think about me. But this is all I can share with you about Sir."

    Jameson wasn''t dreaming of being able to see daylight once again.

    It was just that he was well aware of what would await her and the entire Taylor family once she found out about Justin''s true identity.

    Sir was a heartless madman. His gentleness, elegance, and charm were all a fa?ade.

 Chapter 2235

    As much as Jameson''s deceit was repugnant, it was also his way of trying to keep Alyssa safe. Given Alyssa''s fearless and astute nature, she might inadvertently cause a catastrophic disaster-one that would be unbearable for her.

    "There''s another thing that I can be sure of. The medication that Jasper took isn''t fatal. It will not affect his physical health negatively."

    Jameson took a deep breath. He chuckled bitterly. "Otherwise, Sir wouldn''t have suggested having you take that medication."

    "Me?'' Alyssa widened her eyes in shock. Her face paled.

    "Sir will not harm you. So, the medication he gave you will not be fatal. However, he said that you will be in agonizing pain after you consume it, so..."

    The look on Jameson''s face darkened gradually. His cuffed hands quivered slightly as if he were trying his best to suppress an intense emotion.

    He didn''t need to continue exining. Alyssa understood it all.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.

    ''This ''Sir'' asked you to have me take that medication. Although he didn''t specify what the drug is, at the very least, he would have told you what the effect of the drug is, right?"

    "He said that it will make you... belong to me forever," Jameson stuttered in a raspy voice.

    "Ah... I get it now."

    Alyssa knew that she wouldn''t be able to get any more valuable information from Jameson, and she no longer wanted to face him.

    So, she got to her feet. "I''m leaving, Jameson. There''s no way that I can bring myself to tell you anything that goes against how I really feel. I will not tell you to ''take care'' because you know that I absolutely despise you. "But I do hope that you will continue to stay alive and well in there until the day of your sentencing."

    Just as she turned around, Jameson leaped to his feet. With tears in his eyes, he eximed, "Lyse, I''m sorry!" Alyssa froze in her tracks, but she didn''t turn around.

    "I tried doing everything I could to make you mine because being together with you is the only way for me to feel that the Jimmy from the past hasn''t died. It was the only way for me to feel that his heart was still beating and that he was still alive."

    Jameson reached his hand out and pretended to stroke her back gently, his tears revealing his deep pain and regret. "Ever since I fell into the deep chasm... you were the most beautiful butterfly that I met."

    Nevertheless, the most regretful thing was that once he started falling, he couldn''t stop.

    Jameson''s ssic line wasden with the boundless sorrow and destion he felt after his realization.

    Alyssa shuddered. Finally, she disappeared from his view without saying a word or turning back.

    Jameson hunched forward bit by bit, as if his soul had been sucked out from him. In an instant, it was like he had be broken. A smile spread across his face as he cried.

    He knew that Alyssa still wouldn''t choose him in their next life.

    Thus, he also no longer looked forward to reincarnation or his next life.

    The biting cold wind outside the detention center pierced Alyssa''s aching chest.

    *Jameson is indeed unrepentant. He''s a lost cause!" Sean clenched his hands into fists, his eyes zing with anger.

    "He really doesn''t know what that medication is."

    Alyssa lifted her head and looked up at the clear skies. Even so, her chest felt stuffy. There was a glint in the corner of her eyes as she added, "I believe him this time."

    "But he wasn''t willing to expose the identity of that ''Sir.'' He''s still keeping things to himself and still persisting in his evil ways!"

    It was as if Alyssa saw through his intentions. Yet, she didn''t want to understand him. She simply shook her head and said, "At the very least, we know that that medication won''t harm Jasper''s health, and that''s enough. As for the rest, I will wait for Jul to treat him and for him to wake up."

    Before she finished speaking, her phone rang.

    Alyssa''s chest tightened when she saw that Ben, Newton''s secretary, was calling. She answered the phone immediately.

    "Mr. Gorham!"

    In a concerned tone, Ben asked, "Ms. Alyssa, are you in Sna City right now?"

    "Yes, I am. Is Grandpa Newton okay?"

    "Mr. Newton found out about Mr. Jasper getting hurt and falling unconscious. It came as such a huge blow to him that he actually ended up being hospitalized. Fortunately, though, his critical period has passed. He has been transferred to a regr ward."

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched. She pressed her hands against her chest and almost lost her bnce.

    It was good that Sean was there to catch her in time and prevent her from falling.

    ''Earlier, Mr. Newton kept mumbling your name. He really wants to see you. If it''s convenient for you, would you be able to make a trip to the hospital?"

    N?velDrama.Org content rights.

 Chapter 2236

    ?Chapter 2236Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Alyssa wasted no time, hurrying to the hospital with Sean by her side.

    As they drove, Sean noticed Alyssa''s distressed look and felt a pang of deep concern. "Ms. Alyssa, you should really get some rest first. You''re still weak, and pushing yourself like this isn''t good for you!"

    Since returning, Sean had dropped the formal address, speaking more casually when he was anxious.

    ''I''m fine. I''m just worried about Grandpa Newton..." Alyssa closed her tear-filled eyes. Her heart was aching with sorrow.

    Newton''s illness was a consequence of his heartache over his grandson Jasper, whoy unconscious from his injuries, and Alyssa, who had been like a granddaughter to Newton, was the one responsible for the situation.

    When Alyssa arrived at the hospital, her suit was drenched in a cold sweat, and her legs felt like they were walking on clouds.

    Ben was already waiting outside the door to the hospital ward.

    "I''m sorry for beingte, Mr. Gorham," Alyssa choked as tears welled up in her eyes.

    "All''s good as long as you''re able toe. This way."

    Ben made way for Alyssa. However, despite usually being fearless and straightforward, she was now standing outside the door in hesitation. She didn''t have the guts to enter. She was too ashamed to do so too.

    "Out of everyone in the younger generation, other than Mr. Jasper, you are the one whom Mr. Newton loves the most.''

    Ben could tell what was going through Alyssa''s mind. He warmly said, "Go ahead, Ms. Alyssa. Mr. Newton has been waiting for you."

    When Alyssa stepped into the hospital ward, she saw Newton propped weakly against the headboard of his bed under the warm sunlight. He was half-asleep.

    "Grandpa Newton..." Alyssa murmured, approaching his bedside with a heavy heart.

    Newton opened his tired eyes, and a look of joy came across his sickly-looking face. With much effort, he reached out his chapped hands to her.

    "Alyssa, you''re here? I just knew... that you are the kindest one."

    Initially, Alyssa thought that she had good control over her emotions. Contrary to her expectations, a casual greeting from Newton made her break down instantly. Like a child who felt guilty, she stood by Newton''s bed and cried her eyes out.

    "Grandpa Newton.... I''m sorry... It was all my fault... I caused Jasper to get hurt..."

    "Oh, silly. I just knew... that you would definitely say such things when you came."

    Newton held her slender and icy hands. His heart ached to see how much weight she had lost. "I have never med you. You must remember that no matter what happens, you will always be the one I love the most.

    "I was afraid that you''d let your mind wander and me yourself... that''s why I had Ben contact you."

    Alyssa''s tear-streaked face evoked sympathy from anyone who saw her.

    "My dear, do you know what scares me the most?" Newton let out a long sigh. "I''m afraid that if Jasper truly never wakes up, what will be of you?

    "Your family members are all in Belbanks. Your brothers... They will all marry eventually and be tied down to their families.

    "If Jasper never wakes up... Who will be the one who can keep youpany and protect you for the rest of your life? Plus, I know that you''re deeply in love with Jasper. Both of you are willing to give your lives for the other person. But if... if Jasper never wakes up-

    "Don''t scare yourself, Grandpa Newton. Jasper will surely regain consciousness. I''m sure he will!"

    Alyssa lifted her shaking hands to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Confidently, she dered, As long as he''s still unconscious, I will stay and keep watch over him by his side. Even if he ends up in this unfortunate state his whole life, I will keep on waiting for him."

    "He''s already in that situation. What use is there spewing such grand-sounding rubbish?"

    With tears glistening in her eyes, Alyssa looked behind her. To her surprise, Javier stormed into the hospital ward with fury and hatred. He walked right up to her.

    "Javier... Why are you raising your voice like that?"

 Chapter 2237

    ?

    Even though Newton was Javier''s father, he still sided with Alyssa. He gathered his energy and said sternly," What do you mean he''s already ended up like that? Jasper''s limbs are intact. He''s just in aa for now! Are you trying to curse your own son?

    "If you think that Jasper can''t make it, why don''t you go make preparations for his funeral instead of spewing rubbish here? Maybe you''ll even shake off some of that bad luck while you''re at it."

    "Dad, are you seriously defending her, even now?"

    Javier''s rage boiled over as he red at Alyssa, his eyes bloodshot. "It really makes me wonder if you are my son''s kryptonite! What did Jasper ever do to deserve this from you?"

    Despite her sharp tongue, Alyssa kept her silence, fists clenched at her sides, swallowing the resentment sent her way.

    Her silence only fueled Javier''s fury. He raised his hand impulsively, aiming to strike her pale face.

    *Javier, stop it!" Newton''s eyes widened in rm, but his aging body was powerless to intervene.

    Alyssa shut her reddened eyes, making no effort to clodge. She knew she deserved it. Javier wasn''t wrong- Jasper''s condition was her fault.

    She deserved this p. She deserved to die.

    A sharp sound cracked through the air, and Alyssa shuddered. But the blow never came.

    Opening her tear-filled eyes slowly, her breath caught in her chest. Javier''s hand was frozen mid-air, Justin''s grip tight around his wrist.

    What stunned her more, though, was that Justin wasn''t in a wheelchair. He was standing.

    "Justin, y-your leg..." Wide-eyed and in disbelief, Javier stared at his eldest son, Justin, who had a calm expression on his face.

    Newton, too, was floored. With a staggered gaze, he scanned Justin''s tall and elegant figure up and down.

    ''Dad, you shouldn''t get physical no matter what." Justin''s gaze lingered on Alyssa-it was so deep that one could nearly get lost in his eyes. "Jasper only ended up like this because he was trying to protect the woman he loved. That was his choice.

    "I don''t think that Ms. Alyssa is at fault. I know that your heart aches for Jasper, but you shouldn''t let your anger out on an innocent person."

    Alyssa frowned as she bit down on her inner lip.

    Upon saying that, Justin slowly let go of Javier''s hand.

    At the same time, Javier felt a dull pain in his wrist. He lowered his head, only to see that his wrist had turned red. "Mr. Justin, mind your health!"

    Sheryl rushed over. She pushed a wheelchair toward Justin and helped him sit down in it.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Justin smiled slightly, his smile reaching his eyes. "It''s fine. I''m not that weak. I should stand up and keep my muscles active from time to time anyway."

    *Justin, y-your legs... Are they really fine?" Still in shock, Javier couldn''t tear his eyes from Justin''s legs, d in ck suit pants. His anger toward Alyssa was momentarily forgotten.

    Just like a gentle breeze, Justin''s gaze swept across Alyssa''s face nonchntly. In a calm voice, he said, "Dad, just because I use a wheelchair doesn''t mean my legs don''t work."

 Chapter 2238

    ?Chapter 2238

    This came like a bolt from the blue to Newton and Javier.

    Even though Alyssa tried to conceal her shock, she was, in truth, as surprised as they were. Her dark eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt and judgment.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    ''Mr. Newton, Mr. Javier, allow me to exin, Sheryl said, stepping forward from behind Justin. Her eyes lowered as she spoke, her brows furrowing with concern. "During that kidnapping 18 years ago, after the kidnappers abused Mr. Justin, he began suffering from severe symptoms such as organ failure, nerve paralysis, and many others.

    "Over the years, Mr. Justin has endured immense hardship in Mosgravia. His condition only stabilized after he tried out various treatment methods. He has to rely on an assortment of medications every day in order to keep up with living a normal life."

    Upon hearing that, Javier''s heart was pained. He sighed and mumbled, "It must''ve been hard on you, my son..." Justin responded with a rxed smile on his face. He shook his head.

    Sheryl''s face was filled with heartache. "Back then, Mr. Justin wasn''t able to control his legs like a normal person because of his nerve paralysis. The organ damage also caused various bodily functions of his to severely deteriorate. That''s why he would rely on a wheelchair to get around all year long...

    With an inexplicable look in her eyes, Alyssa fixed her gaze on Justin''s legs.

    Javier went up to him hurriedly. In a concerned voice, he asked, "Justin, how do you feel now?"

    I''m much better, Dad. Look, didn''t I just stand up earlier?"

    Justin smiled slightly. "It''s just that I can''t run or jump like a normal person can. Other than that, there are no issues in my daily life."

    "That''s great. That''s great!" Javier was ted; with Jasper still unconscious, Justin''s return felt like a timely blessing, especially since his health had improved so much.

    Javier''s mind started racing again.

    The cloud of doom and gloom above his head finally dispersed a little.

    *Justin, thank you for rushing all the way back for Jasper''s sake."

    After a long period of silence, Newton finally spoke up. "Your medical team is in Mosgravia. Even though there have been improvements to your health, I suppose you can''t stop your treatments? How long do you n to stay in Sna City this time?"

    "Um...''

    Justin paused. He narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I''ll probably stay on. I don''t think I''ll leave again. After all, Sna City and Beckett Group is where my home is."

    Newton''s pupils constricted all of a sudden.

    While maintaining an unruffled expression on her face, Alyssa curled her fingers into balls of fists by her side. The veins on her hands throbbed slightly.

    ''Grandpa, Dad, do you know how much I missed all of you throughout these years of being in Mosgravia alone? Do you know how much effort I had to put in in order to repair this broken body of mine so that I can stand before both of you like a decent human being?"

    At first, Justin''sints sounded like they were filled with fury. Yet, the smile in his eyes and his clear voice dissolved all of that, making him look moreposed than everyone else. "I''ve put in so much effort and restrained myself so much just so I coulde home.

    "From what I hear, it sounds like I''m not very weed here, Grandpa.

    *Not at all. Of course I''m happy that you''re able to return and reunite with our family."

    Newton maintained hisposure and forced a smile on his face. ''You are my grandson no matter what. I love all of you the same."

    Alyssa once stayed by Newton''s side for a long time. She understood him very well. His feigned politeness and insincerity werepletely exposed by his current tone and expression.

    From the start, Alyssa sensed a strange coldness in Newton toward Justin despite him being the eldest grandson, Javier''s son, and his first wife. She even felt like Newton was somewhat repelled by him.

    Newton had raised Justin from a young age, while Jasper was an illegitimate child. Logically speaking, his looks and talents wouldn''t be inferior to Jasper''s.

    They were both Becketts. Why was it that Newton looked like he kept his distance from Justin, his oldest grandson, but doted on Jasper, who came from a lowly background? He even raised and groomed Jasper to take over Beckett Group, and put high hopes on him.

 Chapter 2239

    ?Chapter 2239Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Even considering Justin''s health, Newton''s actions seemed extreme. When he heard that Justin''s condition had improved, there was no sign of relief on Newton''s face. Instead, he looked anxious and fearful.

    What was Newton afraid of?

    Was he worried that Justin''s return would jeopardize Jasper''s ce as the heir?

    Newton still controlled a third of Beckett Group''s shares and held key businesses. Jasper also owned shares and was the acting president. Even if Javier favored Justin, it wouldn''t be easy for Justin to take over thepany, would it?

    As someone seasoned and used to upheavals, what was Newton afraid of?

    Justin remained in his wheelchair as he left the hospital. Sheryl and his bodyguard helped him into his luxury Bentley. Just as the car began to move, Alyssa suddenly rushed out and grabbed the window as it rolled up.

    Justin''s bodyguard hit the brakes immediately. Sheryl, startled, red at Alyssa''s cold expression. "Ms. Alyssa, why would you throw yourself at someone''s car like that? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

    Justin raised his hand, signaling Sheryl to stay silent. He smiled warmly at Alyssa. "Is there something you wanted to talk about, Ms. Alyssa?"

    Alyssa ran her tongue over her teeth. "I do."

    Sheryl and the bodyguard stepped out while Justin invited Alyssa into the car.

    Inside was a faint scent of medicine mixed with a light fragrance. Alyssa frowned. The scent stirred something ufortable inside her; it was a somewhat familiar scent. However, the smell vanished almost as soon as it reached her, leaving her no time to ce where she''d encountered it before.

    "Go ahead, Ms. Alyssa." Justin''s voice was low, and he turned his face to her.

    "Justin, you''ve lived in Mosgravia for so many years. To treat yourself, I''m sure you''ve interacted closely with many pharmaceuticalpanies and medical facilities, right?" Alyssa inquired in a low voice.

    Justin nodded. "I''ve had my share of interactions. When your father had his stroke previously, Jasper even flew to Mosgravia to ask me for his medication."

    "I''m sure you''ve heard of RC Biotechnology Research Institute. They''re quite reputable in Mosgravia''s pharmaceutical industry."

    Justin''s gaze deepened, his dark eyes gleaming in the dim light of the car. "I''ve heard of them."

    "In that case, I''d like to get your help.'' Alyssa took out Jasper''s blood test results, which she had been carrying. and handed them to Justin.

    *Jasper is unconscious due to a drug he ingested. We''ve identified that the drug contains several banned substances. None of the medications here match itsposition, so I suspect it''s an illegal substance from overseas.

    "I''ve heard about RC from Jameson more than once. RC''s base is in Mosgravia, so I believe this drug came from them.

    *Justin, you saved Jasper''s life during the kidnapping, and now you''ve returned for him. I can see that you and Jasper share a deep bond. You want him to wake up, don''t you?"

    Staring at Alyssa''s exquisite-looking face, Justin''s voice turned hoarse without him even realizing it. "Even though we''re only half brothers, Jasper and I grew up together. Of course I''d hope for him to be well. It''s not just for his sake, but yours too."

    There was a hint of affection in his voice that sent a chill down Alyssa''s spine. She instinctively avoided his foggy gaze.

    "If Jasper never regains consciousness, will his pampered rose wither away?" Justin asked.

    "I''m not a rose, so I will never wither."

 Chapter 2240

    ?

    Alyssa looked into Justin''s eyes once again. This time, she was confident, firm, and fearless. "If Jasper wakes up, we will fight alongside one another. If he never wakes up, I will fight on his behalf.

    "I will watch over everything that belongs to him. No one can ever dream of getting their hands on his slice of the pie-no one.

    This was what she wanted to say when she approached Justin to speak to him privately.

    A startled look shed across Justin''s striking face. Then, he chuckled softly. In a slightly rxed and amused tone, he remarked, "You''re right, Ms. Alyssa. No one can take away that which belongs to Jasper."

    Alyssa could sense that he was implying something else. The look in her eyes dimmed.

    "You want me to take this report and find out the type of medication Jasper had ingested, am I right?"

    Justin readily agreed, "Sure. I''ll help you out."

    Thank you, Justin." Without pausing, Alyssa stepped out of the car.

    She watched coldly as Justin''s car disappeared into the night, the dark windows reflecting nothing but ckness. Just then, words echoed in her mind-Mosgravia, RC, medication, Jameson Schmidt, and Sir.

    To put it bluntly, Jameson was nothing more than Sir''s puppet in Cyrris, discarded after serving his purpose. With him defeated, there was no way Sir would abandon the market. He''d find someone new to take the reins.

    This wasn''t the first time Jasper''s life had been in danger, and Justin had never acted before.

    Yet, this time, he rushed back after Jasper took the medication. Not only that, he returned to the Beckett family-different. Was this a coincidence, or was he closely rted to Sir and RC? This was a point of breakthrough that gave much food for thought.

    Alyssa kept having the subtle feeling that Justin would not be her ally regardless of whether Jasper regained consciousness or otherwise.

    As for whether he meant serious trouble, this would be something she needed to verify further.

    In the car, Sheryl couldn''t help but feel worried. ''Sir, Ms. Alyssa had you look into the drug. She''s obviously testing you. Who knows if she suspects something about you? Are you really going to tell her what that drug was?"N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    That''s not necessary. My brother will be waking up soon."

    Justin closed his eyes to rest for a bit. He scrunched the report in his hands into a ball. "That said, I''ve really underestimated Ms. Alyssa. I assumed that she would be so devastated and panicked by such a heavy blow that she would be distracted.

    "I didn''t think that she would be able to gather herself and get herself involved in the battle so quickly. I''m surprised that she even started suspecting me. I''m amazed by how rational and clear-headed she is.

    "She really draws me in."

    Sheryl, on the other hand, couldn''t help but feel rmed. "Alyssa suspects you? It''s only been two days since your retum to Sna City. How could she suspect you so soon?

    ''That''s because the timing wasn''t right. It''s normal to draw suspicion." Justin raised a brow nonchntly. "We just have to conceal ourselves better next time."

    At this time, their luxury car happened to drive into a dark tunnel.

    When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you."

    The alterating light and shadow flickered across Justin''s profound-looking face. He stared at his reflection in the window, eyes cold and dangerous, as though seeing someone else. "But unfortunately, I am the abyss."

 Chapter 2241

    ?Chapter 2241

    Jameson''s case was officially handed to the Sna City Investigative Bureau, where Ss worked, for further investigation. Jameson would be officially sentenced within two months of the court hearing. If everything went well, he would be sentenced to death.

    The weather was dreary that day, with a steady drizzle falling from the gray sky.

    A woman in a whiteb coat and heels walked confidently toward the detention center''s entrance with an umbre.

    "I''m sorry for inviting you on a rainy day like this, Dr. Gillis." The head of the detention center weed Sheryl with a smile.

    Sheryl tilted her ck umbre upward, revealing her graceful and elegant face. She smiled slightly.

    "Even inmates have their rights. It is my duty as a doctor to heal the wounded. It has nothing to do with their identities."

    The head of the detention center seconded, "You''re right."

    Sheryl''s smile widened. In apelling tone, she said, "The fact that you''re willing to allow volunteers to provide medical care to the criminals at the detention center shows that you''re a kind man."

    Jameson slept well for several days after Alyssa''s visit the other day.

    His gold-framed sses had broken, so he simply threw them away. Besides, he was no longer the chairman of Schmidt Croup or the fourth son in the Schmidt family. He was merely a prisoner waiting to be sentenced.

    He no longer needed those superficial disguises.

    The criminals in his cell were brought to get free medical checkups one after another. After some time, his number was called.

    After being cuffed, Jameson walked out of his cell. After going through a series of hallways, a prison guard brought him into a closed and dark room.

    With a loud click, the heavy metal door was closed.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    The only lighting in the dim room came from amp on the table. It gave out a cold, deste white light.

    Jameson squinted. "You.."

    "It''s been a while, Mr. Schmidt."

    Sheryl, who was sitting at the desk with her back against Jameson, got to her feet. She turned around and looked at Jameson with a slight smirk.

    "Sheryl..." Jameson''s back stiffened up. His heart sank heavily.

    Sheryl scoffed, "What''s with that look on your face? I had to see so many filthy and disgusting criminals and go through all that trouble to see you. Aren''t you touched at all?

    Jameson''s pale lips quivered slightly. In an extremely hoarse voice, he asked, "Mr. Justin... got you to get me out?"

    Sheryl blinked. After a few seconds of silence, she guffawed.

    Her wild and sharpughter reverberated within the dimly lit room, making this ce appear even more hellish.

    "Jameson, are you still dreaming of seeing the light of day again, even at this point? Have you gone cuckoo after being imprisoned for a few days?"

    Sheryl crossed her arms in front of her chest. She stoppedughing and stared at him with a disgusted and scornful gaze as if she were looking at someone insignificant.

    "Even if we got you out, your physical health is ruined, and Schmidt Group has fallen. You''re just a useless man. What else can you do for Mr. Justin?

    "Mr. Justin has given you many chances, but it was a pity that you were too useless."

    Jameson lowered his eyes. A smile came across his face too.

    Despite being someone who didn''t fear death previously, he was now starting to feel reluctant to part with life. Perhaps it was because he was near his death.

    "That said, Mr. Justin did ask me to pass a message."

    The look in Sheryl''s eyes was frigid. Emotionlessly, she continued, "He thanked you for all your contributions toward his career all these years. Mr. Justin will never forget your hard work."

    Right after she said that, she ced a syringe containing a transparent substance in front of Jameson.

    Jameson stared at the syringe. Bitterly, he asked, "So... Mr. Justin asked you to see me so that he could get rid of me?"

    "He isn''t getting rid of you. It''s called crisis management." Sheryl shrugged coolly. "None of Mr. Justin''s people are allowed to fall into the authorities hands. This is just one of his rules."

 Chapter 2242

    ?Chapter 2242

    Jameson''s shoulders trembled. He looked as if he could shatter with just one touch.

    "I don''t have much longer to live... Isn''t Mr. Justin going to allow me to live out thest of my days?''

    "Truth be told, you should be thankful, Jameson." Sheryl clicked her tongue and shook her head. "If Mr. Justin hadn''t rescued you back then, you and your mother would''ve been killed in Sna City a long time ago without anyone realizing. Your glory days over the past ten- plus years wouldn''t have happened.

    "Mr. Justin gave you life. You shouldn''t beining now that he wants to take it back.

    "Once this drug is injected, it will remain in your body for 48 hours. If you do the math, you will pass away painlessly in your sleep. This is much more gracious than if you were to be sentenced to death or if you were to die when your condition res up."

    A few minutester, Jameson knelt limply on the floor. Ashen-faced, he received the painless yet lethal injection.

    After putting the syringe away, Sheryl put her hands in herb pockets. She walked toward the closed metal door without taking another nce at the useless man on the floor.

    All of a sudden, Jameson shouted a different name. "Liana Gardner!"

    Sheryl stopped in her tracks immediately. Though, she didn''t tum back. In a low and grim voice, she said, "Who''s that? I''m afraid you''ve got the wrong person."

    "Being by Mr. Justin''s side like an inhumane killing machine just like this, andmitting all sorts of evil deeds... Will you be able to get what you''re after?"

    Jameson hunched forward as he let out a mockingugh. "Even if you change your appearance a hundred times, or even if you start over a thousand-no, ten thousand times... Jasper will only have eyes for Alyssa. He will not even take a nce at you, let alone... fall in love with you!"

    "Is that so? I don''t think so."

    Sherylughed too. A gleam shed across her eyes, as though they were a pair of sharpened des. ''Plus, how would you know that I haven''t gotten what I was after? What I want is to stay by Mr. Justin''s side. I, Sheryl Gillis, will only march ahead. I will never look back."

    After leaving the detention center, Sheryl drove back to her own manor immediately. She had an enjoyable bath and sprayed some perfume on to get rid of all the bad luck on her.

    She dried her hair, then put on a red-colored silk nightgown, Just as she opened the door, she jumped in fright!

    "Ms. Cillis."

    Remy stood upright at the door, looking at her emotionlessly. "Pleasee downstairs. Mr.

    Justin is waiting for you."

    Sheryl bit her lip. "Okay, let me get myself together and change into something else-

    "No need for that. To Mr. Justin, it makes no difference what you wear, or if you wear anything at all."

    Right after saying that, he turned around to leave. "Hurry up. Mr. Justin doesn''t like to wait."

    Forcing herself to suppress the annoyance in her heart, Sheryl followed behind Remy ordingly.

    Downstairs, Justin was sitting casually on the couch. With his well-proportioned hands, he held onto a purple porcin teapot as he poured the first extraction of tea away.

    Why did you trouble yourself toe here, Mr. Justin? I wanted to take a shower and change before I went to report back to you."

    Sheryl treaded lightly before Justin. She stared deeply at that gentle, elegant, and timeless face of his. "I know that you like to be clean. Since I''ve just been at such a filthy ce, I didn''t dare to see you before I cleaned myself up."

    With a slight smile on his face, Justin replied, "I just happened to pass by, so I decided to pay you a visit."N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Everything has been settled. Jameson will die of a heart attack in 48 hours. With his severe health conditions to top that, even if he''s subjected to an autopsy, they won''t be able to find any problems with his death." The look in Sheryl''s eyes darkened.

    Justin nodded slightly. Thanks, Sheryl.

    "I found that Ms. Alyssa went to see Jameson before I did. Who knows if Ms. Alyssa started suspecting you so soon because Jameson let something slip."

    Sheryl sniggered coldly, "Fortunately, you were sharp, and you got rid of this threat."

    "Jameson wouldn''t say anything. It''s not that he doesn''t want to, but it''s because he''s terrified of me. He wouldn''t dare to."

    Justin picked up his tea cup. He put the rim of the cup right under his nose, sniffing the scent of the tea lightly. "He has never understood me, but I am able to see right through him. This is the root of his fear."

    Sheryl didn''t understand Justin either. Even so, she was ecstatic. "No matter what, even though the experiments have failed, your threat in Sna City no longer exists. You can finally rx now."

 Chapter 2243

    ?Chapter 2243Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "No, I can''t. Not yet. Justin took a sip of his tea. His gaze was as deep as treacherous undercurrents. ''ording to my calctions, Jasper should be waking up soon.

    "He has Ms. Alyssa and a bunch of reliable friends helping him out by his side. He might actually be able to get through this hurdle.

    Sheryl leaned in toward Justin. In a low voice, she whispered, "So, you''re saying...

    "I heard that Ms. Alyssa has a ''sister-inw who''s quite capable. I heard that he''s a neurologist?

    Sheryl was taken aback. "You''re referring to... the Lovce family''s youngest son, Julien Lovce?''

    Justin lowered his eyes and drank his tea. In a cold voice, he said, "This person cannot stay in Ms. Alyssa''s team. He cannot remain by Jasper''s side."

    Remy perked up instantly. ''Shall I get to work?"

    "Murder is not the only way to make someone leave." Justin yed with his tea cup with the tip of his finger. With a smirk on his face, he exined, "We can achieve the same results by breaking his heart."

    After Javier brought Jasper back to Sna City, he secretly sent him to a high-end private hospital to continue his treatment. He also ordered that other than their family, no one, especially the Taylors, be allowed to visit.

    Each day, Alyssa waited outside the hospital''s main entrance. She waited from dawn until dusk and then until dawn again.

    After a heavy rain, the weather got colder.

    Looking at the hospital''s brightly lit windows, she couldn''t tell which window belonged to the room where Jasper was peacefully asleep.

    Clouds of her breath could be seen as she exhaled onto her reddened hands. Her face and ears had also turnedpletely red from the cold.

    "Ms. Alyssa, go wait in the car. You''ve been standing outside for a really long time, Sean urged as he handed her a cup of hot coffee. His heartache could be seen through his eyes.

    "In the past, Jasper often stood outside my door and waited for me, just like this. He did it so many times."

    Alyssa''s eyes welled up. A slight smile came across her face. "This time, let it be my turn to wait for him."

    Sean lowered his head. He didn''t know how to console her. It was as if anything he said would be useless in expressing what he wanted to say.

    He knew that Alyssa really wanted to do something for Jasper. Yet, because she couldn''t get close to him, she could only wait helplessly and anxiously like this as she prayed.

    It felt like she was reliving the suffering Jasper endured while pursuing her.

    Did they really have to go through this?

    This was too cruel.

    At this moment, Sean''s phone rang. He pulled it out and answered it.

    A momentter, his shoulders jerked in shock. Staring at Alyssa, he eximed, "Oh no! Ms. Alyssa, Jameson had a heart attack and died while he was in the detention center! Rigor mortis already set in by the time his body was discovered by a prison guard."

    "What... did you just say?" Alyssa''s pupils constricted suddenly.

    A heart attack?

    He threw up blood every day while they were on Rose Ind. Even so, he was still able to survive. It has only been a few days since he was transferred to be detained in Sna City, but he ended up dying in the detention center.

    Did this make sense? Was this possible?

    Nevertheless, Alyssa didn''t have time to think much about it before they received another call. It was from Newton.

    "Grandpa Newton!" she answered immediately, exhaling a misty cloud of anxiousness as she spoke.

    "Alyssal Jasper... Jasper.. He''s awake!"

 Chapter 2244

    ?Chapter 2244

    Upon hearing that Jasper had regained consciousness, Alyssa burst out in tears of agitation. She lowered her small frame bit by bit, eventually curling herself into a ball as she trembled in the cold wind.

    "Ms. Alyssa..." Tears filled Sean''s eyes. His heart broke as he watched Alyssa.

    Ever since Jasper fell unconscious, the days felt like years to Alyssa. Even so, the days passed by like a blur.

    She was clearly still alive, but that bright-eyed side of her that was as beautiful as a rose could no longer be found.

    She was burdened by too much pressure. She med herself constantly, letting the self- reproach eat at her continuously.

    She was conscious but was gradually falling into insanity.

    Why are you crying, my dear? Jasper is awake. You should be jumping for joy!

    Newtonforted her over the phone. At the same time, he couldn''t help but worry about her. "It''s so cold today. Are you outside, my dear?"

    "Grandpa Newton.... I am... I''m outside the hospital.

    All the crying made Alyssa choke on her words. Her warm tears trickled in between her fingers.

    Newton felt surprised and terrible for Alyssa. You''re still outside the hospital even though it''s sote. You silly goose! What are you going to do if you freeze to death?"

    "Grandpa Newton... I want to see Jasper... But... I can''t get in..."

    "Oh, silly. With me here, who''s going to stand in your way?"

    Newton''s energetic voice gave Alyssa a firm sense of security.

    "Ben and I are on our way to the hospital. Don''t stand out in the cold, Alyssa. Go in and wait for us. Wait for me toe and be your support. I''d like to see who has the guts to bully my dear Alyssa!"

    In less than half an hour, Newton, being pushed by Ben in a wheelchair, arrived at the hospital to meet with Alyssa and Sean.

    The four of them rushed to the VIP ward.

    Beckett Group''s bodyguards stood firmly outside the door. But with Newton around, none of them dared stand in his way. They bowed to him as they made way for the four of them to

    enter.

    "Jasper, my dear grandson!"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Newton stood up from his wheelchair eagerly. With Ben''s support, he stumbled toward the

    side of Jasper''s bed.

    Jasper''s face was pale as he leaned against the headboard of his bed. His dazzling eyes were dark and vacant. Looking at Jasper, Newton couldn''t hold himself back. Tears started streaming down his face.

    "Jasper, it''s good news that you''re awake. That''s the most important thing!" Javier let out a long exhale.

    Even though he didn''t shed a tear, he had been extremely worried these days. He couldn''t eat or sleep well, and those long nights had resulted in the dark circles under his eyes. "M-Madam!"

    Xavier, whom they hadn''t seen in a while, spotted Alyssa standing stiffly at the door to the ward, afraid toe in. With tears in his eyes, he ran over to her.

    He choked, "Mr. Jasper is awake. Hurry up and go to him!"

    Before stepping into the hospital ward, Alyssa couldn''t wait to see Jasper, so much so that she felt like her heart was about to explode and her insides were about to be crushed.

    Yet, now that she was here, she realized she had be cowardly. She couldn''t believe that she was too embarrassed to walk in. She didn''t have the guts to face the Becketts.

    Jasper ended up in this state because of her. Filled with extreme regret, she didn''t know what to do, and there was no ce for her to hide.

    What madam? There is no madam in the Beckett family!" Javier roared, pointing right at Xavier''s face. "''Xavier Hall! If I am to hear you calling her ''Madam'' one more time, you will be fired immediately. We will never hire you again, no matter who requests it!"

    Xavier bit down hard on his lip in anger, so much so that blood started trickling from his bottom lip. Only then was he able to stomach the hatred within him.

    He wasn''t afraid of being fired, losing his annual sry of 100,000 dors, or losing his glorious title as the president''s secretary.

    Justin had returned out of the blue. Jasper, on the other hand, despite being conscious, was in a far worse mental state than before.

    At a time like this, he had to stay unwaveringly by Jasper''s side. He couldn''t leave no matter what.

    "Javier, I''ve really had enough of you!"

 Chapter 2245

    ?Chapter 2245

    Newton walked shakily before Javier. He was so mad that his cheeks were trembling. Let me say this today. As long as I''m here, no one can touch Alyssa. It will not end well for anyone who disrespects her!"

    Javier was boiling with so much anger that his chest hurt. ''Dad! You''re

    "Moreover, Jasper has regained consciousness. This is all in the past now."

    The look in Newton''s eyes was resolute, reflecting his stance in standing up for Alyssa. "If you eversh your anger out at Alyssa in the future, don''t call me ''Dad'' again! You''re an elder, using your authority to bully a young woman. How dare you!"

    Even though Newton did not p Javier in the face in the end, thetter felt a burning sensation on his cheek, as if he had actually been pped.

    "Hurry up, Alyssa. Go and see Jasper. Go, Newton urged warmly as he looked into Alyssa''s swollen eyes.

    Sean encouraged her too. "Ms. Alyssa, haven''t you been waiting for Mr. Jasper to wake up? I''m sure he really wants to see you too. Go on."

    Clenching her icy and reddened fingers, with heavy footsteps, Alyssa walked to Jasper''s bedside.

    He had lost weight during hisa, and his features were more rugged but just as striking.

    He leaned quietly against the headboard of his bed. His once bright eyes were now dim and infinitely deep.

    "Jasper..."Sitting beside Jasper''s bed, Alyssa could only call out his name before her tears started flowing uncontrobly.

    Jasper directed his gaze at her, his face expressionless as he watched her cry her eyes out. He was scarily quiet.

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched. An ominous chill spread speedily throughout her limbs.

    What happened to you, Jasper?"

    Javier turned pale with fright. He dashed over and looked Jasper right in the face. "Jasper! Look at me. I am your father!"

    "Jasper, I''m your grandpa!"

    With Ben''s support, Newton hobbled toward Jasper. As tears filled his eyes, he continued, My dear grandson, I''m right here. Don''t you recognize Grandpa anymore?"

    With a nk look in his eyes, Jasper studied Newton. Through his pale lips, he uttered," Grandpa..''

    Newton burst out in happy tears. "Yes! It''s great that you haven''t forgotten me!"

    Then, Jasper looked toward Javier. "Dad..."

    "Son!" At that moment, Javier couldn''t hold himself together. He threw his arms around Jasper.

    Thest time he hugged Jasper like this was eons ago.

    This is great... Mr. Jasper didn''t lose his memory!"

    Agitatedly, Xavier stepped forward. In a shaky voice, he announced, "Mr. Jasper, madam is here to see you."

    Javier was just about tosh out when Newton shot him a fierce re. He no longer dared to react rashly.

    Jasper directed his bleary gaze back to Alyssa''s worried face. This was the face of the person that he once cared for and loved to the core.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "A-lyssa.. Taylor..." Jasper muttered in a low and hoarse voice, as if he was just learning to speak.

    "That''s me... That''s me. I''m Alyssa Taylor!"

    The tension in Alyssa''s heart could finally be released. With her tear stained hands, she grasped tightly onto Jasper''s hands, which were covered in wounds.

    In the next second, she was greatly staggered. Much to her surprise, Jasper furrowed his brows slightly.

    Little by little, he pulled his hands out of her grasp.

 Chapter 2246

    ?Chapter 2246

    Alyssa''s eyes brimmed with tears as she stared in disbelief at her empty hands.

    Jasper had always been the one to hold her hand first during tender moments-whenever they kissed, embraced, orced their fingers together, he would murmur in her ear, promising never to let go, no matter what.

    Yet now, with a chilling detachment, he was pulling away.

    The pain hit Alyssa as if her very soul was being torn apart.

    When Xavier saw this, he gaped in shock, and his face ran pale. No one knew better than him how much Jasper had loved Alyssa and how deeply connected they were before hisa.

    But now, despite not losing his memory, the Jasper who had awakened was unrecognizable. He treated Newton and Javier like before, except Alyssa, the woman he deeply loved, who was being treated with such coldness and detachment.

    "Grandpa, Dad." Jasper turned his indifferent gaze away from Alyssa''s heartbroken face. In a deep voice, he said, I''m tired. I''d like to get some sleep. Could you all please leave?"

    Javier was stunned.

    Jasper had been like this since he was young. He was no gentler or more emotionally intelligent than Justin. He was always cold and aloof toward the people around him.

    Even so, after he regained consciousness, he seemed to have be even more frigid and withdrawn.

    Javier had no choice but to ede, ''Sure, sure. Have a good rest, then. We''lle and see you again when you''re awake!"

    Without replying, Jaspery back down silently. He then turned to his side so that his back faced all of them. He closed himself off from everyone, including Alyssa.

    After Alyssa left the hospital ward, she darted to Julien''s office like a mad woman.

    Although Javier didn''t allow the Taylors to visit Jasper, Julien was an internationally renowned neurologist. The Becketts still invited him to tag along so that he could continue administering treatment to Jasper.

    *Jul... Why-why did Jasper be like that?" Alyssa choked.

    It took her a long time before she finally managed to get a full sentence out of her. "His memory is intact, he remembers me, but his character changed... Why is that so?"

    Holding onto thetest scan, Julien frowned deeply. He exined, "Jasper''s amygd, which is where feelings and emotions are processed, was severely damaged. Jasper is cold to everyone because he''s unable to process any emotions.

    *Just like a cell phone without any reception, he has sealed himself offpletely in a closed space, away from contact with anyone."

    Alyssa''s head buzzed. She was mind-blown by this series of bad news. In a quivering voice, she asked, ''Then... Then, how will that affect his daily life?"

    "There''s basically no impact on his daily life. He can continue working, possibly with even better efficiency than before because he will have no emotional distractions and will be even more focused."

    Julien couldn''t bear to look at Alyssa. He simply stared at the scan in his hands. "However, he has lost the ability to love, protect, and care for people."

    Alyssa''s heart wrenched. "What do you mean?"

    "He doesn''t know how to love anymore. In other words, all he sees in his emotional world is himself."

    Julien took a deep breath. His eyes welled up. "In his eyes, his rtives, friends, and even you are the same.

    "He remembers all of you, but that is all there is. No one is special.

    "How can that be... He didn''t forget me. He still retains the memory of us being in love!" Alyssa eximed in a raspy voice. She was extremely dissatisfied with what she heard.

    "But he''s unable to feel anything. Even if he retains those memories and knows that you were both once in love, so what?"

    Julien looked toward Alyssa. What he uttered next was brutal. "Lyse, memories are only memories. In the heart of someone with an emotional disorder, their memories carry no meaning."

    He didn''t want to lie to her.

    It would be better for her to get the pain over with rather than drag it out.

    Just as before, Alyssa was not convinced. With tears in her eyes, she pressed on, "Is there no way to stir the emotions up in him? I don''t believe that there''s absolutely nothing we can do!"

    ''As a follow-up, I will conduct hypnotherapy on him. But this is not a treatment that will work 100% of the time. There''s only a 50% chance that it''ll work. Moreover, it has to be conducted carefully. Otherwise, he will end up delirious.

    ''There''s also shock therapy. It might help to send strong electrical currents to stimte him.''

    Alyssa closed her eyes. She shook her head hard. "No... I know what shock therapy is. That is a form of physical and mental torture. He had depression when he was young. After retiring from the military, he''s tried it once to treat his PTSD. I don''t want him to suffer through that again..."

    Julien pondered it. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "How about we stimte his emotions? Extreme anger, extreme sadness, or an extreme blow could very well help him find his own emotions again."

    This was an approach they could try.

    But how would they get a chance to try that?

    *Lyse, I''m not saying these to discourage you. I just want you to be mentally prepared."

    Julien got to his feet and gave Alyssa a tender hug. "You are the strongest woman that I have ever met. You have to take good care of yourself. Take it one step at a time. Jasper will get better."

    Alyssa emerged from Julien''s office alone. Not knowing where to go, she was just like a soulless shell.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Feeling dazed, she walked to a balcony and looked up at the dark skies. Moments from her sweet past with Jasper reyed before her eyes.

    The cruelty of this moment was as great as their love for each other in the past.

    At first, she had kept her emotions in check as she had decided to face everything bravely. Yet, the more she let

    her mind wander on her own, the more painful her heart was.

    Once again, she covered her face with her hands and sobbed.

    Suddenly, Alyssa felt a gentle tap on her arm.

    She panicked. She wiped her tears away and looked down.

    A slender hand reached out in front of her, holding a clean handkerchief.

    ''Don''t cry, Ms. Alyssa. Or you''ll just cry your eyes out."

    Justin was sitting in a wheelchair. He looked up at her with that elegant and warm face of his. The corners of his lips were slightly curled as heforted her in a gentle voice.

 Chapter 2247

    ?

    Justin seemed to embody every word that defined gentleness,posure, and grace. Despite his physical imperfections, he never gave up on himself or resented others.

    Even so, Alyssa felt an inexplicable sense of unease around him. Standing beside him left her feeling oppressed in a way she couldn''t quite put into words.

    "I''m fine, thank you." Alyssa raised her arm and wiped her tears with her sleeve.

    She remembered how she used to cry so freely, especially in front of Jasper. She''d ruin her entire image, sobbing into his shirt or tie. Unlike Justin, Jasper never offered her a handkerchief. He was more like a giant tissue- always there, letting her cry on him, no matter how disheveled it left him.

    Even so, he would still coax her tenderly and nt kisses on the tip of her reddened nose. He made space for her boundlessly.

    Justin smiled slightly. He stuffed his handkerchief back into his suit pocket. In a soft voice, he said, ''Jasper has now regained consciousness. I heard that his brain was damaged, so he''s changed as a person. I''m afraid that the problem couldn''t be solved even if I managed to find out what that medication was.

    ''Give him some time, Ms. Alyssa. He will recover eventually."Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "I don''t care how he changes." Alyssa choked back her tears. An optimistic and determined smile spread across her face. "I''m still young. I have plenty of time to stay by his side while he recovers. Is a lifetime enough?"

    The look in Justin''s eyes dimmed. However, he sighed from the bottom of his heart, "I''ve never envied anyone in my life. Jasper is the only exception."

    Alyssa looked toward him again.

    He leaned forward slightly. A subtle, cool scent wafted around Alyssa. In a deep voice, he continued, "It''s only because he has you."

    On the way back from the hospital, Justin maintained his usualposed posture. For some reason, that made Sheryl''s heart race as she sat next to him. She felt like the air in the car was thin, making breathing difficult.

    "What''s wrong, Mr. Justin?" Sheryl probed gently and cautiously.

    ''As expected, Jasper became like a different person after he woke up. He treats Alyssa differently from before too. Aren''t all these within your prediction?

    "Didn''t you want Jasper to lose everything and for him to be a useless man in Beckett Group, so that you can overthrow himpletely?''

    With an indifferent expression on his face, Justin gazed out the window with a deep, frigid, and sharp look in his eyes.

    He answered, "However, even if he loses everything, I believe that there''s one thing that he will never ever lose." Sheryl asked, "What is it?"

    "Alyssa''s love for him."

    Sheryl clicked her tongue. "If you ask me, I think it''s just a matter of time. No woman will be able to handle having the love of their life treating them coldly each day.

    ''Everyone has emotions. If she''s hurt again and again, by the time that passionate heart of hers is tattered, torn, and bled dry, how is she going to keep holding on?"

    A cold gleam shed across her eyes as if she could see through it all. "Back then, Alyssa married Jasper behind everyone''s backs. Shouldering that immense pressure, she had to face Sophia and Betty''s harsh treatment, her

    own husband''s heartlessness, and she''d even lost a child.

    "In the end, Alyssa was the one to leave Jasper when his first love came back, and this was just three years ago. So, don''t worry. There will only be one of two oues for them.

    "They''d either split up or they''d be parted by death."

    She made "just three years'' sound as insignificant as three days.

    Some of the gloominess disappeared from Justin''s appealing face. "After Julien leaves, I will make arrangements for you to approach Jasper."

    Even though Sheryl was aware that this was already part of the n, she still felt nervous now that it was actuallying to pass.

    "Mr. Justin, Jasper didn''t lose his memory. He''s emotionally handicapped. He doesn''t even care about Alyssa anymore, so how could he even pay any attention to someone like me, whom he has known previously? He might even be resistant to me.

    "I''m just... afraid that you''d be disappointed.

    ''I''ve never considered having you be in a rtionship with him. Because he has lost his emotions, he does not love Alyssa. In the same way, he will not love you. But your presence can, in the greatest possible way, make Alyssa give up on Jasper."

    Sheryl was still hesitant. "Can I?"

    "Did you think that the one that Jasper couldn''t forget was Liana?"

    Justin closed his eyes slowly. An inexplicable allure radiated from his face within the dimly-lit car.

    After going through all that and finally getting permission from Newton, Alyssa couldn''t bear to leave the hospital. All alone, she kept watch quietly at the door to Jasper''s ward.

    She felt lost. She didn''t know what she had to do to revive the love they shared.

    Nevertheless, she knew that if she were to lose heart, be dispirited, or give up, they would not have any hope at all. She needed him to live on.

    More than that, she wanted them to be in love like they were before. She wanted to grow old together with him.

 Chapter 2248

    ?

    Alyssa had always been a greedy person.

    She didn''t dare to allow herself to be idle. She called Cyrus. "Cyrus, have you and your peoplepleted the autopsy for Jameson?"

    "We have. He had a heart attack, but ording to the forensic pathologist, this type of heart attack didn''t happen because of his own health reasons. Instead, it was triggered by some medication that was injected into him."

    The suspicion in Alyssa''s heart grew. She lowered her voice. "When we were on Rose Ind, Jameson had taken quite a number of random medications to keep himself alert. Even so, nothing bad actually happened to him.

    "After over half a month of being in the detention center, he hadn''t been consuming medications or receiving injections. Yet, he actually dropped dead? Doesn''t it sound strange to you?"

    Cyrus had his doubts too. "No matter how much we specte, we don''t have any solid evidence."

    *Other than myself, has he met with anyone else the past two days?"

    "Everyone in the Schmidt family is gone. Who else is there who would visit him?"

    "In that case, start by looking into those who came into contact with him. Not even the janitor should be spared!"

    Alyssa calmed her breathing down. A sharp gleam returned to her swollen eyes. "Cyrus, have you forgotten? Previously, someone got rid of David soon after he was locked up in the detention center. His death was way more horrendous than this. It was clearly murder!

    "Whoever did this was even more ingenious and secretive. It might even be possible that they had given him an injection while he was sleeping. So, the criminals who shared the same cell as him and those who came into contact with him in the past few days have to be investigated in detail. Everything from their identity, their background, to their bank transactions!"

    "I get you. That was what I was nning to do too."

    All of a sudden, Cyrus fell into a momentary silence. Then, in a soft voice, he asked, "Lyse, how are you holding up?"

    "I''m good. I''m great."

    Holding back her tears, Alyssa forced a smile on her face. "Jasper has woken up. As long as he''s alive and well, all is good with me."

    ''Don''t lie to me. We''ve all found out about the problem with Jasper''s brain."

    Cyrus took a deep breath. In an earnest tone, he continued, "Lyse, you might not like me saying this, but if Jasper doesn''t fully recover from his brain condition, I wouldn''t suggest you two to force yourselves to remain together.

    "His current self is even worse than he was three years ago. Three years ago, he didn''t know what love was. Right now, he doesn''t know how to love at all.

    "You''re both not legally married yet, so you don''t have to be a grass widow. As the saying goes, letting go is hard, but being free is beautiful. Isn''t it also a rather good thing if you can both live your own lives well in the future?"

    Was it a rather good thing?

    Could it be a rather good thing?

    Jasper lost the ability to love while Alyssa''s heart had beenpletely emptied.

    "It won''t always be like this, Cyrus. Jul said that it''s possible for Jasper to recover his ability to feel."

    Alyssa was as stubborn as a mule. "Don''t worry, I will not take my own life. Since he''s forgotten how to love, I will teach him, little by little, what love is."

    Cyrus was well aware that he wouldn''t be able to convince Alyssa.

    She was a headstrong woman. She could afford to engage in countless trials and errors. All they needed to do was to be her firm support. The rest were not within their control.

    It was all up to her choice.

    With her arms crossed in front of her chest, Alyssay on her side on the hard bench at the hospital corridor. She fell asleep without realizing it.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    She had nightmares consecutively. She dreamt of Jasper marching forward without turning back. From behind him, she chased after him frantically in the dark, shouting at him continuously to make him tum around.

    All of a sudden, Jasper disappeared.

    At the same time, the road beneath her feet vanished suddenly. It turned into a terrifyingly deep chasm.

    *Jump. Your dear Jasper is right in there. Just jump. Would you have the guts to? You don''t."

    Following that was a maniacalughter directed at her.

    Tears filled her eyes, and her blood ran cold. In the end, she steeled herself and shouted, "I''ll jump!"

    Her cries from her dreams echoed in the empty corridor. She rolled off the bench andnded with a loud thud.

    The pain woke her up.

    Alyssa was drenched in cold sweat. She moaned softly as the pain made it difficult for her to even straighten her back.

    With all her might, she rolled over. The moment she opened her bleary eyes, her pupils constricted.

    Jasper, in his hospital gown, was standing tall right next to her, staring down at her with an expressionless look on his face.

 Chapter 2249

    ?Chapter 2249

    Looking into each other''s eyes, Alyssa''s bloodshot eyes gradually filled with tears of agitation and sorrow.

    Jasper came out to see her. Did he know she had been watching him the whole time?

    Did that mean that deep within him, he still had feelings for her and that she was someone special to him?

    Alyssa''s lips parted slightly. The tip of her nose was red. As shey on her back and looked at Jasper, she mumbled in a miserable and coquettish voice, ''Jasper... Jasper..."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes darkened. He nced at her silently for a while before asking in a hoarse voice, "What are you still doing here?"

    A huge drop of tear rolled from theer of Alyssa''s eye, reflecting how weak and fragile she was.

    She wanted to say something, but all that escaped her were sobs. She couldn''t bring herself to say anything.

    Staring into her tear-filled eyes, Jasper frowned. "You woke me up because you kept talking."

    "I... I''m sorry..." she apologized to him while she sobbed.

    She used to be so noble and prideful. Before Jasper, she used to be an unrestrained drama queen. Yet, at this moment, she was being so heartbreakingly cautious toward him.

    ''Forget it."

    Jasper could tell that she couldn''t get up because of the fall. However, he couldn''t leave her lying here either. He might not have emotions anymore, but he was still humane even if he had forgotten how kind he used to be and how deeply in love he used to be with Alyssa.

    Thus, he lowered himself and picked a disheveled Alyssa up from the floor in a princess carry.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "Don''t!" Taking into consideration the fact that he was still recovering from the gunshot wound on his left shoulder, Alyssa bore in mind that he shouldn''t be exerting himself like this.

    "Would you prefer lying down here the entire night?"

    The pain started throbbing in Jasper''s left arm, but he didn''t care. He turned around and carried Alyssa into his ward. "As much as you might want to continue lying there, I want to sleep. I''ve never seen any woman being as noisy as you when she sleeps."

    He had a cold and straightforward character in the first ce. This characteristic of his had be entuated now that his emotional processing system had broken down.

    Jasper''s words during their marriage had often been harsh. He had a way of leaving Alyssa burdened with unspoken frustration, her emotions simmering beneath the surface. Yet, she could only hold it all in, afraid of provoking his anger.

    With that said, she was no longer Alice White.

    As such, Alyssa gathered her courage and wrapped her arms around Jasper''s neck. As she blinked, she said to him in a soft and flirtatious voice, ''It seems like you''ve watched many women while they slept, Mr. Beckett."

    "I haven''t.''

    Jasper furrowed his brows. Without looking at her, he added, "But I''m sure that other women wouldn''t be as noisy as you are."

    She ended up being criticized.

    Alyssa pouted miserably. At the same time, with tears in her eyes, she lifted the corners of her lips silently. Jasper wanted to put her down on the couch at first. However, the couch was too hard. She had just hurt her back

    from the fall, so it would be very ufortable for her toy there.

    In the end, he lowered her onto the hospital bed.

    "Let go," Jasper uttered coldly.

    With her hands still wrapped tightly around his neck, he could only sit by the bed with his back hunched forward. This made his tall body look especially constrained.

    After suppressing all those surging emotions for days, Alyssa finally broke down at this very moment.

 Chapter 2250

    ?Chapter 2250

    Alyssa wasn''t a cowardly woman.

    Just as Jasper was about to pull her hand away, she gritted her teeth, bracing against the pain, and made her move.

    She pressed her body against his firm chest, her quivering lips seeking his, locking them in a deep, desperate kiss.

    Jasper''s eyes widened. He stiffened up and fell into a daze, thanks to Alyssa''s sudden and passionate move.

    He hadn''t forgotten her. He remembered that they used to be lovers. However, those heart-fluttering memories were dispensable and meaningless to him. He could no longer find the love that he had for her. Yet, he didn''t push her away.

    Noticing that Jasper wasn''t moving, Alyssa became more daring. She knelt on the bed and cupped that well- sculpted face of his in her hands. She couldn''t stop herself from kissing him, biting him, and reeling him in.

    In truth, they had learned about intimacy from one another. Jasper, especially, was a natural and fast learner. He was the one who discovered all her erogenous zones. Whenever they were intimate, he would advance ording to her preferences, putting her in seventh heaven every time.

    She, too, was familiar with his sensitive areas. Whenever she bit on his Adam''s apple and his scap, it would send him into a frenzy.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Desperate to stir something in him, Alyssa threw caution aside. Shame no longer mattered.

    Jasper, however, was as firm as a mountain. The look in his eyes was nk, as if he were an emotionless statue. Alyssa''s heart raced with panic. She kissed his nose, and with trembling courage, her lips brushed his Adam''s apple.

    That was when he pushed her away.

    ''Alyssa," Jasper uttered her name.

    Alyssa bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, a delicate yet haunting sight.

    "I know that we used to be lovers. Grandpa told me stories about us when it was just him and me."

    Jasper lowered his eyes, avoiding Alyssa''s pitiful gaze. ''But I''m sorry. Even though I used to be very much in love with you, I''m no longer able to love you now."

    The wrenching pain in Alyssa''s heart made it difficult for her to hold herself together. She faltered, but still managed to keep herself together.

    That being said, her tears started falling uncontrobly once again, and they just wouldn''t stop.

    She had said the same words to Jasper in the past, but she didn''t realize how hurtful these words could be. They were way more cruel than saying, "I have never loved you."

    Losing something she once had was more painful than never having it at all.

    "What I''m trying to say is, don''t waste your time on me anymore."

    Jasper looked at Alyssa once again. For some reason, he felt a little afraid of looking at this delicate yet seemingly badly hurt face of hers, so his tone became rushed. "There''s nothing good about me. As for you, youe from a really good family. You''re talented, beautiful, and notcking in pursuers.

    "You should find someone who loves you. There''s no meaning in pining for something you''ve already lost."

    With that, he got up to leave.

    Alyssa''s eyes had turnedpletely red. She grabbed onto him tightly to hold him back, so much so that her fingers were almost wing at his muscles.

    "In that case... In that case, let''s start afresh."

    Jasper turned around in shock, only to be met with the determined and bright look in her eyes.

    She was someone from a noble background, someone who was prideful, and someone whocked nothing. He had thought that someone like her would naturally hate it when he treated her with such frigidity and heartlessness.

    But he had forgotten that Alyssa was someone who never gave up or admitted defeat.

    *Jasper Beckett, nice to meet you. I''m Alyssa Taylor."

    She slid her hand from his forearm down to his hand, and gave him a firm handshake. She lifted her head slightly and held back the tears in her eyes. "It''s alright if you don''t love me. I will always, always love you very much."

    After saying that, she let go of his stiffened hand. Without any hesitation, she leapt off the bed. Forcing herself to withstand the pain in her hips, she left the hospital ward.

    Jasper remained at the same spot, dumbfounded. After a long while, he looked down at his palm, and curled his fingers inward slowly.

 Chapter 2251

    ?Chapter 2251

    Alyssa didn''t return to her manor in Sna City over the next three days. Not only was Rosie working there, but that ce also contained too many memories of her rtionship with Jasper.

    Simply stepping into the ce made her heart feel like it was being tom.

    Alyssa didn''t dare to return to Heightsnew Vi either. She didn''t want Winston to worry or her family members to question her. Thus, she booked a room at KS World Hotel and just made do with that ce for three nights.

    She had lost Jasper''s love. Her heart was despondent, and she felt like a lost boat drifting out at sea.

    She no longer had a home.

    Jonah, Cyrus, and Sean found her at the hotel on the fourth day.

    With the curtains closed, Alyssa curled her small frame up under the covers and slept the day away. She didn''t hear the knocks on her door at all.

    The three men were terrified to the point that they immediately called the supervisor over to open the door with the master key.

    There wasplete silence in the suite. Even though it was in the middle of the day, there was not a single ray of light to be seen.

    A few pieces of clothing were strewn across the couch, and two sides of a pair of heelsy on opposite ends of the room.

    When they saw the mountain of mac and cheese cups on the tea table and the table littered with beer bottles, all three lost it.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    *Lyse is just ruining herself!"

    Cyrus'' heart was so pained that it was difficult to breathe. It felt like his insides were a convoluted mess that was being churned about with a sharp de. He bellowed, "He''s just a freaking man. What''s special about him? If he no longer loves her, so be it! Why does she have to torment herself like this?

    "If I had known that this would be the case, both of them should''ve just cut tiespletely when they first split up. They shouldn''t have gotten involved with one another again! Jasper is the bane of her existence. He should just be single for the rest of his fucking life. Whoever gets involved with him will suffer from bad luck!"

    Sean was a subordinate. It wouldn''t be appropriate for him to utter such extreme words before Jonah and Cyrus. That being said, he expressed the misery in his heart through the look on his face.

    As redness filled his eyes, he walked to the side of the couch and silently folded Alyssa''s clothes. He picked up her heels one by one and ced them neatly by the entrance.

    Having met the love of his life and bing a father-to-be, Sean was even more attentive when caring toward others than he used to be. After all, when Alyssa had just gotten divorced, he spent much of his time looking after her daily living.

    He finally broke down as he cleaned up the mac and cheese cups and beer bottles. With his head lowered, he gritted his teeth and started crying. His broad shoulders trembled.

    Alyssa was the nicest woman in the world.

    What kind of evil deed did she ever do in her previous life to deserve such repeated misfortunes in this life that left her all bruised and battered?

    The look in Jonah''s eyes was dim. He did not say a word. The suit he was wearing over his tall and strong body concealed the slight quiver that he was experiencing from refraining himself forcefully.

    Even when Alyssa got divorced and was chased out of Seaview Manor looking all miserable, she had never given up on herself like this.

    This time, it was as if her soul and energy had been sucked out of her. The radiance she used to have had now vanished as she fell into the ice cold ravine.

    With a frigid look on his face, Jonah strode over and pushed open the door to the bedroom.

    It was pitch dark inside. Only a tiny head was vaguely visible while the nket was rolled into a ball.

    Feeling the rage that was about to blow up from within Jonah, Sean hurried forward to stop him. "Mr. Jonah, give Ms. Alyssa some time to rest... She''s been absolutely exhausted."

    "Is she resting right now? She''s torturing and abusing herself!"

    Jonah shoved Sean aside. With a frigid air, he stormed toward the bed. "If she''s unable to withstand a small blow like this, how will I have the confidence to hand KS Group to her and allow her to take over the Taylor family?

    ''She is the hope of the entire Taylor family. If she''s just going toe apart and spend her days like this, she is only going to disappoint Dad."

    He couldn''t bear to do anything at first, but after standing by the bed for a moment, he clenched his teeth and flung Alyssa''s nket aside.

    On the bed, Alyssa''s dark hair was covering her pale face entirely. Her pajamas were scruffy, and she was curled up like a stray cat.

    "Alyssa Taylor, what in the world are you trying to do?"

 Chapter 2252

    ?N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    Alyssa squinted through bleary eyes. After staring at Jonah briefly, she squirmed a little before closing her eyes again.

    "Either you forget Jasper or step up and make him fall for you all over again."

    Jonah''s gaze was fiery, like twin mes dancing in his eyes. "Look at yourself right now. You''re just wasting your life away right here!"

    "You''re really noisy..." Alyssa mumbled, burying her head into the pillow. Her dark hair fanned out across the white sheets, making her seem all the more fragile. "Go away... Let me sleep.''

    As her older brother, Jonah felt a mix of frustration and helplessness. His heart ached to see her like this.

    The key person involved had to be the one to solve the problem. Persuasioning from anyone else was meaningless.

    Jasper was the only one who could help her with oveing her troubles.

    ''Ms. Alyssa, if you''re hungry, you can get the chef at the hotel to whip something up for you. Is there anything you''d like to eat? Why must you have instant mac and cheese?"

    Sean was extremely worried. "It''s not good for your health to have so much mac and cheese cups. What would you like to have? I''ll make it for you."

    "Mac and cheese cups are yummy... I like it,'' Alyssa answered in a monotonous voice. She was notpletely disheartened yet. She was still capable of answering questions thrown at her.

    Cyrus was well aware that Alyssa was a drama queen. Instead of employing a conventional approach, they needed to go with something more unexpected.

    So, he walked to the side of Alyssa''s bed, leaned into her ear and whispered like a devil, "I found out who came in contact with Jameson."

    A few secondster, Alyssa sat right up in bed suddenly. She widened her eyes and asked, "Who were they?"

    "My goodness... You stink!"

    Cyrus pinched his nose and pretended to be disgusted. "The cleaner will think that it''s a crime scene when shees in tomorrow morning and call the cops immediately."

    Sean burst outughing when he heard Cyrus'' exaggerated response.

    "Go take a shower and have a proper meal. I will tell you my findings if you do as I say."

    As expected, this tactic worked.

    Alyssa crawled out of bed swiftly. Barefooted, she stumbled toward the bathroom.

    Looking at Alyssa from behind, Jonah''s frown deepened. He noticed that she had her arms crossed in front of her chest and was leaning forward by her hips slightly. He also saw that her skinny legs were trembling.

    "Lyse, what''s wrong?" he asked in a worried voice immediately.

    *I''m fine... I''ll take a shower. I''ll be quick," Alyssa replied in an especially soft voice.

    It was obvious to Jonah that there was something off about the way she breathed. His chest tightened. He walked toward her quickly.

    "Lyse, are you feeling unwell? I''ll take you to the hospital right now."

    ''I''m no-''

    In the next second, Alyssa felt an intense cramp in her stomach, as if there was a spiky ball rolling around in her

    abdomen.

    Right after that, her muscles tightened. She bent forward suddenly and threw up a mouthful of fresh blood.

    "Lyse!" Jonah and Cyrus yelled and rushed forward immediately.

    Sean was scared out of his wits. As quickly as he could, he picked up his phone and called for help.

    Alyssa fell into Jonah''s arms. Her vision went dark and fresh blood pooled in her mouth. Bit by bit, she lost consciousness.

 Chapter 2253

    ?

    Today, after undergoing a full-body checkup, Jasper was cleared to return home for rest, having met the conditions for discharge.

    After lunch, Xavier brought a suit set over and helped Jasper change into it piece by piece.

    When it was time to tie his necktie, Xavier was naturally reminded of those countless sunny mornings when Alyssa tied Jasper''s ties for him.

    Alyssa was good with her hands and knew how to tie Jasper''s tie in all sorts of ways.

    Every time she finished, Jasper would wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her close before pressing a deep kiss against her lips.

    Xavier wondered if there would ever be a chance to witness that beautiful scene again. He was discontented. He uttered, "Um, Mr. Beckett..."

    Jasper was silent. He lowered his eyes slightly and stared at Xavier with a frosty gaze.

    Just as Xavier was about to muster up his courage to talk about Alyssa, someone in a whiteb coat strutted into the room.

    "Mr. Jasper, you look rather good today."

    The smile on Sheryl''s face reached her eyes. Casually, she walked before Jasper. "Congrattions on getting discharged from the hospital."

    As she said that, she held out both hands and presented him with a bunch of creamy white tulips that she had hidden behind her back.

    Looking emotionless, Jasper hesitated for a bit before taking the tulips from her. "Thank you, Dr. Gillis."

    "Mr. Newton and Mr. Javier are on their way to pick you up. They''re both really worried about you."N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Sheryl curled her light pink lips upward. "Mr. Justin isn''t feeling very well today, so he sent me to pick you up. After all, I''m a doctor. I can help you out if there''s anything you need help with."

    With a neutral expression, Jasper responded in a deep voice, "That''s nice of Justin."

    Standing behind Sheryl, Xavier observed her closely without making a sound. For some reason, he always felt really ufortable when she saw her. He''d feel as if something was weighing on his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.

    There was a familiar yet foreign feeling. It was a strange feeling that he couldn''t exin.

    Right at this moment, Xavier''s cell phone rang. It was an urgent call from thepany, so he left to take it.

    Jasper and Sheryl were the only ones left in the hospital ward.

    Jasper turned and faced the mirror. He was trying to do up his own necktie.

    Nevertheless, it was still a mess even after a few minutes. He couldn''t figure it out at all. A thinyer of sweat formed on his temples as his brows knitted tightly together. Out of frustration, he blurted, "Lyse, help me."

 Chapter 2254

    ?

    The room was silent.

    Sheryl heard the name "Lyse" clearly. rm bells started ringing in her head.

    Didn''t Justin wam that this type of medication could interfere with a person''s emotional processing? It was meant to erase all traces of Jasper''s passionate devotion to Alyssa so he would never yearn for the woman he ance loved. So why would he mention Alyssa''s name now?

    Jasper stared at his reflection in the mirror, surprised to see himself standing there alone. He had convinced himself he didn''t need anyone else in his life.

    Yet, for some strange reason, the moment he said "Lyse", it felt as if a hole had formed in his heart. An echo reverberated through that void, one he couldn''t ignore.

    He didn''t realize that her name echoed because he couldn''t forget her.

    While Jasper stood lost in thought, soft hands suddenly glided across his broad shoulders and around his neck. A light fragrance drifted to his nose.

    Looking down, he met Sheryl''s eyes, filled with tenderness. The intensity in his dark gaze dulled immediately.

    "It looks like you''re not too familiar with tying neckties, Mr. Jasper."

    Sheryl traced her fingers gently around his dark gray necktie. In a captivatingly sweet voice, she offered, "Let me help you. Mr. Javier and the others will arrive soon. It won''t be nice for them to see you like this."

    Even though she was in heels, Jasper was still taller than her. She tiptoed intentionally so that they could lean closer to one another. Their breaths intertwined, and their noses were almost touching.

    Jasper frowned slightly. He was about to speak up when heavy footsteps sounded at the door.

    He looked up immediately, only to see Julien standing there with an icy look on his face, watching all that was before his eyes. Jasper and Sheryl looked especially intimate from where he stood. They looked as if they were about to kiss.

    Julien''s sharp eyes widened, blood boiling as rage surged.

    "Oh, Dr. Lovce."

    Sheryl turned around. She beamed at Julien, who had a gloomy look on his face. She exined in an innocent tone, "Please don''t misunderstand. Mr. Jasper didn''t seem to know how to do up his necktie, so I was just helping him out a little."

    Julien smirked coldly and stormed right toward Jasper.

    In the next second, he raised his hand and pped Jasper''s face.

    Jasper''s head snapped to the side, a burning red handprint blossoming on his cheek.

    Sheryl immediately stepped between them.

    Sheryl stood in front of Jasper immediately. "Dr. Lovce! How could you hit someone for no reason?"

    "Bugger off. I''m not a gentleman." Julien''s face fell. He touched the roof of his mouth with his tongue. "Say another word and I''ll hit you as well!"

    "Why, you-

    In frustration, the color drained from Sheryl''s face. Julien shoved her aside roughly.

    *Jasper, it''s only been a few days since you woke up. Are you that desperate to rece your old lover with someone new?"

    Julien''s eyes reddened with anger. He was burning with fury. "Did that small issue with your brain awaken that jerk within you? You''re having an emotional disorder, not amnesia. Don''t you know that Ms. Alyssa Taylor is your girlfriend?

    *Even if you no longer have any love for her, don''t you still have your morals? How could you be getting involved with another woman in broad daylight when you have an actual girlfriend? Are you even human?"Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

 Chapter 2255

    ?

    Sheryl took a deep breath. Maintaining that same gentle posture of hers, she said, "Dr. Lovce, you''re mistaken. I was just helping Mr. Jasper with his tie. I''m afraid you''re being overly sensitive and making a mountain out of a molehill.''

    "He can do it himself. Or, if not, he has Mr. Hall. Why would it even concern you?"

    Human attraction was fascinating. Julien''s initial impression of Sheryl was unfavorable-he found her insincere. Furthermore, he had heard from Jonah about the Beckett family dynamics. Justin and Jasper, bom of different mothers, had a strained rtionship. Given Sheryl''s allegiance to Justin, Julien became increasingly wary of her.

    "Dr. Lovce, I''ve set things straight with Ms. Alyssa."

    Jasper pursed his lips so tightly that they turned pale. In a deep voice, he rified, "We have gone our separate ways.''

    A shocked expression came across Julien''s face. He stumbled a step backward. "What did you say?"

    Stepping aside with a seemingly calm look, Sheryl lifted the corners of her lips very subtly.

    "We''ve gone our separate ways," Jasper repeated in an even colder tone.

    "What the heck... You bastard!"

    Julien charged forward and grabbed Jasper by his cor. The knuckles on his hands turned white. "Lyse wasted her youth, lost a child, and sacrificed so much for your sake.

    "Her heart is shattered, and her body has crumbled from all that stress. She threw up blood just an hour ago and was sent into the ICU. She''s still unconscious as we speak!

    "Even if you don''t love her, don''t you feel any sense of responsibility? How could you say that you no longer want her? What the hell is wrong with you?"

    He had been trying his best to trivialize this matter these few days so as not to make Alyssa sad or remind her of her sorrow.

    He knew that the people around them were anxious, terrified, and worried. These worrisome emotions would only amplify her suffering and, consequently, make him feel even more terrible.

    Despite everything, anyone who had witnessed the growth of their rtionship could understand the pain of losing a loved one.

    How could they ept it? They used to be so passionately in love. Right now, Jasper was saying that he no longer loved her. How could anyone take that?

    Upon hearing that, Jasper frowned deeply. As bizarre as it was, a plethora of emotions surged within his eyes. "She... threw up blood? Because of me?"

    *Jasper, you should pay Lyse a visit if you still have a heart."

    Julien took a deep breath to force himself to simmer down. All of a sudden, he released his grasp on Jasper''s cor.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    "Even if you no longer have any feelings for her, the memories you share are still in your mind, aren''t they? She was once someone you vowed to protect. You went through so many difficulties to be with her. Yet, you''re leaving her now... Do you truly not feel any pain in your heart?

    "Are you not afraid that it would toote for you to regret it one day?"

    After saying that, Julien turned around and stormed off.

    Toote to regret...

    Suddenly, Jasper''s vision turned blurry. He was ovee by an immense pain. In that instant, he felt as if his head had be an oversized balloon that was about to pop!

    "Mr. Jasper, what''s wrong? Where does it hurt?"

    Sheryl rushed forward to hold him, but was brushed off fiercely by Jasper, who was breaking out in cold sweat." Nothing. I''m fine!"

    Her hands froze awkwardly in mid-air. Dissatisfied, she balled her hands into fists.

    After leaving the hospital ward, Julien ran to the balcony, fuming. He dialed Jonah''s number.

    "Hey, Julien." Jonah''s voice was tender as usual with a hint of tiredness.

    *Jonah... I...

 Chapter 2256

    ?Chapter 2256

    Initially, Julien had suppressed his emotions the best he could. Yet, the moment he heard Jonah''s rich-sounding voice, he broke down.

    "I can''t take it anymore... I feel really bad for Lyse!"

    "Don''t cry, my love."

    Jonah quicklyforted Julien in a warm, slightly throaty voice, "I know you care for Lyse. So do we. Don''t worry. She had acute bleeding in her stomach, but she''s already awake now.

    *ording to the doctor, it was caused by her irregr eating habits on top of being too heartbroken and consuming too much alcohol. Moreover, Lyse already suffers from gastritis. It''s a condition that she developed as a result of having irregr meals when she used to work as a medic on the battlefield."

    Julien was astounded. "Lyse... has been on the battlefield?"

    *She was with Doctors Without Borders at Luminara that year when they were at war. She saved a good number of citizens and soldiers from the Peacekeeping Forces." Jonah''s voice contained heartache and an inexplicable feeling of pride when he mentioned these.

    "Oh my god... How is it that you Taylors have such big hearts? Luminara''s political situation was unstable. Not only was there war, there were also a number of terrorists wreaking havoc. As a woman, Lyse went to such a faraway ce and dove into dire straits every day. How was it that all of you could bear to see her do that?"

    Jonah stayed silent for a moment. Then, he took a deep breath and answered in a shaky voice, "We couldn''t bear to see her there either. But she was so fixed on pursuing Jasper that she wanted to follow him wherever he went. None of us were able to stop her."

    Julien was mind-blown. He eximed in shock, "Lyse... went to do such dangerous work because of Jasper?"

    "Jasper used to be a soldier with the Peacekeeping Forces. He was once dispatched to Luminara for an important mission." Jonah''s voice tensed up. "Lyse only applied to go to Luminara so that she could see him. She almost didn''t make it back...

    *Jasper doesn''t deserve her... That brat doesn''t deserve Lyse''s love at all!"

    Julien''s captivating, sharp eyes turned red with anger. He mmed his fist onto the railing on the balcony.

    *After he regained consciousness, he''s be an absolute asshole! I happened to bump into him being all lovey- dovey with that Dr. Gillis, the female doctor who hangs around Mr. Justin. I gave that brat a p and scolded him for being a jerk. Then, he actually told me that he and Lyse have gone their separate ways!"

    As Julien said that, tears started streaming down his face again. He choked with even more emotion, "Jonah, truth be told... With the way Jasper is acting right now, I''d very much rather have him dead!"

    *Julien...

    "Lyse could only watch as he distanced himself from her even though he was just right before her eyes. She even has to bear with him getting close to other women.

    *Jonah, who in the world is able to bear with that feeling of falling from heaven to the depths of hell? I really regret saving him. I should''ve drugged him and made himatose at the very beginning. That''ll be a million times better than the current situation!"

    "Julien, don''t forget that Jasper only turned out like this because of Lyse.'' Jonah''s breathing became heavier. ''It all depends on their fate. If they''re still meant to be together, Jasper will surely find his love for Lyse again.

    "If this is where it ends, this oue might turn out to be for the best. All are good as long as they are alive and well."

    Julien pulled a handkerchief out and wiped his tears. "When I''m done with work... I''ll visit Lyse at the hospital."

    ''No worries. It''s fine if you''re only able to make it another day. Lyse is still weak and needs to rest properly anyway."

    *Jonah, it''s your birthday the day after tomorrow."

    Julien sniffled. A blissful smile came across his face as he looked at the wedding ring on his ring finger. "You know me. Unlike you, I''m not always able toe up with unique surprises. Just tell me what you want..."

    Jonah chuckled softly. It was as if he could feel his fervent breath even through the phone call. He replied, "In that case, don''t work overtime the day after tomorrow."N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Julien blinked. "That''s all?"

    In a deep and gruff voice, Jonah borated, "Then, clean yourself up and wait for me."

    ''Fuck, I knew it! You''re a bastard!" Julien cussed. At the same time, he blushed. He had already lost his heart to Jonah.

    The skies lit up with a bright red glow as the sun set.

    Driving a white Ferrari alone, Sheryl arrived at Seaview Manor.

 Chapter 2257

    ?Chapter 2257

    In the study, Justin sat at his desk, engrossed in the art of calligraphy. The ink flowed gracefully over the paper, inscribing the words, "Spring adds new life and new joy to all that is."

    His strokes flowed like a river. They looked to be full of life and endless vigor.

    "Mr. Justin, Jasper has been discharged."

    When Julien came to Sheryl''s mind, she became enraged. "That Dr. Lovce is such a hindrance. Because of Alyssa, he pped Jasper and shoved me at the hospital today! He''s not a man at all, that bugger!"

    With a slight smirk on his face, Justin spread out a new piece of writing paper. "Why, does it make your heart ache to see Jasper getting hit?"

    "No, I just think that he''s being too nosy. I was just worried that he would mess your n up."

    Sheryl had a gloomy look in her eyes. "With someone like this by Jasper''s side, provoking and stimting him over and over, I''m worried that it would invoke his curiosity about Alyssa. His subconscious feelings for Alyssa might be woken up if this continues."

    "Get in touch with this person tonight."

    Justin retrieved a document from his drawer, and ced it on his desk.

    Sheryl walked over to him quickly. She picked it up and took a nce. She frowned. "A member of Cloudtop? Hasn''t this organization been disbanded? Why are you looking for this person?"

    Justin narrowed his dark eyes slightly. "Keep reading."

    Sheryl flipped through a few more pages. When she saw the photo of the man in the document, that familiar face came like a bolt from the blue. She eximed, "Julien? He''s a member of Cloudtop?"

    "They look very much alike, don''t they? I was also extremely shocked when I first saw this photo.

    A petrifying gleam came across Justin''s eyes. Looking deeply engrossed, he continued, "But that''s not Julien. His name is ke Hond. He used to be a core member of Cloudtop and the right-hand man of Cloudtop''s person-in- charge at the time, Jonah. He was also his first love."

    Sheryl''s eyes filled with awe and utter admiration. "Mr. Justin... Y-You''re incredible! How did you know of this person''s existence?"N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    "It was because I once tried to take over Cloudtop. If Jonah hadn''t taken over during that crisis and saved the day, Cloudtop would''ve already be mine."

    Justin sighed, exhaling a hint of helplessness. "Jonah outsmarted me. I do concede defeat in that battle."

    Sheryl scoffed, "But he can''t always be the winner. You have to make sure he''spletely defeated this time!"

    "Back then, I assumed that ke would be Jonah''s Achilles'' heel. To my surprise, he was actually merciless enough to kill his own lover."

    Justin ced his calligraphy pen on his desk. Then, he removed the paperweight, picked up the piece he had just written, and admired it carefully. "This time, will Julien be his Achilles'' heel? I''m really curious, so I''d like to give it a shot."

    Sheryl had long be an entirely different person. After being groomed by Justin, she was way quick-witted than she used to be. She understood him immediately.

    "I get you. I''ll make arrangements tonight."

    "Thank you."

    "I will do anything for you."

    Sheryl took a deep bow, and exited the study.

    The look on Justin''s pale face turned as cold as a frozenke. He picked up a lighter, then set the paper on his desk, which he had just written on, on fire.

    Seven words "Spring is when life''s alive in everything-went up into mes. The dancing fire was reflected in his eyes, as if he were a demon and hell all at once.

 Chapter 2258

    ?Chapter 2258

    Thanks to timely treatment, the acute bleeding in Alyssa''s stomach didn''t turn into anything serious. She was sent to a regr ward to rest that same evening.

    Jonah stayed by her side the whole time, looking after her. Cyrus, the workaholic, applied for time off from work. That night, he stayed back to look after Alyssa.

    After hearing the news, Ss and Rose wanted to visit her. However, Jonah prevented them from doing so.

    He was well aware that Alyssa was currently heartbroken and devastated. She would only force herself to smile and appear energetic when she faced them.

    She was too drained. Staying at the hospital now actually gave her a chance to rest and prevented her from hurting herself before she came around.

    *Cyrus... Can you tell me now?" Alyssa leaned back against the headboard weakly as she blinked. Her eyes were swollen.

    Cyrus welled up with tears. In a pained voice, he remarked, "You''re really rebellious, Lyse."

    *I''ve always been rebellious."

    With a frown on her face, a smile broke on Alyssa''s face. As alluring as her smile was, she was pale and weak. She added, "Otherwise... why would Jasper and I end up the way we are right now?

    *Jonah, Cyrus... please don''t me him, okay? He didn''t do anything wrong. I was the one... I was the one who lost him. It''s all my fault.."

    Before she could finish speaking, her eyes misted over.

    "You didn''t do anything wrong. Neither of you did anything wrong."

    Jonah wrapped his warm and calloused hands over Alyssa''s tightly clenched fists. His quivering chest filled with sorrow, and his heart pounded heavily. "That said, Lyse, can you promise me that you will always look ahead no matter what?

    *Jasper and love are not all that you have in your life. You have Dad, and the rest of us, your siblings. Lyse, what are we to do if you crumbled? I''m sure that Mom, even in the afterworld, wouldn''t want you to wither your life away. Don''t you think so?"

    Mom...

    A slight twinkle finally returned to Alyssa''s dull eyes. She was reminded of Jennifer''s imprisonment in Kontina. The authorities had chased Jennifer and disced her. She''d only managed to escape after oveing numerous challenges.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    She eventually arrived in Belbanks, met Winston, got to know him, and fell in love with him. Finally, they became one. And that was how she came into existence.

    Even after going through all that unimaginable suffering, Jennifer persisted and survived. She did not fall apart.

    If Alyssa herself became dispirited and dejected for the rest of her days, she wouldn''t be worthy of being Jennifer''s only daughter.

    She was Alyssa, not Catherine Earnshaw or Juliet. Even if her partner died, it didn''t mean that she had to follow suit.

    Moreover, Jasper was still alive.

    Wasn''t she the one who said that the most important thing was for him to still be alive and well?

    *Jonah... I get what you mean. I will get better... Just give me some time. I will get better," Alyssa repeated over and over through her chapped lips.

    Each time she said it, Jonah''s heart wrenched.

    "Out of all the people whom Jameson met with, I found someone who captured my attention," Cyrus said in a deep voice, breaking the sorrowful atmosphere.

    Alyssa leaned forward immediately. "Who is it?"

    "The private physician by Justin''s side, Sheryl Gillis."

 Chapter 2259

    ?Chapter 2259

    Jonah knitted his brows together while an icy gleam shed across Alyssa''s eyes. They eximed in unison," Sheryl?"

    With a serious look on his face, Cyrus nodded. "Two days before Jameson''s death, Sheryl gave free medical care to all the inmates at the detention center.

    "Not long after that, Jameson died of a heart attack. Even though there isn''t any evidence to prove that Sheryl murdered him, out of everyone who came in contact with Jameson before he died, she was the one who was qualified and capable of doing something like this.

    *After all, it''s really unexpected for her to show up at the detention center out of the blue, isn''t it?"

    Alyssa leaned back against the headboard again. She lowered her eyes.

    "If Sheryl was really the one who did it, that would mean that Justin was acquainted with Jameson. Justin sent Sheryl to get rid of Jameson because he''s worried that he would confess something when he goes to court to be put on trial. So, he decided to silence him in case it implicated him."

    Alyssa was always a sharp-witted person. Her associative abilities were rtively superb. Just through a few words and a few bits and pieces, she would be able to make bold and shocking guesses.

    Jonah''s eyes widened in shock. "Justin and Jameson knew each other? Their paths have never crossed, though." Cyrus seconded, "After finding out that Sheryl hade in contact with Jameson, I immediately looked into her background. She and Jameson are total strangers, and her background didn''t intersect with Jameson''s either." Alyssa asked, "Why did she provide charity medical services for no reason, then? Cyrus, as you said, this was very unexpected.

    "Not only did she provide free medical service, she also became a prison medic and a special advisor. The procedures have beenpleted and the city council has approved of it. She will be taking up the roles officially next month."

    Cyrus frowned deeply. "Indeed, there are a lot of coincidences in all of these. Lyse, I wish that we could arrest the killer so effortlessly. But we need to have direct proof in order to make an arrest. We can''t do that through mere spection.

    ''Justin left Sna City for almost 20 years. We havepletely no information on what he''s been up to out there or who he''s in touch with. He, on the other hand, is well aware of our situation here."Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Alyssa shook her head. She massaged the area between her brows as it throbbed. Those painful memories crashed into her like waves.

    "When Jameson took me captive on Rose Ind, I happened to overhear Jameson speaking with someone on the phone. They were talking about the medication that Jasper took.

    *Jameson spoke to the man he referred to as ''Sir'' respectfully. As such, it is evident that this ''Sir'' was the mastermind in control of Jameson. He had him control Schmidt Group and conduct experimentation on live humans.

    "He''s well-versed in pharmacology. At the same time, Justin is also very deeply connected with people in the field of drug manufacturing in Mosgravia. Could all these be mere coincidences?"

    A terrifying silence befell the hospital ward.

    Cyrus couldn''t quite wrap this extremelyplex and perplexing idea around his head. "Lyse, I know bad guys won''t say they are bad people. But what is his purpose in doing these things?

    "He''s the oldest son in the Beckett family, born of Mr. Javier''s first wife. Status-wise, his is higher than Jasper''s. Now that he''s returned to Beckett Group, if he wanted to, there''s a possibility that Jasper might even struggle against him for leadership.

    "So why would he get up to so much mischief? If he wanted power or status, it would be over once he returned and fought for it. If he engages in these immoral deeds, if he''s not careful, it would be the end for him. Isn''t the cost a little too high if he loses everything?"

    Alyssa closed her bloodshot eyes and panted heavily. "Yeah. That''s something that I haven''t been able to figure out."

    ''That might be so, but things are different now."

    Jonah had a grave and worried expression on his face. "For one, it has been too long since Mr. Justin left the Beckett family. Jasper has gained control over Beckett Group bit by bit, and built up a widework in Sna City. He also has Mr. Newton''s support. It won''t be that easy for Mr. Justin to seize power.

    "If it were in the past, he would still have the Dutton family''s support. But his mother is no longer around, and the Dutton family has copsed. Without any external support or Mr. Newton''s favor, he must be in an extremely dire situation."

    Alyssa was still young. When the Dutton family had their downfall, she wasn''t old enough to remember it yet. At this moment, she was filled with curiosity.

    *Jonah, do you know much about the Dutton family''s downfall?"

    At that very moment, outside the hospital ward, Jasper stood silently at the door. In fact, he had been standing there for nearly half an hour.

 Chapter 2260

    ?Chapter 2260

    "Back then, the Dutton family was a wealthy family who was as highly regarded as the Beckett family is today. Mr. Javier''s first wife was the second daughter of the Dutton family, Caroline Dutton. Their marriage was ordained by Mr. Newton personally and was publicly known as a marriage alliance between corporations.

    "It is said that both parties barely met a few times before their marriage, so there was no opportunity for them to date romantically. In other words, their marriage wasn''t built on love. Back then, the marriage alliance Mr. Newton forged with the Dutton family was only to salvage the Beckett Group, which was embroiled in some financial turmoil at the time."

    As Alyssa listened to Jonah''s boration, she looked unperturbed. "Marriage alliances between wealthy families aremonce. Winston even wanted to have Taty marry into the Schmidt family previously."

    "Mrs. Beckett only had one son, Mr. Justin. Even though the rtionship between Mr. Justin''s parents wasn''t great, there weren''t any malicious rumors at the time either. After all, the Becketts benefited from the Duttons power, and Mrs. Beckett gave birth to a son. Even if Mr. Javier has any objections about anything, there''s no way that he would''ve shown it.

    "This harmonious rtionship went on until Mr. Justin turned four."

    Cyrus listened intently, as if he were listening to a story. It was the same for Alyssa. She quickly prompted, "What happened after that?"

    The look in Jonah''s eyes dimmed. "One night, Mrs. Beckett used a shotgun to end her life by the pond in Seaview Manor."

    Alyssa''s eyes widened in shock. She started breaking out in cold sweat. "She took her own life with a gun? But, why?"

    "Damn! That''s real brutal of her!"

    Cyrus was greatly astonished. "Most people would either choose to jump from a building, slit their wrists, or take sleeping pills when they try to take their own lives, just so that they won''t die a painful death. I can''t believe that she actually dared to shoot herself. She was really determined to die!*

    Jonah furrowed his brows. With a tad of helplessness in his voice, he said, "Truth be told, no external party knows what Mrs. Beckett''s cause of death was. That said, our father is an extremely nosy person. Back then, he even had that buddy of his, Mr. Victor, who was a busybody. So, as much as the Becketts tried to keep everything under wraps at the time, there were people who managed to catch wind."

    "When Justin was four...

    Suddenly, a glint shed across Alyssa''s eyes. Her chest tightened. "That year, Jasper''s mother happened to be pregnant. Could it be that Mrs. Beckett took her own life because Mr. Javier had an affair?"

    Cyrus couldn''t help but feel terrified. His head went numb.

    "A four-year-old child should be old enough to know what was going on, right? If Justin''s mother''s death was really because Mr. Javier had an affair, wouldn''t Justin want to seek revenge on Jasper when he grew up?

    "In that case, he might have returned with ulterior motives this time. Jasper might be in danger!"

    Alyssa''s thoughts were in a whirl. She also happened to have the same thoughts as Cyrus.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    "It seems like it isn''t that simple."

    Jonah fell into deep thought. In a low voice, he continued, "When I was young, I once mentioned to Dad that Mrs. Beckett was really strange. She didn''t seem too willing to meet people.

    *After getting married, Mr. Javier never brought her out in public. Even in private, she rarely left home, and I''ve never heard of her having any close female friends either. In other words, she kept a really low profile and was really mysterious.

    ''Once, when Dad apanied Mom to the hospital, they even bumped into Mrs. Beckett. She didn''t seem to be doing well mentally. Her face was pale, and had a dazed look about her.

    ''She just took a brief nce at them before scurrying off. Since then, they never saw her again. On top of that, Justin had just been born not too long before that."

    "Maybe it was something like depression."

    Alyssa pressed her lips together and pondered. "Quite a lot of women who failed postpartum care ended up with symptoms of postpartum depression. It''s possible that she never recovered from it.

    "With Mr. Javier''s affair to top that off, her condition worsened and caused her to take her own life in the end." Jonah chimed in, "That''s possible too."

    ''But what did Mrs. Beckett''s suicide have anything to do with the Dutton family''s downfall?"

    The baffled look remained in Alyssa''s eyes. "Didn''t the Duttons still have Mrs. Beckett''s older brother to manage their family business?"

    "That was because he got involved in a number of homicides."

    "Hold up!"

    As a criminal investigator, Cyrus'' eyes lit up when he heard the word "homicides". He interrupted, "I think I''ve heard a senior of mine from the bureau mention that 30 years ago, the chairman from the Dutton family murdered two of his lovers overseas.

    *After he returned to the country, he raped and murdered a young woman who was only 16 years of age. He even dismembered her body, then drove a luxurious sports car out to discard the parts. When he was arrested, not only was there absolutely no sign of terror or remorse on his face, he even smiled creepily at the cameras! *ording to that senior of mine, throughout decades of his career arresting vicious criminals, that man from the Dutton family was probably the sickest of them all.''

    "Yes. Mrs. Beckett''s oldest brother was the one whomitted all that."

    Jonah let out an extended sigh. This topic made him feel ufortable physiologically and psychologically." After Mr. Dutton was imprisoned, there wasn''t anyone who led Dutton Group. In the end, theirpetitor acquired them, and their corporation fell apart. That was how it ended."

    Upon hearing that, an intense chill spread throughout Alyssa''s chest. Through gritted teeth, she remarked in a rage, "What an animal!"

    Outside the door, Sean hurried over with a lunch box in his hands.

    He jumped in fright and almost dropped the lunch box onto the floor when he spotted Jasper standing motionless, like a statue, at the door.

 Chapter 2261

    ?Chapter 2261

    ''M-Mr. Beckett?"

    Jasper was in a daze. He turned his eyes slowly toward Sean and stared at him coldly.

    "How''s Ms. Alyssa?" he asked. His voice was deep and throaty, as if he was parched.

    Sean fixed his eyes on the man before him. Suddenly, he was ovee by a plethora of emotions and was moved to tears. He choked, "Ms. Alyssa... She''s sick. Very sick. Go on in and see her. I''m sure she will be very happy to see you and she will get better."

    Promptly, Sean pushed the door open for him.

    Jasper pursed his lips into a thin line. Clenching his hands into fists, he walked into the ward slowly.

    Jonah and Cyrus were moved by Jasper showing up. Even so, they did their best to keep a straight face beforeing up with an excuse to leave the room.

    Soon enough, Alyssa and Jasper were the only ones left in the room.

    As much as they used to be a sweet, intimate, and happy couple in the past, they had nothing to say to one another when they now looked into each other''s eyes.

    There was an inexplicable feeling of loneliness, destion, and sorrow.

    *I heard that you threw up blood."

    Jasper stood stiffly by the side of Alyssa''s bed and didn''t even sit down. He was so distant that it made him look like he was just a visitor. "I remember that you have gastritis, but it hasn''t red up in a long time. Why did this happen all of a sudden?"

    Tears welled up at the back of Alyssa''s throat. She forced herself to hold back her tears as she gave him a slight, bitter smile.

    She had gastritis and a pretty bad one at that. It used to re up frequently, and it was because she started living with him that it stopped ring up.

    Each day, Jasper looked after her attentively. He learned to make remedies personally, regted her diet, and tirelessly made nutritious and easily digestible dishes for her. He watched over her like she was a child, forbidding her from taking cold drinks and dishes. This was why her gastritis hadn''t red up in a really long time.

    After he left her, her heart was in a mess, but so was her life.

    She had long been pampered by him. Her decision-making skills and life skills went downhill. She had be a woman who could no longer care for herself.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Nevertheless, she was aware that she could never be a child forever. She needed to grow up once again.

    "How did you know that I fell ill?" Alyssa asked in a soft voice. Her longshes quivered slightly.

    Jasper answered straightforwardly, "Dr. Lovce was the one who told me."

    "Oh, it was Jul?" She forced a smile on her face. "I''m fine. I''m much better now."

    "That''s good to know."

    Thereafter, it was a long period of silence again.

    ''Mr. Beckett...

    "Ms. Alyssa."

    They spoke up at the same time, as if they could read each other''s minds.

    Alyssa shot him an unnatural smile. "You go first."

    ''Ms. Alyssa, if you have acute gastritis, I wish you the best of health in the future. Take good care of yourself in your daily life.

    "If you ruined yourself like this because of me, I hope that you will stop with such foolish and borderline self- harming behavior moving forward."

    A frigid look swirled within Jasper''s clear eyes. An iprehensible feeling surged within him. "Besides, it''s not like doing this will result in any change in our rtionship.

    "Even if you''re wanting to pursue someone, using an extreme tactic like this will only backfire and make them feel repulsed.

 Chapter 2262

    ?

    Alyssa stared nkly at Jasper. The icy look on his face reminded her of a mountain that was covered in white snow.

    She was clearly right in front of him. Yet, it was as if they were separated by the farthest distance in the world.

    Although he was clearly aware that she was in love with him, he was drawing a clear and firm line in front of her, separating himself from her passionate and tumultuous love for him.

    Jasper had returned to the person he was three years ago. Or, perhaps he was worse now than he was then.

    Maybe he was expressing his concern for her. But he couldn''t be as gentle and caring as he was. He could no longer cajole her affectionately or think of her.

    All of a sudden, she waspletely submerged in that overwhelming feeling of disappointment. As flustered as she was, it woke her up.

    ''As you''re also aware, I''ve always had gastritis."

    Alyssa looked into Jasper''s dark and dull eyes. She smiled in relief. "Don''t worry. From today onward, I will take good care of myself. But I think that this will be thest time that I will feel sad about you. I will not do such a foolish thing moving forward."

    Thest time...

    Alyssa sounded like she was choking back on her tears. Hearing her voice like that made Jasper''s heart quiver. "That''s good to know." Jasper''s throat tightened. For some reason, he felt a feeling of emptiness in his chest.

    It was as if someone had removed his insides one by one, then filled him with sharp-edged rocks, weighing him down so badly that he could barely breathe. He felt so suffocated that he couldn''t even express this bizarre feeling and extreme difort.

    "Some of your belongings are still at my manor. When you''re free, go and see Mrs. Rosie and take your things away." Alyssa lowered her voice as much as she could just in case she identally exposed her deep sorrow and reluctance to part ways.

    She didn''t have the guts to go home these few days because she was afraid that being there would remind her of him.

    Traces of their intimacy and pleasure could be found throughout the entire house. They had gone to the supermarket together to purchase all their daily necessities. Everything had been slowly umted over time, and everything was in pairs.

    Right now, it was all being torn apart.

    How would she be able to see or face this? She had no other choice but to do all she could to avoid it.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    In an emotionless voice, Jasper said, "It''s alright. Just throw them away."

    He wasn''t a spendthrift or wasteful person. Furthermore, if he didn''t want to go, he could have Rosie gather his things and Xavier to pick them up on his behalf.

    It was as if he was, instinctively, also trying to run away from something that he couldn''t quite specify or exin.

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes. Suppressing the pain that was about to crush her on the inside, she looked into his dark eyes.

    ''I''ve epted the reality that you no longer love me. Moving forward, it will be enough for me to know that you are alive and well.

    Jasper''sshes quivered slightly. Looking expressionless just like before, he responded, "Same goes for you."

    "I''m tired. I''d like to rest now."

    Alyssa''s misty gaze scanned Jasper''s grim and cold face once again. Thereafter, she slowly curled her body back under the covers, turning into a pitiful, white cocoon. Then, she turned her back on him.

    "You may see yourself out."

    She felt like her throat was on fire. The lump of anguish that rose at the back of her throat was painful and bitter. Jasper''s pale lips parted slightly. He hesitated to speak, but remained silent in the end.

    Just as he started to walk away, Alyssa''s tender and weak voice came from behind him. ''Jasper.''

    Jasper froze in his tracks, and his back stiffened up.

    "Goodbye..."

    Her gentle and fragile sob was fleeting.

    Jasper held his breath. Clenching his fists so tightly that his veins were popping, he strode out of the hospital ward.

    After leaving the VIP ward, Xavier tagged along closely behind Jasper. His eyes were cold, dark, and vacant. He dragged his feet forward heavily, as if they were being chained down.

    "Mr. Beckett, is... Madam alright?" Xavier couldn''t help but ask out of concern.

    However, Jasper simply focused on walking forward and didn''t seem to hear his question.

    As much as Xavier was frustrated, he knew that no one could interfere when it came to rtionships.

    Now that Jasper had a problem with his brain, he just seemed as emotionless as a rock. This was a physiological deficiency. How was a sincere heart alone going to make this rock waver?

    This time, the level of difficulty for Alyssa to pursue Jasper was formidable.

    As Jasper walked forward in a daze, all he could see in his mind was that small and pitiful figure thaty on the hospital bed. Her extremely disappointed voice bidding him farewell echoed in his ear.

    *Jasper, goodbye...

    The void in his heart suddenly caused him to convulse. Then, he lost his bnce and leaned forward.

    ''Mr. Beckett, watch out!"

    Xavier paled in shock. He extended his arm, wanting to grab a hold of Jasper, but it was toote.

    A distracted Jasper missed his footing.

    As he fell three steps down, he happened to fall on his left shoulder, where he had just recovered from that gunshot injury not too long ago. He let out a painful groan. In a brief moment, his suit became soaked in his cold sweat.

 Chapter 2263

    ?Chapter 2263

    In a sh, two days passed, and it was Jonah''s birthday.

    Last night, Sna City had its first snowfall of the winter. That day, a thin nket of white clung to the branches outside the window like newly bloomed lcs, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.

    ''Dr. Lovce, the white roses you ordered have arrived."

    Julien was in the midst of studying Jasper''s medical records and scans when he saw a nurse standing before him with a huge bouquet of white roses. Only then did he realize that it was time to get off work.

    ''Thank you. Just leave it on the tea table."

    He smiled so brightly that the smile reached his eyes. His face looked far more captivating than the snowy scene out the window.

    The young nurse looked at Julien, blushing. Out of curiosity, she couldn''t help but ask, "Dr. Lovce, the roses you bought are beautiful. Who are you giving them to?"

    Julien stretched his back. His eyes twinkled brightly as a flush of pink came across his cheeks. "It''s for my lover. It''s his birthday today."

    Excitement came across the nurse''s face. "Is it Mr. Jonah?"

    "Who else could it be?" With a smitten smile on his face, Julien answered frankly and openly. He didn''t try to hide anything.

    Jonah was the most handsome man in the world. He was the apple of his eye and his treasure. He wished that he could take Jonah wherever he went so that he could unt him to the world.

    Low profile?

    He had been through so much to find his dream man and the love of his life. He was certainly not going to keep a low profile.

    The nurse cupped her chubby cheeks as she eximed, "Wow, how romantic!"

    She was so excited that she was bouncing off the walls. ''Dr. Lovce, you and Mr. Jonah have to be happy together, always!"

    Jonah opened a drawer and pulled out the birthday present he had prepared. It was a branded wristwatch with their initials carved on it.

    He brushed the tips of his fingers gently across the refined box packaging. With tenderness overflowing from his eyes, he said, "Thank you. We surely will."

    Carrying the gift in his hand and cradling the bouquet of roses in his arms, Julien hurriedly made his way to the basement parking lot. He strutted toward the sports car.

    A thunderous engine roared to life without warning, shattering the icy silence. A blinding sh of light followed, momentarily blinding him as he instinctively raised an arm to protect his eyes.

    In that split second, a ck vehicle lunged at him, roaring toward him like a beast in the night.

    Julien panicked, wanting to jump out of the way, but it was toote.

    The white roses slipped from his arms, scattering their petals on the ground.

    A piercing screech echoed as the car screeched to a halt just three feet away.

    Julien''s chest heaved with rapid breaths, cold sweat beading on his forehead. Once the initial shock subsided, he cautiously opened his eyes.

    The door of the ck car swung open, and a man in dark attire stepped out. He had a well-sculpted face and an air of menace that followed him as he walked toward Julien, each step measured.

    "You... You''re..." Julien stuttered. He stared fixedly at this man who looked familiar to him.

    The stranger stopped, stepping on a white rose petal. He bent down and picked up the greeting card that had

    fallen from the bouquet. With icy eyes, he nced at the delicate handwriting on it.

    It read, "Although the world holds countless beautiful things, you are the most precious. Like an eternal me, I will love you till myst breath. Jonah, happy birthday."

    The man scoffed. "What a joke. More than that, it''s pathetic."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    His condescending smirk made Julien''s skin crawl.

    "Give it back to me!" Anger surged within Julien, and his face turnedpletely red. He reached out to snatch it from the man, but he easily avoided him.

    "Is Jonah that great? Why do you love him so much?"

    "That''s none of your business. Who the heck are you?" Julien gritted out.

    The man smirked. "We''ve crossed paths before, back in Bernardia."

    Julien froze. Recognition and rm spread through him. "Who are you? Did you follow me to Sna City?" ''It''s simple. Come with me if you want to know who I am. I''ll fill you in then." The man''s gaze lingered on Julien''s striking face. "Don''t worry, I promise I won''t hurt you."

    "No. It''s Jonah''s birthday tonight. Whoever you are, nothing will stop me from being with him."

    Julien knelt to retrieve the bouquet of roses, gently brushing away the dust that had settled on the velvety petals.

    As he turned to leave, the man spoke again, I know everything about Jonah-things about him that you''ll never discover."

    He cocked his head and smirked. "Dr. Lovce, aren''t you even a tad curious?''

 Chapter 2264

    ?Chapter 2264

    Jonah? There was a mystery surrounding Jonah?

    Every word was like a blooming poppy, drawing Julien in, tempting him to the point where it was difficult to resist. But that was only because of how deeply he loved Jonah.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.

    And that love was the chink in Julien''s armor, leaving him vulnerable to maniption.

    In the end, Julien wavered. In a heavy voice, he asked, "How long will this take? I need to go home to celebrate my lover''s birthday.''

    "It''ll be quick."

    Uri Hond shut his gloomy eyes. He turned to his side and slipped a hand into his pocket. He gestured to Julien. ''Let''s take my car. This way."

    As the ck vehicle sped through the dark winter night, colorful lights shed past them on both sides. Seated in the passenger seat, Julien held onto that bouquet of white roses in his arms as he gazed out the window with a restless, doubtful expression.

    As Uri drove, he nced at Julien''s strikingly handsome, almost ethereal face as he drove, his gaze unreadable. "What''s your name?" Julien asked, trying to gather some sense of security from the man''s identity. Not knowing anything left him uneasy.

    Uri directed his gaze away from Julien and looked straight ahead. Tightening his grasp on the steering wheel, he answered, "My name is Uri Hond. Spelled U-R-I."

    Julien mentally repeated the name. Then, he asked, "You know Jonah? How did you guys meet? Do you have a grudge against him? Or is it some kind of resentment?''

    Uri did not look at him again or answer any of his questions.

    An hourter, the ck car pulled into a deserted courtyard and stopped in front of an abandoned vi.

    Despite its state of disrepair, Julien could see the vi''s potential-it could be a beautiful house if cared for. Its retro Sedonian design immediately caught his eye.

    Uri was quite a gentleman. He got out of the car before Julien and opened the car door for him.

    In truth, Julien felt a twinge of regret, but at this point, it seemed toote to turn back.

    Uri walked ahead without a word while Julien followed behind. Curious, he asked, "Where are we?"

    Uri stopped briefly, his voice cold. "Didn''t Jonah ever mention that he has a house here?"

    Julien''s eyes dimmed. Shocked, he eximed, "Are you saying that this house is Jonah''s? Why did he abandon this ce then?"

    Uri clenched his teeth as he pushed open the heavy door to the vi. "Because a particr incident happened, and he decided that this ce no longer meant anything to him."

    Inside, the furniture was draped in white cloth. The air was cold, dusty, dark, and oppressive.

    As a doctor, Julien was quite particr about cleanliness. Yet, he didn''t feel filthy being there. On the contrary, this ce somehow evoked sorrow within him. It was as if time and space in this vi hade to a standstill, giving off an explicable feeling of dread.

    Uri led Julien to a room upstairs. To Julien''s surprise, it was a home theater.

    Julien knew that Jonah had a hobby of watching movies.

    They, too, had a home theater in their love nest in Mosgravia. Many nights had been spent on that soft sofa bed, Julien lying in Jonah''s arms, both of them wrapped in contentment.

    They would listen to the tender lines from Grunndish films, holding each other close, exchanging kisses, and sharing moments of intimacy.

    This room was nearly identical to the one they had in Mosgravia.

    "What are you trying to tell me?"

 Chapter 2265

    ?Chapter 2265

    Julien was gradually losing his patience. He nced at his watch before snapping, "If you''ve got something to say, spit it out. I''m not wasting more time here."

    ''Do you like watching movies, Dr. Lovce?"

    Uri disregarded Julien''s growing frustration and chuckled slyly. "I know Jonah does. I''ve got a film he''ll find quite special.''

    As soon as he finished, therge screen came to life, casting a glow on Julien''s confused face.

    The surround sound system produced amorous-soundingughter, making it an immersive experience. Julien recognized Jonah''s voice quickly. But the other one-the warm, crisp, pleasant voice-belonged to a stranger.

    "Jonah, do you love me?" the man in the video asked gleefully.

    "I do."

    Jonah''s deep, raspy voice quivered slightly with emotion. "I love you. Very much. I''ll love you forever." Jonah was typically soposed and restrained. Hearing this level of raw passion in his voice was jarring. "What if... I died one day?" The man''s voice was gentle thoughced with an undercurrent of sorrow. Jonah''s breath hitched, and his voice grew thick with emotion. "Don''t say that! If you die, I''ll die with you." "No, Jonah. I don''t want that. I want you to live on. But if that dayes, I hope you''ll remember me forever." Julien suddenly felt a rush of heat in his chest, as though all the blood in his body had surged there, crashing violently within him.

    With every beat, it fractured further.

    His trembling hands gripped the couch, the white roses he held barely steady.

    The screen showed Jonah and a striking man, their heads leaning against each other, cheeks pressed together.

    Julien''s eyes reddened, his gaze locked on the screen. The man looked so much like him, yet Julien knew with painful rity that it wasn''t him Jonah was kissing, cherishing, loving.

    The roses slipped from his grasp, scattering across the floor.

    On the screen, the pair looked like any couple deeply in love, and Julien was just a bystander, watching their happiness unfold.

    The video seemed to be a vlog, shot by Jonah using a handheld camera and documenting their daily life at this vi.

    They cooked together, cleaned the courtyard, shared breezy evenings on the balcony, clinked sses, andughed as though nothing else in the world mattered. In every frame, that man was Jonah''s sole focus.

    Julien had lived through those moments too. But now, the memories, once so sweet, were pure agony. The room felt like purgatory, a ce where he was being mercilessly tormented.

    "Dr. Lovce, he looks very much like you, doesn''t he?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Uri''s voice was hoarse, and his eyes glistened with resentment as he stared at the screen. "Let me introduce him. His name is ke Hond. He was my younger brother, and Jonah''s ex-lover. He was the love of his life."

    ''Lover... The love of his life..." Julien murmured in disbelief, tears rolling down his cheeks as his body began to tremble.

    "But ke and I aren''t biological brothers. We met in an orphanage and grew up together. We became as close as siblings. Since he didn''t know hisst name, he took mine. And in his words, since my name meant light, he said

    he would be darkness. That''s how he named himself ke Hond."

    Uri forced himself to bear with the wrenching pain in his heart. As he looked toward Julien, whose face had gone stiff and pale, a vicious smile came across his face.

    He exined, "Back then, ke was forced to bear with the pressure of being ostracized, but he chose to be with Jonah. Then, in order not to put Jonah in a tight spot, he died by Jonah''s gun.

    "It has only been a few years since my younger brother''s passing. Yet, Jonah''s already forgotten about the man he swore he''d love forever."

 Chapter 2266

    ?Chapter 2266

    Uri pressed on, "More than that, how absurd is it that he found a ridiculous substitute like you? Did he truly think that he was so deeply in love with ke? Was it because his love for ke was so unforgettable that he needed someone to ease his lovesickness?"

    Substitute, substitute, substitute!

    The word sliced through Julien''s suffocated heart like a sharp knife.

    He had never dared to hope he would be the only one Jonah ever loved. But it would be enough for him to be Jonah''sst. He didn''t care about the past. Yet, what he couldn''t bear was that it was his face-so simr to Jonah''s ex-lover-that had drawn Jonah in and made him fall in love.

    Uriughed mockingly. "If I had the chance, I''d ask Judas if he was being fair to ke by finding a new lover. I''d want to know if he was being fair to you by making you ke''s substitute."

    Hisughter was so hysterical that tears streamed down his face.

    In an extremely sarcastic tone, he continued, "I doubt Jonah feels he made a mistake. He''s an arrogant, crazed, and heartless man, willing to do anything to get what he wants. Dr. Lovce, Judas has been scheming against you for a long time."

    He had been scheming against him for a long time?This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    To hell with those schemes!

    Julien staggered back. His moistened eyes became bloodshot. The look in his eyes dimmed as he sank heavily to his knees.

    Seconds and minutes passed, and it was well past 8:00 pm.

    For Jullen''s convenience, Jonah had purchased a four-story vi in a quiet, private area near the center of Sna City. This was their home and his small gift to Julien.

    That night, Jonah went to buy two full bags of ingredients and a bottle of fine red wine. He then prepared dinner personally.

    Even though it was his birthday, every dish he made was to Julien''s preference. He never considered himself Julien was all that mattered to him.

    As he served the delectable dishes to the dining table, he was filled with bliss despite being

    covered in sweat.

    He waited and waited, but Julien still had yet toe home. He knew Julien was a

    workaholic, often losing track of time when busy. But tonight was special; he had promised not to workte.

    Jonah couldn''t help but feel worried. He pulled out his phone, wanting to call Julien, when his doorbell rang.

    He walked to the entrance and opened the door, only to find Alyssa and Sean standing there,

    armsden with cake and gifts.

    "Jonah, happy birthday."

    A warm smile spread across Alyssa''s face. She was doing better mentally. Or, at the very least, she looked to be much better.

    With a smile on his face, Sean gave Jonah his wishes too. "Happy birthday to you, Mr. Jonah!"

    "Thank you. Come in and have a seat."

    Jonah felt warmth spread in his chest, but concern quickly followed. "Lyse, you''ve been discharged from the hospital so soon? Are you doing okay physically?"

    "I''ve been fine for a while now. I''m Iron Woman! Jul is at home, isn''t he?"

    Alyssa craned her neck and yfully peered into the house, her big, round eyes searching. "Don''t worry, Jonah. Sean and I are just here to drop off your gifts. We''ll leave right away. We won''t third-wheel you two. Time always flies when you''re having a good time. I get it..." "Julien isn''t home yet."

    "He''s not? But it''s already sote!"

    "I was just about to call Julien. I''m not sure if he''s being held back at the hospital."

    Right at this moment, his phone rang.

    Jonah looked down at the screen and saw that the call was from a number he didn''t recognize. He frowned. For some reason, his chest tightened too.

    He swiped on his phone to answer the call, then held the phone to his ear. In a deep voice, he said, "Hello. Who''s calling?"

    A man''s cold and macking voice came from the other end of the line.

    "Happy birthday, Judas."

 Chapter 2267

    ?Chapter 2267

    The night was silent and cold, and a chilling breeze suddenly swept across Jonah''s face.

    Judas.

    That was a name he had not heard in ages. It echoed from a bloody, misty ce far away, igniting a storm of turmoil in his chest. The voice that carried it felt vaguely familiar, but he couldn''t ce it immediately.

    "Who are you? Are you an ex-Cloudtop member?" Jonah turned away from Alyssa immediately and lowered his voice as much as he could.

    "Jonah.." In an instant, Alyssa sensed something was wrong when she noticed the shift in his expression.

    "Judas, high status really does make one forgetful, doesn''t it? Uri''s icy, sinister voice pierced through Jonah''s thoughts like a venomous snake. "It seems that the ever noble Judas has eyes only for ke."

    "You''re.. Un Hond?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    An uncertainty wed at Jonah, and a sharp pain shot through his heart. The night closed in around him like a crushing, mottled wall. ke-his hidden ex-lover-haunted him still, a scar he dared not revisit. Panic surged within him, sensing something was amiss-Uri''s unexpected call and Julien''s tardiness.

    A wave of dread washed over him as he feared the worst had happened.

    Uri chuckled coldly. Judas, sorry to intrude on your romance with him."

    "You''re with Julien? What are you trying to do?" Jonah clenched his fists so tightly that his veins were bulging.

    "I wanted Dr. Lovce to see your true colors." Uri''sughter dripped with hatred. "ke died unjustly because of you. I can''t bear to see such a nice man like Dr. Lovce falling for your despicable lies again.

    "After all, seeing Dr. Lovce reminds me of my younger brother who died so tragically. I just couldn''t help but feel an urge to save him from the fiery pit."

    Jonah''s eyes became bloodshot. He snapped, "Un Hond! I know that you''ve hated me all these years. But juste at me if you have any grievances. Don''t hurt Julien!''

    Uri clicked his tongue. "He''s just a substitute to you. You''re pretending your love for him is as deep as the sea. Don''t you think it''s ridiculous that you''re putting on such an act in front of me?

    Jonah couldn''t bear to hear such cruel words. He roared, "No.. He''s not a substitute. He''s not!"

    Alyssa and Sean were just at the door. Naturally, they heard his every word.

    Sean was perplexed, but Alyssa, who knew about Jonah''s past, had a sudden realization. She felt a chill wash over her.

    Uri stoppedughing and bellowed, "If he''s not a substitute, what was ke to you then? You once said you would die with him. What''s going on now? Have you forgotten him now that you have a new lover? Your so-called ''love'' is worthless! The biggest mistake ke ever made was to fucking fall in love with you!"

    "That''s enough!" A primal rage consumed Jonah, causing his body to shake uncontrobly as if a beast had been unleashed within him.

    His bloodlust surged. "If you dare to call Julien a ''substitute'' again, I will kill you!"

    "Come and try. Since ke''s death, every day has been unbearably dull." With malice, he added, "Dr. Lovce is at the vi in Sna City where you and ke used to live. Hurry, Judas. I''m sure you''ll have an unforgettable 32nd birthday."

    With that, Uri ended the call.

    Snow fell that night, bringing a sharp chill. Yet Jonah didn''t stop to grab a jacket. He dashed from the vi, leaped into his ck sports car, and sped away from the courtyard in a sh. "Mr. Jonah!" Sean shouted, rmed.

    Alyssa''s heart sank. "Something might have happened to Jul. Let''s follow Jonah, quick!

    Jonah ran through all the red lights, the engine''s roar shattering the night''s silence. He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as he frantically called Julien.

    At first, his calls went through, but Julien''s phone was off by the third attempt.

    "Julien... Julien... Don''t scare me!" Jonah gasped, cold sweat beading on his forehead, suffocating fear rising within him.

    Every brutal image shed through his mind, and he felt like he might crumble under the weight of it all.

 Chapter 2268

    ?Chapter 2268

    Jonah could not bear to think about the void that would swallow him if he lost Julien. The skies could fall and crush him, turning his life into a hopeless wreck. Gasping for breath, Jonah raced into the vi, which was cold, dark, and silent.

    Suddenly, memories he had buried deep surged back, overwhelming him. He gripped the hem of his shirt, struggling to steady his breathing while anguish wed at him. Since ke''s death, he had never returned to this ce.

    The man he loved had died when Jonah loved him most, and the depth of that devastation was unfathomable to anyone who had not experienced it themselves. But this was not the moment to drown in sorrow.

    Jonah called out Julien''s name again and again as he searched every room in the house for him.

    When he reached the second floor, he spotted lights flickering in the home theater. His heart raced as he burst inside.

    ''Julien!

    Julien sat alone on the couch, a dazed look in his eyes. Scattered around his feet were white roses. The video of Jonah and ke''s intimate moments was still ying on the screen, but it was muted. Julien was staring straight at it. Slowly, his pale lips curled up into a smile. He was mocking himself. "Julien... don''t watch. Don''t watch that!"

    Jonah couldn''t tum the screen off. He could only block Julien''s view by standing in front of him. "Un''s targeting me. Don''t let him get to you. Don''t believe what he said!"

    "Even if 99% of what he said was a lie, one thing was true." Julien raised his swollen eyes to Jonah, a broken smile touching his lips. "That man was the love of your life. Not me."

    Jonah''s heart sank. "That''s not-"? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    *Actually, your heart... is gone. It''s gone to be with that person." Julien''s voice dragged out as though he had traversed great distances, wearied by his torment. "He is the love of your life, the one you could have given everything for. As for me, I am merely a balm for your broken heart. A fleeting substitute.

    "I know you thought of him during those nights when you held me close. You must feel lucky to have found someone who looks just like him.

    *Coincidentally, this person also fell hard for you. But what a pity... nothing can everpare to that one true love. The fake will always be fake. You cannot deceive yourself about your own feelings."

    Tears welled in Jonah''s eyes as he shook his head. The pain within him was bing unbearable.

    "I refuse to be a substitute. I would rather die than be someone else''s shadow."

    With that, Julien pulled a white rose from behind him. His expression turned cold and resolute as he raised the sharpened stalk to his cheek. He dragged it along his cheek, leaving a long, bloody mark.

    He smiled and asked, "Look, Jonah. Do I still look like him?"

    "Julien! Don''t!" Jonah''s eyes widened. As he reached for the rose, Julien cut himself again.

    The intersecting, bloodied lines on his face mirrored the agony of his shattered heart.

    Tears streamed down Jullen''s face as heughed. "Tell me. Do I... still look like him? Do you still want me?" "Don''t do this... Julien, please!" Jonah dropped to his knees before him, gripping Julien''s wrists. The man who once held such pride now seemed to care for none of it. He cried out, "I beg you...don''t hurt yourself. You can do anything to me! Hate me, hit me... kill me! Just don''t inflict pain on yourself. Please..."

    His love for Julien ran deep, and nothing tormented him more than witnessing this self-inflicted suffering.

    "Is your heart aching for me?" Julienughed, tears and blood staining his cheeks. "No, your heart doesn''t ache for me. You''re using me to ease your guilt over losing your true love. But now that you''ve redeemed yourself, who can save me?"

    He closed his eyes, letting the white rose slip from his grasp. "Jonah, let''s end it here."

 Chapter 2269

    ?Chapter 2269

    The once pristine white rose petals were now marred by the dark stain of Julien''s blood.

    ''Let''s end it here."

    Julien''s voice was soft, yet those four words shattered Jonah''s heart into fragments.

    *Julien, I will not allow you to leave me!" Every muscle in Jonah''s body trembled with desperation. A ferocious rage ignited in his eyes. "I know who I love. You are not a substitute for anyone! Julien, don''t leave me... I cannot let you go!"

    Panic coursed through him.

    He cried and pleaded, desperately trying to hold Julien back. Tom between gentleness and force, he was willing to ept any oue as long as the man he adored stayed with him.

    The first time it happened, Jonah had barely survived the emotional turmoil. If it happened again, it would drive him to the brink of insanity and death.

    His breathing became ragged; his bloodshot eyes zed with determination.

    With open arms, Jonah moved to embrace Julien, who had been reduced to pieces. But just as he leaned in, a sharp pain shot through his left eye.

    "Don''t touch me!" In a moment of uncontrolled rage, Julien had grabbed another rose, dragging its thorny stem across Jonah''s face.

    Jonah was fortunate to have closed his eyes just in time; otherwise, that thom could have shed his eyeball, leaving him blinded.

    Julien stared at the bloodied cut on Jonah''s face, momentarily forgetting his own pain. Dazed, his hands trembled as the instinct to care for Jonah flickered within him. Yet he fought against it, forcing out the words," Jonah, you need to go to the hospital-

    Jonah couldn''t be bothered about himself. A drop of blood trickled down his face. Fiercely, he pulled Julien into his arms. "Promise me, then... Don''t break up with me!"

    *Jonah, I admit that I still love you. But now that it hase to this, I''m unable to convince myself to stay with you."

    Despite allowing Jonah to hold him, Julien''s eyes were vacant. All the passion that he once had in his eyes had disappeared.

    "Even if I force myself to stay in this rtionship, living by your side in the future will only make me feel like I''m acting as somebody else. That initial purity of your love for me is now gone. Yet, what I want, in particr, is just that bit of purity."

    As he said that, he smiled. In a throaty voice, he continued, "I really envy you and him. It was thanks to him that I was able to have such an unforgettable rtionship with you. Jonah, that''s enough. This is it for us..."? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    By the time Alyssa and Sean arrived, Julien had already left.

    In the expansive room, Jonah knelt, a forlorn shadow of his former self.

    Alyssa''s heart sank. She stumbled backward slightly. The man before her was alive but resembled an empty shell, crushed and battered.

    "Ms. Alyssa, what in the world happened to Mr. Jonah and Dr. Lovce?" Sean questioned anxiously. He had been probing her the entire journey there but was unable to get a single answer from her.

    He had assisted Jonah for a few years when Jonah was KS Group''s president. Yet, he had never seen him looking

    as devastated as this!

    Alyssa took a deep breath, forcing herself to remainposed. "Sean, wait for me outside. Let me have a talk with Jonah in private."

    Knitting his brows together, Sean nodded. He had no other option but to retreat and wait outside the door. Looking at Jonah''s downcast expression, Alyssa welled up with tears. She walked to his side slowly, knelt down, and picked up the roses that had scattered across the floor, one at a time.

    When she picked up the greeting card containing Julien''s heartfelt confession, she couldn''t contain herself any longer. Tears blurred her vision, smudging the elegant words.

    Following that, a ball of fury exploded within her.

    She was usuallyposed, but she could not hold back when her loved ones were suffering! Moreover, it was Jonah''s birthday today.

    Stirring up such a hugemotion on such an important day was the cruelest way to break a person''s heart. Undoubtedly, they had rattled her cage.

    *Jonah, I''ve mentioned this to you in the very first ce. If you are both in love with one another, you have to give one another your absolute trust.

    "Not only do you have to be honest with one another physically, it''s the same emotionally too. You can never hide anything from one another, especially when ites to your feelings."

    Alyssa knelt right next to Jonah. In a raspy voice, she continued, "I believe you''re deeply in love with Jul. But you cannot deny the fact that you were once attracted to him because of how much he resembled your ex.

    "You should have been frank with him much earlier on. But Jonah, you didn''t. Instead, you hid the truth from him till this day. Jul put all his trust and invested all his emotions in you. This was why this ended up being such a mighty blow to him.

    "How could he take it? How could he continue to stay by your side? He''s such a proud person... He''s risked everything to be with you. Yet, you lied to him from the very beginning..."

    *Julien isn''t like ke... Other than their locks, they''re not alike at all..." Jonah''s head hung low as he replied, his voice bitter and weak. "Julien isn''t gentle. He''s capricious, arrogant, and rebellious. At times, he''s even more unreasonable than a woman..."

 Chapter 2270

    ?Chapter 2270

    ''But I just love him... I can''t stop myself from loving him," Jonah said.

    Alyssa blinked hard to stop herself from crying. Many a time, Julien was like the male version of herself. At the same time, Jonah''s love for Julien was just like how Jasper used to love her. How could he be so affectionate and tolerant if he wasn''t in love with him to the core?

    "Lyse... I was wrong. I''ve made a grave mistake." Jonah''s broad shoulders trembled violently. "It was true that I was attracted by Julien''s looks. However, what I love is his soul.

    ''At the same time, I was afraid of Julien leaving me because of my past with ke... So, I didn''t dare to be honest with him. I was too embarrassed to tell him the truth. I wanted to give him a perfect rtionship.

    "I was wrong... If I had known... If I had known that it would turn out like this...

    Jonah choked back his tears and couldn''t bring himself to continue speaking. The thorns on that stalk of rose that he was clutching tightly onto pierced into his palm.

    Alyssa kept her cool. In a soft voice, she asked, "Jonah, you received a call before you came here. Who called you?

    "Uri Hond... He''s an older guy whom ke met when he was at the orphanage. They were as close as blood brothers. Both of them were my core subordinates when I was leading Cloudtop."

    "Has this person always been pestering you in secret?"

    Jonah shook his head. "He has never shown up ever since I disbanded Cloudtop after ke''s passing."

    Alyssa frowned. A suspicion rose within her. "Of all times, he chose to wait till today? All just because he can give you an ''unforgettable'' birthday?"

    The more she thought about it, the more bizarre it felt.

    When Jonah and Julien''s rtionship was revealed back then, it caused an uproar and even became a trending topic on Twitter.

    Uri had probably already found out that Jonah found a lover who looked incredibly simr to his younger brother. He endured silently for a whole year and didn''t take any action. Of all times, he put in so much effort to have an outburst at this time?

    Was it all so that he could avenge his dead younger brother?

    Alyssa kept getting the feeling that this wasn''t such a simple matter.

    *Jonah, let''s talk in detailter on. You''re hurt. Let me take you to the hospital."

    Alyssa went forward to help Jonah up. Nevertheless, having just recovered from a major affliction herself, she wasn''t strong enough physically to help the strong-bodied Jonah up.

    "Lyse... I want Julien."

    Jonah''s eyes filled with tears. Even though the pain in his left eye was so intense that he couldn''t keep that eye open, he gazed at Alyssa. "I don''t love anyone else... Julien is the only one I love. I want him toe back..." ''Jonah, let''s go to the hospital now!" Alyssa''s heart wrenched at the sight of the wound on his face. "I''ll talk to Jul. He loves you too. I''m sure he can''t bear to leave you either!"Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Jonah insisted on going with Alyssa to see Julien, but she forbade him from doing so.

    For one, she was worried about Jonah''s eye injury. Secondly, under a circumstance like this, it wasn''t the right time for them to meet. They each needed time to cool down. Otherwise, they would just be making the situation

    worse.

    Sean apanied Jonah to the hospital while Alyssa tried to contact Julien, albeit to no avail.

    Sna City was massive. Even if she sent people to look for him, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. More than that, she was worried about Julien doing something foolish.

    Out of desperation, she contacted Axel.

    An hourter, Axel got back to her. "Dr. Lovce is in the departure hall at Sna City International Airport. He purchased a red-eye flight to Mosgravia, and the flight will be taking off in an hour''s time!"

    Wasting no time, Alyssa drove her sports car and sped toward the airport.

    The night was cold and dark. Even with the high beam, her visibility was not as great as it was during the day. Moreover, the recent snowfall meant that the road conditions weren''t ideal and speeding became extremely dangerous.

    However, Alyssa didn''t have the time to think of all these. For Jonah''s sake, she had to stop Julien from leaving tonight no matter what!

    Alyssa''s heart pounded against her chest as she sped up to 110 miles per hour, or perhaps even higher, on the empty freeway.

    Her driving skills were superb. Even if the road conditions weren''t great, she was confident that she would be able to get to the airport before the ne took off.

    She mumbled softly, "Jul, don''t go... Don''t leave us!"

    Her chest was in a knot as she rubbed her moistened and swollen eyes.

    All of a sudden, a beam of white light shed from behind her.

    Feeling confused, she looked into the rearview mirror. Nheless, all she saw was the freeway with no end. There was nothing else there.

    At this very moment, a ck vehicle came at her suddenly from her right, closing in on her from the side. Alyssa widened her eyes in shock. Immediately, she turned the steering wheel.

    Bang!

 Chapter 2271

    ?Chapter 2271

    Alyssa''s fiery red sports car was rammed into from the right!

    Fortunately, the ck vehicle and her red car were the only vehicles on the entire freeway. If there happened to be any big cars that passed by at this time, the oue would''ve been unimaginable.

    "Damn it!" Alyssa couldn''t help but curse through gritted teeth.

    Her forehead was covered in cold sweat. Any sensible person could tell that this car had hit her on purpose. Clenching her teeth, Alyssa put the pedal to the metal. Right after, she swerved to the left.

    Yet another bang sounded. Their car doors grated against one another, emitting terrifying sparks.

    Through the zing sparks, Alyssa seized this opportunity to turn her sweaty face to the side and nce at that ck vehicle that hade like a devil in the night.

    s, the car windows were tinted. Since their surroundings were pitch dark, she couldn''t get a good look at the driver at all.

    That being said, Alyssa came back to her senses at that moment.

    This car followed her to the airport, then rammed into her car when she had almost arrived at her destination. There could only be one objective-to stop her from going to the airport to see Julien!

    ''Asshole! I''ll show you what I''ve got!" she screamed.

    Alyssa''s eyes looked like they were about to burst into raging mes. Fiercely, she rammed her car against the ck vehicle once again.

    The sound of the impact was so terrifying that it made one''s hair stand on end.

    The driver of the ck vehicle seemed to be taken aback by Alyssa''s tenacity. Despite looking soft and weak, she was a daredevil.

    To Alyssa''s surprise, the driver did not charge at her again for the time being.

    Seeing as it was nearing the time of Julien''s departure, Alyssa no longer had any intention to continue battling out with the driver. Just as she stepped on the elerator and was about to zoom ahead, another deafening bang sounded.

    Sitting in the car, Alyssa could feel the strong impact. Her front windscreen cracked, so much so that she wasn''t able to see a thing.

    All the car windows broke, and ss shards flew in all directions. Just like sharp icicles in winter, they left scratches on her face.

    In the next second, a splitting pain spread through Alyssa''s head. The world before her eyes began to spin.

    Her red sports car flipped to the side after the impact. If it wasn''t because of the barrier by the side, her sports car might have rolled down the slope, and she would very likely have died!

    Alyssa''s vision fell in and out of darkness while an ear-piercing ringing sounded in her ears. Her entire body hurt as if every bone in her body had fractured.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    ''Jasper... Jasper..."

    In the smashed vehicle, shey on her side on a cold surface. Massive drops of tears rolled down her face.

    At this moment, Alyssa, who was always noble, proud, and morous, was at her breaking point.

    At her weakest, most helpless and hopeless moment, the person that came to mind instinctively was Jasper. Nevertheless, she soon came back to her senses amidst the throbbing pains.

    No more.

    Jasper was no more.

    Jasper, who once risked his life for her and sheltered her from the wind and rain, was no longer there for her. Panting heavily, Alyssa wailed and cried loudly as she wed at the ground to climb out of the car.

    Suddenly a pair of ck leather shoes appeared before her eyes.

    Somehow, they looked a little familiar.

    Alyssa stopped crying. She wanted to lift her head to get a good look at the person''s face, but the pain was so bad that it felt like her entire body was falling apart. She couldn''t lift her head no matter how hard she tried.

    Remy stared at Alyssa, who had managed to climb out of the car halfway after all that effort. She looked even weaker and more fragile than the snowkes on the ground.

    He couldn''t help but furrow his brows. Then, he bent down and scooped an exhausted Alyssa up from the ground in a princess carry. He held her close in his arms.

    ''Let go of me... I want to go... see... Jul..." Alyssa shut her eyes, but was still unable to stop the waterworks from being turned on.

    Remy lowered his eyes to check the time.

    Julien''s flight had taken off, and his mission wasplete. However, his heart still felt heavy and dejected, a feeling that he couldn''t exin.

    *Jul... Don''t... leave us..." Alyssa muttered.

    The impact from the car ident left her in a daze.

 Chapter 2272

    ?Chapter 2272

    Even though Alyssa''s head was in a muddle, she continued mumbling Julien''s name as she cried and begged him not to leave.

    How could there be such a foolish woman?

    Leaning against Remy''s chest, Alyssa groaned in pain. Her tears soaked through his shirt. The warm sensation dispersed the endless wintriness in his chest.

    "Lyse..." Remy blurted her nickname in a clear voice.

    Yet, Alyssa had lost consciousness and did not hear him.

    Remy held tight to an injured Alyssa as he trodded toward his vehicle.

    He uttered her name in his heart once again. For some reason, a pain throbbed in his head. Intense emotions surged in his chest. He had never had this feeling before, and it was challenging for him to hold those emotions back.

    Remy gritted his teeth as he watched the woman in his arms, who was bruised all over and bleeding from her head.

    At the same time, his heart felt like it was about to shatter and end up a bloody mess.

    Just like in Kontina, after Remy intercepted Alyssa, he sent her to the nearest hospital for emergency care. That being said, the difference was that he didn''t leave this time. He continued lurking in the hospital.

    In the wee hours of the morning, Remy stood on the hospital''s rooftop, feeling the cold breeze blowing against his upright body.

    "Good work, Remy, I''m on my way to the hospital now. You may leave." Justin''s candid voice was as usual, and his crisp-sounding voice revealed his satisfaction.

    Remy gathered his cor and lit a cigarette. Standing against the wind, he put his phone by his ear. In a deep and hesitant voice, he said, "Sir."

    "Yes?"

    "This time, Ms. Alyssa almost lost her life."

    Remy clenched his teeth. In a low voice, he continued, "Was I too heavy-handed? After all, she''s just a helpless woman."

    Justin chuckled perfunctorily. ''Remy, are you feeling bad for her?"

    Remy''s pupils constricted. He answered immediately, "No. But I''m afraid that if I were to take action too tactlessly, there mighte a time when I miscalcte a move and end up hurting her for real. Ultimately, Ms. Alyssa is also someone you care for, isn''t she?"

    Justin fell silent on his end. All Remy could hear was the sound of wind blowing.

    "I believe that you know what you''re doing, especially when it concerns her."

    Remy knitted his brows together tightly. An inexplicable feeling rose in his heart. Justin''s words were too cryptic.

    "Do you know why I care about Alyssa?" Justin asked out of the blue.

    Throughout all these years, Remy and Justin''s rtionship was just like a rtionship between an employer and an employee. Justin would show him concern and interact with him, but he would never share his feelings with him.

    Justin''s heart was a deep, dark dungeon. No one could get close to him, and those who did would definitely be consumed.

    "It''s because my younger brother, Jasper, is deeply in love with her. At the same time, she''s also in love with him." Justinughed. His cackles were frigid and chilling.

    "Her love awakened Jasper''s ability to love. She''s the light that rescued Jasper from his traumatic childhood and lit up his pessimistic life. Her older brothers became his friends, and her family became his family.

    "The one and only reason is because he had Alyssa."

    Remy spaced out. At that moment, he saw many figures surrounding him, both men and women. Although it felt familiar to him, he couldn''t call out their names.

    *Jasper was lucky. He managed to get what others couldn''t even if they spent a lifetime trying."

    Justin continuedughing. However, hisughter grew cold gradually, its sound piercing through Remy''s eardrums like a sharp de. "But what right did he have to get all these? Why can''t I be the one who has all these?This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "Sir..."

    "So, I want Alyssa to leave him for good. I want him to be alone."

 Chapter 2273

    ?

    After Remy sent an unconscious Alyssa to the hospital, she was taken into the emergency room immediately. She was still slightly conscious before she went in there, albeit hazily.

    She felt herself being lifted by the man in ck leather shoes and carried all the way to the hospital entrance until she arrived at the emergency room.

    The cold bearing around him felt so familiar to her.

    However, she was suffering so much pain that she kept slipping in and out of consciousness. She didn''t have it in her to think about anything else.

    While she was going through the nerve-racking emergency treatments, she had a dream. Or rather than a dream, it was more like her mind reyed everything that had happened from the time she was on Rose Ind until now. Those bits and pieces of information that seemed unrted strung together in her mind once again.

    For some reason, she felt that Julien''s departure was just the beginning.

    She certainly couldn''t allow anyone around her to be hurt. So, even if her consciousness was hanging by a thread, she wouldn''t allow her mind to stop thinking about it.

    She ruminated on everything from Mosgravia''s RC Biotechnology Research Institute to the drug experiments, Jameson, to Remy, who looked exactly like Damien.

    She also thought about Jameson, who died in prison from what seemed like drug abuse, and then about Jasper, who was suffering from a brain injury caused by a drug and losing his ability to process emotions.

    Even today, Jonah''s ex-subordinate showed up out of the blue and destroyed Jonah and Julien''s rtionship. Then, she was intercepted while on the way to the airport to stop Julien from going overseas.

    These events were somehow connected!

    At this moment, her blurry vision saw some doctors and nurses bustling about. An anxious voice rang in her ears. *Alyssa Taylor. You have to pull yourself together! You need to be able to figure this out. You surely can!" She closed her eyes slowly. Her long and moistened eyshes trembled slightly.

    There was a thud. She felt her entire body go cold as if she was immersed in a bottomless, icyke, sinking deeper and deeper into it.

    Just as she was feeling like she was about to run out of oxygen and fall into the arms of the grim reaper, she heard a faint voice calling out to her.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Alyssa? Ms. Alyssa? Lyse..."

    Lyse...

    Outsiders addressed her as Ms. Alyssa. Her rtives called her Lyse, but Jasper was the only one who would call her Lyse in a tone like that.

    Alyssa inhaled sharply. Her reddened eyes shot open.

    However, that pale, charming, and elegant face before her eyes made her heart sink back into the icy sea; it wasn''t the person she was missing.

    It was Justin.

    ''This is great, Ms. Alyssa. You''re finally awake."

    Justin sat in his wheelchair and waited by her bed. Through his deep, dark eyes, he studied her drawn and pale face that was stained with blood. Concern was written all over his face.

    "How do you feel? Does it hurt anywhere? I''ve called the best surgeon in all of Sna City to get here as soon as possible. You don''t have to worry. I won''t let anything happen to you."

    Tears swirled slightly in Alyssa''s eyes, making her look weak, pure, and pitiful. She asked, "What... did you just... call me?"

    Justin looked straight into her alluring eyes. In a warm voice, he answered, "Lyse. Can I call you Lyse?" Alyssa didn''t answer, but she furrowed her brows slightly. Clearly, she was really against it.

    Justin sensed her resistance. He chuckled casually. "I''m sorry, I remember that only Jasper calls you Lyse in this way. It was his way of showing his affection toward you. I overstepped. But please trust me when I say that it was a slip of the tongue.''

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her heart. Her eyes turned red.

    Affection... Was there still any affection left between her and Jasper?

    Justin continued exining to her patiently, "It was the doctor who told me that when a patient is unconscious, it would be best if there''s someone next to her, calling her name. Doing so for a while might help in waking the patient up."

 Chapter 2274

    ?Chapter 2274

    "I won''t call you that next time if you don''t like me doing so. But I was really just worried about you and hoping that you would be able to regain consciousness as soon as possible."

    Alyssa smiled coldly at him. She was broad-minded and had never been bothered by these trivial matters.

    *Justin, what brings you here?" Alyssa''s entire body hurt. She tried to get up but failed to do so.

    "Don''t move." Justin held her down. In a low voice, he urged, "The doctor said that you were very lucky. Even though you didn''t have any broken bones, you have quite a number of external injuries. Plus, you might have suffered some level of concussion.

    *These are not to be overlooked. You have to stay in the hospital to recuperate and be under observation for a while."

    With a sharp gaze, Alyssa insisted, "You haven''t answered my question."

    Justin pressed his lips together slightly. He answered calmly, "My private physician, Ms. Gillis, lives in a vi nearby. When I came to visit her, I suddenly felt unwell, so she sent me to the hospital for treatment. I happened to see you being brought into the emergency room.

    He happened to see her? Alyssa''s heart sank. She might have believed it if someone else said that. However, Justin''s words couldn''t be trusted.

    "How long have I been unconscious for?"

    "Not too long. Just one day and one night."

    Justin leaned forward, closing the distance between him and her. In a tender tone of voice, he added, "I don''t have your family members'' phone number, but I informed Grandpa.

    "He, in turn, informed Mr. Winston about your traffic ident. Don''t be afraid. Your family members are already making their way here."

    A look of astonishment came across Alyssa''s face. She struggled to get up, but was held down by him once again.

    She eximed, "I''m fine... I can already be discharged!"

    *I know that you''re afraid of having your family worry about you, especially your father."

    With a concerned look on his face and an infinitely deep gaze, Justin continued, "But Ms. Alyssa, at the end of the day, you are a woman. Your family will be so worried about you going around out there all on your own.

    "Don''t worry, I only contacted Grandpa to have him inform Mr. Winston now that we know you''re not seriously hurt."

    *Justin, these are my personal matters. You''re crossing the line!" Alyssa gritted out. It was obvious that she was getting emotional.

    She forced her trembling body to roll out of the bed with all her might. Unexpectedly, she couldn''t exert any energy with her legs at all. She lost control and tumbled to the ground.

    "Watch out!" Justin''s deep, raspy voice,ced with concern and urgency, echoed in Alyssa''s ear.

    In the next second, she found herself falling right into Justin''s arms. Concealed under his suit were his well- sculpted muscles. Swiftly, he held onto her tightly with his muscr arms.

    A faint smell of drugs, along with a subtle yet strange fragrance, wafted into her nose.

    It was familiar... So familiar...

    This was the second time that they hade into physical contact. The first time was when she helped stop him

    from rolling down the slope in his wheelchair.

    This time, they were in closer contact than the previous encounter.

    ''Ms. Alyssa, you''re unable to walk around freely for now. Just rest well."

    Justin lowered his head and gazed deeply into her teary eyes. The gruffness in his voice had be more obvious.

    He sat upright in his wheelchair while Alyssa sat on hisp. As her head leaned against his broad chest, she could hear his strong and steady heartbeat.

    This was a suggestive position to be in.

    Nevertheless, there was a cold gleam in Alyssa''s eyes. Although she looked weak, deep down, she was extremely calm. Besides that, she became even more suspicious.

    She was also a doctor. She was learned in the surgical field and had some knowledge in alternative medicine. For someone who relied on medications all year long to keep his health condition in check and someone who once suffered from organ failure, could his heart be this strong and steady?Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Aside from the fact that organ failure was extremely difficult to recover from, even if he managed to recover, he was someone who spent over a decade in a wheelchair. How could the muscles in his limbs be so sculpted and taut?

    She could even clearly feel his bulging quads supporting her bum.

    When she was young, she sat in her older brother''sps. After she became a grown-up, she had only ever sat on Jasper''sp.

    Even though Justin covered his entire body up with that neat suit of his, she kept getting a feeling that his build was not that far off from Jasper''s.

    This wasn''t normal!

    "Ms. Alyssa, would you like to continue staying in my arms, or would you like to lie back in bed?"

    Noticing that Alyssa wasn''t moving away from his arms, Justin smiled.

    In a deep voice, he continued, "I don''t actually mind, but it''s up to you. I''m just afraid that you''d feel ufortable leaning on me like this."

    Alyssa''s chest tightened. She was distracted. Just as she budged, the door to the hospital ward opened.

 Chapter 2275

    "Lyse!"

    Alyssa''s father, Winston, rushed into the hospital ward. With him were his three wives, Jonah, and Ss.

    At first, a pregnant Tatiana also made a fuss abouting over to visit Alyssa. However, everyone else forced her to stay home and had Sean look after her.

    Everyone''s jaws dropped when they witnessed Justin holding Alyssa in his arms. The room was dead silent.

    "Dad..." Alyssa muttered. There was a quiver in her teary eyes.

    She struggled slightly in Justin''s arms but could not pull away from him. Her face flushed red in embarrassment as she couldn''t budge, making them look even more like a shy couple. Justin curled his lips upward slightly. In a rxed manner, he got to his feet from his wheelchair and lowered Alyssa back onto the bed. Then, he tucked her in caringly. Everyone shot astonished looks at one another.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Even though the Taylors were based in Belbanks, their status as one of the wealthiest families meant that they were familiar with the news about upper-ss circles in Sna City.

    Moreover, the kidnapping incident 20 years ago had caused a massive uproar. They were well aware that Justin suffered a severe physical injury because of it, resulting in him having to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. To their surprise, he actually stood up. Not only that, he looked no different from a normal person!

    At this moment, Sheryl hurried back and saw Justin caring for Alyssa. Her eyes widened in shock as she tightened her grip on the test report, crumpling the paper in her hands.

    Having spent years working for Justin, he consistently carried himself with nobility, stoicism, elegance, and calm. However, in reality, he remained distant, as though he were a divine figure beyond reach.

    Nevertheless, an unattainable man like him was being especially gentle and caring toward Alyssa. Sheryl knew that she shouldn''t feel envious.

    Yet, envy was part of human nature. No matter how hard she tried to suppress it, she couldn''t deny its existence.

    "Greetings, Mr. Taylor. Good day,dies."

    Justin bent forward by the hips courteously and gentlemanly. "I''m Justin Beckett, Javier''s eldest son. Nice to meet all of you."

    Despite the conflicted expression on Winston''s face, he responded with an understanding nod.

    "Mr. Justin!" Sheryl grabbed hold of the moment and dashed to Justin''s side. Because of how hasty she was, she mmed her shoulder into Ss''.

    All the men in the Taylor family were well-trained, both physically and inbat.

    Thus, Ss, too, had muscr shoulders. When Sheryl bumped into him, it hurt down to her bone. Instinctively, she nced at him with a look of annoyance in her eyes Coincidentally, her eyes met with Ss'' sharp gaze at the same time.

    Perhaps his years of experience as a prosecutor gave him exceptional instincts and insights. His gut feeling was that this woman, who looked unfamiliar to him, actually felt really familiar.

    People could change their looks and voices, but one thing they could never change was the look in their eyes.

    Ss knitted his brows together slightly and mentally noted his doubt.

    "Please sit down, Mr. Justin."

    Sheryl ran over to Justin and helped him back into his wheelchair. With a gaze full of concern, she urged,"Your body is weak. It''d still be better for you to be more careful."

    Justin pressed his lips together slightly. "No worries."

    "Oh, Lyse. My precious daughter!"

    Winston approached Alyssa and held her hands, which were covered in scars. His heart broke for her, so much so that he trembled uncontrobly. He trembled so violently that Mandy had to hold onto him tightly.

    "How are you feeling? Tell me if it still hurts anywhere."

    "Lyse, how did you end up in a car ident out of nowhere? Do you know how anxious we were when we heard the news? Even your father, he " With tears in her eyes, Mandy almost let it slip. She only stopped when Winston red at her.

    That being said, Alyssa took clear notice of all these. Deep down, she felt even more regretful and terrible. She med herself even more.

    "Dad... I''m sorry. Sorry for making you, Mandy, L, Colene, and my brothers worry."

    As she said that, she couldn''t help but well up. Tears started streaming down her face.

    These were also tears of misery.

    The person who once stood by her side and went through thick and thin with her was no longer with her.

    Moving forward, she would be facing challenges and fighting battles on her own.

 Chapter 2276

    ?

    Alyssa would no longer hear that soft yet firm voice saying, "Don''t be afraid, Lyse. I''m right here."

    "You''re such a brat! You''re already 26. When can I stop worrying about you?" Winston eximed in a rough and stern voice. Out of his love for Alyssa, even an experienced leader like him was on the brink of tears.

    ''Jonah, Lyse''s driving skills are outstanding. How did she end up in a car ident?"

    Ss''s voice tensed as his heart filled with concem. He looked toward a pale-looking Jonah. "I heard that she was on the way to the airport. The weather for the past few nights had been terrible. Why was she going to the airport on her own?"

    Jonah''s eyshes were moist. He felt like his heart had been pierced, and he was deeply aggrieved.

    Ss noticed how terrible Jonah looked. Immediately, he questioned, "Jonah, what''s wrong?"Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Lyse was going to the airport to chase after Julien, Jonah answered numbly. The back of his throat was filled with a sharp, bloody taste.

    Ss was taken aback. His heart sank. "Julien went to the airport? Lyse then chased after him? What the hell happened?"

    Jonah couldn''t bring himself to say another word. His tall frame trembled, and he almost lost his bnce. Julien left. In addition, Alyssa got into an ident and was badly injured because of him.

    He imed to want to protect them, but in the end, he ruined everything.

    Jonah turned around dejectedly and then stumbled out of the hospital ward.

    Instantly, Ss felt that something wasn''t right. He went after Jonah immediately.

    Jonah stood with his face to a wall in the empty hallway. He mmed his forehead hard onto the cold wall again and again.

    At the same time, tears were falling from his eyes and dripping onto the floor continuously,

    *Jonah! What are you doing?"

    Ss had never seen Jonah lose it like this. He panicked. He approached him immediately and pulled him away from the wall. He held tightly onto his trembling shoulders. "Tell me what happened. We''ll figure it out together!"

    *Julien is gone....

    Jonah''s forehead had turned red from the repeated impact. The look in his eyes was unfocused, downcast, and broken. "He broke up with me. He''s gone."

    Ss inhaled sharply in disbelief.

    In the hospital ward, Winston and his three wives settled down a bit after reading Alyssa''stest checkup report. "Mr. Justin, thank you for your help. Otherwise, I can''t even imagine what would''ve happened to my daughter if she had been at the hospital alone."

    Even though Winston felt troubled by that amorous sight he saw when he entered the room, Justin did help his precious daughter out, and it would be rude of him not to express his gratitude.

    "No worries at all, Mr. Winston. Just call me Justin. I only ran into Ms. Alyssa because I was having a checkup at this hospital."

    Justin''s charming face was like a delicate sculpture. With an elegant and humble smile, he remarked, ''Ms. Alyssa and I were destined to meet."

    Winston pursed his lips.

    If Alyssa were single, there wouldn''t be any harm in him saying that.

    However, she was already attached. That was an ufortablement to hear.

    Alyssa steadied her breathing. She peered over at Justin, who also happened to be ncing at her with a warm look in his eyes.

    As their eyes met, the atmosphere in the room turned really peculiar in the eyes of the Taylors.

    "When we came over, we heard that the culprit ran off after sending Lyse to the hospital. He didn''t even show any concern about her?"

    Colene was furious. "What an asshole! Even if he didn''t want to take any responsibility, he should still give us a proper exnation and apologize to us in person!

    "How could he escape just like that? This is a hit-and-run! Our family doesn''t need hispensation, but he should at least give us an exnation!"

    Mandy''s eyes were still red. Through gritted teeth, she said, "L, just be grateful. If he were really an asshole, why would he send her to the hospital after hitting her? What would truly be terrifying was if he ignored her altogether."

    L furrowed her brows. "Let''s check the surveince footage. Lyse went through so much suffering. We have to capture that person. We can''t let him off just like that."

    Colene seconded, "That''s right! We cannot let it go just like that. I''ll have people from The Ivory look into it. They will find that person within three days!"

    Lyse, where''s Jasper? Look at the state that you''re in. As your man, why isn''t he by your side?" Winston questioned anxiously. He knew nothing about all that happened before this.

    He was indeed quite perplexed to see Justin taking care of Alyssa instead of Jasper when she had been unconscious for an entire day.

    Suddenly, Alyssa''s heart dropped. She forced herself to hide the pained look in her eyes.

    Just as she pondered how to hide the truth from Winston, Sheryl pretended to exim in shock, "Mr. Winston, didn''t you know? Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa have broken up.''

 Chapter 2277

    ?

    Sheryl''s words came like a bolt from the blue, catching the Taylors off guard.

    Alyssa shuddered. She curled her scabbed fingers around her nket into a tight grip.

    *Say what... Jasper and my daughter have broken up?" Shock filled Winston''s eyes. He couldn''t believe his ears. Sheryl confirmed, "That''s right. Your sons know about this too. Though, it seems like you were truly unaware." L was on the verge of tears. She shook her head continuously. "That''s impossible... Why would they..."

    Mandy trembled. She widened her eyes in disbelief. "They broke up? Why did they break up out of the blue? They share such a good rtionship. How is that possible?"

    Sheryl blinked. A hint of maliciousness lurked in her eyes.

    "You shouldn''t be asking me this. You should ask Mr. Jasper because from what we heard, he was the one who wanted to break up-

    *Break up my foot! He would never do that to Lyse even if someone pointed a gun at his head!"

    Colene blew her top and flew into a rage. She pointed at Sheryl''s innocent-looking face. "Where the hell did you get that information from? Stop spreading rumors and sowing discord! If you have any ideas about Jasper, I will rip your mouth out and break your legs!"

    *Madam Colene, I was just stating a fact. Why are you shouting at me? As an elder, this shouldn''t be how you present yourself, don''t you think?"

    Sheryl''s eyes gleamed with contempt as she spat through gritted teeth, "Ms. Alyssa has already epted the truth. If you are truly an elder who cares for her, you should honor her decision instead ofshing out at others." "Damn it!" Colene was almost going to rush forward to p Sheryl, but Mandy and L held her back.

    Justin''s gaze turned cold. In a frigid voice, he reprimanded, "Sheryl, shut up! Do not be rude toward Ms. Alyssa''s family members!"

    Sheryl lowered her eyes immediately and took a step back.

    That said, she curled the corners of her lips up subtly into a chilling smile. So what if she was told off? She had reached her goal of provoking the Taylors and evoking negative feelings toward Jasper within them.

    "It was me. I broke up with Jasper."

    Alyssa was extremely harrowed. She felt even more exhausted and heartbroken to see her family members getting worked up over the matter between her and Jasper.

    "Don''t me Jasper. Our separation had nothing to do with him. He didn''t do anything wrong..."

    With tears in her eyes, Mandy questioned, "Lyse, you were both doing alright. Why did this decision?"

    *Just a month ago, in Kontina, Jameson took Ms. Alyssa hostage." Justin was well aware that Alyssa was not in the mood to exin, so he exined on her behalf.

    ''Hostage?" Winston and his wives were staggered.

    "None of you have to worry. That crisis is long over. My younger brother saved Ms. Alyssa from Jameson''s hands.

    As Justin said that, he exhaled heavily. "It was just a pity that during their confrontation, Jasper fell into Jameson''s sinister trap. He consumed medications that damaged his brain and caused him to lose the ability to process emotions, so..."

    "Stop talking!"

    Alyssa''s eyes turned red with anger and became filled with tears. As she struggled to get up, Justin gently ced his hands on her shoulders.

    He gazed deeply at her face, which had flushed red with agitation. He exined, "So, he decided to separate from Ms. Alyssa. After all, they aren''t married yet. They can still turn things back.

    "Even though my younger brother is no longer in love with Ms. Alyssa, he''s still the pure and kind person that he is. Ms. Alyssa is still young. He didn''t want her to waste the rest of her life, so he made such a decision. This was the reason that they broke up."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Alyssa stared fixedly at Justin''s calm-looking face, her emotions welling up even further.

    Every word he said was true. Despite that, did he need to exin everything so cruelly in front of Winston at this very moment?

    Having spent so much time together, Winston had already approved of Jasper and treated him like his own son. How would he be able to take such a massive blow?

    Mandy, L, and Colene couldn''t ept this horrible news. They looked at one another as lumps formed in their throats.

    "How''s Jasper right now?" At the end of it, Winston held himself together. He even became concerned about Jasper''s wellbeing.

    It wasn''t just lip service. He sincerely treated him like a child of his own.

    The look in Justin''s eyes dimmed. He smiled slightly. "Not to worry. He''s fine now."

    ''That''s good to know... That''s good to know..." Winston mumbled. His heartache grew as he looked at Alyssa.

 Chapter 2278

    ?Chapter 2278

    However, what was Alyssa going to do?

    Winston loved Alyssa the most. She was naturally someone who gave her all when it came to love. In this life, she had chosen Jasper. She wouldn''t be able to get over this rtionship. Yet, Jasper was no longer in love with her. It was devastating for the person who remained, abandoned in the end.

    Just then, a nurse knocked on the door and entered the room. "Mr. Beckett, it''s time for your checkup.

    "Alright, I''ll head over now."

    Sheryl held onto the handle of Justin''s wheelchair with both hands while Justin excused himself politely.

    He said to Winston, "Mr. Winston, I''m sure that you have a lot to talk about with Ms. Alyssa. I shall give you both some space. The medical standards at this hospital are quite high. Also, I''ve arranged for several surgeons toe by tomorrow. They''ll examine Ms. Alyssa first thing in the morning.

    "If you can''t trust them, you may also transfer her to another hospital. I can help you connect with people. These aren''t things that you should worry about."

    Winston steadied his breathing. "Thank you."

    After Justin left, Winston sent his wives out of the hospital ward too. He wanted to speak with Alyssa one-on-one.

    Where did that Ms. Gillise from? She''s really getting on my nerves!"

    Colene had a hand on her hip. She stomped her feet angrily. "It was only because Winston was here. Otherwise, I would''ve given her a p in the face!

    "I heard that she''s Mr. Justin''s private physician." Mandy pulled out a handkerchief from her purse and wiped the tears from her eyes.

    "Private physician?

    Although L was a quiet woman, she was very attentive and had a great memory. "I''ve heard from Ms. Thompson, the woman who looked after Tatiana, that she really loves doing manicures. However, due to her profession, she isn''t able to go for manicures.

    "The doctors in their hospital don''t even paint their nails. Even so, that woman obviously kept her nails long. Even though it isn''t excessive, it''s still out of line."

    Mandy and Colene were too focused on being heartbroken and arguing that they hadn''t noticed this detail at all.

    L frowned. "The Becketts are a family with such high status. Mr. Justin is Mr. Javier''s oldest son, who grew up well-respected. Moreover, he''s physically challenged. Why would he have allowed such an unprofessional-looking doctor to get so close to Mr. Justin?Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Something feels strange about it."

    From the outside, she looks like a doctor. Who knows who she is behind closed doors?"

    Colene smirked coldly. "I remember that when I was young, my father''s colleagues had nannies, masseuses, chess teachers, and freaking goddaughters by their side. They called them all sorts of things. At the end of the day, it was actually because they were horny!"

    L remarked, "But Mr. Justin looks quite decent...

    Colene responded, "He''s Javier''s son. How decent could he be?"

    L was speechless.

    Colene realized what she had just said. Immediately, she rified, "Jasper is an exception!" Mandy lowered her eyes in deep thought. Suddenly, she asked, "Where are Jonah and Ss?"

    Both L and Colene said that they hadn''t seen them.

    Wait right here, both of you. I''ll look for them."

    Mandy said she would look for Jonah and Ss, but that was an excuse for her to have some time alone to catch a breath of fresh air.

    Mandy, L, and Colene all loved Alyssa the same.

    That said, Mandy was the first one to join the Taylor family. In other words, she watched Alyssa grow up since she was young and truly treated her like her own daughter. Witnessing Alyssa''s ident and breakup was a blow to her heart. She couldn''tpose herself so quickly.

    With tears in her reddened eyes, Mandy dragged her feet through the empty hallway alone.

    She was from a family of doctors and was on the board of directors of a pharmaceuticalpany. She couldn''tprehend how a medication could cause a deeply in love couple to separate.

    That thing shouldn''t be called a "medication'' at all. It should bebeled as a poison! "Joseph.." Suddenly, her oldest brother, who was serving his sentence in prison, came to mind.

    Even though he had engaged in business in thetter part of his career, he was a top student in the field of pharmaceuticals when he was young. He contributed to Lovce Group''s expansion. If he hadn''t, Edgar wouldn''t have handed their family business to this adopted son of his.

    Perhaps he would have some thoughts to share about what happened to Jasper.

    Without warning, Mandy stopped in her tracks. Her breathing became uneven as she became shaken up.

    On a balcony less than 350 feet away, a tall, fierce-looking man was leaning against the railing. He wore a ck leather jacket and had an icy expression.

    As he tilted his chin upward, the definition of his neck gave him a sharp and frigid look.

    He puffed out a cloud of smoke. His look evoked an inexplicable feeling of sorrow, mncholy, and loneliness.

    "Damien..."

    Mandy blinked hard, and her heart wrenched. Her body trembled as she yelled out agitatedly, "Damien!

 Chapter 2279

    ?Chapter 2279

    Mandy''s emotional cry reverberated down the hallway.

    Naturally, Remy heard her voice too. He was slightly stunned. His eyes met the teary-eyed, middle-aged woman standing a few feet away from him.

    For some reason, his heart felt heavy. Even breathing stirred up some unfathomable feelings within him.

    It felt just like that heavy feeling he had when he watched Alyssa, injured all over, crawling out from her car that had flipped over.

    "Damien... Is that you? Damien!"

    Even though Mandy was always a noble andposed person, her face was covered in tears at this very moment. She choked with sobs and had lost herposure.

    "Damien... It''s me, your mom! You''re still alive... I can''t believe that you''re still alive!"

    Mom?

    Dumbfounded, Remy stared at the woman who was approaching him. It was as if someone had put his heart on pause. His slender fingers quivered slightly as he pinched a cigarette in between his fingers.

    In the next second, the splitting pain in his head pulled him back to reality.

    He stubbed out the cigarette against the balcony before disappearing before vanishing from Mandy''s sight in an instant.

    "Damien!" Mandy ran forward as quickly as she could.

    Ultimately, she lost focus and fell heavily to the ground, scraping her knees. The pain and sadness in that moment left her unable to rise.

    At the same time, from the balcony on the other side of the wall, Remy listened to Mandy''s devastated cries. He took a deep breath. The muscles throughout his entire body tensed up as he tried to withstand the pain in his head. His eyes became bloodshot.

    In the hospital ward, Winston and Alyssa had a heart-to-heart talk-something they hadn''t done in a while.

    "Dad.. Don''t worry."

    Alyssa''s hospital gown hung loosely over her small frame. Her face was so pale that it looked like she could melt away at any moment. Even so, she tried her best to force a smile on Winston.

    "I''m fine. It''s true that I was really sad at first, but now... It''s all over."

    "It''s over between you and Jasper?''

    Winston grasped onto Alyssa''s chilly hands tightly. With a fiery gaze, he continued, "You are

    my daughter. Did you think I couldn''t tell how you truly feel? I''m just old, not senile or blind!" Alyssa choked, "Dad.."

    Winston sighed, "I''m old enough that I could die at any moment. There''s no use in me trying to keep my pride.

    With a troubled look on his face, Winston clenched his teeth. He continued, "I will go to Seaview Manor tomorrow to chat with Jasper. I''ll see if there''s a chance for you both to get back together.

    You''re both so in love with one another. I''ve seen how many difficulties you both had to ovee to get to where you are. I don''t believe that it was because of any medication or inability to process emotions.

    "He''s still alive; his heart is still beating. There''s no way that brat can just fall out of love like that!''

    He had experience being in love. He understood that true love would only end when one died.

    The Taylor family''s ancestors were reputable and incredibly blessed. Even Javier was inferior to them.

    Winston humbled himself only once in his entirety of living-when he proposed to Alyssa''s mother. With Jasper, this would be his second time humbling himself.

    "No need for that, Dad. I''ve epted it already.

    Alyssa forced herself to hold back the anguish in her heart. She smiled bitterly.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Based on Jasper''s current condition, he should focus on recuperating. Moreover, Justin is back, so there might be changes within the Beckett Group. He has to focus all his attention on his family feuds. I don''t want to be a distraction to him. I''ll just leave the rest up to fate."

    "Oh, silly... You once lived in misery by Jasper''s side for three years! After so much difficulty. you''re finally together. Yet, you''re making the same mistakes again?

    You are my precious daughter. I cannot bear to see you hurting yourself and putting yourself down like this!"

    Winston''s heart wrenched. "You''re putting him into consideration in everything you do.. Why can''t you just think about yourself? Jasper no longer loves you, so what will you do in the future? He promised to protect you. What the hell was he protecting?"

    He was too harsh with his words. Still, Winston genuinely felt heartbroken for Alyssa. He simply blurted out his thoughts without thinking.

    "Dad, it''s my fault that Jasper ended up like this, I don''t me him for anything he does to me .."A subtle smile crossed Alyssa''s face. "From now on, I only hope he stays safe and healthy. The rest is insignificant."

    All of a sudden, the door to her hospital ward was opened.

    With Colene and L holding onto her, Mandy stumbled into the room looking disheveled.

    Having never seen her so forlorn, Winston felt a wave of panic. He quickly rushed over to

    support her quivering body. What''s wrong, Mandy?"

    "Winston!" Mandy cried out. Tears streamed down her face as she dove into Winston''s arms. "I saw Damien... Our son, Damien. I saw him!"

    Winston''s heart skipped a beat. In surprise, he replied, "How could that be... It has been many years since Damien passed away!"

    "Mandy, could it be that your longing for him caused you to hallucinate? Colene expressed concern for Mandy''s mental health. ''Damien died in that ne crash. No one survived when that ne fell into the sea, and the authorities confirmed that."

    "Damien is my son! How could I have misidentified him?" Mandy couldn''t stop crying. "When I walked toward the balcony at the hallway earlier, I spotted a man in a ck leather jacket. He was smoking... He looked exactly like Damien! How could there be two people who looked so much alike?"

    Emotions surged within Winston. Even so, he was afraid that he would be disappointed. So, he remarked in a calm voice, "Mandy, maybe it was just a coincidence..."

 Chapter 2280

    ?

    "It''s not a coincidence!" Alyssa sat up straight. Bright-eyed, she continued, "Mandy isn''t wrong. There is a man who looks exactly like Damien!

    "I know him. His name is Remy Lexington. I interacted with him when Jameson held me captive on Rose Ind in Kontina!"

    The Taylor family members were floored.

    "Lyse! In that case, is he Damien?" Winston queried urgently.

    Alyssa gritted her teeth and remained silent. She wondered why Remy would have appeared at the hospital at a time like this.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    There could only be one possibility-he was the one who rammed into her car that night. He was also the one who sent her to the hospital. Yet, the first person she saw when she regained consciousness was Justin.

    Jameson, Remy, Justin...

    Suddenly, she came to a realization. Terror spread throughout her entire body.

    A seemingly unrted yet extremely horrifying thought popped into her mind. She didn''t believe in coincidences. All coincidences were inextricably linked with one another, albeit in secret.

    "Lyse, say something!" Mandy''s eyes had turned red with agitation. "Is he Damien? Damien didn''t die... He survived, didn''t he?"

    Alyssa took a deep breath. Then, her eyes lit up. "Mandy, you mentioned seeing him smoking in the hallway earlier? Did he leave after smoking, or did he leave while smoking?"

    "Maybe my showing up scared him off. He hurried off after putting his cigarette out."

    "Mandy, get Jonah and Ss to go to that balcony as quickly as possible. Have them look for that cigarette butt of his."

    Alyssa''s heart raced. She felt as if that mysterious fog that shrouded her eyes had dispersed a little. "Then, use that cigarette butt to perform a DNAparison with Damien. We''ll find out if he''s Damien right after we test it!"

    With both hands in his pockets and a gloomy look on his face, Remy walked in the hospital''s underground parking lot alone.

    He thought about that woman who imed to be his mother. His heart throbbed in pain and his thoughts were in a mess. He had no idea what to make of it.

    "Remy!"

    Remy looked up immediately, only to see Sheryling before him with a frosty expression on her face. "What are you still doing here? Didn''t Mr. Justin tell you that you had to leave after sending Alyssa to the hospital?"

    The look in Remy''s eyes dimmed.

    During the night beforest, he sent Alyssa to the hospital. Nheless, for some reason, he couldn''t feel at ease.

    He was afraid that he had hit her too hard, so much so that she wouldn''t be able toe back out of the emergency room alive. Thus, he hadn''t left. He had been watching over her in secret. Still, there was no way that he would share these with Sheryl.

    To him, Sheryl was a viper, a scorpion. She was a cold-blooded creature with a human appearance. In fact, she wasn''t actually human. So, why would he bare his heart with her?

    "I was watching over Mr. Justin. After all, the Taylors have alle," Remy answered perfunctorily. The gaze in his eyes was cold.

    In a moment of desperation, Sheryl blurted, "It''s because the Taylors are all here that you shouldn''t show up at this ce all the more!"

    Remy took a step forward. In a deep voice, he asked, "What do you mean?"

    Sheryl had her doubts about Remy, but she let them slip in the end. The panic had made her forget about them. She quickly rified, "Alyssa is a sharp-witted woman. Moreover, you''ve shown yourself to Axel. Once the Taylors realize that you''re at the hospital, they will soon connect you with Alyssa''s car ident.

    "Mr. Justin is still at the hospital. With both of you showing up at the same time, Alyssa might suspect that you are connected to Mr. Justin. If that happens, we would be in deep shit!"

    Remy pursed his lips tightly together. He said nothing.

    "Hurry up and leave. Take my car," Sheryl urged.

    "No need for that," Remy turned her down coldly. His shoulder brushed past hers.

    "Oh, right. You didn''t leave any traces at the hospital, did you?" As the attentive woman that she was, Sheryl questioned him.

    Remy was suddenly reminded of the cigarette butt that he had left on the balcony. However, he didn''t put much thought into it because he had never left any evidence at any crime scenes throughout these years of working for Justin.

    As such, the police didn''t have his record in their DNA database. They wouldn''t be able to find anything even if he left a cigarette butt.

    "I didn''t."

    Upon saying that, Remy left, looking deste and arrogant.

 Chapter 2281

    ?Chapter 2281

    The next morning, Jasper jolted awake from his sleep. For some reason, the shock caused him to break out in cold sweat.

    The air felt thin. He made his way out from under the covers and picked up his phone from the bedside table. He squinted as he checked his phone.

    To his surprise, he had over 20 missed calls from Newton.

    Ever since his discharge from the hospital, his head would throb every night. He wasn''t sure if this was a side effect, but he had been having wakeful nights for the past three to four days.

    Last night, he felt that he wouldn''t be able to take it if he went on like that. Thus, he took some sleeping pills, which helped him to fall asleep till the day broke.

    Jasper got up while massaging his sore temples. He was just about to ring Newton back when he heard Xavier''s voice from the other side of the door.

    "Mr. Beckett, are you awake?"

    "What is it?"

    "Mr. Beckett Senior is here. He''s asking for you downstairs."

    After washing up, Jasper changed into a smart-looking ck suit and called Julien while he made his way to the living room.

    Previously, Julien had given him a dressing down at the hospital, and that interaction ended on a sour note. But, perhaps it was due to his inability to process emotions that he wasn''t bothered by squabbles like these.

    All he wanted was for his health to be back at its normal level so he could work as usual. Yet, after three attempts, he wasn''t able to reach Julien. His cell phone was still off.

    Jasper frowned and put his phone back into his pocket.

    Both Newton and Javier were in the living room. The air in the room was inexplicably tense.

    "Hi, Grandpa. Hi, Dad." Jasper first greeted them. Then, he nced toward Newton coldly. ''Grandpa, what brings you here?"

    Anxiously, Newton answered, "Jasper, Alyssa was hurt!"

    Jasper''s face was nk and emotionless. "What happened to Ms. Alyssa?"

    "She got into a car ident. Come with me to the hospital now to visit Alyssa!" Newton barely slept all night. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he was burning with anxiety.

    Xavier''s face paled from the shock.

    Alyssa was a skilled driver. He wouldn''t be surprised if she got into a traffic ident because of Jasper. Who knew if her mental and physical exhaustion caused her to get distracted and end up in an ident?

    The moment Jasper left Alyssa, her life went helter-skelter.

    "Was she badly injured?" There was a slight flicker in Jasper''s deep eyes.

    "I called Mr. Winston. Alyssa hase out of the ER and has regained consciousness. But I heard that her entire car flipped to the side. She''s someone with such a tiny frame. How could she take it? Come with me to visit her now!"

    "She has quite a few older brothers and her family by her side. It makes no difference even if I went."

    Jasper lowered his voice and looked down. "Moreover, who I am to her now makes it inappropriate for me to visit her."

    Upon hearing that, Xavier''s face turned even whiter, and his heart went cold.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "Jasper! What are you babbling about? That''s Alyssa we''re talking about. She''s someone you doted on with your life. She''s Alyssa, the woman you cried over before me again and again, saying that you wanted to beg her toe back to you. How can you be so heartless? I''m really disappointed in you!"

    Anger made Newton''s eyes turn red. In fury, he hit his walking stick against the ground hard. "You have a brain condition, but have you lost your human nature as well? Just look at how much Alyssa sacrificed for you. Yet, you aren''t willing to even visit her. Are you even human?"

    Jasper felt something surge within his chest. His gaze was distant and cold. ''Grandpa, we''ve already broken up. I will only make her suffer even more by hanging around instead of making it a clean break."

    Newton was about to argue when Javier said, "Dad, if Jasper and Ms. Alyssa have separated, so be it. I don''t feel like this is a bad thing."

    Rage overtook Newton. "Why, you-"

    "I couldn''t say anything in the past because they were in love and going through thick and thin together. But Jasper is no longer in love with Ms. Alyssa. Why do you have to make things difficult for him? Nothing good wille out of it if you force it."

    Javier took a deep breath. He had decided to go all out. With an icy look, he added, "In fact, I feel like Ms. Alyssa didn''t love Jasper all that much.

    "She might have loved him, but I feel like she loves herself more. If she really loves someone, how could she bear to see him risk his life time and time again? How could she bear to have him do such dangerous things?

    "When she acted recklessly, had she never considered that Jasper had a family who cares for him too? What are we to do if anything happened to him? Has she considered this, even once?"

    "You-" Newton let out a sharp exhale. A lump rose in his throat, and he choked on his tears.

    Perhaps his reflexes had slowed due to his age. At that moment, he couldn''t fight back.

    Jasper stood tall and firmly at the same spot, like an icy mountain that was unmoved.

    Nevertheless, when he heard those words, he felt a subtle prick somewhere deep in his heart. Slowly, he clenched his hands into fists.

 Chapter 2282

    ?

    Watching Jasper being unperturbed, Newton slumped back against the couch. A disappointed look filled his eyes. How could everything get back to square one just like this? Even if he couldn''t ept this oue, how could Alyssa take it?

    In a deep voice, Javier prompted, "Jasper, you have your regr meeting in the morning. It''s about time for you to leave, isn''t it?''

    Jasper tumed around without showing any emotions on his face and strode out the door.

    Alyssa was still in a stage of recovery. She had been feeling groggy and had slept the entire morning away. She didn''t even have breakfast or lunch. It was in thete afternoon that she gradually stirred.

    When she saw Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus watching over her by her side, her heart was warmed despite being badly wounded by Jasper.

    "Lyse, do you feel better now?" Jonah asked in a husky voice. He gave her bony hands a gentle squeeze.

    Looking at Jonah''s face, Alyssa suddenly felt like he had weathered through so much overnight. She couldn''t help but feel for him.

    "Jonah, how about you? Are you alright?" she asked in a soft voice.

    "I''m okay." Jonah forced a smile.

    He was not okay at all. He was doing terribly.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Jonah, leave this ce to us, brothers. Hurry up and get yourself a ne ticket to Mosgravia to win Jules back!" Ss pressed his hand firmly on Jonah''s shoulder. "You''re both so in love with one another. After going through so much together, I don''t believe that it''s the end for both of you the moment someone instigates something!"

    Jonah closed his heavy eyelids and shook his head. He knew that the mistake he made this time was unforgivable.

    Julien was a prideful man who loved himself very much. He didn''t hesitate to hurt himself so that he could break up with Jonah. He was indeed determined to break their rtionship off. Would he still be able to win him back?

    Alyssa could see what was on Jonah''s mind. In a gentle voice, sheforted, "It''s probably a good thing to give Jul some space for a while. Sometimes, pushing someone to a corner will just be counterproductive."

    Noticing that the atmosphere in the room had be awkward, Cyrus changed the topic.

    "Lyse, I''ve taken that cigarette butt back to the station and gotten my colleagues at the Forensics Department to perform a DNAparison for me. They''ll be able to give us the results in a couple of days."

    The hospital could only perform DNA tests using blood samples. They weren''t able to perform tests using physical objects.

    It was fortunate that the Taylors were talented people.

    "That''s great! Once the results are out, we will know if Remy is Damien!" A fire of hope lit up within Alyssa''s heart. This was the only news that made her happy during these recent times.

    Jonah and Ss had never seen Remy, so they couldn''t rte to the shock that came with seeing his face. Even so, emotions surged within Cyrus.

    "If... If Damien is really still alive, our entire family can truly be reunited!"

    With tears in her eyes, Alyssa nodded.

    "If that man whom the few of you were talking about is indeed Damien, how did he survive? Why did he end up

    bing acquainted with Jameson? Also, why didn''t he remember anything when he saw Lyse?" Ss questioned anxiously.

    "As we know, Damien had a genuine and kind heart. Even if he had lost his memory because of the ident, why would he have be an entirely different person? Why is hepletely unlike what he used to be?"

    Ss'' questions left Alyssa in deep thought. If Remy was indeed Damien, why would he have be a changed person even if he lost his memory? Unless...

    Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

    Ss hurried over. The moment he opened the door, he couldn''t stop his face from falling.

    "Mr. Justin?"

    "Hello, Mr. Ss."

    Justin was sitting in a wheelchair with a thermal lunchbox on hisp. He tilted his head up slightly and looked at Ss with a smile on his face. "Is Ms. Alyssa awake yet?"

    An rmed look shed across Ss'' eyes. "Why do you ask?"

    Justin''s smile was slight but not unnatural. "I brought some soup and dishes that we cooked at home. I thought of sharing some with Ms. Alyssa. They''re in, but they''re very nutritious for her body."

    "It''s alright. My sister is-''

    "Is it Justin?"

    To their surprise, Alyssa said tenderly, "Please invite him in."

 Chapter 2283

    ?Chapter 2283

    Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus were dumbfounded. Even though Alyssa didn''t seem to express much on her face, her tone was obviously much gentler.

    Her voice didn''t have that coldness and distance that she used to keep all men, other than her brothers and Jasper, at a distance. Could a traffic ident have led to her enlightenment and transformed her as a person?

    Ss clenched his teeth. He had no choice but to allow Justin to enter the room.

    "Thank you."

    The smile reached Justin''s eyes as he beamed. He maneuvered his electric wheelchair before Alyssa and ced the thermal lunch box on her bedside table.

    Alyssa pursed her pale lips briefly. "Thank you for the effort, Justin, but I''m not very hungry now."

    A gentle gleam shone through Justin''s clear eyes. He chuckled. "You didn''t have breakfast or lunch. Are you sure that you aren''t hungry, Ms. Alyssa?"

    Alyssa widened her eyes. "How... How did you know?"

    "I''m staying right next to your ward. I''ve been waiting for you to wake up."

    Justin looked down and chuckled slightly. He continued with a hint of awkwardness, "I know you''re not in need of anyone else to look after you. I stayed back only so that it would be convenient for my checkups. At the same time, I could help to watch over you too.

    "I''ve hired the best surgeons in all of Cyrris to gather in Sna City so that they can give you a professional consultation. Don''t you worry, Ms. Alyssa. I will ensure you recover fully and not suffer any side effects. After all, you still have so much to live for."

    The Taylor brothers shot purposeful looks at one another.

    After hearing that, Alyssa calmly turned Justin down. "Thank you, but I don''t think there''s a need for that because I''m a surgeon myself."

    "I know that you are the famous Dr. White in the field of surgery. But, as the saying goes, don''t y doctor with yourself."

    Justin curled his lips into a rxed smile. His rich voice was captivating. "Ms. Alyssa, you''re a strong,petent, and independent woman.

    "Even so, you should allow yourself to pause and take a break at times too. While giving others opportunities, you shouldn''t be too hard on yourself.

    "I know that you''re exhausted. Use this time at the hospital to clear your mind and have a good rest, okay?"

    There was a slight quiver in Alyssa''sshes. She heard the message he was implying. Any regr woman who wasn''t determined enough would let their guard down easily when a gentle and caring man from a prominent family flirted with them like this.

    At the same time, while Justin was being nice, he also possessed an additional trait that others didn''t-tact.

    He wasn''t overly attentive or overly cautious. He was nice to an appropriate extent, making others feelfortable and causing them to desire to be closer to him.

    While she was in a daze, Alyssa was reminded of Jameson.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    To make her his, he first approached her as a friend. Eventually, he revealed his intention to win her over. Each time he approached her, he would be able to find suitable excuses for himself, ones that even made it difficult for her to turn down.

    Both men had different approaches that were aimed to achieve the same results.

    It was just that Jameson couldn''t keep his cool in the end. Driven by a relentless desire to seed, he continually hurt the people around her in his quest to hurt her. Alyssa only decided to connect with him as her suspicions about him grew.

    Yet Justin was too mysterious. She knew practically nothing about him, so the only practical way was to approach him and integrate herself into his life.

    "Jonah, the few of you should just leave." Alyssa calmed her breathing down, ensuring she didn''t give anything away through her facial expressions.

    The Taylor brothers had no choice but to exit the hospital ward.

    Outside the door, Cyrus rubbed the back of his neck. Feeling worried, hemented, "Lyse treats this Mr. Justin really differently. Did she ever speak with any other man in such a gentle voice other than Jasper?"

    "Damn it. That which I dreaded the most has happened!" Ss was furious. He put his palm to his forehead. "Now that Jasper has broken up with Lyse, she''s at her weakest point. She''s at the point where she needspany the most. Justin is now taking advantage of this situation. His chances of seeding are really high!

    "If Lyse suddenly failed to withstand his advances and ended up letting her guard down, wouldn''t that mean Jasper would have no chance?"

    Cyrus'' heart pounded. He widened his eyes. "That wouldn''t happen, would it? Lyse loves Jasper to bits, and they have been through so much together. How could just any mane between them?"

    "Why not?"

    With a grim look in his eyes, Jonah''s tall body leaned against the wall, looking quite dejected. "No matter how deep someone''s love is, as it suffers and goes through destion, their love will eventually grow cold. They will split up and let it go.

    "Lyse was also very much in love with Jasper back then. But didn''t she also decide to divorce him in the end?" Cyrus and Ss knew that Jonah had just experienced a breakup. Inevitably, his current perspective was more pessimistic.

    Cyrus coughed. "Anyhow, Mr. Justin doesn''t look like he''s lusting after Lyse, does he?"

    Cyrus'' mind raced. His words broke the awkward atmosphere once again. "Plus, with that body of his, he has to be on medications all year round and sit in a wheelchair. He''s such a sickly man."

 Chapter 2284

    ?Chapter 2284

    "Is he still capable of performing in that regard? Lyse is someone who has received Jasper''s love. Will she be okay with someone who''s already teetering on the edge of the grave?" Cyrus questioned.

    Jonah was speechless. "Justin is just physically challenged. He''s not impotent."

    Ss rolled his eyes at him. ''Plus, there''s something my darling says."

    Cyrus asked, "What is it?"

    "The way to test if a man is lustful is to see if he''s breathing. If he''s still breathing, that means he''s lustful."

    Jonah and Cyrus were at a loss for words.

    "Is Justin a fool? Lyse is such a magnificent and attractive woman. I don''t believe that he isn''t attracted to her!"

    Justin opened the lunchbox in the hospital ward and transferred some warm soup into a bowl. Then, heid out a few delectable dishes on Alyssa''s bedside table.

    Alyssa faked a smile. "Thank you, but I really don''t have much appetite right now."

    Justin didn''t say a word. He simply carried the bowl of soup in front of her.

    Its fragrant and familiar smell wafted into Alyssa''s nose. At that moment, her eyes lit up.

    "Mrs. Rosie boiled this for you personally. She made those dishes too."

    A slight yet gentle smile spread across Justin''s face. "So, does this whet your appetite now?"

    Alyssa''s heart fluttered. With a faint hoarseness in her voice, she asked, "How did you..."

    "Don''t forget that I am also a descendent of the Becketts. I grew up at Seaview Manor. Mrs. Rosie was the housekeeper who looked after me when she first arrived at our home. Subsequently, when Jasper and his mother came, my father assigned Mrs. Rosie to look after Jasper''s daily living."

    Justin held the bowl of soup patiently. The look in his eyes was especially sincere. "So, not only did she watch Jasper grow up, she watched me grow up too. Based on our rtionship, I am still able to request her to boil a bowl of soup."Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa stared fixedly at Justin.

    "Sorry, I probably shouldn''t have troubled her with this. After all, she works for Jasper. She also cared for you for a long time and is close to you."

    Justin was exceptionally quick-witted. He could perceive every change in her emotions. He assured, "Don''t worry. I won''t do it again next time."

    He clearly hadn''t done anything. However, for some reason, the more she listened to how he lowered himself, the more flustered she felt on the inside.

    Suppressing the surge of emotions within her, Alyssa lifted her hands slowly to receive the bowl of soup.

    Nevertheless, physically, she was still really weak. She had just held the bowl in her hands when her hands started to tremble uncontrobly.

    Just as the bowl almost fell out of her hands, Justin held onto her hands immediately. As their hands touched, the frostiness from Justin''s hands made Alyssa shudder.

    Suddenly, she thought of Jasper. Jasper''s hands wererge, strong, and calloused, yet they always felt warm. She enjoyed ying with his warm hands, and during winter, they became the beloved hand warmers she couldn''t bear to part with.

    Nheless, she could no longer feel that warmth.

    Out of nowhere, she was engulfed by emotions, her eyes filling with tears. All she could feel was a violent turmoil within her, churning, wrenching, and tearing her apart. It hurt.

    Justin fixed his gaze on her, his eyes narrowing just a bit. Without a moment''s pause, he grabbed the spoon, scooped up some soup, and held it up to her quivering lips.

    "Just treat me as a male nurse who''s looking after you. Don''t overthink it. It''s more important for you to get back in good health."

    Alyssa took a deep breath. She curled her fingers tightly around her pants under the nket.

    Right at this moment, a knock sounded at the door. Without taking his eyes off of her, he spoke up coldly, "Come in."

    The door to the hospital room opened. The sound of heavy yet familiar footsteps traveled into the room.

    Step by step, those footsteps treaded on Alyssa''s soft and trembling heart.

    Carrying a bouquet of pure-looking lilies, Jasper''s stern face appeared in her line of sight, which had been misted over with tears.

    Yet, in the next second, Alyssa looked away indifferently. She leaned forward slightly and ate from the spoon that Justin was using to feed her.

    Jasper was stunned. Without himself even realizing, he tightened his arms around the fresh flowers he was cradling.

    An iprehensible ball of emotions rose at the back of his throat, suffocating him.

 Chapter 2285

    ?

    "Oh? Hey, Jasper." A look of surprise shed across Justin''s face. He was still holding up the bowl in his hand. Jasper snapped back to his senses. In a low voice, he responded, "Hey, Justin."

    "Since Jasper''s here, it won''t be appropriate for me to stay." Justin ced the bowl down gently and gave Alyssa a caring smile. "Ms. Alyssa, remember to eat and rest up well. I shall not stand in the way. See you."

    "That''s alright!" Without waming, Alyssa grabbed onto Justin''s arm. She forced herself to hold back her tears and appear indifferent. "Leave after I finish the soup."

    "But..."

    "Even though Mr. Jasper is here, I don''t feel it''s inappropriate for you to stay, Justin."

    Suddenly, Alyssa nced over at Jasper, who was standing straight over there. She curled her lips upward into a smile he hadn''t seen in a long time, stimting his senses.

    "Mr. Jasper, you don''t feel that it''s inappropriate in any way for you to meet with your own brother, do you?" Jasper uttered, "Not at all."

    Alyssa smiled. ''That''s good to know."

    They used to be a couple who loved one another so passionately and deeply with their souls. Yet, they were even more distant than estranged spouses at this very moment.

    Jasper''s chest rose and fell slightly. He walked to Alyssa and presented the bouquet of lilies to her with both hands. He had an expressionless look on his face.

    In a deep voice, he said, "Grandpa asked me toe visit you."

    Alyssa lowered her eyes as she epted the bouquet from him.

    To his surprise, in the next second, she hurled the flowers to his feet. She widened her eyes in anger and yelled, Get out!"

    Jasper clenched his teeth tightly. He remained silent.

    Justin''s pupils constricted a little. He bent forward and was about to pick up the flowers when he heard Alyssa''s cold voice.

    "Take your flowers and get out of my sight... Right now!"

    To Jasper, he felt as if he had been caught off guard by an attack on his chest. He looked down and stared at the lilies at his feet. He trembled slightly.

    It was as if a thin needle had pricked his beating heart. Silently but continuously, fresh blood was oozing from this obscure puncture.

    His heart, which was full in the first ce, deted gradually. No matter how he tried to steady his breathing, he couldn''t fill his heart back up again.

    Justin frowned as he noticed theyer of cold sweat on Alyssa''s forehead and the redness on her cheeks.

    "Be mindful of your condition, Ms. Alyssa,'' he urged.

    "You were the one who said that you didn''t have it in you to love and that you wanted to break up. It was all you! In that case, you should walk the talk and disappearpletely from my life!"

    Alyssa''s eyes were bloodshot. With bated breath, she roared, "You even made this visit of courtesy right now... What for? Do I need you to feel bad for me? Do I need your pity?

    "Jasper... Am I such a cheap person to you? Two years ago, you abandoned me once. This is the second time...

    Did you think that I''d still be willing to look at you?This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "Do you feel like my life would be a mess without you... Are you here to see how miserable I am so you canugh at me?"

    That unending agony, heartache, and misery erupted from within her.

    She felt extremely horrible. So, even though she didn''t mean a single word, this act of hers was close to the bone as she spoke straight to Jasper''s heart.

    "Alyssa..." Jasper called out her name in a raspy voice.

    However, it was as if nails had been hammered into his throat. He couldn''t make another sound after that.

    Initially, he turned Newton down and was unwilling to visit Alyssa. Nheless, a mysterious feeling in his heart prompted him to change his mind. He ended up ordering flowers before he visited her.

    "I''m guessing you remember that I like roses, right?"

    As Alyssa spoke, tears of pain flowed from her eyes. "You clearly know that I''ve always loved roses. Yet, you chose to give me lilies.

    "Jasper, deep down, I''m no longer important to you... Why do you have to force yourself? This way, you won''t feel good, and it really disgusts me too. Since we''re breaking up, we should have a clean break."

    She was always prideful and decisive. She was someone who would never turn back once she marched forward.

 Chapter 2286

    ?

    The only time Alyssa had ever be soft-hearted and gave her all was because of Jasper.

    The color drained from Jasper''s face slowly. His charming eyes were deep and dark, and they carriedplex emotions within them.

    With a gloomy gaze, Justin bent forward and picked up the bouquet of flowers on the ground. He maneuvered his wheelchair to the side of the tea table and ced the lilies into the vase, stalk by stalk.

    "It''s a pity to throw this away. They look pretty nice." With his back against Jasper and Alyssa, his lips turned upward into an obscure smile.

    Seeing that Alyssa had closed her eyes, Jasper said in a husky voice, "Rest well, then."

    Upon saying that, he turned around and walked toward the door mechanically.

    "Jasper," Alyssa called out to him.

    He stopped in his tracks but did not turn around.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "From today onward, let''s go our separate ways. We''ll no longer have anything to do with one another."

    Alyssa curled her fingers around her nket so tightly that she could almost tear through it. Her voice, however, was frigid and resolute. She continued, "You don''t have to force yourself to see me. Neither will I see you again."

    As Jasper made his way out of the hospital ward, he couldn''t really feel the ground he was walking on. Everything felt unreal.

    His headache got worse with every throb. His vision was blurry for a moment and then clear the next.

    "Let''s go our separate ways."

    Alyssa''s merciless words kept ringing in his ear, bringing forth a pain that spread through his nerves. His head became covered in cold sweat.

    "Hey, Jasper."

    A warm voice came from behind him. Jasper stopped in his tracks and looked back.

    Justin came before him in his wheelchair. He smiled slightly and said, "I''d like to chat with you privately."

    Jasper tightened his fists. Forcing himself to hold back the pain he was experiencing, he answered, "Sure." The Beckett brothers got to the rooftop.

    The afternoon sun shone brightly. However, the fact that it was winter meant that the biting winds still invaded their cors and sleeves.

    Jasper came from a military background. Although physically fit and strong, even he could feel the chills around

    now.

    "Ah... The air in Sna City feels great. Ultimately,ing home still feels the best."

    Justin took a deep breath. However, he ended up coughing softly a few times, perhaps due to choking on the cold air. His face turned a little pale.

    "Justin, what did you want to talk to me about?"

    Jasper''s dark eyes gazed into the distance. "It''s too windy here. It''s not good for your health. You should look after yourself."

    Justin pressed his hands against his chest. "Jasper, do you still care for me?"

    "Of course I do."

    Jasper paused. In a deep voice, he added, "Back then, you sacrificed yourself so that I could escape. It was because of that that I was safe. I will never forget your kind deed."

    Justin frowned. He let out a chuckle. ''Is it just a kind deed to you? Is there no brotherly love between us?" Jasper pursed his lips. "When I was young, other than Grandpa, you treated me the best."

    "I''m not trying to guilt trip you. I just hope that my sudden return this time won''t make you feel troubled. Our rtionship as brothers can still be the same as before."

    Justin sighed softly. In a sincere voice, he exined, "Even though we''re not born of the same mother, you are still my biological brother. I have never considered doing anything that would harm you."

    With a frigid expression on his face, Jasper replied, "Justin, since we''re biological brothers, you can just be straightforward with me. You don''t have to beat around the bush."

    A gust of chilling, bone-piercing wind blew across them.

    "Jasper, it''s really such a pity that your story with Ms. Alyssa hase to an end."

    Justin looked up at Jasper. He enunciated his words well as he asked, "Would you mind if I wanted to start something with her?"

 Chapter 2287

    ?

    Jasper''s pupils trembled uncontrobly.

    Suddenly, the pain deep within his brain intensified, as if someone was punching his skull from the inside, trying to break free.

    "Lyse."

    From the depths of his mind, he could vaguely hear himself calling that name. "Jasper. Jasper, are you okay? You look awful," Justin asked in a concerned voice.

    Jasper ran his tongue across his teeth and blinked hard, his eyes already red.

    "I''m fine," he answered.

    Justin continued, "I''m telling you this because I don''t want you to feel ufortable when I start officially pursuing Ms. Alyssa. Even though you two have broken up, you were once truly in love."

    He smiled slightly. "I don''t want you to feel like I''m stealing the woman you loved. I just hope I can pursue the person I fancy without being influenced by anyone."

    Jasper''s headache worsened, causing dizziness. Afraid that Justin might notice, he ended the conversation quickly. "I''ve already broken up with her. Whatever you do is none of my business."

    He turned to leave but froze after two steps. He couldn''t help but ask, "Justin, when did you start having feelings for her?"

    Justin, his back turned, squinted at the sky, pleased. "I can''t remember exactly. Maybe it was when I first started envying you-envying the pure romance you had. It wasn''t until I saw Ms. Alyssa crying earlier that I knew I wanted to treat her well. I can''t bear to see her cry."

    After leaving the rooftop. Jasper dragged himself toward the parking lot. The cold air he inhaled felt like sharp icicles piercing his lungs, an agony beyond words. His headache was unbearable, and he struggled to keep moving.

    His heart was still beating, yet when he reached out to feel it, it seemed hollow-perhaps even empty.

    Jasper couldn''t hold on any longer. Without warning, his body copsed.

    "Mr. Jasper, watch out!"

    Jasper''s vision went dark, and before he knew it, he was enveloped in a fragrant embrace.

    "Mr. Jasper, are you okay? Do you have a headache?" Sheryl, seizing the moment, wrapped her arms around his waist.

    There was a ringing in Jasper''s ears. He lifted his eyes with great effort, but all he could see was a vague outline of a woman.

    Sheryl, in a whiteb coat, had her dark hair tied neatly in a ponytail. Coincidentally, she ovepped with the image of the person Jasper had been desperately trying to find.

    "White... Do-"

    Before he could finish, his eyes closed, and he passed out.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Mr. Jasper? Mr. Jasper?" Sheryl called his name gently, a cold glint shing in her eyes.

    Jasper had fainted at the hospital. After his condition stabilized, he was taken back to Seaview Manor.

    He was still asleep in his room when midnight came.

    When Rosie arrived, Sheryl took her leave and returned to Justin''s ce.

    "I didn''t expect the medication to cause such severe headaches," Sheryl remarked as she knelt beside the coffee table, skillfully brewing tea. "Honestly, I practically grew up with Jasper. I''ve rarely seen him so broken. It''s quite an eye-opener."

    Justin calmly picked up his steaming cup of tea. "Remy''s ne crash caused him to lose his memory. To suppress his emotions, I only gave him one ck pill.

    "My brother, however, took three pills at once. I admire his courage. He''s so physically fit that he survived it, but for any ordinary person, it would have likely put them in aa."

    Sheryl was secretly rmed. "So, will his condition re up frequently?"

    "For now, only when he''s mentally triggered. But eventually, the headaches will be a daily urrence, and he''ll need medication to function. He''ll develop a strong dependence on it."

    Sheryl asked, "Isn''t... Isn''t this no different from a drug addiction?"

    A sinister smile came across Justin''s face. "My brother has always been passionate. Even after taking three pills, he hasn''t gotten over her. Today, I told him directly that I n to pursue Alyssa. He acted indifferent, but clearly, it triggered him. It looks like we''ll have to keep medicating him."

    Noticing Justin''s persistent smile since entering the room, Sheryl hesitated before asking, ''Sir, you seem to be in a good mood. Did something happen?"

    Justin chuckled softly. "Maybe Alyssa has finally started giving up on Jasper."

    "Give up? So soon? She loved him with everything she had. Could it be-"

    Justin cut her off. "Sheryl, do you know how to love someone? Do you even understand what love is?"

    "-"Sheryl faltered.

    She had been by Jasper''s side for years. Although she had her own motives, she couldn''t deny being drawn to his looks and talent. But in the end, she loved herself more.

    She ended up wandering to Mosgravia, where she had no family, and fell victim to bullying. After spending all the money she had, she ended up homeless on the streets. She was even nearly assaulted by foreigners in a filthy alley.

    It was Justin who had saved her, giving her a new identity and a second chance at life.

    Once, she had been Jasper''s ''savior", but Justin was hers.

    She believed she knew how to love-but it wasn''t Jasper she loved. It was Justin.

    She knelt at Justin''s feet, lifting her blushing face, gazing up at him with admiration. "I do know how to love. You taught me,'' she said dreamily.

    "Is that so?" Justin asked, his smile fake. "That''s strange. I don''t know how to love, so how could I have taught you? But that''s fine. Just like there are clinical trials for medications, there are tests for love too."

    Darkness filled his deep-set eyes. "And hasn''t Jasper been our example? Now, let''s test it out on Ms. Alyssa.

 Chapter 2288

    ?Chapter 2288

    Alyssa wasn''t yet fully recovered. She was still limping when she walked. Despite that, she wouldn''t allow herself to lie in bed like a useless person.

    Even though she was still in crutches and her left leg was still in a cast after resting for a week, she insisted on getting discharged from the hospital.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    She didn''t inform Winston and his wives on the day of her discharge. Still, seeing Jonah, Ss, Rose, and Sean show up to take her home warmed her heart.

    "Lyse, are you and Jasper really..." Rose clung onto Alyssa''s arm, which had grown noticeably thinner. She welled up with tears.

    "Yeah. It''s over," Alyssa said with a soft smile, sounding almost relieved. "We were once deeply in love, and that was enough. I have no regrets.

    The urgency in Rose''s voice made her eyes redden. "How can you say that? After being with him for so long, he never proposed or gave you the grand wedding you deserved. He owes you so much! How can it end like this?"

    "Rose, even if Jasper did owe me something, he''s risked his life for me many times over thest two years. He''s repaid his debts."

    Alyssa forced herself to suppress her emotions, managing only a slight, bitter smile. "This time, I''m the one who owes him. Letting him move on without burdens or pressure is my way of paying him back."

    Rose wasn''t satisfied. She looked pleadingly at Ss.

    Ss pressed his lips together. With a troubled expression on his face, he simply shook his head.

    Just then, there was a knock at the door.

    Jonah walked over and opened it to find Axel standing there, looking worn out. Tears filled Jonah''s eyes as he perked up. "Wee back, Axel."

    "Sorry it took me so long, Jonah. Panting slightly, Axel asked anxiously, "How''s Lyse? Is she getting better?"

    "I''m d that you made it. Lyse still has her leg in a cast, but otherwise, she''s recovering well. You don''t need to worry...

    Jonah trailed off as he noticed a beautiful, unfamiliar woman standing quietly behind Axel. Though she looked shy, there was something strikingly familiar about her.

    "Axel, this is..."

    With a smile, Axel turned, gently took the woman''s hand, and pulled her into his arms. He wrapped his arm around her waist, his gaze filled with tenderness. He said, "Jonah, this is Amber."

    Jonah looked at the woman in disbelief, his eyes scanning her face again and again. "Amber... You''re Ms. Altman?

    Amber began to feel embarrassed, and her cheeks flushed red. She nodded slightly.

    "Amber!" Alyssa, supported by Ss and Rose, hopped toward them with excitement sparkling in her eyes.

    "Ms. Alyssa." Seeing as Alyssa had limited mobility, Amber went up to her immediately.

    They held onto each other''s hands tightly.

    "Is this your real face?" Alyssa''s eyes reddened. She was on the brink of bursting into happy tears.

    Amber''s lips parted slightly, but she was choking back on her tears and couldn''t bring herself to say anything.

    "How pretty... You''re beautiful!" Alyssa eximed, her hands shaking as she touched Amber''s cheeks. ''I''m so happy you''re able to be yourself again, truly."

 Chapter 2289

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    It was no wonder Axel hadn''t been around recently. It turned out that he had apanied Amber for her stic surgery.

    "I found one of the best stic surgeons in the world," Axel said.

    He walked over and stood next to Amber. They gazed deeply into each other''s eyes, as if all they could see was one another.

    He exined, "Initially, we wanted to restore her original facepletely. But the previous procedures she had undergone had changed her face so much, even altering her bone structure. Because of that, even the best surgeon could only restore about 80% of her original look."

    Alyssa eximed in surprise, ''Oh my word... She''s already so gorgeous at 80%. Wouldn''t she be a goddess at 100 %?"

    Everyoneughed, turning the atmosphere into a livelier one.

    "It''s okay if my original face can''t be restored," Amber said with a bright smile. "I''m just happy to have a fresh start."

    Her new look wasn''t as strikingly beautiful as before, but it exuded a gentle elegance. Her face now radiated enthusiasm and warmth-qualities that had been rare for her in the past.

    "Honestly, I love you no matter how you look," Axel said softly. "You don''t have to go through all this. It hurts me to see you endure surgery." He gently kissed her. "But I respect your choices. Whatever you want, I''ll support you."

    Tears welled up in Amber''s eyes as she tiptoed to kiss him back. Even though it was winter, the spring she''d waited for over a decade had finally arrived.

    With Sean''s help, Alyssa got into the car. They had just pulled away when her phone rang.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Mrs. Rosie!" she answered cheerfully.

    Ever since returning to Cyrris, Alyssa had been reluctant to reach out to Rosie, worried she might burden her with anxiety, especially given her rtionship with Jasper.

    Madam, are you still in the hospital?" Rosie asked, her voice filled with concern.

    "I just got discharged today. Don''t worry. I''m doing well."

    "Madam..." Rosie paused. In a low voice, she asked, ''Have you... Have you met with Mr. Justin?"

    Alyssa tensed up at the mention of Justin. She answered, "I have. He has been recuperating in the hospital ward right next to mine and visiting me frequently during my stay at the hospital."

    Rosie hesitated. "I see..."

    "Mrs. Rosie, is there something you wanted to say?"

    "Madam, could youe to your house in Sna City? I have something to discuss with you."

    Alyssa''s Rolls-Royce pulled up the front of the private manor.

    Given her limited mobility and the emotional weight of returning to the ce she and Jasper had once shared, Alyssa decided not to get out of the car. Instead, she asked Rosie to meet her inside the vehicle.

    Soon, Rosie hurried out of the manor and joined Alyssa in the car.

    "I''ve missed you so much, ma''am!" Rosie said as they embraced.

    Alyssa smiled tenderly at her. "Me too."

    After exchanging a few kind words, Alyssa''s expression grew serious. ''Mrs. Rosie, is this urgent because of Mr. Justin?"

    Rosie''s face turned grim, and she nodded firmly, her brows furrowing with worry. "Madam... Mr. Justin watched over you in the hospital, and he even asked me to make soup for you. What are his intentions?"

    Sean scoffed. "Isn''t it obvious? What else could he want other than to pursue Ms. Alyssa?"

    Rosie gripped Alyssa''s hand tightly, her worry evident. "Madam, you mustn''t get involved with him. In fact, you shouldn''t even get close to him!"

    Alyssa''s curiosity was piqued. "Mrs. Rosie, is there something wrong with Mr. Justin?"

    Rosie hesitated, clearly conflicted. But for Alyssa''s safety, she finally blurted, ''I think... he''s mentally unstable!"

 Chapter 2290

    ?

    The moment Rosie spoke, the atmosphere in the car came to a standstill. The air turned frigid.

    Alyssa and Sean exchanged terrified nces. Alyssa then asked, "Mrs. Rosie, you said he''s mentally disturbed... What do you mean?"

    Rosie felt a slight twitch around her eyes as if she had fallen into a deeply unsettling memory. She took a deep breath and exined, "I''ve been working with the Becketts for almost 30 years.

    "Among all the staff at Seaview Manor, apart from Mr. Durham and Mr. Odom, who assists Mr. Javier, few have been here as long as I have.

    "When I first joined the Becketts, I was tasked with serving Mrs. Beckett and Mr. Justin, though I wasn''t their personal helper. I was simply following the lead helper, doing heavy manualbor likeundry. More conscientious tasks-pouring and serving tea and the like-were outside my job description then.

    "Initially, I thought Mrs. Beckett didn''t like me because I came from a humble vige and seemed careless. Iter realized that her daily needs were handled by specific staff members-trusted individuals she brought with her from the Dutton family. Regr helpers from the Beckett family found it challenging to approach her."

    Sean looked perplexed. "Why was that? Did Mrs. Beckett have something shameful she needed to hide from the Becketts?''

    "Could it be that she was really mentally ill?" Alyssa recalled the spection she and her brothers had made. The look in her eyes dimmed.

    Rosie knitted her brows together tightly. "To be exact, Mrs. Beckett was a mad woman!"

    Alyssa and Sean could hardly believe their ears. "A mad woman?"

    "Mrs. Beckett had specific staff members who cared for her, and she lived alone in the vi behind Seaview Manor. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out.

    "I heard her most severe episode was when she went berserk, unable to recognize anyone. She attacked one of the helpers bringing her food, biting a chunk out of her face. It was truly bloody and horrifying!"

    Sean''s eyes widened in shock. "Was she even human? She just sounds like a-

    He felt too ashamed to utter that word.

    "This is a serious mental condition,'' Alyssa sighed helplessly. "At that point, she had lost her self-awareness and was hallucinating, disying aggressive tendencies. She couldn''t control herself anymore." Hearing this made her feel dreary.

    Caroline was already mentally unstable, and given that her husbandpletely despised her, it was understandable why she would ultimately lose control and take her own life.

    "I''ve signed a nondisclosure agreement about this. It''s been many years since Mrs. Beckett''s passing, so I had originally nned to take this secret to my grave."

    Filled with worry, Rosie held onto Alyssa''s hands so tightly that her fingers turned red. "But now, I must tell you everything I know.

    "Mr. Justin has likely inherited his mother''s tendencies. Though he appears normal, he has violent tendencies that are even more terrifying than hers!

    Alyssa''s expression grew grave. She reached out to soothe Rosie''s tense back. ''Mrs. Rosie, there''s something else you know, isn''t there?"

    "It was over 20 years ago.... Less than two years after Mr. Jasper joined the Beckett family. Once, it was my turn to deliver dinner to Mrs. Beckett at her vi."

    Rosie''s face paled, and horrifying memories flooded back. "I saw with my own eyes... Mr. Justin torturing and

    killing a stray cat in the back garden! He wasughing while he stabbed that poor animal with a dagger. I can never forget that grin on his face. It shocked me so much that I couldn''t even move!"

    Sean shuddered at the thought, feeling chills run down his spine.

    As for Alyssa, her chest tightened. Justin tortured and killed an animal? If she hadn''t heard it from Rosie, she would never have imagined that the gentlemanly and elegant man could be inhumane and brutal.

    "That wasn''t the only animal he harmed at Seaview Manor. Mr. Durham has privatelyined about digging up bloody parts of cats and dogs from the flower patch in the back garden every other day. It''s clear that not only did he kill them, but he also dismembered them."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Rosie''s eyes widened in fear. "Madam, do you think a sound mind could do such things? How could he bear to do that?"

    Alyssa frowned and pursed her lips, falling into heavy silence.

 Chapter 2291

    ?

    Caroline was deranged, and Justin tortured and killed animals. To make matters worse, Zachary, the Dutton family''s heir and Justin''s uncle, had brutally murdered his own lovers. A horrifying thought struck Alyssa-Was everyone in the Dutton family mentally disturbed? Did Justin inherit Caroline''s insanity, which exined his wild behavior?

    "Is it true that Justin isn''t sane?" Sean shook his head in disbelief. "But he lookspletely normal! His emotions are absolutely stable!

    ''That''s what scares me the most. I''m afraid he has been disguising himself all these years, suppressing his true nature just to get closer to Madam. I''m worried he might harm you! Rosie eximed, her eyes brimming with tears.

    "Justin''s torture and killing of animals suggest he has violent tendencies and a cold-blooded nature. This behavior indicates antisocial personality traits, but it doesn''t provide sufficient evidence of a mental illness."

    Alyssa took a deep breath to calm herself. She continued with a contemtive gaze and a slight tremor in her eyes, "However, mental conditions can indeed be hereditary. I suspect Mrs. Beckett and her eldest brother had some form of abnormality."

    "Ms. Alyssa, I''ve just remembered something!" Sean''s eyes widened. "I recall my father mentioning that it was his colleague who handled the murder case involving Zachary Dutton.

    "During his first trial, he was sentenced to death. But in the second trial, he appealed, and hiswyer submitted a diagnosis report stating he had a mental condition. That''s why he was sentenced to life in prison.

    The justice system in Sna City is very strict about examining and diagnosing whether a criminal has any mental issues. The fact that Zachary managed to navigate through all theyers of supervision and checks shows he is absolutely insanel

    Alyssa lowered her eyes, agreeing with Sean''s assessment.

    "Overall, Madam, you must stay away from Mr. Justin-preferably as far away as possible. As the saying goes, a leopard doesn''t change its spots. After 20 years away, how could he be an honest person overnight? He likely returned with a scheme in mind..."

    Suddenly, Rosie pped her forehead. "Oh no! Is he going to fight Mr. Jasper for the position as heir? That lunatic... He wouldn''t do anything to harm Mr. Jasper, would he?"

    Even though this was merely spection, Alyssa felt as though she were being strangled. She could hardly breathe. After a moment, her eyes sparkled with determination. She looked at Rosie and said, "If that''s the case, I shouldn''t hide from him."

    Rosie and Sean were both taken aback. "Why is that?"

    "If he''s not back to cause trouble, I won''t do anything. But if he intends to harm Jasper, I won''t let him seed."

    Alyssa lifted her chin slightly. Her dark eyes were as still as a midnightke, yet they contained an unpredictable strength. She continued, "When he returns to the Beckett Group,

    he''ll certainly keep his ns secret from Jasper and the rest of the Becketts

    "But if he tries to approach me, and I lure him in, he might reveal his true intentions to show his sincerity. If he has anything to hide, I won''t leam about it as long as I avoid him. Therefore, I can''t back away, no matter what."

    "But, Madam, that''s far too dangerous!" Rosie had heard from Xavier about Alyssa and Jasper''s breakup. Her heart ached for Alyssa, so much so that she was on the verge of tears. "With Mr. Jasper''s condition.. he can''t be by your side to protect you. How can you face this alone? You can''t put yourself in danger again!"

    Alyssa forced a reassuring smile, suppressing the sorrow inside her. "I''ve never relied on Jasper in my life. Besides, there''s no one we can rely on forever. The only one we can truly depend on is ourselves."

    Just then, her phone rang. It was Cyrus calling.

    Alyssa''s heart raced. She sensed that something was about to happen.

    "Hey, Cyrus,'' she answered.

    "Lyse, the DNA test results are in."This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The emotions that surged within Cyrus made his voice tremble uncontrobly. "Remy... Is Darrien!

 Chapter 2292

    ?

    Instantly, Alyssa''s waterworks were turned on. Warm tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    She knew it. She had always known it. From the moment she first saw Rerny, she was certain he was Damien. Despite his cold, heartless, and distant demeanor, that familiar sense of kinship had left no doubt in her mind.

    "Madam, what''s wrong?" Rosie quickly pulled out a handkerchief and hurried to wipe Alyssa''s tears.

    Alyssa forced herself to stay calm. In a low, steady voice, she asked, "Cyrus, have you told anyone else about this?"

    Having worked on many cases over the years, Cyrus knew how to maintain hisposure. "No," he answered. "This is big news. I''ve only told you. I haven''t mentioned it to Dad or Mom.

    "Good. For now, we need to keep this between us. Don''t tell Dad or Mandy."

    Alyssa''s chest tightened, her eyes buming with intensity. "I''m worried we''ll tip off the enemy. Worse still, the person controlling Damien might hurt him if his identity is revealed.

    Cyrus responded with equal seriousness, "Lyse, don''t worry. I''ve considered that too. When get home, I''ll keep this from my mother and calm her down. Otherwise, knowing her, she''ll turn the whole country upside down looking for Damien. Who knows what chaos that would cause!*

    He paused, a troubled expression crossing his face. ''But if Damien''s alive... who saved him after he fell into the sea? What happened to him? And why has he changed so much?"

    Alyssa''s heart ached at the thought of the horrifying scar on Damien''s body. "I''m afraid Damien has lost all his memories. He doesn''t remember us at all. I saw that scar. There''s no way he could''ve survived on his own without someone saving him. Someone must ve rescued him, treated him, and then...

    "And then turned him into such a merciless person?" Cyrus finished, his voice trembling with emotion. "I''ve fought Damien. He''s practically a killing machine now! Who could have done this to him?"

    Sean and Rosle watched Alyssa closely, their concem evident.

    Alyssa leaned back, exhausted, closing her eyes as she tried to think clearly.

    Every time Damien appeared, it was as part of Jameson''s schemes. But Jameson was already dead, and yet Damien kept showing up to block her path. This could only mean one thing-the person who had controlled Jameson also controlled Damien.

    It was "Sir" who had done this to Damien.

    "Could it be because of medications?" Alyssa muttered, opening her eyes slowly.

    Anxiously, Cyrus pressed on, "What did you say, Lyse? What medications?"

    When we were at Jameson''s, Jasper took medications Sir gave him. They turned him into

    the emotionless machine he is now. And it seems Damien''s condition is simr. Could it be that Damien took the same medication, which turned him into who he is now?"

    Cyrus questioned, "What the hell was that medication?"

    "Previously, Jul mentioned that it was a medication that damaged cranial nerves. Plus, it''s irreversible."

    So, even if we find Damien, he''s already been manipted and brainwashed. Would he even want toe home with us?"

    At the mention of home, a lump formed in Alyssa''s throat. She took a deep breath and said," Don''t worry, Cyrus. I will wake Damien up, no matter the cost. I will bring him home."

 Chapter 2293

    ?

    Jasper had been feeling mentally exhausted for three days since his fainting spell at the hospital.

    During a regr corporate meeting, he even zoned out and started nodding off in front of everyone.

    He turned down all evening business parties and social events, opting to return to Seaview Manor with Xavier.

    Xavier''s eyes were filled with concern as he trailed behind Jasper. "Mr. Beckett, you haven''t been doing welltely. Would you like to go to the doctor''s?"

    "Which doctor?"

    Jasper felt a heaviness in his body, a throbbing in his head, and a chill in the air that made him ufortable in a way he couldn''t quite exin. "Dr. Lovce is gone. Who else can solve my problems?"

    Xavier, deeply worried, sighed like a father fretting over his son. "But if you keep ignoring this, what will you do if it gets worse? After today''s meeting, the higher-ups were already whispering about you behind your back. If rumors start spreading...

    "I am not sick," Jasper replied, his breathbored as he clenched his teeth to suppress his difort. "No one knows my body better than I do."

    Xavier lowered his head, troubled. This version of Jasper was more stubborn than ever, refusing to listen to anyone.

    Inside the living room, Justin and Javier were sitting on the couch, chatting happily and sipping tea, creating a calm, harmonious atmosphere.

    "Wee home, Jasper," Justin greeted with a smile and a nod.

    "Hi, Dad. Hi, Justin," Jasper replied, his face expressionless, his eyes showing a hint of fatigue.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper had studied at the military academy and had endured countless injuries over the years, both major and minor. Yet, he had never seemed so defeated before. Justin frowned slightly. "Jasper, are you feeling unwell? You don''t look good."

    Jasper answered immediately, "I''m fine."

    Just then, Sheryl, dressed in a white business suit, walked over carrying a tray of carefully arranged fruit. As she approached, her eyes met Jasper''s. She smiled softly and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear in a delicate, feminine gesture. But Jasper coldly looked away, unfazed.

    Sheryl''s smile faltered, and she felt a surge of irritation inwardly. She had assumed their rtionship would have grown closer after she had saved him, but nothing had changed.

    Still, Justin had advised her to be patient. Jasper, dense as he was, needed to be won over slowly.

    "Jasper, you really should seek treatment if you''re not feeling well. Don''t dy just because it''s inconvenient," Javier said, his expression stern but fatherly. "You''re the president of Beckett Group.

    "If something happens to you, it''ll cause turmoil within thepany. You need to keep that in mind. At least you''vee to your senses and aren''t bewitched by that woman from the Taylor family anymore. You no longer have to sacrifice yourself for her."

    Javier''s tone grew more intense. "It''s absurd that a woman from the Taylor family had such control over you. It''s embarrassing!"

    Annoyed, Jasper furrowed his brow. "Dad, if there''s nothing else, I''m going upstairs."

    He turned to leave.

    "Mr. Jasper," Sheryl suddenly called out in a sincere voice. "Have you been feeling light-headed and weak recently? Do you sometimes feel chills all over your body?"

 Chapter 2294

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    Jasper''s eyes widened. In a low voice, he asked, "How did you know that?"

    "Dr. Gillis isn''t just an exceptional surgeon. When she was in Mosgravia, she also researched mental illnesses and rted medications." Justin took a casual sip of tea. "I heard from Dr. Lovce that you suffered brain damage after taking some unverified medication while you were with Jameson.

    "Since Dr. Gillis identified your symptoms, she may be able to treat you. Why not let her give it a try? It might bring you some relief from the pain."

    Jasper remained expressionless and replied calmly, "Thanks, Justin, but I''ll pass."

    "If Dr. Gillis can help, you should go ahead with it." Javier''s face brightened upon hearing this. "Dr. Gillis, I officially appoint you as Jasper''s private physician! Don''t worry about your sry. As long as Jasper recovers, I''ll make sure you''re wellpensated."

    Jasper furrowed his brow in protest. "Dad, I don''t need a private physician. Besides, Justin needs Dr. Gillis'' care. She shouldn''t have to look after two patients at once."

    "Jasper, you''re my brother. You don''t need to feel guilty about it," Justin said with a smile. "I''m already much better under Dr. Gillis'' care. If you''re ufortable with having my people around, at least allow her to be involved in your treatment.

    "I''m sure her expertise will help ease your condition. Plus, you''re in a critical position now. The future of Beckett Group rests on your shoulders. If something happened to you, Grandpa and Dad would be devastated."

    Thatst statement struck a chord with Jasper.

    After a brief silence, he agreed. "Alright then. Thanks for thinking of me, Justin."This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Justin gave a gracious smile. "No worries."

    Sheryl approached gracefully, a polite smile on her face. She extended her hand toward Jasper, who remained cold and distant. ''Mr. Jasper, I look forward to working with you."

    Jasper''s frown deepened. He made no move to respond.

    Sheryl awkwardly left her hand outstretched, her forced smile faltering.

    Reluctantly, and only to avoid embarrassing Justin, Jasper extended his hand and shook hers.

    The midnight stillness of Seaview Manor was broken only by the soft glow of a single tablemp. In the dimly lit room, Justin sat on a couch, his navy blue nightshirt draped loosely over his frame. A pair of elegant silver- framed sses perched on the bridge of his tall nose, his eyes cast downward.

    His striking features, a perfect blend of symmetry and sophistication, hinted at a man of depth and reserve. Yet, his enigmatic presence concealed a hidden danger lurking beneath the surface.

    Sheryl approached, carrying a trayden with a ss of water and a small te of pills. "Mr. Justin, it''s time for your medications."

    Justin didn''t rush to take the pills. Instead, he continued flipping through the document on hisp. Without looking up, he said calmly, "Jasper is emotionally numb right now. It''s only natural for him to ignore you. Don''t let it affect you. Just follow my instructions."

    Sheryl panicked as she quickly rified, "Mr. Justin, I swear I have no personal motives regarding Jasper. Everything I''m doing is for your greater n. Please believe me!"

    "I do," Justin replied with a smile.

    In one swift motion, he grabbed the pills, tilted his head back, and swallowed them. The bitterness made him wince.

    "Mr. Justin, why do you have to endure this....". Sheryl said with a hint of resentment in her voice as she handed him the ss of water. "I wish Jasper could experience even a fraction of the suffering you''ve been through. But no matter what, it won''t make up for the lifetime of pain he''s caused you."

    Justin gave a slight smile and put down the document. He then ced a small bag of blue pills in front of Sheryl. Now that he and Alyssa have cut ties, you have a chance to get closer to him. Learn his habits quickly and find an opportunity to slip him these."

    Sheryl picked up the pills and examined them under themp, her voice filled with excitement. "Are these newly developed by RC? What are they called?"

    Justin''s eyes glinted as he replied, "They''re DAC0089, also known as ''Crystal Ice."

    Sheryl caught on immediately. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Will there be noticeable side effects?''

    "The pills Jasper took earlier were from the earliest version of DAC0089. Those had harsher ingredients, making their effects ten times stronger, but they also had severe side effects.

    "This current version is much improved. It won''t be long before it''s ready for the market. But once he stops taking it, the withdrawal symptoms will be obvious."

    "Mr. Justin," Sheryl asked, worried, "won''t Jasper realize something''s wrong with his health after a while? He''s surrounded by trusted people like Xavier and Mrs. Rosie. Wouldn''t he immediately suspect me?"

    Justin smirked and elegantly adjusted his sses. "I never intended for you to stay hidden indefinitely. You might have the patience for that, but I don''t."

    Sheryl was taken aback but quickly nodded.

    Justin''s smile grew wider as if he found the situation fascinating. His tone carried a hint of excitement. "Besides, by the time Jasper realizes something is wrong with ''Crystal Ice,'' his heart will no longer be able to control his body."

 Chapter 2295

    ?

    That day, after Cyrus and Alyssa reached an agreement, Cyrus returned home to update Winston and Mandy.

    Winston had already assumed that Mandy had misidentified Remy, thinking it was just a result of her longing for Damien. He hadn''t held out much hope from the start. Mandy, however, was devastated. Her disappointment ran deep, and her emotions were heavily affected.

    Initially, she was doubtful, but she eventually had to ept the truth. She spent three or four days in bed, overwhelmed with despair.

    It wasn''t until Alyssa returned home that Mandy forced herself to sit up. She pressed on, asking once more," Lyse... are you certain? Are you sure he wasn''t Damien?"

    Tears brimmed in her eyes as she spoke.

    Thanks to her meticulous self-care, Mandy always appeared refined and younger than her years, but she looked noticeably aged after just a few days of sadness.

    "Mandy, I understand exactly how you feel," Alyssa said, her voice thick with emotion. She held Mandy''s cold hands tightly. "I wish more than anything that Damien was alive too... but that man wasn''t him. He just looks a lot like Damien."

    Mandy closed her eyes, shaking her head in bitter disappointment.

    "Lyse, you might think I''m losing my mind, but ever since Damien''s ne crash, I''ve dreamed about him constantly. I''ve always felt that he''s still alive, somewhere, just unable to find his way home."

    "Mandy..." Alyssa nearly burst into tears, but she held them back.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    There was something profound and indescribable about the bond between a mother and her child. It defied logic, and Alyssa understood that.

    "Forget it. Let''s not talk about this." Mandy forced herself to pull herself together. She wiped her tears gently with a handkerchief. Then, she instructed a helper calmly, "Prepare a discreet outfit for me and have the driver get the car ready."

    After the helper acknowledged her instructions and left the room, Alyssa asked in a concerned voice, "Where are you going, Mandy?"

    With a cold gleam in her eyes, Mandy answered, "I''m making a trip to Belbanks Second Prison."

    Alyssa was stunned. "You''re... going to see Mr. Joseph?"

    "Yeah. Didn''t Jasper suffer brain damage because of some strange medication? Joseph is an expert in biopharmaceuticals, so I wanted to ask him if he has any ideas."

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat. She perked up immediately. "Mandy, if you don''t mind, I''d like toe with you!"

    Over an hourter, Alyssa and Mandy arrived at Belbanks Second Prison.

    In the visitation room, they met with Joseph, who was looking haggard. He was in his prison uniform and had handcuffs over his wrists.

    "Mandy... Ms. Alyssa." After a long period of reformation, Joseph sat politely before them. The arrogant air he once carried was long gone after his time in prison.

    Mandy''s cold gaze pierced through him, her silence speaking volumes about her lingering resentment toward him. Alyssa had a specific reason foring. She wanted to avoid any awkwardness that might further alienate Joseph, so she greeted him cordially, "Uncle Joseph."

    Mandy''s eyes widened in surprise. After Alyssa''s birth mother''s passing, she and Mandy had formed a close bond. However, Alyssa had never acknowledged any kinship with the rtives of Winston''s other wives. Hearing her call Joseph "Uncle" was a revtion, as if Alyssa was finally recognizing Mandy''s ce in her life.

    Joseph looked flustered, shaking his head. The handcuffs clinked as he waved his hands. ''Ms. Alyssa, that''s too much. I''m nothing more than a prisoner. Even before all this, I was just an adopted son of the Lovces, not rted to Mandy by blood. I don''t deserve to be regarded as your uncle."

    Mandy, uninterested in the formalities, cut to the chase. "We came to get your thoughts on something."

    Joseph''s brow furrowed with concern. "Are there problems with Lovce Group?"

    "No, thepany is fine. It''s Jasper. He''s in trouble. Mandy quickly updated Joseph on the recent events.

    Alyssa''s voice was strained as she asked, "Uncle Joseph, what kind of medication could be so powerful that it would make Jasper lose his ability to process emotions?"

    Joseph''s face twisted in thought. "In all my years working with pharmaceuticals, I''ve never heard of a drug that could do that.''

    He paused for a moment before continuing, "I''ve heard of cases where people lose emotional capacity after severe head trauma. Once, I even treated a patient who had a bullet lodged in their brain, which impacted their emotions. But I''ve never seen anything like that caused by medication."

    Mandy and Alyssa exchanged a look, their disappointment palpable.

    Suddenly, Joseph''s eyes lit up, his expression growing grim. "Wait... There is one other possibility."

    Alyssa leaned forward urgently. "What is it?"

    Through gritted teeth, Joseph answered, "Drugs!"

    Both Alyssa and Mandy inhaled sharply.

 Chapter 2296

    ?Chapter 2296

    "Consuming or injectingrge doses of drugs can damage the brain''s amygd. That''s likely why Mr. Beckett ended up like this. Right now, it seems to be the only exnation."

    Alyssa was utterly shocked. Her voice cracked as she muttered, "Could it be that what Jameson forced Jasper to take was some kind of drug?"

    Mandy couldn''t believe her ears. "Didn''t he only take three pills? How could they have caused such serious damage?"

    "A small dose of a drug can make someone feel euphoric, butrge doses can feel worse than death."

    Joseph lowered his eyes and sighed. "There are many addicts who''ve died after injecting substances into themselves. If the pills Mr. Beckett took were highly pure drugs, three of them could very well be fatal."

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her chest. Anxiety washed over her, and sweat formed on her forehead. "Will... Will Jasper show any side effects?"

    "I can''t say for sure without knowing exactly what he took," Joseph replied. "But addicts who stop using drugs often experience chills and difort throughout their body. These symptoms gradually worsen if they don''t take another dose, which means they''ve be fully addicted."

    "Damn it! That bastard!" Alyssa''s heart wrenched. She mmed her fists on the table in frustration.

    A tear fell onto the cold, metal surface.

    What tormented her even more was that she couldn''t approach Jasper right now. She had no way of knowing if he had already be addicted or was suffering from withdrawal. She knew nothing about his condition.

    Mandy was also deeply worried. "Jasper is such a good person. If he''s been tainted by something like this, his whole life could be destroyed!"

    Joseph quickly tried to reassure them. "Mandy, Ms. Alyssa, don''t get too anxious. This is just my personal theory. It''s possible Mr. Beckett took some type of medication that damaged his mental state, not necessarily a drug. Suppose you can try to get his blood tested in secret. That way, you''ll know for sure whether he consumed drugs."

    Alyssa''s chest tightened. She whispered, "Thank you for telling me this. We''ll visit again when we have time." With that, Alyssa and Mandy stood to leave.

    "Ms. Alyssa!"

    Joseph stood up hurriedly, hesitating before asking, "How is my youngest son, Julien?"

    Alyssa''s heart sank. "Jul is doing pretty well."

    "Is he still with Mr. Jonah? Are they still happy together?" Joseph queried. His eyes had turned red.

    Alyssa choked a little. After some deliberation, she still decided to lie. "They''re doing really well too. My brother loves him very much."

    "In the past, I thought they were just fooling around. I didn''t realize how serious they were. Julien is intelligent and kind-he was the best candidate to take over the Lovce Group. I was too stubborn, too hard on him.

    "It''s a relief he has Mr. Jonah to love him. Knowing someone is there to care for him brings me some peace... Joseph wiped the tears from his eyes and softly added, "Ms. Alyssa, when you see Julien, please tell him... I''m sorry."

    With tears in her eyes, Alyssa answered gently, "I will."

    Beckett Group Tower grew quiet as night fell, with only a few people still working. However, Jasper was still in his

    office, reviewing the development n for Sna City''s A5 real estate project. This project was crucial to Beckett Group''s growth over the next five years.

    "Mr. Beckett, you should head home, Xavier said, concerned as he noticed how pale and tired Jasper looked. Even if you stay up all night, you won''t finish this. Your health is more important. You can pick up where you left off tomorrow."

    Suddenly, Jasper shivered. He frowned. "Did you turn the air conditioning on? Why is it so cold in here?"

    Xavier looked confused. "No, I didn''t. It''s snowing outside, so the heater''s on. Why would the air conditioning be on?"

    Jasper gritted his teeth, but he couldn''t shake the bone-chilling cold that seemed to being from within him. "Mr. Beckett, there''s a charity dinner this weekend. Will you be attending?"

    Jasper felt a slight ache in his head and responded coolly, "I''ll donate, but I won''t be attending. I''ve been too busytely."

    Xavier hesitated. "I heard that KS Group participates in this event yearly, donatingrge sums. Mr. Jonah usually attended in the past. Since Ms. Alyssa became KS Group''s presidentst year, I''m sure she''ll be there this time." Jasper''s vision swam, and he kept his eyes down.

    "Mr. Beckett, would you consider-This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Before Xavier could finish his sentence, there was a knock on the door.

    "Come in," Jasper said.

    The door opened, and Sheryl walked in with a smile. "Mr. Jasper, how are you feeling today? Does your head still hurt? Are you still feeling the chills?"

 Chapter 2297

    ?Chapter 2297

    Jasper discreetly clenched his trembling hands into fists under the table. With a dim look in his eyes, he answered Sheryl, "I''m fine. What brings you here, Dr. Gillis?"

    Sheryl smiled warmly. "Mr. Jasper, have you forgotten? Mr. Javier instructed me to stay by your side and keep a close watch on your health whenever I have time."

    "Even so, don''t you know what the most basic manners are?" Deep down, Xavier rolled his eyes. "Even if you wanted to look after Mr. Jasper''s health, the president''s office isn''t a ce you can barge into just as you wish. Dr. Gillis, are you as impolite as this before Mr. Justin too?"

    Sheryl wasn''t offended. Instead, she lifted her lips into a smile. ''Every field of work is different. Mr. Hall, you''re only saying this because you''ve never been in this field. So, I don''t me you.

    "But, if Mr. Jasper''s condition were to re up while there was no one around him to tend to him, would you be responsible if anything bad happened to him?"

    Xavier burned with so much anger that his chest hurt. He tightened his fists.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Ever since Justin brought such a strange woman home, all their peace and serenity had been shattered!

    The current Jasper wasn''t the same person he was before-all women were now equal in his eyes.

    They were at such a delicate juncture. If Sheryl took advantage of the current situation by always being by Jasper''s side, she would have the upper hand.

    Wouldn''t it then be possible for her to benefit from being close to Jasper, which would result in them developing feelings for one another?

    Alyssa''s husband was about to be stolen from her.

    They were in a dangerous situation!

    "Xavier, go make me a cup of coffee." Jasper waspletely disinterested in the dispute between Xavier and Sheryl. He lowered his eyes and continued looking through a document.

    Through gritted teeth, Xavier acknowledged, "Will do, Mr. Beckett."

    The look in Sheryl''s eyes dimmed. She smiled and asked in a calm voice, "Mr. Beckett, do you enjoy drinking coffee?"

    Jasper answered, ''Yes.''

    "Not only can I brew tea, but my coffee-brewing skills are pretty good too. Shall I brew some for you to try next time?''

    "To date, I have never seen anyone make coffee better than my girlfriend does."

    The moment Jasper blurted that statement, his heart started pounding hard.

    The images that shed through his mind were from those early mornings after he had made love with Alyssa.

    She stood in the kitchen, sping gently at the nightgown draped around her. He saw how adorable and pleased she looked as she hummed a tune while making coffee for him.

    A ray of sunshine shone warmly on that beautiful and attractive face of hers. In his memory, he once wrapped his arms around that slim waist of hers because he just couldn''t help himself.

    He''d lower his head and kiss her deeply on her blushing cheeks and on every part of her that he set his eyes on. "Jasper, will you always love me?*

    "Lyse, I love you... I will always love you."

    Jasper''s heartbeat was always steady. All of a sudden, he could feel his heart skip a beat.

    He steadied his breathing and corrected himself in a low voice, "I meant my ex-girlfriend."

    "Oh, Ms. Alyssa? I do admit that she''s a multi-talented woman." Sherylughed tenderly. She leaned in toward Jasper and continued in a profound tone, ''But over time, one is bound to get sick of coffee brewed by the same person. It wouldn''t be a bad idea to get a taste of something different."

    "Dr. Gillis, aren''t you encroaching on my personal matters?" Jasper finally lifted his eyes. He stared at Sheryl with a frigid gaze.

    Sheryl scoffed on the inside. She pulled out a few packets of pills from her bag and ced them before Jasper. "This is a medication that I''ve prescribed for you, Mr. Jasper. It''s meant to treat your current symptoms specifically. You may try taking it for a while. If it''s not effective, you can just stop taking it.''

    Jasper had just picked up the pills when Xavier walked over with coffee. He stared at Sheryl coldly.

    "Mr. Beckett almost lost his life because he consumed medications from an unknown source. Did you think that he would just take these funny substances that you''ve just whipped out out of nowhere?"

    In other words, he suspected something fishy about the medication.

    After all, Sheryl was someone who worked under Justin. Even if Jasper was indebted to Justin, he still needed to be wary of him.

    Brotherhood was not a concept within wealthy families other than in the Taylor family. The Schmidt family was one such example.

    Sheryl sniggered arrogantly. "I know what you''re worried about, Mr. Hall. Back then, Mr. Justin almost died trying to save Mr. Jasper. How many brothers on this earth would be able to do what Mr. Justin did?

    "If he had motives of his own, wouldn''t it save his time and energy if he had just abandoned Mr. Jasper back then?

    Xavier was fuming. Yet, what Sheryl said was true. He couldn''t fight back.

    There was a slight quiver in Jasper''s eyes as he pursed his lips.

    "If both of you have your reservations about the medication and Mr. Justin''s sincerity, I have a simple solution for you. Just take these pills and run tests on them. I''ll take them myself if you find any problems with them," Sheryl challenged fearlessly and straightforwardly.

 Chapter 2298

    ?

    "Please thank Justin on my behalf." Jasper looked at Sheryl with an emotionless gaze. "I will take the medications. I''ve got work to do, so you may go ahead and take your leave, Dr. Gillis."

    "I shall not take up any more of your time, Mr. Jasper. Contact me promptly if you feel unwell in any way.

    Upon saying that, Sheryl turned and walked to the door.

    "Xavier, I will attend the charity event on the weekend," Jasper informed in a deep voice.

    Xavier was overjoyed. "Got it, Mr. Beckett. I will make the necessary arrangements shortly!"

    Sheryl''s eyes briefly lit up before they narrowed. Then, she strutted away.

    The moment the door was closed, Jasper picked up the pills. With a frosty look on his face, he tossed them into the trash can.

    "Mr. Beckett, have youe to your senses?" Xavier was so close to bursting into happy tears. He had thought that Jasper had already been blinded by that cunning fox!

    "It''s true that Justin saved me. But that doesn''t mean I''d have to ept everything he gives me."

    Jasper closed the document on his desk. As he breathed slowly, he recalled the conversation he and Justin had on the rooftop the other day.

    He could feel a dull pain in his temples as he tightened his grip around the pen in his hand.

    In the blink of an eye, the weekend was here.

    This year''s Sna City charity event was different from past events. Several affluent families from the city, as well as government and non-government organizations, hade together to form a charity foundation. Such events allowed people to showcase their generosity and build a positive public image.

    Alyssa, now the president of KS Group, had an obligation to attend, especially since she was already at the forefront of many phnthropic efforts.

    Her Rolls-Royce glided to a halt outside Sna City''srgest orphanage, one of the foundation''s key initiatives. Unlike the morous charity dinners, the daytime event at the orphanage involved more hands-on effort, so most of the affluent chose not to participate.

    As Alyssa and Sean stepped out of the car, Andie Campbell, the orphanage director, greeted them.

    It had just snowedst night, so the courtyard was covered in a nket of white. Teachers and volunteers were clearing the snow away.

    "This year''s event has brought a lot of energy to our orphanage," Andie began.

    While showing Alyssa around, Andie remarked with a sense of relief, ''In previous years, the charity dinner was always bustling with activity, while our orphanage remained so quiet. Hardly anyone cared to visit. This shows you have a kind heart, Ms. Alyssa. You really care about children."

    Alyssa gave a small, thoughtful nod. "Is there anyone else attending today, aside from myself?"

    "Yes! Mr. Beckett from the Beckett Group is here too."

    Suddenly, Alyssa stopped in her tracks. Her heart hammered against her chest as she asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "Mr. Beckett... Where is he?"

    "He''s ying ser with the children in the back."

    Alyssa forced herself to hold back that strong urge of hers to meet with Jasper. She went to the back, pretending

    to be calm. Before she even stepped out there, she could hear joyfulughter from the children.

    In the next second, she froze on the spot. Her racing heart sank in disappointment.

    The view before her eyes was a snowy white scene as serene as a painting.

    Justin was wearing a ck woolen coat as he sat in his wheelchair, maneuvering it around the children. He smiled from ear to ear while ying ser with the kids.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Despite his physical limitations, he was really agile. Not only was there no sign of clumsiness, but he even appeared to have a hint of youthful vigor and recklessness.

    "Watch out, sir!"

    The ground was slippery due to the snow. Noticing that Justin''s wheelchair was a little unstable, a young boy rushed up to him to stabilize his wheelchair.

    "Thank you, kiddo." A warm smile came across Justin''s face as he lifted his hand and stroked the boy at the top of his head.

    "Woah... Look, sir. There''s a beautifuldy over there!"

    The boy pointed in Alyssa''s direction. Justin looked in the same direction and beamed.

    "What a coincidence, Ms. Alyssa."

 Chapter 2299

    ?

    Even though Justin was fully capable of operating his wheelchair, two young and adorable boys still helped with pushing him toward Alyssa.

    "Mr. Justin, I didn''t expect to see you here."

    Although Alyssa responded politely with a smile, an observant person could tell that her smile was forced. "I didn''t think you would attend an event like today''s."

    Justin lifted his elegant and bright face. He chuckled and asked, "Were you disappointed to see me?"

    Alyssa''s heart trembled. She posed an obvious question. "What is there to be disappointed about?"

    "Logically speaking, Jasper should be the one to attend the charity events. I am not Beckett Group''s president. So, in order to avoid having too many spections going around out there, I won''t be attending tonight''s charity dinner. I will simply give them my best wishes."

    With an understanding smile on his face, Justin exined in a tender voice, "Even though you didn''t get to meet Jasper here, you will be able to see him when you attend the charity dinner tonight, Ms. Alyssa.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa pursed her lips. She studied Justin with a slightly discerning gaze. In a cold voice, she rified, "I won''t be attending the dinner. You''re overthinking it, Mr. Justin."

    Right then, Andie interrupted, "Ms. Alyssa, you might not know this, but Mr. Beckett has always been one of the greatest financial supporters of the charity foundation that supports us.

    "He has been dedicating himself to charity these past few years. His support behind the scenes was one of the reasons our orphanage was able to expand to its current state."

    Alyssa furrowed her brows subtly.

    "Don''t mention it, Ms. Campbell. It''s the least I can do."

    Justin smiled slightly. "Ms. Alyssa, I will build snowmen with the children in a bit. If you don''t mind, would you like toe for a tour around the ce for now?"

    Alyssa didn''t want to give outsiders the impression that she was pretentious, so she agreed in a soft voice, "Sure." She looked back and nced at Sean, whose face was filled with concern. Then, she and Justin walked into the orphanage.

    Meanwhile, Amber, who had reverted to her original appearance, arrived at the orphanage. A teacher quickly approached her at the entrance. "Excuse me, miss. May I know who you are?"

    Amber was stunned. Thereafter, a joyous smile came across her face.

    She was once a volunteer at this orphanage for three years. The teacher before her eyes actually knew her, but Amber couldn''t believe that the teacher didn''t recognize her at all. It seemed like she had indeed bid her dark past goodbye.

    "I''m a new volunteer here. I''m... ra Whitaker."

    Amber came up with an alias for herself recently, fearing that she would draw unwanted attention.

    Whitaker was her lover''sst name, while ra represented her anticipation of a bright future.

    She pulled out an ID with a photograph of her new face on it. ''This is my ID. Please, have a look."

    "Ah, Ms. Whitaker. Pleasee with me.

    Just as Amber was about to follow the teacher, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Jasper, bathed in sunlight, walking toward the orphanage.

    Walking with him was a woman whose face held a gentle smile. It was none other than Sheryl.

    Amber''s pupils constricted. Other than feeling alerted, her heart ached deeply for Alyssa.

    Anyone who had seen how Jasper and Alyssa journeyed together wouldn''t be able to look at this scene. Even Amber''s heart wrenched painfully. How agonizing it must have been for Alyssa if she had seen this!

    Amber clenched her fists into balls of fury as she watched them walk right past her.

    Suddenly, Jasper stopped in his tracks. He directed his gaze toward Amber and asked, "Miss, have we met?" Upon hearing that, Sheryl looked sideways icily.

    It was only at this moment that Amber realized that this was the first time Jasper was seeing her in her new face. As they were before Sheryl, a woman with a mysterious background, Amber figured that it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.

    As such, she didn''t admit to knowing Jasper. She simply replied, "Nope. You''ve got the wrong person, Mr. Beckett. Sheryl smiled and said, "Since you''ve never met, how did you know this is Mr. Jasper Beckett?"

    "That''s because Mr. Beckett holds a high position and authority as Beckett Group''s president." Amber lowered her eyes coldly. "Besides, Mr. Beckett and his ex-partner are well-known in Sna City for rescuing many who have fallen into hopelessness. Is there anyone who doesn''t know of him?

    "It''s not strange that I know who Mr. Beckett is, is it?"

    Jasper''s eyes dimmed.

    Amber and Sheryl red at one another with hostility hidden in their eyes.

    They both had a hunch that the woman before their eyes felt somewhat familiar.

    "Mr. Beckett, it''s time we head in." Sheryl looked away from Amber''s face.

    The expression on Jasper''s face became as calm as still water once again as he walked away with Sheryl.

    With Justin''spany, Alyssa had a tour of the entire orphanage. After that, they returned to the courtyard to build snowmen and have a snowball fight with the children.

    The delightful atmosphere made Alyssa temporarily forget about her troubles.

    Justin sat up straight in his wheelchair while he watched Alyssa form a snowball with the children for the snowman''s head. She was wearing a white woolen coat, and her delicate face was flushed pink from the cold.

    Her innocent and carefree look made him curl his lips upward involuntarily. His dark eyes contained a slight twinkle.

    "Wow... Look at how handsome that man is. He would look good together with Ms. Alyssa, so much so that I wouldn''t be able to take my eyes off them!"

    "You''re right. It''s a pity that such a charming man is physically disabled. It''s truly such a pity. But, if he''s able to stand to his feet, I feel like he''d be on par with Mr. Jasper."

    "I heard that he''s also from the Beckett family. He''s the oldest son in their family."

    "I see... He looks like a good match for Ms. Alyssa too. Mr. Jasper better watch out!"

    Justin overheard thements that others were whispering around him. The smile on his face widened. He bent forward, grabbed some snow from the ground, and formed it into a ball.

    Seeing that they had finally built a snowman, Alyssa''s eyes lit up with a smile. She exhaled puffs of white mist as she panted, and ayer of sweat had formed on her forehead.

    The moment she turned around, she spotted Jasper and Sheryl standing a short distance away. Instantly, the warmth throughout her body dissipated, leaving her with a feeling of iciness.

 Chapter 2300

    ?

    Jasper also spotted Alyssa, who was in Justin''s presence.

    A beautiful and harmonious scene like this had also once appeared in his monochromatic memories.

    He had once watched her y andugh.

    As time passed, another man had already taken his ce by her side.

    He had been the one who had initiated the breakup. He said he didn''t want her to waste her time on him. He was also the one who had asked her to choose a good man for herself.

    Nevertheless, when he saw Justin''s interest in Alyssa and how happy they were together, an explicable taste of bitterness rose at the back of his throat.

    Jasper clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his hands bulging. It felt like a bee had stung him on the tongue, the prickling, numbing sensation spreading through his body. Distracted by his own emotions, he barely noticed when a few snowkes brushed against his sculpted face.

    "Oh no. Watch out, both of you!"

    Suddenly, arge clump of snow fell from the branches above Jasper''s and Sheryl''s heads. Sheryl let out a scream, drawing the attention of everyone around them, including Alyssa''s and Justin''s.

    Realizing the snow was about to fall on her, she shrank in panic and, without thinking, leaned into the unmoving man next to her for protection.

    Instinctively, Jasper lowered his head and bent forward slightly. In the next moment, they were both covered in snow from head to toe.

    From where Alyssa stood, it looked as though Jasper had shielded Sheryl in his embrace, a gesture that appeared intimate. The sight of it sent a sharp pang through Alyssa''s heart. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she struggled to swallow the lump forming in her throat.

    Her heart felt like it shattered, just like the snow crashing to the ground-splintering into a messy, slushy heap. "You naughty child! I''ve told you not to kick the tree, but you just refuse to listen. Look what you''ve done!"

    One of the teachers reprimanded the child who caused the incident and profusely apologized to Jasper and Sheryl. "I''m really sorry! Are you both alright? Would you like to go indoors to warm yourselves up by the firece and dry your hair?"

    "No worries." Jasper still had that still and grim expression on his face. He didn''t even bother dusting the snow that had fallen on the top of his head and shoulders.

    "It''s alright. It''s normal for children to be naughty." Sheryl smiled sweetly. After that, she turned and looked up at Jasper. She then lifted her arms to sweep the snow off his shoulders.

    At this very moment, Jasper was staring straight in Alyssa''s direction. He hadn''t even noticed how close Sheryl was to him.

    "I''m sorry, Justin." Alyssa''s eyes turned red. She directed her sorrowful gaze elsewhere. She choked, "I''ve got something else to attend to, so I''ll be leaving now."

    Justin noticed how pale she looked and offered gently. "Let me take you."

    "It''s fine. I can manage."

    Upon saying that, she clenched her teeth, turned around, and hurried out of the courtyard without tuming back. Justin, however, didn''t stay where he was. Instead, he maneuvered his wheelchair and followed slowly behind Alyssa. He maintained a distance from her out of courtesy so that she wouldn''t feel repulsed by him.

    Jasper stood where he was, watching Alyssa and Justin move farther and farther away until they disappeared from his line of sight. At the same time, his heart sank deeper and deeper.

    "Mr. Jasper, you''ve got snow all over you too. Let''s go indoors to warm ourselves up. I don''t want you to catch a cold."

    Sheryl reached out to pull Jasper by the arm.

    He avoided her. "You may go on ahead. I''m fine.""

    After saying that, he strode off.

    "Mr. Jasper!" Sheryl stomped her feet out of anger and resentfully bit down on her lip.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Alyssa quickened her pace, her lips trembling as she wiped the tears that had started to spill from the corners of her eyes.

 Chapter 2301

    ?

    At this very moment, an angel and a devil were locked in a heated debate in Alyssa''s mind.

    "Alyssa, did you see what that jerk did? He''s just a fickle-minded asshole who hasn''t changed his ways. Just give up on him soonest. Don''t stoop so low!"

    "Lyse, you must not give up on him! Jasper only changed because of his brain injury. It''s not that he wants to ignore you. Don''t let your mind wander!"

    "Heck, stop making excuses for this asshole''s behavior. Even if he doesn''t love Lyse anymore, he still has memories from when they were deeply in love, right? But he''s pushing all those memories aside, spending his time with another woman instead. He''s heartless!"

    "That''s not a valid argument. Are they not allowed to break up just because they once had something? And memories? Memories don''t hold any real weight!"

    Memories didn''t carry any weight.

    It was a frigid day. Alyssa suddenly came to a halt, letting the icy wind whip against her frail body and dry the tears from her eyes.

    All the other voices faded away, leaving that one sentence echoing in her mind.

    That was right. To Jasper, Alyssa was now just a memory-someone from his past. He had already moved on while she remained frozen in ce, sinking deeper into her misery.

    Lost in thought, she faintly heard someone call her name. But her mind was nk, and her body felt frozen in ce, unable to move.

    "Lyse, watch out!"

    It was Justin''s voice, breaking through her fog of sorrow.

    When she snapped back to reality, a truck was speeding toward her, its driver ring the horn in panic.

    "The brake has malfunctioned! Move aside!" The driver stuck his head out of the truck''s window and shouted at Alyssa.

    Alyssa''s chest tightened, but her legs felt like they were cemented to the ground. Panic surged through her as she realized she couldn''t move in time.

    In that critical moment, Jasper appeared, his heart sinking as he saw Alyssa in danger. Without hesitation, he ran toward her. But he was too far. No matter how fast he moved, it was toote.

    Suddenly, a figure shed past him, leaping toward Alyssa.

    In an instant, just as the truck reached her, the man wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from the impact as they tumbled onto the snow-covered ground.

    The truck finally veered off and crashed into a nearby wall with a sickening screech, its hood crumpling on impact. A faint bitter medicinal scent filled the air as Alyssa trembled from head to toe.

    Slowly, she opened her eyes, and her gaze met Justin''s. His deep-set eyes were filled with worry, and cold sweat dotted his forehead.

    "Ms. Alyssa, are you alright?" Justin heaved as he asked in a deep voice.

    Alyssa stared at him in shock. Then, she looked toward the wheelchair that had fallen to the ground not too far away. Her heart was filled with a plethora of emotions.

    "I''m fine."

    As she responded to him, she ced her cold, reddened hands on the ground to push herself up. But suddenly, a

    sharp pain shot through her previously injured left leg, leaving her unable to put any weight on it.

    "I''ll take you to the hospital."

    Looking pale, Justin picked her up in a princess carry and hobbled out of the courtyard.

    "Justin, put me down! I can walk, Alyssa protested. She struggled in his arms, but he was carrying her firmly, not showing any intention of letting her go.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "Ms. Alyssa, you never have to pretend to be strong when you''re before me."

    Justin lowered his head and gazed at her deeply. It was obvious that he struggled with taking each step, but he still tried his best to appear rxed.

    "You don''t have to worry about me either. I still have this little bit of strength to carry you."

    Alyssa''s eyes widened, shimmering with emotion.

    Meanwhile, Jasper watched them from behind, his lips slightly parted as his heart pounded heavily.

 Chapter 2302

    ?

    Justin gentlyid Alyssa down on the back seat of his car.

    Momentster, Sean came running, out of breath. "Ms. Alyssa, are you alright?"

    Alyssa forced a smile despite her conflicting emotions. "Don''t worry, I''m fine."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Justin, not allowing Alyssa to downy the situation, spoke up matter-of-factly, "She was almost hit by a truck. She fell on the same leg she had injured in the previous car ident. I''m taking her to the hospital to make sure she didn''t aggravate the old injury."

    "How did that happen? Guilt washed over Sean. "Ms. Alyssa, it was my bad. I failed to protect you!"

    Alyssa shook her head. "It''s not your fault, Sean. Everything happened so fast."

    Turning to Justin, she said, "Thank you for saving me, Justin, but I don''t want to trouble you. My secretary can take me to the hospital."

    Before Justin could respond, his expression suddenly changed. He grabbed the car door for support as his body swayed.

    Alyssa and Sean were both staggered.

    "Mr. Justin!"

    At that moment, Sheryl rushed over, quickly supporting Justin. Without hesitation, she slipped two pills into his mouth.

    Justin swallowed the pills, his face gradually regaining color, though his breathing remained uneven.

    "Mr. Justin, you''ve overexerted yourself!" Sheryl said, her voice trembling as she patted his back gently, her eyes brimming with tears. "I heard you ran to save Ms. Alyssa. You know your body can''t handle this strain. You''ll hurt yourself!"

    Justin did his best to steady his breathing. He peered over at Alyssa. "No worries... Look, I''m fine, aren''t I? I''ll just have to take my medications, and I''ll be fine."

    Sheryl choked, "What do you mean you''re fine? Others might not know how you got to where you are today, but I''ve cared for you for such a long time. Wouldn''t I know better?"

    Staring at Justin''s visibly pained face, Alyssa whispered through trembling lips, "Justin, thank you once again for saving me."

    Justin smiled. "All''s good as long as you''re safe."

    "I''ll just have my secretary take me to the hospital. You should go back and have a good rest. Alyssa refused to let him take her to the hospital but still politely said, "Nevertheless, I owe you for this. I''ll make sure to repay you."

    Justin''s gaze softened, his eyshes fluttering slightly. "If you want to repay me, allow me to visit you at the hospital.

    Alyssa pursed her lips out of awkwardness.

    He had saved her after all. She didn''t have any reason to refuse. She could only consent to his request.

    Alyssa and Sean finally left the orphanage.

    Justin sank back into his wheelchair. With Sheryl pushing his wheelchair, they headed indoors.

    "Mr. Justin, you shouldn''t risk your physical health no matter what." Sheryl still hadn''t gotten over the scare earlier. "Without your health, nothing else matters!"

    Just then, Amber was leading a group of lively children their way. One boy, full of energy, identally bumped into Justin''s wheelchair.

    "Where did this brate from? He didn''t even watch where he was going!"

    Sheryl''s furious re and stern expression stunned the boy, leaving him frozen in ce.

    Amber hurried over, pulling the boy behind her. "I''m terribly sorry,'' she apologized politely.

    Justin, resting his hands on the armrests, met Amber''s eyes with a calm expression. "It''s alright. I like energetic, active children."

    Amber froze, her pupils constricting. That voice... it was deep, steady, and so familiar.

    Her heart raced, and her hands curled into fists as realization struck her. Wasn''t this the voice of the ''Sir" whom Jameson idolized?

 Chapter 2303

    ?

    Although Amber had apanied Jameson to Mosgravia on several asions to visit "Sir", she had never actuallyid eyes on him.

    The only time she had caught a fleeting sound of his voice was by chance. It was brief but distinctly captivating, leaving asting impression on her.

    "Miss, Miss... You''re hurting me," the boy mumbled, lifting his head weakly and drawing Amber''s attention back to the moment.

    Amber realized that she had zoned out. Anxiously, she led the children away from Justin.

    "It''s that woman again."

    With a condescending expression on Sheryl''s face, she continued, "She''s really strange. She gets so hostile whenever she sees me."

    Justin narrowed his eyes slightly as he turned toward where Amber went. "You''ve met her before?"

    Sheryl scoffed, "I only happened to see her when Jasper and I got here. Seeing Jasper chatting with a woman he didn''t know surprised me. Ha! Could it be that those three pills he took awakened the yboy within him?"

    "Oh? What did Jasper talk to her about?''

    "He asked that woman if they''ve ever met."

    Justin looked away calmly. In a low voice, he muttered, "Go look into that woman''s background."

    Sheryl frowned, feeling perplexed. "She''s just a regr volunteer. Would that be necessary?"

    "No one knows my brother better than I do."

    Justin curled the corners of his lips upward. He said in a slightly heavy tone, "There aren''t many women in this world whom he''d give his attention to on his own ord."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Later that night, Jasper only stayed at the charity dinner for half its duration. Just before the main event-the donation segment-he left, his mood dark.

    He sped aimlessly into the night alone.

    After quite a while, he hit the brakes without warning. After some hesitation, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

    After a few rings, Sean answered, irritation clear in his voice. "Mr. Beckett, what''s with thiste night call?" Jasper gripped tensely onto the steering wheel, the tightness of his knuckles revealing the strength of his hand.

    He pressed his lips together. His throat felt dry and hoarse, so much so that he couldn''t bring himself to say anything even after a long time.

    Sean lost his patience. "I''m hanging up if you have nothing to say."

    "Is Ms. Alyssa at home?" Jasper asked in an extremely hoarse voice, as if he had just swallowed some ice.

    "She''s at the hospital," Sean answered in a pained voice. "It hasn''t been many days since she recovered from her leg injury after the ident, and she''s injured it again. She might even need a cast."

    "Which hospital is she at? I want to go-

    Jasper had just started speaking when Sean finally blew his top. "Jasper, do you know why Ms. Alyssa almost got into that car ident?

    "She has always been a cautious person. She would never make such a careless mistake. It was all because of you that she would lose her focus and be in a state of diposure!"

    Jasper closed his eyes briefly.

    In the darkness of the night, his face became as white as a sheet.

    "Even if you don''t want to be with her anymore, there''s no need to go parading your new lover around and rubbing it in Ms. Alyssa''s face, do you?

    "Did you lose your memory, or did you actually be dumb? Don''t you freaking remember how Ms. Alyssa used to treat you and how much she loved you?"

    Jasper frowned. In a deep voice, he rified, ''I''m not seeing anyone new."

    Sean scoffed, "You don''t have a new lover? You must have lost your fucking heart then!"

    Jasper pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth, swallowing hard.

    "Ms. Alyssa is at the hospital under KS Group. She''s in room number A006!"

    Sean terminated the call after saying that.

    Jasper''sshes quivered slightly. He repeatedly uttered the hospital room number to himself as he mmed the pedal down and sped into the night.

 Chapter 2304

    ?

    A ck Maybach was parked at the back entrance of the orphanage, its lights off and engine idling.

    Soon, a figure emerged from the back door, hurriedly approaching and entering the car.

    "Sorry for keeping you waiting, Ms. Gillis," the woman apologized respectfully.

    Sheryl sat in the car with an air of arrogance, and her legs crossed in a rxed manner. She handed a brown envelope to the woman.

    "Good work this morning," Sheryl remarked.

    The woman took the envelope from Sheryl and had a feel of its thickness. She smiled from ear to ear. "All that needed to be done was to cut a brake cable. It was no trouble at all."

    Sheryl couldn''t be bothered to even nce at the woman she deemed inferior. Her expression remained cold as she spoke. "By the way, have you looked into all the volunteers and the teachers at the orphanage like I asked?" "I have," the woman replied confidently. "I''ve been here for about a decade. It was a breeze." She pulled out a stack of documents from her bag and handed them over to Sheryl with both hands.

    Taking the papers, Sheryl began to peruse them, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the details.

    Suddenly, her eyes widened. She pulled out a document with a photograph of a striking woman-Amber Altman, the woman Jameson had groomed as Alyssa''s substitute.

    "This woman... is a volunteer at the orphanage?"

    "Yes, Ms. Gillis. Ms. Altman has been volunteering at our orphanage for over two years. She also donates to the orphanage annually, so she''s well-regarded here."

    The woman noticed that Sheryl had be quite agitated. Puzzled, she asked, ''Ms. Gillis, are there... are there any issues with her?"

    Sheryl lowered her voice. "Does she still volunteer here now?"

    "She hasn''t been around in a while. But that''s not unusual. Volunteers aren''tpensated for their work, so they can leave whenever they want. We can''t force them to help out here.

    "And it''s rare to have someone like Ms. Altman volunteer as long as she did. Most people would have given up much earlier, given how exhausting it is."

    Sheryl knitted her brows together. "There was a woman named ra Whitaker who visited the orphanage today. Do you know who she is?"This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "ra Whitaker? I don''t. I haven''t even heard of that name. Maybe it was her first time here."

    Sheryl fell into deep thought. The more she pondered, the more things didn''t add up.

    ra''s visit was new, yet Amber, who had been a frequent presence, had stoppeding for no apparent reason. And then, Jasper had approached ra, asking if they''d met before. Despite being unfamiliar with her, he seemed to sense some connection.

    A realization struck Sheryl, and her eyes darkened.

    Meanwhile, a sports car glided into the underground parking lot of the hospital.

    Jasper quickly exited the car and hurried toward room A006.

    In the stillness of thete night, the echo of his hurried footsteps was all that could be heard, mirroring the heavy beating of his heart.

    The image of Alyssa''s near ident, saved only by Justin''s quick intervention, reyed in his mind.

    His older brother had clung tightly to the woman he once loved.

    At that moment, he felt like his heart was being crushed mercilessly by an invisible and inexplicable force. The door to her ward suddenly swung open as he arrived, and Justin emerged in his wheelchair. Jasper stopped in his tracks, holding his breath.

    In that bleak and empty corridor, the Beckett brothers confronted each other in a tense, wordless standoff.

    Under the sterile white light, Jasper stood out like a striking sculpture. Justin, however, was shrouded in shadow, his sickly pallor the only hint of his presence. But beneath his sickly exterior lurked a sinister secret-Justin was a monster or perhaps a demon.

    In the end, it was Jasper who relented first. With firm, deliberate steps, he made his way toward Justin.

    A faint but growing desire welled up inside Jasper. He wanted to see Alyssa.

    Just as Jasper was about to enter the room, Justin smiled and opened his arms, halting his progress.

    "Jasper, what brings you here at this hour?" Justin asked with a smile on his face.

    Jasper swallowed hard, his voice hoarse. "Ms. Alyssa had an ident today. How is she?"

    "Fortunately, she''s only aggravated the old injury on her leg. She just needs to rest up."

    In a low voice, Jasper said, "I''ll go see her."

    With a profound look in his eyes, Justin said, "Lyse has gone to bed."

    Lyse...

    Jasper had been the only one to call her by that pet name with such intimacy. Now, hearing another man say it, his vision suddenly blurred, and his heart sank.

    An iprehensible sliver of emotion welled up in his eyes.

    "I''ll just take a quick peek and leave after that," Jasper insisted, stepping past Justin. But just as he did, Justin grabbed his arm, stopping him cold.

    "Jasper."

    Jasper froze, his eyes meeting Justin''s.

    He could feel Justin''s grip tightening. In a calm voice, he asked, "Justin, what are you doing?"

    "I''m stopping you. Isn''t it obvious enough?"

    Jasper frowned. ''But why?"

    "Because I think the current you shouldn''t yourself to Lyse." A slight smile came across Justin''s face, even though the look in his eyes was grim and cold. "When she had her ident and needed someone the most, I was the one who stayed by her side.

    "When she was in danger today, I was the one who saved her in the nick of time. These were times when she needed you the most, but you were nowhere to be found andpletely detached.

    "And now you''re wanting to be a nuisance to her. Is it out of dissatisfaction, or are you seeking her attention?" Jasper''s frown deepened, and his lips paled.

    As far as he could remember, this was the first time Justin had ever uttered such harsh words to his face, and Jasper couldn''t believe it was all because of Alyssa.

    "Jasper, ever since you joined the Beckett family, everything hase easily to you-Grandpa''s affection, Dad''s support, even the role as thepany''s president. I never fought you for any of that. But Lyse? I''m serious about her. And I won''t let you take what belongs to me."

    Justin spoke those cutting words with subtle sarcasm, yet his smile remained as gentle as a spring breeze, as if there was no malice behind them at all.

    He continued, "Moreover, she is no longer yours. You should make it a clean break since you wanted to break up with her. Or I''ll really get mad."

 Chapter 2305

    ?

    Jasper remained silent. His hands balled into tight fists at his sides, trembling ever so lightly as a dark expression settled over his face.

    After a moment of silence, Justin offered a casual smile, ignoring the tension on Jasper''s face as he moved past him.

    "Justin, I''ve always respected you since I was young." Jasper''s voice broke the silence, hoarse and strained, with his back turned to Justin. "There are things I canpromise on, but some matters, I can''t."

    Justin, his back still facing Jasper, narrowed his eyes and asked, "Such as?"

    "My need to see her now." A fierce determination lit Jasper''s darkened eyes. "Justin, I won''t deny your feelings for her. It''s none of my business. But you have no right to stop me from seeing her either.

    "If you and Ms. Alyssa are officially together, I''ll never go near her again. You won''t even need to say a word. I''ll give you both my blessings and wish you a happy life together."

    As Jasper said "happy life", his throat tightened, and a bitter taste of bile rose at the back of his mouth. Still, he continued, "But as long as she''s not yours, we''re equals in her eyes. You can see her, and so can I. If that bothers you, I''m sorry."

    The darkness in Justin''s eyes hid any trace of emotion on his face. In a cold, detached voice, he asked, "Jasper, do you still have feelings for her? You haven''t let go, have you?"Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    A lump rose in Jasper''s throat, and his gaze went nk.

    "Jasper," Justin''s voice grew deeper, marked by a few dry coughs. "We may not share the same mother, but ask yourself-how have I treated you since we were kids?"

    "You''ve treated me very well," Jasper answered, his breath shallow.

    Memories flooded his mind, moments of warmth shared with Justin, four years his senior, a brother who had always been like a father to him.

    When Jasper first entered the Beckett family, his life seemed bleak, as he was met with disdain from many. Justin was the first to show him care, standing by him when the household staff mistreated him and offering him a sense of warmth.

    Justin was also the one who had put his own life on the line to help Jasper escape that terrifying kidnapping incident. Otherwise, Jasper would have been the one sitting in the wheelchair today, unable to move freely.

    "As you can see, I''ll be bound to this wheelchair for the rest of my life. And the medications are the permanent part of it too, just to keep me going."

    Panting slightly, Justin managed a bitter smile. "I know that I don''t deserve Ms. Alyssa. But she''s willing to spend time with me despite my broken body.

    "Jasper, all humans have feelings. After being overseas and away from home on my own for so many years, I often feel lonely and lost. Oftentimes, I''d ask myself if my life is just going to drift away like this.

    "I, too, crave thepanionship of someone I love. I, too, want a normal life-to get married, start a family, and have a happy and fulfilling rtionship."

    Jasper was stunned. His older brother, once so detached from the world, longed for a family? And the woman he wanted to share that with was Alyssa.

    Jasper''s chest tightened. He recalled the earlier scene at the orphanage, where Alyssa and Justin had shared a smile in the snow-covered courtyard, their eyes filled with joy.

    In contrast, every time Alyssa saw him, her eyes were either brimming with tears or clouded with sorrow. He had once been the man she loved. Now, he was only a source of her pain.

    "If someone like Ms. Alyssa could be by my side, I''d have no regrets," Justin said, his voice filled with a humble plea. "Jasper, please give me a chance to get to know her better. Help me.

    Jasper''s entire body tensed, his jawline sharp as he struggled to suppress his emotions. He stood frozen, not even realizing when Justin left.

    Not long after, the door to Alyssa''s hospital room opened.

    Sean stepped out, holding a thermal sk. He was taken aback when he saw Jasper standing rigidly in the hallway. Then his face fell as he mocked, "You got here fast this time."

    Jasper''sshes quivered slightly. In a low voice, he said, "Mr. Lynch, I want to see her."

    "Oh, really? Ms. Alyssa isn''t some animal at the zoo you can just go look at."

    With a roll of his eyes, Sean turned toward Alyssa''s ward, muttering, "Wait here."

 Chapter 2306

    One minuteter, Sean came back out of the room. His expression was conflicted as he looked at Jasper. "Ms. Alyssa doesn''t want to see you. Please leave."

    Jasper balled his hands into fists. "Why?"

    Sean sniggered coldly. "Why? Maybe because she''s finally woken up. She doesn''t want to make the same mistake twice or lose her dignity by chasing after a man who gives her nothing but indifference."

    Jasper''s face paled, and he fell silent.

    Sean''s heart ached as he remembered all the suffering Alyssa had endured recently. His eyes welled with unshed tears.

    Struggling to suppress his anger, Sean said, "Mr. Beckett, Ms. Alyssa ispletely exhausted. Since she doesn''t want to see you, please just leave. Don''t bother her anymore."

    In the study at Seaview Manor, Sherylid out all her findings for Justin without holding back.

    "I have reason to believe that the woman named ra Whitaker is actually Jameson''s substitute for Alyssa- Amber Altman!"

    Sheryl watched Justin, who was sitting behind the desk, working on a piece of calligraphy writing with his head down. He had aposed look in his eyes.

    Through gritted teeth, she continued, "No wonder she was so hostile when she saw me today. If she''s Amber, it all makes sense now."

    "I''m not bothered by her rudeness," she added, "but I''m concerned that she might have caught on. Don''t you think she seemed slightly panicked when she met you earlier?"

    "She''s finally freed herself from Jameson''s control. After everything she''s gone through, she''s found a chance at a new beginning with Mr. Axel." Justin''s pen moved smoothly across the paper as he wrote "Lyse'' in elegant strokes. "Naturally, her first instinct would be to get rid of that face that had put her through so much pain. She doesn''t want to live in someone else''s shadow anymore.

    Sheryl''s eyes widened in surprise. "Are you saying that at one nce, you could already tell-

    "I merely had my suspicions. That was why I tasked you to confirm them."

    Sheryl was utterly impressed.

    Justin was intelligent and sharp-witted. If he was perfectly healthy physically, Jasper wouldn''t stand a chance against him.

    "Mr. Justin, based on Amber''s behavior today, I''m afraid she might already be onto us. After all, she''s crossed paths with us a few times while working for Jameson.

    "Even though she has never seen us before, she might have an inkling. It would be disastrous if Ms. Alyssa found out.''

    Sheryl stepped closer, her eyes narrowing with a sinister gleam. "Should I send someone to handle Amber before she bes a problem?"

    "Sheryl, you''re being hasty again," Justin said, cing his pen in the holder and shifting his papers aside. He picked up the sheet he''d written on, admiring the strokes. "She may be starting to have doubts, but she hasn''t solidified anything yet. If you intervene now, wouldn''t that only make it obvious that I''m the one behind Jameson?'' "In that case, are you nning to just let it go?" Sheryl frowned, feeling worried. "Amber is a survivor from Jameson''s side. Now she''s involved with Mr. Axel. If we don''t nip this in its bud, it wille back to bite us!"

    Sheryl was crude, straightforward, and cruel. She seemed to embody the saying that there was no worse evil than a bad woman.

    "Even if we need to eliminate the problem at its source, we must be patient for now," Justin replied, his smile polite but his eyes holding a glint of something darker. "We need to wait for the right opportunity to deal with this while ensuring our own safety."

    At 5:00 am, on a cold winter moming in Sna City, everything remained silent and pitch-ck.

    Alyssa tossed and turned restlessly on the hospital bed, unable to find any peace in her sleep. After what felt like an eternity, she slowly sat up and climbed out of bed, sluggishly slipping her slippers on.

    She was still struggling with her injured leg, so she leaned against the wall as she made her way toward the door.

    But when she pushed the door open and looked up, she froze in shock. There, sitting on a cold bench just outside, was Jasper. His eyes were closed, his posture rigid and unmoving.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The dim lighting cast long shadows, highlighting his solitude.

    Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat, and her breathing became uneven.

    Jasper''s bloodshot eyes slowly opened when he heard the noise. Their gazes met.

 Chapter 2307

    ?

    The moment Alyssa''s eyes met Jasper''s, her heart skipped a beat. Her thoughts tangled in a whirlwind, like a ball of yarn unraveled in haste.

    How long had he been waiting there?

    Had he been here all night?

    She couldn''t tear her gaze away from his captivating, reddened eyes. Tears threatened to spill, and her heart ached.

    And just then, she was reminded of the scene at the orphanage the day before-how Jasper had held Sheryl tightly in his arms under that tree.

    Alyssa''s frail body trembled. She shifted her gaze away from his face, feeling a tightness in her throat.

    In this life, she had faced some incredibly trying times.

    During her time with Doctors Without Borders, she endured some of her harshest moments-starvation, freezing cold, and over ten days without a shower. Yet, even in those circumstances, she never feltpletely defeated. But now, in front of Jasper, she was on the verge of breaking down.

    Just as she was about to shut the door, Jasper shot to his feet and charged forward.

    Alyssa nearly mmed the door shut on his hand as he slipped it through the gap and grabbed the doorframe.

    "What... What are you doing?" Alyssa''s eyes remained fixed downward, unable to meet his gaze. But she could still feel the weight of his intense, unyielding stare.

    Jasper lowered his head, his breath warm as it brushed against her reddened nose. His chest rose and fell with each deep inhale. "I''ve been waiting for you."

    "Why were you waiting for me, Mr. Beckett? I already told my secretary I don''t want to see you."

    Alyssa turned her pale face away. With a slight tremor in her voice, she added, "Please leave. I''m exhausted. I''m going back to bed-

    "Why are you up so early if you''re tired?"

    Jasper gazed at Alyssa''s supple face. In a deep voice, he stated, "I remember that you''ve never been one to sleep in. You were always up early-whether to row or to work out."

    "It''s not like my energy is limitless. I have times when I just want to bezy." Alyssa shrugged, the corners of her lips curling into a bitter smile. "There was only time I''d ever sleep in. But whatever... Who cares about such a trivial thing? It''s all in the past now. It doesn''t matter to me anymore."

    Jasper''s eyes dimmed.

    He thought back to when they lived together. They had been inseparable-especially in the mornings after nights spent together. Alyssa would often linger in bed like a sleepy kitten, unwilling to leave due to theck of sleep.

    He wore her down too much by doing it over and over again. He was too captivated by her.

    There was not a single night when he would stop at just once. Each time, he would empty himself, fill her up, and eat her out. He would only be done when she tearfully begged him to stop as she left scratches on his back. "Does your injury still hurt?" Jasper queried in a raspy voice. He had an iprehensible look in his eyes. "It''s none of your business. All my matters are none of your business from now on."

    Alyssa was well aware that most men wouldn''t be able to resist when women showed them their weaker side. However, yesterday''s situation was too massive a blow for her.

    It really broke her heart. At this moment, she truly didn''t want to face him. As such, she mustered up her strength

    to close the door. "Mr. Beckett, since you already have someone new, do note and bother me again. Please leave. Goodbye.

    However, Jasper was much stronger than her. She could not close the door, no matter how hard she tried.

    "If I don''t have someone new, can I stay?'' Jasper stared straight at Alyssa.

    He was always as calm as a millpond, but at this very moment, his voice sounded a tad desperate.

    Alyssa didn''t believe his words. All she trusted was what she saw with her own eyes.

    Yesterday''s incident was the straw that broke the camel''s back for all the pain that she had been suppressing for days. She waspletely disheartened. It made her wonder if she should just resign herself to fate and allow everything to end like this.

    So, was God being fair?

    In the beginning, she had been the one who had fought so hard to be with him. She had thought they would end up together after all they''d been through. But now it seemed that fate had decided otherwise. No matter how much she loved him, she was still losing him.

    "Jasper... We''ve already ended things."

    Alyssa finally looked into Jasper''s eyes. She took a deep breath, suppressing the sorrow that was about to burst through her lungs.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    She choked, "You''re not thinking about how I feel at all! You''re refusing to leave even though I''ve told you to. What the hell do you want? Don''t you know that you''re really being a bother?"

    Jasper''s grip tightened around the side of the door. He disregarded her rant and maintained a firm tone. "I just wanted to see you."

    "In that case, who are you here as?"

 Chapter 2308

    ?Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Tears welled up in Alyssa''s eyes as she wrinkled her nose slightly and pushed her luck. "A friend? Lover? Ex- lover? Or... someone who''s unable to move on?"

    Jasper''s eyes were as dark as the night sky. "I don''t know."

    Alyssa stared at the cold, emotionless man before her, overwhelmed with helplessness. No words could describe the disappointment she felt.

    "You''ve seen me now. You may leave."

    To her surprise, in the next second, Jasper shoved the door open without warning. As he had exerted too much force, Alyssa stumbled and let out a small gasp as she fell backward.

    In an instant, Jasper lunged forward, wrapping a muscr arm around her waist and pulling her close. Their bodies pressed together, so close she could feel his warmth, their breaths mingling in the space between them. Jasper could even see, with much rity, those tiny pores on Alyssa''s supple skin.

    "L-Let go of me..." Alyssa''s heart raced as she squirmed in his grip.

    Jasper''s grip on her waist was unrelenting, and each time she tried to wriggle free, it only seemed to heighten the flirtatious tension between them.

    "You said you were exhausted. But you seem to have plenty of energy now."

    His breathing deepened, and without another word, he scooped her up into a princess carry and strode into the hospital ward.

    "You hurt your leg, so don''t move around unless you intend to extend your stay here.''

    Alyssa welled up silently. She curled up meekly in his arms.

    Even though Jasper was taking only a few steps, Alyssa wished he could just hold her like this forever.

    Jasper gently set her down, but as soon as she left his arms, his muscles tensed, and a wave of unexinable sorrow swept over him. His chest tightened in difort.

    Under the light, something caught his eye. His gazended on two gray strands nestled in Alyssa''s otherwise dark hair. Those two strands stood out like a sore thumb.

    "Ouch!" Alyssa yelped, rubbing her temple and ring at him as Jasper plucked a strand of gray hair. "You''re graying," he said seriously.

    Alyssa froze. Her eyes brimmed with tears again. Memories flooded back-when they lived together, she''d often sit behind him in his study, plucking out his stray gray hairs.

    "Woah... Jasper, you''re done for. You''re getting old! I just took these outst week, and now there are more!"

    Jasper would chuckle, looking up from his work. "I know how much you love ying with my hair, so I grew a few more to keep you entertained."

    "I heard that when men have white hair, it''s a sign of decreased libido..."

    "Oh? Is that so?" Jasper would then pull her onto hisp, his warm hands roaming, reigniting the spark between them. "I''m sure my darling knows my libido best."

    Alyssa blinked away her tears, her heart aching as she pped his hand away. The gray hair floated to the ground as she cried, "I hate you, Jasper. I hate you so much!"

    Jasper frowned. "But why?"

    "Don''t you know that gray hair shouldn''t be plucked? I''ll end up growing more of it!" Alyssa''s face flushed red. Frustrated, she clenched her fists. "I''m only 26. It''s bad enough that I''m stressed to the point of getting gray hairs

    -I don''t want to age like you!"

    Jasper''s eyes darkened as he took in Alyssa''s teary gaze, her flushed cheeks, and her adorable outburst. For a moment, his mind went nk, and his breathing grew unsteady.

    Then, without hesitation, he leaned in, bracing his arm against the wall beside her head, and kissed her deeply. He couldn''t help himself.

 Chapter 2309

    ?

    The moment Jasper''s lips touched Alyssa''s, an overwhelming wave of emotions surged through his chest and rushed to his head. He pinned Alyssa''s supple body to the bed, kissing her clumsily and forcefully. Her eyes shimmered with tears.

    At first, she struggled slightly, gasping for air. But soon, she surrendered to the kiss she had longed for, lifting her hips and grabbing onto Jasper''s shirt as she kissed him back.

    Their breaths intertwined, creating a beautiful harmony.

    Jasper''s gaze deepened as he looked into her moist eyes and at her delicate nose, which, at its tip, was flushed a rosy pink.

    That night, they lingered in a breathless kiss.

    Suddenly, the sound of a ringing phone pierced the moment. Jasper''s and Alyssa''s eyes flew open as though jolted awake from a dream. At the same time, an immense pain shot through Jasper''s head and spread throughout his body.

    He pulled away from the kiss and dashed out of the hospital ward without looking back.

    Alyssa trembled as she knelt on the bed. She reached out for Jasper but grasped only cold, empty air. She pursed her lips, red and moist from the kiss.

    She picked up her ringing phone from the bedside table, forcing herself to suppress the pain in her heart.

    "Amber, is everything okay? Why are you calling at this hour?" Alyssa asked in a concerned voice while she steadied her breathing.

    In a low voice, Amber said, "Lyse, I''m sorry... Did I wake you?"

    Alyssa wiped away the tears from her eyes and forced herself to sound calm. "No worries, I was already up. You can tell me what''s on your mind."

    "Lyse, are you... are you now very close with Mr. Justin Beckett?" Amber asked abruptly, her voice tinged with anxiety.

    Alyssa straightened up. "We''re not particrly close. It was just because he saved me previously that we''ve been having a few more interactions recently. Why do you ask?"This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "I don''t know how to exin it... My mind is in a mess right now." Amber took a deep breath before continuing, her voice trembling slightly. "Yesterday, I was volunteering at the orphanage and ran into Mr. Justin. As I walked past him, I heard his voice...

    "It sounded just like the ''Sir'' who manipted Jameson from behind the scenes."

    Alyssa''s eyes widened, the lingering tension from earlier evaporating as the air around her turned cold. "Amber, are you sure about this?"

    "I can''t be 100% sure. After all, there are many people with simr voices. But when I apanied Jameson to Mosgravia to meet Sir, I overheard a part of their conversation. Sir''s voice was unforgettable, captivating even." Amber''s voice grew shaky. "I also heard that Mr. Justin has been recuperating in Mosgravia. Could it just be a coincidence? If Mr. Justin is Sir, then his intentions for approaching you... Lyse, you might be in danger!"

    Alyssa tightened her grip on her phone. She looked out the window and at the sky, which was starting to brighten. "Sir" had been in Mosgravia, and so was Justin. Moreover, Justin had returned just after Jameson''s downfall despite having kept a low profile for years.

    Why was that?

    Was it solely because he missed home and had almost nursed himself back to health?

    But this idea itself was absurd!

    Perhaps he felt ready and strong enough and decided it was time to return to the Beckett family to reim everything that was rightfully his.

    Or perhaps, with Jameson gone, Justin no longer had anyone left to manipte. So, he could only return to handle matters personally.

 Chapter 2310

    ?

    "Amber, thank you for sharing such crucial information with me. If Justin is this so-called Sir, I have even more reason not to distance myself from him.

    "On the contrary, I should go with the flow and get closer to him. It''s the only way to expose his true colors and uncover his schemes."

    "No, don''t!" Amber''s unease was palpable. "Sir is extremely dangerous. After years of following him, even Jameson has only seen 10% of his capabilities. There could be someone even more powerful backing him from the shadows.

    "And with Mr. Jasper in his current state, he won''t be able to protect you like he used to. If Justin sets his sights on you, wouldn''t it make it harder for you and Mr. Jasper to repair your rtionship?"

    Upon hearing that, Alyssa held her breath. Agony surged like waves in her heart.

    "Lyse, I know you''re a righteous person. You''re a heroine among us women, better than many men. But you''re not invincible. There are challenges you can''t face alone, and you need protection too!

    "I''m just a simple person-I don''t fight for justice or grand ideals. I just want the people I love, and my friends, to be happy and well. That''s all. Lyse, sometimes people need to be a little selfish."

    "I used to protect only myself. Now, I''ve simply returned to that. All I did was let go of someone who wasn''t mine. There''s nothing to fear. I''ll get used to it."

    As Alyssa spoke words she didn''t believe, she tilted her head back slightly to keep the tears from falling. She continued, "And if Justin is Sir, it''s actually a good thing Jasper is keeping his distance. I don''t want him to fall into danger because of me again."

    Amber''s heart ached as she let out a sigh of helplessness.

    All of a sudden, Alyssa realized something, and her chest tightened. "Ambs, from now on, stay put in Belbanks. Don''t show yourself in Sna City unless necessary. I''ll have Axel ensure your safety.

    "If Justin is Sir, it means you identified him. If that''s the case, he might recognize you too. He could be waiting for the right moment to strike."

    "Sir only saw me before I had my old face restored, and it was a brief encounter. He probably wouldn''t recognize me."

    Alyssa''s eyes zed with urgency. "Still, be cautious. Better safe than sorry!"

    Jasper rushed to the parking lot as fast as he could. Once in the car, a cold sweat broke out over his body, and a splitting headache tore through him.

    Trembling, he leaned forward and mmed his forehead against the steering wheel repeatedly, but the pain wouldn''t subside.

    He had fled from Alyssa earlier because he could barely hold himself together. He feared that if he stayed any longer, he''d lose control and turn into a monster before her eyes.

    Just then, his phone vibrated in his mmy hand. It was Xavier calling.

    Jasper gasped for breath, his vision blurred, unable to see clearly.

    Was it because of Alyssa? Or was it because of that kiss?

    The pain inside him was excruciating.

    Finally, he couldn''t bear it any longer. With trembling hands, he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a bag of blue pills.

    These were the pills Sheryl had given him during her visit to his office. He''d thrown them into the trash before Xavier but had secretly kept a bag of them without him noticing.

    The overwhelming pain had shattered his willpower. He closed his eyes tightly and swallowed all the pills.

    Momentster, his mind cleared, his headache eased, and the chills faded. Mentally, he felt even sharper than before.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    With that, he had just made his first deal with the devil.

 chapter 2311

    ?

    Alyssa only stayed in the hospital for two short days before returning to KS Group to oversee thepany.

    Since Winston had stepped back due to health issues, he only offered Alyssa private advice on major decisions she had to make. Other than that, he left everything to her and refrained from interfering.

    The temperature had been dropping for two consecutive weeks, and snow continued to fall. Yet, Alyssa hadn''t heard any news about Jasper. She had hoped that their kiss would mark a new beginning, but now it seemed more like a farewell.

    On this day, after a strategy meeting with KS Group''s top executives, Alyssa returned to her office to review the tender proposal for the Sna City A5 real estate project. Known as Project A5, this was a significant five-year initiative backed by the govemment, attracting widespread attention for its immense potential.

    If executed well, the project would bring tremendous value and offer businessmen a gateway into the political arena, giving them a chance to gain even more power.

    Beckett Group was naturally involved since the project was based in Sna City.

    Despite being rooted in Belbanks, KS Group, as one of the country''s wealthiest corporations, was confident in securing Project A5.

    In the past, Alyssa could switch into work mode quickly. Lately, however, her thoughts were constantly drifting, making it hard to focus. Eventually, she couldn''t resist and decided to call Julien.

    The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered. When he did, Alyssa heard Julien''s exhausted, hoarse voice.

    "Hey, Lyse."

    "Jul!"

    Truthfully, Alyssa hadn''t expected him to answer. Hearing his familiar voice filled her with relief, and she nearly cried.

    "H-How have you been?" she stammered.

    "I''ve been pretty okay," Julien answered icily.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    But Alyssa could sense he wasn''t okay at all. He was clearly just trying to hold it together. "Jul... we miss you. Jonah, too-

    "Why did you call, Lyse?" Julien interrupted, his voice cold. He clearly didn''t want to talk about Jonah. "I''m fine. You don''t need to worry. If there''s nothing else, I''ve got things to do."

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain in her chest. Desperate, she blurted out, "There is!"

    "Go ahead."

    "It''s about Jasper''s headaches... I''d like to talk to you about that." She went on to exin everything Joseph had spected.

    After a long pause, Julien spoke. "If what Jasper consumed was truly a highly concentrated drug, it''s likely that even his everyday life will be severely affected in the future. After experiencing euphoria, his brain will fall into extreme agony. He will begin to exhibit severe withdrawal symptoms, losing control of his nerves and body. The situation will only worsen."

    In an urgent voice, Alyssa asked, "How will he get some relief, then?"

    Julien''s tone was calm but serious. "He''ll experience immediate relief if he continues taking the drug."

    "Jul, you can''t be serious! Jasper is strong, upright... How can you suggest he take drugs?'' Alyssa gasped, her eyes wide with shock.

    "Even if I told him to stop, wouldn''t he eventually seek it out on his own?" Julien''s voice was cold and logical. "If he''s already deeply addicted, using may be the only way to cope."

    "Another option is for him to quit," Julien continued. "But can Jasper survive the torment and excruciating pain of withdrawal? Even if he could, wouldn''t people start to suspect something if he stayed out of the public eye for too long or began to act strangely?

    "Spection would arise, and those with ill intent might take advantage of the situation. If that happens, what do you think his future will look like?"

    Alyssa leaned back against her chair, trembling and devastated. Her eyes filled with tears, and her heart ached.

    If the public ever learned that the esteemed president of Beckett Group was a drug addict, thepany''s stock would plummet, and its reputation would be ruined. Beckett Group would face chaos, and Jasper would lose everything he had worked so hard to build.

    "It all depends on what Jasper chooses now," Julien said grimly. "Whether he wants to preserve his career or escape from the clutches of this evil."

 Chapter 2312

    ?

    Julien paused and sighed. "That said, I feel like Jasper will choose the former-his career. A man who''s reached the top in life will never let himself fall back to the bottom. Especially someone as prideful and with such high self -esteem as him."

    "Beckett Group is the result of Jasper''s sweat and effort. I was his wife for three whole years. I know better than anyone how hard he worked to get where he is today." Alyssa shook her head in anguish. "He will never give up on Beckett Group, no matter how much it drains him."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "There''s no cure for drug addiction. The only way to ovee it is through sheer willpower. All I can do is help him find some relief. I''m sorry, Lyse," Julien said, his voice strained with pain.

    "Don''t say that, Jul. You''ve done a lot for Jasper. You''ve done more than enough...

    Alyssa blinked, her eyes swollen. "Oh, right. Mandy and I visited Uncle Joseph the other day. He asked me to pass on a message to you. He wanted me to tell you.... that he''s sorry."

    A long silence befell on Julien''s end.

    "It''s all in the past now. Besides him being dead-set against my rtionship with Jonah in the beginning, there was never a time when I truly hated him.''

    Julien took a deep breath as though forcing himself to suppress his emotions and let out a small chuckle of relief. "Looking back, maybe I should have listened to Dad. If I hadn''t gotten involved with Jonah, I suppose I''d be much, much happier than I am now."

    After ending the call, Alyssa felt like her heart had been trampled by a herd of horses. The exhaustion and sorrow she felt were beyond words.

    She could tell that Julien still hadn''t moved on from Jonah. But how could they possibly heal the deep wounds that separated them?

    At that moment, Alyssa''s phone vibrated with a WhatsApp notification. Jonah had written, "Lyse, I found out where Julien is. I''ll be flying to Mosgravia tonight to see him."

    Despite the heaviness in her heart, Alyssa responded with encouragement. "Make sure to bring Jules back. You can do this, Jonah!"

    Jonah replied, "Don''t push yourself if you''re tired. Mandy and the others can help too."

    Just then, Sean approached with a cup of coffee. cing it on her desk, he said, "Ms. Alyssa, the weather''s bad today. It''s raining and snowing, so the roads are muddy and slippery. It might be better to inspect the project site tomorrow."

    "Alright, that sounds good," Alyssa replied, taking the cup. After a moment of thought, she added, "Come with me to visit Grandpa Newton this afternoon."

    After lunch, Sean drove Alyssa to the vi at Crescent Bay.

    "Grandpa Newton, guess who''s here to see you?"

    As Alyssa stepped through the door, she was surprised to find Newton dressed sharply, sitting in his wheelchair, which Ben was pushing toward the entrance.

    "Wee, Alyssa. Despite his kind smile, Newton''s eyes showed a slight look of panic as though her sudden visit had flustered him.

    "Grandpa Newton, were you about to go out?"

    "Yeah. I''m off to visit an old friend."

    "The weather''s pretty bad out there. Let me take you, Grandpa Newton."

    But Newton quickly refused. "No need, Alyssa. Ben can take me. It''s freezing outside. Why don''t you head home. for now ande by tomorrow? Or wait for me at home-we''ll have dinner together when I get back." Suspicion stirred within Alyssa as she watched Newton and Ben leave.

    Newton always shared everything with her, never keeping secrets. Of all his old friends, only a few were still alive, and Alyssa had met them all.

    There was no reason for him to hide anything.

    Hearing Newton''s car pull away, Alyssa rushed out of the vi. She jumped into her car and ordered, "Sean, follow them!"

 Chapter 2313

    ?

    The sky was gray as freezing rain fell in the midst of the wind and snow, making Alyssa''s heart feel even heavier.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    An hourter, Newton''s car came to a stop at a cemetery in the western suburbs.

    The car door opened, and Ben, holding an umbre, helped the faltering Newton out. Newton chose not to use his wheelchair and instead walked slowly into the cemetery.

    "Miss Alyssa, this cemetery isn''t considered expensive. It''s wheremoners are buried. Given Mr. Beckett Senior''s family background, could he possibly have friends among ordinary people?" Sean asked, watching Newton with a perplexed expression. "Who could Mr. Beckett Senior be visiting in this terrible weather? He''s not even using his wheelchair. It''s making me really curious.

    Alyssa stared out the window with a gloomy gaze. After some hesitation, she opened the door, got out, and quietly followed behind them, careful not to be noticed.

    After a while, she saw Newton and Ben stop in front of a gravestone. They bowed deeply and ced a bouquet of white daisies they had prepared.

    Due to the distance, Alyssa couldn''t make out the name or picture on the gravestone.

    People typically visited the cemetery at dawn or in the morning. Yet Newton chose to drop by in the afternoon, which was somewhat unusual.

    "Mr. Newton, it''s so cold out here. Your lungs can''t handle this weather. Let''s leave," Ben said with concem, taking off his coat and draping it over Newton.

    Newton coughed. "I''m fine."

    Staring at the bright smile of the woman on the gravestone, Newton was filled with regret. In a hoarse voice, he whispered, "She was such a good person. I was the one who wronged her... Our family wronged her. I don''t even know if I''ll make it to this time next year. Just let me stay with her a little longer."

    Alyssa''s heart ached as she overheard Newton''s words from where she hid behind a tree.

    Before she could process what she had heard, a in-looking woman with white hair stormed up to Newton, her eyes bloodshot with anger. "It''s you! How dare you... How dare youe here to visit my daughter?

    Ben quickly stepped forward, shielding Newton, but Newton gently pushed him aside.

    Alyssa''s heart raced as she watched the scene unfold.

    "Ms. Rollins, I''ve been deeply sorry for your daughter''s death all these years. When Millie worked with the Beckett family, she was dedicated, hardworking, capable, and smart. We all liked her very much," Newton said with deep coughs, stepping forward with regret etched across his face.

    "Our family is responsible for that ident. I''ve never forgotten about Millie." His voice softened further as he bowed deeply. "Please let me apologize again. I''m so sorry."

    With a trembling body, Newton bowed deeply to Esther Rollins.

    Mildred Hayes'' mother, Esther,ughed bitterly through her tears. "That ident? If it was just an ident, why are you sneaking around to visit my daughter? You know very well how Millie died! It was Mr. Justin who caused her death!"

    Those words came to Alyssa like a lightning bolt. She widened her eyes in shock.

    This woman''s daughter was probably once a helper who worked with the Beckett family. However, she ended up dying in a so-called ''ident".

    And this woman was using Justin of being the man behind her daughter''s death?

    Ben stepped forward, looking distressed. "Ms. Rollins, Mr. Beckett Senior sympathizes with your loss, but you

    can''t make such usations without evidence. We could sue you for defamation!"

    Yet Newton remained silent, sorrow weighing heavily on his face.

    Esther''s bitterugh echoed in the cold air. "It''s been 20 years. Your family even cremated my daughter''s body by force. What evidence could I possibly have left?

    "You people deceived everyone to protect that twisted grandson of yours. You bribed and threatened us, took my husband and son hostage, and forced me to stop investigating Millie''s death.

    "Out of concern for my family, I''ve kept my hatred hidden for years. But living with this secret has been a living hell. For 20 years, I''ve been gued by nightmares of Millie, crying, asking why I haven''t avenged her death.''

    Esther was crying so hard that her words faltered. She cried out in anguish, "I failed my daughter. I don''t deserve to be her mother. If I don''t seek justice for Millie, I''ll never be able to face her in the afterlife!"

    A gust of icy wind sent a shiver down Alyssa''s spine, and her expression darkened.

    Esther was ovee with a mix of tears andughter, her emotions teetering on the edge of a breakdown as she faced her enemy''s family.

    "My husband is gravely ill, nearing the end of his life. And justst month, I lost my son in a tragic ident. There''s nothing else that truly matters to me now.

    "I''m clinging to life for one reason only-to see justice done for Millie. I want Mr. Justin to confess his crimes and face the consequences."

    Deep down, Alyssa felt extremely sorrowful.

    Esther watched her loved ones slip away, one by one. It seemed like fate was particrly cruel to those who didn''t deserve such hardship.

    But what truly troubled Alyssa was how a 14-year-old like Justin could have been responsible for the death of an adult woman.

    "Ms. Rollins... I understand... how you feel..." Newton pressed a hand to his aching chest. Taking a deep breath, he continued with difficulty, "But I assure you, your daughter''s death was an ident. It had nothing... to do... with my oldest grandson."

 Chapter 2314

    ?

    As soon as Newton spoke, Esther flew into a rage, her bloodshot eyes ring at him as she charged forward.

    Alyssa''s heart raced, and she prepared to intervene. But before she could act, Ben stepped forward, grabbing Esther''s wrists with a firm grip, preventing her from moving or harming Newton.

    "Bastards! Demons! All of you Becketts are ruthless demons!" Esther''s eyes bulged with fury as she struggled and shouted, "I won''t give up! Your grandson will pay for his crime, or you can get rid of me right now!"

    The heated confrontation quickly attracted the attention of the cemetery''s security guards. Two of them rushed over and restrained Esther, pulling her away.

    "Mr. Newton, this is a serious issue. We can''t just ignore her," Ben said, his usual tenderness reced with a sharp, determined gaze. "If she goes out and spreads rumors, it could cause a public uproar and severely damage Beckett Group''s reputation. Do you want me to take care of her?"

    "What are you talking about?" Newton, clutching his chest in pain, his face pale and twisted, replied weakly. "Their family has suffered enough... because of me! What else are you going to do? Do you want me to push her to her death?"

    Before he could finish speaking, his brows drew together in a tight frown. Then, his weak body gave way, and he copsed to the ground.

    "Mr. Newton!" Ben''s face drained of color as he caught Newton''s limp body in his arms.

    This was a critical moment. Alyssa ran toward them at full speed. She dropped down to one knee beside Newton and immediately began administering CPR.

    "Ms. Alyssa! Why are you-" Ben''s eyes widened in shock.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Focused, with sweat dripping from her brow, Alyssamanded, "Get in my car, Mr. Gorham. I''ll drive Grandpa Newton to the hospital!"

    They reached the hospital in record time, thanks to Alyssa''s impable driving.

    Because they acted quickly, Newton was no longer in a critical condition and could be transferred to a regr ward.

    Initially, Ben wanted to notify Javier and the others, but Alyssa stopped him.

    With a profound look in her eyes, she said, "Don''t call Mr. Javier and the others toe over for now. I''d like to have a private talk with Grandpa."

    Ben hesitated, an uneasy expression crossing his face. "But, with Mr. Newton''s condition..."

    Alyssa deliberated over it for a moment. She pressed her lips together and said, "If you must, call Mr. Jasper."

    It wasn''t because she was desperate to see Jasper, but Javier''s presence couldplicate matters further, and Justin was even less trustworthy.

    Ben nodded seriously and stepped outside to make the call.

    Once alone, Alyssa took a deep breath and quietly approached the hospital bed. Sitting down beside it, she gently held Newton''s wrinkled hands.

    "Grandpa Newton, how are you feeling? Do you still feel ufortable in any way?"

    "I feel much better... Thank you, Alyssa..." Newton had his eyes half-closed, and his breathing was shallow. "If you hadn''t saved me in time, I''m afraid... I probably wouldn''t have made it."

    "Don''t say that, Grandpa Newton. You''re going to live a long life." A hint of sorrow crept into Alyssa''s trembling

    voice. "I followed you in secret today. I hope that didn''t upset you."

 Chapter 2315

    ?

    Newton''s eyes widened as he clenched his fists. "Alyssa... you''

    "I saw and heard everything that happened at the cemetery today."

    Alyssa took a deep breath, her voice steady, "Grandpa Newton, was what Ms. Rollins said true? Did Justin really cause her daughter''s death?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Newton''s pupils constricted. He closed his eyes, as if trying to avoid Alyssa''s questions.

    Alyssa''s gaze sharpened. ''Grandpa Newton, your reaction has already answered my question."

    Newton remained silent.

    "I know what''s on your mind. Justin is Mr. Javier''s eldest son, and he grew up right alongside you. Even though you might favor Jasper, you wouldn''t want something from the past to tarnish Justin''s reputation. After all, he was still a minor back then. No matter what he''s done, as a Beckett, you''ll do anything to protect him."

    Alyssa''s words hit the mark, each one piercing with precision. She continued, "But you also believe his actions were unforgivable. You''ve been angry but too afraid to expose him. Keeping this secret for so many years must have been agonizing.

    "Yet, I know you still have a kind heart. You can''t bear to hurt anyone. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have braved the cold and snow to visit that woman''s grave if you didn''t care, even though you weren''t feeling well.

    Suddenly, it all clicked for Alyssa. No wonder Newton had always been so cautious around Justin. With such a terrible secret weighing on him, how could he not be tense and guarded?

    Newton gritted his teeth, struggling for words.

    Seeing his distress, Alyssa pressed on. "If you won''t tell me the truth, the only option I have is to approach the victim''s family for answers."

    "No! Alyssa, please... don''t upset that poor woman again," Newton pleaded, grasping her arms with trembling hands. His eyes filled with tears as he confessed, "Her name was Mildred Hayes. She worked for me as a helper when I lived at Seaview Manor. She looked after my daily needs.

    "Her death... it was connected to Justin, but it was unintentional. It was an ident... Justin was crying and panicking when he came to me, begging me to save her."

    Alyssa furrowed her brows. Even though she loved and respected Newton, doubts crept into her mind about his story.

    "Justin was only 14. His mother''s death had already devastated him. If he had been sent to jail for that incident, his life would have been ruined. I watched him grow up. He''s my eldest grandson... I couldn''t bear to see him imprisoned!"

    "So you chose to dispose of Mildred''s body on his behalf and make it look like an ident?'' Alyssa''s voice grew cold.

    A chill ran through her as the realization sank in. ''Grandpa Newton, how could you think only of your grandson''s life? Someone should have been held ountable for Mildred''s life. Did you ever consider that? You erased the incident, but how was her family supposed to heal from it?

    "Justin may be Mr. Javier''s son, someone you care for deeply, but Mildred was also someone''s precious daughter. Are you saying that in your eyes, some lives matter more than others?''

    Newton''s voice trembled with pain. "Alyssa..."

    "Grandpa Newton, don''t you realize what you''ve done? By covering for a criminal, you''ve be an aplice!"

    With tears in her eyes, Alyssa''s voice red with intensity. "If you won''t stand up for that mother, then I will. I''ll get justice for Mildred."

    "No... No, you can''t!" Newton struggled to sit up. "Alyssa, I''ll do everything I can to make amends to Millie''s family. But please, don''t provoke Justin. I beg you, stay out of this!"

    Alyssa had a feeling that there was more to the story. She pushed, "Why?"

    Newton hesitated, his pale lips trembling as if he was about to reveal something, when suddenly, the door to his hospital room swung open. And in strode Jasper, his posture stiff, carrying an air of coldness with him.

 Chapter 2316

    "Grandpa." Jasper''s breaths were heavy, and his eyes were dark as the night, concealing deep concern within. Unfortunately, his amygd had been damaged by drugs, sealing off his intense emotions. Despite the turmoil within, there was no way for those feelings to escape. As a result, Jasper appearedpletely cold and heartless.

    Newton and Alyssa exchanged knowing nces, seemingly able to read each other''s minds. Newton quickly wiped his tears and forced a kind smile. "Hey, Jasper... Thankfully, Alyssa was here to look after me, so I''m fine now. Don''t worry."

    Alyssa''s thoughts were still fixed on Newton''s earlier advice. Her eyshes fluttered slightly as she spaced out. It wasn''t until she sensed a cold, masculine presence beside her that she lifted her head, only to find Jasper''s intense gaze locked on hers. He pursed his lips slightly, lowering his eyes.

    In that instant, it was as if someone had pressed the pause button on her heart. Her cheeks flushed pink as she panicked and quickly looked away.

    She felt utterly useless. Deep down, she was still deeply in love with him. Whether his beautiful eyes sparkled like stars or were as dark as night, she would always lose herself in them again and again...

    "You brat, why are you just standing there? You should be thanking Alyssa." Newton grunted angrily, "If it hadn''t been for her, you would''ve lost me!"

    Jasper was about to speak when Alyssa shot to her feet. She didn''t look at Jasper at all. Instead, she smiled meekly at Newton. "Grandpa Newton, I''m d you''re fine now. I still have work to do, so I''ll be heading back. I''ll visit you another day."

    "Alyssa, wait!" Newton called out, wanting to stop her, but she had already left the hospital room, almost as if fleeing.

    Jasper gazed at the empty doorway, a deep look in his eyes.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "You jerk, why are you spacing out? Go after her, quick!" Newton gathered all his strength and shakily lifted his leg to kick Jasper.

    ...

    Alyssa pressed her hands to her reddened cheeks as she hurried toward the parking lot.

    "Oof!"

    Lost in her thoughts, she hadn''t noticed Jasper standing just a few feet away. When she bumped into him, her face collided with his muscr chest, causing the tip of her nose to sting.

    Jasper''s lips parted slightly, and he narrowed his eyes, gazing down at her head. In a deep voice, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, why are you so careless? Didn''t you look where you were going?" Alyssa had teared up from the pain. Rubbing her nose, she frowned and retorted, "It''s your fault for popping out of nowhere! Don''t you have anything better to do?"

    With that, Alyssa stepped to her left to storm away.

    Narrowing his eyes, Jasper mirrored her movements.

    Alyssa then moved to the right, only to find him mirroring her actions once again as if he were determined to block her path.

    Frustrated, she bit her lip and turned to leave. Suddenly, Jasper grabbed her arm. With a gentle tug, he pulled her into his arms.

    "W-What are you doing? We''ve broken up!" Alyssa shrieked, a mix of embarrassment and frustration flooding her. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot.

    With a cold look in his eyes, Jasper answered in an emotionless voice, "Yes, we have. I was the one who wanted to break up."

    Alyssa felt a sharp pain pierce her heart and struggled against him. "What the hell are you trying to do now?"

    Jasper said, "Thank you for saving Grandpa today."

    "It was Grandpa Newton who told you to say that, wasn''t it?" Alyssa scoffed, her eyes reddening. "I don''t care about getting forced expressions of gratitude." Agitated, Jasper furrowed his brow. "What do you want, then?"

    Alyssa''s gaze met Jasper''s vacant eyes, her heart heavy with sorrow. Once, those eyes had held warmth and affection, always patient and understanding.

    She remembered the days when

    he''d listened to her rants and tears, offering only gentle smiles andforting words. He''d always indulged in her, never once showing impatience.

    She had no choice but to face the painful truth now-she was no longer important to him.

    Despite everything, she found herself saying, "I want you to promise me something."

    Perhaps she was reluctant to resign herself to this fate.

    Looking at her intently, Jasper urged, "Tell me."

    "I haven''t thought of anything yet, but I''ll let you know once I do." She lifted her chin slightly. "But you must agree to it when I make my request. Only then can that be counted as you repaying me. How about that?"

    "You''re not asking to get back together with me, right?" A look of suspicion shed in Jasper''s eyes.

    Alyssa''s chest tightened. "In your

    dreams! I''ve divorced you and we''ve broken up. Why would I still want be together with you? There are so many good men out there. Why would I limit myself to just you? That would be so low."

    Good men? Was she referring to Justin?

    Those words echoed in Jasper''s mind. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on her wrist.

    "Ouch..." Alyssas shifted her shoulders in a subtle attempt to free herself, feeling delicate and tender.

    "Okay, I promise." Gazing deeply into her eyes, Jasper stated seriously, "I will agree to whatever your request is."

    Alyssa felt a swell of emotion. She sniggered slightly and asked, "What if I asked you tomit murder or hurt someone?"

    "I would do as you asked," Jasper replied without hesitation. "But based on the Alyssa I know, she would never be so cruel." Alyssa''s eyes lit up and a wide smile spread across her face. She raised her left hand. "It''s a deal, then. High five!" "Deal." Jasper''s Adam''s apple bobbed slightly as he returned the gesture.

 Chapter 2317

    On the way home from the hospital, Alyssa reyed Jasper''s words in her mind, recalling the promise they''d sealed with a high five. Her heart swelled with a mix of emotions that she could barely define. Watching the snowfall outside, her eyes shimmered with tears. Softly, she murmured to herself, "Alyssa, he came to see you of his own ord and was willing to go along with what you wanted. Isn''t that enough? "You no longer have the right to be carefree and proud in front of him. You need to be grateful."

    As Sean drove, he nced into the rearview mirror. Seeing Alyssa''s deste expression stirred a deep sorrow within him.

    Being separated from Jasper had turned Alyssa''s world upside down. If Jasper were to die, Alyssa''s life would bepletely shattered.

    Perhaps having Jasper alive was the best oue fate could offer after all they had endured, however bittersweet it was.

    "Ms. Alyssa, it''ste. Why don''t you go home to rest instead of heading back to KS Group? You''ll soon be busy with the fight for Sna City''s Project A5," Sean said gently, concerned when he saw how pale Alyssa looked. Alyssa frowned, looking troubled. Instead of responding to Sean''s suggestion, she said, "Sean, there''s someone I''d like you to look into."

    Sean responded immediately, "Of course. Tell me more."

    "20 years ago, a woman named Mildred Hayes worked as a helper at Seaview Manor, caring for Grandpa Newton. Her mother''sst name is Rollins, and she still lives in Sna City."

    The grievance in her expression disappeared, reced by her usual calm andposed demeanor. She continued, "This woman was killed by Justin 20 years ago, but the exact circumstances and cause of her death remain unclear. We need to uncover the full story." This revtion shocked Sean. "Justin was involved in a murder at such a young age? He''s the devil incarnate, isn''t he?"

    "I suppose. I can''t believe that an elegant and gentle man who''s passionate about charity could have such a dark side to him. If I hadn''t seen and heard it for myself at the cemetery, I wouldn''t have believed it."

    Alyssa coldly stated, "It''s terrifying that someone like him-someone who could put on such an act is living under the same roof as Jasper and posing as his life-savior. Doesn''t this make you feel afraid?" Justin''s elegant and bright face shed in Sean''s mind, making him shudder. "It''s absolutely terrifying!"

    "That''s why we must get to the bottom of this. Generally speaking, a murderer should answer for his sins. Even if Justin was still a minor back then, it doesn''t excuse him from justice."

    Alyssa closed her eyes, hiding the

    199

    fierceness in her gaze. She steadied her breath and continued, "If he dares to reveal his true nature and tries to hurt Jasper, we''ll have leverage to control him. Perhaps that leverage could help Jasper when it matters the most

    Sean admired Alyssa''s strategicposure. She was no longer impulsive, but measured and astute.

    Then, a thought struck Sean. In a chilling tone, he remarked, "Ms. Alyssa, if Justin could kill at 14, that shows a naturally cold-blooded, brutal side."

    Alyssa remained calm. "Don''t you

    think his behavior resembles his

    uncle, Zachary Dutton? Moreover, Mrs. Rosie has shared that he used

    to torture and kill animals. Given that it isn''t surprising he couldmit murder." Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Wide-eyed, Sean asked, "But killing animals and murdering a person... Are they really the same?"

    "In essence, both acts stem from a

    animals he tortured. When that

    stopped thrilling him, he naturally shifted his focus to people. This pattern ismon among many psychopathic killers."

    "But Ms. Alyssa," Sean asked, finally voicing a question that had troubled him, "if Justin is so disturbed, how could he have saved Mr. Jasper''s life? Doesn''t his ruthlessness contradict that act?" Upon hearing that, Alyssa stiffened up. The look in her eyes was gloomy.

    Unaware of the tension, Sean continued, "If I were him, I''d have bribed the kidnappers. I''d use the situation to get rid of my younger brother once and for all so that he no longer stands in my way.

    "After all, Mr. Jasper was just an unwee illegitimate child in the Beckett family at the time. If he died just like that, it probably wouldn''t cause much of an uproar either. People would forget him soon enough." The more Alyssa mulled over it, the more her heart raced. She tightened her grip on the car door handle.

 Chapter 2318

    Could that be the case? Could Justin really have harbored such sinister ns at such a young age?

    Alyssa wasn''t keen to believe in a conspiracy, but she had begun to suspect something two years ago. How could a 15-year-old manage to rescue Jasper from the kidnappers'' hideout? Even an adult would have struggled to pull that off. It would have been impossible for a teenager like him.

    Moreover, the kidnapper-Gustav Holm, infamously known as "Crazy Gustav" among gangs was a vicious criminal with numerous kills to his name. And yet, Justin freed a captive right under his nose. Forget Gustav; if Alyssa herself had been in his ce, Justin''s return to the Beckett family would have been out of the question.

    Snapping back to reality, Alyssa quickly pulled out her phone and called Ss.

    As soon as he picked up, she said, "Ss, can you help me retrieve a case file? I need to look at something."

    Ss sighed. It was either radio silence from Alyssa or a shocking request like this. "Lyse, case files aren''t something we can just hand out. There are rules."

    "In that case, you can exin it to me. This wouldn''t be against the rule, would it?"

    Ss was rendered speechless. "What case are you interested in?"

    "It''s the case from 20 years ago when Gustav Holm kidnapped the Beckett brothers."

    Ss was perplexed. "Lyse, why are you suddenly looking into that?"

    "You don''t need to know why. Just look it up for me."

    After a pause, Alyssa asked, "How many years was Gustav sentenced to? Do you remember the case details?"

    "I recall he was initially sentenced to death. Later, due to good behavior and assisting the police in a burry case, he was deemed to have atoned for his crimes. And so, his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. "However, his aplice got 25 years. Considering time off for good behavior, he might be released soon."

    Alyssa narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.

    Late that night, Newtony connected to an IV drip. Jasper sat by his bedside in the ward, keeping watch.

    "Jasper, you must secure Project A5

    in Sna City this time. If you do no one will be able to threaten your

    position in the Beckett Group even if

    I''m no longer around." even if

    With a firm and hopeful look in his eyes, Newton gazed at the grim expression on Jasper''s face.

    Jasper sped Newton''s weathered

    hands tightly and, in a low voice, reassured him, "Don''t say that,

    Grandpa. You''ll live a long, blessed

    life. Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I''m old. I''ve lived for long enough. I only have two wishes-for you to fully seed in Beckett Group and for you and Alyssa to reconcile."

    A lump rose in Jasper''s throat. He curled his fingers inward slightly.

    "Jasper, I''m sure you remembered how you cried in front of me back then, saying you wanted Alyssa back."

    Jasper''s pupils constricted slightly as a mix of inexplicable emotions brewed within.

    "I refuse to believe you no longer love Alyssa. You were so deeply in love with her before. Just because you took a couple of pills... you lost your love for her? Fucking bullshit!"

    Newton''s burst of agitation made his chest hurt. A pained expression came across his face.

    Jasper quicklyforted him. "Grandpa, please take care of yourself. The doctor warned that stress and anger won''t help." Newton insisted, "In that case... Promise me you''ll win Alyssa back."

    Jasper looked ufortable, his voice low. "Grandpa, she and I have "

    Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Justin''s warm voice came from the other side. "Grandpa, I''m here. May Ie in?"

 Chapter 2319

    Coincidentally, both Jasper''s and Newton''s expressions darkened, and they both fell into silence. It was as if they had read each other''s minds and learned that neither of them wanted to let Justin in. Yet, their unwee guest had already taken the liberty ofing in. Ben, who had been waiting at the door, reluctantly opened it for Justin.

    "Grandpa, I heard that your condition suddenly red up. How are you feeling? Are you feeling better now?"

    Then, as if only just noticing Jasper in the room, Justin''s eyes flickered briefly. He gave a warm smile. "Oh, Jasper. You''re here too."

    Jasper''s expression remained grim. He nodded slightly. "Hey, Justin."

    "If I''d known Jasper was here, I would''vee tomorrow instead. I don''t want to disrupt your rest." Justin wheeled himself over to Newton''s bedside.

    "It''s fine, Justin," Newton replied, though his smile seemed forced. "But it''ste, and you''re not in great health yourself. You didn''t have to make a trip to visit me."

    Justin leaned forward slightly, a subtle gleam in his eyes. "Grandpa, you''ve always treated me the best and loved me the most. I wouldn''t feel right not being by your side while you''re in the hospital." Newton''s body trembled slightly beneath the nket at Justin''s words.

    Jasper noticed the change but kept his expression neutral. He masked his doubts, a skill essential for someone in a high position.

    Over the years, Jasper had be adept at concealing his emotions, though it often left him feeling isted. Recently, those feelings had begun to resurface, filling his lonely nights with a sense of emptiness and a coldness that crept through him. With a gentle expression on his face, Justin spoke again. "Grandpa, there''s something I''d like to discuss with you in private. Would that be alright?"

    Newton shot Jasper a conflicted look. "Is it urgent? Jasper isn''t an outsider. You can just go ahead and say it."

    "Grandpa, I''ll leave you and Justin to chat. See you." Jasper didn''t want to intrude, so he turned and left the room with Ben.

    As he closed the door, he could faintly hear Justin''s voice. There was a sense of tenderness in his voice which he had never heard before. "Grandpa, I''ve found someone I care about." Jasper froze. Subconsciously, he pressed his lips together tightly.

    In a surprised tone, Newton asked, "Oh? There''s someone who caught your fancy? Is she someone from Mosgravia, or did you meet her in Sna City?"

    "She''s someone you know. Not just you-Jasper knows her too."This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    A soft smile as gentle as a breeze spread across Justin''s elegant and charming face. He continued, "It''s Alyssa Taylor. I really like her."

    "What? Y-You have feelings for Alyssa?" Newton''s eyes widened, his face paling.

    Standing outside the door, Jasper caught every word. Each one pierced his chest like a slender needle, invisible yet sharp, leaving wounds that bled silently within him.

    "That''s right," Justin admitted with a calm smile.

    Newton forced himself to remainposed, though his voice trembled slightly. "S-Since when?"

    "It just happened without me realizing it. Feelings can be difficult to exin," Justin replied, picking up an apple and a knife from the

    bedside table and slowly peelin

    "Ms. Alyssa used to be the woman Jasper loved. They were in love, and Iwas genuinely happy for them. I have never considered taking her from him.

    "After all, Jasper is my only brother-the one I risked my life to save. He''s had a difficult life since childhood. He came into our family with Anne, only to be scorned by everyone. He''scked love all his life, so of course, I was happy en he found someone he loved

    As he stood outside, chills ran through Jasper, his hands clenching into fists. Justin''s words might have sounded caring, even empathetic but to Jasper, they felt like invisible hands tearing open a wound in his heart that had only just begun to heal.

    Very few people mentioned Jasper''s past since he''d be the Beckett family heir, as doing so meant challenging his authority.

 Chapter 2320

    Justin, whether intentional or not, had struck a nerve with Jasper. Yet, Justin was his older brother, someone Jasper deeply respected. Jasper could only restrain himself. "But right now, Jasper and Ms. Alyssa are separated. Since he no longer wants her, I want her. Grandpa, you''ll support me, won''t you?"

    A slight smile appeared on Justin''s lips as a strip of apple peel fell to the floor. "I know you''ve always been fond of Ms. Alyssa and wanted her to marry into our family. If she and Jasper aren''t meant to be, then I''ll be the one to marry her. That way, your wish will still be fulfilled, right?"

    Despite Justin''s calm, graceful demeanor, he radiated an unspoken intensity. Jasper held his breath, his frown deepening.

    Newton braced himself, struggling to keep hisposure. He attempted to sit up butcked the strength. With a strained breath, he murmured, "Justin, it''s not that I have anything against you or that I don''t support you and Alyssa. It''s just that I understand Alyssa deeply. "Jasper holds a ce in her heart, and he''ll be the only one she loves for the rest of her life. She won''t be able to ept anyone else.

    "Alyssa is a stubborn woman. She''s unyielding. If you were to push her... I''m afraid things won''t end well for either of you."

    "Nothing is impossible for someone determined. I''ll treat her sincerely. She will ept me eventually." Although Justin''s smile reached his eyes, a chilling coldness still emanated from him-it was so cold that even those around him could feel it. "After all, patience is one of my virtues. I just want your approval, Grandpa. You won''t stand in my way, will you?"

    Newton''s face twitched slightly as he struggled to maintainposure, uncertain how to respond.

    ...

    Jasper''s vision blurred as he leaned against the wall for support, staggering to the basement parking lot. He was panting heavily.

    "Mr. Beckett! What happened to you?" Xavier rushed to assist Jasper as he swayed unsteadily.

    "The pills..."

    Xavier was stunned. "What did you say?"

    Jasper''s body trembled as he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a bag of blue pills.

    Recognizing them as those Sheryl had given him, Xavier tried to snatch them away, but Jasper was already desperate. He tipped the pills into his mouth, swallowing them all at once.

    "Mr. Beckett! How could you take the pills from that woman? She works for Mr. Justin. She can''t be trusted! What if it''s poison?"Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Xavier... I can''t take it anymore..." Jasper uttered, leaning on Xavier. His face was pale, glistening with sweat. "I don''t know if it''s a side effect of Jameson''s pills, but the only relief I get is from these pills Sheryl gave me."

    Xavier''s heart sank, a sense of dread building within him. He had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

    With Xavier''s help, Jasper got into the car. Then, they drove off.

    As their taillights faded into the

    night, Sheryl emerged from behind a

    pir, lifting her phone with a smirk She put it to her ear. "Mr. Justin Jasperis now addicted. He can''t stay away from Crystal Ice now."

    "It took him long enough to give in. My brother is far more strong-willed than I''d imagined," Justin replied. He sounded menacingly evil. "But I''ve always relished a challenge, whether it''s with him or with Ms. Alyssa."

    Sheryl''s voice turned cold. "Do you n on taking action soon?"

    "Project A5 will be our opportunity. We''ll wait for the right moment."

    Three dayster, Alyssa had just finished a meeting at KS Group when Sean approached her. "Ms. Alyssa, I''ve found the address of Mildred''s mother."

    With a dim look in Alyssa''s eyes, she instructed, "Get the car. We''re going there now."

 Chapter 2321

    After lunch, Alyssa and Sean headed straight for Mildred''s home.

    This area was a well-known slum in Sna City. The poverty, neglect, and chaos were even more deste under a nket of snow.

    Mildred''s family lived in a rundown house with dirty bricks on the rooftop, giving the impression that the entire structure might copse with the slightest gust of wind.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    "This is terrible. How could this be?" Sean shook his head, feeling indignant. "The victim''s family lives in such dire conditions, and their lives have been shattered. Meanwhile, Justin continues to live as a high-and-mighty, well-respected scion,pletely unpunished for his crime. Where is the justice?"

    With a gloomy look in her eyes, Alyssa sighed. "How can an ordinary citizen fight against a powerful tycoon? This is only one case that you know of. There are countless other dehumanizing and immoral incidents in this world that remain hidden. Many people may never learn about them."

    As Alyssa and Sean conversed, they soon found themselves at the door to Mildred''s home.

    "Who are you both looking for?" An old woman walked over with a walking stick. Noticing how well-dressed Alyssa and Sean were, she couldn''t help but feel curious.

    "Hello, ma''am. We are looking for Mildred Hayes''s mother. Herst name is Rollins. Do you know her?" Alyssa gave the old woman a friendly smile.

    The old woman''s expression shifted to rm. "Why are you looking for her?"

    Sean stepped forward and smiled kindly. "Ma''am, we just want to speak with Ms. Hayes''s mother to gather some information about her daughter. We''re here to help, so don''t be nervous. We''re not bad people."

    "My advice to you both is to let it go!" The old woman shook her head helplessly. "Mildred''s mother might actually get aggressive if you mention Mildred. Besides, she''s already lost her mind. Even if you ask her something, she may not be able to provide coherent answers."

    Alyssa and Sean eximed in shock, "She''s gone insane?"

    Esther had been quite coherent when she shouted usations at Newton in the cemetery the other day, despite being agitated.

    The old woman rified, "She is only of unsound mind at times. When she''s sane, she wouldn''t say a thing. When she''s not, she''d wave a cleaver and yell at the walls."

    Alyssa probed, "What does she yell about?"

    "Something about the Becketts... But she mumbles, so I can''t really catch everything she says."

    Alyssa and Sean shot each other a look.

    After surveying their surroundings, Alyssa said indignantly, "Has no one evere to help this family over the years? Hasn''t anyone visited to improve their living conditions?"

    ???

    "There were, but Mildred''s mother chased them all away. Eventually, they stoppeding. I truly feel sorry for this family. I heard that their daughter worked as a helper for a prominent family to support her own, and then she just died unexpectedly. Mildred''s mother didn''t even get to see her onest time. It''s a tragedy."

    After saying that, the old woman shook her head and staggered away.

    "Ms. Alyssa, look over there!"

    Alyssa looked in the direction where Sean was pointing at. She froze.

    Ben and a bodyguard were walking toward them.

    Upon spotting Alyssa, Ben appeared startled. "M-Ms. Alyssa?"

    ...

    The atmosphere in the car felt inexplicably heavy.

    "Mr. Gorham, are you here today to help Ms. Rollins out, or are you here to shut her up?" The stern look in Alyssa''s eyes was terrifying.

    She was well aware that Ben was extremely loyal to Newton. He would eveny down his life for him. This level of loyalty also meant that he might engage in extreme and unrestrained behavior.

    "Ms. Alyssa, there are certain matters that you shouldn''t be interfering with." The muscles in Ben''s jaws tensed up. In a low-pitched voice, he added, "Some of these matters could have a butterfly effect."

    "I know that this is a matter involving

    the Beckett family. I do not wish to overstep either." Alyssa narrowed her eyes Her gaze became assertive and fiery. "However, there is a risk factor with Justin as his mental condition isn''t stable. On top of that, he''s extremely adept at pretending.

    "He has now returned to Beckett Group and is trying to oppress Jasper by using his identity as someone who has saved Jasper''s life. It''s also highly likely that he will be a threat to Jasper''s position as the heir to Beckett Group in the future." Ben denied it immediately. "It was unintentional on Mr. Justin''s part at the time! I watched him grow up. He has now be an extremely outstanding person!"

    "Is that so? Do you genuinely believe that he killed someone unintentionally?"

    Alyssa lifted the corners of her lips into an intimidating smirk. "A 14-year-old boy dared to take a life. Now that he''s a grown man with wealth, power, and cunning, what else would he fear?

    "My request is simple. I just want him to behave himself. For Grandpa Newton''s sake, I will not go against him. But, if he dares to do anything to Jasper, don''t me me for being ruthless. I''m sorry, but I won''t hold back for anyone when ites to that."

    Ben''s eyes widened, and a chill swept through him.

 Chapter 2322

    Ben often heard Newton refer to Alyssa as a heroine, but he never truly believed it. Today, he finally witnessed it with his own eyes. She embodied the strength expected of Winston''s daughter. Hermanding presence and intimidating demeanor would have many men humble themselves before her.

    "Ms. Alyssa, w-what are you trying to do?" Ben stammered, his voice trembling.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    With a stern look in her eyes, Alyssa answered, "Mr. Gorham, besides Grandpa Newton, I believe that you''re the only one who knows about Justin''s murder. Am I right? I want to know how Mildred actually died. How did you and Grandpa Newton dispose of her body?" Ben clenched his teeth, remaining silent.

    "Even if you refuse to speak, my family and I can find out. It''s only a matter of time." Alyssa forced a slight smile. "Once I discover the truth, I can''t guarantee what the consequences will be."

    "Ms. Alyssa, this is a serious matter! This incident involves Mr. Newton and threatens the entire Beckett family''s reputation. If word gets out, the corporation could be in grave danger. "Mr. Newton''s health has been declining. If anything were to happen to Beckett Group, he wouldn''t be able to take it!" Ben was on the brink of tears.

    With a fiery gaze, Alyssa said, "Grandpa Newton trusts me and dotes on me. To me, he is as important as my father. I know my limits, and I''ll ensure that Grandpa Newton remains unharmed." After a brief hesitation, Ben shut his eyes tightly. Finally, he spoke. "It was a stabbing."

    "How many times? Once? Twice?"

    "More than ten... I can''t remember the exact count but there were stab wounds all over her neck, chest, and lower abdomen. I just remember that the carpet was soaked in her blood." A wave of fury surged within Alyssa. She inhaled sharply.

    Just by looking at Justin''s appearance and gentlemanly demeanor, no one could associate him with such ruthless and psychotic behavior.

    "Mr. Justin is Mr. Newton''s oldest grandson, so he was important to him too. Mr. Newton had no choice but to do all he could to keep this incident a secret."

    Ben leaned back weakly. "I cleaned up the crime scene and burned the bloody carpet. We staged it to look like shemitted suicide by jumping off a building.

    "Then, through connections, we had a death certificate issued before sending her body to a crematorium for immediate cremation."

    The subsequent events were already made known.

    Alyssa''s eyes with rage.

    Justin couldn''t be forgiven for what

    he did, but what about Newton? He

    Vel

    covered up for his grandson and erased the traces of a life so thoughtlessly. Alyssa felt uncertain about how she would face that kind, elderly man in the future.

    Ben added, "Ms, Alyssa, please don''t worry. Mr. Newton will do all he can to secure Mr. Jasper''s position in the Beckett family. Even if Mr. Justin recoverspletely, he will never inherit Beckett Group. Mr. Newton will leave all of his shares and assets to Mr. Jasper only

    "Grandpa Newton has seen through Justin''s nature early on. He was wary and kept his distance while

    e focusing on raising Jasper. His love for Jasper was not only genuine, it was also a way to protect his youngest grandson from Justin''s

    potential betrayal."

    Alyssa''s heart felt heavy. She let out a deep sigh. "Mr. Gorham, I can''t forgive or condone what you and Grandpa Newton did. But I do appreciate you sharing this with me." With that, she opened the door and stepped out of the car, weighed down by worry.

    "Ms. Alyssa!" Sean hurried toward her. "Mr. Cyrus is inside! It seems he''s here on a work assignment."

    Alyssa''s eyes widened slightly. Afraid that she would get in the way of Cyrus''s mission, she approached cautiously.

    At that moment, Cyrus and a few inclothes officers were escorting three suspects into police cars.

    Cyrus was equally surprised to see Alyssa there. "Lyse, what are you doing here?"

    Alyssa went up to Cyrus. "I came to attend to some personal matters." Out of curiosity, she asked, "Cyrus, you''re arresting..."

    Cyrus kicked one of the car''s tires in frustration. Through gritted teeth, he replied, "Drug dealers."

    Upon hearing that, Sean stepped forward and shielded Alyssa behind him.

    "Hey, why are you being so on edge? I''m right here. If anyone dares to hurt my younger sister, I will freaking take him down!" Cyrus dered, his arrogance bordering on intimidating.

    The moment Alyssa heard that those suspects were drug dealers, she couldn''t help but be reminded of Jasper. That made her chest tighten.

    Cyrus sighed in frustration, his brows knitted tightly. "There''s a new type of drug circting in the underground world of Sna City. It''s vaguely reminiscent of the previous one." Alyssa asked, "What is it?"

    Cyrus held up a bag of blue pills as he spoke. "It''s called Crystal Ice."

 Chapter 2323

    Alyssa knitted her brows together tightly as she took that bag of pills from Cyrus and examined it.

    "This stuff is extremely addictive. Not only will its user be addicted just after a one-time consumption, but it also has few adverse reactions for its users. It can cause its users to be greatly excited; they wouldn''t feel tired even if they stay up for a few nights." Cyrus red at the criminals in the car with a fierce re. He burst out in anger, "Damn it! After so much effort getting rid of that drugpletelyst year, we now have this Crystal Ice? It''s freaking never-ending!"

    Alyssa asked, "Cyrus, was this Crystal Ice first distributed from Sna City? Is it avable in other cities?"

    "We haven''t heard of it being avable in other ces as of now. It only appeared within Sna City this month. We''re investigating the source of this drug. But we''ve only managed to arrest a few underlings to date. We haven''t had any breakthroughs yet." Alyssa pondered for a moment. Then she lowered her voice and said, "Cyrus, could you give me a pill? I''d like to use it for something."

    Cyrus was staggered. So, she quickly added, "Don''t worry. I won''t harm others, much less myself. I was just thinking of taking it back to get itsponents tested."

    "The Forensics Department in the force has tested it. This is a drug. There''s no doubt about that."

    "I have another use for it. Please make an exception, Cyrus."

    Cyrus pressed his lips together. In the end, he tipped one blue pill onto Sean''s palm while his colleagues weren''t looking.

    ...

    After bumping into Alyssa, Ben''s original n was disrupted. So, he could only leave silently after Cyrus left.

    Through the dirtied ss window, Alyssa and Sean could see Mildred''s mother, Esther, kneeling on the bed. Looking unkempt, she was facing a wall while raising a cleaver and cursing at it.

    That deranged and unreasonable behavior of hers was heart-wrenching to watch.

    "Ms. Alyssa, are we still going to enter?" Sean looked at Alyssa with a worried look in his eyes.

    Alyssa shook her head. With a dim gaze, she answered, "Let''s not bother her for now."

    "Didn''t you want to hear her side of the story?"

    "She''s not in the right mental state. Whatever she says cannot be presented as evidence in court. Let''s take some time toe up with another approach for now."

    Alyssa turned around and said, "Sean, get some people to protect Ms. Rollins secretly. Then, support her life financially through some subtle means."

    "Got it, Ms. Alyssa."

    Then, in a concerned voice, Sean continued, "Will Ms. Rollins use Justin? Will she go all out and expose the darkness within the Beckett family?"

    "It doesn''t matter whether she does

    all that. We just have to keep here

    safe." Alyssa welled up. "It has nothing to do with schemes of

    anybody''s interests. It''s just a little kind gesture of mine."

    Just then, her phone buzzed. As she nced at the screen, a deep sadness welled up inside her. It was a calendar reminder-Jasper''s birthday was in a week.

    Though she''d never forgotten his birthday, Alyssa always set a reminder, just in case. Now, however... What meaning did it hold? Even if she wanted to celebrate, would he even wee it?

    ...

    In the blink of an eye, it was a day before Jasper''s birthday. This year, he would turn 33.

    Newton originally nned to throw an extravagant celebration for Jasper. Given the Beckett Group''s shaky state and Justin''s sudden return, it felt like a timely gesture.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Even though Justin hadn''t interfered with the corporation''s businesses, his health condition had improved, and he was adept at making Javier happy.

    If this went on, he might just be an essential part of the corporation.

    Newton''s goal was to support

    Jasper in every way possible while he was still present, ensuring Jasper''s secure position as the

    corporation''s future leader. H

    hoped Jasper would take the

    opportunity to build his reputation in front of others.

    But, regrettably, Jasper wasn''t inclined to simply go along with it.

    all

    No matter how Newton tried to convince him, he wasn''t excited about having a birthday party at all In the end, all he agreed to was to have a dinner party at Berenike Hotel in the name of the Beckett family.

    Swn&

    That night, the banquet hall was bustling with attendees from the elite circles.

    Quite a number of wealthy scionesses heard that Jasper would show up tonight. Despite hearing that he was already attached, they dressed gorgeously and came over excitedly to look at him. Even though they couldn''t have him, there was nothing wrong with admiring his looks, was there?

    Nheless, outsiders were unaware that this beautifully-matched couple, Jasper and Alyssa, had already broken up.

    "Jasper, there are many scionesses from reputable families here tonight. They have alle out of their admiration for you."

    Javier and Jasper stood by a railing on the second floor as they looked down upon the morous banquet hall.

    With a smile on his face, Javier patted Jasper''s shoulder. "Let me know if anyone catches your fancy. I can help bring you together, no matter which family she''s from."

 Chapter 2324

    ?

    The look in Jasper''s eyes was deep. He replied in a cold and emotionless voice, "Thanks for your kind thoughts, but there''s no need for that."

    Javier frowned. He tightened his grip on Jasper''s shoulders. "Jasper, if you truly want to inherit Beckett Group, a marriage alliance is a responsibility you must shoulder! The doctor said youck emotion right now. In that case, all women should be equal in your eyes. Including Alyssa."

    "I''m doing very well right now. I don''t need a woman." Jasper frowned. "Even though I have broken up with Ms. Alyssa, you shouldn''t put her on the same ne as other women. After all, she was once very important to me."

    Very important-these two words tugged at his ice-cold heartstrings.

    "Jasper, are you staying that you haven''t moved on from that woman from the Taylor family?" Javier''s voice had a clear tone of displeasure.

    Icily, Jasper answered, "Dad, this is a personal matter of mine. I have the right not to answer you."

    "Jasper, I have been through life more than you have. Listen to my advice. When choosing a life partner, you have to choose a virtuous woman. Plus, she has to love you more than you love her."

    Javier gazed at the stunningly dressed women downstairs. He continued, "Even though Alyssa has an outstanding family background, she has been spoiled by Winston so much that she has grown to be unrestrained, ignorant, nosy, and a troublemaker.

    "She often puts herself in danger despite being unable to protect herself. She''s a ticking time bomb. Not only does she seem bent on dragging you down, but who knows if she''ll endanger our family one day? You don''t have nine lives for her to ruin!

    "Look at those women downstairs. They are not that far off from Alyssa in terms of their looks and family background. Most importantly, they love, admire, and cherish you like treasure. They can''t bear to see you suffer. Moreover, they will be able to bear children for our family!"

    Jasper smirked coldly. "So, this was the reason you married my mother?"

    Javier was at a loss for words.

    "Dad, it''s true that I had a brain injury, but I did not lose my memories. I haven''t forgotten the kind of woman Alyssa is."

    Jasper turned around nonchntly. Standing up straight, he continued, "I was once married, and I had a girlfriend.

    I ampletely uninterested in marriage and dating. I''m sorry, but I''m unable to meet your demands."

    Javier clenched his teeth as he exhaled sharply.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper had just taken a few steps when Javier suddenly called out. "Jasper!"

    Without turning back, Jasper said, ''Just save it if you''re still going to talk about having a marriage alliance."

    Javier shook his head helplessly. "I wanted you to receive Justin at the parking lot."

    Jasper stopped in his tracks.

    "Justin isn''t in the best of health, and this is his first time showing himself publicly since returning to the country. I''m afraid that he wouldn''t be used to it. You can look after him while you apany him."

    With Sean''spany, Alyssa arrived at Berenike Hotel on time.

    Right now, the situation between her and Jasper was awkward. So, it wouldn''t be suitable for her to attend an event organized by the Becketts in the first ce as it would bother both parties.

    But Newton called her again and again to extend his sincerest invitation. She didn''t have it in her to disrespect Newton, so she summoned up the courage toe.

    Her Spirit of Ecstasy Rolls-Royce was parked in the underground parking lot. Sean turned to her from the passenger seat. "Ms. Alyssa, I''ll walk you over."

    "It''s alright. I''m just dropping by to see Grandpa Newton for a bit. I won''t stay for long. Just wait for me here." Upon saying that, Alyssa opened the door and exited the car. Then, she strutted straight toward the hotel. Just as she stepped into the hallway, a bunch of reporters rushed toward her and surrounded her from all sides. "Ms. Alyssa! I heard that you and Mr. Beckett have broken up. Is that true?"

    Alyssa''s heart dropped. In an instant, her face turned pale.

    "Did you break up with him, or did he break up with you?"

    "You''re both a publicly-recognized model couple and a match made in heaven. What was the reason for your breakup? Was there a third party?"

    "A few years ago, you and Mr. Beckett divorced because of Ms. Gardner. Did he cheat on you again this time?" At first, Alyssa didn''t want to say anything. But she couldn''t squeeze her way out of the crowd surrounding her. On top of that, she didn''t wish to y dumb after she heard those groundless spections.

    So, with a steady gaze in her eyes, she said, "Mr. Beckett and I had an amicable breakup. There has never been any third party that came between us at any time. We are still on good terms. Everyone, please do not make groundless spections."

    One of the reporters suddenly questioned loudly, "Did you both break up because of Ms. Gillis?"

 Chapter 2325

    ?

    The reporter pressed on, "Recently, Ms. Gillis and Mr. Beckett have been frequently spotted together in public. Rumor has it she''s his new lover! You and Mr. Beckett just broke up, and now he''s with someone else. Were they involved before?"

    Alyssa silently clenched her fingers into fists. Suddenly, a chill overcame her like a cold-blooded snake slithering up from her calf.

    She forced herself to maintain herposure. With a sharp gaze, she stared at the reporter who threw those questions out.

    Intimidated by that stare, that reporter shrunk back into the crowd.

    "I will say this onest time. Mr. Beckett and I had an amicable breakup. It had nothing to do with anyone else. Jasper and I have been together for many years.

    "Even though we have broken up, I will continue to defend his reputation as a friend. I am not going to allow anyone to nder or damage his reputation. Having been together for so many years, no one knows how good of a person he is better than I do...

    As Alyssa spoke, her eyes turned red. She choked back on her tears as she broke into a bright smile. "So, from now on, I will sue all those who spread rumors about Mr. Beckett!"

    The reporters shot looks at one another.

    The one who spoke up thoughtlessly earlier started trembling.

    Alyssa took a few deep breaths. She marched forward, wanting to leave this ce as quickly as possible.

    However, too many people were surrounding her, making it difficult for her to walk forward. She even felt like the air around her was wearing thin.

    Right at this moment, a deep and husky voice sounded through the crowd. "Everyone, please excuse me."

    When the crowd turned toward the speaker, they were all floored.

    Alyssa looked in the direction of the voice too. Instinctively, she widened her eyes.

    Under the radiant light, Justin was on his feet, looking elegant and gentle in his suit. He parted the crowd and walked straight toward Alyssa.

    Jasper happened to rush to the scene just then. He saw that Justin had gotten out of his wheelchair and looked absolutely healthy as he walked stately toward Alyssa.

    The people around them gazed at the extremely matching pair with awe.

    Upon noticing that, Jasper''s eyes reddened. An inexplicable feeling surged within his chest, filling him with agitation, uneasiness, and an urge...

    He stumbled. He quickly put his shaking hands against the wall to help himself find his bnce.

    "That is such a handsome man. He''s got such confidence! Who is he?"

    "He has shown up once. He''s Mr. Jasper''s half-brother, the oldest son in the Beckett family!"

    "Oh! No wonder... He looks somewhat like Mr. Jasper!"

    "Because of his physical health, he had to recuperate overseas throughout the year. If not for that, why would Beckett Group''s management rights end up in the hands of the second scion?

    "Wealthy and reputable families like theirs are very particr about seniority in the family. If not for any extenuating circumstances, they will mostly choose the oldest scion to be their heir."

    "He isn''t doing well physically? He looks as sharp as ever, though."

    "Oh? Yeah... How mysterious."

    Wide-eyed, Alyssa watched as Justin walked before her with a bright smile on his face. Yet, knowing the truth- that this seeminglyposed man had a dark, murderous past-caused a pang of fear in her chest. She bit her lip and took a small step back.

    Justin studied that pale expression on her face. Without saying a word, the look in his eyes dimmed.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Although he and Jasper were brothers, their personalities were vastly different.

    Jasper was extremely intelligent yet emotionally undeveloped. He would never have understood women if not for meeting Alyssa.

    Justin, on the other hand, was theplete opposite. He was born with astonishing observation skills and a heightened sense of sensitivity.

    Justin, on the other hand, was astoundingly perceptive and deeply empathetic. His keen senses allowed him to read emotions and intentions easily, even through the smallest gestures. Looking at Alyssa, he saw the fear that lingered within her toward him.

 Chapter 2326

    ?

    Alyssa wasn''t the first to gaze at Justin with that look. He had long learned to categorize those stares as expressions of reverence. Yet, for reasons he couldn''t quite exin, he disliked seeing it in her eyes.

    "Justin, what brings you here?'' Alyssa calmed herself down and avoided that deep gaze of his.

    "I heard from Grandpa that you would being over tonight, so I was waiting for you here," Justin answered with a gentle smile. His eyes were filled with tender affection.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Everyone in the crowd was shocked.

    What did that mean? Was that an implicit confession of love?

    Did Justin have feelings for Alyssa too?

    But she used to be his younger brother''s partner. Did he truly not care about it, mind it, or be irked by it?

    At that moment, the reporters who caught a whiff of the amorous tension became excited again. They flooded toward the pair.

    The look in Justin''s eyes deepened as he raised his arm and put it around Alyssa''s shoulders in one swift and natural move. Then, he tugged her toward him.

    Although he looked like a gentle person, his current posture was absolutely assertive. It even gave off a hint of his dominance in disallowing anyone else to get involved.

    Alyssa trembled slightly. Being in Justin''s arms made her feel ufortable in every way.

    She wanted to free herself from his arms, but the crowd that was surrounding them kept her bound. She had no choice but to continue walking with Justin''s arm around her.

    Out of the blue, her chest tightened. She lifted her eyes, only to see Jasper''s grim and lonely figure standing a few steps away. He was staring in her direction expressionlessly.

    As their eyes met, she couldn''t help but tear up as a ball of emotions rose within her.

    Despite being only a few steps away, it felt like they were miles and miles apart.

    Jasper!

    Alyssa parted her quivering lips, almost yelling his name.

    If he walked toward her, even if all he took was one step, she would disregard everything and run to him. Nevertheless, in the next moment...

    She couldn''t believe Jasper turned away coldly and left decisively as if he hadn''t seen anything.

    Alyssa felt so disappointed that she felt chills in her body, and tears filled her reddened eyes.

    "You saw him?" Justin turned to her and asked right by her ear, his low and soft voice could only be heard by the two of them.

    "What are you trying to say?" Alyssa questioned in a trembling voice.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I have told myself time and time again that if Jasper regretted it and wanted you to return to his side, I would step back without a second thought. I would let the both of you be together and give both of you my blessings."

    Justin looked down at the woman in his arms. As the look in his eyes deepened, he added, "But by the looks of the current situation, it looks like I worried about it too much."

    Alyssa gritted her teeth together to withstand the pain. She closed her eyes tightly.

    Meanwhile, Jasper walked in a hallway alone, holding onto the wall for support. His heart felt like a house about to be robbed of everything.

    In the name of being righteous, his older brother had been removing all that which was in his heart little by little. By the time he realized it, his heart was in a mess and was almost at the point of emptiness.

 Chapter 2327

    ?

    When Justin and Alyssa stepped into the banquet hall together, another uproar swept through the hall. Everyone focused their astonished gazes on the pair.

    I''m not dreaming, am I? The one apanying Alyssa isn''t Mr. Jasper, but another man?"

    "That man has such a confident air about him. His looks and bearing areparable to Mr. Jasper''s!"

    "Ms. Alyssa has so many brothers in the Taylor family. Could it be one of her brothers whom we have never seen?

    "Justin!"

    Javier was pumped up in an instant. Beaming, he strutted to the front of Justin and Alyssa.

    Justin?

    The room fell silent as the crowd exchanged confused nces.

    "Hey, Dad." Justin smiled, his eyes looking clear and bright.

    Alyssa was a daughter from a wealthy aristocratic family. Although she and Javier used to be on bad terms, she still attended the Beckett family''s event.

    She politely greeted Javier. "Mr. Javier, my father is resting up at home and is unable to make it. So, he got me toe especially to send his regards."

    Alyssa spoke courteously and broad-mindedly.

    With a tall and elegant man standing right next to her, they looked like a good-looking pair with visuals like a painting.

    "I appreciate Mr. Winston''s thoughts. I am doing very well."

    Javier did not have that frigid gaze that he usually had toward Alyssa. Instead, he gave her a kind smile, one that an elder would give when they looked at a younger person.

    Those who didn''t know them might even think he and the Taylors were on really good terms.

    "I heard that Mr. Winston has been recuperating overseas, but I haven''t been able to free my hands to visit him. But I''ll be sure to reach out to him soon. If he''s free, I''ll certainly visit him."

    At this moment, Jasper happened to arrive with Newton. He pushed Newton''s wheelchair as they entered the banquet hall together.

    The words Javier spoke didn''t escape their ears.

    Alyssa responded with a slight smile and said nothing else.

    She was an intelligent woman. At one nce, she saw through Javier''s sly intentions.

    When she dated Jasper, word spread among outsiders that the Taylors and the Becketts were not on good terms. Even though the couple were deeply in love and had talked about marriage more than once, Javier had never stepped into the Heightsnew Vi. He had never even called Winston.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Right now, in Justin''s presence, he disyed such an unreservedly friendly side. With such differential treatment toward both his sons, it was inevitable that the public would start drawing all kinds of conclusions.

    "Jasper and Alyssa... Have they broken up?"

    "Is that so? That''d be great. We''d have a chance now!"

    "Oh my word... They broke up? I don''t believe in love anymore!"

    "You''re just a hopeless romantic. Love is something that is not worth believing in in the first ce."

    "By the looks of it, Alyssa has gotten herself involved with Mr. Justin? Has Mr. Javier given his approval? She''s such a slut, toying with the older sibling after she''s done with the younger one."

    "Both brothers got involved with the same woman. She''s quite crafty, isn''t she?"

    Justin took the people''s casual remarks to heart.

    He turned his proud yet handsome face slightly. With a smile that reached his eyes, he nced over briefly at the people who spoke.

    The two gossipers shut up immediately while their eyes darted everywhere to try and alleviate their panic. Justin looked away coldly.

    Even though that nce was emotionless, it sent chills down their spine and made them go numb.

    This situation made Newton fly into a rage. His face flushed with anger as he turned to Jasper. He jabbed him with his elbow. "Go! Hurry up and go to Alyssa''s side. Hurry up!"

    Jasper gazed deeply at Alyssa and Justin from behind. They looked like such a matching pair.

    Jasper''s muscr arms tensed up slowly. Yet, he remained standing at the same spot.

    "You jerk! Your wife is going to be taken away. Why are you still standing here like an idiot?" Newton blurted.

    Fury bubbled up inside him, and he was about to spring to his feet and give Jasper a harsh lesson. "Before, just hearing Alyssa talk to other men would send you into a rage.

    "Your father is about to match Alyssa with your older brother. How could you stand here being so unmoved? What is wrong with you? Fucking hell. Even dogs would pee to mark their territories. You''re fucking worse than a dog!"

    An immense pain shot through Jasper''s head. He held himself to the point where he started heaving.

    Then, he turned around and exited the banquet hall.

 Chapter 2328

    ?

    Jasper stumbled into the hotel''s back garden and stopped by the pond. He panted hard, feeling as if he were drowning. Even so, he could not return to his usualposure.

    As he shook all over, he bent down and grabbed a handful of snow. The bone-piercing cold spread through his body, but he still couldn''t suppress the throbbing pain in his temples.

    His eyes became bloodshot. He stuffed that handful of snow into his mouth and swallowed all of it.

    He couldn''t suppress it. He couldn''t suppress it at all.

    The pills. He needed those pills!

    "Mr. Jasper? What are you doing here?" Sheryl''s surprised voice came from behind Jasper.

    He held his breath, his fingers tightening around the snow in his grasp, veins bulging as he clenched his fists. Slowly, he straightened his back and turned to face her.

    "I came out for some fresh air," he answered in an extremely hoarse voice.

    Sheryl narrowed her eyes and studied him. "Mr. Jasper, you look awful. Are you feeling unwell?"

    "I''m fine." A drop of sweat trickled down Jasper''s face.

    "Mr. Jasper, you must let me know promptly if you have run out of those medications."

    Sheryl stared at his back with a grim look in her eyes. She took another step closer. "The medication has to be taken on time ording to the proper dosage. Otherwise, how long will it take for your headaches to be gone? Eventually-

    Jasper closed his reddened eyes and cut her off without warning. "I''m much better now. I don''t need it for now."Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    A sinister look shed across Sheryl''s eyes. Right after that, she put on a gentle smile and gently patted Jasper on his shoulder.

    Jasper knitted his brows together tightly and tumed around.

    As he locked eyes with Sheryl, she tilted her head up, her eyes gleaming with a yful light. She stood so close that the mist from her breath lightly touched his chin.

    Coincidentally, Alyssa witnessed this flirtatious scene with her own eyes. Her heart wrenched. Frantically, she avoided them by hiding behind a faux rock. Yet, she couldn''t help but peek at that romantic pair in the snow through the gap in the rocks.

    She was surprised to see Sheryl smiling sweetly at Jasper, just like a young woman would at her first love. After that, she retrieved a delicate-looking gift box from the pocket of her white coat and handed it to Jasper. "Mr. Jasper, it''s your birthday tomorrow. Here''s a small gift for you. Happy birthday to you in advance." Jasper lowered his eyes and responded in a frigid voice, "I don''t celebrate my birthdays."

    "We''re friends, and it''s just something inexpensive. Why don''t you just ept it?"

    Sheryl blinked. She looked at him with an innocent and sad gaze. "I''ve bought the gift. There''s no way that you can return it to me. Just throw it away if you don''t want it. Don''t return it to me."

    As she said that, she arrogantly stuffed the gift box into Jasper''s arms.

    There was a quiver in Jasper''s eyes. He was surprised to see that Sheryl''s actions reminded him somewhat of Alyssa''s.

    When they were still together, Alyssa would throw tantrums and lose her temper at him all the time. Yet, no matter how ridiculous she was in kicking up a fuss, he would amodate her, pamper her, and dote on her.

    He figured that he must have loved her very much in the past.

    Nheless, why did he suddenly be unable to love her? Why couldn''t he feel that heart-racing, deep affection he had for her and her only?

    "Thank you."

    Jasper epted Sheryl''s gift and opened the box in front of her. Inside was a delicately designed tie bar. Alyssa''s eyes turned red as she watched the interaction between them from afar.

    As she drew a deep breath, it seemed like she''d taken in all the coldness the world could offer. The chill wrapped around her heart, which began to ache as if it were fracturing. She felt as though her heart might shatter any moment.

    She was also about to shatter as a person.

    "Mr. Jasper, do you like it?" Sheryl twirled her hair by her ear and tapped her toes on the ground. She had a gentle and flirty look in her eyes. It had been a while since she had long hair, but her old habits would still show inadvertently.

    In addition to feeling sad, Alyssa''s heart skipped a beat while she looked fixedly at Sheryl.

    Something about Sheryl''s actions had stirred an intense feeling within her. She hardly knew Sheryl-they were strangers. Yet, strangely, she kept feeling as though they''d crossed paths in the past.

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    Alyssa balled her hands into fists as she pressed them against the faux rock. All her focus was now directed onto Sheryl instead of Jasper.

    At this moment, Sheryl picked up the tie bar from its box. While Jasper was distracted, she clipped it onto his tie.

    Jasper was taken aback. He quickly stepped back, but Sheryl was quicker, and the tie bar was clipped on.

    "Mr. Jasper, it suits you really well.

    Sheryl''s eyes were captivating, and her voice was sultry. If she were speaking with any other man, they would be easily captivated by her. "It looks like I made the right choice."

    Jasper''s eyes dimmed. Yet, out of courtesy and because Sheryl worked for Justin, he did not react in any way that would put her in a difficult spot.

    Alyssa''s eyes reflected a deep sorrow as she watched them, her gaze carrying the silent destion of a snowstorm beginning to overtake her heart. Even so, she forced herself to stay rational.

    She pulled out her cell phone, wanting to record Sheryl''s every move. However, her vision was blocked, and all she could see was darkness.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    A hand with slender fingers gently covered her eyes. Then, she heard Justin''s husky and gentle voice say, "Don''t watch them anymore."

    Alyssa''s chest tightened. She spun around in a panic. Her pupils constricted as she stared at Justin''s face.

    Just as she was almost about to lean back against the faux rock behind her, Justin wrapped his arms around her and put his palms against the rock. The back of his hand prevented her shoulders from brushing up against the hard rock.

    He was attentive, gentlemanly, and caring.

    No matter how one looked at it, he was the perfect gentleman. Yet, he sent chills throughout Alyssa''s entire being. "Have you been standing here for a long time? Your face has turned red from the cold."

    With depth in his eyes, Justin pulled open his coat to cover Alyssa''s thin frame, shielding her from the cold. "Let''s go back. You''re going to catch a cold."

    Alyssa''s back stiffened up. She avoided his deep gaze and said, "I don''t feel cold."

    The cold barely registered with her, as her heart had grown almost entirely numb.

    Justin leaned forward a little and uttered in a deep voice, "You''re sad."

    Alyssa stubbornly denied it, even though her eyes were red. "I''m not."

    "I''m talented in identifying what others feel." In a gentle voice, Justin added, "But only if that''s someone I truly care about."

    *Justin, if you truly care about me as you say, you wouldn''t put me in this position," Alyssa said, meeting his gaze with a mocking smirk. "I have no intention of bing a woman tangled up with her ex''s older brother."

    Justin had never seen her smile like that. She was like a thorny red rose and a coneflower standing fearlessly in a

    storm.

    ''Don''t listen to those chatter. They are just envious of you," he said in a raspy voice.

    Alyssa''s smile was dazzling. "Oh, they''re envious that I can toy with the older brother after finishing with the younger? That I might just bring down all the men in the Beckett family at once?"

    "Are you afraid of me?" Justin asked out of the blue.

    Alyssa''s heart raced even though she appeared calm. "We bear no grudges against one another. Why would I be afraid of you?"

    "All''s good as long as you''re not afraid of me." Justin let out a long sigh of relief. Then, he removed his coat and wrapped it tightly around Alyssa.

    Alyssa widened her eyes. She wanted to take his coat off, but his grip on thepel kept her constrained.

    ''Ms. Alyssa, I''m not physically fit. I do not have any power in Beckett Group, nor do I possess business acumen. At the same time, Grandpa is not fond of me.

    "I admit that I amcking in many wayspared to Jasper. But there''s one thing you can trust me on-no matter when and what happens, I will not break your heart."

    His dark eyes looked so tender, sincere, and profound.

    Nevertheless, to Alyssa, it felt like his eyes would be an abyss of etemal damnation once she took a wrong step.

    Justin''s public appearance with Alyssa at the Beckett family''s party stirred up endless spection. They even became a trending topic.

    Not only that, news about Jasper and Alyssa''s breakup spread like wildfire.

    Feeling down, Jasper left the venue before the party even ended.

    After getting into the car, he ripped off the tie bar that Sheryl gave to him. With a repulsed look in his eyes, he flung it carelessly at Xavier, who was driving.

    "That''s for you."

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    Xavier was confused. He caught the tie bar in his hands and asked, "What''s this, Mr. Beckett?

    Jasper closed his eyes to rest. He tugged at his tie knot but still felt suffocated.

    "It was from Sheryl," he answered.

    Xavier let out a cry. "This filthy thing is from that wild woman? I don''t want it!"

    With a disgusted look on his face, Xavier hurled the tie bar aside. I''m already seeing someone. I don''t want my girlfriend to misunderstand me."

    Girlfriend?"

    Yeah, Mr. Beckett. Maggie is my girlfriend."

    With his eyes closed, Jasper frowned. "She''s be of age?

    Xavier didn''t know how he should react. "She''s already in university, Mr. Beckett. Am I that much of an animal in your eyes?"

    Suddenly, the memory of himself and Alyssa rescuing Maggie shed through Jasper''s mind.

    Just then, Xavier eximed in surprise, "Mr. Beckett, look!"

    Jasper opened his eyes slowly, and his heart jolted. Standing alone before his car was Alyssa, framed against the piercing headlights, snow swirling around her. The wind tossed her dark hair, and she looked almost fragile as if the wind might carry her away.

    Without hesitation, Jasper stepped out of the car and approached her.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Hi, Mr. Beckett." Alyssa smiled slightly at him.

    Looking at her face, which had tumed red from the cold, he could tell that she had been wandering outdoors for a very long time.

    He opened his mouth to speak but could not make a sound. All he could taste was a slight bitterness at the back of his throat. He remembered that she was someone who got cold quite easily.

    Once the temperature dropped, she loved to snuggle in his arms and use his hands as her source of heat; his hands kept her warm regardless of the time of day.

    Alyssa didn''t hope to hear any words of concem from him. Even so, she didn''t mind it. She softly asked, "Mr. Beckett, do you have time for a chat?"

    Jasper pursed his lips. ''Let''s chat in my car."

    "Sure. Thank you." Alyssa was very courteous to him. Even her way of speech sounded a little distant.

    Her mature and sensible demeanor annoyed Jasper.

    Xavier, being quick-witted, made space for this pair of ex-lovers to spend time together by getting out of the car to wait for them.

    "It''s your birthday tomorrow," Alyssa spoke up first to break the awkward atmosphere.

    "Yeah." Jasper looked askance at her. He gulped silently.

    He was just about to say that he didn''t need any gifts when Alyssa surprised him with her next statement.

    "Do you remember what you promised me?"

    Jasper locked startled. He answered in a low, deep voice, "Of course."

    "It''s time for you to keep your promise."

    "Then, it''s time for you to fulfill that promise." She clenched her hands, her gaze intense. "I want you to go on a hike with me tomorrow at 3:00 p.m."

    Jasper was surprised. He narrowed his eyes and asked, ''A hike? Where?''

    "At Crater Mountain, Do you remember where that is?"

    Alyssaughed softly and choked, "Many years ago, you once saved a woman from a storm

    at that ce. That was the beginning of your story with her."

    Jasper''s heart skipped a beat. He balled his hands into fists. He hadn''t lost his memories. Of course he remembered.

    What I want you to promise me is to go hiking with me tomorrow."

    "Is that all?"

    Alyssa clicked her tongue. "If not, what did you think I''d ask you to do? To give yourself to me?''

    Alyssa crossed her arms before her chest and tilted her chin proudly as if the high and noble Alyssa Taylor from the past had returned.

    "Don''t be so verbose. Are you going to promise me or not?"

    "I promise," Jasper answered without any hesitation.

    "Great. Pinky promise."

    Without waiting for Jasper to react, Alyssa grabbed his warm hand. She extended that disabled pinky finger on her left hand. Strenuously and clumsily, she locked her pinky finger with his.

    At that moment, Jasper''s pupils constricted. He could feel that quiver in her pinky as a jolt of electricity shot through his heart.

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    Alyssa released Jasper''s hand and quickly opened the car door.

    "Mr. Beckett, see you there, rain or shine."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    The warmth of her touch left his fingers as she withdrew, Jasper instinctively curled his fingers inward, his mouth parting to say something anything but hesitation held him back. Without waiting for his response, Alyssa slipped out of the car and disappeared into the night without a backward nce. It wasn''t until she was fully gone that he whispered in a low, hoarse voice, "See you there, rain or shine."

    When Alyssa returned to the parking lot, Sean was standing worriedly beside the car, waiting for her.

    Seeing her approach, eyes glistening with unshed tears, he knew she had just seen Jasper. A dull ache tugged at his heart, and he was certain their conversation had been anything but pleasant.

    "Ms. Alyssa, he began softly, "I know you''re relentless in everything you pursue. But some things in life... they just can''t be forced. Sometimes, letting go can be its own kind of freedom."

    He knew his words were harsh, almost ruthless. But thest thing he wanted was to see Alyssa shattered over Jasper.

    "Sean, I understand what you''re trying to say... I really do." Alyssa lowered her head, her hands cold in her coat pockets, fingers clenched tight in silent resolve. "But I just want onest chance. This will be it. If those memories we shared can''t reignite his feelings for me, then I''ll walk away for good."

    Sean''s eyes stung at her words. He never imagined that someone as proud and indomitable as Alyssa would be brought to such depths over Jasper. Was this their fate? Or some twisted form of karma?

    Trying to change the subject, Alyssa asked with a soft smile, "Sean, Taty''s eight months along now, isn''t she? I heard you''re having a boy."

    "Yes, we''re having a boy."

    A fond smile crossed Sean''s face, though tinged with a hint of helplessness. "You know, once I absentmindedly mentioned wanting a daughter, and when we found out it was a boy, Taty was down for days.

    "But honestly, as long as our child, I''ll love them with all my heart. I just didn''t want her to think I favored having a son over a daughter.

    "It''s not like I have a dynasty to continue. Even if I did, a queen is just as worthy-like you, Ms. Alyssa. You are KS Group''s queen."

    Alyssa waved hispliment away with a dismissive gesture, her expression growing serious. "I''m no queen, Sean. I''m just a high-ranking employee serving Winston and the

    interests of KS Group. Everything I do is for them.

    "I may not understand what pregnancy feels like, but at a time like this, you should be spending more time with Taty. You''ve been running yourself ragged over Project A5 and barely see her. I feel guilty for keeping you away.

    "Go and spend the night at Heights new Vi tonight. I''ll give you a few days off. You don''t have to do anything else but spend time with Taty."

    Concerned, Sean argued, "But, Ms. Alyssa, you won''t have anyone to watch over you."

    "I n to give myself a few days off too."

    As Alyssa pondered her upcorning meeting with Jasper, a rare, heartfelt smile spread across her face. The prospect of seeing him, rain or shine, filled her with a joy she hadn''t felt in ages.

    "After tomorrow, regardless of the oue, I''m nning a short, rxing getaway overseas. Upon my return, I''ll dedicate myself to secure Project A5.''

    Sean had no idea what would happen tomorrow, but he knew Alyssa''s stubborn streak. He understood that further persuasion would be futile.

    "Oh, one more thing, Ms. Alyssa." He picked up a ck coat from the driver''s seat, a puzzled look crossing his face. "Whose coat is this? Should I retum it?"

    Alyssa''s gaze fell, and Justin''s face shed before her eyes, igniting a wave of disgust." Dispose of it," she said coldly.

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    A first-rate Wiktorian mansion was located in a secluded and quiet area on the East Side. It was Justin''s private residence. Outsiders were unaware of its existence.

    Sheryl arrived in the early hours of the morning, rushing to report to Justin, only to bump into Remy, who exuded an unmistakable air of coldness.

    His eyes were bloodshot as if he hadn''t slept in days.

    A menacing vibe surrounded him, and his eyes burned with feral intensity. Sheryl felt unsettled and longed to flee his presence.

    "You''re like a ghoul," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes before knocking on the door to enter Justin''s study.

    Remy remained expressionless in the face of her contemptuous remark. He followed her into

    the room.

    In his ssically-decorated study, Justin sat in his wheelchair, idly toying with a colorful cockatiel in its gilded cage.

    Jameson once possessed an exquisite, costly cockatiel at The Millenium. A devoted follower of Justin, the former idolized thetter, mimicking his habits and hobbies, convinced that they were the hallmarks of power and intelligence.

    It was a ridiculous notion.

    Yet, worship bred obsession. The desire to merge with the idol, to be them, was an inevitable consequence.

    "Sir, I''ve retrieved the voice recording," Sheryl said, stepping forward. She pulled out her phone and, in Remy''s presence, yed the conversation between Jasper and Alyssa from the car.

    Justin''s lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile as he listened. But when he heard the words promise'' and ''see you there, rain or shine", his expression darkened. His eyes became as deep and void as an abyss.

    Remy, too, heard the recording. Alyssa''s forced positivity was palpable, and it stirred a tempest of emotions within him.

    "Just as you instructed," Sheryl continued, "I had someone hack into Jasper''s car''s dashcam to retrieve this recording of his conversation with Alyssa.

    She sighed, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "It''s a shame we didn''t get anything more valuable."

    Justin smiled and said, "No, this conversation is priceless to me. Very well done, Sheryl."

    Sheryl was ted. "Thank you for yourpliment, Mr. Justin.''

    Justin''s gaze grew dark, his voice low and measured. "There''s something I need you to do next."

    "Please, give me your orders."

    "I noticed that you and Jasper have been getting along quite well recently. Other than Ms. Alyssa, you are the only woman who''s able to get close to him. You have achieved remarkable sess."

    Justin nonchntly fed the cockatiel as he spoke.

    Sheryl recalled how Jasper had epted her gift just earlier that evening. Her heart swelled with pride. "Of course, I''ll do whatever is asked of me. Don''t worry, Mr. Justin-I have no other intentions with Jasper. Everything I do is for your sake."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "Tomorrow, I want you to prevent Jasper from meeting with Ms. Alyssa."

    Sheryl froze, momentarily stunned. "Mr. Justin, it''s not that I don''t want to, but... how do I justify stopping him from meeting Alyssa? He''s a stubbom man. Once he makes a promise, nothing will make him break it. He''s the type who would endure anything, even nuclear radiation."

    A grin spread across Justin''s face. With a deep gaze, he said, ''That''s exactly why I''ll give you a reason that Jasper cannot refuse."

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    Sheryl''s eyes lit up. "And what might that reason be?"

    Justin''s lips curved into a faint smirk, his voice calm yet carrying a cold, ethereal tone. "Besides Ms. Alyssa, there''s another woman who holds great significance to Jasper. She''s the only one who canpel him to act without hesitation."

    Remy, usually a man of few words, abruptly spoke up. "Is she the one you''ve mentioned before? The woman who saved Jasper on the battlefield?"This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    *After Jasper retired from the military, he was gued by PTSD. He came back shattered, dispirited, even on the brink of taking his own life.

    "During that time, I often spoke with him over the phone, urging him to hold on, to keep living. I reminded him that if I could endure this half-disabled existence, then surely, he could find a reason to go on."

    Justin''s tone was leisurely, as though recounting something insignificant.

    He continued, "I told him that if he were gone, what would be of Beckett Group? More than that, he would leave Dad and Grandpa utterly devastated."

    "Mr. Justin, you are too kind," Sheryl murmured, her eyes softening with pity. Then, through gritted teeth, she added, "If it were me, I would''ve seized that chance to eliminate Jasper back then!"

    Sheryl continued, "Honestly, I regretted listening to that witch Sophia. Why did I save Jasper when he slit his wrist? He should have died then-if he had, he wouldn''t be causing you trouble now."

    Remy''s eyes flickered with disdain. Though he and Sheryl worked under Justin, they were far from allies. Remy was ruthless, but he operated strictly by Justin''s orders. Sheryl, on the other hand, was a lurking menace, constantly scheming to bring Jasper down.

    Compared to Jameson, who was also nicknamed "Viper, Sheryl was far more dangerous. Even though they seldom crossed paths, Remy couldn''t hide his disgust for her.

    "Do you truly think I''m that magnanimous?" Justin smiled faintly. "I helped Jasper not just out of kindness but because Beckett Group needed him then. I''ve never doubted his abilities in business. Besides, if he had died, you and I wouldn''t have crossed paths, would we, Sheryl?"

    "Mr. Justin..." Feeling shy, Sheryl blushed.

    Justin continued, "Jasper often spoke of that woman who saved him on the battlefield, risking everything for his life. She wore arge mask, so he never saw her face. His biggest regret was not knowing who she was.

    "He didn''t even know her name. He could only refer to her as White Dove. For years, he''s been searching for her, but he''s found nothing.

    "Nevertheless, he told me that White Dove is someone very important to him. He wants to repay her for saving his life and will do anything she asks.*

    Sheryl realized something. With a sense of urgency, she probed, "Mr. Justin, are you saying you''ve found White Dove?"

    Justin stroked the cockatiel''s feathers gently. He curled the corners of his lips upward slightly as the look in his eyes deepened. "I''ve always known who she is."

    "Who?"

    "She has been right under our noses."

    Remy''s pupils constricted. ''Alyssa Taylor?"

    Sheryl widened her eyes in shock. She stammered, "S-She''s Alyssa? Of all people, it was her?"

    She could hardly process it-the savior Jasper had sought for years was none other than the one closest to him all along. The sheer absurdity of it left her reeling.

    Justin merely smiled, saying nothing as he set a folder on the table.

    Sheryl lunged forward, snatching it up with trembling hands. As she skimmed through the documents, her fingers quivered. Shock, disbelief, and a gleeful malice danced in her eyes.

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    Remy''s eyes were bloodshot; his expression twisted with disgust as he stared at Sheryl. He could hardly fathom how someone so deranged and vile had once been close to Jasper. Even if Jasper and Alyssa had separated, Sheryl was nowhere near worthy of Jasper''s side; she was not even fit to be the dirt on Alyssa''s shoes.

    A sudden sh of memory struck him-the image of Alyssa during that traffic ident. He recalled her mustering all her strength to crawl out of her wrecked car, her face bloody, her body broken yet defiant. He had never seen such a fierce spirit in a woman before.

    His heart pounded uncontrobly, the memory triggering a sharp pain in his temples. Remy closed his eyes, gasping for breath.

    Sheryl broke into wild, unhingedughter. Her entire body shook as she spat out her words, "Oh, Jasper, you poor, clueless fool!

    "If he ever discovers that the woman he''s been tormenting all this time is actually his savior-the one he''s been desperate to repay-that would be an earth-shattering blow for him.

    "This is perfect. This is Jasper''s well-deserved punishment, his ultimate payback!"

    Justin maneuvered his wheelchair forward, his tone calm and measured. "At first, I had no idea that Ms. Alyssa was the one Jasper had been searching for. It wasn''t until Uncle Zachary helped me dig deeper into her background that I discovered the truth.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    "We found records of her work history, following Jasper from ce to ce. When he was sent on missions to Luminara, she joined Doctors Without Borders in that war-torn region. Her intentions were obvious.

    "My uncle also discovered medical records indicating she had sought treatment for a severely injured finger-the timing matched one of Jasper''s missions.

    "Finally, when Jasper returned to the country, she, too, returned to Sna City silently. Everything alludes to her being the White Dove."

    Wide-eyed, Sheryl started sucking up to Justin immediately. "Mr. Dutton''s investigative skills are unparalleled!" While Justin had his back turned on Sheryl and Remy, the graceful expression on his face was reced with an extremely dark look the moment he heard that remark. It was as if he had be an entirely different person.

    "Use this piece of information to hold Jasper back tomorrow."

    Sheryl nodded eagerly. "Got it."

    "Remy, tail him in secret."

    With a dazed look in his eyes, Remy asked, "Tail... Jasper?"

    "If anything unexpected happens, you must prevent them from meeting at all costs." Justin turned and stared at him coldly. ''This should be a small matter to you, Remy. I''m sure you''d be able to manage it well."

    Justin''s tone was frigid, oppressive, and intimidating. He wasn''t even asking. Rather, he was giving amand. Remy felt his throat go dry. He bowed and replied, "You have my word, Mr. Justin."

    Justin''s usual smile returned to his face. "Oh, right. Have you dealt with those two people who bad-mouthed Ms. Alyssa at the party?"

    Sheryl was bbergasted.

    Justin was someone who would never engage in pointless things or bother with people who did not matter. She couldn''t believe that he wanted to kill those people just because they gossiped about Alyssa.

    Was it possible that Justin harbored feelings for Alyssa?

    Remy answered, "Our men have dealt with it. They staged an ident. No one will trace it back to us."

    Justin nodded slightly. With an insincere smile on his face, he said, ''That''s fine. People like that are not worth having my right-hand man take action personally."

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    That night, Alyssa stayed in the presidential suite of Sna City''s KS World Hotel. She couldn''t bring herself to return to her own manor-not yet. The lingering memories of her breakup with Jasper were still too raw, and the thought of revisiting their former home felt like reopening an unhealed wound.

    The following morning, she was awakened by a knock at the door. Groggily, she slipped on her night robe and opened it to find Sean standing there, carrying aplete set of brand-new hiking gear.

    Alyssa smiled. "Thank you, Sean."

    "Ms. Alyssa, it''s freezing today. Are you sure you want to go hiking?" Sean walked into the living room and ced the items neatly on the couch.

    He still felt somewhat worried.

    "It''s alright if it''s cold, as long as the weather is good."

    Alyssa gazed out the window. The sun was shining brightly. The thought of going hiking with Jasper today made it impossible for her to conceal the sweet smile on her face and the delight in her eyes.

    She still loved him.

    She was hopelessly in love with him.

    Perhaps she was lowering herself, or maybe she was hopelessly romantic. Regardless, her love for him was unwavering. Even when she resolved to end things, it was out of resignation, not ack of love.

    Her love for him remained unchanged.

    Sean was about to say something when his phone rang unexpectedly. It was his second brother, Steven, calling. They hadn''t spoken in ages.

    After a brief conversation, Sean hung up.

    Alyssa asked, "Was that Mr. Steven?"

    "Yeah, he''s getting married, so he asked me out for a meal so that I can meet his fianc¨¦e. It''s a shame that Taty isn''t able to move around much; I would''ve brought her along."

    A slight smile came across Sean''s face. With a slightly conflicted gaze, he shared, "Steven is no longer a judge. He''s resigned and opened aw firm of his own. He''s an attorney now."

    Alyssa couldn''t help but exim in surprise, ''Why the sudden change?"

    "It''s because of Simon. Steven feels partly responsible for all that''s happened over the years, so he resigned from his job." Sean still felt ufortable talking about Simon.

    "Steven is a highly responsible and prideful person. You and your brothers are remarkably talented people. It''s unfortunate that Simon lost his way."

    Alyssa sat on the couch and ran her fingers across the new hiking gear. She smiled gently and said, "Go and meet with him. You don''t have toe back to Sna City after that. And do wish him a happy marriage on my behalf."

    Later, after a light lunch and a short nap, Alyssa drove to Crater Mountain Park. She arrived precisely at 2:00 pm. She first met with Elias, who was now part of a new generation of forest rangers. Their conversation was tinged with nostalgia as they recalled Elijah, his mentor, who had passed away from pancreatic cancer.

    Before they knew it, it was already 2:30 pm.

    "Are you waiting for someone, Ms. Alyssa?" Elias asked out of curiosity when he noticed Alyssa kept ncing at her watch.

    A smile of anticipation spread across her face. She beamed as warmly as the sun. "Yeah, I am."

    "Are you waiting for Mr. Beckett?"

    "Yes, we agreed to go hiking together today."

    "Aw, d to see your rtionship with him going well. Only those who share a long-term rtionship would be able to agree on hiking together on such a cold day."

    The smile on Alyssa''s face turned bitter gradually.

    Meanwhile, Jasper had just wrapped up a meeting at the corporation and rushed back to his office.

    "Xavier, are the hiking gears ready?" Jasper removed his zer and his tie. The outlines of his fit body could be seen through his white shirt.

    "Everything is ready." Xavier grinned from ear to ear. "I hope you have an enjoyable date with Ms. Alyssa!"

    Jasper slipped on his ck hiking outfit. He blinked and replied in a deep and low voice, "It''s only because I''ve agreed to the request she made. This will be the one and only time."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

    Xavier was still feeling gleeful. He felt that Jasper and Alyssa were finally breaking the ice.

    Men''s words could not be trusted. He believed that Jasper did not actually mean the things he said.

    "Get the car, Xavier. We''re heading to Crater Mountain."

    After donning the outfit of a professional hiker, Jasper looked dashing and ready to go.

    He was just about to leave his office when his phone started vibrating in his chest pocket. He frowned as he pulled his phone out.

    He lowered his eyes, and the look on his face turned solemn.

    Sheryl''s name was ringly disyed on his phone''s screen. For a moment, he contemted ignoring the call, but it kept ringing.

    "Ms. Gillis, what do you need?" His tone was clipped and emotionless.

    "Mr. Jasper, I need to talk to you. I must see you now," Sheryl''s voice came through, tinged with urgency.

    Jasper lifted his hand to check the time on his wristwatch. "I''m unavable today. I''ve got ns. I''ll see you another day."

    Sheryl insisted, "It''s really urgent."

    The look in Jasper''s eyes dimmed. "So are my ns for today."

    He was just about to step out of the door when Sheryl''s gripping voice sounded in his ear. "It''s about the woman who saved your life. Are you sure you''re not interested to find out at all?"

 Chapter 2336

    ?

    Jasper held his breath. It felt as if his legs had been chained together. He was unable to move.

    Looking at a stiff Jasper from behind, Xavier noticed his shoulders trembling slightly. An ominous feeling rose within him.

    "What did you say?" Jasper questioned. He sounded as if he was forcing himself to hold himself back from getting emotional.

    "Mr. Justin once mentioned that you were saved by a female doctor when you were badly wounded on the battlefield many years ago. I heard that you have been searching for her and that you''ve been grateful toward her."

    Jasper''s back stiffened up. He narrowed his eyes and asked in a frosty voice, "This is a private matter. Why would Justin have told you about it?"

    "Mr. Justin mentioned it to me because I also used to work as a doctor in Luminara. He was hoping that I could help with finding that woman.

    "I finally have news on her whereabouts now. Mr. Jasper, don''t you want to see the White Dove again? She was the person who gave her all to save you."

    Sheryl sounded like she was starting to get emotional. She was even starting to get on edge on Jasper''s behalf, influencing him to feel the same.

    Jasper''s chest tightened, and he closed his eyes tightly.

    When he went to Mosgravia to visit Justin in the past, he found out that Sheryl also worked with Doctors Without Borders in Luminara.

    Truthfully, he did think of asking her to find out about White Dove. Nheless, he figured that it would be rude to make such a request during their first meeting.

    He couldn''t understand why Sheryl would lend him a hand with his search for White Dove.

    Yet, he was well aware that this clue was difficult toe by. He did not want to miss out on it.

    "Do you really have news on her whereabouts? Where is she? Is she in Sna City?" As much as Jasper lowered his voice, he could not hide the desperation in his voice.

    "No, she''s in Skydon City. I have just arrived at Skydon City''s airport, but I have sent people to search for her exact location."

    Sheryl''s voice was urgent yet helpless. "That being said, I have never seen her, so I don''t know what she looks like. I just had a feeling that the information on this person closely matches that woman''s.

    "Also, even if I recognized her, what reason do I have to stop her? I might just scare her if I do. That''d be really rude of me.

    "So, Mr. Jasper, I think it''ll be better for you toe to Skydon City personally. Don''t miss out on this opportunity. We don''t know when you''ll get a chance like this next."

    Skydon City wasn''t particrly near Sna City. Even if he went over via a private ne, he would need three hours.

    If he went over, he would miss his appointment with Alyssa today.

    Jasper pressed his lips tightly together and lifted his well-defined wrist.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.

    As seconds and minutes passed, it was getting closer to the hour when he agreed to meet with Alyssa.

    He knitted his brows together tightly. He had a dull gleam in his eyes as he hesitated.

    He was never someone who went back on his word or broke his promises.

    Nevertheless, this was not a trivial matter.

    They could always reschedule the hike, but if he missed out on White Dove, he would probably regret it for the rest of his life.

    "Send me your coordinates. I''ll head over to Skydon City now."

    Upon saying that, Jasper ended the call. Then, he instructed Xavier, who had frozen stiff behind him, "Get the ne ready. We''re going to Skydon City right now."

    Aghast, Xavier asked, "Right now?"

    In a deep voice, Jasper confirmed, "Yes, right now."

    "Didn''t you and Madam agree to go hiking? What is Madam going to do if you''re bailing on her?" Xavier was mad and anxious at the same time, so much so that he blurted the address "Madam" twice.

    Jasper balled his hands into fists. The veins on the back of his hands started popping.

    He took his phone out and dialed Alyssa''s number. But her phone was engaged.

    He made two more attempts to call her but received the same response. In the end, he sent her a text that read, Ms. Alyssa, I''m unable to make it today due to some sudden matters. I''m really sorry. I will make it up to you after I''m back.''

    After sending his message, he strutted out the door without further hesitation.

    At 3:00 pm sharp, the clear skies had slowly be a dull gray color. It started snowing.

    Yet, Jasper had not shown up.

    At first, Alyssa was extremely worried about the slippery, snowy roads. Could it be that Jasper met with some ident on the way, which then caused him to be dyed?

    She wanted to call him, but to her surprise, she had no reception. The mobile signal in this mountainous area was not stable at all.

    Half an hour went by...

    An hour went by...

    Even after being in the freezing cold, Alyssa continued hoping that Jasper would show up. Yet, she did not see even the shadow of this tall and charming man.

    No one knew Jasper better than she did. He wasn''t someone who would stand someone up.

    He would never bete when he met with his clients and friends, let alone her. He might show up early, but he would never be a no-show for no reason.

    Even if he met with an ident on the way, he would make his way to see her even if it meant that he had to crawl his way here. Why wasn''t he showing up?

 Chapter 2337

    ?

    The skies started to turn dark.

    Alyssa''s dark hair was covered in ayer of snow. As she stood alone at the foot of the majestic mountain, she looked tiny, fragile, and deste.

    ''Ms. Alyssa, it''s snowing. Heavy snowfall is forecasted tonight."

    Elias walked to Alyssa''s side. Noticing the redness on her face due to the cold and the dull look in her eyes, he had a moment of realization.

    He couldn''t help but feel a wave of sadness within him. "It''s gettingte. I suppose something came up for Mr. Beckett, and he''s unable to make it."

    "Why didn''t he inform me if that is the case?'' Alyssa mumbled in a low voice as she gazed toward the darkness. She choked back on her tears so softly that her grievance couldn''t really be heard through her voice.

    Elias pped himself on his forehead. "Ah, perhaps you didn''t manage to receive Mr. Beckett''s message? The reception at the foot of the mountain isn''t quite stable. You might have missed it. Would you like toe to my office? You''ll have coverage there."

    "Even if something came up... How could he stand me up?"

    Alyssa''s eyes were reddened. The cloud of mist she exhaled, and the moistness in her eyes blurred her vision. How could he do that? We''ve agreed to meet...

    ''It''s just a hike. If he can''t make it today, you can just reschedule. You can go on the hike another time."

    Elias chuckled awkwardly. He tried to console Alyssa. "Moreover, today''s weather isn''t great. It''s not good for hiking. It''ll be much better if you and Mr. Beckett reschedule for another day when the weather is good. It''s really cold. You should hurry up and head back."

    To his surprise, a determined look came across Alyssa''s face in the next second. She took a deep breath, then began stepping toward the entrance to Crater Mountain.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I''ll go with you if you really want to hike up the mountain!" Elias shouted from behind as he was worried for her.

    ''I''m fine!"

    Alyssa looked back. The gleam in her eyes was as bright as the snow on a winter''s night. "Have you forgotten what my nickname is? I''m Mountain Goddess!"

    Sadly, she could no longer seek refuge in Mountain God''s muscr arms.

    Jasper might have stood her up, but she would never do such a thing. She would fulfill their promise on her own.

    Three hourster, Jasper arrived in Skydon City on his private ne. With Xavier aspany, they rushed to the location where Sheryl had specified.

    It was a presidential suite at a five-star hotel.

    One after another, Jasper and Xavier stepped into the morous and empty room. Sheryl was the only other person in the room.

    She was sitting on the couch in the living room, sipping on some ck tea casually. That sense of urgency she had over the phone was nowhere to be seen.

    The moment Xavier spotted her, he burned with anger for some reason. He could not hide the piercing re in his eyes.

    She was a strong and independent woman, but he was just so tempted to charge at her and give her a p on the face. He did not know why he felt so either.

    Indeed, one need not have any reason to despise someone.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "Mr. Jasper, that was really quick."

    Sheryl ced her tea cup down and rose to her feet slowly. "I can see how important White Dove is to you, so much so that you chose to stand Ms. Alyssa up for her sake. That shows me how much more important she is to you than Ms. Alyssa is."

    Jasper''s chest rose and fell as he breathed heavily. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Where''s the White Dove?"

    ''She''s no longer in Skydon City." Sheryl studied him with a slight smile on her face. Her smile, however, did not reach her eyes.

    Jasper widened his eyes. "She''s not here?"

    "She''s returned to Sna City." Sheryl was not bothered by Jasper''s shocked reaction at all. In a calm voice, she added, "She went back just an hour ago."

    Xavier''s face flushed red in anger. "She''s gone back to Sna City? Didn''t you say that she''s from Skydon City?"

    "I didn''t. All I said was that she showed up here. She''s actually from Sna City, but perhaps she just happened to show up here."

    Xavier clenched his teeth. He looked like he was about to erupt with rage. "Why, you fucking-''

    Jasper clenched his hands into tight fists. He strutted through the warmly lit room and got before Sheryl.

    Their eyes met.

    Jasper''s eyes were bloodshot, the redness in his eyes reflecting the surging rage within him.

    All of a sudden, he grabbed Sheryl by her cor. His grip was so tight that he was about to lift her off her feet. He growled, "Are you kidding me?"

 Chapter 2338

    ?

    "Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper''s reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows andughed out loud. "White Dove is from Sna City. This is also something that I wasn''t able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn''t have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?"

    Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper''s violent rage did not scare her at all.

    "Why the hell didn''t you say anything earlier?"

    Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a p.

    "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you''re telling us that White Dove isn''t in Skydon but Sna City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam''s date intentionally?"

    "Madam? Haven''t Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her as ''Madam''?"

    Sheryl''s gaze was frigid. All she could think of was how repulsive that word was. She continued, "Plus, how could I have known that they were supposed to meet? And even if they had a date, finding the person who saved Mr. Jasper''s life must surely be more important to him, don''t you think?"

    Reality also proved that today, in Jasper''s heart, White Dove was a hundred times more important than Alyssa. That bitch who caused her to almost die out on the streets was now probably standing in the chilling winds and experiencing the pain of being abandoned by her beloved.

    At this thought, the blood in Sheryl''s veins thrummed with excitement.

    The expression on Jasper''s face darkened while a look of annoyance surged within his eyes. His gaze was sharp and vicious, like a demon''s.

    He did not have any emotions.

    But that did not mean that he would not be infuriated.

    Sheryl fell backward, and she let out a cry.

    In the next second, Jasper shoved her hard onto the couch, resulting in her hitting the back of her neck against the wooden frame of the couch''s backing.

    She inhaled sharply because of the pain.

    "Ms. Gillis, you''d better pray that the woman who saved my life is actually in Sna City."

    With a gloomy gaze, Jasper left Sheryl with this warning before he turned around and dashed out of the door.

    With an evil look in her eyes, Sheryl red at Jasper from behind as she reached back to massage her neck, which was hurting because of the impact.

    Hah. Impotent rage.

    So what if he let out his rage on her? She hadpleted the task that Justin assigned to her.

    Moreover, why was he being mad?

    Wasn''t he the one who broke his promise and abandoned Alyssa?

    Jasper''s strides widened with every step, so much so that he eventually almost started sprinting.

    It was an extremely cold day with a temperature of -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Even so, he was so rushed that he broke out in sweat, drenching his entire suit.

    Just as he got to his car, his phone rang.

    A drop of sweat trickled down Jasper''s jaw as he panted. He pulled out his phone from his chest pocket.

    It was Sean calling.

    "Hello? Mr. Lynch,." Despite his uneasiness, Jasper pretended to be calm as he answered the phone. "Jasper, where''s Ms. Alyssa?"

    The sound of Sean''s anxious voice traveled into Jasper''s ear. "Why am I able to get through to you but not to Ms. Alyssa? Didn''t the both of you go hiking together?"

    Jasper stumbled. He could feel the throbbing in his veins on his temples. He pushed his hands against the car door.

    "I came to Skydon City. I did not go hiking."

    "You didn''t go hiking? Why not?"

    "Something came up at thest minute. I sent Ms. Alyssa a message earlier to inform her. She should have seen it."

    Jasper was not trying to shirk from any responsibilities. He was simply stating the facts. "I was the one who wronged her by bailing on her. I will make it up to her when I get back to Sna City."

    ''Make it up to her? Jasper, do you even hear yourself?"

    Sean flew into a rage. He rebuked, "When you divorced Ms. Alyssa back then, you rushed to court even after you met with a traffic ident and suffered a concussion.

    "Having been together for such a long time, you have always put her first. Even if Beckett Group went bankrupt, or if the world crumbled, you would not leave Ms. Alyssa alone!

    "What''s going on now? Is she just a burden to you, something you can toss away because you don''t love her anymore? How could you neglect her like this?"

    Jasper''s lips were quivering. He felt really short of breath, as if someone had their hands mped around his neck.

    "Where is she right now? I''ll head back to see her."

    ''My calls aren''t going through to her. I cannot reach her!"

    Although Sean was usually Alyssa''s reliable and calm subordinate, he was in a panic right now. "There''s a snowstorm happening tonight. Being stubborn as a mule, Ms. Alyssa must have gone hiking on her own. I''m on my way to Crater Mountain as we speak!"

    Jasper''s head started buzzing, and a splitting pain spread through his head, making his body shiver.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.

 Chapter 2339

    ?

    "Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled.

    The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit.

    The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa''s face.

    Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of destion to Alyssa''s sorrowful and depressive mood.

    She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time.

    She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading.

    Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation.

    For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions was like walking into a lion''s den. Any slight distraction would be enough for nature to consume them.

    *Jasper... I hate you... I really hate your guts...

    Alyssa mumbled as she continued moving her legs, which she could no longer feel. As she moved forward, the tears at the corners of her reddened eyes froze.

    Initially, she wanted to take this opportunity to take a walk down memoryne with Jasper during this hike. She wanted them to return to that cave where they''d hid from thendslide so they could reminisce about those heart- stopping times they had been through together.

    In the end, it all came to naught.

    There would not be another chance. She had nothing left.

    "Alyssa Taylor... It''s time for you to wake up."N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.

    Alyssa''s teeth were chattering from the cold. She blinked hard, and an ice crystal got into her eye. "He truly doesn''t want you anymore... You are no longer important..."

    She cried as she uttered thosest few words.

    Discontentment, helplessness, and agony chewed repeatedly at her badly wounded heart.

    While she was crying her eyes out, she missed a step unexpectedly and fell off the slope of the mountain!

    As she rolled and rolled, she became covered in snow. She rolled down like a snowball, and in the end, her body mmed heavily against a massive rock at the bottom of the slope.

    "Oof!"

    Even though she wore a puffer jacket, that dull pain still spread throughout all her limbs. She was in so much pain that she couldn''t get to her feet at all.

    Just like that, shey on the ground, staring up at the night sky. The sky was dark, and she was all alone.

    After a long while, she gritted her teeth to withstand the pain as she tried to get up from the ground. Nevertheless, both her legs were frozen stiff, and she was unable to stand up no matter how hard she tried.

    Just as she was losing all hope, something caught her eye.

    That massive rock in front of her marked the same spot where she hid herself when she got lost in the mountains when she was 11.

    This was also the ce where she first met Jasper and where their story first began.

    After all that she had been through, she couldn''t believe that she ended up back here.

    Devoid of all energy, she leaned against the rock and curled herself up into a ball. With tears flowing down her face, she smiled.

    The moment Jasper''s private nended, he got into his sports car and zoomed toward Crater Mountain on his

    own.

    Strong winds howled, and a heavy snowfall was imminent. Road conditions were treacherous, and visibility was poor.

    As he sped on the freeway, his car tires slipped a few times, almost causing him to get into a major ident. Fortunately, thanks to his excellent driving skills, he was able to avoid such an urrence.

    Just as he was approximately two miles away from Crater Mountain Park-

    A ck sports car caught up with him like the wind from behind and started driving alongside him. Jasper''s palms became mmy as he held onto the steering wheel. He had a feeling that this was not a friendlypany. In fact, rm bells rang throughout every inch of his body, telling him someone was out to get him.

    Suddenly, he looked to the side and widened his eyes in shock.

    The window of the car next to him was lowered. Through the crazy, chilling winds, he spotted a handsome yet icy face.

    It was Remy!

    Jasper pressed his lips together tightly. His chest heaved while his temples pounded hard.

    In the next moment, his eyes widened.

    Lookingpletely unmoved, Remy held onto his steering wheel with one hand. Then, he raised his other hand, which was holding firmly onto a gun.

    He pointed the muzzle right at Jasper''s forehead.

 Chapter 2340

    ?

    A chill went down Jasper''s spine.

    At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered-he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!

    Jasper''s mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver''s seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car-one that wasn''t equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.

    The soldier within him stirred.

    Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy''s.

    One of Remy''s headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow.

    All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense ofpetitiveness,pelling him to pull the trigger.

    A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper''s car window.

    From the very beginning, Remy hadn''t intended to take Jasper''s life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alyssa. He had not instructed him to take his life.

    Nevertheless, that shot hit Jasper in the arm. Fresh blood gushed out from his wound, and blood had sttered on the car window.

    Jasper''s face went pale. He groaned but still kept his hands on the steering wheel steadily. He put the pedal to the metal and did not show any signs of stopping.

    Even if the world turned upside down or if a bloody battle broke out, he would give his all to go to Alyssa.

    It was as if that passion and intense urge, which he hadn''t felt in a really long time, had suddenly risen within his chest once again.

    Remy was startled to see how determined Jasper was that he wasn''t even afraid of his gun. Right after that, his eyes dimmed as he reached his arm out the window and fired three consecutive shots at Jasper''s tires.

    What followed was a screeching sound that tore through the night. Jasper''s tires blew out, causing his sports car to make a few spins on that empty freeway.

    Finally, with a thunderous boom, his car mmed into the side of a slope on the right.

    It was also thanks to the snowstorm that no cars were on the freeway. Otherwise, this could have ended tragically.

    The front of the sports car waspletely ruined. Thick smoke billowed from the hood, and ss had shattered everywhere.

    Remy, his face like ice, approached the wreck, his eyes cold and calcting, his boots crunching over broken ss.

    All of a sudden, the car door flung open.

    Remy narrowed his eyes and raised his gun in a swift move.

    In the next moment, a bruised and battered Jasper got out of the car. Fresh blood soaked his bangs and trickled down his badly wounded face.

    Drops of blood trickled along his jaw and dripped onto the ground, blending into the deste night.

    The pain spread through his entire body, consuming him physically and mentally like crashing waves. It was as if he was about to bepletely destroyed from the inside out.

    He was holding himself together with his astounding willpower. No one else in all of Sna City was capable of doing so.

    "Freeze," Remymanded coldly as he aimed his gun at Jasper''s bloodied face.

    Nheless, Jasper ignored him and took a step forward.

    His eyes reflected his determination, strength, and stubbornness.

    Even the bleakness at the brink of death would pale into insignificance because of this look in his eyes.

    "Jasper, didn''t you hear me?" Remy''s charming eyes filled with ferocity. He gritted his teeth and ordered, "I told you to stay right there!"

    Fresh blood blurred Jasper''s vision, but he did not appear to be fearful at all. He croaked, "I want to go to Alyssa. You cannot stop me.

    "I can''t, but what about my gun?" Remy cocked his gun and threatened.

    As long as he pulled the trigger, Jasper had nowhere to run. He would most definitely lose his life right here.

    "You''re going to kill me?'' Jasper questioned with a piercingly cold look in his eyes.

    "What do you think?"

    "You won''t."

    Remy scoffed. "That''s really confident of you."

    "You had countless opportunities to shoot me in the head earlier, but you didn''t."

    Jasper blinked hard. His eyes were bloodshot. In a clear voice, he probed, "Your goal was only to stop me from going to Alyssa, am I right?"

    Remy red at him. In a frosty voice, he replied, "Since you already know that, don''t make me fire at you, Mr. Beckett."

    "When we were on Rose Ind, you showed up on Jameson''s instructions to stop us from rescuing Alyssa... Jameson is now dead, and you and I have no grudges against one another.

    *So, who was it who ordered you to stand in my way?" Jasper exhaled a cloud of mist as he forced himself to withstand the immense pain.

    *No one ordered me to do so. I just don''t like you and feel that you don''t deserve to show up before Ms. Alyssa anymore."

    Remy lifted the corner of his lip into a smirk. "Compared to you, there is someone who''s more suited to be with Ms. Alyssa. Your rtionship with her has ended. She no longer needs you."This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    The look in Jasper''s eyes went cold. Feeling frustrated, he blurted in a deep voice, "There''s someone more suited to be with her than me? Is it Justin you''re referring to?"

    To his surprise, he hit the nail on the head. Remy''s pupils constricted, and the smirk vanished from his face.

 Chapter 2341

    ?

    Chapter 2341

    As subtle as Remy''s expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle shed across his eyes.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain.

    Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop.

    Just then, another gunshot rang out.

    It wasn''t until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet.

    It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time.

    After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left inplete disability.

    "If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don''t suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, do you?"

    "If you want to shoot me... just go ahead."

    Heaving, Jasper pressed his hand against the wound on his right shoulder and continued advancing. "As long as I''ve still got breath in my lungs, I have to meet with Alyssa. There''s a massive snowstorm tonight... but she''s gone hiking alone. She will be in danger!"

    Remy stood stiffly at the same spot as he watched Jasper''s determined and upright figure from behind.

    He no longer had a firm grip over the gun in his hand.

    ''Remy, if you want toe against me or to take my life, we can have a face-off in the future. I will certainly not shy away from it. But, right now, let me go to her."

    Jasper''s eyes welled up with tears as he pleaded; a lump rose in his throat. "Please, I beg you."

    A momentter, he realized that the person behind him was remaining silent. As such, he picked up his pace. Suddenly, Remy called out to him. "Jasper."

    Jasper knitted his brows together tightly and turned around. The snowy winds billowed as their eyes met.

    Remy swung his arm and hurled a ck object toward Jasper.

    Jasper lifted his left hand and caught the object in his hand. He opened his palm and was stunned.

    He couldn''t believe that he had Remy''s car keys in his hand.

    ''You are indeed mad. You are quite a lunatic," Remy scoffed.

    He turned around coolly and strutted away. "Remember what you just said. I''ll take you up on that challenge next time."

    Jasper curled his fingers around the car key as he watched Remy move farther away. As he spaced out, he mumbled, "Damien..."

    With Remy''s car, Jasper arrived at the foot of Crater Mountain in less than 20 minutes.

    At this moment, Elias was leading a team of forest rescue team members to head up the mountain to rescue Alyssa. He bumped into Jasper coincidentally.

    "Mr. Beckett?"

    With the illumination from the searchlight, Elias studied Jasper''s face, which looked even whiter than snow. In utter shock, he eximed, "W-What took you so long? What happened to you? Are you hurt?"

    Jasper had used slush to wash the blood and dirt off his hands and his face. Even so, he still looked to be in terrible shape.

    Even though the freezing temperatures could slow down the aggravation of the wound on his right shoulder, he was still being tormented by that excruciating pain every second.

    "I''m fine. Where''s Alyssa? Have you heard from her?" he blurted.

    ''I haven''t! Her secretary contacted me. He''s on his way here as we speak. I''ll first take the rescue team up the mountain to search for her.

    "Ms. Alyssa has experience hiking outdoors, so she''s capable of avoiding danger. I hope that she''ll be able to hang in there."

    Although that was what Elias uttered verbally, he was still extremely worried.

    He continued, "It''s just that we''ve got such adverse weather tonight. If, in any case, she missteps, she might fall down a cliff and be buried in the snow. It would be terrible if that happened!"

    Upon hearing that, Jasper was frightened deep down. His entire body went cold. "I''ll go up the mountain with the rest of you!"

    "Mr. Beckett, what in the world happened to you and Ms. Alyssa? Did you both break up? Or did you have a fight?" Elias let out a sigh. He gave Jasper a slightly resentful re. "I know that this is a private matter between the both of you, and it''s not for me as an outsider toment. But Ms. Alyssa is so devoted to you. She''s such a nice woman. How could you disappoint her?

    "Did you know? She came over early this afternoon to wait for you right here. She just stood at the foot of the mountain on her own, in the cold, waiting for you to show up.

    "I''ve known her for so many years. Truth be told, I''ve never seen her look so pitiful and miserable. Imagine putting all your hopes on one particr person, only to discover that it was a waste of time. I feel terrible just thinking about it!"

    Jasper held his breath. The image of Alyssa waiting bitterly for him at this ce appeared in his mind.

    His lips were quivering. His body, already hanging by a thread, seemed to buckle further under the weight of the guilt.

 Chapter 2342

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    Chapter 2342

    The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.

    Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than thest.

    His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa-was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper''s unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.

    Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.

    A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He copsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.

    His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the ne hanging from his neck-inside it was a hidden medicine box.

    Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life.

    But in his desperate haste, the pill slipped from his fingers and fell into the snow.

    Remy''s head buzzed. Trembling, he searched frantically in the snow for it. He had never felt such panic.

    His headache was intensifying.

    In order to relieve the agonizing pain, he removed his shirt and buried his scarred body in the snow, allowing the bone-piercing iciness to relieve him of his pain.

    To his surprise, this method he tried randomly was effective!

    Slowly, he opened his bloodshot eyes. Though his insides still felt tight and his head throbbed, the pain was more bearable.

    His face was as white as a sheet. He had just put his shirt back on when his phone rang.

    Seeing that Sheryl was his caller, a look of annoyance came across his eyes. He hesitated for a moment.

    He left his phone to ring for a while before answering. He ced his phone by his ear.

    "Remy, I heard that you called for backup. Why? Did something happen to you?" Sheryl''s voice was emotionless as if she was just checking with him as part of a standard procedure.

    A glint shed across Remy''s eyes. In a steady voice, he answered, "Yeah, I lost my car. I need a car to head back.

    Skeptically, Sheryl questioned, "You lost your car? What happened to it?"

    "Jasper stole it from me."

    Sheryl eximed in disbelief, "What? You didn''t stop him? Did you fail your mission?''

    Remy felt suffocated. For whatever reason, he uttered a lie, which was something he had never done before.

    "Mr. Justin did not ask me to take his life. I smashed his car to ruins and fought against him. He then snatched my gun from me and shot me."

    Sheryl fell silent for a moment. She seemed to have believed him.

    After all, Jasper was once the best soldier in the military academy. He was outstanding at fighting. It was only reasonable that Remy wasn''t a match for him.

    "Some subordinates have left to go pick you up. But, the consequences of your failure this time are severe. When you''re on your way back, think about how you''ll exin yourself to Mr. Justin!"

    Upon saying that, Sheryl hung up mercilessly.

    Remy gazed into the night, his breath misting in the cold air.

    After some pondering, he lifted his hand slowly and fired a shot at his left shoulder.

    The pure, white snow was stained with drops of fresh blood.

    As a result of the pain, Remy''s forehead became covered in cold sweat. Even so, none of the agony showed on his face.

    On the contrary, he curled his lips upward into a resolute smile.

    "This is my ount to Mr. Justin."This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Dragging his badly wounded body, Jasper tagged along with Elias and the rescue team as they entered the depths of the forest.

    "Mr. Beckett, you really don''t look very good. Are you sure you''re alright?"

    Noticing Jasper''s face covered in sweat as if he had just gone for a dive, Elias couldn''t help but feel worried.

    "You can leave it to us to search for Ms. Alyssa. Plus, Mr. Lynch has informed her family members. We have sufficient manpower, so why don''t you just wait for us at the foot of the mountain?"

    "No, I have to find her." Jasper''s vision was clear at times and blurry at others. He trudged forward numbly. "I owe her this much."

    Elias sighed. "Both of you used to be well-known in Sna City for being a model couple. Why did you both end up in this current state? It''s such a pity..."

    Jasper pursed his lips together and hung his head low. Each step he took in the snow also seemed to leave a heavy mark on his heart.

    Emotions surged within his chest, crushing and pushing against his insides silently in this freezing weather. As much as he was unwilling to admit it, he had no choice but to admit that he regretted it.

    It was important to him to locate White Dove. But if the price for that was for Alyssa to fall into danger and risk losing her life...

    "Mr. Parker! There are traces of a hiker over here!" someone shouted agitatedly.

    In that instant, the dejected gaze in Jasper''s eyes turned sharp. He charged forward and noticed the shoeprints. With one nce, he recognized them to be Alyssa''s shoeprints. They could not belong to anyone else other than her.

    Relief washed over him, a momentary reprieve from the crushing weight in his chest.

    "We are searching in the right direction. She has passed by this ce. ording to the length of her strides and her pace in such a heavy snowstorm... she wouldn''t have gone far," Jasper analyzed in a quaky voice.

    "But her shoeprint trail disappears here. She might be buried in the snow!"

 Chapter 2343

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    Chapter 2343

    Elias frowned deeply; his worry etched onto his face.

    "We''ve been shouting Ms. Alyssa''s name the whole way. With so many of us calling out, she should''ve heard us by now if she were nearby!"

    In a deep voice, Jasper said, "The wind is too strong, and then there''s the heavy snowfall. Our voices are being drowned out. Lyse might not hear us at all.

    Lyse.

    Her nickname slipped from his lips before he even realized it.

    "I''m just afraid she''s injured-or worse, fainted. If she cks out in this cold..." Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with dread. "On a day like this, she won''t survive long. She''ll freeze to death."

    The group exchanged uneasy nces, the reality of his words tightening their chests.

    It wasn''t that Elias was being a doomsayer. Rather, this was the cruel reality that might actually happen.

    Crater Mountain imed lives every year. Danger lurked unpredictably in the woods on the mountain-anything could unfold.

    "Let''s split up," Jaspermanded, his eyes fixed on the shadowy forest. His voice carried an edge of desperation. "We''re not leaving until we find her."

    Elias hesitated. "But what if-

    "If anything happens to her," Jasper cut him off, his voice trembling with fierce determination, ''I''ll make this ce my grave. I mean it."

    Before anyone could respond, Jasper turned and strode into the darkness, his figure quickly swallowed by the night.

    Elias watched him disappear, exhaling a heavy sigh. "They''re right when they say aristocratic families raise people with fiery hearts."

    Jasper trudged through the snow, his mind racing.

    When Alyssa finally convinced him to make her a promise, all she asked was for him to go hiking with her. But she didn''t mean just a hike. She wanted them to retrace their past. If he were Alyssa, where would he go? Jasper''s heart raced as he strained to stay vignt. He arrived at the cave-the very ce where he and Alyssa had once sought refuge during thendslide.

    As he stared into the empty cave, memories of that day surged back-the harrowing brush with death, the suffocating fear, and the unspoken bond of survival that had tethered them together.

    "If God doesn''t protect you, I will."

    That promise wasn''t just words; it was carved into his heart. He had not forgotten it. He had remembered it. Jasper''s world swirled in dizzying chaos. A heavy thud echoed as his strength gave out, sending him crashing to his knees. His eyes, bloodshot and weary, glistened with the weight of exhaustion and turmoil.

    "Alyssa... I have to find you..."

    Clenching his fists, he wed at the frozen ground, forcing himself to stand. His muscles screamed in protest, but he pushed forward. "I have to... find you!"

    In the midst of hopelessness, the temperature continued to plummet.

    The weather was as ruthless and cold as reality.

    Alyssa huddled into a tight ball, pressing herself against the rock. The pure white snow nketed her almost entirely, rendering her nearly invisible to anyone who wasn''t looking carefully.

    She squeezed her eyes shut, her lips a chilling shade of purple as hypothermia took its toll. Disoriented and barely clinging to awareness, her mind wavered in a haze of confusion.

    Soon, her entire body would be frozen stiff, and she would be at death''s door.

    Alyssa trembled violently as she curled tighter into herself. Lost in a daze, fragments of heartwarming childhood memories flickered in her mind-a fleeting warmth against the encroaching cold.

    The cold seemed to fade from her senses, reced by an unexpected warmth. In the depths of her daze, herte mother had appeared, her arms wide open, enveloping Alyssa in aforting embrace.

    "Lyse, my sweet girl. Don''t be afraid. I''m here.''

    The beautiful and gentle woman stroked her hair. "I know that you''ve been through a lot. Go to sleep. I''ll keep watch over you...

    "Mom... I''m exhausted...

    Alyssa felt so weak that it felt as if she could crumble at any moment. Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice barely a whisper as she murmured, "Mom... Jasper doesn''t want me anymore. I can''t hold on anymore. Mom.... Take me away. Mom...

    Just as she was on the brink of losing consciousness, she heard the sound of a familiar voice calling out to her, albeit vaguely.

    "Alyssa!"This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Was that Jasper?

    Alyssa was startled, as if a jolt of electricity had gone through her. Her eyes fluttered open while she was still in that woman''s arms, whose face was now blurry.

    "Lyse, Jasper has already abandoned you. He no longer wants you, so why would he be here to search for you? Go to sleep. Sleep tight," the woman in Alyssa''s imagination uttered bewitchingly. Her voice ate at her willpower.

    Feeling despondent, Alyssa let out a bitterugh.

    Yeah, how could that be Jasper''s voice?

    She no longer had any hope in that man.

    Nevertheless, in the next second, Alyssa felt a pair of hands gripping her shoulders tightly. It was as if they were about to dig their fingers into her flesh to anchor her soul.

    Dazedly, she opened her eyes.

    In the darkness and gloom, Jasper''s sharp eyes shined brightly like the stars in the night sky.

 Chapter 2344

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    Chapter 2344

    "Jas..."

    Alyssa looked at Jasper with an unfocused gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Mentally, she was confused.

    "Yes, it''s me-Jasper!"

    Jasper''s heart clenched as he saw the color drain from her face. Her body trembled uncontrobly, fragile as a leaf caught in the wind. She resembled the kitten he had saved as a child-frozen and alone in the alley that bitter winter night. A deep sorrow flooded his chest.

    "Jas... per..." Alyssa murmured his name, her voice strained, her tongue numb from the cold.

    A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "It seems... like I am about... to freeze to death... How could he be here... He will note back... He doesn''t want me anymore..."

    Alyssa''s vision blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She began to lean, her body sagging to one side.

    "Alyssa! Stay awake!"

    Jasper''s heart was pierced, the pain unbearable as he saw the denial in her eyes. He forced himself to push through the agony, opening his arms to cradle her.

    "I am Jasper! Open your eyes! Look at me!"

    For someone in a state of hypothermia, falling unconscious could be fatal, even more so when the will was lost.

    Jasper''s heart raced with terror as he watched Alyssa. He feared she might never wake up if she closed her eyes

    now.

    The oppressive darkness around them felt suffocating, as though it were closing in, swallowing any hope they had left.

    Alyssa, her eyes still wet with tears, gazed at the man before her. His eyes burned with a fire she hadn''t seen in so long. Her heart skipped a beat, racing uncontrobly.

    But that fire had long been reced by shadows ever since he''d woken from hisa. His eyes, once full of light, had be darker than the night, colder than ice.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    Yet, it was him-Jasper-thest person she wanted to see at this moment.

    A bitterugh escaped her lips. Her bloodshot eyes fluttered closed, and with what little strength remained, she pushed him away.

    "You are Jasper... but... I don''t need you anymore..."

    Jasper''s brow furrowed, a wrenching pain twisting inside him. He knew the cold had clouded her mind that she was just speaking nonsense. But every word sliced through him, deep and raw.

    Ignoring her protests, he reached for the soaked fabric clinging to her, the icy slush weighing her down.

    "Don''t touch me... Don''t tou-"

    Alyssa''s eyes were reddened. She could do nothing else to resist him than voicing out her protests.

    With a somber expression, Jasper stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her trembling form, trying to share what little warmth he had left.

    He then retrieved a thermal sk from his backpack, carefully dampening her scarf with hot water and pressing it gently against her chest to thaw the cold.

    As his hands worked deftly, some color slowly returned to Alyssa''s pale, frozen face. Hershes quivered slightly. but she remained in a dangerous state.

    Despite the bone-chilling cold that seeped into his own body, Jasper lifted her into his arms, carrying her as if she were weightless, plowing forward.

    "Jass... per..." Alyssa rested faintly against his arms, her voice a mere whisper, carried away by the wind.

    Yet, he heard her clearly. "I''m here."

    "Previously... I overestimated myself. I was too stubborn... Tears welled in Alyssa''s eyes, the weight of everything crashing down. "I really... don''t want to love you anymore..."

    Jasper froze, his steps faltering, the shock of her words reverberating through him. For a heartbeat, he stood still, then continued forward, his grip tightening around her fragile form.

    "Let me take you away from here," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Everything else can wait. We''ll talkter."

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 2345

    ?

    Chapter 2345

    "Next time? There won''t be a next time."

    Tears flowed down Alyssa''s face, soaking Jasper''s shirt with each drop. Her voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of her heartache. "Jasper... I''m drained. Sometimes, I think it might be better if you just forgot about me. It would be easier than this. Every time I let myself hope, all I get in return is disappointment."

    Jasper''s chest tightened as her calm words pierced through him. Waves of emotion surged inside him, and a lump rose painfully in his throat.

    It was fortunate that Jasper had found Alyssa in time to administer first aid. After rushing her to the ER, she slipped into unconsciousness.

    That being said, she was extremely lucky to have escaped death. Nevertheless, she needed to remain in the ICU for further observation. Aside from treating her frostbite, the doctors needed to assess whether her internal organs or brain had been affected.

    With the severity of Alyssa''s condition, Sean couldn''t keep the truth from Winston. He immediately called him, as well as Ss and Cyrus in Sna City. He even reached Jonah, who had been out of contact while searching for Julien overseas.

    The Taylors rushed to the hospital in Sna City as quickly as they could. It was a sleepless night.

    Meanwhile, Jasper went to treat his gunshot wound in private, not wanting to worry anyone. The doctor had warned that if he hade anyter, his right arm could have be permanently disabled.

    When Xavier burst into Jasper''s hospital room, a nurse had just finished dressing his wound.

    Jasper''s head, arm, and shoulders were wrapped in white bandages, blood seeping through the fabric, staining it a ghastly red. Despite the pain, his posture remained as rigid as ever-straight-backed with no hint of weakness.

    "Mr. Beckett!" Xavier''s voice cracked with emotion, his eyes brimming with tears.

    The nurse stepped out, leaving the two alone. Jasper gave Xavier a cold, dismissive nce before struggling to pull his hospital gown back on. Hecked the energy to do it himself. After all, he, too, had been severely hurt.

    "Mr. Beckett, hold it right there. Let me help you!"

    Xavier rushed forward to assist. He gently pulled the gown over Jasper''s shoulders and helped him lean back against the headboard.

    Seeing the extent of Jasper''s injuries-each one sustained in his attempt to save Alyssa-Xavier''s heart clenched in pain. The thought that all of this was for her made Xavier''s chest tighten. Unable to hold back, he burst into tears.

    "Mr. Beckett, please, don''t scare me like this again.... I''d rather die than see anything happen to you again!"

    Jasper looked at Xavier with a firm gaze and asked, "Why? Are you willing to die in the name of love?"

    Xavier sniffled and didn''t say anything.

    "Your deep affection should be directed to the person you love, not me." Jasper lowered his eyes, looking weary." You''re just my secretary. Don''t burden yourself with things that aren''t work-rted."

    His words might have seemed cold, but there was an undeniable tenderness beneath them. Jasper was deeply concerned for those around him, always hiding it behind a fa?ade of detachment.

    Xavier wiped his tears, fury igniting in his eyes. "Who did this to you? I''ll find them. I''ll make them pay for what they did to you!"

    "You want to avenge me? He could take you down without even trying."

    Jasper closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting to the image of Remy''sposed figure as he walked away and the subtle shift in his expression when Justin was mentioned. It made Jasper question everything he had thought he knew about Justin''s innocent fa?ade.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.

    "It was Remy..." he mumbled as the look in his eyes dimmed.

    Xavier leaned in, confused. "Who did you say it was?"

    Remy hadn''t tried to kill Jasper-he had only been doing everything in his power to stop him from reaching Alyssa.

 Chapter 2346

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    Chapter 2346

    Even without Jasper''s presence, he was confident that the Taylors and the rescue team would have been able to save Alyssa. It became clear what the person manipting Remy had been aiming for.

    But why had Remy let Jasper go at that crucial moment? Had he experienced a sudden change of heart? Or was he, in fact, Alyssa''s brother, Damien?

    Jasper''s mind filled with all kinds of thoughts.

    Before he could dwell too deeply, there was a knock at the door.

    Xavier hurried over to open it, freezing in shock when he saw who stood outside. "Mr. Winston?"

    Winston was leaning on Ss for support, his expression grim. "Mr. Beckett is in there, isn''t he? May I have a word with him?"

    Xavier quickly stepped aside, gesturing for Winston and Ss to enter.

    When he saw the elder he respected standing at the door, Jasper struggled to rise from the bed despite his exhaustion.

    "Mr. Winston..."

    "You are wounded. Stay put!" Winston insisted, swiftly moving forward to gently press Jasper back down.

    Ss was filled with heartache and regret when he saw how badly Jasper was injured just because he wanted to save Alyssa. Thoseplex emotions were inexplicable.

    "Mr. Winston... I''m sorry," Jasper muttered in a low and deep voice. His lips were pale. He did not know what to say, but he felt that he should apologize to Alyssa''s father and also apologize to Alyssa.

    "Jasper, you don''t have to say anything else. I don''t me you."This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    Winston stared at Jasper with a deep gaze. He choked, "My daughter has always been headstrong. Thanks to your protection and support, she was kept safe all this while. The Taylors owe you a great debt. I should be the one apologizing to you."

    Jasper''s chest tightened, tears welling up. It was as though someone was tugging at his heart, an ache that he couldn''t shake.

    "Truth is, I''ve seen you as one of my own for some time now," Winston continued, his gaze tender. "In my eyes, you are like Jonah, Ss, and all the others. You are my family."

    Winston''s eyes shimmered as he spoke, his voice soft but sincere. "Even though you and Lyse have gone your separate ways, I won''t hold that against you.

    "If you ever encounter any problems with Beckett Group in the future, feel free toe to me anytime, I will surely help you out. After all, you have helped me multiple times in the past. I should return your kind favor."

    Ss was stunned. He had expected Winston to be upset, especially given the breakup between Jasper and Alyssa and Alyssa''s current condition. But to his surprise, Winston was kind and understanding.

    No wonder Winston had earned such loyalty over the years.

    Jasper''s throat tightened with emotion, but he couldn''t find the words. He remembered Alyssa''s words of disappointment, and his heart clenched painfully.

    "Mr. Winston, I-'' he began, but Winston cut him off gently.

    "I won''t pressure you and Lyse to reconcile, Winston said quietly. "We will respect your decision, whatever it may be."

    Winston felt himself welling up. "When you loved Lyse, it was only natural for you to make sacrifices for her, to do

    anything for her sake. But now that you don''t, I will make sure that she does not bother you again. I won''t let her be a burden or a nuisance to you."

    No. That wasn''t it!

    Jasper breathed heavily. He forced himself to sit up despite his injuries.

    Before he could respond, the door to his room opened unexpectedly.

    Jasper, Winston, and Ss all turned to find Justin sitting in his wheelchair.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

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 Chapter 2347

    ?

    Chapter 2347

    Jasper''s eyes dimmed, and his chapped lips curled downward in a tight frown.

    rm bells rang in Xavier''s mind. He rushed forward and stood in front of Jasper''s hospital bed as if shielding him from a threat.

    For once, Justin''s usual bright demeanor was reced by something colder-grim and calcting. His eyes burned with unspoken anger, and it was clear he wasn''t here for a social call.

    Upon noticing all that, Winston frowned.

    "Mr. Justin, Mr. Jasper is injured. I wonder which fool let his dog loose to harm him. Through gritted teeth, Xavier urged Justin to leave. "Mr. Jasper doesn''t wish to entertain any visitors right now. He needs rest. Please leave!"

    Upon hearing that, the look in Justin''s eyes dimmed subtly.

    In reality, Xavier had no idea who the mastermind was. He was simply blowing the matter out of proportion, driven by his frustration and anger.

    Unexpectedly, Justin had taken his casual remark to heart.

    Not wanting Winston to witness the awkward tension between the Becketts, Jasper hissed under his breath," Xavier, don''t be rude to Justin."

    Justin ignored Xavier but looked to Winston instead. He lifted the corners of his lips slightly into an elegant smile. "Apologies for barging in, Mr. Winston."

    Winston forced a smile in return. "No need for apologies, Mr. Justin. I am an outsider here. You and Jasper are brothers, after all. It''s more like I''m the nuisance here."

    Justin''s gaze hardened. "Mr. Winston, I''m afraid I must ask for a moment alone with my brother."

    It was clear what he meant-Winston was to leave.

    Winston gave Jasper a concerned look. "Rest well, Jasper. I shall not stand in the way of your brotherly conversation.''? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Not only did this man before his eyes once save his daughter''s life, but he also had a pure and refined image that felt as warm as a spring breeze. All who saw him would get a good impression of him.

    Yet, for some reason, he simply did not feel particrly good about Justin. He kept feeling that there was a barrier between them, and all he wanted to do was keep his distance.

    "Justin, you can just say what you want."

    Having been through this incident, Jasper became greatly suspicious of Justin, even though he had once saved his life. Deep down, he was greatly conflicted and reluctant to have this private conversation with Justin.

    "Mr. Winston is an elder I respect. I haven''t seen him in a really long time, so I''d like to spend more time with him." Winston''s eyes widened at that. His heart was warmed.

    "You can say your piece right here. If it''s not convenient, we can talk tomorrow instead."

    Upon saying that, Jasper lowered his eyes, making it obvious that he was not keen to speak to him.

    A dark look filled Justin''s eyes. He took a heavy breath, then said in a hoarse voice, "Jasper, Ms. Alyssa was in danger and almost lost her life in the mountain forests this time.

    "I spoke with her primary physician earlier and learned that she suffered severe frostbite in two areas of her body. As a woman, she''s already physically weaker, and the extreme cold likely caused significant damage to her bodily functions.

    In an instant, the atmosphere in the hospital ward became heavy and suffocating.

    Jasper''s temples throbbed. Silently, he tightened his grip on his nket.

    The image of Alyssa curled into a ball in the snow shed in his mind. She had wanted to acknowledge his presence, yet something held her back. That hesitation made Jasper feel as if the icy air from the mountainous woods had seeped into his very lungs, freezing him from within.

    Winston winced, his frailty catching up to him. He stumbled, but Ss caught him just in time.

    Ss, face pale with worry, shot a nce at Justin. ''Mr. Justin, what are you trying to say?"

    A crestfallen look came across Justin''s face. He hesitated.

    At that moment, Sheryl entered the room, d in ab coat, as if on cue. Without hesitation, she addressed the group, her voice clear and authoritative. "Exposure to extreme cold can be extremely harmful to women. It can affect their fertility or even trigger a series of gynecological issues."

    She paused, her gaze shifting to the pale-faced Jasper, her expression unreadable. "That said, I''ve heard that Ms. Alyssa once had a miscarriage and is now barren. So, in this regard... How should I put it? I suppose you could say this was, in some way, a blessing in disguise.

    Her casual words hung in the air like a p. Jasper''s heart twisted, and the Taylors seemed to crumble. Xavier''s eyes turned bloodshot with fury.

    "Enough, you!" Xavier roared, lunging forward. "How dare you twist the knife in their wounds like that?"

    Wide-eyed, Sheryl put on an innocent expression as she looked toward Justin for help.

    "Sheryl may have been blunt, but she spoke the truth." Suddenly, Justin''s eyes snapped to Jasper, dark and piercing, his gaze sharp with usation. "Jasper, you have to take full responsibility for what happened to Ms. Alyssa. If it hadn''t been for you, she wouldn''t have gone hiking alone and ended up in such danger.

    "Jasper, have you even stopped to think about why she chose to take that risk? Why, despite knowing about the snowstormst night, she went ahead with the hike? As someone experienced in hiking, why would she rather face the blizzard than turn back before it was toote?"

    Justin''s harsh words struck Jasper like a relentless force, circling around his heart, each question driving deeper than thest. He opened his mouth to respond, but it felt as if a rusted nail had pierced his voice box, leaving him unable to make a sound.

    Justin''s gaze remained fixed on him, unyielding. Then, in a calm, clear voice, he spoke the truth that cut through the silence. "It was because you broke your promise to her."

    "Pro... mise?" Winston and Ss were staggered.

    Meanwhile, Sheryl chose to remain silent despite havingplete knowledge of the entire story.

    "She waited for you," Justin continued, his eyes narrowing with contempt. "But you didn''t show up. She couldn''t ept that you broke your promise to her."

    Justin moved closer to Jasper, his gaze growing colder and darker with each passing moment. "She couldn''t ept that the man who once cherished and loved her so deeply could now dismiss her, pushing her aside for another woman.

    "She must have been waiting for you, clinging to the hope that you''de for her. She couldn''t believe that you could be so cruel that you wouldn''t show up for your meeting with her."

    From the side of the bed, Justin leaned in slightly toward Jasper. The smile that curled on his lips was unnerving, as if it concealed a terrifying beast, one that had been waiting for the right moment to break free from its frozen

    shell.

    He continued, "Despite all the emotions Ms. Alyssa poured out to you, you let her down. Jasper, whether you''re willing to admit it or not, this is the truth. To you, Ms. Alyssa has already be unimportant and dispensable."

 Chapter 2348

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    Chapter 2348

    At that moment, a sharp, metallic taste of blood surged up Jasper''s throat, choking him so violently that he struggled to breathe.

    Winston and Ss stared at them, mouths agape. Chills went down their spines.

    Ss could feel Winston''s arm stiffening up and his palms turning cold.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.

    Alyssa, the darling of their family, was everything to Winston. Yet, even though bonded to Jasper, she had been repeatedly hurt-physically and emotionally.

    Jasper loved Alyssa with all his heart. He''d humbled himself, giving his all for her and Winston''s sakes.

    Even so, could Winston forgive him and let it go when his most beloved daughter fell into danger once again, almost losing her life?

    To make matters worse, the current Jasper had lost his ability to feel emotions due to his brain injury. He no longer loved Alyssa, and this had since been a thorn in Winston''s flesh.

    Justin''s gaze remained fixed on Jasper, his eyes hardening with cold fury.

    "As for you," Justin continued, his voice steady butden with condemnation, "you were wrong to regret your decision and break your word, especially after you made a promise to Ms. Alyssa, knowing how much it meant to her.

    "Your mistake was also in relishing the feeling of having such a remarkable, noble woman like her lower herself topromise and endure humiliation for your sake-even when you no longer loved her. You gave her hope, only to leave her to fall deeper into despair, again and again."

    Jasper''s knuckles became white as he tightened his grip over his nket. His vision began to dim as if he had been hit at the back of his head.

    Alyssa had said the exact words to himst night. Hearing them from Justin now felt like a brutal p- humiliating and raw.

    Once Justin had vented his fury, he leaned back in his wheelchair, his eyes lowering in resignation.

    "I nned to say this privately, behind closed doors. After all, Ms. Alyssa is Winston''s most cherished, and I didn''t want to make things awkward in front of him. I didn''t want to strain your rtionship with the Taylors, either. "But you didn''t give me that chance. What happened between us? How did we drift so far apart?''

    He sighed softly, a sound that carried a mix of sorrow and helplessness. "You and Alyssa shared something unforgettable, and even then, you''ve reached this point. I guess our brotherly bond is also a thing of the past. I can''t ask for more. I won''t me you."

    Jasper had said nothing at all.

    Yet, his bloodshot eyes burned with a mixture of pain and rage. He looked as if he had been awake for days and nights.

    Xavier, standing beside him, clenched his fists in frustration. It was obvious that Justin was exploiting this moment to drive a wedge between Jasper and Winston, who shared a rtionship akin to a father and son.

    Justin was envious, jealous, and furious.

    Xavier couldn''t shake the bitter thought that Justin deserved this, that his life in a wheelchair was nothing more than the retribution he had earned.

    In the end, Winston and Ss left the hospital ward with troubled looks on their faces. Justin then left the room after them. As the oldest son in the Beckett family, it was only right for him to see his elder off.

    Jasper and Xavier were the only ones left in the ward.

    "Mr. Beckett, Xavier began, his voice anxious, "you''re a shrewd man, a master of negotiation. No one can argue with you. But Mr. Justin... he''s trying to provoke you and pit you against Mr. Winston. He''s trying to me you!

    "You nearly lost your life in your attempt to win Madam back and earn Mr. Winston''s approval as his son-inw! If the things he said destroy the trust and positive impression Mr. Winston has of you, all your efforts and sacrifices would have been for nothing!"

    This one conversation had virtually put them at loggerheads.

    Jasper was badly wounded in the first ce. At this moment, he was extremely exhausted, as if his soul had been sucked away from him.

    After a moment, he slowly rxed his fists and opened his eyes slightly. With a firm gaze, he said, ''Xavier, get my clothes ready. I am getting discharged from the hospital."

    Xavier turned pale with fright. "Mr. Beckett, you shouldn''t! The doctor said that you have lost too much blood. Even though your wounds have been treated, you''re still required to stay at the hospital for observation..."

    "No. I can''t have my father and grandfather know about my hospitalization.

    Jasper took a deep breath to force himself to withstand the pain. Swiftly, he got out of bed. He straightened his back, looking every bit the soldier he once was.

    "If news about my injury got out, Beckett Group would surely be affected. I must not crumble, let alone allow others to have a chance to take advantage of us."

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 Chapter 2349

    ?

    Chapter 2349

    Alyssa was still unconscious. Despite feeling drained, both physically and emotionally, Winston refused to leave her side until she had regained consciousness.

    Nevertheless, his heart was filled with a plethora of gut-wrenching emotions. Afraid of losing control of himself before his family members, he walked to the balcony on his own and silently wiped away his tears while braving the chill winds.

    He had been a strong man all his life. It was extremely rare for him to shed a tear. Yet, each time he teared up, it was because of Alyssa and her mother.

    "Mr. Taylor." A crisp and pleasant voice sounded from behind him.

    Winston quicklyposed himself, swallowing back the tears, and turned around to see Justin. His gaze became guarded, distant, but he masked it swiftly.

    He nodded at him and said, "Mr. Justin, I know you''re not in the best of health. The winds here are cold; it would be better if you went back inside and rested.

    "Mr. Taylor, Justin began, his voice sincere, "My younger brother made a rash decision yesterday. He rushed to Skydon City to find a woman who meant a great deal to him. He missed his appointment with Ms. Alyssa because of it, and for that, I want to apologize on his behalf."

    Justin''s eyes contained a sincerity and an eagerness that he had never shown before. "I have found the best specialist in the country to treat Ms. Alyssa. Whether it''s her frostbite or other medical conditions, I will do my best to ensure she is cured."

    "Thank you for the kind gesture, Mr. Justin. But our family can still afford to hire doctors, so we shall not trouble you."

    Winston turned Justin down without any hesitation. Right after that, he let out a calm and relieved smile.

    "After knowing Jasper for such a long time, this is the first time I''ve heard about him rushing to a different city, especially for a woman. I suppose that woman is someone who''s really important to him. My guess is that she is someone who has once saved his life or has been through life and death with him."

    Justin paused. He was just about to speak when Winston pped back at him.

    "The fact that he chose to see that woman instead of meeting my daughter shows that he does not only think about love. Rather, he is apassionate person who values his friendships too. If I were in his shoes, I would have made the same decision as him and gone to meet the woman too."

    Winston fixed his eyes on Justin''s face, which had turned a little pale. He smirked slightly and continued, "Plus, I heard from Mr. Lynch that Jasper had sent a message to Lyse saying that something hade up for him at thest minute.

    "He also tried calling her, but she didn''t receive his call. Subsequently, Lyse hiked up the mountain on her own and ended up in danger due to her stubbornness. She was just acting ridiculously again.

    "Let this experience be a lesson for her so that she will leam from it. No one could spoil and pamper her unconditionally her entire life."

    As Winston spoke, he welled up with tears, his heart filled with sorrow. It wasn''t that there was no one like that. Jasper was someone who used to pamper Alyssa endlessly and unconditionally.

    "So, you don''t have to apologize on your brother''s behalf. I understand Jasper''s character, so I don''t me him." Justin forced a smile. "I feel better knowing that this is what you think."

    Winston gave him a cryptic look before marching off without as much as a back nce.

    Suddenly, Justin''s expression turned grim. A formidable look came across his dark eyes, as if he was ready to

    crush everything in his sight.

    After all that meticulous nning, he miscalcted one thing-he''d underestimated the deep and unconditional trust Winston had toward Jasper.

    In the underground parking lot, Sheryl pushed Justin toward his luxurious MPV.

    "Mr. Justin, Remy is waiting for you at the manor. He has been shot in his shoulder and is wounded quite badly. His car is also beyond repair."

    Sheryl leaned forward and whispered into Justin''s ear, ''From the looks of it, both he and Jasper suffered pretty badly. It doesn''t seem like it was staged.

    Justin''s face waspletely frigid. Even Sheryl could feel the air of coldness around him. She couldn''t hide the nervousness on her face.

    "Justin."

    Both Justin and Sheryl were startled to hear Jasper''s husky voice. Thereafter, they turned around.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

    Justin''s and Jasper''s eyes met. It was as if they were about to engage in closebat.

    "There''s something I''d like to ask you."

    Jasper stared at him with a sharp gaze. He did not look like he was hurt at all. "Other than Xavier, I have not told anyone about my promise to Alyssa. So, how did you know about it?"

 Chapter 2350

    ?

    Chapter 2350

    Tension rose within the empty underground parking lot.

    An incandescent bulb cast a harsh white light from the ceiling, drawing an invisible line between Justin and Jasper, separating their worlds-one of harsh light, the other of oppressive darkness.

    Sheryl''s chest tightened. Instinctively, she lowered her gaze to Justin.

    Nheless, Justin remained rxed. He nced at Jasper with a grim face and said calmly, "As long as it''s something I wish to find out, I will have countless ways to do so. Not only did I find out about the promise between you two, but I am also privy to even more of Ms. Alyssa''s secrets."

    His deration was a clear disy of his ambition and more subtly, a challenge to Jasper.

    Jasper''s breath hitched, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white and veins bulged.

    "Even though you both were once a pair of lovers, I know her way more than you do," Justin uttered with a smile on his face.

    Upon saying that, he turned his face away and signaled to Sheryl to wheel him into the car.

    "Justin, do you actually have feelings for Alyssa, or are you only hoping to have control over the people and matters that benefit you?" Jasper questioned in a steady voice as a gleam flickered in his eyes.

    Justin simply smiled but did not answer. A mocking look shed across his eyes.

    As Jasper watched Sheryl and Justin get into the car, he finally lost it. He said in a firm and cold voice that reverberated throughout the entire parking lot, "I went head-to-head against Remy on Rose Ind.

    "At the time, he worked with Jameson to stand in my way and to target the people around me. This had happened more than once.

    "When I was on the way to Crater Mountainst night, he showed up once again to stop me from meeting with Alyssa. After that, you showed up in such a timely manner today.

    "So, shouldn''t I have reason to believe that Jameson and Remy were both under your control and that you were the mastermind behind them?"

    Jasper''s voice echoed through the icy air.

    As Sheryl sat in the car, her heart pounded like mad. She was too afraid to even take a peek in Jasper''s direction. *Jasper, I really admire you for having such an extraordinary imagination."

    The dim lighting concealed Justin''s pale face. All Jasper could hear was the sound of him stifling augh. "But it makes me really disappointed to hear a question like this from you."

    Jasper frowned.

    "If I wanted you gone, I had plenty of chances to make you disappear when you first came into our family 20 years ago. But instead, I treated you well, didn''t I?"

    Indeed, Justin had treated him extremely well. Almost too well. So well that it was as if he were a deity

    descending from heaven to rescue Jasper.

    The Beckett family had praised Justin at every tum,uding him as a savior.

    "Exactly," Sheryl''s voice suddenly interjected, sharp and biting. She curled her lips in disgust. "If Mr. Justin wanted to harm you, why did he risk his life to save you when you were both kidnapped?

    "Mr. Jasper, are you going to forget what Mr. Justin did for you just because of a woman?

    "Also, when Mr. Taylor suffered a stroke, it was Mr. Justin who searched high and low in Mosgravia for the medication that helped to stabilize him.

    "If he truly wanted to do any harm to you, why would Mr. Justin have gone through all these unnecessary measures? Mr. Jasper, you should know where to draw the line even if you are being ungrateful!"

    "Sheryl, that''s enough," Justin lowered his voice suddenly.

    Sheryl fell silent, the weight of his tone forcing her into obedience.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.

    Just as Justin was about to leave in his MPV, Jasper, with a frosty look on his face, spoke up once again. "Justin, I won''t say anything if you''re pursuing Alyssa through honest means. But if you''re using maniption, coercion, or harm to get to her, I won''t allow it. Thest man who did whatever it took to win her was Jameson, and we all know how that ended."

    Upon hearing that, Justin''s smile froze on his face. His eyes turned red as he asked, "Jasper, are you regretting your decision? Are you still in love with her?"

    "It doesn''t matter whether or not I am still in love with her. I cannot allow anyone to hurt her no matter what, even indirectly."

    As Jasper said those words, a stiff smile came across his emotionless face. Even so, he still looked charming and graceful. "But if the attacks are directed toward me, I will not shrink back. I will face them head-on."

    Justin wound up his car window slowly as he sped away on his luxurious ride.

    Right after they got out of the parking lot, Justin raised his well-defined hand and pped Sheryl hard across her face.

    Sheryl was in so much pain that she started seeing stars. Her cheeks became swollen, and blood oozed from the corner of her lips.

    Having been a follower of Justin''s for such a long time, this was his first time hitting her. Not only that, he had hit her so hard!

    "I have reminded you multiple times to keep your mouth shut when ites to things that you shouldn''t speak of. However, it seems like your memory is failing you."

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 Chapter 2351

    ?

    Chapter 2351

    Justin tilted his chin upward slightly, his eyes shing with a cold, ruthless re that made him seem like an entirely different person.

    "As the saying goes, a leopard cannot change its spots. Ms. Gardner, are you trying to prove to me through your actions how impotent of a person you naturally are?"

    "Mr. Justin, please calm down..." Sheryl flinched, her face marked with a handprint, her skin pale with fear as she trembled. "I know I''m not very bright. I honestly don''t know what I did wrong. Please, enlighten me...

    "When speaking with Jasper, all you need to do is to get the main point across. There is no need to get into the details."

    Justin closed his eyes and leaned back casually. "Yet, tonight, you brought up the kidnapping incident from 20 years ago at a crucial point in my conversation with him. That was very untimely."

    Feeling perplexed, Sheryl responded, "But... you saved his life. This is a fact. I was just reminding him of it so that he remembers to be thankful!*Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    Justin scoffed and narrowed his eyes. "Thankful? He has even forgotten about his feelings for Alyssa. Why would he care about what I did for him?

    "Those three pills would cause him brain damage. This is a double-edged sword. He does not feel anything toward Alyssa. In the same way, he will not feel anything toward me either.

    Jasper currently has doubts about me. Every word you say will nt seeds of doubt in his heart. I can let this incident slide this time, but from now on, do not bring up the incident from 20 years ago. We will get ourselves in trouble if we''re not careful."

    Sheryl fell silent. Even so, she couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Justin, in that case, does that put us on the losing end? Jasper is getting more and more out of control. Wouldn''t hee against you in the future, then?"

    "We are meant to go against one another. Plus, he will soon realize I have been stalling."

    Justin curled the corners of his lips upward slightly to show his determination. "But that doesn''t matter anymore. It would all be toote by the time he truly realizes it."

    After parting ways with Justin, Xavier drove Jasper back toward Seaview Manor in his Maybach.

    "Mr. Beckett, are you really okay? You look really bad." Xavier''s chest tightened, and his heart filled with worry as he looked at Jasper''s pale face through the rearview mirror.

    Jasper lowered his eyes and answered in a weak and breathless voice, "I''m fine."

    Xavier sighed. "If only Dr. Lovce is around at this time. At least he would be of some help!"

    "He is a neurologist while I am suffering from a gunshot wound. How is he going to be of help?"

    All of a sudden, Jasper was reminded of Alyssa again.

    She was utterly outstanding and remarkable. They had been through too many heart-stopping moments that he could not neglect her. He couldn''t help but think of her involuntarily.

    Especially afterst night, he felt even more indebted and remorseful toward her.

    "Damn it... Did Justin put some kind of surveince on you?''

    Xavier gripped the steering wheel tightly in anger. "How did he know that you were hurt? Also, how did he time himself so well to actually show up in front of Mr. Taylor and bber all that? He''s freaking Jamiper 2.0!"

    All of a sudden, Jasper''s eyes widened in realization.

    Ever since Jameson made a fool of him, Jasper had installed anti-hacking and anti-monitoring software on his phone. No one could monitor his cell phone.

    Moreover, ever since he and Alyssa separated, they barely spoke on the phone. So, how in the world did Justin get to know everything?

    Just at this moment, Jasper''s gaze ended up unintentionally on the dashcam that had been fixed on the rearview mirror.

    That night, Alyssa got into his car, where they had their conversation.

    Therefore, the issue was within the car.

    After getting back to Seaview Manor, Jasper went to his study speedily. He also instructed Xavier to retrieve the surveince footage from the parking lot as well as the memory card from his dashcam.

    Xavierpleted all of that shortly after and returned to the study to report back to Jasper.

    "Mr. Beckett, there are no abnormalities recorded in the surveince footage."

    Truth be told, Jasper guessed as much. If anyone had done anything to his car, the surveince footage would be the first piece of evidence that needed to be destroyed.

    With a calm look on his face, he inserted the memory card into hisptop.

 Chapter 2352

    ?N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

    Chapter 2352

    Dripping in sweat, Xavier went up and stood behind Jasper right away. He stared fixedly at the screen of theputer.

    After inserting the memory card, Jasper fast-forwarded to check the surveince recording and listen to the recorded sounds.

    "Mr. Beckett, the dashcam can only record scenes outside the car and not anything from within the car. All we can listen to are the sounds.

    "If anyone had actually pried the doors open and snuck into the car to install anything, we wouldn''t be able to see anything," Xavier said, feeling quite troubled.

    Seconds and minutes passed.

    Just as Xavier was about to nod off from watching all the footage, Jasper eximed, "The video has been edited."

    Xavier jolted awake. He licked his lips to stop himself from drooling. "Oh? But it doesn''t look like there are any differences between the earlier andter images."

    With a cold look in his eyes, Jasper lowered his earphones. "It''s subtle, but the airflow sounds don''t match up between the earlier andter parts."

    Jasper''s visual and hearing acuity was top-notch, so much so that he could actually qualify as a master of martial arts.

    "You''re awesome, Mr. Beckett!"

    Wide-eyed and mouth agape, Xavier gave Jasper the thumbs-up. At the same time, he was terrified. "Who could be so daring to do such a thing right under your nose when the car was being parked at Seaview Manor?"

    There was a beep.

    Jasper''s gaze was firm as his fingers tapped the keyboard speedily. Rows and rows of data appeared on the ck screen.

    Xavier held his breath and focused on watching Jasper disy his hacking skills. His heart started to race just by watching him.

    "Mr. Beckett, you''re amazing. If only Madam was here to watch, I''m certain she would fall head over heels for you!" "That''s rubbish. Herputer skills can knock people''s socks off. I am just a nobodypared to her." Jasper''s fingers paused.

    The image of Alyssa showing off her hacking skills before him for the first time came to mind. He thought of that speed of her fingers and her bright and confident smile that took his breath away.

    That was the stunning Alyssa Taylor, who was one-of-a-kind, and even now, the memory of her brilliance stirred emotions deep within him.

    Xavier blinked. He pursed his lips together and giggled silently.

    The trauma to Jasper''s brain destroyed the emotional center of his brain. Yet, it could not wipe out his undying love for Alyssa deep in his heart.

    A few minutester, the deleted data in the memory card was restored.

    "Oh my word... Someone got into your car!"

    As Xavier watched the footage, he almost jumped out of his skin to see a man sneaking into Jasper''s car. "Does he look familiar to you?" Jasper narrowed his eyes and asked in an icy tone.

    Xavier furrowed his brows. "Hmm... He looks... a little...

    "He is one of my brother''s bodyguards."

    Xavier was so utterly blown away by Jasper''s abilities that he almost fell to his knees. ''Mr. Beckett, he''s such an insignificant person... You actually remember who he is?"

    ''As long as it is someone who showed up by Justin''s side, even just once, I will remember them."

    Jasper closed hisptop. A gloomy look came across his face. "Right now, Justin is the only remaining person who can go near me at Seaview Manor. So, he still would''ve ended up being my sole suspect even if I hadn''t found anything tonight."

    Xavier was inplete awe.

    As it turned out, Jasper wasn''t blinded by the fact that Justin had saved him back then. In truth, since Justin''s return to Sna City, he had been watching Jasper closely, hiding his true intentions.

    "I knew it. Mr. Justin was harboring evil intentions. He returned to steal your power. He''s just a big bad wolf sitting in a wheelchair!"

    Xavier was burning in anger. "Not only does he want to steal your power, but he also wants to steal Madam from you. He wants to take all that belongs to you!"

    Jasper staggered, his breath growing uneven. Was it the realization of Justin''s maniptive schemes or the idea that Justin might be trying to take Alyssa from him that left him shaken?

    "I was the one who wanted to break up." Jasper lowered his eyes, his jaw tight as if holding on to that single truth. "But he yed tricks behind your back and plotted against you. These are facts that you cannot deny!" Xavier was about to fly off the handle. "If he dared to tamper with your car, what''s stopping him from hiding a camera in your study the next time?

    "This time, he messed up your date with Madam. What will he do next time? Would he mess up your project and then take the opportunity to drag you down so that, as the oldest sibling, he can take advantage of the situation to be the person in charge of Beckett Group? Doesn''t that make you nervous?"

    Every question was stirring something up in Jasper''s heart.

    If the purpose of Justin''s return this time was to take away that which belonged to him, why did he give his all to save him from the kidnappers back then?

    Had Justin always been like this? Or had his heart hardened over the years, changing him from the kind brother he once was?

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 Chapter 2353

    ?

    Chapter 2353

    Looking at the sullen expression on Jasper''s face, Xavier leaned forward.

    In a serious voice, he said, ''Mr. Beckett, no one in this world stays the same forever. You have to be extra wary of Justin. When needed, you have to strike back! You can repay his kindness, but that cannot be why he is guilt- tripping or even threatening you!"

    After a moment of silence, Xavier added, "No, wait. There''s one thing in this world that I believe will never ever change."

    Jasper lifted his eyes. "What is it?"

    "The love Madam has for you!"

    There was a slight quiver in Jasper''sshes while a strange ball of emotions surged within him.

    Three days passed.

    Alyssa was transferred from the ICU to a regr ward. Fortunately, after being subjected to a full body checkup, she was found not to be suffering from any after-effects after she regained consciousness.

    The only issue was that her frostbitten hands had to be bandaged up after medication had been applied.

    She pretended to be rxed and joked light-heartedly about her hands looking like a bear''s paws.

    Nevertheless, Jonah, who had rushed back from Mosgravia to watch over her by her side, did not find that amusing at all.

    "Jonah, why did youe back?"

    Alyssa tried to prop herself up so that she could sit up, but Jonah pushed her shoulders down. She continued," Where''s Jul? Have you found him?"

    Jonah''s eyes glistened. In a gruff voice, he answered, "No, I haven''t. I managed to find his whereabouts twice, but he left before I got there. He was hiding from me on purpose."

    Alyssa felt terrible to hear that. Her brother had given everything for her and the Taylor family. Yet, the one thing he desired-to love a single person-seemed so out of reach.

    The Taylors weren''t cursed when it came to their love lives, were they?

    "Lyse, you have really gone overboard this time."

    Jonah''s heart was filled with concern and a lingering fear. He gave Alyssa the fiercest re ever.

    "At the end of it all, Jasper is just a man. Why would you take your own life just because of a breakup with a man?

    "When you lost your will to live, didn''t you think of us, Dad, and ourte mother? She has been watching over you from the heavens. Would she be able to rest in peace if she were to see you like this, in this state of not even cherishing your own health?"

    Sean happened to enter the room at this moment. He felt bad seeing Jonah give Alyssa a dressing down.

    "Jonah, it wasn''t until today that I realized how strong you are. You are born to be a leader, and I really admire you for that."

    Looking at her injured hands, a lump rose in Alyssa''s throat, and her eyes turned red. "As for myself... I''m just a small fry."

    Jonah knitted his brows together and shouted angrily, "Alyssa Taylor!"

    "That night, I sat in the snow and cried my eyes out for a long time... There was this one moment when I really

    wanted to die."

    Alyssa hugged her knees and curled her small frame into a ball. She sniffled. "But don''t worry, Jonah, I have gathered myself now. I''ve alsoe around. I have let it all go."

    Jonah and Sean were shocked. They never believed that they would one day hear Alyssa say that she had let go of Jasper.

    They were shocked and saddened at the same time. More than that, it felt like such a pity.

    After that downhearted moment, Sean tried to liven up the atmosphere by talking about something else. He said, '' Ms. Alyssa, do you remember me telling you about meeting Steven and his future wife?"

    Alyssa perked up. She hummed softly in response.

    "Steven told me something quite interesting."

    "Something interesting?"

    "He said he ran into a prisoner when he visited Sna City Fifth Prison to provide legal aid a few days ago." "Fifth Prison?"

    The sharp-witted Jonah picked up on this location. He remarked, "Those locked up there are either criminals on death row, those who have been sentenced to life, or heinous criminals who have been sentenced to 20 years orThis is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

    more.

    "The ones locked up there are despicable viins."

    Sean added, "Not only that, even some criminals who are severely disturbed mentally are also imprisoned at that ce.''

    Jonah narrowed his eyes. "I heard that Zachary Dutton is also serving his sentence at that prison."

    Upon hearing this name, Alyssa''s eyes lit up a little. In a calm voice, she urged, "Sean, go on."

    "Steven said that he was about to leave after giving legal aid that day when a prisoner in an orange-colored uniform charged out uncontrobly and pounced on him."

    Jonah and Alyssa eximed in unison, "A prisoner in an orange-colored uniform?"

    "In the Fifth Prison, orange-colored prisoner uniforms are meant for felons with mental illnesses. They are distinguished from other prisoners by the colors of their uniforms."

    Sean blinked. "That prisoner knelt before Steven and clung onto his legs as he bawled his eyes out. He imed that he wasn''t mentally ill and that he had not murdered anyone either. He asked Steven to help him with his appeal.''

 Chapter 2354

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    Chapter 2354

    "Like you said, Fifth Prison is where many mentally ill criminals are imprisoned. Perhaps that man is also mentally unstable, which was why he imed that he was sane." Jonah wasn''t too bothered. In a cold voice, he continued, "It''s just like how drunk people would never admit that they''ve had too much to drink."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "There''s a huge difference between the two," Alyssa interjected, drawing both Sean and Jonah''s attention. "In fact, people with mental illness often believe everyone else is insane, while they are the only sane ones in the room."

    Sean''s eyes lit up. ''That makes sense!"

    Jonah nodded. ''Yeah, that sounds right."

    "ording to what Sean described earlier, that man was very articte and didn''t seem like he was mentally ill. Moreover, he seized an opportune time to dash out before Mr. Steven. This suggests he had been waiting for the right moment, indicating he didn''t want to miss his rare chance."

    Alyssa then asked, "Sean, what did your brother do in the end?"

    "Steven mentioned that the prison guards dragged that prisoner away before he could get a clear understanding of what was going on. The guards even imed that the prisoner was absolutely insane. In short, he was more violent than the other prisoners."

    A look of dismay came across Jonah''s face. "That''s strange. Since Mr. Steven was hired to provide legal assistance to prisoners, every prisoner has a right to consult with him and to have their questions answered. Why was that prisoner forcibly restrained?"

    Alyssa lowered her eyes and remained silent.

    Sean continued, "Afterward, Steven couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. He used a contact from the courthouse to check the case files on that prisoner. But guess what? They couldn''t ess the files. It turns out they were only avable with the Attorney General''s approval!

    "All other criminals'' case files were essible while his was the only one that couldn''t be essed. Not only that, it''s being kept under strict control. Doesn''t this sound really strange to you?"

    After a moment of silence, Jonah asked, "What is that prisoner serving time for? This should be something that we can find out, at the very least.''

    "He''s in prison for murder, and not the murder of just one person. ording to the other inmates, his victims were two women, and his murders were quite gruesome and brutal.

    "But Steven''s description of the criminal was that he''s not particrly tall, he looks thin and sallow, and he has a congenital disability in one of his legs. He really didn''t look like a brutal murderer."

    Speaking of a brutal murderer, Alyssa was reminded of Justin''s uncle, Zachary, who was also being imprisoned in Fifth Prison.

    Coincidentally, that man was also mentally ill and a murderer who had killed two women.

    Being the sharp-witted and quick-thinking woman she was, Alyssa always considered things more in-depth than others, especially when it came to coincidences like these.

    This was because she did not believe that there could be so many coincidences in the world.

    It was just like how she transformed into White Dove and stormed toward the battlefield in Luminara to fight alongside Jasper back then. Their survival had been a result of her pursuit, not mere fate.

    Subsequently, she had even pretended to be a caretaker at the nursing home to care for Newton so that she could meet with Jasper and steal a few extra nces at him.

    Coincidences and fate?

    Those were simply plots that were birthed out of her love for Jasper.

    ''Sean, find some time to go to Fifth Prison to learn more about that prisoner''s background. Also, try finding out how Zachary is doing in prison.

    "From my end, I will ask Ss to do his best to help get his hands on the prisoner''s case files. He works at the Sna City Investigative Bureau, and with his connections in the judicial system, he should be able to pull some strings."

    A serious expression came across Sean''s face. ''Got it, Ms. Alyssa."

    As Jonah sat on the side of the bed, he gazed at Alyssa with a tender look in his eyes. "Lyse, aren''t you getting too involved in this? That man is just a prisoner with no connection to you. Do you have to take this so seriously?"

    Alyssa curled her lips slightly and narrowed her eyes. "Of course. What if he''s actually innocent?"

    Jonah paused, his gaze deepening as he understood her unspoken thoughts. In the end, they both thought along the same lines. He seemed to realize the true meaning behind her actions.

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 Chapter 2355

    ?

    Chapter 2355

    After speaking with Alyssa for some time, both Jonah and Sean noticed her fatigued state. Realizing she was still weak and needed rest, they quietly withdrew from her hospital room, one after the other.

    "Why does Ms. Alyssa have to endure so much misfortune since meeting Jasper?" Sean only dared to express his heartache after steering clear of Alyssa. ''The frostbite on Ms. Alyssa''s hands is really severe. I''m worried it will affect her future.

    "She is one of the top surgeons in the country and an excellent sculptor. If her hands are ruined..."

    Jonah''s eyes reddened, his fists clenching in silent agony. "She''ll be fine. We''ll find the right treatment and ensure that even the scars healpletely," he said with quiet conviction.

    "Mr. Jonah, please pardon me for saying this." Sean wiped his face, looking worn from a sleepless night. His voice cracked, emotion barely held in check. "I know Jasper is a remarkable man.

    "I also know how deeply they love each other. But if this story continues down such a cruel path, I''d rather he disappear from her life entirely. I wish they''d never met."

    Before he could finish, a heavy, purposeful set of footsteps echoed behind him. Jonah''s gaze shot upward as Sean turned to face the neer.

    Jasper was looking dashing and smart in a suit. By the time they noticed, he had already walked right before them with a thermal sk in hand.

    In other words, he had heard every word Sean had just uttered.

    Yet, his eyes remained dull, and he looked indifferent.

    Sean, caught off guard, felt a pang of panic but quickly regained hisposure. After all, he had only spoken his mind. Why should he be afraid?

    He straightened up, adopting a protective stance. "Jasper? What brings you here?"

    Jonah knitted his brows tightly together. "I heard from Dad that you were badly injured too and that you have to be hospitalized. You shouldn''t be here."

    He cared for Jasper, after all. They had been through too much together for that bond to break, even if they weren''t family.

    "I''m fine." Jasper pursed his lips. In a low voice, he asked, "Is Ms. Alyssa awake? I''d like to see her."

    "Jasper... Did you think that Ms. Alyssa would still be keen to see you?" Sean seethed, "Don''t you think that she has been through enough because of you? Why do you still want to rub salt in her wounds?"

    Jasper did not get the hint at all. He simply answered indifferently, "I''m not rubbing salt in her wounds. I brought some soup for her. It''s one of her favorite."

    The fury burning within Sean made his head hurt. "Why, you-"

    "Lyse should still be awake. But, she''s really exhausted."

    Jonah pulled Sean aside. He looked into Jasper''s eyes. As he suppressed theplex emotions within him, he continued in a hoarse voice, ''She''s taken a lot of medications and had a lot of tubes put into her. She''s been through so much.

    "Jasper, I know you are no longer in love with her. That said, I hope that you can have an amicable chat with her. Don''t make her feel miserable again, and don''t make her hurt herself again like this. That''s all I ask."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Jasper''s eyshes fluttered slightly at that, a brief, sharp pain ring in his chest. It was so subtle, so fleeting, that he might have missed it if he hadn''t been paying attention.

 Chapter 2356

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    Chapter 2356

    Jasper steadied his breath the moment he pushed the door open to Alyssa''s hospital ward. For some reason, he was feeling really nervous.

    There was almost nothing that could ever unnerve him. Other than Newton, Alyssa was the only other person who could make him feel disquieted.

    A strange serenity filled the room, broken only by the faint hum of the medical equipment.

    Alyssa was still awake. She was sitting upright against the headboard. Her gaze was fixed on the darkness outside the window; her face turned to the side as if lost in thought.

    The new moon cast no light; there were no stars. She seemed to be staring at nothing, into the endless pitch ck.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    Jasper froze in the doorway, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight of her. His breath hitched in his chest. This woman, once so full of optimism and light, now appeared fragile, defeated. Her spirit seemed so broken that it felt as if a single touch could shatter herpletely.

    It wasn''t until a few momentster that Alyssa seemed to notice his presence. Slowly, she turned her head. Her eyes met his-deep, unreadable.

    "W-What are you doing here?" Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her body stiffening beneath the loose hospital gown. Her eyes were red, and her muscles were tense, betraying her unease and distaste for his

    presence.

    Jasper stepped forward, holding a thermal sk in his hand. His gaze was somber as he asked, "Are you feeling better?''

    Alyssa scoffed. Her hand, in which a cann was inserted, tensed up. "I haven''t died of hypothermia, thanks to your kind gesture."

    The image of Alyssa curling up pitifully into a ball in the freezing snow appeared in Jasper''s mind. An inexplicable ball of fury rose within Jasper. He couldn''t hold back. "Alyssa, why? Why would you keep trying to end your life, hurting yourself over and over just because of me?"

    Alyssa''s chest tightened at the question. Her already pale face grew even whiter as if the blood had drained from it entirely.

    "I told you, I will keep the promise I made. It''s just that I couldn''t make it that day." Jasper spoke to her in a rather stern tone, perhaps out of that feeling of annoyance that was bugging him.

    Alyssa became a little pig-headed, possibly because she was still feeling unwell. "Why couldn''t you make it that day?"

    "I was in a rush to find someone."

    In a croaky voice, Alyssa asked, "Who?"

    The look in Jasper''s eyes deepened. He hesitated, mulling over what he should say. In the end, all he gave was a cold reply, "Someone who''s very important to me."

    Alyssa''s lips curled into a bitter smile, her heart sinking. Regret flooded her as she realized she shouldn''t have asked. Hadn''t she been embarrassed enough?

    She used to be Jasper''s most important person. But now, it seemed, anyone else could easily pull his attention away, making it all too easy for him to break his promises and leave her behind.

    "Don''t do that again next time." Jasper ced the thermal sk at the side of Alyssa''s bed. He lowered his eyes and continued, "It''s not worth it for you to hurt yourself because of me."

    "Indeed, it''s not worth it. So, I won''t do anything foolish for you again." Her gaze dropped to herp.

    That night, she had feltpletely destroyed, wishing for nothing but an escape from the pain. But in his eyes, it was all just something "not worth it".

    Jasper opened the thermos sk and removed its innerpartment. In a deep voice, he said, "That''s good to know."

    Alyssa clenched her jaw, fighting back the tears as she struggled to sh Jasper a bright yet strained smile. "I told you there won''t be a next time. I hope you haven''t forgotten, Mr. Beckett."

    "Here, have some soup. It''ll help you feel better." Jasper deftly avoided the topic, shifting the conversation. He poured the aromatic soup into a bowl and offered it to Alyssa.

    "Take it away. I don''t need any of your concern!"

    Without warning, a wave of emotion hit Alyssa. She flung her arm, still tethered to the tube, and the hot soup sttered all over Jasper. His crisply ironed suit was now soaked and stained.

    Sweat trickled down her forehead as she huddled on the bed, instinctively pulling away from Jasper. His gesture of kindness only seemed to heighten her distress.

    Jasper''s pupils constricted. It was only at this moment that he noticed her hands wrapped inyers of bandages, as she had been hiding them under the covers the whole time.

    "Go... Go away!" Alyssa cried out as she tried to hide her bandaged hands under the covers again.

    She couldn''t show her weakness. She refused to, and it was something she''d never allow herself to do.

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 Chapter 2357

    ?

    Chapter 2357

    The hot soup soaked through Jasper''s clothes, and the scalding heat mirrored the intense temperature of his body at that moment.

    Yet, his focus wasn''t on the difort. He leaned forward and grabbed Alyssa by the wrists, pulling her hands toward him with firm insistence.

    ''Let me have a look. Do your hands still hurt?"

    "Let go of me!" Alyssa struggled as tears filled her eyes.

    *Stop struggling. You haven''t recovered from your injuries!" Jasper''s breaths became heavier as he tightened his grasp over her wrists.

    He saw her tears glistening in her eyes as she waved her bandaged hands at him, her face a mixture of misery andic helplessness. Yet, there was an undeniable adorableness about her that sparked a deep, protective instinct in him.

    Memories of the past shed in Jasper''s mind.

    As his gaze remained fixed on Alyssa, something dark stirred within him, a coldness he had held for so long rising to the surface.

    Then, without warning, his mind nked. He pressed his chapped lips against hers, feeling her soft, trembling mouth against his. Their noses brushed together, and he could sense the gentle dampness of her skin.

    Through their tangled breaths, it was clear-Jasper''s kissing was awkward, almost painful, like a teenager clumsily exploring love for the first time. He bit her tongue in his eagerness. But Alyssa-she endured it in silence. As much as this was a terrible kiss, she couldn''t help but sink into it.

    Despite the clumsiness of the kiss, something in her could not pull away. It was as if, after a lifetime of hardship, she had been handed a piece of sweetness buried within sharp grains of sand, and she was willing to swallow it whole.

    Jasper''s intense masculinity took Alyssa hostage, consuming her from the inside out.

    Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded in Jasper''s temples, and his vision blurred. He was forced to pull away, his face stiffening as the agony surged through him.

    Alyssa stared at him, her lips still moist from the kiss, her eyes wide with confusion.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    Jasper felt like a thousand devils were howling and tearing at each other inside his mind. He bit his tongue until it went numb, desperately trying to calm the chaos within.

    He summoned every ounce of strength within him to suppress the demons that roiled inside. It was the only way he could appear normal in front of Alyssa, rather than a creature dependent on medication to retain his humanity.

    "Don''t be with Justin. Don''t meet him... Can you promise me that?" His voice was low and strained. Cold sweat covered him.

    "We''ve broken up, haven''t we? You were the one who ended things. What right do you have to tell me what to do now?"

    Alyssa''s eyes were red, and she provoked him deliberately, a bitter smile ying on her lips. "Does it bother you to see the person who was once yours with someone else? Are you bothered, or do you still care for me?"

    "We were once lovers. I just don''t want you to get hurt again." Jasper''s words trembled with barely contained emotion. His hands shook, but no one saw. His urge to search for his pills almost consumed him. "That''s all I wanted to say. It''s up to you whether or not you want to heed my words. But just know that I will never harm you." After saying that, he strutted toward the door.

    "Earlier... what was that about?'' Alyssa questioned him out of the blue.

    Jasper stopped in his tracks. He closed his eyes briefly, simply responding. "Good night."

    *Jasper, you are so good at tormenting me," Alyssa said with a wry smile, watching as he walked away.

    She curled up into herself, hugging her knees tightly. Her heart ached as she reyed the kiss, unsure whether it was born from lingering affection or some primal instinct buried deep within him.

    Without love, a lifetime felt impossibly long.

    Yet, it was too suffocating when there was love.

    At midnight, Justin arrived at the airport in Kontina''s capital city on his private ne.

    With Sheryl and Remy aspany, he sat in a luxury car that sped through the night.

    The atmosphere in the car was tense. Justin had taken his medications, and he rested with his eyes closed the entire way. Remy was in the driver''s seat while Sheryl sat next to him, holding her breath.

    Having worked for Justin for so long, of course, she knew who he traveled all the way to Kontina to meet with.

    Despite being someone who often smiled, Justin became quiet and gloomy when he thought of the man he was about to see.

    The car eventually stopped outside a grand, mysterious estate. Sheryl''s voice broke the silence. ''Mr. Justin. We''ve arrived."

 Chapter 2358

    ?

    Chapter 2358

    The massive, opulent gates creaked open slowly as Remy steered the luxury car into the Sedonian fortress, a relic from the Middle Ages, with casual ease.

    After parking, both Remy and Sheryl got out of the car and attended to Justin.

    As Justin emerged from the vehicle, his expression remained impassive, but his eyes were chillingly dark, reflecting an intensity he kept tightly in check.

    His stride was steady, exuding an air of authority, eerily reminiscent of Jasper''s presence.

    He was only able to appear so because he got Sheryl to inject a dose of adrenaline before he got out of the car. This shot was one that RC Biotechnology Research Institute had recently developed.

    His only purpose was to no longer look like an invalid before that man. He had to make himself presentable. "This is a private residence. Please hold on for a moment."

    This ce was heavily guarded at the door. Bodyguards wearing suits and white gloves stopped them in their tracks.

    With a vicious look in his eyes, Justin curled his lips into a condescending smirk. Without a word, he reached into his chest pocket and withdrew a golden-edged card, presenting it to the bodyguards.

    The two bodyguards lowered their heads to examine the card. Their expressions shifted dramatically as they immediately bowed low. "Wee, sir! This way, please."

    The change in demeanor was jarring-just moments before, they had been cold, and now they were deeply respectful. Sheryl couldn''t suppress her smile, following Justin with curiosity bubbling inside her.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    She couldn''t help but nce at the card. It was a striking, gold-colored poker card, its surface etched with intricate designs and adorned with gleaming rubies. The King of Hearts was printed on it in bold relief.

    An attendant led them deeper into the fortress.

    Remy was expressionless the whole time, while Sheryl''s eyes darted everywhere silently.

    Deep down, she was in absolute awe of the extravagance of the building''s interior design. At the same time, she tried her best to conceal her emotions as she did not want to bring about embarrassment to Justin through her callow reactions.

    Growing up, she had felt the same awe when Sophia brought her in and out of Seaview Manor. When sheter became Justin''s follower, she had thought his luxurious Wiktorian house in Mosgravia was the height of opulence. But this ce was on an entirely different level.

    In that moment, it became clear to her that she had much to learn. She had been too na?ve, too limited in her thinking.

    The walls were lined with authentic paintings and priceless antiques, each item alone worth millions. It was a world that felt out of reach.

    Sheryl could no longer suppress her curiosity. She asked, "Sir, where... where are we?"

    Looking straight ahead, Justin answered frostily, "We''re at Kings'' Club."

    Even though Remy wasn''t paying particr attention, he paused when he heard that name.

    He''d heard whispers of Kings'' Club from influential figures in far-flung parts of the world. It was known that no amount of money could buy ess to this ce. Only those with immense power and family prestige could hope to gain entry.

    As it turned out, this was where Kings'' Club was.

    "In this ce, people can fulfill any desire, buy anything they want-it surpasses even the wildest imagination," Justin continued, his lips twisting into a dark, knowing smile.

    Sheryl was astounded. She questioned further, "So, was that poker card you had... an invitation card?"

    ''It''s a symbol of my identity."

    "In that case, the King of Spades means...

    With a grim look on his face, Justin exined, "Jack, Queen, King, and Ace are the different ranks of the VIPs of this ce. J is the lowest rank; by inference, Ace is the highest of all ranks. Out of the four card suits, spades is the most honorable one."

    Sheryl beamed in awe. "I knew it. No matter where we go, you are the one who stands out from the crowd with nobility!"

    With both his hands in his pockets, Remy stared at Sheryl as if she was an idiot who only knew how to tter others.

    "Are you hard of hearing? Sir has shared that Ace is above King. Out of all the Aces, there is also the Ace of Spades. That is the person with the highest rank of them all."

    Sheryl shot him a fierce re.

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 Chapter 2359

    ?

    Chapter 2359

    Some people never change, no matter how much they alter their appearance or get a second chance at life. They still cling to the habit of sucking up to others. To Remy, Sheryl was no different than that vile woman, Alyssa.

    *Remy is right. Aces are the noblest of all VIPs. Justin narrowed his eyes. "I may not be an Ace, but I am quite familiar with someone who holds the Ace of Spades."

    As they spoke, the attendant led them toward a massive door.

    The door opened with a loud mechanical whirr, releasing a cloud of smoke and a heady, sensual atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the serenity outside. It felt as though they were entering apletely different world.

    The room they stepped into was expansive, with rows of seats rising in tiers from the second floor upward, all facing a stage at the center. People were seated in the stands, their faces hidden in the dim lighting, making them appear as unsettling, lifeless marites from a distance.

    But it was what was happening on the stage that nearly caused Sheryl to scream in shock. Even Remy, who had a cold and hardened demeanor, widened his eyes in disbelief.

    Several naked women were confined in ss cages suspended high above the stage. Each had a choker around their neck, and their movements were pitiful-some crawled, some shivered, while others curled up in the corners of their cages.

    It was a horrifying disy-inhumane, humiliating. The women were treated no better than animals.

    This sceneid bare the harsh reality of people being dehumanized, victims of the rich''s merciless disregard. "Is this... part of human trafficking?" Sheryl asked, wide-eyed.

    Although Sheryl had been involved in many immoral deeds herself, this obscene scene was still a jolt to her, pushing the boundaries of her already skewed moralpass.

    "There are transactions involved, but it''s not human trafficking." Justin''s voice was calm, though his eyes held a trace of impatience.

    ''These women would have no value if they were simply sold for their looks," he continued. "The real value lies in the blood running through their veins and their organs."

    Sheryl, who had spent considerable time at RC Biotechnology Research Institute after bing one of Justin''s followers, immediately grasped the meaning behind his words.

    In that instant, she felt her limbs go numb. She shuddered.

    She had heard rumors about the elite of Mosgravia-some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals- draining the blood of young women with superior blood quality, conducting full transfusions with themselves, or extracting specific contents from their blood to consume.

    All in a desperate attempt to achieve immortality and preserve their youth.

    The realization hit her like a physical blow. The crimes beingmitted here were grotesque and terrifying.

    Remy, too, frowned. The difort in his chest was undeniable as he observed the women trapped in their hopeless cages. He didn''t want to go any deeper into this ce, but as Justin''s bodyguard, he had no choice but to remain at his side.

    The attendant led Justin, Sheryl, and Remy up to the stands. When they got to the door of a particr private room, the attendant prompted, "This way, Mr. Beckett.''

    The attendant pulled the thick, velvet curtain back and Justin entered, his expression unreadable.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Just as the curtain closed behind them, Sheryl and Remy caught sight of the man seated in the private room. He appeared to be in his 50s, yet the way he carried himself-his sharp, piercing eyes, a suit of rich red velvet, and

    slicked-back hair-created the illusion of someone in their early 40s.

    "Hello, Uncle Zachary," Justin said, leaning forward slightly with a polite smile, the kind reserved for elders. Zachary returned the smile, showing off his perfect teeth. His voice was rich and full as he greeted, "Jay, it''s been a long time. It looks like your legs have improved."

    Sheryl was stricken with fear.

    Wasn''t this man Zachary Dutton, Justin''s mother''s oldest brother and the murderer who had shocked the nation years ago? Wasn''t he serving a sentence in prison? How could he be here?

 Chapter 2360

    ?

    Chapter 2360

    Remy''s gaze was icy as he took in the scene before him-Zachary lounging with a woman perched on hisp. Her scant clothing barely concealed her while Zachary''s hands groped her roughly. She forced a smile, her expression betraying a mix of difort and resignation.

    The room reeked of debauchery. Dim lights cast a murky glow over the scene, amplifying the suffocating atmosphere. Around them, women stood like objects behind ss cages, each wearing a choker with a string of numbers-price tags marking their value.

    And just like those women in the ss cages, she, too, had a choker around her neck.

    As Justin''s loyal follower, Remy was no stranger to the darkness of the world. Yet, an unfamiliar heaviness pressed against his chest as he stood in this room. The degradation of these women, stripped of dignity and reduced tomodities, made his stomach chum.

    Unable to bear it, Remy averted his eyes, fists clenching involuntarily. He turned abruptly, unable to stomach the vile disy any longer.

    The thick curtains lowered, severing Remy and Sheryl''s view of the room. Momentster, a burly bodyguard with foreign features emerged. Speaking fluent Cyrrisian, he instructed them to leave.

    Remy spun on his heel and strode away without hesitation, but Sheryl lingered, casting furtive nces back. She was unsettled. Ever since joining Justin, she had been present for every negotiation, whether it was with Jasper or Jameson. Yet, this time was different-it was an exception.

    As her curiosity burned, a chill traced her spine.

    The lighting in the private room was dim, and smoke surrounded both Zachary and Justin.

    Justin yfully groped the woman in his arms, but his narrowed eyes told a different story. Under the dim lighting, the mix of malice, cunning, and ruthlessness in his gaze seemed almost otherworldly.

    ''Long time no see, Uncle Zachary. How have you been?" Justin asked with a smile.

    A smile tugged at his lips, but there was a stiffness in his demeanor that betrayed his true emotions.

    *I''ve been good. Great, in fact. How could I not be when I have the respect of such an obedient nephew as well as these young and beautiful women nourishing me? I''m as happy as a m!"

    As if to emphasize his point, Zachary grabbed the woman on hisp. His fingers dug into her, and despite the sharp intake of breath that escaped her, she dared not utter a sound.

    ''As long as you''re happy."

    Justin hated the smell of cigarette smoke. He lowered his eyes and retrieved a white handkerchief from his suit pocket. As he feigned nonchnce, he covered his nose and mouth with it, then let out a few stifled coughs.

    "Uncle Zachary, you''ve summoned me all the way from Sna City to Kontina. I presume you''ve something pressing you wish to discuss. If this is indeed the case, then it would be best to speak in private."

    Zachary roared withughter. "My dear Jay, you are right!"

    Without warning, Zachary pressed his half-smoked cigar into the woman''s wless skin. She flinched violently, her trembling body a picture of pain and humiliation, yet not a sound escaped her lips.

    "Bugger off." The words were barely out before Zachary''s expression darkened, and he harshly shoved the woman to the ground.

    The woman scrambled to her feet, hastily covering herself as she fled the room, tears streaming down her face.

    As they got down to business, Zachary''s demeanor shifted. His indulgent smirk was reced by the expression of a shrewd businessman. He spoke to Justin like a superior wouldmand his subordinates, even though Justin was his biological nephew.

    ''Justin, it''s been some time since you returned to Sna City. How''s your progress with taking control of Beckett Group? I''d like an update."

    A bodyguard ced a cup of tea before Justin. He lifted it with measured grace, inhaling its aroma before responding, "I''m still in the nning stages."

    "Oh? In other words, there hasn''t been any progress?" Zachary narrowed his eyes and looked at Justin condescendingly. "Justin, you were doing pretty well with your businesses in Kontina and Mosgravia, and you were able to develop them at great speed.

    "Why have you be fearful and hesitant once you''ve returned to Cyrris? Has your ability deteriorated, or are you afraid of that bastard from the Beckett family?''

    Jasper was the bastard that Zachary was referring to.

    The muscles in Justin''s jaw tensed up. He was about to answer when Zachary leaned back and clicked his tongue.

    He mocked him once again. "I understand if you''re incapable of beating that bastard. After all, he has solidified his position in Beckett Group while you wasted years recuperating overseas.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

    "Add to that, his marriage into the Winston family and their KS Group backing... it''s no wonder you''ve been left in the dust."

    "I appreciate your concern, Uncle Zachary. But those challenges have already been addressed."

    Thement drained Justin''s interest in his tea, but he maintained hisposure, carefully cing the cup down. Wearing a casual smile, he exined, ''Jasper and Ms. Alyssa have cut all ties. Things are far from amicable between them."

    Zachary raised a brow. "Oh?"

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 Chapter 2361

    ?

    Chapter 2361Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.

    Justin exined, "Jasper and Winston might have gotten along well initially, but things have changed. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa have broken up, and he''s repeatedly hurt her.

    ''As much as Winston favors Jasper, Ms. Alyssa is his daughter-the apple of his eye. His love for her outweighs anything else. Over time, the distance between Winston and Jasper will only grow, and that will no longer hinder our ns.''

    ''That''s my dear Jay! Well done!" Zachary''s expression shifted instantly. His lips curled into a smug smile. "Jasper is nothing more than the bastard child of Javier''s one-night stand. How could someone like him ever deserve Ms. Alyssa? She''s of noble status, far beyond his reach. Jay, you''re the only one truly worthy of her."

    Justin''s deep, inscrutable eyes revealed no emotion. Through gritted teeth, he replied, "Uncle Zachary, you''re overthinking it. My only intention is to strip Jasper of his power and show him what true loss feels like.

    Zachary''s eyes gleamed coldly as he waved dismissively. "I don''t care about the petty romance between you young people. What matters is that you dilute Beckett Group''s stocks and take control of the corporation. You must avenge my sister-your mother!"

    A shadow crossed Justin''s pale face. "I will. Right now, Crystal Ice is already being distributed across Sna City. The response has been promising. It won''t be long before it reaches all of Cyrris."

    Zachary''s impatience red. "And the clinical trials for the new drugs? elerate the process! You know I''m not a patient man. I''ve poured everything into getting you here, and I won''t tolerate failure. Don''t disgrace the Dutton family!"

    "Got it." Justin hesitated for a second, then smiled and asked, "Uncle Zachary, will gaining control of Beckett Group and sessfully creating the new drug secure you a ce at the Kings'' Club''s Roundtable Conference?" The Roundtable Conference-an elite gathering of the most powerful members of Kings'' Club-symbolized ultimate authority.

    Zachary''s current rank, Ace of Diamonds, fell just short of the top echelon, the Ace of Spades. Gaining control of Beckett Group was his key to rising higher.

    Therefore, Zachary continued to pressure Justin into iming Beckett Group, convinced it was the key to cementing his entry into the Roundtable Conference.

    A flicker of greed and madness crossed Zachary''s face as heughed. "Of course. The pinnacle of power is just one step away!"

    "Congrattions in advance, Uncle Zachary."

    The look in Justin''s eyes deepened. He smiled meekly at Zachary for the very first time. In a polite tone, he added, "Uncle Zachary, I have a favor to ask. Would you consider nominating me for a spot on the Roundtable Conference once I''ve secured full control of Beckett Group and seeded in the new drug''s clinical trials?"

    After a brief silence, Zachary''sughter erupted, loud and mocking.

    Justin shot him a cold, unblinking gaze as Zachary rocked with hisughter. The longer he watched, the colder Justin''s eyes became, like a viper lying in wait for its prey.

    *Justin, you haven''t forgotten how you survived this long and where your power and richese from, have you?" Zachary staggered slightly, pressing his hand against his heaving chest, his bloodshot eyes ring at Justin.

    "It was me. I was the one who saved you. I brought you into Kings'' Club and introduced you to the people who opened doors for you.

    "If not for me, you would have died the same year you went to Mosgravia for treatment. I used my resources to find a world-ss doctor to rece your organs.

    "I spent all that money on your medication so you could live. You only survived because of me! Without me, you''d be long gone-and the Becketts wouldn''t even care."

    Justin met Zachary''s outburst with an unflinching gaze, though emotions churned beneath the surface.

    Zachary made it sound so noble. He did all that so that he could be treated?

    Justin scoffed silently. He was nothing but Zachary''s guinea pig, a test subject for his illegal drugs.

    Back then, Zachary had used him to study the effects of banned drugs on live humans. Even now, Justin was haunted by nightmares.

    He would dream of his younger self, locked in a ss-walled observation room. Hey on a hospital bed, tubes snaking across his body, connected to horrific machines that beeped and hummed around him.

    Medical staff wearing whiteb coats, white gloves, and masks would hold him down on the bed forcefully. Then, they injected medications of all colors into him intravenously.

    His chest heaved as he fought to suppress the trauma, and his face drained of color.

    *Justin, I''m the one who saved you and gave you everything you have today. You should be grateful and content!" Zachary''s voice turned menacing as he added, "Remember-don''t overthink things, and don''t be greedy. Don''t bite off more than you can chew!"

    After a bout of silence, Justin''s eyes narrowed. Though his voice remained friendly, his words wereced with steel. ''Uncle Zachary, you''re right. But let''s not forget how much I''ve done for you.

    "Your freedom, your ability to move without fear of justice-all of it stems from my meticulous nning. Without me, you wouldn''t have escaped-"

    Before Justin could finish his sentence, Zachary mmed his hand on the table, rising with a roar. "You little bastard! Are you threatening me?"

    Justin smiled and replied, "Oh, I wouldn''t dare. I was just stating the facts."

    Zachary red, his fury palpable, but soon scoffed. ''Don''t get toofortable. Everyone has skeletons in their closet, Jay. Remember when you and Jasper were kidnapped? You know who orchestrated that."

 Chapter 2362

    ?

    Chapter 2362

    In that dimly lit room, Justin''s face turnedpletely gloomy. Still, he stared at Zachary with a nk, emotionless gaze, as still and chilling as death itself.

    When their eyes met, Zachary felt a twitch in his eyelid, followed by an unsettling chill that crept down his spine, raising goosebumps across his skin.

    "What exactly do you think I know, Uncle Zachary? I''m afraid I do not understand." Justin narrowed his eyes sinisterly.

    "Wow, as expected of the Beckett family''s eldest son. You''ve picked up most of Javier''s acting skills, haven''t you?"

    Zachary took a slow, deliberate drag from his cigar. He knew Justin''s health was fragile, but still, he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke in his direction, daring him to react.

    *20 years ago, you orchestrated the whole kidnapping scheme. You hired Gustav and his gang to abduct you and that bastard Jasper. You thought you could y both sides-secure a hefty ransom worth over a hundred million dors, and throw in an extra 50 million for good measure. Quite a fortune back then, huh?"

    Justin listened with an eerie calmness, his gaze as hollow and unfeeling as ever, as though Zachary''s words held no weight.

    "You plotted to stage a kidnapping with Gustav, intending to kill Jasper in the process,'' Zachary continued. "At the time, Javier was just a figurehead, with Mr. Beckett Senior holding all the power in the Beckett Group. And ever since Jasper became a part of the Beckett family, your standing has been steadily declining. Mr. Beckett Senior has been paying less and less attention to you over time.

    "So you came up with a n to kill two birds with one stone. Eliminate Jasper, the obstacle to your inheritance and your attention, and, by also ying the victim, win back your grandfather''s favor. At the same time, you would be free from suspicion too. With Jasper gone, you''d be the sole heir, the apple of his eye."

    Zachary chuckled softly. "Jay, you were just 15, yet you devised a n that killed two birds with one stone. You were ruthless and shrewd. Honestly, you remind me of the grace and cunning I once had in my youth!"

    Justin''s lips curled into a thin smile, but it didn''t reach his eyes. Zachary''spliment, if it could even be called that, made his skin crawl. He wasn''t like anyone else. He was Justin Beckett-superior, untouchable.

    ''But you were too na?ve," Zachary mocked, shaking his head. "You underestimated human greed. Gustav betrayed you, tumed you into his hostage, and nned to use you as leverage to extort more money from the Becketts. A cruel smile spread across Zachary''s face. "In the end, Gustav realized Jasper was nothing but an illegitimate child, someone the family would eventually discard. Conversely, you were the legitimate heir-the one he could hold for ransom and torture.

    "You were so foolish, Jay. Should I say that you went for wool but came home shorn or that you shot yourself in the foot?"

    Instead of flying into a rage, Justinughed. "Uncle Zachary, I suppose your time in prison has made you a bit more cryptic with your words."

    There was one detail Zachary had conveniently left out. When Justin discovered that he was Gustav''s target, he didn''t hesitate to act. He stayed behind, enduring unimaginable torment at the kidnappers'' hideout, all to ensure Jasper''s safety.

    Knowing Gustav would make him stay regardless, Justin decided to at least make the best of the situation and help Jasper.

    The illegitimate son of the Beckett family emerged unharmed, while he, the eldest son, had voluntarily put himself in harm''s way, enduring torture at the kidnappers'' hands. He sustained grave injuries simply to save his half- brother.

    Such a story would surely stir emotions-a brother''s sacrifice for another.

    Justin wanted Newton, Javier, and Jasper to feel the weight of regret and guilt for the rest of their lives, no matter the price he had to pay.

    It was terrifying to think that even as a child, Justin had already been capable of such cold, sinister plots. "Justin, if the truth about you orchestrating the kidnapping 20 years ago were toe to light, I can guarantee that neither Mr. Beckett Senior nor Javier would feel any sympathy for you.

    "As for your health condition-it''s a fate you brought upon yourself. You can forget about inheriting the Beckett family fortune.

    The smile on Zachary''s face took on an even darker edge. "So, take my advice-ept your ce here. Don''t try to reach for something beyond your grasp.

    "I understand." Justin stood up slowly from the plush red couch, his grin widening. He straightened his back and lifted his chin. "I won''t interfere with your enjoyment, Uncle Zachary. I''m leaving."

    Staring coldly at Justin from behind, Zachary replied nonchntly, "Justin, you should be thankful that you are my younger sister''s only son."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.

    Neither of them needed further words. They were two minds cut from the same cloth. Zachary didn''t need to borate on his threat.

    Justin paused, then turned his back without a word, a low chuckle escaping him.

    "Uncle Zachary, the Duttons are truly something else," he said, his voice tinged with mockery. "Everyone''spletely mad."

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 Chapter 2363

    ?

    Chapter 2363

    After saying that, Justin turned and marched off.

    Zachary''s expression darkened. He frowned and pressed the call button on the table.

    A momentter, his secretary walked in. He greeted respectfully, "Mr. Dutton."

    *This nephew of mine has been getting out of lely. It''s time for a little reminder," Zachary muttered, lowering his head.

    The secretary stepped forward without hesitation, extending his palm as Zachary pressed his cigar against it, extinguishing it with a single, calm motion.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    "Once you finish the tasks at hand, I need you to head to Sna City. Meet with someone there."

    After leaving Kings'' Club, Justin remained silent the entire journey to the airport. His silence unnerved Sheryl, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise.

    Justin was usually a man of smiles, but when his lips were tight, it meant that something serious was brewing. "You''re curious, aren''t you?" he murmured, his eyes half-closed and lips pale. "Wondering how Zachary can roam freely in Kontina, instead of being locked up? Wondering who''s actually serving his sentence in Sna City''s prison?"

    Sheryl, a little flustered, wiped her brow. "It''s true I''m curious, but I wouldn''t pry if you don''t want me to."

    "I arranged for a scapegoat to take Zachary''s ce in prison, securing his freedom. That''s how he''s been able to live so freely." Justin smirked, lips curling cryptically. I''m telling you this because I need a favor from you once we''re back."

    Sheryl responded, "I''m at your service."

    ''Once we''re back in Sna City, I need you to make a trip to Fifth Prison. I want you to get that scapegoat out of that ce."

    "Get him out?"

    *ording to my men''s reports, he hasn''t been toopliant in prisontely. Just in case anything happens, I cannot allow him to remain imprisoned there. At the same time, I cannot have him killed either."

    Justin closed his eyes slowly. In a rxed voice, he said, "If he dies under mysterious circumstances, it would cause more problems than it''s worth. You are a prison medic. I''m sure you can manage the transfer."

    Sheryl understood immediately. Nodding, she said, "Okay. Got it."

    Just then, her phone buzzed. She nced at it and picked it up quickly.

    Momentster, her expression shifted to one of surprise.

    "What''s up?" Justin askedzily.

    "Mr. Justin." Sheryl inhaled sharply, tightening her grip on the phone. ''The person you had me assign to keep watch over Ms. Alyssa at the hospital called. Jasper went to see her tonight. They... spent quite a bit of time together, just the two of them in her hospital ward."

    A coldness swept over Justin''s face. His fists clenched tightly.

    Alyssa had never been a part of his n. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, a suffocating weight settled in his chest, an emotion he couldn''t name, thick and suffocating.

    He had never felt anything like this before.

    "My younger brother really does know how to make life difficult," Justin forced a frosty smile, though his eyes were dark. "You know what, Sheryl? Sometimes, we just cannot afford to show any mercy."

 Chapter 2364

    ?

    Chapter 2364

    As soon as Alyssa''s health allowed for her discharge, she left the hospital swiftly without informing her family. Sean had just assisted her into the car when her phone rang.

    The call was from Rosie.

    ''Mrs. Rosie, how have you been?" Alyssa couldn''t hold the phone herself, her hands still bandaged, so Sean held it for her.

    *I''m doing well. Madam, I heard from Mr. Jasper that you were injured?" Rosie''s voice was concerned.

    I have been discharged from the hospital. Don''t worry."

    Alyssa couldn''t help but recall the soup she had sttered across Jasper''s three-piece suit the other day. To her surprise, she discovered that he had prepared for such an oue.

    It was as though he had predicted she might throw the soup. He had left one more serving of soup in the thermal sk just in case.

    Feeling hungry after their heated argument, Alyssa managed to sit up in bed with effort. After he left, she finished thest remnants of soup from the thermal sk.

    "Mrs. Rosie, did you ask Mr. Jasper to deliver soup to me while I was hospitalized?" Alyssa smiled. "The soup was delicious. I could tell that you made it. Thank you."

    "It wasn''t me, Madam. I wasn''t the one who made the soup. Mr. Jasper made it for you personally!"

    ''He did?'' Alyssa was stupefied.

    "Mr. Jasper went to the countryside the day before to buy a wild chicken. He came back covered in mud, his suit covered in feathers, and smelling like chicken poop! Can you believe a neatly dressed gentleman like him did that?

    Rosie couldn''t help but giggle as she recalled the scene. "I''ve seen him grow up, but I''ve never seen him like this before. He even went out to catch the chicken himself. If the public got wind of it, he''d be the biggest joke of the century!"

    Alyssa couldn''t believe her ears. Her heart pounded against her chest uncontrobly.

    "There was even more chaos the next day. The first thing he did in the morning was to ughter the chicken. Thanks to him, the kitchen looked like it was a crime scene. I''m not even kidding!"

    Rosie went on, "Mr. Jasper used to be in the military and has killed terrorists while he was on the battlefield, right? ording to him, ughtering chickens is way more difficult than killing a human being!"

    At that moment, Jasper sneezed violently in the president''s office at Beckett Group.

    Sean, who was nearby Alyssa, overheard what Rosie said. He was rendered speechless. Alyssa, on the other hand, let out augh. She did not know how she should react.

    "I was the one who guided Mr. Jasper as he prepared the chicken soup for you, so it''s only natural that it tasted simr to mine. Still, it was all his effort. He spent the whole day making it! Madam, don''t you know what Mr. Jasper is like? He may struggle with words, but he knows who matters to him. You''ve always been in his heart."

    Alyssa felt a wave of emotions-bitterness mixed with a strange warmth. It was like finding a piece of candy in a pile of sand.

    After ending that call with Rosie, Alyssa stared nkly into space as she sat in the car. She couldn''t pull herself out of thoseplex emotions that she was feeling.

    Sean nced at her through the rearview mirror from his driver''s seat. He noticed the tears in Alyssa''s eyes. "Ms. Alyssa, I''ll send you back to Heightsnew Vi," he offered in a warm voice.

    "No, I don''t want to go home," Alyssa responded softly.

    Concern crept into Sean''s voice. "You''re not thinking of going to KS Group, are you? You need to rest."" ''Let''s make a trip to Fifth Prison. Once Jasper''s influence on her thoughts subsided, Alyssa gathered herself. The sadness that had weighed on her face disappeared, reced by a fiery intensity in her gaze.

    She added, "Do you remember the inmate Mr. Steven mentioned? I want to visit him. I''m starting to think this isn''t just a coincidence. I also want to meet that ruthless killer-Justin''s uncle. I''m starting to get curious about the Duttons."

    Sean came to a realization. Then, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, what if there isn''t anything more to that prisoner, but that he''s just a normal prisoner? Would you still help him out?"

    "I will." Alyssa curled her lips upward into a bright smile. "I''ll just take it as doing a good deed."

    It was a weekday today, so traffic wasn''t particrly heavy. Sean and Alyssa arrived at the entrance to Fifth Prison soon enough.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

    "Ms. Alyssa, it''s cold outside and you are not yet fully recovered. Just wait in the car while I go in to inquire on your behalf. I''ll leave the heater on in the car," Sean suggested as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

    "No, it''s alright. I''ll go with you."

    Alyssa opened her eyes; she looked a little weary. She had just moved from her seat when she caught sight of a ck car heading toward the prison from a short distance away.

    Her Spirit of Ecstasy Rolls-Royce was too showy, so Alyssa intentionally decided to swap it out for a regr, low- profile car beforeing over.

    She watched as the ck car stopped outside the gate to the prison. Through her car''s front windshield, Alyssa could see a rather familiar-looking outline of a woman, albeit vaguely.

    With a firm look in her eyes, Alyssa lifted her hand suddenly and pressed down on Sean''s shoulder from behind.

    "Wait."

    Sean was taken aback. He didn''t dare to make any rash moves.

    Right at this moment, the door of the ck vehicle was opened. Sheryl, wearing a whiteb coat, stepped out of the car with a frown etched on her face.

    Dressed lightly for the weather, she stomped her feet to shake off the cold, crossing her arms in front of her chest in a poised manner as she shivered slightly.

    Sean eximed in shock, "Ms. Alyssa, that''s Justin''s doctor!"

    "I see her too." With a steady look in her eyes, Alyssa stared fixedly at Sheryl as she hurried through the prison gates under a prison officer''s guide.

    Even though Sheryl assumed no one had noticed, she had exposed her unnatural mannerisms; it was as clear as

    day.

    Alyssa was overwhelmed with the same feeling of familiarity as before.

    Sean frowned. "That''s strange. What''s that woman doing here?"

    ''She''s like..."

    ''Ms. Alyssa, what did you say?"

    A sharp gleam shed across Alyssa''s face. "That woman reminds me of someone I knew. Other than her looks, her every move looks extremely simr."

    Sean pressed on, "Who is it?"

    "Liana Gardner."

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 Chapter 2365

    ?

    Chapter 2365

    Liana''s name was one that Sean hadn''t heard in a really long time. At first, he was caught by surprise, stunned into silence.

    After a while, his eyes widened, and a surge of resentment welled up in his chest. He had to take a few deep breaths before he could calm himself down enough to say, "Ms. Alyssa, don''t mention her name. It feels like a curse! When I think about all the pain she caused you, I-''

    "Those are stories of old. Forget it. Let''s just focus on the now. Sheryl always reminds me of Liana."

    It sounded almost absurd to say that aloud.

    Liana had been Jasper''s childhood friend, growing up alongside him. But, of all people in the world, Alyssa was the one who knew Liana best.

    When Newton matched her with Jasper, Alyssa secretly tried to emte Liana in subtle ways, hoping to please him. She mimicked Liana''s style, soft voice, and mannerisms.

    Over those three years, Alyssa had humbled herself,promising and living in misery. She lost herself in her feelings for Jasper, bing someone she wasn''t.

    But that was over now. She had found herself again and vowed never to lose sight of who she truly was again. Sean was shocked. "Unless... Are you suspecting that Sheryl and Liana are connected?"

    "Even though I hate to think so, their behavior and speech are extremely simr. The only differences are their voices and their looks.

    "The easiest thing to change is one''s appearance. It is their habits, on the other hand, that are difficult to change once they are embedded deep into their core."

    Sean nodded in full agreement.

    Alyssa''s imagination was always vivid. Once she began suspecting something, her mind would race with possibilities. If there was even a hint of the truth, she would relentlessly dig until she uncovered it.

    It was only a matter of time.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

    Alyssa''s suspicions started to take root at that very moment. Thoughts and possibilities rushed to her mind, but they were disjointed fragments she couldn''t yet assemble into a coherent whole.

    "The Gardners went bankrupt back then, and Liana''s reputation waspletely tarnished during her engagement ceremony. She had subsequently fled to Mosgravia, and interestingly, Sheryl had returned from Mosgravia.

    Sean knitted his brows together as he pondered over Alyssa''s words. "But Ms. Alyssa, there are countless people who share simr traits. Otherwise, there wouldn''t be doppelg?ngers in this world, would there?"

    Alyssa smiled faintly, her eyes cold. "That''s true, but two people with such uncanny simrities have appeared in my life. And, what''s more, they''ve both been my adversaries. Now that''s suspicious, don''t you think?"

    Sean fell silent, realizing she had a point.

    ''Ever heard of those TV shows where a woman returns for revenge after undergoing stic surgery? Sometimes real life is even more dramatic than the stories we see on screen.

    Alyssa''s own life had often felt like a thrilling drama, full of unexpected twists and dangers.

    Sean gulped. ''Ms. Alyssa, if... And, this is a big if... If Sheryl is Liana, how did such a dumb woman be a doctor? And how did she end up with Justin? How are they connected?"

    The look in Alyssa''s eyes went dull. "Is this not the case?"

    The car fell into a heavy silence.

    They were connected. Both Justin and Liana were connected to Jasper. Other than that, Liana harbored a deep- seated hatred toward Alyssa.

    Even Jameson ended up working for Justin. So, why couldn''t Justin have found Liana while she was lost in the world?

    *Sean, these are just our spections. We need to have convincing evidence to support our theories. So, we must not do anything that alerts them until then.''

    Alyssa''s gaze hardened. "But it doesn''t matter whether she is Sheryl or Liana. If she causes harm to Jasper or anyone close to me, I won''t hesitate to make her pay."

    Sean nodded seriously. "Ms. Alyssa, wait in the car. I''ll go inside and take a look."

    "Wait. Stay here for now."

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 Chapter 2366

    ?

    Chapter 2366

    Alyssa shook her head. "Sheryl knows who you are. Trouble will ensue if she sees you. Let''s wait and see for now."

    After Sheryl entered the prison, the prison warden attended to her personally by leading her to the area where mentally sick prisoners were being held.

    "I have isted him. He hasn''t been behaving himself the past few days. He even dashed out to Mr. Lynch to say that he needed legal assistance.

    "He''s quite severely ill, don''t you think so?" The prison warden winked, as if he were trying to take credit for all that.

    "That''s normal for a mentally ill patient."

    Sheryl stopped in her tracks at the door to a prison cell. She curled her lips upward coldly as she listened to the wailsing from the man within.

    She pulled out a bank card from herb coat pocket and handed it to the prison warden. "Thanks for your helptely. This is for you."

    The warden epted the card from her excitedly, expressed his utmost thanks, and then walked away.

    With a grim expression on her face, Sheryl pushed the door open and entered.

    The cement walls were gray. A man struggled frantically as two medical personnel pinned him down to the dirty bed in the corner. His hysterical howls were so loud that Sheryl had to cover her ears.

    A moment after he was forcefully administered a shot of sedative, he quietened down.

    Sheryl put her face mask on, then walked before the man in her cking heels.

    "Who... are... you...?" the man asked strenuously.

    Sheryl studied him as if she were looking at something worthless. "I am the prison medic. You are ill, so I am here to treat you."

    The man widened his eyes in terror. "I... I''m not ill... I''m not mad... I didn''t kill anyone. I was falsely used!"

    Sheryl sneered. "All who enter here are guilty."

    While she said that, she retrieved a syringe from her breast pocket. Without saying another word, she injected its contents into the man intravenously.

    The man gaped in agony as his eyes turned bloodshot. Then, he started seizing.

    Sheryl instructed the medical staff in an emotionless voice, "Get an ambnce. An inmate is suffering from acute organ failure and needs to be transferred externally for medical attention!"

    Just like that, a whole hour passed. Yet, Sheryl still hadn''t emerged from the prison.

    A feeling of uneasiness nagged at Alyssa. She instructed Sean, ''Sean, you may go in now, but do not meet with Sheryl face to face.

    *Just tell them that you are sent by Mr. Lynch, that man who went in to provide legal aid previously, to meet with that man named Grover Bet. Remember to act natural."

    Sean gestured an "okay" sign to Alyssa before opening the door and slipping out of the car. He then entered the prison gates.

    He came back out approximately 15 minutester. He had an extremely staggered look on his face when he got back into the car.

    ''Ms. Alyssa, Grover isn''t in prison. He has been sent away."Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

    "Sent away? By whom?" Alyssa sat upright, rmed.

    "The prison guard didn''t mention anything about that, but he said that Grover was sent away to receive urgent medical attention due to an acute illness."

    Sent away to receive medical attention?

    Alyssa''s mind raced, recalling how Sheryl had entered the prison in her medic uniform. Shortly afterward, Grover was taken away.

    She refused to believe that this was a coincidence.

    Her expression hardened. "Sheryl likely left with him through the back gates. For her to pull this off without raising suspicion means someone in the prison is working with her."

    Sean was puzzled. "But is Grover really ill? How could the timing be so perfect?"

    "Nothing in this world is purely coincidental. If it wasn''t a butterfly effect, it was a deliberate act."

    A thought struck her, and she gritted her teeth. ''It''s only been a few days since Grover begged your brother for help with an appeal. Now, Sheryl has moved him. It''s clear she''s trying to silence him. This points to a bigger conspiracy involving Grover. We need to find him!"

 Chapter 2367

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    Chapter 2367

    "Grover previously told Steven that he was innocent, but Sheryl has now forcibly transferred him elsewhere. Could it be that Sheryl is the one who framed him?"

    After Alyssa dropped her hint, Sean began piecing the puzzle together.

    "Sheryl was afraid Grover would expose her schemes, so she used her position as the prison medic, colluded with others inside the prison, and urgently transferred him?"

    Alyssa smiled approvingly. "If she didn''t feel guilty, why would she go to such lengths and take such a huge risk? Still, I don''t think this was her idea. If you ask me, she''s just a pawn in someone else''s game."

    Sean had a moment of revtion. "You''re saying that Justin is the mastermind?"N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.

    "That wouldn''t be impossible, Alyssa replied, her eyes sharp with determination. "We need to find Grover immediately. If we can, we have to ensure his safety. He''s the key to uncovering Justin''s secret n."

    "Ms. Alyssa, I made some inquiries earlier. Sheryl left about half an hour ago. By now, they''re long gone, and they may have even switched vehicles. How are we going to track them?"

    Alyssa fell silent for a moment before her eyes sparkled with an idea. She picked up her phone and dialed Axel''s number.

    "Lyse, I''ve missed you so much!" Axel''s cheerful, youthful voice rang from the other end.

    Alyssa scoffed yfully. "Axel, you''re not a lone wolf anymore. You''ve got your own family now. Try to keep it together."

    "Your sister-inw isn''t that narrow-minded. Why would she be jealous? She cares about you even more than I do." "Axel, are you on official business overseas?"

    "I''ve just arrested two internationally wanted spies. Once I bring them back, I''ll have a few days off. Can''t wait to get home and snuggle with Ambs."

    The mention of Amber brought a broad smile to Axel''s voice. He seemed to forget that Alyssa was still nursing the pain of her own recent breakup. "Lyse, what do you think I should get for Amber? She never lets me splurge on her, and she''s not into the usual luxury stuff. I''ve been racking my brains but still can''t figure it out. I can''t just go home empty-handed!"

    Alyssa forced augh. "Axel, it''s not that Ambs doesn''t like those things. She just feels so lucky to be with you that she''s afraid to ask for anything. She''s a little insecure."

    Axel went quiet, his voice softening. "Lyse.... Is that really how she feels?"

    "Women know women best," Alyssa said gently, swallowing the lump in her throat. "So don''t wait for her to tell you what she wants. Be attentive and take the initiative. If you pay closer attention, you''ll figure out what truly makes her happy.''

    Alyssa''s voice grew faint with emotion. She had once experienced that kind of love, and now that it was gone, she could only ensure the people around her could still have it.

    "I''ll keep that in mind," Axel replied solemnly. Then, his tone lightened. "By the way, Lyse, did you call for something specific?"

    "Yes, I did." Her voice grew firm. "Axel, I need you to hack into the Sna City Fifth Prison''s internal surveince system. Check the street cameras around their back gate, too. This is urgent-I need to track someone!"

    "Okay, hold on." Axel hung up without hesitation. He didn''t ask questions, trusting Alyssa to have her reasons.

    "Ms. Alyssa, you''ve changed," Sean said, studying her with a serious expression.

    Alyssa blinked, surprised. "In what way?"

    "In the past, you wouldn''t bother with pleasantries when asking your brothers for help. You''d get straight to the point. Now, you''re more... restrained."

    She smiled faintly. "That''s because my brothers have their own families now. I can''t burden them with my troubles without considering their partners'' feelings. My sisters-inw should be the most important people in their lives. It''s time for me to adjust how I interact with my brothers.

    ''Ms. Alyssa..." Sean''s eyes grew misty, his heart heavy with sorrow. Alyssa had once been the center of her brothers'' world, but now she was consciously stepping back to let them prioritize their families.

    Soon after, Axel sent Alyssa the prison''s surveince videos, including footage from the backne.

    The videos showed Sheryl and two medical staff members escorting Grover into a ck van parked at the prison''s back gate. They left in a hurry, and their behavior was clearly suspicious.

    "It doesn''t look like Grover was taken in an ambnce. They''re transporting him to an unknown location," Alyssa observed.

    Sean paled in shock. "Oh no! Do you think Sheryl might kill him to silence him?"

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 Chapter 2368

    ?

    Chapter 2368

    "In theory, she wouldn''t," Alyssa uttered confidently.

    She tilted her head slightly and tapped her fingers on her forehead. "People don''t get rmed when an inmate is transferred externally for medical attention. However, if an inmate went missing or died, their attention would be drawn.

    "So, they won''t take Grover''s life unless absolutely necessary. With that in mind, I''m certain Sheryl has found somewhere to keep Grover confined. Now that we have a car''s license te number, we can dig deeper into this."

    A meeting regarding the bid for Sna City''s A5 real estate project was held in Beckett Group''s conference room at 3:00 pm sharp.

    Given the significance of this project, all of the corporation''s board members were in attendance. After all, this was tied to the future of the Beckett Group and the profits of every board member and major shareholder. As chairman of the board of directors, Javier opened the meeting with an address.

    Jasper, the vice chairman, sat to Javier''s left as the second-inmand. He exuded confidence in his sharp suit. As the heir to Beckett Group, his journey to this position hadn''t been easy.

    When Jasper entered the room earlier, he immediately noticed something unusual. The seat to Javier''s right was vacant.

    An inexplicable heaviness settled in his chest. Silently, he clenched his fists on the table, the veins on the back of his hands bulging as his temples throbbed. The dull ache fueled his growing agitation.

    For days, Jasper had been gued by unrelenting headaches. His tremors, chills, and other symptoms had worsened.

    He had lost count of the nights spent enduring physical and mental torment, relying only on adrenaline and sheer willpower to push through. Today, to conceal his deteriorating health, he had taken his medication before the meeting, increasing the dosage to stabilize himself.

    When Javier finished his opening remarks, Jasper lowered his gaze and flipped open the Project A5 proposal in front of him. He was about to begin his presentation when Javier unexpectedly interrupted.

    "Jasper, hold on."

    Jasper''s chest tightened. At the same time, the door to the conference room slowly opened.

    All eyes turned toward the entrance, surprise evident on their faces.

    A tall, elegant man strode in, a pleasant smile gracing his lips. Scanning the room, he said, "Apologies for beingte, everyone."

    Jasper''s eyes widened in astonishment. A flicker of emotion passed through them as he recognized the man walking toward him. His fists tightened once more.

    Justin.

    Everyone watched as Justin advanced slowly, brushing past Jasper from behind. Jasper caught a faint, unfamiliar scent as he passed.

    Even though no physical or eye contact was made with Justin, a chill still spread from the back of Jasper''s neck to his limbs.

    Justin stopped beside Javier, their gazes meeting briefly. Javier''s face lit up with delight as he patted Justin on the shoulder. No words were necessary to convey Javier''s high expectations.

    It was as if he had forgotten about the son sitting on his other side. In that moment, all his attention was focused on Justin.

    "Mr. Justin showed up unannounced. What does this mean?" whispered one board member before the rest began to confer among themselves.

    ''Can''t you tell from the look on Mr. Javier''s face? He''s obviously favoring Mr. Justin!"

    ''But Mr. Jasper is in charge of Beckett Group right now. There can only be one leader. Plus, Mr. Justin''s health- ''He looks fine to me. He looks as fit as a fiddle. His steps are even lighter than mine!"

    Javier cleared his throat, silencing the murmurs.

    With a pleased smile, Javier began, ''Before we proceed with our strategy meeting, I have an announcement to make.

    "My oldest son, Justin, has returned from his studies overseas. He is fully prepared to contribute, and after careful consideration, I have decided to appoint him as a board member. He will help lead Beckett Group to greater heights!"All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 2369

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    Chapter 2369

    Everyone in the conference room exchanged shocked nces. Even so, none of this was entirely unexpected.

    Justin was the only son Javier had with histe first wife. Beckett Group and the Beckett family were originally meant for Justin to inherit as the eldest son. However, due to Justin''s health issues, Javier''s second son, Jasper, had been the one to benefit from Justin''s health issues and take charge.

    Now that Justin had returned with a clean bill of health, it was clear he intended to reim what he had lost. And joining Beckett Group was the first step in his quest for power.

    The power dynamics within Beckett Group were poised for a major shift. A leadership change seemed inevitable. At that moment, Rory stepped forward. In a stern voice, he announced, ''We will now conduct a vote by a show of hands to decide on Mr. Justin Beckett joining Beckett Group''s board as a managing director."

    As soon as Rory finished, three board members enthusiastically raised their hands.

    Justin remained expressionless, but Javier''s eyes gleamed with approval as he nced at the three supporters. Noticing this, the other board members began to follow suit.

    After all, Justin was Javier''s eldest and legitimate son, favored by him and likely to be a significant figure in the future-especially in any battle against Jasper. For the board members, approving Justin''s entry was a simple decision. Resisting Javier''s wishes would only invite trouble.

    Moreover, some board members harbored grievances against Jasper. While he had led thepany to impressive growth and profits, his upright and rigid nature alienated others. Jasper''s refusal to curry favor orpromise made him a target of envy.

    Before long, nearly every board member had raised their hand. The only exception was Jasper, who sat straight- backed, his eyes lowered, offering no response.

    With a faint smile that didn''t reach his eyes, Justin observed Jasper''s impassive expression.

    Jasper''s deep, frigid eyes revealed no emotion, appearing as enigmatic and dark as a shadowed sea.

    Javier''s expression darkened when he noticed Jasper''sck of response. He demanded, "Jasper, do you have objections to Justin joining the board of directors?"

    Jasper replied coolly, "The motion passes as long as the majority is in favor. My vote makes no difference. Your goal has been achieved, Mr. Javier. Why insist on formalities?"

    The room fell silent. Some exchanged nces, while others relished the spectacle of tension between the Becketts.

    Only Jasper alone had the audacity to speak so bluntly to the chairman.

    Javier''s face turned pale as a surge of fury rose within him. But he suppressed his anger, unwilling tosh out publicly.

    Justin broke the tension with a polished smile. "Thank you all for your support. Many of you are experienced veterans who have worked alongside my father. I regard you as my elders and look forward to your guidance moving forward."

    His ttering words pleased the board members, leaving them ted and proud.

    Would Jasper ever have spoken this way? Of course not. He couldn''tpare to Justin in this regard. Apuse filled the room as Justin was officially weed as a board member. He strode forward and took a seat across from Jasper. Their locked gazes created an almost palpable tension, like an invisible tsunami threatening to engulf the room.

    "Next, Mr. Jasper will provide an overview of Project A5," Javier announced as he took his seat. Yet, he couldn''t

    hide the resentment in his eyes.

    *Project A5 is a major initiative supported by Sna City''s government for the next five years. The initial investment for this project is projected to be approximately-"

    Suddenly, Jasper''s vision blurred, and a loud buzz filled his ears. He staggered.

    The board members, including Javier, watched him with growing concern.

    Jasper''s voice faltered. ''The investment... Sweat broke out on his forehead as the room began to spin. His body grew cold, wracked with chills and nausea.

    Rory stepped forward quickly. "Mr. Jasper, what''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" he asked in a low voice. "I''m not-"

    Before Jasper could finish, his tightly clenched fists began to tremble uncontrobly. Blood surged to his head, his vision went dark, and he copsed to the floor with a heavy thud.

    "Mr. Jasper!" Rory turned pale with fright. He tried to catch him but was a second toote.

    The room erupted into chaos as everyone rose to their feet. Javier shouted in panic, "Call an ambnce now!" Jaspery on the floor, his body convulsing slightly. Just before his eyes closed, he caught a fleeting but unmistakable sight-Justin''s face twisted in a subtle, dark, and triumphant smile.

    A sharp pain pierced Jasper''s heart before he lost consciousness entirely.

    Meanwhile, Alyssa worked tirelessly with Axel remotely and had even enlisted Cyrus'' help. After hours of effort, they finally tracked down the ck van.

    Over the phone, Cyrus'' voice was thick with worry. "Lyse, what are you up to this time? Don''t you dare put yourself in danger! If you do, I swear I''ll tell Dad and have him give you a good scolding when I get back."

    Alyssa chuckled, her tone yful. ''Rx, Cyrus. I have Sean with me. He''ll handle any danger."

    Sean looked baffled but said nothing.

    "Oh, alright. Wait a minute... Sean shouldn''t be in danger either! He''s engaged to Taty, and they''re expecting their first child. Do you really want my nephew to lose his father?" Cyrus eximed.

    Sean was flustered. Cyrus'' reasoning made sense, yet somehow, it felt like a subtle curse.

    ''Fine, fine. I was just kidding." Her yful tone vanished as she turned her gaze to a rundown private hospital across the deserted street. Her lips curved into a determined smile. "Don''t worry. I''ll be careful this time."

    After reassuring Cyrus, she ended the call. Sean stepped forward. "Ms. Alyssa, let me go in and check things out first."

    She fixed him with a firm re. "No, I''m going in."

    ''Ms. Alyssa!" Sean cried out frantically in a protest.

    "It might be dangerous in there. While I admit you''re an outstanding secretary, youcked sleuthing skills. It''s best if I go instead.

    "You''re still recovering..."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "I''m fine. It won''t be a problem. Now, follow my orders and prepare some things for me. I''m moving in tonight!"

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 Chapter 2370

    ?

    Chapter 2370

    Sean was gobsmacked when Alyssa changed into a medical outfit, donned a face mask, and tied her hair back into a neat ponytail.

    As night fell, her twinkling eyes glistened like stars in the Milky Way, enchanting anyone who stole even a fleeting look.

    "What are you staring at? Haven''t you seen me like this before?" Alyssa asked, amused by Sean''s dumbfounded expression.

    But she could tell he wasn''t gazing at her with any amorous intent. His eyes reflected only pure fondness and admiration.

    "N-No... It''s not that," Sean stammered, scratching his head awkwardly. "I was just thinking-even with just your eyes visible and dressed in ab coat, you still look amazing."

    He hesitated before adding curiously, "Did you look like this when you worked with Doctors Without Borders in Luminara?"

    Alyssa straightened her outfit and replied, "Yeah, something like this."

    Suddenly, Sean perked up and asked, "I heard that Mr. Beckett once participated in an emergencybat mission in Luminara when he was in the military. Luminara isn''t that big of a country. Did you meet him back then?"

    Alyssa froze. Her numb pinky finger on her left hand quivered slightly before she answered hesitantly, "I don''t think so. Otherwise, why wouldn''t he have recognized me?"

    Sean felt his chest tighten. He hesitated, unsure if he should say more. He couldn''t shake the feeling that Alyssa was concealing something heavy-something burdened with helplessness and regret.

    Before Alyssa left, Sean insisted she put on a scrub hat. Her radiant presence was difficult to disguise, and the more she covered up, the safer she would be.

    Fully suited, Alyssa nned to sneak into the hospital through its back entrance.

    Contrary to her expectations, even this deste and run-down hospital had personnel guarding both the front and back doors. Judging by their stances, Alyssa quickly deduced that these guards weren''t part of the police force. They were Sheryl''s underlings.

    This confirmed her suspicion that illicit activities were taking ce within the hospital.

    Alyssa didn''t act rashly. Instead, she hid among the trees, observing quietly.

    She soon noticed that everyone entering the building had to present identification. This ce was tightly secured. Alyssa frowned, deep in thought.

    Just then, she noticed a male healthcare worker leaving the building to smoke in a secluded corner.

    Her eyes narrowed as an idea began to form.

    15 minutester, Alyssa had secured an entry pass. The unconscious man nowy hidden in the shrubs.

    Once inside the hospital, Alyssa realized she needed a more convincing disguise. She found a cart and began pushing it steadily down a hallway.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.

    Not knowing where Grover was being held, Alyssa didn''t naively expect to rescue him in one attempt. Her primary goal was to reconnoiter the area and devise a moreprehensive n. She took deep breaths as she passed ward after ward.

    I

    To her dismay, the rooms were filled with terminally ill patients. Men, women, the elderly, and even childreny on dirty hospital beds, hovering on the brink of death.

    There was no advanced medical equipment in sight-only rudimentary IV treatments, though Alyssa couldn''t be sure what kind of fluids were being administered.

    As a doctor, Alyssa could tell these patients were beyond recovery. Most of them clidn''t have long to live.

    Why, then, were they all gathered here? And why were they receiving such negligent care, as if simply waiting to die?

    Her heart filled with doubt. Clenching her teeth, Alyssa silently pulled out her phone to record the grim scene. "Hey, you there! You, at the front!"

    A cold voice startled her from behind, and her heart sank.

    Alyssa turned around, feigning calm. A bodyguard dressed in ck walked up to her, scrutinizing her with suspicion.

    "Why haven''t I seen you around before? Are you new?"

    Even though Alyssa was mostly covered up, female healthcare workers were rare in this hospital. Naturally, her appearance would draw attention.

 Chapter 2371

    ?

    Chapter 2371

    Alyssa let out augh. "Hello, sir. I am new here."

    She shed a sweet smile that reached her eyes. "There have been more people admitted here recently, so Ms. Gillis tasked me with helping out at thest minute.

    "Oh, I see."

    Since Alyssa mentioned Sheryl''s name, despite being new, the bodyguard believed her right away. He said, "Don''t wander around aimlessly. There''s a male patient who just arrived today. He''s extremely important to Ms. Gillis. Go over there immediately and see if she needs any assistance."

    Relieved that the bodyguard''s suspicions were dispelled, Alyssa felt the tension in her body ease. She responded hastily, "Sure, I''ll head over right away!"

    Meanwhile, at the best hospital in Sna City, Jasper had been transferred to a regr ward for observation after his condition stabilized.

    However, his copse in front of the Beckett Group''s board members caused a significant stir within the corporation, and rumors started spreading like wildfire.

    Justin, who was known to have poor health, appeared robust and energetic. On the other hand, Jasper, in his prime, now seemed fragile and unwell.

    Within a few hours, whispers about Justin reiming his position as heir and taking over Jasper''s role began circting across Beckett Group''s internal departments.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.

    "Doctor, how is my son doing?" Javier grabbed the doctor in the hallway and inquired anxiously.

    "Mr. Javier, please try not to worry. Mr. Jasper''s life is not in danger. However..

    The doctor hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "His symptoms are moreplex than they seem. It doesn''t appear to be just an acute episode."

    Standing behind, Justin lifted the corners of his lips slightly at the news. A sly expression shed across his elegant face, but he quickly concealed it.

    Javier paled in his panic. "What exactly is going on?"

    *Unfortunately, I can only make a conclusive diagnosis once we have his blood test results.

    After the doctor left, Justin stepped forward, helping Javier sit down in a nearby chair. In a warm tone, he consoled, "Dad, don''t worry too much. Unlike me, Jasper has always been strong and healthy. He''ll pull through."

    *Healthy... Will he really recover fully?"

    Javier hit his chest with his fist and stomped his foot in frustration. "Ever since Jasper survived that brain injury, he hasn''t been the same. Physically or mentally. And all of it... it''s because of that Taylor family girl! She''s

    nothing but trouble, bringing chaos to our family!"

    ''Dad, please don''t speak of Ms. Alyssa that way.''

    Justin''s gaze darkened subtly, though his voice remained steady. "In my eyes, Ms. Alyssa is perfect. She has never hurt Jasper. Everything that happened was due to his own choices. I hope you''ll refrain from speaking ill of her again and get along amicably with her in the future."

    Javier was stunned. He looked into Justin''s dark eyes and probed, "Justin, you... You''re serious about Alyssa?"

    Justin smiled tenderly and answered, "Of course. I have never felt this way about anyone else."

    Javier knitted his brows together. "Must it be her? There are millions of good women out th-"

    Justin interjected firmly, "It has to be her. So, I hope that you''ll give us blessings, Dad."

    ''Justin, you''ve had a difficult life. You stayed away from me for years, never asking for much. You want to pursue her now that Jasper and Alyssa are no longer together. While I''m not happy about it, I won''t stand in your way.

    ''But Alyssaes from a prominent family. She''s stubborn and deeply devoted to Jasper. Remember, she even married him against her father''s wishes! Even if I propose marriage on your behalf and try my best to bring you two together, would she agree?

    "And Winston-he''s fiercely protective of Jasper as his son-inw. Would he ever ept someone else, especially Jasper''s older brother?" Javier''s face was clouded with worry.

    Justin lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. "You''re right. But I believe everything will fall into ce."

    Everything would change.

    That kidnapping incident had irrevocably altered his life and Jasper''s. Now, he would reim everything that was rightfully his, putting things back where they belonged.

    "Dad, just hypothetically speaking," Justin said, patting Javier''s back gently. His voice was calm yet calcting. What would you do if Jasper were unable to shoulder Beckett Group''s responsibilities due to his health?"

    Javier rested his head in his hands, visibly troubled. "That''s the problem. Who could run the corporation in his stead if something were to happen to him?"

    Justin leaned closer, his tone soft yet deliberate. "If you trust me, I wouldn''t mind temporarily managing the corporation on Jasper''s behalf until he recovers."

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 2372

    ?

    Chapter 2372

    "Justin, physically... are you doing alright?" Javier widened his eyes, clearly surprised by Justin''s suggestion.

    Justin had lived alone in Mosgravia for nearly 20 years. He had never asked Javier for anything or caused him trouble.

    On the contrary, despite being in a foreignnd, Justin extended a helping hand to Javier during two critical moments when the Beckett Group faced difficult times. Thanks to Justin''s support, thepany managed to ovee those challenges.

    Thinking about this, Javier began to see Justin in a new light. A wave of remorse washed over him.

    "I''m much better now. Otherwise, you wouldn''t be seeing on my feet, would you?"

    Justin offered a slight yet sincere smile. In a calm voice, he said, "Dad, I understand how important Jasper is to you and thepany. I''ve never intended topete with him. All I want is to share your burdens and help the Beckett Group.

    "With the bid for Project A5 just around the corner, Jasper, being the responsible person he is, would surely me himself if we failed to secure the project.

    "I sincerely hope he regains consciousness tonight and returns to work tomorrow as if nothing happened. But if he doesn''t recover in time, I''m willing to step in and stabilize the situation until he''s back on his feet.

    "He''s poured his heart and soul into Project A5, and he deserves all the credit. I won''t take anything away from him."

    "Justin, I never had to worry about you when you were young. Now, you''ve grown into someone mature, understanding, and reliable. I''m so grateful and relieved to have a son like you!"

    Deeply touched, Javier ced a firm hand on Justin''s shoulder, his eyes misting over.

    "We must move forward with Project A5. The bidder conference is at the beginning of next month. If Jasper is unable to continue, you can temporarily take on the president''s responsibilities-"

    "Absolutely not!"

    A booming voice cut through the conversation, startling Javier.

    Justin maintained hisposed smile, but his eyes darkened with a dangerous gleam. He turned toward the source of the voice.

    "Jasper''s position is his alone. No one else is allowed to take it!"

    From the other end of the hallway, Newton approached in his wheelchair, apanied by Ben.

    "Dad, why didn''t you let me know that you wereing? I could''vee to get you!" Javier hurriedly stood.

    Justin, however, rose calmly and greeted him with a slight nod of the head. "Grandpa."

    Newton''s eyes zed with fury. With Ben''s assistance, he shakily stood and pointed at Javier, who was frozen in shock.

    "Jasper isn''t dead-he''s unwell! He''s exhausted himself for Beckett Group, working tirelessly to make our family the wealthiest in Sna City. And now, faced with a minor hurdle, you''re trying to strip away everything he''s worked for instead of showing him gratitude for his sacrifices.

    "Javier, are you his biological father or his stepfather? Have you lost your senses? How can you repay his dedication with betrayal? Are you honoring the memory of histe mother, the woman you imed to love most in your life?"

    "Dad, I¡ª" Javier''s voice faltered, a shadow of sorrow crossing his face at the mention of Anne. He was rendered speechless.

    Justin looked askance at Javier, then looked away coldly.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Struggling to regain hisposure, Javier finally said, "Dad, I don''t mean to suspend Jasper''s duties. But he''s hospitalized and unconscious. Beckett Group has invested hundreds of billions into Project A5, and with the bid approaching, we can''t afford a vacant president''s seat."

    Newton''s fury intensified. "I spoke with the doctor on my way here. Jasper is merely unconscious and might wake up by tomorrow morning!"

    "And what if he doesn''t regain consciousness?" Javier shot back, his frustration boiling over.

    "You are his father. How can you doom your own son with such words? Do you even hear yourself, Javier?"

    Newton''s body trembled with anger. "Even if Jasper doesn''t recover immediately, as the chairman, you can temporarily take over his duties. I''m here to assist with the final decisions on Project A5 as well.

    "Why must you consider recing him at this critical moment? Jasper would be heartbroken if he woke up to find out what you''ve done!"

    Overwhelmed with both anger and anxiety, Javier exhaled deeply, his frustration evident.

 Chapter 2373

    ?

    Chapter 2373

    "Grandpa, please calm down." After a long period of silence, Justin stepped forward with a warm smile on his face. "You''ve misunderstood both Dad and me. I''ve never intended to take over Jasper''s ce.

    "I''m already grateful to be alive, even with this broken body of mine. I desire nothing more. Besides, there''s no one more suitable than Jasper to lead Beckett Group as its president. So, please don''t trouble yourself or get angry over this."

    Newton stared at Justin, his gaze locked on the faint smile that lingered on his grandson''s face. Suddenly, he was struck by a vivid memory-of a young Justin, covered in blood, holding a knife, his lips curling into a sly smirk.

    Pain shot through Newton''s chest, sharp and unrelenting. He staggered, but Justin caught him just in time.

    "Grandpa, be careful!"

    Newton struggled to catch his breath, his hands clutching Justin''s icy ones. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Justin... you wouldn''t harm Jasper, would you? That boy lost his mother at such a young age.

    "He''s endured countless hardships and sacrificed everything for Beckett Group. His path hasn''t been easy. Please, be kind to him. Don''t make things harder for me. Can you promise me that?"

    Justin''s smile widened, though his eyes glinted with a cold, frosty light. "Grandpa, it seems you''ve forgotten that I, too, lost my mother when I was very young."

    Newton''s breath hitched.

    "But don''t worry.") ." Justin ced his hand over Newton''s, his touch cold yet deceptively gentle. "No one will take away what belongs to Jasper. Not even me."

    Alyssa let out a long sigh of relief as she managed to divert the bodyguard''s attention.

    Of course, she hadn''t nned to confront Sheryl directly today. Creating a scene was never her intention. Her primary goal was to scout the area and gather information for her next steps. She recorded everything she observed in the hospital, intending to review the footage thoroughlyter.

    As Alyssa prepared to leave, she caught sight of Sheryl stepping out of an elevator. Sheryl''s expression was cold as she strode toward the opposite end of the hallway.

    Holding her breath, Alyssa gritted her teeth and followed silently.

    "Sir, everything has been settled," Sheryl said, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag.

    Alyssa''s eyes narrowed as she watched the figure before her. Sheryl''s silhouette, d in ab coat, bore an uncanny resemnce to her own. Her focus sharpened.

    Given that both the person behind Sheryl and the person behind Jameson were addressed as " Sir", it was highly likely that this "Sir" was Justin.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    "Don''t worry," Sheryl said smugly. "I''m keeping an eye on him. He''ll never get the chance to speak again."

    Alyssa clenched her fists, her nails digging into the wall. A cold glint shed in her eyes. If Justin had ordered Sheryl to transfer Grover out of prison, what was his real motive?

    After ending her call, Sheryl finished her cigarette and flicked the butt onto the ground. She turned to leave when Alyssa had a sudden idea. Lowering her voice deliberately, she called out, "Liana Gardner!"

    Sheryl froze, her heart skipping a beat at that name. Instinctively, she spun around.

    But the hallway behind her was empty.

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 Chapter 2374

    ?

    Chapter 2374

    As Sheryl looked back at the empty corridor, a chill ran down her spine, and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.

    She heard someone calling her Liana Gardner. It was a name she had discarded long ago-a part of her past she thought she had buried forever. Yet now, it came rushing back, unbidden and relentless.

    After all this time, she believed she had severed ties with her old life. But the moment she heard the name that had once been hers for over 20 years, she reacted instinctively, unable to suppress the surge of unease.

    "Ms. Gillis!"

    A man, who appeared to be the hospital director, approached her with two medical staff in tow. He offered a polite smile and said, I''ve prepared this round of medications. Shall we administer them to the subjects today?"

    "How many times have I told you not to call them subjects? They are patients," Sheryl said coldly, fixing him with a sharp re. "You make it sound like we''re running some kind of inhumane experiment."

    The doctorughed. You''re right, you''re right."

    Sheryl''s tone softened only slightly as she continued, "Oh, by the way, did you see any suspicious individuals on your way here?"

    The three medical personnel exchanged nces.

    "Suspicious individuals? No. The security here is so tight, who could possibly sneak in?"Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Sheryl scoffed. "We''re in Sna City now, not Mosgravia. It''s better to be cautious."

    Meanwhile, Remy had received instructions to help out at the hospital. He was walking forward expressionlessly when he saw two healthcare workers pushing a hospital bed toward him.

    He wasn''t paying much attention initially. But then, the young woman in the hospital bed called out to him in a weak voice, "Sir... s-save... me..."

    He lowered his eyes coldly. The young woman was a sight of utter misery, her body wracked with spasms. Her pallid skin, etched with awork of dark, bruised needle marks, was a horrifying sight.

    His eyes widened slightly as he froze, the woman''s tear-filled gaze piercing through his cold exterior. She looked at him with a desperation that shook him to his core despite him witnessing countless deaths and suffering.

    Momentster, the healthcare workers wheeled her away, her expression a mask of utter hopelessness.

    Unable to remain silent, Remy grabbed one of the workers by the arm. His voice was low and

    tense. "Isn''t she still alive?

    "Barely. Ms. Gillis ordered us to dispose of her."

    Remy''s brow furrowed tightly. "Is her condition deteriorating?"

    "The clinical trial failed," the worker replied with chilling indifference. ''Besides, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Even if the trial hadn''t failed, she''d still be dying soon. This way, she gets to the afterlife faster."

    The afterlife faster?

    Remy clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged. He felt as though an iron grip was squeezing his heart.

    He didn''t consider himself a good person. Yet the sheer cruelty in the worker''s words was enough to crush whatever moral boundaries he had left.

    Sheryl approached him then, her icy voice pulling him back to reality. "I have to leave shortly to meet Sir. You''re to stay here and keep watch over that man tonight. That''s the task Sir assigned you."

    Remy stared at Sheryl with a dull gaze. He hesitated.

    Just then, a male healthcare worker ran toward them, clutching his neck. His voice was frantic. ''Ms. Gillis! I was attacked!"

    Sheryl was stunned. What happened?

    "I was ambushed this afternoon when I stepped outside for a smoke. Someone hit me from behind. When I woke up, I was lying in the shrubs. I nearly froze to death! His lips were visibly purple from the cold.

    A flicker of intrigue crossed Remmy''s eyes, though his expression remained neutral.

    The news turned Sheryl as pale as a ghost. "What did your attacker look like?"

    "I-I didn''t get a good look..."

    "You useless piece of shit!"

    "B-But... I think it was a woman."

    Remy''s eyes lit up faintly, surprise flickering across his features. A woman? Who would have the audacity to infiltrate this highly secure facility?

    He recalled Justin''s standing orders-any intruder not aligned with their cause was to be eliminated on sight.

 Chapter 2375

    ?

    Chapter 2375

    "Also.. my entry pass is missing. That woman must have stolen it from me!" said the healthcare worker.

    Sheryl''s heart dropped. She recalled how someone had called her by her real name earlier. It seemed none of that was her imagination. Cold sweat broke out on her back instantly.

    She immediately ordered Remy, "I need to meet Sir right now. Check the surveince footage and find out who had the audacity to provoke us. Then report back to Sir and me as soon as possible!"

    Remy pursed his lips as he watched Sheryl storm away.

    After sessfully escaping the hospital, Alyssa rushed into her car. With Sean in the driver''s seat, they sped away.

    While on the road, Sean noticed Alyssa''s pale expression andpletely white lips. In a concerned voice, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, did you manage to find Grover? Was he in there? How is he doing?"

    Alyssa, still shaken and lost in thought, remained silent. Her eyes were dull and grim.

    "Ms. Alyssa, are you alright?" Sean spoke louder.

    She turned around..

    Taken aback, Sean asked, "Who turned around?"

    Alyssa lifted her eyes slowly. With a fiery look in her eyes, she exined, "I yelled out Liana Cardner''s name to Sheryl, and she turned around!"

    An ear-piercing screech echoed through the night as Sean mmed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt by the roadside.

    After hearing Alyssa''s exnation, Sean was both enraged and astonished. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, and his fingers dug into the leather.

    "Ms. Alyssa, if Sheryl responded to that name, could it be... Is she actually Liana after stic surgery?

    "The corridor was silent at the time. Most people would instinctively turn if someone suddenly yelled. But Sheryl''s reaction was different from a normal person''s."

    Alyssa shut her eyes, her knuckles turning white from how hard she was clenching her fists." There was a look of great surprise in her eyes. I''d even say that she looked a tad panicked."

    "After going through all that trouble to change her appearance and return from Mosgravia, of course she''d want to ensure her past stayspletely hidden.

    Through gritted teeth, Sean continued, "But the name ''Liana Gardner has been part of her identity her entire life. She can''t just erase it. She''ll react instinctively if someone suddenly calls out her real name."

    Alyssa''s mind raced with the flood of information.

    "Liana became Sheryl, who then became Justin''s private physician. If Justin is Sir, that would mean Sheryl and Jameson are his aplices.

    "Sheryl and Justin returned to Sna City and Beckett Group. They''re here to cause chaos. Hiding Grover must be part of their n.

    "That hospital and its terminally ill patients... it could all be a cover for something dark and terrifying."

    Alyssa thought back to how she and Jasper had uncovered Jameson''s role as the mastermind behind the clinical human experimentation that had caused widespread panic in Sna City. Now, it seemed Justin might have been orchestrating everything from the shadows.

    As Alyssa pictured Justin''s elegant, gentlemanly demeanor, a chill ran down her spine, spreading to her limbs. In her mind, his seemingly pure face became grotesque, as though swarming with unseen horrors. What in the world was Justin trying to do?

    If he wanted Beckett Group, he only needed to target Jasper. What was his real n?

    Sean''s voice broke her thoughts. "Ms. Alyssa, there''s something wrong with that hospital. Should we inform Mr. Cyrus and have the authorities handle this?"

    "No. We can''t alert them just yet."

    Alyssa''s expression darkened as she shook her head. "Do you think they wouldn''t have a backup n? They''ve infiltrated the prison system; what''s stopping them from having insiders in the police force?

    "If the authorities get involved, they''ll clear the hospital before anyone arrives. It''ll be impossible to catch them then."

    ''Then what can we do?" Sean sighed, frustration and anger evident in his eyes.

    Suddenly, Alyssa asked softly, "Isn''t Justin''s uncle, Zachary, also serving his sentence in Fifth Prison?"All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.

    That''s right. Oh, right. Ms. Alyssa, you asked me to look into Zachary, didn''t you? He''s in a special category for mentally ill inmates and is under strict protection. Only family members can visit him.''

    After a long silence, Alyssa''s eyes lit up with realization. She suddenly jumped, eximing," Oh, so that''s it! Oh my..."

    A loud thud followed as she hit her head against the car roof. The pain brought tears to her eyes.

    "Ms. Alyssa, what is it?" Sean couldn''t be bothered about anything else, his focus was entirely on uncovering the truth.

    Rubbing the bruise on her head, Alyssa''s eyes gleamed sharply. "To cover their tracks, they reced him with a fake prisoner!"

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 Chapter 2376

    ?

    Chapter 2376

    It was a quiet night, with pin drop silence filling the hospital''s VIP ward.

    In the office of Jasper''s primary physician, Sheryl ced a bank card on the coffee table and sipped her tea rxedly.

    "Ms. Gillis, what is the meaning of this?" Sebastian Bender stared at the ck-colored bank card in shock.

    Nonchntly, Sheryl smiled and asked, "Mr. Jasper''s blood test results are out. I''m sure you have identified some issues with them, haven''t you, Dr. Bender?"

    Sebastian hesitated. "Indeed, there was an unusual substance detected in Mr. Jasper''s blood sample..."

    "Methamphetamine, for instance?"

    Sebastian cried out in shock, "How did you know that?"

    To be frank, you''ve had your suspicions ever since you started treating Mr. Jasper, haven''t you? His symptoms are more like those of drug addiction rather than a simple headache. Am Iright?" Sheryl pressed on, a sinister gleam in her eyes.

    Sebastian''s hands trembled as he held his teacup. He argued, "Patients under extreme pain could also show symptoms such as acute headaches. It might not necessarily indicate a drug addiction.''

    The president of Beckett Group was being suspected of a drug addiction?

    If word of this got out, not only would Beckett Group and Sna City bepletely shaken, but Sebastian himself might not even survive.

    He had to be careful with his words!

    With a loud thunk, Sheryl ced her teacup down and lifted her lips into a cold smile.

    What if these were indeed symptoms of drug addiction?"

    Sebastian broke out in cold sweat. With a quiver in his voice, he probed, "Ms. Gillis, what are you actually trying to say?"

    "I want you, as Mr. Jasper''s primary physician, to issue a conclusive test report proving that his condition results from drug abuse. Make sure to indicate each of the relevantponents clearly.

    There are 10 million dors on this card. Consider it a down payment. Once your work isplete, you will receive another 20 million dors. It will be most worthwhile for you."

    Sheryl tilted her chin upward slightly, scrutinizing Sebastian with a prideful gaze. "That''s 30 million dors, Dr. Bender. It''s an amount you wouldn''t earn even if you toiled away in this field for years.

    "Plus, I know you''re in desperate need of money. Your son, studying overseas, beat someone up so badly that they were severely injured.

    "Right now, he remains in the detention center, waiting for you to secure the vast sum needed for his release. And I reckon you''ve already spent a considerable amount on your wife''s bone marrow transnt surgery, haven''t you?"

    Sebastian''s eyes widened in shock. He feltpletely exposed, as if Sheryl had stripped him bare. She had a clear hold over his weaknesses. There was no way he could refuse her.

    "You''re hesitating because you''re afraid of smearing Jasper''s name. You''re worried about offending him,'' Sheryl observed.

    A rxed smile spread across her face. ''Don''t worry. Firstly, you''ve discovered a prohibited substance in Jasper''s blood sample, so you won''t be making a false usation. Secondly, Beckett Group will soon be weing its new era.

    "New era?"

    Sheryl''s eyes twinkled with a proud gleam. In an imprudent tone, she said, ''Jasper''s health has been deteriorating. Whether he''s been taking banned medications or abusing drugs, he no longer deserves his position. He can no longer be president of the corporation.

    "Mr. Justin has now returned. He''s the legitimate eldest son of the Becketts. His health is improving daily, and his capabilities match Jasper''s. If Jasper steps down, Mr. Justin can surely take over Beckett Grouppletely and be the sole heir.

    When that timees, you will have made a major contribution, Dr. Bender. Mr. Justin will see that you are well taken care of in the future.

    Sebastian was on edge and highly strung. But he knew he had no other choice. It was simply his misfortune to be caught in the battle between the Beckett brothers. So, he could only ept the card with resignation.

    Jasper remained unconscious. Newton insisted on staying at the hospital to keep watch over him. Despite his advanced age, he forced himself to remain vignt. No matter who tried to persuade him otherwise, he remained steadfast. He made such a fuss that Javier had no choice but to also stay back at the hospital.

    Nevertheless, Justin could tell that Newton was insisting on keeping watch, despite his failing health, because he didn''t want Justin to have a chance to harm Jasper.

    As Justin sat outside the hospital ward, he gazed at the unconscious Jasper through the ss window on the door.

    He curled his lips upward in a subtle smile.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 2377

    ?

    Chapter 2377

    "In a casual voice, Justin remarked, "Grandpa, you really do spoil Jasper. But, how much longer can you continue this?"

    His smile was no longer bright. Instead, it was cold and sly. With an infinitely deep look in his eyes, he continued, ''Don''t you know that the kinder you are toward him, the more you are dragging him down?"

    "Mr. Justin."

    Sheryl hurried toward Justin. ''The matter is settled."

    Justin shot her a look, and she got what he meant. She pushed his wheelchair to the lounge so they could talk privately.

    "Mr. Beckett Senior is so frustratingly stubborn!" Sheryl felt indignant on Justin''s behalf. "To hell with Jasper. You should be the heir to Beckett Group! Why is he still insisting on protecting that bastard even at a time like this? Has he gone senile?"

    "It''s just as I had expected," Justin said with a perfunctory smile. "In Grandpa''s eyes, Jasper is his biological grandson, whereas he and I have been distant for a long time."

    That''s absolutely horrible. He can''t even recognize those closest to him!" Sheryl was so infuriated that she stomped her feet. "I have bought off Dr. Bender to be a witness and prove that Jasper consumed illicit drugs.

    "Even so, with Mr. Beckett Senior''s protection of Jasper, it seems we still won''t be able to crush and vanquish himpletely."

    Justin gazed at Sheryl with dark, gloomy eyes. He lifted his lips into a sarcastic smirk. "Is that how much you hate him?"

    "Yes! I wish I could get rid of him with my own hands. I''d cut him to pieces and feed him to the sharks!" she answered through gritted teeth.

    Back then, Sheryl''s reputation as a Gardner had been destroyed. She had ended up in a situation worse than street beggars. Whenever she was reminded of this, her eyes would tum red with hatred.

    With Justin present, she held herself back from cursing Alyssa and the rest of her family.

    Justin narrowed his eyes. In a candid and crisp voice, he said, "Such deep-seated hatred suggests that you were once deeply in love with him."

    A chill ran down Sheryl''s spine, and her chest tightened. She rushed forward and knelt by Justin''s feet. She gazed up at him with reverence in her eyes.

    "No, Sir! I have never cared about anyone other than you... Not even Jasper! I was still too young, too na?ve, and too foolish back then. I was manipted by Sophia. Otherwise, why would I have anything to do with such lowly people?"

    Justin couldn''t care less about her confession. He mumbled to himself, "I have never experienced deep love or any deep-seated hatred. So, I''m really envious of your hatred and Jasper''s love."

    He did not hate Jasper or Newton. He didn''t despise anyone.

    It seemed like he had only done these things because they felt intriguing.

    At that moment, Sheryl''s phone rang. It was Remy calling

    She answered the call in Justin''s presence. In an annoyed tone, she said, "Yes?"

    "I''ve looked into it. I didn''t find anything." Remy reported in a cold voice.

    Sheryl was extremely frustrated. "Are you sure? Out of all the CCTV cameras inside and outside, none of them captured her? I don''t believe you!"

    "Come and look personally if you don''t believe me.''

    With that, Remy ended the call.

    Feeling dismissed, Sheryl was on the verge of hurling her phone to the ground.

    "Sir, a woman barged into Lab No. 1 today, beat up a doctor, and stole his entry pass. I asked Remy to investigate, but he said that none of the surveince cameras captured any footage of her. What terrible luck is this?"

    Lookingpletely undisturbed, Justin asked, ''Did we get into any trouble?"Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

    "No. We conducted a thorough inspection and search afterward and determined that nothing was lost. Nothing was amiss either."

    Sheryl paused briefly, and concem shed across her eyes. "B-But... That person might have recognized me."

    Justin''s interest was piqued. He raised a brow. "Oh?"

    "I think she called out my real name."

    Sheryl''s gaze became unsteady. Shuddering at that thought, she continued, "I have undergone stic surgery to change my appearance and even my voice. Plus, I have been professionally trained in speech and behavior. How could she have recognized me? That''s impossible!"

    "Nothing is impossible." Justin twisted the ring on his finger nonchntly. "The fact that that woman was able to enter and leave that ce without anyone noticing shows that she''s bold and crafty. Also, she knows you quite well.

    Sheryl had a moment of realization. She widened her eyes and eximed, "I know who she is! It must be her... It must be!"

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 2378

    ?

    Chapter 2378

    Justin asked, "Who are you talking about?"

    "Amber Altman! It must be her."

    Sheryl clenched her teeth in anger. ''She was by Jameson''s side the entire time. She must have heard things about me.

    "On top of that, she went with Jameson to Mosgravia to meet with you on several asions. Now that I''m back, she must be suspicious of me and tailing me in secret. That previous encounter at the orphanage should have been a warning!"

    Justin smiled slightly and did notment.

    The look in Sheryl''s eyes turned grim. "Sir, we can no longer spare Amber. I don''t care if she suspects me, but if she starts suspecting you and bs to Alyssa, you would be in trouble!"

    A tired expression crossed Justin''s face. "I understand why you''re worried, but I don''t have the energy to waste on these irrelevant people at the moment.

    "Don''t worry, Sir!" Sheryl lowered herself in front of Justin once again. She picked up his hand and held it tightly. "Leave that bitch to me. No matter what it takes or what it costs, I will ensure your safety and help you reim everything that belongs to you."

    The next evening, Cyrus, Alyssa, and Jonah were in the cer of Heightsnew Vi.

    What did you say? They had a fake prisoner take his ce?"

    Cyrus raised his brows in shock. He was so surprised that he almost crushed the wine ss in his hand.

    "Did they fucking think the surveince system in Sna City''s prison is just for show? Are they trying to bring The Shawshank Redemption to life?"

    Alyssa swirled her wine ss while propping her chin up with her other hand. "It sounds more like The Shawshank Exchange to me."N?velDrama.Org owns this.

    She was about to take a drink when Jonah stepped forward quietly. He covered the rim of her ss with his palm and said, "Lyse, your doctor told you not to consume any alcohol for a month. Have you forgotten?''

    Alyssa pouted and grumbled, "Hey, I was just enjoying the mood in the cer.

    "Damn it. They transferred a prisoner out of prison without anyone noticing, and even substituted him with someone else? This is more serious than breaking out of prison. The authorities will be humiliated if word gets out."

    Cyrus blew his top. He mmed his hand on the table and jumped to his feet. "I can''t sit by and do nothing. I have to report this to the station first thing tomorrow morning!"

    The look in Alyssa''s eyes turned serious. "Don''t! The fact that Zachary was able to get out of prison shows that there are corrupt cops among Sna City''s police force. If you report this and make it publicly known, we will lose our lead.

    ''Then, not only would you fail to arrest Zachary, but we might never uncover Justin''s secret scheme. Our entire n would be ruined if we act hastily.

    Jonah''s charming face grew solemn as he reced the wine in Alyssa''s hand with warm water. "I agree with Lyse. We will lose everything if we take action now."

    Cyrus buried his head in his hands in frustration. He pulled at his hair and sighed.

    He was an upright police officer. Yet, all he could do was be patient while watching a criminal roam free. Not being able to arrest him felt more torturous than castration!

    Jonah sat down next to Alyssa. "Cyrus, have any of your colleagues been behaving suspiciously recently?"

    "My colleagues?"

    Alyssa took a gulp of water. With a dull look in her eyes, she said, "Considering the level of authority required, I suspect it''s someone in a higher position. They would have to be a police chief, at the very least."

    Cyrus was appalled. "Lyse, are you suggesting you''re suspicious of Mr. Barrett?"

    "Cyrus, all in all, you must keep this to yourself for now. Pretend this never happened. At the same time, Investigate the circumstances of Zachary''s imprisonment to confirm my suspicions."

    Cyrus ran his tongue across his teeth. In a firm voice, he replied, "Will do! You have never been wrong about your guesses. This time, I will stand firmly by your side. I will not cause any chaos in the organization!"

    Alyssa stifled augh and beamed.

    Ever since Jasper''s incident, the Taylor brothers had never seen Alyssa smile. They were so delighted that they welled up.

    "Next, I want to investigate the patients confined in that run-down hospital building." Alyssa''s expression tumed solemn again as she thought of those patients in such dire conditions.

    "There''s something I don''t understand," Jonah said, knitting his brows in confusion. "The Dutton family has been destroyed. They can''t assist Justin in any way. Why did he go to such lengths to help his uncle escape from prison?"

    Alyssapped her chin thoughtfully

    There was no doubt that Jonah had just asked an excellent question.

    Beneath Justin''s elegant and easygoing appearancey a ruthless and egocentric personality. He would never engage in anything that wouldn''t benefit him, nor would he help anyone of no use to him. Jameson''s fate alone was sufficient to reveal his heartless nature. As Alyssa contemted this, she took a deep breath.

    They are probably aplices. As for what they are plotting, we''ll have to continue investigating."

    Amber was in the kitchen, helping L and Colene prepare desserts for the family''s consumption the next day.

    Axel had purchased a manor in Belbanks for her and put it under her name. He chose a location near Heightsnew Vi to make it convenient for her to visit at any time.

    Amber had no family, so the Taylors were her family. She woulde to Heightsnew Vi to help Mandy, Colene, and L however she could.

    At the same time, she was careful not to visit too often, lest she bother them or overstay her wee.

    She was overly cautious, meek, and understanding. The Taylors were fond of her, but more than that, their hearts went out to her.

    "Amber, you and Axel should just go ahead and register your marriage the next time he gets some time off work."

    While Colene kneaded the dough, she winked at L, signaling her to back her up. "It''s so troublesome traveling back and forth. It would be much easier for you to marry into the family. Then wedies can get together every day. Oh, right. Can you y bridge? The three of us are always short of one yer!"

    Amber''s heart raced, and she blushed. The dough in her hands became messy as she grew flustered.

    "I can. A little," she stuttered.

    L smiled broadly. "Colene is right. We will be a family sooner orter anyway. Axel is always away from home, and we can''t feel at ease knowing you''re living alone."

    "It''s alright. I''m fine going back and forth. It isn''t troublesome at all. Plus, I can look after myself," Amber said, her voice as light as a cloud.

    She still felt deeply inferior and was held captive by the fear of a potentially blissful future, even though she was well aware of Axel''s deep love for her.

    Colene was about to speak when she suddenly froze.

    With the cold winter air still clinging to him, Axel had appeared in the kitchen unnoticed.

    Hands in his pockets and head tilted yfully, he watched Amber from behind. His fiery eyes overflowed with passionate intensity.

 Chapter 2379

    ?

    Chapter 2379

    The unsuspecting Colene was filled with joy when she saw Axel had returned. Just as she was about to greet him, L quickly dashed forward and covered her mouth.

    L gave her meaningful looks as she gently pulled her away from the kitchen.

    With that, only Amber and Axel remained in the kitchen.

    Amber was puzzled when she realized Colene and L had gone quiet. As she was about to tum around, Axel covered her eyes with his hands.

    Amber''s heart skipped a beat. She pursed her lips briefly, then said in a tender voice, "Quit joking around, Axel."

    Axel chuckled softly. "Couldn''t you at least pretend to guess who I am? Where''s the romance?"

    He removed his hands from her eyes and began to trace the curves of her body, all the way down to her perky bottoms and stopping there.

    Why, you-Behave yourself. The fiery touch from Axel''s palms was making Amber quiver all over.

    She leaned into his arms; her eyes red and moist.

    She was moved, but more than that, she missed him very much.

    "I can be even naughtier."

    Before Axel could finish what he wanted to say, he lowered his eyes before smiling and pressing his lips against Amber''s soft ones. He kissed her deeply.

    He was a good kisser, and his kiss made Amber''s face flush red. She soon grew giddy and couldn''t help but lean back. Overwhelmed by shyness, she didn''t know where to ce her hands.

    Just then, Axel murmured, "Hold me."

    In the next second, he kissed her again. A soft moan escaped Amber''s lips as she wrapped her arms around Axel''s waist.

    She pressed her hands up against his back, leaving patches of white flour on that ck coat of his.

    The contrast of ck and whiteplemented their blissful moment.

    Their tongues danced as they shared a moment of tender reunion.

    Axel finally relented, both of them gasping for air. He noticed her flushed cheeks and the

    mist in her eyes, and an unfamiliar heat spread through him. He swallowed hard. "Did you miss me, hmm?''

    "I did.." Amber answered meekly.

    Boys would be boys. Axel got into the mood. He nuzzled her cheek with the stubble on his

    jaw, prickling and tickling Amber at the same time.

    "Prove it to me," he challenged.

    "I made your favorite foods while you were away. There''s sauerkraut and desserts in the fridge." Amber''s eyes twinkled with happiness, though she seemed slightly embarrassed." They''re probably nothing special."

    A lump rose in Axel''s throat. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

    He came from a wealthy family but had spent his life wandering, a soul adrift between the lights and shadows. He yearned for a simple, normal life with his partner, a life where they could support each other.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.

    Amber had given him everything he longed for. He waspletely satisfied, content in the knowledge that he had no regrets.

    "Says who? Everything my wife gives me is the best in the whole wide world," Axel choked out, his voice surprisingly seductive for its husky quality.

    Completely enveloped in Axel''s love, Amber buried her bashful face in his chest, quietly listening to his sweet nothings. "Amber, I love you. I love you very, very much."

    Amber winked at him cheekily. "In that case, prove it to me."

    "As long as your hips can take it, I can spend three days and three nights proving it to you. We don''t even have to leave the room." Axel sucked on her reddened earlobe, his alluring eyes filled with a wild, intense fire.

    Amber''s face turnedpletely red. She struggled, pushing him away.

    Filling her up after eating, and eating again after she was filled up.

    She remembered the taste of those three days and three nights with Axel-a whirlwind of heaven and hell. He had made her melt, but it had felt like she might die.

    The doughy in a messy heap, the nned desserts forgotten. But there was something else they could do instead.

    After two hours of passionate lovemaking, Axel carried Amber to the bathroom to clean her

    up.

    She never allowed him to leave the lights on during their lovemaking, and he always respected her wishes.

    This time, Amber waspletely drained. She fell asleep without even realizing it.

    When she felt a gush of warm water against her skin, she slowly opened her eyes. She was soaking in the warm bathtub,pletely naked.

    Then, she noticed Axel, sitting on the edge of the bathtub in his bathrobe as he wiped down her body gently and patiently.

    She let out a scream, wrapping her arms around herself. Water sshed across the bathroom.

    "Amber, what''s wrong? What happened?''

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 Chapter 2380

    ?

    Chapter 2380

    Axel didn''t care that he was soaked to the bone. He grabbed onto Amber''s shoulders as she trembled violently.

    "You''re alright... I''m here! Don''t be afraid!

    Amber stared at him nkly. Her face was pale, and her mouth hung open. It was as if she were drowning, gasping for air.

    "Was it a nightmare? You''re okay. Don''t be afraid... I''m right here.'' Axel panicked. He pulled her into his arms.

    "H... I''ll help myself." Amber shivered uncontrobly, trying to cover the old scars on her body.

    Back at The Millennium, Jameson had tormented her for days. That dark, humiliating past was suffocating her.

    She avoided leaving the lights on because intimacy deeply traumatized her.

    She only showered alone; those hideous scars were constant reminders of her shameful past.

    The trauma lingered, and she didn''t want the love of her life to see her in such an ugly state. Surprise shed across Axel''s eyes. He realized what was happening.

    He stepped into the bathtub with her, embracing her tightly. His eyes were bloodshot.

    "Amber, listen to me," he said, his arms wrapped securely around her.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

    Tears welled up in Amber''s eyes. Being in Axel''s warm embrace gradually calmed her.

    "Amber, you are absolutely wonderful, I''m the lucky one to be with you. I am the one who doesn''t deserve you." Axel gently patted her back as she trembled. Those scars pained him

    too.

    The past is the past. Let''s look ahead. Happier days are waiting for us."

    In the early hours of the moming, all was silent within Heightsnew Vi.

    Alyssa sat on the patio, a nket wrapped around her, gazing at the moon. She was worried about Jasper and the terrifying schemes Justin and Zachary might be plotting.

    "Lyse? What are you doing here?"

    Alyssa''s mind came back to reality. Her eyes lit up when she saw Axel. "Axel, when did you return?"

    Tonight. Sorry, I didn''t go to you and Jonah because I have been looking after Ambs.

    Axel''s heart ached. He took off his coat and put it around Alyssa''s shoulders. ''It''s too cold out here. Let''s go inside."

    "I''m not cold. I used to love sitting here, watching the snow. Mom did too."

    Alyssa could tell from the look on Axel''s face that he was worried. In a concerned voice, she asked, "Axel, are you and Ambs alright?"

    "Amber isn''t doing too well." A pain shot through Axel''s heart when he thought of how despondent Arber looked.

    "What happened?"

    "She''s still haunted by her past. She doesn''t talk about it because she doesn''t want me to worry. She''s been struggling internally."

    Sitting beside Alyssa, Axel stared out at the snowy grounds. "I feel helpless. I can''t erase her past..."

    "Ambs is the strongest woman I know. If anyone else went through what she went through, they would have been worn down long ago, I admire her greatly."

    Alyssa gave Axel a gentle pat on his shoulder. "Axel, everything will be okay. You and time are the best medicine for Ambs."

    "I n to marry Amber once I''m done with my current tasks." Axel closed his eyes. In a determined voice, he dered, "I''m resigning from the organization."

    Alyssa was in utter shock and disbelief. "Axel, you''re resigning?"

    Axel had once imed that he would dedicate his life to his career. Was he giving it up for

    Amber?

    "Yeah. Amber needs me." Axel smiled. ''Frankly, I''ve had this thought for a while now, and I''ve only finally decided tonight. I just want Amber to be happy and well, If she''s not, then everything else is pointless."

    Alyssa was deeply moved by Axel''s affection and courage, so much so that tears filled her eyes.

    Axel chuckled. "So, Lyse, let me know if there''s anything you need me to do while I still have the authority. This offer won''tst forever!"

    Axel returned to his yful self, easing up the slightly mncholic atmosphere around them.

    After a slight pause, Alyssa sighed. With a serious and sharp look in her eyes, she said, ''Axel, help me find the whereabouts of the ex-chairman of Dutton Group. Specifically, Justin''s uncle, Zachary Dutton. Could you please look into this?"

 Chapter 2381

    ?

    Chapter 2381

    "Justin''s uncle? Lyse, what does this person have to do with you?" Axel couldn''t help but inquire out of curiosity.

    "I keep having the feeling that Zachary and Justin are closely rted. Moreover, he might be hiding and working with Justin to devise some unfathomable scherne.

    "I''m guessing that we''d be able to get a major breakthrough through him. Justin''s true colors and evil schemes can only be exposed if we find and approach Zachary."

    Alyssa stared fixedly at the moon with a gaze even colder than the night.

    "Lyse, in reality, you could have lived a very free and happy life. You didn''t have to live with so much worry." Axel gazed deeply at her, sorrow filling his heart. "It was all because of Jasper that you always ended up risking your life and bringing these troubles upon yourself."

    "I am someone who likes to keep myself busy. A serene life isn''t suitable for my thrill- seeking soul."

    Alyssa blinked. "Right now, the only obstacle Jasper has in Beckett Group is Justin. He has been using the fact that he once saved his life to guilt-trip Jasper. Not only that, he has been ying subtle tricks. He made himself look weak so that Mr. Javier would side with him.

    "If we''re unable to bring Justin''s true colors to light, Jasper will only end up walking on thin ice and facing endless challenges in Beckett Group.

    "Plus, Jasper is someone who ces too much value on his rtionships with others. He''s too kind. He would only end up being at a disadvantage."

    Axel found himself welling up with tears as he observed the determination on Alyssa''s face beside him.

    She was someone who would rather lower herself and sacrifice endlessly so that the people she loved didn''t have to experience any misery.

    Alyssa brought their conversation back to her main point. "Justin took Zachary out of Sna City Fifth Prison, and ced a man named Grover Bet as his scapegoat to serve Justin''s sentence.

    "No one noticed even after such a long time. This tells me that there are people in the police force who are helping them. Everything in prison has also been sorted out.

    "So, lim afraid that we''d face more obstacles if we were to take the legal route to investigate this. If the public were to hear about this, Sna City''s judicial system would be a total joke.

    "There will be pressureing from the higher-ups. In the end, not only will this matter be glossed over, but that scapegoat''s life will also be in danger. Moreover, it will be almost impossible to get a hold of Justin in the future."

    With a calm expression, Axel nodded. "I understand."

    "Justin put in so much effort to ensure Zachary''s safety. This shows that he is someone of utmost importance to him."

    Alyssa frowned deeply. "But the Dutton family had their downfall a long time ago. A murderer who has been imprisoned for a long time would only live a meaningless life even if they were released.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

    "So, how is Zachary useful to Justin? This is the question I''m trying to find an answer to as soon as possible.

    "I''m guessing that Zachary has left the country secretly."

    Axel narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chiseled jaw with his fingers. "Who knows? Zachary might have his own organization or authority overseas.

    "Justin might want to make use of his uncle''s power to secure his position in Sna City and fight with Jasper for his inheritance."

    "You''re saying he might have authority overseas?" Alyssa leaned forward. Her sharp senses picked up on the keywords from Axel''s spections.

    Axel raised a brow. "Otherwise, how is a crippled man like Justin going to fight with Jasper? There must be someone supporting him from behind. It would be really stupid of him to just y pretend, don''t you think?"

    "If Zachary has already escaped overseas, we have to keep a close watch on Justin''s movements too, then. We have to look into the ces he''s been on his personal travels overseas. Zachary would very likely be there."

    "Lyse, leave this to me. I''ll look into it. You don''t have to worry about it."

    Axel paused. In a deep and loving voice, he continued, "I will be upied from tomorrow onward. I need to make all the necessary arrangements with my work on hand so that I can

    resign in peace. When I''m away, please take good care of Amber on my behalf."

    Alyssa was moved to tears. She responded softly, "Yes, I will."

    After 72 hours of being unconscious, Jasper regained consciousness, albeit with much difficulty.

    "Mr. Beckett, you''re finally awake!"

    "Jasper, it''s me, Grandpa. Jasper!"

    Through his unfocused gaze, Jasper spotted Newton, Ben, and Xavier by the side of his bed. Looks of joy hade over their faces. Gradually, his vision became clear.

    "How... How long have I been out for? Jasper massaged his throbbing temples while Xavier helped him lean back on the headboard of his bed.

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 Chapter 2382

    ?Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Chapter 2382

    Newton''s heart ached as he looked at Jasper, his favorite grandson. "Jas, you''ve been out for three days." Three days.

    Jasper inhaled sharply. His head started spinning, and he felt weak.

    In a concerned tone, Newton asked, "Jasper, are you feeling okay?"

    "Grandpa, I''m sorry." Jasper gulped. "It''s the time when we''re about to bid for such an important project for Beckett Group, but I''ve set us back."

    "Oh, silly. It''s not your fault. Why are you apologizing?" Newton stroked Jasper''s head, just like he would when Jasper was a kid. "To me, no bidding or project is more important than my youngest grandson.

    "Jasper, don''t worry about Beckett Group. You don''t have to worry about your passing out in front of the board of directors affecting your position in the corporation. You are my appointed heir. This is a fact that will not change no matter what happens."

    Even though Jasper looked emotionless, Newton''s words of resolution stirred something within him.

    *Just focus on resting up and recuperating. I will take charge of everything else on your behalf," Newton assured.

    There was a quiver in Jasper''s eyes. "I''m fine now. I can be discharged today."

    Xavier protested immediately, "Mr. Beckett, there''s no rush. Do not force yourself!''

    "The bidding for Project A5 is happening early next month. It is just around the corner. We can''t afford to have any other hups, "Jasper uttered calmly while skillfully and casually pulling out the cann on the back of his hand.

    "Xavier, get me my clothes. I''m going back to Beckett Group."

    No one could stop Jasper when he was being stubborn.

    In the end, neatly dressed, he headed back to Beckett Group Tower by car. Xavier went along with him.

    Jasper closed his eyes and rested the entire way. His well-defined face looked dejected and haggard.

    What reyed in his mind over and over was the sinister smile he saw on Justin''s face at the final moment before he fell unconscious during the board meeting that day.

    That smile revealed a hint of excitement over a long-awaited moment. Justin did not look surprised at all. It was as if everything that happened was as he had expected.

    "That''s strange. Why are there so many reporters gathered at the entrance to the corporation?'' Xavier peered out the window, his brows knitted together.

    Jasper instructed, "Go to the underground parking lot."

    Xavier then drove the car down to the underground parking lot. Nevertheless, quite a number of reporters were also gathered here. They charged forward and surrounded Jasper''s car when they saw it approaching.

    "Mr. Beckett! It is said that your current health condition is quite worrying, and that you might not be able to manage the corporation in the future. Could youment on this?"

 Chapter 2383

    ?

    Chapter 2383

    The look in Jasper''s eyes grew dimmer and dimmer.

    His car windows were tinted, preventing the reporters who hade after hearing the news about his health from getting a clear view of his frigid expression.

    Nevertheless, they pressed their faces against the car window until their features looked distorted.

    Jasper curled his lips downward as an inexplicable feeling of frustration simmered within him. He lifted his hand and dug into the knot of his tie, tugging it downward.

    "Mr. Beckett! I heard that you were hospitalized for several days after copsing in front of everyone. Do you actually have health problems?"

    "If there are no issues with your health, please step forward and rify to put the public at ease."

    *Beckett Group''s shares were somewhat affected when the stock market opened today. This was surely rted to your hospitalization. Could you share somements with us?"

    Jasper''s car drove out of the crowd and into the underground parking lot with great difficulty.

    "Shit. Damn it!" Xavier mmed his fist in anger onto the car window. "Who dared to expose your hospitalization to the press?"

    "Who else could it be?'' A fiery gaze shed across Jasper''s bloodshot eyes.

    Xavier had a moment of realization. "J-Justin!"

    The other board members were not daring enough.

    Plus, the health conditions of family members from wealthy families were strictly confidential. This information was not revealed to the public to preventpetitors from getting the wrong idea and trying to sabotage them secretly.

    The only one who had the guts to expose this, had the capability to do so, and would benefit from it...

    There could be no one other than Justin.

    "Mr. Beckett, that older brother of yours who acts sanctimonious and gracious before others has started to show his true colors," Xavier remarked.

    Infuriated, Xavier scoffed. "I knew it... I just knew he didn''te back with good intentions. It hasn''t even been six months, yet he can no longer keep up with his act.

    ''Did he think he could cause your position in Beckett Group to waver by revealing such groundless information? He''s dreaming!"

    "Why did the reporters show up here?" Jasper mumbled to himself as he frowned.

    Xavier was enraged. "Of course it''s so that they can humiliate you! He created chaos and then hid in the shadows. As the president of the corporation, you''d be forced to step forward to calm the masses. That''s freaking disgusting and despicable of him!"

    For some reason, Jasper still felt uneasy. He had a nagging feeling that something was amiss.

    He left the parking lot and entered Beckett Group Tower.

    Jasper had a majestic bearing as he stood tall. His every step was firm and steady. He did not appear tired, let alone unwell.

    Xavier and four uniformed bodyguards followed behind him.

    Jasper was used to being alone and keeping a low profile. Xavier was usually the only one who apanied him whenever he went out.

    Today, however, he adopted a more showy approach. This was part of Newton''s n.

    Jasper was making his return after being unwell for about a week. He couldn''t allow himself to return in a disappointing manner.

    "Mr. Beckett!''

    Those who had met Jasper previously were all lined up. They greeted him respectfully.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Jasper nodded. The deep gaze in his eyes and his intimidating bearing sent chills through all those he walked by. Just as the entire group of people was walking toward the president''s elevator, amotion erupted in the lobby.

    Xavier nced over and furrowed his brow. He instructed one of the bodyguards, "Go and see what''s going on there."

    The bodyguard had just taken a few steps forward when three men approached him.

    "Outsiders aren''t allowed past this point," he said sternly.

    "Police," a crisp, familiar, and confident voice sounded.

    Jasper, who had been expressionless the whole time, slowly turned to look.

    His eyes widened. Much to his surprise, it was Alyssa''s seventh brother, Cyrus, who appeared before him. "Mr. Cy-Chief Taylor!"

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 Chapter 2384

    ?

    Chapter 2384

    Xavier approached Cyrus hastily, his smile stretching from ear to ear when he saw someone from the Taylor family.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.

    "Are you here to see Mr. Beckett? Come upstairs with us!" he invited in an especially friendly manner.

    ''No need for that," Cyrus replied, his expression stern. He continued formally, "We are here to see Mr. Beckett. We need him toe back to the station to cooperate with our investigation."

    By this time, a crowd of Beckett Group''s employees had gathered. They all heard Cyrus clearly. He had used the word "cooperate", not "assist". One word made all the difference.

    Xavier''s mind raced. He instantly lowered his voice and pleaded, "Chief Taylor, this doesn''t look good with so many people watching. Can we continue our conversation upstairs?"

    Cyrus knitted his brows tightly.

    He was extremely well-versed in the procedures.

    But this time, Jasper was the person he was taking away personally-the man who almost became his brother-in-w, the one who had risked his life repeatedly for Alyssa''s sake.

    He hesitated for the very first time.

    "I''ll go with you people." Jasper walked toward him, lookingpletely indifferent. He met Cyrus'' eyes with a calm, steady gaze.

    Cyrus'' lips turned pale. An extremely conflicted look filled his eyes, and he couldn''t exin the heavy weight pressing on his chest.

    Just as two police officers moved toward Jasper, Javier stormed in with Rory and a group of the corporation''s top executives.

    "You officers are being too reckless! Don''t you know where you are?" Javier erupted in rage upon seeing someone from the Taylor family causing trouble. He bellowed, "You''ve brought a team to take Jasper away for questioning in public.

    "He is the president of Beckett Group! Have you considered how this will affect my son''s reputation and our corporation? Are you going to be responsible for our losses?

    "Mr. Odom, get Beckett Group''s legal team here immediately! I will not let this go. You are not allowed to take Jasper away like this!"

    Rory nodded. "Will do, Mr. Javier."

    Cyrus was filled with rage. He silently cursed, wishing he could punch Javier in the face to shut him up.

    His original intention was to take Jasper away and minimize any impact. Yet, Javier had interfered and disrupted his work, seemingly trying to amplify the issue.

    How unfortunate. If only Newton had another child, the Beckett family''s business wouldn''t have ended up in this bonehead''s hands!

    "Apologies, Mr. Javier. I must take this man away today no matter what."

    Right at this moment, three inclothes officers rushed out from the crowd and presented their identifications.

    Cyrus gritted his teeth when he saw the leader-an arrogant man named Rio Olson, the chief of the Second Criminal Investigation Division and his rival of many years.

    "Who are you?" Javier stared at Rio, lookingpletely perplexed.

    ''I''m Rio Olson, a long-time colleague of Chief Taylor''s." Rio forced a smile and quickly nced at Cyrus. "Chief

    Taylor''s younger sister and Mr. Jasper share a unique rtionship. Due to a conflict of interest, he must stay away from cases involving his family.

    ''From this point forward, I will be the officer in charge of Mr. Jasper''s case. Chief Taylor, you and your men may leave."

    Rio''s condescending and prideful attitude really irked Cyrus'' team, but they could do nothing.

    Cyrus'' heart sank. He hadn''t been notified when he set out. Not much time had passed, yet Jasper''s case had been handed to someone else?

    This was peculiar indeed.

    Jasper remainedpletely undisturbed throughout, watching everyone. His expressionless face made it impossible to identify any emotions within him.

    Yet thoughts raced through his mind continuously.

    It was as if he had been watched since leaving the hospital for Beckett Group-like they had set up trap after trap to restrain him and force him into a corner.

 Chapter 2385

    ?

    Chapter 2385

    Rio approached Jasper and confidently shed out the arrest warrant, deliberately raising his voice so everyone present could hear.

    "Mr. Jasper Beckett, you are suspected of drug abuse. Pleasee with us!"

    The moment he spoke, it was as if the skies had crashed down, catching everyonepletely off guard.

    Jasper raised his eyebrows, his temples throbbing.

    "Drug abuse... You''re iming Jasper took drugs? That''s nder!" Javier''s face turned pale with shock.

    Xavier''s head buzzed. He almost passed out upon hearing Rio''s usation.

    Rio stated calmly, "We will not arrest anyone without proof."

    Cyrus gritted his teeth in anger, clenching his hands into fists. He would never believe that Jasper would do drugs! Yet, he had no way to involve himself in the case. He couldn''t prove Jasper''s innocence, no matter how much he wanted to.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

    The Beckett Group employees present had heard Rio''s words. Their jaws dropped, and they began chattering among themselves.

    Within an hour, news of Jasper''s arrest for drug abuse had spread throughout the entire corporation and across Sna City.

    "Xavier, stay back and ensure the corporation continues to operate normally," Jasper instructed.

    Taking a step forward with poise, his broad back exuding calmness, Jasper said, "I will give you my full cooperation. Let''s go."

    Alyssa was leading KS Group''s senior executives in a meeting in the corporate conference room.

    Her hair was down, and her bright red lipsplemented her smart ck suit as she stood on stage, presenting her proposal eloquently.

    Each of the senior executives below listened intently, taking their own notes. Despite her youth, Alyssa was firm and steady,manding the same presence Winston had during the peak of his career, inspiring great admiration.

    At a critical moment during the meeting, Sean''s urgent voice came through Alyssa''s Bluetooth earphones.

    "Ms. Alyssa, I have bad news! Mr. Beckett is suspected of drug abuse and has been arrested by the police for questioning."

    A loud thud sounded.

    Alyssa held her breath as herser pointer fell to the ground. The executives exchanged meaningful nces. She bent down elegantly, picking up the pen with trembling hands, then straightened her back stiffly. Though a smile remained on her face, her eyes had turnedpletely red.

    "Let''s continue," she said.

    An hourter, Alyssa and Sean returned to the president''s office.

    "How did this happen?" Unable to contain her emotions, she grabbed a coffee mug and hurled it against the wall in fury.

    Sean could see Alyssa was truly enraged.

    "Mr. Cyrus was concerned about interfering with your work, so he called me to exin the situation. Given the urgency, I informed you immediately," Sean exined.

    With a grim expression, he continued in a low voice, "Mr. Cyrus has been removed from the case and cannot intervene. ording to my sources, Mr. Jasper is already at the police station. They will be testing his urine or his hair for drugs."

    Alyssa pressed her hand to her forehead, gritting her teeth. "The medication Jasper has been taking contains bannedponents. Even if he didn''t do drugs, the test results could be used to use him of being a drug addict."

    She looked at Sean intensely. "Do you understand what this means?"

    Sean started to speak but hesitated.

    "It means the position of Beckett Group''s president-which Jasper has fought so hard to obtain-will likely be handed to someone else."

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 Chapter 2386

    ?

    Chapter 2386

    "How could that be?" Sean''s eyes widened in shock. "Mr. Justin relies on a wheelchair wherever he goes, and has to be on medications all year round. He needs constant care.

    "How could someone like him take up the position of president? Also, Mr. Jasper has Mr. Newton''s support and has reconciled with Javier.

    "How could Mr. Justin take down Mr. Jasper and take over his position? Does he even have anyone supporting him?

    "How is he going to manage with his condition? He will end up falling even after he takes that position. Mr. Newton is not going to just sit back and watch!"

    "Still, there are only two heirs to Beckett Group-Justin and Jasper." Alyssa closed her eyes tight and fell into deep thought. She bit her lip. "If Jasper copses, the entire corporation will be negatively affected.

    "No matter how much Grandpa Newton loves him, he would have to take their family into consideration too. Plus, don''t forget that Mr. Javier is no longer biased toward Jasper since Justin returned. He now sits on the fence.

    "When pushes to shove, Grandpa Newton would very likely give up on Jasper and allow Justin to take his position instead."

    Upon hearing that, the color drained from Sean''s face.

    Alyssa let out a heavy sigh. ''Of course, that is the worst possible oue. After all, to Grandpa Newton, the health and safety of his grandson is more important than status and authority. If the fight between Justin and Jasper continues, I can''t imagine what horrible things Justin might do.

    *Grandpa Newton has been keeping that bloody secret all to himself. I''m sure it has been agonizing for him to bear with all that stress for so many years."

    "Ms. Alyssa, we have toe up with a way to help Mr. Jasper through this difficult situation!" Sean said, lowering himself and looking at Alyssa with a troubled expression. Her eyes were filled with worry.

    He continued, "Mr. Jasper has strived for years to build Beckett Group to be where it is today. We cannot let it fall into the hands of that scheming man!"

    "I, more than you or anyone else, wish that Jasper will win this fight. If the legal route doesn''t work, we''ll take the illicit approach. I must protect Jasper and Beckett Group no matter what it takes.

    After ruminating further, Alyssa opened her eyes again. Her eyes had turnedpletely red.

    "Ever since Jul left, Justin nted Sheryl by Jasper''s side. Justin was the one who provided Sheryl with the illicit drugs that Jasper had been taking.

    ''He has been keeping watch in secret. When the time was right, he contacted the reporters and reported Jasper to the police. He made his series of schemes so natural that it caught everyone off guard."

    Sean swore out of anger, "Damn it... That fucking crook!"

    *Sean, we have to send a reliable, top-notch attorney from our end."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Alyssa was a sensitive and cautious person. She made sure that she made no mistakes whenever she took action.

    "Right now, I can''t trust anyone from the Beckett Group, other than Grandpa Newton. However, he is an elderly and doesn''t have enough capacity to help us. Mr. Gorham aside, we wouldn''t even know if Justin has bribed anyone around Grandpa Newton."

    *Ms. Alyssa, do you trust my brother, Steven? If you do, how about entrusting Mr. Jasper''s case to him?

    Sean looked at Alyssa with an earnest and fiery gaze. "All of Sna City once saw my oldest brother, Simon, as the best attorney in the city. But, they were unaware that Steven was actually the most talented one in the

    political and legal fields in Sna City.

    "Him working as a judge all year round just meant that he hadn''t had a chance to represent clients in court. In actual fact, he''s extremely skilled. It''s just that everyone overlooked his abilities."

    "I trust all you Lynch brothers. Let''s go ahead with your suggestion." Alyssa took a deep breath. "There is an even tougher battle up ahead. Jasper''s arrest stirred up all sorts ofments from the public. Don''t worry about the financial cost. The most important thing is to rein in all negative sentiments."

    With a serious look on his face, Sean nodded. "I understand! I will get in touch with the Public Rtions Department and the media to sort this out now."

    A ring beam of white light shone on Jasper. He had been sitting in the interrogation room at the police station for three whole hours. Yet, there wasn''t a single hint of tiredness on his face. His suit remained neat, and he was still sitting with his back upright.

    He was a perfect example of someone who wouldn''t crack under pressure.

    After some time, the door to the interrogation room opened.

    Rio and another police officer strutted in. Rio mmed a test report down in front of Jasper. With an icy look on his face and an intimidating gaze, he announced, "The results are out. You have tested positive."

    A flicker shed across Jasper''s eyes. He curled his lips downward. "I didn''t do drugs."

    "It''s written in ck and white. How could it be false? Mr. Beckett, did you think that the forensics department at the force is just for show?" Rio scoffed. He pulled out a small stic bag and waved it in front of Jasper. "You should be very familiar with this, Mr. Beckett. We found this in a drawer in your office."

    Jasper''s eyes dimmed as he stared at that bag of blue pills. The veins on the back of his hands began to pop as he clenched his hands into fists on his knees.

    This was hisst bag of pills.

    He didn''t carry it with him because he realized he had developed a strong dependence on them. He wanted to hold himself back and stay away from them as much as possible.

    In the past, he would only have headaches without the medication. Now, if he stopped taking them, he would feel like he had ants crawling all over his body, nibbling and chewing away at his bones.

 Chapter 2387

    ?

    Chapter 2387

    Despite possessing tremendous willpower, the sensation felt like living hell to Jasper.

    "Do you know what this is?" Rio questioned.

    Jasper asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

    "It is known as Crystal Ice," Rio exined. "It''s a new type of drug, currently the most addictive and lethal on the market."

    Jasper''s pupils constricted, and his breathing became uneven. "What is it again?"

    "Mr. Beckett, now that we have concrete evidence, there''s no need to continue this charade in front of me, is there? *Rio stated, standing before Jasper and studying him with a frigid gaze. "Come clean with us. Don''t waste our time or yours. You''re the president of a corporation; I know your time is precious.

    "This is your first offence, so you won''t receive a severe sentence. You should take responsibility for your actions. Don''t dwell on it."

    Jasper lowered his eyes, a frown deepening on his face. Zealous balls of rage burned in his eyes.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

    Sheryl had given him those pills. In other words, Justin had instructed her to do so.

    Therefore, Justin had never intended to cure him from the very start. Instead, he was ensnaring him in drug use. Justin had made him engage with the devil, then lured him down into hell little by little.

    Jasper felt overwhelmed. At that moment, his temples began throbbing unexpectedly, and his gaze blurred.

    Just then, the door to the interrogation room opened once again.

    Jasper blinked hard. He then saw a handsome man in a suit walk in. In a deep and confident voice, the man announced, "I am Mr. Beckett''s attorney, Steven Lynch. From now on, my client has the right to selectively answer or refuse any unreasonable questions."

    ''Steven-'' Rio stared at Steven in shock.

    They worked in the criminal justice system. This was Steven Lynch, the former reputable judge. How could he not know who he was?

    *Judge Lynch?'' Jasper asked, his lips quivering. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

    A friendly smile spread across Steven''s face. "I haven''t been a judge for a long while. I am now simply your attorney, Mr. Beckett."

    Rio forced a slight smile. "I should have expected as much from the wealthiest family in Sna City. Of course you''d be able to hire the Mr. Lynch, the ex-judge who was unafraid of those with power."

    "Now that I''m in a different position, my perspective has changed. As an attorney, I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves."

    Steven calmly sat down next to Jasper. Their eyes met, and he leaned into Jasper''s ear, whispering, ''Ms. Alyssa asked me to help you."

    Jasper stared intently at him. His heart pounded uncontrobly, as if trying to break free from the chains binding

    it.

    Thereafter, Steven picked up the test report and said coldly, "Even though the test results came back positive, this doesn''t prove that Mr. Beckett did drugs. Some illicit medications from overseas can also produce the same positive test results if taken in excess. Based on this alone, don''t you think your conclusion is too far-fetched, Chief Olson?"

    The officer next to Rio was extremely displeased. He argued, "But we found Crystal Ice in his office. Although the

    quantity was small, it makes him a suspect for drug possession!"

    "I''ve seen these tactics used to frame others too many times." Steven ced the document down. With a sharp glint in his eyes, he continued, "Two months ago, ourw firm epted a case where someone reported their corporation''s leader for taking bribes.

    "The police found a box of cash in that leader''s car. Ultimately, after investigation, it was discovered to be a setup. Someone had broken into the trunk of his car and nted the money.

    *Over a thousand employees work at Beckett Group. Even with security, how can they guarantee no one snuck in to nt this bag of pills and frame my client?"

    Rio flew off the handle. Through clenched teeth, he sneered. "Mr. Lynch, you''re quite eloquent. You''re even capable of defending a criminal."

    ''Also, you used my client of doing drugs. Does your evidence present theplete picture?"

    Rio frowned.

    Steven leaned forward. In a steady voice, he questioned, "Do you have evidence of Mr. Beckett purchasing drugs or instructing his subordinate to purchase them on his behalf? Do you?"

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 2388

    ?

    Chapter 2388

    Jasper sat upright next to Steven, looking unperturbed. Yet deep within, he held immense admiration for the man beside him.

    Born into nobility, Jasper was naturally aloof, and Steven''s humility and poise were qualities Jasper rarely encountered, even among the elite circles. Only a select few had ever earned his respect.

    If he managed to navigate this ordeal and return safely to the Beckett Group, he already resolved to approach Steven personally. He would offer Steven the position of thepany''s legal advisor, with remuneration entirely at Steven''s discretion-a gesture of Jasper''s utmost sincerity.

    As the interrogation progressed, Rio''s confidence began to falter. His expression grew stiffer with each passing moment until he finally let out a frustrated sigh. He was cornered.

    Steven, exuding the authority of a judge, spoke firmly. "It''s one thing to summon my client for questioning or harbor suspicions about him. But every case must adhere to one fundamental principle-procedural justice."

    His sharp gaze swept across the room. "Do you have any evidence to prove that my client used or purchased drugs? Have you uncovered new witnesses or testimony? If the answer to all of these is ''no,'' then you are only permitted to detain him for 24 hours, nothing more."

    An officer beside Rio bristled, his voice rising in anger. "He''s a scion of a wealthy family! Of course, he has the means to obtain these things illegally. The people around him would do anything for him-they''re probably conspiring to cover for him!"

    Rio red at the officer. He growled, "Shut up!"

    Steven''s lips curled into a faint smile. "From what I gather, you have no concrete evidence. That being the case, there''s nothing more to discuss."

    His tone was calm yet unyielding. "Feel free to investigate anyone associated with Mr. Beckett. That''s your prerogative. Whether you find anything or not is none of our concern. But do not bother me with baseless usations.

    "If you insist on detaining my client for the full 24 hours, I''ll remain by his side until the very end. In the meantime, I''d appreciate a cup of coffee. ck, no sugar. Thank you."Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.

    Rio stormed back to his office, his temper barely contained. Momentster, a subordinate came, bearing grim

    news.

    Surveince footage from Jasper''s office in Beckett Group, where the Crystal Ice was found, had beenpletely erased, leaving no record of activity. Data recovery efforts had proved fruitless as well.

    This development turned the situation into an enigma. Had Jasper nted the drugs himself, or was he the victim of a calcted setup?

    Unbeknownst to them, Alyssa had orchestrated the erasure. Acting swiftly, she contacted Xavier, instructing him to delete all footage from Jasper''s office. Her goal was to eliminate any evidence-whether it implicated Jasper or exonerated him.

    Without tangible leads, the police would have no grounds to use Jasper of drug possession. Alyssa''s maneuver was calcted to protect Jasper from further charges.

    As Rio wrestled with his frustration, an officer hurried into his office.

    *Chief Olson, someone is here to see you."

    "Can''t you see that I''m busy? Unless it''s urgent, handle it yourselves!" Rio snapped.

    "He ims to be a witness. He says he can prove that Jasper used drugs."

    Rio''s eyes lit up, and he bolted from his desk.

    A middle-aged man stood nervously in the corridor, clutching a brown envelope.

    With a gleeful look, Rio approached the man and asked, "Are you the witness they told me about?"

    "Yes..." The man''s voice was strained, his anxiety palpable. "I''m Sebastian Bender, the primary physician who treated Mr. Beckett during his recent hospitalization."

    Sebastian held out the envelope. "These are Mr. Beckett''s diagnosis report and blood test results."

    Rio took the envelope from Sebastian, moving quickly to extract the documents. His eyes scanned the reports with intense focus.

 Chapter 2389

    ?

    Chapter 2389

    "Mr. Beckett''s blood sample contained methamphetamine..."

    Rio''s eyes widened in shock. He knew this substance all too well-it was aponent found in crystal meth.

    Sebastian hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Also, if I''m not mistaken, Mr. Beckett was hospitalized due to severe withdrawal symptoms. He didn''t take his drugs on time, and his body couldn''t handle it. Would this count as evidence?"All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.

    *Dr. Bender, thank you for the crucial information you''ve provided. We greatly appreciate your assistance in this case!" Rio shook Sebastian''s hand vigorously, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

    Meanwhile, just around theer, Cyrus stood with his back against the wall. He had heard every single word of their exchange. His chest burned with rage as he clenched his teeth. Pulling out his phone, he quickly texted Alyssa.

    *Lyse, the situation has changed. I can''t join the investigation, but you must save Jasper this time.

    An hourter, Rio strode back into the interrogation room, brimming with confidence. He mmed Jasper''s blood test results onto the table in front of him and Steven.

    "This is fresh evidence from your primary physician. Your blood sample contained a substance exclusively found in drug abusers!"

    A surprised look shed across Steven''s face. He picked up the report and examined it closely.

    Jasper, on the other hand, remainedposed. He lowered his gaze, his sharp jawline taut with tension. Deep down, he had anticipated this. This was Justin''s doing, another carefullyid trap to ensure he wouldn''t leave unscathed.

    Rio''s voice grew more assertive. "Whether you took drugs yesterday or a year ago, it doesn''t matter. The traces remain in your body for up to two years. There''s no way to metabolize them that quickly! Now, with this proof, you can''t talk your way out of it. You''ll be detained for 15 days."

    Rio leaned back, his satisfaction evident. "The detention center isn''t exactly luxurious. The meals are terrible, and the beds will leave your back aching. A pampered man like you should start preparing for the difort."

    For most first-time offenders, 15 days of detention was a minor consequence-a deterrent to prevent future offenses.

    But the consequences were catastrophic for someone like Jasper, a man of influence and authority. His reputation would be in shambles. From that point on, he''d be branded a "drug abuser", a stain that would follow him and the Beckett Group in every public appearance.

    Consequently, he would be prohibited from making any public appearances to safeguard thepany''s image. Steven''s heart sank. The evidence was damning. He racked his brain, desperate for a way to counter it.

    After a long silence, Jasper finally spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "I have never abused drugs. For the past three months, I''ve been taking prescribed medication to manage my condition. My older brother, Justin, arranged for his private physician to oversee my treatment."

    Rio queried, "Private physician? Who?"

    "Sheryl Gillis.''

    Jasper raised his gaze, his sharp eyes unwavering. Despite the mounting pressure, hisposure remained intact. "Dr. Gillis has been prescribing my medication since she took over my treatment. She assured me that these medications were meant to stabilize my condition. They are not narcotics."

    Rio froze, his confidence faltering.

    This wasn''t the straightforward conviction he had hoped for. Instead of closing the case and reporting back to Gabe, he now faced a newplication-a private physician named Sheryl Gillis.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 2390

    Chapter 2390

    Theplexity of Jasper''s case far exceeded Rio''s expectations. There were so many underlying factors!

    ''Firstly, I didn''t know this was a narcotic, Chief Olson," Jasper exined calmly. "As you mentioned, this is a new drug that''s only emerged in Sna City over the past two months. Most people haven''t encountered it yet. Even someone as informed as you likely just started learning about it. How could I have known?

    "Secondly, I wouldn''t have taken it if I''d known it was a narcotic. I''m dealing with health issues right now. Taking drugs would only harm me further. Why would I jeopardize my own life? Why would I not want to live a long life?"

    Jasper''s posture was upright, exuding an air of sternness reminiscent of a disciplined soldier. His righteous demeanor made it hard to believe he was a man struggling with drug addiction. Who could look at him and think otherwise?

    While Rio mulled over the situation, Steven interjected with a serious tone. "Chief Olson, I strongly suggest questioning Dr. Gillis as soon as possible. If she''s the one who provided my client with these medications, she would know their source.

    "If the pills found in Mr. Beckett''s office are indeed Crystal Ice, then Dr. Gillis is highly suspicious. As a private physician with unrestricted ess to the Beckett residence, she could easily have nted the drugs in Mr. Beckett''s office.

    Rio froze at Steven''s assertion.

    Late into the night, Javier sat in the study at Seaview Manor, his chest tight with unease. He was deeply troubled. Rory stood behind him, giving him a massage.

    "Why... Why would Jasper take drugs? He''s not the type of person to do that," Javier muttered.

    *Please take care of yourself, Dad, Justin said, cing a cup of tea in front of him. ''I''ll handle Jasper''s case. I''ll do everything I can to secure his release and minimize the damage to Beckett Group."

    "How do you n to minimize it?" Javier frowned. ''The news is already out. Our stock price will plummet as soon as the market opens tomorrow."

    Justin remained calm, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Once we secure Project A5, the stock price will hit the limit up. We''ll recover all our losses then."

    Javier shook his head, his temples throbbing. "I still can''t believe Jasper would take drugs."

    For all his faults, Javier trusted Jasper''s character.

    Sheryl spoke up timidly. "Maybe he''s been under too much stress-his health issues, his workload, and the breakup with Ms. Alyssa-"

    *Sheryl, this is none of your business," Justin snapped.

    Sheryl raised a brow, then retreated to the side.

    Javier massaged his temples. "With the project deadline looming and Jasper in trouble, I''ll have to handle the tasks and meetings myself."Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    just around the corner and Jasper being in trouble, there is no choice but for me to take over those tasks and social meetings with external parties."

    "I can help, if you trust me," Justin said, meeting Javier''s gaze with sincerity.

    Javier slowly lifted his head, locking eyes with Justin.

    At that moment, Barry''s voice rang out urgently from the other side of the door. "Mr. Javier, the police are here.

    They''vee to take someone for questioning."

    Having had enough of this, Javier''s patience snapped. "Who are they here for?"

    "Dr. Sheryl Gillis."

    Javier, Justin, and Rory turned to Sheryl.

    Her face stiffened, and her eyes darted toward Justin, who remained calm.

    "Go on, Sheryl," Justin said smilingly, his tone indifferent. "Cooperate fully with the authorities. Just answer their questions truthfully."

 Chapter 2391

    ?Chapter 2391

    That night, Sheryl was brought into an interrogation room adjacent to Jasper''s for questioning.

    Rio was Gabe''s subordinate, but he wasn''t privy to the full details of the situation. All he knew was thatpleting this task could give him an edge over his rival, Cyrus, and secure his standing within Gabe''s ranks.

    To Rio. Cyrus was nothing more than a privileged man from a prestigious family,peting unfairly with those less fortunate. Rio was determined to prove himself superior, showing Cyrus how he dealt with Jasper, his future brother-inw, and forcing him to admit defeat.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Fearless in the face of wealth and authority. Rio boldly took on the president of Beckett Group, Jasper. He believed such audacity would earn him public admiration and a sterling reputation.

    However, Rio never considered the possibility that Sheryl might have her own stakes in this matter. To him, she was just another suspect. "Mr. Beckett ims you provided him with the drugs." Rio began, his tone stern. "What do you have to say about that?"

    Sheryl acted as if she was hearing this for the first time. She blinked innocently. "I didn''t! I have no idea why he would say that. I''ve never given him any drugs. Officer, could this be his attempt to deflect me and drag me down with him? You shouldn''t just take his word for it and use me unfairly. I''m innocent!"

    Rio''s voice hardened. "You are his private physician. You have unrestricted ess to Seaview Manor and cane and go freely. You had both the opportunity and motive to nt narcotics in his office.

    "Our investigation reveals that only you and his secretary, Xavier Hall, had regr ess to his office. Furthermore, your specialization aligns with the origins of Crystal Ice, which began as a sedative and central nervous system medication. Do you really think you can escape suspicion?"

    Sheryl''s heart sank, but she kept herposure. "So, just because I''m a doctor, I''m automatically a suspect in drug dealing? That''s absurd! The medication I prescribed was for headaches and stress relief. If you doubt me, search my home. Investigate my contacts. See if I''m linked to any drug dealers.

    "Just because I''m not as influential as Mr. Beckett doesn''t mean you can fabricate usations against me. This is unjust!"

    Even though Rio was not aspetent as Cyrus in handling cases, he was nevertheless quick-witted. Rio leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "You''re not just any doctor. You''re the private physician to Justin, the Beckett family''s eldest son. You''ve worked for him for years.

    "I''m no stranger to the dynamics of wealthy families. The Beckett family has two heirs. Jasper, the younger. son, holds, the power. Naturally, older brother might harbor resentment. Isn''t it usible thatJustin would use someone close to him-like you to sabotage Jasper and im the upper hand?

    Sheryl felt a flicker of unease. Their scheme was inching toward exposure. If hooked to a lie detector, she might have faltered. Still, she forced a calm demeanor, her lips curling into a frosty smile. "That''s an imaginative story, Officer, but it''s standerous.

    "Mr. Justin saved Mr. Jasper''s life when they were children. Despite being half-brothers, Mr. Justin has never mistreated Mr. Jasper. Even during his years abroad spent recuperating, he refrained from interfering in Mr. Jasper''s affairs.

    "If Mr. Justin wanted to eliminate Mr. Jasper, he''s had countless opportunities over the years. Why wait until now, when Mr. Jasper is at his peak? Your theory doesn''t hold water. You''re grasping at straws to pin a motive on me."

    Rio''s brows furrowed. The more Sheryl spoke, the more uncertain he became.

    Sensing his hesitation, Sheryl leaned back, crossing her arms. "I''m telling you the truth. Investigate all you want, but my answer won''t change. I didn''t provide Jasper with any drugs. I have no idea where he got them."

    Meanwhile, Sean, leading KS Group''s PR department, was tirelessly managing the fallout and public opinion. He hadn''t slept in 24 hours.

 Chapter 2392

    ?Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Chapter 2392

    Alyssa couldn''t bring herself to go home, so she stayed at her office. Unease gnawed at her as long as Jasper''s situation remained unresolved. Everything else seemed insignificant inparison.

    When Cyrus updated her, a troubling realization struck-something was off about the witness, Sebastian Bender.

    As soon as Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus heard about Jasper''s predicament, they agreed to travel overnight and meet Alyssa at the KS Group office.

    Worried that Alyssa and Sean might overexert themselves, the three brothers brought food to lighten the tense atmosphere with a touch of familial warmth.

    "Sean, Taty asked me to bring this for you," Ss said, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "She made this soup herself and insisted you finish everyst drop."

    A yful smirk tugged at his lips. "I checked the ingredients. They''re all... nutritious for men." Sean''s face flushed crimson as he pressed his lips together. Guilt flickered in his eyes. ''She should be resting. She''s due to give birth soon. Why go to all this trouble for me?"

    Jonah ced a box of L''s handmade sausage rolls on the table. Alyssa wasted no time stuffing her cheeks with the rolls, her voice muffled as she scolded Sean, "Of course she did it because she loves you. Stop overthinking and eat your soup."

    Sean chuckled, his heart brimming with warmth, and polished off the entire bowl.

    Alyssa, however, barely had an appetite. Still, she forced herself to eat. She needed energy for the battle ahead.

    After a few bites, Sean returned to work, leaving the Taylor siblings to focus on Jasper''s case.

    This whole thing reeks of convenience," Cyrus fumed. "That doctor showing up just when the police needed a witness? It''s too perfect. You can hang me upside down if this isn''t collusion!''

    Still reeling from being blindsided by Rio earlier, Cyrus looked ready to flip the table.

    Alyssa and Jonah exchanged speechless nces.

    Ss didn''t quite know how to react. He gave Cyrus a pat on his shoulder. "Cyrus, you shouldn''t bet your dignity on it."

    "Justin''s too cunning to leave loose ends. Dr. Bender is clearly his nt, set up to make everything look airtight," Ss continued.

    Alyssa rubbed her temples, her gaze sharp and icy. "Even if the witness is part of Justin''s scheme, the blood sample they tested is real.

    Jonah handed Alyssa a ss of warm water, concern etched on his face. "Clearing Jasper''s name won''t be easy. The public is already talking, and in this age of social media, rumors spread faster than truth. Lyse, you can''t stop people from running their mouths."

    Ss gritted his teeth."Justin isn''t just trying to win; he''s trying to obliterate Jasper. He''s weaponizing words to crush him."

    The room grew heavy with tension.

    "We have two options," Alyssa said, her voice steady despite her pounding headache. Her gaze darkened as sheid out their strategy. "First, we could force Dr. Bender to change his testimony. Find evidence that the blood test results were tampered with and get him to switch sides.

    "Second, we need undeniable proof that the pills Jasper has been taking aren''t Crystal Ice but medication for traumatic brain injuries. We''d have to show that the substance in his body came from the medication, not drugs."

    Cyrus groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration. "But it''s been so long. How can we possibly find proof now?"

    "We can."

    Jonah took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke. "Julien. He''s a doctor and treated Jasper while he was in aa. If anyone can help, it''s him."

 Chapter 2393

    ?

    Chapter 2393

    Silence filled Alyssa''s office.

    Since the incident that led to Jonah and Julien''s heartbreaking breakup, everyone had avoided mentioning Julien, even though the sorrow of it lingered like a heavy shadow.

    Alyssa had suggested the second option because she believed Julien might be the key to tuming the tide in their favor. But where was Julien now?

    After the fallout, he had disfigured himself, consumed by hatred toward Jonah, and left without hesitation. Would he return? Could they even find him?

    "Let''s try to think of something else," Cyrus said, shaking his head dejectedly. He understood Jonah''s situation all too well.

    "I''ll go look for him." Jonah closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they glistened with unshed tears. The redness in his gaze betrayed his heartbreak. "Some of my former subordinates are still in Mosgravia. I''ll contact them for help. I''ll find Julien, even if it means sacrificing sleep and meals. No matter what it takes, I''ll bring him back."

    Ss and Cyrus exchanged a nce, their hearts heavy as they took in Jonah''s grief.

    "We need to act quickly. I''ll send people from KS Group to Mosgravia to assist in the search. The longer this drags on, the more unpredictable things will be."

    Alyssa wasn''t in the mood for polite conversation with her brothers. She looked at Cyrus with a serious expression. "I might need your help next, Cyrus. Your policing abilities will be crucial.''

    Cyrus straightened, looking ready to leap into action. "Don''t worry about troubling me. Just tell me what you need!"

    "Investigate Dr. Bender," Alyssa said, her tone icy. "Look into his family background, his work, and his personal life. Find out if he has family in Sna City and how they''re doing."

    Cyrus blinked, but he quickly caught on. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I see what you''re getting at."

    Alyssa''s gaze sharpened. "Dr. Bender went against his professional ethics, revealing a patient''s treatment records to another party without permission. He risked his career by crossing Jasper. This tells us one thing..."

    She turned her teacup slowly, her fingers gliding over its surface as a fierce gleam shed in her eyes. "Justin and Sheryl must have offered him something irresistible-or they''ve found a way to control him."

    Ss scoffed. "Dr. Bender is pathetic. He joined Justin''s camp to protect himself, but hasn''t he considered that we Taylors are backing Jasper? If he crosses Jasper, our family can crush him. How could he not know that?"

    Alyssa raised an eyebrow, stifling augh. ''Ss, you sound less like a prosecutor and more like a thug."

    Ss mmed his hand on the table. "Look at what Jasper''s going through! How can I not be

    furious? If I could, I''d pounce on Justin and rip his head off!"

    Despite the tension, the Taylors'' spirited exchange lightened the mood in the room. After all, status and authority were fleeting. What mattered most was that Jasper wasn''t on the brink of death. There was no need to act as if the world were ending.

    Their primary concem was that Jasper''s meticulously built career could be destroyed by a malevolent individual in an instant. They were determined to assist him in protecting his rightful achievements.

    Jasper had endured countless hardships as a child. Other than Anne, he had no one. Even his mother-the person who loved him most-had lost her life in the Beckett family''s harrowing feud.

    Alyssa''s sleepless nights and tireless efforts were all to ensure that Jasper wouldn''t lose anything more.

    "Sheryl is a dangerous individual," Jonah said, his voice steady despite the sorrow in his eyes. "She''s just like Jameson-Justin''s pawn. But more than that, she''s the key to exposing Justin''s schemes."

    Cyrus'' chest tightened, his eyes misting over. "What about Remy? Or should I say Damien?"

    A stabbing pain shot through Alyssa''s heart. In a soft yet firm voice, she said, "Damien is different. I believe there''s still kindness in his heart, even if he''s lost his memories and been brainwashed by Justin. One day, he''ll wake uppletely."Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.

    Jonah, Ss, and Cyrus nodded firmly in agreement.

 Chapter 2394

    ?

    Chapter 2394Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

    "Now that we''re on this topic, there''s something I need to tell all of you," Alyssa said, her expression grim. Her tone tumed cold as she continued, "I highly suspect that Sheryl is actually Liana Gardner."

    Her words left the Taylor brothers stunned.

    "I don''t have concrete evidence-no confession, no DNA proof. But when I called her ''Liana'' at that run-down hospital, she turned around. Her reaction was odd, to say the least. Beyond that, her mannerisms, habits, and private behavior are eerily simr to Liana''s."

    Alyssa smiled confidently. "And most importantly, I trust my instincts."

    "No wonder!" Ss suddenly shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "When I first saw her at the hospital, when she brushed past me, I felt this strange sense of familiarity. So, she''s Liana? That means my gut feeling was right all along!

    Jonah''s expression grew serious. "If that''s true, Jasper is in even greater danger. Liana''s return-under a new identity, working alongside Justin no less-means she''s ying the long game. She''s probably back for revenge.

    "When the Gardners fell from grace, her reputation was shredded, and the public despised her. It''s likely she''s here to settle the score, not just with Jasper but maybe with you too, Lyse."

    Alyssa scoffed, leaning back on the couch with a calm demeanor. She rested her arm on the armrest, crossed her legs, and tilted her chin upward. Her eyes gleamed with a sharp, daring light. "She''d better hurry up, then. I really can''t wait."

    After Sheryl gave her statement, Rio dispatched his team to investigate her home and socialworks thoroughly.

    They found nothing. No drugs, no suspicious connections. Her private life was spotless-just days spent working by Justin''s side and performing her duties as a prison medic.

    That was it.

    Frustrated by theck of evidence, Rio was summoned to Gabe''s office the moment he returned to the precinct.

    Behind the closed door, Gabe''s expression was icy. Why did you bring Dr. Gillis in for questioning without my authorization? Don''t you realize she''s been working tirelessly as a prison medic?

    "She''s practically a colleague in the judicial system. What do you think people will say if they find out you dragged her in for questioning?

    Rio frowned, baffled. "But Mr. Barrett, Jasper''s medications contain Crystal Ice-the very drug we''ve been cracking down on. He imed Sheryl gave him those pills.

    "ording to protocol, I had to bring her in. There''s nothing improper about that. Even if she were one of my team, I''d still interrogate her if the situation called for it!"

    Gabe''s re was sharp and filled with disapproval, as if Rio had gravely disappointed him. Meanwhile, just outside the office, Cyrus had his ear pressed against the door.

    Using skills inherited from Winston, he strained to catch snippets of the conversation. The heavy door muffled most of it, but he could tell Rio and Gabe were arguing about Jasper''s case and Sheryl''s involvement.

    The mention of Sheryl''s name deepened Cyrus'' suspicions. He knew Rio was one of Gabe''s trusted men, someone who always sought to curry favor with him. Though Rio wasn''t as skilled at solving cases as Cyrus, he had a knack for pleasing Gabe.

    This was the first time Cyrus had seen the two at odds.

    "I want you to release Dr. Gillis immediately!" Gabe''s voice thundered through the door. "This case is extremely sensitive. It involves the wealthiest family in Sna City. From now on, you are to get my explicit approval before making any arrests or moves."

    Gabe mmed his hand on the table repeatedly in anger.

    Cyrus'' brow furrowed further. The situation was bing more peculiar by the second.

    If Gabe was so cautious about Sheryl, why had Jasper been arrested without sufficient evidence? Was Jasper''s arrest truly Gabe''s doing?

    Inside the office, Rio hesitated before asking in a surprised tone, "Mr. Barrett, why does it feel like.. you know Dr. Gillis?"

 Chapter 2395

    ?

    Chapter 2395

    With years of experience as a criminal investigator and a naturally sharp mind, Cyrus'' instincts red the moment he heard Rio''s question.

    Gabe mmed the table, his voice a thunderp of rage. ''Rio Olson! What nonsense are you spouting? Have I been too lenient with you? Dr. Gillis is a doctor, and I''m a police chief. How would I know her? Stop letting your imagination run wild!"

    Gabe''s face flushed crimson as he red at Rio.

    Unmoved, Rio stared back, confusion etched on his face. "Then why are you stopping me from investigating Sheryl by the book? I don''t get it.

    "Jasper''s test results were positive, and we found drugs hidden in his office. That alone suggests drug abuse. To secure a conviction, we need to trace his supplier. Otherwise, this case will copse in court.

    "Let''s not forget-Jasper''s attorney is Steven Lynch, a top-tier ex-judge who''s handled multiple high-profile cases."

    From his position outside the office, Cyrus could only catch fragments of the conversation. But Rio''s raised voice carried clearly, as did Gabe''s agitated outbursts. Years of interrogating criminals had taught Cyrus that such agitation often betrayed a deeper connection. Why else would someone get so defensive?

    Gabe finally sat down, his expression cold. "We can''t convict Jasper for possession, but we''ve proven he used drugs. That''s enough to close the case."

    Rio refused to back down. "Chief Barrett, this isn''t just about Jasper. We''re cracking down on Crystal Ice-a drug as dangerous as crystal meth was in its prime. This lead could take us to the trafficker behind it all. Why shut the case now?"

    Cyrus'' eyes narrowed slightly. He and Rio had been rivals for years, their disdain for each other mutual. Cyrus had always seen Rio as corrupt-a sycophant who cozied up to Gabe and yed politics. But now, he wasn''t so sure.

    Rio pressed on. "Jasper denies taking drugs, iming the substances in his system came from illicit medications. That''s different from narcotics use. If he produces evidence to support his im, our case against him will fall apart. We''d look ipetent."

    Gabe''s re hardened. "If he had such evidence, he''d have shown it by now. Stop chasing shadows. We''ve proven drug abuse. That''s sufficient. Release Sheryl immediately. She has nothing to do with this."

    The shift in Gabe''s tone didn''t escape Rio. Moments ago, he''d called her ''Dr. Gillis". Now it was just "Sheryl", as if the familiarity had slipped out unintentionally. Suspicion coiled tighter in Rio''s mind. Gabe''s priority didn''t seem to be justice but pinning Jasper down at all costs.

    Cyrus, still eavesdropping, felt his own doubts deepen. Gabe''s reactions didn''t add up.

    "Chief Taylor! There you are!" A voice called from the hallway, breaking Cyrus'' concentration. He straightened instantly, forcing a calm demeanor.

    Inside the office, Rio and Gabe froze when they heard that Cyrus was just outside. Gabe

    quickly ended the conversation. That''s it. Do as I said. Dismissed."N?velDrama.Org is the owner.

    Rio frowned but obeyed, pushing open the door.

    Cyrus was long gone by then.

    Once alone, Gabe pulled out his phone and dialed a number. His voice dropped to a contrite murmur. "I''m sorry. I was careless. I didn''t monitor my subordinate closely enough, and he brought in someone he shouldn''t have. But don''t worry-Dr. Gillis has been released. No one will bother her again."

    A middle-aged man''s voice sounded from the other end. In a deep tone, he said, ''As long as there are no furtherplications."

    Gabe hesitated. "But... convicting Mr. Jasper might be difficult..

    "It''s enough," the man said coldly, as if he was just going through the motions. "You''ve achieved the intended oue."

    Over ten hourster, Sheryl walked out from the police station unscathed.

    She stepped into a ck luxury car, her face grim. She immediately dialed Justin.

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!